“Schenpai *sniff* I’m swo glad to schee you.” My words slurred as I sobbed upon seeing the smiling face of Mitsuhide-senpai appearing from his live chat.

“Whoa hey now Ryuuko, no need to cry. It’ll ruin your cute face, ha ha. But unfortunately, we don’t have time for a touching reunion.” Senpai said before turning to Alma. “So, the crowning asshole of misery is standing right in front of me. Heya VIP, so we finally meet eh?”

“Oh my, what a pleasant surprise. Hello, child of sin. It is indeed nice to meet you. A touch shame it isn’t face to face.” Alma chucked in response, a mocking smile on their face.

“Why you-!”

“SENPAI! Don’t let them rile you up! Right now, the President and Hideyoshi, what is happening to them?” I quickly intervened.

“Huh? Oh yeah! They’re in really big trouble right now! When your life signal suddenly appeared on my scanner, I quickly jumped to where you were but the last I saw them they were still fighting off those goddamn monsters!” Senpai exclaimed.

“W-we have to help them!”

“Yeah, I know. I overheard some of your conversations. If what you said is true then...”

We turned to see Alma grinning ear to ear as they looked towards us, a disgusting look of smug on their face. Just looking at them was infuriating, as if our problems were nothing more than mere jokes to them.

I felt the humming of energy from the coilgun in my hand, signaling its working status.

“This guy over there, is the source of all our problems. Ryuuko, the coilgun is ready at your command. Take it and fire at that bastard!”

“Eh? Y-yes!” I nodded my head as I aimed the gun at Alma.

“This is your last chance, Alma! I ask you, stop those monsters right now!” I demanded; my finger steady on the trigger. “P-Please?”

Upon hearing my added plea Alma suddenly burst out in uncontrollable laughter. It was a spine-chilling cackle that echoed throughout the void, taking both of us by surprise as I saw also the terrified look on senpai’s face.

“W-w-what the hell is with this guy?! How are they able to just laugh with a gun pointed at them?!”

“Takatora Ryuuko, very good. You’ve finally learn to use common courtesy. That makes me very happy. Maybe there is hope for you yet.” They said in a mocking tone.

“It’s not anything like that! And...and I’m being serious here!” I retorted as I continued to grip tightly the gun in my hand. How could someone in such a situation still joke around like this?! It is absolutely enraging, as I fought to control my anger towards them.

“I know you are. However, please do believe me when I say that I truly want to comply with your demands, but I cannot. Even if you are to strike me down right here and now, nothing will change.” Alma said without a change in the look on their face, yet their tone of voice was of little emotion, speaking in a monotone that I could not gauge their true intentions. Whether they were telling the truth was hard to tell yet, to be able to believe them felt impossible.

I watched Alma slowly shake their head, as if reading my mind.

“But even so, there is no way for you to understand is there?” They said quietly as they turn their gaze towards the void above. “The rejection of trust; for not even the one I call my friend to be able to hear my pleading words. How thorough and cruel the restrictions you have placed upon me are, oh false god...”

“Ryuuko, that’s enough! This guy is as crazy as you’ve said, and any chance of diplomacy is a waste of time. Just pull the goddamn trigger!” Senpai interjected.

“Pull the trigger...Pull the trigger...” As the words echoed in my mind, my entire body stiffened. Right now, in this situation, if I am to pull the trigger I would be...taking the life of another, wouldn’t I?

“Senpai. This coilgun, the batteries fired from it is no different from a normal bullet, correct?” I asked nervously.

“Huh? Yeah, more or less. If anything, due to the extra charges from the coils I’m controlling, it might be even stronger.”

“And if I’m to fire, I will kill them, won’t I?”

“Positive! My scanner isn’t working at full power right now, but from what I can see; that bastard in front of us is a human! Or at least, of human composition. But even if they aren’t, the coilgun would still be powerful enough to kill them regardless!”

“Oh? You were able to scan me? How embarrassing. But it has been a while since someone has deemed me a “human”. How kind you are, child of sin.” Alma snickered.

