Chapter 63 - Rivalry Blues

8.19.1206 - Saturday

Rean stood by himself inside the Merkabah's washroom, looking at his reflection in the mirror after taking a quick morning shower. He still wasn't sure what to think about his new appearance. While having white hair and crimson eyes was nothing new for him thanks to his ogre powers, the fact that it was currently permanent didn't sit well with him. It was as if he was less human than before.

It wasn't just his hair and eyes, his paler skin was evident of that. But Rean decided to keep that part of his current state to himself, for better or for worse.

"I should go meet up with the others now." Rean thought to himself before placing one of his hands on his chest, right where he had been pierced back at the Grahl.


Soon Rean and Class VII entered the depths of the Sol Shrine, where Crow and Duvalie were waiting for them to start the Rivalries. He now wore a black getup gifted to him by Emma and Roselia, contrasting his now permanent white hair and crimson eyes. The moment of truth between the Ashen Awakener and the Azure Awakener was finally upon both of them.

Both groups exchanged pleasantries before Crow explained the truth about the Rivalries. A truth that Emma, Gaius, and Celine had known for a while, but kept to themselves.

The Rivalries were struggles for power. Deathmatches between Divine Knights and their Awakeners whenever the world is driven to the brink of annihilation.

Emma and Crow continued explaining, along with revealing why Vita had attempted to stage a pseudo-Rivalry during the civil war.

Gaius continued where they left off, explaining that all seven Divine Knights were fighting to become one whole again. A battle royale where only one could stand as the winner.

Crow could see in the look in Rean's eyes that he connected the dots to what would happen to both of them as a result of the Rivalries. Deciding that it would be better not to spell things out for the others just yet, he decided that it was time to start their Rivalry.

Rean accepted Crow's terms. He knew that now was the best time for their Rivalry, as the Sacrifice he wasn't sure what would happen to him once the Curse's hold on him increased even more. Be it returning to his feral state, or even losing his memories and being turned into a puppet. The latter being something Crow had been all too familiar with.

"Then now may be the last chance I have. Before my memories are snatched away… Before I am forced to duel to the death, devoid of all sense and reason… I can still see this Rivalry through with my own eyes. Triumph or fail by my own merit. I stand before you, Crow Armbrust. As a swordsman of the Eight Leaves, and a member of Class VII. Even if it's the last thing I ever do, I'll do it as myself: Rean Schwarzer." Rean declared as he took a step forward and unsheathed his tachi.

"Hah. There you go." Crow replied as he pulled out his sabre.

"Before we begin, the stage must be set, as with the Infernal Castle and Ouroboros' experiments. Appoint an ally to assist you. Only then shall we take you on." Duvalie explained as he pulled out her weapons and activated a combat link with Crow.

"Huh. Guess this is as good a stage as we're gonna get. We don't quite meet the full requirements, but hey. A passing grade's a passing grade. All right then! This'll be our last dance, Rean. I saved it just for this moment… Just for you- in the throes of the fading twilight!" Crow announced as he powered up.

"I'm ready… Let's do this, guys!" Rean responded.

"Right!" all of Class VII replied in unison.


Seeing as Duvalie was Crow's partner for the fight, Laura saw it fit to volunteer as Rean's partner for the fight as well. The four of them battled while the others watching from the sidelines saw energy forming around them, the true battle of the Rivalry becoming evident as Ordine rested on opposite ends of the arena watching everything unfold.

There was more to Rean and Crow's fight than just starting up the Rivalry that was being left unsaid. Rean was determined to win, not only for his sake but for the sake of Proto Class VII. He recalled the promise he made to Towa, Angelica, and George, that he would make Crow come back to Thors and graduate with them. That might've been two years ago, but that wasn't enough to deter him from attempting to keep the promise he made long thought broken. Meanwhile Crow kept on the defensive, knowing full well what Rean wanted. Even with his fate looming ever closer with each hit from Rean's tachi, he gave it his all to make sure that he could protect his friends once everything was over.

