To Light The Future!

by Dantheman2000009

Fate is always moving things along a set path. But what if something happened to that path? Or if someone new stepped on it? This Story is about a young man whose fate is undecided. Will he play along and let the world burn once more? Or, will he take up arms and fight to not only protect who he loves but to Light the Darkness that hangs over the future. (TioXOC plus others) AU

16. From Zero to Hope: Part 5

Ok I wanted this done by Valentines day, but that plan failed but that's okay. Also this is 4.5 because the full length is massive, this chapter is ONLY HALF! Yeah, half… I may have overdone it but what can you do, anyway enjoy the first half of the final for this collab!

Now for the normal can of beans! I do not own the Legend of Heroes series or anything in it! Just a few Oc's and ideas behind the story!... Yes I did copy this so what!

'Thinking'

"Letters"

(Whispers)

"Talking"

Change of time/Pov

Artist of Shade in the story cover is Iwonn on Twitter and they have their own blog where you can get yourself some nice art as well but for a price.

Iwonn's Art Blog )

I stood above Relon, now that he's out I looked around to see who else was here. Claire was bleeding from her side, with an old woman already treating the wound. A few feet over, I saw who matched the description of none other than Vandyck. Though the sight of him didn't matter much as he looked fine aside from a few bruises and cuts. However, the one still being held in a full nelson looked the complete opposite. Rean.

The guy just stood there. I didn't know what else to think much less say. He just stood there. Any previous signs of trying to wring himself free had vanished, likely due to the reactor being destroyed. Still, he looked at nothing in particular. A blank slate so to speak. Tracing his eyes back to Relon and Laura, I could see why.

Next to the now motionless girl lied Victor. He was just holding her close to his chest as he silently wept. Whatever feelings, warped or not, couldn't be put to words. At least that was how it seemed.

All around, everyone was beyond exhausted. That much was obvious. "Old man, what the hell happened!?" I turned to who I assume was Vandyck.

"I…" He grunted, likely questioning if holding Rean was still safe or not. "That boy, Relon, descended with an attack unlike anything that can be described." He winces before continuing. "Then everything became covered in black flames. Explosions surged in all directions. For some reason, I along with Beatrix and Victor acted. Not to stop him, but… to assist the boy."

"Then what happened to her…?" I glance at Laura with a sad look.

"When Relon plummeted down upon the reactor," Victor speaks up with a sniffle. "Laura attempted to intercept him. Alas…" His grip around her still body trembles. "She didn't… She didn't make it. Then the explosion erupted. With no time to retreat, both took the brunt of the blast. Only one could survive. Meanwhile, Laura, my beloved daughter…" Victor couldn't say anymore as he choked up, the tears never flowing. 'What a fucked up situration…'

I looked back at Relon, then back at Laura. With a sigh I shook my head. "I'm sorry for your loss…" I then turned to where I felt a shift, seeing someone teleport in.

"Where-" Immediately, the sudden appearance of Vita was one thing but the moment she saw everything, her eyes went to Victor and Laura. Then they shifted to an unconscious Relon. Rushing to his side, she lifted the dormant Relon inspecting him. "Oh…" She breathed out. Giving a look at me, clear frustration or something among those lines were apparent but it quickly softened. "Thank you, Shade."

"It was nothing, I kinda wanted to punch him for awhile now…just under different circumstances. You got enough energy to get us to the surface?" Laying him down, she nods.

"Yes. Everyone, please stay still." At her request, a glyph appears under us.

In seconds, the recognition of the destroyed reactor is replaced with the charred outskirts of the crater where we once were. At the edge, I notice Shizuna still holding onto that girl as they limp over.

I couldn't not look away as the closer they neared, the wider their own eyes got of everyone. Vandyck had finally released Rean who ended up only dropping to his knees, likely taking in all that he's done. Beatrix was tending to Claire. Victor…yeah. All either could do was look around at the worse chaos around us versus the actual blazing chaos outside of the crater.

Immediately, I watched Shizuna and the girl hurry to Relon and Vita's side. I only heard Vita give a quick explanation as judging by Shizuna look to Victor again with a look of horror before slowly shifting back to Relon once more.

"Shade!?" I looked over to see everyone from the ship rushing over, Swin and Nadia stopped a bit away as they saw the chaos. Elaine walked up, her eyes not leaving Laura. "Oh, I'm sorry…"

"Elaine, go grab something to cover her with from the ship and if you can get it closer to us." With a nod she turned and ran with Nadia and Swin following and running by Magilou who looked around at the destruction.

"Dang, that boy sure did cook this place. You think my staff could make purple fire too?" Magilou half joked as she walked up to me.

"Even forced humor right now is a bad time Magilou, but this place is a goner that's for sure…"

"As much as I'd like to put these flames out, they'll do that themselves with time." Vita notes handing off Relon to Shizuna and the girl. "Is there any status update on Rinwell and the others?"

"Sorry, but I had a long night with Zero and we had no contact with anyone. Right now our best bet is to head to Grenville to get everyone treated and to let him rest." I slowly crossed my arms, my own fatigue hitting me.

"Grenville? I see, yes, that works. I'll-"

Cut off, all of our heads lift to the numerous presences emerge. Thankfully, more of the resistance emerges. Leading is none other than Rinwell with Munechika and Van behind her. "GUYS, WE-" Stopping mid sentence at the sight of everyone, the jovial tone vanishes as like everyone before, her eyes catch Laura being covered by her father and then Relon. 'Rinwell…'

Without a word, she breaks out skidding down the edge of the crater. Catching her frantic eyes, I step back as she rushes past to stop inspecting the male. Looking at the females around him, I turn to Munechika and Van as Vita approaches.

"A lot has happened. Munechika, can you help me transport everyone?" Matching everyone's grim look, she nods.

"Yes, leave it to me."

With that, they both began to conjure magic as a glyph began to form underneath those closest before extending outwards.

"Oh? Before you do transport us all…" I turn to see the airship slowly fly over and land nearby. Out from the ramp comes Elaine holding a large piece of cloth but she stops as her eyes land on Van. "V…Van…?" She takes a step forward before going into a sprint towards him, tossing the cloth as she did.

Perturbed expression halting at the called name, anyone could see the steps that went through his mind. First; it was the simple acknowledgement that he was called. When called, it was only proper to answer. Especially if a name was used. Second; it was the voice itself that called. Familiar, starkly so. Way too much that his head jerked as if thinking too hard on it. Third; his eyes went big as saucers. His head whirled, dangerously so that it could have snapped.

"Elaine?" It was the voice of a whisper

Impossibility. Uncertainty. Hope. Realization. Joy. In a matter of seconds, I could see the guy cycle through so many emotions as he began at a walk to take off at a dead sprint. Looking at him coming our way, seemingly not looking to run around Magilou or myself, I take a step back whereas Magilou doesn't. Somehow oblivious to the current touching moment. I looked at his face, into his eyes as he passed me and suddenly I could feel and see things I didn't normally happen when I looked into people's eyes.

"MOVE!" Van shouts knocking her aside as I catch her, the guy panting as her visage became more and more detailed by the moment.

Her braided locks he'd catch a glance at every time they passed. The once unamused facial features that graced him and only him with such tenderness on occasion. The green ascents she's worn for as long as he could recall. Even her new outfit screamed her name. All of it, what made her just… her.

"ELAINE!"

"VAN!"

He hadn't realized how wondrous the thing known as a companion ship was. Shizuna was there for him and vice versa. They had each other's backs when low. Though that was it. Elaine, the one he's known all his life, the one who has argued and defended him when all of the world was against him; she was his true companion, his rock. Missing her, losing her, it damaged his soul. Just like with the others but to a point words could not describe.

His whole being revolved around loss and simply surviving. Relon and his band of merry friends then came along and ignited a spark. The fuse was already dwindling for Shizuna but his struggled to ignite. He went with the flow and even after the loss of Kurogane, he still felt the same. Saddened, yes, but still overall empty as when he joined. Then Relon being the guy that he was and Shizuna becoming more of her old self finally ignited something. His soul.

He began to truly believe once again. To honor those that passed. To avenge Agnes and Elaine, he fought with his hardest and won! With every blow, she came to him the most. Those radiant eyes he forced himself to divert form every other time they made contact, the perfume she wore on occasion that was stronger than the normal scents to a point he happily gagged only to whiff more of it; his heart thumped in response to her very being.

He hadn't known when tears manifested. The previous night of Shizuna bawling her eyes out hinted that he'd likely do the same soon. Today was a day unlike any other. They'd either win or lose. There was no middle ground. Not this time. It was all in or nothing.

At once, they met. The visage of their younger forms reaching out first only for the Van and Elaine of today to reach the middle. Jumping into his arms, Van held her close as tears freely flowed from the young woman. Their embrace never seemed to cease as muffled cries and muddled words manifested between the two.

I held a hand over my left eye, the vision or whatever that was starting to fade. 'Just… what the hell was that?'

As it fully passed I decided to think about it later, for now I watched the sweet scene before me. "At least there's a light to all of this… Hmm?" As I looked at Van, I sensed something I've only sensed one other time on… no inside him. 'One of the seventy seven…Why!? How!? No, now is not the time, I'll talk to him alone later.'

Sensing them coming from behind I looked over to see Nadia and Swin walk over with my stuff from the ship, Swin struggling holding the guns and scythe from their weight.

"Here, figured you'll need this." Nadia handed me my stuff which I pocketed and I reached out to grab my weapons.

"Why are they so heavy!?" Swin annoyingly asked as he watched me holster my weapons.

"How they are, but thanks for grabbing them…" I turned back to the touching scene of them embracing, with a sigh I turned right around and walked towards the ship. "Pater-Mater, we're heading to Grenville! Make your way there!" The airship hummed to life as it slowly rose into the air and took off towards Grenville. Sensing Vita's eyes on me I nodded to give her the go ahead that I'm ready.

"Our turn, Munechika! Oh divine light, send us!" At once, the glyphs under everyone begun to spin before one by one, everyone vanished in flickers of light.

We all reappeared in the middle of the base, around us were a few soldiers that quickly aimed their guns in surprise before noticing we were friendly. Quickly I went up to the nearest one. "Get a room setup and a few medics over here, now!" With a nod he rushed off as well as a few others.

"Ok, that felt weird…" Magilou said as she shook her head.

"You get used to it," Vita spoke with haste. "Lead Relon to the nearest bay." She ushered as Rinwell and Shizuna assisted him after the soldier, glancing their way I noticed something off with Rinwell. 'Hmm, Rinwell, were you…?'

"Damn it, Relon, how many times are you going to go out on us." Shizuna grumbled, though the pained expression she wore said a lot more.

"Ah…" Van sounded to pause, conflicted on going or staying with Elaine.

"We're going to get into contact with Shirley and Rufus, let them know what happened." Swin said which was followed by a nod from Nadia.

"I'll stick close to Relon, let me know if those two want me." I said as I turned to where they were rushing Relon off.

"Got it!" With that those two went off with a soldier that was guiding them.

"Van, Elaine. Could you go with them to explain the details of what happened?" I asked, glancing at two who were still very close to one another.

"Oh, yeah!" Elaine nodded and turned towards Van. "Let's go…"

"A-Ah, yeah." Dumbly, he was led in another direction by Elaine.

"Okay…" The voice of Vita releases a sigh from one of the makeshift medic bays. "Now to just…" From the lone tent where Rinwell with Hootle atop her stood next to Shizuna and the redhead, a faint light illuminated.

I stood just outside with Magilou next to me, keeping silent with her arms behind her back as we listened in.

"Is it working?" Rinwell asked.

"Hard to say," Vita answered honestly. "It's not a matter of Relon being injured, it's more so a psychological affect of his evolution. Or almost evolution." That piqued the girl's interest.

"Wait, I thought he evolved?"

"Unfortunately, he didn't." Vita pauses as does a weary looking Munechika. Rolling up his cut-up shirt, she reveals his toned abdomen.

"Uh, there's nothing there." Shizuna frowns.

"Exactly. That's the indicator." Vita releases another sigh for Rinwell's eyes to seemingly go big at the mention.

"Oh! I remember! When Relon and I first came here, the first thing he did was check his stomach and mentioned his mark being gone! It's what told he could use his fire and Nameless' power!" 'I have no idea what they are talking about.'

"Correct you are," Vita gives a wry smile to frown upon looking at Relon. "Relon's evolution didn't finish because he was interrupted. Otherwise, there would be a purple mark that can't be missed." 'She knows things about Relon that I doubt she should know in this world, does she have his version of Vita's memories?'

"What would have happened if he awakened?" The redhead asks.

"Well for starters Kallen, he would finally be able to use fire from both hands," Vita forces out a chuckle though anyone could tell how dry it sounded. "Instead of having to switch between both Kernviter and Angbar." At the mention, all look to the dormant blades next to Relon.

"So, then…" The now named Kallen begins with clear hesitation.

"Yes, he'll have to now experience an agony similar to what occurred if he wishes to evolve. And no, there is way around it. Lucinances have tried since the creation of Aidios and the Beyond." At that, the mouths of Rinwell and Shizuna close. 'Just what the hell…'

"So then, why hasn't he awoken?" Munechika finally speaks. My eyes widened, looking over at her as she spoke. 'Huh!? So, that's what she sounds like, sounds peaceful…'

"The aftermath of awakening leaves all Lucinances vastly exhausted. From my other self's memories, it'll take some time for Relon to recover." 'So, I was right, another part of his power…? At this point what doesn't he have, still I'm not sure if it's right to give people another set of memories, even the ones I got from my other self are still a jumble in my head.'

"How much time?" Rinwell asks yet again in the same weary tone.

"With what little time we have left, it doesn't sound like enough," Shizuna grimaces.

"And you would be right." Vita relents rising to her feet. "Relon's body will be fine, it's his mind that worries me. With the Perception of Time damaged, the chances of it occurring after an awakening may increase and if that does happen… I cannot help but fear what Relon is experiencing but even more, how he will be upon awakening…"

"Relon…" The redhead grimaces in frustration. "It's my-"

"No." Shizuna cuts off. "Don't even start. Zero's at fault. For everything. He knew Relon's weakness and abused that. He took control of everything, everyone! You had no control over anything so don't go there, Kallen. Relon wouldn't like you saying that either." Shizuna's protest seemed to work as Kallen likely took a moment to reflect on both herself and the words suddenly spoken.

Watching Shizuna kneel down to take his hand, Rinwell and Kallen soon follow. Then Munechika and Vita.

"Relon, please, wake up soon." They all somehow ask at once. '...Vita and Rinwell I can understand, Munechika as well. But just what the hell did he do with Kallen to have her like this, plus…'

I looked at Shizuna, while I had my suspension since we first picked her up, it's more clear now. How Relon plans to handle that is his own issue, but for now I'll wait to chat with Relon once he's awake and rested.

"So, I was right in assuming you gained the other Vita's memories." I asked as I finally took a step into the tent.

Leaving the worried girls to meet me halfway, Vita's worried expression shifts to neutrality though the weariness couldn't be missed.

"Yes, that is correct. To a degree at least. Is there something that you need, Shade?"

"Just a few answers, that was one of them. Now, who came up with the idea of going against the reactor with so few numbers?"

"That would be Relon. With our 'unique' group, he believed us to be capable of destroying both reactors while minimizing casualties." I hid my annoyance at that plan rather well. While you can go with a small team for such missions, it comes with many risks, the only reason why I succeeded in those missions is because I didn't die. Either they got lucky or Zero wanted this to happen, which I don't doubt.

"Hmm… I see. Now, did me knocking him out stop him from 'evolving'?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, I could not discern the exact length due to him being a hybrid. He could have almost completed the process or that geyser of flames could have expanded even further outside of Trista stretching for an unknown amount of distance and time. Though the loss of his awakened abilities may be great, I believe that saving him and ceasing the act altogether was far more valuable."

"Good, because I don't regret it. Also, whoever made it where they have to lose that much to gain new power must have been drunk off their ass. The more I find out about him and his powers, the more I see it as a curse of some sort."

"Yes, unfortunately, the vision Aidios created in birthing the elementals is still a mystery to even I. Hence why I am amazed that Relon has not already awoken both flames of duality at his age. For a 17 year-old, to have not agonized over anything all his life, it's… uncalled for I suppose. His hybrid body differentiating from a normal elemental is truly another mystery itself. No… that's not right. If he hasn't agonized over anything dire all his life, then that may help explain the potency behind his awakening." Shaking her head from further thought, Vita looks back at Relon's tent. "I only wish that my son's requirements to obtain his hereditary strength wasn't so great." 'So that, she's real, what a joke…'

"So, Aidios is real… Anyway, I have more questions but for those by his side. Thanks." I took a step forward towards the bed.

"Of course, with the Temporal Laws non-existent in this realm, speaking about such without restraint feels relieving more than anything."

With a nod I got closer to where the other girls surrounded him. "Munechika, you can talk I see, I'm glad." I said with a soft smile.

Switching spaces with Vita, the familiar nods with a sway of her tail.

"Yes. I have Rinwell to thank. Unlocking the ability to cast a powerful spell potent in offensive power and its healing capabilities allowed me to regain my ability to speak. How may I help you?" I shook my head gently at her response, still I was happy for her.

"There's nothing I need, just happy that you regained it. Speaking of Rinwell… who shot you?" I turned to look at Rinwell, more specifically where I suspect she was shot.

"WAIT YOU GOT SHOT!?" Magilou yelled from outside, poking her head in quickly.

Flinching at the loudness, Rinwell's head snaps to the witch before it dawns on her the act and comment of Magilou. With a calm breath, she speaks. "Yes, I did. But I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt anymore. Just a sting every now and then but after learning my new spell, I already forgot about it." She waves off. "Thanks… for caring?" She questions in the form of a guess.

"Care? Please! Just means I'm better as I was on the front lines of two battles, being shot at by Sabers and other people…! But at least you're alive so that's what counts~" 'She didn't mention the injury, acting tough.'

Flinching soon went to twitching. Very irritable twitching of the eyes to be exact. Head shaking as if to not tilt like Relon is famous for doing, she slowly withdraws her tome for Hootle to flap down subtlety pushing it back into her pocket. Flying next to her ear, muffled chirps sound.

Watching the girl gawk as the bird gives her an unapproving look, her hand balls into a fist before she looks to the teasing smirk Magilous sports.

"Okay." She shrugs, turning and returning to Relon's side. "Cool. You avoided not being shot at and being on the front lines. I got a question though, Magilou." She adds looking back and up at the teaser.

"Oh? And what's that, what does one want to know about the great Magilou~?"

"Oh great and wise and so on and so forth Magilou~," she recites dramatically to freeze with the most deadpan expression she's offered since emerging in this Erebonia. "Did you change the very eerie roots across the land that's annoyed us and the Resistance into stems of life that gave energy instead of took? Ooh, or did you actually destroy a reactor with your own spell single-handedly?"

"Well… no, but destroying a reactor wasn't the plan, plus I don't do spells with a book like you can! And I haven't even tried to touch those roots so, no idea if I can do that!"

Bland face turning to a cocky smirk of her own, Rinwell looks to Hootle who nods in a now approving manner before both look at Magilou.

"Two words; skill issue." With no room for further chatter, Rinwell smiled and hummed while making Relon look more comfortable.

Magilou's eyes twitch, for a moment she wanted to say something, yet she glanced at me for some reason before letting out a sigh. "Fine, you win!" She turned around to leave. "You show kindness one time and suddenly I'm getting out done by a kid!" She said to herself as she walked away.

Looking at the redhead that stayed quiet I knew what to say. "Anyway… Your name was Kallen?"

Stiffening at the mention, she awkwardly nods, rubbing her arm. "Y-Yeah. I'm the one who… shot-"

"I know. I had figured from the way you acted after I brought it up, so don't hold it against yourself. Whatever you did under Zero will haunt you like it's doing for others, but don't let it hold you."

"I… understand, sir. Thank you." She nodded, though the pain still lingered. It would take time, surely, but she'd hopefully get there.

"Don't call me sir, I'm not that old… Rinwell." I say in a serious tone as I look at her.

Lifting to match his serious expression, she nods.

"Ready when you are."

"Just to let you know, since you are closest to him… He killed Laura." I didn't sugar coat it, for something like that would only make it worse.

Mouthing going agape, clearly having not accurately predicted the call, her eyes descend to Relon as hurt once again wears itself.

"Oh… Then it happened while destroying the reactor…" She knees down to look at Relon. "Cuz, I…" She inhales a breath to dismiss whatever comment was about to come next. "Okay. Okay," she repeats, shooting up. "What's the plan, Shade?" She forces out, focusing intently on me. 'She's changed, for the better. Good.'

