Soukai City, the three sister's house
The clock had already passed six in the evening, and the sky outside was blanketed in darkness.
"Girls~ I'm home! What do you want for dinner?" Cecilia called out cheerfully as she stepped through the door. "Fuuh... it's been a while I'm using this shoes..."
She had just returned from her errands, still dressed in her crisp work attire, complete with a neatly pressed suit and a suitcase, which she placed by the entryway table.
As she sat down to remove her shoes, familiar sounds of commotion reached her ears from the direction of the living room. They're the sounds and chatter of her lovely girls, perhaps they're in the middle of playing some games or some stuff.
Though her face showed signs of exhaustion—her neck stiff and her throat dry—the moment she heard the lively sounds of her children, a radiant smile lit up her face, erasing the weariness.
"Girls? What's all the commotion about? Are you celebrating your first day at school?" 「Cecilia」
At first, she was puzzled when no one answered. Curious, she considered heading toward the living room to see for herself, but her steps halted when the sound of hurried footsteps filled the air.
"Mama!" 「Sirin」
The youngest daughter darted toward her, arms outstretched for a hug.
"Hello Sirin-chan." 「Cecilia」
"Mom!" 「Kiana」
The middle child barreled in, her excitement nearly sending Sirin tumbling to the floor. The two began to squabble before the situation could escalate further.
"Ah, here comes Kiana," Cecilia said with a chuckle. "Careful, you two!" she added, gently separating them.
"...M-Mother." 「Bianca」
Bianca, the eldest, followed close behind, her steps slower and more measured. Though she didn't seem physically tired, Cecilia noticed something weighed on her mind.
"Oh my, Bianca-chan, what's the matter? Here's your mother~" 「Cecilia」
Bianca opened her mouth, as though to say something, but hesitated. "It's... it's..." she stammered, her words cut off by the sudden arrival of someone else.
"Mommy dearest!" 「Theresa」
Theresa burst onto the scene, her entrance as dramatic as ever. She had donned a fresh outfit and styled her hair into twin-tails, completing a look that could easily lead someone to mistake her for a much younger child.
At first, Cecilia treated Theresa just like the others, being oblivious with fatigue and happiness dosage. But as she hugged Theresa, something clicked. She froze, her gaze darting around the room.
"Yes yes, Theresa-chan... is very cute as usual... hmm?" 「Cecilia」
Something didn't add up.
"One, two, three, and... four? Oh dear... what is going on right now?" 「Cecilia」
Her thoughts raced as confusion set in. When did my daughters increase in number?!
———————————————
『PoV of Naneklh ref Rednialsig』
An enemy floating.
An enemy destroyed.
A robot drone hovering.
And then a robot drone exploded.
These components combined had created the chaos unfolding now—explosions, laser fire, ammunition spraying through the air, and the constant roaring of the spaceship's engines.
With their sheer numbers and resilience, the battle had turned into an inevitable race. Sharp turns, dizzying curves, death-defying flips, and weaving through countless obstacles filled every second with adrenaline and danger.
Each maneuver either racked up my combo count or chipped away at the ship's durability, pushing me closer to the edge of destruction.
'If I think about it, their weaponry is still capable of damaging parts of this ship. And on top of that, there's a mid-boss unit over there firing Plasma Streams with high precision and concentration.'
The drones numbered in the hundreds, a quick count revealed.
Each was larger than a fighter jet, equipped with heavy weaponry: large-caliber Gatling guns that seemed designed for anti-armor purposes, and a self-destruct mechanism powerful enough to obliterate a house with ease.
Because of this, I relied more on maneuvering than tanking on the ship's shields to make it stay intact. But if a drone got too close for comfort, I didn't hesitate to ram it before it could explode.
"You… you're surprisingly good at flying this thing. Even in MOTH, I'm sure only a handful of people have licenses to pilot a spaceship. But now that I think about it… since when did you have this?" (Himeko-san)
"Just today, fresh out of a bargain."
"He's lying, Major." (Fuka-san)
"It's just a simple joke, Fuka-san, —Hold on, enemies at ten and six!"
A plasma cannon blast from behind forced me to swerve the spaceship hard, changing course in an instant. In the chaos of maneuvering, I often "accidentally" collided with Fuka-san, who stubbornly seated on the seat next to me.
It's a jackpot if I got hit with her fist, but it'll be the far better if I got bumped into her chest. Well... both options were equally hurt. Ghuaakc! Ki-Impact! Fuka-san's fist landed squarely on me.
And in unison, the entire spaceship shook violently.
"Whoaa?! Hold on! Keep it together—we're not going down with him in this lifetime!" (Himeko-san)
Fuka-san glared at me, "I really don't understand this side of you… Just what is it that you want? Didn't you say you wanted to see the version of me you've been hoping for? After telling me all that, isn't that what you wanted?"
"Ahaha, my answer hasn't changed, I just want my moment... that's all."
