As soon as I run out of the energy I obtained through Soul Conversion, I come to a stop and put Sueka down. We are back at the creek.

"What is going on?" she asks.

"Honestly..." I say, catching my breath, "That's exactly what I want to know. Do I look like a Selot!?"

As soon as I say that, I hear the rustling of someone running through the grass.

"Ready, sis?"

"Yeah!"

The two of us brace ourselves in our combat positions...

Just at that moment, Mydrea-sama arrives.

"Get lost, you bitch!" Sueka says, now in her "aggressive" tone.

"This wasn't supposed to happen!"

"Don't give us excuses!" I say. "If results are what matters, as you implied, is this outcome worth it if you kill me!?"

"I didn't want to...!"

"GET LOST!!!" I yell.

However, she really does seem to be weighed down by guilt. She falls to her knees and begins to weep. Quietly under her breath, she keeps repeating, "I'm sorry."

For everything she's done, I hate her. More than you can imagine. And yet, to be weak, to not change what we know we want to change. I can sympathize with her.

"What about the others?" I ask.

She looks up at me, then looks down again in remorse.

(It can't be!)

I quickly get up with what little strength I have.

(It's my fault! They're fighting...they're dying...because of me!)

I go into a crouch four point starting position. If I recall, I have 80% of my rhime left.

(Soul Conversion 5...BEAT!!!)

Then, I rush back to Terraz, the two girls behind me. I must go back! I must save them! I will change their fate! I will join the f....!

PARIN!!!!

Before I can make it to the city, I get rammed by the head of a snake. It then blocks the path to Terraz.

"Did you think you could run from us, Selot?" Hunter sneers.

"You!...."

"Hunter!" Mydrea shouts. "Why are you doing this?"

"It's because of Selot. Isn't it obvious?"

"This is nothing short of a massacre!"

"In the name of revolution, sacrifices have to be made."

(Wait! If they're here...! That's impossible! All of Terraz can't fall to two people!)

"But it would seem talking to the would-be-dead matters not. Le temps, c'est de l'argent."

Hunter slowly raises their arms towards me and clasps their hands together. In the span of a second, an even larger snake than before emerges and rushes towards us. Mydrea rockets upwards. I jump out of the way to the left. Sueka quickly transforms into her cat form and jumps with her fast reflexes to the right. The snake stops and looks around until it sees me. It then rushes towards me, baring its fangs. I attempt to run, weaving my way through the trees.

"Don't think you can escape. Not while I have your scent."

"Hunter!" Mydrea again yells. "For the last time, stop at once! Failure to comply will force me to take extreme measures!"

"Will you stop sounding like a rulebook, you annoying little bitch!?"

"What'd you say!?"

"This is exactly what is wrong with the world. Many people follow the so-called leader blindly. Never thinking twice about their actions. And those who do actually take the time to think simply remain silent, thinking that they, by themselves, are too weak, too insignificant, to make any real difference."

I jump over a fallen tree and make my way around the forest. Hopefully, I can get away and...

...

...A giant snake...

...A giant snake... The death...of Doryoko...

...A giant snake... The death...of Doryoko... The death of...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"SUEKA!!!!"

(SOUL CONVERSION 5...BEAT!!!)

"With the death of Selot, the oppression caused by the rich out of fear of what might happen to them will cease. Do you not understand? Isn't it more important to have an actual impact rather than just think of this as an ordinary mission?"

"Third Age: Spinning Axe Kick!!!"

With my momentum, I kick the snake on the right side of its head, causing it to collide with Hunter and Togo. After being launched a few meters away, the snake disappears in a cloud of rhime, and Hunter's arms return to normal.

"Hehe." Hunter cluckles. "Clever little sneak. You caught me off guard."

(I can do this! I will do this!!!)

"However..." Hunter continues with a sinister smile....

Before thrusting their left arm into the ground.

Zooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnn................

GACHA!!!!!!!!!

(What!?)

Beneath my feet, another large snake comes straight up and nicks my left arm with the tip of its fangs. I regain my balance and backflip out of the way and...

NNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

(Why...why am I so...dizzy?)

"It would seem...my poison is taking effect."

(Poison!?)

"Poison!?" Sueka cries out.

"I'm sorry that it isn't instantaneous, and the process will be rather painful. But at least your sacrifice will not be in vain, young Selot. Come, Mydrea, our work here is done."

"You..." Mydrea-sama begins to say. "You...!"

