Reviews: Bragi is a tsundere. Probably almost as much as Chris. He and Hajime are just natural enemies at this point, even though they're both on the same side.
primenidus: Shit indeed.
Tenzalucard123: Yes, I would say so too. Chiaki was completely inexperienced with her power and was just using her abilities nonstop. Hajime realized he was acting like Bragrd and stopped, remembering Hibiki and Amber. But now, they're separated again.
Lord Ri The Husbu King: Lilith is kind of like a tragic character, but she lets her insecurities and fears get the better of her and control her. When Shem-Ha threw her and Adam into that void, she was scared of the never-ending darkness until Loki reached out to her. And she submitted to him with no questions. It's kind of like in the bible when Eve listened to the snake and ate the apple. More about Shem-Ha and Loki's backstory will be revealed later on. Deicide is basically just the concept of "killing a God". I guess since they think the spear of Gugnir killed a God, then it just gave it the power to kill Gods. So basically it's just the idea and that's it. It's weird because they never explained it, so I had to research it a bit.
Guest: Esta entre Hajime, Bragi, Hazuki y otro que va a aparecer en XV. Va a estar asquerosamente roto. Ya veras.
Guest: Me gusta hacer las peleas dinamicas y dejar mi imagination fluir. Lo pensare. Me gusta tomar inspiracion de peleas de anime asi que tal vez lo haga.
Chapter 110
The Cries of Those Who Pursuit Knowledge
"Hey, Hibiki. Sorry. I just woke up and came straight here. I couldn't sleep much thinking you were alone here. I keep telling them to just give me a tent or something. I could stay up here with you."
It had been about 2 days since the battle against Lilith and Adam, as well as Hibiki being engulfed by the Divine Power and covered in some type of cocoon. Naturally, the first thought was to force it open, but Elfnein was completely against the idea since they didn't know what could happen. The order was to isolate Hibiki and keep everyone away just in case, but Hajime didn't give a single shit about that. So for the past 2 days, he's been sitting on top of the rooftop of the building next to where the cocoon was and just talked to it, hoping that deep down, Hibiki was listening and she wouldn't feel lonely. His wounds were very severe. Or so he had said. His arms were bandaged up after being stabbed by the blades and he still was sore from being thrown around the city.
And now there was talk of involving nuclear weapons...
"If only I hadn't fucking done that..." Hajime rubbed his temples."Maybe I could have thrown that attack somewhere else...I don't know...Why the hell did it have to hit that damn satellite...And most of all...you're in this mess because I couldn't move in time...you saved me...and you're carrying that cross..."
He shook his head."Sorry...I'm doing it again, blaming myself. I know you'd be scolding me right now...But I just really miss you. We just came back together and we're already being forced apart. I'm supposed to be a Messiah, but I sure as shit don't feel blessed when stuff like this happens...But still..."
He decided to change the subject to something lighter, smiling at the cacoon."You know, recently I've been trying to knit. I know, it's weird for me to do that. But I didn't really have much to do in the hospital. There is this one nice nurse who's been looking out for me and she taught me the basics. It's...kind of therapeutic, to be honest. It's artistic too, I guess. If I get good enough, I can probably knit you something. Maybe we could get matching sweaters. Would that be too much?"
No answer, but the boy continued, his eyes never leaving her.
"I keep thinking about what you told me about getting a new hobby. This could be a good place to start. Honestly, I don't do much except fight. And I want to put that past me. I'm...not like that anymore. I'm not like Chao-Xing who enjoyed a good battle. Nor am I how I was back then where I was just a dumb delinquent. But I don't know what else I'm good at. Maybe some type of sport? I have some experience working in teams and whatnot."
The raven-haired boy touched his hair. He hadn't cut it yet, so it was still fairly long, and decided to keep it in a man-bun."I wonder...I was going to ask you what you think about this hairstyle. I haven't gotten around to cutting my hair, but Hamaguchi suggested wearing it like this. I don't know...I kind of look like Yanagi-san. I don't care about my hair that much, but I want to ask you. It's up to you. Unless you tell me to go bald. At that point, I have to reject the suggestion."
The boy began to tear up a bit, lowering his gaze."Sometimes I wonder if you'd be better off without me..." He muttered, cursing at himself for changing subjects again."I brought you so much trouble, I wonder if you'd be happier if you didn't have to worry about me. What would have happened if our paths hadn't crossed that day when we were running from the Noise? But...I don't think my heart could take it if you were with someone else. Maybe I'm being selfish, but...I only want you to be with me Hibiki. No one else."
Scratching his head, the boy sighed."I guess I sound possessive when it comes to you. But...you and Setsuna are my everything. I really don't have anything else anymore. Maybe that's not a very healthy way to think...but I don't care. I only know that I love you. And I love my sister. The only thing I can do at this point...is move forward. I have to...for your sake and mine..."
Kirika, Shirabe, Maria, Setsuna, and Hamaguchi stood behind the yellow tape, staring at the cacoon above them.
The first droplets of rain started to come down, making Maria open her umbrella.
"I'm worried about Haji..." Setsuna muttered, her face glued to the building her brother was.
"Me too. It's about to start pouring and he just got out of the hospital." Maria nodded."I'll talk to him. He hasn't eaten anything and he needs his wounds checked and a shower."
"Maybe we should all go together-desu?" Kirika tilted her head, but the rain began to intensify slightly, and they couldn't fit all in the umbrella.
"Don't sweat it. I'll go." Hamaguchi placed a hand on her shoulder, winking."I'm his best friend. It's in the job description."
He ruffled Setsuna's hair."Don't worry, kiddo. I'll bring down your brother soon. You guys get back before the rain gets worse."
"Alright. Just...be gentle with him, okay?" Maria said, shifting her gaze over to meet his eyes."He's been through a lot in so a short amount of time and hasn't been able to fully heal his previous scars. The last thing we need is for him to try something...foolish again."
"Yeah. I know." Hamaguchi reassured her."Don't worry. He's not going to do anything like that. He's a man of his word and he'll keep his promise. I'll just bring him down for a bit."
The blue-haired boy proceeded to head for the building, waving them goodbye. He met gaze with Kirika and blew her a kiss, making her blush.
"He's so..." Kirika covered her cheeks."How can he be so dreamy and such a jerk at the same time-desu?!"
"Love can be complicated." Maria giggled as the girls huddled with her under the umbrella."Let's go. We'll wait for them inside."
Hamaguchi let out a groan as he finally climbed the last set of stairs to reach the rooftop. He cursed himself for not transforming and jumping here or something, but now it was too late to complain. He swung the door opening, and due to how unstable the place was, broke it by accident."Oh, shit..."
Hajime yelped, startled by the sudden noise. He looked over his shoulder to see his best friend standing by the door."Hamaguchi? What are you doing here?'
"Hey, man. Just came to check on you." Hamaguchi grinned, hands behind his head as he walked toward the raven-haired teen."How's Hibiki-chan?"
"No response..." Hajime's shoulder slumped."But...I think maybe she can hear me. Or so I hope..."
"Well, one of the most important things to do is have faith." Hamaguchi nodded sagely, sitting next to him, both boys sitting in the rain."But I think she at least knows you're here with her. There's no doubt in my mind that your words can reach her heart. Just as her words reached yours."
