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.

As 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. Her mercy and her morality went past her sequence to see us for who we truly were. Children wracked with hurt for their surrogate mother's death. Children who did not understand the tribulations of war. Children who could not understand the power they were given by the void and by the Toron Empire.

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.

01

"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.

02

"F- Folock..." I muttered.

"Yes, Operator!"

"Con... concealment Mode."

"Concealing."

I heard the Superorbiter begin to shift its components around. However was left, as it blended with the environment.

I sighed, getting to my feet.

I had resolved into my own Superorbiter... I was probably the first Valian to ever do that. And by resolving, I was able to heal myself a little bit with my Elevation Arcane. But my forearm was still in a lot of pain from where Umbra had struck me.

I stumbled out of the Transference room, peering outside.

"Folock, status."

"Yes, Operator. As you had conducted Transference with the vessel, you have managed to restore some of its base functions. All Lances remain operational. All weapons remain operation. However, the craft will be unable to take flight. Nor will you be able to access the Railjack functions. I'm sorry, Operator. It looks like if we want to head back, we're..."

Folock paused.

"Folock? What's wrong?" I asked.

"Operator... we're... we're no longer in our time."

"What?"

I stepped out of the Lotuscraft, to be met by a small town.

"A town?"

The people were all dressed strangely, but some had garments similar to mine.

I recognized this attire...

It was from an age even before Shane Mayen's age.

"Operator... what will you do?"

I clenched my teeth.

I had to find a way out of this place. If I could acquire the resources to rebuild the Superorbiter, I could timewarp out of here.

However, before I could form any further thought, a girl's scream erupted from within the forest.

"Wha-" I said, as I heard numerous voices trailing the girl from behind.

"Don't run, you little wench!"

"Do as your lord tells you to do!"

"You dare run from Lord Wales?!"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Folock, I am deploying a Lance."

"O- Operator?"

"What is it?"

"Would it not be better to not bring attention about ourselves? I have assessed our surroundings. These people are not technologically evolved. As a matter of fact, they still wield the weapons of the Primal Age. Of sword and sorcery. If they see-"

"It will not be an issue. I will use the Void to purge their memories once my time here is complete."

I got to my feet, void dashing to the attacker's position.

From my distorted view while in Void Mode, I could make out their torches and medieval armour. They were even more devolved than Shane's timeline. Just how far back did Lena send the Severens?

The girl tripped on her dress, and fell onto the ground, soiling it.

The men surrounded her, as she whimpered.

"S- Somebody... please... anyone... Great Venir... please save me... PLEASE SAVE ME!" She screamed.

Hannibal Ability Two: Steel Skin

I exited Void Mode and resolved into Hannibal, appearing before the girl.

One of the men was about to bring their swords down to strike down the girl, but I caught it with Hannibal's left hand, crushing it in my palm effortlessly.

So this was tempered steel.

Compared to the Toron steel, I could see why this was considered Primal.

"What the-"

"A Knight? How did it get here?"

"Those teal lights that line the sides of its armour. It has to be magical. Is it a summons?"

I regarded the attackers. They looked like higher upperclassmen, I would deduce they served the lord that wanted this girl.

But from my time learning under Tora Nava, I knew how to read an enemy's fighting proficiency.

These people were trained to some degree, but were below even a Toron Scrava in combat ability.

The three men charged again, striking with their bladed weapons, but the swords shattered off of Hannibal's Steel Skin.

"What kind of armour is that?!" One of the attackers yelped, as I approached them with my 7 foot Lance, towering over the men, the blue lights of the armour casting shadows across their pale, fear stricken faces.

I calmly swung my fist, Hannibal's heavy frame adding to its momentum as the force slammed into all three men, smashing them into a tree and knocking them out unconscious.

The girl stared at me, her eyes in fright.

"You. Child of the town. Direct me to this town's authorities." I said.

"P- Please don't take me back... I beg of you, great iron god."

Iron god?

"Operator. I believe she sees you as a deity. To these people, your Lance is evolutionary leaps in equipment to what they wield." Folock advised me.

The girl stumbled back, her lower lip quavering. She was terrified of me.

"Iron God... I beg of you... please show mercy... please..."

Folock rung in my ears.

"Operator, the girl is suffering from hyperthermia. She also seems to also have sustain numerous bruises and internal bleeding. If not for the adrenaline in her body, she will surely collapse."

I approached the girl, kneeling on one knee.

"I am no god. I mean you no harm." I said.

The girl paused, her body was still trembling.

"I will not take you back to your lord. But allow me to treat you to your injuries first."

The girl reluctantly nodded, as I picked her up and made my way back to the destroyed Lotuscraft.

"A- Amazing... this... is this your house?"

"One could say that." I replied, as I entered the Lotuscraft, the interior had changed to befit this world's timeline. I led the girl to Rinne's bed, and sat her down. The sight of the bed terrified her, as she suddenly began struggling against Hannibal's hold.

"N- NO! NO, PLEASE DON'T!"

"What? I mean you no har-"

"NO!"

After a few minutes of adjusting, the girl settled down outside of the Lotuscraft, on a log.

Folock had completed his scan, revealing numerous regions of internal bleeding and bruises. Many of the injuries appeared to have been sustained consistently for years, and some of them looked recent.

"That lord..." I muttered.

"Operator, it is not wise to get ourselves meddled in another noble's affairs. This girl may well be a slave to this particular lord."

"I am aware of this, Folock."

The girl saw me approaching and gasped.

"Do you still not believe me to be of no harm?" I asked.

The girl pursed her lips.

"Please forgive me... it's just... it's hard for me to trust another man again... every man has hurt me in some way... I'm sorry."

I sighed, as energy surged in my body.

"O- Operator? What are you doing? You can't-"

"Silence, Folock." I commanded, as I resolved out of Hannibal, appearing before her.

The girl's eyes went wide.

"You're... you're a boy!"

I regarded the girl, slowly taking off my Toron visor.

"My name is Dekani Price."

I looked at my reflection from the windows of the Lotuscraft. The gold trim of my Toron Operator Suit shining from the light of the fire that we had made to keep her warm.

"I too, am an elite in society, a noble. But from a different wor- a different country. Far from here."

I sat across from here, as the Hannibal Lance remained motionless in the corner.

For a few minutes, we seemingly sat in silence, until the girl spoke.

"Lorai. My name is Lorai."

"Do you not have a surname?"

"I... I don't have one. I have long since forgotten it."

"What happened?"

The girl gazed at the fire with expressionless eyes.

"From a young age... I was sold to slave traders. From one noble to another, from one commonfolk to another, I was nothing more than a dog to them. They beat me and violated me. Forgive me... Master Price. But... I cannot trust another man again. I simply cannot. Not when I am forced to endure like... like this... I can't."

"And what if I told you I was not like the men you have encountered, Lorai?"

The girl looked at me, tears streaming down her bloodshot eyes.

"Please forgive me, from the bottom of my heart, Dekani. But even if you are a noble from another country... this town is ruled by a greater power, a greater royalty and nobles... there is nothing you can do for me-"

The girl suddenly burst into a fit of coughing, blood staining the log.

"Stay still." I said, as I got up from my feet.

The girl stared at me, her eyes widening.

"Dekani...?"

Teal energy began swirling around me.

"I promise you, Lorai. I am not like any noble you have encountered. I am Dekani Price. Not of this country. My weapons. My equipment. My armours. No man can lay a hand on you unless they can go through me."

I dissolved into teal sparks, resolving into my Faerar Supra armour.

Lorai yelped.

"Master Price, what are you-"

Faerar Ability Three - Rejevenation

Suddenly, Lorai stopped, as teal sparks rose from the ground, flowers and plants sprouting from the ground by her feet. Her injuries healing her wounds, as her body became restored, her hair straightening, until I was face to face with a fully restored Lorai.

I reached out and wiped the grime off her face.

"Do you believe me now?"

Lorai stared at me, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Why... why now..." She muttered.

I got to my feet.

"I understand your fear to be brought into another man's home now. I understand that. So I will ensure you will not go through that pain. But I still want to help."

Faerar Ability Four - Sanguine Forest

More and more plants and vines erupted, until a small hut was formed around Lorai, a bed, a table, and a door, a window, everything taking form before her, the lights of the teal glow of my Lance lighting up the forest.

"Why did I have to wait so long... why did it have to take so long..." Lorai sobbed, as she ran up to me and buried her face in my Lance's chest.

"Why did it take so long for someone to save me!" Lorai screamed, breaking down in my arms.

* * *

"The noble who owns me is Baron Wales Tristam." Lorai said, as the two of us walked down the plaza together.

Many of the townsfolk paid us no attention for the most part, however we did receive the occasional unusual glance.

"That boy... from which house does he belong to?"

"Those gold Commodore ribbons, he's clearly a noble, but I don't recognize those patterns."

Lorai clutched my arm nervously.

"Lord Price..."

I turned to her, realizing that her face had turned pale.

"Operator." Folock chimed in my head.

"What is it, Folock?"

"The one known as Lorai may be suffering from traumatic stress. Her vitals are elevating in adrenaline."

I brought Lorai closer to me.

"Are you afraid of the outside?" I asked her.

"N- No.. I..."

"You don't need to be afraid. I will protect you." I reassured her, as we approached a pub.

Lorai must require sustenance. I had tried to feed her some of the food in the Lotuscraft, but her body was still recovering even after Faerar's Rejuvenation power.

"Come." I told her, but Lorai stood at the door.

"I mustn't. Lord Price."

"Why not?" I asked, gesturing her inside, but before I could say anything else, another stood between us.

"Her kind is not welcome, noble boy." A stoic, well developed man said to me.

I turned to him.

"Her kind?"

The man narrowed his eyes.

"For a noble, you are quite uneducated. I am talking about the Fleym. It is beneath you to take your slave girl to such an establishment. Or even to take yourself to one as lowly as this lowly pub. Someone of your standing should be in the Royal Villa."

I peered at the inside of the pub. A number of people were looking at us curiously.

"What is a noble doing here?"

"Is that his sex slave?"

I walked up to the man.

"I will choose to eat wherever I want. Or are you giving a noble orders, as a guardsman to said lowly pub?"

My face turned into a glare, as the man backed off, nervously.

"I apologize, my lord. Forgive me."

I went up to Lorai and took her wrist.

"Let us go inside."

The server directed us to the far edge of the pub, where I ordered two meals. Lorai was hesitant at first, but I insisted, as she slowly began to eat her fill.

"Lord Price." Lorai said, quietly.

"Something on your mind?" I asked.

"Why are you going so far to help me?"

My eyes wandered to the edges of the table.

Why...

Why would a Valian, who was trained since the Void Incident to ignore the weak, to focus on their own strength, abandon their ideals and help another in need?

Perhaps...

Shane and Rinne suddenly appeared in my mind. The two of them, along with Aurora, walking down the streets of Luam. Speaking highly of their Captain.

Laughing.

Peacefully.

Umbra walking Flippy.

If I had gone forward with my Valian way...

I never would have had Shane Mayen onboard the Lotuscraft as my First Mate. And from Shane, did Rinne and Aurora join.

When the Veil attacked my craft from every direction, I remembered Rinne telling me to do everything I could to keep Shane safe, for her sake.

The Severens boarded my craft and we were overwhelmed.

And I watched as everything that I had built up, all the bonds I had formed with each person aboard the Lotuscraft Crew be torn apart.

I looked at Lorai again.

"L- Lord Price?"

"I..."

SLAM.

"Hey hey hey. What's a Fleym doing in the pub? HUH?"

Four stocky men surrounded Lorai, as her face turned pale.

"Hey. I don't recognize those noble garments anywhere." One of the men approached me.

"Are you really a noble? Or are you playing pretend with this girl over here. If she isn't your property, I'd happily take her off your hands."

Lorai gave me a panicked expression, as one of the men grabbed her wrist.

"No! Stop!"

"Don't resist, girlie. People like you should remember your place in society."

That was right...

As a Valian... we were taught the ways of not just the warrior, but of a noblemen.

We knew never to meddle with the lower caste.

They were not like us.

Uncivilized and void of rationality.

They were not the type of be reasoned with.

And because of that, we were always taught to not be involved with the peasant folk.

But...

Since knowing Shane...

My body moved on its own, slowly rising from my seat.

"What are you going to do? Fake noble?" The man sneered at me, as the other men dragged Lorai away. Her look of terror suddenly turned into a look of hopelessness as she gazed at the exit.

"Lord Price... thank you for... thank you for caring of me. Please don't... please don't blame yourself for whatever happens."

"Silver eyes and white hair? Is that even natural? Or did you go to the extent of using magic to modify your own appearance to look like nobility?" The thug grabbed my collar.

I must not kill.

Killing would escalate the situation. But watching the men handle Lorai so roughly, no one in the pub did anything but look away.

"Dekani." Lorai gasped, as I looked at her.

She had a smile on her face.

"It's okay, Dekani. Don't blame yourself. Don't blame yourself, for a mere Fleym like me."

My own voice emanated in my head.

I've... I've encountered something like this before.

No.

Shane did.

What happened to your previous philosophy? Of not getting involved? There's always multiple sides to the story. Because of what you've done, you're now known for assault. A better way would have been to give her your coins and a small bonus. Let whatever was taken get taken. And have the higher authorities or nobles negotiate with Thresh.

I remembered scolding Shane.

He had fought three Valians that day. It was over a mere orphan child.

But because of his recklessness, his actions had transferred to me. And I was charged with assault.

I scolded him, telling him he should never have gotten involved.

I watched as Lorai was dragged out of the pub by the men, who slammed the doors out. I was still staring at the doors, my eyes wide and my body frozen, still standing, as everybody returned to talking and conversing.

No...

Perhaps it was wrong to be reckless.

But the reasoning was still right.

It was always right.

What kind of Captain... what kind of noble...

What kind of Valian would I be? If I chose to be weak?

I slowly made my way to the exit of the pub, as I heard the men begin chuckling. The sounds of fabric ripping.

Void energy began circulating in my body, responding to my intense rage.

There was no bigger weakness...

Than being a coward.

Each step I took, I began emanating more and more teal sparks and light, until my body's illumination reached the attackers, who turned to me in shock.

"What the hell? It's that fake noble aga-"

"No Hans... that's no fake noble... no peasant could wield magic like that!"

Lorai stared at me, her eyes shining, as my surroundings began to tear apart, swirling around me along with the Void vortex that I was emitting from my body.

"Kill him!" Hans said, as he took out a device.

"Operator... look at those arcanes. They're nothing like the ones in our time."

"Because those aren't arcanes, Folock..." I muttered, as the man fired a ball of flame which caught me dead in the chest. I exploded into teal light.

"Dekani!" Lorai screamed.

They aren't arcanes, Folock. They are runes. Magic runes. The same ones from the Ancient Scribes. My void body taking form.

Deploying Lance.

A hooded suit of armour appeared before me.

I resolved into it, as I took out one hand from my collar.

"What in the- a magic knight?"

"Does that even exist? What kind of magic is that?!"

Harrow Ability One: Conviction

I waved my hand, causing a wave of chains to bind the attackers down.

"Shoot him! Use your spells!"

One of the men tried to summon another rune, but I quickly pulled out a quickfire automatic pistol, the Quall Supra, and fired a series of bullets at them.

Sparks flew as the men were disarmed instantly. Smoke steamed from the barrel of my pistol as I aimed the weapon to the heads of the attackers. My Lance regarding them mercilessly, emanating the highest levels of intimidation, just as Tora Nava had taught us to fight.

"That accuracy... he has to be an elite noble. Run for it!"

I closed my fist, causing the chains to intentionally dissolve. The attackers made haste and ran, save one, who stayed behind.

I slowly walked forward, kneeling before Lorai.

"Come, Lorai. We are leaving now."

Lorai choked back a sob.

"Y- Yes, Lord Price!"

I picked her up, still in my Lance as I walked off.

"Black Knight! You won't get away with this! To attack a squire of a Chevalier is a capital offense! You will be an enemy to the Crown!"

I turned to the man, Lorai still in my arms.

"Let them come." I said, as I walked off.

03

We made our way back to the Lotuscraft, but I noticed Lorai had stopped walking, causing me to move ahead of her.

My Lance slowed to a halt as I turned around.

"I'm so sorry, Lord Price. Because of me, you are now wanted by the Chevalier that squire serves."

I hung my head down, analyzing Harrow Supra's gauntlets. Black with gold trim. A Lance whose abilities manifested through damage to the armour itself.

How ironic it was to wield such a Lance in front of Jessica.

If only such abilities and weapons that I wielded were to be put to good use. On Severens, not lower caste members of a weaker civilization...

And not only that, but I had gone ahead and caused an offense to the squire of this nation's nobility. I highly doubted this would end well.

What was wrong with me? Were the things I had once held of high esteem, and the things that I had tried to teach Shane Mayen just hypocrisy at the end of the day?

No matter how many times I had told Shane to not get involved, here I was doing the same thing.

TEEM.

?

Lorai put a hand to my Lance's chest, resting her forehead against the metal.

"Thank you, Dekani."

I slowly raised Harrow's hand, but froze, unable to comprehend it. My chest, not Harrow's chest, but my chest felt strange.

We returned to making our way back home, as I stayed close to Lorai, still resolved in my Lance.

"Lord Price, may I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

Lorai stared at me.

"Are you alarmed? What is your age, then?"

Lorai put her hands to her chest.

"Seventeen. I... I never realized how young you were."

Lorai turned around.

"Knowing now that my Knight is even younger than I am... I have no excuse to behave the way I'm behaving."

"Lorai..."

"Dekani Price, at sixteen, you've already amassed so much strength, such nobility and wealth, and such an overwhelming arsenal to the point where you could easily overpower any threat that comes my way. But what have I done? I've been nothing but a burden."

"Do you see me as a perfect human being, Lorai?"

Lorai clenched her teeth.

"Of course I do! What's there not to admire? The man who had saved me from my horrific life, who gave me meals to eat, who protected me with his shining armors and his weapons... could may well have passed off as my younger brother."

I gazed at the horizon.

"I am not perfect. Not in the slightest."

"What do you-"

I knelt down in front of her. The glow of my Lance's armoring illuminating her face.

"Can I trust you with this? Promise me you will tell no one."

"Operator! This is unwise!" Folock cried out, panicked in my head.

I ignored Folock, as Lorai slowly nodded.

"Where I am from, we are ranked by Mastery. As soldiers to our Empire, we are the Valian. The Elite of the Elite. The pinnacle of our Empire's technology and innovation. We are their prized jewels, their strongest hand."

Lorai blinked.

"So... the royal guard, in a sense?"

"You can say that. A Valian, fresh from recruitment, is assigned a Mastery Rank of Zero. Moving upwards in Rank requires one to master Lances and weapons, Archwings and Necrons. The more we add to our Arsenal, the higher our Rank increases. Of my brothers and sisters, approximately 85% of us are above MR20. Those who enter the Valian Council are all MR30."

"And... your Mastery Rank is..."

I smiled.

"18. I am MR18, below even the average Valian. In terms of combat proficiency, I am considered weak. A Valian is trained to ignore weakness and to strengthen absolutely every aspect of themselves. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. We think nothing of compassion, unless it adds to our efficiency to carry out tasks as a soldier to the Empire. But for me, I have time and time again let my morals take over, leading to inefficiencies everywhere. To my kind, I am a failure."

Lorai looked away.

"There is no weakness in being kind, Dekani."

I paused.

"I-"

"Being kind isn't weakness, Dekani. Not to me. Even if another one of your kind were here before me, who was stronger than you as you have said, I would still choose you to be more protector and my lord. I will never change anything."

What good was a Valian if they were not strong enough to protect...

My arm went slack, the metal clashing against the sides of my Lance.

That was right.

A Valian had nothing to lose other than Lena.

We were objects of war. We had nothing to lose...

I looked at Lorai again.

"Lord Price... if your heart seeks it, I will always follow you. Even if your brethren were here, I will choose you. Always."

