Great Strike Exia - chapter 24 - 2

Chapter <ⅩⅩⅣ> - 2

…

...…..

Pointing down with his dark finger, Hassan Hellsing showed his fellow troops of elite Parusefor Strikers the layout of the Tron Military guarding around the Freedom and Justice Memorial Tower.

On top of Master Striker of Lance Sven's luxurious building, the Parusefors set up their secret camp to rally and plan their assault.

" Shielders at the front, cannoneers at the back. With tank pairs on each side.

We'll take them down in silence. "

The Parusefor knights all nodded in solid agreement.

" That sounds less of a plan than lousy exposition. "

Luka of the Tenmei Fellowship expressed candidly, passing down all sorts of weapons to her army of Zombie dolls.

The Parusefors knights all fixed their glaring gaze on the rude homunculus girl in silence.

After Tenmei Akiro and Griffon were taken by the League, Princess Isabel and Nanali Hikaru had efficiently bridged an alliance with the Parusefors at the plateau that valiantly agreed to assist their cause and stop the League's heinous schemes before its fruition.

Now the clans of the Starchilds and the Fellowship of Tenmei gathered on Sven's rooftop in preparation for a final showdown.

Hassan Hellsing cleared his throat to have the Strikers ' attention

" We have Lord Murong Fu's Xin-an navy approaching Tron Bay to assist us in an hour. Before they arrive and the showdown commences, we will have to break their defenses from the inside and secure the tower gates with our men.

Any questions ?"

Hassan Hellsing saw a thin armored clad hand rise up at the back.

" Yes...Miss Zefield, is it ?"

Hassan Hellsing checked the one that stood up to have her say.

" Master Hassan. I will be leading a squad to Save our fellow comrades Tenmei and Griffon."

Nina Zefield the daughter of a samurai spoke bravely to the Parusefor Masters present

" Is there any chance we could ask for a Master Striker to accompany us and help track their whereabouts through the Strike Force ?"

" Sure. "

Hassan Hellsing looked around at his pack of elite Strikers.

" Any volunteers ?"

" I will do it. "

Nina recognized the one that stood out to join their cause.

A tall lithe Parusefor lady slightly a few years older than Nina, standing in a pose of elegant grace, looking down at them fellowship with a cold secluding glance. Eyes capturing the night sky's glow, with fair countenance that reflects the nocturne nature's raw appeal.

Short pink hair ornately tied to a side where the hue turned violet at the braided end.

Marian Amatsumina, Nina recalled, the one name Griffon had been longing for through their journeys, in presence unveiled before her.

No doubt Griffon would fall for someone of such out worldly features, Nina could but admit.

" I'll help you locate Griffon. "

Marian Amatsumina breathed to Nina's eat, devoid of emotion, pacing forth without waiting for the fellowship to catch up, walking past them like the winter breeze escaping their napes

" But I strongly doubt He will make it. "

Before the Parusefors and the Blue Exia Clansfolk set off to save the whole of Kingdeniom, Princess Isabel Keiken came to them, with Nanali Hikaru the princess' tutor and clans folk on Isabel's right, and the cyborg general Gelouch Dendrobium standing guard on the left.

Isabel Keikn humbly approached the settled squadrons with a hopeful smile

" Brave heroes, though we may belong in separate paths of life, of different factions of this great nation, tonight, we join in the same hope to keep our homes safe from the unruly; the likeminded sentiment to protect those we dear, and uphold Freedom and Justice this country stands for.

I cannot thank thee more for your contributions, so the least I can give aid, is my blessings."

And reaching out her hand, with the small silver umbrella octopus Exia Rune hovering above Princess Isabel's palm, she gave all the brave defenders of Kingdeniom a fragment of her Silver Exia Rune.

The Exia Rune of the Eternal.

The united clans all were granted the Princess' secret blessing that will surely prove to be of immense help later on.

…

...…...

Cold.

Weak.

Those were the two words that came to Griffon's mind as his conscious resurfaced and his eyes met with nothing but dark.

A cheap metal chair he could sense underneath his sitting onto which his ankles and wrists were restrained upon. Binds like this are nothing to a Parusefor knight, with the Strike force that flows among all things life and lifeless one Parusefor apprentice is most capable of breaking any strong lock designed by the Kingdeniom military.

But Griffon could not.

At first, he was surprised, but considering all that he had encountered and processed, he knew this was a well-deserved outcome.

He is weak.

Not only has he failed the Ordeals to obtain Master Striker Rank despite years of training, but he has also accomplished nothing of particular notice whatsoever. Being just a sidekick that messes up every plan and loses nearly all the battles he had participated in, only to be saved by Tenmei or Nina at the last moment.

Worse yet, he was unable to slay the Archdemon for his tribe and honor, unable to keep the promise to return to the one he cared for.

No wonder Marian Amatsumina left him, for a Master Striker that seemed affable at least.

Griffon imagined any enlightened Parusefor would find it easy to locate the Strike Force that billows before their senses like a mighty stream in a hand's reach, and use that energy current to their will and advantage.

All he could sense was a wallowing thin string like a single strain of web swaying in the wind, about to break and disperse at any moment.

That is his Strike. His incapable, vulnerable self that he must eventually accept, and vanish alone silently, meaninglessly into the void.

Such is his fate.

His wretched end.

…

....

The new Tron minister of construction was a cautious man.

Born in a family of military bases, Kool Leovis is the first of house Leovis to be appointed to a position of high esteem.

But that never affected his firm unrelenting attitude towards his work, missions, he still calls them, that had to be accomplished by the end of the day.

Tonight, the mission is to secure Prime Minister Asuka Line Zeta's safety within the Memorial Tower. What kind of stunt the now prime minister and former comrade Asuka perform Kool Leovis has zero interest in, for he is a man with a mission, and anything outside that mission deals no concern to him. That is the Leovis way of concentrating on military warfare that requires high proficiency under grave pressure.

