DEKANI

The war between the Toron and the Severens has begun. With the Valians, Scrava, and Corpo battling the Severens in the battle front of the Star System, one Valian must support his brethren in the battle front of the past: Dekani Price. Without his brothers and sisters in arms to support him, can one Valian soldier take on the entire Severen army of the past alone?

Just as The Old War has made history, so shall the New War. And just as those who take part in the war of the Star System must fight with everything they have, so must Price.

Prologue

Gods are not born.

For they are made.

This was the fundamental philosophy behind Toron architecture.

For we were created by Lord Ballard, as weapons against the Severens.

For the mighty Tora. The military guard of the Toron were not enough.

Did the Toron commit etreum, and take in the survivors of the Void Incident. Thousands of children aboard the craft that day, experimented like livestock.

To produce the strongest warriors. Wrapped in steel. Bathed in the Void.

Gun and blade.

We were unmatched.

Our way of war, taught to us by the Tora Soldier Nava.

We fought back the Severens. And tore them apart. Warriors who felt no pain. Who fought with infinite stamina. For our consciousness was what drove the Lances. Powerful warriors who gave their lives, either voluntarily or involuntarily, to the Toron Empire, to serve the greater good.

But it wasn't until we met Lena, after the Great War against the Severens. After Queen Luna was destroyed and the otherworldly empire fled, and we had slain the Toron Empire with the same weapons bestowed upon us by Toron Nobles.

Did Lena take us in.

And from that day forth, we were complete.

Tora Nava taught us the way of war.

Lena taught us the way of a defender. Of a spy. Of an assassin. Of a mercenary.

All for her own gain... isn't that right kiddo?

"Silence...." I muttered.

All of that. To destroy and fight the Scrava and the Corpo. The last remnants of the Toron Empire. You fought so the Severens didn't. We were trained to serve the Severens. Deceived by Lena.

"I said be quiet!" I roared, as I found myself awake. My body was still trapped, and I found myself face to face with what appeared to be a gigantic empty skull of a bird.

"Prince Nero." I sneered at the towering Severen.

"Dekani Price." Nero mused, as he paced back and forth in his bony frame.

"Where is Lena?!" I yelled, but Nero paid me no attention, inspecting me.

"You are in no position to speak, little Valian. Without your Lances you are nothing. You are just a boy. Yet despite that, it was still enough for the Void to influence my dear sister into almost compromising all of us."

"YOU deceived her!"

"I brought Lena home." Nero growled, his face inches from mine.

"If it had not been Ballard's emotional yearning for Freya, and the Void warping his mind, Lena would still be apart from her kind. She simply has returned home. And you demand that she leave us once again for a Void devil like you?"

I gritted my teeth.

"Lena is no longer a part of you. She had forsaken her sequence. To become someone better."

"She became someone she was not. Perhaps you will never understand. A Void devil like you would never understand the importance of family because you lived most of your life without one."

My vision became red with rage.

"What do you know of my tribulations, you Severen scumbag!"

Nero opened one of his limbs, revealing two orbs.

"Every Severen's life. Is one of greater. But even so, death is not without mourning. Our mother. Queen Luna. It was because of YOU she had died. This empire was our last chance. Yet your lust for battle. Your lust to kill. Your lust to draw blood."

Nero traced his fingers against my face as I winced in pain.

"That is the difference between us Severen and you Valian. We fought for a purpose. Do you know what we call those who kill for the fun of it? Psychopaths. You and your brethren were given so much power, and you used it for your own desires."

Nero's scratching became more intense as blood began to trace down my cheek. I did my best to withstand the pain. As a Valian, pain was foreign to me. I was always in my Lance. And we never felt pain in battle.

"This universe... it is an unfair and cruel place. Queen Luna was dying. We needed to save our Queen for she had done so much for us. But a higher power destroyed our chances. All for the ridiculous purpose of self satisfaction. But this ends."

Nero backed up.

"This ends because now, Lena has returned to us. She is the new Queen, to avenge Luna. And we will never. Ever. Give another Queen over to the darkness that is the Void."

I closed my eyes as Nero left the room.

Something went ran down my cheek. Tears.

"Mother..."

The Severen flesh was curling around my limbs now as I felt my body start to disintegrate. My very essence disappearing.

Was my war against the Severens justified? Was my very existence justified? Nero wasn't wrong.

We took Queen Lena away from them.

We took Queen Luna away from them.

If I didn't exist...

The Severens wouldn't have so much hate. Luna would have lived. Lena would have been happy.

But because I was here, along with the rest of the Valian, Lena chose to abandon her mission. She raised us, and became brainwashed. She killed her own kind.

Who were the real bad guys in this story?

"Maybe I should just... disappear..." I murmured as everything turned black.

* * *

"Steel your resolve. Your enemies will grow fierce. Trust in your training." Nava said as I resolved out of my Excal lance, falling to my knees and vomiting all over the floor. I was still a little child at the time. Still new to my void powers.

I looked at Nava, his stoic and regal face. He had no sympathy. Sympathy was for the weak. That was the Tora way.

"Stand, Dekani Price."

"But... Nava I can't." I gasped as I crawled forward and grabbed Nava's feet.

"No more... please no more..." I begged, but Nava zipped away with blinding speed, aiming the blade to my face.

"Will you beg the Severens for mercy as well?"

"No..."

Nava knelt down in front of me.

"Will you serve the Toron?"

"Yes."

"Why is that?"

I paused. Nava never asked us stuff like this before. When we trained with the Tora soldier, he was always harsh on us. He never cared about what we felt. We were weapons of war. For the longest time that was how it was.

"I... is such a question relevant?"

Nava's eyebrows furrowed in disgust as he picked me up with one arm.

"You dare question my teachings, Valian?"

"I-"

"Open your eyes. Dry your tears. Recede your nausea. And look around you."

I did what I was told.

"What do you see?"

"Nothing..."

Nava dropped me on the ground.

"You claim to wish to serve our nation. Yet time and time again you hesitate to lift your weapon. You hesitate to bring the blade down. You fear killing. And because of that fear, you never advance, while the rest of your brethren move forward, you remain steadfast. So I will ask you again."

Nava leaned in closer to me.

"Why do you want to serve?"

I closed my eyes and clenched my teeth.

The answer was obvious.

"I want to be a Valian so I can protect my little brother, Arsani. So I can fight in his place. I want to become a better Valian than my brother so I can protect him. But at the same time, I want to keep my integrity."

Nava raised an eyebrow as I continued.

"I will protect Arsani from the horrors of war. Even if we are both at the front. One of us will need to fight, so the other will not. Arsani is pure. If I kill, I will lose myself. And I can't bear to see Arsani watch his own brother be consumed by the darkness."

I got to my feet as I resolved back into my Excal Lance.

"I will become a Valian. I will serve the Toron Empire. But I will do it in a way that doesn't compromise who I am. So I can both protect my loved ones but stay true to myself. That is who I am, Nava. That is my Valian way."

That's right. The whole crux of who I was as a Valian was fundamentally to protect the people I loved. But to keep my own integrity. And to stay true to myself.

My mind flashed to the day Lena had approached me. I chose to stay behind and become a defender, knowing full well that it would be looked down upon by my Valian brethren.

"Do you fear battle, Valian?"

I clenched my fist.

"Yes, Lena."

"Of all the Valians who went forward to take the battle to the front, you swallowed your pride and stayed behind. Your honour for your family, and your integrity overrides your ego. Not many Valian possess this trait."

"That isn't it, Lena. Arsani is gone from me now. He doesn't know who I am. And he has become a far greater Valian than I. My brother doesn't need my protection anymore."

Lena regarded me.

"Then why do you choose to stay-"

I turned to her.

"Because I want to stay and protect you."

Lena paused.

"Dekani..."

I resolved out of my Lance and approached the woman who I thought of as my mother. I didn't care if she was Severen. I didn't care about any of that.

"I don't care if my kind hates me for it. I don't care if I'm called a coward. But... I want to stay and be with you. Because you are also one of the people I hold most dear. I will lay my life to protect you."

Lena pulled me into an embrace as I felt warmth spread through my body.

"You are not a coward, Dekani. You are something far greater than your kind. You are special because you choose not to be special. You are strong because you choose not to be strong. And it is because you offer something the others do not."

Lena stroked my hair.

"I see all the Valian as my children. To each Valian, they acknowledge my feelings. But they act along their purpose. But... you are different, Dekani. Because you reciprocate my love."

Energy began to well up in my body as tears raced down my face. The Severen's control weakening on my body as I clenched my teeth and powered up. I will not let the Severens take over my body. I will escape.

Lena's voice echoed in my head.

"When you are in trouble, I will be here for you."

The shackles began to crack as I yelled. The void energy in my body overloading the confinement I was in.

"And when I am in trouble... Dekani Price... promise..."

Nero wanted Lena back. Maybe his reasons made sense.

But so were mine.

"Promise you will be there for me. My dear son."

"RAAAAARRGGHHH" I yelled with all my might as I destroyed my restraints, floating in the air as I unleashed a powerful void blast and destroying the walls. I landed on the ground as I stared at my hands, which were glowing teal.

I needed to get out of here. I needed to find the rest of my crew. So I can regroup and continue with my quest to save my mother. To find Shane, and to guide him. Just as Lena had guided me.

I ripped my way out of the prison. One step at a time.

Umbra

"Folock, come in." I whispered.

No answer.

I closed my eyes and concentrated, trying to scan for the signal of my ship, but there was nothing.

"Dammit." I grumbled.

Was my Orbiter destroyed? What became of everybody on board? Aurora, Rinne, Umbra, my Lances. Folock. Everybody...

My heart twinged in pain.

Shane...

I hid behind a pillar, as a group of Severens walked by me.

Undetected.

A battle isn't always won with might alone. For a true warrior knows to conquer in the light, and to strike in the dark.

This was a lot harder to do when I wasn't resolved in a Lance. But even so, I remembered everything that Nava had taught me.

I snuck around the ship, until I crawled into a small crevice. I peered down, and nearly gasped.

A dark red and black throne room. From one corner, were several Severens stationed. To the right side of the throne, was Nero. And at the center...

Her body connected to dozens of cables. An extremely advanced Severen exoskeleton. Far bigger than the others around her. But I recognized her right away, that kind, warm, and motherly face that we always thought of whenever we jumped into battle. We fought for that face. We fought for her.

"Lena..." I whispered, as I concentrated, my consciousness escaping as I entered void mode, dashing to the corner of the throne room.

"My queen." Nero's voice echoed in the room, as he got down on one knee before Lena.

"Speak, brother." Lena said.

Nero lifted his bird shaped head.

"The Star System has been thrown into chaos. Our invasion has begun. The New War commences, just as it had so long ago, we shall strike the Toron Empire once more. But this time, they are without defenders. The Tora, long since extinguished. The Valian fight amongst the remnants of the Empire, blinded by their pride."

I clenched my teeth.

Dammit.

The Severens started their attack.

Lena narrowed her eyes.

"And what of our battle in the past?"

Nero nodded.

"We have yet to locate the root. The source of the Valian kind. However, SHADOW has uncovered something revolutionary."

"Speak."

Nero ran his appendage across the ground.

"The Unarmored Valian: Shane Mayen, is not fully Terran."

My heart stopped.

No way... they didn't...

How did they find out what Shane was? If they uncovered his true identity... he would...

Lena looked at her brother, her eyes wide.

"The Unarmored Valian wields the Infestation. He has overcome the Infestation's influence, and fights with the power bestowed only by those from the House of Licita. And now, on top of all of this, he is also not human?"

Nero hesitated. He could sense the frustration in his sister's voice.

"Forgive me, my Queen. It was my error for underestimating the one known as Shane Mayen."

"Why has he not been destroyed, Nero."

"We cannot. My Queen, you must understand. This Shane Mayen... he is part us."

Lena paused.

"Severen..."

"Indeed. I have reason to believe one of our Oculysts may have mated with the Toron Noble Kirin Licita, and conceived a natural born halfbreed."

"If that is true, his potential surpasses SHADOW."

"And not only SHADOW... but I believe Shane Mayen may have abilities similar, if not the same as SHADE."

I clenched my fists, hard. I wanted to stop this so badly.

It felt like I was watching the world unravel. The start of the spiral into apocalypse.

But if I jumped down like that, I would be cut down. I had no Lance. All I had were my void abilities.

"Where is Mayen now." Lena asked.

"The Terran-Severen hybrid has escaped a Murex. According to SHADOW, he has discovered his nature. As of now, we are unsure of what he is capable of. He has amassed a following under his other name: Shardis Licita."

Lena was silent for a few seconds. And to my disbelief, her eyes momentarily glanced at mine.

"Leave me, brother. As with the rest of you."

I watched as everybody filed out.

I stumbled back, still in my void mode, as the cables disconnected. One by one. The body of a woman emerged from the Severen flesh as she walked from her throne to my direction.

"Remove your veil, Dekani Price."

Against my will, I felt myself obliged to obey her, and I materialized in front of my foster mother.

"Lena..." I muttered, as I wanted to walk forward, but stopped myself.

"Why do you hesitate, Valian." Lena tilted her head, as if I was the most intriguing thing ever.

"Lena, please... I... You've abandoned-"

Lena held up her hand.

"If you came here to tell me to abandon my people, then the void truly has warped your mind, Dekani Price. However, I must commend you. You are the first Valian to stand here before me, before the same room that the Maker had once stepped foot in. The same room my mother, Queen Luna stepped foot in."

My breath was ragged, as I felt myself trembling from the emotion that was overwhelming my body. My face became wet with tears as I found myself before the Severen Queen, defenseless. Lanceless.

"Do you know why I did not kill you? Despite detecting your void presence this entire time?"

"What?" I asked, as Lena smiled.

"Why you. Why not Zennen Ful, the greatest of your kind? Why not Achel Divinear, the smartest of your kind? Why not Quorra Lavine, one who commands the largest alliances in Valian history? Yet here, the one who stands before me, a mere mastery rank 18 Valian, who hesitates to kill, who stubbornly only uses the Excalibur Lance because of the very emotions that are spit on by his kind. Dekani Price..."

Lena waved her hand, as the windows in the throne room opened up, revealing the starry sky of a beautiful galaxy. The light of the trillions of stars casting upon the room an illuminance of beautiful colours.

"... the weakest Valian. Has done what no Valian has ever done before. To be face to face with the leader of all the Severens, and be spared."

"Lena, what are you planning. Why are you doing all this? I don't understand at all!" I shouted.

"Perhaps part of the fake me still lives. That illusion of love. For you may have been the weakest Valian, but you were the kindest. You were the only one to ever reciprocate my love. Had it been fake. Even so..."

Lena ran her hand across my face as I closed my eyes, tears running down my cheeks.

"I cannot kill you without feeling some degree of regret."

"Then... don't... don't do this. Call off the war... Please mom... please just come home..." My voice broke, my hands trembling, but then Lena pulled her hand away, stepping back.

"Tch." She said as she turned around, walking back to her throne, my eyes widened as I held out my hand.

"Lena-"

"You misunderstand me, Valian child. Just because I say that I cannot kill you without regret, does not mean I will kill you at all. You are still my enemy."

My heart hurt, but I shouldered the feelings and trudged forward. I knew what to say.

"AM I THOUGH?!" I screamed, as Lena was taken aback.

"AM I?! You say that I am your enemy. But then you say you will feel regret if you kill me. You say I am the only one who reciprocated your love. If that's the case, why are we enemies?! Why would your own enemy be your own son?! Be your own children?!"

Lena's bottom lip quavered momentarily.

"For it was but a lie. A lie made by the void."

"So what if it was a lie?! So what?! If you taking us in was a lie, then maybe my whole existence is one too! Maybe our whole existence was a lie! But even so, we're still here! We're alive! Maybe that's just how it is. Maybe that's just what the world wants, or this maker you keep talking about."

I clenched my fist as I walked forward, Lena instinctively created several Severen tendrils to hold me down, but I ripped them away with void energy.

