Sympho-Saber: Song of Swords
GX:EP11 – The Strike that Pierces the Fog
Everyone at SONG HQ could only stare in stunned silence as they watched unknown slashes of light erupt outwards and tear apart the giant Autoscorer's arms. Of course they knew they couldn't simply sit and gawk and it wasn't long before a missile pod was launched out of the submarine itself.
The missile pod broke apart to reveal Chris still in her Ignite Form as she leapt out of it. Aiming forward she created a massive longbow that she aimed at the Autoscorer.
{ARTHEMIS SPIRAL}
Chris unleashed the arrow forward, it shifting shape and size into that of a missile that struck the Autoscorer in its stomach, the attack managing to push the Autoscorer backwards for a bit before tearing through it. There was a pause until the Autoscorer exploded, a bright light forming between the giant and SONG HQ to defend the submarine from the explosion.
Chris soon landed on the deck of the ship, manually disengaging her Ignite Form and reverting back to her normal Gear.
"They were trying to destroy everything in one shot…" Chris said as she realized what the Autoscorer was attempting to do. They likely would've been able to survive since the bridge was able to detach from the rest of the submersible, but the intent was still clear. She narrowed her eyes however, "What was that light, though?"
"…How Splendid!"
"Huh?" Chris turned before quickly aiming her crossbow forward, the hooded man from Avalon standing before her, "Who are you?!"
"Chris, wait!" Touma's voice suddenly spoke up through communications, "I think I recognize him."
"Huh, you do?" Chris asked in surprise and lowered her weapon though kept her eyes on the man.
"I think he's the same one I met in Avalon," Touma admitted.
"I simply wished to protect the precious Seiken, their users, and the Gear Wielders from any harm," the hooded man said before removing his hood, revealing him to be a fairly ordinary young-ish man with very short spiked hair.
"Again…" Chris spoke up in a bored tone, "Who are you?"
"I am Yuri," the man introduced, "The most splendid sword who protects the world."
"…" Chris could only stare blankly at this as this still didn't give her any real indication as to who this man actually was.
"Now then, time is of the essence," Yuri said, "It would be most splendid if you could have the remaining Gear Wielders and the one who completed Avalon's trials join us."
"What?" Chris asked.
Thankfully due to the defense against the giant Autoscorer, everyone was relatively alright in regards to the attempted attack. Daishinji, Kirika and Shirabe all rushed in just in time to hear Yuri's introduction as everyone was unsure of what to say about the man suddenly appearing before them.
"And you're sure about it?" Genjuro asked as he looked over at Touma, recalling the Swordsman of Flame's earlier words, "He's the man you met?"
"While I was unsure given I never saw his face, I did just barely see his clothes," Touma nodded, "His voice also confirmed it, he's the guy who was guarding King of Arthur and gave me Dragonic Knight."
Miku looked in surprise, "Really?"
"Hey, so what do we do?" Chris asked through communications, "Are we really going through with this request?"
"What do we do, Commanders?" Sakuya asked.
"It seems rather suspect that he only wants Touma, Kirika and Shirabe," Aoi agreed.
Genjuro closed his eyes and crossed his arms, "He defended us against what would have been a devastating blow."
"We won't be completely defenseless," Sophia reminded, "After all we'd still have two Swordsmen."
"Touma, Kirika, Shirabe," Genjuro said, "Meet with Chris on the deck."
"Yes sir," the three nodded as they hurried out to meet with Chris.
"Be safe," Miku called out as she watched her friends leave.
"Get into contact with everyone else," Genjuro ordered, "It's time we start preparing for the start of Carol's endgame."
Chris continued to stare down Yuri who seemingly was just enjoying the sunrise, by this point Chris had dismissed her Symphogear since Yuri didn't seem to pose any threat. Despite this she was still on guard just in case he tried something funny.
It didn't take long for Touma, Kirika, and Shirabe to make it onto the deck of the submarine through a hatch.
Chris walked over to them while speaking up, "So why did you need them here?"
"As I said, time is of the essence," Yuri said as he suddenly held out what looked to be a smaller and incomplete version of the Kougouken Saikou, it shining a bright light, "Let there be light!"
In a bright flash of light, the five of them completely vanished from the deck of SONG HQ.
At the docking station that would normally be reserved for SONG HQ, a bright flash of light occurred. It wasn't long before Yuri appeared with Touma, Chris, Shirabe and Kirika. The four looked around in confusion as they tried to figure out what was going on.
"Why are you helping us now?" Touma asked a bit curiously, "If the trials were unlocking the Ride Books' true potential, why now and not sooner?"
"I planned to keep hidden until the incident passed," Yuri admitted, "However the situation is dire."
Shirabe raised an eyebrow, "How so?"
"Carol is too arrogant to see that the Megid are simply plotting to take her plan for their own," Yuri spoke up, "While the destruction of the world is likely to be prevented in this case, the Great Book is within reach. You cannot allow Calibur or the Megid to come in contact with the table of contents."
Touma gave a curious glance, "Table of contents?"
Kirika gave a salute, "You can count on us, dess!"
"You're just going along with him?" Chris questioned.
"He did save us," Shirabe reminded.
"Yeah but," Chris turned to gesture at Yuri only to see the man was gone, "How?!"
It wasn't long before all of their communicators began to ring, the four realizing that HQ was likely wondering where exactly they had gone.
"You know you didn't have to do this."
"Come on, we're friends aren't we?"
Rintaro was currently sitting across from Hibiki in a booth, the two in a restaurant as they were having a late breakfast together since Hibiki had just been discharged from the hospital.
"I suppose," Rintaro said as he closed his eyes a bit, thinking on the past events that had happened. He opened his eyes before looking over, "How are your injuries?"
"Thankfully they healed pretty fast," Hibiki admitted before giving a smile, "It's like I said, don't worry, I'll be fine."
"Right," Rintaro chuckled a bit, "Those are some nice words."
"My dad taught them to me," Hibiki said, "Despite the rough times my family has been through, saying those helped me stand strong despite everything."
"I see," Rintaro said before giving a sigh, recalling how he didn't really have anything of his own.
"Rintaro," Hibiki spoke up with a concerned look, recalling that Miku had said to be straightforward, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing… nothing's wrong," Rintaro reassured before glancing to the side, "Nothing at all…"
Hibiki kept staring in concern, "Rintaro-"
"Oh, Hibiki, Rintaro," A familiar voice spoke up, "Fancy seeing you two here."
"Huh?" Hibiki looked over to see Hansuke approaching, "Oh, hey there!"
"Eh? What are you doing here?" Rintaro asked in surprise.
"Well Touma said he'd be busy this morning so I figured I'd roam around the city for a bit," Hansuke admitted, "Didn't think I'd see you guys here though."
"Yeah we're sort of just trying to kill time," Hibiki said with a sheepish chuckle.
"Indeed," Rintaro nodded.
"Though now that I'm here I do have a question," Hansuke admitted as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I don't mean to sound rude but… that's a very elaborate outfit you have on Rintaro."
