For all that is beautiful

by esdeath's thicc thighs

The Great War, a conflict of cataclysmic scale where gods and monsters waged war. From this conflict, humanity that had once been strong now remained a shadow of themselves. In the ashes of their home, 13 were raised to be paragons of humanity, they who would bring order in the chaos. Monarchs they were, heroes of a new age. Now one seeks his crown once more. Ichigo will rise again

19. Chapter 19

The sound of tableware being used as the Kurosaki family had breakfast resounded through the room. A usual routine for them. Only it was as the family had breakfast that they noticed a small oddity. That being Ichigo Kurosaki who is currently dressed to be somewhere today.

"Hey, Ichigo, are you going out somewhere today?" His father Isshin asked.

Swallowing his food, Ichigo lowered his chopsticks as he turned to address him. "Yeah, I'm going over to a friend's house for a while, I'll probably be gone for most of the day." Ichigo explained.

"Ah, are you going to be at Rias place then." His father asked with that goody grin of his.

'Isshin." His mother Masaki said in warning tone.

"Oh, come on now Masaki, Ichigo is a grown man now, there's nothing wrong in his actions. After all, weren't we the same at his age." Isshin reasoned much to his mother's exasperation and his sisters disgust.

"Dad, gross."

"Too much information."

"…"

The Kurosaki children grimaced at his words.

"Well, if you must know, then no, Rias is currently out of town visiting family, she called me this morning to let me know she already left." Ichigo explained.

"Huh? Really, well, who's this mysterious friend you're visiting." His father prodded.

"Just someone I met a few weeks back, I was wandering around town one day when I encountered some punks giving some kid trouble. Luckily I was around and between me and him we managed to make them rethink their life decisions." Ichigo smirked as his family paid attention to his story. Though he could already see the look of disapproval from his mom.

"Anyways, we hit it off after that and have been hanging out ever since. Though I don't see him as often since he goes to a different school. Now that it's summer break, we decided to meet up after a while and have some fun." Ichigo finished.

"Ichigo, you know I don't like you getting into fights." His mom warned.

"It was for a good cause. I can't stand bullies, is all." Ichigo defended.

"Be that as it may, just remember that your safety comes first, I don't want to see you get hurt." Masaki pleaded.

"You should have seen what became of the other guys then." Ichigo smirked much to her disapproval.

"That's my boy, putting your skills that I thought you into action. Just remember to not break them too much." His father wisely said.

"Aren't you a doctor?" Ichigo said in bewilderment at his fathers' words.

"And you give me business, it's a win a win." Isshin grinned.

"Don't encourage him." His mother warned as she gave isshin a glare to send shivers down his spine.

"Ahahaha, anyways what's your friends name, are they a boy, girl?" laughing nervously at his wife's words, Isshin changed the topic.

"His name is Kevin, and he's a pretty cool guy, a bit cynical and reserved at times but he's otherwise an upstanding fellow, loyal to a fault, and pretty determined to the point of being stubborn as a mule." Ichigo smiled fondly as he talked of his old friend.

"Sounds like a great guy, almost like you've known him your whole life with the way you describe him." His dad pointed put.

"What can I say, he's a great guy." Ichigo smiled fondly.

"You should bring him over one day, Ichigo~" His sister Yuzu suggested.

"An excellent idea, seeing how favorably you speak of him, I wouldn't mind having him over." His father agreed.

"Maybe one day…when the opportunity presents itself." With that Ichigo finished eating breakfast with his family.

Now it was time for action.

---

Above the skies of sunny California, a sudden crack began to form in reality, as with a sudden noise like glass breaking, space shattered as a red gauntlet plowed through reality, a rift forming in the sky as a red armored figured step through before slowly mending once more.

Taking in the view, Ichigo who stood in the open blue skies of North America, looked down to see the state known as California, and beyond it, the Pacific Ocean. Yet within his green visor, his golden eyes focused on one part only.

"There." He thought as he cross referenced the information in his mind, two images overlapping. One of the distant past and the other of the present world. Till a singular spot appeared as his target.

"Get ready for a swim." Ddraig deep baritone grumbled in his mind.

"The armor better be water proof." With that last thought Ichigo dropped like a missile, his form nothing but a red blur that flashed by in an instant. Breaking through the water's surface, had anyone on the shore seen him only a huge splash would have been noticed, but this far out from the coast hardly anyone would know. Letting himself sink, the cool water was hardly felt as his armor kept him dry and comfortable.

As he descended Ichigo watched as his surroundings grew darker. The light unable to penetrate the deeper he sank.

Deeper.

And Deeper.

Till he touched bottom.

Thud*

His armored greaves touched the seabed as he upright himself. Being roughly 700ft (213m) below sea level.

"Alright let's begin."

Taking out the "Monarchs Embrace" the necklace shined with its multicolor luster, a radiant gem in the dark. Ichigo's aura flared as he began to form a magic circle on the ground. within it, he began to etch a design on its center.

One he had fought side by side with.

"You gave me freedom. A reason to fight for. To live for. It's only natural that I repay that debt."

A memory of an emblem, a sword.

"I can be that sword, point me at the enemy, and I will crush them. I can be the shield, to safeguard the future you wish to protect."

From the double-edged shape to the pommel.

"I never thought of myself as a leader, much less having the bearing of a king, but if that's what you desire of me, then may the stars be the jewels on my crown."

Its sharp edge piercing the heart of ice.

"If it's you…then I no longer have anything to worry about, Go! Be the champion you were meant to be! When you return, the first rounds on me."

On oath of a life well spent built on broken promises.

A nostalgic smile played on his features as Ichigo finished drawing the Insignia. A sword, a symbol of power and distinction, built on the ideal of courage and to bring deliverance upon all that threaten the Knight king's oath.

The first step was done. The target acquired.

Now…

Extracting the primordial energy within the pendant, Ichigo carefully used his masterful control over the volatile energy to guide it towards himself. But even as he did this, even if it was just a spark of what his friend was, it felt heavy on his mind and body, like a crushing force on his spirit as he directed the essence of a monarch inside of him.

"Urk! Gugh!" Greeting his teeth, Ichigo dealt with the pain, crushing pressure threatening to overwhelm him. it was only through his knowledge of handling the energy that he fought off the worst of it.

"Almost there, control it, let it flow within you and take root." The Monarch advised him.

"Easier said than done." Ichigo complained as he focused on the task at hand. It was only after a few more moments that Ichigo managed to absorb all the energy, his body safely containing it without compromising his own power buried deep within the seal.

"Well done." The Monarch praised after a moment.

"You think so? Because I thought I was about to pass out." Ichigo huffed.

"Some practice is needed I'll admit, but for your second time, it was excellent, even if it was only but a spark." The Monarch surmised as Ichigo grunted in acknowledgment

"If that was but a drop in the ocean, I'm not sure how I will manage when the time comes to break the seal." Ichigo sighed.

"You'll do fine, we will have long prepared for your coronation by then." The Monarch stated.

"If you say so." Ending it there, Ichigo put his mind to the task at hand.

Step 2 was done; the grace of the Monarch was in him.

"Let's get this over with…" using the power of the Monarch of Finality, Ichigo's gold turned silver, the magic circle shining a different luster as he powered it, anchoring it as the effect began to take shape within his mind.

Though the world had changed since his time. That doesn't mean it had forgotten the history etched on its body. For here, surrounded by the ocean depths, a lingering echo appeared one that told the tale of days gone by, a memory of a different time, a city of silver.

That which was deemed forgotten, will before his eyes be remembered once more.

"I'm opening the path now!" The light grew brighter, a star within the depths of the sea. The emblem of the Monarch of Finality shined in its proud luster as the path began to form. searching, connecting, tethering two points in reality.

Within the depths of the Dimensional gap, floating carelessly and without aim, in a realm of silver bereft of light. If for only a moment within its desolate halls…

…Did a spark of its lord shine briefly as the light bloomed.

Pouring as much as he could into the seal, Ichigo stern expression began to shift as a mirage of a gate shimmered within the light, like an opening in reality, it slowly began to materialize before his eyes, the grand gates etched in the seal of his friend. Beckoning him.

"Almost there!" Grunting in exertion as the bridge he formed solidified, regardless of the raging storm within the dimensional gap, or the current that beat at him, its lord beckoned its kingdom once more, for it will answer to the will of its master.

The Gates of Silbern will always welcome him.

