Rachel stared in horror at the gaping hole in the wall, the exact spot where Tadayoshi had been thrown. Her heart raced as she saw his body sprawled on the ground, though the angle hid his face from her view, leaving her with a chilling sense of dread.

Rachel: Tadayoshi... He—No... he can't be...

Meanwhile, Cessair loomed over her, his sickles slowly retracting back to the handles, blood dripping from the blades as he approached her.

Cessair: You better be paying attention

In an instant, he knees Rachel in the stomach, knocking the air from her lungs and sending her stumbling to the ground. She turned her attention to Cessair, who crouched down.

Cessair: No more disturbances... no more delays... I failed to get your mother, but I won't waste any more time with you...

Suddenly, Cessair slammed his sickles into Rachel's hand, causing her to scream in pain as he laughed maniacally.

Cessair: Oh, this is good! Finally, some enjoyment after all of this!

Rachel fought back a scream, gritting her teeth against the searing pain that shot up her arm, forcing herself to look up at Cessair with a chilling, focused stare. She knew she couldn't win a fight against him alone, but she could stall for time until something changed or the place collapsed with her and the killer.

Rachel: Is... this really what you plan to do with everything going on? This whole place is about to come down, and you want to spend your time doing this to me?

Cessair paused, his maniacal smile fading as he let out an annoyed sigh.

Cessair: This place became a mess ever since we got here... surrounded by fire, most of the Royalties should have returned or been killed by my other friends... all of this could have been a simple murder buffet... now ruined by you and that wasted potential of a bodyguard you had... So yes, I'm going to enjoy this as much as possible, even if we get buried by the flames

Rachel: ... Tadayoshi was right...

Cessair: ... What?

Rachel: Tadayoshi was right about you... You're not doing this for revenge... You lost that purpose when you started enjoying killing other Royalties. I wonder how your wife would feel if she saw you-

Cessair: DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK ABOUT HER!

Rachel: You lost her, and then you lost yourself. He knew something was off with your goal here. You don't want justice; you want chaos. You enjoy killing Royalties because you are blind to the fact that not all Royalties are the monsters you think they are!

Cessair: Shut up!

Rachel: Have you ever thought that you've become the same monster that took your wife?

Cessair's blood began to boil, his expression a mask of fury. The air around him felt compressed as he withdrew his sickle from her hand and raised it high above his head.

Cessair: You know nothing! She would be proud of the work I've done, eliminating the filth that caused her demise! It took courage! It took resolve! You Royalties are delusional if you think you're better than me!

He brought down his sickles, but Rachel maintained a focused look, despite the fear that her end was near. Just before the sickle could make contact with her head, Harold burst in with a table, using it to tackle Cessair away, causing him to miss his swing at Rachel.

Cessair: What the hell?!

Harold pressed Cessair against the wall, refusing to let go as Cessair struggled to free himself. Meanwhile, Harold used every inch of the table to keep the killer subdued. Rachel, despite the pain coursing through her, managed to rise to her feet.

Rachel: Dad?... What are you doing here?!

Harold: I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Rachel!...

Rachel: What?

Harold: I was a neglectful father; I should have been more open with you, should have been there for you, should have been the father I was supposed to be...

Rachel: ...

Harold: You didn't follow in your mother's and my footsteps... You've become a better person, so I'll become a better father like you did!... You have a light in you that no monster like him can ever extinguish. So don't let him take it from you! Don't let him win!

Tears brimmed in Rachel's eyes as she finally felt a connection with someone in her family she thought had abandoned her. A spark ignited within her, pushing past the agony in her hand and the sense of doom against the killer. But just as the moment of reconciliation blossomed, Cessair shattered the last piece of the table and plunged a sickle into Harold's shoulder.

Cessair: I don't know who the hell you are, but you and no one is going to interrupt me AGAIN!

In an instant, he hurled Harold out of the window. Harold, initially taken aback and staring in disbelief, quickly broke into a smile as he said something Rachel could hear.

Harold: I'm proud to have you as my daughter...

Fortunately for Harold, he landed on the branches of a nearby tree, which cushioned his fall and reduced the force of his impact with the ground. Meanwhile, Cessair turned to see Rachel charging at him with her rifle in hand.

