Wisps of smoke continued to rise slowly from the crater, the remnants of final attack of the battle still making itself known to those within it.
A battle that had just come to an end, and the culmination of over a month of hardship, sorrow, suffering, and nonstop training.
And against all odds, and through the effort of everyone involved, it ended with a victory. The malignant force responsible for recent events had been completely vaporized along with everything else, leaving behind nary but a remainder of its existence.
But...celebrations had to wait.
Because even though they had successfully surpassed a power more overwhelming than anything they'd ever faced…
...It still reared its ugly head in more ways than one.
The tension in the air was palpable. So much so that it could be sliced with a knife, or in this case, blown away with a single gunshot.
The dozens of agents surrounding the wielders' position in the center of the crater remained umoving; they simply waited for a single command from their superior. One command that will cause all hell to break loose in a far more human way than before.
A way that would definitely leave bodies behind.
Chris and Kirika carefully placed Miku and Hibiki back on the ground while Tsubasa continued to glare at her elder from across the distance. Acting slowly and carefully, the two approached the fallen agents and removed their black coats, uncaring for their current state. Meanwhile, Maria and Shirabe watched carefully as each of the dozens of agents moved their arms to their holsters, hovering close to the loaded guns waiting to be fired.
"Chri-" Miku tried to speak, but before she could say anything the white haired wielder put a finger to her lips, forcing her to be quiet. Anything could set the agents off, and they'd only know how to proceed once Tsubasa confronted the Kazanari elder who had appeared out of nowhere with his entourage.
Following this, Chris and Kirika draped the coats over the two naked girls, protecting their modesty from the gazes of the men and the cold night. Maria's careful stare eventually landed upon Chris, and the Ichaival wielder gestured silently towards the two fallen men's holsters.
And to the guns resting there, waiting to be used.
Maria's eyes widened, immediately understanding Chris' implication. She was about to voice her refusal when Chris suddenly narrowed her eyes.
'We have to.'
That's what her purple orbs were saying. Biting her lip in frustration, Maria stared down at the fallen agent that Kirika had knocked out.
'If things go south, we might have to use them.'
To think they'd get to their ugly point like this…
But right now, there was only waiting for Tsubasa to somehow get rid of them.
"You've arrived quickly, Grandfather," The blue haired wielder suddenly said, the first person to speak up out of all of them. "What is your purpose here?"
It was indeed somewhat of a mystery to her. They'd barely just finished the fight and he was already here? How was that even possible? Was he lying in wait the entire time, looking for the chance to show up?
"You know very well what I've come here for, Tsubasa," The elder answered. "I've come to claim what is mine."
Tsubasa narrowed her eyes. "What is yours? I must ask for an explanation."
"I did not raise you to be a fool, Tsubasa," He said, causing his granddaughter to clench her teeth slightly. "I've allowed you to do as you pleased in order to eliminate the threat that was posed to our country and humanity, and I've allowed you to act without restraint in the matter. Now that the danger has passed, I've come to lay claim to what has been agreed upon: the vessels for the divine power."
Tsubasa's eyes widened. "The vessels...for the divine power?" She repeated to herself. Hurriedly, she glanced back behind her to her comrades, eyeing the unconscious Hibiki and the debilitated Miku.
He was...trying to take them? But why?
"You already know that answer to that, Tsubasa," Fudou said, somehow reading her mind and forcing her gaze back to him. "That power is not one I can simply ignore. It has proved itself to be mighty, and such a tool will be useful for the sake of our goals. I will not allow it to fall into the wrong hands again."
'The wrong hands?' Tsubasa wondered to herself. 'And you are claiming yours are right?'
She didn't believe it for a second.
"With the divine power in our grasp, Japan will become the strong nation it needs to become. With the threat the Americans pose, we must answer them with overwhelming force, and that is something the divine power will provide. The vessels will become the embodiment of Japan's might, and will bring to heel all those who dare oppose her."
His explanation was so outlandish to her ears Tsubasa wanted to facepalm in frustration.
But she couldn't, because knowing him he would definitely make that into a reality somehow. However…
"Unfortunately Grandfather, the divine power is gone. It can no longer-"
"Is it now?" Fudou interrupted her. "Then you may need to look more carefully, Tsubasa."
He briefly gestured with his chin to the sky, and finding herself confused she followed his gaze.
And her eyes landed on the one thing she realized she should have noticed way earlier.
It just hung in the air high above them. A cloud of golden sparkles swirled in place at the spot where the two fighting wielders were struck by the light.
The sight jogged her memory, bringing up Saint-Germain's debriefing to her mind. That's right, the alchemist had said that the Shenshoujing could destroy the curses, which it did. In fact, it destroyed the curses, Gungnir, and even itself.
But not the divine power. The concept could not erase it, and as a result of losing its anchor to the two girls it was ejected out of them the moment they were struck. It now hung in place, just like it did way back then in the battle against the Divine Weapon, waiting to be claimed.
It could not disappear on its own, so right now it could be grabbed by anyone that desired it.
And Fudou eyed it very greedily.
Now that she thought about it...where was Saint-Germain? The woman was not in the crater with them, having disappeared after she landed the decisive shot on Hibiki's spear. If anyone knew how to get rid of the divine power, it would be her.
Or...they could claim it themselves, Tsubasa realized. They could keep it away from Fudou's hands by binding it to the two anyway, and use it to keep him in check.
The thought however very quickly left her mind, and she was horrified at herself for even considering it. It was exactly what he would do, albeit slightly differently.
She could not allow herself to think like him.
She kept on glaring at him as he continued speaking. "Do you understand now, Tsubasa? Then if you remember your duty, you will do as I command…"
Her eyes widened.
"...And step aside."
It was a declaration that put the wielders on immediate high alert. Maria stared at her partner's back worriedly, unsure of how she'd respond. She knew Tsubasa took her duty very seriously, and was essentially bound to Fudou's will by her family connections.
That's why...she wasn't sure what was going to happen.
"Force your comrades to stand down, and bring the two vessels over to me. If you do not, I cannot guarantee the safety of everyone here, or the safety of the Section."
So that's how he wanted to play this.
Tsubasa's eyes darted left and right as she studied the agents, carefully looking at the arms hovering over the guns hanging around their waists.