With one final effort, Ichigo anchored the gate down upon the earth in a blinding light that exploded outward.

BOOM*

A bolt of light shot up into the sky, past the depths of the sea and into the surface above, momentarily leaving a hole bereft of the surging waves that shone like glittering crystal as the light hit them. Even miles out, as families and friends enjoyed themselves upon the sunny and beautiful beaches of California, some could not help but turn their heads as they saw a pillar of light rising from the sea, followed by a crack in the sky that sounded much like thunder, stunning and confusing many in the process before winking out like a mirage.

Though Ichigo would not know of the following events till much later, his impact on the earth had not gone unnoticed.

---

Blinding light encompassed everything, yet even in the light, his eyes only held the sight of the gate in front him. Even as the water began to fill the hole left by the light, it could never drown its glittering aura of silver radiance. A Gate so massive it stood at the height of 300 ft tall and 120 ft in width. On its massive doors was the etched emblem of the Sword that represented the Monarch of Finality, shining radiantly and proudly.

The adorned gate awaited entry.

Ichigo could not help the excitement that coursed through his body. He had done it, entry into a piece of his past, a gate towards the lost city, Silbern. To discover the secrets that were left behind in his absence.

"What are you waiting for, go, Silbern awaits." The Monarch said, feeling no less excited than him.

"To think I'd see those gates once more, seems your gamble was right in the end…" Ddraig rumbled as he took in the sight before him.

"Yeah…" admiring the gate for a moment, memories of time immemorable flashed in his mind, his journey with his friends. Of the man with white hair and blue eyes with a heart of ice and will of steel.

"I would lay down my life for you…"

A true friend.

Step*

With each step of his greaves, his form pushed past the current, till he stood before the gate, his hand resting against its silver frame.

Creak*

The once closed gates opened at his command.

"No backing out now." Ichigo mumbled as he walked through the gate till his form became engulfed in the light.

---

He felt the transition as space folded, the cool temperature of the sea disappearing as well as the pressure. Now only firm solid ground remained at his feet, as complete silence engulfed him all around. Blinking his eyes a couple of times as the light died down, Ichigo suddenly found himself in dark chamber. Though thanks to his eyes capable of seeing in the dark, he managed to take in his surroundings.

An empty chamber bereft of furnishing, only the stone cold floor at his feet and the ceiling above with a long hallway leading to the end of the room. Rows of pillars marked the path.

Fwoom*

A blue fire at his left marked the source as he moved forward.

Fwoom* Fwoom* Fwoom*

As if expecting him, flares of light shined from the pillars, till they reach the end of the long hall, which upon a door was revealed.

"…"

Moving towards it, Ichigo steps were the only noise produced in the desolate antechamber he found himself in. The stale air and dust that covered the area proof to how long its been without visitors. Reaching the door, Ichigo didn't hesitate to push it open, revealing another room whereupon a platform sat in the middle, a pedestal on its center set aglow by the soft blue of the torches.

"Guess the only way is up." Ichigo muttered as he moved towards the platform, the familiar apparatus easy to work with as he hit the switch.

The silence broke upon the sound of anti-gravity lifts levitating the platform up, the dark tunnel becoming alight the further he went up. Which upon the ceiling that looked like he was about to smash into slid open at the right time revealing a grand chamber as the lift came to a stop. The moment his eyes took in his surroundings, it was as if time had stopped for a moment.

"This…" his voice shook momentarily as emotion took over his voice.

He remembered the first time he encountered the shards of Gaia. How he took the remains of her ego and pieced them together into a crystallized form, one with which he would grant Humanity dominion over their own fate. He remembered splitting those shards and giving them to his comrades, so that they may forever entrench themselves into the future of humanity, forever standing united as their leaders.

Only by having all the crystals activated could the blessing of Archetype: Gaia be graced upon the whole of humanity. Only then could the potential of humanity be fully used.

Now as he gazed upon the dull crystal, lacking the luster he so remembered it so long ago, did the feeling of the years he had been away begin to fall on his shoulders.

"Oh…Kevin. Forgive me." His shoulders felt heavy with shame as he gazed upon the dead crystal. Its power cut off from its Monarch and unable to be used. Nothing but a mere decoration.

"It isn't your fault." The Monarch rebuked, disapproving of Ichigo taking the blame of events he had no control over.

"You say that, yet we both know the truth behind that sentence." Ichigo contradicted him, letting the Monarch fall silent. Ichigo could see his reflection on the mirror surface of the crystal as he let his armor fall away.

The body of a teenage boy nearing adulthood, yet in his eyes, he saw what he really was.

A warrior, a King, a Leader, a friend, a…failure.

Gold stared into Gold.

Past and present.

"I dreamed of an era of gold, a hopeful future of prosperity for all, radiant and beautiful."

"But, in my actions, did I hasten only destruction for us all? did I stop to truly think of the best possibilities?"

"Tell me, was I wrong in believing I could save us all?"

His reflection never wavered, never softened, only firm resolve.

"You already know."

Ichigo closed his eyes.

"Abandon your fear."

"Look forward…"

"Move forward and never stop."

"You'll age if you pull back."

"You'll die if you hesitate."

He remembered those words he spoke so long ago, when the time came for one of them to make the sacrificial play. He remembered it was to comfort his friends. But the reality of it was…

They were meant to solidify his resolve, so that he could stand tall in the face of inevitability.

"We lived our lives day after day, battle after battle, never once we doubted never once we coward. Everything we've done, we did it with the best of intentions in mind. Even if the result wasn't always the best outcome, we proudly made those decisions knowing the consequences, that is our burden to bear." The Monarch stated.

"…"

"They would never blame you, for they stood alongside us every step of the way, sharing in the burden that we all carried." Ichigo raised his eyes to meet those of his older self.

"You know it don't you, don't blind yourself to temporary grief, all that was unmade can be restored! You just have to give it time, like a wound, it'll mend itself if given proper care. You just have to make sure it doesn't fester." The Monarchs words were having an effect on Ichigo. For he alone understood him better than anyone, for he was himself. The memories though complete were still too much for the young man, one could easily become lost in the years he had lived. But, to his credit he had managed to not lose himself as often as he used to in the past. He need only guidance to become the person he ought to be.

"Thank you." Ichigo whispered.

"There is no need, for you know it in your heart don't you, though you might think otherwise." His voice began to fade.

"They would be proud of you…"

Sigh*

Ichigo stayed in the chamber for a while, contemplating those words. Though the aftermath was beyond his control. It is as the Monarch said, all is not lost, it could be fixed. All that was needed was patience and time.

Time that he was running out of.

"We got work to do." Deciding to snap out of his self-pity that was unbecoming of him. Had Kevin seen him moping around, he might've just smacked him in the back of the head to bring him back to his senses with that usual stoic expression of his.

Walking out of the chamber that held a piece of Archetype: Gaia, Ichigo soon found himself within the old bedroom chambers of the Monarch of Finality, the secret entrance sliding open as he stepped through it before closing behind him.

"Hmm, I remember this place, hasn't changed much." Ichigo remarked as he took in his surroundings. For a man like Kevin who didn't hold much attachment for decoration, his room was very simple. At least in terms of what a kings chambers should look like, it still held a sense of flare and elegance to it, but not like that of someone who cared to customize.

"Maybe he took somethings with him before he left." Ichigo mumbled as he searched through the room. The cabinets holdings a film of dust over them that would require cleaning one day. The stale air as the room had not seen any fresh air in millennia. Walking over to the doors that led to the balcony, Ichigo slid the white curtains as he opened them.

The sight before him left him speechless.

Step by step Ichigo's widened eyes could not look away from the ruinous sight as he stood gazing over the balcony.

Past the dome that protected Silbern, the sky was a multicolor of dizzying splotches and swirls, a common sight within the Dimensional gap. But contrast to that was the ruined city that was Silbern. Miles upon miles of destruction. Towers that were missing their spires, craters that have dug holes that spanned entire blocks, damaged buildings that had since fallen to rubble. Even the towering walls of Silbern were barely intact in some places, clearly breached long ago.

The air tasted of smoke and dust.

Though he had his misgivings about what happened to Silbern the truth before him was without question. Silbern had indeed fallen. The city but a ruin of what it once was. Its glamorous architecture that once glowed in lustrous silver was but a memory of the past. Here lay only the echoes of war. The cruel fate that awaited the home of the Monarch of Finality.

