The giant was still running, feeling the air fill with sulphur as the sky and horizon grew ever more orange. The heat had risen rapidly. To the point of reaching a similar temperature to that of a spring day instead of winter.

Sebastian: The rendezvous point is just ahead!

He said to his colleagues, who were beginning to reach their endurance limits, in a vain attempt to motivate them. They arrived at a gigantic roundabout featuring a statue of a man in armor. Sebastian looked around, as did Nearl. He began to hear familiar footsteps and turned towards one of the streets where he could see the rest of the Rhodes Island troops.

A smile graced his lips when he saw the rabbit at their head.

Amiya: Doktah!

Sebastian: You're all fine. Wonderful...

Ace: See Dobermann ? I told you he would get here before us.

Amiya: Doktah your shoulder...?

The eyes of many turned to the giant's huge hole in his shirt. To see that beneath the traces of blood, there was perfectly healthy skin, without the slightest scratch.

Sebastian: I've been treated.

He said, making a small movement towards Nearl. Camouflaging the truth. Then he hurried to change the subject.

Sebastian: How long before the catastrophe strikes?

Dobermann: Impossible to say, contact with the landship and the rest of Rhodes Island is still interrupted.

Ace: Inter-city communication is restored. But the catastrophe must be blocking communications in a wider area. For the moment, we're in the eye of the storm so to speak.

Sebastian: I see. Then there's not a minute to lose. Listen, everyone, I know you're exhausted, but the top priority is to get us out of this quagmire! And to do that, we just need to hang on a bit longer!

Tired eyes all turned to him, who seemed to shine in the darkness. A pillar, a bulwark through the darkness.

Sebastian: And I-

*cling cling*

He watched a grenade roll across the ground near his feet, before widening his eyes.

The Rhodes Island troops went on full alert in an instant, and the giant was the first to use his reflexes and speed to kick the grenade into the ground, sending it flying away. All defenders raised their shields in the direction of the grenade, while Sebastian shielded Amiya's body from potential shrapnel.

The object exploded, shaking the troops on Rhodes Island and grazing a few. The doctor felt shrapnel digging into his back.

Dobermann: Contact !

Dozens and dozens of footsteps emerged from their hiding places, in what appeared to be an ambush executed to perfection, and the giant stood up to see that they were soon surrounded by soldiers. Most of them looked like mercenaries, far from the colors of reunion, with an air of veterans in their movements, but what challenged the giant the most was that these people looked like they were not animals like the others, but real demons.

Of all the Rhodes Island operators, the only ones who didn't look terrified were Yato's team, Ace and Amiya.

Fang: S-sarkazs...

Dobermann: Doctor, what do we do?

He began to murmur.

Sebastian: Adnachiel, you see that car on the right, would one of your arrows be able to go through the boot?

Adnachiel: Y-yes...

Sebastian: Then do it. I smell explosives inside of it. Nearl can you make enough light to blind someone?

Nearl: It will take me a few seconds to be able to cast my arts, but yes I can...

Sebastian: Ace leads the way on the left. Everybody go ahead. I'll buy some time and join you. Nearl, I'll cover you until you drop your spell.

Everyone looked at him as if he were mad.

And maybe he was.

Amiya: Doktah, these are sarkazs...

He gritted his teeth, his mind, which had known nothing but combat since he'd woken up, bubbling with anger.

Sebastian: So what? I wouldn't give in to anyone, not even the gods.

He said, drawing his sword and walking towards his enemies. Some of them laughed at the sight of such a puny man approaching. While in the shadows, the leader of this mercenary team frowned.

She had been willing to give rise to this skirmish, to assess this new threat. To see whether she should be worried or reassured. As always keeping up all kind of plans in her sleeve, including being ready to take down her allies.

And for the moment, she wasn't reassured.

Sebastian made an inhuman leap towards what appeared to be the leader of the sarkazs, his face distorted by rage and bloodlust, so much so that some of them recognized one of their own.

Sebastian: Now!

Adnachiel made his shot, and when the arrow pierced the metal of the car, it exploded in a huge ball of flame, sweeping away the sarkazs blocking one of the three streets in one fell swoop. Nearl laid her war hammer on the ground and began mumbling what sounded like prayers, strings of lights dancing all around her. Meanwhile, Ace disappeared in a flash, an incomprehensible strength gripping his every muscle, dodging every projectile, enemy soldiers flying into the air by the dozens as the rest of the operators followed him.

The doctor brought his weapon down on his enemy, a thunderous shock echoing through the air from metal to metal.

His enemy seemed surprised by the strength the giant was capable of displaying, and both tried to force the issue once more. Their weapons shattered, but Sebastian didn't even wait a second before grabbing his masked opponent's head and striking with his bare fist.

The sound of a bell resounded on impact, and the giant felt the phalanges of his fingers break. The sarkaz took a few steps back, and as other soldiers began to attack him, the one on his right swung a sword at his leg, planting it in place. Just as the giant was about to hit him, he received a hammer strike from his left, stunning him. The first attacker grabbed his arm and struck him behind the knee, while the right-hand man did the same. Immobilizing the giant for an instant.

The leader of the sarkazs kicked straight at the giant's sternum, thinking he could shatter it with ease. But when the impact resounded, what went up in the air was the sound of metal being struck. Surprised, the leader didn't even have time to act.

Sebastian grabbed the forearm of the sarkaz on his left with his hand, and with a simple twist of the wrist and an impulse broke his arm, giving him a nice open fracture. Raising his left arm free, he flexed his hand and planted it in the throat of the sarkaz on his right, his other hand remaining on his shoulder.

In a gesture of unprecedented brutality, Sebastian tore off his opponent's head and held it in his hand. Some sarkazs, the most novice of the mercenary group, took a few steps back in shock, but the others had already seen such violence and were all the more motivated.