“Tch! Ryuuko, do it now! Kill them! Kill’em and end this nightmare once and for all!”

“Kill...so if it hits it will kill...” I repeated the words as my arm began to tremble. This person in front of me, is no doubt my enemy. This person who has destroyed my dreams, my life. The one whom supposingly took away our world and is now threatening the safety of others within Artificial.

Yes, this person is unforgivable and if I pull the trigger, all of this will end. This should be more than enough reason to get rid of them yet...

My entire body froze as I stared through the barrel of the gun pointing towards Alma. The condescending smile, the look of someone unworried even as an instrument of certain death is directed at them. It was baffling, that such a person could exist. Such a...person...a human being...

If I pull the trigger I will kill them.

If I pull the trigger I will kill them

If I pull the trigger I will...

“Ah...” I gasped weakly as the thoughts finally clicked in my mind. What am I doing? Holding a makeshift gun towards another person. Potentially having them await death. What is my actual reason for doing this?

To help the President and Hideyoshi? To protect Asumi? To protect this entire world?

Yes...yes, that’s right...? I’m here to protect everyone! Yes, yes, YES! To protect everyone...to protect everyone...but...

“Why?” Suddenly came a voice from the back of my mind that made me flinch.

“Why do you want to protect anyone? What makes you so special that you think you can be some heroine, as if you were in a story?”

“Who are you really, to be able to decide the fate of others? What gives you the right to take the life of another...yet again.”

“AAAAAAAHHHH!!” I screamed as a sudden intense pain erupted from my brain. Dropping the gun and falling to my knees, I clutched my head.

“RYUUKO!!”

“Tsk, so it’s begun. But not here. Not yet.”

“WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! STAY BACK ASSHOLE!”

“Sshh...child of sin, you don’t belong here. Return from whence you came...”

“Wha-WHAT THE HELL ARE YO-AAAAAAHHH!!”

Still writhing in pain, I weakly peeked to see the sight of Alma drawing closer. A finger was on their lips as they gently waved their right hand. Senpai was screaming as if he was in pain but suddenly he vanished from his live chat.

“S-sen..pai!” I choked as I struggled to where the coilgun laid.

CLICK CLICK

It was dead. The humming from moments ago ceased and no matter how much I pulled the trigger, nothing happened.

“No...no...” I whimpered as another intense spasm occurred and I immediately clutched my head again. The pain, it felt like my head was being split apart. A familiar feeling from before as I continued to thrash in agony on the ground, begging for it to stop.

“Painful isn’t it? True memory often is...” Came a mocking voice as I peeked up to see Alma shadowing over me. A rage inducing satisfied smile was on their face, as he looked down upon me.

“Wha...what have you...done to Mitsuhide-senpai?”

“I’ve sent him back to the rest of the boys.” Alma slyly replied as they stretch their hand out to me.

“NO! Ge-get away from me!” I screamed desperately, still holding my head as I tried to squirm away from them, but my body immediately froze as I slowly floated to my feet as if being pulled up by an invisible string. Alma grabbed my arm and pushed it away while with another they placed a finger on my forehead.

“Not yet, you are not allowed to take this girl!”

A feeling of impact rippled across my body as I was then released and fell back down to my knees.

“Haa....haaa!” Not understanding what just happened I gasped for air. The terrible pain that was in my head suddenly subsided as I confusingly rubbed my forehead.

“I won’t be able to prevent it anymore, least you allow yourself again to such weakness, Takatora Ryuuko. I pray that you shall not be fully consumed the next time.” I heard Alma mumbled.

“Wha-what did you do to me?!”

But just as I asked, the ground began to shake. A loud sound of cracking caught my ears as I turned around and saw fissures in the far void, like strange cracks on hard glass.

“It seems our time here is nearly up. Aaah...those boys of yours, it seems they’re causing more trouble than the Anti-bodies could handle and soon, the “Savior” shall descend upon this land. When that happens, it will become complicated. How annoying...” Alma spoke in a tone of seriousness. There was no emotion on their face, no smile, no smirk, as only their soul-less eyes remained, looking up towards the void.