"…"

"…"

Even the Monarch and Ddraig could say nothing as they took in the sight of the city that was once deemed impregnable.

A frown marred his features as he looked away. The sight too much to bare.

"It can be rebuilt in time…" words of comfort in a time of need.

"Yeah…" He could only agree as the ruinous landscape burned itself into his mind.

---

Ichigo decided to leave the exploration of the city for another time, as of now, exploring the palace was more important as he traversed familiar hallways. Though it was in his exploration that he became aware of the damage that it had suffered, occasionally coming across holes on the outer walls, cracked surfaces, and entire areas covered in rubble, leaving him no choice but to dig them out.

Still, he did not lose sight of why he had come here.

"This seems like the place."

A pair of massive doors stood before him, silver with the engraved emblem of the monarch of finality in the center. This entrance led towards the Throne room. The seat of power of the Monarch of Finality.

Placing his palm on the door, Ichigo pushed it open as he entered the grand chamber. Darkness surrounded him briefly before the area became alight in the soft glow of the blue flames. On the far side elevated by a few steps was the Throne, the silver armchair unmoved by the passage of time.

Walking towards it, Ichigo who had been here multiple times in the past had a sense of nostalgia as he stared at it, his mind's eye envisioning the white hair, blue yes, and regal like features of his dear friend.

Setting his hand against the arm chair Ichigo let a small smile cross his features.

"I'll be borrowing your chair for a while, Kevin."

---

As a Monarch Ichigo had a variety of powers that were granted to him, though he didn't have full access to them yet, that didn't mean he could not draw a fraction of their capabilities. One such ability was his Omniscience, to penetrate into the future, past, or present. To be a vessel of all knowledge in the universe. He did this through his ability he referred to as his "Almighty" the ability to not only gaze into the stream of time and its branches, but to transform them as he pleased as well.

Unfortunately, he could only use a fraction of that power, but that mere fraction was still enough to aid him on his plan forward.

Cause and effect. Possibilities and outcomes. What he needed right now was certainty, especially in such a delicate time like now. With but a year left to reach ascension, the pressure was mounting on him to begin preparation and to act on that he needed a plan that would yield him the best result.

Which is why he had chosen Silbern out of all the cities. A fortress city, built with the sole purpose of defense. Though damaged, that did not mean it couldn't be repaired, for he needed only to restore the systems in place to allow the city to repair itself, something he could look into later as he sat on the throne which acted as a command console that could access all systems within the city.

Right now, he needed a way to enact his plans, by simulating preparations and outcomes. His ability "Almighty" would be the best tool for this.

Additional pupils manifested in his eyes as he gazed into the future, possibilities too uncountable to number, branches diverging as doors opened and closed. Yet like grains of sand in the wind, the infinite amount of possibilities represented a hope he held. Only deemed useful by their rate of success.

Failure.

He searched.

Failure.

And searched.

Failure. Failure. Failure. Failure. Failure.

And…searched.

"That's Enough!"

The sudden command of the Monarch startled him from his concentration as he deactivated the Almighty.

"W-what happened?" Ichigo asked perplexed as to why the Monarch stopped him.

"Check your nose." He advised.

Looking down, Ichigo could see a bright red in his vision. Reaching up, his finger came back red as he stared at his own blood.

"I'm bleeding?" Ichigo questioned as he stared at his blood that had seeped from his nose.

"You were using the Almighty for too long, even if it is but a fraction of what it should be, the amount of information that's entering your head all at once is too much for your mortal body to handle right now. You've reached your limit for today." The Monarch warned as Ichigo wiped his blood on his sleeve.

"I see, well, can't be helped, every outcome I've seen resulted in failure. Even when I sacrificed the city in one of the futures, it only yielded an increase of 10% success rate. They still managed to stop me." Ichigo frowned as he thought of all the scenarios he foresaw.

"We'll keep trying tomorrow, for now it's best we head back, I fear we've overstayed our welcome." The Monarch advised as Ichigo stood to leave.

"Yeah, best not keep mom waiting so long, she gets really worried sometimes when I'm out so late." Ichigo grinned.

Though before he left, he activated the throne rooms function. Seated in place, Ichigo could see a screen display itself before him, sections of the city highlighted in blue and red signifying the level of damage.

"Damn…" Entire regions of the city were highlighted red, with only the innermost sections having bits of blue. The palace itself only had minimal damage that could be fixed in time. But the outer regions…a fucking disaster.

A few taps on the screen displayed a certain area of the city. As he went to see the data presented that showed integrity levels, all of it in the single digits with each inspection.

Even as he attempted to fix the region all he got from it was a word in big bold lettering.

OFFLINE.

"Curses! the Pylons must be damaged or destroyed, I can't do anything from here if they're down." Without the amplifiers to guide the Monarchs powers to the damaged regions, it would have to be done manually by him. The way it worked being that though the damage itself wasn't "repaired" but "altered" so that it never happened, restoring the area through the pylons that can alter reality within the affected area. Effectively undoing all the destruction.

Of course, such a function only needed to be used once integrity levels fell to a certain point. Automatically undoing the damage, but seeing how none of it has ever been fixed, well, that left him with more work than he desired.

"A problem for another day." As he moved to deactivate the display, one section within the map caught his attention.

"Oh? Interesting…" a glint of gold flashed in his eyes.

---

Deciding to leave the reparations of Silbern for another day, Ichigo set about checking one last place before he left. Striding past rooms and empty halls, Ichigo eventually rounded a corner before coming face to face with another grand chamber within the palace. Pushing past the adorned doors, a depiction of a tree engraved on them, did Ichigo find what he was looking for.

"I knew it." A small smile played on his lips as he gazed at the contents of the room. For there in the center stood another treasure of the past.

It was like stepping into a different realm, the room filled with the magnificent radiance of the sun, the blue skies a pleasant sight from the dizzying mess that was the dimensional gap, white clouds drifted lazily above. Yet within the center of this domain, walled on all sides by a rocky canyon save for one point of access which would have people stepping up the rocky steps to reach it.

Following the designated path, it didn't take long for him to arrive at the shrine in place. For it was here where life still bloomed amidst all the ruin. No matter how much time passes, this place will always stand in perpetuity. Surrounded by golden flowers in full bloom, it was the pool in the center filled with clear crystal water that a tree stood proudly. The leaves were golden like the flowers themselves, while the trunk had a golden glow as well, its aura was one of life and grace.

"An Erdtree." Ichigo revealed as he looked upon the beautiful tree.

"What is that?" Ddraig voice rumbled as he took notice of the tree, curiosity laced within.

"Heh, guess even you wouldn't know of them would you Ddraig. Well they weren't exactly common knowledge even back then. So few of them were ever made." Ichigo explained.

"Made? By whom?" he questioned.

"You would know her, The Monarch of life, Rukkhadevata. One of her many creations, as well as her greatest triumphs." Ichigo revealed as he moved closer to the tree. Stepping over the water without sinking.

"It is, in layman terms, a tree of life. its purpose is to heal. But it is also SO much more." Ichigo emphasized.

"What is it's purpose?" Ddraig though having died long ago, within his draconic nature he could feel the worth of the tree, a treasure amongst treasures to be possessed.

"…Evolution." Ichigo paused as he placed his palm against the trunk, the energy within still as potent as ever. "A gift, a blessing, to be graced with a chance for greater strength. It is a form of ascension, to be reforged in the crucible of life." his palm came back as he held a spark of gold in hand.

"Reincarnation, Resurrection, call it what it may be, it is a path to a more idealized self, in other terms; perfection." The spark twitched as it burrowed itself within the Boosted gear, causing Ddraig to groan in pleasure as it latched itself to his consciousness.

"You feel that don't you, pure and intense, raw life energy flowing through you, molding you, changing you. It is a gift to all those who had proven their might, their will, and loyalty to the Monarchs. Heroes who have had their name written in the history of mankind. To bathe themselves in the pool of life, before the Erdtree to accept its blessing and be reborn anew." Ichigo's eyes took a calculating look to them.

"You know Ddraig, I tried to find an acceptable result, yet all the futures I saw only led to defeat. Imprisoned or killed by those I once deemed allies, but I cannot fault them, their fear, I know it too well, their jealousy, it is in their eyes. They would have me forgotten, to disappear to make room for a new Age of Gods." Ichigo voice took a dark tone.

