No one's POV

Red. The was the only thing he sees. The Skull Reaper, were off the charts. It was impossibly capable, beyond the limits of what should have been possible in this world. Already it was miraculous that Sora was able to survive this long even in his Berserk Raijin form. But it wasn't enough. With Berserk Raijin, his stats had become a High Level 7 power. But was still not enough to defeat it.

Sora: Guh...

The scythe that made up its rear left leg entered his right flank and passed through to his left side, slicing everything in its path. Even his armor was penetrated with ease. The instant he first felt the shock, Sora recognized an icy chill brushing his belly, but after he'd been thrown against the tree branch and Sora had slumped to the floor, his insides were burning like they were on fire. Sora couldn't move a muscle. He didn't even have any sensation from his lower half. He could've been split in two with just a little scrap of skin holding him together.

In fact, it was a mystery as to how he could think at all.

Sora: A-Alise... Everyone...

Sora could barely see them from his position, he was sure that his irreplaceable friend's life was also hanging in the balance. Through foggy eyes, Sora saw the Skull Reaper advance, shaking the ground. Sora wanted to shout at them to run, but the only thing his mouth could do was exhale weakly.

Iska: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Maryu: Don't eat meeeeeeeee!!

Through his eyes, he saw the horror that he didn't want to see. His friends were being slaughtered one by one by that Calamity. First were Neze and Asta whom were gobble up in a matter of seconds. Then seeing Kaguya got her right arm sliced. Ryana and Celty got burned and turned to crisp. Lyra's eyes which were melt when got hit by the magic reflector. Iska and Maryu whom were toyed first then eaten alive. Then finally Alise whom also suffered an.

Sora(mind): Noooooo! No...!

His eyes were a teary messed. Once again, Sora saw the people he loved were slaughtered right before his very eyes. Once again, lost people precious to him. His emotions were already messed up when he heard what the remaining three Astrea Familia member who could still moved said.

Alise: I'm sorry—Kaguya, Lyra. Please give me your lives.

Sora's eyes stretched wide.

Alise: I want to save Lion.

Sora(mind): Noooooo! Just take her and—run!

Sora wanted to scream. He tried to yell for them to run, over and over, but nothing came out. Sora wanted to moved his body, but his healing was not fast enough.

Alise: And I know Sora will always move forward like he always do.

Sora: ?

Again Sora's eyes widened with disbelief. Through foggy eyes, he weakly looked up towards Alise, Kaguya and Lyra whom were smiling but not looking at his directions. As if they knew that Sora could hear them.

Lyra: Lion, are you there? You... will live! And tell Sora, how sorry I am for leaving him.

Sora(mind): Move...

Sora ordered his body to move. But only his fingers did.

Kaguya: I'll give you my shortsword. Don't tuck it away like a keepsake—use the hell out of it. Be strong, my first worthy rival. And tell Sora, that I love him. And be sure to tell him to give me his answer, if he ever made it to the other side.

Sora(mind): Nooo! I want to give you my answer now! So move dammit!

Again, Sora ordered his body to move. This time, his arms did what he ask, but his body was still not responding to him.

Alise: Bye Lion. I love you. Both you and Sora.

Sora(mind): If you're my so called girlfriend then don't leave me, dammit!

Multiple tears were flowing nonstop as he finally push his body to the very brink. He saw Lyra giving her life first. Then Kaguya was the second person who died. Seeing that, Sora finally snapped. He ignored the pain in his lower flank, even though his body was telling him that if he push it even further, his body would be ripped in half, but he didn't care. All he care was saving the red haired girl, when Ryuu released her magic.

Ryuu: Luminous Wind!

The storm glowing orb swallowed the astonished Skull Reaper along with the girl pinned to his hand. But before it made contact with them, Sora finally reached them.

