AN: Getting to the good stuff now :'D

Chapter 36:

It was almost hard to believe, but they were so close to Void Dark's stronghold that they could feel his overwhelming malice and power.

The journey was not easy by any means, but it still felt suspiciously calm.

Samuel had expected to collide with Naraka at some point during their journey. Maybe he was still healing from his broken arm? Killia had managed to mangle it rather brutally, from what he had seen.

Still, his absence was unexpected.

Perhaps it was just Samuel's nerves getting the best of him. He tried to maintain a rather calm demeanour, but inwardly his heart was in shambles.

Everyone seemed to have some idea of what they were to do after the war had ended and Void had been defeated. Samuel, on the other hand, was not sure.

No, that was not accurate. He was sure of what to do; he had to continue his personal war against the Seedlings and the Snap Draingons. He had to find a way back to Nugatory, and a way to defeat that Tree of Death. That was his purpose.

It was simple.

And yet, for his heart, it was not.

"Samuel? Can I ask you something?"

Killia's voice was a welcomed distraction from Samuel's thoughts. "Hm?"

"The final battle is nearly upon us," Killia began, "what will you do once this war is over?"

That was the one question Samuel did not want Killia to ask him. "…I don't know," was all he could offer as a response, as dismissive as it was. "What about you?"

"I don't know, either." Killia's heart was as confused as Samuel's, it seemed. He certainly looked as uneasy as he sounded.

"If Lieze is still alive, she'll need you more than ever."

"Yeah…"

That was the honest truth and Samuel wasn't selfish enough to interfere with that.

No matter how much it hurt.

"Samuel…"

Samuel was not sure if it was his imagination or wishful thinking, but Killia almost sounded pained by something. Torn or tormented. Why? Why would he be? The one who had his heart could still be alive. He should be happy, right…?

Just like Samuel was happy for him. Right?

"Killia, listen, I…"

Killia stepped forward, listening intently. "What is it?"

…No.

No, he couldn't. It was not right. Killia had enough to worry about. He could never know Samuel's feelings for him. They were better of hidden, the two of them as close comrades and friends. Samuel as Killia's righthand man.

It was for the best.

Samuel placed a well-practiced smile on his lips. "It's nothing important."

Killia did not look convinced, however. "Are you sure?"

"Nothing that can't wait until after the war when everything's calmed down," Samuel insisted, ignoring the ache in his chest. "Then, I'll tell you everything, I promise."

"Alright," Killia relented. "I'll hold you to that."

After the war…

Samuel's personal war against the Seedlings would continue…without Killia's support. He was needed elsewhere. And he deserved peace and happiness.

That was the best solution.

… … … … …

A dark, malicious energy was the first thing that greeted them as they made their way into Void's lofty throne room. The demon himself stood before his throne, unaware of them, or simply indifferent as he turned to walk away.

Where he was to venture to next was unknown, so they best announce themselves and begin the final battle once and for all.

"Where are you going, Void?" Killia taunted. "Your opponent is right here."

Void paused in his steps and released a long-suffering sigh, a true sign of conceit. "I can't stand having such an important ritual being interrupted by garbage any longer." He finally turned to face them. "I'll have to get rid of you first."

Samuel stayed back as everyone took a turn to step forward one by one to air their grievances. Other than his acquired hatred from enduring the violence of war and from what he learnt from Killia, he had nothing personal against the bastard.

Void regarded everyone with an arrogant dismissiveness, barely registering their words. Surprising none, he could not muster up the energy to pretend to care.

However, as he lazily cast his gaze over them, his eyes lingered as he looked over Samuel. And a flash of recognition flickered across his face. "You…"

Samuel returned his stare silently, curious as to why he would remember a simple peon like him. Especially when his face creased into an expression of irritation.

"Why do you look at me with pity in your eyes?" Void snapped, ignoring everyone else. "You did back on that pitiful Netherworld as well."

Samuel blinked before he stepped forward. "You remember our conversation? I'm surprised, but I suppose you do. It was the first one you had in a long time, right?"

