Living Things (OLD VERSION)

by Yujin Zone

JJBA/ZLS/PM crossover: One man from Saga has revived seven girls as zombies to 'save' his prefecture by making them idols. But when danger comes knocking as supernatural manifestations of one's psyche, seven men with similar powers are revived too as the idols' bodyguards, leading them to a bizarre adventure like no other. (PLANNING TO GO BACK AND UPDATE AS I SHOULD'VE DONE BEFORE)

46. Absolute Xero SAGA Part 3

July 14 update: Don't mind me, have to reupload this chapter after this site is seemingly fixed. Had the misfortune of adding it when the entire site is down, preventing me from visiting. Seriously, when will this site's problems stop...?

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Greetings, everyone! I'm back for a brand new chapter of Living Things! Brace yourselves as the fight grows ever more intense with both sides striving to take advantage and overwhelm either of them, culminating in the ending taking an unexpected turn for our heroes!

Before we get on with the chapter, there are two things I must say… First is that a chapter revolving around the backstory of Shino was deleted because I feel like I've revealed too much and came to dislike it, especially how I wrote it as a single chapter. However, I'm still planning to include tidbits of Shino's past in some way, which is through adding one scene to each previous chapters, starting with "Prelude to Xero SAGA". I haven't done it yet, but I'll add one scene each chapter in the next few days.

With one chapter deleted, this chapter will be the 46th chapter.

And second, I just found out days ago that Living Things is on the fanfic recommendations over at TV Tropes! When I saw my story was included to the recommendations, I was ecstatic! So much it gave me the motivation to finish this long chapter! To the user who put it on the recommendation list, thank you! It really makes me proud to see this story being and worth reading to be added!

Now with all of that out of the way, let's read this long battle chapter!

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AAAAAAAHH! I'm gonna die… I'M GONNA DIE FOR REAL!

Sakura screamed in her head as she was pulled along by an escaping Xero against her will. The blood appendage is gripping her tightly, holding down both her limbs and covering her mouth and neck. It made her squeamish due to the appendage's slimy texture and metallic odor. She didn't like seeing someone else's blood before, but the whole misfortune with Xero might have intensify her disgust.

If her neck wasn't grabbed tightly by a single appendage, she would've screamed her lungs out, dearly hoping her screams of fright would motivate their pursuers. It's not a glamorous tactic and she may irritate the already irate Xero more, but what can she do? She's utterly defenseless and desperate, and fearful for her (un)life. All she can do is hope she is saved somehow.

"Mmmngh! Grrrk!" Sakura choked while she squirms, not liking how the tip is growing too tight. Even a zombie like her knows it's uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, moving as fast as he can after spawning four more tendrils to aid him, Xero didn't ignore the amount of discomfort he's putting Sakura on. Frankly, he doesn't care for her well-being, only focused on making her the second person to be infec- No, that's a wrong word. What was the correct term again? Ah, yes… To be recruited as part of the ichor. He will proceed to make her part of their agenda only after he got away from his pursuers. A task he's having a hard time succeeding.

Looking behind him after he moves the captive Sakura out of his sight, Xero sees, unsurprisingly, his enemies chasing him not so far. The pursuing group is led by Emi, Hartzler, and Lynn, the tabby cat standing on her back, flying through the cold air alongside Rianima and her eldest daughter, all of them covered in her ethereal flames that granted the bodyguards limited flight and speed.

BGM: Impending Crisis (Stone Ocean OST)

One thing to note about this chase is all the parties involved are moving through the dilapidated streets of a ruined city. What city it is, they are not sure; Avdol thought the streets remind him of Cairo but Bucciarati and Mamezuku believe Xero must have put them all in any of the major cities in Saga Prefecture. The latter seems likely given Shino possibly lived his whole life in Saga, so he has a handprint to base on to create these ruined streets filled with cracked or ruptured roads, destroyed buildings of all kinds and sizes, twisting corners, narrow pathways, crumbled debris, broken vehicles and more. The blood moon up in the sky beaming down its dim, red light add to the overall somber mood, something the group only noticed midway through the chase.

Since these post-apocalyptic setting isn't something Shino can create, it is likely Xero himself created this kind of setting, which says a lot about him.

Xero frowned, obviously not liking the group chasing him to rescue Sakura. Returning their glaring with his own fiercer one, he decides he must do something to throw them all off his tail. Aware now that Linkin Park could rebel against his order if he summons it, he sees no harm in using his imagination to its basest extent, believing it should be enough.

So persistent… I should've done something to all of you before I made my escape. It's impossible for me to recruit Sakura while you're all flying so fast. Well, guess Linkin Park shall have its time to shine again.

Xero smirks before he activates his ability with a mighty shout. "HAAAAH!"

バヂッ バヂッ バヂッ バヂッ

Plenty of ice shards shoot past Xero and Sakura after forming out of cold air, aimed toward the group. The ones who're in the front (Emi, Avdol, Bucciarati, and Mamezuku) alert their companions trailing behind. "Incoming! Multiple sharp projectiles coming our way!" Bucciarati exclaimed.

Informed by their leader, they evade every ice shards coming their way with Emi's guidance. However, the high number and speed they are shot at means they couldn't dodge them all without getting stabbed, grazed or worst, frozen still. The group knows they must do something to alleviate them.

"EMERALD SPLASH!"

"AEROSMITH!"

"STICKY FINGERS!"

"MAGICIAN'S RED!"

Deploying their Stands, Kakyoin and Bucciarati diverts most of the ice with their signature attacks, Narancia shatters every shards his machine gun shot at and lastly, Avdol sends out waves of fire, instantly melting all the ice making contact. Thanks to their quick thinking and teamwork, the number of ice projectiles decreased until no more are shooting their way. They would have breathe a sigh of relief, only to stop when hearing Linkin Park's sound and Xero himself exclaiming.

"Try to evade THESE!"

ビリッ ビリッ ビリッ

Multiple geysers full of dirty water erupt all over the road few meters away from the flying group, flinging broken pieces of roads and other discarded materials everywhere.

"Heads up! Don't let these geysers hit you!" Gyro reminded, holding the brim of his hat as he braced for more maneuvering. The group do as he said, making quick reflex dodging to avoid colliding with any hurled ruptured stones while the four bodyguards continue blocking and fending them off. Gyro, Johnny and Mamezuku join this time, utilizing both their Stands and Spin to provide greater aid and defense. Peel Planter even has to manually grab most rocks with Doggy Style and send them away, preferably against Xero who just shatter then with his tendrils.

Seeing the geysers isn't effective in stopping them, Xero glowered irritatingly. Looks like I have to take a direct approach. If creating obstacles isn't stopping them, then freezing them on one spot shall do!

However, as he's about to use his imagination, a dull headache stop him."Urgh!" A hand clutched to his head, his scowl runs deeper when he sensed Linkin Park's voluntary resistance. He didn't take long before he guesses why he finds himself unable to let his imagination come true after three tries.

Aaaaargh! Damn you, Linkin Park! Rebelling against my orders again?! Nnngh, of all the times… I should've done it earlier so I would get away from those zombies led by that wretched woman…!

He looks behind to see his persistent enemies emerge with small or minor scratches. This didn't sit well with the ichor. "You don't know when to quit, do you!? If you can maneuver around my imaginations, what about the ichor? So here! Have fun flying underneath the rain of blood!"

Concentrating a lot of blood on the tip of three tendrils until three spherical objects are formed, Xero throws them up in the air. After checking if they are high enough, he made them explode into hundreds of tiny crimson blood falling down in high speeds. The zombies have watched him creating a rain of blood and they didn't take long to guess his intentions, making them worried.

"Crap! There's so many blood coming our way! At this rate, I don't think we can dodge all of them!" Narancia warned, calling back Aerosmith to have it fly by his side.

"We won't need to! Not when Emi and I remain a thorn on his side!" Avdol confidently said as he swings his arms around dramatically ending with an ethnic gesture. "MAGICIAN'S RED! Conjure multiple fire ankhs and a barrier of fire around us, NOW!"

"KRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

True to his command, a wide and flat sheet of fire spread out above them just as the rain of ichor reaches them. Every projectiles that went near the fiery barrier are vaporized while the fire ankhs homed to any stray blood bypassing the barrier. Everyone feels the intense heat emanating from the barrier but they are not bothered by it, whether because they got used to being near fire or Emi's Stand have something to do with increasing their resistance to fire.

"Excellent move Avdol. Your quick thinking spared us from getting hit by this harmful rain." Mamezuku complimented, having expected either he or Emi might do something with their Stands to protect them.

"What a magnificent use of your Magician's Red, Avdol," similarly praised Emi, also fending off any fast strays out in their front since, the rain is leaning towards them at the speeds they're moving. "I have high hopes you match my experience on manipulating flames. This defensive shield you created is an excellent proof."

"Hah, glad to hear it!"

"Heads up guys! I think Xero is getting ready to attack again!"

Gyro's declaration pulls their attention back to the retreating zombie, who's clenching his teeth in irritation. By the time they look, they find themselves in a hallway again after entering to a building. A narrow hallway filled with sudden corners necessitating quick turns without sacrificing speed, which Emi fortunately make it a non-issue. Aside that, the change in location means they need to pay attention more to what's ahead of them to continue the pace.

He should've known this would happen. If only he shot them fast enough that Avdol wouldn't shield them in time. He could use more ichor attacks, but it will not be an ideal strategy in this point, so long Fire Lord and Emi counter his blood attacks again as they're fully focused on him, more so than the rest of their allies.

Xero knows he must effectively throw them off for good.

"Grrrr! It's not fair all of you are chasing me!" Xero growled to his enemies, who are indifferent to his complaint. "What will it take to finally stop you from chasing us?!"

"Well… how about unhanding Sakura? Surely such a simple request is easy to understand, right?" Johnny sarcastically requested, feeling the urge of utilizing Tusk ACT4's strongest ability and finally neutralizing Xero.

"N-Not when we are moving so fast! I could get injured once he unhands me! Even if I'm a zombimmmPPPHHHH!" Sakura managed to move her mouth out of the tendril's tip to remind them at the speeds they're moving. She was quickly silenced after and she squirmed more uneasily because the appendage is getting tighter than she likes.

"No can do. Sakura shall be by my side and no one will tell us otherwise." Predictably, Xero refused.

"Then we'll continue this chase until either side gives in!" Kakyoin exclaimed, also itching to have Hierophant Green take action in pulling Sakura back to them.