"...To fight together, is that what you really mean?" (Fuka-san)
"Yes! Absolutely! I've always wanted the chance to fight alongside Fuka-san! But that's only my fourth wish. Third is to see Fuka-san in a wedding dress, second is to see Fuka-san's family, and first is… hahaha, it's embarrassing."
'And the first is to see Fuka-san find her happiness.'
What she said wasn't wrong—I really did want to meet the version of Fuka-san from the time and reality I knew. From the past I regretted so deeply, I wanted to see her again and rewrite all those regrets.
To make that happen, I had prepared all my memories of Fuka-san from that time—memories she (current Fuka-san) could use as a guide for herself now.
Little by little, as those memories blended together, the likelihood of the Fuka-san from my era awakening within her body would increase. Soul and memory assimilation. Maybe that's the cultivation term for it.
I'd also been making plenty of physical contact to help her adapt to the power that came with those memories. Because even though her body was the same, the data and "circuits" running through it were still not on par with the Fuka-san of my era.
As their memories began to merge, there might be a push-and-pull between the two Fuka-sans of different eras. This blending could cause friction, and so the next problem to awaken my era's Fuka-san would require a specific trigger.
Using the chaos of Thomas's attack, I intended to create that trigger.
The plan would begin with the simplest step: Himeko's death, followed by the destruction of this Monolith, and finally, the obliteration of every resident in Soukai City.
"You!!!" (Fuka-san)
"I did no lie, Master Jingwei."
With that, Fuka-san would channel her hidden strength, drawing upon that power to save what she had been too late to protect before. Slowly, she would return to the version of herself I remembered.
"Huh? Just what is going on between you two?! Are you seriously talking through telepathy or something? Anyway, let go of his neck already!" Himeko-san exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and urgency.
That was my original plan, the one that earned Moriarty's reprimand.
As the Guardian of this world, it was her duty to ensure the continuity of its existence.
The presence of the World Initiator in Soukai City was something that simply could not be allowed to perish—no matter how much I, as one of the Personas of Creation, might desire it.
If I insisted on going through with it, the Will of the World would lose its love for me. After all, why would someone love a person who destroys them? Moriarty didn't want to see that happen either.
Once the world no longer loved me, my existence would be seen as a Catastrophe—an element that posed a threat to the survival of all life within this world.
If that were to happen, it's likely another World Initiator would rise to hunt me down.
"Even knowing all that, you still want to go through with it?! That is madness!" (Fuka-san)
But I didn't care at all. Just like all these small fry, I would keep sweeping everything aside until nothing was left—until I could bring back the Fuka-san I desired.
I'll do it, no matter what.
I'll burn them all.
"Calm down... he still need to drive this spaceship." (Himeko-san)
"Fhuuh... that was close. I have to be more careful and stop daydreaming while piloting this spaceship. Thank you, Himeko-san."
"I'm not trying to help you. I'm just stopping Hua from doing something that could endanger herself." (Himeko-san)
Thanks to her efforts, my neck was finally free from Fuka-san's grip.
Even so, Fuka-san's gaze was still filled with anger. I thought for sure she would slap me or punch me again, but to my surprise, she didn't.
Instead, she simply walked toward the exit, opening the door on her own, and prepared to jump out. She looked just like she was about to begin a Co-op mission in HI3rd, standing at the edge of the open hatch.
"...You're the worst human being there is." (Fuka-san)
"Ahaha... yes, so please stop this worst human being, Fuka-san."
Seeing her confidence, I realized that the Fuka-san standing over there had inherited some of the memories, abilities, and combat skills from the Fuka-san I had shared with her.
Perfect, with this, it meant that one piece of the puzzle had been set in motion.
"You, the person you are now... you can do this, can't you? Before it's too late."
Giving me one last glance, she jumped out of the Millennium Falcon through the ship's hatch and immediately headed toward the nearest drone. The small fry quickly noticed Fuka-san's presence and unleashed their gatling guns in her direction.
"Small fry indeed." (Fuka-san)
However, Fuka-san effortlessly dodged the incoming fire. Her form now resembled a vermillion bird, cloaked in cinder ash. The bullets and ammunition seemed to have no effect on her.
Burned in flames, phoenix ash divine.
She soared through the remnants of the drones, tearing them apart with ease. Like a fiery bird of prey, her phoenix claws shredded the machines, leaving nothing but smoldering wreckage.
"Is that... really Hua?" (Himeko-san)
"Himeko-san, could you assist her as well?"
"You're asking me to turn into a bird? No way I can do that. I'll assist you with the ship. So let's just leave Hua to handle them. Combined with this ship, we'll take care of all these dangerous drones in no time." Himeko-san replied, her tone as calm as ever.
Sometimes, I found myself a little confused. Despite Fuka-san showing so many surprises and unexpected abilities, she always seemed so chill about it.
Or maybe... does she have that much trust in her subordinates? I didn't really understand, unless I read her memories directly, which I wasn't exactly inclined to do right now.
"The real problem is where all these drones are coming from. Can this ship detect them?" (Himeko-san)
For now, I decided to prepare for the worst.