The immense splash of blood that had risen into the air hit the leader's mask, blinding him as it passed through the holes and grooves. Taking no time to congratulate himself on his aim, Sebastian threw himself at his opponent again. The ready leader raised his fists as if for a boxing match. He crushed the sarkaz's foot with his own as he tried to step back, creating an imbalance on which the doctor capitalized with a well-felt uppercut to the enemy's plexus, sending him tumbling to the ground.

Sebastian threw himself on top of him and began to beat him to death on the ground, smashing the decapitated head of one of his comrades into his face, and just as he was beginning to fall unconscious under this brutal assault, the doctor took one of the horns from the mutilated head, which no one would have been able to recognize, and stuck it into the leader's skull. Killing him instantly.

The giant slowly rose to his feet, looking at the sarkazs around him who no longer dared approach him.

All this had happened in such a short time.

A monster had risen up in front of them, of that they were all sure. From a distance, the woman who had led these mercenaries stared in awe at the man in the midst of the terror.

Risk of total amnesia...?

What bullshit. That demon was back.

To say she was terrified was a powerful understatement. And suddenly, their eyes met. Even though she was hidden several hundred yards away.

This creature looked her straight in the eye, and began to smile, showing fangs replacing teeth in its mouth.

The sarkaz escaped as quickly as she could.

Nearl: Let there be light!

It had taken Nearl only a few seconds to cast her spell, during which time she had closed her eyes. A radiant ball of light burst over the mercenaries, blinding them and giving her and Sebastian the chance to run away. To join their colleagues.

The kuranta looked at him, and couldn't decide whether his shirt was naturally so red, or whether it was because it was soaked to the skin in blood.

The rest of the Rhodes Island troops were waiting at the entrance to a sort of shopping mall. Joining them, the two rather late Rhodes members realized they were being followed by another troop from Reunion.

The giant gritted his teeth, and raised his fists determined to do battle, until he noticed a crane holding steel beams above their heads a little further down the street.

He barely had time to think about it when he heard a gunshot. Coming from the shopping center, he could hear the shot and its impact against the crane's cable, causing the beams to crash down on a few unfortunates and blocking the way to the rest.

Sebastian smiled for a moment before turning in the direction of the shot.

In the distance he could hear the voice of a young girl, who seemed almost frightened by her every word.

?: I-I did it! I did it Meteorite! I hit it!

Behind a low concrete wall, he perceived the girl speaking. A young feline. Quickly, two other women emerged from behind the same cover. One appeared to be one of those sarkazs with a surprising constitution, while the other resembled a fox.

It was the sarkaz who answered.

Meteorite: Well done Jessica.

As the three young women watched the rest of the Rhodes Island troops, Amiya took a big smile to her lips.

Amiya: Frostleaf, Jessica!

The two groups joined to form one, taking a few moments to breathe.

Amiya: Doktah meet Frostleaf and Meteorite. Two long-time Rhodes Island operators.

Sebastian: Nice to meet you.

He said with a smile. He could only eliminate and think that the vixen was Frostleaf.

Frostleaf: Hi.

She didn't ask any questions, as that wasn't why she was there, even if she did find the gigantic figure covered in blood somewhat strange.

The sarkaz stared at the doctor for a few moments. She sensed something strange about him, something no one else here could have sensed but her. Familiarity? Fear. Comfort. Humility.

Meteorite: Are you the doctor...?

She asked, seemingly in the grip of doubt. Like so many others.

Sebastian: Okay, as soon as we get back to Rhodes I'll need a white coat and glasses. Maybe then people will stop asking me.

He said, half laughing at the situation and more than a little tired of his condition.

Ace: Doc! We should move as soon as possible!

Sebastian: I know! Everyone take a second to catch your breath and we'll be on our way!

Dobermann: What do you mean it doesn't work anymore?!

The giant was intrigued to hear this dear instructor Dobermann shouting at the top of her lungs. So he walked slowly towards her, seeing that she was talking to the girl who seemed to be frightened of everything.

Even Popukar looked less of a scaredy cat, to be honest.

Sebastian: Problem?

Jessica: Yiiip!

He thought he heard the sound of a mouse being startled and the feline froze instantly at the sight of the giant, her small size giving her the illusion that he was a colossus twice her size. Which wasn't so far from the truth after all.

With a start, the handgun she was holding flew through the air. The firearms discipline the doctor had developed made him panic, and he caught the weapon in mid-air.

Sebastian: Please be careful.

He said in a calm voice, determined not to further frighten the girl in front of him... who seemed on the verge of a panic attack.

Jessica: S-sorry...

Immediately the giant looked at the weapon in his hands. A Beretta 92F, classic, but jammed.

Sebastian: New weapon?

Jessica: Y-yes... I had a revolver before...

Sebastian: I understand better. It just jammed look carefully.

He began to back off the breech as far as he could, shaking the gun slightly until the jammed cartridge jumped out, the giant catching it on the fly. He handed the weapon back to the young woman.

Sebastian: If it happens to you in the field, keep calm and do what I just did.

Dobermann seemed impressed for a moment, especially when the feline seemed more or less calm again.

Dobermann: Jessica, you could give him some ammunition for his gun, couldn't you?

Sebastian: Impossible.

He drew his gun and presented the magazine next to the only remaining bullet.

Sebastian: Not the same caliber.

He said before reloading.

Dobermann: that would have been too easy.

He watched Jessica walk away and then turned back to Dobermann.

Sebastian: Is this how you treat Rhodes Island recruits?

He asked with a slight smile on his lips, while Dobermann frowned, showing a certain degree of anger.

Dobermann: I don't think you have any criticism to make of the way I train our troops.

The giant burst out laughing.

Sebastian: Then I'm sure everyone loves your training sessions!

He said, moving away slightly to check on his other operators, Dobermann herself blushing more than anyone here could have imagined as she put her hand on her whip.

Dobermann: Pequeño bastardo... I'm going to...

Sebastian: To what ? Don't forget i'll just have to cross the river to be safe from you.

