A/N: My apologies to my many loyal readers! I regret letting so much time lapse without coming out with a new chapter. Sometimes, life gets in the way of things. I will try not to let that happen again. I appreciate all of the support this story has gotten over the years. Your kind words mean a great deal and I am determined not to let you down!

To those who don't know, I have recently uploaded the original Down a Different Branch fic to archiveofourown and have added as many pictures to each chapter as possible to more less improve the quality of the story. Feel free to log in over there and give it a read!

Given that has been taken over by scammers attempting to get me to buy alleged custom art of my stories and a number of other bugs I have noticed with this site, my plan is to simultaneously start releasing this story on AO3.

[ . . . It felt like it had been years . . .]

The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed through the snow-laden countryside, the crisp winter air biting against Tatsumi's skin as he guided the horse-drawn stagecoach through the endless white expanse. The sun hung low in the sky, its pale light barely breaking through the gray clouds that had settled over the foreign land. The cold was constant, unyielding, but he had long grown used to it.

Wrapped in thick furs, Tatsumi kept his gaze fixed ahead, his breath coming in steady puffs of mist. Snow stretched endlessly before him—untouched, pure, except for the winding path carved by travelers before him. But as the carriage approached a dark forest just off the wayward road, a glint of familiarity flickered in his eyes. The towering trees, their branches heavy with snow, stirred a memory within him.

This was the place.

Tatsumi gently pulled on the reins, bringing the horses to a slow halt. The animals snorted, their warm breath steaming in the cold air as they pawed at the snow-covered ground.

With a firm exhale, the former assassin climbed down from his seat, his boots crunching against the ice-covered earth. He made his way to the carriage door, his hands already reaching for the handle before hesitating. A small smirk tugged at his lips. He knew exactly what to expect when he opened that door.

And sure enough, when he stepped inside, there she was—Esdeath, curled up comfortably beneath layers of thick blankets, her long blue hair spilling over the pillow in wild waves. She looked peaceful, her chest rising and falling steadily, the faintest trace of a smile on her lips even in sleep.

Tatsumi reached out, his hand gently shaking her shoulder. "Esdeath," he called softly.

A groggy murmur was his only response as she shifted beneath the blankets. Slowly, her icy blue eyes fluttered open, still hazy from sleep. A moment passed before she stretched her arms lazily, her lips curling into an impish grin as she suddenly reached out and grabbed Tatsumi's arm, pulling him closer.

"Mm... Tatsumi," she purred, nuzzling against him playfully. "Come back to bed. It's too early for this. Just a few more years . . ."

"Years?" Tatsumi swallowed hard, feeling the warmth of her body pressing against his even through the layers of clothing. He could practically feel the smug amusement in her touch, knowing full well she was testing his resolve.

"I'd love to," he admitted with a strained chuckle, trying to pry himself free, "but there'll be plenty of time for that later."

The Ice Queen sighed dramatically, resting her chin against his shoulder. "You always say that, but you're so stubborn."

Tatsumi finally managed to slip out of her grasp, shaking his head as he stood. "Come on, we need to get up."

She let out an exaggerated groan but finally sat up, her movements slow and languid. Her expression shifted from teasing to mild curiosity as she glanced around. "Why have we stopped?"

Tatsumi stepped aside, gesturing toward the door. "Because we've arrived."

She blinked, pushing off the blankets as she gracefully slid out of the carriage. The moment she stepped outside, the wind swept around her, carrying the bitter chill of the land, though it did little to faze her. She surveyed the surroundings, her gaze flickering from the distant horizon to the forest at their side.

She frowned slightly. "I don't see the city of Hertz."

Tatsumi shook his head. "That's because we're not headed there yet. If I remember correctly, Hertz is about 20 kilometers south of here. First, I plan to deal with the omega-class danger beast." He turned toward the towering trees. "This is the same forest I ventured into before I encountered it last time."

Indeed. Although the forest was otherwise quaint, it was the very same forest Tatsumi and Chelsea had ventured into with Ambassador Klaus while working undercover for Night Raid. Memories of the events that transpired here washed over the former Night Raid Assassin like cold water, but he knew now wasn't the time to reminisce.

