(Not my proudest fighting chapter tbh.)

Teary eyes of desperation raised to look at the stars, searching for the warmth of one that would accept her. With that, she slowly descended into the dark and closed her eyes.

Upon calling her name, the floor underneath him became weaker and suddenly vanished, making his eyes open quickly as a reflex. To his surprise, he was still standing and not falling to his possible death. However, the library was completely gone, replaced by a strange environment that he doesn't recognize.

He was standing outside, under the blinding light of the Sun, a large grass field surrounding him. With no other notable details around, not even trees, his attention focused to what was standing in front of him. Confronting him, the girl who helped him reach this point was standing a few meters away, blank eyes staring back at him and torn up clothes, revealing vines armed with sharp thorns twirling around her body.

Y/N: ...

Reaching for his weapon, he lightly crouched and prepared himself for a battle, knowing that he was the one that was invited inside this place. He was the intruder, she would definitely not appreciate that intrusion.

Koishi: I beg of you, please stay with me... I don't want to be alone.

She mumbled to him while raising one of her hands in his direction. Bracing himself for an attack, he pulled out the sword by his side and held it tightly in his hands, gathering his energy to face his ally.

Y/N: ...

Considering the outcome of his plan, he knew that her wish could not be fulfilled and so, he was ready to fight back in order to accomplish his role. After all, this would be his way to tell her his farewells, not to remain trapped forever inside a delusion.

Behind the small girl, 4 shadows emerged, twice as tall as her. They all dispersed and circled the youkai from a distance, almost reluctant to approach her. Confused for a moment, he observed the scene and laughters echoed loudly around them, all of the unknown entities pointing a mocking finger at the target of their laughs.

'Look at that weirdo, who the hell is she?'

'She knows everything about us, she's creepy.'

'She probably likes to stalk people because nobody wants to talk to her.'

'Well deserved.'

Also able to hear the voices, she placed her hands to cover her ear, not wishing to hear anything from them. The shapeless creatures lowered their arms and faced the librarian, revealing pairs of red eyes staring back at him.

Koishi: Why did I have to be born this way? Everyone fears me because of my power...

Behind him, a sob was faintly heard, shifting his attention behind his back. Standing up, the girl was also there but unlike the one confronting him, her clothes were completely fine and her eyes were constantly producing tears. Hiding her face, she bursted into muffled cries.

Yet, her third eye was wide open and staring back at him, the first time he ever saw it like that.

Y/N: ..Koishi?

Koishi-2: I just wanted... to be accepted, to be with everyone.

Softly speaking to nobody in particular, the shadows laughed once more, enjoying the tears shed by her. Concentrating on the opponents facing him, his expression relaxed, taking a deep breath and examining the situation that he involved himself into. In response to his calmness, the reflection circled by demons raised her arm above her head.

Koishi: It's a lie, everyone fears me, why should I bother?

???: Unknown situation, analyzing for possible solution.

Y/N: ?

Footsteps behind him were heard and a silhouette took position by his side. It wasn't the small girl but rather a woman wearing a dark suit and wielding a large spear. Gray hair fluttered in the air around them before finally settling against her back. Dulls eyes close to a doll averted in his direction.

Y/N: Alice? What are you doing here?

Alice: ...

???: Both of you, calm down.

To his right, another person entered the scene, another one of the librarians who fought against the shrine maiden and faced the witch on her own for the majority of the battle. Still holding onto a rapier, her fighting posture was calm and calculated, just like her strategies, one of the reasons why she was the leader of the group.

Y/N: Maria...

Maria: One is wishing to keep her eyes opened while one is wishing to close them forever, only one can remain.

Y/N: ...I see.

2 sides were exposed to them, both sides that cannot coexist together, one must be eliminated for the other to remain. Trapped inside that conflict, the librarians were forced to take a side and protect one of the girls while getting rid of the second one.

Koishi-2: I want someone to care for me, no matter who I am.

Koishi: All will hate me because of my powers, I have to get rid of them.

Maria: ...I understand the situation now.

Y/N: You do?

It was a surprise for him since the woman died a long time ago, she shouldn't be able to understand what was going on but for some reason, his expectations were shattered. Giving the man a smile, she explained.

Maria: The fear of rejection, the sorrow of being abandoned, those are probably the emotions inside this eternal duel. They both want to be accepted by others but with different solutions for the problem.

Alice: The shadows are the reason for this, we must remove them of the equation.

Y/N: That I can do, I'll try my best.

All he needed to do was deal with the fight and follow its rule. By doing that, the end of this charade would arrive and the wounds in her heart would be healed, at least partially. As Koishi's friend, he wished the best for her.

[Passives]

-The End of my Torment: The battle is lost if [Koishi Komeiji] has been defeated. The battle is won is [Koishi Komeiji] deals the fatal hit to the distorted [Koishi Komeiji].

