Tadayoshi and Cessair clash once more until Cessair disappears from Tadayoshi's sight. However, Rachel fires her rifle at Tadayoshi's side, hitting Cessair in the shoulder and revealing his position to Tadayoshi. Seizing the opportunity, Tadayoshi strikes Cessair with his spear, sending him crashing into the wall, where he vanishes again. The battle continues to escalate as Tadayoshi and Cessair's weapons collide, with Rachel making every shot count whenever Cessair slips from Tadayoshi's view due to her Hue Saturation.

Rachel: Have you figured him out yet?

Tadayoshi: Yes... He's just moving really fast.

Rachel: It should have been obvious to you... Hue Saturation for green hair indicates speed.

Tadayoshi: I know that... I'm mostly trying to figure out—

Suddenly, Cessair lets out a roar as he spins mid-air and swings down at Tadayoshi, who blocks the strike. Rachel takes this opportunity to fire, but Cessair quickly jumps out of the way to avoid the bullet. However, Tadayoshi grabs Cessair by the foot mid-dodge and slams him into the wall, causing him to bounce back, and then follows up with a mid-spin using his spear to hit him in the stomach.

Tadayoshi: ... My timing...

Soon Cessair stands back up while simply snickering at them as Tadayoshi grips onto his spear out of suspicion

Tadayoshi: What's so funny?

Cessair: I'm not stupid... don't think you're the only one trying to figure out this fight...

Suddenly, Cessair disappears again, and he reappears behind Tadayoshi. Rachel takes aim and prepares to fire; however, Cessair lets out a sinister smile and vanishes again the moment Rachel pulls the trigger on her rifle

Rachel: Shit!

Tadayoshi narrowly dodges Rachel's bullet but is still struck on his side, knocking him down in pain

Cessair: Thanks for the opening!

Suddenly, Cessair reappears in front of Rachel with his sickle raised above his head, about to swing down on her, but Tadayoshi quickly throws his spear to block the attack, giving Rachel enough time to fire her rifle into his chest, sending him back

Tadayoshi: You alright?

Rachel: I should be asking YOU!

Tadayoshi: I'm fine... I've felt worse...

Cessair: Why?...

Tadayoshi/Rachel: ?

Cessair: Why do you fight alongside what you hate?... I don't get it!... What do you hope to gain from this?

Suddenly Cessair reappears beside Tadayoshi with both his sickles reeled back and goes to swing at the bullet wound however Rachel fires again but Cessair ducks mid-attack, avoiding and missing the attack which Tadayoshi tries to uppercut him with his spear but Cessair blocks the attack, making him slide back a few feet

Cesaair: It makes me sick every time you save that damn Royalty! Why would a commoner want to be something that lower than THEY ARE?!

His words lingered in the air, heavy with disdain. Tadayoshi remained steadfast, tightening his grip on the spear as his gaze met Cessair's with unwavering intensity.

Cessair: Answer me! WHY?

Tadayoshi: ... Do you really believe I fight for any gain? I don't. I fight because I want to care for something, even if I tell myself I don't deserve it. I hate myself for many reasons, but I fight to ensure that no one else follows the same path I chose...

He glanced back at Rachel, a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes, a brief moment of vulnerability, as if he were recalling a past he wished to forget. Rachel felt a sharp ache in her chest at his expression. Though she knew little of his history, the weight of his words resonated deeply with her, yet the depth of his self-loathing caught her off guard. Just as she was about to offer words of comfort or understanding, he turned back to Cessair, ready to complete his response

Tadayoshi: I understand your anger... but I feel like you're not doing this out of revenge... not anymore

Cessair narrowed his eyes, releasing a short, guttural sound that was neither a laugh nor a gasp

Cessair: ... What do you know about revenge?...

Tadayoshi: I know for a fact that if all of this was for revenge, you would have just focused on everything that the Fleur family has. Yet you chose to kill other Royalties that have nothing to do with your tragedy. You're doing this out of enjoyment

The killer's angry expression slowly changes into a sinister smile that stretches across his face as he lets out a maniacal laughter

Cessair: Royalties are nothing but pigs fattened for slaughter! They gorge themselves on the suffering of others, blind to the rot they spread. I make sure that rot doesn't spread...