At that, Xero smiles. "You're right. One of us must give in in order to halt this tireless pursuit. And fortunately, I know what side will give in first." Tsk, the major headache I will feel soon shall better be worth it. He mentally noted, bracing himself as he summons Linkin Park and use his imagination once more.

"Huh?" The group looked at him in puzzlement and wariness, more so when Bucciarati, Mamezuku and Emi notice an aura flaring up around Xero for a split second.

ドサッ!

An ear-rending sound is heard coming from behind, eliciting surprise from almost everyone.

"W-What was that!?" Goldia asked, looking behind fearfully. The others follow.

バタン!

There's that sound again. This time, they see what's causing it: the hall's surfaces collapsing by itself, causing an intense rumbling any of them may feel if they are not flying. The way the hall is collapsing, it seems to be crumbling inwardly without restraint, like someone crumpling a sheet of paper or two. In fact, the walls, floor and ceiling behind even looks like it's becoming crinkled or creased as the corridor continues caving in until the space between it all are no more.

!

Goldia, Narancia, Gyro and Avdol spent the next five seconds witnessing yet another uses of Linkin Park's ability in Xero's latest attempt to halt their pursuit of him before the Maiden of Glimpses quickly pleaded to Emi in a panicky tone, "Mother! Go fast! Please GO FAST! The walls behind us will crush us if we don't!"

Emi gasps upon seeing the walls caving in on them. Without needing to respond, she increases her flying speed, and by proxy, everyone's. Before they know it, they burst forward, flying faster than average comparable to Aerosmith's flying speed if it didn't have the distance limit of 70 meters.

Rianima are a little surprised of the speed burst, few of them worried for a second they may fly off sideways or lose focus. "Hey, Emi…" Gyro tried to say something.

"Do not panic. My grip on your bodies remains strong. This burst of speed has not hindered any of you, not one bit." Emi assured, her eyes looking straight at Xero, who is also moving fast too. Linkin Park's wings are protruding out from his back, indicating he let the Stand phase him and gain its flight ability natural to most type of Stands.

The guys are still concerned. Goldia saw their worried faces so she adds, "Trust her, please. Mother knows what she's doing. She wouldn't come this far if she hasn't mastered 「Bring Me to Life」 many years ago."

"Oh, I suppose you're right," agreed Kakyoin. "And just to let all of you know… I experienced this for the first time before we left to search for Shino, guys. Not once Emi-san let go of me and that only happened because I almost panicked."

"Hmm, okay. We'll trust your words then." Bucciarati said.

As Emi leads her allies along, the group gradually moves away from the collapsing hallway. Thanks to Bring Me to Life's sudden burst of speed, they reach speeds comparable to an average car, rapidly gaining on Xero. The zombie is displeased by their persistence, but instead of gritting his teeth again, he remains calm and devises another obstacle to add to the crumbling walls.

"I wonder… how much faster can you fly? Maybe this will force you to push your Stand to its limit!" Again, the headache should be worth all of this.

"GUNiguNI!"

Like something out of a dream or an illusion, the part of the corridor Xero are in stretched far, far away from the group. Then the stretched hall burst into a wide array directions, creating turns and corners all around seen through the transparent surfaces. These branching halls also created another branching halls, and those branched parts created yet another network of corridors, and so on. As this happens, Xero vanishes, taking Sakura along.

"What in the hell…? Am I only seeing those, uhhh… halls splitting into another separate branching hallways for us to get lost in?" Narancia guessed.

"Nope. You're not the only one," responded Gyro, saving himself a headache by not trying to take note of where those many corridors lead into. "Just why did he did that? To confuse us so he can get far away from us?"

"Most likely that is the reason. He wants to throw us off!" Emi guessed. They all saw Sakura and Xero disappear into the intricate and confusing networks of hallways leading straight ahead, to the right, to the left, above or below. Rianima and Goldia are not liking that they may lost track of them if they chose to go even one forked hallway.

"Darn it! Xero and Sakura will be very far away from us at this rate! Emi-san, can you go fast more? This is a wishful thinking but… you still have his 「energy mark」, right? Are you actually 「sensing」 his current location?" Kakyoin pleaded, thinking of sending Hierophant Green ahead. He was stopped from doing so by Emi.

"Not to worry. I have marked」 Xero during the initial stages of our fight, meaning I have my eyes on him at all times, even if he's very far!"

"That's good to hear! So, what's next? Are you gonna increase our speeds?"

"…Very well! I will cause a second burst of speed… but without 「going through」 the walls!"

"Through the… walls? Wait, does this mean-?"

Before he can finish, Emi veers straight through the walls instead of flying into any of the forked corridors. Everyone sans Goldia, Hartzler, Lynn, and maybe Kakyoin elicits another round of surprise when they witness Emi phasing through the walls instead of hitting her head without regard for her well-being. Something to note is that she, as well as the rest of her flock, become transparent as a ghost, their bodies covered in wisps of smoke and colored pale blue. The zombie guys sans Kakyoin are gobsmacked experiencing another kind of phenomenon done by the pale woman while Goldia, Hartzler, and Lynn didn't mind because they experienced this before. Still, they're glad she thought of it since the group phases through many walls, bypassing a lot of splitting halls.

"This is… a weird experience," idly described Bucciarati. "Well, no wonder you were christened the title of 「Ghost of Niji-no-Matsubara」 by the rumors."

The ghostified group continue going through so many halls and forked paths until they catch sight of Xero and Sakura, still on the move the whole time after they disappeared out of their sights.

"There they are!" Johnny shouted as everyone changed back to their discernible selves. They made their presences known to Xero, and his reaction is expected.

"What!?" He screamed in disbelief.

"We caught up with you once more," declared Emi chillingly. She extends her right hand outward and commands, "Hartzler! Lynn! Stop him!"

"Mrrrow!" Hartzler activates Eye of the Tiger before he sprints ahead, bolstered by Bring Me to Life increasing his base speed, agility and strength.

"Hooo hoohoooo! Hoooo! Hooohoohooo!" A robotic owl flies ahead of Lynn, flapping its wings many times so quick it's reminiscent of how a humming bird flies. Its talons are out, ready to strike Xero as it comes close to him.

"Kakyoin! Avdol! Mamezuku! On me!"

Obeying Bruno's command, they deployed their Stands once they are really close, determined to snatch Sakura first before capturing Xero. Narancia, Johnny and Gyro also prepared in case he retaliated with Linkin Park. Goldia stands back, hoping they succeed.

In spite of finding himself within their range so suddenly, Xero remains calm still. He shoots them a wicked smile, unperturbed that he might get captured…

…because "he" and "Sakura" shatter into pieces.

!?

Realizing the Xero and Sakura they are chasing are decoys all the time stops the group out of shock.

"What!?" They all shouted this, so surprised of Xero's deception that they almost forgot the other obstacle until they notice from their peripherals of the walls closing in on them.

"AAAH! Everyone, watch ou-!"

Goldia's warning came too late, right before a cloud of dust and dirt erupted to engulf the stunned group, obscuring them.

"GAAAGH!"

Screams of pain are heard from the partially dissipating cloud, then several coughing and wheezing come next. After three seconds, the dusty cloud is finally gone to reveal… nine helpless zombies sans Hartzler and Lynn crushed tight underneath the heavily crumbled corridor.

ドーン

With their initial surprise over being tricked by Xero over, the group now has to contend getting trapped underneath a big pile of rubble squeezing all of them down. In spite of the rubble's innate heaviness guaranteed to render them all immobile, they are able to make slight movements, though not enough to help them break free from it. They can thank Magician's Red, Sticky Fingers and Tusk ACT4 for preventing the full weight to completely crush the group and even then, they're not spared from getting stuck.

Discomfort dawned upon these unfortunate zombies, finding their movements too stiff to barely move their limbs. Kakyoin, Emi and Bucciarati are stuck together in the inner portion of the piled-up zombies, finding themselves too stiff to even barely move their limbs. Narancia, Goldia, Avdol and Johnny occupy the middle portion in that order, leaving Gyro and Mamezuku to fill the rest. The two are glad the three close-ranged Stands ensure they aren't receiving the full weight of the debris.

"H-Hey… Hey! Who's trying to push me?" Narancia asked.

"Oh! Sorry Narancia. My left leg is… *grunts* placed in an unnatural angle." It's Kakyoin who spoke.

"Speaking of legs, who's sitting on my own? On my knees, actually?" Lying on his back while his hands are free, Johnny turned to Gyro, Bucciarati and Avdol with a glare, wanting to push them to provide some space.

"I-It's not me! I'm lying next to you, Johnny." Bucciarati responded.

"Urgh, I'm too busy dealing with all the weight I'm holding! I think… I'm truly stuck!" Avdol bemoaned, grunting from the weight he's holding on his hands.

Gyro has a sheepish look on his face which Johnny picked up on. "Wait, Gyro… don't tell me…"

"Hey! I didn't want to be stuck in the first place! Well, all of us are! How would I know I'm sitting on your knees?" Johnny responds with a sigh, choosing not to retort back seeing his best friend didn't mean to do it.

Being stuck in a single place isn't really a new experience to Emi. She had dealt worse than this. However, she would be lying to herself if she isn't feeling uncomfortable cramped between two hard places. She envies Hartzler and Lynn as they're the only ones who hasn't gotten stuck. Right now, they are looking around in search of Xero, cautious and alert.

"Mmmngh. Goldia…? Goldia, where are you?" Emi called out. "Who did you ended up stuck with?"

"I'm… I-I'm here! Stuck between Narancia and Mr. Avdol!" Goldia answered, sharing her discomfort over being terribly confined. She really wants to try shift her body to ease this awkward predicament, but after sensing Li'l Bomber and Fire Lord's discomfort, she choose to bear with it.

"Goldia! Goldia! Are you okay?!" She winced when hearing Harpae ask in concern. She didn't need to put her consciousness into her inner mind to see the girls inside her mindscape aghast with worry.

"What on earth happened!? Did that Xero prick use his ability or what?" That was Saki, probably watching through her eyes with her groupmates. She sensed their panic earlier when they saw Sakura didn't go to the mirror portal and got captured. She and Tae were tempted to go out and stop Xero before he got away, but Ai and Yugiri forbade them for nearly acting recklessly.

"He… He must have," she confirmed, grunting as she shuffles her arms and feet. "Got us stuck when the wall, uhmm… crumbled underneath us?"

"You're not hurt too badly, right Goldia!?" Fleta asked hopefully, her voice sounding on edge.

