Reviews:

Guest: Oh yeah, he'll fight them. You'll be pretty pleased with what I have in mind.

Blitzdigital: Lastimosamente asi son las cosas en esta cruel realidad quye ellos viven. Solo un ganador puede quedar en pie. Y si quieren acabar con esta guerra, solo uno puede ganar. Enrealidad me inspire en los Psycho Rangers de los Power Rangers, versiones monstruosas de los personajes mismos. Hamaguchi pronto se vera forzado en proteger a Hajime cuando se de cuenta del peligro que les espera. Podra nuestro protagonista recuperarse a tiempo? Y si, Raphael algo oculta. Pero aun no veremos que es. Por cierto, gracias por las sugerencias. Me dieron buenas ideas.

lordri25may2001: Yeah, to be honest, I never liked that part with Sonia blaming Chris. Like dude, she just saved your brother. If she didn't shoot the leg, he would have died. Like wtf. So here, Takeru is the one who gave the order, since he's technically the leader right now. And thus, he took the responsibility. And since Sonia resents the group he was part of, he instantly hates him. Raphael doesn't judge. So that's why he's nice to them too, even going along with Cagliostro's flirtatious nature.

primenidus: I love Takeru too. Fuck Allister xD. I love Allister too since I love writing asshole/villain characters. I had a blast writing him this chapter.

Tenzalucard123: Yes, we begin our adventure with Hajime on his journey to healing. But will he be okay? Or are their dangers waiting for him in the shadows? Raphael respects women. And St. Germain can't tolerate him. There is someone else...but we will have to wait to see who it is.

Akira (Guest): Don't worry he'll come back. And no, I don't have wattpad.

Chapter 84
Salvation Through Annihilation

(Play Reason Living by Screen Mode)

Ouja and Zolda rushed at each other, one wielding his visor while the other wielded a blade. Both of their footsteps were heaving on the dry grass, only the heavens bearing witness to their conflict. Ouja swung his blade, but Zolda blocked it with his forearm, aiming his visor at Ouja's face and pulling the trigger. Ouja raised his leg over his head, kicking Zolda's arm as the bullets flew into the air, missing their target. The bull-themed Rider spun around, going for a horizontal back-kick, but Ouja bent his knees, avoiding it and slashing at Zolda's helmet.

Zolda staggered backward, sidestepping just in time to dodge Ouja's thrust, kneeing him in the gut and shooting a few rounds at his torso, sending him stumbling away. Ouja chuckled, lunging at his archenemsis. Gun met sword, their clash creating sparks before they went for a punch, their fists colliding and the force behind them launching them away from each other. Both Riders opened up their visors, drawing a card from their Decks, and activating them in unison.

Guard Vent: Shelldefense

Shoot Vent: Gigalauncher

Ouja raised his shield, just in time to block an incoming missile from Zolda's weapon. The attack launched him into the trees, crashing against one. Zolda continued firing his weapon for good measure, each missile creating a new explosion until he stopped, lowering his gun.

"You're not pulling your punches today." Ouja mused, dropping his destroyed shield on the ground as he dusted his armor off.

"I told you I'm ending this today." Zolda remarked."I'm not going to go easy on you."

"I see. You sure know how to make a guy feel special." Ouja snickered."But you'll need more than that to beat me."

"Then I'll just have to try harder!" Zolda raised his Gigaluncher, firing more missiles at Ouja, who avoided them by leaping around the area. He sprinted toward him at full speed, jumping on top of a missile and catching him off guard, kicking him in the face and sending him flying in the air. Ouja ran toward a tree and ran up, jumping once he reached the top to meet Zolda in the air, grasping his hands together to attack. Zolda reacted to this, switching his position midair and giving him a bicycle kick against Ouja's stomach, stunning him. He aimed his visor at him, but Allister threw his Venosaber and graced his sides, distracting him. He used the tree as a foothold, launching himself toward Zolda with a dive kick against his chest, sending him rolling on the ground as he dropped his gun.

Ouja picked up the visor, but Zolda mitigated this by wielding the Venosaber. Both Riders were now wielding each other's weapons, and the fight continued. Ouja leveled the stolen visor, pulling the trigger.

Zolda had come to learn Ouja's swordsmanship the times he had fought him. So he copied him and used the sword to block the bullets while closing the distance. They tossed their weapons in their direction, switching weapons again as they clashed in the middle. Fists, kicks, slashes, and bullets were sent back and forth, neither of them landing a successful blow on the other. Until they went for a punch, striking each other in the face.

(End Song)

"You've...gotten a lot better." Ouja remarked, rubbing his helmet."I can hardly recognize you from before. You're not the fool I once fought."

"You're still as annoying to fight as ever, you effeminate bastard." Zolda spat in disdain."Just drop dead already."

"Why, that wouldn't be fun, would it?" Ouja splayed his hands."We just started. Let's enjoy this fight to the max."

"Is this just a game to you, Allister?"

"A game? Hardly." Ouja sighed, summoning his Venovisor in his hand and leaning on it."You see, Takeru. This is not a game to me. It's a necessity. For the dawn of a new perfect world."

"And why do you even want that?" Zolda inquiered."I thought you just wanted to see the strongest emotion aimed toward the strongest goal."

"Yes...Originally, that was my goal. But...was it really a goal?" Ouja pondered."I wanted to see people's emotions at their highest peak. But while I still have that goal, I also have a new one. A new purpose granted to me."

