The Eight Tales have Finished. Now the real story begins….

Among the ruins of Hornburg, amidst the ruined cliffs and crumbled Stone, did Cyrus, Connor and Team Revival arrive.

"So this is Hornburg." Connor said. "Somethin big must've happened here. And it looks like were the first to arrive."

"Well, it did. Hornburg was in the midst of a war many years ago. But it fell to pieces when its king was slain. When he fell, the kingdom followed." Cyrus said.

"Dang." Connor said.

"So why are we here again? There's no one here but us." Volta asked.

"Yeah, you're right. All the other teams were put into separate stories, there's no way any of them would be related at all." Connor said.

"Wait...what is that?" Brandish said as they saw multiple undead marching in a single file line down a winding road.

"My word! The undead...but they seem rather unison wouldn't you agree?" Cyrus asked.

"Where the hell are they all going?" Connor asked.

"The Gate of Finis." a voice said as he saw Ty and his group.

"Well...when did you get here?" Connor asked.

"We were actually already in the Highlands when we got asked to come here by these gods." Ty said.

"So I wasn't the only one who head a voice in my head." Connor said. "And I see you've gotten the gang back together."

"Not exactly an easy thing, believe me." Ty said.

"Tell me about it." David said as his group came up.

"David, good to see ya." Connor said. "So you were called here too, I bet?"

"Yep. And...there was also something else I found out." David said.

"It has something to do with a woman named Lyblac right?" Ty asked.

"That's right. She intended to use an explorer named Graham Crossfield as a vessel for her god, Galdera. But...he resisted, and instead became Redeye." David said.

"Did you say Graham? Well...ain't this a funny coincidence." Hope said arriving with his group.

"Graham Crossfield was the man who saved my life. I heard about some monster rampagin' through the country, but I didn't know it was him…" Alfyn said.

"Aye. The beast we hunted twas a man in a monstrous form. His soul is freed now, so thou can rest easy." H'aanit said.

"I guess I'm not the only one who knew about Galdera." Ace said as he, Ophilia, and Spirit Force approached.

"Ace too? So we were all in the same time and place?" Ty asked.

"Seems like it." Jexi said arriving.

"Yeah….we're all here together now." Zexi said arriving.

"All coming together for some major beatdown." Jack said being the last to arrive.

"You're late, bro." Hope smirked.

"Sorry...I have business much more important than curing the sick." Jack said.

"Wait….Hawkins?" Law said.

"Hmm. Ah yes. The Surgeon of Death. I haven't seen you since Sabaody." Hawkins said.

"He was searching for Redeye as well, so he ended up being a travel companion." Nagi said.

"Seems we've all been busy. Shanoa here helped us defeat a cult that planned to revive Galdera." Ace said.

"A cult...you mean that group lead by Mattias. Sorry to tell you this...but that wasn't a revival plan." Hawkins said.

"Yes. He planned to sacrifice innocent people with the Sacred Flame for power." Shanoa said. "Wait...you said it wasn't a revival."

"Lyblac was using them to weaken the flame bonds keeping Galdera within the gate. For him to truly escape, he needs a body housing the blood of powerful magicians." Hawkins said.

"Kit! We've been hearing on the way here that Graham has a son." Kaede said.

"I can confirm it's true. I saw the boy with her when she contacted me." Hawkins said.

"Which brings the question...why are you still here? You said the alliance was only until Redeye was gone." Sectonia said.

"I changed my mind. I do not like the idea of Lyblac using me to do her clean up. So...I've extended it to until Lyblac is killed by my own hands." Hawkins said.

"Amen to that, brother. There's no way I'm letting her get away with what she's done." David said.

"Indeed. Though it's best we hurry, because once we go through the gate, there's no turning back." Ace said.

"Uh...what's up with the sky?" Tressa asked as they saw a distant world slowly appearing in it.

"Wait...isn't that...it is! That's the world we landed on. The one with the Town of Tales!" Hope said.

"Then Orsterra is reemerging with the outside world." Shanoa said.

"I sensed there was some powerful magic when entering that temple...but I never imagined it would be something of this scale." Minerva said.

