"It's finally over.."

The owner of the voice tosses the broken sword to the ground, rendering them completely defenceless. The creature lays there lifeless, dying the once obsidian floor in blood red. The owner eyes the creature, somewhat pitying the fallen beast. But it had to be done. It was their only way of escaping the tower. Tartarus. They take in the silence from the circular hall that protrudes upwards to the infinite sky. Oh how they wished this day would come. Though the walls seemed endless there is always an end. The journey is finished but what was the point? Climbing this cursed tower has taken everything from them.

Instead of happiness or joy they could only feel numbness. Numbness over the countless battles, the struggles, everything they had to give up in order to make it to the end. Why should they rejoice? Why would they do such a cruel sickening act to their fallen comrades, the fallen beasts they had to slay. If there was a god, he is a cruel god, a god they'd slay over and over again.

over and over again.

over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Then stop.

How?

How can they stop? Even their desire to Gorm has been robbed. They didn't feel any hatred towards the beasts that resided in the tower. The same hellish tower they fear of leaving. This is now their home. They are Tartarus' champion, the champion that climbed to the top, the one to beat the game yet there is no pride in these words . Just a title. Without it they are nothing. But there is no meaning in staying. What is there left but to see what is on the other side? Hesitation. Anxiety. Panic. All emotions they thought were taken by Tartarus. So that was their prize huh? Panic over leaving their second home.

Taking a good look at the deceased beast, a final goodbye to Tartarus, the warrior limps away. Away to the door, an open door with a harsh light shielding whatever is on the other side. To wherever they could find peace.

The hot scorching sun touches the sands that spans throughout the horizon, giving it a nice yellow colour. The dessert is completely desolate with no buildings or greenery in sight. Just the sand, the blue sky and the sun. The same blazing sun that is currently blinding Kagami's vision. The girl uses her hands to shield her eyes from the sun's rays, searching for anything or anyone around. She removes her scarf and ties it around her waist.

"Is anyone out there?" the girl calls out as she wipes the beading sweat off her forehead. The girl could feel her legs sweat tremendously. She wishes she didn't wear those damn boots so often. Before Kagami could debate to herself whether to remove her boots and go barefoot, she spots a looming silhouette coming towards her. Finally some else here in this dessert! She waves her arms frantically at the silhouette hoping to get their attention.

"Hey I'm lost! Do you know a way I can get back home?!" The girl shouts out the silhouette desperately. She quints her eyes to get a better view. As the silhouette gets closer it didn't appear human. It was big and bulky. Although it was further away from her, Kagami could tell that whatever it was, it'd definitely tower over her. The girl didn't move an inch. Should she stay and wait for it or should she run? She had no way of knowing if it's friendly or if it's going to hurt her. The teen's heart beats faster and her hands tingle.

"Wait! I'm not here to hurt you." it says with a calm, composed voice. For some reason the teen couldn't help but trust it. Now the figure is close enough to clearly make out it's appearance. Towering over her as she predicted is a humanoid figure donned in white and gold armour with it's wings reflecting the rays of the sun. If the sun wasn't blinding enough then this guy definitely is.

"Wait. You're..." before Kagami could finish her sentence she's cut off by the man.

"Yes, I am Supreme Luminous. " Kagami's eye's widen. Thee Supreme Luminous from her grandfather's stories? She'd never thought she'd experience the day where she'd meet him in person. The girl is completely starstruck as she could only stare at him. Not a word could escape her lips.

Supreme Luminous kneels before the girl, almost within eye-level.

'Holy moly.' the teen mutters to herself.

"Kagami, I do not have much time but I have a very important mission for to you." Supreme Luminous extends his hand towards her. He emits a bright flash from his hand, blinding Kagami for a second. When her eyes open she gasps at the object before her.

"This is..."

"You must find this orb and protect it at all costs."

Left in his hand is a red sphere. Though Kagami wasn't the one holding it, she could feel it's burning hot energy. Even in this hot climate, nothing compares to the intense warmth of the sphere.

"It's your turn now."

Kagami couldn't explain it but she could feel some sort of magnetic energy from the sphere. It's as if she was in trance and the sphere was pulling her towards it. She reaches out, craving it's touch. Completely focused on the orb she doesn't register Supreme Luminous slowly fading away only leaving her with a floating sphere. As she reaches closer she could feel the intense hotness emitting from it. The tips of her fingers were on fire but she didn't feel any pain as she continues forward. The closer she got, the flames would surely engulf her body. From her hand to her arms till she's just meer micromillimetres away from touching the orb.

And she's entirely set aflame.

"Itaii!"

The girl lands shoulder first onto the floor. Disorientated, Kagami takes in her surroundings. She's in her room, drenched in sweat mind you.

"What a strange dream." she remarks to herself as she organises the sheets that tumbled down with her. She stares over at the book her and Shujin discussed about yesterday night.

"It's probably cause of that story I had that dream."

