We sprint towards the city. I sure hope Demiurge can stall long enough. Soon, we arrive at the city, exhausted.

Issachar, panting, finds his voice and asks, "What the hell just happened?"

"There's no time to explain," I reply, "Meet me where the gauntlet rite was held tomorrow. I can explain there. For now, lay low."

I walk away. I don't sleep that night, keeping an eye out for my double. About halfway through the night, my gauntlet notifies me that Demiurge has fallen and returned. I resummon him, using magic to heal his wounds. I update his compendium data, like I do with all my important demons before a reset. That way they can remember.

"So how'd it go?" I ask.

"He was too strong," Demiurge explains, "All I could do is stall."

"It's fine," I reply, "You did what you could."

"Can you promise me something?" Demiurge asks.

"What is it?" I question.

"Promise me you'll never side with God," Demiurge replies, "Promise me you'll never become like him."

I put my hand on Demiurge's shoulder reassuringly. "You have my word," I reply.

The next morning comes. We're told to go to Tokyo and capture the Black Samurai.

This is where I change things. I tell my friends there's something I have to do before I go and I'll catch up. When they leave, I meet up with Issachar.

"So what's going on?" Issachar asks.

"When I became a samurai," I begin to explain, "Certain events were set into motion. The first time, I destroyed the Yamato Reactor, ending the world. However, I wasn't dead, and I came back. I sided with God, however, both of my friends, Walter and Jonathan got killed. As did I. I come back again. I begin to catch on. I learned I had the power to reset the world to the moment I woke up at Lake Mikado. I sided with Lucifer, but my friends still died, and the world was thrown into chaos. I reset. This time, I do everything right, I save people, balance order and chaos, and I manage to save the world from God and Lucifer. However, those two took my friends from me. So, I decided, if I could save everyone else, what's two more? I reset one more time. They die, I reset again, and again, and again. Until I learn I need another set of hands. I give Navarre the power to reset. Together, we get closer then I've ever been. However, when I reset, to become a samurai, I must speak my name. I tried staying silent, and learned that made you a samurai. It dawned on me that I can save you too. However, there's another version of me, loyal to God, who keeps getting in my way. If I don't do this, you become a demon. Listen, I'm gonna give you the power to reset. You must destroy the Yamato Reactor. You think you can do this?"

Issachar falls silent, taking in all the information I had told him. "And I know you're not crazy how?" Issachar asks.

Aaaaand, I didn't think this through! I remain silent.

Issachar sighs, "Well, if what you say is true, then that would explain a lot. Let's get moving."

We sneak into Naraku and work our way to the Yamato Reactor. My double is in the room. Oh fuck, this is bad.

"Focus on the Reactor," I demand, "I'll handle him." I give Navarre a spare ray gun I happen to have from a very early reset.

Other me remains silent, his helm covering his face. He lunges at me. I narrowly dodge. He summons Mother Harlot, who proceeds to cast Antichion.

I'm hit with a wave of energy, I fell drained of strength, fatigued. I summon Lucifrige, who casts Luster Candy. I fell my strength return.

I cast Antichion, my double dodges; Mother Harlot is consumed by the blast. Other me summons Metatron, a powerful angle with no real weaknesses.

Lucifrige casts Luster Candy. I fell power flowing through me. I lunge at Metatron, who flies up to douge. Burroughs notifies me,"the Yamato Reactor is at 75℅ structural integrity."

My double casts Hades Blast. I jump, but Lucifrige is to slow and gets caught in the blast. However, since he was fused with the skill "Enduring Soul" he gets back up.

Metatron casts Judgement Light, however, the spell has no effect. I summon Demiurge, who casts thunder reign, which hardly phases either of my foes. Burroughs notifies me again, "the reactor is at 50℅ structural integrity."

Suddenly, my other self turns on Issachar, who is shooting the Yamato Reactor over and over again. My other self lunges. I tackle him in retaliation. I draw my sword and rip off my other self's helmet.

Immediately, before I even see his face, he flips and throws me into the air. I land hard in the ground. I get back up, and summon Shiva.

Burroughs notifies me once more, "the reactor is at 25% structural integrity."

I barrage Metatron and my other self with Antichion over and over again, wearing them down. My other self uses Hades Blast without warning, catching everyone off guard. The blow kills my demons, and brings me to my knees. Before approaching me to finish me off, he receives his helmet. He stands before me and lifts his blade.

Suddenly, everything goes white, consumed by the exploding Yamato Reactor. Issachar resets...