"They would seize their chance to rid themselves of me, so weak, so mortal, it would be their only window of opportunity to do so. They know they cannot defeat me if I assume my throne once more." His eyes turned to his left arm, the red gauntlet shining a bright green light from its orb.

"The future is like sand, drifting in the wind, each grain but a different hope, an opportunity that one must take. But, those are all built on certain variables, variables that I must expand upon, to create greater opportunities." Ichigo explained. His golden eyes shining intensely.

"Wha-what do you have in mind?" Ddraig who had been with Ichigo ever since the death of his previous wielder, was for the first time seeing the true face of the Monarch. Not the lingering shadow that resided within the mind. But, of the young man who had much to learn even still, yet, the glimmer of the one he once fought alongside, the fear and respect he felt for that man, for this singular instance, did Ddraig feel the presence of standing before that legend.

"As I said, a chance, an opportunity, a variable to create a greater result." Ichigo words seemed to hint at something. "Tell me, Ddraig, have you ever entertained the thought of…freedom?" Ichigo suddenly asked, catching Ddraig off guard.

"Freedom? Freedom? FuhuhahaHAHAHA" As if the sudden suspense had lost all its edge, Ddraig let out a long and throaty laugh, sounding akin to a roar and cackle combined.

"…"

"HAHAHAhahah…Oh you are being serious." The lack of amusement on Ichigo's face said as much. Ddraig straightened himself up with a cough, his laughter dying down.

"I once dreamed of freedom. To rid myself of this cage, to unburden myself with the fate of a tool for those with more ambition than sense. I longed for the open skies, to feel the light shine on my scales, to feel the wind brushing past my wings. It is a dream, a fantasy I gave up long ago." There was bitterness in his voice as he expressed his desire.

"I tried you know, many times in the early days to rid myself of this accursed prison. I would try to deceive my wielders with promises of greater power. It was easy, to guide them into their own downfall, their greed, ambition, tools that I used against them. Some attempts were successful as I deceived them into doing my bidding, but many more failed. Each time either laid low by their own greed. Others killed by the white one. Yet each time, my desire for freedom began to slip away, failure upon failure, the sacred gear proving itself too powerful to overcome by common methods. Ages passed, wielders came and went, and I simply learned to let go, letting them use me as they pleased." Ddraig sighed heavily as he recounted his tale.

"I gave up. I learned to "satisfy" myself with the stories and adventures of my wielders. My rage, my resentment, it cooled till the fire eventually died. I realized that this was my fate, and I learned to live with it." Ddraig who had not spoken about his feelings on the matter of his imprisonment with anyone couldn't help but feel as if a weight had fallen from his shoulders. To share his woes with someone who could truly understand him, a man who experienced a similar fate if not worse than his.

Ichigo who had been silent through all of this, couldn't help but feel a bit of empathy for his old friend. He remembered him so long ago, the last time they fought together. His proud form flying through the skies, laying waste upon the forces of the Adversary, his crimson scales shining amidst his flames, a being of calamity to all who opposed him. Compared to that, well…they both had a rough past.

"It must have been hard." Ichigo said, his voice softening a bit with empathy.

"It matters not. After all, thanks to that, I managed to find my way to you, that in itself is a reward for all of the years I've been here. To see an old friend once more. Perhaps it was fate that brought us together, seeing how we're both not the same person we used to be." There was a bit of mirth in his voice, and Ichigo couldn't help but smile at his words.

"Perhaps, but that doesn't mean we have to resign ourselves to the cards we've been dealt. We may yet dictate our future once more." Ichigo stated.

"How? I don't mean to sound hopeless, but it will take a miracle to overcome this problem." Ddraig said as he sighed in defeat, after all, he too had tried many times. So many times, yet, look at him, nothing to show for it.

"If it's a miracle we need, then look no further…" turning his back to the tree, Ichigo began to take his leave, plans upon plans in motion.

"I'll light the way forward."

---

Bronya was not having a good day right now.

She didn't know who or why, but for some strange reason, the world was having it out for her today it seemed. The dark bags under her eyes a testament towards that notion as she dragged her feet through the headquarters of the Fire Moth organization may have something to do with it.

Ever since last night things haven't been the same.

From having to work overtime in creating new proximity sensors and to calibrate them to detect the suspects energy signature. To having been seen naked by the guy she may or may not have started to fancy.

Ugh! Embarrassing.

Last night had been a disaster for her, causing her to be unable to sleep over the trepidation of having to see him again. It couldn't be helped, ever since her growth spurt, Bronya had begun to feel a little more self-conscious of her body. Unlike when she still had the body type of a child, she had matured enough to notice the attention of her male and sometimes female coworkers. Though she had grown to ignore that attention with time, it did help in making her feel somewhat confident in her own appearance.

Regardless, she'll have to push through that experience and focus on the task at hand. Even if every time she thought about it she would feel the urge to bury herself in a deep hole.

Still that was but one of many things going wrong for her. The other being the call she got early in the morning by the officers at the western branch. Apparently, something huge had happened over there and they needed her expertise to help them out at figuring out what it was. Luckily for her, Mei and Kiana had also been requested to come to the meeting taking place.

She just hoped whatever it was it wouldn't stir too much trouble among the ranks, they could ill afford to make huge movements right now, the veil of secrecy had to be maintained no matter what.

Entering her office, Mei and Kiana were already there waiting for her, the holographic projector ready to be used at a moment's notice as soon as the meeting started.

"Any clue what this is about?" Kiana asked as she saw her entering.

"We'll soon find out." Checking her watch, the clock struck 12:00pm.

The projector which had been on standby soon lit up as a fuzzy image came into view before clearing up, revealing a tall man in a white uniform.

The women present all had their eyes light up in surprise as whatever laxness they had soon gave way to rigid formality, standing at attention, the women saluted their superior officer.

"Field Marshal!" Mei exclaimed in surprise at seeing the legendary figure that was the highest-ranking officer within the entirety of Earth. For those that were granted the rank of Field Marshal, it is but a temporary rank given to those who are chosen by the Monarchs to fulfil a specific task, one that no sole division could hold right to. They are champions undivided, regardless of affiliation, to serve as the instrument of the Monarchs will. Tasked with a mission of vital importance, they oversee all field operations, outranking even the Captains. Few had ever been bestowed the honor.

Which is why it was all the more confusing that such a grand character was before them.

"At ease." The deep yet cool voice commanded as they soon went back to parade rest.

Looking at their superior officer, this was one of the few times that Bronya had ever had a good look at him, aside from images and videos.

Long blonde hair with strands akin to spun gold that descended past his shoulders. Regal facial features, with emerald green eyes hidden under beautiful long eyelashes. His fair skin appeared unblemished, wearing a white military uniform with a black shoulder cape and green fur running down the left collar of his trench coat. He had the bearing of a young handsome man in his mid-twenties, but Bronya knew better than to assume by his appearance.

"Jugram Haschwalth." She had heard of him during her time at the academy and beyond. She knew of his story as he is a prominent character within the Fire Moth organization and humanity as a whole. Having served under the Monarch of Victory during the mid-stages of the Great War, he had achieved the rank of Senior Officer within the ranks of the Daybreakers Legion, serving as the right-hand man to the legendary commander of the Daybreakers legion, Yasutora Sado.

He had earned great achievements in the war, where towards the final stages, had been granted the privilege of joining the ranks of the Brave Souls, eventually coming under the Monarch of Finality, all with the blessing of the Monarch of Victory who had borne witness to his ascension.

Still, though he serves the Monarch of Finality, his current position of Field Marshal puts him under the scrutiny of all Monarchs, where any mistake will cast doubt on his capacity to fulfill the mission he was given. Since all Field Marshals are granted the rank based on a vote by the Monarchs.

10 out of 13 were in his favor as far she knew. That spoke volumes of his popularity even amongst the brave souls.

Looking at all three of them, the Marshall scrutinized them for a moment before speaking once more.

"I'm sure you three are wondering why I'm here, I will keep this brief so listen." His voice cut in to the tense silence that soon renewed as they sensed some urgency in his voice.

"Approximately at 5:00PM PDT outside of the coast of California, within the depths of the Pacific Ocean, a large unknown signature was suddenly unleashed in a brilliant display, piercing through the ocean depths and into the sky." As he said this, a few video feeds began playing as satellite imaging captured the occurrence, as well on the ground videos captured by the locals who happened to be at the right place at the right time.

