Kiochi was beyond relieved.

Having Yamamoto back would surely be a plus, but the pain within Kiochi was far from gone.

After doing some cross continent traveling, Kiochi, his men and their prisoners returned to their base in Japan.

Kiochi wasted no time as he dashed into the main building and into the War room.

There, he saw an old man sitting idly by the central table. Standing beside him was Ichika Kobayashi.

Kiochi froze as he noticed the bags beneath Yamamoto’s eyes and his hollowed cheeks. His eyes were yellowed and his skin looked extremely dry.

“Well? Are you just going to stand there and stare?” Yamamoto asked as he slowly stood up.

Kiochi could see the old man tremble as though his body refused his every command.

Kiochi then ran over to Yamamoto and gave him a gentle hug.

“What the hell happened to you, old man?” Kiochi asked. His voice trembling.

“I could ask you the same thing. You don’t look so good.” Yamamoto said as Kiochi helped him down.

“I’m fine. I’m… fine.” Kiochi said.

Yamamoto’s eyes narrowed.

“Is that so? Well, this conversation could end here and we pretend like you’re not a husk, a shell of the Kiochi who once was or we could talk and figure things out.” Yamamoto said with a sincere expression.

Kiochi’s lips trembled as he remembered Eve’s voice. He then fell his to knees and clutched his head.

He then broke into tears as he thought back to when he first heard her voice.

Yamamoto walked over to Kiochi and sat by his side as he wept.

“Shh. It’s ok.” Yamamoto said as Ichika sat by their side.

“I should be happy now that you’re back, but I messed up. I messed up big time.” Kiochi said as he wiped away his tears.

“You don’t have to hold back. Just let it all out.” Yamamoto said as Kiochi wept. He continued to weep for around ten minutes before his tears stopped falling.

“Thanks.” Kiochi said.

Yamamoto shook his head.

“No. Thank you. You carried out your mission diligently and you worked hard. Saving the world is no easy feat and yet we’re already one step away from completely dismantling the council. I’ve never felt prouder than I do right now. Yes, our path was paved with blood and yes, we may live to suffer the consequences, but for now, all I ask is that you raise your head and finish your mission, soldier.” Yamamoto said with a warm smile.

Kiochi could feel the pain in his heart lessen slightly. He wanted to thank Yamamoto for talking with him and so Kiochi had an idea.

“Could you remain seated. There’s something I want to give you. Ms. Kobayashi, do you have any implants or anything of the sort?” Kiochi asked as he stretched his arms.

His face was still moist from crying, but he had cheered up a little.

“Yes, I have several. I am to use them to protect Mr. Saito.” She said in her usual flat tone.

Keagan chuckled slightly, before extending his hands towards the two on the floor.

“Good. Both of you, lie down for a bit.” Kiochi said.

“Boy…” Yamamoto droned out his suspicions.

“Don’t worry. This will only take a minute or two.” Kiochi said with a smile before black vines started popping out of his fingers.

They multiplied and formed two bunches that surrounded Yamamoto and Ichika's body’s.

“Kiochi…” Yamamoto droned, this time with more worry in his voice.

“Calm down. This is just my way of saying thanks.” Kiochi said as the vines completely engulfed Yamamoto and Ichika’s body’s.

“This is a little extreme for a gift!” Yamamoto yelled before his voice was sealed off by the cocoon.

Kiochi sat by their sides as he awaited their return.

As he sat, he thought about Eve and what she was. What she meant to him.

She was far more than an automated artificial intelligence. She was also much more human than even Kiochi sometimes.

She was incredibly smart yet also incredibly vulnerable. If only Kiochi saw that.

Kiochi pateintly waited as Yamamoto and Ichika stewed within his cocoons.

He then ripped the cocoons apart, revealing two naked bodies.

Yamamoto gasped for air as warm steam rose from his body.

In a moment of panic and confusion, he jumped up and frantically grabbed Kiochi, who had a pair of robes in his hands.

“What the hell did you do to me boy?” Yamamoto asked as Ichika got up.

“I modified your bodies. Look.” Kiochi said before Yamamoto looked at himself. He looked a good twenty years younger and all the pain he’d once felt was nowhere to be found.

He then looked at the naked Ichika, who bashfully covered herself with her hands.

“Oh- get her some clothes, boy!” Yamamoto yelled, his voice filled with vigor.

Kiochi handed the two nudists the two robes and allowed them to cover themselves.

Yamamoto then sighed.

“Dammit, boy! You don’t just modify people’s body’s on a whim. But then again, I feel great, so I’ll forgive you this time.” Yamamoto said as he walked towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Kiochi asked.

“Ichika's room. You two come as well.” Yamamoto said as he left the war room.

Kiochi and Ichika exchanged confused glances before joining Yamamoto as he entered Ichika’s room.

There, Yamamoto sat in what looked like a really old couch.

“Got this couch in south America. I was staying in a run down apartment, but when it came time for me to return to Japan, I couldn’t bring myself to leave it.” Yamamoto said as Ichika stood by his side.

Yamamoto then sighed again.

“So… what are we doing here?” Kiochi asked.

