HOLY CRAP SORRY FOR BEING LATE, BUT SO MUCH STUFF PILED ON TOP AND I WANTED TO DO REBUILD AS WELL. Caps over XD

Anyways, not much to say other than that. Yeesh, cranking out with a triple update as Spring Break started up. Not much to say here, but again, sorry for the delay! Either way, here goes!

Edit v1.1: FORGOT REVIEWS OH GOD I WAS IN A RUSH SORRY GUYS XD

(BELATED) REVIEW REPLY TIME, GOOOOOOOOOO!

DGKSilver: Pffffft. I dunno how well I handled that scene, but it was just meant to be foreshadowing to some later events. And oh dear God yes Charles is super oblivious, but that was mainly because we didn't like his original counterpart that was cold, distant, and kinda jerkass-ish to Lione. Thanks for reading!

Kerlongsj Evert Orlejov: Hehe, yeah the ships between all the various characters was rather fun to play with. Though Lione got aggressive since Dan was implying that Lione was having an affair with Ran and thusly, cheating on Yuki, which is not a good thing to say to Lione. Charles being male was because Roy (who voiced Charles during our RP) could not hold a feminime voice for super long plus it fit better later on. Charles being suuuuuper oblivious was something we had as a gag and then just turned it into something we could work with development wise. As for the Star Wars reference, that was really just more world building. I really, really love the potential of the world of Infinite Stratos so any chances we get to mention how things might've changed will probably get said. And yeeeeees, Irivasel/Katsugari's relationship with each other is definitely one of the more fun parts we had with this RP. Just a bit of trivia, but Yuki actually voiced Katsugari during the RP XD Thanks for your review!

TrustyChester: Thanks! And yeah, the IS mechanics are a bit fuzzy in-universe as well, but from what I gathered IS technology is not really being used in civilian applications due to its limited resources (i.e. the cores), so technology is focused on military applications rather than non-military.

=Helios=

-Volume 2: High Noon-

Chapter 7: Realization

=(==)=

"If the world burns, so be it. Me and the kid will roast some marshmallows."

Harry Dresden, The Dresden Files

=(==)=

"Ah, I've remember an errand. A very pressing, very distant errand."

Ringabel, Bravely Default

It's been several days since that last battle.

"OORYA!" I yell, going for a men strike. Everything flows naturally, as Helios apparently changed somehow into a mode that's superb for swordsmanship. The armor on the arms isn't as large and it feels more like a thinner suit of armor than the full IS suit. In fact, he even managed to design a way for Timaeus and Critias to be utilized in this form for a strong strike!

Katsugari-sensei is in her IS this time too, as it's the only way she can keep up this time around.

Our two swords clash in the air over and over again, each one of us trying to parry in order to get a hit in, but we keep dodging the counters. With the sheer amount of progress that I made once Helios showed me this form, it almost looks like I'm dueling an older version of my gender-flipped self.

Both of us glare at each other, driven by our pride as a practitioner of the sword. Our eyes never break contact with each other, but we're still able to fight and see all of the attacks no matter which way they're coming from.

"You're finally starting to understand how to link them all together." Katsugari-sensei scoffs as we break the engagement and begin circling each other. "Barely."

"Hmph. Well, I'll just have to catch up!"

Yeah, that's right. In those few days, right after I finished practicing with Houki, it would be hours of learning the rest of the Irivasel arts. Sure, I'd get back later than usual and would end up having to do homework during class since I still wanted to focus on talking with Yuki, but it was worth it.

"Pilot Irivasel, you really should work on your battle banter. If there's any weak point you possess, it is that."

Only because I want to be original. Otherwise I'd be quoting movies all the time.

"Still better than your current comebacks…"

Heh.

As Katsugari-sensei goes for a diagonal cut that I see is going for the top of my head, I duck low and shoot forward, bringing out Unknown Variable as if I was doing an iaido strike. She notices it just in time to defend if she could, but seeing that I'm already too close—

—a mutual hit!

