Reviews:

Guest: Probablemente le diran al final. O se dara cuenta el solito.

Ryugen: You're going to fall, Fudo. Interesting. Do you think Hazuki and Loki could end up in a disagreement? The Trickster God and his vessel, fighting for who takes control of the power. Yes, Teru and Allister are some of my favorites too. They're fun to write. My favorite has to be Takeru, then Hamaguchi, Hajime, and Yomi. That's my top 6. Yeah, I don't like Fudo either. I like Adam, but only because of his hat.

Akira: Hazuki wants to use his sister to end the world...Hajime has to stop him and prevent him from using her like that. She's vulnerable and confused, and Hazuki will take advantage of that.

Lord Ri The Husbu King: Hazuki is pretty much a cult leader. And cult leaders can be pretty persuasive and manipulative. He believes in his words. Yomi on the other hand does what he wants. One has a reason and the other one doesn't. It's what Yomi said in the last chapter. Humans don't need reasons to do what they do. We'll see what happens with Setsuna. We have some time before we get to what's been happening to her. To be honest, you have a good point. Setsuna should have voiced her problems. But it's not because she didn't trust Hajime with them. It's just he was dealing with a lot of stuff back then. So adding her problems would have been too much, at least to her. And yes, Hazuki has a sister complex. To be honest, if this was a different type of series, this could be a great plot point. Two brothers fight each other to see who their sister prefers.

Anthony Galupo: Facts. Spit your shit brother.

nickseverino8: Not sure. But I appreciate the suggestions. As for Elsa...maybe. She's my favorite noble red too.

Tigracho: That's right. Hazuki needs Setsuna since he wants her to be Hel's host, the Goddes of Hell, and as such, is the only one who can open a gate to connect both worlds via using the Gjallahorn. Yeah, Hazuki became everyone's number 1 enemy and is on everyone's shit list. Sure, Terunosuke and Allister are too, but he's the one pulling the strings. He gave the orders. Like Carol said, his own free will is what made him do this. He decided to put his faith in his plan. But yeah, everyone wants him dead. Bragi the most, since he hurt Miku and made her cry, not to mention he handed her over to Noble Red. A battle between those two is coming, by the way. Look forward to that. And yeah, Hibiki eventually is going to put two and two together and realize that Hazuki...is pretty much worse than the guy who just destroyed her school and killed her friends. The Hajime and Setsuna dynamic... will be different. That's all I can say. I think I did a good job at making Noble Red play victims while killing countless people. But to be fair to him, he's out for revenge now. And for all he knows, Allister has no reason to lie to them about SONG killing Reina. I have to say, I enjoy writing Allister and Elsa moments. It reminds me of when Takeru and Chris started dating together. They're meant to be a parallel in that regard. It took Allister killing Takeru to find his love again as if they couldn't be happy in the same world.

You're right. I guess GX was the last of when we had those lighthearted moments. Well, we have them now and then, but back then, everyone was alive and kicking. But Bragard soured the whole story. If you think about it, after Bragard showed up, there is a before and after. He changed the whole flow of the story. To be honest, back in G, everyone was giving me shit for not killing anyone. Now that everyone is dying, everyone is speaking up lol. Well, at first, with Takeru. Not anymore though. Ah...I think they're all broken in some way. It's just that if they break, then they're basically letting the DDV win and the world is doomed. Right. Hazuki, and the DDV, have evolved over the seasons. At first, there were only 4 of them and barely had any power and had to stay hidden. Then Bragard forced them to work under them then they went to fight against the Bavarian Illuminati. And now, they're teaming up with Noble Red. And to culminate their evolution, they will be the main villains of their respective arc. But...Hazuki started human and became a monster, while the others, except for Chiaki, started as monsters, and are becoming more human. Terunosuke leaves because he regrets what he did, and Allister is on the verge of leaving too, but because he wants to give Terunosuke time to hide before he takes Elsa and his adoptive daughter and run for it. But alas, with Ragnarok around the corner, there is nowhere to hide. They all joined for their respective motives. Like I said before, it's a cruel twist of fate that the main villains are all related to Hajime and/or are Liangs. Maybe Fudo and Yomi weren't so wrong. I mean, Hajime and maybe Setsuna are the only clean Liangs, assuming Setsuna doesn't succumb to the temptation of a new world and her pain. There is Bragi, but he's a Hyperion. Ironic how the one who was created to destroy the world is fighting tooth and nail with who was supposed to be his sworn enemy. The last Liang and the last Hyperion.

Politics can be an ugly thing. And it's funny to think of Fudo raging because the Kazanaris lost against unarmed people lol. Skill issue indeed. Actually...I think we're deep into the second part. I'd say the first part ended the moment Shem-Ha came out to play and Yomi bombed a whole city. Mother and son cause chaos. Funny how they never even met. Oh, yes. I'm excited too. The final arc is approaching, and as you said, this is no longer a battle between who is right. But one who has the power to get what they want. Those who want humanity destroyed and those who have faith in protecting it.

Chapter 132
Two Hands Holding a Sword

SONG made their way up to the Kazanari manor in the dead of night. Maria was trying to act ready. She was here for Tsubasa, after all. But her gaze was glued to the ground. She kept worrying about the battle happening in Lydian. She hugged herself, reassuring her mind that her friends were fine. That Kirika and Shirabe were fine. That she was going to get Tsubasa and go back home with them.