"YOU'VE CROSSED THE LINE!!! Fire Drive: ERUPTION VOICE!!!"

From her mouth, the pillar of flame erupts towards the snake and incinerates it in a matter of seconds.

"SSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAA!!!!!" the snake hisses, writhing in pain. With each passing second, Hunter shows more signs of extreme discomfort.

"Togo, don't just stand there! Do something!"

As I turn to look in Togo's direction, I can tell that he is dumbstruck by fear. Whether it is fear or Mydrea-sama or Hunter, I do not know. Honestly...it's getting...harder...to see clearly.

"Fine then! I'll do it myself. You're lucky, Selot, I'll make your death quick!" Hunter puts their hands together, and the largest snake yet comes forth. Rushing at me faster than I can dodge.

"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

"Oren!" my sister cries out.

PARIN!!!

At that moment, the sound of ringing metal shakes the area. My eyes are failing, but I see him.

A tall, muscular man, wielding his old signature battle axe.

In a serious voice, one that I normally don't associate with him, the man states, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Doryoko Tsurai.

"Who're you!?" Hunter yells.

"I should be asking YOU that!"

"We are members of El Escu..."

"I know that's a lie!"

"What?" Hunter, Togo, and Mydrea-sama say simultaneously.

"You were good enough to remove the smell of blood from your bodies. But you didn't do a good job of removing yours from those bodies you hid near the road between Terraz and New Vegas! Who are you murderers!?"

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(So...All this time...) Mydrea-sama thinks. (I've been working with...)

"I guess, there's no point keeping it up now. I am Hunter Vérité, and my partner is Togo Kokoro. People who wish to change the world. Starting with New Vegas. The rich of Angelia are corrupt, their money going to the wrong places, robbing the people of the wealth everyone should bask in! I...want to get rid of them. To be in control of the wealth! To be the one to distribute it! To revolutionize the world in the name of my master! And it all starts...with Selot. With his death faked, he can perform his duties of removing the scum of the Earth without suspicion! That boy...," Hunter says, pointing at me, "Will be the decoy Selot needs! The scapegoat necessary to turn Angelia into a place closer to a Utopia! The spark...OF REVOLUTION!!!!"

(Ugh... I'm beginning to feel sick. Not sure if the poison or the monologuing is the main cause, though.)

"You're insane!" Mydrea says.

"You know...your partner said the same."

As soon as Hunter says this, they toss some sort of cloth in our direction. My failing eyesight prevents me from seeing it well but...

BBBBBAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!

Once this sound is heard, the temperature of the area rises. No doubt, whatever they threw belonged to Mydrea's partner.

"You tricked me!" Mydrea-sama shouts. "You'll pay for this!!!!"

At the sight of her rage, Togo flees, but Hunter only continues to watch.

"So, we shall settle things the old-fashion way. Muy bien!"

Red rhime and brown rhime dance around the two individuals as their power gathers strength. However, with all the animal rhime tone crystals in the vicinity, the rate of Hunter's power increase is significantly faster. Hunter's transformation finishes first, their body becoming what I can only guess in my discombobulated state to be about 300 meters in height when rearing up.

"The death of one boy is not enough anymore!" Hunter hisses loudly. "I will remove all who stand in the way of revolution!!!!!!!!!!"

"Sueka!" Doryoko yells at he throws something towards her. I can already guess what it is: her signature weapons of choice, dual chuí.

"SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!"

PPPPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!

From what I can hear, it sounds as though Hunter has chosen to burrow underground.

"Bring it!" I hear Doryoko say. I attempt to make out his plan of attack while feeling the vibrations underneath the earth. Doryoko and Sueka sense them, too. Hunter is aiming for Mydrea-sama.

"Let's do this!"

I hear the clapping of two strong hands and see large amounts of brown rhime circulating around Doryoko's body. It's been so long since I have seen this form! When the rhime disperses, father's height has increased significantly, from 210 centimeters to his 270 centimeter size, with an all-muscle body and powerful hoofs. And the most noticeable change, if I could see it, would be his face, with his beard disappearing and the hair on the back of his head lengthening by the beard's original amount, coupled with newly grown, spear-sharp horns, and demonic eyes.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

This is Doryoko's undefeated minotaur mode.

Effortlessly grabbing his battle axe with one hand, Doryoko jumps into the air, easily reaching 30 meters off the ground, and splitting the earth upon collision with one powerful chop.