"There is none, not yet. Everyone is tired and hurt, the Resistance needs to regroup and right now many that were just freed need some time to gather their thoughts." I look over to see a metal chair in the corner, walking over I sat down in it. "For now I'll rest here, keeping an eye on him."

"Okay. As much as I don't want to, ignoring my own condition wouldn't make me able to watch his back, huh?"

"Yep, we all need rest… I'm happy to see you have grown since then."

"Hehe, it's only been barely a week and I say I've improved leaps and bounds." She flaunts with pride and confidence. At seeing this, a surge of pride came over me, while I didn't do much to help her, knowing I had a hand in her growth filled me with a sense of fulfillment.

"And I can be proud to have helped, man teaching Casey back home might be better than I thought if I'm feeling this way."

"I'm sure she'll be fine with someone as knowledgeable and understanding as you. Just… try not to show her the gorey side of you if you haven't already."

"Nobody there knows about my power, but she's slow so jumping and dodging is what I've been doing, haha!"

"Mmm…"

It was soft at first. Though for some reason, everyone was acutely aware of not particularly the sound but rather where it originated from. Heads snapping at attention, eyes go to the bed as Rinwell is the first to gasp. 'That was quick.'

"Relon!" Soon, bodies piled around the downed teen as he held his head looking at nothing in particular. I stayed on the chair, watching with my arms crossed.

One moment he was still, the next his hand was balling into a fist against his forehead. As though racking his brain for unsolved answers, he quietly allowed tears to roll down. "Damn it…! It wasn't- She shouldn't… Damn it." He gasped out, his form shaky.

"Relon…" Rinwell murmured, placing a hand of comfort on his shoulder.

Everyone around held similar solemn looks. Their reasoning was understandable. Laura was a person close to Relon. Even if this world's wasn't his own, the sight of accidentally killing one so close would clearly and understandably warrant an emotional turmoil.

Looking on I wondered if I would be in the same state if I had killed Tio, or really anyone I once knew. I'm lucky to have had help when I did.

"I saw her," he mumbles defeatedly. "I couldn't stop in time." His shoulders slumped, tension void of any cause to remain in his body.

"It's not your fault, Relon." Vita was the one to speak up. "You are aware of that, no?" Finally, his weary eyes lifted up past everyone to the woman he called his mother. "Between her being under Zero's control or being dead, which do you believe would Laura want?"

"If to live isn't an option…" He purses out dryly, devoid of emotion as he struggles to raise up. Using Pippin as support, he properly faces her. "Then being dead is a close second. For anyone."

It wasn't the exact answer Vita wanted. That much was obvious but it was better than any other possible response.

"I have tried to make that same choice, what I got was failure.. What I learned is to fight until you can't no more." I casually said as I stood up and walked closer.

"Once again I failed to save a precious life. And once again, I'm reminded of my weakness and why I have to be stronger." He matches my pace as best he can.

"Turn around and look with your damn eyes, getting stronger is one step yeah, but you can never do it alone!" I looked past him at each person that stayed by his side. "You have something I don't have…people to rely on. They want to help you any way they can, so take it! But don't take it because I said so, don't take it because you think you need it. Take it so you can help them in return!"

For a moment, his distraught visage warped into impassiveness. Then he placed a hand at his hip. Despite his mournful face, it couldn't stop the deadpan expression that he now adorned.

"I know that. I didn't mean getting stronger was my only resolve, doofus." Releasing a sigh, he leans back to fall on Pippin to hover in place. "Laura's gone. I… can't do anything about that. But just like the people that fought to save me, she fought just as hard. When it mattered most, I couldn't save her from Zero. That's why I have to become strong. But that alone isn't enough, I get that now. As I am, I can only go so far." He looks over his should at the others sporting supportive looks. "Look, that last argument we had took a lot and I'm not about to have you doing friendship speeches like Rean so just know I get it. Loud and clear. Besides, even if I went back down that mindset, I wouldn't get very far. Some people just won't leave me alone, right?" He offered a wry smirk at that comment.

"Least I won't have to say it a third time, also with each passing moment the guilt of knocking you out goes away…"

"Oh, the feeling is so mutual, buddy." Relon smiles forcefully.

"Okay! Let's get along!" Rinwell intervenes getting in between us.

"But we are getting along. This is our way of doing that." Relon tilts his head.

"This is the way he wanted it, he fought me first after all!" I cross my arms slowly.

"I have no clue whatever you're talking about, mister Shade." Relon eyerolls averting his gaze.

"Grr, it doesn't matter who started what!" Rinwell glowers at the both of us to stop at Relon. "Are we good?"

"Yes, ma'am." He happily sighs.

"Shade?" She turns to me.

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't call me mister Shade again, sounds like some failed spy villain, at least use my last name Junge."

"But where's the fun in teasing you if we don't get a reaction?" He smiles. "Huh, looks like Magilou has rubbed off on me a little. Whatever." He shrugs, oblivious to the horrified look Rinwell sports.

"NOPE!" She pushes him as he nearly topples off his sword.

"W-Whoa! Hey!"

"Don't ever say that! That's worse than… than… literally anything!" She exclaims in his face.

"Yup, they're definitely okay now." Shizuna chuckles to receive quiet nods of amusement from Vita and Munechika.

"Right now Van and some others are reporting everything that went down to the leaders of the Resistance, you need to rest for now, same with everyone else here." I look at Relon as my expression turns serious.

"Then tomorrow we prepare to end this nightmare once and for all." He closes his eyes for a moment before reopening them to reveal a look of determination in the form of slitted eyes. "I feel livid, beyond so. Shade, let's make Zero regret it. All of it!" Hopping off Pippin, he extends a fist.

Meeting his fist with a grin. "Already planning on it, speaking of I had a rather… awful chat with him last night." I say with a hint of disgust.

Blinking his slitted anger away to return to his head tilting, Relon asks the obvious. "What did you speak about? And why do I feel your conversation with him was worse than my own?"

"Well he also made me fight for all of last night and had to keep Elaine's life safe, but what he said was…" I did my best explaining what Zero had told me.

For a minute or so, Relon simply blinked. A lot actually. It was impressive he managed to not only stand upright with his fist still touching mine and blinking so rapidly for so long. I'm also wondering why I hadn't bothered to move my own fist away.

"What?" He dumbly responded with an eye twitch, likely from so much blinking.

"So I would have been there, to help you and save everyone if it wasn't for him stopping me…" I lastly said, a hint of sadness and anger in my voice.

"Oi," he calls pushing against my fist still. "What's done is done. No point in living in the past."

"Relon is right." Vita nods in agreement. "If Zero truly is aware of the Ark, then I question what all is actually knows but chooses not to intervene."

"It's all a game to him." Shizuna scowls. "As long as he is aware of what goes on, he won't be perturbed."

"Relon, Shade, Magilou, and I came literally out of nowhere so of course his focus went to us. Relon and Shade even more as they're the 'unique' ones amongst us."

"Hey, you're plenty special too." Relon argues.

"I'm a witch as is Vita. Hootle and Munechika are familiars. Not so special if there's more than one. Not to mention Sissy. Unlike you two who have crazy healing powers, you, who can wield fire and do all kinds of stuff with Pippin and Pappan. And don't get me started on Shade and his weird self."

"You know, Rinwell, you're being oddly more blunt..." Relon notes wearily.

"War does that I'm afraid, Relon." Vita giggles.

"That it does, I'm still concerned on why he can't look into me like he can you, but that's something I might have to throw to the wayside. Still I got a good idea on what eggs him on, he's pretty much a know it all and wants to hold that over everyone."

"Oh yeah! I totally got under his skin. Mom and I roasted the shit outta that god-complex bastard!" 'Hell yeah!'

"Language." Vita chimes giving a chop to Relon's head.

"Ouch!"

Shaking my head at the scene I go back to the chair in the corner to rest a bit. "I'm lucky I don't have anyone to do that to me, or else I'll have a permanent bump on my head."

"Tell me about it," Relon twitches his eye at the endearing smile his 'mom' wears. "Regardless, tomorrow will come sharp. A lot's happened so we should heed Shade's advice and get some rest."

"Worry us one minute and acting without thoughts the next…" Rinwell grumbles to dismiss the self-comment. "Sounds good." She perks back to her cheery self. "Tomorrow we're in for a lot."

"In two days, it'll all be over…" Shizuna mumbles to eye Relon. 'Yeah, something is definitely going on there…'

"Um…" Heads turning to the redhead having been quiet this entire time, Relon's own eyes widen in realization of her presence.

"Kallen." He simply says.

"I… didn't want to interrupt or both you when you first awoke but, may I… speak with you and Rinwell? In private?"

Without waiting for a response or time to ponder, he nods his head nonchalantly. "Sure. You okay with that, Rinwell?"

"Yeah, lead the way."

With that, the three departed to an isolated part of the base.

Watching them leave I look back at those that were still here, Vita was also watching them go, Shizuna had a look in her eye still, a bad feeling came and left me for some reason. Then I looked at Munechika, who sensing my stare, looked at me. "Mind if we had a small chat…?"

Since I first met her at the village, the memories of Celine would hit me. After the second time, when I saw her human form, it was more apparent. "Of course. Lead the way."

With a nod I stood up and walked out of the tent with her following behind me, we stopped by a few boxes used for supplies where I climbed on one, offering her a hand to help her up.

Taking it, she takes a seat next to me.

"What is it that you wish to speak with me on, Shade?"

"You probably wondered why I'm always soft around you, well back home before I time traveled… I was friends with Celine."

That name seemed to mean something as her form softened.

"I see." She spoke. "My Celine was likely similar to yours. Maybe not. She'd prattle on and on, too prideful in admitting her facade being seen through from time to time. Her luxurious purple fur mirrored my own silvery-white. Though young, her heart was always there not just for Emma but any whom were in need. Whether it be a lesson in casting a spell, manipulating the mana from within one's core, or simply to pass the time conversing over well honed knowledge. Celine… was truly a wonderful gift to not just the Hexen Clan but the world. A gift taken far too soon. Apologies, Shade, I went on a tangent."

"It's fine, you just gained your voice back after all, but yeah that sounds like Celine all right… She was my first friend actually, she helped me find a bit of my demon side and was always there for me." My expression turned bitter as I looked away. "I even buried her, so seeing you brought back a lot of good memories and while our time is limited here, I at least wanted to indulge just a bit." I looked at her and smiled, a true smile.

Matching my smile, her form soon shifts into that of a cat.

"Like Celine, I was also responsible for tending to those in dire need within the Hexen Clan. From monster-related activities to more leisurely tasks. One being to simply comfort another. I may not understand you like Relon or your companion Magilou, but I do comprehend that you too have endured a great amount. Know this Shade. Without a doubt, undeniably even, Celine would be proud of the person you've become."

Those words gave me pause, would she be proud of me… No, she would be proud to see me with people that support me, to see me grow and learn to be better.

"I-I hope so, because I've done things I'm not proud of after that… mind if I pet your head?"

"Go ahead. As a substitute for Celine, take your time." She smiles laying down next to me.

Gently I pet her head and back, the entire time I had my eyes closed to simply enjoy the moment. Opening them slightly I glanced down at her. 'Looking at you now, I don't see Celine, I don't see that prideful yet sassy girl I could call my friend or even best friend. I see Munechika, a new friend of mine that I wish will have a good life.'

"Just know, before this you were a substitute, not anymore…" Not responding, only a low purr is the response I'm met with. The subtle wag of her tail following soon after.

I've already decided to make her something, but what is the question that racks my brain as we sit here in comfortable silence. For Rinwell it was a pendant, for Relon it was a type of bracelet that I have an odd feeling about. What about her, what should I give her to at the very least remember me by? Asking her was out of the question as I wanted it to be a surprise at least, but I don't have time for something complex, well unless I worked through the night.

It had to be something that can do well for both cat and human forms, looking at her tail it came to me on what to make but not how to make it. 'I never made anything with a type of cloth, but maybe if I add it like…yeah that could make it work, but how do I make that? Doubt this place has a book or guide on how to sow…? There is someone that could help me.'

With a plan in mind I go back to relaxing with her, enjoying the warmth and comfort she brings, especially since I needed the rest. At some point I did hear Pater-Mater fly in and land somewhere, but I'll deal with that later.

After what seemed like an hour I gently patted Munechika. "Let's get back to Relon, he should be back at the tent." I hopped off the box and looked back at Munechika. With a nod, she hops landing carefully onto my shoulder.

I walked back to the tent that Relon should be at, walking in I saw all the girls plus Relon who was talking to Vita, walking over I extended my arm out towards the bed which allowed Munechika to run along my arm and hop onto the bed.

"I take it late night talks are afoot?" Relon greeted with Vita in tow.

"I wouldn't call it late night, but yeah. How did that talk go?"

Watching him give a glance to Rinwell speaking to Shizuna and Kallen, he shrugs. "About as well as well can be. You good with things on your end?"

"With people or…?" I looked over at the girls then back at him, something told me he did something again.

"Uh, yeah? Or yourself if you had a moment of reflection or something." Relon tilts his head with a raised brow. Seeming to want to say something else, he keeps himself from doing so.

Looking at him with a dull expression I gently shook my head. "I'm good on reflecting, but I have just a few things to do, but I can do that throughout the night. Also, did Van show up?"

"Nope. He's been occupied with someone from what I was told. Someone he thought he lost during Zero's initial takeover."

"Yeah, her name is Elaine. If things are right then she should be a Bracer in Calvard in your world, like she is mine. I don't know much else about her however, still…" I glanced over at Rinwell who had shown up with him earlier. "Rinwell, question, did something happen to Van?"

"Something?" She purses in thought for a moment before something dawns. "Oh! He went beast mode! Erm, he turned into a beast of sorts! Um, he transformed into a humanoid creature of sorts. Yeah! He was super fast and just pummeled away at this giant robot that appeared!" 'Giant robot aside… this humanoid creature is something I feel like I need to look into, to at least make sure things will be alright.'

"I see, then what I sensed was right." I looked out of the tent, thinking of where he could be.

"What's up? Something bad?" Relon wonders noticing Shizuna rise at the mention.

"Depends on what he says, I'm going to go chat with him." I glanced over at Shizuna then back at Relon. "I'll see you in the AM, unless you decide to sleep in." I gave a small smile.

About to respond, Relon decides against it. "No clue who says, 'see you in the AM,' but whatevs. Don't cause too much more trouble." Relon bids. "Oh, and if Van is doing something he isn't supposed to, let Shizuna and I know." He smiles oddly cheery-like.

Noticing his cheerfulness I gave a small grin. "Someone is awfully happy, got a kiss or something~?" I jokingly teased. 'I hope this isn't pushing it, but this will give me all I need to know.'

Eyes bucking wide as redness manifests despite the dim lighting, both Relon's and Shizuna's own make it too obvious. What adds something into the unexpected mix is Kallen's own face. Dumbly, both girls avoid all eye contact as subtly as they can.

All the while, Relon is still as stone looking right at me. "No clue what you're talking about," he forces in a calm tone through gritted teeth. (Leave. And. Never. Bring. That. Topic. Up. Again!) As embarrassed as he sounded, any attempt at being serious only made the sight more amusing.

The grin never left my face as all the pieces fell into place, it wasn't my place to comment on why or how, but seeing it happen like this was slightly amusing and added more to what I was going to do tonight. "And I'm gone, good luck~!" Turning away I left as I waved goodbye. 'So somehow I was right, for Shizuna I had a feeling since the airship ride after I saved them. But why the hell is Kallen already involved? Not to mention those three girls he has back home with others that he might not even know judging from what I've seen… What the fuck?'

As I walked away I noticed Magilou by the entrance to the main section of the base, the same spot I ran out before it exploded. "Something on your mind?" I asked, walking up, the girl didn't even look my way as she spoke.

"Nope, just glad nothing truly awful happened y'know?" She let out a sigh before moving one of her hands to her side. "Still hurts like a bitch, but I couldn't let that cheeky brat see me in pain! No way!"

"I think you being you helped her out before Relon woke up, made her less tense and made her let out some of her energy on you." I leaned against the wall next to her, even now she didn't look my way.

"Don't know what you mean, still I wasn't expecting the brat to get shot though…" Glancing over at her, something took my attention.

"How hurt did you truly get…?"

"...It wasn't just one broken bone, but I'll live." She gave a thumbs up as she finally looked over at me.

"Damn it, Magilou I'm sor-"

"Tsk tsk! Just repay me by getting me home, remember our deal? Once we get back you have to do whatever request I send your way, trust me I'll make you suffer then!" She smiled evilly while rubbing her hands together evilly.

"And once again I wonder if I should feel any guilt, still I won't make that mistake again…" Looking to the floor I clenched my fist, sensing her moving her hand I felt her tap my shoulder.

"Brooding won't help, also another way to make up for it… Tell me what dirt you have on either Relon or Rinwell~!" She leaned in, the evil look was back.

"If I do I would get stabbed by him, but why not, could break the tension tomorrow during prep. Relon, Shizuna, Kallen and three girls back home." That was all I needed to say for Magilou to look at me, then at where the tent was in the distance, before back at me.

"Rest in peace his dic-"

"Shut up." I flicked her head.

"Ow! I'm not wrong! If it was two I would say it's a blessing, but five and no doubt counting is a damn curse, good luck if he gets them all pregnant at the same time!" She simply shook her head before looking at me. "You're not going to go after like seven women are you…?"

"Firstly I don't even know what those feelings are like, secondly no!" I shook my head, I had too many issues to even begin to think about romance, much less that many girls. Magilou was right, it was a curse for him.

"Really? No romance? Also, you gave me nothing on Rinwell, Relon yeah but that's a plus side for her!" She held onto my arm, angrily shaking me.

"You're the one who asked for Rinwell or Relon. So I gave you what you wanted!" I smiled smugly as she huffed and let go.

"Fine, fine… Now I'm tired, but I will use that ammo you gifted me, see you in the AM Shade!" She turned and walked off, whistling as she did.

"Night! See, I'm not the only person that says that…" I put my hands in my pockets and walked off, now trying to find wherever Van was at.

Finally I spotted Van and Elaine on the wall looking into the distance together, even from here I could faintly sense it on him. With ease I jumped onto the wall a bit away so as to not scare them. "Yo!" I called out as I began walking over.

"Oh, Shade." Van leans off to greet me. "What's up?"

"Nothing much, just got something to ask you real quick, won't be long." I looked over at Elaine who saw my serious expression and nodded, turning to Van, she whispered something to him.

"Oh." He sounded to pull out an artifact of sorts clearly destroyed as she momentarily stepped away. "I take whatever you're going to ask may refer to this?" He gestures.

"Is that how you went…as Rinwell put it 'Beast mode'?" I stepped closer, seeing what looked like an old orbment.

"It was originally in possession of… someone else close but it went dormant after Zero happened. Right when things looked grim, it activated." He explains to toss it in the air once. "It's odd. Ever since then, I've tried countless times to get it to work. Then it just happened when we needed it most. I'm still at a loss for words."

"Could be something within you, like emotions or could be because the Beyond is nearing our world…" I looked at him, or rather within him as being this close allowed me to feel its presence.

"As much as I would like to believe the latter, I'll have to settle on the prior. I just had a sense far stronger than in a long, long, time to protect Rinwell and Munechika. If we were getting closer, then wouldn't Relon be reacting to it or something?"

"He's not from this world, honestly he's still mostly a big old question mark for me. But I'm more worried about that thing in you."

"What do you mean? I just said it was likely because of my emotions. Doesn't help the thing is broken now. Unless, you're referring to something else…"

"I do not know the names of them, but there is one of the seventy seven devils within you, or at least its power. How I do not know, but it wasn't there before…"

"Ah… that. Well, that isn't as surprising to hear as the Beyond stuff." He shrugs, discarding the piece to lean back against the wall. "To make things simple, I can't exactly recall everything growing up until a certain point. Had some people do stuff and eventually, I became free so as for that thing you just mentioned, not much to say. At this point, I don't really see much to worry on aside from Zero."

"I'm just worried on after we win, and we will win! However, with how little we know about them I'm concerned about later on. I won't be here, Relon won't be here, it will be you and those next to you. Right now, yeah we'll kick Zero's ass as planned, but after that you may need to look into it just in case."

"I'm not ignoring it, that's for sure. That can be a worry after Zero is dealt with. Who knows, like Rinwell said, you or Relon may feel something with the Beyond being so close or something. Could just wish any dire effects away at that point." He chuckles.