The madman would actually order his men to open fire on them should she not comply?
He dared to threaten her comrades in order to make her obey?
"I do not see how this is relevant to me, Grandfather," She said back to him. "There was no agreement to hand them over that I am aware of, therefore I am not bound by any duty to comply."
"Then you seem to be in the dark, Tsubasa," He answered. "Genjuro has already agreed to do so."
The wielders' eyes widened in shock. Tsubasa raised her hand to her earpiece, and was about to ask the commander what the elder meant.
Only for his voice to ring out in the ears of everyone in the area, communications having been connected to all suitable devices. "An arrangement was indeed made, Tsubasa," Genjuro said, his voice slightly distorted. "However, I never agreed to anything, Father. You made the decision on your own."
He was making sure they all knew that he had no hand in this, Tsubasa realized. He was making sure their faith in him was not shaken by Fudou's words, for indeed it was the elder who made the decision, not anyone else.
However, his decision was not without influence behind it. It was Fudou after all, and the old men in the cabinet constantly bent over to his whims in order to get him on their side.
She loathed to admit it, but for all intents and purposes Fudou was the one who ran the country. The prime minister? The emperor? Mere figureheads to soothe and control the people. No, it was Fudou who made the decisions, Fudou who sent out the orders, and it was Fudou who led the country to where it is now.
And should he achieve his ambitions, it was entirely possible the entire world would be under his thumb, with the two girls acting as his puppets and enforcers. Two girls wielding power no mere mortal should ever wield, and he could use it to make all the nations of the world bow to him.
It was a frightening prospect, made all the more horrifying by the fact that it wasn't so ludicrous to believe. It was entirely possible it could come true.
And the only thing standing between him and that outcome were the five wielders, currently depowered and unable to access their wide range of abilities.
"It matters not, Genjuro," Fudou said, narrowing his eyes. The man had not move an inch from his spot on the edge of the crater's rim, standing slightly closer than the rest of his men. "You should know as well that this is an opportunity we cannot pass up; the both of you know your duties very well, and you will act accordingly. Your petty attachments are not even an afterthought in the grand scheme of things."
He was no longer asking now.
"So I will not repeat myself: hand them over, or face the consequences."
Silence fell on the crater, the tension rising. Sweat poured down Maria's brows as she waited for everything to erupt, or perhaps for the heartbreaking moment that Tsubasa would turn on them and take Hibiki and Miku by force.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Genjuro was forced to cave in first. "...Very well," He said, shocking the group. "Tsubasa...you know what has to be done."
The girls clenched their fists tightly, not believing their commander was giving the order. They understood logically that he had no choice in the matter, but it was still astonishing that he'd go through with it.
With Genjuro out of the picture, all that was left was Tsubasa. She was the final barrier that Fudou had to face, as the others were not even worth considering in his eyes.
Maria and Chris remembered it vividly, the night he had boldly proclaimed he saw them as nothing but tools. Less than humans, machines, to be used until they broke or until they were no longer needed.
And if he got his way, they really wouldn't be needed. There was no threat in the world that could possibly stand up against the divine power, not even the Alca-Noise. The Symphogears would be a thing of the past, and their role would be at an end.
So whether they lived or not was none of his concern. All he needed was the two vessels and the divine power, that's it.
In Kazanari Fudou's eyes, the Symphogear wielders were expendable, and were to be replaced by something far more effective and powerful.
All of that Tsubasa understood in an instant; she was after all keenly aware of his way of thinking, the super pragmatic and no-nonsense attitude he took to everything. He cared not about what anyone felt about it, for feelings were irrelevant. All was for the sake of what he believed to be the 'greater good'.
And so, Tsubasa thought. She thought long and hard about what she should do, her mind churning for an answer. One part of her cried at her to obey his command, the part of her that remained deeply rooted in her heritage and training, the part of her that believed she was a sword. The part of her that she had struggled with for a very long time, especially after the day Kanade died.
Which brought to mind the other part of herself that vowed to resist. Her eyes darted downwards, and at that moment she remembered what it was she was holding in her hand. Kanade's spear reflected a tiny bit of the light shining on the group, and she gazed at it thoughtfully, as if trying to hear what it was saying to her.
For this was the last thing Kanade gave to her, along with some very important choice of words.
Despite the difference in status, age, and influence, the girl stood before him defiantly, challenging his authority.
This memory of Kanade was burned in her mind, reminding her what she stood for.
And along with it, the promise she had made with the black haired girl, and the heartfelt request she had made to her.
'Please, let me have my sister back.'
Yes, there was no use even contemplating on the right course of action.
They were family, first and foremost.
The family that Tsubasa never truly had.
And the family she was not willing to lose, no matter what.
She turned around, and her eyes met the gaze of the other four wielders. Their eyes widened in brief surprise as she looked between them, wordlessly conveying to them her intentions.
The four nodded, and Chris smirked slightly. Turning her head back around to face Fudou, Tsubasa clenched her grip around the handle of Kanade's spear tightly. "That's right, I know what has to be done," She said. "You are indeed correct, Grandfather. I remember my duty very well."
He narrowed his eyes further, judging her words in his mind.
"And I made an oath to uphold that duty no matter what, for it is what defines me in my entirety,"
"Then you know what you have to do." Fudou said.
She nodded. "Yes, I do indeed."
Silence fell once again, and a light breeze swept through the open area, rustling hair and clothes alike.
A glint appeared in Tsubasa's eye.
At that moment, several things happened at once.
She moved, her feet pushing against the ground with unparalleled force. At the same time, Shirabe and Kirika threw themselves on top of Miku and Hibiki respectively, draping themselves over the two and covering their bodies with their own. Miku yelped in surprise, and in sync with their juniors Maria and Chris hurriedly pulled out the guns from the holsters of the two fallen men, taking aim.
The sound of drawn steel alerted Fudou's men, and they hurriedly drew their own guns from their holsters and took aim at the wielders, prepared to open fire.
Only for one of them to be missing entirely.
In a move that seemed to be instantaneous, Tsubasa charged and rose up the side of the crater, making her way to Fudou at blinding speeds. The elder could not respond in time to her act, as she was much faster than him.
The man found himself glued to the spot, staring down at the form of his granddaughter.
