Welp, here it is. The long wait is over.

Also it's my birthday this week, nice timing on my part c:


Interdimensional RED-Coded Contract

And to Watch the World Burn


First she came for IF.

Hiding away from view, Hilda watched as the Guild Agent used her power to put out the great flames scattered around the forest - sometimes sucking them into herself, sometimes snapping her fingers and forcing swaths of fire to extinguish in an instant.

A lot of trees were already too far gone to be recovered, but to Hilda they still had some use. They offered a great amount of cover from IF and her friends' view, allowing her to move closer and closer undetected. They were taking a break. Her target was sitting on a piece of wood with her special power turned off, taking a short breather to cool off. Perfect.

No one has noticed her yet, it was a good opportunity for an ambush. Yet, Hilda simply walked out of her hiding spot, wordlessly announcing her presence.

Then everything happened as Hilda expected. IF stood up when she saw her, while Pyro immediately moved in front of her, protecting the Guild agent with its body. Magic, who was hovering a bit behind, tensed up and reached for her scythe. Just by seeing her they raised their weapons in preparations.

"I came here to kill you." Hilda said. "But first, I have a message… and a gift."

IF and Magic noticed the state Hilda was in. Her right eye was covered with her ripped out sleeve. On her hip there was a slab of dark rock with a sword stuck in it, a different sword than the Gehaburn held in her hands.

Magic kept staring at that other sword, because she recognized it. "Leo did his best." Hilda pulled out the Burning Agony from its stone sheathe, a sword made out of fire and one of CFW Brave's weapons. There was only one way she could've gotten it.

"He left this mark on me." Hilda motioned at her head, showing off the eyepatch she made. "That weapon stays with his grave. This one, I brought to you. Consider it my final favor to you both, Magic." Hilda raised the Burning Agony and stabbed it into the ground. The grass nearby, already burnt from the previous fire, now turned into ash. "Know that we're the only ones left."

"That is all. Now we can begin."

And so, Hilda disappeared, melting into blackened fire that crept along the ground like a lightning fast serpent.

IF sprung into action but it was too late. Hilda was already reforming beside her, Gehaburn poised to claim her life… But the person she killed wasn't IF, but Pyro.

The merc pushed IF and took the hit for her, saving the Guild agent's life. Magic dove at Hilda without hesitation, making her body turn back into flames and disappear out of sight.

"Hmph." Magic scoffed. "Hiding already? From me?"

"Ah, yes." Magic heard Hilda chuckle, but the sound came from multiple directions - making the ghost hard to pinpoint. "The roles were usually reversed. Funny how times change."

Magic clicked her tongue and looked around, but there was no sign of Hilda. She was waiting. Plotting.

IF checked on Pyro, wincing at its state. The mercenary was lying down in his own blood, unmoving with a big gash going across its entire torso.

"You got a plan?" IF asked, looking around for Hilda. The ex-felon next to her didn't say a word, which prompted IF to look at her. "Magic?"

Magic felt a mix of emotions. Anger, sadness… nostalgia. He wasn't like the other two, a sentient war machine created by Uzume, or a weird creep with a knack for engineering that was too useful to throw out. Brave was an actual person, someone who she knew from those ancient days. And now he was gone… Killed by another she once called a friend. She wasn't even there for it.

For the first time in a long, long time, the death of another hurt her.

"Hey!" IF waved in front of her face.

There. A moment of weakness. Hilda appeared back on the battlefield, her weapon prepared to strike.

But Magic was faster. She snapped her hand in Hilda's direction, and tentacles left her palm. The sharp and thin tendrils appeared more like lasers, ready to kill… But Hilda spun her blade and cut down each one like a blender. Nonetheless, the continued deluge canceled Hilda's attack, giving IF time to focus again.

Magic felt something stir deep within her. Emotions once buried beneath the sands of time began to claw their way back up. This bitch in front of her killed her last friend, led a rebellion, destroyed her whole world, and is trying to stop her from reaching Uzume dared mock Brave's efforts, even to take something from him just to give Magic to goad her.

She felt herself go beyond her usual irritation at having to deal with an obstacle. She was beyond anger, somewhere beyond furious. This pure, burning hatred must be answered.

The stream of tendrils continued, leaving both at a deadlock. In the meantime, IF tried to take advantage and began to charge up her SP, moving to Hilda's flank, but then the Gehaburn's wielder just disappeared into black flames again, escaping to reposition. "Damn..." IF breathed in and out, not letting her guard down. Hilda was here, what could they do? "Hey you! Can you just… not? We're kinda busy!"

"No." They heard her voice. "I came here to kill you, IF. You, and then the rest of the Devils."

Well. IF tried. "Why me specifically?"

Hilda didn't respond, and IF wasn't surprised. At least they knew her goal here. The Guild Agent weighed their options: Pyro was already down. Do they still have a chance of winning? Or should they take him and run? It was two against one, but that wouldn't matter against Hilda. Not after what they saw in Planeptune. On the other hand, Magic was way stronger than everything they had back then. She could go toe to toe with Hilda. IF couldn't make a good guess as to their odds as a result.

The hair on IF's neck stood up, and the Guild agent quickly whirled around. Hilda was back, and she was already charging a skill. Magic quickly sprung up the barrier between them, while IF channeled her own SP.

"Luminous Blade!"

"La Delphinus!"

Immediately after IF unleashed her skill, Magic picked her up and ran away. They did not see the blinding light engulfing Hilda. The wave of energy approached their former position - swallowing everything in its path. The barrier put up by Magic didn't last a second. The Luminous Blade broke through it with sheer force alone.

Magic, lacking time to be gentle, simply let go of IF and let her fall onto the ground. The brunette hit the ground with a combat roll, getting onto her feet just in time to see Hilda attacking Magic. Her scythe blocked the initial strike, but the force dragged Magic further away from IF.

Eventually physics took over, and Hilda landed on the ground. "All things considered, it's interesting that you survived to this day." The ghost spoke as she sent jabs and slashes at Magic, testing and poking her defenses. "You used to be just a tiny librarian, much cuter than what you are now."

"No thanks to you."

The fact she could speak and taunt her while fighting infuriated Magic, but Hilda quickly proved herself to be more maneuverable with her sword than Magic could with her scythe. There was now a thin red line on her side, as Hilda jabbed a bit too quickly for Magic to block properly.

This fight wasn't like their encounter in Lastation. Here Hilda had full control over her actions and all of her strength, and Magic didn't have quite the same back-up as back then.