"If only, still there is one bright side. You know about the other me here, well they could help, not sure what they know but it's a start!" I say cheerfully as I pat him on the shoulder. "Also, don't go in alone, if I'm right the Van from my world did that and made a girl cry." I glanced over at where Elaine went.

"I…" He shakes his head. "A Van that makes a girl cry ain't a very good Van. Meaning I have to be better. Simple as that."

"Good, now I feel a bit more at ease. I don't have much else to say then, also your welcome." I stepped back and smiled.

"Yeah, yeah, thanks for the words of endearment." He waves off with a smile of his own.

"I meant for bringing you two back together, even when under Zero she reacted to your name."

Flinching, he only remains still for a moment before remaining as he is.

"I meant what I said, Shade. I'll be a better Van than any other." It was conviction at its finest as his eyes loomed over to the young woman a short distance away.

"Good, I'll leave you alone now to enjoy the time we have with her." I turned around and walked to the edge of the wall. "Let me know if you go 'Beast Mode' again." I say over my shoulder as I hop off the wall back into the base.

"Will do," he lazily bids, doing the same and returning to his companion.

As I walked I placed my hands into my pockets, making my way towards where Pater-Mater landed. I see Nadia and Swin were already there on the deck of the ship. "Yo!" I called out to the pair. They looked at each other before looking at me.

Now in the maintenance and factory area of the base with them, Nadia looks at me with a dull expression. "You want me to help you sow?" She asked, clearly confused on why I needed help with that.

"Well a little, I wanted to make something for Munechika, the girl with cat ears and tail. A ribbon for her tail, I just need you to help me sow some stuff into the fabric which I did already pick out. Think you could help…?" I held up the piece of cloth which I picked out the moment I entered this room.

"Sow what into it?" She asked, crossing her arms as she walked over to take the fabric.

"I was thinking about metal, but it won't do, so what about pieces of a quartz?" She turned her head to give me the dullest expression I've seen from her.

"That's rhinestoning, not exactly the same as sowing! Besides, why should I help? I was going to sleep but then you had to interrupt!"

Looking behind her I see Swin shrug before going to do maintenance on his pair of swords, turning back to her I sighed. "I want to give her something to remember me by, there's many reasons to this, hell if you want I can make you someth-"

"Nah, I'll help." She walked past me to sit on the chair in front of a table where she laid the fabric on.

"H-Huh?!" She looked over her shoulder at me before shaking her head.

"I don't need anything from you, you're fighting to save our world, that is enough for me. I can't have my naps and S taken from me!" She put her hands together before nodding her head and then looking at the cloth. "So, how you wanna do this?"

"Um, first I need to make a quartz and smash it, that way it doesn't look as bad as normal Sepith does." With a nod we walked over to the Orbal factory and looked at the machine, nearby was a pile of Sepith of each type that I could use.

"So, which color?" She asked as she picked up a Fire one.

"Well, the cloth is mostly blue with a little white, so Mirage would fit the best." Grabbing the necessary Sepith, we began making a quartz, but I did add something else to the process.

"Hmm? H-Huh!?" Nadia watches as I cut my finger, adding my blood to it.

"Don't worry, my blood makes things tougher and stronger! Plus I never done this with a quartz before, so I wonder what will come from it, could be something cool!" As I added my blood and began making it, Nadia watched in both confusion and uncertainty.

"I'm regretting this already… Alright, let's hope it doesn't cause a massive issue with the machine!" After a few moments it finished and we saw it was white, not even mirage sepith was this white before.

I picked up the warm ball, it was pure white and had a little weight to it compared to normal quartz. Me and Nadia shared a look before putting it on the table. "So…we're going to test it out first?"

"I have a bad feeling that our orbments might not handle it, plus I'm not even sure what it could do." I pushed it a little, rolling it along the table.

"Ok, so let's smash it up so I can attach it to this cloth, the faster we do this the faster I can sleep~!"

"Yeah, well here goes!" Placing it on the ground, I took a hammer and hit it which did nothing. "Or not… Hang on!" I pulled out my scythe and brought it down using the back end, which crushed it into small little bits.

"Does that mean your scythe has your blood…? Wait, I don't wanna know those details, let's just focus, show me the pattern you want and if you want to add anything else." She picked up the small bits and we walked over to the table to begin working on the ribbon.

After thirty minutes we were done, we tied it to a small poll to see how it would look on a tail. The main color was a deep solid blue, the outlines had a white border going along the entire ribbon, we placed the pure white bits of the quartz around where the bow part of the ribbon would be. Plus there was a minor detail, hidden on the ribbon where it would be hard to see was a small little message Nadia sowed into it for me.

"'To you M, from me S'… A bit cheesy don'tcha think?" Nadia asked as she got up from her seat, turning to look at me as I pocketed the ribbon.

"Eh, something we all need a little cheese in our lives. Well, that was all I needed your help with. Thanks, this means a lot to me!" I smiled and patted her shoulder, she looked up at me a bit confused before shaking her head and smiling.

"Well, since you dragged us around I guess I could consider you a friend, so what are friends for!" She patted me on the shoulder as Swin walked up.

"Done?"

"Yep! Now come on S, mama needs her beauty sleep!" She grabbed Swin by the arm and started pulling him away.

"H-Huh!? Uh, night Shade!" He yelled out as they left the building, unable to escape her grasp.

"I'm sure he'll be fine, now that's one project done and now for more annoying shit, I said I wouldn't make more but here I am… Guy better be grateful that he has a friend as caring as me!" With a grunt I turned to begin work on making another bracelet for Relon, this time meant for Shizuna and Kallen, since there were two of them I only made it a double connecting bracelet instead of the triple connection like the last one was.

Using the Ikaruga symbol for Shizuna I questioned on what to have Kallen's, to me she's an unknown person which meant I had to either make some new emblem for her or leave it blank. After a few moments it came to me, her emblem would be a flame, her quick connection to Relon which I still don't know how that came about and about five different things like rising from the ashes, having a new spark of hope… Red hair equals fire.

For a few hours I began making it, just like how I did the last to even the empty slots for gems or whatever Relon was going to put here. 'If I ever meet him again in the future and see more than ten girls… I'll slap him.'

As I laid it on the table I noticed I was fully alone, everyone no doubt was asleep or on patrol. With a sigh I stretched my arms and body before grabbing a seat and leaning back, closing my eyes even if I didn't plan on sleeping.

'Soon… I'm unsure of what will happen but I need to commit myself to it fully, not holding back. Those that come to help me and Relon fight Zero, I will protect!' Bailing my hands together, I clenched until they turned white. 'Even if I have to sink that low… No, with how Zero is I'll have to do that in order to give us the edge, damn with the drawbacks or consequences!' Opening my eyes I knew what I had to do, but until that fight happens, I'll be myself in order to protect everyone!

The next morning.

I relaxed in the chair all night, gaining back my energy and letting my mind wander. Over time as it reached early morning I saw people walk in to prepare for tomorrow's fight, doing maintenance and making modifications to their weapons. Since it was getting loud I grabbed what I had made and silently left the building.

I walked over to where Relon should be at, if he was asleep I would simply wait outside but to my surprise I saw him walking out of the tent alone. "Someone's up early."

"Well, I was surprisingly sleeping well when a dragon decided to breathe quite heavily in my head. A slow talker so definitely not a morning creature," he jokes running a hand down his bang. "You rest okay?"

"I'm not even going to comment on that first part, but I don't feel like shit anymore so yeah. Everyone else still asleep?"

"Yeah. You should see it. Rinwell is being snuggled by Kallen and Shizuna. It's actually adorable." He chuckles. "I take it the others on your end are still out as well?"

"Maybe? Nadia is a napper and Swin… not sure really, but I hadn't seen anyone since last night. Also speaking of Shizuna and Kallen, I won't dig too much into what's going on, but here." I pulled out my new gift for him and tossed it his way.

"Why do you keep tossing-" Immediately, his eyes narrow as his face scrunches. Silently, he mulls over something. Likely reacting to how I knew which wasn't hard at all. After another few seconds, he sighs, shaking his head all the while. "Thanks," he simply says. "Again."

"No worries, gave me something to do in the middle of the night. I also have something for Munechika, for when she wakes up… Oh and word of warning, Magilou knows about your lady issues." I crossed my arms and smiled as he gave me a look.

"Dude, I'm pretty sure anyone here with enough sense or experience can tell. I've just accepted it at this point. Stupid love power. Ugh, gotta make a name for it still." I tilted my head slightly at his supposed new power. 'What the hell…'

"So, another part of you…well guess I got lucky by not having something like that!" I let out a chuckle as I patted his shoulder. "Good luck in the future!"

"You ass! You think I wanted this curse?! I need more guys in my life, not women! Wait, that came out wrong!"

Putting my finger on my chin I go into thought as I think of that one Bracer receptionist I heard about. "I know a Bracer in Crossbell that would be into you in that case~!"

"I have enough romantic issues to worry about. I'm good!" He forces a grin. "Moving on!" He declares.

"Alright, alright… They should be serving breakfast meals about now, after that we should ask about the status of the Resistance movements. I'll wait out here for when you get everyone up."

"Gotcha. I'll be-" Taking a single step back, Relon stumbles for a moment. "Whoa. Guess I'm not fully recovered like I thought. Maybe Mom was right last night after all…" He manages an embarrassed chortle. Deciding to play it safe, Pippin comes from the tent to offer its services as he takes a seat. "Be back soon." He bids vanishing inside.

Shaking my head I walked a bit away from the tent to give more privacy and waited, crossing my arms as my eyes roamed over the base and the people moving about. Not long after I heard them moving around and saw them leaving the tent.

"I said I'm fine!"

"If you can't walk properly, then you're not fine!" The voice of Rinwell barks back.

"I've been sitting on Pippin half the time we've been here and I've been fine!"

"Relon, you should listen to your cousin~."

"Mom, you are literally not helping."

"If it helps, one of us could-"

"No! No one needs to look out for me. I'm good." He interrupts Kallen whose worried expression shifts to a frown.

"Hey, I'm only worried like everyone else!"

"And I appreciate that but it's not like I'm going out to venture on my own and be reckless."

"Then might I suggest we split like how we did yesterday?" Munechika wonders aloud. "It will ease everyone's nerves to know you are safe even outside of their sight."

"I second that!" Rinwell beams with a raised hand. "All in favor say aye!"

"Aye!" Shizuna smiles, completely disregarding the irate look Relon sports in the form of a twitching eye.

"Aye~." Vita hums.

"Aye." Munechika voices next.

With that, all eyes and a desperate pair belonging to Relon slowly turn to a still-quiet Kallen. "Um, it'd make me feel better knowing you're okay…" She mumbles meekly raising her hand.

"It's unanimous!" Rinwell cheers.

"UGH! WOMEN!" Relon exclaims hovering off and past me as I facepalm at the entire conversation. 'Yeah, I would not be able to deal with any of this, too damn annoying.'

"Relon, where are you going?!"

"TO GET SOME FOOD BECAUSE AT LEAST THAT WON'T ARGUE BACK!"

Watching him leave I turned to look at the girls. "Morning." I waved nonchalantly at them.

"Morning!" Rinwell beams at the head of the group with her usual cheeriness. "How'd you rest?"

"About as well as I could, yourself?"

"We all slept decently. No complaints here."

"Aside from last night," Munechika muses aloud.

"We won't talk about last night for Relon's sake, haha. Anyway, let's get the day started!" With a nod I watched them move ahead of me, I slid my hands into my pockets and followed behind them to where Relon had gone, hoping he knew where he was going.

Eventually we did make it to the mess hall where soldiers were eating all around, Relon had just gotten his plate of food as we walked in. We all grabbed our own plates and sat down, at some point Van and Elaine had walked in together and joined us, lively chatter filled the room where you'd never know that a large battle would happen very soon.

"So in case we end up splitting, is there anywhere left you want to check out Relon?" Rinwell asks while eating.

"Heimdallr. Helios mentioned something important so that's my plan once everything's settled here. No clue how long that will take though."

Thinking back to what I was told from everyone in the future, I did remember hearing talks of what the Dominion was doing, mostly main targets of the Church, one of those was below Heimdallr, might be a connection if I ever heard of one.

"Makes sense, I don't know much about them but there should be a Primal Ground somewhere in Heimdallr, that might be what you're looking for?" I said, placing down my fork and looking over at him.

"Primal Ground? What's that?" Relon asks.

"What I know is little, but they should be deep underground where the Cathedral is at. They are modeled after the one in Arteria, in my world they were prime targets to destroy by the Dominion because of their connection to the Goddess."

"A link to Luna, huh? Interesting. Now that is something useful to know." He says to himself. "The Perception of Time, Ashland, and now this Primal Ground. Looks like there are more direct links to that damned Goddess than I thought!" Despite the wording, he genuinely sounded excited if that grin didn't mirror the excitement.

"Relon, be wary." Vita warns. "Even I cannot safely estimate what could occur should you come into contact with such a thing."

"Oh, I'm fully aware." He dismisses. "I know, back home at least, the Temporal Laws aren't to be ignored. I just need to find a way to manipulate such divine rules into our favor. But first, we gotta beat Zero!" 'Those laws again, with what happened with Alex and myself I wonder if it's some other type of law or rule? Still…'

Looking at him, then at Shizuna and Kallen I wondered before looking past him and the others, I saw Nadia and Swin walk in and once they spotted us and walked over. "There you all are, Rufus, Shirley and just about every other commander wants to see you all in the command room, us two included." Swin stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Swin, Nadia. Knew it was coming…" I said under my breath as I took another bite.

"Time to get this show on the road," Relon adds, taking the sight of said people come into view.

We ate in silence after that, as the tension was now thick in the air as to what was coming. After we ate we all made our way to the command room where Swin guided us, inside was only a handful of soldiers and a large monitor where on the screen was Rufus, Shirley, Loewe and many others.

"Ah, welcome and good morning everyone! Also nice to finally meet you Relon, I heard much about you." Rufus said with a slight grin.

"I don't like him," Relon mumbles. "I don't know why." Discarding the comment, Relon rises for all to see. "It's an honor to be working alongside everyone. I also must thank you all for the kind hospitality throughout my friends' and I's short experience here." With a curt bow, he sits back down. 'That's some formal greeting…'

"Not bad," Rinwell elbows to get a bland expression from said male. "Good to see you didn't get cold feet. I know I would have, hehe."

"Shut it. Having a crowd this small compared to all of Heimdallr won't shake my nerves."

"Please, this isn't a party after all, no need to be so formal. I just wish I could offer a more pleasant stay… Now before we begin there is something I wish to address regarding yourself."

"Which would be?" Vita questions in Relon's place.

"Ah, Vita Clotilde, I heard rumors of you being active with him. What I and the others wish to address is what occurred yesterday at Trista." I side-eye Relon, crossing my arms as I watch him deal with this.

"Why do I feel like things can possibly go bad?" Rinwell mumbles to hear yet another sigh from her cousin who stands.

"Very well. Would you like the short version or the long version, sir?"

"I don't need the full details at this moment, but word has spread of what did happen and while casualties were very minor, the destruction of the base itself has left a few panicked. Plus, we need to make sure it won't happen in the final battle tomorrow…"

"For all we know, what happened yesterday may very well be needed to repeat if we take into account the unknown variables Zero still possess." Relon quips, crossing his arms. "Yesterday, only a quarter of an hour after the annihilation of Saint-Arkh's reactor occurred. I have what can simply be deemed as a nuclear attack of sort. I attempted to use it, failed, and on my second attempt, succeeded burning everything within whatever proximity along with the reactor. Given my 'unique' powers if you will, not to mention Zero as a near divine being entirely, simply not using such a potent attack is out of the question I'm afraid. I am aware of the dangers it can cause, hence why I ensured that with the assistance of a witch capable of space-time manipulation, that none valuable were injured." It was subtle but a pained expression flashed across his face at that last comment but it was quickly dispelled.

"So it seemed, while I cannot deny the truth, that Zero is a god-like being. The fact is many not in the know are wary, plus I have been informed of the state it left you in after the fact. You said you failed once, as of right now do you have the power to do it again and succeed against Zero?"

Not answering immediately, Relon goes quiet. Unsurprising to us, he instead gets onto the table. (Oh brother…)

"Pippin, Pappan." He calmly calls for both divine swords to orbit his being as several gasps and others of the sort sound. Extending a hand directly at Rufus, at his palm lies a calm black flame. "Swords crafted by the Goddess herself, flames given by the very being that created this world…" He takes another deep breath as the air around him becomes very warm, markings piercing his skin faintly. "And a power that can mirror's Zero's own. General Rufus, if I wasn't certain on using such a dangerous attack in the first place, I wouldn't have wagered such a risk. Not to the innocent victims under Zero's control, not to my friends, not to one whom I hold dear, not to the woman that birthed me, and certainly not to those who have helped me get this far. Whether another Solar Impact is needed to blow away Zero's defenses, a Crescent Horizon requires me to snip at his own preservation, or a Malevolent Eclipse warrants striking his very soul; I'm confident not just me, but all of my friends and I can do anything when it comes down to it." Sure enough, those under Relon stood in agreement.

"I don't doubt them, but all I needed was a simple yes."

"Yeah, simple answers aren't our thing." Relon shrugs hopping off the table.

"Not in the slightest. Sorry, teehee." Rinwell laughs.

"Haha, very well then. Still as the appointed Supreme Commander of the Resistance forces, I cannot make you the leader of our brand new task force, for morale is key here. That honor will go to Shade." Even through the screen I could feel his and everyone else's eyes land on me.

Glancing up I just stared at the screen, wondering why me? I'm not a leader, I'm not some miracle. I simply got lucky and used my power so others won't get killed, even back then I was never a leader.

"Good, because I definitely didn't want another leadership position." My eyes look over to Relon. Given his plans, it certainly wouldn't.

"I'll let you select the members, after you do we'll do another briefing for tomorrow's mission, but know that your task force will be alone without support and going to be aiming for Zero directly." Rufus said as most of the faces on screen cut out before going dark. 'Oh, even better…'

One of the soldiers in the room walks up to me with a piece of paper in his hands. "Here is also a list of names from those that agreed to join you if you wished to have them!" I grabbed the list with a nod and glanced at it, seeing a few familiar names before turning towards Relon.

"You good?" I asked him, wondering if anything of what Rufus said got to him.

"Yeah? Great actually." He blinks. "Just raring to get stuff done."

Swin walked up with Nadia close behind. "You got an hour before Rufus contacts you again, better figure out who you're bringing with you tomorrow and yes both of us will go with you if you want." Swin looked at me with a sense of determination, Nadia gave me a smile but I could also see her determination in her eyes. That alone made me more conflicted.

"Thanks, I'll think on it… Relon, you're heading to Heimdallr, when exactly?"

"As soon as possible, preferably. I still want to speak with a few people while we're all still here. After that, I'll be heading out. Given what Helios mentioned, no idea how long it'll take so the sooner the better."

"Then the best time to head out is after the briefing, that way you know what the plan is for tomorrow, plus I guess I'll need to know who's going with you…" I let out a sigh, not bothering to hide my displeasure.

"Just Mom and I will be heading out." As soon as that statement left his mouth, the girls happened. Immediately, Rinwell and Shizuna shot to their feet.

"No way! What's this about Heimdallr?!" Rinwell barks.

"Relon, you just recovered!"

"A thing with Helios happened. It seems like a way to get another boost to our power. He says it'll help against Zero."

"It is wise to now trust the entity?" Munechika wondered, though unlike either it was more hesitancy than a flat-out refusal.

"I do. Some things happened afterwards and I can tell he wants to take down Zero more than most of us."

"Then why can't we go with you?" Rinwell furrowed in offense.

"Because if the Resistance is tackling Zero's front door, they need all the power they can get. I don't know how long it'll take with Helios so the sooner I leave, the sooner I can join up with you all."

"Then I'm going with you!" Shizuna declared. "Rinwell's and Munechika's magic are too potent to be absent against Crest, much less Zero. I can be replaced now that we have Rean and the others." I looked up at her, a sense of worry hit me.

"Shizuna, Mom and I are enough for whatever ends up coming at us."

"Are you saying you don't need me?"

About to respond, he rolls his head back and around to meet her with an annoyed look. "Shizuna-"

"Don't Shizuna me! Give me one genuine reason why I can't!"

"Because what Relon plans to do will make it impossible for a normal human to survive." All eyes shifted to the perturbed expression Vita wore. "He's going to absorb the remaining power of the entity that has been underground. How much, we do not know but for it to deem that fraction enough to defeat Zero, it must not be any small amount."

"Still-"

(Um, do you have any idea what they are talking about?) Nadia leans in next to me.

