After spending the night in the resort, they spotted Ivar in Marksburg, looking at the dark sphere.

"So that's Canaan." Ivar said, then turns to the group. "I take it you guys have something to do with it."

"Ivar, what happened with Spirius?" Jude asked.

"Exactly what I expected. I got canned."

"Sorry to hear that. If you want, you can join our team." David said.

"I would like that, but I've decided to return to Nia Khera. I missed communing with all the critters there anyway."

"Well, I hope it goes well for you."

"Worry about yourself. Where you're headed seems way more dangerous. David, Jude, I swear I'm going to figure out my mission in life. That's the main difference between you guys and me. You've already discovered your purpose."

"Until you discover yours, would you watch over Nia Khera for me?" Milla asked.

Ivar bows. "Of course I will, Lady Milla. We're family."

"Thank you, Ivar." They both smile and Ivar leaves. "He seems to be in a better place."

"Yeah. I'm happy for him." Jude said.

Rowen's GHS buzzed and he answered. "Yes? Oh dear..." It's clear that the person on the other end had some grave news. "I understand. I will formulate a plan to deal with this at once."

"What happened, Rowen?" Sectonia asked.

"Fort Gandala's golems have gone berserk. Several of them are advancing on Sharilton as we speak."

"They're headed for Sharilton?" Regal asked.

"Driselle's in danger!" Colette exclaimed.

"How did the golems go berserk?" Scott asked.

Rowen answered. "The fort was struck by a massive tornado."

"A tornado?" Ramona asked. "Another side effect of mixing the schism, I bet."

"Most likely." Muzet said. "Spirit climes have become unstable throughout Rieze Maxia."

Rowen continued. "They have deployed the golems hoping to divert the tornado's course. But the artes controlling those monster machines may have been disrupted by the sudden magnetic shifts of the tornado."

"Even the new golem model?" Gaius asked.

"I'm afraid so. Its engineers apparently saw the tornado as an opportunity to test its abilities."

"And its ability-limiting mechanisms?"

"Primary and back-up governors were installed. Unfortunately, the spirit channeler controlling those governors was killed by the tornado."

Genis spoke up. "So chances are they're no longer operational."

Gaius turned to Milla. "Milla, I want to stop them. I could use your help."

Milla nods. "Very well."

"We should probably go too." Scott said. "If I know RPGs, golems are no run-of-the-mill monsters."

Ludger nods. "Agreed."

"Much obliged." Rowen said.

"I owe you all for this." Gaius added. "Ludger, Jude, Milla, Rowen, David, Sectonia, Sheena, and Genis will go to Sharilton to inform Driselle."

"Understood. We'll establish a local command center and a last line of defense."

"Everyone else can come with me to the Talys Highroad. We'll split up to scout the golems' progress." Everyone nods at this.

"I'll lead the way." Muzet said as she floats up and flies.

"I'll round up the boosters we need." Alvin said.

"Please do." Gaius said as everyone outside Ludger's group went with him.

"We'd better hurry." Genis said. "The faster we get to Sharilton, the faster we can save Driselle."

"Agreed." Sectonia said. "We need to warn her about the golems!"

When the group got to Sharilton Manor, they met up with Driselle.

Driselle took notice of the group. "Oh, what perfect timing! We were just getting ready for tea."

"I'm afraid there's no time for that." David said. "There's something we came to warn you about."

David told Driselle the situation.

"Rouge golems are rampaging toward Sharilton?" Driselle asked.

"We're preparing to intercept them." Sectonia said. "But you should..."

Driselle cuts her off with an order to her men. "Order the self-defense force and the coalition of merchants to blockade the Talys Highroad immediately. Tell them... Tell them it's because of tornado activity. No need to start a panic. Send a message to all merchant groups in the vicinity to return to the city. Explain that House Sharil will compensate them for any damages."

"Yes, milady!" The guards say as they head out.

"Wow..." Sectonia said in amazement. "That was nice work."

"I couldn't agree more." Gaius said as the rest of the group came in.

"You honor me, King Gaius." Driselle said.

"How's it going with the golem situation?" Sheena asked.

Ramona answers. "They've split into three groups: left, right, and center."

"We've secured three boosters, so we can send out three teams." Zelos said.

"The central group had a golem that no one's seen before." Scott said.

