Blazing Steel and Freezing Bullets

by Shinn of Destiny

Left alone in a blazing forest, Relon is soon saved and the path before him opens. With much to learn about such as his past, family, friends, even the very people trying to destroy the peace and him to an extent, his enrollment at Thors will be anything but normal.

53. We, the Victims

Shinn: I back!

Andrew: As am I!

Shinn: Shut up!

Andrew: Okay!

Shinn: ...

Andrew: ...

Shinn: Andrew.

Andrew: Yes, Shinn?

Shinn: What's my third favorite anime?

Andrew: Date a Live.

Shinn: Recently binged series?

Andrew: RWBY. Currently binging One Piece.

Shinn: Favorite Cold Steel ship.

Andrew: Rean x Fie and Rean x Claire.

Shinn: ... Damn it, it is you.

Andrew: You thought I was an imposter? Wait, why are you tossing that gun away?

Shinn: I wanted a reason to use it!

Andrew: ... I can't tell if that's a good thing or bad...

Shinn: NEITHER! No fun if you just agree with everything...

Andrew: Huh?

Shinn: NOTHING! ON WITH THE FIC!

---

Walking out of the throne room, everyone's eyes linger on Relon. The sole hybrid departing out of sight.

"He's changing." Vandyck mutters.

"He's only trying to adapt to the cruel world he's in." Yujiro sighs, walking after his son.

Looking at his fellow Ironblood go in the opposite direction, Lechter can only sigh as well.

"This certainly isn't your everyday rough patch. What should we do?"

"Give them both space to process what will be happening." Osborne answers departing in another direction.

As still as the air, the two Namikazes face one another now in the sparring room. The memories of his bout with Osborne resurfacing for their auras to shimmer before exploding. Both blades hover into their owner's hands.

"The world really is a cruel place, huh?" Yujiro breathes out seeing the cold from his own words.

"You were my world, Dad…"

"... I deserve that one." Yujiro calls, Relon readying himself for the two to burst forward. A blast of wind and flames encompassing the field as both are sent back.

"Both you and Aunt Cecily knew. So why? Why not tell me you could use magic? Surely you could have put two and two together between Ashland and myself." Relon asks, surprising calm.

"I made an oath. Simple as that."

"... I see." Relon murmurs, ceasing his transformation for Yujiro to frown. "I don't feel like fighting anymore." He says walking past the man and out the room via a rift.

Blowing a long breath, the Wandering Beast places hands at his hips.

Relon…

Walking out atop the palace meeting the now night sky, his eyes glaze over the bridge. A large amount of the public having retreated for the day.

An oath, huh? Stepping off the edge, he free falls towards the bridge. It would be so easy to just end it like this… At the last second, he slashes a portal going through to flip to a knee now over a building. If only I could take the coward's way out. I have a lot to make up for. He stands, his eyes looking to Valflame Palace before they shift in the direction of the hospital. Sheathing Pippin and Pappan in their sheaths, he glances at the similar casing for his new sword.

"Here, Relon." The voice of Lechter speaks. "We figured you may need this."

Similar to Pippin's. Black and simple. He thinks before beginning his slow trek descending into an alleyway.

Relon. Be careful.

"Yeah… I got it." He flips over his jacket's hoodie before walking out along the sidewalk.

The people of Heimdallr never really got a good look at my new traveling attire during my training Mister so I should be fine.

…

You don't have to hold back, Nameless. I can take it.

You're addressing him as that once more. Is that fair?

Probably not, but… Life hasn't exactly been fair lately, has it?

Relon…

Sorry. I didn't mean to say it like that.

It is fine. You remain truthful from the heart. That is all I ask as your friend.

The corner of his mouth lifting up for only a moment as the four continue on.

I wonder if Luna was able to see everything we experienced?

Most likely. She was apart of myself and therefore an extension of you so it is likely.

I hope you're right.

You're worried, yet thankful. Worried about her well-being. Thankful she doesn't have to be at risk staying within this world.

Is reading me all you're going to do? A gentle chuckle escapes the boy as he stops. The soft chuckles becoming sniffles as he wipes his eyes. You ass, getting me all emotional before anything happens.

My apologies but hasn't so much already transpired?

Shut it, Smartass… One last chuckle resounds in unison by the two as Relon stops.

Glancing to a lightpost, he looks at the metallic sheen reflecting his being.

My eyes are still slitted. It's weird… Having them but no markings or crazy heat expelling from me.

Your emotions are said to be the key to this evolutionary trait.

But I can't use it without evolving through whatever other emotion there is first. Whatever…

Once again ceasing his movements, his eyes linger up at the hospital. Stretching his hand, Pappan comes from its sheath as he slashes a portal vanishing before anyone can either see or make sense of it.

Landing in his room, he deposits Pappan. His eyes going to a sole note on the bed. Opening it, he stows it away before heading out the room. Lowering his hood, he continues on ignoring the shocked looks of the nurses and doctors. Knocking twice, the familiar voice of Aunt Cecily allows him in. Opening the door, he's met by the eyes of Silver and Blaze as well as Cecily herself all around the bed of a dormant Norowareta.

"Relon!" Silver exclaims with wide-eyes before marching toward him. "Oh all the nerve! Where did you go earlier?!" He reaches to touch Relon's collar to pull his hands back wincing at the burning sensation. "Ouch!"

"Silver, stop it!" Blaze snaps getting in between them. "Relon, where- Your eyes…!" She widens.

Ignoring them, he walks over to where they once were. His eyes lingering on his little sister.

"She's been like this since back then." Cecily says, her voice somewhat dead. "When we were evacuating, she began to seep the same light particles as you did when using that power." This making Relon widen ever so slightly. "Your mother said she saved her, but…"

"She still hasn't woken up." He murmurs looking at the machine behind Norowareta, one of its many tubes lodged in her arm. All Cecily answers with is a nod. "Noro…" He calls gently, reaching and holding her hand with his own.

Closing his eyes, he steadies himself focusing solely on her.

You're searching for something.

Anything. Whether it be the life force of Luna or our own flames. Just something. Anything regardless of the size. Even if it's on a molecular level…

"What are you doing?" Silver questions.

"Silver, let's see what he can do." Cecily says.

I'm not sensing anything… His grip on his sister lessening.

Relon, try giving her your heat. The suggestion making Relon snap his eyes open locking with Cecily before they avert back to Norowareta.

My… fire? But, my anger. What if-

You must calm yourself. Completely.

Pausing to let go, he breathes slowly. A deep breath in. A deep breath out. His slitted eyes momentarily reverting to normal.

"The hell is with your eyes?" Silver blinks, Blaze hitting him.

"I just don't want my little sister to harbor any of my negative emotions. They're too great for her fragile body. That's all." He says placing one hand atop the other before laying them on her chest.

Alright, Nameless. Let's hope this works. Slowly, his hands become hot. Soon, his body begins to expel it outwards.

"Are you trying to bake us?" Silver mutters wiping the sweat off his forehead as does Blaze.

Anything?

No. Focus more.

Tch. It's like Uncle Victor's training all over gain. Focus on solely dispersing the heat to a single location.

Your point?

Easier said than done…!

Gritting his teeth, he feels his right arm twitch.

Even after a week, it still isn't fully healed? Come on, Noro!

Don't stop. I sense something!

Looking at her, all widen as her body begins to move.

"Reta!" Cecily widens, gripping her child's hand.

"Keep it up, Relon!" Blaze cheers.

Noro, open your eyes already!

More Relon!

Fine! Take all that we got, sis! He leans further over, a wave of heat causing the three to cover their faces.

Looking back, they see Relon sliding against the window panting.

"Mmm…"

All exchange a glance before they look to the girl in question squirming slightly before her red eyes fluttering open.

"Huh? What… happened?" She looks to her left seeing her family. "Mommy? Big sister? Why are you crying?"

"Reta!" They cheer embracing the girl.

Easing his breathing, Relon allows a smile to grace his features.

Good work, Nameless.

Y-Yes…

Nameless? What's wrong?

I am… quite tired. As you were converting your natural heat, I was fueling it with my own. So both your…. natural flame reserves… and my own are…

I get it. Get some rest, Nameless.

I shall…

Looking at a hand in his face, Relon accepts Silver's offer to lean against the window.

"How are you two holding up?"

"Reserves are on E." He breathes out. "Nameless needs to rest."

"What about you though? You just-"

"Reta, look at me for a second." The tone in Cecily's voice having shifted gains their attention.

Hurrying over, both widen.

No…

Her red eyes, similar in contrast to Relon's own, do not match.

No, no, no…

One a dulled color while the other matches Relon's.

Luna, please no…

"Noro…" He calls, his voice husky. "Can you see your mom?" He gulps, his eyes daring not leave the girl who nods.

Walking more to her right, he opens his mouth for nothing to come out. Gritting his teeth, he pinches his leg forcing the words out.

"Can… you see me?" A shake.

That's all it takes as the feeling in his legs ceases as he drops on his knees, his eyes glossing over the cubic tiles.

"Reta, can you see anything?" Cecily questions, her voice equally stern as tears form at the corner of Blaze's eyes.

Another shake.

"I'm blind… aren't I…"

Such innocence in her voice, none can face her head on. Though she pays no attention to any but one. Not her adoptive mother nor her siblings. Her gaze instead descending upon an already defeated Relon.

"Big brother?"

"Yeah…" He grips his pants embracing the new level of shame and defeat he's unlocked.

"Don't be sad." She places a hand atop his head. "You protected all of us."

"... Yeah."

Outside

"Where the hell are you going?!" Silver demands walking out the hospital. "After what just went on not to mention your crazy plan, you think you an just up and leave?! You need rest, Relon!"

