New Life, same Hope but different Despair

by StarKnight07

A man, having no memories of his past, will try to do anything to remember them. Who is he? Why can't he remember anything about his past? Who is Grimoire and what is the meaning of the title "Phantom Hunter"? *Content rating may change into M and this fic may be a romance fiction if things get a little intense on later chapters* *first story*

13. Chapter 12: CPU Tournament, start!

A/N: Hey there guys/girls I'm back with the twelve chapter! I'm really sorry for like four to five months delay (hell you can say I delayed this story for a year), tons of work and all, but thank goodness I finished all of them. Anyway, game start! ….or that's what I want to say, first of all I have another review that, again, has some interesting questions from Authoria -The Heart!

Okay… To answer your questions… How should I put this… About Kurome's revival, it will definitely be explained later on. Hikaru's journey is still long, after all! And for the tournament team stuff; you do know that most of Kurome's members work alone, right? Save for Adult Neptune and the robot duo, that is. And I'm really happy that you're interested about The Retainers being a terrorist group, thank you for that! And then I want to say thanks to StirDrem for joining, I see you love my awful jojokes and the Tenkuuji Takeru memes? Ah, don't forget, Ayfxa The CopyCatas well! Many thanks to you! But what's surprising for me… A whooping 12 reviews in 2 days from Esser! I really can't say anything about it except thank you so much! Nice choice of names, too. And I also didn't forget to say thank you to all of you who are still following with my progress! And for those who are new, I welcome you with open arms!

Now then, with all of that said, let's continue the story!

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Hyperdimension Neptunia is owned by Idea Factory and Compile Heart. I only own my OC and my story.

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Chapter twelve: "CPU Tournament, start!"

"*Huff*… *Huff*… So, this is the festival, huh?" I said while still trying to catch my breath.

The Grand Festival… it sure is grand, alright.

Kids are running around happily while their parents watched from a safe distance, some of the kids enjoyed the event by playing games, riding attractions or have a little family time with their parents, eating together and all that.

From something so simple as Whack-A-Dogoo to the thrilling rollercoaster, the festival is enjoyed by many people. I wished I could enjoy some of them as well.

"But… let's just go to the grand stadium." I said as I make my way through the festival.

"But why? You have a little bit of time left, so let's have a little bit of fun!"

"No, Grimoire. I can't do that. I would be tired later on." I replied.

I stopped and looked back to the kids playing with their happy faces, I wonder… If that tragedy happens…

Can I save them properly?

"It's not our mission to protect them, Hikaru. The Goddesses exist for that reason."

I slowly nodded, "I know, but… It makes me feel bad too, y'know?"

"I get what you mean. But just like what I said, it is not our mission."

"….You could say all of that to me because you're already dead, X." I mumbled as I went inside the stadium.

As I went inside the stadium, I could see lots of people sitting in their respective places, talking to each other or just simply wait with excitement.

"Wow, everyone sure is excited for the tournament, huh?" I said as I smiled, walking to see if there's some vacant seat for me to sit on. Although the tournament starts fifteen minutes from now, the stadium is pretty much filled up.

"Hikaru-san! Over here!" Hmm? Someone is calling me.

I look around and see a familiar girl with long lilac hair and lilac eyes. Nepgear, was it? She smiled while waving her arms to me.

I smiled back while walking towards her. Wait did she just saved my time looking for an empty seat? That's really nice of her.

"Good afternoon, Hikaru-san." Nepgear greeted me while smiling as always.

I nodded, "Good afternoon to you, as well. Everyone is really pumped up, huh?" I asked while sitting on her left.

"Gear, who is he?" A brown-haired girl asked Nepgear as she and another girl with congo-pink hair around her age sits on their respective seats.

"Oh, IF! This is Hikaru-san, I and onee-chan met him at a convenience store." Nepgear said. So, the brown-haired girl is IF? Like, an 'I' and an 'F'? Interesting.

"Hello there. My name is, well just like what Gear said, IF. Nice to meet you, oh and this is Compa. I work as a Guild agent while Compa here works as a nurse." IF greeted me as she extends her right hand to me, and I grabbed hers with my right.

"Nice to meet you as well. My name is Hikaru. Uh, I would love to be called 'Nuit' more though. That's the name that I used when I'm helping my friend." I said to the three of them.

"Nuit? Weird name for a normal guy like you, huh?" IF asked while laughing to herself.

IF here is a fair skinned girl with emerald eyes and light brown hair that is about waist length. Most of her bangs are long and reach down to her eyes, curling outwards or inwards to her face, with a split on the upper corner side. A few parts of hair frame her face while more of it reaches her chest, about the length of the hair she wears in a ponytail, held with a leafy green hair piece. She wears a black, tank top and short-short style one piece with silver detailing and a belt around her waist. This is worn underneath a dark blue, oversized jacket with black, silver, and white detailing. It is worn open and has a big loose belt that she apparently uses to keep all of her cell phones on. She wears matching boots. The colors of her cellphone carriers are blue, light blue, green, black, magenta, white, lime green, orange, and light pink. That's a lot of cellphone carriers, I tell you.

How about Compa? Well, she wears a tan-white wool sweater top with and matching arm warmers and boots, but with fuzzy balls at the top. Compa also wears a red plaid skirt, a black choker with a small heart on it, black-brown knee-socks with light pink heart cut frills, and it appears she carries a black hip purse as well.

"Nuit-san, did you come here to watch the tournament?" Compa asked me.

I laughed, "Well, yeah. But I think we'll get a surprise later on." I said as I look at the field.

A futuristic field appeared as my eyes glanced towards the main center, as if it had just been generated from data. The field consists of concrete floor, shaped like a circle. It felt like I was looking at a far larger version of a basketball court, maybe four or five times bigger. It's pretty cool to be honest.

As I admire the cool 'battlefield', Nepgear tugged my parka's right arm.

"Um… Hikaru- I mean, Nuit-san?" She said, starting a conversation.

"What is it?" I asked as I turned my face to meet hers.

"Um… how do I say this? Are you the one who…" Before finishing her question, she closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

"Is something troubling you?" I ask the lilac-haired girl.

"Yeah, this is not your character at all, Gear." IF asks her, while Compa just nodding her head.

"Say, Hikaru… If Neptune is indeed the CPU, or the Goddess of Planeptune… Then Nepgear here is a Goddess as well right?" Grimoire asked.

I slowly nodded, 'Yeah, possibly. But I think it's best not to go into that area for now. I don't know how to plan out things to be honest, I'm afraid I would mess things up.' I replied inwardly.

"Ah, no it's nothing like that. It's just… Something's been… bothering me…" Nepgear said. Hmm, from her tone it appears she didn't hide anything at all.

"Is that so? Well, I can help if you need anything." I said. You really need that good first impression, you know?

"Oh? What a gentleman you are, Nuit." IF smirked at me. Whoops, guess IF is the type that could easily read one's intentions, huh?

X laughed at her comment, "Oh man, she's my type of girl alright."

Suddenly, all the lights went out and the people inside the stadium who were chatting to themselves stop and looked at the field's center area, as the light focused only in that direction.

Behind the shadows, a lady walked towards the center, holding a mic.

She let out a sigh before smiling and looked at the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen of Gamindustri! Today, the most thrilling event in century will start!" She said, and the crowd cheers in ecstasy.

X whistles, "This is gonna be so awesome."

"Our Goddesses has decided to start the Grand Festival with a bang, literally! Those who have bravery, skill and luck will go all out in this battle royale! And, those who won will have their chance to battle one of the four Goddesses! And moreover, if they won the harsh battle against the four, they shall have one wish granted!" The lady said as she raised her hand and the crowd cheers once again.

Oh wow, I thought they already have some contestants, but we could participate in the battle royale too? Amazing. I wonder if Lady Noire proposed this idea. Wait, is Lady Noire the type who would do this for fun? That's another one added to my 'To-be-answered' list.

"That won't be necessary." A noble-like voice silenced the entire stadium. Even the microphone lady is shocked. After some time, people are murmuring to each other, unsure of what's going on.

"Oh dear, Nep-Nep is overdoing it again." Compa said, laughing to herself.

IF nodded, agreeing to what Compa said, "I agree. Seriously, all four of them do have that same sense of pride when they used that form, huh…"

"Hikaru, so what do you think? Is Neptune really-"

I nodded, 'Yeah, no doubt about it. Neptune, or Lady Neptune is the CPU of this nation then. So it is correct to assume that Nepgear here is a Goddess, as well.' I replied inwardly.

As the crowd, me included, are still in loss for words, a white, futuristic giant axe fell and placed itself right on the center of the field with a loud *BAM!* sound.

"Woah!" "What the heck?!" and etc. etc. are coming from the crowd, heck even the microphone lady went back to her original place. Wait… she's smiling… heh, so I guess this is an act for all of us, huh?

"Citizens of Gamindustri! The event has already started!" Another unknown voice could be heard, this one is noticeably louder than the first one.