"I hope so...I feel like I need her more than she needs me. Like I don't do enough for her as a boyfriend..."
"That's not what I hear from her, to be honest."
"Huh?"
"These past few weeks I've been around everyone, Hibiki speaks a lot about you. Like way too much even. She was so concerned when you were in that coma and would ask me to accompany her to see you. She always says how kind of person you are, even if you don't think you are. How you gave her courage when you both started as Symphogear and Kamen Rider. I think you undersell yourself, to be honest. I mean, Endou-chan told you this before, didn't you? How you're worth more than you think."
"I guess...It's just-"
"She felt the same way you feel right now. Guilty. How she wished she could have done more for you, just like how you are now. But that's how a relationship is, right? Both people share their burdens, 50-50. She cherishes you a lot and wants to see you happy. But despite that, she kept going forward. So you owe it to her to do the same. You know that, right?"
"I do. I can't stop now...If I want to put an end to all this fighting...To keep those I love safe...I have to keep going." Hajime muttered, glancing at his hands before eyeing his friend."You're always so good at making me feel better, Hamaguchi..."
"Dude, you're my brother. And like I said, I'm good with these types of things." Hamaguchi slapped him on the back."But...I was wondering if I could talk to you about something...something that's been on my mind for a while."
"If I can help you, then I'd be happy to hear you out."
"It's just...we never really talked about Okinawa." Hamaguchi laid down on the ground, watching as the rain continued to fall."It took me a while to process what happened. All those deaths...and our fight with Chiaki. I know she killed a lot of people and tortured them...and she's part of the people who want to kill all humanity but I can't help but feel weird...thinking that we are the reason she died. I...I don't know how to feel about that. I mean, I know what I signed up for joining the Rider War, but...I never thought of taking another person's life."
"Chiaki was going to die either way. She used her Swang Song and was constantly abusing those Divine Powers she had to force herself to continue to evolve. But I get what you mean." Hajime laid down beside him."I used to think I killed Bragard. Back when I was fighting him, I thought there was nothing more in the world I would want more than to kill him with my own hands. I was even willing to die to ensure his death. But...when I thought I killed him I...I felt so sick. Like I had stooped as low as Bragard was. The same thing happened with Lilith...I almost killed her and I felt like...some part of me was taking pleasure in doing that. Like I had become Bragard."
"But you didn't."
"I didn't...I thought of Hibiki and Endou-san's words...and I realized that I'm not like this. I don't want to be like this. I don't want Hibiki to see me like...like a monster. Just as Lilith and Bragard called me...I don't want to be like them. I want to protect people...Not take their lives. But..."
Hajime sat up, followed by Hamaguchi."We've lost so many people...and we're too deep in this Rider War. At this point, it's unavoidable to kill someone. It's either them or us, Hamaguchi. They didn't hesitate to kill Andreas or the Captain. Right now, what we can do is fight and protect our friends. I don't want us to kill each other for the sake of the damn wish, but we can at least protect ourselves. But one day, we will have to make that decision. To take a life or let ours end."
"What do you think you will do when you see Hazuki again?"
"Preferably, I want to destroy his Deck. But with Loki on his side, I don't know if that will be enough. But as I said, we'll cross that line when we get there. For now, we focus on protecting our friends and family. That's all we can do, to make sure they get to see a new day."
"That makes sense. If Kirika was about to be killed by that other brother she has, I don't know what I would do. I don't even remember my mindset against Chiaki. But you're right. I guess one way or another, we'll find that out one day, won't we?"
The friends remained silent for a few minutes, the sound of the rain the only thing they could listen to.
"Let's go back for a bit. We're gonna catch a cold at this rate and we could use a shower. We'll be back later, I promise." Hamaguchi suggested."She wouldn't want you to starve yourself to death."
"Yeah...you're right." Hajaime nodded, eyeing the cacoon."I'll be back, Hibiki."
"And don't worry, Hibiki-chan." Hamaguchi winked at the cacoon playfully."I'll make sure he eats some proper food. You can count on me."
"I was not expecting this as a welcoming committee..." Raphael chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
"How could you not expect this?" St. Germain sighed. Despite that, their hands were interlinked together, even at the scene of them being pointed by guns.
"That is true..." Raphael chuckled, moving the stump of his arm as if he was scratching his cheek, only to realize had no arm."Oh, right..."
"Lower your weapons." Genjuro commanded to the men."This isn't the way to treat our allies."
"B-but sir..."
"If they do anything, your guns will only get in my way." Said the red-haired man, leaving no room for argument.
"A bold claim." St. Germain remarked.
"But not untrue. With one arm and without my sword, I'm pretty much just dragging you down." Raphael admitted.
"No, you're not." St. Germain squeezed his hand affectionately, surprising the silver-haired man."Was the data useful?"
"With your notes on the technology of the Philosopher's Stone, Tobias, Bragi-chan and I were able to decontaminate the converter units much more quickly. Thank you very much."
"Glad to hear it." St. Germain smiled, folding her arms under her chest.
"Don't look so smug." Bragi spat venomously."That's the only reason you're still breathing as of this moment. Don't think I forgot what your friend did to me and that this whole mess is going on because of you."
"Is that a fact, Prince Bragi?" She said, arching a brow.
"He's not wrong, St. Germain." Raphael shook his head, shifting his gaze for the prince."And we're very grateful for your hospitality. I heard you took down S. Ryuki. It's amazing how much you've evolved."
"I apologize for my nephew's words..." Elfnein shot him a glare, making him huff and avert his gaze."He's just a little bit too harsh sometimes..."
"I can't tell if he got that from Bragard or Carol." St. Germain said, much to the dichromatic-eyed boy's chagrin."That aside, do not misunderstand. We will help you but not join you. There is a difference."
"Not like anyone asked for that..." Bragi muttered. Miku grabbed his arm gently."Miku-san?"
She smiled at him."I'm glad you're okay."
"Oh...Thanks..." He blushed slightly at her gentle smile.
"I heard you fought very bravely. I'm glad you came out in one piece." She continued, her gaze lowering slightly."I was worried..."
"Well, I came out alive. Not in one piece. But alive." He spoke softly, reassuring the girl.
"Commander! A direct callm from Kamakura!" Came the sound of Aoi's voice through the comms.
"Fuck..." Yosuke groaned, watching as Fudo's face came through the monitor. He had seen the man more times than he cared to count as it was.
"I have invoked the National Defense Disaster Dispatch clause." He said, not even bothering to announce himself.
"National Defense?" Chris repeated.
"You're telling me you had them recognize Tachibana as a type 2 supernatural disaster?" Tsubasa asked, clenching her fists.
"Unlimited use of armed force is authorized for all disasters related to relics." Fudo forged on."The target must be annihilated without delay."
"What the fuck are you talking-" Genjuro quickly placed a hand on Bragi's shoulder to prevent him from lashing out.
"We're currently conducting a rescue operation-"
"Fool! Do you want the UN to carry out their armed intervention?!" Fudo shouted."They will use weapons of mass destruction, resulting in countless casualties and losses. The country will burn!"
"But Hibiki is not a supernatural disaster! She's my friend!" Miku cried out in defense of her beloved friend.
"If the Kazanari duty is to protect the country, then I, the prodigal daughter, will protect my friend and its people!" Tsubasa proclaimed solemnly.
