Chapter 59

We made it through the containment facility. Then we came across another one. I was beginning to wonder how long this would take. We were not even halfway down. Then I started to shiver from the cold.

"You cold, Little Shrimpy?" Floyd said with a frown. "Do you want my jacket?"

I shook my head. "Thanks, but I'll be fine."

"We're quite a ways down from the entrance, and it's only getting colder," said Vil.

"There's an updraft coming from beneath us," said Rook.

"It is kinda chilly even with my dorm uniform on..." said Epel.

I glanced at Rook. "I probably would've froze by now if I hadn't borrowed one of your dorm uniforms."

"Our uniforms aren't just resistant to the cold," said Rook. "They're also highly resistant to magic. If you weren't wearing one, the blot would've affected you by now. And doesn't it have a beautiful design? It looks most magnifique on you, Ona."

I gave him a small smile. "Thanks. I do think it's nice."

"Part of our uniform's distinct style is the hanging sleeves made with copious amounts of fabric. They flutter beautifully with every motion. With such voluminous sleeves, you would have no trouble warming a chilly friend. Don't worry - we'll find Grim. Let us have faith in that and press forward."

I nodded. "Yes, I hope Grim is faring well." Suddenly, the ground began to shake. I held onto Floyd to steady myself. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close to him.

"An earthquake?!" Vil exclaimed.

"Aah!" Epel cried. "I'm gonna fall off the stairs!"

"This is no earthquake!" Rook shouted. "It's..." Suddenly, a huge phantom made of stone appeared, towering over us. I hid behind Floyd as everyone tried to fight it off.

"What in tarnation is that mountainous rock monster?!" Epel said when there was a pause in the battle. He and the others were panting heavily.

"Could that be one of the original Phantoms?!" said Vil.

"It matches the description the staff in the control room gave us," said Rook. "I believe this is the stone Phantom - the Earth Titan!"

"I'll slow it down." Vil raised his pen. "O ice, freeze that monster's feet to the ground! Hah!"

"GWAAARGH!" the titan boomed.

"Dang..." said Epel. "It shook off Vil's spell like it was nothin'!"

"JUUUPITEEER! WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"Rgh... We'd better retreat!" said Vil. "The map says the Thunder Spear hangar's just up ahead!"

"Oui!" said Rook. "I shall cover the rear. Everyone, to the hangar!"

"Come on!" Floyd said, pulling my arm so I could keep up with him as we ran.

"There it is now!" Vil shouted, pointing ahead.

"Rook, hurry up!" Epel called back. Finally, we reached the hangar. We ran inside and shut the door behind us. The titan immediately started to try to break in. "The door's shaking somethin' fierce... Is the Titan ramming into it?! Aw, crud! It's gonna break it down!"

"Where is the Thunder Spear?" Rook said, looking around.

"I'm looking!" said Vil. He held up the map. "Let's see, there's a control panel on the wall at A-16..."

"I heard something open."

I looked around the room and then pointed to a wall. "Something's glowing in there!" We all rushed forward. Floyd got there first and opened the container. We all gathered around and stared in awe at the giant, glowing, golden spear.

"Gosh..." Epel murmured.

"So this is it..." said Vil. "The Thunder Spear!"

"That thing's taller than Vil! How're we supposed to use a spear that big?"

"GWAAARGH!" the titan cried from behind the door. "COME OOOUT!"

"No time to puzzle it out," said Vil. "Let's just activate it!" He quickly touched the spear to activate it.

"Code: Titanomachia," said the navi. "Critical outbreak level A emergency recognized. All technomantic circuits released. Charge level at 100%. Activating Thunder Spear."

"Gracious..." said Rook. "The amount of power it exudes... I'm getting goosebumps!"

"Please register user's fingerprints. Place your hand on the panel."

"Vil, hurry!" said Epel. "The door ain't gonna hold much longer!"

"I'm well aware!" said Vil.

"User registration complete," said the navi. "Safe lock released. Activating targeting support mode."

Vil groaned as he tried to lift the spear. "It's heavy! I'll have to levitate it with magic."

"WHERE ARE THE HUMANS?!" the titan bellowed. "GWAAARGH!" I jumped and clung to Floyd when it broke down the door.