But if I lost Lorai today, I knew my heart would be in pain.

If it meant being an even bigger failure of a Valian...

I choose to be Lorai's Knight.

I slowly got to my feet, laughing.

"L- Lord Price?" Lorai stared at me, as I threw my head to the sky. For the first time.

A Valian must not feel. Nava's voice rung in my head.

"HAHAHA!" I laughed.

A Valian must not show weakness.

I resolved out of Harrow in front of Lorai, my human form struggling forward, as I continued laughing.

A Valian must be strong enough to rely on themselves, and only themselves.

I continued walking forward until I was in Lorai's arms, my laughter mixing with my tears.

"Lord Price! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to- I'm so sorry! I'm sorry!" Lorai panicked, as I continued laughing.

"No... Lorai... that's not it." I replied, as something felt lifted from my shoulders. I was feeling something I had never felt before, it was a feeling I only felt before I had chosen go onboard that craft that day, the day that had changed my life forever.

I felt free.

I breathed out, as I pulled away from Lorai's embrace.

Her face had been restored to optimal health, but there were still hints of something there.

She was still in pain.

I want to make sure she was no longer sad in this world, when I leave it.

"Lorai. I want to free more of your kind." I said.

"Free...? But Lord Price, that's not possible! You're saying you will take on the entire Slave Trade Industry!"

"Do you doubt me, Lorai?"

Lorai shook her head.

"No... but... you would go this far for me?"

"I'm a Knight, right? Then I will do what a Knight does."

* * *

"Folock, waypoint all slave trafficking anomalies."

"Waypointing, Operator."

I narrowed my eyes.

Lena would normally have assigned these missions to me. She would have been my guiding voice, showing me the locations of each captive to rescue. But Lena was not with me this time.

"There's... so many..." Lorai muttered.

"Yes." I said, as I made my way to the landing craft, but someone was trailing me from behind.

"Lorai, from here on, it will be unsafe."

"Please, let me come."

I turned to her, as I resolved into teal sparks, the Loki Lance animating before her very eyes.

"What do you hope to gain by being there?"

Lorai stood her ground.

"These are my people. I deserve to help for my people. I may not look like much, and I may be a Fleym, but I do have magic myself. I wield Earth Magic."

So even in the past, there were still people like Shane Mayen.

I walked to the armory, the plated armor of my Loki's Lance clanking on the ground as I pulled out a sword.

"This is the Buckler Supra. It is a sword. I used to use this weapon with my Monolith Lance, an armour that wielded the Earth."

I held out the sword as Lorai took it, but I didn't release my grip.

"L- Lord Price-"

I remained steadfast, regarding her.

"This mission will be a rescue. You will follow my orders, is that clear, Lorai? That means no recklessness."

Lorai nodded, her face determined, and momentarily flashing to Shane's.

"Understood, Lord Price."

The Landing Craft hovered above the trees of several bandits.

"What kind of magical machination is this?" Lorai asked.

"It's a Lyall Supra. The cloaking is generated by my Lance's Invisibility Augment."

"Incredible..." Lorai whispered.

"Folock, mark enemy."

"Understood, Operator."

The enemy marked up in my HUD.

I see.

This squad was responsible for managing the slave hostages. Three in total. The lackeys were stationed outside. The higherups were closer to the hostages.

"What will we do, Lord Pr-"

I leapt from my Landing Craft, as my Lance went invisible.

I landed on the skull of one of the bandits.

"Wha-"

TOSS.

The man's voice was cut off abruptly, as a kunai sprouted from his forehead.

I waited patiently, still on top of the corpse of the man I had landed on top of, as the marked enemy returned to his spot to find his colleagues dead from an invisible force.

The man opened his mouth to shout, but I took aim with my Silenced Quall Supra, shooting him before he could utter a single word.

"Come." I told Lorai, as we walked deeper into the woods.

"You won't get away with this, bastard!" I heard a small girl's voice, as the sounds of fabric rustling broke the silence. A man had gotten up, and I watched as he grabbed the girl's hair, yanking her against the bars of the cage.

"You're acting all high and mighty still, after everything we did to you and your friends?" The bandit chuckled, as he slammed the girl against the bars over and over again.

The rest of the girls began crying, begging for him to stop.

"The boss only needed five. And we have six here. Do you know what that means, girlie?"

The girl who had mouthed off to the captor glared at him as she was thrown back into the cell, her face covered in cuts and bruises.

"We get to do whatever we want with one of you. And you sure are making that choice super easy."

I heard something shiver, as I found Lorai staring at the man, her eyes wide in terror.

"Calm yourself, Lorai." I said.

"B- But..."

"You'll give away our position."

"I.. I know... I..."

"Operator, the sight of the captor is causing a traumatic response." Folock advised me.

Lorai gasped, as she dropped her sword, which clunked on the ground.

Our stealth was compromised.

I glared at the man, who had found our position.

"Another Fleym? And what, a wannabe knight? What are those horns, pal?"

I slowly got up, walking up to the man.

"Your colleagues have been eliminated. You are all that's left. Will you die knowing you lived a life of filth?" I asked.

The man grabbed the girl and held her at knifepoint.

"Shut up! Or I'll slit her throat. You were here the entire time, right? We only need five. The last can die for all it's worth."

"You monster!" Lorai screamed, but the man laughed crazily.

"Monster?! A Fleym is calling me a monster? Your race once enslaved us all, and now that the tables have turned, you're calling us monsters now? Tell that to my grandparents, bitch!"

I tilted my head.

"The Fleym once enslaved your kind?"

Lorai's face went pale, as the girls were silent.

"Yeah, I doubt that girl told you anything, Knight! I bet she told you how badly her kind was treated, right! But she told you nothing about how her kind had once enslaved us all! It's okay when we were the ones being tortured, but when they are the ones, they never shut their trap about how cruel life is! Such is the double standard! My grandparents went through hell, and now that this opportunity is before me. I am a soldier to my country by doing this!"

"You would use your grandparents' suffering as an excuse to assault children?" I asked.

The man brought the blade closer to the girl's neck, as tears began to brim at her eyes.

"Mister... please... please save them..." The girl's voice broke.

"Lord Price!" Lorai cried to me.

The man gritted his teeth.

"A Noble helping the Fleym?! Have you no respect for your ancestors?!"

I lowered my sword.

"Tell me this, bandit. The Fleym who hurt your grandparents. Are they the children you see before you?"

"Shut up! You're in no position to talk to me like that if you cannot even comprehend the gravity of what their kind have done!"

"These children have nothing to do with what their ancestors did."

"Take one more step and the girl dies!"

I aimed my pistol at the man.

"War is no game. If you choose to fight it. Take it seriously."

"HUH?! The hell are you saying? You really want this kid to die?!"

"In my country, in my home, we once fought a war. Against another nation. My people, my brethren fought them with all we had. Even if it was one soldier against a horde of enemies. If it meant fighting an entire platoon as a single man. We fought without any fear holding us back. It certainly did not involve bullying the weak. If you want to fight a war against the Fleym, I don't see you wielding your swords against their strongest. All I see is half a man with half the resolve looking for something to blame."

"SCREW YOU!" The man shouted, as he brought his blade down, but it was too late.

Loki Ability Three - Switch Displacement

The man suddenly appeared in the center of the camp, as I switched places with him. I took aim with my pistol and fired at the lock across the cage, destroying it with pinpoint accuracy. The girls all piled out and ran to Lorai, crying. All except one.

The man began screaming in disbelief.

"WHY! WHO ARE YOU! WHAT ARE YOU?!"

I aimed at the man's leg and fired, causing him to howl in pain.

"The Fleym of today's age aren't responsible for what their ancestors chose to do. To attack children based off a hate off of a past generation... you're no soldier to your country's cause. You aren't even a man. You are nothing but a failure."

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW-"

"Silence." I resolved out of my Lance and void dashed to the girl who hadn't run to Lorai, my Ensnare Arcane binding the man to the ground.

"What the- you're a kid! What kind of kid fought a war?!" The man gasped, as I stood before the girl, putting my gun in her hands.

"The trigger is here. To unleash the weapon's destruction, aim the barrel at the man's forehead like this, and press the trigger."

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TELLING THAT GIRL! I'LL DO ANYTHING. I'LL... I'LL... I'LL TELL MY BOSS ALL ABOUT YOU, KID. I'LL MAKE YOU WEALTHY."

I regarded the man, as the girl went up to the man, slowly bringing the gun up and pressing the barrel against his forehead.

Tears began to leak down her face.

"I was abused... by you. I was beaten, whipped. And I was forced to watch you hurt my parents, then proceed to KILL THEM." She screamed.

"I hate you... I hate you I hate you I hate you! I... I'll..."

The man began urinating himself and defecating.

"No... no listen to me kid, I'll do anything. I... I know! I saved you! I saved you and- and-"

"SHUT UP!" The girl began trembling violently, the gun aimed right at his head.

"Lord Price! This is too cruel!" Lorai grabbed my arm, but I continued watching.

"The power is in your hands. To get vengeance on this man. Will you do it? Will you kill this man, now that you have the opportunity to do so? His blood will be on your hands, but you will finally get your revenge for what he did to your people."

The girl began sobbing, as she tried her hardest to pull the trigger, but ultimately, lowered the weapon. I walked up to her and took the gun, as the girl ran up to Lorai and cried profusely.

"Why... why didn't you pull the trigger..." The man muttered in utter shock.

"The answer is simple." I said, as I resolved back into my Lance.

"She understands that by killing you, she will become just like you. The hatred will cycle over again. Her parents will have died and will be remembered as her source of fuel to become a killer."

The man's breathing turned ragged.

"That Fleym..."

I slowly turned around, as I led the rest of the captives out of the camp.

"If I return to the boss with this news... there's no... there's no life for me..."

I stopped, as I heard rustling of the man about to attack us from behind.

I immediately spun around and threw a kunai, catching the man's forehead dead center. His corpse slumped on the ground, as I heard screaming.

"The girl may not be a killer..." I said, as the man stared at the sky.

"But I am. Whether I choose to believe myself to not be so, I fought many wars already. My hands have already been stained with blood."

I approached Lorai.

"Come, we will go to the Lotuscraft and figure out if there is a camp for these children to be safe."

* * *

Devana Ability Four: Sentient Arrows

I summoned Devana's bow, the Toron components suspended in Devana's Lance energy.

I took aim with her bow, as I fired six arrows, each arrow catching the necks of each captor, and the last shattering the lock of the cage.

I intentionally left one enemy behind.

"Lorai." I said.

Lorai took aim with my Harkanon Rifles, set to sniper mode.

SNIP.

The man collapsed from Lorai's sniper bullet as the captives were released.

We made our way back to the Landing Craft.

"Lorai, you've improved a lot with that sniper." I remarked.

"Thank you Lord Price. If it wasn't for your incredible marksmanship and mentoring!"

I smiled.

Lorai's ability to complete stealth missions and her ability to keep herself concealed... it was so refreshing to see someone like this after dealing with Shane's recklessness for so long.

If I could...

If I could bring her with me...

Suddenly, SHADE's face flashed in my mind. The day he had intercepted me and several other Valian in that mission.

"Oh, dearest Captain Deka. You can keep deluding yourself, convincing yourself that you are some kind of leader or some sorts. But you will never change who I am. You can never change fate, and you can't change Shane Mayen. I cannot ever be changed. And you will always be fated to fail as my Captain. Always."

"Lord Price?" Lorai peeked at me from the corner of my vision.

I was startled, as I stumbled.

"S- Sorry. Nothing is wrong." I said, as I went to open the door to the Lotuscraft, only to be greeted by a ton of Fleym.

"Welcome home, Master Price!" The Fleym bowed to me.

"What the-"

"Welcome home! Operator! I helped accustom these poor children to their new life aboard the Lotuscraft! I've expanded the architecture to be more of a manor. Dozens upon dozens of rooms! I am now known as the Friendly Spectre of House Price! Isn't that incredible!"

House Price?!

Since when was Mother and Father, who were Lualite Farmers and Hunters, considered nobility?!

"Folock! What have you done?!" I yelped, as one of the girls brought a plate of food to me.

It smelled incredible. The aroma made my mouth water.

"What is this? It smells heavenly." I gasped.

"Foie Gras! Lorai tells me that you are a noble from a faraway country, as someone who has saved all of us, we are in your debt, Master Price. Please let us repay you in full!"

"That really isn't necessary. This is only temporary, at least until we find a better place to-"

"No! We want to stay with you!"

Everybody cheered, as Lorai playfully bumped me.

"I feel the same way, Lord Price. Please, be our benevolent baron."

"Yes!"

"I agree!"

"The only lord I will serve is Master Price!"

"I... uh..."

"Come now, Operator. Don't be so bashful that some of the girls are showing you their affection!"

"They are children, Folock!"

"So are you! I've asked their age, and they all range from ages 14 to 18. You fit right in, Operator!"

I leaned against the edge of the desk, which had now become the "master's quarters".

I was met by many faces that Rinne had once explained to me as "puppy dog eyes".

"Err..."

"Lord Price?" Lorai said.

"Very well." I grumbled.

"I shall be your lord. But this is only temporary, do you understand?" I said.

Cheering erupted in the "Lotus Manor".

04

"Folock, what is the state of the Lotuscraft? What repairs must be made to enable functionality?"

"I'm sorry Operator. Even if you managed to pull off the miracle you did before with Transference, it won't be enough for us to fight the Severens of this time."

"Tch."

I slammed my fist against the dashboard.

I was stranded here.

The Severens were in this time. They were planning on launching a full invasion on the Star System of my time. If I could cripple their forces as much as I could in this timeline, knowing full well now that Lena was here, I could assist my brethren.

But as I was now...

"But I do have some good news!" Folock chimed, happily.

"Really?"

"Your new assassin companion, Lorai, is exceptionally cute! She would make an excellent wife!"

"..."

"Uh.. ah... bzz bzz. My apologies Operator. Merely a technically issue! What I meant was that there is still a way to restore this vessel. The resources on this world can be transmuted using the Foundry. We can transmute the resources and rebuild the key systems we are missing."

"Very well. How will we acquire these resources?"

"I have no idea!"

I leaned away from the dashboard, as the holographic display closed.

"Master Price?" A timid voice peeped from the door of my new office.

I turned around, smiling.

"Please! Come in, Atare!"

Atare was stunned.

"You remember my name?"

"Of course. Why would I not?"

"But there are so many of us... we've normally had our names forgotten by the lords who we served under."

I tapped my temple.

"Well that certainly is quite disrespectful to the people who serve me tea every day."

That wasn't the only reason. A Valian was trained to remember every single detail of a battlefield and their environment. That way, decisions could be made more streamlined using the information memorized on a first sweep.

Atare put a hand to her mouth as she laughed.

"You're a funny lord, Master Price."

"Am I now, Atare?"

I sipped the tea, while Atare stood at my side, the tray in front of her.

"Atare, may I ask you a question about this society?"

"Yes, Master Price?"

"Where may I acquire the following resources?"

I tapped my dashboard, showing the world's resources that I needed for the restoration of the Lotuscraft.

I heard the tray fall on the ground, as I quickly resolved into one of my Lances, my Tesla Supra, appearing before her with my Guandao in hand.

"Atare! What is it?"

Atare's eyes were dilated, and she was shivering in fear.

"D- Don't... please stop beating my sister... please..."

"Your sister? Who-"

I looked at the list again.

I heard footsteps running to my room as an older maid ran up to Atare.

"Shera, what happened?"

Shera consoled her sister.

"It's okay, Atare. I'm fine. I'm here. I was restored by Master Price, do you remember? The armor with the horns of a goat? Do you not remember?"

Atare broke down in tears, as I stood in my armor, stunned.

Shera sighed.

"I'm sorry, Master Price. This had nothing to do with you. What did you ask her?"

"I wanted to know where I could accrue the resources needed for my project. I wasn't aware this would..."

"You wouldn't know. It's okay. There is only one lord who manages the resources you need... it was a lord that my sister and I served under. Viscount Chevalier Fran Saint Mathias."

Atare's sobs became more violent.

The situation quickly became dark.

"I apologize."

"No no. Please don't. There is a way to speak to him. It will be through the Grand Ball of Visier. All the nobles will be attending."

"What must I do to prepare?"

Shera escorted Atare out.

"You will need to bring one servant with you, and establish your nobility. I fully believe you to be a noble, but unless you establish of what you are a noble for, you will be denied access."

"I see."

Shera continued walking, but I stopped her.

"Shera."

"Yes, Master Price?"

"Am I making you uncomfortable for questioning you about this particular noble?"

"No. But he still does terrify me greatly."

"Then..."

"Why can I speak so comfortably? Well..."

Shera smiled at me.

"Because I know you, Master Dekani Price, will protect us."

* * *

"I really appreciate you choosing me, Lord Price. But... I feel unqualified." Lorai said.

"You will do fantastic, Lorai." I reassured her, as we approached the tailor.

"But how are you so confident that he will not banish me for being a Fleym? The Grand Ball of Visier has a high standard of beauty for the servants the noble brings. If they discover you brought a Fleym, it won't just be me who has to suffer the repercussions!"

"Believe me, Lorai. You are plenty beautiful."

"Ah, Sir Dekani. Have you come with interest in our attire? Many nobles have come to browse our wares." The man in the tailor approached us.

"Not for me." I said, as I brought Lorai before me.

"For her."

The man inspected Lorai, as Folock began infiltrating my communications implant.

"Operator, Lorai is under tremendous pressure. Her vitals are elevating."

I ignored Folock, as the man continued inspecting her.

"M... Master..." Lorai whispered, under her breath.

"Hm." The man said, as Lorai flinched.

Seconds felt like minutes, the air was tense, but before I knew it, the man turned to me, happily.

"How blessed are you, Sir Dekani, to have such a fair maiden for a servant! Measurements have been made. Please return to us in two hours and we will have the dress complete."

Lorai stared at me, her eyes shining.

"I'm... I'm beautiful..." Her voice broke.

"You most certainly are-"

Step.

Step.

Step.

I paused, as my blood went cold.

A man... in red and black, walked by the shop window, catching my vision.

He made eye contact with me, his eyes momentarily flashing.

The most bloodred irises I had ever seen.

"Lord Price?" Lorai went up to me, as the man went to the back of the shop to begin adjusting the dress.

My mouth hung open, shock and adrenaline surging through me.

No.

What was...

What was he doing here?

In this timeline?

"Operator! It's him! Why is he here? Why... could he be..."

Lorai put her hands on my shoulders.

"Lord Price? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

The man continued walking into the crowd, but not before flashing a smile. Mouthing something.

"Saint Marx's Cathedral. Rogue Valian."

My hand trembled.

I knew I would encounter them. At some point I would.

But... not when I had Lorai with me.

"Lorai, I will return in two hours. Please stay with the tailor. And do not go outside." I said, as I rushed to the exit.

"Lord Pri-"

SLAM.

I sprinted past the crowds, running as fast as I could to the Cathedral and flung open the doors, revealing the robed man leaning against one of the pillars.

The entire church was filled with bloodied corpses.

"Ah. I had forgotten just how devolved mankind was in this age. The age of sword and sorcery. On every Saturday, the sixth day of the week, these people would congregate in the Cathedral. Those who rely on prayer for power."

"Acolyte Strife. What do you want." I said.

Strife chuckled.

"Well, isn't it obvious? To eliminate you, of course. But see here. Since we are in the past, we must be delicate on who we kill. You knew that much, when you saved the Fleym. They don't matter in the end, in the timeline, their existence is practically meaningless. And so are these, these priests. A full war would bring about destruction to the nation of Orlai. After all."

Strife flipped a knife and threw it at me, but I instantly resolved into Tesla Supra, electricity surging through me as I deflected the knife with my twin Skana swords.

Strife smirked.

"So you chose to fight me through speed and swords. Interesting loadout, Valian Dekani Price."

