Another late update brings us to the last of the Towers!

And finally Ragnell and Alondite will clash again!

Chapter Fifty Three

Frost Tower

"Queen Talia, we wish this visit wasn't under such dark circumstances."

The Queen of Anondye bowed to the Sarharan King "I wish the exact same thing. King Gra'Tisk surely you've heard the Fell Lord's threat. I just came here to call for your support on a continental invasion of Numengate once the shield comes down. Though if you don't mind me saying, I assume the regiments forming and training outside aren't for-"

"It is as you believe. We are raising an army to defend our borders. My Queen however convinced me that we'd never survive against the Fell Lord's army hiding here and protecting ourselves. However…how do you plan to bring down the shield? My advance scouts have stated not even a full magical assault could break through it."

"Sir!"

The pair turned as a man ran into the hall "I'm dreadfully sorry but look!"

The King and Queen walked outside and looked to the sky, the red beam that traveled across Sarhara's sky was fading away. It only took a few seconds for the beam to vanish completely but it felt like a much longer time

"A brave group of emissaries from all the nations here and beyond are fighting hard to bring it down. We need to do our part for our nation…"

Gra'Tisk nodded to Talia "I agree…we will do so…guard! Get me the latest status reports from Ro'Hozak and Fee'Tal!"

The man bowed and took off as Gra'Tisk looked back at Talia "I have some preparations to return to. Would you like a room or are you returning to Anondye?"

The Queen smiled "I must…I entrusted Eyre and my other generals with putting together our forces as well but they need me. Thank you King Gra'Tisk."

The King bowed and left, replaced shortly thereafter by Yi'Pyre. Talia narrowed her eyes as the other woman sauntered over. Her mouth had barely begun to move when Talia spoke.

"Don't assume the wrong thing Mistress. I only seek your aid for the good of Ymarkteg. Once the Midnight is through I'm putting all my power into dethroning you, Duke and Hierarch. Ymarkteg will not be at peace until you and your Altar are gone."

The Mistress smiled and nodded "Very well Queen Talia…I look forward to your futile attempts to stop me."

"…and keep your dog away from me as well."

Mistress turned away and glanced to Peltzm'Jakq in the shadows before turning to see Great Knight Wilt hiding nearby as well.

Without another word the Mistress of the Royal Ring left.

Now standing within the Frost Tower the Northern Division of the New Emissaries looked around. It was even colder inside the building than it was outside.

Ike exhaled and saw his breath; the rest of the chamber was empty except for a staircase leading to the higher levels.

The legend then turned to his group "Cover each other's blind spots."

"We'll handle watching behind us." Rhogam answered signaling Tyazaer.

Ike then turned to Ranulf who shook his head "Nothing. If there is someone here they're being deathly silent."

The eight proceeded through the chamber, keeping their focus on everything they possibly could.

"Duke."

The man turned and looked at the figure questioningly "Who are you?"

Peltzm'Jakq assigned me to you, my name is Org'Eeris. I will be your new Altar handler."

Duke nodded slowly "I honestly forgot about my handler, they kept dying in pursuit of those foreigners."

Org'Eeris nodded "I'm here in preparation for the mission. Once the invasion begins, Taer'Vix and I are the ones who are going to kill Queen Talia."

Duke smiled "Who can we find to replace her? Or fill Numengate's throne?"

Org'Eeris shrugged "We've got all the time we need to figure that out. Until then it's business as usual."

As Duke turned to return to his matters Org'Eeris vanished.

Much like the first floor, the second and third were also bare, unknown to Ike's group their target was on the fifth floor and in a brutal mental battle against his own consciousness.

"Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? WHY!?"

"Why does it matter so much!?" Jyuugo snarled "Why did I leave Archanea? What was I before? What happened that drove me this way? Does it matter!?"

Jyuugo stood up and began pacing around the room "Why!?"

As he clenched his fists a figure approached him "Sir."

Turning Jyuugo remembered that Midnight 2 was assigned to him "Have you finished your meditation?"

Jyuugo shook his head "What? What were you doing while I was being attacked by phantasms of the past?"