"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!" cries out Hunter in agony.

With that attack, Hunter retracts itself from the ground and fixes its sights on Doryoko. I can faintly see streaks of blood flowing all the way down Hunter's back in this form.

"Daughter!"

"Right!"

"HHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!"

With all her might, Sueka throws one of her chuí at the snake's face. I hear its jaw break. The snake falls, but Sueka's assault continues.

"This is for hurting my brother!!!!!!"

She runs to the front of Hunter's face and continues to swing both of her chuí against each cheek. The sound of gushing blood, teeth snapping, other bones breaking. This is the rage people fear from Sueka.

"Get out of the way!!!" I hear Mydrea-sama yell out.

"Fire Drive: IIINNNFFFEERRRNNOOO CCOOORRREEE SSSCCRREEEEEEEEECCCCHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"

With a powerful blast and a radius large enough to engulf all of Hunter's snake body, Mydrea-sama's enhanced Eruption Voice hits its target with full power, turning some of the snake's body to ash in a matter of seconds.

The smell of burning flesh riddles the air as the charred remains of Hunter's snake body crumble and fall to the ground. In spite of the pungent smell in the area, Doryoko, in his bellowing minotaur voice, lets out a sigh of relief.

"It's over. May those who died today rest in peace."

I hear someone running towards me and, judging by the strength of the hug, it's Sueka.

"Oren!" she says, hugging me. "Talk to me, please!"

"Hey sis. You okay?"

"You're going to be alright. I promise!"

(Did it work out? Did we change our fate? That's good...)

I begin to relax in the hope of slowing down the poison's spread. I close my eyes and let my mind wander. May Tony and others find the peace they deserve. I promise that, if I make it through this, I will do everything in my power to honor their lives. I remember everything back to this morning. I wish I didn't make Mydrea-sama as suspicious as she ended up being. I wish I could have enjoyed that meal with Sakura and Ume more. I wish, I could have learned more from my nightmare... The smell of oil that I slowly recognize on Hunter's person, the giant pelican plants, the multiple sn...

Multiple....Multiple!!

Bbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmbbbbbbbbblllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeee.....

"Mydrea-sama!" I yell. "RUN!"

PPPPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!

Before my warning reaches her, Mydrea-sama is surrounded by four snakes of smaller size than the previous one, likely the 100 meter ones from my nightmare.

GGGGSSSHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

As Mydrea-sama moves outside their radius, they open their mouths and cause toxic fumes to disperse. Within a matter of seconds, I hear the sound of Mydrea-sama's coughing and strained breathing.

(It's...it's happening again!)

"You monster!" I hear Doryoko yell as he charges towards one of the snakes. With a mighty slash, the upper half of the snake is completely severed and falls lifelessly to the ground. With another mighty swing, the cloud of toxic gas is blown away from Mydrea-sama's position. Doryoko grabs her and jumps out of the way, severing the head of another snake from its body.

But...something's wrong...unless an animal tone has a subtone that can clone itself, no animal tone should be able to be multiple creatures at once. Unless...

GGGGGSSSSHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No time to think!

(Soul Conversion 5...BEAT!!!)

Although I know moving would spread the poison faster, I jump up and backflip to dodge another ground attack from a snake. I catch a glimpse of the lower half of the previously decapitated snake act strangely, almost as if...

"Doryoko, behind you!!!"

As soon as I say this, the worst occurs.

Two snake heads grow out of this lower section.

Hunter...is a hydra.

"Did you think you could best an outcross like me?" one of the snake heads says.

(Outcross?)

"Much like a revolution," another head states, "No matter how many individuals fall, more will rise up in their place until victory is achieved."

"Don't you think we're overdoing it?" a third head asks. It would seem each head has a personality of its own.

"What we must do is kill! Kill...Killl....Kiiilllllllllll....KIIIILLLLLLL!!!!!!!"

"ALL IN THE NAME OF OUR MASTER!!!"

With these words, Hunter's entire body, all heads connected at a certain section of the head, emerges from the ground. I can't even count in my present state, but even I can tell their numbers are too great. Three heads dive into the ground, surrounding Doryoko and Mydrea. Doryoko pole vaults using his axe to escape the trio. Two more intercept him when he lands, preparing to collide with Doryoko. Putting Mydrea on the ground, Doryoko grabs the fangs of separate heads and holds them off with his great strength. I continue to backflip, somersault, and roll to avoid snake after snake. In the distance, I hear Sueka's chuí hitting multiple snakes, but she too is getting overwhelmed.

