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.

58. From Zero To Hope Part 3

Gachas like Genshin Impact & Honkai Star Rail, as well as others like Love Live & Bluelock, Gundam, Quintessential Quintuplets, Highschool DXD, Trails of Cold Steel are in the works. Check them out :D

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His body felt like it was smoldering. His mind, divided on the enemies before him and Rinwell's abduction, remained somehow focused. He couldn't bother processing the whys. All he could do was unleash his fury and find the answers he seeked afterward.

"It would seem whoever abducted your ally is an ally of our own." Victor speaks, reaffirming his stance. "Therefore…" He pauses, readying himself.

"We have no obligation in disclosing such unwarranted information." Laura cuts in, having regained her bearings. "You stand against Master Zero. You all shall die. Here and now!"

"To quell that which resists, we shall not hold anything back! Soldiers, commence the attack." Tio orders.

"Ikaruga! Raise your arms!"

"Shizuna!"

"I know!"

Amidst the beginning chaos, Munechika could only rush through the numbers towards Relon. Rinwell was kidnapped and Zero's Army was right before them.

Sensing rising, she dodges to the side as a blue sphere Dodging a sphere explodes into an abundance of ice where she once stood. Returning to the front, she narrows at the blue-hair girl holding what seems like a launcher of sorts before it shapeshifts into a rod.

"Your opponent is me," Tio glares, orbal staff poised at the familiar.

Giving a brisk glance at Relon, Munechika can only relent. Assisting Relon would have to wait. The foe before her needed to be dealt with. Without killing no less…

This will be annoying…

Magical aura flaring, both fire as their attacks dispel the other for a shockwave to erupt. Though not from their own attacks.

What's- Anchoring herself, Munechika can only snap back to where Relon once lied.

Where the three combatants stood, now Relon's blades fought firmly against theirs respectively.

Instincts flaring, she teleports into the air already launching balls of magic for Tio to cleave them with ease. Landing with grace, she readies her next attack.

I can't let this battle prolong. Rinwell needs us!

Relon

How long has it been since he and Pippin clashed with Victor Arseid? Five years? How time has passed…

Feeling the might of both Arseids begin to overcome his strength, he pivots inwards to launch a spinkick at Laura while throwing Pappan to intercept Victor.

The time he fought with Laura on their first day of school feels so distant now…

Blocking his kick, Laura hardens her stance as the force sends her skidding to a halt. Dodging with a tilt on his neck, Victor rotates his sword for Relon to parry it, having noticed out the corner of his eye. Following through, both sides reset as Pappan returns to his hand.

His heart ached.

The very two he saw as family weren't his own yet the pain hurt all the same. That pain was only barely showered by the rage of their actions. He's lost enough family. He refused to lose Rinwell too!

"Here he comes!" Victor warns, taking the front as a recovering Laura whips her head to sparks flying.

The metallic cling of metal on metal surges in repetition. Refocusing, her eyes remain poised on the two for her thoughts to realize something.

Her own skills were not on par with her father's. Yet, somehow, someway, this cretin was not allowing any openings to be made.

"If that's the case…" She grits, eyes hardening as a bluish-black aura envelopes her. "Then I'll make one!" Careening around Victor, she strikes.

These eyes, even though not fully evolved, were unbelievable. As a child, he could never keep up with Victor. Despite the legendary swordsman holding back, his eyes and skills at the time were still that of a novice. Yet, here he was fighting a different Victor attempting to take his life…

Once again his heart sank at the drowned realization. Yet another thought permeated atop that one. His anger was his fuel. Once his heightened stamina depletes, so would his chances at victory. Meaning he couldn't afford to drag this battle on for long.

The main threat was Victor, not Laura. He realized following the battle that he couldn't think in the moment. He needed to go beyond the moment he lived in. Even if just one step ahead, that difference in calculation would be the difference between one's life remaining or their death that would ensue.

So he acted.

Using Victor's blade as a force to push himself away from the female's strike, he pivots off his toes to blur behind the duo.

What he needed to do was focus on the weakest link and make the stronger of the two falter. He was her father so he would not sit by and allow such a thing to harm her. At least, that's what he knew his Victor would do.

Eyes, going to the defenseless Laura, he reels Pappan back. Once again the sound of metal reverberates as a grunt follows from the master swordsman. Following through as Victor attempts to right his stance, Relon seizes the new opportunity drawing Pippin. Eyes going wide, Victor unleashes his own blue-black aura sending both himself and Laura a short distance back.

"You cursed soul…!" Victor growls for the dim aura to explode. "You shall pay for that dearly!"

"Pay? Me?" A boiling sensation resonates from his chest. "You're the ones who're going to pay!" Blurring at once, Relon's face narrowly misses the edge of Victor's blade as he passes the father continuing forth.

"Where is- Damn! Laura!"

Throwing one sword after the other, both intercept the swordsman grinding his pace to a halt.

Even if this Laura wasn't his own, he knew that any respectable swordsman would challenge themselves in a duel. Given this Laura was blinded by corruption…

"Discarding both weapons to delay my father. Do not forget your opponent is me as well!" She exclaims to widen as he seemingly appears in front of her.

He knew she wouldn't back down from such an opportunity.

"I know." Parrying her downward strike with a block lifting her hands up, his fist clenches before delivering a quick jab.

The force from it alone makes her skid back while wincing. Blurring once more, her head snaps around for his fist to make contact with her cheek. Feeling resistance, he only needs to pump more effort to send her off her feet and towards the ground.

Skidding for a moment, by the time she recovers to her feet, Victor rushes past towards the male as do both swords.

Carefully backing away to fall off the cliff, he stops as both swords follow over. Looking down to find nothing, his instincts flare in alarm for his blade to lift, blocking a passing Pippin.

"Where's-" Grasping the distraction, his body shifts to an equally searching Laura in time to see the young woman get kicked from behind.

Righting herself with a growl of irritation, their eyes go to Relon stepping off his blade retaking both in his hands.

Relon knew that those auras brimming with power were a threat. From Victor, it was the line between living and dying. For Laura, a novice would take notice immediately. The core style of the Arseids revolved mainly around powerful strikes that can end an opponent in one mighty blow. Victor, the master of the craft, realized its sole weakness. Speed.

Laura, both this world and his own, lacked that speciality. Wielding such a blade and to have the speed to keep up with their classmates was indeed an accomplishment but it was only that. Without it, she was faster yes, but she was also defenseless. Victor, having trained his whole life long since realized this flaw and honed not his power but his speed to balance out the art with his own body.

Hence why his plan was working. That aura glimmering a black azure was to increase their power. He realized that immediately thanks to the connection he shared with both blades. They told him so much on their link and now that link was allowing for his plan to work seemingly flawless.

Stay away from the master and focus on the student. That plan was working because unlike Victor, Laura's own power boost lacked the vitality that Victor's did. Even now, it was flickering on an unstable level unlike the wise man's own. Surely, unleashing such a technique would have repercussions. Once that drawback occurs, he'd take his chance. He'd just-

"Laura, stay close to me." Victor speaks, gaining Relon's attention. "It's clear this foe is not to be underestimated. He's seen the vast difference in experience between us and has been wary of my presence while focusing on yours. However, something leaves me pondering."

"What is it, Father?"

"That last attack," he comments towards Relon. "You completely blindsided me and yet all you did was kick my daughter. You could have easily taken her life but you did not." His own words quickly made the young woman widen as if in realization. "Why?"

What would happen if he answered that question truthfully? He's already learned that nothing regarding Luna or Aidios would occur if he broke the Temporal Laws. So what harm would befall them? Would something far worse enact itself the moment Relon and Rinwell returned to their own time? Would a greater outcome occur here and now if he revealed his relationship to their counterparts?

One side of him yearned to speak without violence. However, his mind went to the innocents hurt, the thousands seemingly killed, homes laid to waste, and Musse… He'd vent out his anger the only way he knew how. And who better than against opponents that he already had experience with?

"Who knows?" He offers, slinging Pappan like a dart to follow closely after.

"Laura!"

"Understood!"

Watching her move forward to intercept Pappan, his eyes trace over Victor. It was clear the man's own cognitive abilities were on par with Relon's to a level where he was confident in reacting to his every move. So why was he still remaining back? He should be the one meeting him, not Laura. That logic made no sense. Could he be allowing her to face himself so Victor can counter whatever unorthodox method Relon shifts to? A sound plan but still, the idea of a father allowing his daughter to face danger while he decides to stay back and watch even if covering her, it left a vile feeling in his mouth…

"So you're fine with just watching, huh Uncle Victor?!" Relon roars, kicking into a new gear that makes Laura, deflecting the sentient blade, gasp as he crashes with a blinding dropkick.

Eyes bucking wide, Victor moves his blade out of the way grabbing his daughter as the sudden force sends both of their feet and over the cliff with Relon jumping after them.

"Pippin, Pappan!" He shouts moving his hands.

As if puppets, the swords dance in zigzags closing in.

Clicking in frustration to rotate the girl behind, he poises his blade.

"Come!"

"With pleasure!"

One strike, two strikes, three, four.

"Victoooooor!" Relon bellows boosting into the fray. Fists and divine metal scraps again finely-tuned swordsmanship. With every strike, their hands only move faster. The combination of metallic fists and sentient weaponry had forced the renowned Blademaster on the defensive. Every opportunity to put space via diving further down or escaping towards another open space throughout their descent was negated with Relon and his swords close on him.

Who is this child?!

He couldn't send Laura further down. The moment his mind left to prioritize her, he would surely be defeated. No matter how he attempted to rotate themselves, the warrior before them stayed atop. He couldn't do anything!

I have no choice…!

Ears muffled by the rushing wind and the clinging of metal, a subtle breath pierces through. Eyes going past the golden blade, they take in the slow inhalation of air before it exhales. Even as their forms seamlessly acted like machines going far beyond their limits, the sight itself made his childhood resurface once more.

The Radiant Phoenix Blade; Victor Arseid's signature move. The epitome of the Arseid style itself and what each student yearns to learn upon reaching such a pinnacle in skill level.

It's coming.

To match such an attack, there was little he could do. No Crescent Strike, no portals, not even a Solar Impact. All he had was his raw power and physical techniques that have cultivated since he was a child. Avoiding such an attack was out of the question given what few options he had. Its destructive capabilities against a human body would shatter his body into dust if not eviscerate him completely. His life would cease as would Pippin and Pappan's.

Once again kicking off the cliffside to reach the next platform far below, Victor and Laura come to an abrupt halt at its edge. Discarding the still reeling Laura, his aura flares washing over the foothold itself. Proactively swinging in slow motions, after-images begin to manifest before the blade extends in a bright shimmer.

Even as Relon continued to fall, the spectacle of witnessing the skill was truly a gift to the beholder. But to be on the receiving end… words could not describe it.

In spite of his own style of fighting, he admired and honed the two years of swordsmanship he was instructed ever since leaving Legram. Even if it was placed on the backburner for Yujiro to train him in pure, raw, martial arts. He was a swordsman first and martial artist second. It was the bind atop the already existing link between his and Pippin's past.

The pain and agony he was experiencing would meet the expectations placed upon his past self. He was no longer fearful of who he was.

Touching down manifesting a crater, he bounds forward like a spring.

Now, he was fighting for not only the will to rejoin his timeline or ensure the safety of those he knew and loved but to decimate the opposition before him, knock some sense into those far above, save Rinwell, and put a stop to Zero's plan! He may be a swordsman first, but in this moment, he would meet the expectations of the Relon from then with the him of now. Feeling his swords propel his feet forward, the sheer momentum feels as though an unbearable weight is wringing throughout own body.

His best bet was to strike with a precise punch as he's punched more than he's swung Pippin. Speed and power alone were not enough.

All at once, a pulse shoots across the ground below in the blink of an eye. Immediately, he recognizes it as a millisecond later, a shining glyph manifests in his line of travel.

Munechika!

Continuing on through the glyph, an empowering sensation courses along his body as it brims in a white outline. He could feel it, the will of the swordsman before him and all that was placed on the man. The weight of such was breathtaking. Yet that wasn't all. It was subtle. An inkling of something "pure."

However… The might of his heart paled in comparison to what Relon and Munechika carried. Their battle was about to reach its climatic finish and he did not plan on being the loser. The battle of man versus beast would be settled with this next blow. As though the lessons ingrained by the Great Elder, Grunoja, and all of the other beasts howled within his fist, he struck.

"RADIANT PHOENIX BLADE!"

"BEASTS DESCEND! FLASHING FANG!"

Just like his first encounter, the attack veered only towards him in a straight line. Glimmering fist striking feather steel, one layer after another of light encapsulates not just their forms but the entire area before all explodes in light.

At once, his consciousness stirs. Within that moment, he shoots up weary of the state of all.

What happened? Where-

How he was standing, he could only guess to be adrenaline and his lingering power up's effects. For while he was standing, somehow, away from him on a knee lied a weary-looking Victor Arseid with his famed blade a safe distance away. Behind him sprawled on the ground away layed Laura.

He'd won. Within that moment he was unconscious, his opponents were defeated.

"Why?" He musters out at a worn Relon. "Why are we- Argh!" He grunts holding his head to wince up at the male. "Why do you… have that?"

Confusion quickly expressed itself upon his face until he finally felt it. In his hand lay a single flame. However, it wasn't red like the common Lucinance's nor blue like his mother's.

It was black.

Like a wisp, as soon as he realized what was there, it abruptly vanished.

"Z-Zero…" Victor grunts in a failed attempt to rise only to falter spurring Relon's focus back on the man. "Zero must be stopped…!" He managed to Relon's further bafflement. "I… can't maintain my focus…!" Just like that, whatever sense Victor regained had ceased as his scowl returned. "Why don't you just kill us?! Even now, all you have to do is lodge her blade downwards just a little!" He staggers lifting up only to falter dropping back to a knee. Yet, he had to know. "You called me 'uncle!' Tell me! Who are you?!"

"Fa… ther…!" Both still capable of moving their heads whipped in the direction of a now awake Laura squirming towards her blade only inched away. "I'll… avenge you…!"

Once again, his heart ached. This world's Laura possessed by an entity was warped beyond help unlike her father.

"Enough, Laura." Relon finally speaks, limping over and scooting the blade out of harm's reach. "That technique you used has left you to the point you can't move. Just stop."

"How… dare you?! I'll kill you!" Those words stung. An incredible amount.

Perhaps it would have hurt more if his aching heart wasn't already in pieces over so much already.

"Laura…" Victor breathes out regaining Relon's attention. "Why do you show mercy?"

"You wanted to know. I'm just an Arseid practitioner. That's all either of you are getting. Until I fix those heads of yours."

"What?" Victor gasps as does Laura. "How…?"

"I'll leave you to figure that out, Uncle." Relon breathes, extending his hand. "Your sword." Victor's eyes widen as they quickly level out before closing in acceptance.

"Father, no don't-"

"Laura! Silence!" He snaps.

Carefully, he reaches for his blade before tossing it against the ground.

"Father…! Why…?"

"Because he still has some of his humanity left." Relon answers to receive the deadliest scowl he never thought Laura could wear. "That's why."

Picking up the blade, its handle securely in his grasp, he finally releases all the tension in his body. At once, he drops flopping against the ground gasping for breath as his vision returns to normal.

To think… such a power boost… would leave me… like this…!

He had surpassed his previously known level of fatigue and into a new uncharted area. His vision was blurry to the point he could only make out the silhouette of his foe and their daughter. To see one of his life's idols in such a state, Relon didn't know what to say, much less feel. It was too difficult to put into words much less express as he himself was in dire need of attention.

"What the?" Laura mumbles. "Now I can…!" She murmurs trying to pull herself only for a foot to plant itself on her back.

Wincing, she and the rest peer up to find Munechika with several bruises and scrapes of ice on her body.

"Who're-" Cut off by a chop to the neck, Laura's head drops.

"Mu…ne…chika…" Relon gasps.

Wordlessly, the swords follow suit. Helping the male to his feet, his eyes look to Victor.

In that moment, a soundless 'thank you' was all he could capture before they vanished in a flash of light.

Cliffside

At once, Relon feels the little strength in his legs be sapped as he nearly drops. He couldn't afford to be immobile at a time like this.

Using Victor's sword, Galland-Sharl, to steady himself, he sucks in a deep breath attempting to blink away his blurred vision.

Before him lied the once even battle having now declined into a one-sided slaughter. Many of the Ikaruga foot soldiers that were once brimming with determination now laid unmoving in blood pools all around. However, there were certainly a fair number of Zero's Army also no more. Corpses on both sides laid atop the other. The sole underlying factor was the simple fact that Zero's Army had numbers. The other's own in comparison was palpable.

"What… happened to-"

A single point past his face at a huffing Tio with one eye open and bruises all along her body told that their own battle was plenty hectic. Noticing her orbal staff glimmering to life at the tip, she raises it for the ground around to become enveloped in blue.

"What is she-"

Cut off once more, Relon is grabbed by the collar and warped away as the blue ground reaches them. Reappearing on the far side, they can only watch as Zero's Army begins to roar with new vitality. Stronger, more aggressively they pummel their way through one Ikaruga member after another.

"We… need to help…!" He pants, both swords zooming into the fray as Munechika takes her position directly in front of the male.

Seeming to go through hand seals of some sort, a red glyph appears underneath the male.

Heat! He internally gasps already beginning to absorb what he can. C'mon, I just need enough to move! Even if just a little!

Watching as his swords maneuver through the army, they slash at vital points allowing the rebelling army to follow-up.

"It's working but… it's still not enough…!" Taking notice of another wave envelope Zero's Army making their weapons glimmer black darkness, his eyes widen as a soldier is decapitated with ease. "Of course Shade's friend causes a shit ton of trouble…!" He grimaces, rising only to stagger.

Head whirling back, the stern look by Munechika doesn't make him falter as the glyph vanishes.

"DUCK!" Tackling her down to the ground out of the way, a blue beam disintegrates the area they once stood.

Looking back to the culprit, none other than Tio herself with a mechanical cannon of sorts, a flurry of white particles dance. Protectively pulling Relon close to her, she extends her free hand as particles manifest before converging as one.

Uncaring of the words from Tio, both fire. Blue and white collide with blue and black at an angle overhead the chaos for Tio's own to become overwhelmed the instant they clash. Begrudgingly, she ceases her attack in favor of dodging the pure beam. Peering at the now large incinerated hole where she stood, she turns back about to retaliate to meet Munechika with a glowing hand reeled back. Pivoting backwards, she dodges the attack to spin around. As she does, her weapon shifts to a blade.

Coming full turn, she widens in shock at Relon having vaulted over the woman.

"Fine, you'll be the first to go!" Orbal blade humming to life, Relon thrusts his fist for Pippin to shoot seemingly out of nowhere and parry the weapon downwards. "What?!"