There was a moment of silence. Esdeath's expression barely shifted, but Tatsumi caught it—the brief flicker of concern in her sharp blue eyes. She hesitated, her gaze lingering on the darkened woods as if seeing something beyond what lay before them.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

In an instant, her hesitation vanished, replaced with a familiar gleam of excitement. A small smirk graced her lips as she tilted her head. "Wrong? No, quite the opposite." She stepped forward, resting a hand on her hip. "If anything, I'm eager. Let's deal with this so-called omega-class beast once and for all."

Tatsumi exhaled, watching her carefully, but decided against pressing further. Instead, he tightened his grip on his weapon and turned toward the forest, his resolve firm.

[. . . a rematch no one expected . . . ]

The thought-to-be-deceased Neo Partas Clan mercenary, Jason Wolfgang, had just revealed himself—though he was no longer the man he once was. Before Wave stood a monstrous humanoid scorpion, his grotesque form looming with an unnatural presence. The former Jaeger tried to move, to react, but an unseen force kept him rooted in place.

Damn it, why can't I move?

Jason's massive scorpion claw rose high, its deadly edge gleaming in the dim cavern light. With its sheer size and weight, there was no doubt in Wave's mind—a single hit would be enough to end him. The claw came down like a blacksmith's hammer against an anvil.

A deafening clang echoed through the cavern.

Wave blinked in surprise. Somehow, despite his immobilized state, he had managed to summon his mighty Grand Chariot armor. But as he glanced at his now-limp right shoulder, realization set in.

"Feels like he just broke my arm. This is bad."

The humanoid scorpion hybrid withdrew his claw, clicking his mandibles in amusement. "Didn't think you'd be able to activate your Imperial Arm in that condition, but wonders never cease with you, shit boy," he mocked. Then, with a predatory gleam in his eyes, he sneered. "It's just as well. I wanted to kill you at your best… ANYWAY!"

With blinding speed, his other claw lunged straight for Wave's helmeted face.

Despite the unnatural weight pressing down on him, Wave forced his body to move. At the last possible second, he twisted his torso, narrowly dodging the lethal strike before tumbling several yards away. The moment he hit the ground, he rolled into a crouch, breathing heavily.

"Not as quick as I'd like, but even with this weird weight, Grand Chariot's strength boost should at least keep me from becoming a sitting duck."

Jason, however, wasn't done. Smirking, he suddenly flicked his massive scorpion tail forward, the air whistling with its sheer velocity.

The Grand Chariot wielder barely had time to react.

The impact sent him flying like a ragdoll, his armored body crashing through solid rock before embedding itself into the cavern wall. Dust and debris crumbled around him as he coughed violently, a trace of blood staining the inside of his helmet.

"Haven't been hit that hard since I fought Leone. Pretty sure that just cost me a couple of ribs. If I stay on the defensive like this, I'm done for."

Jason's laughter rang through the cavern, thick with mockery. "Awww, what's wrong, shit boy? Tuckered out already?"

Wave clenched his teeth as he pushed himself free from the rock, doing his best to mask the pain wracking his body. But as his gaze flickered toward Jason's scorpion tail, something caught his attention. The stinger at its tip was glowing—a faint, ethereal purple light.

"That tail… Could it be?"

Before he could fully process it, Jason surged forward once more, his hulking form launching through the air, claws primed to strike.

Wave had seconds to act. His mind sharpened. His body obeyed.

In a single motion, he bent his legs before slamming both feet against the ground, kicking downward with a peculiar rhythm just before takeoff.

"Grand Fall: Geyser!"

His body shot upward like a rocket, leaving Jason's claws to slam into the empty space where he had just stood. The force behind the strike shattered the ground beneath it.

Jason snapped his gaze upward just in time to see Wave rebounding off the cavern ceiling, using the momentum to redirect himself downward at an incredible speed.

A glimmer of surprise flashed across the monstrous warrior's face.

"Grand Fall!"

Jason barely managed to cross his claws in front of him, absorbing the brunt of the devastating dropkick. But even as he blocked, the sheer force sent him skidding back several yards, his claws digging trenches into the cavern floor.