"I can sense someone coming to us… Oh, it's the candidate of Lastation. Hikaru, act like you're on good terms with her."

Umm… Okay?

I look to my left and a girl that has a similar face and looks with Lady Noire came into view, and when our eyes meet, she made a genuine look. Thank goodness, I thought that was a close call.

Doing what X told me to, I smile and waved my hands, "Oh, hey! You came here to watch the tournament, as well?" I ask her. Please react positively. Please react positively. Please react positively.

She smiled slightly and nodded her head, sitting on my left, "Y-yeah, I am."

Nepgear smiled at the girl, "Ah, Uni-chan! You're late, you know!"

Uni sighed while smiling again, "I know, I know. Those two wanted to play more even though I told them the tournament is starting, well sucks to be them." She said. So, her name is Uni?

IF wanted to say something but instead she looked up, Nepgear, Compa, Uni and I looked up as well. It appears that the crowd also looked up in sync.

Four women, two of them wears a swimwear-like suit, mainly in black color while the other two wears a swimwear-like suit as well but mainly in white color, all flying in the air with their futuristic wings.

The first woman has long purple hair in twin tails that almost reaches her feet and bright blue eyes with white pupils in the shape of power signs. She wears black hair clips with glowing blue D-Pad shapes on them, and a black body suit that exposes her chest, okay shut up X I can hear your laugh. Anyway, her bodysuit, has purple and blue lining all around the torso and arms. The middle part of the torso has purple mesh, allowing a vague vertical view of her stomach. She also wears thigh high boots with octagon patterns on the side at the very top; one filled it with purple and another just a white outline.

The second one, which I already know her identity is Lady Noire, or should I say Lady Black Heart.

The third one and the fourth one though, it is the first time I have seen their appearance.

The third woman, or should I say girl? She has the appearance of a young girl with a petite and slim figure. Her eyes are a crimson red, and her skin is very fair. Her hair is a sky-blue color, it is kept mostly free, and is of short length, barring her bangs, which reach down to her stomach. Her attire consists of a tight battle-suit, which is white and has minor touches of blue lining. The top itself appears as a swimsuit-like armor. The sleeves of this are detached, and reach all the way to her shoulder, with a pair of gauntlets being equipped on both of them, and mechanical like devices connecting the joint (which is her elbow-forearm parts) of the sleeve.

And lastly, the last (and the most mature… by body looks) has purple eyes and her hair is long and is of different shades of green. It is kept in a ponytail; her fringe is normally seen above her eyes and her bangs are thick and caress her face. Her attire is a white bodysuit that is open in the middle, exposing her stomach and underside of her breasts. Her sleeves are detached and are white and black in the entirety.

Just by looking at them, I immediately knew who they are. They are the four Goddesses of Gamindustri.

The crowd cheered in pure excitement, even louder than ever before.

"LADY PURPLE HEART!"

"YEAH! LADY BLACK HEART!"

"LADY WHITE HEART!"

"LADY GREEN HEART!"

Their Goddesses smiles gently but still with an aura of pride surrounding them.

"In Gamindustri, everything is about competition. Those who cannot win, don't survive. And that brought the disaster that is the Console Wars, but we decided to stop the endless and meaningless battle and start to embrace unity and teamwork instead. But everything is always about competition, until now." Purple Heart said, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"And now, through this tournament we want to test all of you who dare to push the limits; achieving true victory that shall make Gamindustri stronger than ever before." She finished her statement.

"Every single one of you will see a floating coin in front of you, and those who wanted to join this tournament shall grab said coin and they will be registered to the system." Black Heart added.

True to her words, a floating coin appeared in front of everyone in the stadium, including me. Some are reluctant to grab it while others immediately grabbed the coin.

"Hikaru, will you join?" Grimoire asked.

'I don't know to be honest, sounds kinda suspicious for me.' I replied inwardly.

Nepgear and the rest didn't grab the coins as well, they just simply watched them floating. Weird.

"Those who grabbed their coins will get a health bar on top of their heads. Don't worry though, when your health bar reaches zero percent, you will simply revive. Just like a game, and all of you shall have three lives." White heart stated, and as she finished talking health bars popped out on top of those who grabbed their coins, showing a neon green bar. On the left side of the health bar is a heart icon with the number three on it.

"Are you excited? Please, advance to the field immediately." Green Heart said with a motherly smile.

Considering the people that were in this stadium is about two hundred and ninety-nine thousand people, I guess about eighty-five thousand people accepted the challenge.

The challengers went their ways towards the field and looked up to their Goddesses.

"Bl- I mean, White Heart, please." Purple Heart said and White Heart nodded.

White Heart snapped her fingers, resulting the futuristic giant white axe from earlier started to glow, and underneath said axe a ripple-like effect appeared, changing colors from purple to black, white to green and so on. The ripple effect becomes bigger and bigger, eventually reaching the corners of the giant field. Weapons like swords, axes, spears and other weapons started to show their presence one after another. Basically, the field is full of weapons lying here and there.

"What is this Unlimited Blade Works bullshit?"

I really don't get your comments sometimes.

"Those weapons are for all of you to use. Test your abilities by using various weapons, in order to meet the perfect match." Said Green Heart, still smiling.

The challengers' faces are full of either confident looks or doubtful looks, "Well, when will the event start?" One of them asks.

Purple Heart laughs, "Getting impatient, are we? Well without further ado…"

The four Goddesses smiled to each other, "…Game Start!" And they started the tournament.

The crowd cheered as the challengers fought each other. Each of them clashed against each other, by using swords until axes, while some of them made their bullets collide with each other. Sparks are flying here and there. It looks ordinary for the others, but for me…. This is… weird.

"You sensed it too, huh? The change of air… that surrounded the four of them." X commented.

I moved my sight, now looking to the four Goddesses that still flew on top of the field, watching over the challengers. Their eyes, shines with brilliance observing the contestants fighting each other, somehow gave this killing aura. It's… menacing, to say the list.

White Heart pulled her axe through some magic and gripped the handle tightly, "Well, shall we?"

"Yes."

"Yeah."

"Let's do it."

Wait what? As they said to each other, all four of them flew towards the field and targets the challengers while breaking the sound barrier. What is this even about?

Purple Heart swings her katana at one of the challengers and he blocked her attack with his axe.

"Wait a second, Lady Purple Heart! What is this!"

"We already told you that we wanted to test those who are brave. And so we have decided to join this tournament from the beginning!" Purple Heart exclaimed.

Some put on a stressed face or either an irritated one, I wonder if they hate Purple Heart and the rest?

White Heart attacked twenty people at once with a powerful swing, some dodged but others got a direct hit on their chests, "Useless, useless, useless! Is this the limits of my people?!" White Heart asks as she easily deflect bullets with her axe.

"If there is a Japanese dub about this story, I wished White Heart would say MUDA MUDA MUDA instead." What's with your random comments today X?

Meanwhile, Green Heart dances beautifully with her spear, thrusting while blocking repeatedly, "Now, now. This is nothing but a surprise event for them. We must not be harsh on them."

…..

And this is coming from a woman who could stab five people at once with ease.

Three sword users dashed towards Black Heart, only to see their swords broken in half by said Goddess. Black Heart laughed, "It takes a will of steel to fight me with that kind of strength." She said as she slashed them, dropping their health bars to zero, all three of them shouted in pain due to her attacks.

"Oh my, Onee-chan is being harsh as always." Uni said as she sighed.

Nepgear laughed awkwardly, "Yeah. It seems Blanc-san cannot hold her wrath, too." She added.

Blanc… X, what does Blanc mean again?

"Blanc means White, in French. So Nepgear is talkin' about that loli over there."

"X, I swear to myself I'll kill you if you said that word again."

"Oh yeah I forgot we have a flat lady here as well."

'Guys stop.' This is gonna be a pain for me later on, huh?

"I think it is best for all of you to start learning to evade our attacks! Cross Combination!" Purple Heart exclaimed as her futuristic katana emits a purple glow as she dashed towards her target. Slashing the air with no end in sight, people around said Goddess got their heath bars depleted sooner or later even though they're fortunate enough to stay outside her range.

Me and the rest of the audience watched the challengers failed in agony, one after another. The sound of 'Game Over!' keeps echoing throughout the stadium. If this event will be recorded in some history textbook for children, I would dub this the 'Genocide of idiocy'. Wow I guess having a spirit that lets out weird jokes affects my mind too, huh?

"Oh… I get it now. Heh, a funny joke indeed." X said as he started to laugh.

"What do you mean, X?" Just like Grimoire, I'm interested as well.

"You see, the reason why Shift Period is dangerous to our beloved CPUs is that there are lots of haters; extremists, for example. I've been thinking for a while now, and I'll bet ten million credits when you, Hikaru, asks one of the CPUs why did they do all of this bullshit they will answer something that has a connection with those haters. It is a logical thing to do, even though if the rest of their followers knew all of this it could mean the end for their lives. Another thing to note is that CPUs can die, either through some… 'accident' or when they lose their shares; their people's faith. Your strongest power source is also your biggest weakness. Ain't that funny?" X explained, still chuckling to himself.

