No one's POV

There was a roar as the wind around her was ripped to pieces. As the shreds of her air currents scattered, screaming into the ether, the golden locks of her blood-smeared hair danced. The slender swordswoman's body sailed through the air.

Aiz: ?!

She crashed into the floor with tremendous force and went tumbling across the room, until finally, she came to a stop among the tangled mesh of pipes lining the ground. Trembling, using her sword for balance, she tried to struggle to her feet, but her knees lacked the strength. Her armor no longer did her any good now that pieces of it were missing. Between the tatters of her battle clothes, the wounds on her supple flesh were clearly exposed, and blood from her head formed a river across the eyelid of one of her beautiful golden eyes, now squeezed shut. She was barely hanging on.

Revis: You're tenacious. I'll give you that...

Revis commented as she made her way over. She was not without injury herself. Similar to Aiz, her battle clothes had turned to rags, and several of the wounds inflicted by Aiz's wind sword were frighteningly deep. However, she had one thing going for her that Aiz didn't—a cloud of steam surrounding her body, floating particles of magic that steadily healed the gashes littering her skin.

It was her self-recovery skill, an especially aggravating healing ability possessed by creatures, and seeing her work come to nothing at the hand of those mist-like particles made Aiz grimace in frustration.

Aiz(mind): Just how many magic stones had this monstrosity devoured?

Revis: You're strong, too, to keep fighting even after the blow you suffered.

Around them, the room was in a state of disarray, evidence of the savage duel that had taken place. Pipes had been tossed about, their surfaces cracked and leaking fluid out onto the floor. The tanks, too, scarcely resembled tanks any longer, their glass fractured and strewn about the perimeter. Chest heaving, Aiz tried to ready her sword for another onslaught, only for Levis to rebuff her efforts. Stepping forward, the red-haired woman grabbed her by the face and slammed her into the wall.

Aiz: Unngaaagh!!

Cracks spread out from the point of impact as one of the large tanks shattered with a high-pitched screech. The wind was knocked from her lungs as numbing spasms ran through her arms and legs like jolts of electricity. Revis didn't stop there, wildly swinging her left arm to sling Aiz back to the floor as though she was nothing.

Aiz: Nnnguh...?!

Revis: But I'm getting tired of this pointless back-and-forth. Aren't you?

Revis's voice was like ice against her ear as she lay there, moaning into the ground. A pointless back-and-forth. It certainly was, at this point. First in Rivira, then in the pantry, and now, finally, here in Knossos. A humiliating defeat followed by relentless pursuit. Being slammed to the ground but always rising tall, back for more... Yes, this fight of theirs had been going on for some time now. And once again, today, Aiz found herself on the brink of death.

Revis: Let's end this.

The footsteps that would spell her destruction grew near. All of a sudden, Aiz's consciousness sparked back to life.

Aiz(mind):...Have to...stand...My sword...I have to...I can't...

Her thoughts were a muddled mess. Her body burned with blood and pain. But somewhere, within that haze of her mind, she found that last thread of her will to fight, furrowing her forehead as she forced it out. She could see the little girl inside her hugging herself as she wept, but she turned away, reaching instead for the sword standing in the darkness—to the Sword Princess, Aiz Wallenstein. She shouted at her arms and legs, though they threatened to give out completely, and pulled her Desperate toward her from where it lay on the ground.

Revis:...That's enough, Aria. There's no use struggling.

Revis's emotionless voice echoed around her again.

Revis: You cannot win as you are now. The Flashing Strike is no longer here. And no one is coming for you. This ridiculous labyrinth has seen to that. It is the monster that will devour you, as it's already done to your companions, no doubt.

Aiz's fingers clawed at the floor.

Revis: There's no one to save you now.

Aiz(mind): I know that.

Yes, Aiz knew that all too well. Help wasn't coming for her. No hands to pull her to her feet. No sword to stave off the coming death No hero to save her. The hero she had longed for, ever since her father protected her mother, had never come. She was all alone.

Despair had been her everything. She had wailed and cried and screamed until she could cry no more. Until her heart was frozen and she could no longer remember how to smile.