And then there's Mydrea-sama, gasping for breath in the middle of the battlefield.

(It's happening again... Please, don't let it end like this...)

(You have the chance to change it.)

(Wait. That voice.)

(Whether you do or not is in your hands.)

(What are you...!?)

AAA!!!

Another surge of pain in my heart. Could it be?

I keep looking around the now slower world around me. Another vision. Though my sight is hindered, I can see it.

Two snakes coming behind Doryoko. He will stop them with his bare hands, and a third one will appear in front of him, knocking him back. Two more snakes will prepare their poisonous fumes while he is being thrown back. And finally, a larger snake will appear underneath him, capture him in its mouth, and deliver the final blow.

These movements. So familiar. And yet...

SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

I listen in the direction behind Doryoko and hear two snakes rushing towards him from behind.

(Not this time!)

Doryoko grabs the fangs of these snakes with his bare hands, unaware of the upcoming snake.

"Third Age: Spinning Axe Kick!"

BASHI!

I kick the third snake, knocking it to the left, away from both Doryoko and myself.

"What!?" the snake head exclaims in confusion.

I get another surge of pain in my chest. Five will intercept Sueka.

"Try to stop all of us, bitch!" the five snakes that emerge from the ground hiss in unison.

(Soul Conversion 5...BEAT!!!)

I should have 60% left.

I rush towards Sueka and counter three of the snakes with another Axe Spin Kick, allowing her to hit the others with her chuí.

(What's going on?) Hunter thinks. (How is he predicting my movements?)

"Perform your duty!" Hunter shouts.

And...nothing seems to be happening...

GASHIN!!!!

(Pelican plants!?)

I forgot about Togo and didn't have another vision to warn me.

My body and Mydrea-sama's are suddenly wrapped in the plant's vines.

"Son!"

As I struggle to break free, I get another vision.

"Doryoko, to your left!"

Doryoko looks in that direction and rolls forward to prevent a collision with another head. Finally within reach, he picks up his axe.

"Underneath!"

Doryoko backflips and slams the flat parts of the axe head into the snake's side.

"Sueka, three from behind!"

"How?" Hunter shouts. "How is he doing this? What...what are you!?"

(I can't maintain this body for much longer! I have to kill them...now!)

All the snake heads go into the ground and are replaced with just two, but of significantly larger sizes.

I see another vision. The first will feign an attack on me and Mydrea-sama, forcing Doryoko to have his back to the attacking head. The feining one will then go after Sueka, who will try to aid Doryoko.

"Doryoko, remember our training!" I yell out. I cannot warn him directly about the trick. The snake could take a mistake like that as an opportunity to make an actual strike.

"Sueka, you too!"

As the two heads rise from the ground, Sueka and Doryoko throw their respective weapons at their targets, sinking them into the skulls of the snakes.

SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The two snakes come crashing down, seeming lifeless. In order to prepare for the next assault they will retrieve their....

GGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

"FATHER!!!" I yell as Doryoko gets hit with the toxic mist. Judging by his movements, he too has been poisoned. The head that was supposed to be dead rushes towards him. Doryoko blocks the attack with his axe but is beginning to show signs of fatigue.

"Come on, Doryoko!" I yell out. "Don't give up! We can do this! We can...we WILL get through this!"

(I refuse to let the visions I've seen happen! Not again!)

"Oren..." I hear Doryoko say weakly. "Listen to me."

"We may have gotten on the wrong foot during the first year after you arrived, but I can say now with no regrets, I am proud...to call you my son."

"Doryoko, what are you...?"

"Don't give up, no matter the odds. Be sure you make time for those you care about while on your adventures. Don't forget your necessities. Sueka, you've grown so much over the years. You remind me more and more of your mother every year."

Doryoko's resistance against the snake pushing his axe begins to waver even more.

"Don't overcomplicate things. Just remember what's important. How you should stay healthy. What to say to whom. Whom to care for. Don't let the good things in your life slip away."

"Father! Don't talk like that!"

"Well you two..."

"It's been fun."

With that, Doryoko pushes the opposing snake back with all his might, causing it to crash into the body connecting all the heads.

"Alright you split-personality freak! If I'm going down, YOU'RE COMING WITH ME!!!"

"FATHER!! STOP!!!"