"Look at me, mom. I'm walking up to you. But as your enemy, you could have just alerted your guards. You could have killed me right here. But you're not. You're not, mom. Because deep down, you know you still love us. There's no reason for us to fight. There's no reason for this at all."

Lena hesitated.

"I... Dekani..."

I stopped, as something ran down Lena's cheek.

A tear.

"Mom!" I ran forward, but she held out her hand, stopping me.

"Dying... I am..."

"Let me help!" I begged, but suddenly, Lena's face reverted back to its expressionless demeanour.

"A lie once more, from your void trickery."

My outstretched hand went slack as I felt defeat all across my body.

"Do you enjoy emotionally manipulating, void devil?"

I gritted my teeth. I said nothing. Nor did I feel like saying anything. I felt like I had just...

"Then I shall indulge in your despair, Valian. Emotional manipulation."

The sound of a blade appeared behind me as I whipped around, to see the silhouette of a man approach me. The sword was glowing a bright blue.

My heart rate increased as I stumbled back.

"What the hell..."

A black scarf fluttered as the man approached me, his exalted weapon scraping the ground and producing sparks. The light from the sparks illuminating the face of a modified version of the Excalibur Lance.

Umbra levelled his sword, and slashed at me with his signature slash dash. I void dashed out of the way, but Umbra closed in again, his blade narrowly missing my face as I fell on my back.

Umbra appeared in front of me, his sword in the air, as he stabbed down. I dashed out of the way once more, evading the strikes of my old friend as we stood face to face.

"What have you done to Umbra?!" I growled at Lena, who watched from above.

"Just as you have emotionally manipulated me, I will emotionally destroy you, Valian Dekani Price. For you so loved this Lance, like a father, I have remade him. In the image of an enemy. He shall see you as such. Now Valian, will you die by his hand, or will he die by yours?"

The Lance material began to corrode, revealing his horrifically scarred face, and his eye, which was full of fury.

Umbra brandished his sword, as he charged forward, fully intent on taking his Operator down.

I concentrated, as my body dissolved into void energy. I dashed forward, entering Umbra and initiating Transference.

"Umbra! Remember who you are!" I shouted at the spectre from within Umbra's consciousness. But I couldn't get through to him. There was something there. Something malicious.

Umbra rejected the Transference as I was shunted out of his body, landing on the ground. Umbra towered over me and slashed down, as I rolled out of the way, scooching back.

"Despair, Dekani Price. Despair, void devil. For you so emotionally manipulated me, I shall emotionally destroy you. You love this Lance. I will exploit this love of yours."

I glared at Lena and fired a void beam at her direction, but several Severen limbs intercepted my blast. I void dashed again to evade Umbra and began firing void blasts at his direction, but it didn't matter. My mastery with the void was average at best. Against the superior defenses of the Lance that I had spent the most time modifying and upgrading.

"Damn you. Nero, you Severen scum!" I growled as I continued evading, but by the last void dash, I stumbled and slid across the floor of the throne room.

I was out of void energy.

"UMBRA!" I roared, but Umbra paid me no attention, dragging his Skiajati across the ground.

I turned to Lena, who regarded me coldly.

"I will save you mother. I promise. I promise on my name, Dekani Price. I will undo whatever Prince Nero has done to you!"

Umbra slashed and caught me in the forearm as I yelled in agony.

"I... Umbra... do you... really not recognize me." I muttered. My vision was beginning to go hazy from the bloodloss. I stumbled back as the throneroom opened up, revealing a distant planet.

"Leave me, void devil. I want no more from you." Lena said, as Umbra rushed forward and tackled me out of the Severen ship. The two of us hurtling to the ground.

"Umbra!!!" I yelled as I tried to escape the Lance's grasp.

I closed my eyes. I needed someone. I needed...

"Folock! Initiate contingency plan Q."

We continued hurtling to the ground as something appeared from the corner of my vision. A horrifically destroyed spacecraft in hundreds of segmented pieces.

I concentrated, and resolved myself into the wrecked Lotuscraft, as I felt myself hurtling to the ground.

Remember who you are. But do not be limited by what you are. Dream not of what you are, but who you wish to be. Lena's voice rung in my head as I summoned everything I had.

Steel your resolve, Valian. For you are different than a Tora soldier as I. Your power comes from within. The stronger your will. The stronger your resolve. The stronger the weapons you wield to battle.

Tora Nava.

I will steel my resolve.

I growled as parts of the Lotuscraft began to fix itself.

"O- Operat- Operator!!!" Folock's voice beamed from within the internals of the Lotuscraft that was currently a part of me.

"Folock! Pinpoint Umbra!" I yelled, as I rerouted the thrusters of the Superorbiter, attempting to slow the fall.

"Unable to find. Operator, we have more pressing issues!"

My internal sensors picked up several bogies.

Severen units.

"Folock, how's the Railjack integrated guns doing."

"45% operational."

"That's more than enough."

I stopped our descent as I spun around, to face the horde of Severens that were coming from the sky. But they weren't just coming after me. I watched as one Severen swooped down and fired a ray of energy which blasted chunks of the land, causing numerous villagers to scatter.

Several of the villagers emerged from their shelters and tried to fight back, but against the might of the Severens, the battle was extremely one sided. My enhanced field of view showed the landscape in more detail, as it was only now did I realize that the whole place was ravaged by the Severen invasion. Fires burning. Corpses and chaos all around.

What were they doing? Were they trying to take over this past as well as the one in the future?

I concentrated, as numerous reticules aimed at the Severen swarm. I then willed my mortars to fire, as numerous rockets chased them down, exploding on sight.

The Lotuscraft, somewhat restored from my Transference, landed on the ground as I continuously fired my guns in turret mode. Fighting back the aerial forces until they retreated.

From the corner of my eye, I caught him. A tall figure with a black and red coat, and flowing white hair.

"Shardis." I said, as he looked me in the eye, smiling.

SHADE then turned around, disappearing into the shadows, as I resolved out of the Lotuscraft, stumbling onto the ground.

I looked back, and watched as my Superorbiter fell apart into pieces, as the void energy that I was emanating was all that kept it together.

No way home.

No way to contact the Valians.

No way to contact Shane, or the rest of my crew.

I was stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Reconstruction

At least Folock was somewhat restored.

"Operator! What has become of our crew! Oh dear, the Orbiter is destroyed! This is terrible!"

"Folock, calm down. I need to think."

"But Lena is still out there! And Umbra!"

"Damn you Folock! Just be quiet!"

Folock made a whimpering sound.

"The operator is starting to sound like the mini-operator..."

I sighed as I approached the villagers.

"Are you... a god, sir?" One of them asked.

"No. But I require the resources to repair my vessel. Where can I acquire them?"

The villagers looked amongst themselves.

"I believe the forest of The Grove may have what you need, for what is natural comes from within the wood. But it is guarded by the Pixie of the Grove. Or so it was told."

"Tua, do not spread such lies to the savior of this village! The Pixie does not exist."

The villager hit the other one on the head.

"You dare speak ill of our goddess?!"

"I am simply stating the truth! If the Pixie exists, why does she not protect our village?! Why is it this man who fell from the heavens, bathed in metal, the one who fought off the invaders?!"

This pixie...

"Operator, they are speaking of her."

"I know." I muttered.

I knew exactly what these people were talking about. And I knew exactly what this place was, considering they mentioned the Grove. We were in the past, that much made sense.

As for this Pixie of the Grove, in decades to come, it would become known who this pixie was, and her legacy would become one with the Valian Arsenal.

"I am going to The Grove to repair my craft." I announced, as I turned around, but one villager, a young girl grabbed my wrist.

"Please, savior! Do not go yet. Not until we have repaid you in full for defending our home."

I hesitated, but an older villager nodded his head.

"I agree with Nora. Please, savior. Come and allow us to treat you to a stay. It is the least we can do."

There wasn't time. Umbra was on the loose once more. His brain most likely corroded by whatever the Severens had done. My crew was missing. Shane's status was unknown, and if it was true that he learned of his Severen origin, and not only that, but learned of his real name, it was only a matter of time before he started to turn into his evil counterpart. There was much to do.

"Operator... it isn't wise to rush into danger this way. It is reckless. Both Nava and Lena would not have advised such thinking." Folock spoke to me from within the ear implant that I had salvaged from the ship.

I stayed the night, as I sat in a small hut, which was attended by Nora and an elderly man, named Roul.

"May I ask of your age, savior? And your name?" Nora asked.

"My name is Dekani Price. I am 16 years of age."

"Ah, so you are the same age as me."

I glanced at Roul, who was bedridden.

"What has become of your father? Is he ill?"

Nora looked down.

"My father is plagued by the Black Disease."

The Black Disease. Nava had once told me about it. Years ago. A terrible pandemic had ravaged the planet that housed the Grove. It had killed many, and a cure was not made. Until the Pixie of the Grove had supposedly cleansed it.

But from what I was hearing from these villagers, this pixie had disappeared. To not be found.

Was my presence in this past influencing the timeline?

If it was... was there a way for me to change Shardis Licita's future? Was there still hope?

"I am sorry to hear that, Nora."

"It's okay. I reckon you must have had it rough as well."

"Why do you ask?"

Nora regarded the scar on my forearm. Then the markings on my face.

"Those are battle scars. Influenced by the energies of space. You wield highly advanced technology to battle. The people in this village believe you to be a god sent from the heavens, but I am not like them. I am more realistic."

"Are you a doctor?"

Nora pursed her lips.

"I wanted to become one, because I recognized our lack of understanding of science. We devoted our lives to The Pixie of the Grove, but in the end, I know this Pixie would not be our guardian. We have done nothing to deserve her approval. We pollute this land. We use its resources. We kill the beasts in the wood. But our people still selfishly demand much from her. As humans, we need to recognize reality. By being a doctor, I can actually help others. Rather than relying on legends and fables."

Nora looked at her bedridden father.

"Or so I thought. My father is now infected by the Black Disease. And I am getting nowhere. I... I don't know if I should continue-"

"You should." I cut her off.

I put my hand on hers, as she looked at me.

"One who recognizes their wrongdoings. Their selfish desires. And one who wishes to take action to addressing this. There is no reason to stop."

Nora sniffed as she rubbed her face.

"You are the first to tell me these things. The people in this village have all called me crazy for thinking this way. The only person who believed in me was my father... and now he is ill."

I looked out the hut at the night sky.

"Dekani, why have you come here?"

I sighed.

"I came here not out of my own volition. I was battling those creatures from the sky and I ended up here. My ship is in ruins and my arsenal is destroyed. I need to return to my people. The Grove has what I need, yes?"

Nora looked down.

"Yes. But... resources such as metal and those required for the technology you wield... this will require you to venture deep. And to take from the Pixie is essentially challenging her to battle."

"You mention the resources I need require me to venture deep... has your people not entered the forest at its core?"

Nora shook her head.

"No. It is far too dangerous. We have only entered the outskirts. The few people who have entered and survived speak of the Pixie and her frightening power. How she would slay those who take from her by force. I know you are formidable. Your technology is great. But it is still dangerous."

The gears began to turn in my head.

"At the core of the Grove, I will find what I need. Perhaps I may find what you need as well to cure the Black Disease and save your father."

Nora's eyes widened.

"No, Dekani. I cannot ask that of you. It is too dangerous. To take from the Pixie the materials to repair your arsenal is dangerous enough. I don't need-"

I looked Nora in the eye.

"You want to become a doctor, don't you? You want to save your father, right?"

Nora stared at me.

"Yes, but-"

"Then let me see your resolve. I will return from the Grove with whatever it is you need. You will become a doctor and save this village from the plague. And you will change your people."

I stood up as I faced her.

"Those with ambition are those who look to success. Those were the words taught to me by two of my most beloved teachers, and that is what I will teach you, Nora. For when the Severens invade again, your people will need one who can save lives."

The next day, I went to the ruins of the Lotuscraft.

"Folock, is there anything I can salvage out of this mess?"

"That Alpine floof the Mini-Operator bought for Miss Thresh seems salvageable."

"A witty Dataform is perhaps the last thing I should have salvaged."

"Operator!" Folock whined.

But the thought of that made me smile.

Shane loved Rinne. Despite everything he told me about how he thought he could never find a girlfriend. And how he believed he wasn't a man to be loved.

Under all that incel thinking, was a man who loved Rinne Thresh, and would go to the extent of spending the allowance that I had given him on buying her things she liked.

"Operator... none of the Lances are salvageable. However... there are several weapons that can be repaired."

"Good. Then commence the operation." I said, as I resolved into my Foundry, and began to rebuild myself some of the weapons that I had left.

A Skana Supra.

A Corinth Supra.

And a Heat Dagger.

I then browsed through my inventory, picking up pieces of the Hannibal Lance.

I resolved out of the Foundry, as I cladded myself up with Hannibal's parts. Slinging the Corinth across my shoulder and strapping the dagger to my belt.

Never in Toron history did a Valian ever wield their weapons by their own hands. And perhaps it was for good reason. My body felt sluggish, as the weapons weighed me down.

Shane Mayen must have trained hard to be able to wield these weapons easily, and fight alongside me.

But as demoralizing as it was for a Valian, one of the elites in the Toron empire, to be staining his Operator suit by wielding iron, this was a choice I had to make.

I bid the villagers farewell and nodded at Nora.

I then turned around and walked into the darkness with my limited arsenal.

Queen of the Fairies

"Folock, can you map out any energy signatures?"

"I'm sorry, Operator, I can't do that with the technology currently at my disposal."

"Dammit." I grumbled.

"I'm so sorry... I feel so useless..." Folock whimpered.

I had to spend at least five minutes cheering Folock up and convincing him that he was a good friend to me before proceeding. The sky was getting dark and we were getting nowhere with the hunt for resources. In addition to that, my body was starting to ache.

It never occurred to me how unfit I was, at least until I started lugging all of my equipment around.

I sat down in a section of trees and rested my body against a tree trunk. There wasn't much gear I had aside from my Operator suit, but I managed to dig out an old set of gear from when I assisted the Vent Kids in Fortuna. The rough attire was enough to act as some form of armor. I never imagined it would be of use to me until now.

It had to begun to rain, and my body was wracked with chills.

"Folock." I muttered.

"Yes, operator."

"Do you remember the last time I was like this?"

"Yes. It was when we invaded the Fortress of the Kuvites. Your Transference signal was intercepted, and you had lost your Lance and I to them. Without your armor or ship, you were stranded in the snow, searching for a way back."

I closed my eyes.

"And here we are again, full circle. I was alone then, and I am alone now."

"Please don't say that, Operator. You have me now."

"True. But I never imagined so many things at stake."

"I do not understand."

I lifted my finger, tracing the symbols for the five schools of focus for the Valian Void Way. Leaving behind teal lines in the darkness.

The first symbol: Shoki - The Way of Offense

"I went back in time to try and find Shardis Licita, to keep him from becoming SHADE and walking down a dark path. By saving him from the darkness, I thought I could prevent the emergence of the Great Valian Killer. But I failed. I don't know what has become of Shane Mayen."

I drew another symbol: Varn - The Way of the Arcane

"Taking in Rinne Thresh, the adopted younger sister of noble Rinzler Thresh, was at first an idea I hesitated in accepting. To pull her away from the House of Thresh would cause political tension. But seeing Rinne warm Shane's heart, and her very presence as a healer, it brought a certain atmosphere to the Lotuscraft that I never imagined would come to be. But now, she is lost. Being converted to a Severen as we speak."

The third symbol: Rolo - The Way of Resilience

"And Umbra. A Tora Soldier who was stripped of his freedom to fight, and to watch himself mutilate his own son. To save him from the endless torture of reliving the same memory over and over again. I loved him like family. For he filled the void in my heart when Lena left us, while I filled the void in his heart from when his son left him. Now he has been rebuilt, the hatred fuelling him again, and I don't know if I can save him this time."

The fourth symbol: Pilov - The Way of Acceptance

"Folock. No. Folan Asheel. Despite remembering your past as a Toron mercenary, you chose to act as my Dataform anyway. I will forever be grateful to you. But you've now become reduced to a mere earpiece. I cannot even restore the Lotuscraft, a proper body for you."

