The day came faster than anyone thought. Ike, Elliot, and Ellen worked tirelessly to prepare everything, with Karen eventually putting in so little effort that Ike and Ellen decided to not involve her directly. However, her knowledge still aided them in the preparations.

At last, everything was set. The four young magi slept for long, waking up quite late. But it didn't matter, since all that was left was for the Spirit Formula to be performed. Karen woke up first, leaving to get breakfast. It was already sunny outside, with birds singing and bees buzzing. They were in a remote location not close to any city or town, with only nature in sight for many miles around them.

Elliot woke up next, also getting up to get breakfast. When he entered the living room, he saw Karen looking out of one of the windows while smiling.

"Good morning, Karen," said Elliot after making his presence known.

"Good morning, Elliot," responded Karen.

"It's nice outside today, isn't it?" asked Elliot, walking up to the window.

"Yeah. You three are going to perform the Spirit Formula today, right?" said Karen.

"After so long... Today's the day," said Elliot. Silence encroached the room for a moment.

"Do you think after today, it'll ever be so serene and peaceful again?" asked Karen out of the blue.

"What do you mean, Karen?" asked Elliot.

"If the Spirit Formula succeeds and Ike's plan goes accordingly... He's going to wage a war on humanity, isn't he?" asked Karen.

"Eh? I doubt that honestly, he probably just wants to get revenge on the people who hurt us in the past," responded Elliot.

"Does he? Then why does he need a spell so powerful to achieve it? It's been so long that many of the people we promised revenge upon are either gone or even dead," said Karen. Elliot was dumbstruck.

"True, but you heard him, right? He doesn't wish death on everyone, just acknowledgement," said Elliot. Karen sighed.

"You don't believe in that, do you? I read the tome many times and can safely say we're dealing with powers far beyond us. At best, everything will stay as it is now. At worst... I don't even want to think about the worst. Anything could happen. So, I ask, why even go through with it?" asked Karen. Elliot struggled to reach for an answer. He looked at Karen.

"You are right that the hatred alone is not enough anymore to fuel all this. At first, I did it to avenge everyone we lost. When that flame died, I did it for you guys, my friends, and especially Ike. He watched his family die, yet he had the strength to save us from the same fate. I always admired that about him, pushing forward even when everything was against him, following his heart's desire. And now... Well, we owe it to him, don't we? Or at the very least, I feel like I do. And I want to believe that Ike will deliver on his promise to make this world a better place for people like us. Outcasts," responded Elliot. His eyes lit up, as for the first time in years, he took a moment to do an inflection on why he does what he does. Karen smiled at Elliot, also looking at him.

"As long as you too follow your heart's desires, Elliot... I will believe. In you, in a better world..." said Karen before once again looking out of the window.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? The sunshine, the songs sung..."

"Yeah... I think I couldn't agree more."

***

Ellen and Ike woke up a bit later. They too went to get breakfast, arriving after Elliot and Karen already had eaten theirs.

"Good morning you two," said Elliot. Karen shied away.

"Good morning to you two too," responded Ike.

Unlike Karen, Ellen, who accompanied Ike, looked straight at the two. Ike began preparing his breakfast.

"I trust you haven't forgotten what day it is, Elliot?" said Ike.

"Of course not. It's been a long time coming," responded Elliot who took a moment to think.

"I just hope it all goes according to plan," continued Elliot. Ike was unphased by his uncertainty, merely smiling.

"We've been preparing for this day for years, haven't we? On paper, the Spirit Formula is truly one of a kind. A masterpiece. If it succeeds, it'll change everything," said Ike. Sensing an opportunity to jump into the conversation, Ellen speaks up.

"Indeed! The pure amount of hard work we put into all of this... Our pain and suffering will finally be avenged!" said Ellen. Elliot took a moment to think.

"The pain..." whispered Elliot. Ike came up to him and grabbed his shoulder, he too whispering to him.

