Black Swallowtail
Without warning, everyone except Hatagi, who managed to leap back onto a tree branch in time, were engulfed by the colossal wave.
Aleximus desperately clung to Anna, refusing to let go, but his grip came loose as another bout of pain caused him to keel over. His bleeding foot had cost him his sister's hand, and Anna was swept away by the ferocious current.
"ANNA!!" he shouted as the water split them apart.
The flood clashed against itself and sprayed droplets into the air. Though Hatagi had managed to evade the bulk of them, a few drops managed to sink into his dark green robe. Within seconds, it burned through the fabric like acid, imprinting a gaping hole on his thigh.
Shit! he winced, hastily retreating higher into the tree. He undid his collar and threw his outerwear to the floor, narrowly avoiding death. That idiot! He jumped in headfirst! What the hell is this?!
He peered down, searching desperately for Dopi's large figure, and sucked his teeth. As he expected, Dopi — who had lunged towards the siblings — met a fate worse than death. Upon contact with the water, his skin had melted, peeling from his bones so quickly that it dissolved into a grotesque goo. His liquidated remains soon blended in with the swirling dark tide and vanished into the murky water.
"Shit!" Hatagi growled. What am I supposed to do here?! This isn't how it was supposed to go, dammit!
His eyes traveled to the statue, remembering the origin of the implosion. It happened then. But why?
Then he saw it. Floating out from behind the cave the waterfall and statue cleverly hid, the unconscious body of Jacender came forward and shone brightly. He emerged, levitating above the statue's empty right hand; As if he was being gifted back to the world now that the ball of flame had vanished. Not only that, but he looked different. His messy black hair had been transformed into pure, snowy white. His injuries, including the lost organs which had spilled from his body had been healed — made evident by the gaps in his torn sweater. He was, miraculously, good as new.
The floodwaters below began to recede, dissipating bit by bit as they were absorbed into the grass.
"No way…" Hatagi faltered, dropping down from the tree and landing on his feet.
A sharp cough drew his attention to a small figure stationed closer to the statue. Aleximus had survived the torrent and was trying his hardest to dispel the water in his lungs.
Oi, oi, oi! Hatagi thought to himself. He was dumbfounded. How's he still alive?! Dopi got turned into fucking mush, but he gets off with a little cough? And where'd the other one come from? I gutted him myself! They shouldn't be alive! Who are these kids?
"Jace!" Aleximus called, finally noticing his brother. He nearly staggered, relief washing over him at the sight of his unconscious brother. He wasn't dead.
Near the ring of trees around them lay Anna, who was blacked out. Aleximus worried for a moment but noticed her chest rise and fall. She was also alive. He sighed, thinking, Thank god, and looked back at his brother.
Jacender's body was starting to descend toward the feet of the statue. At his side hovered a thick blue and white book that caused Hatagi's eyes to turn wide.
"A Codex!" he gasped. His irises danced excitedly as he rushed to Jace. "I knew there was an Artifact of Imperium here, but I wasn't expecting this!"
Aleximus's mind raced with apprehension. Hatagi could not be allowed to attack them again. If he were to be attacked, the loss of his foot would get him killed.
"S-Stay away from him!" he warned, raising his arms. In a flash, Hatagi disappeared from his sight and emerged behind him, striking him down with a kick. Aleximus went flying several paces and landed hard on his back.
Hatagi grinned. "You really should worry about yourself, dumbass!"
He unsheathed his dagger and walked over to Anna. "With that Codex, I don't have to work for the Guild or that Church anymore! I can finally get revenge on that damned Embassy!"
He raised her by the scuff of her neck and ran the tip of the blade along her shoulder, creating a thin slash down her arm.
"AIEEE!" she shrieked, jolted awake by the pain. She huffed hard and tried to push away from him, but he squeezed harder until she dropped her arms.
Aleximus roared furiously and tried to stand, but his served foot wouldn't allow it. "LET HER GO!" he bellowed.
Hatagi tightened his grip around Anna's neck again. "I won't."
"LET HER GO YOU PIECE OF SHIT! LET HER GO, OR I'LL–"
"–YOU'LL WHAT?!" Hatagi shot back, growing irritated. "DON'T YOU THINK YOU CAN FUCKING YELL AT ME, YOU SHITTY BRAT! WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST TAKE ME LIGHTLY?! HUH?!"
As a show of seriousness, he raised the blade again and ripped open Anna's cheek, glaring as she howled for help. "You don't seem to understand," he started. He dragged her closer to Aleximus and cut her again.
Despite the pain searing through his severed foot, Aleximus tried to propel himself forward, but crashed onto the ground again, reaching just short of Hatagi.
"STOP IT! PLEASE!!"
"You're weak!" Hatagi continued, ignoring him. "I'll kill her, and there's nothing you can do about that. Then your brother. I could make a fucking mask out of his face and wear it while I kill you if I wanted. You'll all die tonight, and I'm gonna make sure you hate every second of it! Do you hear me?! You'll pay!"
He heightened the knife and placed the blade on her eyeball. "You know what your problem is?!"
Aleximus felt his stomach drop. "I SAID STOP, YOU IDIOT!!" he wailed. Tears of rage and self-loathing streamed down his face. He was too weak. His siblings needed him and there was nothing he could do. Whatever happened to them would be his fault if he couldn't stop them.
"Your problem is that you don't have enough hate, kid!" Hatagi laughed, kicking him back. He wouldn't give him the chance to get close. Not this time. "You don't know what it's like to hate yourself when you can't do anything! You don't have the drive or will to change your circumstances! You need to be motivated — Not just have motivation! Your brother over there knew that and tried to fight me even though he knew he would lose! You're just boring!"
DAMN IT, MOVE! Aleximus cried, ordering his body to act. MOVE, DAMN IT! I SAID MOVE!
Hatagi persisted in his sadistic assault and chuckled. "Don't worry. This was always the way it was gonna end — with all of you dead at my feet."
Aleximus felt his blood chill. Was there really nothing he could do? Were his siblings just going to die?
Then, Hatagi crouched low and pushed Anna in front of him; making a barrier between him and Aleximus with her body. "You kids just don't know how to respect your elders," he said, an idea coming to him. "But it's not your fault. You weren't raised right. That means it falls onto me to teach you a lesson in humility."
