No one's POV
Sora and Aiz stood on a hilltop in the western section of Daedalus Street. Aiz was still hugging Sora tightly crying onto his shoulders. She was half happy and half sad. Happy that her brother was still alive, sad that he chose a totally different path than hers.
Sora: Are you okay, now?
Aiz:...
Aiz didn't say anything and slowly nodded her head and Sora smile at her and patted her head.
Sora: When all of this is over... Let's have a talk, you and I. Tell each other stories of what happened when we were separated.
Aiz: Yeah, sounds good.
Sora and Aiz smile at one another when...
UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—!!
The hideous battle cry of a monster thundered across the night sky.
Sora: Huh?
At first, Sora and Aiz didn't understand what had happened. They looked up in the direction that the cry had come from. A grotesque form was flapping its way across the moon behind a veil of clouds.
Sora: What the?
Sora had climbed to a rooftop, and he shouted in disbelief as he surveyed the chaotic scene. The Xenos such as Gros and a few other flying monsters are on a riot at the center of the plaza main street.
Sora: Why are they on a riot?
Aiz: Go...
Sora: Aiz...
Aiz: We'll talk later.
Sora nodded his head and leaped toward the crowd. He headed straight for the plaza as if the screams of the townsfolk were pulling him forward.
(Elsewhere)
Eina: Please do not go toward Main Street! Please follow orders from Ganesha Familia!
Eina shouted. She was desperately trying to hold back the out-of- control townsfolk, though their trampling feet and shouting voices created a roar like a waterfall to drown out her voice. Although she had headed to Daedalus Street largely for personal reasons, she was now doing her utmost to ensure the safety of the townsfolk here on the outskirts of the northwestern area. At least, she had been until a moment earlier. Now she was trying to guide people through the chaotic plaza, but she wasn't sure she was doing any good.
Eina(mind): Did the monsters end up here because they were being pursued? But why come to the evacuation site of all places, given the size of Daedalus Street...?
She watched as the monsters took on adventurers in the center of the plaza. Despite all her knowledge, Eina's normal role was limited to waiting at Guild Headquarters for adventurers to return. She was filled with just as much fear as the other Guild staff and townsfolk. She willfully tried to steady her shaky hands and feet as she assessed the state of the battle.
Eina(mind): That gargoyle is extraordinarily strong!
One after another, not only lower-class adventurers but even those who had leveled up to third tier, and the handful of second-tier adventurers present in the plaza, were thrown back so forcefully they couldn't get up again. The gargoyle's stone body was nearly impervious to long-range weapons as well. He was so strong she suspected they wouldn't be able to take him down without magic. It was hard to believe, but with Ganesha Familia concentrating on keeping the townsfolk safe, this small band of monsters had the upper hand.
Eina(mind): If only Loki Familia would show up...!
Eina watched from the corner of her eye as an adventurer toppled over vomiting blood and was pulled away by a companion, and she prayed for someone to rescue them. At that moment, her eyes met those of the brutal gargoyle.
Eina: Huh?
She was certain it was looking at her. She felt like time had stopped. As she gaped at the lifeless stone eyes, she felt like something had reached inside her chest and was clutching her heart. She did not notice that the purple gems on the bracelet wrapped around her wrist were flashing. Nor did she notice that the gargoyle was concealing the same type of stone in his hand. She stood rooted in place as the gray stone form flew toward her with a howl.
Gros: OHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The adventurers looked up in shock at the gargoyle's sudden movement, while the townsfolk let out screams that rent the air like ripped silk. The rearguard troops were protecting other people and could not make it to her in time with their shields. Ouka, locked in fierce battle, was struck dumb. As people ran this way and that, disappearing behind the gargoyle, Eina's green eyes took in the stone claws that were about to pierce her.
Eina: Aaaah!!
But someone blocked those talons.
Eina: ?!
Gros: !!
Just as Eina felt death approaching, a blue flash of metal intercepted it. The black-haired boy had leaped in front of the gargoyle, Hestia Short Sword drawn.
Eina: S-Sora...
Sora: Miss Eina, please step back!!
Sora said in a loud, anxious voice. The dazed Eina, the townsfolk, and the adventurers were all staring at him, but he did not have a speck of attention to spare for them. His entire body was throbbing with a single question: Why? As Sora silently asked the monster before him that question, the hideous gargoyle seemed to narrow his eyes before flying at Eina once again.