"Remember, Elliot. Scars may fade, but they never disappear. I can see it in your eyes, the loss of desire to tread this path... And yet, we tread it. We always have. No matter how happy some of our days are, we will always be reminded of that day. It'll consume us until we too fade into nothingness. That's the truth, isn't it? One day, we're one step out of the door, ready to abandon it all and start anew, and another day, we only see and feel despair. Anger. Hatred. But today, we at last have a real chance at moving forward. And today... that door is closed, and it won't budge until it's all over," whispered Ike. Elliot couldn't quite respond, knowing there is truth in Ike's words.

Ike then went to serve himself his breakfast alongside with Ellen, again appearing seemingly unphased. Karen interrupted Elliot's train of thought.

"Elliot, do you mind accompanying me outside for a while? Since we've already eaten our breakfast, I think it best for us to get some fresh air. What do you think?" said Karen.

"Good idea, I'll come along. While the weather is still as sunny at it is now..." responded Elliot.

The two of them then exited the house, leaving Ike and Ellen alone for the time being. Ellen looked outside to see them leaving for the forest.

"Where are they going? Or more specifically, where is my little sister dragging him off to...," said Ellen.

"Make nothing of it, Ellen. Some fresh air is only beneficial for them before the ritual," responded Ike.

"Speaking of the ritual, my sister seems more and more out of it lately. She refuses to put in any effort at all nowadays and she doesn't intend to participate in the performance of the Spirit Formula," said Ellen.

"She's just in that place and time where and when she feels this whole ordeal isn't worth its fruits. When she sees what we can accomplish, she'll come around," responded Ike. Ellen smirked.

"You're right. After this, not a single speck of doubt will remain in anyone's head," said Ellen.

"Now... shall we eat our breakfast?" asked Ike. Ellen only wordlessly agreed, already deep in her breakfast.

***

A few hours later, it was almost time for the ritual already. Ike was growing increasingly riddled with anticipation, staring at the clock more and more often. Eventually, the time came with a strike of the clock. Ike got up from his seat to find everyone, only to discover they were all in the living room. Upon his entrance they all looked at him, to which he only gave a nod as an answer.

Shortly they were already carrying various materials necessary for the ritual, ranging from books to storage units for mana. The area they chose for the ritual was closed off to the outside world, forcing them to walk by foot. Ellen and Karen were quite petite in nature yet were able to carry the same weight as Ike and Elliot. That was nothing to scoff over, considering they were all carrying an impressive number of objects. Clearly, they all had some sort of determination, even Karen who wasn't going to participate in the ritual. After all, a good part of their lives led to this very day.

The sun was still shining brightly and warmly, further weighting down on the four. This didn't stop them however, and soon their destination was in sight. It was a large flat area in the middle of a valley, with nothing but nature miles around. There was one interesting landmark here though, an abandoned observatory not far from the area they were headed to. It was unclear why Ike chose this place, as no one questioned him on the decision.

When they reached their destination, all of them breathed a sigh of relief. Ike decided they'd take a break before proceeding, also tasking Elliot in the process with escorting Karen to the abandoned observatory. Karen remained silent, and Elliot meekly agreed. Once they left, it was only him and Ellen again. Ellen decided to take a break, but Ike had already started to prepare for the ritual, pushing through the exhaustion.

As Elliot and Karen made their way to the observatory, Karen noticed a cloud in the distance which stood out from the limitless blue. However, she didn't say anything. It seemed she was done talking. They did eventually make it to the observatory, but now that one cloud had turned into multiple clouds. It was still sunny, but a light gust of wind had picked up. When they made it inside, Karen looked around her.

"So this is where people gaze at the stars on the night sky... I always wanted to do that," said Karen.

"I'm sure you will. But for now, just stay here. It's safe, so if anything happens... But it shouldn't," said Elliot. Karen nodded, and he was about to leave, but not before Karen spoke one last time to him.

"Elliot... Please be safe. And... You better not get yourself hurt," said Karen riddled with worry.

"I won't. Promise. But you don't need to be so pessimistic, all right? We'll be right back," responded Elliot.

Having parted with Karen, he made his way back to the ritual site where now both Ike and Ellen were preparing the materials.

