Here we go, another Chapter. This one took longer than I wanted it to...that much is to be expected to be honest. Don't expect anything more this month, I'm going to be rather busy.


Ice melted back into water all around him and the temperature began to rise up again. He could actually sit still without shivering from it, even the winds which had thrown him around quieted back down. If only it was for any good reason that this was happening. All it did was cement the idea that his friend had truly fallen against the Succubus Queen, that his powers, as horrifying they may be, had failed him. In shock and wonder, he witnessed Luther fighting to his fullest, achieving something he failed to and pushing back Alma, a Heavenly Knight. With a heavily beating heart, he saw his loyal friend move and strike in haste unseen before, covered in a blizzard of frost that stretched throughout the entire ship.

Every single movement forced the Monster back, just like he had advised previously. Truly, it had been an incredible event to observe, one proved Chambers' lone adventurer status and he felt his wounded pride be avenged. Though unfortunately not by his own hand, but by the one he was supposed to protect…another part of him wrestled with himself, that of shame for failing to guard his friend and the belongings that were now hanging on Alma's tail. How could he not see that this Monster's game wasn't so cut and dry? How could he not see that she wouldn't cheat, but at least there was hope that she could be beaten back to where she belonged by his aggravated friend.

That was until Alma's fist had slammed into Luther, ending the fight all in one go, stunning both participants. The man's chest was shattered much like Luka's hope driving her off. No, no, nononono. NO! The fake hero saw the Heavenly Knight's hand leave his friend, covered in blood. He watched in horror as Luther stumbled back and forth, barely clinging onto life and coughing out blood, his silver aura flickering and fading away. Luka's grip tightened around Angel Halo's hilt as he finally found stable footing, no longer having to bear the pushback of his friend's powers.

No…he can't just…is this really how all of this ends? The fake hero knew Luther was barely clinging onto life, kneeling down as the man's legs gave in. Luka stood up and made a quick glance at Alice, the one who allowed her subordinate to commit such a vile act. She had appeared as shocked as he was and had remained frozen still when Chambers lashed out against Alma, all the way up to the moment when the Succubus Queen struck him.

"You-! How could you!?" Straining his vocal cords to their utmost limits, Luka demanded to know. He caught her flinching as if the reality of her actions dawned the moment she heard his voice, Alma didn't dare answer him. Shame had won out the internal struggle and melded together with rage, they painted his vision red. Luka didn't care how strong that woman was, neither did the fact that she was Alice's subordinate cross his mind, he was out for blood and the only other regret in his heart was leaving behind his iron sword in the lower deck.

Alma had let out an awkward, forced chuckle and threw Luther's only belonging to him, mocking him as he fell down. Seeing him frantically hug his bag and cry as he coughed out his last breaths made the purple-haired boy's heart sink lower into the depth of dread and despair. It's my fault, I should have helped. I should have fought alongside him! The last time he has ever felt such disappointment in himself, such failure, was when his mother passed away from her illness. It almost paralyzed him, there was almost nothing he could do to mend this situation.

"I got to go...it's been a pleasure meeting you." Right as he was about to charge her she spoke those words to him and she winked before disappearing in front of his eyes.

Good, get out of here and may we never meet or Ilias help me… It echoed through his mind, such a promise, of them meeting again brought him only rage and disgust. He wanted nothing to do with, other than to tear her head from her body with his own hands. Once it had bemused him that Humans could hate Monsters, but now it didn't seem all that far fetched of an idea to him. Evil is within all, no matter what race they belong to. A couple of bad apples like her could provoke the entire world through their acts.

The bloodied cough of his friend and what sounded to be a wheezing breath brought the boy back to reality. Luther, I'm not going to let you die here. He regained control, his screaming consciousness being able to control his body again. Everything else was a blur to him, he didn't hear anything, he didn't feel anything other than what his soul had screamed out. There was only one direction he was running in – to Luther's side. It appeared his monstrous companion had the same idea.

Luke knelt down right beside the dying man, meeting his sorrowful eyes that looked apologetic as if he was apologizing for his own demise. Yet his pupils were too faded for his liking and red spreading stain on his shirt that Alice was touching. "No! You can't go, please! Stay with me, just for a little longer…"

It's all my fault…if only I was faster if only I was stronger. I could have beaten her and none of this would have had to happen. Luther would have been safe and healthy as we headed to Sentora. Luther only responded to his pleas with another cough, as it seemed he tried to say something, and then he sadly smiled. Just like mother…

"Alice, do something, anything! Heal him!" Luka turned his pleas to his monstrous mentor, shaking her by the shoulders, anything was worth a try and he knew she was fully capable of helping him. After all, she had done so before with him. "Luther had nothing to do with this conflict, he didn't want any of this happening. Please…he doesn't deserve this, save him!"

"Quiet!" Alice fiercely shouted back at him, her voice outpacing his in sheer volume. Luka was nearly blinded by strange ethereal light coming from below. "Don't you think I'm not already trying?! It's not exactly easy to pull a person's broken rib cage out of their lungs and some idiot yelling into my ear doesn't help at all! Let me concentrate, precision is needed if we want him to live, so back away." She looked back to the dying man beneath them and Luka followed her gaze seeing her grip his chest with glowing hands. The sheer intensity of the light could almost burn his eyes.

Alice let out a deep stressed sigh, shaking her head as her fingers reached deeper into his chest. "Unfortunately, I think he'll likely be out for a while after all of this is done. With the amount of energy I'm pumping into his body I'd give him a couple of days before he even wakes up, another week for him to be able to move properly." The Monster Lord stated, knowing full well that her news may have disheartened Luka, but it was better to inform him sooner rather than later.

"H-he'll live?" Luka asked with teary eyes and a quieter voice, relief taking hold of him. Alice could practically feel him beaming at the thought of it but also heard the well-placed confusion and concern in his question. "But why? Shouldn't more energy help him get back up faster?"

"It's Dark Energy." Alice clarified and the magic above Luther intensified as she did her best to get out bits and pieces still stuck in him while keeping him alive. She silently thanked Tamamo for teaching her how to heal per her own request, nobody was going to die on her watch without her permission. "Human bodies and souls don't exactly respond well to it. A Human's system gets heavily exposed to outer influences during an orgasm and that's the time when Monsters give a trace amount of their Dark Energy to put the body in panic mode, flushing out their energy in the process. It is the core principle of Critical Ecstasy and why your kind is so susceptible to it."

"So, that's why Humans become too weak to fight if forced to come by a Monster, but what about your kind?" Luka continued his questioning, it was simply the desire to know more about this subject that brought him to speak about this, but also to pass the time and keep his mind from thinking about his friend dying in front of him.

"It may go both ways, though the process of making a Monster experience Critical Ecstasy is complicated in comparison. Any foreign energy can force any being into such a state of their soul that it is fragile and unguarded. Quite a difficult task to achieve for a Human." She chuckled, but it was an empty boast lacking any true whimsicalness and pride that she usually had. The purple lamia sounded more like she stated a fact more than anything. "Given that he has a hole in the chest, I'd say his soul is fragile enough for me to affect him in such a manner. Perhaps much of the same would happen in his usual state with the amount I'm giving, though it would have to be brute-forced into him. But…"

"But what?" Luka was quick to inquire, preferring to know the complications of this procedure immediately. His monstrous companion's long-drawn-out hum stuck into his thoughts and anxiousness took hold. That one word stuck out to him, it couldn't mean anything good.

"Hmm…strange, his body is strangely receptive to Dark Energy, nothing like I have ever seen before," Alice noted, curiosity shining through her gaze as she spoke the honest truth. It interested her to no end as to how this was happening, a shame that it was a most inopportune moment to witness such an anomaly occur.

"That's good…right?" The fake hero couldn't help but sound nervous.

The Monster Lord let her attention slip ever so slightly from the man lying on the ground, there was less and less to repair –his chest was no longer flat, his ribcage was back where it should be, the holes in lungs were slowly being patched up and the blood in his throat was erased. She glanced freely at Luka as they met face-to-face and gave him a shaky smirk. "That just makes my job easier, although it seems our friend here may have even more secrets than we thought."

"Luther Chambers might just not be entirely human – very likely he has Monster blood in him, someone powerful gave their genetic blessing to his bloodline." Before Luka could pester her with more questions she decided to clarify, her smirk staying on while she gave the last finishing touches. That possibility added more to her puzzle, but it certainly answered a lot about him – his strange skills, his weird smell and mysterious past, and lastly his knowledge.

Luther is…part Monster? Luka shifted back his eyes to Luther's lying form, he couldn't quite believe what he was hearing but now, as he was putting the pieces together it was starting to make some sense to him. His lack of faith in Ilias was perfectly understandable if one of the people he was raised by was a Monster or his family had monstrous roots. Another part of his disbelief was the mere fact of it - Luther was a product of his ideals coming to life. If this was true then, here he is, someone born from the unity between man and Monster…

The fake hero's expression darkened. But doesn't that mean that one of his Ancestors broke Ilias' commandments…If Luther could trace his bloodline to a Monster, then it meant the very conception of his family involved somebody committing a great sin. But does it matter? Does it change who he is? No, Luther isn't guilty of what his ancestor did…never…

Luka's and Alice's thoughts came to a close as they heard weak and raspy breaths come from the once dying man below them. A collective sigh of relief came from them once they saw his chest begin to move slowly up and down.

"All done, he should be fine."


Floorboards up above creaked as two candles weakly flickered, lighting up only up a small part of the lower deck's cabin. Waves lightly brushed against their vessel, no longer affected by the Succubus Queen's magic or the Poseidon Bell. It was a peaceful day, with clear skies unlike any other. Alma's attack proved to be damaging in the aftermath, for both the interior and exterior of the ship and one of its defenders. Most of it had to be taken care of by reorganizing and cleaning what was scattered about, giving some temporary repairs and a makeshift bed for the wounded hero of the day. Solemnly, the captain and his crew got back to their duties, unable to quite shake off the tenseness of the event but admittedly grateful for the peace they had been given by their saviors who retreated back into their room.

Near silence filled the cabin, only the frantic tapping of finger pierced through it alongside the faint breath of Luther which grated on his companion's minds. Luka stopped tapping and turned his gaze from Luther's lying form to the still awake Alice, this was constantly repeated, neither had dared to say a word to each other after the scuffle with Alma and Luther's revival. There wasn't much left to say, the tragic excitement of the journey's interruption had flushed out their energy and will. Both had simply dragged away Luther into safety and tried their best at sleeping through what was left of the night with minimal luck. Painfully night passed into day, one awkward second at a time.

Ah, she is awake…like I am…doubt she needs any sleep, she is the Monster Lord after all… The fake hero couldn't shake off his worry for the night as he stared back down at Luther. His alert mind kept him up, still looking for any dangers that might randomly appear or for his friend's condition to suddenly worsen. But nothing happened and that was the worst part, he was left with nothing to distract him from his nagging thoughts eating away at him– of Luther's near demise, of his own failure to properly defeat Alma, and lastly, her deceit that led to the most defining part of this night.

Lastly, Luka's thoughts drew close to the circumstances surrounding the event. Alma's apparent attempt at fulfilling her duties as a Heavenly Knight by causing a storm and trying to eat or at least drain both him and Luther. In hindsight, maybe getting drained would have been a better alternative for what happened there.

"Why?"

"Why, what?" Alice repeated, asking for clarification, her tone was exhausted and monotone. It sounded as though she wasn't spared from the consequences of her sleepless night, or wasn't even bothered to care for her student's pointless questioning. Soon enough Luka found the right words to say, standing up from his frankly uncomfortable resting position.

"Why did you let it happen?" While the words came to his dry throat, they didn't have quite the volume he had desired. It was barely a whisper but in this silence, Alice's ears could hear it all too well. She froze for a good minute before she started to slowly lift up her head to the standing boy.

"Mind repeating that?" Alice requested as she leaned forward. To him, in all honesty, it sounded more like demand, but he cared not. The Monster Lord's tone was no longer lazy, it was cold, bearing signs of frustration and apprehension and just the slightest bit of killing intent.

Luka stomped his shaking foot on the floor to keep his balance and reaffirm himself. Clenching his hands into fists he forced out what he wanted to say, deep from his heart. "Why didn't you stop Alma, just like you did with Granberia? Hell, why did you even let her attack us in the first place?! You knew her reasons weren't real. All she wanted was to drain or eat us! Me having to fight her, I understand – I'm a hero and must be dealt with in her eyes, but why Luther? He was her victim from the very start, and shouldn't have been involved in this mess, she shouldn't have been able to touch a single strand of his hair!"

The fake hero slammed his first into a nearby crate, the more he said the easier it became. Like a faucet his pent-up frustration leaked out of him, there was no dam of self-control left to stop the flow just his tears began to leak. "He only wanted to return Sentora and this is what happened – one punch from one of your Heavenly Knights nearly killed him! And for what reason? He made himself out to be a threat after he repeatedly refused to be a part of her game, after he had to endure endless harassment, and lastly nearly having his last belongings destroyed. Are you really that heartless, to let your subordinates run around and harass innocent strangers, ruining their lives and nearly killing them? Maybe you really are my enemy then..."

In a mere instant, Luka soon found himself wrapped around by the lamia's tail, squeezing the air out of his lungs. The strength of her hold on his body was unlike anything else he had experienced, no Monster had even come close to restraining him in such a powerful manner. His body didn't even have the space to shake anymore. There was no hope for him to escape whatever fate she had in store and soon fear started to take hold. Luka made a mistake by angering his benefactor, the Monster Lord herself, but ultimately cared little.

If I'm going to die here or suffer for speaking out against injustice then so be it, I couldn't begin calling myself a hero if I didn't.

"If you're going to insult me, at least have the courage to look me in the eyes." Alice "suggested" and her snake half loosened ever so slightly, just enough for Luka to breathe.