(Somewhat, not really paying too much attention to it) I kept my eyes towards the group.

(One surprise after another…) Swin shook his head while clearly being done with this.

"Shizuna." Vita interrupts tenderly. "Relon is looking out for your well-being. He does not want to see one he's come to harbor kindred feelings for become engulfed in the malevolent flames that has hurt you already." One look at the regretful look Relon sported told his 'mom's' words to seem true.

"But… why you?" She managed out.

"Magic is a wondrous thing but, once again, the amount will possibly force me to fend myself. Unless one has a magical resistance or may have already experienced Zero's malevolence directly, none can withstand such power."

"Then… what if I go in her place?" For the third time in a minute, all eyes rotate over to the meek Kallen with her hand raised. "I… was Zero's right hand so any influence I should be able to withstand then, right?" 'Right hand? So, that's what she was.'

"Kallen, you don't-"

"I want to." She calmly cuts off. "You saved so many people, you've impacted the lives of the people and Shizuna even. Including me. Let me be the one to protect you, Relon. If not even for the girl's sake, then my own. I want to come with you. Please."

The confliction upon Relon's face was more real than him being a chick magnet. Looking to Vita who nods in acceptance, he then goes to his group of girls.

"Might at well." Looking to see Van finally rejoin his group, the smirk he sports doesn't help Relon's own nerves.

"Ugh, damn it, now you come. And not on my side it seems." He sighs. "What happened to the bro code?"

"With odds stacked like this against you, you may as well throw in the towel or there'll be other things thrown that you won't like." He pats the hybrid's shoulder.

"Kallen, if something happens…"

"Will you risk your life to save me again?" She asks for him to be taken aback for a moment.

"You know I will."

"As will I. I can't let my savior kick the bucket. Then I'd feel even more shameful." She smiles.

Catching his head lift up for his eyes to squint, said red eyes then roll in annoyance.

"Fine." He sighs again now in defeat. "Mom, Kallen, and I will depart while the rest of you stick with Shade and start the big party. End of story." Despite his clear gripe with the new plan, the smiles of relief were totally worth it and Relon knew it too. 'So I'll have Rinwell, Munechika and Shizuna. Elaine and Van plus these two…'

"That was some sight to see, now with that figured out I'm going to clear my head to figure out everything…" I let out another sigh and walked out of the room and towards the exit, not bothering to look at anyone as I left. Leaving the building I walked a bit away from the door where I could think without much noise from everyone else, having an idea of each name on this list I wondered who to pick, or why should I even pick a name from it.

Finally looking at it, as expected there were names like Renne, Lloyd, Walter and even Arios to my surprise. Yet even while I know they are all great fighters, I don't think I'll need this list at all. Sensing someone walk up behind me I turned to see Shizuna with a small grin on her face.

"Well then leader, I suppose we're all in your hands now. Could have sworn you mentioned not being the ordering type." 'Son of a bit- No, just leave it!'

"I'm not, yet seems Rufus and the others think otherwise. The very least I can do is be on the front line and make sure no one gets hurt, other than that I don't know how to order people around…" I stuff the list in my pocket and let out another more annoyed sigh.

"Don't think of it as ordering people around. Just making suggestions so they don't die." I looked at her and tilted my head with a pure look of annoyance before I stepped forward towards her.

"Last time I was the leader it didn't end well for those guys, why I was perfectly fine following whatever plans Rufus or Shirley had. And not only am I a leader again, but we're going against a god-like being that I'm not even sure what he could do in a fight against people, but I've seen the aftermath!"

"Stop thinking about it. Worrying over something you can't predict won't help. Just focus on the here and now."

I looked at her, staring right at her as she said those words. Words she would tell me at times to comfort me, what both of them would say. Each time they were right, just like Shizuna right now. The fear of yesterday shouldn't stop the courage of today.

Slowly a smile formed on my face as I shook my head. "Yeah, you're right, well since you gave me a pep talk, you are now my number 2!"

"Wait, huh?! You can't give an important role like that out of nowhere!"

"Well I already decided to not have anyone from that list they gave me, mostly because I hadn't worked with them or I don't want them in this fight. And we'll need a rather small team so we don't get in the way of each other later on, meaning a low crowd to begin with, plus who else from that room actually commanded before?"

Raising a finger to retort, she drops it to offer only a shrug. "No clue honestly. Jeez, how do I always end up like this?" She chuckles.

"Just means you're a good fit! We still got some time before the briefing from Rufus, let's head back in so we can discuss tactics, then after that we can spend the day prepping anything we might need!" I walked closer and patted her shoulder with a small grin.

"Lovely…" She groans. "No point arguing."

"Good deal, also I'll tell you the name of our task force at the briefing." I walked past her and we both walked inside where everyone else was still gathered. 'Yeah…that name will do!'

"Copy that."

Walking up to the nearest table I tossed the piece of paper I had onto it. "I'm not bringing any of those people, the people I am bringing are all in this room! You all I can trust in battle and I think…nah, I know will be able to handle whatever Zero throws at us!" I held out my hand and formed a fist.

"With the powerhouse we're bringing, we may not even need Relon's mean butt." She stretches her arms.

"I figured you'll be bringing us along, S you better let me nap twice as much after this!" Nadia looked over her shoulder at Swin.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll make sure we'll both be ready!" Both looked at me and nodded.

"That's four so far…" Shizuna counts off. "Hope you two can keep up." She greets.

"We're former assassins sweetheart, just don't get in my way and we'll be fine~!" Nadia innocently smiles.

Blinking, she can only shake her head. "After seeing you and Relon, nothing about this world surprises me." She sighs.

"You were born in this world though…" I just shook my head and looked over at Van and Elaine. "You both are also coming along right?"

Elaine and Van looked at each other before Elaine stepped forward. "I was under Zero's control for a long time, he's done too much for me to not get a hit in myself!"

"We all have a line across the continent of people wanting to whack the asshole. You bet we're in it too." Van says punching an open palm.

"As expected, Rinwell, Munechika?" I looked over at them even though I knew the answer.

"Seriously? You're asking?" Rinwell scoffs in mock offense. "We still have to deal with the Crest jerk, Valkyrie, and Zero! Let's get started!" 'Right, the witch. It's fifty-fifty if she really shows up.'

"I am with Rinwell. We have all fought for this moment." Munechika voices. "We must avenge the fallen and unveil this land-filled darkness!"

"A total of eight people seems good enough to me. Also I never fought with her but I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do Munechika!" I looked at her with a knowing smile that she would only understand.

"Lemme tell you, you're in for it! She makes all sorts of stuff easier!" Rinwell beams, beginning to ramble on the supposed greatness that is the familiar. All the while, an amused Shizuna and Van can only further egg the blushing woman failing to hide herself. 'Heh… Hmm… Ok, if she gets wrapped up in Relon's bullshit love power I might have an issue!'

Letting that thought go I turned so everyone was in my line of sight. "Also, I was going to wait for when Rufus called back, but might as well tell you all what I decided to name our little task force." I looked at each person as they each focused on me.

The past can haunt you, but that doesn't mean you must be afraid of it. It may not be the same, but that doesn't mean it has to be. What matters is that the steps you take are ones leading forward. A feeling washed over me, a feeling of calm like something that was weighing on me is lifting. "Back in the day I had another squad I led, only fitting I name this one after that. So, we are all a part of… Shadow Squad!"

"Interesting name. Why exactly that though?" Shizuna asks.

"A while back when I was fighting the Dominion, they decided to name any task I did under the name 'Shadow Squad' it was only me and Tio in it." I let out a smile, remembering those good times. "So, it only made sense to name this one after that one."

"Ah, I see. Let's see if we can surpass the old one then while we're at it." On the outside I didn't react too much, but on the inside I felt a small bit of pain as nothing could ever be better than the old one.

"Yeah…" I looked over at Relon and crossed my arms. "Don't think you aren't also a part of this! You may be there when we start, you may not, either way when we fight Zero you'll be there with us!" I walk towards him, extending a fist.

"Don't think you can take him out without me. You know what they say, gotta save the best for last!" He grins extending his own fist to bump mine.

Grinning, I turn back and walk towards the table, leaning on it. "Alright, just so everyone knows Shizuna is my second in command, as for roles in battle. Nadia, Munechika and Rinwell will be in the back line for casting arts and magic. Swin, Elaine and Van will be their guard as well as take out any that get past myself or Shizuna who will be at the front! For when Relon rejoins us Vita will join the backline, Kallen the guard and Relon the front with me and Shizuna!" I looked at each person as I explained their roles, still I felt like there was something missing.

"A certain granny?" Rinwell grins as I glance her way, wondering if she somehow knew what I was thinking.

"Right here brat…" Magilou walks in, not even hiding the small limp she has from her internal wounds, but behind her was two people I didn't expect to see with her.

"Tio and Alex?" I spoke their names as I stood up straight, Tio had a crutch but was also being helped by Alex who was careful with her.

"Well, I was wondering what to say when I got to this part but… Guess I ended up with nothing still, Shade." Alex greets, avoiding looking at me probably just in case.

"Why are you both here? Not that I don't mind you being here…" I glanced at Alex before shifting my gaze to Tio.

"I asked Alex to take me here, I wished to join your task force in the way of communications between you and the main forces outside, that way you can get updates on any major changes." For a moment I was shocked, not because she wanted to join us, but because she wanted to do the same job the Tio I knew did. 'I know my answer, as this will hit too close to my past…'

"No, I'll have someone else do that job, the main force will need your expertise rather than us." I crossed my arms.

"I can't say I understand exactly how you feel, Tio but to a high degree I do. You're invaluable to beating Zero and it's because of that we can't risk you being anymore hurt." Shizuna says attempting to ease the situation. 'Shizuna… This will show me how much you have grown since we first met.'

"I didn't mean being on the front lines anyway… Still you're Shizuna, I heard you were here and I wished to…" Tears formed in her eyes, her hand gripping her clutch. "I-I'm sorry!"

Walking over, she wraps her arms tenderly around the girl. Any hostility, malice, or negativity given the situation would be understandable and yet there was none to be found. "There, there. It's okay." She soothes, brushing a hand down her blue hair. "I've already forgiven you, Tio."

She doesn't say anything, just letting out tears as she hugs back. 'Good, she won't be walking that path of darkness, Relon is the reason no doubt.'

Looking at Alex to make sure he would watch over her, we shared a look before we nodded at each other. I turned towards Magilou where she stood next to Rinwell. "Magilou, since you're unable to join the fights on any front I'm making you be the one to communicate between myself, Shizuna and the main force."

She was silent, then she wasn't. "HUH!? You want me to talk in your ear!?" Despite being loud, she wasn't as loud to disturb the scene nearby.

"Hey! Put. A. Sock. In it!" Rinwell seethes through her teeth attempting to hush only to notice her. "Wait, you're hurt?"

Magilou simply glanced at her. "Heh, a few broken ribs from a very hurtful impact!" She glared at me before looking back at Rinwell. "Got it at Crossbell, didn't even notice until now, hmph!" She looked away and crossed her arms, before a small whisper of pain left her lips from the action.

"Where at, let me see!" Rinwell urges as Munechika also gets involved.

"Wha- Hey, don't touch me so suddenly! At least buy me dinner first!"

"Ugh, you wish! Munechika, right here!"

I could only watch as Rinwell held Magilou back in a Full Nelson as Munechika applied a shimmering glow of light to Magilou's injury. After a minute, Magilou finally wrestled the young witch off.

"Get off! Oh, heh doesn't hurt as bad! Thanks kiddo and cat, so Shade…" She looked at me and I crossed my arms, giving her a dull look. "Fine, I'll still be your communication person, least I don't have to fight!"

"Hmpf. Attitude as always." Rinwell grumbles.

"You know that's her way of showing care. I think." Munechika adds with a chuckle.

Swin step forward and coughed into his hand "Rufus seems to be contacting us early for the briefing since I told him we were ready, we are ready right?" Looking over at him I looked towards Relon and nodded.

"You all get go- Hey!" Cut off for the umpteenth time, he can only blink at Rinwell hugging him before stepping away. "If you don't hurry and catch up, we'll take Zero down without you. Got it?" He could only blink before a chuckle left his lips. "Yeah, yeah, I got it already."

Watching him look to Munechika, the familiar only has to give a nod as does Relon.

"Van."

"Yeah, yeah. Protect the girls, look somewhat cool while doing it. I got the script in my head downpat."

"Pfft, sure you do. Just try not to embarrass yourself in front of your new girlfriend." He smiles for Van's eyes to amusingly buck wide and a faint blush to appear on Elaine as she simply shuffles in place.

"HUH?!"

"Ah, the sweet taste of revenge." Relon laughs to ease himself. One look to his side at none other than Shizuna standing before him told him it was now or possibly never. "You okay?" He asks, tone filled with care and concern.

Lips parting for a moment, she shifts her mild surprise into a smile followed by a nod. "I am. All thanks to you no less."

"I haven't done much. Just being a kind human like anyone else would be."

"We both know your level of kindness is something not everyone has." She corrects. 'Oh you'll be surprised by how kind everyone is, hang around Estelle and she'll make the darkest days shine…'

"You know, flirting with me won't beat Zero." He chuckles.

"Can't call it flirting if I already claim you as mine. Who knows, maybe we'll add Kallen into our little love group~." With a wink and a peck on his cheek, Shizuna can only give a cheesy grin before walking away leaving behind a stunned Relon and Kallen. 'Ugh, get a room!'

Rinwell was just dying. Munechika had to cover the girl's mouth as her chest heaved in pure amusement. Van was very much matching her as was Elaine to Munechika.

Magilou looked between Relon and the girls, before grabbing onto Rinwell in a protective way. "Pervert…"

"SHE'S MY FREAKING COUSIN YOU DIRTY MINDED WOMAN!" I look at Relon with a dull look, knowing full well he has no control over that weird love power and that he lives in the Empire where being a cousin doesn't mean much. 'That power, just how much of it is in play…?'

"To think my son would have so many options laid before him. I couldn't be more relieved!" Vita sheds a tear.

"I… hate… everyone."

"Even me, Relon?" Kallen asks with innocent worry.

"EXCEPT YOU!"

"Hoot?"

"AND YOU!"

"Ah, that was so good!" Van calms himself down. "Alright, let's get this show on the road again!"

After a moment of conforming and another exchange of looks, Relon, Vita, and Kallen departed with a take of Vita's staff.

"I'm just going to say it, you're all weird as hell." Nadia deadpans before pressing the button on the control terminal, flickering to life the screen now shows Rufus and him alone.

"I see you have formed your team, as expected you didn't use anyone on that list I gave you. This briefing won't be long so let's get to it!" On the screen shows Roer. Or at least what of it remained.

The once famed city known for its abundance in mechanical engineering had, like many others had been reduced to ruin. The second level of the city held itself only by bits and pieces as one of the famed escalators. Even that was mostly destroyed held only by the visible joints used to support it. The once famed tower that the Roer company utilized… now reduced to rumble. Only the slew of blood stains along said building could clearly be seen. 'I half expected it to be like the reactors…'

What was all over it however was Archaisms, those soulless soldiers and even people with what seemed like collars wrapped around their necks, ranging from all ages. Airships hovered in the air as well as a few turrets set up in certain locations, overall it looked like a ruined fortress. 'Those collars…'

"As you can see this is what the main forces will be fighting, our scouts reported that any and all paths are blocked with Zero's forces. The best way for you all to get in…" The screen shows the airship Pater-Mater is in. "You'll use the airship to enter and land at this point here as it's the only spot that isn't fully gone or blocked off, the only issue you'll have to deal with is the airships and turrets but I believe they will be focused on us mostly as no doubt Zero will want you to come to him."

"Such feeble things such as turrets and aerial combat should not pose us any issue." Munechika notes.

"No, I already have a plan to deal with them." I said, taking note of how many there were.

"Good, as I said we can not offer support once you're in the ruined city, but our main goal on the front lines is to get past Zero's forces and march in. If there's anything we can do to help we will, and I hope you can help us if you are able." Rufus smirked.

"We'll do what we can, after all we are dealing with the main monsters…" I say, not bothering to question that smirk.

"Good, I see Relon and Vita are gone, I will not ask why but hopefully they will be there for the battle. Now I must get back to my men, the battle will begin tomorrow at 10AM, the airship will pick you all up before that as right now we are using it to move supplies and troops. Good luck with your preparations and may the goddess watch over us all tomorrow!" The screen goes dark, leaving us all in silence and with the images of Roer.

Turning around I faced everyone and sighed. "Well, he didn't leave much room for words. We have until tomorrow as he said, let's prepare as much as we can!"

"Hey, Munechika, we should go over art combos."

"Oh? I understand. That is a good thought. Shizuna, would you care to join us? It would help having one to hold off the enemy."

"Sure. Honestly, it feels like I've been doing a bunch of distracting lately haha…" The quiet smirk Rinwell gave did not go unnoticed.

"You know~..."

"Don't start," Shizuna shuts down before the witch can get going. "It took all I had to do something so embarrassing. My heart is still pounding."

"Tch. Fine, but don't think this is over. Relon's life is important to me too and as his favorite cousin that hasn't tried to kill him, I also care about his love life." The dry looks of both Munechika and Shizuna couldn't be any more of the such. 'Hmm…'

"Uh-huh. Sure." Shizuna chuckles. "Van, you and Elaine coming?"

"Ah!" One quick look at an amused Elaine made his eyes droop.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming. You coming with?" His question earned a giggle for the girl to nod.

"Sure." She managed out.

Looking over at them the thought from earlier came to mind as well as my gift to Munechika. "Rinwell, Munechika later tonight may I talk with you both?" I walked up and asked them.

"Sure. Just reach out whenever," Rinwell nodded.

"We shall be waiting until then."

"Alright thanks, I'll come find you after I help Magilou figure out how to handle communications." I looked over at her with a smile, seeing her standing next to Tio still. "Shouldn't be too hard, Tio mind helping?"

Tio looked up, her eyes still red and puffy from before. "Y-Yeah, Alex I'll be fine with him. We don't want whatever you felt to happen again…" Alex looked at her then at me, we shared a nod as I understood what she was referring too.

"Come here, I'll help you out." Magilou said, offering an arm to help support her, either she did this because she was wanting to help or because of my connection to her was unknown.

I watched everyone else head outside, Alex seemed a bit lost but then Nadia and Swin walked up to him. "A mirror image that's for sure!" Nadia happily said as she looked him up and down.

"Uhh, you two are…?" Alex took a step back as Nadia was leaning closer to his face.

"I'm Swin, this here is Nadia. We're friends with Shade, also Nadia can you get out of his face? It is uncanny but that doesn't mean you need to study him while that close." He put his hand on her shoulder, seeing the opportunity the girl smirked and glanced at Swin.

"Jealous~?" She gave him a winked and slightly moved closer to Alex.

"W-What!? No, hey don't get closer to him!"

Seeing as they were busy now, I turned my attention to Tio and Magilou as we went to a corner of the room away from the noise.

"Ok, so what am I doing?" Magilou asked, looking at Tio who then looked at me.

"Shade, are you sure it's right to make her in charge of this?" She ask, her dull tone was there and she wasn't really concerned but more so wondering why I made Magilou in charge of this.

"HEY!"

"Yeah, while she's no longer hurt, her combat skill isn't up there enough to fight Crest, let alone Zero. But having her keep me updated on the frontline and in turn have them stay updated on our progress, that alone would help immensely!" She nodded in response before looking back at Magilou.

"The logic is sound, but so we don't have you making a headache for others I'll have it where she will be in contact with just us two." Tio said as she got closer to the terminal and started typing away.

"My mask can receive calls and other signals, we can use that as our point of contact… Also, just in case, make sure Shizuna also has a way to contact Magilou." Tio stopped and glanced at me and nodded, going back to typing away.

"Does she have a orbment? Actually I'll ask her later so I can connect her to the network then, just don't act alone tomorrow." She looked at me with a hint of concern.

"I won't be alone, that's all I can say." She looked at my eyes then nodded, turning to look at Magilou.

"You'll be near me tomorrow, but here let me show you the system we are going to use." Tio moved slightly to allow Magilou a good view. "We'll be using portable versions but the basics are the same, since you'll only be connected to Shade and Shizuna you won't have to change the channel, here's the mute button for yourself and here's one for them, don't forget to unmute."

Magilou only nodded her finger reaching out to press the button Tio said would mute me and Shizuna. "Cool, at least it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. But Shade, what are you planning?" Her tone was serious, her stare was like a daggers.