"The Senate Hunter doesn't have time to rest. I have work to do." His voice dull and emotionless.

"So now you're gonna try and shoulder everything on your own? Reta's fine! We're all alive! It's not your fault, Relon! None of it! You performed a miracle!"

"You're right." He flips over his hood to look back at the silver-haired teen, eyes burning red with black slits. "But someone has to pay for what happened." He ends, slashing a portal open. "Silver, what you all see tomorrow, don't interfere."

Appearing on a nearby building, he looks over to Silver shouting his name.

Sorry, Silver. I want to bring anyone into the world I'm becoming a part of.

"It's already going on 9 PM. I should hurry. They mentioned them being in the guild on Alto Street…" He mutters about to jump away, the image of Noro flashing for his body to give as he trips falling along the tiled roof. "T-That's right. I over extended my flames. I must have… used what I had accumulated since leaving for that portal. Sorry guys." He adds getting back to his feet, his blades clinging in response.

Sucking in more air, he kicks off down into an alleyway before taking off. Now on said street, he holds up his left palm, the tiniest flickers of a flame spurting. Sighing, he looks at the road lamps illuminating the street. Focusing on them, he feels the subtle heat flow into his body before some of the lights go out to cease his action. Hurrying onwards, he lifts his hand showing a tiny flame albeit only slightly bigger before going out.

My absorption of heat increases exponentially compared to what it once was. The image of Barbatos comes to mind for Relon's fist to scrunch tightly.

Stopping before the guild, he looks around seeing very few civilians walking about. One even jogging.

Okay, Relon, calm it down…

Taking a deep breath to exhale slowly, he makes a quick check of his ARCUS to see his eyes normal.

Walking up to the door, he knocks to wait. Focusing, he senses the familiar presence of the others inside. Knocking again, none answer.

"Come on, guys." He sighs stepping back to take sight of a window on the side. "Pippin, help me out please." He raises his hand, the sword floating from its sheath to lift him up for the door to open.

Blinking at the stranger, she smiles back.

"My, whatever could you be attempting to do, Master Relon?" She says his name much louder than the rest.

"... Who-"

Before he can react, a blur of fuchsia zooms hidden from his view to behind the maid before tackling him out of the air dropping Pippin in the process.

"OOF!"

"OH MY PWESCIOUS, HIC, FIERY STUWDENT, I'M SOW GWAD YUR, HIC, OKAY!"

"I-Instructor Sara, can't… breathe… Boobs… suffocating… me…"

"My, I wouldn't have imagined you a cougar~." The maid giggles.

"YOU BACK OFF, SHE-DEVIL! THIS ONE MINE! NOT YURS OR THAT POWECE WOMAN!"

Gasping for breath, he struggles to be free. The grip Sara has too much as he gives up before he's rattled as she goes on.

"WE HADN'T HEARD, HIC AWOT AND YOU BEEN FAMERSE AND, HIC, ahh warmth~." She hugs him.

"Why me…?"

"What's Instructor Sara going about now-" Pausing next to her maid, Alisa rubs an eye in nightwear to stop mid-step at the scene before her.

"H-Help, please…"

"RELON?!"

Inside

"Phew, I owe you one Alisa." He sighs for the umpteenth time, sitting on the steps, both blades hovering next to him in the confines of their sheaths. "It would have been nice if someone had helped." He eyes the maid who simply giggles holding a tied-up drunk Sara. "Not to be rude, but who are you?"

"Sharon Kreuger, at your service Master Relon. I had come to support milady during your battle but I only arrived near the end."

"Milady?" He blinks, his mind already processing the info. "Numerous times you peaked at the mention of orbal tech like when we got our ARCUS', state of the art orbal bow, a maid… Holy shit your last name stands for Reinford." He widens as does the blonde. "Oh my Luna, how did I not realize that sooner…?" He rubs his face to pause. "Wait. Blackish-purple and blue cat… Oh my Luna that was a familiar! Son of a-" He stops widening one last time. "Elliot's last name is Craig and there's a guy named Craig the Red. A military officer with the Imperial Army of Erebonia, holding the rank of General, and commander of its 4th Armored Division! Not to mention Machias' dad! I already knew but-"

"RELON, slow down." Alisa exclaims for the boy to rest his head against the staircase. "My head is aching the more I'm awake. And who's Luna?!"

"My, he is an interesting child." Sharon hums aloud in thought.

"Stop sounding like Instructor Sara." Alisa deadpans.

"What's with all the racket?" All look up to Elliot and Gaius exiting a room to halt, their eyes going from the tied up Sara to the familiar face of a waving Relon.

"Hey guys."

"Relon?!" Drowsiness knocked away in an instant, both burst towards the teen.

"You're alright!" Elliot smiles.

"For now, haha." Relon sweatdrops.

"Did you just wake up?" Gaius asks.

"Yeah. Earlier this morning actually. Been more busy than I liked. Sorry for the late entrance."

"Better late than never." All turn to take sight of Aurelia walking their way.

"Aureli-a?"

"Is something awry?" She crosses her arms, the guys looking her up and down.

"Um…"

"Well, it's just that…"

"What the hell are you wearing?" Relon blurts out still blinking to process her choice of nightwear. A costume resembling a mixture of a bear with the head acting as a hoodie around her head and pajamas.

"It is a snuggie. It helps me drift to sleep when I am having difficulty doing such."

"Ah. I see…"

"Makes sense to me."

"Ditto."

"Still." She walks opening her arms pulling Relon into a sudden embrace. "It is relieving to see you. Hopefully now, I will sleep better." She smiles.

"I don't know about that." He averts his eyes to the ground.

"What do you mean?" Elliot asks.

"I'd like to answer that with everyone here if possible." He says for their visages to shift. "Oh Luna, what happened?"

"Where do we start?" Alisa lightly sighs. "Emma returned to her village, the others haven't come out let alone spoken in days."

"Laura, she…" Aurelia begins for Relon to snap to her widening his eyes.

Knocking, nothing comes. Creaking the door open, light fills the room momentarily allowing the girl in question to be seen curled up in bed.

"Aurelia, I've already told-"

"Wow, you sound worse than Aurelia described." Relon chuckles closing the door, a flicker of a flame in hand illuminating the dark room.

Having stopped her hoarse voice, she turns away from the wall lifting up, small droplets at the corner of her eyes visible.

"Re…lon?"

"Heyo." He softly greets, arms outstretched for the girl to leap to him. "Looks like our roles are reversed now, huh?" He murmurs under the somber wails. "There there." He soothes running a hand down her hair not in a ponytail.

"Everything! WHY?! It doesn't make SENSE!" She whines.

"I know. I know…"

Once again, the depths of despair could be felt all around him. It wasn't the souls of those lost, the anguish that the civilians have formed within the capital itself, not even the despair from his now half blind sister who's not even human. Yet, this despair that crept around the now pitch-black room held something else; familiarity.

Relon knew for a while now how close he and Laura was. True that Rean, Elise , and himself were childhood friends but he was hesitant to be around them much less communicate for half the time he was in Ymir. But Laura was different. Right out the gate they got along, they could communicate. They truly interacted. They knew each other's likes and dislikes, the minor body gestures indicating certain emotions, their opinion on the other both as a person and a fighter. A level of trust where no doubt could possibly follow and neither could be more grateful. And yet…

The world they live in now, whether it be shitty luck or fate, guided Relon to this point in his life where he would become the Senate Hunter and Rean would become the literal devil's host albeit a small portion. Even at that point, he never expected that Laura's own deceased mother would be both alive and a Leaguient…

Feeling her sobs begin to simmer, her grip over him tightens as they slide to the ground.

Looking at her, he couldn't help but question just how crazy life guided them. Both took on the Arseid School's teachings, both ended up at Thors not to mention Class VII, and now both had family apart of an organization that was out to "change the world for the better." Uprooting the social hierarchy while also putting a target on Relon's back and now leaving Laura in such a distressing state? This was too much. He wanted to be angry, he wanted to be pissed, he wanted to do something to ease her but he couldn't.

The dead life he felt within himself Relon couldn't even begin to fathom. The events that have transpired already had his mind past the point of shattering just as it had nearly done a week ago. The mere comparison of their pain were uncanny yet he wouldn't ever mention it aloud until they both were more composed. Screw that, why would he compare it? His mind was weakening with every moment.

"I'm sorry." He whispers, Laura going silent with sniffles.

Those dual-weakened words he's said too often for today all he can say to answer her once cries. Knowing full well the helplessness it will do, he can only remain silent. It's his family that caused this mess and it was his responsibility to deal with it. Even though he knew everyone would be against it, one way or another, he'd take down Senate and bring her mother back. This was his new goal. No more searching for answers. He knows where to find them. Those answers supposedly weren't going anywhere but it will take time to find them. Now, he would need to become stronger to find both his sister, bring back Laura's mother, and take down Senate.

"Don't be." Another sniffle escaping Laura as she leans up, wiping at her face with the back of her hand.

Barely making out her outline, he looks at the girl seated before him on her knees. Even then, he could easily make out her trembling form.

"I should though. A lot of this has to do with me."

"You couldn't control it."

Factual words hit him hard. It's true. They both know it but that doesn't help his case any.

"I wish I could have." A wry smile forms on the girl's face as she takes a seat next to him, her head resting atop his shoulder.

"We all do but thank you."

Ready to respond with the next batch of words having formed, he draws a blank. For coming to her aid? For fighting together? For being friends? Her own two words are equally as vague as his were but at least his were somewhat understandable. Even now, her body is still trembling to the point his right half touching her body is moving in tandem.

"What for?"