-Degradation of Sanity: At the beginning of each turn, all librarians take damage equal to 5% of their Max HP. This effect is cancelled once [Acceptance] has been activated.

-Subject of Mockery: [Koishi Komeiji] is unable to use any offensive actions until all shadows have been cleared. If a total of 30 damage has been dealt to that character, uses the attack "Desperate wish to be accepted", targeting all characters. Inflict 5 damage to themself when a librarian is damaged by the distorted [Koishi Komeiji]. This effect is cancelled once [Acceptance] has been activated.

-Acceptance: When all shadows have been eliminated, all librarians recover 100% of their Max HP and Stun Resist while [Koishi Komeiji] permanently gains Strength, Defense and Evasion equal to 20% multiplied by the amount of living librarians. If no librarians are alive during this state, [Koishi Komeiji] immediately dies.

-Help me Friends!: Once all shadows have been cleared, [Koishi Komeiji] will enter a "Courageous Manifestation" state and become immune to Stun damage for the rest of the battle. While under that state, becomes instantly stunned if a total of 2 allies have been stunned. The counter does not go up if an ally has been stunned while [Koishi Komeiji] is in that state, the counter also drops back to 0 once out of that state.

-Mental Harvest: Does not activate until all shadows have been removed. At the beginning of each turn, has a chance to give all librarians a powerful attack. The attack can only be used during the turn it was given and is removed upon use.

-Loss & Grief: If [Final Librarian] dies...

Y/N: How should we proceed with this situation?

Alice: Eliminate the possible threats. The shadows must be removed.

Readying their weapons, they stood their grounds and proudly formed a shield to protect the crying girl. Trapped inside her desperate wish, only her third eye could witness their action, unable to react. Meanwhile, the opposing force also prepared themselves for a battle, guided by the distorted fears of the youkai.

That girl was not Koishi Komeiji, she was the symbol of her past, her abandonment.

'Stop looking at me with those eyes, I'm the victim here, it was all their fault!'

She responded back to his gaze with anger. With no hesitation, she swung her arm down to the ground and vines grew out of the floor around the librarians, starting the first wave of attacks. Taken by surprise, all librarians took a defensive posture and sharp roots impaled them, not powerful enough to kill them though.

However, after tanking the damage, the girl behind them bursted into loud cries, her legs shaking rapidly. The shadows took that sign as an opportunity for them to attack and began to rush in their direction.

Maria: Do not lose focus!

Ordering her other allies, her hand clutching the rapier tightened and she dashed to the front before blocking one of the opponents. Catching up with her, the spear-wielding girl and the exhausted parasite silently followed afterwards.

Alice: Target locked, clash imminent.

Arriving at the front of an enemy, she blocked the hit aimed at her and responded with a slash by swinging efficiently her weapon in a straight line. Once done, she pressed onwards and impaled the shapeless apparition. Attempting to prevent the hit did nothing and the weapon was thrusted into the shadow, unable to kill it.

During that time, the walking body confronted one of the opponents but was immediately shot from afar by the second Koishi that they were fighting, a large thorn stuck in his arm. Gritting his teeth, he followed his plans and clashed with the enemy. First move, he blocked the attack, successfully able to do so. Repelled by it, the entity was staggered back and leaving itself open for an attack.

Y/N's mind: They don't have any technique, they're acting like wild animals.

Attacking back with a wide swing, his restless gaze laid upon the monster he was facing. Of course, it was not enough to kill it, he knew that a monster would never die from something as weak as that. He knew from experience, he knew that it wouldn't die.

Just like how he was the only one at the end of the road.

Y/N: ...

In a way, both of them were similar. Both of them were tormentors for others, both unaware of their errors until the deed was done. In that way too, the only difference was they did not have the intellect to attempt to repair the damages that has been done unlike him. His final step would be this, he would turn into a mindless shadow overwhelmed by grudges and anger.

'They all lie, they all pretend that nothing happened, I know that!'

The girl exclaimed her feelings, watching the scene unfolding before her eyes.

Y/N: ...

The last opponent ran past all the librarians and reached for the crying girl hidden in the back. Her third eye slightly reacted to the danger approaching and the youkai dodged the blow like she knew it was coming. Predicting the attacks coming in her direction, she effortlessly avoided the attacks.

Maria: Get your grasp onto something that can actually fight back!

Rushing to the 4th demon torturing the girl, she unleashed a torrent of flames with her blade. Pushed away by the hit, the foe evaporated along with the other ones, reappearing next to the distorted illusion of the owner of this nightmare.

Y/N: ...

Emerging from the ground, vines filled the field and transpierced the librarians standing on top of it. The beginning of a new turn arrived and so, their price had to be paid, taking away their blood and vitality.

A mere 5% was not much but considering that one of them was forced to fight with only 25% of their former health was putting them at a disadvantage, limiting the number of turns they could take to deal with the threats.

'A price has to be paid to be accepted... I paid mine, yours is next.'