Rachel: Guess you're proven wrong... Some Royalties know better than you!

Without hesitation, she swung her rifle, smacking Cessair across the face. The blow was unexpected, catching Cessair mid-stride as he stumbled back.

Rachel: And I'm not afraid to prove it to you!

Before Cessair could regain his balance, Rachel unleashed a torrent of gunfire upon him, denying him any chance to escape as he struggled to push through the hail of bullets pounding against him. Gradually, she noticed that his bulletproof vest was beginning to weaken.

Rachel: "I can't let up! If I can keep this up, I can win! I can-"

Suddenly, Cessair let out a roar of anger, swinging his sickles and cutting through everything around him, deflecting the bullets. The force of his swings pushed Rachel back, finally freeing him from her grasp. With a tempest of rage surging within him, he let out a primal yell that echoed through the hallways.

Cessair: You little... BITCH!

The killer leaped towards her, rapidly swinging his sickles. Rachel began to block the attacks with her rifle, but she could feel herself being slowly overpowered, knowing it would only be a matter of time before he finally got her.

Rachel: "I can't let up! I can't let up! I can't—"

Rachel's eyes widened in terror as Cessair's sickle plunged toward her face, its menacing blade glinting ominously. Suddenly, Tadayoshi appeared out of nowhere, determination etched on his face, and smacked the sickle away, saving Rachel just in time.

Cessair: Huh?!

Rachel: !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Caught off guard, Tadayoshi quickly swings an uppercut, hitting Cessair's jaw which knocks him back but he quickly recovers to his feet, still in disbelief to see Tadayoshi alive

Cessair: "He's alive?! How?! I set him ablaze, he shouldn't be on his feet!"

Rachel looks in disbelief as Tadayoshi stands in front of her, his suit jacket gone, his button shirt nearly ripped apart, and his body covered in burnt marks and cuts, especially the two puncture wounds from Cessair's attack

Rachel: Tada-

Before Rachel could speak, she was interrupted by Tadayoshi, who started to puke out blood and the sight changes instantly replaced Rachel's relief with sheer, gut-wrenching dread

Rachel: Tadayoshi!

She goes to approach him but he only raises his arm back to stop her as he then wipes the blood off his chin and only has a look of annoyance on his face

Tadayoshi: Less talking and focus... I'm going to end this fight...

As Rachel was worried about his condition, she let out a simple nod and gripped her sniper rifle tightly as Tadayoshi took a deep breath and yelled across the halls for Cessair to hear

Tadayoshi: Fire isn't enough, farmer boy! I've felt much worse than this, so come on! Try to kill me!

He stomped the ground, which cracked beneath him, as he suddenly charged at Cessair, turning into a blur. His disbelief transformed into anger as he detached the sickles from their handles and began to flail them around him, launching another swarm of flaming beams

Cessair: CUT THE BULLSHIT!!

Tadayoshi continues to charge in as he continues to parry away every flaming beam that comes his way until finally reaching Cessair where he thrusts his spear, striking into his stomach and stopping Cessair's oncoming attack. Cessair coughs out some blood from the strike as he gets launched farther down the hall until hitting against a fallen debris

Cassair: "What is with this man?! He looks like he's weakened from my attack but it feels like he's hitting harder than before?!

Suddenly, he starts to notice his stomach is bleeding from Tadayoshi's strike. His bulletproof vest was becoming weary and it won't be long before the vest gives out on him, making his rage grow even more

Cessair: Why couldn't you've just joined me! You damn bodyguard!

He lunges forward, one of his sickles drawn back, and brings it crashing down upon Tadayoshi, who meets the strike with his spear. The impact sends a shockwave rippling through the air, scattering dust and debris while forcing the encroaching flames to recoil for a second until proceeding to engulf the area again. Through the swirling smoke, Tadayoshi and Cessair press on through the dim corridor, their weapons clashing violently, each strike echoing through the halls with Rachel following from behind

Rachel: "This is insane! But I need to get an opening! I have no idea how long Tadayoshi can hold on!"