"No…!" He growls. "You first!" Maneuvering the rod, Tio blocks his punch as she's sent skidding away.

"Nice try!" She protests reforming her cannon.

"Thanks!" Relon breathes out for the young girl to furrow in confusion as he vanishes into particles via Munechika. In acknowledgement of her confusion, a whizzing sound captures her ears from above.

Instincts beckoning her upwards, her eyes take sight of Relon dropping like a missile.

"I haven't tried doing this since Pippin learned how to become a greatsword!" Flipping forward several times, he arches the legendary blade overhead. "Earth Cleaver!"

With a bellowing rumble, he crashes into the ground ceasing all actions across the battlefield. Unleashing an uneven fissure as the ground around it upheaves, Tio can only realize her positioning at the helm of the battlefield.

Clicking, she raises her rod defensively forming a barrier for the preemptive force of the attack to send her rocketing through the crowd before crashing against the cliffside's wall with a pained groan. Eyes stirring immediately, she can only watch as both sides disperse. Fear wrapping around her body, she can only watch helplessly as the fissure creeps upon her to stop mere feet.

"How… about… that?!" He spits with a clear line of sight at the girl to wobble from side-to-side for both swords to steady him. "Took out Laura, the Radiant Blademaster, and you! Now… where's Rinwell and Hootle?!"

Shit… my… body… I used all of my recovered energy! He mentally winces at his blurry vision already having returned.

"As if… I'd tell you…!" She too winces using the wall as support for a sinister smirk to appear across her face. "I actually must thank you. You just made my plan easier."

"I don't like where this is going." Van mutters.

"Stay vigilant!" Kurogane warns.

"Something's coming!" Shizuna exclaims, focusing on the cliffside as a whirring sound draws near.

"Wheels?" Van wonders for his answer to come. Overhead, a red blur shoots gyrating to a sudden halt in front of Tio. "A special Panzer Soldat model?!"

"It's fast!"

"The… hell?" Is all Relon can pant as Victor and a still unconscious Laura can be seen in one hand.

Slim and fully donned in red, the most noticeable aspect of the machine is its silver right hand with a hole at the center of its clawed palm.

"Your timing is impeccable as always, Kallen." Tio smiles, readying her orbal staff. "For Lord Zero, be swallowed!"

What came next was something no one could have seen coming. Tio, the very same individual Relon wanted to capture had jammed the ground with her rod for some sort of energy to disperse in all directions. With it came an unfathomable rumbling. A magnitude so great that both sides ceased any attempt for more combat instead supporting themselves as best as possible.

"What did you do?!" Shizuna exclaims for the girl to be retrieved by the red machine.

"Sentence you all to your deaths!" Tio shouts back with the most evil grin her defeated form could make.

Grimacing as the energy reaches him, he drags the sword with him to the safety of the left side where the remaining Ikaruga lie with Munechika rushing towards him. Behind her, the energy wall ceases cutting off their escape route.

Already picking him up, instilling a single flame upon his hand, he desperately begins to absorb it as cries echo far ahead. Looking up, their skins crawl at the sight of roots bursting out of the wall and ground. As if like sentient creatures, they attack all that they can reach via impalement, crushing with a single slap, or sucking their life force dry.

The urgency Munechika now sported told him the same thing that echoes in his mind.

They needed to get out of dodge and fast!

"They're walled in! We can't just leave them!" He spoke arguing with both himself and the familiar. "We have to save them!"

Splitting off as a root embeds itself where they just stood, a slash from both swords ends the beings movements.

"Go!" He roars, Munechika already on the move for the male to stumble onto Pippin.

Feeling himself be lifted, he holds onto the rag for dear life as his body is wrung around dodging a barrage of striking roots to steady himself.

"What would I do without you, partner?" He breathes as a single eye's vision begins to return.

Out of reach, he can barely make out the glowing figure that is Munechika.

"She isn't teleporting? Why-" Immediately, it clicked.

He wasn't the only one tired. Her own bout with Tio must have taken its toll. Not to mention given the fact that Ikaruga was still standing after the short while he was gone, she was also supporting them somehow. On top of her having not fully recovered since joining them. Meaning…

"She's low on mana!" He whispered in realization. "Munechika!"

Shifting between her cat and human form, every soldier she attempts to reach is taken by the roots.

The fact that Ikaruga's numbers had dwindled to under ten was terrifying. With each one taken, more roots could focus on the remaining victims. Giving a quick glance to the remainder of Zero's Army vanishing down the slope as the red machine rolls away and then to Victor's blade still on the ground, his gaze hardens.

"Let's go!" Feeling the swords nod, they dive. Veering left and then right, he bites onto the rag as they veer away from the cliff before u-turning.

Surging from the cliffside below where he fell with Victor and Laura, roots shoot towards the three.

Focus! Don't become a liability again! Pappan!

Heeding his call as a root shoots directly ahead, he tilts his head out of the way as Pappan skewers the mystical manifestation down the middle. Hands reaching out to grab it, he catches Munechika staring at him with wide eyes as she retrieves Van.

"Get them, Pappan!"

Refusing ahead, his hands claim the greatsword as the recoil of its weight only makes him bite down harder.

Even with one eye, that's more than enough!

Steadying himself, he poises the blade ahead. Far off fending themselves in separate locations lies one Shizuna and Kurogane. Taking notice of the male, Kurogane speaks while parrying a set of roots.

"Princess!"

Eyes redirecting towards the girl who widens at hearing that call, she has no time to respond as she blurs out of the way of a shower of tendrils.

We only have one shot!

"We always do end up in the most odd circumstances, huh?" She offers a force grin as they go back-to-back. "After this, we really need to relax!"

"Indeed. However, only one of us will be getting out."

"Huh?" Ignoring all of the surrounding plants to gape at him, her following question never comes.

With a grip of her collar, he spins her around and up.

"ARSEID CONQUEROR, PROTECT OUR TWO HOPES!"

"KUROGANE!"

Blindsided by two tendrils careen towards her, one blade thrown by Kurogane and another being from Relon intercepts both as the male takes hold of Shizuna.

"LET GO! KUROGANE, THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

"For our clan… Princess, Spriggan, Conqueror; Save us." Those were the final words all could bear witness to before the hulking man too succumbed to the onslaught of nature itself.

"KUROGANEEEEEEEE!"

"KUROGANE!"

Resisting her urges to go back, he soon feels her body go limp in his arms.

"Kurogane…" She can only murmur out the name of her friend as tears trickle into the vast valley below.

Somber eyes going from her to a distraught Van and weary Munechika, both sides nod as they begin their descent back to the village.

Longlai

Rain.

Everything held symbolism at every moment within each and every day. Just as the pelting liquid cascaded along their bodies, all the four living, breathing, individuals could feel was the dampened negatives that followed. Van and Shizuna had lost. Frustratingly so. Not just their home but the remaining remnants of friends, allies, and family. They had trained for so long to prepare themselves to fend off Zero's forces and when the battle finally began, it was nothing like how the two, once three, envisioned such a turn of events to go.

The strangers they once believed to be enemies were far from it. Their own ally and friend was abducted by some witch. So many questions loomed around that topic alone and neither knew where to even begin. The woman that held the physical characteristics of a cat was able to use what they could only discern as magic. Then there was the boy still conscious despite it all. He looked the worst for wear and he had every right to be.

The spectacle of him and the catwoman fighting in tandem to incapacitate that other witch lasted less than ten seconds and yet that exchange of blows was like the appetizer to what was to come. Not only had he taken on two of Zero's lieutenants, he managed to defeat both! Not just that, but one was Victor S. Arseid! Arguably one of the top strongest swordsmen in all the land! The man that held the title of Radiant Blademaster. The teacher of the sword arts itself was defeated by this young male.

The proof? The legend's very own sword barely kept in the tired male's grasp. His companion and Van having caught the rebounding weapon when the male and Kurogane had saved Shizuna. That left the remaining lieutenant was forced to go toe-to-toe with the catwoman. All the available lieutenants were preoccupied and they had to just deal with the grunts. So what happened?

Simple.

The grunts were too powerful compared to their own allies. It was an unbearable fact that neither could gulp down even if they wanted. Ikaruga was skilled. Once feared and known by many as being one of the strongest factions there was, their skills vastly were superior to those bastards. The cause behind their losses were not a matter of skill difference, but rather power and sheer numbers.

Zero's soldiers were practically superhumans and even trained soldiers or jaegers would likely lose. The battle quickly went from taking out as many as possible to the two plus Kurogane struggling to ensure their own casualties were kept to a minimum. That clearly failed as they were quickly backed into a corner.

Then that lieutenant unleashed the roots and… the rest was history. Their cherished memories snuffed out in an instant.

It was frustrating.

Neither could do anything but their best and that still wasn't enough. One glance over to the ragged male barely conscious and then to Shizuna holding him weakly, not caring if she were to fall from their altitude, Van could only grimace further.

Unlike him who joined after he failed to protect, much less save, the likes of Elaine, Agnes, his own master, and everyone else, she held only Ikaruga and Kurogane in the high regards that he knew of to be alive. Now it was just them. The once spriggan and Eight Leaves swordswoman. Descending in tow with the watery droplets as the sights of the village finally come into view.

As it came closer, the movement of what looked like ants quickly made his eyes buck wide.

"Shit, you've got to be kidding!" He curses drawing Relon and Shizuna's own attention forward. Indeed, the muddle click of Relon's teeth indicated he too realized their grim situation was not yet over with.

Literally scattered all over the village once filled with an abundance of ruins and space, now painted itself filled to the brim with more soldiers scouring the entire area with others stationed like sentries.

"Zero… seriously?" Relon musters out his annoyance through a pant.

"We need-" Unable to voice the urgency of escape, Van's own momentum is dragged straight down before the sudden whiplash of rising to a sudden halt comes. "Ack!" He groans out as his eyes finds their location behind a destroyed house. "Why-" Again cut off as he catches clear red dot lasers scanning where they once were, he resends his prior comment. "Tenacious pricks. They're pulling out everything."

"Too… many to fight…" Relon quiet gasps leaning against the destroyed wall as he carefully drops to the ground allowing Galland-Sharl to carefully drop onto his lap.

"Can you move?" Van asks for Munechika to kneel before the male.

Peering around the corner to see no soldiers come their way, he turns back to Shizuna looking blankly at the two. Following her gaze, he watches as the catwoman writes something in the dirt. Arching a brow, he speaks his sole thought.

"Symbols?"

"No…" Relon answers for a scowl to appear. "It's a different language from our clan."

"What's she saying?"

"They have magical sensors in the area."

"Meaning… we can't just teleport." A grim nod comes from the two.

"As well as Munechika… unable to heal me without alerting them." Relon adds shakily using the wall and greatsword for support as he rises.

Just them, a vibration audible only to Relon and Munechika chimes. Blinking at one another, Relon awkwardly digs into his pocket to pull it out. On the caller ID, it showed Shade's name.

"You have telecommunications?" Van inquires somewhat stunned before returning to lookout.

With a huff, he lifts his arm along with the device to his ear.

"Yeah? Kinda busy fleeing for our lives at the moment." He barks through the near-empty adrenaline he feels.

"Oh, my bad, Relon. Just thought you needed some help." The surprisingly cheery-like voice of Shade answers.

"Help? Where-" He stops himself. "Guide us to you, Shade." He instead says and in doing so, a grunt can be heard as if the aloof-sounding male was smirking before his voice goes serious.

"Then shut up and listen, you're in my world now so you better follow what I tell you, got it bud?"

Immediately, albeit fatigued, his mind processed the unfamiliar voice as not belonging Shade. With the little tension he could muster in his dazed state, he narrows. He knew their situation was dire and no smart talk would help in the current moment.

One momentary look at Munechika, likely having heard given the cat's surprised expression, told they were treading on the thinnest of ice.

"Go on." Simple responses yielded a positive outcome and they needed as much of that right now as they could get.

"You know where the temple is right?"

"No."

"Do you know where the tall ass building is?"

Batting the familiar with an irksome eye, he slowly peers out the corner at all the enemy units scouring the area. Far off as though a beacon lies the temple.

"Sadly, I do."

"I'm at the top, my bike is a bit behind the building in a shed. You and the others there need to get over here without being spotted, easy right?"

With every sentence, his urge to shout was growing by the second. Relenting from breaking his ARCUS, a sigh escapes the hybrid. He was so spent that no surge of power was coming in spite of his irritation. He really did reach his body's own limit. And the more he tried to focus in a given direction, the more it felt as though his own eyes were straining.

Reeling back to massage both his orbs and his temple, he exudes a calm breath through his nostrils.

"Yeah. Child's play."

"The rain is your friend tonight, use it to hide any noise, stick close to the buildings. l'll let you know if any patrols are getting close."

Not bothering to respond, he hangs up the call.

"My unfortunate luck knows no bounds."

"What's the plan?" Van asks.

"We have a ticket out." Relon begins.

"Where exactly…?" Van wonders noting of the male's distraught visage.

"The temple."

"The tall ass one?!"

"Stealth mode then." Shizuna finally speaks up. "Let's go."

Too tired to await any responses, he peers once more to reel back at a patrol squadron rushing down the road.

"Crossing the main road will leave us too exposed." Van notes.

"Then we use everything but the road." Shizuna quips to point.

Following her gaze, they find a small water chanell flowing under the road and to the other side of the village.

Hurrying to drop, a little physical pull from Relon bends the bars enough for the group to crouch under.

"To think we'd be maneuvering on our own home turf…!" Van complains as they resurface.

Looking up to a small ledge leading to a destroyed building, the three use Pippin and Pappan as stepping platforms to enter the structure.

"Any signs of the targets?"

"None here, sir!"

"Keep vigilant! We've just received word of their escape!"

"Yes, sir!"

Listening to the footsteps grow more distant, Van dips his head to see the soldiers go to where they once hid.

"Another minute and we'd have been screwed."

Exiting the other side of the building, they quickly drop in front of a pair of bushes as three soldiers halt to look in their direction before moving.

(This is-)

(The worst, we get! Trust me, we all feel the same!) Relon matches his own gripe with the young woman.

Finding the next series of destroyed homes' backyards now empty, they waste no time in bolting towards the end of a rocky wall. Crouching before it, Munechika peers over to find numerous soldiers stand idly by.

They would have no hopes of reaching their destination unless they got through. Teleportation magic was out of the question should the enemy have the capabilities to sense it given their high alert. Meaning…

Catching the cat looking his way, she moves over pawing at his ARCUS. Immediately he knew what she wanted and he disliked it already.

"Damn it." He mutters calling Shade.

"You called? Seems like a pickle up ahead. Hold tight." A moment passes then Shade's voice comes back. "Target spotted by the tree line! Multiple targets!"

Nearly jumping, Relon can only watch as all of the soldiers break for the location with some already opening fire.

"'Shoot first, ask questions later' is definitely a motto they live by," Van grimaces as they fly over the small area.

"Next time you do that, how about warning us?" Relon growls hanging up the phone.

"Let's just be thankful the weather is making any conscious decision-making bad on their part."

Oh, how thankful he indeed was. Even if he didn't show it.

Another minute of travel with fewer soldiers in the vicinity made their trip to the temple much more manageable. Scouring around to the back, the mentioned shed is rather easy to find given the layout of the open backyard space.

"This better be it." Van mumbles reaching for the handle as all prepare themselves.

"Yo!" A voice greets descending from seemingly nowhere.

"Asshat, what the shit?" Relon huffs.

He genuinely wanted to kindly ask what was up with his attitude but every drop of nicety had been wrung dry out of his system.

"We both had long days… Where's Rinwell?"

Glare visibly doubling over along with Munechika's own growing more somber, it clicks.

"That stupid ass witch that brought us to this world nabbed her." He growls holding back his fuming voice.

"I think I know where. You lot follow the path north-west. I have an airship and Magilou is there. It's a short distance away so you'll just have to diverge off the trail and into a forested area. In the meantime, I'll save Rinwell."

Opening his mouth to rebuttal, the reminder of his own condition makes Relon bite his tongue. As mad as he could feel himself get nothing would come of it. Even if he absorbed a heat source, he couldn't go on. The clutches of unconsciousness were slowly creeping and him forcing his mind and body to remain active would only lose the internal war sooner or later. He needed to think strategically because as he was now, that was nigh impossible.

"Fine." He relents, his tone being the first sounding normal thing since before the battle on the mountainside erupted. "Bring her and Hootle back, Shade."

"I'll make sure she's safe and sound, the owl as well. Also I'll give a proper introduction to the others later, so good luck!" With that Shade walked off into the rain and shadows.

"Wait- Damn it!"

"What's wrong, now?" Shizuna asks.

"Bastard didn't specify anything on the ship!" Relon seethes, his calmness already gone once again.

As if dots were slowly ticking by in their heads, the sound of facepalming echoes amongst the group.

"Regardless, we need to get out of here while we can."

Relenting, they hop on both swords.

"Hang on, we're getting out of this weather!"

Slapping his cheeks a few times, Relon's focus goes to the descending weather before he grips the cloth.

"Ready?" Getting nods of affirmation, they bolt straight up within the dark, wet, setting.

Propelling downward with the rain versus against it proved to be a very different experience for the three. Rushing downwards seemed as though they were not only racing the infinite numbers of tiny liquid spheres but oddly flowing altogether as though they were one. Against the rain at such speeds, it was a completely different experience. Like grains of rice being pelted over and over, their eyes could only remain closed if not creak open just to see how far the clouds were. With the resistant greeting of the gray accumulated liquid mass, they were finally greeted by the missing star. They'd broken through Zero's mask over the surface.

"The sun…!" Van could only awe at the lowering star.

"Kurogane…" Shizuna whimpered as tears began to manifest. "We're witnessing it again, Kurogane, everyone…!"

Allowing the two humans their moment of adulation, Munechika looks over to immediately take action. Passing the cloth of Pappan to a surprised Van, she hops over to a stand on a glyph. Taking the sword, she tosses it over her shoulder for Van to go wide-eyed.

"H-Hey!" He exclaims catching it with one hand, in the process being dragged downwards for Pappan to right their elevation. "How about a warning?"

Kneeling on her platform while handing the cloth of Pippin to Shizuna, both humans can only watch as she lifts the tired hybrid's hand. Watching it flinch, his palm slowly opens wide. Within moments, his tired breathing begins to return to normal as the once visible strain alleviates itself.

"He's absorbing its energy?" Van wonders.

"The heat." Shizuna corrects which Munechika only nods, remaining focused on the weary male.

"Munechika." All eyes go down to the male as he finally lifts his head to reveal the look of gratitude. "I owe you one. You too, Van, Shizuna."

"Forget that. You've recovered? Just like that?" Van questions.

"No. But enough to converse somewhat." He answers with his arm still raised. "Shade gave us this opportunity. We need to take it. That supposed ship is waiting." He begins rising to his feet to look towards Shizuna. "I'm sorry." He offers an air of melancholy around him.