“Huh?! Then that means, the President and Hideyoshi, they’re okay?!”

“Unfortunately, it would seem they’re much more of a nuisance than I had anticipated. Still, very impressive.” Alma sighed.

Hearing Alma speak in such distress, I couldn’t help but find myself laughing.

“Ha ha ha...that’s what you get for underestimating the A.R.C.! Looks like not even you could see and control everything!” I sniggered.

“Oh, what’s this now? Getting snarky, are we Takatora Ryuuko? This is a side of you I’ve never encountered before.” Alma smirked.

“Shut up! You don’t know anything about me.” I angrily rebutted as I struggled to my feet. “I can see you looking down on all of us. You’re human, yet you act as if you’re some sort of higher being...err...”

I quickly retracted my words, as I remembered that this person in front of me is possibly responsible for the entirety of Artificial. Such a thing to say, even if senpai had confirmed to me they were human, might not be appropriate to this person in front of me who is something that might be beyond the bounds of a normal human being.

“Go on. What were you going to say?” Alma giggled as they noticed my stumble.

“N-never mind.” I shook my head nervously as I took a quick step back away from them. The exchange of conversation have unexpectedly dulled my wariness of this person, but reevaluating the situation I am currently in reminded me of how dangerous of they who were standing before me.

“Back on your guard again, Takatora Ryuuko? How disappointing. I was actually enjoying our small time as actual friends.”

“Why...why do you keep referring to me as your friend? Especially when you know I want nothing to do with you?” I asked warily.

“Because I like you, Takatora Ryuuko. I really do.” They responded with a mischievous smile, making me not sure if they meant it or if it was a honeyed lie. “How I do wish you were not so hostile towards me in our encounters. Even now you are cowering before me, despite your claim of me as just another “human”.”

“Err...r-right.” I racked my brain as I tried to remember every time we met, I was indeed angry and bitter towards them. Could it be possible that I was in the wrong this entire time? That this person was indeed trying to be friends? After all, now that I think long and hard about it, it was I who asked for them to save me that time...

“No! No, no no! Don’t fall for it!” I slapped my face as I tried to snap myself out of such thinking. “Dangerous! Dangerous! This person is dangerous! That is a fact! It is because of them that I am in this situation in the first place!”

“Heh heh heh...it seems there are some ways to go before I am to be truly accepted as your friend. But I eagerly await that day, Takatora Ryuuko.”

“E-enough joking around. What do you mean by it being more complicated if a “Savior” is to descend? What is this “Savior” you’re talking about and how does it affect us? What about the A.R.C.?!”

“Now, now, Takatora Ryuuko. A question at a time. Being always so riled up, such emotions will do you no good.” Alma responded coyly with a finger on their lips.

“Ugh...you’re dodging my questions again. F-fine...would you kindly please explain to me?” I reluctantly backed down and asked nicely.

“The “Savior” that is to descend is the guardian of Eden’s garden of mercy that spins the flow of emotions. They are the final defense of this “paradise”, and a nuisance.” Alma bitterly spat as they explained. “I had hoped to avoid them before finishing what is needed to be done, but that might not be a possibility anymore. What a shame. And the Savior to come, it would be...”

Alma was then quiet, the look on their face turned blank. But as I stared at them I couldn’t help but feel that they were hiding a sense of sadness, despite their lack of emotions. However the moment I blinked I saw that they were looking back at me with a smirk.

“Takatora Ryuuko, why did you hesitate to shoot?” They suddenly asked.

“Huh?” I struggled to find words for an explanation. “Because...because if I had fired, I would have killed you. And...and...”

“Was it an act of selfish mercy? Or did you actually have such unfaltering kindness in your heart, despite saying you’ll never forgive me?”

“I...I don’t know.” I looked away cowardly. “It was nothing of the sort, as I did not know myself why I couldn’t pull the trigger either. Of course I can’t find myself forgiving you for all you have done but...the thought of killing another human being. I’m not sure...I’m not sure if I’m able to.”