He said again with that devilish grin on his lips. Leading the way as the Rhodes Island group entered the mall.

Worried by the ambush that had seized them, Sebastian was on the lookout for any trap along the way, but there was nothing. Just smashed shop windows and darkness.

Meteorite: You can say what you want about ursus, but at least they have good taste in clothes...

She said as she passed a shop window, earning the gaze of all her colleagues, as if to remind her that they were in the middle of an active war zone.

Meteorite: What?

The giant continued walking, then suddenly stopped, dragging the rest of the operators with him. He sniffed the air for a moment, then drew his weapon.

Sebastian: Everybody gather round!

A thick fog began to fill the mall as the Rhodes Island operators stood close together. The sound of many footsteps filling the air began to echo all around them before coming to a halt.

Then, in the midst of all this, the doctor heard a slight hiss, moved as fast as he could and grabbed a throwing knife, which was aimed straight at Amiya's head.

The girl's eyes widened as she realized she'd had a near-death experience, and as the fog slowly lifted, the doctor's eyes were fixed on another target altogether.

They could see a figure who stood out from the others, by her clothes and the authority she exuded.

?: I've finally found you, Rhodes Island.

The giant looked behind him to see that the exit to the shopping mall was protected only by a small band of soldiers from reunion. On the upper floors, a few snipers and casters could be seen ready to fire.

Sebastian: Vanguard, straight for the exit. Defenders at the end of the line, casters snipers, suppressive fire.

The leader of the reunion was surprised; she'd almost expected to have to come up with a big bad guy speech. But in front of her stood an adversary who was familiar with combat and war.

The Rhodes Island troops ran in one direction, while the giant rushed in the other, straight towards the reunion leader. The mist returning to the building was clearly an artificial act.

The sound of chaos and the clash of weapons followed. Sebastian swung his right heel towards the young woman's face, but she dodged, demonstrating extraordinary reflexes. She took a simple step to the side and drew her machete, severing the tendons below his knee.

The giant ignored her wound, and when her leg fell to the ground instead of collapsing miserably, he launched a backwards kick straight at the young woman's skull. This time she could only raise her arms to at least resist the attack, but was thrown backwards a few meters and fell heavily to the ground.

The giant immediately turned to her.

She was a leader of the reunion and immediately returned to her feet and launched a series of throwing knives at the giant.

He raised his fists and threw punches in quick succession, against all odds, metallic noises resounded and sparks flew everywhere. But the leader of the reunion had taken advantage of this little moment of distraction to lunge at the giant again, ready to stab him with her blade straight ahead. The giant threw his arm forward, grabbing the young woman by the throat.

Surprised, she repeatedly stabbed the giant's arm to free herself, but it had no effect. It was as if he was moving by sheer willpower, if the damage to his body didn't weaken him.

The giant lowered his head, dodging the attack of a soldier from the reunion who was trying to save his leader. Sebastian kicked and fractured his leg, immobilizing him on the spot, before firmly grasping what he held in his hand and raising it high before smashing it to the ground.

Surprised to find herself up against a thick brute who was nevertheless so thin, the young woman's heart quickened and she managed to retaliate, protecting her head with her arms, once reaching the ground and making with the pain she gave an impulse in her legs and gave a double kick to the giant's face.

The man stepped back slightly, his brain pinging in his skull, as the girl disappeared into the smoke screen.

The giant snarled like a beast before taking a step backwards on pure instinct. Seeing a series of crossbow bolts planted in the ground right at his feet.

That had to be taken care of too.

He closed his eyes and made an inhuman leap towards the heartbeat he could hear upstairs. He grabbed onto a railing and used his hand as a pivot to dodge a few shots again, before pulling himself up on the other side.

He pounced on his enemy faster than he could react. Grabbing his skull with one hand, he lifted it up and smashed it on the ground. He heard the other crossbowmen around him turn in terror at seeing their colleague's skull shattered on the ground like a piece of fruit.

Reacting quickly, the giant seized the crossbow from his enemy, who hadn't even had time to reach the ground, and began firing. Two bolts went straight into the skulls of the opponents in front of him, killing them instantly, their corpses falling heavily to the ground.

Using his reflexes, he rolled to the side and turned to fire, but only one bolt went off, killing only one of his three remaining targets on that side. He took a quarter of a second to see that the weapon was empty of ammunition, before running straight for his enemies.

He jumped towards the nearest one and grabbed its head with his hands before bringing it down on his raised knee, ramming half its skull inside.

Another one who'd wake up with a bad headache the next morning.

The giant took advantage of the body as a platform to propel himself even further and arrive right in front of the soldier, making up for the lack of distance with a roll and dodging numerous crossbow bolts.

He punched the side of his opponent's knee, shattering it instantly and knocking him to the ground. Sebastian got to his feet at the same time to deliver another full-force punch to the crossbowman's head, breaking his neck instantly.

Sebastian stood up, taking a second to breathe, and heard more shots ring out towards him from the passageways on the other side of the mall.

Sebastian bent down, feeling the bolts heads shorten his hair, and grabbed the weapon of the man he'd just killed.

He began to run, dodging more and more shots, the windows around him shattering under his enemies' missed shots. The giant took a slide to dodge shots that should have hit him, and aimed at his enemies before shooting them again with deadly accuracy. And when he finished his slide, he heard something right next to him fall and roll to the ground.

His sharp soldier's senses opened his eyes to see a grenade right beside him.

Sebastian: Blyat.

He threw himself towards the floor below with the idea of dodging the explosion, and managed to do so in-extremis. Feeling the flames scorch the back of his pants...

He fell heavily to the cobbled floor a few meters below and took a moment to breathe and regain his strength, before rolling onto his stomach and slowly catching his breath.

He tried to stand up, but soon heard a heartbeat to his right that camouflaged his footsteps. Realizing it was the leader of the meeting he took the bait and didn't move until he realized she was very close.