Once more, Tadayoshi and Cessair collided in a violent tempest but this time, however, Cessair seized a fleeting opportunity; with a brutal headbutt, he struck Tadayoshi, igniting the air with an x-slash that morphed into a searing beam of flame, forcing Tadayoshi to stagger back. Undeterred, Cessair surged forward, intent on capitalizing on his advantage, but Tadayoshi rebounds and counters swiftly, deflecting one of the chain sickles with a ferocious strike as they plunged once more into their clash

Cessair lunged forward, his chain sickles snaking through the air in an attempt to ensnare Tadayoshi's spear. But as the sickles coiled tightly around the weapon, Tadayoshi seized the moment, spinning Cessair with a ferocious force that grinds him against the heated walls. The sickles, strained to their limits, finally relinquished their grip, hurling Cessair down the corridor like a rag doll. Unyielding, Tadayoshi charges at the airborne Cessair and goes for a lethal strike. But Cessair raised his defenses just in time to block the spear as they crashed into the debris and the inferno, tumbling around the ground. They quickly regained their footing, but this time, Cessair stood stripped of his jacket, clad only in a vest and long-sleeved shirt. With a fierce determination, they began to spin their weapons, marching toward each other

Tadayoshi: COME ON AND-!!

Cessair: - END THIS!!

In an instant, they unleashed a primal battle cry, ferocious clashing their weapons that reverberated through the inferno of the hall. Their war cries surged in intensity, mirroring the escalating conflict, as debris whirled wildly and flames danced hungrily in the tumult around them. Each clash sent tremors through the very foundations of the mansion, hastening its impending collapse as the hallways rained down fragments of destruction. Rachel, nimble and determined, weaved through the chaos, still seeking a clear shot at Cessair amidst the chaos

Rachel: "Come on! I just need an opening! Anything!"

In the heat of battle, Cessair swung his sickles with ferocity, landing a brutal strike against Tadayoshi's hips, forcing a fresh gasp of blood from his mouth. But Tadayoshi, undeterred, swiftly seized Cessair's wrist, ensnaring the sickle in a desperate grip

Cessair: What are you?!-

Tadayoshi: RACHEL!

In that moment of realization, she thrusts herself forward, eager to close the distance as Tadayoshi struggles to restrain Cessair, who is desperately attempting to slip from his hold. She aims for a clear shot, but her heart races as she catches sight of Cessair drawing back his sickles, poised to strike at Tadayoshi's head. Tadayoshi, sensing the impending danger, instinctively pulled his spear back, ready to react

Rachel: "Tadayoshi won't be able to swing in time! I have to hit this! I have to! I won't... I won't-"

Tadayoshi: "She isn't going for the hit! I need to make this hit! So that I won't-"

Tadayoshi/Rachel: "I WONT LET HIM/HER DIE BY THIS MAN!"

Suddenly, a tiny mark of ice materialized on Rachel's arm, only to shatter away, revealing a striking tattoo of a wolf's head. As the barrel of her sniper rifle began to glow with a dark aura, she pulled the trigger, unleashing a dark bullet that struck Cessair's hand, poised to strike Tadayoshi, encasing it in black ice. Within mere moments, the ice began to fracture, splintering apart along with his hand, resulting in a swift and shocking decapitation

Cessair: "... What?..."

Before he could comprehend what had just happened, he turned to Tadayoshi, only to discover that he also had a tattoo but of a snake on his arm, as his spear exuded an icy blue wind that danced around it. With a fierce thrust, the spear shot toward Cessair's abdomen, but it never connected; instead, a small explosion erupted between the weapon and Cessair's flesh, growing in intensity until his vest finally succumbed, tearing apart as a chilling paralysis gripped his body. Tadayoshi unleashed a final, thunderous roar, driving the spear forward, while Cessair, through the haze of pain, saw a familiar silhouette flicker around Tadayoshi, awakening a recognition that sent shivers down his spine

Cessair: ... Demon Wrath...

Soon enough, explosions finally erupt, as it blast everyone back. Cessair broke free from the icy grip of paralysis, crashing to the floor with a series of jarring impacts as he tumbled down the hall, finally shattering through the wall and tumbling out of the manor. He hit the ground and fell unconscious as his hat soars gracefully out of the manor, landing perfectly on his face

Rachel: *huff* *huff* We did it...