"It's nothing ba-"

"First you're not going to have me on the battlefield, which would make sense when I was hurt but now you don't want me there because of my 'lack of skill' which you know isn't an issue! And don't think I didn't hear what you said literally a few moments ago about 'I won't be alone' you want Shizuna to be connected for a reason other than her being second-in-command which in my honest opinion should be me but I'll let it slide, so tell me what are you planning!?"

Both myself and Tio were stunned, Tio acted first and turned to look at me before smiling. "I think she's just worried about you."

"I… I'm going to try and tap into my demon side more, kinda what happened to the wolves the other day but much worse, if it works like I want it too then the fight with Crest will be done in a flash. Zero on the other hand, that I'm not sure about."

"So, telling nobody about this plan is a good idea? I saw how you acted with those wolves and while it was a good show you ended up scarring Rinwell. Also, I'm not worried about him! It's just he's my ticket home and if he's doing dumb plans I need to know!"

"Heh, sounds like you are but I won't pry into it." Turning to look at me she continued. "She is right Shade, that plan doesn't sound like the best idea, especially if you keep it to yourself like that, maybe not now but at least tell the others before the operation starts."

"I'll… I will tomorrow morning, just don't tell anyone else until then, please. And it's nice you care about me Magilou, but I'm still having you with Tio just on a safe side."

"I don't care! As I told you I don't care about anything, and I don't care that I don't…! I simply don't want to lose my way home or have that brat be hurt, she's a good time waster to pick on!"

"She's lying as naturally as she breathes…" Tio said in a dull tone as Magilou quickly turned away from us.

"Ugh, y'know what!? I'm going to go, unless there's some other trick I need to know?" Tio shook her head as I crossed my arms with an amused smirk. "Good, now good day." She turned to leave, unaware of Tio's crutch she tripped and fell, quickly standing back up and picking up the crutch she turned to look at us. "I SAID GOOD DAY!" Like that she escaped, a hint of red on her face.

"I can't tell if she did that on purpose or not, but I'm surprised you aren't more annoyed at her." Tio casually said, looking up at me.

"I'm used to it by now, it could be worse."

"Um, Shade while you're here can I ask you something?"

"Hmm? Sure, go ahead." I leaned on the terminal as she did the same, our backs to it, she brought her hands together and looked up at me.

"We know each other, in your world right?" I simply nodded, at which she looked down. "So, that makes us friends? Or, um…" My eyes widened and I quickly stood up straight.

"Just friends! I barely know my Tio, well the current one…" Saying that sent a wave of pain to my chest but I didn't let it show.

"Current? Does that make me the 3rd version or was there more?"

"Yeah, 3rd. I went back in time, before that you were in your thirties when I first met you." I pulled out the picture of herself and me and handed it to her, Tio's eyes shot open when she saw it.

"My appearance hasn't changed, not even the size… Anyway, it seems we were close. I won't ask about that since it's better if I didn't know. But maybe that's why I feel this odd connection with you, well mostly Alex but I'm not really sure what that is."

"Alex felt the same, at least I know you're in safe hands with him!" I smiled as she handed me the picture back.

"And I do feel safe with him, once we win tomorrow I'll start rebuilding with him and the others. The first task is setting up a road network to his village and everywhere else, he's told me good things about his home!"

Gently I smiled, yet again I felt a pain in my chest. This felt so familiar and yet new, burying my pained feelings deep I spoke. "I'm glad you have some plans, don't be afraid to work him to the bone! If he's like me he can work without sleeping, can't get drunk and has plenty of energy!"

"HEY!" Walking up Alex gave me a glare.

"And there he is, since I don't want to risk it I'll take my leave now." I smiled as Alex stood on the other side of Tio.

"Yeah, yeah. Also the people you hang out with are weird, that blonde chick saved me by grabbing Nadia and said something about 'Workshop!' she was also pissed as hell." I chuckled at his words, weird was an understatement, why she wanted Nadia I'll probably find out later.

"Heh, I'll leave you two alone now, I got what could be an annoying chat to get too."

"Peace!" Alex raised two fingers and Tio did the same.

"Take care!" Giving both one last look I waved goodbye and walked off.

Once outside I saw it was close to noon, with a sigh I looked around for the girls and Van until I spotted them taking a break not far away. "Sup!" I called out as I got closer. 'And here we go…'

"Yo!" Rinwell beamed her usual grin to rise from her criss-cross position as she closed her book. "Whatcha wanna talk about?"

"I'm curious too." Shizuna admitted. "Given what we'll be doing tomorrow, I can't help but wonder."

"It's not about that, well not fully. It's about Relon and in turn, you two and Kallen." I looked over at Munechika and Shizuna.

"Explain." All three state in weird unison, their facial expressions matching one another only added to the slight oddity.

"To put it simply, I've grown to care for you all as friends, well aside from Kallen since I don't know her. So I'm concerned about what will happen once we win and when Relon returns to his world with Rinwell. What will you two and Kallen do?" Crossing my arms I watched them with a calm expression.

"I…" Munechika was the first to speak only to falter. "I have given the idea thought. Honestly, much more than I had anything outside of vanquishing Zero. Relon is… someone I've come to see as precious to myself. Rinwell is much the same. They both saved my life and assisted in preserving Eryn."

"Munechika…" Rinwell mumbles, touched by the familiar's words.

"Vita made an offer, one I believe will benefit everyone but to do that, I must give up that which is most precious to me. I am still afflicted on the correct choice to make but it may be likely that I depart from this world and join theirs. At least, that would be ideal once my choice is fully made." 'So she's going with him… chances of there being a version of herself in his world is slim.'

Rinwell's eyes could gleam anymore in excitement and surprisingly, she held back the burst of energy that was ready to explode. Instead, she simply gave an appreciative and respectful nod before their eyes moved over to Shizuna.

"I'm staying." The answer couldn't be any more clearcut. "A lot of work needs to be done and unlike Munechika, I'm just a normal human. Besides, Relon and I already talked over the idea. So I'm good."

That certainly made Rinwell furrow for a moment as she pondered a reasonable answer without blatantly asking. How far she truly has come.

"Are… you sure?" The young witch hesitated to receive a cheery nod.

"Yup! Either one of three things will happen and no matter what, I'll be content with the outcome." Shizuna notes emphasizing with three fingers. "Any other thoughts on your mind, Shade?" She raised her brows sporting a nonchalant gesture. 'Hmm, that's one worry off my back, still just to make sure.'

"I see, well Rinwell, is there a Munechika in your world?"

"To my knowledge there isn't nor has Grandmother ever mentioned having a familiar like Munechika. According to Vita and Relon, if there isn't a version of her in our world, then the risks are much lower."

"Seems like it, with Alex the first time we talked I felt off, then when he patted my shoulder I felt really off and some pain and so did he. One of the main reasons I was concerned for you both."

"Awe, thanks for the care and concern. Still, who knows? Maybe during the fight Relon or you will get a power boost or something that bends reality? That'd be pretty handy." 'Me and him aren't the same, far from it.'

"Even if I get that power I won't use it to affect the world, most of all this one. Still, I can at least leave this world after we win with the knowledge you'll all be alright. Besides, if you also exist in Relon's world, Shizuna, which I think is a high chance, he could use whatever he did to give the memories you two shared to her…" 'If that's what the other Shizuna wants…'

"Yup. He brought that up. One of our ideas we concocted."

"I see, speaking of that power, what is it?"

"The Perception of Time," Everyone but Elaine says in unison for the group to look between one another and for me to give them a dull look.

"Okay, it's one thing for you girls to do that when Relon is directly involved but now it's just creepy." Van notes.

"Shut up! I was just answering Shade's question!" Rinwell barks. "Hmpf, anyway! The Perception of Time is an ability Aidios herself gave Relon and his sister. Originally, it allowed him to see his past and present versions of himself as though he was actually there. Now, however due to Valkyrie and Ishmelga's power, they've damaged it kinda. Now, Relon can apparently make those of this world regain their memories of him from ours. As for how it activates, that's still something we're figuring out. It just kinda… happens. But at least its chances shoot up when Relon is mentally… exhausted… Man, nothing at all sounds good of what I just said." Rinwell grumbles. 'So, he can't control it just like his love power? I don't like that, not one bit.'

"It's the thought that counts," Shizuna offers a pat on the back. "That's basically it."

"It's just one weird power after another with him, only Vita has had her memories, uhh… Given?"

"Victor Arseid and Rean too." Shizuna adds. "Laura…" She grimaces. "She apparently recalled who he was before she passed."

"At least she had good memories, but the other two…did they ask to get those memories?"

"No. It just happened. Like an epiphany of sorts."

"Hmmm, so they will live on in this world with memories of things they wished could have happened…" I uncrossed my arms and gave them a disgruntled look.

"It can't exactly be helped. Relon wouldn't give them memories of such if they didn't need them. Victor, despite everything, was actually glad to have such fond memories, Rean too so it's not completely bad."

"Maybe so, but being given memories of another you isn't so nice sometimes. In that same light that love power of his, I have an issue with that as well. At what point is it you that fell in love and not something making you fall in love?"

"The power only works if there is already an infatuation for Relon no matter how small or big. It's not mind control, Shade. Laura is his childhood friend who has watched out for him. Claire is his lover and they fought together with their lives on the line. Musse…" She winced again. "Relon says Musse is 'just Musse' but still someone he respects a great deal." 'No matter how small? So even what could be a girl thinking he's handsome could trigger it? Hmph, still I'd rather not argue in front of everyone over something as dumb as this, still a power like that which could influence someone's will without them knowing, is a power nobody should have…'

"I see, I'll drop that topic then. On a lighter note, Munechika can you turn into your cat form for a moment?"

Ears flickering at the question, she nods to do so.

Walking around to her side I knelt down and pulled out the ribbon I made. "May I?" I asked gently if I could put it on. 'I hope it looks good on you…'

"Go ahead." She said, positioning herself to make putting the ribbon on easier.

As gently as I could I tied the ribbon on her tail, making it mirror the shape Celine's ribbon once made. Standing back up I smiled. "How does it feel?"

Ruffling her fur with a sudden shake of her body, she walks a little before sitting back down.

"Wonderful. Shade, truly you have my thanks. I shall cherish this gift, always."

"I'm glad, the bits of stone on it are made out of a Mirage quartz, uh, I'm not sure what it did but it does have my power in it. Also, I had Nadia help me put it together so thank her as well when you get the chance!"

"I certainly will when the chance arises."

Putting my hands in my pockets I looked back at the others, my expression going back to a stoic one. "I'll be in the workshop if you need me, going to do any maintenance on my weapons."

"Aye aye, captain!" Rinwell gives a cheery salute as Munechika and company nod.

With a nod I turned to walk away, a part of me felt like there was more I could say but after that love topic was brought up I didn't feel like staying around. 'One would think it's the demon that would have sin, turns out it's the one connected to the goddess…'

When I got to the workshop I noticed that Magilou, Swin and Nadia were here. Swin had his hand on his face shaking his head while the girls were by a table. "Um, what's going on?"

"I blame you." He said glaring at me.

"Now I really don't follow…" I stare back at him.

"Where did you even get the right color threads!?" Nadia yelled out, looking over I see Magilou holding a lot of thread that for some reason matched her outfits color. 'Oh, what is she doing now?'

"My secret~ Now can you make it?" Magilou looked at Nadia with a somewhat serious look, walking a bit closer I saw there were also some threads that matched Rinwell's colors. 'Oh no…'

"I swear you and Shade both making me do this… Sure, not like I have anything else to do, oh wait!? I DO! I want a nap on my pillow S, but it seems I can't have that now can I!?"

"What are you two doing?" Now walking between them both, who in turn look at me, one with a glare and the other with a smirk.

"Well last night I saw you making stuff in here, so I got the idea to do the same for the brat so she'll always remember how awesome I am! Oh and Hootle!"

"Hootle?" Nadia looked back at her confused.

"Her owl, did you not see him?" I said, slowly getting an idea of what Magilou is trying to do now. 'Don't care my ass, softy.'

"Owl named Hootle…? Did it name itself?" She deadpanned while looking at me, I almost responded to her, but I realized I don't know the answer to that myself.

"I…don't know. Still not important, so you're making some fabric for them both?"

"Yeah, the owl is pretty plain to look at so I was going to see if a scarf would work for him, as for the brat I'm still thinking about that. I am going to use the same colors she's rocking for her stuff at least, can't ruin the color scheme!" She crossed her arms and looked pretty proud of herself for this idea, meanwhile Nadia glared at her which Magilou no doubt noticed but didn't give a damn about.

"So, what do you plan to make her then…?" I asked somewhat hesitantly to avoid any glares from Nadia.

"Oh I got it! But, you bucko need to leave so it can be a grand surprise!" Magilou pushed me towards Swin then whispered into Nadia's ear who shook her head and shrugged.

"See what you started?" Swin annoyingly asked as I went to sit next to him.

"I see it, at least Magilou is being caring in her own weird way. Let's just hope those two don't fight the entire time."

"I'm a bit more concerned about what she plans to make, trying to figure her out is like trying to find dog hair on a cat." I let out a chuckle to that one, turning around where I sat I pulled out my handguns.

"That's a new one, well while I'm here I might as well make sure everything is ready to go." Placing them on the table I started cleaning them first, Swin looked over, taking an interest in them.

"What are they made from? Just holding them was like lifting a weight, gotta be something dense right?"

"Close, a mix of Zemurian ore and my blood." He was quiet for a moment, then he just sighed.

"Nadia gets one weirdo, I get the other…amazing." He went to work on his own weapons, which I doubt needed any work since he was doing them last night.

"My blood is demon related, it seems to make things hard to break but also heavy. I can only use my weapons because of that alone or else they would have broken long before now, and I want the stuff I make for friends to last…" I pulled out my scythe and laid it on the table, not bothering to see if Swin was paying any attention to what I said.

For a while we sat there cleaning and doing any maintenance on our weapons, the occasional yell from the girls would make us glance their way but overall there was no fighting. At some point they were done and Swin got up to leave with Nadia.

"Come on S, I'm hungry and then it's nap time!" She paced out the workshop with Swin following suit, waving us goodbye as he did.

Magilou sat next to me, placing two objects in front of me while being quiet. Looking at them I see it's a small scarf that could easily wrap around Hootle, but it was in Magilou's pink and black color scheme but it did look good. The other was a ribbon that could be put on any part of Rinwell's outfit, it was blue with the center being a yellow butterfly. 'Huh, she really put some thought into this. Well damn Magilou, you did some fine work even if Nadia did most if not all of it.'

"These are good, I'm sure they would like them… You are giving them these yourself right?" Looking over I saw her glance away.

"Like she would accept a gift from me, just say it's another gift from you and it's a done deal! Wait, she would know by the scarf! Maybe if I hide it in her book or bag, yeah that could work!" She evilly rubbed her hands together, coming up with a plan.

"Just hand it to them yourself, as a thank you for the healing maybe?" Snapping her head at me she grinned.

"Perfect! I leave no debt wherever I go, so I need to settle the score by a simple gift! Now I need to add a final touch of Magilou Mayvin into these bad boys!" She grabs them both and runs off towards the exit, not even bothering to wave goodbye or anything.

"I don't want to know, at least it's quiet now. Guess all I can do now is wait for tomorrow, I just hope we all make it to the end." I walked outside to see it was late, the sun was down and the moon was starting to rise into the sky.

I went to grab dinner while avoiding people in doing so, I'd rather not run into the others after what had happened. After eating I walked outside again, the moon higher in the sky now. Wanting to get closer I climbed up to the tallest point of the base and got comfortable while watching the moon.

Looking at it I couldn't help but be reminded of someone, I only met them once when I was still hopeful back then, that girl basked in Shadow. V, a Dominion Knight yet everything about her seemed to prove otherwise, another regret I had was not being able to see her again or help her. 'V, I hope you can find the light of the moonlight, wherever you are…'

Tomorrow morning, 6AM.

After the night had passed I jumped down from where I sat, already troops were moving about and heading off to Roer. I went to the cafeteria where I saw everyone was there, either somewhat awake or half asleep. "Morning, I hope you lot slept well."

"About as well as can be. Ahh~," Rinwell fails at stifling a yawn as Hottle gives a low shrill.

"I am in the same boat as Rinwell," Munechika offers.

"No complaints," Van goes next. "Beats having to hide. That or be dead," he adds with an indifferent shrug.

"After dinner I had a nice long sleep thanks to S being a comfy pillow!" Nadia smiles holding her stuffed bear.

"I slept fine as well, but it seems like you didn't sleep at all from where you sat." Swin said.

"I don't need sleep, besides I like being able to see around me." I responded in a relaxed manner, looking to my left I saw Magilou with her hands behind her back looking more drained than anyone.

"What's wrong with you?" Rinwell wonders with a look of concern, though the tone in her voice couldn't be more bland.

"Someone doesn't look like they slept well," Shizuna notes.

"Guess it's a good thing she won't be doing much then," Van mumbles.

"I slept, it's just I don't feel good…!" Magilou let out a soft sigh, something was up but before I could ask her she had walked up to Rinwell. "Rinwell and uh, Hootle."

"Yeaaaahhhh?"

Magilou brought her hands forward, looking at the scarf and ribbon she made with a sense of pride and something else. "I made these, with Nadia's help… It's thanks for healing me, but I'm only giving them to you so I won't have a debt!"

Blinking dumbly at the gift, Rinwell could only stay silent as she inspected the objects. Without a word, she wrapped it around Hootle and then attached the ribbon to her neck acting as a choker accessory. With a small adjustment, she smiled at Magilou.

"How do we look?"

"Like a brat and her owl." Magilou smirked as her arms went to her side.

"In other words, we look great. Thanks," Rinwell smirked right back as Hootle puffed his little chest out with pride.

"You both look good, Magilou made me work like a slave on them. You should have seen her try to help, she can't use a needle for her life!" Nadia giggled whilst looking at Magilou.

"Awe~, Magilou does care about us! Can you believe that Hootle?"

"Hoot hoooot~."

"I said I did it so I won't have a debt! Just…wear them wherever you go, got it? I don't want my work to gather dust!"

"Uh-huh, we hear you loud and clear. 'Don't go dying. Otherwise my gifts won't have a home' is basically what you're saying."

"Sure, let's go with that… Now I'm hungry and right after I'm heading out with Tio and Alex to Roer so I better get eating quickly!" She walked away and headed to get some food, for some reason something about this felt odd to me but I had no time to look into it.

"Let's eat up and get ready, the airship will pick us all up in two hours! Plus there's something I have to say to you all before we leave but that can wait till after we eat."

"Got it!" Rinwell and her group oddly say in unison for Van to groan.

"Stop doing that!" Despite his irritation, they could only chuckle at their antics.

"I hope I don't end up like them, right S?" Nadia glanced at Swin who shook his head in response.

"I doubt you will ever sync up with anyone like that." Swin casually responded.

"Well, there's one person I wouldn't mind~" She cooed while looking up at him with a smirk.

"Huh? Who would that be?" Swin looked back, confused as I slowly laid my head into my palm.

"Oh Aidios, it's everywhere," Van quietly groans.

"Like you're one to talk." I said, glancing over at Elaine who noticed and looked away.

Biting his tongue from a mischievous look out the corner of his eye belonging to one Shizuna ready to comment, he could only breathe out in annoyance.

So we all began eating, there's some small talk and a comment here and there about the couples, but my mind wasn't on them but rather the fact Magilou wasn't at our table. After she got her food she left the building to avoid everyone, what she did was probably out of her comfort zone.

As we all got done I coughed into my mouth to gain everyone's attention. "There's something I was planning to do in the battles to come, but after being scolded by both Tio and Magilou about it I'll tell you my plan."

"We're all ears," Shizuna says.

"Lay it on us," Rinwell nods.

"Rinwell saw it once, but I was going to try and tap into my demon side more, to let loose the anger I've had onto those we're fighting. And there is a chance it will be worse than what you did see Rinwell…"

"Is it safe to use though?" She wondered in worry. "If this is more potent, then…"

"Maybe, the chances of you or anyone else getting hurt is low, plus that's why I'm in the front. If I do lose control I should only target those my mind sees as enemies." I look at my hand, baling it into a fist. "But to fight Zero it may be the only thing I can do that could match him, so I have to do this!"

"Just like Relon," Rinwell sighs. "I get who we're fighting and the why such things are so needed but if you both end up kicking the bucket, then everything back in our own worlds may be looking even more grim than this one!" Her worry made the words she spoke less effective, but the point was still there.

She understood why I and Relon had to push ourselves like this. To face a monster like Zero, if anyone held back anything, then that could be the deciding factor between life and death.