"Ah, Elliot! You're back. Give me a hand with this, won't you?" asked Ellen.

Elliot complied, joining them in the efforts. Once they were done, they took their respective places and waited for Ike to commence the ritual. Ike put the final piece in place before he too took his stand. At this point, the clouds were almost over their heads, nearly filling half of the sky. The wind too picked up, as the grass started to slowly turn to the side.

"My friends... It is time. We have waited for years to exact our vengeance and justice for those we lost, and that moment has finally come at last. Now join me as we summon a being so powerful, that with its power, we will change the world. Today, we have a choice. Back then, we didn't. We couldn't defend ourselves or fight back, but now we can! Ponder your deepest wishes and desires so that they may be fulfilled! Let the channelling of the Spirit Formula begin!" yelled out Ike, casting a spell to remove the lid from all the mana storage units, releasing all that mana into the air.

The three magi began channelling the Spirit Formula, and the skies were suddenly all obstructed by dark clouds. All that wildlife that was still singing a few minutes ago now went silent, with the sound of the harsh wind being the only thing remaining. After a bit, Ike yelled out again.

"Nature itself may stand against us, willing to tear us apart, but we won't relent! If nature deems, we all suffer and die... then we will stand against nature itself!"

The weather quickly took a turn for the worse, as it suddenly started thundering and raining. The winds were now cutting through the magi, almost sweeping them off their feet. It was clear they wouldn't be able to continue channelling for much longer.

"Ike, what's happening?! We can't continue like this!" yelled Ellen with uncertainty.

"Ellen's right! This wasn't supposed to happen! We should stop before this place becomes our grave!" yelled out Elliot who didn't want any of them to get hurt.

However, Ike continually heard less and less of their pleas, eventually drowning them out entirely. He could only think about one thing.

"I can't give up... Not after all this time. There is still one last thing to do, one last thing to put my hopes in," thought Ike to himself, while barely managing to take something out of his pocket. It was a talisman, more specifically the talisman that could supposedly grant any wish. Ike clutched it tight with all his remaining strength, putting all his focus into his deepest wish, his deepest desire. That wish was not to avenge his parents or to make humankind suffer, nor was it to make the world a fair and good place. It was only to create a world where only magi would live without the presence of anything or anyone else. Perhaps this was his way of escaping reality, or more likely... his desire of rewriting reality to his own. Even though many would consider his wish black and devoid of colour, it was as pure as any other wish could be.

Beyond all miracles, the talisman suddenly resonated, suddenly releasing a white blinding flash.

Back in the observatory, Karen had witnessed everything with terror while also being able to sense Ike channelling the talisman, as she too was shortly suddenly blinded. When she opened her eyes again, she could scarcely believe it. The sky was suddenly all blue again, as if nothing ever happened.

Back at the site, the three opened their eyes too, only to realise the same thing. However, in the centre of the site was a bright white sphere of light floating above the ground, emanating unknown sounds to them. The three of them wordlessly came closer, as if being calmed by the object. Suddenly, the sphere reformed, slowly taking form into that of a young girl. As the light slowly dissipated, only a naked figure was laying in front of them. Elliot couldn't believe what he was seeing, Ellen stared confused, while Ike smirked, ignoring that the talisman he used had disappeared.

"It worked! This thing must be the Spirit we were trying to summon, the tool we will use to achieve our goals! If it truly has godlike powers, then just imagine what we can—" said Ike while reaching for the figure but stopping after the figure suddenly shot up into the skies, only leaving a trail of light behind it. Immediately, Ike was furious, yelling out into the skies.

"No, NO! I won't be denied again! I won't let it happen a single more time!" yelled out Ike, while everyone else just stared up at the skies in shock.

Even Karen run out of the observatory to check what had happened, only arriving once the figure had already left. However, this would only be the start. None of them had any idea what they just unleashed upon the world, but they were about to learn as the greatest disaster, catastrophe and tragedy in modern history was about to occur.