Since my intention was to destroy this ship, once this platform was gone, Himeko-san would inevitably be forced to fight down there with the rest of them.
Because of that, I would need to create a "parachute" for Himeko-san.
Using Astra Sphere, I continued with my plan. The stars inside the black sphere spun rapidly before halting, revealing the results.
[Searching for suitable category... Godsbane Battlesuit: Vermillion Knight x1... Item ready for materialization.]
[Searching for suitable category... Greatsword: God's Fall Sword - Surtr... Item ready for materialization.]
"Have you found it? Is it located?" (Himeko-san)
I almost forgot about the detection.
"Yes, I've pinpointed their origin. And also... the number of drones around the Monolith has drastically decreased because of Fuka-san outside."
"Hehe, good work girl." (Himeko-san)
The location where they were coming from was indicated on the radar, coming from the west. That meant they were passing over the ocean and the desolate land beyond. I hadn't gone through that area when I was with Rin, so I had no idea what was there.
'However...'
As far as I know, Moriarty mentioned that Mid-boss Thomas would be confronted by Kyuusyou and Bronie, out west of Soukai City. The Decadence unit would also be revealed to have a large number of units still hidden there, and from that point, the city's survival would be decided.
However, Moriarty also mentioned that the awakening of this mid-boss would be triggered by Vill-V's schemes and ideas. Does that mean Vill-V is there? And what is his current status and condition?
'Is she an ally or an enemy?'
"I want to try something. In the meantime, could Himeko-san wear the emergency parachute I've prepared at the back of the ship? Don't worry about how to put it on; it'll suit up automatically."
"Parachute? Well... better than nothing, I guess." (Himeko-san)
I'll try firing a warning shot in that direction, just to confirm. Though I don't think it'll reach the intended target, it'll be a worthwhile shot. If they return fire, I just need to dodge and make their attack hit one of the drones or the Decadence unit.
"This isn't a parachute! W-Whoa?! They're coming toward me?!" I could hear Himeko-san's voice from a distance, and as I imagined, she must be in quite an uncomfortable position.
"Don't panic, Himeko-san. Compared to your Scarlet Fusion armor suit-up scene in the manga, this will be much more comfortable. Please make sure everything is on and also grab the sword."
Without saying much more, I fired five consecutive shots from the Millennium Falcon's quad laser cannons, followed by a missile speeding toward the same target. There was a slight vibration when the projectiles were launched, which made Himeko-san storm over to my side, visibly furious.
Without hesitation, she used her armament gauntlet-covered hand to grab my head.
"What are you doing?! What if they retaliate?!" (Himeko-san)
"Never tell me the odds, but you look fine, Himeko-san."
Sure enough, it wasn't long before an alarm blared, and I could clearly see that something had locked onto the spaceship's position. I doubted it was the Monolith's defense system that did this.
Which left only two other possibility—the Decadence unit down there...
Or whatever I had provoked toward the direction I shot.
"I know a few maneuvers, don't worry we'll make them miss."
The first attack came closer, no more than a supersonic missile speeding toward us. I immediately activated the spaceship's drifting skill, and luckily, I was able to destroy it just in time with a laser shot.
But now, the other counterattacks were coming in.
"Hold on."
"I've been doing that this whole time!" (Himeko-san)
Just like my previous attacks, these counterattacks were very similar to the firepower from the Millennium Falcon's laser cannons. One missile strike, followed by five more laser shots.
It was a counterattack driven by pride.
I could conclude that the Mid-boss I had been warned about was likely in that direction.
I also suspected that whatever was there had the ability to reflect or absorb projectiles, or had already prepared to launch missiles or lasers as powerful as those just fired.
"...Are we safe?" (Himeko-san)
The moment I heard her words, I instinctively shifted the controls.
A beam of light traveled in a flash, and if I had been even a fraction of a second late, the entire Millennium Falcon would have been reduced to ashes. This shot wasn't part of the counterattack driven by pride and ego like the previous one.
This time, it was their turn to launch a warning shot.
"We've been hit, lost almost 28% of the left-side engine. It'll hinder the ship's agility."
"Ohh, we don't have any other choice—here comes another one!" Himeko-san exclaimed.
It would only be a death sentence if I tried approaching the Decadence unit in this condition.
Alright, I'll use whatever energy I have left to draw crossfire away from the Monolith to avoid putting it in danger, and then look for any chance to at least get the last opportunity to fight back.
The first step is to soars straight up.
That way, I won't have to worry about the attacks I dodge landing in the far corners of Soukai City.
The second is to pinpoint exactly where the shots are coming from.
Because fighting without knowing your enemy is a terrifying thing to do.
The third is to dodge—
"Khuh, I can't dodge that one. Himeko-san, prepare to jump. I'm going to crash this spaceship into that Abomination Engine's field before it blows up, so coordinate with Fuka-san to finish the rest!"
"...Alright, tell me when to jump." (Himeko-san)
"When its Field is destroyed, that's when you need to finish it. Now... jump."
The third thing is not letting this ship fall and explode before the right moment, and allowing Himeko-san to gain momentum from this height.
