Narrator: Threatened by a ruthless demon, humanity was on the brink of destruction. All seemed lost until a lone mage stepped forward and took up the fight. After his triumph, he was hailed as the Wizard King, and his story has become legend.
Despite the best efforts of Luck Voltia, Magna Swing and Temple Mage Gio, Vetto had been on an absolute tear and just before he could land a killing blow, Gio's son Kiato and the unconscious Bulls' teammates in Asta and Tyrus burst onto the scene. Vetto's goal? To cause despair and steal the Magic Stone the Black Bulls traveled all the way down for.

Yami: Luck, Magna. You gave it your best shot as true men. I can't be mad at that effort. Alright kids, it's your turns to step up. Take that sumbitch down. AND STAND YOUR GROUND!

Asta and Tyrus draw their blades with defiance etched into hearts. It was time to avenge Luck and Magna here and now!

Vetto: You pathetic insects couldn't even harm me in the slightest. I gave you a chance and that was the best you could muster! Your prize is a swift despair called death. NOW DIE!

Before he could make his next move, Asta is there in a heartbeat to intercept the fatal claw as Tyrus gets the injured out of dodge.

Vetto: Ah. The puny knight that carries the anti-magic sword. And the equally smart-mouthed ice mage who too wields a blade. We meet again, brats!

Vetto: How tedious. Slow movements and weak attacks, but what else was I expecting from low-class hick scums and no-magic trash! You're pathetic and you will die here and now!

Tyrus: You're talking a lot a shit for a walking furball, we haven't even began to break out the good stuff!

Asta: You're just asking to be taken to the pearly gates Father keeps talking about, you hairy ape.

Kiato: You won't win this day!

Asta, Kiato, Tyrus: THIS SCUM AND TRASH WILL SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY GET SERIOUS!

Even with a three on one advantage, the trio couldn't find or sustain any meaningful offense against the behemoth. Vetto was relentless and put a hellacious beatdown on Asta and Tyrus, all seeming lost.

Vetto: WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF, BOY!

As he turned around, the ice mage and Asta find themselves being greeted with two hellacious punches, sending them flying into a wall.

Vetto: You three still have hope left? An attack like that is not only childish but it was foolish in its design! Thinking they will work on me is a pipe dream. I will drown your cries in despair!

Asta: Not yet!

Vetto narrows as his eyes as he sees both Asta and Tyrus, both of their faces bloodied as if they got hit with raw ground beef, their breaths ragged.

Tyrus: You... ha.... got a lot to learn about the human will. Hell of a thing there, furball.

Vetto: Hahahahahaha! Looking at you two pathetic whelps disgusts me but you.

He motions his head towards Asta..

Vetto: Fighting with blades that don't deserved to be sullied by your fingerprints. You don't have so much as a shred of hope to your name! AND DO YOU KNOW WHY?!

He lifts a massive boulder aiming it high above his head towards the boys.

Vetto: One, you're susceptible to throwing and other long ranged attacks unlike your fellow runt of a Magic Knight! Especially objects that have no magic.

Tyrus: INCOMING!

Asta slashes it away as they bolt away, only for Vetto to catch up with them quickly. He targets both of the boys as he then uses Bear Claws to hack away at both of their defenses, giving them fresh wounds all over the bodies.

Asta: NGH!

Tyrus: Damn it!

Vetto: TWO, you're both weak to those whose physical attributes and abilities far outclass and are magically reinforced to be greater than your own!

Tyrus: STOP DANCING AROUND-

Asta: And GET TO THE POINT OF IT ALL!

Asta bull rushes him as Tyrus redirects, hoping to catch the Third Eye off guard even going as far as to use a condensed version of his Frozen Stairway. But both get intercepted yet again as that guttural piercing voice of Vetto rings in their ears.

Vetto: Three!

He hits Tyrus with the most sloppy sounding punch on his shoulder, resulting in a nasty sounding crack reverberating throughout while he clutches Asta's arm. The former grabs his shoulder in obvious discomfort, screaming to the heavens and dropping his blade in the process while Asta grunts and squeals in pain. He grips Tyrus by his neck as he continues to rip into the Black Bull rookies.

Tyrus: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, FUCKKKKKKKKKKKK FUCK FUCK!