It had been then that Aiz had taken up the sword. She wouldn't wait to be saved. She would carve her own path, the only one left in front of her. She would hunger after power, and even now she pursued it with reckless abandon. So that she could fulfill her one true desire, her deepest wish, her heart's yearning. It was all that was left in the hollow shell she'd become. She'd had no one. No knight in shining armor. Aiz's knees thumped to the ground, signaling her limit. And with it, her wind grew silent.

Revis: Any further resistance will only draw this out far longer than it needs to...Now, since I'm going to strip you of your consciousness anyway, let's cut off your limbs to make sure you can't get up to anything else.

Aiz squinted at the figure towering over her. A moment before the other woman's sword descended. Tap. The very discernible sound of a footstep reverberated through the room.

Revis:...Who's there?

Revis cried out as she whirled around, only to stop in her tracks.

???: I admire that strong look on you, however, please be honest to yourself.

Revis and Aiz: ??

???: And call for help.

Just as Revis sword was ready to strike Aiz down. A black blur had appeared intercepting the curse blade with his own twin married blade of black and white. A boy had appeared before her. The same boy that had saved her three times from her archenemy. During at Rivira, the pantry at 24th floor, and now here as well. The same boy she admire. The boy who was known as the World's Hero, The Light of Hope.

Aiz:...

Sora: Aiz... Are you alright...?

Aiz: Sora...?

The boy had come once again to her aid. He had counter the curse blade and counter the Red Tamer with his super strength and blow her away with his strength.

Revis: Gwagh....!!

Sora: Aiz... I'm glad you're alright.

Aiz: How...?

Revis: You...!

Revis stood up from her rubble where she was thrown. She glared at the boy who'd once again interfere her business to get her hand on Aiz. Her eyes was pure of bloodshot and want nothing more than to kill the boy this very moment.

Revis: How did you get in here?! How did you find us...?!

Revis demanded to know the answer. Aiz was no different. Sora whom just entered the labyrinth 10 minutes ago, has now appeared on Aiz's front. Sora easily phase through every wall that had come his way and deal with all traps with ease without losing his speed. So in the eye of Evilus, they could only see a blur. As for how Sora managed to find Aiz so quickly, was because—

Slyphid(Telepathy): I've been beside Aiz the whole time.

Slyphid was there to guide him. Slyphid's wind and Aiz's wind was an identical wind of each other. Or to be more precise, they're connected. And since Slyphid was Sora's contracted spirit, he was able to pinpoint her location with ease.

Sora: I have no obligation to answer your demands. Though you will die this time. I'm tired of playing your games.

Revis: You...!

Aiz: Big Bro...?

Sora:...

The word slip out of Aiz as she called to him longingly. Sora's face slightly stiffened when he heard that, but was it not enough to get noticed by Aiz. He then looked slowly at the girl and smile.

Sora: Aiz... Stop thinking that there's no salvation for you. Don't believed that despair will always be your everything. When you are sad, is alright to cry and call for help. After all, you are not alone anymore. Never once... and Never will.

Aiz:...I'm not alone...anymore?

Sora: That's right. You have friends who cared about you. Adorable rookies who looked up to you. And dependable allies who fought beside you. Caring adults who watched over you like their own children. A compassionate familia, merry and cheerful, and a Big Sister that taught you how to smile again. And you have an irreplaceable bond. A home.

Aiz: Ah...?

That's right. A Home that she never, ever wanted to lose again.

Sora: So...Don't ever give up! And call your friends.

With that, Sora stood up and stood in front of Aiz and was now facing Revis whom readied their blades to fight. Then Revis's brows arched in surprise, Aiz reached her feet with her sword at the ready. With glimmering golden eyes, she stared down her avenger, who had come back stronger and more powerful than ever.

Aiz: You've won... and I'm okay with that...

She conceded, painful as it was for her to admit. She would swear an oath to her sword in pursuit of an even greater power.

Aiz: But if there's one thing I won't let you take from me...it's them.

They were the one thing she refused to give up. Though the Sword Princess, who'd never sought anything save strength, was willing to admit defeat, Aiz herself was not willing to lose the lives of the ones she held dear. Readying her sword as a knight once more, she closed her eyes. Revis was an enhanced species; what's more, she commanded power well over that of a Level 7. Even with her wind, Aiz couldn't hope to contend with her. Outwitting her at this point would be close to impossible. Physically, her wounds were already deep. Her body would be unable to take another skirmish. But she still had one thing her Mind.