"Godspeed." (Himeko-san)
"I know."
Even though she had just used the Eclipse Knight from this world, I trusted her experience would guide her. Like a descending God-slayer, she would combine her strength with the divine bird to pierce through and slay the rotten creation of mankind.
The fourth step was to accelerate as fast as possible.
"Never let you go..."
I gripped the controls with every ounce of my remaining willpower, feeling the ship strain beneath my hands. The engines whined in protest as I forced it into a tight, furious orbit around the planet.
First the mountains—towering cliffs that seemed to stretch into infinity, then the scorched lands below, the oceans stretching endlessly. The atmosphere shimmered with the weight of my intentions as I pulled the ship higher, climbing through layers of turbulent clouds.
"To find a way back home..."
The ship's engines screamed as it reached maximum velocity, and I felt the vibrations thrumming through my body, the energy of the planet itself seeming to answer the call.
Each pass—each rotation—fueled my resolve.
Time slowed as the world outside blurred into a swirl of land, water, and sky. But by using the gathered energy from these rotations, I'll make it as my final strike aimed at the Decadence Unit.
A finishing move that would clear the path for them.
"Just a bit... more..."
My hands trembled slightly as I held the controls, my body screaming from the strain, but I didn't dare stop. Not now. Not when I had come so far.
My friend, how tragic it is that you can't see the result of what I've created. Always sinful in your choices, mistaken in your beliefs, ugly in your faith, and even stupid in your kindness.
You've worn your mistakes like chains, each one heavier than the last, and yet you've carried them, never once questioning the weight they placed upon you. Your life is not your own anymore—your body is but a vessel, a foundation to protect, something to shield those who remain.
Because of your mistakes, you no longer have any cause for fear of destruction.
But even in that, I've seen it... the change. You've learned to accept them, haven't you? Just as you've begun to accept us.
Therefore, with all the pieces I've put together, I will make a beautiful miracle unfold.
So that we could keep fighting for all that beautiful, and could be... blessed by it.
———————————————
Even when the pieces don't fall into place, when you're with those you love, it all make sense.
This phrase, so simple yet profound, perfectly encapsulates Als.
He is a schemer. A liar who cloaks his intentions in the guise of truth. And, above all, he is someone who will stop at nothing, even if it means tearing apart the world around him, to achieve his goal.
In other words, Als is the embodiment of determination—a force that has carried him to this point. A feeling, a drive, and a hope that refuses to fade, no matter how dark the road ahead may seem.
He is the Persona who longs to fight for the beauty of his world.
"Is Onii-san going to be alright? His ship was hit earlier, right?!"「Yae Rin」
[...This is what he wanted.]
That determination, have opened her eyes.
It wasn't just about greedily exposing her desires, as El Dust had pointed out. Moriarty realized she too needed a force, a driving push, to prevent herself from faltering when faced with the deepest desires of her heart.
[Such a pity... I never got to say goodbye to Dust before he left.]
Meanwhile, as the Millennium Falcon was struck and propelled into the sky, Private Hua watched in awe as it soared higher than anything around it, piercing even the densest clouds.
"What is he going to do now...?" Private Hua muttered, her gaze fixed on the rapidly disappearing ship.
With the form of a fiery bird, she could follow them, but she knew there would be little purpose in it. Her mission now was to cut down the number of enemies and protect the Monolith from the attacks that threatened it.
"Hopefully, the Major is alright up there..."「Private Hua」
As she flew, her wings like sharp flames, she used her beak—hotter and sturdier than any volcano—to tear through and obliterate the drones in her path.
"From that unit again... it's relentless in targeting the Monolith!"「Private Hua」
Even though the Decadence Unit fired its laser cannon, she skillfully blocked the attack by spreading her phoenix-like pinions, her majestic wings forming a fiery shield.
Though the blast still managed to wound her, she could already feel the healing flames repairing the damage.
"...Nothing much."「Private Hua」
But even as she said this, there was a shift in the air—a subtle feeling of unease.
Private Hua had grown too comfortable in her confidence.
The Decadence Unit, after all, wasn't just any automated force. These units were controlled by a rogue AI—an intelligence that was rumored to be not only self-aware but also evolving. They could learn, adapt, and anticipate their enemy's moves.
As Private Hua was relentlessly pushed back, she once again raised her wings to block the incoming laser cannon fire from the Decadence Unit. But what she failed to realize was that the units weren't attacking with full force.
They were pretending.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of self-exploding drone units surged toward her. Private Hua tried to maneuver, but it was too late. Her wings were ensnared by a barrage of the explosive drones, rendering her unable to escape.
With her wings immobilized, the majestic phoenix that she had always been, now exposed her vulnerable chest—wide open and unprotected. The perfect target for the next laser cannon shot.
"!!!"「Private Hua」
Just as the cannon fired and her fate seemed sealed, a streak of fiery light shot from the heavens. A woman, a soldier baptized by flame, descended like a meteor, her fiery form cutting through the air.
