A/N: And we're back, onto the responses.

drake202: Yeah, things got pretty wild and thanks.

phillyitalian: Toon Force, that's all I'll say on the subject.

Now, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

"Please, boss," Daffy spat, his lisp acting up as Ethan could feel the liquid on his face, maybe it's because he's in the Astral Zero, but it's still fairly gross, "just switch places, please? I'll be good. I swear, just please, please let it be me!"

Ethan brandishes his frying pan, swinging it back as a loud thunk rang out, pulling his arm back to his side to reveal Daffy's face flattened, stars, sparks, and ducks flying around his head before he fell back. The momentary silence was golden.

"Duck!" Buggs yells.

"Where?" Daffy yelps as he sits up.

While the Toons fell, scattering, Daffy was smacked in the face by a tendril of air where Simorgh hit the floor as Ethan rolls to the side. Idly, he threw the pan in the air and caught it.

A crack rang out as the air whistled beside him, Rinslet and Claire doing their part as Claire runs around, keeping the opponents stationary while Rinslet took the opportunity. Of course, a lot of that was canceled out by Simorgh, the Wind Spirit keeping him stationary as he evaded as best he could.

"What are you doing?" Claire yelled at him, her whip cracking at each jerk of her movement. "Release your elemental waffe!"

"I would if I could!" He grit out, leaping to the side as he tried his damned best to avoid the very sharp wind that don't cut for blood, but still hurt.

He began to step back and threw the frying pan, hitting the ice sword Elementalist in the head as he caught the pan when it bounced off her forehead as he began to run. "Are you escaping Ethan? I have misjudged you!"

"You're damn fucking right!" He admitted shamelessly to Claire and Rinslet's surprise. "We didn't come here to entertain you, we came here to win. And a fair fight ain't a fight at all!" He says, bringing a hand up and curling it, subtly letting the most infuriating Toon take over for a second as he grins mockingly while walking back, "C'mon Doc, we've got all the time in the world, we're the Raven class after all. A bit of trouble for missing school won't add up to much, but the Weasel class? Oh the scandal of accepting a duel and missing class for it."

Claire's eyes widened, understanding crossing her mind, Flametongue, her whip cracking as the other two tried to go after Rinslet. After all, Ellis declared that they should 'finish this duel by daybreak'. Not that it would.

"You-!" Ellis hissed. "You dare-."

"I. Do." He interrupted, leaning forward, resting a hand against his hip with the most punchable smirk on his face, "Whatcha gonna do about it? I was raised a commoner after all. I don't have anything to lose and fighting in the open isn't my forte."

It's also not the forte of an archer either, but if they took it to the forest, it wouldn't matter how bombastic Rinslet was, there'd be trees to take cover with everywhere in a battle against people who mainly use melee weapons.

Ellis was seething, practically red in indignation and anger, but before they knew it, she was blinking her anger away, stepping back and re-assessing the situation. Ethan's and Claire's hearts dropped, Simorgh tried to hit Ethan but he leaped to the side as it return to it's Contractor, her wind cooling her down as her blue hair flutters. She looked around as one of her Knights, the one with a hammer, dashed at Ethan and he rolled back to his feet, the other going after Rinslet but is interrupted by the crack of Claire's Flametongue.

Ellis looked back again, a hint of begrudging respect in her eyes. "You… You are a commoner, so you wouldn't know how to summon your elemental waffe, but you use that frying pan with frightening accuracy and experience. Claire has her whip," a tendril of air collided with Flametongue, the air splitting as she leapt back, "Rinslet has her bow and pride, and we all use melee weapons."

Ethan's entire world was upside down, both because he was using a hand to balance himself as he flipped back to evade the strike of a hammer and because Ellis wasn't actually just a rich kid. She actually has a tactical mind.

Now, he can't perform hit-and-run tactics in the forest, they'd just use Simorgh to carpet bomb the area.

Clicking his tongue, Ethan yells, "Rinslet!" He caught the blonde's attention as he hopped up a level of the stands and kicked the girl's hammer as it was reeled back and placed his weight on it. Incapable of releasing its force, she was stuck while Josue used his foot to rest on it and swung his leg out in a kick to her chin, her head reeling back as she stumbled.

"You-!" She grit out with anger on her face before it was smacked away with a pan as she stumbled again and he got close. Kicking her shin, he forces her to a knee before swinging around her, hooking his arm around her neck and stepping to the next level and tightening his grip on the choke as she tried to escape.