Tadayoshi: ... How many children have you killed

Cessair's sneer twisted into something colder, a chilling lack of emotion in his eyes. He didn't answer immediately, instead letting out a low, guttural chuckle that sent shivers down Rachel's spine

Cessair: More than I can count...

Rachel gasped, her hand instinctively tightening on her rifle. The casual cruelty in his tone, the complete disregard for innocent life, solidified her perception of him as a monster. This wasn't just a misguided revolutionary; this was pure, unadulterated evil

Tadayoshi: ... Good to know

Suddenly Tadayoshi speed-blitzed towards Cessair and punched him in the face, causing him to stumble back. Tadayoshi takes this chance to pull his spear back and repeatedly swing at Cessair, cutting and smacking him around until Tadayoshi stabs the ground and lifts himself to kick him in the face, causing Cessair to tumble into a wall

Tadayoshi: I have no reason to sympathize with you...

Cessair slowly peeled himself off the dented wall as he felt blood trickling from his mouth, which he noticed when he touched his lips. However, a sinister smile returned to his face once he realized he was bleeding

Cessair: No sympathy for me? Good. Because you lost yours when you protected that witch! Let's see if you try to keep up with me...

Tadayoshi: Don't worry, I already figured you out

Cessair: We'll see...

Cessair vanished once more, but before Rachel could fire her rifle, Tadayoshi unexpectedly reached to his right and seized Cessair by the neck. The killer looked in disbelief as Tadayoshi just gave him an angry side eye

Tadayoshi: I told you... I figured you out...

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Vivian crashes into some boxes, grunting in pain but quickly recovering as she avoids another attack from Cannibal's relentless feral attacks

Cannibal: I HATE IT! I HATE IT! I HATE IT!

Cannibal continues to swing her claws at Vivian, who skillfully dodges the incoming attacks but can feel the killer's speed increasing. Vivian tries to swing her mace across Cannibal's face, landing a hit, but Cannibal ignores the pain and delivers an uppercut to Vivian's chest, cutting her until she is grabbed by the neck mid-air and pinned against the wall

Cannibal: Why must you remind me of... it... Cannibal doesn't want to think of what my mind is trying to recall!

Vivian: I-I don't... know what you're... talking about! Now let... go, you big meanie!

Vivian swings her mace down on Cannibal's arm that is holding her by the neck, freeing herself, and then seizing the opportunity to slam her mace into Cannibal's knee. The feral woman roars in pain and falls to her knees but retaliates by throwing a punch. However, Vivian manages to block the attack, only being pushed back a few feet.

Cannibal: LIES! You're like me... but better!... No!... We're supposed to be failures!...

Vivian: Failures?

Cannibal snarls, her eyes wide and unfocused. The internal struggle contorts her feral face, a mix of primal rage and something resembling desperate, forgotten grief.

Cannibal: They... they made us! They want us strong! But we were weak... Why are you perfect... You are what they wanted... why do you live while Cannibal suffered! No... why must you make Cannibal remember! STOP MAKING CANNIBAL REMEMBER!

Suddenly, she lunges at Vivian again, catching her by surprise, but Vivian manages to dodge the attack as Cannibal cracks the concrete below her. The killer then grabs some boxes that were near her and throws them at Vivian, who swings her mace and destroys the oncoming boxes. As Vivian breaks the last box, Cannibal suddenly appears behind the destroyed box with her mouth wide open and bites down on Viviana's shoulder

Vivian: GAHHH!!!

She yells in pain as she can feel Cannibal's teeth sinking into her shoulder. Out of desperation to escape, Vivian swings her mace but the killer doesn't budge until Cannibal finally lets go of her by throwing her across the basement and into some boxes

Vivian: Ow...

Cannibal: That was stupid... but I have to eat her! But the taste just repeats the memories...