And at the sharpened steel of the spear she was holding, pressed against his neck.
The men closest to Fudou immediately turned, aiming their guns at Tsubasa. The rest kept an eye on their targets inside the crater, facing down the firearms Chris and Maria were holding. Maria had only ever used a pistol once before in her life, while Chris was familiar enough with them due to her speciality.
The tension multiplied a hundredfold as it now became a standoff between the two sides. Dozens of guns aimed at them, Maria and Chris stood valiantly against Fudou's agents, holding guns of their own. Kirika and Shirabe used their bodies to cover as much of Hibiki and Miku as they could, doing their best to guard them against any gunfire that might make its way to them.
No one moved. Inwardly shocked at his granddaughter's resistance, Fudou spoke up. "What do you think you're doing, Tsubasa?"
She held onto the handle of the spear tightly with both hands.
"Upholding my duty." Was her answer.
It was a response no one expected to hear from her, not even Genjuro. The bridge of S.O.N.G was dead quiet, staring in shock and awe at the current state of the confrontation.
"You seem to have lost touch with reality," Fudou said in admonishment. "You would dare point your sword at me?"
Tsubasa chuckled, the sound causing Fudou to narrow his eyes further. "Fool," She answered mockingly, and pressed the spear even more against his neck. "Does this look like a sword to you?"
He did not respond to her blatant provocation, and remained calm despite the obvious attempt on his life.
"Do you know what this spear is, Grandfather?" She asked him, raising her gaze to meet his own. "This belonged to someone who stood against you; in your eyes, she was nothing more than a pest and a child to be ignored and tossed aside when the time came,"
Kanade's words echoed in her mind, and she grasped onto them with all her might. "This is all that remains of her now. This spear is a symbol of her defiance...of our defiance."
"Defiance," He repeated. "So you will turn your back on your duty. On your heritage and your name."
"No," She answered back to him. "I'm turning my back on you."
Her heart began beating a mile a minute, yet she continued. "I've done a lot of thinking since the beginning of this incident. I thought about what it is I want to protect, and what it is that truly matters to me. I thought I was set in my ways, that my path as a Sentinel was a given, however…"
She turned her eyes to the side for a brief moment, then looked back to the elder. "I made a promise. A promise for the sake of the happy days that we cherish; and from that point onwards, I swore to do whatever it takes to make that dream a reality...even if I have to give up myself for it."
"So you are shedding yourself of that role now, is that what this is supposed to be?" Fudou said. For someone with a blade at his throat, he sure was calm and collected. As expected of him.
"No," Tsubasa answered. "The title of Sentinel can be exchanged with many other names. In the end, the purpose of a Sentinel is to be the sword and shield of the people. To defend against threats that they cannot face...and to make the sacrifices where they can't."
She exhaled.
"And that is not a role I will simply cast aside, for that is a role that I chose for myself," She said, her gaze turning into a glare. "However, it is not something I do for your sake. You are no longer a part of that equation...no, the Kazanari as a whole are no longer a part of it."
"The Kazanari are a part of the people you swore to defend." He countered.
"No, the Kazanari are an outdated relic. It's a name that has lived for far too long. A name that could only thrive on deception, lies, and betrayals. No matter how old or prestigious it is, that is the truth of that name," She countered back, and she could feel his anger begin to rise as she derided the very name she was granted since birth. In response, she pushed the spear a bit deeper into his neck, slightly piercing the skin. "And it is about time that name came to an end. If you refuse to back down...then that outcome will become a reality."
Fudou knew what she meant by that statement. He knew her well enough, and he had lived long enough and experienced many hardships in the past to know her intention.
"Threatening my life will not give you the result you desire, Tsubasa. My death will change nothing," He said without a shred of fear. "Those girls will be claimed whether or not I live."
"Is that so? Then how about we find out."
And she pushed more, the tiny cut she gave him opening all the more. His blood began to flow down the side of his neck, yet Fudou remained unfazed, as if the mere fact was not important to him.
"Let me make myself very clear to you, Kazanari Fudou," Tsubasa said, the last name spoken with a tinge of venom. "I-no, we will never allow you to put your hands on them. We've sacrificed far too much to allow you to take our hard earned victory away from us; and we are not afraid to put our lives on the line for their well-being. You are merely an obstacle to be overcome, and we will make sure you gain nothing from our efforts."
"Your sentimental nonsense lacks an edge, Tsubasa. There will be repercussions for this transgression; I will give you one chance to prostrate yourself and beg for forgiveness, and I might decide to spare the lives and families of your colleagues in the Section," He warned. "Do not test me."
Tsubasa huffed in response, not intimidated by his threat. "You seem to be greatly mistaken. You should not test me. You're a traditionalist, aren't you? Then you very well know what happens when the enemy commander loses his head," She said, her tone laced with bloodlust. "If you dare stand in the way of our happy days, I will not hesitate to cut you down!"
It was a statement as certain as the rise of the morning sun.
"There are no bargains, and there are no negotiations. Make yourself scarce, Kazanari Fudou. I will not warn you again: your ambitions will bear not fruit here, and if you dare try fulfill them regardless, then we will do all in our power to make you regret it."
Their battle of wills held nothing back. "And you will die in the attempt." He responded.
"Yes, we will," She admitted. "Our Symphogears are unusable. The moment your men will open fire, that will spell certain death for us...that is, of course, after we take them all down first. Do not underestimate us; we are not so fragile as to die so quickly. You and all of your subordinates will have their blood spilled along with ours. Until our very last breaths, we will stand against you and what you represent; that is our will. Try and surpass it, Kazanari Fudou."
"So that is your decision, Tsubasa. You've chosen to cast aside justice and righteousness for your petty attachments. No, you've chosen to cast aside even the blood in your veins that goes back generations. Have you lost all sense of pride, Tsubasa? You were not brought into this world to be a part of the sheep. You are meant to represent the power of the country, and to give yourself for the sake of our household."
"Susano'o is of no concern to me, and neither are righteousness, justice, the household, or pride," She answered back. "My comrades...they are a thousand times the family that you ever were. They are my sisters, my light, and I will never cast them aside for something as meaningless as pride!"