Rachel lay sprawled on the ground, the force of the blow leaving her overwhelmed by pain and utterly drained. She struggled to catch her breath, her eyes searching for Tadayoshi. When she finally spotted him, he was on his knees, his face twisted in worry as he turned to her and started limping his way to her as fast as he could

Rachel: "It hurts so much... I need to-"

Tadayoshi: Rachel!

Just then, her gaze shifted upward, and she was met with the horrifying sight of the ceiling collapsing above and Tadayoshi rushing over to save her. The entire manor succumbs at last to its inevitable fate as from the outside, everyone looks in horror as it implodes, consumed by the fire

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This story is interrupted by a chibi Tadayoshi and Rachel sharing an umbrella

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Moments before the manor crumbled, BeatBox and Cassie emerged from the inferno manor, only to find the remaining Royalties in a state of frenzy, grappling with the chaos that had just unfolded

BeatBox: *huff* *huff* Finally out of there!

Cassie: Yeah... where are the others?

Alex: Don't worry! I'm here

They turn to the voice to see Alex, exiting the building while Kiryu is slung over her shoulder, still unconscious

BeatBox: Holy shit!

Alex: I need to rest him somewhere, he's starting to get really heavy!

She hurriedly made her way to a nearby tree, gently pressing Kiryu against its sturdy trunk. With swift determination, she tore a strip from her dress, using it to bind the deep gash on his shoulder.

Alex: I found him in the hallways. It seems like he took a pretty nasty hit, but he'll be alright

BeatBox: *sigh* You guys made it out! That's the main thing

Cassie: Yeah... where's Vivian?

Alex: I... haven't seen her since we split up to help the others, I don't-

Vivian: Hi!

Vivian appeared behind them with a simple smile on her face as if conjured from the smoke and embers. She was surprisingly clean, except for having some bite marks on his neck and shoulder, and was holding someone over her shoulder. BeatBox and Cassie stared, their initial relief quickly morphing into bewildered apprehension

Alex: Vivian! Thank goodness! Where were you? And who do you have?

She walks past them and places the stranger by the tree next to Kiryu, which BeatBox and Cassie quickly recognize who it is

Vivian: I got out early and made sure everyone was away from the manor! And I found him on the side of the manor!

Harold: *groan*

Cassie: Wait, Harold?

BeatBox: If he's out here then... Hey Harold!

Out of fear, BeatBox grabs Harold by his arms and shakes him a bit while Cassie rushes to intervene, desperate to prevent any further harm.

BeatBox: What happened to Tadayoshi and Rachel?! Did you even reach them?! Are they ok?!

Harold: Rachel... Tadayoshi... they-

Suddenly, the manor lets out an explosion, causing the crowd to duck out of fear until they watch as the entire manor collapses upon itself into the flames as the group could watch in horror

Cassie: Tadayoshi! Rachel!

She takes a hesitant step forward, but Alex quickly grabs her arm to stop her from attempting something stupid

Alex: Cassie Don't!

Cassie No! They—they couldn't have—let me go, Alex, I have to look! I have-

Suddenly, BeatBox rushes past them with his arms stretched back and claps his hands as hard as he could, creating a shockwave that shrunk the fire for a second before growing back to its original size. Soon he begins to clap his hands as fast and hard as he could in desperation and determination to put out the inferno

Alex: What are you?-

BeatBox: They're alive! I know my bro! And if he's alive then I'm sure as hell he's keeping Rachel alive as well! I just need to hurry this up!

With another resounding clap, cuts to beneath the rubble where Rachel finally walks up only to see Tadayoshi, who looks in pain, on top of her and holding up the debris that glows ominously red from the surrounding flames

Tadayoshi: Are you alright?...

Rachel's eyes widened, not just from the residual pain, but from the horrifying realization of Tadayoshi's situation

Rachel: Tadayoshi! What are you?- You'll be crushed!

Tadayoshi: Yeah, well... I'm literally the only thing that is keeping you alive...

Rachel: Then let me help! I can't let you-

Tadayoshi: No, you can't and trust me... this is really fucking heavy...

Rachel: ... So what can we do?...

Tadayoshi: We'll wait until someone finds us... Hope Alex and the other might find us...

