Authors note: Ok guys I can't believe I'm getting chapter 8 out so quickly but whatever, right?

In my personal life, we were discussing Ring Dance themes and I decided to say "Maids and Butlers" for lolz purely...but my friend told me they were considering it because they brought it up in his class which is ridiculous.

Aside from that Akame Ga Kill ( Anime) is over so I switched over to the manga and the rumors were true about it being much better than the anime...Except "Wild hunt" was pretty fucked up...nuff said.

Anyways, you don't care about me so without further ado...Chapter 8...is yours...

Chapter 8

Unlocking the door

"Our mission is to successfully infiltrate Fort Gandala," I told everyone. We then quickly made haste to the trap hole Sheena fell through before and shimmied our way down.

I wasn't sure if we would make in time to save Milla from being robbed or her legs but I had to try regardless of my feelings. It wasn't until we made it down to cell that I was reassured of our success because Milla, Elize, and Driselle were there lying in the same cell.

"Oh my, what are you doing here? Where did you come from?"

"No time to explain Milla," I said helping her off the ground as Sheena broke of the shackles.

"It's no good, they took Teepo," Elize stated as I opened the door.

"Don't worry I'll get him back for you, I promise," I said with a huge smile.

"Breaking prisoners out are we?" Jade had stated as he appeared from nowhere.

"But there wasn't anyone in here I looked," I said confused.

"Looks like you didn't look close enough, cause your luck just ran out…my boss is here this time so I won't hold back against intruders," Jade stated as he readied his spear. This won't be an easy fight that's for sure but I know I can hold him off long enough for the others to escape.

"Everyone…I want you all to escape, I'll deal with Jade and make sure he doesn't follow you," I said shaking my ass of in fear of fighting him. I laughed at him when I played the game and laughed at the fear of his opponents, but now I share that same fear.

I will hold him off. No matter what…I mustn't die here!

"You're stance tells me everything, and I'll tell you now that you're out of your league," Jade said knowing how true it really was.

As I began slashing at Jade whilst making a path for everyone to pass through, they all began looking at me like I was crazy but went on their way…except Milla. She pulled out her sword and began to do the same thing I was doing, and that was just slashing at Jade with no bona fide swordsmanship.

"So a two on one is it?"

"No, that's not it. Milla what are you doing?" I asked her furiously whilst blocking Jade.

"Because I won't leave someone who just saved my life behind…I owe you a debt that will be repaid, and once that debt is gone I will return to my mission," Milla stated with rather fierce boldness.

"Well then, bravo you two…but let's see if you have what it takes to beat me!" Jade shouted aloud.

Milla and I synched our attacks together rather quickly as we began to double team Jade. I had no idea if the others would be fine without us but I trust Sheena to lead them to safety. Jade started with nothing but his spear but once we proved ourselves skilled in swordplay to a fault, he began to use his artes.

"I've never had to resort to using my artes on people who couldn't even wield a sword properly, but this may be interesting indeed," he said as if he had plans for our corpse like a necromancer would.

"We need to come up with a strategy to beat him, or at least one to run away," she told me. I was amazed to see her actually wanting to retreat.

"Well is there anything you'd like to suggest Milla, because anything would help now!"

I swiftly dodged Jades arte, and I rolled to the side hitting Milla on the way down. Jade may not have seemed that strong in the game sometimes but he is just a beast in real life when you're his enemy. We need to come up with a plan…wait…I got it!

"Milla, follow my lead!"

"You got it!"

I began to side step his artes as I got closer to him. Though this was a small space, when you have Jade destroying everything it all clears up and becomes bigger. I made my way to Jade and slashed at him as Milla cast a fireball in order to distract him.

"Now!"

Milla and I made a run for it, but when we reached the next room we found Elize, and Driselle on the ground unconscious with very black legs. Sheena and Pascal were fighting off soldiers. Jade was right behind us and Milla had begun to fight as well when the same thing that happened to Elize, and Driselle happened to her.