“Yet you pulled a blade on me just moments earlier. How strange you are.” Alma sneered.

“I-I lost control of myself! It was your fault for provoking me like that! But...I won’t let such a thing happen again.” I quickly rebuked as I looked at my hand, feeling shame, and closing it tightly into a fist. “I said that I won’t allow others to have their ways with me anymore, especially you! Yet to lose myself like that is also...ugh...”

“Yes, I heard you. That was when you found your resolve with those boys to come meet me, was it not? Heh heh, foolish girl.” Alma snickered in response.

“You-! How long have you been watching me?! You said you would await me in this terrible place, but you’ve been spying on me the entire time, haven’t you!? Then what was the point of all of this?!”

Alma suddenly got close to me, their face appearing right in front of mine causing me to nearly fall over.

“What are you even-?!”

“Takatora Ryuuko..., Eve...; that sense of determination to not be controlled, I hope you will not allow it to falter. Because the moment you allow yourself to waver, you will be devoured. Not just by others but also yourself.” Alma warned their voice in utmost seriousness before switching back to a more condescending tone. “And that would be troublesome for me. As I said, I rather like you very much and it would be a shame to lose you to something so disappointing.”

“Umm...okay?” I replied meekly as I slowly backed away from them. The way they spoke was different from our usual conversations, lacking any feel of hostility or trickery yet I did not understand what they meant. Rubbing my forehead again, I tried to make sure the headache that was tearing my head apart earlier was really gone before hearing a sigh from Alma as they turned from me and floated away.

“Where are you going?!”

“We are leaving. The path to Kardea is opened to us now and we can come back at any time thanks to you, but I will not stay to face the coming Savior.”

“But what of the A.R.C.?!”

“They will die. Sacrifices for the greater good, you could say.“ Alma replied coldly without even looking back.

“No! You can’t just let them die! All of this is your fault!”

“On the contrary, you were the one who brought them along. After all, I have no use for worms.”

“Ugh...but...but...” I struggled to find a way to argue but it seems that no matter how hard I try to convince them it would be pointless. Guilt filled me as I thought about how it was true that I was who dragged them into all this and that now, if something isn’t to be done, everyone will really die.

“You said that you’re my friend. Well, if you really are my friend then you would listen to my request!”

Alma stopped moving and turned back to me. “Go on...”

“Err...umm...you’re calling yourself my friend. But if that’s really true, then that means that the members of the A.R.C. are also your friends! I mean, isn’t the friends of a friend also your friends as well?”

“Hmm...a sound argument. However, isn’t friends of a friend who one never met before just acquaintances? Frankly, I could care less about fools who has latched on to you for their own selfish gains. You do not know this, but they only got close to you to get to me. You were nothing more than a tool or bait to them for catching me.” Alma chuckled as they explained.

“Huh?! No, that’s-that’s not true at all!” I strongly denied.

“Is it? Takatora Ryuuko, even if you don’t trust me, you should know that I know everything about you and that little club of yours. They could try to hide in their little room and try to cover themselves in darkness to avoid me, but I can still hear it all. Idiots, through and through. Although, it seems there were feelings of concern for you coming from some of them, but I wonder how much of it is genuine? Hmm hmm.” They mused.

“Even so, you can’t just leave them to die like this! If not for them, then as my f-f-friend...” The words struggled to come out of my mouth, leaving such a sour taste I nearly choked myself saying it. “Please, help them. I beg of you!”

“And what do you expect from me? I have neither the power nor tolerance to face the coming Savior.”

“You-!”

As I was about to rebuke I saw a strange sight. Coming from Alma’s eyes were sparkles of...tears? It was impossible to tell if my eyes were playing tricks on me as they vanished as soon as they appeared, leaving no traces.

Are they crying? But that’s not possible, is it?

Shaking my head I looked back at them again to confirm what I saw, but Alma’s face was already back to the usual look of emotionless.

“What can I even hope to do...? I cannot help them even if I wanted to.” The words coming from their mouth, I could almost hear a crack in their voice. Just seeing them like this, I felt a tightness in my chest. For the first time in all our conversation, what they were saying did not sound like a lie.