She smirked, and glanced back to her fellow Symphogear wielders for a moment. Putting her gaze back on him, her eyes filled with resolve. "With that in mind, let me put this in a way that Chris will definitely appreciate:"
It was uncharacteristic for her, but just like she had told her junior back then, sometimes trying new things can be liberating.
"You can take that pride...and shove it up your ass."
A few choked gasps rose from the group, and Chris flashed a wide smile at her words.
Any and all loyalty Tsubasa held to the elder evaporated completely, and her will flared higher. Keeping her eyes locked to his, she raised her voice so her teammates could hear her.
"Maria, Chris, Kirika, Shirabe...will you join me? Will you journey with me to the depths of hell for the sake of our dream?"
The four looked to each other briefly, and smiled. Their answer was unanimous, and their voices echoed throughout crater. "Of course!"
It was an answer she had expected, yet she was still relieved. Her heart filled with warmth, she continued. "Then on my count we finish this! The moment I take his head, eliminate his underlings! Leave none alive that could lay their hands on Hibiki and Miku!"
Miku immediately panicked, and tried to push Shirabe off of her to not avail. The Shul-Shagana wielder was too heavy for her to move in her current state, and so she screamed in an attempt to call them off. "No, everyone! You can't!"
But she was ignored.
Her grip on the spear tightening, Tsubasa stared Fudou dead in the eye as he felt silent.
And began.
"Five!"
Feet shuffled, and hammers were cocked back in preparation.
"Four!"
Maria laughed inwardly at herself. 'To think I'd be forced to kill people again...but now, for some reason...I don't feel so guilty. I guess this time...there is something worth killing...and dying for.'
"Three!"
Not even Genjuro could do anything to stop this. Try as he might, nothing would get in their way now. They would not listen to his orders in the face of this danger, in the face of the final obstacle to their happy days.
But he could not help but think...that they would not be so happy without them there. That Hibiki would never forgive herself for letting them die for her sake.
It would crush her, and he knew it. Yet, the five were adamantly going to do so, if only so she can smile again.
"Two!"
There was nothing that could be done now.
A bloodbath was going to take place, and he knew for a fact that nobody was going to be alive at the end of it. Fudou, his men, and the five wielders were going to die here and now.
And he would only be able to watch uselessly as their lives came to an end.
He would only be able to watch...as he failed his duty for the final time.
Fingers tightened on triggers, and only a fraction of an inch remained for bullets to start flying. Pouring all the remains of her power into her arms, Tsubasa screamed the final number.
"On-"
BOOM!
The earth shook as the sound of an explosion erupted out of nowhere. Fudou's men lost their balance, their aim thrown off by the sudden powerful quake.
Tsubasa's eyes widened, and she instinctively began turning around to locate the source of the sound, but held herself back and kept her focus on Fudou. "What have you done?" She asked him, suspecting him of pulling some kind of trick.
But she found herself bewildered when she noticed that not only the elder's gaze was not on her, but in fact pointed towards the sky.
And his eyes were wide as well, an expression of shock etched on his features that she had never seen before in her life.
The four wielders in the center of the crater looked between each other, searching for answers for the sudden interruption.
Only for a male voice to ring out above them, his laughter blasting through the ruined city.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
All heads immediately tilted upwards.
And they gasped in shock.
"YOU HAVE MY THANKS, SYMPHOGEARS! WERE IT NOT FOR YOUR IMPECCABLE SKILLS I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME THIS FAR! I COMMEND YOU FOR SURPASSING THE MIGHT OF ALL THE EVILS OF THIS WORLD!"
"Adam Weishaupt?!" Maria announced his name in horror. "When did he-"
"What?! When did he manage to slip away?!" Genjuro shouted over the comm. "I thought he was supposed to be immobile!"
"I-I don't know! It must have been when the submarine was shaking! We were too distracted to notice him leaving!" Elfnein said in a panic.
"The bastard has been lying to us the entire time!" Chris said through clenched teeth. "He could move the whole time but pretended he couldn't!"
"THAT IS TRUE INDEED, SYMPHOGEARS! AND NOW, THANKS TO YOUR EFFORTS, I WILL CLAIM MY PRIZE!"
Adam, or at least what remained of him, was suspended in the air high above them, looking down on them all.
And surrounding him was the golden cloud of divine power. His head glowed a golden hue as it began to flood into him, the nearest vessel too far away for it to enter anything else. Overcoming the divine power's will, Adam began to take it within himself.
"IT WAS INDEED WORTH THE WAIT!" He screamed, a diabolical grin etched on his face. "THE INFORMATION WAS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR THIS! NOW, MY AMBITIONS WILL FINALLY BE REALIZED, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT FOR YOU TO PLACE YOUR HOPES IN NOW! NOW WATCH AS THE HUMAN WORLD IS REFORMED UNDER MY RULE!"
A powerful rush of wind tore through the area, buffeting all those that remained standing. Their focus lost, the wielders held themselves up with sheer force of will, keeping their gazes locked on the treacherous puppet.
"This motherfucker!" Chris screamed in frustration.
"What the heck are we supposed to do now?!" Kirika yelled, deciding to remain prone on top of Hibiki to protect her from the rubble being tossed about.
The divine power flowed into Adam without interruption, and another loud explosion rang out as he began to morph under its influence. His once human head enlarging and bloating with every second that passed, grotesque blobs that vaguely resembled flesh began to bubble and shake as his body was slowly being reformed.
He laughed once more, and this time his voice was not nearly as comfortable to listen to. "YESSSSSSSSSS! THIS IS WHAT I'VE DESIRED! WITH THIS, THE CUSTODIANS WILL BOW BEFORE ME! THIS POWER, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MINE FROM THE START, WILL NOW BE PUT TO PROPER USE!"
The wild storm continued, and Tsubasa found it difficult to remain focused on Fudou as she planted her feet, not willing to let the elder go just yet. Just then, he turned his gaze to her again, his expression stern and furious.
"Look at what you have wrought, Tsubasa."
She clicked her tongue. She couldn't have expected this, no matter what he said. "By denying me the divine power, you let a usurper claim it for themselves. The death of humanity will be on your hands."
Tsubasa groaned painfully, unsure of what to do.
What could she do? Killing Fudou would serve no purpose now that Adam Weishaupt had the divine power in his grasp.