His explanation made me frown at them. If that is indeed the case, are they trying to… No, not that far.

One of the four, giant screens showed the statistics of the challengers… 50% of them have only one life left, while 30% of them still has three lives… The rest? Game over for them. But there is something weird though… the Goddesses' stats. The four of them have only one life, but the health bars… let's just say there is almost no chance to decrease it. But this is of course a fair and square tournament, there should be a way to at least defeat one of them.

But… how?

Some of the contestants struggled to stand up, while others just lay on the field, hardly taking a breath.

White Heart clicked her tongue loudly, "You are all weak! Have you no shame, challenging us with that kind of strength?!" She said, her words echoing due to everyone being silent.

"This tournament is pointless. Hikaru, we should go home." X told me.

"Wait a minute. Can we watch how things go from now?" Grimoire asked.

I nodded, 'Actually, yeah. I want to see it as well.' I said inwardly.

The contestants are, as expected, still struggling to get up while holding their weapons respectively.

"This is getting nowhere," Black Heart said, letting out a sigh, "and here we thought you all could pull it off graciously when we didn't use our full power…"

So they are… not serious?

"Yeah, I can tell from here. Considering they are, well, Goddesses, I think they'll kill those losers without trying to do so."

"Do you think they'll go as far as that though?"

"Well, even immortals like them have some hatred within them. They said that they started to cooperate ever since the Console War ended, but do you think that is indeed the case? I can feel it; the little bits of hatred in each of their souls. No mistaking it."

I looked at the field with a shocked expression, if what X said is true, then… no, I don't need to think about that for now.

'X, do you think there's a way to defeat them?' I ask X inwardly as always.

X hummed for a second, "That I don't know. But, there's no point of making a tournament or event that is not winnable, well except if you're a psychotic CEO of some game company. Jokes aside, I'm actually calculating the chances for those pathetic challengers to at least defeat one of the Goddesses, and the end result is not that shocking… 56%." He explained.

"Wait a minute, that's a big number!" Grimoire said in shock.

"Exactly. Defeating all four of them in one run is an impossible feat, but what's logical is that you team up with the other challengers and target one of the Goddesses. I know, the other three would interfere and help the targeted, but it is still better than blindly attacking without any sense of teamwork at all."

I really don't get with the math and crap, but I guess I get the gist of it. Somehow.

Purple Heart sighed at Black Heart's comment, "I think it is best to leave it be, then," she paused before looking at the challengers with stern eyes, "for those who still want to challenge us, stand up! Those who don't will be sent to the hospital immediately through teleportation!"

"Well, that escalated really quickly. Did mister author wanted to make this shit quick because he's lazy or because he wanted to prove that the CPUs are too strong? Really makes me think, indeed. Also what's the deal? Those who should stay at the hospital can't even enjoy the festival now!"

I sighed, and apparently this caught both Uni and Nepgear's attention.

"Umm… Nuit-san, are you okay?" Nepgear asked with a worried expression.

"Y-yeah, what's wrong with you? You seemed exhausted." Uni added.

"Nothing to be worried about, really. But I feel like this past thirteen days are slowly taking a toll on my head… sigh…" I mumbled as I rubbed my temples, closing my eyes.

Seriously, I was brought to this world only to be fucked by some edgy girl that became my master, and then talked with a goddamned dragon with no body. Not long after that, seeing a glimpse of my past that is actually my death scene. Not to mention Éclair and the Retainers….

Feeling that my head's pain is loosening up, I looked at the field. What made me surprised is that some challengers stood up, even though with great pain, while looking straight at the Goddesses.

"They have some balls, I tell you. Even the ladies there, too."

Why are they trying so hard?

"Ever since the ancient times, humans are so foolish that they tried to do the impossible possible. But through the mix of idiocy and hard work, they'll achieve things they really want. But hey, this is coming from a spirit that died from some bullshit reasons, so don't trust me on this department."

Just like what Purple Heart said, the challengers that gave up their chances to beat their Goddesses immediately disappeared one by one, their bodies changing to dust. Creepy.

White Heart laughed, "Do you guys really want to win this event really bad?! Now, I'm not the type to be the bad news giver, but every single one of you will beat each other after all the hard work beating the four of us, you know!"

"Indeed. Those who have foolish reasons to participate on this battle royale should just scatter immediately to their respective homes." Green Heart added. Ouch that's harsh.

"Well that is also the truth. Those who seek extraordinary things in life should have their own noble reasons; even if it was filthy to others. Whether that extraordinary wish is literally extraordinary or small, as long as they wanted it, they shall have their ways to achieve them. This is nothing compared to some national wars, but everything is a competition. You won't last long on the battlefield if you have nothing to offer… especially…"

X didn't say anything after that.

"Well, this is our token of appreciation for your bravery."

The four Goddesses emits this powerful aura that surrounds their body, making me gulp in fear.

"Is this the first time you've seen Nep and the rest in action, Nuit?" IF asks, smiling at me.

"Umm…. Yeah, how do I put it…. They're energetic?"

"You sure are bad at this. Let's switch places."

Hey, wait-!

X closed my eyes, changing their colors to my usual hollow blue to bloody red. But because I'm currently surrounded by Nepgear and the rest, he immediately changed the colors again to the hollow blue color.

"Ah, sorry. What I'm trying to say is, they are really into this event as much as the challengers do. Which makes the fun doubling up." X said, smiling at IF and Compa.

"Huh… you seemed… different." IF hummed, crossing her arms. Wait, she's that good?!

"Silly Iffy! Nuit-san is not a CPU." Compa replied, laughing.

X looked at the field, Purple Heart and the other three are still maintaining their menacing aura.

"If you have any bravery left, shoot us with all your might!" White Heart shouted, startling the remaining contestants. Or challengers, whatever. I can't seem to just pick one of them, huh?

They all wavered a bit, before shooting their arrows; well those who are currently holding bows that is. Some that uses guns started shooting at the Goddesses.

Purple Heart and the other three simply dodged their attacks while chanting something for a… spell?

"In the name of our world's progress…"

White Heart deflects the arrows and bullets that went straight towards them, making sure Black Heart -or Lady Noire- could continue the chant.

"And in the name of our beautiful world, full of regality…"

Green Heart started to deflect them too with her spear as the contestants picked up their pace at attacking them, now White Heart started chanting while still deflecting.

"We shall protect our world's serenity, and keep protecting our beautiful pastures!"

"All for the sake of Gamindustri! Divina poena est caelum!"

The four of them clashed their weapons against each other, making an attack that instantly creates this blinding light that soon enveloped the stadium.

"What the-?!" X couldn't even finish his line as the blinding light soon got accompanied by a noisy screech.

*BOOOOOOOOM!*

"What the fuck was that all about…?" X cursed, blinking my eyes repeatedly before looking back at the stadium.

Everyone was… silent. No one dare to say a thing, they just… stared at the field.

"Well… that was something." X said, smirking.

And of course, the sound-!

GAME OVER!

-could be heard across the field.

All the contestants groaned in pain while X looked at the field with an entertained face.

"Nep-Nep and the rest are overdoing it… Iffy, everyone I will go help the hospital! See you around!" Compa said hurriedly, running to the exit.

"Well, all we could do is…" X raised both of my hands-

Clap, clap, clap

-and clapped my hands in a slow motion.

Oh great everyone is looking at me now, fuck you X.

"Nuit-san?" Nepgear asked with a worried face as the contestants' body got teleported to the hospital.

"What a great end! Well, time to go home, see you later fuckers!" X said in a happy tone as he walked his way towards the exit.

"H-hey, Nuit! Where are you going?" IF asks me, or X.

"I'm going home, to the place where I belong~ jokes aside, I've learned enough. See ya." He winked at Nepgear and the rest. My Lord, are you trying to make me look like that dude who wears a red tank top that has golden mohawk haircut?!

"Dude, just calm down, we'll go to our base and fucked off, tell Kurome everything we know and get the reward. Easy peasy." He whispered to me as he walked towards one of the guards who are currently guarding the exit doors.

"Sir, you may not leave the stadium until further notice." Guard #1 says.

"And why, in the names of all mythical legends, would I follow your words?" X said in response.

Guard #1 and #2 looked at each other before #2 started to speak, "There is another event that we all would love the audience to watch. And that includes you, kind sir."

X roughly sighed, "Alright, you Fennec fucks. You two better guarantee it's interesting."

"Can you stop grumbling for once?" Grimoire asked.

"Oh, I don't know. Can you stop being curious about my drawer? You've been trying to open it, right?"

"T-that's not true!"

X shook my head and sat on our seat once again, IF and the rest looking at us with confused looks.

"What happened?" Uni asks.