"Huh?" It was the first genuine response he's heard slash seen her give.

"About Kurogane. Ikaruga too. I'm sorry." He bows his head.

Phrases like "had I been a little bit stronger or faster" or "If things had just played out differently" were of little importance and would just be desecrating the honor of the valiant ones who fought until the end. That level of disrespect would-

Eyes snapping open as they look down at her legs and his own sword, something clicked.

Something of grand importance.

The anger in watching Victor allow Laura to fight under such dangers, the hatred in Shizuna ignoring the sacrifices that allowed for her and Van to be alive, the ruination of his own clan and Munechika's own resolve toward Zero, their brief clash following Valkyrie locking off his abilities.

Her disrespect of not him but what made him… him. The anguish Munechika experienced from Zero's tyrant nature, Shizuna's own surrender to the ill fate awaiting despite the efforts of the fallen. All held one simple fact; levels of discourteous natures were all present. Emotions beyond the point of no return. Similar to the Great Elder's passing..

That must be the catalyst. At least a hint towards it.

At the very end against Laura and Victor, his own strength and cognitive abilities surpassed what they were prior to his bout with Shizuna and the others. The idea of having someone else protect him was that innate distaste he felt in seeing Victor having Laura take the lead despite seeing through Relon's plan. In that long moment following their descent down the cliffside, Relon demonstrated the equivalence of strength as when he had his one-on-one with Asuma.

"Could that be it?" He questioned in a ghost of a whisper.

He would need to test his findings when the opportunity arose. For now however…

The sudden wrapping of two arms drew him from his thoughts. Taking a step directly behind the other, his hand instinctively catching the cloth, his eyes go to the side of the trembling girl.

"Huh?"

Murmurs inhuman could only be heard despite their closeness. Thankfully, they were stationary and one confused set of blinking eyes to Munechika and Van told they understood his confusion.

Watching as the catwoman returns to Pappan, Van beckons with his head back towards the male. Awkwardly, he looked once more to her white hair, ignoring her chin rest on his shoulder.

"Thank you." Was the first weak mule she brought forth. "And I'm sorry."

Allowing her words to sink, he slowly returned the embrace.

"Like I said, there's still hope for us yet. For all of us." Nodding, she relinquishes her hold rubbing at her eyes. "Van, Shizuna, it's not over yet. Not if I have anything to say about it."

Tenderly, he lifts Shizuna's hand as Pippin hovers over to Van and Munechika. Copying Relon to Van's mild surprise, both place a hand atop the other.

"We can't look back. But that doesn't mean we ignore the sacrifices that were made for us to be here. Kurogane, Ikaruga, they allowed you both to live on because they believed in you. Just as your fallen friends and comrades must have. What do you two say? You both in?"

Looking to one another, then to the sun, their eyes widen at Relon's figure seemingly obstructing the bright star. Eyes meeting the other, weary, pained, and relief agrees with one another before their hands are placed in the pile.

"Shizuna Rem Misurugi."

"Van Arkride."

"Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance. Shizuna, Van, your trail through daybreak has only just started!"

Outskirts of Longlai

Watching as a small battalion of Zero's troops march past until they're out of sight, the group of four step out of their hiding spot. Glancing up to the dark clouds blanket the sky once more, the recent memories of the sky causes Shizuna to sigh.

"It was nice while it lasted."

"Don't worry." Relon steps past with Pippin acting as his cane to look at everyone. "Once Zero is gone, that sun will be free for everyone on the continent to bask in."

Seeming content with that answer, a nod comes from the woman as does another from Van.

"In order to do that however." She deadpans with crossed arms. "Someone needs to recover. We're going to need the Arseid Conqueror if we have any hopes of winning."

"I… know." Relon tiredly scoffs. "Shade and everyone else too, Rinwell included…"

It was obvious to all three how frustrated he was over the situation. In seeing such, both humans gave a quick glance to the other before nodding.

"Let's go." The other male offers. "It shouldn't be too far."

"If things get too hectic, leave the fighting to us you guys."

"But you're both also-"

"Beat up?" Shizuna interjects with an arched brow taking a hold of her tachi. "Not as bad as either of you two." She adds to lightly tap his chest with the hilt of her blade.

Giving a smile that dared him to argue back, both took the lead with Relon and Munechika bringing up the rear.

"Never thought I'd be thankful for Zero's army clearing out the monsters in the area." Van mumbles stepping over a foot hazard in the form of an eerie root. "Just wish they could get rid of these roots."

"No comment." Shizuna remarks.

Allowing Pippin to once again be his hovering tool, Relon gives a momentary scan of the area as Pappan flies along from one wall surface to the next.

"What's it doing?"

"I'm having Pappan scan for the entrance. Shade came here on his bike so that means the entrance must be somewhat hidden well. Whether it's deep in a groove or hidden by shrubbery."

"Makes sense." Shizuna offers for Van to only sound out in slight awe and understanding.

Moments within their quiet trek soon follow before Relon perks at attention.

"Pappan found it."

Arching a brow, Van asks his next question.

"How do you know?"

"We share a link. I can just feel what it and Pippin here mean. It's… complicated."

"A guy that absorbs heat from the sun, claims to want to take down Zero by coming to a region without any info to go on, and has a magical cat and two sentient swords." Van summarizes with a deadpan look. "What about you isn't complicated?"

"Honestly, a lot more." Relon sighs dejectedly as he scoots off for the sword walking past the blinking male.

Feeling a whack upside his head, he winces noting of the slight glare his friend gives as she along with the cat catches up to the protagonist.

"Women." He scoffs to follow after.

Veering off towards a long dent in the rocky formation, they soon find Pappan where foliage around an entrance of sorts lies.

Retaking its place at the hybrid's side, Van and Shizuna take the lead once more with Munechika close at his side.

Damaged greenery swept out of the way, the group cannot help but take in the ship located at the center of a housed area. Once full of life thanks in part to the roof overhead, now the desolate ruined state of the ground was all that seemed to be left.

"What are we waiting for?"

Nearing what seems like the rear, line markings of likely the visible ramp dropping atop the ground, a side ramp emerges.

"Now there's a face I somewhat know, as well as some new faces I do not know! Sooo~, I'm thrilled to introduce to you the wise sorceress who travels the eleven seas, who scoffs at the might of dragons… None other than the acclaimed, the illustrious, Mazhigigika Miludin do Din Nolurun Dou! Magilou for short." She poses with her staff.

"A clown?" Van points.

"That was gonna be my guess." Shizuna tilts her head.

"She's a friend. Dramatic but… well, yeah."

Honestly Van's not that far off with that statement.

"Clown is a harsh word! I'm a magician! So Relon, I see you are alive and well. Where's Shade? And Rinwell for that matter?"

"Off to… save Rinwell. That witch that brought us here showed up and kidnapped her."

"I see, man I'm really tired of witches. Hey Pitter-Patter, open the door for them!"

"Does she not care about-" Cut off by a hand from Relon, Shizuna dismisses her incoming comment. The twitch from Magilou at that comment told Relon she clearly heard so there was no need to question such a response. He was too exhausted still to do such a thing. Still, he had to ask…

"Who's Pitter-Patter?"

As if in response, the main ramp unbuckles into the dirt where the noted line ends.

"The ship."

"The ship is named Pitter-Patter?" Van arches a brow.

"No. The ship itself is Pitter-Patter."

"So the brand or model is Pitter-Patter?"

"Ugh, no! The. Ship. Is. Pitter-Patter!"

"She's giving me a headache. Can I knock her out?" Shizuna sighs looking to Relon, said male pinching his brows.

"Hey! I'm telling you! Pitter-Patter is the machine! Not the ship itself and not the type of model!"

"Then what exactly is Pitter-Patter, Magilou?"

"I JUST FREAKING TOLD YOU!"

"Magilou." Relon carefully breathes out before either of his new companions can say or do anything, likely the latter on Shizuna's part. "Can we just get on the ship so you can explain things to us? We're tired. Very tired."

"Then come aboard, either top or bottom will work as the seats are just as uncomfortable."

Not waiting another second, Relon takes the lead with everyone close behind. Like any other ship of small stature, small containers lay in one area with a door likely leading to the cockpit. Following Magilou ahead to said area, all settle down in seats awaiting for the woman to begin.

"So guess I should start from after we left Bashton, that works for you all? Oh and don't expect me to know everything, I was mostly a ride along here."

"We're all ears," Relon gestures.

At least as much as I can offer. Giving a glance to Munechika having hopped atop his lap, the cat's still tail tells she's fully invested as well. Now that I think about it, they mentioned that Renne girl being with them but she's not onboard…

"So Shade, myself and Renne, a girl we picked up, all went to Milsante. Oh right, there was that worm at Raquel…"

"A monster that you all took down, I take it? Given you're all here except this Renne girl." Van notes.

"Oh no, me and Renne just watched while Shade took it down, or rather tried too. You see we found this random guy on the road ahead of us and he turned into this worm, after Shade got some hits in… the poor thing just died on it's own, with a big pop as well."

"Pause." Shizuna raises her hands, already somewhat lost.

"Rewind." Van follows, not believing what he heard.

"Say again?!" Relon simply demands. "A human… turned into a monster and then just… poof?"

The only thing I could think of like that would be we Lucinances at stage three but… can Zero make any humans into monsters…?

"No, more like a pop! But Shade knows more as that man wasn't the only one we found like that… I'll tell you who the other was here in a bit."

Wanting to question the meaning behind that, all relent.

"Is there any way to tell of these 'infected?' A mark, sick-like appearance, anything that you guys may have noticed?" Van asks next.

"No idea, the guy was a good bit away and the other was already a monster by the time I laid eyes on him, but I can say this. From what I gathered, someone was waiting for us on that road, either to kill us or to test Shade."

"That guy perhaps? Or Zero?" The male wonders to earn a perked head from Shizuna.

"You believe he was tracking them somehow."

"It's a possibility. As for how, if that's the case, I haven't a clue. These guys would have better guesses given how isolated we've been since this shitshow started."

"Well to be fair, we haven't been subtle about things. We've only been on main roads so knowing where we will be is easy, but that guy that did turn into a monster looked to be a prisoner of some kind. And from what I've seen, I don't doubt human experimentation is a thing."

"Things just have a knack for getting worse, don't they?" Relon murmurs. "Roots that sap our strength to death, enraged monsters, corpses filling towns and to add to Zero's arsenal, he has some mad scientists who knows where making a monster army to add to their already troublesome force. Not to mention Valkyrie seeming to be with them. Tch."

Feeling the cat's tiny claws dig into his pants, Relon doesn't have to peer down at the clear distress and vexation Munechika sports. It was clearer on his visage than her own.

"Yep, who knows what else is out there. But anyway, after that went down we reached Milsante and spent maybe an hour there. Ate some food and talked, don't ask about what because I was mostly eating food. We then went to Avon Hills and oh boy, that was a time!"

Shaking his head, she continues.

"By the time we got there it was dark out, and then GASP! All around us were monsters, out of nowhere! But they weren't real."

"What do you mean by that?" Shizuna asks.

"Well they were illusions, made by… I forget her name but she was witch bitch number two!"

"Language." Relon instinctively chides to blink. "Wait. Number two? Also wait, another witch? Not the one we warned you about?"

"Nope. This one was from this place, she and I think her master set up an Ark…"

"The kind that's a ship, right? We're familiar." Shizuna answers, oblivious to the still demeanor Relon now wears.

"Curious." Van interjects. "Back to number two witch bitch. Who's number one?"

"The one that took Rinwell, duh! Anyway, the witch and her master have an Ark set up for when Zero kills this world, it seems they are ready to skip on out of here."

"How big are we talking? Like, big enough for a town? A small city maybe?"

"I don't think she told us how many people were there, but a lot of people are there in pods, all sound asleep… I think?"

"Huh?"

"What do you mean pods?"

Cryopods, stasis and all that. Each one waiting to wake up once they are in the new world."

"So they have no plans on stopping Zero."

"No need when they are fully prepared. Not to mention those roots have yet to rise in the waters from what we could see. It makes sense."

"Oh it's all underground, how they will do it is anyone's guess. But their leader was something… We were led to this chamber, spooky and with all the logos of a snake eating itself, then this magic talking orb showed up and that's who the leader is."

Thump.

At once, all heads turn in the direction of Relon. In doing so, they catch the ball of light that is Munechika now stand wide-eyed in her human form. Likely from Relon suddenly rising to his feet. Cat ears and tail once again on full display. Magilou immediately ogling the animalistic features, she quickly falls in tandem with the others at the gaping looks both she and Relon sport.

(Snake?) It was a ghost of a whisper. One that none of the others sans Munechika's hearing could pick up. As though struggling to say it once more, he does. "Did… you say a snake, Magilou?"

"Yeah, also she can turn into a human!? Don't tell them what I told you alright!"

The first to regain sense was Munechika. Still visibly beaten with slight bruises from her own bout with Tio not too long ago, her weary eyes return before shifting to Relon. His own vermilion now lowered to the ground in deep thought. It wasn't the matter of the supposed leader becoming a human from a sphere that affected him.

She knew.

Just like in Milsante with Loewe and the revelation of who exactly Vita Clotilde was compared to whom she once associated with, that link between him and her had resurfaced. Following their arrival at Ordis, he had pushed that to the back of his head. Rinwell and herself noticed and said nothing. Now, this could prove to be a fatal strike that could affect him severely. If not worse…

Feeling the pain from her body ache, she subtly sways her tail so that his sight will catch it. Thankfully, the sudden swash stirs him as his eyes lift up to meet hers. She didn't need to write in their own language to convey what was on her face.

We'll discuss this later.

He's acted as their leader thus far and she had no qualms with that. He was knowledgeable and didn't risk their own safety. Not counting their recent fight back in Longlai. His decisions as a leader had proven remarkable in combat and outside as well. But she knew all too well what distraction did to the mind. It pounded at its walls blinding the user to possibilities.

It was because of such that she gave up for a time simply fending off what she could to ensure Eryn remained. Even if its people didn't. She made a vow and planned to honor it. To do that, she needed Relon and would ensure nothing became of him. For their sake and for Rinwell's.

"Sorry." Relon gives a curt bow before retaking his seat with Munechika claiming the one next to him giving said boy a careful look before she too bows. "Something clicked and I just went into thought. Continue, Magilou."

Immediately, both caught that he didn't give room for their own voices. Acknowledging his own words, both cut back to Magilou subtly giving their own exchange in the process.

"Well pretty much we kinda got their help, only the witch and only if we have a chance to kill Zero… So good odds I guess… But there was the second monster I told you about."

Cat ears perking, Munechika doesn't have to look at the curled fingers of Relon tighten against his pant legs. That statement alone just made way for a entire slew of possibilities they would have to carefully tread. She still had to commend him for keeping it together. If it wasn't for his body's fatigue, she could only guess how stable he would be at maintaining such composure.

"Oh yeah. What about that one?"

"Look, I'm not sure why or how it started, but me and Renne were transported to this room to view the fight between Shade and him. Shade didn't have his weapons and at first the fight was going well I guess, then we found out what he was fighting… The lady in the orb said it was one of Zero's first experiments, one that would leave a mark, the orb lady's child."

"Wait. The woman with the witch's son… is who Shade fought?"

So Ouroboros' leader's son… Relon thinks.

"His name was Jewel, not sure why she wanted Shade to fight him, but halfway in she changed her mind and tried to stop Shade with lasers. But you know Shade, he wasn't going to let that slide so, he laid the kid to rest… And it seems like those that turn into these monsters as a kid will stay as them, forever."

"Huh," was all the voices of Relon and Shizuna could sound out in tandem with a simple blink.

Both Van and Munechika's own stomachs churned at the information.

Snapping to her feet, eyes fixated on the witch, a presence manifests around the young woman.

"Hey, Shizu-"

"Shut it, Van!" She leers out the corner of her eye.

Standing his ground, he looks on as the girl returns to face Magilou.

"Explain." She orders, clearly holding back her own contemptive words.

"I can't! Shade knows more as he went MIA a lot while we were there. Yet he never told me much about what he talked about with the Orb lady… But after that went down we kinda got her angry at us, I guess? She was a wacko, that's for sure."

Balled hands sounding from the sheer grip strength alone, all the pent up anger seeming to fill within vanishes as her hands relax. Wordless, she turns departing from the cockpit.

"Where are you going…" Van questions, his own tone now serious to which she pauses in the doorway. "Relon?"

Eyes opening more, her assumption of her being the subject goes out the window. Head turning, she only now realizes just how close Relon is right behind her. What's more, she catches past him the sight of Munechika sternly gripping his wrist. An expression of anger clearly on his that she likely was wearing mere seconds ago.

"Please tell me you're not thinking of going off to find this Shade guy." Van wonders with a sigh. "In your condition?"

Not answering, Shizuna's eyes further delve downwards to catch sight of his free arm stuck in the gesture as if it was going to reach for her own. Eyes lifting up to meet his own shaking profusely, he stubbornly clicks his tongue ending his resistance.

"Damn it." He voices.

"Let's all try to think with a clear head. It's nighttime. A lot's happened. Not to mention we haven't heard the rest of Magilou's story. No sense in getting caught up in more trouble when we just got out of it." He voices sitting down and kicking his legs up on a chair next to him. "Right, Shizuna?"

It was a jab at her own recklessness and they both knew it. She didn't have a plan at the time to go far per se but she would vent her evolving frustrations on that patrol group from earlier. That or practice outside until she felt satisfied. Which after tonight, would likely not come anytime soon.

"Yeah." She relents, giving a worrisome look to a dejected Relon refusing to meet the stern demeanor of Munechika as they too retake their seats.

Looking around casually, Magilou continues as though nothing happened. "I should have let Shade do the talking… Umm, anyway I upgraded my staff and now it can summon fire, figured I should let you know since you use fire or heat or whatever you use."

"O-Oh, thanks." Relon quietly says.

"That'll come in handy in the heat of things. No pun intended." Van forces a wry chuckle.

"So we come to this morning. The three of us left and went back to Milsante to help the resistance take down that reactor that's nearby them, and let me tell you I got the short end of the stick there!"

"You took out one of the reactors? Damn, nice work!" Van compliments. "How'd you get the short end of the stick for a job like that?"

"You see Shade had it nice and easy as he went into the base to turn off the turrets, meanwhile I had to be along with the attacking forces… Then once inside I was dealing with a redhead brute and some girl in a Saber unit at the same time!"

"Judging by the fact you all succeeded, I take it there was no difficulties?"

"THERE WERE, I ALMOST DIED! Anyway, Shade was able to blow it up, but then something unexpected happened, something that could change the very fabric of this world!"

All eyes on her, nothing comes.

"That being… what?"