"No…no, no, no, no….this wasn't supposed to happen," I shouted in rage at the sight of it all.

It was only supposed to be Milla…I forgot about the barriers keeping them from going to other parts of the Fortress. I ruined the timeline…and not only did I not save Milla, but I ruined Elize and Driselle's Life as well.

"It's the end of the line, and you won't be pulling that stunt with me again," Jade said angrily as he walked closer.

"Let the darkness within you flow…" The voice was calling me…the darkness wanted me again.

Ratatosk sealed it deep within me but was that even enough to contain it? I don't know but if I break this seal to save everyone and myself...will I even make it out of this alive?

"MILLA!"

I heard Jude call out as I saw himself, Rowen, and Alvin approaching. Is this my salvation from the darkness I almost foolishly awoken? I don't know but I better take advantage of it.

"He actually survived him?" I heard Alvin say as they got closer.

I feel Alvin knows about my kidnapping, but I'll let it slide for now because we need to make it out of here safely.

"Jude, I got them out of the cells…but I didn't know this would happen," I told Jude as we became back to back in our fighting stances.

"It's okay, Rowen told me everything…you don't have to bear this burden alone anymore," Jude reassured me as we began to blast through our enemies.

Jude and I just barreled through those enemies until it was just us against Jade. I guess he'll be the boss here.

"It's time for you all to show me what you've got!" Jade said pointing his spear at us.

"Gladly, because anyone who hurts Milla will pay!"

"Don't leave us out!"

"Yeah, an assassin has to do her duties and kill her target!"

"I wanna fight too…but the old man won't be able to help those three alone!"

"Do your best!"

With everyone behind me, I think I can finally beat Jade. I'll show him what it means to mess with a member of Brave Vesperia! Or in this case it would be Brave Xillia…oh well, let's do this thing.

"Jade! I couldn't beat you before, but now I have full confidence with my friends at my side," I told him bravely pointing my sword back at him. The determination I have will not falter

We all began synchronizing our attacks, and bit by bit we were actually wearing him down. I don't know how much longer we'll be able to keep this up though…I need something to end this fight and fast!

"Lord Dante, you already have the ability I know you're thinking about," Tenebrae appeared as if from nowhere to tell me what I needed to know most.

I suddenly began to recall something from memories that weren't my own…I'm remembering the 'Ain Soph Aur' from dawn of the new world and it's flowing into me all at once. I think with more time I could actually use it. I just have to charge it.

"Everyone, I can finish this fight…just buy me some time. I only need a little bit so don't worry," I told them as I began to charge the attack by withdrawing the forged memories and getting in position.

"What's this? You think you can finish me off in one attack? You can't even use spirit artes remember?"

I can feel this power…the endless light just burning in the palm of my hand. It extends through my sword which in itself is an extension of my arm… I feel this new sensation developing.

"Ain!"

I spoke this first word knowing the rest was coming soon. This was my first time casting, and for it to be this big is astonishing to me.

"Soph!"

Jude, and the others kept on blasting Jade with power and attacks while I charged up. The attack was almost done charging and I was almost ready to finish off Jade.

"Aur!"

As I spoke the last phrase a giant orb of destructive light mixed with tinges of darkness was thrust by my sword at Jade. I could feel the power still emanating from it.

"Get out of the way," I shouted to all my allies. They all reacted just in time to escape the blast radius, whilst Jade was caught taking the full brunt of the attack.

"Wow Dante, when did you learn an attack like that," Jude asked with slight curiosity.

"I just pulled that one from my ass, and to be frank I was only able to use it because of the powers I had bestowed upon me by a summon spirit known as the 'Lord of all Monsters'," I told Jude the truth of the matter.

"That's quite interesting indeed," Rowen said as he approached us.

"Rowen are they okay?" Jude and I asked simultaneously.

"They'll be fine…luckily it seems you're friend Pascal used an arte to protect them from the blast…they got some burns but they'll be able to walk again…except Milla…Pascal wasn't quick enough and she couldn't help her so it seems Milla has lost the ability to walk…"

"Damn it! I knew this would happen and I couldn't prevent it!"