I glared at the Acolyte.

"If I kill you, Strife, what will the rest of the Acolytes do?"

"Is that even a question, Valian?!" Strife laughed manically as he blasted forward with his scythe, slashing down. But I dodged, stomping on Strife's foot and slashing with one of my Skanas.

But Strife rolled forward, forcing his foot from my grip as he spun midair, trying to catch me with another knife throw.

I deflected the bladed projectile, then another slash from his scythe, then leapt back.

Ability Three: Capacitor Shield

I landed on the ground and spread my arms wide, summoning a shield of electricity, then pulled out an assault rifle, firing through the shield.

The bullets slammed into Strife before he could react as he grunted.

"Tch. As expected from a Valian, I suppose."

Strife dodged and weaved, bullet leaping out of the way and darting across the cathedral to get to my blind spots.

I put my rifle away and redrew my swords, slicing through the shield and absorbing the electricity as I swung, clashing with his scythe once more.

The electricity arced up Strife's scythe and his body as he growled in disdain.

I forced myself forward and pushed him, sending the Acolyte flying into a pillar and smashing it to pieces.

"Rogue Valian, this isn't over!" Strife snarled, but I rushed forward with Tesla's Superspeed, running circles around the Acolyte and delivering hundreds of slashes with my sword to the point where Strife could not keep up.

Pieces of his Severen armor began getting sliced off.

"GRRRR RARRR!"

The sword cyclone ended, until a mangled Strife crumpled onto the ground.

"I'm not... not..."

I lowered my swords.

"I don't have time for Acolyte fodder."

"Heh. And what, you will let me go?"

I hesitated, causing Strife to laugh through his destroyed vocal chords.

"Of course you can't. Valians can't, it goes against your code, doesn't it. Why you always let my boss, SHADOW go. We maim and spread fear amongst the weaker Valians, but you never truly kill us. Because you recognize what we are."

Strife pointed at his chest.

I grimaced, as I walked up to Strife and picked him up with one arm.

"Tell me what the Severens plan to do in this timeline, Acolyte."

Strife cackled.

"Why should I tell you anything?"

From within my Relinquary of the Lotuscraft, I clenched my teeth.

I was not an interrogator. I never had experience extracting information, after all, I was always more of the tame Valians.

And by the looks of it, Strife knew too, because a wicked smile formed on his face.

"Oh dear... never could measure up to your kind, could you Dekani?"

I slammed Strife onto the ground, cracking it. But Strife continued laughing.

"You certainly are one broken child, you know that, Mister Price? Children like you should have screamed when they walked into this Cathedral filled with disemboweled corpses. I bet the Fleym you rescued would have done the same. But not you. Not your kind. You walk in and the first thing you do is you see what killed them and if the attacker would use the same means to try and kill you."

"Enough with your games, Strife-"

"Oh, am I wrong? Valian? You can have all the skill that you want, but you cannot defeat grown ups in a battle of words. You have me at sword edge, yet you cannot even extract a single ounce of intel from me about the Severens. How pathetic!"

"Grrr..." I growled, but Strife remained unfazed.

"I bet you wished you were more like him in situations like this, don't you Dekani?"

"Silence, shut your mouth, don't speak any furth-"

"Oh, you are so easy to infuriate, little boy."

Strife grabbed Tesla's arm and began scratching the armor with his claws, causing sparks to fly.

"I bet if it was Ikes Dronal, he would have been able to figure out our plan by torturing me like crazy!"

I grabbed Strife by the neck and began squeezing.

"Don't you say his name! Don't you dare say his name!"

"Ack! Gah! Hahaha! Are you mad? You're upset aren't you! What did he say, what did he say, after he and that other Valian recruit were slaughtered by my colleagues? That you must never lose who you are, for Arsani's sake? HAHAHA!"

"SHUT UP."

I pressed Strife further into the ground.

"You will not... you will not..."

Strife started choking and wretching.

A Valian.

Must not kill an Acolyte.

They must not kill SHADOW.

Even if you outclass them, you are forbidden. Nava's voice wrung in my ears.

I smashed Strife onto the ground.

"Kill me, Dekani! You know you want to so badly... after everything I did to Ikes. To... to..."

SNAP. CREAK. CRUNCH.

The metallic armor protecting Strife's neck began to buckle from my grip.

As the Toron's most fearsome, elite guard of warriors. You stand for the empire. And these... these taboo beings who serve Gargantua and the Severens. Were once Toron guardsmen themselves, who fight in the suits of Lance armors. To kill them will mean killing your own kind. We cannot allow that. A Valian's strength is unbounded, except for this rule.

"Lose yourself to revenge, hey, isn't that right, kiddo?" A voice boomed in my head.

Strife's eyes suddenly glowing blue. The color of the void.

"Wha-"

KABOOM.

I was sent flying back, my Tesla's armor scraping against the ground, as Strife inched backwards, grabbing his throat.

"Aww... you were so close. Just so close to showing your true elegance, Dekani Price."

Sweat ran down my body in the Relinquary, my eyes wide in horror, as I began panting hard.

I...

I almost tried to kill, I almost tried to go against Nava's teachings...

Strife slowly got to his feet.

"You are a very unusual Valian, Dekani. Despite teaching the Unarmored the Way of the Valian, revealing yourself to Terrans... you've done so much taboo. But you still have the audacity to uphold that old Tora's ideals? You intrigue me."

The Severens were here in this city.

Meaning if they wanted to, they could send their best assassins to take me out.

"Ah... Dekani Price... I feel bad for you. All the pressure of being one of the biggest turning points, one of the most important roles in this war, all loaded on the shoulders of one single Valian. You must be suffering, aren't you."

I gritted my teeth, bringing my blades up.

I figured this would not be as easy as it looked.

The Acolytes of SHADOW would not go down that easily to a mid tier Valian like me.

"We can remedy that." A woman's voice said, as another Acolyte, who looked to be wearing a Slinger Lance, appeared from the corner of my vision.

"No more suffering, Dekani." Another appeared, this time, wearing a Limbo Lance.

The three Acolytes surrounded me.

"We have come to eliminate you, Dekani Price. Following Gargantua's orders."

Gargantua was here?

Before I could process another thought, the one wearing Limbo suddenly materialized in front of me, slashing with his rapier.

The sword tip scraped Tesla's helmet, as I stumbled back, startled.

From the corner of my vision, I could make out the Slinger about to process a movement.

I created an Electric Shield, blocking her barrage of bullets, but Strife closed the distance, catching me in the side with his scythe.

Then the Limbo jabbed me in the chest, bypassing my Lance's shields.

"Such an amateur. Hardly a worthy challenge." Limbo taunted, as the Slinger bypassed the Electric Shield and bombarded me with bullets.

I slid back, blocking a slash from a scythe, then spun and slashed, forcing the Limbo back, as I leapt backwards, firing a volley of bullets at the three Acolytes, causing them to disperse in three different directions.

"What's wrong, Valian?!" Strife chuckled, as he appeared at my side, slashing and scraping my Lance's helmet.

I stumbled.

Limbo appeared in front of me, kicking me in the chest.

POW.

I flew backwards, slamming into a pillar.

Hundreds of impacts suddenly smashed into my breastplate as I felt my armor buckle from the Slinger Acolyte's Peacemakers.

I slid to the ground, my swords and assault rifle clattering to the ground.

I couldn't fight all three of these Acolytes at the same time.

I couldn't beat them.

"Ho? Is this the extent of the Rogue Valian? You really think after pulling off such a pathetic display of power you are in any right to play your part in this war?"

Electricity crackled from Tesla's chassis.

"Why was the most vital role given to the most incompetent Valian in history?"

"Dekani Price? MR Eighteen? More like MR Zero!"

"Personally, I don't know why the Severen's greatest soldier would spare the Toron's worst Valian."

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.

I forced myself to stand, my Lance creaking.

Nava, time and time again, you've said how my fear has bottlenecked my strength.

I...

The Three Acolytes closed in on me, their weapons ready to finish me off.

If I died here.

"This is goodbye, Rogue Failure!"

If they killed me here.

I would never be able to make things up with Shane. With Arsani. Or Rinne.

I won't be able to save Umbra.

I won't be able to save Mom.

Or help win this war.

I knew you would turn to me, when things got rough, kiddo. Your kind always did. The man in the wall said in my mind.

Just this once...

I'll let it all loose.

SLASH.

The Acolytes stopped midair, their eyes wide as I had suddenly forced myself to my feet, delivering a large arc with my swords.

The Limbo severed in half.

"What have you done?!" Strife gasped, as I spun to him.

Tesla Ability Four: DISCHARGE

The other two Acolytes were paralyzed by a large electrical current as I used Tesla's Superspeed to get behind the Slinger, slashing right through her as I impaled the Acolyte with both of my swords.

I ripped the blades out of the Lance at an angle, splitting her apart as I charged Strife.

"I'll kill you all." I snarled.

"Taboo after taboo. You might as well go public with how much of a disgrace to nobility you are, Dekani!" Strife shouted, as he pulled out a bow, firing arrow after arrow at me.

I pulled out my sidearm, a shotgun secondary, and shot the arrows out of the air as I continued shooting forward with Tesla's Speed.

"Get away from me, you monster!" Strife yelped, as I spun my sword in the palm of my hand, throwing it with all my might as it impaled the Acolyte in the shoulder, suspending him in the wall.

Strife smiled.

"You gave up one of your weapons, Price! Your rage has made you blind!"

The Acolyte then fired another arrow, but proceeded with a barrage of kunai knives my way. The weapons embedded themselves into my Lance, disabling all of its limbs as I crashed, smashing into the ground.

But Strife's smirk melted as I resolved out of the Lance in a flurry of teal sparks, my hand charged up with void energy. My eyes full of fury.

"STRIFE!" I roared, as I slammed the Acolyte in the face with a void energy ball, completely disarming and incapacitating him.

Strife's smoking body hit the ground as I stood before him, breathing heavily, my face wild.

I lifted my hand slowly, charging another void blast.

Strife coughed.

"The Grand Ball... he will be there. My kind will be there. As Mimics. We will be... disguised as humans..."

"He?"

"Yes... Lord Gargantua. The Severen King. It doesn't matter how much you know... you stand no chance against the King. One soldier is not enough to defeat an entire army all on his own. Even if that soldier is a Valian."

"It's over for you, Strife."

Strife regarded me.

"Maybe so... but it doesn't matter anymore. Nothing matters anymore."

"Last choice of final words, Acolyte."

"Tell me, Dekani, have you decided what kind of noble you will be for the ball?"

I hesitated.

"That is none of your concern."

Strife laughed gently.

"I'd say... you should stick to what you do best. Being a Valian. You want to be a knight to these Fleym, maybe that should be what you stand for."

"Why are you telling me this? No matter. You will die. This is goodbye."

Strife watched as the void energy began disintegrating his body, but he didn't look at all alarmed.

"Because my life is over. I don't have to play puppet to that bastard Nero anymore. None of us who have slain to you need to. Our strings are severed. If only Lena's-"

"Wait. Did you just say Lena?"

Strife smiled as his body blackened, flaking away.

"Wait! Don't die! What do you mean strings? Lena's strings?" I shut off the void energy, but it was too late, as the Acolyte fell apart into black dust.

I fell on my knees before the carnage of the Cathedral. The corpses everywhere. Blood staining the entire place.

"What the hell am I doing." I closed my eyes.

This entire time...

Instead of joining the rest of the Valians in the front, I chose to go back in time.

My reasoning was to save Shardis Licita to keep him from becoming SHADE. And to also bring Lena back to our side, defeating the Severens on the front of the past.

That was the plan.

But what did I end up doing?

I angered Shane. I left him alone while I decided to pursue Lena in the Veil. I got myself captured and ended up here.

Then I threw away my ideals of being the type of Valian who would only kill if necessary to protect my brother, when Arsani never needed my protection in the first place.

I resolved back into Tesla, but the armor buckled. It was too damaged from my fight against those three Acolytes.

"Discharge." I muttered, as I commanded my Lance to unleash a wave of electricity to disintegrate the corpses of the innocent people Strife had slaughtered.

I left the Cathedral, opening the door. There was no one around in this sector. Strife had chosen wisely.

I ordered Folock to retrieve the damaged Tesla Lance as I made my way to the tailor.

"Lord Price!" Lorai laughed, as she ran up to me, nearly tripping on her new white dress.

"Be careful when you run, Lorai!" The tailor called after her.

Lorai's smile and appearance sent a ripple across my body, momentarily taking me aback.

Your new assassin companion, Lorai, is exceptionally cute! She would make an excellent wife!

A partner...

When the Void Incident happened, I was only thirteen years old. From thirteen to sixteen, I was taught and raised as an instrument of war. Ballard and the Toron noblemen forced us to ignore our mourning for our deceased parents. We were forced to suppress and eliminate our emotions to become warriors.

After we had slaughtered the Toron Empire, some of us decided to pursue things that we never had the opportunity to experience during the Old War.

Quorra Lavine was an example of one of the Valians who decided to try to pursue love.

Love...

But now that the New War was happening, did I...

Was I allowed too?

"Lord Price? What's wrong?" Lorai asked.

"Nothing has happened. You look incredible, Lorai." I lied.

I had a suspicion that Lorai knew I was keeping something secret, but she made the decision to not pry.

"I look forward to the Ball with you. I... never imagined myself going to any Ball in general. You've really... changed my life. Thank you Dekani." Lorai bowed her head.

For some reason, speaking to her made my body feel at ease.

I was still very much alert of the impending situation, but suddenly, everything that had previously felt overwhelming, no longer felt... impossible.

I smiled, taking her hand.

"Then shall we take our leave?"

"Yes, Lord Price!"

Lorai changed back to her casual outfit, as we made our way to the exit, when suddenly, the tailor called out to me.

"Master Price?"

"Yes?" I answered.

"I haven't heard of a noble like you. But your clothes make it obvious that you certainly are a noble. What does House Price stand for?"

I hesitated.

What did we stand for?

"I-"

CRASH.

A boulder came flying out of nowhere, destroying a nearby establishment as I heard a loud roar erupt from the villa. A wave of screams rippled across the entire plaza as I saw numerous people fleeing from a singular spot.

"The Juggernaut! The Juggernaut is on the loose! Call the Knights!"

The tailor screamed, running to the edge of the shop.

"Run! Save yourselves!"

I looked at Lorai, who was frozen in fear.

I grabbed Lorai and headed out, but was overwhelmed by numerous people who were trying to flee.

"Noble! You must not be out here! Please, allow us to contain the threat!" A Knight shouted at me, but stopped, as the silhouette of a man came flying his way. The man crashed into the ground, his armor buckled in a number of places as I could hear the sounds of large footsteps becoming louder and louder.

"Lorai, we must leav-"

My eyes widened, as Lorai collapsed on the ground, putting her hands over her head.

"No... no more... please stop... please stop... please stop..."

"Lorai?" I knelt down in front of her. She was shivering violently.

"The Juggernaut is here. Protect the women and children. Don't worry, Lorai, you'll be fine. You'll be fine." Lorai whispered in a trance.

"Lorai!" I shouted, as I grabbed her face. She stared at me, petrified.

"Daddy..." Lorai sobbed, as a massive shadow loomed over me.

I turned around to see a large chunk of concrete ground the size of several houses come flying to our direction.

The Knight in front of me summoned a rune, firing a bolt of flame at the concrete, but to no effect.

"Shit! I can't stop it with my magic! No... we can't get away in time!" The Knight yelped.

I slowly got to my feet, walking forward, to the Knight's disbelief.

"My lord! Please get back to safet-"

"You cannot stop that projectile. Even if we ran, we would be flattened. The outcome would be the same."

The Knight fell to his knees.

"You are... correct... I apologize, from the deepest depths of my heart. I have failed you, great noble."

I looked at Lorai again.

What kind of noble would I represent? What kind of noble would House Price represent?

I remembered all of the Fleym children who welcomed me home. The children who I rescued, and had given shelter to through my Lotuscraft.

"Folock, deploy the Monolith Lance."

"Deployed."

"Very good."

The Knight stared at me.

"Who... are... you..."

Teal energy swirled around me.

"My name is Dekani, of House Price. I shall defend Lorai with my strength."

I resolved into Monolith, a towering eight foot Lance, of black and brown armor. The gold trim gleaming in the sunlight, as I recoiled a fist.

Monolith Ability One: Tremor

I ran forward and leapt into the air, unleashing a devastating haymaker which shattered the rock into hundreds of pieces. The powder drizzling from the sky as I landed on the ground before the Juggernaut, who roared at me. A monster the size of a multi storied building.

The Juggernaut swung at me, but I lifted my hand caught the punch effortlessly. Against the Monolith Supra, there was no physically stronger Lance.

"I, Noble Dekani Price, challenge you to battle, creature." I said, as I pushed the Juggernaut away.

05

ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR.

The Juggernaut slammed the ground, sending dozens of spikes in my direction.

I took out the giant hammer from Monolith's arsenal and smashed the ground, retaliating with a shockwave which blasted the spikes apart.

"What is this creature?" I asked.

The Knight slowly got to his feet.

"I... I'm honestly not sure myself. The Juggernaut is a Class 5 security threat used by nobles such as Baron Tristam and Viscount Chevalier Fran Saint Mathias. Were they unable to keep it under control?"

Baron Tristam?

I looked at Lorai again, who continued trembling.

I see.

This monster was one of Tristam's beasts, the same lord who had previously owned Lorai.

Meaning there was a possibility he had let it loose once more in response to Lorai never returning to his home.

I calmly stood before the Juggernaut as it snarled, rushing forward with incredible momentum.

"That momentum will be your downfall, creature." I said, as I slowly took out my Arma Plasmus Shotgun, a super heavyweight radiation blaster capable of destroying meteors.

Only Monolith had the strength to wield such a weapon.

SHICK SHICK.

I loaded the shotgun and took aim, but before I could do anything, a rune suddenly appeared before the Juggernaut.

KABOOM.

An explosion sent the Juggernaut to the ground, halting its forward charge.

"That's enough of you, rampant beast." An older man's voice said from above, as I looked upward, to see a man floating in the air. He wore a long blue trenchcoat, with a helmet that had two large antlers that sprouted from the top.

The Knight gasped.

"Hero Valefor! It's... it's an honor, sir!"

Valefor regarded the Juggernaut as he descended rapidly, stomping on its head. The monster groaned in agony.

People began to come out of their hiding spots.

"The Legendary Hero of the Zenith? Is that really him?"

"It is! We are saved!"

Zenith?

I looked at my gauntlet. The symbol of the Zenith momentarily flickering in my hand.

Zenith was a Focus School of the Valian.

Why was he called the Zenith?

"Noble Warrior." Valefor approached me, as he bowed.

"I apologize sincerely for taking your glory, but a lord must make their lady their priority. Above all else. I cannot stand idly by when a lord must fight while their lady is in pain."

My lady?

My eyes went wide from the Relinquary.

Lorai.

I spun around.

"Lorai? Where are you?"

Lorai gripped my armor, as I looked down. Her delicate frame was clutching the waist of my Lance. The size of Monolith made it so that I never realized just how small Lorai really was.

"Lorai..." I knelt down in front of her.

"You are safe, that beast won't hurt you."

Lorai shivered.

"No... His Grace knows I never returned... he knows I never returned to the manor. He wants me back, Dekani. He wants me back, I don't want to go back!"

I gripped her shoulders.

"As long as I am here, he can't do anything to you."

Valefor approached me once more.

"This girl... your Lady is a Fleym?"

I glared at the Hero.

"Do we have a problem?" I asked, my voice dangerously low.

Valefor shrugged.

"Not for me, I am one who doesn't see race. But it is a problem for many nobles here. You are very unorthodox, Noble Knight. But if it is true that this girl belongs to Baron Tristam, you are politically not able to keep her under your custody."

Guards began to file in, surrounding the Juggernaut.