With much hesitation, he turned his head to her, his wispy emerald green meeting her glowing amber and he froze completely, anger fizzling out of him. She looked so tired…there was so much guilt and dread hidden in her reddened amber orbs. No, they weren't hidden but were completely in plain sight, he just failed to even consider it. Alice's countenance was in the shape of a frown, it looked like tears began to form. "I would have stopped it, from the very moment Alma' lost her little game."

"Then why didn't you?" Luka's voice became hushed as he averted his gaze from her.

"I know of the powers he used. Most of them…and when I caught you from being thrown off the ship by the mere winds…I just…it all happened in an instant. One moment I was watching my subordinate struggling with this Human and next I saw her burying her fist into him." Alice admitted, recalling the moment her mind froze when faced forth with Luther's moving blizzard once more, how it screeched and shook her bones. "I guess I also wanted Alma to learn a lesson in all of this when she fought him – to not harass and make enemies out of random strangers, expecting her to retreat after a while like she always does. But what happened instead…I could never have predicted. "

"Alma, she…never in the time that I knew her had she ever used physical force against someone in such a way, it is simply undignified for her kind to do so." Every word she spoke her grip on him loosened and he didn't try resisting. "Listen, he'll be fine. I healed him and he'll survive."

"I know, but I thought I was going to lose him." The fake hero paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. He softly let his head fall on her stomach, shivering as he let his tears fall. "It shouldn't have been necessary in the first place, I didn't want him to go through this pain.

"Yes…yes. I understand." Alice replied softly and Luka felt her rest her chin against his head as she embraced him. "It was your test, she was never supposed to go serious on you or him. But he is stronger than you or even I thought."

A dry chuckle escaped her lips. "After all, he managed to achieve something neither me nor my other Heavenly Knights had come close to doing, whenever we came close to that point she always gave up. If anyone can fight for their life then it's him. It's only because he survived for long enough I was able to help him." She let her hand run through his purple hair; her voice becoming nothing more than a small whisper in his ear as wet tears ran down her abdomen. "Shh…you don't need to do anything, just let it all out. I'll be here as long as you need me."

For how long the embrace remained they didn't know and neither did they care to break it off. It was a strange sensation for Luka, to be wrapped around Alice's lower half so loosely, and he had yet to feel it properly when it wasn't short or painful until now. He could escape easily from her scaly grasp, just a slight push and it would be undone, yet a strange sense of comfort and safety filled his soul as if nothing could harm him, quite unlike what he usually felt with Alice. It was as though he could easily fall asleep where he stood, drift off into Neverland and not worry about a single thing, and if he dared say it for such a mean person his monstrous companion gave the best hugs.

Alice noted how easy and comfortable the boy's limp body was to hold, squishy and fragile like he was some oversized teddy bear. She had made such an observation before when she teased him, though it was quick and unfulfilling, not something she fully came to understand. The Monster Lord didn't mind the tears streaming down the lower half of her body nor the sadness exuded by him, for that was what she understood and felt as well. Their embrace, between a man and a Lamia, was typical for her species, a sign of true affection and trust to hold someone else so gently, although she had certainly wished the circumstances were as loving as they should have been. Yet there was one fine conclusion she did make – no matter how strong her fake hero would get or the hardships he would face he'd still remain as adorable and innocent to her.

Their thoughts and musings were interrupted by a loud and violent coughing fit, which was followed by a groan. Both Alice and Luka had frozen up completely, whatever little movements they made had turned stiff as the thought of their friend awakening crossed their mind. Slowly, they turned their head to the origin point of their disruption –Luther who had slumped up to the wall mindlessly staring at the floor while his hands held his bloodied shirt. Alice couldn't quite believe what she was seeing, even with the assumption that he had Monster blood, her puzzle should be at least out for the entire day. Although predictably his lucidity was questionable

"Lut…her?" Luka was the first to break the silence and in spite of the man's appearance, his heart fluttered with joy at knowing Luther was alive and awake. It took an utmost amount of self-control not to recklessly jump out of Alice's coils and greet him, first a single step outside was taken. Then another one to sate his desires and the purple lamia was all too willing to let him go.

A long minute passed before another cough escaped Luther's lips and he found the strength to look around, gaze freezing on his companions who were staring at him. Death had claimed his soul, yet here it was, snatched away at the last moment, the rest of Chambers' consciousness flooding back into his body. "Yes-uhgg!" Before he could even respond Luka used his trained speed to rush the man and pull him into a hard embrace.

"You're alive!" He heard the fake hero shout out in his ear, the words taking time to fully be cemented and accepted. Luther was alive much to his own disbelief, but his body certainly didn't feel alive, it was as though he was trapped in a fleshy cage with only his eyes as windows to the outside world than truly something he controlled; limp, weak and barely movable. He shuddered, feeling pressure on his chest, a dull sensation of pain as he was being squeezed.

"Hey, hey….easy off a little, you're crushing me here." Chambers requested and he felt his friend comply. Luka lightly backed off meeting his empty gaze, a quiet moment passed between them and he was pulled in by Luther on his own terms. "I am alive…how?" It was more of an accusation of blame rather than a proper question.

"Alice healed you after…that happened," Luka answered and that steady stream of memories became a rush as he remembered everything leading up to his near demise, how the Succubus Queen's fist dug into his chest and his soul, whatever was left of his resolve tried to keep him alive.

Luther jumped pushing his friend away as he frantically glanced around. "My bag, where is my bag. Is it here? Is it safe?" He inquired without pausing and his hands raced around, reaching for everything he could find until he came across the familiar leathery fabric near his thigh. Grasping the handle, his mind eased and he breathed a sigh of relief and once looked up he faced a look of pity from Luka and an apologetic expression from Alice. "Where is Alma?"

"Gone, ran away after she did that to you." Luka said pointing to the large red stain on his shirt, his voice filled with whatever hatred and frustration he still had left in him, nonetheless, he sounded so tired. The stand user observed the bloodstain on his clothing. Cursing to himself he turned to the only other companion in the room that hadn't spoken.

"Indeed, that is what happened." The Monster Lord confirmed, sitting beside them as she stared back at the older man. "I do believe I owe an apology…both for the actions of my subordinate and for my failure in stopping her, that was a mistake that should have happened. I'm deeply sorry for the harm caused. " She bowed her head.

"It's not your fault, none of us expected this to happen" Chambers reasoned, there was nothing Alice had to apologize for. She was neither obligated to help him nor to save his life, he was nothing more than a simple acquaintance to her, some Human she knew. "Neither I, her, or you expected this to happen or wanted this to happen." When she had struck him, he saw the regret in her eyes. That look that burned itself into his thoughts. It was what helped him be pulled back to reality.

"Ah, thank you for your forgiveness, yet I don't exactly feel worthy of it. Still, this even gave me some thought – Alma must be reined in." Alice stated, inwardly she didn't understand the man's lack of blaming and likely never would. He wasn't her after all. "Provoking an innocent stranger and likely killing him if it weren't for several factors, you're one tough adventurer, disregard any doubts I had about you surviving Sentora. The only reason you survived that wound was because of your strange powers and my healing, any other man would have died on the spot. Endangering countless people's lives by causing that damned storm and attempting to stir the ship, I will have to discipline her when I return. "

"Why not do it now, or at least give an order to stay put? I know you can teleport." Luka was fast to bring up, being struck with her leniency. The news of Luther's last observation gave him pause, Alma showed regret…? The fake hero himself certainly didn't see it when she was leaving, hell, it seemed as though she was completely fine with taking his life in such a brutal manner.

Alice heaved a sigh and gave a knowing look at the window of their cabin. "That is because I know she's already tearing herself up, after all, Succubi don't go around punching holes in people. Violence is the opposite of their way of life and she had done exactly that. I don't mean to make the wound any deeper, that, and I would likely have all my Knights gathered – to discuss their leniency in keeping my identity a secret."

"Did you really have to hypnotize the entire crew?" The stray question from Luka made Luther raise his eyebrow. Just what did happen while he was out? He certainly hoped it was nothing too chaotic.

"It was the only way of making sure they didn't know or figure it out. Besides, we don't need any more hostilities between Monsters and Humans spreading. I just made them think a weak part of the storm had managed to go through the Poseidon Bell's barrier." Alice clarified, it wasn't an all too tedious process of changing the memories of the crew, just change around a couple of events in their minds and that was it.

In the end, more comfortable silence joined them as they welcomed each other's company, not another thought made by any one of them, only resting.

"Land! I see land!" A loud screaming voice resounded above them and the group unanimously looked to their cabin's door. It was a bit too late for that, they had overstayed their welcome. It was time for them to finally greet Sentora alongside the ship's crew that accompanied them, their only hope was that their journey through the continent would be less stressful.


A welcoming sight of a clear blue sky greeted Chambers as he stepped with his allies onto the bridge connecting the ship and port, stumbling slightly with each step, he had to use Luka for support. it was far different from the storm they were forced to go through. Luther had not spoken much since his leave of the cabin, becoming more silent than what was a standard even for him, his mind still dazed from his apparent resurrection. In one way or another, he had been right about Alice, she held the power to keep others from dying, to cling on to her close ones, whatever or not he could be considered a close one didn't really enter his mind. The man had other pressing matters to think about…Tusk had been silent, never once answering his call after his reawakening and he wasn't privy to the idea of forcing it out. Foreign failure and disappointment stained his mind, differentiating from what he was actually feeling, though he couldn't pinpoint the exact difference, instead he turned his attention to his new surroundings.

Port Natalia wasn't all too large as he expected or appeared that much developed in comparison to Ilias Port for the Spin user, much of the natural coast was still there. Yet he could catch how the territory stretched out further, the quantity in its housing. It made sense, Port Natalia wasn't exactly the only entrance to the Sentora continent and the Monster living there would likely prefer natural access to the port. He saw the clean beaches not far from it, likely more infested with Monsters and bandits the more one went out. Humans and mermaids both strolled through the streets, some had paid mind to the lightly damaged ship, only weirdly staring at it. Easy part is coming to a close Luther…now it is going to get harder and harder from here. I just want to sleep…

"Again, I'm very sorry this had to happen to your ship, please take some of this gold to help repair it. It's the least I could do." Luther absent-mindedly turned to see Luka attempt some more admittedly pointless damage control much to Alice's effortless protests, handing in some handfuls of those coins they plundered together.

"Pah, you're not the one controlling the sea here boy, no need to apologize. Besides you've done enough miracles already by clearing the storms, if I'm right ships can actually cross into Ilias port with no trouble. We can start earning again! Though if you truly don't mind I'll only take what I need for the repairs." The captain eased the fake hero that handed them the possibility to survive this trip, taking a small percentage of what he was giving him.

"Right, no weather is going to stop with that bell tied to your ship." Luka smiled at the captain.

"The bell's gone."

"What?" It had seemed all of them shared a single mind at that one moment as Alice, Luther, and Luka had exclaimed their confusion, the ship's captain slightly shrinking at their accusatory gazes.

"It was stolen, spirited away by the ghost that helped pilot the ship, and don't look at me like that!" He exclaimed, pointing to his eyes with two fingers. "My own pair of eyes are still very much functional, I saw what I saw and it seemed that the dreaded spirit had an attachment to the damned thing. It's ringing was probably the only reason he came there."

"Ghost?" Luka raised an eyebrow and then slowly turned his head to Alice, noticing her complexion slightly paling.

Alice scoffed, thinking the old man had either hit his head or hypnosis wasn't focused enough and some cracks formed in their memories. The crew's brains likely filled them in with whatever they could imagine happened. "Are you sure everything is fine, I think you may have scrambled your brains during the rough ride?"

"No. I saw much the same." Luther slowly uttered out, his voice still dry. "When I…fell, there was this ghost atop the railing of the helm. He looked straight at me before vanishing. There was also that time before whe-"

"I don't think the accounts of a dying man are a credible source of information, for all you know it could have just been a hallucination your brain cooked up to cope with your potential demise." The Monster Lord quickly refuted, giving a weak glare to the half-awake man.

"Alice?!"

"Ghosts aren't real." The disguised lamia turned to Luka, stressing out every single syllable. It sounded as though she was desperately praying and hoping for what she said to be true rather than stating a fact. "They're just fairy tales made up to scare kids and impressionable adults into submission or just for the hell of it."

"O…kay." Luka replied awkwardly. Seeing no point in continuing this farce any longer than it should go for. He knew ultimately that there was no convincing Alice of the existence of ghosts, especially one he hadn't actually seen with his own eyes. "Anyway it's been a most enjoyable ride with you captain, but I think we must take this short stop otherwise we'd be probably stuck here for a good hour. Again, sorry for the troubles you've experienced and I hope we were to meet again on better terms." He excused himself along with his companions, who offered either a quiet farewell or silence.

"Certainly hope so too boy, next time please don't have us sail through a storm." The captain shook the boy's hand before pointing to the port. "Good day, may Sentora treat you well, this fine port especially." He walked back to the ship's deck, pocketing the gold that he took, a smile on his face as he looked onto the sky above.

Without another word Alice, Luther and Luka strolled their way deeper into the town, leaving it's rather simple harbor and stepping onto the proper road. They glanced around, either silently interested or amazed in Luka's case by what they witnessed – Humans and mermaids freely walking side by side one another with not a single bit of hostility among them

"Port Natalia, we are finally here…after all this time. I can't really believe it, this place is fantastic!" Luka exclaimed, barely managing to contain himself for the sake of keeping his exhausted friend steady. Guilt crept onto his soul as he found the desire to run out and explore every corner of this place enticing, admittedly he shouldn't have been considering such thoughts longer than a second. It would be treasonous to leave Luther behind for his own selfish desire, particularly when this was perhaps the last time he might see him. Soon the weak smirk into a frown.

"Truly, it is strange to see so many Monsters gathered here with Humans outside of a Monster village, living so peacefully. From what accounts I've read this happened rather quickly, if that was the case with all settlements maybe your dreams might have some merit to it." Alice admitted, slowly finding her lips curving up seeing her people prosper in such an environment, if only she had seen this with her own eyes sooner. And then there was the food she could eat here, that thought only made her mouth water, whether imaginary cuisine touching her taste buds.