"It's a new model." Gaius said.

"New model?" Raine asked.

Rowen looked towards the group. "Yes. It's an enhanced golem capable of manipulating all four elements: earth, water, fire and wind. Milla, Sheena, and Genis may be the only ones capable of meeting that threat, due to the former two's ability to command the Four Great Spirits, and Genis for using magic of all four of these elements."

"Are you serious?!" Scott asked.

"Wasn't the development of these sorts of weapons banned under the ceasefire agreement?" Alvin asked.

"I proposed developing them in secret." Rowen said.

"I gave my approval." Gaius said.

"Obviously, that turned out to be a mistake." David muttered.

Ludger looked to the two. "You have to be able to negotiate from a position of strength."

Alvin spoke up. "Elympios is more than a little mightier. They're packing military airships and spyrix weaponry."

"I suppose Rieze Maxia must make a show of strength if it's to negotiate on equal footing." Muzet said.

"I'm not one to believe might makes right." Rowen said.

"But those who repudiate power often become its victims." Gaius said.

"The same goes for wielding power you cannot control." Presea said.

"That, I cannot deny..." Rowen said. "Perhaps today's incident will serve as a cautionary tale."

David spoke up. "Regardless, we're going to have a universal incident on our hands if we don't stop those golems before things get serious."

"I have devised a plan of action that takes into account everyone's respective combat abilities. Milla, I'd like you and the central team to battle the new golem model. Ludger, Jude, David, Sectonia, Sheena, Genis and myself will use a booster to support you." The group in question nods at this. "Alvin, Elize, Leia, Colette, Presea, Regal and Scott will make up the left team."

"Roger that!" Colette said.

"Can we count on you to handle the booster?" Scott asked Elize.

"Of course!" Elize exclaimed.

"Wouldn't be the first time!" Teepo commented.

"Gaius, I'd like you and everyone else to deal with the golems on the right wing." Rowen said.

"Of course." Gaius responded. "It's my responsibility."

"Nothing we can't handle!" Zelos said.

Sectonia turned to Driselle. "Meanwhile, Driselle prepares an evacuation plan for the city. Odds are one in a hundred it will come to that, but you should be ready."

Driselle kept a determined face. "I will do what you ask. But knowing you guys, I'd lay the odds at one in a million."

As the group split up to their posts, Jude gets a call from Ivar.

"Hey, Jude? It's me."

"Ivar? What's going on?"

"The local critters found something interesting on the Nia Khera Hallowmont."

"Sorry, Ivar, we've got an emergency on our hands right now."

"What's going on?"

"Well..."

Jude tells Ivar the situation at hand.

"Lady Milla is going up against a multi-elemental golem?! So this is destiny... I understand, Jude. To the Talys Highroad!"

"Huh? What do you understand?" Ivar hangs up.

"We don't have time. We'd best get moving." Sectonia said.

On the way to the Talys Highroad, David strikes up a conversation.

"An enhanced golem that manipulates the four elements..." David thought aloud. "I can't believe something like that is even possible."

"It just goes to show that you don't underestimate Rieze Maxia and their spirit channeling." Sheena commented.

"There was something I heard about before Hope killed me." Sectonia mentioned. "Enhanced beings that used to be normal people, but gained powers after being exposed to a blinding light. Currently, they're being sought after by a man called Izaya Orihara."

"I've heard about that guy." David said. "An information broker from Ikebukuro that says he loves humans, but in reality, likes to mess with people. Basically once you set foot into Ikebukuro, you're playing right into his hands."

"Hey." Ludger speaks up. "You don't think...that Izaya guy gave Rowen and Gaius the plans for the enhanced golem, do you?"

"I don't think so. Izaya would be looking for people who recently got powers, not monsters who just happen to be enhanced."

"However..." Sectonia said. "That possibility cannot be overlooked."

"Plus, this is Izaya we're talking about, so we'll never know. He's one of the main reasons why I prefer to stay out of Ikebukuro if I can."

{Cue Song: Indomitable Will- Tales of Xillia}

When the group got to a certain part of the Talys Highroad, they were met by a huge golem with red, blue, orange and green lights trailing throughout its body and begin to fight it.

"So, this is the enhanced golem." David said, observing it.

"Seems like it's not in full power yet." Genis said. "We'd best strike now!"

