Agnes had been there for a few hours at this point, since they had entered Hartschild, staring at the lava that surrounded the Fire Temple in the distance. "It doesn't seem to be letting up, does it?" Einheria asked as she approached Alternis, keeping watch from a short distance away.

He nodded. "The heat is so intense that I can feel it through my armor, even at this distance. There's no way a human would be able to cross it directly."

"And I asked Datz and Zatz about flying over. Same problem. The people of Hartschild apparently tried that once, and the ship caught fire overhead. Of course, if it had been that easy, I imagine they would've done so already."

"Agnes, what do you think?" Alternis called to her. "Can your powers as a vestal do something to get access to the temple?"

She turned to face him, then shook her head. The rising heat from the volcano whipped her hair around, making it look as if she were standing in the wind. "We vestals do not interact with the elements directly, only the crystals. Without access to the Fire Crystal, I can do nothing."

"This is sort of the opposite of the Wind and Water Crystals," Edea observed as she joined them, Konoe clinging to her arm. "You don't suppose the Earth Vestel got her first, do you?"

"I do not know. I am not sure how unusual this activity is for the Fire Crystal," Agnes confessed. "But I do not wish to leave without trying."

"We're not going anywhere right now, anyway," Alternis said. "At the least, Datz and Zatz need time to refuel."

"Speaking of Datz and Zatz," Einheria said, "they spoke with the mayor of Hartschild on our behalf. They're willing to let us stay at their house in exchange for our help with the Fire Temple. Apparently the people are all worried."

"With good reason. At the rate this is going, the lava could engulf the town."

"Yeah, but I don't think that's it." Edea looked over her shoulder. "I get the impression the people here really like the Fire Vestal. It is-or was, I guess-a little closer to town than the others, so maybe they've just gotten to know her more."

Alternis nodded. "That's true. Well, I suppose we can sleep on it and see if we come up with anything in the morning. Shall we?"

The group began walking in the direction Einheria led, presumably toward the mayor's house. "Konoe," Alternis addressed the girl, and she jumped at her name. "Are you all right? You seem on edge since we got here."

She slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry," he said, putting a hand on her head. "I made you do something that was difficult for you."

Another head shake. "That isn't the case, big brother," Edea said. "Konoe made her decision on her own. Don't try and take credit for that."

"Okay, point taken." Alternis looked up as they approached the mayor's house. "That's a big house."

"From what Datz and Zatz told me, that part over there isn't the house but the garrison," Einheria explained, pointing. "They have a local defense force called the Shieldbearers that police the area. So the mayor is really more of a military commander."

"I wonder why they need military in this area." Edea looked around.

"The same reasons the Earth Temple got started with cleric-soldiers, I suppose," Einheria stated. "Or maybe they're expecting trouble from Eternia."

A maid opened the door as they approached, silently showing them the way inside. Once inside, she bustled off, and soon returned with an older man and woman who came down the stairs. "You must be the wind vestal and her companions that Datz and Zatz told me about," the man said. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Daniel Goodman, the commander of the Shieldbearers and the leader of Hartschild. And this is my wife, Eleanor."

"A pleasure," Agnes spoke up, giving him a formal bow. "I am Agnes Oblige, the Vestal of Wind."

"I'm honored to have your presence so far away from your home," he told her with a bow of his own. "Anything you can do to help us assist the Fire Vestal would be appreciated."

"What do you know about the Fire Temple?" Einheria asked.

"Not as much as I'd like, in a situation like this. Please, come in, and we can discuss this over a nice meal." Daniel led the way, taking them to a large dining room that Alternis guessed was designed to hold all his subordinate officers. "Eleanor, if you please?"

"Of course," she said with a smile, leaving the room. Somehow, her smile and gentle appearance reminded him of Mahzer. Alternis quickly distracted himself by checking the room for any possible problems. One could never be too careful, anymore.

Daniel noticed it. "Is something bothering you, sir...?"

"Alternis," he provided. "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that the wind vestal has been attacked before."

"I understand. And to be truthful, you would do well to check." He smiled, his expression sad. "There have already been attempts at the lives of two of my top subordinates."

Alternis saw Konoe's back knot up at that. Poor girl, he thought. The blonde woman probably had come after her.

Einheria frowned at Daniel. "Someone is trying to kill your officers? Why?"