"My 'stupid' dreams will come true, you'll see it. If people can get along here and in the Ilias continent then it's possible. We should see more of the world before you go about making such a rude assumption." Luka quickly retorted, though his frown hadn't left his face." Can't wait to see what Natalia has in store for us, and the large temples of San Ilia –it would be a wonder to see them."

Luka paused from his short daydreaming, seeing the world was only one of his desires and concerns. Another pressing fact ate away at the boy's consciousness. "Luther…Natalia is also where we part ways, isn't it? You have your family to find and everything, and I'm sure they're not anywhere near where I'm going." He forced each word out, not being able to even cross gazes with the tired man, a man who had to nearly face death because of Luka's mere presence and shortcomings. Seeing the bloody red stain through the gaps of his coat only made his heart sink further. "Even though I thought I would be helping you get back home, in truth it has been you who has helped me more – encouraging me to train, giving me advice, and even fighting alongside me. This is not how I wanted to separate. You shouldn't have been forced to fight Alma, let alone any Monster, and nearly die. I have failed as a hero in that regard, I'm sorry...my only hope for you is that you find what you're looking for."

Oh…you hopeful idiot, none of this your fault. Why the hell does he have to have such a bleeding heart? Well, he wouldn't be the same Luka if he didn't, probably wouldn't even go on this damn journey, to begin with. Even now, his young purple-haired friend hadn't failed to make his heart skip a beat and tug at its strings with a couple of sentences. The sadness and self-disappointment felt wrong to hear for the man and continuing to lie to the boy was beginning to get emotionally exhausting. Maybe I'll get by if they stop asking questions…right, let's make this quick.

"No." Luther started, biting his lips at what deceit he will weave this time. A brilliant idea had popped up, one where he could use his difficult circumstances both apparent and real to his advantage. "I'm coming with you."

His young friend tried to reply, some of his vigor being reinvigorated at Chamber's refusal, but the Monster Lord interrupted him. An inquisitive expression was present on her countenance. "Seriously? Is it really all that wise to come along with us? After everything that has happened, you still are willing to risk your neck and follow this idiot on his dumb quest? You certainly gave me the opposite impression, I believe you called us trouble magnets once."

"Why? I don't want you getting hurt because of me." Though Luka's hope was partially restored, worry manifested alongside it.

"Honestly I'd leave if I had a choice in the matter, or maybe not. I won't take back what I said before." Another pause came as he strung together the right words to form his sentences, trying to sound as convincing as possible despite his questionably lucid state. "Let's just say I have to repay a certain debt. Remember Micaela, she is a friend of your family and asked me nothing in return for her aid except one thing – to watch over you just long enough until she can meet you again and I intend to fulfill that promise to the end. She is right, you're worth protecting. Don't beat yourself over for what happened, none of that was in your control and likely wouldn't have been either if you had more training. "

"I…ha…" Tears welled up and dripped down Luka's cheeks onto the cobbled road, he bowed his head nearly leaning against Luther's chest while gripping his own. To think there were more people that cared about him out and to hear his friend call his life worth protecting there made his soul sing, made him feel light, as if the calm wind could pull him off the grand and drag Luther along with him to the skies above. "Thank you…I wish I could say more but that's all I have for the moment and I'm afraid that's all I will have to say to show my gratitude in my entire life. You're welcome to go with me, whether or not you owe a debt. But…don't push yourself because of me…you don't follow because of some stupid promise, don't stay if gets too hard for you, I can handle this, I have to handle this. You have no such obligation."

Luther's hand slowly reached for the crying boy's hair and ruffled it, sighing to himself. "Need not worry, traveling with you has probably been the most exciting time of my life. When I say 'trouble magnet' I don't mean it in a bad sense. With you, we had the opportunity to unite two villages, Monster and Human, improve the livelihoods of a couple of children, save people and plunder long-forgotten treasures. The adventures we have been through are enough to write a novel, it was fine. All except…well…the last part wasn't so pleasant, but we don't have to talk about it. Leave it be." He held back a grunt, touching the ever so slowly remains of his pain on his ribcage. There was still much work to do to fix this and he felt so tired, but the man was not stupid enough to try using Hamon in a city center filled with people that would cause pandemonium if they got a whiff of him.

"Huh? I'll say you're a very interesting man, there is something quite I can't figure out about you," Alice remarked, her curiosity and heart yelled a victory screech within her. The enigmatic ever-shifting puzzle that was Luther Chambers has not left her grasp yet, she still had a chance to explore the intricacies of his personality and powers. And the peculiar bond he possessed with the fake hero was a sight to behold.

"Excuse m-"

A large explosion shook the plaza, its booming sound interrupting and startling everyone in town as black smog and flames erupted not from it, the chaotic event breathing its last breath likely leaving behind whatever damage it had caused. Most froze, some had even fallen down from shock, nonetheless, all of them looked onto the origin point of this violent disturbance. Luka was the first out of all of them to run toward it, Alice closely following second and gaining on him.

"Damn it." Meanwhile, Luther was left to stumble out of the blunder that was his friend's sprint, watching the run toward where the terrorist attack occurred. He cursed again and damned himself for getting too engrossed in the conversation and forgetting that such a crucial event occurs.

Left with no other option, he mustered up whatever strength he still had left in his body and ran after them. Of course, out of all the minuscule details I just had to forget a fucking terrorist attack happening in this game…ugh…well at least it got me out of that mess of conversation…let's just hope they're all fine there.


It took everything he had in him not to collapse when sprinting to the aftermath of the explosion, feeling his soul and body scream at him, calling him a reckless foolish idiot for straining himself this far. Yet each step he took only reinforced the other, there was more strength behind his gait as he pushed himself. His heart pumped blood to his body, telling him he was alive. Too bad this didn't mean much for his current stamina and condition. With the wheezing breaths escaping his mouth he might as well be dead. There wouldn't be much of a difference if he was and honestly the more he continued the more he hoped his own demise would suddenly occur. His reward for all of this painful effort? Witnessing the sight of the remains of a sooty building falling apart as smoke and black dust filled the air, the faint nauseous smell of gunpowder lingered.

Lazarus, to think you would even dare harm these innocent people… Chambers stood back, recovering from the short sprint he took, many walked past him attempting to help lift and clean the rubble some of the people were under, and the disheveled form of Lazarus walking by, someone who he could likely knock out with his steel balls if he so wanted to. He saw mermaids and Humans alike crawling out of the mess, still, in shock of what happened, the faint sight of the purple-haired boy crossed his vision. It was Luka, frantically lifting up a piece of stone and wood, Luther would have helped him if he had more strength left him. For now, he was forced to stare and watch, Alice walking beside him not appearing too pleased about the recent event.

"So you were able to come along, I was beginning to think I had to come and get you." Alice sighed, looking at the damage caused, particularly focusing on their purple blur of a friend. "To leave you like that…he is too reckless for his good, such tunnel vision is never good. But I guess that's what makes him."

Chambers coughed, his legs swaying. He had tilted to one side, nearly falling only to be caught by Alice's single arm. "Aren't you going to do anything about this? It seems like they would need another pair of arms, and as you can see I'm not in much of a state to offer my own."

"They'll be fine, this is apparently a mermaid school, so it was Monsters that were targeted mostly, and you'll be surprised how tough our bodies are. Such an explosion isn't likely to harm them, and it's not as if they have enough people there. In case you forgot, I can't exactly go flaunting my powers. No one is supposed to know the Monster Lord is on a journey." Alice reassured Luther, explaining herself and adjusting her grip on him. "By the looks of it, you're the one that needs help, even with my energy flooding your system, it still needs its own source to be able to function properly, hence the fatigue you're feeling. Normally any human that suffered such a blow and was revived by copious amounts of Dark Energy would likely suffer an extreme form of Critical Ecstasy leaving them unconscious for perhaps a week. But you're different for some reason. Isn't that intriguing?"

The stand user didn't reply to her, he understood perfectly well that he was an oddity in this world and didn't need any further confirmation and he had no desire to play with her assumptions about him. Instead, he focused on the rubble – more and more people gathered there, saving whoever they could.

"Help me!" A very young voice cried out, slightly muffled by the rubble that was slowly crushing her, a mermaid tail poking out

"Someone is trapped underneath that fallen wall. Everybody, gather around and lift this damn thing!" An armored man called out to the public, already grabbing hold of the wall's bottom, the people answered his call and began to try and lift it. Many curses and swears of frustration were flung to the air, but to no avail, the wall hadn't budged even with the aid of many Monsters and the fake hero's strength - unlikely the rest of the rubble, it was left completely intact. "Come on! We'll get you out there, just hold on."

"You were saying…" Luther turned to Alice with an unreadable expression. If none of them were able to lift the wall then it meant that the child would likely die by being slowly crushed, he couldn't allow that to happen. Yet he lacked the power to do anything at the moment and so decided on the next best thing – to find out how much he could rely on Alice."

"I can't-"

"You can't or won't? Because I know you're mightier than anything me and Luka faced thus far" Chambers sharply interrupted, predicting what she was going to say and making sure to keep his voice. "To hell with your hidden identity, is it really all that important when the lives of your people are in danger, the life of a child? You're the Monster Lord, ultimate authority and guardian of Monsters, there shouldn't even be second thoughts when it comes to such things."

A moment of painful silence passed between them and Luther hoped with all of his heart that Alice could at least see his point in all of this. He wouldn't be able to bear the day with an innocent death on his mind, much less dealing with the failure of not being able to do anything about it and so he stared, begging her to do something. More seconds passed and the disguised lamia slowly propped Luther up to stand on his own feet.

"I… suppose you're right in some regard, my responsibilities don't end just because I'm on a journey. I won't be revealing much by just lifting something heavy, other than me being powerful" Alice said to him, sighing, before walking over to the crowd attempting to lift up the rubble, placing a single hand in the gap between it and the ground and grabbing hold of it. Immediately the wall began to be lifted up much to the surprise of everyone, Alice not even struggling to lift it with a single hand.

"Eh? What the hell is wrong with this woman?"

"Such freakish strength, she is not even breaking a sweat."

"A savior!" Many more proclamations of awe and surprise came from the public, others backing away, with Alice only chuckling at their reactions. Such a task was nothing to her, having even thrown much heavier objects with nothing more than her finger. The Monster Lord tilted her over to the fake hero looking at her with astonishment and thankfulness, she gave a sly wink as her other hand pulled out the small and scared mermaid.

"Th-thank you." The child murmured and all the mermaid got in response was a steady nod, a slight tinge of red on the older Monster's cheeks. Just in the corner of her eye, she spotted someone close to her, someone who she thought she wouldn't get to see again for the faintest of moments before her savior came.

"Mommy!" The mermaid girl did her best to flop past Alice and meet the arms of her frightened mother.

"Marianne…thank the Founder you're safe." She kissed the mermaid's forehead, vowing to hold her tight for as long as possible. "And thank you as well, who would have thought someone like this would come into our lives, you're a saint." The mother thanked Alice and bowed as she dragged her child escorting her to somewhere safer while being swallowed by the crowd slowly approaching Alice and Luka.

Chambers calmly watched the people who had the heart and muscle to help, particularly his companions, be bombarded with praise, gratitude, and questions about their strength and efforts. One couldn't expect such things from what looked to be a small child and a slender woman unless they were utterly abnormal after all. Luka had shied away from such attention and Alice took the praise with a neutral expression and silence, yet he could tell that being constantly accosted was starting to get on her nerves. I'm sorry for this Alice, but it's the best outcome possible. I'm sure you would prefer to not have the death of an innocent Monster on your mind given everything that has happened. Most got off the terrorist attack unscathed, only Humans having some minor injuries due to not possessing the same supernatural durability as their fellow mermaid inhabitants.

Seems some folk here are worried about what happened to their clothes. What sounded like a small chuckle came out of Luther's mouth at the many exclamations of the people, though it was rather gargled and weak and turned into a coughing fit. Given that everything turned out fine he supposed he couldn't blame them for shifting their priorities. All that left now is to find a way to get them out of th-

"Alright, enough! You got your fill of entertainment for today, now leave…don't you have lives to get back to living instead of gawking at and harassing some stranger you've never met?" His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Alice telling the crowd of Monster and Humans off, the volume practically filling the entire street. Her message was given: all that was left is for them all to scatter.

And scatter they did, some silently cursing in disappointment and complaining about her lack of courtesy while others saw her point and excused themselves for their lack of tact. Soon enough, all that was left were some of the parents, students, and other staff members discussing their next course of action, the fate of the school, and giving their last thanks to the people that came in their time of need. Alice calmly walked back to where Luther was standing with Luka remaining by her side until he decided to rush the older man.

Chambers felt a pair of arms wrap around his chest, the grip on him was quite weaker in comparison to the previous times Luka had latched onto him. "Lu-Luther I'm so sorry for leaving like that, I-"

"It's fine, people were in danger and you had a goal in helping them. I was mostly in decent condition" Luther excused his young friend's actions, it wasn't anything he didn't expect of the boy. Alice was completely right in the regard where he could have some dangerous tunnel vision when it came to helping people.

More power to him, the world should be filled with people like him that are more willing to help one another.

"Honestly, these people can't get any more annoying…you do one little thing for them and they suddenly start to swarm you like flies and suddenly you turn into the local town attraction." Alice's bitter complaints were not far away from Luka's affection, the Monster Lord giving a tired sigh as she gazed back at the rubble near them.

Welcome to my world, Alice. Luther wanted to say but ended up biting his lip, making the lamia more annoyed than she already was could make matters worse for him, perhaps encouraging her to double down on that inquisitiveness. And so kept it all to himself.

"Was it really all that bad?" Luka asked as he released Luther, letting out a large yawn. Such praise was welcome to hear for all the effort he and his mentor had given even if all the noise did make him feel small, unable to neither accept nor deny it.

"Maybe not to a glory hound like you." Alice quickly retorted before turning her gaze to the road. "Well, not all of it…a simple thank you is enough for me. What I did was simply fulfilling my duties. it doesn't matter whether or not they know how I am."