"It… did, but I'll be fine! Only problem is all of us are stuck!"

"Oh no… That doesn't sound good. Where could he and Sakura-san have gone into?" Lily mewled, having seen the trick Xero employed that fooled her friends.

They continue fidgeting for a minute, seeing no success in squirming themselves out to their more discomfort and irritation. Then a thought occurred to Kakyoin as he glanced to Emi maintaining her calmness in spite of this predicament. "Ah! I think there is an 「easy solution to this!"

His exclamation stops them from squirming. They all bear a look of curiosity and puzzlement as Avdol, Bucciarati, Mamezuku and Emi turn to him. "An 「easy solution?" Gyro repeated, his eyes blinking twice and lending his ears. "What would that be, Kakyoin?"

Kakyoin quickly says his piece. "Emi-san! Can you make us 「transparent again like you did before? Maybe turning us into 「ghosts」 will allow us to break free from this trap because we can 「pass through」 the crumpled walls!"

His answer has reminded them about Emi's trick she used in an attempt to reach Xero faster. "Oh yeah! That could work!" Narancia agreed. "You heard us, right Emi? Use Bring Me to Life and turn us 「invisible」 again!"

Despite everyone agreeing with this solution, Emi has a reluctant look on her face, shared by Goldia and presumably her sisters. The latter even speaks up about it. "Um everyone, there's something you should know about mother's specific use of her 「ghostly state」."

Rianima catches on her reluctance, with Kakyoin, Avdol and Bruno noticing Emi's unsure look. "Huh? Why? Is there a 「problem」, Goldia?" Johnny asked.

"You can say that, Johnny," replied Emi, averting her eyes. "When I turned all of us into a ghost-like state in order to let us pass through the walls earlier, I-"

Whatever Emi is gonna say however, she didn't finish when she flinched. With alerted eyes, she looks straight ahead, idly noticing Hartzler and Lynn have arrived to the same thoughts as her because they are glancing to the empty space before them, and gasps audibly. "Hold on! Xero…! I… I can sense him! He is… gonna 「appear」!"

A second after Emi warned Rianima and Goldia, Xero pops up out of nowhere three meters away. His devious smile and piercing glare never left his face as the parasitized zombie regards the group with contempt and amusement over them falling for his trap. A hand is clutching his head, probably nursing his throbbing head after using Linkin Park. He's not bothered by his headache, however.

ドゴォン

Even before Xero appeared, the group is on high alert again immediately after Emi's warning come forth. Kakyoin, Narancia, Mamezuku, Hartzler and Lynn immediately summon or activate their Stands, intent on fighting back even with the debris holding them down. Only Goldia and Gyro didn't, the latter cursing for being unable to reach to his steel balls.

"Hrrrrmmmm…" Xero groaned with a smirk.

"There you are! Bold of you to show your face when you trapped us under this debris and blew your chance to get away with Sakura in tow!" Gyro exclaimed, shooting a glare at him. "So! You're here to finish us off? Just to let you know… Emi here could conceivably get us out of this predicament and resume kicking your butt as much as we can!"

"Grrrrr…" Hartzler let out a deep growl, probably in his Eye of the Tiger state.

"Hooohooooooo!" Lynn carried the same reaction as the cat, her hoots becoming a little deep and said in fewer syllables. Comfortably Numb's silhouette manifested above the owl, indicating she's preparing to attack. And it appears Hartzler is about to do the same since he's in a pouncing stance.

ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ

Xero regards them for a moment before he lets out a huff and says, "I'm afraid I must decline. I'm having an important talk with Sakura soon and I don't want any interference from all of you. I'm sure trapping you all under the debris should have compelled you not to use your Stands…" He can be heard muttering that last part, almost mumbling it under his breath.

Naturally, the group didn't take Xero's response kindly, especially when it concerns Sakura's safety. Mamezuku is the one who asks him. "Where's Sakura? Why are we not seeing her near you?"

"Oh, don't worry. She stayed close to me the whole time," revealed Xero, as glass particles float around besides him. "She, or actually we, turned invisible. Not unlike Emi's own take on the ability."

The particles scatter after the redhead zombie pops into view, still held within the ichor tentacle.

"Mmmpf! Nnnnppphh, MMMNNNGH!" Sakura tried screaming, only to come out muffled thanks to the tip of the tentacle covering her mouth, coiling around her body tightly.

"SAKURA!" The entire group shouted, with Goldia wincing because she sensed Franchouchou also screaming inside her , Xero smiles at their reactions, almost chuckling. He never thought he would enjoy having the upper hand and letting this fact reminded to his enemies. Maybe he enjoys it a little much.

Rianima then becomes angry and send forth their Stands to assault Xero and free Sakura. Bruno can be heard shouting, "Let Sakura go! NOW!"

Xero didn't respond but he snaps his fingers at the same time his aura flickered. The debris, as well as the surrounding hallway, vanish, freeing the group. Or would have if not for them becoming heavy enough that they can't pull themselves up.

"AAAAGGH!" They screamed in pain and more discomfort, especially for those below when Johnny, Narancia, Goldia and Avdol come down hard on them, adding more agony and irritation for all of them. On the bright side, they're not piled on top of each other anymore.

Sakura looked on in worry and fear for the group while Xero, as usual, remain composed and smug after he checked their Stands disappearing because he intercepted them by making their bodies, specifically their heads, too heavy that Kakyoin and Gyro planted their faces down with no hope of raising their heads unless they strain themselves. He'll see to it that doesn't happen if he catches them doing it.

"My apologies for paralyzing you all again. I don't want anyone interrupting my offer to Sakura," he eyed Lynn having trouble pushing herself up, her wings spread out and beak digging on the ground. He's not gonna let her dispel the paralysis with Comfortably Numb again, so he made her a little heavier than the rest. "An offer she'll have a freedom to accept or decline."

Sakura next turned to him in confusion. "H-Huh?" She let out, her voice still muffled. She feel herself being relocated courtesy of the tentacle moving the redhead so she's in front of Xero and her friends behind her. Based on this position and the way Xero momentarily shifts his eyes off of her and possibly look at the paralyzed group before looking at her again, she wonders if he's being cautious or paranoid watching any slightest movements her friends will make. If he's thinking the same assumption as her, she could only wince in more concern from the display of his intelligence.

Xero stares at the frightened girl for three seconds before the tentacle's tip retracts a little to uncover her mouth. "Gaaaah!" She exclaimed, breathing deeply to inhale as much oxygen as possible. The tentacle spin her around until she's facing the group. This gesture puzzles her and she would continue feeling that way if Xero hasn't speak. "Tell me,senpai… Those zombies confined below you… What do you see them as?"

"W-What? What do I… see them as?" Sakura repeated.

Almost all the restrained zombies raised their heads up or at least their eyes only after they heard Xero's question for Sakura, as the ichor continues, "What are your thoughts to your seven loyal bodyguards, your seven groupmates and that girl's sisters tuck away safely inside her mind and, loathe as I am to mention her, Shino's false lover and her pathetic pets… What do you see them as?"

Sakura believe she understands a little where Xero is going, her blue eyes falling upon the helpless Stand Users. Though she cannot see her groupmates, she only has to look directly at Goldia's eyes to make it appear she's looking at Franchouchou too. At first, she hesitated since she's not familiar with them yet owing to her second amnesia. But she remembered their words of encouragement before the fight against Xero started and how they really believe in her potential as an idol and Stand User. Like they have known her and what's her character like for these past months.

Given how the group is staring at her pleadingly and hopefully, Sakura sees she cannot ignore their eyes full of concern and confidence for her well-being. Maybe they already knew what she'll answer to Xero.

Reinforcing her expression, Sakura tells Xero what she's thinking of them. "They're… They're my 「friends」. Friends who care so much for me that they don't care I might affect them with my 「bad luck」. I still see them as strangers and I'm unsure yet if I am capable of being what they believe me to be as, but I think… they don't care if my unlucky streak might affect all of them and bring them down with me. Because I… I 「won't be alone」 if it will strike again. They're more than just zombies… They're my friends whom I hope I can rely on, just as they rely on me."

Despite the awkward way she spoke on what she really thinks about them, everyone is touched by her words. They can sense the sincerity behind it and the way she looks at them in a sanguine manager perhaps tell many words without needing to be said. If their faces aren't feeling heavy, they would shoot a smile or smirk at Sakura, but at least they take solace that the recovering zombie is glad to have someone care so much about her.

In the moment of bliss, they almost forgot their opponent's presence behind Sakura until they snap out of it when they hear him snort. At the same time, Sakura is spun around so she's looking at Xero again, who has a displeased look on his face.

"Friends? You see these zombies as your friends? …I hoped you know better than to call them that since you're a zombie yourself."

Sakura blinked twice, profoundly confused. "And what does me being a zombie have to do with it?" She challenged.

Xero looks at her blankly, going silent for five seconds before he says this. "「Memento mori」."

Another round of silence happened, letting everyone digest those two words before Sakura asks, "…Come again?"

"「Memento mori」. A Latin phrase meaning, 'Remember, you will die someday'," he clarified. "It's a bittersweet phrase that everyone from all walks of life must know. A reminder of one's mortality in the face of destiny."

"And you bring this up because…?" She questioned, sharing her puzzlement along with the group.

"You should know… All of you should know… that no matter where you go, what path you may go through and how much you want to live your best life, only one absolute exists in the end of our long journey… death."

On top of confusion, Sakura begins feeling a little apprehensive. "Where are you going with this?"

"Death is the absolute endpoint of all life. Doesn't matter how one dies, be it through natural causes or getting killed, and whether we are animals, plants or humans… every living being will die someday. We may have all the time to make our single lives worth living, but once death arrives, that's that. That's how we shall end. For every beginning, there must also… have the end."

"Since that is the natural order of the world, breaking it is not ideal. It's the fact of life, so when someone see a person coming back from the dead, they may not take it well, especially if that person is an undead. You must have encountered any living humans when you were starting to live as a zombie, so tell me, senpai… What reactions they got when seeing your real form?"

At that, Sakura averted her eyes somewhat sheepishly. "They… did not take it well."

"Yes, exactly my thoughts. If Kotaro haven't prepared in advance to help you fourteen zombies settle in comfortably into your new lease on life when he raised you all back from the dead, you'll be having difficulty accommodating yourselves. Regardless of your thoughts of him,you should be grateful he made preparations on the day you 'woke' up, based on what he said to Shino when he was partnered up."

Rianima and Franchouchou have no comment on that.