Crow could feel that something was off about Rean's technique, he seemed slightly slower than in their previous fights and his blows didn't have the same force as before. Just enough for everyone else to not notice, but as a fellow Awakener the difference in Rean's speed and strength compared to their previous fight in Heimdallr was night and day.

Duvalie and Laura soon fell, the stage having absorbed all of their fighting energy. Leaving Rean and Crow to start the next stage of their long awaited battle.

"This glow!" Musse noted as the arena began to shine brightly.

"The stage is set. The preparations are complete!" Emma announced.

"Right! We're up, Ordine!" Crow ordered.

"Understood, Crow." Ordine replied as they made their way onto the arena.

"Valimar! Heed my call!" Rean shouted before Valimar teleported inside the arena.

Both Awakeners quickly got inside their Divine Knights before getting into their battle stances.

"Instructor Rean… Millium…" Altina commented as she watched Rean and Valimar draw out the Sword of the End.

"Short stack… Still glowing red, huh? But whatever. That sword ain't much stronger than one made out of Zemurian Ore." Crow noted as he felt a faint link between himself, the sword, and its wielder. "Don't hold back, Rean. Come at me with everything you've got!"

Instead of giving Crow the amped up reply he was expecting, Rean simply sighed.

"Hey, you in there or what?" Crow questioned.

"Crow… If a Rivalry at its core, a battle between two Divine Knights… then what about the Awakeners?" Rean asked, deciding that it was time to clue the others into what would happen soon. "Since I'm also a Sacrifice, I don't fully know what will exactly happen to me in my current state… but you're only being kept alive as an Awakener by the curse. So what'll happen if you, an immortal, lose?"

"Wait… Doesn't that mean he'd…?" Alisa commented as Class VII realized what Rean was alluding to.

"Well… Guess that's what we're here to find out, huh? Gonna have to call you out for actin' like you already won, though. You gotta kick things off first. So come on- you better be ready for this Rean! The world's about to crumble right under your feet… So QUIT SCREWING AROUND! Your pathetic opponent's already dead, so put him outta his misery!" Crow responded.

"Fine. But let me make just one thing clear to you. You're not pathetic. You're our friend. A fellow member of Class VII. A rival who's shadow I've long struggled to emerge from. That's all I have to say. NOW let's settle this!" Rean declared as Millium began to glow red.

"Hah… Fine by me. Show me what you've got Rean!" Crow replied.

With that, both Awakeners charged at each other with all their might.


Class VII watched on as Rean and Crow exchanged blows. After their many previous fights, they were now evenly matched.

In the end, Rean was able to gain the advantage over Crow and knocked his sabre out of Ordine's hands. Making him the winner of their Rivalry.

"It's over…" Duvalie commented as she watched Crow and Ordine fall to their knees.

"He did it! But…" Juna cheered before remembering what was going to happen to Crow now.

"Does this mean the Rivalry is complete?" Kurt questioned.

"Yeah… Looks like our little improv routine did the trick." Crow commented as Ordine released him.

Class VII watched as Crow and Ordine began to slowly fade away. They all quickly ran over to them, to see if there was anything they could this time unlike back at the Infernal Castle.

"I don't understand… Your wounds aren't fatal like they were in the Infernal Castle!" Elliot questioned.

"Yeah… You've made it through way worse than this!" Fie argued.

"Stay with us, Crow!" Alisa begged.

Beams of energy from Ordine soon began to fly to Valimar. What remained of Ordine was now being transferred over to Valimar to make them stronger.

"Well… Here's your answer. Ordine's power is Valimar's now. And with it, whatever it was that kept me alive. Each successive Rivalry… will lead you to… the root… of this curse…" Crow explained as he began to feel more tired.

"Not another word… You must conserve your strength!" Laura advised.

"Celine, help me! We can't leave him like this!" Emma ordered.