He sliced the Skull Reaper's hand off Alise's and flew out of the magic with Alise in his arms before the magic hit them. Though they were still hit by the detonation that blinds everything. But he knew. It was because Sora had grabbed Alise whom were holding the Skull Reaper off, that the Calamity monster was able to flee. It was of this reason why Ryuu's magic weren't able to kill it.

Sora: Oof!

Sora and Alise landed down on some nearby slope dragging them both downwards. He immediately got back up ignoring the pain and look at Alise who was barely alive.

Alise: S-Sora...

Sora: H-Hang in there! I'll heal you right this instant!

Ryuu: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah....!

But before he could, Ryuu's wail filled the chamber. He looked up to see Ryuu fleeing the place of tragedy. It was clear from that wail that Ryuu had thought she killed her friend.

Sora: Wait Ryuu! Alise's still alive!

Sora called out to his elven friend, but overcome with emotions of pure sadness, she didn't hear the Hero's voice and fled. Sora once again ignored his injuries and carried Alise's critical injured body and rush out. He was trying to get back to the surface as fast as possible to treat her injuries.

Sora: Hang on, okay! I'm gonna get you healed immediately!

Alise: Put me down...

Sora: Don't be ridiculous! Your injuries are serious!

Alise: Please put me down, Sora...

Sora look down to see Alise's weak smile in his arm. Her ragged face. Blood spilling non stop from her chest. It was clear that she doesn't have much time left.

Sora:...

Holding the weak girl in his arms, Sora slowly stop running and gently held the girl closely to his arms.

Alise: Sora... I want you... to bury... my body... along with Kaguya and the others... at the 18th floor paradise...

Sora: No! Your gonna make it out alive! So please don't speak! Just focus on surviving! If you're my girlfriend, then I won't let you leave me! Not like this!!

Alise had suffered fatal wound from her chest to her lower regions. Her pale eyelids fluttered. Underneath her lashes, her crimson irises shone, weak but firm, as she looked at him.

Alise: I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to protect my Justice...

Sora: Yes...yes, you do! If Justice still exist right now is returning alive! I need you!!

His vision went blurry. Droplets landed on Alise's cheek. Sora held his girlfriend tight, not even realizing that they were his own tears. Alise's voice was barely audible in his ear.

Alise: Even right now, you're still being completely unfair... If... we make it back alive... I would really like you to reciprocate my love...

Sora: I will give you whatever you want!! Just come back!! You are my girlfriend right?!!

Alise: I've...had...so much already...

She whispered, full of satisfaction. Sora could sense what little weight there was in his arms rapidly beginning to fade.

Sora: Alise!!

He wailed.

Alise:...Sor...ry... That was mean... if only you would love me as a woman... I have dreamt of that countless of times...

Sora: Alise...

Alise: I...have always... loved you...Sora... So please... before I go... Grant me this wish...

Sora: I will...

With that, Sora slowly pull Alise's body closer to him, and gently cupped her cheeks. Then he finally returned the kiss that Alise had given him the day before the assault. Alise close her eyes and returned the kiss. Her life was so full of satisfaction and no regrets. After a while she finally stop the kiss.

Her final words were gentle yet heavy.

Alise:......Sora...... Thank.....you...... I'm so glad......... I..........met.........you..........

And so the soul of Alise Lovell, left the World forever. Through wet eyes, Sora's so called girlfriends body went limp in his arms. Her eyes were shut close. But her lips were pure of smile. A smile so beautiful that it had captivated him so many times.

Sora(mind): How many times... Will I make the same mistake...?

How many times will he lost someone precious to him? How many times will he lost a family member? How many times that he couldn't protect the people he loved? How many times has he felt so despair like this? He couldn't count anymore. Zeus Familia. Hera Familia. Maxim, Zald, Alfia, Meteria. Then his friends outside of Orario whom he failed to saved.

Sora: Where are you...? Hand it over already...

The dungeon wail. That the Skull Reaper monster is still out there ready to devour the remains of the Astrea Familia's body. But Sora knew that even in his full power, Berserk Raijin still not strong enough to win against that Calamity. Then with a demanding voice he shouted for all the dungeon monster in that floor to hear.