"Which means if we do not stop this, more than our land will be lost." Olberic said.

"Yes, possibly the entire universe. But we can't let that stop us from defeating Galdera." Ophilia said.

"Got that right. Once there's a good opening, I can hack and slash Galdera into oblivion...with this." David said showing Masakado.

"Yeah. Are we ready everyone?" Ace asked.

"You don't need to ask that. We were ready the moment we came into this old kingdom." Ty said as they marched down to the gate as they walked through into a strange place with lots of fire. "Huh...so this is what hell looks like."

"If you want to call it that, yeah." Simon said.

"This stupid gate...some dark god...all this was the reason a great kingdom like Hornburg had to fall?" Jexi said seething with anger.

"Well…. You're all finally here." A voice said as a woman in black stood on top.

"Lyblac." Hawkins said.

"So, I finally get to meet the bitch who scattered my team in the first place." Ty said. "And you...it wasn't the sins...you rose all those undead."

"You mean the sacrifices you mean?" Lyblac asked.

"Just admit it! Everything that's transpired, the undead, Graham's transformation, all of it! You were behind everything!" Ty pointed.

"Ty, wait… are you saying that she's set up all the events that led to this point?" Hope asked.

"Down boys." Jack said. "We already know she's behind this."

"What we want to know is why? This can't be just for the sake of some God of Death." David said.

"You're wrong. All of it was for the revival of Galdera. Why wouldn't I...I am his daughter after all." Lyblac said.

"Is that so? In that case my blade would work just as well on you." David said.

"If you are so confident...go ahead and cut me down." Lyblac said.

"Do you take me for an idiot? I would've done that already if it were that easy." David said.

"Hmm. So you aren't a battle happy fool." Lyblac said as a light showed a magic barrier surrounding her. "Had you attacked, the damage you would have dealt me would reflect back onto you."

"Lyblac...all of this was your planning. You recruited Mattias to weaken the Sacred Flame to weaken the gods and Galdera's restraints. You recruited Simeon to start the Obsidians and silence anyone who would try and stop your plans. You hired Werner to cause Hornburg's fall to secure the gate. Darius...well you didn't hire him, but you likely tipped him off about the dragonstones and their connection to the gate. As for Graham...he was your first choice to be Galdera's vessel." Hawkins said.

"And now you plan to use an innocent boy as his next vessel." Ace said.

"The misdeeds you have committed cannot be forgiven." David said. "For the sake of Orsterra, and the worlds beyond, all of us here...will have you pay with your life!"

"Yeah...wait...where is Kit?" Zexi asked.

"Why...he's right behind us." Lyblac said as a black mass with a single eye rose behind her.

"Oh, god…!" Hope said.

"Were too late! Lyblac's already begun the ritual!" Cyrus said.

"Father...it is so good to see you after so long." Lyblac said.

"We must help the child quickly!" Shanoa said.

"Silence!" Galdera said as the group stopped speaking. "Daughter...it has been some time since we last met. You shall be rewarded...by joining with me." he said as Lyblac was quickly absorbed into Galdera. "As for the rest of you...you shall share the same reward."

"No way, you corrupted bastard! Were taking you down!" Hope said invoking Azure God Mode: The Heroic.

"I've got a bullet for every single dead and piece of flesh this guy throws at me!" Connor said, pulling his guns out..

"You put me through hell to find my team and get Elaine back for Ban, Galdera! And now, it's payback time!" Ty said pounding his fists.

"I don't have much stake here...but you did help me discover a stronger trust. So I think I should return the favor." Jack said straightening his gloves and pulling out a dagger.

"You caused Hornburg to fall because of your actions. You'll pay for every single life lost there." Jexi said.

"No way am I letting you have all the fun, master. I wanna beat him up too." Zexi said.

"Galdera… at the end of this day, your reign of terror will be at an end!" David said as he unsheathed Masakado and started gathering energy.

"I made a promise to Lord Aelfric, you will be stopped. Now darkness...face the dawn!" Ace said as he activated Celestial Force.