An image of Jades flashed in her mind and she stiffened.'Andreas...Jades...'

She covered her mouth, trying her hardest not to cry.'I miss you both so much...Every single day...'

"Maria-kun."

Maria gasped, feeling Genjuro's arm on her shoulder, snapping her out of her thoughts."Yes, Commander?"

The man smiled at her with a firm nod."The battle is over. They're all alive. Raiden-kun woke up and went to help. They're alive."

The pinkette smiled, overcome with joy as tears streamed down her face."They're okay...? All of them?"

"Yes." Genjuro nodded, ruffling her hair."Now it's up to us to get the job done here and take Tsubasa back. What do you say?"

"Yes!" Maria wiped her tears nodding with newfound confidence. She made her way toward Ogawa, who was ahead of the group.'Thank you, God...For protecting what I still have left.'

"What's the situation, Gen?" Yatsuhiro asked his brother after waiting for their conversation to finish.

"A disaster. Lydian is destroyed. And a good chunk of students and staff were murdered." Genjuro frowned."Thankfully, a brave girl managed to take a good amount to the underground bunkers so they survived."

"I take it it was the Disasters...But why would they attack a school?" Yatsuhiro rubbed his chin.

"One of their members, and older brother to Maria, Terunosuke Kuwana, destroyed a school before. But the one who led the attack was a new addition to their team. Yomi Kugisaki, accompanied by his twin sister, Despia Kugisaki. Both of them were half Liangs like Hajime-kun. And as well as Wei Liang."

"More Liang survivors..." Yatsuhiro grimaced."It seems that the massacre left an impact on them. If this is true, then Hazuki Kaburagi has up to 3 Liangs at his disposal. A cursed family..."

"Don't say that, Yatsuhiro-aniki." Genjuro shook his head."I understand the Kazanari have a difficult history with the Liangs, but-"

"I know, Gen. The Liangs aren't bad people. Chao-Xing Liang, Hajime Adachi, and his sister are clear indications of that. Please give me the report when this is done. I want to find out more about what the Disasters are planning."

Yatsuhiro approached the group of men in black waiting for him at the gate. Scanning his eye with the eye scanner, he managed to get the gate to open, allowing his men to go in."Search the entire building! If you find Fudo Kazanari, I want you to let us know before-"

Out of nowhere, Alca-Noise came out of the bushes, but Maria was more than prepared. Using her bladed whip to dispose of them quickly."I'll handle this!"

"Be careful!" Genjuro nodded."And remember, no Amalgam!"

"I doubt I'd need to use it." Maria huffed, focusing on the Noise as the group dispersed. She held a small smile. If Hazuki was spotted on the other side of Japan, then that meant he wouldn't be here, unless he teleported. But upon further reflection, Hazuki had no reason to be here, as his connection with Fudo wasn't as solid and she doubted that he would come here after Yomi was defeated. Terunosuke was more than likely still wounded, so that's another factor she didn't have to worry about. Now, all that was left, was Fudo's personal mercenary.

'Allister Albedo has to be here.' Maria made sure to keep a keen eye for the snake-themed Rider. However, a blush slash of energy coming at her caused her to snap out of her thoughts and jump back, avoiding it."Well, well, well. Look who it is. I was hoping to run into you...Tsubasa."

"Why are you here?" Tsubasa promptly asked, glaring down at Maria, clenching her sword.

"That's a stupid question, isn't it?" Maria responded, brandishing her dagger.

"So you've come, U.N lapdog." Fudo addressed his son when he barged into his room."Did you dare show your face here? For what?"

"To stop you, of course." Genjuro stated."One thing is supporting the Disasters of Valhalla, but it seems you've grown tired of waiting and have taken matters into your own hands."

"So you know..."

"We made the connections." Genjuro frowned."I suppose you weren't aware that the group you're funding is also planning to eradicate all of humanity, which includes Japan?"

"So that's their goal...I had a feeling they were hiding something. Those little retched fools." Fudo closed his eyes."I knew something was up the moment Cypher started working together with other people. A Rider cooperating with other Riders in a Rider War? It was extremely foolish. I only kept them around because they were useful. While SONG operated in the light, they operated in the shadows. They carried out a few assassinations for me. But the one I needed done the most...they failed. They failed to kill Hajime Adachi."

"Hajime-kun..." Genjuro unfolded his arms in shock."So you were the one who leaked the information regarding his whereabouts and his condition. You allowed Chiaki Nakahara to go to Okinawa. She went to assassinate him under your orders...I suppose it's because you wanted one of your Riders to have his power."

"You are half right." Fudo smirked, surprising Genjuro."My main goal was cleaning up the leftovers."

"Leftovers...?"

"What Bragard didn't manage to purge. Those cursed Liangs." Fudo replied sharply."I believe I taught you and Yatsuhiro this before. How the Liangs prevailed back in the Great War. And how they wanted to infiltrate Japan to take over it."

"There wasn't any proof indicating that." Genjuro shook his head."And yes, I remember. You made sure to drill it in our heads to hate them."

"And despite that, you're taking care of not one but multiple of them. Are you mocking my teachings?!"

"Hate creates nothing but hate. That war left horrible scars on everyone in the world." Genjuro took a firm step forward."The Kazanaris are not saints. And neither are the Liangs. We adults made many mistakes. But the children are the ones who can create something new. Something entirely different from what we made. And for me, I want my team, my kids, to be the new leaders of tomorrow. I wholeheartedly believe in them. And Hajime-kun as well."