"O-Oh, it is?" Rintaro asked with a nervous chuckle, "I-"
Whether it was pure luck or a terrible curse, a sudden loud cracking could be heard. Everyone turned their heads towards the windows in a near instant as the sky suddenly shattered to reveal a dark purple void.
"W-what is that?!" Hansuke gasped.
"The sky cracked open?" Hibiki asked as she pressed her hands against the window.
"N-No way," Rintaro said as he stood up in shock before noticing something emerging from the void itself, the strange structure was so large that it shattered the sky further as it descended, "Just what is…?"
At the Château de Tiffauges' throne room, a control panel was now set up in the center of the Autoscorer's podiums. Surrounding the area were the Ride Books on pedestals, all of them pulsating in tandem as they had gained the energy necessary from the defeated Goblin Megid troops.
"World Destructor System set up. I've locked the Château's functionality in automatic mode." Ver said as he used his monstrous arm to interact with the control panel before removing his arm and giving a grin, "Did you see that? My left arm needs no trigger element! All Relics that come in contact with it obey my will!"
"I suppose in this situation, the cursed melodies recorded by the Autoscorers will be useful for additional fuel," Carol said as she looked up.
Only Micha's and Leiur's banners had the formulas on them. Carol could only assume something happened with Phara, and that meant she couldn't attempt her plan to separate the melodies of Zababa inscribed into Micha as that would still leave her one melody short.
"The Stories of the Seiken however have all been collected," Carol let out a cruel chuckle regardless of what had transpired, "How ironic that the swords meant to protect the world will instead shatter it into pieces."
"Huh?" Ver paused at this before looking over, "Shatter the world?"
Carol nodded before looking away, "It's the task my father left me."
"Carol, live on and experience more of the world."
"I understand, Father!" Carol called out in a maddening voice, "That's why I'm going to take this world apart, bit by bit! If I can dissect and analyze it all, the secrets of the universe will be an open book to me!"
"So you seek supreme knowledge," Ver replied, "And what do you mean to achieve once you have it, young lady?"
"Nothing," Carol answered in a calmer manner.
Ver was flabbergasted, "…huh?"
"My father instructed me to know the world," Carol answered, "No more, no less."
"You have no dreams, young lady?" Ver sighed as he turned away to put a hand to his face before spreading his arms out, "A hero dreams without limit, and they inspire others to dream too! If you let yourself be satisfied with this paltry mission, you'll never reach your full potential!"
'Paltry Mission'
Carol's eyes twitched at those words as she spoke up in a dangerous tone, "What did you say?"
Hibiki and Rintaro could only watch as they sky grew darker, purple clouds forming as distortions appeared and covered the sky itself. The two quickly drew out their phone's when they heard them ringing.
"Yes?" The two answered as they quickly began to make their way downstairs to head outside.
Hansuke held a concerned look as he watched the two leave in near sync, quickly following after them but from a distance.
"Hibiki, Rintaro," Aoi spoke up, "Are you two close to each other?"
"We are," Rintaro confirmed, "What's the situation? Though it isn't hard to guess…"
"Let me brief you," Genjuro spoke up as the two made their way outside, "Carol's meticulously constructed plan has just entered its final phase."
Hibiki's eyes widened, "Eh?!"
"We nearly received heavy casualties," Sophia admitted, "But we got help from an unexpected source that appears to be an ally. Touma, Chris, Kirika and Shirabe have taken the lead thanks to said unexpected source."
"What do you need us to do?" Rintaro asked.
"We're currently en route to Tokyo," Genjuro replied, "Once all the Symphogear Wielders and Kamen Riders are assembled, we'll engage. We've already contacted Tsubasa's group and they're on their way too. So until then…"
"Understood, we'll help with the evacuation to prevent further damage," Hibiki nodded.
"You can count on us," Rintaro said.
Genjuro gave a grunt, "Good… we'll-"
"Commanders," Aoi shouted, "We've got incoming!"
"We'll speak later, sounds like we've got trouble!" Genjuro called out.
Before the Rider and Wielder could question it, communications were cut off.
"What's going on?" Rintaro asked, "What was…"
"We'll just have to trust in them," Hibiki said before turning, "Alright, we need to-"
"Hibiki, what's going on?" Hansuke asked as he approached.
"Oh I uh…" Hibiki was caught off guard by this and wasn't sure how to respond.
"Kamiyama Sir, you need to evacuate the area," Rintaro spoke up as he walked over, "It's too dangerous to stay here."
"Wait, what?" Hansuke asked.
The submarine that was SONG HQ was floating forward at a steady pace. Usually they'd go for underwater traversal but their hasty retreat to the surface had caused some structural damage to where they couldn't submerge until repairs were made.
This of course left the transport open for easy access by any party that didn't have a means to teleport instantly inside. A thick dark cloud of smoke began spiraling towards the sub before landing on the deck, the smoke being unleashed and covering the person inside.
[ENEIKEN NOROSHI!]
Of course it was Reika who held her Seiken at her left side. She brought out a Wonder Ride Book in her right hand, it being gold with a maroon cover, having a gold insect drawing in an extravagant gold pattern, the body of the insect holding the title of the book, 'Konchu Daihyakka'. This was one of the few Wonder Ride Books that belonged to the animal category. She held the book in the palm of her hand, blowing on the cover and causing it to open up.
[KONCHUU DAIHYAKKA!]
[A fantastical verse on which these tiny life forms flutter…]
She closed the book up before sliding it along the blade of Noroshi, slotting it into the main indention of the Seiken that was at the hilt, "Henshin."
[NOROSHI KAISEN!]
Orange smoke began spewing out of her blade, the colorful smoke pushing away the grey smoke but still keeping Reika hidden from view, her body becoming a silhouette. Images of a wasp, butterfly, and beetle flew past, whisking away her clothes before converging on top of her and fully forming her armor.
[FLYING! SMOG! STING! STEAM! KONCHUU DAI~HYAKKA~!]
The smoke dispersed once her armor was fully formed, her bodysuit having maroon arms and legs, while her body, upper arms, and upper legs having a mix of white, black and red. Her armor was gold and elegant, strung all around as she held a regal look with her armor. Her helmet was maroon with a black forehead, and a gold front with orange eyes, the tip of Noroshi pointing down to the side from a burst of smoke acting as her head crest.
[A fluttering edge!]
The crew at SONG HQ could only stare in shock at what they were seeing as the 9th Rider had finally revealed themselves to everyone. She did what no one expected, her body fading away and turning into smoke as the smoke became so thin it managed to penetrate a submarines armoring of all things. It didn't take long for the smoke to converge in the hangar area of SONG HQ, the area lighting up around her once her presence had been detected.
"My name is Sabela, the Swordswoman of Smoke," Sabela spoke up, "I'll simply ask you of this now, hand over all of you Wonder Ride Books and Seiken and I will do no harm to anyone here."
"Sorry to say but we won't be handing over those precious items that easily," Sophia's voice said through the speaker.
"So be it," Sabela said as she readied herself while walking forward, before she could even make her way to the door it opened up for her.