Realizing that they have to rely on luck to be saved, Rachel could only feel her heart ache with the situation they're in especially since Tadayoshi is still bleeding out and who knows how long until he might give out. She could only watch in horror as his body was shaking, breathing heavily, and his blood was dripping upon her

Rachel: You're losing too much... you can't keep this up

Tadayoshi: Don't worry about me, as long as you make it, that's all it matters

Rachel: ... How can you say that?...

Tadayoshi: ?

Rachel: How can you say that your life doesn't matter like it's a normal thing! I don't know what happened to you that made you like this but you can't just throw your life away because you think you deserve it!... You said you want to care about something... right?

Tadayoshi: Yeah... and this is me caring! You have freedom ahead of you. And I'm not letting that freedom go to waste

Rachel: And you're saying like you're not wasting yours! I believe I didn't deserve this freedom either! I brought you all into the mess! I carry the burden of what my family has caused! And I'm gonna be the one who could get you killed because you saved someone who is just a scapegoat!... so why do you go so far to help me that you'll throw your life away?...

An oppressive silence envelops them, broken only by the crackling flames that dance around. Rachel gazes at Tadayoshi, tears welling in her eyes yet refusing to fall, waiting for him to speak. He exhales a heavy sigh instead

Tadayoshi: It's not about deserving it, Rachel. It's about having it. Sure, you have flaws in your life like your damn family, but you realize some things are just mistakes that aren't your worth

Suddenly, the debris above shifts precariously, nearly causing Tadayoshi to lose his footing, but he steadies himself. The fiery glow of the burning wreckage casts sharp, flickering shadows across his face, giving him an air of both menace and grace

Tadayoshi: I didn't save you just for a paycheck, I saved you because you're... you. The one who somehow gets me to keep my mouth shut. The one who makes small talk with me who tries to avoid it

He hesitates, a sharp intake of breath marking the resurgence of pain that washes over him like a tide. The weight pressing down seems to grow heavier still

Tadayoshi: I've seen you try to do better to show you're nothing like your family... It's why I wanted to help you with this ballroom event because you had a chance of freedom... You have a better opportunity in life than mine

Tears finally escape Rachel's eyes, tracing silent paths down her cheeks. To his astonishment, he flinches as she gently presses her fingers against the fabric of his shirt, attempting to stop the flow of blood from his wounds

Rachel: If I have opportunities then so should you... So stop talking like you're already gone. If this is your choice, then I choose to stay right here with you. If you're going out then I'll make sure you don't go alone...

Tadayoshi: You have others you know...

Rachel: So do you... hypocrite...

Tadayoshi: ... You're... impossible

Rachel: You're one to talk...

Suddenly, the red ominous vanishes away along with the heat, leaving Tadayoshi and Rachel in the dark in confusion

Rachel: What just happened?...

Tadayoshi: I'm not sure...

Before long, Tadayoshi starts to notice that the weight of the debris is becoming lighter until something lifts it away. They turn to see what is happening, revealing BeatBox and Vivian clearing the debris and discovering them.

BeatBox: TADAYOSHI! RACHEL! I KNEW IT!

Vivian: See? I told you we would find them. It just took a bit of digging!

Tadayoshi: It's about time... you fools...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BeatBox grabs Tadayoshi by the arm and pulls him out of the hole where they were trapped, while Vivian, with surprising ease, pulls Rachel out and lifts her over her head before setting her down to check for severe injuries

Vivian: A few scrapes, mostly dust and shock. You're lucky, girl!

BeatBox: Holy hell, bro. You look like you went twelve rounds with a cement mixer!

Tadayoshi tried to push BeatBox away, but his legs nearly gave out so BeatBox tightened his grip to prevent him from collapsing

BeatBox: Easy bro, you're bleeding all over the place!

Tadayoshi: I'm fine...

BeatBox: Fine my ass!

Rachel: Let's... just get out of this rubble...

They began to carefully guide the injured Tadayoshi and Rachel away from the smoldering ruins until Cassie let out a choked sob of relief and rushed forward, throwing her arms around Rachel

Cassie: Rachie! Oh my god, you're okay! I thought—

She couldn't finish, burying her face into Rachel's shoulder, tears finally spilling. Rachel, despite her own aches and the lingering shock, hugged Cassie back tightly

Rachel: I'm okay, Cassie. Sorry, I scared you... But I'm ok...