"A purpose?"

"I was allowed to be part of the bridge that will guide humanity...toward salvation." Ouja looked at the sky as if he was seeing something in the clouds."The salvation that humanity has craved for all this time. His radiance has blessed us with his power, allowing us the honor to be of use toward making a new reality where dreams can become...a reality."

"Again with this shit." Takeru scoffed."More of this cult propaganda you're spreading."

"But think about it. We're standing in a perfect example of this." Ouja splayed his hands, glancing at his surroundings."Humans are constantly in conflict over the smallest of things. The malice born from our hearts is what causes us to aim our hate toward each other. And our lack of understanding is what drives us to force our points of view on other people. Or believes. And all of this is born from the moment we are born into this world. The curse that is Free Will. Look at what Free Will has done to this country. War, deaths, senseless slaughter, hunger. You think it's a good thing, don't you?"

"What, the ability to choose for yourself isn't enough for you?!"

"Ability to choose?" Ouja tilted his head."This so-called ability to choose...Free Will gives us a choice, yes. But a choice to become evil. It only allows them to become evil. That's it. That's what this precious Free Will does. It gives the person the ability to harbor darkness inside of them. To become evil. To be able to choose the wrong path. That's why this country is the way it is. That's why you and I have killed. From the day we were born, we were cursed to bear the burden of choice. And be subjected to those around us who had the choice to make us choose. What you're trying to protect is nothing but the origin of all evil. All the bad things that happen in the world originate from a human's heart. A corruption born from their free will."

"You're wrong. People choose to become evil out of their own Free Will, that's true." Takeru nodded."But it's not a corruption. It's a blessing. People with a choice can also become good. Every choice we make makes us who we are. Whether it's right or wrong it doesn't matter. It gives us a reason to carry on. As human beings. Not as puppets. Which one are you?"

"Just like you, of course. My whole life I was ordered to kill and kill. Then paid to kill. Much like you. In the end, I guess I never had a goal of my own. My goals were simply what others wanted me to do. I suppose that's what makes us different. We come from a similar background, but you ended up having a dream of your own. But Takeru, what if I were to tell you that Free Will is not what you think it is?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Gods created humans in their image. But they grew worried that we would eventually match their power and challenge their status." Allister began, pacing around Takeru."Hence, we lost contact with them. However, that's not entirely the case."

"Fine."

"That's right. She tried to reach God and communicate with him. But the Gods feared human potential. Which is why we were cursed with the Curse of Balal. Because then, humanity will never unite against the Gods. Instead, we would turn against each other, never able to understand one another. In other words, we never had a choice to begin with. All of our actions are dictated by the wicked Gods. We think we can do what we want, but we're just following a script. Forever trapped in a world of our own delusions because we can't deny it either. But that's when Loki-sama comes in..."

Allister chuckled darkly, a dangerous glint in his eyes directed toward Takeru."He wishes to free humanity from the control of Gods. Make us independent and realize our potential. To create a new world...a new reality where humanity gets what it deserves, free of all control and oppression we've been given. Only the Ultimate Good will be the judge of our actions. A world filled with happiness where all we must do is show our loyalty and dedication. That's why...I had no qualms in giving myself up to their ideals. While my other comrades are in this for their gain, I am here to see this world become a reality. So that my heart may feel emotion again. My own emotion. One that was stolen from me from the constant experiments in the House of Grey. And he will free us all. We will be saved. And we can only find salvation...through annihilation. Only being wiping out humanity will we be able to be purified. And be able to enter the new, pure world."

"You're out of your mind. Neither Hazuki nor Loki wants to save humanity. They want a world that suits them." Zolda narrowed his eyes."A world where they decide what's good or bad...is just another world where a God rules over the population. No different from what you're trying to prevent. So sorry. But your idea is fucking stupid."

"I figured you would say that." Ouja sighed, popping his neck."Come, then. Show me the strength of your will. Your determination."

"Oh, trust me. It's not the strength of my will that should concern you." Zolda opened up his visor, sliding a cart inside."But the weakness of yours."

Shoot Vent: Gigacannons

Clicking his tongue, Ouja sprinted into action, sliding a cart inside his visor as he leaped into the air.

Advent: Venosnaker

Venosnaker slithered its way around the trees, spitting venom at Zolda and forcing him to leap away.

Strike Vent: Scissorspinch

Ouja laughed, using Scissor's weapon to grab one of the metal cannons on Zolda's shoulders, crushing it. He used the remaining one to shoot at Venosnaker, forcing it back, and threw a punch at Ouja. But the snake-themed Rider blocked it with ease, twisting his arm.

"The moment I saw Hazuki-kun kill Andreas-kun in cold blood and abandon his relationship with all of you...was the moment I realized I truly wanted to follow him. He is the true savior. The Messiah that will guide humanity to a brighter future!"

Zolda grunted, lowering his cannon and shooting at Ouja's arm. Due to how close they were, the explosion caught them both and sent them crashing against the ground.

Advent: Magnugiga

Advent: Volcancer

Volcancer and Venosnaker rushed at Magnugiga, who repeled them back using his cannons and machine guns. The snake slithered around its cannon, biting onto its arm while Volcancer tackled it, trying to tip it over.

As their monsters fought, Ouja drew another card, summoning Scissors onto the field.

Dupe Vent: Scissors

Scissors rushed at Zolda, forcing him to quickly activate a new ability to match the disadvantage in numbers.