The kitchen was bustling in the morning as always. Pots were firing up, the meat grinded into tiny pieces. Even the smell of the fresh potatoes is fresh in the air . This was home sweet home to Shujin. Though in his element, the story Kagami had told him is still fresh in his mind. He had yet to chew Takahashi out for where he heard that story from. And speaking of Takahashi.

"That lazy bastard is still asleep isn't he?"Shujin swears under his breath, chopping vigorously at the lettuce. The other staff members occasionally glance at him.

"Uh..what's up with him?" one of the new kitchen porter asks. He was young college guy, recently graduated from high school.

"He gets like that whenever the owner slacks off."one of the staff members reply looking not to enthusiastic. "I swear Shujin's more of an owner than Takahashi sometimes."

Shujin stabs the knife into the table. Few small chunks of wood fall off in the process. The rest of the kitchen staff stiffen.

"Kinkaede!" Shujin bellows. The person in question, a young black man, continues to salt the meat. "Mmhmm?" Kinkaede responses as the new guy gawks in horror at the two while the rest continue on with their duties.

"You take over from here, I've got a smug bastard to wake up." with that the fuming Shujin storms off. The new guy idly stands there as Shujin storms past him, still shocked at the display.

"At least I know not to piss that guy off."

Shujin unlocks the door to their apartment (conveniently above the restaurant) and makes a beeline towards Takahashi's room not bothering to take off his shoes. When he bypasses the kitchen he makes eye contact with Kagami who's eating. As if they spoke telepatically Kagami stops mid-bit to ask if Takahashi's still asleep. Well not really a question more of an affirmation that he's still asleep. "He's still asleep isn't he?"

Shujin fidgets with his goatee. Though he's pissed off, he kind of signed up for this when he agreed to move to Venture Falls with him. He already knew Takahashi's a laidback person, taking things at his own pace and enjoying the moment. Almost the opposite to himself and Kagami.

"Figures." Kagami places the emptied bento box in the sink and hauls her backpack onto her shoulders.

"Wait!" Before Kagami could leave the devil himself pops out from his room, in his bathing rob of all things. Was he listening to their conversation? Shujin gives Takahashi the side eye, clearly showing his displeasure at Takahashi's unprofessionalism. Plus showing up in only a bathing rob in front of his granddaughter? They're family but Shujin wishes he had some common decency.

Takahashi completely ignores the fuming Shujin, heading straight to one of the cupboards in the kitchen. He pulls out another bento box, entirely different from the one Kagami recently ate. A lot bigger and more fancier.

"For school." he says as he places the bento box in her hands. "I woke up bright and early so I could make this for you. It's one of my secret recipes." Plastered on Shujin's face is an exasperated expression, not that Takahashi notices anyways. Why couldn't this old man put that effort into his own restaurant?

"You don't have you, really." Kagami says glancing solemnly at the man as she gives him back the box. Takahashi shakes his head, pushing the box towards Kagami, insisted on her taking the box. They go back and forth for a while until Takahashi eyes a letter on the table. The letter was open revealing a piece of paper with Japanese written on it.

"Umi?" Takahashi states in shock. Kagami snatches the letter; shoving it down her backpack before Takahashi could read the remainders of it's contents.

"You know what? I will take the box." the girl does as she says and gives her grandfather a strained grin before racing to the front door.

All of Shujin's seething anger recedes as he takes in the recent situation. "Umi? Isn't that your daughter?" Takahashi replies with a nod as he gazes to the door. Shujin eye's follow in suite, anger completely dispatched leaving pity in it's place.

Flocks of students enter the classroom. Kagami follows suite , still feeling down over what happened this morning. She notices Jenny chatting with Ms. Mc Guck. The two were seemingly finishing up a conversation. Both laugh as Jenny turns to leave the classroom when she spots Kagami. As they were about to walk pass each other Jenny gives Kagami a wink. At least something good came out of today.

The girl sits at her desk positioned in the middle of the class. She takes out her biology book and prepares for class. She sees Nick and Lucas on her right, at the front of the class. They both wave at her, she waves back. She looks to her left and spots Jessica and Gina. Jessica on her phone (probably texting Mark) while Gina sits on top of her desk. Ms. Mc Guck calls the students to quite down as class is about to start. Everyone returns to their seats but from the corner of her eye Kagami detects an empty seat behind Jessica.

"Toby isn't going to show up again." the girl thinks out loud to herself.

Class proceeds as usual. A couple students fall asleep, others secretly chat amongst themselves and is that Ike picking his nose? What a disrespectful bunch. Kagami could sympathise with Ms. Mc Guck. Heck, she's heard of a few students call her Ms. Mc Cuck behind her back. People disrespecting their seniors always ticks Kagami off. Someone give this teacher a raise.

Said teacher goes on to explain the new assignment. Groups of two had to give a presentation on the chapters they've studied. Of course Ms. Mc Guck assigned the groups. Chatter immediately rings across the classroom. To people whispering, no outright praying to get Kagami as their partner or about the "bomb ass" presentation the power couple, Kagami and Nick would give if they were partners. Kagami couldn't help but agree. She did work well with Nick. A guaranteed A+, no doubt.

