Just as The Six Guns crew finished packing up everything and getting ready to leave within the next hour to fly back to Omnia, every news station around the world lit up. One after another, country after country reported the same exact revelation of news. News that came straight from America, following Secretary of Defense McNamara's death. The news bolstered up paranoia and caused a negative stir towards Siran, Zia and Silas. Soon, the confusion and outrage began to aim at not only Siran's family, but the rest of The Six Guns as a whole as well as anybody who worked with them. The news being casted was video recording, from multiple angles of Silas shapeshifting into a fox, Zia rampaging through that underground facility near Omnium Guild, as well as photographs of the three of them. Their faces shown clearly, and evidence undoubtedly real. Media all around the world clarifying their relationships as a family, propagating that their family is beyond human and henceforth beyond welcoming. Followed by suggestions that the three of them are in fact transgressors behind the Black Skies Incident, the resurrection of Naris during the war of Omnia and perpetrators inspiring the rise in conflict in Omnia that turned into a civil war. The team watched in horror, as this news was broadcasted on the television in the barracks, the German soldiers around them becoming more and more nervously and scared. Suddenly, the doors swung open with a rage as Max enters the barracks and turns down the television volume. "What the hell is this!?" he asks.
"Max, I know what this looks like." Siran replies.
"What it looks like!?" Max asks. "What it looks like is you spawned in some demon, and you've been causing wars around the world. I want an explanation!"
"It's America!" Siran replies. "Max! You know how propaganda is!"
"Then do explain!" Max demands as he gestures towards his many soldiers, now getting distance in fear of the crew.
"Look, I know it looks bad." Siran clarifies. "Like I'm some sort of monster. I may not have time to go over every single detail about how things came to be like this... but I will make it all clear soon."
"And how do you plan-" Max begins to ask.
"We have documents." Siran replies. "All of them. Covering what happened during the Naris Catastrophe and after. I plan on making those public so that when I tell my story to the world, there can't be any denial that what I'm saying it true!"
"Then what is true, du Scheißkopf?" Max asks.
"I'm human!" Siran says. Everyone around the crew looks in skepticism. "W-well, I used to be! There is a lot to explain, but... when Naris first came to this world... he wasn't what you all know him as. I came to trust him. Which was my mistake! I didn't know... that he would use me to gain power. When I did what I did... nearly two-hundred years ago... I unknowingly unleashed Naris onto the world and caused endo to start pouring into our world. That existence of endo is what made Naris... Naris. I died that day. Or rather, I was supposed to... but I came back. Having been cursed and dying, my body was forced to adapt to the endo. During my journey to fight Naris, I taught humans magic. You know how that old story goes... I know the world knows my identity by now. Whatever you want to blame Zia and Silas for, or the rest of my crew... I want you to leave them out of it!"
"You're saying... you used to be a human?" Max asks skeptically.
"I used to." Siran says with a stern face. Max stares in his eyes but detects no hint of a lie within them. "Whatever happened to Zia and Silas, becoming different... it isn't their fault, but mine. Sure, people will get scared of the boy for his shapeshifting magic, but he's just different. He's a good kid. He wouldn't hurt a soul. Now, when Naris came back during that war back in the day, that wasn't our fault either! The Mages caused that, not us! As for the Black Skies Incident, you can blame people all you want, but what is out there is far worse than you know of now. Those... things, behind the black skies, behind the sudden appearance of drones, behind the streams..."
"The... drones and the streams?" Max asks. "You mean to tell me all three of those things are caused by the same source?"
"The streams caused the black skies." Holly interjects. "Don't believe me, look into it yourself. You'll only end up proving us right."
"And the drones were normal people overcome with sudden endo, controlled by some madman who calls himself a god!" Rose claims.
"A god!?" Max asks skeptically.
"That's what they want to call themselves." Siran replies. "But they're nothing more than another beast like Naris. Those beasts... those monsters in the shadows... haven't you felt like there was something else lurking in the background, pulling people's strings? Just like before the drones in the U.K., how there were reports of someone strange who was just somehow close to someone in power?"
"How did you know about that!?" Max asks.
"Same thing happened in Japan." Haru clarifies.