Sora: Hurry up and hand it over! What are you sitting there in silence for?! I know your there! I know you can hear me! If you want my Spirit Power you can have it! Come out and give me your power! Be obedient and get used by meeee!!! You can even take my life! So give me the power to protect those precious to meeee!! Wind Grand Spirit, Slyphiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid!!!!!!!!!!

Sora's raging voice filled the dungeon. His blue mana, his magic filled the room, turning them into a protective fortress, shielding him, Alise, and the other Astrea Familia death bodies before monsters could devour them.

???: That's it. That's what you needed, Sora.

Sora:...?! A Spirit Voice...?!

It's a voice Sora haven't heard in a long time. A voice Sora haven't heard since his fight with his GodMother Alfia. After 2 years, he could finally hear them again.

Slyphid: Sora... Fill your hand with Mana. And try offering them to me.

And he did just that, he raised his right hand into the air and filled them with his Mana. Then a pure light of Spirit Magic appear in the palm of his hands. A light so bright that Sora had to close his eyes to withstand the pressure. After the light fades away, a small girl was sitting directly on top of his hand.

Sora: Wha— A Fairy...?

Slyphid: Wrong guess. Well, it can't be help that you think so with this form. I am the Wind Grand Spirit. One of the 5 Grand Spirit that govern that natural laws of nature. And I am one of the 8 High Ranking Spirits that used to served your Mother, the Spirit of Origin, Mio Takamiya.

Sora: Wha—?!

Slyphid: I am showing you this form in order to respond to you. Is nice to finally meet you, Sora Hatake. Or should I call you Sora Yatagami in this form?

Sora's eyes widened completely and utterly shocked. This girl in front of him had just said his Origin as if she'd known him her whole life. She knew who Sora's mother was and explained that she was one of Mio's servant. But all of that information doesn't matter anymore. Alise and the others were all gone. He looked at Slyphid with raged voice.

Sora: W-Why...Why now...?! I called you countless of times! After the fight with the OEBD, after the fight with my Mother! If you had appeared sooner... I could maybe have saved Alise and the others!

Slyphid: That's because, I am a Spirit. And you are the very first person in this world after thousands of years that had met all the conditions that your Mother gave us.

Slyphid said flying off Sora's hand to near his face.

1. One must posses a quality of a True Hero. Not a Man Made Hero.
2. One who never wavers to do what is right, and not what is easy. No matter how much reality crushes you.
3. Must have no desire for revenge towards the people whom cause all this suffering.
4. Doesn't seek fame, wealth, power or glory. But simply ask whether what you were doing is right or wrong.
5. Willing to risk your own life for something bigger than oneself.
6. Experienced death itself but still managed to win against death itself.
7. Those who have experienced a Great Lost, but continue to move forwards to a new possibilities.
8. Would willing to kick aside the seat of a Hero set before him to become a Fool and roared in rebellion against the World to shred the Absolute Will of the Gods.
9. And finally, one who bores zero hatred inside your heart. Regardless of who they are. Whether it be Gods, Spirits, and even Monsters.

Slyphid: Only when all of this conditions are met, when you can truly hear the voices of us 8 True high ranking Spirits that serve the Spirit of Origin. And form what you called, Spiritual Pact.

Sora: That's a lot of conditions. And what's a Spiritual Pact(Seirei Reiyaku)? I thought it was a Spirit Contract(Seirei Keiyaku).

Slyphid: You can blame your Mom for that. And a Spiritual Pact is a secret technique much stronger than the usual Spirit Contract, causing both you and me to be able to assimilate into a single being. Making you closer to a Spirit rather than human.

Sora: Wha—?

Slyphid: We 8 True high ranking Spirits are different from other Spirits. We are not allowed to teach this rules until people of the mortal world do so. And you are the very first human that had met all this conditions. So first, the caster must order the Spirit to give them their power, and the caster must have the resolve to accept that Spirit's power.