Guard Vent: Gigaarmor

Using his shield to block the incoming strike, he aimed his gun behind him, shooting several bullets at Ouja, who kept his distance and avoided the volley of energy bullets.

Toxic Vent

A purple void opened up beneath Zolda and Scissors, forcing the green Riders to jump out before a pillar of energy emerged from it. Scissors writhed in place as the attack engulfed him."Goro!"

"No need to feel pity for him. He's already dead. His soul is inside the Sea of Souls. This is just a husk of what he used to be." Ouja whispered in his ear, slashing Zolda in the back and drawing blood. Magnugiga swatter Volcancer away and opened up a compartment in its chest, firing several homing missiles that struck Ouja, launching him a few yards away.

"This is how a fight should be!" Ouja cried in glee, making a beeline toward Zolda. Scissors was coming at him from behind, giving him little choices.

Shoot Vent: Gigamini

Using his minigun, Zolda sprayed the area around with countless bullets, hitting his opponents and destroying the trees around him. Once the attack stopped, he noticed Ouja and Venosnaker were gone. Magnugiga was stomping on Volcancer and Scissors was on the ground, unmoving.

"He's in the trees!" Zolda gasped, rushing toward Magnugiga and standing behind him, opening his visor and inserting it inside the slot behind it.

Final Vent: End of the World

"I have to blow this place away!"

Final Vent: Veno Crash

Ouja appeared from behind Zolda, forcing him to rotate Magnugiga. Ouja kicked Magnugiga, tipping it over but some of its projectiles hit him and Venosnaker. The bull monster released its full arsenal aiming at the sky, creating a light that could be seen from miles on end. As the sky was lit in the explosions, Ouja and Zolda were now engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Takeru's strikes were heavier and wider while Allister's were quick and precise. Their respective fighting styles mirrored each other. Takeru was physically stronger but lacked the speed to properly hit Allister. And Allister, even while using his nerve-striking fighting style, found it hard to give any significant damage with his fists.

Strike Vent: Gigahorn

Zolda used his Gigahorn, which was parried by Venosaber. Both Riders were locked with their weapons, staring at each other's eyes. And that's when they began to headbutt each other. They continued doing this, neither of them giving in to each other. Their helmets broke in and cracked, revealing their faces. They proceeded to knee each other, matching each other's attack with their respective knees. Zolda twisted his arm, forcing Ouja to do the same and that's when he struck him across the face with a punch. But Allister responded in kick by kicking him in the chin, launching him toward the sky.

Zolda spun around, aiming his visor and pulling the trigger, firing a volley of energy bullets. Ouja jumped in the air, gladly taking the damage and punching Zolda in the solar plexus, completely disregarding the pain the bullets were giving him.

"Fuck!" Zolda gasped in pain but managed to aim his gun at Ouja's face, but he raised his arms to block. Both Riders fell back to the ground, groaning in pain after their assault was over. Ouja sat up, shaking his head and gathering his bearings.

Zolda was on all fours, picking himself up from the ground but fell back to the ground, wincing in pain.

"Heheheheh..."

A low chuckle emanating from Ouja caught his attention, his voice sounding distorted. As if he was laughing in front of a fan. Zolda scowed, just hearing him desperately trying to hold back his laughter. Until he just let it all go, letting out a burst of full-blown laughter that echoed throughout the forest. He laughed and laughed and laughed. The only thing the ex-mercenary could do was hear his maddened cackling without moving a muscle.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!" Allister's voice was fully distorted, having an echo effect and sounding as if the voice of a monster was speaking at the same time as he was."Don't tell me you are tired, Takeru?!"

"You did it. You went beyond and did it, you son of a bitch. Your insistance and stubbornness as well as your relentless fighting spirit have awoken my dormant emotions! Ones that I have thought were gone and never to return, I feel them once again coursing through my body! I feel so great! As if I have finally completed a task once thought impossible! A dream forever out of reach! You're the only one who has ever done this, Takeru! You're so perfect, it makes my heart pound nonstop! You and I...are going to strike and strike again...until one of us...is dead! No more holding back!"

A dark aura surrounded Allister, his skin turned completely grey and his eyes turned crimson red along with the white of his eyes turning black. The inside of his mouth became pitch black and his teeth as red as blood. Two horns sprouted from his head, a black skeletal wing sprouting from his back."Ahhh~! Just picturing sends chills down my spine. I'm not doing this out of my contract with Fine. I just really want to kill you now! This feeling will be satisfied by nothing! Show me your worth, Takeru! For I WILL REVEL IN IT!"

Survive: Modoku

"Shit!" Takeru responded in kind, activating his own Survive.

Survive: Chikara

Two bubbles combusted. One of energy and another one of venom, completely decimating the area around them. Once their transformation was finished, their armors had been restored and were now in their Survive forms.

(Play Berserk OST- Sign)

Allister cackled maniacally, zig-zagging his way toward Zolda, who tried to shoot him with his Magnuvisorazwei but Ouja was faster than before.

Sword Vent: Venomblade

Ouja sliced Zolda's hand, causing him to drop his visor momentarily. He tried to grab it, but Ouja kicked it away and proceeded to go on the offensive."It's been so long...since I felt like this! The ecstasy I'm feeling...it's like an everlasting orgasm! I have never been pushed this far. All this time my battles ended quickly and in disappointment. But no more..."

Zolda grabbed onto the blade, but Ouja pulled back, slicing his palm open. The pain was excruciating.'It's coated in poison. It's burning me...!'

