Kagura slumped forward, frowning as he looked down at some boring set of paperwork. The document before him was no doubt a vital matter. But how could he focus when every alarm bell in his head clanged to remind him of Nu? It had been well over an hour since her disappearance, and until he knew that she was safe, he could not begin to focus on anything else. With a grumble, he flopped back and stared at the ceiling. "I'm going to need a drink at this rate…"

The door burst open, and he leaped to his feet with a squawk. At first sight of the mane of red hair, relief flooded him. And then he saw Tsubaki's face—red-eyed and tear-trailed. He didn't even get a chance to speak before she was on him. "Nu's been taken by the NOL. We're going after her."

"Uh…" Kagura blinked, trying to process her words. "Wait, seriously? Who the heck…?"

"Relius Clover of the Engineering Department. He intends to erase her, just like Terumi did. I will not lose anyone else to these vile men." With narrowed eyes, Tsubaki grabbed Kagura's wrist and tugged. "I know I cannot defeat Clover on my own, however."

"…And so you're grabbing a colonel to help you. But Tsubaki, you know what you're doing, right? This is outright treason, only a couple hours after vouching for the NOL. You go through with this…"

"My status within the Librarium will be compromised, yes. However, what I seek is justice. Those that use their power for evil, such as Terumi and Clover, will face my judgment, regardless of their rank. I will bring Nu back."

After digesting and mulling over every last one of Tsubaki's words, Kagura gave her his brilliant grin. "Now, that's what I like to hear. Sure, you got my help. Any idea where Relius might have taken her?"

"Thanks, Kagura." Tsubaki looked down and closed her eyes. Where could Relius have taken Nu…? "…I think I might know. It's a ways away, however; is there any way you could contact Rachel?"

"Fascinating… your soul burns more brightly than before." Relius rubbed his chin as he examined Nu, bound in a globular machine with metal tubes burrowed into her back. "Truly, you may have proven useful in my designs, but alas. The Imperator desires you as her sword, so her sword you shall be."

Nu hung her head. The mask she had worn to protect Tsubaki had long since ripped, revealing her true face—terrified and on the verge of tears. "…Nu doesn't want to be anyone's sword, but… you won't go after Tsubaki, right?"

"As long as she does not raise her blade against me, you have my word." Relius smirked. If it placated Nu into obedience, then so be it; he would claim no ill intent toward Yayoi. The truth, of course, was a total one-eighty from his words—the moment that the Yayoi heir showed the first sign of treachery, she would be dealt with. A shame her soul was not particularly useful to him. "Due to Kokonoe's interference, I cannot do this easily. My apologies; this will likely be exceedingly painful, and anesthetic would only be detrimental to this process. Make peace with whatever you believe in, Thirteen, whether it be some fictional deity or Tsubaki Yayoi. You will cease to exist as you are after this."

A dark wormhole opened up and jettisoned out three figures; two rolled a ways from the velocity, the other floated down to her feet on wind. Rachel narrowed her eyes at what lay before her, a frown curving her lips. "…Miss Yayoi, whatever is this tower?"

"Huh?" After picking herself up and dusting herself off, Tsubaki stared at the spire before her, an all too familiar structure. "This is the base at which I was stationed following the events in Kagutsuchi. If Relius isn't here, then I am at a loss at where to strike."

"I see." Rachel's frown deepened. A base? Just what was Terumi plotting by setting such a massive Cauldron as a base? Once this little operation was finished, the nature of such a place needed to be focused on. "Very well. I shall remain on guard out here; it would be quite the travesty if Terumi were to join forces with Relius while you fought him, would it not?"

"…I see. Alright." Privately, Tsubaki had been hoping that Rachel would join them, but her reasoning made enough sense. Without any further delay, she bolted forward, toward the entrance to the tower. "Kagura. Let's go."

"Right behind you, Tsu. Good luck holding down the fort here, Rachel." As Kagura caught up to his partner, he smirked. "You know, I usually take charge myself when girls are involved, but for you, I'll make an exception."

"You're horrible. Nice, and a good ally, but horrible. Now please stop the innuendos, at least until we're done here." Tsubaki slowed to a stop as she reached the entrance, and after drawing out a card from her uniform, swiped it through a reader. The door beeped and opened. "Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, though."

"Heh. No problem." As he peered into the abyss that waited through the entrance, Kagura scowled. "Kinda amazed that they didn't deactivate your access here, but… well. Not complaining. So, lead the way?"