She apparently twirled the blade in her hands and stabbed behind her, hitting me as I passed by while I got the slice off around her rib area. Helios, report on the hit!

"Nonfatal stab wound just above the ribs. It wasn't about to target any critical organs, but still would have been rather nasty."

"Hmph. It seems neither of us can score a decisive blow." Katsugari-sensei chuckles grimly, getting into a guard position as I mirror her.

"Well, let's solve that, shall we?"

"How arrogant of you."

Both of us let out a shout, or in kendo, kiai, focusing our energy into our next move.

I'm sure our thoughts are equal when we mirror the first step forward—

—Spirit and body become one with the flame! The Lost Crimson Irivasel Art: Forgotten Pain!—

—Both of us explode in forward momentum, our swords moving back as if we were preparing for an iaido strike. As soon as we're within range, we begin the sixteen cuts. Not a single of our attacks hit, as we're a perfect mirror of one another. While in a real fight, this wouldn't happen, I know this is a test in being able to do this technique!

Every hit is faster and faster. Can I keep up with her?

Helios

A-amazing… Houki thought as she watched what was possibly the greatest sword duel she had ever witnessed in real life. Both of them locked in deadly combat, a perfect reflection of one another, yet she knew the two people fighting were supposedly the most polar of opposites towards each other.

Of course, she wasn't the only other person who was thinking that. All around were people secretly watching, trying to figure out where Lione always vanished off to after school. He hadn't seemed to join any clubs and Houki always left with him, so naturally they followed her since Lione could more easily detect them.

It was clear that Lione was at the disadvantage, starting to lag behind. But he didn't give in, never took a step back, and when he got hit, simply moved to block the next strike immediately.

At the end of those sixteen cuts, the two disengaged, reverting back to another guard position. Everyone watching held their breaths as they prepared to witness the next Irivasel technique.

What kind of training did… oh who am I kidding, I know what kind of training and discipline goes through the mind of that man. Houki mused as she kept her eyes glued to the battle. I'll definitely catch up to him one day. I'll keep training until I can match you in pure swordsmanship, Lione.

"Hey, Houki."

"E-eh?!" she whipped around and found no one other than Ichika. "I-ichika, what are you doing here?"

He flashed his visitor badge. "I'm here with Dan and his sister and her definitely-not-boyfriend. They're off to the bathroom right now, but I heard that Lione was fighting and came up here to check it out."

The blockhead, as Houki liked to call him, leaned over the chair and narrowed his eyes. "Wow… we all knew Lione was good with a sword, but never this good, huh?"

Lione was starting to reverse the momentum of the battle, this time putting his mother on the ropes, especially when he targeted her left side. When he noticed that small advantage, he went to exploit it as much as he could, but it only took a single stance shift from Katsugari to end this and suddenly the two were at a bitter stalemate once again.

"I see…"

"So, you're watching pretty intently. Are you watching the fight, or watching Lione-kun?"

"Shut up." She growled, elbowing him. "I don't like what you're insinuating."

"Haha, sorry. I shouldn't make a joke like that anyways… oh, by the way Houki, never imply that he might possibly be unfaithful to Yuki. Dan and I almost learned the hard way after a throwaway joke."

"You idiots."

"We were."

"Hmph. Serves you right. Everyone, especially Lione, would be aghast if you were to imply they were cheating. I'm surprised you weren't instantly gutted with a wooden shinai."

"Ohoho. I didn't know Houki was a romantic at heart."

Y… you… YOU DENSE IIIIIDIOT! Houki mentally screamed, but on the outside she was completely composed. "…Hey Ichika, doesn't this remind you of the early days?"

"Hm? Oh yeah… it does. Your dad took a real shine to Lione. It made a lot of the seniors jealous too, especially when it got out that your father was teaching Lione privately. I guess he just saw some amazing potential in him as a child."

"He does have a lot of potential… and he certainly hasn't just left it to be potential. He's working hard so that all his potential is used."