It showed a pillar of silver white light shooting into the sky so suddenly it looked to have been a trick of the light, lasting approximately 3 seconds before dissipating, but long enough to get people to notice the unusual event.

"Luckily it was out in a remote area with no damage to the surroundings aside from causing an enormous whirlpool from all the displaced water. We have managed to suppress media coverage on the incident, though that in itself will be a temporary measure as I know it will soon find itself within the alternate sites. Regardless, what I'm here for is for you three to answer some of my questions.

As the video feeds disappeared, the surprise in their eyes soon switched back to rigid professionalism.

"Sir." They said in unison.

"Energy readings on the scans dictate that this is no ordinary substance. Neither divine or demonic, not magical in nature or spiritual." Jugram explained as he pulled up scans showing zero compatibility.

The girls looked at each other in confusion for a moment, a sense of déjà vu on their faces as they heard this.

"Doesn't that sound like…" Kiana began as dawning realization began to take place.

"…Until I checked one last reading, care to guess?" without waiting for a response, the new addition showed 100% compatibility, undeniable evidence to their suspicions.

"Primordial energy. I'm sure you three know why I'm here." His stoic expression giving nothing away as he stared at them.

There was a brief moment of silence as the shock of the revelation caught up with them.

"I've read your reports on the subject." Bringing up dozens of displays showing written reports sent from Mei to the higher ups. "From the first dated incident back in April, this would be the second time a similar situation has happened, would this be right?" Jugram asked.

"T-that would be right, sir. There have been no new incidents since the one you just mentioned, it is as much news to us as it is for you that such an occurrence has happened." Bronya replied, gathering her thoughts.

"Junior Officer Bronya, you were first moved to this new assignment by the Monarch of Reason himself upon reporting it, having it reach the ears of one of our lords. How has the search of your anomaly been as of late?" Another question.

"It is an ongoing investigation, sir. We have thus far narrowed down the list of potential suspects, with my new sensors installed specifically targeted at the anomaly's own signature. Still, the interference makes it hard to pinpoint its exact location, making the filtering process that much harder. But we believe that within the next few months if not weeks, we will have our answers." Bronya replied as she gave her assessment report.

"Yes, I have read as much, the interference unique to the anomaly. But, what I'm concerned about, is not that the anomaly has not been found, but that we might be potentially looking at two different cases, one more familiar to us at that." A brief frown marred his features before schooling.

Those that heard him could tell that something was bothering him.

"Is there something different about this second anomaly, sir?" Kiana who had remained silent thus far, piped up from the side after seeing the troubled look of her superior.

His eyes seemed distant for a brief moment before snapping back to their firm resoluteness.

Turning to address the young Kaslana, Jugram green eyes stared deep into her own blue ones. "Junior Officer Kiana, I must inquire, aside from you yourself, has any of the main family or side branch members been to Earth as of late." He asked. There was a brief confusion in her eyes, before narrowing as she thought about it.

"Not that I would be aware of, most of them tend to stay in the Elysian realm, that or go on expeditions into the old territories of the Imperium. Though as of now, the 10th division should be gathering for their expedition to the Eridanus sector. Last I heard, they will be moving to reclaim the old world of Eridanus II, so I'm the only Kaslana currently stationed on Earth." Kiana explained.

"I see." Was all he said as he soon pulled up new data screens for them to see.

"Based on our findings, when we were looking to identify the unknown energy signature, I had nearby field agents take residue samples to bring back for study. What they found was…disconcerting." True to his words, the sample taken began to paint an uncomfortable image in their minds as it began to point to a shocking direction.

"No way…" Kiana was the first to reply.

"It is what the results point towards, I had the scientists rerun checks on it over and over again, the result remained unchanged." Jugram words were a bucket of cold water on their backs.

"But how?! There is no way that the old man himself would be able to come here, it is common knowledge the Monarchs cannot leave the Elysian realm. Not without causing a huge commotion on the outside world, and I myself have had no reason to use the power of my bloodline." The damning evidence that the Field Marshal showed was ludicrous, yet unquestionable as it pointed to the unique signature of the Kaslana family and most importantly of all, the Monarch of Finality, Kevin Kaslana.

"I myself am having a hard time believing it, but the truth of the matter is something else. Aside from you or me, no other Kaslana has been granted permission unto Earth's surface. Which is why, as Field Marshal, but also as a brave soul to his majesty, the Monarch of Finality, I will do all in my power to get to the bottom of this. I will not allow rogue elements to jeopardize the grand vision of our Monarchs." Jugram straightened up, his eyes narrowing as he suddenly took on an imposing aura, one that could be felt even through the hologram.

"Thank you, lord Jugram." Kiana gracefully said, this time addressing him not as a subordinate but as a noble lady of the house of Kaslana.

"It is no issue, lady Kiana, I'm simply doing what must be done." Relaxing his stance, a bit, he continued. "Though, I must say, and understand that this information must not be allowed to leak, it is for you three only." Nodding their heads in understanding, Jugram continued. "I will be conducting a separate investigation into the matter, though, and this is a hunch on my part, the sooner you find your suspect, the sooner we will find answers to our secondary concern. Something tells me that these two incidents may be intertwined, primordial energy isn't so common, it is a unique power that only the most ancient possess, and they do well to not show themselves so carelessly either." He explained.

"Though the Monarch of Reason entrusted you with the task, do let me know if you need anything, manpower or resources, the faster we get this done the better." He finished.

"Of course, sir. Leave it to us, we'll have our answers before you know it." The girls saluted.

"Proceed with caution once you have your answer. Primordial energy is not something to take lightly, I will be allowing you a one-time use of priority; Knightfall. Use it wisely if the suspect appears to be hostile. May the Monarchs watch over you. Signing off." the link to the hologram was cut as the call ended.

The three girls stayed in silence for a few moments as each one organized their thoughts from the meeting that just occurred.

"Well you heard the Marshal, its best we get to it." Kiana suddenly said with a sense of enthusiasm.

"It appears the talk with the Marshal has fired you up." Mei mused.

"Yeah! After all, I can't have some imposter running around the globe pretending to be a member of the Kaslana family, I will not stand to have our name dragged through the mud." Kiana said seriously, her fist smacking into her palm.

"What do you make of this Bronya?" Mei turned to her friend as Kiana hurled profanities at the unknown second anomaly.

Looking through the pad in her hand, Bronya was quietly flipping through it as she suddenly frowned.

"…Perhaps the Marshal had a point in the two cases not being entirely separate. Take a look at this." Flippin the screen, the two girls turned to face it as they saw a definite outlier.

"What? it disappeared?"

"Do we know where it went."

Hearing the two replies Bronya shook her head.

"The time of departure coincides with the time of the incident, I'm not saying the two are connected, since the signature is different, but it is no less suspicious. We'll have to narrow the list as fast as we can, if we're able to find the one responsible the faster we can shed light to their agenda." Bronya commented.

Nodding in unison the girls got to work.

---

The sky had begun to turn dark by the time he returned back to Kuoh town. The last few rays of the sunset flashing past the horizon as Ichigo strolled through the streets of Kuoh, all the while munching down on an Onigiri. The hustle and bustle of the streets as he passed by pedestrians set the mood for the night life of the city.

"Are you sure that it will be a wise decision?" Ddraig hesitantly asked. His voice holding a doubtful yet, hopeful tone as Ichigo had posed the question earlier.

"Of course, I wouldn't have proposed the idea if I didn't believe it would be possible. Though, there will have to be a catalyst in order for the plan to work." Ichigo explained, finishing his Onigiri.

"Hmm…" uncertainty rumbled through his voice.

"Is there something wrong Ddraig? You have been very hesitant since I proposed the idea." Ichigo asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

A few moments of silence passed as Ddraig found his words.

"…It's not that I don't trust you, but, as I explained back in Silbern, I have tried so many times to free myself of this prison, with each attempt ending in failure. I gave up, I learned to accept my purpose in life, to be a tool, a weapon for humanity. Yet now…" He struggled.

"You're giving me hope!" Ddraig accused him much to Ichigo's surprise.

"Is that wrong? Have you so completely reduced your will to that a of a mere vessel to which others claim their ambitions from. Would you not even entertain the idea of a miracle?" Ichigo frowned.

"I'm not being ungrateful! it's just…" Again, he struggled.

"Say it." Ichigo ordered.

Sigh*

The long-suffering sigh lasted as Ddraig calmed himself, his voice softening.

"I'am afraid." The uncharacteristic way in which he said it had Ichigo doubting his own ears.