Sora:...

Slyphid: I'm sorry for making you wait. Your screams carried your pain. It was painful to be unable to answer, even though I was by your side.

Sora: Slyphid...

Slyphid: But... From now on I'll be with you!

Slyphid smile fearlessly and bowed down to him.

Slyphid: Let's go, Sora. That Skull Reaper that keeps wandering this floor needs to be extinguish before it takes another life.

Sora: Yes of course. Can we beat him...?

Sora asked towards the girl whom turned her head ready to fight. But the moment Sora asked that question, Slyphid turned her head looking at him clearly insulted by Sora's questions.

Slyphid: Hey, Sora. Never Underestimate us 8 True High Ranking Spirits, okay? Don't even joke about losing to that tiny snake while both of us were at full power. That would never happen.

Sora: Ugh...!

Slyphid had just called the Calamity of a High Level 8 monster a tiny snake. The pressure emanating form the Spirit Girl was so overwhelming that it made Sora shudder. Seeing his reaction, Slyphid just smile. It was clear he was intimidated by her.

Slyphid: It'll be fine, Sora. As of right now, your body still couldn't fully assimilate with me. But even without a full assimilation, you could completely overwhelm that monster.

Sora: Haha... It sounds so completely outrageous... Then... Slyphid... Would you lend me...

Sora then stopped.

Sora: No... That's not it. Give your your power.

Then Slyphid smile brightly at him.

Slyphid: If that is what you wish for, than I Slyphid. One of the 5 Grand Spirits, the Wind Spirit, shall grant you that wish. From today onwards, the two of us have entered an official Spiritual Pact. My Master, Sora Hatake!

Sora's body began to glow bright blue. Bright as the blue sky. It was clear that Slyphid and Sora were both assimilating into one being.

Slyphid: Hehe! Now, Sora has become my official partner. Once again, I look forward to working with you. Please call me Slyphie.

Sora: Yeah. I'll be counting on you.

And with that, Slyphid entered into Sora's body and the two of them have assimilated into one being. Sora's body began to glow white Spirit armor. His clothes form into a coat the user's body with white energy, which emanates from them reminiscent of flickering flames.

Sora: This is...

Slyphid(telepathy): This is our very first Assimilation, so the link isn't perfect. We've got about 5 minutes to take that monster down.

Skull Reaper: RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA..........!!!!!!

The Skull Reaper's roar filled the room. It was clear that it was drawn by the flickering lights that was emanating from Sora's bodies. Sora stare at the Calamity that had taken the life of his friends, and he roared.

Sora: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Light and Air currents enveloped his body. He once again turned to face the monster with the blessings of the light and wind assisting his movements. The crimson flames shook once again, this time in disbelief that the boy still had the will to fight.

Skull Reaper: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Sora: !!

He kicked off the ground at the same moment the monster howled into the air. He ignored his body's groans of pain and forced it forward out of sheer willpower, pouring all his Mind into the light and wind. He didn't care about later. The only thing that mattered to him now was settling the score with Skull Reaper once and for all. He charged forward, twin swords at the ready. And with a swing of his blade, the Calamity was sent flying.

Slyphid: Sora...

Slyphid whisper in awe of what she was seeing.

Sora: Whoa... You sure are amazing, Slyphie. I only tried blowing a strong blast.

Slyphid: I told you, Sora. If we assimilate, us losing to that tiny snake would never happen.

Once again he charges. All monsters in the boys path fell by a single stroke; all the pikes missed him in his up-tempo dance. The twin blades left deep gashes in the Calamity's white bones. The light and wind howled as Sora put his life on the line.

Sora(mind): Faster...Faster!

Each strike, each movement was filled with passion, dreams. Each kick off the ground was filled with the yearning to be faster than anything else. His heart screamed out, placing all his faith in the light and wind that embraced him.

Sora(mind): I want to protect those close to me!!