“Then...if you can’t help them, then send me back. You can do that at least, can’t you?” I finally said, my heart pounding wildly from my abrupt decision.

“Why? I do not understand why you are willing to go so far for them. What purpose does it serve for you to risk your life for such worthless people? It would be better if they are to return their sins back to the earth from where they arise.”

I was left speechless. By all accounts, hearing such a thing should have infuriated me, filled me with such anger and made me lose control. How could anyone say something like this? For there to be such a coldhearted human being!

But shockingly, I was not angry. No, not one bit. As I looked at Alma floating in the air, a being of indistinguishable gender with their hair glowing an unearthly silver that ties itself to a single braid drooping from their left side, their face with empty eyes that lack any sense of color or life and an unsettling smile that spread across their cheeks, yet did not show a hint of empathy, what I felt was not anger. Instead;

“I pity you.” The words slid from my mouth as I felt my eyes becoming hazy. The tightness in my chest got even tighter as the emotions flooded my mind; a mix of sadness and disgust I’ve never felt before towards another living being.

“When I first met you, I was indeed terrified but not because of your appearance. Instead it was because I laid dying, that I thought my last moment was a hallucination and I was going to die dreaming of being in the presence of another. But when it turned out you were real, honestly, I was overjoyed. Your hands were so cold yet when you held me in your arm, I was happy. When I think back to it, you did save me not just from the brink of death but also from my own fears.”

“Then you should have good manners and thank me.” They smirked.

“The second time I met you on the roof, while you had scared me, what you brought out in me was a side that I’ve never even seen before in myself. Anger and hatred towards another, enough that I lost control and even hoped to inflict violence on you, when you threatened the people of Artificial and my best friend. For that, I will never, ever forgive you.” I continued, ignoring their jeers. “Even today, the only reason I came to this place, to give into your demands to come back to this nightmare world, was to stop you at all cost! But now, I finally understand everything.”

“Oh? And what might that be, Takatora Ryuuko?”

“You are nothing, Alma. You are not a monster, but you are not a human. You threaten the lives of people, yet you are powerless to help. You speak in jeers and riddles, acting smug and confident, but you hide behind a mask. You look down on others, but you are nothing more than a coward. Do you know what is the difference between the A.R.C. and you are, Alma? While both of you saved my life, it was they who actually stayed by my side in my time of need.”

“You belittle them, saying that they are only using me for their selfish needs, but what of you? I also will not deny that I dragged them into all of this because of my own weakness and selfish fears, but President Nobunaga, Mitsuhide-senpai, and Hideyoshi, were all still willing to put their lives on the line for others. They knew of the dangers, of how all of this might be beyond them, yet they did not hesitate, not one bit, while you here are turning tail and trying to run despite whatever supernatural powers you possess.”

“I too, now feel the same way. Hearing you call me a “friend” disgust me to no end, because you speak it with empty meaning. You are not my friend, and you never will be. My friends are the A.R.C., who are now in trouble and I refuse to leave them to their fates by themselves.”

“...I will not be able to protect you if you are to go.” Alma said quietly.

“I do not need protection. Not from you, not from anyone else anymore. All I want is to be with my clubmates; my friends. I do not care for any of this, not about you nor what you hope to accomplish. I will wish you the best of luck, but I do not care. Call me Eve, call me a scourge, call me a virus; call me whatever you want. But all I am now is Takatora Ryuuko; a member of the Artificial Research Club and I want to be by their side. Please...let me be with them at the end.” I smiled weakly.

Alma only stared at me. There was no smile, no jeering smirk, no mocking grin. I watched as their soul-less eyes were fixated on me as I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks.

“Foolish girl...” I finally heard a sigh as I looked to see Alma preparing to snap their fingers.

SNAP

=

“Huff...huff...there’s no end to these monsters...” Takuya struggled for breath as he clutched his left arm in pain. Standing back to back with Kenjirou, both of them covered in blood, they were surrounded by hordes of monsters that circled them like a pack of wild animals. They growled and snipped at them but kept their distance as if toying and savoring their hunt.