Out of the door came Genjuro and Daishinji, the two readying their transformations as they stood next to each other.
"Henshin!"
[ITTOU RYODAN! DOGOUKEN GEKIDO!]
[JUUKEN GEKIDAN! ONJUUKEN SUZUNE!]
The two transformed into Kamen Riders Buster and Slash respectively, the Riders gripping their weapons tightly before charging forward.
Carol meanwhile was growing angrier by the second, "Did you dare refer to the grand mission bequeathed to me by my father as "paltry"?"
"You bet I did!" Ver called out without a care before scoffing, "Frankly, with that small-minded attitude of yours, I'm not sure you can complete it at all."
"What was that?" Carol asked as her eye twitched.
"Transcending the boundaries of the universe and attaining supreme knowledge is something only a hero may do!" Ver shouted in a maddening manner, "And I'd wager a lady of as short a stature as yourself might find the hero's costume a few sizes too big!"
"Tch," Carol narrowed her eyes at this.
"Looks like I remain this world's one true hero! No one else even comes close!" Ver shouted as he began to grow lost in his own world, walking past Carol, "This is my calling! A hero must take the reins!"
"And do what?" Carol asked as she brought out an alchemic portal.
"Needless to say, I'll act in humanity's interests," Ver explained, "Transcend the bounds of good and evil, take control of the Château de Tiffauges and-" he cut himself off as he felt a sudden pain, looking down he saw a blade piercing through his stomach, "Oh…"
"Cease your mad ramblings," Carol said as she had impaled Ver from behind with Dur da Blá, "A side character like you could never become a hero."
Ver gasped as the blade was pulled out of him, his arm began to shift but Carol unleashed a burst of wind to slam him against a railing. He put a hand on his stomach, soon seeing his own blood, "What are you doing…? That's not how you should use a musical instrument."
"The Château has been activated, and the world-dissection program is running automatically," Carol said as she walked over, raising Dur da Blá to strike, "Your efforts were much appreciated, Dr. Ver. And now I shall dissect the world on my own!"
"No! Not my beautiful face!" Ver cowered as he held his arms up before leaning back too much, yelling out as he sent himself falling over the railing, "This can't be…!"
"I ended up disposing of him somewhat earlier than planned," Carol admitted to herself, figuring that Ver couldn't survive the fall from the throne room down below. She gasped as her body pulsated with pain, gripping her chest as she braced against the railing, "I can't stop now. I'll get rid of anything that stands in the way of my plan."
She brought out an alchemic projection to view the surrounding areas, soon seeing Hibiki, Rintaro and Hansuke together. A devious grin crossed her lips before she brought out a teleportation crystal, using it to transport herself to confront the three.
"Well now…" Storious smiled as he walked into the now empty throne room, he soon held the Alter Ride Book that held the title 'Nephilim' and further smiled, "While ingenious to use Dr. Ver to replace your lost Relic… it's allowed us the perfect chance to begin our plan. Now then… where are you Calibur?"
He didn't seem to want an immediate answer as he placed the Alter Ride Book against the main control console.
[NEPHILIM!]
Deep within the Château, locked in one of the storage room was the Ankokuken Kurayami. It began to erupt with a powerful darkness as the red lines on it shined brightly. Soon enough the darkness began seeping out as Calibur emerged from it in Jaou Dragon, yelling out and slashing forward. This resulted in him tearing through the doors of the room he was in, allowing him to escape.
"Now then, let us see if lying low worked," Calibur mused, taking a few steps forward before gasping as he held his chest, "As much as I appreciate Kurayami's abilities… it seems it couldn't protect me fully from Igalima's reaping… I need to make this battle count then."
"I understand the area is dangerous," Hansuke said with slight frustration, "But why are you all telling me to evacuate as if you all are going to stay behind."
"Mr. Kamiyama," Hibiki spoke up, "There's no time to explain, we just-"
"Oh, so that's Touma Kamiyama's father?"
"Huh," Hansuke looked around before his eyes widened, "Why is a girl floating in the sky?"
Hibiki and Rintaro turned to see Carol floating in front of them with Dur da Blá at her side.
"Carol…" HIbiki gasped out.
"You… you survived…?" Rintaro questioned with wide eyes.
"Though I've yet to grow accustomed to this body, I couldn't resist the urge to have your dying scream be the first note of the apocalypse," Carol said as she stared directly at Hibiki.
"Is this your doing, Carol?" Hibiki asked.
"Indeed it is my castle, the Château de Tiffauges," Carol answered, "The mechanism I devised that will use the Alca-Noise to dissect the world."
"The world…" Rintaro repeated as he looked up, "So you still intend to do what you mentioned before?"
"I recall the girl whining endlessly about how she couldn't fight," Carol remarked as she raised a hand, "Does that still hold?"
Hibiki and Rintaro glanced at each other, exchanging a nod. Hibiki drew out her Pendant while Rintaro brought out his Swordriver and King Lion Daisenki. Carol however flicked her already raised hand forward, unleashing small spirals of wind that struck Hibiki and Rintaro's hands, knocking their equipment away from them.
"Don't think I'll allow you the chance to use it!" Carol called out, "Especially that upgraded form!"
Hibiki quickly took a fighting stance despite her lack of Gear, though Rintaro immediately went for what he considered plan B in situations like this.
[LION SENKI!]
"Do not think I cannot fight without my Driver!" Rintaro shouted.
The Lion Senki was quickly summoned in a splash of water, spinning in the air and slamming its paws down at Carol. Carol quickly threw her hand forward, unleashing a blast of wind that knocked it back.
"What is even…?" Hansuke muttered in near shock and awe as he backed up. Of all the things he expected to experience today, this was not one of them.
"And what was that supposed to do?" Carol scoffed.
"This!" Rintaro was unable to find where his upgraded Wonder Ride Book had been knocked away to but thankfully his Swordriver was close by. He rolled to it and prepared it and his Wonder Ride Book, "Henshin!"
[NAGARE BATTOU! LION SENKI!]
Hansuke's eyes widened as he saw Rintaro transform into Kamen Rider Blades, "A Kamen Rider…"
Blades meanwhile began to slowly side step towards Hibiki and Hansuke, his blade raised as he kept an eye on Carol's movements.
"Do you really think that form will do anything against me?" Carol glared at Blades before gathering an alchemic circle for another wind based attack as she raised it over her head. "I shall take up the mission my father entrusted me, and take on the world! Does that not hold true for everyone?!"
"I…" Blades muttered as his grip began to falter while he stopped where he was.
"Rintaro…" Hibiki looked over in surprise before holding up her fists in defense.
"If you have nothing, then you don't stand a chance!" Carol shouted as she unleashed a burst of wind towards the three.
Hansuke instinctively rushed to grab Hibiki, throwing him and her to the ground to try and avoid the attack. Blades immediately ran forward while scanning Tenkuu no Pegasus against his Seiken.
Blades yelled out, "…I!"
[PEGASUS! MM-HM! SHUUTOKU ISSEN!]