The fifth symbol: Quass - The Way of Support

"And Aurora. The innocence that I had left behind, manifested before me. We as a crew gave her a second chance to live life as a little girl. Free from poverty and the pain of being an orphan. I've lost her to slave traders."

I clenched my fist as the void traces disappeared into teal sparks.

"I feel like a failure as a captain."

"Dekani Price."

I paused.

"F- Folock... you never call me by my real name."

"I know. But you must hear this. And I don't know what worth there is from an old, broken Dataform like me to be saying this. But not once have I ever believed you to be a failure. Not once. And neither does anyone in this crew. No one is thinking about how much you have failed them, Operator. No one is thinking that."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I don't need calculations to know that everyone is worried about you. Worried for each other. That is what everyone is thinking. Because you are worth that much to them. You are not a failure until you fully let yourself be consumed by your self guilt."

I clenched my teeth as I got up.

"You are right Folock. I cannot be swallowed up by this. As their captain I refuse."

"That's the spirit!"

I trudged forward into the darkness, using the earpiece as a light while Folock did his best to try to locate the core of the Grove.

Suddenly, we paused.

"Rustling, Operator."

I aimed my Corinth at the source of the moving leaves.

"What is that... I should hide."

"Gain distance, Operator. Judging from the way the leaves are moving, this is a large animal."

I leapt back and made distance, as the form of a wild boar emerged from the leaves, roaring at me.

I took aim and fired without hesitation, as the boar fell to the ground, pieces of its tusks breaking off onto the ground.

I approached it.

"Folock, identify."

"Those are morphics, Operator."

I picked them up and put them in my bag.

"So it begins. Let's continue."

Folock and I continued to fight deeper and deeper into the Grove, collecting resources. However, we were still missing the major components for the Lotuscraft, and in addition to that, the major component for the cure that Nora needed to craft an antidote to the Black Disease.

By the fifth or so hour, we had reached the core of the Grove, marked by a unique circle of plants and a small pond. For some reason it was barren.

"This is 44.6% a trap." Folock said.

"This is definitely a trap." I replied.

"This is 95.6% a trap." Folock corrected himself.

I sighed as I concentrated, entering void mode as I crept to the center of The Grove.

An unusual mound of dirt had accumulated with a hole inside. But judging from the light illuminated from within the mound, we had reached the jackpot.

"I need to access those resources." I said.

If I could momentarily exit my void mode...

Suddenly, the vines around me began to move, closing me off from the rest of the Grove. I stumbled back and attempted to void dash out, but I was trapped.

"What the hell?!"

"Operator! We're trapped inside!" Folock cried out, as if it wasn't already obvious.

Why have you come.

A voice emanated in my mind as I fell to my knees, grasping my head.

"What is this?!" I growled, as the earpiece began to pop and smoke.

"Folock?!" I said, as the earpiece fell to the ground. My eyes wide, as I realized it hadn't broken internally.

There were bullet holes along the side.

Something was flying around me, and I wasn't able to pick it up, when suddenly, my leg burst in pain, like a bullet wound as I fell to the ground once more.

Why have you desecrated this sacred land.

"I know who you are." I seethed, as I could hear the fluttering of wings moving around me.

Many know who I am. For I am the Pixie of the Grove. I protect this land. The wildlife in it. For the humans have so polluted it. Leave this place.

I got to one knee.

"I can't do that. I need the resources to repair my vessel. To fight back the Severens!"

This is none of my concern. Let these Severens come, and destroy the humans.

"If the Severens destroy the humans, they will destroy this Grove as well!"

I will not let them.

I aimed my Corinth and fired at the walls, but the bullets weren't go through.

"It's not a matter of letting them or not. Even you are not strong enough to fight back their might. I need the resources this Grove offers to defend them."

You defend them because they are your kind. Just as I will defend nature, as from nature I was born.

"They are not my kind."

I do not believe you.

Another bullet penetrated my hand and I dropped my Corinth, my eyes wide with pain.

I was starting to black out. I needed something to resolve into, otherwise I was going to die.

I couldn't find her, meaning the only way...

I put my hands together and unleashed a void explosion. Felt it connect as a small body grew in size, until a familiar looking fairy with its signature golden Supra Toron trim fell to the ground, disoriented.

I ran forward and put myself on top of the Pixie and held her down.

"If you shrink, so will I."

What are you...

I continued holding her down.

"My name is Dekani Price. Please. Just listen to me. I need your help-"

The Pixie kicked me away and threw me into the side of the ravine, until one her guns was aimed at my forehead. I put my hands up.

Realistically there would have been no chance I could win. But I needed to get through to her head.

Why would I help a human steal from the very place that had blessed me with.

"Because I know. I know that the you now is not fully one with the Grove."

The Lance hesitated, as she slowly lowered her weapon.

"I know where you came from. The Pixie who was modified, changed by an old researcher. A Pixie, one who survived the onslaught of human deforestation, forced to watch her kind be killed off. You were all that was left. Until a group of scientists took you in."

How do you know this?!

I continued, as the Lance began to step backward.

"They hurt you. They ripped your wings off, and replaced them with new technology. They turned you into a mechanical monstrosity. Using the Infestation. But one woman, she took compassion on you, didn't she."

Watch yourself, human. You are treading on light water.

"She loved you and protected you from the scientists. Gave you a home in the Grove, and you in turn protected her from the wild. But once the scientists came, they slaughtered her, and you in turn, killed them off. Her final wishes was for you to protect the Grove with your newfound power."

How do you know these things. No one knows these things. No one-

I held out my hand as cyan energy emanated from it.

"Years into the future, my kind. The Valians, will resonate with you, and remove the hatred in your heart. I know because I am one of them. Your rage becomes ours rage. And we bear the burden together. So please. Help me. And I will help you by protecting the Grove from the Severens."

I stepped forward and put my hand on the Lance's shoulder, as the void energy began to calm her down.

"Your true name isn't the Pixie of the Grove is it. I know what it is."

The Lance began to fall to her knees as I sat down in front of her.

"Please. Help us. Help us fight off the Severens in this planet. Help us preserve life. Not just the Grove. But life altogether. If not helping the people, at least help me, like you helped that researcher that day."

"Help me fight, Titania."

I felt something connect, as my body resolved into hers, our burdens shared together.

This was the principle of Transference.

The purity and innocence of a child, mixed with the void, and the power of understanding. For the merging of two, was from the acceptance of both. Does a warrior become one.

I exited the form and returned to my normal self, as the Lance stared at me in disbelief.

Why has this... you could have controlled my body. You could have defiled this place without my-

"Because I am not a vile human. I need your help and your permission to use this grove to restore my vessel. The Severens will come, and when that happens they will leave nothing behind."

If it is true the might of the Severens surpass my own, why would you need my help?

I pointed at her.

"Because you are unique. You are essentially a first generation Lance. One that retains her soul. Instead of a tool, you are an ally. I will see you as such. So I will ask you again. May I have your permission?"

Titania regarded me.

So be it.

We shook hands, as I formed an alliance with the Pixie of the Grove. We made our way back to the destroyed Lotuscraft with our supplies as I concentrated, rebuilding the space vessel and my Lances.

One Against Many

"Quorra. Quorra, this is Dekani Price. Are you there?" I asked.

"Deka?! Deka, is that you?!"

A surge of relief rushed over me.

"Quorra. I'm so happy I can finally hear another Valian. What's your status?"

"What's my status?!" Quorra screamed so loudly that I stumbled back. Titania came to check on me but I waved her off.

"Deka, you've been missing for months! Do you have any idea what has happened?!"

"Never mind me. What has become of Shane? My first mate? What's happened?"

Quorra was silent for a few seconds.

"Deka, I don't know how to tell you this, but Shane Mayen... is gone."

My heart fell.

"What do you mean."

"Why didn't you tell me your first mate was a Licita? But not only that, the past version of SHADE of all people?"

I clenched my teeth.

"It was my mission. I wanted to save SHADE from the hatred. SHADE is the reason why we are at such a huge disadvantage. We can't beat the Severens as long as SHADE is on their side. You know this."

"But to commit etreum? Do you even understand what you are doing? You are going against your Valian way."

"I know!" I yelled, as I clutched the guardrail of my fully restored Superorbiter.

"I know..."

Quorra sighed.

"Listen. Shane has fully assumed his role as Shardis Licita. Several Valian attacked Arsanios Licita after his identity was revealed to be that of a Price. He's currently recovering. As it stands, Shane is the new head of the Licita household and controls the entire Toron Corpo empire, using them to create an entire army of Railjacks. He also started a massive movement against the Valians. But it's recently receded from losing to a bout against his friend. I don't know if he's mentally stable right now. But..."

I gritted my teeth.

Shane... I should have been there with you. I should have kept an eye on you, rather than banning you from missions.

And Arsani...

What have I done? What did they do to you...

This was all my fault.

I took a deep breath.

"But what." I asked.

"Shane will be okay. Rinne Thresh is with him right now. They're currently trying to find a way to look for both you, the Lupine and Aurora."

My heart flushed with relief. Rinne... Rinne is okay.

And if Shane was there, Arsani was safe.

"Quorra. Is Shane with you right now?"

"No. He's at a Toron Corpo base right now."

"Relay a message. I don't know how much of the etreum he has uncovered, whether or not he hates me is out of the question. But he needs to know this. While I was in the past, I managed to sneak into mother's throneroom."

"You met Mom?"

"Yes. Listen... the Severens have decided to make a full scale invasion against the Valians and the entire Toron Empire. If Shane and Troy have amassed a large following, and Shane himself has full control over the Corpo with his Licita name, you guys need everything you got to stop the Severens from destroying everything. The New War has begun."

Quorra was quiet for a few seconds.

"Deka we don't have the strength to fight a war. The Valians are at disarray, and Shane's... I guess now it's Troy's movement... they're still against the Valian."

"You need to convince them somehow. Toron Corpo. Toron Scrava. The movement. The Valians. If you don't band together, you will all die."

"Deka... there is nothing we can do. We have lost almost all of the Valians in the Council. To SHADE."

The air was sucked out of me.

How long was I gone that such things had transpired?

"Listen to me Quorra. I'm doing everything I can in the past. But... I've only now regained my Orbiter and half of my Lances. Lena is still in this timeline, meaning I can do something to weaken her. If I can weaken the Severens at their root, I might be able to reduce the strength of their army in this war."

"You're not seriously thinking about fighting the Severens in their home territory alone!"

"I don't have a choice. Now I know that Shane and Rinne are together, and are searching for Aurora, I can focus on taking the battle to them."

"You're not even going to go back to talk to Shane?"

I stopped, only now realizing what I was doing.

Instead of going back to my crew, I was prioritizing my mission. Just like a Valian would.

"Quorra... I want to, but right now we can't. I can't. This war. It must be fought on both fronts. Tell our brothers and sisters to be prepared for the New War. Ensure those who haven't unlocked the Supra models of their Lances to do so now. The Supra models of all weapons will need to be unvaulted for the Valians to be ready to fight back. Tell Shane to continue using his Licita status and Toron Corpo influence to convince the remains of the Toron Empire to fight."

I clenched my fist.

Both fronts.

Everybody will fight the Severens in our time.

And I will fight the Severens in the past.

I could hear Quorra's disapproving sigh.

"Good luck. Dekani Price."

The feed turned off, as I stared at my reflection from within my ship.

The Severens will return to this planet, and I had to be ready. I needed to keep rebuilding my arsenal so I could fight.

My chances were slim, but now with a first generation Titania Lance on my side, it may have tipped the balance a slight bit.

But one Valian against the Severen fleet. Was that even possible?

I stepped out of the restored Superorbiter in my Galilean Supra Lance and joined the villagers as some had begun to prepare for the invasion of the Severens.

"Most of the women and children have evacuated." One of the villagers reported to me.

I watched as the villagers made their way to several ships, dragging along their belongings like a mass exodus. Stretchers for the sick were accomodated.

"Savior." Nora's voice appeared behind me as I turned around.

Nora was grasping a small plant in her hands. It was a moonlit seedling.

"Will you really be able to repel the forces of the Severens alone?"

"That's the plan, yes." I replied.

Nora looked up at my Lance. The height difference finally hitting me as I had spent almost all of my time in the village in my Operator form.

"You mentioned that in your time, the Valians would not have hesitated to battle the Severens, even if it meant having any innocent lives compromised in the process."

"Yes, I did."

"But... if that is true, why-"

"Why am I putting your safety before my mission?" I asked, as I made my way to the edge of the ocean, overseeing the evacuation process.

"I guess you can call me a defective Valian." I confessed.

"I wouldn't say one who shows mercy is defective." Nora said, as she joined me.

"I was taught that as an elite to the Empire, to show mercy meant to show weakness. The strength of a soldier to the Toron was measured by their ability to follow orders. To carry out their mission. No amount of firepower can outweigh a soldier's ability to follow orders. To my kind, I was defective. And to many, I am considered the weakest of my kind."

The more I talked, the more doubt I felt laced my voice.

Did I really have the strength to fight back an entire platoon of Severens?

Strength in numbers.

Valians always fought in groups for big missions. We were strong because we were able to coordinate our abilities in synergy. When we fought against the Severens in The Old War as one force, we were unmatched.

For the longest time, I always had someone next to me. Back then, my partner, Ikes Dronol, fought by my side, and we had each other's backs.

There were times where I had to fight alone, but I always had a backup plan.

But this time was different.

Because all of my brothers and sisters were fighting on a different front.

I didn't have Shane or Rinne by my side.

I didn't even have Umbra.

I had to defend this front all on my own.

One single Valian. Against thousands of Severens. Maybe if I was Zennen Ful. Maybe if I had all of the VGA on my side. But I was no Zennen.

I was just one lackluster Valian who hesitated to kill. In a way, I was weaker than a Valian recruit because of my reluctance to bring down the blade.

"I believe in you, savior." Nora put her hand on my Lance's. I turned to her in surprise.

"Why do you say that?"

"Valians. How you described them. Warriors who fought by commanding fierce Lances. They fought with class and elegance. But what you did in the Grove was far from it. You sullied your hands for our sakes."

Nora looked at her plant.

"Because you chose to fight The Pixie of the Grove without your armor, I have a chance to save my father. Perhaps it is true that you are different from the rest of the Valians. But that doesn't make you weaker."

A few hours later, Nora and the villagers had evacuated, leaving me alone with my Orbiter hovering in the air. From Galilean's eyes, I watched the night sky, as thousands of orbs appeared in the air.

"Do you see this, Folock?" I whispered.

"Yes, Operator. Multiple Severens inbound."

"Deploy the Necron." I commanded, as my Necron, a powerful Old War Mech, landed in front of me, gaining shape. I resolved into it as I clunked on the ground, moving forward and meeting the enemy head on.

"Folock, take control of the Lotuscraft and give me aerial support. Titania, assist Folock and destroy any smaller bogies, stop them from flanking the vessel."

Titania acknowledged, as I watched her shrink down into her pixie form, flying after the Lotuscraft as explosions filled the air.

The dozens of Severens that had landed on the ground flew to my direction, but I lifted my mech guns and fired relentlessly at them, shooting them down at a distance. The Severens retaliated with lasers of their own as the sheer durability of my mech withstood the blows.

With Folock reducing the number of Severens coming down from the skies, I would have to deal with less of them from the ground. I knew for a fact that the Severens were aiming for the Grove, meaning it was just a matter of letting them bunch up in a single spot, and eliminating them then and there.

I continued fighting off the forces, until my guns began to overheat.

"Tch!" I muttered, as I stepped back and entered my turret form, firing at the Severens as I slowly began to lose ground. The Severens were damaging my mech more than I was shooting them down.

One of my arms had been blown off as I exited my turret form and strafed, firing until another limb was destroyed, my vision cracked from the damage of the projectiles the Severens were firing at me.

I resolved out of my mech just before it exploded. Everything was in slow motion as I reached out in void mode, making eye contact with my Galilean Lance, and resolved into it.