This was bad.
"YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD KEEP IT AWAY FROM ME?! FOOLS! YOU CANNOT OUTSMART ME, HUMANS! I AM PERFECTION, AND YOU ARE NOT!"
The maniac screamed again for all to hear, this time his voice causing them to wince reflexively. Fudou's men fell to their knees from the noise and the wind, while the wielders could barely keep themselves standing, and could only watch as Adam continued to transform.
"Damn it! What the hell are we supposed to do!" Chris screamed again, her voice nearly going unheard despite standing close to her teammates.
"I don't know!" Maria yelled back. "We can't use our Gears, and even if we could I don't know if we could do anything!"
"FUCK! Are you serious?! Are we gonna die because of this bastard now?!"
The storm raged on, and this time Chris' question went unanswered.
Or at least, that's why she believed.
Suddenly, somehow rising above the noise, a strong female voice made its appearance.
"I would not be so quick as to make assumptions."
"Wha-"
What the-?
Where did that come from?
Somehow, they also heard footsteps, and immediately the wielders turned their heads in their direction.
"It may be that I've lived my whole life in preparation for this moment," She said, approaching the side of the crater. "I had expected him to turn on us at the first opportunity, and it seems I was not mistaken. Unfortunately, we could not have foreseen this outcome."
There, coming from between the ruined remains of the city's structures, was a silver clad figure with only one arm.
The look of surprise that flashed across their expressions granted her strength.
Maria called her name above the noise. "Saint-Germain!"
And indeed, appearing at the last possible second, the alchemist walked up to the edge of the crater, ignoring the confused stares of Fudou's men around her. She looked down to the center of the crater fondly, then raised her head towards the sky.
"Adam Weishaupt cannot be allowed to get his hands on the divine power. We have kept it away from him all this time, and I have no intention of handing it over to him now. However, in our current state we would not have been able to do anything to counter him." She said.
Maria squinted, realizing the alchemist was holding something in her one hand. With the amount of dust and rubble flying about she could barely make it out.
And once she did, she responded with a shocked and horrified gasp.
It was a spear, but not just any spear.
It was a jetblack one. The darkness still flowed from it in droves, just like during the time that Hibiki had used it; however, one thing remained unchanged.
Its core was still blown out, and only tiny fragments of the previous emerald core remained embedded within it. As it was now, it would not be able to channel its full power.
But that did not concern Saint-Germain in the least. After all…
It was the last hope left to defeat Adam Weishaupt.
How ironic, the alchemist thought to herself, that their last hopes… rested in the remnants of All the Evils of this World.
"How did it survive?!" Genjuro asked over the comm. "I thought all of the curses were blown away!"
"Yes, they were all vaporized, but this one piece remained untouched, owing to the fact that it was flung far enough away from the light to not be caught in its influence. And now, it will serve its purpose." Saint-Germain answered, a magic circle of green light appearing on the ground beneath her feet.
Chris' eyes widened in realization. "No way, you can't-"
"NO! SAINT-GERMAIN, DON'T DO THIS!" Aoi screamed, slamming her hands down on her console.
The alchemist was silent for a moment, breathing in and out. "Tomosa-no, Aoi," She said, and the woman fell quiet at the sound of her first name being spoken by her. "My apologies, it seems we will have to postpone our outing...for some other time."
Aoi sobbed, the meaning of Saint-Germain's words dawning on her immediately.
The alchemist briefly glanced to the wielders from the corner of her eye, their shocked and questioning gazes remaining glued on her.
And then her eyes drifted to the unconscious Hibiki, looking at her for a more than a brief moment before turning back to Adam. "All of you have the duty of living to see tomorrow. I am nothing more than a sinner that lay a path of destruction in her wake, and claimed countless lives for the sake of her goal…"
The wind continued to churn, yet she stood steadfast. "And now is the moment I must give back for all the lives I've taken with the only thing I have left to give...my own."
No one could respond to her, for her mind was already made up.
"Maria, you said we are friends, did you not?" She said, and the pink haired idol found herself speechless. "So it is only right...that friends care for each other, and if the situation warrants it...give their lives for each other, just like you are prepared to do now."
And so, she began to rise into the air, slowly hovering above the battlefield, her gaze locked onto the still transforming Adam. His torso had already reformed at this point, so it would not be long until his whole body regenerated.
She had to make sure that did not happen.
"Thank you...for all of the irreplaceable memories. I will be sure to cherish them...wherever I may go."
"Saint-Germain, please, no-"
The alchemist cut communications, the bridge member's voice crackling away in an instant. She gazed back down on the battlefield, burning their faces into her mind for the last time.
'This is the one time...I find myself not wanting to die.'
She inhaled, and looked back at Adam. "Can I do this alone?" She asked herself, closing her eyes briefly.
They opened, and she exhaled.
"No...but even so, I have to try."
Her gem shone brightly.
And once more, a song rose over the battlefield.
(Play: Shito -Ewigkeit-)
She sang. Surprised with her herself more than anything, Saint-Germain sang, the song of her heart pouring out for all to hear.
Yet, somehow, she was not alone.
Shimmering into a existence to her right, a familiar voice joined in on her song. She hurriedly turned her head to it, and froze.
'Cagliostro?'
The teal haired woman did not answer back to her, and merely kept her gaze on Adam as she sang. Saint-Germain could not help but notice that Cagliostro's form was not whole, and was in fact transparent, as if she was a mere ghost.
Then, to her left, another familiar voice joined in. Turning her head once again, she was shocked to see who it was.
'Prelati?'
The short alchemist also did not answer, and just like Cagliostro kept her gaze on Adam.
And Just like her comrade, Prelati's form too was transparent.
How? How were they here now? What was the meaning of this-
Suddenly, memories not her own rushed into her mind, giving her all the answers she needed. Huffing to herself, together with her comrades Saint-Germain charged towards the storm, the cursed spear still clutched tightly in her one hand.
00
"Do it, Prelati."
"But Cag-"
"We...don't have time. Neither you or I...have long left to live….but even so, we need to help out Saint-Germain. The poor girl is helpless without us after all…"
Prelati bit her lip. Cagliostro was right. The two of them had been summarily defeated by the Symphogear wielders, and were now on their last legs. Whether or not they went through with this wouldn't matter, they'd die all the same.