Doryoko runs full speed towards the main body.

"As noble as it is foolish." Hunter proclaims as their body nd then sends eight heads in Doryoko's direction. Doryoko barely dodges the first and splits its jaw with his axe. Leaning towards the left while running, he does the same to the second head but gets grazed by its fang.

Two of the remaining snakes encircle him and collide on both sides. With his remaining strength, Doryoko slams one head into the other and hits them both with the flat head section of his axe.

But fails to stop the fifth head.

A fifth snake comes from underneath Doryoko's standing position and launches him into the air. This causes Doryoko to drop his axe, which falls directly in front of me and cuts some of the pelican plant vines. This snake head bites down and releases Doryoko. The sixth head rises up and repeats the action, then slams Doryoko into the ground. The seventh snake rams into Doryoko, knocking him into a tree. And with that...the final snake prepares to strike...

"Please...STOP THIS!!"

"Doryoko Tsurai," the snake head says.

"STOP!!"

"The time has come!"

"SPARE HIM!!"

"For you..."

"PLEASE!! ENOUGH!!"

"To meet the end..."

"NO MORE!!"

"YOU DESERVE!!!!!!"

"NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"FFAAAAAAATTHHHHHHHHERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!" cries out Sueka.

The last snake captures Doryoko in its mouth....

And bites down.

PACHI!!!!!!!

"And so ends the life of a once powerful warrior," Hunter proclaims triumphantly. "May your death be one that will lead Angelia to a better future."

"You..." I say. "YOU..."

"And now, Selot!"

"I...I..."

"It's your turn to...!"

"IIIIIIIIIII'LLLLLLLLLLLLL KKKKKKKIIIIILLLLLLLLLLL YYYYOOOOOOUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!"

"SOUL CONVERSION.....!!!"

"49!!!!!!!!!!!"

(What're you? Oren, stop!)

"BEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"

With this strength, I easily break free of the remaining vines, and rush towards my father's axe. I pick it up with my one good arm.

"Doryoko couldn't stop me. What chance do you...?"

I rush towards Hunter at full speed.

(What? He...has vanished!)

BASHI!!!!

I kick one of the heads with full strength!

BASHI!!!!

I instantly go for another head and hit it with the axe!

BASHI! BASHI! BASHI! BASHI!

With each attack of separate heads, I pick up the speed of my barrage!

BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI! BASHI!BASHI!

"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" all the Hunter's heads cry out in pain.

As I continue to knock back separate heads, I finally get close to my target.

The golden hydra head!

(SHIT!) it thinks.

"HUNTER!!!! DDDDIIIIEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!"

I push off one of the other heads and perform a spin attack on the way down towards the main one. Some try to get in the way of my collision course. But I don't care! I cut through them at max speed, not thinking twice about the heads regenerating. Until finally...

I hit my mark. My slash cuts through Hunter's left eye, causing the entire hydra body to let out a blood-curdling hiss of agonizing pain.

(I cannot! I will not lose!) Hunter thinks.

As I prepare my final attack...

"Accept death as you're destined to, Oren Tsurai!!!"

I go into the fighting stance Doryoko normally would for such an attack.

"If not..."

(THIS IS THE...!!!!)

(What you're doing is suicide!)

"THEN SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR PUTRID SISTER!!!!!"

(My last attack!) Hunter thinks. (WILL KILL SOMEONE!!!)

I stop my final attack to look towards Sueka. Without a doubt, all the snakes are becoming one and rushing in her direction. Nobody, in our conditions, can defeat Hunter like this.

But I will not... I refuse...TO LOSE ANYONE ELSE!!!

"SOUL CONVERSION!!!!"

(STOP THIS AT ONCE!!!)

"10!!!!!"

(OREN!!!!)

"BEAT!!!!!"

"SSSUUUEEEKKKAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

With all the strength I can muster, I run past Hunter and push Sueka out of the way. However...

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I receive the full brunt of the collision and fly backwards through multiple trees, skimming across the ground as I go. Until, finally, I collide with the boulder adjacent to the wishing tree.

PASHI!!

The collision rattles my brain and dulls my senses. The blow to my head, is making...the world...go...dark...Sueka...please...be...al...right....

As my mind fades, the wishing tree comes crashing down. My wishing slab lands right next to my body:

I wish to leave Terraz and travel the world to learn more about everything, including myself.

How cruel fate can be, to grant a wish in such a way.