"You just thought I was an idiot, didn't you?" Hao questioned Horohoro.

"No I didn't." He denied.

"Yeah, you kinda did." Her voice came from the other side of the wall.

"Hey Nova." Yoh shouted over.

"Hey, Yoh. Waters great right?"

"Yeah. So you all alone over there?"

"Nah, Anna is here, as well as Jeanne, Sati and of course, Opacho."

"I'm guessing this has something to do with what Hao is about to tell us?"

"Yeah but also I came just in case a fight was going to break out. Anyway I'll let Hao fill you in." She leaned back and relaxed.

"I'm sure you know by now I have the ability to read minds. Don't get careless with your thoughts, or I might just tell everyone who you've been crushing on." They heard Nova giggle from the other side of the wall.

"I am so deeply sorry." Horohoro sat down.

As Hao explained about Mu and Manta's father, the girls took this opportunity to have a good chat.

"Come on Nova, you gotta tell us. You can't tell us that you know who it is but then not tell us!" Jeanne said excitedly.

"It wouldn't be fair. Besides if I tell you now, then how am I meant to use it later."

"Never thought you'd be one for such childish games." Anna said calmly.

"I need something to entertain me. Besides, isn't this what girls do, gossip? You know, talk about boys and stuff?"

"You've never had female friends, have you?" Jeanne added.

"I haven't had any friends until recently. At least not friends I spent an extended length of time with. While I was travelling the world I met lots of people and became friends with them I suppose, but I never stayed around long enough to make a strong bond of friendship, you know, one like what the guys have. I'm actually jealous, I often wonder what it's like." Little did they know, the boys were all listening in.

"But then what about Hao?"

"Don't get me wrong, I trust Hao, I care about him and ... well... I love him. The bond I have with him is deeper than just friendship. I often wonder what it's like to have a long term platonic relationship. Opacho and I are friends but again, it's quite a new friendship really. I guess I'm not explaining myself very well."

"No, I understand. There's many different types of relationships and friendships, and you want to experience them all. Isn't that right?"

"Exactly, Lady Sati. Even to experience some of them in the short life I have, it makes me happy."

"Short life?"

"Uhhhh I just mean, in the grand scheme of things, our lives are quite fleeting, don't you think?"

"Unless you're Hao and you just reincarnate." Anna said.

"Yeah." Nova tried to laugh it off but it was hard to mask the pain she felt deep down. The girls left to go get ready for bed.

Later that evening.

"You sure have done a good job of fooling everyone, Anna."

"Wait, you're still here?!" Yoh shouted as he saw Hao leaning in the doorway. "And why are you in a tracksuit?"

"Of course I'm still here. I'm staying the night here because my entire camp was destroyed. The whole gang appeared. As they discussed what would happen the following day.

"So I assume you've all come up with a plan together?" Her voice came from nowhere.

"Nova? Where are you?" Yoh looked around.

"Here!" She came from above the window and did a somersault into the room. "Ta-da!"

"Why are you in a matching tracksuit?!"

"How cute." Anna said sarcastically.

"I'll take that as a yes then?"

"Well actually..."

"Yeah, I thought as much. I have an idea if you're all willing to listen." They all nodded. "Well, casualties are inevitable and there's a high chance of fatality. So that neither side suffers we should have healers on standby. Remember all we need to do is bide time until we can get into the Patch submarine."

"What is the healers run out of mana?" Yoh asked.

"The healing spell is Hao's after all. He has more than enough mana. But Hao, you gotta promise to try not to kill too many. I also have another backup. So don't worry."

The next day they prepared for war. Hao made it clear this would be the only time they'd fight side by side as brothers. This made Nova's heart sink a little.

"Once we get on that sub, Nova, I hope you'll tell me what you're thinking."

"Keep your promise and I'll tell you anything you want."

"I promise."

"Everyone ready?" They all nodded. "Let's go."

"Nova. Stop right there. You know it's the Patch law not to get involved with non-shaman matters!" Nichrom shouted to her.

"Yeah, but it's also my duty to serve the Shaman King and protect the Patch. I'm not going to fight, I'm merely here as a healer."

"Fine, on this occasion I won't tell Goldva. Just be careful not to break any laws."

"Yeah yeah. Don't worry." As soon as Nichrom was out of sight, she turned to Hao. "But... since there's Shaman on their side it's no longer just a non-shaman matter, therefor đi can be as involved as I want as long as I don't attack any humans."

"All the same, just leave it to us." The fight began, leaving Nova on the sidelines without nothing to do until the first casualty came. Sati, June and Jeanne were already on top of it though. Nova just watched on as the fight intensified. Hao was doing it all on his own and Horohoro noted how strong he was. He even questioned why they were needed why Hao could manage this alone. She looked at Hao, he was enjoying it a little too much, the power that Raven had given him. And yet he still seemed the power of the Great Spirit.

"A thousand years... but his power feels so... sad." Yoh looked on as his brother demolished ship after ship.

"So you noticed it too." Nova wales over to him. "I could tell you but, it's not my place. He's not ready to share that with anyone else." She looked on and Yoh could see the sorrow in her eyes. It was so potent she was unable to hide it at all. It wasn't long before Hao had taken out the two X-laws that were hired to protect Oyamada.

"Hao! Stop." She called out to him, he turned. "Look at this mess, don't you think it's gone a bit too far?" He took another look at the burning wreckages or the ships.

"Perhaps I did go a little too far." He set himself back down on the beach.

"Time for us to step into play." Sati, June and Jeanne readied themselves but Nova put her hand out to stop them.

"With this many casualties you'll have next to no mana left. Also this would be a perfect opportunity to show my armoured oversoul." She stepped forward and cast a spell on herself that removed the seal which was limiting her mana. She created her armoured oversoul: Spirit of Rain: Nightingale.

"Wait, since when does she have the Spirit of Rain?" Horohoro stared in disbelief.

"She is one of the Patch, remember, she probably has access to the grand elemental spirits whenever she wants." Joco's theory was almost correct.

"Not quite. I've actually always had Spirit of Rain by my side. I just chose never to use it unless absolutely necessary. Spirit of Rain is my true spirit ally. White Claw is a spirit I inherited from my mother, a secondary spirit ally, but one I prefer to use for every day matters. Use is the wrong word... my spirits aren't tools or weapons to be used, they're my friends."

"Can I just ask... your armoured oversoul, doesn't look very armoured?" Yoh pointed out.

"This particular armoured oversoul is called Nightingale. To be called a nightingale means someone who is kind, especially to those who are sick. It isn't designed for offence or defence, merely for healing." A warm white glow came from her and flowed all around them. They could feel their mana being restored and then they noticed all those who had fallen were being revived. "Mows your chance to get going to Mu."

"But what about you?" Yoh hesitated.

"Just go, I'll meet you there." As they turned to leave, Hao paused. He then carried on.

"You'd better." He muttered to himself.