"The Titan's in the hangar!" Rook shouted.

"Argh! I'm trying to control this thing with magic, but it's too powerful," Vil said. "I can't get it steady!"

"I'll help!" Floyd said. He stood behind Vil and took hold of the back part of the spear. Still, it did not look like enough.

"Thanks. Epel, Ona, you two help as well, and I will hold it in place. Rook, you aim it!" Epel and I got in between Vil and Floyd to help hold up the spear.

"Oui!" said Rook. "A hunter could ill afford to disappoint in that regard. Let the Titan hunt begin!" He aimed the spear at the titan. I felt the spear jolt as it shot at the monster.

"GAAAH!" The titan cried. It stumbled back until it fell down the deep hole.

"Got 'em!" Epel cheered. "We knocked that Titan clear into the pit!"

"We... won?" Vil said in astonishment. "We actually won?"

"We most certainly did!" said Rook.

"ALL RIGHT!" we all cheered. I felt tired from holding the spear but satisfied.

"Thunder Spear battery low," said the navi. "10% charge remaining. Please place in charging station."

"One use and its battery is spent?" said Vil. "Not very energy efficient, I see."

"That bites," said Floyd.

"Considering the power of the blast, that's to be expected," said Rook.

"We can't be sure where the next charging station will be," Vil said. "Best to stay here and top it off before we go." He plugged it into the charger.

"Oh, a timer's popped up. I believe it's showing the time to full charge."

"Four hours, huh?" said Floyd.

"Argh, but we're in a hurry here!" said Epel.

"I should point out that we did not seem to land a decisive blow on the Titan," said Rook. "I doubt that was enough to slay it."

"I was just thinking the same thing," said Vil. "As that one technician said... We don't stand a change against the Titans without the Thunder Spears. Waiting hours for it to charge is frustrating, but it's too risky to proceed without it. We're exhausted from our battles as it is. I say we rest until it's finished."

"I'd like to check in with the other teams on our transceiver as well." A loud rumbling sound made us all alert.

"What was that? Another Phantom?"

Epel smiled sheepishly. "Uh... That was me. Sorry."

Vil looked at him in shock. "What?! How could someone's stomach make such a noise?! I thought the Titan had come back!"

"Sorry about that, sir... Heh heh heh." A moment later, Rook started laughing along with him. Then Floyd and I joined in.

"What's with the giggle fit?"

"Oh, it's nothing," said Rook. "I was just thinking that no matter what, you're always so... you. It appears they store food in this hangar as well. Why don't we borrow some to appease the Titan in Epel's stomach?"

"I'll agree to that!" said Floyd.

"Thunder Spear fully charged," the navi said, causing me to jolt awake. "All technomantic circuits operating as normal." I tried to stand up but Floyd's arms around me prevented me from moving.

"Looks like the spear's ready to go," said Vil.

"Now that we've had ample opportunity to rest, let us make haste and continue on," said Rook.

"Floyd, it's time to go," I said, gently nudging him.

"Five four minutes," Floyd grumbled without opening his eyes.

I poked him hard. "We have to save the world."

"Fine." Floyd released me and yawned loudly. He stood when I did.

"We'll be facing even stronger Phantoms up ahead, and possibly that Titan again," Epel said. "Using magic really works up an appetite, so we should bring plenty of food for the road!"

"You can't fight on an empty stomach," I agreed.

"True," said Rook. "It's always wise to be prepared."

"According to the map, there's another supply hangar two sectors down," Vil said. "Remember that we still have to carry the spear, so don't get too greedy when loading up on supplies."

"Okaaay..." Epel grumbled.

Soon, we continued on our way. We found more containment facilities on our way down, but we got through each of them. The action picked up when the titan returned and tried to break down the door of the last containment facility.

"I'll activate the Thunder Spear!" Vil declared.

"User confirmed," said the navi. "All technomantic circuits and safety locks released. Activating targeting support mode."

"The door's about to go!" Epel cried.

"That Titan took a direct hit from the Thunder Spear, yet it appears right as rain," Rook said. "What incredible power..."

'They've been stuck in a freezer for over a thousand years," Vil said. "Their thirst for destruction must be overwhelming."