Vivian: I don't understand what you mean! I'm just a normal Demi-human like everyone else!

Cannibal: Lies! Lies! Lies! Don't you see the weirdness in you? You have strong skin and you can hit like a brute! Does that sound like a normal Demi?!

Suddenly, she recalls events from the Old Empire, when she threw her friends up the elevator shaft and leaped out with a single jump, the time she threw a behemoth across the roof, and how she didn't get a single bite from the CRAZE virus, making her question her normalcy

Vivian: I mean... I always thought I was just strong... but... am I weird?...

Cannibal: Don't bother thinking about it! Cannibal just wanted to eat, and you're ruining it! Forget it all! Forget you! Cannibal will eat you alive, and CANNIBAL'S MIND WILL BE AT EASE!

Cannibal charges at Vivian again, who prepares to block the attack. However, Cannibal starts striking at her with a series of attacks to overwhelm her. Cannibal senses Vivian's guard weakening and continues to apply more pressure and strength to her strikes

Cannibal: after Cannibal eats and forgets you! Cannibal will eat everyone here! Cannibal will eat everyone you know to forget you! CANNIBAL FEAST TILL I HAVE MY FILL!

Cannibal lets out a bloody roar as she goes for what she believes is her final attack. Suddenly, Vivian swings her mace and breaks the killer's arm. Cannibal doesn't scream in pain but looks shocked before turning back to Vivian, whose arm muscles are pulsing as she delivers an uppercut to Cannibal's face, knocking her onto her back

Vivian: Maybe I am weird... maybe I'm not normal... but why should that bother me! If I'm not a failure, then that's a good thing! And whatever I am, I use it to protect people from bullies like you!

Cannibal slowly stands back up and examines her broken arm. She remains silent, consumed by anger, and releases an animalistic roar as she charges at her opponent. She continues to swing her one available arm at Vivian, who effortlessly dodges each attack while landing several counterblows with every swing Cannibal makes. Vivian realized that the killer wasn't thinking anymore, she was just desperate to kill her

Cannibal: CANNIBAL WILL KILL YOU! CANNIBAL WILL EAT YOU! CANNIBAL WILL EAT EVERYONE!

Vivian: If you still plan to eat people after this, then...

The killer leaps towards Vivian with her mouth wide open, prepared to bite her again, but suddenly, Vivian shoves her mace into Cannibal's mouth, catching the killer by surprise as she quickly notices Vivian has one of her legs leaned back.

Vivian: I'll make it so you won't be able to eat anyone again!

She places all her weight on her back leg and executes a powerful front kick. Her foot strikes Cannibal's jaw, using the mace still lodged in the killer's mouth. A sickening crunch echoes throughout the basement, the sound of bone and cartilage protesting under great force. Cannibal's eyes widen in surprise and flicker with pain as she is violently thrown backward. Cannibal's body crashes into the basement ceiling before falling. The mace drops from Cannibal's mouth as she attempts to get onto all fours, only to cough up blood and broken teeth.

Cannibal: ... *gurk*... *gak* ...

Soon, the killer slowly shrinks back to her original size and collapses to the ground in defeat, finally falling unconscious from the impact as Vivian calls back her mace

Vivian: You big bully... Awww my dress is ripped... Amelia is going to get mad at me-

Suddenly, something falls through the ceiling of the basement behind her and lands on a pile of boxes that break from the impact. Vivian gets a closer look at who it is and immediately recognizes the unconscious figure.

Vivian: Whoa...

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This story is interrupted by a chibi Rachel shooting down some cans with her sniper rifle

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Alex continues to run down the hall while Knives sends barrages of blades at her. Alex attempts to charge at Knives and swing down her blade, but Knives swings her arm, sending blades flying toward Alex. Alex quickly changes her hair to purple, blocking the incoming attack but is pushed through the wall

Alex: Damn it, I'm losing focus... why is Rachel's father trying to do something so foolish—

Knives: Don't try to hide from me~

Knives quickly launches some blades through the hole in the wall that Alex crashed through, but after a few minutes, Alex, with her hair now red, leaps out of the hole and swings her sword down, which Knives quickly blocks

Knives: Every color you change makes me more eager to see what is hidden within you!