X shrugged my shoulders before pulling my harmonica while pressing its button, making the blade appear, "Apparently I cannot leave due to a new event after this. It better be real interesting, or I might go full Heracles on this stadium." X joked as he spins my dagger around.

"Don't you mean Hercules?" IF asks.

"Names doesn't matter on the battlefield, you prove yourself with your skill, after all." X replied.

"True."

X and IF immediately laughed together, making Nepgear and Uni even confused than before.

"Man, you sure are one hell of a girl, aren't you?! Hahahahaha!" X said as he gasped for air. Hey, this is still my body you know?

"You too, Nuit! You can really be a different character in a split second!" IF said as she closed her mouth to stop her laughter.

As X and IF continued to joke around about random things, the microphone announcer lady ran her way hurriedly towards the middle of the stadium, trying to catch some air, "P-please applause for this amazing performance!" She said and the audience roared in excitement again.

What made me think though…

"Performance… huh?" X said, stopping his laughter.

"Nuit-san? You sounds worried…" Nepgear said, which made X nodded.

"Ah, yeah. So I guess I'm correct once again." X replied.

But hey can we switch places now? I don't want to be the narrator without using my body, you know? Wait, why am I breaking the fourth wall? X reluctantly agreed and I can move my body on my own again. Phew, finally!

Purple Heart took the mic from the announcer lady and looked at the audience, "The previous match was supposed to be the end for the Grand Festival's tournament, but we have a special plan in mind thanks to a certain one."

Both Green Heart and White Heart glanced at Black Heart, who is closing her eyes.

"Don't look at me like that." Is what Black Heart says.

Purple Heart smiles and suddenly all the lights went off just like before the battle royale starts, but instead a spotlight appeared, scanning the audiences' seats before stopping on…!

"You, over there. Please stand for the crowd!" Purple Heart announced as the spotlight stopped at me. Why would it stop at me?! There's like lots of people here, you know!

"Wait a second, why are you being told to stand up, Nuit?!" IF asks, which I shrugged in response.

"I-I don't know! I'm surprised too, ya know!" I replied.

"Let's just stand up first. Go, Hikaru."

I sighed and stand up from my seat, Nepgear and Uni looked at me with worried looks.

"Nuit-san, you didn't do anything weird, right?"

I shook my head, "No, Nepgear. I think I can work this out. I hope so."

I walked down the stairs until I'm on the field, the remaining swords and other weapons are scattered throughout the field. I picked one of the sword.

"Hmm…. Not a bad thing, I suppose. But considering your possibilities… we're going to have a hard time." X said.

Can you stop spouting nonsense?

"So, you're the one Noire told us." White Heart said as she scanned me with her sharp, crimson eyes and then smirked, "not bad. You might be a good opponent."

"Am I? I'm not good against divine beings, but I'll try to keep up. Well, we won't fight right?" I asked her.

"Oh, we will. And it shall not be an easy one, for you that is." Green Heart added with a smile.

"Give me a break, we're fighting them for real? I thought she was joking on me…"

Wait, you're the one who accepted Lady Noire's challenge, yet you thought she's joking?!

"Hikaru, close your mouth. That way I can speak to the outside world without controlling your body. It's a technique I learned from this alien that works as a spy. Really saved my ass a lot."

Wait, are aliens even a thing?!

"Just shut up and close your mouth dammit."

Okay, okay!

I looked at the four of them, and my eyes quickly changed from my usual hollow blue to red in a split second, but it appears Purple Heart and the rest noticed it.

I smiled while letting X talk, "Before we started fighting and all that, how about we talk our way out of this? Surely there's a way that involves peace."

"You're talking without moving your mouth? Now that's a first. But, we also have a reason behind all of this, we hope you understand." Purple Heart replied.

"Oh, I understand alright. But you know…"

X told me to pick another sword, while he keep talking, "I'm not into pointless fights. They bore me. What can I get from this in return? I'm simply searching for knowledge. Knowledge is power, they say. So I asked you all again… What can I get from all of this?"

Knowing what X would do, I threw the sword I picked up towards Purple Heart, but she instantly deflect it with her katana, breaking the sword instantly.

"Well fuck me, these weapons are shit quality." X complained.

"You asked what can you get, correct? You either gain victory, or simply defeat. Of course winning against us will give you a chance to ask anything from us. You wanted knowledge, right?" Black Heart asks.

"That's what I'd like to hear!" I shouted as I dashed at them.

"Energetic, aren't you?!" White Heart was the first to respond, as she flew towards me with great speed.

The audience cheered as my sword and White Heart's axe clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

"You're good at using swords, huh?! Self taught or something?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe just my instinct to survive!" I replied as I pushed her back and smashed my sword against her axe, breaking it instantly.

That made White Heart surprised, seeing that as my chance, I kicked her right arm and kicked her stomach.

"Guh!" She winced in pain as she flew for a couple meters before slowing her fall with her axe.

She's actually… how should I put it, squishy? I just need to be careful with her axe.

"To think that you can push Blanc away… you are interesting." Green Heart said as she and the other two regroup with White Heart.

"Well, I don't want to lose my head after all." I said, breathing heavily. I really need to start training.

"Hikaru, what in the actual fuck are you doing?! I haven't told you how to beat them!"

There's no room for plans, you know!

"So, I guess that is how you warm things up for yourself? Not bad for a weirdo like you." White Heart said as she spits on the ground.

"Probably, last time I fought against someone my bones got broken. So, learning from past experience is a thing for me." I replied in return.

Purple Heart coughs, "Well, I haven't even say anything to start our match, you just dashed at us with no plans at all. Or that is what I assume."

Well, she got me there.

Purple Heart snapped her fingers, and two out of four giant screens showed my statistics, like health gauge and all that, while the other one shows the Goddesses' stats.

"Now, what if we made a deal? If you could at least take one of us out, you win. But you may try to take us down, using tricks works too, but you're not the type to do something like that, no?" Purple Heart explained to me.

I think for a second, "Hmm… I'm not much of a trickster, but I do have some aces up my sleeves." I answered.

"Good. Now then, may I ask your name? Our friend here doesn't want to tell us your name, well not that I don't know..." Purple Heart continued, smiling at me.

I looked at Lady Black Heart and then White Heart and lastly Green Heart.

"Well… how should I put this… I'm on a mission, so…" I paused as I pulled out another sword, while using my battle stance, "Call me Nuit, I guess?"

They looked at each other before nodded to themselves.

"Okay, well are you ready?" Green Heart asks me.

"Hmm? I already did my move, though." I smiled, making them confused.

"Trying to pull a bluff now?"

'I can use your magic, right? Then I'll use to it based on my imagination. Is that allowed?'

"No complaints, just use it with no stop."

I nodded and dashed towards them again, this time I let X's mana to travel itself to the swords that I currently held right now. If X can do teleportation magic, then…

"Eat this!" I shouted as I attack Purple Heart, swinging my sword towards her.

The moment she saw my attack, she blocked it with her katana, and due to my force, my sword that got into contact with her katana broke down.

"Nice try, but you need to-!"

I smirked and the now broken sword I held with my right hand got changed instantly with another sword.

"How about this then?!" I said as I swing that sword against her, slightly dealing her damage.

"Oh no, you don't!" Now it's Lady Black Heart and Green Heart's turn to attack me, I quickly changed one of my swords with a lance to counter the both of them equally.

Lady Black Heart's sword clashed with mine, while my lance clashed against Green Heart's spear.

"Creative, and to think someone could easily wield a sword and a lance in one go… really, what exactly are you?" Lady Black Heart asks.

I pushed her without answering while trying to stand Green Heart with my spear, but her movements are so fast I couldn't even scratch her!

"Move it, bitches!" Shouted White Heart as she fell towards my direction, aiming for my head with her axe.

Looking up, I blocked her attack with my weapons, and I dashed back because of her sheer amount of force.

'X, can I use Wings of Famine again?'

"It's going to be painful, don't complain."

I nodded, and pulled out Ace's crystal out of my parka's pocket.

"What is that?" White Heart asks.

I took a deep breath, "Let's go for another flight, Ace! Wings of Famine, Spread Out!"

As I crushed the green orb that I held, a magic circle appeared behind my back just like last time. My eyes and teeth became dragon-like, and lastly a pair of dragon wings appeared behind my back.

"Now… time to get serious!" I shouted as I flew towards the four of them.

"So this is what you're talkin' about?!" White Heart asks Lady Black Heart as the four of them scattered to mess with my direction.

"Yeah, and he's stronger than you think!"

Summoning a bow, I used my sword as its arrow, "All of you, get back here! Gale Arrow Shoot!"

I released the sword and it quickly soared throughout the field, chasing them.

"A new technique, right off the bat? Amazing!" Grimoire cheered.

I don't know, where did I learn all of this? But whatever, I'll probably know the reason later.

I used the attack repeatedly but Purple Heart and the rest evaded all of them, damn this is going to be hard.

White Heart broke the sound barrier as she flew straight towards me, raising her axe as she does so.