Asta: NGHHH!

Vetto: You both don't know when to quit! You actually believe that if you don't give up, you're bound to figure your way out of despair?! How utterly childish of you maggots.

Kiato: Asta... Tyrus!

Vetto: So you continue to defy opponents those infinitely your greater, such unearned arrogance can lead to easy mortal wounds to the both of you.

The man beast begins to squeeze down even harder on both boy's body parts as Tyrus continued to struggle and gasp for air.

Vetto: It makes me especially sick to see you wielding the Demon-Slayer Sword and Demon-Dweller so casually as if they were handmade for the likes.... of you! UNDERSERVING FILTH NOT BLESSED BY THE MANA!

Asta: Talk all you want.... it's going in one ear and out the other. It won't change anything!

Vetto: YOU AND YOUR PATHETIC FRIENDS NEVER HAD A CHANCE ONCE I SHOWED UP!

He squeezes down harder on their neck and arm respectively earning pained screams and gurgles as he commands them to do one last thing before he killed them.

Vetto: Go on, the both of you. Scream! DESPAIR FOR ME, COCKROACHES- HM!

They scream but then both suddenly bite down on his arms, not even registering a iota of pain from the Third Eye Bruiser. He doesn't what they say next as the words are muffled in his fur.

Asta and Tyrus: No obe pwotected anydoby eber by griffing up bo beasily!

Vetto: What?

AHHH AHHH AHHHHH!

A burst of melodious magic erupts through the cave as a bubble rushes towards Vetto, giving Asta and Tyrus the desperate reprieve they needed and prayed for. Both fall to the ground with a thud as Vetto turns his attention to where the sound was coming from.

Noelle: And hear I thought animals and beasts were supposed to have elite and keen hearing. Guess your ears didn't pick up on what my teammates said.

Vetto: Tch.

Noelle Silva and Kahono were the next to step as both gave Asta and Tyrus the break they truly needed. He may not have seen it but both girls were silently gulping and were radiating fear but more than likely sensing Tyrus's mana go bonkers in terms of elevation were spiking them up as they repeated the words of the injured.

Noelle and Kahono: WHAT THEY SAID WAS "NO ONE PROTECTED ANYONE EVER BY GIVING UP SO EASILY!"

Tyrus looks up to see his crush and the one majorly responsible for helping her find the confidence to develop the Sea Dragon's Cradle as he grabs his sword with the one good arm he currently had as he weakly sputtered.

Tyrus: Go... get him you two. 'Specially you, Noelle.

Royalty twice over collide with the seemingly invincible monster that is Vetto, NOW!

Yami: Noelle...

Gifso: Kahono!

Vetto looks at both girls who stopped his feast of his next set of victims as he laughs while cracking his knuckles.

Vetto: AH, I see you two are next! Do try to entertain me at least a little, these three arrogant whelps couldn't even muster anything to damage me.

They survey the damage Vetto had caused as a litany of bodies are strewn all over the place. Kahono places eyes on her unconscious father as well as significantly injured brother with Noelle seeing a battered Luck and Magna.

Kahono: NO, Dad!

Noelle: He even got to Luck and Magna! They're two of the most stubborn people I met!

It's when she sees Asta and Tyrus that her heart jumps to her throat almost. They were beyond comprehension with Asta laying on his back, Demon Slayer sword still in his left hand with Tyrus, somehow with a busted shoulder and by extension arm managed to get to a base before falling back down on his stomach. When she sees the dangling limb, she fully understands the brevity of what she and Kahono were stepping.

Noelle: ASTA, TYRUS!

Tyrus: Do.... whatever it takes! Gah!

Noelle: What is it?!

Tyrus: I'm thinking the mangy bastard dislocated my shoulder, I just felt the nastiest crack after he punched me and it dangling is never a good sign.

Noelle: All five of them were soundly defeated before we could even get here. Just what kind of monster have we stumbled upon?!

Vetto: Hahahahahahahaha!

Asta and Tyrus, hoping to catch the big bastard off guard sprung up towards Vetto for a fatal slash or two.

Asta: NOT YET!

Tyrus: I'LL QUIT WHEN I DIE!