Maria: This might become a pain in the ass to deal with if we don't hurry up.

Alice: Remark acknowledged, optimizing path.

Not saying anything, the man engaged himself into a staring contest with one of the shadows. Feeling its gaze going back at him, his mind went through the same thoughts over and over again.

This is you, this is you, this is you, this is you. You are the one that torments others.

Maria: Y/N?

Y/N: ...

The fatigue was strong, covering his mind with a large wave of water, keeping him deep below in an attempt to drown him for good. His delirious mind went haywire at the thought of killing himself, his hands shaking lightly.

Y/N: I suppose that is what I always wanted, an end.

Maria: Y/N?

Confused by his words, she tried to reach for him but he ran to the front, now leading the team. The shadows replied by all rushing at him. Assessing the situation, he swiftly dodged out of the way and fought back against the cause of this trauma.

'Can't you see that this is what I must do to be with everyone? They're willing to help me as long as I close my eye.'

Y/N: ...

Noticing the girl's attempt to attack him, he preemptively raised his sword and parried the thorn shot in his direction while enduring the hits received from the other opponents that he was facing alone.

Alice: Transpierce.

Solemnly whispering to herself, the woman lacking in emotions rushed to his aid by attacking one of the targets. Not flinching at what should be a dangerous wound, the shadow fought back but was deflected by the attacker, expecting that kind of reaction.

Maria: Y/N, don't run off recklessly, we can take care of them!

Y/N: ...

He did not respond, no point to do so. The leader acknowledged that silence and retaliated against the foes that could only behave with their instinct. Expecting that reaction too, her target easily dashed out of the way and focused its attention on her instead of the weak target standing right in front of them.

Intensely paying attention to their enemies, they failed to notice one of them slipping past them and reaching for the girl hiding in the back. Trapped within her sorrow, her third eye warned her of the incoming danger and she easily moved out of the way, not fighting back.

After relentless attacks, none of the shadows seemed close to giving up, not even weakening their hits after enduring multiple attacks, as if they were unaffected by them. Taking their own distances, the librarians caught their breath and formed once more a defensive wall in front of the youkai.

With each new wounds, I can feel my resilience grow stronger.

The one carrying the rapier pondered for a moment about a plan, adjusting a few strands of hair blocking her vision. Glancing to her right, Alice was calmly analyzing the movements and position of each targets like it was second nature.

...Something was burning, the air was filled with ashes and smoke was rising to the endless sky above their heads.

Maria: Y/N?

Gazing at the exhausted member, her eyes averted to the ground below him. Under his feet, the green grass surrounding them was turned into scorched nothingness and flames were spreading out like an infection. Meanwhile, the one causing the fire was unbothered by it, even though the lower part of his suit and shoes were starting to be consumed by it.

A monster doesn't know when to die, it can only be put down by a hunter or else it will survive.

Y/N: ...

Just like before, the vines around the field stabbed them through the legs, taking away blood with it. Gritting his teeth, he held his head with one of his hands, not responding to any attempts from his ally to communicate with him.

'I must pay my price.'

Their enemy, the cause behind the vines, was the one mumbling to the librarians. The third wave of attacks was quickly arriving and the allies of the crying girl had to form a plan while one of their ally was turning the field into a large camp fire for unknown reasons.

Y/N: ...

Calming down, his focus returned but the fire did not weaken, not like he minded it in the first place. He glanced at the girls standing by his side and shot an exhausted glare at the opponent confronting them.

Y/N: She longs for affection, something she can hold on to...

It was his turn to speak to himself, attempting to think of a solution. As much as he would like to simply tell her that she didn't need to go that far to be accepted, the deed was done a long time ago in the past, he could not do anything about that.

Maria: It was like a deal with a devil, she obtained what she wanted but at the cost of being someone completely different.

Alice: The ones from that time are gone, they cannot be punished. These shapeless shadows represent those people.

Y/N: ...

Koishi: Is it... the only solution?

The one behind them was starting to question her own convictions. Maybe it would be best to simply give up, to be one who would not scare others away. All she had to do was to close her eye forever.

Y/N: If you really want something to happen then giving up is not a solution.

Koishi: ...?

The world around them darkened, as if the Sun was dying above their heads. Standing inside a mysterious spotlight, both puppets were presented to the unknown public, confronting each other of their wishes.

Right now, the only people that seemed to matter were the duo of librarians, the youkai who wished for a better outcome and a beast that has yet to be executed.

Y/N: Giving up is signing your death sentence, is that what you want? Do you truly wish to be nothing but a punching bag waiting to be tossed aside?

Koishi: I....

A new burst of tears broke her voice and she fell down into her own shadow, unable to properly communicate in this current state of emotion. Listening to the conversation, the girls standing by the man's side glanced to each other with a hint of sadness.

Their time was limited, they were doomed to die.

