Forty minutes earlier

There was something off, again, AGAIN!

Why couldn't the palace settle down for five minutes? She was already nervous as if she needed more pressure on her shoulder, seeing with the corner of her eyes, she waited for her response, Oboro eyes moved slowly but steadily, reading with such calm expression on her face.

She… smiled.

"Ok, this is…. unexpected…." Oboro said, returning the letter "Lady Mikoto was something else…. Geez….."

"….And?"

"And what?"

"You just said that you love him, and now you find out that i love him too, and you don't have anything to say?"

"Lady Hinoka, im sure you´re not showing me to provoke me, right? We have done a lot together."

"I just…. Felt wrong hiding this… from you… that´s all"

"And that´s why i don't want to be rash in this moment" She looked at the fake mirror, seeing how Reina was still caressing his head "For now, lets just focus on him, lets push away any kind of petty fight between us, right now, he needs us."

It was bad for him.

He barely had any strength left in his broken body; he thought that the energy pill he ate earlier would be enough to finish the work.

He didn't expect Reina to show up.

Even that stupid girl with the pigtails was nearly enough for him, his replica was fighting that knight, and even if it doubled her size and had three times the strength in its arms as one swing from Lord Ryoma strength, the fact that seeing with the corner of his eyes how that girl blocked the bashing fist with her lance to bounce back and hit the replica, it was maddening.

"Oh? Im boring you?"

Again with that smirk on her face and empty eyes, he barely dodged the blade to his head but the moment she failed, she quickly spin her Nagitana and hit his torso with the other side of it, it wouldn't be so devastating if each swing wasn't enough to shove him to another tree or rock, the sheer brute force broke his arms and ribs, using his scrolls he tried to attack, but the moment he raised his mechanical arm, Reina didn't hesitate and cut it in half with a diagonal cut, just to trust the head in the middle of it, destroying half of it.

He needed to end it quickly, but the raider wasn't making it easier.

In fact, that battle crazed woman enjoyed the fights, he saw who knows how many times she lost herself in the middle of the battlefield, but now her empty eyes deprived of any joy frightened him, there was no opening, there was no hesitance, not a single shred of sympathy, unlike the old Reina who moved through her training and code, her movements were more refined than usual, experience no longer dulled by the thrill of the battle, unlike Tsubaki, it wasn't a blind show of strength, it looked more like a dance of a martial artist.

Again, she thrust her steel against him.

A cut to his left feet, one to his good shoulder and using the end of the nagitana, she shoved him to the nearest tree, now he could feel how the ligaments of his feet were under such stress that he got numbed by the thrust, falling to the ground, Reina took a single step to jump, spinning and gaining force for the diagonal cut, again all he could do was to dodge the attack, losing part of his left ear, he couldn't recover as finally the steel was deeply thrust in his stomach, by instinct he tried to stop her with her bare hands.

"YOU´RE INSANE!" He screamed while she used both hands to force him to stand.

"I´m quite sure I said 'Merciless', right?" She smiled as sweetly as she could, now she finished impaling the man to the tree, making him scream in agony. The ground trembled, looking back, Reina could see how that girl was still fighting the replica "You were crazy enough to use the automaton function?" She glared daggers at Yukimura "How many you made?"

"JUST DIE WITH THAT BASTARD CHILD!" He screamed when Reina pushed forward her Nagitana, after she was sure the steel was stuck in the tree, she turned back to see the girl, she was certainly giving her all, but now they were getting away of their position, unsheathing one Kunai, she quickly stabbed his leg.

"DON'T MOVE ." She pointed him "Actually, nevermind, I won't give you the chance, if you take it off or walk like this, you´ll bleed until you're dead."

Peri for her side was struggling with that thing, certainly her newfound form helped her, she could 'feel' how Kamui guided her hand, a diagonal slash to hinder its movements, each time she had the chance to stab it she did it, but every time she delivered a hit that thing reacted, her new lance was sturdy enough to handle that oversized fist in exchange of some of her breath, now after roughly five minutes of constant fighting, dodging and stabbing, even standing in front of that thing was tiring, it wouldn't be a problem if that thing wasn't playing dirty.

Each time she needed to recover that thing tried to dash towards that fox girl, she didn't know what she was doing, but certainly she wouldn't it hurt Sylas, shoving something three times her height was wearing her out, and now she feels how her body was getting "dull".