"Tsubasa! Do you mean to reject the blood that flows through your veins?!" Fudo was now enraged at her words, slamming his hands on the table.
"I care not for blood! A friend of mine taught me that blood shouldn't be important. She also came from a prestigious family. The Liangs. And she was able to change her ways despite her upbringing. The only thing that flows through me is her spirit and the spirits of my comrades who have died before us!"
"It's amazing the extent to which you're willing to go for this matter." Yosuke addressed the old man with a critical eye."But when it comes to the Disasters of Valhalla and their global threat, you barely lift a finger."
Fudo was about to bark back when Aoi's image came on screen as well."Commander, we've detected assault forces closing in on Hibiki-chan!"
"That's right. The operation will begin in two hours. I will not stray from the path I have chosen." With that, Fudo ended the call.
"Yet another instigator of oppression." St. Germain clicked her tongue."I suppose politicians never change, no matter the era."
"You can say that again." Chris snorted."That old man...I can't believe he really wants to do that to the dummy!"
"Good thing Adachi isn't here." Yosuke said."The last thing we needed was for him to snap.
"At any rate, I have to go perform some maintenance. My Alchemic circuits are still burnt out." Bragi announced, turning to Tobias."Would you mind helping me, Tobi?"
"Sure thing." Tobias nodded enthusiastically, following the taller boy.
"Yosuke." Raphael approached the purple-haired teen."I wanted to thank you."
"You've already done it."
"I know. But I can't say thank you enough." He bowed slightly."Thanks to you, I finally understand that we were in the wrong. And since we're free, we can be together. And hopefully, we can start a life together and live on for Prelati and Cagliostro."
"Sometimes one needs a helping hand. We may think we know best, but no one is all-knowing." Tsubasa chimed in."You did what you could. We don't hold it against you."
"Right. It was Adam and Lilith. So then-"
"It makes no sense!"
They all heard a loud thud behind them. Bragi had Hajime up against the wall, his arm against his neck. He had already recuperated his normal size.
"Why the hell do we have to drop everything we're doing to receive a coward and a deserter such as yourself?! Bragi pressed his weight against Hajime, his eyes full of anger.
"Bragi-kun! Enough!" Genjuro yelled in a commanding tone."Stand down!"
"Please, Bragi-chan! Enough!" Elfnein pleaded to her nephew, but he wasn't listening.
"No! I've had enough of this piece of shit, barging here after he left on his own volition just to act like the prodigal son! I don't understand why we're supposed to just take this shit without question!"
"You haven't figured it out?" Hajime asked with a sardonic grin.
"Figure what out?!"
"People just don't like you..." Hajime's grin grew."...Bragard."
Bragi saw red upon hearing that name."YOU BASTARD!"
The hybrid slammed his fist against Hajime's cheek, causing him to fall to the ground with a loud thud.
"Bragi-chan!" Elfnein exclaimed, upset at her nephew's action."Stop this now!"
"That's enough! Both of you!" Tsubasa cried out in an attempt to stop further violence."Enough!"
Hajime stood up, blood dripping down his lip as he seized up Bragi. Without another word, he lunged at him and slammed him against the wall, both boys falling onto the floor as they rolled around trying to hit each other. Hajime began to pummel Bragi's face, breaking his nose in the process but the dual-colored eye boy grabbed him by the neck and pushed him off him.
"HEY! ENOUGH!" Genjuro bellowed, grabbing both boys in each of his arms."Yosuke!"
Yosuke rushed in and grabbed Bragi from behind, pulling him away from Hajime.
"You're so dead, you bastard!" Bragi tried squirming away from Yosuke, kicking the air, his wounds beginning to heal."You piece of shit! You damn coward!"
"You can go straight to hell, hellspawn!" Hajime growled.
"Stop this already!" Tsubasa stomped her foot on the floor."We're not here to fight!"
"No! We have to talk about this asshole now! Because it's his fault this is happening to begin with!"
"What?" Chris blinked.
"This bastard is a spineless coward that ran away at the first sight of trouble." Bragi started as Yosuke released him."Because he left, we had one less person in Val Verde! And because of that, we couldn't save Takeru-dono in time! While you were busy feeling sorry for yourself, we were out here struggling to survive! But of course, you probably don't even care, do you? Because you were too happy to just turn away from the problem and leave us to take care of it! You were too fucking occupied feeling sorry for yourself, you motherless fucker."
Hajime listened intently, his lip quivering. Chris furrowed her brow.
"I get what you've gone through. I do. But news flash, you self-centered asswipe. All of us have too! Some of us even worse than you! So tell me what makes you so special?! What makes your case more tragic than ours?! When you gave up on life and turned your back on your friends, the rest of us persevered! So what gives you the right to just return like nothing happened!"
"Hey, Dienheim, enough already-"
"No, he's right, Yanagi-san." Hajime took a deep breath."I hate to admit it, but he's got a point. Everyone in this group has suffered and gone through hell. I'm no different nor is my case more special. And yet, I gave up on everything and decided to run away, leaving my friends and my girlfriend behind. Because I was trying to avoid the problem."
"But you lost your whole family in a matter of seconds." Yosuke frowned, trying to reason with him."It's..."
"It's still not an excuse to abandon my friends like that. I broke down and lost hope on my own volition. If my Grandma were around, she'd have been disappointed in me." Hajime then addressed everyone in the room."I want to apologize to everyone. Yanagi-san, I shouldn't have done what I did before I left. I said all those horrible words and that duel...Elfnein-chan, I treated you and him horribly. I was just...so mad toward homunculi in general. I know it's not an excuse, but-"
"I forgive you." Elfnein replied with a sunny smile."I know you were going through a lot and you didn't mean anything you said. I can't stay mad at you for that."
"Ditto. I am the one who has to apologize. I treated you like you were throwing a tantrum, but the fact of the matter is, I was the one acting like a kid. Back then, when we first met, Tsubasa and I were acting exactly like you did. So if anyone understands how you felt, it's us."
"Thank you...thank you so much. It's a weight lifted off my shoulders. Chris-san..."
"I have nothing to forgive you for. Takeru loved you like a little brother. I know how much you meant to him." Chris raised her hand."I don't hold it against you."
"But still...maybe if I had been here...I could have changed something. Or maybe not. But we'll never know. It feels so presumptuous of me to even apologize for not being here." Hajime raised his eye to look her in the eye."That's something I'll have to carry for the rest of my life. So... if you want to blame someone, blame me. Not yourself. Your anger and resentment...I'll carry it with me. I'll gladly carry that guilt for you."
Chris' eyes widened upon hearing those words. The exact words Takeru had said to her back in Val Verde.
"You're the best thing that has EVER happened to me. And I'm glad to have you with me. Let me carry that guilt for you, Chrissy."
The lavender-haired girl began to cry, unable to contain her tears. Hajime approached her to comfort her, but she tackled him in a hug and cried in his chest. The young man couldn't help himself and began to cry as well, holding her close as they cried for Takeru. Bragi, however, wasn't having it.
"But still, this it-"
"ENOUGH!" Miku screamed, silencing the hybrid."Enough! Please! Just...just stop this already! We can't be fighting amongst ourselves like this when Hibiki is out there! We have to be together and do our best for her sake. Please, Bragi-kun, I'm begging you...please put your hatred aside. Both of you. So Hibiki can come home for her birthday."
