"I'm... a demon?" I asked Laplace, my voice trembling.
"Oh, why does it matter? If you are, will you join us? Ally with us to dominate the world?" Laplace teased, her grin is widening.
"There's no way I'd ever accept that!" I shouted.
"Shape-shift: Scythe"
"Pocket timeline rule: Only Kitsune and I can move"
I charged at Laplace, swinging my scythe with all my remaining strength. But before I could land a strike, my body froze. A wave of numbness coursed through me, forcing me to fell on the ground.
I already hit my limit.
The dome I had cast broke, and I lost my grip on my shape-shifter. Blood dripped from my lips as I bit down, desperate to stay conscious.
"Oh? Looks like you've reached your limit," Laplace said, her mocking tone digging into me.
"Just kill me if that's what you want. I'll never join you demons,"
Laplace chuckled. "Oh, but you are one of us, Misaki. Or did you forget?"
"If I'm truly a demon, why aren't you dying now for revealing my past?" I countered, glaring at her.
"Oh? That's simple," Laplace replied. "Tsukihime's curse kills anyone who reveals your past once. , the curse doesn't account for Ashura's ability to revive the dead. So basically, for the time being, I won't be affected by the curse, until Tsukihime recognized that I'm still alive.. Convenient, isn't it?"
"How do you even know about my curse?" I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.
"Why? Because we've met before. Many times," Laplace said with a smirk.
"As if I'd believe that lie!" I shouted, struggling to lift myself.
"Oh, it doesn't matter if you believe me. Let me ask you, Misaki… did you enjoy my performance? My 'Absolute Future Calculation.' I can predict the future based on how every particle in this world moves. It's not perfect, but it's more than enough to manipulate and guess future events."
"That's hell of a cheat skill," I said under my breath.
Laplace giggled. "Oh, you flatter me. But your powers are far superior. Unlike mine, your future predictions are flawless."
Before I could respond, Ashura interrupted. "Enough chatter, Laplace. The verdict of the moon is near. We should leave."
"Verdict of the moon?" I asked, confused.
Laplace's smirk turned sly. "Oh, that? It's just proof of how much Tsukihime loves you."
Her words left me speechless.
"Goodbye, Arcana," Laplace said as she and Ashura vanished into thin air. "We'll meet again… though you might not even remember this time that we've met."
Their departure left me alone on the mountain. My body trembled as my strength faded. My vision blurred, and I felt my consciousness slipping away.
But before I blacked out, a massive beam of light descended from the moon. It struck me directly, yet it didn't hurt. Instead, I felt a soothing warmth, comforting enough to lull me into sleep.
This... was this the Verdict of the Moon?
Kitsune's POV
I ran from the mountain, carrying my injured daughters as Misaki's pocket timeline rule commanded. Tears stung my eyes as I replayed his words.
Leave, Kitsune.
When I reached the foot of the mountain, I felt the dome collapse. He's energy is already depleted. I thought of going back to where I left Misaki... he would need my help..
As I approached the middle of the mountain, I saw it—a giant beam of light descending from the heavens. It landed near where I had left Misaki.
My heart pounded in my chest.
I sprinted to the location, fear gripping me. When I arrived, I saw him lying there, unconscious but probably still alive.
"Misaki!" I shouted, falling to my knees beside him.
His body wasn't dissipating—he was still alive. But there were no visible injuries. The beam… was it his attack? Did he manage to defeat those demons?
I investigated the area but it showed no signs of battle. Everything was calm, eerily so. His weapon lay discarded nearby.
I cradled his head in my lap, tears falling freely. "You idiot," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Why did you make me leave? Why did you face them alone?"
Forcing myself to stand, I carried him back. Staying here wasn't an option—we might encounter more enemies. My strength was almost gone. We will be real dead for sure if another strong enemy would appear
"I nearly lost him… I nearly lost my daughters," I whispered to myself as tears streamed down my face. If it weren't for this trip...
I couldn't let my selfishness endanger him and my daughters again.
This overwhelming pain… was this what humans called sadness and regret?
Together with Misaki and my daughters, I carried all of them as quickly as I could back to Yokohama. Every step felt like an eternity, the guilt and worry clawing at my heart. I couldn't shake the thought—what if I was too late?
After over an hour of running, I finally arrived at his apartment. Exhausted and shaking, I laid Misaki's unconscious body gently on his bed. His breathing was steady, but his face was pale and lifeless. It pained me to see him like this. I then placed my daughters on the futon, their small bodies battered but still clinging to life.
"This is bad," I muttered, panic creeping into my voice. "I can't heal them, nor do I have the ability to transfer or absorb life force like Misaki..."
My gaze fell on Misaki's knife—his manifestation in its base form. I remembered how it worked. The knife had the ability to absorb and lend life force, a power Misaki often used. Luckily, the knife was still intact, already in its base form. Perhaps Misaki had drained so much energy that he couldn't maintain its transformation anymore.
But then, reality hit me.
"I don't know the chant to transfer life force," I whispered, clutching the knife tightly. The realization sank in like lead in my chest. Misaki had never shared the details of how to use it.
I looked at my daughters. Their breathing was faint, but steady. "Maybe… maybe just letting them rest will be enough," I whispered to myself, though doubt clouded my heart.
The exhaustion finally overwhelmed me. My body felt heavy, and my vision blurred. I stumbled to the ground, leaning against the wall. Tears welled up in my eyes as the weight of everything crashed over me.
"I'll fix this… somehow,"
"I won't let them die…"
Laplace's POV
[CASTLE IN THE SKY - LOCATION: UNKNOWN]
Ugh, this sucks... no matter how many times I try, that Tsukihime...
She keeps interfering with my plans...
"Did you fail again?"
"Oh, shut up... Don't ask questions with obvious answers. And that throne... it's so lame. You don't even have an army to be a king."
"Sigh... Forgive Laplace for her sharp mouth..."
"Ashura... don't feel sorry for him; he isn't our boss!!"
I clenched my fist..
This idiot musclehead... and this shut-in nerd... I wouldn't work with them if I were strong enough to fight those powerful spirits myself.
"Oh, Laplace... if not for my weakening body, I wouldn't be working with you demons either."
"You're just lucky that we have the same goals. That's the only reason I'm cooperating with you..."
He said it so arrogantly.
"I've said it before... don't read my mind!!!"
I summoned Yuki.
"Yuki: Absolute Zero."
But before Yuki could cast my chant, I felt a heavy presence entering the castle.
"Don't you dare tarnish the image of my master."
"Spirit arts: Gravity—hundredfolds."
The heaviness was immense, enough to bring even Ashura to his knees.
"Enough, Zeta. They are my honored guests."
As he commanded, Zeta released her spell.
"This is why I told you to remain calm, Laplace," Ashura said.
"You're just weak, Ashura. You can't even handle that nerd's maid.
"And you, nerd... after this contract, I'll definitely kill you...
Ancient Spirit of Wisdom: Vesta Anubis."