While Rachel and Cassie were still hugging, Alex, with a relieved look on her face, approached Tadayoshi and BeatBox, carrying Kiryu over her back again

Alex: Tadyoshi...

Tadayoshi: Alex...

Alex: Reckless as always, knucklehead!

Tadayoshi: Yeah... how's he?

Alex: He's doing fine now, it's best we leave so everyone here can rest. I already have the limo driver waiting for us right now...

BeatBox: Oh yes please! I'm exhausted!

As everyone was having a moment, Rachel turned to the side to see her father standing afar to which she decided to approach him

Rachel: Dad...

Harold: R-Rachel...

They stood in silence, with Harold believing it's best to distance himself. Yet, before he could turn away, Rachel enveloped him in a warm hug. He was startled by the sudden affection, but his arms gradually encircled his daughter with the feeling of relief and guilt

Rachel: Thanks... for trying to be there...

Harold: ... Yeah... I-

Alyssa: Oh! Thank goodness you're both surprisingly alive!

With this interruption, they turn to see Alyssa approaching them with pride in her steps and quickly pulls Rachel away from Harold to look over Rachel's injuries in disappointment

Alyssa: *tsk* Look at the damage on you! This is why you should've just left with me cause now your image looks ruined! I might-

Rachel: Don't you fucking touch me!

Suddenly, Rachel slaps Alyssa's hand and steps away from her, making Alyssa freeze in pure, venomous shock

Alyssa: How dare you speak to me that way!

As a silent, charged space opened between them, Harold tries to approach the argument to defend Rachel but Alex quickly raises her arm out, stopping him

Alex: Let her speak, Harold. Some things need to be said.

Harold hesitated as he looked at Alex, then at his daughter, a flicker of understanding dawning in his eyes, and decided to remain silent

Alyssa: This behavior is unacceptable, young lady! This is precisely the kind of low-class behavior I warned you about!

Rachel: Like you're any better! I've been through nothing but hell and guilt throughout my childhood... and meeting these people gave me something that you'd also never given me... a choice...

Alyssa: I helped you make your choice... to uphold our family's name! And now I'm going to give you a smart choice to come home with me... away from these parasites...

Rachel: You mean your choice. The one where I pretend to be someone I'm not, where I just used for your image? No... I won't go back... Alyssa.

The silence that followed Rachel's use of 'Alyssa' was heavier than the surrounding rubble. Alyssa's cheeks flushed crimson beneath her flawless makeup, the shock curdling into a cold, contemptuous fury

Alyssa: You're making a terrible mistake, Rachel! After everything I have sacrificed for your future and everything you just went through, you still want to hang out with... these thugs? No one can be happy unless they're successful or wealthy! And I'll ensure you understand that!

Rachel: No... no you won't...

She turns away from her mother and stands beside Tadayoshi, linking her arm around his but he remains glaring at Alyssa

Rachel: I am done with this... and I never want to see your face ever again...

She and the other begin to walk past her as she could just stand there and yell from afar. Rachel glances back at Harold for a moment, and he simply gestures for her to go on without him. She responds with a brief nod and continues to ignore Alyssa's endless banter.

Alyssa: I'll never let you take her away from me! You think you can just waltz in and play the hero? You don't know the first thing about sacrifice or family!

Harold: That's enough, Alyssa... we have much to talk about...

Alyssa: ... I agree...

The group makes their way to the driveway where it was flooded with police vehicles, firefighters, and paramedics, who rushed past them to check on any injured Royalties while Alex sneakily steals a medkit from one of the ambulances. Through the crowded driveway, their limousine driver stands across from them, with the vehicle door open for them

Old Man: Welcome back everyone! Did you all enjoy the event?

Alex: Not the time for sarcasm...

Old Man: Very well, should I-

?: What do you mean I have to wait?!

The group turns to the familiar voice and sees Drake arguing with the paramedics, who are trying to patch up a Royalty

BeatBox: I'm not gonna lie... I forgot about that guy!... I wanna punch him...

Tadayoshi: ... Hang on a second...