Y/N: Even after seeing my own end approach... no, I don't want to run away, even if my instincts are screaming at me to do so. I wish to keep that little amount of pride that I have left and not surrender, not after everything I've done.

Koishi: ...

He was talking to himself at that point, the girl loudly letting her misery fall out of her eyes in the form of tears. Maybe he didn't notice but he continued without a moment of hesitation.

Y/N: I took many lives and I wish to bring them all back, giving up will never undo what I caused. Crying will never solve anything in life, you have to hold it in and do something to fix the problem.

...

Y/N: I was a coward and I lost all my friends. If I only cried about it then I wouldn't be here. Yes, I shed my tears but I stood up and decided to look for a solution. You should do the same, stand up firmly and fight back. 

Maria: ...I see.

The leader caught every single words coming from him but still kept her back towards him. From behind, she seemed to stand strong but a quick look would prove otherwise. Her hand holding the rapier was slightly trembling.

Alice: ...

The second girl held her weapon as a support. Her cold attitude melted slightly, hearing the words of a man she knew a long time ago before receiving the fatal hit that dragged her into the hands of nihility.

Y/N: ...But I suppose it doesn't matter in the end, I'm next on the chopping block.

Focusing his look into the distance, the light returned and the distorted version of the youkai silently watched him in return. None of them exchanged a single word. The outcome will never change, no matter how many times the clock turn back.

Y/N was doomed to die, by his own hands or not.

Y/N: Let's finish this.

Clutching his sword, the silence looming above everyone vanished and the tension of battle crawled its way back into everyone's heart. That moment of respite was certainly short but needed to calm the dying man, to adjust his thoughts and remind himself of his objective.

This was his way to tell the girl farewell. As a gift for all her support, he would reward her by getting rid of the fears inside her mind.

Maria: ...Right, we have something to finish.

Her will restored, her eyes lit up and the cinders of tenacity were set ablaze once more, just like a phoenix emerging from its grave. Alice did not need to do such a thing, still inside her fighting mode. 

I refuse to die now, not after everything I went through.

Another turn starting, all fighters rushed into the scene and found their enemy. However, the additional shadow did not aim for the girl in the back, focusing its attention instead on the "man" in a black outfit.

Witnessing what could have been a surprise attack, he pulled back and blocked the blow with the side of his blade. When both clashed, the only thing he could think of to describe how powerful the attack he negated was would be a battering ram. The result was immediate, his body flung across the field and the dirt below his feet ripped out of its place.

Y/N's mind: The hell, how did they get so strong?

Of course, he wouldn't get the answer from the people in question. Keeping his spirit high, he held his weapon and carefully charged at the second attacker in a way to stop a possible escape. Not able to process the information, the obstacle simply followed its instinct and dodged, receiving the entirety of the sword inside its body.

Now was the time.

Y/N: Boundary of death.

He charged past the monster and moved his trusty ally in a vertical position, the sword back in its sheath. With a serene look, he fully pushed it inside its resting area and the sound of gushing water echoed from behind him.

Reaching for the heavens, the red sea emerged from the void and rose up in the sky before finally irrigating the grass below their feet. Sensing droplets falling on his suit, he frowned slightly and turned around to parry the attack from the second monster.

As expected, it did not wait a moment and attempted to backstab him. Feral claws reached down and broke through his defense. Once out of the way, the winner of the clash jumped at the loser and a loud growl resonated through the eardrums of the exhausted combatant.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... those were the number of times the being that was once a librarian was mercilessly stabbed. With nothing to prevent the onslaught, it was free to do whatever it wanted to do with its prey. Enduring with his grit, the weak animal was forced to feel his body being invaded by sharp claws, spreading within it many dirts and leaving massive gashes open.

I don't want to die. I refuse to die like this!

Suddenly, the monster dropped a growl of pain, retreating immediately afterwards. Standing up, the wounded one was grabbing his weapon as a way to compensate the pain but what caused the beast to step away were the flames surrounding him, becoming stronger with each hits he received.

With its repeated stabs, the fire grew bigger until it caught the attacker on fire as well. Running around, it desperately tried to put itself out, its instinct telling him that it was the correct decision for its survival.

Even if I get trampled on, I won't die until I reach the end.

All retreating to their sides, a quick evaluation of the damages was done and the large wounds on one of the protectors were noticed. In critical condition, he ignored his lacerations and held his right arm with his left hand.

Maria: Y/N, we need you to stay behind for this one, you're badly injured.

'I must pay my price yet again.'

For the third time, all librarians were attacked by the vines around them, taking a small amount of their blood as compensation. However, that price was nothing compared to the good news in front of them.

One of the shadows was gone, eliminated by Y/N with his trump card. Now nothing but a fountain constantly pouring out red liquid, they were on equal grounds and could properly form a plan of action.

I'll burn you all to ashes.

Y/N: I'm fine, I have to fight.