"To start problems with the north, probably," he said with a sigh. "The Shieldbearers, our people, are an impressive force, but the Swordbearers to the north are also substantial in number. A war between us would weaken both sides significantly and allow other factors to have an influence on our continent. I don't know if they're aiming at the Fire Temple, Eisen, or something else, but I won't allow them to do as they please. I absolutely will not go to war against north Eisenberg."

For a moment, it felt like being in Braev's presence again, with the sheer unyielding force of will. "What if they attack you?" Einheria asked.

He smiled. "Personally, I like to think of ways to interact with others that don't involve fighting. The fact that a military force exists does not equate to the fact that it should be used."

Eleanor entered with a few of the maids, carrying dishes and pitchers of drinks. "Thank you, Eleanor," Daniel said, giving her a tender touch to her cheek. "Now, I believe you had some questions for me, miss," he said, turning to Einheria.

"Einheria Venus Lee."

His cup paused halfway to his lips. "Lee?"

"Myself, Alternis, and Edea are the children of Braev and Mahzer Lee, yes. Are you acquainted with them?"

"With Braev, yes. We met a couple of times when he was younger, before he had children," Daniel said, closing his eyes in reminiscence. "I had a very good impression of him as an upstanding young man following the path of light. How has he been since then?"

"He died five years ago," Alternis said. "But up until his death, he lived in the light."

"Ah. I'm sorry to hear that. The world has truly lost something precious. Do forgive my digression. You asked about the Fire Temple, yes?" Daniel took a sip of his drink, considering the question. "Up until the eruption, the Fire Temple was basically a part of town. You saw the broken bridge in that direction, yes? That used to be the connection between us and them, until the lava wiped it out just a few weeks ago."

"Have you ever been in there?" Einheria asked.

"Yes, a few times, to offer prayers for the safety of my soldiers. But even if I seek for peace, I am a military man, a man stained with others' blood. It was not my place to be in there."

"Were there any other entrances?" Edea asked.

He drew his brows in concentration. "Possibly, but I wouldn't be aware of them. If there were any underground tunnels - which is a possibility, as this is mining country - I can't imagine they wouldn't be flooded by the lava. Still, I can send for some of the temple staff in the morning. Many of them lived in town."

"What about Egil?" Eleanor offered. "He used to go over there a lot, too."

"Ah, that's true. Could you fetch him, then?" As Eleanor left, he explained, "Egil is a ward of our estate. The children who have lost parents also live in this house, so that they can be taken care of."

"Were there many in the temple when the volcano erupted?"

"No, not at all. The Fire Vestal, Iglia, had sent most of them away for some reason. Perhaps she knew there was trouble coming."

Alternis put his hand in his chin, thinking about the possibilities. Perhaps something had happened to the crystal itself, unrelated to the current circumstances, and she had sent them away to save them. Or perhaps Brigh had beaten them here after all, and Iglia had only been able to save her companions. "Have you seen the Fire Vestal since then? Or had any communication with the temple?"

"No. We keep a watch on the Fire Temple for any signs of life, but…." He sighed. "For all we know, perhaps the Temple itself is no longer survivable."

"It's a little strange," Edea said. "You'd think there would be something in place to make sure the Fire Crystal wasn't completely overwhelmed by its own element."

"Perhaps it is just trying to return to the element it came from," Daniel said. "We live in strange times. I had heard through Datz and Zatz that the Wind and Water Crystals have gone into slumber. Already, the winds are dying down and the waters are becoming stagnant. It's good for their business, I suppose, but not much else."

"My apologies," Agnes said. "I assure you that such an extreme measure is necessary to keep our world from ruin."

He looked at her, but didn't press further. "You seem to be well-acquainted with Datz and Zatz, Mr. Goodman," Edea said.

He grinned. "Of course. They used to be two of my best generals."

"They were in the military?" she said in surprise.

"Don't let their appearances fool you. Either one of them could stand toe to toe with me. But owning an airship was their dream. I'm not cruel enough to stop them from their pursuits."

Eleanor reentered the room, with a scrawny boy in tow that maybe looked to be five. "Egil, she said to him gently, "these nice people want to ask you about the Fire Temple where your friend Iglia lives. Can you answer a question?"

"Hi, Egil," Edea addressed him. "We want to visit Iglia. Do you know if there are any ways into the temple, now that the bridge is gone?"

He looked them over one at a time, quiet. "Isn't one," he said at last.