"I never felt this powerful of an emotion before. Only when I met my friend, Elsa, had it ever come close. You have awoken my sleeping memory, Takeru!" He saw the blade coming at him again, but this time, he arched his back, using his arms to support his weight, and delivered a double kick against Ouja's chest, launching him away. He leaped toward his visor, picked it up, and quickly activated a new card.

Shoot Vent: Gigantocannons

Zolda shot his new cannons, firing two beams of energy from them and hitting Ouja dead on. But to his surprise, Ouja quickly recuperated, already closing his visor to use a new power.

Strike Vent: Viperhiss

A big gauntlet reminiscing of Venoviper's head appeared in his left arm, and he immediately aimed it at Zolda, shooting a beam of poison toward him. Zolda began running away as the attack corroded everything around them, melting it down.

"Through our hard effort and constant dedication, salvation will come!" Ouja chanted, his gauntlet opening up and spewing a purple tendril that tangled around Zolda's ankle. He pulled hard, using it as leverage to throw Zolda into the sky."We shall rejoice as we are granted with peace unending! An eternal paradise where we will all be happy! The Lord has listened to our pleas! The end shall come!"

Zolda crashed through several trees, retaliating and shooting his cannons in the dark, not knowing where Ouja was exactly. He landed next to a pond and heard the rustling of leaves near the trees, shooting more of his beams in the direction. He knew he couldn't let Ouja near him again and not be prepared, so he opened up his visor and activated a card.

Strike Vent: Gigantoblasters

"And how do you know this day will come?!" Takeru demanded, blocking Ouja's strike with his gauntlet. The cylinder of his gauntlet rotated, creating an explosion that pushed Ouja back. Zolda gave chase."What proof do you have that this world will even come to happen?!"

"Why, us, Takeru." Ouja laughed hysterically."We are undeniable proof and building blocks of the new world's grand design! We are to be sacrificed for the sake of a wish that will forever change life as we come to know it. The Lord demands it."

"I will never serve your God!"

'What the fuck happened to him?!' Zolda pondered, now realizing Ouja was slicing the air, creating energy slashes like Tsubasa.'He was crazy before, sure. But now he's acting like a whole fucking religious fanatic!'

A slash of poison cut through a tree, threatening to fall on Zolda. He punched it, his gauntlet rotating and releasing another shell as it blew the tree away.'He's acting like Zeke did when he used the Divine Power. Could it be that that power affects a person's mental state? Or is this simply his real personality? His true nature?'

Swing Vent: Vipertail

A total of four tendrils appeared on Ouja;'s back, each of them resembling Venoviper's tails. He used two of them to hold himself in the air, and the other two to grab Zolda's cannons, crushing them.

"And you're happy being a puppet?! Is this really what you wanted?!"

"Of course!" Allister responded with glee."I have always been a puppet! I never had a dream to call my own! But now, I embraced salvation and gave up my life for a greater cause! In the end, we're both puppets, Takeru! Because we are to give way for the Messiahs!"

Zolda punched the tendrils, releasing two shells from his gauntlet but the explosions had barely any effect. He grabbed the tendrils, roaring as he pulled on them and threw Alister into the lake. However, one of them had wrapped itself around his foot, pulling him into the deep waters.

"Fucking fuck!" He cursed, finding himself underneath the muddy waters. He couldn't see due to how dirty the water was and the darkness of the night didn't make it easier. He could vaguely make up the purple glow that the viper tails emanated the closer they got to him.

"You and I will become one! You will forever be part of me!"

Takeru punched off the tendrils until his gauntlets ran out of shells. He was smacked in the face by one, and struck repeatedly by the others."Salvation is but a step in front of us. This world is done for. Only Hazuki will save humanity and guide it toward the light. If you comply, you will be rewarded with a perfect life. One that you have only dreamed of. Resist, and your soul shall be lost for all eternity!"

Shoot Vent: GigantoAssaulter

Grabbing the compacted railgun in his hands, he took aim in the water and began spraying around him, shooting at the water as he began swimming toward the surface.

"You're denying the new world. And for what? Why do you still fight? What reason could you have to keep going? You shouldn't have come here alone."

"Reason?" Takeru chuckled."Does a man need a reason to protect his wife? I'm fighting to give the others a future. A future where we can decide what we want to do. Not live enslaved by Loki or Hazuki. And it all starts by killing you!"

All four tendrils wrapped around his legs, weighing him down and pulling him deeper into the water.'Fuck it.'

Wing Vent: GigantoJet

A jetpack was equipped to Zolda's back, and he ignited the propulsors to shoot himself out of the water, dragging Ouja behind him.

Booster Vent

Two metallic soles were added to Ouja's boots, serving as propulsors, and flew on part with Zolda until he caught up and they both began to wrestle in the air. They began losing altitude, crashing through several trees as they flew throughout Val Verde. Ouja rose his tendrils, and Zolda countered the attack by firing several rockets from his jetpack ahead, homing in on the tendrils and destroying them. Eventually, they crashed on the ground, landing on a wasteland.

"Uh..." Zolda groaned, his head spinning. He realized where they were, and his heart skipped a beat. It was unmistakable. It was just as the day he left it. The destroyed base which once belonged to the Breaker Alliance, was covered with the fauna over the years.