***

Somewhere in the vicinity China-Mongolia border in the middle of a huge plain, the sky began moving, eventually forming something akin to an eye of the storm that the clouds orbited around. Shortly after, the shape of this object assumed a funnel cloud, swiftly moving towards earth. As soon as it reached its destination, it began devouring everything nearby like a sphere of death, expanding at monumental speed.

The plain was soon whole devoured, but the phenomena wasn't nearly finished. It continued, engulfing forests, villages, cities, and everything it touched. It even reached far beyond the skies, that it was clearly visible from space by various satellites and stations humanity managed to put above the Earth. However, not only those in the vicinity of this catastrophe were affected, as various earthquakes and tsunamis were formed around the world. But something everyone felt were the shockwaves, even sending Ike and others to the ground.

When the sphere of seemingly nothing but void stopped expanding, it was already so big that entire countries would be erased under it. For one of the few times in history, every single human took notice as something was happening in the moment. People that were working stopped, people that were fighting stopped... basically, everyone stopped. And soon, the moment of almost pure silence was replaced with fright and terror.

It took a few hours before the sphere began receding, eventually disappearing completely and only leaving destruction behind it in the form of a crater. In a way, it was amazing how quickly the single biggest disaster came down upon humanity and promptly ended. Ike, Elliot, Ellen, and Karen quickly made their way back to their house with Ike spearheading the charge.

"What was that, Ike?! What have we created?" asked Elliot.

"A Spirit. Just like we intended, it must have worked. But that it would disappear so quickly and resemble a human woman? That shouldn't have happened..." responded Ike.

"What about the wave which swept us off our feet? What was that supposed to be?" asked Elliot again.

"Let's find out," said Ike. He then turned on the TV.

To their surprise, the first thing they saw when the TV got signal was the chaos being broadcasted live. Apparently, a huge explosion happened in the centre of Eurasia, and tens of millions were already presumed dead based on the affected area. The entire world was paralyzed except remote locations such as the one where the four currently were. Elliot and Karen looked in terror while Ellen smirked, and Ike looked fascinated.

"Did... did we cause that? Spoke up Karen, lifting her long silence.

"The better question would be... did that figure single handily cause this?" responded Ike.

"Such destruction... You were right, Ike! This is it; this is how we fulfil our vengeance! The Spirit formula worked!" said Ellen.

"Almost, but this power is yet outside of our reach. That figure possessing it is out there somewhere," said Ike.

"This isn't vengeance. We just murdered so many beings! Maybe even those like us!" objected Karen.

"Oh, now you speak up? Stop being so naïve, little sister. Surely, you're not feeling remorse for these monsters—" said Ellen before Ike interrupted her by gesturing towards Ellen.

"It's all right, Ellen. Listen, Karen. We didn't choose this outcome, and neither could any of us have foreseen it. It's that figure, that Spirit. It murdered all those people, not us. We didn't summon it with the intent for that to happen, did we? The fact of the matter is it committed this atrocity. And it's up to us to find it and subdue it now, because what good would a barren world full of ash be? So let it be known that we will find this Spirit and stop it from using its powers to reduce this world to ash," proclaimed Ike.

Karen looked conflicted, Ellen convinced, but Elliot seemed to have something on his mind. Unlike the other three, he saw the Spirit for more than they did. To him, it looked like a scared and confused girl. He was unsure of the feelings he felt towards her, but they were not anger, fear or what Ike saw.

"Elliot, Karen. It's about time I revealed the existence of an organization that I've founded not a while ago. Its shortened name is DEM, which stands for Deus Ex Machina Industries. Originally, it was meant to serve in our efforts to alter the poor state this world is in. A state in which our parents who did nothing wrong were murdered. But now it will serve as much more with a clear objective. To find and capture this so-called Spirit!" said Ike.

"That's right! And this time, we won't have to do it alone. In causing such destruction, this "Spirit" will have earned the eternal hatred of many, many more. Perhaps for once, some humans will have felt a sliver of what we have. DEM will expand exponentially, making the search for the "Spirit" possible, because in four, we could hardly scour every corner of the world," said Ellen.

"You seem to have it all figured out, don't you Ike? But what will we do once we capture her?" said Elliot.