Lass and Yuno had made their way deep inside Kaci and were now narrowly hiding close to the Shadowers camp, scouting for any information they could find.

"Damn...that's a lot of them. How the hell did they manage to grow such an army without anyone noticing? Not even Reingard authorities.", Lass whispered.

"Dammit...what you see down there are my people. Most of them at least...", Yuno whispered.

The Shadowers started bringing forth a bunch of chained up prisoners, most of them Yuno's people. Amongst them, like a sore thumb, stuck out Ikarisa and Anya.

"There's Risa and Anya. Come on, let's go!", Lass stood up.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!", Yuno dragged Lass back down. "You want to fight a freaking army out the get-go like this?! No way...come on we can't go in yet."

"What do you mean 'we can't go yet'? I thought you said we needed to rush for it!"

"I did, but I miscalculated. Look at that rock up there. That's the Shadowers moon calendar. It's 2 days away from the Blood Moon. Shadowers will most likely hold back their transformations for 2 days as the Blood Moon enhances them, especially since they have the goddess in their hands. They will for sure want to make the most of her. We have time to properly prepare for this.", Yuno said.

"Piss off. I'm going in.", Lass angrily whispered.

"No. Just listen to me. The rituals of the Shadowers will not take half as much effect now, as they will during their Blood Moon. They also have Ikarisa on their hands and they know for a fact who she actually is. They won't touch her until that happens. But if you go in now you won't be able to take on everyone before they alert their entire camp, and out literally everybody, including your friends, in danger. Believe me, I've seen it with my own two eyes...they'll use anything they find important to the enemy as either a bargaining tool, hostage or..."

"Pieces of shit...fine. What do you propose we do? We fall back, then what?", Lass clamed himself down.

"The only thing I hoped I wouldn't have to give away so fast. Follow me, let's fall back.", Yuno sighed.

"Damn...I swear if I place my hope in you and something happens...you better hope you're right about this."

With that they rushed out of the area and Yuno pulled Lass back to the original place where the legendary sword was supposed to sleep.

"So what the hell is the actual deal with these guys? Do they seek you out or something?", Lass asked.

"As we've unfortunately witnessed the Shadowers are after creatures with high amounts of Obsulyte, especially us included. Their whole vision is based on see what type of aura emits from others...thankfully because I had you by my side your demonic aura covered me and they must have thought one of their kind had captured me."

"So what you're basically telling me is that I'm a...Shadower?"

"Hah. You wish.", Mellistar echoed.

"Why are you even here? You are usually never this active.", Lass angrily replied.

"This damn forest and it's tricks...whatever. Keep on the show, puppet.", Mellistar faded away.

"That's a definite no, but you do have the same aura as a Shadower which comes from demon energy. Such cases usually in humans come when they embrace darkness whether it'd be immense hatred or vengeance against someone. Even so that's a rare case...much like your friend Rafgo.", Yuno answered Lass.

"Wait what the hell? You know Rafgo?"

"No but, you do. I'm supposed to be your Guardian, meaning that we share some things, usually memories, pain and the sort."

"So wait...you know everything about me? You knew me from the very beginning of my life?"

"No, not really. I just established my soul bound bond with you by being close to you. A Guardian is only connected with their Child and is only born when the Child does. Also I have, and want to keep you alive cause we share the same fate. In other words you die, I die and vise versa. And before you ask, here's the quote: 'For all that shine beyond here, may the Children of the stars never disappear.'. That's where the title comes from. Unlike the Guard title, that's as vague as a title can get. Don't ask me what it means, because I still, simply, don't know."

"Delightful.", Lass said with a sigh. "And what is this place exactly? Some sort of temple or something where you where supposed to-", he once again got Excelsior taken away from him by Yuno. "Could you not do that?"

"No, can't do. I will be holding on to this for now...you train with the other one. The real one."

"What other one? There's no swords lying around."

"You seriously don't know? Man the ancient writings are useless...lift your hand up. Close your eyes. Now I want you to focus like you did in the arena...think of a powerful weapon. Feel yourself. Try to imagine power, what it is and how it flows through your veins. When you think you got it clench you first. Really, this is basic stuff."

Lass followed his instructions precisely and when did open his eyes again, he was holding an enormous sword. It looked durable as it looked heavy and sturdy.

"Never knew being a Child could be so...interesting. Did I really have the power to do so all this time?", Lass said in surprise.

"Nah, not really. You failed miserably, so while you weren't looking, I just placed the sword in your hand before you clenched your fist. Don't worry. You'll get it someday...I hope.", Yuno shrugged.

"Why doo I have to have a 'Guardian' for myself? Whatever.", Lass averted his angry gaze from Yuno and started swinging around Excelsior.