"However, even with his astounding skills concealing your zombie forms, there will come the day the truth will come out into the light many years from now. Also, some of you must have realized you can't grow up as a zombie. That all of you are immortal. Frankly, I want to spell it out the consequences of being an immortal undead, but that would mean I keep prolonging my speech to an unacceptable extent so I shall leave it to your imaginations."

"Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is… having a zombie like you being an idol singer, those seven guys acting as bodyguards using their Stands and that wretched woman and her daughters and pets protecting Saga Prefecture and living as one happy family is, how should I put it? …Not the role all of you was expected to take due to how it runs contrary on your undead status."

Sakura blinks again. "Where are you going with this again?" She urged him to finally explain.

Xero chuckled grimly. "Isn't it obvious? A zombie has no place among the living. They are a walking contradiction to all those written down on the facts of life. If one has died, they stayed dead, period. After a lot of soul-searching on why death always claim all kinds of life without exceptions, I have come to the conclusion that alongside eradicating Saga off the face of the Earth, all forms of life must be eliminated. No questions asked."

! !

Sakura blanches at Xero stating that and though she's not facing her friends, hearing their gasps and murmurs should tell her how they react to his words. That being said, all of them are not surprise given how he wants to kill them all except Sakura.

"Particularly, Saga Prefecture will be the first place to start pursuing our shared goal. *chuckle* Once the cursed prefecture is out of the picture, I can rest easy Shino will be bothered no more that it is gone. And hopefully, he can be more relaxed when the ichor becomes part of you, Sakura."

"T-The… ichor?"

"Yes. Which is what we want to offer you," hestarts telling their offer. "Become part of the ichor so you'll accompany us on our journey to end all forms of life, Shino's first ever friend he made in his entire nineteen years of living. Rest assured that the ichor shall feel good if you accept it as part of your undead body. I take it back when I said it's a painful process. You'll understand the wonders of the ichor soon if you choose to accept us injecting it to your veins."

"Do not listen to him! You must not let Xero persuade yo-!"

"I DID NOT PERMIT YOU TO SPEAK!"

"UAAARGH!"

Emi's body feels heavier than before as she involuntarily covers her face, preventing her from looking up or saying anything.

"Mother!" Goldia called out in concern, and so too Hartzler and Lynn.

Looking at the woman in distaste, Xero lets out a huff, saying, "Don't even think of swaying Sakura when she's making her choice out of her own volition. How I wished I completely taken you out of the Castle of Glass so you wouldn't interfere at all. Shino doesn't deserve someone you." He said the last part with a venomous tone.

"Sheesh, you seem to hate Emi-san so much." Sakura finally remarked on his perceived hatred of the ghostly woman.

"And why wouldn't I be? She planned to kill him in spite of loving him. Makes me wonder what Shino sees in her…" Xero mumbled his answer irritatingly. "Now then, about the offer I'm giving to you… Will you accept having the ichor circulate your entire body, senpai? It's great as I said,and we would be really glad to have you on board!"

He waits for Sakura's response, who's agonizing over what the obvious answer is. Many seconds later however, she begins calming down, closing her eyes and taking in deep breaths as if she's mentally preparing herself. Then at last, she opens her eyes and look directly to Xero's red eyes, indicating to him she's about to answer. He's really hoping his desired outcome comes true.

But looking at Sakura's cold and stern glare already told him what her answer is before she opens her mouth.

"Doesn't matter if you claim the ichor feels great. I'm 「not joining」 you on your agenda, nor will I accept you killing my newfound friends and destroying all life!"

Xero has a blank look on his face. Everyone waits with bated breath over his reaction, fearing for Sakura's well-being after she boldly declined his offer. After an agonizing three seconds, he does something the zombies didn't expect to see from a sociopathic parasite like him: he looks deflated, closing his eyes and shaking his head morosely. If that's not enough proof to convince Sakura Xero can feel anything else than hatred and anger, his response may prove it more.

"So that's your answer… Sorry Shino. Looks like your… senpai will not be joining us."

Sakura is briefly surprised at Xero's surprising show of acceptance. Hoping to take advantage of his sullen mood, she next says, "While you're at it, release me right this instant!And let my friends go too, including Emi-san and her family!"

キーン

"…"

"Very well."

"H-Huh? Wait, did I… hear your right?"

Her question isn't answered by Xero, as he puts her down close to her friends and retracts the tentacle back to his body. A twinkling sound is heard next, and as Sakura twirls around to face the group and check how they are doing, she saw they are able to move again, a godsend for these zombies because they are not being squished by others or kissing their faces on the cold, hard ground.

"Phew! Aaaalright, I can move again," said Gyro in relief, stretching his arms up after standing up. Below him, Johnny takes longer to gather his bearings so he checks if his legs are compromised. "Hey, sorry for sitting on your legs, Johnny. Can you stand up? Here, take my hand."

"My legs are fine fortunately, so I can stand up by myself. But thanks." Johnny takes his hand with a nod. Gyro smiled in relief again as he pulls his friend up.

Off by their side, Goldia, Hartzler, Lynn and Kakyoin tend to Emi who is rubbing her nose in uneasiness. Bucciarati and Mamezuku also come to her aid. "Emi-san? Are you alright? You seem to be in pain."

Emi raises up one hand and gestures them to cease asking her. "I… I am fine. A minor injury like my broken nose is nothing when I can just heal it." She removes her hand to show her nose looks okay, like it wasn't broken from blunt force trauma.

This earns a sigh of relief from Goldia, Kakyoin and Bucciarati while Mamezuku nods once. "Glad to see you are merely inconvenienced." Bruno remarked.

"Um guys, Xero is looking at us. I'm afraid you still have a fight to finish."

At Sakura's reminder, the Stand Users rise up briskly and create a formation together with Avdol and Narancia, who begin shielding Sakura after they assumed their battle stances. Goldia then pulls her behind the assembled group to maximize the chances of them protecting the two.

"Sakura. Thank goodness you got out of Xero's hold on you!" Goldia whispered, clasping both her hands with her own. "Are you feeling okay? Hopefully he didn't do anything like inflicting a wound on you?"

"I-I'm fine. Still anxious, but feeling alright and relieved," whispered back Sakura. "What about you, your sisters and the girls? Are they unharmed?"

"We are fine, Sakura! We weren't in peril the whole time Goldia-chan was paralyzed!"

"Miss Ai says they are fine. My sisters are taking good care of them during their temporary stay inside my mind." Goldia relayed Ai's response to Sakura. This earns a smile from her.

"Um, Goldia-chan. Can you relay my question to Sakura-san? Ask her how did she somehow convinced Xero to release her and the others?"

The brunette perks up, understanding Junko's question. "Ah, I was about to ask. Sakura, how did you convinced Xero to let you go and freed us from his 「Stand ability」?"

"That… is a good question," conceded Sakura, now realizing the weird, confusing feeling she's having. She doesn't get to try answering when Xero speaks up in a surprised tone.

"Huh? What was that? What… suddenly came to me?"

Looking down on his hands, Xero is having a moment to comprehend what he had done as he notice his opponents are free to move around and Sakura isn't captured. For some reason, this jolts him, like he didn't expect seeing them back in action. On that note, he notices the close-ranged Stand Users coming at him to attack. He makes quick work of Avdol, Bruno, Mamezuku and Hartzler, swiftly dodging their attacks before landing paralyzing blows to prevent them from retaliating just for a moment.

Why? Why did I willingly let Sakura go?! I have every intention of forcing her to be injected with the ichor. It saddens us she refused and rejected our views of the true roles of an undead, though her response doesn't mean much when I'll have her become part of the ichor anyway. I was going to do it but a strange feeling came over me, right after Sakura demanded to be let go…

During his introspection, his eyes never diverted off Sakura, who is hiding behind Kakyoin together with Goldia. He, alongside Narancia, Johnny, Gyro and Lynn, send forth their long-distance attacks, and Xero simply deployed an invisible shield to block them. This didn't deter them to cease attacking, increasing the projectiles shot or amplifying their power, with Gyro and Narancia taking one step forward with each attack they fired. For some reason, Emi is not attacking and chose to stare at him.

Wait, now that I think about it… It could be the trick of my eyes but, I could've sworn I saw something around Sakura when she spoke. Like… something wild like a fire, only faint and hard to see. Similar to an… aura…"

He continued looking at Sakura, his caution slowly rising until he's poised to enact his counterattack. Not for the seven attacking bodyguards, however.

Accompanying this caution is his eyes widening, believing what he saw back from Number One isn't part of his imagination and related to what she told him to do. That he somehow did it in spite on the contrary. That pushes him to vanish out of Rianima's sight.

ドロンッ

"What the!? Where did Xero go?!" Narancia exclaimed, noticing Bucciarati, Avdol and Rai have recovered and are about to attack, stopping mid-action when Xero vanished. The group looks around until Gyro yells with a finger pointed behind him. "Hey! There he is!"

The five sees Xero has suddenly appeared troublingly close to Kakyoin, Johnny, Sakura, Goldia and Emi. Those other five becomes defensive as Xero, now having an angry look directed at Sakura, produces eight tentacles protruding from his back.

"I don't know what you did to me back then Sakura, but I'm afraid… I'll have to take back my statement about making you an exception on being killed by us."

"H-H-Huh?" Sakura is not liking what he's implying.

With a frightening shout, he launches the tendrils at Sakura, intending to bypass the others. "I can't let you live past this point! SAY GOODBYE, SAKURAAAAAA!"

"Not if we have anything to say about it! TUSK!"

"EMERALD SPLASH!"

ドバーァァァ

Five spinning bullets and multiple emeralds are shot out to intercept the tendrils, at the same time Kakyoin pulls Sakura and Goldia safely away from Xero. They are so focused on the fight that they missed Emi glaring at him with confidence and saying something, if only because she whispered to herself.

"The time is now. My 「trump card」 shall turn the tide of this battle."

The projectiles make an impact on all the tendrils. Before anyone expects it, a scream is heard coming from Xero. "AAAAAAAARRRGGHH!"

Everyone nearly jumped out of their skin thanks to his sudden scream. They stop what they are doing to look at him thrashing his arms around in agony. His tendrils retract quick as they can, all eight of them showing some smoke rising out and fire starting to appear and spread out.

"What on earth?" Bucciarati said, wondering what caused Xero so much pain. He gestured Narancia, Gyro, Mamezuku and Avdol to stop so they watch what's going on.