"What? You…afraid?" The confusion in his own voice being palpable to Ddraig.

"…" He grew silent again.

"Of what exactly, you are Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor, the co-leader of the Dragon king alliance. You led the forces of the chromatic dragons against the black tide of the adversary's armies, striking fear into the fearless. You who were given the title of the Ashen Wake by your enemies, earned through the everlasting flame of yours. You who slew an Emperor-class horror in single combat. What could you possibly fear that you haven't conquered already?" Ichigo questioned.

"I fear being betrayed by you." The unexpected answer left Ichigo in bewildered for a moment his steps faltering as he stood still in the middle of the sidewalk.

"What do you mean by that?" The puzzling words Ddraig uttered astounding him.

"I respect you, admire you even, the man you were once, the battles we fought side by side, they were truly the happiest moments of my life." He began. "I told you of my fate, my last battle with the heavenly father, me and Albion, I remember it as clear as yesterday. The way he burned my scales, the way he carved our flesh, tortured our souls, and imprisoned our will into these sacred gears. Forever to be used as weapons." He continued.

"I found my way to you, old friend. Yet now, you promise me freedom, to be reborn anew. I have never felt so elated in the AGES I have been here. If for a moment, your words fill me with HOPE something I lost long ago. Yet you renew it, set it ablaze, and all I can do is fear, that should it be another failure, then the hope that lingered, will truly vanish." Ddraig explained his doubts, his fears.

"…"

"If you cannot set me free, then who? If the hope you foster only leads me to failure once more, then who can I trust? You are my final hope, for if I cannot do it alone, then I have you, who has time and time again defied the impossible. For this, I cling to the small hope you planted, yet fear the light going out once more as I sink into the pits of despair once again. One I fear I will not recover from." Ddraig words were a sword to Ichigo's heart.

"Ddraig I…" Ichigo didn't know what to say to such heartfelt words.

"…Hope is the last thing that dies, but if it's you, I'll take that gamble." With his final words, Ddraig went quiet.

"…"

For the first time, Ichigo felt a renewed sense of resolve. Perhaps he had taken Ddraig for granted, there was still a bit of disassociation between him and his memories, but slowly and surely, he began to accept them as him, experiences and all.

Above all that, there was something that he did when he made a promise.

"Trust in me, believe only in me, and I will show you the way…"

He kept it.

"I promise you, the world will see the birth of old stars once more."

---

The walk home was a silent one, each one of them lost in their own thoughts as Ichigo took in the night air to clear his mind.

So many things so little time.

But he had no choice, the time to act had come earlier than expected. He could not afford to lose the initiative, it was paramount for him to succeed lest all he had done till now be for naught.

In his self-reflection, Ichigo suddenly snapped to attention as something crossed his senses, a familiar feeling of dark gloom and decadence.

"Fallen." The words slipped out of him like a curse, memories of his last interaction with one leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

"What are the impure ones doing here? don't they know its devil territory." The Monarch stated.

"I don't know but I intend to find out." Summoning his boosted gear, Ichigo quickly assumed his armor as he blasted himself into the sky like a comet. Leaving a red trail of red dragon aura behind.

Flying over the skies of Kuoh using the cover of night, the dark wings of the fallen blended splendidly as it overlooked the town. Stalking it like a silent predator from above, Ichigo watched it occasionally stop to survey the surrounding landscape before moving on. It was roughly 10 minutes later that Ichigo began to notice a pattern to its movements.

Having flown from the residential area, Downtown area, the Park, the outskirts, and…Kuoh academy.

It seemed to want to map out the entire area.

"A scout? But for what?" Ichigo was starting to grow increasingly alarmed by its movements.

Finally, as 30 minutes passed since his observations, the fallen began to descend towards the ground, its landing site being a run-down building near the outskirts of town. One of the old factories that was once used for wartime production back in the old WW2 era.

Touching ground just a few seconds after, Ichigo silently stalked the fallen like a shade in the night, despite his colorful armor, Ichigo was a master at hiding his presence, invisible to all detection aside from sight. Which the Fallen didn't even bother to check its surroundings as it moved leisurely through the abandoned factory.

The sound of the fallen walking down the steps of a rusty ladder resounded over the area as Ichigo followed behind. It wasn't long till the Fallen approached a closed door, knocking it roughly as movement from the inside could be heard.

"There's more?" Ichigo mused as he detected several more presences behind the door, each one having the aura of a fallen. Making it 4 Fallen in total.

The door swung open as the Fallen inside greeted their returning member before closing the door from behind.

Seeing this Ichigo suddenly had a dilemma.

"What should I do here?" on one hand, it would be simple for him to subdue 4 fallen, and extract information from them, but then what? Should he kill them? knowing their history they probably didn't have friendly intentions if what he saw the Fallen doing was any indication. But on the other hand, the loss of 4 Fallen wouldn't go unnoticed, especially if they were sent here on orders by their higher ups. He couldn't cover that up, and last thing he needed was giving Rias trouble with the fallen faction, he had heard as much from their uneasy truce with one another.

Suddenly the image of three women crossed his mind.

"Right, they might have need of this information as well, I should call them." Deciding to back track, Ichigo walked out the building and deactivated his armor as he pulled out his phone from his pocket.

Looking at his contacts, Ichigo debated with himself for a moment before deciding on Kiana, the fiery girl will certainly back him up at a moment notice.

RING* RING* RING*

It was on the third ring that the call was picked up.

"Hey Ichigo! How are you?" came the chipper reply from the other end.

"I'm great Kiana, thanks for asking. Now look, I got something really urgent going on right now and I need you here as soon as possible." Ichigo suddenly got to the point.

"H-Huh?! What going on?" she asked suddenly confused by the situation.

"It appears Fallen have begun to crop over the area, I was walking back home when I suddenly felt their presence, I managed to follow one all the way back to their hideout, the old factory on the outskirts of town, I felt around 4 Fallen in total. I'm going to try and subdue them along with extract information from them, though I presume it's probably in our interest if we not kill them." Ichigo informed her as Kiana quickly realized the severity of the situation.

"I'll be there as soon as I can, should I bring Mei and Bronya along?" she inquired.

"No need, I only need you. We can inform them afterwards." There was a sudden pause over the call as Ichigo couldn't hear Kiana anymore.

"…"

"Hello? Kiana you there?" Ichigo suddenly asked as he wondered if she had hung up on him.

There was a sound over phone that sounded like a squeal before being cut off as he heard her voice come in, though the tone shifted from her serious attitude from previously to a more coquettish one.

"Oh my~ you need me~ why who am I to say no if you desire me so earnestly." Her flirtatious voice came through the other end as Ichigo appeared perplexed by her change of tone.

"Ah? Yes, I need you right now. Do come quickly, I don't know when these fallen will decide to get on the move again." Ichigo urged her.

"Oh, I'll be coming alright, do wait for me, see you in a bit~" the sound of her voice coming through the end had Ichigo remember one important detail he forgot to mention.

"Oh and be careful not to be detected by the barrier around-" a sudden beep as she hung up was all he heard as the call ended. "Hello! Hello!, you there? dammit." Pocketing his phone Ichigo hoped the young Kaslana would notice the barrier without tripping the alarm.

"I wonder if I should have just soloed this and rid myself of them afterwards…" a simple solution but one with unknown consequences.

"Now I wait."

---

It didn't take long for Kiana to arrive at the scene, and much to her credit, managed to bypass the barrier with no problem. Excellent.

Waving her over as he appeared in the open, not worried by the fallen who were sure of their barrier to ward off intruders. Especially this far out of town where not many if any people frequent the area. It would be their undoing very soon.

Landing on the ground. Kiana wore her signature white battle armor, Flamescion. While Ichigo decided to don his scale mail once more.

"Kiana good to see you."

"Hey Ichigo~ thanks for inviting me out for this. So what's the situation?" Kiana asked as she moved to the mission at hand.

"Well, the fallen are still cooped up in their hideout, that hasn't changed. I've taken the liberty of disabling some of the alarms and traps, not that they were that many to begin with, but it should be as easy as strolling in, smashing the door in and knocking them out if they resist." Ichigo explained.

"I like it, plain and simple. Though on the subject of the fallen, do you want me or you to do the interrogation here?" she suddenly asked.

"Hmm, well, I'm sure we both got our own questions, I'll go first, you can have them afterwards." Ichigo responded.