"I didn't know." Siran says. "Not until now. That's just how they operate. Those things are after me. Just me. If you have anyone to blame, you're going to have to blame me. But leave my wife, my kid, my crew out of it."
After a long pause, Max asks "Are you sure you can provide any amount of detail backing that up?"
"That and more." Siran replies. "I'll have it made clear to the whole world. I promise."
Max takes a long breath, then says "Then you better make it quick. Most of the world is going to be after you and your family. With all that's going on, your crew is going to be taking the blame until you can clear your names."
"Thanks, Max." Siran says.
After a long journey back home, the team back in HQ celebrates as the full crew is finally reunited. They spent a lot of time talking about everything that happened, as well as the story behind the gods and Ishmael with everyone present, including Ryan, Thor and Athena. "B-but, if that's really true... not only is it too hard to wrap my mind around, but what we're up against are actual gods!?" Ryan asks.
"I'm afraid so." Siran replies.
"If you need some evidence, we can be of assistance." Thor says.
"T-then you two?" Ryan asks.
"I'm really that Athena." Athena adds. "And he really is Thor."
"With that stunt America just pulled too..." Zia says. "It's going to be hard to have a clear victory here. When we finally get America out of Omnia, this country will be stuck with that animosity. They likely did this because they're on their last leg and can't fight anymore. They want to taint our victory. However, we do have a comeback." Zia then hands Siran's book back over to Siran and says "You're going to need this, by the way."
"My book..." Siran says. "I haven't finished it yet."
"We retrieved it from Dolos upon his death." Zia says. "But we also went ahead and accelerated the plan a little. We went forth and published the documents that Benjie had finished up. The rest of the history we need cleared up is in your book."
"Yeah..." Siran says as he thinks. "I'll make sure that happens soon."
"Additionally, we've shown evidence that we have gained the ability to close streams." Zia adds. "We've proven we can do it, and we aim to close many of the ones in North and South America while the U.S. is taken off of their warhorse."
"I'm more than impressed that Silas learned to do that." Siran says. "I can't believe our son ended up being a laibah too... It really makes reality feel... honestly, hard to swallow."
"We're on track to ending all of this once and for all, it seems." Holly says. "With Dolos down, there's just Ares left, as well as the rest of those streams. The only thing that seems to be standing in our way is this Foxhound drone you mentioned."
"A real pain in the ass, that one." Robin grumpily adds. "He's apparently another god slayer. Though, that phrase really has very little meaning to me."
"A god slayer!?" Athena panics.
"See?" Robin adds. "It just doesn't carry the same weight to us."
"Where the hell could they get something like that?" Athena asks.
"Hell if I know!" Robin complains.
"The stakes keep rising." Siran says. "But, it doesn't look impossible. It just means we have a little more fighting left to do."
"What's the plan from here?" Ryan asks.
"Silas." Siran says as he looks at his son. "I want to take you around a few places to help you close some streams. This time, we may have to bring the full team along. If I'm right, they're going to target Silas, Zia and I. So, wherever we go, they will surely follow. As to what degree, I don't know. But with us taking a strategy to piss them off and pull them out of hiding, there's a chance they'll try to pick off some of our own as soon as our backs turn. I'm not taking that chance. We want to give them only one choice in targets. But as we're closing those streams, I want all of you to focus on staying safe. As safe as possible. Even if it means leaving me behind!"
"But!-" Rose interjects.
"No buts!" Siran declares. "Trust me. I won't let them get the best of us again. They already hurt my wife and son. This is personal anyways."
"That's a high risk, Siran." Ryan says.
"High risk, but high reward." Siran replies. "As to my understanding, the black skies can't wait any longer. For sure, Silas bought us time, but that time is running out. Is it not?" After a moment of silence, Siran continues to say "We don't have much of a choice. I spent too long out of this conflict and left the rest of you to pick up for me and take the hits for me. This is the least I can do. Besides, we'll be knocking out two birds with one stone here. We draw them out, clear the black skies, save the world."