The Lapis shone dimly before them, awaiting their input. "This is the only way...we can give our lives to help her...and I know...you think so too."
There was nothing Prelati could say in response. Clenching her fists tight, she raised her hands over Cagliostro's body weakly. Having retreated to Saint-Germain's room, Cagliostro was lying unmoving atop the bed, waiting for Prelati to start.
"Cag…"
And so, she began. Magic coursed through her, and slowly but surely Cagliostro's form began to glow with a golden glow as it began to break down.
"Make sure...to hide this from that asshole, yeah?" Cagliostro said. "Hide it...where he won't be able to find it."
"I will," Prelati answered, holding back tears. "I will."
Cagliostro smiled. "Thanks. Thanks for everything, Prelati. I was glad...to be your friend."
And with those words left behind, the teal haired alchemist vanished in a shower of golden sparkles that were immediately absorbed by the Lapis.
Prelati winced, and brought one hand to the fatal wound in her stomach. "Can't hold it back anymore, can I?" She said to herself. She quickly grabbed the Lapis from the air, and walked over to where Saint-Germain kept all of her materials, equipment and crystals alike.
"She'll find it later," She said. "Now...it's my turn, basically."
There was no time to waste. Placing the Lapis inside the bag, she channeled the magic once again, this time on herself.
Her body began to glow golden as well, and she smiled to herself. "I'll see you later, Cag...Saint-Germain."
And soon enough, Prelati vanished, the golden sparkles left in her wake drawn into the Lapis. The gem shone brightly for a brief moment as it accepted their essence, then dimmed.
Leaving the room empty.
00
'I see...so you two went this far for me.' Saint-Germain thought to herself, touched by her friends' gesture.
Their bodies may be gone, but their spirits were right there with her.
Accompanying her on her last endeavor.
On her last journey.
Reinvigorated by their wills, Saint-Germain thrust the spear forward as they ascended, their song soaring along with her.
'Let us go...and use our lives for mankind.'
"YOU ARE A FOOL, SAINT-GERMAIN! YOU WILL NEVER REACH ME!"
Adam's yell was followed by the sudden appearance of a golden barrier in their path, and the spear's tip crashed into it, grinding into it with all the force Saint-Germain could muster. The divine shield groaned against the influence of the god-slaying power, but still managed to hold it back due to its condensed and weakened state.
'Is that so? Then…'
The ghostly Prelati charged forward, a shining gem clutched in the palm of her hand. Rearing back her fist as she sang, she slammed her hand into the spear's destroyed core.
And then pulled back, revealing her handiwork.
'Lapis Philosophorum…'
Now, embedded in place of the spear's old emerald core, was a bright crimson gem. Immediately it went to work, the thousands of life essences that had been poured into it feeding the spear's charge.
The Lapis that had been hidden amongst Saint-Germain's belongings the entire time was finally being put to good use.
The divine barrier cracked.
And in a single lunge, Saint-Germain crashed through the shield. Not having expected her to bypass it, Adam was unable to respond as the spear impaled him, piercing through his reformed torso.
"W-WHAT?! WHAT IS THIS?!"
The storm of wind and golden light intensified as the contradicting forces began to grind away at each other. Gritting his monstrous teeth, Adam moved his new arms and grasped at the spear, attempting to pull it out of his midsection.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SAINT-GERMAIN?!"
She did not bother giving him a response.
A pulse of energy erupted from the meeting between the two competing concepts, the god-slaying power working to break down the divine power Adam now held in his hands.
The trio continued to sing as Saint-Germain pushed further, pouring as much power as she could into her one arm.
But it was difficult, extremely difficult.
Sensing her hardship, Cagliostro and Prelati floated to her sides, their translucent forms shimmering in the storm.
And together, placed their hands on the spear's handle, joining Saint-Germain's struggle.
'The Lapis we researched and developed as a means to break the curse...is finally being used for the sake of mankind. It is far from what I had imagined; however...there will be no better opportunity."
Yes, for the sake of mankind. To be rid of the oppression of the divine, and finally bring an end to the cycle of suffering that had plagued humanity to this day.
She could not voice how much she appreciated the two's help.
And so, the song soared again.
And this time, Saint-Germain's body began to glow golden as well.
'Sacrificing my life for the sake of mankind...I guess there are worse ways to go. My apologies, Genjuro, for breaking my promise.'
She poured her life into the spear, increasing its power further. Adam struggled against the weapon, but with that final push his resistance failed, the god-slaying power beginning to shred away at his reformed body.
He groaned and screamed as his form started to crumble, and a white sphere of light began to surround the two.
"Y-YOU! THIS POWER IS SIMPLY UNFAIR! IT SHOULD NOT EXIST!"
And again, she did not answer him.
She only looked forward, her vision filling with whiteness.
00
"Everyone, I'd like to welcome a new member to the group!"
"Hello, my name is Saint-Germain. I look forward to working with you."
"Wow! That's so cool! I'm Tachibana Hibiki! Nice to meet you!"
"The pleasure is mine."
00
"Here."
"What is this?"
"A ticket to our concert. We'd like to see you there, Saint-Germain. Tsubasa said she'd be glad to have you watch our performance."
"I see...then I'll come. Thank you, Maria."
"You're very welcome."
00
"Oh, you're Saint-Germain? My name is Kohinata Miku. I heard you joined their team."
"Yes, I have. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise. You seem very reliable, so I'm counting on you to keep an eye on Hibiki out there, okay?"
"I will, I assure you."
"Thank you, and take care of yourself too, alright?"
"...Very well, I will try."
00
"Saint-Germain! Are you okay?!"
"It's nothing. My apologies, I was careless."
"You really saved us out there! And...we're sorry...we didn't mean to-"
"It is fine, Kirika, Shirabe. I'm glad you two are safe."
00
"You need a place to crash? No worries. Until your place gets fixed I can give you the couch."
"Thank you, Chris. I appreciate it."
"No problem. It's what friends do, right?"
"Yes, it is."
00
"Well then, let's drink for the success of the mission! Cheers, Saint-Germain!"
"...Hmph. Cheers, Aoi."