Vetto: You two insects can get lost.... IN DESPAIR!

He bashes them with a torrent slash of his mana, sending them back and horrifying Noelle.

Asta: AHHHHHH!

Tyrus: GAHHHHHHH!

Noelle: NOOOOO! ASTA, TYRUS!

Kahono inhales a deep breath as she roars to the sky.

Kahono: Song Magic, RHYTHM CUSHION!

A giant spread pillow forms as it harmlessly catches both Asta and Tyrus, the royalty calming down.

Noelle: Thank you, Kahono.

Kahono: Haha, A few thousand yuls should cover that.

Noelle: I have plenty for you if we all make it out here alive. Make it a hundredfold, but we have to get the others healed on their feet and moving. Do you think you can use your song recovery magic?

Kahono: Realistically yes, but what makes you so sure he's just going to let me stand by and get everyone back on their feet? Least of all when he's just itching to attack.

A couple of pebbles fall by the wayside.

Noelle: What was that? Who is that?

Kahono: HEYYYYYYYYYYYY! BIG BROTHER, WHY ARE YOU TAKING A NAP?! WE HAD A PROMISE WE MADE TO EACH AND WE HAVE TO KEEP! WHAT HAPPENED TO US BEING THE MOST ICONIC IDOL AND DANCER DUO AND BECOMING HUGE STARS?! YOU HAVE TO WAKE UP, KIATO! WE CAN'T DO THAT IF WE LET THIS GIANT FURBALL KILL US! DID YOU FORGET ABOUT OUR BROTHER AND SISTER DANCING AND SINGING ACT?!

Kahono's words reach Kiato successfully as he begins to stir.

Kiato: NO, OF COURSE NOT KAHONO!

Noelle: Wait, big brother?

Kahono: Yup, that big dummy dum dum lummox over there would be my brother Kiato!

Kiato: WHO EXACTLY ARE YOU CALLING A BIG DUMMY DUM DUM, YOU LITTLE SHRIMP?! Gahhhh... If I hadn't used some of my dance magic to deflect that furball's punch, Vetto would've had my head as a drinking cup right now. He'll be impossible to beat.

He takes a dangerous glance at Vetto who isn't even paying him any mind as Kahono begins to challenge the beat.

Kahono: My brother and I have a dream! We are going to go to the surface world!

Kiato: YES, THAT'S RIGHT! IF WE WISH TO FULFILL THAT DREAM, WE CAN'T SIT AROUND NAPPING AND GIVING UP! KAHONO, LET'S GO!

She unleashes her song magic while Kiato much like he did during his previous fight with the Black Bulls starts putting himself in a trance, spinning around. Vetto is at first confused by the acts but Noelle immediately register it.

Noelle: I can feel it! Kahono's mana... it's getting stronger.

Kahono and Kiato: Combo Spell!

He bursts from the ground, a blue aura surrounding his very essence as he makes a angry beeline towards Vetto.

Kiato: NOW.... SEA GOD'S SLASH! Compound magic that combines song and dance magic, my baby sister's song magic directly reinforces my dance magic, which allow me to unleash hellish and enormous amounts of strength on the enemy! HYAHHHHHH!

He then sends a slash Vetto's way as he barely gets his Bear Claws up, gritting from the blast. He wouldn't get out of it unscathed as he gets shallowly cut on his right shoulder.

Noelle: He got hit. Amazing!

Vetto: GRR!

Kiato turns up the pressure even higher, as he proceeds box in Vetto even so much as breaking his guard.

Vetto: HM?!

Gifso: That's it.... Kahono, Kiato! You've got this, you can defeat him, I know you can! Ever since you two were so little, you never gave up on anything, you're two of the hardest workers and I couldn't any prouder to call you two my grandchildren!

He thinks back to a time where Kahono and Kiato even while young, were heavily training and invested in the art of song and dance. He remembers when people were praying to their God and Kahono had been singing her heart out with Kiato joining in, providing the backup dancer role.

Kiato: Whew! I think that's enough practicing today, whaddya say Sis?

Kahono: Nuh-uh. If you really wanna be rich Kiato, you've gotta work harder than that big brother!

Kiato: I guess you're right! Nobody ever became a star dancer or singer by taking breaks.