"How fitting that we ended up here," Ouja remarked, examining the terrain. The area was completely deserted. Destroyed armored vehicles, broken buildings as well as holes on the ground, and the dry blood were enough for him to paint a picture of the massacre that happened here years ago."Your life started here. And so it shall end here. That is my last gift to you. You should be happy. You always wanted to be a soldier, no? Not all soldiers get to die in the place they call home. The majority die far away from it. But you will be an exception. You will die where you grew up."

"This is where my life began." Zolda stood up, facing him."And it's one of the landmarks of my life. One that I came to visit. And one where I will bury forever after I'm done with you."

"Yes. Yes! Very good Takeru! Keep acting all defiant! Because you at the rate you're going, you will never know the glory of salvation."

Advent: Venoviper

Advent: Magnugiganto

Magnugiganto towered over the terrain, making the snake look like a dwarf in comparison. It tried to squash it, but it was slow due to the size. The snake spat venom, corroding part of its arm, but the monster kicked it in the air and bombarded it with missiles.

"Ah~! My heart! It's pounding so fast!" Allister moaned, twirling his Venoblade and deflecting the bullets away."I don't even remember feeling like this. Ever!"

"That's a sad life you're leading. That it took surrendering your life to an evil God for you to find some sort of...purpose?"

"Life just works in mysterious ways, doesn't it?" Allister chuckled."And what about you? Your purpose is what? Protecting a world that's already doomed to disappear? Say that you manage to beat us. What then? What happens in the future? Do you think conflict ends with us? With the Bavarian Illuminati? Ryuki doesn't seem to think so."

"Wait...how do you-"

"What will you and your little friends do? Continue fighting? Maybe have your kids fight?" Allister shook his head."It's a temporary solution. Conflict will always continue no matter the age. In this world, at least. All you're doing is dropping a drop of food coloring into the ocean. Nothing will change. You're fighting an uphill battle."

"Maybe so. But that's just part of the human experience, don't you think? And there will always be people like us. People who want to protect us and the world we live in." Takeru slapped his chest."Because this world is worth protecting."

"So you say." Allister suddenly appeared in front of Takeru, barely missing kicking him in the head. Zolda went for a kick, but Ouja grabbed his thigh and spun him around, throwing him on top of the abandoned base. Once he landed there, Zolda gasped, feeling the whole place beginning to crumble.

"You're the one who's going to die!" Ouja bellowed, using his Viperhiss to spew venom at the foundation and corrode it, causing the whole place to collapse. Allister did a bow, removing his helmet to show his wicked grin.

"A nice show, huh?"

Shoot Vent: GigantoBits

Suddenly, drones emerged from the dust, shooting laser beams from their eyes while trying to ram into Ouja. They surrounded him, forcing the Rider to use his blade and gauntlet to fend them off.

Shoot Vent: GigantoRailgun

Zolda had moved from his position, laying on top of a tree branch and holding his GigantoRailgun.

'I have no choice but to use this.' Zolda began cchatring his Divine Gun.'This took down Zeke, who had the same Divine Power Allister did. If this doesn't work, then I don't know what else to do. But I have to try!'

"Desperate, we are?" Ouja grinned, jumping on top of a drone and making it run into another, causing it to explode.

Venom Vent

Pools of venom appeared around the area, and serpents emerged from them and proceeded to tear through the drones. They focused their attention on Zolda, who had somehow been spotted, and fired several purple beams at him.

"Oh, fuck!"

Activating his jetpack, Zolda flew higher into the air, narrowly avoiding being hit by the blasts.

"There you are!" Ouja grinned, opening up his visor and sliding a cart inside.

Swing Vent: ViperTail

Once more, he was equipped with four tendrils attached to his back. The venom snakes spewed venom at them, coating them with their toxin. Allister ignited the propulsors at his feet, taking off into the air as he began spinning around rapidly, creating a purple tornado."You are mine, Takeru! I will claim you as my prize!"

"Like hell! You're the one who's becoming one with me!" Zolda aimed his gun, which was charged at 48%, and began rapid-firing laser beams at him. The tornado completely dissolved the attacks closing in on Zolda as he lunged out of the way, hearing Allister's maddening cackles.

"Hahahaha...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...KYAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

Not only did Zolda have to avoid being sliced by the tornado but he also had to keep an eye out on the venom snakes down below. He also had to charge his weapon up for maximum effect. So he reached for his Deck and called in the big guns. Literally.

Energy Vent

Countless weapons made of green energy appeared behind Takeru, aiming at the snakes below, and began bombarding them as if it was an airstrike. Bullets, missiles, rockets, and more rained down on the forest of Val Verde, destroying the snakes but they kept reappearing from the puddles of venom they originated from."80%!"

"It's useless!"

Zolda slashed through the jetpack, destroying half of it and prompting Takeru to spiral out of control. He raised his head, firing several machine guns at the tornado. Realizing the attacks weren't working, he focused his energy and created two giant fists, reminiscing of Magnugiganto's. He threw the first punch, crashing against the tornado. And to Allister's surprise, he was pushed back. The second fist came down, punching him and launching him toward the ground. Zolda focused his attention on the snakes, launching both fists alongside various energy cannons at them.

One of the snakes spat venom as he spiraled to the ground, burning through his armor and into his body, turning the left side of his torso an ugly purple. He crashed to the ground, holding his weapon close just as the snakes were disintegrated by the bombardment.

(End Song)

"I...I..." Ouja gasped, picking himself off the ground and his armor cracked in various places.