Ms. Mc Guck proceeds to project the groupings onto the board through the monitor. Now that captured everyone's attention, even the sleepy students.

Group 1: Jackson Murphy & Sam Clark.

Group 2: Jessica Herleins & Nickolas Tripp.

"Damn!" the girl curses to under her breath. There goes her guaranteed A+. She continues to search the board.

Group 3: Samantha Johnson & Joddie Bryans.

Group 4: Celeste Wion & Jake Harrington.

Group 5: Sky Questar & Aria DeGrande.

Group 6: Lucas Wanson & Gina Louren.

Gina squeals in delight. It seems Gina got her first choice. Kagami eyes frantically scrambles the board for her name. It shouldn't be that hard to find.

Group 7: Ike Pinckney & Matt Thompson.

Group 8: Kemi Olajide & Miki Park.

Group 9: Christopher McClain & Justin Williams.

Group 10: Laura Kentucky & Lisa Achterberg.

Group 11: Abel Lancaster & Andrea Deniau.

Group 12: Haleigh White & Dimitri Lyon.

The final group, the infamous number 13, had her name on it. The class goes dead silent. All eyes are on Kagami, fishing for a reaction. The girl just stares blankly at the board.

Group 13: Kagami Sugawara & Tobias Tripp.

"Oh she's screwed." Ike mutters.

The bell rings signalling the end of class.

"I'm not accepting this! I'm requesting a partner change!" Nick slams his hands on Kagami's desk. Jessica, Lucas, Gina and Nick all swarm to Kagami's desk much to her dismay.

"Guys it's fine." Kagami reassures to the newly formed group mid packing her bag.

"Uh aren't you worried? This is Toby we're talking about." Lucas chimes in.

"Yeah, you've had straight A's since you first transferred. All that is going down the toilet if you pair up with Toby." Gina voices her concern.

Gina does have a point. Toby is a wildcard. You don't know what he'd pull. Chances of getting an A are pretty slim with Toby but Kagami isn't going to give up. Or sick him with someone else, that'd be plain rude.

Ms Mc. Guck approaches the group since they're the only ones left in the classroom at this point. Now Kagami's just about done with this mess.

"Kids what's wrong?"

"Ms. Mc Guck please pair me up with Toby! We're brothers! We live together!" Nick declares ready to go on his knees and beg if he has to.

"I volunteer to be Toby's partner too!" Lucas speaks up. Gina gapes at Lucas clearly not wanting to part from him even if it was for the smartest girl in the school.

"Me too!...Wait, no I change my mind." Jessica redirects. Kagami couldn't blame the poor girl. Toby's been a pest to her for quite some time. Any extra time with the golden boy and her hair would fall out from stress.

"I'm sorry kids but my decision is final. Kagami will work with Toby." with that Ms. Mc Guck leaves the classroom.

"Sorry, we tried." Lucas remarks putting his hand on Kagami's shoulder for emotional support. Nick still not giving up eyes the exasperated girl. "No! We're not giving up! I'm not letting him ruin your perfect strike. I'll convince Toby to actually put in the effort!"

Kagami had enough. Don't mistaken her, she's grateful that they're worried for her but she's tired. She needs some alone-time to recuperate from this morning and the possibility of her perfect A strike coming to a close.

"Thanks but I'm fine. Really! I just...need some time to myself." Kagami raises from her seat and strides out of the classroom. A deadly silence ensues until Gina speaks up. "So, is she really okay?"

Lucas answers. "Uh, I don't think so Gina." The group follows Lucas' gaze to Kagami's forgotten bag by her seat. "Yeah, that pretty much confirms it."

Author's note: Guess who's back with another chapter! Thought you had to wait 2 months didn't you? Yeah so this chapter was suppose to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay longer than this but, probably even go over 7k words but that'd mean this chapter would be released well into 2019 and you guys don't want that. So I shorted the chapter so you guys can get more frequent updates. So short chapters from now on (around 2k-3k). To be honest the first chapter was suppose to end with that Blizzardshipping scene but i wanted to extend it.

I didn't know Gina surname so I made it up. Please tell me Ike's surname is Plinsky. If it's not then that's just embarrassing. I'm a lazy cunt aren't I? Update 04/10/2018: it's not Plinsky. Damn it sorry about that.

So you guys know the drill. Please comment! I need opinions! And those who did thank you! Heck everyone who read the first chapter thank you for doing so. And i apologised for the shitty grammar mistakes in that chapter and this chapter.

No Toby in this chapter just people talking trash behind his back but if everything goes according to plan next chapter is a Toby chapter so more blizzardshipping shenanigans so you Toby fans so you have that to look forward to. You know whenever I release it. Uni is being a bitch.

See you then.

Update 29/10/2018: Uh important plot info at the beginning. Grammar and the boring stuff. Oh and apparently Gina's surname is Louren.