I dodged another blast that Sylvanix threw at me as the ground was ripped to pieces by his wind breath. For a dead guy he was surprisingly strong. He spread his wings before inhaling once more to unleash a twister directly at me. "Hey! Watch where you aim that thing!" I yelled as I started running around the twister. After several revolutions the twister couldn't take the opposite air streams and turned into a pile of dust that blinded me.

"Your enemies won't spare you any quarter. Why should I?" the dragon/Magan asked as his fist drove into my gut, winding me. He whipped around and used his tail to smack me into the ground. He placed his talon on my skull as I gasped for breath. "Amazing. A simple technique like that is able to beat the hedgehog who survived against a hoshoku-sha spirit for the better part of two days. Don't tell me that I wasted all that effort for nothing."

I growled and grabbed his foot and threw him off with ease. As he landed I lunged at him and aimed for his throat, my hands rapidly becoming claws. I could feel a hunger coursing through my entire body and for the first time in my life I wasn't sure that chili dogs could fill it. "That's more like it!" Sylvanix laughed as he dodged with ease. "Just remember that if you want to protect your friends with the little time you have left then you need to be in control rather than letting your hunger control you."

"Easier said than done," I told him as I tried to suppress it. "It's like there's this emptiness inside me that I can't fill. I gets better when I fight with you or Daryl but it takes almost everything I've got to keep it at bay. What if that thing shows up again?"

Sylvanix let out a heavy sigh, massaging the bridge of his nose. "It seems you still don't get what you are now," he muttered. "Listen closely, Sonic. You are a hoshoku-sha now. You are neither Mobian or Magan. You are a predator, a creature that longs to hunt down prey weaker than it. If Enerjak was brought down by hoshoku-sha then I have no doubt that it will also slow your transformation into an ochita down as well."

"So the bottom line is that I'll always want to fight now?" I asked and he nodded. "What about my friends? Are you saying they're nothing more than fodder for me now?"

"If you want to keep the metaphor going then I would guess they're your pack," the Magan replied. "But just remember that if at anytime your goals and the goals of your pack differ you may seek out another pack, one that will fulfill your hunger for battle, the need to become stronger. That is the truth of the hoshoku-sha. There isn't some other entity inside of you, only the hunger."

"What do I tell the others?"

Sylvanix shook his massive head. "If I were you I wouldn't tell them anything," he answered. "How do you think you would react watching someone you thought you knew turn into a bloodthirsty monster right in front of your eyes? They would be terrified of you for the rest of their lives." I clenched my fists as I stared at the dirt. I didn't like keeping secrets from my friends but Sylvanix told the truth. They'd probably just lock me up or throw me out if they knew what I was. "I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you. The day will come when they'll be faced with something far worse than a hungry beast. Now, come at me again and this time..."

Ringing. Unbearable ringing. Not to mention the fuzzy vision and muffled voices calling out to him. The comfortable black surrounding him was quickly being pierced by a blinding light and unrecognizable figures saying his name over and over.

"-nic! Sonic!" one of them said, distinctly male. "There! He's coming out of it now."

Sonic blinked several times, trying to determine whether he had just dreamed the last two weeks or if he was now dead and somehow managed to pass on to the afterlife. The searing pain in his left arm was trying to tell him that he was still alive but he did his best to ignore it. Truth be told dying by being crushed underfoot by a fifteen foot snowman was a hundred times better than being a chimera's chew toy or Ixis Nepta's new suit. What more could a 'hog ask for?

"Welcome back to the waking world, friend," one of the men said, an elderly chipmunk with friendly features. "You're lucky to be in one piece after the mess we found the two of you in."

Fiona. That got Sonic's attention as he quickly sat up. His arm protested by flaring with renewed pain and forcing him to lie back down with a pained groan. "Easy there, pal," the other male said, this one a much younger wolf with charcoal grey fur. "You took a hell of a beating and it'll take a bit for your body to heal, even for a Guardian."

"How is it that everyone seems to know that?" Sonic asked through gritted teeth. "I know that I'm not exactly the world's most subtle guy but I thought that was the one thing I'd managed to keep under wraps. And still everyone single person seems to know."

"Only the ones who are Magan do," the chipmunk pointed out as Sonic turned to stare at him. "We know who you are, Wind Guardian Sonic Hedgehog. After all we've heard about you it's an honor to meet you in person." Before he could ask anymore the wolf shoved a pill in his mouth and handed Sonic a glass of water. He drank the water and swallowed the pill, suddenly remembering that he was starving.