"Looks who is tired now, asshole..." Zolda snickered, raising his gun and aiming at Ouja."Now die!"

The attack illuminated the whole terrain, turning night into day momentarily and decimating everything in its path. Ouja gasped, realizing he wasn't going to dodge in time. It was all or nothing.

Unite Vent

But the attack never hit.

"No way..." Zolda muttered, watching as the attack was absorbed into a black void that was Genocider's stomach. A sharp pain caused Zolda to scream, coughing blood. Ouja had stabbed through his stomach through his back, taking advantage of the confusion to sneak in on Zolda. But Zolda wasn't going to let this go unpunished. He conjured one last energy cannon behind him, shooting it straight at Ouja covering his body and breaking apart most of his armor. "You...used Unite Vent while in Survive...?"

"It was a gamble." Ouja winced, returning to his regular Survive form as the evolved Genocider disappeared back into Venoviper."But...it sapped me of all of my energy...My body can't handle the power...But you're on your last legs too...If you remove that sword, you'll bleed to death."

"Yeah, I figured..." Zolda mustered a weak chuckle, grabbing his stomach.'Sorry, Chrissy...Guess I won't be able to keep that promise after all. But...I swear...I am taking this bastard to hell with me one way or another. So he will never lay his hands on you!'"You know...you're wrong about one thing. Hazuki isn't the messiah destined to change the world. It's the Lieutenant. Hajmime Adachi. Just as you believe in Hazuki, I believe in Hajime. He will save the world! I promise you that!"

"Silence, blasphemer!"

Both Riders heaved for breath, exhausted. But they weren't about to back down.

Strike Vent: ViperFangs

Shoot Vent: Gigantocannons

(Play Berserk OST - Sign 2)

Ouja ran toward Zoalda, albeit more sluggish and slower than before, reflecting his fatigued state. They were both at their limit. This next battle was going to be the last. Zolda shot several rockets at him, forcing him to be on his toes all the time and maintain his distance. His ViperFangs, two twin daggers reminiscing of Venoviper's fangs, were coated with poison, and he slashed the air, creating several slashes of energy.

Zolda couldn't afford to be moving too much due to the danger of having the sword slip out of him and bleeding to death, so he opened up his visor and summoned Magnugiganto.

Advent: Magnugiganto

The giant monster stood tall, blocking the attack with ease, allowing Takeru to activate another card.

Final Vent: Barrel Full Burst

Magnugiga bent down, picking up his master and putting him inside the cockpit of his head, functioning as a mecha. Using the roller threads at its feet, Magnugianto advanced, raising its arms and using the miniguns inside of his hands.

Final Vent: Venomous Drive

Ouja jumped on top of Venoviper in its bike form, riding around and avoiding the projectiles from Magnugiganto. The missiles and rockets crashed through the trees and into the mountains around them, leveling the place as the game of cat and mouse continued. A tail sprouted from the back, extending over to grab the robot's hand, pulling him as Ouja picked up speed. Zolda grimaced, spitting blood inside of his helmet, the wound worsening by the minute. He pushed a button, prompting his monster to start compacting into a tank. Shooting from its cannon, Ouja was sent flying into the air, a perfect target for Zolda's artillery. Missiles, beams, rockets, machine guns, mortars, and more were fired from the tank, forcing Ouja to rev up his bike, a trail of purple neon behind as if it were nitro. The tail grabbed around the cannon, using it to steer the tank at will. The explosions covered the whole area, and the stray explosions could be seen from miles away. Eventually, Ouja landed on the ground, engulfing himself in a purple aura of venom as he headed toward Zolda.

Takeru moved the cannon, charging it up before unleashing a potent beam of energy just as soon as the bike rammed into it, creating an explosion that sent both Riders out of their Monsters and returning to their base forms.

The Magnuvisor fell out of Zolda's hand and he tried to grab it, screaming in agony as the sword in him cut more of his flesh.

Final Vent: Veno Crash

"Fuck...!" Takeru fought through the main, hearing Ouja's insane cackles as he stood behind Magnugiga, inserting his gun into its back. Magnugiga opened up the compartment in its chest, unleashing several projectiles that struck against Ouja, but not before the snake-themed Rider kicked it with all his strength, knocking the robot into Zolda. The former mercenary howled in pain as the robot pushed the sword straight through him, nearly crushing him as he fell to the ground. Now that the sword was not embedded into him, blood pooled around him, his body became still.

(End Song)

Ouja panted, laying on his back as his transformation disappeared, his Divine Power running out and returning to his human form."I'm all...out of power...But I finally killed him. I killed Takeru."

Allister sat up, realizing his leg was twisted unnaturally. The adrenaline probably dulled the pain, but it didn't matter. The light that Takeru had kindled...was dying down. His emotions were beginning to slow down, bringing him down from his euphoria. He...was confused. He stared at his hand, a blank expression on his face.'I finally did it. I finally discovered my own emotions. All this time, I sought to see it in others because I thought I was incapable of having it. But here I am...And despite that, why am I feeling so...No way..."

(Play Evangelion OST - Thanatos)

To his utter shock, Zolda was beginning to get back on his feet, one of his arms holding his stomach to prevent his exposed guts from spilling out. Half of his helmet was broken, revealing his bloody lips as he wheezed.

"It can't be...you're supposed to be dead..." Allister said in awe."How are you still able to stand...? How are you still transformed? I have Divine Power...and yet you outlasted me in terms of stamina?!"