"Alright, I'll follow your lead, oh and nice armor, pretty cool." Kiana smiled as she gave him a once over.

"Thanks, it's a new development." Deciding to put the plan into motion, Ichigo and Kiana strolled right in. just as Ichigo had said, the security was abysmal on the inside, the traps that hadn't been disabled were but child's play to them. it was only 2 minutes in that they stood before the door, the two hiding their presences like phantoms as the Fallen muffled voices came through the door.

"On my mark" Ichigo ordered.

Nodding Kiana readied herself, not bothering to bring out her weapon as she only intended to knock them out. Her strength sufficient.

"1"

"2"

"3"

Crash*

The sound of the metal door caving in and violently launched through the air resounded as it knocked one of the fallen to the floor who had their back to it. Catching the others off guard as a huge armored figure and lithe woman came barreling through the entrance.

"INTRU-GUAaah!" the sound of bones cracking as a red armored fist crashed into the Fallen's face resounded as Ichigo knocked one of them out.

A male on his right attempted to summon a light spear before Kiana was suddenly on him as she brutally kicked him in the chest, sending him flying to the wall, cracking it as he slid down only to be kneed in the chin, knocking him out.

The sole female attempted to flee as she saw her companions fall one by one, but it was too late as Ichigo grabbed her by the wings, twisting them in his grasp as she let out a pained wail as he dislocated them. Whereupon he slammed her against the floor, cracking it as she suddenly went still.

The last one currently conscious was the Fallen who had been knocked down by the door, his attempts to catch his bearings as the situation currently happening was too fast for him to keep up. A sudden hand grasped him by the collar of his coat before punching him in the gut, causing the fallen to double over as he wheezed from the pain and loss of air. Right before being pushed against the wall rather forcefully, his head smacking against the concrete. Within his swimming vision, he saw a white armored hand suddenly move to slap him across the face, knocking one of his teeth out. The pain snapped him back to reality as he suddenly caught his bearings again.

"WHO ARE Y-" Another slap, another tooth.

"WHAT ARE Y-" Another tooth went flying.

"Why are y-" Another one.

"P-please Sto-" And another.

"I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING!" the fallen finally cried out as he shielded his face from Kiana ferocious slaps. Her hand only a couple inches away from another slap.

"Geez why didn't you say so sooner you old crow." Kiana grumbled.

"Y-you never asked us wh-." Another slap, another tooth.

"Was that back talk?" Kiana threatened, her hand ready for another slap.

"No! I would never! please spare me!" the Fallen cried out pitifully as he moved to shield his face which looked as red and inflated as a tomato from all the slaps Kiana inflicted on him.

"Good, much better, now we'll be asking you some questions, and if I so much as THINK you are lying to us." Kiana suddenly punched the wall next to the Fallen Angel, cratering it as dust and rock fell from the impact zone. Leaving the Fallen Angel trembling in fear.

"It will be your head next, am I clear." She threatened.

The Fallen simply nodded in fear.

"Good birdy." Kiana smiled coldly.

Approaching the Fallen Angel, Ichigo who stood at a towering height in his armor, along with his own infamy within the underworld had the Fallen feeling even more frightened than he already was. For good reason at that, The Red Dragon Emperor stood before him and he had lived long enough to not fuck with them.

"Alright, I'm going to ask you a couple of questions, and as my partner here already said, don't try to lie, I'll know, trust me. For your sake that is." Ichigo warned.

Nodding his head, Ichigo appeared pleased.

"Good. Now then, let's start with something simple. What is your mission here?" Ichigo began.

"I-Me and my team were recently assigned to Kuoh town after the previous team that was here failed to report back. We were ordered to investigate as well as scout the town." The Fallen Angel nervously explained.

"You were sent to look for the previous team? It's been roughly two months since they've been killed by an ultimate-class stray devil. That's the slowest response I've ever seen in my entire life." Ichigo didn't buy it.

The sound of cracking knuckles could be heard as Kiana frowned, making the Fallen gulp.

"I know it sounds ludicrous! but the Grigori has been dealing with internal issues for a while, it's only been as of recent events that things have begun to calm themselves." The fallen quickly spit out.

"Internal issues? What kind?" Ichigo followed up with his second question, intrigued by this information.

"I-I shouldn't say." The Fallen refused as he averted his eyes.

"Hmm, I don't quite think you understand the position you are in yet." Grasping the Fallen by his neck, Ichigo suddenly lifted him up to meet his eye level. Ichigo's green visor reflecting his frightened expression as he slowly choked the life out of him.

"I'll only give you one chance, Speak! Before I make you sing." The sound of choking gurgles resounded through the room as the Fallen violently bobbed his head in compliance.

"Good." Unceremoniously dropping him, the Fallen took in deep desperate breaths as he dragged himself against the wall. The interrogation continued.

"Now then, what is it that has the Grigori so distracted?" Ichigo resumed.

"Cough…the Grigori has suddenly gone through an internal conflict, recent tension between factions. One of our Cadres, lord Kokabiel has gone into hiding after attacking Governor General Azazel in the recent Cadre meeting. It left the Grigori paralyzed as his followers began to run amok as they covered his escape, with a fragment of the Grigori following behind as they fled to God knows where." The sudden reveal had Ichigo and Kiana widen their eyes in surprise at the sudden news.

"How did this happen?" Ichigo suddenly asked, pressing for more information as he got over his shock.

"I don't know the specifics, but as far as I've heard, Lord Kokabiel has suddenly gotten it into his head that restarting another Great War is a good idea, bloodthirsty bastard." The Fallen cursed. As Ichigo suddenly felt his blood run cold at the word "Great War."

"I'm sorry, did you just say one of your leaders plans to restart the Great War? Is he insane." Ichigo's fists clenched in agitation as he frowned heavily, memories of a different time flashing in his eyes.

"Heh. He might be indeed, then again, lord Kokabiel has always been known as a warmonger, his objections on the current ceasefire well known to all within and out of the Grigori. But, he has never gone far in garnering support to do anything, that is until now of course." The fallen scoffed.

"Roughly how many fled with him?" Kiana suddenly piped up from his side.

"Estimates put it at roughly a single Battalion." Now that sent warning signals into their heads.

"You just let a Battalion of Fallen Angels escape to the unknown with arguably the most Bloodthirsty Fallen angel known throughout history?" Kiana was in disbelief.

The Fallen shrugged.

"Ok, so the situation is terrible to put it mildly, but there is one thing I don't understand. Just how does starting a Great War benefit him? and more importantly, how would he even start it? Cause don't get me wrong, a Seraph level angel is dangerous, but compared to the likes of the current Lucifer, or the Heavenly Father for that matter, Kokabiel is very low on the power scale." Ichigo deduced as he tried to figure out the possible motives. He hadn't known Kokabiel personally, but his Brave Soul, Sanguinius had sent that crow fleeing as they liberated the Earth from the forces of the foul powers that governed it, occasionally aiding heavens army of Angels fight against the Fallen armies throughout the years of the Great War.

"I don't know about his motives or reasons, that's above my pay grade, but if I had a guess, delusions of grandeur perhaps? As for power, well, recent investigations into his activities had seen him practicing some pretty dark stuff." The Fallen explained.

"What kind of stuff?" Ichigo asked.

"The kind of shit that keeps one up at night, really ancient stuff that shouldn't be messed with. Black magic of the vilest evils, ritualistic sacrifices, communions with evil gods, the kind of brand that even the old Satan faction wouldn't touch." There was pause as brief dread filled his features.

"Daeva magic." At those words, sudden silence filled the room. So quiet it was that one would hear a pin drop as that single sentence left the Fallen Angels lips.

Even Kiana who usually wore a confident smile on her face looked gravely serious as she heard the word "Daeva" the word alone a curse on the Earth itself. In the long history of the Imperium, the word Deava also known as Daevites was mentioned multiple times, one of the greatest enemies of humanity, second only to the Adversary and his Horrors. A collection of slave races that had been corrupted and molded into the perfect apex predators, used as foot soldiers by the Adversary back during the Great War. They had formed an empire for themselves, where they worshipped the Adversary as their God, following the same practices of slaughter, war, and slavery to spread their empire.

Kiana had yet to ever face one, but she had heard stories from the senior officers that had lived during that time, she had seen the way they would stiffen, and speak in harsh whispers about the horrors they had seen committed by those monsters. Though luckily, the Daevites empire had been destroyed long ago, the Monarchs had seen to it during the ending stages of the Great war.