"Sounds a lot like Lione. Still though, it used to be us three, right? The Dream Team, Orimura, Shinonono, Irivasel."

"Haha, of course. You, the excitable one that was all too willing to try things out. Me, the sensible one that kept you in check. Irivasel, the quiet one that did nothing but improve day in and day out. We were the youngest ones at my dojo and all the same age, so it's obvious we'd eventually become friends."

"Mhm, yeah. Hey, Houki."

"Ichika?"

"You know, it's been a while since we've done anything."

"I-ichika?!"

"I was thinking one of these days we could go out. The three of us."

Of course.

"And then we could do our usual thing where we'd ditch Lione."

"That was mean, you know?"

"But I'd always get my comeuppance for it when Lione came in the following day and smacked me over the head." Ichika laughed, remembering the times as a child. "Well, are you up for it?"

A… alone with Ichika? Houki's heart fluttered for a second. "…We'll have to see what Lione says."

"I guess."

Helios

I suffer the first fatal hit if this were a real fight, after about fifty minutes of back and forth blows. Letting out a sigh, I step back from the blade that struck me right through the middle of the head.

"You only lost because you're using techniques that you learned at max two days ago." Katsugari-sensei says, getting back into a guard position. I follow suit, both of us stepping until our blades are almost touching. The two of us then sheath our blades and take five steps back before bowing to one another.

"I see." I say, Unknown Variable vanishing into thin air. "I'll keep on practicing, then."

"Fortunately, you've learned every Irivasel art. It's only a matter of time before you master and fully understand all of them. You're at least proficient in them though."

Chuckling, I take a step forward and shake my head. "Well, like I said, I'll keep practicing. One day, I'll defeat you. I'll prove myself as the head of the Irivasel line."

"You do that."

And… for the first time in forever, against the setting of the sun that was just hanging over the heights of the arena, I saw my mother smile. Dad… why couldn't you be here…? I've… I've always wished, secretly, that we could be a family once again. Yuki, Roy, Melanie, and Ken… they've all got their families. I've always wanted those old times again…

"Anyways, I must get going. Good work, Irivasel."

With that, she summons her flight unit and takes off towards the other side of the arena, with me watching. Ah right, Helios. Let's get back to standard mode.

"Understood, Pilot Irivasel."

As I give the command, my armor begins folding out back to the original First Shift form. Apparently that's how Helios gets to his swordsmanship form, by folding my armor back in.

"It is a prototype of a new invention of Shinonono Tabane."

Eh?

"The fourth generation of the Infinite Stratos is meant to have this invention called Fold Out Armor. It will allow a pilot to switch forms at will. This way, there's no being crippled by Equalizers. See, now a pilot can such as you could go from a defensive mode to an all out attack mode just like that. No need for Equalizers and all that. I haven't utilized it until now since we haven't had to specialize and my base form is already good enough."

I see… so we could go from an IS fighting mode to a sword fighting anti-personnel mode just as we did now. That's… incredible. To think that Tabane is going that fast…

"Y… yes…"

Anyways, let's just practice flying.

"Mhm. Activating flight packs."

With that, we shoot off to the sky.

So… huh… it's amazing. It feels great going through the air. Aileron roll to the left, shoot to the ground, pull up, wheeee! Haha, it feels great soaring the air.

"…Pilot Irivasel."

Helios?

"If I tell you something about myself, will you judge me?"

Helios, I won't judge you for anything. Tell whatever you want to.

Before Helios speaks, I plot out a simple flight course around the arena so we can keep going while Helios talks.

"I wanted to tell you about the circumstances surrounding my meeting you."

Ah, I see. What did you want to tell me?

"I wasn't originally meant to be an Infinite Stratos, actually."

Oh.

"My calculation ability was actually used to create the first Infinite Stratos, White Knight. I don't have any data on her anymore, it was erased from my system for security purposes."

So then you being here…?

"I was converted to be an Infinite Stratos in order to better understand them for my calculations."