"This is not your fault Dante…do not blame yourself," Rowen told me as he laid his hand on my shoulder.

"I guess we'll just have to carry them back for now," Jude said heading over to Milla.

I looked over at the aftermath of my attack to see a brutally injured Jade lying on the ground unconscious. Surprisingly enough the guy wasn't dead but he wouldn't be fighting again suffice it say.

"Well it seems like Jade failed us, such a shame," a big man with a scrawny assistant beside him said as he walked into the room.

"Nachtigal…what a surprise," Rowen said as he looked over to them.

"It's been a while, Ilbert the Conductor," Nachtigal said standing across from us beside Jades body.

"Wait, Rowen is Ilbert the Conductor!" Jude said in shock as he had just picked up Milla.

"Yes, he is…and he was far better than this worthless scum Jade," Nachtigal said as he began poking at his injuries with his sword.

"Stop that," I screamed at him.

"But it was you who put him in this state, was it not?"

"So what if I did? That doesn't just give you the right to," Rowen stopped me midsentence.

"No, Dante…this isn't the time nor the place. Let us be on our way," Rowen said as he put up a barrier around Nachtigal and his subordinate.

"We don't have long before that barrier goes down, let us hurry it up," Rowen continued to speed us up even more.

"But what about Teepo? Elize said we can't leave till we get him back," I told Rowen.

"Actually, I found that earlier on our way here…Alvin has it," Jude stated.

"That's right so let's go, and go grab Elize," Alvin stated.

We all made it out of the facility and back to Sharilton, but the thing that was nagging at me was the fact that this story would have played out like normal had I not intervened. Am I just someone who gets in their way and drags them all down? What am I even here for? What the hell am I even supposed to remember while here!?

As everyone else rested at the manor I went to the port and looked out at the sea. At least the waves are the same from my home. I still wish I could go back but there is nothing I could do to make up for my death. I'm just some random bystander that was put here by mistake and I know that, but why did it have to be me?

This place is cool, but it's not my home…I guess it's finally time to accept the fact that I'm not going back. I want to, but I can't.

Ratatosk told me that I'm the link to what's happening in this world right now. I have to be ready for it when the time comes but I don't know if I will be ready. All I can do is hope and wonder for now. Will the seals of mine last? And will a time come when I am forced to break them?

"You needn't think out here all alone Dante," Jude said as he walked up beside me.

"The waves help me think," I told him.

"Me too, and Dante I think it's time you told me the whole truth," Jude said putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, I do too, and Jude?"

"Yes, Dante?"

"Do you think that Milla will ever regain the ability to walk?"

"Don't you already know the answer?"

"Yeah, I guess I do…I just wanted to hear someone say it," I told him as I walked back towards the manor.

It's high time I told everyone the truth. I won't hold I back any longer. When Milla wakes, I'll tell her exactly who I am without delay.

"You've grown strong," the voice within me spoke.

Leave me alone. I don't want to hear from you right now.

And like that he left, but I must wonder…will he ever reveal himself to me? And will I ever remember that girl's name or face? Who knows, but one day I swear I'll discover the answer to all my questions.

I approached the manor at a fast pace. My heart was beating fast. I opened the doors and took a deep breath. Everyone had their eyes trained on me. Jude caught up behind me and I was ready to say it.

"Everyone…I have something to tell you all."

A/N: this is just a mini author note...I'm gonna try Three for Three tomorrow so look forward to chapter 9...also please review with Constructive Criticism, as well as give me opinions of yours on the story...that is all...also Valkyria Chronicles one shot is on the way...I now have it planned for new years, but yeah...and also a fun fact is that I listen to music and spontaneously come up with the story so don't ask me where it comes from.

Anyways, you read the Chapter so...Review...Follow and Favorite I guess? I hope you like where I go from here...so continue reading and I thank you for your following so far...