Bolstered by his newfound power, Mido retaliated against the knight with relentless fervor, conjuring bullets of blood, as well as gouts of flame that spewed forth.

“Blood… Not only fire but blood… Just who are you?” He was startled, but resolve will not be befallen by such combination of ability hurtling towards him.

“…But my Null and Void are infallible! Come!” Flourishing into a stance, the knight held his ground stalwartly against Mido, his infernal armor grew intensely. He saw the boy, surrounded by an aura of golden flames, and now, blood. To a normal person, it would be a gruesome appearance. Mido, however, achieved equity in these two abilities. The raging flame and the elegant flow of blood around him were seen as a monster to some, but a sight of valiance to others.

“I am the Knight of Hope. I will be all of Sitis’s retribution!” Roaring valiantly, he plowed through Mido’s endless barrage of flame-infused bullets, weaving through some and being hit by many. Nevertheless, he pushed his body to its limits, all to grab the kill.

Meanwhile, the others outside the wall of debris and flames watched. They cannot hope to help, as both fires that danced on prevented them from doing so.

“Did you see that, Fein?” Gen yelled. “He just healed himself from his wounds, and used his blood to pierce that knight…”

“He can use two abilities? Is that even possible?” Fein was taken aback.

“Captain! Can’t we help Mido!?” Wiz cried. They all shared the same sentiment. They were all on the edge, wanting to help their colleague…

“Mido cannot control his ability,” Sora replied, clutching the exhausted Leva on his side. “Even if we tried to, we won’t get past that wall of fire.”

Wizbette shuddered, and her heart was about to burst from her anxiety.

“But—But Mido’s—What if he… nghh…”

She felt a numbing sensation on her right cheek, culminating in a huge spot of heat.

Sora slapped her face.

“Both of their abilities are volatile, Wiz! So, pull yourself together and pray to your god that Mido will get out of there safe!”

His slap seemed to stop Wiz’s erratic overthinking.

“Oi, Sora…” Leva saw his actions, but Sora did not faze.

“I care for you too, Wiz. I can’t let you risk your life away because you’re insecure of Mido’s capabilities.”

Enna hurried and embraced Wiz, who was now whimpering.

“Sora, you did what you could. Let’s let her rest for a while.” She assured. Sora let out a heavy sigh before departing with Leva.

“Just… believe in Mido, if you must.”

Seeing their banter, Fein approached the girl, his calm stature was ironical of the raging battle around them.

“Wiz…”

“Captain…” She weakly grabbed Fein’s jacket, weeping.

“Cap… We’ll stay away from the battle. I’ll take care of her at the moment.” Enna said as she tried to calm Wiz down.

“Affirmative.” He said one word and turned back to the now-whittling horde of shades and fog. Aurelia’s ability was weakened greatly, but residues of it still lingered on the battlefield, even if she was unconscious. Fein picked up three pairs of feet walking behind him, as Enna and Sora escorted the distraught Wiz to cover.

“Don’t just take a picnic in there, secure the area!” Gris commanded as he was keeping the shade stragglers at bay with gunfire. Shear and Leva were on his side, with Gen covering the latter. Blades of wind flew, bullets were fired, and shields were erected. His colleagues and two agents of Frostfall were fighting hand in hand in front of him, fueled by mutual causes.

Their backs were turned against Fein, facing the pillar of gold and purple flame that blocked access to the building and the rest of the plaza. They were faced by the fog and shades, but Fein looked past that. He turned his eyes to what was behind the fire and saw two figures clashing inside the infernal arena.

‘Would you save the stray dogs, mister? Would you risk?’

‘If I can, I will.’

‘But you can always run. Run swiftly. But towards where?’

‘To victory, of course.’

There was a pause in Fein’s consciousness.

‘Always the good noble’s instinct. Live, as always, Fein.’

‘Live… as always, fleeting memory.’

He was nudged. Fein understood and knew what he had to do.

He braced himself, and with a sudden jolt of lightning, ran past his comrades and into the flames.

The knight and Mido were locked in close combat. As the latter slashed against the knight’s armor, he would dodge, seemingly unhampered by the plates and his infernal Cataphract Armor. For every stroke of his sword, Mido would counter with flame.

They would go on, and every second made it more apparent. Their intuition slowly came to entropy, as each read one’s attacks and promptly reacted.

However, Mido suddenly felt the need to back away from the fight. Retreating to a wall of flame, he secured himself before he felt nauseated, bending onto the ground as he retched.

