The days quickly passed by for the vacationing guild members in Axel. Most of those days were used for planning a strategy for how to deal with Zenos and his armies when they attempt to make another move.

"Let's recap what we know." Ultra explained one day. "So far, Zenos has shown activity by adding Eveline to his ranks after we left the Baker Estate, and then sent Lucifer Crowe after us in Hekseville when she tried to bring it down with us. And just awhile ago, we saw Eveline, Sentibug, and Verde team up with Bohan to help him try to take the Heavenly Sword. But these acts are so random, we don't even know what his real goal is."

"Let's not forget what happened with Oersted. He had a hand in helping Streibough corrupt him so he could become Odio in exchange for that revival water." Lily said.

"It just doesn't make sense." Matheus said. "It's like he's hopping from one plan to the next. Perhaps he's just becoming desperate?"

"No. He didn't seem desperate at all at Walpurgis, or Onigashima." Ethox said. "He's got a plan. We just don't know what it is."

"But we have to figure it out. We're halfway through the year, and we gotta take Zenos out before the clock strikes Midnight December 31st… or else." DJ reminded.

"We've still got plenty of time." Theo said. "We can handle it. Besides, we in Mythos Hearts have our own Zenos Suppression Plan in the works as we speak."

"Yeah…I mean it's not like we're being forced to fight in a dungeon." Kazuma said.

Suddenly the door opened wide as Sena stood there.

"Kazuma Sato! You and your party are going to fight in a dungeon!" Sena said.

The group just glared at Kazuma.

"Yep… the ol' Kazuma luck strikes again." Subaru said.

The group soon found themselves outside of a familiar dungeon.

"Keele's Dungeon? What's happening around…oh." Kazuma said seeing small doll like enemies marching around outside.

"Those things keep going at anything that moves, be it human or monster. They also explode when they grab a target." Sena said. "And all the monsters and undead inside were forced out of it."

"What? How is that even…" Naofumi said before he stopped as the others looked to Aqua. "Aqua…what did you do?"

"Hey, why are you accusing me? I don't know what's going on!" Aqua protested. "In fact, there should be less monsters around here!"

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Because I made a potent magic circle to purify Keele! It should've kept the monsters away from a long time!" Aqua said.

"...Away from the dungeon?" Limestone asked.

"Yep!"

"So where would they go instead?"

Aqua made to answer…then stopped, as realization hit her. "...Oh."

"...No alcohol for a week." Ethox chided the goddess. "Alright, we'd find and erase that circle."

"Actually, I'm not sure we should blame Aqua for everything." Rista said. "Those dolls definitely aren't from here."

"Huh…don't these dolls seem…familiar?" Cobalt asked.

"Now that you mention it…I've seen that mask before." Ethox pondered, before he, Theo, Cobalt and Mirror Match all came to the same epiphany.

"Vanir!" they all realized.

"He's here?!" Kazuma asked.

"Looks like it. And he's taken up residence inside the that dungeon." Theo said. "Meaning we gotta clear him out."

"But why's he causing trouble? I thought you told us he abandoned service to the Devil King." Amity said.

"Yeah, he said he wanted to attend Walpurgis before going into hiding. DId he lie back then?" Ethox wondered.

"Either way, we must confront him. And hopefully we'll get the truth as to why he's doing this." Darkness piped in as she began to walk towards the dungeon.

"Be careful! Like I said, they-!" Sena started as one of the dolls latched onto Darkness and detonated. Darkness, however, was unharmed.

"Very well. I shall take the lead and clear the way of these monsters." Darkness proposed. "Anyone who wishes to follow, fall in behind me."

"I bet she knew the dolls self-destructed, but just wanted to go first anyway so she could get off from being blown up." Catarina noted quietly.

"Yup, that's Darkness for you." Ethox noted. "You gonna be okay though, Darkness? You're gonna be dealing with a lotta kamikaze bombers."

"The dolls are so small and Darknesses defense is so high, she won't even feel a thing." Rista assured. "Though she will still get off on it."

"Of course she will. Least we can use her as a human shield as we make our way to Vanir." Theo said, before he noticed the look Ethox was giving him. "I know how wrong that sounds, but do you even see her right now?" Theo said, pointing to Darkness as she kept walking forward as the dolls kept latching on and exploding.