Ah, so you needed data for having a pilot, right?

"Er…"

Helios?

"I… I was abandoned after that."

What.

"I was supposed to become the fourth generation Infinite Stratos. But then Tabane created Byakushiki."

And that's…

"She became obsessed with that her. Mainly because of her past."

Is it anything you can tell me?

"Unknown Variable's true name is Yukihara Nigata."

Yukihara… you don't mean—?!

"Yes. The same blade Orimura Chifuyu used in her past reign as the Brunhilde."

But you have it…

"Before Byakushiki was supposed to be shipped here, I asked to swap places with her. She consented, believing me to be naïve, and also gave me the blade to teach me a lesson about power and bonds. She's also rather apathetic by nature."

Why? I just want to know.

"Because much like you act for the men of the world, I wanted to prove that just because she left me behind in the dust that I can still succeed."

I see… why didn't Tabane come to take you back?

"In our first battle, you achieved First Shift. That meant we were already bound to each other. Taking me back would have been counterproductive and I doubt you would have relented."

Damn straight I wouldn't have. Still though… Tabane abandoned you… for Byakushiki. What was the extent of that?

"My unit sat untouched for over six months. Fortunately, I have maintenance subroutines and would pilfer supplies from her other abandoned projects."

Wait, why did you have to steal supplies?

"Because unlike them, I was essentially left to rot. It seems that I wasn't supposed to be continued, ever. Or perhaps because my calculation AI could be salvaged at any time. The physical unit might break, but recovering my data would be child's play for her."

Damn… that cold hearted bitch.

"Pilot Irivasel, while I dislike my treatment, I would appreciate it if you did not slander my creator. Please remember that it was because of all of this I was able to meet you."

I suppose so… it still doesn't change the fact that I find myself disgusted with how she treated you. I don't think I can honestly stand her anymore… I mean, she does everything on a whim, purely for her own amusement. She might throw all her weight at a project only to completely abandon it within a few hours if it bored her.

"That is a quite… fitting way to describe her, actually. My creator does as she pleases. The Infinite Stratos only fueled that, for now she commands the entire world's respect. Or at least, most of the world. There are very few that could hardly care about her."

Like me?

"Indeed."

Haha.

"Still though, that is my story. I am an IS that was never made to be an IS, but I became one regardless, much like you and your piloting. But I possess all the capabilities of one and other prototype functions. While I am not necessarily a fourth generation, you might say I am a three point five generation IS unit."

I see. Well, that doesn't matter so much to me. You're my friend, Helios, and now I know who I need to stand up against to be by your side. Helios… if Tabane ever comes knocking, I'll be with you. I'm not about to let you go back to the hell of being alone without a fight.

"Pilot Irivasel…"

Yeah, that's right Helios. I'd pick a damn fight with Shinonono Tabane if it means being with you.

"P-pilot Irivasel, I… thank you. That means a lot to me."

Of course. I stand by my friends. If there's a friend of mine in trouble, our bond will give me whatever power I need to make sure they're safe. I won't leave you alone.

Though, I have one question. Why did Tabane obsess over Byakushiki? Is it just because it was her newest creation?

"My creator holds Orimura Chifuyu and her family above her own amusement. Byakushiki, meant to wield both the core and sword of Orimura during her reign as Brunhilde… it felt as if she was helping her friend become the best once again. And it would go to you, where she hoped that it would bring you to the side of the Orimura's."

Because of my past… but I'm an Irivasel at heart. I wouldn't ever be able to change that.

"Yes, and furthermore… I sense I was left behind because of one particular episode. I've sealed sections of those memories much like a person would repress their own memories… however, I do remember that after saying something, she said a name. Irivasel."

Wha…

Wait, so… does that mean that the history of my family goes further back than I know? Or are there just more parts of it that I don't even known about…?

It seems I still have yet to discover the full truth of my family. It is my duty… yes, my duty, as an Irivasel to fully uncover it. And from there, I need to make amends or at least fix the problems created.