A dangerous glow came off of his body and covered the arm holding Anna. Aleximus tried to lunge, but with his sister in the way, he had no choice but to stop just short of Hatagi. "Damn it! Stay away from her!"
"Calm down," Hatagi warned. "I'm gonna show you firsthand how it works!"
He dropped Anna in front of him and concentrated the ominous pressure pooling from his body into his open palm.
"In the outside world, there are all sorts of people with abilities born from Sanctum Energy. Everyone falls into one of the four class systems depending on their affinity to it. Dopi and I were what's known as Extractors." He coldly hovered his hand above Anna's exposed leg and manifested a withering-like flower of energy in the center. An Aconite flower.
"I'm an extra rare type of fighter able to siphon and redistribute Sanctum Essence at will. But that's not all…"
Aleximus watched in fear as Hatagi placed his flower-tatted palm down on his sister's leg, her shriek piercing the air.
"If I use it in conjunction with my innate power," Hatagi continued, relishing in her torment, "...Then I can even break down the human body!"
The flower transferred from Hatagi's palm as he removed his hand, causing a swirling haze of thorns to materialize upon her leg within seconds. The tissue covering Anna's leg started to eat itself and climb up her thigh, destroying even the bones and blood inside until all Aleximus could see was ash.
"Wanna know what I call it? RotVenom! Ain't that cool?!" Hatagi goaded. Aleximus sobbed angrily, screaming, "Stop it!", and begged him to stop. He was at a loss. By positioning himself behind Anna's body, the man had assured the boy's helplessness. Aleximus could only watch his fading sister screech while the RotVenom relentlessly devoured her body — inching ever closer to her waist.
"Come on…" Hatagi whispered. He leaned in close and bared a toothy grin. "Where's that hate, kid?!"
"JACE!" the boy shouted, tears filling his eyes. "GET UP! YOU'VE GOTTA GET UP, YOU IDIOT! SHE'S DYING!"
But Jace's motionless body offered no response. "JACE!"
Hatagi's smile widened, oozing with confidence. As Anna sobbed, Aleximus slowly began to lower his arms. A haunting realization dawned on him. I can't… I can't save her..!
He bit down hard on his lip, cracking the surface and letting a trail of blood run down his chin until it mixed with the grass below. Wracked with overwhelming grief and vulnerability, there was only one emotion Aleximus could turn to. Fury.
"Oho!" Hatagi piped ecstatically. He cocked his head to the side and made an exaggerated face. "That's the look, kid! Come on! Why didn't you wear it earlier?! HAHAHA!"
Despite his snot-filled nose, Aleximus cried as hard as he could and whispered a silent prayer to whoever would hear it: "Somebody... Anybody… Please... Save my sister…"
Hatagi opened his arms wide, basking underneath the moonlight. "No one is coming to save you! Now watch her die!"
KRAAACK!
The sound of thunder boomed through the air, sending a shockwave throughout the field. "What the–'' Hatagi jumped, readying his dagger. But it was too late; A bolt of lightning crackled through the sky, descending upon Hatagi's crouched figure with astonishing speed and striking the area like a lightning bolt. The ground quivered beneath their feet as a gust of wind swept Aleximus, Anna, and Jace backward, while Hatagi was sent airborne. Accompanying him was another figure, cloaked in black.
Aleximus's eyes widened, watching as a red sickle shot through the sky, separating Hatagi from the newcomer. The sickle was attached to a sleek silver chain affixed to a large shuriken with carved finger-holds. Faster than he could react, Hatagi's arm was caught by the chain, and swiftly, his opponent spun the end that held the blade and let it fly at an inexplicable speed. It would have taken Hatagi's head off had he not dodged in time. Instead, he sacrificed his arm by swinging it up and bearing the sickle's speed, freeing himself from the chains as his opponent recalled the blade.
Hatagi crashed to the ground, heaving for air. Not even a second later, a small spray of blood rained down upon his head, ending as soon as his slashed arm fell to his feet.
Shit! he growled, lamenting at the loss of his arm. "That," a stern voice announced from above. The man came down slowly, his aura like purple electricity. "...Was for my nephew."
Lightning cracked around him and his body and extended throughout the entire Forbidden Area. It was fearsome. Oppressive.
Aleximus recognized the voice immediately. His eyes followed him as the man landed in front of him, his back turned. His clothing was different, and he was half-masked, but Aleximus knew who it was. In disbelief, he opened his mouth, stammering with an outstretched hand. He gripped the man's robe tightly the moment his foot had touched the ground.
"Whoa there!" the masked man chuckled. "Everything is going to be alright now, okay?"
With those words, hope was instilled into the boy. He was not dreaming. The person before him was real.
"Who the hell are you?!" Hatagi spat angrily.
The stranger pulled down his half-mask, appearing serious as he surveyed the scene. Since his talk with Aleximus earlier that day, he had donned a peculiar outfit. A dark purple kimono which could have been mistaken for black, embroidered with red spider lilies. On his right arm, underneath his large sleeve, a purple gauntlet was mounted on his arm, hiding its sneakily retractable golden blade. What's more, he had undone the bun on his hair and let it flow freely.
Sure as the tears streaming down his face and his heartbeat thumping in his chest were real, Aleximus knew that what he was seeing was not an illusion. It was the genuine article.
"U-Uncle Matsuda..!"
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[THE OUTSIDE WORLD, A FEW MILES AWAY FROM THE AXIS]
A man in loose white robes ran through the night. His cowl hood hid his face, and against his chest — printed on a flap hanging over his shoulder — was a symbol of two crossed keys over a beautiful white dove. He dashed through rocky pathways, quickly making a large tear in the middle of the sky. It was a feel miles out, but he knew what it was. Dopi's report was correct, he thought to himself with a playful smile. That must be the Axis they found… Hatagi must have cut his way in.
A slight tremor filled the air, causing the wind to pick up and hum near his ears. He stopped and stared intently at the wound in the Axis's barrier. "There's an enormous amount of Sanctum Energy coming from there…"
He didn't know it, but the Sanctum Energy booming from inside the Axis belonged to none other than Matsuda. To be this far and still shake the land…
The stranger picked up speed and rushed even faster. "Interesting."
-------🅰🆂🅷🅵🅸🅴🅻🅳-------
[THE AXIS, THE FORBIDDEN AREA GLADE]
Where'd this shithead come from? And why the hell is he so strong?!