"I'm with you!" Celine responded as began to prepare a healing spell.

Much to Class VII's dismay, Emma and Celine's magic had no effect on Crow. Just like back at the Infernal Castle.

"Hah… Y'think I'd be used to this by now… Guess Karma really is a bitch… At least this time… our power… can live on through you… Sorry for making you guys go through this… a second time… Long as Rean's got you guys and Towa on his side… I know he'll be all right. Just… do me a solid and… bring Gelica back to her senses for me… 'kay?" Crow lamented as he turned to face Old Class VII.

"Like hell! You've played hooky for two lifetimes as it is!" Sara responded.

"Aren't you going to help save Towa and Angelica? Or even George? They all deserve to see you one last time. They deserve that closure, just as much as you!" Gaius argued.

"You guys managed to bring Rean back from the brink… That's no small feat… Guy's a real drama queen, though, take it from me… Second he starts acting all spoiled and mopey… you pull him right back out… 'kay?" Crow continued as he turned to New Class VII, choosing to ignore his former schoolmates and instructor's rebuttals.

"S-Stop talking like that! You can't just give up!" Juna responded.

"Don't you understand how much you mean to him!?" Kurt questioned.

"You're the only one acting spoiled here, Crow!" Rean shouted as Valimar released him.

"I-Instructor Rean…?" Altina asked as she and the rest of Class VII watched Rean walk over to Crow.

"Hey, whaddaya think you're-" Ash tried to question before Rean continued scolding Crow.

"Pull yourself together, Crow Armbrust!" Rean continued as he knelt down on his knees and pulled Crow up by his collar. "The world is about to crumble, not just beneath my feet, but yours, as well! Are you really just going to take the easy way out? Now, of all times!?"

Crow watched on confused as Valimar raised his arm and transferred back Ordine's power to them.

"Wh-What the…? How are you…?" Crow questioned as he felt life come back to him.

"Look! Valimar, he's…" Gaius commented as Class VII watched on, just as confused as Crow.

"Stopped absorbing Ordine's power?" Emma noted as she tried to recall any similar thing happening in the past.

"That's not it. He's reversing the flow!" Celine revealed.

"I-Inconceivable…" Duvalie said in disbelief.

"Screw the Rivalry… I won't do this to you! I won't be responsible for your death a second time! You're going to live, damn it! You hear me!? You're going to fight, and struggle, and survive, no matter what it takes! I made Towa a promise… no. I made a promise to your friends and to myself that I'd bring you back! I won't let you off the hook that easily! You've got a ton of interest to pay back!" Rean continued, holding back tears.

Crow and Ordine quickly stopped fading away, regaining their physical form.

"Th-They're coming back!" Juna commented as they saw Ordine lift his head.

"And… it's as though something's happening between them." Kurt pointed out as Rean, Valimar, Millium, Crow, and Ordine were absorbed by a faint blue light.

"Yes, perhaps it's…" Musse concluded as she thought through all of the possibilities that could be occurring.

"Come back to us, Crow!" Rean begged as he tightly wrapped his arms around Crow. "I need you… we ALL need you!"

"Exactamundo! We're no quitters! Right, Crow?" Millium argued.

"That voice!" Altina responded as everyone heard Millium's voice coming out of the Sword of the End.

"I see… So all this time…" Jusis commented.

Rean held onto Crow with all the strength he had left as he felt himself slowly losing consciousness, he had finally overexerted himself. What with their Rivalry, and now splitting energy with Crow to try and keep him alive. Along with his current condition, it was a miracle he had stayed up for as long as he did.

Rean soon fell, unsure whether or not Crow and Ordine will be there when he woke up.


"Hey. Rise and shine, princess!" a cocky voice teased, snapping Rean awake.

Rean found himself in bed, surrounded by his friends and students.

"Oh… I… remember this place…" Rean commented, still weak from after his Rivalry with Crow.

"Well, I should hope so. This is the lodge on Bryonia Island. We brought you here so you could rest a bit." Musse revealed.