"We must alert Lord Tristam right away about this incident. Someone will have to be executed. Who was the lowly Fleym who watched the Juggernaut?"

"I believe it was Seras."

"Have him flogged for his incompetence. He will receive a harsher punishment for when His Grace hears of this."

Lorai made a squeaking sound.

"Stay behind me." I told her quietly, as Lorai obliged.

Valefor gave Lorai a sympathetic expression, as he was surrounded by cheering townsfolk.

We made our way back to the Lotuscraft. Lorai clutched my Lance's hand tightly.

"Dekani." Lorai said. I turned to her, noticing her hollow expression.

"Lorai, I will figure something out. Trust me-"

"You cannot. I thought... I thought I could stay with you as long as Baron Tristam no longer needed me, but it seems he... he still wants me in his manor. I am legally his property, not yours. I know you possess unfathomable military might. But strength can only get you so far in a society. Military Strength will always bow down to Politics."

Lorai let go of my hand, forcing a smile on her face past her tears.

"It's going to be okay, I'll be okay, Dekani. You don't have to... to... worry about me..."

I clenched my fist.

"Who are you trying to convince, Lorai? Do you truly believe I will let you go back to that tyrannical bastard's manor after everything he has done to you?"

"THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO, LORD PRICE!" Lorai screamed, as she collapsed onto the ground.

"There's nothing you can do! Baron Tristam is well respected and is a high ranking noble to the level of a Hero! In the end of the day, you are an unnamed and unknown Noble who's strength lies in a faction that doesn't translate to the strength needed in Orlai. It's not possible. His Grace has everything against you, from political power, to age and wealth. You... you have to let me go... Dekani, please... just let me go..."

"There has to be a way." I said.

"There is." Valefor replied, materializing before us, before bowing.

"Brave Warrior Dekani Price."

I quickly dashed forward, putting distance between the Hero and Lorai.

"State it." I said.

Valefor raised an eyebrow.

"Here in Orlai, there are five heroes. I am one of the five, the hero of Zenith. My mastery is in the Arcane. The Juggernaut, a Class 5 threat, ordinarily cannot be contained by traditional magic or strength. Very few can best it in combat, which is why it is Baron Tristam's prized possession. Yet as I watched, you were able to single handedly best the monster in combat with little to no effort. You are not a Hero, but even for a noble, such a feat is incredibly rare."

The Hero of Zenith pointed at me.

"There is a way to claim Lorai, from one noble to another. But I will only tell you how through a duel."

I narrowed my eyes, as I slowly took out my Warhammer.

Lorai gasped.

"No, Lord Price! Don't fight him! That's the Legendary Hero of the Zenith! You won't win!"

Valefor smiled.

"You are a special noble, Master Dekani. Show me that strength that you displayed against the Juggernaut."

ZIP.

"Wha-"

The Hero appeared in front of me, to my disbelief, as he slashed upward with his sword, slicing through my shields.

I leapt back, clutching my breastplate.

"Operator, what kind of speed was that?!"

Valefor began bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"Amplificus. To Amplify oneself. Your armor truly is advanced, to be able to sustain my strike like that. Not many can boast about surviving my attacks."

Valefor rushed forward again, overwhelming my sight.

But I focused, noticing his movements were more jagged this time.

He was going for a feint.

I gripped my hammer and unleashed a wide arc from behind, forcing Valefor to retreat.

"Intelligent decision, Dekani! Incredible!"

I stomped on the ground, summoning two stone golems to charge the Hero, but before they could even gain form, the golems were sliced to pieces.

"Come now, warrior, after witnessing my speed, you would still resort to slow attacks?"

SHINK.

The Hero closed in with a stab which embedded the sword deep into Monolith's armor.

"Lord Price!" Lorai screamed.

The metal creaked as I took a step back.

"I see... perhaps I may have well overestimated your abilities, Dekan... what?" Valefor gasped, as I gripped his sword, which was suspended in a mass of stone armor.

Stone armor that was created instantly the moment the Hero had destroyed my golems for me, their parts cladding my Lance.

Valefor was much faster than Monolith. But Monolith's design as a Lance was never for speed to begin with.

I flung Valefor and smashed him to the ground.

"Ard!" Valefor said, as a blue force field negated the impact. The Hero made distance, leaping backwards as I slammed the hammer against the ground with more strength, unleashing a shockwave that made its way to the hero.

"Ard!" Valefor chanted once more, the impact knocking him back.

I ran forward, taking out my shotgun with both hands and loading the weapon. I took aim and fired a blast of radiation at the Hero, who tried to negate it with another magical spell, but the energy wave shattered his rune, forcing him on the defensive.

"What kind of... magic is that?!" The Hero gasped, as I fired relentlessly until the magazine was depleted.

Valefor, seeing his chance, returned to the offensive and began slashing at me wildly, shattering my stone armor, and tried cutting into me by breaching my distance.

"Wide open, this is checkmate, Master Dekani!"

The blade inched closer and closer to Monolith's neck, when suddenly, the barrel of my secondary firearm appeared before him.

"Impossible!"

CHOOM.

I fired a massive ball of energy from my Kitgun, catching him in the face.

I got to my feet to finish him off, when suddenly, hundreds of runes appeared around me.

"Igna Infinitum!" Valefor clasped his hands together, as the runes exploded, dealing severe damage to my Lance.

I dropped my guns and shielded my Lance as best as I could.

Valefor landed on the ground before Lorai.

Lorai ran up to me, but Valefor held her back.

"Fleym girl. You will not interfere."

"No! Let me go! Dekani is-"

"Why would you go so far as to resist an order from a Hero?" Valefor asked.

"I don't care! If it's for Dekani, I would... I would go against god himself!" She screamed.

The smoke parted, as I undid my guard.

Valefor paused, staring at me.

"How did you... survive a point blank Igna Infinitum?"

Lorai stopped resisting.

"L- Lord Price!"

I calmly marched forward, smoke billowing from parts of my Lance that had been destroyed.

"Very impressive, I never expected warfare from this country to damage my armor this much." I remarked, as I drew my hammer and knelt down to charge once more, but Valefor dropped his sword.

"No. That is enough. I concede."

Lorai stared at him.

"What?"

Valefor laughed.

"I may have fought at 50% capacity, but battling Dekani, I have realized that he isn't even using 10% of his power. I admit defeat."

I lowered my hammer.

"If that is the case, tell me how to claim Lorai from Baron Tristam."

Valefor blinked.

"You defeated a Legendary Hero of Orlai and the first thing that comes to mind is that?"

"I don't care about that. I want Lorai away from that tyrannical noble. That is the only reason why I accepted your duel."

A laugh cut the tension, as the Hero threw his head back.

"You are indeed, a very interesting noble. Please, Dekani Price. Come out of that armor. I know this is not your true form."

I hesitated, as I slowly resolved out of my Lance, stepping out and standing before the Hero of Zenith.

Valefor smiled.

"The great noble who bested me in combat is a mere schoolboy. Ah... how the jests that will come for me once the other heroes find out."

"Enough stalling, Valefor. Tell me how to claim Lorai."

"Very well. The solution is to initiate a Noble Stakeout. A war game."

"War game?"

Lorai grabbed my arm.

"You can't be serious! Baron Tristam has a gargantuan following of guardsmen at his disposal and his fortress is immense! That isn't fair for Dekani!"

Valefor tilted his head.

"This is how Orlai works, dear Fleym girl. If Dekani values you so greatly. Will he overcome such an obstacle?"

"Baron Tristam will be at the Great Ball of Visier. Is that correct?"

"Yes." Valefor nodded.

"As will I. And many others. If you choose to challenge Baron Tristam to a War Game, it will be in front of many others, including the Queen herself. Who knows, if you are successful in overcoming such a hurdle, you may even be chosen to serve the Queen. There is no greater honor. And House Price will gain even more prestige."

"I will do whatever is necessary."

The Hero shrugged.

"All I must say to that is, I wouldn't underestimate Tristam's connections. As someone who is aware of what you are capable of."

* * *

A few days went by, and time passed.

It wasn't long until the day of the Great Ball of Visier arrived.

Folock insisted on helping me dress in my attire.

"Only the best of Toron Noble robes for you, Master Operator!"

"This is no different than the Toron Operator suit I use in missions, Folock..." I grumbled, as several robotic appendages tried to assist me, but instead, they ended up getting in my way.

"This has more class! My sensors and calculations never lie."

"Hmm..." I mulled, as Folock yelped.

"Please don't look at me like that! I'm doing my best, Operator! Excuse me for not being as perfect as Yelena from the Thresh Orbiter. I am a broken Dataform after all."

I glanced at the far side of the Lotuscraft/Manor.

"You look so pretty, Lorai!"

"I... oh umm... oh dear, but it was Lord Price who-"

"Pish posh, you need to have more confidence in yourself. You are elegant and beautiful. Now let's see your curves."

"Huh? Wha- what are you doing?!" Lorai yelped.

Folock hovered next to me in Sentinel form.

"Operator, do you like her?"

"I am fond of everyone here, Folock."

"You know that is not what I meant."

A vein popped on my forehead.

"This is foolish. I should be focusing on my mission. I should be fighting Severens, and taking them down and... and..."

"Operator, you are blushing."

I swatted Folock away.

"What am I doing, Folock? Dressing up, going to a ball. Having these feelings. Umbra is still out there, suffering and fighting a false illusion. Shane, Rinne, and Aurora, I have no idea what has happened to them. Arsani... every day I worry for my younger brother who does not even remember the surname that he was born with. There are so many things at stake, yet... yet..."

"Dekani Price." Folock said gently.

I sat down at my desk.

"You never refer to me by my name."

"You may not want to hear this from an old Dataform like me. But... while it is good that you recognize the gravity of your situation, you cannot let it consume you. Everything you are doing guides your mission. The ball, approaching that noble for supplies acquisition. Is it not for the mission? To rebuild our vessel?"

"And how would you explain my actions regarding the Fleym? On Lorai? What about that? A War Game with Tristam? None of this was necessary. I should have..."

"If you had not saved Lorai, you would go to that ball without a Lady."

I pursed my lips.

"Is it wrong to save a girl crying out for help? Do you believe that to be so wrong, Operator?"

"To be covert, Tora Nava would never have approved. This is not the Valian way."

"Forget about the Valian code, Operator. Forget about the Valians, Nava, the Toron. Forget about it all and answer truthfully. Would you have saved Lorai if you had the strength to do so? What does your heart say?"

I put a hand to my chest.

"You are flawed, Folock. As with me."

"And perhaps it is because we are so flawed, so broken, such failures, that we can see past the absurdity of the way the Toron did things. As ironic as this sounds, the Toron Empire is the past. The Scrava, the Corpo, this is how it is now. There is no more upholding any remnants of a civilization long gone. The Fleym you have rescued from the slave trade, they all look up to you and have chosen you to be their lord. Perhaps this may not be what your Toron noblemen would have wanted. But..."

Folock reached out and pulled something from the drawer, revealing a family photo.

I gasped.

"Wouldn't your mother and father of peasant bloodlines be proud of the boy they had raised? A Hero and Knight to the Fleym. There is no greater honor than to have someone adore you. And that is the case with the Fleym who willingly and out of their accord serve you."

I took the photo, looking at it.

Mother, not Lena, but the parents that I had known, from before the Void Incident. I was smiling along with Arsani, Mom and Dad, in the small hut we used to live in.

They never understood Toron elegance, because they were never a part of the nobility. It was only once did I become a Valian, fought uncountable battles against the Severens, completed numerous war campaigns for the Toron Empire, did I rise to nobility status along with my brethren.

We were picked up by a carriage, and escorted to a castle, where the Queen resided. The ball was spectacular, and as I was told, every pair was an affiliation. Either the man or the woman was the noble, and the other was a servant.

I walked past a two man pair, with Lorai gripping my arm.

I glanced at her. Lorai's blonde hair was tied up in a bun, elegantly curled hair sat neatly across one of her exposed shoulders.

I don't care! If it's for Dekani, I would... I would go against god himself!

"Lord Price? Is something the matter?" Lorai frowned.

"Eck!" I coughed, adjusting myself.

"N- Nothing." I stammered, as we continued to the main hall.

Several voices from the nobles overtook the ball.

"Master Rill, it has certainly been a while!"

"Indeed it has! How is the wife. I imagine the children are still enrolled in the prestigious Zera school?"

"Of course! Did you think I would send my daughters to a school for the disgusting Fleym? All the girls there remind me of the swine one of my servants butcher!"

The other man bellowed in laughter.

I noticed Lorai's expression begin to sulk.

"Lorai."

"Yes, Lord Price?"

"Pay no heed to their words. You alone would be far more beautiful than the daughters of that noble."

Lorai's face flushed red.

Why did she turn red?

"Very good, Operator. You are just a few steps away from asking for her hand in marriage." Folock said.

"Wha-" I choked, as I heard the bastard Dataform laughing in my communications implant.

"Fancy seeing you here, Master Dekani." A familiar voice said, as Lorai turned around.

"Hero Valefor!" Lorai said, happily, her face gleaming.

"Dearest Lorai. How stunning you are tonight!"

A flash of annoyance appeared in my head, for some reason.

"Valefor." I greeted the Hero.

"Awwww Vally, this is so boring! Can we have some juice!" A girl whined, as she walked to the Hero's side.

"WHA- who's that?!" The girl squeaked.

"This is Dekani Price. Dekani, this is Lady Nima Zera, an aristocrat and magic instructor to the school of Zera, a magic institution for girls."

"It is a pleasure to meet you." I shook her hand, but before I could do anything, Nima pulled me in.

"Are you married?"

"Uh, come again?"

"You're my age, are you not? You're the Knight who bested the Hero of Zenith in combat, are you not? Unmarried? House Price and House Zera, together. Can you imagine the children that we can produce together?"

"Ch- child... children..." I stammered, when suddenly, a sharp twinge pinged my arm.

"Lord Price..." Lorai whispered, her voice surprisingly cold. I never saw this side of her before.

"S- Sorry." I muttered, as Valefor laughed.

"Valefor, did word spread that quickly?" I asked.

"Yes. My reputation... my poor reputation... even my servants jest at me."

Nima laughed.

"Yes! Even mine too. Come to think of it, I don't think there is a single noble here who hasn't heard."

"Ah. How... fantastic." Valefor grumbled.

"HOH?" A man said, as he approached us. He was very large, at least six foot five. To his side, was an elegantly dressed woman with narrow raven black eyes and jet black hair.

"The Hero of the Zenith, conversing with the noble boy who defeated him? How the Heroes have fallen! Such a tragedy! Luckily, my Lady will never fall to your level. She is my star for House Saint Mathias!"

"House Saint Mathias?"

This was the noble I needed to speak to about resource procurement.

"It is an honor to meet you, Viscount Chevalier Fran Saint Mathias." I bowed.

Fran raised an eyebrow.

"On what terms should I acknowledge you?"

The Lady narrowed her eyes at me.

"Dekani Price. Of House Price. Currently, no representation of any aspect of society. An unnamed, unknown noble. But his feat of defeating Hero Valefor of Zenith has earned him incredible respect in this congress."

Fran spat on a hankerchief.

"Lyla!" He called out, as a girl hurried her way to Fran's side.

"My Greatness..." She muttered, as the Viscount dropped the hankerchief in her hands.

"Dispose of this trash. Garbage should be with garbage after all!"

Fran laughed loudly, attracting the attention of several other nobles in the ball.

"Oh dear, Fran is having fun with that Fleym girl without us again."

"Fran will always be Fran!"

"Save some fun for the rest of us, Chevalier Saint Mathias!" One noble called out.

Nima's eye twitched in annoyance.

"Hey, Fran. Don't you think you're being a little rude to the Queen by bringing more than one servant?"

Fran picked his tooth, then placed the toothpick in Lyla's hands once more.

"Huh? The Fleym are nothing. I brought one servant today, and that is Heroine Gaveal of Madine. That Fleym girl is entertainment for me, or am I not allowed to enjoy myself after everything I have done for Orlai?"

I bit back my boiling rage.

Focus, Dekani.

Focus.

You are a Valian.

When the moment calls for it, dull your hatred. Cease the emotion.

This is a mission.

Focus...

"Your brutality is very unelegant, with all due respect." Nima said, but Fran shrugged.

"To be brutal to such garbage is part of the job of being a noble of Orlai."

Nima's face looked murderous, but Fran was largely unaware of this, as he turned to the nobles who were watching the conversation.

"Am I not wrong? Must I recite the teachings the same teachings that we teach to schoolchildren? Of the disgusting Fleym? It is no sin to hurt those who once hurt us. I have heard of the Fleym who had caused my Juggernaut to run loose. I had him flailed and flogged for seventy two hours, without rest."

"Mmm!" A noble voiced her approval, as Fran continued.

"And that time, the Fleym went against me, after the hospitality I gave to them! I was such a kind and benevolent leader, but just once, I wanted to bring one of the Fleym to bed. And they were all against it!"

I heard a gasp, as I turned to Lorai, who had her hands over her mouth.

"Lady Price? What's wrong?" Nima said.

"The Juggernaut that day... it wasn't Baron Tristam's?"

I glared at Fran, who continued.

Focus. Keep your composure, Dekani.

"So what would you guess I did? Hm? Great Nobles of Orlai, what do we do to those traitorous Fleym who had our kind enslaved so long ago? After all of my forgiveness to them and my hospitality I had offered them... only to have it spat at my face? What do you think I did?"

The entire ball went silent.

Lorai looked like she was trying to keep it together. The more her sobs escaped her, the more furious I became.

I glanced at the dishes and food on the long tables beginning to vibrate, responding to my anger.

This is for the mission.

"No forgiveness. I had them trampled. And not just mine. But also Tristam's, at his request."

Don't give in.

"The men first, their limbs broken and torn apart by the Juggernaut."

Don't let him aggravate you.

"Then came the women. Their bellies trampled to keep them from birthing more of their disgusting kind."

Valians don't lose their composure.

"Then the children. How they cowered, even after standing to me."

Don't do it.

Don't do it, Dekani.

"I made them scream, as they watched their parents get torn, limb by limb."

I felt something shuffled.

It was my feet.

I was marching to Fran, my hand reaching out, vibrating with void energy.

Don't... DON'T... DON'T GET INVOLVED.

"Ah, dearest Fran." A man said, as I froze, my eyes still wide in rage, yet my face calm as ever.

The man looked exceptionally beautiful, with long black hair that reached his waist.

"We can't have that, we are all at the Ball. We must enjoy ourselves!"

Fran calmed down, bowing to the man.

"I apologize. I must have caused such a scene!"

I breathed heavily, as the man turned to me.

And for some reason, it felt like every fiber in my body wanted to run.

Fear suddenly replaced my rage I had experienced earlier.

Because looking in his red eyes, I felt like I was looking into the souls of millions, millions upon millions.

An endless void of... of...

"Lord Dekani of House Price. Please tend to your Lady."

A breath escaped me, as Lorai took my hand.

"Lord Price... I'm sorry. I am okay now. I'm... Lord Price?"

I realized I was trembling from head to toe, at the sight of this man that I knew, without a doubt.

Was someone I could not defeat. Even if I had... the Lotuscraft fully restored. Even if I had my full arsenal and might restored... Even if I was still with the Valian Gladiator Alliance...

"Oh dear, cat got your tongue? Was Fran's inspiring speech too much for you to handle?" The man smiled maliciously.

"S- Sorry! Dekani isn't from around here." Valefor stepped forward, smiling politely.

The man nodded, returning the smile.

"I know. After all, Dekani and I are from the same country, isn't that right?"

I gulped.

"Y- Yes."

Lorai and Nima looked at me, shocked.

"Really?"

The man laughed.

But I didn't find it funny.

Not at all.

The man took off his hat.

"Of course. It is an honor to hail from the same country, to be a noble from where I, Lord Gargantua, am from. Now if you will excuse me, I'd like to have a word with my dearest Dekani Price. In private."