Hatagi parried another strike from Matsuda and winced. His severed arm had thrown off his sense of balance. Defense was his only option.
Damn it! He growled to himself and glanced at Jacender's body. More specifically — the book laying next to him. I was so close... So fucking close!
Matsuda turned his back to him and moved to Aleximus. "Here," he motioned, ruffling his nephew's hair. "I picked this up over there."
In his hand, he clutched Aleximus's severed foot. Matsuda placed it exactly onto the spot Hatagi had cleaved it from and removed a white talisman from his inner sleeve painted with purple ink. It was marked "復元" (Restore).
"This might sting a bit. Brace yourself."
A grape-colored glow radiated from the talisman and enveloped Aleximus's slashed foot. His uncle was right — it did sting. The talisman felt like tiny bolts of electricity were traveling down his ankles and sewing his flesh back together. He gritted his teeth, keeping his eyes focused on Anna. "You did amazing buddy," Matsuda smiled. "I'm proud of you for taking care of your sister, alright? You did great."
Aleximus's pupils widened for a moment. His efforts were being validated. Everything he'd done had served a purpose. His trembling hands steadied with resolve and he forced himself to rise. Still, he thought, it's not over yet!
"U-Uncle Matsuda, Anna—"
"—I know," Matsuda answered. He gave a quick look at her. The RotVenom was already eating up at her chest. "Abilities like that can only be reversed by the person who affected them."
Aleximus's gaze shifted to Hatagi, his contempt fueling the dark inferno within him. He couldn't bear the thought of Hatagi escaping justice.
"Yes, him," Matsuda affirmed, a similar anger magnifying in his eyes. His violet, electric energy burst forward like thunder. "Let me handle him."
With a swift motion, Matsuda threw up several hand signs, clasping his hands together and locking his fingers. He pressed together his middle fingers and amassed a burning swirl of lightning. Electricity coursed through his hands as he aimed it forward. "Levin!" he roared, shooting a dark thunderbolt from his fingertips.
ZAAAK!
Hatagi ducked low, the shot just narrowly skimming past his cheek, and dove for his weapon. A Mudra! he marveled, stepping back. And it's super powerful! Who is he and how does he—
Giving Hatagi no time to think, Matsuda reached for his sickle and chain and spun it again. This time, it created a half-cresent as it cut through the space between him and Hatagi. With his other hand, he threw down a flurry of quick signs — more Mudras — and seamlessly interlocked his fingers again, creating another charge for Hatagi.
ZAAKTT!
That damned chain..! Hatagi tsked, throwing his body to the side. I can't do anything about the distance if he keeps letting it fly like that!
He fled into the air for safety and attempted to use the trees around them for cover. "Don't I know you?!" he called out, hoping to slow him down in any way.
Matsuda followed him with a deadpan expression. He rushed through the air and clasped both his palms together. "Tanshoku," he said, releasing a high-pitched shockwave between him and Hatagi. The moment his hands touched, the trees behind Hatagi uprooted and knocked into each other until there was nowhere else to hide.
Hatagi felt his heart sink into his stomach. A localized thunderclap?!
Faster than Aleximus's eyes could register, Matsuda sank several blows into Hatagi's falling body, chopping and punching him with frightening accuracy.
Hatagi swiped with his dagger, haphazardly trying to keep Matsuda at bay. He was clearly afraid. Shit, he worried, I can't keep this up! I don't know if he's going to attack with the sickle, the chain, a Mudra, his hands, or all at once! I need distance but he won't give it to me… I need to buy time!
Matsuda recognized the growing fear filling Hatagi's eyes and wondered what he was up to. He stopped his onslaught and jumped back.
Hatagi, finally given space, ripped off a part of his robe and wrapped it around his bleeding arm. "You know, I shouldn't have listened to little Anna there when she said there were only three of you…" He sucked his teeth and chuckled at his wound. "Look where it's gotten me… I don't even have any healing spells available, haha…"
"You won't be listening to anything soon." Matsuda threatened, tightening his grip on his chain. "You'll die here — Without a grave."
Hatagi scoffed. "If anyone else would have said that to me, I might not have believed 'em. But you're different, aint'cha? I used to hear stories about you back in Dorobo district. 'Illawood's Reaper' they called you."
Matsuda's brow creased. "Shut your mouth."
"Uncle Matsuda," Aleximus stammered, "What's he talking about?"
Hatagi sucked in the air and laughed. "'Uncle'?! Ha! Is that what you're calling yourself these days? Listen, kid, that man there is a stone-cold killer, born and raised! Isn't that right?"
Matsuda's expression tightened. He hated to be reminded of who he was — who he was forced to be.
"You're an assassin with lightning Sanctum abilities," Hatagi continued. "They say your kimono is littered with red spider-lilies; Each one representing a hundred kills! You even use talismans and know Mudras! That's secret stuff even amongst the top brass in the Embassy. But now you're a family man huh?"
He smirked at Aleximus, adding, "What a joke!", once he'd noticed Matsuda's silence. He was getting to him.
Matsuda readied his chain again and prepared to spin in. "Your name is Matsuda Onix! One of the founders of the Hanako faction!"
The chain rotated and built up charge. Static frizzled down the iron links until a ferocious sound emerged.
KZZZZTTLEEE!!
Hatagi raised his guard instantly, his breathing was thrown into disarray. "I-I heard rumors that you died years ago during the last Eden Search! Maybe you were hiding out here with the Cursed Sinner?"
Matsuda's sickle whizzed through the air, a blur of deadly precision. It sunk into Hatagi's ankle and bore out the other side of his leg, knocking him down and freeing his dagger from his clutches.
"Ha... Huff..." he breathed, struggling to stand. The loss of blood was dizzying.
"I'm–I'm a deserter from the embassy myself…" he laughed, annoying Matsuda again. "Based on what that kid said earlier, there's some shady shit going on here. How did you disappear? And who are these brats?"
Aleximus clutched Anna tightly, her deteriorating form slipping through his fingers. He desperately wished for time to slow down, hoping that there was still a chance to save her. He shifted his focus to his uncle, waiting for the moment of reckoning he'd unleash upon Hatagi.
Matsuda's sickle whirred once more, slashing through the night with eerie speed. Hatagi could sense the aura of death around each one of his attacks. One misstep would spell his end. With a swift flick of his wrist, Hatagi batted aside the electric slash and lodged his blade in between the holds on the chain, stabbing it into the ground.