"Hey, watch it!", Yuno swiftly blocked Lass's swing. "How do you even do that?! Excelsior was supposed to be a super heavy claymore some sort! Did I misjudge it's weight? How the hell are you handling it with one hand?", he stared in surprise.

"I don't feel like it's that heavy...more like a normal sword maybe?"

"Don't even...ok whatever!", Yuno facepalmed. "Let's start with the basics. What you're holding right now is Excelsior the 'legendary' sword that goes by many names. God's Grace, Hope of Light, Eternal Oath to name a few. And no it's not one of the five relics of the goddess. For all we know, the relic part from the pages of history could all be lies, because word of mouth isn't exactly the most credible source but it's the only thing we've got going from that time. It's basically a standalone weapon wielded by the first Child, and to put it simply no one knows where it's from or what it really does. It's also the counterpart of Muspell. Unlike Excelsior, the leader of the Abyss Hunters created Muspell with her bare hands with the remains of Makaro and Kikaro after their battle...or at least how the story goes. That's because they, being born in this world, wanted to control their own fate, after witnessing all that they did during those miserable times. So far even I haven't located the counterpart of Excelsior which, if fallen on the wrong hands, is capable of causing death and chaos everywhere. It is said that it should be at the deepest end of the World Abyss...closest point to Disilia, or simply, hell. No one has ever reached the depths and lived to tell the tale from there."

"Thanks for the history lesson. But if you haven't realized, the situation most definitely doesn't demand it. Now...who should I deal with first?", Lass said looking at the sword.

"Oh give me a break. Learn about the sword before trying to use it. It'll be better to get your bearings on it before wildly swinging it around. Do you even know how to fight with that thing? It's anything but a normal sword.", Yuno folded his arms.

"It morphs and shifts according to the wish of it's wielder."

Wat, how did you-oh right...the tournament. Man I can't believe you almost died for that.", Yuno leered at Lass.

"So it was you talking to me back there?"

"Yea the voice you heard, aside from 'him', was me. Or at least part of me that could get through. Something is blocking me from really finding out about all your memories and completely merging with you .Could it be something you have on you?", Yuno started to check Lass. "Perhaps a rock like Rafgos one. No it's not...powers can't be either. Maybe that amulet-Gah! What the hell?!", Yuno got punched by Lass.

"Do not ever touch that again.", Lass took a step back while taking hold of his amulet.

The amulet that Lass only tinkered with when remembering the days of terror and anguish he had gone trough, was but the one object on his person he tried to hide, and one he would never want to be separated from.

"Ok relax! Can I just take a look? A little look, nothing much."

"Why are you so fixated in that?"

"Why are 'you' so worried about that? I can't see anything in your memories regarding the origins of this thing. And even if for a brief moment, when I touched that it felt...it felt as if a dark presence was watching over it. Or rather...sealed in it. You have to either purify or get rid of it."

"Forget it."

"Why? What is it with you and that thing?"

"It always felt like...if I got rid of this one tiny object I'd lose the last part of me that resembles what I was supposed to be. It's...it's getting harder and harder to explain it.", Lass sighed.

"You know what? Forget it. For now you can keep it. I've come up with a plan revolving around that little amulet of yours...with Excelsior at hand and this thing to camouflage us, we can easily infiltrate the Shadowers camp. They will no doubt be caught off guard."

"But won't they see...well us?", Lass asked.

"No. Like I said, their vision revolves around Obsulyte imbued creatures, also known as basically everyone who is born into this world. However because of the 'dark' disturbance this thing provides, it'll cover both our Obsulyte signatures, essentially cloaking us as if we used an invisibility spell of sorts."

"Good. We'll do as is then...I can only hope they are doing well."

"Don't worry. I'm sure they are...otherwise the Spirits wouldn't have told me about their power and how amazing it was.

"About that...you can communicate with spirits that well?"

"It's a general skill my race has. We're Hyrusas. Or to put it how the texts go: tiny, flying, dragon creatures blessed by the goddess as the bearers of light and locked away to their own tempo as their Spirit Whisperers. We are all capable of talking with the spirits of the forest, or spirits in general. We help them be at peace and pass on."

"Well then...can't you order some of those spirits to assist us in the assault at the enemy camp?"

"No. Let's not torment them more...in fact thanks to the Shadowers it's come down to spirits being way more unpredictable and volatile than ever before. Hence why they broke my illusion while I was trying to drive you off with my illusions.

"So the only one we can rely on is me and the others once I manage to free them."

"Do not, under any circumstances, underestimate me. You have no idea what this specific Hyrusa is capable of.", Yuno said with a smirk.