For such an obvious target, the experienced archer she was, Rinslet shot, the arrow piercing through her but no blood was found as he let her fall.

"Nice shot." Ethan notes, impressed as he looks at where Rinslet was standing and his face fell.

She hadn't moved an inch from her position within the outer walls of the theater, brushing her hand through her hair.

Even Claire seemed absolutely befuddled, she knew that Rinslet was the linchpin of the strategy, still, "Why are you standing in such an inconspicuous place?" She yelled as Rinslet huffs in indignation.

"Ah~, it's natural for me to be in a spot more conspicuous than Claire's." Rinslet explains as he can see Claire's brow twitch.

"You-! You were moving around and sniping, right?" Claire managed through grit teeth. Which was fairly impressive since she looked like she was ready to turn on her.

Carol was delighted, swinging her flag around while Rinslet continued, "As a worthy lady of the noble Laurenfrost family, I won't be satisfied if I'm not at the most conspicuous place at a dance party."

"That's milady!" Carol cheered as Ethan saw Simorgh take to the sky.

"You seem pretty composed, Raven Class." Ellis noted, capable of seeing the ice sword wielding girl charge at Claire.

"Shit, Claire, pay attention. Rinslet, move!" Ethan yelled, hopping down the levels of the seats, watching as Rinslet ignored him and she chanted.

"A good target. Freezing ice fang, pierce. Freezing Arrow!" She spoke in the strange language, pulling the string of her bow back as it seemed to increase in strength and she released it, flying faster than all the others before it.

In return, Simorgh turned into innumerable blades of wind, Rinslet's eyes widen as she tries to move but is too late. She yelps as her position is covered in dust and stone as a pulse of something goes through Ethan's mind and body.

He doesn't know why, but it's nearly there, just a bit more. He needs to hold out until he can.

"How dare you do this to Rakka!?" The ice sword girl asks, swinging at Claire as the redhead grunted as she tries to hit her.

"Claire," he yelled, throwing his frying pan at Ellis' legs before she could get to Rinslet's previous position, the bluenette leaping to the side as it bounces off and he catches it, "use the length of the whip, strangle her!"

"Huh?!" The girl with the sword turned, surprised and with a bit of fear.

"What are you saying!?"

"Then get some distance already!" He retorted as Claire did so, her whip cracking and leaving gouges on the earth as the girl with the sword of ice had to concentrate on blocking.

"… Seems like even with your lack of elemental waffe," Ellis began, "I've underestimated you. Your strategies were well thought out, and might have been the end of us."

"Well, I didn't live a nice life." Even before appearing in this new world. "I wasn't the strongest, so I had to be smarter, had to be a lot more palpable than the other side." He answered as Ellis chuffed.

"I will underestimate you no more."

"No, please, continue to do so. I'll get on my knees and beg?" He asks, nearly falling to his knees if the wind didn't speed up around her, "Just keep underestimating me."

"Evil winds, pierce through my sworn enemy's heart-."

"And she's not listening." Ethan mutters, watching as Simorgh perches on her arm, the wind speeding up, leaving him unable to interrupt the transformation.

"-become a demonic spear and lodge within my hand." She ends her chant, the winds blowing violently and obscuring his vision but still allowing him to see the long ceremonial spear that appeared in her hand. The wind blew across it's edge, releasing an almost harmonious sound as it died down, leaving only a slight breeze as her ponytail, tinted red from the moonlight, flew in the wind.

Ethan couldn't stop gaping as her cold expression landed on him, "This is my elemental waffe, Ray Hawk!"

Before he could stop himself, his voice spoke, "Beautiful."

Ellis's cold expression melted slightly, her lips curling upwards slightly in pride and slight delight, "So, you too understand the beauty of this Ray Hawk."

"Well, that too, but so are you." He admits easily, Granny watching as she brought a hand to her mouth and giggled while Ellis' face began to burn red.

"Wha-? Me-?" She starts, flustered and glaring at him, "Y-You're mocking me, right? Ethan!"

"No. I'm many things, honest just happens to be a part of it." He admits. "I'm a bit entranced, not gonna lie."

For a second, she pauses, bringing a hand to her cheek before shaking away her thoughts, glaring back at Ethan who stepped back, "As I thought, you're mocking me."

"I would ne-!" He started but stops, Ellis' thrust interrupting his words as he evaded, placing his frying pan to his side, the blade of the spear grazing it slightly.

An explosion of wind explodes from it, sending him flying as some of it cuts up his face and clothes. His feet drag across the floor for a second but stop as he looks up.