Kahono: Exactly and we're not just doing this to be rich, we want to dance and sing if it appeases the Sea God as well!

Kiato: Well, let's get back to it then! You ready?

Kahono nods as they get back to work as behind the crowd their father Gio and grandfather Gifso look on proudly.

Gifso: Your hard work.... will never betray you!

Vetto continues to grunt angrily as he analyzes the sudden plight he's put in.

Vetto: Look at this... a tiny sparrow singing and a tiny waltzing mouse. I didn't expect them to be so powerful. You two have some unique magic for you to live in such a remote location!

Kiato: That's right, this spell was created because we live here! It's been woven and intergrated into our society where we proudly serve the Sea God! Praying, singing, dancing, all exist into a beautiful tapestry that we call our lives. It's always been that way!

Kahono: Ever since we were little, we've offered up this song and dance routine we do as an offering to the Sea God and the rest of our people!

Kiato: Vetto! This magic and combo spell bonds the souls of ourselves and everyone, THE PEOPLE OF THE UNDERWATER SEA TEMPLE! HYAHHHHHHH!

He breaks through Vetto's guard again, giving the man beast another shallow cut! The people continue to cheer on those who make the ultimate sacrifice fighting this terrifying threat to their home but the loudest were being reserved for their brother and sister tandem.

Gifso: YOU'VE GOT HIM NOW, YOU TWO! GO KAHONO AND KIATO!

Kahono: We will never be broken!

Kiato: You... WILL NEVER DEFEAT US! RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The two throw another devastating spell the Third Eye's as Kiato brought his blades on Vetto's head causing a massive explosion.

Noelle: Did it work?!

Unfortunately, all they see is an undamaged Vetto outside of the few cuts Kiato dealt him as he sadistically chortles.

Vetto: HEHEHEHEHEHEEEE! Are you done with this little routine and speech now?

Kiato: N-NO! THAT CAN'T BE!

Kahono immediately sees this but keeps going as Noelle starts to pale.

Noelle: That... that's impossible!

Everyone outside of the Temple shared in her horror. All that their very own were doing and yet this mammoth stood in front of Kiato still not visibly shaken or damaged.

Gifso: No....... they had him!

Kiato begins to wildly and desperately slash, hack and dice away at Vetto's defense magic much to the horrid sound of blades clanging!

Noelle: Kiato, keep trying!

He jumps backs and then bolts towards him once more but Vetto had enough... and the same line of thinking as he moves right in front of him with speed that not even could catch up to.

Kiato: !!!!

Vetto: It's time for your despair. HEH! How I'll enjoy this! HAAAAAAAA!

The next thing Noelle witnesses are surreal, she sees Vetto swipe down with ruthless aggression and then..... a leg flying through the air followed by Kiato-

Kiato: GYAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! MY LEG!

Kahono: KIATOOOOOO!

He gets no mercy shown to him as the now one-legged Kiato gets his back and spine realingned as he's punched into a wall, knocking him unconscious.

Gifso: KIATOOOOOOO! NO! KAHONO, YOU AND THE OTHER GIRL NEED TO GET OUT OF THERE RIGHT NOW!

It was too late as he already has his sights set on Kahono and Noelle as he moved like a bullet spat out of its gunhole.

Vetto: DREAMS? BONDS?! WHAT DO YOU HUMANS KNOW ABOUT THOSE TWO? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THEM! DON'T SPEAK SUCH WORDS TO ME GIRL!!!!

He rares back his entire right and using the force generated, Vetto uses three of his massive fingers, thrusting them into Kahono's throat crushing her windpipe and in that very moment, he had destroyed not one... but two dreams in the span of ten seconds aiming for the things that Kahono and Kiato loved the most. Singing and Dancing.

Kahono: GUCKKK! HAAAAA.....

Noelle: KAHONO!!!

Gifso had absolutely pales in horror and had it not been for his grandkids, he would've vomited right then and there.

Gifso: KAHONO, NOOOOOOOOOO!

Yami: Tch!

Gifso: THAT'S ENOUGH OUT OF YOU, BEAST! GO, GAME MAGIC, MONSTER TOY!

