Blazing Steel and Freezing Bullets

by Shinn of Destiny

Left alone in a blazing forest, Relon is soon saved and the path before him opens. With much to learn about such as his past, family, friends, even the very people trying to destroy the peace and him to an extent, his enrollment at Thors will be anything but normal.

48. Perspectives

SynchroReach: Ooooh boi. im excited for next chap.

Haha, I'm excited to publish this so enjoy this dumpster load of 4 chapters worth!

tackler5rb: Wow the last two chapters were dense, but also fantastic and interesting to read as you are building your world. I can't wait to see what happens next!

And it's only gonna get denser! Hope you continue to enjoy my friend!

---

Shinn: You seem upset.

Andrew: I'm not.

Shinn: You sure?

Andrew: Yes.

Shinn: 100%

Andrew: More sure than I am about accepting this "forced marriage"

Shinn: Wow, that's really certain.

Andrew: Yup.

Shinn: So just so we're clear. You're NOT mad that I pulled Baal in Genshin and you didn't.

Andrew: ... I'll be right back.

Shinn: Um, okay?

Andrew: ... I'm back.

Shinn: You sure you're sure?

Andrew: I'm just peachy!

Shinn: Then why did you shout out the window in a mixture of anger and sadness?

Andrew: RAAAAAAAAA!

---

Yujiro

Bursting through the land at incredible speed, he lands outside of the gate entrance into Heimdallr. Crouching down, he bursts into the air with such strength, a crater is left behind. Zooming forward and upwards, the strong wind pressure flows off his body not slowing him down in the slightest. Reaching the highest peak, now completely over the large population city, he scans the land.

Squinting his eyes, he sees off the road an encampment of RMP and civilians. One individual resembling Mayor Otto.

Landing on the ground with a small tremor, he burst forward along the road.

Damn it, right when I'm not in the city!

Rushing through the road almost invisible to the naked eye, a single particle catches his eye. As if time slows down, his eyes watches it go past his ear.

-Yujiro, hurry my friend...-

Hearing those words, Yujiro slides to a halt creating a large dust cloud. Slowly looking back, something indescribable drops within the pit of his stomach. Widening, his teeth clenches in fury as his arms begin to tremble profusely. Snapping back in the direction of Celdic, he takes off with a mighty leap.

Celdic Group

"Come on kids, the safe zone isn't far now!" Cecily calls as the group rushes on carrying the unconscious Silver and Blaze with Norowareta being wheeled by Phineas and Ferb.

Glancing to her youngest daughter, Cecily narrows at the white particles leeching from her body.

She was fine on the way and out of nowhere, this happens...!

Looking back around in the direction of the Celdic, Cecily tightens the grip on her pike. Her mind going back to Relon and the enlarged Pippin along with the wave of flames burning across the sky.

Relon, everyone, please be careful!

"Oh, Cecily!" An elderly voice calls causing the woman to turn back around to take sight of Mayor Otto hurrying towards her and the children.

"Silver and Blaze needs medical attention!" She calls out, both sides nearing the other. "I don't know what's going on with Reta!"

"Goodness, we need medics over here!" He shouts, waving back for Cecily to see the safe zone full of medical tents and RMP soldiers standing guard look their way.

Hurrying to the group, the medics take the three away into one of the tents.

"Kids, go with them. Do what you can to help." Nodding their heads, they head off after the medics. "What's the situation?" Cecily asks with urgency.

"No serious injuries. Just minor scratches here and there. Relon kept that fellow elderly man busy while the RMP escorted us away."

"Good..." Breathes a sigh of relief.

"But what happened to young Reta? I've never seen anything like that before."

"I don't know!" Cecily answers looking at the tent where her children are as indicated by the particles leaching through the roof. "It just happened suddenly and then she went unconscious!"

"Cecily, please try to calm down." He pleads worriedly.

"... I'm sorry, my mind is all over the place. As the caretaker of the orphanage, as a mother..." She places a hand covering her face as she takes a few deep breaths.

"Listen to me for a moment." He calls in a calm voice gaining her attention. "Seeing Silver and Blaze in that condition, they're the most injured so far. As for little Reta, I don't know what to make of it, but I do know one thing."

"What's that?"

"They must have done a swell job." He smiles an old man smile towards the mother.

Hearing those words, her unease begins to fade as a small warmth of pride fills her heart.

"Yes, they did amazing."

Seeing something in the air out her peripheral, Cecily followed by Mayor Otto look up seeing a lone figure shooting through the sky. Widening, Cecily is brought back to the current situation.

"Mayor, look after Reta and the kids!" She begins to turn away.

"Leave it to me." He nods in understanding eyeing at the figure near Celdic with a mighty thud before jumping into the air once again. "And Cecily." Cecily looks back down to the man. "Be careful and teach those hoodlums not to mess with Minato's home." He roots with her arms.

Smiling, the mother can only nod before taking off. Looking into the sky, she watches her brother go out of view. A single thought in their minds...

Senate, you're going to pay dearly!

Reaching the town, she pays the destruction no mind as she continues on only to hear the sound of a train from the station.

"A train?! Now of all times?!" Clicking her tongue, she hurries towards the station only to stop seeing a familiar woman with fuchsia-colored hair come barreling out of the station, sword and gun in hand.

"Sara? I thought-"

"I was going to Parm? I did. Saw a wave of fire and decided to come back." The instructor answers with haste. "What's the sit...u...a...tion?" She halts her question looking around at the destruction stopping at the Grand Market.

"Senate's here. Come on, Yujiro is ahead of us. Most likely fighting as we speak!" She takes off with the Purple Lightning right next to her.

"The hell did I miss?!"

"Senate, most likely a Leaguient, attempted to hurt the kids at the orphanage. Silver and blaze fought him off and Relon took over. That wave of fire was Relon's doing. Best hypothesis I can come up with is he absorbed the heat from the sun." She finishes, both women arriving at the gate.

"Wait, you think he can do that?!" Both surveying the now cleared out entrance though the charred marks on the ground remain.

"Like I said, it's a hypothesis. But considering how his absorption of heat works, I wouldn't put it past him to have increased it during his fight with Barbatos."

Not to mention, the area itself is undoubtedly smoldering from his flames' attacks even though the fire is absent.

Feeling a sudden tremor, both kneel down.

"The hell?!" Sara questions. "Come on!" Both hurry along the path.

Making their way to the bridge, both halt looking upstream to see something go flying before another tremor erupts.

"What was that?!"

"Whatever it was, it was massive and that's where everyone is!" Cecily answers, both women jumping onto the ridge and taking off into the woods.

"The whole earth is ruptured. Relon, the Leaguient, and or whoever else must have been going at it." Sara comments, both women jumping into the canopy.

Moving from branch to branch, both see a clearing as well as flames up ahead.

"We're almost there!"

"Wait a sec!" Sara responds, both halting at the edge taking sight of the individuals present.

"What are you- Huh?" Cecily's question is answered as both look down below seeing Class VII along with Grunoja, their eyes shifting to an unconscious Rean.

"Rean!" Sara mutters in worry.

"Don't worry, he seems fine... Look!" Cecily points, Sara turning back to land upon the individual seeming to represent similarities to Relon. "Is that Relon?"

"I should be asking you that. He's your nephew."

"Whatever it is, it's something we're both seeing for the first time." Cecily states switching from her pike to her bow and arrow. "Questions for after we join the fight. You ready?" She asks, rearing back an arrow.

"Yeah, let's get in there. Hurting my students was the biggest mistake they could make…!" Sara answers, her demeanor becoming focused as she aims her pistol for the man next to Yujiro.

Heimdallr Group

"I want every available personnel within 1 selge as well as half of the tanks at every stationed base around and within Heimdallr making their way towards Celdic! NOW!" Osborne orders to troops.

"Yes, sir!" They salute before departing.

"Sir, your vehicle is ready." Another salute gesturing towards.

"All intel units, be on standby! I want any and all possible radio transmissions coming in and out of Celdic recorded and diagnosed!" Lechter orders.

"Yes, sir!"

"Olivert, be careful!" Empress Priscilla cautions, Alfin, Elise, and Musse along with Cedric and the king himself.

"Olivert, please be careful and help Relon." Alfin repeats with clasped hands, worry evident on all of their faces.

"Emperor, Empress, Prince, and Princess, you have my word, I won't let anything happen to Prince Olivert." A tall young man with short brown hair and green eyes. wearing the standard officers' uniform of the Imperial army which is mostly purple with black stripes.

"We're counting on you, Mueller." The Emperor nods.

"Yes, sir!"

"Prince Olivert." Musse speaks, gaining his attention to widen slightly seeing her bow before him. "Please... save Relon." Her plead genuine and full of concern.

Feeling a hand place itself on her shoulders for the greenette to look up to a grinning Olivert.

"You have nothing to fear, Madam Musse." He states confidently. "We both know how strong and stubborn Relon is. Consider this one large precaution in case things get hectic. Don't worry, he'll be fine and we'll all return safe and sound. You have my word."

"Prince Olivert..." Musse mutters at a loss of words.

"He's right." Alfin says gaining their attention. "Relon is a lot of things and stubborn is definitely one of those things. But he's also one to keep a promise. Don't forget, he's coming back to be my bodyguard~." She winks.

"Alfin, even in moments like these you cease to amaze me with that mentality." Elise sighs with a smile. "Don't worry, Relon will be just fine.

"Alfin... Elise..." Smiling, Musse nods her thanks. "Yes, you're right."

Seeing the three, Olivert redirects his focus to his family.

"May Aidios bless you with victory!" The Emperor bids.

"YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!"

Hopping inside with Mueller driving, Olivert, Osborne, Lechter and all visible personnel take off.

Relon, win! The three girls think in resolute unison.

"ETA 20 minutes!" Mueller calls from the front.

"Good, we-" Olivert is silenced as something above his peripheral catches both his and the rests' attention.

Seeing a figure far ahead of them land, it takes off into the sky once more.

"That's Yujiro!" Olivert exclaims.

"All units, prepare for battle! We don't know whether the area is safe or blistering hot!" Osborne warns through the radio.

"Hang on Claire, the cavalry is on its way..." Lechter mutters.

Reaching the safe zone, they take sight of the RMP and the civilians.

"What's that?!" Lechter points to a tent with white particles dissipating through the roof.

Narrowing his eyes, Osborne looks to Olivert.

"The last medical unit remain here and assist in the RMP's efforts." Osborne radios as they drive on.

As they pass, they get a clear view of the individuals with the odd tent, Olivert and Lechter widening to see it belong to Norowareta.

"That's Relon's kid sister!" Lechter voices is shock.

"It would seem she too isn't exactly normal." Osborne notes with crossed arms, Olivert turning around to look at the man eye-to-eye. "Now isn't the time for such comments, Giliath."

"Indeed. My apologies." He gives a curt nod, Mueller looking through the rear-view mirror and Lechter between the two top figures.

"Hang on, things are going to get rough!" Mueller warns, all grabbing on as they enter the park, the rough terrain making the vehicle bounce.

"Lechter." Osborne calls.

"I'm already on it, chief!" He states looking at his ARCUS unit having already connected it with the surrounding orbal surveillance cameras. "Take a left! Then we'll have a dead end ahead of us!"

Doing so before going over the bridge, they drive along the side of the ridge, said ridge curving to form a dead end.

"What's the plan?" Mueller asks. "We're going to need a ramp or something to get through."

"Don't stop and maintain your current speed." Olivert orders rolling the window and sitting with his top half out the vehicle, symbols dancing around him. "One ramp coming up. Claiomh Solarion!" Olivert shouts, a magical circle appearing in front of the moving vehicle as out comes a metal hand before firing a condensed white beam at an angle obliterating the ridge.

Driving through the smoke, they feel a sudden incline before landing with a thud as the group begins maneuvering the trees.

"Excellent work, sir."

"Thank you for your swell driving, my friend."

"The terrain is even rougher here than back at the entrance." Lechter notes. "Just how much fighting did Relon do?"

"All units, push through. The enemy is up ahead." Osborne orders, the clearing just up ahead.

Looking out the window, his eyes take note of Class VII only to widen at the sight of a downed teen. A familiar hairstyle he has seen long ago that the mere sight causes him to fully turn around placing a hand on the window as they grow farther apart.

Rean... My son... Turning back ahead, his fist slowly creeps into a fist. Senate, you'll pay dearly for your foolish actions!

Relon, Yujiro, we're coming! Olivert thinks gripping his orbal gun as he steels himself for the coming battle.

Group B

"... You're the worst big sister figure ever." She pouts looking away for Sara to go wide-eyed.

"EXCUSE ME?! I'll have you know I am a great sisterly role model!" Sara shouts getting in Fie's face.

"If you were, I wouldn't be worried sick about the other! And if you really were as great a sister as you claim, then you'd GO THERE TO EASE MY WORRY!" Fie responds with equal volume getting in Sara's, the two having the staredown of the century.