The Rider swung his sword outwards, unleashing a burst of wind and feathers that clashed against the wind blast, just barely splitting it and sending it towards the sides.
Carol narrowed her eyes at the Rider, noting how he seemed to always try and stand in her way despite the sheer disadvantage he held.
"Hibiki, are you alright?" Hansuke asked as he began to get up and help Hibiki up.
"I'm fine," Hibiki said, "But you need to run."
"I can't just abandon you all though," Hansuke answered, "What kind of person would I be if I did that?"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Hibiki reassured.
"Your dad did have a way with words," Hansuke chuckled as he ruffled Hibiki's hair before sighing, "I trust you'll be alright, but at least let me help just a bit. How can I help?"
"Well…" Hibiki trailed as she took a deep breath, realizing that Touma was going to kill her for this, "There might be a way but promise me you'll keep your safety a priority."
"A promise, huh?" Hansuke asked before he chuckled, "Of course."
"You were able to deflect my blast, even though I tossed you away with ease earlier," Carol remarked as her focus and attention was now on Blades, "How?"
"I may not have a father…" Blades admitted as he shakily held his sword up, "But even so… I will not allow you to hurt my precious family!"
"Your precious family…?" Carol scoffed as she looked over at Hansuke who was running away from Hibiki, "They are nothing but strangers who you are simply forcing to fill a role."
"What was that?" Blades hissed out.
"That man is your family?" Carol remarked, "As far as I'm aware he's only one man's father and that makes him perfect for me right now."
"Touma's father has nothing to do with this!" Blades shouted, "So let him get to safety, after all your fight is against us Riders and Wielders!"
Hibiki meanwhile was slowly inching away from where she was, noticing that Carol was intently focused on Blades and Hansuke. She muttered prayers under her breath as she already had a destination in mind.
"My fight is against this whole world!" Carol corrected before eyeing Hansuke as if taking aim, "However, I must admit that fate shines in the most unexpected places. I was quick to dismiss the Swordsman of Flame, but then… well, he had to say that…"
"What?" Blades lowered his weapon in surprise.
"He thinks I'm kind?" Carol asked as she was still thinking on Touma's words to her as she began to form yellow alchemic sigils, "I'll prove him wrong and I'll start by maiming his father!"
Hansuke continued to run and run as he searched around rapidly, only to gasp out as yellow energy bolts began striking the area around him, "Not good, not good!"
"I said, leave him alone!" Blades scanned Peter Fantasista on Nagare's tip.
[PETER FANTASISTA! MM-HM! SHUUTOKU ISSEN!]
He began unleashing a chained water whip towards Carol who easily blasted it apart with bolts of gold energy. Despite this Blades continued forming the chain whip to try and force Carol back.
"If you have no father, you and I are not equal!" Carol shouted as she blasted apart the chain of water again before striking Blades several times with her energy attacks.
Blades gasped as sparks flew staggering back and falling on his knees as he lowered his head.
"The man running now is nothing but a coward who doesn't deserve your protection anyway," Carol said as she floated down towards Blades, "Mine stood his ground, even until the very end without your group's precious protection."
Blades raised his head slightly at that, hearing some bitterness to Carol's words.
"Now then, watch as I deal with this cowardly man," Carol answered as she began launching blasts of energy again at Hansuke who had just stopped running.
Hansuke yelled out as he was thrown off his feet, smoke kicking up as he was thrown to the ground, rubble scattering around him.
Blades gasped as he managed to stand and fully turn while Carol had a smirk on her face. To Blades' relief and Carol's annoyance, Hansuke slowly managed to get on his knees while hunching over.
Hansuke couldn't help but give a chuckle as he had managed to get far enough in his part of the plan.
"What?" Carol raised an eyebrow, "What's so funny? I'm going to kill you."
"Kamiyama, Sir!" Blades shouted, "Run!"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Hansuke chuckled further as he began to stand up, "After all I have to be, I did make a promise just now."
"What are you blabbering on about?" Carol asked.
"Wait…" Blades muttered as the realization dawned on him, soon looking around rapidly.
"Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron~"
Carol froze at the holy chant, soon turning as a bright flash of orange occurred. Her eyes widened as she saw Hibiki having donned Gungnir's armor, "I completely ignored her…"
"You did," Hansuke said as he began to pant a bit, trying to catch his breath.
"You… you dare make a mockery of me…" Carol gritted her teeth as she threw her hand out, shattering capsules against the ground and summoning hordes of Alca-Noise.
"Oh no," Blades quickly raised his blade as saw the Alca-Noise being summoned.
Hibiki took a deep breath and entered a fighting stance, "Let's go!"
"W-Wait, where are you going?" Elfnein called out as she ran after Miku.
"I need to get to the workshop," Miku called out as she continued to sprint down the halls as fast as she could. Soon enough she reached the right door and entered inside.
Elfnein had just barely managed to get to the door when she saw Miku suddenly exit, "That's!"
Miku had her arms wrapped around the Raimeiken Ikazuchi, "I can't let anyone take this sword."
"What are you going to do?" Elfnein asked.
"Well… probably hide," Miku admitted as she tried to remember the layout of the ship, already figuring a good spot to do so, "Come on."
Yells were suddenly heard as Buster and Slash quickly spun into view from the hallway at the end. The two had just been forced back by a strike from Sabela who rushed into view. Realizing she was going up against two powerful fighters she chose to take the fight into the tighter spaces of the corridors. Using the limited space to her advantage she was able to nimbly dodge past any slashes and easily bat any attacks away.
Buster gasped as he was kicked away before quickly moving back, he slotted Gekido onto his back before rushing forward. Sabela swung at him only for him to raise his arm, blocking her slash before pushing her Seiken down. He then swung at her with his other fist only for her to just barely duck underneath in time.
Sabela's form completely burst and transformed into smoke as Buster had turned and punched at her. The smoke snaked around Buster before appearing behind him. Sabela reformed and slashed down only for Buster to turn and raise his arm.
"Sorry but I'm not making this easy," Buster called out as he easily blocked the slash.
"Then I'm sorry for having to do this," Sabela quickly transformed into smoke causing Buster to lose his footing briefly. She then reformed in a crouched state in front of him, slashing as she reformed and striking Buster in the gut.
Buster gasped out as sparks flew, his abdomen being one of the few places that wasn't heavily armored.
Slash quickly rushed in and slashed at Sabela who quickly did a split, avoiding his attack. He turned and went to slash down only for Sabela to quickly shift her body, kicking her legs out as she performed a break dance styled kick to force Slash to back away.
"Fine then, I'm sorry for any damages I might cause Commander," Slash said as he quickly shifted his weapon into its Gunplay Mode, shooting at Sabela who easily began batting away the shots. He wasn't able to fire as wildly and as such his bullets were a lot more predictable.
"What kind of level is she even on?" Buster questioned as he raised his fists, he was hoping to have kept their fight in the hanger but Sabela made quick work of forcing them to abandon that plan. The fight taking place in such limited space meant they couldn't truly go all out, "It's clear she's no novice."
"I've trained my entire life in service of Master Logos," Sabela answered, "It is his will that I gather the Seiken you hold."