Gros: Gaaahh!
Sora: Wha—?!
Sora intercepted his lunge. The hand holding his short sword shook at the force of the attack, and a fragment of stone flew from the gargoyle's claw. The monster spread his wings and once again aimed for Eina.
Sora(mind): Gros?! What did Lord Hermes did to you?
As Eina stood riveted to the spot, claws met sword again and again. Perhaps because the gargoyle's potential was higher, the Lightning Flash was forced into an inferior position. Setting aside their grudges for the moment, other adventurers attempted to support him, but the other winged monsters would not let them get close.
Sora(mind): Why are you only aiming at Eina, Gros?
Gros: So this is how I will repay him.
Gros laughed to himself as he flew at Sora and Eina. In spite of Gros's former hostility, Sora had rescued his brethren, and now Gros was paying with his life for what Sora had done. It was terribly ironic. But perhaps it was fitting that one who had detested mankind as the vilest of creatures should pay in this way. Especially if he met his end at the hands of a human he had come to be a bit fond of.
Gros: Don't second-guess yourself, Light of Hope.
He'd told Lido and the others that they were not to begrudge the boy for this. Gros flapped his wings monstrously at Sora, who was grimacing like a child trying to tolerate pain. Pretending to be mad with fury, playing the role of a violent monster, the gargoyle bellowed for the boy to sink his sword into the magic stone in his chest.
Gros: If you don't, I'll kill the girl—!!
Roaring hideously to urge Sora into fiercer battle, Gros swung down his claws.
(Elsewhere)
Hestia: Sora!!
Hestia and the others had arrived at the plaza-turned-battlefield. Fewer adventurers were fighting hard now, but the plaza was still filled with trapped townsfolk. And there was Sora, over in one corner, locked in battle with Gros as he protected Eina behind him. Eina seemed on the verge of tears as she watched Sora suffer blow after blow. She was desperately trying to get away so as to free him from the burden of protecting her, but the stone wings would not let her pass. The gargoyle's attacks from the air made the battle completely unpredictable.
Hestia: Sora...!
Rin: Sora!
Bell, Rin, Welf, Lili, Mikoto, and Haruhime were at a loss for what to do. Was it okay to help Sora? Was it okay to attack the Xenos? They had no idea. Hestia, who was standing beside her bewildered children, was equally unable to make a decision.
Hestia(mind): Should I tell Sora about Hermes's scheme? But if I do that...!
Hermes had coerced the Xenos into something. But what would be the outcome if she told Sora? It seemed likely that if things continued as they were, Gros would really kill Eina. Hestia didn't know the terms of the agreement that the Xenos had made with Hermes. If the lives of their kin had been taken as pawns, then her words would only plunge Sora's heart into chaos.
Adventurer: Support troops are on their way! Keep holding out!
The words of the adventurer only spurred on Sora's agitation. Hestia gripped the oculus she had withdrawn from her bag. At almost the same moment Hestia and her familia arrived at the plaza, a Loki Familia unit led by Finn emerged onto a rooftop overlooking the area.
Finn: What's going on?
Arcus: The evacuation of townsfolk is still not complete! Adventurers from other factions are fighting the monsters—and so is the Lightning Flash...
As one of his familia members reported on the situation, Finn narrowed his eyes and fixed them on the boy and the gargoyle.
Finn: Take your positions. Ground troops, keep them in check. We'll stay here and prevent them from flying off.
Loki Familia members: Yes, sir!
Bows were readied in response to the faction leader's command. Just then, a murmur was beginning to ripple through crowds trapped on the edge of the plaza.
Citizen 1: The Lightning Flash...
Citizen 2: The Lightning Flash? You mean Sora Yatagami?
The adventurer they were pointing at was risking his life to save the half- elf. The brave boy had walked gallantly into the most difficult of situations. With their own well-being at risk, people dropped their malice and disappointment and instead watched the scene unfolding before them with clear eyes.
Lai: B-big brother...
Even the little boy who had cursed him as a traitor now whispered his name in awe. A change began to sweep over the crowd, which up till then had been consumed by pure panic.
Sora(mind): It was all a Drama so my reputation is safe! A purification ceremony!