The black-haired girl approached the hybrid, grabbing his arms."You're not a bad person, I know that. I know that very well. You just let your emotions get the better of you. You're passionate. And I know Hibiki means a lot to you. So...please, at least make a truce you Hajime-kun...so we can get Hibiki back. Please..."
Bragi's eyes softened upon seeing her tears. He shifted his gaze toward Hajime, who had a blank expression on his face.
"Fine. But I won't do it for his sake. I'm doing this for Hibiki-dono and you." Bragi snarled, folding his arms indignantly."After that...we settle the matter, Boy Wonder.""
"Alright..." Hajime agreed, managing a smile for Miku."Let's rescue Hibiki together."
"Thank you...Both of you." She smiled, wiping off the tears that had formed in her eyes."Bragi-kun... thank you for putting your differences with him aside. I just want to save Hibiki, so I really appreciate this."
Bragi blushed once more, his ears turning red and turning away to avoid being seen."It's no problem..."
With that, Hajime excused himself, heading to take a shower and freshen up. St. Germain and Raphael decided to follow him. Bragi, on the other hand, went back to continue going to the lab with Tobias.
"Well, that...worked out, I suppose." Genjuro sighed wearily.
"Wow...they really don't get along, huh?" Hamaguchi hummed as he approached the group.
"No shit they don't get along! Why didn't you intervene sooner?!" Chris folded her arms, tapping her foot.
"I hate taking sides..." Hamaguchi admitted with a sheepish grin."Anyway, I should probably go check up on how Bragi is."
"Why not Adachi?"
"I trust those two are going to talk to him," Hamaguchi said with a knowing smile.
"So...who is going to talk to him first?"
"I believe you should...You've been wanting to meet him for a long time now."
"So have you, Raphael."
"Yeah, but...it's different."
The couple peeked from a corner, watching Hajime sitting on the ground, his head low.
"He looks so...vulnerable." St. Germain muttered in disbelief."It's hard to imagine he's the Messiah."
"Yeah...but he's just a boy, after all. I can't imagine the amount of pressure he's been putting up with. With all this Rider War stuff going on."
"Are you guys going to stand there all day stalking me or what?" Hajime said loudly, alerting the Alchemists."I can feel your Chi from here."
"Chi?"
"I believe that's one of the abilities some of the members of the Liang clan have." St. Germain briefly explained. They both marched up to where Hajime was, and he gave them a weary glance.
"What do you want?"
"Just wanted to meet you, that's all. We've been looking forward to it for a long time." Raphael took the initiative and introduced himself."My name is Raphael and this is St. Germain, my partner."
St. Germain flushed a little. After so many decades, she had finally met the person she had heard so many stories about. So why was she speechless?
"We wanted to meet the current Messiah. Or at least, the good one." Raphael continued after a pause."It's kind of astonishing there are 2 Messiahs in one era. Usually, there's only one."
"So you meet Hazuki then?"
"Yeah. Kind of weird to think that you two are related. I mean, you're both similar in some aspects. But other than that, you're complete opposites."
"You're...more normal than I thought you'd be." St. Germain suddenly spoke up, making Raphael freeze at her sudden boldness."I figured you'd be more..."
"Heroic? Flashy? Eccentric? Less gloomy?" Hajime laughed dryly."Sorry to disappoint you then. I guess it's true what they say. Don't meet your heroes."
"I wouldn't say I'm disappointed." St. Germain began, her tone softer."You're more human than I thought. I thought you'd be some sort of prophet, with a divine sense to him. But if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're a regular teenage boy. That's...good. I never met a Messiah before. But this is surprisingly pleasant."
"You're giving me too much credit." Hajime sighed."I'm not that great. I'm not a hero or anything like that. I'm just...me. That Messiah thing...it's just a title. One that is glued to me because I was created by the Divine Beast to stop Odin, who just happens to be controlling my deceased father's body."
"Maybe so. But you've accomplished good things. You defeated Bragard, for one. And saved Okinawa."
"Bragard is alive. Somewhere out there, being used by the Disasters." Hajime countered."That's why the Mirror World is still active. If I had killed him, Allister wouldn't have used the Mirror Monsters to hold those civilians captive in Val Verde, making the Captain fight on his own and..."
"You worry too much about things that happened. You need to worry about the things that are happening." Raphael stated.
"What do you mean?"
"You're a symbol of hope." St. Germain explained."That's what Messiahs are. People that others believe in to make a change. To save them. When I was a little girl, my Mother told me countless stories of Messiahs. People that have changed the world over the history of mankind. And she hoped that one day, one would come in and end all conflict in the world. To end all oppression. To save humanity. Those stories filled us, slaves, with hope of a new tomorrow. I believe that Messiah is you. When I heard you defeated Bragard, I knew it had to be you."
"But despite that, you're also a human. That's what makes you different from people like Bragard, Hazuki, Adam, or Liluth. Your humanity and your compassion. Your ability to understand others and protect them. Maybe you don't believe in yourself, but we do. Wholeheartedly. And your friends do as well."
"Believe..." Hajime trailed off."A friend of mine, Amber Endou, said something like that to me before. That maybe I don't expect much from me and don't trust myself, but others do."
"And it's not because of your title as Messiah." St. Germain forged on, kneeling in front of him."It's because of who you are as a person. I'm sure Hibiki Tachibana would tell you the same. Hajime Adachi, the human, is the one people believe in. For the things you've done. So stand proud. Focus on what's in front of you, and if you find yourself unable to continue in the face of the impossible, then say this..."
"Even so!" Both of them said in unison.
"You're right. Even if I don't believe in myself, others do. Because of who I am, not what I represent. Thanks, St. Germain-san, Raphael-san."
"Woah...the Messiah is thanking us! It's a dream come true, eh, St. Germain?" Raphael chuckled, making the woman give him a stern gaze.
"I..." She blushed slightly."I suppose that is something I was looking forward to as well..."
"Aw, look at you. All embarrassed to meet your childhood hero~!"
"It didn't have to be me." Hajime rolled his eyes."Could have been any other Messiah."
"I think you'd be surprised." St. Germain smiled fondly."Destiny works in mysterious ways. I think you'll do just fine."
Hamaguchi entered the lab where Tobias and Bragi were. The latter was sitting on a stool as Tobias checked his vitals, connecting him to a few machines.
"Hamaguchi-dono? What brings you here?"
The blue-haired boy wagged his eyebrows with a shit-eating grin."So...you and Miku-chan, huh?"
"W-w-what?"
"I can respect that. She's sweet and all, but she has a nice body too, huh? Her breasts are a little small, but she's got a great butt. Not as great as Hibiki-chan's, but I approve. When they went to visit Okinawa, I took a good look. And trust me, she has a whole cake. A whole bakery even."
"W-w-what are you talking about?! Why are you always talking about girls and their butts?! Do you have a butt fetish or something?!" Tobias chuckled next to him, embarrassing him even further."It's not funny, Tobias!"
"I'm sorry." The Autoscorer stifled his laughter."It's just that I remember Takeru-san calling Hajime-san a "butt man". Now I see what he meant."