Things need not turn too far south for Kool's concentration to realize the unusual, and the queer silence of the night under the Freedom and Justice Memorial tower spells nothing but unease. His caution sensor is raising its meter minute by minute.

" Sydney, status report."

The fastest way to check is always through the speakers. That was what Kool Leovis was trained to rely on.

" All clear." The minister of finance Sydney Cartoon volleyed back in a musical tone.

" Partfeld, status report."

Kool Leovis continued to the next minister, minister of health care Colonel Partfeld.

The prolonged silence jolted Kool to a suspecting rise from his post, rifle in hand.

" Partfeld !! Status Report !!"

Kool's voice could be heard from the other sides of the memorial tower now.

" …Sorry, Kool. Have to pee."

came the sheepish voice of Partfeld as soon as the echo of Kool's cry subsided.

Kool Leovis sat back down with a disgruntled sigh.

But his sigh was cut short, into a reflexing gasp of shock as his buttock plunged into the expecting solid surface which was gone, replaced by sheer air!

Kool would have considered a missing chair to be of no significance to the mission of import, but it is his chair missing, and it was a metal foldable cheap chair, one he could put to good use.

But a whole chair, disappeared in but seconds.

This, Kool Leovis calculated through his experiences in battle and the tactics of his training, came to the conclusion that this, is an enemy attack!

" Intru–"

Before Kool could utter the whole word to his speaker, his world was sent instantly into the dark void by a crushing force that collided with his throat and adam's apple, pushing the air back to his exhaling lungs and shutting down his senses entirely.

The Minister of construction lay motionless, dragged away to the shadows by fingers in the dark.

" Why the seat though ?" Luka questioned Marian Amatsumina on her Parusefor tactics in bringing down military personnel.

Marian did not answer and circled the memorial tower wall, stopping at a small lid where the safety exit was kept.

" From here." Marian pointed at the dog house-sized cubicle passage, motioning Nina and Luka to follow.

They climbed the thin ladder up the tower until they reached the back corridors of the second floor hidden behind the actual platform behind a thick layer of marble wall.

Marian didn't move on but knelt on the clean white floor, as if listening to low-frequency waves only discernable to cats.

" As expected, he didn't make it."

Marian Amatsumina's intonation made it sound like an appliance was broken and couldn't be fixed anymore.

Nina felt like she had hired a cheat instead of a Parusefor Master Striker.

" That is impossible." Nina Zefield argued

" They wouldn't kill Griffon! He wouldn't die this easily either…"

" His Strike has diminished." Marian Amatsumina responded coldly to Nina's distrust

" It was waning when we entered the tower. Now…it's gone. Not a trace."

Nina tried to respond but couldn't find the words.

Luka knew it was bad timing but still, she asked Marian

"...Then how about Tenmei? Is his Strike somehow still with us ?"

" He is moving, fast." Marian looked sideways quickly as if tracking the fast movement far away with her supernatural senses

" He is moving downward, toward the basement levels."

Then that's where I will go, Luka decided but didn't leave right away, for her crestfallen companion seemed to be in need of some solace from the sudden news.

" Should we follow ?" Marian Amatsumina asked the two calmly, motioning downward towards the basement.

" You both go."

Nina came to the conclusion gravely with much determination in her eyes

" I'll look for Griffon myself…"

" …You sure ?" Luka thought she saw watering dews flooding up the side of Nina's eyes

" There are a lot of League goonies in here."

" I'll find my way." Nina turned around and headed up the memorial tower, glaive in hand, with each step firmly treading her path with resolve.

At least she has to find his body, and bury it with honor. The samurai way.

" He didn't even struggle."

Like a knife cutting through the air, did Marian's raised voice call out to Nina.

" His Strike was like a dying candle. He didn't even try, to fight back even. It's not worth it, following his feeble steps."

" You are in no place calling him unworthy without seeing his struggles !!"

Nina lashed back furiously, flames of anger visible within those clear red eyes

" He tried…He has been trying to accomplish what he cannot. He is always struggling, always trying to reach your Parusefor expectations, Your expectations !!

I don't care what you see through the Strike or whatnot, but I sure saw each strife he made to be accepted by you and himself with my own eyes! Even though he may not be successful, his endeavors are worthy, and I plan to honor him…while none of you would !"

With all that said, Nina headed onward, up the steps leading up to the white unknown.

Luka too headed down to find Tenmei,

Leaving Marian silently at the same spot in the lonesome corridor.

…

....

Asuka Line Zeta Hikaru knew something was wrong when his men ceased to report back after just five minutes passing the designated time.

" They have arrived."

Kaburagi Shisei finally turned around from his long gaze upon his sleeping sister Mio and faced the followers, the truth seekers that gathered to crack open the secrets of blessed Herunia through the League's exploits.

" Secure the tower."

The League Disciple commanded Asuka Hikaru in a hollow glee as Kaburagi Shisei began to levitate, carrying Mio in his strong arms to above and beyond

" Seal off the capital. Make sure they persist within range."

Austria Van Hillingdale nodded low as he snaked into the shadows.

Akahanon Zabinus Ultra, the newly born and Demon-fused, was not visible within the hall, but he sure was present.

" Rest assured." The young Prime Minister bade, receiving his commands, and hurried up to the memorial tower entrance at ground level, only to see his armies in upheaval !!

Shadowboxing against the unseen enemy and firing their bullets all over the place in much frenzy. The tanks were but burning metal chunks and the gates were left wide open with the guards and soldiers wounded and passed out.

" It's the Parusefors, Prime minister !!"

Colonel Partfeld, minister of health care managed to make his way to the calm Asuka Hikaru, who looked down at his scrambled army with eyes that fumed with literal flame.

" They have infiltrated the premise and crippled our men! We await your further instructions, Prime Minister!"