"Thank you, Egil," Eleanor said. "I'm sorry he can't be more help. We'll ask some of the clerics in the morning."

Alternis watched as she escorted the boy out. He didn't think the kid was lying, but… the pause before he had spoken was strange. As if he was deciding whether to tell the truth or not. But then again, if the lie was "there is an entrance", why would he have decided to tell the truth? Alternis made a note to try and track down the boy again later.

"One other question," Einheria said. "When did the volcano erupt?"

"Not long ago. A couple of weeks, maybe. So I still have hope that Iglia and any others are still alive," Daniel said with a nod. "We'll ask over some of the clerics for you in the morning. In the meantime, eat. Eleanor will show you your rooms when you're done."

It was the most comfortable bed that he'd been in for a while, but Alternis couldn't sleep. Eleanor had thoughtfully divided them between a "boy room" and a "girl room", which meant that everything he was supposed to protect was on the other side of the wall. So rather than sleep, he sat near the door, listening for anything that might be trouble. One of these days, this not sleeping thing is going to catch up with me.

The sound of footsteps came outside his door, and he was instantly alert, preparing for the worst: the unnamed assassin that Daniel had mentioned. Going into his armor, he drew his sword, cracking open the door just in time to see the girls' room swing back shut.

With a leap, he ran to the door, swinging it open, sword slashing. The intruder cried out, and Alternis barely had time to dismiss his blade, still pointing his closed hand at him. "Egil?" he asked in a quiet tone. "What are you doing?"

The boy fell onto his rear with a choked sob, eyes wide. "Look, I'm sorry," he said, dismissing his armor as well and kneeling by the boy. "I thought you were one of the assassins Mr. Goodman was talking about. You're all right?"

In the nearby bed, Agnes sat up. "Alternis? ...Egil?"

He rubbed at his face, and then his expression shifted back to the serious, almost disinterested look. "You're the wind vestal, right?"

"Yes, I am."

"That means you can help Ms. Roanne, right?"

"Roanne?" Alternis questioned. The other girls were stirring awake at the noise, watching what was going on. "Who is Roanne?"

Egil hunkered down, turning away from Alternis. "I don't want to talk to you. I only want the wind vestal."

"Egil," Agnes said, rising from the bed, "I'll help you if I can, but you have to tell me everything."

"Roanne is in the Fire Temple," Egil said. "She's really nice and she's trapped in there. You can help her, right?"

"I would like to, but there doesn't seem to be a way into the Fire Temple right now."

"Egil, tell the truth," Alternis said when the boy paused. "There is a way, isn't there?"

"Shhh!" he urged. Looking around, as if expecting the assassin to hear him, he whispered, "If you want to find out, you have to come with me."

"What, right now?" Edea asked.

He glared at her. "I only want the wind vestal."

"Egil," Agnes said, "it's fine if they come with us. They'll protect both of us. I would be scared if we were to go by ourselves."

He accepted that after a moment with a nod. "Change your clothes," Alternis said, taking Egil's arm. "We'll wait outside."

"Let go of me!" Egil hissed as Alternis pulled him outside.

He sat down next to the door, calling up his armor again but leaving off the helmet. Somehow, it felt like it kept his head clear. "So does this Roanne work in the temple with the Fire Vestal?" he asked Egil.

The boy let out a 'hmph', clearly determined not to talk to Alternis at all. He shrugged slightly, and decided to give it a rest. It was too late in the day to figure out how to placate a child.

The girls were ready a few minutes later. "This way," Egil said, leading them downstairs and out a side door. On the way, he slipped through the kitchen, gathering a few things that he thrust into a sack. He'd clearly done this many times before, for he knew when to pause so he wouldn't be seen by the guards, to stop and listen for trouble.

Kid would make a great ninja, Alternis noted dryly.

Once outside the estate, Egil kept up a fast pace, slipping over the walls of Hartschild. From there, he all but ran among the foothills, until he came to an opening in the earth. "We have to hurry," he told them, "if we want to be back by dawn."

"You always sneak out and make this trip by yourself?" Edea asked.

"I'm the only one that knows about it." He led them down into the tunnel in the earth.

"This is a mineshaft," Einheria observed, touching one of the walls. "So there is an underground path, then?"

Egil nodded briefly, but didn't reply otherwise, reaching what appeared to be a dead end. To Alternis's surprise, he threw himself on the ground, squeezing into a crack that was nearly invisible from above. "Uh, Egil," Edea called into the hole, "we're not five. Isn't there another route?"