"Fine!" Sara forfeits stepping away. "Aidios, give me a sign that I should go!" Sara hollers with her hands in the sky.

"Hey, look! What's that!" A civilian shouts gaining everyone's attention to widen.

A wave of fire flies across the sky before continuing on out of view.

Slack-jawed, Sara looks to Class VII before Fie who is wearing a knowing look.

"I'm going to check on the others! Toodles!" She bids blitzing to the station, Group B watching their teacher leave.

Taking a single step after the ex-bracer, Fie stops. The student in her wants to listen and remain where it's safe, but the jaeger in her is telling her to go after. Gripping her small hands, she bites her bottom lip over the indecision.

"Excuse me?" Emma, Machias, Jusis, and Gaius turn to see a small boy. "I'm Timmy. I think my mommy is looking for me." He rocks back and forth, the four widening.

"Well would you look at that, the child is lost no more." Machias states victoriously toward Jusis who crosses his arms.

"Hmpf, not another word."

"I'll escort him home." Gaius comments already hurrying away with the boy.

"Wait, Gai...us. Darn it." Emma sighs looking at the two.

"Oh no, you have to admit this town doesn't lose all of their kids!"

"On what grounds should I have to accept you to be correct on such a silly matter?!"

"What grounds? The hell else, Albarea?!"

"I refuse." He crosses his arms looking away.

"You son of a-"

Taking her attention off of them, Emma takes note of her female companion.

"Fie?" Emma calls over.

What do I do? Stay or go?! I want to believe in the others and Sara, but... but! She lowers her eyes to the ground, unable to decide. Argh, why am I struggling to decide? I've never been like this!

"We just met today. You saw back at the old schoolhouse that I can take care of myself."

Widening her yellow orbs at the memory, she remains unresponsive.

"Yes, but it still leaves me feeling uneasy knowing something could happen."

Slowly, her head lifts up to the train station.

"Again, it's none of your concern. We're basically strangers so I don't see why you have to be so persistent."

"Fie...?" Emma calls hesitantly, Gaius returning for both Machias and Jusis along with him to catch up to Emma. "You're not thinking of doing what I think you're doing... right?"

"Because, Fie, I refuse to sit by and wait for something that can possibly end badly."

Rean...

Retightening her hands, she turns back to her classmates. A look of conviction etched on the short girl's face.

"I'm going!" She takes off.

"Wait, Fie!" Emma extends a hand hurrying after.

"Wait you two!" Gaius calls running after them

"Huh?! Seriously?!"

"Stop complaining and get a move on, you dull snail!" Jusis takes off.

"Who the hell are you calling a snail, you pompous rat!" Machias retorts, hurrying afterwards.

Reaching the station, Fie looks in the direction of the train already revving its engines beginning to depart, all of the passengers as well as the conductor off to the side bewildered.

"Come on!" Hurrying, Fie jumps with great ability onto the back.

"Oh...!" Emma pants running beside Gaius.

Gathering a burst of energy, Gaius pushes off landing inside the trolley.

"Emma, grab my hand!" He extends and after a moment of fishing, their hands catch one another before he pulls her on.

"Thanks a lot, Gaius." She pants sprawled on the ground.

"Machias, Jusis!" Fie calls out with cupped hands, Gaius turning around to see both running with all their might on the tracks after them.

"Come on, you're almost there!" Gaius states extending a hand along with Fie.

"Push you two!" Fie shouts. "Who else is going to beat Relon and Emma on the midterms, huh?!" Fie shouts.

"Fie..." Emma murmurs in awe at the sudden emotion coming from the girl.

"She's right! Who's going to give words of wisdom that we don't exactly ask for?" Gaius calls out.

Memories begin to resurface. Her constant bickering with Rean over her numerous sleeping spots coming to mind...

"Who's going to keep the class lively with the constant bickering?!" Emma shouts leaning over the railing.

The times where Fie, Rean, Relon, and Laura would gather at night to hang out and drink tea...

I've lost enough already! I don't want to lose anyone!

The times of sleeping in a tree and peering down on Rean training, a smile coming to her face.

The weeks in class that everyone went from strangers to feeling cozy like a big family... I don't want to lose those moments!

Gripping the railing tightly, Fie cups her hands and roars.

"SO, COME ON! GET ON THIS DAMN TRAIN!" All three reach their hands further out.

"PUSH HARDER SO WE CAN SAVE REAN AND THE OTHERS!" All three cry out in unison.

"Fie... Everyone...!" Machias murmurs. "Come on, Albarea!"

"Tch, you needn't tell me something I already know! If those buffoons go off and get themselves killed, I'll...! Argh, damn it all!"

Running as fast as their legs will carry them, they slowly inch themselves closer as the train exits the station. The light from the sun brightening their surroundings.

"Jump for it, you two!" Gaius shouts, both running to lung forward.

Barely missing by their fingertips, both Fie and Gaius push further out grasping their hands.

"Gotcha!" Both state smiling, Fie then widening as she slips up off her feet.

"Fie!" Emma shouts rushing and grabbing her waist pulling her back, Gaius pulling Jusis over as the girl pulls Machias, all five falling to the floor panting.

"Let's... never... chase... chase a train... again!" Machias wheezes. "I think I need an inhaler." He coughs.

"You all... are going to be... the death of me!" Jusis groans.

"Well, let's hope that isn't the case." Emma chuckles.

"We're here now so no use complaining." Gaius says, all eyes looking at the shortette getting to her feet.

"What?" She flatly asks.

"Oh no, after everything that just occurred within the last two to five minutes, you're not fooling anyone." Machias denies, the group getting to their feet.

"..."

"Fie~." Emma hums knowingly.

"Is it wrong to want to save our friends?" Fie demands with a deadpanned expression.

"Not in the slightest." Gaius smiles with crossed arms.

"Considering you got us aboard this suicidal locomotive, what's our plan of action now oh leader?" Jusis questions with crossed arms.

"Simple." Fie steps further into the train withdrawing a single gunsword to look over her shoulder at the four. "We back up Group A."

"Hmpf."

"Sounds good!"

"Alright!"

"Very well. May Aidios and the winds guide us."

Just then, the train jolts causing all to fall back to the ground and rolling backwards colliding with the door resulting in a human pile.

"We're picking up speed!" Machias groans out

"Thank you for spouting the obvious, Regnitz!"

"I didn't ask for more sass, Albarea!"

"Can you two ever just not argue?!" Fie groans out.

"Before we can get to Celdic..." Emma says with worry.

"We have to survive Instructor Sarah's driving!" Gaius finishes in realization.

Slowly getting back to their feet, they make their way to the next trolley finding seats and quickly sitting down. Just as they do, as if running over something, they all bounce into the air before landing back down.

"Ouch!" Emma winces rubbing her rear.

"Sara may have the world's strongest led foot, but she's too good at driving a train." Fie states also rubbing her rear.

"What makes you say that?" Emma asks, looking over the boys in the section across the small aisle.

"We're already approaching Heimdallr." Fie answers looking out the window at the approaching large city.

"Hang on, she's going to hit the brakes!" Emma warns, all holding on to what they can as the train rumbles to a screeching halt, the lights from the station blurring into visibility.

"Everyone okay?!" Gaius calls out.

"Yeah/Jah!"

"Come on, Sara must have called ahead of time and is already getting on the next train!" Fie voices already exiting through the caboose.

"That would explain why we didn't end up crashing into any other trains." Machias comments.

Peaking around the corner, Fie sees Sara hurrying to the next train further up with the conductor saluting.

"Let's go!" She takes off.

"I thought we weren't chasing after another train!"

"We aren't if we make it this time!" Jusis retorts, the group stuffing in one after another as it departs.

"Phew, so far so good."

"Get ready, she's about to hit it again!" Fie warns already anchoring herself quickly followed by the rest.

Feeling the locomotive take off at dangerous speeds, they quickly situate themselves.

"Now's the time to look over your weapons." Fie notes taking hers out and placing the necessary parts on the table.

All raising an eyebrow as she takes out what looks like explosives and flash grenades.

"Questions for later." Jusis dismisses pulling out a cloth as he examines his saber.

Gaius doing a similar manner as Machias places his shotgun on the table. Emma checking over her orbal staff and orbments equipped.

Within minutes, the town Relon has spoken fondly of comes into view.

"Brace yourselves!" Emma calls out, all gripping their seats as the train comes to another screeching halt.

"Out of curiosity, did anyone bother to ask if Instructor Sara was sober when she took off?"

"No Regnitz because she most likely wasn't and on the off chance she was, it certainly didn't make a hell of a difference."

"If she is sober, I can't imagine what the ride would have been like." Emma shudders at the thought.

Getting out the back, they see Sara head for the entrance.

"Let's go."

Departing out of the station, they see their Instructor nowhere amongst the destruction.

"Oh my Aidios...!" Emma gasps with a hand over her mouth.

"The Grand Market is completely destroyed..." Jusis notes wide-eyed.

"Judging by the burn marks, either someone was fighting using fire arts or..." Gaius begins rising from a kneel.

"Relon was fighting and if that wave of fire we saw back in Park is anything to go off of, then their fight must be intense." Fie finishes to raise her head up. "Quick, hide!" She exclaims, the group diving against the incline as soldiers, vehicles, and tanks run through the town.

"What in Aidios?!" Machias exclaims through the loud rumbling.

"Makes sense honestly. Now I'm more worried considering they military is bringing all this firepower." Fie states with furrowed brows before standing up. "Let's go. Those vehicles left behind tracks so if we follow them, we're bound to find Relon, Rean, and the others." She takes off, the four close behind.

(Fie is really taking this whole leader role seriously.) Emma whispers.

(Yes. It is possible since she may feel as though our safety is in her hands now.) Gaius responds looking ahead at the speedy girl.

(Bah. As if I would let something as important as my own well being be left to a 15-year-old.)

(Yet you're the one who declared her the quote on quote leader as well as get all sentimental with that speech of hers.) Machias grins slyly to Jusis' annoyance.

(You just can't hold your tongue, can you?)

(Neither can you.)

Turning at a windmill, they follow the tracks to take note of a steep incline into a forested area. Running up it, they see the gate wide open as well as the tracks going inside.

"Last chance. Everyone ready to go?" Fie looks around.

"Yeah/Yes!"

"Then let's go help out our friends." Turning towards the park, they enter.

"If something like that ever happens again, this time things will be different. I'm sure of it."

Rean, you may say that... But I'll make sure that those words become true! Objective: Support Group A and ensure their safety. Mission...

"Start!" Fie exclaims jumping onto the ridge before bursting forth.

Mysterious Location

In an underground location resembling a cozy chamber room decorated in dark colored furniture, a purple light appears in the center of the room before dissipating. Soon after, another light, this one red, appears next to it revealing a woman in a blue dress seeming to be in her 20s and a man with a red coat around his 30s.

"Damn, that meeting with Swiftie, the Steel Maiden, and the others took longer than expected." The man groans rolling his neck as he walks to a window showing a clear view of a descending mountain towards the forested field below.

"I could say the same for the Grandmaster and Campanella. Anyway Alister, what was it that you wanted to speak with me about?" The woman wonders taking a seat on the couch as she relieves herself of her staff.

"Auntie, how many times do I have to tell you to call me McBurn?" He looks over his shoulder in mild annoyance.

"And how many times have I told you I'd continue to call you by the name your mother birthed you with?" She retorts with a knowing smile to her left at her nephew.

(Coming from the witch using a spell to make herself look younger, sheesh.) He whispers to himself.

"What was that?" She narrows her eyes causing Alister to avert his own back to the photo-worthy scenery.

"Nothing. Listen, my link with Angbar was severed." His words causing the woman to sit upright looking at the man hesitant on how to respond.

After a moment, she leans back on the cushion.

"What could be the cause?"

"Probably that." She calmly answers, gaining her attention as her senses indicate something hot in the distance draw closer.

Standing to her feet, she hurries over to see a wave of flames slowly soar through the sky towards them until it is out of view.

"You mentioned yesterday meeting Relon in person. Please tell me you took some kind of precaution in case they showed up." He looks to her with a serious expression.

"I did." She narrows her eyes once more towards the direction the flames came from. "I asked Bleublanc to watch over him. If worst comes to worst, he'll contact me."

"Bleublanc, huh? Honestly, that's the best we can do so our cover isn't blown." He looks back out with a lighter expression. "If Adios had to come out, then Relon is fighting someone clearly stronger than him. The whole point of implanting a portion of Aidios' power into him was for his protection. That or if Ishmelga somehow came into contact with him." McBurn states, crossing his arms.

"The question now is... which one is it?" The woman wonders with a perturbed expression.