"You´ve been doing a good work, sweetie, but we´re running out of time" Reina claimed as she took one of the Nagitanas around the bodies and threw it to the left leg joint "NOW"

Peri didn't hesitate, uppercut directly to its "neck", that thing was just a 'golem', slow and sturdy, way too slow for her speed, her lance pierced and managed to cut more joints in its chest, when it tried to counter, Reina moved to block the attack, the knight reacted and forcing her arms she deflected that right jab.

She didn't miscalculate that thing strength, it was simply the fact that Peri predicted that it would play rough with them at that point, before that thing fist connected to Peri´s lance there was a faint purple mist surrounding its arm, after that Reina could feel how it change the pressure in its motion, is it wasn't for the knight, she might as well said goodbye to her left arm for good.

"That thing is mean!" Peri shouted while both took a few step backs to gain some space and evaluate the situation, that thing was still moving but certainly not as fiercely as before, the moment they thought they could take a break, the joints of that thing fixed itself? Again, with that purple mist around the cuts, fortunately it wasn't working too well since the cuts "melted" together, like an old scar, but its mobility was affected.

"…We need to finish this quickly sweetie" Reina commented, seeing how the knight hold the line against that thing alone was impressive, but now they were dangerously close to the survivors, she could see how that fox girl was trying to help Takumi and the others, but now they were a few feet's away of each other, if that continued then there could be more causalities, and seeing how the petal-scales in Peri armor glowed and slowly shrank with each second, with her panted breath and trembling hands, the girl was reaching her limit, maybe she gained a boost with that armor or it might be the adrenaline of the moment, but there was no doubt in her mind that sooner than later she would fall for exhaustion. She glanced a Yukimura, he was still stuck in the tree, no matter how she saw the situation, going solo against that thing was a bad idea.

And just when she was about to dash forward, Peri fell to one knee, that thing took the chance and prepared to smash her with her fist, Peri supported her body with her lance and sprinted for one strike, that she could fix her position in such short motions was impressive, it was a feint? Reina prepared her stance to make sure that replica couldn't move to the injured people behind her.

Peri pierced its arm and with a quick spin of her body, she landed in its arm, she needed just a few steps and with a motion of her lance, she put all her strength in a single swing, that thing tried to shield its head, but the force was too strong and with a half-moon cut, Peri cut the replica body, Reina couldn't follow the speed of the strike, but seeing that the knight managed to deliver a diagonal cut from its neck to its torso, the sheer strength of that girl was outrageous.

Before falling to the ground, Peri kicked it to gain some space, landing at Reina side, however, this time she fell to her knees as finally the scales on her armor shrank 'inside' the armor, her lance as well shrank, Reina placed herself between her and the replica, that thing started to crumble in front of them, but it was Yukimura work, so she couldn't take the luxury to be sloppy.

"Ahh… Ahhh…. Lord Kamui" Peri sobbed "I…. this time….i…. I made it…. Thanks to you….." Was she crying now? Reina couldn't look back, but there was some angst in her voice "I DID IT! I…. protected someone precious to you…. Next time…. Next time Peri will…. Protect you…." She coughed, Reina quickly checked on Yukimura one last time before turning back, the girl coughed several times, last cough was filled with blood. "Ha…. Peri is…. Not feeling so good"

"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DO, ITS OVER!" Reina looked back at Yukimura who was laughing "NOT EVEN SOMEONE CLOSE TO THAT MONGREL CAN RESIST HIS VICIOUS STRENGHT, EVEN IF HE LEND SOME OF HIS POWER, SHE´S DONE FOR!" he laughed "THE SAME I´TS GOING TO HAPPEN TO HIM! HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE LEFT? A MONTH? YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A WEEK" He groaned, still with blood in his mouth.

"How strange, this dead man talk too much" Reina injected, walking to him, he just glanced again at the destroyed replica, to think that he went that far is was unthinkable, but fortunately all what that knight needed to stop that thing was that impeccable strike, not even in her steed could land such fierce hit "You´re alone, I don't see any use for you"

"I..Im not the only one alone" he laughed "You left that mongrel alone as well, didn't you? Right now…. Without that orb, he must be on the brink of his despair, I won't… be surprised if he kills himself by now…. You chose wrong Reina, you have killed that mongrel" he laughed still pained for the Nagitana in his gut, Reina stared coldly.

"Are those your last words?" she replied "Its time to end this charade, for good" with one swing she aimed for his head.