"Utter nonsense." Fudo shook his head, standing up and unsheathing his sword."It seems I was too lenient on you. I will rectify my mistake right here and now."

"Then I'll stop you." Genjuro clenched his fists, taking a battle stance.

"So this is it?" Angelo hummed upon seeing the parked cars outside of the compound. He was currently carrying Elsa on his back since the amount of blood they had wasn't optimal and the poor girl was already on her last legs.

"Judging by the light show..." Elsa looked up to the sky, noticing a few blue flashes going off every now and then."...it seems conflict is just starting-de-arimasu."

"So what now?" Millaarc asked.

"We sneak in." Vanessa replied."Take advantage of the chaos and search the place. We don't take risks unnecessarily. Good thing not all of SONG is there. So if a fight is unavoidable, Angelo and I will fight."

"Right." Millaarc nodded.

Elsa smiled giving a small nod before resting her chin on Angelo's shoulder.

"You seem to be in good spirits, Elsa," Angelo remarked with a grin, happy to see her with a smile, despite their current predicament.

"I'm just so happy this is almost over." Elsa said."I'm so close to being with Allie-de-arimasu."

"What are you going to do once you're with him?" Vanessa asked."Actually, what do you all plan to do?"

"I want to marry Allister and live with him and Mona-chan." Elsa smiled dreamily."I can finally have a family I have always wanted. He said he wants me and him to create a paradise together...What about you Millaarc?"

"When we kill the hellspawn, me and Angel here are going to travel the world!" Millaarc wagged her eyebrows."We'll be a little busy, after all."

"We'll need money for that, you know...But, yeah..." Angelo managed a small smile."After this is over...and I make sure Reina and the others rest in peace, I can move on. What about you, Vanessa? What are your plans?"

"Well, I wanted to talk to Teruno." Vanessa gave a saccharine smile."He's caught my interest. And I don't intend to let him reject me like that. So I'll go look for him and try to win his heart."

"Are you really into that gloomy guy?" Millaarc cringed."Sure, he's got some looks, but the guy is pretty antisocial and a certified asshole. Plus, I didn't know you were into guys younger than you."

"I'll have you know I'm only 25 and he's 23. I know what he's like. It may sound presumptuous, but I understand him a little." Vanessa elaborated."He's closed off to everyone around him. He's terrified of being vulnerable, so he acts tough to cover up that weakness. He's very intriguing in that regard. And I know he has that special girl...but..."

"She's dead." Angelo chimed in."I'd say shoot your shot. You're a charming woman, Vanessa. And you deserve to be happy."

"Thank you." She smiled at her friend."I'm just glad it's almost over."

"So close to our happy ending, eh?" Millaarc smirked."Then let's not keep stalling and go to take our lives back!"

"I love you guys." Angelo suddenly said, earning their attention."All of you. Thank you for being my friends."

"Friends?" Vanessa giggled."We're family. Nothing will ever change that."

"That's right." Elsa nodded.

"Always." Millaarc winked in his direction."You too, Satan!"

Noble Red came together for a group hug, allowing themselves a few minutes before continuing on their path.

"You seem awfully content doing all of this, Tsubasa!" Maria called out her friend, slashing at her with her dagger. Tsubasa arched her back, kicking the dagger out of Maria's hand and unfolding the blade at her ankle. Maria immediately weaved out of the way, dodging the sword and catching her dagger."Is this what it means to be a sentinel of the people? To abandon your friends?!"

"You see what's going on with the DDV! How many of us have died already! Using Divine Power to fight Divine Power is our only choice and using Shem-Ha is the only possible choice!"

"Even if that means..." Maria charged up her Phonic Gain on her gauntlet, punching Tsubasa's sword and sending her skidding away."...using an innocent girl as a vessel!? Miku Kohinata has nothing to do with this! You're doing the same thing the Disasters are doing!"

"I know that! I know!" Tsubasa shook her head."But...but there's no other way! They have to be stopped! We tried, Maria! And look! Goro is dead! Kagatsuchi-kun is dead! Chao-Xing is dead! Sakamoto is dead! And Jades is dead! How many of us have fallen by their hands already? We need a new way! A new solution! A proper way to protect the weak!"

"Protect them because they're weak?" Maria scoffed."That doesn't suit you. I didn't know you were one for arrogance, Tsubasa."

"W-what?"

Maria began marching toward her."Do you depend on people being weak and needing protection to have a reason to live? Is that what this is about?"

Tsubasa gasped when Maria grabbed her by the collar, pulling her closer to her before delivering a slap to her face, stunning her."If you haven't noticed, we're all doing our best too. But because we're suffering, it doesn't mean we can just start losing it or giving up. We don't need reasons to fight except to protect others. Not because they're weak. But because they are worth protecting. Yosuke would say the same thing. And you know where he is? He's okay."

"Huh?" Tsubasa blinked."What do you...?"

"He's okay. Raiden managed to get the parasite out of him and he's recovering." Maria's expression softened."He's going to need you when he wakes up. What Psykos did in his body...He will beat himself over it. He will need you. So Tsubasa..."

The pinkette engulfed her friend in a big hug."Please...come back to us..."

The wielder of the Ame no Habakiri broke into tears, the control that Millaarc put over her breaking and her feelings bursting like a fountain.