Each limb was heavy as lead; his throat was parched and lungs were dry; streams of red blood flowed down his cheeks. He burned with fighting spirit trying to defeat this Calamity once and for all. Turn this mind and body into something like the sword in his grasp—a sword that could become as fast as light? How?

Slyphid(telepathy): You already know how.

His vision flared. His consciousness left the battlefield, all while his body fought against the gigantic monster, finding its blind spots. Into his soul, into the very deepest parts of his being. Down, down even farther.

Sora(mind): I... I...I will—

Sora knew too well. Up to this point, and from this point on... he knew that the path he walked would always be full of hardships and lost. Death, pain, suffering, despair. But that would never stopped him to move toward what waited for him there. On that distant height—

Sora(mind): I will fulfill My Mom's, my Dad's, Uncle, Aunt, Mother Alfia, and Zald sensei's wishes!!

His dreams. His memories. His earnest wish.

Sora: UUAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

The parched scream led him hands, feet, entire body past their limits. Faster, sharper, more instantaneous strikes overwhelmed Skull Reaper, breaking its bones. And where their two weapons collided, the cutting edge of the white scythe started to crack.

Skull Reaper: GUUUuuuuu!

Skull Reaper felt a twinge of fear. Fear of the boy. Fear of the superior knight of light and wind. Fear of the figure charging this way, slashing down all the monster in the blink of an eye and weaving his way through the pikes.

Slyphid(mind): Sora...

His body was as stable as a candle's flame in a strong breeze. The Flashing Strike mighty strikes were terrifying. His twin blades flashed as if it was expressing the power of his will—a power that went beyond the Calamity's ability to suppress.

Skull Reaper: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Skull Reaper howled in an attempt to purge its trembling white snake-like body of the fear threatening to take hold. Sora's desire to win had driven his speed to godly levels. The monster tried to charge for another slash, but Sora attacked its joints like a divine light. Skull Reaper had no choice but to cease charging and defend itself. Now that they were both at the upper limits of their power, the decision Skull Reaper had to reach was clear. No matter what obstacles it sent in Sora's direction, sharp spears or high walls, he saw them coming, dodged, and landed a hit that was too strong for the beast to repel. Other monsters were being struck down faster than they could be born from the Dungeon floor.

But above all, his strikes were heavy. His blows were cracking its ribs, instilling fear in its core, and even its sturdiest component, the white scythe, had been damaged. There was no limit to the power of the thunder.

Skull Reaper: UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!

Sora: !

Skull Reaper had to take a chance. Looking out over the vast field of broken bones in front of it, the calamity summoned row upon row of extremely large pikes only in front of itself. Thousands of sharp points weren't aimed at a single target, but instead at everything on the surface of the floor that it could see. Sora was forced to break off his attack and gain some distance.

Then, Skull Reaper used the last of its pillars to form a circular barrier around and behind the boy while pumping energy into its joints.

Sora: !

Slyphid(telepathy): Jump, Sora!

The spikes were humongous, jutting ten meders into the air and standing so close together that there was no space between them, a perfect wall. Sora was caught in the middle of a crescent moon. The only way open to him was forward, trapped in a cul-de-sac of death.

The beast had prevented him from getting close, forced him to retreat, and still managed to trap him within striking distance. Skull Reaper had run out of pikes, so it raised the damaged white scythes high into the air. Rotating his shoulders, it got into position to unleash a strike that combined all its destructive power and speed at once.

The only direction that Sora could go was toward the beast, and the scythe would come down long before he could escape from the ring. Shoulder, elbow, and finally wrist. Sora looked on as violet light emanated from the joints of the monster's left arm—and made his decision, frowning.

He squatted low to the ground, gathering as much power into his hand as possible. The lightning in his hand gather and formed into an arrows of light, so big that it could be consider a giant Lightning Bolt.

Sora:...