(Cue- Boss: Perfect Dark Gaia- Sonic Unleashed)

The mass just stood there as it pulled souls into its body taking the form of shields to protect its body.

"Alright, guys! Time for the big finish!" Connor said.

"Let's do it!" Ty said. "Zexi, Jack, you're with us. Jexi, Hope, Ace, David! Go for Galdera's main body once were all done with this mound of meat!"

"You got it!" Ace said.

"Leave it to us." David said.

The four groups attacked the Omniscient Eye as the souls were protecting it.

"Rrrgh… we gotta take out this shield!" Ty said.

"I've got that covered!" Connor said. "Time to show off my new rad skills! Lend me your wisdom, Alephan!" Conner said as his scholar mark glowed as he raised his hand in the air and then snapped. "Comin your way, Volta! Alephan's Enlightenment!"

Suddenly, Volta was charged with energy. "Lightning Devil's Claws!" she said charging at Galdera and cleaving away one of the souls protecting it.

"Heh, not bad for a test run." Connor said.

"Aeber's….Reckoning!" Jack said unleashing a powerful dagger attack as it pierced through several souls.

"Time to clean house!" Ty said posing with his dancer mark glowing. "This should wipe a ton of em out! Sealtige's Seduction!" Ty said. "Alright Meliodas, bring the Hellfire!"

"Oh, I'm on it. Kami Chigiri!" Meliodas said slashing at all the souls at once in one powerful slash boosted by Hellfire.

"Go for it, Zexi!" Ty said.

"I don't think the new sacred skill will help so I'll hit you with one of my own. Dual Wielding! Ultimate Color….Hopeful….Spectrum Spear!" Zexi said punching right through the creature's eye.

"Uraaaaaaaaaaagh!" Galdera roared as his main body was revealed. "You mortals would dare raise your hand against a god of Darkness?!"

"Oh, we would. We've met plenty of gods. You're not even in our Top 10." David said.

"It's time to end this!" Hope said charging at Galdera.

"This ends now!" Jexi said charging.

"You are truly a fool." Galdera said as Jexi hit but with the damage he landed reflected back on him.

"What? But how?" Jexi said.

"Hahaha. Now...I am regaining even more power." Galdera said before becoming more bipedal with a sword emerging, a head of some kind and Lyblac emerging from his forehead.

"Lyblac...her spell...it's still active." Hawkins said.

"Meaning…" Hope said.

"We can't harm Galdera until we get rid of Lyblac." Hawkins said.

"In that case… aim for Lyblac!" Hope said as all his members fired.

"Fools." Lyblac said as all the attacks were reflected onto them.

"You can't attack her head on even with enhancements. She'll just reflect it back." Hawkins said. "Unless...Ishihara...I want you to cut me down, as many times as you can."

"Normally, I'd think that'd be a crazy idea. But, considering what you're capable of...I think you can handle it. Ready? This might hurt a little." David asked.

"Do it." Hawkins said as David cut at him.

"You fools. Attacking your own?" Lyblac asked.

"Straw Doll: Life Minus." Hawkins said as the cut he took vanished as it appeared on Lyblac causing her pain.

"What the? What is…" Lyblac said as Hawkins had a doll emerged from his body with part of her clothing acting like a scarf around its neck.

"I took it from you the first moment we met. Because I had a feeling you might betray me. Normally when a hit is taken, the doll vanishes, but this one doesn't. I wonder...how many hits will it take before it falls apart?" Hawkins said.

"And unfortunately for you, Lyblac. This blade can slay gods. So...this might hurt you more than it will hurt him." David said.

"He can hurt me all he wants and it all goes back to you. Your barrier defense...has failed." Hawkins said.

David repeatedly slashed into Hawkins as Lyblac screamed in pain, being cut all over.

"I know just what you're going to say next! Your next line is, "Impossible, how can 8-" Hope began.

"Oh shut up! How are you still alive?" Lyblac said before getting another cut.

"Because, as long as we can fight evil in the world like you, we can't die!" Hope said. "All of our tales led to this one moment, and everything went down like clockwork!"