IF ran up from behind, saving Magic before she could be overwhelmed, only for the ghost to simply turn around and kick IF. The Brunette dodged the limb, but her charge was stopped. However Hilda left herself exposed - now she was on just one leg, and IF quickly dropped down and swiped her footing.

But upon contact Hilda simply retreated as flames again, nullifying any advantage they would've gained. "You alright?"

"She's fast." Magic grimaced, her hand running over her wound. "And she can hurt me." An annoyed huff left her lips.

IF was surprised to hear that, but they didn't have time to speak. Hilda reappeared quickly, throwing sand at IF. The Guild agent covered her face, feeling some of the rough grain getting into her eyes. A barrier was quickly put up between them, but the blade of Gehaburn ran straight into it, then through it - all the way down to its hilt.

To Magic's shock, Hilda's weapon smashed through her barrier like glass, shattering a hole through it. It barely held the weapon back at all. With haste, the CFW tried to repair the barrier, sealing it around the intruding sword to prevent its escape. Hilda gave her weapon a light tug, to no avail. Rather than try harder though, Hilda simply smiled. "Your power means nothing to me." The ghost said, and her sword started to glow.

Oh no.

They were too close to escape, but also Magic's barrier prevented them from attacking, and releasing the barrier now would just free up Hilda's movement. Like fish stuck in a barrel Hilda got them exactly where she wanted. Now Magic had a choice. The weapon was a genuine threat to even herself, much less her companion. She may be able to escape on her own, but IF will not be able to get out of its range. Not by herself.

"Luminous Blade!"

Magic made her choice.

With a swift movement of her foot, the ex-felon delivered a savage kick to IF's chest - pushing the brunette girl with all of her might. Magic knew she would be fine. IF was a tough girl, and compared to the alternative…

Rather than a wave, the Gehaburn simply erupted in an explosion of deadly energy, right in front of her face. As fast as she was, Magic was too close to dodge out of the way, not after saving IF. Despite throwing herself as far back as she could, despite the multiple layers of shields she immediately put up between them, nothing could stop what was coming.


Hilda watched as Magic was sent flying away, then slowly turned her gaze towards the brunette. The Guild agent was already on her feet, her eyes wide and surprised - realizing what her friend has done.

Hilda took a step, testing the brunette's courage. IF took a step back, not wanting Hilda to get closer. Hilda took another step, and then a third one a bit faster. She found it momentarily entertaining how IF was trying to back off, her eyes scanning her surroundings to find something that could give her an advantage.

In that hurry she missed one thing. One element that Hilda was baiting her onto.

A branch lying on the ground.

When IF tried to take another step back, the back of her foot suddenly got caught on the burnt wood. In that moment her focus and balance slipped, which was exactly what Hilda wanted.

IF leaned back as she fell, letting herself fall as she saw the purple blade pass by her face and cut some of her bangs… If she fought to regain balance, that would've been it. But IF simply let the back of her head to smash against the dirt. Her enhancements dulled the impact to an unnoticeable thud.

Hilda walked towards her, and IF kicked her leg. The Guild agent was surprised to actually feel her foot connecting with her knee, instead of it phasing through as usual. Though, Hilda's knee didn't budge as much as IF hoped. That kick moved IF more than it moved Hilda.

The blue-haired woman raised her blade and swept at IF's feet, cutting through the wood and ground as easily as through air. IF curled herself to avoid losing her legs, rising and coiling her feet just so she could kick Hilda again - this time with more force and both feet. That attack caused Hilda to disappear, allowing IF to stand back up.

The brunette quickly looked around, searching either for the ghost, or for Magic. If they wanted to take Hilda down, or to at least survive, they would need to cooperate. The skill that Hilda used was powerful, and if the Guild agent were to be caught in that… IF was glad that Magic saved her when she did.

There was a trail of wooden stumps and fallen trees; Magic was right at the end of the path of destruction caused by her explosive flight, lying on her back. IF jogged towards her, her eyes unable to see if she was dead or alive from here.

Magic felt nothing but pain. She groaned as she felt multiple lacerations all over her body, and the agony inside her told her she'd broken more than a few bones from that energy blast. One leg seemed to have taken the worst of it, being closest to the explosion when she threw herself back. She could see burns on it, and the joints ached something fierce at the slightest movement.

When was the last time she'd even bled, much less be maimed like this?

Magic hovered to her feet, seeing IF run toward her. Magic was glad she seemed unharmed. She hasn't failed her mission yet. That skill Hilda used… anyone else would be dead if they were hit with that.

At the very least she could still fly.

Then Magic blinked and Hilda was already in front of her, Gehaburn already poised for a thrust. The ex-felon only had a fraction of a second to act. She raised her arm in desperation, left with no other options and the Gehaburn pierced through it with ease, leaving through the other side of Magic's arm. It however stopped after a while, preventing Magic's torso from being penetrated as well. Hilda leaned close in that moment, staring coldly into Magic's eyes. "My blade ignores defense and invincibility. You should know this." The Ghost said, ripping the Gehaburn out.

Next time Hilda swung, Magic blocked it with her scythe. "Not you, not Saxton Hale, not even that fancy ability the Devil's servants have. Nothing is safe from me."

Magic grit her teeth as she pushed further. Her injuries screamed as they were disturbed, but the pain was ignored as Magic slowly overpowered Hilda. Even with her arm injured, Magic was still physically stronger than most - Hilda Gehaburn included.

"You talk a lot."

Hilda raised her eyebrow and stepped away just as Magic tried to grab her. The ex-felon got onto her feet and hovered above the ground. Her injured leg felt better now that she was no longer putting weight on it.

IF finally reached them, and Magic saw an opportunity. If she could take Hilda by surprise, she wouldn't be able to disappear in time… Unless Hilda already knew that IF was coming.

Magic charged forward and swung her scythe, locking down her weapon with Gehaburn. She then dropped the scythe and grabbed the sword, keeping it in place. Defense-penetration or not, it still had a simple edge - safe to grab when it wasn't in motion. Hilda's eyes widened in surprise before she quickly dissipated on her own.

IF, who was mid air, was now on a collision course with Magic.

At least until a barrier sprung between them, preventing her boot from hitting Magic's face.

The Guild agent bounced off the barrier and flipped back onto her own feet. "She's just going to tire us out." IF said. "Any ideas?"

"Surround and surprise her. She's vulnerable to attacks she doesn't expect… Go from her right side." That was where the eyepatch was. Hilda was blind on her right side. "You're faster, so I'll try to lock her down for you."

"You set her up, I knock her down, huh?" IF smiled. "I like it."

