On and on until the very end

Back at that time when the Guardianship of Caelestia fell after the death of its founder and patron, Spirit Love, Law may have sealed Babel who inhabited Tainted Spirit Freedom but he knew that he didn't have enough power to completely destroy a being that was already fattened by the countless millions that died in the war it started and is probably sourcing more power at dimensions where it has crept into to get here.

The seal was simply a means to stop it from reaching the Roots of Reality where the World Seed that it has already absorbed can grow into the Sea of Stars and finally break into the Original World, the universe that preceded all other fragments and is now frozen in time until all the fragments of reality finds their way back there through some kind of way that not even Law knows about.

Law knew from the very start that there is nothing he can do anymore to stop Babel. Even the lone so-called solution of destroying the Roots of Reality which will destroy the world and the universe it is in will do nothing but just delay the inevitable as Babel will only find another vulnerable universe to enter and subvert into its ends.

He needed to destroy Babel. He needed to make sure that if he is going to act, it will lead to the death of the greatest danger to this world that he was born into.

And yet, he knew that it would be impossible now that Babel has integrated the World Seed into its essence. With that, it can change the destiny of every single being who belongs to this world and affect how things will happen in order serve its agendas for the future.

There came an exception. For in that very fight which he isn't supposed to win at all, came people from beyond this reality who is unaffected by the destiny doled by this world.

Outlanders, Outsiders, Invalids… they had different names for these people. But if there is any name to give them, it was Law who gave it to the one most worthy of it.

[Divine Challenger]

To protect the Principles which the Spirits of yore once represented in this world, she and her descendants chose this path in service of the great promise they gave to Law.

And right now, the one who shall fulfill it trudged forward from a place of great destruction and into where he sensed safety.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

At the outskirts of the Subspace where all of them were drawn into, a young man covered in injuries and exhausted to the point of fainting limped towards what his barely conscious mind senses is safe.

{"You should've just let me fight her, Ephraim."}

"I don't want to, Law. You're not the one in charge here."

Ephraim, who barely escaped the massive explosion that enveloped the entirety of the city district in blinding light and absolute destruction, spoke to his Spirit with an annoyed tone.

{"You should already know that both of them are important to us… but in order to achieve victory, you should be able to set aside you feelings and-"}

"Don't speak to me about feelings, Law. You're going to make me sick."

{"…"}

"She is important to me and many others. They are not my enemy… I would never want them to be my enemy."

Even though Law took control of his body as Justice confronted them through the body of Imamura Kirin, as per their agreement, Ephraim wrestled back his control as soon as the fight was abruptly interrupted by someone's reappearance.

When the dust has settled and the one who initiated that explosion was nowhere to be found, Ephraim found the unconscious body of Kirin on the ground, severely wounded by the explosion but saved from death by her Divine Raiment and Armor that came from Justice's takeover of her body.

"I'm sorry that it has to be this way, sensei. The next time we meet each other, please regain control of your body so that this won't happen again."

After he laid her down at a place where she is well hidden, he left a letter on her hand and made his escape while Justice can't force her awake yet. After gaining enough distance, Ephraim finally writhed in pain from his injuries that he endured during his trek away from the battle area. Now away from there, he thought back on what Shisui said before he blew himself up.

"Before the curtains close… They saw the future and did all of this according to that. But because the future can be changed and I laid every necessary step to nudge it away from what I witnessed back then, their attempt to force that ending right now before it is too late has failed."

{"This is the reason why I never gave my authority over time to anyone. Except for the fact that it is one of my integral principles, there is also the part of it where no one else can handle such a power."}

"I know… even I still lose hours of sleep trying to recover from the impact of knowing such a thing."

{"Do you regret it then, Ephraim?"}

"What exactly?"

{"Accepting my offer back then to be my Vessel."}

Hearing that question, Ephraim stopped walking and straightened his posture from the limping walk that he kept all this time to not aggravate his injuries.

"Not at all… I don't regret it."