Just as those words exit her mouth, a glow emanating from her staff goes off gaining their attention. Hurrying to it, she grasps it for her eyes to shift from it to the television. Pointing her staff at the device, its gem glows followed by the tv cutting on.

"What are you-" Alister begins to ask only to stop, his aunt's demeanor becoming an ominous glare as her eyes go wide for the scene presented to answer the man's question.

Gripping her staff, it radiates a bright glow for a hand to place itself atop the crystal causing the woman to snap from her thoughts.

"What are you doing, Alister?!"

"Calm down for a sec, Auntie. If you go down there now, everything we've done in the last 17 years will go down the drain. You, Armbrust, and the Steel Maiden know we can't afford to complicate things now."

A moment of silence comes, the pyrokinetic man and the witch staring at one another before a burst of energy explodes sending the man back to the opposing side of the room.

Shaking his head, he looks back to see the woman with magic circles imbued around herself. The woman's eyes slowly shifting to slits as they emanate a dangerous glow followed by a ring of fire forming around herself. That ominous and deadly glare returning in full force causing the Almighty Conflagration to gulp at the series of quick events.

"Do you seriously intend for I to watch as that man, your brother, and the rest of those people harm my son?!" She demands unleashing the ring of fire.

Raising a single hand, McBurn/Alister braces himself as he absorbs the element. The brunt force sending him to slam against the wall.

"Ack, yeah..." He breathes, a dangerous heat expelling though the mother remains unfazed as an equal amount seeps from herself. "You know as well as I do that I'm right! I don't like doing this anymore than you do!" A black and red ball of fire beginning to form in his free hand.

"If so, then why try to stop me?!" A single red sphere of flames with odd markings begin to form as well.

"Auntie..." The man warns.

"Alister, don't try to stop me. We both know you aren't capable of such a thing."

"And you think I want to?! My bastard brother is down there too and you think I don't want to go down there and beat the hell out of him for the shit he did back then?! Think, Auntie, think!" He shouts pointing to his head in emphasis. "We're fighting with and against the enemy! You and I alone can handle practically everyone! The only people I see posing a threat are the Steel Maiden, Campanella maybe, and the Grandmaster. But we need all of them! Stop thinking like a mother and think like the Second Anguis!" He finishes.

For a moment, both hold their respective fireballs before the woman ceases hers as it vanishes in a puff of particles followed by a sighing Alister. Both sides reverting to normal.

"Sorry." She mutters.

"It's fine. You're just now regaining those motherly instincts so I had it coming." He rolls his arm cracking his neck. "The situation right now is grim as is. Anything else and I won't hesitate to go with you and get payback for the clan."

"Alister..."

"For now, we keep spectating. I'm sure they know we're watching. If things escalate, then we warp there and kick ass, meet my little brother, and get on with our lives as it should have gone 17 years ago." He waves walking over to the couch.

"I thought you weren't going to address him as your little brother until you saw him in action?" She walks over taking a seat with one leg over the other to get a grunt from McBurn.

With her chin resting under the back of her hand, the witch leans forward. McBurn leaning back with narrowed eyes as his arms rest against the top of the couch. After a moment, it goes to static.

"Auntie." He reminds, the woman snapping her finger for everything to revert to how it was as well as the static resuming on the standoff.

"They certainly don't want to show much." She notes for an evil smirk to appear. "They underestimate my power."

Looking at the woman before back to the screen, McBurn can only shiver at the sight.

Damn it. We're probably going down there soon. Welp, looks like I get to have a fun chat with Asuma and help out the little squirt. Or should I say cinder since we use pyrokinesis. Meh, whatever. Too much to think about.

Looking over at the table, he spies a mask.

Definitely going to be interesting. He mentally corrects.

From another room in the same facility, five female figures gaze at the screen. All donned in silver armor that of royal knights with the woman clearly older than the rest with shoulder edges pointing outwards. All gazing at the screen for it to cut to static.

"So that is Senate..." A young woman with turquoise eyes and pastel-red hair in a ponytail.

"Yes, Ines." Another female nods with gray-lavender eyes and long wavy indigo hair worn loosely at her waist. "To think they would unveil all of their members... Those rumors we've heard seem to bolster their reputation a fair bit. Your thoughts, Cynthia?"

"Indeed, Ennea." A third agrees with golden eyes and short straight jet-black hair curving inwards slightly. "It has me wondering what other motives they have in mind aside from causing a rift in the nobility inequality. What say you, Duvalie?" She asks, the three looking to their head knight with emerald eyes and brown hair tied in two swirled buns to find her at a loss for words staring at the screen. "Well, I cannot say that isn't the unexpected reaction." She sighs looking at the television. "That was the boy you fought with back then. No doubt about it. Same hairstyle albeit with bangs, same red eyes, and same flying sword." Cynthia recalls affirmatively with crossed arms.

"To think that we would see him again. It is just as you predicted, Lord Arianrhod." Ennea states as the three look to a woman sitting at a table with a leg over the other and her hand to her mouth in an intrigued posture.

"So it would seem." She responds seeming to be in thought.

"An unfortunate outcome for one such as him. I almost pity him." Ines states which causes Duvalie to snap from her own thoughts to look to her sister, her visage contorting to a look of anger for a split second before averting her gaze.

"Awe, what's wrong, Duvalie~?" Cynthia chides. "Worried over your one and only male friend~?" Her words causing the girl to scowl. "Then again, it has been quite some time since you've seen him. If I recall correctly, it was around the time we were near Legram when we met him. So can you even call him a friend anymore?" She wonders with a thoughtful look not bothered by the obvious meaning in her words.

"Watch what you say, Cynthia." Ines warns sternly. "It isn't wise as it is uncouth to speak to Duvalie in front of our lord."

"Now now, ladies, let's all calm down for a moment." Ennea pleads with a nervous smile.

"Hmpf, say what you will of me." Duvalie retorts. "But do not badmouth those of whom I put in high regard."

"Yes, yes, I hear you clear and concisely." She rolls her eyes, gaining an idea to look over her shoulder at Duvalie. "I would bet quite a sum of mira Relon would like to see you." She grins for a tint of red to appear on the head knight's face as she bears her fangs on the girl. "let your hair down like the rest of us and not have those boring buns." She droops her eyes leaning forward for a tic mark to appear on Duvalie.

"That's it!" She steps forward cracking her knuckles twitching her eyebrow irritably. "Ines, hold her down!"

"Uh oh, Cynthia hit the red button." Ennea sweatdrops. "Or should I say Relon button?" She rethinks for Duvalie to shift her attention to the bluenette. "Haha, we'll just leave it as the R button for now." She laughs nervously, Cynthia hurrying behind Ines childlike.

"I swear." Ines mutters pinching the bridge of her nose. "The both of you are looking ill before our lord." She reminds, both freezing up at the mention remembering the fifth member in the room. "Please forgive them, lady Arianrhod." She bows elbowing Cynthia.

"Forgive me for my childishness, milady."

"I as well for my foolishness." Duvalie says after a sigh.

The woman can only chuckle causing all four girls to raise up looking curiously at her.

"In my many years, seeing banter such as yours reminds me of when I was but a knight. It brings a smile to my face. Cherish these moments my knights for banter such as this strengthens the bonds you have with one another which will in turn strengthen yourselves."

"YES, MY LORD!"

"Haha. I've said it once and I shall say it again. During calm times such as this, such gallantry is not needed." She chuckles standing to her feet. "Regardless, our objective has not changed. You each have your assignments as do I. Let us go." She leaves with the four close behind, Duvalie and Ennea on Arianrhod's left with Cynthia and Ines on her right.

Down a long chamber, silence befalls the five women.

Things certainly seem to have gotten interesting~. Seeing Duvalie all upset was as enjoyable as the first time she met that boy. Relon Lucinance, hmm, he certainly seemed more interesting now than back then. I wonder how Duvalie would act if I ever got the chance to tease him~? Cynthia and Lucinance, hehe. Our names have quite the "syn-ergy." Cynthia giggles to herself glancing at Duvalie.

"Watch out! Hey, are you okay? I'll help you! You mentioned your friends being around here, right? We can ask questions later! Let's take them down! Considering we fought together, I'd like to think we're friends. My name's Relon. Relon Lucinance! Until we meet again Duvalie. Or should I call you Dubarry, haha."

Relon... What's happened to cause you to become the sole target of a group like Senate?! The Head Knight ponders in worry, a hand clenched down at her side.

Ines the Stout. Ennea the Sharp. Cynthia the Courageous. And Duvalie the Swift. Each girl saved from a darkened past yet each has outgrown such despair. Roselia... Rean... Lady Kasia... Giliath... This world... I shall save it all the same...

Eryn

In a village surrounded by trees, two female individuals make their way through the village. One of a smaller stature than the other. The first is a young girl with blonde hair long enough to touch the floor and crimson eyes. She's wearing a long sleeved white shirt with a red laced corset, long red skirt comprised of several layers, and brown knee high laced boots. A staff with a crystal in the shape of a butterfly shape at the end currently resides within her hand, the tapping of it against the ground with ever step. Name: Roselia.

The second girl has jaw-length black hair and brown eyes. She's wearing a white and blue striped shirt, with the blue stripes reaching to the bottom part of her short black and blue skirt, a sleeveless blue coat with a hood with gold outlines kept together by a large golden butterfly pin on her chest. She has thin blue elbow braces and dark leather gloves. Knee-high blue socks and long, loose fitting boots, both with gold adornments. A book attached to her side as well as a young white owl sitting comfortable within her hoodie. Names: Rinwell and Hootle

Reaching a structure resembling a home in the earth itself with a fountain at the center of the village, the two enter descending down some staircases to come to what looks like a medical room. Other females at work on using healing arts. Taking note of the two, all pause from their work to bow before returning to their own duties.

Walking to a table, Roselia comes back with a fist placing it on the table.

Not saying anything, she walks away before turning back and gazing at her granddaughter. Looking at the injured vertebrate, Rinwell takes a deep breath as Hootle flaps onto her shoulder hooting in low cheers.

"I can do this." She mutters, ridding herself of the nervousness in her hands before placing them carefully over the fish, a light emitting from her palms. "Strands of forbearance..." Nothing. "Give name to your radiance..." Nothing. "Pixie Circle!" She finished the chant for nothing to occur.

Continuing her focus, it isn't until a hand places itself on her side doe Rinwell cease breathing in deep amounts of air as she pants. Looking back at the vertebrate, the young teen can only clench her teeth in frustration at the now deceased fish. Stop outside, Roselia watches the girl walk off down a path opening a gate to the village clearing. Sighing, she follows after stopping at the edge where Hootle flies in place.

"Photon Flash!" Rinwell shouts, book in hand open as electricity in the form of a bullet fires across the field. "Lightning Orbs!" Four spheres of electricity form in front of her before dissipating.

"Venting your frustration through your arts again." Rose notes, Rinwell stopping for a fist to ball at her side.

"Yeah, so what?"

"You know, there's nothing wrong with being different." Rose answers by placing her staff horizontally for it to float before sitting on it. "Come here, Rinwell." Rose calls calmly, the girl's anger subsiding as with a sigh she does so.

Sitting on the ground in front of her young-looking grandmother, Rinwell flips through her tome with a somber demeanor.

"I mean what I say." Rose starts.

"You always say that. Everyone is able to use both offensive magic as well as healing. Even Emma, my step-sister, can do it yet I can't. All my arts can do is cause destruction..."

"Hoot..." Hootle chirps, flapping his way to land on Rinwell's shoulder.

Looking at her familiar, she gives a small smile massaging the small owl's head.

"Hmm, I believe you are old enough now."

"Huh?"

"There's a reason why I say those words in particular so much. Your mother passed away after giving birth to you and your father succumbed to an illness that we have never seen before. Yet it is thanks to their contribution in creating both you and a cure that saved our race."

"I know..." She responds saddened by the memory. "Then you adopted me."

"Yup and I don't regret it one bit, my dear." Rose hops off her staff with a smile.

"I want to make them proud but what does my life have to do with that all-too known catchphrase?"

"Your parents were just like everyone else here in Eryn yet they weren't. None of us are the same. Yes, we share the same skills but we aren't an exact duplicate." Rose explains walking past the girl towards the center of the large clearing with her staff in-hand.

Holding it horizontally once more, Roselia's eyes glimmer a bright red as with a bright flash, her form molds into an adult figure.

"None of us are, my child." Rose speaks, her voice more mature. "So you cannot heal wounds? A minor misfortune!" Dozens of magic circles appear behind her in columns and rows. "Has there been any other witch so young capable of wielding such powerful arts at such an age?" At this, Rinwell widens, getting to her feet. "I think not!" Hootle flying into Rinwell's hoodie from the sheer magical power emitting from Rose. "Emma may be talented but she isn't you and you aren't her!" Rinwell slowly opening her book, a smirk of confidence making its way onto her demeanor. "You pity yourself because you only have power? Foolishness!" The magic circles beginning to spin. "Be prideful in your heritage! Be grateful for the blood that courses through your veins! Prove not to me or your mother and father but to yourself, Rinwell! Prove your might! Prove your worth! Prove to me, but more importantly prove to yourself that you can be superior! And you can start... with that special ability of yours." Roselia cocks a smirk of her own.

