Standing in the corner of the platform, shaking from fear of both the endless depths below and the now totally different looking sister Rubeca I know for so long, staring at me with her red predatory like eyes. Standing 2 meters between each other.

Thinking to myself that, the only reason that I'm not on my knees shaking, is because... I know I must save May from Sis and Sis Rubeca from whatever is happening to her. Preparing to take a stance with my spear retracting it even further until it's only 3/4 of the original length, to form some kind of rapier without the haft nor the thin edge.

While moving my right leg forward... She quickly dashes, swinging both her glaive and cleaver down with unprecedented speed, making me roll to the side stopping just near the border of the platform. When I look up, Sis is already swinging down both her weapon at me before I could react. When suddenly it stop near my face, the weapons tremble near me, almost touching my nose.

"Sis I will not let you, please stop it," May screams at Sis.

May holding her fixed weapon, the scourge with the handle looking like a sabers. But unlike the one she use to swing me up here, this one is thicker but has less longer ropes. Now wrapping it self around both sis Rubeca's weapons. While on the other hand is holding the small pannel.

As sis is trying to get it off by pulling it. Using this chance to retreat back and gain some distance from sis Rubeca, falling back beside May. In this small space, I'm now standing beside May seeing her trying her best to not let go of Sis Rubeca's weapons. Only to see her pulled instead by sis, before she stumbles and fall, she presses the trigger in her handle removing the ropes from the whip. Making it fling and lashed sis Rubeca's entire left face leaving scars and deep cuts, tearing out the flesh through the momentum when it hits her.

Making us scream, "Sis," In unison.

"Don ya der call me sis ya coward," sis replied.

When suddenly black tar like liquid gush out from her wounds covering the cuts and gashes of her left face. May stands up in front of me readying her self. Connecting the tip of the handle that looks like a key hole in May's heart guard. Twisting and pulling it out to reveal new ropes, connected to the handle the same as just now making her broken weapon reconstructed back. I took my stance once more moving my right leg forward and point my 3/4 meter spear at her like a rapier. Sis wipes away the black liquid from her face with her robe staining it with the black moisture, showing her face to be fine. No it's even smoother and brighter than before.

"May, me precious lita sista Maaaay, why ar ya rebelling againz meh. Yar sapose ta be a good girl, so move yer way, me can kill him and forgev yer actions," Sis says still sounding scary.

"Screw you sis. Sova listen to me now. From what I see, she will not hurt me so just sta-"

before she could finish, sis jumps and starts to change the way she hold the glaive in an over arm grip as if she wants to throw it, seeing this I react quickly, only for her to hurl the glaive quickly at us, passing through May's head nearly hitting her.

I immediately bend my body to the right and guard my left side with my left hands gauntlet covering it with qi. Only for it to be cut open and broke to pieces leaving my left hand exposed, a little cut and defenseless. while I still manage to redirect the glaives course to continue going through and cut the platform below us and proceed down the bottomless darkness behind me, I think to my self,

(Don't look down.)

Dammit I can't stop my legs from shaking, while taking heavy breaths. Reminding my self that we just need to hold her off, not to defeat her.

"Sova are you okay?" May says while looking at me. I see panic and fear written all over her face.

"Yea I'm okay, somehow," I replied back at her to calm her down.

"Good, Just hold out a little long-" her words comes to a pause, when her head was suddenly grab from her right side pushing May away, the pannel that floats hits her side and she fall to the ground.

Revealing sis with her floating jet black hair and deep red beast like eyes shining brighter than before. Swinging down her long cleaver at me with her right hand, I immediately block it with my short spear coated with my Qi supported by my left arm, making me kneel down from the pressure of her swing.

While I try to push it back so it doesn't cut me, only to be pushed down instead, without being able to resist. Kneeling down from the pressure, I decided to ward it off to the side, changing it's course beside me. I roll over to the side again almost reaching the platforms borders.

Looking back seeing sisters long cleaver jabbed deep within, cutting the platform and she is now trying to pull it out. I decided to look beside me to see sister's equipment sack where she puts her armor, ripping it open with my spear. Seeing the equipment pour out while some has fallen down out of the platform, I grab her left gauntlets before it falls and equipping it as soon as possible. feeling a bit loose by the size difference, I look back once more guarding my sides with my short spear and newly equipped sisters gauntlets to the side coating it with qi.