*CLASH!*

"First, teleportation magic. And now magical wings?! What exactly are you?" White Heart asks me.

"It's none of your business!" I pushed her once again, but with a little bit of help from our wings.

"Hyaaah-!"

Purple Heart rushed in, diving towards me with her katana pointing straight towards my neck.

"Guh!" I gritted my teeth in pain as I dodged her attack, but her katana still slashed my shoulder, making it bleed.

"Are you okay, Hikaru?!"

"I'm fine! Gale Arrow Shoo-"

"You won't win. That I promise you. Now, how about a little bit of punishment?"

At that single moment, my eyes couldn't see anything other than the color red, before I fell at an incredible pace.

"Guh-! Gaaaaah-!"

I winced in pain as the wings on my back disappeared, before landing on the arena, making a large crater. What is going on with my body?!

"Hikaru! Are you okay?! A-ah, don't worry! I'll fasten up your regeneration!"

"Calm down, Grimoire! This is not our lucky day, or week. I have found an explanation myself but I'll hold it until we won, somehow. Focus on your regeneration spell, Grimoire. I'll give Hikaru my mana."

As I look at the air, Purple Heart and the other three are looking at me. Wait are they…. Shocked?

"What's up with him?" Green Heart asked White Heart, who shrugged in response.

"Whatever the reason is, it's obviously our chance!" White Heart said before she flew towards me while readying her axe.

"Not on my watch! The moonlight shall protect the weak and the strong, now appear before me,Scutum Fidei!" X shouted, a bright blue shield that was created by mana appeared to guard me from White Heart's attack.

I immediately recovered myself and dashed towards a safe area, not giving a damn about my aching body and I looked at the giant screen. Grimoire will probably lecture me about this later, but that's nothing to be worried about.

"….60% possibility of me to win, huh? That's not too bad!" I said as I picked up a spear on the ground and made my way towards White Heart again, aiming at her neck.

She reflected my attack and my spear got broken in half, and I immediately summoned another spear and I attempt to stab her chest area with it. She used her hand and her fast reflex to make me miss my hit.

Although, that's to be expected.

As my body became close with her, I immediately dropped my spear and grabbed her free hand, "I got you now! You hit like a brick, but you're nothing in weight! Hoorah!" I raised her with all my might and threw her at Green Heart, who is soaring towards me.

"What the?!" Green Heart squealed as the two of them collided against each other and eventually fell into the ground.

"Hiyaaah-!"

"You won't get away this time!"

Purple Heart and Black Heart both rushed towards me, their weapons raised in the air, while White Heart and Green Heart are struggling to get up.

*Clash!* *Clash!*

My swords collided with their weapons, making sparks flying around. They pushed their weapons against me, trying to make me lose my balance.

"Should I help?"

That would be nice, actually.

"I should praise you for keeping up with us four. But can you actually won, I wonder?" Purple Heart asks me.

Two pair of eyes looked at mine, as my eyes shines in bloody red color.

"You-!"

X, now controlling my body, smirked at them, "That's right, I'm back bitches!"

X roared and pushed the two of them easily, kicking their weapons simultaneously with a roundhouse kick.

"His fighting style changed?!" said Purple Heart, rubbing her wrist.

"I did say that I have some aces up my sleeve, right? You should've guessed that I'm capable of doing things like this." X said, smiling arrogantly at the four of them.

"I've been discussing with myself for awhile, and simply put I don't think I can restraint myself anymore. Time to eliminate you. One by one."

"That's gold, coming from someone who will probably lose." White Heart said.

"Haha, true. But a bluff is enough for me to win. Purple Heart, what did you say regarding our deal?" X asks.

X, what are you?

"I sensed a lot of magic on the field… Is this your doing, X?!"

"You will win if you could knock one of us out, that is enough for the four of us."

X smiled, "Nice! You saying that makes me feel okay to do this. Now, don't hate me for this."

X closed my eyes, "Hikaru. What I'm going to show right now is the image of your true power. Your… inner self, so to speak. You've been chained by all these burdens, and now it is my job to provide you help and strength. Grimoire, you may not remember this, but I do. You should, no, you must tell Hikaru someday."

"What are you talking about?"

X opened my eyes while raising my right hand, "Foolish one who created the hellish chains, I shall order you to eliminate even the brightest stars! All eyes on you, Blank X Chain bind!"

Chains emerged from the field, looking like a group of leviathans coming out from the blue ocean. They all have pointy spikes on their tip, aiming towards the four Goddesses.

"What the hell?!" White Heart cursed as the four of them backed off, evading the chains.

"Once I have set this spell, they won't leave until a prey is caught, you see. And you're a good target, White Heart." X snapped my fingers, as if it's planned, the chains started their way towards White Heart.

They wrapped around her limbs and body, lastly her neck.

"Blanc!" Green Heart exclaimed as she tried to rush to her aid.

"You three won't do a thing. Gravity X Zero Point!" snapping my fingers once again, X casted yet another spell, making Purple Heart and the rest unable to move.

"W-what is this?!" White Heart choked for air as her grip on her axe slowly loosening, and lastly her axe falls into the ground.

"T-that's enough!" Black Heart shouted at me, gritting her teeth.

"Well yes, but I can also do this!" X shouted, using my hands to command the chains -that are currently wrapping around White Heart- to literally smack Purple Heart and the other two.

"Guah-!"

The four of them roughly landed on the field as X looked at the giant screens.

He did it again. That devilish smirk.

"Heh, seems like I've hit the last nail in the coffin. White Heart is down. You three should just surrender at this point. What says-"

"You couldn't possibly win against them. You foolish strayed soul. I guess you need to sleep beautifully like a little princess!"

X tightly clenched my chest, my eyes widening and blood flowing out through my mouth.

"Guh….! Dammit, that woman is not making this easy for me…! Hikaru, I'm… sorry… you won't see me for a… while…"

As my body slowly fall into its knees, I can feel X's presence slowly fading away. And lastly, I controlled my body again.

"Haa-! Hah, hah… what the heck, X?!" I wiped my mouth, slowly standing up.

The crowd murmured between each other, I couldn't hear what they said though.

I look at the giant screens. I'm at 45% health, while Purple Heart, Black Heart and Green Heart are all at 50% respectively. White Heart is just like what X said, she got knocked out.

"Hikaru, this is bad! I can't find X! He's not on your mind field anymore!"

Wait, what?! What do you mean he's not on my mind?!

"I-I don't know! I'll find him!"

I then realized how heavily bruised my body is, thus I'm using my sword to keep my balance.

"Haa… Haa… I should… not let him do things like that again…" I spoke to myself.

Purple Heart was the first to get up, and just like me she used her katana to keep her balance while Black Heart and Green Heart follow suit.

"You… You sure are quite the trickster, aren't you?" Purple Heart asks me, her breath unstable.

I slowly walk towards them, pulling the gun Lady Kurome gave me from my bag, "Haa… Probably, I'm not used to it though… and I guess we're nearing the end of this tournament, huh?" I stand in my battle stance again while keeping myself up, my legs are already about to give in because of what X did. Seriously, did he forget that I'm an ordinary human?

"You still want to continue?" Green Heart said, both surprised and confused.

"Might as well, don't you think? I don't want to be that kind of fighter who retreats when they could've won." I answered

"WELL THEN, HOW ABOUT I GIVE YOU A LITTLE TOKEN OF APPRECIATION?"

What was that?

My surroundings suddenly became grey in color, and time moved… slower? This sensation feels different from the weird time stop moments, though…

"COME, MY CHILD. TAKE OUT WHAT'S INSIDE YOUR POCKET. IT IS THE TIME FOR THE BROTHERS' REUNION."

Brothers? Reunion?

I slowly took out the thing inside my parka's pocket, wait, this is-?!

A glowing, yellow orb… Don't tell me…

"I see… Brothers, huh… I don't know much for now but screw it! Let's do this together!" I shouted.

My surroundings went into its normal state again, and I can see that Purple Heart is running towards me, Black Heart and Green Heart following her.

I pulled out Ace's crystal with my right hand.

"I'm counting on you two! Wings of Famine, Spread Out!"

As our wings manifests behind my back once again, I evaded Purple Heart's attack.

"And then… Claws of Death, Tear Out!" I tried to crush Max's crystal, but it didn't break?

"Come on dammit- woah!" I dodged Green Heart's spear and flew away from her to make some distance.

But seriously, the hell is wrong with this thing?!

*"Don't do it… Don't use it, *BZZT!*! It's too dangerous…!"*

That voice…

"Stop spacing out!"

"!" I summoned a sword out of nowhere and blocked Black Heart's attack. Her attacks now are way stronger than before, or is it because I'm tired?

"You chose the wrong option, you already beat Blanc so why bother fighting against the three of us?"

I gritted my teeth as I pushed her back with my sword, "Because I simply wanted to!"

Suddenly, Max's crystal that is still being held by my left hand shines brightly.