"Damn you...all." Lyblac said before she faded away as the doll of her reverted to normal straw.

"And now to end this!" Hope said. "The first attack is from me! Azure God's… Heroic Impact Punisher!" Hope said punching Galdera in the jaw.

"ARGH!" Galdera said.

"The attack's not done yet! Jexi!" Hope said.

"Ultimate Color Fighting Divine Art! Brand's….Thunder!" Jexi said slicing right through Galdera's sword arm.

"David, the final blow is yours! Ace, set em up!" Hope said.

"Aelfric, lend me your power. Celestial Light!" Ace said as a prismatic light washed over them.

"All set! Go, David!" Hope said.

"Alright. Here we go!" David said as he went into Sapphire God Mode and two energy rifles appeared in his hands. "Heh. Haven't used this in a while. Melding with Draefendi's Rage..." he said as he took aim at Galdera and the rifles started charging. "Judgment Blaster...FIRE!" he said as he shot a massive energy blast from his rifles.

"Aaaaarrrrgh!" Galdera screamed in pain. "How is this possible?! That 8 groups of mortals can defeat me?!"

"It's simple, were more than just mortals!" Hope said. "I'm a hero!"

"Yakuza." Ty said.

"Bounty Hunter." Connor said.

"Former tennis star turned demon hunter." David said.

"Warrior." Jexi said.

"Hero to be!" Zexi said.

"Thief." Jack said.

"And Nephilim Prince! Farewell, God of Darkness. Trouble this world no more!" Ace said.

David drew Masakado and wielded it to point at Galera. "It's time!" He said as Masakado finished charging and he lunged it at Galdera's chest. He then proceeded to slice it upwards clean in the middle through his head.

"Impossible… This can't be!" Galdera said as he exploded in an explosion of light. Masakado's charge then faded.

"Thank you...everyone." David said.

"It's over." Ace said before seeing a young boy unconscious on the ground as he and the others ran over.

"Hahah! Kit's alive!" Connor said.

"He was only a vessel. He was likely freed once Galdera was slain." Cyrus said.

"The poor child." Ophilia said as Ace picked him up. "Heal wounds." She said as she healed Kit.

"I'm glad he's safe. I bet in heaven Graham is smiling." Alfyn said.

"Whew… what a ride." Hope said. "So...what happens now though?"

"For me, I'll be returning home to Cobbleston. I have people I need to protect." Olberic said.

"Same. This has been an exciting journey but I am getting homesick." Tressa said.

"Me...I just gotta wander the land. Blow from one town to another." Therion said.

"I will return to the church. Lianna...she needs me now." Ophilia said.

"Are you sure, Sister Ophilia?" Ace asked.

"Ace...while I admit a life of adventure is fun...my place is the church. Not on the battlefield." Ophilia said.

"In that case. Take this." Ace said as he put a pendant with the cleric symbol and the Sacred Flame in her hand.

"I will treasure it always." Ophilia said.

"What about you Cyrus? Now that Yvon and Lucia are gone, you got your post back." Connor said.

"I want to research into the gods and Galdera...I want to make sure that nothing like this ever happens to this land again." Cyrus said.

"I see. Well then, good luck to ya." Connor said.

"What about you Prim?" Ty asked.

"To be fair, I will visit my father's grave. But after...I never considered what I would do once it was all over." Primrose said.

Ty then put a hand on his chin. "Hmmm… well, if you've got no ideas on where to go… how about riding with us?"

"Hmm. Dancing for someone who had no clue how to survive in the desert...sure. Besides, if I were not around, you would have died several times." Primrose said.

"Wha… hey!" Ty said as everyone laughed.

"Well...I think I'll still walk the land. Healing folks who need it." Alfyn said.

"For me, I returnen home. I am sure master is free and awaiting me." H'aanit said.

"It's been a crazy trip going after Redeye, but… It was great traveling with you, H'aanit. I don't know why, but… Somehow I have a feeling we'll meet again." David said.

"Aye. I feelen it too." H'aanit said.

"Well, I suppose I should be leaving next. Our alliance is over and so I'll be leaving." Hawkins said.