Brushing off the many attacks that he received until now, his clothes were soaked with the familiar secretion of crimson, making its way down to the ground and staining it with its filth. The abnormal fire turned the liquid into nothing but vapors, absorbing the drops almost like fuel.

What kind of friend would he be if he was easily defeated like that? He faced worse creatures than simple animals, he should at least give her a peek of his best for their last encounter. He wanted to face her with a smile and tell her that everything was over, just like how his struggles would end soon as well.

Koishi: ...

Her tears stopped, her third eye grabbing the thoughts of the man who stood up for her sake. Finally opened, she was able to read him like the many books that filled the library. She was able to see his goal, his thoughts and fears, they were all revealed to her.

She knew how it would end. If she doesn't do anything, she will be forced to see someone else die in front of her eyes.

Yet she couldn't do anything, her emotions overwhelming her and pining her feet to the ground, shackles strangling her while the many repressed memories were flooding on her face. In the end, she could only cry, cry and hope.

Alice: Analysis completed, no life-threatening wounds.

Maria: As the leader, I order you to stand down for this turn, we'll be fine on our own.

Y/N: ...Yet you all died.

Maria: ...

He knew that he was saying nonsense from her point of view, they would forget the moment their help was not necessary, they would vanish and return to their graves. He couldn't change that outcome, yet he still told them about their grim fate.

Alice: Y/N, stand up.

Y/N: ...

He followed her demand.

Alice: Preparations are needed, please do so.

She was simply telling him to stand back and prepare himself for the next wave of attacks. With that single line, he knew that the both of them had a plan in head, a plan that would end with devastating results. He needed to stand back to assist all of them when that disaster arrives.

Y/N: Fine...

Nodding, he took a step closer to the girl and flashed his friends a weak smile.

Y/N: Make me proud... just like always.

No matter how many times he trained himself, he would always be the weaker one, always the one to watch others with impressed eyes. Just like in the past, he looked up to everyone with a smile, feeling safe with them by his side.

...Yet tragedy happened and that warmth turned into ice.

Maria: Alice, I'm counting on you.

Alice: Understood, offensive required.

Nothing else to say, they both charged ahead and fought the opponents. The second Koishi showed a look of fury at all of them and aimed an attack at the one who remained behind. Raising her hand, a flurry of thorn flew across the field, aiming for the vital points.

Focusing on recovery, he moved the sheath of his weapon and used it as a form of protection, deflecting the attacks. It was not much but if he did anything else, his wounds would get in the way.

Maria: Eat the dragon's fist!

Placing her rapier to her right hip, the leader charged at the first opponent with a raised fist. Immediately, it turned into a fireball that went inside the body of the danger that rushed in her direction. Upon entering the foreign shadow, her mere hand forced a burst of blaze like the blast of a shotgun outwards, turning the target into mere cinders.

On the other side, the girl with the spear handled the 2 other monsters by herself, not spending a single neuron in her mind by worrying about a terrible outcome. First, she planted the tip of her blade and grabbed the long handle. With many calculations, she swiftly launched herself in mid-air and spun around her support once, kicking both enemies in the head.

Alice: Enemies stunned, proceeding with path A.

Landing back on her feet, she plucked the pole out of the ground and charged her body inside one of the targets. Still affected by the kick, the shadow was shoved against the second one, who did not bother catching its ally. After all, a beast of low intellect did not know of such a thing, simply relying on their survival instincts.

Both in place, a red glow of bloodlust lit up in Alice's eyes. Holding her only way to defend herself, she lightly crouched and made a dash for it, pointing her weapon at the duo. Expecting at least a small amount of resistance, she grasped weapon to the point of turning her knuckles white. However, the expectations were thrown out of the window, easily going through both of them and ending their existence instantly as well.

...They were the true heroes of this battle, the man being nothing than an anchor to call the women.

No matter how strong I am, I still can't compete with true humans.

Y/N: Now to focus on the last opponent...

Seeing her precious friends being eliminated one by one, the lone Koishi stomped the grass below her feet, causing massive vines to burst out of their hiding place and covering the entirety of the field, blocking the light coming from the bright Sun above their head.

'Stop! I refuse this, I refuse!' She exclaimed to the ones defying her wish for happiness. Not minding her pathetic tantrum, the ones who fought the last opponents rushed back to their place and caught their breath.

Y/N: ...What should we do?

That was an appropriate response. Now that thei goal was achieved, they needed to think of what to do next. Unlike previous battles that he fought, he was not supported by the library, meaning that he didn't receive a book that would allow him to form a strategy.

Koishi: ...I don't have to force myself to change... to be accepted.

Behind them, the youkai slowly stood up and wiped off her final tears. Now free of the shadows tormenting her, she was liberated from her worries of never being accepted by anyone. With the people standing by her side, she felt at ease.

...

...

Koishi: T-Thank you mister Y/N.

Y/N: ...