In an instant, Major Himeko showed before Private Hua, her fiery sword drawn, cleaving through the incoming attack with a single swipe. The explosion of flames around them evaporated in the wake of her blade.
"I'll leave the protecting to you, Hua."「Major Himeko」
"Major! Yes!"「Private Hua」
In that moment, just as the Decadence Unit's laser cannon was primed to fire, Private Hua acted swiftly. She extended her fiery wings wide, enveloping both herself and Major Himeko in a protective shield of blazing feathers.
The barrage of firepower collided with her defenses, but nothing could pierce the strength of the phoenix's protection. The explosion reverberated around them, but they emerged unscathed.
The very feathers she had used to shield them now transformed into burning projectiles. Blazing like meteors, they streaked across the battlefield, incinerating any drones within their path.
"Good work. Let's move forward! I'll tell you the plan while we teach these wrecks a lesson!"「Major Himeko」
"Understood."「Private Hua」
With fluid grace, Major Himeko stood tall on the majestic phoenix's back.
A warrior—baptized in flame with her newly gained might, combined with the newborn phoenix of divine ashes, The duo moved as one, incinerating drones with every movement. The flames they conjured turned the skies into a sea of burning destruction.
The fiery aura of the phoenix burned brighter as Major Himeko and Private Hua pressed forward, cutting a swath through the decimated ranks of their enemies. The strength of the bird and the warrior united, setting the battlefield ablaze.
Major Himeko shared the details of the mission with her partner, outlining the plan Als had briefed her on before she leaped into action. Yet, despite her confidence, she couldn't shake off the lingering doubts.
"That spaceship... has it just passed us again?"「Private Hua」
"Yeah, it looks like it's gathering momentum, circling the planet. We need to keep our distance from that wreckage, Hua."「Major Himeko」
The phoenix flapped its fiery wings and soared back, maintaining a safe distance from the Decadence Unit below. Still, their eyes were locked on the Millennium Falcon, which continued its relentless orbit of the planet.
Once... twice... three times... four... five—the Millennium Falcon continued its relentless orbit, each pass faster and more intense than the last.
Private Hua couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
The power of this attack could have catastrophic consequences. The thought of a meteor-like impact, with the potential to devastate everything in its path, made her question whether it was truly necessary to unleash such destructive force.
"... I'll make sure the explosion doesn't pass me by," Private Hua muttered, her voice tinged with doubt. "But is it really necessary to go this far to destroy the Field? It could end up destroying the whole planet."
Major Himeko's gaze remained focused, "That's why... I'm counting on you. Protect them."
Private Hua didn't respond in words, but the fire that flickered within her phoenix form burned brighter. The powerful flames reflected her inner resolve—she would do whatever it took.
The air was thick with tension as the sound of a high-pitched whistle filled the air—then, in an instant, a mass from space plummeted toward the Decadence Unit with devastating speed.
Boom! The impact was deafening, followed by an even greater explosion that rippled through the atmosphere.
"Khhhuhg?!" Private Hua gasped, fighting against the overwhelming force of the blast.
"Hold!" Major Himeko barked, her voice barely audible over the chaos.
The Phoenix, now enveloped in divine ashes, spread its wings wide to shield itself. The fiery appendages flared outward, their heat searing the very air around them, but even so, the intensity of the explosion was staggering.
For several seconds, everything seemed to freeze in the wake of the blast.
Then, the wave of destruction began to fade, leaving behind a haunting silence. The immediate shockwave of the ship's collision with the Decadence Unit had created an impact of unfathomable scale.
Water from the nearby oceans evaporated instantly, swept away by the sheer force of the explosion. A massive crater formed around the epicenter, a jagged scar in the planet's surface.
Though Private Hua managed to mitigate some of the aftereffects with her mystic pinions, creating a protective barrier around the Decadence Unit, she couldn't help but feel the weight of what could have been.
If the explosion had been left unchecked... she shuddered at the thought—three times the size of Soukai City, or more. A scale of destruction too vast to fathom.
"That field... it's now or never! Move forward!"「Major Himeko」
Seeing the AT Field now weakened, with gaps forming like shattered windows, she wasted no time.
With a clear directive to Private Hua, she led the charge. Though a final layer of defensive formation still tried to protect the Decadence Unit, the Phoenix—fueled by its divine fire—plowed through with ease.
"This is the end!"「Private Hua」
Like a streak of fire, the Phoenix spiraled toward the weakening defenses.
"Die! You scrap heap!"「Major Himeko」
Behind it, the Major gripped her massive smoldering blade, preparing for the final strike—an attack so powerful, it could shatter the skies themselves.
Together, they soared, tearing through the remains of the AT Field in their path. The last vestiges of resistance crumbled under their combined onslaught, leaving the Abomination Engine exposed and vulnerable.
With one final, earth-shattering cleave, Major Himeko unleashed her strike. The force was overwhelming—so intense that it not only cleaved through the engine but caused it to explode in a fiery burst.
The shockwave was immense, but it was the drones that had once filled the sky with their eerie hum that now plummeted to the ground, their power gone. They fell like shattered toys, lifeless and motionless.
