A/N: Hey, look at this. Something that halfway resembles an actual update schedule!

I do not own anything related to BlazBlue.

"Main event? Don't know what the hell you're talking about, but..." Ragna growled at the approaching man in black. Shit... you'd better get here soon, Tsubaki. Before Hazama could do anything, Ragna raised his right hand in a fist. "Restriction 666 released, dimensional interference field deployed! BlazBlue, activate!"

His arm erupted into darkness; he felt as though an energy current ran through his entire body. Snarling, he dashed at Hazama, fist drawn back for a fierce punch. "Let's go, you son of a bitch!"

At the last second, Hazama spun around and met the fist with a high kick. Smirking, he backed away. "Gotta say, that was a pretty spiffy invocation right there. Pretty spiffy, indeed. Mind if I try?"

He cleared his throat. "Restriction 666 released. Dimensional interference field deployed. Code S.O.L. BlazBlue, activate! Did I get it right?"

A circle of green runic symbols surrounded him and his hat blew away to reveal hungry yellow eyes, wide with sadistic glee. Ragna made a throttled grunt as he felt his own grimoire fail on him; the energy coursing through him simply died. Twirling his knives, Hazama grinned. "Close enough, I guess."

"You bastard! What the hell did you do?"

"It's really simple, Rags. I created the Azure Grimoire and can shut down your two-cent knockoff whenever I feel like it. But, hey, at least you still have that big, scary sword of yours... oh wait. You don't!" Hazama pocketed both of his knives. "I'm gonna have to give Platinum a little token of gratitude. A fruit basket or something. With your head in it, of course. I really don't see any need to use Ouroboros here. You know, sportsmanship. Well, come on, Ragna! Let's have some fun! Kehehehe-"

"Hell's Fang!" Although none of the Azure's energy came with it, Ragna still launched forward. His punch struck Hazama in the face mid-laugh and sent him bouncing against the Cauldron. He growled. "You might wanna rethink that, or I'm gonna kick the shit out of you!"

"Heh. Arrogant little doggy, aren't you? Come on and die, then!" Hazama stepped back, hands in his pockets, waiting for Ragna's next move. The criminal charged with a roar, knowing full well that this would be his last battle should Tsubaki not get there soon.

Tsubaki screamed, startled, at the contact and tried to pull her arm back out. The hand remained clenched to her wrist, but did not try to pull her in. Heart still battering against her chest, Tsubaki reached her other hand in and clutched whoever was inside. She pulled; whoever it was, he or she was rather light. A hand emerged from the mire, covered by an elegant white glove. Eventually, a young girl was pulled free. After dusting off her black dress, the girl rose, knee-length ponytails clinging to her body, drenched in some fluid as they were. "Thank you, Miss Yayoi."

"Huh? How do you..." Panting, Tsubaki took to her feet as well. The maturity of the girl's voice told Tsubaki she was not as she seemed, that she was far older than she appeared. "How do you know who I am?"

"That is of little consequence. I am Rachel, current head of the Alucard family. I have been trapped for some time now. Tell me, what is today?"

"It's... um, the 3rd, I think." Rachel? She glanced up at the girl's hair. Holding the ponytails in place were a pair of ribbons, sticking straight up. Almost like... "Wait, you're the one Ragna calls 'rabbit', aren't you?"

Rachel frowned. "I am. I do despise that nickname; take care not to use it around me. What is your relationship with Ragna?"

"Um... he's my friend. We've been traveling together for the last day now."

"...I see much has transpired in my absence. Nago. Gii. To me."

Reality ripped itself apart around the girl. Dark spots of oblivion formed, and from them, a large black cat and fat red bat emerged. The cat purred when it saw Rachel. "Oh, princess! Wherever have you been?"

The bat flew in front of her face, much to her annoyance. "We were really worried about you, princess! Really worried!"

After removing Gii from her sight with a backhanded swat, Rachel sat down on Nago. The cat had just enough time to turn into a chair. She glared at where Gii was flattened against a wall. "You are filthy; do not hover before my face like that again."

"...sorry, princess..."

"I must apologize, Miss Yayoi. I am rather tired; it would seem that the magic that bound me has left me somewhat drained as well. Should a mutual threat arise, I would be unable to assist you."

From against the wall, Gii murmured, "Wow, princess never apologizes to anyone. She must be really..."