"It's breached the door!" Epel said just as the titan crashed into the room. Floyd glared at it and pushed me behind him.

"GRAAAH!" the titan roared.

"Come!" Vil said to the titan. "If it's destruction you want, then I'll give it to you!" Another battle ensued, ending with Vil using the Thunder Spear once again. We were all out of breath by the time the titan went down, falling down the hole.

"Thunder Spear battery low," the navi said. "10% charge remaining. Please place in charging station."

"We must've gotten it this time, right?" I said hopefully.

"It's hard to say," Floyd said with a shrug.

"I'm drained, both physically and magically," said Vil. "I can't move another step..." He started to sway on his feet.

"Never thought Ah'd hear Vil complain 'bout exercisin'..." said Epel. "Then again, Ah ain't any better off."

"We just need to stick it out a little longer," said Rook. "The map says there's a hangar with a charging station nearby. Vil, can you stand? Do you require a shoulder to lean on?"

"Hmph. Not from someone who's injured," Vil said.

"Yeah, we gotta get Rook patched up too," said Epel. "Let's hustle to the hangar."

"I'm not as hurt," Floyd said. "Lean on me." Vil allowed him to help him, and we all made our way to the hangar. Once inside, we could relax.

"I'd like to believe that blast finished the Titan off..." Vil said. "But we should charge the Thunder Spear just to be safe. We don't have time to wait for it to fully charge, though. We'll leave when it's about half done."

Epel looked around the room. "Oh, there's a first-aid potion set here! Lemme see your arm, Rook."

"Thank you, Monsieur Pommette," Rook said as Epel approached him with the kit. "Though I should point out that you, Vil, Floyd, and Ona are banged up as well."

"I'm fine," I said.

"Me too," said Floyd.

Vil looked down at himself and groaned. "Ugh. I'm absolutely filthy. My outfit's all ripped, and my hair's gone frizzy... I just want to get out of here and have a nice, hot soak with my favorite bath salts. And once I'm done, I'll slather myself with all those products you brought me. Doing such things was normal for me until a matter of days ago. Now it all feels like a dream. You know, this thing with Idia and Ortho... Maybe they just want a normal life like ours. One where they can have friends over to play video games and talk about their future aspirations while gazing at the stars... A modest, ordinary life."

Epel and Rook exchanged glances. "I suppose so," I murmured.

"But reality is never so kind to any of us. I'm going to crush their little dream for my own sake. And by the same token, they can fight their hardest to destroy ours. In the shadow of one person's happy ending, another cries. But no matter whose tears are shed, it's never... personal..." Vil leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Zzz..."

"Vil nodded off," Epel said quietly.

"Let him sleep," said Rook. "He could use it after all the fighting. Epel, Floyd, and Ona... you should rest as well. We'll be in the Underworld soon... and facing our battle against Idia and Ortho. We must recover what little energy we can."

"Thank you," I said. Floyd pulled me down to sit next to him.

"Yessir..." Epel said before yawning.

"Normal, huh..." Rook muttered.

"He's wrong, you know," I said as I snuggled against Floyd.

"Who?" Floyd said quietly.

"Vil. It's not about pitting one person's dreams against another's. There is right, and there is wrong. The means don't justify the ends. Our ends aren't better than Ortho and Idia's, but are means are superior because they're moral. This is about doing what's right."

"Yes, that is another way to put it."

"But that's not the end of it. I believe everyone's valid goals can be achieved with valid means. We don't need to destroy Idia and Orho's dreams entirely... just their methods. There must be a way for them to get what they want morally."

Floyd chuckled, causing me to look up at him. He smiled down at me with amusement and something. "I see, this is what Jade was talking about."

"Huh?"

"Jade says that you're not afraid to stand against people when their wrong, but you still want to help them. He believes you have a talent for helping everyone get what they truly want and bringing harmony to a group."

I smiled softly as a warm feeling filled me. "He understands me well."

Floyd smiled back at me. "He does. He's impressed with you. And I am too. He believe you can do great things."

My heart melted a bit at his words. "That's why I love you guys." I snuggled against him more, nuzzling my face into his chest.