06

"Fire the Railjacks! Full Ordnance!" Achel shouted, as we all readied our Railjacks together as one force. Our Forward Artillery, aimed square for Gargantua's enormous Severen form.

So this is the full might of the Toron's finest legion of warriors. The... Valian. You have slain my children for long enough. You will not harm my precious Luna.

"We will drive the King of Severens back." Flynn shouted, as I readied my weapons.

Thousands upon thousands of rays of light shone at Gargantua, as we unloaded our strongest, most powerful, explosive, Railjack Forward Ordnance at the King.

Explosions filled the air, scattering the Severen fighters who were trying to support their King.

But once the explosions subsided and the smoke cleared, Gargantua remained, unharmed.

I am the Devourer of Worlds. The Destroyer. The Consumer. The Father of all Severens. From me, did many more emerge to conquer this System. Valians of the Toron Empire, you shall all fall. All eight thousand of you have gathered here before me today. None of you shall leave this battlefield alive.

I was...

In the midst of the King of the Severens. The father of all.

The Severen who had survived all of our Ordnances that day in the Old War, and had killed and devoured many of us.

His very ghost was feared by everyone, even those in the High Council of the Valians.

And when he was killed in the Old War, the very mention of his name still sent chills amongst those who were foolish enough to use it in vain.

Even the Toron Corpo, a remnant of a once thriving empire, had great fear of him, referring to him as the "Bogeyman of the Severens".

Back then, I was terrified of this particular Severen, but at least I had my brethren before me. We shared that fear together and suppressed it.

But now... the nightmare has returned.

And there was no one I could bear it with.

For I was just one lone Valian, walking and trailing Gargantua in the hall of the great castle of Orlai.

"It was only a matter of time, until we crossed paths, little Valian and his broken senile Dataform." Gargantua smiled at me.

Folock began making whimpering sounds.

Sweat poured down my back, as I suddenly found it very difficult to breathe.

"So this is what Strife meant..."

"Ah, so even Strife has turned. That must mean he has been killed. Is that right?"

A shiver ran down my spine, as Gargantua approached me, putting an arm around my shoulders. His fragrance...

It smelled so artificial.

"Surely, you wouldn't get in the way of our plan to conquer the Star System, would you? Little Valian." Gargantua purred into my ear.

I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat.

"Are you afraid of me, Dekani Price? Fear is not the Valian Way."

Gargantua murmured, as he began to lick my ear.

"I can taste the fear in your sweat, puny void devil."

"Why... why have you come." I managed to get out, as Gargantua let go of me.

"Why have I come to the Ball of Visier? Well, the timeline is certainly a very delicate object. Even if it is shrouded by the Void. But make no mistake, you cannot stop us. Because stopping us from this front would mean facing me. Can you really do that all alone, when your entire brethren couldn't even harm me that day?"

I glared at Gargantua, who licked his lips.

"No. Human. Linked with the Valian. Will be left alive, when we are done."

My heart skipped a beat, as Gargantua pushed himself off the castle pillar, walking past me, but not without putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Let us continue this charade of pretend, Master Dekani. Perhaps this may be the best for you. Why don't you marry that little Fleym girl of yours and start a family? Forget about your Valian mission. Forget about being a Valian all together and settle down with her. Such a fate would surely, and most definitely be..."

Gargantua flashed me a murderous smile.

"The most merciful ending you will get."

I clenched my fist as I watched Gargantua return to the ball.

Lorai had her hands clasped in front of her.

She saw me and gave me a warm smile, which made my chest well up.

"Come, Lorai, everything is fine." I said, as I took her by the arm and led her back to the main area.

Music was playing.

But I was not in the mood.

"Lord Price?"

"Yes, Lorai?"

I turned to see she had done a curtsy.

"May I have this dance?"

I stared at her.

"I... Yes. It would be my pleasure."

I danced with Lorai, the golden light of the numerous chandeliers from above shining down on us along with the other nobles.

"When did you learn how to dance?" I asked.

Lorai blushed.

"I... I sort of picked it up ever since you invited me to the ball, Lord Price. I read that nobles really liked dancing... so I spent time to learn every single day. I'm sorry if it was so sudden for me to invite you to dance, you seemed just a bit distraught and I wanted to make you feel..."

Lorai's voice trailed away as we made eye contact.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to overstep my bounds!"

I chuckled.

"Thank you Lorai. I feel a lot better."

We continued to shuffle, the slow pace of our movements in tune with the music's rhythm.

Why don't you marry that little Fleym girl of yours and start a family? Forget about your Valian mission. Forget about being a Valian all together and settle down with her.

"Lord Price... I don't know if this will help, but for what it's worth, I think you are an incredible Valian."

I paused.

"Wha- where did this come from?"

"I just felt like something was wrong. The way you feel uncomfortable whenever someone praises you. I remember how you mentioned that you feel you don't measure up to the rest of your kind. But to me, you are the greatest Valian ever."

"Lorai..."

The music ended as applause filled the stadium.

Then a man stepped up to the main stage.

"To all of our patrons, we once again thank you for coming to the 78th Great Ball of Visier. And now, a word from our most divine, elegant, and beautiful, Queen Torvi."

Everybody went on one knee, as I did the same.

A woman stepped to the platform, surrounded by the guards. Amongst them was the Hero Valefor.

Torvi bowed.

"Thank you for having me. I stand here today to once again thank everyone who has made this nation stand strong. Today, we celebrate, in honor of our forefathers and the creation of Orlai."

The nobles applauded.

Torvi looked at the crowd.

"Enjoy your night, everyone. Please. Let us make this night a fantastic one!"

We continued lounging for a few minutes after the Queen had left, when suddenly, the voice of a man broke through the crowd.

"Lorai?"

Lorai froze as I turned to the sound of the voice.

A man was standing from the other side of the great room. The other nobles parted for him, including Valefor, meaning he was of incredible hierarchy.

Lorai's lower lip quavered.

"No..."

"What in god's name... ah. I see. So that's where you went. From being my little Fleym slave girl to being a pretend Lady of a no named noble. I thank you greatly for this, Lord Gargantua."

Gargantua nodded, flashing me his sinister smile.

I clenched my fists, as the nobles began to chatter, silence filling the room.

"A Fleym is posing as a Lady to a noble?"

"Those Fleym know no bounds! Despicable!"

"Baron Tristam's slave is here? On such noble ground? How dare she!"

Baron Tristam stood before Lorai. I was about to take a step forward, but Gargantua's red eyes flashed, his ancient voice rumbling in my head.

Now Valian. Surely your old Tora has taught you to act rationally?

I glared at Gargantua.

"What the hell are you doing? Baron Tristam is none of your concern."

But he is yours, is he not? Your strength is so insignificant to me that I can squish you like a bug. This Fleym girl is your weakness, and I will ensure you do not get in my way again. I can defeat you in many ways, you already know full well that I can destroy you by force. But that is far too dull given where we are. So let's try something else. By breaking her. I will break you.

Lorai was trembling, but she kept her composure.

"Kneel before me, Fleym." Tristam said, his elderly voice cold and commanding.

Lorai glanced at me, as she slowly got on her knees.

"Very good. As punishment for what you have done today, you will service me. For everyone in this Great Ball of Visier to see."

Service?

Lorai's eyes went wide.

"N- No... My great lord, Lord Wales... I can't..."

"Are you defying your lord once more?"

"I... I can't... not in front of so many people... not..."

Tristam smirked at me.

"Or is it because your beloved Knight in shining armor is watching? Little Fleym. Do as I say. You have serviced me in my bedroom so many times already."

Lorai closed her eyes, her hands hovering in front of Tristam's belt buckle.

"S- Save me... please save me... Dekani..."

Gargantua watched me with morbid curiosity, while Valefor and the others all looked away.

"Baron Tristam." I said.

Lorai gasped, turning to me.

"Unnamed Noble Dekani Price." Tristam said, as he grabbed Lorai's face and pushed her to the ground, making my vision turn red.

"I challenge you to a War Game for custody over Lorai." I shouted for everyone to hear.

Everybody stared at us.

"Did that boy just challenge Orlai's great Baron to a War Game?"

"Does he know what he is getting himself into?"

Tristam smiled.

"Do you know who I am? Do you even know what a War Game is?"

"I do." I said, causing everyone to go silent, with some gasps.

"Oh?"

"A battle where each noble is responsible to capture the flag holder of the enemy team, while keeping the other from capturing their own. No holds barred. A free for all." I said.

"Yes. You are absolutely correct." Tristam spread his hands, as a man walked to his side.

"Shin here, is Orlai's strongest adventurer, the only Class 7 warrior in this entire city. Trained to be a fighter since being thrown out by his parents, an unwanted child. His movements and thoughts are said to be so precise, that he has been able to analyze even the pathways of lightning. Of House Tristam, I foster my own force of soldiers and battle mages. All of which are Class 6 and above. The Juggernaut who rampaged this town is Class 5."

Shin regarded me. He was a stocky man, at least 7 feet tall, with dark tanned skin. On his head were two furry ears.

He was a demihuman. Meaning he was born with superhuman abilities from the start.

"And as for my connection..." Tristam said, as he waved his hand.

"Very well, Baron Tristam." Gargantua replied, to my shock.

Gargantua smiled maniacally.

"To aid my business partner, Baron Wales Tristam, I offer my servants to his side of the War Game. Acolytes Penance, Furyam, and Ruin. Stand by Tristam's side."

Tristam laughed.

"Has my War Game force made your blood run cold, little noble?"

The dark silhouettes of three men wearing dark suits stood next to Tristam. The suits were lined with red.

Severen Red.

Don't expect this will be as easy as defeating this world's foolish deluded humans with your metal beasts. Valian. If you want your bride to be, you will fight SHADOW's top three Acolytes. I have made them each to be twice as strong as SHADOW's power. This is your punishment for defying me once more.

Walk the way of the Steel Path, foolish boy.

Three Acolytes...

One Acolyte was usually more than enough for a decently geared Valian. But even a top tier Valian could die if they were not careful and knowledgeable of the fight. Just like SHADOW.

Each Acolyte's strength was comparable to SHADOW, despite their allegiance to him. The reason being that their strength could be as strong as however Gargantua wanted.

I defeated Strife and the other two Acolytes before, but it was only because I understood each one's abilities. I had encountered them once in the Old War. I had fought Strife many times with Ikes, and many times more alone. It was nothing new.

But these three...

These three Acolytes I had never heard of before. I didn't know what their abilities were.

No Valian has ever fought three unknown Acolytes without preparation at the same time and lived to tell the tale.

To fight them all at the same time...

Alone...

Was suicide.

"Will you still accept this War Game then? Dekani Price? Or will you do the most sensible thing and let this all go. There is no reason to throw your pride away for the sake of one mere Fleym. Concede, and that will be it."

I made a fist, as nobles began shouting at me.

"Concede! It's not worth it, kid!"

"Your life is on the line if you choose to initiate the Noble Stakeout with the Baron!"

"All this for a Fleym? Child, you have your whole life ahead of you! Don't do it!"

"I don't know you, but you are a noble. Don't throw your life away like this. This is out of our good will, Master Dekani."

I gave Tristam and Gargantua a murderous glare.

Gargantua whispered something into Tristam's ear, causing the Baron to laugh wildly.

"HAHAHA! EXCUSE ME?! Dekani, does no one in House Price have experience in battle? Is this what I am hearing, Lord Gargantua?!"

"Indeed. Dekani's entire household is full of weak little servants. If he accepts this War Game proposal, he will have to fight your entire platoon all alone."

"Did he just say alone?"

"Master Dekani must fight a War Game just by himself?"

"That's unheard of!"

Gargantua smiled.

You would do it, wouldn't you, little hero of Toron. You went back in time to take Lena, without the knowledge of the Valians, didn't you? You wanted to be oh so special. Going to the Veil all alone. Then I will entertain your little lone wolf act. Do you want to be alone so badly that you will fight me and the Severens without your brothers and sisters of the Valian faction? Then let us see.

"I accept the War Game." I said, causing a fresh way of gasps to ripple through the crowd.

Tristam laughed.

"Then you should order your servants to prepare your tombstone. House Price will end prematurely in a week's time."

I clenched my teeth.

If it meant...

If it meant...

If it meant saving Lorai from such a fate...

"Now Baron Tristam, you may be mistaken." Valefor broke the silence, putting his hands behind his back.

"Dekani has yet to announce his external allies. And as someone who was humbled greatly by him in our first duel, I believe it will be most intriguing for me to join his side."

The nobles stared at Valefor.

"Hero Valefor of Zenith..."

Gargantua's eyes narrowed.

"I see."

"I shall join Dekani too." The woman standing next to Fran said.

"Gaveal! Are you sure it wasn't because I joined too?" Valefor joked, as Heroine Gaveal of Madine stood next to me.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Fran shouted, but Gaveal glared at him.

"You will remember your place, Viscount Fran. You may be a Chevalier, but I am the Hero. You are the servant."

Fran's face paled.

Baron Tristam's eye twitched in annoyance.

"You surely are... you jest... you JEST."

"Ah, but this will be quite the problem. Even with just the three of us. Those three servants of Gargantua look tremendously strong." Valefor put a hand to his face.

"Also, why did he bring three servants?"

Gaveal narrowed her eyes.

"They were not brought initially. Lord Gargantua summoned them."

"No... not three..." A girl's voice emerged from Tristam's side.

"You-" I said, as Lorai stepped out of Tristam's reach, walking in front of me.

"I will take your side in the War Game."

"The Fleym Girl is going to fight?"

"Are you serious? A Slave Girl is going to take part in a War Game?!"

"L- Lorai, you'll get hurt-"

"No!" Lorai shouted, her hands clenched into fists, tears brimming at her eyes.

"You taught me to be strong, you made me strong, Lord Price. When you took me in, when you saved me. I was weak and helpless. I couldn't even muster the will to save myself. But it was you. You. Who opened the path to me, you opened the path for me, Lord Price. You taught me how to wield your weapons. And I stood by your side. So at times like this... times like this..."

Lorai managed a smile which broke through her bloodshot eyes.

"Don't you think you should trust in the person who has devoted her life to making you happy?"

I was taken aback.

Lorai...

"How dare you all turn against me..." Tristam growled.

"I am Baron Tris-"

"Oh, am I late to the party?" A girl's voice interrupted him, as Nima skipped to me.

"I will also be taking Dekani's side. Because I don't like the way you treat women."

"LADY NIMA! NOT YOU TOO!" Tristam gasped.

Nima raised a middle finger at Tristam, causing a wave of gasps and screams to erupt in the congress.

"Yes, me too. I'll have you know. I don't tolerate sexist garbage in Orlai."

Tristam gnashed his teeth.

"I am not sexist, you bitch!"

"Okay... if that's the case, how come all the Fleym you have abused thus far been girls?"

"What?"

"I'm saying..." Nima walked up to Tristam.

"Why do you never sleep with boys? What's wrong with boys? Hm?"

"What? That hardly makes any sense at all. I am a straight male. I am-"

"Nope! I am not buying it. You are sexist."

"Hey! You dare mock me? I don't care if you are the Grand Headmistress of the Ministry of Magic! I will not stand to this-"

"Mock you? After you called me a bitch? No. I will not stand for your behavior, Baron Tristam. Once this War Game begins, I am coming straight for your head."

Nima's expression suddenly turned dangerously dark.

"And I will make you pay for everything."

Tristam gulped, but feigned bravado.

"Still hung up over something so insignificant? Very unladylike. Count Duchess Nima Zera. All I did was call out your true ethnicity. Or is telling the truth a crime now in Orlai?"

Nima turned around, summoning her servant, a tall young male.

"We are leaving. Harrile."

"Very well, Lady Zera."

Nima smiled at us.

"Let us meet again, when we prepare to destroy this foolish Baron."

I shook hands with Tristam, and as time passed, I watched everyone return to lounging in the Great Ball of Visier.

"Take the bitch." Tristam shoved Lorai to me.

"For now, she belongs to you. But once I have won this War Game, I will deal the harshest punishment imaginable to her. And then I will deal with you, Master Dekani."

07

"Beginning simulation." Folock said.

I stood before three Acolytes, randomly generated from the abilities of the Lances in my arsenal.

I had failed to defeat them with nine Lances already.

This would be the tenth Lance, with the twenty fourth weapon combination for my loadout.

I drew my Guandao and charged forward as Saryn, coating the blade with poison.

I spun my polearm, leaping into the air and slicing with wide arcs, trying to catch each Acolyte, driving them back.

One of the Acolytes threw a buzzsaw blade at me as I weaved, flipping sideways, the blade narrowly missing me.

I landed on the ground, drawing my twin automatic pistols and firing a barrage of bullets all around, but the Acolytes came in, dodging my bullets.

Saryn Ability Two: Molt

I split apart, causing the Acolytes to slice down at Saryn's molted figure. I had to take advantage of the spores, keeping them active at all times.

The longer her spores remained active, the stronger the poison was.

That was my strategy this time.

I charged and engaged the three Acolytes head on, but no matter what I did, each Acolyte was able to cover each other for their deficiencies.

It felt like I was fighting an invincible wall.

There was virtually no weakness to be found, and before I knew it, my Saryn was decapitated, her body impaled from three directions by the Acolyte's blades.

I collapsed, exiting the simulation and slamming my fist against the wall of the Transference Room.

"GOD DAMMIT!" I shouted.

CLATTER.

I spun around, to see Lorai had dropped her tray.

"Lorai!"

"Lord Price! I'm so sorry for intruding!"

"I thought you were training."

"I finished not too long ago. I thought you could use some tea. Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you."

Seeing Lorai made my frustration disappear.

"No. My frustration is my own. Please. Let's enjoy the tea together."

I made my way to the hall, as a maid, Rean, ran up to Lorai.

"Lorai! Please, let us handle Lord Price. You just got back from training, you're tired!"

"I'm fine." Lorai responded.

I glanced at her hand. It was trembling. Most likely from overwork.

"Lorai, you should listen to Rean. You are overworking yourself."

We sat in my office. I was sipping the tea, but Lorai did not take hers.

"I am fine. I really am, Lord Price. Besides, are you not overworking yourself as well?"

"That is different."

"How so? Forgive me for asking. This War Game ultimately is because of me in the end of the day. The amount of work I put into this... there is no excuse to slack off for me."

I put the teacup on the dish and gently placed it on the desk.

"The Three Acolytes, I will train myself to be able to defeat them all on my own."

Lorai pursed her lips.

"Then why..."

"Why what?"

"Why did you put so much effort into training me? Into helping me become stronger? If ultimately you are heading to battle on your own?"

I slowly got to my feet.

"In the final confrontation, if I die, you need to stay alive. For the Fleym's sake."

"That won't happen. I don't believe you will die. You are the strongest person I know."

I spun around.

"You still don't understand." I snapped.

But to my surprise, Lorai didn't flinch.

"I understand enough to know that you are special, even amongst the Valian. The Dekani Price I know will not fall to these Acolytes."

My heart began beating faster.

"Time and time again. I have already told you. I am not special. I am not strong. I am not strong like my brothers and sisters of the Valian Council. Maybe to the people of this world, of this country, I am revered a god. But now Gargantua has deployed his three Acolytes and I don't have my brethren to fight by my side. I don't have anyone to fight by my side. And now I have to keep you all safe. There... there is no way someone like me... someone like me..."

My voice trailed away, but Lorai walked forward and put a hand on my head.

"Do you really have that little faith in yourself, Lord Price?" Lorai asked.

I clenched my teeth.

"It isn't a matter of faith, Lorai. It is fact! It is fact that I am weak!"

Lorai suddenly threw her arms around me, her scent filling the air.

"Stop! Just stop, Dekani! I can't stand it to see someone like you destroy yourself like this! I can't stand it!"

I gasped, my eyes wide.

"Why... what about me..."