"How long have I been out and what did I just take?" he asked, sitting up slowly and swinging his feet over the edge. "And who do I have to kill for a chili dog?"

"Breakfast should be in before too long," the chipmunk replied, laughing. "The medicine you just took is an herbal painkiller. It'll help take the edge off your arm until you can fully recuperate. With the state you and your friend were in we thought you'd be out for much longer. Do you remember what happened?"

"One of the golems must have caught up to us," Sonic explained, tucking his arm in to reduce some of the pain. "It tore one of the wings off the shuttle and then hit us from below, causing us to crash." He shook his head. "Right about then I see it stomping towards us and about to smash us to bits. I must have passed out right after that." The elder nodded to the younger wolf as he placed his hands on Sonic's left arm, his hands glowing with light blue energy. As the light subsided ice formed around Sonic's arm like a cast. It was cool to the touch and more comfortable than Sonic would have thought possible for ice. "Not bad," he commented. "So how did we survive?"

"You are not the only Guardian here," the elder said with a smirk, looking to the wolf. Sonic looked to the two of them, slowly realizing what he meant as a familiar presence filled his mind.

"You're both..."

"The whole village, except the children of course," the elder finished as Sonic stood up. "Thank you, Michael, that will be all for the time being." Michael, the wolf, gave a silent nod and left the room. "I am Elder Trent of the village of Serenity, the last bastion of the Magan people." Sonic's jaw went slack as he heard this, his brain still only semi-conscious. "Your friend, the fox, is fine. She was still conscious when we found you and relatively uninjured. Dr. Marilyn is currently touring the village with my granddaughter."

"Doctor who?" Sonic asked and the Elder handed him Fiona's ID card. On it was Fiona's picture along with the name 'Dr. Marilyn Monroe', causing Sonic to sigh. "She could at least use a good fake name when she gets these things made."

"I had a feeling that wasn't her name. Still, I let it slide. She can do no harm here nor do I think she wants to." The door to his room opened as a small blue fox with four tails walked in, her bright orange hair in stark contrast to her fur. She was carrying a large tray of food and Fiona wasn't far behind with a matching tray. She had a few bandages on her face and some visible bruises but other than that she seemed no worse for wear.

"Here you are, Mr. Hedgehog," the girl said, handing him the tray while Fiona nibbled on the other one.

"I know that look. Stay away from my breakfast," she told him playfully, maneuvering the tray away from him. "You feeling any better?"

"That painkiller hasn't kicked in yet but I'll live," Sonic replied, digging into the breakfast. "So, who are you, kiddo?"

"This is my granddaughter, Kiarra Volkov," the Elder explained, putting his arm around the girl's shoulders.

"She doesn't really share the family features," Fiona pointed out as a sausage link hung out of her mouth.

"She's...adopted," the Elder answered rather hesitantly. "Her parents passed away some time ago so I took responsibility for raising her. Actually, the entire town has pitched in but I've been the primary caregiver for some time now."

"That was nice of you," Sonic said, setting down the empty plate and fork. "So what's up with this place? You said all of you are Guardians."

"Kiarra, why don't you go see if Mrs. Johnson needs any help while her husband is out," the Elder suggested as he stood up. The nine year old pouted briefly but did as she was asked. When he was sure that she had left the house the Elder continued. "Our village was founded after the last Ragnarök as a safe haven where violence was prohibited. Unfortunately in order to maintain that peace we needed the strength to keep others away or hide us from particularly powerful enemies."

"I can think of someone we've met recently who'd love to find this place," Fiona pointed out, sending a chill up Sonic's spine. "How sure are you that we weren't followed?"

"Please, miss, give us some credit," the Elder said with a sly smile. "This is not the first time we have crossed paths with a sorcerer. We can handle a small-time magician."

"This is Ixis Nepta we're talking about," Fiona said forcefully but he just stared at her. "Am I the only one who realizes just how dangerous this person is?"

"Ixis Nepta is a myth," the Elder replied. "Many sorcerers over the years have taken his name to promote their own but they have all fallen. The two of you are welcome to stay here while your wounds heal. Once that is accomplished, however, I would ask that you both leave. Soldiers and sorcerer apprentices tend to attract unwanted attention." With that the Elder left the room.