He did not turn around to look back at her, hiding the wounds from her sight. After everything that happened, showing her the large gashes in his body would definitely cut the thanks short.

Maria: Everyone, we can do this!

Rewarded for their assistance, a newfound breath of air was given to all of them. Although it couldn't be felt, all librarians soon found themselves with more energy than usual, even healing all their injuries. With that invisible gift, the dying parasite felt after an eternity of exhaustion what it felt like to be energized, fighting at 100% of his capacities.

It was a divine opportunity given to him, he could go all out without feeling sluggish in his every movements.

'I don't want to be alone, not after what I've done, I refuse this!'

Screaming her rage to the evildoers who ruined her world, their last target held her head with both her hands, mumbling to herself with a chuckle of desperation slipping out of her lips. She didn't even bother looking at them, her whole body caught in spasms.

Evildoers must be punished, no matter who they are.

Y/N: ...

Koishi: I don't want to be alone, not after what my friends did for me, I refuse to lose!

Clenching her fists, a flash of blinding light illuminated the surroundings, setting the vines on fire and turning the earth into a scorched land of desolation. The blindness persisted for around a good 3 seconds. Clearing the aftermath of said radiance directly inside their eye, the librarians looked in shock at their ruined surroundings.

Y/N: ...

The man was still emitting flames from below his feet but even he wouldn't be able to create such a disaster. The grass was gone entirely and blazes were flying in the air, the melody of crackling fire resonating around them.

Koishi: I don't want to change anymore, I want to face my fears.

Finally, she stood proudly in front of the allies who protected her until now. Her usual outfit was exalted to a dark dress, covering the entirety of her body with a small addition of purple frills at the end of her sleeves and bottom of her dress. The girl calmly adjusted a pair of delicate, white gloves covering her hands and with a sharp gaze, shot a deadly glare at her distorted self.

Y/N: ...Koishi?

Koishi: No need to worry, it's me.

Looking at the man, she gave him one of her usual smiles. Arround her body, the third eye that she always carried with her stared back at him as well, reading his mind and sending the information to the youkai. With that, she instantly knew that he was wondering if she was still the same person.

Koishi: Let's do our best mister Y/N!

Smiling back, her reached for the head now devoid of her usual hat and gave it a quick rub. Just like usual, the result made the girl complain about he messed up her hair. Seeing her childish reaction, he instantly knew that it was indeed the same girl that helped him.

Y/N: Just making sure.

Maria: Y/N, we need to focus, the battle is not over.

Nodding, he brandished his weapon, free of his wounds that forced him to stand back. Now it was 4 of them against a single opponent but they couldn't drop their guard for a moment. So far, she relied on the beasts around her as a way to attack us, sometimes tossing projectiles when she felt like it but now, they would see what see can truly do when forced to fight.

'You all abandoned me. I did everything to be accepted and you still tossed me aside, pretending to not know me.'

Laughing to herself, the one pulling the strings leaned her head backward and stared at the sky above her, ashes rising to reach nirvana. Completely ignoring all of them facing her, her chuckles grew more intense and gained volume until it came to an abrupt stop.

'I'm done, I refuse to associate with anyone else.' were her final words after looking back at the group challenging her.

Slowly but surely, she moved her head to the side and with a sudden rotation, her neck did a full 90 degree rotation to the left with the sound of the bones residing there breaking. Feeling a phantom pain, the man held his neck out of instinct and watched the girl's neck beginning to slit open. From it, a large mass made entirely of muscle emerged from the wound and gained size until it was at least twice as tall as everyone else.

The process done, an even more horrifying step followed. The final shape decided, the girl's skin began to melt into a semi-liquid state and climb up the pile of muscles, spreading itself to cover its entirety. During that time, the body was slowly fusing with the abomination that emerged from it, vanishing completely once it was over.

'I don't care anymore. You'll all regret getting rid of me!'

The skin rapidly darkened until it was pitch black and from within that darkness, a massive eye opened at the top, staring back at the remaining people.

Y/N: ...

Inhaling a deep breath, he calmed his beating heart and raised his weapon. All others were already prepared for the battle incoming and now, the second phase of the fight began. Free from the curse of the vines, they were now jumping into the monster's cage to put it down once and for all.

Maria: Stand strong everyone, we're almost at the end.

Koishi: As long as I have someone by my side, I'll never give up.

While all other actors were reciting their lines of motivation, the man could feel something warm inside his outfit, making one of his eyebrows perk up in curiosity. He knew for certain that he didn't feel that sensation before and so, his eyes were drawn to it. Reaching inside, he pulled out the odd box that he won against the duel with the witch and shrine maiden.

It was calling to him, telling him to use it.

Y/N: ...

'DISAPPEAR!'

Raising both hands in the air, the giant monster with a single eye widened its gaze and large amount of energy began to accumulate from it. Gaining more energy by the second, the discharge would be devastating and all knew of that outcome.

Alice: Preparing damage mitigation protocol.