The Grand Chariot wielder landed, his body low and ready to press the advantage.

Jason staggered, his monstrous form momentarily thrown off balance. That split-second opening was all Wave needed.

With a powerful step forward, he twisted his body and drove his left fist forward—straight at Jason's temple. Every ounce of his strength, every bit of momentum from Grand Chariot, fueled the punch.

The impact was brutal.

Jason's head snapped to the side, twisting a full 180 degrees with a sickening crack. For a brief moment, the cavern fell silent.

Wave kept his fist pressed against Jason's skull, his breaths heavy. Did that do it?

A low chuckle shattered the silence.

Then, Jason's mouth curled into a wicked grin.

"Nice try," he rasped—before his massive claw lashed out, swatting Wave away like an insect.

Wave barely had time to brace as he was sent hurtling backward, crashing violently into another cavern wall. The force left the entire chamber trembling.

Jason's head slowly twisted back into place with an unnatural snap, his glowing eyes locked onto his prey.

"You're gonna have to do a lot better than that, shit boy."

Wave groaned as he pushed himself up from the rubble, his body aching from the sheer force of Jason's last attack. His breathing was heavy, but his mind remained sharp. There was no time to wallow in pain. He had been in situations like this before—where the odds were stacked against him, and the enemy held every advantage. But he was a warrior, forged in battle, and he wasn't about to go down without a fight.

His eyes locked onto Jason, who stood with eerie confidence, his massive scorpion tail swaying lazily behind him. The tip pulsed with an unnatural lavender glow, casting a haunting shimmer against the cavern walls.

Wave shifted his gaze downward, glancing at his own armored hands. His breath caught slightly as he noticed it—faint, but undeniable—the same eerie purple light faintly clung to his body like an invisible weight.

"That light… it's the same as before."

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. The strange sensation of heaviness, the sluggishness in his limbs, the way his movements had been slowed ever since Jason revealed himself—it all connected back to the moment he was first struck by that ominous glow.

"That tail… that light… he's manipulating gravity."

Before Wave could fully process his discovery, Jason let out a sadistic chuckle. "You're looking a little sluggish there, shit boy. Figured it out yet?"

Wave's eyes narrowed beneath his helmet.

Jason didn't give him time to respond. In a flash, he lunged forward, his clawed feet cracking the stone beneath him as he propelled himself toward Wave. At the same time, his tail arched back and then snapped forward, releasing another concentrated burst of lavender light.

Wave saw it coming and tried to dodge. He willed his body to move, to sidestep the oncoming attack—but his limbs felt like they were moving through tar. He wasn't fast enough.

The blast struck him square in the chest.

An unseen force crashed down on him like a collapsing mountain. His knees buckled instantly, and an unbearable weight pressed onto his shoulders. The already sluggish movement from the first blast was nothing compared to this—his body had become even heavier.

Wave clenched his teeth as he sank to one knee, struggling to even lift his arms.

Jason cackled. "Awww, what's wrong? Feeling a little weighed down?" He flicked his tail mockingly, the purple glow flickering in eerie patterns. "You should've stayed down when I sent you flying. Would've saved yourself the trouble."

Wave gritted his teeth. His body was screaming at him to stay down, to succumb to the force pressing on him—but his mind refused.

Jason wasted no time capitalizing on his advantage. He dashed toward the immobilized Wave, claws poised to tear through him like paper.

Thinking fast, Wave grabbed a handful of smaller debris from the rubble around him and hurled it at Jason. It was a weak attempt—born more out of desperation than any real strategy. Jason barely even acknowledged it, swatting the debris aside with an amused scoff.

"You'll have to do better than—"

Wave didn't let him finish. Using what strength he had left, he seized a sizable boulder from the collapsed wall and hurled it forward with all his might.

Jason grinned, unfazed. With a single, powerful swipe of his claws, he shattered the boulder into dust.

"Really? That's all—"

But as the dust settled, Jason's grin faltered.

Wave was gone.

Jason's eyes narrowed in irritation. "Tch. Where the hell—?"

His gaze darted around the cavern, scanning for any sign of movement. The only thing that remained was the hole in the cave wall—Wave's original crash site.