{"Are you saying that because you know that you're destined to participate in all of this even if you didn't accept? After all, you are a child of Cecilia."}

"No, not really. It's already a given that I would be involved in this given my heritage, but I also have personal reasons."

Ephraim looked at the glass window beside him and saw his reflection. He is injured and exhausted. But he saw beyond his own pain and suffering and into the memories of what he has achieved ever since he made that choice.

"I saved a lot of people whom I either knew or knew nothing at all. I have given my dear friend the justice he deserved and the people that fought with me victories or saving in wherever we fought at."

Slowly, he walked straight and began to regain his normal upright posture without stumbling or writhing from the pain of his injuries.

"But most importantly, I managed to find a purpose for this life that I thought I would just spend as a passive, unfeeling and pathetic person who shrugs everything away until he truly can't feel anything anymore."

{"Hey, kid…"}

"Yeah?"

{"I made the right choice after all. You really are her child."}

Hearing that, Ephraim can't help but let out a slight chuckle from the amusement of knowing that Law said that with a sense of astonishment.

Ephraim walked for a while more, sensing that a crack in the Subspace is nearby and he can escape from this place.

*Draak---! Drak---!*

"!!!"

However, he heard the sound of two bodies being dragged on the rough ground and a voice that he didn't want to hear again lest it changes the outcome of every step he has taken so far.

"Ara-ara, Rai-sama~!"

"You-!!!"

"What good deed has pretty, little me done to be graced with a lovely encounter with you again~~~!"

The one who appeared behind him is a Miyazono Gardener, one of the obstacles towards his victory and inarguably, the greatest threat he can ever face right now. This is when Ephraim noticed two people wrapped in countless appendages and drawing sharp intakes of breath.

"W-wait… Is that-!?"

"Oh~? These two~? I got distracted with meeting you face to face for the first time that I almost forgot about them. Haven't I made them very, very pretty~!"

"Let go of them!"

These two women are covered from head to toe with wounds and other injuries and are being held by Yoshino using appendages that are wrapped around their bodies.

"Ehh~? But I am having fun with them, y'know?"

*FYAK-!*

Instead of another warning from him, the reply that Yoshino received was a spear thrown towards her with enough force to blow apart the point where her body is connected to the appendages wrapped around Kaede and Mana.

"I've had enough with warnings."

"KYAAAAAHHHHH~~~!!!"

"I'm going to kill you, you monster!"

As Yoshino squealed in ecstasy, Ephraim reformed his Divine Weapon on his hand and prepared the exact revenge with the monster in human form in front of him.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

In the real world, it took only hours for the chaos in New Tokyo to spread out of the new capital to the old capital and beyond.

"Hold the line! We have to contain them in Sagami bay!"

"Sir, the left flank is faltering! They're requesting either reinforcements or permission to retreat!"

"Tell them to hold on for a few more minutes! The reinforcements are almost here!"

Due to the fact that most of their strongest Psychic fighters were taken in the Subspace of the Seers, what remained of the Sumeragi group's officers and leaders was forced to lead the containment of the Malignances that either came from the failed opening attack in Sagami bridge or was released by the Seers of Death to wreak havoc in the city.

In Sunogahara-cho, the safety of the entire settlement was left in the hands of the six core members of the Psychic services department who are leading the remaining 56 other Psychics.

"Koji! Misaki! Get out of here now alongside everyone!"

"No!"

"We're not leaving you here, Jun! Look out behind you!!!"

Although it isn't a large area, Sunogahara-cho is densely populated and so, ensuring not only the safety of the perimeter but also the lives of the citizens took a massive toll for the six members of the Psychic Services Department of the S.S.S.

"Yurippe! Eleven o'clock!"

"Right! Cover me while I'm reloading, Hinata!"

The S.S.S agents, although not facing favorable odds against the Malignances given their lack of psychic power, helped in the evacuation of the civilians as well as the containment of the Malignances. Even its leaders, Yuri and Hinata, took up arms and joined in the fight where the very safety of their last bastion might be broken.

"GRAAAAA---"

*BYUG-!*

"Kikikikikiki-!!!"