Meanwhile, thunderous strikes could be seen and heard on the rooftop of the mansion. Father and son fought fiercely against each other. Genjuro's fists could be classified as lethal weapons, and yet he was wary of his father's sword as if it could end his life at any moment. Fudo had honed his skills for many years. Even more so than Genjuro's own age. He wasn't up against any amateur. And he could feel it.

Fudo swung his sword, forcing Genjuro to quickly sidestep, watching the katana move inches in front of his face. He swung his arm, attempting to punch the old man, but he grabbed his fist with ease, creating a gust of wind from the impact.

"Weak as always!" Fudo leaped into the air, as Genjuro kicked the ground, grabbing a roofstile and throwing it toward Fudo. The head of the Kazanari sliced it in half, but the dust got in his eyes, allowing Genjuro the opportunity to sneak behind Fudom punching him into the sky. He jumped after him, focusing all his strength on his right arm."You are mine!"

However, at the very last second, Genjuro stopped his attacks.'I can't do it...I can't kill my own Father...No matter how many horrible things he's done...'

"Your weakness is going to cost you this fight, Genjuro!" Fudo thrust his fist into his son's gut to stun him before grabbing him from behind and performing a piledriver on a rock, leaving Genjuro stuck in the ground."This is why you're a disappointment."

Fudo got off the ground, glaring down at the red-haired's body."If you'd struck me with intent to kill, you'd have won. But now...it's time to move on to the next stage."

Tsubasa continued crying, covering her face."So everyone was fighting right now for their lives...and I was here...? Being nothing but a fool...? What am I thinking...?"

"Don't worry." Maria smiled to reassure her."The others are okay...they pulled through. And I owe it to them to get you back. So...how about we go home, Tsubasa? So we can all sit down and just talk."

Shakily, Tsubasa reached out for Maria's hand, but in the blink of an eye, her body was flung across the area, crashing against a tree. Tsubasa slowly turned around, noticing Maria's unconscious body."MARIA!"

"Do not take another step away from me, Tsubasa."

The bluenette stopped in her tracks, glaring over her shoulders to see Fudo standing in the courtyard."You and I are the last worthy Kazanaris alive. Do not make the same mistake as the other two fools to stray from the path our family must take. Return to my side at once."

"I refuse...This...is not what my friends would want me to do!" Tsubasa shook her head, rushing to check on Maria's condition.

"It's over, Father." Yatsuhiro made himself known, making his way to Tsubasa."Your plan has failed."

With a sigh, Fudo reached into his kimono, reaching for a pistol and aiming at Tsubasa.."I suppose I've been too lax on you. It truly shames me that the Kazanari name...has been reduced to nothing but a joke. However..." He then aimed his gun at Yatsuhiro with a demented smile."That joke ends today!"

A loud sound echoed through the area, piercing through Yatsuhiro's body."

"FATHER NO!" Tsubasa screamed in anguish. However, Yatsuhiro's body exploded into dozens of bats.

"What?" Fudo frowned, shifting his gaze to the rooftop of the mansion. Yatsuhiro was flabbergasted, slowly looking up at the knight-themed Rider that had saved his life.

"Yosuke..."

"Yosuke!" Tsubasa gasped, covering her mouth as she cried in joy upon seeing Yosuke again.

"You...I was wondering what had happened to that parasite." Fudo narrowed his eyes as Yosuke landed on the ground."So you broke free."

"I had some help." Knight stated, glancing to the side."Ogawa-san, please take Yatsuhiro-san somewhere safe. Tsubasa..."

"Yosuke..." Tsubasa muttered, but Knight averted his gaze from her.

"We'll talk...later, okay? For now..." Knight drew a card from his Deck, sliding it inside his Deck."I'll take it from here."

Sword Vent: Winglancer

Knight kicked the ground, launching himself toward Fudo, who leaped above him to avoid his strike. He thrust his sword downward, attempting to stab Knight, but he conjured his visor to parry the attack, holding Fudo in place.

"What have you come here to do? Did you not do enough to disgrace our bloodline by even daring to be together with Tsubasa, Yosuke Yanagi?!"

"I'm going to free Tsubasa from your chains of oppression! I will free her from the horrible destiny you decided to force her to walk on!"

Fudo grabbed him by the helmet, hurling him away. The old man, stomped on the ground, roaring as he did several hand signs before unleashing a fire slash toward Knight.

"Tch!" Knight gritted his teeth, quickly activating an ability.

Guard Vent: Wingwall

Knight used his cape to try and block the attack, however, he felt himself beginning to be pushed back. He jumped out of the way, his cape catching on fire as the slash cut into the forest.'What an insane swordsmanship level! It feels like I'm fighting 6 opponents at once with great blades. If I let up, even for a second, I'm finished!'

Fudo rushed Knight at full speed, grabbing him by the face and slamming him into the mansion, taking him out for a ride. Knight wrapped his legs around his arm, stabbing his Winglancer on the ground and flipping Fudo upside down, throwing him away. Knight drew yet another card, quickly activating it as he jumped in the air.

Tempest Vent

Knight blew away part of the rooftop, swinging his arms, and unleashing several wind slashes in Fudo's direction. The man maneuvered around them, dashing toward Knight before leaping into the air. Knight and Fudo's blades connected at the tip, but Knight created a gust of wind around his weapon and shot Fudo away.

"I'm ending this right now! Fudo!"

"The only thing that's ending is your insignificant life!" Fudo did several hand signs, more fire surrounding him as the crest of the Kazanari family appeared behind him.