"Let's see what you can do without your precious sickle!" he spat.
Matsuda cracked his neck and dashed forward. He swung his arm down, protracting the blade on his gauntlet.
"Shit!" Hatagi cried and darted side to side. He threw forward an axe kick to Matsuda's shin. He's closer now! If I can knock him down, I can touch him with RotVenom!
As if reading his intentions, Matsuda halted his pursuit of him and grabbed onto the shuriken hold on his waist. A fluid click! and it was in his hands.
FWIIIISHH!
He threw the shuriken into the air, forming his fingers into more hand signs. "Levin: Dengeki Shuriken!"
A streak of purple lightning boomed out of Matsuda's body and pierced the throwing star, splitting it into several hundred copies of energy.
With the haunting attack ready and waiting to rain down upon him, Hatagi couldn't help but mutter, "Well, fuck," in disbelief.
What kind of strength does he have?! he whimpered.
Aleximus watched in amazement. Uncle Matsuda… Was he always this strong?
Matsuda walked towards Hatagi with stone-like eyes. He had made it clear with his display of strength that he could kill the man at any moment.
"You will answer my questions," Matsuda commanded. "Should you give me an unsatisfactory answer, I will rain hellfire upon you. Should you lie, the thunderbolt shuriken will eat into your flesh and blast you into nothingness."
"Haha… And what if I answer with the truth? Will you let me go? After all this?"
Matsuda smiled for the first time that night and hung his head closer to Hatagi, a dark shadow covering his face. "Naturally not," he told him, his eyes swirling with bloodlust. "You'll rue the decision of ever stepping in here, of that I assure you. As a former member of the Embassy, you're aware of the Shinobi Maxim, aren't you?"
He extended his golden gauntlet blade again. "You issued the challenge. You entered this Axis and attacked children. You preyed on the weak. So, it's only natural that I prey on you."
The shuriken in the air came closer, threatening to zap Hatagi's face off as they floated behind Matsuda. Then, with a dark and grim voice, Matsuda stopped smiling and continued. "You'll die here regardless of your answer. The Oni of purgatory will feast upon your flesh and not even the yokai of Mount Kageyama will spare a single piece of your dark soul. Your body — and only your body — will be left here: uncovered and ground to dust by the howling winds! So I'll only ask you once more, stranger…"
He raised his hand and formed and formed a sign for a Mudra. "Who are you?"
Hatagi's nerves lit on fire. His legs quaked with fear, spurred on by Matsuda's proclamation of death. There was nowhere to run and he lacked the strength to fight back. Will I die here? he wondered, Having done nothing with my life yet?! No! I can't die until I stick it to that damned Embassy! I won't let it end like this!
He thought of a man in his past. A broad man with black and purple hair. He had always had his back turned to Hatagi; Never once looking him in the eye.
"You're pathetic," he'd said. "You have nothing because you are nothing. Scum like you do not belong in the future my master will create. If I ever see you again… I'll eradicate you from the annals of history."
No, Hatagi brooded, shaking off the thought. Not until I prove to him that he was wrong! Not until he looks me in the eye!
He faced Matsuda again and tsked. "Fine… I'll tell you."
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"Stay still!" Aleximus urged Anna. "If you keep moving, it'll spread faster!"
Anna groaned, whimpering something indistinct through her chapped lips. The RotVenom had already spread up to her chest and seemed to be getting faster. "W-What?" He stuttered, lowering his ear to her lips.
"I don't wanna die…"
Aleximus was overwhelmed with his inability to help and seethed. A tear fell from his eyes and dropped onto her face. "You're not gonna die, okay?! I promise! I swear I won't let you go! So please, Anna… Just hold on…"
He swung his head towards his uncle, who had backed Hatagi into a corner. They were still talking. If something didn't happen soon, Anna would disappear.
It's his fault! It's all his damn fault! I'll kill him! I'll kill him! I swear!
A cry of suppressed rage exited Aleximus's throat, shaking Anna. His snot and tears fell without regard for his appearance, and every rigid breath Anna took felt like spikes in his chest. His sister looked at him warmly and lifted her hand. "Save your streng–" he started.
"—S-Stop crying…"
Aleximus froze and watched her curiously. "What are you..?"
She shook her head, closing her eyes to the decay, and tearily started to speak.
"I... I've always wanted to be brave like you," she whispered.
"You are strong!" Aleximus interrupted. He knew what she was doing. He refused to let it happen. "You're stronger than me, Jace, and everyone else here, alright? So–"
Anna furrowed her eyebrows and yelled, "I'm not strong!" loud enough for him to stop. Once he did, her lips trembled. "At least… I wasn't before."
His breathing became rough. Ragged. "You… You were always strong, Aleximus. I… I saw it every day. That's why I always bothered you! I wanted to be the way you and Jace were… B-But I was scared! And I t-thought you guys could change that!"
She sniffled and slowly lowered her hand. The RotVenom had consumed most of her upper body and she was losing strength in her arm. "When you fought with Jace… When you argued with Uncle Matsuda — Handling your emotions… I wish I could do that. I thought I couldn't."
Her voice became more confident and instead of letting her arm fall, she grabbed his hand and held it tightly. "Earlier, you apologized to me. Y-You were ready to give up your life for me, but your eyes… They weren't going to give up that easily. I-I felt your strength flow into me when you did that. I felt strong and courageous, and-and happy!"
She smiled, trying her hardest not to think of the pain. "And most of all, I knew you'd be able to do it. I don't know how or why, but I felt it! I wanted to be like that! It's… It's what I always liked about you!"
Aleximus felt his chest rise with every word she said. He was happy to hear her words but was torn to hear them. He could only blame himself inside.
His chest tightened and his breathing quickened again as he watched the RotVenom climb up her collarbone. She was being taken from him. He shut his eyes to it, unwilling to watch her go.
"'Lex," she said, keeping her eyes on him. "Knowing I was your first concern helped me. Seeing you hate yourself because you did the right thing — Because you did your best to help me — well that hurts even more than this!"
Tears escaped his eyes in droves, but he didn't wail. He needed to assure her that it would be okay. He couldn't crumble.
Before the RotVenom could take her arm, she placed her hand on his chest, imbuing a surge of energy through her palm. "Did you feel anything?"
He shook his head.