"For being you." She chuckles, the sound itself something Relon takes in with momentary happiness. "Casual and honest, free-spirited yet reclusive, all with a dash of childishness on top."

"Haven't heard that description of myself before." He muses.

Her thanks for being himself. How hadn't he thought of that possibility? Most likely the same cause for his other realizations back outside. Still, all of those make sense but reclusive? Where the heck did that come from? He hadn't shown that trait much since their first meeting.

"There are numerous ways to interpret your actions and personality."

"Ah…"

A lull of silence forming between them, their gaze locked on the darkness of the room. The light from under the doorway that isn't blocked their only other companion. Had the void of no sound really become that familiar to him? He's meditated hundreds of times in silence but back then, his mind was focused on an objective. Now, he had no clear goal. Aside from taking down Senate and that stuff yes, but that was a means to an end. It was either do that or die trying. Yet, in this current moment in time, right here and now, he couldn't think of anything smart or uplifting to say much less something as simple as starting a conversation.

Now that he thought about it, he's recently found himself in mute situations with people both in the actual world and even in his subconscious on a few occasions such as with Luna. Heh, he really was thinking of her a lot now. Sheesh, if Nameless could hear him, he'd never let Relon live with the accepted fact. But still, he was finding the recessive opportunities not as a bad thing but it certainly didn't help his anxiety on what was to come.

Say enjoying a nice day on a hill. Clear skies filled with puffy clouds, no worries available. Just him, the soft ground, a nice cool breeze, and the peace around. That silence he's fond of. Not this kind where danger or some other negativity is a constant fear. Thinking about it now, those days would most likely come once every pink moon now. All because of Senate. He'd have to make a mental note to get an upgrade to his school uniform.

Now that he thinks about it, he'd originally come to properly leave Class VII and Thors all together for what's to come. Why hadn't he?

"Relon…"

Oh, yeah. Laura. His mind had a plan all ready to go as he walked up the staircase, even to the point when he stepped inside. Where did it go again? He for the life of him couldn't recall after seeing the hurt on Laura's face. Now that he thinks about it, would it have even been right to leave the class? He wouldn't be hindered to a location and could therefore keep them safe by venturing to who knows where in order to dig up a scoop on Senate. If worse came to it, be away from them when Senate decided to ambush him. Heh, running away from school. The concept was what he only hours ago fought with Vandyck over and here he was now questioning the very notion.

"Even if you try to leave, they won't let you." His words in the throne room come to mind.

When first told, he figured the man meant they would put up a fight. No, that was directed at Relon himself being unable to.

Well played, Principal.

He knew it to be true. Out of all of his classmates, the one next to him would put up the hardest fight aside from Rean. No, Laura wouldn't let the entire notion slip from his lips. She'd cut off his legs in refusal if she was determined enough. Had he told her that in the moment right here and now, then he would completely struggle. He has no flames, no back-up power of Nameless to call on, only Pippin and Pappan. Instructor Sara even drunk is difficult to contend with. Should the others get in not to mention that maid, who didn't even budge at the sight of him floating with Pippin, join the fight, he'd lose hands down. It doesn't help that he still hasn't fully recovered. If Rean, oh Luna, if he joined, he'd get whooped. 100 percent done in should he call on Ishmelga's power. Especially that new form that allows him to use permeation. Bullshit power-up. Rean got to keep his but Relon couldn't keep his cloth.

A pang of guilt and sadness hits. Aside from Pippin, it was all he had of his mother. Had he realized he could use it sooner, how much would have changed? His fight with Arentula, the once Furious Six, even Barbatos. Why hadn't he ever thought to do that? Because he cherished the item too much to risk harm? He could only think back to his upbringing and question it all.

"What did she say back then?" Furrowing his brows to look to her, it clicks.

"Oh." A moment of that irritating silence comes. "Head to Ashland. I left something behind when I read your letter. Bring those you trust. As for Kanade, we're still searching for her. I'm sorry for everything… And end quote." He adds with a pop of finality.

"There is also what Sephiroth said. About the library within Ashland."

"Oh yeah… If that's even true." He mutters.

Looking back on that day, that was the first real conversation he had with his mom. Before they were so caught up in the battle, he never had time to say anything. To think their first true talk would be Relon venting his emotional fury. Before was him practically barking for a power boost with Overdrive. Some family reunion that was. Grandmother appeared and vanished, his own mom and brother appeared and vanished, he met and fought alongside Emma and Rinwell and they vanished. Why did his actual family have to be so torn? And why did his adoptive family…

A sigh escapes him as he places a hand over his face.

Why did his adoptive family have to be equally a mess. Celdic is in shambles, a chunk of the forest not even a forest anymore, his step-sister isn't even human. Somehow she's connected to Luna, his own adoptive father has had the ability to use magic this entire time and he never told Relon all because he "made an oath."

"What's on your mind?"

"... If I told you I had originally planned to come here and tell you all I was abandoning -

Feeling her trembling form cease for a mere moment, he winces at the slap hit his cheek.

"Ouch." He mutters holding the now stinging spot.

Well, at least he was right in not getting it out.

"I would do that and question how foolish you are. Also I'd cut off your legs and arms." She says once again resting her head on his shoulder, a sniffle escaping her.

"Pfft, I didn't think you'd go for the arms too."

"I normally wouldn't… but seeing as how you can heal from torn ligaments, I have no need to hold back now." She rubs the corners of her eyes with the bottom of her palm.

"I'm glad my otherworldly body can help you achieve new results." He rolls his eyes, a light chuckle escaping Laura.

A part of Relon wanted to ask how her hand was considering how sturdy his body has become from the training with his adoptive father but he knew better. Her hands were the least of his worries. Her soft and slightly callused hands are proof of that. It was her heart he worried over. He'd make anyone suffer if they hurt her.

"Then I would ask where we would go." She adds, his eyes widen looking at Laura having lifted her head to meet his.

Even in the darkness, her gentle amber eyes are as clear as if they were outside under the bright sun or the illuminating moon.

"That isn't funny." He looks back ahead.

"I am not joking." She remains locked on him.

"Laura, stop messing around." His voice slightly more demanding.

"Relon, I am not messing around." Her voice matching his.

"You have too much to lose." He adds.

"And you don't?" She wonders.

"No. Aside from you, Claire, and the others, I don't." He eases himself. "Your whole purpose in life is to grow strong so why give up Thors?"

"I can ask you the same."

"My goals have changed sadly."

"As have mine."

"Laura…"

"You're not changing my mind."

"I'll run away."

"You wouldn't leave me."

"Heh, you make it sound like we're together." Her gaze unchanging for him to sigh at his joke a complete failure. "But If I do?"

"Then I'll know for certain you're no longer the friend I once thought you to be."

That deafening silence comes once more. Relon leaning his head against the door in thought.

"Ouch."

"You asked."

"I know. Uncle Vic would-"

"I don't care."

"Klaus will-"

"I don't care."

"Aurelia could-"

"I don't care."

"Who do you care about then?"

"You." Jerking back, he remains quiet. "You're my best friend, Relon. Do you believe I would let you go through something like this alone? I'm involved just as much as the rest now."

"I'm pretty sure following me isn't safe, Laura."

"Nowhere is safe with Senate capable of popping up anywhere. Do you think running away will keep anyone safe much less yourself?" Her voice calm and full of genuine curiosity.

He pauses, his sudden anger staggers until it's snuffed out.

"I'm not running away." He sighs.

"Then what do you call it?"

"Making the safest choice. Laura, why discard everything you've worked for? Training, studying the arts, enrolling at a place like Thors; this is your world, your life!"

"Because you're my world."

As smooth as a calm river, the simplicity spoken strikes with deadly accuracy. The few words filled with warmth, admiration, and melancholy. Like a dam, the words halt in his head to sink in.

"You seeming surprised is a shocker in and of itself." She allows a giggle to sound, her usage of language making him scrunch in focus. "That night with Claire. I meant every word. It's obvious she cares for you deeply. As does Musse, her jokes aside. And I am no different."

"Laura-" A single finger places itself atop his lips silencing the teen.

"I don't want to live in a world with out you. A life like that is much worse than anything Senate can do, even more than… my mother." She lowers it hugging her legs. "I want to know what happened. Father wouldn't speak no more about her than his claim from the weapon she wielded. Mother- no. Leaguient #10, Uria is a mystery. One in which I intend to solve."

What was this? The heart speaking out the mouth? A confession? Simply honesty mixed with conviction? He couldn't tell. Even with the tutelage his family gave him over the years.

"You're not alone, Relon. You, Pippin, Nameless, and Pappan have us."

"... What I plan to do, I need everyone's support." He murmurs feeling her trembling form cease, the weight of her body leaning more into him. "I'm scared. This world is so beautiful, yet its humans show faces I never once thought to be reality. Only a fabrication of the mind mixed with its twisted words." Scrunching his fist, he feels her hand rest atop it.

"You already know my answer and I'm sure the others will agree."

Meeting her kind smile with his own, he rotates to hold it properly.

"How did we go from me consoling you to you giving me a pep talk?"

"Who knows? Our dynamic is quite unordinary."

"Laura, you sure you're alright?" Their hands let go as she gets to her feet slowly.

"Yes. Moping around will not help your situation or ours."

"Laura." He stands giving her a knowing look.

"I'm fine. I promise. Regardless of our differences, we're still who we are in the present…"

"Hmm… On your honor as a student of the Arseid School?"

"On that and as a member of Class VII."

"Good. Thanks by the way." He adds reaching for the doorknob.

"What for?"

"Your pep talk that day helped a lot." He grins catching her eyes widening slightly more before the lights overtake their vision.