"I wouldn't call it a fetish. It's more like a preference. Some guys are into thighs, others breasts, and others feet. I happen to be into butts more. But breasts are always appreciated."
"Feet?" Both artificial beings asked in unison, confused.
"That's a story for another time." He quickly waved his hand dismissively."The point is that it's okay to have a preference for the girl you're into. For instance, I'm lucky that Kirika comes with the whole package. Medium-size breasts and a plump butt. I eat good, trust me."
"That's such a superficial way to think about a girl, though..."
"I mean, I love her personality and everything about her." Hamaguchi quickly elaborated."It's just a nice bonus that she has a nice figure. But if she didn't, I'd still be head over heels for her."
"I still don't understand what the point of this conversation is...Wait, does anyone else know?!"
"That you like Miku-chan's butt?"
"NO! That I like her!"
"So you don't like her butt?"
"HAMAGUCHI-DONO!"
"Okay, okay." Hamaguchi guffawed at the boy's expense."All of us know, but for your sake, we're trying to keep it a secret. No one snitched. It's just that you act way differently when it comes to her. Just now, you were acting like a little puppy. It's adorable. Go for it, man."
Bragi blushed, averting his gaze.
"So, on another note, you okay? Why are you strapped to all these machines?"
"During my last fight, I overused my Alchemy. And went overboard by using that final move. The Chaos Zero Perfect Karma. So because of that, and because I used it when I had almost no energy and my body was shrunk down, my Alchemic circuits are all busted up. Not to mention the application of two different laws of physics and combining them into one."
"I still can't believe you carelessly opened a black hole." Tobias heaved a sigh."You could have destroyed the whole planet!"
"It wasn't a real black hole. It was a fake one."
"Fake black hole?" Hamaguchi parroted.
"Think about it like this. I'm a Pseudo-rider. A fake Rider. Meaning that I'm not a participant in the Rider War. The black hole I created is like me. A fake black hole was created artificially. But that was the result of the unstable version of my attack. You see, I combined my Positive and Negative Karma Orbs, which bring the concepts of motion and reversal into reality and produce an imaginary mass. It pulls and pushes anything in its path, compressing the light and anything that's absorbed into it into a molecular level while also bursting and combusting, resulting in the combustion of mass and eradication of the area around it."
"Uh-huh." Hamaguchi nodded, rubbing his chin with a look that screamed he had no idea what he just heard."I'm going to pretend like I know what you just said."
"It basically crushes space."
"Uh..."
Bragi groaned in exasperation."Big black blast goes brrr and destroys what it touches!"
"Ah, I get it! You're a nice teacher!"
"Whatever." Bragi scoffed."Anyway, that's an impossible concept. Even for someone like me, who doesn't apply under the normal laws of physics. As such, my Alchemic Circuits went haywire and now I can't use my Alchemy for the time being."
"Thankfully, your maintenance results just showed me they're connecting back together nicely. It'll still take a while though." Tobias helpfully supplied.
"Why, can't you just regenerate them?"
"Alchemic circuits are more like a spiritual thing than something in your body like veins if you will. That's why when Hazama Liang used the Philosopher's Stone to break the Second's Alchemy, the damage was passed down to me since I'm made with his cells."
"I understand. Well, that sucks. I wanted to see you in action."
"Heh. Don't count me out just yet. I finished recreating my Deck, so I should be able to fight if the need arises."
"Good. We're counting on your help."
"Why? The Boy Wonder is here." He folded his arms with a huff."Surely you are counting on him more."
"I mean, sure, it's nice to have my best friend back. But you're just as crucial to the team as he is." Hamaguchi said, surprising the hybrid."It's nice to have two capable guys on the team like you guys. So rest assured. We need you too. More than you think."
"Uh...thank you..." Hamaguchi muttered, taken aback. Hamaguchi gave him a wink before heading for the door."Huh...I can't believe he said that."
"I can. You're part of the team, Bragi. Of course, they need you too. And you're also a great friend, believe it or not." Tobias smiled."I heard a lot of great things from the others, even Chris-san. If anything, Hajime-san is the only person you don't get along with."
"Don't expect that to change." He grumbled, making the Autoscorer giggle.'Still...to think the best friend would say they need me as well...'
Hamaguchi came back through the door."Did I drop my keys here?"
"No."
"Oh, okay. Well, see you-"
"Wait!"
"What's up?"
"Cagliostro is a man." Bragi revealed.
"Oh. Yeah, she punches like a man, alright." Hamaguchi rubbed his arm."Nearly broke mine."
"No. I mean, she's an actual man who became a woman thanks to Alchemy. So this whole time, you've been lusting after a former man." Bragi explained with a devious grin.
"WHAT?! AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THIS NOW?! OH, GOD! I WANTED TO GRAB HER BREATS! WAIT, YOU GRABBED HER BREASTS! YOU TOUCHED A MAN'S BOOBS!"
"No! That was totally different!"
"Seriously..." Tobias rubbed his eyes at their childish interaction.
A few hours later, the Disasters of Valhalla stood on a building, watching from afar as Ryuki stood protectively in front of the cocoon as several tanks began to approach it. Meanwhile, the 3 Disasters of Valhalla stood on top of a building, watching from afar.
"So do we kill him or what?" Gai asked Ryuga, slightly annoyed that they had been watching for a while without doing anything.
"Patience. You're acting like Yomi." Ryuga chided him."We're on standby."
"Not by choice, mind you." Ouja supplied."Fudo-san told us that Japan sent military forces to try and contain that thing over there. This is the better choice in contrast to having UN forces invade the country and do whatever they wish. Even using nuclear weapons. Of course, this is only if they manage to take it down. If they don't, then..."
"We go in and do the job ourselves." Ryuga finished."Remember, they can't know of our connections with Fudo Kazanari. So we need to wait for the right opportunity. Besides, we need to observe and learn."
"Learn?" Gai asked with a skeptical tone.
"We don't know how much they all progressed over their battles with the Bavarian Illuminati. Especially Hajime. Even though he had helped, he did defeat Chiaki in her Divine Form, albeit her form wasn't complete since she forced it so much. So jumping in without knowing what we're facing could be a bad idea. Even though we've all gotten stronger. Maybe Allister-san, if he pulls off a Trinity Mode. But for the time being, we wait."
"It's starting." Allister alerted them, watching as the tanks leveled their cannons.
Ryuki growled, his eyes flashing red."If you want to harm her, you have to get through me first!"
Ignite Vent
Ryuki formed two wings of fire, flying in front of the cocoon as he spread his arms protectively."Come on then, give me your best shot!"
"What the fuck are you doing, Adachi?!" Came Yosuke's voice through his comms.
"I'm sorry. I abandoned her once. I'm not doing that ever again." Ryuki immediately cut communication
Advent: Dragreder
Unexpectedly, Dragreder emerged from his card on his own, flying around in the skies.
"Dragreder..." Ryuki muttered, a smile gracing his features."You want to protect her too, huh? Alright. Let's do it together!"
The tanks began shooting at the cacoon, but both dragons blocked them in unison. Hajime had formed giant arms of fire, grabbing onto the cannon balls and throwing them elsewhere. Dragreder opted to swat the attacks away with his tail.