"See?" She smiled, her nose turning red. "That's because deep down… it doesn't hurt. You're not in pain because of me, Aleximus… You're in it because of yourself. And I don't want you crying because of it!"
She pulled him closer as her arm disappeared and hugged him. "I can't heal what isn't broken, so don't try to fix it! Your heart is strong and you're even stronger, alright?! So please don't cry…"
Her face became translucent, her smile fading away with the rest of her body. "A-Anna!!" He shouted, trying his hardest to grab her. His hands slipped through the particles of dust she emitted and mixed with the falling blood from the cut Hatagi had given her cheek.
Anna dissolved into ash with one last smile. "Just this once," she beamed, "I wanna be brave too!"
FSSHHH~
His sister scattered into the air, leaving Aleximus alone, covered in her ashy remains. Though he couldn't see it, he could feel her words coil around his ears like a fading spirit.
"Don't cry," Her voice rang in his ears. "It doesn't hurt unless you let it."
She turned to Jace right before her spirit vanished and dispersed into energy as she asked for one final favor. "Take care of him, 'kay?"
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Oblivious to what had just happened with the children, Matsuda was gripped by a sudden revelation from Hatagi. "What… Did you just say..?" he asked him.
His eyes had widened and the aura of calm and control he had maintained before had shattered. Now, there was only panic. Panic that caused him to lose control of his spell of shurikens and make them vanish as quickly as they'd been summoned.
"Eclipse," Hatagi repeated, choking from the shinobi's hold. He had given Matsuda the information he sought. But he knew that information would throw him off-kilter. "My organization — the ones I work for — it's the Eclipse Guild!"
There was a mixture of fear and recognition in Matsuda's eyes. He recalled a burning city piled high with bodies stretching on further than he could see. He remembered the smell of his fallen comrades' corpses — the feeling of loss and regret. He remembered a burning cathedral and the green-haired man who had sworn vengeance upon all those present. He gritted his teeth hard at the thought of the Eden Search.
"LIAR!" he snarled, stepping towards Hatagi. His footsteps sounded like rumbling thunder. He let go of his collar and grabbed Hatagi by the face, pressing his skin with the force of a thousand joules. Hatagi howled, feeling his skin melt under Matsuda's grip, and begged for mercy.
"We wiped the Eclipse guild out over a decade ago!" Matsuda roared. "Mercurius died during on Verglas! That's a fact!"
Hatagi tried to pull away. "W-Well then, one of us is bullshitting and it sure as hell ain't me, damn it! L-Let me go!"
He shrieked, slipping away from Matsuda's grasp once he'd realized he wasn't lying and held his bubbling cheek. It looked like hot cheese. "I'm just a scavenger-rank, alright?!" Hatagi yelped, "I just go out and find rare items for the guild! Dopi was my partner! Whatever the boss needs us to find, we bring back! I don't ask questions! I swear! We only found this place because of coincidence!"
No! Matsuda's hands shook. Runnulf and Malik took care of him back then. It's impossible for Eclipse to still be active! Is someone else assuming his name? And why hasn't the Church done anything about them yet?!
"W-Wait!" Hatagi cried, knowing he would attack again. "Before you ask… All I know is that his plans are the same as they were eleven years ago. I swear! That's all I know!"
Matsuda stepped back, petrified. "This can't be..."
He struggled to breathe in naturally, trying to come to terms with the information. Then, his eyebrows rose as a realization hit. "You bastard!" he shouted grabbing Hatagi's again.
A wicked grin stretched across the scavenger's face as blood oozed from his lips.
Matsuda tightened his grip, fury emanating from his every pore. "Damn, you caught on already old badger? Smart guy…" Hatagi chuckled.
Matsuda headbutted him in his face and shook him furiously. "Tell me who else knows about this place? Who did you call? You saw the Codex, didn't you? I know you sent them a message! Who else is coming?!"
Hatagi raised his arms in surrender, a sinister smirk etched on his face. "Just one person," he whispered, goading him on."It's no use, though! You should give it up! The person coming is an Upper! One of our four strongest! You have no chance against him if you're gonna protect these kids! It's over, reaper!"
Matsuda let out a scream and drove his fist into Hatagi's mouth.
CRUNCH!
Hatagi's teeth shattered as his mouth caved in. His smile persisted. "You've lost, man. I mean really…" he nodded over Matsuda's shoulder and grinned wide. "Look behind you if you need the proof."
Matsuda spun around disheveled and gasped in horror at what he saw.
Aleximus collapsed on the ground covered in the dust that had once been his sister. His arms were open as if she was still in them, and his breathing was labored.
"A-A... Ann..."
Like his heart was collapsing in on itself with every breath, he fell over on his side, heaving up and down. A whirlpool of feelings flooded his mind. The stinging sensation in his healed foot, the numerous concussions he had suffered, and even the tears he had shed just a little while before, were nothing compared to the burning sensation in his chest.
He tried to steady his breathing but it was no use. His eyes were fixed on something in front of him. Something that had fallen from Anna's head as she vanished. Her white Swallowtail headpiece.
It was riddled with soot, blood, and all manner of grime. It'd been tainted. Impure.
"NGHAH!!!" He snapped, letting out an anguished cry. Everything he had held back in front of Anna had come out. Everything he felt was being laid bare.
He grabbed his head, squeezing as hard as he could, and blubbered loudly. He prayed this was nothing more than a bad dream. But voices filled his mind, overlapping as his thoughts consumed him.
"Aren't we safe here? I don't get why you need to fight!"
"What were you thinking?! Do you know how dangerous that is?! What if you were hurt?!"
Regret consumed him. Blame held him. And remorse broke him.
He nearly hurled, remembering the promise he made to her. He was supposed to protect her.
"Of course, we're safe here." he'd said.
He stretched his hand out to touch her blackened headpiece. The blood and grime covering it felt like the worst wound in his abdomen. It was as if he'd been pushed into a tiny, cramped space and forced to inhale garbage.
"The outside is not the wonder of a place that you may believe it to be."
His uncle had warned him.
"Knowing how to fight shouldn't delude you into believing you can take on the world. There are dangerous people out there. People who would hurt you and your sister. Is that something you want to happen?"
There were dangers he was unprepared for, and now he understood why. He had been reckless. It was because of him that his loved ones were endangered.
He buried his face into the grass and dug his fingers into his arms. IT'S ALL MY FAULT! he bawled, hyperventilating. WHY?! WHY?! I DIDN'T KNOW! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! DAMN IT, I'M SORRY!