In the blink of an eye, the giant swept the young woman off her feet and into the air. Sebastian didn't stop there: he grabbed her arm, lifted her off the ground and spun her around as if she weighed nothing, throwing her with all his might towards the mall exit.

His body, hardened by the will to finish up this fight, found more strength than ever and he threw himself straight at his target.

The young woman crashed into the glass doors, shattering them before the eyes of all Rhodes Island who were about to pass through them. But just as quickly, before she even had time to fall to the ground, the giant appeared and struck her with a punch so powerful it ripped the reinforced glass doors from the wall. And propelled the whole thing further down the street, as the mist slowly dissipated.

All eyes turned to the doctor, who seemed stronger and more ruthless by the minute. Blood trickled down his body like macabre rivers, wounds almost invisible beneath the layer of slaughter.

Sebastian walked calmly towards his target, who was slowly getting to his feet, but soon other units from the reunion arrived. These were far more numerous.

Sebastian: Shit day...

A series of soldiers came to relieve Crownslayer, who was on the ground, the young woman still seeming far from the death the doctor would have wanted to inflict on her. A round of applause soon followed.

?: Congratulations! Congratulations! That's just incredible!

All eyes turned to a child, the source of the applause.

?: Mephisto...

Mephisto: Well, Crownslayer, you said you had the situation well in hand... Dozens of your soldiers are dead, while Rhodes Island doesn't have a scratch on them...

Crownslayer: Did the boss send you...?

Mephisto: No. I simply didn't have faith in you, and I was right. You're incapable of crushing insects under your shoe, let alone containing them.

Crownslayer: Leave me my prey...

Mephisto: No. I don't think-

Sebastian drew his sidearm and aimed at the younger-looking leader of the meeting. But he hesitated, a poor quarter of a second when he saw a child right in front of him, and it was enough for a soldier standing next to Mephisto to stand between the giant and his leader. The shot rang out, startling everyone, and the soldier fell to the ground dead.

All eyes turned to the doctor, as the child trembled with shock.

Sebastian: What, you're going to let them talk?! To arms!

Rhodes went into full battle and soon the doctor was the target of numerous shots. Anticipating this, Ace positioned himself directly in front of the Doctor, acting as a bulwark, protecting him from the many dangers that came his way.

Nearl propelled herself forward, determined to show their enemies the full extent of her power.

Crownslayer decided to leave, giving Mephisto one last look.

Crownslayer: You'll break your teeth on them.

She said before leaving without further ado.

Mephisto: Kill them all!

Everywhere Nearl went, columns of enemy soldiers flew through the air in the face of the apocalyptic force bearing down on them. The weaker, more novice operators only joined the fight when Dobermann cracked her whip.

Amiya: Doktah...?

Sebastian: Eliminate any snipers or casters trying to hide.

He said soberly before moving towards a road sign, which he plucked from the ground. He then tore the sign from the ground with his hands, ending up with a steel tube, which he flattened with a kick to transform into a spear.

Sebastian: They might outmatch our numbers ! But they will never outmatch our might !

Everyone heard him say these words, and soon the Rhodes Island troops were encouraged and fighting like lions.

As usual, Mephisto moved his units as if on a chessboard. But each time, he was surprised to see them being hacked to pieces, one by one. His tactics and strategies were reduced to nothing before he even had time to formulate them. It was as if he were playing against an adversary who anticipated his every move.

His eyes glanced at the doctor, who seemed to be talking at the same time as fighting like the beast he was.

Mephisto didn't bother to listen to this insect. Until he realized he was the one giving orders. His eyes filled with anger and hatred.

The giant killed three armored men, piercing their skulls with disconcerting ease, before dodging a hammer attack from another opponent. It all seemed so easy to him.

For once. Mephisto realized that it was his enemy who was playing with him.

Nearl snapped the spine of one of her best lieutenants in two, knocking him heavily to the ground. She pointed her weapon at the enemy leader and began to speak.

Nearl: Tell me, are you responsible for all this destruction?

Her eyes shone with a fiery righteousness that Sebastian could only admire.

As he finished off a soldier on the ground, he turned to the kuranta.

Mephisto: Maybe so... Maybe not... We are legions, is there really an importance behind who pulls the strings or-

Sebastian: It's not him. Their leader's name is Talulah. She must be pretty terrifying apparently.

She remained serious. Not at all having forgotten the discussion Sebastian had had earlier in disguise with other soldiers of reunion.

Mephisto looked at the giant as if surprised by the information he had.

Sebastian: What. You're all not very smart, so getting information isn't that complicated... And we're pretty sure you're not the leader of this whole mess. We're expecting a charismatic leader and strategic genius, and you... Are you sure you even learned multiplication in school, kid?

As Sebastian smiled, the enemy leader's face darkened in the face of unparalleled humiliation. Nearl even laughed lightly.

Mephisto: Faust. Shoot that bitch.

he muttured.

The Rhodes Island troops were too bewildered by the fact that they'd all heard Nearl fucking laughing so clearly, that they didn't notice the flicker of light far away at least. Only the giant noticed, and his brain froze for a few moments before his instincts alarmed him.

Sebastian: SNIPER!

Nearl raised her shield, and a projectile crashed into it.

Producing a powerful shockwave and raising a cloud of dust, the giant thought for a moment that the young woman had just been hit by artillery fire. Then the dust settled.

Amiya: Nearl!

The young woman stood on one knee, her bones brittle from the impact of the shot, and the point of the crossbow bolt stuck in her shield, the concrete beneath her feet fractured for meters and meters.

Mephisto's eyes widened.

Mephisto: You survived a shot from Faust's ballista...? Impressive... Faust kill her!

Sebastian was aware that another shot was coming, and that this one the young woman wouldn't be able to stop. Panic-stricken, he stood up to her without a plan.

A crossbow bolt was thrust into his shoulder and he was thrown back against Nearl, a spray of his blood reaching the young woman's face.