"Now, now… Still hoping that you'd get past me, you monsters?!!"

At the one and only entranceway to the Sumeragi syndicate's headquarters in Kabuki-cho, the gatekeeper disposed the strongest Malignance in front of its fellow monsters in such a brutal manner that the others backed away in his presence.

"Come on! I WILL TEAR ALL OF YOU APART!!!"

The tremendous wave of Astra energy that he released made the ground around him to crack and the Malignances that was hit first with the wave to instantly be pulverized into dust.

""

""

Enka and Mira were also fighting against Malignances that entered the outer courtyard and are aiming to get into the inner courtyard of the estate. Using their psychic power, they utilized mirror images produced by water mist to confuse the monsters into fighting and destroying each other.

In the innermost place in the estate where the shrine area is located, Sumeragi Nichirin, the leader of the syndicate, watched over the events that unfolded outside her abode and even inside the Subspace where much of the fighting between Psychics are being held.

"One Seer has sacrificed himself and a few more fights are happening with no clear winner among them."

As if unaffected by what is happening, Nichirin simply watched as her subordinates, enemies and the innocent people dragged into the conflict lost their lives in the onslaught.

As a Spirit, she sensed that all of this death is causing a stir once again in the world and its immaterial form. And yet, she was unbothered. She didn't mind seeing the carnage that she has long accepted to be needed if the world is to continue in its downward spiral into destruction and degeneration.

"It shall be what it has long been decided to be… wait… what on earth?"

And yet, at one place which she least expected something to develop, an enormous change is about to happen that would overturn every other change that happened so far.

"This… this isn't how Knowledge said it would happen---!"

At a subspace where a three-way battle raged, the will of someone with nothing to lose and everything to gain clashed with the so-called "unchangeable outcome" seen by Spirit Knowledge.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

""

"Kh! Darn-"

Amidst a tidal wave of amalgamated metal, a dark tar-like substance sprouted from the ground and began to push back against the dominating tide of the other side. However, it failed to overcome or even just hinder the psychically manipulated wave of steel. Pressured by the ceaseless attack of his enemy, Koshiro opened a few portals where Malignances poured out.

"Tch! Go! Go and break it!"

"It's futile, Juror…"

"KAK-! KYAIIIII-!!!"

*SPLAT---!*

Just like his past attempt, the Malignances didn't even manage to hinder the rush of metal and was helplessly crushed without being able to fight back or attempt an escape.

""

"AGAIN-!?!?!?"

Once more, Renjiro casted his ability that made his Astra energy to permeate all of the structures nearby and form an avalanche of metal and concrete that made it look like the earth was literally moving like the waves of a rough sea.

"Give up already, Juror! I am not going to lose!"

"You're fated to lose! You're the one who should give up before you lose everything!"

"You idiot! I have nothing else to lose!"

Amidst the destruction that he is causing in the city, Renjiro looked down on Koshiro whose borrowed time and well-being is literally being held in a tightrope.

The Juror, Miyazaki Koshiro, should normally be able to overpower not only Renjiro but anyone else save for the Spirit Vessels and Miyazono Gardeners. Handed the memories and powers of the martyred Gran Judis of Kleiv, the favored mortal of the land once guarded by Spirit Justice, much like her, he is a powerful Seer.

However, something has changed within him ever since that day when Ephraim brought back the dead body of Charon and alongside the other Seers, he initiated the "Apokalypses", the destruction of the world as per the will of Spirit Death (Nihil).

"I can't die…! Not yet…!"

A literal dead man, who was given a second chance in order to serve the will of a Spirit that is manipulating how the world works in order to end everything in its own terms, is now trying to escape death.

This isn't just an irony. It is an utter reversal from what gave him this chance to stay in the mortal world despite him dying long ago.

It wasn't like the 5th Seer that accepted his death the moment he received the power of a Seer from Charon, to create the two illnesses that are both the most devastating plagues that brought the world to its knees.