"They're back!" The voice of Elliot notifies, all standing back up to the two peering over the railing.

"Laura!" Alisa smiles.

"I apologize for worrying you all." She says walking and meeting them.

"No, it is understandable given the circumstances. What matters now is that you are well." Aurelia smiles taking her hands in Laura's..

"Thank you." She nods to look at Relon still on the second floor. "Go on, Relon. We're not going anywhere."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." He smiles with a wave to walk to the next door. "This is Fie's, right?" They nod. "I'm letting Rean deal with that." He walks across the second floor perimeter to the other side. "Jusis', right?"

"Yes." Laura smiles caressing Pippin's handle knowing what's about to happen.

"Dope!" He grins, reeling back a leg to kick the door open. "Knock, knock, I'm coming in!" He greets closing it behind him.

Standing in shock seated on their bed is Jusis. He could only hope this wouldn't take as long as it did Laura. His head was beginning to ache more than before.

"Re…lon?"

"In the flesh. So let's skip the happy reunion and get down to business. You, holed up in here, why?" He leans on the door thankful a lamp is on in the corner compared to the pitch darkness with Laura.

"Hmpf. Quite demanding of you, Senate Hunter." At this, Relon narrows his eyes.

"Are we going there? Seriously?" He crosses his arms.

Faltering as soon as the words leave the hybrid's mouth, Jusis scoffs. Not at Relon, but rather himself.

"What am I doing?"

"That's what I'm here to figure out. You, Machias, Rean, Fie. Emma is off with the witches so-"

"None of it makes sense."

"Obviously." Relon responds just as quick. "I can wield fire, magic actually exists as do witches, and the literal devil has practically placed a bounty over my head. We're far beyond the concept of what makes sense." He gives a roll of his eyes.

"Yet you can just take it all as if it's normal."

"Jusis, there are monsters in the shape of literally anything, places on Earth where none have even ventured to much less discover. It's all very hard to believe but at the same time, it's not impossible."

"You're only able to take this in stride due to your heritage." He scoffs again.

"You're not wrong." Relon nods walking to take a seat next to the blonde. "So tell me, what's really eating you up?"

Eyes opening slightly, they soften.

"You're too much for me." He chuckles getting to his feet.

"Huh?"

Walking to the desk, he lifts his blade. With a single swirl, he points it mere inches from Relon. The hybrid looking directly at the noble without a reaction.

"You understand my words now, no?" He lowers it, the subtle sound of his grip tightening. "The noble status, my own strength, none of it I can understand let alone make it into my own. Ever since I enrolled, no- even before then. I was taught that of a noble for I am one. My brother trained me in the way of court fencing and yet, I couldn't do anything. Rif raf monsters are no threats to anyone and yet-"

"Against monsters such as the large catbat, the gargoyle, even Instructor Sara's mechanism, you struggled against each. Alone, you may not have defeated them. The same now for your encounter with the Leaguients. That fear of the unknown and what it can bring. Sounds about right?"

"I used to wonder much like Regnitz how someone like you could have placed first in the school but seeing that mind of yours, the real you, I can understand it all now. So yes, as much as I hate to admit, you are correct. It is as Instructor Sara mentioned the night you unveiled your powers; I am… fearful."

"Scared." Relon corrects.

"They're same thing."

"Not quite. Similar but-"

"Not the point, Lucinance."

"Fine, fine, continue." He waves.

"Even when we all first encountered one another, you still held back. You say you were weakened but I'm confident you could combat that monstrosity alone. True or false?"

"You're right." Relon voices nonchalantly. "It's not the decision in coming to help us. It's the lack of power and experience you wield."

"The same as you." Jusis states leaning against the desk, their eyes meeting for Relon to lower them. "So you know."

"Rean revealed that revelation back in the forest. The mere notion was hard to even fathom but the pieces placed themselves before us."

"You don't hate or despise me." Relon notes.

"How certain of that are you?"

"Pretty certain. If you held the little tolerance that you do for Machias and some of the others, then this talk wouldn't be happening." Relon gives a smirk.

"Make your point, Lucinance."

"Wow, calling me by my last name? Sheesh, that feels like a demotion coming from you." He rubs the back of his head. "So you're saying your heritage and training didn't prepare you for something, right?"

"What of it?"

"Yet you're standing in front of me." Relon smiles to see the blonde's expression slowly conform. "I'm not saying you got through it with skill or anything, but your skills did keep you alive until Lady Luck stepped in." Relon stands up reaching into his pocket putting on one of his black zemurian gloves.

"You want to get stronger, right? Well there's a whole ship called Class VII who wants the same thing. So, you coming aboard Jusis?" He extends a fist, the blonde looking to it dumbfounded.

"Tell me, why are you able to speak to nobles and commoners without worry?"

"Why?" Relon tilts his head lowering it blinking. "We're all human in the end, aren't we? That's about as equal as it gets. Although I'm only half human. Better than none at all like I previously thought but that's not important." He notes to himself.

"... Heh." Jusis sheathes his sabre walking for the door.

"Jusis?"

"I am fine. In the Old Schoolhouse and on other occasions, the way you act has always left me rather befuddled. Dumbstruck even but now I believe I understand you somewhat more. Hearing the words from you and not Rean, I believe I can understand how you're the way you are, Relon."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"Think nothing of it. I am just prattling to myself."

"Hey, aren't you gonna fistbump me at least?" Relon droops his eyes extending his fist once more.

"I need not do such a childish action when it is obvious what my answer is." He smirks leaving for Relon to blink.

Arrogant, cocky, son of a-

"Whatever." Relon huffs walking out.

Looking back, the signs were there between him and Jusis. Having openly declared his unknown status, that was the catalyst behind their odd relationship as classmates. He had unknowingly placed a wall between him and the noble. One where although Relon didn't bother with nobility in his eyes, Jusis did. This confliction of perspectives is what led to the very words being spoken between one another whenever they encountered each other.

Jusis grew up a noble so it makes sense for him to have always associated something or someone with nobility. Yet, he joined Class VII claiming little difference between nobles and commoners. From Relon's experience, there are massive differences so could that have been just his own two cents because he was inexperienced?

Looking back, Senate aims to cause discourse across the land by breaking the social class but what else is there? Jusis surely has seen their message so could that have been another catalyst leading to his solitude? His own strength not being enough and his perspective on the different lives between nobles and commoners lacking experience?

"Now I wish our talk wasn't so short…" He mutters going over to the next room, glancing as Jusis rejoin the others.

Stopping at the next door, he's about to knock when he feels the familiar presence of Rean from within the room. Before he can knock, the voice of Rean calls.

"It's open, Relon." Blinking, he walks inside to find Rean seated crisscrossed on a rug dead center of the room.

For a moment, neither speak. Only looking to the other.

"Good to see you're okay." Rean greets.

"You too."

More silence.

"We have a lot to talk about."

"Tell me something I don't know."

Understanding.

"You want to go first or should I?"

"Either way, it's going to take forever so let's dumb it down to a summary if possible."

Factual.

"Alright…" He takes a steady breath in preparation s does Relon. I have Ishmelga, the devil's, power."

"I had Luna, the Goddess', power."

Difference. Similarity.

"My dad, my real dad, is held by Ishmelga. Somewhere…"

"... I… don't know about mine..."

Familiarity. Fatherless.

"I have no one dear to me a part of Senate. To my knowledge at least."

"I do. Sadly."

Understanding. Fear. Acceptance.

"I met the devil in its true form."

"I met the Goddess in her true form albeit only five percent worth apparently."

Encounter. Divine Beings.

"I met my mother. My birth mother."

"... Same."

Motherhood.

"She's a part of me sharing my consciousness with Ishmelga."

"She left me. Only her words left behind."

Parting. Instilling.

"I can go further than before."

"Heh, no shit. I can't yet."

Evolution. Stalemate.

"I don't know what to do."

"I do."

Questions. Decisions.

"I'm scared."

"We all are."

Similarity.

"You're the Senate Hunter."

"And you don't have a title."

Title. Titleless.

"I'm human… I think."

"You are. And I'm only half-human.

Correction. Reassurance. Human Anatomy.

"Those people… Demeter…"

"I know. I'm going to make it up to them."

Sorrow. Conviction.

"How?"

"Doing what only the Senate Hunter can do."

Worry. Void.

"Relon…"

"Yes, Rean?"

Name.

"I wish this was a nightmare."

"Is it. Sadly we're already awake."

Cruelty.

"When I met her, Ishmelga put me in a dream."

"I had to watch Luna use my body while you were out."

Dreams. Reality. Control.

"Did romantic relationships come up?"

"Ugh, sadly."

Romance.

Wait.

Wait.

"Wait. Romance? Alright, enough of this cryptic speech. What the hell went on with you and romance?"

"... Haha, looks like you broke first."

"Don't you even start! My head hurt way too damn much! What did Ishmelga do that has to do with romance?!"

"Two things. You and Laura as well as Fie and I." He chuckles.

Silence, Rean expecting his friend to widen but instead narrows as if in thought. His pupil immediately becoming slits once more.

"Relon? Your eyes…!"

"Shit." He mutters shaking his head before he calms himself with an unsteady breath. "I've been having anger management issues recently." His eyes staggering between normal and slit-like.

"Recently?" Rean arches an eyebrow.

"No comment."

"Relon, do you-"

"I don't want to be asked any questions by literally the densest person in our class." He droops getting back to his feet. "Now, hurry up, get over this mood of yours, and go tend to Fie."

"But-"

"No." He points a finger mere inches from his head. "I, the Senate Hunter, have what happened to the soldiers covered. Right now, we're divided and we all need to come together. You can talk, complain, and rant all you want after everyone's downstairs." He waves off the protagonist pulling out his ARCUS. "This is gonna be a longer night than I thought. Crap."

