The potential final chapter of the story! The Epilogue will be a bit interesting, in the sense that I have a cool way to end the story that absolutely no one is expecting! But...It blurs the possibility of a sequel.

22,480+ WORDS! PLEASE...I'M BEGGING YA'LL...READ IT IN PARTS. YOU'LL TIRE YOURSELVES OUT.


Encounter Number 20: Enemy Aramusha

Her boots thudded on the burnt red carpets of the alight manor. They crushed and cracked over pieces of charred wood, kicked past destroyed chairs and tables, snapped pieces of support beams, and trampled over the weapons of fallen warriors.

Her golden eyes darted around constantly, making sure to observe every single detail of whatever stood before her. The air was dry and hot, the light seemingly dim, despite there being fire everywhere. A layer of smoke gave everything a light shade of black, and a foggy look to it.

With a slight sting in her eyes, and a slow breathing pattern, the Warden walked forward, her hands clutched her sides, taking calm, steady paces through the halls of the Manor. Her nose tingled whenever she breathed in too sharply near a concentrated area of smoke. She would close her eyes and swat away embers whenever she got too close to a fire.

Observing the destruction, listening to the crackling of the fire, and breathing in its toxic fumes, she shook her head, maintaining her silence. Her heart was pumping blood through her body at a rapid pace, its rhythm quick and short. Thoughts of what she had just done rushed through her mind.

Her fight with Airi has gotten so out of control. She held back as much as she could, not daring to let a dedicated blow land. The pain she felt in her heart, once again having to face the love of her life in a fight. But the hardest part wasn't the fight, it was the fact that she had failed to realize how much pain she was in at the time.

The look in the Nobushi's eyes was fierce and desperate, her soul crying out for the Warden's help. With every single one of her stabbing punches, with every forceful kick, Airi displayed a feeling of need towards the blonde Knight that she had simply failed to pick up. The Samurai's hatred for Daigo blinded her with rage, and even when she began to yell violently and hit harder than ever before, the Warden didn't put her guard up, and paid the ultimate price.

"Shit..."

Emora stopped walking and shut her eyes tightly. Her heart rate was on the rise. She felt a deep feeling of guilt and sympathy for the Nobushi. Everything Daigo had done to her, everything he had done in his blind, foolish attempt to save the Myre affected Airi in some shape or form. She had failed to realize that she was miserable during the fight. Coming to a near death experience, letting the Nobushi believe that she had killed the only true love she had ever had, must've shattered her heart, and left behind the imprint of a horrid feeling that may never cease.

"She thought she had killed me. I...I didn't help her! I didn't put a stop to her suffering! I could've helped her...I could've! The way she must've felt...The way she felt afterwards...After seeing me lifeless right in front of her...How could I even think of trying to feel the same way! And now I do this to her?! What the fuck is wrong with me!?"

Emora felt her throat constrict. She took deep breaths as she slowly shook her head at herself. The Nobushi's words echoed through her head.

"Emora, I'm not letting you out of my sight anymore! I...I don't want to leave you...And I don't want you to leave me!"

"I don't know what I'll do if you end up dying. If you're going to go into that burning Manor looking for both Zhao and Daigo...You're going to have some fucking support, do you understand me?"

The Warden let out a burst of wet air from her mouth. She felt her heart sting as she remembered how serious Airi was about coming along with her, and how Emora lied to her, telling the Nobushi that she could help. She remembered the things she told her.

"S-Shut up! God...You're so loud..."

She also remembered what Airi said back to her.

"I don't care! Emora, I love you!"

The Knight's heart skipped a beat. She clenched her teeth together as she held back a sob she felt creeping up her throat, threatening to jerk her body in a soft cry.

"Why...Why did I do that to her?! H-How...How is she gonna feel when she wakes up? What will she do?! No...What have I done!? Fuck...No...Airi..."

Emora slapped her mouth over her mouth as she began to cry. She took a few steps back, panicking at her surroundings. The fire, the crackling, the embers, the smoke, the dim light, the destroyed rooms and dirty halls, it all made the Warden cry harder.

"Airi! Oh my gosh, Airi! No! How could I leave her?!"

The Warden planted her leg in front of her and boosted forward. She began to sprint forward, completely forgetting about finding Daigo and Zhao. She scrambled through the halls, looking for an exit. She entered dining rooms and living quarters, all of them with a layer of smoke at their ceilings. She could hear the occasional sound of swords clashing through the walls, but she was still unable to track a way out.

She entered a large chamber with two staircases on either side of it. She gripped onto a staircase's railings and used it to pull herself up. She skipped steps as she climbed up, her heart beating, tears flailing from her eyes, falling to the ground as she fell.

"Cinder?! Airi!? Anyone, where...Uh. AHH!"

The Warden looked up as she heard a large cracking sound above her. Burning shingles crashed down, colliding into support beams, causing dust and embers to explode out, raining down in a toxic rain. She yelped as she ran out of the way, dodging the fiery shingles, and watching as they crashed into the ground and exploded in a huge flare.

The blonde Knight's breathing was uncontrollable. She turned around, holding her heart with her hand. She turned right and found a fancy looking door. She took a step back and charged through it with a shoulder bash. She staggered forward, looking around frantically.

"Oh my god...Oh...I can't...I can't breathe...I..."

Emora fell onto all fours, clutching her breast. She sucked in air through her mouth, trying to compose herself. After a few seconds of hyperventilating, she managed to stand up and breathe normally. She looked around, observing the unique looking room. The walls were designed with paintings of flowers and plants, vases of now dead flowers sat atop pink dressers. A mirror rested right above a table where a variety of make-up could be seen scattered everywhere.

A neat, tended bed sat in the corner of the room, the covers were white, and the pillows made of red silk. The large wardrobe next to the bed was made of dark oak, and was shut with a small red ribbon holding the two opening handles together. There were expensive, luxurious rugs on the floor, all of them now dirtied and blackened by ash. There was a single window on the far end of the room that looked out into the gardens, a view of the moon and sun could be seen at any time, excluding midday.

Emora caught the rest of her breath slowly, but surely. She began to slowly look around the room in more detail, recognizing a strange feeling in the atmosphere of the room. She found a small dresser next to the bed that was in the room. Atop it, a small candle, a plume, and a bunch of scattered papers.

The Warden gasped as soon as she turned over one of the papers, immediately recognizing the beautiful, elegant handwriting. She looked up at the rest of the room, recognizing that pleasant, light aroma of sweetness that inhabited the room.

She was standing in Airi's room.

Emora looked at the pieces of paper that sat on the dresser. She looked at a small book that was next to the papers, along with the small plume and ink reserve near the top of the dresser. She slowly opened up one of the drawers to see what was inside. The Warden felt her eyes widen as even more papers were revealed inside.

"What is all of this?" Emora said to herself as she browsed through the wrinkly papers, all of them had Airi's writing on them. She frowned to herself as she held one of them up and began to read it.

I don't know how I feel to be back home again. It's strange. Should I be happy? Should I be sad? Why do I feel like I don't belong here? Everything is moving so quickly, and my life is changing even faster. My parents are happy to see me. Old friends are crying from joy, and my other loved ones now seem like completely different people. It's barely been a day and I'm already starting to doubt if I made the right choice. I'm starting to wonder if she misses me. Probably not, what the hell am I thinking? All of this is just another false dream.

Emora's eyebrows rose as she finished up the letter. It wasn't written to anyone, nor was it signed. Airi had written these to herself, and were meant to never been seen by anyone. She wrote these out of pure boredom or need, or some other personal reason unbeknownst to the Warden. She threw the paper away and began to read another.

He's handsome, he's charming, he's funny, he's casual, he's sophisticated, and his motivations are honest and personal. I envy his determination, and I'm ashamed of my own lack of it. I don't have the determination to face the reality of what I've done. I respect her decisions though, if she doesn't love me anymore, then I'll let her go. Hell, I don't know what she's thinking right now. But I do know what I'm thinking, and that in and of itself...Is killing me.

"These things are so vague. What is she talking about...? D-Daigo...Her lack of determination? And...Is she talking about me?! I...What the hell are these?"

Emora was shaking her head as she began to read through other slips of paper. Her facial expressions were that of disgust, surprise, shock, pity, and confusion.

Why am I writing these? Maybe doing this is the only way I can maintain this stupid act I'm performing. Maybe it's the only way to keep the last little bit of sanity that I have left in me. My chest feels tight, my breathing feels short and empty, as if I'm only doing it halfway, as if I can no longer breathe normally. My god...What's wrong with me? I feel like screeching, everything is going wrong. Those I thought were allies, those I thought I could find comfort in back here...Are all either gone or completely different. I miss my real friends. They likely don't even remember me.

Emora crumpled that one up.

Where am I from? I'm going down, and there's nothing I can do about it. I have far too many secrets, and sometimes I wish I didn't. I wanted to tell her about all of this, but I sincerely feel like I wasn't meant to be born into this high-class family. I love the life of a Hero. I love the life of a Nobushi. I want to go back...But it's far too late, isn't it? Yeah, it is. I've adopted their way of speaking, their form of casual communication, and everything about their adorably comfortable lifestyles. I want it all back. But if I try to return, I'll be met with nothing but fire and brimstone.

"My ass! Does she have any idea how much it hurt to not have her by my side?! I can't...What the fuck!?"

My thoughts are cloudy, and all I can think about is her. I want her to talk to me; I want her to smile at me. Those beautiful eyes, those perfect lips, that luscious hair. I want it all back. I want her hold me, I want a place where I can feel safe and warm. Her soft kisses on my neck and lips, her silky voice whispering in my ear, telling me that she loves me. Throw the covers off of the bed, push the pillows onto the floor, leaving only her perfect body resting on mine. The feeling I am so longing for...That enticing, arousing feeling. The way she would please me, the way she would make me yell out with ecstasy and love. Whether it be with her smooth hands, or with her wet tongue...I just want her to be here.

Emora's face flushed with a deep red. She bit her lip and shook her head, clutching her fists, trying to calm her beating heart.

This feeling of endless lust. I don't know how to react. I don't know if I want it to end, because I want it so badly. The thunder outside doesn't scare me, the rain is nothing but a way to distract me from my misery, or make it worse. Where is she? Where is everyone else? What about the man I almost killed? Is he alive? Is he okay? I pray for him to be alright. So maybe...Maybe someone else can be lucky to feel her love. To have someone like that girl love you...Is such a blessing. I was blessed...But I fucked it all up. I don't want to...

Emora frowned as she realized that the writing was getting messy and corrupt. The paper was wrinkled and slightly torn at the point of stopping, signifying that the plume must've ripped through the paper while writing due to holding it down too tightly.

"She must've been angry...Or crying. She stopped writing halfway through this one...What happened?"

The blonde Warden exhaled as she dropped the paper onto the floor. She turned around and looked at the room again, her eyes growing teary. A furious storm of emotions rushed through her body and attacked her heart. She felt herself begin to hyperventilate. She grabbed onto the wall and shut her eyes tightly. She began to whisper to herself, mumbling incoherent sounds and growling quietly.

"Gha...Oh gosh...Airi...I want...I..."

She looked to the door and saw that smoke was leaking into the room. She slammed her fist into the wall in anger.

"You felt like this? You were that fucking miserable? You were in that much pain?! Why the fuck didn't you tell me, damn it! I...I lust for you too...I want nothing else but you. God...What the hell is this feeling?!"

The Warden was shaking. She looked at her own hands, scared of herself and her heart. The amount of sexual lust and desire that was suddenly assaulting her body was frightening and unhealthy. Emora wanted Airi in her arms, she wanted nothing else, and so suddenly too. Her initial objective was destroyed by an unbearable amount of guilt and hatred.

"How could I?! How could I be so fucking blind!? She wanted to stay by my side...But I didn't want her to?! And now that I'm here, in this burning hellfire...I start to see that!? What the fuck is wrong with me, knocking her out, separating myself from me, when she so needed my help...How the fuck will she feel. How..."

Emora slumped against a wall and slid down to a sitting position. She pulled her legs up to her chest and dug her head behind her arms, curling up into a ball. She sobbed heavily, trying to release everything she was feeling in the best way she knew how. The Warden felt like she could cry forever, but eventually it would stop. Anger and rage built up in her heart, bringing out an action in response to a need.

"DAMN IT!"

The Warden boosted up and slammed her foot onto the ground, cracking into the wooden floor. She let out a huge roar that seemed to shake the room, but in reality it was only her head trembling and twitching from the caliber of the yell. She grabbed onto a nearby dresser and threw it against a wall, watching as everything inside fell out onto the floor. She grabbed books and began to launch them everywhere. She kicked a chair into pieces and snapped a small table in half. She broke through the doors of a dresser and began to tear and rip the clothes inside into shreds.

After finishing her rampage, and once her tantrum was finished, Emora felt drained of all of her energy. She fell back onto a wall, and slumped down into a sitting position. She panted heavily, staring off into nothingness.

"Holy shit..."

The Warden looked around the room, observing her own path of destruction. She slowly began to chuckle, shaking her head in astonishment.

"The things that love can do to a person...Heh."


Meanwhile...

Cinder sat on a small wooden bench on the side of the manor. He leaned back on the wall behind him, not paying much attention to Airi who lay in front of him. He held his sword tightly in his hands, looking at the dried blood on the blade.

He turned it upside down and dug the blade into the ground. He put his hands on the hilt and leaned forward, sighing. The Commander looked around to see that no one was nearby. He could hear the distant sounds of people yelling, and the sound of the manor burning to the ground.

"How will the Urutora Clan ever recover from this? Will they be brought back? And what will happen to the Seinaru Clan?"

Cinder shook his head, worrying more about what was to come. He glanced at Airi, who was still out cold, completely knocked out. She lay on the cold stone ground, her hands at her sides, her hair sprawled out everywhere. Her eyes were shut calmly, her mouth closed, a thin streak of saliva lined the corner of her lips from where she took her last conscious breath.

"She better make Daigo pay...I swear. But...She...Why does she want to find them? And that Zhao guy...The Aramusha...What does he have to do with any of this? What is she up to...?"