"Got it!" Milla responds. "Let's end this quickly!"

The group throw their strongest attacks at it, before the lights on the golem turn white and now no one is dealing damage at all.

"No way..." David said. "Our attacks are useless!"

"We still have a chance." Rowen said. "Simultaneous attacks with all four elements still seem to damage it!"

"Alright. I'll give you an opening." Sectonia said charging her scepters before a gush of wind knocked her down. When she got up there was a second golem. "There's another one!"

"Ugh, bloody hell!" Rowen commented. "I should have known they would build more than one!"

The group keeps attacking, unable to deal damage at all.

"Great... What do we do now?" David asked.

"Yes! Do something!" The group hear a voice overhead and sees Ivar coming down with Balan holding on to him.

"Ivar! Balan!"

Ivar crosses his arms. "I'm here to save the day!" He then hands Jude a spirit fossil.

"A spirit fossil?" Jude asked. "Is this the thing you found in the Nia Khera Hallowmont?"

"Along with some sort of mirror, but we'll get to that later."

A green glow was on Milla. "That strange pulsing... It can't be!"

"It can be! It's Maxwell!" Ivar points to David. "You have one of those booster-majigs. That's all you need to make it, right?"

"A Maxwell spyrite!" Jude exclaimed.

"But would you really be able to control a Maxwell spyrite?" David asked.

Ivar crosses his arms again. "Heck if I know. But hey, that's Jude's job, right? I'll buy you some time!" Ivar said as he charges at the golems.

Jude looks to Balan. "Can you translate the spirit signals?"

Balan crosses his arms. "Sure I can. But the message doesn't seem to make all that much sense. 'Muster thy will and prove thyself, for it shall serve as the contract that binds us.'"

"Prove yourself? I wonder what we're supposed to do."

David was agitated from the lack of progress on the golem. "Who cares?! Just do it, Jude!"

"Right. It's now or never!" Jude installs the spyrite into the booster and summons what looks like an old man in spectral form. Jude sees Ivar get kicked away by the golem.

{Cue Song: Battle for a Future to Believe In- Tales of Xillia}

"Maxwell!" Jude calls as he forms a glyph.

"Spirits!" Milla says as a glyph appears in front of her.

"Guess it's time." Sheena said. "Maiden of the mist!" Undine appears in a blue light. "Red giant, ruler of hellfire!" Efreet appears in a red light. "Heavenly messengers!" Three fairies, who combined are known as Sylph, appear in a green light. "Servant of Mother Earth!" A mole known as Gnome appears. "I command thee. Gathereth before me and unleash thine power!" The four of them transfer their energies to Sheena, who does the same motion as Milla.

"Don't forget me!" Genis said as he uses his magic to form a glyph.

The four of them fire four separate blasts of fire, earth, water and wind at the golems, disabling their immunity.

"Let's go, everyone! The time is now!" David said as the group charge at the golems.

The golems have become easier to handle now that Jude, Milla, Sheena and Genis have the means to disable their immunities. Thanks to that, they were able to defeat one of the golems. Jude and Milla decide to use their Linked Mystic Arte on the other. It starts with the both of them

"Humans..." Jude starts.

"...and spirits!" Milla jumps to the air.

Jude delivers a series of punches that send the golem to the air. "Shine bright...

"...as one!" Milla deals a series of slashes.

"Bonds..."

"...eternal!"

The two of them charge at the golem and strike through the golem from opposite sides as they call their attack.

"Tiger Blade Sigma!"

{End Song}

As the battle ends, black sparks gather around Jude as he writhes in pain.

"The spyrite is too much for him!" Sectonia said.

Ivar steps in. "I'm on it! We'll wrangle this thing together!"

Jude shakes his head. "No... It's not a matter of controlling it... We need to get in sync..." Jude tries to get back up. "We need to... find a way... too communicate..."

Maxwell then appears. "Ah... Interesting. So you do understand. Very well. Then prove yourself to me!"

"Prove yourself?" Genis asks.

"Muster thy will and prove thyself, for it shall serve as the contract that binds us."

"Just like the spirit code..." David mutters.

Ludger then remembered what Julius said about the Hymn of Proof back at the fractured Kijara Seafalls. And also what a fractured Ivar once said.

"Milla Kresnik had a wonderful singing voice. It's said she sang with such passion that even Lord Maxwell fell under her spell."