"I can't die, simple as that Rinwell. I've tried a lot and nothing worked," I looked away. "Plus I've gone into this state twice in my life and came out alive. Besides I have a weirdo always yelling in my ear to take her home so I will get her and myself back home!" I gave her a soft yet sad smile. "I'll live, trust me."

"And if Zero gains divine power or something and traps you and Relon frozen in time, then that may be a death far worse." Munechika notes. "Hence why we're with you so something like that doesn't happen."

"And you will, all of you. Just you won't like what I will end up doing, and I won't be responding much in or out of battle… It's why I had Shizuna as my second, so she can take over if need be."

"Huh…"

"What is it?" Rinwell asks said Eight Leaves-user.

"Just realizing I've been second at a lot in my short life. Huh. Anyway, we'll tackle that bridge when we get to it."

"That's right, the chances of Zero knowing about this power is low so it will be my trump card. I just hope it goes as I planned it too…"

"We all do. That's a given." Van notes. "We're all used to playing by ear and spur-of-the-moment."

"Lucky for you playing by ear is how I mostly do things, even my plan on getting into the Crossbell base came at the last second."

"Yeah we could tell, I doubt flinging yourself into the air at high speeds at the base was a plan you had saved up beforehand." Nadia deadpanned at me.

"We could distract them by dropping another star," Rinwell offers for Shizuna to mirror Nadia's expression.

"Seriously? Is dropping a cosmic star your solution to everything?"

"I mean, when I've fought with Relon against world-ending enemies, it's worked each time so…" Rinwell explains to shrug.

"That's… huh," Van inwardly blinks. "I hate to agree, seriously I do, but Rinwell has a point. If it isn't broken, why fix it."

"And the chances of it working are slim now, Zero wants to have fun with us. He'll make us come to him and play by his rules, even the battle outside on the frontlines is just another show for him." I said a bit darkly, having a good idea of what makes him tick.

"Tch, worth a shot."

"Keep a star in your pocket, Rinwell." Shizuna eases. "No telling when we'll need it. Even if just to buy time."

"I am in agreement. Whether a spell is to afflict damage or buy time, its effectiveness still matters." Munechika offers.

"Duly noted. Just wait, when I get the chance I'm smacking him with my best one yet!"

"That's the spirit, Starbringer," Van chuckles ruffling her hair.

"Hey!" She growls though it's to no effect. "Huh, that actually sounds pretty catchy… I like it."

"Just don't hit any of us with it, like you almost did with me." I stared at her.

"In our defense, we both didn't know what was going to happen and know you were there. Plus we already said sorry."

"Hoot!"

"On second thought, let's forget that for now." Van shudders at the thought.

"We have roughly an hour until the ship gets here to pick us up, this will be our last chance to prepare." I stood up slowly, looking over each and every one of the people here. "Let's get moving, Shadow!"

Not long later we all stood outside, the area was rather empty with maybe a handful of people at the base now. Everyone was at Roer getting ready so the place being a ghost town made sense, looking up I saw the airship come into view and land before us and dropping down the rear hatch. "Everyone on, time to see what nightmare is ahead of us!" I called out, standing by the hatch.

"Ready?" Van offered.

"Ready to end this nightmare? Then yes," Elaine spoke.

"Ready to get on with our lives that's for sure," Shizuna added.

"No matter what…" Rinwell breathes out.

"This ends today." Munechika finishes resting a calm palm on the witch's shoulder as Hootle gave a batch of chirps.

"Let's do this! Momma got herself a big nap ahead of her and I'm not missing it!"

"I swear… We're ready to see tomorrow!"

Just then, before anyone could walk inside I heard my earpiece come to life. "Well hello there! Magilou Mayvin reporting live at hell's frontdoor, the weather is shit and so is what I'm looking at!"

No one could hear her, but I let out the biggest sigh as she stopped talking. "Magilou seems like she's ready as well… be glad you aren't able to hear her."

"Thank Aidios," Rinwell grumbles. "She better be."

"The dynamic amongst you two is quite amusing I must say," Munechika giggles to her a bland look from said girl.

After that we walked onto the ship, some stayed down in the hold while others went up into the cockpit and deck, I stayed on the deck as the ship took off towards the north, already I could feel my power stir and my nerves act up.

Within a half hour we now hovered over what seemed like the entire Resistance forces, ahead of us was Roer and the images Rufus showed us did nothing to show how bad it looks. "Somehow it fits Zero and his mind…" I said while staring at the mess, counting how many airships he had flying around the place.

"You two ready?" Shizuna asks, eyes going to both Rinwell and Munechika with glyphs around them.

"Ready…" Rinwell mumbles with a nod, focusing on her current art as noted by her glowing tome.

"Hey, put me on speaker! I got something to tell everyone from Pretty boy!" Rolling my eyes I pulled out my orbment and switched it to the speaker. "Is everyone there? I better have a turnout and not an empty show!"

"Hurry up and get to it!" Rinwell shouts, her glyph fluctuating as she refocuses.

"Fine, fine… Rufus and everyone else will begin attacking at 10 on the dot, after five minutes he then wants you to move in so Zero's troops are all focused on them."

"Zero's expecting Shade and Relon the most," Shizuna quips. "If he doesn't see either at the front, then he'll know we're up to something."

"That's exactly how he'll want it to be. Less of a crowd is what he prefers anyway." Van comments.

"Underestimating us will be his downfall," Elaine adds to receive a nod of agreement from both.

"If he wants to see me," I put my orbment back into my pocket and jumped to the highest point of the airship, standing tall as I watched the soon to be battlefield. "Then I'll be in the front row!"

"Him and Relon must share a brain cell or something…" Rinwell grumbles for the glyph around her to finish as does Munechika's. "Ready down here!"

"I was already planning this! How else am I going to shoot our way past the airship and turrets, know what? Forget it, my blood is already boiling as is!"

"He's definitely insane!" I grumbled under my breathe

Soon the time neared when the battle would start, despite the fact the Beyond should be at its closest to us, I felt nothing from it. Glancing down I called out. "Van, you feel anything?"

"Nothing! You?!"

"Nothing here, anyone else? The Beyond should be near, don't know what it would do to us at all but it should at least have some way for us to know."

"Anyone?" Van asks to receive shakes. "No one down here!"

"Good chance only Relon and Zero are feeling something, guess that rules out me doing anything like that! Just as I expected!"

As time slowly passed, Magilou would tell me how long it would be until the main battle began. The fields below leading into the rough terrain were filled with people and mechs on either side, looking down one couldn't help but feel a bit useless at the grand display. But I'm not meant for that battle, turning the speaker back on I made it as loud as I could be as Magilou spoke.

"Five, four, three…" It started, below us gunfire and explosions echoed around as even the sound of roar cries from our side rang out. "It's begun!"

"Ready or not, Zero…" Shizuna begins.

"Because here we come!"

Moments earlier, Magilou's POV.

The view ahead of me was a form of hell that would leave a bad taste for the real thing. Those around me were nervous aside from a select few, Tio who sat next to me seemed calm but she was doing more than anyone else here in the command area.

We had a full view of the battle but also had enough protection from it, a win-win for me since I got to see some fireworks. Glancing up I see the airship Shade and the others are on, they are all ready to end this. 'Yet here I am with the easiest job yet, works for me! Still, something about Rufus's plan seems odd to me, why wait five minutes?'

Muting my side so Shade doesn't hear me I turn to Tio. "Is it just me or does Rufus's plan have a weird leap of logic to it?"

She also muted her side and turned to me, sharing my expression. "I thought the same, but I think he has a plan that even we don't know about. Some troop positions don't add up, we just have to wait and see…" Tio also glanced at the airship and nodded to herself before going back to coordinating everyone.

Soon came the moment where the clock struck ten, as I counted it down to Shade I could feel the tension in the air all around me, the frontlines then roared into action and my ears were filled with gunfire, explosions and screams.

"Not my type of music that's for sure, everything good so far Tio?" I muted myself again as I glanced over at her.

"Too soon to tell, but Rufus's main force hasn't moved in yet."

Looking out I could see the pretty boy from here, he watched the battle completely stone faced, standing on something so he could overlook the battle and most if not all of his forces. As the minutes passed by he waited and stood there, until he checked a pocket watch and turned to look at his men, which had people like that Lloyd guy, some I think were freed two days ago and many others. Looking at my own time I saw we had less then a minute until Shade and everyone else would move in.

He stepped closer to them, his voice booming over the sounds of fighting coming behind him. "The time has come!"

Shade's POV.

Those five minutes of waiting seemed to last forever and yet passed in an instant, once again Magilou's voice came through the speaker. "You guys are up in 30…good luck!"

Putting it back into my pocket I pulled out my handguns and looked forward. "The time has come to see tomorrow, for today isn't our last!" I yelled out.

"Tomorrow we'll bring about a new age! One veiled in the light!" Elaine voiced.

"Everyone ready!? Good, because it's time to show Zero what the will of the people can do! The dreams of those who've fallen! The hopes of those who'll follow! We'll make sure he knows and feels it, what everyone can do! We'll kick his ass home, not just to get home, not just to save the world, but because he's an asshole that deserves it! PATER-MATER GO!"

Moments earlier, Magilou's POV.

After I told Shade how long he had, I looked back at Rufus as he spoke. "Today we make history that untold generations will tell, each and every name will be written down and never forgotten! If we don't win today then we won't have a tomorrow, simple as that. Before us stands a barrier that we will pierce through with our resolve, with our might and with our spirit!" He turned to face the battle, stepping forward he lifted his arm, pointing at the battle. "I, Rufus Albarea, along with the other leaders of the Resistance have declared that we will now be known as… THE REPUBLIC OF ZEMURIA! GO FORTH AND FIGHT FOR OUR TOMORROW!" Another loud roar happened as morale soared, everyone behind him rushed in and the name was repeated on all fronts, in turn boosting their own morale.

"Dang, guess that's a thing… Now to tell Shade, after he's not rushing into battle." I looked up to see the airship flying into the heat of things. 'Go get them, Shade, Rinwell!'

Shade's POV.

The ship roared to life as its engines went to max as it took off forward, down below the armies of the Resistance charged forward. Aiming ahead I started firing towards any airships or turrets they had, so those below could be safer and our path would be open. "Those that can fire back, do so! Those that can't, make sure nothing happens to the ship and be ready in case something goes wrong!"

"Time to let it rip, Rinwell, Munechika!" Van roars.

"Illuminate the dark! Holy Lance!" Around the ship, an array of golden lances encircle the ship with a larger one manifesting high above. At once, they all disperse striking the structures for the lance to explode on impact.

"Hexen Art: White Hole!" Munechika chants aloud as a white orb manifests with a black embryo at its epicenter atop her palm. Throwing it, we can only watch as the attacks sent our way are sucked in. With every attack, the orb expands until it blocks the view of the entire structure. "Now! Divide!" Munechika adds with a hand sigh for the sphere to break apart, bursting in all directions forward pummeling bases of turrets forcing them to crumble.

Aiming down below just slightly ahead of us, I shoot down to aid even somewhat to the battle below. The moment my shots hit, explosions the size of what artillery strikes could do belted the enemy. If I had continued I would have used a lot more energy so I focused back on what was in front of me, seeing that we were getting ever so closer to our target.

As we neared the ruined city turned fortress, I glanced at the tall tower that overlooked everything, once the main building of the Reinfords now Zero's main home. I noticed a large glint come from within and then a chill went down my spine. "EVERYONE GET DOWN!"

"HIT THE DECK!" Van exclaims diving for Rinwell who's still near the front.

"BRACE YOURSELVES!" I manage to hear Shizuna gasp milliseconds after.

Kneeling down I put my guns away quickly and looked ahead as a bright red beam shoots out from the top, the speed of it was faster than a bullet, faster than anything I saw. It went towards the back of our ship and seemed to hit our engines, causing the entire ship to shake and lose most of its momentum. "We're hit! Pater-Mater aim for a clearing if you're crashing!" Looking back at the tower I saw a figure return to the darkness, no doubt amused at what he had done. 'He's so going to pay for that!'

"There's smoooooke!" Rinwell gasps against the ship's rocking.

"I'll… try to contain the… damage!" Munechika growls raising her glowing hands as a sphere of air encircles the engine.

We were lowering more and more, luckily nothing else was shooting at us to worsen things, but at this rate. "Get inside and brace for impact!" I yelled out to the others as I braced where I was.

"S, hold me!" I heard Nadia yell out below.

"I got you, don't worry!"

"Zero is so beyond dead when I get my hands on him!" Rinwell adds holding her tome with one hand and Van with the other.

"Then we better survive this first!" Elaine exclaims.

I saw a clearing, on the edge of the city, like it was made just for us. "There Pater-Mater!" A faint beep was all I heard then we were pointing right at it, we were now above the ruined city and now just above the old homes of those that used to live here. A bump happened as we touched the top of a house, causing the ship to shake and another part breaking off, then we landed hard into the clearing where the front of the ship impacted the wall, bursting a hole into and flinging me forward into said wall.

Magilou's POV.

While many were watching as the airship was shot down by the big ass laser from the main building, I was checking communications to see if they were gone. 'Hmm, Shade is fine no doubt there. Shizuna's link is still up, good chance they are alive.'

"All of them are still alive!" I yelled out over my shoulder to the others, some nodded while Tio looked at me with concern.

"Are you sure? They haven't said anything yet, unless you are saying that to…"

"Nah, it's not like I care about moral support. What I will say is the person that shot that laser has pissed them all off, Shade most of all…" I smirked as I looked at the tower, glancing over I saw a Saber unit or whatever they were called standing guard for us here. 'Hmm…? Hmm… Hehe!'

"Still, you should contact them just to be safe, and be sure to tell them the main battle is rough but going steady, no major losses so far." Tio said, looking at her screen, she hides it well but she was worried all around.

As I looked at her I was typing calculations into my own screen since there wasn't much to do. "Everyone will be fine, and this battle does seem to be quite bloody. And yeah, I should try to contact Shade to see if he's missing an arm."

With a smile I unmuted myself and checked the connection. "Hello? Hello?! You alive in there Shade?" I asked, even propping my feet up on the console as I watch both the battle and the screen.

"Yeah, everyone else as well. Even the ship. We're in the city now, about to get moving, how's it looking out there?" I hummed as I could tell his voice was a bit more, rough, just a little.

"Oh you know, blood here, blood there. I bet a vampire would love this all-you-can-eat buffet, but nobody you know has died and they are still pushing ahead." I see Tio glance at me, shaking her head to my response.

"Good… Keep me updated but don't use too many words to do so."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, don't die in there, or lose an arm!" I yelled out as I muted myself and him for now.

"So, is there a barrier up around the city?" I turned to Tio and asked.

"Huh? A magic one yes to prevent arts and other magic, but we can shoot through it… Why do you ask?"

Looking back at my screen I smiled as the calculations were done, just how I expected it. "Oh, just wondering. Hehe."

Moments earlier, Shade's POV

I had blacked out for a moment, when I woke up I was against the wall. The smell of smoke and debris filled my senses and I noticed I was missing my left arm, using my other arm I slowly got up to check on the others. "Anyone alive!?" I called out, the feeling of dizziness fading from the impact.

Watching some debris get blown to the roof, Rinwell, Hootle, and Van emerged.

"He's dead. He's beyond dead. Relon won't get the chance to get to him once I'm done," Rinwell growls. 'Heh…'

"Easy. Wait till we're actually fighting to say that. Ugh, we're good here."

"We're fine as well," Elaine calls rising alongside Shizuna.

"I have no concerning injuries," Munechika announces simply.

"I'm alive!" Nadia called out, still holding onto Swin as they walked out.

"We're good here, just a few bumps, but what about yourself?" Swin looked my way, staring at where my arm once was.

There was a part of my arm still there, you could clearly see it was ripped off from the impact and it wasn't a pretty scene and it did hurt a lot. "Alive."

"Shade!" Rinwell exclaimed.

"Well shit," Van blinked equally bothered by the sight as the others. "You're good, right?"

Looking down at my arm I let out a breath and then flexed what was still there, feeling my power surge within me I concentrated on it. Normally I would let it heal on its own, but I didn't have time for it. First the bone grew back, going from my elbow to my hand, then the flesh before the skin grew back, finally my missing clothing returned. "Ow, yes."

"G-Good," Rinwell winces from the sight. "I guess we'll have to make way on foot, huh?"

"Seems like it. Guess he's getting impatient now." Shizuna comments.

"Not really, now we're fully in his game. There's no doubt only one path leading to him now, which will be filled with his minions and maybe even Crest." I stepped forward and looked around, spotting as expected one way leading out of this clearing.

"Then let's not keep them waiting, shall we?" Van suggest punching his hand.

"Guess we have some walking and fighting to do, well for making me worry for my life he's so going to pay!" Nadia grinned as she pulled out her needles.

"He's got a lot more to pay for than just that, we'll show him what us humans can do!" Swin yelled out while next to her, pulling out his double swords.

"We'll illuminate the darkness that's blanketed our home. Once and for all!" Shizuna denounces with her tachi withdrawn.

"Time to end this and get back home!" Rinwell says.

"Hoot hoot hoot hoot! Hoot!"

"All the pain we've faced. It ends here!" Elaine says.

"For my family both old and new, for the fallen, the anguish, I shall sever all life from this devil with my bare hands!" Munechika clenches her clawed nails at the ready.

Before I could say anything else, a voice pops up in my ear. "Hell- Hello!? You alive in there Shade?" Magilou's voice rings in my ear, it sounded a bit concerned, but not very loud at least.

"Yeah, everyone else as well. Even the ship." Looking back I see it still buzzing to life, at least Renne won't be too upset. "We're in the city now, about to get moving, how's it looking out there?"

"Oh you know, blood here, blood there. I bet a vampire would love this all-you-can-eat buffet, but nobody you know has died and they are still pushing ahead." I slowly nodded to what she said.

"Good… Keep me updated but don't use too many words to do so."

"Fine, don't die in there, or lose an arm!" I rolled my eyes, wondering if she somehow knew already. I walked slightly ahead, standing in the front of everyone as I pulled out my scythe and one of my handguns, spinning my scythe a bit until it rested on my shoulder.

"Magilou said the battle outside is the same as it was, it's time to push ahead so we can end this before more souls are lost! Everyone, let's move!"

"RIGHT!" Everyone yelled out as we started moving forward into the city, but before we got to the one way in, about a squad of troops with archaisms backing them up, not saying a word they aimed at us.

Before anyone else moved in I raised my arm and fired off into the archaisms, each round hitting its mark and the robots falling to the ground in a heap of smoke. "Shadow…move out!"

"Ready or not, Zero, here we come!" Rinwell roared, falling into formation.

Everyone moved in to attack the grunts, while moving it I felt my muscles twitch, more grunts were rushing along behind the other ones and so I threw my scythe. Watching them get cut down, sliced into two, it wasn't enough, clenching my hand I jumped forward and landed on one of the grunts, breaking his neck in the process as I grabbed my scythe. Twisting my hand I pulled upwards as I cut through another grunt, moving my other arm to shoot another in the head without even looking his way.

"Van, give me a boost!" Rinwell called out. Moving into position, Rinwell leaps onto his back to jump. Tome glowing green, her hand crackled with electricity. "Celestial Hammer!" She announced, eight points of light encompassing her before static beams pierced the follow-up grunts halting their movements.

"Our turn!" Elaine called next, she and Shizuna blurring with the attack to cut down the remaining numbers.

"Easy," Van breathed catching the young witch. "Let's go."

Nadia held her bear tightly and smiled, pointing her needles at a few grunts she then casted a fire art, the ground beneath the grunts launched fire up into them, burning them into ash. "Watch where you step~!"

"At this point none will get close to you or the other casters, still guess that isn't a bad thing!" Swin pulled out his own orbment, casting a time art on those ahead of him to quicken them up.

"Time to blitz 'em! You guys ready?"

"Set…!"

"Go!"

Feeling the speed already, I moved ahead of the others, cutting a path ahead but not getting those on the outside edges. At this point I put away my handgun, it wasn't giving me enough satisfaction. I then grabbed one grunts and with my added speed pushed him into a house and dragged him through the wood and stone, tossing his body at another grunt before rushing said grunt to cut him in half. 'I feel it, my blood flowing!'

"Here comes the next wave!" Shizuna exclaims rushing past me. "Numbers won't stop us!"

"I'm right there with you!" Van calls coming up behind her. "Combo attack?"

"Say less!" Sliding against the floor as she blurs ahead, her form seems to vibrate as a second Shizuna manifests. "Duality!" She roars, both Shizuna strike repeated through the confused wave to reform in the air. "Van!"