Expecting her to already striking me because this time unlike her usual self who use skills, tactics and distance as her advantage while never letting her weapons go. Now she is only using her brute strength and ferocity to not even gave us time to think.

Seeing her swinging down her cleaver once more, now feeling ready to guard. When suddenly the long cleaver got fling away beyond and seeing her right hand missing all her fingers except her thumb which there's only the broken cracked bones that's still hanging from it.

"Don't underestimate the strength of my qi sis, just because you are my sister doesn't mean I will not hurt you." May say while still kneeing on the ground holding her side.

Black like moisture starts to gush out from her chopped of fingers, Sis begins to glare at May and decided to rip her green robe, corset, and sash off her, throwing it away. Revealing her wearing a kinda see through black tight suit showing the outline of her entire slim toned body almost as if she was naked.

"Maaaay..."

Dashing to grab hold of May's right hand, bending to imsane degree, forcing her to drop her scourge while moving faster than before, so quick before I even realize it, raising her fingerless right hand covered with the black liquid covering something, showing as if she is regrowing her fingers back, then continues to say something incomprehensible:

"[Minati Ushio]"

Making me think,

(Incomprehensible words...? Wait no way you have to be kidding me, you actually lie Sis?!)

She begins to bring down her right hand, as she is pushing something down and everything around it got blown away, except for May who is being hold tight by sis with her left hand.

"AAAAAH" May screams as if she was hurt really badly.

Blown away outside by an invisible force, not being able to see why May was screaming in pain. I immediately use my spear coating the tip with Qi to sharpen it, and stab the platform making it as a hold to not get blown away. Succeeding, only for me to fall hanging on the platform with all three fourth of me already outside. Sis walks closer to me, seeing May unconscious with her right shoulder looking dislocated, even through her shirt. Then sis starts to proceed shaking her left hand forming some kind of wave and fixed May's dislocated shoulder accompanied by a large cracking sound.

"AAAAAAH" May immediately awaken, screaming in agony from what happened just now.

"Sis, Please think again what you're doing, I'm begging you." I plead with everything betting on this.

"Sis ... hah haah... Please just stop," May says, while trying her best to stand up and letting her hand go from sis but couldn't.

Not saying a word she then pulls back her right leg as to kick my spear off the platform. Seeing that I tried my best to climb up. When she stops her right leg, Looking at me with one of her pupils turning green, pouring tears from just the eyes with the green pupil.

"Sova... I'm so sorry please forgive me," sis says that while still holding back her leg, sounding normal now.

She lets go of May and starts retreating back, covering her face by grabbing it with both of her hands. I Climb back up, leaving the spear still stab in the platform. I went after May bringing her in my arms, seeing her face still being in pain.

"May, please please don't pass out now, I don't know if I can win this alone," I said to her full of worry.

"Please just a little longer," May replied softly looking to the side, I look where she is looking.

I see the entrance is already on view, happiness and feeling of relief starts to fill within me. Motivating my self thinking what May just said, just a little longer, looking at sis still holding her face with both her hands. I lay May down and starts to pull out my spear that is plunged deep in the platform with all my might when suddenly. Pain struct me by my chest, as the spear was pulled out by the force of the hit as I was pulling it, my body almost fell off the platform grabbing the surface with my free hand as to not fall down. Staggering from the hit, still kneeling down. Seeing where it came from, sis was there with one of her green eye stab and preparing to pull her leg back.

"Sova please just stab me in the head and end this. I will be fine, trust me on this," she says that while trying to resist raising her leg once more.

"No sis, are you crazy!?" I scream at her

"Sova just hurry I can't hold it back right now..." she reply angrily

"AAAAH, Dammit." I scream, thrusting my short spear using all my might with both my hands aiming at her face.

She suddenly turns her face to the right, dodging it leaving a small cut in her cheeks, I try to pull back the spear, only it won't budge. Seeing Sis turning her face slowly to reveal that she is crunching the spear just below the tip with her mouth, almost snapping the tip of the spear, glaring at me with one of her red predatory eyes. Sis then swings her left arm hitting me with the back of her hand, I guard it with raising my left hand to block, only to be blown back.