"That's good to hear, though all of this does beg the question – who did this and why?" Luka voiced his puzzlement, he had the sliver of an idea of the possible culprit behind such a careless attack of the innocent but he couldn't quite believe that organization still had such a reach.

"Does it matter? None of us had seen the culprit, for all we know the bomb could have been planted a long time ago and simply set on a timer. More importantly, what do we know?" Alice inquired as she remembered the little detail of going to San Ilia, the apparent capital of the Ilias faith. While curiosity beckoned her to come and see, her very position as Monster Lord had obliged her to do so.

"I think we should rest here, just for the day." Luther saw his chance and took it. He could finally get a good break if they stayed in Port Natalia, a day of not having to worry about any Monsters popping up and sexually harassing them. A day where could gather his thoughts and recover in whatever way possible.

"Feeling tired?"

"I think we all are…after recent events." Luther coughed, his eyes wandered on his companions' forms. Both were in a less than lively state with bags under their strained red eyes, the fake hero starting to look more like a mirror to the older man as time passed, legs wobbling lightly, arms hanging loosely at his sides and Alice's tired expression was unmissable.

"Yeah, it is getting hard to keep my eyes open while standing still, even meditating doesn't really help me all that much." Luka admitted while he had been through much more exhausting conditions he had the blessing of adrenaline that kept him going. Something that had long run out of his body. "Wouldn't mind staying around the port for a day or two, not like I'm in that much of a rush. It's better to be rested and prepared than caught off guard while you're half-dead, I guess. Besides, there is so much to see here."

"And so much food to taste…" Alice unabashedly added much to both of the men's amusement. "Yes…certainly a brilliant way to start off our journey on Sentora, a good tour and rest on one of its Ports is the least we deserve."

"Great! We can start looking around some more." The fake hero suggested, excitement beginning to bubble out of the exhausted shell that was his body. At the very least their troubles ended happily, despite all of the pain he went through he could put his mind to rest for short while – Luther was alive thanks to Alice, Alma was nowhere to be seen and his sadistic mentor appeared in a better mood than usual.

"Sorry, I kind of want to spend some time alone." Luther apologized, scratching his neck and wincing as he saw his friend's expression fall. Although the Monster Lord didn't seem bothered by his request, in fact, appearing to understand and accept it, nodding to him.

"What?"

"We can meet up later, I just need some time off from all of this and to get a hold of myself. It's been hard to even think properly after I woke up." He wasn't lying, it took conscious effort to string together thoughts and words without it all sounding like a slurred mess, the number of emotions going through him at once, barely recognizable. The fact that his muscles burned every time he moved didn't calm him either. Such problems had to be dealt with…privately…

"Alright then, how about a couple of hours before we meet at the port center, it should be easy enough to find each other there." Luka said, refusing to admit that he had no knowledge about any of the notable landmarks in the town. Yet it was better than nothing, despite the man's propensity to blend into the crowds, the purple-haired boy could say that he had gotten used to his appearance to be able to tell him apart from any distance.

"Perfectly fine with me."


A plain wooden door creaked open and Luka stumbled right into a room he bought for tonight, which would have required a hefty sum were it not for the spreading rumors of his monstrous mentor's strength, actions...and her appetite. Still, it had to be paid and didn't end up being a measly single coin either, though ultimately he was glad to sleep in a normal bed for all the days spent in the wilds on his journeys. The temporary abode was worth its price – its size was substantial enough and the necessary comforts for the coming night, and it also had a small fireplace. Nothing more was needed.

Luka heaved a tired breath, propping up Angel Halo and backpack near him and sitting down in a chair not from one of the beds present, leaning deep into its soft fabric. From the thought, it was going to be an inspiring journey across a town where Humans and Monster appeared to coexist well with one another, was slogging tread where he was forced to watch Alice devour any food that caught her eye, he couldn't get his hands on it before it was eaten right in front of him, not that he wanted to stuff his mouth with food.

He whispered a prayer of thanks that it wasn't his money used to fund her crusade of partaking in cuisine right as Alice walked in, closing the door behind. At the least I managed to get a good look around, this place seemed quaint and peaceful enough, people are jolly and well-meaning, able to coexist with one another…yet if what that barkeep said was right then this had to be built by suffering and death and suffering of two people…I want to make a world where that isn't necessary, I have to…

Although seriously, what the hell is her stomach made of!? That much could have fed me and Luther for months! His eyes quickly wandered and looked at her as if accusing her of committing some sort of great crime that slowly turned into some amount of worry. Has she been holding all of this hunger back? No one eats like that. I don't think even Monsters eat like that unless they're giants. She was starving herself, that has to be the only answer…there is no way that's her norm. Maybe it's because she is so strong, she is THE Monster Lord. Mom did always say there is a price that comes with power…

Luka's grip on the chair was tight and a lump formed in his throat that he couldn't quite swallow. Am… Am I going to have to eat like her one day to get by?

"Aah!~ That was refreshing." Alice exclaimed and yawned, dropping her disguise her form reverted back. A small shiver came as it usually, she never really did like that particular form, it lacked the flexibility that she was commonly used to, and lacking an entire snake half posed some challenge to her in restraining opponents. She stopped once she noticed the intense staring that her student had been giving her, not saying a single word to her ever since they walked into the inn. "What? It's not my fault the only thing you did was get scammed into buying grilled starfish, something that you can probably do in about half an hour."

Luka averted his eyes from the Monster, wanting to get away from this topic as fast as possible. "Have you seen Luther anywhere? He didn't show up as we planned."

"Yes, got curious and tracked him by his scent to the beachside, quite a bit away from this port." Alice answered, shrugging. Although her relaxed body language didn't match the serious and contemplative expression. "He was just sitting there, unmoving as he was calmly staring at the sea. Didn't respond to my call either. It Seemed to me he had only begun fully processing what happened to him. I told you there would be side-effects even with his abnormal constitution."

"And you just left him there?" Luka raised an eyebrow. His question was more an accusation as the boy's heart sulked in his inability to currently comfort his friend, someone who was now far away from him.

"He was handling it pretty fine actually…" Alice noted, yet evidently how she had answered didn't satisfy the boy, his frown still present. She chuckled at his foolishness and worry. "Oh please, don't tell me you think your friend there is in danger from the Monster of this region or any lowly bandits that cross his path. Let me remind you that he is the very same man, who had managed to put up a fight against one of my strongest subordinates with his bare hands."

"But stil-"

"Calm down, there is no need to march out and overwhelm him right now. At this you should at least have the respect to consider the fact if he does have any problems he wants to share, he'll come to you." The purple lamia rushed from her position and put her hands on Luka's shoulders, pushing him back onto the chair. "Quite a fascinating specimen, isn't he?"

After a pause, Luka looked back at Alice, who had now let him go to gaze at the door, the only exit out of the room. He took in her question, a myriad of answers of what she could mean by it came to him – only one had stuck out bearing in mind his mentor's identity.

"You mean his Monster blood…? So what, it's not like he knows about it, so you wouldn't be getting much information from him in that regard."

"Oh…that just merely scratches the surface here, my little fake hero." The Monster Lord glanced back at him, staring intently at her fierce pupils seemingly piercing his soul. Luka gulped at the mention of his given nickname, her tone hadn't sounded so casually teasing like the many others it had left her tongue.

"At first, I thought you were the suicidal one, charging recklessly into battle, and that our friend would high-tail it out of here as soon as he got the chance given what happened to him. But instead, he did something that left me…completely stunned…" She chuckled slowly, in hindsight, if Luther was going to be traveling with them she might as well get used to such a sensation. At every corner, there was always a surprise waiting for her, and now it only seemed like she had just begun picking apart the man behind the name. "After everything that has happened, after facing danger that no sane individual would want a repeat of, he still decides to follow you. A stranger he has only met for about a week just because he made a promise to another stranger, granted she did help him, but he seems to have no consequences of not pulling through with it other than disappointment from her. I don't know why or what's wrong with him?

"Or maybe…it's something about you? Can't say I blame him even with the trouble I went through."

Luka didn't deny nor add to her observations about their friend. He gave a hard stare to the wooden floor below him. The fake hero wasn't worth risking life to save or help, he thought. None of this was needed, and Luther should have no obligation in following him, it was his job to save other people and no one had to suffer because of him, because of the consequences of following him and having to deal with his failures. The ship…Alma…Luther's near demise.

He stood up. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" There was not a single sense of gloating in her tone.

"For yelling at you like that back at the ship, I never apologized for it. You helped him when I couldn't and all you got in return was some weak idiot yelling at you for not doing enough." Luka clarified, still keeping his eyes to the floor. He had been given the opportunity and tools and failed, his shame in that was insurmountable disregarding whether or not Luther saw his failure.

"To be honest, I thought I might get such an outburst from you. One of the people that you promised to lead back to his home continent, a dear friend some would say, nearly died in front of your eyes with the culprit fleeing and you being unable to stop your enemy. An enemy whose leader you know and who didn't lift a finger to stop the chaos." Alice slithers ever so closer to Luka, making sure to catch his attention well and force his gaze on her. "Rage and pain are to be expected, though it came at the most inopportune moment. You were scared for his life and those emotions fizzled all out of you. There is not much to apologize for."

Luka crossed his eyes with her, frowning. "Do you dislike the fact that I hate Alma?" He asked, hands tightening into fists as he imagined the Succubus in front of him. "That I want to kill her…? Or at least make sure she is sealed for a long time. Whatever it takes, I want her gone. So she could never hurt another person again."

"No. Have a personal vendetta against my subordinate? That's fine." Much to the boy's surprise, Alice shrugged. "She wronged you and you hate her for it, at least its not for the pathetic reason that her mere existence offends you. It's her responsibility now to handle making an enemy out of you, after all, it was done with neither my approval nor my refusal – an entirely independent action. However…" In a mere moments blur and the lamia was now pointing at his forehead, tapping it several times. "Don't let that hatred get to your head, it will make you blind just as it has many others before."


Time passed as the tension eased and Luka had moved to make some tea for both himself and his company, still waiting for Luther to arrive at any minute. The fake hero's thought lingered on the lesson given, sitting in this room and waiting, it sounded simple enough to accomplish but when faced with Alma he knew the task would become more complicated. His heart had been stained with nothing but disdain for that woman who had dared to try to take Luther's life, just thinking about it made his blood boil like the water in the teapot. It made him want to get up and do something, train more, march to the castle unimpeded, anything to beat Alma. But whatever exhaustion and restraint he had in him prevented his body from following through. Rest came first.

After the water boiled and the sound of steam seeping through the pot resounded across the room, the fire was extinguished and they both ended up seated across each other, glancing endlessly at their own cup and the only other company they had. Such silence was minded at all, compared to the other instance where it plagued them it wasn't as awkward. Luka was ultimately glad that Alice wasn't drinking the tea he had made at the same pace as it would only mean one thing given his companion's ravenous reputation – more tea he had to make.

I finally feel like I can rest for a bit. Luka felt steam hit his face as he contemplated his surroundings. For the first time since getting off the boat, everything was calm…mostly...there was no urgent task of saving his own friend from dying or people from a terrorist attack, no tear-filled apologies either, just him and Alice quietly sitting together. He pondered on her words, took them fully in. She had a point in it all, maybe he should look more on the bright side. All of that is now behind me, I think? I've managed to get him far now, right in Sentora like promised. I couldn't have done it witho-

"Thank you." Once again he bowed his head to his monstrous mentor, but it was no longer rushed or frantic like before. Those small shudders and shivers that were once present on the fake hero's form were gone. He was calm for the most part. "For everything, you've helped more times than I can count – the training that let me discover new skills and my talent, Angel Halo, the map you gave us, saving my life from Granberia and ultimately Luther's life from Alma. I don't think I've thanked you properly for any of the things you've done for me and thinking on how well…dangerous this past week has been I'd say I couldn't have made it out of the Ilias continent without your help. You say you're just an observer, but you've helped me more than you can imagine."

Alice smiled wickedly at this and a phantom of her usual self appeared before Luka. "Of course I have, it would be frankly boring to watch you get eaten by the first thing you met. Though you have some merit to yourself that helping you is generally worth it." She casually leaned back, sinking further into the soft fabric of her chair. "You do have a point, I have been working a great bit here. Do I get any rewards for my great efforts, hmm?

Luka's face immediately flushed red and he looked away from her. "Do you get hungry often? I could-"He asked, words quickly turned into incoherent murmurs that couldn't put together any sound sentence.

"Well yes, I do get hungry while you're out there stumbling about...Could you repeat that for me, I didn't quite hear the last part of what you said?" The purple lamia leaned forward onto the table, leveling a curious countenance at the boy. Whatever he had muted out even her sense couldn't catch on

"Wel- I, I, uh…" Luka mumbled out before taking a deep breath to ease his nerves. "Maybe, I was thinking that this isn't exactly fair to you. You're not getting much out of helping me besides getting whatever you call entertainment from me. You've done so much already." He paused, nervously twiddling with his fingers, doing anything to keep him from staring face to face with his monstrous mentor. "You can have my semen, whenever and wherever you want, just ask for it and I'll be willing. Well…not all the time, I don't exactly want to be seen in pub-"

A sound of a chair falling down resounded across the room and after a mere instant, Luka found himself no longer sitting but laying down on a soft bed, his arms pinned to the sides of his head. He blinked and bemused, stared at the one atop of him, Alice in all her splendor, who was currently wrapping her tail around his legs, leaning into him. The fake hero's blush returned with a deep vengeance once he felt her hot breath on his right cheek.

"Not quite degenerate enough to be exhibitionist are you? I could have sworn you were on, considering your preferred method of fighting Monsters. Ahh…but I'm fine with that." Luka heard her chuckle in his ear as he felt a gentle stroking touch underneath his shirt. "I don't exactly need your permission for any of this, you wouldn't be able to stop me regardless, but it is nice to have it. You've been quite the flatterer for today. Although I do have to ask, fake hero, doesn't this break one of your Goddess' Commandments. I'm sure you can excuse yourself if you're unwilling in the regard of giving semen to a Monster, but we both know that this is an entirely different case, or are you already having regrets?"