Having flipped a coin for it to radiate a blue glow, a beam of raw power fired blasting the wave away to pieces.

"Good work!" Shizuna thanked rejoining with him.

I rush past them, twisting my scythe in my hand as I cut down one grunt, slicing in half another, bashing another grunt in the back of the head. My wrist turning and twisting with every swing I made, gunfire tore into me but it didn't slow me down, while I was cutting them I was tossing them into the air with my free hand, throwing them into the walls or other grunts, my body spinning the entire time as I tore through them, finally stopping I looked back to see any remnants getting cleaned up by the others as I stand alone as the first waves of enemies have stopped, my free hand twitching as I clenched and unclenched it. 'I hardly felt those hits, already my body is healed… Is it because I'm accepting it rather than pushing it away? Wonder what else I'll start feeling. Hmph, more of them…'

"Shade!" Munechika exclaims sending an enemy away from me. "Stay focused! We still need you!" As quick as she had said it, she vanished back to Nadia and Swin.

"Burning Strike!" Rinwell calls from the front, unleashing a volley of fireballs upon the wave. "And… Cross Blades!" Disks of meer air whirl in rapid motion launching past the rearline to cut through soldiers attempting to flank us.

Glancing over at the others, a sense of annoyance washes over me at these mindless grunts. Seeing one crawling on the ground by my feet, I swing down with my scythe, going through him and stabbing it into the ground. "Hold that." I hissed out

I pulled out both handguns and aimed them at the pests. It felt like my fingers were moving faster than they ever did, as a round left my gun, another one followed right after almost hitting each other. Some would hit one target once, some multiple times where it would tear him apart, looking over my shoulder I see the path we're supposed to take and already another wave was coming. 'Damn pests!'

"It's just endless," Van growled.

"Don't tell me expected this to be easy?!" Elaine remarked, firing an art.

"Not at all! Doesn't mean we can't complain!" He retorted, copying her.

"Out of the way!" Rinwell shouted, a hand reeled back as a circulation of water began to ripple. Complying, we only had to watch as she thrusted her hand forward. "Maelstrom!" Gushing was a torrent of high-pressure water pummeling away at the force. "I'm not done yet!" She hollered, ceasing the attack to take aim behind us. "Heads up you guys!" Looking to see why she said that, Munechika immediately teleported the two behind her. "Eat this!" Once more, Zero's forces lost their footing and whatever lives they held as they were washed away.

"Good work, Rinwell!" Van complimented to the breathing girl.

"Hehe… thanks." She whipped at a bead of sweat.

Looking at the wave that was coming at us, it held only a handful of grunts, but it held many other people. "HELP US!" "SAVE US!" "KILL ME!" Those that were once tested on Zero, monsters still in their human form, most were grown adults, a few were kids. 'So, sending them at us now are you?'

"Those are…!" Rinwell gasped as Munechika and the others began to regroup.

"Tch! Zero, you bastard!" Shizuna growls.

Knowing what I was about to do was going to be seen as cold, heartless or even ruthless. I closed my eyes and steeled my resolve, aiming my guns at the crowd and firing, the first shot went through who I assume was a teenager's head. Then the next older looking captive, then the next one after him, some went into the guards that were leading them. I was silent behind my mask.

"S-Shade…" Of course, Rinwell stumbled, the faint glow of her tome evident of such. "T-They're… still coming." I felt a pang in my heart at her tone.

"Then we end their misery. Swiftly," Shizuna spoke, walking towards a batch.

"No matter what," Elaine spoke heading to the opposite side now. "We can't hesitate. Not when we're this close."

What captives remained suddenly perked up, their eyes went dead as their bodies morphed into different types of monsters, some like the one I had seen before or other horrifying beasts.

"Rinwell!" Shizuna spoke, taking off. "Don't waver! Do it not for Relon or even yourself!" She shouts cutting one beast down after another, plunging her blade into one's hide. "But for the victims before us!"

"We all agreed didn't we?" Van shouts dodging a swing of a distorted arm for Elaine to cut it off.

"No more pain…" Rinwell mumbled as it dawned on her. The scent, the sight, the feelings that reverberated against not her skin, but her very soul; it hurt. However, the grim future of a reigning Zero was far more painful. "No more!" She exclaims, tome radiating a bright color of green as her electricity sparks from her hand.

"At once, Rinwell!" Munechika exclaims, her own hand glowing in a bright white light.

"Luminous Bolt!"

"Photon Flash!"

White and yellow orbs zips like bullets striking one monstrosity after another.

Putting my guns away I grabbed my scythe and pulled it out of the body of the grunt, walking forward I saw one of the monsters sliding towards me, just like the last one in Raquel did. Gripping my scythe I pulled back and just when it opened its mouth to try to consume me, I stepped to the side and swung, my blade cut open the side of the beasts which caused it to stop moving as blood poured out.

"This isn't a pretty sight…" Swin said, having just taken down a grunt.

"Nope, let's also hope it won't get to him, but somehow I think he knew this was coming way ahead of time!" Nadia casts more fire arts into the crowds, with some monsters going down quickly while others seem immune to it.

"They're becoming immune to our arts?"

"No…" Munechika narrows, throwing a wind art sending one of the monsters away. "They're simply weak to various arts!"

"So be diverse, got it!" Van shouts.

"Like you've been using arts!" Nadia yelled out towards the man, casting another art.

"I use arts, brat! Just not all the time!" He retorts, flicking a railgun beam at a wave of enemies. "See?!"

"I feel sorry for you, truly." She looked away from the man.

"The hell's that supposed to mean?!"

"Duck!" Elaine shouts pushing him down from a random attack to cut down the distorted human.

The monsters that came from the adults suddenly started to slow down, one looked at me to try and take a bite before it fell over and blood poured out of it, some of the others simply exploded into a mix of blood and skin. Those from children were still coming at us, even killing whatever grunts were leading them here.

Holding my scythe I rushed forward, stepping in the pile of blood from fallen monsters and soldiers. One tried to punch me but I met its fist with my own, breaking its arm before cutting it in half. Another tried to bite down on me, but I swung and made it bite my weapon before pulling out my gun and firing into its mouth. 'Just what else are you planning to toss at us…?'

Just then, a bellowing roar erupted forcing everyone to cover their ears.

"IT'S TOO DAMN LOUD!" Van winces kicking away a humanoid creature.

Ears flickering at attention, Munechika quickly clasps her hands as we're all sudden warped to the ceiling atop a spectral foothold.

"Why did you-" Cut off by the sudden torrents of flames filling the corridor's flooring, Van immediately gulped. "Thanks for the save, Munechika."

"Do not give thanks yet. Something else is approaching. Two of them given the direction the flames originated from."

"To end the lives of those he tortured…" Shizuna's grip around her sword tightened in frustration as we all descended back to the ground.

Slowly, the floor began to rumble. One pause after another, it became more evident as the silhouette of something large soon appeared from both ends.

"Well, shit…" Van sighed, relaxing his weapon on his shoulder. "Starting to pull out the big guns now, is he?"

"Zero's either desperate or he's still finding all of this amusing," Elaine mumbled next to him.

"Seems we don't have much other choice now, then." He grinned.

"I was sick of them back in the Eerie Woods and I'm still sick of them now! Wolf or not, we're taking these muts down!" Rinwell denounced.

Before us, nearly reaching the ceiling itself crushing the very floor under themselves, stood two wolves. From the corners of their mouths, fire and ice respectively dripped.

"Acid wolves and now fire and ice?" Munechika questioned.

"Rinwell, Munechika, it's obvious we need to hit them with the opposite elements so we'll draw their attention!" Van calls.

Looking up at these wolves I could already feel my blood boiling, then I looked at the ice one's eyes to see what type of person was used to even get this result. My eyes widened as feelings of worthlessness and failure hit me, and from what I could tell the ice wolf was Schmidt, or what was left of him. 'In the end he was turned into this, it seemed he didn't want to help Zero… I'll make his death quick, but for the other one…'

"They are the professors, Schmidt and Novartis, it seems they were thrown away at the end." I calmly said, yet my knuckles were turning white from the grip I had on my weapons.

"Those old professors that screwed you guys over?" Van exclaimed eyeing the creatures seeming to hesitate in attacking. "Bastards didn't deserve this…"

"Then we'll save them by putting them to sleep quickly," Shizuna offered, hunkering down before the ice wolf. "Van, Elaine, and I will take this one. Shade, you Swin, and Nadia take the other. Rinwell, Munechika, provide art support where you can got it?"

"RIGHT!"

"Huh, Shizuna taking charge. Don't see that everyday," Van mumbles.

"Today isn't an everyday occurrence, now is it?" Elaine retorted taking a stance as both wolves howled.

"You're making me use arts on the fire wolf?! I only use fire arts!" Nadia yelled out. "I'll help out your side, besides the other wolf will have Shade dealing with it!"

"Yeah, we're fine over here! But I thought only the monsters turned as children were permanent?!" Swin yelled out as he stood next to me, ready to fight the wolves.

"Apparently Zero pulled out the 'screw the rules, I'm God' card!" Van scoffs as Elaine switches with Nadia.

"To think an asshole would cheat at his own game, shows he's desperate!"

"Here they come!" Shizuna warns.

Howling in anticipation of the battle, both wolves act. Swiping a cleave of ice with its claw, Shizuna and Swin move forward blocking the attack to crash against the wall.

"Swin!"

"Shizuna!"

"Watch out! Electric Discharge!" Rinwell shouts, extending a hand for a double layered barrier of lightning to block a blast of frost breath.

I ran towards the fire wolf, the fire from its mouth going over my right arm as I moved out the way, yet I didn't flinch. Pushing off from the ground I jumped at the wolf, before I even got on the wolf I noticed my arm was healed. 'It's getting further along…'

I landed on it, stabbing it in the back as it started jumping around to throw me off and even started running around, taking me away from the others as flames mark where it ran. "This is some thick hide! I'll will tear into you!" I yelled out as it took me away, jumping onto a building far above where the others are.

"Shade's got that one so we'll deal with this!" Van shouted. "Munechika, give me a boost!"

"Understood!" Placing a hand, both flash to above the wolf.

"Ha!" Van struck in tandem with Munechika atop its head, ceasing the attack as it howled in pain launching them back.

"You're wide open!" The voice of Shizuna exclaims.

"Take this!" Swin shouts, both appearing under the beast's neck to strike its exposed throat for their blades to cling off. "It hardened its neck?!"

"Stupid professors are using their smart instincts!" Van growls as they regroup. "Watch out!"

Striking the ground with its forelimbs, stalagmites of ice erupt from the ground towards the ground.

"Flames descend!" Rinwell chants. "Burning Strike!" From the air, balls of fire strike the path of the attack as an explosion of cold and heat spreads across the area.

"Nice saving Rinwell," Shizuna called out already back on the move with Swin close behind.

"Once more then! Burning Strike!"

Watching the balls of fire drop, the Ice Wolf raises its head to cock it back before unleashing a beam of ice slicing the balls of flames in half.

"Keep going while it's distracted!" Van shouts. "Lay on the fire arts!" He says, glyphs forming around himself, Nadia, and Elaine.

One by one, more and more fire arts emerged. Balls of fire to entire walls all clashed against the cold.

"Bring it home, Rinwell!"

"Oh sparkling stars of light, rain down and purify all!"

Through the mist, lights emerged high above blanketting the ceiling overtop the creature.

"Now!" In an instant, the creature falls as its tendons are severed by Shizuna and Swin.

Then came the bombardment. When all was settled, everyone could only look on as the residual black energy puffed into nothingness as craters littered where the wolf once was.

Having enough of this wolf, I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled back which made him stop moving. He once again tried to shake me off, trying his best to get rid of me, holding onto the back of his neck tightly I jumped forward ahead of him, he tried to resist yet he couldn't overpower me as he started lifting into the air.

With one arm I threw him where the other wolf once was, landing with a crash he yelped and before he could react I already jumped at him, crashing into his side and knocking all the air out of him. Looking down I grabbed his leg and tore it off, tossing it away. I walked onto his body as his flames went over my body, he was whining and whimpering. Once I got closer to his head I reached forward past his face and grabbed his maw and pulled it towards me, as I pulled I walked back.

Ever so slowly the sound of his neck breaking could be heard, the tearing of flesh, then I ripped his head off with the spine still connected to it, grabbing the spinal cord I tossed it over the wall towards the battle while my other hand grabbed my scythe. I didn't even realize how much of my body was burnt from his flames.

"Alright, we got it! Now we can- WHOA!" Surprisingly, it was Van who exclaimed first and not Rinwell. "Shade, are you okay?!" He exclaimed as the sounds of footsteps moved in around me.

"S-Shade…?" Rinwell, worried as ever, called with clear caution next to Munechika who looked on silently.

"Say something," Shizuna said.

My body healed before them, quicker than any other time before. I looked at them, my vision somewhat red as blood was on my mask. "I'm fine." I said without much emotion, my senses around me going off as I could sense the battle outside, the death of those on our side. Even the person that was waiting for us at the top of the stairs in front of the tower. 'Why, my senses are everywhere…it almost hurts my head! And why is 'he' like that?'

"No. Don't just tell us, mean it!" Shizuna forced, stepping towards me. "Shade, can you still fight with a clear conscience? Can you truly ensure our safety past this point? You made me second-in-command and that means ensure our leader is battle-able. Otherwise…"

I looked right at her, some of my head was fuzzy yet I knew this wasn't me. Looking at the others I could see looks of concern, my eyes landed on Rinwell and flashes of what happened before came back to me. No…I can't act like this, not in front of them, NO not ever again!'

Letting out a sigh I looked back at Shizuna. "I'm sure, every moment of the fights we had I could tell what everyone did, if anyone was in trouble, which didn't happen. Even now I can sense the fight outside and the deaths of those on both sides, even the man that waits at the top of those stairs… I told you I'll be pulling more from my demon side, this is it, plus I just really hate wolves." I tried to add a hint of a joke, but it came out forced.

For a long, hard, moment she looked at me. Scanning for any visible trace of falsehood. Then she closed her eyes and turned. "That joke sucked," she breathed out in a sigh moving back past the others.

"Shade?" Rinwell spoke up. "If… if you need a breather from pulling out this power like Relon, don't hesitate to let us help you. Even if for just a moment, okay?" 'You don't need to worry about me Rinwell, not yet. Not until I bring everything out.'

"I'm okay, just my senses are a bit overloaded. Plus, we're all going to need to be at our max for that man…" I looked towards the stairs, I could sense him yet it felt different this time, like his body and soul had changed somehow. 'No doubt after that fight I'll be near the edge, my emotions feel dulled from this. I have to keep my head in the game!'

"You didn't say yes to my request," she noted, still eyeing me.

"Hoooooot…" Hootle sounded eyeing me as well.

"Yo Shade, camera on, yes?" Magilou's voice rang in my ear. 'I did tell her simple words…'

With a sigh I turned it on then I heard an orbment go off, looking at Shizuna I heard it coming from her.

"What the- Oh." She turned, making her way to me as the others gathered closer in.

"I'm guessing Shade is doing that plan of his?" Magilou's voice was loud and clear, yet even I could tell she was amused.

"Unfortunately," Rinwell sighed too. "What's it like out there, Granny?" Despite the term used, it sounded sincere more than anything.

"We could use some good news," Elaine added.

"Well I just saw a giant wolf head with its spine crash into the enemy lines, so that was fun to watch. Other than that our forces are nearly at the enemy's final line, but that's also the largest line they have."

"Both sides have made headway then. Good," Munechika nods.

"We've made a good bit of distance in here but who knows what we got left let alone how much," Van mentions.

"Not far, just around that corner is the stairs leading to the tower, whatever grunts were left in the city are moving to the front lines." I said looking at him, then at where we needed to go.

"So we're nearly there too. Even better," he punched his palm. "Looks like Relon may miss the party after all then."

"For once, I'm hoping you just jinxed us," Shizuna shakes her head.

"Regardless, we don't have much left so let's do it."

"Eager, eh, Rinwell?" Van smirks.

The hair on the back of my neck went up, a chill down my spine. I stared at where we needed to go as an unseen wave of murderous intent washed over me.

"S, you feel that?" Nadia asked, already knowing the answer as she stepped forward.

"Yeah, the aura of death. It's so…intense!" Swin stood in front of Nadia, despite nothing coming our way.

"Hoot…!" Looking at the ruffled up bird, Rinwell's brows furrow in the same direction her friends look in.

"I felt that one. Easily."

"Someone's waiting for us," Van notes.

"And it seems they're somewhat impatient." Munechika adds.

"Outside of Zero, I can only think of one person," Shizuna hints at.

"Crest…" Rinwell mumbles, unconsciously tightening her tome.

"Something happened to him, he won't be the same Crest we fought." I couldn't tell what was done to him, but everything about him felt different, no, something was blocking me from getting the full view, even with my senses. "Be more alert for this one." I called out to the others.

"Don't need to tell us twice. I still remember how rough he was the first time. Even with Munechika's help and the combined attack of yours and Relon's he still didn't go down fully."

"And now he probably got the biggest boost of the century by the world's most hated. Lovely." Van scoffs.

"No one said it'd be easy," Elaine reminds.

"Easy is just too nice to ask for. Everything has to be life-threatening level difficulty." Swin comments.

"That's the Zero way. Unfortunately." Nadia follows-up.

"Regardless, we have to do what we have to do." Shizuna speaks up. "Take both down."

"Well, let's face this demon!" I hissed out, gripping my scythe.

"And I'll be watching from your point of view, so get some good angles!" Magilou yelled out from Shizuna's orbment.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll try while not dying," Rinwell deadpanned, a glimpse of a smile noticeable.

We all walked forward towards the tower, we turned the corner where we saw the steps, ruined and busted. The tower loomed over us and yet I couldn't sense inside, like something was blocking me. But what I was staring at walked forward for all of us to look at. At the top of the stairs was Crest, gone was half of his hair, his face looked like it was forever in a grin, his right arm was a solid black while much of his clothing was torn and shredded. "Heh, heh, heh…"

"Holy…"

"Get ready!" Shizuna exclaimed, tachi drawn as without hesitation, Rinwell began chanting.

"Where is he?" His voice was laced with venom, yet had an air of joy.

"Doesn't matter, I'm here to kill you again!" I hissed out, pointing my scythe at him.

"Wrong answer." Before my eyes, from his black arm came a sword that seemed to just not have any light on it, a true darkness. "You will see my lord, so will the other one, but only you two." Every word he spoke had an edge to it, yet uncanny as that grin never left his face.

"Seriously? We humans aren't good enough to see his stupid lordship?" Van barked.

"Sorry, but we're a package deal." Elaine voices.

"Says the mixed breed. Glad to see you have awakened, demon lord, if ever so slightly." He says looking at Van.

"You don't get the right to label us!" Elaine spoke in Van's defense. "We are who we deem we are, human or not!"

"We're getting to Zero." Shizuna spoke. "And we'll do it by cutting you down!"

"That's the plan Silverblade, I'm meant to die here before you face my lord, a final test to Shade and Relon once he gets here!" His grin widened, his teeth were also as black as his arm. Looking at his arm again, that's when I noticed I couldn't make out the fingers.

"Your bones…are black?" I asked out loud, confused as to why.

"Took you long enough, what you see isn't a sword, this is my arm, my lord's gift to me to kill however many of you I can!" His smile was wide, he looked like a psycho.

"Too bad your new kill count is staying at zero!" Swin quips.

"Your 'gift' from Zero is going to go to waste. Too bad, not sad," Nadia speaks next.

"Crest, you've lost your humanity. We can't let you stop us here!" Munechika proclaims.

"You say that like I had it to begin with, heheh… You witches were fun to hunt, those kids cried and cried as I ripped out their organs!" He laughed, his left arm went to his head as he did, then before he did anything I sensed something in his left hand.

"GET DOWN!" I jumped and grabbed Munechika as a black and red beam went past where she just stood.

"Aww, I missed the bitch! Hehe…"

"Munechika, Shade!" Shizuna shouted to see only me as my hold on what was once Munechika is now absent.

Attention snapping to the front, we all see Munechika having teleported next to Crest. Hand glowing, she swings for him to evade without looking before a force strikes him, sending the villain off balance to stumble halfway atop the staircase.

"I see. You managed to react to my attack and even enhance your own range of your attack while shrouding it so I couldn't see. Hehe, haha! Oh I like that, yet I had prepared to face you witches!" His face cracks, his other arm cracks, everything on him cracks like glass and dust. "Crest is no more, my lord has dubbed me…Hollow!" In that moment everything shattered and fell to the ground, before us stood a now dark figure, the same black as his arm. His skin was gone, everything was gone now, just a black boney body.