The Commander passed his hand through his black hair, slicking it back and keeping it perked up and in shape. He clutched his hands, feeling the sensation of hard steel turning his fists into painful weapons of death. He peered over to his helmet, the black paint making him frown.

"We're doing all of this for her." He chuckled to himself as he looked over to Airi. "What the hell...Why did you do what you did, Airi? You're such an innocent, sensitive person. I can't believe that you had the compatibility to harm one of your allies and friends, and so gravely too..."

Cinder huffed, rubbing his eyes and looking up at the moon.

"How and why."

Just then, the sound of Airi's moaning entered the Commander's ears and spiked him to life. He got up and knelt down next to the Nobushi, observing her awakening.

"Agh...Wha...What..." She whimpered, her eyelids blinking, her voice quiet and slurred. She opened her eyes to see Cinder looking at her with a stern expression, his silver eyes staring her down. She soon began to panic as she looked around, taking in her surroundings.

"W-What...Where..."

Airi sat up, Cinder placing his hand on her back to calm her down.

"Hey...You're okay. There's nothing to worry about." He said gently.

Airi looked up at Cinder, her eyes begging for an explanation. She looked around again, her eyes darting around, trying to make sense of what had happened. She quickly bolted onto her feet, taking Cinder by surprise. He stood on the side of her, hovering his hands around her in case of any sudden movements.

"Airi? How are you feeling?" Cinder asked, his voice filled with tense.

The Nobushi flinched. Her eyes were filled with tears, her breathing was suspenseful and dense. She looked at her hands and blinked rapidly a few times. She turned back to the Commander with a horrid look of worry and confusion on her face.

"W-What happened? Where am I!?" Airi whimpered.

Cinder shook his head, trying to stay collected. "Hey, nothing bad happened. You're fine, okay? I...I know this is probably really—"

"Cinder, just tell me what happened! Why the hell am I here, and why are you here with me!?" Airi insisted.

The Commander grew flustered. "A-Airi...I..." He paused, his gaze falling to the ground. "We just..."

"We? What do you mean we? And...W-Where...Where is Emora?! Why aren't you with her!? Where the fuck is she!?" Airi cried, her voice quivering. She began to quickly pace around, threatening to flee Cinder's guard.

"Hey! Airi, calm down! Emora will be okay, I swear! She...She just didn't want you to come with her." Cinder explained.

"Yeah, I know she didn't! But what the hell did you two do to me?! How did I fucking get here, Cinder?" Airi yelled, genuinely angry.

The Commander fell silent. He shook his head, rubbing his weary eyes and sighing with stress.

"Emora...She...She knocked you out. She told me beforehand that she insists on you staying behind, and leaving her to settle the score alone. She didn't want you getting hurt, Airi. You have to understand that."

"D-Don't you think I knew that?! I know she didn't want me getting hurt! But...But I wanted to stay with her, damn it! That was all I wanted! I wanted to stay by her side, to try and make sure she stayed alive! Now...Now there's a chance she could die in there! I...I won't know what to do if she dies, Cinder! I...I'll be broken!"

Airi let out a loud cry before beginning to sob uncontrollably. Cinder rushed over to the Nobushi and embraced her, the young Samurai digging her face into the Commander's chest, her crying now muffled within his comforting grasp.

"Do you know how hard it was...The time I spent away from her? I was in complete desolation, Cinder. The short amount of time that I was separated from her...It...It felt like years! That's how much I love her! If she was going to die in there...Then I was going down with her. But now...Now I might not ever see her again..."

Cinder shook his head and grabbed Airi by her shoulders, looking her in the eyes. "I promise you'll see her again. You don't have to worry. Emora can handle herself; she isn't going in there to kill them. She wants to spare them."

"S-Spare them?! Cinder, that's crazy! All that Daigo's done! How could she?!"

"I...I don't know. Emora has her reasons and her suspicions."

"NO! That's stupid! I understand that she's forgiving and merciful...But she can't do that! Daigo hates her and Zhao will find out that she killed his brother! They'll destroy her! They'll...They'll slaughter her! I HAVE TO GO AFTER HER!"

Airi pulled away and leaped over to the bench, grabbing ahold of her staff. She turned to sprint towards the Manor's back entrance, before feeling a strong grip on her arm. She turned to see Cinder holding onto her tightly, a stern look on his face.

"Airi...I can't let you go in there. It's too dangerous. The other teams of people are burning down the Manor. The smoke and fire will kill you if you go in now. Emora will find a way out once she settles everything."

"No! Cinder, let me go! I have to help her! I won't let her die in there! I won't let her get killed! And I won't let her die alone! Let go of me!" Airi cried.

"NO! Just stay here, Airi!"

The Nobushi squirmed and wiggled in Cinder's grip. She moaned and whimpered with sorrow and despair.

"Cinder, please...Please just let me go! She won't make it out of there! PLEASE!" Airi pleaded.

"Airi, no! Just stop! I'm not going to let you go!" Cinder shook his head, shutting his eyes tightly.

"Then tell me, Cinder! Do you think she's going to make it out?! Do you really, actually think she can get out alive!? Do you think you'll see her again!? Are you worried at all?!"

"Of course I'm worried! Emora is a close friend, someone I trust, someone I thank God to have met!" Cinder yelled.

"Then let me go find her! Let me go save her! She needs us, there's no way she can get out there alive, Cinder...Please! Just let me go!" Airi tugged, her voice breaking.

"I CAN'T DO THAT! I promised Emora that I would keep you safe, and that's what I'm going to fucking do, Airi! Emora has her ways, she'll make it through, I promise you!" Cinder said angrily, his voice strong and firm.

The Nobushi grabbed onto Cinder's arm and began to tug on it, attempting to break free. Cinder held on firmly, not daring to let go of the fumbling Samurai until she calmed down. She was crying loudly, her tear-filled eyes blinking rapidly, sending waves of tears down her face.

"Stop it! Cinder, stop! Let me go! Please, stop! I want to help her...I want to get her out! She won't survive...She won't...S-Survive!"

"She will, Airi! Just calm down—"

"SHE WON'T!" Airi roared out, her voice cracking and shaking.

Cinder suddenly let go of Airi, his expression shocked and a bit scared. He watched Hakushi fall onto the ground, dropping her staff next to her. She shut her eyes tightly, crying on the ground, her hands curled into tight fists.

"A-Airi..." The Commander began.

"Stop...Cinder..." Airi moaned. She took long and desperate deep breaths, gasping in air through her mouth in order to feed her exhausted lungs. She placed one hand on her beating heart, the other planted onto the ground as she remained completely still in a crouching position, her head down and her hair draping down. She evened out her breathing as Cinder got closer, slowly grabbing onto her arm.

"Airi...I'm...I...Y-You have to understand..."

Hakushi put her hand up, immediately silencing Cinder. She shook her head, steadily inhaling and exhaling from her mouth. She opened her deep brown eyes and turned to the Commander.

"I don't want to be protected anymore, Cinder...Emora always wants to put others in front of herself. Whether it's me or a random stranger...She'll care for them more than herself! I'm tired of being shielded by her. I want to be the one to save her life this time. Please...Please allow me to do that, Cinder..."

The Commander stared at the Nobushi, his silver eyes shimmering. He looked back to his sword with a grimace, his fists clutched so tightly, his arm began to tremble. He turned back to Airi, his gaze concentrated and panicked.

"Airi. She...She did this for you. She just didn't want to see you get hurt."

Airi got up onto her feet, rising to her full height. "If she didn't want me to get hurt...That means she was willing to get herself hurt. What if she dies? Cinder...I-I...I can't live without her. My life is worthless if she's not in it, and I mean that. That's what I'll feel like."

The Nobushi paused, taking a short breath. "I want to make sure she gets out alive, Cinder. To stand by her side and be there to help, so that she doesn't have to fight alone, like she always has!"

Cinder stayed silent, eyeing the ground.

"Cinder..."

The Commander looked up, a bit startled to see her right in front of him, on the verge of more tears.

"I...I'm scared..."

Airi fell into Cinder's arms, whimpering and muttering incomprehensible noises. She nestled underneath Cinder's chin, her eyes shut tightly, like that of a child trying to forget about a bad nightmare minutes after awaking from it.

"I'm scared for her, Cinder...And I'm scared for you, and I'm scared for myself too! I...I just want to make up for what I did! What I did to Alban still haunts me, Cinder! Please tell me...Have you all forgiven me?! Has...Has he forgiven me...?" The Nobushi cried out, falling to her knees and grabbing onto the Commander's hands.

Cinder fell onto one knee, holding the Samurai tightly. He shushed her and rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. He placed his hands onto her cheeks and looked her in the eyes with a warm smile.

"Of course we've forgiven you, Airi. Emora explained it to us all. That was when we learned that you're so much stronger than you look. Alban has also forgiven you, and even wants to forget about everything that's happened in the past, and start anew with you..." He explained, his voice soft.

"Oh...Oh my gosh...Thank you, Cinder..."

The two Heroes hugged momentarily, before separating. Airi wiped her tears and grabbed onto her staff, Cinder staying silent.

"Please...E-Emora...She's in there. And...I don't want anything to happen to her, I'm not taking that risk! I'm going after her Cinder...And...I'm sorry, but...You can't stop me."

Cinder sighed and rubbed his eyes. Airi let out a small gasp as she watched the Commander turn around and pull on his helmet. He turned back to Hakushi and shut his visor, before grabbing his sword. He walked up to the Nobushi, the longsword tight in his hand.

Airi began to panic, she felt her entire body begin to shake uncontrollably, her nerves going berserk. "C...C...C-Cinder...P-Please don't—"

"I'm coming with you."

The Nobushi blinked, her lungs becoming devoid of air for a single second. She panted desperately, her eyes shining as she looked up at the Commander.

"W-What!?"

"I'm coming with you. There's no way I'm going to let you go in there alone, Airi. If you're going to help Emora, then I'm going too." Cinder said firmly.

"Oh...Oh my god..."

Airi's lips quivered as she swallowed a sob. She closed her eyes and began to smile. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and bowed down to the Commander, her posture formal and respectful.

"T-Thank you...Cinder...Thank you so much!"

The Commander huffed and began to walk forward, Airi yelping a bit before speed-walking after him.

"Please, just watch your back and be careful. We have to be quick. Look everywhere and try not to be too loud."

"B-But I'm desperate! I want to yell out for her!"

"We can do that once we see that this place is starting to full collapse. For now, it's still standing and smoking. We have time."

The Nobushi nodded her head slowly, her heart beating out of control.

"O-Okay...I'm ready."

Cinder grinned behind his helmet.

"Good. Now let's go find Emora."


Meanwhile...

The blonde Warden rummaged around in her lover's closet, having nothing else to do, and being disgustingly distracted. She came across many different types of masks and martial art uniforms that fitted the Nobushi's style. Emora found different pairs of gloves and boots, even trying to switch out her dirty clothes for some of Airi's, but only feeling discouraged after failing, as they were a bit too small and tight on her. She pushed back more dresses and came across a small wooden ladder at the back corner of the closet.

"What's this for?" Emora said to herself as she pulled the ladder out of the closet. She held it upright and looked at the peak to see that it reached up to the ceiling. She analyzed the ceiling and spotted a peculiar square in the corner of the room. She got up onto a chair and pushed on the square, gasping when it caved in and fell outwards.

"A trapdoor?"

Emora used the ladder to climb up through the small hole in the room's ceiling. Her hazel eyes reflected the moonlight in the area as she looked up at the night sky, feeling the cool draft of the wind on her skin. She pulled the rest of her body up and stood atop the curved roof of the Manor.

"Woah...She...She did had this in her room?" The Warden whispered aloud. She turned to look over the ledge of the rooftop, looking down at the murky gardens below. She sat down, her legs dangling over the edge. She breathed in the cool air, detecting the slightest hint of smoke. She brushed her nose with her finger and sighed.

"This is nice. Something to get away from everything, I guess."

Emora looked down at her hands, frowning at how dirty and gritty they were. Her palms had dried blood on them, lining across her hand. She rubbed her own fingers together, smiling at the small tickle she felt at her smooth fingertips. She narrowed her eyes as she curled them up into fists, turning them and looking at her bruised and reddened knuckles.

"Tsk...I'm done with killing these people. I don't want to fight any longer. I don't, and I don't think I can anymore." Emora told her hands, hating how they were her ultimate weapons. She rolled her eyes and stood back up, cracking her neck and stretching her shoulders. She turned around and began to walk on the rooftops of the Manor. She made her way to the front of the Manor, scaling up the curved rooftops up until she made it over a small ledge and landed upon the basic flat rooftop of the center-Manor. She looked around, the red curves of the rooftops seemingly protruding from the white flat surface of the ceiling.

Emora walked forward, not being able to see much in the dark. As she walked, she could see strange shapes near the edge of the manor. She picked up her pace, realizing that there were two vague figures looking off towards the rest of the Hakushi Province.

"Huh...?!"

The Warden stopped in her tracks; her heart nearly stopping entirely, her breathing became panicked and excited at the same time. She stared at the two Samurai from behind, both of them looking off at the burning Province, buildings and streets all alight in flames, groups of people could be seen running and moving along through the entire city. Distant explosions and the sound of collapsing structures echoed through the air. Smoke rose up into the sky, layering it with a thick gray, and blocking out the starry sky over the Province.

With his hands limp at his sides, Daigo stood looking off the edge of the Manor, his stance listless and lethargic, with his shoulders dropped and legs spread out and arched. His shirt was off, his lean arms and back lined with cuts. His pants were rolled up to his kneecaps, and his socks and shoes were off. Next to him, with his arms crossed, neck craned towards the city, and downcast head looking downwards, stood the recipient of Emora's message.

His hat cast a shadow over his face, concealing his eyes. His two katana sheathed at his belt on either side of his hips. His mouth and nose covered by a black face mask. His robes and pants fluttered in the wind. He was talking quietly with Daigo, standing slightly behind him, his stance neutral.

The Warden didn't know what to do, she opened her mouth to speak, but only a small whimper came out. She could feel her eyes beginning to tear up. She shook her head angrily, rubbing her eyes and forcing herself not to shed a single tear. She watched the two Samurai closely, slowly stepping closer and closer to them.