"Grandmother... thank you." A gust of wind beginning to swirl around Rinwell as she points at the readying art above Roselia. "I think I'll do just that!" With a snap of her fingers, the dozens of magic circles disappear for Rinwell's tome to glow red.

"Hmpf! That's my girl!" Roselia shouts, the gem on her staff glowing red as well for a large red dome to envelope the field.

Both begin to chant in their native tongues, flickers of flames and gusts of wind colliding.

"Stand and thrall in your scarlet cell! Infernal Prison!" Rinwell chants.

"Stand and thrall at the bars of your scarlet cell! Infernal Prison!" Roselia chants.

A red glyph appearing on the ground in between the two followed by another layered on top of the first. Flame pillars rising diagonally from four points within the glyph resembling a cage. A final burst of flame gushes from the middle of the glyph, ending in an explosion.

"Not bad, Rinwell! But that wasn't my spell!"

"You want it? Here, have two presents!"

"Oh sparkling stars of light, rain down and purify all! Meteor Storm! Plus; Bewitching Blood Moon!" Dozens of red magic circles cover the inner dome's wall as well as a second amount directly overtop of Roselia's head.

From the red glyphs around the dome, all circle the two women before firing red lasers at Roselia. The glyphs overhead glowing as out descends meteorites.

I got her!

"Not bad I must say." Roselia mutters, the attacks closing in for the woman to bare her fangs for a single moment, her eyes widening in excitement as she spins her staff. "Arise oh darkness, fill the very space itself in only pitch-black destruction!" Slamming the bottom of her staff down, she ends the chant. "Night Daze!" black shockwave envelopes Roselia before expanding in all directions.

The meteors crumbling to nothing upon contact as do the lasers bounce off burning spots of the ground leading to the barrier itself.

"No way...!" Rinwell widens as the attack near her. Raising her arms to cover her face, she feels the wind and magic die down.

Lowering her arm, she looks to see crumbled rocks dissipating into nothingness and deep scorch marks leading to the barrier surprisingly still standing. At the epicenter of the chaos, Roselia back in her younger form holding a satisfied look.

"Not bad, but you still have quite a way to go." She smirks, the feeling in Rinwell's legs finally giving out as she drops on her butt panting.

"W-Whoa..."

"Hoot hoot!" Hootle chirps flying in front of her.

"I'm okay. Just... lost the feeling in my legs."

"It has been some time since we dueled at such a level so figured now was as good a time as any to see how you've progressed. A passing grade... for now." Roselia speaks, approaching her granddaughter.

"G-Greaaaaat..." Rinwell speaks, getting back up slowly. "Grandmother, I still want to practice healing." This causing Roselia to raise an eyebrow. "I took your words to heart, but I still want to try. I've been practicing in all the arts for this long, I don't want to stop now! Even if it takes all my life, if I can perform even a sliver of healing magic then I-"

"Okay, okay!" Roselia interrupts for a chuckle to follow. "I never said I was against it so you don't have to go listing your dozen or so reasons."

"Grandmother...!" Rinwell murmurs happily as noted by the gleam in her eyes and Hootle's. "Alright, I'm gonna prove I can do it too! Let's give it our all, Hootle!"

"Hoot hoot hoot!"

"Sheesh, in one ear and out the other." Roselia shakes her head with a grin. "You young folks are something else."

"You make it sound like you deal with a bunch of us." Rinwell deadpans as does Hootle.

"No, not all of you yet at least." She crosses her arms.

"What do you mean? Who haven't you dealt with in the village?"

"No one inside but rather outside."

"A wandering or deserting witch?"

"No, neither of those."

"Then who?"

"My grandson." She sighs.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"HUUUUUUUUUUUUH?!"

"HOOT HOOT?!"

"There goes my ear drums." Roselia grumbles hearing an inaudible ringing for her eyes to widen walking past Rinwell.

"Since when did you have a grandson?! Wait, scratch that, why haven't you told Emma or I?! Is he older, younger?!" She wonders opening her eyes to see her grandmother no longer in front of her.

"Hoot hoot." Hootle chirps for the girl to turn around at the entrance where Rose stands with her back to Rinwell.

"What is she- What in Aidios...?!"

Both watch along with those outside of their homes as a wave of flames soar across the sky until it is out of sight.

"Grandmother, what was that?!"

Ignoring Rinwell, Roselia hurries past her towards the center of the burnt field. Speaking in witch tongue, a glyph appears under the village head for it to disperse after a moment.

"That signature. There's no doubt about it. That was Relon's!"

"Relon? Who-"

"Rinwell!" Rose exclaims for her staff to glow. "Less questioning, more hurrying!" Rose snaps grabbing the girl's hand as with a tap of the ground with her staff, they are gone in a flash of light appearing in their own home before a group of Eryn civilians.

Getting out of the way, Roselia widens at the television before her.

"What the heck? Are they both sides fighting?"

Tap.

"Huh?" Rinwell and the others turn to see Rose vanishing in another flash of light. "Grandmother!" She calls to no avail. "Dang it... Just what the heck's going on...?" Her ears perking at the mention of a particular name.

"What say you, Relon?" Gasping, Rinwell crouches close to the television, the screen showing a close-up of the boy in question.

"That's Relon?!"

"I already planned to take down Senate the moment I learned about you. I'll take you all down one by one if I have to until you're the only one left standing! You can believe me on that!"

"Very well. Then from this moment on, I declare you, Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance, the Senate Hunter!"

"Wait. Lucinance?! Like the stories Grandmother told Emma and I?! And that outfit, it's the same as the one Emma left in. Don't tell me... he's a Thors student?!"

Crossbell

The calm and peaceful city renowned for its history of battles now goes through its own string of events. The calm and peaceful city renowned for its history of battles now goes through its own string of events. One such event having taken place mere moments ago; Crossbell's 70th Anniversary commemorating the state's founding.

Four individuals, two male and two female, gaze at the sunset from within the city itself. Both males having ran their butts off in a race leading the group to victory. Having said their farewells to their opponents, a new group of four arrive.

"Hey, you guys!" A feminine voice calls out, reaching the group shortly followed by her own group.

The energetic young woman has black hair in a bob cut adorning two sakura blossom pins and scarlet eyes. She wears a white top with several buckles, a small red jacket and matching skirt, thigh high boots, a small mint green neck tie, and an oversize-flared semi-fingerless glove on one hand. At tachi hidden within its purple sheathe at her hip. Her name is Chloe Barnett.

"Chloe, please stop rushing off on your own." A male states with a sigh.

He has white hair with light red eyes wearing a patterned azure jacket, crimson handbag around his right waist, khaki pants up below his knees, and dark brown boots. An orbal halberd gun resting on his back. His name is Nacht Weiss.

"Whoops, sorry Nacht." She says bashfully with a cheeky grin. "I just couldn't hold in my excitement after seeing such an intense race! And don't act like you weren't into it too!" She points.

"Unlike you, I can contain my excitement." He speaks for a pout to come from the girl. "But yeah, it was cool." His words quickly lifting the girl's spirits back to great heights.

"I knew it!" She cheers.

"She reminds me a lot of you, you know? Then again, she does idolize you, Estelle." Another male notes with a chuckle.

He has short black hair with a long fringe and amber eyes, sleeveless black shirt, a white sleeveless jacket using a single guard on the shoulder, grey trousers, and black boots with several straps and belts. A pair of twin swords at his hip. His name is Joshua Bright.

"Huh? Well, you're not wrong about that, Joshua." The other girl says with pride.

She's wearing a red jacket and spats for a skirt and jacket of orange and white, white thigh-high stockings with a turquoise band at the top and matching shoulder guard, a green shirt with a leather band around her stomach and orange Stregas. A staff equipped to her back. Her name is Estelle Bright.

"Nice job with that race, you guys!" Estelle smiles.

"I could say the same to you all." A young man on the opposing quartet responds.

He has short brown hair and eyes dressed with khaki pants, dark brown boots, and a yellow-orange shirt under a blue and white jacket. A pair of tonfas equipped behind his lower back. His name is Lloyd Bannings.

"So you guys headin' back already?" The older man wonders.

He's a tall man with turquoise eyes and bright red hair wearing a white turtleneck shirt, black trousers, and a large orange coat with a black fur collar. A sort of halberd different from Nacht's folded at his hip. His name is Randy Orlando.

"Yeah, the four of us were in the middle of a job before we got tangled in this mess." Joshua explains.

"The same can be said for ourselves." A female responds knowingly.

She is a petite young woman with blue hair and amber eyes. Most of her hair is in twintails with the remainder freely down. She's wearing a mauve colored dress underneath a matching cape. She is also wearing long black sleeves and stockings, which together with the rest of her outfit possess a gold trim. Her most noticeable feature being the armor on her chest resembling what seems like a small silver breastplate and black cat ears. An orbal staff equipped to her back. Her name is Tio Plato.

"I didn't even participate and I feel tired. The fact that it's evening doesn't help either." The final female sighs.

She has long silver-blonde hair reaching her waist tied by a single black ribbon and bright green eyes. She's wearing a short white collared minidress with a teal kerchief, red sleeves and tailed fabric extending to her ankles. Her most noticeable body feature being her rather overly robust chest which could rival Emma's. She has an orbal gun pouch on her hip. Her name is Elie MacDowell.

"Ahaha! What's the big deal?" Chloe laughs. "Like my master once told me, 'times of festivities are when we must let ourselves go' or something like that." She laughs, some of the group sweatdropping at the girl's antics.

"She's right, you know?" Estelle comments. "Not everyday a festival happens. Beats fighting bad guys and monsters if you ask me." Estelle smiles triumphantly.

"They're... too bright. No pun intended." Lloyd chuckles to himself.

"That's one of Estelle's best qualities. Trust me." Joshua notes with a chuckle of his own.

"Add Chloe to that list of qualities." Nacht adds. "I haven't known her long but Estelle being her idol, you've helped me out a good bit Joshua."

"Me? Considering they act the same as you and I, I get where you're coming from. As for whether that's a good thing, I have no idea."

"Women." Randy notes blandly.

"Elie makes a good point though." Joshua says, looking at his group of bracers. "Shouldn't it be about time to leave? Arios should be returning soon, right?" At his question, Chloe's eyes gleam in excitement.

"Ohh! That's right! It'll be my first time meeting a fellow Eight Leaves practitioner! Especially a Divine Blade! I still want to meet your dad, Estelle, Joshua! I have sooooooo much I want to ask!"

"You've done it now." Nacht sighs to turn around only to widen. "What the hell...?!"

Immediately snapping from her fangirl-mode, Chloe along with the rest looking to copy Nacht's expression.

"What is that?!" Chloe exclaims, all noticing the nearby civilians around gazing in awe.

Red flames soaring from one horizon to the other overhead until it is out of sight.

"Hey, look!" Elie points, some taking note of said civilians making a commotion about the televisions.

"Come on!" Lloyd says, all looking at the boy already departing at a dead sprint.

Quickly following, they return to the SSS' base. The leader quickly turning on the television. The screen revealing two groups of individuals.

"Is that Prince Olivert?! And the Chancellor?!" Chloe gasps, both Estelle and Joshua exchanging concerned expressions to refocus on the screen.

"What's going on though?" As soon as Randy question ends, the screen goes to static,

"Tio!" Lloyd calls out.

"I'm on it!" She nods, readying her orbal staff. "Aeon System release." A pulse releases from her staff as light envelopes the girl. Within her mind, a sort of digital network is laid out as she traverses the decryption at incredible speeds. Within seconds, she reaches her destination.

"What the?" Nacht says in surprise.

"I found it! The location is Celdic and an unknown network has blocked all channels but I've secured the connection!" The screen coming back on.

"Good work, Tio!" Elie cheers.

Nodding at the girl, Lloyd looks back to the television, the screen focusing on a boy with odd markings and his allies.

"What's going on here...?" Lloyd murmurs.

"Whatever it is, looks like they've been fighting." Nacht notes.

"And it looks like they're about to continue..." Estelle adds on.

Raquel

"Six." A man with shades speaks.

With a skinny though built body, he has tan yellow-emerald hair and a wolf's tail style ponytail. He also wears violet spec glasses over his violet color eyes. His attire consists of a dark grey-violet coat with sleeves rolled up to the elbows; with silver lining designs, an emerald turtle-neck shirt underneath, tan bare baggy pants, dark black boots and hand to wrist cover fingerless black gloves with straps. Name; Xeno. Nickname; the Trap Master.

