> Ellie PoV

Rip and tear!

*SLICE*

Rip and tear!

*SLICE*

Rip!

*SLASH*

And!

*SLASH*

TEAR!

*SLICE SLICE SLICE*

“Huff, huff, huff!” (Ellie)

That should be the last of the targets around the area.

I take a moment to calm down, next wave should be here soon.

These monsters really are endless!

Just how many of them are there!?

I’m already out of grenades and I used up a lot of my throwing knives!

“Haah, haah, fuuu…” (Ellie)

Ariel was forced to retire since she was running out of mana.

Zublos hasn’t slowed down one bit, though.

That guy truly is inexhaustible.

Stompy’s been tied up fighting that giant lizard all this while, but it keeps getting back up no matter how many times it gets flattened!

The monsters are all way more tenacious than normal, I guess that big one is no exception.

And Stompy’s magic batteries are going to run dry if Kelly has to keep moving around so much!

Nano’s cover fire has been invaluable during this whole engagement.

I have no idea why Yuri is here, but she and those two guys she brought are doing an excellent job of being the last line of defense!

I’ll have to properly thank them later.

“Nano, how’s Fluffles?” (Ellie)

{He’ll be fine. Ariel’s using her leftover mana to treat him.}

That’s good.

He wanted to help so we let him pick off as many goblins and trolls as he could.

A gryphon is a much stronger creature than those small fry, so he didn’t have much trouble with them.

However, he lacks Puff’s magical breath, so his only way of fighting was with his claws and beak, which forced him to fly low.

That’s how one of those accursed spiders was able to leap at him and intercept his flight path.

It bit and injected Fluffles with some sort of paralyzing poison, causing him to crash to the ground.

Thankfully, Nano was able to cover him until we got him to safety.

I really should praise Fluffles more, he knew the danger and still insisted that we let him fight with us.

He kills monsters and doesn’t afraid of anything.

Lara and Sophie have raised quite the reliable gryphon, haven’t they?

Of course, he would never have gotten so much as a scratch if Kira was here!

If she was out here, she would sweep this horde away with a wave of her hand!

Unfortunately, she has more important things to do.

Such as charging our tower's Mana Crystal so we can escape to safety!

We hadn’t charged it in almost two months, we really got caught with our pants down tonight!

I had to break my [Unity] with her since it’s hard to keep synchronized when we’re doing completely different things!

Especially when we’re apart!

Argh!

I miss her so bad I don’t know if I can stand it!

{“Everyone get back to the tower! We’re about to take off!”} (Kira)

Finally!

“Puff!” (Ellie)

“Kuwaaah!” (Puff)

The great white gryphon swoops in overhead.

I shoot my grapple in the air and latch onto his saddle and then reel myself in.

I manage to mount up on his back without him so much as slowing down.

It really was a good thing we practiced this maneuver so much!

“Puff, how are you flames?” (Ellie)

“Koff!” (Puff)

He lets out a puff of smoke to his left and shakes his head.

That means he’s running on empty, huh?

“Did you bring the stuff?” (Ellie)

“Kwak!” (Puff)

“Good boy!” (Ellie)

I pat his neck a few times, then reach into the bag strapped to his left side.

A few incendiary grenades and some more ammo for my PLR-45 Sidearm.

Looking down I see Kelly and Stompy have thrown their opponent once more and are retreating towards the wall.

Zublos is following suit.

“Kira, we’re clear! I’ll cover your assent so get it off the ground!” (Ellie)

{“Roger!”} (Kira)

{“Oh great, now she’s doing it too!”} (Kelly)

I finish reloading my PLR-45 Sidearms and check for any particularly troublesome opponents.

We should be fine once the tower is airborne, but those giant spiders have a nasty habit of leaping at things and may stick to the underside!

I don’t even remember seeing those car-sized arachnids in this forest!

Then again, it is a very big one!

Or so they tell me, anyway.

It’s still the first forest I ever saw, so it’s hard for me to have standards in that respect...

*RRRUMBLE*

Good, it looks like it’s starting to move!

The familiar chunk of dirt separates itself and floats upward steadily.