Floyd wrapped his arms around me and held me to him tightly. "We love you too." With that beautiful sentiment in mind, I drifted off to sleep.

I awoke to a loud sound and the ground shaking. I groaned as I stood up. "What was that?!" said Vil.

"I don't know," said Rook. "We should go find out."

"How charged is the Thunder Spear?"

Rook approached the Thunder Spear and pressed a button. "Battery 30% charged."

"Oh no, it's not even halfway done!" Epel cried.

"It is what it is," said Vil. "Not the ideal scenario, but we'll take what we can get. Now let's move!"

"Come on," Floyd said, holding my hand as we exited the room.

"What in the world?!" Vil exclaimed.

"Look at all these black crystals..." I murmured.

"Rgh... The miasma's so thick here. I wonder if they've opened the Underworld gate?"

"Vil, we're getting a call on the transceiver!" Rook said.

Vil held up the transceiver and spoke into it. "Vil in Tower 1 speaking. Over."

"Leona here in Tower 2," Leona's voice said through the object.

"Riddle Rosehearts in Tower 3. Over," said Riddle's voice.

"Oh, great, you're all on the line!" said a voice I did not recognize. "This is control."

"What's going on?" said Vil. "Over."

"The Underworld gate has started to open. Blot concentration is getting even higher. It's extremely dangerous for you all to be at the bottom of Tartarus. You need to get out of there, now!"

"I'm sorry, what?! You expect us to just turn around and run back up the stairs? It took HOURS to get down here!"

"I'm not just going to give up," Floyd said in annoyance.

"It was a rush job, but we managed to wrest a few Chariots from Ortho's control," said control. "We're sending three of them to you now. Go on and get in when they get there!"

"Hah," said Leona. "Leave it to the world's nerdiest nerds."

"I'm gonna take that as a compliment. We have to stop the Phantoms and the rising blot levels... So, we're trying to manually shut the emergency hatches in sectors one and six of Tartarus. We'll seal them as soon as you guys leave. You have to get out of there ASAP!"

I looked up as the chariot arrived. "Ah," I mumbled. I felt uneasy about leaving just like Floyd.

"Look!" said Epel. "There's the Chariot!"

"Everyone, get in!" said Vil. "Now!"

"...What's this?" Riddle said over the transceiver before anyone could move.

"What's wrong, Riddle?"

"Look down below! Something's coming through the Underworld gate!"

I peeked over the edge and gasped. "He's right!"

"I see it crawling out!" said Rook.

"Is it a Phantom?" said Vil. "Wait, no! It's... IDIA!" I watched Idia appeared before us. He looked very different in a familiar way.

"That's right..." said Idia. "IT'S ME!"

"That form..." said Vil. "Don't tell me..."

"Waddaya think? Pretty slick, right? Oh man, I feel AMAZING! I never knew overblotting was such a RUSH! Well, guess what: I've joined the ranks of the SSR Epic Troublemakers! AHAHAHAHAHA!"

"More miasma is rising up from the gate!" said Rook. "Goodness, it's dense..." He started coughing.

"Oh yeah, that's probably pretty debilitating for you guys. But when you overblot, all blot-based debuffs turn into buffs. So, while it's doing a number on you, I'm gettin' sweet attack bugs. NGL, you don't stand a chance. RIP! Now it's time to kick things off. Game, set, match... Gate to the Underworld."

"The gate's opening wider!" Vil exclaimed. "That spell... Does Idia's signature spell open the Underworld gate?!"

"Hey, guys!" said a familiar voice. "I'm back!" Then a strange creature appeared.

"Wh... What in the blue blazes is THAT?!" Epel shouted.

"I'm guessing it's Idia's Phantom, since it joined with the blot oozing from him," said Vil. "But it said 'I'm back.' And its voice is oddly familiar..."

"Hold on..." I muttered.

"Aw, you can't tell?" said the creature. "It's me! Ortho!"

"I thought so."

"Wait, what?!" Vil said in surprise.

"What do you think?" Ortho said cheerfully. "I've gotten bigger, huh? All the friends I made in the Underworld helped make me extra big! Turns out the curse I have is actually a blessing that empowers me. The Underworld's filled with blot. So, I kept absorbing it and burning brighter... Until finally, I became the Underworld itself!"