"I didn't quite catch that, Gii. Would you mind repeating it so it may serve as impetus to sever your vocal cords?"

The bat shut up. Startled by Rachel's harsh treatment of the... creatures, Tsubaki made a mental note not to ever cross her. "Um, Miss Rachel? Do you need any assistance?"

"No, I think not. I have my servants to tend to me. Has Ragna headed for the top of this branch?"

"I... think so. He said felt something above us and went to check it out."

"I see." Rachel closed her eyes, a frown tracing her delicate lips. "Valkenhayn. I require your assistance."

Once again, the fabric of space warped into oblivion before spewing forth a figure; a tall, aging man in a luxurious tuxedo. He bowed, a startled look on his face. "Good heavens, milady! Whatever has happened to you?"

"I was ambushed by a phantom of our past, one you and Jubei should be quite familiar with. I shall deal with it in due time. In the meantime, there is something you must do."

"Certainly, madam."

"Locate Jin Kisaragi and bring him back here. If, as Miss Yayoi here says, Ragna has discovered the Cauldron atop this facility, I am certain Terumi is here as well. Miss Yayoi, please wait for Valkenhayn's return."

"Wait?" Tsubaki cast a worried look over her shoulder. "But if we wait, Ragna might-"

"I am fully aware of what may happen. Filthy, crude, cavalier beast Ragna may be, he remains perhaps the best hope this world has. It would be quite the tragedy if he were to die here. However, you could not hope to stand against Terumi; I very much doubt you could so much as injure him. We are already faced with the prospect of one casualty by Terumi's hand today; I should hope to avoid a second. Valkenhayn, return me to the mansion at once. I require rest and tea; I believe Gii shall be adequate for the latter."

"At once, madam." Valkenhayn placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and they, along with Nago and Gii, vanished the same way the familiars had arrived. Alone, Tsubaki stared down at the ground. She couldn't let Ragna die here; she would not stand by, waiting for some phantom hope. He needs me right now; no matter what happens to me…

She turned and raced towards the staircase.

Hazama snarled as he landed, the end result of a pair of midair punches from his foe. Across from him, Ragna dropped from the sky, his glare firm. Although Hazama hadn't yet struck him, Ragna could tell that he was still losing the fight. The circular field of the Azure's power surrounding him did far more to Ragna than his physical strikes did to Hazama. This is really goddamn bad... I'm not even hurting him in the least...

With a snicker, Hazama drew his knives again. "Well, this has been a pretty entertaining warm-up. But I really have to end you before a certain traitor gets here. Can't have her playing hero, now, can we?"

"Huh?" Ragna's glare intensified. How the hell does he know Tsubaki's with me? "I have no idea what the hell you're talking about."

"Well, gosh. Last I checked, one Tsubaki Yayoi entered the branch with you to stick her nose where it doesn't belong. Was I wrong?" Hazama cackled at Ragna's stunned expression. "Of course I wasn't! How long has she been traveling with you now? A day? At any rate, it's long enough to guarantee her execution. Too bad you'll have to miss it."

"Shut up!"

Fury took Ragna once more and he hurtled through the air to throw a punch at Hazama's head. The madman smirked at him. "Ouroboros!"

A chain, spearheaded by a serpentine head, lashed out and caught Ragna's neck. He expected to be dragged down to where Hazama stood. Instead, Hazama pulled himself towards the airborne rebel. Ragna saw the glint of metal... and then there was nothing but agony as twin blades swirled around him, a maelstrom of steel slicing apart his chest, his face, his stomach. Something impacted against his skull, throwing him to the ground and cracking the concrete. God damn it, what is with me and blows to the head today? After landing, Hazama reached down to lift Ragna by the collar. "Aw, does it hurt? Does it?"

He cackled as he planted a knee into Ragna's gut. Ragna grunted, but glared through the veil of blood seeping over his eyes. "...I'm gonna... fucking kill you..."

"Whoa, now! Such language! Maybe I should cut your tongue off so I don't have to hear that kind of shit." Ragna's response was to headbutt him right in the face. Dropping his victim out of shock, Hazama snarled as he went to stab Ragna. Instead, he received an uppercut to the jaw. Growling, Ragna held his stance, even if agony left him dizzy. Upon landing, Hazama hurled a chain, catching Ragna's shoulder and drawing him in. After kneeing him in the face, which came with the enjoyable feeling of Ragna's nose crumpling, Hazama clutched Ragna's throat once more. "Or maybe I should just gut you like a fish. Yes, that sounds perfect!"