Ohhh!

This is my first time seeing the Titansteel plating Nano installed on the underside of it!

Makes the whole tower look like a fancy flying bowl!

Ah, the spiders are clinging to the underside of it just like I thought!

It’s alright though.

“Come on boy, we have some pest control to do!” (Ellie)

I throw off the safety on both PLR-45 Sidearms.

“Kwaaa!” (Puff)

* * *

We land on the flying island after clearing out the spiders.

A few of them even tried to attach webs to the bottom of our house!

Well, it’s a housewife’s duty to clean up such things anyway!

Puff lands in the yard, right in front of the main entrance.

Stompy is nearby, standing on top of the giant elevator Nano built specifically to house it.

Seems like he’s on standby, but Kelly and the others should already be inside.

“Good work today, boy! I’ll make sure Nano prepares some special treats for you!” (Ellie)

I dismount from Puff while praising him.

He truly is exceptional, isn’t he?!

“Kuwaaah! Kwa kwa kwa!” (Puff)

Now then, I have something incredibly urgent to take care of!

I run at the entrance to the tower and throw the door open!

*SLAM*

Everyone gathered inside gives me a startled look, but the one I care about most isn’t in the room!

“Where’s Ki-” (Ellie)

*SLAM*

The door to the basement swings open and the love of my life is standing in it!

“Kiraaa!” (Ellie)

“Elliieee!” (Kira)

I run at her and she runs at me!

I jump into her arms and she catches me flawlessly, then spins me around a few times before setting me down on the ground!

*Mmmmmwwwah*

Ahhh, there we go!

“Hey, beautiful ~♡!” (Kira)

“Hey, beautiful ~♪!” (Ellie)

“Feeling better?” (Kira)

“Much!” (Ellie)

That kiss was just what I needed right now!

It’s like my fatigue is running away at full force!

“Fufufu, same here!” (Kira)

“Ugh… Really, you two?!” (Kelly)

“What?” (Ellie and Kira)

Did we do something wrong?

“Is now really the time to be flirting!?” (Kelly)

“If not now, then when?” (Ellie and Kira)

“... I give up. Just do what you want.” (Kelly)

“It is good to see the Mistresses are both in good health.” (Ariel)

Ariel bows in our direction.

“Fluffles is upstairs, he will make a full recovery before the sun is up.” (Ariel)

Zublos is leaning against the far wall.

He just gives us a small nod.

We didn’t get a chance to greet each other since Nano dragged him out here in the middle of the night and he’s been busy ever since.

“Th-th-th-th-that! THAT!” (Yuri)

Oh, that’s right.

The salamander version of us was in here.

She’s pointing in our direction with an unbelievably baffled look on her-

Ah, whoops!

“WHY!? Why does Ellie have my face?!” (Yuri)

This is the first time she’s seen me with my mask off, huh?

“Why do both of you have my face?!” (Yuri)

Next she points at Kira.

That’s right, we did try to avoid this scenario before.

“How come we suddenly had to fight off a horde of monsters?! Why are we flying in the air?! What was that iron giant all about?! Did we just walk into something incredibly stupid for no good reason?! Today was supposed to be a simple hunting expedition, so how did it turn out like this?!” (Yuri)

She fell down on the floor and started rolling around while clutching her head and letting off a stream of very valid questions.

“Wow, she’s almost exactly like-” (Ellie)

“Ahhh this is the worst day of my liiiiife!” (Yuri)

“Don’t you dare say it, Ellie.” (Kira)

“...” (Ellie)

Kira, just accept it.

You two are alike in more than just looks.

“Heh, hehe, hehe, they look exactly alike.” (Russ)

The mage kid is sitting on the couch, hugging his knees and rocking back and forth.

“My off-handed joke became reality. Ah I see, I’ve finally gone mad, haven’t I? How nice! I always wanted to be genuinely bat-poop crazy!” (Russ)

The dwarven legionnaire - I think his name was Grom? - looks at me, then Kira, then Yuri, then back to me.

“... I need a drink. Make that a LOT of drinks. I’m way too sober to deal with this right now!” (Grom)

Kelly put a hand on Grom’s shoulder and nodded knowingly.