"Y'know when you hear it out loud it does make sense," Sonic commented as he looked at Fiona. "Considering how long you were in Mogul's service I would've been shocked if you hadn't learned some sorcery along the way."

"It wasn't what you'd call a normal apprenticeship," she explained. "The only reason he had me learn anything was so that I could fight against others as his proxy." Her eyes darted back and forth from Sonic as though she expected him to transform again at any moment. "So how are you feeling now?"

Sonic held a hand to his head as the dream started to surface again. "Of all the dreams I could've had it was that one," he commented. "I guess after everything over the last few weeks it only makes sense. I'd almost forgotten about that conversation." When Fiona asked what he meant he waved it off. "For the most part I'm fine. My head still feels like it's spinning but I'm guessing that's from almost being stepped on. You?"

"The worst of my wounds were already healed when I came to," she told him. "They said they tried healing you but the energy just vanished when they did. Anyway, hurry up and eat. You have got to check this place out." Once they had finished she led him outside where the snow sparkled in the morning sun but the temperature felt rather mild. Next to each house was either a well or small greenhouse, fresh fruit and vegetables visible inside them. Sonic could also hear the calls of livestock not far from them. This was the epitome of idyllic peace.

"I can see why they don't want violence around here," Sonic commented. "This place is...wow."

"Pretty much what I said," Fiona agreed as they walked around. "If it weren't for the fact that they're kicking us out I wouldn't mind settling down here."

"What do you say we meet the locals, figure out what this place is about?" Sonic asked. Fiona agreed and they both started to walk around.

They quickly discovered that the villagers had no interest in talking about the village or themselves. From watching them Sonic could see that they were very friendly with each other likely meaning that it was just him and Fiona they didn't like. In fact the only people that would talk with them were the Elder and little Kiarra. Even still they didn't say much but the Elder was much clearer as to why.

"We prefer our solitude," he had explained. "No doubt when you return your superiors will want a full report and then they too will come looking for us." There was truth in his words but despite Sonic's promise to not say anything he was still stonewalled for answers.

Two days later Sonic was on a jog through the village trying to kill his boredom and clear his head. Fiona seemed scared of him lately and as a result spent as little time with him as she could. It wasn't as if Sonic didn't know why. She had been right there when he'd tapped into his hoshoku-sha's...no, his full power. His dream had reminded him of what Kuroc really was and he had to get used to the idea of being a monster again. It wasn't exactly a pleasant thing to think about but he had to remind himself that she had seen what happened to him at the tournament when his hunger had gotten the better of him. Now for the first time in a long time he could feel the ache deep within himself that craved battle and desired to become stronger and stronger.

Absent-mindedly he scratched at the ice cast around his arm. He didn't know why it didn't give him frostbite and he honestly didn't care; it was a cast and it was starting to get itchy. He headed for the southern edge of the village, planning to run around the border using shunpo. He'd gotten better since learning the technique but running from Nepta in Albion had proven that he still had a lot of work to do. That and he was hoping to clear his mind after all the crap that had come back to the surface. Still, staying here for the last couple days had allowed him to lower his guard for the first time in what felt like years.

That sense of peace and tranquility was shattered when not far from the border one of the village scouts came limping in, blood soaking through his clothes. He only managed to stutter a, "Help," before collapsing in the snow. Sonic rushed over and began packing snow on the massive cut as he readied a healing spell. It wasn't deep enough to do permanent damage but he'd bleed out before too long. The villagers that were finally responding were yelling at him to get away and to let one of their own handle it. Sonic ignored them, placed his hand on the packed snow, and then said, "Naoru." The snow glowed for a moment and then disappeared. The wound was gone, leaving behind only a nasty scar and bloody clothes. Sonic helped the scout up.

"Thank you very much," he said, giving Sonic a quick bow. "But I need to find the Elder. Someone managed to follow you two here." Sonic's eyes widened as the thought of Nepta following them crossed his mind. As a result he almost missed the familiar whistling through the air. In the blink of an eye Sonic drew Kaiyō Mujō and deflected the sword that was aimed for the scout. The villagers backed up and the scout, after thanking Sonic again, ran off.

"I was hoping you'd be the one to save him," a familiar voice said. "Good to see you haven't lost your edge, Sonic Hedgehog." Sonic looked around until he saw him, the familiar red cloak flapping in the wind. Gilgamesh stood on one of the rooftops, a katana already drawn. "You look different, Sonic. Dare I say...stronger."