Y/N: ...No need.

It would be the first he ever used the device but it was all or nothing. Unless Koishi could come up with a back-up idea, they would all get obliterated and turned into ashes. He didn't know how to properly use it and so, he dug up the memories of the battle against the one who used it and remember what she did to make it work.

Holding it with both hands, he took a deep breath and began to focus. He needed to put energy into it in order to release the weapon that could counter the incoming attack. The librarians noticed his attempt and stepped behind, giving him space.

'Put your hatred in it, turn it into a love that can eliminate all.'

Y/N: Love sign... 

His outfit began to crumble into golden pages, all flying into the wind. The dark suit was gone and replaced by another one, which left the youkai surprised due to its familiarity.

The man was wearing a black and white dress, his shoes also completely black. His colorless hair gained a blond pigmentation and changed to fit the witch's hairstyle. His tiredness was gone and a pair of fierce eyes replaced his, arboring a grin as well. Resting on top of his head, the famous hat of the ordinary witch was there as well to complete the look. The result gave the girl more than shock, he took the perfect appearance of the one who used the weapon.

Y/N: Master Spark!

Focusing his energy, he unleashed a massive burst of energy, capable of destroying projectiles in the blink of an eye. At the same time, the enemy responded by releasing its attack to the foe who opposed it. Both attacks clashing, the world gained a new source of light, a light that could shine the abyss of the deep water like it was on the surface.

...Both forces slowly lost their energy and the blinding clash of energy dissipated. With his attack completed, the man's body turned into golden pages once more before reassembling itself, reverting back to his original body. After all, he only needed to focus the memories of the girl in order to release the Master Spark, he could do the rest on his own.

Y/N: Now's the time to attack!

Marching forward, he took the lead and charged ahead, dodging the enemy's retaliation. Behind him him, Koishi rose her arm above her head and colorful danmaku projectiles were born out of thin air, all launched at the opponent with deadly precision. None of them would spare the monster in front of them, it needed to die.

Following his footsteps, the rest of the team swiftly crossed the distance separating them from the target. Maria searched inside her uniform and pulled out a smoking pipe. From it, she took a deep breath before aiming the smoke at the monster. Just like when Y/N did it, the fumes latched themselves onto the thing.

Maria: Target weakened, give it all you got everyone!

Hiding it back in one of her pockets, she impaled the main body with a small weapon, leaving a single hole in the skin of the beast. Not even flinching, it swung one of its arms and tossed the woman across the field, launching her high into the sky.

Maria: ...Execute.

She elevated her weapon at the level of her head and her body instantly vanished. The one that would soon feel the attack was not able to locate her anymore until a surge of pain emerged from behind itself. Standing there, the woman was coldly stabbing the large opponent with no hesitation.

'I don't care anymore, leave me alone!!'

The voice seemed almost pleading, begging the attackers to stop what they were doing but its actions proved that it was not begging in the slightest. Ruthlessly smashing its fists against the ground, multiple shockwaves turned the battlefield into a cacophony of vibrations, resonating deep inside their eardrums.

Koishi: I do care, that's why I've chosen to follow that mistake!

With assertion, she stomped the dead grass below her left foot and a dark circle formed around her. Not minding it, she aimed her gaze at the embodiment of her worries and gathered the courage to raise her hand in its direction. Her hand almost reaching for the target, a torrent of danmaku were created and thrown from it, ripping through the arid air.

Alice: Detecting high amount of energy, retreat recommended.

The monotone girl warned her allies of the next wave of attacks and all took their distance from the monster. Completely unfazed by all the attacks it received, the single and massive eyeball looked at them, ignoring the smoke twirling around its body like multiple snakes.

...

...

Once at a safe distance, the man immediately crumbled to the ground and held his weapon as a support. Shocked by that twist, the librarians who assisted him rushed to his side and tried to see what was the problem, only to find no hint about the cause. Of course, they would never know, it was a drawback from using the Master Spark, rendering the user vulnerable and exposed to the opponents.

The counter went up by 1.

Seeing one of the people who supported her to reach that point in a terrible state, Koishi's whole body began to tremble and her courage was withering away. Holding her head, she tried to keep her emotions stable, fearing what might happen if she lost control of them a second time.

Koishi: Come back to me.

Calming herself, she called the man with a feeble voice, taking a hold of his outfit. Meanwhile, the demon with a single eye prepared its attacks and was becoming more and more impatient about the idea of decimating the nuisances standing together.

Koishi: Let me support you just like how you supported me.

From the tips of her fingers, a faint cyan glow graciously touched the stunned librarian. Wishing to bring him back from his current status, she could feel the very outfit that she was wearing reacting to her demand, performing its own magic.

Maria: We don't seem to be able to damage it, we must be missing something.

Alice: Stalling deemed necessary, further information needed.

Y/N: Gh... That was a pain in the ass.