Luka shook and shivered under her every little touch to his body, avoiding eye contact. "I have to thank you in some way. I'll just repent afterward or…maybe it wouldn't count if we did it while in your human form…"

"This is just a plot to get me to screw you in that form, isn't it?" Alice deadpanned, leaning away and letting out a small laugh.

"No- I!"

"Shh…Relax." She shushed him and Luka felt a pair of legs begin to straddle him instead of snake tail coiling around him. The fingers that prodded his naked chest had not begun to do away with his clothes and move slowly toward his groin. "Rest assured this is one of many sessions we'll be having."

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything…But his thoughts were melted away by a rather chaste kiss on his cheek.


Never-ending waves hitting against the beach rung in Luther's ears, a repeating motion he found a strange form of comfort in. Compared to the images resurfacing in his mind, the constant chaos of the water was tranquil. The past replayed itself like a film reel right up until the moment he went unconscious, his eyes were the projector, a stressed glossy lensed projector. He gripped the leather handle of his bag tight, the other free arm wrapping around it, clutching it closer to his side. Alma would have his last belongings thrown out as nothing more than a penalty for not wanting anything to do with her. His hand was ultimately forced.

I don't exactly have a good grasp on her character, would she be the type to go through with such a threat? Oh, who are you kidding Luther? Of course, she would, this bag and the things inside of it mean nothing to her. You couldn't have let her do that, no matter what you feel. What would have I done without it? All of my files, photos and whatever else I had gone…drowned away in the seas of this uncaring world. At least on my own, I had backups…mostly… There it was again, a dull ache in his body that came in. Exhaustion was the only constant feeling, ever since he stepped onto the continent. Chambers hadn't bothered to heal it or at the very least soothe it with Hamon, disregarding his walk far away from Port Natalia. He just didn't feel the need to do so, it fizzled out of him with the steps he took to get to this side of the beach, leaving the desire of enduring the pain was caught in. For all the power he had, it wasn't enough, he wasn't going to start licking his wound of failure.

Thoughts drew close to what power he had, what he called upon, and more. Spin and Hamon, he was familiar with, his limits of their usage not so much. Especially the latter, a power which was already hard to get a grasp on melded together into an inseparable mush with something else. Luther remembered how its ethereal soulful warmth quickly shifted into its opposite, biting unfeeling frost, how that sensation spread through his body and covered the soul. Chambers was left with clear, unflinching awareness and had acted out in whatever manner he deemed fit. Struck, slashed, and shot with his full heart and mind. Dark Determination, that's what it is. I felt it a couple of times before but never to this extent. Such a terrifying and strange feeling.

Chambers buried his face in his shaking hands, letting out a tired and raspy groan. He remembered how he moved with no hesitation, how the decision to take out Alma only took him a second to be accepted wholeheartedly. Like getting forced into a tank you can't quite stop and you don't want to stop it. Whatever destruction left in your wake doesn't matter, you only have one mission and everything else is irrelevant. So as long as you get to kill that one person, take that one thing, save that one friend, you're not going to stop for anything. Until either the goal is accomplished or you're dead.

In the end there was no rage left in his heart, the cold fury that pushed his body and spirit to its utmost limits was gone. His bag was now safe with his hands, Alma was most likely an entire continent away from both him and Luka and they were on the safer side of the continent. Nothing was left to worry about…currently…Alma, I don't hate her nearly enough to kill her or perhaps I just don't care enough. Whatever the case, if I did succeed in doing so, then the consequences would be grand – she is Alice's subordinate and an asset in the war against Ilias that helps Luka. That's not even mentioning her relationships with the other Heavenly Knights, how would they react to her death at my hands? I might as well start digging my own grave at that point. I got close, through Dark Determination I got close.

Still, it wasn't enough. It's not going to be enough for what's potentially waiting for me. Luther heaved a long-drawn-out sigh. His shoulder slumped as he stared at the sand being washed away. A small coo coming from his spirit was the only thing that brought him back to reality.

"Chu." Tusk appeared on his right arm, refusing to meet its user's eyes. Its long ears dropped down having lost its usual strength, its stars and moons no longer shone with the same spark, the stubby arms and legs hung low as well. Chambers understood what he was staring at – his failure made manifest into Tusk's downtrodden appearance.

"Hey…buddy, it's not your fault. No matter how much power we may have gathered up in the Ilias continent we couldn't have beaten a fully powered Alma. That's just ridiculous to expect from us." The stand user reached out to its head, he started stroking both of its ears before moving on to the feathered forehead where a single central star laid connecting to the only tusk it had by a small string. Its body was incredibly soft and the texture of the skin made Luther feel as though he was touching a smooth blanket. "But perhaps such expectation is necessary…we both know what needs to be done."

After much consideration, the part of his soul responded. Tusk nodded slowly in agreement, they needed more power, to get it through any means necessary. And the opportunity presented itself clearly to both of them. He was ready to understand the secrets of the Spin, and if he wasn't then he would force himself to. It was a matter of survival after all.

With guidance from Tusk, Luther's hand grabbed a sharp stick neatly planted near him and began draining. The stick dug deep into the sand. It started with four lines forming a rectangle – the beginning. Luther quickly separated it into two pieces. One was left larger and the other smaller. The smaller one he separated, four more times turning it into square and further, drawing clear lines that alienated each shape made with a hard striking stroke of the wood, a repeating pattern. All of them were still part of the rectangle, which was now segmented into proportional parts. Then it came, the final piece to complete the image – an endlessly repeating spiral starting from the first rectangle, the proportional pattern of rectangles and squares made traced the line.

Here it is...If he felt any excitement he certainly didn't show it, either to his stand or his surroundings. The man remained unmoving as ever, if only a little bit melancholic as he finished the last touches of the drawing.

Luther was now staring at a sketch of what should have been an infinite pattern that moved closer and closer toward perfection, a pattern he must make spin follow. Though flawed as it had been, having been made by his shaking finite mortal hands, it still served as a good base to start with. Taking one more glance toward the sketch he remembered the lessons of a certain Italian executioner. "Lesson four – pay your respects. Spin to the golden ratio."

Tusk touched his left arm, lifting it up with whatever strength it had. A star and moon pattern throughout his skin. Luther stopped his nails from spinning, instead, turning his palm to his face and holding it out a fair distance away. First, came the easy part – the outline that held it all together, even a human could replicate it with no fault through their creations. He imagined the outline forming, putting his open hand into a frame. Next came the hardest part, the rest of the golden ratio wasn't easy to form. While he had a flawed base for it underneath him it could never be used as a frame of reference in replicating it through the Spin or even fully understanding the Golden Ratio

It's here all around me, I just need to see it for one moment. Several hours passed bearing no progress in his efforts. Chambers' concentration was beginning to diminish as Tusk hopped around from place to place, at times even distracting him. Perhaps it only wanted its user to take a break, it was sure Luther would pop a blood vessel in his brain if he continued glancing around him like a madman. The principle of it was simple – the accurate Ratio could only be found in nature and not in the works of men, but the execution proved difficult. I just don't get it. What am I doing wrong, what am I missing?

Luther's tense shoulders dropped as he breathed a sigh of relief. Time spent staring into pointless objects and whatever meager creature passed by him had wasted away at what was left of his mental reserves, and the muscle cramps he was experiencing in his legs were utterly unholy. Maybe I should give and call it a day; I'd get more out of a regular training session than whatever this pseudo-scientific bullshit is. The man let his head drop, at this point, it was so easy to simply fall asleep on the spot if he was ignoring the pain in his legs. He thought he might as well deal with it accordingly.

A fallen leaf flew by him, blown by the wind just as he was about to get up and leave for the Port. Chambers didn't exactly know what possessed him to observe its flight, maybe it was Tusk's influence, his curiosity, or his last shreds of hope that he will accomplish something, perhaps everything and more. It didn't matter to him while he looked on to the little thing being carried with surprising gentleness. The dullness in his head suddenly grew in pain. A sharp sting in the occipital lobe woke him from his drowsiness, making him feel as though some object was inserting itself into it.

And he saw it as the leaf gilded…golden lines forming the first rectangle, the outline around it. His eyes narrowed and he glanced toward the life shrubbery around him. I can…I can see it, there is the start. More pain came to him; he observed a spiral form, moving toward the center of a wild flower's opened bud. Then he looked at a clamshell nearby, its smooth texture and shape giving more life to the Golden Ratio. Yes, yes! This is it. Pain flared up in his frontal lobe, but he pushed through it, catching the sight of a butterfly. Its movements slowed down for the man as focused on the wings and their movement.

I don't know how but It is here in life, all around us. Always has been. Luther faced his flawed caricature of the phenomenon and wiped it clean until there was nothing left, the drawing was off by a major point. He didn't need it anymore, it had hindered him, confined his mind to false limits. It always is moving toward perfection, always changing –a spiral that never ends, no wonder static images can't replicate it. It would all be skewed even if it could.

Some nervous and frantic chuckles escaped his mouth. Tusk's soft cooing caught his attention, it pointed over to the other things he could observe. The way the waves curved when they moved, the deformations in the sky and shifting of clouds - it was all there, waiting for him to see it. Lastly, there was his open palm and fingers. My body is ultimately a structure of nature, the beauty of Golden Ratio is there. The first rectangles were drawn, it was split into their own segments, then spirals emerged.

The layer of dark on his skin blackened even more to the point of it being hard to see through. Its darkness was illuminated by his star and moon pattern, which glowed brighter than before. A small smile found its way on Luther's lips as he stretched out a single finger. His fingernail didn't rise up to become a razor-sharp hurricane, but instead, a multitude of circles took shape. Wrapping around the outstretched finger they spun. Luther fired a single shot into the air, it flew further and faster than his previous nails did, certainly carrying more firepower evident by the slight feeling of recoil in his finger joints. As he thought the nail would start failing or fading out it froze mid-air, turning into a pitch-black crack that lingered. It sent a cold shiver down his back. He didn't count how long it stayed there before closing.

"Chumimi~in" A powerful and more assertive coo called to him and Chamber snapped his head toward the origin. It was Tusk, its form had changed appropriately into its second act form. Possessing a larger and more mechanical form it glided proudly in the air, its head no longer bigger than its sturdy arms and torso that appeared to have steam vents on them. A barrel-shaped object was at the tip end of its spine, nearly rivaling its head in terms of size.

Luther Chambers nodded to his stand before his countenance dropped to its usual neutral if only being comparable more to a scowl. He held such power already, the Golden Ration had imprinted itself on his mind, he knew where to look for it and how to replicate it at least to its most basic extent. The sudden jump of energy and strength burned in his soul and possibilities he never thought existed opened up in his thoughts, yet…. "Not enough, not nearly enough of what I need."

Right as he said those words the man found his Spin-infused arm unmovable, as though a large and cumbersome weight wrapped it. He yanked on the heavy appendage, trying to raise it but to no avail. His arm had both refused to budge under the never-fading weight; each muscle could neither relax nor get tense. Chambers glanced at the incapable part of his body. Tusk hanged onto it using whatever new powers it had gained to keep from moving. The man growled, using his other hand to frantically push its head away only for it to be locked into place.

"Let me go...we both know this has to be done, no other way about it." Tusk's still beady eyes crossed Luther's empty ones, the stand's held more strength behind than the previously shy and wary stare. For the stand user, it felt as though his soul was tearing into two, screaming at the other, both screaming at him. Do it, stop, do it, stop. In the end, only one could win out in this struggle. The wind picked up speed. The celestial stand gave one last gaze before letting go at a snail's pace as cutting air flew right by them and the watery grave of the sea smashed onto itself.

Luther's stand vanished without a farewell and his arms dropped his side, the once shot out fingernail had been replaced by a nearly grown one. Just in time, he thought as the energy circles surrounded his index finger. Another bullet was prepped, using his calloused hand as a reference. One second, this would only take one second

With a heavy heart, he gulped down whatever saliva gathered up in his mouth lifting up two shaking fingers infused with Spin energy up to his temple and…

Why? W-why won't it fire?

Cold spread throughout Luther's entire body, Tusk refused to answer his call no matter how hard he pulled on his soul. Many questions went through the man's brain, but a single one stood most regarding his physical inability to fire out the nail. Fire- fire- come on! I need this! He jammed those two fingers in his aching head but disregarding his will and strength the nails didn't punch through the skull or fire out, refusing to leave his fingers and harm him. Despite all of his agitated efforts the only thing he had managed to do is cause minor blunt trauma onto his temple that had only made his headache worse

"Fire damn it! Do it, just do it. Do it!" Luther's free hand slammed into the sand as his body hunched over. He continued to try to fire out only a single bullet, poking and prodding at whatever part of his head he could, adjusting the distance. A single shot rang in his ears, the origin deathly close, but the bullet fired didn't graze. It hadn't even touched a single strand of hair as it flew past. It all left him frozen, caressing the side of his face where he had missed. Even when succeeding it seemed fate refused to throw him a bone. "It's your fault, isn't it? Why won't you let me do this? We both need it, we're nothing without it. Just please…let me…." He hectically asked his stand.

Why can't I? W-where are you? No answer was given. Dead air was all he felt inside. The apparent opposition was nowhere to be seen in any of the senses. Tusk had offered no more resistance to his decision. Even if it could, the power was there, at his beckoned call on the tips of his fingers. Then why couldn't h-The answer was staring him right in the face, amidst the reflection of the water. You…

Just.

One

Shot.

Stuck in this useless, broken body in a world that doesn't care, why not?

"Why can't I do it? Isn't this for the best?! Didn't you want this?" Chambers covered his face with shaking hands, body filled with rage, desperation straining its vessel's last limits. A fist dug into the sand once more, and then another as a low growl escaped from them, man. "How many years? How many years went by like this?! Praying, wanting for a way out Huh? Now the most perfect opportunity presents itself, your very fingers are weapons! And what do I do with it? Nothing…fucking miserable coward! Damn it all!"