"Oh, sure. It's only been, like, six, friggin' hours. You done with your little beauty sleep yet, or what?" Ash complained, his face doing a poor job of hiding his concern.

"Try to take it easy on him. You'd be tired too if you went all-out the way he did." Machias said in Rean's defense.

"Though we do need to start planning for the Rivalries to come at some point…" Jusis reminded everyone.

"Right, the Rivalry! What happened after…?" Rean questioned as he sat up on the bed.

That's when Rean noticed Duvalie casually sitting at a nearby table, still in her full set of armor.

"Oh… Hey there, Duvalie." Rean greeted.

"E-Excuse me!? That's 'Duvalie the SWIFT' to you!" Duvalie responded. "I get the feeling you've become a bit too accustomed to my presence."

"S-Sorry. I was just… surprised, is all." Rean replied.

Crow couldn't help but laugh loudly at the sight in front of him. Somehow, Rean's sixth sense didn't alert him of his presence a few feet away.

"Hey. How's it going? I woke up just a little bit ago, but I can't really move much, either." Crow explained as he sat on the edge of his bed. "Honestly, I coulda used a few more hours in dreamland."

"Crow…" Rean responded in disbelief. "Then… Everything worked out okay?"

"Looks that way… Just couldn't let me have my big moment, could you?" Crow replied.

"And it's good he didn't. It would've been your last, otherwise." Sara commented.

"Emma, Celine. What exactly happened back there?" Kurt asked.

"I can only make a guess based on the flow of mana, but… I believe Valimar has made Ordine into a servant of sorts." Emma explained.

"So like what the Dark Dragon did to those Calvardians? He's like… 'Knighttouched', but… with a 'K'!" Juna commented.

"Not quite. Those soldiers were nothing more than slaves to their master's will. In this case, it's more of a matter of kinship. Of sharing a spiritual link, like the one Emma and I have." Celine corrected.

"I see… So it's like my connection with Claiomh Solais." Altina suggested.

"Then the two Divine Knights have become lord and retainer, in a certain sense." Kurt noted, reminded of his own relationship with Cedric.

"It must've extended to the Awakeners, too. Otherwise, Crow would've disappeared by now." Alisa added on.

"As Rivalries go, this one wasn't exactly by the book. Ordine's still here, for one. Valimar didn't absorb his power." Gaius commented.

"Well, sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I mean, now we're up a man AND a Divine Knight." Fie noted.

"Agreed. Ordine will be a welcome addition to our forces. And with Crow now in our ranks as well, it will make a world of difference." Laura added on.

"Oh… Counting me in already, huh? Well, no use arguing about it. To the victor goes the spoils. 'Sides, until we manage to put this Great Twilight business to an end… I'm livin' on borrowed time." Crow responded.

"Crow…" Machias replied.

"Then your ultimate fate remains unchanged…?" Jusis asked.

"Yep. Any way you slice it, my being here contradicts reality itself. Doesn't matter what you, Aidios, or anyone else has to say about it. My fate's not gonna change one bit." Crow answered. "Am I right, Gaius? Emma?"

"Unfortunately so." Gaius reluctantly admitted.

"As much as we hate to admit it…" Emma added on.

"Crow…" Elliot responded.

"S-So what, we're supposed to just let it happen!?" Juna questioned.

"There has to be something we can do." Altina commented.

"Screw Aidios, then… What's she even good for?" Ash complained, earning him a glare from Gaius.

"We can worry about that later. Because right here, right now, you're still alive. I won't accept this 'fate' of yours as a hard and fast truth. As long as you're still here, I'm not giving up on you." Rean declared. "But for now… I'm just happy you're back with Class VII. Back where you belong."

"That's right…" Alisa responded as she began to tear up.

"I swear, you're all just as sentimental as ever." Celine complained.

Using what little strength he had regained, Rean stood up in front of Crow.