"At least take a damn rest." Holly replies. "Look, we've all been at odds with the rest of the world for about two years. We've all been beaten, burned, stabbed, shot, kicked, bruised, broken, bullied and tormented. But we all did that knowing what we had at stake. Whatever the world may see us as, outlaws or fiends, we are a crew. The closest thing to a family most of us have ever had! Siran, if you think you're the only one allowed to look after people, you've got another thing coming. Take a damn night off. Endo levels from the scans indicate lower levels than the previous month still, due to the closing of the Omnium Guild stream. We have at least that much time. Be with your wife, Siran. It kills us to see you like this too."
After a moment of silence, Siran speaks up in shock and says "B-but if we-"
"Siran!" Vivi yells. "We mean it! We know what's at stake. We can see it driving you mad too. How do you think the rest of us feel?"
Slowly, Zia slips her hand into Siran's and says "Look, we don't have to do everything at once. At least for now, relax. I won't let the world end; you can trust me."
"R-right..." Siran finally agrees.
"Besides, we sent out our retaliation already." Zia affirms. "America tried to deploy their propaganda against us, and we're attacking back at them with the documented facts. At least try to work on your book if you must do something."
"Yeah... gotcha." Siran says.
"Glad that's settled..." Holly says. "I'll take time to plan out an order of sequence for tackling these streams. This time, I want you to wait on us. Your wife is going to need your help with her injuries anyways."
A couple days later, the crew has finally settled back into Omnia once more. However, they were still busy with regular meetings and work around HQ. Dana and Silas still regularly visited Carl in his medical room too. Meanwhile, after working throughout the day on his book, Siran finally closed his book with a sigh of relief. "That wraps that up, finally." he says.
"But are you sure about this?" Zia asks, sitting on the bed next to him.
"It's the only way I can think of..." Siran replies. "The only way to remove as much blame off of you, Silas, the crew... is to let them all think I'm all to blame. Maybe this can help Silas with being a laibah too, explaining how I got my shapeshifting magic. Explaining it like a normal but unique ability may reduce the animosity surrounding him, going forward."
"But the world doesn't have to hate you..." Zia worriedly says. "I don't hate you, and I'm sure others out there will be able to remain open minded."
"Yeah..." Siran replies. "But I can't risk it. Sure I don't want to put the target on myself. But more than anything, I just want our son to have a shot at a good and normal life. He's saved the world, already! The least I can do as his father, is protect his future."
"That's sweet..." Zia says, looking down.
"What's wrong?" Siran asks.
"Well, part of me feels guilty because I know I can't make this decision of yours any easier." Zia says. "The moment you start spreading that book, it should clear the names of all of The Six Guns, except yours. But whatever does come our way, I'm going to be by your side as it happens."
"Thanks, Zia." Siran says with a smile.
"But it also depresses me to think our boy is already soon to go off and have his own life..." Zia says.
"Man, is he already that old!?" Siran panics. "It feels like he was still in grade school just a couple years ago!"
"Mhm..." Zia says in a saddened tone. "I'm not ready to stop being a mother too. I know I can't treat him like a child anymore... but he's still my little boy. I'm just not ready to give that up."
"Man, it's felt so surreal to have everyone back in HQ." Silas says while playing Chess with Dana in the medical room by Carl's bedside. "But things certainly have livened up since the rest returned."
"Finally getting to see our parents for the first time in months reminded me of the days in high school." Dana replies. "Felt kinda good... but also pretty gross."
"Gross?" Silas laughs.
"Mom sure is... clingy." Dana sighs.
"Ha ha!" Carl laughs. "Guess I got lucky, because I have the most normal parents out of the three of us."
"No need to rub it in." Dana pouts as she moves her piece on the board.
"Aw, come on. No need to pout." Carl teases. "How about a trade?"
"Pfft- a trade?" Dana asks.
"They can be your parents too." Carl teases.
Suddenly, Dana's face brows visibly red as Silas says "I can't tell if you're trying to tease her or just make me uncomfortable." as he calmly moves his piece.
"Ugh!" Dana pouts. "You- Carl-... can you not!?"
"I could, but..." Carl teases. "You know how rare it is to see you embarrassed? I've hit the gold mine. I'm gonna milk it as long as I can."
"Yeah, yeah..." Dana pouts as she moves her piece on the board. "Laugh it up while you still can, asshole."
"Oh trust me." Carl replies. "I will."