"Where are you going?"

"A little bit of everywhere. You get Fie and I'll get Machias. We meet downstairs, have a happy reunion, and I tell of my stupid plan that you're all going to hate. Sounds good? Great. Break."

Before Rean can intervene, Relon walks out. The sound of knocks followed by a slam comes.

Getting up slowly, his mind flashes to that day. The rage that filled him when Demeter snuffed out the lives of those soldiers. That vile feeling accompanied by Ishmelga's power could be what made him want to take the witch's life. It made him sick to his core. Spending the last few days reviewing everything that transpired, he couldn't come up with anything…

Maybe there really are some things that can't be solved alone…

"We're here to get stronger and here you are holding yourself back! So what the hell are you doing here then?!" The roar of Relon echoes in his mind.

Just like back then. His eyes stopping before Fie's door. If so, then…

Knocking, nothing comes. Going for the knob, he finds it not locked.

"I'm coming in Fie." He announces.

Much like his own, he stands in the simple yet dimly lit room. His eyes going to the girl rolled on her bed facing the wall.

Glancing out the corner of her eyes to see the boy indeed before her, she remains still for a moment before slowly sitting up.

"What do you want, Rean?" Her tone low, though no abnormalities are noticeable.

"Relon is back." He begins, Fie's eyes widening a little before they recede.

"Oh. That's good." She responds hugging her legs.

Looking at her, he takes in the petite girl. Hugging herself, tone low, pitch darkness-filled room though thankfully the moonlight is hitting it allowing the room's outline to be made out. Wait, the moon?

Furrowing his eyebrows in thought, he walks. His steps making the floor creak causing her to glance up to the approaching male she's begun to harbor feelings for. Watching as he stops next to her bed looking out the window, he speaks.

"This power of mine. It isn't normal."

Looking at him, she almost wanted to berate him like Laura does to Relon on how obvious that is. The first time she witnessed it perched in a tree, she was in awe at both it and Relon's power and speed. And the second time on the roof with Rean and his proclamation. Looking back, he kept true to his words.

A feint smile gracing her features for a mere moment though Rean doesn't see.

"It belongs to a being whose the literal devil." He continues to pause..

A pause from both sides, his eyes glancing out the corner to catch the girl's dumbfounded reaction.

"Yeah." A ghost of a chuckle. "My reaction was the same."

The devil? How? When? Why? So many questions yet, she couldn't begin to start. So she continued to listen.

"What are the odds that I hold the devil's power and Relon held Aidios' herself?"

Relon had Aidios' power? When? Did he know and kept it from everyone like he did his other secrets? Wait, had? What happened to that power?

"Ishmelga. That's the devil's name. I share a portion of his power that Sephiroth does." He raises a hand, the negative energy secreting from himself before his hair goes red as his hair shifts to white. "I lost control earlier but now, I have a better grasp over it. I have my mom to thank." His hand balling into a fist as his transformation ascends once more to his now dark indigo hair and heterochromatic eyes.

It's the same yet different. The same power but a different energy about it. Not negative, more positive than that. The dark energy around him not as… dark. Instead of the chaotic red and black, a gentle albeit feint blue.

"It's because of my meeting with her I can use this now." He ceases his power.

Meeting? As in recently?

"Rean?"

"Yeah?"

"What happened?"

What happened? A lot happened. She already knew about the field study up until the big battle-

"Oh." It clicks, his eyes going from her to back out the window at the moon. "Relon and I were fighting Krovanh and Agria. I went berserk and ended up trying to hurt Relon. He snapped me out it somewhat but I ended up getting stabbed protecting him."

"Are you alright?" Her sudden question stopping his slow momentum, in hindsight it makes sense for her to ask. How silly it was for him to make light of being stabbed so casually.

"Yeah, thanks." A nod in response. "From there, Ishmelga put me in a dream. One that I'm still wrapping my head around to be honest."

"A dream?"

"Yeah…" A moment of hesitation, Fie arching an eyebrow at his perturbed visage. "That's where I met my mom and… she saved me."

"What… do you mean saved? As in metaphorically or…" A shake of his head is her answer. "Oh. So similar to Relon and Nameless." Another nod.

"Yeah."

"Can I… ask what all happened?" A pause, her eyes catch the little tension he's held finally leave his shoulders.

"There's a lot I still need to sort out. When I do, can I tell you then?" Another pause.

"Yeah." She now responds with a nod of her own.

"Sorry." A shake.

"It's fine. Everyone has their own issue to sort out." She shrugs. "It's why we've been locked in our rooms." She muses.

"So what about you?"

"Huh?"

"You said everyone is going through something. So what are you going through?"

Opening her mouth, she closes it biting her lip locking eyes with her thin legs.

"You're worried about what everyone thinks, right?" His tender, accurate, voice making her eyes snap up to him gazing out the window. "Looking back on that dream, this reminds me a lot of it. The dark room, moonlight illuminating what it can…"

"I thought you weren't going to talk about it."

"I'm not. Just… voicing what I'm thinking. Hoping to figure someway to sort it out, haha."

"... That bizarre thinking is something Relon does. Not you." She snorts, a chuckle escaping the Eight Leaves practitioner.

"Well, you're not wrong there." Another pause. "Back then against Agria, and later Sephiroth, you used grenades." His words making her hands tighten around herself in response. "And the trigger trap you had placed as well. At the time, I nor the others couldn't say it at the time but it's clear as day."

Yeah. "Clear as day" is a good term to use. A girl chucking smoke bombs and live grenades is obviously a trait jaegers share. Her lack of effort both a characteristic of herself as an individual and a way of hiding her true skills. The only ones that knew were the principal, nurse Beatrix, and Sara herself. Sara having lived the same life as herself so their relationship has been structured around that rigid life.

Yet, once the fighting was over, the look Laura gave her as they were heading for the capital… It was full of confliction. Between her mother being a supposed Leaguient much less not dead. Now finding out her own classmate was once a part of a group that mirrored the opposite of her mentality as a swordsman. Much less a student of such a renowned school. That look of confliction was understandable. Though Aurelia hadn't seemed as bothered but Laura.

A tug at her chest once more at the same thought she's brought up dozens of times since locking herself away. The pain in having a friend look at you differently… it hurts the same as Zephyr separating.

"Thanks, Fie. We couldn't have won, much less I couldn't have survived without your help."

A single blink of her yellow sight orbs shifts from herself to the smile adorning her crush's visage.

Thanks? He's thanking her? Just because they survived? Is he choosing to ignore the elephant in the room?

"Why?" She murmurs, her expression hiding by her bangs.

About to respond, he notes of the girl. His demeanor lessening as he fully turns to face her.

"Do you remember the night Relon and I revealed our powers?" He can't see it, but her eyes ever so slightly widen. "That night, he was prepared to take on the opposition of everyone's thoughts, even possible prejudices towards him. It was that mindset that inspired me to take that step forward. I didn't have to take that step. I could have kept this burden hidden by everyone and only you guys would have known."

"..."

"Even if everyone looked at me differently, I'd be okay with that." Finally making her head snap to the truthful expression he wears, she remains in a stunned stupor. "Knowing me for who I am is something I never really thought much of but at the same time, it was a new perspective I took in immediately. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hesitant but… I gained the courage to take that step. Thanks to you as well, Fie."

"What do you-"

"Regardless of what people think, you should worry only about what your real friends think." The words she spoke that very night to him ring in her head.

"It doesn't matter whether you were once a jaeger or not. What matters is who you are right now. I'm sure the others think the same thing. If not before, then they certainly do now."

"... How can you be sure?"

"I want to put my faith in those we've fought alongside. That and Relon has been going door-to-door talking to everyone." He chuckles. "So what do you say, Fie?"

Looking at Rean, she can't help but feel a smile creep onto her face. Yes, it's obvious to everyone she holds feelings for him and she's berated herself since the fight that it was foolish and dangerous to go help not to mention bring the others along even if they chose to of their own volition. There was so much that could have gone wrong, that did go wrong and yet… here they all were. Alive.

"Hup." She sounds hopping onto her feet to look up at Rean. "I'll say thanks for the pep talk. I needed it. A lot." She averts her gaze, a hand resting atop her head to shift back to Rean.

"Glad to help. What say we join the others?" He smiles turning to the door for a pair of arms to wrap around him.

(Thanks, Rean. Really.) She whispers to pull away hurrying for the door.

Watching her turn around to smile, his eyes widen. The image of Ishmelga-Fie next to her copying her movements as she departs.

Watching her go out of sight, his body goes heavy for a moment. A hand running up to cover his face.

"The way you're acting down to the small stuff like caressing my head makes it feel as if you never lost your memory. My feelings remain as strong as ever, but yours are still all over the place." The voice of Ishmelga-Fie resurfaces.

Calm down, Rean. The Fie of then and now are different. Lifting up, he departs out to see all of his friends downstairs including Relon and Machias. The speckled teen with his arms crossed as are Jusis'. Looking at Fie reach the staircase, his hand clenches at his side. But what about this feeling in my chest…?

Touching the bottom, her yellow eyes lift up to meet Laura's amber ones.

"Fie/Laura, I- Oh, er…"

(What's with them? Did I miss something?) Relon asks his fellow protagonist.

(They're just patching something up is all.) Rean dismisses.

"Fie." Laura straightens up. "I owe you an apology. I allowed my own perception to become narrowed failing to recognize what was in front of myself. A dear friend."

So that's what she meant earlier. Relon muses.