Fling away beyond the platform losing the feelings of my feet touching the ground, before sis lets go of the spear from her mouth making me fall in the process. While still holding on to my spear. seeing both her eyes turn green, running to the borders of the platform reaching her hand out to me screaming out loud:

"SOVAAAA!" She tries to reach still cannot catch me.

*********************************************************************************************************

Falling through the endless darkness. With all this glowing objects resembling the stars. I thought to my self, this place resembles the night sky filled with stars. I guess my dreams of going to the sky is fulfilled twice huh. Before I knew tears starts to pour ut of my eyes. I see the vison of people precious to me appearing one another.

Mom.... Dad.... May..... Sis Rubeca..... Aunt Palka.... Nicole.... I'm sorry, I guess there are just something I will never know, as I feel the pain all over my body. I open my eyes once more.....

"Boy..... Boy cakey wakey."

Suddenly awoken by the voice whispering to my ears, raising my body seeing only endless darkness all around me. Is this death? I thought to my self.

"You're awake now, good,"

The voice says before hearing a flick, and continues saying:

"Well lets get this buseniss done. Shall we?"

Suddenly blue lights begin to burn brightly. I cover my eyes with both my hands only to realize only my right arm still works. And pain suddenly fills all over my body, realizing what my aunt told me that If it hurts then it's proof you're alive. Deeply in my heart I thought thank you... Yet why not just let me die... Finally putting my hand down, adjusting to the sudden burst of light, looking where it is coming from.

In the middle of the burning blue flames, stands a figure, A slim man/women probably in his/her teens, With it's face covered by both the uneven black hair that looks like it is going to the sides and white mask with patterns, a dark blue t-shirt, a metal breast plate, black rubber like leather guard, black tight rubber like leather pants, and a black boots. Sticking out more than anything, is the blue scarf that he/she is wearing that covers the neck whole, long enough that it sways till the knees, And the metal like right arm that looks pretty inhumane. Seeing around to realize the person doesn't have a shadow. This person is....

"You are Rana Song?" I say while muttering

"Oh yes, how nice to know someone remembers you just by meeting once."

"So please tell me, from the way I see aren't I suppose to be dead by now.... By you know the depth of this place and all," I ask him sounding full of sorrow.

"Do you need to ask? That is because I save your ass, how else you do you think you would survive a fall that high you dummy," He retorted sounding disappointed

"So why did you save me? What can I a commoner, who just lost it all. Do anything to repay you," I ask in a sad manner. Only to be pulled in the left cheek by his metallic arm.

"Ow aw aw , plesh stah hit al alrery hurteh al haha." I say in a low voice because I'm just too tired to even scream.

"Oh please, what is wrong with you? Where is the brightness you have when I first met you gone to," he says still sounding disappointed, before letting me go.

Then I think once more, this feels very Ironic and a sense of something similar happened before.

(And why do people keep pulling my cheeks to prove that I'm saying something wrong?)

Then I look at him in his face or his mask to be more precise saying:

"Thank you I guess. So what truly happened like where is Sis or May or even us?" I ask in a low voice.

"Hehehaheaaheeheee!"

He laughs ominously before continuing saying:

"Oh yes my pleasure. And a thank you, how long has it been since I hear that word. In fact I'm surprise you can still say that after all this, nonetheless we're in the Reliquary by the way," he says sounded very happy.

I take a huge sigh saying:

"Oh, no surprises there I guess," I say softly, ignore his personality for now I guess.

He then starts to grab a survival bag similar to the one I had in his hands showing it to me.... I put my hands on my back only to realize that I'm once again wearing only my short pants and a t-shirt. Oh boy, why do people keep taking my equipment away? I'm pretty sure there's nothing special about them. Rana then starts to put his hands inside my bag.

Pulling out a salve with it's container made out of plastic. handing it to me saying:

"Salves, I see you're someone from the Western fringe of the Aologi Empire."

"Yeah so what about it?" I ask in return while applying the salves on the parts it hurts the most first, like my left hand and chest.

"Say did anyone ever tell you that your people, more specifically the empires people... Never mind that, I'm surprise you could even get a plastic it's quite a luxury and even have someone craft it to something. it's much more expensive than glass craftsmanship you know, no wonder it didn't break from you rolling around and all," he says sounding cheerfully.