" Seal the capital !!" Asuka Line Zeta shouted furiously to his Tron subordinates in a close adrenaline drive that resembles his late father more and more

" Execute momentary curfew !! Deploy all forces to this exact location at once !!"

We cannot lose this opportunity, it is so close! Asuka's own voice shouting into his ears, the loud demanding rambling that was once his father's now replaced by his own inner dictating shouts, pushing himself to achieve what his late father cannot.

A New Kingdeniom Order, eternally born through technology and the divine. He will be the mason of the true peace Kingdeniom deserves.

" Asuka !!!"

Prime Minister Asuka Line Zeta looked up from his dreams and saw that it was Yukari his second in command that was calling, shouting his name directly instead of referring to his formal title which he has strongly ordained, but the trepidation in Yukari's voice made Asuka decide to hear her first.

" Armies…Xin-an and Vilencia and many more…!! They are closing into Tron, and they know what you've done and plan to do! They have come to stop you. Even the people of this city are rioting against you, Asuka !! You must Stop–"

" If I stop,"

Asuka Line Zeta fixed his wide challenged gaze at Yukari as he pushed each word out of his lips with savaging force

" Then I have failed my country. If I stop now and let them vandalize this city of its proud future, then I am no better than these treasonous scum. Don't ask if I should stop fighting for the country, but ask yourself why you stopped fighting for great Kingdeniom !!!!"

With all the Tron forces gathered before him around the Freedom and Justice Memorial tower, Asuka Line Zeta Hikaru uttered his one command.

" For Country! For Peace! For Great Kingdeniom !!!!"

And upon his lead, Asuka Hikaru made his armies sing the national anthem as they rallied forth against the revolting public and the coming provincial lords that seek to hinder their fatherland's path to splendor.

The Kingdeniom anthem thus goes :

Kingdeniom, Oh Kingdeniom,

Home of my fathers and brothers true.

Kingdeniom, great Kingdeniom,

Our lives we Lay down for you.

In the Darkness in the light,

Through the rain and snow alike.

A thousand leagues with the wind at breast,

And thoughts of my home in heart.

Kingdeniom! Oh Sweet Utopia Rinne!

Your enemies their fate they shall rue.

The sun will shine upon my kingdom come,

And Glory be to Kingdeniom Anew!

Glory be to Kingdeniom, Anew.

And thus began, the Civil War of Tron, otherwise known as the Battle of the Freedom and Justice Memorial Tower.

…

....

It was not as Tenmei expected when he and Varis reached where the corruption point was. The ominous feeling of dread had never been stronger, and the demonic aura, like rotting rancidity, emanated across the empty circular hall.

Tenmei was sure the Ark'arios, or maybe an Archdemon of a more atrocious kind, is here, hiding somewhere behind the rolls of metal pillars situated at the sides of the empty center.

" Stay close," Tenmei whispered to Varis

" It is still here. "

" Too Bad, You, Will Not !"

Tenmei and Varis raised their stances towards the one shadow that emerged from the corner, walking out of blackened laptop-screened desks and revealing under the wide shaft of light that pillared down at the middle clearing.

It was a long-robed man in white, sickly staggering like his feet weren't accustomed to the solid floor; the black spots that grew under the sleepless nights were as dark as his pupils, under the thin slitting eyes behind thin-framed spectacles that stared at all things with mild interest and contempt.

A Familiar spiraling cap sat obliquely upon those purplish silver messy hair as this thin malnutritioned pallid person adjusted slowly the cap in place.

With his other hand, he flapped a feathered fan of dark oily feathers that belonged most likely to a raven.

Rang the military genius was the first thing that popped up in Tenmei's mind, but the stark difference from Rang's bright mysterious optimism, was this sickened thinker's sinister presence.

He is also a strategist, Tenmei told himself to not underestimate long-robed genie-looking sorcerers like Rang.

I must not act too rashly.

" Indeed you should not have broken free and stayed put for the better of this world's fate. "

This Strategist person, the dark version of Rang replied in a thin morbid holler, as if Tenmei had spoken his thoughts aloud to him.

Tenmei decided to not speak and think so as to hide his thoughts.

" Hmm, You are pondering. Very well.

The Truth I shall share, without sentiment."

Rummaging his robes straight, this strategist of dark began his long ass introduction

" Eons ago, after the Advent of Demons and Gods, the ancient Kings found their Power of Exia through valiance.

But Your Maker found an eighth, unique Power.

The SEED.

Your Maker claimed the SEED, and waited for the other Kings to subside. And soon, the Kings did Lame, and Demons secretly remained.

Thus began the Age of enlightenment, the Illuminatus Age.

However,

The King of Gold Exia trembled at Illumination, clinging to his Age of Wealth, and in dire fear of Illumination, and the New World that will one day be borne amongst the Illuminatus.

The King of Gold resisted the course of nature, by sacrificing himself to link the Exia, and banishing us Novel revolutionists to the Shadow Realm.

Toshiumi and his ancestors before him had blurred your past, to prevent the birth of a New Paradise.

I, am the Primordial Strategist,

Austria Van Hillingdale.

And I seek to right the Wrongs of the past, to recover our one true Liege,

But the other analyst, Rang, lost his sense, and befriended King Toshiumi.

Unliving Prince, we stand at a crossroads.

Only I know the truth about your Fate.

You must Destroy Lame King Toshiumi, who cuddled the SEED and resisted nature.

And become, your Maker`s True Son! The Next Lord of the Illuminatus. So that you may usher in an Age of Light."

" ......."

Tenmei Akiro was not at a crossroads it seemed but at a loss.

He needs to listen to all that dialogue one more time to reconsider what the strategist was trying to convey.

" Don't…listen…to him…!"

Varis quickly came forth between Tenmei and the strategist. Sheer steaming anger filled her with each forced-out word she said.