"...Point withdrawn." Ethox acquiesced. "Hey, Darkness, wait up!"

The group followed Darkness into the dungeon as she took the brunt of the doll bombers, not taking any sort of damage at all. It didn't take long for them to reach the end as Vanir sat outside the door as he crafted another doll.

"Why hello there my old friends! I had hoped you would arrive as soon as you heard word the dungeon was repopulated." Vanir greeted.

"What's the deal, Vanir? Why are you causing trouble, we thought you were done with the Devil King, you said it yourself at Walpurgis." Ethox said.

"Yes, well… it turns out leaving like that isn't easy. I was looking for a place that would serve as my final resting place. Originally, I was going to visit a ditzy shopkeeper when I found this place. It was vacant, so I decided to take up residence…but…that pesky circle inside is keeping me out." Vanir said.

"Oh. Well, we're here to get rid of that circle." Ethox said.

"You are? That's perfect!" Vanir laughed. "Since you're here, I need you all to do me a favor. You can get rid of that magic circle so the monsters can repopulate the dungeon. But first, I need you fine fellows to do something for me."

"What's that?" Luz asked.

"It's simple… I want you all to kill me." Vanir said.

"Excuse us?" Amity asked.

"Yes! You see, I have devised a glorious way to die!" Vanir declared. "I am what is known as a Duke of Hell, or Demon Kin. And we feed on those negative emotions you find so distasteful. Thusly! The feeling of being slain…that will surely sate me as I fade away!"

"You want us to kill you…so you can be sated by your own negative emotions?" Kazuma asked. "Look, I really don't follow, we're just here to take care of the circle-"

"Oh? Why is that?" Vanir asked. "Could it be…that one of your party members, a priestess perhaps, made it?"

Kazuma flinched. "What are you-?"

"Ah, and it seems she's outside, enjoying a cup of tea to calm her nerves!" Vanir said, as his smile became more wicked. "You know…I have a strict rule about never killing humans. But a goddess, on the other hand…yes! That's it! The stakes of this battle…shall be the life of that priestess!"

"Whoa, hold on a second, let's not-!" Ethox started.

"Oh, but I must!" Vanir said. "After all, unless there's something you treasure at stake, then you'd have less motivation to fight your hardest! I want my final battle to be a spectacle!"

"If you're threatening my comrade, then prepare yourself to fight!" Darkness declared, drawing her sword.

(Cue: Date With the Devil by Brandon Yates)

"Well, I guess we're doin' this." DJ said.

"Guess you're right… okay Vanir, you're on!" Ethox said.

"But you better not hold back! You're up against us, you know!" Michiru said.

Vanir laughed. "Oh, I know about how you defeated Verdia, Odio, and Lucifer Crowe in glorious combat! I could ask for no finer opponents to have my final duel with!" the demon bowed. "Now…let us begin!"

Darkness made the first move, charging Vanir as he moved out of the way of her strike, the sword causing a wall to crumble.

"Hahaha! You have the spirit, but your aim is sorely lacking!" Vanir taunted the crusader.

"Darkness, don't be reckless! It's no secret you've got accuracy problems!" Rista said.

"Even so…I will not allow my comrades to come to harm!" Darkness declared.

"Come on, we gotta help!" Ethox urged the others on, charging forward with Way to the East.

"Time to go!" Theo said. "Cosmic…Slash!" Theo said, slicing through Vanir as his body crumbled. "Huh? Dirt?" he said. "That was easy." he said before stopping. "Too easy…."

"Wait, guys… what if we've been looking at things with Vainir the wrong way?" Michiru asked.

"But everything is right here….except for…" Theo said as Darkness screamed as a mask appeared on her face. "Darkness…are you okay?"

"Oh yes….." she said in Vanir's voice. "I feel right as rain!"

"What the…?!" Koenig said.

"It's a Possession skill! Vanir's using his mask to take control of Darkness, body, mind and everything!" Ristarte announced.

"Yes. I have complete…Kazuma, he's taken over my body. And now I shall…strike me now! As hard as you can!" Vanir said as he shifted between himself and Darkness. "Ugh…what is wrong with this woman?"

"She's a hardcore masochist." the group unsioned.