Galilean Ability Four: Bastille

I launched a grenade as the entire battlefield was wrapped in one of Galilean's reinforcing abilities, locking the Severens in place as I took out my Guandao, and started slicing at the Severens relentlessly.

"Requesting backup, Valian Dekani Price spotted and is dispatching our expedition wave."

Expedition wave?! There was more?!

I spun around, delivering a wide arc of destruction and reduced the remaining Severens in the area into pieces.

With the power of the Grove, I had managed to restore my Lances, but not only that. I managed to upgrade my weapons with their superior Supra variants. The original Toron designs which were the pinnacle of engineering limits.

More Severens had breached Folock's firepower, and had landed on the planet, as they opened up their limbs, prepared to blast me with their energy.

"Come!" I yelled, as I rushed forward, spinning my Guandao, deflecting the blasts as I bullet jumped into the air, swapping to my Rankine Supra assault rifle, cutting them down midair.

I landed on the ground, engaging another group of Severens in hand to hand combat. I blocked one Severen's strikes, but took another to the side, then another slash at my face as I buckled.

Galilean Ability Two: Gauss Grenade

I tossed another grenade on the ground, unleashing an electrical discharge which disoriented the squad, and killed them all off.

I turned around, facing another wave of enemies as I charged, fighting wildly with everything Nava and Lena taught me.

The first wave was destroyed.

Within another hour, the second wave was cleared as well.

KABOOM

I resolved out of my Galilean Lance as it exploded into pieces, finally giving into the damage the Severens had done to it.

"Folock, send another Lance!"

I landed on the ground in my Operator form as I concentrated on an object descending from the skies, resolving into my Slinger Supra Lance.

Slinger Ability Four: Peacemaker

My senses increased exponentially as within seconds another wave of Severens were annhilated.

I stood before the army, my guns smoking as burn marks lined my entire Slinger's body. I could tell she couldn't take any more damage, but before I could make any decisions a dark red light flooded the sky.

This world is a leaf. Part of something bigger. You cannot stop this. Not alone, Valian.

"Gargantua!" I growled, as I stepped back and aimed Slinger's dual Peacemakers at the colossal Severen that had filled up the sky.

"Titania, Folock, fall back!" I ordered, as I felt Slinger's body begin to buckle. But I forced the Lance to fire at the swarm of Severens that were sprouting from Gargantua's side.

"Slinger..." I muttered, as I began to feel her movements slow. The Severens were being shot down by the sheer fire-rate of her weapons, but I could tell that the strain was too much.

Gargantua groaned, as a massive appendage opened up, revealing a swarm of blue lights. Slinger collapsed to her knees.

Slinger Ability Three: Shatter Shie-

KABOOM.

I was too late, as Slinger erupted into pieces, forcing me out of the Lance as I awoke from my Transference Pod in the Superorbiter.

"Operator!" Folock cried out, but I regained my composure from within my pod.

"Nevermind me. Gargantua is going to destroy this planet." I growled.

Dammit.

Why was Gargantua here?! The King of the Severens should have been with the main front, invading the Star System of my time along with his Severen kind, fighting the Valians.

This Severen is beyond the others in power. Titania's voice resonated in my mind.

"Operator! What are we going to do?! The King of the Severens is here! The weaponry of multiple Railjacks in The Old War were unable to damage the King back then even in harmony. There is no way the weaponry of the Lotuscraft can harm Gargantua now!" Folock panicked.

I clenched my teeth, as I resolved into Mach Supra.

"I'm going to slow down Gargantua as much as I can using Mach." I said.

"Continue laying suppressing fire on the Severens. I'll do something about Gargantua."

I stepped out of the Superorbiter as Titania fluttered next to me.

Do you truly believe you are a match against Gargantua? She asked.

"No. Absolutely not. But I have to keep Folock from having another breakdown."

I concentrated, as Mach powered up. I blasted forward with his super speed as I ran across the landscape.

"Come, King of Severens! Or shall you live on knowing you turned down a challenge from a mere Valian?!" I shouted up at the towering Severen in the sky.

Gargantua slowly turned to me.

Your peril was predestined from when you chose to interfere with our conquest. Your fate, sealed from when you chose to deny my beloved Luna of her life. There is no sanctuary for demons such as yourself, little Valian.

I knew I couldn't beat him. Even banded together, we couldn't defeat him in the Old War.

I swallowed down my fear.

A Valian trained in the ways of the Toron Empire does not let fear overtake them in battle.

That is the Valian Way.

Gargantua opened his mouth again, as numerous energy blasts descended from the heavens, but Mach's speed kept me from being hit as I darted across the miles of land that made up this planet.

"Titania, stand by!" I ordered, as I darted the other direction, holding out my hand and concentrating.

Could Mach affect a Severen this big? I didn't have a choice.

Mach Ability Two: Speed Siphon

Energy began to exit Gargantua as Mach began to speed up more and more.

You dare take from me, Valian?!

Gargantua opened his mouth again, firing blasts of energy, but at a much slower pace.

"Go! Take down the orbs!" I shouted as Titania rushed in, with her guns as she began firing at the orbs, detonating them from within Gargantua's mouth.

I threw out the ICARUS deployment device, as my Archwing manifested around Mach. The speed that he had been siphoning off of Gargantua adding onto the aviation vehicle as I blasted into the air.

I aimed my Archgun at the orbs and assisted Titania as the explosions caused Gargantua to buckle.

"LEAVE THIS PLANET." I roared, as Gargantua moaned from the destruction of his mandibles.

I am Gargantua. The Severen Destroyer of Worlds. From my womb came Lena. And from my womb came many more. I cannot be destroyed from the likes of you.

Gargantua began to hum with power.

"Fall back! Fall back!" I yelled at Titania as I flew the other direction, but was intercepted by hundreds of Severens.

I took aim and fired at them relentlessly, shooting down dozens before my Archwing exploded, killing Mach in the process.

I resolved into Lisk Supra.

"Operator! We're losing ground!"

I held out Lisk's trinket, as a wave of energy erupted from the ground, chaining all the Severens to the ground.

Titania flew in and blasted them to pieces as I looked at the sky.

Gargantua had regenerated from the damage done to his mandibles.

You cannot win. You cannot stop this world's destruction. You may weep for the people on this planet. You may weep for their sake. But you cannot prevent its death.

"Folock-" I shouted, when suddenly, hundreds of lasers penetrated Lisk, blowing him apart as well.

At this rate, I was going to run out of Lances.

I awoke in my Transference Room, only to realize it was completely covered in flames.

"Operator... there's too many. We are overwhelmed." Folock muttered, as my Lotuscraft suffered explosion after explosion, losing its stability and crashing into a nearby mountain.

Titania's voice appeared in my head as well.

Forgive me... Dekani Price. But I cannot fight on. I have reached my limit.

I stumbled out of the flames, resolved into my Tesla Supra Lance. Coughing as the fumes were entering my body from within the Transference Pod.

I stood before the massive legion of Severens, gun and blade in both hands.

Gargantua descended from the clouds as I made out his enormous body, which blocked all the light from the nearby star. The entire sky was covered by his body as a dark red glow shone across the land.

Thousands of Severens filled the air and the planet.

And the only thing keeping them from harvesting this world...

Was me.

"Dream..." I muttered, as I brought the blade to my face, concentrating, breathing in and out. Trying to fight off the fumes that were now inside my Transference Pod.

"Dream not of what you are..." I said, recalling what Lena had told me. That day she carried my body to that same pod that I would use for all of my missions. For all of the battles I fought, that I fought with her watching me.

The blade began to crackle with electricity, as Tesla began to power up.

"But what you want to be." I said, as I lowered the sword.

Maybe Shane really was rubbing off on me.

I wanted to save this world from the Severens.

I wanted Nora to save her dad, and be happy.

I wanted to be a hero.

Do not dare utter such foolish words from that parasite that had taken over my daughter. Gargantua's voice boomed over the world.

"She isn't a parasite. She is Lena! My mother!" I yelled back with defiance, as I blasted the entire platoon of Severens with a bolt of electricity, stunning them as Tesla's electricity boosted my speed. I swept in, quickly slashing and killing the Severens before they could recover.

"Yaaaaaaah!" I roared, as I charged forward, but was intercepted by someone familiar.

"Umbra!" I gasped, as the Lance slashed at me. That moment of hesitation. Of the Lance... no. The former father figure I once had... that moment fully taken advantage of by the seasoned Tora Soldier.

Umbra cut into Tesla as I stumbled back, zipping away, but Umbra slash dashed forward, closing the distance before I could react, and decapitated my Lance's head.

I resolved into another Lance, Quora, as I brought Umbra into a strangledome, but my old friend unsheathed his exalted blade, and slashed it into pieces, howling into the sky as my vision darkened.

Before I knew it, Quora was destroyed as well.

This was my last Lance.

An ironic one.

Umbra dragged his sword into my vessel and cut it open.

Destroy him, Umbral Excalibur. For your blade is one he cannot stop. Sever his head, at the source.

Umbra ripped open the doors that were guarding the Transference Room, where my body was being kept as I charged the Lance from behind.

I clashed with Umbra, as my Excalibur Supra. Exalted blade against exalted blade.

"Don't do this, Umbra! Remember who you are!" I yelled, as Umbra shook me off and launched an arc of energy my way. I dodged and returned with a few arcs of my own, but Umbra darted to the side and charged me head on as our blades clashed. Cyan sparks showering the floor of the room as I used everything Nava taught me.

But to use the teachings of a Tora Soldier, against a Tora Soldier put me at a strict disadvantage.

For I was merely taught this technique from one.

And Umbra knew these techniques from heart.

I engaged Umbra in another sword exchange, but I watched as the more seasoned swordsman outclassed me.

For I knew emotionally I could never overcome my thoughts.

I loved Umbra.

And that was what made me lose.

Umbra pierced Excalibur's stomach as he dropped his sword, falling to his knees.

"Umbra..." I said, as Umbra spun and slashed my Lance in two.

The former Tora then turned around and walked up to the Transference pod, ripping me from within the vessel as I gasped. Choking for air.

"Don't... don't..." I gasped.

Gargantua's voice boomed.

Kill him, Umbra. Kill the Toron. Ballard and his empire turned you into this monster. May you find solace, in the death of the Toron's finest creations. Find peace in this Valian's death.

"No... don't listen to Gargantua, Umbra. You did find peace. With me. With our adventurers together. You found peace.... you found it-"

I burst into a fit of coughing as Umbra tightened his grip around my throat, carrying me out of the Orbiter into the sun, and throwing me to the ground, lifting his blade.

I closed my eyes.

I've failed.

I couldn't stop the Severens.

I knew it all along. What was one Valian going to do against the entire Severen faction of the past?

What was I going to do?

I'm sorry Nora. I'm sorry to all the people on this planet. I'm sorry Quorra, for failing you. I'm sorry, Arsani, for not being there for you. Rinne... Aurora...

Shane...

And you.

"Umbra... I'm so sorry." My voice broke, as I watched the blade come down.

SHINK.

I heard the sound of a limb hit the ground as I opened my eyes in shock, to see a man with a black trench coat, and white hair. Red Severen trim, a demonic sword in hand.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING, LICITA?!

Gargantua bellowed, as I heard The Great Valian Killer chuckle.

"Fulfilling my fate." Shardis said, as he stepped forward.

"Come Umbra. Your skill as a Tora was always refined. When you became a Lance, it was augmented greatly. But it all pales in the presence of I."

Umbra charged, but was overwhelmed instantly, as SHADE dodged his slashes, and in the blink of an eye, another arm was severed.

Umbra tried to swing again, but SHADE's sword hand twitched with the same undetectable speed, and before I knew it, Umbra's legs were cut off as well.

Several Severens flew in and collected Umbra's body. But none of them dared to attack Shardis.

"Umbra!" I yelled, as I got to my feet and ran after him, but SHADE suddenly shot to my position, blocking me.

"Do not go after him."

"You- I-"

SHADE turned to Gargantua.

You dare commit treason, Licita?! I shall show you the worst-

"You cannot kill me, King of the Severens. I am the reason you are winning against the Valian faction in the first place. Send any Severen my direction. You shall not see a single one of your offspring return."

Gargantua opened his mouth and roared at us, as the Severens retreated, flying away, as the enormous Severen also turned around.

Your actions will have consequences, Shardis Licita. For you have committed treason against your kind. I shall arrange a special fate for you.

Shardis and I watched as the Severen army left the planet, until they were all gone.

SHADE turned to me, the wind blowing his hair out of his face as I saw the same familiar face that I had once seen all the time on the Lotuscraft.

The face that was always comedically angry, annoyed, irritated.

The face that always got pouty whenever I scolded him.

"I'm sure you have many questions..." Shardis Licita smiled, as he put his sword on his back.

"Captain Deka."

The Great Severen Killer

"Don't touch me." I instinctively shoved Shardis' hand away and got to my feet.

Shardis tilted his head.

"Do you hate me that much, Dekani Price? Was I not to you, a younger brother, a first mate. Your first real companion?"

I stumbled back, as it had begun to rain. But the fires flickered from within my Lotuscraft, and the destroyed remains of all my Lances turning shiny from the wet surface the weather had put on it.

My hair was plastered all over my face, as the rain had mixed with the tears on my face.

"No... Shane Mayen was. The man I fought alongside, who still had a shred of kindness. A shred of humanity. That was my first mate. But you..."

I looked SHADE up and down.

"You are but a killer. You would kill my brothers and sisters. And you would even betray the Severens, your own kind. You may share the same blood as Shane Mayen, but you are not him. Not anymore."

Shardis seethed as he aimed his sword at my throat.

"And how do you think I became this way? From a loving household? I was denied my family. I was born from taboo. Hated by the world. And would you guess what was my tipping point, Valian?"

I gritted my teeth, as I began to sweat as well, the liquid running down my back as I breathed hard. The rain was seeping right through my Operator suit.

But I had a feeling what it was that Shardis Licita was going to say.

"Your mother... I... You found out..."

The Shane Mayen of the future smiled sinisterly.

"My mother. My Severen mother, was slain by a Valian's hands. The same Valian who had taken me in, who I thought had given me purpose. You, Dekani Price, killed my mother."

"Shardis..." I muttered.

To my surprise, Shardis removed the sword, putting it on his back.

"Alas, that rage has far subsided. Nothing matters to me anymore. Or so I thought. You question my methods. You question my motive. Although you are a big reason why my life has become the way it is, you deserve an explanation. I have not forgotten my days as your first mate. My days spent with Umbra. With Flippy and Aurora. And with my beloved Rinne Thresh."

Shardis looked at me.

"Fate. I walk along its threads. For wherever fate tells me to go, I shall go. As long as I walk in its direction, I cannot be stopped. I cannot be beaten. This is why I am strong. This is why I act the way I do."

"Fate..."

Shardis walked past me as I followed him from behind.

"Shane Mayen was fated to discover his heritage. And he would be fated to discover his nature. He would be fated to become SHADE, The Great Valian Killer. That was what I believed for the longest time. And when I finally saw that there was no way out, I thought it was over. But..."

Shardis opened his hand.

"I have now lived past SHADE as well. And now I see. For my fate is not yet complete. Why have I betrayed the Severens, you ask?"

I stopped, as the wind blew Shardis' hair out of his face.

"It is because now, the Shane Mayen of your time, has taken up the mantle of Shardis Licita. He will become the new Valian Killer. I am free from the burdens of blood. I am free of the burden of SHADE."

Shardis walked up to me, until we were face to face.

"I am SHADE no longer. This is why I fought so hard. This was why I bore the weight of such a grisly fate on my shoulders without uttering a single cry for mercy. Because I knew, that at the end of my road, another Shane Mayen shall replace me. And once I am replaced, I can come back... to you."

I gritted my teeth.

"You think you can come back to me, after all the bloodshed you have done?! After killing my kind?! After all of this?!"

SHADE regarded me.

"Captain, from the very beginning, you recruited me because you wanted me to stop killing the Valians and to help you win against the war, is that not correct?"

My mouth went dry, as SHADE continued.