"It's no biggie. Honestly, your reaction is understandable. Considering all we found out…" She averts her gaze for Laura to nod solemnly. "Friends still?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Both smiling to turn to the two boys.

"Welp, I don't know how to start this…" Relon rocks in place, Pippin and Pappan returning to their sheaths.

"Shall I ready some tea?" Sharon wonders untying the still woozy Sara.

"Haha~, ignite thy fierrrrrrr, Reloooooooooon~." Sara hollers reaching for the boy who pushes her off.

"Please do, Sharon." Relon sighs as the others sweatdrop helping her off of him.

"Very well, Master Relon." She bows leaving, Relon about to respond but dismisses the thought.

"Alright, aside from Emma, we're all here." Machias speaks.

"Yup." Relon agrees for a yawn to come. "Yikes." He pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Have you not slept recently?" Elliot asks.

"No, I've been asleep for an entire week remember? Just… I've done a lot you could say." He scratches at his scruffy hair. "Good thing I'm about to wake up." He sighs.

"What you mentioned earlier." Aurelia begins. "Does that have anything to do with it?"

"Yeah." He sighs, his eyes looking back and forth between Laura holding back Sara alongside Gaius. "I told Principal Vandyck that I was leaving Class VII."

If the situation they were in wasn't grim, Relon would honestly have bucked his eyes wide and laughed as he literally saw the drunken Sara become sober from his words.

BOP BOP!

Staggering back from the two-piece combo, he rubs his once again stinging cheeks.

"Well, I'm awake now." He mutters for Sara to look to him as if she's seen a ghost, her fists lowering..

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU WERE LEAVING CLASS VII?!" She roars, gripping him by his collar. "THAT'S WHY YOU CAME HERE?!"

"Originally, yes." He sighs trying to pry her off only to find no strength leaving him to dangle his arms. "But not anymore. You can thank Laura and the others."

"SCREW THAT!"

"Instructor."

"NO, SHUT UP! TEACHER'S TALKING! DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK YOU CAN JUST WALTZ IN HERE AND SAY SOMETHING AS SELFISH AS THAT AFTER THE CRAP WE JUST WENT THROUGH?!"

"Tch, of course not!" He tucks in his legs, launching off the woman towards the door. His body wobbling as he falls to his knees, the sight of the boy panting making the group look on in wonder. "I had originally come here ready to fight my way out but stuff happened with Noro so I just came here ready to accept whatever you all dished out." He explains no longer trying to stand, instead opting to just sit on the hardwood.

Screw niceties.

"What happened with Reta?" Laura questions calmly.

"Um, let's see. Wasn't waking up, had to give her literally everything both I and Nameless had so haha, currently on empty reserves wise. The recently talkative entity is napping so, yeah. Oh! Also apparently Noro isn't human so that's also something! We're exhausted after that ordeal. Decided to wander around and see what I missed. Didn't expect to become Erebonia's most hated. Um, hmmm, what else? Oh yeah, the announcement tomorrow that I and the others decided on." He says dryly crossing his legs.

"Wait, what about your sister?!" Alisa exclaims.

"Tell me about it." He responds drolly. "To think she can absorb our heat. She's a part of Luna- er Aidios I mean."

"Wait, slow down Relon."

"On which part? My little sister somehow being related to the goddess herself or the part of said goddess having been a part of me this entire time and I didn't know? Ooh, or an entire other plane of existence being where I originate from? Hell, I still don't know anything about my real dad much less my own sister cause mom sure doesn't either." He scoffs to himself.

"Relon." Rean calls.

"Hm? Oh, sorry, ranting to myself. Brain's basically dead so what's up?"

"One thing at a time. So Reta is…?"

"Yup. Makes me question if I was drawn to her out of adoration or if because she wasn't human…"

"Relon…" Elliot murmurs at the sad words.

"This other plane…" Rean continues after a moment.

"Known as the Beyond. Where Aidios, the main body, resides as did Ishmelga originate. Also where we come from." He emphasizes pointing to himself.

"And your family?"

"Y'all met most of them. No one knows where Kanade is. Shenhe, my big sister who I just found out about was murdered before my eyes by Ishmelga and Asuma, my mom is a witch who has some obligation with some group alongside Alister. Asuma is evil, Krovanh and Agria I don't even know where to start with that shit and Sephiroth… Ugh, I swear if by some terrible, terrible, joke of fate he is my dad, I don't know what I'm going to do. Damn, the mere thought is already making me-"

"Relon!" Rean interrupts.

"Sorry, sorry, more ranting. Where were we?"

"What announcement?"

"The one where the public can vent their frustrations to the temporary punching bag known as the Senate Hunter." He answers knowingly, all widening.

"You can't be serious!" Jusis exclaims.

"Dead serious." He looks to the noble.

"Are you insane? There's no way you can't take that much physical abuse!" Machias adds.

"I'm quite confident in my body's durability. It helps that I can fix the external damage with Pippin and Pappan afterwards." He shrugs.

"Relon, there are literal thousands that want you dead if not worse!" Alisa barks.

"Yes, I'm well aware. I saw first handed just how bad my image is."

"How can you accept something like this?" Gaius blinks in disbelief.

"Because I'm the one who came up with it." All snapping back to him incredulously.

"WHY?!" Sara demands.

"Well, Purple Lightning, how else would you quell a literal capital?" He glares in annoyance. "Every hour, more and more are coming in to protest the lost lives of all 747 soldiers Demeter wiped out." He snaps. "Just like that. They want answers from either the royal family or the chancellor himself. Both of which gave the order to send those soldiers."

"So you're trying to keep them in the light while you take the brunt of it." Aurelia surmises earning a nod from the teen.

"By doing that, a large portion of those related to the victims will be somewhat eased and the others can continue to do what they do best. That reminds me. I need to get my school attire updated." He hums in thought aloud. "Preferably I get a hood added so the public won't notice my face as much…"

"That could work." Fie chirps. "Maybe change the color of your uniform considering the news has had the video on repeat."

"Damn iiiiiit, I love the red though. Hmm. I could be the first Thors student to rock a black uniform." He purses his lips at the thought. "Write that one down for me, Fie."

"Already am." She responds having whipped out a small notepad.

"Anything else…?" He wonders to shrug. "I'm sure there's a lot more but too tired to think." He laughs hitting his knees as his gaze lifts to the mixed expressions everyone's wearing. "No, I'm not broken." He blurts out with a deadpanned expression.

"Yet." Machias adds adjusting his glasses.

"Relon, when does all of this start?" Gaius asks.

"Tomorrow. 10AM sharp. And it'll last throughout the week. And then I meet you guys at Thors."

"What do you mean meet?" Laura speaks up walking towards him.

"You're all being escorted back to Thors with the principal tomorrow." He answers, the girl stopping just before him.

"I'm staying."

"No."

"Same." Rean walks forward.

"No."

"Ditto." Fie agrees.

"Is the word 'no' not registering?" Twitching an eye out of irritation, he looks at the others. "Does anyone else wish to say no?" He wonders, everyone marching right around him. "The point of this is for all eyes to go on me while allowing you guys to get out of here! Did you all forget the media is after y'all too?!"

"Oh, we know. We know very well, my fiery student." Sara chuckles cracking her knuckles. "We're not asking to leave though."

"I'm trying to not let you or anyone else see the shit show that's gonna be going on. You all realize that, right?"

"We do but our resolve remains." Aurelia reaffirms.

"Damn it, guys." He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"We'll wait as long as we need to." Laura speaks.

"We're friends. Family even after a fight like that though that remains to be seen." Fie shrugs.

"Let's head back home, Relon." Rean extends his hand as does everyone else.

"TOGETHER!"

Outside

"This headache keeps on getting worse and worse, I swear." Relon sighs turning to face everyone. "Okay, I think that was everything about everything that I could think of."

"Hey Relon, back then against Sephiroth…" Elliot begins. "That thing we all did, what was that?"

"Oh, yeah! The union craft." He says for the ginger to nod.

"When we unleashed that attack, all of my remaining strength vanished." Jusis notes.

"It's crazy how after all of that you could still stand albeit barely." Machias adds looking to Relon.

"Mister's training is what I have to thank."

"Relon." Laura gives him a look.

"I don't care if the reason was good. Keeping the fact he could use magic from me is still frustrating to no end so I'll keep being stubborn about it. Some oath my ass." He crosses his arms. "But apparently, the dual craft as well as the union craft are phenomena similar to combination arts. Depending on the the bond between those links, either cases can occur. At least, that's what I was told."

"I'm still lost." Fie says dryly.

"Okay." He sighs for the umpteenth time. "Take Rean and I. We've known each other since we were kids and considering all that has happened between us, we have a decently strong bond. We also both combat in close range as that's how our mentalities have shaped due to our fighting style. Therefore, we're able to perform a dual craft but not a combination art. If say Elliot and I became closer in the future, odds are almost certain that we'd unlock a combination art instead due to his mentality around keeping a distance. I say that also because I use my flames from a distance at times."

"So the odds of unlocking a craft or art depends on both the bond and the fighting style the two users have." Sara surmises to gain a nod.

"Silver and Blaze mainly rely on combined attacks and arts since they started training which is why they have a combination art and not a dual craft."

"Blazing X-Scissor." Rean notes. "It's power was able to fend off Sephiroth's own fire."

"But what of the union craft?" Jusis wonders.

"That's something no one has heard of before but our best guess was this; the connection between all of us allowed for a multi-link. And since our objective in the heat of the moment was one, we generated a power that matched our emotions.

"And Seven's Lineage was born." Alisa smiles. "It has a nice ring to it."

"Yeah, but man did it leave me exhausted." Elliot chuckles.