"Whoaa?!" Major Himeko stumbled for a moment.
The overwhelming power was still foreign to her, and for a moment, she lost her balance. But just in time, Private Hua swiftly caught her, preventing her from falling into the ocean below.
"Let's return, Hua. Even if they're searching for us, I doubt there's any trace of him left," Major Himeko said, her voice steady but laced with a hint of melancholy.
The Phoenix flapped its mighty wings, lifting them into the sky once again.
Together, they soared toward the peak of Monolith No. 17, cautious but resolute. The danger wasn't over—there were still remnants of the enemy lurking, and they had to stay vigilant.
"Do you think he's really gone, Major?"「Private Hua」
"It's possible he jumped out of the way... No, with the speed we saw earlier, that's highly unlikely. But we should at least tell his little girlfriend up there the truth—that he wasn't exactly the 'scum' everyone thought he was."「Major Himeko」
"...Yes."「Private Hua」
With a swift motion, the Phoenix spread its wings wide, carrying them toward their destination.
...
....
.....
When Major Himeko and Private Hua arrived at the peak of Monolith once again, they were stunned by what they saw. The man they had believed to be gone, the one whose fate seemed sealed in the chaos of the battle, was there, alive and... oddly relaxed.
"Ahahaha! That was an amazing performance! The Phoenix Ultimate combined with the Eclipse Knight's power... hahaha! I'd love to see that again!" Als's laughter echoed in the air as he casually continued combing through Yae Rin's pink hair.
"You're not dead?"「Major Himeko」
Despite the burns and scratches covering his body, Als was very much alive. His breathing steady, his focus seemed to be entirely on Yae Rin, who sat next to him, calmly allowing him to brush her hair.
"Done, Rin-san," Als said, finishing the hairstyle with a satisfied grin.
"It really is a bun hairstyle! I thought this style would be hard to pull off!" Yae Rin remarked, turning her head slightly to admire the work.
"Well, when it comes to arranging a woman's crown, I'm a pro!" 「Als」
"Then let's do yours next! Higokumaru and Moriarty nee want to help too?" Yae Rin suggested excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
[Let's do it again.]
"Uhhh... I'm still in shock about the phoenix's descent earlier. And the fact that she can transform into her human form now... does this mean she's partly a spirit, like me?"「Higokumaru」
After waiting a while, the two girls finally finished styling the man's hair. Perhaps because of the differing hands at work, his hair now looked entirely unnatural, the result oddly mismatched, yet oddly fitting for the moment.
His hair was like... dragon on the left, and banana at the right.
"...You're just enough with this?"「Private Hua」
"Hmm... yes, it's good. I wanted to join in the final strike with you all, but even though the trio didn't happen, I'm content with the duo you made. It's been a long time since I saw Fuka-san fight that way!"「Als」
Despite the rather unusual hairstyle, the man had no hesitation standing proudly before them. The woman with armor gave him a smirk, while the teen soldier with red eyes didn't show much reaction, her usual stoic demeanor unchanged.
"Now that I've confirmed it, he's really like your fan-boy," Major Himeko teased, her voice carrying a playful tone.
"Please don't say it like that," Private Hua replied, her expression a mix of embarrassment and mild exasperation. The idea of Als being a 'fan-boy' felt a bit too odd for her.
"Being called such is fine," Als said nonchalantly, then quickly added, "Ah, hold on... can you also let me take a picture?"
"See? Fan-boy."「Major Himeko」
With a pose she was sure was the best, the red haired woman didn't hesitate and immediately motioned for Private Hua to join her for the photo.
At first, Private Hua felt embarrassed and reluctant, but after a brief moment, she gave in, her face stiff and awkward as she posed beside the Major.
"Now then, come with us to the prison to explain everything."「Major Himeko」
"Huh?" 「Als」
"Don't huh me, you're going to jail now."「Major Himeko」
The photo session lasted only a few moments before they moved on to the more serious matters. But just as they were about to get back to business, a new presence arrived—someone who was immediately serious.
"That won't be necessary, those two will be eliminated here."「Yae Sakura」
A sharp clink rang out, followed by a loud clack.
And in an instant, Yae Sakura performed a lightning-fast draw.
Her blade was directed toward Als and Moriarty, and though the strike didn't even come close to grazing the Timeless girl, Als wasn't so lucky. He felt the sharp pain of a stab wound in his chest.
"Onii-san! Yae-nee!? Why..."「Yae Rin」
"...Higokumaru, take Rin and get her away from here. Don't let her look back," Yae Sakura ordered, her voice cold and decisive.
"G-Got it, Sakura-nee."「Higokumaru」
Without hesitation, the little flying fox girl swept Yae Rin up, taking her away despite the girl's frantic struggles. Higokumaru didn't let go, understanding just how dangerous the situation was. Especially that killing intent radiating from Yae Sakura.
As they disappeared into the distance, the atmosphere grew tense, and the weight of the moment was felt by everyone.