His scorpion tail twitched.

"...Oh, you clever little shit."

Unbeknownst to Jason, Wave had taken full advantage of the distraction. The moment the boulder hit, he had forced himself into the hole in the cavern wall and immediately started digging, using the monstrous strength of Grand Chariot to carve his way deeper and deeper into the cavern.

His breathing was ragged, his muscles strained under the increasing weight Jason had inflicted on him, but he pushed forward. If he had stayed out there, trying to fight toe-to-toe in his current state, he would've been slaughtered.

No. He needed time. He needed a plan.

[. . . they thought they could use it to their advantage . . .]

Even though the sun had already risen, that alone wasn't enough of a reason for Leone to get out of bed. Her eyelids felt like sandbags, her body warm and comfortable beneath the satin sheets. Sleeping in had always been one of her top five favorite pastimes during her time with Night Raid, and today was no exception.

But whether it was due to her countless life-or-death experiences as an assassin or the feline instincts granted to her by her Imperial Arm, there was one thing she couldn't do—ignore a persistent noise.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Her ears twitched. A groggy mutter escaped her lips as she curled deeper into the bed.

"C'mon, Boss… just a few more… minutes?"

Midway through her lazy complaint, her golden eyes fluttered open—and suddenly, she wasn't feeling so comfortable anymore.

This wasn't her bed.

Leone's instincts kicked in as she slowly sat up, scanning the unfamiliar room. A few more seconds of blinking in disbelief confirmed that she definitely wasn't in her cruise stateroom.

Nope. This place was way nicer. The king-sized bed, the ridiculously high thread-count sheets, the overall extravagant décor—yeah, this was first-class luxury. A hell of a lot fancier than the room she was supposed to be sharing with Run.

And then, the realization hit her.

Her eyes flickered toward the floor. Clothes—her clothes—were strewn about in a messy trail. A quick glance to the other side of the bed revealed fresh, neatly arranged covers, as if someone had only just vacated the space.

Her gaze drifted toward the nightstand, where a single piece of paper lay, the name Rokugou elegantly signed at the bottom.

Leone smacked her palm against her face. "Oh, shit…"

Just like that, the memories of last night came rushing back.

"So much for playing hard to get," she muttered to herself. "Boss is not gonna be happy about this."

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The knocking hadn't stopped.

"Geez, hold your horses!" she barked, throwing the sheets off her.

Her eyes landed on her dress, discarded on the floor. Then, she remembered how Run had helped zip up the back for her last night.

"Yeah… not an option."

She strode over to the closet and swung it open, her gaze quickly landing on a neatly hung bathrobe.

"Perfect."

Tying it securely around her waist, Leone marched toward the door and yanked it open with an annoyed huff.

"What's so freaking important that you—"

Her irritation vanished the instant she laid eyes on the man before her.

A perky, well-groomed old gentleman in a sharp black tuxedo stood there, carting in an assortment of covered dishes, their stainless steel lids gleaming under the light.

"Room service!" he announced with a cheerful expression on his face.

Leone blinked. Recognizing him as one of the cruise ship's concierges, her demeanor shifted entirely.

"Well, why didn't you say so? Come on in!"

"Yes, ma'am," the elderly man replied with an impeccable smile, wheeling the cart straight into the dining area.

Leone practically skipped after him, rubbing her hands together. "Alright, whaddaya got for me, Jeeves? I'm starving."

"Everything a healthy young lady such as yourself requires to start the day—fresh eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast," the old man listed off smoothly. "I also took the liberty of securing a copy of today's newspaper for your review."

"Sounds good to me!" Leone licked her lips, eyeing the pristine silver domes covering the plates. "You can keep the paper, though. Never really been a fan of the news."

Without warning, the old man rolled up the newspaper and whacked her on the back of the head.

"Nor of self-control, apparently."

Leone winced, rubbing the back of her head. She wasn't hurt, but she sure as hell hadn't expected that.

"What the hell—" Her voice trailed off.

Something wasn't right.

Her golden eyes studied the old man more closely, noting the strangely familiar energy radiating off him. And then there was the way he spoke—the casual, knowing tone…

"No way," she muttered.