Void's frown deepened and he looked childishly frustrated. He did not immediately make a snappy retort, however, and simply stare at him. After a short moment of silence, a conceited smirk made its way to his lips. "…You have an Overload now. About time."

He must have noticed the new addition of his wings. "Yes, but it's not yours to take."

"We'll see about that."

Ever protective, Killia immediately stepped in front of Samuel. "I won't let you anywhere near Samuel, Void."

The smirk on Void's lips darkened. "Ah, so you are fond of this one, Killia? Isn't that a shame? Does he know you don't have the strength to save anyone?"

"I know that he has the strength to defeat you," Samuel replied.

Surprisingly, Void's smirk faltered, and he looked annoyed. "…And he's delusional, too. How quaint."

"I've mastered the Ultimate Demon Technique, Void."

Void threw his head back on a loud, mocking scoff. "You still believe that useless old man's fantasy? Lectures about your heart. Nothing about strength at all."

"And there's nothing strong about you, either, Void," Killia sharply retorted. "After Goldion decided that I was to become his heir, you said it was worthless and ran away. You're just a weak child who ran away from the Ultimate Demon Technique and his father's grand shadow!"

Void's lips twisted into a snarl and his left eye twitched. He drew in a sharp breath in through his nose and managed a smirk. "…Alright, I accept your cheap taunt. Today, I will sever the fate that connect us, as well as rid the Netherverse of that wretched Ultimate Demon Technique!"

Void raised his left hand, where a dark purple orb of light manifested and casually threw it to the side. Where a large group of zombie Sages and Dark Knights appeared. It truly was no surprise that Void was able to wield Majorita's Broken Faith Magia so easily.

"These corpses will be more than enough to deal with your little friends there, Killia," Void sneered. "This is between you and me. Although, I can't guarantee they won't get in the way of my attacks."

Samuel glanced between the corpses and Void. "Killia?"

Killia looked over his shoulder at him and nodded. "I'm counting on you, Samuel."

"Right."

Samuel took a few steps back and closed his eyes. He drew in a deep breath and pooled his energy, releasing it in a flurry. His wings grew in size as his aura extended out to his allies, enveloping them in a protective healing light. One that would not be fully realised until Void attacked.

When Samuel reopened his eyes, he found Void staring at him. Not impressed, no, but staring at him, nonetheless.

"So, you have an Overload form," he said, smirking. "Interesting. Let's see what you can do."

Void sprung forward; his intent set on Samuel. Only for Killia to step in front of him once more, arm raised in front of him, and he took Void's fist to his forearm without flinching, even as the shockwave of the attack passed through him. In fact, a blue light shimmered around his form, indicating a brief moment of healing.

Void's conceited smirk soon shifted into that of disbelief. "…What?"

"You've spent this entire war slaughtering anyone and everyone you wanted," Killia stated, his voice smooth and calm. "Your first recourse is now and always has been violence. What will you do now, when the option of violence is no longer possible?"

Void sprung backwards, his expression an unreadable mixture of many differing emotion. All of them negative. He soon settled on absolutely rage as he threw his head on a war cry. "Arrrgh! Don't underestimate me, Killia!"

Samuel quickly flapped his wings and took to the air. He could not engage in any of the fighting; he needed to concentrate on the healing and avoid any of the attacks. He needed to leave the fighting to his comrades, and ultimately leave his protection in their hands, too.

He needed all of his mental willpower. Void's malice and hatred was unmatched, and it fuelled his power and strength. His hatred, and jealousy, of Killia was absolute.

Void's control over Broken Faith Magia was far stronger than what Majorita possessed. He was able to summon more corpses with a snap of his fingers, intent of having no one else interfere with his battle with Killia.

He also loved pulling out those magical spears, throwing those in battle whenever possible. Fortunately, those were large enough for large enough for Samuel to see for himself and defy dodge.

With each attack that Void landed and with each healing he unwittingly gave to his bitterest enemy, he grew more and more frustrated.

"Is this your Overload Skill?" he demanded; his focus directed solely on Samuel.

Floating mid-air, Samuel folded his arms behind his back and nodded. "Do you like, Void? I call it Divine Intervention. It's made especially for violent centric abusers. It turns all attacks into that of healing instead."