"No, there's not!" came an irate reply. "If there was, the adults would've found it already."

"I'll go first," Alternis said. "My armor should protect me. If I can make it, send Agnes next."

Edea and Einheria nodded agreement. Alternis lowered himself to the ground, gingerly crawling forward on his stomach. He could feel his helmet occasionally scrape the ceiling or floor, but thankfully the crack was not as narrow as it looked. Pulling himself out, he called, "Okay, send her over!"

With some effort, Agnes began to pull herself through the passage. Alternis took her hands as she got close, pulling her the rest of the way, and then repeated the process for Einheria and Edea. By the time they were done, Egil was pacing around. "You take too long."

"If there are any more narrow spots like that, it'll be worse," Alternis told him. He could see a faint glow coming from further down the tunnel. "Are we above the lava?"

"If you miss your step, you'll die," Egil warned as he took the lead again, heading down a ledge. As they passed, Alternis looked down and saw that it was indeed lava, orange and red light seeping up through cracks in the black cover. At least there was a little light here, he thought.

"Whew, it's hot," Edea said, swiping at her brow. "Are we close?"

"We're getting there."

As they walked, the area turned less into random juttings of rock and ledges and more into a proper path, ended at last by a double door. Alternis pulled open one door, seeing stone and tile that looked similar to the Earth Temple, although in a different color scheme. "The Fire Temple," Agnes said around his shoulder. "Let us go inside."

Einheria shut the door behind them as Egil practically ran up the stairs, his bag bouncing with each step. "Ms. Roanne! Ms. Roanne!"

Agnes took off after him, and Alternis stuck with her, still on the alert for any enemies that might be left in the temple. Judging by his companions, the air was hot, but not unbearably so. "Ms. Roanne," Egil called again as he entered the crystal's chamber. "I brought you some food and water, and some help! I brought you the wind vestal!"

Agnes and Alternis paused in the doorway, Edea and Einheria catching up behind them. The chamber was the same as the Earth Temple: the massive cavern, the stone walkway, the crystal hovering in midair, the only difference in its deep red color. There was also no barrier in place, nothing stopping the visibility of the crystal's surface, which seemed to reflect the flames-or perhaps was the flame itself.

A woman was seated at the end of the walkway, resting her arms on one knee. She was older, definitely well into middle-age but not quite old, long red hair cascading down her back and offsetting her darker skin. "The wind vestal?" she asked, her eyes immediately going to Agnes. "I see. Won't you come on in?"

"You must be Roanne," Agnes said as she did so, the others following behind. "I am Agnes Oblige, the vestal of wind."

"Ah, yes; the young one. Not someone I expected to see show up on my doorstep." Roanne spread one hand, gesturing for them to have a seat where they felt comfortable. "Egil, thank you for bringing them here. Why don't you go keep a watch out for me?"

He nodded, going to the end of the hallway. "Are you one of the temple clerics?" Einheria asked. "Where's the Fire Vestal?"

"Let me answer your second question first. I am sorry to say that Iglia is no longer in this world." She glanced down to the chamber below, where more of the lava could be seen rolling around. "I am the Fire Vestal who came before her."

"Now your name sounds a little familiar," Agnes said, putting a hand to her chin in thought. "But you are so young. To have retired..."

Roanne managed a wan smile. "This is true, but I never had a great affinity for the crystals. My talents as a vestal were only average at best. When Iglia appeared before us, she had such a great power, it was as if she were fire itself. After the upheaval that happened five years ago, I thought it best to hand the reins to someone with more ability."

"You knew about that?" Alternis asked curiously.

"Yes. The sage of Yulyana let me know, but even before then, I could feel it in the crystal. The Earth Crystal's resonance was disturbed. Olivia noticed it as well, I'm sure, as did your predecessor, Agnes."

Agnes bowed her head. "Just a few weeks ago, the disturbing tremors started again - almost as if something was trying to fight its way out of the Earth Crystal," Roanne continued. "Iglia decided to do what you and Olivia have already done, I'm sure-put the crystals into dormancy. But Eternia's assassin reached us before she could complete her task. For all her ability, she was still mortal. After the assassin left, presumably to fetch her master, I walled off the Fire Temple. Egil, that sweet boy," she looked to the end of the walkway, "must have been worried about me and found one of the old collapsed tunnels to get through. I'm glad he was able to bring you here."