"Alright." With an idle grip on Izayoi, Tsubaki entered the tower, maintaining as composed a march as she could. No sense attracting any trouble before meeting Relius, after all. The journey through the entryway was, as expected, uneventful, and they entered into the coiling ring of the tower. There, Tsubaki spotted a green-clad officer making his way around the circle and waved him over. "Excuse me, sir. Would you happen to know if Relius Clover is present?"

"Colonel Clover?" The soldier faltered at the two that approached him—there was no mistaking Kagura Mutsuki. "He is, and while he asked to be left alone, I suppose meeting with a superior wouldn't be out of the question. He is in the level 13 Engineering lab at the moment."

"Alright, thank you."

Nu winced as the machine surrounding her whirred, an electric shock running through her body. The pressure on her body increased until she thought her bones would shatter. Still, despite the agony, she smiled; she focused only on the past week, the only week of her life she remembered. What should have been bleak and miserable was speared by a single beacon of light, one that allowed her to not worry about her past and erased all anxiety of her future. "Tsubaki… thank you so much…"

The wattage of her jolt increased, and Nu cried out, extremities convulsing. Her body wanted to lean forward in an attempt to assuage the pain, but the metal prison kept her in place. Every time she tried to think about anything else—no matter what the experience—the agony just drew her right back out of her thoughts. She squealed, both in pain and frustration. This torture would drive her insane if she couldn't get her mind off of it…

Somehow, Nu forced herself to think of the single most comforting thought she could; Tsubaki's form, a light, kind smile on her face. She focused on that image, filling out every detail she could. Even the intense pain flooding her to black her out for good couldn't break her concentration on something so simple. From there, her thoughts spread to their experiences together. Their bonding. Their struggles. And with those thoughts, Nu smiled amidst her spasmodic limbs, a certain nirvana achieved.

But this peace proved short-lived. As Nu focused on her time with Tsubaki, the darker aspects emerged. Tsubaki had already lost her closest friends in a way. If Nu left her, she would be all alone again—a hell Nu knew of too well. At this point, they were all each other had; they belonged together, and nothing could be allowed to tear them apart. And so… and so… "…Nu doesn't wanna die… I'll hold on for you…"

All the while, the machine crackled, doing its best to drag Nu into the darkness for good.

Relius frowned as Nu's screams, muffled by the machine, fell silent. Had she already fallen unconscious? No, that was impossible; a Murakumo should be hardier than that. Clearly she was merely resisting. He would check in five minutes or so. He doubted the electric shocks administered to her would do any lasting damage. As he returned to looking over data on Nu projected on a computer monitor, a sound came from the lab's door; a prolonged buzz indicating a failed entry. He grumbled to himself. "I requested my privacy. Be gone."

No response came for several moments. Then the card reader buzzed again, and Relius snapped his fingers with an exasperated sigh. "Ignis. Kill them. I cannot be disturbed."

Ignis appeared and lurched towards the door, weaponized arms ready to skewer whoever dared intrude. And with a great crash, the door launched forward, Kagura propelling himself behind it with his sword held straight and stout. The rush purple energy around the blade struck Ignis and crashed her back into the wall. Lowering his blade, Kagura turned and smirked at Tsubaki, who still waited stunned at the entrance. "Told you we should have done this first."

Face impassive, Relius rose to his feet and regarded Kagura. "Mutsuki. You know you are not to interfere in my affairs, especially in such a way. Why have you seen fit to…" He trailed off as Tsubaki came into view. "…I see. Very well."

At his command, Ignis lunged straight at Tsubaki, trying to impale her where she stood. Kagura stepped in the way, and her bladed hand ground against his thick blade. Before she could recover, he booted her straight in the stomach. And winced as his foot made contact with cold steel. "Ow! Tsubaki, go find Nu. I'll hold them off."

"Right." Tsubaki charged forward, expecting Relius to bar her way. And as he did step before her, some metal limb gleaming within his coat, she launched into the air, aided by an Ars. A green fist shot up at her, but nothing except for the air churned in its wake so much as brushed her. She turned in midair and dove towards the ground at blistering speed, Izayoi shifting into armor around her to protect her from the impact. And with that, she was past Relius. She darted straight into the nearest door, leaving Kagura to deal with Relius.

As the door slammed shut behind Tsubaki, she stalled, holding in a gasp. A machine waited for her, crackling with electricity and thundering with its earthquake movements. And trapped within its dome, half-drowned in some aquamarine liquid, waited Nu. After coming out of her stupor, Tsubaki dashed up to the glass window and pressed against it, hoping that her friend was alright. "Nu! Wake up! Please, wake up!"