"...Ah, that explains the arousal." Vanir said in understanding.

"What do we do now? We can't get to Vanir without hitting Darkness!" Michiru said. "I mean, sure she can take it, but…"

"It's Darkness, trying to take her down would be like hitting our heads on a solid steel wall." DJ said .

Ethox then got an idea. "I got it!"

"What's the plan, Ethox?" Aqua asked.

"Vanir wants to settle inside Darkness's body?" Ethox smirked. "Let's show em how uncomfortable it can get inside her."

"...What do you mean?" Michiru asked suspiciously.

"I believe I know what Ethox is thinking. We must get Darkness REALLY excited." Mirror Match said.

"Oh, I get it! Keep her going on all cylinders, and Vanir will have a harder time controlling her!" Luz said.

"Let's see how much of Darkness's dirty thoughts Vanir can take!" Subaru confidently fist pumped as they spread out around the possessed Crusader.

"Alright Darkness… how do you wanna get hit? Any specific way?" Ethox said. "Lotta options here. Maybe bludgeoned by Rems morning star? Frozen by Emilia's ice magic? Or how about Amity buries you in Abomination Clay?"

"It's more of a slime but that will just turn her on more." Amity said.

"Oh…oh yes it does!" Darkness cried out.

"Hehehe….or maybe after the vacation we could always take you to Neuronist. I bet they have many different ways to inflict pain on ya." Subaru said.

"Oh!" Darkness cried out.

"How is it in there Vanir? Too hot in the household for you?!" Ethox asked.

"What is wrong with this - lovely! - woman?!" Vanir exclaimed. "Will you all stop?!"

"Nope!" Ethox grinned. "Alright, your turn Kazu…ma?" the Nobody saw a flashing outline where Kazuma should be. "Where'd he go?"

"Yo, I'm just cleaning up the circle." Kazuma said from the other room, looking deadpan at the group. "Feel free to keep going."

"Seriously? Darkness is possessed here!" Mirhicu said.

"Don't mind him, Michiru. It's been known that Kazuma does not want anything to do with his own party." Mirror Match said.

"Hey, just because I'm not comfortable feeding into her fetish, I'm the bad guy?!" Kazuma exclaimed.

"She's possessed!" Ethox pointed out.

"Hahaha! It seems your companion - Kazuma, this pain is amazing! - WILL YOU SHUT UP?!" Vanir yelled, before Kazuma walked over and slapped a piece of paper with a symbol on it atop Darkness's head. "Huh? What's this?"

"It's a talisman." Kazuma said. "That'll keep you in there till we get you to Aqua."

(end song)

"Kazumaaaaa!" Ristarte gawekd. "You just sealed Vanir inside darkness!"

"Until we get her to Aqua." Kazuma reiterated. "Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

"Oh! You're trapping Vanir inside Darkness so Aqua can force him out and put him to rest with Purification!" Ethox said.

"Exactamundo." Kazuma nodded. "All Darkness has to do is keep him at bay long enough until we get out. Speaking of which, let's book it. We're wasting time!" he said as he

"Now that the magic circle is gone, the Monsters in the dungeon will come racing back. Kazuma's right, let's go!" Ethox said as they escorted Darkness out of the dungeon.

"Keep Vanir nice and snug in there, Darkness." Koenig said.

"This is the weirdest way we've ever defeated a Demon…" Luz couldn't help but say as they headed out.

"Just hang in there a little longer, Darkness. Although, you probably don't mind the pain of Vanier's mask being stuck to you." Ethox said, expecting a reply, but darkness didn't respond. "Uh, darkness?"

They then heard Vanir snicker before he laughed. "Your friend is mine now!"

"Crap, Vanir settled in!" Grantz said as Vanir had darkness dash to the exit.

"Hahahaha! I can't wait to meet that so called priest of yours! Imagine the look on her face when her friend emerges, only to realize that I have claimed her. What tortured thoughts she'll think, at the thought of-!"

"Sacred Exorcism!"

The next thing Vanir knew, both he and Darkness were blasted by Aqua's purification magic the second they both emerged from the dungeon, both of them scorched.

"Oh no, Darkness!" Kazuma called. "Why don't you look before you blast someone with your spell?!"