"Why are you here, Gilgamesh?" Sonic asked, trying to keep his temper in check. "And why did you try to kill that man? If you came for me then you all you had to do was ask."

"I know your type," the human said, jumping from the roof and landing on his feet with ease. "You don't fight at your best without incentive." He pointed the blade at Sonic. "This time I will cut you down. I've seen your best and I know that I can defeat you."

"No."

The human gave Sonic a curious glance. He had expected many things, just not that. A swordsman who refused to fight? "You don't see me as a threat?" Gilgamesh asked.

"Oh you're a threat alright. But right now there's no reason for us to fight," Sonic explained, sheathing Kaiyō Mujō. "Last time we fought because you attacked my sensei. And despite trying to kill that man just now he's just fine. So tell me: What reason is there for us to fight?" Gilgamesh smiled at that.

"I suppose this is where I say something along the lines of 'I'll kill everyone here if you don't', right?" he taunted. "I could if I were a less honorable man. If you must know I was attacked first. You are my only opponent here, Sonic, and like you said I'm only interested in fighting you. We can fight here and end it or I can hunt you down for the rest of your days. Your choice."

Sonic grimaced. He had been worried Gilgamesh would threaten the villagers but thankfully he hadn't. He turned to them, most of them wearing neutral expressions but the few that had seen him save the scout were nodding their approval. "Fine," he said finally, turning back to the human. "Let's settle this."

Gilgamesh barely gave him any warning. He'd have cleaved off Sonic's arm if the hedgehog had been a second slower. The force of Sonic's swing pushed the swordsman back but he quickly recovered. Sonic had the speed advantage as the kodachi was easier to maneuver than the katana but he also had the impression Gilgamesh was waiting for something. Still, rather than take any chances each blow that the human threw at him Sonic either blocked, parried, or dodged.

Sonic's speed only served to make Gilgamesh swing harder and faster. After an unexpected thrust the human managed to score a hit on Sonic's cheek while the hedgehog's counter struck Gilgamesh's sword arm. While Sonic seemed distracted by his cut the human pounced, swinging with enough force to clear a small path in front of his blade. In the space of a heartbeat Gilgamesh turned the blade and swung again, forcing Sonic to support his sword with his shoulder.

As Sonic pushed against Gilgamesh's sword his mind wandered back to the cut on his cheek. It stung, sure, and that he could deal with. But when it had cut him he thought he had felt something, something that said this was more than just a piece of steel like all the weapons Gilgamesh had used before. With a grunt he pushed Gilgamesh's sword away and thrust at the humans shoulder, scoring a heavy blow in the process. Sonic spotted a flash of steel in the resulting blood spray and jumped back, the blade missing his chest by a hair's breadth.

Fiona watched from the middle of the crowd as Sonic fought Gilgamesh. Both were moving with such speed that they appeared as nothing but blue and red blurs interrupted with the clash of steel. She had nearly forgotten about seeing Sonic train but seeing him use those skills in a fight was still something to behold. But the longer the fight when on the more she swore that Sonic was grinning while fighting the human, almost like he was enjoying the fight.

"What's going on?" Kiarra asked, tugging on Fiona's jacket.

"Sonic's fighting the man who hurt one of the villagers," she explained, kneeling down so she was at eye level with the kid.

"But Mr. Johnson is okay, right?" the young fox asked, confused by the situation. "So why is he fighting?"

"Because this man followed us and Sonic feels responsible," Fiona answered. "He doesn't want this to happen to anyone else that helps us."

"So...he's fighting to keep other people safe?" The question caught Fiona off-guard but she still couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah, that sounds about right," she replied. Kiarra smiled and nodded before running off. Fiona turned back to the fight that still seemed evenly matched.

Sonic jumped back and had to lean back immediately to keep from being decapitated. It was blatantly obvious now that Gilgamesh had been holding back as his speed and strength continued to increase in addition to his skill in handling his sword. Yet the only injury that Sonic had was still the one on his cheek which refused to heal. He had cut the human several times now but none of them seemed to affect him. They actually had the opposite effect by driving him to fight with more fervor. Sonic grimaced, knowing what he had to do.