The knife stabbed again and dug through Ragna's gut all the way to the spine. He cried out in anguish as Hazama pulled it out his right side and left a bloody trench in his abdomen. As if in afterthought, he hurled Ragna to the ground, content to just let him bleed to death. Well, shoot. I don't see Takamagahara letting this shift pass. Oh well, it's not like there's a shortage of them.

"Get away from him, you bastard!"

He whirled around at the sudden shout and slashed with a knife on instinct. Such a small blade couldn't hope to stop Tsubaki's rush. Her book-like shield overwhelmed it and bounced him back. After shaking his head, he found his fedora resting within arm's reach. He placed it back on his head and rose. "What is the meaning of this, First Lieutenant?"

"Don't play dumb with me!" Tsubaki dashed forward again; her strike glanced off Hazama's knives. "I saw what you did, and know who you are, Terumi!"

"Oh, my. So someone let the cat out of the bag." He sidestepped another slash, blade glittering as it cut Tsubaki's cheek. "Who was it? Ragna? That stupid cat? Maybe the shitty vampire?"

Tsubaki's book opened and an angel wing emerged. Hazama's knives blocked that as well. "How I know is not any of your concern. I'm not gonna be a pawn for you!"

"I'll say; you sure sucked as one." A green and black chain extended at an angle from one of his knives, and Hazama let Ouroboros carry him away from his opponent. "You had such a simple mission; get killed by Noel Vermillion so I could snatch her while she cried over your lifeless body. But no, you had to go and run around with Rags here. Pretty fitting nickname right now, don't you think?"

"I… was supposed to die?"

"Did I stutter?" Hazama smirked. Here came the best part; where he broke her spirit before killing her. "Yes, you were supposed to die like the garbage you are, killed by your best friend. Sent to death by the Imperator you worship. In the end, the prodigy of the Yayoi family was to be nothing more than a sacrificial lamb. Won't daddy be so happy to know that the pride of his life decided to run around with Ragna the Bloodedge instead of… wait a minute. You wuv Raggy!"

In spite of her building fury, the declaration startled Tsubaki. "I… I…"

"Kyahaha! Your face says it all! I'm sure you had big plans with him. May I offer you my congratulations, soon-to-be Missus the Bloodedge?" His maniacal grin took on a horrible edge, one of mockingly false concern. "Aww, wait, but won't you, like, have to marry a cousin or something? I mean, that's what the Yayoi family does, right? What a bummer."

"...Stop..."

"I would say brother, but you don't seem to have any. Hmm... How many possible siblings died in birth again? Two? Three?"

"Stop it..."

"Man, I can't believe a family could be so stupid. I mean, really. Inbreeding? Just for blood purity?"

"Shut up!"

"I hope you, ah, made it home with Ragna at least once, if you know what I mean. Because, you know, whoever you marry will probably be so damn frail, you'll snap them in half during-"

"Shut up about my family! I'm gonna-"

Hazama snickered. "Aww, you mad? I'm just asking. Really, First Lieutenant Yayoi, try to control your temper; I thought you were better than the feral mutt at your feet. Wait, no, I don't think you're gonna be considered part of that family of hicks after today. Hmm… First Lieutenant Garbage, then? Yes, that has a nice ring."

Eyes watering as she ground her teeth, Tsubaki prepared to charge him again. I can't let his barbs cloud my thinking; that's just what he wants. She kept her sword ready as she tried to quell the anger inside. Of course, it wouldn't die, but she managed to rein it in just enough. "I've heard enough; I will not allow your verbal razors to affect me any longer, Terumi."

"Really now?" Although his manic grin remained, Hazama burned inside. Shit, that backfired. I don't think even telling her about Noel would work now. "Well, shoot. I suppose that makes you worthless to me!"

The serpentine chain flew forward again and dug itself into Tsubaki's shield. He flew toward her, ready to rip her throat out with a single slash… With a snarl, she jumped into the air and crashed down against him as he landed, a dive-bomb that hurtled him back. "By the powers vested in me as a judge of Zero Squadron, I declare you an enemy of the Novus Orbis Librarium. My superior though you may be, I have seen your corruption with my own eyes. The sentence for your crimes is death. With blade in hand shall I deliver you to righteous justice and purge your taint from the Librarium!"