Cooperation was the key. No matter how skilled one was, they were still vulnerable to just being bum rushed by numbers. Especially if said numbers were also skilled in combat. But with Magic in this condition… "But can you fight like this?" IF asked. Magic had an injured arm and leg. Even if she was hovering above the ground, she still couldn't swing her scythe to her full capability.

Magic brushed her off with an "I'm fine." before noticing a third person standing between them, a person neither she nor IF noticed.

Hilda was between them. She was not there a second ago, but neither IF nor Magic saw, heard or sensed her appearance. They were taken by surprise, which the ghost took advantage of. In one swift motion she jabbed Gehaburn into Magic's other leg, before quickly ripping it out and charging at IF.

As IF ducked and weaved between attacks, she realized that Hilda must've heard their plan and was reacting accordingly. If the Guild agent was to use her speed to outmaneuver and attack Hilda, then obviously she should be the first to go. Magic, despite what she said, was already crippled and an easy target.

But she was still strong.

Twisting her body sideways, IF saw Hilda grow increasingly annoyed. Despite her best efforts the brunette wasn't injured yet. So far Hilda managed to hit everyone besides her intended target. IF was glad for all of the training she did to increase her agility.

But it had to stop. Set her up, and knock her down. That was their current plan. Magic wasn't able to do the 'set up' part, so the responsibility fell on IF.

She stopped dodging, and just took the hit.

Using both of her katars to catch the sword, IF was once again amazed by the sheer strength Hilda was using. Hilda saw IF changing her stance, not going for a dodge, but she was already mid-swing. It was too late to abort the attack.

IF stumbled, but she immediately closed her weapons like pincers on the cursed blade, trapping it.

"Now!"

Hilda didn't even need to look to know that Magic was right behind her. The Ghost and her sword disappeared before Magic's tentacles could hope to reach her.

Once again it was all for naught.


As Falcom lay on the ground her 'injuries' healed faster than they should. Energy she spent fighting was returning to her.

She stood up. Her legs shook with effort, threatening to give out at any given moment. Falcom stabbed the floor with the Lullaby Song - using it to support herself. She felt aches and bruises all over her body, while blood stained her skin and the floor.

It was all in her mind though. Blood evaporated the moment it touched the ground, not leaving a stain. Injuries, no matter how dire they seem, were shallower than they should be. This was after all not a battle between people with physical bodies, but a battle inside the mind. The injuries were there because she subconsciously thought that way.

"Okay then."

So no matter how badly Hilda beat her, Falcom will get up again. It was her body, not the damn ghost's.

But first she needed to find Nepgear.

Falcom took a step forward, jabbing Lullaby Song into the floor to support herself. The tip of the blade scratched the surface of a paved floor, but hasn't penetrated it. As Falcom took another step forward, her injuries were almost fully healed. Her legs were no longer shaking, her outfit was fixed and all the pain was reduced to dull aches. The adventurer was once again ready to move and try to take her body back.

Her first goal was getting Nepgear out of wherever Hilda locked her in, and Falcom actually had a decent idea where to look for her.

Deep inside the Gehaburn. Hilda's own territory.


They needed to do something.

Hilda was proving herself to be impossible to reel in. Due to her injured hand, Magic couldn't effectively lock Hilda down for IF, and IF couldn't really do it for Magic. The Ghost disappeared as IF's leg was about to smash into her temple, again.

The problem was they have no consistent way of harming Hilda. Hitting her might as well be a literal lottery, a stroke of luck IF and Magic had to bet everything on winning. And most of the time their luck failed.

And as Hilda reappeared behind Magic, the Felon turned too late. Fatigue and injuries were taking their toll. Hilda swung her sword at her and got one of her wings - slicing off a piece of it. The loss of her wing meant sudden and instantaneous loss of balance, something that Magic was not prepared for - Her eyes widened as she was suddenly thrown to the side, landing onto her injured leg.

IF rushed at Hilda, trying to buy Magic time to recover. Hilda was neither surprised nor mad as IF all but tackled her. The Guild agent's mad dash was met, and stopped, head-on. The Gehaburn clashed with IF's katars, before Hilda headbutted the brunette.

Hilda had the control in this fight. She could pick her fights, wait for opportune moments and get out of bad spots without fail. IF grunted as Hilda's forehead collided with her nose. While not doing much damage, thanks to the mercs' enhancements , it stunned IF just long enough for Hilda to attack with a thrust.

But the sword did not want to move.

Gloved hands wrapped themselves around Hilda, embracing the Ghost and preventing her from moving. IF's eyes widened as Pyro, with a deep slash going from its shoulder to hip, still managed to get up and help them fight.

The Gehaburn stopped just shortly before IF, a hair's width away from piercing her skin. Hilda tried to shake him off, but the merc held tightly and kept its hold on her. Pyro raised its leg and stomped the back of her knee - forcing Hilda down.

Hilda disappeared a moment before Magic's scythe came to take off her head. The Felon clicked her tongue in annoyance and looked at Pyro. Her eyes were wide with surprise and intrigue. "How are you still alive?" She asked.

Pyro said something but Magic didn't understand it. The ex-felon turned to IF for answers, who simply shook her head with a shrug. The Pyro became more animated, stomping its feet and waving its hands, but remained no less unintelligible.

Then Hilda reminded them that she was still here, and once again she slashed Magic in the back. IF attacked, but Hilda disappeared before she could reach her.

She reappeared in front of Pyro. The merc raised its fist to punch her, only for Hilda to catch the limb and thrust her weapon into its belly. This was too much for Pyro, who was already gravely injured. The mercenary fell to the ground and died, while Hilda disappeared before IF counter attacked.

"Damn it!"

When the Ghost reappeared to attack the Guild agent, Magic charged. She tackled Hilda and grabbed the one thing that was giving everyone so many problems: The Gehaburn.

Her hands wrapped themselves around the sword's hilt, embracing Hilda's own hands. Magic could feel the malevolence emanating from the weapon, almost seeming to seep into her being, but she knew the cursed sword was already committed to a host, and she was strong enough to force it back either way. The two of them fought for dominance, before they both turned into flames, racing along the ground in an unseen struggle.

IF blinked a couple of times, surprised by what she saw. She looked at Pyro and saw that this time the mercenary was truly dead. The Reanimator was activated and the hologram appeared, but IF had nothing to use it on.

Could they even win? Was it even wise to fight her with just two people?

Hilda managed to fight through her, Demoman, Histoire and a few others. By herself. Would IF and Magic even have a chance of winning, when Magic was already injured and Pyro died protecting her?

They need help. If they can get to the others, they may stand a chance.