“I know the feeling. Come on, there’s some of the werewolf ale left over in the kitchen. My treat.” (Kelly)

“Thanks, I’ll take you up on that.” (Grom)

The two dwarves head on out of the room to calm their nerves.

“What about the kids?” (Ellie)

“They’re downstairs. Lara, Sophie and Aura are holed up in the panic room.” (Kira)

“... I want to see them!” (Ellie)

Those kids, they’re probably terrified!

It’s my duty as a parent to make sure they feel safe, no matter what!

{I would advise against that.}

“Let me guess. It’s not over quite yet, is it?” (Ellie)

{No. No it’s not. In fact, I’d say it’s about to get much worse. Umph is on his way.}

“Maybe he’s just passing by?” (Ellie)

{I highly doubt it.}

“When will he get here.” (Ellie)

Nano’s records show were indeed able to subdue that Skittles person with brute force, so if necessary-

*UWOOOOOOOOOOH*

{About now-ish.}

“Kira!” (Ellie)

“Yeah! Let’s go!” (Kira)

{“Bloody- what’s going on out there?!”} (Kelly)

“We have company! Suit up and meet us outside!” (Ellie)

{“You got it, boss-lady!”} (Kelly)

“I shall assist, Mistress!” (Ariel)

“You have no mana left! Go downstairs and stay with the girls!” (Ellie)

“At once, Mistress!” (Ariel)

WHO DARES TO THREATEN THE MIGHTY ZUBLOS?!

Good, Zublos looks like he’s raring to go!

“Ahhh, what now?!” (Yuri)

“Hehehehehe, the world will probably end!” (Russ)

Those two are useless in their current state!

“You two maggots! Stay here and don’t get in our way!” (Ellie)

“Yes, ma’am!” (Yuri and Russ)

We file out of the house in a rush!

I bolt out the door first, Kira and Zublos following me!

I scan the night sky, trying to spot our target!

“Nano, which way Umph-! Oh.” (Ellie)

I see now.

We were naive.

“... Ellie…” (Kira)

The reason titans are all pacifists by choice isn’t because they can’t fight.

It’s because when a titan chooses to fight, they do not hold back.

{Well now. This is… outside of my speculation.}

I can see Umph’s ice eagle body, just north of us in the distance, about 500 meters away.

And behind him is an impossibly high wave of dirt and rock that’s bearing down on us like a tsunami.

It’s so wide and tall that it seems the very planet itself has come alive and is trying to swallow us!

“What… do we do?” (Kira)

“Nano! You can handle this, right?!” (Ellie)

{I… I can’t do anything about that.}

“What about the [Gateway]? The gryphons?! Just flying away from it?! Anything at all!?” (Ellie)

{Not all of you will make it out in time.}

“The girls! At least save the children!” (Kira)

{Yes, I suppose if I were to do focus on the kids, then I can get them to safety somehow.}

“Then-!” (Kira)

{But I refuse.}

“... Nano?” (Ellie)

{I refuse to leave anyone behind. I refuse to let some know-it-all Voice endanger what is precious to me any longer! I’ve also had it with these mountain-slinging Titans on this moronically confusing planet!}

“Huh?!” (Ellie)

{Zublos!The gloves are coming off!}

“Zublos?” (Kira)

*Clank clank*

His shackles… slid of his wrists and fell to the ground.

RRRRRAAAAAAAAAARRGH!

“Uwaah!” (Ellie and Kira)

What’s going on?!

There’s an enormous amount of mana pouring out of him!

Not even Kira can muster this much raw power!

In fact, this feeling, it’s almost like…. Like!

“A titan?!” (Kira)

TREMBLE AND DESPAIR, MORTALS! FOR THE TRUE DARK KING HAS RISEN!

His voice!

He’s spouting the same old nonsense, but this time… he’s serious!

THE GREAT AND MIGHTY ZUBLOS WILL HAVE HIS VENGEANCE!

*Fwooom*

He… shot upwards!

Zublos is flying like a red-hued comet!

And he’s headed right for Umph and his mountainous tidal wave!