Hazama threw his head back and cackled. "Oh, man, do you ever actually listen to yourself? Do you have any idea how god damn cheesy you sound? Well, I suppose that's what watching shitty historical dramas will do to you. That stuff really rots your brain, you know."

He lowered his head. Beneath the brim of his hat, yellow eyes glowed with malice. "Let me tell you something, Miss Ya…my apologies. Miss Garbage. That 'justice' talk sounds real good and all, but it's really only applicable in movies, television, books, et cetera. But that's, you know... entertainment. Drivel to inspire idiots like you into trying to become heroes. Those people who think that fighting for such silly ideas as 'justice' and 'honor' will earn them a happy ending... well, I'll be blunt. They get too deep into whatever shit they're fighting and die. Horribly. Wanna take a guess what's about to happen to you?"

"Absolutely nothing; it's you who aren't walking away from this."

Hazama made a sound like a buzzer. "Ehhhh, wrong! Thanks for playing, but the correct answer is that I'm gonna start killing the shit out of you!"

With another cackle, he launched Ouroboros again. But not at Tsubaki. It struck Ragna's body to no response. Or at least, none from him. Before the chain had even retracted, Tsubaki roared and charged forward, a dome of light in front of her raised shield. She bowled straight over Hazama, who had no time to react as she continued the assault. A rising cut and a powerful slash served to throw him against the Cauldron again. He decided he was getting really damn sick of colliding with that thing. From the ground, he groaned and looked up to glare at her.

Only to find her dashing towards him again, Izayoi drawn back for a hack at the ground. The sword shape-shifted and extended as though it were a whip as she slashed. It wrapping itself around him before rising straight up like a spire. A flurry of blows followed, the last of which sent him to the ground; he was certain that it was the same diving attack she'd used before, just far stronger. Before he could move, he was caught in the whip-sword's blades again. Standing over him, Tsubaki raised Izayoi. "This is justice, Terumi! This is your end!"

The sword morphed into a staff and she swung it, a giant mass of light coming with it. Hazama cried out in agony as the energy scorched him, burning him from all directions. He lay motionless in front of the Cauldron, the circle of runes around him fading into oblivion. Panting, Tsubaki stared at him for several long moments. Did I… did I actually win? That doesn't matter; Ragna...

She raced over to where Ragna lay in a pool of blood. Tears well up at the sight of him covered in wounds and she knelt next to him and placed two fingers against his neck. "You're alive… thank God…"

To her surprise, Ragna grunted. "…Tsu… baki…?"

As she tried to wipe the blood from his face, she gave him a small smile, even if he couldn't see it. "It's going to be okay… I won. Come on, let's go…"

"You little bitch…" Tsubaki jumped at Hazama's voice and she turned to see him rising. No, it can't be… In spite of the rage in his voice, he didn't look angry in the least. In fact, he looked amused. "Look what you've done. You've ruined my favorite suit!"

I… I didn't even HURT him? Tsubaki stayed crouching next to Ragna and chanced a look at Izayoi. Despite the number of times she had slashed Hazama, there was no trace of blood on the blade. She stood up, mind racing. No, I definitely did damage... just not enough.

Chuckling, Hazama advanced, pulling his hat lower. "Did you actually think you won? You're even more stupid than I thought. Not even that shitty vampire can keep up with me right now!"

"I seem to have been able to keep up with you so far." She spoke with confidence, of which she felt none. There was no hope for her to win; she could only pray Valkenhayn and Jin got there soon. Which meant stalling for time. "Tell me something. What did you do to the soldiers stationed here? Why is the branch entirely empty?"

"Soldiers? Oh, those things. Why does it matter? It's not like we have a shortage of them. I sacrificed them to power that Cauldron behind me; a Murakumo doesn't just forge itself, you know."

So Ragna was right about someone messing with the Boundary… "You damn monster..."

"Monster? Surely you don't mean me. I mean, it's not like I decided to do it. The order came straight from our kind and benevolent Imperator. How does it feel to know that the person you've worshiped since childhood cares so much about her subordinates?"

"That… can't be…" In spite of her denial, Tsubaki knew full well he wasn't lying. Something clicked in her mind. I was supposed to pave the way for him to capture..." Wait a minute, are you planning on 'forging' Noel?"