“Huff...Hideyoshi...how are you doing?” Kenjirou asked his underclassman as he shook himself to stay conscious. He could not feel anything yet from the amount of blood and wounds he suffered, he was barely able to stay afloat.

“Oh yeah, just wonderful Prez. I can’t feel my arm...I’m running out of weapons...huff...but I’m sure that’s nothing a good night sleep can’t fix, right?” Takuya snickered before wincing in pain from his broken ribs. “Ugh...tell me, why is it that every time, this has to happen. Kuh...I’m so sick of it.”

“Hmph...still have enough strength to joke. But yes, we seem to always get the short end of the stick, don’t we?” Kenjirou forced a chuckle.

“Where’s Mitsuhide-senpai? Don’t tell me he’s missing out on all the fun.”

“He’s here.” Kenjirou explained to him what Juntaro told him about Ryuuko and how he was forced back to them by Alma.

“Damn...senpai really is useless. Hey senpai, you hear me? You’re useless.” Takuya laughingly scoffed.

“Why you deaf sonova-... Kenjirou, tell him that I have only 5% left and that if I die, my last words for him would be to shut the hell up.” Juntaro voice came from the speaker of his phone.

“Hmph...he’s saying he only has 5% left.” Kenjirou chuckled as he relayed his message.

“Of course...heh...so in the end, we’re all going to be in this together after all. Joys of joys...” He grunted as he pulled out another knife with his right arm. His entire body was hurting from even just the slightest movements. “You know Prez, I’m damn jealous of you and not being able to feel pain. As well as your choice of weapons. Maybe if we make it all through this, I’ll take up that boxing of yours.”

“I’ll gladly teach you if you’re up to it. I just hope you can keep up.” Kenjiro snarked as he put his guards up.

“Ha! Look at you, trying to make jokes. Hey senpai, record him and his once and only ever funny moment.” Takuya scoffed as he also took a stance.

“He could do better. Come on Kenjirou, show us that Enka spirit!”

“Hmph...you guys. Always so critical...” The president let out a sigh.

The monsters around them let out a bloodied howl and poised to attack again. But just as they were about to pounce, they suddenly looked up.

“What the...?”

“EVERYONE!!” Called a familiar voice as the two boys turned to see the sight of Ryuuko appearing from thin air and falling towards them.

“TAKATORA!?”

BAMPH

“Whoa!” Kenjirou cried out, nearly falling over as he caught her in his arm.

“Ryuuko!”

“Takatora-OW OW OW OWWWW!!” Takuya screamed in pain as she tightly hugged the two boys.

“Ah! Sorry! But I’m so glad to see everyone again!” Ryuuko tearfully apologized with a big smile on her face.

“Great to see you too Takatora, but this isn’t exactly the best time for you to appear right now. Get back, we’ll take care of this.” Takuya exclaimed as he boldly stood in front of her.

“No! I’m-I’m part of the A.R.C. too! I can also fight!” She declared as she pulled out her knife and took a stance that he taught her.

“Hmph...we can’t deny that. Fine, but stay close to us. We’ll do this together!” Kenjirou grunted as he carefully adjusted his glasses.

“Hey look at that. The whole team is finally back together, haha! This isn’t so bad, eh Takuya? Kenjirou? Ryuuko?”

“A.R.C.! LET’S GO!”

But as the group prepared themselves for battle, the monsters surrounded them began to back away. Their fangs were still bared and were growling menacingly, yet they cowered away.

“What’s this? Are we scaring them now?! Heck yeah!” Juntaro beamed.

“No...it’s something else. Look!”

The monsters all froze. As if being strangled by an invisible force, they were ominously dragged up into the air, flailing and struggling weakly to break free.

“W-what’s is this?!” Kenjirou asked with confusion at the strange sight.

“REJECT!!” Came a booming voice as an ear bursting sound occurred from the monsters that dangled in the air.