She took a deep breath and prepared to talk. She opened her mouth, only to shut it instantly as the Aramusha placed his hand on Daigo's shoulder, startling the Warden, and causing her to yelp.

"Mm—!"

Emora slapped her hands over her mouth, shutting her eyes tightly. She opened them slowly, only to see Daigo nodding his head, and placing his own hand on the Aramusha's shoulder. She could hear him say something to him in Japanese, before turning back to the Province. She watched as Zhao stepped back and bowed, slowly rising to his full height as Daigo took a step forward, leaning off over the edge, his arms shaking at his sides. The Warden gasped as soon as she realized what was happening.

"Daigo, stop! What're you doing?!"

"Gh—Huh?!"

"Nanda!?"

The two Samurai spun around, both of them clearly shocked to see the Warden. Emora was staring at Daigo, a horrid expression on her face, her hand out, reaching for him. She took her hand back and held her own wrist, her entire body shaking.

"W-What were you doing? Were you going to jump!?" The young Knight cried out.

Daigo and Zhao exchanged confused glances, before both turning back to Emora, the Emperor with a tired look on his face. He closed his eyes and chuckled quietly, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes with one hand, before taking that hand and passing it down the rest of his face in a small groan.

"Wow...It certainly is nice to see you again, Emora. But it is also very unexpected and unpleasant for me. Let me ask, why are you here?" Daigo asked.

Emora shook her head. "I...I...N-No! Daigo, tell me what you were going to do! Please don't tell me you were going to...To..."

Daigo raised one eyebrow. He leaned forward a bit, a confused expression on his face. "Hm?"

"You...To...To kill yourself, right?! You weren't?"

The Emperor glanced over at Zhao, who has his arms at his sides, his hands in a fixed, but vague position, with his fingers arched and palms straight, showing that he was on guard.

"So what if I was? What's it matter to you, Knight?" Daigo asked.

"Why would you commit suicide!? Do you have any idea how...How bad that is?! Daigo, have you gone crazy?" Emora cried out.

The Emperor's eyes widened, he took a single step back, his face showing offense. He curled his hands into fists and clenched them tightly. "Crazy?! Emora, I've lost everything! My own people have rebelled against me when I offered to help them, to help our home! My palace is gone, the city is destroyed, my fiancé was taken by the Knight I hate with all my heart, and my parents have found out the truth about Atsuto and Airina Hakushi...And have abandoned me. The entire Myre is fighting against my cause. The clans down in the lower parts of the Dawn Empire are rejecting and repelling the Seinaru Clan's forces, preventing them from spreading my rule!" Daigo explained, his voice growing louder and angrier by the second. He glared at Emora, his stance now looking aggressive.

"I have nothing! Emora, I've lost, and it's your entire damned fault! I...I was only trying to help the Myre, to help ease the oppression on our people! The endless conflict we've been in has torn our lands apart...And I wanted to set down order! All I wanted was to have the help of the Urutora Clan...But now...They're rising back from their ashes, and biting me in the ass for trying to purify the Dawn Empire!" Daigo yelled out.

The tired Emperor put his hand on his heart and panted a few times, catching his breath. He extended his arm out towards the burning Province.

"What're the chances of me being able to escape? Your people are out there, leading the civilians in huge groups that're burning everything in sight! They're killing all my men, all of the Seinaru Clan's Commanders and Generals being slaughtered for trying to be loyal. The Urutora Clan is starting to come back, with soldiers beginning to don the white and gold armor. Hell...I've even seen some of my men surrender already, submitting to your forces. I've..."

Daigo paused, his voice growing tight.

"I've got nothing...Even if I do get out alive...Where the fuck would I go? I have nowhere to go. Everyone knows of what I've done...If there's anything the Myre is good at besides civil war and beheading...It's gossip. I just..."

The Emperor shut his eyes, releasing a quivery exhale. He shut his trembling jaw, gritting his teeth together tightly, and squeezing his eyes shut.

"I just want to die. It's the only way out...And it's the only way I don't waste another life along with my own pitiful one. I won't let Zhao die for a cause that's already dead." Daigo finished, opening his watery eyes and looking at Emora.

The Warden's delicate heart connected with Orochi's. Now feeling his pain in the form of empathy and compassion, Emora broke down, gasping and sobbing at the sight of Daigo's silent tears.

"D-Daigo...I...I was...I..."

She couldn't speak.

"I thought...Fuck I—I was...Thinking about you...And about everything you've done. I remembered the things Airi told me about you...I thought about your motivations...About how you're a determined man, someone driven by their motives..."

Emora's eyes drifted to her hands.

"And I realized that you and I aren't so different."

Daigo huffed. "What are you talking about?"

"Daigo...You did all of this for the Myre, right? For your people? As an attempt to try and make the Dawn Empire greater than it ever was before, and let the Samurai break free of their own conflicts and become how they once were back home?" Emora asked.

Daigo blinked, nodding his head.

"But...When you saw that something was getting in the way...Something wasn't right...That...That something was blocking that objective...You tried to counter it, to fight it! You were driven to do all of these foul, unjust things because you were blinded by what you desired! Your cause was honorable...But your actions were not, and that's okay!"

Daigo was shaking, his sparkling eyes fixed on Emora.

"You're still young...And you aren't fit to rule on your own, not just yet! You tried to continue with your family's plan, but...It just didn't go well. And yes, I know I was the thing that blocked the path to your objective...And I'm sorry! But what I'm trying to say is...Daigo..."

Emora paused, taking a deep breath.

"You and I are very similar. Your motivation was to help your ravaged home, your desolate people. And my motivation was to see Airi one last time, and try to earn her heart back in a last second attempt. The things we did to meet those objectives are all wrong and morally incorrect in some way."

"How?!" Daigo asked, his voice cracking.

"The murder of Atsuto and Airina Hakushi, for the fear that they would get in the way of your marriage with Airi, that was wrong! The takeover of the Urutora Clan, for fear that they would take down your men after the fusion was cancelled! Your lockdown of the Hakushi Province, over the fear that the people would rebel against your clan! The torture of my friends...A manifestation of your hate for me and all of them for ruining your life. And...Your attempt at a forced marriage with Airi...To try and be able to officially rule the Dawn Empire...All of those things...Were wrong. These actions were all things you did to try and accomplish your goal. But you failed to think about how your actions were going to affect other people."

Daigo looked down at the ground. Two tears fell out of his eyes and rolled down his face, dripping from his jawline. His breathing was shaky and uneven as he looked back at the Province, his eyes reflecting the orange light of the flames.

"But I've done wrong too. My mistakes may be more simple...But they're still morally wrong. And that's the murder of every single Hero and soldier I killed in order to get my dirty hands Airi again. All of this...All of it happened because I wanted to get her back, because I couldn't live without her love and affection. All of it over my desperate self, wanting the girl of my dreams back in my arms..." Emora said selfishly, her voice weak.

Daigo and Zhao both looked at Emora, their gazes honest.

"I..."

The Emperor released a long exhale.

"I know everything I did was wrong. And you're right...I was being blind and stupid, thinking I could rule on my own. What's the power of one tyrant Clan to the strength of a two Clans united into one force of justice and order? I'm nothing but a fool, Emora. Those men you killed wouldn't be dead if I hadn't sent them after you in the first place. I could've talked it all out...But I...I..."

"You saw me as a threat. You fell in love with Airi, I know. I'm sorry..." Emora muttered.

Daigo tightened his fists.

"You've only made me feel worse. A knight I hate...The very reason why everything went wrong...The very reason the greatest city of the Urutora Clan is burning to the ground in front of me...Is trying to stop me from taking the only way I see out of all of this. If I can't escape my own hell...Then how will I ever stop suffering?" The Emperor growled, his voice growing malicious.

"D-Daigo...I...I want to save you! I'm not here to kill you! I don't even have a weapon on me, nothing! You can search me if you want!" Emora cried.

"I won't let myself get saved by someone I hate! You're an enemy...MY ENEMY! I'd rather die than be dishonored by someone like you!" Daigo yelled.

Emora shook her head, reaching out for the Emperor. "Forget about your honor! Daigo, don't do this! I know you can be a good leader! You...You just need guidance! Please, let me save you!"

"STOP! JUST...JUST STOP! HOW CAN YOU JUST FORGET ABOUT THE THINGS I'VE DONE! Emora...I...M-My ultimate desire is to see your blood flow out of your body from the tip of my blade! To slit your throat with a serrated knife, watching all the red spraying out into the air as you fall onto your knees, the look of death in those exuberant eyes! I want to kill you, Emora! I want to kill you and all of your rogue allies! The anger I feel is beyond any other emotion I have ever felt in my entire life! Because of you, my chances of being able to rule are pitiful! The Samurai will never accept Daigo Kaneko as their Supreme Emperor, and it's all your fault!" Daigo thundered, his voice filled with pure rage.

Emora fell onto her knees, her hands together in prayer. She put her head down, crying profusely. "Daigo...I swear...From the bottom of my heart...I'm so sorry! I...I'm sorry for ruining you...For turning you into this from the honorable, well-intentioned man you originally were! I'm so sorry, Daigo...Please...Please, can you forgive me, I'm begging you...!"

Daigo forced his hands onto both of his ears, pressing down on them as hard as he could. He doubled over, shaking his head like a maniac. He began to yell uncontrollably, his hands covering his ears.

"I don't want to hear your voice! The fact that you just fucking ignored everything I said, and you're still trying to spare my life is only furthering my already endless fury! It's irrational! Your intentions are irrational!"

Emora didn't respond. Her crying was far too heavy.

"Emora, look at me!"

The Warden slowly looked up, sniveling and gasping for air.

"I...Loathe...You."

Emora wasn't fazed. She got up one knee, her hands at her face, trying to wipe it dry.

"I don't care. I'm not letting you die. You deserve a second chance, at least in my eyes."

Daigo was twitching.

"This kindness you're showing. This disgusting amount of pure humanity...It's confusing and...Honestly frightening. It's shocking to me." Zhao stepped in, his voice calm.

"Zhao, take care of yourself. And Emora...I hope you burn in the deepest depths of hell along with the remains of this Manor." The Emperor shouted firmly.

Emora watched as Daigo turned back around and spread his arms out, Zhao taking a few steps back.

"NOOO!"

Emora felt her voice rip through her throat as she yelled out a cry of deep hurt. She scrambled forward, boosting off of her legs and shuffling into a charge using her arms. She bolted past Zhao and reached out with her arm.

"DAAIIGGOOO!"

"GHH—AH?!"

Daigo's left leg was already hovering over the ledge of the rooftop. His right heel balancing on the rooftop's edge. His left arm was suspended in midair, while his right arm was behind him, a tight grip holding onto his wrist. He turned around, his eyes wide, his heart beating out of his chest, to see Emora hanging onto his arm with both of her hands.

"LET ME GO!"

Daigo jerked backwards, trying to jump away and fall to his death. Emora yelped out with fear as she edged forward, but quickly caught herself with a grunt. She planted her feet flat on the ground and pushed back with a loud yell.

"GAAHH!"

"WOAAHH!"

Daigo fell onto his back, landing on Emora's chest. The Warden lay on the ground, panting out of control, her eyes shut with her rocking headache. Daigo rolled off of the Warden, his face red with rage.

"WHY?!"

"I won't let you die!"

"YOU FUCKING...BITCH!"

"AH—NOO!"

Daigo lunged forward his fist out in front of him. Emora quickly pushed her body along the ground, jumping back and shuffling backwards on all fours. She scrambled to her feet, her hands out in front of her.

"S-Stop it, Daigo! Stop!"

The Emperor's ruffled black hair was dripping with his sweat. The heat above the Manor was rising, due to the amount of smoke rising up from the burning happening down below.

"You die...Right here...Right now, you blasted Warden!"

Daigo raised his hand into the air, pointing at Emora. Zhao put his head up and unsheathed his two swords. He rushed forward, his body forward, cutting through the air.

"Z-Zhao! Zhao stop!"

The Black and Gold Aramusha zipped past Daigo, and at a blinding speed, charged towards the unarmed Knight.

"ZHAO!"

"The time is now!" The Samurai yelled. He juked to the right, dug his foot into the ground, and prepared to leap at the Warden.

"YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD!" Emora cried, her voice breaking through the sentence.

Zhao came to an abrupt stop. He stayed motionless in his attack position, his head positioned low, a shadow cast over his eyes.

"Zhao...K-Kiyoshi...He's dead...He...He's gone...I...He..."

Emora put both of her hands over her face, trying to calm herself enough to be able to speak.

"He...He—I...K-Kiyo...I..."

The Warden sucked back a flow of sobs. She slowly lifted up her left arm, a black chain becoming clearly visible around her forearm.

"This...T-This is his chain...His Kusarigama chain. He...He died in the collapse of the watch tower...B-Burned...Alive...And then crushed..."

Zhao didn't move a single inch. The rooftop grew silent, Daigo standing behind the Aramusha, staring at Emora with a shocked expression.

"You...You killed him?" Daigo asked.

Emora's heart stung. "N-No! Of course not! I...Zhao I tried to save him! He...He was trying to kill me and Airi up on the tower. He...He was planning to take us all out with one last fight. He had started a fire at the base of the tower before he came up to fight us. He...He was planning to take himself out with us...From the beginning."

Zhao slowly dropped his guard. Emora watched as the Aramusha first lowered his swords to his sides, and then stood up straight, his hat still covering his eyes.

"So you did kill him! Trying to protect Airi and yourself!" Daigo yelled.

"NO! No, I wasn't trying to kill him! Me and her were trying to convince him to stop! After the things he told us...We wanted to get all of us out of there! I...I tried to save him! The...The tower started to collapse...And we were all going to die in the fire. He had sealed the exit, preventing anyone from leaving! Zhao...He was going to kill himself in order to kill me and Airi! But...He did it for a reason!"

Zhao's breathing was silent and tense. Emora and Daigo could both barely hear it, if they themselves held their breath. The Aramusha lifted his head a miniscule amount, showing that he was paying attention.

"Zhao...He did it for you. He...He told us...He told me, about the brotherhood you both had. The type of relationship you two held. He told us about your childhood, how he found you, how it was growing up, and how you both became the martial artists you both grew to be. I...I know about it."