Midnight 2 remained silent for a few seconds "You told me not to disturb you then you sat in the center of the room and began meditating. You have been sitting there since we arrived. You only just now stood up."

It was now Jyuugo's turn to stop speaking and glance about the room as Midnight 2 continued "I'm merely reporting that the enemy has entered the structure and is currently climbing to the fourth floor. They will be here shortly."

Jyuugo shook his head and cursed "I need more time. Midnight 2, stall them for as long as possible! Give it everything!"

Midnight 2 nodded and left as Jyuugo returned to the center of the room and sat.

"I need more time."

As Ike stepped on the fourth floor something felt odd, he turned quickly to see the rest of the group was frozen in place.

"I apologize but I need to speak with you."

Ike turned to face a woman with long purple hair, long white robes and two blades along her belt. He recognized Ragnell's pommel and looked at the woman "Are you-"

"I am Altina. There is something urgent I must discuss with you."

Ike nodded "...very well, what is it?"

The woman looked at Ike's black arm for a few moments before speaking "I've been conversing with Norad Jyuugo and I feel that there is someone in there. Someone who understands what you are doing but someone else is preventing him from coming out."

Ike shook his head "Impossible."

"What do you know of Norad Jyuugo?"

Ike scoffed "He serves a dark lord that once had all of Ymarkteg beneath his thumb and now seeks to subjugate the entire world. Jyuugo has tried to kill my comrades many times and he has stolen Alondite, a blade entrusted to me by Zelgius and the Apostle of Begnion."

"Before this…"

Ike turned away "I've never bothered learning the histories of the Daein or Begnion generals I cut down. They sought to harm my friends or just plainly kill us all for their superiors. I fought to survive and I still do."

Altina smiled "I know. The extent you go to fight for what is right is inspiring. Now I must ask. Do you know anything of Archanea?"

Ike narrowed his eyes "Archanea?"

"Gorm."

The Wyvern Lord turned to see Kino approaching "The time draws near…"

"Duke has been assigned a new Altar handler."

Kino nodded "You'll handle him, right?"

Gorm turned away "What use do we have for Talia?"

Kino shrugged "In the grand scheme of things none of us are relevant to the Fell Lord. Once he gets what he wants."

Gorm remained silent as Kino drew a line across his throat. After a few more seconds the swordmaster sighed "What about Talia?"

The Wyvern Lord stood up and slung Gungnir across his back "I'll just let it play out."

With that the man walked away and Kino nodded "Very well."

"Drake Pozem is gone."

The Fell Lord turned "What did you say Apothecary?"

"The signal from Pozem has vanished completely. Drake's essence is nowhere in sight. The man known as Drake Pozem is now truly dead."

"How did this happen?"

The Apothecary shook his head slowly "I don't know but we are now down to three…though I believe Jyuugo will succeed in bringing Meltraitis to us."

The Fell Lord turned back to look out over Numengate, his army of the dead now swarmed around the Bastion, their numbers had come to a stop and they were staggering.

"You…will…fail…"

The Fell Lord smirked "We'll see."

"Ike!" The legend looked up to see a Midnight standing before him.

"Midnight 2. Active."

Ike pulled out Ragnell but Altina's words came to him "You must speak with Norad Jyuugo…alone…"

"Titania."

The red haired woman came to his side "Yes commander?"

"Can I trust you to put a diversionary attack in order?"

Titania gave him a questioning look to which he sighed "I have to get past here…alone."

The Golden Knight turned and nodded "If you are absolutely certain."

Mertre came to his side "Ike-"

The man smiled "I'll be fine. You know me."

Mertre looked up to the Midnight as Zihark joined them "Don't worry about anything Ike, we'll handle the Midnight."

Zihark turned to Orkra, Tyazaer, Rhogam and Ranulf who all nodded in agreement.

Midnight 2 held his hands out followed by two more sections of his body detaching. The being before them had four arms each equipped with a hooked blade.

"Prepare to die."

The New Emissaries charged forward as Midnight 2 began spinning his blades fiercely.

Zihark and Orkra collided with Midnight 2 first stopping his first pair of blades while Titania and Tyazaer rode past him, striking his second pair of blades causing his arms to reel back. Zihark and Orkra moved aside to let Mertre and Rhogam in, the massive Quetzal Cleaver slammed into the Midnight's armor followed by Mertre's spear pushing the beast back.