"You-. What is that frying pan made of?" She asks, genuinely impressed and curious but also a bit frustrated. "It keeps blocking my attempts at turning you into tiramisu."

"So you're practicing making sweets?" He asks and huffs out a chuckle, "What a cute sullen young lady."

"I-I am currently practicing making candies." Ellis answers shyly, "For the sake of the gentleman I'll marry in the future." She adds before pausing, blinking as she glares at Ethan with a blush on her face, "What did you make me say!?" She punctuates with a slash of her spear, a wind blade flowing out as Ethan rolls away. "And who's the sullen young lady?!"

She thrusts forward, practically gliding across the floor as Ethan barely evades the thrust as the blade of Ray Hawk buries itself on the floor, digging deep into it before shrapnel and dust is blown from the ensuing explosion of wind.

Her eyes land on him as she swings from her extended position, leaving a line cut across the seating of the theater as Ethan ducks the attack, his frying pan up and blocking the ensuing air blades caused by her attack.

Ethan rolls to the side, falling to the lower level before standing to a crouch, swinging at her leg. She swings he butt of her spear downwards from it's position, the two colliding as Ethan brings back his frying pan and she shifts her grip on her spear.

Ellis sweeps the spear upwards as Ethan swings, the two meeting in the middle in a clash of sparks beyond the metal grinding in their clash. Ellis reels back, her eyes widening slightly as she's redirected, a tilt of his frying pan causing her blade to slide off it.

She twirls back, not step, but a twirl, filled with a reverence and almost fervent perfection that can only be found in dedicated practice. Ethan chases, prepared to swing as she swung mid-twirl, forcing him to stop as she hops down to the level under Ethan's. She thrusts and he steps back, raising a leg and tries to stomp on the blade but he missed.

In an attempt to slash at him, he kicks off the level beside him and leaps at her, her eyes widening at the unpredictable move. She brings up her spear and tries to hit him with the shaft but he grabs both ends, the two falling as they roll down the seats. Ray Hawk releases wind, cutting up his hands but Ethan doesn't let go until they roll to the stage.

He hops off and hops onto it as she follows after, the two standing at opposite ends.

Then, they clash, incapable of running, incapable of getting the upper-hand, they're on even grounds as their weapons, the blade of Ray Hawk and Ethan's frying pan, cause spark after spark.

For every dance-like move that befits Ellis' title of Elementalist, Ethan intercepts it with a simple side step. For every strike he lands, Ellis manages to carve out parts of him.

Every flourish is met with rough punishment, every slight of honor is met with relentless punishment, and every clash signifies the difference between them beyond their gender.

Ethan is barely trained, relying on his strength and his experience to make up for Ellis' devoted training. Despite this, Ellis can't land a solid hit, her strikes regularly intercepted by his own arm or his frying pan.

She tries to limit his choices, but he breaks through, gambling each time as he doesn't always come out for the better, but still capable of fighting. He tries to grab her, but she turns it, punishing him for his attempts.

Ethan pulls out tricks, flipping over a sweep and spinning into a back kick to her side, but Ellis doesn't fall, her training allowing her attacks to use the least amount of energy and to aim for the right spots unlike Ethan, who's tricks are tiring him out despite his own endurance.

The only thing keeping Ethan in the fight is his endurance, experience, and ingenuity against Ellis' experience with her elemental waffe, training, and devotion.

Two dances, so different in form, different in intent, one meant for the Spirits and the other meant for the self, the core remains the same. Something both recognize, Ellis' face stern but still twitching upwards despite the pain coursing through her. Meanwhile, Ethan had a reluctant grin twitching as his body screams in pain.

Neither can feel much dislike for the other beyond a solid sense of respect.

Then, Ethan, exhausted, fell as she swung, missing completely, not even the wind nipped at him as he kicked the inside of her knee, forcing her to a knee before his other foot dug into her stomach and forcing her to her back and knocking the wind out of her. "Now!" He manages and drags himself away.

"Freezing Arrow!" Rinslet finishes after her chant.

"Hell's Blaze!" Claire does so at the same time as they send, Ellis' eyes widen as the duo of spells are aimed right at her.

Before they could land, the two collide mid-flight, disappearing in a burst of steam and a sizzle to everyone's shock and Ethan's consternation as he brings up his hands to his face, "Fuck me."

"Hey, Rinslet, why did you get in my way!?" Claire accuses as Rinslet turns to her, bringing a hand to her chest, offended.

"What!? You're the one who got in my way." Rinslet returns the accusation as the two squabble and Ethan's brow twitches.