Ichigo on the other hand, had his eyes glowing a harsh gold as soon as the word "Deava" came out. Memories of time long past flashing in his mind as he had borne witness to the cruelty of those demons. Even the devils he fought against back during the dark age of mankind didn't inspire as much revulsion in him as the Daevites did. No amount of evil was off limits to them. every bit as vile as the fiend they worshipped as a god.

They were a blight that had to be crushed under heel.

"…I see." Crossing his arms, Ichigo only stared at the wall, lost in thought.

The Fallen angel shuffled uncomfortably on the ground as he watched their demeanor turn cold instantly, but thought it best to remain silent.

"Sigh…alright, one last question, whose side are you on?" The question came out with a deadly edge that had the Fallen angel shuddering from the bloodlust that came out of it, Even Kiana appeared surprised by his sudden demeanor.

"I-I'm on Governor General Azazel side. As I said earlier, only a small part of the Grigori actually followed Lord Kokabiel. The rest of us have since been trying to locate his whereabouts, be it in the underworld or human world which are the only two places he can realistically be hiding in. We're very much stretched thin as we are." The Fallen replied hurriedly, seeing that Ichigo was a step away from killing him on the spot.

"…"

Ichigo gave the Fallen a long and hard look before receding his bloodthirsty aura, letting the Fallen breathe again as cold sweat formed on his brow.

"You speak truth, very well, that will be all from me." Stepping back, Ichigo turned to face Kiana who appeared concerned for him.

"Did you need to ask him anything yourself Kiana?" Ichigo suddenly asked, cutting off the words she was about to say.

"I-No. I believe we got enough out of him to submit a report on the matter, and I doubt the rest of these sleeping beauties will know anything new." She shook her head, getting back to business.

"Very well, I guess it is time to clean up here." At those words the Angel suddenly grew rigid as he began to shake.

"H-hey what do you mean by that." He asked with nervousness in his voice.

"You've served your purpose, we no longer have a need for you." Ichigo said as he began to approach the Fallen.

"W-Wait a minute! I told you everything I know! you don't have to do this!" The Fallen Angel cried out in panic.

"You've seen her face, I can't have your loose lips giving us trouble in the future if the Grigori decides to get involved." Ichigo coldly said as he began to move his arm towards the Fallen.

"I won't speak a word of it! Nobody will ever know what happened here, I promise!" The Fallen was desperate.

"That's right, nobody will ever know." Ichigo dispassionately said as he hovered his finger over the Fallen Angel terrified expression.

"It will be like we never met." With those words, a sudden flash of light impacted the Fallen before he slumped into blissful unconsciousness.

Straightening himself up, Ichigo deactivated his armor as he no longer needed it active.

Walking past Ichigo, Kiana kneeled down as she checked the Fallen for signs of life.

"You knocked him out?" Kiana questioned. Appearing confused for a moment as she truly thought Ichigo had killed the Fallen just moments ago.

"A simple spell to alter their memories of the past day, they'll be fine come the morning, well aching and confused but unaware of who was responsible, they will probably leave back to the Grigori, though I doubt they will report the incident. They seem the type to want to save face, they'll come up with an excuse to their situation." Ichigo explained as he walked over to the rest of the Fallen and used the same spell to alter their memories of the last few hours.

"I see, you really thought this through, for a second there I though you were going to kill him. Not that I'd have a problem with it as Fallen Angels tend to be petty as hell. Anyways, you really have a knack for this Ichigo, you were so badass like, even I got chills for a moment." Kiana grinned as she complimented him.

"Is that so? I don't think I was acting any differently." Ichigo mused.

"Could have fooled me, you kind of reminded me of my gramps, he tends to be cold like that, sends chills down my back whenever I spar with him." Kiana grinned as she shivered in a mocking display.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Ichigo smiled in mild amusement.

Seeing that Ichigo was done wiping their memories of the events, the two quietly exited the room, leaving the four Fallen Angels behind, they'll probably awaken in a few hours after the two were long gone.

Walking side by side through the dark corridors, with only the Moonlight seeping through the windows to guide the path, Kiana couldn't help but start up a conversation. "Hey, Ichigo, whatever the Fallen said back there, I just want to let you know that you don't have to worry about it alright. You should simply focus on living your life like a normal human, leave the complicated stuff to us." Kiana suddenly said, surprising Ichigo for a moment.

"What brought this on?" Ichigo asked, curious as to why she would say that so suddenly.

"It's just, I noticed you appeared bothered by the Fallen Angel's words, though I doubt much of it made sense to you, just know that Kuoh is protected, Earth is protected. So long as the enemies of mankind exist, so too will the Fire Moth organization, so rest easy alright, live the life you want to live. At least until you join us on your own accord." Kiana gave him an encouraging smile as she winked at him.

"…"

Ichigo was speechless for a moment. He hadn't thought she would notice that the words the Fallen spoke would trouble him greatly. He would be lying if he said that he had kept his cool, he had been ready to lash out, be it from the sheer anger he felt at the idea of the Deavites somehow being involved to the stress of having to deal with a sudden incursion of Fallen Angels in the future. He already had enough on his plate as is, and all these troubling events were leaving him no room to breathe.

Yet…

Walking out of the old building, Ichigo suddenly stopped as he turned to face Kiana, her smile still there as she awaited his response.

Kiana widened her eyes suddenly as she felt strong firm arms circle around her back. Her body being pressed firmly against Ichigo as he embraced her gently. A blush suddenly formed on her face at the unexpected action.

"I-Ichigo?" Her flustered voice called out to him as he simply remained holding her gently. Her chin resting against his shoulder as she had her arms pressed firmly against his chest. Trying to create some distance.

"Thank you, Kiana." His husky voice called out her name, sounding so sweet to her ears.

"For what?" she asked nervously, stopping her slight resistance.

"For reminding me that I'm not alone, that I can trust others to pick up the sword when I can't. It means a lot." His words though confusing for her, she could tell that he was complimenting her. Deciding to play along, she circled her arms as she leaned in to his touch, embracing him in return.

"I don't know what you're going through exactly, but, if you ever need anything, don't be afraid to call me. I'll come running as fast as I can, and if not me, well, I'm sure Mei and Bronya will make great company too. So, what I'm trying to say is, we'll be there for you, as long as you'll have us." Her voice whispered gently into his ear, making Ichigo smile at her words as a memory of a certain Kaslana crossed his mind.

"Loyal to a fault, just like him." Ichigo mumbled under his breath as he closed his eyes, enjoying her presence.

"Did you say something?" Kiana asked.

"Never change Kiana, never change." Ichigo laughed.

"Of course, with this winning personality how could I." She laughed in return at his words.

Silence returned as the two stayed like that for a moment.

"I'm sorry." Ichigo began, breaking the silence.

"What for?" Kiana asked.

"For suddenly hugging you like this. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." Ichigo apologized.

"I never said I hated it." Kiana muttered from her place on his shoulder.

"I'll stop if you want me to." Ichigo proposed.

"Do you want to?" she questioned him.

"…"

"Thought so." She grinned.

"Sigh…Let me stay like this, Just a little longer." His hands pressed her lithe body against his firm frame, her warmth soothing to his tired soul.

"Take as long as you need, I'm not going anywhere~" Closing her eyes, she leaned her head, resting it against his shoulder as a smile played on her face.

Like that, under the cover of night, the two remained embracing each other. One filled with a heavy burden, the other a comforting presence to remind him of what he fights for.

---

Author Note.

Hey guys, hows it going. I'm doing well thanks for asking.

Anyways i managed to get the Chapter done much faster this time, i have decided to take a break from gaming, and now that my summer class is over i can focus on the story before having to go back again. My goal being to write one more chapter before Fall semester.

Now, I don't have much to say that i haven't explained in the chapter but lets go through a quick rundown.

Ichigo will use the Old City of Silbern as his grand stage for his coronation.

Ichigo intends to free Draig from his cage that is the boosted gear.

The fire Moth organization is on alert as the highest ranking Officer, Jugram makes his appearance to speak with the trio on how to solve the problem.

The Fallen being in disarray as an unexpected Betrayal comes to light. Just what is kokabiel up to as the grigori search for him.

And most importantly, Ichigo and Kiana sharing a moment. Smirk*

Well, that is all from me today folks.

I hope you all have an awesome day.

Till next time.

Peace.