Snapping out of his condition, he held his head and tried to keep the internal pain to himself. Glad to see that he was back, the youkai stood up along with him and began her preparations. After all, the enemy was not going to wait for them, they needed to hurry.

Koishi: Let me help!

Swinging one of her arm from one side to the other, a burst of green and red petals emerged from seemingly nowhere and turned into powder, landing gracefully on top of the fighters by her side. The colored mix vanished and all who were affected by it began to feel a strange surge of energy... Well, it couldn't be called 'energy' and more like a surge of unknown feelings that they didn't have until now. 

Koishi's ability at work, it began to manipulate their mind and subconscious, affecting them with a specific emotion before pushing it to the extreme. The results...

Y/N: Fourth Match Flame.

The fire that grew beneath him envelopped his body and his weapon soon turned into a blazing torch with a fire that never seemed to extinguish. Preparing himself for a swing, he took a deep breath and finally did it. Swinging his sword in the air, it completely released the energy and emotions built up in his subconscious.

Y/N: Release!

Free at last, the power accumulated with Koishi's assistance expanded and formed a massive line of death that sliced the beast in half, cutting through the skin and muscles with something that could be as hot as magma.

Maria: Fourth Match Flame.

Repeating his words, her outfit began to degrade into burning ashes. Her weapon soon followed Y/N's example and became a large torch ready to be used. Just like a robot, she repeated his words and swung her deadly sword of hellfire. For the second time, the target was cleaved in half by a massive arc of inferno, so hot that the cut skin and muscles melted the wounds shut, not a single drop of blood coming out of the now 4 pieces.

Alice: The end can never be reached, Da Capo.

Standing behind the duo who managed to slice the monster, the last librarian raised her hands and her spear lost its pointiness for a curvaceous blade, changing to a pitch black scythe. Her dark clothes becoming brighter and turning into an elegant, white robe with music notes on it. Her eyes closed, she swiftly moved her hands on the blade like she was playing an instrument with strings

The beginning.

From seemingly nowhere, a soft melody echoed in the distance, the formation of the orchestra that shall direct the battle to its end. Not lowering its guard, even in its state, the thing that once wore the same appearance as the youkai looked at the final girl preparing the arrival of the apocalypse.

All pieces grew a pair of limbs and tried to rush at them with instinct, knowing that they couldn't let her complete the melody.

Alice: Silence audience.

Pulling an invisible string, all enemies were pulled away from them, forced back by an unknown mean. During that process, the performer simply gave them a single glance before resuming the performance of calamity.

The build-up.

Elegantly moving her hands around the weapon, she turned it in a vertical position and continued her imaginary play by pretending that she was holding a small harp. Still pulling the strings, the music grew louder and the musicians of oblivion were slowly remembering their duties, to follow the leader's instructions.

Half-way through the performance, the enemy began to convulse and mumble incoherent screams of agony. While the librarians couldn't understand what was happening, the conductor was in perfect control of the situation, trapping them inside a prison of strings and insanity. Just like how music could be used to appease people, it could turn into a deadly weapon when the user had the correct knowledge.

The Finale.

Slowly moving the scythe up in the air, the volume of the unknown orchestra grew stronger, to the point of being unbearable. All blocking their ears, the trumpets of the end heightened the gambles and with a sudden drop of the weapon, a massive burst of song erupted high in the sky, trembling and breaking the earth itself under its power.

Finally done, the audience loudly applauded, an audience that all couldn't see but knew was there.

Y/N: We have to use this opportunity.

Maria: ...Hm?

Grabbing the man by the shoulder, she quietly told him to look behind and he followed her words.

Koishi: I don't need to be afraid anymore, as long as one person is here to support me!

The last ally to perform an attack boldly exclaimed those words before shotting a glare at her doubts and fears, her future. Floating behind her was a massive eyeball ressembling her third eye, which was still attached to her.

Koishi: Grand Void: Mind Termination.

Muttering words that none could understand to herself, the eye widened and a volley of shockwaves was released from it. It dealt no damage to the ground unlike Alice's attack but once it reached the enemy, it instantly combusted into golden pages, vanishing for good.

...With Koishi Komeiji dealing the final blow, the battle was over. All standing dumbfounded, they glanced back at the girl and the gigantic eye was gone, only finding her in the dark dress, looking back at them.

Koishi: We did it!

In the end, none of them understood what happened during the last turn of the fight. They couldn't understand how they were able to unleash such powerful attacks that they didn't know they could do in the first place, even less how the girl was able to manifest her new outfit along with that giant eyeball that looked like her third eye.

But in the end, it didn't matter, at least for 2 of them. Done with their duty, the women also combusted into golden pages, returning to their graves.

Just like that, the nightmare was over all they could both wake up.

But before the girl could reach the bottom, a hand pulled her back into the light. That day, she saw the Devil itself offer her redemption, to open her eyes once more.

[Koishi's Mental Manifestation unlocked]