"You are brave and kind. You are... you're heroic, Dekani. I admire you so much and so does everybody else. There's more to strength than raw physical power."

A tear ran down my face.

"You're only saying that because you don't know the full truth."

Lorai pulled away.

"Dekani-"

"The full truth of what I've done. The war I fought. The Old War. My status as a Valian failure was marked well in time... I... ultimately, it doesn't matter how noble you are. That War solidified it. People who have been to war, they have seen reality in the face. I have seen reality. Why I can never stand with the other Valian, why I am forever exiled even amongst my kind. If you saw it for your own eyes, you will understand, fully understand."

Lorai looked me in the eye.

"Then let me see. And I will decide for myself if the man before me truly is a failure to the Valian."

I clenched my teeth.

"Very well... very well."

So be it.

Void energy surrounded us, as the scenery changed.

"You will see why I must push myself. Well past beyond my limits. Because someone like me has no other choice." I said, as everything began to warp and distort to the presence of the void.

Lorai watched as everything shifted. She then looked at her hands, which started to dissolve.

"Lord Price! I'm... I'm..."

I burst apart into teal sparks.

Peer into my past, Lorai. And maybe now you will understand the gravity of the situation.

* * *

KABOOM.

"Gargantua's body has been breached." Flynn said, from within his Railjack.

A massive hole opened up in Gargantua as he moaned.

Impossible. You void devils. You dare to mark me?!

I could hear Lorai gasp.

"That's... Gargantua?"

Hundreds of Severens exploded from his sides, Severen fighters flying to our position. Gargantua's wound leaking a blinding red light which enveloped the entire skies of Earth.

"Severen enemies inbound." Achel remarked.

"I will dispatch of the enemies. Please grant me the privilege, Clan Leader Achel Divinear." Zeryn said, kneeling before Achel.

"Permission granted. The rest of us shall advance."

Zeryn smiled, getting to her feet as she exploded into orange sparks, resolving into Chroma Supra.

"Come, Severens. Let us see the strength of a desperate army, protecting their leader with their dying breaths."

The Severens howled, focusing their limbs and unleashing blinding blasts of energy at Zeryn's Lance, only for the damage to be converted into power.

Zeryn laughed as she leapt into the air, drawing an incredible long sword, a Zaw, and flipped, unleashing a wide aerial slash, tearing hundreds of Severens apart in a fraction of a second.

More Valians rushed forward in their Archwings, cutting down the aerial fighters easily as they charged, rushing into the open wound of Gargantua, blowing him up from the inside.

Stop... you void devils. I... I beg...

"Beg?" Rinzler hissed, as he landed on the top of Gargantua's massive head, his Archgun deployed.

"Interesting choice of final words, shameless King." Rinzler chuckled, as he gently placed his hand on the King's head, his Tesla Lance emitting a violent golden light as a massive surge of golden electricity arced across Gargantua's body, electrocuting the massive Severen. Then he proceeded to press the barrel into the Severen's hide, firing relentlessly.

Quorra flew up to our group. Our Clan.

"Gargantua has been contained. All the other Clans are focused on the other Severen fleets throughout the Star System. Now all that is left is the mothership. Luna herself. With our current force, we should be able to begin cutting down her defenses long enough to make the final takedown easier for the rest of us to come in and finish her off together."

We rushed to Luna, in our Railjacks, when suddenly, a radial red force pushed us back, deactivating all of four Railjacks.

"Losing elevation, Star Child." A still functional Folock advised me.

"Slow the fall, Folock." I commanded, as our Railjacks smashed into the surface of the Earth, causing villagers to scatter in panic.

The entire sky was bloodred with Luna's Severen Form, looming down on us all.

"Dekani! Are you okay?" Iken shouted at me, resolved in his Ursel Lance.

I resolved into Excalibur Supra, landing on the ground.

"Yes."

Iken looked up into the sky.

"I think Luna is emitting an Orphix Field. It just deactivated all of the Railjacks."

A Severen hissed at us, as it tried to charge Iken and I, but suddenly, it was sliced in half by the war axe of a Hannibal Lance.

"Hall!" I said.

Hall's Lance shouldered the axe.

"I can confirm with Iken. Luna's created an Orphix Field."

More and more Valians crowded together, as Quorra appeared before us.

"Clan Leader Lavine, what are our orders?" Iken asked.

"Luna has created a radial Orphix Field. But because we have all the other clans fighting and disabling the other fleets of the Severen Army, and added with the fact that Achel's Clan is finishing off Gargantua, her Orphix Field has been weakened greatly. We can still bypass it. But we are limited greatly by the numbers."

"Is it wise to wait until all of the Severens forces have been neutralized and taking down Luna by force?" Hall asked.

Quorra shook her head.

"By then, it will be too late. The longer we wait, the longer Luna will siphon the life energy of every single living being in this Star System that isn't protected by a Toron Lance Armor. We need to deal consistent damage to her if we want to win this war."

Iken clenched his fist.

"Then who shall we send?"

Quorra looked away.

"I... I don't know."

"Lavine!" Another Valian shouted from above in his Archwing.

"Speak, Sanna."

Sanna descended, the sounds of warfare and gunfire filling the air.

"The Orphix Field has been temporarily deactivated."

Quorra's eyes widened.

"By who?"

"By me." A man said, as we all turned around. He was wearing a traditional Toron outfit. A samurai hat, marking the attire of a high ranking Tora Soldier.

"Tora Nava!" We all cried out.

Nava approached us.

"My dear students. You have all fought well. However, it is time for us to cross swords once more. And put an end to the Severens tyranny."

And with that, Nava led us to our siege, as we charged Luna's body, rushing in and slaughtering Severens left and right.

"Do not falter, Valians. Trust in your training."

I slashed, cutting apart Severens with my Excalibur. We were closing in on victory, when suddenly, a slash appeared before us. And before I knew it, Sanna was thrown back, her Lance in pieces.

"Unfortunate. How unfortunate." A man said, as he dragged his Greatsword Ais across the ground.

"Say, Valians. Shall we have a dance with death. A wager with the devil? A game with the gods?"

Quorra gripped her Zaw and tried to step forward, but suddenly, the tip of Ais was at her throat.

Shardis Licita smiled evilly.

"Let us see who is faster. Luna dying? Or me killing every single one of you foolish children?"

Nava pushed Ais away and stepped in front of The Great Valian Killer.

"You will not lay a finger on my students, SHADE."

SHADE laughed maniacally.

"What will an old man do? Nava? You are beyond obsolete! To these Valian, I kill them en masse. And you don't even measure up amongst even the most inexperienced of the Valian!"

"Now, Valian!" Nava shouted, as several Helos Lances unleashed a blinding white light, overwhelming SHADE.

"Incredible! Then I shall accept your challenge! I will destroy half of you without my sight!" SHADE laughed crazily, as he dissipated into red sparks, blasting around as a black and red streak, killing Valians left and right.

"Attack him! Attack SHADE!" A Valian shouted, when suddenly, Shardis appeared behind him, extracting his body out of his Lance and impaling him with Ais.

The Valian's corpse crumpled onto the ground, his eyes still wide open in horror.

"Go! Nava! We will hold him off!" A Valian shouted, as Nava ran forward, but not before grabbing my arm.

I realized I was petrified in fear.

"Dekani, you will come with me." Nava said.

"Dekani?! Tora Nava, why are you bringing that fool with you?! If anything, bring someone more qualified to be by your side in this war!" A Valian shouted.

"Sai is right! Dekani will only weigh you down!"

Nava cut them off.

"Valians!"

The Valians went silent.

"I believe in Dekani. I trust in his strength."

"As you wish, teacher." The Valians bowed, but not before giving me a glare.

"Don't you dare hold him back, Dekani. Do you understand?"

I nodded nervously, as I followed Nava, entering a hallway. I turned around to see that SHADE had made eye contact with me, smiling sadistically, before decapitating a Valian's human form before my very eyes.

The passageway closed.

"Come, Dekani. There is no time to waste."

I ran next to Nava, as we killed Severens.

"The Nodes must be disabled to cut off Luna's vital functions." Folock advised us.

Nava leapt into the air and used his Glaive to jettison himself into one of the nodes, cutting it apart. When suddenly, he was surrounded by Severens.

"Tora Nava!" I shouted, but was surrounded by Severens myself.

"Away from me!" I growled, summoning Excalibur's Exalted Sword and slammed the ground like a javelin, unleashing a teal shockwave.

I bullet jumped, rushing forward as fast as I could, but Nava had already killed the Severens.

"Focus on yourself, Dekani Price. You must move forward, steadfast. Especially at times like this."

I nodded, but cursed at myself.

How dare I still have lessons from Tora Nava when we were in such a crucial moment.

The lessons should have ended. I should be fighting as his equal by now.

We continued fighting through hordes of Severens, disabling the nodes.

But every time I felt like Nava was in trouble, he took care of his enemies.

A Typholyst howled into the air, as it slammed the ground before us, sending my Lance back.

Nava clashed with the Severen, but a blunt strike caught him in the stomach as I watched my teacher skid back, clutching his side.

I rushed in, slashing maniacally at the Severen, as Nava dealt the killing blow, ripping its Sequence out of its body and crushing it in the palm of his hand.

I approached the Tora Soldier.

"Nava..."

"Dekani, do you have such little faith in your teacher that you must limit yourself so greatly in battle?"

I paused.

"But... please. Let me protect you. I am a Valian, I am inherently stronger-"

"You dare say these things to your own teacher?" Nava asked.

I looked away.

"I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I appreciate the concern, Valian. But we must stay alert. We are in the mothership of all Severens. I will be fine."

And it seemed that way, for as we continued fighting and fighting, it seemed like Nava had everything under control.

He didn't need my help at all.

And it was then did I realize just how pointless it was to have myself around.

I thought by fighting alongside him as a Valian in my Lance, I could protect him.

But he never needed my protection in the first place.

Just like Arsani.

"Valian!"

I wanted to prove them all wrong.

I was not a failure.

I had to prove my worth.

"Valian, above you!"

I was more than just dead weight!

FOOMP.

Nava tackled me to the ground, as he brought his Nikana up, slicing the Severen who had tried to ambush us from above into pieces.

"Have you gone blind, Dekani? Why are you so clouded in judgement at a time like this!" Nava shouted at me.

I stared at him from within my Lance, frozen.

Did...

Did I just...

"Dekani Price, a soldier, no. A person, can only be given so much faith, but ultimately, it is up to them to act upon that faith to become better. If you cannot do this mission, then you will stay on the sidelines while I complete it. Please regroup with the rest of your kind once I have disabled Luna's remaining nodes. Until then, you are better off on standby."

I dropped my Skana, the sword clattering to the ground.

No...

I was holding Nava back!

I waited until Nava had gone ahead alone as I slammed my fist to the ground.

How could I?

How could I?!

I was a Valian! It should have been me taking out those nodes! It should have been me!

But I knew that it would be impossible.

"That Orphix field that lies ahead will jam all of our Lances if we all go at once. At most one Valian can go inside, but the field's influence must be siphoned from another. Since Teacher Nava is a Tora, he wields part Lance armor, but won't be subject to the Orphix. So we only need one Valian to go with him to keep him safe." Quorra had told us.

That one Valian...

That one Valian ended up being me.

What would Arsani think if he found out his big brother was such a coward?

I picked my Skana up and rushed forward to meet with Nava.

I had to get to him.

More Severens surrounded me, this time, they were massive guardians. There were slash marks on them.

Think, Dekani.

What did Nava teach you about assessing your environment! Use everything you've been taught! Think before engaging!

If the Severens were engaged by Nava previously, that meant he had skipped them and continued moving. He fought them with his Nikanas, meaning they had developed-

SMASH.

I dove out of the way, narrowly dodging the Typholyst's blunt attack.

I wasn't thinking fast enough!

I leapt back and slashed with my Skana, only to have the sword shatter.

"No way!" I gasped.

The Typholyst closed in and smashed me in the chest, then bombarded my Lance with lasers as I crumpled to the ground.

I took aim with my Pyrana, firing shotgun shells and destroying the hide of the Severens before they could close in on me.

I breathed heavily from within the Relinquary as I trudged forward.

My melee weapon was gone.

If only I had acted faster! More fluidly! My thinking, everything was just too slow!

I continued moving forward.

Faster.

I had to get to Nava faster.

Nava was not like the rest of the Tora.

He stood by our side no matter what, even when he discovered of our plans to eliminate the Toron Empire for what Ballard had done to Freya that day, he still chose to stand by our side.

This was the bond that we had.

This was the bond I HAD to protect.

I reached the far end of Luna's body, a massive warp gate before me.

This was it.

I'm coming for you, Nava.

I jumped through, as space warped around me, and sent me to the throneroom, only to be greeted with...

"Old. Man." Nero's bird face peered down at Nava, who was on his knees, groaning. A piece of Severen spike was embedded right through his stomach and his chest.

"I won't fall. I will not fall." Nava growled, as he tried to slash at Nero, but Nero cut off his arm, causing Nava to roar in pain.

"Pathetic display. But all you Tora are the same. I've crushed every single one of you already. What is one more?"

"TORA NAVA!" I screamed, rushing forward and bullet jumping, but I was intercepted by a horde of Severens, as the light from my Lance illuminated the room, revealing the throneroom was packed to the core.

An entire army of Severen troops, watching Nero brutalize my teacher.

"Oh? A Valian? You are too late. How foolish of a teacher you are! To believe your stupidity to be protection of your precious Valian student."

Nero picked Nava up by the head.

I took out my Pyrana and aimed at Nero's head, pressing the trigger, but I was out of ammo.

Nero laughed.

"What? You came to this fight without any ammunition?! How stupid are you!"

I reached to my side to draw my Skana, but to my horror, the realization dawned on me.

I shattered my sword, in that fight with the Typholyst.

I forgot it had adapted to slash damage and I destroyed the only melee weapon I had.

And now the only gun that I had that wasn't damaged from our battle was out of ammo.

"Trans... trans..." Nava choked out.

Nero chuckled sinisterly.

"Valian, are you really going to stay there, shocked? Your teacher is about to die, you know!"

Trans?

"Transference... Valian... Lesson...One..." Nava muttered.

My eyes widened as I resolved out of Excalibur and fired a void blast, which released Nava from Nero's grip.

Nava collapsed.

"Very good, Valian. But now what?" Nero stood above me in his towering skeletal form.

I looked around, to see a massive horde of Severens surrounding me.

There were too many to count.

If I tried anything, I would get cut down instantly.

"I... I... I've come... to- to-" My voice left me as Nero leaned in close to me, his bird like face dripping with sadism.

"To stop me? And how will you do that? Here in Mother's womb, many more of us lay stationed to protect her with our lives. What can you do against all two hundred thousand of us here."

Two Hundred...

Thousand...

SHICK.

Nero aimed his appendage at me, as the sound of the appendages of the two hundred thousand aimed their limbs, all centered at my forehead.

I shook violently, the teal void energy slowly going out in my hand.

I was going to die...

I was going to die for real.

"Kill the Valian." Nero said, as he launched a spike, followed by an entire dozen of spikes from the front row of the Severens came flying my way.

My eyes went wide, as there was nothing I could do.

SHUNK.

A shadow suddenly cast upon me, as I stared at the body of a man who had leapt in front of me.

Blood splattering across my face, as spike after spike impaled him. The man coughed out blood with each impalement, the Severen spike ripping apart his Tora armor.

Each spike, a different lesson.

A Valian is noble.

SHUNK.

You represent the best of us, Dekani Price.

SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK.

The strongest of us, the bravest of us.

SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK.

And in spite of the shortcomings you may believe you have... fundamentally, you...

SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK. SHUNK.

Are still a Valian, Dekani Price. Stand proud, and show your enemy, no matter how overwhelming and fearsome they are, none of your fear.

Tora Nava fell to his knees, blood pouring from his body, which sprouted Severen spikes the size of a tree branch in practically every place imagineable.

"De... kan...ni..." Nava spluttered, as I ran to his side.

"No... no, Nava. No... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'M SORRY!" I sobbed, grabbing my teacher and laying him on the ground.

"How sad. You could have prevented his death, you know." Nero chuckled, as I continued crying, clutching Nava's body.

"Dataform that resides in that Valian's Lance, why don't you tell him my level?"

"Star-child. The Severen known as Nero is Level 10. He would have ordinarily been no match for you."

I gasped, as I turned to Nero.

"But now, you are without weapons. Because you were foolish. No matter. I will kill you with no- SPAYAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Nero screamed, as a blade sprouted from his node.

A Valian appeared from behind him, shining in an Ash Supra Lance. He wielded a Guandao Supra and lifted the Severen into the air as I watched the Valians file in, tearing and ripping the Severens apart.

One of the Valians noticed Nava dying next to me and pulled me out of the way.

By the time the fight ended, everybody was crowded around Nava, and their looks on me, I could never forget.

Were pure poison.

"How could you, Dekani."

"You went and did it... how could you go and be THAT MUCH OF A FAILURE!" Another Valian screamed to my face.

"YOU GOT NAVA KILLED."

"Why was it Nava, and not you!"

"You should have been the one to die!"

The Valian who had killed Nero approached me, as he resolved out of the armor, touching Nava's hand.

Then he turned to me.

Arsanios Licita turned to me, his eyes cold and full of hate.

I wanted my younger brother to say something.

At least tell me he hated me.

But he said nothing that day.

He looked away, without saying a single word, as he walked off.

But I knew from the bottom of his heart.

That he resented me, just like the rest of our kind.

More and more Valians from the other squadrons and clans rushed into the dying body of Queen Luna, cradling Tora Nava in their arms and crying.

And more and more insults were thrown my way, death threats, and hate, once they learned of the Valian Failure who was responsible for the death of our beloved teacher.

* * *

And from that day forward.

I was known as Dekani Price.

The Valian Failure.

No matter what I did, I was shunned from my kind.

Because no matter how many Lances and weapons I mastered, I was forever painted the image as the Valian who got Tora Nava killed in the Old War.

I was the failure responsible for his death.

"And I blamed none of them for it.

Because I knew...

From the bottom of my heart, that if I had just been a little bit better that day, none of this would have happened."

I crumpled to the ground of the manor before Lorai.

"Yes, Lorai. The great Noble Dekani Price you see here today, if it had been any other Valian... we could have... I could have... looked my teacher in the eyes and celebrated our victory with him."

Silence filled the air, as the teal flames of the void energy that I had emitted wisped away at the carpet.

There was nothing Lorai could say now.

If she had said she still believed I was as incredible she once thought I was, she clearly would have been lying.

If she had told me she still supported me, there was nothing to back it up.

If she still believed in me...

There was no basis behind any of that.

Especially when I couldn't do so myself.

"But that was in the past, right?"

What?

I slowly looked up at Lorai, who gave me a warm smile.

"The Dekani Price in the Old War... that was you in the past, right? The inexperienced Valian who made mistakes."

"I... I couldn't even remember that I had lost my sword, Lorai. I couldn't remember the basics of Transference, the very first lesson that was taught to us as Valian. When Nava needed it the most. I couldn't remember-"

Lorai knelt in front of me, her legs sprawled on the ground as she put her hands on my face.

"Yet... here you are today, at first glance, you remembered the names of all of us. Every single one of us."

"But-"

"And on that day you saved me from those attackers at the pub, how flawless and seamless your decisions were. How streamlined your movements became. Every Fleym you had saved, I watched you fight so elegantly. And as you tutored me and taught me how to fight, what to look for in a great fighter, I saw these things in you. The more I walked by your side and the more I grew as a fighter, the little things that I never would have observed in a fighter had become clearer and clearer."

Lorai's hand moved to my chest.

"Through you. Maybe it was true that the Dekani Price of the past had caused your beloved teacher's death. But from there, I could tell, you improved yourself. Over and over again. You made it so you would not repeat the same mistakes ever again. The way you always analyze everything, the way you always pick up the smallest details that I could never notice if I had replayed the same scenario over and over again. I could tell that all came from practice.