Aleximus could hear his own words ringing in the back of his mind. His heart seized at the thought of them.
"I was so adamant about leaving that I, well… I got distracted about who I was really doing it for, you know? And now, because of me, the outside world is inside."
"All that training — All of it — was my doing. I even forced you to heal us! No one forced me to, but I forced you! That wasn't fair of me, alright?"
I lied, he realized. I promised her… I…
He couldn't catch his breath. The burning pain in his chest coupled with his loss of blood made him lightheaded. He grabbed his chest, trying to touch the source of the pain. But he couldn't. It was somewhere deep. Somewhere he could never reach — could never feel.
"You saw what lying did! How it hurt Anna! I'm not gonna do the same thing with Uncle Matsuda!"
Even Jacender had warned him. His brother, who only helped him out of belief in him, was unconscious and nearly killed because of his overzealousness.
Hatagi's rant pushed past his other thoughts and swallowed him whole:
"You don't know what it's like to hate yourself when you can't do anything! You don't have the drive or will to change your circumstances! You need to be motivated — Not just have motivation! Your brother over there knew that and tried to fight me even though he knew he would lose! You're just boring!"
I... I'm worthless... he hiccuped.
A cold sensation permeated Aleximus's trunk and sank even lower into the pit of his stomach. It nestled in his belly and spread up his sternum until he felt it take hold of his chest and run through his blood. His fingers propped deeper into his arms, breaking the skin and letting his body's redness flow through them.
Copious amounts of saliva dripped out of his mouth. If he didn't let the feeling out soon, he wouldn't be able to breathe. He could feel something change within him. Something snapping. Coldness.
"A-Aleximus…" Matsuda whispered.
Slowly, the boy looked up, sweat, blood, water, tears, and all dried onto his face. His crowded mind blocked out all noise. His eyes were almost dead and apathetic like he'd somehow aged far beyond his years.
His uncle mouthed something urgent and ran to him, but Aleximus couldn't make it out. He didn't care.
Behind Matsuda, Hatagi laughed fiendishly. He had seen it all. Anna's death and Aleximus's breakdown. He held no remorse. He didn't care either.
Matsuda, with his back fully turned to Hatagi, failed to notice what Aleximus did. Time seemed to slow to a crawl in the boy's eyes like he was seeing the world anew. Uncle… What's he saying? It's over… Anna… She's…
His eyes slowly widened as he watched Hatagi lunge upward, carefully picking up his collapsed dagger and grinning madly. He was only a few feet away from Matsuda. As silently as he could, he rushed forward and brought the weapon down on Matsuda's exposed back.
Without realizing, it a surge of dark rage coursed through Aleximus's veins, burning his nerves. As if by instinct, he stretched out his hand behind his uncle and thunderously bellowed, "LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
DKHOOM!!!
A translucent blast of black and red energy erupted from Aleximus's body and fired in his direction. Matsuda narrowly dodged and dove to the side before the energy could take his head off. "What the–" he gasped right before the energy connected with the air between him and Hatagi.
The two men were blasted apart and flung towards the floor as if a strange heaviness had been cast on them. The ground ruptured beneath them, splitting from the aftereffects of the shockwave, and traveled into the great statue behind Hatagi.
KRAAA~ACCK!!!
The weight of the shockwave had caused the scavenger's leg to crumple and his body collapsed, unable to handle its own weight. "Wha..?!"
A rumble came from above, turning all their heads. The great statue, already worn from Jace's crashing into it, and the implosion of the waterfalls, had cracked, with a large fissure running down from its head to the collarbone. Its stability breached, it too, could not handle its crumbling weight and the crack spread throughout its body until it shattered, blasting overhead them all.
"Shit!" Hatagi cried. His expression had become one of panic. And he knew if he didn't move, he would be crushed. But he couldn't. His legs were hurt.
Matsuda, however, tucked back, rolling next to Jacender, and dashed out of harm's way.
No… No! No! No! Not like this! FUCK! Hatagi sniveled.
"H-Help me!" he yelled, pleading with Matsuda. "You can't leave me like this! Please! This isn't honorable! A shinobi would never–"
"—I," Matsuda cut in callously. "Am no longer a shinobi."
Hatagi gulped, fear overcoming his body. "YOU GODDAMNED BASTARDS! I CAN'T DIE! I WON'T! NOT LIKE THIS!"
CCRRRRKK~
The statue's legs gave way and toppled over, its falling parts becoming several sharp boulders.
No… I still haven't shown him! I—
Hatagi's life flashed before his eyes, but only one image stuck out to him specifically; The man with black and purple hair. He was handsome. Regal. Everything Hatagi was not.
"You're sickening. You have nothing because you are nothing."
He had stood opposite Hatagi, who was locked in a jail cell. He'd never bothered to look him in the eye, so Hatagi could hardly remember them, but he remembered that moment.
"Scum like you do not belong in the future my master will create. If I ever see you again… I'll eradicate you from the annals of history."
Anger had driven Hatagi to grab onto the bars and shake them as hard as he could. "This isn't over! You hear me?! I'll show you! I'll prove you wrong! I'll prove you all wrong!!"
The man didn't respond. He simply turned his back to him with a "Hmph," and made his way to the doors. "This is goodbye, Hatagi."
The doors closed behind him. A singular teardrop fell from Hatagi's eye as he was thrust back into the present, helpless as a giant stone came crashing atop him quicker than the others. After all this, he thought, You're still the last thing I think of?
He closed his eyes, accepting his gruesome fate. He had failed to keep true to his promise after all. He had become nothing.
Kurai...
SPH~HHLT
Hatagi's head was split open in an instant, his body disappeared under the hail of statue parts raining down on him.
"Don't look!" Matsuda warned, hoping to shield Aleximus from the horror.
But Aleximus saw it. He saw all of it. The disgusting mash of brains glued to the rocks, the splatter of blood that stained the collapsed statue and the grass below it, and the teardrop that fell from Hatagi's eyes before he was scattered across them all.
Though he had no idea what it was really about, it filled him with indescribable catharsis to see his tormentor suffer before he died. But it wasn't enough. He needed to see him suffer as he had.
He sprang to his feet and breathed, "You…", through gritted teeth. He was ready to desecrate his corpse if he had to.