A last scream of frustration filled the entire beach as a small torrent of nail bullets ripped across the sky being fired aimlessly by their user. Several cracks formed and faded, only to be replaced by more. Luther kept firing and firing into the sky until he fell down, sobbing. This time no one was there to comfort him in this empty world.


The loud cooing of his stand in his right ear was the first thing Luther heard when awoke. Tusk sounded apologetic, such a familiar tone to him that spoke of failure, after all it departed with those very same words when he fought Alma – a plea for forgiveness. The pain in his head reverted back to a dull ache of lethargy and despair. Through his stand's link he felt it more clearly, he wasn't the only one to suffer, there was always someone who knew of the pain and strife he went through, Tusk reassured him of that. Although he had other problems to worry about and topics to ponder, a faint impending sense of danger slipped through the gaps that were his stand's apology. While its primate voice was no longer as squeaky, instead of having a slight metallic undertone to it, Chambers could still hear the strange panic that this part of his soul exuded. Coughing out of his dry throat he figured to give the least interest into his stands concerns, after all, there was nothing else he was busy with. And so he turned his head into the direction of his stand's sweet voice.

Oh-…oh for fuck sake…of all the possible moments, it happens in the most inconvenient time…I said it once and I'll say it again - to hell with this world. The sight before was mind-numbing, if the slurs and curses being endlessly repeated in his thoughts as he processed his current misfortune could be called mind-numbing. Nevertheless, he was left frozen, and neither did Tusk seem all too willing to move, perhaps still pondering on the reason this world had the propensity of throwing curveballs their way. His mind started going to full alert. Okay…okay, relax…you've not been attacked yet, there is still a chance of getting out of this. The stand user had only hoped his body would catch up soon with it.

A crab girl sat not too far away from his lying form staring at him. Her frame was massive, a large part encompassing the giant crab body supported by three pairs of crustacean legs that had two claws, which made the humanoid part of her body look small in comparison. The Monster's only defining human characteristics were the crimson-haired girl who had puffy twintails emerging from the orange exoskeleton and the shaven mammalian arms that were wet and soapy coming from the side of the center mass. Dull grey eyes met curious red ones. She sniffed the air just when he noticed one of the crab arms had nudged him ever so slightly.

L-leave me alone.

"…" Luther bit his lip guest. Minutes had passed with no one saying anything, waiting for one another to make their first move and it had only now seemed that the crab girl noticed he was awake. The man's half-dead state had become a blessing. Chambers' fingers instinctively twitched, ready to either unleash a barrage of nail bullets or pelt her with steel balls, he wasn't sure which one. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Are you…uhm…okay…?" His monstrous disturbance asked, a tinge of awkwardness, pity, and concern hanging off her tone. It didn't help her that the response wasn't immediate.

The Spin user blinked and nearly buried his face into the sand again, letting out that breath he was holding in and his shoulders dropping. He had been wrong about the first impression, and for the first time, he had been glad to make the mistake of misjudging someone. Tusk hopped on in front of its user, still gazing cautiously at the newcomer. Alright, if I keep thinking everyone I meet is out to get me I might just end up nailing an innocent passerby. Ugh…being constantly attacked and sexually harassed isn't doing me any favors.

"No, I've seen…better days honestly." He spoke out, deciding to break the silence. It had been strange to be approached in such a manner, though he certainly wished never to be caught so vulnerable ever again. He had to get up, even the playing field just in case.

"Heh, you and me both…" She snorted, her low laugh breaking apart the tension like glass to a hammer. "So, what's been bothering you? Seems like you have a lot on your chest."

"Why do you care? I'm just a stranger to you, someone who you probably won't see again. " Luther put it into question. If this was simply a way of easing him into being raped he wanted no part in it. Hands were already on the coarse soil above pushing him up.

"A stranger that has been laying face first on the beach for a good hour." The crab girl casually noted, shrugging. "I nearly thought you were dead at one point, though you don't particularly look alive either. The real question is – why not? Unless you're saying you want me to 'wash' you clean because I'm good at that. "

Luther averted his gaze to the sea that washed the beach and sighed. Tusk floated into his sight, gliding its way into its user's face. Those beady eyes that it held spoke of one thing only to him now. The moving waters sent a pleasant breeze to him, yet he could tell the day was getting colder. Why not? Maybe they're right. I've been keeping too much to myself now. Might as well get it out now to a stranger only for a day than ruin Luka's and Alice's with my miserable ass. A glare formed, he glanced back to the crab girl still patiently waiting, her hair softly fluttering in the wind. And by the looks of it, some sort of distraction is in order. Something tells me I'm not going to like her "washing" me.

"Have you ever felt weak? I don't mean a single instance of powerlessness and fatigue. I'm sure we all have those moments. "The stand user paused and so did his body as he gathered the right words to express his thoughts. His reflection in the water had become clearer and the cloudiness that he was used to seeing in the sky had broken up into a hue of blue and orange. It was so quiet that Luther could hear his own heartbeat. "But rather in a general sense. That feeling that nothing you do matters…no matter how much pull you'll get in the end, you'll never be strong enough and someone or something will pull the rug under your feet. It all ends the same."

"Feeling weak?" The crab girl hummed slowly, averting her eye from Chambers and appearing lost in thought. "And I suppose… something or someone already pulled the rug under you, even after all the effort you put in to be strong?"

"Yes." After much time Luther stood up, lightly stumbling over his own feet and the unexpected weight in his body. He noted that he had spent too much laying down, evident by the prickling sensation in his legs.

The Monster crustacean jumped ever so slightly, her eyes that glanced back at him widened at the massive red stain on his shirt. Yet she recovered quickly from the initial shock, almost as if she was expecting this. "W-woah…no wonder I smelled blood coming from you, it's still fresh." She stepped forward, leaning into him, and took a whiff of it. "By the looks of it, only half a day old, what exactly happened to you?"

"I assume you know about the strange storms that been looming over the sea between the Ilias and Natalia's ports for the past year."

"Hmm, they keep coming anytime a ship tries to sail through here. I usually just go underwater, but that's not something available for most people. Does this have something with that Founder-forsaken mess on your chest?

"Well, I and my compatriots managed to get around the issue of traveling through such problematic weather. Much to our surprise, the storms happening weren't natural, but the fault of a youma, who happened to have a particular drive in not letting any traffic go to or out of the Ilias continent." Luther started his story. Already he noticed how the little details he had given had caught his unexpected guest's interests, her countenance brimming with more questions. "As it turned out she didn't appreciate us breaking her little hold of the sea and ended up showing her displeasure in a 'violent' way. And eventually, it became my turn to defend myself."

"You fought a youma? Particularly someone who had managed to create storms for the entire year?" She scoffed, being quick to disbelief his apparent tall tales of grandeur. Although some part of his story had made sense to her and explained how unnatural the recent weather patterns have been, there was no possibility of the storm being so permanent and selective. "If what you say is true, then why would she resort to such a barbaric method of defeating you? At this point, you'd already be drained to death for all the semen you have or to utter exhaustion. The youma wouldn't begin to take you seriously if she had that much power."

"Maybe you would have been right." Luther gave a tired frown while gazing at the sea, his arms began to turn dark as stars and moons adorned the midnight black covering his skin and clothes. He pointed a finger into the sand and fired a basic shot. The crab girl backed away, flinching from the noise made and staring at him. "But…I had managed to make myself a threat to her while fighting. Enough to consider me not worth the trouble and she ended up having."

"Alright, I might believe your crazy story about fighting such a powerful Monster on account of that weird smell and powers." The crab girl continued to stare in disbelief at the peculiar energy radiating. It was orderly and firm in his constant harmonious movement, strangely appealing to her senses. "But then how did you survive? Judging from that disgusting stain, that wound should have at least punctured your lungs."

"I only barely managed to because there was a healer on board the same ship. Very skilled that one just doesn't fully have her heart set in the right place." He answered whispering the last part and wincing as he let his Spin fluctuate out of him. "And now you've heard it all from me, how I ended up like this."

"So what?" She shrugged.

"Huh?"

"So what if you got your ass beat? It doesn't mean the world and everyone in it will keep kicking you down or you have to let it keep doing it to you. The important thing is that you survived and that's all that matters. It means you have another shot, you don't stop because of it." She spoke concisely and confidently, her voice filled with passion of one who would never give up until death itself had decided she had enough. "Throw those feelings of weakness out. They're always going to be fish out there, and mulling over losses isn't going to help if they decide to eat you. Keep fighting and getting stronger so you can make sure that attacking and leaving you alive was the worst decision of her life when the time comes."

Luther cracked a minuscule smile at her contagious enthusiasm and determination, it felt as though it started to seep into his own thoughts as well. Never thought I'd be having a giant crab girl for a motivational coach. But is she wrong? He glanced at his hand, so many times had they been used to channel the powers that had been thrust upon him. I've already gotten stronger even if I feel like shit now. If I can't use Act 3 now, then I'll perfectly make do without it. "Make sure attacking and leaving alive was the worst decision of her life when the time comes" now that is certainly one way to go about life. Alma's response was mostly reasonable, this conflict escalated beyond the point we predicted, it's the other stuff about her that's the problem.

"I mean, it's been working for me so far." She presented her massive crab claws and main body, the muscles she possessed. Her physical appearance had been something to boast about, the heavens knew much it had saved her. "It's one of the few ways to survive here. Peh, those mermaids have it easy there."

"You mean the mermaids from Port Natalia?" Chambers raised an eyebrow at the offhand remark. "I guess they would have it easy compared to living out in the wild…can't Monsters just go there or…?" He trailed off recounting his experience so far in the town, his observations. A peculiar pattern formed in all of his relocations, one that made him rub his eyes in frustration, there hadn't been any other Monsters other than mermaids there or at least that was much he could tell. It had seemed the people hadn't fully learned their lesson from Laura.

"Chumimi~in" Tusk appeared in front of its user, blocking his view of the crab girl and crossing its blue orbs with Luther's grey.

"Nope, nothing but mermaids." The crab girl grumbled and crossed her arms, confirming his suspicions. "Haven't seen anyone else go in."

Really? Should I even try? If that place still holds anti-Monster sentiments directed at all the other ones that aren't mermaids then we're going to have trouble and Crabby here doesn't exactly have the lenience of being a small child.

"Have you…actually gone there, did they stop you or shoo you away?" Chambers pressed further, fixing a glare at the port now far away. The gears in the stand user's brain began to turn smoothly once more, abruptly he desired to figure out how severe this issue was and possible consequences. If this was one more way to distract himself or genuine curiosity, he didn't know, nevertheless, it was certain that his interest was piqued.

"Eh…no." She admitted some of her vigor vanishing, yet much of not being her fault. Natalia Port didn't look all too welcoming, too prim and proper for a gal like her. "Besides, they wouldn't be able to handle someone 'wild' like me."

"Why not give it a try? It would be something new to experience." Chambers offered, frowning as he saw his monstrous saving grace stiffen.

"Are you crazy? You know what they would try to do to me when I get to their gates. Look, I may be able to handle them all, but I don't want to be chased down by some angry gaggle of mermaids and Humans." The crab girl exasperated, sighing at the man's foolish question, although her frustration hadn't lasted long once the possibility of causing a town-wide commotion popped into her head, making her let out a couple of hearty chuckles.

"Hey, it's only a suggestion. Besides I can back you up if the people give you any trouble, say you're here with me for a simple visit. Don't think they'll attack or chase you away if you show them you mean no harm." Luther said and waited for her reaction, the minor interest brimming in her expression told him he gave a good hook, line, and sinker. "We can see how really good those mermaids have it."

"You would really do that? But why, aren't I just a stranger?" She voiced her disbelief putting her hands to her sides and mimicking Luther's monotone tone with only a slight tinge of her own sarcasm. But there was a noticeable blush on her face and she couldn't deny the curiosity in her soul. The man had an apparent way of flattering people it seemed.

"Consider it as thanks for helping me here, figured I'd repay you somehow and I have to get back there regardless. Just keep in mind to stay out of trouble, it's how it typically goes in town even for the ordinary residents. Please don't go around 'washing' people. Their place, their laws." Chambers warned, hoping dearly that his words are heeded properly. Otherwise, he would have much trouble on his hands. "They don't need any more reasons to mistrust outsiders."

"Stay out of trouble. Yep, yep, got it, no doubts the guards will be keeping an eye on us. Thanks, I've never had a Human do something like this for me." She stretched out her hand out in front of him. Someone who she had originally to be a potential meal had given her an important opportunity- to see one of those Human towns and had to be shown well-earned respect. "Sorry, but I didn't quite catch your name."

"Luther." He reciprocated, shaking hands with her and giving a long-overdue introduction.

"Soapy."


Port Natalia was laid just on the horizon as they approached, its tall towers and building poking from the artificial canopy made by the town's houses, scraping against the orange hue of the sky. All in all, it appeared quaint and inviting, yet they both knew that results would quickly show the truth. Soapy had undoubtedly been interesting company for Luther, she was energetic and confident in her own manner separate from either Luka's usual heroism or Alice's unshakable teasing presence. Her strong and lumbering movements were fascinating to watch. Unlike his companion's she had not allowed awkward silence to take hold, almost forcing him to speak. A task he found most difficult to accomplish given his severely distracted mind can't come up with any more topics to approach.

The true Golden Ratio had buried itself into his head, everywhere he looked he saw it – on the grass and shrubbery, sky, sea, and every little critter that passed, even on his temporary companion's form. Wherever he went, however, he looked, it was always there. It nearly made him stumble the first time he processed this. Who knew that the world held such harmonic beauty? And such perspective was permanent, Luther understood he could never rid himself of observing and understanding such a constant principle.

Alright, so far everything is fine. They had eventually gone inside the perimeter of the town without any issue. Some passerby had spotted them, particularly his monstrous companion but had opted to ignore once he popped into view. There was no great tall gateway waiting for them to come, just a simple rural entrance that was lightly stocked with guards accomplishing their duties. The worst-case scenario here would be a small skirmish happening, not something either of them wanted to do.