Void's eyes widen and his mouth dropped open. Samuel didn't know him well enough, but he looked genuinely surprised. But it did not last long as a smirk soon returned to his lips.

"All the more reason for me to take it."

Samuel tensed and prepared himself for a game of cat and mouse. He may have also forgot to mention that his Overload Skill did not extend to himself, so even it was possible that even if Void did manage to steal it, he would not be able to wield it in the way he wanted.

Well, Samuel hoped so, at least.

Killia immediately stepped in front of Void once more. "I already told you, Void; I won't let you anywhere near Samuel."

Void's expression darkened. "Let's see how strong that Overload Skill really is!"

Samuel winced and braced himself. While he would do whatever it took to keep Killia and the others safe, dealing with Void's rage and power was sure to leave him winded and vulnerable.

"Samuel, don't worry about us, make sure Bro is safe!" Zeroken called out to him.

Easier said than done; Killia was counting on him to keep everyone safe. Void was unpredictable. If he knew that the others were vulnerable, there was nothing stopping him from using several magical spears in their direction.

No, Samuel needed to continue to extend his Overload Skill to everyone.

"What's wrong, Killia?" Void taunted. "Is that all you've got with the Ultimate Demon Technique that you've supposedly mastered? My father was a fool. If he acknowledged my talent from the beginning, he wouldn't have been in such a painful situation."

"You're wrong," Killia retorted. "Goldion acknowledged your talent more than anyone else. He actually wanted you to take over the Ultimate Demon Technique. You were the one who ruined that, Void! This fist has inherited your father's, the Great Demon Fist, Goldion's, will! Are you brave enough to stop this fist, Void!?"

Samuel needed to find a way to counter Void hatred and rage.

He needed to…dig deep. Concentrate on Killia. On his…love for him. What he meant to him. Think about how they first met, how Killia saved his life and allowed him to tag along after learning of his head injury and amnesia. How close they had become as they formed the Rebel Army.

Think about all the times Killia had saved him. All the battles they fought side by side. All the times they had spent together making curry. All the conversations they had sat atop of that walkway above the main bridge of their Pocket Netherworld, or in their shared room. All the times Samuel confided in Killia, and Killia confided in him.

The war needed to end. For the sake of the Netherverse, for the sake of his allies, for Killia's sake.

End the war, Killia. Stop Void's reign of destruction and save Lieze. And find your peace.

"Ultimate Demon Technique, Ultimate Skill, Macrocosm!"

Samuel breathed a sigh of relief as a brilliant bright light filled the arena and he floated gently to the ground.

The battle was over, yet he held his Overload form. Just out of protectiveness.

As the light faded, Void stood in the middle of the battlefield, truly dumbfounded, with eyes wide and unblinking. He staggered back a step, and then another. For a moment, he did not move, did not make a sound.

A half smile suddenly made its presence known on his lips before he suddenly collapsed to his knees.

"I didn't think I could ever be defeated by you…" he murmured; his attention focused upon Killia. "You're a completely different from the man who trained under my father."

Killia stepped forward and nodded. "It's not just my power. I've inherited your father's heart and will, as well as the belief and dreams of my allies."

Void scoffed, still in disbelief. His eyes flickered over Killia's shoulder, colliding with Samuel's gaze. "You… Your Overload is impressive…I should have gone to greater lengths to obtain it. If I had known."

Samuel reached across himself to clutch at his right arm. "You would have found a way to grant it to Lieze?"

Void looked mildly surprised.

"We know she's here, Void," Samuel said as he moved to stand next to Killia. "We know what you've done. And we know you're working with someone else. I don't know what name he is going by, but I know who he is. And that's why I pity you."

"Heh, you're no ordinary warrior," Void muttered. "What else do you know then?"

"I know that he's has been using you from the very beginning. He doesn't care about Lieze. If I had known he has been involved, I would have been more forceful in my objections to your plans."

Although, how forceful was debatable.