It also isn't similar to the recent death of the 6th Seer, Sawamura Shisui, that interjected in the duel between Law and Justice in order to give the latter precious time to move things away from the most devastating outcome possible.

And most of all, it isn't even a speck alike Charon's death where he, who had no chance against William Tetian, used his death to begin the destruction of the world according to Nihil's will.

The Juror is trying to stay alive, not because he still has something to do in furthering the desired future of Nihil, but because he is clinging to what he has left in his former life as Miyazaki Koshiro.

"This ends now, Juror!"

After releasing an explosive amount of Psychic power, Renjiro raised his arms as the entire area that is in his entire control erupted into a sea of debris being spun around by the metals that he is controlling. 

The supporting beams of the overpass roads, the structural rebar of buildings and other structures and everything else that is remotely metallic was uprooted, blended into the chaotic whirlpool that ground even the hardest cement debris and boulders and in the middle of it was Koshiro that is a hairbreadth away from dying.

*Fyick-! TYAG---!*

"W-WHAT THE-!?"

Suddenly, a deafening boom followed by a blast wave tore through the air and an instant later, a huge hole ripped Renjiro's body into two.

"GHHH-! What the hell?!"

"You let your guard down, Renjiro."

"-!!!"

Followed by that reply, several arrows made of water pinned his hands into the ground before it can reach towards his dismembered lower half to force it back together.

"You should've made sure that I'm dead already, you fool."

"Akari!? H-How did you manage to survive---"

Before he can finish his exasperated words, he heard a voice ring in his head amidst mocking laughter.

["Hahaha! Did you really think that you can outsmart me, foolish Replicant?"]

"Knowledge---!"

["As I told you before and I will remind you once again, you can't defeat me. No one can ever."]

As Renjiro seethed in utter hatred towards Knowledge, he heard the sound of an arrow being drawn into a bow and looked up to see Akari about to shoot him with a coup d' grace.

"As a traitor to the Sumeragi syndicate, you will die here, Renjiro."

At that moment that felt like an eternity, memories and thoughts swirled in the head of Renjiro who thought back on his time in the Sumeragi syndicate.

From that time when he was rescued from a laboratory of the Aokigahara Gardener, the time he spent alongside William and Kaede as a team, to the time when he led his own students that managed to surpass him in the end.

{It was a good life, I guess…}

For him who believed for so long that his life and very being is an utter irony, remembering such things seemed like a joke when he has decided to betray them for his own ends… and yet, that is what he truly felt in his heart.

{I have no regrets… it can end now… I failed and this is the end I deserve…}

Renjiro accepted his impending death. He let go of his desire to stay alive and to struggle more. He understood what he cannot fight back anymore and just like how he said earlier…

{I have nothing else to lose.}

However, at that moment, a chilling sensation covered the entire area enough for even the Juror to shake in fear.

"-!!!"

"What on---?"

"This feeling…!"

As soon as that feeling has passed, Renjiro instantly recognized where it came and who is the only one that can manifest such a freezing presence.

"Akari! Get down!"

"Huh!?"

As he pulled her down to the ground, an incinerating pillar of light pulsed across the normal height of a human head and torso and the timely reaction of Renjiro saved Akari from being killed on the spot.

"What on earth just---!?!?!"

"It's him… no, it's not only him. It's both of them!"

"Both of them… are you saying that he found him before any of us!?"

"It's likely… and because of that…"

The worst outcome has happened and for a moment, Akari lost her desire to kill Renjiro after narrowly escaping death through his help. But now, it wouldn't only be him but also Akari who would probably be remembered today as the day they died.

And the reason for why can be clearly seen at the eastern district of New Tokyo where beams and pillars of light pulverized the buildings with little to no regard for what those attacks would hit behind or beyond their intended targets.

"Those brothers are monsters…!"

"Tch! We have to get out of here!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Moments before that, a pair walked across the empty road of New Tokyo. One man wearing a worn-down mantle and carrying a sword on his hip and a woman that curtly followed after him.

"We're nearly there. Hurry up."

"Nearly there? What is this "there", mister?"