Within the machine, Nu stirred. Her single eye opened, and her jaw dropped. She said something, but the machine trapped her voice behind its wall. A brilliant flash of electricity blinded Tsubaki for a moment, and when it passed, Nu had crumpled over, eyes squinted shut and mouth open in a scream that managed to pierce through. Face pale, Tsubaki glanced to and fro. She had to get Nu out of this thing, right now. But she had no knowledge of this contraption, no knowledge of mechanics in general. What was she supposed to do…?

Her frantic gaze fell over a panel on the side of the machine. She raced over, looking it over. A lever, about the length of her middle finger, extended from the chrome side. Placing her hand on it, she looked back over at Nu. The girl convulsed and let out another scream, driving a wince through Tsubaki's face. This had to be it. With all of her might, she grabbed and pulled on the pole. It didn't budge. Eyes widening, she looked down at the panel itself. A number pad and a digital display…

A password. She needed a password to save Nu. With a growl of desperation, her free hand rose and tore at her hair. What the hell was she supposed to do now?! Destroy the machine and pray that Nu came out unscathed? She couldn't just give up here, not after jeopardizing her status within the NOL so much. There had to be a way…

Tsubaki closed her eyes and took a breath, letting her anxiety flood away. If she could do something about the password protecting the lever, this would all be solved. …And she could. Or at least, Izayoi could. She focused as she planted its tip against the display. If this failed, she would only have one recourse—destroy the machine in its entirety in a last-ditch effort to save Nu. Light built up along Izayoi's blade, but more than that came with it. Calling upon the entire electromagnetic spectrum that her weapon held at its command, Tsubaki charged up energy in her sword. After a short time, a familiar ache settled in her eyes, and she released.

The pulse surged through the device, scrambling its mixture of electronics and Ars Magus. With a whine of static, the display's glow died. Without hesitation, Tsubaki cast Izayoi aside and pulled on the lever with both hands. The metal rod went, and with a sputter, the machine's quaking ground to a halt. The blue liquid receded below, and the metal tubes retracted, leaving deep wounds on Nu's back. Panting from the adrenaline flooding her, Tsubaki raced to the front of the machine. "Nu! Are you alri—"

Before Tsubaki could even finish, Nu lunged out of the dome and tackled Tsubaki to the ground. With a high-pitched squeal, Nu wrapped a stranglehold around Tsubaki's body and pulled in as close as she could. "Oh my god, you really came for me! Thank you so much, Tsubaki!"

Tsubaki opened her mouth to respond, laughing all the way, but before she could, something wet and warm pressed against her lips. It took a moment to register what had happened, but when it did, she froze up and her face went bright red. But after only a moment, Nu pulled back, still holding her friend close. With her own blush, she closed her eyes and giggled. "Oh, uh, sorry about that. Nu just got carried away there."

"It's… alright." Tsubaki blinked away her surprise, lips still tingling from the sudden kiss, and smiled up at her friend. "I'm just glad you're okay, Nu."

"Mm… Tsubaki… I can't believe you really came." Eyes tearing up, Nu snuggled in against Tsubaki's body, curling up. "Nu hoped you would… it was all Nu thought about… but Nu didn't think you actually would…"

"Of course I would, Nu. You're my friend; I won't abandon you ever." After finally moving her arms to return the embrace, Tsubaki rested her chin atop Nu's head. Her hand stroked through Nu's hair, wringing out whatever liquid she had been dropped in. "I've already lost enough friends for one lifetime."

"Mm… Nu knows… all Nu could think about was that I didn't you to lose me as well." Tightening her grip on Tsubaki, Nu buried her face into Tsubaki's chest, tears budding to dot Tsubaki's uniform. "…I won't leave you again. Nu doesn't want either of us to be alone again."

"Nor do I, Nu." Smiling, Tsubaki pulled Nu closer and nuzzled into her hair. Her nose wrinkled at the chemical smell permeating from Nu's hair, but she didn't relinquish her grip. She wanted to just stay here and comfort Nu. But now was not the time. Sitting up, she pulled Nu along with her and parted from the hug. "We can talk more later. For now, we need to get out of here."

"Ah, right." After releasing Tsubaki, Nu jumped to her feet. White glowed around her as the great sword of Murakumo materialized and broke into bits of armor. Once the bodysuit formed, Nu nodded to Tsubaki, visor forming across her face. "How will we get past Relius, though?"

"I brought Kagura with me. He can hold Relius off while we make our escape." Tsubaki bolted over to the door and cracked it open. "Let's just see how he's doing…"

"So, 'Ignis', huh? Pretty name." Kagura smirked as he blocked a slash of the marionette's claws. "What do you say you ditch Relius over there and come back with me?"