"Why exactly does he want our Seiken?" Slash asked.
"If you think he has any plans against the world, it's far from it," Sabela replied, "When he gathers all the Seiken he will make sure that humanity can prosper."
"Somehow I doubt those claims," Slash said as he kept his aim, switching his Seiken back into Swordboard Mode.
"If he truly wanted to make sure of that then he wouldn't be antagonizing us," Buster agreed as he drew out his sword again, "We won't go down as easily as you think."
"Then I'll simply take them by as much force as necessary," Sabela said as she began pressing down on the secondary button of her Seiken.
[NOROSHI MUCHUU!]
Both Buster and Slash looked at each other and nodded before they rushed towards Sabela who gathered red energy in her blade.
Suddenly butterfly wings of energy formed and wrapped around her, covering the front of her body and blocking the slashes against her. The wings then fluttered open, forcing the two Riders back as she slashed forward.
[ENMAKU GENSOU GEKI!]
The two Riders gasped out as they were struck by the energy slashes, staggering back and ending up on one knee each as they began to breathe heavily.
A sudden squeaky gasp was heard as this occurred, Sabela turning her head to view into the hallway that Miku was in, seeing the girl with her hand over her mouth.
"Oh?" Sabela asked as she began to walk down the hallway as she approached Elfnein and Miku, noticing the Raimeiken Ikazuchi in the latter's arms, "You have a Seiken but you clearly aren't its wielder."
"Hey," Slash gasped out as he began to stand up, quickly making it to the entrance of the hall, his eyes widening, "Miku! Elfnein!"
Buster quickly hurried over when he heard those names, "You two! Hide in the lab, we'll deal with this!"
Miku began to back away slowly with Elfnein, holding Ikazuchi closer to her as Sabela continued to close in while preparing another finisher.
[NOROSHI MUCHUU! INSECT SHOT!]
Sabela immediately turned and stabbed forward, unleashing several shots of web towards Slash and Buster. The two Riders rushed forward only to gasp as the webbing struck them and expanded, slamming them against the nearby wall and enveloping them in a spider's web.
"What is…?" Slash gasped out as he struggled to break out.
"Web, huh?" Buster asked before yelling, working on forcing his body out of the webbing.
"Now then," Sabela turned towards Miku and held out her hand, "Give me the Seiken."
"No," Miku said as she shook her head and backed away further before gasping as she hit a wall, her eyes widening as she glanced back.
"I don't want to hurt you," Sabela said calmly, "Just hand it over and you can run off and hide."
"No," Miku shook her head despite the fear coursing through her.
"You won't hurt Miku!" Elfnein called out as she quickly stood in front of Miku.
Miku's eyes widened, "Elfnein?!"
"I may have been working against you without my own knowledge, but I still feel bad for doing so," Elfnein admitted as she took a step forward, "So I'll help in my own way."
"Get back," Sabela pointed her sword forward only to lower it slightly when she saw Elfnein didn't back down, "I said get back!"
"No!" Elfnein shouted as she rushed forward, "Miku, run!"
Sabela gave a gasp as she was rammed into by Elfnein who had attempted to tackle her. However Elfnein wasn't strong or tall enough to force Sabela back, despite this Sabela was unable to force Elfnein off of her, the small alchemist managing to cling to her too tightly.
"Get off!" Sabela shouted.
"No!" Elfnein shouted back.
"I said… get off!" Sabela shouted as she thrashed around.
Elfnein cried out in pain as she was thrown off, soon clutching her side.
Miku gasped, "Elfnein!"
Sabela panted before hearing a drip, soon turning to see that her Seiken had been bloodied. She turned to see that in her thrashing she had stabbed Elfnein.
"I'm not being… controlled by anyone…" Elfnein gasped as she began to fade out of consciousness.
"You did that to yourself," Sabela said as she went to flick the blood off her sword, "Know that I didn't want it to come to-"
[RAIMEIKEN IKAZUCHI!]
Sabela felt a chill go up her spine as she was interrupted, the entire area lighting up with a bright yellow flash. She had just barely turned to defend only to scream out as she felt several bolts of lightning strike at her side as she felt the tip of a blade hit against her armor.
The hallway before Slash and Buster shined a brilliant yellow thanks to the electricity that had been discharged. Sabela staggered back while holding her side in pain as she saw who had struck her. It was Miku who was holding the Raimeiken Ikazuchi in a tight grip with both hands, electricity crackling briefly from the Seiken's blade before dispersing.
"You…" Sabela gasped out, surprised to see that Miku had managed to bring out a burst of Ikazuchi's power. She was ready to move forward when she winced, electrical sparks coming from her side as she held it in pain, "Damn it…" she muttered as she quickly held up her Seiken, swinging it out. Smoke began enveloping her before the smoke began to thin out, vanishing completely.
Miku breathed heavily before she soon fell to her knees, dropping Ikazuchi as her body relaxed.
Slash and Buster were wary at Sabela vanishing, at least until the webbing suddenly erupted into smoke, freeing the two. Both of them dismissed their transformations, Genjuro rushing over to help Elfnein while Daishinji was staring directly at Miku who had also rushed over to Elfnein once she recovered.
"She brought out Ikazuchi's power without any prior training…" he muttered as he holstered Suzune before hurrying over to assist the two.
Hibiki was currently punching her way through the Alca-Noise, spinning and performing a kick that knocked a couple into another grouping.
[HISSATSU DOKUHA! NAGARE BATTOU!]
Blades gave a few shouts as water erupted from his blade, slashing forward and slashing through the Alca-Noise as waves of water struck against them.
[LION! ISSATSU GIRI! WATER!]
Hibiki meanwhile spun up into the air, spinning so far she spiraled up like a tornado for a brief few seconds. She then shifted her left gauntlet, rocket boosters forming as she launched downwards, "Hibiki Style: Spears Violent Destruction!"
Hibiki tore through several flying Alca-Noise before slamming her fist into a horde and clearing them away. She then began to leap around, making sure the Alca-Noise were all in one spot.
'I had a feeling but…' Hansuke thought to himself as he recalled around the time of the Frontier incident, he and Akira had seen the broadcast on a television and had seen a girl who looked a lot like Hibiki, 'She really was the one we saw that day…'
Blades yelled out as he launched upwards, water spiraling around his sword as he went to strike at Carol who unleashed a tornado of wind outwards. Blades gasped as he was pinned against a building, trying to move but the wind kept pushing him back against it.
"As I said, if you don't have a will imparted to you… you're nothing to me!" Carol shouted.
Hibiki meanwhile gritted her teeth as she quickly punched through an Alca-Noise. She had been unsure of what was bothering Rintaro at first but this confrontation made it clear. She thought back to his reactions when they first saw Carol alongside when they first met with Hansuke. There was one thing she needed to do now.
"Stop it!" she shouted as she continued her assault against the Alca-Noise, "Rintaro may not have a biological family, but he still has us to support him! And even then he inherited the will of someone who was just as much his father as any real one would be!"