Xero continues thrashing around, albeit less so this time. "N-Ngaaaaargh…! What… is this? Why do I feel like…? I'm being burned?" He grunted, checking the tendrils on how much damage Kakyoin and Johnny inflicted. "I shouldn't feel this way because they were hit with emeralds and bullets. No way I'm feeling like I'm on fire without Avdol or Emi doing it, s-so why-?" He stops when he notices, without doubt, his tendrils have caught on fire. Blue flames, specifically.

!?

"W-What!? These flames… These belongs to… Emi! But wait! Kakyoin and Johnny are the ones who hit my appendages, so how did they burst into flames!?"

His disbelief is shared by others, all of whom are looking in puzzlement over why Xero's appendages are on fire. The two guys who successfully landed many projectiles on him are really confused, as Johnny asks, "Huh? Are those fire spreading over his tendrils? The same ones my nail bullets shot?"

"That's odd. My emeralds never burst into flames like that before. And… now that I said it…" Kakyoin looks down to his open hands and adds, "I'm feeling… 「energized」 for some reason. Like… my strength is 「boosted」."

Johnny arrives to the same conclusion as Kakyoin, clenching his hands few times and testing how fast he can open and close them. "You're right! I feel like I want to run at speeds similar to a fast horse!"

Sakura and Goldia look at them in wonder and curiosity, while Emi stays silent.

Meanwhile, Bucciarati decides to seize his distraction to land serious damage against Xero. He gestured again to the four, shouting, "You four, attack him! Before he recovers!"

Understanding what's important here, the five charge towards Xero. Seeing them on the move, he gritted his teeth and decides to match their Stands with his own. "LINKIN PARK!"

Acting quick on his feet, Bucciarati sends forward Sticky Fingers, rearing its fist to throw a punch against Linkin Park's own.

"ARI!"

"TAMA!"

Their punches connect, producing a shockwave. Both Stands stay in place, seemingly locked in equal strength… Then Sticky Fingers managed to overpower Linkin Park and breaks pieces of its fingers.

"N-NNNNNGH!? WH-WHAT!?"

Following after Bucciarati overpowering Xero, the four join their leader in attacking Linkin Park and its overwhelmed master, unaware their bodies are covered in light blue, fiery auras while their attacks follow the same pattern.

"ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI ARI!" Sticky Fingers' punches inflict a lot of burnt marks all over Linkin Park, and in turn, Xero.

"VOLA VOLA VOLA VOLA VOLA VOLA VOLA VOLA!" Aerosmith's bullets are accompanied with tiny fire all hitting Xero concurrently with Sticky Fingers. It finished attacking by punching Xero's face so hard he's flung away. He screamed, so riddled with intense agony he really hopes that's the last of it. Unfortunately, he forgets Avdol, Gyro and Mamezuku are waiting for their turn, of which they keep up the onslaught.

"CROSS FIRE HURRICANE!"

"OOOOORA!" Two steel balls very hot to the touch strike him, the Spin imbued in them forcing him to stay still so Mamezuku finally dishes out his own rapid attacks by slicing and stabbing Linkin Park with flaming wires, also infused with the Spin.

"DOGGY STYLE!"

At the end of their relentless assault, Xero is left battered and grievously injured so much a high volume of blood spills out of him, further staining what remains of his attire. "AAAAUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!" Flinging away for the second time, he makes a hard, excruciating landing on his back that, along with intense blue flames covering him from head to toe, aggravates his injuries to unbearable extents. It proved too much for him as he laid there with eyes and mouth wide agape, his body convulsing.

The five stared at the convulsing zombie, not ignoring the dancing fire slowly burning him without mercy. While Narancia and Gyro took satisfaction from getting to land effective hits on him, Bruno, Avdol and Rai are a little confused over how much damage they inflicted on Xero. Sure they were not planning on going easy to him, but they know they wouldn't have done that kind of damage. And like Johnny and Kakyoin, they realized their attacks suddenly possessing fire properties.

"Oh wow. Your fire ability is really great Avdol. Never thought you can enhance our attacks with fire," complimented Gyro after holstering his hot steel ball. "Good job on that."

"I… did no such thing," clarified Avdol however. "And even if I could amplify your abilities, Magician's Red doesn't produce blue or purple flames."

"Hmm, I think I saw you throwing purple flaming ankhs, Avdol," noted Bucciarati. "And yet you claim you didn't do that?"

Avdol has an unsure look on his face. "Really? Did I do that?"

Before any of them can answer, Emi chimes in, approaching them together with Kakyoin, Sakura, Goldia, Johnny, Hartzler and Lynn. "Actually, that is a result of your Stand naturally mixing with my flames I imparted to seven of you through 「Bring Me to Life」. As for the rest, your Stand abilities are imbued with my spiritual flames, which is why Xero was seriously hurting because the fire is 「hurting」 the 「ichor」."

Emi's explanation causes them to look at her in surprise. Does she have an idea on what's going on to Rianima? The fire that are burning Xero is colored pale blue, and since her flames appear in that color…

"Emi-san, did you… do something to us?" Kakyoin hesitatingly asked.

The woman stays quiet for two seconds before she confirms it with a nod. She then says, "Pray forgive for my abrupt assistance done, but imbuing your zombies bodies through 「Bring Me to Life」 allows you all to take on the properties of my 「spiritual flames」. Thus, t'is the reason why your 「Stands」 except Magician's Red were suddenly 「infused」 with fire. They were… fueled by my Stand, in other words."

Rianima and Sakura are intrigued by her Bring Me to Life's another application of her ability. "Whoa really…? You outfitted us with your flames? That's awesome!" Narancia exclaimed. "Thanks to you, we are feeling energized, ready to take on the world!"

"Your Stand never ceases to amaze us, Emi." Avdol praised her, knowing well his Magician's Red is only focused on offense and defense on a minor scale.

"You strengthened our bodies through your Stand? When did that happen, and… how did you thought of that?" Johnny queried this important part. Emi was about to answer him when Bucciarati guesses it first.

"Wait, you healed us and the girls earlier. Could it be in that time frame is when you imbued our bodies with your Stand?"

At that, Emi smiled and nodded. "Correct. I have already injected your bodies with Bring Me to Life. It was lying dormant under my command until the time was right, which fortunately happened when Xero attacked using the 「ichor」."

"The ichor…? Ah! I… I get it now!" Sakura slammed her open palm with her clenched fist. "It's to help them effectively hurt Xero since he isn't attacking using Linkin Park! And, and…!"

"They can greatly damage Xero more if Linkin Park got attacked using their strengthened Stands," finished Goldia. "It's like how you usually assists Hartzler and Lynn during your assault on Ira, mother. At least, that's how you said."

"Meow, meow."

"Hoohoohoooo! Hoooo! Hoohoohooo!"

"Indeed. I applied that same principle to you seven, the same way your zombie bodies absorbed a lightning strike, thus imbuing your Stands temporarily with electricity at that time."

Rianima and Sakura are surprised to hear her mention what they did during Saga Rock. "Huh? How did you know that? Were you… there back during Saga Rock festival orrrr…?"

"Oh, I instructed Lynn to watch closely your fourteen, back when I am unsure if I should forge an alliance with you all. Physically, I was not there so I did not bear witness to your electrifying performances until Lynn told me. So based on that, I applied the same logic to you all through my flames as I said. It is… quite simple in my view."

Rounds of "ohhh" and "ahhh" are heard from the same zombies after learning how Emi arrived to the same theory. So Rianima and Franchouchou sans Sakura inherited Bring Me to Life's power to temporarily boost themselves and Rianima's Stand abilities so they can deal flame damage in tandem? Well, they didn't know how much they really need her assistance to help the guys stand a chance against Xero until now, and Sakura herself feels a little envy for not receiving the same boost because she wasn't healed.

Actually, they were hurt badly by Xero. They need to receive immediate medical attention, so I shouldn't complain. She thought, choosing to take it in a stride.

"Auuugh… You… administered them with… your power so… they can actually hurt me without… attacking Linkin Park?"

Everyone turns again to Xero standing up on his feet albeit with great difficulty, his body covered in burned marks stinging unbearably. They see the blue flames are gone and he appears drenched in water, droplets of them dripping from his surviving clothes mixing with his blood. Compared to his menacing expressions filled with confidence and superiority expected for a guy who had the advantage, he became too cautious and fearful over the thought of his opponents having greater means to effectively hurt him. Even if he's still showing defiance in his glaring, he can't muster the strength to retaliate under the fear they'll get to him first due to the boost in energy.

Emi narrowed her eyes, slowly waving her hands around before producing two small fire and her body brims with Stand energy manifesting as her own aura. Hartzler and Lynn are covered in their respective aura too, now bolstered by her, growling and assuming a defensive stance against their pet master's important target.

Rianima followed, directing their determined glares at Xero while preparing their own Stands. This is to let him know he won't be having an easy time in this point even if he chooses to abuse his Stand ability to gain any little advantage. Kakyoin, Avdol, Narancia, Johnny and Gyro are charging their main attacks, the energy they are giving off remind their enemy of their next action.

"Unless you don't want to suffer more from third-degree burns, stop fighting. We got you surrounded." Bucciarati sternly said.

"Let Shino go! Right this instant!" Sakura added, hopeful for his liberation and angry at the parasitic entity.

"If you still refuse, I shall force you out of his body…" Emi warned, taking careful steps forward with her fiery hands extended outward. She next says his name with much venom in her tone, her expression becoming eerily impassive. "Xero."

"Grrr… Damn you…!"

Xero doesn't want to risk himself getting incinerated more if he chose to recklessly attack. He's severely weakened so he's not in stable condition to retaliate. Seeing he has no options here, there is only one thing he must do right now…

"HAAAAAAH!"

After he stabbed the floor with five ichor tentacles, causing cracks around it, Xero makes a great leap that propelled him up high quick many feet in the air. The group watched him sailing through the air away from them and then making a hard landing several meters away. Without a skip in his feet and his tentacles, he makes a run for it.

Initially astounded, they quickly snap out of it as Johnny yells, "Hey! He's getting away!"

"We must not let him escape! Press forward! Before we lose sight of Xero!" Emi commanded, granting everyone her flight abilities, so they are floating above the ground, much to Sakura's awe. She only gets more surprised as the group takes off flying at high speeds.

BGM: Hyouteki wo Toraero (Phantom Blood OST)

Once again, the chase against Xero starts, with the group managing to catch up to the escaping zombie, who's utilizing the ichor to aid his escape by enforcing his legs to make big leaps or run faster than the average athlete. Even with this feats however, they are able to catch him on their sights, and even if they lost sight of him, Emi can sense his tainted soul, ensuring he won't easily slip past them by.