"What's your problem? I sensed an evil presence coming, so I took the shot!" Aqua said.

"Yeah, but it's Darkness! Remember that Vainir guy we met at Walpurgis? He's possessing her body right now!" Ethox said.

"Vanir?! You don't mean one of the Devil King's generals, do you?!" Sena exclaimed.

"Ew, no wonder darkness reeks of Demon Kin! She's stanky!" Aqua complained.

Vanir laughed. "It's So nice to meet you! You must be the archpriest, named after that obnoxious goddess! My name is - Aqua, you are mistaken it is not me who stinks! - My name is Va-! - Kazuma, come here and smell me, tell me I do not stink! - I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!... As your friend says, my name is Vanir! How dare you cast blindly! That… that rush to judgment is why everyone hates the Axis Cult! Have you not heard of etiquette?"

"Etiquette? You're lecturing me about etiquette?" Aqua said, laughing. "That's rich, coming from someone like you! Sacred Highness Exorcism!" she declared, casting a powerful spell, but Vanir dodged it, almost hitting Kazuma instead.

"Hey, watch it!" Kazuma called.

"It won't work anyway! Not only does Darkness have high physical defense… but I also forgot to mention, that as a Crusader, she resists any kind of Divine Skills!"

"Haha! Come at me, you adventuring clowns! Or the life of this priestess is forfeit!" Vanir declared, leveling his sword at Aqua.

"Come on, Darkness, stop fooling around!" Aqua complained.

"Surely there must be something you can do for her!" Sena said.

"I wish there was… but Vanir has the perfect body to host in because of how tough Darkness is. There's literally no way to get him off her." Ethox said. "And I bet he's glued to Darkness, so even if she tried pulling off the mask, Vanir would stick!"

Luz thought about it for a second, then got an idea. "What if we hit Darkness with an attack that she could take, but Vanirs mask can't?"

"Take advantage of darkness's endurance, and overwhelm vanir… Luz, you are wise beyond your years!" Mirror Match said. "Megumin! Cast Explosion on Darkness!"

"What?! But…my Explosion has become even more powerful during my travels! If I cast it on her… Darkness wouldn't survive!"

"Have faith in Darkness, Megumin!" Ethox said. "She's the toughest crusader we know!"

"Vanir…" Darkness spoke up. "Though our time is short, it was memorable to me. So I shall give you the choice on how you would like to die. By Explosion, or by Purification."

"As an Agent of Destruction, I couldn't ask for a better offer." Vanier replied. "I never expected my death wish would come to fruition in this way. I must admit, I rather enjoyed possessing you body… but I am a Demon! And I will not be purified by the gods! I oppose!"

"Go on! Blast us!" Darkness demanded.

"If this plan ends up going bad… you're my witness, ma'am. I gave the order for this." Kazuma told Sena. "You got that? I'll take the blame for this too!"

"Do it, Megumin! Let it rip!" Subaru said.

Megumin was hesitant, but with determination, began to cast the spell.

"The pillar of rebellion creeps over this world, as unspoken faith reveals itself to me! The time hath come! Awaken from thine slumber, and by my madness, be unleashed! Burst Forth! Explosion!"

Vanier managed to give off a bow before the spell went off. "Thank you all…for bearing witness to my curtain call! So end the life of Demon General Vanier!" he declared, as he and Darkness vanished in the explosion of light.

After Vanir was defeated the guild celebrated the victory, and Darkness's amazing sacrificial display. She endured Megumin's powered up explosion and managed to be healed, but her armor was completely destroyed. The guild celebrated her actions, but unfortunately… since everyone knew her true identity as Lalatina of the Dustiness Ford noble family, everybody called her by her real name and she was embarrassed at the fact.

But, the one who was truly happy was Kazuma. As a reward for defeating Vanir, his debt was cleared and all repossession orders were canceled. Not only that, but he was given a hefty paycheck of 40 million eris. Basically, all of Belzberg recognized his and the Fatebreakers previous accomplishment of defeating Destroyer and the now of beating Vanir. Now, at last…their days in debt were over.

"And our vacation can finally begin for real!" Kazuma yelled out, happy tears in his eyes.

…But little did Kazuma know, that his vacation would turn into a serious issue.