"Seven." Another man says afterwards.

A towering, bulky man with black, braided hair wearing spec glasses over his eyes. He wears a matching attire like his companion. Name; Leonidas. Nickname; Behemoth.

"Eight." A woman speaks next.

The only female of the group with long black hair ending at her waist with the end in a tie, a strand of hair also tied in a loop around her ears, and scarlet colored eyes. Her attire consists of a sleeveless black trench coat with buttoned straps above and below her chest overtop a sleeveless emerald turtle-neck and a tan skirt. As well as long black strapped fingerless gloves and platform shoes. Name; Fei. Nickname: Black Jet.

"Nine." The leader of the group speaks up.

A muscular man of tall height wearing the standard black-leather uniform like Xeno and Leo albeit with a few modifications. In his case, this includes a long black leather overcoat over a pale green shirt with white pants and black leather boots and gloves. Purple straps and harnesses holding a variety of ammunition and other such things. Name; Rutger. Nickname: The Jaeger King.

"Bullshit." The first three call out in unison.

"OH WHAT THE HELL?! HOW?!"

"Pretty obvious."

"Quite."

"You were never good at playing Bullshit." Each responds.

"This game is bullshit."

"Is that a complaint I hear coming from the 'king?'" Fei wonders with sarcasm as noted by her teasing tone.

"Not very kingly if you ask me, eh big guy?"

"This is true."

"Ugh, don't you three start that again." Rutger groans. "I have enough to deal with as is."

"Makes you miss her, huh?" Fei wonders with a more caring smile.

Taking a sigh, Rutger leans his seat back looking nowhere in particular at the casino.

"Yeah..."

"I'm sure lil' Sylphid's doin' just fine, boss man."

"Regardless, it shows true characteristics as her father regardless if you are the adoptive parent." Leo notes.

"The same could be said for myself, no? It wasn't just him that named her." Fei reminds. "I am the mother figure to her especially amongst Zephyr."

"More like a big sister figure if you ask me. Considering all you two did was take your name and switch the E and I then yeah. Very creative by the way." Leo rolls his eyes with a chuckle.

"Hmpf, well I didn't see you come up with anything."

"Huh?! The boss was the one that found her in the first place. I had no place whatsoever!"

"Yet here you are questioning my place in the very situation itself. So why don't you remember your place before I show you who's the real Trap Master." She smiles, a killing intent making Xeno shiver nervously.

"Ya know, I'mma do that." (Damn it, women are nuts as ever.)

"A wise choice." Leo nods wisely as does Rutger.

"Anyone in Zephyr knows not to get on Fei's bad side. Take it from someone who's had to deal with it." Rutger says, rolling his arm at the memory.

"You make it sound like I was all bad. I'm nowhere near as violent as I used to be." She crossed her arms.

"I wish I could take the credit but a lot of it goes to Fie."

"I'm sure she's doing just fine. She's with the Purple Lightning after all. Though I kinda miss the squirt." Xeno says, leaning his chair back.

In doing so, he hears a commotion begin to stir.

"Huh?"

"What's up?" Fei asks, all looking to see the other attendants within the building glued to the windows.

Copying them, Rutger narrows his eyes. A wave of flames barreling its way across the sky over Raquel until it leaves their sights. Before anyone can comment on it, the televisions all change to static before they all share the same channel.

"Looks like Senate's act is starting." Rutger speaks, his tone laced with interest as he leans forward on the table.

"Hey, isn't that the Purple Lightning herself?"

"Yes, it is." Leo answers. "As well as the Blood and Iron Chancellor, The Debaucherous Prince, and the Wandering Beast himself..." At the last mention, Xeno falls over his seat to get up wide-eyed refocusing on the television.

"The Wandering Beast?! As in Yujiro Namikaze?!"

"The very same." Fei answers without taking her eyes away.

"Looks like they're about to have a mini war!" Xeno gasps.

"So it would seem..." Rutger murmurs, Sephiroth's voice begins to speak.

Elsewhere within Raquel, two young boys stare in awe at the tv screen.

"Isn't that Relon?!" A young teen by the name of Laurence exclaims.

"Yeah! What the hell's going on?!" Another by the name of Ash Carbide answers equally in confusion.

Glancing out the window having seen the mysterious flames, Ash's fist clenches.

I got a bad feeling about this...

Calvard

Within a large city on top of a tall building, two individuals spar on the dirt field in place of a roof.

"Ouch!" A teen grunts landing on the ground with a thud.

He's a young man with blue eyes and dark bluish-black hair styled into a spiky, swept-back style.

Sitting up resting one hand on top of his knee, he holds his abdomen with the other as he looks up to the perpetrator of the attack. Standing before him is a broad, muscular elder man with bushy white hair including a moustache and beard seeming to be in his early 60s.

Both individuals in brown padded attires.

"Come now, Van." The man kneels, extending a hand. "You're not done already, are you?"

"Of course not." Van responds accepting the offered hand as both get to their feet.

Seeing the bothered expression on his apprentice's face, the man asks his question.

"What seems to be the problem, my young and only student?"

"I feel like I'm not getting anywhere like this, Master Zeman." Van answers looking at his bruised hands to ball them into fists.

"You are." The man responds walking away, gaining the young man's attention.

"How can you tell?"

"I can tell from a number of things." He replies, turning back to face his student.

"Like what?"

"You're not making the same amateur moves that you were before, I can feel a greater force behind your punches and kicks, and most of all, you're lasting far longer than when I first started training you." He settles into a stance.

"If you're saying all of that, then I guess I am getting stronger..." He mutters looking over himself.

"Believe me. I've fought against many foes, even the Wandering Beast and I can tell with ease you're becoming stronger."

Bergard Zeman... If the master of the Kunlun Style says I'm improving, then I just have to take his word for it.

Finishing that thought, something behind Bergard catches Van's attention, making his eyes go wide.

"Hm?" Turning around to see what has caught his disciple's attention, the master's expression quickly copies Van's.

Across the sky, a wave of flames as far as the eye can make out brushes through the sky and over the city.

"That fire..." Van is snapped from his thoughts by his master's voice.

"If I had to guess, then Celdic is that direction." A younger Yujiro grins seated next to a beaten up younger Bergard pointing in said direction.

That's the same direction as where Yujiro once pointed out to me. Is it a coincidence... or is something awry in Erebonia?

"Heeeeeeey!" Both look to see a girl around Van's age with long hair and two braids tied around her head running their way. "Something big is happening on the tv! Quick, check it out!"

"Elaine?" Van asks in confusion.

"Let's go, Van!"

Hurrying towards the door, they descend into the hallway and halt at what seems like the living room. Their eyes plastered to the tv screen.

Looking as the camera zooms in on the individuals, Van's eyes take it all in. The sight of a boy with odd markings pointing across from the clearing.

Who is that?

As the camera zooms out, Bergard widens, seeing a familiar face.

Yujiro?! What is happening?

Roer

Working effortlessly between papers, calls, and assigning other suck tasks to her workforce, a middle-aged woman with glasses and blonde hair behind her desk with an elegant young maid with turquoise eyes and lavender hair at her side waiting patiently for when she is needed.

"Thank you." The blonde-haired woman hangs up the phone before marking something on one of the many stacked papers before her.

Quickly, another call comes to be picked up just as fast.

"Yes, this is Irina... I see. Thank you." Hanging up, the now recognized Irina slowly spins her chair to face the glass window.

"Sharon." Irina calls in a neutral tone, one the long-time serving maid easily recognizes as slightly bothered though holds interest all the same.

"Yes, Chairman Erina?" The maid responds by opening her eyes to look at her boss who stands gazing at the clear view of Roer.

At her question, the maid widens slightly as a wave of flames soars over them and into the horizon.

"Quite a sight." Irina notes with crossed arms. "One we don't see everyday for certain." She says turning to Sharon. "Alisa is currently in Celdic for her field study."

"That is in the same direction those flames flew in." Sharon adds for a nod to come from Irina. "Shall I make sure all is well?'

"Yes. If Senate has chosen to strike, then it is possible those flames were from that classmate of hers..."

"Very well, I shall leave at once." Sharon bows, turning to leave.

"Sharon." Her boss calls, the maid turning to see the woman open the window. "Be... swift. This is Alisa we're talking about." The woman averts the maid's gaze.

"... Hehe, it is still difficult for you to hide your motherly love." Sharon walks past her.

"Hmpf, a fool of a daughter is what she is."

"Your daughter." The maid adds with a wink before jumping out the 23rd-floor.

Flipping through the air, Sharon runs down the Reinford building to leap into the air. Seeing a lamppost, strings emerge from her sleeve as she swings close to the ground and back high into the air clear of the city. The Nortia Branch Line in sight.

Teehee, I love being right.

Having watched the whole sight, Irina turns back, taking a seat.

"I hate when she's right." With a shake of her head, Irina resumes her work.

Bareahard

Seated in front of a café with the Bareahard Cathedral a small distance away, a young man with long blonde hair tied into a braid and pale blue eyes takes a small sip of the freshly brewed tea. Placing it down, the man takes a relieving sigh enjoying the quaint atmosphere he has long since come to appreciate.

In front of him, a single sheet of paper. The address to him in bold as is who sent it. To: Rufus Albarea. From: Chancellor Giliath Osborne.

"Father," Ouroboros, the nuisance that is Crossbell, and the high demands of the nobility and those lesser peons. Now he not only seeks this princess' bodyguard but we must both work with and against Senate. Hmpf, I am still nowhere near capable of defeating a mind as great as his.

Tapping the side of his face in thought, his eyes wander to a sole image of Relon. His eyes narrowing for a sliver of a moment.

Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance.

Widening at the rising emotion, he simmers back to his once stoic demeanor.

I, jealous? Ha, against one as feeble as him let alone Jusis. I have nothing to worry about.

At that thought, commotion begins to increase in volume as his eyes widen to see a torrent of red flames blaze across the blue sky.

That's in the direction of... A smirk makes its way on the young man's face.

"It seems I shall be meeting both him and Class VII sooner than expected."

"Master Rufus, we should return-

"I just remembered that I am to meet with an associate in Celdic." The young man interrupts the butler, having stepped out of the limousine.

"Celdic?"

"Yes, now hurry. I would hate to be any more late than I already am."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

In moments, the vehicle is clear out of Bareahard.

I wonder, have you thought of this, "Father?"

Heimdallr

Having returned to the Palace, Emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III along with his wife gaze upon Heimdallr from the throne room. The echoing sound of the large doors closing gains the royal family's attention as they walk to meet the sole human being kneeling before them.

"I have returned, your majesties." A large middle-aged man with dark brown hair with a silver streak and brown eyes announces.

He wears a double breasted gray trench coat with a black strip down the center and a series of white lines across the button holes. At his waist, a large great sword with a golden edge and red decorated fuller. The cross guard extend downwards to protect the hands on both sides.

"We believe Senate has appeared in Celdic." At those words, the man snaps his head to meet the royal family's. "Olivert and Mueller as well as Osborne have already disembarked."

"And you wish for me to provide assistance."

"Indeed."

"If I may, should this be a part of the enemies' bigger plan then your family will be left unprotected aside from the guards in the palace."

"That is a risk we must take, Matteus." Priscilla states calmly. "A chance like this is one we cannot let pass. "We've received word from Osborne's force that Yujiro has appeared as well."

"Yujiro?"

"Yes." Eugent nods. "Senate is a force that has been around far longer than he, my family and I, and especially Relon would like. We must take this chance to defeat them or at the most, severely damage whatever forces they bring, if not all."

Relon Lucinance. He is certainly... different from what I have had the chance of seeing. Kurt rarely saw him out with the princess...

"Very well. I shall depart at once." He stands turning to leave.

Walking outside the palace to the lone vehicle awaiting the man himself, Matteus thinks back to the wave of flames she saw earlier.

Senate... Your time is neigh. Especially if you've done anything to anger the Wandering Beast.

Legram

"Another day, more documents to look over wouldn't you say sir?" Klaus smiles, dropping papers onto Victor's desk.

"Gah!" More like another day, another nuisance in the form of these damned papers." He sighs massaging his temples. "Please tell me this is the last of them."

"Alas, there are three more stacks that I must go acquire, sir. If you may excuse me, I shall return momentarily." Klaus notes leaving the room for the Radiant Blademaster to sigh.

Gazing at the few picture frames, one shows a young Relon and his daughter hard at work under the tutelage of Klaus. Another of Victor in his school years alongside Yujiro, Cecily, and Teo. A third of Laura and Aurelia having exhausted themselves from a friendly spar. And last, but certainly one of his most precious, a framed photo of himself cradling an infant Laura alongside a woman on a bed. Picking it up, Victor releases a deep sigh as he examines the woman closer.

The spitting image of Laura. Elegant blue hair ending just past her waist, amber-colored eyes, and a smile that any swordsman can tell holds a sense of righteousness and love.