As Vetto roughly picks the girl up, preparing for the kill shot, several monster fishes appear from the dust to flank the man beast but as quickly as they appear, he is as just as quick to destroy them.

Vetto: Each of you think this is some sort of kids' game.... you are sorely mistaken. DID YOU HONESTLY THINK YOU COULD CATCH ME OFF GUARD WITH SUCH PALTRY MAGIC OLD MAN?!

Gifso: H-HOW?!

Vetto looks back at the now throat destroyed Kahono with a venomous glare as he speaks callously while holding her by her signture ponytail.

Vetto: You're not the only one that had dreams and bonds or what you claim. We are the only ones deserving of dreams and bonds... THAT WAS UNTIL YOU WRETCHED HUMANS RUINED IT ALL! WE THE EYE OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN HAD GOLDEN DREAMS AND OUR BONDS WERE AS DEEP AS BLOOD!

Both Yami and Gifso were confused by what he was saying though the High Priest was more expressive and articulated in his confusion.

Gifso: I don't get it! What is he ever referring to?! DAMNABLE RABID BEAST MONSTROSITY!

Vetto: Hahaha! It looks like there will be no more dreams for you two, least of all dancing or singing! And to think all it took was a few well placed and timed strike to ensure you'd no longer be a nuisance for me. You and your brother are no more helpless than a wounded mouse and handicapped bird. Well, you weak little sparrow? Sing a song for me. The very essence of despair, how did it taste little one?

Kahono weakly stirs, her voice completely eradicated, blood dribbling from her lips as a lone tear and multiple sweatdrops pour from her head as she holds a look calm rage and defiance at Vetto who acknowledges it.

Vetto: Ha! So there's a bit of defiance and pride left in you, huh little sparrow? Very well, if I must rip off your wings one by one until you can longer fly and truly experience despair. Then that's exactly what I'll do... We'll see how defiant you are then!

He cracks his knuckles one by one as he still looks at the shaking and defiant song mage.

Vetto: Really, a sparrow who can't even belt out a proper tune?! You and your weakling brother have no reason left to live. Allow me to relieve you of your misery. I think I'll snap your fragile and pretty little neck-

Noelle: DON'T YOU TOUCH HER ANYMORE!

Vetto: Huh?

He snaps at the voice to see Noelle, armed with a wand and grimoire lit ablaze.

Noelle: I won't say it again! Let Kahono go, NOW!

Vetto: You really think you can stop with pleading words, girl?

Noelle begins to shake violently though not of her will. She was scared, of course she was. Luck, Magna, Kahono and Kiato's dad, Kahono and Kiato themselves not to mention Asta and Tyrus all had been beaten to hell by Vetto and she just witnessed right in front of her her friend's throat get crushed. But now wasn't the time for fear, she needed to focus here and now because if she slipped up, she'd be right where the others would.

Noelle: If I miss.... there's a good chance I hit Kahono and kill her. And then I'll get killed by this monster.

Vetto: YOU AND YOUR PATHETIC FRIENDS NEVER HAD A CHANCE ONCE I SHOWED UP! Now... go on the both of you, scream and despair for me!

Tyrus: GAHHHHHHH!

Asta: AHHHHHHHHHH!

The mental images of Asta and Tyrus screaming just as she and Kahono reached the cave still rings true in her head. How she failed to bring herself to attack Vetto to free both squadmates kept messing with her.

Noelle: I couldn't attack then either. Would my attacks even work on a behemoth the likes of him?! No one else's have.

Just the simple budging of his eyes had been enough to scare Noelle from her ongoing analysis.

Vetto: If you're just going to stand there and do nothing then step aside, good for nothing brat! Watch... Yes, stand there and watch her.... DIE.

Noelle: GHH!

Vetto: HAHA! That's about what I thought you'd do, child.

He then begins to squeeze on Kahono's shoulder, knowing that she couldn't scream out in pain which was far more sadistic than it portrayed.

Noelle: Everyone else is fighting and they got ripped to absolute pieces. Either that or they're just too exhausted and wore down where he can just take advantage of the situation. But I can't. I JUST CAN'T, WHY?!

A couple of loose tears escapes her eyes as she then hears a voice ringing in her head.

Kahono: Noelle! It's all right.