"Those two…" Ethan grits out, as his exhaustion and damage catches up and he lands on his back.

The Toons who were watching began causing a racket from the observer's stand, throwing popcorn, yelling and everything. Daffy and Buggs were on his side, "C'mon Doc, you've still got some in you, c'mon!"

"Tag me in. Tag me in!" Daffy insists, extending a hand while wearing a luchador mask and with shorts. He practically palms Ethan's face as he swats it away, exhausted as Ellis walks to him, "Shame that you'd have to fall amongst yourselves."

"I hope this doesn't hurt." He resigns himself as Ellis glares at him, raising Ray Hawk as adrenaline coursed through him from seeing a weapon pointed at him. The wind kicked up as she narrowed her eyes with a blush on her face.

"To make a mockery of me by saying that I'm beautiful." She grits out, the wind kicking up further as the Toons have to bring a hand to their face to not get hit by stray dirt. Daffy wasn't so lucky, a heavy branch hitting the back of his head and into a wall set up by Buggs. "I'll-."

Wait, that's not the wind.

"Stop, stop! Wait!" He asked, bringing a hand up, "Something's up!"

She hesitated for a second before looking down at him with understanding, "Don't worry, the first time is always the har-." She spoke, her words easily capable of being misconstrued, but stopped as she looked around. Even Claire and Rinslet stopped their arguing.

The Toons were no longer amused as they looked tot he sky.

"What?"

"What is this?"

The duo looked up as Ethan clicked his tongue, "Claire, Rinslet, get down here! You too Carol."

The duo didn't argue as Carol followed quickly, his bag in tow as she gives him a… cup of water? Where did she get a pitcher of water?

He doesn't question it any further, grabbing the cup, thanking her as he takes a drink, feeling some of his energy coming to him as he stands up in time for a rift to appear in the sky, widened by a thunderous roar as Ethan stiffened.

Then, the rift grew, teeth coming from it as its form began to solidify, showing rows of teeth and Ethan could only mutter, "No mames cabron."

The others didn't understand, but they were equally shocked.

"Demon Spirit… What's a Demon Spirit doing here!?" Ellis began, her grip on Ray Hawk tightens and shaking as no one was any different, their eyes wide in horror. The horror only increased once the… mouth widened.

It roared, but it didn't, shivers running up everyone's spine as everyone tried to hide in and of itself, trying to find comfort as Carol stepped towards her lady and Rinslet did the same, bringing Claire with her as Ethan instinctively stepped to her. Ellis herself stepped in their direction by Ethan as they looked at it.

"Didn't you say this only had low-level Spirits?" He asked Claire, "I'm no expert, but that thing feels strong."

"It's impossible." Ellis confirmed, turning to Claire, "Claire Rogue, for now, we'll stop the duel. Is that alright?"

For a second, Claire looks at the huge Spirit and nods, "I understand."

Though, suddenly, an idea pops up in Ethan's mind. It it's impossible for something like that to be here naturally…

Could it have been led here?

His mind goes back to the Water Spirit that went wild in Claire's shower as he bit his lip. This is too convenient to just write off as a coincidence. What the hell is the Greyworth letting happen in her Academy?

Still, Ellis looks at the Spirit, "We're taking refuge. I'll take the rear, all of you, carry the other two."

"You can fight that thing?" He asked as Ellis made her way down the steps of the theater.

"Does it matter?" Ellis asked, and Ethan's brow twitched, as he followed after her, "What are you-?"

"Does it matter?" He throws right back. "Greyworth better get her ass over here and deal with it, or two of us are dying tonight."

"You-!" Ellis began, gaping but was summarily ignored, watching as Rinslet's Fenrir grabbed the other two Elementalists.

"What are you doing?" Rinslet called, "Leave this to Ellis, we need to go."

"I'll catch up." Ethan called back, stepping back so Ellis is truly in the rear before stopping at a mid-way point between Ellis, Rinslet and Claire. "Go. Making sure this one," he said, jerking his head at Ellis, "doesn't do something stupid like sacrifice herself."

Despite his words, being obstinate was the only way Ethan could stop himself from joining Rinslet in the front and running. Shivers ran up his body as fear locked his joints and nearly left him unable to move.

Rinslet huffed, shaking her head, "Then… be careful." She adds, grabbing Claire's sleeve, the look in her eyes causing Ethan's stomach to roll uncomfortably, especially the look in her eye. "Claire, what are you doing daydreaming?"