"Huh?! Alright, this could be my chance! Claws of Death, Tear Out!" I tried to crush the crystal again, but with a little bit of force into it. And I did it!

"Guh-! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as my body got shocked by a sudden electric wave. God, it hurts so much!

My hands slowly turning into dragon-like claws, scales slowly appearing on my arms with glowing purple lines on them. The lines became longer and longer, slowly reaching towards my shoulders.

"S-shit… I can't think straight…."

*BZZT!*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I gritted my teeth vexingly as I try to control my body again, come on dammit!

"If I have only ten minutes to do this, then so be it!" I exclaimed with pain as I soar towards Purple Heart while raising my claw.

"What the-?!"

*CLASH!* *CLASH!*

Using my claws, I tried to slash Purple Heart with my claws again and again. She blocked my attacks with her katana.

"Why you!" Black Heart came towards my direction again, trying to slash my back with her sword.

I quickly turn my body while still holding out the pain, and blocked her attack.

Purple Heart and Black Heart fight against me. Swords clashed against a pair of dragon claws. Each time a strike is dealt from them, my body is getting harder and harder to control. My vision is getting blurry too…

I roared and kicked Purple Heart's stomach, that'll make her stop for awhile. Black Heart once again danced against me. Not going to wait any longer, I attack her non stop.

"Kuh-! This is… harder than I thought…!" I said as I gripped Black Heart's sword.

"Can you just give up?!" Black Heart asks me as she tried to make me release her sword.

"I can, but I don't want to!" I shouted as I kicked her in the stomach, and with that as my boost, I flew towards Green Heart.

"Coming to attack me now, are you?!"

I smirked at her words as I ripped passed through her.

"Why just attack you when I can FINISH YOU ALL AT ONCE?!"

Two magic circles appeared on top of my claws, each one of them golden yellow in color.

I don't think I can manage my fight against the four of them, but thanks to X and Grimoire… Yeah, I won't let them down!

"Are you implying you will take down the three of us at once? Ridiculous!" Black Heart seems to reject my idea.

"It IS ridiculous! But the thing is, through my sheer luck I already won this tournament, I just want to beat the three of you for the sake of the crowd's entertainment! With that out of my mind, time to end this!"

The magic circles started to spin rapidly, generating sparks around it.

"Interesting! Then show us what you're really made of! Noire, Vert! After me!"

"Right!"

"Indeed!"

The crowd cheers harder and harder as their Goddesses flew with speed unmeasurable to mankind. I smirked and flew towards them as well. This is it!

Because of our difference in agility, I faced the three of them after merely five seconds since the four of us rushed to clash.

Raising their weapons against me, I moved my claws in front of my chest.

"Thunder that roars throughout the heavens, aid me in my road of destruction! Death Lightning Over break!"

My claws met their weapons, and then…!

*BOOOOOOOOM!*

At that one, single moment, everything went white for a split second.

---

"Goddammit-! Guh-!"

Due to the intense destructive power that I just made, my body flew and crashed against one of the giant screens. Blood came out from my mouth as if it's a waterfall, our wings and claws disappeared due to the intense pain I felt.

What about Purple Heart and the rest? They also crashed against the giant screen in the opposite direction of me.

I slowly fall into the ground, my face flat to the floor. You know, like in comics and stuff.

"What just happened?"

"I don't know, it happened so fast!"

"That guy is really strong, though. No one could beat White Heart, but he actually did it!"

"Not just that, he actually defeated Lady Purple Heart as well!"

"Not to mention that he also kept up with Black Heart and Green Heart! And also what were he using?!"

My body twitched in pain as I slowly stand up, with the aid of a staff that I summoned. I think I can't use Grimoire's mana anymore after this for awhile, and my ears are still ringing due to the massive explosion from before…

"I… really should stop… trying to act like a hero or something…" I said with a ragged breath.

I look at the field, guess I destroyed it. Almost.

Thanks to the dust flying around, I still couldn't see the screen that keeps the record, if that's the right word to use.

"Not a harm if I try… Breeze Creation!" I clapped my hands to create a single wave of air. Oh, that actually did clean up the dusts.

"….What the?"

What I saw, hell everyone saw it as well, is… not surprising, but I don't know what to say…

There it is, a picture of me -which I'm not really sure where the hell did they get it- and the picture of Purple Heart and the other three, with our health bars on the bottom. My health point is, to be expected, at a disappointing 1%.

Okay that is somewhat surprising, how can I nailed it? But then… the health bar for the Goddesses…

Are completely null. Void. Zero. And other zero-related words that I can't say right now.

"O-ouch… that last attack really is a great one…"

Following the voice, I looked at where Purple Heart and the rest were supposed to be.

Hmm, I suppose that was supposed to be for me?

I can see Purple Heart walking towards me while supporting Black Heart. Green Heart is on the back because she's carrying White Heart.

"That did the trick, am I right?" I'm just trying to lessen the thick atmosphere here.

Unexpectedly, Purple Heart laughs at my statement. A genuine laugh to boot.

"It sure is. Well then, may someone be kind enough to give me the mic?"

One of the, from her appearance, staff members came towards Purple Heart in a hurried manner and gave her the mic and excused herself.

I looked at the crowd.

People are still talking to each other about my fight, but now in an excited tune. IF looked like she's never eaten anything for three months and still trying to calm herself, Nepgear and Uni helping her.

"Ahem, citizens of Gamindustri. I don't have many words to say. But, let us give a massive applause for the winner!"

Everyone clapped their hands and cheered for me, who could barely stand without anything to hold my weight.

Did I really did it?

"You sure did, Hikaru!"

'Oh, you're back. Did you find X?'

"S-sorry… he's completely gone!"

Now that's a problem. But I think I'll find the solution later.

"Noire, can you stand properly?"

"Yeah, I can manage."

Purple Heart lets go of Black Heart and walked towards me, still smiling.

"Well, congratulations! You sure are strong, I almost think that you're a different person. Right, Hikaru?" Purple Heart said, the last part with a different tone. Is she playing with me?

"W-well, thanks, I guess. You four are real strong as well. I don't think I can win without pulling a little bit of stunt myself." I replied.

"Well, please let me give you this medal. You do deserve it after all!"

Oh, a medal. Nice.

She puts on the medal on my neck. The medal is, of course, round in shape with a star sign on it.

"Now, let us shake hands. Congratulations."

I smiled as I shook her hand, everyone clapping and balloons flying towards the ceiling. Wait, where did the balloons come from?

And thus, the tournament ended in a not so climatic way.

---

I sighed as I am sitting on the Festival's food court, but the reason why I'm sighing is not because I'm exhausted.

It's because of ten girls, well two of them are… children, that sat down together with me as well.

More precisely, I'm sighing because of four sets of eyes that are staring at me.

"….To think that I'm the first one to be defeated…." The one who is muttering that is a girl that is around Lady Neptune's height. Her clothes are mostly revolves around the color of white. So I guess she's White Heart.

"Now, now, Blanc. No need to be grumpy over little details."

Hmm… from the process of elimination… this girl (woman?) is Green Heart's human form, right? Oh, she also revealed White Heart's true name for me. Thanks.

Now it's Lady Noire's turn to sigh, "But still, what is that power? And why didn't you tell us that you already met him, Neptune?!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Don't pinch my delicate cheeks! You know how I do things!" Lady Neptune complained, rubbing her now red cheeks.

I look to my left, Nepgear and Uni are talking about something that I don't know about, maybe they're talking about their hobbies or something? They're laughing together so I guess that could be it.

"Hey, weird guy! Are you really the one who beat sis and the others? You're not strong looking! Right, Rom?"

Ouch, that's a strike.

The one who roasted me is one of the most young looking out of the group. Okay that sounds really uncomfortable. The girl has long, chestnut brown hair and dark blue eyes. She wears a pastel pink winter coat over a plain gray and white overall dress. Her coat has puffed sleeves and a frilled white center part with many golden buttons, with a big light blue bow on the collar and six puffballs strategically placed. At the ends of the cuff is white fur lining and a big golden button. She wears a cap like Blanc's and has boots with a similar color scheme with her coat. She has a light blue purse on her right shoulder. Could she be Blanc's little sister?

"Um… I don't think it's nice to say that, Ram. But… I think it's true… I think?"

I guess her name is simply Rom? And the other one is called Ram. I thought both of their names are computer related items? Not sure. Or Ram is you know, a type of goat-like creature.

I should mention that Rom looks exactly the same as her… twin sister? The thing is her hair is shorter and her clothes are mainly blue in color, her purse is pink in color though.

"Eh, you really believe that this weird dude is stronger than Blanc?! Oh, please! Look at his dead eyes."

I felt like I'm going to cry in any moment now!

"W-well… nice to meet you two as well. My name is-"

Neptune stands up and pointed her fingers at me, "Hikaru! Right?"

"Y-yeah, that's my name. I'm glad you remembered it…" I really do.

"….So why call yourself Nuit?" Lady Blanc asks.

I really don't know how to answer her question right now.