The supposed concierge reached up to his face—and with one sharp pull, he ripped it away.

Or rather, the clever disguise he had been wearing.

Beneath the expertly crafted mask was none other than Run.

Leone's jaw practically hit the floor. "What the hell—How did you—?!"

Run didn't dignify her shock with a direct answer. Instead, he calmly turned on his heel and walked straight toward the bedroom.

"Years of practice."

Leone scoffed, still reeling. "Vague much?!" She hurried after him. "What are you even doing here? Rokugou could be back any second. If he sees you here, you'll blow our whole operation!"

Run ignored her as he opened the closet, his eyes scanning the garments inside. "Stones and glass houses, Leone."

"Oh, ha ha. Very funny," she grumbled, arms crossed. "For the record, I've got everything under control!"

Run casually moved past the closet, heading for the armoire. "All evidence to the contrary."

Leone cleared her throat. "Look, I've been keeping a close eye on him. If you're here to search for his Imperial Arm, don't bother—I already checked. He wouldn't just leave it lying around in some closet."

Run didn't even glance at her as he methodically searched the drawers. "Is that so?"

Leone shrugged. "Cut me some slack. I'm not an idiot. I did plenty of espionage in Night Raid."

Run's hands stilled for a moment before his sharp eyes landed on something inside the armoire.

At the bottom sat a small, locked safety deposit box.

Leone sighed, placing a hand on her hip. "He doesn't seem like the type to just let someone see where he stashed something that valuable."

"If my Imperial Arm could make me stupid rich in seconds, I definitely wouldn't hide it in some random cruise room closet," Leone added.

Run merely smirked as he reached into his sleeve, retrieving a thin lockpick.

With practiced precision, he slid it into the lock.

A click echoed through the room.

With a quiet click, the safety deposit box unlocked.

Run's fingers hovered over the lid for a moment before he lifted it, his sharp eyes immediately scanning the contents within. Leone, leaning in eagerly, craned her neck to get a look inside.

"Well? What is it?" she asked, curiosity practically dripping from her voice.

Run didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached inside, carefully pulling out a neatly folded parchment. The texture alone told him it was something of importance—thick, watermarked, and carrying a faint scent of expensive ink. As he unfolded it, the golden crest of Bestimmung gleamed at the top, followed by a bold title inscribed in elegant cursive:

Letter of Invitation

His gaze sharpened as he read the sender's name at the bottom.

Chancellor Eisen.

Run's lips curled into a smirk, his fingers running along the paper's fine embossing.

"Well, well… I might actually be able to make use of your lack of self-control after all."

Leone's brow twitched. "Excuse me?"

She crossed her arms, glaring at him in annoyance. "You really gotta knock it off with these jabs at me, Feathers."

Run continued reading, completely disregarding her grumbling. "This letter is an official invitation for Rokugou to attend this year's Steel Festival in the city of Hertz."

Leone tilted her head. "Okay, and…?"

Run sighed, closing his eyes for a moment before—whack!

Leone flinched as the rolled-up newspaper once again smacked her squarely on the head.

"Would it kill you to brush up on foreign affairs?" Run muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The Steel Festival isn't just some town fair. It's one of the most prestigious events in Bestimmung, held only once a year. Participation is by invitation only—and the only one who chooses the participants is Chancellor Eisen himself."

Leone blinked, rubbing the back of her head. "Yeah? So?"

Run frowned. "The winner of the festival—whoever accumulates the most victories across the event's many challenges—is awarded a boon from Chancellor Eisen." He let that sink in for a moment before he added, "And he's been known to grant nearly any request within his power."

Leone's golden eyes widened, realization dawning on her.

"Ohhh," she muttered, finally getting it. "So that's what you're thinking…"

She scratched her chin before cocking an eyebrow. "Wait, but don't we actually have to get invited to participate in this thing?"

Run smirked, tapping the parchment with his finger. "Normally, yes. But those who are invited—like Rokugou—are allowed to bring a select number of retainers to compete alongside them."

Leone's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Oh-ho~! And since Rokugou was invited… and since I, y'know, rolled around in the sack with him and have super strength… I'm definitely getting picked as a retainer."