Zhao lowered his head again. "Okay. Why does that matter?"

Emora's eyebrows lowered with a shift of attitudes. "He wanted to prove himself to you. He told us how you were. How you were always the superior, how you were always the better brother. He told me how his parents favored you over him, how you were smarter, stronger, faster, and more capable of succeeding. He told us that your potential was something he could never match, that he could see that you were capable of things he couldn't even imagine achieving. He...He saw himself as a barrier to your success. He saw himself as...As a sort of restraint, a restraint that was barring you, holding you back from your path as a master martial artist." Emora explained, her voice honest and soft.

Zhao clutched his swords tighter. "Is that so?"

"Yes. He wanted to prove to you that he was capable too. He told me how you felt like you were in his debt...For saving your life as a young child. How you would always protect him, always defend him from harm, and act like an older brother to him. He wanted to show you that he was individual...That he could handle himself. But he also wanted to spare you. He wanted to spare you of himself. And he wanted to spare you from me. He...He told me that you wanted to fight me. But he believes that you can't win. He didn't want you to die. So he was going to kill me...And himself, in order for you to have nothing and no one in your way. So you could be free."

Zhao lifted up his head, his mouth slightly parted. "Free? Free of him? Free of you?"

"Y-Yes...But he later became scared and confused. He saw no way out, and became determined to finish his mission. He was set on killing me and Airi. He...He grabbed onto me with his Kusarigama once the tower was going to burn down and collapse. I...I tried to save him. I tried to pull him towards the exit...To pull him out. I...I'm sorry Zhao but..."

Emora paused, Zhao watched as she put her hand on her face, trying to stifle her tears.

"I...I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't...I couldn't do it. He...He thanked me for everything...He...He said he...That he was a fool to believe that he was doing you justice by sacrificing himself. But...I tried saving him. I failed...I'm so sorry, Zhao..." Emora sobbed.

Zhao took a deep breath. "He should've known that killing someone like you wasn't going to be easy. He should've known to wait for me. He...He is a fool." The Aramusha grunted, his head still down.

Emora's eyes widened. She felt her heart surge with an unbearable pain. She clutched her chest, gasping angrily. She became enraged instantly, and with a fast, powerful, and brute sucker punch, the Warden struck the Aramusha straight on the face.

"HOW COULD YOU!? HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT?!" She cried.

Zhao's facemask was knocked off of his face. Daigo stood nearby, his fists clenched, his mouth angled with anger. The Aramusha's face was looking away, motionless after the punch. Emora pulled her arm back, her anger fading.

"I...I'm sorry—I..." She stuttered.

Zhao raised his hand. He had his head down, completely silent. Emora fell quiet, waiting for a response. She felt her heartbeat begin to pick up as she inspected Zhao more closely with each second.

The Aramusha was trembling ever so slightly. His jaw was stiff, a line of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. The shadow cast over his eyes couldn't hide the path of a single tear that made his way down his cheek.

"Z-Zhao..."

"K-Kiyoshi..."

Emora watched as Zhao collapsed onto his knees, his swords clanging onto the ground. He slammed his fist into the ground in anger, tears rolling down his face.

"How could he...H-How...And why? K...Kuso-tare..."

"Zhao...I'm sorry..." The Warden felt her throat constrict. She choked on a sob, pausing to breathe. "I know you're in pain. And...I'm sorry."

The Aramusha shook his head. His eyes were still not in the light, but as more tears emerged from the shadow of his hat, the more he reminiscent he grew.

"He...He's gone. He's a fool...A fool to believe everything he thought about himself was true. A restraint, chains that held me down? How dare he assume such things? How dare he question my reasons for protecting him? That was my own business, and if he wanted to know such things, then why not ask me?!" Zhao yelled angrily. A wide-eyed Daigo took a few steps back from the scene. He wearily rubbed his eyes, breathing unevenly.

"That's what I told him. I told him that...That it was natural. Your desire to act like the older brother. Your debt to him, for taking you in and giving you the opportunity to live and grow. But..." Emora stopped, her gaze falling to the ground.

"He was too stubborn to listen. If anyone knows that, it would be me." Zhao scoffed.

"Of course, you were his brother." Emora smiled sadly, her eyes bloated, her nose and cheeks red from all the crying.

"Did...Did you try your hardest? Did...Did he fight back? He was that done with his own life?" Zhao asked. His voice quivering.

"He...He didn't want to be spared. I don't know why. He told me that some people don't deserve to be given a second chance. But..." Emora paused and looked over to Daigo, who looked back, his gaze stern and emotional. "But I don't believe that. I think everyone deserves a second chance...Another opportunity to keep on living." She finished.

"He was bent on killing you and Hakushi. But then being spared by you...It shattered his honor, and made him realize that his cause was un-honorable and irrational. Just like Daigo, he refused to believe that an enemy was going to spare and save his life. His guilt overcame his sense of rationality...And led to his death, his refusal of rescue..." Zhao murmured, Emora growing sorrowful.

"Zhao...I want to get both of you out of here. I want you to go on and do what Kiyoshi wanted you to do. Go on and do great things with your martial art skills. You could become the Emperor's Champion! Once the Dawn Empire is resettled and at peace, of course." Emora said, her tone full of hope.

False hope.

Zhao picked up his swords. He rose to his full height, keeping his head down.

"Knight...No, Warden. Hm...Emora."

"Y-Yes?" Emora asked, her voice frail.

Zhao looked up, revealing his deep brown eyes. They were welled with tears that wouldn't fall. His eyebrows were furrowed with a strict gaze, his eyes narrowed firmly.

"I loved my brother. He was the one thing I cared about, despite me never showing it. It's just a part of who I am. I'm a secluded man. A man who prefers to keep to himself. I did not like Kiyoshi's intrusive, social attitude. I feel...Ashamed of changing that aspect of him. For he then began to mimic me, began to follow me, began to take after me. Before I knew it...He was like a mirror. Silent, serious, and dark."

Zhao paused.

"I did not want him to be like me."

"Then...Why didn't you tell him anything?" Emora asked.

The Aramusha closed his eyes.

"I do not know."

Emora nodded slowly. "It's okay. Zhao, I...I'm sorry. I...I have no clue what you could be feeling right now. But...I just want you to know that—"

Zhao's leg became a blur as he stomped his foot on the ground. Emora felt the floor shake a bit as she yelped, looking up at Zhao, her eyes wide.

"He tried saving me. He tried to free me. Well...I'm now more determined than ever. Great Warrior, Emora! I wish to fight with you! I will not let the death of my dear brother stop me from completing what I myself have set as the ultimate target!"

"Yes! I too will avenge the death of Kiyoshi. A loyal, honorable, and greatly skilled Shinobi indeed...Killed by his own failure to execute the one Warden I hate with my all my heart. His motivations were pure, but foolish and frankly...Quite doltish." Daigo said firmly, he turned to Zhao, who looked at him with a narrow stare.

"My condolences, Zhao-Sa. But I want my fair share of her blood." The Emperor insisted.

Zhao grunted. "You can have your share after I fight her honorably! I will not taint my own honor by letting my greatest opponent be outnumbered! My brother died in his attempt to stop this encounter from happening, among other things I wish not to think about."

Zhao turned to Emora, who was frozen in place, her hands and legs shaking.

"It is time I find out if he was right!" The Aramusha yelled out.

"No, Zhao, please! I don't want to do this!" Emora cried.

"Fine. After you're done, allow me to vent all this rage and hatred I've kept bottled up for all this time." Daigo asked with a clutched fist. Zhao simply nodded in response as he put his facemask back on.

"Fight with me, Warden. I thank you for delivering the news of my late brother. But you were right to judge his intentions as foolish. For he should not have jumped to conclusions, or made any assumptions about the way I feel about him. Now he's gone, and he will never know..." Zhao grunted.

Emora shook her head wildly, her tears sprinkling everywhere. "No! Zhao, I won't fight you! I don't have a weapon, I don't have armor, I'm completely harmless to you!"

Zhao twirled his dual katana around, causing the moonlight to shine on their sharp blades, reflecting flashes of white sparks in Emora's vision. He slashed them through the air swiftly, feeling out his attack pattern. He flipped them once and crouched into position, his dark eyes narrowed.

"You have my brother's chain."

Emora unwrapped the chain from her forearm, holding it in her shaking hand. "I...I don't know what to do with this!"

Zhao cracked his neck. "Figure it out quickly, then! Because I'm not holding back from this fight!"

Emora let out a shriek of pure fear as she watched Zhao throw his sword into the air, reach for his belt, and send forth two Kunai. She twisted her body and crouched low, dodging both of the blades. She looked up to see Zhao swiftly catch his sword and rush forward.

"Gnh!"

Zhao zipped forward towards Emora's left flank. He juked sharply, sprinting to the right, then jumped towards the Warden, both of his swords raised. The Warden stepped back and watched as the Aramusha crashed in front of her, suddenly whipping one of his blades towards her.

"AHH!"

Emora felt as the blade barely missed her face. She stumbled back, holding the chain in both of her hands. Zhao jumped straight into the air, his other blade lifted into the air. He brought it down with a loud battle-cry. Emora closed her eyes and raised the chain in front of him. With a loud metallic shatter, Zhao watched the chain shatter into two separate parts. Links of the chain scattered onto the ground in between the two Heroes.

The Warden reacted quickly, whipping the two chains forward with all she could. The chains struck Zhao in the torso, bringing out a short grunt of discomfort. He thrusted off of his left foot, his right leg ready to come in for a great kick, but with a sharp grunt of effort, he faked the attack and fell on his left leg. With a stupendous amount of momentum and force, he spun around, firing a powerful back-kick using his right foot.

"HYAH!"

"GHH!"

Emora raised her arm to shield the side of her head from the blow. She grunted out with pain as she felt the Aramusha's heel crack into her forearm. She quickly wrapped her left arm around his leg, trying to take control of his body. Zhao grunted with effort as he jumped off of the ground, his other leg flying through the air, using Emora as his foothold. He lifted up off the ground entirely, a wide-eyed Emora gasping with shock.

"YGH!"

The Warden blocked the second kick, watching as an unbalanced Zhao staggered back after failing his attack. She quickly took advantage and flung her left leg forward with tremendous force. She watched as her foot collided with Zhao's stomach, sending him flying backwards and onto the ground.

"Uh...Ah. Zhao..." Emora panted.

The Aramusha slowly got back onto his feet, his eyes shut. He slowly took off his facemask, his expression sour.

"So...You land the first hit. That's usually not a good sign for the receiver of that hit."

"I'm still unarmed for the most part. You have the advantage..." Emora muttered.

Zhao shook his head and scoffed. "I know how this goes. It's time for me to get a bit faster."


(Take a break. This ain't a history book.)

The Aramusha crouched low, his eyes narrowed. Emora shook her head, not liking the situation.

"Zhao...I'll try to give you the fight you seek. But I doubt I can impress you." She said meekly.

"Only I can be the judge of that, Knight." Zhao grunted as he rushed forward.

Emora's eyes widened as she noticed the change in the Samurai's speed and pace. His attacks were faster and sharper. The Warden yelped every time she dodged, moving her head and arms away from the reach of Zhao's blades. She avoided dozens of strikes, slowly getting dizzy from so much movement.

"Oh god! Zhao...S-Slow down, damn it!"

Zhao didn't respond, he picked up his speed as he heard Emora's yelp when he made contact with her shoulder.

"You're not fast enough!"

The Aramusha slashed his right katana to the side, Emora back-stepping, but not far enough. Her blood flailed into the air as the blade made contact with her cheek, cutting her face.

"AGH—Tsk!"

The Warden skipped to the side, wiping her cheek of blood using her thumb. She narrowed her gaze, preparing her legs.

"Fine. You asked for this!"

The two Heroes charged at each other. Zhao jumped into the air, his dual katana raised. Emora slid down, going straight under the Aramusha. As Zhao landed, he turned to see the Warden's foot heading straight to his face.

"GUUH!"

Saliva streaked from the Samurai's mouth as Emora kicked him straight in the jaw, sending the Aramusha into the air momentarily, and sliding back into the ground on his side. He stood back up quickly, growling quietly.

Emora pranced around, her breathing steady. She twirled the two chains around, her gaze set firmly on Zhao. The two Heroes both let out battle-cries as they ran at one another. The blonde Warden slid to the side, and rushed forward, attempting to charge into Zhao's side. The Aramusha was faster as he jumped aside, dodging the charge. He laughed as he cut straight down Emora's back, a clean red slash marking its place on the Warden's body.

"AHH!"

Emora staggered forward, the back of her already half-torn off shirt growing red and ripped. She turned around as fast as she could, unable to dodge the second strike that hit her in the ribs. She squealed out with a sharp pain, whipping her fist in an arc, striking Zhao in the eye. He let out a short grunt as he staggered to the side, blinding repeatedly.

The Warden withstood her bleeding and heavy pain, she rushed forward, whipping her left chain up into the Aramusha's stomach. Zhao felt a short, but blunt pain on his gut as the chain made contact. Emora used the right chain to whip it around the Samurai's neck. She dropped the other chain, grabbing the end of the second. She pulled back, attempting to strangle and knock out the Aramusha from lack of oxygen.

Zhao, panicking, dropped his two swords. He reached up for the metal chain, grabbing ahold of it and fighting the Warden. Daigo watched with clutched fists, watching as the two Heroes struggled and squirmed, straggling around the rooftop, grunting and shouting.

"D-Don't fight this, Zhao!" Emora urged.

"I won't let you finish me like this!" Zhao spat through grit teeth. He raised his hand into the air, clutched his fist, and cracked it back using all of his strength. His elbow jabbed into Emora's soft gut underneath her ribs, striking her in the liver.

"GLLAAAAGH!"

Emora let go of the chain and fell onto one knee, holding her own body in agony. She spat out a wad of blood, looking up at the Aramusha.

"THIS ENDS NOW!"

Zhao had his two swords in his hands. One of them raised to behead the Warden. Emora let out a cry of fear as she jumped to the side, dodging to fatal strike. She swung her leg at the Aramusha's ankles, sweeping his legs, and making him trip. Zhao fell onto his side, catching himself with his arm. He clenched his teeth with effort as Emora grabbed him by the throat and raised her fist. The Samurai fell onto the ground with a broken nose shortly after.