"The culmination of all our feelings channeled into a series of repeated attacks to end in a decisive blow." Gaius muses gaining their attention.

"It was born at the perfect time." Rean adds.

Whether Luna was able to look out for us through a glimpse from the Beyond or if it was just luck, we scraped by. Something like that most likely won't happen for a while. We need to get stronger. Fast.

"So what will you do, Relon?" Laura wonders.

"Sadly, I can't sleep yet. I need- no. I want to check on the forest."

"The Great Elder…" Alisa murmurs solemnly, a nod from Relon.

"Afterwards, I'll head back and hit the hay." He steps back onto Pippin as he's lifted into the air. "Tomorrow comes fast and hard after all."

"Be careful." Rean calls out.

"Yeah, see you all soon. And tell Sharon the tea was lovely." He bids flying off.

Flying over the city in the dead of night, he glances at his ARCUS.

Seriously, it's going on past one?! Ugh, I'm so gonna be hurting in the morning. Hmm… Looks like Silver was right for once after all… I need to apologize when I get the chance…

Feeling his legs move slightly, he hunkers down.

"That's right, I don't have mom's cloth so I can't exactly hang onto anything…" Deciding to copy what Norowareta did on her birthday, he sits on his sword with his feet hanging. "Looks like I'll be flying like this for the time being." He says holding the handle firmly. "Hit it, Pippin." His sword complying by speeding up. "Maybe I'll add straps or something…"

Nearing the town, he notes of the fields unharmed. Lowering to float off the ground, he sees numerous tents and other facilities outside of the town. Some police and RMP vehicles and other equipment scattered amongst them.

Everyone must be using those tents for the time being.

Reaching the East Highway Gate, he floats through looking around at his home. The inn still wrecked atop its roof and the crater slightly filled in over where the Grand Market used to be. Getting off Pippin, he walks to the top of the slight incline, his eyes glancing at a sign in the ground.

[Grand Market Yearly Festival!]

"That's right. The festival was that Sunday…"

Quietly looking on, his eyes glaze over the ground at numerous vehicle tracks heading towards the West Highway. Lifting into the air on Pippin, his eyes stay on the orphanage before he takes off.

"I wonder if those thugs were apprehended…" His eyes going to the cabin he dropped them off in as he flies into the forest.

Stopping inside, his eyes go to the orbal station. Touching it, he feels his body's stiffness lighten only slightly.

"My body must be in bad shape if even an orbal station didn't fully heal me." He wonders, a ball of fire sitting in his hand. "Compared to when I used it on my first day, it barely worked. Maybe using Luna's power or something changed how I react to them." He muses aloud as they float along the path.

Eventually reaching the clearing, they note the land charred and numerous trees laid throughout the forest. Ceasing his personal torch, now basking in the moonlight, the ground slowly rumbles as from the back comes Grunoja.

"Yo."

-You're awake.-

A nod.

"Yeah. Sorry it took so long."

-Don't worry about it.-

A wry smile as he floats to land atop Grunoja's head. Both departing towards the back.

"What's happened since I left?"

-Not much. Enemies were taken away. Some exploded, others didn't. Those humans began work on the town while we began work on the forest. Much still needs to be done.-

They stop, Relon sliding down to stop before two graves.

A small one reading Minato Namikaze and a larger one ten times its size behind. "Lord of the Forest," it reads.

"I'm sorry." He mutters giving a silent pray.

-Do not apologize.-

His eyes opening to look back at Grunoja looking on at the graves. His eyes lowering to return to said points of interest.

"You're right. My bad. Grandpa, Great Elder, we managed to hold them off." A small smile. "Hey, Grunoja, did you know? About my dad able to use magic?"

-No. Only my father would have known alongside the Beast's sister.-

Obvious information but still better to know in confirmation than not at all.

"I'm angry."

-For not telling you?-

A nod.

"It could have explained so much or opened up the number of possibilities."

-It could.-

Nothing else.

"You're not gonna give me any wise words, are you?"

-I'm not my father. Figure it out yourself.- He walks off. -And get some sleep!- He screeches making Relon wince as the beast disappears into the forest.

Gone just like that without a care in the world.

"Heh, thanks Grunoja."

After some time, he stands exhaling a breath.

I should get going. I still have a one thing to do.

Turning, he is about to take a single step when a familiar voice calls out to him.

"Relon?"

Foot hitting the ground, he shifts his body to face the direction of the voice. Sure enough, he takes sight of the familiar witch.

"Emma?" He furrows his brows. "Why…?"

"One of the transportation devices we witches use is further behind me." She chuckles.

"Oh. But why come back now and not in the morning? It's past 2 o'clock."

"I could ask you the same."

"I just woke up today." He droops his eyes, a hand going to his hip. "How's everything?"

He gestures, the girl walking with him along the path towards the clearing.

"Demeter is under careful watch by Grandmother, Rinwell got the scolding of the lifetime. But, Grandmother was proud of her. Of us."

"You both helped out a lot. We wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you girls' help."

"Oh, we didn't do much." She dismisses.

"We're past modesty, Em." He chuckles, a light blush appearing.

"E-Em?"

"Considering we're partially related, it's only fair I give you a nickname as I have with some of the others."

"O-Oh, um, thanks. Honestly, I didn't know how to react when you first revealed yourself. But, you really were a Lucinance right down to your fire. I was relieved…"

Sensing the girl go quiet, they stop dead center of the clearing, Relon tilts his head.

"I'm sensing a but." He says for her to nod looking towards he hands cupped together.

"A part of me regrets not being able to reveal who I really was. Everyone-"

"Will see you for who you are." He cuts off with a wave, Emma looking at him in wonder.

"A lot's happened after the fight. Some stuff came up but we solved it as both Class VII and friends. You're still Emma, the kind and smart, and 2nd place student we all know and care about." He gives a cocky grin. "So no need to worry about the whole witch life."

"Relon…" She murmurs, a smile gracing her features for the girl to nod.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me, I was meeting up with everyone to announce my leaving of Class VII but I changed my mind." He dismisses with a shrug.

"Because of what's happening."

"So you know?" She nods.

"The world is looking negatively at the Senate Hunter for something he didn't do."

"Welp, they'll be happy to know that the Senate Hunter is paying for it starting tomorrow."

"What do you-" Before she can ask her question, Pippin and Pappan zoom out of their sheaths to hover defensively in front of the two.

Narrowing his eyes, he looks at the front entrance of the clearing veiled in darkness. Raising a hand in front of Emma, she readies her orbal staff as he puts on his gloves for a short figure to step out making Relon to go wide.

"Who is that?"

"What are you doing back here, Barbatos…? Senate had you tail me since Heimdallr or something like that?!" He roars, Emma widening at his words for another roar to bellow throughout the forest.

With a mighty rumble, Grunoja leaps out from the forest landing behind the two.

"Emma!"

"R-Right!" She nods, a link forming between them.

(Damn it, I still haven't fully recovered yet.)

"I'm not here to battle." He states calmly walking forward.

"We should believe you, why?" Relon responds, noticing the presence of the creatures around the clearing.

"As a martial artist, I'm not one to attack someone not at their best."

Looking on for a moment, blinking in repetition as the words process, his arms lower.

"My past, what caused me to become a Leaguient, my pride as a martial artist, all of it is irrelevant. What matters right now... is succeeding for the sake of the world! I, Leaguient #25, Barbatos shall defeat you!"

"Tch! You've forgotten what it means to be a martial artist!"

The words both spoke during their battle resurface.

"I see." He eases himself. "It's fine, Emma. He's not here to fight. Sorry, Grunoja." He glances over his shoulder.

"Relon?"

"Trust me on this. He's not here as a Leaguient." He looks back to the short elder. "What are you doing here, Shifu?"

"I'm here to give a parting message."

"What do you mean 'parting?'"

"Thank you." A smile of sincerity and nothing else. "For saving me from myself." Taken aback, Relon can only watch as it disappears. "There were a total of 26 Leaguients. Arentula is supposedly dead making it 25 and my death will soon make it 24. Each of our weapons as well as a select few Leaguients originate from the Beyond. One in particular was taken in by Sephiroth. She is number 13. The one you and Ishmelga's other host faced. Her Leaguient alias as well as her real name… is Narmaya. She is one of the few whom I believe you can change just as you did to me."

That girl with the fast unsheathing?

"The Furious Five, Po and the others, I'm sure they shall blame you for what will happen to me. Please, don't hold anything against them. I ask that you show them the light that you did onto me."

"... I'm tired of surprises." Relon breathes walking forward. "Senate, my messed up family, even the man who adopted me. I'm tired of it all. Tell me, Shifu, what do you mean by Arentula is supposedly dead?" He takes a seat directly in front of the man eyeing him.

"A short time after the Gigantic sunk, I went to the coordinates in which we previously met for the first time. Many bodies were recovered albeit charred and difficult to distinguish except one."

"... Oh shit."

"Yes, I am unsure if she is truly dead or not. Possibly, her body took the brunt of the explosion and became nothing at all. Maybe not. She was made a Leaguient for a reason."

"... What else?"

"I know not of the plans of any Leaguient higher than myself. I am only #25 so my knowledge of what they plan is limited. Many claim a number but that may not be the truth. Some will speak the truth while others may lie. It is up to you to discern fact from fiction."

"What is Sephiroth's real goal?"

"Operation Xiuhcoatl."

"As in the mythological fire serpent?" Emma asks.

"Yes. He wishes to cause chaos across the land with the social hierarchy but only one of many matches he intends to toss into the oil. What else we have not been told yet. He intends to 'bathe the world in flames.'"

"What organizations has he partnered with?"