Run rolled his eyes. "Something like that."

Leone let out a smug chuckle before turning her attention back to the breakfast still sitting on the dining table. With practiced ease, she plopped down into a chair, grabbed a plate, and started piling food onto it.

As she shoveled eggs into her mouth, she paused mid-bite. "Okay, but what about retrieving Rokugou's Imperial Arm?" she asked through a mouthful of food.

Run took a seat across from her, steepling his fingers. "That's the best part," he said. "The Steel Festival is bound to create plenty of opportunities for us to make a move. And with any luck…" His smirk returned. "We'll be the ones with the most say in what boon Chancellor Eisen grants."

Leone swallowed her bite, drumming her fingers against the table. "So, basically, all we gotta do for now is make sure Rokugou picks me as one of his retainers?"

Run nodded.

Leone grinned, flexing an arm playfully. "Pfft. Easy. Guy's already smitten with me—he'd be an idiot not to bring me along."

Run gave her an unimpressed look. "Let's just make sure nothing else about your lack of self-control complicates things."

Leone rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I got this."

As she dug into her breakfast, Run leaned back in his chair, his mind already calculating the many ways this new development could play out.

[ . . . relief . . .]

Hours had passed, but it felt like an eternity.

Wave remained hidden within the winding interior of the cavern, his breaths controlled, his body pressed against the cold stone. His muscles ached from the unnatural weight bearing down on him, the lingering effects of Jason's gravity manipulation sapping his mobility. Even with Grand Chariot's strength, a direct confrontation in this condition would be suicide.

And yet, the humanoid scorpion hybrid was relentless.

BOOM!

The walls trembled as one of Jason's massive scorpion pincers smashed through another cavern section, shattering rock like glass. His voice rang out, dripping with venomous amusement.

"C'mon, shit boy! You can't really think you're gonna outlast me in here, do you?"

Wave tightened his fists, staying as still as possible. He could hear the hulking hybrid stalking the tunnels, smashing through anything that so much as looked like a hiding place.

SMASH!

More rubble collapsed somewhere deeper in the cavern.

"Man, this is sad. What happened to all that bravado from earlier, huh?" Jason sneered. "Guess when push comes to shove, you're just another scared little coward—too afraid to fight me like a man!"

Wave clenched his jaw, willing himself not to react. Jason wanted him to lash out, to make a mistake.

But then—

Silence.

Wave's eyes widened beneath his helmet. "Wait…"

Something was wrong. The smashing, the taunting, the cavern-rattling destruction—all of it had stopped. He strained his ears, but there was nothing. No footsteps. No shifting of rocks.

Just nothing.

A surge of alarm shot through him, but before he could process it—

CRASH!

Jason's massive scorpion pincers ripped through the rock wall behind him, stone fragments flying in all directions as Wave was yanked out into the open.

Wave barely had time to react before Jason slammed him into the ground.

Then again.

And again.

And again.

Each impact sent shockwaves through his armor, rattling his bones beneath. The already oppressive weight on his body from Jason's gravity was only making things worse—he could barely lift his arms to defend himself.

The world spun.

Jason cackled as he battered him like a plaything. "That's more like it! How's it feel, huh?!"

Wave gasped as another brutal pincer strike knocked the wind out of him. His mind screamed at him to fight back, but his body was barely responding. And then—

That feeling began to creep in.

A cold, desperate sensation clawed its way through his chest, just like before. Just like when he'd faced Jason the first time, back when he was still human. Just like when he fought Leone.

A terrible burn spread through his eyes.

"No. Not again."

Wave gritted his teeth and shook his head violently, forcing the sensation back. He refused to lose control.

Jason snorted, gripping him tighter with his pincers and lifting him effortlessly. "You're pathetic. At this point, I think I'll just tear you out of that tin can and watch you wiggle helplessly as I finish you off . . . nice and slow."

Wave, barely conscious, felt Jason pulling hard on his armor, trying to rip him free from Grand Chariot. The sheer force was excruciating.

But Jason had made a mistake. He had gotten too close.

With every ounce of strength he had left, Wave suddenly jabbed a finger straight into Jason's eye.

The reaction was instant.