"Ha..Ha...Hah..." Emora panted. She stood up, looking down at Zhao. She looked to her right and picked up one of Zhao's swords, which he had dropped during the fall. The Aramusha held onto one of them, his face streamed with his blood.

"You pack quite the punch..."

Emora didn't respond, continuing to look at him from above. She stood with one katana in her hand, and a chain in the other.

Zhao wiped his nose and winced lightly at the pain he felt. He took a few seconds to regain his bearings, and make a plan of attack. He gripped his sword as he rolled back up onto his feet. With a sudden burst of speed, he threw two conjoined kicks at the Warden. Emora backstepped away from both, watching as the Zhao rushed forward, his katana to his side.

"HAAAH!"

"TGH!"

Both Heroes clashed, their katanas sparking at the point of their collision. Emora raised her blade, attempting to break the Aramusha's guard. Zhao was more experienced with the katana, giving him the advantage. He quickly cut downwards, gouging the Warden's leg. He followed up with a second strike, slashing upwards onto Emora's chest. He backed up momentarily before rushing in, his blade pointed at the Knight's heart.

"AHH!"

Emora stepped to the side, the blade barely missing her breast. She plunged her fist into Zhao's gut, her blow worsened by the fact that the chain was wrapped around her fist, creating a make-shift gauntlet.

"GAAAAUUUHHH!" Zhao gut out, saliva splattering onto the ground. Daigo winced and looked away, remembering the feeling of the Warden's powerful blows.

Emora had little to no mercy, performing a deadly combo on the Aramusha. She made a deep upwards cut on Zhao's leg, then made a clean laceration across his chest, cutting through his robes. She spun around, using her momentum to cut deep into his stomach. She moved a bit to the side, knee-capping the Samurai harshly.

"AUUGHHH—TUUH!" Zhao gut out, his voice weak.

Emora let out a yell as she plunged the katana into Zhao's side, cutting deeper and deeper into his ribs. She watched as blood spilled onto the floor, her eyes wide with shock. She ripped the blade out inwards. Using a Knight technique on a Samurai weapon, she grabbed onto the blade of the Katana with her free hand, and cracked the sword into Zhao's face.

With a loud cry, a splatter of blood, and a grunt from Emora, Zhao staggered back, his jaw lined with a deep slash, and his mouth leaking with blood.

"Guh...Agh..."

Zhao looked down at his body, his clothes now torn and ripped, and his body now bleeding. He looked at the Warden who stood before him, holding his own weapon.

"I will not be killed by my own blade..."

Emora put her hand out.

"Zhao, stop. I don't want to continue. You'll die at this pace!"

"NO ONE TELLS ME WHAT I'M CAPABLE OF EXCEPT MYSELF!"

Zhao rushed forward, Emora not knowing what to expect. He leaped into high into the air, his legs curled up. The blonde Knight's eyes widened as the Aramusha thrust his legs out, striking Emora with a powerful dropkick.

"AA—AHHH!"

The Warden fell onto her back, quickly rolling over to her side in order to stand up. She watched as Zhao rushed at her, his katana positioned to strike her. She used her arms to lift her body up into the air, as well as her left leg. She thrust her right leg into the air, striking Zhao straight in the center of his chest. He gut out with spit, his stamina being drained. He pushed through it, grabbing Emora's foot and pulling on her leg.

"W-WOAH!"

Emora felt herself being pulled, by Zhao. The Aramusha raised his katana, bringing it down on Emora's knee with all of his strength. Emora's boots, being made of thick leather, absorbed most of the cut, but the Samurai's blade still managed to dig through the Warden's leg.

"GUH! Get off!"

Emora twisted her body, lifting her leg up further. She struck Zhao in the jaw once, stunning him. She brought her other leg around, striking him with her heel straight on the side of his mouth. The Warden flipped back onto her feet. She leaped onto the air and kneecapped the Aramusha right on the center of his face.

"GAHH!"

She came down with a devastating punch to Zhao's temple, the wrapped chain amplifying the strike. With a horrible yell, he drove his fist into Emora's face. His eyes were full of rage, his entire body strained with effort. He grabbed onto Emora's wrist and tightened the grip on it. The Warden yelped out as she dropped his katana and stumbled back. Zhao picked up his second blade and rushed forward. He zipped in front of the Warden, faked his strike, and instead launched his foot straight into her stomach.

"GUH!"

Emora slid back, her teeth clenched tightly. She whipped hair out of her face as she shuffled forward, her fists raised. Zhao met up with the Warden halfway, lifting his leg up for a kick, Emora doing the same. Their legs collided, bringing out grunts from both of the Heroes. Zhao brought his swords down angrily, Emora going underneath their reach and slipping her arm through Zhao's guard. She cracked her backhand into Zhao's face, a bit of blood flailing out from the blow. Zhao countered by elbowing the Warden in the stomach, bringing out a loud yelp from the blonde Knight.

"HHAA!"

"HAH?!

Zhao landed a swift cut on the Warden's arm. She let out a blood curdling cry as she staggered back, holding her left arm with her right hand. Blood streaked down her entire arm, trickling down the length of all of it, and dripping off of the tips of her fingers.

"This fight is nearing its end."

"No, Zhao!"

The Aramusha rushed forward, thrusting his sword at the Warden's stomach. Emora moved to the side in order to avoid the attack, but gasped once the Aramusha feinted the strike and raised his other blade. In response to danger, Emora put her other arm in the way, but went wide-eyed as Zhao's blade dug into her arm and threatened to cut it clean off. The chain wrapped around her arm, acting as her gauntlet, saved it.

"W-What am I doing—AHHH!"

Zhao followed through, cutting past Emora's forearm, making contact with her tendons, and slicing a bit of her right breast. Emora looked at the deep cut in both of her arms. One of them below her shoulder on her left arm, bloodying the whole thing. The other at her forearm on her right arm, an attack that possibly made contact with bone.

The Warden was pulled out her panic trance by a deep slash to her torso. Zhao's blade going straight in between her breasts, but still cutting into cleavage. Blood sprayed out from Emora's body, Zhao closing his eyes and retreating. The Warden's shirt was cut in half, and began to slide down onto her shoulders. As Emora fell onto her knees, she was left topless. Only her bra covering her breasts remained, one of the straps on her shoulder already broken.

Zhao narrowed his eyes.

"It's over."

The Aramusha rushed forward, Emora scrambling to her full height. She watched as Zhao slashed her stomach twice, shot his blade upwards, cutting her arm again, and then brought it down on her neck bones. His two blades worked in unison to annihilate the Warden's body. Emora cried out in agony, turning around in an attempt to flee.

"You've only made it worse!"

Zhao cut straight into the Warden's ribs, then slashed across her back. He plunged his blade into her waist, shoving it deeper and deeper. Blood rushed into Emora's throat, splashing and squirting from her mouth. The Aramusha cut down Emora's back a final time, cutting through her bra's back strap. He sheathed one of his swords and grabbed onto the Knight's arm, turning her around. He planted his finger onto her heart and thrust his fist into her chest, performing a one-inch-punch.

Blood blasted out from Emora's mouth as she jerked back, her entire top half slashed and lacerated into a bloody mess lined and streaked with blood. Her face was cut, her mouth seeping with blood, her eyes spilling tears.

"HHAAH!"

Zhao dropped his other sword and delivered two powerful punches to the Warden's face, one with each hand. He gut-punched her, forcing more blood from her mouth and onto the floor. Finally, he upper-cut her, smashing his knuckles into her jaw.

"Owari-Da."

Emora stood, her body teetering. A wide-eyed Daigo stood on the side, his arms crossed, and a wide grin on his face. His eyes calmed, and his grin turned to a satisfied smirk.

"Wow."

Zhao bowed to the Warden, who was slowly beginning to fall forward. Emora fell onto her knees first, and then moaned as she collapsed onto all fours. With squeezed eyes and a horribly heart-aching moan, blood spilled from her mouth as she coughed out with agony and misery.

"Yes...Yes, this is what I wanted to see!" Daigo laughed, clapping his hands.

Zhao stood silent, looking at the Warden with pity. He closed his eyes and exhaled.

"She fought well."

Daigo stepped forward, crackling his knuckles.

"The worst hasn't even come yet. I'm going to give her a beating far worse than this."

A malicious, almost evil grin fell upon the Emperor's face.

"I'm going to beat her into a pulp."

Zhao slowly nodded his head, his face blank. He slowly walked over the half-dead Warden, his eyes full of sympathy. He got up behind her and picked her up by the arms. He held her tightly, forcing Emora to stand.

The blonde Knight's breathing was quiet and slow. She looked at Daigo, her eyes dim.

"D...Do...D..."

"I'm afraid I can't hear you, you bloody Knight." Daigo smirked.

"Don...D-Don't..."

Emora slowly craned her neck back and forth, shaking her head ever so slightly. Her blonde fringe draped over her eyes and reached down to her nose, her side-bangs messily covered her ears and capsuled her young, attractive face.

"My, my...You are a pretty one. Get past all the blood, dirt, and grime, and I bet you're quite the beautiful young woman. Unfortunately...You got yourself into this. How do you feel, Emora? You're on the verge of death; all because you came here to try and save two people who you knew were out to kill you."

Emora didn't respond. She hung her head low, her breathing getting quieter.

"Take that band off of her hair."

Zhao nodded. He grabbed onto Emora's hairband and untied it. He threw it to the side and let the Warden's long blonde hair blow freely.

On top of the Manor's highest rooftop, standing in the night, Emora and Daigo stood looking at one another, their hair waving in the wind, one of their stances weak and exhausted, the other strong and proud.

Daigo grabbed onto Emora's chin, making her look up at him.

"I just want to let you know how much I'm going to enjoy this."

Emora's eyes were twinkling with the moonlight.

"D-Do your...Worst..."

Daigo angered immediately.

"You came to save me. I respect that. You're such a pure-hearted bitch, Emora."

The Orochi put his head down and laughed. He looked back up at the Warden with eyes of hate.

"Today is the day your golden heart ceases to beat."

With a loud grunt, Daigo began to pummel the Warden with strong punches, Zhao leaning back, making sure to not get hit by the Warden's head. He stood, holding her tightly, locked in place by the arms. His vice grip tight and firm. He shuddered at the feeling of Emora's warm blood staining his robes and arms. He closed his eyes and exhaled.

"I apologize...Emora. Maybe it wasn't supposed to end this way."

"HA! HA! HUAH! KAAH!"

Daigo enthusiastically jabbed, punched, clocked, decked, and struck the Warden everywhere on her body. He went back and forth on her face, his right hook, left hook, right hook, left hook, right, left, right left, right, left. With every single punch, Emora's head cocked and snapped to the side, blood shooting out of her mouth.

Daigo plunged his fist into her stomach, causing Emora to let out a loud moan of pain. Blood blasted out of her mouth as she slumped over, hanging her head low and coughing up more blood.

"HAH! Yes, I love it when you do that! Do it again! Do it again!" He laughed as he punched her again and again. Emora's stomach and gut were beginning to go numb. She felt the emptying feeling of Daigo's fist digging into her body with extreme force. Her throat regurgitating blood, causing it to enter her mouth and spill out in an eruption of pure red.

Daigo stepped back and kicked the Warden in her ribs. He did it again and again, then went back to punching her. He grabbed her head and smashed into it with his own, head-butting the already dazed and weak Warden. He picked up his pace, angrily beating the Warden. With every hit, an angry grunt came with it. Emora only moaned and yelped with every hit. She took it all, her eyes only half open, her breathing empty and struggled.

"AAHHAAAAAHHHHH!"

With a powerful punch to the stomach, Daigo ended his rampage. Emora let out a loud cry as blood sprayed into the air from her mouth. She closed her eyes and hung her head again, her body beaten, bruised, cut, and bleeding. Daigo stepped back, trying to catch his breath. He eyed the Warden, searching for signs of life.

"Let her go..." Daigo exhaled.

Zhao nodded a single time. He let go of Emora and stepped back. Both of the Samurai watched as the Warden's bra slipped off of one of her breasts as she collapsed to the ground. Lying on her stomach, her head flat on the ground, her hair spilling everywhere, and her blood creating small pools around her body, Emora lay still, completely motionless.

Daigo and Zhao both stood in silence. It was the Emperor who broke the silence with his laugh.

"It's all over. She's dead. She's gone, she's dead! Oh...Oh yes. I can finally die peacefully! Zhao, can you believe it?"

The Aramusha couldn't stop looking at the Warden's body. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

"She was unarmed, yet she still managed to bloody me up and hurt me substantially. I failed to realize that it was not my honor that was at stake, but hers." Zhao responded.

He looked up at Daigo, his gaze stern.

"It wasn't fair to her. I don't see this is a victory. Perhaps you do, but...I do not. I was blinded by the loss of Kiyoshi. Now that I'm calm, and the storm has settled...I've realized the mess that the storm has left behind. A pure-hearted, honorable, wonderfully skilled fighter and a proud Knight...Killed by our rage and stubbornness.

Just then, the two Samurai felt the ground begin to crack. The floor beneath them was made of heavy stone, but the supports below were wooden. As Daigo and Zhao turned to see that the smoke in the area was growing heavy, they exchanged worried looks as the ground beneath them continued to crack.

"Zhao, this is it!" Daigo laughed. He turned to the edge of the rooftop, prepared to jump.

The Aramusha stood still, glaring at his Emperor.

He watched as the stone beneath him began to crumble. The front horn of the ceiling fell to the fire. A wave of heat erupted from underneath as the inferno burned the wooden support beams and poked at the stone ceiling.

Daigo stepped forward, smiling as he leaned off the ledge, but he was brought to a sudden stop as Zhao grabbed onto him, his eyes covered by his hat's shadow.

"Zhao?! What're you doing?!" The Orochi yelled as he looked behind him.

Zhao looked up at Daigo, his eyes shining. "This isn't over just yet."

"You fool! Do you want to die too!? That's fine by me! Let's go, together!"

Daigo tried to pull, but Zhao didn't budge. The Aramusha held onto him tightly, not daring to let to.