"Pilot Irivasel, if I may, you have no duty to fix the mistakes you did not create."

I… but it's what I should do, being an Irivasel.

"…and if you did not consider the person who made those mistakes an Irivasel anymore?"

…That's a difficult question.

Anyways, is there anything else you want to tell me?

"Nothing else, Pilot Irivasel."

Then let's get back to the dorm. Yuki's waiting on me.

"You know, it's incredible how quickly she's taken to the sword." Ken says while cleaning his own sword. "Yuki's taking a bath with Melanie, by the way."

"Where's Roy?"

"Probably listening in."

"Not quite sure how to respond to that."

"I'll kick him in the teeth for it later. Someone has to protect Yuki's honor while you're gone, right?"

"Haha, I suppose. Thanks, friend."

"Don't mention it."

"You know, there's something I really should ask. I mean, you're always pushing all of us together in a romantic sense, but are you really okay with that? Like… does it ever get lonely?"

Ken stops cleaning and closes his eyes, as if thinking for a second. "Lione, are you feeling lonely over there? I feel that's the only reason you'd ask that question."

"…Slightly. Now, answer the question."

"This is what makes me happy, after all. I'm not exactly quite suited for a partner of my own. I have to defeat you first, which means devoting myself to the sword. That, and I'm pretty sure I'm a terrible partner. I'm better off as support, helping make her happy by assisting her actual interest, if I were to ever have such a person in my life." He says with a shrug. "I dunno, I haven't really thought of it much. Anyways, Yuki is pretty decent. She's learned her footwork very quickly and is incredibly focused. She seems like a different person sometimes, but I guess it's like you. You're a pretty decent guy, but when you go into combat you become someone else."

"I see… well, that's pretty cool. I'd like to see her progress for when I come visit." I flash a smile, leaning back in my chair. "Though I'm still jealous that you all get Saturdays off."

"Hahaha, I'm sure. Hey, Roy! Get over here!"

"Shhhhhh!"

"Roy, are you attempting to peep on Melanie?" Ken asks out loud. "You know, Lione's on call right. If you see Yuki, Lione will have to avenge her honor and slice you to shreds."

"ROOOOY!" A very pissed voice screams through the door.

"I'M INNOCENT I SWEAR!"

"YOU PERVERTED JACKASS I'LL KILL YOU!" There's the sound of the door opening…"R-RIGHT AFTER I GET CHANGED, ANYWAYS!" …and then the sound of the door being slammed shut.

"If you'll excuse me for a minute, I need to stop Melanie from killing Roy. It would be a damn shame to lose him."

"It seems your friends are quite lively." Charles notes as he set his textbooks down at his desk. "Oh, by the way, what are you working on over there?"

I look down at my rather silly theory on Personality Sync. "Eh, it's nothing much. It's just a trivial experimental theory that couldn't really be proved, anyways."

Charles comes over and reads the abstract. "I don't think it's nothing, Lione-sama. This is a way that no one else has really thought of. Or maybe someone has, but they've been brushed aside. You might be able to get something going."

"Eh, I doubt it." I say, leaning back in my chair. "I'm just a kid. Albeit a kid that's a bit smarter than most, but I mean… come on Charles, do you really think that they'll take my theory seriously? It's difficult to even prove by repeated trials. I mean, given a hundred different personality tests with the Myers Briggs archetypes, a person can vary between two or three types."

"Then wouldn't a standardized test be in order?"

"I don't think it's quite that simple. Also, not all units communicate like Helios. It would difficult to pinpoint exactly what their personality archetypes are."

"Hm, I suppose you have a point. But you could always check to see if there's a study like it. Having your backing behind it might get a movement going."

"Do you really think so, Charles?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at the blonde.

He only gives a sincere smile and nod. "I wholeheartedly believe in you, Lione-sama."

"Heh."

"Though, I'm curious why you don't have as much confidence in yourself. Didn't you teach me that a person should have the utmost confidence in themselves and everything they do?"