Finally, it will be over.

Thirty minutes earlier.

"Are these reports correct?" Reina inquired, the young maid couldn't look at her eyes, she trembled under her presence.

"Aye ma'am, according to the guards, Lord Takumi was sighted outside with Silas and Peri, we´re already preparing a scout team to recover Lord Takumi, but…." She doubted what she was about to say "…but… Lord Ryoma ordered that you needed to go."

"Excuse me?"

"L-Lord Ryoma said that you´re the best option, there´s been movement lately, and some of the reports from Saizo points that there might be a chance that Takumi it´s trying to reach Yukimura, and with our guests gone…."

That girl words were lost on her, did the ambassadors betrayed them? Maybe it was another of Takumi´s plots? No, she couldn't focus on that, there was another important issue, Oboro was behind that girl with Hinoka, both probably joined for the sudden ruckus, and for their faces, maybe they were worried for the same reason as her, hearing those weak footsteps behind her, she feared what could happen.

His mental health was already declining in the past few days, she expected another fall, that he might break again.

"….Mother….." She turned to see him, there was no anger, hate or discomfort, but sheer distress on his face.

He was tired, and stumbling he fall to her feet, she quickly tried to help him but when she placed her hand on his shoulder, he gently pushed it away, instead he pressed his forehead against the floor "…Please…. Don't let them die….." he pleaded "they… they might all I have left…. My precious friends….." his voice was broken as he refused to stand "please…. i… I wont… I wont go against your wishes, i´ll do everything you want… I don't even have to see them; I just want them to be safe!" he cried, Hinoka and Oboro kneeled aside of him, trying to make him stand, but he refused "Please…. They… they might be all what I have left… the last one of my friends…. My… family…." Reina bit her lip, she gently caressed his head.

"….." She stood firmly, startling the young maid "i´ll be back as soon as possible" she reassured him "Please, take care of him" said to the girls who nodded, their response was stiff, she just left the room without looking back.

"E-excuse me!" The kitsune girl spoke "Im going with you!"

"Ma'am! Please wait! We need to meet them at the barracks! You cant just go your way!" The maid followed them, nervously trying to go against whatever Reina was thinking. It wasn't just the fact that she interrupted their time together, but the real reason behind her demeanor was that she hated the idea of leaving him behind like the others did, even if she wanted to stay, this was a direct request from her precious child, her face reflected the hatred to be forced by Yukimura or Takumi to leave his side for their pettiness, maybe that was the reason for Oboro and Hinoka stiff response, but it didn't matter at the end.

The single fact that Kamui was so distressed made her blood boil in rage, that his plead was so 'out of place', that he had to act like that, kneel for the life of his dear ones? She would strike down anyone who tried to stop her, it was only fair to take the head of anyone who made him act like that.

She wont let happen the same mistake twice, unlike the last time everyone failed him, she wont let his light die.

…..

He struggled for the next fifteen minutes; it was until he couldn't hear any sound outside his room that he accepted to stand up.

Oboro managed to guide him to the bed, he was still shaken for the news, Silas and Peri were there? Why nobody told him? He tried to keep calm and think, but those thoughts were tormenting him, he didn't want to think in the worst-case scenario, but thinking that Silas and Peri could join her, it ache his heart.

"No, calm down… they…. They´re fine… mother will….." again another memory surfaced, not Reina, but Mikoto, again at the plaza, how he felt useless, AGAIN.

"Kamui, you´re shaking" Hinoka commented as his right, Oboro just held his hand on his left "Reina will take care of everything, now we just have to wait….."

"I… I know…. but…." He stood, he couldn't handle not moving, he started to walk side to side in the room, moving his arms frantically "Im thinking out loud… but im worried about Silas… hes…. He´s my childhood friend back at Nohr, he´s loyal and adamant in his beliefs, Peri in the other hand it´s one of the best girls I know, but even if she´s so strong, she can be erratic if she´s stressed or in a bad mood, to think that they´re here without seeing me….. they….."

"Peri… she´s…. your best 'girlfriend' as she said?" Hinoka inquired.

"I… I suppose?" Kamui didn't get the idea, he scratched his head sighing "Peri was special from the start, there aren't a lot of nobles that would appreciate her ways of speaking, her tongue may be sharp sometimes, but she´s truly a caring friend….i…." he chuckled "I guess that´s why she was jealous of Silas for being my 'best friend' back in Nohr"

"Ahh… wait… then… she´s your best 'female friend' and not a 'girlfriend'?"