“I just wanted us to sit and maybe even relax. After all, it’s not everyday that a crazy young lad decides to de-age you. Besides, I figured we could spend a little more time together before- well… you know.” Yamamoto said as he looked up.

Kiochi sat on the floor in front of him before crossing his legs.

Silence befell the room, but no one really cared. Yamamoto was happy just to be with Kiochi and Ichika again. Kiochi was happy to be with Yamamoto and Ichika… Kiochi assumed that she was happy.

But then Kiochi wondered.

“How did you and Ichika meet?” Kiochi asked.

Yamamoto and Ichika exchanged glances before they both smiled.

“You see, I wasn’t always the brilliant scientist you know and love today.” Yamamoto said, but was met with eye rolls from both Kiochi and Ichika.

“Yes, I too was once a servant to the council. However, I didn’t mind back then because the council always gave me whatever I needed to pursue my research. Anyway, one day, many years ago, I was testing out one of my beacons just outside of Tokyo. It wasn’t faulty or anything, I just love doing some things myself. Anyway, as I worked away under the light of the blistering summer sun. Everything was going fine, but then some hoodlums started picking on me. I have no idea why, but they must have thought of me as an easy target. Their mockery quickly turned into harassment, but their violent acts were stopped by a rather courageous young woman. Ichika Kobayashi. She shooed off the hoodlums and helped me up. But upon closer inspection, she wasn’t looking that great either. It looked like she had been crying for some time as her eyes were swollen and red. She also carried a messily packed bag with her among other things. I asked that she join me for lunch. She accepted my offer, but was slightly taken aback when she found out that I was one of the heads of a large company, hehe.” Yamamoto said.

“Well, it’s not everyday you run into a mad scientist.” Kiochi said.

“Yeah. Anyway, Ichika then told me about how she was at a pretty low point in her life. I asked her if I could do anything to help, but she declined all of my offers. But then I asked if she wanted a job. She accepted and the rest is history." Yamamoto said as he sat back.

“Mmm… that’s nice, I guess.” Kiochi said as a bitter sweetness filled his heart.

“Why don’t you recall what happened when you first met Kiochi.” Ichika suggested.

“Again?” Yamamoto complained.

“Yes.”

“But Kiochi is right here, why don’t you ask him yourself?” Yamamoto cried.

“One day I might, but for now...” Ichika said.

Yamamoto sighed.

“Ok. Where do you want me to start?” He asked.

“The beginning.” Ichika said as Kiochi watched with an amused expression.

“Wait, the part where we met or the series of events leading up to that point?”

“The beginning. “ Ichika insisted.

“Ok. Well, as you know three years ago the council had decided that I qualified for the third seat. I denied their request for me to serve them forever, so they began taking more and more drastic measures to convince me to join their esteemed seats.” Yamamoto said as he got up. He grabbed a bottle of water from a nearby mini fridge and returned to his bed.

“It started pretty small. They’d send politicians with gifts of all manner to change my mind, but I didn’t really care. Things took a turn for the worst when I insulted a certain politicians gift. Which, as you know, was a woman. A very beautiful woman.” Yamamoto said with a sly grin.

Ichika’s eyes narrowed.

“Hehe, well, I told him that you were more beautiful than any woman he could ever present so he ran back to the council and requested that I be punished for my insult. The council said no and so he decided to take the matter into his own hands. A couple of days later, some men broke into our headquarters and kidnapped me. The experience itself wasn’t that bad. The poor guy just wanted to ransom me off to my brother, but since Kaijin is Kaijin, he didn’t give my kidnapper’s anything.” Yamamoto took a sip from his bottle.

“Anyway, the council then realized that the most awesome man on the planet was missing-"

“Tsk.” Ichika made a sound.

“Ahem! So they sent their legendary Kynigoi to save me. It didn’t take long, my kidnapper’s were swiftly dealt with and that is when I was introduced to the one who led my saviors. The Kiochi from back then was very different from the one you know today. He was cold and empty. He was the perfect weapon. Well… he did complain about how saving me was a waste of council resources and went on and on about how he’d rather be anywhere else. His attitude persisted until we were attacked by more of the politicians men. That is when I saw something so sinister, so evil that it should’ve frightened me to the point of petrification. Kiochi and his men killed dozens of men in the span of minutes. It was a slaughter so efficient that none if Kiochi’s men fired a single bullet and that’s when I realized that Kiochi’s men weren’t doing much. I searched the warehouse and found Kiochi standing in front of a pile of corpses. His breath steady and his eyes focused.”

“This is the part where a normal person would have ran away in fear.” Ichika said.

“Yes, but I was intrigued! So I approached the blood soaked killer and extended my hand in thanks. Kiochi was so confused he turned to his men for answers, but that was before he met… Alice and the others. Anyway, I invited him over for dinner-"

“I remember, I was there.” Ichika said.

“Yeah, I offered him the family heirloom in thanks. I always enjoy the expressions he makes when he doesn’t know what to say. Well, he accepted it in confusion and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without it. You know, sometimes I wonder who saved who on that day… I mean, anyone could’ve saved me. But I don’t think anyone other than you could’ve saved me, Kiochi.” Yamamoto said.