Alex: You'll never see anything but the outside of my boot

Suddenly, Alex changes her hair to green and pulls back from the clash, causing Knives to fall forward. Alex performs a spin-kick across Knives' face. Knives stumbles back but still has her sadistic smile on her face

Knives: It's amazing... a legendary hair color can change to express emotions, yet your expressions don't match your colored hair! You have green hair, yet you express anger

Alex: No kidding, I could've stopped that man from doing something stupid!

Knives: Perhaps... I would've let you, as I did want to see the beauty inside him... but you're far more of a better prize than he is!

She raises her arm and launches two waves of blades at her. Alex charges in, weaving around the first wave of blades until she leaps up, using the second wave of blades to hop off and swing at Knives. However, Knives smirks as she throws a small blade, which Alex quickly blocks, but this gives Knives an opening as she jumps toward Alex with another knife in hand and stabs her in the stomach, causing Alex to yell in pain

Knives: Don't worry, we're almost there.

Knives pulls the blade out of Alex and jumps back away from her as she calls back the waves of blades, raising them over Alex and then sending them striking down upon her. Knives lands back onto the ground while Alex crashes down among the multiple blades stabbed around her. The killer approaches Alex as she lies in pain, her body bleeding out

Knives: So much fight, so much beauty trying to claw its way free. Just relax, and let me help you bloom. ~

As Knives approaches Alex to cut her open, she lets out a small smile as all of Alex's blades suddenly extend far and stab Knives in her shoulder, slamming her back into the wall and causing all of her blades to drop

Knives: What?... How?...

She sits up in shock and confusion as she sees Alex's blade retracting back to its original shape while Alex, now with yellow hair, stands back on her feet with all of the blades falling out of her body, healing herself

Alex: I didn't want to use it, but I have to hurry this up and find that old man

Knives looks closely at Alex's sword until her eyes grow wide in surprise as she sees something glow bright yellow and realizes what just happened

Knives: Impossible... How—How do you have the Life Crystal?!

The Life Crystal is one of the seven rare crystals, alongside the Bifrost and Madness Crystals. Unlike its counterparts, the Life Crystal stands out as one of the most potent and revered, often classified as a legendary artifact. It is widely believed that the crystal played a pivotal role in the Great Evolution, an event that caused the whole world to evolve into what they are today

Alex: I got 'lucky' to find one of these crystals... Meaning I can do something like this!

When a user possesses the Life Crystal, they unlock the ability of "creation." This power allows them to transform or evolve any existing elements into entirely new forms. The extent of this transformation is limited only by the user's imagination and desires, enabling them to visualize and bring their ideas to life. For instance, they could take a fragment of stone and reshape it into a magnificent statue or channel the essence of a flower to create a new, vibrant species that has never existed before. If the user maintains a clear mindset, they can infuse life into inanimate objects or conjure entirely new living beings, crafting creatures that reflect their visions and intentions

In Alex's case, she can change her sword into any shape or form she desires. As she takes a swing with her sword, it begins to extend and moves wobbly, transforming into a whip-like shape. Knives quickly tries to use her blades to create a wall to block the attack; however, Alex's blade shrinks to go around the wall, then grows large and hits Knives on the side, smacking her into the wall

Alex: So are you going to stay down or what?

Soon enough, Knives slowly steps out of the hole and raises her arms, calling back her blades that start floating around her

Knives: The Life Crystal... You truly are a treasure beyond imagining! To think I was settling for a mere glimpse of a legend when I'm about to witness a MASTERPIECE OF A GODDESS!