Aiz: This is it.

She would ignite her very essence, the flames of what little life she had left. Her enemy was Revis.

Sora: No. Your enemy is not her. We are now facing someone else, someone bigger—the labyrinth itself.

Aiz: That's right. That's why! Awaken, Tempest!

Her eyes snapped open.

Aiz: Awaken, Tempest!!

She shouted again, ignoring her battered body as she cloaked herself once more in the howl of the wind torn from her.

Aiz: RAGE, TEMPEST!!

She shouted a third time. And with it came a gale, unleashing a fury that mirrored the sleeping power awakening inside her.

Revis: What the—?

It was more furious than any Aerial Aiz had summoned before. As it filled the room, it slashed the pipes to shreds before rushing into the tunnels beyond. And it didn't stop there, billowing out relentlessly from her as if it were rolling off a hill.

Revis: The wind of the great spirit...

Revis's eyes narrowed.

Sora(telepathy): Slyphid. Boost her power! With your own wind! After your done, head towards Asuna and aid her.

Slyphid(telepathy): Roger!

In her Spirit form, Slyphid entered Aiz's body and use her own wind to strengthen Aiz's wind. Aiz could feel her power rising without any knowledge how. The wind had become a hurricane. Then it would do her no good to approach recklessly now. Surely, with the way Aiz was spending magic power like water, she would destroy herself soon enough; however, the ferocious gale had yet to show any signs of waning. On and on, it raged, fueled by the fires of Aiz's very soul.

Revis: If you keep this up...!

—She might awaken the spirit embryos lurking deep within the halls of the maze. Realizing this, Revis moved toward Aiz, her expression twisting in irritation. Like a blade, she cut through the incoming winds, sword aimed straight at the Sword Princess. But Sora intercepted her, raising Kanshou and Bakuya to accept the incoming strike.

Sora: Wow... Now... If you want to get to her, you'll have to go through me.

Revis: You bastard!!

Aiz storm didn't so much as sputter at Sora and Revis's movement, the wind fled from their attack like a tornado on the move.

Revis: You!...Stop retaliating!

Sora: And you stopped talking.

Again and again, Sora's blade hindered Revis's strikes. The creature woman simply couldn't take him down, the boys power was beyond the norm. With the gale dampening Revis's speed and power, Revis's every attack was countered by the Lightning Flash's own techniques. There were no blind spots, either; the raging squall swelled in every direction, to the point where Revis had to devote her concentration merely to keep from blowing away.

Revis: This wasn't armor anymore. This was a fortress.

Sora: Finally, someone's gets it.

Revis: And how are you not affected by Aria's wind?!

Sora: Her fortress is too weak on my standard.

Revis: Weak...?

And Revis was clearly becoming increasingly irritated as she continued her attack, but the boy met all attacks with ease. He was not affected by the raging gale of wind behind him.

Aiz(mind): Not...yet...!

Aiz would hold out. Her windstorm seethed, and she threw everything she had into it. The boy continue to defend her with all his might. And with that, Aiz would wait. Until her cyclone had proved victorious against that labyrinth of chaos.

Aiz(mind): Hold out. Hold out. Hold out. Wait. Wait. Wait. He's here, protecting me. He's here, protecting me. He's here, protecting me.

She was betting everything, her own life, while the boy continue to defend her. All the while, her wind raised its great war cry.

Revis: Just go down already!!

Sora: Sorry! Someone like you won't be able to beat me.

Revis: YOU BASTARD....!!!!

(Elsewhere)

Meanwhile, as Aiz was fighting for her life for the last time in the hall of tanks...

Elfie: Miss Tiona, Arcus won't last much longer...!

Tiona:...Well, crap.

Tiona and the rest of her party were run ragged with exhaustion, having faced a multitude of monsters and plenty of traps, to boot. And now? They'd run out of options. Nothing but endlessly winding halls, pointlessly claustrophobic stone, and mocking shadow surrounded them. They were sapped of strength, worn to the bone from damage, and worst of all, clueless as to where they should go— and their weary hearts were slowly crumbling to pieces.

