"Arata, we brought you here because we have to tell you something." Emilia stated.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Your quality of trying to empathize with others is what makes you a wonderful person." Elias stated. "It is a trait needed for all Fleurs. However Arata, you mustn't empathize so much with others. You mustn't allow yourself to be swallowed by the emotions of others."
"Arata, do you know of the Tree of Origin?" Julius asked.
"According to the Flower Memories... It's the Tree that connects all Braves. It is nowhere and everywhere." I stated. "It connects the past, present and future Braves."
"That's right. It is where the past, present and future intersect. And it is where you have been unconsciously watching." Aster stated. "Without even thinking it, you the Primogenitor of all Braves has been gazing at the memories, lives and feelings of all Braves."
"This is a dangerous act, Arata. There in the place where all intersect, you mustn't gaze for long." Ever stated. "Gazing at them for too long, you will end up losing yourself and you will be swallowed by the waves of emotions, desires and despair."
"We'll teach you here and now how to control your unique ability to synchronize and sympathize with others." Ivy stated. "Are you ready?"
"I leave it in your hands." I bowed my head.
----
"What do we need to do to pull him away from there?" Alexis asked.
"Reaffirm the bonds of the Sacred Braves." She stated. "Each of you share a special bond with him. The eight of you in particular are closer to him than any other."
"So, what do we do?" William asked.
"First you can-" Just then Arata's body began to glow. "It seems that time is up."
"What's happening?" I asked her.
"The others are temporarily sealing Arata's ability to synchronize with other Braves." She stated and suddenly she began to blur. "The bonds... m.st b. r.st.red."
She fades and Arata falls into my arms.
"What did she say?" Theo asked.
"Unfortunately, her last words were unclear." Van stated. "I can only state that her last word that was clear was... Bonds."
"Bonds?" Lia asked.
"Likely the bond between you and Arata." Zander stated then I felt Arata starting to stir.
"Mmh..." He sleepily opens his eyes. "Is it over?"
"Arata, you're awake!" I hugged him.
"Did everyone and Erika talk?" He asked.
"We did." Leon stated.
"Well? What did she say?" Arata asked.
"We couldn't get anything from her. Her last words were unclear." Angie stated. "So, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Teehee." He smiled at tried to shake it off.
"You little brat! What did we talk about?" Lucas pinches his nose. "I thought we agreed no more secrets?"
"I wasn't trying to keep secrets. I just had so much things to think of." He answered.
Just then as Lucas was about to continue scolding Arata, the alarm goes off.
"It's the True Beast of Ophiuchus, Rasalhague. You can scold Arata later, we need to move." Theo stated. "It appeared near the residential district."
"Move! We have to go quickly!" Arata shouted.
-----
"So, what has brought on this meeting, Sirius?" Pierrot asked with a grin.
"Many of my brothren have fallen because of you. I want results otherwise, the Chimeras will pull away from this alliance." Sirius stated.
This brings a frown to Pierrot and Karin's faces. Pierrot weighed the odds, should he lose the Chimeras he'll not only lose an ally but also gain a new enemy. With the number of Chimeras that have died because of them, Sirius will highly seek revenge. Pierrot knew that breaking their alliance would be full of loss. He has to keep the alliance.
"Well, calm down Sirius." Karin stated. "I've found a rather intriguing toy."
"And what is this toy, Karin?" He asked.
"I'll let you know in due time, it's still not complete." She grinned. "But I can promise you, all of us will benefit from it."
Karin was lying, only she would benefit from what she had found. She had learned that she could steal the power of Vi from others using the power of the Gems of Sin. She was planning to use it in battle to drain all their powers.
"Evacuate the residents as quickly as you can!" Mayumi ordered the Braves.
The Braves were defending the people as they evacuated. Rasalhague was charging at them with his whip.
"Ataraxia! Fifth Arrow; Burst of Flames!" Alexis' bow, with beautiful details of feathers and wind fired a single arrow that scorched the Ophiuchus. "Leave the small ones for me. We hold the frontline no matter what!"
"No matter what, defend the civilians!" Arata's order was clear to the eight Braves. They were to guard the people no matter what.
"Circle Assault!" William's bullets shot all the Chimeras in front of him. "They just keep coming!"
"Purging Slash!" Alistar's slash of light clears but a small portion of the Chimeras. "There's no end to them!"
"Fire Dragon Pillar!" The pillar of fire created by Liam devours a path through the never ending waves of Ophiuchus. "The mist is starting to roll in! We have to hold the line!"
"Spear of the Cyclone!" Reinhardt's spear flies in an attempt to clear the mist to no avail. "It's too thick."
"This is bad, there's too many Ophiuchus. Their mist are mixing together and it's too difficult to clear them!" Leon shouted. "My gates are useless. No matter how much I suck away they just keep coming!"
"Tch. What do we do?" Hiro shouted as the fog was starting to creep closer.
"Everyone please hold your ground. Sakura and the others have called the Cardinal Beasts to help. If we can just endure it!" Mayumi announced but even she was starting to feel the danger of the situation.
"Everyone we'll be separated if the mist keeps creeping closer!" Zhen shouted. "Arata, your orders!"
"Everyone stay together!" Arata shouted. "If you can buy me 90 seconds I might have a way!"
"Buy Arata 90 seconds no matter what!" Alexis shouted.
With the empending threat of the Ophiuchus creeping closer to them, Arata and the Braves face a dangerous battle. As the others struggle to buy time, Arata prepares his spell to defend them from the mist.