A moment later Hilda and Magic reformed from the puddle of fire, with Hilda being blown away from the ex-felon. The Ghost stumbled back and swiftly repositioned with her fiery form again. "I have to admit… I did not expect that one." Hilda said.

Magic readied her scythe, but saw that Hilda was too far away to simply charge in. "Maybe no one of this age remembers the old magicks anymore, but I do." The ex-felon said.

Hilda actually smiled at this. "Heh. Yes, you were a good librarian afterall…" Then the Gehaburn started to glow once more. IF and Magic knew they only had seconds to act before Hilda used another skill. Though this stance was different than the Luminous Blade.

"Crimson Slash!"

Hilda swung at Magic, releasing a projectile so sharp and powerful it cleaved through a tree. Magic ducked underneath it, feeling some of her hair cut in the process. Hilda's weapon continued to glow, and she spun around and swung the sword at IF next. The Guild agent had to scramble to avoid the projectile.

This attack was way less destructive than what Hilda used last time, but it was much faster and cleaner. IF actually remembered it from their last fight. It cleaved through all of the Basilicom's benches that were in its path.

Hilda didn't let IF rest, as by the time IF avoided Hilda's attack, the ghost was already next to her. She reached out and grabbed a fistful of IF's hair, yanking her back. IF yelped and lashed out with her Katar. Her blade didn't have enough reach, Hilda simply hopped out of her range and shoved IF at the approaching Magic.

Magic was forced to stop and abandon her attack, as IF almost lost her balance and fell to the ground. That lull allowed Hilda to continue her onslaught - thrusting her sword at IF's back. Magic intercepted the attack with her scythe, and attempted to pierce Hilda's body with tentacles, only for her target to dodge with her flame form again and reappear next to Magic, sending some quick slashes at the Felon, pushing her back with pure speed and skill.

As IF recovered, her thoughts once again started to wonder.

Why?

Why did Hilda want her dead? She wasn't a CPU. Was it merely her connection to Nepgear? Her performance in the previous fight? Spite and pettiness?

Magic was slipping and weakening, unable to keep up with Hilda's attacks. Some of the attacks were slipping past her defenses, earning her more scratches and injuries. Back when they fought her with the mercenaries, just scratching her had been an impossibility. They had Magic outmanned and outgunned, and she was like a guaranteed loss encounter to them… But now she was getting the crap beaten out of her by Hilda. Just one enemy.

Were they seriously playing that trope straight? It wasn't funny.

Hilda plunged her sword into Magic's arm again. A pained grunt left the ex-felon's lips, as the sword went deeper into her limb - severing muscles, vessels and nerves in its path. She dropped her scythe and grabbed the blade, stopping it from moving, right as its tip was about to leave the other way.

Magic grit her teeth at Hilda's victorious expression. Pure might and durability will not work against her. Hilda was too skilled for that, the Gehaburn's defense nullification too powerful.

She opened the palm on her injured arm, releasing tentacles to strike the ghost's feet. Hilda turned to flames again, avoiding not only Magic's tendrils but also IF's Demon Flames, and once again taking Magic with her. They struggled for a shorter time this time, reforming in a blast that blew each other back. One was clearly in much better shape than the other, however.

Blood freely gushed out of her new injury, and Magic quickly started to feel lightheaded. There were now two large sword wounds in her arm, combined with the many smaller lacerations all over her body. Magic would bleed out if something wasn't done soon, and there were no healers nearby.

It took one quick glance to make IF turn pale. "Magic…" The Guild agent said, unsure if she really wanted to say this.

They'd been mortal enemies for a long time until recently. IF still didn't like or trust Magic. Not one bit. It was hard for her to simply treat her as a friend after all she has been through. But they've fought together. Magic protected and saved IF time and time again through this battle alone. She bled and hurt so that the Guild agent won't have to.

IF felt like she ought to return the favor.

"Run. Take Pyro and… just run. Warn the others. Get help. I'll keep her here."

Magic's eyes widened.

Run? She, a CFW, given ultimate power by a powerful deity, should just run?

That's laughable.

But Magic wasn't laughing.

"I… cannot leave you here."

If she did, Hilda would kill IF… And Samantha will never forgive her for it. The promise would be broken, and Magic would no longer be able to see Uzume.

More blood left her body, spilling on the grass below them. The forest was silent and Hilda… wasn't attacking.

Instead she was just standing there, calm and composed as ever.

"You should listen to her." The ghost spoke. "Take your fallen friend and leave this place."

IF's gaze snapped at the ghost. "Shut up! You did this!"

But Hilda ignored the Guild agent. "If you keep this up, you will die. If you die, then you will never see your master again."

"If I leave…" Magic grit her teeth. "I'll make sure they're ready for you. You will not win."

"Warn them as much as you want, it will not change anything. You joining forces with them will not help them either." Hilda shook her head, before pointing at IF. "No. I just want her dead. You and that other person can go."

They… They can go. Hilda was letting them free.

But not IF. The one person Magic couldn't leave behind. The one person Samantha explicitly told her to cover and protect. Magic didn't want to just leave and face Samantha… but she also wasn't in any condition to fight, she understood this. Her vision was getting foggy as she slowly bled to death, it was getting harder to focus. Histoire's mercenaries weren't here to heal her, and though her knowledge in magic was vast, including an understanding in numerous healing spells…

The truth was, she never had an aptitude for magic, and still didn't, ironically. Outside of the powers granted by her wish, which didn't actually use SP, she barely had any SP of her own to work with. Certainly not enough to cast any meaningful healing spell in combat.

In the meantime, IF frowned and faced Hilda. "I've been meaning to ask. Why me?"

The brunette could physically feel Hilda's hateful stare on her. "You're a problem. You and that special power of yours."

She and what power? What kind of 'special' power-

The Flame Awakening.

The gift she got from Falcom. The special ability which IF trained with Mina. Something that allowed her to take control of fire, and made Pyro venerate her. That was the reason. That was why Hilda came here, to hunt down IF instead of the CPUs back in the Basilicom.

Hilda wanted IF dead… Because IF knew Flame Awakening.

What a hint to let slip by. Now IF knew how to counter her. "Hilda… Thank you."

Her temperature rose and her resistances shifted. The brown locks of hair turned blonde, while the temperature-proof clothing changed color. IF felt cold around her, but she made it up by igniting the world around her.

"You just told me how to defeat you."

If Hilda was so afraid of this power, then that was exactly what IF would use.

The air heated up around IF, warming her to temperatures lethal for normal humans. But in this state IF was different. In this state all of this heat was perfectly comfortable for IF. She did not sweat, she did not overheat herself. Her body changed to tolerate this temperature which would cook any other living being.