"Not just yet."

"N-Nandato?!"

Zhao pulled Daigo back and threw him to the floor, causing the Orochi to fall onto his back. He rushed back and grabbed onto Emora's limp body, letting out a yell of determination as he lifted it up and placed it above his own. He felt as he became weightless, and the ceiling was brought down by the fire.

Huge clouds of rock dust and ash covered the area as the Heroes all slammed onto the floor, colossal pieces of wood falling all around them, as well as huge chunks of rock from the rooftop.

The floor beneath them also threatened to collapse, but not immediately. The sky was no longer visible with all the falling debris that was falling. The fire was everywhere, grabbing onto and igniting everything it touched.

Zhao lay flat on the floor, his eyes shut tightly. He let out a loud grunt as he threw Emora's body off of his own. He sat up, looking up at the ceiling. He leaped out of the way of a huge chunk of solid stone. It exploded and sent more dust into the area. He stood up and looked ahead, spotting Daigo dashing down a flight of stairs, down to the second floor of the Manor.

"Daigo!" Zhao yelled.

The Orochi paused and looked up. His eyes sparked with fury as he spotted the Aramusha.

"This is over for you!"

Daigo ran down the steps, turning to run towards the grand staircase that led to the main base floor, which was attached to the main corridor that led to the front exit of the Manor. His heart nearly stopped as he halted right before the exit to the large chamber he was dropped into.

"N-No...What the hell are you two doing here?!"

"D-Daigo!" Cinder yelled angrily.

"Y-You...You bastard!" Airi shouted.

"Huh?! Who...W-Was that...No...What the hell is she doing here?!"

Her fingers twitched, her eyelashes flickered, her breathing paused and continued. She blinked her eyes open. She could see the red rug that covered the manor. She closed them again, falling back into darkness. No...That's not right. She blinked them open a second time; she saw wooden stairs and fire to her right. She closed them, feeling too tired. But that voice...It was hers.

It was hers.

Emora opened her eyes, releasing a cry of fear. She looked around, trying to make sense of her surroundings. Her entire body ached, her head spun, she felt uncomfortable. She felt herself stop moving as she fell onto the floor. The Warden placed her arms underneath her as she lifted herself off of the ground. She turned around to see Zhao standing before her, a fiery set of stairs burning down behind him.

She gasped with wide eyes as Zhao ran towards her, everything behind him burning down and exploding in clouds of ash and hot embers. He ran at her and picked her up, not daring to let her go.

"Zhao..."

Airi turned to see the two Heroes rushing towards the exit to the chamber. Her heart skipped once she saw Zhao carrying Emora over his shoulder, his hat lost to the fire, long black hair waving behind him. Deep brown eyes narrowed with concentration and willpower. His teeth grit with effort.

"E-Emora?!"

Daigo turned to see the Aramusha drop the Warden near Cinder and Airi.

"ZHAO?!"

Cinder took one look at Emora and closed his eyes tightly. He immediately thought of Daigo, and turned to him, his silver eyes filled with a deep rage.

"DAAAIIGGOOOO!"

The Commander rushed forward, Daigo charging back.

Airi dropped her staff and rushed to Emora, her eyes filled with tears.

"Emora! Oh my gosh, Emora!"

The Warden sunk into Airi's chest. The Nobushi held onto her tightly, rubbing her cut gently, being careful of the many cuts.

"Emora...Y-Your body..."

The Warden winced in pain as she looked up.

"Y-Yeah...I know."

The Knight looked atrocious. Her stomach was covered in deep cuts that were all oozing with blood. Her gut area bruised and tender from abuse. Her left arm gouged with a deep slash, all of it covered by streams of blood. Her right arm was dirty and strained, the forearm bleeding from a deep wound from an accidental block. Her breasts were covered by a dirty bra that hung onto her chest from one shoulder strap, staying on only because of sweat. Her back was also cut with deep slashes, her face bruised and bleeding, blood leaking from her nose and mouth.

"E-Emora..." Airi whispered, her crying silent, but noticeable.

"A-Airi...I'll...I'll be okay..." Emora reassured quietly, her voice weak.

The Nobushi looked up at Zhao and gasped, the Aramusha looking back with solemn eyes.

"W-Why...What're you doing here?!" She cried.

"I've realized the mistake I've made. I'm sorry for what I did to her...I'm a fool. Just...Just like my brother." He said, his tone dull.

Airi's heart stung a bit as she remembered Kiyoshi.

"T-This is what happened with Kiyoshi. He...He realized his mistake...What he had done, or was doing. Zhao...I..."

"Do not worry, Hakushi."

Zhao looked to Emora, who was looking at him with weak eyes.

"She'll deliver what I deserve."

Emora slowly got onto her feet with the help of Airi. She looked around, realizing that the fire was still burning everything in sight.

"Z-Zhao...Thank you..."

"No, thank you. Our fight was not honorable, and I regret that. You're a great fighter, Emora. Please...I still wish to see what you can show to me." The Aramusha bowed.

"NO! No way! Emora, tell him to shut up!" Airi cried.

Emora looked at Zhao intently. She closed her eyes and nodded.

"This is what you want. I'll deliver."

Suddenly, a loud cry could be heard not too far away. The three Heroes turned to see Daigo throw Cinder to the side, a wide grin on his face.

"What a sad excuse for a Warden."

Daigo plunged is leg into Cinder's ribcage as he lay on the ground. The Commander let out a short grunt as he sprawled out on the ground. The Orochi turned to look at Airi, Emora, and Zhao.

"Airi..."

"You don't need to tell me anything!" Airi yelled out. She twirled her staff around and got into position.

"It's about time I put an end to the person I hate most in this world!" She yelled out. Airi rushed forward, Daigo stepping back, his expression filled with rage.

Zhao narrowed his eyes. He threw Emora a katana and got into position.

"I plan to die here, Warden. Will you bring me the pleasure of death?"

"I'm afraid I don't plan to do that. Surrender, Zhao...And maybe we can live to fight another day."

The two Heroes charged at one another, clashing blades and exchanging melee blows that were either missed or countered. They fought alongside Airi and Daigo, who both fought at a fast, unrelenting pace.

Zhao deflected Emora's blade, he turned around threatening to stab her in the stomach by thrusting his blade underneath his arm. She stepped out of the way at the last moment and slashed the back of Zhao's thigh, causing him to stagger forward. She managed to cut down his back and kick him forward.

"Gah! Tch—That's it! You've changed!" Zhao grunted.

"Maybe it's the fact that I'm now determined to get you of here!" Emora said firmly.

"I'm afraid that's up to the blade to decide!"

The two began to clash blades again. They both countered and parried one another repeatedly, grunting out when a blade made contact. A drop of sweat leaked into Zhao's eye, distracting him, and giving Emora chance to push his blade back and cut him across his chest. She launched her leg into his stomach, causing him to double over in pain. She decked the back of his head with the katana's pommel, forcing the Aramusha onto all fours.

"AH!"

Zhao stopped an incoming kick as he grabbed onto Emora's leg halfway. He swept it away, the Warden threatening to stumble over and fall. With a bit of risky footwork, Emora smashed her heel into Zhao's face, performing a grounded back-kick. The Aramusha fell onto his back and scrambled to stand back up. He got up onto one knee, grinning as he wiped blood off of his face.

"Even when you're wounded...Weak...Exhausted...and half naked...You're still fighting..." Zhao laughed.

Emora couldn't help but chuckle. She looked at Zhao with teary eyes, wanting more than ever to save him, and perhaps spar with him some other day.

Daigo ducked underneath Airi's staff and struck her straight in the stomach. He grabbed onto her arms and cocked them back, at the same time kicking the Nobushi's kneecap. She fell onto one knee with a yelp, Daigo throwing her staff to the side.

"Hakushi...What a shame you have to die like this."

"Tsk...No! NO!"

Daigo grabbed onto Airi's head, prepared to snap her neck with a swift motion.

"EMORAAA!" Airi cried out, the name tearing through her throat as she yelled it out.

"Huh?!"

Emora turned to look at the grinning Emperor. She put her hand out instinctively, her face full of horror.

"Daigo, don't! Please don't—"

Blood shot out of the Warden's mouth as she felt a sword go through her stomach. She turned and looked up at Zhao, her eyes releasing tears of both pain and fear.

"Z-Zhao..." Emora moaned.

The Aramusha slid the sword out of Emora's stomach, letting her fall onto her knees. The Warden held onto her stomach, her eyes wide, her mouth open and leaking with blood.

"Yes, Zhao! You've done it! Now..." Daigo turned to Airi. "To kill you."

"EMORA, NO!" Airi cried.

"It's over for you, HAKUSHI! HA—AUUGH!"

"Get the FUCK OUT OF HERE!"

Airi fell onto the floor in panic as she looked up, Cinder standing over her, Daigo standing back up from his shoulder charge.

"C-Cinder?!" Airi cried.

"Stay behind me, don't fucking move!" Cinder ordered, Airi feeling the thunder in his voice, nodded quietly. Daigo laughed as the Warden stood before him, his shirtless top half bleeding from cuts made by the Nobushi's staff.

Cinder turned to see Emora on her knees, her hands pressed against her bleeding stomach. Zhao had his sword raised, his head down, ready to finish the Warden off.

"I'm sorry, Emora."

"Zhao...P-Please..."

"OWARI-DA!"

Zhao raised his sword into the air.

"YESS!" Daigo yelled.

"EMORA! NOO!" Airi cried out.

"NO—EMORA, CATCH!" Cinder thundered.

The Commander, using all of his strength, threw his longsword at the two Heroes. His voice sparked into Emora's ears. As she looked up at the longsword, her eyes heart jump-started with adrenaline.

"HAAA!"

Zhao brought down his blade.

"OH MY GOSH!"

"ZHAO!"

"HOLY FUCK!"

A loud metallic clang erupted through the area as Emora blocked the strike. She held the longsword over her head with one hand, looking up at Zhao with golden eyes of unwavering strength.

"Owari-Da, my ass."

Emora pushed Zhao's blade back swiftly, the Aramusha sent staggering back. Feeling the familiar sensation, the hefty weight, its perfect figure, Emora held onto the longsword, a small smirk on her face.

"Here goes! Zhao, this is it! This is all I have!"

She rushed forward, swinging the longsword with all of her strength. The blade crashed through Zhao's guard, cutting deeply across his chest.

"GAAH?!"

Emora poured on. She slashed him twice across the chest, and then charged into him with a shoulder charge. She twirled around and brought the blade down heavily on Zhao's torso. She swung it upwards, cutting his ribcage, then brought it back around and dug it into his arm. She pulled on it, causing Zhao's body to twist and turn towards her.

"HYAAH!"

Emora held the sword backwards as she struck Zhao with the hilt, using the sword like a club. She came back around and swung it sideways, digging it into the Aramusha's kneecap. He fell onto one knee with a sharp cry. Emora kicked him in the teeth, causing him to fall on his back. She raised her sword, and with a mighty yell, she brought the blade down.

Zhao rolled out of the way and performed a spinning kick. Emora swiftly stepped back, dodging the kick. She went back in, Zhao doing the same. The two clashed blades, Emora's blade having much more weight still cut through and pierced the Aramusha's shoulder. The Warden catapulted her fist into Zhao's gut, striking his spleen.

"GHAAHAAGHH!" He gut out, blood spilling onto the floor as it flew from his mouth.

Emora bashed Zhao on his temple using the pommel of the sword, then struck his cheekbone with a strong right hook, and finally kicked him back, hitting him right in the groin. Zhao stumbled back, panting out of pure exhaustion and pain. He watched as Emora rushed up to him, crouched down low, narrowed her eyes, strained her entire arm, dug her foot into the ground, and charged at him with a mighty yell.

"TE SECABO!"

Zhao felt as his stamina was completely shattered. Spit flew from his mouth, and soon after blood as Emora plunged her longsword into the side Aramusha's stomach.

"KUUA—UUUHHHAAHH!" Zhao gut out, his blood flailing from his mouth and leaking onto the ground from his stomach.

"N-Nani!? S-She pummeled him!?" Daigo shrieked, his voice screeching through the air.

"YES! EMORA, YOU'RE AMAZING!" Airi cried, throwing her fist into the air.

"That's right! And now it's your damn turn!"

Cinder launched himself at Daigo, knocking him to the ground. The Commander began to destroy the Orochi's face with strong repeated punches, the two male Heroes shouting and grunting angrily at each other.

"I'll fucking kill you!" Cinder yelled.

"Don't get cocky, Knight!" Daigo shouted back.

Cinder gasped aloud as his fist fell straight into the Emperor's palm, his tight grip rendering it useless. Daigo launched his kneecap into the Commander's side, sending him off to the side. Both of them rushed at each other, their forearms clacked into one another, both of them pushing against each other, their teeth clenched with struggle and strain.

Suddenly, a large explosion went off below the second floor, shaking the structure entirely. Outside, the civilians were using gunpowder barrels to accelerate the destruction of the Manor. The ceiling began to crumple, ash, embers, and debris rained down from above, covering all of the Heroes in a thick layer of dust.

Emora turned to look at her allies and Daigo, her Warden instincts kicking into action. She turned to Zhao, who was on the ground below her, a small smile on his face.

"T-This...This is what I wanted to see from you, Emora...Sa..."

The Warden put her hand out, her face desperate.

"Zhao...We have to get out of here! I...I didn't hit any vitals, I—"

"W-Why...Why didn't you kill me? I should've died by your hand. Was Kiyoshi's sacrifice in vain? Was he wrong? Are you just going to let me win?" Zhao yelled out, getting up onto one knee.

"AHH!" Airi cried out, pieces of burning wood and stone falling all around her and digging into the already cracking floor.

Emora's heart skipped a few beats as she rushed forward, grabbing ahold of Daigo and Cinder, and pulling them apart. Holding both of them at the same time, one in each arm, she threw them both out of the chamber, sending them tumbling out into the hallway. The two looked back at the blonde-Warden, their expressions shocked.

"This place is going to burn to the ground! If we don't get out of here right now, we'll all go down with it!" Emora thundered, her voice powerful and full of authority.