"I saw how the Valian moved. Their skill with their armor was incredible. The weapons they wielded were unfathomable. Throughout the entire experience, I was repeatedly left in awe at how elegant and refined the Valian were in battle. But you know..."

Lorai smiled again.

"None of it was new. Because I saw the same incredible skill and strength from you. Every single day. Since becoming your servant, Dekani. The past is in the past. The Dekani in front of me now is strong. Maybe you may not ever be able to move forward with Nava's death, but look at what you have achieved."

Lorai took my hand and led me gently to the edge of the manor, as I looked at all of the Fleym who walked down the halls and main atrium. Smiles on their faces.

None of them were worried.

"They all have faith, including me. We all have faith in you, Lord Price. For me... I could have continued being haunted by my past as a slave to Baron Tristam. And I admit that thinking back at how horribly I was treated, it still terrifies me. I still freeze in pure utter fright at his sight. But..."

Lorai clasped her hands together.

"I am still willing to join the War Game by your side. So I can face Baron Tristam once more. Because I understand that I cannot remain weak forever. Maybe I am delusional into thinking I can change anything, but at the very least... I look forward to what the future holds, instead of focusing on the past. This is why I will do my absolute best in this War Game."

I put a palm on the window.

My reflection, looking back at me.

SHIFF.

I felt a warm embrace, as Lorai put her arms around me again.

"But it must have been so hard for you, wasn't it, Lord Price? I never knew how much pain you truly were in. Even if it isn't worth much, let me be there for you. Just as you have been there for me."

08

For the next few weeks, I continued training Lorai. She showed steady signs of improvement.

We occasionally met with Nima and the others to do debriefing, running practice runs against different enemies.

I experimented with different Lances, but I was still at a crossroads to choose which one.

One day, Nima invited us out together to the villa, where we entered a noble club.

Valefor was being taught how to play a board game by Gaveal, who looked like she was trying to conceal her annoyance.

"So the white roundey thing goes here?"

"It is not called a white roundey thing, Valefor. It is the Bion."

"Oh."

Nima and I sat together at a table, drinking tea.

"Have you decided?" Nima asked.

"Decided what?" I replied.

"What your loadout will be. You don't follow the conventional way of fighting in Orlai, don't you? The average warrior would have just one armor, one weapon, and maybe some magical items. When they go to war, they know exactly what to bring, because their inventory is so linear. But you're different. You have so many suits of armor, so many unusual weapons and devices. Not to mention your magic is so unorthodox, even I don't know where it comes from. Having so much versatility can be a curse when you head to the unknown."

I looked at the distance. Gaveal was teaching Lorai hand to hand combat. And as Lorai obediently did as she was told, thanking Gaveal at any opportunity, I saw the Hero smile a bit out of approval.

"Truthfully, I don't know. I've trained as hard as I could, but even to this day, I don't know. To defend our castle, I could think of a number of ways to do it. Galilean will suspend all the enemies and all projectiles through Bastille. Frost could keep the entire place encapsuled in an ice globe. Eventus could create a dimensional pocket. But if I went for any of these Lances, I would lack in the necessary strength to defeat Gargantua's servants. But if I went with a fully damaging Lance, say, the Tesla or the Ignaria, I would end up compromising my ability to protect. Everything is such a tradeoff..."

Nima smiled, as I stopped.

"What's so funny?"

"No no. Please don't take it the wrong way. I just find you to be such an interesting noble. There aren't many people who are so pragmatic and strategic like you. You remind me a lot of my father. That was truthfully the reason why I had such interest in you during the Ball."

"Your father?"

"Mmhm. He used to be a strategist too, serving the Queen, before sheer strength became the deciding factor for a warrior's success. Back when using your brain was a thing. I admired him a lot, even if he was persecuted by everyone for who he was. Even by my mother too."

"For who he was...?"

Nima cleared her throat.

"But enough about me."

The chair was pushed back, as Nima got to her feet.

"We must focus on this war game, right?"

"Yea-"

CRASH.

"Hey!" Valefor's voice ripped through the air, as Nima and I ran to the sound of the scuffle.

Valefor, Gazeal, and Lorai were confronted by a group of men in black suits.

And on each suit...

Was the crest of House Tristam.

"Hey! You bastard, what do you think you're doing?!" Nima growled, as she stepped in front of Shin.

Shin said nothing, his eyes devoid of any emotion whatsoever. But his massive frame towered over each one of us, including Valefor.

The only person on the other side, was a man, who slowly undid his hood.

Valefor's eyes went wide.

"You... why did you join Baron Tristam, Hero Hedin of Varth!"

The man had long rust colored hair which reached his shoulders, pale, olive colored eyes which gleamed with superiority, contrasted with his tanned skin. He was incredibly beautiful, which seemed like a foil to his dark robes.

"Baron Tristam must face the might of two heroes, a head magic instructor, and a Noble possessing tremendous military might which rivals that of the royal guard. Even with Shin and Gargantua's three unknown servants, there is no guarantee for victory. So it was Tristam who called for my assistance, along with Hero Allen of Unar and Hero Rikka of Nama."

The other two heroes appeared by Hedin's side.

Rikka regarded Gaveal with her sadistic blue eyes.

"To think that the Hero of Madine would choose a losing side. How you have fallen, Assassin of the Five Heroes."

Gaveal's glare turned murderous, before a slow clap cut the tension in two.

"Oh? So this is who we are up against?" Another man entered the crowd, and I recognized him immediately. Those red eyes that belonged only to the most vicious Toron noblemen who chose to follow SHADOW.

"Surely not... I feel sorry for your side."

"HUH?" Nima squeaked.

"You serve that foreigner Lord Gargantua! What do you know about us, you don't even know a thing about Orlai!"

The Acolyte Penance cackled.

"Well, while it is true that I know nothing about how Orlai works, I can tell at first glance..."

Penance's laugh turned sinister.

"I can squash every single one of you very easily."

Gaveal narrowed her eyes.

"You will do no such thing." I said, but Acolyte Furyam raised an eyebrow.

"And you, Dekani, won't do anything at all. You don't stand a chance against Penance, Ruin and I. When this War Game starts, you are our priority. And we will make sure you do not leave this game alive."

I clenched my fists, as Penance ran a hand through his hair.

"It certainly will be quite the spectacle. Especially when Tristam managed to find such a prized jewel like Shin. None of you Heroes should underestimate him. This man truly is hiding some terrifying power, if even I couldn't put him down."

My heart skipped a beat.

"What did you just say?" I whispered.

Penance turned to me, his face dripping with sympathy.

"Oh? You thought you could just toss aside Shin that easily? Did you really think Shin would be someone so insignificant? Let me guess, you had no idea the rest of the Heroes joined Tristam's side, so you thought that the Hero of Zenith and Madine could fight Shin. How foolish of you. They will have their hands full with our Heroes on our side. Do the math, Dekani. Who is left on your side who will need to fight Shin, hmm?"

Everybody's eyes went on Lorai, who clutched her skirt tightly.

"Little Fleym Girl, forced to fight the only Class 7 adventurer in all of Orlai. Just to be free. Isn't this simply... comedic?"

I could barely conceal the rage in my eyes. There was no way...

There was no way I could let Lorai face Shin alone.

"You-"

"I will do it." Lorai said, causing everyone to turn to her.

"Lorai! What are you saying?!" Valefor gasped, but Lorai eyed Shin.

"I... I will fight Shin. I'm not afraid. If it means fighting to be with Lord Price, I will rise to any challenge. No matter how high it is."

"Lorai..." I muttered, as Shin turned around and left, trailed with the rest of Tristam's War Game team.

"I can't let you fight Shin alone." I said to Lorai.

"This isn't up to you to decide, Lord Price. The choice to be free is mine." Lorai replied.

"Don't be daft! If an Acolyte couldn't even defeat Shin, you have no chance of winning! He will kill you!" I shouted, but suddenly, Gaveal appeared before me.

"Valian Dekani Price." Gaveal said, her voice sending shivers down my spine.

How did she know I was a-

"I challenge you to a duel."

Valefor and Nima froze in surprise.

"Gaveal..." Valefor muttered.

I regarded the Hero of Madine. Something about her felt different than Valefor.

For one thing, I had specifically told Lorai to keep my identity a secret. There would have been no way she would have known I was a Valian. Lorai was not the type of person to reveal my information like that.

"On what grounds do you have to challenge me?" I asked.

Gaveal narrowed her eyes.

"I have faith in Lorai, as one of her two teachers. You do not. We have conflicted opinions on our student. Does that not warrant a fight to see who is more qualified to determine the best for Lorai?"

Valefor led us to a large field, as Gaveal and I faced off.

"I would be careful if I was you, Dekani." Valefor said to me.

"Why is that?"

"Even among the Heroes, Gaveal is special. I guess you probably already figured that out, when Tristam had panicked upon hearing Gaveal's offer to join your side. She is a Hero of Madine, the Hero of Fighters. This is her specialty."

Madine.

The Focus School of Fighters.

"And you are the Hero of the Arcane, right?"

"Yes. Out of all of us, I can say that Gaveal is the best. But normally, she never ever challenges anyone to a duel. This is unprecedented to say the least."

Valefor and Nima took Lorai to the spectator seats as Gaveal drew her sword. It looked elegant...

And very familiar.

My eyes widened.

"Impossible..."

Gaveal pointed the edge at me from a distance.

That sword's design...

It was the Skana Supra.

Madine Attribute Enhancement: Phoenix Talons

Gaveal chanted, as a massive rune appeared at her feet, blinding me and turning the sky a bright orange. Her body began shimmering with orange light.

Phoenix Talons?

That was the exact same ability we learned from the Madine Focus School...

From the Skana Supra.

To her spells.

Was this where the Valian Focus Schools started?

KABOOM.

Gaveal charged forward in a flash of orange light.

I resolved into my Gauss Lance and barely was able to deflect the Skana blade with my Cronen Tonfas.

I charged Gauss's speed and blasted backwards, but Gaveal appeared before me again, slicing viciously and nearly catching my armor.

But I spun around, spinning in the air and taking out my Accelera automatic energy rifle.

I aimed the barrel and fired a barrage of energy bullets, which Gaveal deflected with a storm of slashes with her sword.

Her speed and technique...

It was beyond even Valefor.

SWIPP.

Gaveal appeared in front of me.

I couldn't even register her movements even with Gauss.

The Hero brought her hand forward, the palm opened.

Madine Offensive: Phoenix Strike

A blast of energy caught me square in the chest as I smashed into the ground. I bolted backwards before Gaveal had slammed onto the ground, her sword slicing the air where my Lance just was.

More breaths escaped me from within the Relinquary as a bead of sweat ran down the side of my face.

How was she so fast?

I was in a Toron Biomechanical Lance. The Toron Empire's pinnacle in military technology.

A Gauss Supra, no less.

There was no way someone from the past could possess such tremendous power that could rival a technology thousands of years in the future.

There was no way...

But as Gaveal continued her relentless assault, her overwhelming sword slashes keeping me on the defensive, barely hanging on...

She was the real deal.

If I so much as made a single mistake, Gaveal would take advantage of it, and I would lose the duel.

Tora Nava had taught us the way of analyzing and assessing the opponent.

From my first clash with Gaveal, I could tell right away, she was not the type of person to make mistakes. If she found an advantage and acted on it, taking back the course of the fight would be impossible.

Gaveal leapt into the air and spun, releasing a ridiculous number of slashes at my direction.

I continued bolting backwards, as Gaveal made chase.

"Will you continue running forever?" Gaveal asked.

I dodged more and more slashes. There was no time to even switch weapons. Her speed and power of her strikes were such to the point where if I switched to my firearms, the fraction of a second was more than enough for her to land a strike on my Lance.

Gaveal closed in and clashed with my Lance again. Her face was so composed, so calculating, like a doll.

Every movement she made was familiar.

Because as a fighter myself, I could recognize the fundamental skillset she possess, was in fact the same fundamentals that made up the martial arts of the Tora.

"Tell me how." Gaveal hissed, as she flipped in the air, kicking the tonfas right out of my hands, to my surprise.

I took a step back, as Gaveal brought her face close to mine.

"Tell me how you know about my family's forbidden martial arts styles."

My eyes widened.

"I don't know what you are talking about!"

"SILENCE." Gaveal snapped, as she tried to launch another slash, about to finish me off.

"Hey! Gaveal! That's enough! You've won! Dekani can't-" Valefor was interrupted, as I smiled from within the Lotuscraft.

Gaveal knew too.

She knew I had completely fooled her.

She had fallen right into my trap.

Gauss Ability Two: Kinetic Buildup

I spun around with blinding speed, raising my foot and launching a devastating side kick which caught the Hero of Madine right in the stomach.

"GAAAHH." Gaveal coughed out blood, her eyes enlarged in surprise.

The Hero flew backwards violently, folding in on herself as she skidded, retching and coughing.

Gaveal clutched her stomach, gritting her teeth.

I held out my hands, as my Cronen's returned to me.

Gaveal struggled to her feet, but was bombarded by a horde of energy blasts from my rifle.

I then zipped forward, slashing with my Cronen. Gaveal deflected the strike, but I had already known I had the mechanical advantage. Her legs were still close together, and I watched as her body buckled, her entire frame flying backwards.

I continued unleashing combinations between my firearms and my tonfas, catching her and maiming her.

Gaveal desperately slashed upward, trying to use my momentum against me, but I grabbed her wrist and forced her to let go of her Skana, then grabbed her neck and smashed into the side of a cave, sending the two of us hurtling below.

Gaveal tried to struggle against my grip, but Gauss's Lance far surpassed her in strength.

BOOM.

The two of us crashed into the ground, as Gaveal breathed heavily, glaring at my Lance with an inciting hatred.

"Why do you know my family's combat style... who taught you... who..."

"What do you mean your family's combat style. I was taught from..."

I was taught by Tora Nava.

Did this mean...

Gaveal breathed heavily, trying to fight back Gauss's iron grip.

"The martial arts of my family... the martial arts of the now deceased House Ful. It was a sacred style... it was all I had left."

House Ful?

As in...

As in Zennen Ful?

I slowly let go.

"Gaveal... don't tell me you were..."

Gaveal clenched her teeth.

"That is correct. Before becoming the Hero of the Madine... my name was Evelia Gaveal Del Ful. The last daughter of House Ful.

"Before my entire family was slaughtered."

I lowered my blades, as I watched Gaveal force herself to stand.

"It has been too long, since I have seen someone fight with the hand of House Ful. Your elegance and your movements... it reminds me of Mother so much. There is no greater honor than to fight against a stronger opponent, always remember this, Dekani Price."

"Even if it costs you your life?" I asked.

Gaveal smiled.

"Yes. I have not lost to you yet, Dekani. If you want this victory against me, you must fight until I am physically unable to keep fighting. This is the way. This is the-"

SIZZLE SIZZLE.

Gaveal turned to me, her face startled.

"Dekani?"

"I deactivated my Lance's speed boost. I will fight you on equal grounds."

"That armor's speed enhancement was what allowed you to overwhelm me. You would simply throw that away?"

I smiled, raising my tonfa.

"There is no greater honor than fighting a stronger opponent."

Gaveal raised her sword.

"In my family, there is a name we call to those we respect. Those who accomplish feats that deserve praise amongst members of House Ful."

"And what is that?"

Gaveal rushed forward, as I deflected her strike with my tonfas, unleashing a powerful shockwave.

"Val'en."

I shifted backwards, readjusting the force balance of our struggle, as our blades skidded against one another, unleashing a shower of sparks. The two of us began a supersonic blade exchange.

The more I fought Gaveal, the more honed my strikes became.

And the more Gaveal began to smile.

So that was why she called me that.

Val'en Dekani Price.

That was where the name Valian came from.

We blasted out of the cave, Gauss increasing in speed as did the Hero of Madine.

"Whoa! Look at those two go!" Valefor watched as the two of us blasted across the entire landform with supersonic speed, slashing and clashing with frightening precision.

I pushed Gaveal back, as she skidded with her feet.

"Come, Val'en Dekani. For some reason... fighting you, has awakened something in me."

"The same with me." I replied, as we yelled our battlecries, clashing violently.

CLANG.

"Do not fail on me now, Dekani."

I retaliated with several slashes with my Cronen.

"On my fourteenth birthday... my mother told me a prophecy." Gaveal muttered, as she breathed into the sky of the cliff our fight had spilled over.

Cuts and bruises lined her shredded armor, as she lay, unable to continue fighting.

My Lance was heavily damaged, as I watched the sun set in the horizon.

"A prophecy?"

"Yes. My mother told me, that one day, I would meet a man of tomorrow. One who would bring about the full circle to House Ful. And that when the day comes, I must complete his broken repertoire. Perhaps that man... is you."

"How can you be so sure?"

"That weapon you wield, it is the same weapon our family uses to hunt down the Alvare species. The Cro'Nen."

So even the Cronen Supra was part of her family.

"Your movements are polished, it must have required very dedicated training. Am I correct?" Gaveal asked.

"Yes."

"If that was the extent of your martial art, there would be no room for improvement. You have mastered it to its fullest. But the fundamentals of the martial arts you were taught has deficiencies. And since your repertoire is an interpretation of Fulian Martial arts that means it can be improved even further."

"So you are saying..."

Gaveal reached out to me. I resolved out of my Lance and took her hand.

"I can teach you the way of House Ful. The full repertoire of the martial arts your country has trained you. The proper way to fight.

"My family... my mother would have wanted the Ful bloodline to continue. I had chosen to walk the path of the Hero, but by doing so, I denounced my heritage. And I had given up all hope of honoring my ancestors. I thought that I would live my life as a disgrace... but now that you are here, it is as if mother has given me a second chance from the afterlife. A second chance to redeem myself and restore honor to House Ful that once raised me."

09

The day of the War Game had finally arrived.

Nima placed her hand on the ground.

"Creation Magic: Iron Fortress"

"I will remain stationed here along with Valefor." Nima said.

"The most likely situation is they've put Tristam's servants and the three Heroes on the offensive, since onslaught is their specialty." Valefor informed us.

"As for initiating the siege, that will be my responsibility. Lorai will back me up as we battle Tristam and Shin. Once Shin has been weakened enough, I will rush to assist Valefor on fighting off the Heroes." Gaveal said, as she turned to Lorai.

"And you will be the one to finish off Shin and Tristam. Dekani will take on Gargantua's servants."

The sound of an explosion rung the skies, as the War Game started.

I rushed forward in the Lance I had chosen.

My battle against Nero that day, and the words Gaveal had said to me.

It was enough for me to know what Lance I had to use.

Maybe it was the right one all along.

I rushed forward, leaping from tree after tree.

"Operator, how do you know that the Acolytes will be here?"

"They will be here. A region where none of the others can hear and listen in on us. They will be here."

I caught and flipped on one of the branches, landing on the ground.

My Guandao gleaming in the light of the secluded region of the forest.

"So, after all those hours of careful planning..." Penance's voice echoed in the darkness.

"This is the instrument of war you chose. That False Licita's loadout." Ruin said.

"They do say that it is full circle. The same loadout who had killed Nero the first time... is this a sign that he can finally be avenged by us? What an honor!" Furyam leapt at me from the side, but I disappeared in a smoke grenade.

"You cannot hide from me." Penance snarled, slicing down with his sceptres, but the blade was deflected from Guandao, the smoke grenade's effect wearing off, revealing my Ash Supra Lance.

I spun my polearm, using the techniques Gaveal had taught to me, on the weeks leading up to the War Game.

Everything that was once refined, felt even more polished.

As if the deepest, more obscure details that had led to the deficiency of the Valian Martial Arts style had been finally cleansed.

"Close in." Penance shouted, as Furyam and Ruin approached me from both sides.

My eyes flashed.

Ash Ability Four - BLADE STORM

A flurry of specters from both sides of my Lance erupted a storm of exalted blades, scraping and nicking the hide of both Acolytes.