“Is that what happened? Mmm… things looked a lot different to me, but I’ll accept your version.” Kiochi said before getting up.

“Where are you off to?” Yamamoto asked.

“Have you already forgotten? I’m the general and my army is waiting.” Kiochi said before leaving.

Yamamoto and Ichika exchanged perplexed looks before Ichika extended her hand.

“Why do you look so… proud?” She asked as Yamamoto held her hand.

“That’s because I am.”

.

..

Kiochi made his way to the front of the school building where tens of people were standing.

They were surrounded by heavily armed men, including Kiochi’s lieutenants.

Kiochi stood in front of the large group as the night hung. His eyes keenly inspected each and every one of the Kynigoi his men had captured.

Kiochi raised his right hand and his soldiers raised their weapons.

“Listen up! The time of judgement is coming. The Aethon’s will soon descend and-" Kiochi stopped as he felt an extremely cold chill run up his spin.

He, along with everyone else, turned to see Dalila behind him.

“What are you doing here?” Kiochi asked as he reflexively placed his hand on his Nodachi.

“Are you really ready?” Dalila asked.

Kiochi’s eyes narrowed to a slit.

“Now is not the time for games. Return to your quarters-"

[Are any of you ready?]

Dalila asked, but her voice wasn’t coming from her mouth. It was inside everyone’s heads.

Kiochi sent ethereal energy into every one of his muscles.

“Dalila… what are you?” Kiochi asked. His voice a low inhuman growl.

[I…]

Dalila’s hair started rapidly growing and her height almost doubled.

Gasps filled the air as her clothes disappeared, leaving her bare skin visible, but even that changed as her skin darkened.

It acquired a texture that resembled hardened lava.

[... am Adam.]

Dalila or Adam said as their pure white eyes glared at everyone.

“Sir, what should we do?” Johan asked. He was in his beastly form and so he was ready to attack.

“Don’t do anything!” Kiochi barked.

“Err- Adam, what is it that you want?” Kiochi asked with a lowered head.

“What I want is for this planet to flourish, but you kind stands in the way of that directive.” Adam said as they crossed their hands.

“But the only reason any of this happened is because you gave your divine wisdom to those who were corrupted.” Kiochi said even as his legs trembled.

He hadn’t forgotten what happened the last time he met an Aethon.

But Adam was different.

“What difference would it have made if we gave it to someone else. To be human is to be corruptible and you can’t argue otherwise.” Adam said with a frown forming on their otherwise perfect face.

“That may be true for the most part, but what would you have us do?” Kiochi asked.

“I’ve been watching you for some time, Kiochi Suzuki. But in all that time you’ve only proved my point. Do you know how much damage you’ve caused to this world in your life? I’m not omnipresent, so maybe you caused even more damage before I met you.” Adam said.

Kiochi bit his teeth as what Adam said was true.

“And no, I don’t care if it was for the ultimate greater good or of you were just following orders. You humans take far more than you give and that’s pretty toxic. So I’m done. I’ve had enough.” Adam said as he levitated off the ground.

“What are you going to do?” Kiochi asked.

“The ‘Ovum Vitae’, as you call them, are devices I created in an attempt to rid this planet of your kind. I didn’t detonate them as I wanted to see if there was even a sliver of hope that you’d change… I’ve been waiting for eons, but I’ve finally had enough.” Adam said.

Kiochi felt an incredible amount of energy coming from the laboratory.

“Goodbye.” Adam said before the world was bathed in white light.

[Setting speed multiplier to 100x]

Kiochi coughed up a dark red liquid as he lowered his stance.

He then ran to the laboratory as the world seemingly stood still.

There, he found the Ova, except it was glowing bright white.

Kiochi was already in his pure Aethonic form, but even that wouldn’t be enough to grab the Ova.

It will have to be. Kiochi thought as he ran to it. He grabbed it, only to have the entire layer of his dark skin burnt off.

Kiochi cried out into the sky as he was practically cooked inside and out, but he didn’t let go.

Kiochi grabbed the Ovum Vitae and ran out of the school building at a speed that would most definitely wreak havoc on the world afterward, but he had no other choice.

Kiochi looked for Adam, but they were nowhere to be seen.

[KLIPSPRINGER MECHANISM: Ready!]

Click!

Kiochi felt an incredible amount of energy welling up in his legs.

He then jumped up into the sky.

He continued to soar into the heavens as he burnt.

He stopped once he reached the point where the earth and space met.

There he reached into the Ovum Vitae and watched as his hand was reduced into a stump, but even though his physical hand was burnt clean off, he had managed to get his ethereal presence into the Ovum and that’s when he felt it.

A strange, dark and chaotic energy.

It was so violently powerful that it threatened to rip Kiochi’s arm off, but he didn’t let go.

Kiochi then began actively absorbing the dark energy into himself.

It tore through his insides and his eyes popped out of his skull as he screamed into the black abyss above him.

His skin was torn apart as he was flooded by a chaotic darkness that challenged the cosmos.

Kiochi’s teeth then popped as the Ovum emptied, but at this point, Kiochi’s body was but a flappy husk.