"Here we go." Soapy said as they approached, her throat tightening. Was she nervous? Yes, and she couldn't be blamed for being so. After all, this was the moment to see whether or not the "civilized" Human society hated her along with the mermaids that made the port their home.

"I have your back if anything happens." Luther reassured adjusting his coat. The fabric wasn't quite kind to his naked skin after he had given up his shirt to cover up her chest, which was now bleached again with the use of her cleaning powers. True to her name, it appeared she had the ability to produce soapy-like cleaning substances out of her. It had been a tough endeavor in convincing her to cover her glorious body, only after mentioning the fact that another Monster had done so she caved into his request.

Soapy was easily noticed by the armed men stationed to guard the port's citizens. They eyed the approaching crab Monster with suspicion, tension instances only slightly relaxing upon seeing Luther walking beside her. Were it not for his proximity, the man could tell they wouldn't have noticed him or paid the least amount of attention. One guard had appeared to have the courage to intercept their path, with another large one following closely, uncertainty in his steps.

"Halt!" The guard demanded, who despite his powerful voice was minuscule in size in comparison to Soapy or even Luther, his confidences backed by the numbers behind him rather than his individual strength. Curled black hair stuck out through his kettle hat helmet. "Monster, what purpose have you two come here?"

"Are you sure about this? Why stop someone now?" The other one questioned standing beside him as he curiously eyed the crab girl's massive frame. He shifted his gaze toward Luther observing, his brow furrowed as though he was trying to remember something.

"We're just doing our job, stopping anyone that looks suspicious. When's the last time a Monster has come around so casually?"

"I dunno, but they don't appear dangerous. One looks like a corpse fished out straight from the ocean and the other is friendly enough." The larger one noted his hunter green-colored eyes glancing around calmly. A yawn escaped his mouth. All the burly man wanted was to end his shift. "She hasn't attacked us as the others when we're on caravan duty."

"By the heavens, do you have no sense of diligence in your work? Are you that reckless? It's our damn job to stop any suspicious travel into this port and we're going to do it." The smaller one responded, tapping the wooden point of his spear against the road before turning to face Luther and Soapy. "Now then, are you going to answer or are we going to force you to leave."

"Oh, what's it to you, 'big' man? Feel tough holding that pointing stick? If this is about me being a Monster, I'm sorry but I would have to ask you to walk around town for a bit and tell me what you see." Soapy crossed her arms, taking a few steps forward. "In case you haven't noticed, half of your place is made up of mermaids, who are Monsters…"

Chamber sighed and twitched, seeing the guards gripped their weapons tighter. If he wanted to stop this situation from escalating then he had to act and stop his crustacean acquaintance from doing anything reckless right as she might be. He walked forward, stepping in between them and giving her a single to keep quiet for now. "Hey, hey, please forgive my friend's hastiness here. It's not been a nice day for either of us. All we want to do here is go in for a quick visit to this place. We were hoping you'd let us through since you do accept mermaids."

The guard stepped back, all of his compatriots breathing a sigh of relief as tension began to be defused. "Hmm…"

"Hey, wait, tall, brown hair, monotone voice, bag…" The large one stayed, noting down Luther's features much to everyone's confusion. "Yes, yes! I know you. You're one of those crazy folk that sailed through the storm. Heard you got attacked by a sea witch and by the looks of it I don't think the rumors are wrong."

"Wait, seriously…"

"Now that he mentioned it…"

"Yeah, he does look like that guy that captain talked about." And many more exclamations from the guards followed, everyone's attention including Soapy was now shifted onto Luther. They all stared at him gracelessly, on the verge of asking some sort of question and biting it back down in fear of being impolite to the man who clearly suffered a terrible fate.

"Rumors? Are there really rumors about me?" Luther thought he might as well be the one to break it. He wanted to get it over with and get out of there as fast he could, there were too many unpleasant eyes staring at him he might as well spontaneously combust and nothing would change.

"Impossible that there wouldn't be any, it's almost never we see ships come from the Ilias continent. Rarely is someone ever that suicidal to knowingly sail through something like that. You, that crew, and your friends have been the talk of the town and during guard duty, you can't help but pick up some gossip." He explained letting out a nervous laugh as his supposed superior glared at him. "Although to think this shitty year was the fault of some pissed-off sea witch, crazy…anyway I think they'd be good to go."

"Of course, you'd spend your time talking about nothing with people rather than doing your job…ugh…" His superior leaned the spear onto his shoulder rubbing his face with his hands before glancing back at Luther and Soapy. It took a full minute before he responded. "Fine, they can go, but if you cause any trouble, I'm putting both of you straight in jail."

"Yep, yep, got it." Soapy nonchalantly accepted his terms as she pats Luther on the back. Now that their obstacle has been dealt with, the rest of Port Natalia awaited them. She couldn't wait to see for herself.

"Understood."


"That was easy enough…" Luther noted as they walked down and turned a corner into a street that was hopefully emptier of people than places they have visited. He grumbled, shooting a small glare at his cheerful stand. As far as he could say the visit hadn't been worth the trouble and part of him wasn't surprised at all by this, he did remember the town still had some anti-Monster sentiments – the only monstrous species living there were mermaids. That had been confirmed by the public's reactions.

"Shame about the constant staring, do people seriously have nothing better to do?" Soapy complained as she glanced around. Almost all of the people that they passed had stopped to stare at her. Awe, fear, wonder, curiosity? She didn't know why. At least it was passive observations and were left mostly to her imagination of what they meant, incomparable to the awkward vocal confusion and surprise that had greeted them, some had even commented on her form either giving out strange compliments or being aghast. Her only saving grace was Luther's chill presence keeping her calm and the surprisingly welcoming greetings of the mermaids, a part of the port she thought would be insufferable.

"Well, you're the main strange attraction that has come to town, something new, second to only us, I think." Luther Chambers observed, noticing that he got a couple of curious and interested stares. He wondered how rumors of his appearance could have spread so far in this town, did the people really had nothing better to do, or was he that noteworthy. "People are bound to treat you that way, if you settle down here somehow, it will stop after… I'd say a couple of months..."

"I don't have that kind of time!" She yelled out and the man could only impassively shrug.

Fresh air and green shrubbery surrounded them. Luther felt the tough bark scrape against his coat as he leaned against a tree, lightly out of sight. Underneath the tall green that sheltered them from the sunlight they sat, musing on the world, particularly the port town with mixed reactions which gave them a pause. The stand user put his hands on his chest and huffed, despite the lack of comparable physical strain he was exhausted and it was as though he could fall asleep at any moment if not for his momentary acquaintance.

"Ha…you humans sure do know how to make yourselves a home, it would be a nice place to live in if it weren't for all the staring. I swear some of the guards gave some stink eye, eh not much I can do about here." Soapy sighed, some envy leaking from her voice for the Monsters that found this place their home. "Hmm, maybe I can wash some of them and those frowns around, what do you think?"

Luther's brows furrowed and he shook his head. "Don't really think randomly 'washing' people is going to help your case much, you are deep in Human territory after all. If anything you'd probably have to do it on their terms and the likelihood of them accepting now is near improbable."

"I know that! Do you think I'm stu-"The crab girl was interrupted by a ball that bounced from the bush. It went straight toward her face. Soapy was quick with her reaction, grabbing the leather ball with her hands while using one of her claws to block her face just in case. Stunned, she squeezed tight and looked at it.

"Sorry, I threw it too hard. I'll come and get it! "A voice of a little girl quickly followed the ball that was thrown and Soapy and Luther shared a glance, before looking into the space the ball came from. A small mermaid girl emerged from the bushes giggling as she flopped effortlessly on her tail, a jolly expression on her countenance. She looked at them and froze midway nearly falling down on the ground, her brown pupils affixed to the leather ball being awkwardly held by Soapy.

"Ava, don't run off like that. Wait for me!" Another juvenile voice rang out behind them, this one was more boyish and it reminded Luther of Luka if the fake hero was several years younger. A grey-haired boy emerged from behind the mermaid, he was shorter than his young mermaid friend but there was a spark of hyperactivity in his eyes.

He stopped near Ava and stared directly at the ball then diverted his gaze to the one holding it and her acquaintance. "Oh, hello there! Haven't seen a face like you here, you must be new in town." The boy waved, giving a hearty inspiring laugh.

"Hi…" Ava greeted the crab girl, averting her gaze from the Monster as she scratched her left arm. "Ah…sorry for the ball, didn't mean to throw it at you, can you please give it back?"

Soapy raised an eyebrow at them shrugging while glancing at the only friend she had made this day. Luther had added nothing more to the conversation, he hadn't even looked at their general direction, instead, his focus was dedicated to observing the scenery of every fauna he could see, nearly appearing to doze off. She sighed, shaking her head before turning her attention toward two younglings. They were a Monster and a Human playing together peacefully, something rather unseen in her own wild world, it had almost made her jealous to have such company at that age.

"Sure, why not." The crab girl threw the ball back carefully, making sure not to knock either of the kids down. "Don't worry about it, it's just an accident." She told the mermaid.

"Thanks!" The young boy was faster in his reaction, managing to grab it before his fish-like friend did. He smiled gratefully as he lightly stumbled back. "Sheesh, you have one hell of a throwing arm, both of you." He noted, prompting a laugh from Soapy and a quiet giggle from his mermaid friend.

"You two seem like good friends, playing some sort of game with that ball?" She asked, silently mussing on their supposed friendship. No one had been around to greet her ever since she hatched, not even any siblings, she was forced to survive on her own.

"Yep! Name's Chris and this is Ava, what's your name?" He asked, rashly cutting down the seriousness that lingered with the crab girl.

"Luther." The older man casually said, only now deciding to stare at two kids that had disturbed his rest, still appearing as though he was distracted by something they couldn't see.

"Soapy." Ignoring the dead air after Chambers' introduction she simply stated her name with confidence. Both of the children's expressions turned slightly puzzled, non-verbally asking her the origin of the name. "Why are you looking at me like that? It's a good name, I picked it myself."

"No, no, there is nothing wrong with it..." Ava was quick to deny the alleged insult made to Soapy. "It's just…Soapy…? As in Soap?"

"Like bubbles?" Chris curiously added to the pile of short questions, making the crab girl smile.

"Yes, actually, I can make a lot of bubbles …" Soapy stated that and their eyes lit up like stars. Chambers had given her a leveled look as well, closely watching her movements with interest. It was her time to shine and show what she was capable of in a less destructive and lewd fashion than usual. The front of Soapy's crab exoskeleton slightly opened up, she had no need to go overboard.

"Really?" They both asked, sincerely hoping this stranger wasn't pulling their leg.

See how they like this. Soapy giggled and suddenly thrust her hand into the air and everyone looked up. Chromatic reflections covered the sky above, shining down miniature rays of rainbows as the light bent in wondrous ways within her bubbles. Miniature glimmering stars painted the air, slowly descending. Soon a single bubble landed on Ava's nose before popping, a telling of what's to come, the mass horde approaching them like a light rain.

Haven't been given such a gentle and refined touch, since…forever really…The exclamations of joy and amazement from both the mermaid and the boy were music to her ears, a wondrous choir she could listen to forever. Soapy glanced at Luther, whose face had actually broken into a smile. She observed a curious minor phenomenon – one of her bubbles spinning atop the man's fingers as he bounced it, the light it shone intensified greatly. She shrugged it off, figuring it was one of Luther's many oddities, and looked on to the children playing the field.

Maybe this port isn't so bad after all.


Empty chatter, gossip, and the warmth of the lighting filled the pub's welcoming ambiance, a fitting shelter from the cold dark of the night for Luther. He stared calmly at his still half-full drink whith scotch lightly burned in his throat and heart, it wasn't anything he wasn't used to, usually, the stuff he took was stronger or more in quantity. Yet he wasn't trying to get himself drunk, just take enjoyment of whatever he could, a hangover was not a sensation he wanted to experience again nor could afford too much.

At least Soapy had her fun, I just feel less worse…Chambers noted, remembering a moment where they managed to get incidentally separated, making him needlessly worried. During the awkward reunion, it was easy to notice the obvious mood increase as if it wasn't high enough already. I wonder…did she find more people more agreeable to her presence? Or did she even get to "wash" someone? Eh…The stand user glanced back at the crab girl who sat in one of the corners of the pub sipping the juice he bought for her. Haven't heard much commotion going about her, besides the one-off questions.

This day has been shit, scratch that, this entire week has been shit. At least now things have cooled down a little, for now. He stared at his own reflection within the amber-colored alcohol. In spite of the unseen encouragement and the support of his allies who had saved his life his heart still beat a somber tune. His body shook at the prospect of meeting Alma again, yet a frown remained steady, the dull ache of pain never left his chest. Is it out of fear or anger, how will I face the one who nearly killed me? Chambers decided not to dwell in it and drank the rest contents of his glass in one unflinching gulp before putting back down onto the table.

Soon enough another filled glass found its way into his view, guided by a gentle hand, which upon further inspection belonged to the mermaid owner of the pub. The liquid in it was dark purple. She smiled at him and winked once he glanced up. "Noticed the regular stuff doesn't give quite the kick to you, here's a little something I've been working on. On the house."

"Sure, I'll guess I'll take one, though I don't want to end up hungover." Luther wasn't one to refuse anything free offered to him; it wasn't suspicious, it had seemed to him way too impolite to refuse another person's generosity. But there was always an undeniable part of him that inquired on the reasons behind such gifts, after all, if he was already receiving them wasn't he also entitled to know the motives? "But why me out of all the people available? I'm not even a long-term patron."

"Oh, if you're visiting once might as well give something experimental to you, just so I don't scare any of my returning customers." She said and Luther stared blankly at her. So he was just a genuine pig, is that it? But that train of thought was broken by a giggle. "Oh…that face you made was hilarious. Relax, I'm just messing with you. It's not that much stronger, only different from what you're normally used to."