"Zero's troops were no longer his, they woke up as it were." Once again, all eyes buck wide for the woman to nod excitedly. "But there's a catch, they all remember what they did under Zero's control. Some were able to hold it together, some were crying and breaking down, some even wanted to die. Most of the resistance troops were trying to nurse everyone, which was tough as there's a lot of bad blood there."

"Question," the voice of Relon calls for all to see the male in a thinking posture. "Two actually. One; when the reactor was destroyed, were all of his troops in the area cured or by chance those affected by the reactor in particular? And if so, for my second question; would one cured fall back under his control if they enter an area that another reactor controls?"

"Those are things to ask Shade, but from what I saw only those in the area seemed to be cured. But I overheard something from one of the leaders there. Think his name was… Something Bright. Anyway, he said his will power held firm, that he was able to hold out against Zero to some extent… Make of that as you will as I have no idea what that means."

Inwardly, both Shizuna and Relon widen as something clicks.

"There's only one Bright that I know of and that's Cassius Bright." He's a fellow Eight Leaves One Blade practitioner that has reached the status of Divine Blade.

"Someone like him held off Zero's control to such an extent?" Relon mumbles as earlier talk with Victor resurfaces.

"He's seen the vast difference in experience between us and has been wary of my presence while focusing on yours. However, something leaves me pondering."

"Z-Zero… Zero must be stopped…! I… can't maintain my focus… Why? Why don't you just kill us?! Even now, all you have to do is lodge her blade downwards just a little! You called me 'uncle!' Tell me! Who are you?!"

"Then those who have either an indomitable will or years of experience can fend off the power of Zero to a degree. That would explain Unc- Victor Arseid. Instead of just going for the kill, he questioned why I wasn't doing that exact thing to Laura." He surmises. "Unconsciously fighting against it so-to-speak."

"Which tells us something vital." Van speaks, hope quickly brimming.

"Yeah." Shizuna nods. "It means there's even more hope in repelling Zero's control!"

"Yeah. Humanity's first victory and we've gained so much from it. Zero's sure to be feeling some of the heat now."

"Woo hoo, go team! But I don't think the sword guy is going to help us much, seems like Shade got him good on the arm."

"Good on him then. The less resistance of Zero's forces the better."

"Magilou, what else can you tell us?"

"Well not like I can say who else got freed, but seems like a few tough cookies, if they are even willing to fight now. But after Shade freed everyone we made our way back to Bashton. As it went quiet, this girl named Analace came with us to check it out."

"And then what happened?"

"That place was torn up, some robots here and there, bodies there and here, only a few made it. The professors turned on us and took an airship all the way here."

"Any idea… where they're at now?" Relon's weary voice once more asks.

"Somewhere here, I haven't left this ship once so Shade might know where. But that's my story of adventure, scares and close calls! Now I go back to waiting on Shade."

(Now we go back to waiting on Shade and Rinwell.) Relon corrects to himself, only the ears of Munechika picking up on his whisper. "Hey, Magilou. You said you can use fire somewhat, right? Can you help me out with something?"

"Sure, just let me whip it out for you."

About to comment on the phrasing, he dismisses it. He was too tired to correct the woman. In seconds, the staff previously mentions lies in her hands.

"I suggest we all get some rest. A lot's happened so… yeah."

Pushing himself up with the assistance of Pippin, he and Magilou depart.

"You heard him." Van notes getting more relaxed. "Rest up. Who knows what we're in store for."

As quick as he had spoken, the soft sounds of breathing could already be heard.

"Out just like that." Shizuna mumbles to glance at Munechika.

Eyeing the door carefully, without warning, she returns to her cat form. Curling around herself, she too takes her rest.

And then there was just me. Taking in the quiet room, she allows a breath to exit. In doing so, the unconscious tension in her body departs.

Rinwell

"Rinwell, come on! Grandmother is waiting for us!" A young Emma calls while looking around.

"Valkyrie, you too! We mustn't keep her and the others waiting!" A young adult with white hair hollers next.

Even as the voices of elder siblings called for the two, neither could offer any care. If anything, the recall of themselves only ushered greater need for adventure.

"Shhh!" A young Rinwell hushed to the giggling girl next to her.

"Oh, where did they go Rossweisse? We'll all be in trouble at this rate…"

"Valkyrie, Rinwell, don't make me sense you two! I will if I must!"

At that, the sudden rush of crunching branches spurred both other girls' heads upwards. In doing so, both could only widen in surprise as green, blue, and white filled their visions.

Even as they were told off, neither young girl could cower in fear. How could they? They were only kids having the most fun they ever had. And ever would…

"This clan can drown in the depths of Gehenna for all we care!" Rossweisse growls as a glyph gyrates at her and Valkyrie's feet.

"Please wait!" Emma pleads. "You don't have to do this! We can-"

"No," the lifeless tone of Valkyrie utters devoid of emotion. As her eyes look to the shocked Rinwell, she lifts her tome. "The Hexen Clan has made their choice and so have we."

In an instant, her once childhood friend vanished. Never to be seen again. Until now

"Mmm… wha…?"

"You're awake."

Immediately, that familiar voice sent warning alerts to every part of Rinwell's body. The rigid flooring felt by her fingers didn't make her predicament any better.

Fingers scrunching as she attempts to pick herself up, she pauses to realize her arms are bound. Looking up from her position, she finds the culprit standing with a blank expression from the other side of her cell.

"Valkyrie!"

"It's been a while, Rinwell." Before her on the opposite side of the cell bars, the same-age, similar robe overtop colored black, the young Leaguient short, silver-colored hair in a similar bobcut fashion with aqua-colored eyes stands overhead. "I see you've acquired a familiar." Despite her words, Rinwell knew the monotone voice was the truth with the villain's uncaring nature. Eyes going over in horror of her words, a beat of relief skips at seeing Hootle bound in magic binds tossing and turning to break free. Small sounds can be heard as the avian wrestles with his constraints.

"Thank goodness." She sighs.

"You weren't supposed to be there when he entered the park." At this, Rinwell's form goes rigid. "Meaning either you've gained the ability to teleport which for an ill witch like yourself is impossible. So that leaves a secret entrance to the village close by."

"What makes you think I haven't learned how?" Rinwell quickly argues.

"Because if you had, you not only wouldn't have been caught so easily but you would have likely used it in that large scale battle. Yet, you didn't so drop the act."

Grimacing, Rinwell takes the defeat quietly as she sits up to properly gaze at the young girl. Eyes tracing to her hip, a rush of frustration comes at the sight of her tome atop Valkyrie's own. Eyes tracing Rinwell's to find the cause, a shrug comes next.

"Upset that I have this?" She gestures. "Get over it. Your inability to defend yourself was your downfall. Simple as that. The Senate Hunter posed a better challenge even with that mutated enhancement of his but still, even he has no chance of defeating me."

At that, a few things jingled.

"Relon fought you?" As odd as that concept was, when it really shouldn't have been, it just… was.

"Yes. I evaded all of his attempts and departed with you leaving him to contend with Zero's army."

"So you lost?" She blinks, a grin forming at the back of her head as for a moment, Valkyrie's brows scrunch.

"No. There was no victor."

"But the thing with his eyes, you couldn't stop him with that?"

"The altered enhancement like that of a Lucinance reaching stage two was ill-effective despite his enraged state."

"But you didn't beat him." She grins cheekily.

"That doesn't matter."

"Shows you Senate members really have no chance against the Senate Hunter~."

Flickering inside, Rinwell jerks back from the sudden energy held at her face.

"Do not get comfortable just because we were once acquaintances, Rinwell. I only allowed you to live out of the goodness that remains in my heart. Should I kill you now, notice of your passing may stir the Senate Hunter's own power and reawaken his marking. Something I do not wish to happen."

Gulping, her cocky attitude ceases for narrowed eyes to meet Valkyrie's own.

"Sounds to me like you're doubting Sephiroth's own power." Silent, a tense moment follows before the Leaguient vanishes reappearing on the other side of the cell once more.

"I do not doubt my lord's power. It was he that notified of the possibility. As such, I am taking measures as to not allow a threat such as that boy to become any more dire."

"Yet you didn't kill him when you had the chance. You could have but didn't! Why?!"

"A prisoner demanding answers from their captor. How ridiculous. Once Zero's business is done, you'll return home. So be a good little witch and sit there and wait."

"Valkyrie!" She calls scooting to the bars for the witch to pause giving a glance over her shoulder.

"What?"

Wincing from her restraints, Rinwell's eyes lock onto hers. "You don't have to do this."

"Oh, Rinwell." She sighs. "I'm not the little girl who'd run off with you. I'm Grimoire now and I'm doing this because I want to. Now stay put and don't cause mischief. Not like you're strong enough anyway."

Without a chance to respond, she vanishes leaving Rinwell alone.

"Valkyrie! Wait!" Seeing no response, the tension from her body leaves. "Ugh." She mumbles, dropping back to eye the bird. "You okay, Hootle?"

"Hoot…" The tiny owl coos nuzzling up to her back.

"Good," she breathes in relief. "Now what do we do?"

"Hoot hoot…"

"Huh? Oh, Valkyrie. She was… my first friend. It wasn't just her. Big sis and her own older sister, the oldest out of the four of us, always hung out when we were really little. Then a decision was made, one they didn't agree with, and so they deserted the clan. I never would have thought either would end up with Senate. To think they were the ones we were fighting just over a week ago…"

"Hoot…"

"Ugh, the very thing I went on about is exactly happening! Once again I need saving! Who would have even thought that she'd pop up now after dropping us off!" Flopping onto the floor, a breath of frustration departs from her lips. "Why Valkyrie…?"

"Hey, if one of us gets in trouble, then it's up to the other to bail that person out!"

"But what if we both get caught?" A young Valkyrie wonders.

"Uhh… don't?"

"That doesn't make a lot of sense, Rinwell…"

"Meh, who cares! Come on, nothing is going to stop me from mastering this spell!"

"But Rinwell, it's in one of the highest classes for a spell."

"That hasn't stopped me yet, has it? Besides, it's an offensive spell so I must be able to use it!"

Eyes snapping open, her brows furrow.

This was not the time to wallow in self-pity nor reminisce. Valkyrie, her once childhood friend is now a Leaguient and attacked her and the others. If she wanted to snap some sense into that witch and get back to Relon, then she first had to get out of here.

"What can I do though…? I don't have my spellbook so I can't conjure anything…"

True that one's magical device was only a sort of relay amplifier for their magic until the user becomes more adept at casting magic without it. But to launch spells without such would require great familiarity with just one alone not to mention the user would need to channel their mana even more so without their tool.

"Hoot hoot… Hoot…" The owl chirps in fatigue.

"If I could just cast a spell I know- Wait. I could, couldn't I?"

"Hoot?"

"Yeah, that could work. I think."

"Hoot hoot?"

Looking to the questioning familiar, she sports a nervous grin.

"I'm gonna try and cast Shooting Star." The now gawking bird gave a proper response, one she could blame him in giving.

Can I do it? It's been forever since I last tried. No, it's not a matter of if, only doing it!

"Okay!" Scooting to lean against the bar, she peers around the room. "Barely any guards. This cell doesn't look like its exactly stopping me from using magic. Valkyrie is underestimating me," she grimaces in mock offense.

"Hoot…"

"Okay." She mumbles crawling to the other side of the cell as far away from the cells as she can go. Taking a deep breath as the owl looks before her, she concentrates. "Far beyond the darkest skies, I call upon thee," she whispers, the surge of mana fluctuating across her body for the power to dwindle. "Darn it, again! Far beyond the darkest skies, I call upon thee…" Once more; nothing.

"Hoot! Hoot hoot!"

"I'm trying! No matter how much I focus, I can't control the right amount without my tome! Once more, far beyond-"

"HOOT!"

"OUCH!" Gazing at the bird pecking her leg, the flabbergasted witch can only look on at the bound avian rolling about. "Hootle, what're you-"

"Hoot hoot hoot hoot!" Hootle chirps in exclamation trying to wring itself free once more.

"What are you saying?" She furrows in confusion.

Jumping up and down, it gestures to itself with its head before taking on a meditative poise.

"I'm not following, sorry." Groaning, it hops onto her lap and then her shoulder before plopping atop her head. Still lost, she can only look upwards as the bird goes still. "Hootle, I don't-"

Then it hit her.

Just like Emma and Celine, both are able to boost the casting power and potency of the other. Before Emma got her staff and later orbal staff, Celine would help her with the bigger spells. That was one of the benefits Grandmother told them. Familiars were beings that assisted not just in guidance but also spell-casting. She didn't even give that a thought due to always having her tome as well as Hootle still technically being on the younger side.

"Hootle…" Only the focus murmurs from the bird respond. "Okay, I'm counting on you Hootle."

One more, a deep breath exudes as she closes her eyes. Feeling the rush of mana slowly seep into her core, it beings to become erratic. Ever so slightly, she feels the mana from directly atop begin to seem into her body calming the veins of power.

To think the little baby owl had gained so much from their few experiences out in the world. She couldn't be any more prouder.

"Far beyond the darkest skies…" She chants, a surge of power escaping as the binds holding her and Hootle shatter. More and more, power shoots out from their combined forms. Like a wave, the generated mana leaks onto the floor and out the cell. "We call upon thee…"

"Rinwell, what are-" Caught off by the sight, Valkyrie can only grimace as Rinwell grins. "YOU STUBBORN BRAT!"

"IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE! SHOOTING STAR!"

Later

"Thanks again, Magilou."

Following their meeting, both had stepped out for the obvious request of flame to come from Relon. With her jovial attitude, Magilou had ignited a wave of flames directly at the male. Like a vacuum, the absorption of the flames had caught the aloof woman off-guard before she too amped up her own output. Following the light reprimand of overexerting herself, she cautiously dialed down the output from full blast to a calm simmer.

Finally ceasing the action for what felt like ages, she wipes away a bead of sweat from her brows as Relon flexes his arm to wince.

"Don't tell me you're still tired!"

"No. Not quite. My energy may be practically back but my body still aches from our previous fight. I still can't lift my arms much less walk without it all hurting."

"Good thing Shade's out getting Rinwell. Not to mention you have the others inside. Otherwise we'd be pretty screwed."

Twitching an eye to leer at the unbothered woman, he has to remind himself who he's dealing with. Forcing a sigh out, he discards his response. As frustratingly blunt as she was, it was also irksome how correct she was. With plenty of adrenaline and a mysterious boost of power, he had experienced another miracle during that last fight.

"Well then, I'm heading back inside. Now I'm more tired than expected. Continue your thoughts without me," she waves for Relon to catch sight of her already vanishing into the ship.

I've been doing that way too often.

Making a mental note to watch the bad habit, he's about to turn it when a gentle breeze causes him to halt. The lull of the ambient element within the midst of looming dread always seemed to subtly make its presence apparent. That, however, was not necessarily a bad thing. It was the opposite.

The inner turmoil that existed within him was always struggling relentlessly like a wave crashing against the sandy shore. At least, it certainly felt that way.

Exuding a steady breath, he quietly walks forward taking a seat on the gentle grass. Cross legged, his mind finally starts to unwind. Of course, the looming thoughts from recent days began to surface only to be dragged back down. Today alone had affected him more than the last few.

"You two certainly were gone for a while." Eyes drawing to the side meeting an approaching Shizuna settle down next to him, they return forward at nothing in particular. "All good to go?"

"More or less. My body aches and feels like I'm still wearing weighted clothing. Otherwise, I'll just have to suck it up. We don't have the luxury of waiting. Especially not with how things are going…"

"Wrestling over her whereabouts won't do you any good."

"All gloom and doom is what I'm getting from you when you're not hyper focused on combat. Kinda a downer, you know?"

"... How are you holding up?"

He didn't mean to come across as abruptive, even if she was just showing concern in a roundabout way. He simply didn't have the energy to beat around topics.

Though judging by the silence that followed his inquiry, not to mention the sigh, she relented by stretching out to fall against the ground basking at the dim blanket overhead.

"I don't know… I thought I'd gotten used to losing those close to me but… but…" Unable to continue, her shaky eyes refuse to meet him.

At times like this, he truly wished he could form some type of statement to ease her. Yet, he couldn't. He was still too drained much less did he know what to say given their short time knowing one another not to mention their prior choice of sides. Simply saying, "We'll make Zero pay" or "Don't worry," simply would not do. If something told him that with the shit ton of emotional baggage he was currently lugging around, he'd want to knock them the hell out.

Following his gaze, the once open sky full of answers that have helped him floated along, now laid sealed by any contact or interaction with the living world. Wordlessly, his focus then goes to the ship. Catching this, she looks upside-down in time to see both swords hover out.

"Come on."

Eyes returning back to the male, her eyes soften. Rising, both step on the swords to take a seat. Past the ship, up the treeline, out the canyon's crevice; both rose, the dark land nearly pitch black. Only the illumination of lights as far as the eye could be seen. Whether that was of the natural world and its inhabitants, Zero's army, the eerie roots, or something else was left to be questioned.

"It's odd," she begins. "Seeing everything from this angle, it feels so… different. Like day and night."

The same can be said of the human heart.

At least, that's what Relon's first thought was. Just as how the civilians of the capital once loved and adored his innocence like any other, now his reputation was tarnished. Eyes of scorn now laid on him. The very same eyes that once showed happiness. It amazed him how quickly such opinions could change. Now, the eyes of his friends showed nothing but murderous intent.

"Is this what you do to get away from it all?"

"... Yeah." He admitted. "Ever since I was a kid, whether it be day or night, I'd just escape to where no one could reach me. Only my thoughts and Pippin brought the greatest amount of peace I could ask for."

"What about this guy?" She chuckles, gesturing to Pappan.

"Funny enough, he joined us not even two weeks ago. Still, I'm thankful for everything Pappan has done as well."

"You hear that?" She caresses its handle. "Still, what is it like?"

Her question made his eyes glaze over her before both steadily rise through the cloud and into the moonlight's luminescence.

"It'd always be different. Every flight unique in its own way. The first time I took flight, it was in Legram over its misty lake. I had just trained in the basics and was feeling adventurous. Ha, we ended up fighting some monsters because of it. Night flights across Heimdallr in the day was quaint and normal. At night, it was a whole different story. It was always as though the city itself came to life. Radiant lights layered over one another in constant movement, the idle chatter not as loud as during the day but not as quiet either. The relaxing atmosphere that matched each person's pace made those nights memorable. Even at the orphanage, taking the kids and Noro on rides until Aunt Cecily would scold us for being out so late. Haha, flying has always been our safe haven away from the world." Eyes finally returning to the current moment, they blink to look back at a serene Shizuna. "S-Sorry, I went on another tangent."

"So that's the real you." Unconsciously drifting away, his brows furrow to ease. "Don't take that the wrong way. It's a compliment. Behind all those emotions is a really sincere guy."

"... Your thoughts?" As though the cosmos is responding to his question, from the clouds directly blocking a portion of the moon, its light shines upon Shizuna.