Takeru said nothing, shakily raising his visor and aiming at Allister.

"How can you still stand?! How?! Why?! You should be dead!" Allister screamed, a new feeling invading his mind. It was the opposite of how he was feeling earlier.'Is this...fear? Do I fear for my life...? But that's impossible...'

The orange-haired teen was now aiming at Allister's head. One shot was all it took. All he had to do was shoot Allister and win.

'I get it...' Allister finally realized the truth."The source of your strength...The reason why you're still standing with a gaping hole in your stomach and I'm on the ground...It's because of her, isn't it? You want to protect Chris Yukine and that desire is giving you strength. Heheheheh...It's a shame. I never got to see if Elsa was alive or not. Go ahead then. Kill me. Finish this off."

He was defeated. He had no energy to move and his leg was broken. There was no other way around it. He was afraid, yes. But he had resigned his life to this cause. He also understood the fact that once you take a life, yours will be taken away as well. Kill and expect to be killed.

His mind trailed off to Mona. He had to come love that girl the past 2 months she's been with him. He adopted her because she resembled Elsa, but now, he was starting to think that maybe...it was the only thing to do.

'Elsa...Sorry. If you're out there. But once the new world descends...I might see you again.'

He waited. And waited. And waited.

But he...wasn't dead. Was he?

He cracked his eyes open, looking up toward Zolda, who was still in the same position."What? Taking pity on me? You're not going kill me? Or are you just planning how you'll torture me? Well, do what you must, Takeru. I owe you that much. But-Huh?"

Then he saw it. He saw the inside of his helmet and that's when he knew.

"Takeru...you're dead..."

"Ah...I don't have the strength to pull the trigger...' Takeru lamented in his mind, his gaze becoming fuzzy, and was not able to feel anything anymore. It was cold. Too cold.

'I guess...This is it, huh...?' Takeru sighed, but managed a weak smile.'It wasn't a bad life. I regret some of my choices, sure. But I could never change them. Because they led me to meet them.'

His friends flashed in his mind, their time spent together playing as if he were watching a movie. And then, he imagined himself in a church, holding Chris close to him, a little older than they were.

"Do you, Takeru Sakamoto, take Chris Yukine to be your wife, to cherish in friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live, to trust and honor her, to love her faithfully, through the best and the worst, whatever may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each other and the reason why you came together with her this day?" The priest asked.

"I do," Takeru said, smiling warmly at her.

'I lived a good life. More than someone like me deserves. After all the lives I took.' Takeru marbled at the scene as if he were part of the crowd of people at the wedding.'I thought I would die a pointless death on the battlefield. Alone. But that's far from the truth. I am not alone. And I died for a purpose. I gave those kids a chance to live and my friends too. A soldier is supposed to protect those who can't fight. Save lives. Even if I failed to save many, if I can only save a few, that's plenty for me.'

"Do you, Chris Yukine, take Takeru Sakamoto to be your husband, to cherish in friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live, to trust and honor him, to love him faithfully, through the best and the worst, whatever may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each other and the reason why you came together with him this day?"

"I do," Chris said between tears, holding Takeru's hands.

"I pronounce you a married couple. You may now kiss the bride."

Takeru didn't have the chance to start the kiss, since kiss grabbed his cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss. Their friends cheered them on, overjoyed by their love.

Takeru flashed back to another scene, this time of him and Chris when they were kids, sitting together by the lake outside of Fine's mansion, staring at the moon.

"Yeah..." Takeru sobbed, tears streaming down his face as he found himself back in reality, his eyes growing heavier and heavier."This is enough for me. Just imagining it is enough. More than I could have ever...wished for...Thank you...For being part of my life, Chris..."

"Oh, right." Takeru closed his eyes, his own voice became distant until he couldn't hear anything anymore."Chrissy's birthday is in a few months. I better start with her birthday present. Otherwise, she'll get mad at me..."

"Man...I could really go for some Mcdonalds right about now..."

Allister blinked, unable to comprehend anything at this point. But what made it all clear was seeing Takeru's face as his armor began to disintegrate from his body.

"In the end, you died with a smile on your face. And standing, as if you were unwilling to surrender." He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists."You don't get to die on me, Takeru! You are supposed to keep fighting! Show me more! More of that emotion! Let me feel that rapture again!"

The assassin continued to scream as Takeru's body began to turn into particles until he was gone, dropping the Zolda Deck on the ground. He stopped screaming, taking deep breaths to calm himself. Reality finally set on him. Takeru Sakamoto was dead. And the proof of that was the card sliding from his Deck. He picked it up. It was a Contract Card, a card granted to Riders after they defeated another Rider.

He wordlessly held it in front of him, prompting Magnugiga to emerge and huff in anger upon seeing his master die. However, before he could attack him, the card sucked him inside, successfully sealing him. Now he held the Magnugiga card with his logo on it.

"This feeling..." Allister clenched his chest, pocketing his card and taking out a dark marble, crushing it as he was engulfed in a purple light."I wonder if I will ever be able to feel it again."

He saluted the air where Takeru was."Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity. And don't worry. I'll see you up there soon enough."

With that, Allister was teleported away. Unbeknownst to him, he had forgotten two things. One, was the Promise Ring that had come off Takeru's finger, laying on the ground. And the other...

Chris continued massacring the Mirror Monsters in the hospital, her breathing ragged after fighting the countless horde of monsters. After she had secured the hostages to safety, she returned to the hospital and killed off all the monsters by using her Ignite Module. She was exhausted, sweating profusely.