Then the phantoms in his body began to speak: "AAH... FINALLY OUT... WARM... SO WARM... HOW LONG... I'VE WAITED... FOR THIS MOMENT..."

"So, a bunch of Phantoms fused together into one giant form?!" Rook said, taken aback.

"Unbelievable," said Vil. "You're telling me that sinister monster is Ortho?"

"Wait, hold up..." said Epel. "Look! On Ortho's shoulder!" I gasped when I saw Grim attached to Ortho.

"Rrr..." Grim muttered. "Stones... Black stones..."

"Grim, what are you doing there?" I shouted.

"Don't worry," said Floyd. "We'll save him."

"My word," said Rook. "I was not expecting him to get lost in the Underworld and overtaken by Ortho!"

"We gotta get him outta that thing..." said Epel. "But how?!"

"How else?" said Vil. "We have to stop them here and now. Otherwise we'll never get Grim back, and we can kiss our lives as we know them goodbye!"

"Tech! Even more Phantoms are comin' outta the Underworld now," Leona said over the transceiver. I looked down and noticed he was right.

"This is bad," said control. "Most of the staff who are closing the emergency hatches are noncombatants. They won't stand a chance against a wave of Phantoms!"

"Oh no!" Rook cried. "We have to do something!"

"Vil," said Riddle. "Leona. Take your Chariots and rescue them! Azul and I will keep Idia and Ortho busy for as long as we can!"

"Rgh... I think that's our only option," said Vil. "Leona! You go to sector six! I'll head to sector one."

"Ugh, what a pain," said Leona. "Why can't they just hide like good little impalas? Givin' me all this extra work."

"Riddle!" said Vil. "Azul! We're counting on you!"

We finally entered the chariot and took off. We arrived in time to help the Styx staff fight off the phantoms. We also plugged in the Thunder Spear to charge it. Throughout the battles that ensued, we learned that Azul's team along with Leona's had not managed to finish off Idia and Ortho. That meant it was our turn.

"They've started climbing up the wall again!" I said as I peered over the edge.

"The Thunder Spear's 80 percent charged!" said a Styx staff member.

"Rgh... We redirected all the technomantic energy we had, but we still couldn't reach 100 percent!" said another staff.

"This is more than enough," said Vil. "Thank you."

"There will be a battle here shortly," said Rook. "You all must flee to safety!"

"...All right," said the first staff member. "You all stay safe."

Vil turned to our group, and we all circled around. "Let's review our objectives. First - get the Phantomized Ortho away from Idia and break him out of his overblot. Next, rescue Grim. Then we send the Phantoms that fused with Ortho back down into the Underworld. And lastly - restore the Cerberus Syste, and reseal Tartarus and the Underworld."

"...We're gonna be fine," said Epel. "We managed to get Vil back to normal after he overblotted, and we still performed at SDC. We can handle this too!"

"Heh. Well spoken for a spudling."

"Yeah, we've got this!" said Floyd.

"I expect no less from Monsieur Pommette," said Rook. "Our preparations are in order then." He turned to the staff members. "Control, is there any hope of restoring Cerberus on your end?"

"...Not much of one," said the second staff member. "The Cerberus System controls Tartarus and the Underworld. It normally uses DNA authentication from a member of the Shroud family to shut down and reboot. But a Shroud started this whole mess. We've repeatedly tried to use the control codes we have in case of an emergency... But Ortho's overridden them all. The system's not accepting any commands from the outside. Believe me, we've been trying everything we could think of."

"Then all we can do is make them clean up their own mess," said Vil. "All tight. Leave Idia and Ortho to us."

"...Understood. We'll keep doing what we can on this end."

"Do you think Idia will do as we say once he's back to normal?" Epel asked with worry.

"If he doesn't, we'll just make him - the Night Raven College way," said Vil.

Epel blinked. "What way is that?"

Vil smirked. "Have you forgotten what happened on the day of your orientation, spudling? At Night Raven College, the rule is that the weak obey the strong. Losers don't get to have a say. If we win, Idia will have to do what we want whether he likes it or not."

"Ahh, the law of the jungle," said Rook. "Our school's traditions are so beautifully straightforward."