" Ahh, hello, princess of Illuminatus." Austria greeted Varis with a thin sinister sneer

" You were once the chosen one, until you abandoned your fate, and cast away your Maker's blessings! Your sentiment has clouded your judgment, hence we locked you away from the grand scheme. Have you reconsidered aiding your Maker's grand odyssey, Princess Varis of the unliving ?"

" NO…!!!!" Varis replied with a furious, painful shout.

" You took…everyone…away from Me !! You… murdered them !!!"

" Any sacrifice is valid as long as the outcome outweighs the risk."

Austria logically explained his views on technological economics

" If you are still unready to see through your sentiment, then someone else must take the part of choice."

" You don't even know what the outcome is !!"

Tenmei Akiro stood forth with his arguments now that he had heard enough to build his judgment.

" Causing war to gather Exia Runes, killing hundreds of Homunculus children to fuse with the Ark'arios…Endangering the world by tearing open the Seed and breaking the natural orders of Blessed Herunia….!! What exactly is it that can outweigh your crimes ?!?!"

" Divine Elevation, young prince. To rise, to evolve beyond mortal flesh. Apotheosis, if you will."

Austria began to laugh uncontrollably just by imagining the hypothesis of his research.

" A Miracle crafted by our own hands…Tenmei Akiro."

No.

Tenmei Akiro doesn't give two shits about becoming divine or godlike.

He just wants to stop the League from hurting people, and stopping the end of the world!

" Alas! I see that even you are unready for the divine task." Austria Van Hillingdale sighed a long ecstatic sigh.

" Then it is about time I show you a glimpse of the Illuminatus League's Evolution !!"

And Tenmei felt it.

It was always here, the Demonic corruption that hid in plain sight, mustering form from the shadows behind the pillars, from the shade under the pale neon lights, the dark grouped and merged into one humongous being towering over Tenmei and Varis, stretching out wings like black claws and bulging arms bursting in dark pus and flame.

Electric currents as dark as the ever-expanding space danced about its mammoth armored body, with the cursed blade Lifthrasir, split in half and held with both arms, double wielding the dastardly weapon.

Tenmei Akiro nearly couldn't recognize the Archdemon's face.

" …Ark'arios….?!"

Tenmei Akiro uttered in disbelief.

A groan as deep as the rumbling seafloor answered

" …..Tenmei...."

" …Is this how it shall end, Ark'arios ?"

Tenmei deeply wished there was another way out.

But the evolved Archdemon shook its head gravely

" My Promise…is finally at reach...."

The Ark'arios hummed with grand resolve.

" You have your ideals. I have my reasons. Come!

You need not show me courtesy no more !!!!"

Tenmei understood.

With a nod to Varis, she and Tenmei charged forth, Varis with her unbreakable energy blasting fists and Tenmei his Great Exian Rune Sword the two clashed straight forth the dual-wielding ultimate Archdemon, bursting forward in flight with its demon pus scattering wings that opened fully, stretching to an extent breaking the two sides of the basement hall and dashed forth twirling counterclockwise at the same time, increasing in speed into a horizontal hurricane of death, slashing both Tenmei and Varis to separate sides. And with the twin Lifthraisr blades, Ark'arios swiped Tenmei up high, breaking through a hundred marble layer floors, while the Archdemon flew up in close chase, slashing and dicing Tenmei like a swirling ball of intense swording hackling nonstop at one tiny spec that is Tenmei Akiro.

Varis flew up also and the three engaged in the speeding battle of fate, the powers cosmic, Exia, and Demonry bursting with thunderous force all over the memorial tower in successive explosions that rocked the whole Tron capital to its core.

The Tron military stumbled with each clash that sent shockwaves of Demonic force sweeping violently across the tall skyscrapers nearby. Glass windows were shattered, cement roads uprooted. But the Freedom and Justice Memorial Tower, though swaying with each conclusive blow like a nonrhythmic metronome, still stood its ground firmly.

For Kaburagi Shisei wills it. Standing at the very top of the memorial tower, with Mio bound by his side, he needs just wait for his victory to descend into his arms.

Even with the full extent of his Blue Exian Rune's bursting force, Tenmei could not come even close to the upgraded Archdemon's level. It was like Ark'arios has seen through a million possibilities between their final standoff and chose to act the most efficient and deadly in this one eventual encounter.

Shattering Tenmei's Exia Rune sword and Varis's poise altogether with just its bare hands, the Ark'arios faced downward in the air as Tenmei and Varis both tried to evade. Out a protruding piercing appendage emerged from the swirling murky face of the Archdemon. This NOSE then blasted a cosmos beam that shone in never-before-seen colors, erupting in the force of the implosion stars, burning its way straight down, running through Tenmei's calf, traveling full speed further down to the depth of the earth, burning straight across its core and sizzling out from the other side of the globe.

Seeing what the Nose beam had achieved, a different laugh cackled from within the Archdemon. A petty hideous laugh it was.

" Finally !! From my first appearance to this night !! I, Akahanon Zabinus Ultra and my Nose has finally achieved Godhood !!! Tenmei Akiro! Your giving up on the Ark'arios shall prove to be your utter demise !!!!!!"

" Shush and do my bidding, churl." The Ark'arios snarled and the cheeky Zabi could but snigger into silence.

" Is this all you've got, Tenmei Akiro ?!" The Archdemon cried out like a mountain crumbling to its feet.

" You a rare vessel capable of harboring Exia Runes and an Archdemon! Is this all you can achieve ?! To Stop Me ?!?!"

" He is not All there is !!"

And before the Ark'arios could smash the sudden newcomer that just spoke,

A powerful all-piercing Lance carved out of meteor rock burst through the Archdemon's throat from behind and flew right through, soaring full circle in the empty memorial tower space above into the hands of Percival Master Striker Sven's hands !!!