"Welcome back, Crow. You're one of us again. So, let's give it all we've got. Just the way we always have!" Rean swore as he offered Crow a fist bump.

"Haha… Aw, screw it. I gotta pay all that interest back one way or another, right?" Crow replied as he raised his fist to meet with Rean's.

Elliot couldn't help but cry seeing Crow finally return to Class VII after all these years.

"Haha… About time…" Machias noted as he took off his glasses and wiped some tears off his face using one of his sleeves.

"Heehee… Seems our lost little lamb has found his way back to the flock." Sara joked, fighting back the tears as their former instructor.

"Honestly… I'm in awe of how much time you lot fritter away on sentimentality…" Duvalie commented.

"And what of you, then? What do you intend to do from here on?" Laura asked as she turned to face Duvalie.

"Wh-What I intend to do… is none of your concern. This is as far as my charity goes. Come tomorrow, I'll be going bye-bye." Duvalie explained.

"'Bye-bye'?" Juna repeated before chuckling to herself.

"So where're you going, then?" Fie questioned. "Can't really do much anymore without the society backing you up, right?"

"You did mention something about getting to the bottom of Ouroboros' plans. You've got some other allies to fall back on, I take it?" Sara added on.

"Do you even have a plan to get off this island to begin with?" Jusis pointed out.

"I'm not too familiar with it, but the society does employ some form of teleportation technique, as I recall…" Emma noted.

"W-Well… I… Uh… If it came down to it, I could simply swim back to Ordis! Yes, that's right…" Duvalie declared.

"Your chance of survival caps out at zero percent." Altina bluntly commented.

"Hoh hoh hoh! Looks like the Switf's been stopped cold." Ash joked.

"I guess you can only use their teleportation when you're actively working with them, huh?" Elliot noted.

Crow couldn't help but feel pity for Duvalie as it became clear that she had no escape plan. He turned to Rean and Gaius to get their input, all three nodded in agreement over what they should do.

"Listen, Duvalie. I get it. I know things seem a little weird given all the history between you guys, but things are different now. So how about you and I both take a load off and let someone else take the reins for a change?" Crow suggested.

"Ex-CUSE me!?" Duvalie yelled as she stood up. "I think that fight must have addled your brains! What kind of fool do you take me for!? I am- or, WAS a proud member of the Stahritter! The very idea is utterly ridiculous!"

"Maybe so, we do still owe you for backing us up at the Black Workshop. Not to mention the help you've given us here on Bryonia. We couldn't have completed the Rivalry without you." Rean replied.

"Our paths have crossed so often… At this point, it can only be fate." Laura added on. "But you may consider it just a temporary arrangement, if you'd like. At least until you figure things out for your own."

"In addition, your lord will surely be involved in the Rivalries we will face in the near future. Coming along with us could yield quite a wealth of information about her, don't you think?" Musse pointed out.

"W-Well… My lord is most certainly… I suppose… Were I to play my cards right…" Duvalie responded.

"She always knows just what buttons to push, huh?" Machias signed as Class VII turned to look at Musse.

"This girl's one to watch out for…" Celine commented.

"Heehee. This is nothing compared to the way she organized the Weissland Army." Alisa noted.

"Oh, yeah. Musse's got playing people down to an art." Juna joked.

"Ahem! If we could get back to the matter at hand… I have decided to help you out a bit… For now." Duvalie announced. "But remember this, Class VII! We are NOT friends. Our cooperation is one of convenience, and nothing more!"

"If you say so, welcome aboard!" Crow replied.

From there Class VII, now with Crow and Duvalie in their ranks, thought up their next course of action.

Rean told the others about how he was able to sense Towa, Alfin, and Elise back at the Black workshop, which made it clear that they were safe but still under the eye of Osborne and his forces. Thanks to Crow and Duvalie's time working for the enemy, they had a vague idea of where Alfin and Elise were being held captive. While they knew for certain that Towa was being held inside the Cayenne mansion in Ordis thanks to Crow's recent visit. The only issue now being how they were going to get inside and rescue her.