Final Vent: Flyinglancer

The black tornado met the fire tornado, creating an explosive shockwave that started breaking the mansion apart. Fudo's eyes shot wide open when he noticed his blade starting to crack, and the attack hit him head-on. He was sent flying several yards away, crashing into an old building.

Knight landed on the ground, huffing as Darkwing unequipped himself from his back.'I got lucky. Real lucky. Good thing I still had Tempest Vent active. By destabilizing him with the wind, I was able to crack the sword due to the force of his swing being diminished.'

"Yosuke!" Tsubasa cried out.

"Tsubasa..." Knight muttered. Darkwing flew over to the bluenette, flying around her before landing on her back.

"I missed you, Darkwing." Tsubasa gently petted his head.

Yosuke smiled under his helmet. However, flashes of countless people being torn to shreds by his own attack flashed in his mind, causing him to grab his head."Not now...I can't break now..."

Out of nowhere, a pillar of darkness emerged from where Fudo was, alerting everyone who was there."What?"

"I will admit, your swordsmanship and your battle prowess are impressive, boy. I can see you being in charge of that group of infants is not for nothing." Fudo appeared from the destroyed building, wielding a black and red sword that was emanating a crimson aura."Very well. I shall use my utmost to slay you. You will be the first to see me at my maximum!"

"T-that sword...what is that...?" Tsubasa muttered in astonishment.

"I am the one who swept the massacre of the Liang clan under the rug. But...were you also aware...that no bodies were discovered?"

"What?" Yosuke gasped in shock.

"No way..." Yatsuhiro grimaced."I thought Bragard simply destroyed the bodies...What have you done to them?!"

"I simply asked Bragard to forge a blade. In exchange for the location of fleeting Liangs and silencing the incident, I asked him to create a blade using their very essence. As you know, the Liangs are nothing short of spectacular, as much as I hate to admit it. They are cursed by the Divine. The ability to not only possess great fighting prowess but also have the potential to use Alchemy. A family blessed with great power, and in exchange, cursed to damnation. And thanks to embedding some of Shem-Ha's divine power into the blade, I can awaken the potential of the bodies and souls I used to forge this weapon! As such, I will use that as a final tribute!"

The blade released a huge burst of energy, seemingly countless souls coming out of it and floating around Fudo. His kimono disintegrated, revealing his muscles. However, Ysuke noticed something weird. Fudo's hair was turning blue, and any wrinkle on his body vanished. His once old body was now back to its youth, his hair now blue and was standing taller than before and his muscles bulging. To top it off, he now had three sets of eyes on his face with yellow irises and red flesh sclera that had black straight lines diverging from each iris.

"What the fuck...?" Yosuke took an instinctive step back.

"What in the blazes just happened?" Yatsuhiro gakwed at the scene.

"He's...returned to his prime..." Ogawa squinted his eyes."Not...that's not all..."

"So this...is Divine Power..." Fudo observed his appearance, getting accustomed to having six eyes."It is no surprise those brats were hiding something like this from me. I can feel it...the Liang's power is flowing into me."

Thousand-Eye Blade, Magatsu Kusanagi

"You...you're a monster..." Knight managed to say despite his stupor state.

"A monster? Perhaps." Fudo chuckled, brandishing his sword, that now had adopted a flesh-like appearance, sprouting small blades across the blade."However, I learned one thing this past year. Japan needs no sentinel nor a sword to defend it. It needs a monster. A monster to fight other monsters. With this power, once I get rid of you and your weakness, I shall head over to stop my former employees and bring Japan to the glory it deserves!"

"I will stop you." Yosuke drew upon his Survive card, wasting no time in activating it.

Survive: Shippu

A tornado engulfed his body as Darkwing began to evolve into Darkraider, his armor now in its Survive state.

"To defy me means to defy Japan. Even though you're nothing but scum, surely you have some level of loyalty to your homeland." Fudo tilted his head."Shouldn't you step down and obey? After all, you people have been losing against the Disasters of Valhalla, haven't you? You are not cut for the job. But if you stand down and help me fight them, I can promise you fame and power. Do you want Tsubasa? You can have Tsubasa. No price is too small to pay for the future of Japan."

"That power must be getting to your head, Fudo." Yosuke scowled."I will not stray from the path I have chosen. The world doesn't need a tyrant. It needs people. But I guess...someone who authorized the genocide of an entire clan wouldn't understand."

"So you refuse. Very well..." Fudo began taking slowly stepward toward Knight, his blade leaving behind a trail of a crimson light.

Sword Vent: Darklancer

Knight tightened his grip on his lance, marching toward Fudo.'If I can kill him, I can free Tsubasa. She will no longer have to suffer from his manipulation. This ends here.'

Both men stood in front of each other, staring into each other's eyes. Fudo swung his sword upward without warning, forcing Knight to arched his back to avoid it. He did a backflip, going for a horizontal kick which Fudo blocked with his arm, thrusting his sword forward. Knight ducked out of the way, however, an eye appeared by the blade of the sword, and an extra blade sprouted out of it. The blade cut through the side of Knight's helmet, breaking it, and delivered a kick to the boy's chest, sending him flying away.

'He can create swords from swords?!'