"You manipulated me. You tried to train me in the way of the Toron. You tried to pass onto me the teachings of Queen Lena. You committed etreum. And now, here I stand, offering you my loyalty, just as I once did so many years ago as Shane Mayen of the destroyed University. The same Shane Mayen who had his parents killed before his very eyes. And you want to throw me away?"

I didn't know what to say. This was all too much. The Great Valian killer, was offering his loyalty to me. The Great Valian Killer, who killed all those Valians. The same one who slaughtered my friends and comrades in the battlefield.

The same...

I looked at Shardis, and suddenly, the image of a younger Shardis. One with long black hair. His Toron cloak fluttering in the wind, his sarcastic sense of humour. His unusual dialect that had rubbed off on me for a time when we used to fight side by side.

Shane Mayen...

I had done so much to Shane. I had manipulated him. I had abandoned him. I left him when I went to the Veil to investigate Lena, and I ended up getting my whole crew captured. Shane must have been worried sick, that he would go to such extents to discover who he was. To fight and start a revolution. To modify his body.

All for me.

And after all of his suffering as SHADE, he was finally here again, before me.

Wanting to be my First Mate again.

Was it right for me to turn him down? What would that make me?

I clenched my fist.

"From this day forth you will be my first mate. I will be your captain. Welcome aboard the Lotuscraft." I said, as the future Shane Mayen smiled wickedly.

"It is my pleasure, Captain Deka Price of the Lotuscraft."

That night, I spent more resources from the Grove, repairing the vessel once more.

"I'm sorry, Titania. For defiling your sacred land."

Do not apologize, Valian. For you have protected it from the Severens. I am in your favour.

"Operator!" Folock chimed happily, as I walked into the spacecraft.

"I missed you so! Did they hurt you? I'll prepare the medical bay for..."

Folock's voice trailed away, as Shardis stepped into the craft.

"Op... operator? Why is this man who looks like The Great Valian Killer in our ship...?"

Shardis regarded the Dataform.

"Hello, Folock." He said, in a mocking tone.

"Y- You... mini- No. Less mini-operator. Less... Greater. Great Valian Killer... oh dear. Oh dear, what has happened. Operator, what has happened?!"

"Shardis is on our side." I explained, as I prepared my Foundry to repair all of my Lances that were destroyed in battle.

"Your Lances are inferior to the higher ranking Severens." Shardis noted.

"Thanks, Shardis." I muttered.

Shardis walked to the quarters, his old quarters, and smiled gently.

"Yet you somehow managed to survive Gargantua's onslaught for a time. Not a lot of Valian are capable of that."

"Almost all of my Lances were destroyed in that battle." I replied.

I turned to Shardis, who sat in Shane's room. I suppose... it was his room...

"Tell me, what is happening in my timeline right now. I overheard Lena speaking of a full scale invasion."

Shardis nodded.

"They have amassed their entire military fleet to the Star System. This will be another war. Like the Old War. But this time, Lena is on the Severen's side. And the Valians are in disarray. This New War will be much harder to fight for the Toron side than it was the first."

"Perhaps if you didn't kill all the highest council ranking members, they could-"

"If your highest council ranking members could not kill me, what makes you think they could fight off the Severens?"

I tightened my fist.

"You are the greatest of your kind, Shardis. You are SHADE, the Great Valian Killer. They would have struggled-"

"I was but one man. One man who happened to be half Severen. Against the entire Severen fleet that is headed to your direction. Added with Gargantua. Nero. Lena. SHADOW. SHADOW's dark acolytes. Do you truly believe a group of mere teenagers could defeat them, if they struggled against one opponent? I did them all a favour. I killed them."

I breathed heavily, my eyes wide.

Shardis glared at me.

"Does that make you angry, Captain? That I had slain your pathetic brethren? Those who were at the top did not deserve such strength. I may be Shane Mayen no longer, but a part of him still resides in me. My hatred for the unfairness in this world. Those children had the power to defeat the Severens in The Old War, yet they used it to murder innocent lives. They used it to fuel their own insecurities. And because of that, their ego, their pride, clouded their vision, and lost to me that day. And once they set foot on the battlefront of this New War, the same outcome will happen again. Your people will be annihilated."

I looked away, at the stars from the window of the Lotuscraft.

"Then what do you suggest we do... Shane."

Shardis got up.

"We seek him. The greatest of your kind."

I stared at him.

"You're... joking..."

Shardis turned to me.

"Am I, Captain? For there exists one such as I on your side. The Great Severen Killer. The only Mastery Rank 45 Valian in existence. Zennen Ful."

"How... how are we going to find him? He has been missing for years. Quorra and the other Council members have been trying to contact him since. To no trace."

Shardis shook his head.

"One such as Ful would not disappear without a reason. If he was still active, he would not have allowed the Valians to lose like this. He would not allow SHADOW to haunt the weaker of your kind, and the Severens to dominate the universe. Zennen Ful is your trump card, as was I for the Severens. If we seek him, we can turn the tide of this war."

"But Ful, as great as he is, is but one Valian. How can he turn the tide? You said it yourself, the forces of the Toron Empire are not enough to win this battle. Even with the help of the Shane Mayen of the past."

"He will. His very existence was thought to be mythological amongst the weaker Valian. He was more of a legend than boy. Surely you, a Valian soldier, understand the importance of morale in a war."

I set course for a planet that I was unfamiliar with, as Folock guided the vessel to the location.

I sat on the ground and meditated.

Meditation was what kept a Valian's focus in check. It was what allowed us to maintain a stable and strong connection to our Lances when in battle. But with what had happened thus far, I found it almost impossible to concentrate.

Because the moment I closed my eyes I thought of Umbra.

I thought of what the other Valians had done to my little brother.

Of what Shane was going through, of Rinne and Aurora.

Hey kiddo. A voice emanated from the darkness.

"You." I mumbled, from within my meditation.

Will you kill her? Will you kill Lena to save this system? Or will you give in to your emotions?

"I will save her."

We both know that's not possible. Lena was always a Severen. And you were always Toron. You can dream all you want, dreamer, about a life where you can coexist with Lena, as son and mother. But it will never come to light.

"You don't know that. Lena could be controlled. I saw her face. That moment of hesitation-"

How do you know that emotion was real?

"It is. It has to be... it has..."

Was it? Was that moment of hesitation Lena had...

She mentioned she was dying...

Was it real? Or was it another void trick?

For when one has tapped into the powers of the void, they will never return whole. You cannot expect to live a normal life. Your Valian comrade, Rel, knew this. When he fully embraced me. And now it is your turn. To be in Rel's footsteps.

I cut the meditation link as I opened my eyes.

"Enough with you." I muttered, as I stood up, staring at the abyss of stars.

I was not normal. I knew that much.

No child of my age should be plotting war against their mother. No child my age should be thinking about killing their mother to save the world.

But even if I was like this, I still had a family to look out for. Arsani needed me. I needed to make sure Arsani was not alone in this world, that even if Mom and Dad were destroyed by the Void, that he still had me.

I needed to help the Valians win this war, so I can be there for my little brother once more.

I heard footsteps behind me as a turned around.

"We're not there yet, Shan-"

I stopped myself, as Shane Mayen slowly turned back into SHADE, who looked at me curiously.

"Do you miss your old crew, Captain?"

"This is... unnerving." I muttered, as Shardis sat next to me.

"It need not be, I am still your First Mate."

"Shane Mayen would have complained about the mission. He would have wanted to go into the Plains and fought Scrava, or battle Valians."

"The Shane Mayen you describe is the version of me you wanted to mold."

I sighed.

"I failed you Shardis. I know. I went back in time, because I learned of the Severen invasion using timewarp technology. But I also went back in time so I could make sure you wouldn't have to live through the hell of war. I tried to teach you the Toron way, believing it was one that was morally right. But in the end, I abandoned you. I turned you into this. I... failed to see your struggles. Instead I forced you to live what I wanted you to live. My manipulation is... it cannot be forgiven..."

Shardis uncrossed his legs.

"For a time, you wanted to understand me better. And so, you tried to adopt my dialect. My colloquial dialect. It sounded so unusual at first, but over time, it became refreshing. The Toron were always so uptight."

My face reddened.

"I thought it would make you feel more at home."

"And it did, to some extent."

I looked down, and Shardis noticed.

"Do you worry about them, Captain. Of Shane Mayen and Rinne Thresh? Of Umbra and Aurora?"

"Of course I do. But there is a mission I must-"

"No."

Shardis stood up and glared at the interface of the Superorbiter.

"Folock. We will change course."

"What? Have you lost it? We have already-"

Shardis drew his sword.

"Or would you rather I deactivate you with Ais and change course manually?"

Folock whimpered.

"We- we will change course! Yes sir!"

The Lotuscraft stopped as we were suspended in space.

"Where will you like to go, Min- I mean. Shane Maye- I mean Shardis Lic... Master Shardis..."

Shardis looked at me.

"Take us to the planet Cordelion. Of the future."

"Of the future...?" I asked, bewildered, until it hit me.

"Why are we going back to my time? We're supposed to battle the Severens on this front. If we leave, this timeline won't have a defender!"

Shardis shook his head, cutting me off.

"No. I know the Severens. I know their plan. A full scale assault on the Star System is what they are after. They want to reap from it the energy that they were denied of from the Old War. Their interests with the energy of the past timeline is secondary. This war is personal. As for why I chose Cordelion, it is the current base of your timeline's Shardis Licita."

My eyes went wide.

"Shane..."

Shardis regarded me.

"We cannot locate Zennen Ful without her. Without the Valian who possesses that tremendous connection to the Void. Rinne Thresh can locate Zennen Ful with her innate talent. But to take her long will require that Shane Mayen come as well."

I watched as the ship went into hyperdrive.

"I will be reunited with Shane and the others." I muttered.

"You do not seem thrilled about this, Captain."

I closed my eyes.

"Of course not. After all I've done. Shane has probably uncovered most of my etreum by now. He will hate me for abandoning him. But... I still want to see him anyway. I need to tell him so much. I can still..."

"You still intend on preventing Shane Mayen's transformation into SHADE." Shardis deduced.

I nodded, but Shardis chuckled.

"This is no laughing matter." I replied, coldly, but Shardis glared at me.

"If you still hold such fruitless ideals, then it is enough for me to know that you still do not understand Shane Mayen, nor I. You do not understand me at all. Shane Mayen is fated to turn into SHADE. It is our fate. You cannot stop it from happening."

Not a Hero

I had lost my revolution.

To Troy.

When I lost to Troy in Rathuum, the people quickly shifted their views on me, thinking I was incompetent, and put Troy on the pedestal. And the first thing Troy did, was convince all the Legionnaires that the Severens were the bad guys, not the Valians.

I watched Troy sign the paper of ownership, as he left the Licita household with Quorra.

"I won't turn this revolution into chaos. We need everybody's cooperation in this to stop the Severens." Troy told me, as I resisted the urge to punch him in the face.

Quorra sighed.

"Shane, this is for the best. Deka says that the Severens are coming. He told all of us to prepare. Because once they invade, they won't spare anybody. The Scrava, Corpo, everybody is in this together now. We can't win unless we're all on the same side. I know you hate the Valians, but we don't have a choice. It's either fight together or die together, Shane."

Troy looked at me.

"Hey, listen Shane. I'm sor-"

"Sorry?" I hissed, as I glared at my old friend.

"You've once again taken from me. And you have the audacity to feel bad for me? Who the hell do you think I am?"

"Shane, you need to understand that what you're doing is diabolical. You're turning into a tyrant. Power is corrupting you-"

"Power freed me, Troy. From all the unfairness in this world. And because you've entered the picture, my life has been going fuckin downhill."

"Shane-"

"Get out." I growled, as my attendants escorted Troy out of the base.

Quorra gave me a look of sympathy.

"I'll keep you updated. I need to tell my clans about The New War."

She bowed to me and my attendants, as they bowed back. I watched as Quorra left the base as well in her Orbiter, with Troy in tow.

Yelene approached me.

"Master Shardis, would you like your update, or shall I wait for a more suitable time."

"It's fine Yelene. Tell me about Arsanios."

Yelene smiled.

"Master Arsanios is slowly recovering. I am sure he will aid in our efforts for The New War once he has fully recovered."

"Thanks Yelene." I replied, as I made my way to the living quarters of the base. I didn't really ask for much, but as usual, my attendants outdid themselves, hiring classical Toron architects to make the base into a palace or something.

And since I was still not used to be a head of any household, I found myself getting lost constantly. I had to always call Yelene from my com unit, and she would have to lead the way. She found it hilarious. I for one, found it embarassing.

The only place that I did remember how to get to was the med-bay.

Because that one particular place housed someone very important to me.

I stopped at the door, catching Rinne looking out the window.

I wanted to say something real badass, like how those guys always say something to the girl while her back is turned, catching her by surprise, as she would turn to his direction and catch him leaning against the wall like a total chad.

Of course, the moment my mouth opened, I immediately froze up.

"Uh- duh..."

Rinne looked at me, and smiled faintly as I went up to her.

"Rinne, you need to rest. Who knows what that Severen procedure thing did to you. Come on, in you go."

I beckoned her to the bed, as she sat down.

"I am not a child, Shane."

I stared at her, my face beet red.

"S- Sorry. I didn't..."

Rinne slid into the bed and rested her head against the bedpost.

"Shane... how long did you know, that you were a Licita? Were you hiding this from me?"

"No! I learned about it... I guess when you were captured. I was so damn worried for you guys. And now I've been told that Aurora has been found by my servants and that-"

"Servants..."

"My attendants. I sent many search parties for her, along with Flippy. I've been so busy since I killed Adam Virgo. I have the entire Toron Corpo faction in the palm of my hand. If I could leverage that power, I can-"

I stopped talking, as I made eye contact with Rinne's purple eyes, which were wide in horror.

"Rinne...?"

"You... killed Adam Virgo? You took over the Corpo? You've been sending people out to risk their lives? What... what exactly have you been doing with your power as a Licita?"

I stared at her.

"To... to take it back. To make the world right. I can finally do that, after having been denied it so many times. Surely you would know, right? Righ-"

Rinne took a shaky breath.

"Shane... what happened to you..."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Rinne brought the blankets up to her chin as she curled up.

"It's like you've become something else. That Severen half of yours, is it because of that? We can do something about it. I'll figure something out. It's affecting you Shane. You're... you're like a completely different person. You're talking about sending people to risk their lives. You're talking about power, and killing. And... And..."

I buried my face into the palm of my hand. Was Rinne afraid of me? How could that happen?!

"Rinne." I said, calmly, as I got to my feet.

"Are you scared of me?" I asked, as Rinne's eyes began to water.

"N- No. No I'm not. I..." Rinne's face reminded me of the same face she used to make. So long ago.

My heart burst in pain.

It was the same face she had whenever she was with Rinzler.

My eyes went wide.

"I've... become him..." I muttered, as I stepped back, knocking over a tray of medical supplies, Rinne flinched.

Everything was becoming hazy. My heart beating tremendously.

"Shane!" Rinne ran up to me but I held out my hand.

"Stay away!" I growled, as Rinne stopped dead in her tracks.

"You... you deserve better." I said, my voice full of defeat and hurt.

I looked at her again, as Rinne looked like she was about to break down. Her face, looking more and more like the same face hiding the tremendous amounts of fear from when she lived with her abusive adopted brother.

I had saved her that day from Rinzler.

Because I wanted her to live a better life with me.

But...

But here I was...

I was making her scared...

I clenched my fist, Severen spines ripping from my forearm as Rinne put a hand to her mouth.

"Shane..."

My face went slack, my bangs touching my eyes.

"I remind you of him don't I. Of Rinzler. I took you away so you wouldn't have to see that sack of shit. And here I am becoming just that. So... I'm going to leave. I don't want to hurt you anymore." I muttered, as I turned around, heading for the door.

Fate.

Fate had dealt yet another hand on me.

Part of me wanted Rinne to rush out of her bed and grab my hand from behind, like in those movies I would watch, but I knew for a fact that this wouldn't be the case. Rinne would just sit there and watch as I left. Anybody would.