"Fine. I'll give you a chance to prove to me that toying with swords isn't the only thing you know. What now?"

"Basic training. Your power with this sword will surely be devastating but without proper control over it, you might actually be the one to end this world instead.

"Wait...what? Am I capable..."

"Er-Nevermind. Just focus on some on this for now. We don't have a lot of time so you must at the very least, be able to control the influx of your powers through that weapon by the next two days. Else..."

"Understood. I'll begin.", Lass nodded.

Lass then swiftly grabbed the blade and skillfully cut down several training dummies that where set up in front of the temple. It was but mere seconds that the dummies existed, and a mere blink of an eye that they ceased to exist. Red sparks started to emit from him and the blade.

"What? So you've already connected with it? Not bad...however you are constantly discharging on the nearby vicinity. Not bad at all. But of course, improvements can follow."

"Connected with what?"

"This sword has chosen many weird and unusual masters for it to be wielded by...some where great and strong, others weak and smart and others never pulled the blade at all. Alchemists, scientists, bards, this sword has been through many hands. And the knowledge of its masters live within it and can be passed on to the next Child afterwards. However up till now no Champion could actually...'use' the sword."

"So what you're basically telling me is that thanks to this sword, I'm capable of fighting like a veteran even though I just started? That sounds pretty...cool. But then again it did try to kill me in the KoK tournament."

"I saw it through your memories...Excelsior was made to kill the gods and anything connected to them. Supposedly. No one really knows where the sword originated from or what it actually does, but rather that it's a major component on the ongoing chaos. And since you have the Shadowers aura around you whenever your emotions get out of hand you'll either force the sword to do what you will or it will turn against you and try to kill you. Either scenario it does rely on that intense emotion you'll be feeling weather it's love, anger or fear and such. Really this is one weird ass power you got going on...

"So that means just control your emotions and get away with intense power? Sounds like a fair trade off if you ask me."

"Too bad it was assigned to someone who doesn't show much of any emotion. Also had like two mental breakdowns already. To be fair you do seem like your average online keyboard warrior.", Yuno whispered.

Dante heard Yuno. "Oh, so you know about the internet too?"

"I'm living in this world too. Hello, smartphone user as well.", Yuno summoned his smartphone out of nowhere. "Did I mention these powers have a storage in them? With a limit, of course, but I only figured this out recently. Super convenient honestly. And yea, I know about the internet, who doesn't? Otherwise I wasn't gonna be able to talk to Lili every now and then. That is, when we don't talk face to face." Yuno scratched his head, dissolving his phone into thin air.

"You keep mentioning that 'Lilith character. Who exactly is she?"

Yuno sighed. "She's my only friend in this damn place...and I suppose I'm the same for her. If you look at me, I'm a black colored Hyrusa, so is she. And to be frank, a Hyrusa's coloring can vary a lot and tell a lot about them. Because we are so Obsulyte compatible, the more intense the Obsulyte, the different the colors. For example, Warrior class Hyrusa's who are extremely rare to come by, have the ability to freely use Obsulyte to swiftly move around the battlefield. Their colors come in shades of red if they're females and shades of blue if they are male. There's other classifications like the Pathfinders who exclusively use a weak version of Obslyte to guide the souls of the fallen inside Kaci who are pink for females and brown for males, the Natura who use a greater version of Obsulyte to harness the earth and farmland, lettuce green for females and deep green for males. And well...there's me and Lilith. We...don't know what we are. For a Hyrusa's color to turn black, it would usually refer to such obscene amounts of Obsulyte power inside them, that their body both rejects and accepts it. Which is a better way of saying, I'm way stronger than all other Hyrusa, but excessive use of that strength will most likely kill me. Having my power similar to yours, just like your opinion on it, is both a blessing and a curse."

"So that's why everyone has been looking at you like that? Out of fear for your powers?", Dante asked.

"Basically, yes. It's been a...rough journey to say the least. Ever since I gained the color that reflected my Obsulyte level, everyone has been scared of me, while some others simply only wanted to research me. I do go down in the town, but I'm not at all keen on staying there. This place and the sword altar should've been my day job, but I instead decided to make it my full time one by staying here. Lilith on the other hand, stayed in the town. Not that it was much better...she appeared one day out of nowhere as a stray, but we took her in, instead of turning her away. I did, that is. Because nobody wanted two massive Obsulyte time bombs in the same area. She did face a lot of discrimination as well but despite that, she never actually fought anyone or even trained with me. She only seemed to be using her powers to heal others and me when I got hurt during training, though I wouldn't at all be surprised if she could fight. To an extend, I'd think she's even stronger than me, since her proficiency with her powers was massive. We grew up together just being who we were, and got into tons of trouble for it too. Unfortunately, I haven't received any word from her at all, no text, no showing up anywhere and I'm fearing for the absolute worse. I don't want to think about it, but I'm certain at this point that those Shadowers have gotten their hands on her. And what pisses me off the most is that no one in the town seems to care! I know they're caught up in worrying about their families as well, but come on! She was always there to heal everyone despite all the despair and discrimination...why should no one care?", Yuno frowned.