"My… Master…" Blades gasped out as his eyes widened in realization behind his mask.
"Silence," Carol shouted as she dismissed the tornado and summoned energy bolts to strike at Hibiki, forcing the Wielder to dodge.
Blades gasped further as the tornado had enough force to embed into the building's wall. He slowly but surely pulled himself out as he realized the truth behind Hibiki's words. He gave a grunt as he fully removed himself before dropping down and landing on one knee.
"I'll always be with you… so long as you carry Nagare… stand tall… my pupil…"
"That's right… I was foolish to overlook this," Blades chuckled, beginning to stand as confidence and resolve flowed through him once more, "My Master's spirit is always with me, his will… I will continue it!"
"No matter what you gather, it won't be enough!" Carol called out.
Hansuke saw this and smiled before steeling himself and throwing something forward, "Rintaro!"
"Huh?" Blades turned before seeing something fly towards him. He instinctively grabbed it before realizing what it was, "This is…"
[KING LION DAISENKI!]
Blades looked over to Hansuke before realizing the plan that had taken place. Hansuke was to run and distract Carol while looking for the discarded King Lion Daisenki. That would allow Hibiki enough time to transform and thus allow them to turn the tide when needed.
"You…" Carol hissed before drawing out a few more Alca-Noise crystals, throwing them near where Hansuke was.
[NAGARE BATTOU! JUOH RAIOU! RISING! LIFULL! KING LION DAISENKI!]
Blades gave a yell as his body was surrounded by a tornado of water, it bursting apart to reveal his upgraded form. He then hunched forward as his shoulder cannons began firing blasts at Carol.
Carol hissed out as she quickly brought up a shield to block them but her eyes widened at seeing that her normal defenses began to crack against the blasts. She was ready to counter when she heard a yell, soon turning only to see Hibiki flying directly towards her.
Hibiki performed an uppercut, shattering the already cracked shield and striking Carol directly in the gut with her fist. The resulting punch had sent the alchemist upwards while she dropped down and landed, cracking the ground before launching herself after Carol.
Carol quickly launched blasts of energy out, hoping to strike Hibiki with them while Blades drew out Makyu Ichaival and scanned it in his King Lion Booster.
[ONE! READING! MAKYŪ ICHAIVAL!]
Blades shouted as his cannons began glowing bright red at the tips before he launched out two large energy arrows.
[TANSAN BURST!]
The arrows soon split apart into smaller arrows, all of them spiraling and striking the energy blasts clear the path for Hibiki.
"Go, Hibiki!" Blades shouted.
"Hermes Trismegistus!" Carol shouted as she formed a multi-barrier shield to protect herself.
"THAT WON'T STOP ME!" Hibiki shouted as she slammed her fist against the barrier, her gauntlet pushing itself into overdrive as she shattered through each shield in the barrier before decking Carol directly in the face.
The result had sent Carol crashing down against the ground, though it wasn't long before snapping was heard.
Suddenly the area near where Hansuke was began to glow a bright pink before Alca-Noise began to form.
Hibiki's eyes widened as she landed before rushing forward, "No!"
"Kamiyama, Sir!" Blades shouted as he quickly began to launch blasts of energy at the Alca-Noise.
"So even his father manages to spite me," Carol hissed out as she hated that she completely underestimated a civilian and it served to cost her a swift victory against two of her adversaries. She stood up and leaned against her harp, "Then he'll be the first to go!"
Hansuke released a light gasp as when he tried to run he had ended up tripping, his eyes widening as he watched the Alca-Noise near him close in.
[HISSATSU DOKUHA! REKKA BATTOU!]
"Riding Flame Cross Slash!"
Hansuke's eyes widened as he heard a familiar voice, quickly looking over as he saw Kamen Rider Saber in Brave Dragon speed forward on the Diago Speedy. Saber yelled out, slicing through the Alca-Noise before skidding to a stop near Hansuke.
[DRAGON! ISSATSU GIRI! FIRE!]
Saber swung his sword again, unleashing a wave of fire that incinerated the remaining Alca-Noise in front of him.
"…Touma?" Hansuke asked, it was a big assumption to make but he was sure he recognized his son's voice.
"Yeah, it's me," Saber said, deciding that there was no point in hiding it after he saw both Hibiki and Rintaro transformed and nearby, "Are you alright?"
"I am," Hansuke nodded before glancing back and seeing more Alca-Noise, "But…"
"Thankfully I'm not alone," Saber chuckled.
It didn't take long for energy bolts to rain down against the remaining Alca-Noise, piercing through and destroying them with ease.
Carol saw this and tried to move forward only for a giant sword to suddenly stab into the ground to keep her from making any sudden moves. On top of the sword was Tsubasa, staring down with her arms crossed. Carol quickly turned towards the side when she saw movement, soon seeing the remaining Symphogear Wielders all transformed alongside Falchion.
It wasn't long before Kenzan rode in on the Ride Gattriker, skidding to a stop near Hansuke and Saber.
"Get on, I'll take you somewhere safe," Kenzan said before bringing out Zettō Ame no Habakiri and tossing it over to Saber, "Take this, Touma!"
"Thanks," Saber said as he caught it before looking over at his father, "Don't worry I'll explain everything once this is over dad, but for now…"
Hansuke walked over and placed a hand on his son's shoulder, "I understand, stay safe, alright?"
"It's a promise," Saber smiled beneath his mask.
Hansuke nodded and quickly hurried over to Kenzan and got on the Ride Gattriker, the Rider revved up the engine before taking off.
"Please stop, Carol!" Hibiki called out to her as the Riders and Wielders all gathered near her.
"I'm about to complete my magnum opus," Carol replied, "You think I'll stop now?"
"Whatever you're doing, it's not going to go how you think!" Saber called out, "Just stop this now!"
"Yeah giving up would be wise," Falchion pointed her sword forward, "Otherwise you're in for the beat down of the century!"
"I'll burn every last memory if I need to!" Carol shouted as she strummed the strings of Dur da Blá. The wires of the Relic wrapped around her and transformed her into her adult form, fully donning her Faust Robe.
"The Faust Robe of Dur da Blá?" Maria asked before realizing something, "It shines just like our Symphogear!"
"And I'll show you that the similarities don't end there!" Carol answered as she began gathering a massive sphere of energy in her hands, creating a blinding light. While they couldn't see her, they could still hear her…
Hibiki raised an arm to block out the light, "She's singing?"
Back at SONG HQ, the submarine base had just arrived at the bay and just finished docking. Of course, the main control room was monitoring the current fight once Sabela had left.
"There's a massive spike in energy emissions from the combat zone!" Sakuya called out.
"Analysis complete," Aoi spoke up, "But this waveform…"
Sophia's eyes widened, "It's Phonic Gain?!"
"It's Carol's…"
Everyone turned to see that it was Elfnein who had spoken. She had been helped into the room by Miku, with Daishinji and Genjuro behind them.
"We admitted first aid, but despite the danger she's willing to press on," Daishinji answered.
"You should be resting," Aoi insisted.
"She's right," Sophia replied, "You've done more than enough."