Making a rough landing once more, Xero stops and turns around to see everyone catching up to him. He clenched his teeth, growling lowly in frustration before he resumes. I can't let them get to me! I must throw them off!

On that thought, Xero proceeds to do everything in his power to impede the group's pursuit through Linkin Park, headaches be damned; manipulating the entire space around them, firing various projectiles, creating illusions, using the rifts to cross considerable distance when he is dangerously close to them, or just attacking them if they do get near him. The latter part will consist of him deflecting Sticky Fingers and Doggy Style and counterattacking while evading every fire that comes his way. Related to this, he never uses his ichor abilities, and only when he finds an opening to make his getaway. This happened twice.

But just as Xero is very determined to avoid suffering from his as-of-now greatest weakness, so too are the zombie heroes striving to stop his escape. Earlier, they had a hard time stopping Xero even with Emi's assistance, though that's because they don't want to hurt Sakura. Now? Things are not so difficult due to their bodies attaining an energy boost that puts them on par with Emi, Hartzler and Lynn, and since no one is taken hostage, the zombie guys are free to attack as much as they can. For Avdol, Bruno and Mamezuku, being able to get Xero within their Stands' range is a boon, only taking one hit to throw him off the path and engage him. Xero didn't escape from their assaults unscathed, taking more wounds and burnt marks before Linkin Park helped him gain an opening. And for the long-distance types, they are content to stand away and let their Stands deal stray blows from afar, causing Xero to be more on guard. They believe he's getting stressed out from every attacks he's receiving, preventing him from giving him breathing room.

Eventually, the group's tireless aggression on Xero is bearing fruit, as the parasitic zombie starts slowing down due to the accumulated injuries on top of already existing ones. At that point, he is forced to have Linkin Park carry his near-benumbed body and using rifts to widen the distance. They have the feeling that their enemy is growing more desperate if he chose to just up and escape first without engaging them when they caught up to him for the third time. Well, not to say they are sympathetic.

Meanwhile, the two spectators who hung back for the entire chase are very much in awe over their feats. Even from this distance, they know he's close to giving up, especially when they saw him lost any momentum he had after Emi and Avdol landed crippling attacks rendering him limp. If they keep this up, the group will take one last step in redeeming Shino.

"Hey! Xero is slowing down!" Kakyoin took note of Linkin Park's sluggish movements at this distance. "This is our chance to finally stop him!"

"Yeah. Once we get near him, we must finally capture him even few meters away," conceded Bucciarati. He turns to Emi and asks, "Emi, our objective remains unchanged, I hope? We only to pull out the 「heart」 and leave it to you to 「eradicate」 the 「ichor」, right? Preferably together with Avdol?"

Emi nods, an impassive expression settling on her face. "Yes. Good for you to remember it, Mister Bruno. In fact, Lynn is in position to stop the escaping Xero once and for all. When she successfully paralyzed him, any of you seven must pull him up close. Kakyoin, Mamezuku… Can I trust you two to do it?"

Cherry Boy and Peel Planter understand where she's going at, each giving her a nod. "We got it! We'll prepare Hierophant Green and Doggy Style on your command!" Kakyoin replied.

"Let me assist you two! My 「Red Bind」 should help us have a better grip on Xero!" Avdol added.

"Good idea. Hopefully it will be enough." Mamezuku approved.

Seeing the three are ready, Emi turns to the owl flapping her wings fast to gain altitude. Once she's two meters above them and the group are within acceptable distance from Xero, she shouts out her order. "Now Lynn! Deploy 「Comfortably Numb」!"

"Hooohooohooohoohoooo!"

Comfortably Numb dives straight into Xero, moving closer until it's within striking distance, of which by the time he noticed too late since he didn't pay attention from all the agony he's suffering, he couldn't retaliate when Comfortably Numb inflicts a gash not only to his back, but to Linkin Park first.

"Gggrk!"

The effect is immediate. Comfortably Numb vanishes just as Xero and Linkin Park starts becoming numb, their movements slowing down until they are paralyzed. This results in the latter forced to returning to Xero as he tumbled across the ground, aggravating his injuries with each grunts.

"He stopped! Mamezuku! Avdol! Kakyoin! Do it, NOW!"

White tendrils, flame rope and unraveled wires catch the near-unresponsive zombie, halting his tumbling. The aforementioned figures zoom past as Hierophant Green lifts him up by pulling both his hands, then Mamezuku restrains his head and arms while Magician's Red binds both his ankles and torso after Avdol gets behind him.

"AAAARGH!" Xero convulsed, crying out more tears of blood from the all the anguish he's feeling.

バーン!

"Alright! We got him at last!" Kakyoin declared triumphantly to their approaching friends, all of whom stopping their flight after Emi deactivated Bring Me to Life so they're standing by their feet again.

"Tighten the ropes, you two! We mustn't give him the slightest bit of movements in his body!" Mamezuku told them, putting more of himself around Xero and tightening his unraveled lower body holding him still.

"It seems excessive in my opinion, but I'll do it regardless!" Avdol replied, his Red- actually, Purple Bind crackling intensely. It's not doing any damage to Xero, but instead he's getting uncomfortable from the harsh heat. Rai even felt it, but he endures it.

Agh…No, I can't move… I can't believe I overlook an easily telegraphed attack that I could've stop and… fell victim. Nngh, this heat… I… I was so close!

Watching their target is captive brings satisfaction to their faces, with Narancia, Gyro and Sakura cheering for Kakyoin, Avdol, Mamezuku, Emi and Lynn. "Molto bene, voi tre! Xero has finally stopped getting away from us!" Bucciarati praised with a proud smile. "Now that he's captured, we'll leave the rest to you, signora Emi."

"Actually, I do need your assistance in pulling the heart out of Shino's body," stated Emi, taking deliberate slow steps toward the panicking zombie. "You were about to do it much earlier when Linkin Park stopped you, right?"

"Ah, that's right," affirmed Bruno. "I suppose I can do it. My 「Sticky Fingers」 can pull the 「ichor」 with all my might and willpower. Though I have to ask… Can you be the one to do it?"

"Well, I…" Emi tried answering.

"Never mind. I'll gladly assist you if you're confident pulling the heart out can improve the chances to bring Shino back to his senses," he waived off the question before marching up to Xero, who becomes more worried since Zipper Man is about to do it and he can't do anything about it. Overlaying his right arm with Sticky Fingers, Bucciarati tells Emi, "Here I go! I'm about to pull Xero out of Shino!"

"Please hurry! I am sensing Shino's soul in great agony the more Xero struggles!" Emi exclaimed, trying not to wince.

Without hesitation, Bucciarati thrusts Sticky Fingers' arm into Xero's chest cavity. "ARI!"

"NNGRRRKK!"

Feeling the slimy texture of the ichor heart, Bucciarati grimaces in disgust for a moment before he steels his face and starts pulling it out of the chest. Thin fibers attached to the heart are also hauled outside, which seems to be giving him some resistance because he feels it getting pulled in the opposite direction, possibly back to his chest.

"Trying to resist me? Guess I'll have to pull harder!"

"ARI!"

"GRAAAAGH!"

Bucciarati grunts as he combat the ichor attempting to resist by putting more strength to his right arm. With his left hand holding to his shoulder and feet firmly planted, he gradually drags the heart out more, exposing long veins or arteries giving their all to withstand it. In a grotesque display of tug-o'-war, Bruno and Xero engages in an endurance test to make either of them lose, and so far, the former is winning bit by bit.

"Urrraaaaahhhhh! Give it up Xero! You're completely cornered and immobilized! No way you're gonna win!" Bucciarati taunted, noticing the heart's veins are longer than he thought. He might have pulled one part of Shino's cardiovascular system.

"UAAAAAAARRRGGGGHHHHH!" Xero shouted back in agony, desperation and fear evidently shown on his face.

"H-Hey! Maybe we can help! You seem to be having trouble so-"

"No, it's okay," he stops Gyro from finishing. "I'm feeling Xero is not putting up more resistance than before. I will pull Xero out in a minute."

"P-Please hurry! I-I know that's not Shino b-but… I can't… bear to look…" Sakura reminded, finding herself watching anyway. She's feeling herself squirming in discomfort at the graphic display of a heart being pulled, spilling blood out of Xero's chest. Goldia is thinking the same so she chose not to look.

"You must severe the veins, Bucciarati! You will not be successful until you remove the heart's tethers!" Emi advised.

"Yeah… I was thinking the same, but… the heart is putting up a struggle! Gnngh, I'm pre-occupied in keeping the heart still!" He replied with a grunt. "Someone must do it! The veins are exposed 「outside」, so it should be easy 「slicing」 them!"

At his urgent request, Johnny steps forward, saying, "I'll do it. My 「spinning nails」 can 「cut through」 the veins. Is that okay?"

"Please do! I'll try to keep pulling the heart!"

Standing beside his leader, Johnny puts his spinning nails close to the veins. "Okay! I'm gonna cut all the veins! Be ready to do your jobs, Bucciarati and Emi!"

"Right!"

"Very well!"

With the threat of his life going to be snuff off by these three, Xero's distress is reaching its peak. He wanted to protest or shout, and attempt to interrupt them to the best of his ability. But unfortunately, he cannot. He refused to accept it before when Kakyoin, Avdol and Mamezuku captured him and Linkin Park, but watching his heart, the main core of his existence, being pulled out in the open by Bucciarati and Johnny moving to cut off the veins holding it back, all the while Emi stands in the background covered in her Stand aura, glaring at him with such contempt and hate he was tempted to match hers with his own more wicked stare…

Zipper Man is right. Xero is completely cornered, and is going to die in an undignified manner.

No… NO! I can't… let it end! Not when I'm so close… So close to reaching my full potential!

ドォクゥン ドォクゥン

I mustn't die… I must continue living in order to… see my goals come to fruition! But, BUT! That cursed woman and her family and friends…! They're gonna ruin it! This should not be the end… This is not how I'll die, pathetically whimpering and leave Shino and Linkin Park alone!

ドォクゥン ドォクゥン

Not until all life is… snuff out… by our hands! And, and… these zombies…!

ドォクゥン ドォクゥン

…Aaaargh… These… zombiiies… Grrrr…! Kill… I must… kill them… Kill these… disgrace to the… cycle of life and death!