Finally Ranulf leapt into the air, rolled into a ball and slammed into the Midnight. As the four armed beast fell back Ike ran past him "I'll be fine! I promise!" he called back as he ascended to the fifth floor.

The Midnight quickly got back up and charged "Targets acquired. Let the elimination begin!"

The beast easily disarmed Zihark and Orkra with its mix of blade attacks. Upon sticking all four blades into the ground several more razor sharp blades stuck out of the Midnight's legs and boots. Kicking forward it caught Zihark and Orkra, knocking the pair away.

Tyazaer and Titania rode past with axe and blade as Mertre shot down from above with her lance. However the Midnight lifted itself on one blade using the other three to ward off the attacks until Ranulf shot forward and knocked the creature over.

Once again the Midnight caught itself, landing safely before charging Ranulf with all blades swinging. Rhogam slid in front of Ranulf and brought his axe up stopping two blades while the others slashed through his legs. As Rhogam clenched his teeth the Midnight savagely kicked him aside, leaving itself open to Ranulf who shot forward as a blue ball again, slamming hard against Midnight 2's chest.

"Die!"

Midnight 2's extra arms bent backwards and blocked Zihark and Orkra's attacks while his main arms moved forward and stopped Ranulf's follow up attack. "I am superior!"

Spinning the Midnight caused the three to fall back "Fang!" Slamming the four blades onto the ground a black shockwave shot forward and slashed through Ranulf, tossing the blue cat aside before turning to charge Zihark and Orkra.

As the trueblade and Hero moved back they glanced at each other "I don't like approaching something that is swinging that many weapons at me." Zihark quipped as Orkra shrugged "We have to do something."

As the four blades came up again the pair split up and rolled aside allowing the four blades to slam into the ground harmlessly. Tyazaer and Titania rode in on the beast's exposed sides and struck it with all their might.

The red haired knight cursed as she rode away "That armor is tougher than anything I've ever come into contact with."

Tyazaer brought her horse around "We've fought Midnight before but this one is definitely a step above the rest."

Midnight 2 spun its blades again "Initiating Sword Dancing techniques…Prepare."

"Sword what?"Zihark asked as the Midnight shot towards him at an extreme speed.

"So…this is it." Ike walked into the massive chamber and noticed the North Orichalcum giving off a powerful blue glow in the back. After that he turned to Norad Jyuugo who was meditating in the middle of the room.

Ike began walking towards him "Jyuugo."

The Dread Fighter remained still as Ike neared making no move to confront him. Ike crossed his arms "Jyuugo!"

Finally the man's one eye opened and found Ike "I heard you the first time."

Standing the two men faced each other and Ike drew many similarities between this and his battle against Zijo Oit. However with Dyeshein in the Legend's hands who was representing who?

"If this is your pre-battle stance, Ike…it is an unbelievably poor one."

"I'm here to talk."

Jyuugo couldn't help but laugh "Talk? What could we possibly have to talk about?"

"Archanea."

Jyuugo narrowed his eyes and brought up Alondite "Altina spoke to you as well…didn't she?"

"She spoke to you first…and that in itself speaks volumes."

Jyuugo waved off Ike's statement and spat "Volume of what?"

Ike kept his arms crossed "You look to be a monster and the atrocities you look to being a part of are monstrous…but the 'why' is important. I'll be the first to admit I could care less but Altina is a person of great history back in Tellius. She told me to speak to you…so that is what I'm doing."

Jyuugo brought up one finger and tapped the metal plate attached to the right side of his face covering his eye. Several red visors opened up and began displaying internal information on Ike to the Dread Fighter.

"This is only the beginning…Ike…this piece on my face is the way to the future. It ensures my victory against you. Now…draw your blade!"

Ike narrowed his eyes as Jyuugo began approaching him.

"My King." Gaelon turned to his Queen, Iseil "What is it?"

"A troop from Anondye has arrived to speak with you about Numengate."

The King nodded slowly "I'll meet with them. Remain here."