"I'm… fine…" Elfnein said as she kept leaning on Miku, "So please, let me stay here!"
Carol's armor spread out and formed harp-like wings, launching out tornados filled with lightning to strike at her opponents. The lightning tore up the ground as the Riders and Wielders just barely dodged out of the way of the strikes.
"This power… it's so familiar…" Tsubasa spoke up.
"Of course it is!" Chris answered, "It's her Superb Song!"
"She's singing her Superb Song without any strain on her body?" Shirabe asked.
"Is there anything alchemy can't do, dess?" Kirika asked in annoyance.
"We can't give up!" Saber called out.
"There's always the good old S2CA!" Hibiki called out only to feel a hand on her shoulder, turning back to see Tsubasa.
Tsubasa shook her head, "Do I need to remind you again that you can't withstand that power anymore?"
"But…" Hibiki started.
"Don't we have one the keys to stabilizing it though?" Blades asked.
"Oh yeah, didn't you use Kyomu the last time?" Falchion asked.
Carol continued to sing, growing louder and louder as the wind picked up thanks to the shockwaves she was releasing. Everyone raised their arms, shielding their faces as they braced against the harsh winds.
"Hold on…" Maria managed to catch a glimpse of something, "Everyone, look!"
The Château de Tiffauges began to pulsate with energy, a chiming sound being heard as this occurred.
"It's flashing?" Tsubasa asked, "It's pulsing… no, reverberating?!"
Within theChâteau de Tiffauges, Storious stood in his Megid form. He was currently at the main control console, various projections all around him as he rapidly typed on and tapped each surface. Near him were some projections that allowed him to view the current fight occurring. He couldn't help but a bit amused and impressed by Touma's father's actions. Though given the role he wished for Touma to play in the long run, if the father of the Swordsman of Flames was anything lesser then it'd be disappointing.
Still those were mostly just idle thoughts to help distract him from the tedium of his current work. He had kept the automatic mode of the Château all while slowly but surely changing the function of it. After all, the castle itself was rather adaptable since it mostly provided the main base of everything. It was the Cursed Songs that were meant to allow it to rip apart the world. Now it would be the stories of the Seiken that had been tainted by the Megid.
Or at least it would be if Storious didn't have the correct pieces to turn the situation around for the Megid.
Zooous soon skulked out of the shadows in his Megid form, "How much longer? It's about to go off!"
"You're cutting it close," Legeiel said as he walked out as well in his Megid form.
"You two must come to understand if there's one thing important to stories," Storious smiled as the projections began to vanish only for one to remain. He let out a soft chuckle as he pressed down on a projection of a button, "Its timing!"
"Now," Carol smirked, "Witness the dissection of the world!"
The Château de Tiffauges began to form multiple green energy spheres all around it, ready to unleash a shockwave…
…that was until the spheres began to vanish until only six remained. The remaining six spheres began to change colors as well into red, blue, yellow, orange, green, and pink. The energy spheres launched off of the Château in a spiral and struck six surrounding areas in a circle all around.
Pillars of red, blue, yellow, orange, green and pink flame all erupted and reached high into the sky. Each pillar of flame unleashed a ring of energy in their respective colors. All six created interlinking rings with a center gap, a bright light shining in the center gap.
"What?" Blades asked as he and the others began to look around.
"The hell just happened?" Chris asked.
"Huh?" Carol turned before her eyes widened, "What's going on? This isn't the dissection of the world!"
"At last, the door opens."
Everyone heard the familiar voice and turned towards a nearby building, Calibur standing on top of it in Jaou Dragon.
"You actually managed to survive?" Carol questioned as she glared at Calibur, "You were just playing possum this whole time?!"
"Of course," Calibur replied, "And it seems as though I didn't even need to nudge anything further than I already had. You were forced to utilize our backup in the end."
"How did you all even manage this?" Carol questioned, "I disposed of Dr. Ver after he had made sure everything was put on automatic. So how did you take control of my operation without a trigger element?!"
"That's quite simple," Storious' voice could be heard as a projection of him was displayed from the Château. The projection soon held up the Nephilim Alter Ride Book, "It would be because I had the same way to bypass the trigger element like you did and happened to be lucky that you used the same method."
"That weird guy was right, dess!" Kirika called out.
"It seems so," Shirabe nodded.
"Wait, weird guy?" Falchion tilted her head.
"We'll explain later," Chris said, "Right now it looks like we aren't dealing with a dissection."
"Know your place Megid," Carol narrowed her eyes, "How dare you get in the way of my mission!"
"Yet my actions have simply allowed an alternate way to achieve your goal," Storious answered, "Soon the gateway to the remains of the Great Book will arrive to grace us with its presence. Traverse the infinite and eternal realm, make your way to the source of all knowledge, and inside of its barren pages will be what you truly seek."
"What?" Carol asked.
"The Table of Revelations," Calibur spoke up.
Saber looked over, recalling a similar term that Yuri had used, "Table of Revelations?"
"It is the table of contents belonging to the Great Book that was scattered all those ages ago," Storious explained, "That page is all that remains of that book. The Table of Revelation and its contents will lie in wait once the gate has been formed."
"That lost book contains all the knowledge and history of the world," Calibur added before turning specifically to face Carol, "In a sense, it would still give you what you seek, everything from this world's inception, to its demise."
"Any and all knowledge that humanity has ever discovered… is but a mere fraction of the kind of power contained in that book," Storious continued.
"Of course I will not allow anyone but me to lay a hand on it," Calibur said as he held up Kurayami, "Knowledge is power, I will use the Table of Revelations to gather the scattered pages, revive the Great Book and obtain power that mirrors that of a God."
"Wow," Chris scoffed, "I knew you were a madman but to think you were actually a megalomaniac this entire time!"
"Do you really think we'll allow that to happen?!" Tsubasa questioned.
"Do you really think you can stop me?" Calibur asked before looking up towards the Château, "It's time."
Sudden outlines began appearing across the ground from the central area where the Château floated. However they did nothing but just show they existed. The bright shining light at the center resonated with the lines before transforming into a white blank paged book, it opening up to reveal blank pages as a soft white portal could be seen in the center spine.
Back at SONG HQ, everyone had seen the events take place and were all in various cases of shocked or trying to figure out what had even gone on.
"Okay so, as far as we're aware the entire castle resonated with Carol's song, as if it was one giant tuning fork," Sakuya said as he observed the situation, "And amplified the energy."
"Instead of doing its intended function however it unleashed the energy into six separate pillars," Daishinji said, "All in turn resonating together…"
"Though the ley lines are still being used," Aoi reminded as she pulled up satellite footage, showing the various glowing lines that encircled the world, "These patterns of energy are crisscrossing the entire planet."
"Those trajectories… Don't tell me…" Genjuro spoke up.
"It's the Photosphere," Elfnein confirmed.
"And now it's created what Storious mentioned," Sakuya spoke up.
"The gateway to the Table of Revelations," Sophia said.
"Sir please, this room is off limits to civilians!" Ogawa shouted as Hansuke quickly rushed in, everyone glancing back.