Epel peered down the hole. "...Here they come! I'll drive the Chariot. You guys focus on offense."

"You wish to drive, Epel?" said Rook. "Are you certain you can handle it?"

"Heh heh. I drive the farm buggies back home when we need to haul stuff around. I'm used to driving things with no roof! C'mon, everybody. Hop in!"

"All right, listen up," said Vil. "We're the last line of defense."

"Oui," said Rook. "If we wish to return to our normal lives, this is one battle we cannot lose."

"And we're the only ones who can save Grim," said Epel. "Keep yer chin up, Ona."

I nodded. "Yeah, we'll be fine."

"Of course we will," said Floyd. We all gathered into the chariot again and flew out to meet Idia and Ortho.

"Man... You guys are real stubborn, huh," Idia said when he saw us. "We're so close to getting out... We can't drop the ball at the eleventh hour! Why do you guys have to constantly stand in our way? Are you wannabe heroes or something? Talk about cringe!"

"You know, I've always wanted to be cast as a hero, just once," said Vil. "But there are no heroes or villains here. You and I are just classmates who are both fighting to have our own way. And whoever's left standing wins the right to make their dreams come true. Come, let's give this everything we have. This time, I'll be the one who stays on stage till the very end!"

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Good luck, you guys." My heart raced as I watched them battle it out. It was a tough one, but eventually, my friends came through. Finally, I could breathe easy.

"We were... so... close..." Ortho wailed.

"Guh... Ortho!" Idia cried.

"Ah!" said Rook. "Ortho's body is falling apart!"

"Ah'm gettin' as close as Ah can!" said Epel. "Ona, grab Grim and pull him outta there!"

I reached out over the side of the chariot and tried to grab Grim. I shouted out to him, "GRIIIM!"

I saw his eyes opened, and he muttered, "Urgh... That voice... My hench-human..." I stretched my hand as hard as I could, but I was unable to reach him.

"Idy..." Ortho said as he fell. "I guess I never got to be... your hero..."

"Ortho..." said Idia. "I'm not leaving you this time." Then he started to fall as well.

"Idy..."

"No!" Vil shouted. "Idia and Grim are about to fall into the Underworld with Ortho! You're not going anywhere!" He started to climb out of the chariot.

Rook and Epel exchanged horrified looks. "Vil?!" Epel exclaimed. "What in tarnation are you doin'?! Don't tell me..."

"Wait! VIIIL!" Rook cried, but Vil paid him no heed and he jumped out of the chariot.

"And he's gone," said Floyd.

"He's got to know what he's doing, right?" I said nervously. My friends did not respond. Epel landed the chariot, and we all got out. Then the other two teams arrived. As Azul told us before, Riddle was passed out, and his hair was white since the Underworld stole life. I wondered what that meant for Vil. We could only wait. We all stood around, looking at each other awkwardly. Finally, Jamil stepped forward.

"Ona," he said with his usual tone, "can we talk?"

I tensed up and looked away from him. Floyd placed a hand on my shoulder and glared at Jamil. Azul stood in front of me, blocking me from Jamil's view. "I will not allow you to talk with her," he said firmly.

"This is none of your business," Jamil said harshly.

"Ona is family to me. It is my business." I smiled to myself as I heard Azul's words. I lightly touched his back to let him know I appreciated his support.

"I simply want to apologize for earlier."

"Have you realized where you went wrong? Are you going to change your behavior?"

"There is nothing to change. I am sorry for being so harsh, but I meant what I said. I have no interest in what she has to offer. I don't need her friendship. I am not weak."

Azul was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke in an icy tone. "Do you know the difference between us? I am not afraid to accept a free gift, and I understand the value of a mutually beneficial relationship. You are the one who is weak... and a fool."

Jamil had no response to this. Azul turned around to face me. I smiled at him before giving him a hug, which he surprisingly accepted. We broke apart when Floyd said loudly, "Hey, look at that!"

We all turned to see Vil returning with a knocked out Idia and Grim, except... he was an old man! I could not worry about him or Grim at the moment, however. My instincts propelled me forward to Idia. I dropped to my knees and touched his shoulder. Like all the other times, I could hear his thoughts.