"It's relieving," she gifts a tender smile any soul would become lost in. "Kurogane's soul can rest easy because now I can actually believe we have a chance at beating Zero."

Opening his mouth steadily, nothing comes. How could it, another thing has been placed at the tip of already full mental baggage. Only this was worth keeping. Relenting, he releases the remaining tension from within.

"Thanks, Shizuna. I'm counting on you."

"Likewise, Relon."

A batch of laughter exchanged with the other, the ambient mood now mellowed into the usual lull Relon has come to appreciate.

Even with the two's experience with the radiant star earlier, their own awes and merriment in seeing the crescent moon was equally as exuberant and relaxing all the same.

Now they quietly hovered over the puffy clouds, the blanket of stars once thought to be lost to their companions.

"Missed this, huh?" At his question, another soft chuckle exudes from the young woman.

"You have no idea. Growing up wasn't the best for me. Not until I joined Ikaruga. Every night, we'd all just huddle together and bask in its mesmerizing beauty. I'd always try to count each and every one only to get confused and have to restart."

"You're not the only one." Relon comments through a ragged huff. "Where I live, the orphans would always argue over which star shined the brightest. Getting them to bed would always be a handful."

"Considering you were the perpetrator behind keeping them out so late, you don't have room to complain." She notes with a smug grin his way.

"Haha, I walked into that I guess."

"By the way…" Perking at the mention, she's now the one to glance his way. "Are you an orphan too?"

He wanted to chuckle at how blunt that was while also being concerned.

"In a way. I was lucky to make the family that I did. It's all just….

"Lemme guess," Shizuna hums in amusement. "It's complicated."

"So much so. I just wish I could do something about it. Instead, I'm far away, and without Rinwell. I lost my powers, much less can figure out this new body amplifier."

"You mean what you did before wasn't intentional?"

"No. My body… is unique. And I'm not talking in an overconfident way. A witch took away my powers so a lot of what I'm usually doing is gone leaving me with the basic of basics really."

"Hmm, I wonder if that's a bad thing though? By returning to the beginning of where your skills originated, you're no longer relying on your other techniques and instead honing your base skills."

He was long since ready to retort but the more she spoke, the more sense she made.

"Huh… It's like my training all over again. Practice in my normal body and once I transform, I'll see a drastic change in power… I never considered it from that perspective. Shizuna, I'm grateful."

"Don't mention it. Helping each other will increase our chances of winning our next fight."

With a content hum as his final response, the silence between the two returns for his eyes to frown at the perplexed expression she wears.

"What's wrong?" Looking around, she doesn't say anything immediately until both pairs of eyes widen as rumbling followed by the colors of a rainbow surge far off within a batch of clouds. "The hell-" Sensing something faintly familiar from that direction, his ARCUS rings.

"I knew there would be more, Relon are you at the ship!?" Shade's voice, half-panic and half-annoyance clear as day.

"Yeah!"

"The hell's going on?!" Shizuna exclaims over the line.

"Who's that?!" Rinwell inwardly blinks, apparently choosing now all of a sudden to not only stop her chant of her spell but also inquire into the appearance of the new woman.

"You all can chat later! Relon are you in the cockpit?"

"Currently flying back in that direction!"

"Well get in there and turn your ARCUS on speaker!"

"On it!"

"Also we're coming in hot, so get on the deck after I get there! I have a plan."

"WE GOT COMPANY!" The voice of Shizuna exclaims as a whirring sound comes from the entrance.

"Ready when you guys are!"

"Pater-Mater, lower the ramp and get ready to take off!" Magillou calls, up and moving.

"What the- Hey! PATER MATER IS THE SHIP?!"

"I TOLD YOU SO!" The voice of Magilou shouts.

"NO YOU DIDN'T!" Van berates her.

From the entrance, Relon sees Shade and Rinwell come to a slow halt at the bottom of the ship's ramp. A few bumps and some scratches littered the vehicle but both seemed to be in great condition otherwise to his immediate relief.

"Blue streak, Magilou, tie the bike down!" Shade called, hopping off to run back outside.

"Blue- Gah! Come on, witch girl!"

"That better not be some way of calling me a bitc- oh whatever!"

"Less arguing, more working!" Shizuna exclaims. "We've got company!"

Passing by, Rinwell doesn't waste any time in hurrying over to the bridge and outside.

"Flames Descend! Burning Strike!" At her call, volleys of flames descend upon the entrance for an explosion to erupt.

"Relon, your swords still moving around!?" Shade shouts.

"Yeah! What do you need?!"

"Just be ready to catch me. Pater-Mater get this ship flying!"

"Gotcha, you heard the man you two!" At Relon's words, both rise above ready for action.

From the entrance where blazing vehicles lay, troops move upon the ship. Letting out a sigh, Shade pulls out his handguns poising them at the ready. "I'm ready, you asshats!"

"He's gonna fight by himself?" Shizuna exclaims about to move in.

"Wait!" Relon halts with his hand. "Let him handle it. He's the best to hold them off without us risking more injuries."

About to argue, she relents as the ship revs to life. Then the shower commenced.

Gunfire sailed all around Shade, most focused on him with a few troops aiming for the ship. Despite the numbers, Relon could only watch in amazement as Shade's guns never ceased. Sparks seemingly manifested as bullets collided. The few that passed were quickly cut by either swords or Shizuna.

Through the chaos, Relon's eyes caught five of Zero's Army with swords rush towards Shade. For a split second, his eyes caught Shade's moving body flinch.

Did he get hit?! No, even if he did, he likely wouldn't budge. Then, is he hesitating?

Meeting the soldiers, he cycled his guns out for a sword from a dead soldier. Chucking the sword, the first soldier dodges leaving himself open for Shade to follow-up, grabbing and tossing him into the other soldiers.

"He's quick," Van notes.

"Quick isn't enough though. Relon, why not let us help?"

"Because Shade isn't exactly normal," Rinwell answers for her tome to glow green as does her pendant. "Not exactly human like us exactly." Jumping onto the railing, she extends a hand. "Celestial Hammer!" Beams of electricity explode into a shower piercing all around me.

"Who here is a normal human?" Van bats an eye.

"Just you two I'm pretty sure," Rinwell answers, falling back as a shot whizzes past them. "And maybe Magilou. If you can count her."

"HEY!"

Noticing a bullet pierce Shade's leg, Relon notices the residual energy from Rinwell's electric attack seem to course into the wound healing him. More and more, Shade lets bullets rain on him. Retaliating once more, he fires pouring more energy into his rounds blasting the areas the troops were in.

Judging by the power, that wasn't enough to kill them. At least, Relon hoped. Then another swordsman attacked. A quick shot to the knee and a parry along with theft of the man's sword was all it took.

"I'll take that," Shade said.

"You weren't joking…"

"Yeah, no need to worry about injury when he can't exactly get hurt. Least not by what they're dishing out."

"What the hell is with this world?" Van sighs, swatting away a stray bullet.

Taking in their comments, he watches another wave approach as the ship begins to take off. Summersaulting over the batch, Shade grabs one by the collar to send him hurling into those ahead. Speeding to catch up, he jumps off the airborne soldier higher into the air.

"RELON!"

Focusing on the airborne male, both blades shoot forward. Taking aim, the soldiers below fire for the weapons to maneuver with ease through the gunfire.

"Double jump!" Relon hollers.

Pappan reaches first. Placing one foot on the sword, Shade hops higher to meet Pippin. Grabbing a hold of the cloth, he's dragged away as his momentum suddenly shifts in the direction the sword is going. Peering down, he takes in Pappan deflecting the incoming bullets as the swords spin back towards the ship. Before long, he touches down on the deck in a kneeling position. Breath in desperate need of being caught.

"Pater-Mater, get us away from here, just head west!" Acknowledging, the ship begins to speed away, any incoming fire dies down as it falls out of reach.

Allowing a breath of relief to escape, one he hadn't known to have held in, Relon's grip over the railing lessens.

"We made it." He sighs, rotating in time to be tackled by a familiar force knocking his tired form over. "Oof!"

"We're back, hehe!"

Eyes opening to the cheeky smile Rinwell harbors, his own smile, something that feels like a while since donned, graces his features.

"Welcome back, Rinwell." He hugs the girl. "You too, Hootle."

"It's good to be back."

"Hoot!"

Slowly standing up, Shade watching the scene before himself. "So, guess now we can all relax and chat…"

"Are you trying to speak something negative into existence?" Rinwell gives a droopy look over her shoulder. "Our luck isn't the best so please don't do that."

Given the fact that she is still on top of Relon, the whole sight is rather amusing.

"Well, we still aren't out of the woods yet. They do have airships but I don't think they will chase us yet, not after what that girl did to that base."

"That's right! How did you guys escape?" Relon wonders for the cheeky grin on Rinwell and Hootle's faces to grow ever more.

"Do you want the short version or the long version?"

"The version that won't bore us." Magilou quips for a twitch to escape the girl who quickly rises glaring at her.

"What's wrong, granny? Is it hard to focus on anything longer than a minute?" She grins with a clear tic mark.

"Hey, Rinwell…" Relon chides.

"Oh, did the twerp say something? One escape from the enemy and you think you're all bark, eh?"

"Magilou, chill would ya?" Shade eases though she doesn't seem to listen.

"Are they like this often?" Van wonders.

"Despite being good friends, yes." Relon chuckles.

"WE ARE NOT FRIENDS!"

"Uh huh. Well, anyway. Relon, who was the person that sent you here, what was her name?"

"Valkyrie. Or Grimoire. Either really."

"Ah right. Well Rinwell here used her magic to escape from her before I showed up. Then Valkyrie got a bit angry when I shot her eye out so she blasted the entire base they had set up to kill us."

"Good to know someone doesn't hold back when they get an opportunity." Shizuna nods.

"Shade gave me this pendant too so my electric magic is amped to the max!" Rinwell shows off, radiating exuberance.

"Every bit helps in our fight against Zero." Relon nods. "Still, it's relieving to be reunited like this."

But her eye? Good to know her sight will hopefully be hindered. Still, Rinwell doesn't seem at all bothered. I should check on her in private when we get the chance.

"I know, right? Feels like forever since we left Eryn Village!" Rinwell notes to receive nods from both familiars.

"Speaking of, Pater-Mater, take us to Eryn Village!"

"It knows the way there?" Rinwell wonders.

"The village is known to everyone. It's not hidden as it might be in your world."

"Huh. I don't know if that is relieving to know or not."

"Given that Zero is aware of its existence but hasn't done anything since what he did to the Hexen Clan, it may be a good place to go for the time being." Relon comments.

"Guess that settles it." Rinwell shrugs.

"Now I think it's time for some introductions…" Shade mentions, looking over at the others. "You might have heard already, but I'm Shade."

"Van Arkride." The blue streak-haired male greets with a curt nod.

"Shizuna. I'm a friend of Van and Relon."

"Friend, huh?" Van snorts for the young woman to snap his way with narrowed eyes though he seems unfazed. "Nearly slicing his head off is quite the greeting."

"You want to experience the same thing, Van?" She smiles though the malicious intent behind it couldn't be more apparent.

"Um, n-no. I'm good."

"It's a struggle for you too, huh Van." Relon offers a comforting pat for the guy to only subtly nod in defeat.

Noticing the quiet look Rinwell sports during the two's antics, her eyes shift to Relon and Munechika. Making some sort of gesture, their own expressions grow slightly grim as they shake their heads. Seeing a look of sadness for only a moment, she perks right back up.

"Shizuna, Van, good to have you both aboard!" She steps into the fray. "I'm Rinwell and this is my best friend Hootle!"

"Hoot hoot!"

"An owl?" Van arches a brow.

"Awe, it's adorable!" Shizuna coos petting the creature for it to elicit a happy chirp.

"And she's captivated." Van chuckles.

"There is still one more I need to meet now. Munechika?" Shade comments towards Relon and the cat.

"Oh yeah, Munechika, this is Shade. Though you've already met kinda."

From his feet, the white cat steps forward. In a small sphere of white, it expands to rise vertically. Dying down, a white-haired woman with silver eyes, cat ears, and a tail stands before us.

Giving a curt bow like Van, she gives a welcome smile albeit tired.

"She lost her voice from the cryptid that attacked so she's been communicating via the Hexen Clan's language." Relon explains. "And English."

"Witchcraft…" Van mumbles to get an elbow jab by Shizuna.

"I see, sorry to hear that. But I knew you were more than just a cat, your eyes told me all I needed…" Reaching to take off his mask revealing his features, he places it on his hip while releasing another sigh before looking to Relon. "So, only they made it?" He gestures to Van and Shizuna.

"Yeah. Sorry to say but Tio did a number on all of us. Cause those roots to come to life and… yeah." The grim expression Relon wore as did the others said all that needed to be said.

"Ah, Tio… is she alive?"

"Yeah. Zero's Army pulled her out. A large red machine nabbed her before we could do anything. Likely got Laura and Unc- I mean Victor Arseid too." He comments pointing to the large greatsword on his back. "Words can't describe that fight. Not easily at least."

"Laura as well… I see, she can be a tough one to fight."

"It was somewhat easy. The Radiant Blademaster was the hard part. Fighting around him wasn't easy. Honestly, I don't know if I can pull that off again."

"Well Victor might have been going easy on you. Has Magilou said anything of what we encountered since we last saw each other?"

"Yeah, we're up to speed. As for what our next move is…" Rinwell hums. "I know our main objective is taking out the reactors but outside of that, we've traveled a great deal around meeting allies. I don't see any point in wasting more time doing that."

"Shade." Relon speaks, gaining everyone's attention. "Sorry to ask this but what happened… with the witches you met. Vita Clotilde as well as the woman with her?"

"Let's head inside first, it might be better to sit down, at least for those from this world."

"Huh?" Both Van and Shizuna sounded that out in sync.

"We get you guys aren't normal but extraterrestrials?" Van crosses his arms.

"I believe them." Shizuna speaks up, earning a surprised look from Van. "There's too much evidence of things not being normal so we need to start thinking outside the box, Van."

"Technically, I'm a different dimensional being." Relon mentions. "At least, half of one. With one fourth being human and the other quarter a witch. Or mage. Still haven't figured that term out."

"Figure that out some other time, maybe find a way to shorten it as well. "Let's just head inside so I can explain."

"Lead the way."

Heading inside, everyone sits down somewhere as Shade places the newly stolen sword against a wall before flopping onto a seat. Glancing around, he looked at everyone before my eyes landed on Relon.

"How much you know? I doubt Magilou was a good story teller."

"Only the basis from her perspective. Mentioned having a ship they were setting up away from the continent, right?"

"The Ark, yeah… But it's not to leave the continent, it's to leave this world all together and find a new one."

"A new world?" Shizuna wonders inquisitively.

"Like ours?" Relon follows up. "Surely they don't simply mean another continent on the planet."

"Could be mine, could be yours, could be something else. If Zero's countdown ends, this world will be reshaped into his image fully which will allow The Ark to move to a new world during that moment."

"How are they planning to do that?" Van arches a brow.

"That I didn't ask, mostly because they moved on to the next topic… By the way, there's only one witch there. Vita, the other is the Grandmaster of Ouroborus, what's left of her anyway."

"Elaborate on 'what's left?'" Relon urges for Shade to shudder out a sigh.

"30 years ago. That's when the Grandmaster noticed Zero show up in this world. At some point her and the rest of Ouroborus took action to stop him before he got too powerful. Her, Vita and another were the only ones alive and the Grand Master is missing half of her body and is in some chamber keeping her alive."

"The leader of the infamous Ouroborus fought Zero?" Shizuna shudders in awe. "To think someone like that would lose…"

"I wouldn't expect any less given the power Zero has exuded across the continent." Van speaks up.

"If their leader is out of the picture, then we will have to look to the next best thing."

"Relon, you're going to head there, aren't you?"

Not answering immediately, the male's eyes remain on the floor. After a moment, he nods.

"Yeah. I need to speak with Vita."

"So we're heading there next, huh?" Van rocks back in his seat. "This'll likely be troublesome."

"What makes you think they'll listen?" Shizuna asks.

"Well…" Rinwell begins to quietly eye both Munechika and Relon for anything. "She's kinda his… mom?" She says tenderly for both newcomers to buck wide.

"Define 'kinda!'" Shizuna demands with a stoic demeanor.

"In our world, she gave birth to Relon." Rinwell explains looking at the quiet male. "Here… she didn't."

"So you're going to try and use some sort of paternal move to make her want to help out?" Van muses somewhat accusatory.

"No..." Relon gently answers. "I… would like to get their help but I… It's complicated. I just need answers to some things. It'll help both me and possibly our cause."

"I see… You never met her, did you?" Shade spoke the question.

"Please don't pry into my family life," Relon musters out a sigh. "I have in my world. Just not in the way I would like."

"Alright, so anything else you wanted to ask? Any of you?"

"I got one." Van comments with a raised hand. "We've been out of the country so you'll have to mind us, these reactors. Where are they? And which ones are we hitting next?"

"I have a map in one of the bags, I'll show you it once we get to Eyrn village."

"We'll likely tackle Saint Ark's reactor next." Relon quips. "You guys already took one down so it's our turn."

"We'll have to watch out for Valkyrie now that she's with them." Rinwell chimes in.

"Oh, right. The countdown Zero gave us, it's not about when he'll have enough power to reshape this world, but when he can."

"Countdown? What countdown?" Shizuna asks, her look of neutrality shifting to honest confuzzlement.

"Zero told me though one of his men, 5 days from now he will reshape this world. Before we thought that's when he'll get enough power, but it's when he's allowed to do it. Once this world and the Beyond are at their closest."

"Relon's home…" Rinwell mutters eyeing the male. "Is it wishful thinking in wondering if the two dimensions being so close will give Relon some sort of super boost like his transformation?"

"We can only be so lucky." Relon mumbles flexing his hand at the thought.

"And there's a chance that during that moment, we'll be able to defeat Zero. So if we're going to have a final battle it will be then."

"Sounds good to me." Van shrugs.

"When that moment comes, we have to be ready!" Rinwell states, the urgency behind her words is evident of the situation at hand.

Glancing at Shizuna, Shade catches her gaze on him. "Got a question?"

"Human experimentation. Explain that." She requests, arms crossed.

"Ah, that. I'm not too sure how deep Zero went into that, but from what I've seen and was told… Children who are turned into monsters are forever stuck that way, living like that. Adults have a timer before their bodies give up…"

"... I see."

"Shade, is there anyone of importance that had their minds freed when you destroyed the reactor?"

"Cassius Bright, his daughter, Joshua Astray, Zin Vathek and Anelace Elfead. Those are the names that you may know of the most."

"Familiar ones for sure." Van nods.

"So Cassius has been freed." Shizuna mumbles. "Good."

"How exactly did you guys destroy it?" Rinwell adds on.