I left the room, Rinne, unmoving from her spot.

"Yeah, just as I figured." I whispered, as I made my way to the war room.

I had become a monster.

Because fate wanted me to be one.

No matter how much I wanted to make Rinne happy, there was just no way I could do that. Fate didn't want me happy. Fate was a bitch.

There was nothing I could do about it. Because it wasn't just fate that wanted me to be this way. This war with the Severens needed someone who was willing to throw down. We couldn't win this without killing. We couldn't win this without getting our hands dirty. That's just how it is.

I passed by my reflection in the hallway.

One life ago, I was Shane Mayen. Some hopeless, stupid, awkward, suicidal, mentally ill antisocial undergraduate student who had failed two years and ended up trying to compete with peers who were younger than me. Someone who was constantly being screwed over.

I wanted the world to be in chaos so I could shine. Just once.

I hated the world for being peaceful. Because I felt so insignificant and unimportant. I hated studying. I hated university and finding a career and living a boring mundane life as some stupid worker suffering in capitalism.

Then I ended up getting what I wanted.

The Severens invaded from the sky. An enormous alien that appeared from the clouds and turned everything red, as swarms of aliens surrounded it and landed on the ground. Destroying buildings all around me. The same buildings that I wished would burn down collapsed before my very eyes.

And I guess from that day, I truly saw, how messed up I was.

Because while everybody all around me feared for their lives, screaming, and finding shelter, I stood amidst the chaos.

I was laughing. Tears streaming down my eyes with joy as explosions filled the air. The people all around me who I hated for having it better than me were being set on fire. Their lives were being destroyed.

Peace was gone.

It was now my time to shine.

But that thought, that fleeting feeling quickly escaped me, as I ran up to one of the Severens with a broken piece of pipe and tried to fight it. The Severen tossed me like a ragdoll, and all the bravado left my body as I froze in terror.

The Severen approached me as I suddenly found myself begging for mercy. I was scared shitless.

It was so easy to wish for something like this when you've never experienced it firsthand. To wish for destruction and chaos was a dream that can only be dreamt from those who don't understand just how fuckin traumatizing it was.

And for me, I truly found how delusional I was.

I pleaded.

I begged.

But the Severen did not care. The Severen was a soldier, after all. A soldier to Queen Lena, who organized the invasion. And I watched as the Severen brought down its limb to kill me, only to be intercepted by my Dad.

Tim Mayen. The same man who had abused me, leapt in the way of the Severen's attack, taking the fatal blow.

I remembered the look of shock in my face.

Why did you save me, Dad?

Why did you do it?

I thought you hated me. I thought you hated me because you abused me. You made me cry. You yelled at me and tried to find psychotic ways to lash out at me because of your mental illness. But here you were trying to save me.

Because... you are my son...

I turned around, to see more Severens coming in, closing in on me, and another tried to strike, but this strike was intercepted by Dana Mayen, Mom, who was incinerated alive by the lasers. Her screams were engraved in my mind to this day.

And when I watched her body crumble to dust, did she finally reveal to me that I was found in a pod. But even so, even if I was adopted, she still saw me as a son.

It was once I watched both my parents die before my hands, did all those happy memories that I cherished with them return to my mind. Dad teaching me to ride a bike. Mom cheering me up after school whenever I would struggle to find people to play with. My parents taking me to to see the Christmas lights. My dad playing soccer with me during the holidays. I thought about all the bad, and focused on it, so much that I didn't even bother to look at the good.

And now it was too late to realize that. And because of that... I needed someone to blame other than myself. I glare up at the skies, to see one Severen amongst the pack. My rage for her was absolute.

I know I caused my parent's deaths.

But Lena was the one who started this invasion.

When I watched Deka kill those Severens in that Umbra Lance, I was desperate for power. Deka was what I needed to get my vengeance. I wanted the power to destroy Lena. I begged him, and he took me in as his First Mate. And from then on, a new life lit up for me. But not in the way I always dreamed of.

I closed my eyes as I brought myself back to reality.

My long black hair was cut shorter. My baggy clothes back from when I was in Uni, replaced with the futuristic attire of a Toron Noble. My cybernetics were still implanted in my body, as the scars lined one side of my face. But my presentation was impeccable, thanks to Yelene.

I was Shardis Licita. The head of the household.

I led a group of warriors and fighters, who served me unconditionally. So I could defend the House of Licita from injustice after what the Valians had done to my servants. For what they did to Arsanios Licita. And now, from the Severens, who were going to destroy this world.

I won't let that bitch Lena take another family away from me.

I was going to make sure these people could defend themselves. And be with me as I took down that Severen Queen. I wanted her to suffer.

But as much as I tried to justify this, to say that I was a noble of the Toron Empire, as a high class head of the House of Licita, I was someone ugly inside. And Rinne saw right through it.

A killer.

A murderer.

A man destined to become the most feared being in the cosmos.

SHADE.

I wanted to be a hero. That was what I wanted to be. But now... I've become...

I made a fist as I instinctively punched a hole into the wall, shattering my reflection into hundreds of pieces.

"A hero who saved everybody... I'm no hero." I muttered.

"Lord Shardis- oh my." Yelene put a hand over her mouth.

I regarded her as I quickly removed my hand from the wall.

"What is it, Yelene."

Yelene cleared her throat.

"We have a visitor."

"Visitor?"

Yelene gestured me to follow her as I walked behind. I couldn't help but sneak a peak...

Yelene sure was fit... From working out and training in addition to her administrative tasks.

Wait, what?!

I smashed my face into a nearby column, causing Yelene to turn around in concern.

"My lord!"

"I'm fine." I grumbled, as I turned around, getting a face full of Yelene's cleavage.

Between you and me, fate aside, I. No. We always wanted to be with Rinne. But fate had us with Yelene. We loved Rinne, but it was Yelene who had our baby.

She was the one who was going to bear my child.

And the more I thought about it, she really was attractive...

My eyes widened. No. What am I... this isn't right.

What the hell was I thinking?!

I looked away and regained my composure.

"Uh. Who is this visitor?"

Yelene looked uncomfortable. Was it because she caught me staring at her rack?

But before I could find out the answer, Yelene gave me a grim look.

"It is the Rogue Valian. Dekani Price, Master Shardis."

My vision turned red with rage.

That deceiver.

That bag of shit who had lied to me from the first day.

Suddenly, all of my thoughts of awkward libido towards Yelene (thankfully) turned into thoughts of rage as I instantly made my way to the entrance of the base.

Deka Price.

You lied to me from the beginning.

You lied about the Railjacks, and breaking into the VGA.

Who knows what else you have hidden from me.

And above all else... you were okay, this entire time. But you didn't even think about contacting me. You didn't even think about finding Rinne or Aurora. Or Umbra. While I was working my ass off trying to find you guys, you were doing your own thing.

What were we to you, Captain?

I stormed past several of the attendants to the base, as they saluted me, but I paid them no attention, as my vision tunneled to a young boy who was dressed in futuristic Toron Valian attire.

The maids who were by the entrance quickly backed away from my presence as I glared at Deka, who regarded me grimly.

"Leave us." I ordered my subordinates, as they filed out of the room, leaving just me and Deka alone.

"We have a lot to talk about. Cap." I snarled.

Dekani Price vs. Shane Mayen

"Nice look you got there, Shane." I said.

Shane glared at me, pacing back and forth.

"Come on, Shane, smile a bit. I'm back, isn't that great?"

"Great?" Shane muttered.

"What's so great knowing that the Captain that I thought I could rely on like a brother, was a liar?"

My face turned pale, as Shane approached me. He had grown even bigger, towering over me.

"There's a lot I need to tell you." I explained, but Shane's fists tightened.

"Did you know..."

"Know what?"

"Of what I am. Of what I really am. The monster that I'm turning into. You've been lying to me from the very start, haven't you. A Licita who was born half Severen, denied of his heritage, thrown into the past to live his life as a nobody. Then to return under false hopes of becoming a great hero who saves the world, only to realize that he would become the one to destroy everything."

"Shane, there's still a chance-"

"There's no chance for me!" Shane snarled.

"While you were gone, doing God knows what, I have been slowly turning into this disgusting thing."

Shane held up his forearm, revealing Severen spikes and flesh. I instinctively stumbled back.

"You see, Cap? Even you're afraid of what I am. And Rinne... Rinne is scared of me too..."

I sighed, as I watched Shane's face contort in pain and hatred. But he seemed like he didn't know who to blame.

Shane looked at himself in the mirror.

"Why weren't you there for me, Deka. When SHADE attacked us, why did you leave me. Why did you make me worry so much. Come back, after I've gone through all this hell, and act like nothing's wrong. How can you have that stupid smile on your face."

"Shane, I've... I was trapped and imprisoned by Nero. I had to escape and find a way out. I felt into this planet, and I needed to protect them from the Severens. There was so much I had to do, but you guys were also a-"

"YOU'RE LYING." Shane shouted, pointing to me.

"Quorra told me everything. She told me you decided to stay in the past to fight the Severens. She told me. So in the end, you don't even care that I'm going to become SHADE. You don't care. After all those missions we did together. As your First Mate. I was always sticking up for you Deka, even when everybody else hated you. And not only that."

Shane pulled out a holographic Toron pad, which showed someone in critical care.

"Arsani..." I gasped.

"Your flesh and blood brother, got assaulted by your so called brothers and sisters. Deka. Your little brother is in the intensive care unit. Why didn't you go back to the future to check on him?! I'll accept me. I'll accept the rest of the Lotuscraft crew, but your own FAMILY. How can you put your duty before your own family?!"

I clenched my teeth as I felt like crying.

You can't expect so much out of me.

Not when I had my Valian duty, and when I had a family.

You can't pull me in so many directions expecting me not to break.

"Shane, it's not like that. I'm sorry. But... this war, I need to fight it and make sure these people that I love live. So I can go back to them in a world that is peaceful, not riddled with war. I have to fight-"

"Your missions can wait. There's always going to be a mission, Cap. There's always going to be something to do. But once you neglect the people who love you and worry about you, that's that. If you lose them, you can't get them ever again."

Shane put a hand to his chest.

"I lost my parents. Both of them. You think I'm talking out of my ass? Deka, all I want, out of anything in this world, is to not be alone. That was all I wanted. Even if I have the world in my hands, it's all meaningless when I'm the only person who can enjoy it. And so, when I look at everything I have at this instant, the House of Licita under my name, the Toron Corpo in the palm of my hands, these faithful loyal servants who would lay their life to protect their lord, the first thing I wanted to do was share that luxury with you guys. With you, Rinne, Umbra, and Aurora."

Shane's hand clenched into a fist.

"But now, I'm hearing that you've been deceiving me this whole time. Was this all a lie to keep SHADE under control, by affecting his past self? Was I just an objective for you in this stupid war? Did you see all of us as tools in the end."

Shane glared at me.

"Did you see Umbra as a tool."

My eyes widened as I instantly resolved into my Trinity Supra Lance.

Shane leapt into the air, drawing a demonic red sword.

SHADE's sword.

"You want me out of the picture so badly, so SHADE isn't around. Well, the feeling's mutual. I want you out of the picture, so I can kill your mother. That wretched bitch Lena who invaded my home. Who killed my parents. That's my purpose now."

Shane blasted forward with immense speed as I struggled to keep up.

He was moving so fast.

Like...

Tricity Licita.

Shane slashed at me, as Trinity began to heal. I bolstered all of her defences and leapt backwards, firing extreme blasts of energy from my Supra Arca Blaster, one of the strongest weapons in my arsenal.

Shane was sent backwards into a pillar, as his attendants rushed forward.

"Kill him. Protect Master Shardis!" One of the maids shouted as she brandished her pole arm, and leapt in.

I began a blade exchange with three of the maids, who began to overpower me.

What was this? Did Shane teach all of his servants the Way of the Valian?

But these people...

Another pole arm caught Trinity in the chest, but the attack glanced off her skin due to her defences.

"You cannot kill me." I said, as I spun, my longsword sending the three attackers back.

"Your weapons won't damage my Lance."

I had anticipated my meeting with Shane to go awry. Which was I had Folock build one of my strongest items in my entire arsenal.

No other Lance could take hits like Trinity, and with Yggdrasil, I had her modified with Mirage's amplifier ability.

The Arca Blaster was among one of the strongest guns in the Valian Arsenal, capable of obliterating anything down to the molecular level.

And the longsword that was in my arsenal, a custom made sword from Cetus, utilized every principle of an effective melee weapon taught to the Tora.

This was the strongest I was at.

Shane growled, rushing forward and slashing at me, but I slid out of the way.

Shane, no.

If I thought of my opponent as Shane Mayen, the First Mate who I loved like a brother, I would never be able to win.

This man was my opponent. I needed to defeat him.

I slashed upward, but Shane deflected the blade and cut into me again, and again and again.

I tried to land another hit, but it was like Shane was fighting on a completely different level. With skill that was not his.

Skill that was similar to the strongest Tora Soldier in existence, even stronger than Tora Nava, who was my teacher.

Ciel Licita.

I jabbed, but Shane spun and dove at me like a bullet.

There was no time to aim my gun, he had penetrated my distance.

Shane's face was full of hatred, his eyes wide as he cut into Trinity with his sword with even greater force than before. I slammed into the roof of the base and landed on the ground while Shane's servants all crowded me, slashing and cutting into my Lance's body.

"Stop..." I muttered.

If I used Trinity's third ability, all the damage being done to her would reflect back to the household servants. But then they would die.

I couldn't kill any more of Shane's loved ones, and I knew these people he held dear.

"Operator, you can't take any more..." Folock warned, but before I could do anything, Shane held up his hand.

"Back off. All of you."

The servants all ceased, and stepped back before their master. I got to my feet, as Shane approached me menacingly.

"Shane..." I muttered.

"Don't call me that. My name is Shardis Licita. You invaded my home. I'm going to drive you out. Myself."

Shane drew his sword and charged me again, as I took out my longsword and met him blow for blow as we exchanged attacks.

I slashed, and Shane, with incredible agility, backflipped, slashing on his way down and catching my Lance in the face.

I fired my Arca, the molecular projectile glancing off Shane's face and burning it in the process. But to my horror, Shane took the hit, continuing to charge at me, half of his face burnt as he glared at me with pure malice.

Another strike that bypassed Trinity's defences as a huge gash opened up in my Lance's midsection.

I stumbled back and slashed up, but Shane deflected the attack with his demonic sword, then swung against mine with immense force that propelled my Lance backwards.

I slid across the ground, trying to regain my composure, but Shane roared, rushing forward with that same overwhelming speed, cutting into my Lance like it was butter.

Tricity Licita's speed, with Kien Licita's strength, with Ciel Licita's skill.

I had to offset it. There was no other option.

Trinity Ability Three: Link

An energy beam shot out of her stomach as it connected with Shane. Shane's sword piercing my Lance's side, as a starburst of red erupted from his side.

"AAAUGHHH" Shane yelled, but continued slashing, taking more and more damage to himself.

"Shane, you can't keep this up. You're going to kill yourself!" I pleaded, but the more I tried to back off and gain distance, the more Shane ran forward, closing it and cutting into me, all the while hurting himself in the process.

I stepped back and aimed my Arca at his stomach, firing at close range, blasting him into the ceiling, as I watched Shane fall several feet into the ground with a big

BOOM.

"It's over, Shane." I said, as I stomped on the ground.

Trinity Ability Four: Rejuvenate

Trinity's body instantly repaired itself. All the damage Shane had done to it had been nullified instantly.

From within the debris, Shane struggled to his feet. Blood peppered the ground where he stood, but he continued glaring at me.

"I won't fall to you. No way."

Shane began to heal himself.

"You think you have tricks because you have a bunch of Lances in your arsenal with different abilities. Well, so do I. I have all the nobles of House Licita at my disposal."

Shane lowered his head, as his body began to glow, crackling with the white electricity of the Grand Licitian Convergence.

I readied my Arca and my longsword, Trinity glowing with her fourth ability and the green energy beams connecting the two of us together.