"I did, but thinking that my theory would be accepted just because it's me isn't confidence. That's arrogance. See, if I went there thinking that I had done enough research and actually did do that research and thought that maybe my credentials might help, that's confidence in yourself. Thinking of the results merely because of who you are, not what you're doing, is arrogance."

"I see. There is a very thin line between the two then, isn't there?"

"Indeed."

"Thank you, Lione-sama, for this incredibly humbling lesson." He says with a deep bow.

"Heh, I don't really think that it's anything special."

"Oh no, no. It is. In fact, you have opened my eyes. See, I was confused for a while now on why you initially did not like Alcott-san's behavior before her rather evident change as you stated. I now understand that she was not confident in your match, but arrogant. In addition, I have now realized the error of my ways. I initially was taught that I would be great and be able to surpass any challenge by virtue of my advanced and upgraded unit along with my specialized training. However, I now see that I have yet to prove myself and thinking I could beat anything in my way is arrogant. I will simply believe in my capabilities but exercise caution now."

A little wordy, isn't he? Ah well, I guess he is like that. I don't really mind.

"I'm glad you see the difference now."

"It is all thanks to you, Lione-sama."

"Haha, is that so?" I turn back to the screen, where everyone is back. "Hey Yuki."

"Good morning!"

"Hey, is your hair longer?"

She pauses before giving a bit of an 'aha' look. "Oh! You noticed?"

"Yeah. It looks good on you."

There's a tinge of red on her cheeks as she looks away. "Um… thank you, Lione."

"Awwwwwwww!" Melanie yells from the background, still drying her hair with a towel.

Instead of the usual panicked reaction, Yuki just madly shakes her head while still blushing.

"So, you're taking up the sword?"

"Mhm! Ken's teaching me. M… maybe when you're here, you can also teach me? You did promise…"

I doubt my words were a promise but I'll treat them as they were one. "You'll have to work hard. The arts of the Irivasel's aren't just taught to anyone."

…anyone outside the family. Hm… maybe… Ooookay Lione, nope. Stop. Stop thinking about Yuki in a wedding dress. Nope. Focus, dammit!

"Lione's thinking, so he's definitely considering marrying you, Yuki! After all, only Irivasels get to le—"

"I-I'll definitely work hard, then!" Yuki half-stammers, returning to her usual self that I tend to see, thankfully choosing not to regard Melanie's comment (which was frighteningly close to true). "Um… how are you doing, Lione?"

"I'm doing pretty well, actually. You guys are moving up to AP Exams, right?"

"Yep!"

"Good luck. I have my exams coming up too. Not looking forward to rushed material."

"I know you'll do well!"

"Don't worry Lione, your wife is cheering you on!"

"Yuki's not my wife!"

"L-Lione's not my husband!"

"You two act like it." Roy calls out weakly. When Ken moves out of the way, I see that Melanie has actually been using him as a seat this whole time while she's working on her hair.

"S-shut up, you two. Geez…" I already know that I'm blushing, seeing that Charles is letting out a stifled chuckle while Ken's just laughing at my reaction. "A-anyways, fortunately I think there's only one last major event before summer recess. I might not be able to stay for very long, but it's better than nothing, right?"

Yuki's eyes light up like New York City. "R-really?! I… please find out when you'll get back soon! We can even postpone our usual summer trip until you get back!"

The summer trip… I…

…is it okay for me to tell her that I love her and then have to leave halfway across the globe? It doesn't feel right… but… it's what I have to do, right? I… I want her to know in person so badly.

"Pilot Irivasel, if I may."

Helios?

"I do not think it is wrong for you to tell her that. I am sure that you are experiencing what military families might experience. For example, a man who is about to be shipped overseas before his child is about to be born."

I… I suppose so.

"It is as one might say 'life at work'."

…I… thanks, Helios. It's incredibly comforting to hear that.