"Fuzen, Kaiyō Mujō!" he said as Kaiyō Mujō entered her katana release. With one flash step Sonic was behind Gilgamesh. A single slash sent blood spilling onto the snow and Gilgamesh, rather than roaring in pain, just laughed and attempted a counter. By the time he had turned around Sonic was already gone. Gilgamesh glanced to his right to see him mid-thrust and leaned back to avoid it but the blade still managed to lightly score his chest. He smirked and was about to issue a taunt until the blade began to glow. The thrust pushed the aqua energy forward, taking Gilgamesh along with it. The human quickly recovered and leapt towards Sonic, locking blades with him.

"I expected no less of one of Masamune's pupils," Gilgamesh said. "But you don't seem to understand the situation." He twisted his blade so that their sides were pressed against each other. "Fuzen, Juuchi Yosamu!" The blade flashed blood red and with a push Gilgamesh threw Sonic back and attacked with renewed strength.

"Sonic!" Elder Trent yelled, working his way to the front of the crowd. "You must not let that blade cut you! Juuchi Yosamu belonged to the founder of the Kurōkami and cuts both body and spirit."

"Thanks, old man," Sonic thanked him, taking a moment to catch his breath. He wouldn't say it but he knew that right now he was outmatched. Knowing what he needed to do he slammed the pommel of Kaiyō Mujō into his cast and shattered the ice. He then closed his eyes, trying to center himself.

"Are you trying to nap or surrender?" Gilgamesh taunted him as a fine red mist rose from Juuchi Yosamu. His mouth twisted into a smile under his cloak. "Or are you going to use the techniques the old man taught you to kill me?"

"I accepted your reason for a fight but I refuse to kill you," Sonic replied calmly. After another moment he opened his eyes, the normally kind black eyes cold and hard.

"Your eyes...they're the eyes of a murderer," Gilgamesh said with a chuckle. "How many people have died by your hands?"

"Too many," Sonic answered, sheathing Kaiyō Mujō at his side. "Since you seem determined to drag this fight out I'll show you why I never fight at full strength." Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow as Sonic stepped forward and vanished in a puff of snow. The human's eyes widened as Sonic sped towards him without shunpo, nudging Kaiyō Mujō out of her sheath as he stepped in front of Gilgamesh. He drew her, slamming the pommel into the human's ribs and shattering two of them. In the same movement he pulled the sheath from his side and struck Gilgamesh's cheek with it. The momentum Sonic had built up threw the human back but he still managed to flip himself and land on his feet. He had one hand on his side holding his broken ribs and his breathing was ragged.

"I should have expected that," he admitted, gripping his sword tightly. Sonic said nothing; he only sheathed his sword again. "I forgot that battōjutsu was your specialty, a mistake that I will not make twice." Sonic charged again, both hands on his sheathed sword. Gilgamesh swung Juuchi Yosamu only for the hedgehog to block it using the tsuba and tsuka of the sheathed Kaiyō Mujō. He coiled his right arm back, wind wrapping around his fist.

"Blades of Wind," he said, punching Gilgamesh in the chest. The human roared in pain as the blast tore open his cloak and spilled blood onto the snow. Grimacing in pain, he batted away Sonic's sword with his free hand and struck again with his sword only for Sonic to vanish the moment before it connected. He looked up just as Sonic drew Kaiyō Mujō again for a downward swing. Gilgamesh blocked it but the force from the impact cleared the ground around them.

Gilgamesh pushed Sonic back, trying to give himself a chance to breathe. He could not question Sonic's skill or motives but found it hard to believe that while this boy easily had the ability to kill him he still refused to. He watched as Sonic sheathed his sword once more.

"What do you know about the vital points, Gilgamesh?" Sonic asked, one hand still on the tsuka.

"There are nine primary points to focus on regardless of your style," the swordsman answered, curious to know where this was going. "The head, shoulders, hands, hips, groin, and chest. Why do you ask?"

"What if I told you there was a way to hit all nine at the same time?" Sonic asked and Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes.

"Then I would say it's impossible," he replied, "and even if you could you'd slaughter anyone you'd use it against. If by some miracle they survived they'd be crippled for life."

"I'm glad you know the stakes," Sonic said, dropping his stance. "I've practiced every day since I first saw it and I'm pretty confident I can hit all nine now." Gilgamesh asked where he was going with this and Sonic's stare hardened. "I also want you to know that it's impossible to dodge or block this," Sonic replied. "I'm easily faster than you and my master hit me before I could even think." Gilgamesh sighed, sheathed Juuchi Yosamu and held his hands out to the side.