Fudo raised his blade before bringing it down, creating a slash of crimson energy that tore to the ground. Knight parried it and deflected it somewhere else. He watched in horror as the attack sliced a mountain in half. Knight didn't let himself be deterred, he lunged at Fudo, thrusting his lance forward. But the man grabbed it and hurled Knight away, charging up his sword and shooting a beam of energy from the tip. The Rider blocked it with his visor, but the attack broke through the scabbard mounted on his arm, nearly piercing his skin.

The patriarch of the Kazanaris did not let up, slashing at the air and creating crescent-shaped slashes that were fired at Yosuke. He quickly drew a card from his Deck, quickly using it to save himself.

Rod Vent: Darkhalberd

Knight used his halberd to deflect the crescent slashes away, raising his high in the air before lunging at Fudo, bringing it down. Fudo blocked with his sword, shoving Knight in another direction.

Trick Vent: Shadow Illusion

A dozen copies of Knight surrounded Fudo, but the man seemed unperturbed by this, beckoning him to come at him. And the clones did just day, all of them rushing at Fudo from all sides. Fudo immediately stabbed through the Knight behind him without looking at him, using his body as a shield to block another one's strike before it disappeared. He grabbed the Knight's Darklancer, pulling him forward and headbutting him before kicking him away into another clone. He extended his blade, stabbing through both of them. Several blades emerged from the blade, and with a 180-degree spin, he cut through all of the Knights in a flash.

Advent: Darkraider

Darkraider flew around Fudo while Knight clashed swords with him. Knight realized his mistake. Fudo had 3 times the amount of eyes, so he saw it coming when Darkraider positioned himself above him, releasing a powerful screech at him. Fudo and Yosuke jumped back, though Knight hurled his blade at Fudo. Darkraider activated his turbines, creating a gust of wind to guide the spear around while Knight activated another card while running toward Fudo.

Sword Vent: Kamikaze

A golden blade appeared in Yosuke's hands, coated with white stripes and a golden aura. Knight clasped his weapon as Darkraider maneuvered the Darklancer around Fudo, forcing him to avoid being stabbed by it to give Yosuke an opening to strike. He slashed Fudo's side, drawing blood from the wound.

The man winced.'What is this pain?! A simple cut like that shouldn't be hurting me this badly! Wait...did he say...Kamikaze?!'

"You know what this is, don't you, Fudo?!" Yosuke smacked Fudo in the chest with his blade as wind emanated from it, slashing at Fudo's body with a powerful gale."It is said that a storm once allowed an army to attack undetected, and overturn their unfavorable odds, calling it divine intervention! That's what this is!"

Fudo was shot out of the compound by a white tornado as his body was receiving various lacerations.

"Kamikaze!"

Knight cast more wind at his feet, creating two small tornados in each as he took off into the sky, following Fudo. The man clicked his tongue, slashing at the air and sending several dozens of crescent-shape slashes. Knight raised his weapon, unleashing a tornado that absorbed the slashes before sending them back to Fudo. He landed on a tree branch, jumped down to the ground, and stabbed his sword in. Knight looked down to see a giant blade emerge from the ground, nearly slashing him in half. He gasped when the whole forest began to grow giant swords, prompting the Rider to fly higher in the air. Fudo ran up a sword, taking Knight by surprise as they clashed blades again. However, blades sprouted from his sword, cutting Knight in various places, hurling him back, and crashing against a tree trunk.

"That sword of yours is powerful, but does it even matter when you can't even strike your opponent?!" Fudo slammed his fist against Knight's chest, cracking his armor. He followed up by planting his elbow against his chest, the shockwave of the attack shattering the tree and knocking Knight to the ground."You're beginning to slow down. Perhaps...you sustained damage before coming here?"

"Ah..." Knight groaned in pain, lying on the grass.'That's right...I'm still not recovered from when Amaterasu fought Psykos in my body and that explosion that obliterated half of the district...'

"I believe it's time to finish this up. And yet..." Fudo examined his blade."You sealed your fate the moment you attempted to stain our family by trying to get with my daughter."

"You have no right...to call her that..." Yosuke grumbled, using his katana to stand up."I love Tsubasa...not because she's part of a prestigious family...But because she's a wonderful and brave woman...I love her with all of my heart. And if I have to die here to stop you so I can free her from you...I'll gladly do it."

"Then I'll fulfill your request. Do not worry. Because after you, she will follow you to the afterlife." Fudo began doing several hand signs and in the blink of an eye, countless words emerged from the ground as far as the eye could see."Field of the Fallen. These swords represent each and every Liang that was used for the creation of this sword."

Knight got on guard, but Fudo moved in a blur, slashing at his right arm. He flinched in pain, releasing a gust of wind from his sword to propel himself back, but Fudo wasted no time in grabbing two nearby blades and chucking them toward the Rider. He deflected the first one, but the second one grazed his thigh. Fudo extended his sword as several blades emerged from it, all of them slashing at Knight's body, forcing him to drop his Divine Weapon. The young detective fell on the ground once more, gasping for air as blood began to pool around him from his wounds.

"And with that, the disgrace dies!" Fudo sent a slash of energy toward Knight. However, a flash of blue light appeared in front of him, deflecting the attack. Knight gasped when he saw Tsubasa clad in her Amalgam form, wielding her golden blade.

"Tsubasa!" Fudo screamed in anger."You dare intervene?!"

"I do indeed!" Tsubasa proclaimed."I will stand by his side, whether anyone approves or not! Because he's the person I gave my heart to! He's the man I love! Anyone who dares to hurt him...I will cut down without mercy!"