Amiya: Doktah!

The giant stood up.

Rhodes Island was riddled with worry. Why did he seem... normal...? As if nothing happened to him, as if all the injuries he received had no impact?

Nearl was surprised that he had the courage to take a blow that would have been fatal for her.

The giant rose to his feet in front of stunned onlookers. Then he began to crackle with scarlet lightning.

Then a strange noise sounded. The electricity in Sebastian's body seemed to run up and down him, accelerating each time, and the sound seemed to be that of something charging or a dynamo. And then, all at once, the giant turned towards the building from which he had seen the reflection of the scope.

A deafening crack sounded, the electricity from Sebastian's body discharged into the surrounding ground, and the projectile he'd planted in his shoulder flew off on its own, at far too great a speed than when it arrived, towards the building.

When the impact sounded further away, a large ball of dust showed significant destruction, before the building collapsed in the distance.

Mephisto's gaze turned to the horizon in terror.

Mephisto: Faust! Faust!

He didn't perceive the shadow at his back. Sebastian brought his fist down on his opponent with all his might. Hearing a crack, the child fell heavily to the ground.

Explosions soon sounded all around them.

Ace: Damn it!

He said, pointing his shield in one direction and stopping the shrapnel.

Dobermann: Doctor, we've got to move, and fast!

Sebastian: Come on! Everyone forward!

He said, hurrying off thinking he'd killed his opponent.

The Rhodes Island troops ran, again and again, until their breaths were completely drained, explosions ringing out all around them. And sometimes even closer, scratching a few operators, or one knocked Jessica off her feet, which the giant rushed to carry on his back like a fireman, continuing to run.

They finally arrived at the city's exit, seeing its great gate as a symbol of freedom.

They were in a large square, and all took a moment to breathe in front of a large fountain.

Sebastian dropped the feline, who was so terrified that her soul had been drained from her, and made sure she was all right.

But he looked around...

All was silent... and yet he could hear a buzzing sound.

Nearl: Doctor.

He turned to the young woman standing next to him.

Nearl: Thank you. You received a blow that would have been fatal. I owe you my life.

She said, lowering her head and then dropping to one knee. The giant gasped and put a hand on her shoulder.

Sebastian: I've done what I had to do, you don't owe me anything...

He seemed more embarrassed than anything else by the kuranta's behavior. Who was behaving like an emotionless robot knight.

But once the laughter and calm had subsided.

His face seemed to fill with concern, and soon the other veterans noticed the same thing.

Too quiet.

In a flash, hundreds of meeting troops emerged from their hiding places all around them, encircling them in no time.

Elite soldiers.

Dobermann: Shit!

Amiya: Doktah what do we do...?

The giant didn't answer. For he had no idea. He took up a defensive posture in front of Rhodes Island, like an animal mother protecting her young.

Staring straight ahead, his eyes darted everywhere, trying to spot the slightest flaw, while panic silently seized him.

A large troop movement took place in the wide alley ahead of them.

The heat began to rise.

Embers were flying in the sky.

The view cleared of the infinite number of soldiers.

Tension was running high. For you'd have to be blind, or lack the instincts, not to realize that those standing in the distance were the leaders of the reunion.

And among them.

The clicking of heels echoed.

The heat went from that of a spring day to summer midday.

Sebastian clenched his fists.

Amiya: That's her...

Dobermann: The leader of reunion...

Nearl: Talulah.

A/N: My second favorite waifu.

The giant had no time to think how beautiful she was. For he simply felt terror.

Those big gray eyes analyzed them as if they were bacteria under a microscope.

Talulah: So here you are Rhodes Island.

His voice... was so cold...

Talulah: I must admit you have the resilience of liberators. But that's not going to get you anywhere.

A thunderous noise echoed in the sky, which seemed to light up with an orange glow.

Talulah: You're just in time. Look, the fate of our torturers.

She said, spreading her arms as the sound of a roar was heard. Then a gigantic meteor appeared in the sky before crashing into the city center in a shower of flame.

The whole city shook as the troops at the reunion cheered the catastrophe that was unfolding. Soon, meteor after meteor began to fall.

The Rhodes Island troops didn't say a word. The shock and awe that filled them was simply too great.

All these lives... Swept away. Destroyed. In a single moment.

Ace: Watch out!

The elite operator was the one who caught their attention as a few micro-meteors fell on them. The defenders tried their best to act as umbrellas for the others, while they protected themselves as best they could. Sebastian serving as Amiya's human shield.

The rain seemed to subside after a while, and the leader's voice once again haunted the air.

Talulah: Behold... Behold the fate of those who oppressed the infected! And you Rhodes Island...

She turned to them.

Talulah: What have the so called innocents done. What have you done ? What idealists ever done ? You who stood against us, your infected comrades... Are traitors of the worst kind. And the same fate awaits you...

She raised her hand, and flames appeared from her fingers.

Talulah: Annihilation.

The enemy leader fired a huge ball of flame straight at Rhodes Island. Ace was the first to react and positioned himself directly in front of it. The impact resounded and Ace howled in pain, the flames licking at his body and leaving burns everywhere, his shield turning red.

The elite operator fell to the ground.

A new shot, this time it was Nearl who stood in front, she had the same effect as Ace, making Sebastian grit his teeth, but she stood up and raised her shield.

Dobermann: Shoot ! Everyone fire !

Everything Rhodes Island could throw was destroyed, the ashes themselves burnt to a crisp in front of the draco arts. All around them, concrete burned, glass, steel and tar melted. The heat was hellish.

No one on Rhodes Island had ever seen such powerful arts.

Nearl took another attack, the plates of her armor turning black and charred, her clothes and skin fiercely scorched.

But she tried to get up again. And seeing the smile on Talulah's face, the doctor realized that this idiot was going to get herself killed if he didn't do something quickly.

He stood right in front of Nearl, his back to the enemy, and the flames hit him. Causing him pain unimaginable to ordinary mortals.