"Then kill me if you feel it's the only way, Sonic," the human said, half taunting and half serious. "Kill me and add me to that list of yours."

Sonic grimaced, his hand tightening around Kaiyō Mujō. All I have to do is cripple him, he thought. I only need to make him admit defeat and this will be done with. He charged, drawing Kaiyō Mujō and focusing on the nine points. He could feel himself accelerate as Gilgamesh came closer. But in the moments before he came in range Gilgamesh dropped his stance and took a step forward. And then another with his left as Juuchi Yosamu came screaming out of its sheath.

The blow hit Sonic across his chest, sending him crashing into the snow. He tried to move but his entire body felt like it was on fire. His left hand was across his chest trying to stem the flow of blood. He looked down, expecting the snow beneath him to be stained red but there was nothing. He looked at his arm but there was no blood on it or the wound.

"Our last fight made me wonder about that blade of yours especially in the way that it could change shapes," Gilgamesh explained sensing Sonic's confusion, "so I set about obtaining a similar weapon. It took some time but I came upon Juuchi Yosamu, the sword of the Kurōkami founder Muramasa. Did you know that, according to legend, Muramasa used to drink the blood of his enemies after a battle? He told his men it was the only way to quench his bloodlust. While I doubt that's true about him it is more than true of his weapon." Sonic managed to stand, Kaiyō Mujō in one hand and the other still holding his chest. The red mist that had been floating around Juuchi Yosamu earlier was now a quickly dissipating cloud. "The old man was close when he warned you. This blade does cut the spirit but it devours the body. It won't calm down until it's had its fill."

"How...how did you...?" Sonic tried saying, every word making the burning sensation worse.

"Counter your attack?" Gilgamesh finished with a chuckle. "I thought you'd enjoy my little act. The truth is rather simple: You're fast, I'm faster."

As Sonic stared at the swordsman he felt his body starting to get cold. I've lost too much blood, he realized, falling to a knee. That sword's going to drain me completely unless I heal this wound. He'd already lost the feeling in his outer digits and he wasn't sure if he could come back from this. He took another look at Gilgamesh who seemed surprised by something though what it was Sonic couldn't tell. He was about to ask what his deal was when with a snap! he was frozen in a block of ice.

"That's enough!" a female voice shouted above the crowd, catching Gilgamesh's attention. "Don't you think enough blood has been spilled today?" An adult female fox with blue fur, fiery orange hair, and four tails walked out of the crowd, her ice-blue eyes practically glowing. Even in the cold she wore a light jack, skirt, and sandals with straps extending up her calves. "As he is Sonic cannot defeat you so leave him and this place for good."

"My blade has not drunk its fill," Gilgamesh replied, perturbed. "And who are you to interrupt our fight?"

"Someone who will end this fight for him if you do not leave peacefully." The woman's eyes flashed causing Gilgamesh to take a step back. But even as he did Juuchi Yosamu pulsed, pulling him forward to try and pierce the fox's chest.

"No!" the human yelled as the woman sidestepped his attack. "Juuchi Yosamu, I am your wielder and you will obey me!" As Gilgamesh struggled with the blade the veins in his head began to pulse until his eyes were completely red.

"That really is Muramasa's sword," the woman confirmed. "He once said the only way to stop it was to either let it bathe in blood or destroy it." She blocked an attack with an ice barrier and countered with a blow to the chest that threw the human back. The human flipped and landed on his feet just as large Nihon dragons rose from the snow, biting down into his shoulders and pinning him to the ground. "If you'd like I can free you from its control," the woman offered but Gilgamesh just snarled at her, breaking through the dragons with the tip of his blade aimed at her heart.

The woman was so surprised that he'd broken through her technique so easily that she had no time to react to an attack. A jet of flame from behind her snapped her out of it as Gilgamesh stopped his attack. She watched as two glowing ribbons whipped past her and cut an X across the human's chest. "There's no way I'm letting you hurt them!" Mina Mongoose told him as she walked past the fox, her Guardian form melting the snow around her. She caught a quick glance at Sonic and turned to the fox next to her. "Did you do that to him?"

"Yes," she admitted. "I was hoping it would end the fight but as you can see it didn't." She gave Mina a quick once over. "You're a Flame Guardian I take it?" Mina nodded. "Good. We need to destroy the sword he's holding before he kills someone." Gilgamesh recovered and charged them, giving them no more time to strategize.