"Why didn't you just put the crystal into dormancy?" Edea wondered. "Why do the opposite?"

Roanne smiled sadly. "My power is not so great. I can encourage the crystal, but since leaving my post, I can no longer bend it to my will. I was waiting for someone like Agnes to arrive - someone strong in the power." She looked over to Edea. "You, too, follow the path of light, do you not?"

Edea blinked in surprise. "I'm trying to, yes."

"Who are your parents?"

"Braev and Mazher Lee."

"Ahh… that explains it," Roanne said with a sigh.

"Explains what?"

"The calling to the light, and the calling of the crystals are two very similar powers," Roanne said. "The difference is in affinity. Those who have the light, but not the affinity, such as your parents, often turn to service in the clergy instead."

"So you're saying my mother could've been the vestal instead, if she'd had the affinity? I know she was in training once, but..."

"Yes. Of course, she wouldn't have given birth to a darling child like you if she had," Roanne said with a smile. Looking over to Alternis, she said, "And you… You're the exact opposite, aren't you?"

Alternis sat up in surprise, but Roanne was smiling without censure. "Don't look so surprised. A long time ago, the powers of darkness used to be in service to the crystals as well. But it is too difficult a path for most people. It requires knowing oneself better than anything, and being to accept oneself, the good and the bad. The darkness is no more or less an evil than the light. One has only to look at Brigh's actions to see that." Roanne let out a sigh. "There is a reason why we call this land 'Luxendarc', from our earliest records. The light, and the darkness. That is the greatest power that has bound and preserved this land." She smiled at Edea and Alternis. "I hope you two will continue to work together in the future, for the good of the world."

"Of course we will," Edea said, grabbing Alternis's hand. "He's my big brother."

He still wore the helmet, but underneath, he was smiling. For the first time, he felt acceptance of the powers of darkness, feeling like it truly did mark him as a part of the Lee family. "You'll forgive me if I rambled," Roanne said. "It's truly been a long time since I stood in the presence of both darkness and light. Vestal of Wind, will you grant your powers to aid mine, and seal the Fire Crystal?"

Agnes rose from her seated position, nodding solemnly. "I shall, Lady Roanne. Let us put the crystal to sleep together, and bring peace to this area."

A cry from Egil, of alarm and pain, outside the chamber drew their attention. "I'll guard them," Einheria said. "Go and see what's happening."

Alternis nodded to Edea, and both took off toward the entrance to the room, swords in hand, with Konoe following behind after a pause. Ahead of him, Alternis spotted a female figure, Egil in her hand. "Stop!" he shouted.

The woman smiled, and let Egil fall from her grip. There was blood, fresh blood on his clothes. "You…!" Alternis could feel rage being drawn into his body, tensing him like a coil. "He's a child!"

"Was a child," she replied back with a sneer.

With an inarticulate yell, he charged for her, sword crackling with dark energy. She laughed, dodging his attacks with ease as she leapt back, drawing him on. "Alternis, wait!" Edea shouted, running to catch up.

She jumped through a door, leading him out onto a walkway of the Fire Temple. Below, lava swirled about, producing heat thermals that whipped the assassin's clothing around. "Both of you can come at me at once!" she laughed. "Soon, you'll both be dead, and so will your precious vestal!"

"Big talk for a coward," he snapped back, his sword slicing through the rock like butter.

"Go ahead, take your time playing with me," she said, landing neatly on a parapet. "While you two are out here, my partner is going to finish the job."

"Einheria will stop any partner you have."

"She won't. Because my partner's already earned your trust, you fools!" The assassin threw back her head and laughed, the sound carrying over the rumbling of moving lava. "This is the best job I've had in a while!"

"What are you talking about?" Alternis snapped, taking another swing at her.

She jumped and landed behind him, now squarely between Alternis and Edea. "You want me to explain? Then I'll tell you a secret."

Before he could react, something flew at the assassin from behind, and she barely parried as Konoe bore down on her with a knife. "What are you doing?!" the assassin managed as she jumped onto the roof, Konoe following. The knives in each of their hands danced with movements almost too fast to follow. "Get back inside, you stupid beast!"

Konoe gripped the knife in both hands, her arms trembling. "N...n...no!" she got out, shouting the word as if it was dragged out of her.