At least in the Dungeon they'd had a map. They'd known what to expect as far as monsters and traps went, and where they could go if they needed to rest. They had none of that in this man-made labyrinth of death. To say nothing of the malicious doors that continuously opened and closed on them, sealing their every means of escape.

They were isolated, cut off from anyone who might help them. Despair weighed heavily on their shoulders, an invisible enemy, and their faces reflected the belief that they were forever trapped in the endless winding halls of their labyrinthine prison. Not even Tiona's smile could rescue the group's dwindling morale now. Sweat poured from her face and her male companion's, both suffering from the poison vermis venom. When suddenly.

Elfie: Is that...wind?

Elfie murmured beneath Arcus's weight as the tiniest of breezes tickled her skin. Next to her, Tiona came to a stop. Yes, the air was stirring. It felt different from the stagnant maze. It tapped at her Urga, running up its smooth blade before curling against her cheek. Something was calling them.

Tiona(mind): A...breeze?

It whispered against her ear with gentle footsteps, causing her eyes to widen with a start. When, only a moment later PHWOOOOOOOOW!! Wind began roaring through the tunnel, unleashing waves of raw power.

Elfie: What the—?!

Arcus: ?!

The surge was so powerful, it sent Elfie and the rest of the group stumbling backward, bending over in an attempt to stay on their feet. It was a hurricane, lashing at their cheeks, pulling at their weapons, and violently tousling their hair. It was a breath, unrelenting yet full of warmth, to blow away the darkness of the labyrinth.

Arcus: What the...hell...is this?!

Elfie: Another trap?!

Tiona: No.

Tiona said simply, lifting her face as the rest of her group balked at the unimaginably powerful winds. Because with the wind came a voice, a serene, gentle voice that brought visions to her mind's eye. Amber wheat, gently drifting clouds, and a spirit, its lips moving in song a golden-haired maiden racing down a windy hilltop. The wind was calling them.

Tiona: It's Aiz!

She cried out as the smile returned to her fatigued face. And then the instinct-driven Amazonian girl was sprinting down the passage.

Tiona: Aiz is calling us!

(Elsewhere)

Cruz: Miss Tione, this wind! What is it...?!

Meanwhile, in another section of the maze, Tione, Cruz, and the rest of her group had also encountered the storm.

Tione: Ah...

As her long hair whipped about her face, light spread across Tione's features. The raging, ceaseless wind had summoned a memory in her mind, too.

Tione: This is...Aiz! This is Aiz's wind!!

Asuna:—Caves in the mountains were rife with drafts, so it was easy to use them as guideposts.

Asuna: —Basically, you either follow the wind or run counter to it. That's how to avoid winding up at a dead end.

Yes, that was what they'd been talking about when they'd first stepped foot into this labyrinth. It was exactly as Asuna had told them. They could use drafts as guideposts. Of course, there wouldn't be any natural drafts running through the man- made dungeon directly below the city's surface. Instead, the wind racing past them now was being created by Aiz's Aerial.

Tione: She's leading us! She's telling us where we are...and where we can join up with the others!

Aiz's powerful gusts left no trace of the maze untouched, pulsing through its every nook and cranny like blood pumping through veins. It was a positively ludicrous feat, one that Tione herself could barely believe—and yet, this was Aiz. Aiz would be able to do something like this, and that thought alone brought a brilliant smile to her face.

Even separated as they were by crossroad after crossroad, Aiz had been able to create one single road to lead them together. This way, the wind seemed to cry. It would lead them straight to Aiz as a rallying call for all of Loki Familia currently trapped within that massive labyrinth. Tione would answer that call, racing off down the tunnel with the others hot on her heels.

Tione: Let's go!

Cruz and Elfie: Right behind you!!

(Elsewhere)

Gareth: That reckless girl! She's up to this tomfoolery again, I see!

Gareth fumed, facing the wind filling up the grand hall head-on.

Narfi: You mean...Aiz? This is Aiz's wind...? But that's...that's impossible!