He made eye contact with the crimson flames that were shaking in surprise before launching his arrows of light. Skull Reaper's howl accompanied a flash of magic as it brought the white scythes straight down. By contrast, Sora focused his divine arrows of light on a singular point.

Sora: Indra's arrow!

The massive white scythes collided with the spiraling arrow of light. Finishing move versus finishing move in a head-to-head test of strength. Skull Reaper's three joints pulsed like supernovas of violet light. The thunderous light whipping around Sora cut through the air faster than any natural light could hope to achieve. Wave upon wave of light fought against the purple glow, like two rivals trying to determine which was ultimately strongest.

Sora: Roar Lightning!!

His voice was heard and the light pushed itself even faster in response. Skull Reape's burning eyes flickered as it felt the force against its scythes. It howled even louder, forcing more energy into its joints. The violet glow grew into a blinding light, and this time it was Sora who grimaced as the rival met his challenge.

Each increase in the light speed brought his body closer to the verge of being ripped apart. With each passing moment, there was a feeling that the two great powers would destroy each other. Footsteps of impending doom crept up in the back of her mind—when suddenly...

Slyphid: Rage Tempest!

The tones of the radiant voice reached Sora's ears.

Slyphid: Aerial!

A jade light descended onto the boy's body, its warmth enveloping him like a glove. Glancing to the side, he could clearly see Slyphid's Astral Projection standing beside him.

She had cast support magic. It took the form of a deep green wind like cloth, adding a layer of protection from both physical and magical attacks. Slyphid's assistance granted Sora's body a small amount of relief, giving it a chance to reclaim some of its strength.

Sora: Thank you...

Thanks to the layer of light surrounding his body, the pressure of the boss's blade felt lighter. With this—Sora thought to himself as he gathered energy in his revitalized muscles and unleashed Thunder's full power.

Sora: ROAR LIGHTNING...!!!!!!

Skull Reaper: !!

In that moment, the shaft of the white scythes fractured as Sora's arrow of light claimed victory. The arrows of light carved its way to the crumbling scythe, breaking it down to half its original size. The torrent of light and wind wrapped itself around Skull Reaper's left flack, and tore it apart at the joints.

Skull Reaper: !

The pieces of Skull Reaper's left flank fell to the ground with thundering crashes. Sora could hear the beast howling behind him after taking its other arm off at the shoulder.

Sora: Your done...

His voice might have been weak, but his words were clear and determined. Light and Wind armor returning, he look toward the enemy in front of him. He watched the flank-less Calamity howl and wail for a moment, and he tightened his grip on the hilt of his saber. Sora step forward towards the Calamity. Now that its scythe, its magic reflections are all gone. And its whole body ripped to shreds, there was nothing it could do. He raised his twin blades and cleave the Calamity in half.

Skull Reaper's entire body collapsed inward a moment later with a whoosh. The white bones dissolved into ash and diffused into the remaining wind. The white gravestones dissipated along with them, echoes whirling around the room as they crumbled.

Sora:...

Sora stood in the middle of a quite battlefield. Even though he won the battle. He didn't feel any sense of achievement. The boy stood there as the Spirit Girl appeared before his eyes.

Slyphid: Sora...

Sora: Slyphie... Please... Take me to her...

Slyphid: As you wish...

With his body in the brink of collapse, the boy asked the Spirit Girl for help. With her assistance, she helped the boy walked towards the crimson hair girl that was laying motionlessly on the dungeon floor. With the Spirit Girls help, he brought her towards the remains of her dead Familia. Whom was left by just their lower half, half broken bodies, and a head.

Sora: I'm so sorry...

Alise:...

All the Hero could do was cry. Weeping as loud as he could while hugging the Crimson haired girl in his arms. He could feel her very soul hugging him from behind as if to say...

Alise: No matter what... I will always love you...

The boy cried. As if hearing that very voice as clear as day through the breeze of the wind. And like he promised, he buried his beloved friends at the 18th dungeon floor paradise. Where after that, he reunited with the broken elven warrior.

That was the full story of what happened.