As she watched behind the cracked-open door, Tsubaki just stared at Kagura for a full three seconds before burying her face in her palm. "…that idiot…"

"Oh?" At the other side of the room, Relius looked over at the door, frowning. "So the mouse has returned. So be it. Ignis. Kill Yayoi and restrain the Unit. I will deal with Mutsuki."

Claws already extended, Ignis stopped her attack on a dime and vanished. After a breath, she behind Tsubaki and Nu, wielding twin scythe blades. With a grunt, Kagura bolted as fast as he could their way, only for a blade to rise up from the ground and halt his progress. Snarling, he turned to Relius. "What? Mad about me hitting on your girl?"

"Hardly. Ignis is a tool, nothing more. Your attempts to woo her to your side are in vain. But I tire of this dance; I cannot allow any more interference." Relius closed his eyes for a moment, before rocketing forward, too fast for Kagura to follow. A chrome fist lunged from within Relius's cape and struck Kagura square in the chest. The Black Knight's eyes bulged at the impact, and he dropped to his knees with a throaty, blood-laced cough. The cyborg limb gripped him around the neck and hefted him off the ground. "I will be sure to let the Imperator know of your treachery."

"Kagura!" Tsubaki started forward, but halted to look back. Nu stood there, caught between Ignis's blades and struggling to push them away with her own swords. Nu looked back to give her a nod, and Tsubaki heaved a sigh. "…Hold on, Nu. Please."

With that, she darted forward, Izayoi lengthening in her grasp into a long, wide blade. She lunged straight at Relius's metallic joint, trying to severe the arm holding Kagura. With the most effortless of motions, Relius swiveled on his heel, placing his hostage before her blade. Before she could impale her friend, Tsubaki skidded to a halt, shortening Izayoi down to a knife. With a strangled grunt, Kagura lunged up with a knee and struck Relius's jaw. The scientist staggered back a step, but swung Kagura to the side and slammed him into an iron wall.

"Dammit…" Tears budding as failure loomed ever closer, Tsubaki lunged again. Izayoi retracted all the way and molded itself around her fist as a knuckle. Short blades extended from it as she delivered a punch at the elbow of Relius's mechanical arm. The claws pierced through the joint, but before she could retract them, Relius swung another robotic arm at her. The giant's fist caught her in the gut and launched her across the workroom into the far wall. As Tsubaki slumped to the ground, clutching a dislocated left shoulder that rendered her shield useless, Nu darted back to stand between her and Ignis. "Don't worry, Tsubaki. Nu will protect you."

"Nu…" Gasping for air, Tsubaki rose to her feet. She wobbled back against the wall, but returned Izayoi to its base form. It didn't matter what happened; she would fight until she couldn't do so any more. She glared as Ignis advanced, claws ready to slash at the two girls.

Face purple from asphyxiation, Kagura winced as he dropped his sword to grab Relius's arm with both hands. A nebula of purple mist grew within his palms before exploding into an Ars orb. The whirling sphere completed Tsubaki's work and shattered the limb at the joint, letting him dropped to his feet. No sooner had Kagura tossed aside the hand on his neck, its fingers limp and dead, than Relius swung a large, whirring blade his way. Dazed and unbalanced, Kagura fell flat on his back to avoid it. As he staggered back to his feet, he reclaimed his sword and planted in the ground, both for balance and to ward off another strike from Relius. "Alright, you bastard… I guess that's enough messing around."

"Hm. It's far too late, I'm afraid. Such a shame that so illustrious a figure must die a traitor." Relius took several paces back, out of range of Kagura's weapon, and observed, waiting for his opponent to make a move. He said nothing, made no movement. Just watched.

As he pulled as sword back out of the ground, Kagura took a step back with a snarl. Every card rested in Relius's hands now with that much distance between them. Who knew what other weaponry Relius possessed beneath his cloak, after all? But still, he had to act. He had to ensure that Tsubaki and Nu escaped in safety. Kagura lifted a hand, a purple maelstrom growing within his palm. With a roar, he spun it forward. As expected, Relius dodged to the side rather than deal with the collected seithr ball. "Wyvern!"