"Aleximus!" Matsuda yelled, suddenly grabbing onto him. "That's enough! It's over!!"
"NO!" he shouted back, resisting his uncle's strength. A swirling pool of insanity filled his pupils as he fought for dominance. "AGHH!"
He still doesn't know what's going on... Matsuda realized.
He knelt next to his nephew and looked him in the eyes. "Look at me, Aleximus…"
Aleximus refused to listen. He swung at his uncle, only capable of seeing red. "Aleximus… Aleximus! Buddy, hey..!" Matsuda whispered, hugging him tightly. "He's gone. He can't hurt you anymore. He can't hurt anyone else. You got him, okay?"
Aleximus's face didn't change. Instead, it became increasingly more feral. Matsuda knew what he really wanted to hear.
"Anna is gone!" he finally shouted, pulling his nephew closer to his chest. There was a sharp feeling of pain when the words were said aloud. "She's gone and there's nothing you or I can do about it okay?!"
"Y-YOU'RE WRONG!" Aleximus hollered. He dug his fingers into his uncle's robe. "HE HAS HER! WE HAVE TO GET HER BACK, UNCLE! WE HAVE TO! PLEASE! WE NEED—"
"—SHE'S GONE! I HATE IT AS MUCH AS YOU, BUT THAT'S THE WAY THINGS ARE NOW ALEXIMUS!"
His uncle choked back tears and lowered his voice. "She's gone, son. She's gone…"
Aleximus clenched his fists tightly and drew blood. His red pupils returned. He was conscious of what was happening again.
"Listen, buddy," Matsuda sniffled, pulling him away. "She may not be here, but I need you to be. I should've done more to protect you, and I swear, I am so sorry I didn't. But, right now — at this moment — there is only one thing both of us need to protect. We can't dwell on what's been lost. Only how to save what it is we still have."
Aleximus glimpsed at his brother and the book at his side. A shadow of light returned to his eyes. However, whatever was there had dimmed incredibly low — almost as if desaturated. He nodded, keeping his eyes on his brother.
"You and Jace need to leave the Axis immediately," his uncle said with a shaky voice. "It's no longer safe for you here."
The wind blew hard behind, an omen of things to come. "W-Why?"
Matsuda picked up Jacender and the book, throwing him over his shoulder. He hesitated for a moment before responding. "You won't understand, but in short, he was from a dangerous organization known as the Eclipse guild. They were fanatical zealots who killed thousands of people during the Eden Search over a decade ago. We thought we wiped them out back then… But we were wrong."
He eyed the rubble Hatagi was buried in and noticed his dagger poking out. It was the only surviving trace of him. "Their members have tracking runes engraved onto their bones. They're untraceable by the Church of Gabriel's Imperial Database and unregistered on the Mormon Records. Should that rune go out once a member dies, their guild will be alerted to their last known position. By the way, he spoke, someone stronger will be coming soon. And then more after that."
Aleximus drew in a deep breath. He couldn't care less about terms like Mormon Records or Imperial Database. The thought that someone more terrifying than Hatagi was coming felt like a bad joke.
Matsuda pulled Hatagi's dagger out of the rock and stared at it. In the blade's reflection, he saw a foreign man. A man covered in blood. One who had decided to leave a life of killing behind him many years ago. His old self.
Though he didn't like seeing that man again, he was who the boys needed to survive. So, with hesitance, he extended his arm and handed the oblong dagger to Aleximus.
"You can stay here, beaten and weak if you want. You can let things repeat themselves, or you can live for tomorrow, come back stronger, and save your brother. Unfortunately, Aleximus, this is the outside world, whether you want to see this part of it or not. Now it rests on you to be able to handle its horrors."
Matsuda grabbed onto his head, quelling his shaking, and spoke to him sternly. "What's done is done! You're going to have to accept it, okay?!"
Matsuda knew he couldn't just console the boy. He'd lost his innocence by taking the life of another, especially in such a ruthless way. He's just started to tap into his Sanctum Energy… If only I had more time… Matsuda thought, thinking back to Aleximus's outburst.
"But still," he smiled, moving behind his nephew. He picked up Anna's swallowtail headpiece and wiped it on his robe. It wasn't completely clean, but the way it still resembled how it looked before. "Just because things change doesn't mean they can't go back to how they were. You have to navigate your way through what happens next. You remember right?"
He raised two fingers like he'd done earlier that evening in the kitchen. "Your path is your own to forge, and whatever you do, you make sure you do it wholeheartedly."
Aleximus accepted the swallowtail headpiece and looked from it to Hatagi's dagger. "I'm sure you'll find your reason, Aleximus. It might not be now, but you will one day."
Aleximus hesitated and turned away from his uncle. He stared at Hatagi's crushed body and noticed his fingers still twitching. He watched carefully as the twitching slowed until his hand went limp and fell dead.
"Okay." Aleximus finally mumbled. "I'll do it."
-------🅰🆂🅷🅵🅸🅴🅻🅳-------
[THE AXIS, HOME, ANNA'S ROOM]
CRE~AK
Matsuda pushed Anna's bed to the side and revealed a hidden trapdoor underneath a loose plank. He looked down at the staircase below him and with a reluctant sigh, he walked down, Jace in tow, and beckoned Aleximus to come down.
"Close that door behind you."
A small platform sat there, waiting to be used, and unlike the elevator car outside the Ashtree going up the tree, it seemed to have not been used in quite a while. This was under here the entire time..? Aleximus wondered.
Matsuda told Aleximus to stand on the platform with him and placed his palm firmly on the lever there, lowering them to the very bottom. The amount of torches lined there provided very little light, but neither of them complained. They couldn't stand to see the heavy sadness apparent on each other's faces.
"There isn't much time to tell you this," Matsuda began, "But there are a few things you need to know before you leave…"
Aleximus turned to him, wondering what he could possibly need to know now.
An explosive sound went off in the distance above them. Someone's destroyed the Axis's barrier...! Matsuda flinched. Whoever it was had an incredible strength. The Axis, though held in place and formed around the Codex Jacender had found, was formed of two bubbles: An outer bubble hiding them from the outside world, and an inner bubble keeping the space separate from the outer world's plane of sensation.
Damn it, I thought we'd have more time!
He focused his attention back on Aleximus. They were almost at the bottom. "Listen, it's in regards to your mother and father."
A frustrated rage grew on Aleximus's face. He had no time nor patience to endure hearing about the people who abandoned them — who abandoned Anna. "I don't care."