For a second, Claire doesn't answer, instead, she snaps Flametongue, the leather whip lined with flames as Scarlet flew out. "Ellis, I'll take the rear."

"Claire." Ethan cut through, but Claire didn't look at him, instead, he sucked in his lips as he looked at the Demon. "Please, don't tell me…"

She wants a strong Spirit, all for her sister. But… this? This isn't gutsy, daring, or anything. It's downright fucking stupid.

It roared again, the pressure close enough to cause the girl's hair to flutter as Ethan called again. "Claire, don't tell me you're gonna try and tame that thing. It's angry as all hell and it don't seem to be looking to be tied down!"

"Oh, girl I swear if you don't turn that rear and run, I'll-." Before Foghorn could finish Ethan interjects.

"It's a once in a lifetime chance." Claire muttered as Ethan clicked his tongue.

"Yeah, to join the Hall of Fame right next to the person that dipped their hand in magma and the one who tried to fly without wings." He snapped as she continued.

"There's never been records of a Spirit of this level appearing in the area." She noted out loud, "Besides, it's not like there weren't any Elementalists who contracted Demon Spirits."

"Great, we can add 'delusional' to your headstone. Want me to keep track of your last words before your body is thrown to the void?" He snapped as those words turn to him as she glares at him.

"You-! Don't get in my way! You know why I'm doing this!" She says, glaring at him heatedly as Ethan returns it.

"Yeah, I fucking do. But. Fucking. THINK." He punctuates each word with a finger to her shoulder as she swats him away as he grabs her arm.

"What right does a commoner have to tell me what to do!?"

"The same fucking right that helped me make a plan. My fucking brain." He says, pointing at his head, "You get near that you'll die and take any chances of figuring out the truth with you."

"You know nothing! You failure of an Elmentalist!"

"Who's the one with the Sword Spirit?"

She slapped him, the sound ringing out as neither was willing to back down.

Claire's passion and anger burned while Ethan's nature was not willing to bend without a fight. Two equally stubborn people, even if one was usually more than happy to let things pass.

Rinslet and Ellis couldn't say much at the two glared at each other, neither backing down.

Then, the Demon Spirit roared, having gotten closer to their surprise as the two cover their faces from the kicked up dust. The trees were ripped off the ground and nearly crushed the group as Ellis stepped forward. "Winds, grant us the hand of divine protection. Wind Wall!"

In a second, the wind was gone, a tree landing beside him as it cut off Claire from view. "Shit!" He yelled as he could see her trail off as she leapt to the air at the jaw simply floating.

She began to brandish her whip, hitting the Demon as each crack sent it shifting as she danced around it. Each crack of her whip signifying a beat that none but her could hear.

Not even herself.

She's snapped, it all mounted up from her sister, to the troubles within the Academy, she can't do much else but lash at the single thing her mind can register as an opportunity.

Logic has been overridden by passion and all Ethan can do is feel relief that he won't have to do anything.

The thought disgusts him. He doesn't even want to see how the Toons look at him for feeling like that.

He never wanted this, damn it. He just wanted to go home. At least there, he was comfortable even if the situation wasn't anything better. He's scared, he just wants to curl up and let it all pass.

Still…

His heart beat with heat he never knew he had, he's been called 'sturdy' and 'reliable' before. But…

"Fuck!" He snapped, kicking a tree as he looked up, his hand burning. The Toons smirked and even the scared ones nodded. Ellis and Rinslet watch him cautiously as he begins to laugh. "Right, what the hell am I doing here?"

"Ethan?" Rinslet asks as Ethan turns to the two as they notice something.

His eyes, they were clear, his shoulders were light as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders. "Ellis, Rinslet, I'll leave things over here to you."

"Huh? Are you an idiot?"

"Are you an idiot?"

Both of them yelled simultaneously as he nodded confidently.

"Fuck yeah I am!"

With his words, he hopped over, his hand burning more as he could feel a connection be established. "That girl's my friend. Contracted Spirit maybe, but in the end, she's a friend and I'll be damned before I let a friend of mine die without trying something."

With that, he turned, swatting away Ellis' hand and leaping as he leapt out.

"Ethan, don't you-!"

"Ah, just let the Doc go and be a hero." A voice spoke with a thick accent, something crunching to their confusion as they looked up and their eyes blanked.

After all, a rabbit was perched atop a tree beside a cat, trying to capture a yellow bird only for the bird to fly away and the cat to fall by an old woman, knitting as a rooster rears back a bat, blind folded as it tried to hit a pinata but hit the cat instead, sending it to a small pig man as the two rolled away. More began to appear as silence overtook the clearing, Rinslet and Ellis gaping as Buggs Bunny munched on a carrot.