'I'm sorry.'

She gasped, turning on her heels and scanning her surroundings."I could have sworn I heard something..."

Shaking her head, the lavender-haired girl looked toward the distant clouds of smoke."Doesn't matter. I have to go find Takeru!"

"It's real quiet here without those two." Terunosuke remarked, sitting in their living room with Mona and Strike, watching a movie."Not that I don't appreciate not hearing their incessant rambling, but it's...different."

"It is." Hazuki, who was sitting on the couch next to them, nodded."Does that mean you're beginning to appreciate them more?"

"Appreciate them? Who? Those looneys?" He scoffed at the idea."Be real."

"Playing hard to get, eh, Teruno?" Loki teased, giggling. Just then, a portal opened up, revealing a bloody and wounded Allister, who fell on the ground."What the hell?!"

"Allister-san!" Mona was the first to rush toward her father figure."Please! Please wake up!" Strike rushed toward his owner, barking next to him as if he was worried as well.

"I'm alive..." He chuckled, forced to be lying on the ground since he had no the energy to move.

"Kuwana-san, please help me carry him to his bed." Hazuki requested, receiving a nod.

The oldest member of their group scooped Allister in his arms, carrying him toward his room and dropping him on his bed."What happened? You got messed up. Was Val Verde that dangerous? Did you at least activate the Gate of Hell there?"

"Yeah...As soon as I got there." Allister groaned, wincing upon feeling the pain coming from his leg. He showed them a card."I also got this."

"So...you killed him," Hazuki noted.

"Eh, you must be pretty happy, huh?" Loki asked, but he was puzzled when he saw Allister's gaze fixated on the wall."I see...So you have awoken to that state."

"That state?" Terunosuke inquired, wanting to know more.

"I can sense the power I bestowed upon you has matured even more." Loki remarked."It seems you've awoken during your fight. How did it feel?"

"Incredible..." He beamed, surprising the two other males in the room."I never felt so alive. But that feeling..."

"My power awakens the inner self. The true self. What you felt was the inner desires in you." Loki continued."So that's why you feel...melancholic, to put it that way. You crave it. But worry not. You will be able to feel it once more. All you can. That power grows based on your mental state. Your needs. Your desires. Right now, with three monsters and his power developed, I dare say he's the strongest person out of you guys."

Neither of them said a thing. Their minds pondered in their thoughts.

"So...I take it Chiaki-chan...?"

"Yeah. She left for her mission." Hazuki nodded.

"And you're okay with it?"

"As long as she brings me his Deck, it's not a problem. And I told her to leave Setsuna alive." Hazuki folded his arms."Hajime won't cooperate. So there's no need to keep him alive."

"I see..."

"And you, Teruno?" Loki asked the dark-haired man."You and Chiaki-chan are the only ones who haven't defeated a Rider yet. I'm surprised you haven't rushed out the door to go look for one of your beloved brothers, considering your competitive nature."

"I will when I feel like it." Teruno grumbled, shifting his gaze to the blonde."I'll get it done. I won't stay content with the handout you gave me, Kaburagi."

"Very well." Hazuki regarded him with a nod."Allister-san, rest for now. We'll go fetch you something to treat your leg. But for now, we'll let you sleep. You'll need it."

"Ah...thank you, Messiah." Allister smiled at his object of adoration.

"I'll bring you some water and some snacks." The little girl said."Do you want me to bring you anything else?"

"Actually..." Allister adopted a smaller smile."If you could get me something from the McDonalds down the street, that would be great. I always wanted to try those smoothies of theirs..."

"Got it. Let's go, Strike."

The dog followed the girl out of the room, leaving Allister by his lonesome. He glanced to the outside with a tired expression on his face."You're out there, aren't you...Elsa..."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end for Takeru Sakamoto. Fuck. I cried while I was writing this. This guy has been with us since almost day one and we've come to know his struggles and the things he holds dear. He's been there for his friends and protected his beloved Chris. But alas, no one is safe in this cruel war that will decide the fate of the world in the future. But damn. I love Takeru. As the author, he's one of my favorite characters. But I didn't want to give him any special treatment.

I've been thinking for a while now, and with all these deaths and sad stuff going on, I might make a substory about the Symphogear OVA so if you guys feel depressed reading this, you can go there and lighten your hearts.

And finally, Genocider is completed. Not with Gai and Raia. But with Zolda and Scissors. We'll see what kind of power Allister has in the future.

Remaining Kamen Riders:

Ryuki: Hajime Adachi

Knight: Yosuke Yanagi

Tiger: Jades Demetrios

Raia: Raiden Amaterasu

Alternative : Bragi Third Dienheim

Abyss: Hamaguchi Kuroiwa

Odin: Hazama Liang

Ryuga: Hazuki Kaburagi

Gai: Terunosuke Kuwana

Ouja: Allister Albedo

Femme: Chiaki Nakahara

Defeated Riders:

Scissors: Goro Tanaka (Killed by Ouja)

Alternative Zero: Dr. Ver (Bled to death from Carol's attack)

Verde: Zeke Crowley(Killed by Zolda)

Abyss: Damian Schwarzer(Sacrificed his life to overload the Overall.)

Alternative: Bragard Second Hyperion(Incapacitated)

Imperer: Andreas Kagatsuchi (Killed by Ryuga)

Zolda: Takeru Sakamoto (Killed by Ouja)