Airi grabbed onto Emora from behind, digging her face into the back of the Warden's neck, nuzzling her gently.

"Emora...Come on! We're leaving here together!" She cried into her ear.

"AH—Okay, okay! You go on ahead, I...I need to get Zhao out of here too!" Emora said with a smile, she grabbed onto Airi's hands and rubbed them, feeling that soft feeling she had grown to love. The Warden gave the Nobushi a single nod, Hakushi returning it happily.

The floor beneath them began to crumble, threatening to do the same as the ceiling did mere minutes ago. Emora watched as Airi and Cinder stood outside of the chamber, Daigo crouching down, trying to catch his breath.

Emora turned around, spotting Zhao crouching down, coughing and wheezing. He looked around, the fire closing in on him. The rug was in flames, the wooden floor below it also flaring brightly. The third floor above him shattered and cracked, more gunpowder explosions detonating down below in the base floor. Emora turned around, her expression alarmed and worried.

"ALL OF YOU! GET OUT OF HERE! TAKE THE GRAND STAIRCASE DOWN TO THE FIRST FLOOR, AND GET OUT THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE!"

"I'm not leaving you here, Emora!" Airi cried out, stepping forward, before being stopped by a large support beam that fell in front of her.

Cinder grabbed onto Cinder, lifting him up by the collar.

"I swear...You're not getting out of here alive!"

"AHH!"

The Commander savagely spun the Orochi around and flung him down the staircase, Daigo grunting and yelling out in pain as he tumbled and crashed down the staircase. At the bottom, he slowly got up onto all fours, his entire body shaking. Cinder angrily rushed after him, Airi crying out for him to wait.

Emora grabbed onto Zhao's arm and began to pull with all of her strength.

"We're getting out of here, come on! There's no fucking way I'm letting you die! I...I failed to save Kiyoshi..."

Zhao's eyes widened as he looked up at Emora, her eyes shimmering with nothing but determination.

"I...I WON'T LET THE SAME HAPPEN TO YOU!"

Emora let out a loud yell as she picked up Zhao, three solid pieces of stone falling behind the Warden as she did so. She turned around, looking back at Airi.

"GO! DOWN THE STAIRS!"

Hakushi shook her head, opening her mouth to speak.

Emora wasn't going to hear any of it.

"GO! YOU'RE NOT DYING HERE! AIRI, GO! NOW! FUCKING MOVE!"

"Don't yell at me—"

"GO! THAT'S A FUCKING ORDER, HAKUSHI!"

Airi felt her heart fall to her stomach. With tears in her eyes, she turned to run, sprinting down the stairs to see Daigo and Cinder at each other's throats again.

Emora yelped out as she looked above her, the sky was visible through all the smoke and dust. As she ran forward the third floor collapsed more and more. Heavy and large pieces of debris fell in front and behind the Warden. She attempted to jump over them, but with additional weight from the Samurai Aramusha, and her own exhaustion and physical weakness in her current state, Emora fell to the ground, Zhao grunting out as he rolled forward, landing on all fours.

The Aramusha steadily got back onto his feet, his legs trembling as he did so. He turned around, the exit to the chamber right behind him, the staircase following after. He craned his neck to look back at Emora, who was on the ground, trying to stand back up.

"Warden!" He yelled out.

Emora cocked her head upwards, beads of sweat dripping down her face and dripping from her nose and jaw. She got up onto one knee, her mouth widening and narrowing with her panting.

"Z-Zhao?" She moaned, straining her arm in order to lift herself back up.

"Just like my brother did, I would like to thank you. You've shown me that there is a warrior out there that can fight just as well as they care for their allies. Your skill in battle is beyond of any other enemy I've ever faced! With a heart of gold, nerves of steel, and an infinite amount of perseverance, I doubt anyone who dares stand in your way will ever live to regret it!" Zhao said with a laugh.

"My enemies are only those who threaten me or those I care about! Those who stand for a cause they themselves don't even support can still be spared and changed! You don't actually support Daigo, I can tell! You're doing it for the money so you can try and sustain yourself and Kiyoshi in your independent lives! It's part of being a rogue Ronin!" Emora yelled, her hand out.

"I'm not going to kill you! I'm...I'm trying to..."

The Warden moaned and gasped out with despair as she stood back up, her body shaking with exhaustion. Her muscles ached, her skin felt numb in the heat of the fire below her. The flames touched onto her pants and lit them on fire. She rushed forward, her hands clutching the burning cloth and ripping it off of her legs.

"Emora! LOOK OUT!" Zhao roared, his neck craned up, his eyes wide with horror.

The Warden looked up to see a medium sized piece of stone falling right on top of her from above. She watched as the third floor's weight crumbled onto the second floor, the fiery wood now giving way to any more weight on it. The stone was coming in too fast. Emora shot to the side, trying to dodge the chunk of debris.

"AAAAHHHHHHH!'

The Warden's horrible shriek could be heard throughout the entire Manor. Airi turned to look up at the staircase in horror, Cinder and Daigo pausing their fight to turn and look at the inferno above them.

The Warden fell to the side, the stone falling and cracking into the wooden floor. She opened her eyes and stared at her left arm, which was now bleeding heavily. The pain was stabbing, horrid...Intense and raging. She used her other arm to hold it tightly, Emora's jaw stiff as she clutched her teeth in pain, spit sputtering from her out as she released a deep seethe of pain.

"G...Gh...Kcha...Auh—Oh..."

Emora turned to Zhao, his expression shocked and frozen.

The Aramusha gasped as he felt the floor beneath him become unbalanced. He fell over and fell on his side, his yelling loud and full of fear.

"ZHAO! NO!"

The Warden boosted forward, watching as Zhao fell through a sinkhole in the floor, embers exploding outward from the crackling wood. Emora threw herself forward, her hand reaching out for the Aramusha.

"AH! Huh—WAH?! E-Emora?! What're you doing!?"

The Warden held onto the Aramusha's hand tightly. Her fingers ached and stung, her palm growing sweaty with fear and anxiety. She tried to move her left arm, but as she tried to do so, the pain roaring within it intensified. She cried out in pain, her grip loosening on Zhao.

"I'm not letting you fall! I swear!"

"E-Emora...Your arm! Y-You can't move it! It's...It's..."

"I don't care if it's broken, damn it!"

Emora forced herself through the pain in her arm as she reached down and strained her forearm, her hand latching onto Zhao. The Aramusha felt the Warden's warm blood rush onto his arm as she began to pull.

"Emora...You have to stop! I...I've met my fate! This is where I die, and you cannot stop destiny! Perhaps it is possible to change it...But once something is decided, it follows through without failure! If I am to be an exception to that rule...Then so be it! But it will come at a cost! Your arm...It will be useless!"

Emora let out a bloodcurdling scream as she pulled back, the fire getting closer, pieces surrounding the hole and where the Warden crouched on began to crumble and fall into the fiery inferno of death below, where anyone to fall in would suffer a hot, painful death.

Zhao held onto the Warden's dirty, soft hand as tightly as he could. He looked below him, the fire roaring upwards, reaching for his feet. He could feel the heat of it, sweat drenched his body, his blood was dried and plastered onto his skin as dark red lines of decoration. Emora's grip was beginning to loosen as her exhaustion broke her morale, and the pain of a fractured limb came into her conscious.

"Let me go, Emora! Even if you somehow manage to lift me up out of here, how in hell will we both escape!? This manor will be a smoking heap of rubble in a few minutes; you have to get out, now!"

"D-Didn't I tell you?! I'm not letting you DIE!" Emora yelled through grit teeth. She felt as her leverage below her began to crumble. She looked down at her boots, her exposed left knee cap and right thigh, both of the areas red from the small burn they suffered. Her pants were charred and ripped open, stained with blood and torn from abuse and sharp blades. Her arm was beginning to get numb, the pain still unbearable in the upper part of it. She didn't dare to look at it, for the excessive blood and the possibility of seeing her own bone staring back at her would surely end both Zhao's and her own life due to fainting.

"Zhao! I...I want to save you! Why can't I?! Why does nothing go my way!?"

Zhao tried to reach up with his other arm, but he couldn't grab onto anything solid or anything that wasn't on fire. He felt Emora let go with her left arm, throwing it back with a loud yell. She held on with her right arm, her sweaty hand strained and exhausted. Her arm's muscles were flexed, their veins visible with all the strain the Warden was putting in.

"Emora! This has reached its climax! You're going to die with me if you don't let go! Turn around, and don't look back! You have to run!"

"NO! Zhao—I...I need to do this! I won't let go!"

The hands of the two Heroes began to slip.

"ZHAO!"

The Aramusha smiled in response.

"I'm happy to be dying this way, Emora. You've shown me something great, and I feel greatly satisfied. Good luck to you!"

"NOOO!"

The floor beneath Emora shattered, she felt herself fall forward, Zhao falling beneath her, both of them heading into the fiery abyss.

"I'm sorry, Zhao. I couldn't save you...Or myself. I'm sorry."

Just then, Emora felt her breathing become tight. She choked back, her throat becoming constricted, her coughing loud and sudden. Saliva flailed from her mouth as she felt something pull back on her bra's only remaining strap. She looked up to see Airi reaching down, her other hand gripping onto Emora's shoulder. The Nobushi angrily pulled back, the Warden panting as she felt herself get pulled back onto temporarily stable grounds.

"Emora! Are you okay?!" Airi cried out, hugging the Warden tightly, tears flooding her eyes, her voice full of worry and sadness.

Emora eyed the hole in the floor. She ignored the fire around her, she ignored the falling debris, she ignored the shattered floor. She closed her eyes as she envisioned Zhao falling into the inferno, his body disappearing in the flames of death. She turned to Airi, who was yelling in her face, both out of anger...And love.

"I told you to get out! Emora, you were about to die! I...I heard you scream! I could hear your yelling! Why...Why do you do this?! You couldn't save him, Emora!"

The Warden didn't respond. She only smiled at the Nobushi as she pulled her up to stand.

"My heart is filled with nothing but sadness. I failed to save both of them. They're gone...Both..."

Emora began to cry in Airi's arms. She looked up at her, her breathing rapid and uncontrollable.

"I can't do anything! They...They call us Heroes...But we aren't Heroes! What's a Hero who can't save those in danger?!" The Warden yelled.

"You've have saved people before, Emora! I'm one of them! You've saved me countless times! Emora, you are a Hero, and don't you dare doubt that! Do you hear me?!"

Emora looked into Airi's eyes; she slowly nodded as she kissed her softly, both girls exhaling deeply.

"But I'm done just yet."

Emora pulled Airi along. The two jumped out of the burning chamber and dashed down the stairs, Cinder having Daigo pinned against a wall, punching him in the gut countless times.

"Huh? Emora!"

"Your guards down!"

Daigo plunged his fist into Cinder's face. The Commander fell onto the floor, blood lining the side of his head. He stood back up, his silver eyes filled with rage. His helmet was off, likely due to the insufferable heat.

Emora and Airi looked behind them, they watched as the fire where Zhao fell spread to the main corridor, and began to destroy the staircase. All of the Heroes looked up to see the fire crawling above them, everything beginning to fall on them. Outside, the Urutora Guards, civilians, and other Heroes stood watching as the Manor began to fall on itself.

"W-Where is she?!" Alban yelled out, his body language implying that he wanted to go into the burning structure.

"Alban, stop! I...I don't know where she is, but she'll make it out, trust me!" Katsue cried, trying to calm the Highlander.

"How do you know?" He angrily turned to the young Shinobi.

Katsue stumbled over her words as she tried to respond reasonably. Her purple eyes were welled with tears of worry, causing the Highlander to ease his furious look a bit. "I...I don't know. I just know she will..."

Cindra, Apollo, Cyrus, and Elea all stood in front of them, staring at the manor's doorway with clutched fists and serious faces.

"She's...She's Emora." Katsue smiled. Alban hugging quietly and looking down at the ground, his teeth grit with worry.

"Damn it, Emora...Where are you?"

"H-Has anyone seen Cinder anywhere?! And...And where is Airi!?" Cindra brought up, her voice quivery.

Apollo's eyes widened as he turned to the Manor after looking at the female Commander's horrid expression. "D-Don't tell me..."

Cyrus narrowed his eyes, his fists clenched tightly. "Shit..."

Emora pushed Airi ahead of her as she coughed out a bit of spit, the smoke growing denser in the corridor.

"Everyone, run! Go! We have to go, now!" She yelled.

"Then let's go!" Cinder urged.

The four Heroes began to charge through the main hallway, all of them at a full sprint. Cinder took the lead, his pace fast and powerful, Airi not too far behind. Daigo began to slow down, his exhaustion taking a toll on his body. Emora ran behind them all, making sure that none of them would fall back.

Behind the four running Heroes, the entire Manor was falling, fire flew everywhere, clouds of dust and smoke engulfed the group as they ran. As long as they went in a straight line, they could exit through the large entrance door.

"Daigo! Speed up!" Emora urged, she placed her hand on his back and pushed him along, her pace also growing slower. Behind her, debris crashed into the ground, the fire reached out for them, wanting to burn their flesh and destroy their bodies in its scorching flare.

Airi looked over her shoulder as she ran, she stopped in her tracks once she saw that Daigo and Emora were going too slow.

"Emora! Come on!"

"Airi, don't fucking turn around! KEEP GOING!"

Cinder took control of the situation as he grabbed Airi's arm and dragged her along. He pushed himself to full speed, his legs smashing into the ground, the Nobushi's boots skipping and prancing behind him. Airi reached back, her tears trailing off of her face.

"Cinder, they're not going to make it!"

"Yes they are! But I need to get us out of here! Emora can handle herself!"

Airi looked at Cinder, admiring his determined gaze as he stared at the entrance door they were nearing.

"Is she going to kill Daigo?!"

"She has too, or else the people will do it themselves!"

Cinder and Airi crashed into the doors, they winced with effort as they pushed them open, the smoke rushing out of the opening.

"There they are!" Cindra cried.

"Cinder, Airi!" Alban yelled.

The two Heroes held the doors open as they turned around to look at Daigo and Emora.

"Come on! You can make it, Emora!" Cinder yelled.

"Emora! Go faster! Please, please, let's go!" Airi sobbed.