"Tsubasa...you..." Knight sat up, gasping when Tsubasa offered him her hand.

"Let's go together...Yosuke." Tsubasa smiled, making Yosuke's heart skip a beat.

"Yeah...Let's show him what our love represents." Yosuke accepted her hand, helping him up as they stood side by side. He drew a card from his Deck, glancing at his girlfriend."You ready?"

"I'm ready as I'll ever be."

Yosuke nodded, sliding a card inside of his Deck.

Co-Link Vent

Their powers combined in perfect unison, forming a being of blue light, holding a giant golden blade covered with azure flames, clad in samurai armor.

God of Storms, Susanoo-no-Mikoto

Fudo's eyes shot wide open upon seeing the imposing warrior in front of him. He jumped away, gaining some distance and calling all the blades around him, returning them to his blade, expanding it in size."I'll show you the true power of the Kazanari!"

Both combatants rushed at each other, their blades at their sides as they charged. Both blades collided, but Fudo noticed his sword cracking upon impact, liberating the souls trapped within the blade. The samurai of energy cut through the blade and sliced up Fudo's side, releasing an explosion of blue flames that covered the entire area.

'Impossible...' Fudo felt his power being drained from him, slowly returning to his old self.'I lost to these brats...?!'

"We made it!" Millaarc cheered when they finally reached the secret room containing Shem-Ha.

"I can walk now, Angelo..." Elsa muttered to her friend.

"Alright...Just don't exert yourself." Angelo nodded, helping the girl off his back."Vanessa-"

"I'm already on it." The tanned girl responded, immediately heading for the console."I'll transfer authority over the Divine Power to us."

'I do not like this, Angelo.' Satan spoke inside of Angelo's mind.

'What do you mean?' Angelo scrunched his face up in confusion.

'That thing...I feel like I've felt something like this before...'

"Well, it's a God inside a human vessel. In a way, she's like us."

"Except, I am no God." Satan responded."I'm a demon...But that thing...It feels like...DODGE!"

Angelo instinctively ducked down, avoiding a beam of energy from slicing him in half. Whatever had happened, it was fast.

"Millaarc! Elsa! NO!" Vanessa screamed hysterically upon seeing her friends' dead bodies on the ground."YOU!"

The red-haired blinked, flabbergasted.'What just happened-'

Vanessa's neck was sliced open, her body landing in front of Angelo as blood splattered on his clothes.

"V-Vanessa..." He shifted his gaze to his other fallen friends."Elsa...Millaarc..."

"Impressive." Shem-Ha remarked."You managed to dodge my attack. A notable feat, to say the least. However...can you dodge the second one?"

Angelo immediately transformed, jumping in the air and raising his arm."I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU! HELLFIRE-"

His head was pierced by the same attack that had killed his friends, his body landing on the ground as his transformation vanished.

'W-what just...happened...?' Angelo's eyelids felt heavy, and his body was not responding anymore.

"A Custodian...I should have known." Satan grumbled inside of his body."She's crippled your body and you're dying. The only reason why that headshot didn't kill you immediately is because of me. I am sorry, my boy..."

"Reina..." Angelo closed his eyes, picturing his sister in his mind.

"It's over..." Knight heaved a long sigh once they landed back on the ground, removing his helmet."Finally...Those Liangs...can finally rest in peace..."

He wanted to do this for a long time. It seemed like a distant dream. For so long, he suppressed his feelings for Tsubasa because he was afraid for her. Afraid of what Fudo could do to her. And now...after all this time, he finally could say her suffering was over.

"Yosuke..." Tsubasa called out for him, tears glistening in her eyes."Yosuke...you're okay..."

"Tsubasa, I..." Yosuke took a step back."I can't...I...my hands are stained with blood. So much innocent blood. Psykos used my body as he pleased...and killed so many people that day...God, I still remember that little girl's face...It's all I can think about...I promised to protect...to make sure no repeat of what happened 3 years ago would happen again...It was a bloodbath...And all I could do was be a prisoner of my own body..."

"But, Yosuke..." Tsubasa shook her head slowly."You weren't in control of yourself...You were-"

Out of nowhere, Yosuke practically lunged at Tsubasa and engulfed her in a hug, silently crying on her shoulder."Yosuke...?"

"I was so worried about all of you...About hurting you...You have no idea how much I pray...How much I wish that you would all be safe!" Yosuke sobbed against Tsubasa."I'm so sorry...I'm sorry I'm being selfish but...I really missed you! I missed you so much, Tsubasa! I wanted to see you again...I saw everything...Absolutely everything...It was like being forced to watch a nightmare over and over again...All that kept me going was the thought of leaving you alone."

"Yosuke..." Tsubasa brushed his head, soothingly rubbing his back to calm him down."Look, at me, Yosuke..."

Yosuke obliged, and the girl stole a kiss from him, leaving him speechless."Tsubasa...don't you feel disgusted by me...?"

"Why would I?" Tsubasa shook her head."You saved countless people. You saved us. You saved my father...If your hands are stained with blood, let me be the one to wash them and take that pain away. I've longed for you too...So I want to be selfish as well. I was a fool for believing that my grandfather had a solution. In the end...I am no better than you. I was a fool that was used by the enemy. While you were forced, I had a choice. I'm the one who should apologize..."