"Hinoka, you´re not subtle at all" Oboro thought, feeling a little guilty for not stopping her, but Kamui had to vent some steam if he wanted to calm down, whatever it takes to cool his thoughts.

"Uh? Shes my best girl friend, why you say that? i…." He stopped walking, his face was red as he finally realized what she meant "Wait…. Girlfriend? NO! She´s a dear friend! A close one, but that´s all! Why is happening this again?!"

"Again?" Both girls asked at the same time.

"Yes, AGAIN" He groaned "Back in Nohr, there were times when Silas, Xander, or Lazlow tried to… incite us…. There was even a time when they prepared a date for us, I admit that we´re close, but both agreed that even if we care from each other deeply, there are no romantic feelings between us….i don't understand why it keeps happening, its so weird?"

"Well… no, she said that she was your best girl friend….. and that means….."

"Lets just…. Drop it, she´s a friend, she´s a girl, she´s not my girlfriend and among my friends, she´s my best friend among the girls" he sighed. "I´m just… thinking out loud… but what if…."

There was still that faint feeling inside him, he was glad to hear they survived, but why only them? Garon did something to them? What about the others? What about Felicia, Jakob and Flora? His friends, his family?

He needed to focus, talk about something else, he turned to see them, but there was that feeling again.

Out of nowhere, seeing at the window, that feeling from his guts moved to his chest, cold and sharp, he could swear that at the back of his mind Elise screamed, her voice clear and loud but at the same time distant and faint, a false thought? His legs and arms numbed by that scream, his stare was stuck in that window, there was something off, not that it was a uncommon or strange feeling, but a known one, again another sharp and cold pulse inside him, a void in his stomach and coldness in his chest, the same feeling he experienced every time he had to face Garon judgement, the uncertainty of not knowing if he was prepared for any battle, the same pain he felt when Elise fell sick.

His vision wasn't blurred, but he couldn't understand what was going on around him, he was still staring at the window, he knew he hasn't moved but strangely it was getting bigger and bigger, it was like if he was walking toward it.

Again, that coldness in his heart appeared, this time it remained, something was happening, but it wasn't Yukimura this time, it couldn't be him, there was no shadow, hallucination or whisper around, it was something that happened just for a thought he had when he heard the news.

Would he lose what was close to him again?

It was until he hit the floor that he realized how fast his heart was beating, curling, and holding his chest, how he could ignore that? His breath turned rough and painful, the more he tried to take air, the harder it became.

He couldn't understand why his heart was about to jump outside his chest, it was painfully slow how the time passed around him, he closed his eyes trying to think what was happening, what he did wrong?

"You won't break apart" Oboro voice sounded close him, he didn't notice when her arms were around him, rubbing his back, his head on her shoulder as she quietly and tenderly hold him close "I´m here, you´re here, and that's all what you need to think right now….." she didn't tightened her hold, but strangely, it felt like it got stronger as weird it could sound. "You wont break apart, im here to hold you"

Something warm started to fade away that coldness inside him.

As his heart calmed down, he started to realize what was going on around him, how she wrapped that same blanked around them, how they were leaning against the wall, how Hinoka was worried and how close were both to him.

"haaaaaaaah… i…. " his heart was still beating faster than usual, but certainly calmer than before, he waited until he could breathe normally "… thank you….."

"Wh-What happened?" Hinoka inquired, still worried "Yukimura again?"

"Just a nasty panic attack" Oboro replied, still rubbing her cheek against his head.

"…." Hinoka was stunned, everything happened so fast, with barely time to react, it was insanely abrupt. "…..how… did you…."

"…. There are times when…. I remember these….. sometimes you can talk about it, but for what I see…. Would you like to remain like this, Kamui?"

"….i…. I need to lie down….." Oboro nodded, and carefully helped him, still rubbing his back.

"….."

"….You know, there are no magic words" Oboro said, seeing how troubled the princess looked "Sometimes, all what we need is to stay at others side to help them"

Hinoka stared at her for a moment, and she just shrugged her worries for the moment, lying down at his side, she held his hand with her head on his shoulder, remaining silent for the time being.

"I hope you keep your word Reina" Hinoka thought "We can afford to stress him more…."

….