Narfi yelped in disbelief. It was true. To think that a single adventurer would be able to reach the entirety of this massive dungeon was simply preposterous. But that was exactly what was happening, and the ridiculous power behind Aiz's Aerial and the girl's own swordlike spirit was enough to put her on par with a floor boss.

However, Gareth realized something—that Aiz was burning her very life force to create this guiding path of wind. She had to be, or she'd never be able to produce a gale like this. Which could mean only one thing: that she'd gone and gotten herself in grave danger again.

Gareth: That aside, now's no time for loiterin'!

Gareth cried out to the rest of the group, wind whistling past the cracks in his heavy armor.

Gareth: Up and at 'em, greenhorns! We lose that wind and we'll have no chance!

(Elsewhere)

Valletta: What the hell is all this wind?!

The same gust was blowing past Valletta and the rest of her enemy troops, as well. She snapped an arm up to cover her face with a groan as the violent gale whipped against her.

Aki: Raul!

Raul: Let's go! This wind is the way to go!

Not far away, Aki and Raul, still wandering about the maze, grabbed Finn and ran in the direction of the howling cyclone, too.

(Elsewhere)

Rakuta: Mister Bete, not so...fast...!

Bete: Grr!

Rakuta: M-Mister Bete?!

Bete, too, made an abrupt about-face at the sudden appearance of Aiz's storm. Behind him, Rakuta attempted desperately to match his breakneck pace with the rest of the party.

(Elsewhere)

Lefiya: This wind...! Miss Filvis, this is Miss Aiz's wind—her magic!!

Filvis: Don't be ridiculous! How in the world would one person be able to produce wind this strong? That's inconceivable!

As Lefiya shouted in excitement, cheeks stained red, Filvis blanched next to her. But that didn't keep the elven duo from heading toward the source of the wind, as well.

(Elsewhere)

And now, back in the present. Sora had once again pushed back the mighty Red Tamer with ease as she glared at the boy in irritation that she couldn't get passed him. One of Aiz's knees thumped to the ground, signaling her limit. And with it, her wind grew silent.

Sora: Had enough yet?

Revis: You...!

Sora: Hmph...!

Sora smirk when suddenly...

Bete: Hey.

Revis whirled around at the sound of the footsteps behind her. There was a swath of gray fur parting the darkness of one of the room's many exits.

Bete: Freak of nature.

It was Bete, the first of Loki Familia's adventurers to reach the source of the wind. Taking in the sight of Sora and Aiz in front of him, his fur bristled. His face tattoo twisting in rage, the werewolf bared his teeth with a savage curl of his lip.

Bete: Go to hell!!

Revis: You're that werewolf...!

Revis cursed under her breath, readying her counterattack as Bete made a beeline directly toward her. Neither one of them wanted to give up the first strike. But it was Revis who misread the attack.

Revis: !!

She may have feasted on magic stones, but she wasn't the only one who'd grown in power—Bete, too, had gained a level and was now a Level 6. And his fangs had already sunk into Aiz's wind.

Bete: Ruuuuuuuuuoooooooooooaaaaggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

Revis: ?!

In a flash, his Frosvirt became imbued with the gale. The new speed and power behind his metal boots surpassed anything Revis could have expected, and the sword she'd raised in her counteroffensive was knocked from her hands. It was an opening, and new shadows had already gathered around the creature woman to take advantage of the gap in her defenses.

Tione: Having fun bullying our sister, are ya?

Revis: An Amazon...?!

Immediately after Bete, Tione leaped forward like a snake, flourishing her twin Kukri knives. In a flurry of repeated flashes, she drew a shower of blood from Revis's body, sending the red-haired creature crumbling to the ground. But the wave of attacks didn't end there.

Tiona: We ain't gonna go easy on ya!

Directly overhead, the Amazon's other half came flying toward her with her oversize weapon, her normal smile gone at the sight of Aiz's wounds. Now, nothing but pure, unadulterated rage burned in Tiona's eyes, and Revis was unable to do anything but stare in shock as the double-bladed Urga came at her at full power.

Tiona: Take this !!

Revis: Guurraaagh!!

The monster sword cleaved through Revis's longsword—and her arm with it. Her forearm went spinning through the air, cut cleanly from the elbow.

Revis: !!