She launches the blades at Alex, who thrusts her sword, which splits apart like a banana peel and strikes out toward Knives, who changes her blade from attack to block; however, some of them maneuver around and strike into Knives. The killer grunts in pain as the tentacle-like blades lift her, slamming her into the roof before releasing her, and she drops to the floor. Knives tries to stand back up only to be met with Alex's blade, now turned into a fist, punching her head back down into the ground

Alex: I may have legendary hair, a Life Crystal, and a popularity that would make other royals jealous, but I'm not special nor a 'goddess.' I'm just a simple girl, and I'm happy about that

Soon enough, Knives slowly stands back up as she calls back her blades one last time, and they all combine to make a giant-like sword

Knives: Simple? Oh, my dear, you are anything but! You are the genesis, the very essence of creation, and I, Knives, will see your true, divine form! Prepare for your ultimate blooming!

Alex: *sigh* If you want to see something special, I'll give you something grand to see...

Suddenly, Alex leaps into the air, and her sword grows larger, breaking through multiple floors above her until it bursts through the roof of the manor as she lifts it over her head

Alex: Sword Technique...

Without hesitation, Knives, fueled by excitement, lets out a battle cry and sends her giant sword hurtling toward Alex, who swings her colossal blade with all her might

Alex: Vibrancy Blossom!

With a thunderous crash, Alex's sword descends, shattering the floors above as it meets Knives's giant sword. The impact causes Knives's blade to splinter into countless pieces, destroying every blade that had come together. Knives's eyes widen in astonishment, filled with awe as she gazes at Alex, whose hair shines brilliantly in the moonlight. In that moment, she feels a deep sense of fulfillment from what she has witnessed

Knives: How beautiful...

The colossal blade descended with unwavering determination, striking the killer's body with a force that reverberated throughout the manor, shaking its very foundations. The impact was so powerful that it sent Knives plummeting through the floors below, ultimately landing in the basement, unconscious. In a moment of swift action, Alex transformed the sword back to its original form, preventing any further destruction to the manor as she gracefully returned to her starting point, gazing down at the fallen adversary in a bit of surprise

Alex: ... Jeez, I probably went a little overboard...

Vivian: Whoa...

Suddenly, Alex notices a familiar figure in the basement who investigates the defeated killer and then looks at her

Vivian: Was that you?

Alex: Yeah... Are you okay down there?

Vivian: I'm okay! I just finished beating up my bully!

Alex: Great, we should—

Suddenly, Alex notices from afar something glowing orange from a room, which starts to quickly spread out to the open hallway that she is in

Alex: Fire?...

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Tadayoshi slams Cessair against the wall and starts to run down the hall, grinding his face against the surface until he throws him. Rachel seized this opportunity to fire her rifle, hitting him in the chest while he was in mid-air. Cessair quickly recovers and vanishes again, but Tadayoshi throws his spear, hitting Cessair in the side and smashing him through the wall

Rachel: You know this doesn't mean I'm leaving you alone

Tadayoshi: I know

Cessair: The more you surprise me, the more it angers me regarding your position...

Suddenly, Cessair bursts out of the hole and swings down his weapons, which both Rachel and Tadayoshi skillfully evade, causing the sickles to strike the ground. Cessair follows up with an uppercut that Rachel narrowly avoids as it grazes her cheek, while Tadayoshi attempts to strike him from behind. However, Cessair spins one of his sickles and blocks the spear's swing.

Cessair: *tsk*

Both Tadayoshi and Cessair glare at each other in anger as Cessair attempts to use his other sickle to strike him from beneath. However, Tadayoshi unexpectedly releases him and moves aside just as Rachel fires her rifle, hitting Cessair in the back. As Cessair tumbles from the shot, Tadayoshi swings his fist across Cessair's face, causing him to flip and hit the ground from the punch

Tadayoshi: Did he cut you?

Rachel: Just a bit of my cheek

Cessair soon stands back up and looks at them with his glasses broken. He removes his glasses, glances at them in disappointment, then squeezes them, breaking them further before dropping them

Cessair: Throwing punches a lot harder than before

Tadayoshi: I told you, I have no reason to sympathize with you

Cessair: Oh I'm aware, but I can't help but shake this feeling... reminds me of... something or someone....

Tadayoshi: ...

Cessair: But it won't matter once you're both dead

Rachel: You still think this is gonna go your way?