"You'll find out soon."

Lucas helped his captive up onto the steep pile of rubble and lifted her to his arms as they jumped back down on the street.

"We've been walking for a while, mister. Are you sure you have a destination in mind and we're not just walking around circles?"

"I do have a destination in mind, don't worry… If you're tired, I can let you ride on my back."

"Mmm… Nah. That would be too inconvenient for you, and I don't like depending too much on others."

"Suit yourself then."

Finally, they arrived at the large intersection in the center of New Tokyo's Akatsuki district where they came inside a restaurant and sat by the table near the window.

"Hey, I don't know if you know this, but only structures and living things are replicated in a Subspace. If you brought me here to eat, not only do you have a bad taste but you're also-"

"I'm going to kill you, Himari."

"…"

"That is the only way that I can draw that man out and take his life as well."

Without any warnings, Lucas told his captive about his plan. That he would kill her in order to bait out a man who is his actual target. After that, he took a pack of cigarettes from his chest pocket and handed out one that he lit with his power and Himari took and placed on her lips.

"I suspect that you're talking about Will? The strongest Gardener and my direct subordinate?"

"Yes… I see that you at least remember that much."

"Securing him as the champion of the Miyazono psychics was an enormous achievement that I did. Even with just a partial memory save and none of my original body's "soul", I know about a significant thing like that."

"Then I believe you know why he's so infatuated with you… and why of all people, it fell on you to tame his destructive powers and unstable temperament."

"Of course, I do… Fuuuu…"

After heaving out the smoke from her cigarette and sighing, Himari looked at Lucas and spoke about his brother.

"…Since I'm going to die anyway, I guess I can let you in on a secret. I believe it's just apt that it should be you, his brother by blood, who should know."

"What is it?"

"William is bad at it… you know what I'm talking about."

"…"

"No matter what he does to try and improve, I have to act like I like it just so he won't feel down."

"I didn't have to know that."

"Don't be a prude, mister knight. I know about the internal strife that happened in the Sumeragi group and how that Kaede lady still hopes to bring back William because she loves him… and how you love her, and it pains you that she won't give up on the person that literally betrayed your side."

"…Can I know how you found out all of that?"

"Spies. We had a lot of them until the new Hogosha guardian disposed of them all of a sudden. They all said that you had that kind of love triangle with her and Will."

As she drew out a last huff of smoke from the cigarette and threw away the butt, she turned to Lucas and breathed out the smoke before reaching out another cigarette from the pack.

"You're awful."

"You're not any better than me, mister knight. C'mon, light it for me."

Lucas was annoyed with her, but he knew that this is far better than her struggling or attempting to escape. With a snap of his finger, he conjured a spark of light at the end of the cigarette that lit it.

"You don't seem to be afraid of death."

"The perks of not being born, I guess."

"Because you're a Replicant?"

"No. My siblings and I are worse than that. We don't come from a true, living human so we are not Replicants. Our genetic material, personalities and identities are constructed from scratch, so if we go by the true definition of things… we were never born."

Once again, she blew off a puff of smoke towards Lucas who are looking intently outside of the window.

"Hey, I'm just wondering why you gave me cigarettes. I know it's something about calming someone before they die, but I don't think I've ever confided with anyone that I smoke."

"Because those are not normal cigarettes. That has an incense that my family uses in their rituals."

"What? Then this smell is-"

"Yeah. There's only one other person here who can recognize that smell."

Immediately after that, an explosion rang outside and was followed shortly by a shockwave that shattered the window and caused a slight earthquake.

"Here he is… my precious subordinate and special one."

"William…"

His shout rang out that dispersed the dust threw up by his arrival.

"LUCAS!!! YOU SCUM! LET GO OF HIMARI-SAMA!!!"

"…"

Seeing him after a long time, Lucas immediately recognized the extreme changes that happened to not only his physique but also his psychic powers.

"He's on the level of those Seers and those two… no, he might be on a whole other level."

To say that William has surpassed human limits would be an understatement. Not only did he break it, he has also surpassed its zenith and entered into the level of transcendent.