"My sword cannot reach you... then what if I cut through the very space itself?" Yae Sakura's voice was calm, almost detached, as she performed a quick draw that ruptured the fabric of space itself.
[...]
"Not possible either. Then I will end one target first."「Yae Sakura」
Without further words, she aimed her sword at Als, intending to sever his throat. But, thankfully, her strike was intercepted by Major Himeko.
"From that logo... you're also from MOTH. But which division are you from? Explain why he must be killed. I haven't heard any report from central operators."「Major Himeko」
"...Soldier, I advise you not to interfere," Yae Sakura said, taking a brief breath before glancing at Private Hua. "We each have our own mission, don't get involved."
"..."「Private Hua」
But Major Himeko didn't back down so easily.
"Even though he broke the rules and caused trouble, he also helped save this city. I don't know what your mission is, but has this city fallen so far that it will eliminate its savior?"「Major Himeko」
"I have no opinion on that matter," Yae Sakura replied coldly and indifferently.
The katana swung again, but this time it was blocked by a greatsword that intercepted her strike.
"The real enemy is still out there. Instead of wasting resources on someone who could help, you'd be better off working together to face the big boss itself. Why don't you think about that for a moment?"「Major Himeko」
"...Step aside, or else..." Yae Sakura warned, her stance ready for confrontation.
The atmosphere grew tenser as Yae Sakura accelerated the swing of her blade.
Each slash, when unleashed from its sheath, created arcs of light that targeted the weak points of Major Himeko's armor and greatsword.
But surprisingly, the Major managed to keep up, and it seemed as though no harm came to her, even when a slash nearly grazed her. It was as though there was some unseen force—a kind of feather-like protection—shielding her movements.
"...At the very least, I can do this to help her."「Private Hua」
The duel between the two women intensified, with each strike heating up and cooling down as they continued to clash. But then, just as it seemed like the battle was about to reach its peak, Als' voice suddenly interrupted them.
A mega laser cannon had been fired toward them, and it was only Als who noticed it in time.
"Incoming." 「Als」
"Suddenly?!"「Major Himeko」
In response, Private Hua partially morphed her arms into the majestic wings of a phoenix, attempting to shield herself and the top of Monolith's from the blast.
But even this transformation wasn't enough to block the full force of the incoming mega laser, which was strong enough to pierce through Monolith's unique field.
Moreover, Hua was still recovering from the previous battle.
"Just this once, I'll do you favor."「Yae Sakura」
The sound of a sharp clink followed by a brilliant flash echoed around them.
In that flash, thousands of strikes were drawn from her blade, each one capable of slicing through the cold depths of the ocean, capable of piercing the night itself to extinguish the light that was aimed at them.
With a single, powerful Judgement Cut, she collided with the mega laser, successfully blocking the attack. They took a brief moment to breathe, relieved that the immediate danger had passed.
But they knew the respite wouldn't last.
Three mega lasers now shot toward them, faster and more intense than before.
Even when Hua attempted to block the two incoming shots, her wings shattered under the force, and one of the mega lasers managed to slip through, heading straight for Moriarty.
Fortunately, Major Himeko and Yae Sakura reacted quickly, deflecting the blast just in time.
But then what about the last Mega Lasers?
"Ghhuh?! Was that the attack just now?!"「Major Himeko」
"That was for the Monolith!"「Private Hua」
A shockwave hit them, and they quickly realized that the ground beneath their feet was beginning to tilt and crumble. Not even the Monolith's unique field or its durable metallic body could withstand the force of the mega laser after being weakened by the prior attacks.
The mega laser continued its destructive path, leaving a massive hole in the Veil Sector around the Monolith. The shockwaves nearly hit Higokumaru and Yae Rin, who were still trying to escape. The danger was far from over, and the situation was growing increasingly dire.
"Major, I'm sorry but I can feel my power fading."「Private Hua」
"Then it can't be helped," Major Himeko replied quickly. "We'll just jump from here. I'll take care of the girl, and you take care of that Machi boy."
But before they could act, Yae Sakura intervened once again, preventing them from rescuing the two. In the end, they could only grab Moriarty which actually... will always be fine, instead of Als who've succumb with a huge gaping chest.
With frustration and regret weighing heavily on them, both soldiers made their decision.
They leaped from the crumbling Monolith, which had become too unstable to stand on. They left Als behind, watching him fall as the structure around them shattered. His final gaze was directed at the timeless girl.
[...Yes, we'll meet again.]
As they landed in the Veil Sector, a desolate, abandoned city far from the fallen Monolith, their thoughts remained heavy with what had transpired. The shattered remnants of the Monolith loomed in the distance, a reminder of the destruction that had just occurred.
Yae Sakura's whereabouts remained unknown, but from afar, they could spot Higokumaru and Yae Rin, accompanied by a silver-haired woman.
"Rin! Rin?! Are you okay?"「Higokumaru」
"But... why did Sakura-nee kill onii-san?" Yae Rin's voice trembled, the confusion and sorrow evident in her eyes. "And her eyes... is that really Sakura nee?"
