Far away from the continent, where the ocean never know rest, and gigantic wave was clashing each other in an endless circle of chaos, there was a meeting.

A meeting between two individuals, even though this appellation might be obsolete at this point. In the midst of the storm, they were simply walking, on the surface of the sea, as a circle of calm water was foreshadowing their step, and an invisible sphere was preventing any splash coming their way.

A man and a woman, with their eyes covered by simple masks, one white, and the other black. The man was wearing a classy suit, while she had a pure white dress falling just above her naked ankles.

“Wait, wait, wait… is this really what’s happening? Sam defending Alice? Nah, nah, nah, there must be a mistake.”

“Well, he won’t fight the Guardian, if it’s what you’re worried about.”

“I’m not worried, you told me he’s the one, so he can’t die. But I don’t remember it went that way…”

“It’s the turning point I told you about. And it’s not like he’ll fight…”

“Oh… I see. It sure took a long time, but at least, we’re finally there. It’s the session we were waiting for! I told you! Right?! And I was confident enough to kiss him. Hehe.”

“Come on, you kissed every Seer of Hope as soon as you could.”

“It’s a coincidence.”

“Sigh… always the last word.”

“Are you jealous?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.”

“Good.”

“And what about her?”

“Her?”

“The Flux Source.”

“Can’t you use her real name?”

“I can’t and you know why.”

“Sigh… so? What about her?”

"Didn't you put the Guardian her to protect one of her shards? Won't it be problematic if they get close?"

“Wait. YOU are asking ME if there’ll be a problem?”

“Hey, I was being polite there.”

“Well don’t. I hate when you do that.”

The conversation stopped abruptly, as a bolt of lightning punctuated her last statement. Although in the middle of a roaring storm, their safe bubble was untouched and they were walking without any care for their surroundings.

Everything important has been said, and for some reason, the both of them stopped talking, diving into their own memory, from a time no one but them can remember.

“Say, Adam… are you sure this is the end-line?”

“Yes. They are the ones. They’re the one destined to kill us.”

“Let’s hope you’re right… it would be quite bothersome if they fail.”

As the Guardian was approaching Alice to give the final blow, he stopped a second, realizing there was someone else in front of her, his eyes focused on the Giant’s.

Surprisingly, there was no bloodlust, or any kind of fighting spirit emitting from him. In fact, he would have probably be ignored if he hadn't put himself right in front of the barely conscious girl one step behind him. Despite his apparent confidence, the air around him was stinking of weakness.

The sky rumbled, and drops of water started to fall. It was as if this moment had been scripted from the start, the hero stepping in front of the invincible enemy, with nothing but his courage and guts.

In seconds, the rain got heavier, and the thunder noises louder.

The climax was near, but the Guardian couldn’t care less.

He lifted his right hammer above his head, and, without a word, attacked Sam.

The blow was fast, faster than what his eyes could follow. Even in front of a seemingly small and harmless animal, the Guardian was seriously going for the kill, with a speed unfitting his tall and heavy body.

But he didn't touch him.

As the hammerhead was getting close to Sam's, a bolt of lightning, falling from the dark sky, cut its path, a centimetre away from Sam's cheek.

As if God himself decided to intervene.

The strike was stopped. The Guardian instinct kicked in just in time, even though it was more about shock and surprise than a reaction to an actual danger.

‘What happened?' ‘How did he do that?' ‘Who is he?', so much question that he should have asked himself, if only his mind wasn't exclusively made for combat. The only thing crossing his mind was a re-evaluation of the ant standing in front of him, and an order to take him down as fast as possible.

But lightning stroke again.

The Guardian jumped back, sensing a disturbing presence.

Of course, he wasn’t faster enough to dodge lightning, but the bolt wasn’t meant to hit him.

Another one fall.

It was already the third.

All at the same place.

Right behind Sam.

“You are a madman, Bae.”

She was already up, side by side with her so-called brother. Sparkle and stray of lightning were wildly coming in and out her skin and hair, even though it was easily overlooked by the two small serpents made of lightning dancing in circles around her.

“That’s a bit ironic, coming from you.”

"You knew it would turn out this way?"

"No. No, I didn't. But I trusted you."

“…of course you did.”

Although forgotten deep in Alice’s stock of abilities, Storm Gathering was one of the strongest technique she could have hoped for in this situation.

She was still in the recovery process, but she had no time to lose.

The Guardian had already made his preparation, as he replaced one hammer by a stone shield. On the defensive, he felt the tremendous power coming from Alice, to the point it was now on pair with him.

He wasn’t scared, but…

In front of him!

He jumped back, in pure panic.

It was only a few meters, but he couldn’t follow her.

She didn’t follow his moves, she… observed him.

The rain kept pouring, harder than before, as stains of lightning were flashing through the sky.

After talking a long and deep breath, she moved.

This time, the Guardian was ready.

He slammed his weapon as fast as he could, predicting her future location.

However…

She had already read his flow.

With a simple touch of her palm, the slightly deviated, and hit the ground, without any force.

In the same move, Alice had already jumped at his torso’s level, followed by her two sparkling pet.

Two fists flew in her direction, but as the previous blow, they were swiftly evaded by a thin paper margin, as Alice used her second jump to propel herself toward the Guardian's face.

With his last arm, the Guardian raised his shield, pouring every ounce of magic in his being to harden it.

In a beautiful spin, the serpent's head entered her hands, as she put both of her palms in front of her, and she released it.

She released everything.

Everything she could.

A powerful blast of pure energy surged from her hands, piercing the Guardian’s shield and head.

For a few seconds, his body stood still, motionlessly, as Alice landed on the ground.

And then, finally, he fell.