Right after the lance came planets that descended through accelerated gravitational force, blowing up into hydrogen and nitrogen bombs all over the Archdemon's impure flesh, ripping the Ark'arios into pieces with the end of inflamed planets that came right out of the cosmos Greatsword, wielded by none other than Master Striker of sword, Liella of the cosmos.

" Tenmei !...Varis..!"

Tenmei Akiro and Varis were then scooped up gently by the huge metallic hand of what belonged to the zombie mecha giant Thrond, on its back rode Luka with her sea of zombie dolls that rallied around the huge Mobile Zombie walker's feet. Luka helped Tenmei and Varis to a remaining platform nearby as she stood forth, alongside her homunculus brother and older sister facing the grand battle with deep resolve.

" I got your backs." in a short sheepish yet strong voice did Luka whisper to them both.

Varis beamed from the depth of her synthetic light heart proudly.

Tenmei Akiro was awed by the immense fellowship of brave light souls that gathered for one simple cause.

To protect their world and home.

With a deep breath and a gladdened smile of admiration to all that joined forces on this one defining night, Tenmei Akiro let his Exia Rune ablaze and dazzle blue upon his chest, and also atop all his loyal clansfolk's palms.

" Caution, Strikers !" Hassan Hellsing, Elder of the Parusefor Masters, with his Star bow in hand, walked in on midair calling to all the elite Parusefor Strikers that entered the hollow dilapidated white tower from all sides.

" The Ark'arios is still advent !!"

And sure enough, the blackness of the shadows burst out like hot springs once more, and the looming herculean shape of the ultimate Ark'arios reforged once again as the Archdemon looked all over him, around the tall circular empty space like a metal tube to the heavens, its gaze panning through the surrounding armies of Parusefor Masters, a mecha giant alongside a sea of zombie dolls, and Exia Lord Tenmei Akiro and super homunculus Varis among their ranks.

" Hoh." The Ark'arios grunted with a slight increase in amusement.

" So be it, spawns of Light."

And the second round began with a bang. Parusefors exceeding light human speeds dashing like purple comets here and there across the Ark'arios with thundering clashes as the Archdemon resisted with all its powers ancient and bleeding edge, showering rains of demonic missiles and hurricane slashes of the double Lifthrasir against Parusefor death beams and unorthodox weaponry showered back at him.

At the same time trading punches with the Thrond Mecha giant navigated by Luka on its back as the Archdemon fought its way out of the flurry of explosions and confusion, slamming down on Tenmei's blue Exia Rune sword before Varis flew in and landed a mountain-breaking punch on the Ark'arios' chin, only for the Archdemon to stagger back and let go of a Gyouma beam from its Akahanon Zabinus Ultra Nose.

Leaning on one breaking pillar on one part of the side corridor, Nina Zefield watched on in awe and horror at the magnificent battle across the air in the hollow Memorial tower, of Man versus Demon. Hope versus despair.

Like those that fear not death and face the undefeatable Archdemon head-on, Nina too realized she should not give up on faith.

Griffon is somewhere out there, and she is gonna find him!

They had a promise !!

Live…..Griffon!

Nina could but pray as she made her way forth without hesitation.

…

.....

" Live, Man Griffon."

Like a whisper from yonder, traveling through that thin wavering Strike flow connection before his senses' reach, Griffon thought he heard a voice familiar.

" Live….even when the stars collide… Promise me you'll find a way to Live...survive.....

.....Can you promise me that....Griffon ?"

" Ni…na…..?"

The Ramen stand in Helltron outskirts. Was what came first to Griffon's mind.

His memory slowly lit up as if the dark room was brightened slightly by his returning recollections.

The room shook like a boat in a tempest.

Indeed….Griffon whispered to himself

It was the promise he made…with that someone….

The one that seemed to not see him as a failure,

The one that urged him to move on, to live with his sorrows.

The one who was nearly rammed by that crazily strong League van,

the one he successfully saved just the night before…..

" At least…I saved someone before…"

If he can save someone once, he can save them twice. And eventually, everyone.

Griffon could feel his hands again, and his ankles. He can see himself and the Strike Force that flowed faster and faster all over him.

The Strike Force came gushing into his inner form from all sides, even from the chair under his buttock. He has it under control once again.

And as simple as flipping a page of an ancient papyrus text, the metal locks over his wrists and ankles separated into shards, and the cell that once confined him opened by blowing itself up into smithereens, showing Griffon the way out, that is infinite paths the Strike Force leads to his choosing.

Nina gave out a freaked-out scream as the wall behind her suddenly burst open and inside stood one person that glowed in purple hue, as an outer being had descended from space.

Nina squinted her eyes in disbelief.

" Griffon…..????"

Griffon opened his eyes, and the Strike flow was visibly glowing from his enlightened pupils

" Thank you, Nina."

Griffon smiled like an affable space guru

" I owe you one, big time."

" …Are you alright ?" Nina looked askance at Griffon like encountering an alien escaping from captivity

" Did they brainwash you like they always did ?"

" No! I am being grateful! Now, can someone explain what is going on over there ?!"

Griffon pointed at the hollow clearing where a vicious battle between man and Demon was playing out at two times the speed.

Instead of answering right away, Nina simply chuckled, beaming at the awakened hero with watery eyes.

" Here, you may need this."

Nina then reached to her back, loosened the strings, and handed over her Naginata glaive to Griffon.

Griffon was shaken by the privilege and was hesitant

" But Nina, isn't it yours ?"

" You broke your halberds to save me. I say that it is fair. Besides, I still have my saber here."

And pulling out from her waist, a short dagger-sized blade thrusted out into a fully lengthed katana as Nina swung it around her hand, adjusting her grip with the shorter handle.