While Mina and the blue fox fought Sonic was left frozen in the ice, trying to figure something out on his own. He stared at the ocean of his inner world which had been frozen mid-wave while it snowed around him. He didn't know if it was because of the wound across his chest or that he'd been frozen solid.

"What irritates you more: being frozen or knowing that bastard countered your best technique?" he heard a male voice ask from behind him. He turned to see Kuroc taking form and walking towards him.

"Both," Sonic replied. "How I was frozen I don't know but I know exactly how Gilgamesh countered my attack. What I'd really like to know how he knew that technique to begin with."

"So why'd you call me here?"

"He said that sword of his can cut the spirit," Sonic explained. "If I allow my full power to surface again will it heal the wound?"

"Souls are more resilient than you think, yours in particular," Kuroc explained. "When you were brought back by that creature he added a bunch of things to protect your soul from being damaged too badly." Sonic stared at the hoshoku-sha, confused.

"In English?" he requested and the black hedgehog gave an exasperated sigh.

"In other words your soul is already healed," he said simply, "and your body is healing even as we speak. If you were to rejoin the fray you'd almost be at full strength." Sonic turned to look at the unmoving ocean.

"Right now the best plan is to wait for the right moment to strike," he told the hoshoku-sha as he began to disappear. Sonic turned his attention back to the fight at hand so he wouldn't miss his chance when it came.

Mina tumbled in the snow as pieces of her ember ribbon fell around her. Juuchi Yosamu was bright red in several spots but Gilgamesh had finally managed to destroy her weapons. The blue fox was faring significantly better but had been protecting Mina the entire time. Gilgamesh raised his sword as the red mist around it began to solidify, extending the cutting edge of the blade another two feet. Just as he was about to bring it down on their heads the sound of shattering glass filled the air.

"Over here, big guy!" Sonic yelled, his fur turning black as he summoned his hoshoku-sha form. Gilgamesh turned to the charging hedgehog as dark blue energy wrapped around Sonic. The human brought Juuchi Yosamu down, ripping up sections of the earth but missing the hedgehog completely. Gilgamesh looked up, his blood-red eyes staring into Sonic's emerald eyes as he came down swinging. "Ryūkai tsume!" Sonic yelled as the attack bolstered his swing. Gilgamesh blocked the attack and Sonic landed with one knee down and his horns dissolving.

Juuchi Yosamu broke just above the tsuba and a large spray of blood erupted from Gilgamesh's shoulder down to his hip. The human's eyes returned to normal as he fell to the ground unconscious. Without hesitating the blue fox ran over and placed her hand on the wound before whispering a healing spell. Several villagers joined her and lifted the injured human up to take him to shelter.

"Mina?" Sonic asked as Kaiyō Mujō returned to her sealed state, allowing him to properly sheathe her. "When did you get here? And how?"

"I'm not sure myself," the mongoose explained as her Guardian form faded. "I just knew you were in danger and I wanted to be here to help."

"Well you girls sure saved my bacon," Sonic admitted bashfully, rubbing the back of his head. He turned to the blue fox who was talking with some of the villagers about treating Gilgamesh's injuries. "Out of curiosity why did you help him?"

"He was controlled by this sword," she explained, kicking what was left of Juuchi Yosamu. The broken remains were slowly dissolving into dust. "His actions against myself and the Guardian here were not his fault. I should also thank you for not killing him."

"I'm generous that way." Sonic's hand ran over the scar on his chest. "That's not to say I didn't want to. Still, some women think scars are sexy." The fox rolled her eyes as Fiona joined them.

"They're saying that he'll make it," she told them. "How ya' feelin', Sonic?"

"I've had better days and I've had worse days," he replied with a shrug. "It sure as hell beats being in Albion." He turned back to the mystery blue fox. "Sorry for being rude but I never did catch your name. I'm Sonic Hedgehog, this is-"

"Fiona Marseilles and the Flame Guardian is Mina Mongoose," the fox interrupted, catching the three of them off-guard. "You are also a Wind Guardian capable of wielding both a tamashīken and hoshoku-sha powers."

"How...how did you know all that?" Mina asked, impressed.

"Because I've been expecting you two for some time now. I knew that you'd eventually come looking for others like me." Her eyes flashed again causing Sonic and Mina to take a step back.

"You can't be..." Sonic said as the realization hit him.

"I am the Dragoon of Frost, Kiarra Volkov," the fox told them, placing a hand on her hip. "It seems we need to talk."