00
~Deny it,~
~deny it,~
'Why am I seeing something like this now?'
It was a question she didn't know how she'd answer, the strange visions of an impossible future in her mind throwing her off.
~The mind is~
~what is absolute~
Suddenly, between the wisps of golden light before her, another form shimmered into existence. It was a woman, with long white hair and a bright smile, her complexion similar to her own.
~Nail a period~
And she finally solved the equation she had been struggling with for centuries.
~Through the falsities~
She sighed in relief and content. 'I see...thank you, for showing me a glimpse of a dream.'
Her hand closed tighter around the handle of the spear, and she forced all that was left of herself into it.
~Rend the Heavens for the sake of liberty~
The white sphere around them grew, encompassing the size of the original cloud of the divine power.
And then, it began to shrink, closing around the two of them.
"SAINT-GERMAIN, YOU-"
This time, she answered him.
"LET US DISAPPEAR INTO THE ANNALS OF HISTORY, ADAM WEISHAUPT!"
~Let's take pride in perfection to shine brighter than the rising sun,~
~oh final song!~
The sphere pulsed, shrinking around the two even more.
Adam threw his head back, and with a final scream he was consumed by the light, disappearing into the vast white.
~Give a shout to freedom~
'Thank you...for everything.'
Her form began to crumble.
'Farewell, my friends.'
~and illuminate the light of death!~
Did she smile in her last moments?
The alchemist vanished from the world, leaving that question unanswered.
The sphere of light shrunk, becoming as big as a ping pong ball and drawing the wind within it. A second later, it bloated like a red giant.
And exploded in a shower of white light, blinding all those watching.
The shining twinkles floated down, illuminating the night with their ethereal glow.
-!-
Once again, S.O.N.G HQ was quiet.
Their gazes glued to the shine on the screen, they could gather no response to what had just occurred.
They could only gasp, and stare in awe, hypnotized by the remnants of the light.
And then, a sob rose from Genjuro's right, and he slowly turned his head.
"Tomosato…"
The woman was crying, the tears flowing down her cheeks, barely hidden by her downcast head.
Her woeful moans filled the bridge, silencing all those who wished to speak.
Except one, her voice coming out in disbelief.
"It's...it's gone…" Elfnein murmured.
Genjuro turned his head to her instead, and she continued.
"There's...there's nothing left. The divine power, the god-slaying power...they're gone. No response from anything."
He could barely believe it.
Shenshoujing, Gungnir, the divine power, the god slaying power…
Everything was gone. Zero signatures. The display showed absolutely nothing, not even a remnant of an Aufwachen signal.
It was just...all gone.
-!-
The wielders stared with their mouths agape, watching the remains rain down on them softly.
Maria clenched her free fist. "Saint-Germain…"
She could not voice her sadness. The alchemist had given her life to destroy the divine power, denying it to anyone who ever desired it.
And all that was left was this beautiful shower of shining sparkles.
It truly was mesmerizing. Lifting her hand, Chris opened her palm and watched curiously as one of the sparkles landed in it. She blinked, and saw as it disappeared a moment later, leaving behind not a speck of its existence.
"This is…"
"It's like...it's life itself," Maria muttered. "This...is what she left behind for us."
Chris closed her hand, making a fist and gritting her teeth in sadness. "Damn it…"
A serene quiet fell on the crater, and even Fudou's men found themselves awed by the sight.
However, the same could not be said about the man himself. The elder narrowed his eyes at the spectacle, then lowered his gaze to stare at Tsubasa once more. Despite herself, the blue haired idol managed to keep her eyes on him, even with her instincts nearly forcing her to turn around.
But considering the song she heard, and the silence that pervaded them, she already knew the outcome.
"Are you satisfied now, Tsubasa? We have lost a perfectly useful tool for nothing. You have by your own hands pushed our nation to the bottom once more." He said.
"Then perhaps it should stay that way," She said back to him. "Maybe Japan is not ready for that burden just yet."
Noticing that their confrontation had continued, the men closest to Fudou shook themselves out of their stupor and rose back to their feet, signaling to the rest of the agents to get back to business. At once, the men surrounding the crater followed suit, once more aiming their guns at the group at the heart of it.
Realizing that the standoff had resumed, Maria and Chris both raised their guns as well, putting them back where they started despite Adam's interruption. Kirika and Shirabe, who had slightly moved off the duo they were charged with protecting in a daze, immediately threw themselves atop the two again. Miku let out another shocked yelp as Shirabe's full weight dropped on her again, and was still unable to push her off.
With the tension back to its all time high, no one moved.
"What will you do now, Kazanari Fudou? The divine power is gone. Without it, those two are nothing but normal, weak girls. There is nothing more for you here." Tsubasa reminded him.
The elder said nothing as he stared at her. She could see the gears in his head spin as he thought of a solution, and she waited impatiently for him to respond.
But his silence continued. On and on it went. One minute, two minutes, three minutes. The crater completely quiet, the white light finished raining down on the group, restoring the darkness of the night.
She waited.
And waited.
And waited no more.
"I see how it is then," Tsubasa said, and once more shouted to her comrades. "I'm starting the countdown again! Ready yourselves!"
The threat of a gruesome bloodbath returned as she yelled out the numbers.
"Five!"
Feet shuffled once more, and Maria gulped.
"Four!"
Shirabe shifted herself, covering Miku as much as she could.
"Three!"
Sweat dripped down from cheeks and chins, adrenaline running in the veins of all participants.
"Two!"
Fudou narrowed his eyes, and she narrowed her own in response.
He seemed to have no intention of backing down, even with what he came here to get having been destroyed. Whatever he was planning to do with Hibiki and Miku, she wouldn't let him.
She grasped the handle of the spear hard, and prepared to make the decisive swing.
"One!"
She planted her feet.
Fingers tightened around triggers.
"NO-"
"Very well."
Only for him to speak up at the last second and catch her by surprise.
(Play: Suara - Hoshifuru Sora Aogimite)
Tsubasa's eyes widened at his capitulation, throwing her off. Saying nothing more, the elder raised his hand and gestured to his men to lower their weapons. Looking between each other in surprise, the agents followed his orders, lowering their arms.
Shocked at the development, Chris and Maria followed suit, and gazed towards where Tsubasa and Fudou stood.