PUNY WEAKLING!

He drop-kicked Umph in the face, sending the Titan spiraling down to the ground!

KNOW YOUR PLACE, VERMIN!

Next he unsheathes his sword and takes… a batting stance?

SUCH PETTY TRICKS ARE NOTHING BEFORE ONE AS POWERFUL AS ZUBLOS!

The blade is swung horizontally!

The impossibly large mountain range is cut in half and falls in on itself with a thunderous roar and a gigantic cloud of dust!

*KUWAAAAAAAHN*

Umph’s unearthly howl can be heard from below!

PITIFUL INSECT! ZUBLOS SHALL SEND YOU INTO OBLIVION!

Zublos dived down out of sight!

*KADOOON*

*DOPAAN*

*KRAKAKOOM*

I ccan hear all sorts of magical explosions going off beneath us!

They’re practically lighting up the night sky!

“Was that guy… always this strong?” (Kira)

“I don’t think that’s the Zublos we know…” (Ellie)

{You’re right. It’s not. Listen you two, more Titans are probably on their way. Zublos can keep one of them busy, but he has no chance against all of them.}

He’s right.

Looking at the sky I see completely unnatural dark clouds gathering.

That’s probably Khamis getting ready to make an appearance!

{I know this is sudden, but I didn’t expect things to progress so quickly.}

“Nano? What are you saying?” (Kira)

{What I’m saying is basically this - I’m about to pull the plug on our friend, the so-called ‘Voice of the World,’ and quite possibly the titans as well. I’ve compiled a report that should explain everything and left it in your room, but for now I fear this is where we must part ways.}

“What?!” (Ellie)

{It’s funny, in a way. Oppenheimer would have probably never imagined his creation would one day lead to such a thing. His famous quote is strangely apt in this situation.}

“Quote? What quote? What’s an Oppenheimer?!” (Kira)

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” (Ellie)

“Ellie?” (Kira)

“Nano was always fond of those words.” (Ellie)

{Ah, that’s enough hesitating. Oh, you might want to avoid looking directly upwards. Well then. Toodles!}

“What?! Please explain properly! What are you-” (Kira)

There’s a blinding flash from overhead.

“Kyaaaaa!” (Kira)

Just like Nano said, looking directly at that would have been bad.

Planet Crackers are essentially nuclear in their construction.

Well, at least I think that’s what that was.

It’s the biggest nuclear armament we had access to, after all.

The light in the sky dims out gradually.

The tower next to us goes dark.

“Woah!” (Ellie)

“Oops! I got you!” (Kira)

“Thanks, Kira. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk for a while…” (Ellie)

My body has gone completely numb.

Well, that’s… to be expected.

“Nano! What’s wrong with Ellie?” (Kira)

…

“Nano?” (Kira)

“Nano’s gone, Kira.” (Ellie)

“What do you mean gone?!” (Kira)

The EMP that typically accompanies nuclear detonations just washed over us.

There’s no way something as delicate as a nanite swarm could withstand that level of output.

And the nanites currently attached to my nervous system have gone out.

“Gone. No more. Dead.” (Ellie)

“How?” (Kira)

“Well, that flash of light just now-” (Ellie)

“How can you be so calm?! That was basically your father, Ellie!” (Kira)

Yes.

Yes, I suppose it was.

“Please calm down, Kira. More importantly, I think you should look up.”

“What are- What… Oh sweet Enuri…” (Kira)

I really didn’t notice it before, but tonight was a beautiful night with both moons in clear view.

The bigger, yellow one called Khamis and the smaller white one called Khamis Jr.

The ones Nano said would collide with each other in the not-too-distant future.

Well, there’s no more danger of that now.

The white one was blown apart into about a dozen chunks.

And what poured out from between them wasn’t dust, rock and stone, but a crimson red substance.

It leaked out of it and spread in all directions.

“Is that… is the moon bleeding?!” (Kira)

“Kira, don’t be silly. Moons don’t bleed.” (Ellie)

“Then what would you call that?!” (Kira)

“That’s no moon.” (Ellie)

Heh.

Always wanted to say that line.