She looks up to see Kahono and Vetto in an abyss like state. The man beast isn't moving as it's Noelle's inner thoughts as she listens to her new friend.

Noelle: Kahono?!

Kahono while looking like shit, is able to turn around and flash Noelle a smile.

Kahono: There's a great, never ending power inside of you..... You're strong enough to execute and handle your magic power Noelle. You have to trust yourself. Because you're fighting to protect what's important and precious to you, yeah? You're fighting to win!

Noelle: What's.... precious to me?

She thinks about her Black Bulls teammates the night the Sea Dragon's Cradle was born. From Magna screaming at her, Charmy offering her food, Luck demanding they spar after she was finished, Asta and Kahono cheering her on, and so on until she thinks about Tyrus, who saved her from a plunge of death as he held her in a more than personal embrace than what it was worth and Yami letting her know she did a great job getting them to the Temple in the first place.

Kahono: You'll do great, I don't doubt you at all Noelle. So please, don't worry about me. Because I am your friend and I know you can do it!

Noelle finally snaps out of her pity fiesta as the last of her tears fall out. She steps back up as her grimoire lights up, flips a few new pages while glowing all the more intense. Her hair flies up as her looks go from sadness to raging determination. She walks with a deadly intent, glint in her purpose and eyes. Vetto sees this and stops his personal torture of the Guardian Priestess. Kahono wakes up to see Noelle's intense aura pulsing through as it then explodes, causing tremors on the outside with everyone wondering if it was a quake or something more ominous.

Gifso: What's going on! These tremors aren't natural!!

Yami: It's about time you pushed past those limits, Noelle. Get him, Little Royal.

Her wand begins spewing out water as it dances around as she aims at Vetto's center mass area as he shares a look of intrigue and shock mixed together.

Noelle: I WON'T TELL YOU AGAIN......

Vetto: Where did all this power come from?! She didn't have this before!

Noelle: RELEASE MY FRIEND, NOW! OR I'LL MAKE YOU REGRET IT FOREVER!

(Flashback Start)

Fuegoleon Vermillion: Tell me Lady Noelle. You aren't hesitating because of the harsh criticisms of your siblings back at the banquet hall, are you?
BECAUSE THERE'S NO PLACE FOR THAT ON THE BATTLEFIELD! One bad decision from you, and that means that hundreds of lives could be lost! Forget your insecurities and pride for now, you are standing here a member of the Magic Knights, correct? If you joined the order of your own free will, then you must steel yourself for all that comes with it and get stronger in your journey! There is no shame in being weak, Lady Noelle... the shame is accepting and in staying weak!

(Flashback Ends)

Noelle: WELL, WHAT'RE YOU WAITING FOR? RELEASE MY FRIEND OR YOU WILL COME TO REGRET IT!

Vetto: So strong! Who is this girl?! Tell me, are you royalty?!

Noelle: And what does that matter if I am or not?! That is NOT what's important right now! I AM NOELLE SILVA OF THE BLACK BULLS! AND I AM DONE STANDING AROUND, DOING NOTHING WHILE YOU CUT DOWN MY FRIENDS AND SQUADMATES! THOSE I CARE ABOUT AND LOVE! THOSE I WOULD LAY MY LIFE DOWN FOR!

Vetto: I see. So it's true, she is of royal blood!

Tyrus begins to stir as he overlooks an also stirring Asta as they see now Kahono and Kiato down out and in the clutches of Vetto respectively.

Tyrus: N-Noelle? Well I'll be damned....... let the freaky bastard have it.

Vetto: A MEMBER OF THE HUMAN'S MOST CORRUPT CLAN?! GOOD!

He roughly tosses Kahono down by the wayside as she gasps for air continously.

Noelle: Kahono! You just made the BIGGEST mistake of your life, you overgrown hairball!

The water sphere grows larger as she continues to amass as much mana as she could as said hairball continues to taunt her.

Vetto: ALRIGHT! I'll make an exception for the Royal Brat! HIT ME WITH EVERYTHING YOU GOT, YOU DISGUSTING ROYAL PARASITE! AND ONLY THEN WILL I MAKE YOU EXPERIENCE TRUE HORROR AND DESPAIR!