A sharp spike of malevolent energy was all the warning they got before a magical spear appeared suddenly, piercing Void's body from his chest to his torso, pinning him to the floor from behind. His eyes widened as a breathless gasp escaped his throat, only able to stare with narrowed pupils at the spear.

He…he did not do that to him, did he?

Behind him, another figure appeared.

A man. With brown hair that was half shaved, and a grey scar marring half of his face.

Samuel felt breathless.

Arch-Overlord…

He knelt behind Void, one hand on the magical spear, the other under his chin, harshly pulling his head back at a painful angle so that he could he stare up at him with wide eyes, while Arch-Overlord gazed down at him with a twisted smirk on his lips.

"I think it's time for you to take a rest, don't you, Void?" Arch-Overlord crooned mockingly, tickling his finger under Void's chin. "You've been working so hard lately."

"What…?" Samuel murmured as he stumbled backwards. How…? How did he use a magical spear?

"Oh, don't worry, Voidy-Boy," Arch-Overlord continued. "I'll take all your anger, hatred, and malice, and give them to your beloved sister. I'm sure you won't mind it if she's the one going across the Netherverse destroying everything in your honour, will you? Oh, she may be conscious the entire time, begging and pleading for someone to stop her. To kill her. A minor side-effect."

Void trembled under the spear. "You…"

Arch-Overlord's smirk grew with malice. "Nice working with you, Void."

He tightened his hand around the spear and twisted it sharply, prompting Void's body to lurch and to abruptly dissipate into an orb of light. Along with the spear. Arch-Overlord stood upon his feet and held up his hand, oh-so casually waiting for the orb of light to float into his palm. He closed his hand around the light, smothering it as he chuckled.

"V-Void!" Killia stuttered out in alarm.

"About time," Arch-Overlord muttered, dismissively. "That child really was a brat."

Samuel swallowed thickly as he stared wide-eyed at the man before him. "Arch-Overlord…"

Arch-Overlord turned his attention toward him and, both surprisingly and unnervingly, smiled warmly at him. As if he had met with an old friend. "Ah, Samuel. Looking beautiful as ever."

"Wh-what?"

"We were quite fond of you, Samuel," Arch-Overlord crooned, that mockingly friendly smile dissolving into a wicked smirk once more. "Our little placid, submissive dove."

Killia immediately placed himself in front of Samuel protectively once more. "You," he hissed. "How did you get that Overload skill?"

Arch-Overlord arched an eyebrow, less than impressed with Killia's appearance. "Oh, I don't steal Overloads, if that is what you're implying. That's ungentlemanly. I simply mimic them after witnessing them a few times. And Void just loved to use those magical spears whenever possible."

That was his Overload Skill?

Samuel shook his head. No, that was not what was important. "What are you planning to do with Lieze? Are you planning to sacrifice her to the Tree of Death?"

Arch-Overlord folded an arm across his chest and idly tapped his cheek. "Maybe. Maybe not."

"I don't understand your motives here."

"As the way it should be."

Arch-Overlord fell silent abruptly as he blatantly looked Samuel up and down, prompting him to remember that he was still in his Overload Form. He must know what he was capable of. Was that the reason why he had not attacked them?

"Your Overload skill was a surprise Samuel, I must admit. I wasn't expecting it."

That made Samuel uneasy. "What were you expecting?"

"Something a little more destructive, you could say." Arch-Overlord actually sounded honest in his response. "Halflings are half demonic and half angelic, after all. Two clashing forces. Always at odds with one another. You seemed to have found a balance, though. Interesting."

He was staring at Samuel once more. More specifically, at his black wings. Arch-Overlord, no doubt, wanted him to be a little more demonic. Like the Wardens of Nugatory.

He…was part of their scheme to shatter his heart. He probably orchestrated it.

"No matter." Arch-Overlord suddenly turned on his heel and waved a dismissive hand over his shoulder. "I have what I need now."

He then disappeared through a portal. And what he said to Void before he killed him came flooding back.

No…

Samuel lurched forward and grabbed Killia by the shoulder. "Killia, we have to hurry. I don't know what Arch-Overlord has planned for Lieze, but I know it's nothing good!"