Emora pushed her aching, sore legs. She kept on placing one foot in front of the other as she ran. Daigo panted and gasped for air, he began to stumble and trip mere meters away from the door.

"Daigo, you can't stop now! Come on, just a little more!" The blonde Warden cried out, her voice strong.

The Orochi glared at the Warden. He narrowed his eyes, his dark irises reflecting his violent side.

"Emora...W-Why are you saving me...?" Daigo panted. He fell onto all fours, the falling manor crushing everything behind him. The wall of smoke and dust gained on them.

"NO! NO, COME ON!" Emora grunted. Using her one good arm, she wrapped it around Daigo's waist, trying to pull him along.

"YOU'RE...YOU'RE GETTING OUT OF THIS DAMNED PLACE!" Emora thundered.

Daigo stared at the Warden, his heart beating from both exhaustion and shock.

"H-How...After all I've done...After how I've beaten you...Y-You still want...To save me? You still want to spare my life!?" Daigo shrieked.

"YES! I'M SORRY DAIGO...MAYBE YOU DON'T LIKE THAT! BUT I CAN'T HELP WHO I AM! I'M GOING TO SAVE YOU!"

"NO! I deserve to die! And if you're not going to let me do so...Then you'll die with me!"

Daigo grabbed onto the Warden. He threw himself to the ground, bringing Emora with him. The two collapsed onto the floor mere feet away from the exit.

Cinder and Airi yelled out together, their voices un-hearable, being drowned out by the sound of destruction that was falling upon them. Both of them rushed back, their cries passionate and final.

"NO!"

Emora pushed Daigo off of herself and charged forward. She lunged forward, pushing Airi back with her arm, and charging into Cinder with her body. Both Heroes flew back, their grunts loud and surprised.

"W-What the!?"

"Huh?!"

Alban and Apollo rushed forward, Cinder and Airi tumbling down the stone stairs of the manor.

"Holy shit! Get them out there!" Cyrus yelled.

The people of the manor began to scream and yell as the manor threatened to crush the Heroes. Apollo and Cindra grabbed onto Cinder, who was panting uncontrollably. He was mumbling, trying to speak loudly, but being unable to do so.

Alban picked up Airi, who looked up at him, her eyes full of tears.

"A-Alban...She..."

"W-What?"

"She's...Still...In...T-There..."

Alban's heart stopped. As he placed Airi in Katsue's arms, he turned to look at the falling Manor, his face white.

Emora grabbed onto Daigo, she stumbled forward, her golden eyes reflecting the bright moonlight outside. She looked down at the Orochi, who was holding onto the rug with his hand, his legs dug into the floor.

"Why?! Why, Warden!? Let me go!"

"Daigo...Why are you so stubborn!?"

The Emperor looked up at Emora, his expression revealed to her. He was crying, and he was crying heavily.

"I don't want to live! I'm not fit to rule! The Dawn Empire needs a better ruler, and I'm angry that I realize that now...I...I'm angry that I'm agreeing with you! I'm a horrible person, I don't deserve to escape! This manor will be the place I die! It'll be the location of my grave!"

"I think...I think you just need guidance! Everyone deserves a second chance, Daigo! The way I see it...You were just trying your hardest to do the right thing! Just because you did it wrong doesn't mean you have to suffer for it!"

"But I...I WANT TO SUFFER!"

"NO HUMAN BEING DESERVES TO SUFFER!"

"I DO!"

"NO...NO YOU DON'T!"

Daigo fell onto the ground, Emora staggering down onto one knee. The Orochi held onto the Warden's leg, his sobbing loud and desolate.

Finally, the destruction has caught up with them. The vision of both Heroes darkened as smoke and dust engulfed them. Wood, stone, and fire would fall upon them, killing them both.

Emora released a last, final cry of power. She used both of her arms to grab onto Daigo, force him onto his feet, and push him forward with all of her remaining strength. The Orochi's heart stopped as he felt himself hurdle out through the narrow crack of the open doors, and fall outside, crashing down the staircase.

Alban and Airi ran up the staircase, catching the Orochi with shocked expressions. They looked up at the manor, watching as it collapsed entirely. Dust and smoke covered the area. The fire faded in the huge cloud that covered the area. The rest of the Heroes rushed up, some of them past the scene and in front of the Manor's door, with was now simply a pile of rubble.

Airi was at a loss for words. Her blank expression was a pain to look at. Her tear-filled eyes stared at the collapsed manor, smoke from the now dying fire rising up into the starry sky. Katsue fell to her knees in front of the crumbled door, her tears falling to the floor beneath her. Apollo and Cyrus both held onto Daigo tightly, the two of them looking at the destroyed manor, tears growing in their eyes.

Cindra embraced her crying brother. She herself began to sob as she shook her head, her jaw chattering with her cries of hurt.

Alban stared at Airi, waiting for a sort of response. The Nobushi seemed emotionless. Her tears never escaped her eyes, her mouth never changed shape, her eyes wouldn't blink, her breathing never changed pace. She walked up the steps, coming up on Katsue.

"Huh..."

Katsue looked up at Airi, her crying coming to a stop with a sudden gasp. The Shinobi rose to her feet and hugged the Nobushi.

"I...I'm so sorry, Airi...I'm so sorry..." She sobbed.

"I don't believe it...She's..." Cyrus stammered quietly.

"She's gone...Cyrus, dude...She's..." Apollo stuttered, he stumbled over his words as a small sob came up into his throat. The Centurion cried quietly as he let go of Daigo and hugged his best friend.

"It's okay dude...It's okay..." Cyrus whispered, tears dripping down his face. He held onto Apollo tightly, comforting the hurt Centurion.

"Fuck...F-Fuck! God..."

Cinder began to pummel the ground with his fists. Cindra hugged him tightly, crying deeply. The Commander grit his teeth. He placed his hand on his chest and squeezed tightly, he watched through his blurry vision as his tears fell to the stone floor beneath him.

"Emora...I...I let her...She..."

"I know...Cinder, I...I'm hurt too. We have..." Cindra couldn't finish her sentence. Nearby, Elea was wiping tears from her face. She walked up the steps, standing next to the two Commanders and behind everyone else.

"G-Guys...We...We have to try and be strong. We gotta...Y-You know...Be strong for her. We'll get through this...No matter how hard it is, right?" The crying Berserker asked.

Alban put his hand on Airi's shoulder. The emotionless Nobushi didn't even flinch.

"Elea is right. We all have to try and be strong. Airi...Please..."

Hakushi remained silent.

"D-Do...Something..."

She wouldn't move.

"Say...Something..."

Airi stared at the pile of rubble in front of her, Katsue holding her hand tightly.

"Airi..." Alban urged.

Nothing.

"Airi!"

Still nothing.

"Goddamn it—AIRI! SAY SOMETHING!" Alban yelled, all of the Heroes looking up at him. Daigo was sprawled out on the staircase. He grunted quietly as he got up onto his feet, his teeth grit as he looked at the Highlander.

First she closed her eyes, second she opened her mouth wide, third she doubled over, holding her stomach, and with a loud, spine-chilling yell. Airi fell to the ground, her loud sobs and deep gasps echoing through the area.

All of the Heroes watched as the Nobushi wept, their cries becoming quiet and suppressed in respect of hers. They all watched in silence as she cried and cried, the people and guards behind the Heroes also watching, some of them getting closer in order to get a look at the situation.

Why is our princess crying? What is wrong with Hakushi? We have won, is she not happy?

All questions that were being asked by the people. They all looked up at the manor, the fire already nullified, only its black smoke remained.

Her fist slammed into the ground, her tears poured from her face, her voice croaked from her throat. Airi's head hung low, she looked up, imagining the beautiful Warden standing in front of her. The Heroes watched as she lifted her hand into the air, reaching for the air. Their hearts shattered at the sight, their deafening silence being broken by Airi's cries.

The Nobushi suddenly ran forward. She began to pick up heavy pieces of stone and charred wood and throw them down the stairs. She angrily picked up rubble and launched it aside, trying to dig into the pile, hoping to find a sign of life. She stomped on top of the rubble, digging through it with her heart and soul, but being unable to find anything. She panted heavily as she staggered back, her arms numb, her body tired out.

The Nobushi fell onto all fours again, her cries filled with the feeling of a crushing defeat.

"E-Emora..."

Airi panted and gasped for oxygen. She inhaled sharply, her exhales shaky and long. Alban knelt down, opening his arms up to the Nobushi.

"A-Alban...She...She's gone...Emora is...She's..."

"I know. I know, and I'm sorry. Airi..."

"Alban, Emora's dead! She's dead, Alban!"

Airi crawled forward and fell into the Highlander's arms. She dug her face into his chest as her crying became muffled. He cooed and shushed the delicate Nobushi, rocking her gently. He held her in a comfortable grip, waiting for her to calm down.

"Airi...We're all so sorry. The pain we feel is unbearable...But the pain you must be feeling cannot be compared to ours. We are all sorry that you must be the one to feel such a hurtful, painful feeling." Alban said softly, the other Heroes nodding their heads.

Airi slowly pulled back, looking at the Highlander with bloated eyes. She slowly craned her neck to look at Daigo. Her pupils dilated and became small as she steadily began to twitch.

"You...This...This is all your fault! It's all your fault! She's dead because of you! Why did she save you, why?!"

Airi leaped towards the silent Orochi, her face red with a murderous rage.

"Airi, calm down! She gave her life for him! She wanted him alive! You shouldn't be the one to make her sacrifice worthless by killing him! Restrain yourself! Hold yourself back...Please Airi, you must...For Emora's sake!" Alban yelled out, grabbing onto Airi's soft little hand.

The Nobushi stopped inches before Daigo. She glared at him, tears still streaming from her eyes.

The Orochi got up onto his feet. He spread his arms out, all of the Heroes watching him.

"You can do whatever you want with me. I...I'm sorry."

Cinder cracked with anger.

"Y-You're...S-S-Sorry?!" He yelled out.

"Brother, please calm down!" Cindra cried out.

Cinder charged towards the Orochi, who didn't even get into fighting position. Elea stepped in front of the sobbing Commander, her voice gentle.

"Cinder, didn't you hear what Alban said? We...We should respect what Emora died for. Listen, I don't like him any more than you do...But...We shouldn't kill him. Not anymore..." She said calmly.

Cinder's body was shaking. He closed his eyes as he looked at Elea, her green eyes looking back at him. He said nothing as he nodded his head.

Alban rose to his full height. He held his head high, his dried tears still visible on his cheeks.

"Let's go. The people of this Province need to hold Daigo on trial, and we must inform our Legion that the Urutora Clan needs help. I know...The hit we all took today will leave a deep scar in our hearts...But we must try to live on. We'll help these people...We'll restore their city...We'll do it for them...We'll do it for the Dawn Empire..."

Alban turned to look at Airi.

"We'll do it for Emora."

The Heroes nodded their heads in agreement. Airi stepped down, Katsue still holding onto her hand. She turned to look at the Manor, her lips quivering ever so slightly.

"Emora...If you can hear me..."

The Nobushi choked back a sob.

"I love you."

As she turned around to follow the rest of her allies, she eyed Daigo, who hung his head low in Cyrus' grasp. She clutched Katsue's hand tighter, closing her eyes and remembering the feeling of the Warden's touch. The Heroes all stepped down from the stone staircase that once led up the Manor's entrance. They all looked back, hoping for a last second miracle.

Nothing came.

Alban exhaled, his heart heavy.

"Come on. We have work to do."

Airi stared back at the Manor. Her gaze was a bit blurred, bit it was fixed. She watched the smoke float and disappear into the air. The murmurs of civilians and soldiers nearby filled her ears. Her body longed for the embrace of the one she loved. Tears escaped her eyes as she stared back, her heart aching endlessly.

She blinked rapidly, watching as rubble atop the ruins of the manor fell down from the pile. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked closer. She stopped and shook her head. She rubbed her eyes with her hands, her teeth gritted together. She leaned forward and squinted, trying to look at what she had just seen.

"W-What..."

She could see it. She saw a piece of wood lift up from the ruins and fall back the other way. Her heart jump started as her eyes widened. She let out a loud cry, catching the attention of everyone else.

"Airi?! W-What's wrong—"

Alban stopped himself as he followed Airi's line of sight. He looked up the Manor's stone staircase and up at the smoking ruins. He watched as a small stone tumbled down the steps, its sound awakening the Heroes' hearts.

"No fucking way..." Apollo stammered.

The Heroes all stood side by side, Airi standing in front, her eyes wide, her mouth wide open. They all watched as a figure rose up from the ruins, rose up from the ashes. Their stance was weak and unstable, their position atop the rubble high and vague.

Her shattered body stood shaking, her legs trembling, her right arm across her body, clutching her left arm, which was limp at her side and covered in blood and dirt. Her ragged, burned, and torn pants flapped in the wind, her ash-covered, filthy bra covered her breasts, the rest of her top half lacerated and sweating.

Her beautiful golden eyes stared back, a small smile was portrayed in the small curve of her perfect lips; a thin stream of blood lined the corner of her mouth, and trickled onto her neck, which was drenched in sweat. Her perfect nose inhaled the fresh air of the night, her breathing tranquil and serene. Her gorgeous long, blonde hair flowed gently in the soft breeze.

There she stood, her allies looking up at her, their eyes wide, their hearts beating with a happiness indescribable by words.

Airi reached out, her hand trembling before her. She opened her mouth, her dark brown eyes releasing tears of pure joy. She cried out the name of the girl who stood atop the rubble, the Hero, the Knight, the Warden who she and all of her allies had grown to love.

That pure, emotional Warden with a heart of gold.

"Emora..."


This is...Normally where I would put the classic Ending tag and leave a last, final statement for the readers, you know, thanking them for their constant support and how much fun I had writing this fic an all. But...Not just yet. Yes, it's true we've gone through all of the current Heroes in the game...And yes...I do have a few questions to answer.

That will all be answered in the Epilogue of this story! The next one will be the final chapter, and the ending of the story. As well as where I reveal more plans for my line-up of For Honor fics. So yeah...Stay tuned!

(And if you made it to the end of this, please...Please leave a review!)