Hilda braced herself, while Magic instinctively backed away.

Because in the next second the world was lit on fire.

With a simple gesture and a short mental command the air around Hilda overheated. The temperature of IF's body rose greatly, but she wasn't lit on fire. No. She herself managed to avoid this fate while a wave of superheated air blasted everything around her - igniting the little greenery that was previously saved from a fiery death.

Hilda saved herself with the usual strategy, slipping away as black flames. Magic, feeling the heat on her own skin, could only stare as IF faced away and looked at Magic. "I can hold my own." She said. "But you're not in any condition to fight. Take Pyro and his Reanimator!" She pointed at the red hologram lazily spinning in place. "Warn the others!"

"I…" Magic breathed out. Her throat was dry and it was getting hard to talk. "My orders were to help you!"

This only angered IF. This wasn't a time for arguments. "You can help by leaving, Magic! You've done enough!"

Help her if she asks.

Samantha's words rang out within her mind.

She was to help IF if she ever asked, and now she was asking her to leave. Was this okay? If IF died would it be her fault? The blood wouldn't stop leaving no matter how much Magic tried to plug her wounds with her barrier. She wouldn't be able to fight for long even if she stayed.

She was supposed to be powerful. Invincible. Someone who could make a difference. Someone who didn't need to cower before anyone anymore. This was her wish. And yet…

"Don't worry, I have an idea I want to try." IF said, eyeing an object in the distance. "You can still fly, right? Even with your injuries." Even with one of her wings cut in half, Magic steadily hovered above the ground - already adjusted to the disturbed balance caused by her injury.

Magic slowly crouched to retrieve her scythe. It felt heavier than before, Magic didn't want to think if it was the blood loss or shame. "Yes, I can." She answered through gritted teeth. Whatever bothered her, IF didn't have time to ask, as Hilda finally reappeared - charging a skill.

"Luminous Blade!"

IF and Magic split, as the destructive wave soared towards its intended target. IF dug her heels into the ground and stopped as the shot tried to lead her. She felt the destructive wave pass by her by a hair's width. She felt the air being pushed away, earth being ruptured and life being disintegrated. Barely avoiding death, the Guild agent took a deep breath to calm herself, but Hilda was already moving.

Magic heeded her plan and was trying to escape - beelining for Pyro's body to pick it up and fly away. Hilda turned into flames, approaching IF and ignoring Magic: She said she could leave, and she wasn't about to stab Magic in the back. Her focus was purely on the Guild agent, whose hand was reaching out to Hilda.

With a mental command, IF pushed.

And Hilda felt herself being pushed back.

Fire obeyed those who use the Flame Awakening, no matter what kind of flame it was. Hilda was also affected by it, as her ghostly form was made out of dark flames. The ghost was pushed back, like a puppet pulled by the strings, but that wasn't the only thing that happened. Not only IF's influence pushed her back. It also brought her out of her ghostly form.

Hilda was dismayed, but it didn't surprise her. There was a good reason why she came for the guild agent while she was separated from the others, and she knew exactly what she was doing when she let slip the 'secret'. Now Magic has been convinced to retreat, and if it made IF just that bit harder to kill, then so be it. The pyromancer remains no threat to her alone. She will cut her down now, before the girl can become a threat in the coming battle against the devils. All will go according to plan.

A wall of flames approached her, a massive inferno threatening to swallow her whole. Under normal circumstances this would be trivial to avoid. But this was different. Hilda was no longer able to simply vanish away.

She took the hit.

It was hot. Painfully hot. Her lungs burned as she tried to breathe. Her skin felt like someone was roughly rubbing it with sandpaper. Her eyes teared up as they were cooked. It was lingering agony, one that would last for a very long time.

Or until Hilda used a skill.

"Tear-All."

The inferno passed by her, and then green light washed over her - healing everything that happened to her. Tear-All. The strongest healing spell ever known to mankind. It was like turning back the clock. The burns disappeared. The damage was repaired. Even fabric and armor mended itself. Only memory remained.

It was draining on her SP reserves, but it didn't matter. Her target will be dead long before it becomes a problem.

"So that wasn't an accident or a fluke." IF commented. "You actually just took it."

She remembered something like that happening during their previous battle. IF wanted to spawn another firewall, when Hilda suddenly jerked away and returned to her human form. This was IF's doing. She did that just like she just did this. The power of Flame Awakening could keep Hilda as a human - make her vulnerable to blows.

Hilda stood proudly before IF. All of this heat, and nonetheless there was no damage on Hilda. "Congratulations, you scored a hit. You can take that achievement with you to the grave." The ghost said.

IF wasn't afraid. With this power she could do it. She stood a chance against Hilda Gehaburn.


The world shook and shuddered, Falcom had no idea what that meant. For a brief moment she felt a new presence in the area, but it was gone as suddenly as it appeared. Hilda was fighting, that was all Falcom knew. She was in the middle of combat, but as much as she wanted Falcom couldn't help the opposition this time.

Because as of now she wasn't in her body, but inside the Gehaburn itself.

The scenery changed as she crossed the threshold. The inside of Gehaburn was more… regal and pristine than Falcom expected. Milky white brick replaced dark ones present in her own body. Walls were decorated with golden reliefs and etches carved into them. The stark difference in atmosphere was not lost on Falcom.

She pressed on, her mind focused on her objective. Nepgear.

This was the only place Hilda could've hidden her away from Falcom. Anywhere within Falcom's body she could easily find and rescue Nepgear, so this was the only place Hilda could've hidden her. In her own territory.

"Nepgear?" Falcom shouted, receiving no answer from the CPU Candidate. The halls only echoed her words back to her. "Of course." Falcom wasn't surprised. She knew this wouldn't be so easy.

She had a chance, but she couldn't stay here for too long. The fact Hilda was fighting right now was a great thing for them. It distracted her enough for Falcom to roam freely and without interruptions. But once the battle was over… Falcom was a foreigner in these lands. Falcom didn't have the same protection she had back in her own body. If Hilda wanted her gone… this would be a perfect opportunity to do so.

But despite all of that, Falcom went in further. Searching, seeking, she would not abandon her friend in need.


Their blades crossed… And IF didn't bother playing the strength game. The now-blonde woman deflected the sword and allowed it to pass beside her. Hilda, as fitting of her experience as a swordswoman, quickly pulled back - not overextending like IF wanted.

Hilda's limbs were covered in armor, but her stomach only had fabric. So IF targeted that. Her fist moved quickly, like a bullet shot from a gun. Hilda's expression did not change as the push dagger neared her, for she slapped the weapon away with her hand.