"Lauraine..." Placing the precious possession back down amongst the rest, he turns to the window.

Widening, he rushes to said window as he takes sight of a line of fire barreling across the sky. Hearing the door slam open, Victor turns to Klaus already knowing the words about to come from his mouth out of urgency. Glancing at the photographs focusing on Relon and Laura, he doesn't hesitate in grabbing the case holding his greatsword.

"There's only one individual we know that can cause flames like that. Klaus, contact the station. Looks like my days of commandeering trains aren't done yet!"

"I already have, sir." He bows for Victor to smirk, continuing with haste. "May Aidios be with you, my lord."

Reaching the foot of the staircase, Victor leaps into the air landing on the concrete. The eyes of civilians going to him though he pays no mind as he hurries.

"Keep an eye out for anything. They're more active than before, Vic, Teo."

Narrowing his eyes at the resurfaced conversation, he departs into the station.

Ymir

"Rean's letter came in." Teo Schwarzer announces sitting at his desk. "Looks like he, Relon, and their friends will be heading to Celdic for a field study."

"Oh, that's nice! I'm sure they'll enjoy the Great Market. They may even get a chance to go to the park." Lucia notes while taking a sip of tea, both adults seated in Baron Teo's study.

"That's a possibility. Hmm...?"

"What is it, Teo?"

"The same old thing, dear. Damned nobles fancying trivial matters as always. Wanting to establish this here in Ymir, partner with that to increase their own profits. The same old same old. Nothing has changed." He sighs massaging his temples.

"From that point of view, I suppose so." She chuckles.

"What are you referring to this time?" He smiles albeit in the form of a sigh.

"Remember back when we first met?"

"As if I'd ever forget. Yujiro had dragged Cecily, Victor, and I on another 'train trip' only for him to take a wrong turn. Hmpf, I bet all those trips helped him with that directional problem of his considering his title."

"Back to the point at hand." She coughs. "Back then, you had to worry only about school."

"And you." He adds for the woman to glare as Teo coughs. "Carry on."

"Change comes as we age, dear. And with it, new responsibilities. Look at us now. We have two important "

"I both hate and love it when you're right." He gives a hardy laugh, Lucia walking over to and past his desk for Teo to raise an eyebrow.

"Lucia?"

"What is that?"

"What is-" Unable to finish, Teo's own eyes widen as he raises from his seat.

Traveling overhead at a brisk pace, a firestorm stretching across the horizon.

"Keep an eye out for anything. They're more active than before, Vic, Teo."

Narrowing his eyes, he turns grabbing his tachi before taking off.

"Teo?!" Lucia gasps to raise the window, taking sight of her husband jumping on his horse. "Where are you going?!"

"Celdic! Notify the station I'm heading their way!" He shouts.

Looks like my days of train commandeering aren't past me yet!

Thors

"You're going?" Beatrix questions, her and Principal Vandyck standing outside Thors where a car awaits him.

"Yes. Yujiro warned us our students may be in need of assistance."

"Even though Cecily and Relon are there?"

"Relon may be Yujiro's son, but he still lacks experience. You read it yourself in his forms. His reasoning for coming here was to learn. How can a student do such a thing if they're dead?" He glances at the woman awaiting an answer.

"They can't." She sighs. "Very well, Vandyck. Please be careful and bring them back."

"You needn't worry." He bids entering the vehicle before it takes off.

"Looks like things are in motion. I suppose I should get to work on preparations myself."

Gnomes Hideout

Steam. Something Kanade Lucinance otherwise known as Emerald Siegfried has come to be fond of after a day of grueling training to the point of death. Between the training against archaisms in the hundreds for hours on end with little break and the daily experiments her master conducts on her, the sound of burning hot water and subtle silence of her empty room has become fond to the 17-year-old.

One thing she had attempted to do from a young age was burn to death. How futile that attempt turned out. As a child, she had awakened her first marking from the anger that man she had and still has the displeasure of calling her master attempt to begin amplifying her training regimen. Increasing the difficulty by such a degree was something a five-year-old was not capable of. Regardless of whether she was human or not.

Glancing down her cleavage at her toned abdomen, she gazes at the second marking. Whereas the first marking is a red bar circling half her body, the other half is green. As for the awakening of her other flame, that experience was one that she could describe in one word. Misery. Months of agonizing treatment ranging from how durable her body could last against endless hordes of archaisms to how long it would take for her body to succumb to the drugs injected within her.

Kanade always questioned the why and how. Oh so many of those. Why did she have to be a part of this cruel scientist's research? How could something like this even happen to her? Why was she born into such a cruel and unjust world? How could a man such as him go on for almost two decades to her knowledge without being caught? Why hadn't she learned anything about her family? How could the only memory she contains be of that from when she was a newborn?

Why was she the host to such a bizarre being with no recollection of who they are? How could she wield flames? Why was there seemingly no light at the end of this dark and forsaken tunnel or moreso hole she was in? How even were her family doing? These were but the few that plagued the 17-year-old for as long as she can recall. The only answers she ever got were either from the results of her torturous training or through the words coated in lies her master would "bless" her with whenever she begged to know of her origins. Though she knew of two facts; a mother and a brother she knew of though as for who that male was with her mother she did not. She recalled clearly her mother doing something successfully to her brother before hurrying to do the same to Kanade herself only to be interrupted.

Turning the knob over and off, she opens the shower box stepping through the steamy room. Water droplets continuously dripping to the slippery tiles. Opening another door, the steam escapes as she walks over to sink. Gazing at the mirror above, the visage of her emotionless face appears. Disregarding the multiple cuts and pigmented bruises gained through her years of "training" across her figure, her gaze remains focused on two things. Or rather; two orbs. A pair of dichromatic eyes. One purple and the other green.

If she had to hazard a guess, whatever her mother had failed to do may have related to her eyes considering her master knew of none with heterochronic eyes. At least at the time of her asking when she was but a young girl. The thought of asking if that answer remained the same came and went but whether to act on it was never truly solidified. At this point, she didn't care anymore.

Gently brushing over a bruise, she winces slightly at the throbbing pain. Constantly training, her master had modified her regime in which the archaisms used would attack specific areas of her body one day and focus on others the next. In summary, her body was both constantly in pain and healing. Whatever she was didn't help that she was supposedly sturdier than the average human according to the one and only.

"Relon! Kanade!"

Shivering at the reminiscent voice, she places a hand over half her face.

Mother... Brother...

Shaking her head, she dries herself off before exiting the bathroom to her small empty room. Opening the closet, she's met with the same sight she's been acquainted with since childhood. The same all black wardrobe consisting of undergarments, tube dresses with white diamond patterns along the flounce, shorts, long fingerless gloves, thigh holsters, and ankle boots.

Quickly changing, she looks over to the desk at her most/only cherished possession. The cloth she was wrapped in when her master "saved" her as he put it. Though for as long as she has known him, not once has he ever revealed who exactly he was. Her best guess was on the near-impossible chance she somehow escaped; she wouldn't be able to reveal such information.

Walking over to her bed, she picks it up, once more the visage of that night flashes through her mind. In reaction, a hand goes to hold her bar markings.

Soon. I'll escape this prison. Mother, Relon, wait for me. It won't be long now.

Taking a moment to look at the television in front of her small bed, Kanade takes a seat at the foot of said bed clicking the remote on. Watching the screen shift from black to static and then to color, Kanade can only reminisce as to how she obtained such a thing. Her master's master humored her master explaining on how females are half of the human species and a worldly rule is they need to be cherished. Even more than that is they need rest as some can be fragile beings. Though her master retorted as the girl herself was not like the rest. Especially in the fragile department but even her own master could not overturn his master's words which resulted in the small electronic device before her.

Flipping through the channels, she finds one to be satisfactory. Laying down the remote, she looks at the clock.

An hour left before they come back...

Sighing at the inevitable, Kanade scoots to rest her head on the pillow. Reaching over, she curls the cloth around her hand, a gentle green flame igniting. As she gazes at the prized possession listening to the television speak in the background, she familiarizes herself once again with her situation. Wake up, eat, train, shower, rest, train, eat, sleep, repeat. Considering this was the only part of her day where she was able to be herself, she was going to make the most of this moment like every other time. The idea of being loved. The image of being happy. They were nothing but a dream. One Kanade desperately yearned for.

Resting her eyes for the first time since her much needed shower, it isn't long before the abrupt sound of static gains her attention. Tilting her head, she crawls to the foot of the bed readying to fix whatever the problem for the screen to shift to what seems like a broadcast. Wondering if it is a national announcement as that is the cause that would call for a channel on nature to change.

"Citizens of this land we all have come to love, my name is Sephiroth. I am the leader of an organization known as Senate."

At the mention of Senate, Kanade's eyes shift from openly curious to narrowed and focused.

Senate, one of the organizations recently partnered with Master's.

"We wish to bring about change to this godforsaken land. Many are deprived of their just cause, their own right because they are too weak. We wish to correct this. In these turbulent times, we must rise up and bring about restoration. Fix what is broken. Change what is no longer new. Chaos brews behind closed doors that the very people you all have put your trust in hides from you! We wish to correct these very wrongdoings. We wish to correct these unfair systems of heritage. We wish to correct this land to the greatness that it once was!" Sephiroth turns his attention to teens across from him.

Who are they? She thinks as the camera focuses on said students with one in the middle of them with floating swords at his side. Monsters? Possibly. But there's something about that one that seems different.

"There will be those that wish to stop our advances. Though none come as close as the young man before me. His name; Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance!"

Widening more than she has since she first experienced the gruesome training her master beseeched upon her, Kanade unconsciously stands to her feet as the camera zooms in on Relon.

"Brother...?" An audible breath in disbelief escapes the girl as her hands slowly reach for the tv, singular droplets dripping to the ground in slow repetition.

Eyeing the screen closely, the reflection of Kanade's once stoic demeanor having completely flipped can be shown. Her emotional dam shattered as if it was on the verge of breaking without her ever knowing. Though these are not tears of anguish or even sadness. No, these streams escaping her eye sockets are filled with sheer happiness. After having only the mysterious memory of herself as an infant and the call out of her mother, Kanade Lucinance finally after all these fatigue-worthy years has both found and seen her brother.

Finally! Relon, I've found you! She happily thinks fixing her face to realize the situation her brother is in. How did he wind up fighting Senate?

"You're asking if I'm willing to defy whatever bullshit you're spewing from your ass, right?"

And on a side note, he seems to be somewhat vulgar.

The only answer I have to give is hell yes!"

Correction; definitely vulgar.

"Whatever you want to call this organization, I don't care. You're terrorists all the same! Attempting to kidnap Prince Olivert, kidnapping Princess Alfin, and nearly taking over trains near Trista causing a collision which could have killed and injured dozens if not a hundred people, and now you've not only damaged my home, but hurt my brother and sister, murdered an innocent creatures as well as damaged the habitat to many others, and you want to ask me to join you?"

They want to recruit Relon?! Wait, Senate seeked out both the prince and princess of Erebonia?! And there are other siblings?

Clouded with the dozens of questions quickly filling her mind, she nearly misses what happens next.

Clenching his fist, heat radiated followed by a subtle burst of flames which Kanade can only look on in awe. Resembling markings and slitted eyes similar to her own, Relon points directly at the Senate boss as most likely his friends rally on him.

"No way in hell am I joining you! After everything you've done, you can put all the mira in the world that I am going on the side that you all aren't on!" Just as soon as his transformation came, it ceases.

"... Haha. An answer I saw coming. A shame but I am a patient man. You shall come around sooner or later."

"I doubt that."

"Very well." He lowers his arm. "I propose a challenge then. One that will put the unrest that now infest the land at ease. That or create more chaos. Either circumstance is fine by me."

What sort of challenge?

"One for you and those that wish to support your endeavor. Can you defeat all of my Leaguients and children before my goal is reached?"

"What exactly is your goal? Your true goal?"

"One which no one can truly comprehend except a Lucinance."

"The hell kind of answer is that?"

That's what I want to know, brother...

"What say you, Relon?"

"I already planned to take down Senate the moment I learned about you. I'll take you all down one by one if I have to until you're the only on left standing!" He raises a fist. "You can believe me on that!"

"Very well. Then from this moment on, I declare you, Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance, the Senate Hunter!" With that, the broadcast cuts to Kanade's surprise.

Moving the television before going over and attempting to fix the channel with her remote, nothing works as the channel she was previously watching returns. Dumbfounded, she slowly eases her rear to make contact with the bedsheets to process all the information she's just acquired.

The Senate Hunter? It sounded as though Relon has encountered Senate before. And from what the screen showed as well as what brother mentioned, the leader and possibly others are Lucinances as well. Brother is fighting them along with his friends and judging by that broadcast, Senate most likely hacked the broadcasting networks. Which means...