"We don't have to do this, Shane. We can go back to the way it was before."

"There is nothing to go back to." Shane muttered, his face full of hurt.

"I have no one to go back to."

Shane blasted forward, as did I, clashing blades and exchanging blows.

Shane went low, and slashed at me, but then I noticed it.

His skill... was becoming more and more careless.

Almost like his old style was starting to surface over Ciel's.

I took that to my advantage, exposing his weak spot and knocking his sword out of his hand and shooting him in the head, sending him into the ground and cracking it.

But from within the destroyed floor, Shane grabbed Trinity's head and pulled her in with him, wrapping his body around her like a judo wrestler and throwing her to the ground.

Shane began pummelling her in the back of the head with those same heavy punches.

I slashed up, and this time, Shane wasn't agile enough to dodge, the slash cutting into his chest and sending him into a pillar.

"I have to end this." I said, as I cocked my shotgun, aiming the Arca dead set on Shane's chest.

Mirage Ability Three: Eclipse

My Lance powered up, as I fired an explosive energy round which caught Shane dead center, but Shane reached behind, drawing his Gram Supra, blocking it, growling and pushing forward.

"You-" I yelped, as Shane emerged from the energy blast, his face a bloody mess as he ripped the Arca out of my hands and punched me square in the face, sending me into the other side of the room.

I stomped my foot, but Trinity did not regenerate.

"Wha-"

"Iroh Licita. The Siphon." Shane explained, holding out his fist as blue energy was being sapped from my Lance to his body.

"Your Lance is only strong because of her abilities. Let's see how tough she is without her little blessing."

I got to my feet.

So Shane had an ability to siphon my energy. And from the way this fight was progressing, I was wearing down his ability to call upon the Grand Licitian Convergence.

We were fighting on equal terms.

I ran forward and slashed. Shane dodged the blow, but I spun around, redirecting the sword and swinging horizontally as it caught Shane in the chest, launching him into the air as my First Mate fell on his back.

"It's over!" I yelled, but Shane growled in retaliation, kicking my Lance in the chest as I skidded back.

"Like hell it is!" Shane yelled as he rushed forward again. I swung, but Shane caught the sword with his bare hands, blood exploding from his palms as he trembled.

I stepped back, as Shane ripped the sword out of my hands and threw it to the ground.

I reached into my back and pulled out my sidearm, as Shane gritted his teeth and pulled out his own.

We aimed both of our Hellfire Supra Machine Pistols at each other's heads.

"You kept that gun... all this time..." I muttered.

Shane trembled, his teeth clenched as his gun hand was shaking.

"Of course I did. Cap. It was the first gun I ever learned to wield. The weapon I learned to wield, from you."

"Stop!" A girl's voice cut in, as we looked to our side, to see Rinne, in what looked to be hospital clothes, standing at the entrance of the base.

"You two, you're supposed to be friends. How could you two be trying to kill each other like this? Shane, are you really trying to kill Deka?!"

Shane pursed his lips.

"Why is she here." Shane muttered.

"Why are you here?" He asked her.

I lowered my gun, and took a step back.

"Rinne, you-"

"I heard there was fighting. Everybody was talking about it. I can't just stand here and watch the two people I have left kill each other. I cannot live knowing I let it happen like this. To know it would end like this."

Rinne ran forward and stepped in Shane's line of fire.

"Rinne..." Shane said, as his face softened up.

"Shane, why are you fighting Deka. I understand he may not have been honest with you, but you were so happy when you were with him in the Lotuscraft. We were so happy together. Why would you try to end that?"

Shane gritted his teeth.

"How can you be defending Deka, Rinne. After everything he has done. He deceived me. He neglected us. He even neglected his own brother. Master Arsanios is in the ICU because of Deka! And he doesn't even show a hint of remorse!"

Shane raised his gun again, this time pointing it square at Rinne's head, causing her to gasp and sob at the same time.

"No! Shane, what are you doing?!" I shouted.

I put my hand on Rinne's shoulder and put her behind me.

"You're aiming your gun at Rinne? Are you planning on killing her too?! You will go to such extents-"

"I will kill anyone who betrays me." Shane growled, as his hair started to change. White streaks began to form from the roots of his head.

"You were never on my side, Cap. And now, Rinne is switching over. It was once I gained my power as a Licita did she get scared of me. Did everything change between us. It makes me think that this entire time, she talked to me out of pity. And I hate that."

"No, Shane. This is all in your head-"

Shane fired his gun, which caught Trinity straight in the chest, sending her hurtling back as I resolved out of my Lance, but Shane fired again, and caught me in the leg as I yelled in pain.

"Shane!" I cried out, but before Shane could fire again, Rinne stood in front of me.

"Please.... please don't do this..." Rinne sobbed, but Shane's face was rife of murderous intent.

"I'm going to build my army using the Toron Corpo. I'm going to use House Licita to bolster my power so I can kill the Severens. I don't mind working with the Valians, but once the Severens are all dead, I'm coming for the Valians. If you choose to get in my way, I'll obliterate you along with the rest of the scum in this world. So what'll it be, Rinne."

"You're telling me to choose?!" Rinne cried out.

I stared at Shane.

"How can you be saying these things..." I said, as Shane continued aiming down the girl he loved.

"Deka or me, Rinne. Who's it going to be."

Rinne closed her eyes.

"You told me, earlier in my room, that the one thing you were afraid of was becoming like my older brother. But you are doing just that. Don't you remember? This same exact scenario happened when you fought my big brother. He told me to choose between you or him. And you're doing the same exact thing!"

Shane gritted his teeth as his face became flooded with tears.

"Choose." He hissed.

"Rinne, don't. You don't have to do this. Shane, this is between you and me, don't drag Rinne into this."

Shane's attendants went up to his side, as more and more of his followers surrounded us.

"Operator... we must leave."

Folock said from within my communications module. His voice was also laced with pain.

Then another voice appeared.

"Leave with Rinne, Captain. This is where it begins."

I gritted my teeth.

"Shardis... you are enjoying this, aren't you. You enjoy watching this version of you be crushed by the pain, to turn into the killer that you are today."

Shardis paused for a few seconds.

"Yes, Captain. I do. Perhaps it is selfish of me to think this way. But there can only be one SHADE. I am free from my shackles because this version of Shardis Licita has taken my burden. It is only with Rinne's help will we find Zennen Ful. You know this."

I took a shaky breath.

"Will he be okay. Will you be okay, when we leave."

"What do you think, Captain? His hair is greying out. His Severen side is emerging. There is nothing you can do against fate. Do not worry about me, Deka. Focus on your duty. Take Rinne away. Right now, she needs someone she can turn to."

I limped forward, taking Rinne by the hand.

"Come with me." I muttered, as the attendants escorted us out of the base.

Shane did not meet my eyes, as the head maid, Yelene, attended to him.

CLUNK.

I stopped walking as I turned around.

Shane threw his Gram Supra and Hellfire Machine Pistols on the ground, as they clattered before my feet.

But there was nothing I could do.

There was no turning back from this.

"Goodbye, Shane Mayen." I whispered, as the Lotuscraft appeared before us.

Return

I watched as Rinne made her way to her quarters. Her eyes were empty. She had not spoken a single word from when we had left the base and boarded the Superorbiter.

"Listen, Rinne, I-"

Rinne turned around, forcing a smile on her face.

"I am fine, Deka. I just want a few moments alone. That is all. I'm sorry."

I watched as the door to her quarters closed before me. I stood in silence for a few seconds, until Shardis' voice appeared behind me.

"She is not in any condition to use her void powers. Not like this."

I turned to Shardis.

"Do you not feel any remorse for what you did back then? For the pain you have been putting her through? Did you not love Rinne back then?"

Shardis regarded me with expressionless eyes.

"I love Rinne, even to this day, Captain."

"Then why? Why would you aim your gun at her head?! Why would you put her in a position like that? You went through all the trouble of fighting a noble from House Thresh to save her from that abusive relationship, only to throw her in another."

Shardis walked to the common area as I followed.

"When one is consumed in rage, or emotion, their sense of judgement is clouded. Things do not appear the way they are. Was that not the same for you, when I accused you of using Umbra as a tool back then?"

I clenched my fists.

"But..."

I stopped myself.

He was right.

It was because of that statement, that wild accusation, did I snap and resolve into Trinity in the first place. It was because of that did we initiate our fight. It was because I had lost my temper, did I forget that my meeting with Shane was to be diplomatic. And I instigated the fight.

Shardis turned around. His hair was tied back, but some of his bangs covered his eyes. Those cyan pupils glowing in the shadows of the spacecraft.

"At the time, I had lost my revolution to Troy. A rival who I hated even before coming to your world. I learned of your etreum. And Rinne had learned of the terrible things I had done to Adam Virgo. It was as if things somehow were worsening, from already horrible conditions. When all your hardships compact in one, it is as if the entire world is against you. That was what I felt, when Rinne confronted me and defended you."

I couldn't answer back.

I wanted to make things up with Shane. But now it was too late.

Shardis was right. I could do nothing but watch as Shane Mayen became the Great Valian Killer.

"Shardis, what will you do when Rinne emerges from her quarters? We will need to find a way to conceal your face. And an alias-"

"Captain, has your encounter with my past self not taught you anything?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"What are you talking about? Are you trying to accuse me of something?"

Shardis approached me until we were face to face.

"Yes. You are asking me to lie in front of Rinne. Just as you did to me. Are you truly considering committing yet another etreum?"

My face turned pale.

Shardis scoffed.

"You are a Captain. So I will not challenge your authority."

Suddenly, the sound of doors opening appeared, breaking the silence.

Rinne.

I made my way to the common areas, to see Rinne huddled in front of the window, her knees to her chin as she gazed at galaxies.

"Rinne." I said, as I sat down next to her.

"Hello, Dekani." Rinne said, managing a weak smile.

I didn't know what to tell her. Or what to say. It felt wrong to demand her to use her powers after everything she had been through. But if she did not help us now, we would only give more time to the Severens.

We needed Zennen's help.

"I know... this might be unreasonable to ask..." I said.

"What is it?" Rinne asked, tilting her head, as my throat went dry.

"I..."

"We need your help. To locate another Valian." Shardis cut me off, as Rinne turned around, her face transitioning to curiosity, to horror, to shock.

"H- How... Shane...?" Rinne's voice disappeared into a whisper.

Shardis gave Rinne a warm smile.

"Rinne... I'm home."

Rinne took a step back, gasping for air, as tears ran down her cheeks, but suddenly, she burst into golden sparks, resolved into Helos, as the giant Lance slammed his fist at SHADE, who caught the strike.

"Rinne-"

"STOP. DO NOT SPEAK ANY MORE."

Rinne screamed from within her Lance, as she swung, again and again, but SHADE easily kept up with her, until he went low and launched a strike at the Lance's chest, sending Rinne hurtling out and smashing into the wall of the Superorbiter.

"Rinne!" Shardis said, his face startled, the first time I had ever seen the Great Valian Killer concerned.

I watched as Shardis put his hands on her shoulders. Rinne cried out loud, trying to fight back.

"How can you be here! How can you... how could you say those things to me... how could you be... so unfair Shane..."

Shardis embraced Rinne.

"I'm sorry. But... this is how it was. This was the path I was fated to walk. As SHADE. My transformation was inevitable. But you know..."

Shardis pulled away, as Rinne wanted to struggle, but she was far too heartbroken to do anything.

"I spent many decades. Fighting with this Severen flesh. Killing the Valians. I've almost lost count, of how long I've donned this gear that Gargantua created for me. And... the one thing that I had, that kept me sane. Was you. The thought of coming back. The Shane Mayen of your time has already begun transforming into SHADE. This leaves me free from this burden. At last."

Rinne stared at the Future Shane. as Shane wiped her tears.

"Yes... that's right. For you, it may have been almost immediate, for another Shane Mayen to come to your room. After the first had so badly treated you and broke your heart. But for me.... it is as if I awoke from the longest nightmare. To see you."

Rinne sobbed as she buried her face into Shane's chest.

"But in the end, you turned into this. A monster. A killer. How can... how can you tell me to accept that? I know it was you who killed my big brother, Shane."

Shane stared at the ground.

"Because..."

I watched as Shardis took off his cloak, revealing his aged body. Shardis put it around Rinne's shoulders.

"I want it to be me. Only me. Rinzler, he needed to die. And I knew that you would be against it, because he is your elder brother. And this vicious cycle of abuse would only continue. So I took it upon myself to do it."

Rinne huddled herself in her room, as Shardis put his hand on her face.

"No. Don't..."

"Then push me away, Rinne."

"I can't... I don't know..."

"It's okay." Shardis stood up, as he slowly made his way to the exit of the room.

"I won't give up. My feelings for you, they are true. I just..."

SHADE put his hand on the wall, as he gazed at the corners of the Superorbiter.

"I just wanted things to go back the way they are. Deka being the Captain. You being the Medical Purser. And me being the First Mate who always gets in trouble. Those good old days. When I would take you out to Cetus and we would plan the menu together for dinner. Whenever we went to Luam to go on walks, and you would always point out how pretty the sky was."

With each passing memory, Rinne slowly looked up, her eyes glinted.

"When you asked me, that day. What kind of girls I liked. I told you that I didn't believe in relationships. That I found it as something worthless. But... that wasn't it. It was because I so desperately wanted that ideal person in my life, that I had set myself up for failure every single time. I was scared of failure, and when your expectations are of a girl who is so amazing, it's almost impossible to not fail the first time. That was what I thought."

Rinne slowly got up, as Shardis continued.

"I never gave you my answer, Rinne. So here it is. After uncountable numbers of years. I had that much time to ponder it as SHADE. My favourite kind of girl, is the type who is kind. And compassionate. One who tries her best to be happy, and cares about the wellbeing of others. Maybe a bit too much. Maybe she cares about them so much she is silly and naive. Even if the people around her take advantage of her kindness. But that's okay. Because I would never let that kind of girl be sad. I will do everything in my power to make sure she is happy in the end of the day. I like a girl I can go out on walks with. A girl who I can spend time buying groceries in Cetus with. One who likes to cook. She doesn't need to be the strongest. She doesn't need to be the most skilled. Because the girl that I love the most, and I need the most in my life..."

Rinne sobbed as she ran forward and threw her arms around Shardis.

"Is you, Rinne."

I watched, my heart burning as I felt my eyes begin to water.

I smiled, as I turned around.

"Hey... Folock."

"Yes, Operator? I most definitely wasn't crying! Nope. Not a trustworthy reliable Dataform like me!"

"No, it's okay, Folock. You can cry. I..."

I glanced at the two again.

"Folock. From now on. I want you to recognize Shardis Licita as my First Mate. In the end of the day, he is still Shane Mayen. That much hasn't changed."

"I will, Operator."

"Folock."

"Yes, Operator?"

"Thank you."

"Come again, Operator?"

I smiled, as I entered my quarters, sitting on my pad and closed my eyes.

"Thank you for everything. From when Queen Lena took me in, you walked by my side. When you had the opportunity to rediscover your past, before you became a Dataform, you could have left me. But you chose to stay. And now, because you never left me, I wouldn't be in the place I am in. A loving crew. Friends. And a strong arsenal. It's all thanks to you."

Folock made a sobbing noise.

"Oh Operator... I will always be by your side. An old Dataform like me. I've known you for the longest time. From when you built your first Lance. And when you failed your first mission and got scolded by Tora Nava."

"Hey! That mission was very embarrassing!"

Folock laughed.

"Yes. But I am so fond of it. I will not trade this for anything. Because to me, you are more than a friend. You are a Captain. You are family."

I smiled and laughed, as a tear ran down my cheek.

"Then let us move forward with resolve. We will not lose to the Severens of the past. Even if I am not with my brothers and sisters. Even if I am alone. I can do it. I will do it. I will fight this front of the war with everything I have and I will win. And my Valian brethren of the present, will also win. So we can see a better future. So I can reunite with Arsani, and Shane and Rinne and Aurora and Umbra will live happy. That is my goal."