Noelle: OH, I WAS PLANNING ON IT, YOU FLEA-INFESTED BASTARD! I WILL SHOW YOU THE POWER OF WHAT THIS ROYAL PARASITE CAN DO! GO WATER CREATION MAGIC... SEA DRAGON'S ROAR!

And from the water ball, emerges a giant water snake, similar to that of her older brother Solid's Sea Serpent's Coil but this serpen look so much more intimidating. It rushes right at Vetto, hitting the ground but still on track towards its intended target. The immediate look of confidence on Vetto's face turns to fear as he roars in defiance.

Vetto: I WILL NOT BE SO EASILY DEFEATED! RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! BEARRRRRRR CLAWWWWWWWW!

He for the moment stops the massive water serpent but it only lasts for a few seconds as Sea Dragon's Roar.

Vetto: NOOOOOOOAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

Noelle: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

It clamps down on him, swallows him and overtakes Vetto, as Noelle lets her mana loose as the Sea Dragon's Roar ragdolls him all over the Underwater Temple and it soons escapes the place of worship, leaving the spectators paralyzed with shock and awe.

Spectator: WHOA!

Spectator: Was... Was that the Sea God?!

The serpent escapes through the magic barrier connecting the Strong Magic Region to the actual ocean as Noelle pants hard while Asta and Tyrus look on shocked the latter's heart skipping a beat or two.

Asta: No-NO WAY WHO KNEW NOELLE WAS PACKING THAT MUCH FIREPOWER?!

Tyrus: Wow..... nice work Royal Highness. Pleas tell me that did something though!

But all three rookies were shocked and scared when they heard ragged breathing that didn't belong to the Silva girl. Vetto stands up from the storm he endured but realizes....

Vetto: MY ARM!

Noelle: Ghhh... It serves you right for what you did to Kahono and Kiato! How's that?!

Yami: That's some crazy power you were hiding there.... Noelle, you little Royal- You did more than just push past your limits. You might've just downright killed all your limits.

Gifso: Who is that girl? She couldn't be, is she the Sea God- NO she's a Sea Goddess!

Yami: I always figured she had some bottomless magic power that was dormant but.... that was next level! But the bigger thought is who would've thought Noelle to be an attacking mage? I figured Tyrus to be one too, but looks like she beat him to it.

Vetto: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

As he screamed the pain finally registering, Vetto is hit with a sudden flashback with Licht's voice pounding in his ears.

Licht: Let us live together in peace and harmony, Vetto! It should not be you who despairs.... but rather the people of the Clover Kingdom. You must remember... your true self.

Another flashback hits the man beast as he remembers a wedding he had attended with a person that looked like Licht as well as happily and blooming young woman before he was welcomed like all those in attendance to a gruesome massarce as a ring of light shone bright and began raining down light arrows. No one spared and soon a fire had been set, concluding the siege. He returns to the present, as he guturally chants.

Vetto: I'LL KILL THEM! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

With... a third eye opening on his forehead, he screams and screams, thrashing about violently before he calms down... with the most depraved and bone chilling look towards the royal.

Vetto: Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Noelle: HUH?!

Yami: What the?

Gifso: Ah!

Vetto's power pours through in throes, as he's now covered in a red aura which surrounds all of his body, even where his arm used to be.

Vetto: You have my gratitude... for summoning me, royal human!

Noelle: That eye... it wasn't there before. Where did it come from?! I never felt such terrifying power like this!

Asta and Tyrus look at one another. There was no one to help Noelle now. Luck and Magna were still out cold, Kahono and Kiato along with their father had been soundly defeated and despite their horrific injuries, they were the only two left standing aside from their teammate. They nodded as they fought against the agony inflicted by the man beast as they get off the giant pillow Kahono set them up with.

Vetto: MYTHICAL BEAST MAGIC.....

He commands a spell that no one understood but even more stunning was the appearance of two magical runes orbiting where the void that was once his right arm resided. His arm begins to regenerate as he screams in agony this time with even more fur than before.

Noelle: HIS ARM!

Tyrus: We need to move now, Asta!

Asta: I know!

Gifso: How is that remotely possible?!

Yami: It shouldn't be.... no spell can regenerate a blown off or torn limb like that, there's none like that!