"I shot it, grabbed those around and ran."

"If it's that simple, then why hasn't the resistance achieved that ages ago?" Van dismisses.

"I'm half demon, because of that I can fire a round that could wipe an area, like you kinda saw back there. Plus you have to be deep in the base itself to get a good shot."

"... Damn it." Van grumbles in defeat earning a supportive pat by Rinwell.

"Who exactly is on Zero's side?" Shizuna wonders. "Faction-wise."

"Those in Crossbell, the SSS, Arios, Yin. I haven't seen too many from Crossbell so who knows who else is there…"

"Then there's my academy's class; Class VII. Those higher-up figures related to them like Victor Arseid. Thankfully, our side has barely run into any resistance from particular individuals aside from grunts up until we met."

"So Arios is in our way as is Rean…" Shizuna again mumbles in thought.

"Given the way things are, we've steadily amassed our own powerful force not counting the resistance." Rinwell chirps with positivity looking around. "We're basically a mini army!"

"Hoot hoot!"

"Even that might not cut it, just taking one reactor costed a lot of lives. And I went in before the battle and took out the turrets on the place, we'll need a lot of planning."

"We'll need a coordinated effort from the resistance. That or we somehow manage with our tiny force to lessen the casualties." Relon notes.

"Why not teleport inside?" Rinwell offers. "I could just Shooting Star the reactor before anyone notices. With Munechika, we get in and out before anyone notices. Who needs a large force at that point?"

"The only issue I can see is either they have individuals capable of sensing magic or they have a failsafe should something like that happen. Given the only known magical entities outside of Zero are Emma and Valkyrie, we'd have to take that into account." Relon adds.

"Plus you need to at least know where you're going, could end up at the command center or right next to a long drop. While a good idea, it has a lot of risks."

"Hmm. Munechika, could you use that sensor ability to get a layout of the reactor's area? Including what lies underground?"

Giving a look, she nods.

"Wait, are you leaning towards the idea?" Van wonders in slight astonishment.

"The idea alone holds plenty of merit. Should it work. I have the transportation, Munechika has the ability to get in and out with Rinwell being the button to take out the reactor. Munechika can further amplify her already boosted magic. At the core, we technically have everything to deal with a reactor. But that, again, isn't taking into account what can stop us."

"Why entertain such an idea?" Shizuna questions.

"Because this way we don't lose more lives than when we'll need them most." Relon answers "Zero is the big bad and once we take out the remaining three, who knows what he'll have in store. We'll need every able body at that point."

"Huh. Didn't think my idea would get such feedback. I was only half joking."

"If it means less death, I'm fine with it, but I really don't want to go on another rescue mission for you." Shade replies.

"You won't have to. Again, it's a thought. We won't confirm anything until we have more information." Relon notes.

"Alright, so Relon, Rinwell. Anything happened with you during our time away, besides ending up here?"

"Met the resistance in Milsante, stayed the night in a destroyed Ordis, found no signs of Ashland; the place I was born…"

"We met another you by the way," Rinwell takes over. "Your mom, or I guess his mom, is a really good cook! Though they wouldn't help our cause. Your brother, erm, his brother was pretty adamant. That and the townspeople were… very wary of us being there."

"Two Shades?" Van wonders to eye me. "My head can't keep up with anymore of this out-of-world stuff." He complains massaging his temple as Shade only stares at the two.

"You have questions I'm assuming, but first was there a man named Father Bennett?" Magilou glanced up at me from where she was.

"No." Relon answers curtly. "Your life is your own and I have no interest in prying. Whatever you wish to tell is your choice. As for the latter, no. A man named Oz we met but no Bennett."

"Good…" I looked at Rinwell for a moment, then back at Relon. "And the other me.. His name was Alex, yeah?"

"Yeah." Relon gives an affirmative nod.

"Then I'll tell you, not like I got anything to hide from the people here. Plus I already kinda mentioned it before, so let me tell you a little story of a boy named Alex and how he died."

"He was born and raised in Shade Village. Small place on the border of Calvard, so tucked away people never knew they worshiped a devil, that they were once all members of the DG cult… The boy's mother was forced to be there as her child was 'gifted.' Half the time she loved the child, other times that child heard her wish he was dead. Still he loved his mother, that was until he was 5 years old. He was led underneath the church where he was tested on once again, taking a red pill. That pill made him lose time, he'd wake up and would have drawn on paper stuff he should not know at all…"

A pill? Relon thinks in wonder.

"The time came to bring out his other side. Father Bennet took his mother and took her head off right in front of the boy as everyone around watched and praised. That boy killed Bennett, the men, women, and children. Destroyed the village and woke up about a week later, in a puddle of blood in the now blood stained church, there were no bodies anymore and the boy was but a husk. He got rid of the remaining pills and left, walked out of the village… and that's where Alex died, no emotions left within him… But that's where I was born, Shade."

"So that's it, huh…?" Relon musters out, the equally grim looks on the others as clear as the world is grim-looking.

"Shade, I…" Rinwell begins to shake her head. "I don't know what to say to that."

"It's fine, I had no emotions after it happened so there was no guilt, no sadness. After that I walked and found the man I call my father, Vali. I also found out I had healed from everything when a wolf tore into my shoulder so kinda why I hate wolves, haha…"

"That… explains earlier." Rinwell carefully surmises.

"If you're wondering where Vergil is at, I didn't have a brother, not until I was forced back into the past. And, no I'm not going to see my other self, I have no need for it."

"That answers my follow-up question. But what if they end up joining us? Or worse, fighting against us?"

"From what you said it would make no sense for them to fight us, if they join us then it still works, I have my mask after all."

"The Temporal Laws may not be active but I'd still not want to risk something as reality-breaking as two Shades interacting." Relon urges.

"Agreed. Who knows what could happen."

"Also Relon, Claire wasn't at the reactor, or at Bashton anymore. Seems she's been moved to Trista."

Seemingly deep in thought, Relon nods.

Then I'll likely have to face Rean, Laura, and Claire altogether…

"I understand. Unfortunately, I don't have a clue where Tio could be. Likely out of combat due to her injuries. Unless they have a magnificent healer at their disposal. Unless Zero can instantly cleanse wounds."

"That'd be a real bother should that be the case." Van voices.

"I won't be shocked, whoever those guys were back there when we escaped. They were soulless beings. I looked into a few of their eyes and saw nothing at all, which is why I didn't hold back."

"Then they're just pawns until we free them." Shizuna mentions.

"In the end, we still gotta do what we have to do." Rinwell nods in agreement.

"Seems like it." Van surmises.

Wordlessly, Munechika nods.

"No, those were something else, I would not call them human. It's like they were made to kill and follow orders, they are not the same troops that we've been fighting…"

"A third party not affiliated with Zero or the resistance?" Shizuna wonders. "Could they be with the witches or another group with the ability to control?"

"No, they were Zero's people, maybe other experiments or even his own little army for himself that isn't with Rean or Lloyd's."

"Why bother having a different unit not affiliated with either side? For a side agenda perhaps?" Van suggests.

"Who knows, but I don't want to see who's mad enough to lead them…"

"If we find the culprit, we'll simply end them." It was clear with how Shizuna stated that matter-of-factly, that issue wasn't up for debate.

"In your state, no. The spring back at Eyrn should help, same goes for all of you, I'll be on watch in case something happens… But we still have a bit before we get there."

"Don't assume we'd foolishly engage in a fight in our current state. We're not foolish enough to risk further loss. Especially given what we know now."

"Ease up, Shizuna," Van chides. "He's only treading with caution. We've finally achieved one victory so we simply have to be careful with our next moves."

Clicking in response, she says nothing relenting to remaining silent.

"Shizuna, tell me… how many died?"

Narrowing at the question, the tension that rises carefully subsides. With a tired breath, she feigns from Shade's direction.

"All of them. It's just us two now."

"You remember their names, their faces? All of them?"

"Of course we'd remember our friends and comrades." Van waves off for his gaze to harden. "Or… are you referring to who killed them?"

"Your friends… I've been where you both are at, where that bloody path leads. The pain won't ever go away, nor will it get any better. You'll always remember their smiles and laughs, their words… All you can do is live on for their memory, so once we win, make a nice tribute to them all, each and every one of them…"

At first both only look on blinking repeatedly. After a moment, a chuckle escapes Van as he relaxes.

"Hmpf, you don't need to tell us what we already know."

"What we do is our business. Don't go ordering us around just because we've joined your cause. Still, we'll take your words to heart." Shizuna says with a slight gentler tone.

"Good, besides I'm not a leader type I don't order anyone around… But just some advice, don't let revenge take you when the time comes…"

"We'll keep that in mind."

"So…" Rinwell begins seeing an opportunity to chime in. "How long before we reach Eryn Village?"

"Maybe an hour, we used a lot of energy getting to you guys so we're going slower to conserve. This is after all a small ship, not a passenger ship."

"Then we can rest." Relon notes settling into his seat. "This time without interruption."

Silently agreeing, Munechika reverts to her cat form before hopping into his lap and curling up.

"After today, rest is so needed." Rinwell stretches getting comfortable in her seat as Hootle hops down onto her own lap.

"I'll be on the deck if you need me…" Moving Magilou off himself, Shade proceeded to get up and depart out the door.

Finally, he allowed the lingering tension to fade. In doing so, so too did his vision.

Eryn Village

The ship landed in the clearing that's in the village, it's only been a few days but the roots here have grown more.

"Looks like the roots haven't spread as far as I thought they would." Rinwell announces as she's the first to touchdown on the sacred grounds. "Hootle, let's go check around and get rid of any roots. Munechika, you come too!" Already running off with both familiars behind, Rinwell vanishes past the gate and over the hill.

"Funny how she was too drowsy to get up mere minutes ago." Van comments.

"This is her and Munechika's home so it makes sense how her attitude would turn on a dime." Relon offers taking a seat on Pippin for its handle to nudge him. "Right. Our home," he corrects.

"Well either way I'm going to hit those springs, see ya~!" Magilou walks off towards the springs with a small bag over her shoulder.

"I think I'll join her…" Quietly, Shizuna follows after the skipping witch.

"You can rest up at the atelier if you want, Van." Relon offers.

"Yeah, I think I'll take you up on that."

"I'll be at that workshop, if you need me just call." Shade comments, making a quick inspection of his bike before departing leaving Relon alone.

"I'll come by in a little bit." Relon comments to get an affirmative wave. "Now then, what to do…?"

"Heeeeeey!"

Already feeling motion, he accepts his partner's choice to head for the waving Rinwell and Munechika. Finding them in front of a small building, his brow arches.

"What's up?"

"I forgot to mention this last time but this shop has some beginner spells just like our Eryn," Rinwell beams with excitement.

"Rinwell," he sighs. "Shouldn't you be resting? Aren't your mana reserves somewhat drained after everything that's happened?"

"Well, kinda."

"What do you mean by 'kinda?' Don't you get tired from launching stuff like Shooting Star or Meteor Storm?"

"Well, I do but since I've only been casting offensive spells of all sizes, my reserves are pretty vast. Launching those spells once every now and then is kinda child's play for me." At her words, Munechika nods scribbling the air with a single finger.

[When I first encountered you two, I was quite amazed at Rinwell's own magical capacity.]

"I'm surprised you didn't notice, Cuz. Then again, you did just recently become accustomed to sensing magic."

"Huh. I never noticed. Guess that's another thing to add to the training list. Along with casting spells."

"Now that I think about it, you don't ever use arts. Not like you ever need to."

"According to the tests back at Thors, I was incompatible with casting arts and as for spells, just found out recently. Not like I ever needed them until now though given my flames."

"Fair point. Hmm… Perhaps with how things are now, you could practice again like me with my healing magic."

"Speaking of, any progress there?" At that, a defeated huff comes. "I'll take that as a no."

"Munechika's helped me a few times ever since we left Eryn but still nothing."

Huh. How have I not noticed that?

"Whenever we've practiced, you've been so lost in thought or not around." She answers as if having read his mind.

Oh, that explains a lot.

"Ah." He simply acknowledges.

"Besides, Grandmother's trained me so much in casting magic that I regenerate a decent amount overtime." She smirks to get an amused look from both familiar and hybrid.

"Uh-huh. Just make sure you're ready in case we get ambushed. Again."

"I'll have a spell on standby with Zero's or whoever's name on it!" She grins that cheeky grin Relon's come to adore.

"Hmpf, I'll leave you two to it." Watching both head inside, he returns to his open thoughts. "Munechika didn't say much. I need to try to keep her in the conversation more. Then again, with her speech, maybe simple responses are just better…" Relenting on that thought, his eyes go to the spa and immediately away. "I'm not even gonna entertain that idea. I could rest but then I'll be out for the rest of our time."

As much as he'd like to recuperate in the hot springs, having both girls there would make his comfort and focus nigh impossible to maintain. Magilou because… well she's Magilou. As for Shizuna…

That made him purse his lips.

He'd just met her but already he's seen several sides of her and the same could be said for himself towards her. Yes, she was beautiful. That much was clear without any assistance. He'd argue that he met her at her lowest and brought her to arguably her highest point in what seems like a long time. That much felt good but just talking to her…

"It's like I'm talking to one of the girls even." That comment made even Relon himself jerk inwardly. "Nope. Not delving any further into something I shouldn't."

With that decision made, he moved to the lower-leveled shops. One after another, he perused each for that remaining individual until one open door eventually came with the man of interest inside.

"Finally found you," Relon greets his fellow protagonist. "What are you up to?"

"Just seeing what was here, last time I meant to check. Got some nice ore here to use."

"Ore, huh?" Walking over, he inspects said findings. "Can't be normal ore given where we are. Any idea what they do?" At his question, Shade hands him a book. Flipping through some pages, it isn't long until he finds a match.

"Pretty good stuff, no idea where it came from."

"I can only translate bits and pieces. Still, we haven't seen any sort of ore ever since we first arrived. Not that we've been paying much attention. I wonder if Munechika or Rinwell know anything about this…" Relon wonders aloud in thought.

"Well it was hidden with magic, kinda. Munechika would likely know something since she's from here. This Eryn I mean."

"We'll have to ask when we get the chance. If we can find a way to use the ore's properties, who knows what we could do. Maybe even make a necklace similar to the one Rinwell has."

"There's enough here to make something like that, plus once we win and save the world I might bring this back with me to use," Shade says, grabbing the ore.

"If we can even do that," Relon corrects. "We still don't know the boundaries in traveling between worlds. Plus, we still need to figure out a way back. Even if we beat Zero, there's no guarantee an exit will just pop up."

"We'll figure that out as we go. Besides the stuff on me came with when I showed up here, then stuff will go back with me."

"Hmm, if you say so. Here's to hoping." Relon relents with breath.

"Say, I know we were forced into this and that for you this is some test or something. But you've been keeping to yourself a lot, kinda looking at the negative side. People would think I would do that from the way I look." He joked.

About to respond, Relon pauses instead eliciting another bothered sound.

"Sorry. Not my intention. Recently, people have been putting their lives at risk just because I exist. It's frustrating. Especially in my weakened state now. I hate being protected more than anything because it puts them in danger. It doesn't help that I'm still dealing with the effects of what Valkyrie did to me when we first arrived in this alternate world, not to mention new residual ones. Then there's the mysteries surrounding my own powers. Plus this world and all its own crap. Do the rules of your transition affect mine or do I lie within a different set of rules? Too many questions and not enough answers. It's… just a lot right now."

"Yeah, sounds like a lot. But as someone that fought in a war pretty much… you need to depend on people. So being protected might mean they are in danger, but try and go alone and you'll end up in a hole. Only reason I'm not is because I dig myself out."

"I already tried that and it didn't work out. So no point in trying again. I'm not even strong enough to fight against the very people that want to protect me. If I can't even contest that, then I simply have to accept their help. Come hell or high water." He offers a defeated shrug though his expression seems to have lightened just slightly.

"Stubborn one you are. Tell me, do you see yourself as a hero then?"

"I don't see myself as anything. Never bothered to. I'm a Lucinance, a being born from two different entities in a realm not of Earth. That's what I am. As far as who, I've only ever thought of my status as a member of Class VII, a member of the Namikaze family, and my recently added titles. As far as delving deeper into what those actually mean, no."

"And how much of that affects me? Not a damn thing, all I see is Relon. If I just see Relon, then your friends back in your world see you as Relon and maybe even more wholesome stuff… Let me ask you this then. Who do you want to be?"

"I already know my friends see me as Relon. The issue is what the people trying to kill me see much less the people in Erebonia that still despise me; their enemy. A guy whom they can't stand. I want to be the guy to fix the problems surrounding him and put a stop to any more trouble."

"Man, I now know what she saw back then… Relon, who cares about what the people think about you? Who cares about what your enemies think about you, hell who cares about what I think about you. The only person that can decide on your path, on who you can and want to be… is you."

"I don't want to have to think about what pompous political civilians think. I have to because I am directly tied to important people and my very being due to recent events now affects them so, again, I have to make my relationship with the people good again so that the reputation of others won't be affected. The mere idea of innocent children hating me… it just sucks."

"It does. Being blamed for the deaths of their fathers and mothers. Yet if I hold every insult they gave me, that their family gave me, that their friends and so on gave me, I would not be here. If you hold them you won't last long enough to see them smile…"

"That's where I say we differ, Shade." Relon speaks, the air around him shifting. "I was innocent. No shred of malice, the kind to want much less have to kill. Senate put a mark on my head, unveiled me like some villain to the entire continent. Do you remember what gives me strength, Shade?" He asks, closing his shaky eyes as his fists quiver in clear agitation. "Anger," Relon answers, revealing slitted eyes. "I may not be able to go back to the life I once had before Senate made me into their hunter. I may not be capable of letting this lingering positivity, this fleeting thread of purity wade upon the rapids of my life alongside those I care about, but if I'm going to succumb to such despair then I'll curse those that caused it. Use the power I do have and make them suffer! Even if I can no longer live, if my little sister, Claire, Laura, Musse, those of Class VII, of Thors, if any damn orphan can see another day with this cursed human race clashing conflicts and ideals over and over to the point that meaningless bloodshed will finally cease, then SO. FUCKING. BE IT!" He ends, panting from the absence of air. "My strength comes not from the absent marking they took. It comes from me. Just like you and your powers. The more angry I get, the more ruination that befalls me, the stronger I can become, Shade. Don't think I want to rely on such a way of life. I'll keep fighting. Not for me, but for those fighting for me." Quietly, he fell back onto the awaiting Pippin. Slitted eyes widening back out into normal pupils, he raises a balled fist to strike the wall causing the structure to shake.

Releasing a long, unsteady breath, his fist lowers revealing the ruptured hole in said wall.

"Sorry, Shade. I can't just let it all go. Not yet. The negatives that have affected me have taken away other strengths but they've also given me some in return. I don't plan to linger on any dark path. Truly, I don't. But if there's a way, a guarantee, of ensuring the safety of everyone regardless of my own self, then I gotta take it."