Sword pointed straight ahead, Kagura launched forward, violet mist erupting around his charge. Like a train, he bore down on Relius, ready to drag the puppeteer into the far wall and end this battle. Relius was unbalanced from dodging the sphere; there was no way he could dodge this…

"Led Ley." Relius spun on one foot, and the lancing charge passed straight through him. Kagura crashed headlong into the wall he had hoped to crush Relius against, and Relius smirked as he spun and brought forth another weapon, a green fist the size of a car. The punch smashed Kagura against the iron barrier, and he crumpled to the ground, bleeding from the forehead. "Such banality."

Nu squeaked as a saw blade whirred through the ground at her, shrapnel peppering her. She darted back, but almost toppled over backwards from her surge of momentum. Knees trembling, her body wanting to collapse from the torture she had endured, she nonetheless extended her hand and summoned forth a pair of swords to spear at Ignis. The marionette encased herself in a large, round blade and darted forward; the swords bounced off her protection, and Ignis bowled over the Murakumo.

Wincing, Nu pulled herself back up to her knees, clutching the wound cut through her bodysuit. From behind her, Tsubaki darted after Ignis, light gathered around her sword. Izayoi grew in size, and she brought it up in a slash. Ignis caught the attack on a clawed hand, but staggered back from the force. Before Tsubaki could balance herself after the attack, Ignis's arm spun into a drill and lunged. Tsubaki's attempt to block only managed to cast it aside, chewing on the flesh of her shoulder. With a scream, she stumbled away and toppled onto her back, unable to reach her other arm around to clutch her wound.

"Get away from her!" Panic lacing her mind, Nu darted forward, unbalanced though she was. Her wing-like swords crashed down against Ignis and drove her back into the wall. Fury spurring her into recklessness, Nu slashed again and again, beating Ignis down. "Nu won't let you hurt Tsubaki!"

And without warning, Ignis vanished, leaving Nu to bury her swords deep into the wall. Before Nu could retract them, claws clamped down her head from behind. She squealed as Ignis lifted her over her head, before slamming her against the ground. A light moan of defeat followed, but Ignis was not about to give her any chance to recuperate. She lifted Nu high again and hurled her across the room.

Tears budding, Tsubaki turned back to where Nu lay. No. No, it couldn't end like this. Kagura was here, he needed to… Footsteps snapped her to attention, and she paled. Relius strode her way, Kagura's body lying behind him, unconscious or worse. Despair speared Tsubaki through, and she fought to even stay on her knees. "This can't…"

"But it is. Reality is not some fantasy where your notion of good always prevails, First Lieutenant. Now…" Relius came to a stop and drew the whirring blade from before. "As interesting as it would be to experiment on you, I believe you are too much a nuisance to take any chances with. Farewell."

A gale blew. It started off but a breeze, but grew in intensity until it buffeted Relius and pushed him back. Behind the mask, however, he showed no emotion. "Alucard. Show yourself."

"Oh, very well." A hole opened in space, and Rachel stepped through to stand before Tsubaki. "As I thought. Relius proved quite out of your league. But at least you succeeded in retrieving Nu. Step through, Miss Yayoi. The portal shall bring you to the safety of my abode. I will follow shortly with your companions."

"Miss Rachel…" Whispering a soft thanks, Tsubaki crawled along the ground towards the wormhole. From her side, Ignis darted in, but a black cat of tiger-like size tackled the marionette to the ground. Wincing as each pulse of her heart renewed the pain in her body, she continued her crawl until finally, she slipped through the rift. A surge of motion pulled her forward, churning her stomach and doing no favors for her wound. She slammed into the ground after only a second, mercifully landing on her rear rather than either wounded shoulder.

At first, all Tsubaki could do was clutch her pounding head, eyes closed in a wince. She wanted to dive right back through and ensure Nu's safety, but knew that she could do nothing more at this point. When she opened her eyes, a gloved hand hovered before her face. "Huh…?"

"Miss Yayoi. It is a pleasure." An aging man towered over her, eyes wrinkled in concern. "Allow me to escort you to a more appropriate room to treat your wounds. And please, have faith in Madam Rachel. I assure you, she will not fail."

"Alright… thank you…" Body heavy, Tsubaki allowed the man to pull her up to her feet with no regard for who it was. She followed him along, clutching his hand to ensure her balance. As they passed through a door, she turned and cast one last look back at the portal. She chewed her lower lip with a silent prayer that Nu and Kagura would come back safely. As the man led her along, she paid no attention to her surroundings. All she could think about was the safety of her companions.

In short time, the man guided her to lay on a bed, which she did without a thought. He bowed low. "Please, rest, Miss Yayoi. I shall treat your wounds while you do so. Your mission to save your friend was a success."

Despite his words, worry gripped Tsubaki as she collapsed into a nightmare-laden sleep.