"Several. The only name I know of is Ouroboros."

"Another serpent." He mutters. "Who exactly is Sephiroth? Whose body is Ishmelga controlling?"

"I do not know. Only Asuma and a select few know the answer."

Taking a moment to think, he looks at Barbatos awaiting his next question.

"Why?"

"Why indeed." A soft chuckle. "I, like many, had nothing. My master took me in and raised me as his own."

Just like me…

"Once I was old enough, he let me go. He wanted me to venture on my own across the land to see the world for what it was. For my own eyes to experience the beauty of it all. Along my journey, I encountered your father."

"You met my dad?"

"Met and fought him. We were both young and although I was older by a vast amount nearly twice his age at the time, he still defeated me. It was back then that I was able to enjoy a fight between martial artists as just that. A competition to better one another."

"What changed?" He asks, both he and Emma noting of the solemn demeanor Barbotos gains.

"Master Oogway, my master, was attacked by a group of jaegers. Their work was obvious at a glance. As great of a master as he was… even he couldn't defend against their onslaught of nefarious tactics."

"..."

"By the time I arrived, it was too late… and he was gone. My heart became vile as the words he always spoke rang like a bell of rage within. 'There are no accidents.' Someone wanted my master killed. With mind made up, I set out on a path of revenge. It was then that I met him."

"Sephiroth." A nod.

"His words were short and simple, yet they struck my heart and mind at once. He offered me a position in exchange for the whereabouts of those that murdered my master. I accepted. I discovered them and… ended them." His tone remorseful. "From that point on, I began to look at the world as a place none were safe with the unjust law of the very land itself. I began to look at it out of revenge. The now Furious Five; I found them abandoned so I took them in and raised them as my own. Seeing their faces so filled with despair mixed with hope, it only angered me more. What would the next person have done had I not taken them in? Would they have done the same when faced with such expressions?" His tone bitter.

"Shifu…"

"... I'm sorry." He breathes. "Truly, I am. For everything. I did not come here for acceptance. I came here to atone and that is what I have done." He rises to his knees.

"Senate Hunter, no- Relon Namikaze-Lucinance. Stop them. Do not let this world, both worlds, succumb to the flames of disaster. Please."

He can only watch as the short man grovel before him. Lifting his eyes to meet the numerous creatures now out in the open, he glances back at Grunoja and Emma. Turning back forward, he returns to Shifu. His eyes becoming crestfallen as he speaks.

"I can't and won't forgive Senate for what they've done. None of the Leaguients, Sephiroth, and… not even my own family. So rest easy." He places a hand onto the man's shoulder. "I'll take it all. The pain, the hate, everything. So you can rest in peace. I'll stop them and save who I can. That is my response to you."

"... Thank you." Both rise. "Congratulations, Senate Hunter. On successfully hunting down, Leaguient #25, Barbatos." He extends a hand. "I place that life in your hands."

"Leave it to me, Shifu." He shakes before they separate.

Snapping his fingers, all look up to a ship overhead.

"Beware of Sephiroth and Ishmelga. They know much but allow ever more. That includes our conversation. Let their overconfidence be their undoing, Relon Namikaze-Lucinance." He bids, his body beamed up before the ship is gone in seconds.

"Noted, Master Shifu."

Looking onto a monitor at the fading boy, the ex-Leaguient's mind goes back to their battle. The ferocity, the mastership both showed leading all up to that vision.

That creature… I pray when the time comes, it will help you.

Senate Hideout

"What are your last wishes, Barbatos?" The voice of Sephiroth questions from atop his throne. Each Leaguient surrounding the short man, their weapons all poised at him. Said man sporting numerous burns, cuts, and other injuries of varying degrees. Panting, his blurred vision looks up to the man he once respected adorned in a new mask.

"Leave them… unharmed." He falls to a kneel.

Resting his head on his hand in boredom, Sephiroth lifts a hand. All moving away for easy access of their lord to the defeated Leaguient.

"Very well." The leader obliges, raising his hand. "Farewell, #25. Send Arentula my regards if you meet her."

"I shall…"

Feeling the heat come, his eyes remain closed as the pain meets his flesh. Though the pain only lasts for a single moment. Opening his eyes, he feels warmth from within. Opening his eyes, he smiles at the paradise before him.

Looking at the ground now littered with ash and residual flames, Cabrakan remains silent.

"Rest easy, Barbatos." He mutters, each Leaguient looking to Sephiroth and the other Lucinances.

"He made his decision knowing the cost. I commend him for that. Let this be a warning. Should any defy Senate, they shall succumb to the same fate. Do I make myself clear?"

"YES, MY LORD!"

Relon

Flying silently back to Heimdallr on Pippin with Emma on Pappan, his eyes finally take sight of said city coming into view. Lowering to stand outside the guild, Emma hops off looking to Relon.

"What will you do now?"

"Get back to the palace and sleep hopefully." He answers looking to his ARCUS, it going on three in the morning for him to roll his tired eyes.

"My, didn't expect to see you both so soon." Looking to Sara smiling at them, Relon gives a small wave.

"I'll leave her in your care, Instructor."

"Get some sleep, why don't you? Got a busy day tomorrow"

"Yes, ma'am." He tiredly salutes lifting into the air before flying off with Pappan close behind.

Yawning, he takes sight of the Palace. Landing on the balcony of his once room, he lands to meet his beloved. Arms out at the ready sporting her familiar nightwear.

"Welcome back." Claire murmurs holding him tightly, both swords floating over to rest in a familiar corner.

"I'm sorry." He breathes, tucking his head into the crook of her neck. "I really am." He mumbles through her fabric.

"I am too." Her embrace tightening ever so slightly.

Releasing he, looks to her.

"You still have something to do, don't you?" A tired nod. "I'm not going anywhere." That kind smile that he was blessed to see, its sheer warmth melting his heart away. "Don't be long." She says walking and returning to bed pulling out a book.

"I won't. Hopefully." He chuckles before departing into the long corridor.

Within 10 minutes, he halts before a study knocking twice before coming in.

"Not bothering to wait for a response I see." The gruff voice of Osborne greets with Vandyck across from him.

Slowly blinking doing his best to stay fully awake, he tiredly nods not bothering for and smart talk.

"I'm still a member of Class VII." He sighs, Vandyck allowing the words to register to smirk. "Yeah, yeah, I know you told me so." He rolls his eyes to land on Osborne.

"Yes?" He wonders knowingly.

"Make sure you get the crowd riled up so no one has any left over frustration after they get through with me." He turns with a wave. "I don't need stragglers for what's to come." He bids closing the door.

"Hmpf."

Walking down the long hall, his body gives out for a moment forcing him to lean against the wall, the still-alive city catching his eye.

"You're a lot more beautiful than I remember." He mutters.

"Whoa there, Claire might get upset if she hears that." The familiar voice of Lechter jokes tucking himself under Relon's arm. "Let's get you to your queen before she starts looking for you."

"... Thanks, Lechter. I owe you one."

"Nah, what you'll be doing in about…" AA quick glance at his watch. "A little under seven hours is plenty for all of us. Even the boss. We should owe you honestly."

"Ahaha, tempting. Hey, Lechter."

"What's up?"

"Arentula may be alive."

A sudden halt in their step, Relon not need to glance at the perturbed expression his friend now has.

"Source?"

"You may not believe me if I tell you." They resume walking.

"I don't want to believe you period."

Eventually reaching the room, Relon leans against the wall next to the door.

"I'll see what I can find on my end."

"Don't bother for now. If she were to make an act, she'd know this week would be her best chance. Again, the key word is 'if.'"

"We both know those 'ifs' are more certain than the very word itself." He chuckles dryly departing with a wave.

"Here's to hoping that changes." Relon breathes out heading inside.

Closing the door behind him, his eyes go to Claire still in bed putting away the book. Dragging himself over, he balls up his jacket tossing it to the far off desk as he faceplants the soft bedding.

"Crap."

"What's wrong?" Claire wonders combing a hand through his hair.

"I still haven't seen Alfin much less Musse. Ugh, I'm the worst." He buries his face in the comfort of her covered legs, a chuckle escaping the young woman.

"They already know you've done a lot." She smiles for him to raise up as it clicks.

"You're the best." He smiles pulling himself up and under the covers.

"I know." She says with confidence, her eyes on the boy as he rests his head on a pillow.

"Claire."

"Yes?"

"Seriously, I'm sorry. For what happened back there." His eyes looking up to meet hers.

Moving them down to her hands inspecting the other, she speaks.

"I know. I didn't expect our first argument to happen so abruptly, much less in front of the royal family but… I'm glad it happened. We're both still young and the concept of love is… still new but I don't want to let it end because of ill circumstances." A faint blush appearing as she turns off the lamp.

The barely visible outline of her resting next to him. Her face mere inches from his own.

"No matter how bad it gets, I want to fight through it. Together."

Taken aback for the last time of the night, a soft breath leaves his smiling demeanor.

"Yeah. Together." He nods.

"Pinky promise?" She teases raising said finger.

"Seriously? I'm not a child, Claire." A light pout as he copies her gesture, their fingers wrapping around one another. "Hmpf, only if you do."

"Hehe, one three?"

"One."

"Two.

"Three."

"Promise." Their words hum in unison, the lull of silence finally taking the newest villain hunter.

The people themselves are a voice that is important to hear out. But what about the victims? It's always 'we, the people' but never 'we, the victims.' Such a society plagues the land with its foolish hierarchy that so many deem fair while others argue it unjust. It is one of the few traits the person standing atop Valflame Palace muses to themselves. An avian creature silently flying overhead. With a tap of their staff, both vanish. What's left? A single feather.