"Are you certain?"

The King put a hand on her shoulder "Yes Iseil…don't worry, I know what this is for…I'll secure the future of Ymarkteg."

Sure enough the group that circled around the Pozem side of Numengate finally arrived at the Regalshin Stronghold. King Gaelon knew they were here to seek an alliance. Common enemy and a deadly threat to all life on Ymarkteg however the Midnight also posed a very personal problem to the King and it would not go unpunished.

As the King neared the audience chamber a man appeared at his side "Another tower has fallen…it is almost time…Duke."

"Make the preparations Org'Eeris…and get a soldier to send word to Gorm so we can begin preparing our armies for the grand show that is about to begin."

Bowing quickly Org'Eeris turned and vanished.

With an extreme level of speed and flexibility, Midnight 2 began shooting across the floor, all four blades covering all possible sides of attack and ripping up the ground below.

Zihark brought his blade up and managed to block one but the other three broke his guard and stabbed him. The Midnight lifted Zihark with its blades and hurled him across the room before turning and blocking Titania, Mertre and Rhogam's attacks. Gripping its blades in reverse form it ripped the weapons from the Emissaries hands, dragging Titania and Mertre to the ground from their mounts before leaping and kicking Rhogam in the head.

As the Reaver fell back, Orkra charged forward with her blade at the ready. With a rapid spin the Midnight called out "Demon!" black waves encircled the creature, clashing with Orkra's blade before two feet found her chest and sent her to the ground as well.

Upon completing its rotations Ranulf shot in, colliding with the Midnight's back. "Shit!" Ranulf quickly escaped as the four blades attempted to gore him; instead the Midnight stabbed itself in the back. Seizing that opportunity Tyazaer sprang up and hurled her lance with all her might. The weapon pierced the Midnight's chest and caused it to stumble back.

"Fang!" Once again the four blades came out and slammed into the ground. A black shockwave traveled at a blinding speed, slamming into Tyazaer and throwing her back again.

Zihark got up slowly and looked at the creature as its blades repelled Titania and Rhogam's axes again before striking them down.

"This is impossible…any opening is blocked almost instantly."

The Midnight leapt into the air and tore Tyazaer's lance out, spinning fiercely it threw the weapon at Rhogam who barely rolled out of the way as it impaled the ground.

Mertre came to Zihark's side with her staff and began healing his wounds.

"Thinking of something, Zihark?"

The trueblade shook his head at the woman "Times like this make me wish that I had Soren's calculative mind. Distractions don't work and throwing all of us at him at once will most likely end with too many injuries on our side."

Mertre turned and brought out her Catharsis staff, using it on Rhogam as Ranulf and Tyazaer engaged Midnight 2 again.

"Tyazaer managed to strike him because he left himself wide open trying to get at Ranulf. Is there any way we can get the Midnight to open itself up again?"

Zihark spun his blade "I'll try and think of something…in the meantime, let's go!"

A powerful clash rang out as the floor below the two warriors cracked under pressure.

Ike's golden blade Ragnell and Jyuugo's silver Alondite came into contact for the first time in this battle but for an unknown amount of times in each blade's histories.

"Our intentions were never to come to this tower to talk…admit it to yourself Ike. We only desire to take life from each other…"

Clenching his teeth Ike pushed through Jyuugo's guard and swung his blade again only for Jyuugo to vanish and appear behind the Legend slashing through his back.

Ike took one step forward and turned quickly, initiating a full spin and unleashing a wave of blue energy at the same time leaving Jyuugo with only one choice.

The Dread Fighter leapt into the air as Ike expected allowing the Legend to pursue him and run him through with Ragnell. Jyuugo growled as he took a knife out and stuck it deep in Ike's shoulder before twisting it and kicking Ike to the ground.

Jyuugo landed and tore Ragnell out "I have no fear of death and no desire of life."

The man threw the golden blade to the ground and spat out blood before continuing "Try harder!"

Ike stood up and felt his black arm pulse "No!"

"Use Dyeshein…use me!"

Jyuugo shot forward with Alondite, swinging the blade and filling the room with silver flames. Ike jumped into the air and spun around going for the spot where Ragnell fell.