Convinced, Griffon took the Naginata glaive from Nina, and together they marched forth to the edge of the corridor, to see the horrendous Ark'arios Ultima wreaking havoc and gaining the upper hand over an army of Parusefor Master Strikers, a super homunculus, and the Exia Lord of Blue himself.

" By Jove !" Griffon uttered in shocked disbelief.

" I should have stayed in that cell for good !"

Nina scowled at him.

" Sorry."

As the two charged down bravely to face the undefeatable,

Marian Amatsumina stood far above a lone broken pillar, smiling sadly as her gaze followed them down below into the chaos.

That is where he belonged, Marian Amatsumina could but accept the painful truth.

…

...…..

But certainly, while the heroes are battling the Archdemon inside the memorial tower outside, a pitch-black room is not where a King of Terminas, such as Varche Scrirocco is supposed to belong.

It should have been his ultimate schemata to hunt down another Exia Rune Lord, but all is ruined by this hardened vagabond that deserves nothing but death for his nonstop acts of idiocy. That is what Varche thought.

" Again, you have come to hinder my path of majesty, like a roach that refuses to die !!"

Varche Scrirocco threatened menacingly, pacing the black world with his weapons drawn

" With the Herunia opened and Miracles revealed, Milina shall return! And here you stand against me! Which side are you on, Nison you churl !!??"

" I stand by my beliefs as a vagabond, and my instincts of a noble slayer, Varche !"

Nison growled back, refusing the Terminas royal's threats.

" As I see it, the League is merely using your sentiment to gain power! Do you really think the League would give you the chance to meddle with the Herunia ?!"

" I am not dumb !" Varche spat ruthlessly.

" I am waiting for them to open the gates to Herunia, which I shall enter! As soon as I finish thee and get out of this Pitch Black Room, Char !!"

Nison Char cannot agree

" What you bring back will not be Milina anymore."

The two men gravely paced around each other in the indiscernible Pitch Black Room, silently anticipating the starting blow to initiate the fight to the death.

" If you so craveth death." Varche snarled tauntingly as he scanned his pitch-black surroundings, luring Nison to engage with his insulting words.

" I shall giveth thee! Come and die, Nison Char !!!"

" Death has been a close associate of mine since that fateful day in Helltron."

Nison Char's low gruff voice echoed all around Varche in the dark.

" I have long since realized, that it is due to my folly and craze for vengeance, that cost Milina's life."

" You should have stayed dead and not intervened !!" The pain and sorrow emanating from Varche's hateful accusations.

" Milina and I could have slain the Ark'arios…We could have had a family !! You took it all away from Me !!!!"

Varche inhaled deeply all the sadness that powered his anger and breathed them out, fuming in determination to kill.

" Nison Char, now that you have repented of your sins, I shall give you a quick death. Reveal yourself to Me Now !!"

Varche was ready.

With his Exian Rune blazing red, a searing light saber protruding out of his arm.

Yet the darkness in the room swallowed most of that crimson glow and Varche still could see nothing out of an arm's reach.

" That I certainly will."

Nison Char promised sincerely in his coarse grunt.

" Joining Milina in Blessed Herunia's embrace has been the only dream after Helltron. But answer me this, Varche!

Is this what Milina wants ?!?!"

" That Is What I Want !!!" Varche howled in berserk fury.

Varche could hear Nison sigh a long grave brooding sigh just ahead of him. Within that visionless dark!

" To think that your love towards my sister is but mere show instead of true understanding."

Nison exhaled with utmost disappointment at Varche's face.

" You dare….!!!!"

" I dare. Because I love Milina. I love my sister, my last remaining blood kin, and it is not just my unconditional affection, but also my respect and understanding toward her now that I dare say that you, Varche, your love for Milina, is but mere show !!!!"

Varche Scrirocco's rage has exceeded words. For a man that intruded on his endeavors in the heat of battle during the Helltron Dispute that ended up causing the sacrifice and untimely demise of his beloved secretary and sole mate, this Nison Char sure dares foul mouth his love for Milina!

" What…do you understand…that I do Not ?!?!"

Like a wounded animal Varche questioned, raising his Exian Rune light saber yonder, ready to fill the whole Pitch Black Room with chaos flame of his Techno Swarm.

Facing the red Exia Rune Sword pointing at his light heart, Nison then calmly responded.

" I understand, for one thing, that Milina loves you dearly, Varche."

Nani ?!

Varche was not expecting such an answer to come out of Nison Char's bastard lips.

" I understand now, that Milina loves you so. She loves you for the efforts and hardships you are willing to achieve to bring peace and prosperity to corrupted Terminas.

She loves you for the scoundrel you are, that she is willing to sacrifice her own life, just so you could move on and fulfill your promise to her !!! To build a paradise for all and your children !!!

For your Dream and ideals, Milina died so that you can live !!!

And that is why I will not kill you, Varche, because I Love Milina."

For a boorish vagabond, a heinous noble slayer, and a Demon Punching Brute such as he,

Nison Char do be spitting out sentimental facts of enlightenment and grand forgiveness.

Varche looked yonder at the dark, dumbstruck. Then back at himself, ashamed.

This is not what Milina wanted.

Never would Milina wish to see him become an Iron Giant mecha Slayer Lord of bazinga.

Neither would she wish to see him become a ruthless Revenjaja, a ghost filled with the rage of vengeance, forsaking Toshiumi his friend, capturing Milina's friend Mio, and attempting to slay her one and only remaining brother, Nison Char!

Varche Scrirocco, proud King of Terminas and Rune bearer of the Red Exian Rune, fell to his knees and wept.

Hot manly regretful tears.

Nison too, was sobbing nearby, reminiscing about his long-gone sister.

Two men, planning to kill each other in a Pitch Black room, now wept together like brothers in the dark.

And with their vengeance put aside, the two men are now born anew. Varche Scrirocco the reborn so spake to his should-have-been brother in law

" Nison Char, you love Milina."