Cessair: Oh, certainly...

Suddenly Cessair presses a small button on his sickle's handles which causes the blade to drop to the floor and reveal that it is attached by a chain. Cessair begins to spin around his sickle handles and take a hard swing at them

Rachel: Get down!

The blade whistles through the air as Rachel ducks down while Tadayoshi attempts to block it. However, the blade and chain wrap around his spear, and Cessair seizes the opportunity to pull himself toward Tadayoshi, using his other sickle to stab him in the side. Tadayoshi grunts in pain, but before he can escape the grip, Cessair detaches his sickle from the handle, spins Tadayoshi around over his head, and throws him into the wall. Cessair quickly retracts his blade and then creates an air cut that strikes Tadayoshi after he hits the wall.

Rachel: Tadayoshi!

She quickly turns to Cessair, who has his arms leaned back, and swings down while detaching from the handles. Rachel swiftly dodges the attack as it smashes into the floor, and she stands up to fire at him. However, Cessair pulls his sickles back, ripping the floor off with his sickle, spins around, and throws the ripped floor at Rachel, who quickly dodges. Just as she avoids the attack, Cessair wraps one of his sickles around Rachel's rifle and pulls her in while having the other sickle prepared to swing.

Cessair: Gotcha!

As soon as Rachel is pulled close enough to Cessair, he goes to swing his sickles down, but before he can, a spear comes flying toward him, prompting him to quickly switch from attacking to deflecting the spear. This gives Rachel the chance to yield her weapon and escape back before summoning her rifle again. The spear flips in the air from the deflection but quickly flies back to Tadayoshi, whose suit jacket is now just ripped cloths.

Rachel: Thanks. Are you?-

Tadayoshi: I'm fine...

Tadayoshi tears off his tattered suit jacket as Cessair begins to spin his sickles, generating a powerful wind force that both Tadayoshi and Rachel can feel.

Cessair: You may have figured me out, but now I have figured YOU out... especially you, witch.

Rachel: This is bad... Get ready!

Tadayoshi: What is he doing now?

Before long, Cessair accelerates the spinning of his chained sickles, unleashing multiple air beam bursts from the spiraling whirlwinds. Tadayoshi looks on in surprise as the air beams head towards them, slicing through everything in their path. Both Tadayoshi and Rachel attempt to evade most of the air beams, but they continue to get cut due to the overwhelming force.

Cessair: You might be able to see the future, witch, but are you fast enough to avoid it?

Rachel's eyes widened, not only from the immediate threat but also from glimpses of the future where she couldn't find a way to evade the ongoing attacks. However, an idea sparked in her mind as she fired at the roof, causing it to collapse in front of her and blocking the incoming air beams. Meanwhile, Tadayoshi deflected one of the air beams that flew back at Cessair, grazing his shoulder, but it was enough to stop him from spinning his sickles and giving the others time to breathe

Cessair: Clever... but will it be enough?

Rachel's breath hitched, her own body screaming in protest from the numerous lacerations, but the sight of Tadayoshi, barely standing with blood blooming across his chest and arms, overshadowed her pain

Tadayoshi: We'll make it enough

Cessair: Is that so? Then I'll have to give you more than what I just did...

He turned to the corner, and Rachel looked to see what he was observing. She noticed one of the doorways was letting out smoke, with fire bursting beneath it. The flames were now spreading much faster than before.

Rachel: Why is there?-

Cessair: Don't know who started it but I don't care. What matters is that, it's perfect for ME!

Without warning, Cessair begins to swing his arms while continuing to spin his chain sickles, which causes the flames to rapidly be drawn into the hallways they occupy. Before long, the flames start to envelop the corridors, surrounding the trio. Eventually, Tadayoshi and Rachel find themselves face to face with Cessair, who is now whirling around with a fiery cyclone of sickles, his expression twisted into a sinister smile

Tadayoshi: You got to be kidding me...

Cessair: I'm full of surprises! And now I'll enjoy seeing you two as burnt corpses!

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Art:

Tadayoshi vs Cessair