Gifso: Even the most powerful recovery magic at best can close wounds, not recover lost limbs like you just stated Captain!

Yami: The Eyes aren't just some human-hating terrorists.... there's something much stronger and horrifying to them.

It suddenly hits him and for once, the hardened and sarcastic by nature Black Bulls captain had a look of genuine fear and panic for his rookie. He grabs the speaker immediately.

Yami: Oh my God... NOELLE, YOU NEED TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE! NOW!

But like much Kahono when her brother had gone down with his severed leg, Noelle was paralyzed with fear. Throw in the fact with a new spell taking up pretty much the entire store of her current mana flow. She could not move a muscle but the more concerning issue were her unconscious teammates and the temple mages as well as Asta and Tyrus who still appeared to be out cold and broken beyond repair.

Noelle: Run away? Leave them?

Her steely look once again plasters itself of the royal's face and Yami is shocked by her defiance.

Noelle: NO, I WILL NOT RUN AWAY, CAPTAIN! BLACK BULLS ROAM TOGETHER, DO THEY NOT?! NOT A CHANCE! GIVE ME YOUR BEST SHOT, VETTO OF DESPAIR!

Vetto: You have a lot of resolve for a soon to be extinguished mouse of Royal Descent! AND YOUR RESOLVE IS WHAT WILL KILL YOU! NOW BEGONE YOU PEST!

He summons two more magical portals as he guturally commands yet another spell.

Vetto: MYTHICAL BEAST MAGIC....

What appears to a dragon soon devolves into massive purple flames and rush towards her in an oozing frenzy.

Noelle: SEA DRAGON'S ROAR! What?! Oh no, that last spell drained all my mana!

Just as she realizes this and looks up, the flames reach the princess, seemingly incinerating her and everyone that got caught in the blast radius, as the beam shoots right through the temple. Everyone outside was absolutely stunned and horrified at what appeared to be Noelle Silva's last stand.

Yami: NOELLE!

Vetto: Heheheheheheheheh. Hm?

However through the explosion's aftermath, his laughter is cut short.... an ice barrier put up at the last second stands as it begins to dissipate.

Tyrus: Ice Magic.... Frost Over Barrier!

Directly standing in front of Noelle were Asta and Tyrus, still bloodied and perhaps broken. Against better judgement and knowing Noelle would probably be the first to chew them out, they weren't about to let a teammate and trusted friend and to Tyrus, something possibly more, die and they could do something about it. As the last of the barrier goes down, Vetto sees Asta and Tyrus standing in front of Noelle, blades drawn, the exterior blood on their faces now dried completely.

Noelle: Tyrus! Asta! You two saved me!

Yami laughs as he grabs his katana.

Yami: HAHAHAHA! Those are my guys!

Asta: NOT YET!

Tyrus: You.... FURRY FUCK! WE WERE NEVER OUT OF THE FIGHT!

Asta: YOU HAVEN'T WON! WE HAVEN'T GIVEN UP AND WE HAVEN'T LOST YET!

Tyrus: IF YOU WANT US TO DESPAIR THAT BADLY, COME AND MAKE US! THIS ISN'T OVER BY A LONG SHOT!

Vetto: YES, YOU'RE RIGHT. THIS ISN'T OVER YET, THE REAL DESPAIR STARTS NOW YOU THREE! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

The ground begins to quake violently as his power continues to surge through the roof, leaving the rookie trio in complete shock of what was to come now as Tyrus thought about what Noelle said.

Noelle: And what does that matter if I am or not?! That is NOT what's important right now! I AM NOELLE SILVA OF THE BLACK BULLS! AND I AM DONE STANDING AROUND, DOING NOTHING WHILE YOU CUT DOWN MY FRIENDS AND SQUADMATES! THOSE I CARE ABOUT AND LOVE! THOSE I WOULD LAY MY LIFE DOWN FOR!

Tyrus: You're right Noelle.... It's time we have that mentality. I'm going to go all out for my squadmates, those that I consider my friends and LOVE. YOU GUYS ARE WORTH LAYING MY LIFE DOWN FOR!

Final Word Count: 5,915 Words

End of Chapter Thirty-Five/Part Seven of the Underwater Temple/Vetto of Despair Arc!