"ARGH! YOU LITTLE SHIT!"

Jason howled in pain, immediately releasing Wave as he thrashed violently, using his humanoid hands to clutch at his bleeding eye.

Wave hit the ground hard but didn't waste the opportunity. He turned, pressing his armored hands against the cave wall and clawing his way upward.

Jason continued to thrash below, his rage echoing through the cavern. "WHERE THE HELL—?!"

His single good eye darted around wildly, his tail lashing behind him. "HIDING AGAIN, HUH?!"

Above him, the Grand Chariot wielder secured his grip along the cavern ceiling. His breathing was ragged, his limbs screaming in pain, but he wasn't hiding anymore.

Jason's gaze finally snapped upward.

Wave's armored form hung from the ceiling, his fingers dug firmly into the rock.

The humanoid scorpion monster burst into laughter. "What, is that your big plan? You just made yourself an easier target! You idiot!"

However, Wave remained silent.

Jason sneered, raising his tail, its stinger glowing menacingly once more.

"This time, you won't even be able to move a damn finger."

The lavender ray shot forward.

"Just what I was waiting for."

At the last possible moment, Wave let go.

The beam hit, engulfing him in its gravity-altering light—only now, he was falling toward Jason, carrying more weight than ever before.

"GRAND FALL!"

Jason's eye widened in realization.

"Oh, sh—"

It was too late.

Wave's augmented dropkick came crashing down, its force multiplied by Jason's own gravity.

With a sickening CRUNCH, Wave's boot shattered Jason's skull completely, caving in his humanoid head as his body was driven into the ground. The sheer force of the impact left a crater in the cavern floor, dust and debris exploding outward.

Wave gasped for breath, his body trembling as he forced himself upright. The dim lavender light around him faded. The weight on his body lifted.

It was over.

He let out a shaky exhale and deactivated Grand Chariot. Immediately, his battered body collapsed onto his knees.

"Great," he muttered sarcastically as he noticed the sharp pain in his right leg. It was broken.

As he tried to steady himself, something caught his eye.

The ember lotus he had planted in the cavern the previous evening.

Its ethereal flames were still dancing… but now, they were moving faster.

Wave frowned, a sense of unease creeping into his gut.

Then he saw it.

The flames began spreading—not outward, but toward Jason's body.

"What the hell—?"

The fire enveloped the monstrous corpse, consuming it entirely.

Wave instinctively scooted back, eyes locked onto the surreal sight. His mind raced.

And then—

Jason's body twitched.

Wave's heart pounded in his chest as the ember lotus's flames healed the shattered remains, Jason's skull reforming in seconds.

His limbs regenerated. His life force returned.

The Grand Chariot wielder kept backing away, dread crawling up his spine. "No. No, no, no, no."

The scorched, reborn form of Jason stood up, his glowing eyes snapping open.

He grinned.

"Round two, shit boy."

Jason's newly regenerated form loomed over Wave, his jagged mandibles clicking as his glowing eyes locked onto his battered prey. His grin widened, his voice a low, venomous growl.

"You're dead."

With terrifying speed, Jason lunged, his massive pincers raised high, poised to crush Wave where he lay.

Wave, drained, bruised, and struggling to even move, could only scoot back frantically, his heart hammering in his chest. His body screamed in protest—his broken leg barely obeying his desperate attempts to create distance.

Damn it! Move!

But before the scorpion hybrid could strike—

CRACK!

A thick sheet of ice erupted around Wave, forming a crystalline barrier between him and Jason's descending pincers. The frozen wall shone with an unnatural blue glow, stopping the otherwise lethal blow in its tracks.

Jason's mandibles twitched in confusion. "What the—?!"

Wave's breath hitched as he recognized that ice immediately.

He turned his head, eyes widening in disbelief.

Standing elegantly at the cavern's entrance, dressed in a regal navy blue military jacket adorned with golden trim, was none other than Esdeath.

"Commander…?" Wave breathed, his face breaking into a relieved smile.

Esdeath returned his gaze, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Long time no see."

Her expression, however, immediately darkened as her piercing blue eyes flicked toward Jason. She examined the monstrous humanoid scorpion hybrid with an unimpressed glare, her sharp gaze scanning his grotesque form with clear disdain.