Seeing this Jyuugo laughed and spun about "Carreau!" An onslaught of black orbs shot from the Dread Fighter into Ike's back. Jyuugo followed it up by shooting up after Ike and kicking him to the ground, spinning and firing off another wave of silver flames after the Legend.

As Ike crashed into the ground he opened up his eyes to see the flames coming and cried out "Ragnell!"

Norad Jyuugo looked down on the silver explosion with his sharpened teeth giving a vile grin. However his expression changed the second Ike shot through the ashes and slashed through the Dread Fighter.

While Jyuugo reeled back in shock Ike followed up with a brilliant blue wave sending Jyuugo to the ground with force.

The Dread Fighter rolled away as Ragnell impaled the ground where he fell. Springing to his feet Jyuugo blocked the golden blade with Alondite and spat "How!?"

"My attachment to Ragnell is much more powerful than you would believe…I've been through many hells to get to where I am now and I won't let it end with you, Norad Jyuugo."

"Is that so?" The Dread Fighter broke away and retreated back as Ike unleashed more blue flames after him.

Stabbing Alondite into the ground Jyuugo extended his arms and created countless orbs of dark magic "Die!"

The orbs shot towards Ike in over a dozen waves causing the Legend to run, jump, flip and counter the magic attacks for as long as he could. Jyuugo laughed as the orbs overtook Ike and brought him to the ground before crashing against him.

Pulling Alondite out of the ground Jyuugo shot towards Ike who was still on one knee.

"You can struggle against me as much as you want Ike but know that you are going to die here!"

"Not to Alondite…never to Alondite!"

Ike turned and stopped Alondite's savage fall with Ragnell again. The force however brought Ike down to both knees as Jyuugo raged "Stop fighting back!"

Ike looked up into Jyuugo's one eye "That is something I will never do. Whoever you truly are Jyuugo…you should fight through and show yourself to the world. Something made you into a rage and blood fueled monster…what was it?"

Jyuugo clenched his teeth even tighter as Ike stood now pushing back against Alondite with both arms, even the black one that was pulsing and racking Ike's body with pain.

"Archanea!"

"My past is not for your ears!" Jyuugo screamed.

The twin blades flared to life causing both men to break away from each other as a torrent of flames exploded between them. The two then spun their blades about and shot forward for another engagement.

"Demon Voice!" All four blades clashed against each other above Midnight 2's head before scraping apart. The violent sound that erupted from the blades brought the Emissaries to their knees. Seizing the opportunity Midnight 2 charged Rhogam and Orkra's positions; the pair tried to counter but were savagely beaten by the hilts of Midnight 2's weapons. Turning quickly the Midnight struck Mertre's approaching lance out of the sky.

Using the hooks of the blades, Midnight 2 picked up Orkra and Rhogam, slamming the two warriors together before flinging them away.

Zihark found his way to Midnight 2 with Ranulf, Titania and Tyazaer behind him. Blade, claw, axe and lance came into contact with Midnight 2's weapons. As the creature began pushing the Emissaries back it shook its heads "I am superior! I am the future!"

"You are dead!" Mertre called out sending her spear into the crack in Midnight 2's back. The creature roared and broke through the four before him. Turning quickly Midnight 2 leapt into the air and struck Mertre's Pegasus sending the beast crashing into the ground and Mertre rolling off of it. Midnight 2 crashed near Mertre as Rhogam pulled out his bow and arrow and fired on the Midnight, all shots were blocked by its blades.

Spinning one blade above its head it screamed "Die!"

Ranulf as a ball shot between the blades that were occupied with Rhogam's arrows. Using his hind legs, Ranulf kicked the spear in Midnight 2's back through the creature's body.

The rest of the Emissaries arrived and threatened Midnight 2's position causing it to retreat.

Orkra helped Mertre up and moved away as their allies pursued the Midnight "Are you alright?"

Gathering her thoughts Mertre nodded quickly "How can we kill this thing?"

Orkra turned to see the Midnight strike Zihark and Titania to the floor before turning and engaging Tyazaer, Ranulf and Rhogam.

"We'll need a miracle."