His raw psychic power emanates from his form that it seems to bend the fabric of reality around him.

His body glows and pulsates with faint light that is untouched by any external debris. Immediately after coming into contact with him, it is destroyed from existence.

And most of all, the aura that surrounds him… it is what caught Lucas' attention more than anything else.

"It's that… It's a Tainted Spirit just like the other Gardeners."

"If it's Will, it should be that Tainted Spirit. The strongest one under Freedom who risked eternal death when he protected her."

"…Are you telling me this because you're going to die?"

"Yes… and going with the difference in your strength, I have no doubts that you would also follow suit."

"…"

Being told that, Lucas had sweat pour down his face in nervousness and fear… but he didn't back down from what he already decided to do.

"Let's go then… It's time."

"Mhm… I guess this really is it for me."

Outside, William was looking for the source of the sweet smell of frankincense mingled with myrrh and rolled into gold leaf that wafted to his nose.

His family, despite outwardly being devout Catholics, were secretly paganic worshippers who performed rituals that mocked the doctrines of Christianity. Those three precious things that was supposed to be the gifts to the newborn Christ was mocked by that form of paganic offering.

Because of that, he knew that this is where his brother is and likely, Himari who he is likely taking as hostage.

"Lady Himari! Stay calm and wait for me! I will save you!"

While shouting out those words, William looked for any movement in his surroundings that may give a clue about where are.

He didn't have to look anywhere else or for that matter, wait for long.

"William! I'm here."

"H-Himari-sama!"

"Ehehe~!"

From atop a piece of fallen debris, Himari called out to him and as she turned around to look at her, he saw her smiling face that brought him comfort and joy.

"Ahaha! I can't believe it! I heard from the Seed Psychics that was guarding you that you were kidnapped!"

"Hehe… I did get kidnapped, y'know. Actually, I still am."

"H-Huh?"

William was walking slowly towards her but hearing her reply made him stop instantly.

"Promise me something, my dear Will."

At that moment, one that will be engraved in his memory for the rest of his life, William sensed a sudden spike of Astra energy behind Himari and with a bright flash of light, he dashed towards her with all the strength he can muster.

"Forget about me after this, alright?"

.

.

.

*SHIYAAAK---!!!*

"NOOOOOOOOOO---!!!!"

Behind Himari, a longsword wreathed in light pierced her heart from the back, much to William's horror when he is already within arm's reach of her.

*FYIK-! THAAAA!!!*

"Kah---!"

"Lady Himari… NO!!!"

After the sword was drawn out, a fountain of blood spurted from her wound and made her collapse onto the arms of William who desperately called out to her despite the fact that she is already at death's doorstep.

"Hehe… Seems like I'm leaving you now… once and for all… Will…"

"Himari-sama! Himari-sama! This isn't happening! This can't be real!!!"

As Himari drew her last breath, Lucas finally spoke and confronted his brother whom he subjected to the greatest loss of his life.

"It's very real, brother."

"…!"

"Do you feel it now, William? The pain of losing that whom you hold the dearest in the world?"

Standing over there was no other than his brother, Lucas, wielding the bloodstained blade that took Himari's life.

"That was what I felt when you betrayed us… how your actions led to Priscilla now dying back in Malta. But most of all… how even though you're the most deplorable man I know, she still desires for your redemption…"

"You…"

"Come brother… let's end this once and for all. After all, I can't live in the same world with the man who took everything from me."

And so…

"LUCAS…!"

"WILLIAM…!"

…it began.

*PYIIII-!!!*

""I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!!""

Amidst a storm of light that vaporized everything in its presences, the Solar and Lunar Tear of the Tetian family fulfilled their place in Knowledge's conditions for the end of the world.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

In the fight between Ephraim and Yoshino, the Divine Challenger had the upper hand, but he is slowly falling from his pace compared to the Gardener that continuously tired him out with simple yet coordinated and continuous attacks.

"Tch!"

"Come on, my dear! COME ON! DRIVE ME RAGGED AND CRAZY!!!"