It was decided that they would head to Ordis the next day and explore the area to figure out any way to sneak into the Cayenne mansion and free Towa, along with gathering information in general.


Later That Night

"It's past your curfew. You should head back to your assigned room." Claire ordered as she joined Towa on the balcony.

Ever since waking up, Towa had spent the previous few nights staring up at the night sky for as long as she could. Much to the annoyance of Claire.

"I said it's past your curfew." Claire repeated.

"Five more minutes." Towa responded, not even bothering to look back at Claire.

"Fine. I tried being civil, what comes next is purely your own doing." Claire replied before going back inside.

Claire had wanted to have Towa in the guest room before their new guest had arrived, but if she was going to be uncooperative, then maybe it was for the best if their new guest helped with dealing with her.

"Rean… I know you're looking up at the night sky right now too… May Aidios watch over you…" Towa said to herself before saying a quick prayer.

"I've been told it's past your curfew, little lady. Why don't you make this easier for all of us and just go back to your room?" a familiar voice greeted.

"Wait, that voice…" Towa responded before turning around, relieved to be able to hear her friend again. "Angie!"

Much to Towa's horror however, Angelica still wore the same mask she wore back at the Grahl. Meaning that she was still under the control of the Gnomes.

"Who?" Rossweisse questioned.

"I already told Captain Claire to give me five minutes." Towa responded before turning her back to Rossweisse.

Feeling insulted, Rossweisse quietly walked over to Towa and grabbed her by the bandaged up hand she had injured back at the Grahl.

"A-Angie, wait!" Towa responded as she felt Rossweisse slowly start to add pressure.

"My name is Red Rossweisse. I told you to return to your room." Rossweisse ordered as she made it clear to Towa that she wouldn't hesitate making her hand's injury permanent.

"Understood… A-Angie…" Towa weakly replied before Rossweisse let her go.

Even now, Towa still refused to call Angelica anything other than her name. No mask could ever change that. She knew that deep down, her best friend was fighting to regain her freedom.


Rean looked up at the night sky as he sat in front of the cabin. The others had decided to leave him and Crow inside the cabin to rest while they all slept onboard the Merkabah. Even though he should've been resting, he couldn't sleep in good conscious without doing what he had promised Towa he would do once he was free.

"Towa…" Rean muttered to himself as he absorbed the star filled night sky.

"What are you doing up at this hour?" Crow questioned as he opened the cabin's front door and joined Rean outside.

Crow had changed out of his Azure Siegfried attire and into something more comfortable. A black pair of pants, a blue V-neck shirt with a white shirt underneath, a big white belt, along with a large brown jacket.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?" Rean replied.

"You did. Seriously, how am I supposed to sleep when I can hear you muttering 'Towa this' or 'Towa that'?" Crow jokingly answered.

"I-I see. I'll try to keep my volume under control." Rean responded. "By the way, where did you even get those clothes?"

"Oh this? Duvalie and I stopped by one of my old bases from the ILF days. It used to be a bit too big when I stole it, but now it fits like a glove." Crow explained.

"I see. I suppose it makes sense not to walk around the country while dressed as someone who was causing trouble a few months ago." Rean noted.

"Actually, since it's just the two of us right now. There's something I've been meaning to ask." Crow admitted.

"Go ahead. Did you want me to catch you up on what you've missed the last few years?" Rean asked as he looked up at Crow with a smile.

"Do the others know about the true state of your condition?" Crow bluntly asked.

Rean's smile faded as he continued looking up at Crow silently for a few minutes.

"Of course they do. It would be pretty hard for them to not notice my change in hair and eye color, along with my role as the Sacrifice." Rean answered.

"That's not what I'm asking and you know it. Don't think you can hide it from me. I saw how you fought today. You're way slower and weaker than you were during the Summer Festival." Crow responded.