Amiya: Doktah!

He looked at Nearl, who had already lost consciousness, and dropped to one knee.

The reunion leader frowned.

Talulah: Come on. This game has gone on long enough.

Another, larger ball of flame appeared, while the Rhodes Island troops were terrified.

Was this really the end, Sebastian wondered? Just like all the others. No one expected to make it.

Except for one.

Only one remained hopeful.

Amiya: You won't hurt them.

He opened his eyes again, to see a huge barrier in front of them, formed by arts. The cautus held out her hands. Her eyes shining.

Bright with strength and determination.

Talulah:...

The barrier was indeed Amiya's work, whose eyes shone with the determination and courage of a thousand men. Shining?

No, they were burning.

Amiya: I will never... Let you hurt them!

Amiya's superhuman will strengthened the barrier. Flames and heat collided with the dark matter barrier of the cautus. Enormous waves of energy were unleashed, threatening to knock many people to the ground.

Amiya: I must... Protect everyone...!

Dobermann: Amiya holds back the arts of the enemy... Just by herself...?

Having seen the apocalyptic capacity of the enemy leader's arts, few seemed able to return.

Ace: It's no good... This power is too much! Even Amiya won't be able to hold out much longer!

Medic: Amiya!

Amiya: Don't worry... Don't worry about me... I can hold on! I want to... No... I must...! Protect you all!

Her legs began to shake, and her barrier caught on fire.

Dobermann: Amiya, stop! Your rings are going to...!

Amiya: I don't care...

The tears that fell down her face were instantly evaporated by the heat.

Amiya: Even if... Doctor sorry... Even if it causes a disaster, even if I...! I don't want to lose... the person I care the most about... again...

Talulah: Heh...? all right.

The flames that the draco had been sending up for some time redoubled in intensity.

Amiya: Aagh... Aaaaaaaaaagh...!

Ace: Amiya! Crap... We're gonna lose her...!

Dobermann: Doctor, let's go!

He'd had enough.

Had thousands or even millions of people just died because of the fighters in front of him? Poor civilians who had asked for nothing... Reduced to ashes by a bunch of kids obsessed with revenge and oppression? When a cure for their misfortune might exist? They'd rather do harm to those around them than cling to any hope of deliverance?

It was too much for him...

It was too much for him to keep calm for a few more minutes. His heart began to beat faster and harder, the air around him became completely unbreathable, his skin gradually began to darken, his teeth began to change shape and become sharp points.

He felt anger invade and cloud his mind.

Was this little Amiya about to sacrifice her life for him? And what was he doing besides waiting for her to die? Nothing, really.

His blood began to thicken with rage, turning his skin darker.

Rage against himself for doing nothing, rage against his enemies for daring to take on people as good as those who stood beside him, looking down on them.

He took a step forward.

He gritted his teeth.

He pushed Ace out of the way with more than superhuman strength.

He placed his hand on Amiya's shoulder.

Sebastian: It's okay, Amiya.

Amiya: ?!

Sebastian: You did the right thing.

She lifted her head toward him, to see him with a comforting smile. The same as all those years ago.

Sebastian: Let me share your burden.

Amiya: I...

Tears welled up in her eyes. Then she collapsed from exhaustion.

Ac: Doctor, what the hell are you doing?!

He tried to grab Sebastian by the shoulder, but the doctor hit him, sending him tumbling a few meters away.

Dobermann: Doctor!

Sebastian: Stay back.

This anger that filled him... An immense rage... Not only towards his enemies. But also towards himself.

Standing there waiting for their end to come, he was useless...

Simply a burden, and he refused to accept it.

He would be useful... to all those people behind him who had placed so much trust in him. He had to do it. For them.

The troops of reunion looked up at the man standing before them.

A gaunt, wounded figure. Unarmed. Alone.

Talulah merely raised an eyebrow.

Did he really believe he was capable of-

An explosion and he found himself right in front of her.

He'd moved so fast for a split second that no one had seen him. The draco's eyes widened as the giant's fist slammed into her.

She drew her sword from her belt and projected a spray of flames. The giant stooped, dodging the young woman's arts, and came to deliver a terrible uppercut to reunion's leader. Her eyes burned like flames in an orange glow as she swung her sword straight at the giant. Sebastian deflected the blade by pressing his hand against its side and delivered his blow to the draco.

She took only one step backwards.

As the spray of air generated by the attack swept the weaker soldiers off the ground.

The draco looked at the giant.

Talulah: Pitiful...

The doctor's eyes widened as the draco's attacks came hard and fast.

A furious exchange of blows ensued. The doctor deflected attacks and threw punches. The draco sliced with her sword.

Talulah: 'Why do you refuse to use your arts young lady...?'

But what was most frightening was the rhythm of his attacks: some saw only a cloud of movement and blurred colors, others saw expert movements, at a pace unbearable for ordinary mortals...

And the force of their blows... All these blows shook the entire plateau of the mobile city.

Sebastian delivered a decisive blow, right to his enemy's throat, paralyzing her for a quarter of a second. Then, full of rage, he grabbed the young woman's skull and swung a headbut at her.

The impact was so great...

The ground threatened to collapse hundreds of meters in the face of such force.

And yet...

Talulah: Insect.

She impaled him with her sword. As if she hadn't felt the blow.

She wasn't the reunion leader for nothing.

As the giant's blood ran down the blade, he was able to take a good look at it.

A sword of black iridium...

He frowned. For what were the chances that...

He was lifted off the ground, still impaled in the heart.

Dobermann: Doctor!

The troops on Rhodes Island felt their last shred of hope slipping away.

Talulah: You lost...

She said, bringing her face closer to that of the giant. Looking at him as if he were nothing but shit stuck to her heels.

Then the doctor began to smile.

Sebastian: I don't think so.

A metallic clang sounded and Talulah looked down to see a steel ring fall. When she looked up she could see the giant with a demonic smile, holding a grenade between their faces.