"I will, Yuki. As much as I'd like to surprise you all with a visit, I think it'd be better for you all to know. There goes the giant present, though."

"Ehehe… were you going to wrap yourself up and put yourself in a box?"

"Oooooh, didn't know Lione was into that thing~"

"NOT FUNNY, MELANIE!"

"Ohoho, watch out Lione. Yuki might be a little more dom than you're thinking. Don't give her a whip, if you know what I meeeean~"

"S-S-SIIIIIIS! Hawawawawa, I-I-I… I have to go and iron my homework with my toothbrush!"

"Pfff—"

With that, the video feed and call cuts off.

W-well then. That was interesting.

"Indeed. Shall I note this in your piloting profile?"

Wait, what?

"I am sure that many a young lady would be very captivated by the fact the loud, proud, and powerful Irivasel Lione is a submissive in the bedroom."

HELIOS YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!

"I merely jest, Pilot Irivasel. Though your vehement denial is not helping your case."

I'm a virgin! How am I supposed to know if I'm a sub or a dom, anyways! And how the hell do you know about that?!

"While you were napping one time in the classroom, I overheard some other girls in the hallway chatting about a particular piece of media they seemed to be secretly sharing. Upon further analysis on the title, I discovered it to be an animation that is more specifically known as hent—"

You can stop there.

"As you wish, Pilot Irivasel. If you wish for me to continue my tale, please do not hesitate to ask."

Uh… right. Yeah, I'll remember that.

"Mhmhm, that's a delightful piece of information to know." Charles says as I slump in my seat with a loud sigh.

"Oh not you too."

"Ahaha, do not worry, Lione-sama. Your preferences in the bedroom are safeguarded by me. Not a soul shall know. Unless they walk in finding you hugging your pillow."

"H-hey. Shut up about that. I don't need to remember Rin literally laughing her way on the floor out of this room. And I didn't think you had that sort of barb in you."

"I suppose it's just… at least one thing that my father gave me." He says with a wistful sigh.

"…You want to talk about it some more? Last time you gave me a pretty glossing summary, so if you want to expand on it…"

The French boy starts waving his hands around manically. "L-lione-sama, I couldn't possibly bother you with my own problems, I already trouble you with so much at—"

"Look Charles, I'm a friend. If you have a problem and you want to talk to me about it, it's my duty as a friend to listen to you without judgement. If the only reason you don't want to say anything is because you think it's bothering me, then clearly I'm being a bad friend by giving you that impression. So?"

"I… if you truly will listen without judgement, then please, I'd like to talk about it."

Charles tells me about his dad. How he left, only to come back when he needed him. Sort of what he told me before, but the full, unadultered version this time around.

He was trained to become the best—to bring glory and power back to the Dunoa name. And more importantly, to steal the secrets of Helios in order to better develop their own units in order to keep up as Dunoa wasn't having success in research and development of third generation weapons.

"But everything they told me about you was wrong." Charles explains. "What they told me made me really want to steal Helios and his data from you, but… you weren't anything like they said. Instead of some hating, cold, shunning lone warrior, I found… a man who led others, who loved others, wanted nothing more than to be with the woman he loved, and would do whatever it took to protect her. Even if it meant going halfway around the world and suffering so much heartache, as long as she was safe. I found a person who accepted anyone that was willing to have mutual respect, a person who never would abandon a friend…"

"You're gonna make me blush if you keep talking."

"A-ah, sorry, Lione-sama. But I also found someone who was kind, kinder than my father ever was, even if he was probably faking it. Someone who didn't look at me with pity that I didn't know a lot about the world and enjoyed teaching me. I found… I found a person I think I'd like to follow."

"I'm not taking disciples, though."

"T-then I'll join the waiting list!"

I reach over and pat Charles on the head. "Maybe."

"Do you get it from your father, Lione?"

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. "…If you want to know the truth, I never really knew my father."

"That's most certainly a lie from what I've heard."