"Uhh… that's my… right! My code name, yeah that." I hope they bought my lie.

"That's a funny code name. Should it be like a group of numbers? Like 686237! I learnt it from some detective game Blanc gave me, pretty cool right?" Neptune boasts.

"That means 'Number', that's an easy one to crack. But still, we are shocked to see you fought like that." Green Heart commented.

"As expected of Lady Vert." IF replied with a satisfied tone.

So… Lady Neptune, Noire, Blanc and Vert? Other than Lady Neptune, their names are related to colors…. Right?

"That's right, Hikaru! Noire is the feminine word based on Noir, which is French for Black. Blanc is White as X mentioned, although it is a male word… ah, last but not least Vert is Green! So they're indeed colors!"

Oh, that's a neat trivia. Thanks! Now, let's get back to Lady Vert's question. Or statement.

"Hmm… I don't think that I could win during our match. But I guess I was lucky." Let's just play the innocent card.

"Lucky?! You are the main character! Curse you StarKnight07!" Lady Neptune comically banged her fists on the table.

"A-ah, Onee-chan! S-sorry, Nuit-san, she's acting like a child again…"

Okay now I'm not sure whether Nepgear is Lady Neptune's younger sister or her older sister instead.

"That's okay, I felt like I've been there as well…" I muttered.

"Anyway! Our friend Nowa here said that you have something to ask us, so spill the beans mister!"

Well, what Lady Neptune said is right, but X is the one who told Lady Noire about this… oh well, this is my chance.

"So… can I ask you about who you guys are? A-and I'm an amnesiac, so…"

"Amnesiac?! That's my trope!"

"Shut it, Neptune."

*Pinch!*

"Oww, oww, oww! Blanc, my ear, my ear!" Lady Neptune cried for Compa's help afterwards.

"Well, the four of us are the Goddesses of Gamindustri. Neptune here controls Planeptune, I with Lastation, Blanc rules over Lowee and lastly Vert hails from Leanbox." Lady Noire explained.

"Oh, I've been to Leanbox before. Talking about Leanbox, I really need to thank Miss Chika for everything." I said.

Lady Vert raised her eyebrows, "Chika? As in, Chika Hakozaki? How did you know her?"

"Well… I got into this trouble… and the Basilicom helped. Wait, you didn't know, Lady Vert?" now it's my turn to raise my eyebrows.

"W-well I have matters to attend…"

"….continuing where Noire stopped, those kids sitting near you is our little sisters. The Goddess Candidates. Nepgear is Neptune's younger sister, Uni is Noire's, and Rom and Ram are my twin younger sisters. Vert is the only one without a candidate."

"Hold it! I have my dearest Nepgear as my sister!"

"No, you hold it! She's mine!"

Uh huh… four Goddesses, four Candidates… I see now.

"Oh yeah, how can you guys change forms?" I asked.

"Well, my friend! We have this cool power called HDD!" Lady Neptune said, making a V symbol with her hand.

"With HDD, we could access our Goddess forms, changing our power level instantaneously. Think of it like a special upgrade in a RPG game." Lady Vert added.

"….More importantly, what did you use during our fight?"

Okay, that question from Lady Blanc sent shivers down my spine.

"Actually… I want to know that as well. You do too, right Nepgear?"

"Ah, yeah. Uni's right, I want to know as well."

Great, now everyone are staring at me, save for Rom and Ram.

"Huh? What are you guys talking about? Rom, did we missed something?"

"We didn't watch the tournament…"

Oh no, I don't know what to answer!

"Uhh… G-good question… Ah, who wants ice cream?!" I instantly shouted.

"Oh, me! Me! I want some!"

"M-me too!"

Nice! I knew it kids are so gullible! …not in that way.

"O-okay, ice cream for eleven people, coming right up!"

I stand up and left the girls who are still dumbfounded and ran to some ice cream stand.

"W-wait, I'll help!" Nepgear volunteers. That's nice of her. Huh, she's gullible as well.

For now I've evaded that deadly question. Not that I don't want to answer it, but I feel like they'll press harder on me about it if I left them unsatisfied. Eh, I'll just feed them off with ice cream.

"Hey there! How may I help?"

As I stand in front of the ice cream stand, the employee greets me with a warm welcome. Wait, is it me or does she have a tail? A-and are those cat ears I'm seeing?

"Oh, CC2-san! Hello!" Nepgear greeted the employee with a big smile. So, she's CC2?

"Oh, hey there Nepgear! So what can I help you guys with? It sure is a great time for a cone of ice cream! But Nepgear, I didn't think you got some hot stuff running after you~"

Wait, what did she meant by that? And why is Nepgear blushing?

"A-ah, it's not what you think! He's Nuit-san, a new friend of mine."

As if she's not satisfied, the cat-girl looked at me with her brownish green eyes.

"So, you're Nuit, huh?"

"Y-yeah, that's me." Why am I sweating bullets now?

"Haven't seen your face 'round here, my name is CC2, nice to meet you!" CC2 smiled as her tail moves around.

"L-likewise. Anyway, can we have eleven sundaes? Yeah, big number, so I'm sorry if it's a trouble." I really hope it's not.

"Aww shucks, it's okay! Eleven sundaes for them, coming right up!" She then took eleven cups with the same size before asking one of her friends to help her out. Coming from her tone, I guess she knew Lady Neptune and the rest?

"You're right, Nuit-san! CC2-san is a valuable comrade of mine, she helped me when Onee-chan is… that story is for another time, I think." Nepgear said, chuckling to herself.

Something's odd though, why did she look so sad during the last part?

Nepgear turned to face me, come to think of it, her face does look the same as Lady Neptune, and…

"Umm, Nuit-san? Can I ask you something?" Now her expression turned into a worried one? I can't completely tell whether her weather is ruined or not.

"Sure. What is it?"

"Were you the one… how do I put it… who sa-"

"Here ya go! Eleven sundaes, up and ready!"

Suddenly, CC2 came with a big smile, two big containers made of plastic on each of her hand, and it's transparent so I can see the cups inside it. Wait, why does Nepgear's face became even more clouded?

"Oh, thanks. How much is it?" I asked the cat-girl as I pull out my wallet from my handbag. Oh yeah, I haven't used the gun Lady Kurome gave me… I'm sure she doesn't care anyways. Well, I did pull it just to bluff around. But that's not the point.

"It's free." Now that's a shocker.

"C-come again?" Just want to make sure.

"It's free, as in you don't need to pay for them. Be sure to say hello for me to everyone!" CC2 said as she shoved the two plastic containers into my hands.

"T-thanks… and yes, I will."

"A-are you sure they're free, CC2-san? I mean, that's…"

Well yeah, Nepgear has a point.

CC2 waved her hands, "Ah it's cool. I heard that you won the tournament as well, Nuit. Still, Nep and the others are gonna be okay, they're Goddesses and all. But you looks like you're alright as well! Care to give some tips to little old me? I mean, using recovery potions are slowly hurting my wallet."

Hmm… what should I say?

"Uhh… I trained a lot… I guess?" hope that's a good answer.

Her eyes widened as if she remembered some key information for a murder case, "Ah, I see, I see! Thanks for the great yet simple tip! I'll train even harder from now on!"

CC2 waved at me and Nepgear as the two of us went back to the group. I look at the girl walking besides me. Her bright lilac hair flowing free, but it seems she's having lots of thoughts going on her head. Oh yeah, she also brought one of the plastic containers as well. But shouldn't they just use containers made from paper? They could be properly destroyed. I thought you needed three hundred years just to destroy one plastic.

"In Gamindustri, there is this thing where you could destroy the particles that made the item you wanted to destroy. Although it's made for large companies."

Woah, scary. But anyway, I think I should ask what Nepgear wanted to ask me.

"Hey, Nepgear, what did you want to ask me back then? You were trying to ask me the same question back at the tournament, right?"

She stopped her steps and looked at me.

"…."

"…."

What's with this awkward situation?!

"…It's nothing important. Let's go to Onee-chan and the rest, shall we?" She smiled once again at me, and continued walking.

Did I miss something? I don't know, but one thing for sure…

Her smile was different than usual, even I who just met her twice knew this much.

The group -including me- treats ourselves with the sundaes that was given freely by CC2. It appears that CC2 is very close to Lady Noire. That's new.

On my right, Rom and Ram are feeding each other with their ice cream. Ram with strawberry flavor while Rom's is bubblegum flavored. I gotta say, the scene I'm looking at is cute, heartwarming even.

"Sso, woo arr yuu ezakli?" Lady Neptune said, mouth full with I cream. Wait, I don't think that's the sundae that I gave her, is that… pudding? And what's with the weird language?

"Uhh… come again?"

She gulped down her pudding, "Oops, sorry! I said 'So, who are you exactly?'."

Ah, so that's the question.

I took a little bit of my ice cream with my spoon, then I ate it of course, "Hmm… I did tell you guys that I'm am amnesiac. Call this cliché, but I knew I needed to do something important." Oh, my sundae is toffee flavored. Nice.