“Pwuah!” Mido coughed, as blood slowly dripped from his orifices. His field of view seemed to widen, and he felt as if a vignette constrained his vision. Inspecting his arms, he saw that his veins started to darken.

‘You’re at your limit…’ The voice advised from behind his head.

‘I can do this… I won’t lose!’

Steeling himself, Mido disregarded his blood-drenched clothing and face and faced the stalwart knight. He shut himself to the pain through sheer will. His adrenaline was long gone; what was left of his endurance was his body being numb to pain.

This sensation is truly a detriment to his health, but there’s no point in lamenting one’s health in such a situation as Mido’s. One would unleash everything in his power to resolve this without perishing.

‘Finish this!’

“You’re nearing your capacity. I should’ve noticed—”

“Argh, WOULD YOU SHUT UP!?” Mido grappled the knight by his neck by surprise, his fingers going through his unguarded flesh.

“Gahh!” He tried to release himself from his grasp and ended up jabbing a concealed knife to Mido’s hand.

He went unfazed, even if the obsidian knife pierced his flesh, glided against his bone, and its tip went on the other side. Giving his sheer strength, he successfully pinned down the knight’s daunting frame in one fluid motion, turning his displaced weight against him. As he was slammed to the floor, his infernal armor discharged and exploded in a plume of hire, which sent Mido flying a few feet away.

The knight slowly tried to get back onto his knees, exhausted by his sudden attack.

Meanwhile, while Mido was blown away, he was cushioned by something on his back.

“Mido.”

“Captain? Why are you…” Mido slowly stood up as Fein assisted him.

“Shit. That knife…”

“—It’s nothing.” He yanked the knife out of his skin, unfazed, which shocked Fein all the more. The potentially fatal wound was effortlessly healed by his body, his endurance and tolerance to pain were tremendously altered, his face stoic and calm. The captain was so used to the timid Mido that he took in that when he looked at him beside his shoulder, it’s as if he’s another man altogether.

Mido raised another pillar of flame to separate the two from the knight and to let Fein recuperate.

“What happened to you, Mido? Is this the true extent of your ability?” Sure enough, Fein felt goosebumps crawling on his skin.

“I have a lot of things to explain, captain. But this… this is my will to fight. I don’t want to run. I want to bring justice, and this power enables me to. Whatever form it took.”

Snapping himself out of a daze, Fein chuckled as he tapped Mido’s shoulder. Looking at his arm, however, Fein saw his symptoms.

Darkened veins slowly crept on his extremities and neared his shoulders.

Time is of the essence, and this immense power of his might not last.

“You’re truly a mysterious man. Wiz is waiting for you, Mido. So, let’s finish this quickly.”

“Understood, captain.”

Both of them stood firm as the knight charged from the flames that held him back. His armor reverted to ebony, but he still had tremendous energy left in him.

“Grantor, I call upon nature to coalesce, and grant me the means to decimate my target…”

Transistor: Formless!

Without warning, Fein blinked from reality into a mass of electricity, making his figure move in a blur within the tonal arcs. The bolts of lightning hurtled towards the knight, as the latter readied his devouring ability.

“Tch. Such a fly. Null and Void negates your ability.” He had his confidence behind his back.

He stood as the lightning enveloped him. The arcs were eaten by the devoured space, rippling in every point of contact in front of him.

In the blink of an eye, however, the knight felt slices on the unarmored parts of his chest. Fein’s figure abruptly reappeared, leaping in an acrobatic manner in front of his shield, startling the knight.

“You said it yourself: Your ability negates mine.” With a powerful kick, he knocked him in the head, sending his body into a recoil a few steps back.

Retrieving his knife, Fein crouched as he landed on the ground.

“You talk too much.”

On his back, Mido leaped from behind Fein with a humungous spear of fire. It radiated brilliantly, floating above his right hand. The knight brandished and infused his sword yet again with his tone. He was within Mido’s reach: He could not possibly dodge an attack as powerful as the spear that was barreling towards him.

Firis: Smite!

Fein’s eyes were locked on the scene.

As the spear was about to be hurled, however, Fein saw an ominous figure come out from the right of his vision. He turned his head and saw a mass of fog and the unmistakable silhouette of a golem looming towards Mido, lifting a large object.