He moved as quickly as he could, there was barely time left, the guards and priestess were short in numbers, Lord Ryoma had to join the group to provide support. After all that time, finally the impertinent prince showed up, but he never guessed that Yukimura was at his reach, moving as fast as they could, he had to leave his master behind, strange tremors in the area worried him, to think that the signal was so far away but he could still feel the battle as if he was next to it, Saizo couldn't believe such absurd raw power.

Just when he arrived, the scene in front of him was unnerving, he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what happened there, but seeing how Reina was preparing for the final strike, he couldn't wait for answers.

He managed to intervene in time, using both hands he was dragged a few step backs before he could properly deflect her attack, he knew Reina prime strength, but forced to use all what he had in a simple motion, a simple swing of ONE arm thrust, she was stronger than her prime, it was delusional trying to stop her by force, seeing her face, disgust and anger showed when their gaze met.

" . " She spat, he could feel the pure hatred in her words, she didn't wait for his reply, she pulled back her Nagitana, took him out of balance, grabbed him from his collar and in a swift movement lifted him up and slammed him to the ground with tremendous force, before he could react, Reina pushed him down with her leg and arm, taking his dominating hand and forcing it to bend backwards, Saizo contained his scream, one final push in the correct direction, he could feel how now his hand was numbed by the sheer pain.

"Im will not be so kind next time" Reina said, standing up and preparing to continue, before she could react, Saizo restrained her using some kind of wires that tied her in place, Reina sighed and just forced her way to Yukimura, normally that trap would be effective against a single opponent, but Saizo was overwhelmed.

Reina stopped hearing the footsteps around her, several guards appeared, surrounding her and pointing their nagitanas, she looked back and Selkie was still checking on the fell guards and friends, as her, she was surrounded by a group of guards, but not from the Palace.

"Reinforcements?" Reina whispered, "They came to help? To who?"

"That´s enough Reina" Ryoma stated, coming from the shadows at the back, another group appeared behind him, priestesses, diviners and some of the castle knights "It´s over."

"No, not yet" even if Reina said it in her usual sweet tone, it made them shudder how she smiled "He´s still breathing, s-" Several ninjas appeared around her, trying to hold her in place, even with six people holding her and Saizo wires, she didn't show any sign of giving up "You´re making a mistake."

"I would like to think im saving a dear friend from making something outrageous" he replied "He needs to face justice, and w-" Reina rolled her eyes, headbutting one of the ninjas and with a few jabs to the others, even if one of them took away her nagitana, she took one of their Kunais and threw it to Yukimuras 'good' arm, he was stopped in place as others ninjas appeared and restrained her, eight people just to make a old woman fall.

"YOU´RE NOT AWARE OF WHAT HE CAN DO!" Reina shouted "AND DEFINETLY IM NOT LETTING HIM HURT MY CHILD AGAIN"

"Reina, y-" Selkie and Sakura hurried to get between them.

"You can't do that to her, you really need her if you want to help Lord Kamui and the others "She puffed her cheeks "If you're a bully, I won't help either!"

"B-Big brother…." Sakura looked disappointed "… r-release her! If it wasn't for her…. we could´ve lost everyone here…."

"Sakura?" Ryoma sighed "We have finally apprehended him, there's no need for further violence, her task was fulfilled, now we can bring him to justice, it´s o-"

"You don't get it?" Reina replied "There´s no such thing as 'justice' at this point, he has done way too much damage to all of us, its not about 'good' or 'evil', there's not such think as righteous here, its quite simple" She started to stand, even with all the people trying to push her down "Retribution, old-fashioned, bloody and gratifying retribution, that´s all that can be here."

"Reina… you have….. forgotten your vows?" Ryoma inquired.

"Don't you dare to question me at this point, none of you have that right."

"R-Reina… I c-can´t know how you feel, but even if this disgust me…. We still need that man, to try to undo all what he has done…" Sakura remarked.

Reina frowned, seeing how the girls tried to defuse the situation, she just shook her head "….it's a mistake"

Sakura sighed relieved, not sure if she wanted to test her luck, as the priestesses approached and started to help everyone, she couldn't help but worry, seeing Takumi, Silas and Peri state, there was barely anything she could do.

"It´s ok!" Selkie said with her hand on her shoulder "We can help Lord Kamui now! We have the bad guy, so there´s nothing to worry about."

All what Yukimura could do was watch, how a priestess approached to help him, watch and smile.

"Even when you win, you lose" he thought "Its game over once I set foot in the palace….."