BeatBox: What?-

He pushes away from BeatBox and limps his way towards Drake, who was still somewhat immaculate despite the disaster, save for a few cuts on him

Paramedic: We understand but let us finish this and we'll-

Drake: You need to understand this cut on my face might be permanent if you don't fix this right!-

Tadayoshi: Oi...

Drake: Eh?

Within a split second, he unleashed the fiercest punch he could muster, striking Drake squarely in the face. The force of the blow sent Drake's head reeling backward, dislodging a tooth as he crumpled to the ground, unconscious, a fist-shaped imprint left on his cheek. With a calm resolve, Tadayoshi turned and limped back toward the group

Tadayoshi: Ok... we can leave now...

The group was a bit surprised by the sudden display of raw fury, but none of them seemed particularly upset about Drake's sudden unconsciousness

BeatBox: Ok... that was awesome

Alex: Let's go before we get everyone's attention from that!

As Tadayoshi returned, Rachel and BeatBox assisted him into the waiting limousine and everyone followed behind. After everyone was seated, the limousine started to pull away smoothly, leaving the chaos behind, finally putting everyone at ease. A few minutes go by as everyone is settled into a comfortable silence and patched up with Cassie, Rachel, and Alex were the only ones awake, while BeatBox, Vivian, and Tadayoshi were passed out, with Tadayoshi resting on Rachel's lap

Cassie: He's really out, huh?

Rachel: Yeah... He risked a lot for me tonight...

She glances down at him, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush as a tender smile graces her lips while she caresses his head

Rachel: Though... I can see why you like him a lot...

Cassie: ?

Alex: ... Oh!

Back at the manor, the police find the last killer, Rive, beneath the rubble where they dragged him to the prisoner transport truck where the other killers are

Police: It really is true, these guys are monsters!

Police 2: Tell me about it. I have no idea how they're still alive!

Police 3: Hey, quit it you two, the higher-ups want to see some of these monsters!

They soon lock Rive into his seat and close the vehicle door and the transport truck lurches forward, slowly pulling away from the ruined manor. Rive turns his attention to his allies to see the damage on them, Cannibal's jaw is broken and shattered, Knives is covered in cuts and wounds, and Mara's entire body has burnt wounds

Knives: So beautiful... so... so beautiful...

Mara: That dumb blonde bitch... ruined my tragedy creation... I'm gonna kill her... sooner or later...

Cannibal: *gak*...

Rives: Jesus... you all look like shit...

Butcher: You're one to talk...

Rive: Yeah... I'm aware... Where's Cessair?...

Butcher: He's...

Rive looks at the corner of the room to see Cessair, chained up, looking motionless, his eyes are shadowed over, and his hair is pitch black

Butcher: He hasn't spoken anything since we got thrown in here... tried to speak with him but got nothing...

Rives: Jesus...

Mara: So tragic... It's delightful to see him like this... the only real joy I've gotten here...

Butcher: And I thought we're all on the same side...

Rive: *sigh* Listen, these pigs promise me that they'll let me fix you all up once we arrive at where they're taking us

Butcher: Good, I need-

Suddenly, something heavy hits the transport truck, causing it to flip and tumble off the road. The killers try to brace themselves from the sudden impact as the vehicle rolls around for a second until coming to a stop

Butcher: Ow... the fuck was that?!...

Rive: Not an accident for sure but...

Before Rive could answer, the killers started to hear the cops yelling, ordering something to stop, only to then hear screams of pain and something flies around them

Rive: But something is out there...

Soon enough, something lands in front of the doorway which is immediately cut open like cheap tin foil, revealing a figure with black angel-like wings and a halberd in his hand

Knives: It's... so... Beautiful...

?: I heard rumors of a group of infamous killers that kill Royalties were gonna be at some Royalty party... I assume it's you bunch...

Rive: And if we are?...

?: I have a proposition for you all... I know you all kill only Royalties but...

Cessair finally turns to the doorway, his hair slowly fades back to green, and his eyes are no longer shadowed as curiosity got the best of him. He sees a man with Colorless hair and wings spreading out as he kneels to them

Shiori: ... How would you feel about killing gods?

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Art:

Cessair Bio:

Punch