"What about you, Shanoa?" Ace asked.

"I do have business of my own. But...I promise this. Once it is done...I'll see about seeking you out again." Shanoa said. "You are...interesting."

"You should. Looks like you have someone who's gonna be waitin for ya, Ace." Vashyron said. "Bet you're thinking of her bunker buster too aren't...gah!" he said before Leanne hit him.

"Not everyone thinks like you, Vashyron." Leanne said.

"And now...the triumphant return to the Town of Tales!" Hope said.

"Yeah...wait, how do we do that? Our ships are back on that…" Jexi said before they saw the Galaxy King flying up to them.

"Greetings comrades...I'm glad to see you are alive!" Cobalt said at the wheel.

"And here's our ride." David said.

"I was worried you might not have made it so I self taught myself how to fly." Cobalt said. "Oh and apologies for any scratches you may find." Cobalt said. "And maybe a broken building or two."

"Don't worry. It's nothing we can't manage." David said. "(He better not have wrecked the arcade…)"

"I'm just glad we all made it out. I didn't want to die in there before we took on the Dark Kingdom and King Alabaster." Hope said.

"Yep, seeing as how the we is you, Jexi, David and Ace." Ty said.

"You're one to talk, Ty. You always get caught in our messes one way or another." Mayumi said.

"And I think I already landed in another." Ty said. "As much as I wanna be involved in some personal kingdom tiff, I'm gonna pass. I need about a month's vacation back in Central City."

"I see. Well, after all of this, I can't blame you." David said.

"Yeah...I gotta pass too. After the death of that Universal Police Officer, I don't wanna get involved with governments." Connor said.

"Uh...we still need to find out about the new city that appeared on New World." Zexi said.

"And I still gotta loot this universe dry. Just wish I could have gotten this stupid bangle...huh?" Jack said before seeing it unlocked. "Unlocked but when did…" he said before remembering the first time Cordelia requesting they be free. "They've been unlocked...since that time?!"

"And it took us until now to notice?" Skull asked.

"I understand. everyone has reasons to stay out of this. We can handle the Dark Kingdom." Hope said.

"It's nothing personal but the Dark Kingdom is a major military force. We get involved, they would declare war on our worlds. And also, you can't just call us into a united force every time a threat appears." Ty said.

"Ty's right, Hope. Our groups won't get stronger individually if we keep relying on others for help. There are some battles we have to fight ourselves." David said.

"You seem awfully confident." Cia said.

"Of course. With everything we faced so far, do you think I'd be scared of those guys?" David asked.

"I guess that's a good point." Tsumugi said.

"Individual...ah man! It's only a few days until the summer training camp. I completely forgot." Izuku said.

"I guess returning to our world is where we part for the time being." Ibara said.

"Ah, that's right. You and Kendo are in Class 1-B." Aoyama said.

"What? We won't part. Didn't you know? Our classes are going to the same camp." Kendo said.

"Say what now?" Ochako asked.

"Yeah, Classes 1-A and 1-B are going to the same camp this year." Kendo said.

"And that means Monoma… Honestly, I'd rather not deal with him." David said.

"Don't worry. He's in the remedial courses. He's the only one in our class who failed." Kendo said.

"That's supposed to make it better?" Eijiro asked.

"Still, I wonder what the camp will help us with?" Hope said. "Then again… this is eraser head I'm thinking of.. Oh god… I think we might be walking into hell, David."

"We've been through hell hundreds of times. Still, this would be a good opportunity to work on our new skills. Himeno, Tsumugi, you two ready?" David asked.

"We should be. We didn't go passing those races and entering UA for nothing." Himeno said.

"Besides, like you said, it's a good chance to work on our new abilities." Tsumugi said.

"You be careful there, too, Leviathan." Fulgore said.

"Don't worry about me, Fulgy. I'm sure it's nothing I can't handle." Leviathan said.

"Alrighty then, let's get going back to your universe, Miles. I can't wait for you to see UA up close." Hope said.

"Why does he make those weird references?" Miles asked Jexi.

"Trust me, you get used to it." Jexi whispered.

To be continued…