"Eh~, what's up Doc?"

The Demon roared, interrupting Claire's dance as regrets began to prod at her while she scampered to her feet, the last hit knocking the wind out of her. She cowered but swallowed her fear and stood her ground as it seemed to laugh at her futile struggles.

"You…" She trailed off before continuing, dredging as much anger as she could, "You're not scary, therefore become my manservant." She said.

All it did was laugh, it's teeth getting closer as Claire's ruby eyes widen in horror.

Then, Flametongue became flames against her will, Scarlet appearing as it hissed at the larger beast.

Then, it leapt, attacking the Demon Spirit fervently, looking to take it down for its Master.

"Scarlet… Why?" Claire muttered as she watched the weakened Hell Cat fight the Demon.

She could only watch as flames capable of melting steel were unable to do much else but leave marks as Scarlet fought.

It fought to the bitter end, the Demon's jaw closing on it, cutting the Hell Cat in half as Claire lost her Spirit, practically her family. Finally, her knees gave out as she realized her foolishness.

Ethan tried to stop her. Even when he insulted her, even when he snapped, he did it because he cared, because he could see the writing on the wall. Claire ignored it and plunged in. What's worse she did so alone.

"No…" She practically whimpered as the mouth of the Demon Spirit got closer, it's teeth the same one that tore up Scarlet.

"Save me…" She begged through teary eyes.

"Save me, nee-sama!" She yelled as it's mouth was practically over her.

"At least get the name of your savior right!" Ethan yelled to Claire's surprise as she watched him dash forward. He didn't have a daring grin or confident eyes, but those eyes spoke more than his usual expression did.

Words surged forward and he chanted along with the Toons, who knew the words better than he did, "Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!" Then, his own voice rang out for a moment, "You stubborn sword! C'mon out, we've got shit to do and if ya ain't here, I'll leave ya to the others!" He continued in the Spirit's language, "Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"

The energy flowed into his right hand. It was nearly there, it needed more, he needed more. He was the only one who could give it.

So, he pushed further, as far as he could. Then further.

It wants to be greedy? It wants everything? That's fine.

Ethan will make sure it pays off what it's taking.

It appeared in a brilliant flash of white, a broadsword more befitting a knight than Ethan, but he didn't care.

He didn't know how, but he leaped forward, power coursing through his body as he grit his teeth. "Go back to where you came from, fucking infernal piece of shit!"

With a single slice, the sword easily cut through the Demon as Josue stumbled, the floor getting closer as he manages to stick the landing as he sighs in relief. Before the halves of the jaw could hit the floor, it began to dissipate into motes of energy as Ethan looks around, making sure it's gone.

A drop of water lands on his shoulder as a soft rain began to fall as he spotted a familiar redhead. "Claire!" He called out, jogging as he sighed in relief. She was still on the floor, looking away from Ethan as he nodded, "Phew. Good thing you're fine."

"It's not good." Claire managed softly with a tremor in her voice, barely audible to Ethan as he crouched down. "Scarlet she…" She trailed off, her eyes empty as Ethan began to sway but he forced it down. Not yet, not ye-.

Before he could finish his thoughts, Claire whirled to him, grabbing him by the collar, "You're late, idiot! Despite being my contracted Spirit."

"Er, yeah." Was all he could manage in the haze of exhaustion that was beginning to overcome him. "My bad."

"Why…?" She trailed off softly her eyes looking at Ethan, "You have such great power, but-!" She stopped herself, letting go of his collar, unaware that he's practically dead on his feet by that point.

"No. it's because I'm weak." She said, her voice laced with defeat and her eyes dull. "I couldn't protect Scarlet…"

Ethan, despite his consciousness hanging on by a thread, wanted to stop her spiral, wanted to say something.

"If only I had more power…" She muttered darkly.

You need brain cells woman.

But he couldn't say that, so he reached out and grabbed her shoulder, her eyes landing on his as he managed to say, "Ei, get yourself together."

That was all he could manage as his eyes dulled and his world tilted. Finally, he passed out, aware that problems await him upon awakening.

Still, he took that first step. The rest? Well, he'll leave it for when he's awake.

Also, the Sword Spirit is fucking greedy as hell.

Ethan opened his eyes for a second in the middle of his pseudo-coma and looked down at the weight atop his chest.

When he a mane of silver belonging to what must be a person, he decides that he hasn't slept enough.

He went back to sleep.