Ludger let them know right. "Jude! It's the Hymn of Proof!"

Jude was taken aback by the revelation. "Wait... You mean the song itself is the proof."

"Actually, that is entirely possible." Milla said. "Maxwell, did you seek 'proof' the very first time you were summoned by a human?"

Maxwell nods at this.

Ivar spoke up. "The Milla Kresnik who first summoned Maxwell... She was known as the singing handmaid."

Sheena spoke up. "Then I suppose we should sing the Hymn of Proof passed down to her descendants... If you guys don't mind."

Jude and Milla nod as Sheena puts a hand on the booster joins them in humming the Hymn of Proof.

"So that melody persists in the realm of man..." Maxwell comments.

"Is it the 'proof' that you sought after?" Sectonia asks.

"No. It is nothing more than a song. Just a song that was composed on the spot by a young girl named Milla Kresnik. And the words?" Ludger shrugs and shakes his head. "I suppose you could attribute the loss of humanity's hubris. But at the same time, the melody has persisted through the ages. I take that as a measure of sincerity."

"What was the song about?" Sheena asks when she, Jude and Milla finish.

"I ask you the same question. Tell me. What words would you choose for this song?"

Jude thought about this for a moment and answered. "Lyrics fit for both humans and spirits."

Maxwell chuckles at this. "How modest. That girl, Milla Kresnik... Unlike you, she was far more forceful. She sang about how she wanted to see me, and talk to me, and how she'd yank out my beard if I didn't show up."

David cringed at this. "Whoa... That dark, huh?"

"It was like a little ditty for children! There was nothing fancy or elegant about it at all. But it did have a line about how she'd give me all her mana if I came out to see her... In that sense, you could say it was like a love song as well."

"We're just as determined as she was."

Jude nods at this. "I can assure you, I will make my version of the song come true."

Maxwell nods. "It seems that unusual human beings such as yourselves, somehow show up every few hundred years or so. And to make things interesting, a spirit who believes in him or her appears as well." Maxwell shines in a bright light.

"Maxwell." Milla speaks. "At the end of the day, what is the 'proof'?"

"You should know that better than anyone else, Maxwell." Maxwell turns into an orb of light and floats into Jude. "It is the hearts of men."

"You did it, Jude!" Balan says excitedly. "You managed to wield a Great Spirit spyrite."

Jude blushes and walks up to Ludger. "It's all thanks to you, Ludger." Ludger nods and smiles.

"Ahem, and to me, of course!" Ivar said as he posed.

"I see..." Milla looks to Jude. "All this time, I already had my 'proof' without even knowing it. Congrats, Jude. You've finally done it."

"No." Jude said, shaking his head. "We have only taken the first step."

David looked to the two as Balan and Genis were laughing hysterically at Ludger posing like Ivar. "Gaius and the others should be finished up by now. We should head back to Driselle's."

The group made it back to the manor to see a smiling Driselle.

"Ah-ha! I knew you'd all make it back safely." Driselle said happily. "There was never a doubt in my mind."

Rowen bows. "Forgive me for worrying you so, my lady. The concern in your eyes is obvious."

"Th-those were just... tears of relief. That's all."

"Everything's going to be alright, Driselle." Elize said.

"We smashed those golems to smithereens!" Teepo said.

"So you even subdued the new model." Gaius said. "Very good work."

"Thanks. Though, it wasn't easy." Genis said.

"Ludger, Jude and Sheena persuaded the spyrite of Maxwell to help." Milla said.

"Are you serious?" Leia asked in shock before the group told everyone what happened. "Wow, Jude, that's amazing!"

"And just the scoop, huh?" Scott asked.

"Well, sure, but that's not why I'm so happy."

"Who knew that song would prove to be the key to spyrites." Lloyd said.

"Well, in Maxwell's case, at least." Jude said. "Spirits are more like humans than we think. I bet each spirit requires its own 'proof' to gain its trust."

"These spyrite things sound like such a hassle." Zelos said.

"Just as much as humans are." Scott said.

"Well said." Muzet said.

Milla chuckles at this. "So true. But, Ivar also said something about finding some sort of mirror in the Nia Khera Hallowmont. Shall we go and see what it is?"

David nods. "Yeah. I have a feeling it's something big."

A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor