Water is one of the basic elements of creation. Water is composed of memory. When a mortal dies, their memories become water, and in this way, all the memories of the world's history are stored within its waters. This fact is considered to be one of the most dangerous secrets about the natural order of the world. 

"Are you alright?" A soft female voice echoed in my mind. Who are you? "Easy, easy. Don't push yourself. 

"Are you sure he's fine?" 

"While the throne of the Hydro Archon has been destroyed, he has found a way to absorb the remains, linking us to him," 

I'm so tired... 

My body hurts...

who am I?

"We won't be able to directly assist him for a while," 

Where am I? A pair of beautiful blue eyes filled my vision. 

"Oh, hello. Rest for now, we'll be here," 

Huh? There's something soft on my head... 

"Water is memory, such a fascinating enlightenment," A soft giggle pierced through the silence and a pair of arms wrapped itself around my broken body. "We can't go forward to the tides of the time, but a new path is open, a path to the past," 

This is... a hug? 

"So, rest for now, I am Focalors," The woman, Focalors, said with a smile and her hand touched my cheek, "Oh my, apologies. I shouldn't be disturbing you. May I know your name, dear host?' 

Who am I? 

I don't understand... who am I?

"Look, Rex, you're my little brother. You are Rex Crozzo, a son of House Crozzo. You might not have the same combat ability as Reve or I, but you are our cute little baby brother," A man with dark hair said with a smile as a hand landed on top of my head. "Don't let their words stop or break you, baby brother," 

"R... Rex Crozzo," 

"Very well, it will be a while until we can meet once more like this. The moment we do, you won't be alone again," 

That sounds nice... yes... that... is...

nice.

0-0-0

Shcicksal HQ. 

Otto Apocalypse looked at the numerous theatres of battle on the map, his plan—close to fruition. 

'Soon, we will all be reunited,' Otto thought as an image of a young man, a young woman, and a younger version of himself formed in his mind. 'I am so—,'

The entire ship trembled and the Overseer balanced himself. 

"Where did that come from—," His eyes widened as he looked at the map. The nearest Theater, one he set up to delay the combined forces of World Serpent, Rogue Antri-entropy members, and Honkai Beasts. 

"O-overseer!" Turning to the side, a chill formed in his spine for the first time in forever. Rex's Lieutenant and second-in-command of the Daggers Covenant of House Crozzo, covered in wounds and with his hand missing. "D-daggers Covenant and the XXth battalion have been wiped out! C-captain Rex... CAPTAIN REX HAS BEEN KIA!" 

'No...' A memory of a toddler with black hair smacking a black box similar to the Void Archives appeared in his mind. 'no...' Another image of a younger Rex, dressed in a cowboy outfit with a bright grin on his face while holding a hat that belonged to his dear granddaughter, Theresa Apocalypse while he rode a horse. 'That theater is the safest theater...' A final image of a determined Rex Crozzo wishing him luck and safety appeared in his mind. 

'I can make this right... I can save him!' Otto thought, his eyes hardening in determination. 

-00-0-0-0

European Theater,

Elysia nervously opened the door and looked at the back of her partner and best friend, Reinhardt Crozzo. 

"Rein... it's." 

"Oh? What is it, Lysia? Are you here to be a part of my harem?" Reinhardt joked, looking at her with one good eye and the other covered in bandages. 

"I'm sorry," Rex, the youngest of the Brothers and the one she was closest to. She just heard the news and now... 

A pair of strong arms wrapped itself around her form as she wailed into his chest. "R-rex and his unit were wiped out!" 

Silence filled Reinhardt's mind. It must have been a joke right? Rex is alive! He promised...

Reinhardt Crozzo, drinking coffee nearby, looked at her with wide eyes. The cup fell on his lap, spilling the hot liquid on his body but his mind ignored it. Rex... Rex and his unit were wiped out?! 

-=-=-=-

My body hurts? Am I in hell? 

Probably. 

Wait... this room. This room is a complete copy of my room a few years before everything went to shit. 

My guitar is there. 

"Rex! Quick! Save me!" 

Rein! Moving as fast as I could, I crashed through the door while pulling out one of the hidden weapons in the Crozzo Family home. 'If this is hell then my memory must be better than I thought,' Kicking off the wall and stairs...

Rin, with a smile on her, stood tall. 

Is this a joke?! 

Rin is dead! She died during the ambush at the Crozzo family home by those Welt clones.

No...

"Oh, Rexie! Look! We finally found someone to continue—, REX!" 

The blood on my hand, the pain of skin and flesh being cut apart... this is real... My body moved before I could think. Holding the little girl in my arms as tightly as I could. She was alive! She was here! The last time he saw her, 

"I... it's... not your... fault..." A bloody bundle in my hands, speaking desperately through tired and pained breaths. A small hand on my cheeks and despite the blood, a beautiful smile formed on her face. "Thank... you... big bro... it was f—" The little hand fell before she could finish her sentence, and the little fox of House Crozzo disappeared in the arms of the little emperor. 

I desperately wished and begged! If only it was me! If only she did not die! 

"It's okay big bro, no need to cry," 

Cry? Am I crying? 

How long has it been since I last cried? 

"It's okay, big bro, I'm here," Rin said as she wrapped her little arms around my larger frame... she couldn't reach all the way around but her tight grip was reassuring. She is safe and alive...

"Sorry, Rinny," Pulling away from the hug... how uncool, the older brother crying in the arms of the younger sister. "I had a nightmare..." 

"Must have been one hell of a one," Rein said. "You rarely get emotional like this..." 

"Rexie, what happened to your eyes?" Looking into the hand mirror of my surrogate older sister, Elysia, I looked at my reflection. 

My dark eyes which looked black in most lighting and brown when Light was near my eyes, now are a pair of inky black pupils on a lake of green.