Before Revis even had a chance to recover, all she could see was a rocklike fist sailing straight toward her face.

Gareth: Off ye go now.

It was Gareth.

Revis: Gunnghh?!

The punch passed easily over the arm she'd brought up to try and defend herself, driving into her frame and sending her flying through the air with the force of a raging river. When she slammed into the far wall, a mushroom-like cloud of dirt and dust erupted from the impact, and the hall shook around them. The battle over, Loki Familia's first-tier adventurers lowered their weapons and raced toward Aiz.

Tiona: Aiz!

Tione: Are you all right?!

Bete: Like hell she's all right! Goddamn, you Amazons are as blind as you are dumb!

Aiz: Tiona...Tione... Mister Bete...

Aiz murmured, a smile making its way to her face at the sight of her companions, who had been guided to her by her wind. She accepted the potion they scrambled to push on her with a grateful

Aiz: Thank you...

Gareth: As much as I'd like t'scold ye...ye did well, lass.

Aiz: It...wasn't me. It was...thanks to him...

Aiz could only shake her head at Gareth's unexaggerated praise. They all immediately looked at Sora whom was looking at their reunion.

Tiona: Mr Flash?!

Tione: How did you get in here?!

Bete: More importantly, Why are you here you Flashing Bastard?!

Sora: Let's talk about that later on and focused on the person at hand.

But even as they sat there, countless footsteps could already be heard approaching the room.

Raul: Mister Gareth! There you guys are!

Tione: Raul! Is—is that the captain?! What in the gods' holy names happened here?!

Gareth: Keep it together, Tione!

First Raul and Aki appeared, carrying with them the wounded Finn, and Tione flew into a panic far unlike any produced by the labyrinth's perils. A moment later, Rakuta, Elfie, and the rest of Bete's and Tiona's groups followed, all filtering into the room one after another.

Sora: As much as I want to enjoy this reunion, the fight isn't over just yet. All of you, reports!

Sora immediately take control to assess the situation.

Gareth: All of ye, just do what he says...

Bete: Tch!! Finn's gotten himself cursed! Looks bad, too!

Sora: I know it, I know it! And what about you guys? What kinda state are ye in?

Gareth: I'm a bit burn, but me and my team are fine!

Tiona: Arcus and I've been poisoned! Got attacked by some poison vermis!

Cruz: Miss Asuna, Lefiya, Line, and the others still haven't made it!

Amid the rapid-fire updates, Sora quickly began dishing out orders, and Loki Familia responded with a practiced celerity. Carrying out the emergency measures with the same precision they'd had on so many of their expeditions, the reunited familia members got straight to work.

Revis:...What are those incompetent fools in Thanatos Familia doing?

Everyone: !!

They all turned around to see Revis rising from the cloud of dust. Though battered by Loki Familia's earlier attacks, her murderous ardor had yet to wane.

Revis: No bother, though. I'll take out these vermin myself...here and now.

Tione: You and what army?

Tione smirked, ready with her Kukri Knife, and Zola, as the red-haired creature woman began exuding an incomparable sense of presence and malice. Revis, however, merely narrowed her eyes coldly in the face of the ten- plus adventurers.

Revis: It would be a simple task to eliminate you as you are now. But I'll call in that army if you wish.

Poison vermis lesions, skill-induced fatigue, an arm crushed by a door— they certainly weren't in any condition to fight, and realizing Revis had seen their exhaustion, Tiona, Bete, and the others closed their mouths as sweat dribbled down their temples. Even now, their items had almost been entirely used up, meaning they'd have no way to heal the injuries Knossos had given them.

Revis began consuming magic power to repair her wounded body as she pressed her severed arm against the bloody stump of her elbow. It connected itself at once, restoring life to her fist and palm as though it hadn't just been lying on the floor, and Raul and the other lower-level familia members gulped. But Sora stepped forward.

Gareth: Lads...?

Sora: Gareths and all of you, just focus on recovering your exhausted body. I'll handle this freak.

Gareth: As much as I want to know how you got here, I'll follow your lead.