"Go on and rest. I have business to attend to so I shall return shortly."

The voice of her master echoes in her mind as her gaze lands on the door.

Now may be my best chance!

Standing to her feet, Kanade returns to eyeing the television. A moment of stillness comes before with an unwavering conscience, she looks at her cloth for a few seconds before stashing it into one of her two holsters.

Ridden of the foul memories, she walks opening the door before closing it behind her without a second thought.

Stopping in the hallway, she observes both sides before beginning her walk. The walls full of cubic patterns with purple-like energy flowing through the walls.

Based on Senate's broadcast, that must have been what he meant earlier. Which means I'll be cutting it close.

Reaching a door, it automatically opens revealing a larger room. One full of burn marks all over the place.

Only one of the many training rooms I've fought in. Nothing left to see here.

Continuing through, she stops sensing something ahead of her. From two spheres of white light appears two blonde girls clad in red and blue metallic armor respectively hovering just off the ground.

The Oz prototypes...

"Emerald Siegfried located. Return to your quarters." The red one orders robot-like.

"Am I not allowed to go for a walk?" She questions.

"Or we shall use force. You have been warned."

"Ignoring my responses as always." Kanade sighs. "Well now, is that so...?" Kanade's gaze remains stoic as a hand goes to her hip, heat beginning to radiate off her person.

"Pyrokinetic energy increasing. Switching target from neutral to hostile."

"Flame elemental resistance shield activated. Commencing suppression." The red girl states, red shield briefly appearing before fading as they charge.

Watching the incoming enemies, Kanade's demeanor narrows on the two.

"Unlike our numerous bouts, I won't be holding back..."

An explosion mixed with red and green colors goes off and as the smoke settles, it shows Kanade walking past the two girls scattered on the ground in pieces.

"Even if you are mere machines." She finishes glancing at the defeated opponents before reverting to normal and running off.

I may have lost the element of stealth but there are nowhere near as many archaisms patrolling the premises compared to the usual. I just need to hurry before I'm found out.

Planning for such a day to come from a young age, Kanade used that mind of hers to concoct a plan that would assist her. During her rigorous training against the varying archaisms, she would only use so much of her flames. Instilling the idea she was weak to her master when in reality she was beyond what she even knew to be capable of. She was ever thankful when said master created the elemental shields for when she was forced to use more fire, she had to act as though she put her whole 100% into it when she only ever used 95%.

One thing she has learned from her time in the Gnome's hideout under her master was that a single percentage could mean the biggest difference whenever she attempted her daring escape and today just so happened to be that day. And that five percentile difference was going to be her ticket out of this hell hole.

From my research during my sparring, he's programmed the walls to withstand the same amount as the archaisms. Which means that once I reach that point, I should be able to blast my way out.

Running through the hall up and down inclines followed by many turns, all of which Kanade mentally memorized throughout the numerous times her master guided her from one area to another. Exiting another automatic door, she hurries across a small bridge taking note of the other bridge entrance before reaching the large platform.

Good, I made it to the Black Workshop's Central Hub.

Looking over the railing, the bottom is pitch black. Looking up, the metal mixed with the cavern walls leads up to the ceiling in darkness as well. Turning back, she eyes her target. A door far away from her. About to dash for it, the sounds of sirens go off halting her.

[KANADE LUCINANCE LOCATED. INITIATING SUPPRESSION.]

Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Kanade readies herself as three large lights emerge in front of the exit. From them, three hulking machines with jagged proportions at the groin and knee joints, spheres in place of hands, spinning rotors at the ankle and neck areas, and all with red-purplish coloration symbols similar to those on the walls.

"Hecatoncheir. An autonomous orbal weapon equipped with high-spec armaments, which necessitated increased weight and size." She quotes from her master readying herself. Making robotic noises, the three large machines' rotors begin to spin as two dashes to Kanade's sides. "The very machines that I always acted as though I couldn't destroy..." Red and green flames dance around the young woman as her green and purple eyes dilate into slits followed by markings becoming noticeable along her skin. "How fitting that three appeared when I acted as though I couldn't even fight one."

With a wave of her arm outward to the side, the flames vanish.

"Now then..." Kanade's demonic voice sighs before glaring at the machines around her as her hands go as if to pull something from her waist for a red and green flame to conjure into the shape of swords. "Get out of my way!"

Like a blur, all that can be followed are the trails from her swords as the machines pick up on the girl in the air, both swords slicing through a barrier with ease as they cut off the machine's arms. Landing, she lunges close to the ground skidding under the machine as four lasers shoot at where she once stood. Looking back, she flips back to her feet, throwing her flame swords as they once again pierce through the transparent barrier before lodging themselves into the machine's back.

Kicking off, she watches as it rotates its body whipping up a whirlwind forcing Kanade to hunker down. Releasing odd beeping sounds, it comes to an immediate halt. Its arm sockets beginning to hover off the ground before floating back to their owner. Narrowing her eyes, Kanade takes off once more. The two Hecatoncheirs coming to a stop besides their fellow machine raising their spherical ligament. A line glowing before lasers fire towards the girl.

Flipping to her left and then her right followed by a jump, she descends on the hovering arm. Raising her foot, she slams it down with all her might breaking the large machinery into parts. Getting back up, the machines take sight of her as she takes sight of the other arm nearing its owner. Launching more lasers, she picks up four decent sized pieces of metal with one hand before throwing them like frisbees deflecting the lasers with Kanade close behind.

Jumping once more into the air, she rotates her body like an acrobat avoiding the stray beams. Watching the four pieces thrown lodge themselves inside the laser sockets, she blasts two streams of fire upwards propelling herself downward before delivering another earth shattering kick to the arm just a few feet from reaching the machine.

Looking down at her work complete, the kneeling woman refocuses on the three machines eyeing her. Conjuring two more flame swords, the two machineries raise their arms preparing to flatten the girl.

In a burst of flames, she spirals through the defenseless machine causing it to fall to the ground immobile. Landing on the railing, both machines turn to her as they charge at full speed. Throwing her swords at the machine's head, static courses through their bodies. Leaning back, she falls off with the machines right after her only for Kanade to backflip, catching a hold of the railing. Looking back, she watches at the machines vanish into the darkness never hearing the bottom.

Pulling herself up, Kanade flips, landing on her feet. Looking to the door on the other side, she takes off.

"I believe that is far enough." A man's voice appears through the speakers before in another sphere of light, said man appears before her.

A tall man with silver hair and red eyes wearing a black long coat with suit lapels over a number of grey and black shirts, sweaters and an open belt, grey trousers, white gloves, and black shoes.

"Wouldn't you agree, Kanade?"

Glaring harshly, she doesn't hesitate to unleash a stream of green flames obstructing her view of the evil scientist. Ceasing her attack, she finds a silver one-eyed archaism with sharp claws in front of the man having used a barrier of sort.

"Now, now, I don't remember raising such a rebellious child. Then again, you are at that age so if you would be so kind as to discard such pettiness and listen-"

"I'm leaving. Your combat shell won't save you so step aside or perish."

"Such hostility." His monotone voice present and with a snap of his fingers, multiple spheres of light appear around the man for Oz units colored black to appear followed by Hecatoncheirs wheeling in from both bridges. "Though you've managed to fool me once, I assure you will not make it happen twice." All Oz units get into combat stances. "You failed to think I would allow such a chance to go over my head. Such a simple hope can dwindle so very quickly. I am certain I taught you about such a thing." The Hecatoncheirs rev their engines. "Now, let us compare your most recent combat data to now. Show me what you can do when you exude all of your true power. Are you capable of competing against my Zoa Balor and archaisms, Kanade Lucinance?" At his question, the combat shell readies its claws menacingly.

Looking around as the machines close in, Kanade steps back inching closer to the railing.

"What will it be? Will you concede to this privy attempt at freedom?"

Feeling the cold metal against her rear, Kanade glances over into the depths before back ahead seeming to weigh her options. Gripping her fists in anger before letting go, her form reverts to normal. The scientist's dark demeanor lifts slightly.

"I concede..." She murmurs.

"Very good." He takes a single step forward for flames of red and green to gush out in waves.

"I'm giving up on fighting you! Not on escaping!" She shouts flipping onto the railing before with one final glare, she leans back falling into the darkened abyss.

Walking to the edge, the man can only click his tongue in annoyance.

She knew that door wasn't truly the exit and simply put up a charade. That would explain her actions. He surmises.

"Find her. Retrieve her. Undetected. Dead or Alive." He orders for the mechanical girls to hover before zooming down into the darkness.

Though unforeseen, I am more than happy to take advantage of such an opportunity. If it comes down to it, Kanade shall become just like the rest including "him."

Descending with her arms at her side and legs together, Kanade begins to see multiple bridges overtop one another leading in different directions. Firing fire to slow her descent, she lands with grace looking at the seemingly hundreds of exits. Sensing the Oz units closing in from above, she take off towards one of the doors. Running on a long incline upwards through the familiar corridors, Kanade comes to a large locked door.

Seeing a panel, she fires at it causing a small explosion for it to short circuit resulting in a rumbling sound. Stepping back, the door begins to raise as for the first time light hits her person. Shielding her eyes, she runs out to stop widening in awe. The sight of puffy clouds in the clear blue sky, fresh trees and other vegetation indicate she's at the base of her prison. Glancing back, she finds a mountain. All things she has only seen on that 20 inch screen.

Taking the moment, she squats down feeling the soft soil, then the hard dirt.

"Finally." She inhales a long breath taking in the natural air. "I'm free." She exhales with a smile on her face for it to falter as she senses the Oz units once more.

Taking sight of a path through the shrubbery, an idea comes to mind. Taking a few hard steps careful to leave footprints in the direction of the path. Crouching down, she jumps into the tree and waits. A few seconds later, the secret entrance opens followed by the flying units to stop with 9 in total.

"Target lost. Scanning..." One speaks, stopping at the sight of the footprints, the nine flying towards the empty road. "Dividing numbers. Initiating Stealth Mode. Commencing search." Splitting into groups of three, each takes to the west, north, and east while turning invisible.

Seeing them out of sight, Kanade breathes a sigh of relief.

I've lost them for the time being but now comes my next issue. Jumping down, Kanade glances around. Where exactly am I?

Present

"Then from this moment on, I declare you, Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance, the Senate Hunter!" Sephiroth declares pointing his finger towards Relon.

"Senate Hunter, huh...?" Relon ponders aloud for a smirk to form. "I like it. And what better time, then to fill out that title?" Relon wonders to himself for surprised and shocked expressions to appear on both sides.

"You still intend to fight, do you?" Sephiroth calls out. "Is that wise? Surely your body must be at its limit."

"Heh, you would think so." Relon responds. "Both sides do have a lot to lose, but we definitely have a lot more to gain from this."

"You dolts seriously think you can take us on as we are now?" Agria groans. "You didn't stand a chance before and now your chances have just dropped even further."

"Stop while you're ahead!" Krovanh barks in anger. "You should be on your hands and knees groveling your thanks for father allowing you bastards to live!"

"Children, enough." Sephiroth declares silencing the two once again. "I have silenced you twice. Do not make me say it a third time."

(Guys, I have a plan.) Relon whispers.

(You're thinking of taking them on, no?) Laura asks.

(Wait, seriously?!) Elliot widens.

(Act cool Elliot or they're going to catch on!) Alisa scolds hushing the boy.

(How shall we go about this?) Aurelia questions. (As far as skill and experience goes, we are heavily overmatched.)

(Exactly. Which is why we're taking ourselves and those troublesome cousins of mine out the fight!) He glances at his fellow transforming classmate. (Ready for another round?)

All eyes go to Rean, said teen's own locked on Relon for a grin to form.

(What do you have in mind?)

"Why are they still standing there?" Sara mutters.

"Isn't it obvious?" All eyes look to Cecily stepping forward. "Relon has a plan. And by the look on his friends' faces, it seems they're in on the plan."

"Seriously?! Ugh, they're so getting an earful if we survive this!"

"All troops, ready yourselves! We move on the students' mark!" Osborne orders.

Rean... be safe!

"Sheeeeeesh. Relon sure is stubborn." Lechter comments next to Claire. (I'm not as experienced in romance as you two are but I'm like 99.9% sure you don't take your lover to the fight of your literal lives.) He whispers for Sara to not hear.

(Well what can I say? I'm a cop. I like to live on the wild side.) Claire chuckles checking her pistol.

"And I'm a detective. Yet I don't like living on the wild side! Hell, you two sure were made for each other."

"That..." She begins finishing checking her arts. "Is an undeniable fact." She ends with a click of her ARCUS unit and a smirk on her face.

"Yujiro." Cecily calls halting next to the bulky man.

"We both know Relon and his friends are up to something." He blurts.

"Well, he is a Namikaze." She smiles for a moment of silence to come.