"I left her alone before...I'm not making the same mistake again!" Ryuki roared, creating an explosion of fire to block the volley of cannons shot at them. The cannon balls melted before they reached him. With a slash of fire, he cut through all the barrels, making the tanks essentially useless. But unbeknownst to him, the cocoon was beginning to crack on its own. Suddenly, it combusted, and whatever was inside fell to the ground.
"Woah!" Hajime yelped, startled by the sudden noise."Hibiki!"
Once the light died down, his girlfriend wasn't there. But a colossal monster, opening its mouth and charging a beam of energy. Dragreder pushed Ryuki out of the way, taking the attack instead and falling to the ground.
"Dragreder!" Ryuki cried out to his companion. He quickly shifted his gaze to Hibiki."Hibiki, it's me! It's me. Hajime-"
Another beam of energy was shot, this time in his direction. Hajime barely had time to make a fire barrier around himself, the attack launching him through several buildings and destroying them in the process.
'Holy fuck...that's some intense power...' Ryuki shook his head, immediately jumping back to the scene, creating two arms of fire and grabbing onto the monster."Hibiki! It's me! Hajime! Please! Please, just listen to me!"
The monster did not listen and swatted Ryuki onto the ground, creating a large crater. She jumped toward him, attempting to squash him. He formed two more arms, grabbing onto her foot as she attempted to squash him to death."Please...Please, come back to me...!"
Suddenly, a water beam struck Hibiki, pushing her off Hajime. The water quickly turned into ice, restraining her.
"Blacky-kun!" Kirika and Abyss quickly rushed him to his side, as Tiger continued freezing the water, trying to immobilize Hibiki.
"You okay, man?" Abyss asked, lifting his friend.
"No...Because she's not okay..." He muttered, his voice breaking."I have to get her back."
"Trust me. We're working on it." Abyss reassured him.
Hibiki brute forced out of the ice, blasting Tiger away, and was about to shoot another attack when she felt her body being paralyzed, a green aura forming around her.
Psychic Vent
"Tsubasa-san!" Raia screamed, barely holding onto Hibiki's form. Tsubasa quickly fired several blades around her shadow, paralyzing her.
Shadow Weaving
But, much to her dismay, Hibiki overpowered the technique, jumping away from the ice forming around her.
"So close!" Tiger clicked his tongue.
Once more, Ryuki appeared in front of her, this time keeping himself airborne due to activating his Booster Vent after his Ignite Vent ran out."Hibiki! Please come to your senses!"
He dodged her strike, landing on her shoulder."I'm begging you! Please! Come back!"
Hibiki released an energy sphere from her mouth, shooting him point-blank and sending him flying like a bullet to the ground.
"Hajime Adachi!" Raphael quickly swooped in, catching him on Sleipnir's back. Since he no longer had his sword, he had to rely on his horse to do the job.
Zone Vent: Gravity Dead Zone
A black void formed around Hibiki, as the gravity brought her down to her knees.
Kamen Rider Alternative had used his Zone Vent, increasing the gravity to 10 times, but also bringing him down with her.
"Do it now!" He cried, feeling the weight of gravity beginning to crush him.
He quickly undid his Zone Vent, a wave of water covering her as the ice froze her arms and legs.
Once more, Hibiki began to charge an attack, prompting St. Germain to shoot her to earn her attention.
Armed vehicles approached the area, shooting projectiles containing Anti-LINKER in her chest and rear.
"Hahaha! I knew she had a big butt! Look at the jiggle physics!" Abyss guffawed, earning a smack on the head by Chris.
"Not the time, Hamaguchi!"
"I have to...try again..." Hajime muttered, his helmet broken as Raphael continued circling the area."Take me back..."
"But you're wounded..." The knight tried to reason with him. He then remembered his own situation with St. Germain, and the lengths he went through for her."But...I can't deny you the right to save your girl. I want you two to live the lives the two of us couldn't. Take us back, Donatello!"
The six-legged horse neighed, galloping back to where Hibiki was."Miku-san! It's our time!"
"Right!"
Ryuki blasted himself toward Hibiki, removing his helmet, tears streaming down his face."Hibiki!"
Hibiki looked in his direction, growling.
"JUST STOP AND LISTEN, SUNSHINE!" Hajime screamed at the top of his lungs, fetching something from his pocket. He showed her a small box, and the beast seized all movement. Hajime opened it, revealing two rings with their initials embedded on them, each of them with a ruby stone."I...Happy Birthday, Hibiki. I wanted to give you this under better circumstances, but...I can't think of a better time to say this than when we're trying to save you."
Hibiki remained unresponsive, her mouth agape as the boy continued.
"The Captain gave me the idea to get us this. Promise Rings. It symbolizes our loyalty, devotion, and dedication to our relationship. And our hope in having a future together." Hajime said, showing her her ring."I know our names have the same initials, but I asked the shopkeeper to put "HI" for Hibiki on yours and "HA" for Hajime on mine. It's a little silly, I know. I was just going to use our last names. But...eventually, we'll get married and share the same last name. Maybe we're going too fast, but I know that there is no one else in the world I'd rather spend the rest of my life with. We're going to open that shop, remember? Or a restaurant. Whatever you want. My heart is yours. And one day, I want to give you the real ring. This one was expensive. I've been saving up for a while. But it was worth every cent."
"You helped all of us so much. You helped me a lot. To Miku-san too. You're the light that kept guiding me in my darkest moments. The hope that soothed my soul. I'm scared...of what the future has for us. The fighting hasn't ended. But I know that I want to protect you and Setsuna. We'll make it out of this. And...one day, I'll ask your Dad for his blessing. I don't really like him still, but he's trying, right? And I think...now I think people can change. We've all changed."
"Hibiki, thanks to you, I was able to learn how to walk along with someone else. Not in front of them. That I could reach goals I never could alone. You're like a sister to me. So please, let our words reach you." Came the voice of Miku.
"Hibiki-onee-chan, I don't want to lose you too!" Setsuna was bawling, hugging Miku tightly inside of an armored vehicle as they observed from a safe distance."I can't lose my family again...And you are like a sister to me too. I love it when I'm with you and Hajime. It's like I have parents again...That I'm happy again! So please come back! I miss you so much! I love you!"
"We're all waiting for you, Hibiki!" Hajime raised his arm in the air, his arm glowing slightly. He touched Hibiki's chest, and her body began to break apart.
'Was that...?' Ryuga observed from afar, intrigued.
Hibiki's real body fell out of the shining giant, as it began to slowly disappear. Ryuki quickly flew and caught her in his arms, bursting into hers of joy as he held her tight."Hibiki!"
"Hajime-san!" Miku and Setsuna rushed out of their armored car to meet him on the ground. The boy undid his transformation as both girls couldn't contain their tears and cried in unison.
Bragi watched the scene unfold from afar.
"All's well that ends well, huh?" Abyss asked, hands behind his head."I thought you said you couldn't use your Alchemy."
"My Zone Vent is part of my Rider abilities. Not my Alchemy. By the way, thanks."
"For what?"
"You taught me the application of compressing a Zone Vent." He smirked under his helmet.
"Aw, thank you. To be complimented by a genius like you means a lot."
"Good news." Knight's voice boomed, loud enough for everyone to hear."It seems that the military intervention proposal was rejected. We did it."
"Phew..." Shirabe sighed in relief."That was nerve-wracking."