And that was not just flimsy dialogue, but a royal pardoning from the high jurisdiction of the King of Terminas, harboring the grave weight of the techno sky city, granting full amnesty towards Nison Char's sins and erasing all accusations and crime records upon him with those uttered words.

Nison Char, is no longer a wanted man.

But a free hero.

And seeing that his decree was carried out the moment he had spoken, Varche King stayed kneeling on the solid black floor of the Pitch Black Room and smiled.

" You may go now, Nison."

Varche bade Nison leave through the now-opened secret portal at the far end of the room.

" I will stay here, and die to uphold the rights of the honorable traditions of the Pitch black Room. You have my full blessings."

And producing a red beam dagger to commit the ultimate seppuku, Varche smiled gladly to the pitch-black heavens inside the room.

" Nison, will you be my second, and do the honors ?"

A second here, in the seppuku rites of Kingdeniom, is an honorary position to assist the one committing seppuku to further reach death easier than dying through excruciating pain, by decapitating the one committing the ritual as soon as the blade plunges through the stomach and rip open the bowels.

Nison Char realized Varche's determination to help him leave the Pitch Black Room and also in one way, to meet Milina in blessed Herunia, so he reluctantly complied, forging out of his orange powers a long katana he raised right behind Varche's exposed nape.

Varche smiled with much contentment.

Milina, here I come.

As the red blade kissed the tender skin upon Varche's belly, light, erupted across the Pitch Black Room, blinding the two men as the walls confining them broke apart into severed slabs that collapsed like dominos. Dazzling gold shafts dawned before their presence like the new dawn and the sun pulled up close, as one glistening silhouette of a tall Awesome figure stood in the center of that proliferating blaze, sheathing lo burning blade back to his scabbard cooly with a flourish.

Both Varche and Nison Char cannot believe what they now beheld with their bare wide eyes.

…

...….

Bursting out from the swarming Parusefors that tried to chain it to the floor, the Ark'arios Ultima shot out with fulminating force, knocking everyone, and everything down in its wake as it sped towards Tenmei Akiro in full speed, grabbing the Blue Exian Rune Bearer like a child snatching a toy model and hurtled Tenmei with extreme force out of the Memorial Tower, sending Tenmei Akiro crashing through myriads of marble walls before soaring down full speed, crashing down across the memorial clearing outside of the tower, leaving a long indented track drawn across sheer cement blocks.

Tenmei didn't even have the time to stand up when the Ark'arios was already nearly upon him, landing its humongous frame with that one death-defining punch diving down from above the Archdemon's shoulder, sailing through the air with enough friction causing it to ignite along the way as the bulging demonic fist came down, nearer and nearer towards Tenmei Akiro's face !!

With his one last move, Tenmei condensed his Exia Rune Sword into a rune shield and closed his eyes, wishing for the best.

The blow miraculously didn't even touch the Exia Shield, but stayed an arm's length away from Tenmei Akiro's astonished gaze.

Tenmei thought he was dreaming.

For there stood, between him and the startled Ark'arios,

with curly locks of blue hair dancing among the blathering force, shining with splendor under the dim night sky,

Miula Haru, raising both hands of glowing sea blue light, clad in shimmering turquoise armor from the chest down to both ankles, a set of ancient yet mystic armor that resembled nothing Tenmei had ever seen, blocking the Archdemon's world-destructing blow with much effort.

…

.....

" Your time isn't up, yet. Varche my brother."

Spake Awesomely the King of the Golden Exia Rune, Toshumi Al Seraphim, Brave of Zabanya and Savior of Kingdeniom, as the Lord of all things golden reached out both hands to life Varche and Nison up to their dumbstruck feet.

" Join me, Varche, sir Nison. Our Awesomeness is yet to unfold. "

Like the winged Hussars arriving under the dawn glow, The Airship fleets of the Golden Company, led by Flagship Solarion, pierced through the dark skies, turning night into day.

Following behind were the soaring fleets of Vilencia and its subordinate forces, led by King Phaldemon himself accompanied by his valiant vanguard Andrew Anjou Alesdale the red stallion.

The Houses of the north will not tolerate the League's insolence on capital grounds.

…

...….

" Need…some help here…!"

Haru, our girl, wheezed as she mustered all her strength, her willpower, and also the Seed's blessed powers, to stop the coming Demon blow from crushing Tenmei and herself.

Springing to his feet, Tenmei quickly, vigorously gathered all of his Blue Exia force into his one good hand and punched the Ark'arios' face with all his might.

The Archdemon staggered a few steps back.

" ….SORA !!"

The Ark'arios roared with his vicious red eyes wide open, as the Demon's expression greatly softened than before.

" …Sora...I have come… To Fulfill our Promise…!"

" You mustn't...Rio…"

And out of thin air, emerging above Haru's shoulder, Sora, Emissary of the Seed Force floated down like a guardian angel of utmost divinity to Haru's side and approached the bewildered Archdemon slowly, calling the Archdemon by its pristine name, Rio.

" My revealing to the reality plane has led to an imminent crisis against the Eternal Engine of the Herunis Carna, Rio.

I must go back, so this world...our home remains intact. "

As a sacred deity, Sora's voice and words brought much comfort to all that beheld her wisdom through her musical yet firm cadence.

But the Archdemon would not give in to his Adamance.

" Have the World crumble and the seas run dry, My Promise Shall Never Yield…!!

I am bringing you out, of Dastardly Herunia!!!!"

" You must Not !"

Sora The Seed Deity exclaimed with much persuasion and power, calming the berserk beastly Demon at bay.

" As much as I have dreamed of the day we reunite, I cannot stand idle before the depravity the ignorant have brought upon this sanguine land built amongst toil and utmost sacrifice !"

Sora's hands clasped to Ark'arios' mottled grotesque sides, caressing the devilish face tenderly. Their gazes through eons finally joined longingly once more.