"I mean, you do."

"Believe me, I really do...but there's no way I can live knowing that Lilith is in danger. I've been stuck here, trying to fend off against the raids of those monsters along with the Warriors, while making no progress into finding her. Part of me wants to really do that selfish move and leave everyone to burn for all they did but...I simply don't know if I'm to judge such heavy rights or wrongs."

"I'm sure that if your relationship is that good, then her not showing up probably means she's right where we're headed at.", Lass reassured him.

Yuno nodded. "I think so too, but I don't know if I should count it as a good or a bad. I just don't want anything to happen to Lili, because what I do know is that she surely does not deserve it. And even worse, my communication has been cut out severely the past day or two. Must be those Shadowers that are using the old mine as their base. Their energy overload might have caused a malfunction in the already crappy phone lines and the submarine communication cables. We figured out how to use laser weapons and have big floating, high tech aircrafts but we're still using fiber wiring. Though to be fair, the connection in here has always been god awful. I'm basically living off constant CometBucks internet. I also have zero Idea why they still haven't connected the new WiFi lines in this forest, or make it a little more accessible with roads...",

"Yeah, I wonder why they didn't let the ghost forest get proper WiFi.", Lass said with a straight face.

"Ah, whatever. Let's get on with it already. I've gotta teach you how to use that thing before you go ahead and die trying.", Yuno lifted the sword.

"Are you trying to tell me that without this sword, I'm utterly useless?"

"No, not really...even without the sword you seem to have some skill with the blade. But your memories don't really show me you fighting a lot with a sword or anything. And they get extremely blurry and hard to see after I try go back in the past a lot. Strange..."

"Well anyway, what should I do? Train with the blade or try and control myself and show...emotions?"

"Both. Now think fast!", Yuno threw a weird looking sword at Lass, dashing towards him.

"Heap!", Lass successfully blocked the hit. "Where did you go?", He looked around.

"I'm inside you. Our souls are connected as one, so I'm capable of doing things like entering your physical body and soul. I can also momentarily control your body if need be...now let's start! Summon Excelsior and grab on to the sword I made. Now try to fight the illusions that will appear before you!"

"What a pain. How did you even make that sword?"

"Everything you and I do is similar. Same goes for our power. We share it...the difference here is that I have been training almost my whole life with said powers, while you are a blurry mess."

"So I too can make weapons out of thin air?"

"Eventually...but not now. Now you have to focus on the obstacle directly ahead. Time is against us..."

"I'll do everything I can.", Lass took his battle stance to face the illusions.

With that Lass began hacking and slashing his way through several enemy illusions while skillfully blocking and evading all incoming attacks. And amidst the battle he could only help but think, what if this specific sword fell in the hands of the wrong person? The sheer power to take down gods and armies alike...what if he himself was not the one to take such a task on? What if he himself was the malice he feared all along? But at that moment all that mattered was to save his friends from those things that had captured them. And for once he did not second doubt himself, as his goal and task at hand was clear.

In the meantime, inside the deep end of the Shadowers camp, a plot started taking place, as Anya tried her best to take control of the unfortunate situation.

"Gah-Why you!", Anya broke a knife and cut herself. "What even are these cells?! I can't cut them, I can't bend them with Wolven strength...screw this!", she threw the broken knife away.

"You're only wearing yourself down.", Ikarisa healed Anya's hand, “It's of no use. We must find another way."

"God...if only big guy was with us."

"Lass is on his way, I'm sure of it! But before he does come we have to help as much as we can...come on you work on some traps! I'll go check if the other prisoners need something."

"Make traps with what? We are all out of materials...", Anya took a deep breath. "Big guy, I myself can also feel it...I'm not truly the one in danger here. Nor are the other prisoners. You have to hurry...for Risa."

As the night fell and the sun disappeared he did not stop. He felt not the sweat, fatigue or his breath going away. This was a matter he took personally. And he was certain...as the night when the blood moon would rise...so would his enemies fall. He was always modest. He was always earnest. He would keep himself bellow the clouds and always grounded into the harsh reality. But how did he know that victory was within his grasp? How did he know no one would match him? To him it was as simple as taking a breath. For this matter, defeat was never an option...