The rest all back down when Gareth ordered them too as they watched the confrontation between Sora and Revis. Those two readied their blade together. Just then, Sora launched himself up into the air. It wasn't a fancy technique of any kind, just a slash from the upper right. It was so fast that Aiz and the others could barely see the blade moving. It was practically a miracle that Revis was able to block it in time, given her distress. An earsplitting clang ripped through the vicinity, sparks briefly illuminating the faces of the two combatants.

Aiz: So fast...

Revis caught the swords on the curse blade guard, but the momentum of the attack drove her several steps back. Sora did not let up any pressure on the knight as they clashed hilt to hilt. Bit by bit, Revis's monstrous-heavy knee began to bend.

Revis: You...y-you wretch!!

She shrieked, pushing back on her sword.

Sora and Revis continued their deadlock, soaking in the attention of all present. In terms of personal and sword weight, speed, and even strength, Sora had a clear advantage. But Revis exhibited a tremendous force of her own that did not seem to come from her physical arms. Through gritted teeth, Sora tried rattling her again.

Sora: Where's all that confident you got when you were facing the Loki Familia? You are nothing but a cowardly fool when you face me.

Revis: You son of a bitch...!

Sora abruptly swung his right foot forward and swept her leg. Her balance lurched, and the two blades gave off sparks. He pushed the jet-black sword forward with one hand.

Revis: Dammit...! Looks like I can't win against you at all. So I'll have to get Aria another day.

Sora: No, you're not going anywhere... We're finishing this right here and now. With you gone, those Evilus won't stand a chance.

The Red Tamer's eyes seemed to widen just a bit.

Revis: Enough tricks!

She shouted, jumping back a step. She steadied her weapon, which was back to being a normal longsword again, at shoulder height. Sora pulled back his white sword to an equivalent position on his left. Matching vibrations thrummed from both their swords, like combustion engines overlapping and harmonizing. White and silver swords shone crimson.

Sora:...

Revis:...

Everyone:...

Their eyes met. Both brimmed with a will to fight that erased all boundaries. A single second stretched on forever. Their limbs cried out, their hearts hungered, their warrior's resolve burned fiercely. Sora's blue eyes met the monster eyes of Revis. And then...

Sora: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Revis: YOU IMPUDENT..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sora and Revis  leaped at the same time, doing a thrust attacked! Like two sides of a mirror, their swords pulled back like arrows, held for an instant to glow twice as bright, then shot forward. The tips of the two swords followed straight lines, and met. But Sora was already using One for All to increase his strength even further that his sword thrust had become a living canon. It was so fast and so powerful that Revis's sword breaks in an instant.

Revis: HOW DARE YOU......!!!!!!!!!

Sora: HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!

Sora roared, sending crimson light jetting down the length of the Black Sword still held tightly by his right hand. The second blow of the One for All Strike, went straight towards Revis's chest.

Revis lowered both her hands at the last moment to guard the incoming sword thrust. She was blown instantly by the force of the sword.

Sora: It's over.

Revis tried to stand up, but she couldn't. She looked at her body. Her lower part was missing.

Revis: !!

Sora: Looks like I missed your Magic Stones. But no matter...

At that time, for the first time since she woke up as a creature, Revis definitely awoke a new sense that has been long lost. That is fear. Her remaining body trembles in fear. Fear against the opponent in front of her. It's been a few seconds, but Revis's body isn't regenerating like usual.

Sora: Oh... So someone like you do knows fear. Well time to finish you off.

Tiona: He defeated her so easily.

Tione: When Aiz could barely make a dent against her.

The rest could only watch in silence that Sora had defeated a creature that had gave Aiz so much trouble with ease. Sora went to walk towards Revis trying to end her for good, when suddenly. The walls of the room—came crashing to the ground.

Sora: Huh...?

They all saw a water dragon had appeared through the walls of adamantite washing over the area. Sora could instantly tell it was Asuna's magic. When the water had dispersed, two figured entered still fighting each other. The first person was a man wearing a hooded cloak of dark color covering his face one a shadow, and he wields a kitchen knife dagger Chinese type.

The second was a girl with blue hair and a pointy elf ear. She wore a blue and white uniform. She looks a bit exhausted and some wounds and scratches were see through her skins and body. But in otherwise, looks like she's alright.

Everyone: Asuna....!

Sora: Looks like she made it here just in the right time.