She widened her eyes and raised her forearm in front of her face to protect herself as best she could at the last moment.

The explosion sounded and Sebastian was thrown away like a bloody rag doll.

Crownslayer: Talulah!

Many of the soldiers of reunion rushed to the aid of their leader, who was wounded but still alive. She rose to her feet, her sword planted in the ground.

Melantha dared to look into the fountain where the doctor had fallen. To see nothing more than a carcass.

It wouldn't be useless.

The air became increasingly unbreathable.

His heart beat ever faster. His blood thickened, giving his skin a gray tint.

The carcass slowly rose to its feet.

He was propelled to their head. People so worthy, so noble.

Amiya... She placed so much hope in him...

He had to honor them.

He had to honor her.

He raised his hand, and the sword in front of Talulah lifted off the ground to return to its creator's hand.

Everyone turned to Sebastian.

Or rather, what was left of it.

A glorified corpse stood before them, its flesh falling to shreds in places.

He refused death. He refused the impact of his wounds.

He refused defeat.

His willpower kept him going no matter what.

His eyes, like two precious gems, were no longer emerald-colored, but had the red of blood.

Oh how many eyes were filled with shock. For if none had recognized the man.

Everyone recognized the beast.

Nothing and nobody should have survived in this state. Nothing and no one should be able to fight, nothing and no one could just tread this earth on broken bones and torn muscles, by sheer force of will.

No one else.

Some recognized a legend, others a brother-in-arms, still others a brother at all costs.

Fate had its ways. And gods watched, as strings of all sorts converged into one point, right there at that moment. To change forever.

The doctor marched towards the Reunion troops, sword in hand.

His intuition had not deceived him. He had created this weapon. And like every weapon he forged, he infused it with his blood so that it would obey only him.

Talulah: Kill him!

The draco wondered how she had failed to recognize those eyes earlier. Her brain lost all sense of reason as her thoughts turned into a turbulent ocean.

Oh, they ran by the dozen towards the doctor, who gripped his weapon with both hands. A two-handed sword, too long, too thin, too heavy for the common man. But perfect for him.

The soldiers were cut to pieces, before the ferocious beast that had reared up straight in front of them, moving like an animal, the movements of its weapon as imperceptible as they were swift and strong. It sliced through armor and limbs as if through the air. Moving across the battlefield between enemies like a rodent in a field. Cutting them to pieces in a great bloody harvest.

It was a massacre. So much so that after a few minutes that seemed like hours, the square was littered with hundreds of mutilated corpses. The smell of blood replaced that of ashes.

Talulah finally found the strength to stand up and with a movement of her arm sent a blade of heat straight towards the giant, who then swung his sword in the same direction.

He began to smile with his remaining facial skin. As expected from one of his weapons, it could take all the heat of a star.

Near Talulah, a cautus dressed in white raised her hand, ready to attack the enemy with her arts too. But the draco spoke up.

Talulah: Don't even think about it! He's mine!

She said, a part of her in a black rage that no one could have imagined.

The doctor lunged at her, death in his eyes.

The draco's right hand rose.

But nothing came out.

Talulah: What are you doing...

She seemed shocked, even as she spoke to herself.

Her left hand opened. And a wall of gigantic flames fell. Between reunion troops and Rhodes Island, flames worthy of hell itself rose dozens of meters high and deep in apocalyptic heat. All the sweat the Rhodes Island operators had developed evaporated immediately.

The flames faded, and soon a chasm separated the forces of Rhodes Island and reunion. The mobile city was melted dozens of meters deep by the draco arts. The part of the city on which Rhodes Island stood was slowly spreading apart, as if the machines behind it had decided to take on a life of their own.

The giant couldn't help taking his eyes off the draco. Although he didn't really know why. As they began to be distanced from each other.

The battle was clearly coming to an end.

The draco stared at him. For she could never forget those eyes.

The giant turned. With a flick of his hand, he knocked the blood from his sword before walking straight towards his allies.

The small section of the mobile city quickly moved away as the giant staggered towards his allies, his appearance returning to normal. Many looked on in horror, then the doctor fell to the ground. His wounds quickly took over.

Ace: What the fuck are you doing?! Medic!

The elite operator returned to their side, having regained consciousness, and walked towards the giant. The Rhodes Island operators received their orders and began to treat the doctor with their skills. Most of his more serious wounds closed up after a few moments.

Sebastian: It's good for me... Save some juice for the others...

He said, looking at Nearl a few yards away. Then his gaze turned to Ace, who was standing right next to him, looking down at him.

Then Ace delivered a phenomenal punch to the face, sending the giant tumbling to the ground.

Ace: That was for the punch you gave me.

Sebastian: Ok maybe I deserved it...

Ace held out his hand to the doctor.

Ace: And that's for saving us all.

The giant was relieved by the smiling Pythia.

Sebastian: Yeah... I have to be good for something...

He walked slowly towards Nearl, who looked in bad shape despite the medics' care. He took a knee to the ground beside the young woman to make sure she was all right, and despite all the excruciating burns on her body she reopened her eyes.

Nearl: You saved my life... Twice...

Sebastian: Now we're even.

He said, smiling at her and thinking of the moment when she'd fished him out of that greenhouse.

The kuranta smiles.

Sebastian: Can you walk?

Nearl: I don't know.

She tried to stand up despite the torture her body had undergone, and the giant helped her to her feet before Hibiscus came.

Hibiscus: I'll help you, Miss Nearl.

Nearl: Thank you.

The giant stepped aside and the kuranta inclined her head forward, as if in thanks. The doctor returned the gesture.

Sebastian made his way to Amiya, who was asleep from exhaustion but looked healthy beyond measure. He took her in his arms and carried her. Proud of her and her courage.

Sebastian: Come on, let's all get out of this city of woe.

The Rhodes Island troops had been marching across a desert for an hour now.

Midnight: Ah damn I'm thirsty...