Penance went in for another overhead slash, but I willed my Lance to back flip, evading and dodging. I chained the movement with a sideways twist, drawing my twin Tribunal Supras and unleashing an automatic bullet barrage, forcing the Acolyte to block the gunfire.

A shower of sparks blinded his vision.

I threw another smoke grenade, concealing my position and darting across the perimeter of the battlefield.

"Fighting the coward's fight?! Not even Valian Arsanios Licita used that Lance for that purpose! Cowardice is not the Toron way, much less the Valian way, Price!" Furyam snarled.

This is why you are so restricted, and I believe this may well be why your brethren is flawed. Gaveal had once told me.

In battle, warriors are clouded with what they perceive to be a sense of honor, when in reality, it simply is a veil that restricts what they truly are capable of.

And as I continued this hit and run strategy, the more I could see how deviated I became.

I no longer fought like a Valian.

This was not the way we were taught by Nava. But to defeat these Acolytes, this was necessary.

It had to be necessary.

"Reveal yourself, coward!" Penance roared, as he summoned a handful of kunai, releasing them in a series of linear strikes at the sounds of my footsteps.

I leapt into the air and ran across the surface of the broken walls of what was once a Orlaian building, now populated and consumed by the forest's vegetation.

I holstered my firearms, deflecting the throwing knives with the flat of my polearm.

Your teacher was a soldier, but your movements and what you are capable of in your armor, it far surpasses his. If that is the case, why are you limiting what you can do to what he could?

"WHERE IS HE." Ruin snarled.

I twisted mid air, aiming the barrel of my automatic pistol to his face.

My Lance's finger squeezed the trigger, but before I could press against it, a shadow loomed over me.

I readjusted my aim, firing to the side. My legs pushing back and using the momentum of the gunfire to propel myself back.

Time slowed down, the figure of Penance in full view, his arms were coated with the same stone shroud that Monolith used when unleashing its devastating heavy attacks.

And it looked like Penance had also discovered his first mistake, as his face contorted into a scowl.

"He made me use my ability!"

Ruin spun around.

"Forget about that, if we don't use our full abilities, that Valian is going to kill us."

Ruin's hand suddenly transformed, coils of metal manifesting, as the whip of Quora's Lance jettisoned to my position.

I backflipped and launched myself into the air.

Ash Ability Three: DISPLACEMENT

I made eye contact with Furyam, who had managed to regroup with the other two Acolytes, but was intercepted by the sudden manifestation of my Lance's armor.

I raised my polearm up high, watching as Furyam turned around, his face startled.

"Furyam! Forget Sequence 8A. You are permitted to use your abilities."

Furyam's eyes glowed.

I hesitated, as I skidded back, dodging Ember's fire ability.

"Engage!" Penance growled, his scythes in full view, rushing forward in a furious rage, but I spun my polearm, elegantly dodging and weaving, blocking and deflecting his strikes. The other two Acolytes leapt in until it was a three on one blade exchange.

"Bastard... his movements... how is he able to keep up with all three of us!"

"Focus on the pressure, Ruin! We represent Lord Gargantua and SHADOW, there is no worse shame than losing to one single Valian!"

I slashed outwards, sending Furyam shooting into a tree, then went low, sweeping Penance off the ground and resolving out of my Lance, firing a void blast which launched him into the air.

I resolved back into my Lance and swapped to my dual pistols, unleashing a fusillade of bullets and overwhelming Ruin.

"I don't understand, Operator. Earlier you said it would be impossible for a single Valian to defeat three Acolytes. Why the sudden change in demeanor?" Folock had asked me, after my training with Gaveal.

I inspected my Lance.

"You are right. It ordinarily would be impossible. Because Valian and Acolyte, their fighting styles stem from the same repertoire. The repertoire of Toron military."

"Are you saying you have developed an entirely new fighting style?"

"Not exactly. It's hard to break out of old habits. But the Toron military, its roots are engrained deeply from House Ful's martial arts. By focusing on the Fulian style, I'm not deviating far from the path in terms of fundamentals. But to an opponent, it will be as if the style is completely different altogether."

I rushed forward, going invisible once more and overwhelming Penance, switching between Operator Form and Lance Form in rapid succession.

"In other words..."

I raised my polearm, deflecting Furyam's whip, then simultaneously pulled out my firearm, until I was dual wielding melee and gun at the same time.

"I have adapted my style to be... Anti-Toron."

Ruin, who was approaching me with top speed, stumbled. His mouth wide open.

"He... what... what kind of Toron fighting style is that?!"

SNIP SNIP SNIP SNIP SNIP.

The bullets sparked off Ruin's helmet, the concussive force causing his eyes to roll into the back of his head as he slid forward with the built up momentum.

I jumped up, causing Ruin's unconscious body to slam into Penance, who cursed wildly.

Penance and Furyam leapt into the trees, blasting in and strafing me from every angle imaginable.

Remember your training.

Clear your mind.

Whatever movement they make, would be a movement a Toron would perform.

So...

Anticipate, and adapt.

And overcome.

I spun my Guandao with lightning speed, deflecting every kiting attempt that came my way with supersonic succession. Their flurry of attacks, completely negated by my defense.

Stray blade slashes began lobbing off tree branches all around, a frenzy brewing with a storm of warfare, shredding the local wildlife apart.

SLICE.

SHAK.

Pieces of my Lance began getting torn off.

"I see now..." Penance laughed menacingly, as he dove at me, but changed course last second, slashing in an unorthodox angle and catching me in the side.

"The little brat has modified his technique! In other words... we adapt along with him!"

My eyes went wide.

"Wha-?!"

SHINK.

I stumbled back, shock spread across my face.

"Dammit!" I gasped.

No way.

The two Acolytes had seen through my veil. I couldn't finish this fight now that they had figured me out.

"Did you really think you would stand a chance against us? That we would just get fooled by a slight variation in technique?" Furyam hissed at my Lance's ear.

Furyam and Penance began regaining the upper hand, splitting apart and forcing my concentration to be divided in two.

Within minutes, the two Acolytes had me cornered, having figured out the modification in my style.

I slid back, crashing through several trees.

"There is no point in going invisible if I can still trace you down from the shockwaves of your footsteps, Valian Price." Penance laughed, pursuing me and catching me whenever I tried to dive in to close the distance.

I backed up, gripping my weapons and eyeing the two Acolytes. My concentration was forcing too much out of me, and I could feel my Transference signal beginning to waver.

Ultimately...

Ultimately even if I learned the style of House Ful, there was still a large disparity between our skills.

There was no magical fix to doing the impossible.

KABOOM.

I could make out the sounds of fighting. Valefor and Nima were probably fighting the three heroes on Tristam's side, and Lorai was with Gaveal, facing Shin.

I was worried about Lorai, with Gaveal by her side, the two could fight Shin and Lorai could be safe.

But then there was the fact that Valefor and Nima had to face the three Legendary Heroes of Orlai all on their own. Valefor had to fight three opponents who were equal if not greater in power than he, and although Nima's magical ability was proficient enough to be considered a headmaster, the two of them were still outnumbered by Orlai's finest.

If Gaveal assisted Valefor, they might have an edge, but that would leave Lorai all alone to Shin.

I could only pray that my allies, that Valefor and Nima could hold out long enough.

I had to have faith that Gaveal and Lorai could wear down Shin fast enough to allow Lorai to fight him safely while Gaveal returned to Valefor.

As for me, I had to do the impossible and defeat Gargantua's Acolytes.

Everything about this War Game was out of my hands.

Everything...

I charged forward, but just like the simulations, I was overwhelmed. If I tried to fight one Acolyte, I exposed my blind spots to the other, now that my stealth was compromised.

If I tried to fight both at the same time, my offense would be split in two, and I would have no means of breaching either Acolyte's defenses.

And I knew for a fact that Penance and Furyam were well aware of this.

SLICE.

Penance spun and slashed upwards with his scythe, ripping a devastating gash against the chest of my Lance. I was flung backwards, devastated by the repeated whip lashes from Furyam.

I smashed face first into the dirt.

"Some... Valian I am..." I muttered.

"Operator... stay down. Please... this is a War Game, if you admit defeat, the Acolytes will let you go." Folock urged me.

Penance chuckled.

"Why don't you listen to your senile Dataform? He knows what's good for you."

STAB.

Furyam knelt down and impaled my Lance with one of his other melee weapons, a large spear.

I felt Transference static arcing across all of my body. I tried to move my Lance, but nothing was happening. It was as if all the motor units of my armor had been disabled from that spear.

I couldn't let it end like this.

I had to get up, but realistically... what could I do?

I changed my style... I deviated from the Valian Way... yet I still lost.

"Lorai..." I muttered, closing my eyes.

"I'm... I'm sorry..."

"Operator! Operator, don't fall asleep!" Folock's panicked voice sent reverbs that bounced off the edges of my skull, piercing my ears.

Perhaps...

Perhaps Tora Nava was wrong about me...

Perhaps everyone who had put their faith in me simply were deluded from the start.

In the palm of my hand, was the secret behind Zennen Ful's outrageous power, the only MR45 Valian to ever exist, and now what he had, should have been what I could wield now at this stage.

Yet even so, where did that get me?

You seek power, kiddo. Why is it so hard for you to accept that?

My eyes fluttered open.

"You-" I gasped, panic crept into my voice.

I was floating in what appeared to be... nothing. Pure black space, but in front of me, was what appeared to be an enormous statue of a man.

Only something was wrong. The man had six arms, spread open and spaced equally. The portion of his head that normally would have been where his eyes were, were replaced by a series of vertical columns, similar to the pillars that lined the Building of the Valian Council on Lua.

Torons. Severens. Valians. Acolytes.

The man's voice felt like a sharp knife scraping against rock, the rumbling so deep it shook my bones.

So very meaningless, when before me. No metal beast, no Severen flesh, no tempered steel can save you. Out there, you can hide behind the veil of your creations. But before me, you appear in your purest, most vulnerable form. Valian Dekani Price. Your valuable Lotus cannot stop your greed. The greed to accept me.

"You're foolish if you believe this is enough for us to accept you." I snarled.

Such an ungrateful one. I always thought you were special, Dekani Price. I know you are special. I choose my pawns very carefully. My first, was Valian Rel Lyall. And through me, through my influence, he created the Red Veil. What shall you do once you have accepted me, Valian Dekani Price?

"I will fight with my own strength."

Your own strength? Look how far that has gotten you, kiddo. You wield the way of House Ful, yet you are still outmatched. But with me... your power will be limitless.

The Indifference was right. Even with the same foundation as Zennen Ful, I still could not close the skill gap required to overcome this hurdle.

I needed...

I needed...

"You say this... but Valian Zennen Ful was still able to push himself without being corrupted by you and became the strongest Valian in history. All through House Ful's way along with the Valian way. If that is the case, there must be something I'm doing different than he is." I said, steeling my resolve.

"Your mind tricks won't work on me."

Is that what you really believe?

I clenched my teeth. Reasoning with the Indifference was about as effective as trying to talk sense into Nero or Ballard. It would always be one sided.

Suddenly, the man began laughing hysterically.

The fact that you address that particular name as if it were a person tells me you really don't know anything.

A wave of rage rolled over me.

"What are you saying? Enough of this. Let me go, I have a mission to-"

Just remember this, Valian Dekani Price.

The vision began to dissolve, but the Indifference continued speaking in my head.

It all begins. It all starts.

With you.

My vision was blurry, from within the ruins of my Lance.

"You- what the hell do you think you're doing?! Do you need Prince Nero to subject you to more treatment?" I could hear Penance backing off. The Acolyte inching away from a mysterious figure.

"What in the..." My voice trailed away, interrupted by a series of slashing and cutting. Precise, wide strikes. Honed and perfected.

The only people who could do that were...

"If you interfere, you will betray us." Furyam clashed with the figure, but he began overpowering him, slashing through his defenses and cutting through.

"He's gone feral again. I knew trying to control those little devils would be a bad idea." Penance went in and began exchanging blows with the stranger, but as my vision became clearer, I couldn't believe my eyes.

His movements.

His strikes and slashes.

His footwork and the way he managed his range.

They were strikingly Valian... but at the same time, they were not.

They incorporated elements of House Ful.

Perfectly.

SLICE.

Penance stumbled back, his face white as a ghost. A line of red formed across his forehead.

The man had sliced upwards with one of his dual swords, and I could make out his armor.

It was an Ash Lance, just like mine.

"Who... who are you..." I muttered. The Valian stood above me.

I couldn't recognize the designs of this particular model. Because lined all over it were streaks of red.

Like a Severen's.

"What... what are you doing here. Why are you here?" I muttered, struggling to my feet.

The Valian didn't answer.

"Your Lance, I don't recognize this model. Identify yourself." I said to the Valian, who craned his head to the direction of the Acolytes.

Penance and Furyam glared at us.

"Liath. The consequences of what you have done will reflect dearly. Once you return to Praghasa it looks like Nero is going to have to rewire your brain again. And it's going to hurt. A lot." Penance snarled, as he and Furyam retreated.

Liath? That name didn't seem familiar at all.

Just who was this Valian?

Liath didn't say anything, as he turned to me.

I was stunned, unable to process a single thought.

Severen modified Lance armor... an unfamiliar name.

"Folock, Valian identification."

"Processing."

I stood my ground, facing the Valian.

"What happened to your Lance? Why are you with the Severens and why are you in this timeline?"

No answer. My blood began to boil.

"Answer me, dammit! By my name, Valian Dekani Price MR18. I command you to identi-"

Liath raised the palm of his hand, and a red light shone with a holographic 25.

My voice caught in my tongue.

MR25.

Valian Liath was a higher Mastery Rank than me. I had no authority to demand anything from him.

"You-"

SMASH.

I looked down, to see Liath's arm sprouting from the stomach of my Lance. Electronic pieces and armor components spilled onto the ground as I fell to my knees.

"Da- dammit... why..."

My vision went blurry, as Transference Static completely overwhelmed it.

I resolved out of my Lance and tried to deploy a different one, but suddenly, I was trapped.

Liath's hand was outstretched, forcing me to stay in the destroyed armor.

"Forget about her. Valian Price." Liath said.

"What?!"

I couldn't tell what Liath's face was making, underneath his void and lifeless mask of the Ash Supra Lance.

"Against Lord Gargantua and the Severens... those you care about are fated to die."

"How can you say that? How can you-"

"As a Valian, where is your honour?" Liath's grip was too much for me. I couldn't break free.

"Honour? You dare speak of honour when you have traces of Severen in your Lance?!"

"Severen laces my armour, but at least it isn't selfishness. You took an innocent girl of this timeline and now she has become so attached to you she would fight Orlai's legendary Shin for your sake. You will lose her. Just like you lost your comrades. That is the life Valians live."

"Shut up!"

I struggled, but it was useless.

"I will not repeat myself again. Lose this War Game, Valian. Let the Fleym be taken. We have done enough damage to this timeline already as it is. The Valian have done enough damage as it is."

"The Valian...?"

Liath turned around and walked off, leaving me alone in my destroyed Lance.

"You've done your best. You blame yourself for their deaths, didn't you? For Nava... and for Ikes. You've improved since that day, from how you fought those three Acolytes. Be happy with where you are at now."

My heart skipped a beat.

How did he know... about Ikes? What was he talking about?

"You don't need to push yourself further. I can take it from here, Price. My own way."

"No... don't..."

"I will put Lorai out of her misery. Then, with their own technology, I will crush the Severen, AND the Valian."

No...

Lorai...

I can't...

VREEEEEN.

Void energy began coursing through my body.

I can't let this happen. Lorai...

Lorai's smile...

I had to protect that smile.

"RELEASE ME NOW, LIATH." I roared, shattering his restraints. Liath stumbled back.

"How-"

Liath stepped forward, but I glared at a nearby platform and teleported to it. Teleporting as fast as I could.

"PRICE. STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS." Liath yelled at me, taking out a firearm and shooting at me.

I immediately began chaining Void Dashes and Transferences, dodging the bullets.

"Operator..."

"Not now, Folock. Give me Lorai's position. Right now!"

"Uploading coordinates... but that Liath fellow... he seems..."

"We have more important priorities. Put your concerns on backlog for now."

"Yes, Operator."

I had to get to Lorai. I knew Gaveal wouldn't just leave her alone unless Shin was fully drained, but she was in a tight spot. If she stayed with Lorai to wear down Shin for too long, Nima and Valefor would be overwhelmed.

At some point, she had to make the call.

And it was up to me to get back to Lorai...

Images of Nava flashed in my mind.

Of him being impaled.

I can't be late again.

I can't.

"LORAI!" I roared, appearing above Shin, who had just ripped away the cover that Lorai was hiding from. Her sniper rifle looked like it was out of bullets, and sweat was pouring down her face.

She looked determined, but I could tell... she was terrified.

My hyperthought processing had instantly reenacted the scenario.

Gaveal had no choice but to leave her alone, but Lorai knew better than to fight a Class 7 adventurer head on. So she tried a guerilla strategy, finding cover and sniping him from a distance.

But she had her cover blown last minute, with Shin seconds away from killing her.

"GET AWAY FROM LORAI." I growled.

"Deploy the Archgun Launcher, Folock!"

"Deploying!"

A massive Mausolon appeared from the sky, as I caught the heavy cannon, the weight throwing me on Shin's back.

The two of us slammed into the ground.

SHHK SHHK.

BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM.

Shin's head smashed into the ground, deeper and deeper.

I leapt off of the adventurer and shielded Lorai.

"Lord Price! You beat Gargantua's followers! I knew you could do it!" Lorai exclaimed.

How could you be thinking about that when you were seconds away from death, Lorai?

"Lorai, stay behind me. I can deal with Shin."

Lorai smiled.

"I know."

A rush of heat went through my body.

Perhaps this was the reason why I was so fond of her.

Because this was the first time someone believed in me so much...

Without question, she had so much faith in someone like me.

Shin got up and tried to strike me, but I weaved flawlessly, spinning my Guandao and impaling the adventurer in the back.

I grounded myself, assuming a frontal horse stance, and lifted Shin into the air.

ASH Ability Four: BLADE STORM

Four clones appeared, their exalted knives extended and began slashing at Shin over and over again.

I needed to hurry. I had to eliminate Shin before-

ASH Ability Four: BLADE STORM

Four more clones, red in colour, suddenly manifested next to mine, and began slicing at them, dissipating them before Shin could be finished off.

"No way-"

Liath appeared before me, his Ash's faceplate inches away from mine.

"You should have let Tristam win. No good comes from meddling with the past." Liath snarled.

"Don't pretend to understand me, Liath!" I retaliated, slashing with my Guandao and clashing with his.

Shin fell backwards, but regained his footing and rushed me from behind.

I turned around viciously, but Liath pushed forward, causing some of the servos in my Ash's calves to creak.

"You dare turn your back on your opponent in battle?" Liath shouted.

Shin raised his massive sword, about to slice at me, when suddenly, the blade shattered.

"What-" Liath and I said at the same time, as I spun around, to see the barrel of a Harkanon smoking from the distance.

That level of sniper precision...

That level of precision that I had spent so much time teaching to her... she had managed to pull it off. It could only be achieved through many many hours of labor intensive training. Yet she was able to do it flawlessly.

Lorai!

Shin glared at her and marched forward, but Lorai fired again, this time, at a tree branch, releasing a swarm of vegetation that spilled on the adventurer.

Liath stared at Lorai.

"How did that Fleym girl attain Lance level sniper proficiency...?!"

"You turned your back, Liath." I growled, slicing upwards and catching Liath in the helmet, causing him to stumble back.

ASH Ability One - Seeking Shuriken

I embedded several shurikens into Shin.

"Now! Lorai! Shoot at the shurikens!"

Lorai aimed the barrel of her sniper, and fired.

Blood exploded from where Shin's defenses were locally deactivated by the shurikens, knocking him out cold.