Another hand caused Hilda to disappear. She did it automatically, without thinking about it. IF immediately pulled her out of it and stabbed her in the arm - where her armor didn't reach. The Guild agent was surprised to actually feel some resistance. Her weapon cut through her shirt and skin - drawing blood for the first time in this fight. For IF, it was a massive victory. Now she knew she was doing something good.

Hilda grunted from pain. She punched IF away and looked at her bicep, feeling annoyed at such a trivial injury. IF attacked again, thinking this was an opportunity for her to score another hit - But a swing from Hilda said a different story. Even if she managed to scratch Hilda, the ghost was still dangerous. Even if she looked away for any reason, she was still alert.

The Gehaburn began to glow with power, and IF started to fear for her life.

"Magic Sword Sorcarian!"

Hilda swung her sword, releasing dozens of icicles at IF. The Guild agent raised her hand and backed away. A wall of flames appeared in front of her, melting the icicles before they could harm her. IF continued to back away, alert for anything that could get through. She did not notice what was behind her until it was too late.

The flames IF spawned were a perfect cover for Hilda, who was now out of the Guild agent's view. This allowed her to disappear and reappear behind IF, without risk of being pulled back into her human form.

Hilda grabbed IF's hair and thrusted the Gehaburn forward. In panic IF incinerated everything around her, igniting both the ground and the atmosphere itself. The Gehaburn disappeared, too close for comfort.

The Ghost was in front of her, and her sword glowed again. "Magic Sword Sorcarian!" She swung her sword and IF had to scramble as more icicles were being shot at her - daring her to do the same trick twice.

Weaving left and right, up and down. IF dodged the oncoming onslaught, putting more ground between them as the speed of the projectiles increased. It eventually became a battle of attrition that IF was losing. As time went on, Hilda was only burning through her SP, a resource that had little impact on her physical prowess. IF meanwhile had to be constantly focused and moving, growing more tired in a battle where one small mistake could cost her life.

IF finally bit the bait and summoned another shield.

This time she was ready. This time she was alert for Hilda to appear from anywhere. As a wall of fire consumed the icy bullets, IF pressed her back against a tree and waited for Hilda's move - taking this opportunity to catch her breath.

Hilda didn't appear, but IF heard her casting another spell.

"Crimson Slash!"

IF dropped onto the ground as a concentrated wave of energy shot out from the firewall. Piercing through the flames and cutting through the tree IF was resting at.

Just being able to keep Hilda in human form wouldn't cut it. She could just use her skills and tire IF out. Twice already Hilda almost got her down. It was time to change strategy. Actually defeating her wasn't a requirement here. She just had to prevent her from going after Nep and the others, or at the very least weaken her enough for them to handle her.

Injure her. Make her waste SP and resources. Give Magic time to get away, find the mercenaries and prepare. This was all IF needed to win. If defeating Hilda wasn't an option, IF did the best thing in that situation.

She turned her tail and ran.

If Hilda wanted her dead, IF will make her work for it.

Hilda's eyes widened, and then narrowed as the distance between them increased. Through the burnt forest, IF jumped over a burnt root and then slid underneath a fallen tree - utilizing her tip top agility to gain as much ground as possible.

Obstacles weren't much of an issue. If there was one thing IF had, it was her agility. She was just as agile as Scout. She could quickly move around this terrain… until her exhaustion made its presence known. In a critical moment her mind became sluggish. Her limbs felt heavier than before and her eyes involuntarily closed in an attempt to rest. The exhaustion was so great even the adrenaline wasn't working properly.

In a moment of inattentiveness, aided by the poor lighting, a tree's branch came crashing into IF's face. The Guild agent tripped and crashed head first into a tree. This actually came into her benefit, as the pain woke her up and put a bit more energy into her - Like her body remembering that she was in danger.

Fortunately for IF, Hilda was in no better shape. She was no Demoman - Even with her superhuman senses, having only one eye still didn't do her depth perception any favors. Without the ability to simply turn into flames, something she had grown to rely on, traversing the treacherous terrain of the burnt forest took longer than it otherwise would've.

But Hilda had the stamina to keep going. IF did not, not enough to make it all the way back to the others, and she didn't even know which direction she was going. Fleeing was not a long-term solution.

"There is no escape!" Hilda screamed as she chased after her.

Icicles pierced a tree next to her, prompting IF to stop running in a straight line. Just as the tree exploded with magical energy, IF continued to run while making herself hard to hit - zigzagging around obstacles and taking cover. This worked as Hilda was too far away to effectively use anything besides projectiles.

"You can't run forever!" Hilda continued to scream, but IF didn't listen. She turned left and saw something in the corner of her eye - Stabbed into the ground was the sword Hilda gave away at the start, left behind during the battle. The memento she gave Magic - a sword made out of fire.

This could work.

She ran towards it and put her hand on the handle, noticing just how hot the hilt was. The only reason she didn't jerk her hand away was probably due to the Flame Awakening.

It easily slid out of the ground, and IF could see how massive it was. The blade was bigger than her, but it was nothing but flames. Solid flames. Sharp as any other blade and hotter than a flame thrower. Despite its size it was pretty light. IF could easily carry and swing it. Perfect.

Hilda caught up to IF and saw what she was doing. She huffed. "Finally. Let's end this-"

IF didn't allow it.

Before her vision turned dark and Hilda used her EXE Drive, IF unleashed a fireball and broke Hilda's concentration. The Ghost disappeared and IF forced her back, before swinging the fiery greatsword at her.

The Gehaburn and the Burning Agony were crossed, and the heat IF felt from the blade just intensified. IF was the first one to wind back, and she struck Hilda again. Yet again the Burning Agony grew hotter on impact with the other sword. So it grows stronger with every hit… Was there a limit to this?

…This gave her an idea.

What if she could melt the Gehaburn?

She had no idea how resistant Hilda's sword was to temperature, nor how hot her new sword could get. But IF pushed her doubts aside and continued swinging her weapon like mad. The small weight of her weapon helped to offset its enormous size. Now she had longer reach than Hilda, while retaining enough speed to keep up the pressure.

The Burning Agony struck the Gehaburn one more time, and IF grit her teeth as she pressed the fiery sword further against the purple blade - forcing it to take in the heat through simple physical contact. The Gehaburn hasn't moved at all, due to Hilda's superior strength. But IF raised her hand and summoned fire underneath Hilda's feet.

The Ghost disappeared before a wall of fire sprung where she was once standing. IF immediately brought Hilda back and charged at her. The ghost was visibly getting more mad at the continued denials of her escape route. While Hilda was currently safe from the fire, IF just needed to wave her hand to spawn more flames.