ドォクゥンドォクゥン ドォクゥンドォクゥン ドォクゥンドォクゥン ドォクゥンドォクゥン

Kill… Kill… Kill… Kill… Kill… Kill… Kill… KILL… KILL… KILL… KILL… KILL… KILL… KILL… KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILL! ! ! ! ! !

ドォクゥンドォクゥン ドォクゥンドォクゥン ドォクゥンドォクゥン ドォクゥンドォクゥン…

ガシャァァァッ!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! ! ! ! ! !"

シュゴァァ

Right before Bucciarati and Johnny's eyes, two streams of high-speed blood shoot out from Xero's eyes as he screamed in rage. It happened so fast that the two couldn't react in time.

"Uhh! W-Wha!?"

ギュォァァァ

And unfortunately for Bucciarati, he ended up the victim when the laser-like blood pierced through his throat. This happened right before Johnny's eyes, just as he's a mere inch away from cutting off the veins.

"OUUUURGH!" Bits of blood trickle out from Bucciarati's mouth, probably due to the high-pressure blood hitting his throat.

!

"BUCCIARATIIIIII!" Johnny screamed in shock, reaching out helplessly as he watched his leader recoil backwards with both his hands thrown over his neck in agony. Noticing his hands are holding his neck, he gasped and looks back to see Xero's heart is left dangling out of his chest. "SHIT! The 「heart」!" He wasted no time leaping to grab the heart in Bruno's stead, worried for the outcome on Xero suddenly pushing Bruno away.

Kakyoin, Avdol and Mamezuku have watched the entire scene in disbelief. Did they really saw that? They saw Xero shooting two thin streams of blood out from his eyes that struck Bucciarati's neck, seemingly in a fit of rage which continues as Xero begins thrashing his arms and legs. Kakyoin and Mamezuku is able to feel him loosening their grips on him. No good will come out of this if Xero escapes from their grasps, not after they worked so hard to come to this point.

"Kakyoin! Ensnare him with more tendrils!" Mamezuku told him, unraveling half of his chest and increasing the tightness of his wires. This makes him look queasy, whether because Xero is putting up more resistance or due to having unraveled himself more than he required.

"I-I'm on it!" He didn't wait before they increased the pressure and tied him up more. He's gritting his teeth, grunting as if he's having little trouble keeping the increasingly irate Xero down.

"Got his heart! Now, hold still, okay!?" Johnny growled, holding the heart securely and begins pulling it. But when he looks up, he blanches at the sight of Xero looking down on him in anger, his eyes splitting in two and appearing ready to do something…

Nail Jockey gasps before he, with great reluctance, let go of the heart and dodge a second dose of blood shooting out from his eyes. The strength and speed is no joke, Johnny realized, if seeing two small holes on the ground left on their wake is any indication. He involuntarily gulps when he realize his head could have been shot.

What kind of technique Xero is doing? He shot out two thin streaks of blood out of his eyes! Like… a bullet!

However, Xero is not done yet as he trained his eyes on the evading ex-jockey in an instant. With snarling teeth, he fills up his eyes to shoot the blood out for the third time, but his body is ignited with purple flames, done by Avdol at Mamezuku's behest.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"He wailed in an intense showing of agony and rage, and he would have writhe around if he himself isn't tied up by a secondary Purple Bind, again done by Avdol. As this happened, Kakyoin and Mamezuku, after they cut their losses and have Avdol be the one to hold Xero down before uncoiling Hierophant Green and Doggy Style back to them, pull Johnny to the others, who are surrounding him. Emi is seen tending to his wound.

"A-Argh…" Bruno groaned, enduring the pain.

"H-Hang on, Bucciarati! You're gonna be healed soon!" Narancia assured him, being the one who's most worried about him.

The soothing fire around his neck persists for another few seconds until Emi lets him go with a relieved expression. "Okay! The wound is gone!" She quickly announced.

"Hnnngh… Urgh…" Bucciarati croaked as he tries sitting up. He's supported by Sakura and Gyro, both of them kneeled or crouched beside him. He rubs his throat to check if the wound is really gone, only to feel a smooth skin. "I'm… feeling a little… queasy." He noted with a frown.

"I already sealed your wound and erased any ichor! You should be fine! Right now, we must address Xero who we heard screaming in agony!" She reminded, quickly standing up and turning to see suffering ichor held captive within the flicker of Avdol's purple flames. This sight didn't sit well with Emi and Sakura, and to a lesser extent, the others.

"A-Avdol-san! Why did you light him on fire!?" Sakura asked as she averted her eyes to spare herself such a sight.

"I'm sorry, but Xero…! I think he's going berserk! He almost shot Johnny using the same move that hit Bucciarati by his neck!" Avdol replied. He lets out a grunt after sensing some resistance from Xero and Linkin Park, prompting him to increase the constraints with furrowed brows. "Gnnngaah! Magician's Red is using little bit of its strength so we wouldn't burn him alive! But I'm afraid…! I can't hold back my full strength any longer! Emi, you seem to be planning something! If you do, then do it! Stop Xero and save Shino at last!"

ドドドドドドドド

What he said is true; Emi is looking at Xero's still dangling heart. Whether it's because he's constrained or the flames preventing the heart from retreating back to his check, it remains out of his body. Bucciarati must have pulled the heart out far during their mini tug-o'-war until he got wounded.

"I will take over Bruno's role in getting the ichor heart out of Shino!" Emi declared as she starts walking and activates Bring Me to Life. "Avdol, keep him still while I-!"

"NO! You two must kill us!"

She's standing close by to Xero/Shino when she heard those words in her head. She's confused, wondering if she must have heard it or it popped up into her head. Not so for the eight zombies when they guess it felt familiar.

"Uhh!? Are we… hearing 「his」 voice again?" Kakyoin said. "「Linkin Park」's… words?"

"Yeah…! We must be!" Gyro affirmed. "This is the second time we're hearing him, but it becomes too familiar for us at this point. Sooo… what did he say again?"

"I'm speaking to Emi and Avdol! Listen up you two! You must… release us from Xero's constraints! You must…!"

"I am doing it! I am going to severe Xero's control over Shino!" Emi reminded tensely. "Please bear with me! I am close to eliminating it, so please-"

バキ バキ バキッ

The group nearly jumped after hearing a cracking sound. Everyone except Emi and Bucciarati look around to see where the sound is, which seems to be occurring in every direction.

"What now? Where is the cracking sound coming from?" Johnny irritatingly asked. An answer came in the form of a gasp.

"No. It's starting… Xero, he… he's gonna…!" Linkin Park stopped mid-sentence, sounding so afraid for some reason. Just as suddenly he stopped though, he speaks up in a desperate tone. "Dammit! Forget bringing Shino back to his senses! You must stop Xero at all costs! Before he becomes 「nigh-invulnerable」!"

"What? What are you saying? And Xero… What is he doing? Is he the reason why we are hearing the air cracking around us?" Emi inquired, profoundly confused alongside others.

The answer comes out in a panicky tone. "Xero is using every last strength he has to tear the borders between the Castle of Glass and the real world! If he isn't stopped, he's gonna expose this incomprehensible spacious realm to reality with dire consequences!

Everyone couldn't make heads on Linkin Park's desperate warning, but even those who are not the brightest of the bulb are not liking the implications behind it. "Expose? You're saying the Castle of Glass will become part of the real world?" Mamezuku replied to simplify it.

"Yes, yes! Exactly! And unfortunately, I can't stop Xero because he's becoming unhinged! He even forbade me from materializing out of him so all of you wouldn't attack me! Now, no more talking please! You must stop Xero before he goes too far!"

"Y-Y-You don't have to worry! Emi-san is about to free you and Shino!" Sakura reminded, trying not to wince from the repeating cracking noise. "Just let her look into his eyes! She'll try to be quick and-"

"NO, SHE CAN'T!" She shut her mouth after Linkin Park suddenly shouted, in a sad accepting tone. "She can't… free the two of us. I'm afraid… we can't be 「saved」… Shino and I."

Emi's eyes widen briefly. The pit in her stomach grows big, because the notion of an infected individual being past the point of no return is terribly familiar. "What… What are you implying?" She asked quietly, trying to maintain her calm. "Shino… He can be saved… I know he can be saved! Please, give me ample time to-"

"No. We're sorry. As I said, we can't be saved. It's too late… Far too late."

No one said something, the melancholy tone in Linkin Park's voice so noticeable they couldn't ignore it.

"The only way Shino and I will be freed from the chains of fate… is to 「burn us」, until we're nothing but a 「pile of ashes」."

Linkin Park's firm request was said, and it didn't take long before everyone, specifically Sakura, Emi and Avdol, understood clearly what he, and presumably Shino, wants.

"H-HUUUUH!?" Sakura stammered with her mouth agape and her eyes wide.

"Wh-What… What are you SAYING!?" Emi exclaimed, naturally finding it hard to believe his desperate request. "I have not come this far only to put an end to your lives! I am almost close to saving Shino and all it needs is to extract the heart out of his body completely! As long that option exists, I-!"

シュゴァァ

"Eek!"

A third stream of blood that Emi dodged as quick as it was shot interrupts her. Then he tries again for the fourth time, targeting any of the zombies behind Emi. She prevents it from happening though after she promptly grabs the heart and give it a warm squeeze.

"N-Ngggrrrkkk!" Xero flinched uncomfortably, both from the prickling sensation and Purple Bind holding him still.

"Okay! I am holding the 「heart」! I shall pull it out now!" Emi exclaimed, rearing her arm back. But Linkin Park doesn't see eye-to-eye.

"NO! There's not enough time to safely dispose it out of master's body! You must burn us to ashes! That's the only option we have so we can be finally free from Xero's clutches!"

バキ バキ バキッ! バキ バキ バキッ!

The cracking sounds grow louder as everything around them starts shaking, like they're experiencing an earthquake. "Stop! Stop saying it, please! Not when you're so close to be saved!" Sakura pleaded, wanting to just approach Shino and beg him to reconsider but Goldia and Narancia stops her, holding her arms in place. Her eyes are immediately full of tears as she says more, "Just a little bit more, Shino! A little bit and you'll be freed by Emi! There'll no need for you to die!"

"I'm sorry, but believe me when master and I concluded that there is 「no other way」 for us to be saved, other than the sweet release of death. Xero should not left to fester, growing in strength until it became too unmanageable, and its hold on our 「body」 and 「soul」 is too bounded to our very being. And besides… If you did pull our 「heart」out and incinerate it, master and I will be taken along. When we woke up after six years of coma, Xero has already 「bonded」 so well to us. From that point, there is no escape for our predicament…"

"N-No… It… It already has…?" Emi's reply almost came out as a mutter because she refuses to accept the notion that her beloved's fate was already sealed.