(Elsewhere)
Hermes: Good timing, Sora. Ah, this is very fortunate.
In a high tower near the plaza where the night winds howled, Hermes gazed contentedly down on the battle between the gargoyle and the black- haired boy. Asfi stood behind him. Hiding her tired eyes behind her silver glasses, she sighed for the umpteenth time.
Asfi: You may be my patron deity, but you make me nauseous...
Hermes: Ha-ha-ha. That's quite harsh, Asfi.
Hermes laughed without turning his head. She glared fixedly at him.
Asfi: You're using the Xenos for the sake of Sora Yatagami...I'll give you that. But what do you have to say about dragging ordinary townsfolk into it?
Hermes: In one sense, those ordinary townsfolk are the root cause of the situation he is currently in. A little staging is necessary, after all, wouldn't you agree?
There was the theater and the audience, the hero and the supporting players tasked with drawing out his best performance. As Hestia had suspected, Hermes had created a stage on a grand scale. He shrugged and glanced over his shoulder.
Hermes: Anyway, you agree with my decision to abandon the Xenos, don't you?
After all, they would only bring harm to both the boy and the city of Orario. Asfi remained silent as her patron deity sought her affirmation with his eyes.
Asfi: I'll take my position now.
Hermes: Right. Rearguard, just in case.
Hermes waved at Asfi, who was now invisible after slipping on the Hermes Head. After she silently left the tower roof, Hermes smiled down on the scene below.
Hermes: Well...my apologies, Ouranos. Sorry it turned out like this.
He watched as the boy and the gargoyle flew at each other.
Hermes: Coexisting with monsters, you say? Utter nonsense. Friendship with them is no more than a pipe dream.
Hermes said, continuing his imaginary conversation with the aged god. Hermes had always carried out his clients' orders calmly and obediently, but here on the top of the tower, he laid bare his true feelings.
Hermes: What will happen if we overturn thousands of years of hatred and destiny? Even Zeus would probably say it's preposterous.
He gazed at Sora and lowered his voice.
Hermes: The mavericks' hero. Nobody wants that!
Hermes spread his arms wide and smiled down on the stage where humans and monsters were playing out their opera.
Hermes: This is a return of the Light of Hope, Sora! Kill the monsters. Kill them and save the people. Make your comeback as a hero.
As if he were offering a beam of light from the heavens or pointing out the path to salvation, he pressed his atrocious divine will on the Hero.
Hermes: Forget the Xenos.
Ouranos had tasked Hermes with suppressing the disturbance. He was to be the emissary who calmed the chaos in the city and delivered the Xenos to the Dungeon. But Hermes had no interest in that. Because he was in a position to use the chaos, he had skillfully manipulated it. That was all.
Hermes: If you kill just one of them, you'll see reason. You may suffer, but one day you'll get back on your feet. Lady Freya and I won't let you get bored.
Hermes's divine will was that Sora cut his ties to the Xenos, who would lead him straight to ruin. He had the confidence to drive his hero into battle— the unshakable egotism to lead him into the finale that the deities were longing for. Controlling human destiny was the gods' favorite game. He would make Sora break his connection with the monsters and walk forward as the hero of the people and the favorite of the gods. The divine will of Hermes was focused on that one goal.
Hermes: If you don't do it, then Eina will die.
Hermes laughed, narrowing his yellow-orange eyes. The ever-intensifying fight was pushing the boy toward a choice. The only possible choice, the one the god had prepared for him. Before the god's eyes, the final act was playing out on that grand and ridiculous stage.
(Elsewhere)
Sora(mind): Gros?! Don't worry about me!! Just get out of here!!
Slyphid(telepathy): Is no use, Sora. Gros is dying for your sake.
Sora(telepathy): But I don't want to kill him.
The fangs that threatened Sora and the claws that pursued Eina once again. He deflected the next blow and parried it with his short sword, injuring Gros. There was no way he could hold back when the gargoyle was trying to kill both Eina and him. Again and again, other adventurers tried to support Sora, but they were thrown back. Gros's stone wings deflected arrows and flung away anyone careless enough to get close to them. They functioned as two extra arms, both blunt weapons and shields in one.
Eina: Sora...!