"What do you mean, 'no'? Stop trying to pretend to talk, you ignorant creature!" the assassin yelled, striking Konoe across the face with the back of her glove, sending her tumbling against the roof's tiles.

"You shut your mouth," Alternis hopped onto the edge of the roof, sword in hand. "Don't you talk that way about Konoe."

"She's my associate, not yours," the assassin snorted. "I can talk to her however I want."

"What nonsense are you spewing?"

The assassin paused, then smiled. "Oh, right, you don't know. You don't know that Konoe was the first assassin we sent after the vestal. She failed, of course, though I heard she stuck some old bag instead. She's a master of disguise, so it was easy for her to infiltrate her enemies and wait for her next chance. I knew you kids were dumb, but I didn't think you'd be so dumb as to warm up to and protect your mother's killer!"

Alternis felt his sword waver, felt the darkness drawing even tighter into him. "You're lying…"

"Tell them, why don't you, little Konoe?" the woman laughed, holding her up by one arm. "Why don't you use your words and tell him?"

Konoe was crying, her body shaking with silent sobs, but it wasn't from fear or anger. For a girl who didn't talk, whose body language Alternis had learned to read, he understood exactly what was in those tears.

Guilt.

"Konoe," his voice was quiet, shaking. "You're the blonde-haired woman?"

With a laugh, the assassin let her go, leaping for the far exit. "Alternis! Don't do anything rash!" Edea shouted as she gave chase.

It was just the two of them on the roof, and Konoe was unable to meet his eyes. "Explain yourself!" he shouted. "Is she telling the truth or not?!"

"I… I'm…." Konoe looked up at him. "S-sorry…. I'm so-orry…."

The darkness came to the breaking point, and snapped, shattering the stone, the very air around him. The whole section of roof and wall crumbled, dropping them both to the ground, Konoe landing hard. "You killed her?" Alternis asked in the same shaky tone. "You killed our mother? Our mother who never harmed anyone in her life?!"

Konoe lay where she fell, her body shaking with sobs. "Answer me!" Alternis demanded. "Was everything just an act to earn our trust? Was it all a lie?"

This got a reaction, as she shook her head so hard, it seemed like she might give herself whiplash. "Then what was it?!"

"A...Alter...nis," she choked out. "S… sorry…."

"That isn't going to bring her back!" The words were a cry of his own, the sorrow from that dark day in Florem being released all over again. "You killed her! You killed her!"

Tears continued to run down her face as she bowed her head, avoiding his eyes. Her body language was broken, sorrowful, but not resisting. If he wanted to kill her, she wouldn't avoid it. Wouldn't be able to. He raised his sword, taking a step through the rubble toward her. The darkness surging through his body caused the stone to crack and groan under the pressure. He stopped a few feet away from her, well within striking distance, holding that sword overhead.

"Alternis!" Edea jumped between himself and Konoe, her sword held in both hands in a defensive position, catching his swing. "I said not to do anything rash!"

"She killed our mother, Edea! Your mother!"

"She's family!" Edea gritted out. "I don't believe that assassin for one second, but even if it were true, she's family! Our swords don't exist to point at each other!"

"Tell that to her!"

"N, no," Konoe stammered behind Edea. "D-don't fi-ight…."

"Shut up!" Alternis demanded, and she flinched as if she'd been struck. "I can't forgive our mother's killer!"

"Then you'll end up corrupted by the darkness, no better than she is!" Edea shouted back. "What about your promise? You told her you'd never hurt her!"

The words cut deep, and he took a step back, the stone cracking again under his feet. The darkness was still there, swirling around him agitatedly, and he watched it in horror. What am I doing? Is this the way I should be exacting revenge? Even if it's completely justified, is this the way I want to do it?

Behind Edea, Konoe got to her feet, pulling her back. Placing herself in front of Alternis, she took his sword hand in both of hers, placing the edge of the blade on her shoulder, looking at him in the same intense way she did when she wanted to convey a message. "You… You want me to kill you?" he asked, dumbfounded.

She managed a slight nod. "No… No more…."

He took another step back, and the ground under his feet finally gave way, shattering the area around him. He briefly saw Konoe's face in front of him, shocked as her feet dropped under her, and without thinking, he gave her a shove toward land, even as he fell further away, plummeting toward the lava below.

The heat rapidly grew intense even inside the armor within seconds. There were no handholds, no way to reach the rocky edges, and nothing below but lava. All he could do was close his eyes, and pray that the end wasn't too painful.