"You say that but clearly my son works for you," Hansuke remarked as he pulled away from Ogawa's attempts to keep him back, "I'll listen to the details later, right now I need to see his battle with my own eyes."
Ogawa gave a sheepish chuckle and shrugged at this, realizing that he wasn't going to get anywhere.
Miku turned in surprise however, "Kamiyama, sir?"
"Miku…?" Hansuke asked in surprise as he calmed down a bit, "I shouldn't be surprised given you're friends but…"
"Yeah," Miku nodded.
"So what happens now?" Genjuro asked.
"Something tells me this is about to get messy…" Daishinji admitted.
"Now then," Calibur spoke up as his body began to leak with dark energy, "It's time I claim what's mine!"
"Like I'll let you go after all this!" Carol shouted as she unleashed several wires out to strike at Calibur.
Calibur quickly wrapped himself in his cape, becoming a bright purple flame that the wires simply passed through. The flame reformed before launching upwards and entering the now open book, the book starting to close once it felt the presence of one person enter.
"You won't get away from me!" Carol called out as she began to rise up only to quickly flick her wrists, forming wiring to block an incoming Legeiel and Zooous, both of which had just dropped down from the Château. Their blades clashed against the wires as they tried to force their way through.
"Sorry to say but we've waited a long time for this," Legeiel hissed out.
"You aren't interfering with Calibur," Zooous answered.
"Like I'll allow you beasts to trample all over my plans," Carol scoffed as she glared at the two.
"We need to come up with a plan, dess," Kirika realized as she saw the book closing up further as the portal was soon to be out of reach.
"Someone needs to stop Calibur before he gets what he's after," Shirabe agreed.
Blades meanwhile realized this was their chance and quickly held out Makyū Ichaival, "Touma, go after Calibur, we'll handle Carol."
"Huh?" Saber turned as he took the Ride Book, "Are you sure?"
"Don't worry about us," Hibiki held up her fist, "Do it."
"Defeat Calibur and take the Ankokuken Kurayami from him," Maria added, "We need to end this today."
Saber looked around as he saw everyone else nod so he nodded back, "Alright then, I'm off."
[REKKA BATTOU! CRIMSON DRAGON!]
Saber entered his Wonder Combo before leaping up into the air, fiery wings stretching out from his back as he launched high into the sky towards the book portal.
"It'll take a lot more to hold us back!" Legeiel shouted as he and Zooous gathered energy in their blades, yelling out and slicing through the wiring.
The two Megid Generals launched towards Carol only to get blasted back by electrified tornados, the tornados carrying and slamming them into a nearby building.
"Enough!" Carol shouted before seeing Saber pass by her, she turned and began to fly off after him, "You won't be going anywhere!"
"Not if I can help it!" Hibiki shouted as she launched herself towards Carol to strike at her.
Carol quickly turned and swung her arm, quickly entangling Hibiki in various wires to hold her back, just barely managing to keep Hibiki's punch from hitting her. She couldn't help but let out a breath of relief, while she was strong, a direct hit from behind by Hibiki was something she wasn't about to sit and take.
"Clever but not good enough," Carol remarked as she kept Hibiki back, "If you had an Armed Gear this might've been more dangerous for me."
"Yeah but it was just enough," Hibiki managed to form a smile while gritting her teeth.
"Huh?" Carol suddenly realized what had happened and turned back with wide eyes.
Saber yelled out as he pushed his three books to their limits, becoming a streaking burst of flame in the sky that launched directly into the open book's portal before it fully closed.
"Now that that's taken care of," Maria called out before quickly launching off the ground to land on a nearby building.
Tsubasa gasped, "Maria?!"
"We can't assume Touma beating Calibur will be the end of things," Maria called back as she went to land on the building before running forward, "I'll stop that machine so Carol doesn't get a chance to use it again!"
Of course Maria wasn't about to face this alone as Shirabe and Kirika had chased after her, Shirabe forming a mono-wheel with her saw, Kirika grasping her hand to hold on from one side. Shirabe had quickly reached out her free hand to grab Maria and pull her along.
"Our LiNKER will only carry us so far…" Shirabe spoke up.
"But our friendship will never burn out part way!" Kirika finished.
Maria smiled as she was pulled around, Shirabe using the saw to cling to a building and ride up it to reach the Château at a faster pace.
Carol meanwhile launched Hibiki backwards with her wires before forming a barrier to easily block Blades' cannon blasts.
"Friendship…? Don't make me laugh," Carol said as she continued her assault, "I will deal with everyone here… then I will pry open that book and claim the prize Calibur and the Megid seek before finally reinitiating my plan!"
Tsubasa and Falchion shouted as they slashed at Carol, the alchemist slipping past them and dodging. Chris meanwhile fired a hailstorm of bullets out as Blades joined her, unleashing more cannon blasts from his shoulders.
Carol dodged the shots before unleashing two electrified tornados that struck the ground and knocked both Wielder and Rider away.
Tsubasa and Falchion leapt towards Carol while slashing again, Hibiki joining them as she punched at Carol from another angle. The alchemist however formed a brief tornado of wires, it launching all of them backwards.
"My song is the song that will shatter the world!" Carol declared, "And nothing will change that!"
The SONG bridge crew was currently surveying the situation, though unfortunately they were unable to get any real status updates on Touma's situation due to the nature of the area he just entered.
"I've confirmed Maria, Kirika, and Shirabe have made it inside the Château de Tiffauges!" Sakuya reported.
"The other three Wielders' vital signs are critical!" Aoi called out, "Our two Riders aren't as bad though they aren't exactly looking the best."
"One of them is a phoenix," Daishinji reminded, "What about Touma?"
"Vitals cannot be displayed due to wherever he went," Sakuya explained, "We've completely lost contact with him."
"Have faith in Saber," Sophia spoke up, "He can do this."
"Come on Touma, you can't go down this easily," Hansuke spoke up as he gripped his fists tightly, "You made a promise after all…"
Unfortunately it seemed as though the combatants outside the Château weren't the only ones having a rough time. It had been easy for Maria, Kirika, and Shirabe to enter, the trio making quick work of any Alca-Noise that got in their way while also rushing through.
That was until they got further in, all three of them having been swiftly knocked down as a thick mist covered the floor. Electrical sparks crackled occasionally in the air as standing before the three fallen Wielders were someone they never thought they'd see again.
Maria shakily took a breath, "…Kento?"
Kamen Rider Espada had appeared before the three, Raimeiken Ikazuchi in hand as he stared the three down.
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Well this is something I'm sure people have had to seen coming due to how I've been going through the last few chapters. Calibur and the Megid have hijacked the finale of GX by partially turning it into the finale of Saber Q1. Though of course despite finally getting to this part of Saber's story we've still got some little extra bits sprinkled here and there. That being a more introduction for Yuri alongside Sabela debuting.
Of course though, I got to have some fun with Espada and Ikazuchi in various ways, what with the stuff that happened with Sabela, alongside our little stinger of a cliffhanger here. That said, thanks for reading and I'll see you next time.