"If that's the case...let me carry your sins with you." Yosuke cupped her cheek, now stealing a kiss from her."If we have to be the ones to carry that shame, so be it. I can't give up. Even if what I did was unforgivable. Because those who died before us...We owe it to them to continue. And I'll see this through to the end. For their sake."

"Oh, Yosuke..." Tsubasa buried her head against his chest as they embraced once more, crying together."I love you...I love you so much..."

"I love you too...With all of my life." They both rested their foreheads against each other's, staring into their eyes."We can finally be happy."

"TSUBASA!"

The couple gasped and turned to see Fudo standing by the treelines. Knight stood in front of Tsubassa protectively."Damn it...Just stay down already!"

"You should have finished me off when you had the chance, brats." Fudo hissed, wielding one of the broken blades."It seems you're both out of power. Tsubasa, you rely on your songs too much. What the country needs...No, what the world needs...is a monster wielding Divine Power!"

Final Vent: End Of The World

The trio shifted their attention to see Zolda standing behind Magnugiga, inserting his visor into the slot in its back.

"Sakamoto...?" Tsubasa breathed.

"No...No!" Knight quickly carried Tsubasa in bridal-style running as the Phantom Rider pulled the trigger and Magnugiga unleashed its full arsenal, decimating everything in its path. The explosion sent Knight and Tsubasa flying due to the shockwave, but Genjuro quickly grabbed them before they could fall and get hurt.

"Are you both okay?!"

"Uncle!"

Knight grimaced, immediately looking behind him to see the destroyed forest."He's here...!"

Fudo groaned in pain, barely outrunning the attack with his wounds.

"Going somewhere, Fudo-san?" Kamen Rider Ouja emerged from the darkness of the forest, wielding his visor."You're not looking so dignified now, are you?"

"Cypher...You ungrateful bastard!" Fudo barked."After all I've done for you! I am the one who took you in and gave you the opportunities that shaped your career!"

"Allister. My name is Allister. And maybe so. But don't misunderstand, I am grateful. But you taught me something important, Fudo-san. Loose ends must be dealt with. You have outlived your usefulness, and as such, there is no need to keep you alive." Allister drew three cards from his Deck, all 3 being his Final Vents."Also...you tried to get the woman I love killed. So this is a personal matter. Now pick a card. Any card."

Fudo snarled, refusing to give him a response.

"Ah, of course." Ouja chuckled, sliding two cards back into his Deck."I do prefer mine over the others too, honestly."

"Allister! Don't! He's beaten!" Yosuke cried out.

"Oh, please. You want to kill him too. Stop pretending." Ouja spared them a glance before resuming his task, opening up his visor and sliding his card in.

Final Vent: Veno Crash

Cackling, Ouja ran over to Fudo, Venosnaker slithering behind him. Fudo tried standing up to flee, but Volcancer appeared from behind, grabbing him and hurling him in the air. Ouja leaped into the sky, Venosnaker spitting venom in his direction and propelling him toward Fudo, delivering a lethal series of kicks against him, and launching him through several trees.

Fudo landed on the ground, every bone in his body now broken and his insides completely broken, vomiting blood.

"What a sad way to go." Ouja chuckled in amusement."I suppose it is true. The higher they are in power, the harder they fall. Thank you for helping me all these years, Fudo-san. It's been a pleasure."

"D-damn brat...To think the Kazanari dream...would die by a mere puppet..." Fudo cursed under his breath."I MADE YOU INTO WHO YOU ARE! I-"

The Rider stomped on Fudo's head, crushing it and instantly killing him.

Genjuro gritted his teeth while Tsubasa avoided her gaze at the horrible scene.

"Allister...What's your game?" Yosuke demanded."I thought Fudo was your ally...Are you going to expose his secrets and try to ruin Japan?"

"I could. But I won't. It's not my style. Like I said, I have professional reasons. I am a professional." Ouja sighed."Also...You do know Elsa and her friends require that special blood, right? Well, it turns out he poisoned that blood...So, I also had a personal reason. I couldn't just let him get away with that."

"So...it's true then?" Tsubasa asked."You and Elsa are together...That's why Yukine tried to kill her before. Because she wants to get back at what you did."

"Yeah...I love her." Ouja nodded, not bothering to deny it."Maybe it's hard for you to understand since I am an assassin. Who has ever heard of an assassin that loves someone else, after all? We're supposed to be rudeless. Heartless. Emotionless."

"Akira." Yosuke suddenly said."Akira was an assassin too. But he found love in Kanade."

"Ah...I suppose that is true. He did change, did he? I suppose...the right person is all it takes for someone to change." Allister chuckled."Well, it's too bad things didn't go differently before."

"Allister...?" Yosuke frowned.

"Now then...I did you all a favor and killed this worthless human being." Allister glared in their direction."But don't worry. I am not here to fight. You both are not in shape to fight me. And I wouldn't want to hurt your chances of getting revenge for your friends."

"Then what are you here for, exactly?" Genjuro asked."I doubt coming here to settle a score with my father is the only reason you bothered showing up."

"Well..." Ouja glanced toward the mansion as a massive pillar of red light emerged from within, catching their attention."I think that serves as an answer."

"What...what is that?!" Genjuro's eyes widened in shock.

"Allister! Explain!"

"I don't know." Allister admitted, swallowing the lump in his throat as the light began to die out, revealing a massive silver tree trunk."But...the only thing I can say for certain is..."

Shem-Ha was standing on top of the tree, glaring down at the people below with complete indifference.

"This is the beginning of the end for mankind."