"If I was Shino, he would say, 'Forgive me, Emi. If only I woke up in less than six years, I would've find you first. To see you one last time…' Well, he had his wish granted even if it was for a less-than-pleasant situation," Emi and Sakura could've imagine Shino saying that by himself, amplifying their grief, disbelief, denial and most of all, anguish on what must be done so Saga Prefecture is safe from Xero's wrath. "Now, please… Burn us. Rid our bodies until we are only a pile of ashes! This is… our last request to you."

Immediately after Linkin Park finished, he goes silent. Everyone didn't react or move from their position, as if they're absorbing what the Stand told them. The only sounds heard in this near-suffocating air is Xero's grunts and growls and his blood spewing or flowing out of his body in response to his anger, having formed a big puddle under his feet.

バキ バキ バキッ… バキ バキ バキッ…

Then at last, Emi breaks up the silence with a shaky breath. "If it means freeing Shino and give him a peaceful death, then I shall fulfill our roles under the eyes of 「prosperity」 and 「curse」."

She turns to Fire Lord and says, "Avdol, do it. Kill Xero with Magician's Red."

"E-Emi? Are you… sure?" Avdol is shocked and initially hesitated, only for Emi to yell out with furrowed brows and tears streaming out from her eyes.

"NOW!"

メリャァァッ

Shoving the heart back into Xero's chest, and by proxy his body back, Emi douses him with her own flames, covering his body in her intense blue fire. Seeing this, Avdol, though with reluctance, proceeds to do the same to Linkin Park, converting his Purple Bind into wild fire. This is all seen by everyone, much to Sakura's horror.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

ドガァァァン!

"UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! ! ! ! ! ! !"

A horrible scream erupted from the dancing blue and purple flames torching the unfortunate zombie without mercy. Up to ten meters in distance can they feel the radiating heat, making the zombies perspire or block their eyes to spare them from the intense glare of the fire. The temperature must have risen to 40 degrees or more due to the two fire Stand Users' combined coup de grace on what remains of Shino.

"AAAAAAAAAAARGH! IT'S NOT… OVER YEEEEET!"

Almost impossibly, Xero/Shino still has enough strength to stand up and begin running around wildly, seemingly flailing his arms in an attempt to continue the fight he had already lost. Avdol and Emi steps back in surprise first before they steeled themselves (the woman less so) and control the fire to accelerate the burning process. The rest of them are suitably freaked out, with Sakura and Goldia shrieking in fright so much they seek Kakyoin and Johnny to help them block the terrifying view.

"IT'S NOT… OVER… YET!"

The air smells horrible thanks to the smoke Shino is giving off. Gyro and Mamezuku fans them away using the Spin and Doggy Style. Even then, their noses being filled with the smell of burnt flesh no longer is only a small comfort compared to the wailing last cries of their opponent.

"I-IT'S… NOT… over… y-y-yet…"

The burning zombie starts to slow down as more of his flesh are incinerated. At this point, his motor functions and comprehension begins to falter, with the remaining strength he has probably still keeping him alive for many seconds. Emi really hoped he stays down soon just to spare her heart from more anguish over listening to his pitiful last words.

"I-It's… not… o-over… y-y-y…y-ye…y-y-yet… E-E-E…m-miiiiii…"

After an agonizing span of minute passed, Shino/Xero finally stops and let himself fall face down. The purple and blue flames continue burning him, but any signs of life within him is snuffed out thanks to the fire. Now that he's down for the count, Emi and Avdol get close to his corpse, standing two meters away to prevent the flames from catching them.

As the fire continues dancing above what remains of her beloved, Emi brings herself down on her knees, possessing a melancholic look on her as she moves her hand close to the fire like she's warming up to a bonfire. Avdol could do nothing but watch the woman in pity, wondering if she has a lot of thoughts within her mind. As much he's unconvinced of Shino's innocence initially, he gave him a benefit of doubt when even Kakyoin supported Emi's pleas to not kill him, but now, after he viewed his memories, it's safe to say he, as well as the rest of his kin, believes he's innocent and a victim of circumstance. They're still going to stop him, though it is done with less malicious intents.

"*whimper* Shino… Sh-Shino… I am… s-s-so sorry…"

Emi begins crying after confirming, with a heavy heart, Shino's life force is gone. Retracting her hands, she wipes her tearful eyes with her sleeves and hands, sobbing over having to do the deed for the second time.

Avdol didn't say anything and continues glancing to her in more pity. He hears the others approaching from behind, with one pair of footsteps being fast until they stop, right beside Emi to look at the smoldering remains of Shino. He doesn't need to look to guess who kneeled beside Emi as he closes his eyes in silent prayer for the departed of the long-suffering foe.

Getting on her knees, Sakura is sobbing erratically by the time they get near Emi and Avdol. Through her blurry vision, she recognizes Shino's silhouette within the flickering flame, perhaps too well than she liked. Her mouth stammers for any words to say, but her sorrow over witnessing a reunited friend makes it hard for her to do so. She wanted to touch his body, specifically his hands, so she can comfort him even if he's gone, but she wouldn't like getting her hand burned or melted as long the fire burns bright.

Goldia didn't join the two, but that doesn't mean he's mourning for her soon-to-be adoptive father. She's covering her mouth with her hands and weep solemnly with eyes close, sharing her mother's grief for failing to save Shino from his cruel fate. Hartzler and Lynn stands beside Emi, also sharing their pet owner's misery for the loss of their secondary human companion. If their faces aren't showing they are sad, their body language would.

Rianima didn't openly weep, but they regard Shino with pity or sympathy. They haven't had the best relationship with him at first, but after learning how fate unfairly treated him and he's responsible for making them Franchouchou's bodyguards in the first place, their views of him have changed. If his death didn't happen, they would've tried talking with him with the knowledge that he did have understandable motives behind his actions. They won't forgive him or let him get off easily, but that doesn't mean they can befriend him.

"We're sorry… Emi-san…" Kakyoin starts speaking in a melancholic tone, his heart aching over seeing Sakura and Emi mourning Shino's wasteful death. "If only there were… other ways to save him… Or if we encountered him earlier, we would have prevented this. But… at least we can… take comfort Shino is… 「freed」 the 「shackles」 of the 「ichor」."

"…"

"…

"Yes… He is… freed… at last."

Heaving a weary sigh, Emi looks again to the flickering flame burning the rest of the man once known as Shino. Saddened she's unable to save him at all despite her best efforts, she chooses to take little solace that the fight is over…

Sniffling with closed eyes, Emi decides to look at Shino's corpse again with the intent of fully turning it to ashes. As she did though, she notices something… strange. It could be her imagination, or the dancing fire playing tricks on her eyes but… is the corpse standing on all fours? And his head is raised up, seemingly looking at her?

Wait, the energy I am sensing just now… It is coming from… 「him」? AH!

She got a second to gasp before an intense pain erupts all over her body, when a stream of blood sweeping in an arch is vomited out of the fire, lacerating half of Emi's body, specifically the left half of her body that includes her healed chest wound.

"AAAAAAAAAGH! ! ! ! !"

She screamed harshly, the shock kicking herself upright and forcing her to stumble backwards in two or three steps before she falls on her back. She becomes aware her left vision is blotted, and everything around the left side of her body is drenched in blood, covering her body in its scent. "A-Aaaah…"

! !?

Everyone stands shocked, glancing at the injured Emi, noticing she's lying still with a very shocked expression and clenching her shoulder with her other hand. Speckles of fire run all over her left side, possibly Bring Me to Life working to heal the grievous wound. They're all alarmed, frightened and worried for Emi all at once, so surprised of this unexpected event that Rianima and Sakura went still. Then Goldia screams in horror.

"MOTHEEEEEEEER! ! ! !" She, Hartzler and Lynn kneeled by her side immediately. The brunette becomes frantic in concern and bafflement, trying not to wince from the amount of blood draped all over her mother. Hartzler is seen kneading her right side while Lynn flaps her wings around wildly, the two similarly distressed as Goldia's

"MEOW!"

"HOO HOOHOOO! HOOO! HOOOHOOOO!"

ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ

As Rianima and Sakura watched somewhat hopelessly, some of them thinking on patching Emi's injury, Gyro realized something concerning the blood. "That 「blood」… It came out so quick and suddenly it made a huge gash over her left shoulder and face, especially on her left eye. But, does that mean…"

"Hrrrmmmm… Mmmrrrrmmmmm…"

!

Becoming filled with dread when they heard a familiar groan, they, including the injured Emi, all look to where they heard the groan. The sound, it turns out, came from the figure rising up slowly. Even with the still flickering flame covering their entire body, they aren't bothered by it nor does it hinder them enough to stop them from standing up straight. Then they see his eyes boring into them. The manic gaze of the zombie who is supposed to be dead.

! ! !

If their minds haven't clicked that the enemy they're looking at is somehow still alive and kicking, then Emi's disbelieving remark as she looked at him in shock and worry should spell it out to them clearly.

"Im… Impossible… The flames… The 「flames」 should have killed him… It is after all… the ichor's 「greatest weakness」."

No one didn't reply as they stay rooted in their places, so startled and scared to make a move against Xero, even when he begins speaking. On that, few of them notice two trickles of blood near his mouth.

"It's not… over… yet."

After he reminded them, he raised one hand up before he brings it back down with a grunt. They wonder why he made that weird gesture… until Narancia spotted something up in the sky.

"…Uhh guys? Is that moon… falling towards us?" He said anxiously.

Snapping out of their stupor, all of them sans Xero look up to see, like Narancia fearfully warned, the blood-soaked moon that was supposed to be up on the dark sky descending at worrying fast speed. By the time they all looked up (and noticed the falling "moon" is actually small, about one-fourth the size of an actual moon), it's only some fifty feet away from impact.

Once again, they went still, all of them unable to form words or react over the sight of the moon about to collide with the earth below in approximately five seconds. Until Sakura screamed and tries warning everyone too late.

"AAAAAHHHHH! WE'RE…! WE'RE GONNA GET CRUSHED-"

ドカァァァァん! ! !

Everything is engulfed in a scorching flash of white as the impact created a massive explosion so loud it is guaranteed to rupture one's eardrums if they weren't wiped out or blown away by the collision.

To be continued