“Mido! Look out—” In instinct, Fein forcibly kicked a great sword that was supposed to slice Mido in half. The force successfully staved off the sword, and as Mido hurled the spear, Fein grabbed him and was flung a few meters away from the vicinity of the knight. As the flame spear came down on him, the knight golem shielded the knight’s body from receiving the full force of Mido’s spear, and instead absorbed it and was destroyed in the process in an explosion of Void energy and golden flames.

“Oro. That’s enough.” The knight heard someone call.

‘Vita…’

“Let’s retreat, for now… Let the Flame run amok... and save our hide for another day.”

Oro shrugged, and held his ground, facing the tip of his sword against the recovering Vassals.

“I can still fight, Vita! I can still—” He was likely to rush the two, but warped tendrils of wood pinned him down and sent his body hurtling inside a mass of fog that was not there minutes ago, and back to Aurelia and Woodcarver’s position in mere seconds.

Tumbling down, he was faced by Aurelia. Her face signified weakness, as her clothing was ripped from every angle by slices.

“Oro. It has been years… ah…” Her gazed locked with his.

“If that man still roams… we will be hampered! Our goals will…”

“Then let’s reunite once again.”

“With that madman? Vita, Gospel is—”

“—Is the worst of us, yes. But he is the only Knight to have a safe haven.”

“…”

Aurelia looked at Woodcarver. All it took for the latter was her pleading face, and she knew what her lady wanted to ask her.

“Milady… I will follow you, wherever you go.”

“Oro, I hate to say this, but… Let’s run away for now.”

“Tch.” Oro visibly looked away from Aurelia. “I hate running away.”

“Captain!”

“Oi, Fein! Wake the fuck up!”

Muffled voices pierced the cacophony inside Fein’s ears. Mustering his strength, he slowly tried to stand up. Instead, he was supported by two burly arms from behind.

“Hey, he’s opening his eyes.”

Fein looked around. Gen and Gris were assisting him. The fires still lingered, but a calming sense of seeing the clear night sky yet again sent a wave of relief through his nerves.

‘So, it’s over… Just like that…’

A sensation jolted over him, however. A sense of anxiety.

“Where’s… Mido?” He questioned reluctantly and was greeted by two calmed faces, mysteriously so.

With the tree sitting on a piece of rubble together, Gen took the initiative to talk.

“Mido’s… all right. But I’m quite unnerved, Fein.”

“Why?”

“I mean, that ability of his would take a massive toll on any Vassal I’ve met, but…”

“The kid’s recovering. All by himself.” Gris broke Gen’s stammering. Listening and trying to find Mido in the vicinity, Fein eventually saw two white-uniformed figures attending to a man with a battered suit, leaning on a hunk of the obelisk. Those were unmistakably Leva and Shear, and the man they were attending to is Mido.

He sighed heavily, knowing that his colleague is safe and sound.

“Mido’s unnatural. And I thought his ability is only that ‘Flame of Faust’ Shear talked about.”

Fein smiled.

“He’s a mysterious kid. There might be answers that only he knows, but cannot explain all by himself. You can’t blame him, though. A kid who lost his town, and met the man who incinerated it, pushed to fight him all by himself… Just be glad he’s not on our bad side, Gen.”

“In that case, let’s give the kid a breather. He’ll explain eventually. But that culprit surfacing on this city with another Void Vassal… I can’t be just coincidence…”

“They’re planning something, and we need much more guidance about this. We cannot hope to fight two Void Vassals at the same time.”

Suddenly, the three saw figures. Two came to them, while the last rushed to Mido’s position.

“Captain! You and Mido are safe… I’m glad!” Enna took Fein’s hand and unintentionally massaged it.

“Glad to see you and Mido well, captain.” Sora nodded. “Command just contacted us and sent a preemptive convoy hours ago. The cavalry is here, and are now moving to our area. What’s left of us now is to find Pierre…”

“True. With the people still raging about, it’s no question he hasn’t left Reiss yet.” Gris remarked.

“Okay, okay… Just… give me a moment to catch my breath…” Fein coughed.

“Oh, right. You do need rest, captain. Take it easy.” Sora assured.

Meanwhile, Shear and Leva entertained Mido not too far from the others.

“Hey~ You know, we sincerely apologize for capturing you. We’re mercenaries, and we just do what we’re hired to do…” Leva giggled.

“No, it’s okay. It’s all just a misunderstanding, isn’t it?” Mido calmly resolved.

“Indeed. Your captain arranged for a contract, so we will accompany you back to Henwales.” Shear said, igniting a stick that hung on his lips. Turning to face Mido, he looked at his stature before continuing.