"My life's been set in stone since before I was born," I heard Idia say. "The Watchman of the Island of Woe. That's what I'm gonna be. People born into the Shroud family possess a blood curse that burns blot. And they have a signature spell that opens and closes the gate to the Underworld. 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' If I were a normal kid, I bet someone would've asked me that. Would it kill someone to ask me just once?" I saw a vision of a young Idia and Ortho wanting to go on a real adventure. They planned to sneak out.

"It was simple curiosity. I just wanted a little adventure. I never imagined... the horror that would follow." I saw another vision. On their adventure, a phantom escaped, and Ortho died. My heart clenched as I felt Idia's pain. "Everything after that is a blank for me. By the time I woke up, Ortho was gone." I saw Idia get an idea. He made a robot modeled after Ortho.

"Where did I go wrong? Maybe if I hadn't tried to go on an adventure... Or maybe if I'd never wished to be a hero... Maybe if I'd never been born into this family at all... If only... If only we'd been part of a normal family... We could play games with friends. Go on adventures. Talk about our future dreams. And maybe one day... I could've become a real hero. How did it end up this way? I just... We just... We just wanted to be like everyone else."

My heart went out to Idia. I let him feel my compassion. I searched for something to say to him, but before I could even begin, someone else spoke: "Idy." I recognized the voice.

"...Ortho?" said Idia.

"Thanks for coming after me," said Ortho. "I'm really happy you did. But you shouldn't come here yet."

"But... why? I'm going with you. I promised, remember?"

"I know you did. But now's not the time. You want to read the next chapter of your manga, go to idol concerts, and play all the latest video games... You love this world too much to give up on all of it."

"WUT. Who would ever love this world?! It's a dump! I don't need all its stupid garbage!"

"It's okay that it's stupid. You still don't have to give up on everything. You have a future. And you know what? I want you to get to live the dream we shared that day."

"The dream we shared...?"

"It'll be a long road, and I'm sure it's gonna wear you down... Idy... Idia. I know you. I know you can achieve anything you put your mind to. No matter how far away that dream may seem, I know you'll reach it. It's okay. I'll always be with you. So don't give up, okay?"

"Ortho... Wait! ORTHOOO!"

"IDIA!" Vil shouted. Startled, I removed my hand form Idia and backed away.

Idia stirred awake and slowly stood up. He looked around at us in confusion. "Huh?!"

"You're finally awake. Go on, then - get the Cerberus System back online."

"What happened...? Wait, where's Ortho?" Idia looked around frantically.

Vil appeared solemn. "...I'm afraid I couldn't save him. It was all I could do to pull you and Grim out when you fell into the Underworld."

Idia finally turned to Vil an appeared taken aback by his appearance. "BWHA?! Who are YOU?!"

Vil frowned. "Rude much? It's me, of course. Vil Schoenheit. Don't you see the tiara I'm wearing? You know, the symbol of the Pomefiore housewarden?"

Idia's eyes widened in shock. "Wh... Huh? But you're all shriveled."

Vil seemed to take offense to this. "Excuse you! I prefer 'radiating history and tradition.'"

"Vil dove after you guys into the Underworld," Epel explained. "That's why he looks like that."

Idia still appeared shocked. "You actually followed me down there? That was stupid reckless..."

"Idia, it's YOUR job to close the Underworld gate and get the Cerberus System running again," Vil said. "That's why I brought you back out."

"Man, Vil... Your face used to look like CG, and now it's all wrinkly. Your back's stooped, and your hair's scraggly..."

"Hmph. What of it? Even though I'm grimy, withered, and emaciated... At this exact moment, I am the fairest one of all."

I smiled at him. "That's right." He looked like a hero to me.

"Oh, Vil..." Rook murmured.

"I'm waiting, Idia," Vil said sternly. "You made this mess. Now clean it up."

Idia sighed. "...Fine. We lost, fair and square. ... Game, set, match... Gate to the Underworld."

"The gate's closing," said Rook.

"When I followed you into the Underworld..." Vil said. "You and Grim came free of Ortho's crumbling form. That's how I got you both out."

"'You shouldn't come here yet,'" huh...," Idia said to himself. "...I'll see you again someday, Ortho."