She will melt that sword no matter what.


The sound of pounding echoed in the room. Nepgear grunted from exertion as she whacked the door of her own room with a chair.

Not her room. A fake recreation of her and Neptune's room. That… thing locked her here, and Nepgear wasn't sure why. They're also planning to bring Neptune here. What will they do to her? What are they planning to do?

Nepgear needed to get out. She used everything she could to try to destroy the door locking her in, but it seemed to be more like a part of the wall. Each time Nepgear struck the lock of the door, be it with a chair or her sword, the door didn't budge. At all. They were perfectly still… Like a wall.

Nepgear put the chair down, exhausted. Over an hour of constant beating and there was no progress. The doors held and there was not even a scratch on them. A part of her mind wanted to stop and reassess. To check if there was another way out. Perhaps that would be a smarter idea.

With a deep breath Nepgear got up and turned around, taking a step towards the middle of her room. Then the door handle moved and the doors opened. In the doorway stood a red-haired girl. One that Nepgear both wanted and didn't want to see.

"Nepgear?" Falcom looked around the room, before noting the CPU Candidate standing in the middle of the room. The two of them stared at each other like deers in headlights, not really prepared to find each other so easily.

Falcom breathed out in relief. "Oh thank go-" she leaned out and avoided a sword coming at her, as Nepgear's first instinct was not to be happy… but to protect herself. She didn't know if that was Falcom, or someone else. Or if Falcom even existed here. All she knew was that she got locked in here by someone looking like that.

"Nepge-ah!?" Falcom jumped back as Nepgear swung again. Falcom pulled out the Lullaby Song and parried the third strike, deflecting it and letting it go away from her. "Hey, hey hey!" She called out to the CPU Candidate as she was recovering. "I was there with Nisa when you and the mercs saved us from that Viral Ancient Dragon!"

Nepgear swung again. Falcom protected herself but didn't strike back. "It's me! Falcom!"

Nepgear pouted and jabbed the sword in Falcom's direction. It wasn't really a thrust, more like she pointed her sword at Falcom. "Then why did you lock me in here?!" Nepgear glared at the redhead. She didn't really want to harm her, as there was a chance that she was actually a friend. But at the same time Nepgear wasn't in the right state of mind after being locked in there for who knows how long.

Falcom raised her arms in a mock surrender. "It wasn't me, Hilda played a trick on you." She explained. Nepgear didn't try to take off her head again, which the redhead counted as a win. In any case, Falcom was actually surprised to see Nepgear with her weapon. "You have your weapon back?"

Nepgear sighed and lowered the sword. "Yes. You… uh. The other you made it for me."

Falcom's eyebrows rose in surprise. Hilda. Hilda armed Nepgear before locking her in? Why? As weird as it was… Falcom wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. "Okay." Falcom nodded and motioned for her to follow. "Come on, let's get out of here."

Nepgear was skeptical. "And go where?"

"Hilda's fighting. We can impede her again, but not here. We gotta return to my own body."

They must hurry or Hilda will kill another person, and there weren't many targets she would go for. Hilda was most likely fighting someone close to them.

Nepgear followed Falcom, reluctantly because she didn't fully trust her… but also not having anything else to go with.

Was it just her, or is it getting hot in here?


IF swung her sword like mad, aiming not at Hilda herself but at the sword she was wielding. Each swing she made, each time she hit anything, the heat of Burning Agony grew greater. Each time Hilda attacked and IF defended herself, the Burning Agony grew hotter.

She didn't know how far she could push this power, but she could feel it with her own hands. Each strike increased the temperature of the thing she was holding. If it wasn't for the Flame Awakening, this weapon would've burned off her arms right now.

Hilda jabbed at IF's torso, making the girl bring down the sword to protect herself. Funnily enough, the Gehaburn failed to pierce through the seemingly solid blade made out of fire. The Ghost was frowning. She was now fully focused on ending IF's life as quickly as possible, as the longer they fought the closer IF was to her goal.

In a way, Hilda shot herself in the foot trying to be courteous towards her friend. But it didn't matter. IF will still die at the end of this. The Gehaburn could survive temperatures far higher than Flame Awakening's resistances allow.

IF crossed blades and pushed both swords aside, opening her opponent for a headbutt. The two girls' heads collide; neither letting go, neither giving ground. "H-How are you still alive!?" IF grunted.

Plants quickly died out when IF got close, smoldering and turning to crisps whenever she swung. No natural life could exist in this inferno. And yet Hilda fought as normal, unbothered by the heat.

"I could ask you the same." Hilda answered, taking a step back as IF brought up her fist and tried to stab Hilda in the gut. The Ghost retreated as flames, and IF took a deep breath, allowing it this time since it meant giving herself a breather too. Without wasting time, the Guild agent tapped the ground with the Burning Agony. Interestingly enough, that was enough to increase the heat of the Burning Agony.

It was incredible just how exploitable this sword was, if it wasn't wielded by someone bound by honor.

IF got three taps with the Burning Agony before Hilda reappeared, ever increasing its heat. The Gehaburn glowed brightly, about to release a skill. IF tensed and prepared herself, while Hilda unleashed her attack.

"Magic Sword Sorcarian!"

With one swing of the Gehaburn icicles shot at IF like bullets from a minigun, and the Guild agent raised her sword to protect herself. The impossibly hot blade of the Burning Agony melted the projectiles before they came close to her.

Or at least most of them.

Her eyes widened as one icicle was aimed differently than the rest, bypassing the shield she created for herself. While the majority was aimed at her face or upper body, this single thing was aimed lower, further from the blade, and buried itself within IF's leg - just as Hilda planned.

The Guild agent had a moment of panic as the icicle started to glow. There was nothing she could do, besides preparing herself for pain. Hilda's projectiles explode, and this one will too - taking IF's leg with it.

The icicle blew up, and IF screamed.

She got launched into the air, landing on the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut. The Guild agent reached to her leg but it wasn't there anymore. All that remained was a shredded, bloody stump.

IF screamed, but she didn't panic. Rather she recovered quickly and swung the Burning Agony at Hilda's feet. The Ghost jumped back and IF tried to stand. She swung at Hilda once more, crossing blades with the Gehaburn. But IF had no footing, no foundation to support her weapon. Hilda just had to push and IF once more fell onto the ground.

Then came another blow.

IF's body went into shock as Hilda plunged the sword into her stomach, just below her ribs. IF's mouth was opened, both out of pain and to voice out her suffering. Hilda stared into IF's eyes as the Guild Agent was dying, and pulled the sword out to finish her job.