Matsuda sighed, understandingly. "Well, that's to be expected. I won't press on if you don't want me to, but if you're going out there and make it to where I need you to go... You'll most likely find out everything anyway. Your parents loved you three, Aleximus. Never forget that."
The platform came to a halt and they walked into an open area whose wall and floor were made of cobblestone and vines. The light here was much clearer. Several torches of flame made of Ashwood were ablaze along the walls leading to a closed, iron door.
"Where do you need us to go?" Aleximus asked, ignoring the sight before him.
"It's a country named Pendragon. I put a letter in your bag. They'll have everything you'll need to survive the next three months." Matsuda pointed, referencing two backpacks near the door.
"I put those there after our argument this morning. I really did mean to let you see the outside world. I just... never would've imagined this would be how."
Aleximus approached the bags slowly as Matsuda fiddled with the door. He placed his palm against the wall near it and the locks behind it undid themselves and opened. "Aleximus, hold Jacender for me. I need to fix something."
Aleximus put one of the backpacks around his neck and mounted Jacender on his back. "Come here so I can put his bag on him," Matsuda told him.
He wrapped Jacender's backpack over his shoulders and gently made sure Aleximus was comfortable.
"You know, it feels just like yesterday when I first showed you two how to dress up," he chuckled with a bittersweet smile, a deep sense of farewell gripping his heart.
He reached down and embraced Aleximus tightly. "You'll need to stay off the open roads and go through woodland, alright? In a few week's time, you'll come across a city with giant iron walls. A friend of mine — Ivan — lives there. He'll be able to help you get to Pendragon easily."
Another tremor shook the ground, signaling the imminent danger approaching. Someone was coming, and they weren't far.
"U-Uncle Matsuda?" Aleximus whimpered, his eyes pleading for answers. Matsuda stood up slowly and stared down with a heavy sadness in his eyes.
"Go through this tunnel!" He commanded, turning away from Aleximus. "You keep going, and you don't stop until you get out, got it?! Not for anything!"
Before Aleximus could react, his uncle swiftly pushed him into the corridor, Jacender strapped to his back. He stumbled, realizing the gravity of the situation: the limited backpacks and his uncle's stern words — he had meant for only them to escape. Aleximus tried to turn back, but Jacender's weight kept him from reaching the door before Matsuda closed it.
"U-UNCLE MATSUDA, WAIT!"
Matsuda placed his hand on the door, smiling as if everything would be alright, and spoke one last time. "Listen, Aleximus, you must not tell anyone where you came from, alright? Not even Ivan himself! At least until you reach Pendragon and find Malik!"
The door muffled Aleximus's incoherent cries. He banged against it hard, begging his uncle to come with them. Matsuda took a step back.
"Aleximus, I need you to do me one last favor, okay?"
Memories of their past rushed through Matsuda's mind — the fear of becoming a parent and the love found in accepting parenthood. He'd grown used to protecting them, and yet now… Now he had to let them protect themselves. "I..."
A tear rolled down his face as his voice cracked. Still, he put on a brave face and smiled.
"I need you to live."
BOOM!!!
In that instant, something crashed through the elevator shaft behind Matsuda and blasted through the ceiling.
"GO, ALEXIMUS! DON'T LOOK BACK!!" he yelled.
"What's this?" A cheerful voice asked. "Were you planning on running?❤"
The hooded man giggled in a sinister tone.
Aleximus couldn't see the face of the new attacker, but judging by Matsuda's expression, he knew he had to go.
Despite his emotions, he gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and sprinted down the corridor.
Matsuda watched him go, exhilarated that he'd ran, and then promptly turned to face the newcomer. "I won't let you get any further."
His purple aura surged and came forth, shaking the underground bunker.
In spite of being weaponless, a smile danced upon his lips as he raised his guard. He allowed himself to be loose for the first time in nearly twelve years. His energy came together and created a striking image: A purple Tanuki rising above them both and baring its fangs eagerly at his opponent.
"Stay the fuck away from my kids."
The enemy grinned gleefully, and with one swift movement...
SPPPRTTT!!!
-------🅰🆂🅷🅵🅸🅴🅻🅳-------
[THE CORRIDOR, ALEXIMUS]
Aleximus kept running, the pain, exhaustion, and loss overwhelming him. Everything he was feeling in the past few hours had accumulated, making his movements sluggish. But still — he carried his brother through the corridor, refusing to look back as his uncle instructed.
He thought about Anna, who had been celebrating her birthday just earlier that day.
He thought about Jace and how he had almost died saving her.
Thoughts of Hatagi and Dopi haunted his vision, fueling his irregular gasps for air.
"Huff... Huff..."
His breathing tore at him, tears struggling to even come out. "D-Damn it..." he cried, pushing on. He was alone, left with only his thoughts and the sound of his footsteps.
Hatagi's words played in his head yet again, echoing dauntingly: "Don't worry. This was always the way it was gonna end — with all of you dead at my feet."
"No..." he said aloud, trying to shake off the blame. "It's not my fault! It wasn't! It wasn't!"
Aleximus's chest heaved with emotion, his mind battling the memories.
It's not my fault!
With a sudden realization, he stopped running. "You can stay here, beaten and weak if you want. You can let things repeat themselves, or you can live for tomorrow, come back stronger, and save your brother. Unfortunately, Aleximus, this is the outside world, whether you wanted to see this part of it or not. Now it rests on you to be able to handle its horrors."
The words of his uncle caused what escaped from Aleximus's lips next to be so powerful and raw, that he'd felt his very existence depended on them. The sheer truth and power they had in his mind had him believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were true, and he believed them with unwavering conviction.
"It's not my fault..." he muttered to himself. A dark chaos filled his eyes suddenly, sparked by the thought of revenge. His uncle's words had created a goal for him — something he wouldn't let rest until it'd been completed.
"It's yours."
He shook his head slowly, convincing himself as he approached the exit.
I'm going to find what you love... he heaved, his eyes tinting with a dark hue of red. I'm going to find your guild — Your 'Eclipse'...
He stepped into the moonlight outside of the cave and breathed in the air of the outside world. The air of the place he had always wanted to go for as long as he could remember.
His expression became like a wolf's: eerie and hungry. Then, he smiled, his mind set.
I'll wipe you all out!
[Swallowtail's Release]