Two Ancients, of Light and of Dark, a merging of two worlds.

" They covet your power and noble motive, only to unravel what Light Children are not yet prepared ."

Sora The Seed gravely explained with grave urgence.

" If this League is not stopped, the cycle of Light will cease, and the fabrics of the world collapse !"

" The Fate of their World is not of my concern !!!"

Boomed the Ark'arios like the Earth crumbling in, swallowed by its own gravity.

Unwavering still, the Seed remained calm.

" It is, to me. "

Sora motioned to all that surrounded the Archdemon in arms, Parusefors and soldiers, Light-hearted and Homunculus alike.

Children of Bright Herunia.

Their struggles and endeavors to protect their home.

" My fate, has been sealed deeply in the roots of Herunia, like the children around us. We are one. As their hearts power the cycle, I guide them through and guard their path.

It is my duty, Rio. One I cannot shun or abandon for the sake of blessed Herunis Carna. I have to help them."

" Duty… you say ?"

Ark'arios grunted with rising animosity

" As I see it, only through ridding of this duty, ridding the Light Children can you truly be free from Herunia !!!!!!"

" Rio, NO !!!"

Before Sora nor Haru could tame the enraged Demon Lord, The Ark'arios slammed both dark smoldering devilish arms onto Tron soil, shattering the cement pavements and marble establishments all in one thundering slam.

Tenmei Akiro instinctively pulled Haru close out of the blasting range, shielding her behind his Blue Exia Rune forming into a shield before them, blocking the rubbles flying all over them.

As the paused heroes were about to resume their fierce battle against the berserk Archdemon, a sudden violent shudder over the Capitol grounds sent the warriors to an unexpected stumble!

Catching a glimpse of the cracking fissures splitting the roads and pavements close by beneath their feet, Tenmei Akiro spotted eerie glows of many colors all at once, sparkling ominously underneath the cement, reaching far and wide across the whole city.

" Miss Miula !! Can you hear me ?!?!"

Military Genius Rang's voice rattled out loud from Haru's speaker device, sounding pretty compelled by what was about to happen.

" Miss Miula! Retreat now !! Sir Tenmei as well, Hurry !! Make the Parusefors fall back also !! Hurry, Miss Haru !! Retreat--"

The sudden death of the radio signals as well as the flickering and dimming of every lighting device across the deserted Tron streets sent chills down both Tenmei and Haru's spines.

Tenmei and Haru fixed gazes with each other, eyes wide like saucers.

Their light heartbeats echoed throughout the empty streets with each pounding thump.

…

...….

" Message incoming, Princess Keiken, Stewardess Hikaru !!"

Cyborg general Gelouch Dendrobium uttered, holding his metallic radio-sensory ear close as he motioned toward where the information came.

From the golden fleet now hovering above the Freedom and Justice Memorial tower, most likely, Gelouch predicted with his cyborg senses.

" What did it say ?"

Princess Isabel Keiken asked in wonder.

Gelouch's expression grew ashen and urgent the more he listened.

" Gods be good…!"

The Cyborg General uttered in a frantic breath

" My Princess…! We must retreat Now! Immediately !!!"

…

...….

Kaburagi Shisei need not turn around to already discern three figures arriving on the top of the Freedom and Justice Memorial Tower behind him.

They are disturbing Mio's sweet slumber, Shisei sighed forgivingly at the boorish intruders affront the inevitable evolution of Light-Hearted kind.

For they are Destined to fall into extinction.

Mere futile struggles to defend their obsolete minds.

" Standing here, I Realize,"

Kaburagi Shisei hissed to the three tall menacing shadows behind his presence victoriously

" We are never the same, Toshiumi, You and I. Born with The glory like wrapping sheets, never once struggled for anything in reach, you had it all and now you have None !!

Born with nothing, striving over what is beyond me, I have it all in this grasp!

See this Grasp ?!?!?!"

Kaburagi Shisei of the Illuminatus League held high his tightly grasped fists high, for Toshiumi, Varche, and Nison to see in utter shock and foreboding.

" This Grasp Holds All.

This Grasp Holds The Future, The Present, The Past.

This Grasp Holds...

The Great Strike Exia ! ! ! ! !"

And with that grasp opening before Toshiumi, Varche, and Nison Char's appalled gaze

Engraved and scorching,

Searing with might and power,

blazing with The Strike Force and All Seven Colors of Exia and more On that palm

was the Great Strike Exia Rune.

" Yes…"

Kaburagi Shisei panted gloriously.

" The Great Strike Exia, IS REAL ! ! ! ! ! !"

And below the League Grand Disciple's feet,

Tron shook.

…

...….

Sensing that time was no longer on their side, Tenmei put all hesitation aside, holding Haru's hand close as the two started running, dashing as fast as their legs could carry them down the city streets while Tenmei Akiro shouted to all of them at the top of his lungs.

" RETREAT !!!!!!!"

Before Tenmei's shout could ever reach any ears, the subsequent explosion from beneath the entire Tron capital lit up the night to sheer day, igniting the boulevards out from the cracking fissures of light that drew wider, longer across Tron,

Light cutting through solids in its path,

Burning deep into Kingdeniom soil, the flaming engravings Illuminating to outer space,

A blinding lucent symbol comprehensible only from the eyes above,

Is the Seven Exia Runes combined,

The Great Strike Exia Rune,

Scorching the lands as its glow reflected upon the night skies, the Omnipotent Rune of immense power, looming above all existing presence.

Within the sizzling pallid spot in the middle of the Ever extending Great Strike Exia Rune, the towering obelisk stood.

On top of the Freedom and Justice Memorial Tower,

A circular ball of light glowed with pure brilliance.

The Portal to the Realm of Light, to the Blessed Herunia,

Glowed wide open before their eyes.

[........To Be Ending...]