"A path like that, isn't one you can just linger on. It will always haunt you wherever you go in life, I can't even sleep because of it! I thought that way you know, if I could stop people and in turn save the people I care for then I'll do whatever it takes… But here I am, lost everyone I cared for because they saw me as the only way to win. All I got was nightmares and a scarred mind. I buried Tio after losing myself after her death, buried my best friend right after that! Yet it was their belief in me, that single question that kept me as ME!"

Relon could tell. Shade didn't care about the small pain that came from looking at him in the eyes, nor about the subtle treks of blood streaking from his very eye sockets.

"And what was that, 'cursed human race?' Do you not even see yourself as them anymore? Or has all those titles and stuff about what blood is in you made you forget!? Enough about what this Senate did or wants from you, what they picture you as! Do you want them to be right!? DO YOU WANT TO BE A MONSTER!?"

"Human?" This time, a shudder as though terrified escapes the hybrid. "Now that I've seen how human beings are, how easily they can love and support you one minute to… before turning on you and attempting to kill you only to be restrained by the authorities… The yelling, the tears of anguish over something I didn't even do, then I…" He stops as though there's a lump in his throat.

For the first time since that tragic day atop the snowy mountain, Relon felt the sensation. Once an inkling feeling no more. Out in the open he expressed it with no shield before Shade; pure, genuine, fear.

"Then I don't think I want to claim myself as a human…"

The ominous silence that followed; it made Relon's shivering for seem so weak and he knew it.

"News flash, humans aren't the only race that does that! Monsters in the wild, a breed of dog, even a cat will every so often scratch you! If you don't see yourself as a human then why even try to fight for them? Or do you see yourself as above them and treat them as pets?"

In the blink of an eye, like a flicker, Relon's eyes shifted back into slits upon hearing such an allegation.

"You think I don't know that?! It's a doggy dog world, I get that! I simply can't grasp the sudden change in nature from a city scratch that- a nation all because of one mistake! If the human heart is that fragile that it'll turn on a stranger then I don't know where the line is drawn between what is right and wrong! If that were me, I'd certainly as hell be cognitive enough to recognize the situation instead of dropping everything I'm doing to beat up some kid that caused an honest mistake! And the hell are you spouting?! Racial superiority? Don't put some asinine crap like that on me! I care just as much about humanity as the next guy! I am just questioning whether I want to include myself as a part of it! I'm the guy going to put a stop to this world's madness and get back to my own! And what about you?! You're getting on me about who I am! Who are you?!"

"I'm me. A guy out of time trying his best. Yeah I may be different but I talked, ate and even partied with humans so much that I never even thought of the word… And yeah, people will turn on you from a simple mistake. Some may know it as wrong, those that beat on you no doubt knew it was wrong, but when they are angry and afraid they don't care at that point. By that point the masses will join them because that's what they do, they will hate you and want you dead! Yet it's those people, your friends and those that are smart enough to know better, those are the opinions that are worth a damn!"

"Did what I say earlier go in one ear and out the other?! I have to get back into the people's good grace because of those that care about me! If I didn't have to worry on the aftereffects of my actions and what that would cause on them! If my friends, my family, those that just know me become hurt because of solely that, because of humans that don't like me; then those opinions that mean the world to me would be gone."

"HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL!" Blood seeping from his eyelid, the anger on Shade's face doesn't let up. "I killed one man and they killed half a town of people! I kept winning and they went after innocents! I saved heroes and they killed my friends! These weren't some godly beings, not some demons… they were human like everyone else and they did so much worse to others besides me! If you get so scared because of what people will do to your loved ones, all because of how they see you then change it!" Relenting, likely to let his eyes rest, Shade speaks once more. "Or are you going to be scared of humans for the rest of your life?"

"That's why I'm trying to change it all! Their opinions, the possible outcomes! I get what you're saying! I get what you've been through! My world is shit! Your world is shitier! All worlds in the cosmos, the universe, and beyond are shit! I'm scared, okay? I'm terrified of the risks that what I do will cause on others. If some old man next door gets fed up with me trying to help, he could get a gun and blow out the brains of my best friend! I don't have the power to transcend space and time so that's it!" He growls to once again bang his fist, this time rubble from cracks around the roof descend around them. "I get it." He grumbles. "I'm… still trying to wrap my head around everything. The good, the bad, and the things that have yet to happen. It's a pile of answers no amount of advice will solve. It's something I gotta figure out for myself."

"You're right, no amount of advice from me or anyone would help, not when you're like this. You're in Class VII yet you think some old man with a gun could hurt them? Even that Musse girl can hold her own, don't ask how I know," Shade sighs walking up to the hybrid. "The world is shit indeed, yet you keep on and on seeing it as that. Your friends and family at home are supporting you still. Rinwell here is supporting you and hell now you got my flag behind you! Yet don't think of them as weak enough to let people walk over them to get to you, each one of them is stronger than you think." He places a tender hand on Relon's shoulder giving a confident smirk. "Also, language."

"... I know. Feels like our roles are reversed now…" Relon mumbles.

"Sometimes you need to see the other side to understand what to do. I'm not perfect or even close to it… I know I can't protect everyone, I still have my own shit to deal with just like you. For me, the belief of those that have passed is keeping me going. You have those people still and their beliefs in you. Don't let that go to waste, but don't let it get to you either."

"... Duly noted." He huffs out a tired breath leaning back for Pippin to catch him. "Damn. I'm exhausted even more now."

"You did get heated there. Since you've calmed down… what the hell is this 'mistake' you kept bringing up?" He finally asks, leaning against the wall as Relon does the same staring upwards absently at the ceiling.

"It happened recently. Technically only two weeks ago. You could say I was fighting the Zero of my world. Someone who also happened to be from my family. Well… one of his lieutenants was fending my friends and I off. She… 'evolved' so-to-speak. Before we could do anything, an entire imperial battalion of trained soldiers vanished. All because I chose to fight. Which coincidentally signaled to a lot of friends from all over to come help. It's just… their lives were there one minute and gone the next. We couldn't tell the civilians the true cause behind their deaths so… I took the blame to protect the royal family. Bringing it up leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Something that won't easily go away until my Zero pays for his transgressions. If you're going to bring up that it's not my fault, I know. I saw a chance to end a possible tyrant and I took it. Even with the power of Aidios, I could only break his mask…"

"Yeah, I can see why you think it's your fault. Yet those men and women signed up knowing they could very well die, their families knew as well what could happen and so did those that sent them into battle. While I may not understand why you couldn't tell people the truth, I can say that blaming yourself for their deaths is meaningless."

"I wouldn't call it blaming. More like frustratingly accepting the fact that they died." He sighs.

"That's the tough part… Two years ago for me I had just set out into the world to face the Dominion. I was 14 and naive. I went to Langport and there I saw just how bad it could be; slaves everywhere and the resistance fighting out in the open using hit and run tactics. One day was all it took for shit to hit, I met one of the Dominion Knights, an ass named Crest." Noting his fellow protagonist scratch the back of his neck, Relon could only figure that the trauma from such an event was difficult to remember as well. "He was twisted and sick, yet during our fight I won because of my demon blood. I was angry and lost control for a moment. I tore him apart and what happened next? The Dominion killed all the slaves and the resistance cell in the city, all because a Knight had died."

"The hell is with us and these shitty experiences?"

"Guess fate just loves to make us suffer, yet each time I made it through because of the people around me. No doubt more shit will come but the only thing we can do is deal with it and hope for the best. At least that's what people I knew told me."

"I've heard a similar thing." Eyes shifting to the door, Relon looks over to Shade with a knowing though somewhat unperturbed look.

"So…" Shade sighs. "What was that about last time? About Aurelia and Millium dying? I didn't ask last time because to be honest, I didn't have much of an opinion on you then."

"Honestly, I'm still piecing that together. I was only going off of what my future self warmed me of. I know Millium is related to Claire and Lechter though I haven't met her personally. As for Aurelia, she's my classmate. With how skilled she is in Class VII, being told that… is hard to believe. I only wish I knew how exactly. But what I meant before regarding those are the laws that are bound by Aidios. Saying or even doing certain things can alter the fabric of reality basically. Though since coming here, nothing of the sort has happened. At least to my knowledge so it may be that this world simply is unaffected. Whether due to Zero or Aidios or some other omnipotent being."

"...Your classmate? Huh, she's a full blown general in my world, guess that's another difference we have. As for Millium, I didn't know her but… good luck once you do. As for these laws, I'm pretty sure I broke a shit ton already."

"Huh. I can actually see that, oddly enough. With how well versed in academics and clubs not to mention her prowess with a blade, it honestly fits. As for you, yeah, I have a feeling you have."

"Guess that means rules are meant to be broken, at least for me. Could be because of my blood or my world doesn't care."

"Why does what you just said feel like a reference to something? Oh well." At that, both shrug.

"Anyway, got a lot of this ore here. Since I made Rinwell a little something already, want me to make you something?"

"Me? Like what though?"

"I don't know, it could be anything. Besides, I don't need to rest and I'll be bored while you and all those people OUTSIDE GET THEIR REST!"

Hearing ruckus outside for only a moment, they can only shake our heads.

"Well, that was bound to happen." Relon notes. "Still… what to make…?" Going into thought for a long moment, he eventually looks to Shade. "I have a very specific idea."

"Write it down, I'll see what I can do." Complying, he does so before handing it off to Shade.

"Tried to be as specific but still realistic as I could."

Peering at the piece of paper, Shade read it.

[Three bracelets that can interweave into one. Preferably of a similar spiral structure. Each with their own slot for a gem to boost a certain affinity. If possible, one fire and two waters.]

"I don't think I can do these gems, but I can make the slots. Jeez, really putting my skills to the test with this design." Placing the paper down, he points to Relon's arm. "Wrist please."

Acknowledging, he holds it out. Jotting some simple measurements down, he moves away.

"So, three bracelets that can turn into one? Right?"

"Yeah." Relon nods for a smile to exude from the gun-user.

"Alright, I'll make sure they can fit smaller wrists in that case."

"Why are you smiling?" Relon narrows, the meaning behind such words as plain as day.

"Oh nothing, I'll make sure to give them a little mark so you know which one goes to which girl~"

"I hate you." He deadpans floating out and to the entrance to halt. "Make the red one for Laura."

Done with listening to anymore remarks, he leaves. In doing so, Relon immediately notices his companions far off. As if having awaited for either to exit, they coincidentally turn his way.

"Oh, Relon!" Rinwell calls jogging from the center towards him. "Is everything okay?"

Least she isn't feigning ignorance.

"Yeah. Just more talk between us was all."

"Talking usually doesn't involve making an in-ground structure rumble," she deadpans. "Though I suppose it is a good sign of your strength coming back. You should really get some rest. Van is already knocked out."

"What about you?" He arches a brow. "You all should be-"

"Don't go shifting the direction of the conversation," Shizuna says having arrived with Magilou. "I only took minimal injuries unlike the rest of you. Besides, we need more than one person keeping an eye out."

"It's a drag but sword-girl here has a point." Magilou sighs with an uncaring gesture. "You two kids go get some rest. If we need you, Shade'll likely start blasting and shouting."

"You seriously have no taste in anything but bluntness," Rinwell remarks.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Given the amount of time you two have gotten to know one another, I figured it would be obvious by now."

"You think we wanted that?!" Both girls shout in unison.

"Pfft, you two are a comedic sight. That's for sure," Shizuna giggles. "Go rest up, Relon, Rinwell."

"But-"

"Ah! No buts! Now shoo." Magilou gestures pushing Rinwell.

"H-Hey! Relon, say something!"

"What's there to say? They're right." He answers heading for Roselia's abode. "No point in arguing."

Pouting, Rinwell allows this small defeat as she falls into step with him.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Not in the slightest," he answers, keeping his eyes forward for Rinwell to sigh.

"When was the last time you were?" Pausing at the hole in the wall, he shrugs.

"Who knows." Not awaiting any further discussion nor wishing to continue, he vanishes into the home and up the steps. In opening the door to his mother's room, his eyes trail to Munechika in her cat form curled up on the bed.

Seeming to have sensed him, her head lifts as her small tail sways expectantly. Feigning eye contact, the subtle shift of her gaze not leaving makes him release a defeated breath.

"You're not getting out that easy," Rinwell cheekily comments for a twitch to escape the male as she brings up his rear. "May as well accept your fate."

Quietly approaching as Munechika moves out of the way, he settles into the bed. Hearing the giggle of his cousin, he can only grumble his acceptance until he feels himself drift.

BANG!

Shooting up, eyes at attention, Relon traces over the eyes of an awakened Rinwell, Munechika, and Hootle to immediately know. He had no chance to know how much time had passed. It felt as though he had only closed his eyes for seconds but clearly it had not been. Opening their room's door, they meet Van having done the same.

"We got company," is all he says vaulting over the balcony before exiting through the giant hole.

Taking a single step, Relon winces to kneel.

"Damn it, still?! Go!" Nodding, Rinwell and Munechika rush down the hall to the side balcony. "To be useless at a time like this…!" Relon growls limping his way over and to the room where Van rested. Carefully, he peeks out a window at the fight below.

Zero's soldiers had encroached upon their sanctuary, or what of it could still be called such.

How?! Was our movement that predictable?! Did Zero already suspect this to be our hideout and simply didn't bother to deal with us then? Why, though? Because he didn't care? Because he sees it all as some game?

Looking out the window, he watches as Shizuna fends off several soldiers while pushing Magilou back. In a flash of light, Munechika appears taking the witch and vanishing, allowing Shizuna to tend to the soldiers.

"What the hell?!" Head whirling back to see the rambunctious witch, the sudden surge in stress lessens just a little as she takes notice of his presence. "Why are Zero's goons here?!" She rushes over peering out the window.

"How should I know?!" He growls. "That's what I'm trying to figure out!"

Nothing about the situation made sense.

He comes…

"Grk!" Relon winces, holding his stomach, keeling over.

Again?!

"Hey, what's wrong?"

The Emissary… of Zero…!

"Relon? Hey! Get up!"

All at once the clear vision began to bleed black.

"I… can't…" He grumbles in a slur.

"What do you mean you can't?! Kinda need you to help Shade and the others!" She rocks back-and-forth.

"Ma…gi…lou…" He breathes for his head to slack, a power not his own taking him.

"Come on out, Relon! I want to have a good fight to see just what those swords of yours can do!" A voice, unfamiliar hollers. Head peeking out as subtle as she can, a man stands far off on the other side towards the open field with Shade as the lone person between them and him. Plus, given the bad guy is pointing their way, she could tell their situation wasn't getting any better. "Ugh, come on Relon!"

"RELON, COME ON OUT!"

"Relon, there's a bad guy that's ugly and intimidating wanting to speak with you~. Now would be a wonderful time to WAKE UP AND GO TELL HIM WE'RE NOT INTERESTED!"

Subconscious

The soft sensation that once adorned his skin now lies sturdy and rough yet equally as warm. He knew this feeling. He's felt it numerous times throughout his life. The calm blinking of his eyes upon the familiar forest told him exactly where he was.

Carefully raising to inspect his surroundings, sure enough, he was in the confines of his subconscious. Carefully rising, he looks around the isolated path.

I'm not in the clearing…

Looking in the direction it lies, something stirs within. Placing a hand over his chest, he looks up ahead at the trail.

This feeling… It's back…

Pushing forward into the heart of Lunaria, he eventually nears its radius. As he does, the ill feeling he's felt in spurts surges to his chest. Clenching his torso to feel a shock, he staggers forward out of reflex.

"Ouch!"

In doing so, his eyes trail upwards to halt. It wasn't out of fear or even shock, simply relief.

Before him at the epicenter lies a crystalized flame where inside showed the clear silhouette of Nameless.

For what feels like yet another spurt of emotions, he takes off. Panting, nearly tripping over himself. He ran as fast as his fatigue would allow. As though the small distance was the equivalent to running a mile, his ragged breath met the humid air.

Like a game of tag, the simple touch of the hard structure against his palms gave way to the irrefutable fact that before him stood the entity he's missed since beginning this excruciating and tolling journey.

"Nameless, hey… Nameless, I'm right here. Wake up!"

It was then that he noticed it. Had the flamed crystal not been transparent, he would have easily missed it. A black crystalized flame identical to Nameless' own.

"You have quite the abode, Relon Lucinance." A cold, sinister, and all too familiar voice greets. From behind the black crystal steps… Relon?

Rushing in front of Nameless, Relon glares down the figure as they hop to seat atop the black crystal.

"Forget the 'how you're here.' What did you do to Nameless?!" He demands with clenched fists.

"I've done nothing. Honest. Your… roommate was already like that. As for the 'how,' well, remember that little exchange you had with little Grimoire?"

In doing so, his mind returns to that brief moment that invisible force slammed into him. In realization, he can only click his teeth in frustration.

"So that's how you knew where we were…"

"Bingo!"

"As for that, you copied it after Nameless."

"Errr! Wrong! This guy was here before I snuck in." He sounds while knocking on the crystal in emphasis.

"What? Then, why-"

"Because I'm curious." Widening at Zero suddenly in his face, Relon reflexively jerks back, thrusting a punch for the entity to catch it. "Curious on what a fellow elemental is doing here in Erebonia and not The Beyond. Though now that I really look at you, you're different. Ah yes, she did mention you were a hybrid."

He couldn't tell what was worse. Whatever was happening with Shade and the others out there? Or Zero having been closest to them this entire time ready to do who knows what?

What mattered was several things. He needed to figure out Nameless' condition. The likely cause behind it lied in his inability to use fire with his marking stripped but anything Zero says can't be trusted. He also needed to figure out what that other crystal was about. No way it seriously just popped up before Zero slivered into his body.

He was at a disadvantage in every possible way. He was by himself, no Luna to bail him out, barely any strength to let alone stand, and no swords- Wait.

Everytime I end up here, so does Pippin. Pappan recently too so where are they?

There was a tingle, something that had it been any stronger, it could have made him shiver from the sensation alone. That was all the confirmation he needed.

"I'm a hybrid. So what?"

"Your potential is vast territory yet unexplored. Look at what you've accomplished thus far? No normal human or even a full elemental would take adapting as quickly as you have to your abilities."

"Get to the point!" At that, his curious visage shifts into a sinister sneer.

"You'd be a perfect host for myself, wouldn't you say?"

Immediately, his mind went to Sephiroth; an elemental taken over by an embodied evil. "Given I can die a lot easier than Shade, I'm more surprised you're not going for him."

"I could but I'd rather have you first and once I've adjusted, then I can take my time with him. It's not like either of you have any chance of defeating me. You've taken out one reactor. Congratulations!" He releases Relon's hand to applaud before vanishing, reappearing behind him. "But you've only made taking down the last three all the harder for yourselves." Throwing a back fist for Zero's head to become mist, he puts space between them to stumble. "Ah, this is most enjoyable. You haven't even realized it yet." He chuckles as his head retakes its shape. "My influence has certainly made your recovery quite odd, wouldn't you say?"