But the Gehaburn wasn't moving.

IF wrapped her hands around the sword, but instead of trying to pull it out… she was keeping it in. She used her entire remaining strength to keep it in there. Hilda was confused and continued to tug her blade, while IF channeled her SP, and willed the flames of the Burning Agony to support her.

Cracks appeared in the ground underneath them, glowing from the raging inferno they were about to unleash as the blade of the Burning Agony began to twist and unfurl, leaving its hilt to swirl around the duo.

"D-Demon... Flames!"

Hilda panicked, just realizing her mistake. She gave an opportunity to IF, and underestimated just how far IF will go to defeat her.

With a roar, flames sprang forth from the cracks underneath as the flames of the Burning Agony coalesced around them, engulfing both parties. Hilda felt heat yet unimaginable. One greater than anything else thus far. She tried to run, but her sword was stuck in IF's stomach, held by both of IF's hands and her undying determination. Hilda tried to disappear, but IF commanded her to stay.

Hilda was stuck and in danger.

But the most surprising thing… was that IF was burning too.

IF, the person with an insane resistance to fire, was burning. Her skin was bubbling and being destroyed. Her body, even with the Flame Awakening, could not handle this temperature.

Hilda stomped IF's stomach, using the leverage to pull harder. But the sword wouldn't move. IF roared and forced the flames to grow even hotter, flames strong enough to melt steel and stone. The very ground beneath them was turning to magma, and Hilda felt all of it. Her clothing caught on fire, the synthetic threads melting and further increasing pain until Hilda couldn't bear it. "T-Tear-All!" She screamed. Her wounds healed, providing just slight, momentary relief as temperature destroyed her body once more.

But she hasn't died yet. Even when cooked alive, Hilda continued to struggle. "Tear-All!"

Hilda felt her eyes boil, her skin char and burn and her armor melt. But by continuously casting the strongest healing spell in the world she managed to keep herself alive, prolonging the torture she was putting this body through. Hilda screamed in pain, roared in suffering. And IF was screaming with her, as the Guild agent endured Hilda's almost maniacal attempts at escaping.

The resistance to fire given to her by Flame Awakening was great, nigh invincible. But she went beyond it, reaching temperatures so big IF began overheating. The heat was immense, strong enough to turn the surrounding trees and grass into ash and cinder, blazing like a miniature sun.

Strong enough to affect the Gehaburn.

Neither of them could see it, blinded by the heat, fire and their struggle. But the color of the cursed blade was changing, heated up by the flames until it became malleable and soft. The blade, once nigh invincible, was now slowly changing shape - becoming malformed in the struggle. IF's hands squeezing it tightly, Hilda tugging it without care.

The heated up blade did not behave like normal metal. Despite being formed by bare hands, it still held onto its integrity. That was all Hilda needed, as with one last panicked jerk she ripped the Gehaburn out, tearing apart IF's charred hands in the process.

With her weapon out, Hilda jumped out of the flames - stumbling as she landed. She healed herself again, then ran away, not looking back to see the flames die out and IF continuing to lie there… brunt, vulnerable and on a brink of death. If Hilda wanted, she could have turned back and dealt the finishing blow. The Guild agent had no energy to even move a finger. She was an easy, vulnerable target.

But Hilda ran instead, terrified.

IF gave Hilda a black eye she wouldn't forget. She was weak, but not dead. Defeated, but victorious.

IF, with all of her senses burnt out, has passed out.


Sweat ran down Falcom's forehead, which she flicked off with her hand. "Hey, is it getting hot in here?" She asked.

Nepgear gave her a nod. "Yeah. I'm not sure why."

They've been roaming around for the past few minutes trying to find an exit, and in that time the temperature rose dramatically. The air went from 'pleasant spring morning' to 'hot summer afternoon' in the snap of a finger, and now it was starting to reach the 'scorching desert' territory. What was happening out there? Was Hilda fighting in the middle of a volcano or something?

"We should get out of here." Nepgear said.

But it was easier said than done. The corridors were shifting before their eyes, deforming and molding together. The walls were hot to touch and no longer as even and clean as they were before. The floor was no longer a tough surface. It now felt more like a sticky slime - their feet sank into the floor, and it glued itself to the soles of their boots.

The whole place was melting.

"Yeah, it's… weird here."

Falcom has been in this place a few times before. The visits were brief as being here filled her with a sense of dread, but never has something like that happened.

They took another step and the floor beneath them collapsed entirely, and Falcom and Nepgear fell screaming into the void below.


The citizens of Lastation stared and gasped, as a horrifically injured woman made her way towards the Basilicom. Some tried to help, but she refused them. Others went out of her way - for which she was thankful for. Occasionally some Guild member or very determined good samaritan would keep pestering her, not leaving her alone and demanding she get help. Those had to be physically subdued until they left her alone.

This was a failure.

Hilda rejected any and all forms of help. She didn't have time to rest. Magic had a headstart on her, but she could still surprise them. They would not expect her to arrive so quickly.

She didn't have enough for another Tear-All after escaping, all of her SP was spent trying to stay alive in that inferno. She couldn't even keep her flame form active for long anymore. Every ounce of strength left, she needed to conserve. But she couldn't afford a moment to rest. There was one more battle she had to do. One last thing to do before she left this body.

Everyone is against me. The whole world.

Using the still-hot blade of Gehaburn Hilda limped towards her goal. Step by step she made progress, her mind focused solely on getting closer to the Basilicom. The heat took a heavy toll on her body. She was dehydrated, covered in burns, her armor destroyed and worst of all...

They will all pay.

Her sword was damaged.

The blade of her weapon, specifically parts gripped by IF, were deformed. It was a permanent, irreparable damage. In this state, the Gehaburn couldn't be called a sword anymore, now more like a hunk of metal on a stick.

Hilda was unsure if it was still effective in battle, but she had no time to test it out. These Devils were together. Ripe for the taking. The next battle would be their last. Be it her, or them… only one side would come out alive.

That's what you wanted of me, right Uzume?

A sudden spike of pain made Hilda stumble and fall. This body was growing weak. Rapidly gaining injuries and weaknesses to was running out of time. This was her last chance.

As Lastation's Basilicom finally came into view, Hilda found no opposition waiting for her. There was no army of guards stationed outside, no mercenaries, nothing.

You wanted me to hate them.

She got here before Magic. The CFW must've succumbed to the bloodloss before she could warn anyone, if she ever even made it back. Either way, looks like luck was on her side for once.

Hilda pushed her thoughts aside and entered the Basilicom.

So I will let it all out.


Interdimensional RED-Coded Contract

And to Watch the World Burn