“Mido. I’m sure you understand now. You’re the Flame of Faust. Faustians will chase you for whatever cause they believe in.”

“I know… And I will become stronger.”

“Hmm… That’s resounding.”

“Ah… Mido!” Fast footsteps raced on what was left of the marble pavement. After seconds, a girl rushed and hugged Mido tightly, disregarding his burnt, battered attire.

“I was scared for you! I… I thought you were not going to make it, but you’re alright! You’re alright, Mido!” She stammered, feelings both mixed with both anxiety and relief. She buried her teary face against Mido’s chest, her cries muffled by what’s left of his clothes.

“Wiz…”

“Ooh, clingy~ I’m out of here…” Leva cringed as she slowly removed herself from the area.

“I’m going to check the building for stragglers.” Shear also sternly dismissed himself, leaving the two alone by themselves.

“Hey… It’s all okay. I’m still here standing, Wiz. No need to keep crying.” Mido slowly pushed her by her shoulders to a safe distance, away from his chest. Wizbette sniffed as she looked at his amber eyes. His face was bruised, but to her, Mido’s charm could not be covered by such detriments.

“Haah… I’m sorry for being like this. I’m a mess, aren’t I?” She chuckled, wiping her tears.

“Mhmm. I understand. I will try to become stronger. I need to…”

“Of course, you will! Oh~” She was startled as Mido embraced her.

“…So you will not risk your life again, just for me. That second chance you gave to me was all I needed. And because of that, I won’t leave your side, Wiz. It’s all enough. You gave some of your life to me, so will I.”

“Ehh Mido… You’re so…” She tightly gripped his clothing. “…We both fell inside a rabbit hole the moment I saved you, didn’t we?” Chuckling, she looked at his face once more.

“Seems like it.”

Wiz sighed. “It’s a promise, then? Don’t leave my side, Mido.”

“I promise.”

“Oii~” Leva yelled from the distance. The two saw her with Sora, and D-7 tailed them from behind. “Your pals are waiting for you~”

“…Let’s go, Wiz.”

“Mhmm…”

D-7 was at one place once more. As they looked at Mido, their faces were painted with relief. They half expected him to be slumping unconscious, but there he was, standing tall, removed from his unknowing self.

Fein’s face still had that proud smile he had moments ago. Acknowledging D-7, he hailed a valiant call.

“We may have not successfully apprehended those Vassals, but I’m glad to know everyone’s safe…”

“Everyone! We have a lot to do in terms of restoring Reiss, but good job on your work! Thank you for your bravery!”

“Thank you for your bravery, captain!” Everyone yelled. Amidst the moonlit, midnight sky, between the throngs of rubble and still-dancing flame, D-7 invigorated themselves, for their journey to uncover the Void Vassals’ mysteries has just begun.

“Ahh~ You’re a jolly bunch.” Leva giggled as she looked at D-7 while leaning on the obelisk’s frame.

“You lucked out, big bro…”

Dawn approached. Relief help from Henwales and its other contacts in the vicinity of the region came and assisted the ravaged city. Much, or what’s left of Reiss’ populace were either evacuated to what’s left of their districts or were sent goods to the established communes. The last vestiges of carnage died down, as everyone came to their senses. Confused, regretful, or utterly destroyed because they woke up to their city, now devastated out of their own hands.

The plaza was clear, as D-7 and the two Frostfall mercenaries cleared the area and went back to their respective vehicles a few moments ago. The surviving Vassals, residents of Reiss, scavenged what was left of the buildings for food, materials, or anything of value, despite the relief operations currently sweeping through the city.

…

Peram and Vivace opened the plaza’s town hall doors. The once-magnificent support pillars and grand doors were now battered and chipped from the battle that took place last night.

“D-7 left without warning us…” Vivace moaned as she slowly creaked open the door.

“Stop sulking, Vivace. They have a lot to do, considering what happened to our city…”

“I know… but can’t a good-bye hurt? Can it, Peram?” She shook Peram back and forth in a comedic fashion, annoying the latter.

“Shut it!” She covered her mouth before jolting his head back to the unlit area inside the building.

“Who’s there!?” He called out.

Two hands waved in the air from a flipped bookcase. A figure. Its face slowly crept from the cover, and one good look was all that Peram needed to attack with his ability. The figure stood up, and with his action came several other figures. From the looks of it, they were heavily armed.

Peram gritted his teeth. Turning his head to Vivace, she saw her already conjuring patches of ice on the surfaces.

“Pierre.”