Lady Blanc narrowed her eyes, "Like checking Noire's Basilicom and doing weird behaviors, for example?"

Woah, that statement hits hard. How the heck can I evade this question now?

"Uhh… weird behavior, I don't think that's a good way to put it… I'm just… sightseeing? Yeah, sightseeing! My friend needed inspiration, so the best way I could think of is to go to Lady Noire's Basilicom."

"…Hold it. So you're saying that you went to Lastation just for this friend of yours? You don't have any connections with some criminals, I presume?" Oh, great. She's pressing harder than before. I should pick my answers carefully.

And why does the other girls -safe for Rom and Ram- just stare at me?!

"Uh… I don't think so. I mean, if I do have one… wouldn't they immediately contact me? For example, throwing a brick that has a note written on it? Ah, sorry if that example made me sounded like a sarcastic person."

Lady Blanc kept on staring at me, and immediately clicked her tongue.

"Damn, you're good." Hell yeah!

"Blanc, you need to put a little bit of effort in cross-examine someone. I knew you've been playing overturn murderers for a while now." Lady Vert commented.

"T-that's not true!"

"Weirdo, your name is… Noo-weet, right?" Ram looked at me with a mischievous look. I don't like where this is going. Also seriously? I thought Nuit is a pretty easy name to pronounce.

"Y-you can call me Hikaru, if you want…"

"Bleh! I don't want to call you with your real name! Hmm… I'll call you… Dummy!" Oh Lord help me escape from this suffering.

"Ram, even though you're mad at him because he won, doesn't mean you could call him a dummy." Oh great, it appears Lady Blanc went full big sister mode.

"That's right, Ram. Truth be told, I'm quite interested in your fighting technique." IF spoke after a long time.

"I wouldn't call that a fighting technique. I'm just using magic to teleport a weapon into my hands." I then tried to teleport a pocket knife that is inside my pocket. The pocket knife fell on my hand immediately.

Neptune, Ram, Rom and Compa clapped their hands together. I understand Rom and Ram would be amazed, but Lady Neptune and Compa as well?

"That's so cool! You're like that one guy who is a great cook that must fight some alternate version of himself that travelled to the distant afterlife!" Lady Neptune, I really don't understand.

"A-anyway, other than the magic I used, I want to use my human rights to keep my mouth shut."

My statement made the four Goddesses in front of me looked at each other with troubled looks. Hmm, it's going to be harder, huh?

"L-look, I know I sounded very suspicious after that statement I just pulled outta my… hole, but there is of course a reason. I will say this again and again; I'm an amnesiac. The only thing I knew about my power is that it's related to my past and it will give me a massive pain rollercoaster after I used it too much. I… I don't even know my name is until someone mentioned it, and I definitely can't be much help for others, especially divine beings like you all. I guess I'll… I will excuse myself."

They all looked at me as I stood up.

"Umm…"

Someone pulled my now tattered parka slowly.

"Oh! Umm… Rom, was it? What can I help you with?"

She looked at her twin sister first before looking at Compa, then lastly her eyes met mine, "Y-you're bleeding a lot… A-are you okay, M-Mister?"

"Huh? Me? Bleeding? What are you-"

As my eyes looked at my chest area, just like what Rom said.

I'm bleeding. A lot at that.

"W-what the fudge?!" I really don't want to curse right now.

Why am I bleeding? I thought Grimoire healed me? And if there is a reason for me to bleed, why now? Why in front of them? Why can't I feel anything before Rom mentioned it? Hold on, Rom never looked at me, let alone glance at my direction. How was she able to?-

"Ah… I think I opened up my injuries… don't worry I'll be… fine… yeah, I'll be just… fine…" I slowly backed off from them, their eyes still followed me. Some of them has worried looks, while others are confused.

"So Hikka! We'll meet again right?" Compa asks me with a sweet tone.

"Y-yeah, if we ever crossed paths again… I'm sure of it, yeah."

"Oh, wait! Please take this! This is a good medicine my senior gave to me, just apply it on your chest and give it a time. And you shouldn't wear your shirt after you apply it, wait for… I guess a full two hours will do the trick! And if you have any herbal leafs, make some herbal tea so that you can be even more fit." She walked towards me as she took a kind of medicine and put it into my hand. But then her expressions changed into an even more worried one.

"E-eh? Hikka… your hand… it's cold… you should go to the hospital with me! Should I call the ambulance?"

"N-no, it's okay… really…

Now IF is the next one to come towards me, albeit almost rushing her way. Then came Lady Neptune and Nepgear. The others are… I see, they're still unsure about me.

"N-Nuit! You didn't do anything weird right?!"

"N-no! Well… I don't know… but hey, temperature drops are normal, right? We often do that sometimes."

IF glared at me, "No, you dummy! Your temperature is very low! How can you not tell your own body temperature?! Does it hurt if I do this?" She pinched my arm while saying that.

I shook my head, "N-nope, I didn't feel anything."

She then punched my stomach, "What about this?"

"S-still nothing…"

"Nepu?! I don't think plot armor works this way?! Hikaru, you should go home, apply the medicine Compa gave, and take a long rest! You have a friend that depends a lot on you, right?!"

I looked away from them. To tell the truth, I couldn't even tell which one is my friend or foe. Lady Kurome is still an unknown variable for my brain, and then there's Lady Neptune and Nepgear, the two Goddess siblings that I somehow saved from Lady Kurome, lastly Lady Noire and the rest. I really don't know what to do…

"Hikaru… you just need to believe in yourself! You're doing great so far!"

Grimoire's right. I just need to go with the flow.

"O-okay, I will, Lady Neptune. It is nice to meet you guys. I really hope I can help sometime. S-see you around…"

I walked towards the exit, still feeling the gazes of Lady Neptune and the rest. I zipped up my parka to hide the massive bloodstain on my chest. Seriously, this is going to be a pain… and also, somehow my chest feels very heavy right now, and my vision is blurry…

I walked my way to Virtua Forest, once again. Little did I know I'll get into some big trouble again later on.

---

The sun slowly retreated, birds flying towards their nests as if to get a break they all deserved. I'm on Virtua Forest now, but the strange thing is that there's little to no monsters, not even a smallest dogoo.

"Thrilling sunset, no?"

I stopped. Trying to look at the direction of the voice.

"It's been… yes, thirteen days, isn't that right Nuit?"

The one who is currently talking to me is Lady Kurome, with a hollow smile of hers.

"Y-yeah, I'm sorry for not telling you where I was, Lady Kurome."

She laughs at my response, like a sister teasing their little brother.

"Oh, don't worry. But, can I ask you something? Neptune has gone missing. I wonder where she is right now. Ah, that is for Arfoire to handle. I want you to do a little bit of extreme task to do."

I don't like where this is going…

"W-what is it?" I asked as I gulped.

"I want you…" Her hollow blue eyes met mine, and her hollow smile turns into a chaotic smirk.

"…to kill the Oracles. Then, you'll help me in my next step."

There is no air blowing up against us, but truth be told…

This is the coldest sunset I have ever felt in Gamindustri.

---

(Third person's POV)

While Hikaru was being confronted by Kurome, in an unknown place he doesn't know sat a girl on an unholy throne. Her expression is hidden by the shadows created by her bangs.

On her left and right, stood six cloaked figures, as if protecting the girl.

One of the cloaked figure spoke: "We have accepted you as our kind. Do not disappoint Her Majesty. We shall give you three times to prove yourself. You do know what you must do, correct?"

On the center of the room, roughly ten meters away from the throne is a certain cloaked person. The girl that followed Hikaru.

"…..Yes. I will not disappoint."

As the girl opened her hood, a mark in a bloody red color is visible on her neck.

Behind her is a robot that looks like a dragon, its red visors shines in the dark.

The girl on the throne stood up, and thus the cloaked figures kneeled down.

Her voice is deep, as if trying to hide her identity, "Welcome to the Retainers, S-Eyeless."

The girl, S-Eyeless, kneeled down as well.

"…Mission. Start."

The dragon roars, hearing its master.

{END OF CHAPTER TWELVE. SAVE THE PROGRESS?}

{YES} / {NO}

[First Arc "Trust" ended. Progressing to Second Arc．．．．．．]

A/N: Yo. StarKnight07 here. I'm really sorry that it took me a lot of time for this. There's no more information I want to talk about. Well, other than I'm going to point out the fact that I still can't write fighting scenes correctly. But I really, really thank you guys for this experience of mine. Really, I'm grateful. Oh, actually, there'll be two Arcs for this story. I've been thinking about it and so I have decided to use the idea.

Reviews are appreciated, be it critics, suggestions, or helpful tips. StarKnight07, signing out.

~Next chapter's preview~

"What do you mean by that?!"

"You are pathetic."

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…!"

"So you are the person Neptune's told me. Greetings, I'm Histoire. What is your name?"

Next Chapter: "The world's tome."