"You're telling me." Raia heaved a long sigh."Honestly, I think I've had enough of fighting God-like beings for a long time."
"Hey." Tiger wrapped his arm around him and Maria, bringing them closer."We all did well today. Didn't we, girls?"
"Yup!" Kirika beamed.
"We did alright." Shirabe was more humble.
Tsubasa stood next to Chris, the lavender-haired girl's eyes glued to the group carrying Hibiki."Takeru really told him to buy that ring?"
"Is it that surprising? They were like brothers after all. That's one thing about Adachi. He's everyone's little brother. Sakamoto would be happy to see this right now."
"Yeah...You're right. And I am happy too." Chris smiled warmly."They deserve a happy ending."
"At least it's all over." Knight remarked."Adam is missing, Lilith was defeated, and Tiki is in pieces too."
"You know, after everything we've been through, this feels a little too easy." Tiger said."You'd figured something wrong would happen at any-"
"It's not over yet!"
"Yatsuhiro-aniki, what's wrong?" Genjuro asked, concerned at his brother's tone."I thought you said that-"
"The US president just launched a nuke and it's heading straight for Japan!"
"A NUKE?!" Genjuro stood up from his chair, nearly breaking it."Intercept it! NOW!"
"We can't! Not at this distance!"
The Riders and Symphogear watched dumbfounded as the glint of metal in the sky became visible on the horizon.
"A fucking nuke...?" Raia removed his helmet, running a hand through his hair.
"You just had to jinx it!" Maria glared at her boyfriend.
"I'm sorry!"
"Let's just shoot it down!" Shirabe cried out.
"Are you insane?!" Raia threw his arms in the air."The fallout is going to reach land anyway! The radiation is inevitable!"
Bragi glanced back at his friends, opening up his helmet."Guess there's no other choice, huh?"
"No choice?" Abyss arched a brow."What do you mean?"
The hybrid glared at Hajime with a smirk."I'm not letting this loser save the world again and dangle it over my head. Tell my Auntie I love her."
Without another word, Alternative took off into the air, flying straight for the nuke.
"BRAGI/DIENHEIM!" They all screamed as he flew without fear toward the imminent death that awaited the country if the nuke landed.
"Bragi-chan! What are you doing?!" Elfnein's frantic voice came through his comms."What are you doing?!"
"My Perfect Sphere is too slow. It won't catch up to the missile. I have another solution, but I can't use that when I'm close to them. I could just end up killing them."
"Wait, you don't mean...No! Bragi-chan! You don't even know if you can do it again! Your Alchemic circuits are-"
"I have to try. If I don't, who will? Worst case scenario, I just get sucked into the black hole and die along with the nuke. But I'll make sure it works. Even if it kills me. I have to...do something."
He threw his helmet away to not hear Elfnein scream his name."Look at me...I bet the Second would be turning in his grave if he saw me now, saving the people he tried to kill."
"Positive Harmony Karma...Negative Discord Karma..." Bragi formed two spheres of positive and negative energies in his arms. He checked them forward, mixing them together and immediately creating a black hole. He was immediately beginning to get sucked in as everything around him, from trees to buildings, and more. He applied the concepts of his perfect sphere, transforming the black hole into the size of a tennis ball. With a flick of his fingers, he chucked the attack, but he felt something pulling him away as the attack burst, disintegrating his hands only before he could get sucked in entirely.
Chaos Zero Perfect Karma
He looked down to see an arrow piercing his right thigh with an energy rope attached to it. He was so concentrated that he didn't even register the pain of the arrow. He was now being pulled back to the ground as he shrunk back to the size of a child.'It's over...It's-'
Suddenly, a black portal opened up in front of the blast, absorbing it.
Odin's Vault
"Wait, what the fuck?!" Chris cried in shock."What happened?!"
"His attack got absorbed...?" Tsubasa muttered in disbelief.
'You're kidding me...' Alternative closed his eyes in impotence as Knight and Tiger caught him in their arms.
"Bragi-kun!" Miku quickly rushed in to aid him."Are you okay?!"
"Miku-san...I'm sorry...I failed..." Alternative closed his eyes, not wanting her to see him in his current state.
"Those portals..." Hajime muttered to himself, gritting his teeth.
"Thanks for the gift. I'll make sure to put it to good use in the future."
They noticed Ryuga and Gai standing on top of a building, glaring down at them.
"You!" Chris sneered."Why the fuck are you here?!"
"To prove our point." Ryuga jabbed his thumb at the sky."Do you see that missile that's going to impact in around 2 minutes? It's because humans can't understand each other. As long as evil exists, things like this will happen. America did not hesitate even for a second in launching this missile that would end countless lives. Humanity is doomed. Our only way to salvation is to eradicate all life on the planet and start over. If this is not proof, then what is?"
"Hey, Ryuga." Tiger addressed him with a cold tone, his body shaking."What did my brother say...? When you killed him.
"Jades..." Maria muttered in concern.
"Oh. Well, nothing in particular." Ryuga tilted his head."He just cried a lot. That's it."
Tiger saw red, and the next thing he knew, he had his Destclaws already out and made a beeline toward Ryuga. However, before he could even scratch him, Gai got in between them with Metalhorn
"Terunosuke!"
"If you want to reach him..." Terunosuke slammed his foot against his chest, knocking him off the building."You'll have to get through me first!"
Knight jumped up to catch Tiger.
"Where is your bastard friend?!" Chris demanded, her voice firm."Don't tell me he's hiding from me?!"
"Something like that." Ryuga responded plainly."Don't worry. You'll get your chance to see him. But enough about trivial matters. Miku. Now's your time to choose. Come with me. You and Setsuna. I can save you from this unavoidable death."
"W-what...?" Miku asked dumbfounded.
"I still want us to be together, Miku. I can show you a world that you can only dream of." He extended his hand."I can show you salvation. You can stand next to me in the new world as we watch over others living their dreams. Setsuna-chan, you're my dear sister. I love you with every fiber of my being. You saw how cruel this world is. America didn't care about trying to nuke Japan. People will never understand each other."
"They're not going anywhere with you, Superstar." Alternative stood protectively in front of them, squeezing Miku's hand."I'll kill you before you even lay a finger on them. Even if I die trying."
Ryuga looked down at their intertwined hands and snorted."So that's how it is..."
"Hazuki...enough about this." Miku shook her head."Please...you can stop the nuke, right? You can store it away or teleport it to space or something, like the moon fragments. Please, it's not too late to choose the right path..."
"He won't do it." St. Germain remarked, scowling at the dark Rider."His aim is the extinction of all life on the planet. He's collecting the souls of the people who die to revive them in his ideal world. He is the concept of All Evils of this World, after all."
"Kaburagi-kun. We got about a minute and a half left." Gai told him.
Ryuga sighed, shaking his head."Fuck it. It's fine. We'll see each other in the new world anyway, Miku. But know this..." He pointed at Bragi."If you survive this, you will be the next person I kill. Personally. I swear that."
"Any time, you motherless fucker."
Hazuki smiled under his helmet, opening a gate behind him and Gai as they stepped inside, and exited the premises.
"Fucking bastard! Both of them!" Chris snarled.
"We don't have time to worry about that." Yosuke swallowed the lump in his throat."The nuke is still coming! Dienheim? Can you do that again?"