"At least things'll finally calm down now," said Leona. "Sheesh..."

"No kidding," said Jamil. "That should stop all the blot coming up from the Underworld. That just leaves..."

"Quickly, Idia," said Vil. "Get the Cerberus System - hrk..." He stumbled but caught himself.

"Vil!" Rook and Epel cried.

"Oh, relax. I just slipped. I lost a ton of muscle in my legs, so my boots are loose."

"You've exhausted your stamina and magic so much that it has altered your appearance," Azul said. "You need to rest and see a medical mage ASAP."

"..You're no better off, Azul," said Riddle as he struggled to his feet.

"Ah, Riddle. Finally awake, I see."

"Yeah... Still lightheaded, though. I can't believe I embarrassed myself like that in front of you all... How mortifying."

"Actually, is Grim awake yet?" said Vil.

I immediately rushed to Grim's side. I placed my hand on his stomach. Then I looked up, feeling a little panicked. "He's not breathing!"

"Grim was in the Underworld far longer than any of us. I'm not surprised he's been hit harder."

"Hm... May I examine him, please?" said Rook.

"O-Okay," I said. I gently picked up Grim and handed him to Rook, he began to examine him.

"He isn't breathing, but he does have a pulse. Hm? What's this? There's something stuck in his throat! Ona! Turn Grim on his stomach and make sure his head's lower than his chest." I immediately obeyed him. "Now give him a good smack on the back! Put some oomph into it. Keep going until he breathes! And call his name as loud as you can!"

I proceeded to do exactly as he said. "GRIM!"

Grim started coughing. Then he spit something up. "WAH!"

"He coughed something up!" said Epel as Grim continued to talk.

"Excellent work, Ona!" said Rook. "Grim, take deep breaths!"

"Yes! He woke up!"

"Ona..." Grim groaned. "Ona..." He looked at me with teary eyes. "I'm one lousy boss..."

"All that matters is you're okay," I said softly. I could tell he remembered what he did to me. I held no anger towards him.

"Ona... I'm sorry for scratchin' you... I'm sorry, Ona..." He sniffed. I shook my head. I knew it wasn't his fault. "Can I go back to school again...? And to Ramshackle?" I nodded.

"Of course you can," said Epel. "You and Ona are a package deal. I'm sure Ace and Deuce are waiting for you too."

"M... M... MYAAAAH!" Grim leapt into my arms. I immediately hugged him back. Finally, I could relax. Everything felt right now that we were together again.

"Glad to have you back, Sealie," said Floyd.

"Unbelievable," said Vil. "He ate something off the ground even in dire peril, and then CHOKED on it? What an incorrigibly voracious monster."

"I'm sure Grim will be fine," said Rook. "Now we just have to find a way to get Vil back to normal..."

"Our systems are in shambles," said Idia. "We're not gonna be able to treat any of you here. Sage's Island has world-class medical facilities. And they should have all your medical records, so... let's just get you all back to school..."

"We've restored communication with the outside," said a Styx staff member. "We'll prep a technomantic aircraft for takeoff." Idia pulled him off to the side to discuss something. Eventually, another staff member spoke up.

"We've found an aircraft that's ready to go in dock one," he said. "Night Raven College students, prepare to board. We'll send you there via Chariot."

"Okay, well..." Idia said awkwardly. "Uh, all aboard... if you please."

"Finally, we're going home," Vil said in relief.

"Yes," said Rook. "We shall all return to school together."

"I can't wait!" said Epel.

"We can see Jade again," Floyd said to me.

I smiled, feeling happy at the thought. "Yeah. I can't wait."

"You better now be stuffin' us into another sardine can on a sub-economy flight," Leona said.

"I don't care if I have to ride in a cargo plane," said Jamil. "I just want to get back to my dorm and fall into bed."

"Fully agreed," said Azul. "All that effort and exhaustion, and I don't have a single thaumark to show for it. What a nightmare this was."

"Well, the nightmare's over now," said Riddle. "Come on, Ona, Grim. Hop in the Chariot."

I smiled down at my partner. "Let's go home, Grim."

"Mrah!" Grim exclaimed as we all climbed into the chariot.. "Ramshackle's boss is comin' home!"