"What. Wait... Really? I just receive this as a- Wait a second you saw me rolling around? You were there when we were lock in combat?" I ask full of doubts and unbelief.

"Oh, well yes. I am there watching you from the darkness, and I also take extreme measures so that I don't get detected by your cute girlfriend again."

"Why... Why didn't you help us? We could have won and sa-"

I scream, only to be stopped and grab in the mouth when he gesture me to stay silent Replying:

"Shhh, please if I appear, I won't get what I want with both your sis and girlfriend May right is her name? Around, I will probably get my ass kicked by your sis and her before I could even begin negotiating and even if I save you, your sis, and your girlfriend May, will definitely influence your decisions. Besides what I want to hear is your answer, yours and yours alone. (And of course I will make your sister your precious Rubeca owe me something he he he)," he says while whispering to me and the last part lower than the other.

I sigh heavily once more asking:

"What do you want?" and start looking around for my weapon and other hunter gears.

He then raise his right arm and pointing upwards with his index fingers before curving his index finger down. I suddenly hear the sound strings and metal drags against each other, as something drop from above to my lap, it's my retractable spear seeing it at the tip, there are still sisters bite mark. Like seriously her jaws are more powerful than her weapon? When suddenly multiple things start to fall down around me from my chestplate that is bent in the middle, probably from her kick, greaves still okay, and gauntlets mine and sister's... Holding my head feeling the soft wool, the first gift aunt ever gave to me.... The black headband, with my name knitted there.

Rana then proceeds saying:

"Hey I'm not someone who wants to negotiate when the tables are uneven so I need you to be in your bestest condition and I don't just show my tricks to anyone.

In fact the only one to survive and see my tricks are few counted with one hand. That pun was ver intentional! Nevertheless may I know your name boy?" he says in a nice manner as he is trying to convince me and now starts to fold his arms.

I took a deep breath, closing the Salve, stretching my body, and standing up not feeling the pain anymore. I Guess talking makes you forget pain somehow. Wearing all the equipment once again feeling the loosensess of my left gauntlets and taking up the retractable spear returning it back to a meter long. before putting it at my waist once more feeling.... Fully equip- Wait.

"My name is Sova Anmao," I answer back confidently. Reaching my hands to him, gesturing him to return my item.

Rana stares at my hands for a few second before he realize saying:

"Oh why yes here, how humiliating," he says sounding embarrassed, as he hands me my Survival bag back.

Wearing it once more. Now I finally feel fully equipped looking at him asking once more, "Now tell me what you want, but make it very simple." I say in a serious tone.

"Ah. Such confidence and seriousness I like it. Guess death situations make you change. I'm gonna make this simple Sova. YOUR SOUL RESONATES EERILY SIMILAR TO MINE, I WANT YOU TO BE MY MINE," he says that in a louder tone than the other as to imply it's his main point.

I think to my self are you serious? Of course the answer would be, "Sorry, I don't swing that way," I said in full of confidence.

"That's not what I meant you IDIOOOOT!"

He pulls my cheek yet I feel no pain. He let's me go saying:

"Nevertheless looks like you're back to normal," he screams at me. before sounding normally again.

"Normal? How long have you been watching me?" I ask, sounding freaked out.

"Since I met you in the lift, I concluded your personality by watching you're actions, choice of words, reactions, and et cetera," he reply softly.

Raising his metallic arm as to make a handshake, gesturing me to accept it. I sigh deeply, taking the arm and shake back, feeling his cold metallic arm against mine.

"Guess you may not be mine yet, but lets work our way out of this maze agreed? Let me Introduce my self again, I'm Rana Song one of the Heroes of the Confederation, just like your sister and many more," he says in a happy tone.

Finally gaining his help... You know what, I don't even care what he is now. But I do care that I can relax now with someone like a Hero by my side.

When Rana looks at my face, he shakes his head and waves his finger to the side saying:

"Nah ah ah, not just yet Sova. To tell you the truth the Reliquary is suppose to be empty and filled only with curses, spirits or ghosts and illusions. But listen closely," he says as to indicate me something.

(Isn't that even worse than monsters!?)

Closing my eyes and sharpening my hearing senses. I kneel down to touch the ground. I could hear it, sounds of hundreds living beings stomping like a horde marching all around us down below, and listening closely from above, wings flapping above us overlapping each other.

Well, fudge.