The pub owner played around with the glass with her finger. "As for why... consider it as thanks for getting a Monster other than a mermaid into here. Not many have actually passed through this port and there is still much to be desired in the general attitude of the humans living here. After everything that has happened…it's somewhat disappointing, but it seems she had a good time here." Her gaze shifted to Soapy, happily chatting with some of her inebriated patrons.

"Ah, yes… I know what transpired in this port and it seems they haven't fully learned their lesson yet, but it's better than nothing." Luther remarked, taking the glass that has been given to him. He brought it up to his nose and sniffed it, noting how it smelled a bit like rum. Only it seemed…off…Shrugging to himself, he took a cautious sip, the liquid went down his throat without a struggle and so he down the rest, leaving behind a sweet aftertaste. He hummed; there was no burning sensation in his throat. It had appeared even milder than the whiskey he tasted until suddenly his cheeks flushed a bright red and fire erupted in his heart as a sensation of passion flooded his mind like he had just drunk liquid bravery itself.

"So, how is it?" Its creator rested leaned forward, a teasing grin on her lips as she rested her head on her hands.

"Well." Luther breathed out, placing the hand on his chest as an unknown flare of energy fueled him, and the ache was now a distant memory replaced by a pleasant roaring inferno. "You were right, nothing like what I've had before. Maybe a little too strong." He coughed.

"Too strong, got it." The mermaid gave him some space, and reached down to grab a notebook, presumably writing his suggestion and leaving him to handle his admittedly regrettable decision of drinking it all in one gulp. Yet he was better than ever, the burning sensation that this beverage produced rivaled that of his even Hamon. Chambers' were wide open, as he took in the pub's environment in a whole new light, particularly finding interest in the instrument hanging on the wall.

"Right. Anything else you want? Maybe some juice to calm that flame a little bit. It's actually more of a potion than alcohol." She inquired, adding a little tidbit of information before trailing off and stopping after noticing he wasn't answering. He was only nodding his head, face redder than ever before.

"Nah, I think it's better this way. How did you make this?" Luther's tensed up form loosened, he found it easier to make a smile after a single glass, and yet his mind hadn't slowed down a bit, in fact, it might have been moving faster. Thoughts raced back forth.

The mermaid wagged her finger in front of his face. "Trade secret~ not telling you anything~" Yet her refusal to omit the details hadn't disheartened him at all, he was still staring at a wall with a curious look on his face. A moment passed before she glanced at the spot he was staring at.

"Hmm…you're looking at the guitar, right?" She noted. It was directly in his line of sight even looking as though he was going to burn a hole through it with all the intense gazing he was doing. "Not something that catches people's eyes often strangely. Personally, I find it fascinating, but maybe that's because it isn't exactly mine."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Ha, you really are interested? Well then, all I can say is this is one hell of a story." The pub owner let out a boisterous laugh at the man's focused face, it didn't look serious for one second with how red it was. She remembered the details clearly, it was one of the strangest events in her life after all and not many people really believed in her, but it appeared this man had his own fair share of strangeness in his life. "It happened on a lonely night, there were barely any patrons present as I had just begun to set up shop in this Port. I was checking my stock and cleaning some of my utensils. Thinking no one else was going to show up I was tempted to close, but suddenly someone with that guitar stormed in through the door and froze midway."

"I couldn't get a good look at him. My unexpected guest had a large cloak on, but I could tell he was definitely a man. The strangest thing about him was the fact that his figure and clothes constantly seeped out water even though it hadn't rained for a month and he looked dry. I could swear that he was nearly see-through as well…like he was some kind of ghost." The mermaid told her story, gesturing toward the door and then slowly shifting her pointing fingers to a seat next to Luther. "That man stumbled over onto this seat and hadn't said a single word since he entered: no greetings, no farewell, no thank you or anything, just a single order. He looked panicked and…lost, constantly looking around. I thought his rude mannerisms were simply part of that panic and that he had a rough day, so I took his order without complaint. He gulped an entire bottle's worth of liquor down, even faster than you can I bet, and went out the door after paying, leaving behind this guitar next to his seat. The water he left behind…was no longer there…"

"A see-through man wearing a large cloak who constantly drips water…? Sounds as though I've seen someone like that before." Luther remarked, it wasn't speculation, he was completely sure he had seen an individual of such description before – someone who appeared quite similar to the one he witnessed floating atop the raging waves of a storm, the last person he saw before his supposed demise. "In fact, I think I may have seen him when my ship was sailing through the storms, he was flying…"

"Really now?" Her eyebrows shot up. To think that she had a real ghost for a patron was inconceivable.

"Yes, uhm…may I for a bit." Chambers pointed his fingers at the guitar and the mermaid obliged his request, handing over the instrument. His fingers glided over the beautiful work of craftsmanship, admiring its details.

Whoever made this and took care of it, is quite skilled and has good taste. Luther remarked in his mind as he touched the many features carved into its body – many waves and winds flowing into one another creating the scenery of a sea with many mystical lizards and fish-like creatures poking their heads out of the water. The wood was smooth, unnaturally smooth almost as though it was smoothed out by machine rather than a pair of hands, and whatever marks made were painted navy blue, at the center of the body was a symbol of an anchor. This pattern looks familiar…

A steady smile formed and he tuned the guitar, strumming and picking a few notes. From the moment his fingers touched the strings, they glowed with ebbing azure. Its deeper carvings light up as well, particularly a circle etched onto the anchor. No matter how much he tuned it or picked the strings in whatever way he could, it was impossible to make what came out sound worse.

This…is special. He thought to himself as he strung together a few quiet notes, meant for no one else but him. Within the man, a melody played in his heart and soul. His ears were filled with the ambiance of waves washing a shore and other instruments as if he was the central part of a small orchestra on a beach. A phantom sensation of wetness covered his fingers, even though they were dry. Harmony, pure and unrivaled harmony.

"Fancy yourself a musician?" Chambers was brought out of his blissful trance by a rough-sounding voice. It was a man sitting not far from him, staring. "Mind playing something? It's been awfully boring, afraid the only thing keeping here is booze. Don't care what it is, just make it sound good." The second time he spoke his voice was louder, catching the attention of the rest of the fine establishment.

"Oh, someone actually grabbed that old thing? I wonder if it still sounds good."

"Yeah, play something. You look like you know what you're doing!"

"Make this pub shake!"

They all spoke in chaotic and drunken unison, some waving around their drinks yelling out words of encouragement to Luther, who had frozen in shock, unresponsive. While a minority of others looked on to the man with some pity, thinking him as nothing more than an amateur placed into the spotlight he could handle. Regardless it was all a bit too much for Chambers to handle properly and he would have stumbled out his chair were it not the pub owner catching by the shoulder.

"It looks like you have my patrons all excited. Are you going to play or not, would be ashamed to let them all down." She whispered over to him before stabilizing his body on the chair.

Luther swallowed the lump in his throat, as he glanced around his surroundings. It seemed they hadn't let up on the idea of him playing a song no matter the time that passed, but he wasn't nervous, just befuddled. You know… when's the last time I've played in front of the crowd? I think it's back when the gang was all together, back when she was…. I wonder if they all still play, or not? He looked down at his given instrument. How rusty am I?

"Come on, just do it from the heart, it's bound to sound nice." He peeked and chuckled at the sight of his crabby acquaintance waving heartedly at him with both of her hand and claw,

Does it matter? This guitar is obviously magical and these people aren't experts in music. The spin user turned the chair to face the crowd and closed his eyes, resting his boots confidently on the floor. Play from the heart, huh? Luther felt Tusk land atop his shoulder glancing over the same crowd that was staring at him. …I think I got something in me?

Once more he picked a few off notes, adjusting his grip on the instrument. He began by tapping his boot against the hardwood floor, his step resounded across the entire pub creating a consistent beat. Soon the light plucking of strings overtook it, spectral blue waves and winds circled around Chambers' body as he sang, opening his soul to the melody of the notes played.

"We fought our fights in silence, but the war's not done"

"No ground was gained, but the fear from my past howls in the wind."

An unknown presence took hold in the atmosphere of the pub, far and foreign, it didn't seem to belong to anyone. The people looked on in wonder, listening as a second soft voice

"It's a foolish and a dangerous endeavor."

"It's a cut against the grain."

"It is not wise to go against the weather, just to get caught out in the rain."

"And through it all…"

"…Your words remain…like teardrops in a hurricane."

Luther Chambers breathed out a wet fog, the beating in his heart matched to the song he played. Those glowing strings responded well to his strumming and picking of his fingers, as though there was no one here except for an entire band supporting him.

"The shadows appear and linger behind us.

"From the raging sun."

"No words exchanged as we speak from our hearts and hold back the tears"

Everyone was left stunned, silent. Nobody had spoken or dared to interrupt the spectacle in front of them. It was as if some god of the sea had appeared and was singing his elegy and the water was his choir.

"It's a foolish and a dangerous endeavor."

"It's a cut against the grain."

"It is not wise to go against the weather, just to get caught out in the rain."

"And through it all…"

"…Your words remain…like teardrops in a hurricane…teardrops in a hurricane."

"Teardrop…Teardrops…Teardrops in a hurricane."

He felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind, Tusk's voice was quiet, it didn't react to it. Their touch was familiar, a gentleness that he hadn't felt in years, and the humming voice reminded him of better days. A single tear dropped from his right cheek.

"Like a plane in the sky or a bird that's up in the trees"

"Just let me be free"

"Let me be free"

"Let me be free…"


Luther notes: Golden Ratio and Tusk Act 2

The Golden Ratio is the proper path of evolution of the Spin, which anyone who seeks to master such a force of nature must learn to see. It is the underlying principle of achieving the perfect rotation. Within the rotation's movement, it takes the form of a rectangle and spiral, which endlessly moves toward infinity. Such a pattern can only be seen as a natural occurrence in nature itself, either in the ecological environment or from the creatures dwelling in the habitat, even a person's body can be used as a reference. Artificially the Golden Ratio cannot be perfectly recreated by all except the most almighty beings and so drawn pictures, paintings, architecture, automatons cannot be used as a frame of reference.

As I have written before, certain Stands have the trait of evolutionary states that are either permanent changes or are shifted into to access a specific ability related to that form. These are called Acts, my Stand, Tusk is an Act Stand and its powers and traits are separated into appropriate evolutions, most of the time being an improvement over the previous form. Usually, an Act type Stand manifests because a person's personality hasn't fully formed or their fighting spirit and willpower are lacking and haven't reached their limit. Tusk separates itself by tying the progress of its power to the mastery of Spin instead of the user's resolve. That is not to say that resolve isn't necessary to evolve it. It is more of a case where it plays less of a role in spiritual evolution.

Along with the slightly stronger physical prowess, Tusk's form becoming bulkier and mechanical, its second Act distinguishes itself from the first with a massive increase in firepower and range at the cost of a slower rate of fire and regeneration of nails. The saw blade motions of the fingernails change into a drill of energy visibly only to its user. In a sense, the nails when fired lose their physicality and degenerate into non-existence becoming pure emptiness contained via rotational energy, void bullets. Whereas the nails previously struggled to cut into steel, the void bullets are capable of drilling through anything, even the fabric of space leaving empty holes, which guided by the Spin energy imprinted with the subconsciousness of its user, will either seal themselves or track the target's movements to hit them. However this does come with some drawbacks, only a single nail can be prepared and fired at a time, unlike the endless barrages that can be released with Act 1, though, even if that was possible for some reason Tusk's peculiar trait of nail regeneration slows down if a nail that particular was fired out using its second Act.

All in all, despite it not being Tusk's full potential, its second Act still holds itself as a reliable form from the sheer convenient firepower it provides. I had been previously foolish as to discard in the face of the other Acts, but with further use of it, I was proven wrong.


And thus, marks the beginning of the second act of the story and the conclusion to Luther's wallowing in despair. So if you were getting tired of that, good news. I can definitely say there is nowhere for this guy to go but up, it's in the unchanging part of my plans for this story. Although his suffering isn't without reward, through his actions and "death" he had managed to affix a jet engine to the Luka/Alice ship.

The song Luther sang in the mermaid pub was "Teardrops in a Hurricane" by Jordan Mackampa. If you're into indie I should suggest you go check him out.


Reviews:

-T-B-R: Neither did when it popped into my head, but it might take while until it starts to fully make sense why this can work.

-Guest 1: Hope they'll be answered and thank you for the encouraging words.

-Guest 2: I really can't force myself to write more than I want to as soon as I try I go straight to bed or do whatever the hell I'm currently busy with after only a few sentences. Unless I'm near the end, then I just turn into a caffeine addict.

-mario986: The whole "I'm dead" shtick was more of Luther being melodramatic in face of genocidal Goddess . He is alive in that story and isn't a ghost. Considering he can still Hamon and Ilias was literally asking him to show his soul, I thought one could make that assumption. As for Jesus or the Saint arriving on MGQ, well, Ilias wouldn't try to change her ways and would likely see him as threat to her rule. Although Jesus has suffered greatly in his human life it's not in the same manner as Ilias, where it was mostly (Self-inflicted?) psychological torment for her.

-e10620: Yes Rico, next chapter.

-chapter 18 guest: I was actually considering on doing this when you brought this up, and your review ended up pushing me forward and making me do just that. Don't know what to do with this page's version of it though.

-Bluzerker: I have already done that suggestion on AO3 since i hadn't posted the Omakes and Side-story yet on there, though I'm rather unsure about doing so on FF. As for putting in the Saint into this story, that may happen in some side-story, because currently I'm not entirely sure if there is reason to have him since there are no Holy Corpse parts in this story, therefore no "hallucinations" or providence. I have PM'd you an idea for DXD story that does include the Biblical God, not sure if you got that though.

-TheLost01: Funny, considering in the early drafts of the story it was a main plot pairing or at least was being considered, but at that point of development I was kind of throwing around ideas willy-nilly. Rest assured there will be more of that in time.

Thank you for the support and I'll see you next Chapter.