"I do suppose I haven't received enough time to rest since escaping the Black Workshop-" Rean noted before Crow grabbed him by his coat's collar and lifted him up from the ground.

"Don't pretend like all you need is rest! I should've noticed earlier, your skin is just as pale as mine!" Crow shouted.

"I'm not like you! I'm not an Immortal! I wouldn't hide that from my friends or students!" Rean loudly responded.

"Then what are you!?" Crow questioned. "Since our Divine Knights are linked, I can sense your power. You're far from 100%, especially with how you gave some of your energy to Ordine and I."

"I'm the Sacrifice, remember?" Rean answered.

"I do, but what does that entail?" Crow asked.

"I don't know." Rean bluntly answered. "What happens to me once this is all resolved is beyond my knowledge. I could fade away from existence, I could lose my mind, I could succumb to my wounds from the Grahl, or heck, I could be just fine. I can't be sure if what fate has in store for me is good or bad."

"Bullshit! Why haven't you told the others!? Don't they deserve to know!?" Crow argued.

"Like I said, after everything that's happened recently, my unknown fate is the least of their concern. If there's even a small chance that I'll be okay, then I shouldn't worry the others into thinking that I'll die." Rean explained.

"Again, that's bullshit and you know it!" Crow shouted. "I can sense the curse flowing through you and Valimar, just like back at the Black Workshop! There's more you know about your odds of survival that you're not telling the rest of us!"

"Fine… Even though I've been able to regain control of my body, the curse still lingers inside of me." Rean admitted. "My body's been trying to fight it off constantly, which is why I've had less energy than before. Because I have so much of the curse still inside of my veins, it's even more likely that I'll cease to exist once this is all over. It's for the best that no one else knows the odds of things turning out that way, just in case I do make it out of this alive. Even if the odds are extremely low."

"So you're going to let your students wait in your classroom for a lousy instructor who'll never show up? Make your friends and family worry when you stop answering their calls? What about Towa? Are you going to tell her or just let her wake up one day alone without a clue about what happened to the person she thought she'd spend the rest of her life with?" Crow pointed out.

Rean looked at Crow, unsure what to say. He dreaded thinking about those possibilities, to leave behind everyone without a proper goodbye.

"I… I-I could write a letter for them to find after I die that explains everything." Rean suggested without a second thought.

Crow could only grit his teeth and grimace as he looked at Rean, unsure if he was in a position to criticize him when had also hidden fairly important details about himself from his friends.

"Fine." Crow responded before tossing Rean to the ground and opening the front door to the cabin. "You're an adult now, you don't need me to tell you what to do."

"R-Right…" Rean replied as he stood up.

"One last thing, Rean. I won't tell the others what you've told me tonight, but on one condition." Crow commented as he held open the door for Rean.

"What is it?" Rean asked.

"You tell Towa about what's going to happen. She deserves to know." Crow continued. "At the very least before the final Rivalry."

"I… I promise to tell Towa everything once I'm ready. In the meantime, I'll do everything I can for her." Rean swore as he placed his hand over his chest.

"Alright then. C'mon let's go get some shut eye, studs like us need our beauty sleep. Or do you plan to save Towa with bags under your eyes?" Crow suggested in an attempt to lighten the mood.


Author's Note

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, thank you for reading!

With how important Rean and Crow's previous Divine Knight fights were, I decided that I had to adapt it. Along with using this chapter as the perfect place to establish the change in Rean's condition in this fic.

I decided that the white hair and red eyes weren't enough of a punishment for our favorite Rean-Bean, so I decided to double down on the Curse's hold on him. While his mind and body may be clear, his link to it spells uncertainty for his future. Sure he may assume he's likely to die, but don't worry it's still not assured. Only time will tell what type of ending this fic will have. Haha...

On that note, expect the next couple of chapters to be much more fluffier and sweet once Rean and Towa reunite next chapter, yay!

Special thanks to ZetianWu for beta-reading this chapter!