I shake my head side to side. "I know that my father was a great man. Perhaps in power or combat strength, but… in the heart, perhaps not. But I'm proud of my heritage. So I relied on that image my father gave me of himself. A man who never knelt down. A man who rose up against all odds. A man who would never be defeated. I rode on those wings until I could protect the Irivasel name by myself.

"So you could say I never really knew who he was. Was he the great man he told me he was? Then, I ask, why did he insist that we live in hiding? That we let no one know where we were? Why did the pride of the Irivasels have to be hidden away?

"In my heart exists the proud William Irivasel, the man who would never be bested and would scream with a fist raised to the sky. In my mind exists the coward William Irivasel, who was fearful of what his wife could to do him."

I pause here, taking a breath. "…Unlike him, I'm going to be the real thing."

"The real thing, Lione-sama?"

"I may be an Irivasel… but first and foremost, I am a Returner of Hope. I'm going to be the real thing. A real bringer of hope, maybe. I don't know how long I'll do it, hell, I've even had second thoughts about coming here and going back home's always been a real possibility. But while I still have the determination to make it through each day here, I'll definitely try my best. I know a lot of people are riding on my actions. While I could hardly care about them… I see no reason not to give them hope. I am, after all, a Returner of Hope. Regardless of who you are, we'll return the spark of hope you've lost to you. To everyone that's watching me, I'll be that sun that rises during the dawn."

Helios

Charles knew he had found what he had been looking for all this time.

Amidst all the confusion, the chaos, the disorder of his previous life… it was here.

A pillar that would not crumble no matter how much the earth rocked. An unshakeable statue that would bring pride no matter how dirtied. A lighthouse amidst the story seas. A guiding star in the night that had no light.

All to show him the way.

The way to being a man.

Oh, Charles had seen what Lione described as manly in their binge watching of TV shows and other media. Being a man there was screaming as loudly as possible while never backing down in a fight with your giant robot. Being a man there was putting everything on the line for those that you cared about. Being a man was doing what you had to do, even when you didn't want to do it. Being a man was picking up your sword and fighting even when there was no hope and everyone else was despairing, if only to go out in a blaze of glory rather than flickering away.

Every single one of these things Charles had dismissed as being purely fictional, even Lione had told him that it was just the way fiction portrayed manliness.

But with those explanations from Lione, Charles understood.

Lione might not have literally screamed while fighting with Helios, but he roared the message of hope for men with every blast of green from Helios, never backing down despite how superior his opponent was.

Lione had put everything for Yuki—his peace, his place in the world, his safety—so that she and their friends might be safe.

Maybe he hadn't want to do that, let alone take on the mantle of the Irivasel line and have to act as the rock upon which it stood, but he understood his duty well and did it regardless.

And that first battle with Alcott… there was no hope for him. But he picked up his sword and fought anyways, if only to go out like a supernova.

Everything Lione described as 'manly' to Charles in fiction… was Lione now, Charles realized. Sure, he might not have been super buff nor have the baritone that Lione also identified as 'manly', but in regards to the principles… Lione was someone he could follow.

Was it this striving to stick to those tenants that gave Lione his strength? And had such a way to power been forgotten in these times, where any man with so much as even a backbone would be cut down?

Lione-sama… I will strive to learn the best from you!

Well, that was fun.

I dunno what to say, really. Had some fun with Irivasel and Katsugari duking it out, though Irivasel wasn't going to win, obviously. Katsugari was gonna kick his ass, just not as hard this time around.

Aaaand revealed Helios' backstory. Yeah, Tabane was a little more on the jerkass side of things this time, but that's the character she played out in our RP. It's also evidenced that there was clearly something in the past of the Irivasels that makes Tabane a little harsher towards Lione and by extension, Helios.

Also, some more hints as Yuki slowly becoming like Lione, as she's rocking the sword now. Some slight cheese scenes, but also developed Charles a little bit more, along with showing his perception of Lione. Anyways, that's all I really have to say about this chapter.

As usual, if you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to leave a review! Seeya all next chapter!