"Ding ding ding! Look, folks, First Lieutenant Garbage does, in fact, have something that may pass as a brain! A round of applause for her!" Hazama clapped, loving the fury building in Tsubaki's eyes. "But why should you care? I mean, Noel's the last person you should give a rat's ass about."

"Noel's my friend. Not that a monster like you could understand."

"Friend? Really? She took your rightful place at Jin's side, despite being utterly incompetent, and you don't feel any jealousy?"

"She worked hard to get to where she is. Why should I be anything but happy for her?"

"Oh, man, if you only knew! What if I told you that she was never supposed to exist, that you should've worked under Jin?"

"I'd remind you that I'm not listening to you!" She raised Izayoi, finished talking. "And even if what you're saying is true, I'd still be a pawn in your game! But not now; not when I know the truth. I will be the one to purge your evil from this world. Begone, Terumi!"

"Oh, gotta say I never expected such arrogance from you! Well, you are the, ah, former prodigy of the Yayoi family. I suppose that has to count for something. Guess I gotta start taking this a bit more seriously."

He threw out Ouroboros, and Tsubaki raised her shield to block it, wondering if chains and knives were all Hazama had. The chain came to a halt in midair and Hazama swung in loop to come down from above her. She jumped back, but received several slashes to her legs when Hazama tossed a trio of knives. She stumbled from the pain but still blocked a low slash and dashed forward again, counting on the light surrounding her shield to plow straight through whatever defenses Hazama had…

Tsubaki's world exploded. She didn't see or feel the spinning kick to her chin. Numb, she realized she was high in the air, higher than the summit of the Cauldron. Something clamped around her face, cutting in deep. The chain that had found her yanked and slammed her to the ground. Groaning, she rolled over, vision swimming, hand still somehow clenching Izayoi. She noticed a figure lying next to her. Red coat, white hair, a lake of blood… Ragna. Adrenaline ran through her; I have to get him out of here, have to save him, have to get away from Hazama…

"Aww, how sweet. The lovebirds get to die together! Isn't there a play or two that end like that?"

Cackling, Hazama kneeled next to them. Izayoi's blade flashed and pierced his attempt to defend himself. As he bounced back, Tsubaki rose, tears flowing, heart racing, breathing heavy. The adrenaline pumping through her overwhelmed the pain and cut away the daze that threatened to cloud her mind. "Stay away from us!"

"Terror? I love it!" Hazama hurled another chain forward; Tsubaki ducked, watching to make sure he didn't come with it. He stayed where he was. "And no, I'm not going anywhere, Miss Garbage. Here, let's make this interesting. I'll give you a choice. I can let you live a little longer, if you don't mind watching me dissect your little boyfriend there. Or I can just torture you for a little bit and then kill you, sparing you the grief of watching Ragna bleed to death. Choices, choices..."

"Touch her and die, you son of a bitch!"

A figure in blue on a spiked board of ice crashed into Hazama. Tsubaki gasped when she saw his face. "Jin! You're here…"

"Get the hell out of here, Tsubaki!" Jin drew Yukianesa and placed himself between her and Hazama. "Forget my brother; I'll deal with him after I'm done with Hazama. Just save yourself!"

A chain launched at Jin, only to be caught by the mouth of a monstrous wolf, which ripped it away. The canine twisted and morphed. The sight of Valkenhayn made her gasp again. "My apologies for the delay, Miss Yayoi. Please leave this place at once. Jin and I shall deal with Terumi."

She nodded, but refused to budge. What if they lost? What if Jin simply took the opportunity to kill his brother? What if Ragna died while they were fighting? What if… Tsubaki reached down and tried to lift Ragna. She managed to pull him up just enough to trudge towards the stairs heading back inside the branch, not noticing that the plate on his grimoire glowed. She heard Jin call out to her, Valkenhayn add his own thoughts, Hazama presumably taunt her. All were mere afterthoughts next to getting Ragna to safety. Her progress proved slow and winding; the pain pulsing in her head kept her unbalanced, and whatever that green field around Hazama had been had sucked away her strength.

At long last she reached the stairs and an awkward step sent her tumbling down, Ragna falling out of her arms. Though bruised from the stumble, her only thought was to check on Ragna, make sure he hadn't suffered too badly from the fall. Another check of his pulse told her that he was somehow still alive.