"Why, you wench---!!!"

Normally, Ephraim can easily take her down with his myriad of destructive attacks, most of which can literally erase her from existence. However, he cannot risk Yoshino taking with her the two people she is holding hostage.

"Here's a weak spot of mine, darling~! You've gotta blow a hole through little Mana's head before that though~! LOLZ~!"

"Damn it! Let them go!!!"

Expertly bobbing and weaving through the innumerable appendages that aimed to kill him, he spun his spear to cut them up. Ephraim almost reached for the fleshy pod that contained Mana but before he can touch her, Yoshino pulled her back an inch away from his reach, making her literally slip from his hold.

"Reaching for another girl while I'm right here in front of you~? You're cruel, Rai-dear~!!!"

"NOW!"

Finally having Yoshino place the pods that contained Mana and Kaede away from half of her appendages, Ephraim injected an enormous amount of Astra energy to his spear and without even being given an instant to react, half of the extended body of Yoshino was crushed flat by an enormous amount of gravity.

"GHH-!!!"

"RAAAHHH!!!"

Taking advantage of the opening, Ephraim cut open the flesh pods and took out both of his comrades that are covered from head to toe with injuries and sapped almost entirely of their Astra energy.

""

He casted a healing ability on the two which healed their injuries. However, that did nothing to recover their lost Astra energy that kept them unconscious.

"My, my~! Aren't you one harsh lover, my dear?!!"

"You're disgusting."

"Oh please~! I know that you want it when I go wild like this!"

Cutting off the appendages she grew out to lighten herself, Yoshino charged towards Ephraim and locked the claws she grew out with her psychic power with his spear.

"Come on, honey! Give me a good ol' kiss!"

"Khh!"

Out of Yoshino's lips writhed out a long tongue similar to a snake's that was covered with countless barbs that extended towards Ephraim's face. Ephraim was locked in place and can't easily swat her off or jump back because he's defending his two comrades.

"Open wide for me, dar-"

Yoshino made her long tongue to crawl across Ephraim's face as if tasting him. However, this is when a familiar voice thundered across the place.

"Rai-kun! Get back!!!"

"Ghi-!"

"What the---"

""

Suddenly, countless enormous trees, vines and thorns grew out from the ground and held Yoshino in place. As soon as the one who casted it landed on the ground, Yoshino realized who it was and shouted at him in anger.

"Do it now, buddy!"

"Aye! "

"YOU---!!!"

It was none other than Imamura Kai. She attempted to form enough power to break the plants that bound her but by that time, Ephraim is charging towards her with an annihilating blow.

""

Innumerable blades made of solidified blood formed and rained towards Yoshino in a downpour that turned the entire place to be awash in crimson.

"You okay, buddy?"

"I should be asking that to you. You look worse for wear."

"Yeah, this ain't my first fight…"

"My attack is running out of steam. Get ready."

"Aye, aye…"

As Ephraim's attack ran out of energy and ceased, they didn't even wait for the dust to settle in order to assume fighting stances again. However, the two of them aren't the only ones who'd be fighting together again.

"Argh… you boys not gonna let me into this fight?"

"M-Mana-chan!"

Mana stood up from the ground which surprised Kai who thought that she's still unable to fight much like Kaede.

"I just dipped out for a minute. Don't worry about me."

"But you're not even halfway done recovering your Astra energy! Just pass up on this!"

"Hah! Don't wanna!"

"Kh! Rai-buddy! Tell her off for me, will ya'?!"

After being passed on with the work, Ephraim looked at Mana's tired yet burning eyes and sighed lightly.

"I can't go against the will of the department chief. Her orders are absolute."

"Heh! You heard that, stick-brain? I'm in charge here!"

"Argh! Whatever! Don't blame me later if you kick the bucket!"

As the three of them stood there together once again, they remembered the day when they first formed into a team over a year ago.

"Let's do this!"

And so, the gears of destiny move faster and faster into the outcome predicted to be done by Spirit Knowledge.