"So this is the so-called Omega-Class Danger Beast I've been hearing so much about?" she mused, her voice laced with disappointment. She exhaled, shaking her head. "Hmph. I expected something… bigger."

Footsteps echoed softly behind her.

From the cavern's entrance, a familiar figure emerged—his movements casual, almost bored. His dark cloak fluttered slightly from the cave's subtle draft, and as he stepped closer, he exhaled lightly, shaking his head.

"That's not it," Tatsumi remarked flatly, his voice calm and measured.

Wave's eyes widened again.

"You're here too?!"

Jason scoffed, glancing between the two newcomers, his claws flexing in irritation.

"I don't know who the hell you two are," he growled, his tail twitching menacingly, "but if you're friends of shitboy here, that just means I need to put digging two extra graves on my to-do list."

Esdeath's smirk widened ever so slightly, amusement flickering in her ice-blue eyes.

She took a step forward, scanning Jason with renewed interest. "How curious," she murmured. "A talking Danger Beast… That's rare." Her smirk curled into something far more sinister. "I wonder what I'll find when I dissect you later."

Wave pushed himself up slightly, wincing from the pain. "No—he's not a Danger Beast!" he corrected quickly. "When I fought him the other day, he was human."

"Oh?" the Esdeath asked with an inquisitive look in her eyes. "And what became of him after you fought him?"

Wave sighed with a modicum of remorse on face. "He died by my hands"

The Ice Queen's expression didn't change. Instead, she took a slow, deliberate breath, inhaling deeply through her nostrils. A second passed.

Then she exhaled with a small, amused shake of her head.

"As I thought," she said simply, her tone laced with certainty. "Whatever human you fought the other day is long gone." She eyed Jason again, licking her lips slightly. "This soulless thing is definitely a Danger Beast now."

Tatsumi narrowed his crimson, cross-slit eyes, gripping the hilt of Incursio tightly. His expression was calm, but the air around him shifted—there was intent in his stance.

"Then that settles it," he said evenly. "If it's a Danger Beast…" He pulled Incursio slightly from its sheath, the sharp glint of its blade catching the cavern's dim light. "…there's no reason to hold back."

Wave forced himself up on one knee, urgency filling his voice. "Tatsumi—wait! Don't underestimate him! This thing's a lot stronger than it looks!"

Tatsumi, however, didn't seem concerned.

Jason sneered. "Tch. Cocky little bastard." His tail arched up, its tip glowing once again with that eerie lavender light. "I'll crush you just like I did to him."

With a swift motion, Jason aimed his scorpion tail at Tatsumi and fired a concentrated burst of gravity energy.

But before the shot could even land—

SHWIP!

A sudden gust of wind blasted through the cavern.

Wave barely registered what happened before his vision blurred. A second later, a horizontal line appeared across Jason's massive frame.

Then—

SHLUCK!

Jason's body split in two.

Wave's eyes widened in shock as Jason's torso slid clean off his lower half. His bisected form remained suspended for a brief, eerie moment before gravity took hold, sending his dismembered upper body crashing to the cavern floor.

Behind Jason's twitching corpse stood Tatsumi.

His posture was completely relaxed, his stance unshaken. His sword, dripping with Jason's blood, remained extended for only a moment longer before he swung it lightly to the side, effortlessly flinging the excess liquid off.

He exhaled. Then, in one smooth motion, he slid Incursio back into its sheath with a sharp click.

His expression?

Calm.

Battle-hardened.

Wave couldn't speak. Couldn't move. He had just spent hours struggling to survive against this monster—only for Tatsumi to cut him down in an instant. The Grand Chariot wielder could barely fathom what he had just observed and did not know what to make of it.

The Incursio wielder turned his head slightly, his face betraying not a single ounce of concern. Instead, his lips curled into a small, casual smile.

"Well," he said lazily, rolling his shoulders.

"Let's go deal with that actual Omega-Class Danger Beast."

A/N: An end to another exciting chapter! Love it? Hate it? Think this story should have stayed under the ice? Comments are much appreciated! Lets see if we can finally get this story to the place it needs to go!