After taking him in her arms again, Tsubaki resumed her slug-speed trudge out of the building. As she reached yet another set of stairs, a thought struck her. Why was she going so far to help him? Yes, she considered him a friend. How could she not after what he'd done for her? But to risk her life for such a hopeless cause…

She started down the staircase as slow as she could. She doubted either of them could take another tumble. Was it because without him, she would still be unaware of who Hazama really was? Or that Rachel considered him the world's best hope against such a demon? She nodded to herself. That should be it… but no. There was still more to it.

She caught another glimpse of Ragna; his wounds, his bruises, his lifeless face. The sight made her feel as though she had received every one of those cuts, and she broke into sobs. She could feel that her strength leaving her and she wasn't even close to being out of the branch. After reaching the bottom of the staircase, she collapsed to the floor, energy gone and adrenaline having run its course.

A voice inside screamed at Tsubaki; she had to continue on, she had to save Ragna, she couldn't succumb to her agony, she had to keep moving. Yet her legs were like stone, her vision blurred. Even before she collapsed, her sense of balance was near zero. As she lay next to him, a thought struck her, one strong enough to crush most of what remained of her spirit.

Ragna was going to die. He was going to die right next to her as she watched, unable to do anything to help. He had freed her from Terumi's snare and had consoled her when despair threatened to crush her, and there was nothing she could do. It took all her will, but she managed to sit up and pull Ragna into her lap, her tears growing stronger. Her arms, red with his blood and trembling from weakness, wrapped around him and pulled him as close as possible. If she couldn't save him, then she would consign herself to staying with him until the end, even as his weak heartbeat and shallow breaths tormented her...even if Hazama would end her life if he found her. She choked out a few words. "I'm… so sorry, Ragna…"

More words danced in her head, but she doubted she had the strength to utter them. Tsubaki sat sobbing, her face pressed against the ruins of his. She held some glimmer of hope that her energy would return, that she would be able to bring him to safety. But no, the pain just grew worse, her thoughts less lucid. Time went without acknowledgment as she sat there with Ragna in her clutches. Eventually she thought she heard voices. Was she going mad from the pain? She didn't even want to think about that. But no; the voices continued. A deep voice and… "Makoto…?"

Listening closer, she was able to make out the man's voice. "…for the delay, Kokonoe. We've reached the upper floors of the branch. No sign of Terumi or Makoto's friend."

Two figures came around the corner; Tsubaki recognized both. One face drew terror, the other joy. Makoto's eyes widened when she saw Tsubaki and she raced over to kneel by her friend. "Tsubaki! Are you alright? Did Hazama do this...?"

"…Yes…" She winced at the loud voice, not in any kind of condition to deal with noise.

Makoto's eyes drifted over to Ragna, still in Tsubaki's arms. "That's… that's Ragna the Bloodedge… Tsubaki, you and him…"

"That doesn't matter… please, Makoto, you need to get him to a hospital… or something…he's about to die…"

Tager stepped over to them and knelt as well. Tsubaki's fear of him evaporated as she looked into his sorrowful face. "You can't seriously expect us to take the Grim Reaper to a public hospital. Besides, I doubt he'd even survive long enough to receive help. I don't know how he's still alive with that kind of wound." "But… if we don't…"

Static interrupted her. An annoyed voice said, "Damn it, Tager, just take him to Litchi's clinic. I doubt she'll be happy to see you, but who gives a shit?"

"Of course, Kokonoe." Tager looked over at Makoto. "Do you know where Litchi's clinic is?"

"Uh, no? Who's Litchi?"

"That doesn't matter." Tager handed his radio to her. "Kokonoe can tell you how to get there. You're faster; you take Ragna."

"I hope that means…" Kokonoe's voice held a dangerous edge. "You're going after Terumi right now, Tager."

"Do you really believe I could defeat someone who nearly killed Ragna? This girl needs medical attention. I will take her to the clinic as well."

"Hmph. Fine. Do what the hell you want, you bucket of scrap bolts. I'll send Lambda over for cover. Get going, both of you!"

"Right!" Makoto lifted Ragna as though he were no more than a rag doll and ran back the way she came.

Tager's eyes returned to Tsubaki. "I see you're with the Library. I hope you don't mind if I assist you."

"No…not at all. I'm…not really with the Librarium." At least not anymore… As Tager's massive hands scooped her up, Tsubaki allowed herself to collapse from the pain. Her last thought was the hope that Ragna would be okay.