"So it was your doing." Relon growls. "I knew something was off."

"Pfft, silly Lucinance. I had to make your recovery look somewhat normal and you and your friend expressing such heartfelt and devoted feelings was the perfect way to do just that!" Eyes bucking wide to narrow, a sudden breeze washes over the vast space. "Oh? Did that touch a nerve?"

Without a word, Relon appears in front of the entity. With a careless tilt of his head, he dodges the fist for Relon to shift to a sidekick which Zero catches.

"NOW!" Head perking, his eyes snap to see a blur come directly at him.

"No." He answers, lifting a hand as a dark barrier forms, stopping Pappan in its tracks. "Awe, a sneak attack in this space? Come now, you must-"

Cut off by the subtle crack from the ground, his eyes are now the pair to go big. Momentum suddenly dragging the evil being skyward by Pippin's hook embedding itself in his jaw, only a surprised grasp can be heard. "YOU INSOLENT TOOL!" He exclaims unleashing a plume of darkness.

Diving for cover behind Nameless, moments pass as he looks to the now quiet forest alive in darkness.

"Pippin, Pappan," He breathes out at the safety of said friend and its sibling returning to his side. Looking as Zero huffs before descending back down, he grimaces. "Pappan, go." He calls, stepping forward. "Help Shade and the others." For once, it was the sword's turn to inwardly turn and question the male. "You've gone with everything I've done up until now without question and I couldn't be anymore grateful. Right now, there's a problem out there that the others need you specifically. Leave this problem to us! After all, I gotta get you back to Alister and mom, don't I?"

Angbar has experienced much since its creation. The separation of its twin, the life of being with the Beyond's Emissary and the lazy Almighty Conflagration, the acceptance in Ouroboros, and despite all of that; it could not make sense of the Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance. Time to delve on such a deep topic lied not within this moment however.

Giving a nod, it fades away.

"Thanks, Pappan. I owe you one." Soft demeanor shifting, his scowl goes full force as his black zemurian gloves manifest over balled fists. "Let's go, Pippin! Nameless protected us and now it's time to return the favor!"

"That was a cheap shot, Relon."

"If you think I won't fight dirty when you waltzed into my head, then that ego of yours needs a lot of fixing!" Splitting off, both charge in an attempted pincer attack.

"Such feeble efforts. How pitiful!" With a snap, both are sent away by a shockwave. "Come now, let's do this as long as you two want! Then I can finally rid all life from this world!"

"This…" Relon begins, shakily getting on all fours to glare at the amused entity. "Isn't where this world's story ends. This…" He continues to hunch over as Pippin is taken by his grip. "Is where it begins!" With another lunge, he strikes the forcefield.

"Speaking from experience, are we? Do you honestly believe some self-hype and a surge of strength can grant you a glance at overturning such odds and becoming the victor? Surely, an elemental such as yourself truly knows how palpable your strength rivals my own! Especially without that mark of yours!"

Gritting his teeth as the grip around Pippin tightens, he can only wince as tendrils from the barrier spring outwards.

"Don't forget I'm a mortal too!" Leaning backwards to avoid the first strike, he allows Pippin to hastily drag him away from the multi-attack. Flipping back to skid in front of the two crystals, his fatigue becomes more apparent.

"I have no issue dancing at your pace but the question is, Relon Lucinance, can you dance at mine?" With a snap, two dark circles appear overhead of both crystals. "Let's start by ridding of those two, shall we?"

"NO!" Mustering what little strength he has, both wielder and weapon split to land atop the crystals. Reeling a fist back, he meets the attack as does Pippin. "Gah!" He grunts, hunkering to support his embedded arm resisting what he can. "Pippin…!" Like himself, the divine sword was already losing its war of strength.

"Hahaha, this is too good! That red one is understandable but why bother with the black crystal? It's just like me? It just waltzed in uninvited! That's pretty hypocritical, Relon!"

Krovanh, Agria, Asuma, and Sephiroth! Now Zero! All they do is cause pain and misery distorting the world into their own illusion! Elementals like that… are beings… that don't belong in this world!

"Nameless…! Pip…pin…! We… won't quit!" He musters own dropping to a knee. "No matter the cost…! We won't quit…! Rinwell, Shade, Shizuna, Musse…!"

Whether his anger or the spite he held that treaded along that mindset, he couldn't tell. All he realized was the faint surge of something. A sensation he had bore witness to multiple times.

Claim it…

It was a familiar voice.

Use it… Embrace it…

Evil. He knew it was and yet… it wasn't.

Relon… Lucinance…

Nameless?

No. Similar in tone but not quite. It's own sense of self felt corrupt, hungry for carnage. For revenge. As though a weeping child ready to blame the world for all the tragedies that have spawned around the unfortunate soul.

Use it… Our power…

Except…

Our flames…

This "false Nameless" knew what it was inferring. Stealing such darkness and making it his own… Was that even possible?

Our… Spirit Unification…

He's done it once accidentally with Victor, didn't he? Surely, he could do it again.

For everyone…

Once more, he buckles under the weight of Zero's pressure.

The risk was too great and yet, if he didn't gamble now, everyone could be in greater danger from what was inside himself rather than whoever was outside.

Embrace it… make his power, my power yours…

What the hell is this thing regarding? Zero's power or his own?

Senate Hunter…

Eyes widening, more and more of his vision begins to be shrouded in darkness.

For your clan… For Kanade…

"H-How do you-"

Musse…

As if wrung from his mind, all around him vanishes.

"What the…" Hearing a sudden rush of water, he turns to find a restored Ordis. "Hell?"

"Hmpf." Head snapping upwards to Zero, that churning feeling within his stomach emerges as his eyes refocus straight to widen in horror at the mint-haired girl strolling along. From a single finger descends a tiny glowing orb.

"MUSSE!"

No matter how fast or how hard he ran, the distance between him and his partner only seemed to grow further and further away. From nowhere, roots emerge tripping him. Struggling, he can only look up. As if through some divine intervention, Musse turned. Their eyes met and then… chaos.

At once, two explosions of pitch-black surge in all directions overtaking the darkness-filled forest in purple and black flames.

"What?" It was a statement of wonder rather than awe or even shock.

The Zero within Relon's consciousness did not have his omnipotent power as his real body and the risk of being overcome by the host before him was indeed a possibility but given the hybrid's recent events, all signs of such a possibility should have been sealed off.

As wisps of black flutter to the ground, his eyes can clearly see the cause behind his slight conundrum. Veiled in a black coat of flickering flames, upright upon the dark crystal stood Relon Lucinance.

It was only now that he realized it. The power belonging to Zero and now himself is similar to Nameless' own.

Malevolence. The power of darkness, of demise, of death.

This altered power was Spirit Unification. Sans the markings, the power couldn't be any better a replica. Whether a simple trait all elementals bore or not, he didn't care…

Disgusting. Putrid. Vile. No words could describe the power flowing through Relon. He's bore witness to it by both those under Ishmelga and Zero. Such distorted emotions left his mind swirling. Yet, despite the maelstrom of emotions that sent his head in every direction, the point of his fury lied directly ahead as clear as the once beautiful waters of Ordis.

Hearing a crack, he looks down to see the essence of the dark crystal seep into his form until nothing remains as his feet gently touch the ground.

"Oh? So that's what you've done. You meddlesome thing…" Zero mumbles landing on the ground having beared witness to the spectacle. "Bravo," Zero claps walking forward. "I must say, I'm impressed. That thing chose you. It's as though you were predestined to reach this point. Tell me, do you hate me? Want to kill me like I did your poor dear Musse? Well, let's-"

"Enough," the layered voice of Relon orders, sounding like that of a demonic entity once more. Orbiting his form lies his ever faithful partner. Reeling it back, his own black aura bursts to life. "Ablaze!"

Zero's own body can only jitter in anticipation as Pippin's form becomes hidden by the flames before a crescent-like attack hurdles his way.

"Well now, this just got interesting!" Clapping his hands, a barrier appears for Relon to burst forward past his own attack and in front of the shield.

Reeling back a fist, he strikes shattering the dome and continuing to slam into the shocked Zero. Resisting for a moment, he succumbs to the force sending him off like a ragdoll.

Recovering to land on his feet, his eyes snap forward for a single twitch to pass before dozens upon dozens of copies emerge. Retaking his aerial position, Zero crosses his arms in satisfaction.

"How shall you deal with this?" At once, all of the Zeros point at Relon as dim balls of the same attack that took Musse charges. "Well?" Facial features hidden behind his fringes, he snaps his hand into the air. "How shall you- What?!" Now taken aback, the dark energy from the orbs of ruin seep into the air before arcing down and into Relon's palm. "You're absorbing my attack?!" Grasping his hand into a fist, a shockwave ruptures the ground all around him, vanquishing all the copies until Zero, Relon, Pippin, and the dormant Nameless remain. Recovering to eye the male, Zero cannot help but narrow in slight annoyance. "Something about you changed." In an instant, Zero's careful eye gleams with malicious intent once more. "It seems playtime has passed." At those words, a veil of corrupt darkness overtakes Zero. Extending a hand, a black scythe materializes. "Let's have some fun, Relon!"

"No."

Head lifting at attention as his eyes suddenly find Nameless alone, Zero leans forward feeling strands of his copied hair sever from his head as an intolerable heat washes behind. Rotating his scythe, flames comes alive along the blade for Relon to grasp the attempted sneak attack with his gloved hand.

"Excuse me? Did you say 'no?'"

"A life that's lost can never return. It's gone forever. A pure elemental's body isn't the same as a human's. Why do you steal people's lives? Why do you ruin them? What is it that makes a life such evil interesting? Tell me," he speaks calmly revealing his dull, slitted eyes. "What do you think life is exactly?"

"Asking me such a thing now of all times? Do you believe you have the high ground in this situation?" No response came which only seemed to make the soon-to-be-God more upset had he been given an answer. A subtle glance at his scythe stuck tells all that needs to be told. "It's rather simple. I'm superior than those on Earth. As the one special amongst the man not, I feel as I can do as I please. This continent, soon this world, will be my personal playground so-to-speak. All are dolls and I am the who shall be the ringmaster and everything breathing are my tools to use as I see fit. That damned Aidios created us and expected us to not have a will?!" At the sudden exclamation, the scythe vanishes for Zero to put distance flying high above Relon. "She wishes for a perfect utopia?!" A black ball manifests overhead. "To hell, no, the furthest pits of Gehenna with that!" A surge of power goes into it pumping its size to double its original mass. "I've closed off this world so she couldn't meddle in the likes of my joy!" Bigger. "My happiness!" Bigger. "MY DREAM! I've finally grasped my vision I've chased after and I'll be damned if a mettlesome hybrid, some witch, a stupid magician, and some mashed-up mortal stops me!" Bigger. "I'LL TAKE OVER YOUR BODY AND DEAL WITH THE REST AND THEN NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO STOP ME!"

The orb of ruination. That would be a good title for what Zero was ready to unleash. Its towering size seemingly blanketed the clear sky that if not upon closer inspection, Relon would believe he was still awake. However, in the face of such power, he felt no fear. The sheer destructive capability that attack held could possibly kill him if it were to make contact with the ground or even Nameless. Yet he wasn't perturbed in the slightest. All his mind could do was accept that answer given. It didn't matter. After all… he'd kill Zero regardless.

"I see."

"BEGONE!"

Launching it, the mass of destruction slowly descends. With every second, the rushing power from the attack increases. The trees coated in elements began to be vaporized from the sheer radius of the orb.

Despite the incoming danger capable of snuffing all existence within this plane of existence, he could still feel the sensation of what made Relon a Lucinance.

Calm and stoic visage snaps to fury as bellowing black flames expand like a rush of light. In an instant, the entire surface floods with the relentless fire.

"Flames?!"

Floating before him, Pippin needs only to nod as he's grasped by his fellow friend. In the face of destruction, he rose from it. Like a vacuum, a funnel of black began to spiral around and into the blade. Shimmering a murky black, its feelings connect.

Stilling his beating heart not from the rush of the situation, but of their newly acquired strength, Relon's eyes snap open. In doing so, Pippin transforms. Elongating in a coat of flames, it readies for what to come now once again in the form of a greatsword.

"More," Relon urges as the power of the orb seeps outwards ahead and into him, causing Pippin to lengthen to greater distance. Subtly, the orbs own size weakens.

"You're absorbing my orb? I think not!" With another thrust, more and more negative energy amasses into the attack.

Reeling Pippin back, searing the ground with the steady reposition, Relon steps one foot forward as flames burst to life in a ring of fire.

"Solar Impact." He chants to himself, pivoting and spinning a heavy rotation to arch Pippin's blade at an angle. "Crescent…" He swings horizontally, unleashing the massive black cleave of fire. Parting the visible haze of elemental residue, it impacts the orb causing a shockwave to wash over. "Horizon!" He gyrates his form once more to strike vertically downwards as the residual purple crescent fire gives chase behind its black.

"Tch, how is such a simple attack repelling my own!" Zero scowls for his eyes to catch it. More and more, his vision could see the endpoints of the two crescents. "Don't tell me… they're absorbing our elemental affinities as well!" He had realized it too late. Like roots, the edges of the four-pointed attack had begun to seep through the orb until only flames of malevolence could be seen. "He absorbed it all! Not only that!" Zero grimaces soaring to the side of the incoming attack. "Absorbing my orb didn't slow down its speed! Damn it, at this rate I'll vanish! I have to absorb-"

In that moment, Zero didn't hesitate. His own existence was on the line and he had to preserve it at all costs. A moment of weakness; something Relon would not let pass. Unbeknownst to the entity, he had appeared. There was a sudden lack of forlorn that emanated from the hybrid's very being. It was at that very instance however Zero's decision would be his downfall.

On a dime, his previous thoughts vanished. He'd discard the chance to ensure his own sustainability to ensure Relon died. As his arms turned to tendrils already nearing his soon-to-be-host, he suddenly lost the feeling of his limbs. His entire body ceased to function at that horrific realization. Yes, his arms had been severed. There they were now engulfed by the primordial fire that was the Lucinance's attack.

He needed to regenerate before Relon could strike again. Attempting to regain control, an emotion he hadn't felt returned. Fear. The singed nubs of his ligaments having been seared off no longer heeded his own authority.

"H-How…?" It was all the entity could muster as Relon places his right hand imbued with flames in front of the villain's face.

"You're an inferior copy of the original. I am simply superior."

"Y-You're a fool! You'll never defeat my main body!" Zero growls.

"Challenging us in a place we rule was your biggest mistake." With a snap, the Crescent Horizon ceases mere feet from them. "Taking over my friends, my home, killing countless innocents, especially Musse…"

From Relon's back, black wisps take on the form of demonic wings. Another snap comes for Zero's body to move, stretching itself out against his will.

"If you do this, you'll regret it! I'll make certain of that, Relon Lucinance!"

Uncaring, Pippin embeds itself in the entity's chest for it to cough black substances.

"That's where you're wrong." He says to snap a third time for the Crescent Horizon to disperse into countless black embers. Slowly, they orbit the two, carefully increasing in speed, until both hover within the expanse of the fiery typhoon. Lodging Pippin from its container, Relon booms toward the cyclone's ceiling. Grasping Pippin with both hands, it too becomes coated in black and purple. "The very power that is evil itself will be the last thing you see." At that, the whirling funnel of flames churn as if in response to his very emotions.

"YOU DARE TO THREATEN A GOD?!"

A God.

Yes, he once upon a time believed no God existed. Then he met Luna. She forced him to accept the reality of divine beings existing. Except, Zero was not such a title. He refused to believe such. Therefore...

"What's a God… to a non-believer?"

The cold echo that followed shook not just the entity but the entire domain down to its foundation. Whenever he needed more power, his emotions would answer the call. For power comes in response to a need more than a desire. However, when both align, a need and desire, that is when Relon Lucinance breaks his mold surpassing his peak.

Regripping Pippin, flames protrude out Zero's back as Pippin is severed from his body.

The Arseid style focused on the stability of offensive capabilities and defensive options utilizing one's own physique and spatial awareness of not just themselves but that around them. Relon realized quickly after adopting the Beastial Arts that his lack of practice in his swordsmanship would not dull as he had originally feared.

Yes, the martial art created by Yujiro Namikaze was developed with the basic animal styles as a base to which he added his own personal experiences to further amplify its effectiveness. One such experience that went into the style was the Arseid School for the potency of such hand-to-hand combat involving grand swings, thus requiring large areas for maximum effectiveness as though one was utilizing a greatsword themselves.

Therefore, Relon Lucinance's own experience with the blade may have come to a halt, but his effectiveness with it only made his swordsmanship skyrocket. Even if only merely his way of handling such a heavy extension of himself. To the average fighter, it would appear as though one swinging such a heavy weapon even once would take time before they could ready a second strike. For a young man like Relon, half elemental being with superior physical capabilities trained under the strongest man on the continent, only the eyes of an experienced fighter could keep up.

All that Zero could do was bear witness to the relentless onslaught of an enraged Relon Lucinance. An elemental whose strength stemmed from their emotions…

The first strike. A slash so potent, residual embers remained as the mirrored slash left an indent in the ground below.

A second strike.

Then a sixth. Followed by the thirteenth.

The speed in transition from one to another could not be properly processed as Zero's mind could only now acknowledge the first cut and its effects on his spectral form.

Countless, concise, slashes struck Zero. Within seconds after the initial hit, he had succumbed to the unyielding barrage. It was only after the attack ceased for an eighth of a second did his mind realize the sudden pause. In doing so, his vision could only watch as the ceiling of fire whirled to the ground and then back up before meeting the fiery abyss below with a hard slam.

Then it clicked. He was spun.

A searing pain matching his lost arms but far worse. He couldn't feel his lower half meaning he had been decapitated. Likely lodged in the wild fire tornado amongst indents and grooves of slash marks where above lied Relon. Tears of anguish and sorrow laid evident in that moment. The droplets evaporated as soon as they left his eyes. Zero could not grasp why he suddenly could see such a detail compared to literal micro seconds prior nor how much of his power had been stolen. All he could do was register the nothingness that followed the plunge.

"Solar Impact: Malevolent Eclipse!"

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A/N: I've been slowly working on this since the original part dropped, I swear lol. Part 4 will go up (hopefully) shortly following this one and then the final chapter is upon us! Lemme know yalls thoughts so far! Also check out some of the other stories I've made!

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Relon's New Technique(s)

Solar Impact: Solar/Malevolent Eclipse. A series of double layered burning slashes at blinding speed with a greatsword. Hooking the enemy, Relon sends them downward to follow-up with a fiery plunge of flames.