Groaning and gagging Jyuugo stumbled back as Ragnell tore through his shoulder; quickly countering he brought Alondite forward and slashed across Ike's leg. As the Legend stumbled Jyuugo spun and struck him in the chest with the blade.

Ike found himself in the air and quickly spun about Ragnell to distract Jyuugo with the flames. The Dread Fighter however used a wind spell to dispel them and continued his pursuit, slamming Ike into the ground.

Rolling over the Legend slashed through a black orb and jumped aside as Jyuugo crashed into the ground.

The chamber that was once pristine was now covered in severe burns from the flames of the blades and countless floor and wall panels were destroyed from the titans crashing into the ground, walls and the magic exploding all around the room.

Ike spat blood out from his mouth and wiped the blood from his forehead as Jyuugo once again charged his position.

Roaring Ike buried Ragnell into the ground causing a bright blue flame to explode all around him; the blast caught Jyuugo and flung him up and into the ceiling as well as burning through the floor sending an orb of flames through the four floors below.

Looking up Ike narrowed his eyes as Jyuugo pulled himself off of the ceiling and stood up, now facing Ike.

"The blade in my hand ran your father through…the man who wielded it would then turn around and aid you…and finally when given the chance to kill him you take mercy on him…letting him die a peaceful death and wishing him well wherever one goes after life leaves their body…that is the worst tale of vengeance that I have ever heard."

Ike shook his head "A life of seeking revenge is not one anyone should live. The pain does not end when the one who caused it breathes his last breath. Through my battles with Zelgius I learned more about him than I ever thought I would and in his death I realized that I could carry on living with different goals that would not end in vengeance."

Jyuugo laughed "You think you'll learn about me by clashing with me?"

"I already have."

The Dread Fighter continued to laugh "We'll see how much that does for you when you fall to the ground…dead."

Ike and Jyuugo shot off the floor and ceiling and collided in midair, any surface of the chamber that was still somehow unscathed now exploded from its setting as the titans continued their clash.

"Ranulf!"

The cat looked up quickly and swallowed before rolling away, in his escape a blade savagely cut through him but it was never Midnight 2 that the Laguz was trying to avoid.

The ceiling above him exploded allowing a flash of blue to rip through, the attack burned through Midnight 2 before piercing the floor below and continuing down.

Midnight 2 reeled back from the attack and shook itself; blue flames burned portions of its armor away revealing pulsing human flesh.

"Demon!" The Midnight spun around again causing anyone who was charging to fall back as black welts filled the air around it. Coming to a stop Midnight 2 retreated to the far end of the room as the Emissaries moved towards Mertre who proceeded with healing them to the best of her ability.

"What is going on up there?" Rhogam commented before turning to the Midnight which was standing still.

Titania turned to Ranulf now in human form whose massive wound was being treated. "Are you alright?"

The Laguz nodded "It hurts like hell but I'd rather this than have my skin burning off at the hands of a friend."

Titania sighed then looked to Tyazaer "If I recall the Midnight from Numengate's flesh was vulnerable like any human, correct?"

Tyazaer nodded "This one however is much faster, the Midnights themselves have gotten much stronger with each successive one"

"The burns are along the right side of its body…arms, leg and torso. That gives us our in to really hurt this thing…and if we focus on the leg we can cripple its mobility. After that it won't be able to keep up with us." Zihark stated as he tied a cloth around his bleeding arm.

Orkra nodded and took off her headband "This calls for intense precision. I'll try to get to its arm."

Zihark nodded slowly "Are you certain?"

"I've got the best chance right now…the rest of you can focus on its side and leg, the sooner we cripple this thing the better."

Nodding the group moved away from Mertre and Ranulf, the latter tried to stand up only for the Seraph Knight to push him down "Not yet."

"Eyre, Vargas, Istequil, Helena…are you and your divisions prepared?"

The four commanders nodded with Eyre speaking "I've rounded up as many warriors as possible. We may have suffered many losses during the fight to protect Numengate's capital but I believe we are now strong enough to break into the Midnight Bastion."

Istequil grinned "With the desire to protect is fueling our troops I'm certain we'll win in the end."