"She's still in shock. And little fairy, who's the three person over there?"「Agent Bronya」
From a distance, Agent Bronya could be seen helping Higokumaru and Yae Rin escape. Given her protective behavior, both Major Himeko and Private Hua felt she was not their enemy.
They then moved closer to her.
"Special Agent Deployed from Soukai, Agent Bronya," she said, extending her hand for a handshake. "Are you both the soldiers stationed at this Monolith?"
"That's correct," Major Himeko replied. "A lot has happened... things that are hard to explain in words. But if an agent is here, does that mean your Overseer is also moving?"
"I'm here on an escort mission, not to build relations with MOTH. Have you seen a man with this appearance?"「Agent Bronya」
The silver-haired woman displayed an image, and it was clear to both Major Himeko and Private Hua who was in the photo. They paused for a moment, unsure of what to say, but suddenly... another Mega Laser was targeting them.
"Hmm? Bunny-0019... energy surge detected, it's headed this way?"「Agent Bronya」
"Not again," Private Hua quickly used the remainder of her energy to create a makeshift protective field. "Do you have anything that can withstand or reflect this?"
"You better use it, because if not, we're all dead."「Major Himeko」
After receiving data from her own intelligent unit, Agent Bronya did what she had to do. Just before the Mega Laser struck, she issued a command.
"Bunny-0019, deploy barrier!"「Agent Bronya」
"Major, can you slash it?"「Private Hua」
In the current situation, they all pushed as hard as they could to hold back the beam of light. Whether it was Agent Bronya, Private Hua, or Major Himeko, they realized they wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer against this powerful attack.
"It's hard for me to swing this sword with you all around!"「Major Himeko」
"...It's strong. I'll scatter their energy concentration!"「Agent Bronya」
"Then do it!"「Private Hua」
As she tinkered with Bunny-0019, the barrier began to shift, transforming into a triangular shape. The sharp tip of the barrier would divide the concentration of the Mega Laser, redirecting it in multiple directions, thus relieving some of the strain on Hua's pinnions and her own barrier.
But once again, Thomas had a self-intelligent AI.
When it sensed that its attack had been neutralized, it adapted and changed its method of assault.
What was originally Mega Laser: Concentrated Streams, began to shift into Mega Laser: Explosive Photons. This new form would explode on impact with anything attempting to block it.
"Move!"「Major Himeko」
At that moment, the red haired woman felt that she could do something with this type of attack, so she immediately leaped into action, slashing and dashing through the oncoming Mega Lasers.
However, the Major quickly realized that if Thomas had two types of Mega Laser...
"It's using both!" Major Himeko exclaimed.
Before she could react further, she was sent flying back to the ground, only to be saved by Private Hua, who, unfortunately, was caught in the explosion from the Explosive Photons nearby.
Both of them were incapacitated, leaving only Agent Bronya able to continue fighting. Meanwhile, Yae Sakura remained hidden, waiting to eliminate one more target on her mission.
"...Just hide, Rin."「Yae Sakura」
The Mega Laser blasts continued to rain down on Agent Bronya, while Higokumaru and Yae Rin were ordered to hide far away from her. Her barrier was getting battered, gradually weakening until it finally shattered, leaving her vulnerable.
Using her agility, she attempted to dodge, but from a distance, she could see another Mega Laser coming straight toward the spot she was predicted to land.
Basked in light, Agent Bronya gazed up at the sky, realizing she couldn't avoid this attack. But she didn't give up. With her last effort, she fired precise shots from her own weapons, trying to shift her movement slightly, buying herself a moment.
"...I should've drink with him once last time."「Agent Bronya」
More Mega Laser blasts came toward her, and for some reason, they all seemed slower than what she had seen before. Each beam of light moved at a pace that, from her perspective, felt agonizingly slow.
"I can't move..." Agent Bronya's voice echoed with a chilling calmness, as if time itself had stopped around her.
Everything felt as though time was slowing, like the final moments before her death.
But in that fleeting instant, she saw him— a figure soaring from the ruins of the Monolith. With grace and power, he swatted away the incoming Mega Lasers that had been aimed at her from above.
He floated in the sky, an aura of arrogance surrounding him, as if the very blasts meant to obliterate him were beneath his notice. With effortless precision, he parried, blocked, and sent them back, one after another, without breaking a sweat.
"Huh... you're late."「Agent Bronya」
Though far away, she seemed to recognize the figure in the sky, as if she knew exactly who it was.
"Idiotka," she added, the words dripping with a mixture of affection and frustration.
To her, that figure was not just an ally, but someone who represented a part of her past—someone who was both a friend and family. Her second love, second only to her mother and father, and also a person who had always been her rival.
[So... you're next.]
However, for Moriarty, after hearing Als' words, that figure in the sky represented something far more dangerous. It was the manifestation of another one of his Personas, one that had taken control after Als' disappearance.
A Persona consumed by anger, destruction, and an insatiable thirst for battle.
"COUNNTEEERRR!!!!"「Sengoku」
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