The Strongest Valian

"It's here." Rinne said, as Shardis and I approached the windows of the Superorbiter.

"Zennen Ful... the legend himself."

I muttered, as the hatch opened.

I resolved into Trinity, while Rinne resolved into Helos.

Shardis leapt from the sky and landed on the ground.

"Barren. Empty." Shane muttered, as we continued walking.

He was right.

Endless greenery, and what seemed to be no life in sight.

"Rinne, how are you holding up?" I asked.

Rinne continued searching for Zennen's signature.

"It's definitely not the easiest thing. In the sense that I must use Transference and my void powers at the same time."

"Stop." Shardis ordered, as he put out a hand. Rinne bumped into him.

"What's wrong?" Rinne asked.

Shardis put a finger to his lips.

"No one move."

"Are there enemies nearby?" I asked.

Shardis shook his head.

"Can't you feel it? Deka?"

"What? I don't-"

I stopped.

I glanced at my hands, as teal light shone through the palms of Trinity's arms.

"What is this?"

Rinne took a deep breath from within Helos.

"I can feel it. Shane is right. He knows we're here. This is Zennen's void power."

"What do we do?" I asked.

"If he knows we are here, then that speeds up the meeting." Shardis said, as he stepped through. Rinne and I stared at the First Mate, dumbfounded.

So even after all these years.

Shane was still Shane.

Reckless.

And a complete fool.

"Shane!" I exclaimed.

We descended down the steps of what appeared to be a massive cavern.

The patterns were intricate. But... something felt off.

It was as if it was made of an architecture that was of its time... and at the same time...

"Deka... this architecture, it reminds you of it, doesn't it? Toron Architecture..."

Rinne whispered.

We reached the entrance.

"What do we do?" I asked.

Shardis ignored us and opened the door.

Rinne and I gasped.

The internals... it looked like an Orbiter.

But...

"Deka... why... why does it..."

I stared at the room.

This didn't make sense.

It was the inside of a Valian Orbiter. But not an ordinary one.

For it had multiple rooms.

Three to be exact.

And an extra room. The whole place was covered in dust, but in that room...

I approached it, Trinity's metallic armoured boots clunking on the hard cracked surface of the ground.

"This... I don't understand..." My voice left me.

I was staring at a board.

It was used to play Komi.

"Shane... Deka... what's going on here?" Rinne asked, nervously, from within her Lance.

Shardis regarded the both of us.

"Deka, Rinne... are you aware of the concept of Presentism?"

I blinked.

"Yes... it was a concept that was taught to us by our ship Dataform. The idea was that every decision ever made doesn't just branch off into different timelines, but, that they would-"

"Be present. At the same time." Rinne finished my sentence, as she walked up to a destroyed piece of... something... that was sitting on a bed. Rinne resolved out of Helos and put a hand to her mouth.

"Deka... Deka... look."

I approached Rinne and nearly fainted.

"That's..."

Shardis nodded.

"Yes. Those are indeed remains. The remains that belong to Lena."

"This doesn't make sense. It doesn't. I was following Zennen's void trace. It had to be. No other person would have a void trace so powerful."

Shardis sat down.

"It appears he isn't home." He muttered.

I glared at my First Mate.

"Shardis, what are you hiding from us. Why did you bring up Presentism? Ever since we came here, it was like you knew the backdoors to this entire place. And above all, nothing here is making sense. Why does Zennen's Orbiter resemble mine? Down to the smallest detail?"

"Because..." A voice appeared behind us. It was deep, and aged.

I spun around, and found a sword aimed right at my throat. Then another blade, aimed at Rinne's.

"Would you believe it, if I told you SHADE was my First Mate at some point too?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. If I moved, the man would cut Rinne's.

I looked at Shardis, who simply regarded the hooded man.

It took me a few seconds to realize what had just happened.

The man, who I was guessing to be Zennen, had charged me with his Lance, then perfectly timed it to have it aim its blade at my throat, while also holding me in place such that any movement I would make would decapitate Trinity. Then, at the same time, he had resolved out of his Lance, then went after Rinne while she was still in her Operator form.

That speed and coordination.

"Zennen." I said, as the man regarded me from within his mask.

"I... We came here to recruit you. We need your help with the New War. The Severens have invaded. And your presence will..."

Zennen ignored me, as he simply let go of Rinne, and walked past Shardis, who, the entire time, was simply standing still, not doing a single thing.

"Zennen!" I shouted after him, as I resolved out of Trinity and approached him.

"Zennen! Wait!" I exclaimed, running after him, until I found him in the Transference room. He was wearing black robes and a mask. Like a drifter.

Not many knew about Zennen Ful. Nor did I really.

Much less did anyone really know what he looked like.

But standing here before me, was the legendary MR45 Valian himself.

And he looked nothing like one.

For one thing, he was tall. And well built. I had never seen a Valian like this before. We were all in a similar age when the Void Incident had happened. But...

Zennen looked like a fully grown man.

"Dekani Price." Zennen said.

"You... know my name? How do you kno-"

Zennen turned around.

"MR18 Valian. Formerly a member of the Valian Gladiator Alliance, under the clan The Radiant Gladiators. Directly reporting to Valian Quorra Lavine. Your most used Lance was the Umbral Excalibur, and the reason behind it was scorned by your kind. Among other things, you have been called a traitor. And a disgrace. One who hesitates to cut down his enemy."

Rinne ran up to me, as she heard everything word for word.

"You- how do you know all this about Deka?"

Shardis followed from behind. Zennen crossed his arms.

"So, you really did bring them here. I'm guessing that means your past self kickstarted his transformation."

"Yes."

"Unfortunate. Well, fate's a bitch, huh." Zennen stared at the roof of his Orbiter.

"Zennen, why have you been hiding here this entire time? You should be helping our brethren. You are greatest of us all. You should be-"

Zennen regarded me.

"No, Dekani."

"What are you talking about? We have a war to fight!"

"No. The fact that you have made it this far, tells me that it has already begun."

"What? Of course it's begun. The Severens have invaded. We need everybody to he-"

"Why do you think... I have been here this entire time?"

Zennen pushed himself off the edge of his Transference pod, as he approached me face to face.

"Are you injured? Rinne can heal you. She is proficient with the void."

"I know, Rinne is proficient."

I gritted my teeth.

"This isn't time for any games. I respect you, Zennen. My younger brother adores you. He sees you as a hero. As do many Valians. Just being there is enough to help us win the war."

Zennen stopped me, as he slowly took off his mask.

And to my horror, I stumbled back.

Rinne let loose a stifled yelp, as she backed up.

Zennen regarded me, with a face... an aged face...

White eyes. Silver irises.

A face that I saw in the mirror every day.

"Dekani Price. We do not win this war. The Valians do not win this war. Because when the Severens came, we... the Valians, were killed. Every last one."

I took a step back.

The future me narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, it shocks you, doesn't it. Why I was never around. Yet I became a legend. Well... truth be told. I suppose I am a branched version of you. One who never chose to go to the past. One who never abandoned his kind. I... fought on the front lines of the war. And I watched the Valians be killed. Left and right.

"When I approached Mom, she was shrivelled up. Like a grape. Things be told, I myself, was nearly killed. It took everything I had to try to stay alive from the wrath of Nero. And since then, I've been trying to bring her back to life."

"I..." I was at a loss for words.

I had no idea what had just happened.

Shardis could tell I was in inner turmoil. He was giving me a look of sympathy. Likely because he had been down this road before, when he was Shane Mayen.

"But if you are a branched version of Deka, then that means we still have a chance. In this reality, in this present, Deka went off to the past to save Mom. The future isn't-"

"The future... is the same. Dekani Price. Whether you made the decision to go to the past or to stay in the present. The outcome was always the same. The Valians were unable to defeat the Severens. You knew this, from the bottom of your hearts. We all knew this. The only person... who stood up against the Severens, when there were no more Valian left alive, was Shardis Licita."

I clenched my fist.

"Then you're telling me, as we speak, the Valians in our present..."

Zennen nodded.

"Have already lost the war. Your comrades are all dead."

I clenched my teeth.

"No... I refuse to accept this. Then what becomes of this now? What do we do? The Severens-"

Zennen shook his head.

"I cannot tell you any more. Now that you are here, my past self. I can finally... pass..."

"What? Zennen, you can't-" I ran forward, trying to grab Zennen, but his body began to fade, sparks of his body entering mine.

"Listen to me, Deka... I don't have much time. But... the Gargantua you fought... you must find him. Not every Severen is your enemy."

"No! Zennen, I still have many questions! How did I end up like this? How did you break the MR30 barrier? Why... why is Mom here? Why is..."

Zennen smiled.

At all of us.

"When I watched Mom crumble to dust... it was the most painful thing in my life. Every thing I tried didn't work. No matter what I did. I couldn't bring her back because I wasn't strong enough. No matter how much strength I tried to gain from the past, under a new name. I tried to re-learn everything. From different angles. I tried to learn from the Ful bloodline, to integrate Ciel's style into my own. I tried everything. I've lived multiple lives. But... the outcome was always the same..."

Zennen's eyes were starting to close.

"Mom can't be saved. I can't win. And so... I place this burden on you. My past self. I don't want to... live with this failure, for another lifetime..."

I watched as Zennen dissipated before me. Our only chance at winning the war, telling us that we were all destined to lose.

"What will you do now, Captain Deka?" Shardis asked me.

I knelt on the floor of my own future Superorbiter.

"It all makes sense. Why Zennen would be in the past. When I warped back in time that day, I thought I had followed Lena's time warp signature, but it wasn't hers. It was... my own."

Rinne put a hand on my shoulder.

"And... Lena..."

I regarded the decaying remains of our Severen mother.

I couldn't save her. No matter what I did. No matter how many times I had tried to go back into the past. No matter how strong I had become, it was always...

I glanced at Shardis.

Fate.

It was always fate for the outcome of the New War to end this way.

I opened my hand, as void energy trickled out.

"Tachyons!" Rinne exclaimed.

Shardis regarded me.

"You have a choice, Dekani Price. To warp back and change the past. Your future counterpart, decided to take part in the New War himself, by going back in time and learning from House Ful my ancestor's way. He became the strongest Valian, but it was not enough. Other iterations of you also could have went back and time and tried. But they all failed. What will you do, Captain Deka?"

I had time warp technology. And now I had the power of the strongest Valian in history.

If I went back in time... and gained even more power, I would surpass even Zennen.

But...

I looked at the dying body of Lena again.

No matter what I did, the outcome was the same.

No matter what I did.

In the past.

I closed my palm. The tachyons dispersing.

"Deka?" Rinne asked.

"I won't go back in time." I said, as I stood up, facing Shardis.

"I won't go back. There... there could still be a way we win this New War. We may have lost the first battle, but there's always a way to keep fighting. That is what Tora Nava taught us. Even if it seems bleak."

Shardis uncrossed his arms as he led us out of the Superorbiter.

"This is now your call, Captain Deka."

I thought back to what Zennen had said. Not every Severen was the enemy.

Who was the most likely to orchestrate this whole scenario?

My mind flashed back to that asshole bird brain Severen who had been controlling Lena. No doubt she was under his control. There was no doubt.

Nero.

Meaning... I had to speak to Gargantua.

I looked at Shardis again.

"You... you betrayed them though. I don't know if we can go on with Zennen's idea of speaking to the Severen King. I-"

"Don't worry about me, Cap." Shane smiled.

The Pride of House Licita

Yelene updated me on the situation.

"Of the Toron Corpo, a massive fleet of Corpo aerial fighters have now been stationed all across the Star System. In addition, Railjack implementation has become readily available for members of the revolution to use."

"You mean Troy's revolution." I grumbled.

Yelene looked uneasy.

"Uh. Sorry, continue Yelene."

"Does it bother you, my lord? I can update you another time."

"No." I lied.

I continued listening to Yelene's briefing.

Valian were preparing left and right. As for Troy, he was gathering more and more people to join the cause.

We were going to need it.

After briefing, I went to the main hall of House Licita. My home. My servants. Loyal to the end.

They all held up their weapons and saluted me in the grand hall.

"Er..." I muttered. All of my subordinates were awaiting me to say something, but I had no idea what to say.

I had stage fright!

"Master Shardis, are you not going to give your subordinates an inspirational speech?" Yelene whispered to me.

"I..." My voice left me.

There was no inspiration in me.

This was going to be a war. People were going to be hurt.

I knew the Severens. They were going to kill anybody that got in their way.

Just like me.

People were going to die. Maybe in some gruesome ways.

My mind flashed back to Lena's invasion. The one that had changed my life forever.

The horrible things I saw.

I clutched my head, as I stumbled.

"Lord Shardis!" Yelene grabbed me, her face full of concern.

"Perhaps you should lie down-"

"No. I have to... I have to say something to these people... but..."

"But what?" Yelene asked, gently.

"I feel like if anybody here died, I would be responsible. I trained everybody in the art of war. It was me who demanded it. These people would serve me unconditionally because I'm the last son of the Licita bloodline. If they died..."

"My lord, you are being too hard on yourself."

I clenched my teeth.

"I know I've gone too deep. I've gone too far. I've scared away Rinne. I broke off my alliance with Captain Deka. The last thing I want is for these people to hate me too. These people are more than just servants. Maybe it was because I lived my life a peasant, but these people are like family. I'm...."

I gripped my cloak, hard.

"Scared." I spat.

Yelene stroked the back of my head as she brought me into her embrace.

"There's too much I have to deal with. And now that I've lost everybody from the Lotuscraft crew, all that weight is on my shoulders. I can't do this alone. I can't. This war... this revolution... I've seen their army. So huge, and so vast. We have nothing like that on our side. One Murex alone from their side is bigger than twenty Railjacks-"

"But you have us. We will fight with everything we have. It was thanks to you, Lord Shardis, that we learned to become strong. To fight for ourselves. Not to be ones waiting to be saved. But ones who had the strength to save ourselves. No noble of House Licita has ever done this before. Not even Lord Arsanios. Not Lord Ciel. Not Lady Tricity. Not even Lord Neumani, who was regarded as the wisest Licita to grace our household."

I calmed down, as I pulled away from Yelene's arms.

"When they come... I want everybody to be careful. That is my wish, for everybody in this manor. To not throw away their lives just so they could protect their lord. I want them to value themselves too. I can't forgive myself if I made them believe the only way out is to act as a sacrifice. I can't."

Yelene smiled.

"Are you worried about me, Master Shardis?"

My face turned beet red.

"I- Uh. Y- You... I..."

Yelene laughed, coyly.

"You are so adorable, my lord."

"You! It's bad enough I have to give this speech with stage fright! Now I have this! How am I supposed to talk in front of so many people all on my own?!"

Yelene suddenly stopped.

"N- No... not alone..." She muttered.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked, as Yelene slowly pointed behind me, her hands trembling, and her eyes leaky with tears.

"L- Lord..."

A voice appeared behind me.

"Welcome home, half brother. If you are struggling to speak with our people, perhaps I may be of assistance?"

I turned around, and nearly fell on my back.

Arsanios Licita had his hands behind his back, giving us a warm smile.

He was still covered in bandages near his face, but his recovery was incredible.

"Lord Arsanios!"

Arsani shook his head.

"No, Shardis. We are equals. I was watching. While I was bedridden. From the void, I saw what you did. The extents you would go to, to ensure our servants were safe. The Valian shunned me. They disfigured my face, because of the blood of Price in my veins. But even so, I held no ill will to the Valian. But once they harmed my people, that I could not forgive. Your rage for my kind is justified, brother. And because of this, you have my respect."

Arsanios held out his hand and I took it.

"People of House Licita. I have awakened. But from my slumber, I saw the hard work you all have put in. Your strength is admirable. Your resolve to fight on behalf of a true blooded Licita heir earns respect of the highest valour. Whatever happens in this war, fight with this new power of yours. Fight proudly. Fight in the name of House Licita. The fruits of your labor under Lord Shardis' guidance shall NOT be wasted."

The people all cheered.

Arsanios put an arm around me.

"For us both. Both heads of the household, we will ensure our war over the Severens shall be victorious!"