"That attack is limited to one shot per God knows how long. And the nuke is too close for me to fly to a safe distance away from you without you being sucked in too. My energy is too low."
"I can purify it." St. Germain looked up at the nuke coming down."The lapis is capable of purifying all impurities."
"Yeah...it's a difficult mission, but after what we've done, it's the least we can do," Raphael added.
"Wait, what are you guys planning?" Abyss asked.
"Prince Bragi." St. Germain shifted her gaze to the small version of Alternative next to her."You nearly sacrificed yourself to stop the nuke. I was wrong about you. You are nothing like Bragard or Carol. You...are different. Your own person with your own ideals. As such, I have to respond in kind to your feelings and risk my own life."
"Thanks...But I still haven't forgiven you."
"Fair enough."
"The one he has to forgive is me."
St. Germain blinked when two magic circles appeared on her sides, revealing her friends, Cagliostro and Prelati in their Faust Robes.
"Lady Prelati! Lady Cagliiostro!" Raphael gasped both in shock and joy.
"But how?!"
"I never trusted the Lodgemaster or the Mistress. So I faked my death." Cagliostro winked.
"Basically, she saved me when I was about to die. After that, I was preparing my revenge on those two bastards."
"Hey, you got a lot of nerve coming back from the death like that!" Bragi stomped his foot, annoyed.
"Aw, you're so cute now. I could devour you." She cooed, much to his chagrin."Sorry about that. No hard feelings, right? I'll give you a kissy if that's what you want~!"
"Like hell!" Bragi cringed."Stay away from me!"
"No time for that. We got a job to do." Prelati got their attention.
"Donatello, stay here. Only the 4 of us are needed for this." Raphael said, but his horse huffed in indignation."Donatello?"
"Seems he wants to ride with us." St. Germain rubbed his nose."He's been with us since day one. Of course, he wants to come too."
The four Alchemists started to float before shooting off into the sky.
"What's going on?" Kirika asked, puzzled.
"They're going to purify the nuke...and save us." Bragi didn't like saying those words, but he had to admit, he was glad. He was acting tough when Ryuga was here, but his Alchemic circuits were busted up again and his energy had been drained from that one blast.
(Play Shitō -Ewigkeit-)
St. Germain pulled out her spellcaster as Prelati handed her a special bullet she had crafted for her. All three Alchemists plus Sleipnir gave their powers to the white-haired woman as she took her shoot. The missile exploded at the slightest touch, but before the explosion could reach the ground, a barrier held it in, formed by the energy that struck it.
The barrier started to shake, as all four of them struggled to contain it.
'Too bad. If I had Excalibur, I may have...' Raphael allowed himself a slight smile.'No. This is fine. Fighting alone side my friends for the sake of protecting the world we once tried to change...this is just fine.'
'We originally researched the lapis to find a way to break the curse.' St. Germain pondered in her thoughts.'It has finally been used for mankind.
'It was short-lived, but I got to experience love once more.' Prelati snorted.'But Carol's homunculus beat me. I suppose even I can't get everything I want. But thanks, Raiden.'
'Honestly, I was hoping to ram this thing up the Lodgemaster's ass.' Cagliostro giggled to herself.'But you guys joined hands with those kids when we weren't looking. And you joined your hands as well. I'm so happy for the both of you.'
Their lapis began to glow, strengthening the barrier even more, and they started to glow as the backlash of the lapis started to consume them.
Everyone could only observe in awe from below.
"Those voices..." Hibiki stirred up.
"Let's put an end to the cycle of hatred!" St. Germain announced to her companions."Today marks the first-day mankind takes a step forward to peace!"
With those words, she shot another bullet, enforced with everything she had, at the explosion, and with a final roar from everyone, they managed to purify it. The explosion turned into particles, as their bodies.
"You guys...thank you..." St. Germain turned around to see her friends.
"Of course. It's only natural for a gentleman to accompany his lovely friends, even to the face of death." Raphael stated proudly, noticing something on St. Germain's face."Oh?"
"Basically, I wouldn't miss this for the world." Prelati adopted the most genuine smile she had ever muster."And your expression is totally worth it."
"My expression?"
"You're smiling." Cagliostro grinned.
"I...I am." St. Germain floated over to them as Raphael caught her in her arms in a big hug."I can't even remember the last time I didn't want to die."
"Me neither. But like we told the Messiah, everyone can change. We are long past our time. Let us trust the world to the new generation of saviors."
"Yes...We saw their potential. They can...end all conflict with their own hands. Where we failed, they will succeed."
"Just kiss already!" Cagliostro cheered.
"You're making us wait too long," Prelati said with a mischievous grin. Donatello neighed as if he agreed.
St. Germain and Raphael glanced down at the ground one last time, eyeing Hibiki and Hajime and wishing them a happy life together. One they couldn't have because of their choices. They leaned forward, and for the first time in their long life, kissed.
"I love you...I love you so much." St. Germai found herself in a rare moment of weakness as they began to disappear.
"I love you too. And if there's another life after this one...let's start over together."
Tears streamed down their eyes, spending their last moments together as their bodies vanished into light.
"Good luck, All Hopes of this World...We believe in you."
"They...actually, did it, huh?" Bragi looked down at his hands."Everyone can change if given the chance, was it? They're not wrong...I managed to change too, after all..."
"I hope you can rest in peace, Prelati." Raiden lowered his head.
"Alchemists...those who dedicate their lives to relentlessly pursue an ideal." Tsubasa closed her eyes in respect for them.
"W-wait a second!" Kirika yelled."What do we do about the Divine Power?! What if it goes back to Hibiki-san?"
"Maybe I can take it?" Hajime frowned, still at a loss for words for what he saw. He hadn't expected their former enemies to give their lives for their sake.
"Absolutely not." Yosuke shook his head."We don't know what effects it will have on you. You may be a Messiah, but we can't risk having an even stronger monster on the loose."
"Then allow me to make that choice easier on you."
Suddenly, a hole tore through the skies, revealing Adam holding onto Lilith and Tiki, both of them motionless and showing no signs of life."Using their leftover Divine Power, I can harness the Divine Power into my arm!"
"Adam Weishaupt!" Tsubasa gritted her teeth.
"Spineless coward!" Raia seethed."Of course, you'd be hiding until now!"
"I must thank you all. You did all the work in helping me regain the power of god. Using Lilith as a catalyst, I shall mimic what she did to foil my plan. And absorb the powers for my own!"
Suddenly, Adam and Lilith shapeshifted into monsters before their bodies merged into one as the Divine Power flew inside of them along with Tiki. The figure grew larger and larger, standing about 10 meters tall. A demonic-like creature hovered about the hair, sprouting out two demonic wings and sharp golden claws.
(If you want a reference, look up Chaos Summoning Beast)
"Come on, can't we just catch a break for once?! We've suffered enough!" Maria growled in utter frustration, fed up.
"Worry not, humans." Came the mixed voice of a man and a woman."I shall put you out of your misery for good. My name is Eden. And I'm the new supreme king of this world. And my first order of business is to destroy all imperfections in this world."
And there we have it. The penultimate chapter of AXZ. We have one more and then a chapter of the Lost Files before we can go into XV. Remember to review, as it motivates you to keep going strong! Let's end AXZ before the end of the year!