Miriam...

The word whispered across the arena. I charged forward and drew my Epi-Sword.

"Kuhn, I know you're in there! Now wake up!"

Magus lunged again, and I barely threw my arms up in time to block against it."Wake up dammit!"

I swung my sword as Kuhn passed by again. As the sword hit Kuhn, Balmung's Epitaph went into protect break, so I turned and Data Drained him.

Yata, I'm going to shortmail you when Kite falls. At that point, I want you to open the Arena again.

Why? Won't it be dangerous?

No... I'm going to make Kuhn dismiss his Avatar after he does, then Pi and Haseo will leave, and the match will resume.

Right... very well.

Kuhn and I continued our melee. Each time he came near, I would knock him back. Neither of us showed signs of fatigue. Kite though, was slowing in his attacks, but Haseo still hammered in blows, which meant I needed to knock Kuhn out of Magus.

But how... I wondered as I data drained Kite.

Sis, you ready?

Miriam?

Yup yup!

"Alright then, let's do it!"

There was a bright flash as Kaldeon rushed into Corbenik. Now, my Epitaph took it's real form.

"Okay, Data Splitter!" Miriam and I shouted together.

Kuhn's cry cut across the arena as his avatar fell.

"Eh? Well I don't know what just happened but it appears that... Oh my! Kuhn has stood up, this match is gonna continuuuue!"

"Yeah!" Alkaid cheered.

The crowds filed back in, confused, but excited nevertheless.

But apparently, the Avatar was only a distraction. With a hiss, Kuhn brought the AIDA twin blades back. And this time, he had the skills to back it.

"Pi, Atoli, Don't let the blades hit you! Just stay back and use your magic and skills to distract them."

They nodded and I charged at Kuhn.

Sharp cracks and clangs echoed up to where Miriam and Zelkova were standing.

"Woow, this is kinda cool." Zelkova whispered. "Say, how did you manage to power up her Epitaph without entering Corbenik?"

"I did... I sacrificed my old R:1 self to power him up."

"Wow, that's so awesome."

Miriam smiled. Zelkova reminded her so much of Kaden and Ella.

I winced as one of Kuhn's AIDA blades sliced along my arm. I continued fighting, but I watched the wound fearfully, as AIDA spread through it, and coursed up my arm.No... I will not let this happen!

I grinned, and raised my head in that defiant gesture.

"We're an equal match, Kuhn." I said it softly, trying to coax the real him out.

"Never... I'll...bring...her...back."

Kuhn stumbled for a moment and looked confused.

"Kuhn!?"

I ran forward, thinking that my plan had worked.

I was a foot away when suddenly, AIDA shot through my stomach. I gasped, and let out a choked cry.