BOOM BOOM BOOM

The disgusting sound of flesh exploding rang out as each and every one of the monsters suddenly blew apart, into an array of bits and pieces like a horrific display of bloodied fireworks. Blood and guts rained down on the shocked group as it soaked the ground red. In a terrifying scene, the entire horde of countless monsters were all killed in a matter of moments without so much as a single resistance.

“Holy crap! What the hell?!” Takuya nearly gagged as he quickly pushed off the gross entrails that splattered on him.

“Eww!! But this is...Alma?!” Ryuuko immediately looked up and saw the familiar figure of a silver haired individual that hung over them.

“Useless creatures. Not even worth my time.” The figured chuckled, a smug look of satisfaction as they playfully twirled the braid on their side before turning towards the A.R.C.

“YOU-!!”

The boys immediately directed themselves towards Alma as they landed in front of them, their weapons fully drawn and ready.

“How ungrateful you are, children of sin. Despite my best efforts of saving you, you still display such hostility towards me. Tsk, tsk, no manners at all.” They mused, wagging their finger.

“YOU BASTARD!” The two boys immediately charged at the mocking figure but was promptly stopped when Ryuuko suddenly stood in front of them with her arms outstretched.

“Wait!! Please wait!”

“Ryuuko, what are you doing?!”

“Get out of the way Takatora! That bastard...that’s them!” Takuya screamed as he tightly gripped his knife with murderous intent.

“Yes, please quickly move out of the way!” Kenjirou growled, his brows furrowing with rage.

But despite the hostility from the boys, Ryuuko stood firm and shook her head.

“Everyone, I understand your anger but...this person is not our enemy right now. Please, listen to me.”

Looking at her face of utmost seriousness, the two boys begrudgingly back down and put away their weapons.

“Heh, fools. You are nothing but worms that do not yet know your place.” Alma laughed.

“Would you please stop provoking them! Geez!”

“Heh heh heh.” Alma chuckled in response as they waved their hand. A strange feeling of impact blew at them as suddenly all the wounds that they had sustained vanished.

“Whoa! I-I can move my arm again! And...I’m full of energy!” Takuya gasped as he vibrantly moved his left arm, shocked at the disappearance of pain that covered his body.

“I’m-I’m at 100%?! What the heck!? How?!” Juntaro declared as his live chat popped out from Kenjirou’s phone.

“Yes...hmm...” Kenjirou grunted as he opened and closed his fists, inspecting to confirm that the numerous wounds that covered his body were gone before turning his piercing gaze back to Alma who was grinning ear to ear at them.

“Still not a single show of gratitude? How despicable you are, children of sin.” They snickered.

“Hmph...do not mistake our momentary pause for acceptance for what you’ve done. There is still much that we will make sure you’ll pay for.” The president growled angrily, his face a terrifying scowl as he stared down into the empty eyes of the smirking figure standing away from them.

“Ooh, scary. You’re the “president” of this little club, aren’t you? Heh heh, I think out of all these fools, I like you the most. But unfortunately, we are out of time now.”

“T-that’s right! President, we have to get out of here right now! Big trouble is coming!” Ryuuko exclaimed.

“What?!”

“Are you serious? It’s just non-stop, isn’t it?” Takuya said wearily.

“It’s already too late, Takatora Ryuuko.”

“Wha-“ She turned back to them only to see Alma collapsing to their knees, their hand tightly clutching their chest as if in pain.

“Alma!”

“Tch...Kardea, the garden of mercy’s Savior, they’re finally here...”

RUMBLE

A loud thundering noise shook the lands as everyone looked up into the air. The sky that was covered by the parasol like tree-leaves all suddenly blew away, revealing a blinding glow of heavenly light that swirled like clouds, causing everyone to cover their eye from its brilliance.

Only able to weakly peek out from their fingers, everyone saw it.

Coming from the strange swirling lights of clouds slowly appeared a colossal figure with multiple wings of light that circled their backs like an angelic halo.

“They’re here. Amesha (Immortal); Armadat...” Alma grimly announced.