"He's gone, Cecily." Understanding the meaning behind his abrupt words, Cecily gives a solemn nod.

"... I see." She grips her pike to ease the tension. "Another reason to make them regret coming here."

"Sephiroth is mine." He declares darkly.

"Then leave that other Lucinance to me."

Slowly turning to look at the determined expressions on each other, they silently nod awaiting the signal.

"Prince Olivert, I highly suggest-"

"I'm staying."

Mueller immediately sighs before resolving himself.

"I apologize, my friend." He smiles wryly.

"No need. Where you go, I go. We're long past simply the status of a prince and his bodyguard." He readies himself. "I shall be your shield while you launch those destructive arts of yours."

"Hahaha, this will possibly be our grandest display yet! What say you, Bleublanc?"

"I am simply carrying out a dear companion of mine's favor. Seeing as she is aware of the situation, I shall bid you all adeu." And with a bow, he vanishes with a snap of his fingers.

"Alas, I was hopping we would combine our talents to create a majestic beauty."

"Sometimes I can't keep up with that mind of yours." Mueller sweatdrops.

Though we know Relon's mother is watching. That was useful information for him to bestow us with. The question now is how shall she respond?

"It seems they're up for more." Asuma murmurs with hands in his pocket.

"It would seem so..." Sephiroth sighs. "These humans are quite stubborn. Relon has been exposed to these creatures for far too long."

"I'll admit, Relon is tenacious... Just as much as he is an idiot like my brother." Asuma notes taking out his hands to crack them along with his neck. "But if they won't let us leave, then so be it."

"Damn humans, interfering with my plans." Sephiroth narrows behind his mask before raising a hand gaining all's attention.

"Now!" Relon shouts.

He and Rean bursting forward with an explosive flare. Out of the smoke, both are revealed to be in their alternate forms as they race towards their foes weaponless.

I can feel her power much more than before. Show only what they've seen, Rean. Wait for the right time to release all of it. That's when it'll matter most! Rean thinks.

"The hell are they up to?" Asuma mutters.

"Asuma, intercept them."

"On it!" In a burst of flames, Asuma zooms towards the two already entering stage two as shown by his blue-pink hair changing to gold.

"Heads up, his reflexes and perception are heightened!" Relon shouts.

"Okay!"

"You sure are stupid charging in without your Goddess to protect you!"

"I never asked for her help and I certainly don't need it now!" Relon fires a jet of fire.

"Big talk from a boy who doesn't know squat!" Asuma retorts, absorbing the flames.

"Big talk from someone who follows their daddy's orders like a dog!"

"Why you!" Clicking his teeth in anger, Asuma unleashes streams of flames at the two.

"Now, Alisa!" Rean shouts, both diverging from one another running alongside the element.

"Let's hope this works..." She says readying an arrow. "Flames gather on my arrow!" Reeling back the arrow, she steadies herself. "Flamberge!" Releasing, it turtles towards the ending fire.

If I can't absorb a flame of this potency directly, then I'll absorb its weaker side! Relon thinks feeling the heat enter his body.

Ceasing his attack, Asuma looks to both males nearing both sides.

They're not trying to fight me? Could it be dad they're after? No, that can't be it. Shifting his thoughts from Sephiroth to Krovanh and Agria, his eyes narrow. So that's it! They want to separate those two from the rest of us! He redirects his focus towards Relon.

Just as he turns, an arrow-like flame hurtles from the dispelling flamethrower towards him.

"You idiots think something like that will hurt me?" He raises an open palm to absorb the incoming flame.

As he does, its true form revealed to be the arrow blitzes at him for Asuma to go wide-eyed.

"What the?!" He lowers his hand ducking under the arrow.

Just as he does, his peripheral takes sight of both boys passing by him with smirks on their faces.

That arrow wasn't meant to hurt me. It was just to slow me down!

A normal arrow would have been burned to cinders the moment it made contact with those flames. Rean thinks. But an arrow covered in flames would go right through and absorb the fire.

And once those flames begin to be absorbed, the suction just makes the arrow go even faster! Relon thinks.

"Hey Krovanh, how about we go another round?" Relon taunts.

"Seriously? You think you stand a chance against me as I am now?!" Krovanh barks back, transforming.

"Agria, we didn't get to finish our fight from earlier so how about it?" Rean taunts.

"Kukuku, let's tango some more twerp!" Agria doing the same before both siblings dash to meet the two.

"Stop, you're the ones they're after!" Asuma warns before vanishing into flames leaving both siblings to widen, sliding to a halt.

"Demeter." Sephiroth orders calmly.

"At once, sir!" She withdraws her scepter preparing an incantation.

"Pappan, now!"

Like a bullet, the red-purple sword bursts from the tree line towards Demeter. Seeing this in the nick of time, she jumps back avoiding it.

"Nice try!" She gloats, her scepter beginning to glow as she falls towards the ground.

"Hehe, gotcha! Pippin!"

From the other side of the tree line blasts Pippin, the tip of its blade making it seem like a blur as all Demeter can do is turn her head before a sharp pain makes contact with her hand.

"AHHH!" She cries out letting go of the scepter to hold her severed hand before landing with a mighty thud towards the ground.

Seeing all of this with a passive look behind the mask, Sephiroth looks over to Relon.

Even now, after everything he's been through, he struggles...

"HIT THAT SCEPTER!" Relon and Rean roar as they approach the Lucinance siblings.

"Demeter! How dare you!" Agria hisses slicing her three-pronged scissor blade for Rean to dodge rolling to a knee.

"Sis, wait!" Krovanh calls dashing after for Relon to cut him off. "Out of my way!"

"Make me!" Relon dashes low to the ground as Krovanh raises up to swipe downwards as Relon also dives to the side.

Spiraling around one another, both swords rear back the flat side of their blades before punting it.

"You guys, catch!" Rean shouts dodging slash after slash.

"Fight back already!" Agria roars.

"Rossweisse." Sephiroth orders, one of the cloaked members raising a hand revealed to be a gauntlet as a magic circle appears in front of the palm.

"I got it!" Elliot announces as he backs up gauging its trajectory. "I..." Jumping up, he catches it. "Got it!" He smiles, turning around for his blood to suddenly run cold as mere inches from his face is a blast of light.

In a flash, Yujiro appears deflecting the attack into the forest as a mighty rumble erupts. As both land, Elliot's legs tremble causing him to fall to the ground.

"T-T-Thank y-y-y-you...!" He wheezes.

"Stand." Yujiro orders narrowing his eyes on Senate. "The moment you take your eyes off your opponent is what decides whether you live or die."

"That art..." Alisa gasps along with the Arseid students.

"It was so fast I couldn't even react to it...!" Aurelia clenches her teeth.

"You little shits! Just stay still!" Agria roars firing fireballs from the center as Rean dodges each one nearing the girl.

Almost there! Rean thinks to widen as a surge of flames erupt in front of him revealing Asuma.

"You didn't think you were done with me, did you?!" He swipes at Rean for the boy to jump back.

"Damn it!"

"Agria, calm the hell down! Get blinded by that famous anger of our family and you'll die to a mere human. Talk about going out like a drag." Asuma warns.

"Tch." Relon clicks backflipping a horizontal swing from Krovanh's spear-like twin blade. "So much from Plan A." He slides next to Rean, both swords flying over the five and landing next to the duo.

"Plan B then." Rean responds by withdrawing his tachi.

"Yeah. Time to do this Pappan!" Relon grins taking of the sword, the connection to Pippin weakening. "Ablaze!"

"Get ready, you two!" Asuma warns.

"Follow my lead, Rean!" Relon grins crouching down.

"With you like always." He says moving his left arm towards the front and down with his right holding the tachi behind him raised in the air.

"Good. Go!" He takes off with Rean and Pippin to his right behind him.

"Take care of the boy. Relon is mine." Asuma orders, the three rushing to meet them.

Looking at the incoming threat, Relon grips Pappan's handle tightly, twirling it into a reverse grip.

"So what if your first plan fails?"

"If Asuma gets in our way again, then he'll think our targets will still be Krovanh and Agria."

You think that, don't you Asuma? You've thought lowly of myself and humans after all. That's why...

Mere feet from each other, Asuma prepares a double horizontal slash as Relon slashes vertically preemptively.

He attacked too early. Now's- Widening from his thoughts, Asuma takes one too many steps as he goes arms first into the attack having expanded to a flaming portal.

"ASUMA!" Both shout in worry to quickly shift to rage as they continue their advance.

That's why you'd never see us shifting targets to you!

Coming out in front of Sephiroth, Asuma looks to him in confusion before widening to turn around at the four.

"Oh no!"

"You're dead!" Agria shouts, reaching him first for Relon to smirk as he whips his blade now a greatsword hidden behind him in a vertical strike upwards to which Agria gasps barely blocking to surprise attack.

The hell?! When did he- She widens as it hits her. When he made the portal! Sneaky vermin! She curses as she's launched over Krovanh.

"Agria!"

"Go, Rean!" Relon shouts, still holding the flaming sword pointed upwards.

Jumping onto the solid tip, Rean jumps over Krovanh who can only look helpless before shifting to Relon.

"Killing you will be the greatest joy after being saved by father!" He bellows charging.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?!" Both clash blades, neither overpowering the other.

"How can you still fight?! We burned your arms!"

"Work through the pain as my dad taught me!"

Shaking off the dizziness, Agria opens her eyes to see herself and Rean airborne. The latter closing in.

"Gotcha now!" She grins manically, raising a hand to unleash a stream of light brown flames burst toward the Eight Leaves Practitioner.

"Pappan!" Rean calls, the sword zooming in front of him as he takes hold of it cutting through the flames.

"You... stubborn... little...!" Agria shrieks ending her flames as it begins to block her view of the teen for him to be revealed in front of her.

Shocked, she swings her weapon for it to be blocked by Pappan. Letting go, Rean shoots his hand slamming it towards her abdomen as they land.

"Relon, now!"

Hearing those words, Krovanh can make out a gleam in Relon's eyes before it becomes more noticeable as a second pair of slits extend from his pupil now an x shape once more before his eyes turn white.

"Impossible...!" He widens in horror and disbelief as does Sephiroth sensing the familiar essence.

"Move, now!" Both he and Ishmelga blitzing the four.

"Not on my watch!" Yujiro snarls, taking off in a boom with Cecily close behind.

"Hey, stupid..." Relon's voice once more feminine. "Never thought the Goddess would tell a lie, did you?" She wonders with a smirk slamming a palm to Krovanh's abdomen. "Oh fellow being of nature, connect the link between beating hearts of all living creatures! Esoteric Art: Temporal Branch!"

In a burst of light forcing all four adults to cease their movement, her white and cyan aura shines brightly before a beam of white light travels to Class VII and Rean.

"Are you all ready?" Laura questions, the four looking at the incoming beam.

"Need you ask such an obvious question." Aurelia grins confidently.

"Whether we are or not, we have to do what we can to help out everyone else!"

Gripping his staff tightly not bothering to hide his fearful form, Elliot's visage becomes determined.

"Bad guys like them need to be stopped. If I can help a little, then I'll do what I can!"

Putting their hands together, they raise it to connect with the beam as it connects with Rean. Squinting his eyes, Sephiroth sees the beam to throw his sword.

"Ha!" Aidios-Relon shouts, everyone vanishing just as Goro slices through Rean's beam.

"What the hell just happened...?!" Asuma questions towards Sephiroth who can only look where the once vanished teens were.

Both snap their heads up to their sides. Sephiroth blocking an almighty blow from Yujiro and Asuma Cecily's Pike sending both skidding back to Senate.

"They just made our job a hell of a lot easier!" The legendary man snarls.

"Prepare yourselves, villains! You aren't getting away easily!" Cecily glares raises her pike.

"That's the signal!" Lechter notes.

"ALL TROOPS...!" Prince Olivert begins raising a hand.

"ADVAAAAANNNNCCCEEE!" Osborne bellows.

"You humans truly to struggle until the bitter end." Sephiroth notes with clear annoyance taking hold of the returning blade. "Very well. If you are fine with losing all of your lives, then so be it!" He raises his sword. "Senate... end this farce!"

---

A/N: I'm saying this now, Aidios-Relon appeared for a split second so I don't wanna hear anyone to bring up what I said XD! Also, Kanade's debut! What were your thoughts? I really wanted to give her more time but her solo chapter will come out eventually before this story goes on hiatus. A lot still planned after all. And yes, I added Rinwell from Tales of Arise. Can you blame me? One of her incantations is "Blah blah blah, Magic!" That and I just love her and Hootle's personalities. Sue me.

Fun Fact: I was tempted to add Tita, Agate, and other characters but you all get the point of this chapter, lol. That and I wanna get moving to the big chapter. No clue when that's coming out but expect like 1017% action. Odd and hectic, I know.