3rd person POV.

Before everyone stood the boney mass of Crest, now named Hollow, spikes of bone shot out of his back, sides and neck. Both arms were like blades, razor sharp and wanting blood. His face or rather skull had dark red eyes, staring at Munechika, he had horns on his head as well and razor sharp teeth that went further up then what's humanly possible.

"He's a monster," Rinwell mumbled.

"A monster we have to take done," Elaine voiced in response.

"Crest, Hollow, whatever. After we're through, your new name will be 'Done!'" Van denounced.

"You aren't very witty, are you?" Nadia jokes, looking at Van.

"Not trying to be," he growls.

"Get ready," Shizuna warns. "He's no longer like what he once was."

"That much is obvious," Swin mumbles.

"That's why I couldn't sense much of you, why I can't sense inside the tower, because of Zero's power!" Shade yells out, taking a step closer only to quickly look down. 'Shit, too fast!'

"You being here is cheating, go away then we can fight one-on-one! HAHA!" Below Shade came spikes of black bone, stabbing his body, legs and arms, as it entered him it also moved and wrapped around him stabbing into him again. The force of the attack then sent him flying into a wall as the bones now disconnected from Hollow stayed inside his body, making Shade go unconscious.

"Shade!" Munechika exclaims for a wave of darkness to erupt from Hollow forcing her to conjure a quick shield only to crash against the wall.

"Munechika!"

"Focus on yourself rather than others."

Eyes widening, all snap to Hollow now in the middle of their formation.

'When did he?!' Rinwell exclaims, meeting his eyes as she moves away from the protruding bone extending towards her.

"Rinwell!" Elaine shouts, knocking her out of the way to block the attack with her sword, dark sparks spewing outwards.

"Bastard!"

The moment, all move to intercept, he stomps the ground for blade dots to emerge. One look and all jerked awkwardly as razor bones sprouted.

"Ack!" He winces from the few cuts he takes.

"Hydration Orb!"

Overhead of Hollow, he nonchalantly lifts his head up to watch a shower of water douse him.

"Now, Thunder Field!" Rinwell shouts as he becomes entrapped within the dome of electricity. "Take this!" In a flash, bolts of static arc all around as the torrential aerial downcast comes to a halt followed by the electro blanket.

"Did that do anything?" Swin wonders.

"Only amateurs fall to the same trick twice, get some new moves!" He taunts as he stands there, hardly being affected by the attack. "My turn!" He stabs the ground, a wave of dark energy goes from the point of impact to a radius around it and everyone, from the ground dozens of bone spikes emerge.

"Incoming!" Elaine shouts for a white ball of light to shoot past the young woman exploding into tendril striking the ground canceling the attack.

Head whirling back to a panting Munechika at the top of the staircase, her glare hardens as she flickers out of existence to reappear with the group.

"Don't forget I'm here," she breathes. "Your darkness isn't strong if my light can extinguish it." With a circular motion of her hands, white energy traces after. "Astral Energy! Van, Shizuna!"

"Let's go!"

"Right!"

Thrusting at the two, both become coated in the light as they blur at Hollow. Pivoting to split off at the last second by a single bone lance, both launch with his uncaring form exposed.

"Darkness? Like I give a crap!" He blocks both attacks, standing there looking right at Munechika. "My lord made me the ultimate weapon to fight you, your magic means nothing! HAHA!" His laugh is uncanny, like the sound of nails on a chalkboard.

"Let's put that to the test, shall we? Rinwell!"

"Flames descend! Purge malevolence! Burning Strike plus Freeze Lancer!"

Pushing both away, his eyes remain on Munechika as the combination of fireballs and large ice spears strike causing an eruption of mist to manifest.

"Pathetic."

"You know, magic explosives may not have an effect on you…" Nadia speaks through the smokescreen for Hollow to block a strike by Swin. "But what about Nadia-type explosives?" She muses, Swin jumping back as Hollow looks down to the 'gift' as another explosion erupts.

"Tell me that did something," Swin hopes.

"Haha, better, but you'll need one the size of this city to kill me! HAHA!" He walks forward, away from the stairs towards Nadia and Rinwell. "You like games, I'm willing to play with you, let's see how much skin I can take off before you bleed to death."

"Over my dead body!" Swin moves in between the two.

"Heh. That can be arranged!"

Cling!

Eyes momentarily moving from him to the sword at his neck, his feral grin forces Shizuna to put distance.

"So many choices." He turns fully to the empowered Shizuna. "But I'll stick with my first choice." Out of his side, a barrage of bones resembling a ribcage shot for the young duo.

Combining blades into one, Swin readies the incoming attack for Van and a now enhanced Elaine also glowing white to intercept.

"Don't forget about us!"

"With me, Van!"

Attacking the left and right sides respectively, both look out the corner of their eyes for Swin to shoot forward.

"Astral Energy: Covergence!" Munechika shouts, the white power-up transferring from both young adults into the young teen as his speed booms.

"Try this!" He roars, reeling his blade back. "Revelation!" He proclaims, striking past Hollow's motionless form as Swin skids to a stop in front of Munechika.

"You bore me." Hollow within that moment reached out, his hand going from a blade to an actual hand and grabbed Elaine by the head and threw her into Van, sending both to the ground and away from him. "Which witch should I take down, the cat or the bitch?"

"Divine Saber!" Head snapping to Rinwell, he is once again encompassed by walls of lightning closing in to strike with one final boom. "Who are you calling a bitch, fuck face!" Rinwell scowls.

"Whoa girl, not bad. I won't tell Relon you said that." Nadia grins.

"Help me out, Nadia!" Rinwell shouts. "All disasters made one, come forth and helix of purity. Maelstrom!" Circling the air, a portal of water manifests. With a thrust, a torrent is fired.

"Don't mind if I do!" Withdrawing needles, she tosses them into the jet as it hits. "And then the bang!" She snaps, water and heat exploding once again.

"I was aware you all have chosen death. However, such struggles remain in vain."

"That didn't do anything either?!" Van growls, back on his feet with Elaine.

"His body is bone itself combined with the enhancements of Zero's malevolence," Munechika reminds. "Physical attacks like ours have no effect. The closest thing is our magic to their otherworldly protections."

"But if your magic isn't working, then what? He isn't letting either of you time to chant a stronger spell." Shizuna notes.

"Yes, you understand now. This is what my lord can do, yet you can't even beat me, can't even touch me… Oh?" He looked up at the tower, as if he heard something, before everyone's eyes he boney mouth turned into a grin as he turned back to Munechika. "Times up."

He sprints at her, the speed of which shocks everyone. He grabs her by the head and throws her at Rinwell, at the same time bones come from below all over the ground, tying down Elaine, Van, Shizuna, Nadia and Swin, cutting them if they tried to escape. Munechika hits Rinwell causing both to fall to the ground, looking up they see Hollow looking down at them.

"I'll skin you first cat, then the bitch, then I'll move on to the others~ Let's see what your bones look like, hehe… HAH-"

At that moment the sound of breaking bones filled the air, everyone could feel their hair stand up, the slight numbness from the feeling. Looking over, Hollow sees Shade standing up, all the bones shattered that were piercing his body. He doesn't speak, he stares at Hollow as electricity covers his entire body. "Shit."

Moments ago, Shade's mind.

My eyes opened to a familiar sight, where I had dreamed of just a few days ago. "Back already, really? Jeez, and I said we won't see each other again and yet here you are!"

I stood up and looked over to see Aeris laying down on a piece of fallen rubble, looking at me upside down. "Not like I can just come here willingly, besides I got blasted away." My eyes widen as I remember what had happened. "Wake me up so I can join the fight, quick!"

"Hold it buster! You are doing a good job, mostly! I'm mostly down for this plan since it's the only way to fight Zero and Crest…Hollow? Mmm, Asshole sounds better, but you get the point!" Just then the sounds of battle waged on on the edge of the dream, pulling my attention. "We may hear a bit of what's happening, but I can tell you they are putting up a good effort!"

"So, why am I here again if you agree with the plan?"

"I agree with using your demon side to fight them, yes! But, not counting on your friends is bad! Before the fight with Asshole they held their own in all the fighting, making sure to cover each other and even you! I understand you need to do what you need to do, but you can't do it all alone…" She rolled over and sat up, swinging her knees over the edge.

"So, the power of friendship is what you're telling me?" I crossed my arms, trying to tell what's going on in the battle from here even if I could only hear it.

"Yes, but also no. The power of friendship only works in fiction, well I guess not all the time but whatever! Point being, you need to back them up as they back you up, they can't hurt him, but you can because of your demon blood and power, but they can make openings and cast support arts! Well…by time you get to the fight you will need to do everything as Mr. Bones is just toying with them and might knock them all out."

"Who are you calling a bitch, fuck face!" My head snaps as I hear Rinwell yell at Hollow, a grin forms on my face as well as Aeris.

"Shade, you corrupted her!"

"Not like it was only me, still glad I was able to hear that from here… So, I get the point you're making, but is that really all?" I look at Aeris suspiciously as she beams at me, hopping off the stone ruin.

"As expected from Shade the all seeing! Yes, for just this once, I'll help you." She reached forward and grabbed my hand.

"Help? With what, I thought talking to me and making me realize basic stuff was your help?"

"Oh it is, but this… Let's just say you'll need to control yourself for this fight, here's the play. I'll help you stay in control in the fight, at best you'll still hear everyone but you can't talk, your focus will be on the fight. You won't be at full power like how you planned, but this will be what we can draw from your other half for now, until you fight Zero. Still it will be enough to kick this asshole's servant ass back to his lord!" She grabbed my other hand, sparks happening between our hands.

"Wait, back up!? What now?" Before I could say anything else I heard Hollow speak. "Times up." The sounds of everyone in pain filled the area, I could hear Munechika and Rinwell clearly.

"Now or everyone's dead, he's looking right at Rinwell and Munechika by the way!" My eyes widened, as I could sense it, everyone defeated, him looking down at her, time seemed to slow just then as the world closed in on me and Aeris.

"I can't say why I can do this, maybe we'll see each other again, maybe when you finally…" Her voice cuts out, her eyes flicker at something before back at me. "Anyway, Shade, just trust me. Now, ready to kick this asshole and show him a thing or three?"

"Yeah, I won't lay here and let him kill my friends, I killed him once already, what's one more?" I joked which caused her to smile.

"I may be a memory of Aeris sent to help you, but I feel like we need a bit more for this moment, to get everything flowing!" She grasped my hands, electricity coming off from our hands.

At that moment I don't see her anymore, who I see is Magilou, who is now holding my hands. "Chin up, you still gotta get me outta here!" She fades away and yet I see the electricity moving up my arms. 'Magilou, I will get you out!'

"We are fighting just as you are, everyone on the battlefield is counting on you!" Rufus says, showing up and fading away just as quickly. 'No pressure there, what a guy.'

"As your second-in-command, let me tell you this. Get it together!" Shizuna winks at me as she also fades away. 'Shizuna, yeah I should get it together at this point.'

"Don't make me poke you!" "What she said." Nadia and Swin, each holding a hand. Looking down I see half of my body is covered in electricity, I could feel the power. 'I'd rather not get poked, but man, this power, it feels…'

"Come on Shade, use that demon power for some good!" "You saved me Shade, now please, save us all!" Van and Elaine, for a moment I thought they were also holding each other's hand as they faded. 'They are so together, still, they are counting on me!'

"You helped me a lot since coming here, Hootle too! I'm happy to call you a friend so let's go kick some butt!" Rinwell, holding on tighter than some others. "HOOT!" And Hootle next to her. 'Rinwell…yeah, when all is said and done, there's something I wanna say, but first I will save you!'

"You can do this Shade, what you told me of your past… I know you can make it through this as well!" Munechika, looking at me with determined eyes. 'Don't worry, I'm betting on myself this time!'

Then a light emerged, its glow and presence all but familiar as he walked by.

"Let's go. Unless…you don't mind giving me the spotlight." Relon, smirks as he fades away. 'Asshole' "Heard tha-!"

I could feel my entire body be filled with my power, my senses fully coming back to me and time slowly resumed. "Go Shade," Tio's voice, somewhere from behind me, speaks up. "Light up the path, show them the sparks only you can make!"

"RIGHT!" I roar out, the dream ending.

3rd POV

Shade's eyes snapped open, just as he was told he could hardly focus on much, just Hollow and what he could hear, yet he was filled with so much power. "I'll skin you first cat, then the bitch, then I'll move on to the others~ Let's see what your bones look like, hehe… HAH-"

Shade stood up, the bones Hollow had used to stab through him, to pin him and toss him aside all broke from the power coming off of him. His gaze was focused on Hollow, yet he could hardly make him out, but his senses told him everything he needed to know, where his allies and enemies were at. "Shit."

Shade flexed his hands, power flowing through him and even out into the entire area, small bolts of electricity came out from the ground all around, hitting random spots. None were close to the others, as if they were protected by it despite the hair on their arms standing on end and feeling their hair fizzle from all the static electricity. Just outside the city walls bolts of electricity were hitting enemy forces, causing some confusion to allies but they quickly realized who it belonged to and kept fighting, believing in those inside the city. 'My power is all over the place, I don't think this is how it should be used, but it will work!'

Hollow looked at Shade then back at Rinwell and Munechika, he reeled his arm back, hoping to end them quickly. Yet before he could even fully extend his arm, a sudden kick to the side by Shade sent him flying before he had time to react. Shade had moved quickly from where he had woken up to where Hollow was within the span of a second or two. "Bastard!"

Hollow was forced away from the others, while he couldn't feel the kick, it still knocked him away. 'I see, my power is going through my body and blasting out with each impact! Meaning my punches and kicks are powered up and I can even go faster if I push off with my legs!'

Shade said nothing, unable to as his entire being was focused on Hollow and fighting, only able to faintly hear those around him. "Shade, don't know if you can hear me but it's time to tag team this 'fuck face', man I'm proud of her! See that big window to the left, well knock him into the air around there, you'll sense my attacks, let's do this! WOO!" Magilou screamed into Shade's ear, he didn't respond but he did see which area she was talking about.

"Fine, time to see what this power boost ca-" Shade zoomed, it almost looked like he became electricity itself, Hollow turned to block as Shade was suddenly behind him, yet he couldn't react as Shade punched him in the back, then the side, then the face as he turned.

Each punch was powered up, the sounds of bones breaking filled the air as Hollow jumped back, the areas that were hit on him healed as new bone replaced the broken parts.

"Damn, what happened to give him this power up!?" Nadia comments, standing up with the help of Swin.

"Don't know, but we couldn't even scratch Hollow, but Shade is just punching him and doing damage. Even the area around us is filled with his power!"

"Shade's demon side, this is the power he's afraid of? No, this is controlled and yet not at the same time, Shade…" Munechika knelt beside Rinwell, watching the battle.

"The speed of them, Hollow really was playing with us! Damn asshole!" Shizuna cursed as she also knelt nearby, using her sword to hold herself up.

Shade was blitzing Hollow while in turn Hollow was able to block most of Shade's hits, the only downside was each block would break some of the bone on his arms and hands. "Shade! You think you're so tough now!? HUH!" Hollow's left arm formed a blade, catching Shade off guard and cutting him in half. "HAH- WHAT?!"

Shade's body before everyone's eyes reattached itself before either half even hit the ground, in response Shade reeled his leg back and kicked Hollow in the head, sending him flying into the stairs. "GAH!" As Hollow stood up Shade zipped to a side of a building, then to an old lightpole, using them as footing to zip around but also leaving small craters or breaking the objects themselves, he then zipped to Hollow, jump kicking him into the ground with both feet before zipping away. 'I can't even feel the pain, but healing myself that quickly is using up more power!'

Outside the city, near the back line of humanity's last hope, Magilou sat in an open cockpit of a Saber, small terminal in hand and a grin on her face. "Mmm…I see. Shade, here it comes!" She pulled the trigger, the Saber was aiming right above the area the fight was taking place in.

"Wait, you can't fire the weapons!" The pilot yelled out from down below, having been knocked out from the mech.

"Don't care~!" Magilou yelled out, pulling the trigger a few more times. The Saber's cannon fired artillery shells towards the city.

Shade sensed it, he looked over to see Hollow quickly jumping out of the crater he was in towards Shade, cutting him into a few pieces which did nothing. Shade as he was healing knelt down and punched Hollow in the gut, reached up to grab his arms and flung him into the ground behind him then power kicked him in the head sending him away. "Okay I know this is FILTHY RICH coming from me…but YOUR POWERS ARE BULLSHIT!"

Hollow launched himself at Shade, only to see him zip to just below and under his attack, Shade then grabbed and threw him into the air just in time for him to get hit by the first shell from Magilou. "WHAT THE SHIT!?" Shade zipped from a building to Hollow, grabbing him again and throwing him into the next shell. As Hollow fell to the ground he was kicked mid air by Shade in the side, but was then quickly thrown into the third shell as Shade grabbed his leg. "WHAT. THE. FUCK!?"

"No way, is it, Magilou?!" Elaine yelled out, in awe of what she was seeing.

"THE HAG!?" "HOOT?!"

"Who gave her access to that weapon!?" Van was flabbergasted as he watched Hollow get juggled in the air with explosive shells.

Before Hollow could land Shade zipped and punched him in the face, then again from the other side as he bounced off another object, more shells were coming and so Shade grabbed Hollow during the third punch and jumped into the air holding Hollow as the shells hit three times in a row, making the both of them explode towards the ground at high speeds.

"Dang, he's not caring about his own body… Wait, look!" Nadia pointed towards where they had come from, seeing the electricity bolts that were randomly shooting through the ground to slowly disappear, as if the range of them was shrinking in.

"Does that mean Shade is about to run dry?! If that happens his advantage on Hollow will be gone, what should we do?!" Elaine tried to stand up, but the cuts from those bones felt like it weakened her. "Damn it!"

"R-Rinwell." Munechika mustered, struggling to move but clearly better off then the rest.

"I… can't move. My head is too… heavy to focus a chant!"

"D-Damn, mine too…!" She grimaced as she stared at the battle, not wanting to miss a moment of it.

As both Shade and Hollow landed on the ground both jumped towards the stairs, each one landing punches on each other with only Hollow blocking some of them. Landing in front of the stairs, Shade kicked Hollow away as well as jumping back.

Hollow upon seeing this reeled back his arm and rushed forward with Shade doing the same, their fists connected, making a shockwave throughout the area and breaking the bones on Hollow's arm, Shade then ducked as Hollow's other arm came at him. "WHY!" Shade punched him in the face, at the same time Hollow sent bone spikes through the ground, impaling Shade and even trying to hit the others.

"WON'T!" Before the spikes could hit the others a bolts of electricity hit it, causing it to shatter, at the same time Shade did another punch to the side of Hollow.

"YOU!" Hollow opened his mouth wide, a beam of black and red energy shot out, blasting Shade and most of the building behind him up into almost nothing, but yet Shade healed within three seconds, his body still fighting back.

"GIVE UP!?" Hollow pulled both arms back, turning them into blades only for Shade to use the palm of his hand to hit the bottom of Hollow's chin, making him take a step backwards. Using this moment Shade jumped over Hollow and grabbed both arms, twisting them with ease he then tossed Hollow away from him. 'My power is nearly spent, if only I could dodge but with the state I'm in I can barely focus on anything other than attacking! Still, I won't give up as everyone is counting on me!'

"He's slowing down, even the range has shrunk to this area now, it's now or never!" Swin yelled, trying his best to stand up fully.

"We… gotta…!" Van yelled out, trying his best to get himself and Elaine to stand up.

"Move…!" Elaine forced out.

"Where the shit is Relon when you need him?!" Van hissed on wobbly hands and legs.

'Even if a little, I need to move to help Shade! To protect everyone! Come on!' Shizuna internally pleaded. 'Move, Shizuna! Kurogane, Relon, everyone is counting on you!'

Shade turned to look at them, almost as if he was annoyed. He turned back to Hollow who was standing up, almost ready to go again. 'He's almost done, most of the cracks on him haven't healed yet meaning he's slowing down! Huh…heh, fine! I'll let you wrap this up!'

As the area of Shade's power fully left, leaving Shade only a few seconds left of energy he rushed towards Hollow, grabbing his face and squeezing tightly which cracked the teeth and skull. "YOU DARE-WAIT, HIM!?"

With the last bit of power Shade had he swung around and threw Hollow towards the sky as hard as he could, in the process falling towards the ground as he was drained of nearly everything he had. "Go, get him, asshole…"

Yeah, this is only half of the chapter…