Vassaan smiled at that, he too felt the desire to protect. However his sister was in Regalshin and he had no idea when she would come back…or if she would.

"Vassaan."

The senator and commanders looked up as Dawson entered the room and bowed "The Eastern Division of the New Emissaries has returned."

Vassaan shook his head "I thought they were going to launch four separate incursions into Numengate? What brought them back?"

At Dawson's silence the Senator looked down and dismissed the commanders.

"Damn it!"

"Die!"

The Emissaries and Midnight 2 clashed again, roaring fiercely the Midnight seemed to become even more violent. The four blades were sinking far deeper into the ground than ever before and tearing out with enough force to disrupt the floor around them, savage legs shot out and into Rhogam and Tyazaer, knocking the wind out of them.

Orkra dodged a quick slash and focused on the exposed flesh on Midnight 2's upper right arm. "Almost!"

Zihark blocked a blade allowing Orkra to get closer but the Trueblade had to fall back as the other three weapons descended on him. Filling his place Titania moved in and stuck her axe into Midnight 2's side causing the creature to roar. With immense force the woman yelled and continued to push her weapon deeper across the Midnight's side. Tyazaer got up and blocked a blade only for the others to get Titania and ground her before the Midnight lifted one foot and stepped on her.

Zihark cursed and moved forward just as Titania produced a knife. Coughing blood she looked up Midnight "Take this you shit!" She rammed it into the exposed flesh of the leg followed quickly by Zihark's blade that pierced through the leg and Orkra's blade that pierced through the arm.

Trueblade and Hero cried out as they followed through with their attacks, severing arm and leg. The Midnight fell back in shock before Ranulf rammed into its chest. The M insignia cracked violently as the beast fell to the ground.

Mertre landed near Titania "Are you alright?"

She coughed "I'll make it."

As Mertre began healing Titania, Rhogam ran past them and jumped into the air, his axe came down on Midnight 2's lower right arm, severing it as well.

With half its limbs gone Midnight 2 struggled to stand and swing its last two blades. Zihark and Orkra used their weapons to tear the blades away from Midnight 2.

Zihark threw his to the ground as Orkra threw hers to Tyazaer, the blade was massive but the Paladin managed to keep it level "Alysia! Go!"

The horse charged forward as Midnight 2 lifted itself "Die!"

With massive force the blade pierced the Midnight's skull.

"You fought for freedom…order…or a higher purpose."

The force of Ragnell and Alondite's collision seemed to keep Jyuugo and Ike floating in midair along with several pieces of rubble.

Jyuugo looked up at Ike "What makes you say that?"

"There is purpose to your strikes. It is heavily masked by your desire to kill me but there is more there. You've wielded weapons for freedom and the like…what changed?"

"The order changed!" Jyuugo spat "The things I fought for ultimately meant nothing! I gave everything! My humanity! My wishes! MY DREAMS! MY PURPOSES! I gave everything for lies over and over again. It killed me…I'm no longer man or monster. I am a shell."

Jyuugo pushed closer to Ike "A shell only full when killing."

Ike narrowed his eyes "You were a great warrior in the past. To see you as you are now…the world lost someone of an unknown value. We'll never know the value because here you stand…a shell."

Ike took his black hand away from Ragnell and clenched his fist. With as much force as he could muster he punched Jyuugo's metal plate, breaking it.

The two men finally hit the ground and moved away from each other. Jyuugo was now devoid of advanced information; he looked up at Ike who was still holding Ragnell.

"Fight me as the warrior of the past that you were not the shell you've become."

Jyuugo smirked and aimed Alondite at Ike "Let this be your final request."

"Welcome Son of Gawain."

Ike spun Ragnell.

"Your composure, bearing, voice…it seems obvious in retrospect."

Mirroring Ike, Jyuugo assumed his battle pose.

"I wish I'd had the chance to fight you, or see you fight, General".

"Unfortunately for both of us, that opportunity never came."

"Are you ready?" The man from Archanea, Norad Jyuugo asked the man of Tellius.

"Ike, I have long looked forward to the day we would fight again. Now that it is here. Let us not delay any longer. Raise your sword and begin!"

Ike nodded "Let's finish this."