"What is the meaning of this?" Tsubasa asked him.
But yet again, he did not respond. He looked to the man closest to his right and nodded his head. The agent immediately understood, nodding in response. He raised his hand to his earpiece to communicate his orders to his subordinates.
"All units stand down! We are withdrawing!"
Tsubasa could barely believe it. She looked towards the agent, realizing she had seen him around the household several times in the past. He did not notice her stare, and continued. "Retrieve the fallen and retreat!"
The men surrounding the crater put their weapons back in their holsters. Four of them stepped forward, sliding down the side of the crater towards the wielders' position. Immediately on guard, Chris prepared for a confrontation.
But Maria raised an arm, forcing her back as they approached. "The guns and the coats stay." She said, making herself clear.
They did not respond to her, and went to grab the two fallen agents that the wielders had knocked out. Putting an arm on each shoulder, the four picked up their unconscious comrades and turned back around, heading back to their transports.
Maria watched them go with caution, ready for them to turn on them.
Yet, they did not. One by one, the many agents shuffled away from the crater's perimeter, emptying the area.
A car rode to a stop a small distance away from Fudou and Tsubasa, and still shocked at his change of heart, the blue haired idol removed the spear from his neck and took a step back.
He said nothing in response. Ignoring the cut on his neck, the elder turned, his kimono swiveling around behind him.
And he began to walk away, leaving her to stare in disbelief at his retreating back. She expected him to simply enter the car and say nothing more, owing to her familiarity with him.
Yet, he surprised her once more. Fudou stopped halfway to the car, and without turning around spoke to her. "It seems you have inherited more than just my blood, Tsubasa," He said. She could not help but notice that the tone of his voice was not judgmental as usual, but…
Almost...proud.
"Live with your decision for the rest of your days, and know what are the consequences of making it. The world is not so kind as to simply hand you your victory, for there will be moments you will realize you must cast away your own desires for the betterment of others; I know that cruelty all too well."
She couldn't say anything in response.
"That resolve of yours...never allow it to waver."
And that's where he stopped. She opened her mouth to speak, but found that no words came out. Fudou continued walking, and soon enough the door to the car was opened to him by an agent, and he stepped inside without another word.
Before the door closed, he sent one last glance to his granddaughter.
The sound of engines revving filled the air as Fudou and his subordinates left, leaving only the wielders' in the crater.
Tsubasa stared at the spot where he stood barely a minute before with silent contemplation, internalizing his words.
She turned around, and carefully slid down the side of the crater to join her comrades, who looked at her with surprise.
"It is done," She said. "We can relax now."
As if a heavy burden was lifted off of their shoulders, they all sighed in relief, grateful to having been able to avoid what should have been an inevitable massacre.
On cue, Shirabe and Kirika pushed themselves off of their charges, sitting beside them. Shirabe helped Miku to a sitting position, and the black haired girl graciously accepted her assistance.
Miku's head hurriedly turned to the side, panic filling her once again. "Hibiki!"
She fruitlessly tried to rise to her feet again, but her body still felt heavy and so she was unable to bring herself to stand. Noticing her distress, Kirika carefully wrapped her hands around Hibiki, bringing her unmoving form to Miku.
That's right, Chris realized. They didn't even get the chance to check if she was alive after all of that. They had assumed she was just out cold, but after such a big fight there was no way to know for sure.
After all, Fine had crumbled to dust after her own final battle. With that in mind, Chris found herself terrified of the prospect, almost expecting the same to happen to Hibiki any minute now.
They all sat down, surrounding the duo as Kirika handed Hibiki over. Grasping her with both hands despite the heaviness, Miku looked at her with concern, her heart racing in her chest.
"Hibiki…"
The chestnut haired girl offered no answer, her head turning to the side limply. Biting down the sorrow and stopping herself from jumping to conclusions, Miku did the one thing she could think of to check on her well-being.
She lowered her head as much as she could, and placed her ear right on Hibiki's chest, exactly over the scar. Her lips shaking, she waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Badump.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Badump.
She choked back a sob.
Badump.
Miku raised her head, staring at Hibiki with astonishment.
Her startled expression not giving any of them answers, Maria lightly grabbed Hibiki's limp hand, putting two fingers on her wrist, checking for a pulse.
And she too, was shocked to discover the truth.
She murmured the reality in disbelief, witnessing as the dream came true. "She's alive."
They all gasped.
"She's alive."
The words came out of Maria's mouth with unparalleled relief, and she felt the dread vanishing from her frame.
They were all silent for exactly one second.
And Tsubasa said the words that finally brought it all to a close.
"We did it."
The dam broke.
As one, the six cried, holding each other for support.
"We did it."
Miku hugged Hibiki as close to herself as she could, the tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Hibiki…"
Her joyful cries were a wonder to behold.
"We did it," Tsubasa repeated, her composure having faltered, the tears dripping down her face.
"We got her back."
"Hibiki…"
It was a cause for celebration.
Cheers erupted from S.O.N.G HQ, shaking the submarine. Genjuro leaned back in his seat, grabbing his head in silent mirth.
The bridge was in an uproar as his subordinates applauded and clapped, jumping from their seats.
They cried and yelled, proud of their collective success.
He stared between them all, watching as even Elfnein was not exempt from the happiness that filled them.
And he could only think one thing in that moment. 'Ryoko-kun...Kanade-kun...we did it.'
Dawn arrived, bathing the ruined city in sunlight.
"Hibiki...Hibiki…"
Miku could not bring herself to stop.
She did not want to stop.
The group of friends basked in each other's presence, gathered around the girl in the middle.
"Hibiki...Hibiki…"
"We did it..."
The six girls cried in joy.
For they finally made their wish come true.
The sun rose on the morning of November 7th.
And it was a day that they would all remember for years to come.
"Hibiki...Hibiki…"
For it was the day All the Hopes of this World triumphed over their nemesis.
Much was lost, but by the sacrifice of one selfless woman who desired to bring peace to the world, a dream was fulfilled.
They had all stood in the face of certain death, and won.
"We did it. We did it…"
Holding her loved one in her arms, Miku cried her heart out.
For it was the day…
"Hibiki...Hibiki…"
...That love proved victorious.