Catapult: That big dragon bitch has evaporated all our water reserves...

Sebastian: what time do our transports arrive?

Dobermann: 14:20. With a bit of luck.

Sebastian: Damn, and it's not even two o'clock...

He said with a sigh. This made many of the operators laugh, as they realized that the battle that had seemed to last for weeks had only lasted a morning.

The giant heard the girl in his arms slowly wake up, so he looked down and smiled at her.

Amiya: Doktah...?

Sebastian: Slept well princess?

Amiya: P-princess?

The giant laughed softly.

Amiya: Put me down... I can walk by myself...

He complied, the good doctor letting go of the girl once he'd satisfied himself that she was able to walk unaided on her own.

Amiya: We won...?

Sebastian: Yes. Thanks to you, Amiya.

Amiya: What a relief...

The girl couldn't help noticing the long sword Sebastian had at his belt.

Amiya: Is this the reunion leader's weapon...?

Sebastian: Uh... No...?

Amiya: Doktah.

Sebastian: Listen, it's not like me to beat the shit out of someone just to steal their sword, is it?

Dobermann: It's the enemy's, all right.

She said, passing them by.

Spot: He picked it up after fighting her alone.

He said as he passed them.

The doctor looked at the girl, who frowned.

Amiya: You took reckless risks! You could have died!

Sebastian: Yes, but everything's fine! Nobody died, right? And why are you all fucking with me like this?!

Ace: At least we didn't say you wanted to lift her skirt to see if she was actually a rabbit or a donkey.

Ace passed them by, dropping his sentence like nothing, a big smile on his lips.

Sebastian:...

He looked at the cautus.

Sebastian: It was purely scientific.

Amiya: We'll have a little chat when we get back to Rhodes Island, dok-tah...

His face was darkened, and frankly the doctor was afraid.

Sebastian: If it's any consolation, I was prevented from doing it.

Amiya: that doesn't reassure me at all!

After a few moments, the Rhodes Island troops had arrived at some ruins in the desert. Appearing ancient. All the operators settled down, treated their wounds and took a breather now that Chernobog was definitely behind them.

The giant sat down on a low wall, taking some time to rest.

?: Woah you stole the boss's sword. She's gonna be pissed.

Sebastian: Maybe. But it's a good blade. And- wait a damn minute...

The giant turned his gaze to his right to see the woman who had led the ambush on them earlier in the morning, right beside him. Resting his head in his hands against the low wall where he stood.

Sebastian leapt to his feet and drew his weapon, pointing it at the demoness' throat. Ace and Amiya, who recognized the figure, quickly turned towards it, their weapons drawn.

Ace: W!

W: Oh hi Ace, old friend!

She replied, feigning excitement and enthusiasm.

Sebastian: Give me one good reason why I shouldn't make your head roll on the floor right now.

W: Hey relax guys we're on the same side! I infiltrated reunion ! Just ask Doctor Kal'tsit! She's the one I communicate with.

The giant didn't take his eyes off her.

Sebastian: So why did you attack us earlier?

W: Oh, I thought you were someone else...

He wasn't convinced.

Amiya: W was a member of Rhodes Island a long time ago... Let's give her the benefit of the doubt doktah...

Spot: Communications with the landship restored!

Dobermann picked up his cell phone and made a call. The giant focused on his hearing to hear the conversation.

Kal'tsit: Dobermann. Report.

Dobermann: End of mission. We wait at the rendezvous point.

Kal'tsit: Any losses?

Dobermann: None.

Kal'tsit: Really?

She seemed surprised.

Kal'tsit: And the city?

Dobermann: Lost.

Kal'tsit: I see. And... what about the doctor...?

Dobermann: Amnesiac.

Kal'tsit: ... Well...

His voice sounded almost sad for a moment.

Dobermann: Besides, he's really abnormal... I suggest he be tested once on Rhodes Island.

Kal'tsit: Noted. Extraction is on its way.

Dobermann: We've got another problem. A certain W claims she's with us and wants to come.

Kal'tsit: This little...

Here was a hint of anger.

Kal'tsit: Alright, take her in, but keep an eye on her.

Dobermann: Yes, ma'am.

She hung up and put the phone away.

Dobermann: It's okay.

The giant sheathed his sword and sat down on the low wall.

W: Well, everything's end good...

The sarkaz grinned as the giant's back was turned to her.

Some might have wondered why she had suddenly decided to join them.

Simply because it was easier to stab someone in the back than in the face.

She smiled and stretched out along the low wall, her sarkaz tail wagging slowly.

Sebastian: Now we just have to wait for transport... Does anyone have a deck of cards?

Nearl: I have one from my country.

Ace: I give up, I don't understand the rules of his thing.

Nearl: Let me check my pockets... Maybe it survived the flames.

Sebastian suffers a humiliating defeat at Gwent.

At the top of the city control tower balcony, the draco watched the horizon. Destruction. As well as memories came back to her mind. Heavy steps and rasped breath came from behind her. She didn't need to ask.

Talulah: Patriot.

Patriot: Leader. The city. Is ours.

Talulah: And Rhodes Island ?

Patriot: They left.

A second passed as she looked towards the horizon.

Patriot: You recognized him. Didn't you ?

Talulah: Who ?

Patriot: Don't. Play stupid. The owner. Of the blade. Yuri. You recognized him too. Didn't you ?

Talulah: Perhaps… I did.

Patriot: Then let us pray. For years. And amnesia. To have weakened him. If not. We are doomed.

Talulah: Where is W ?

Patriot: She joined them.

Talulah: I always possessed a bad feeling about her anyway. You may leave.

The wendigo silently left her. As she began to grip the railing with all of her strength.

Talulah: I'm sorry Yuri… Even after everything… I have to kill you…

A single tear fell from her left eye. The right being completely stoic. Before the right hand brushed the tear away as if it was nothing.

A/N: End of the rewritten chapters. Hoped you liked it.