At the sound of Eina's hoarse, pained voice, Sora's face twisted in distress. The adventurers, Guild staff, and townsfolk were all watching his every move and praying that one of his blows would strike down the menace.
Sora(mind): Gros. Please don't do this for my sake!!
As he repelled claws with knife, Sora's gaze met the gargoyle's inscrutable stone eyes. He give a look telling Gros to run away. But his voice could not penetrate those ears. His mind raced futilely. The Divine Sword trembled. He had to make a decision. The decision was like a curse, for if he did not make it, he would lose a person he cared for deeply. It wasn't even a choice. He tried to think carefully about the situation, but in the face of Gros's fierce attack, his thoughts quickly came to a dead end. As he muttered "Why?" over and over.
Sora(mind): The dream of the Xenos—of Gros. Was so they could see the surface. But not like this.
Gros: Thank you. You have...my gratitude.
Gros had said that to him. Perhaps it was only Sora's imagination, but he could see the Gros of that earlier moment on top of the monster who faced him now with such genuine bloodlust in his eyes. He must be mistaken to see volition behind the claws and fangs bearing down on him. It was as if he knew that Sora did not want to fight him and was telling him not to hesitate—
Adventurer: Loki Familia has arrived!!
Upper-class adventurers with the emblem of the fool engraved on their armor rushed into the plaza and flew at the winged monsters.
Gros: !!
The gargoyle began to feel anxious. Sora Yatagami must be the one to take down the monsters attacking the people. This was how they would clear their debt to the boy. It would not do for Gros to utter his last words on a pile of ashes, his contract with the god unfulfilled. Realizing he could delay no longer, Gros spread his wings and flapped. Flying parallel to the ground, he launched his special attack. Astonished, Sora could neither escape nor defend themselves—he was forcing the boy to respond and throwing away his own life in the process.
Hestia: Sora?!
Misha: Eina!
Hestia and the Guild staff cried out in unison.
Finn: Assume your positions!
Finn shouted. As other members of his troop prepared to shoot their arrows at the winged monsters, he readied his spear to pierce the gargoyle.
Hermes: Now, Sora!
Standing above the crowd of people holding their breath, Hermes pulled the puppet string—his divine will. It was the instant before Gros's deadly blow landed. Sora brought down the hand holding the sword.
Sora: !!
The gargoyle rushed at Sora and Eina with a roar so powerful the people watching shrank at the sound. His fanned-out wings tore through the wind as he glided straight toward them. Sora looked at the approaching gargoyle and his twisted claws that resembled giant stone spears. Everything before his eyes seemed to alternate between standing still and speeding up. The screams echoing toward him from the outside world sounded very far away.
He heard Eina gasping in terror behind him, helpless to defend herself against the monster's charge. The gargoyle's intent to kill was real. If things continued on this trajectory, those stone claws would surely drown Sora and Eina in a sea of blood. His instincts were screaming for him to slash the monster with his sword, to plunge its point into the magic stone in that chest that was so perfectly exposed as it charged toward him, to transform the monster's intent to kill into a pile of ash.
The shouts of the adventurers and the shrieks of the masses, too, urged him to kill the monster. The god's divine will pulling the strings affirmed the voice of his instinct. It was the instant before Gros's deadly blow landed. Sora brought down the hand holding the knife. But. The Hero's consciousness turned away from the monster before his eyes and focused instead on a scene deep within his heart.It was as if he were being guided by a flash of light—perhaps grasping a bolt of lightning deep within himself and pulling it up.
Zeus: Do not leave your decisions to other people. The same goes for ghosts and gods. I, for one, will never tell you to do anything. Do not take orders. Decide for yourself. This is your story.
Kakashi: In the world full of Heroes. Those who break the rules are regarded as scums... But, those who abandon their friends are worst than scum...
Mio: Be a Hero Sora.
It was the voice of Zeus, his Father and Mother. They were there as if standing right beside him. Without even knowing what he was doing, he tore off the strings of the god's divine will that had wrapped themselves around him without his knowledge. His heart, filled with the memory of Wiene's dream and Gros's gratitude, thrust aside the choice that had been forced upon it.
Gros: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Time, which had stretched to its limit, returned to its normal pace, and the world regained its color. The monster's claws were on the verge of skewering both Eina and him. He made his choice. He chose to believe.
Sora:...
He slipped his sword into its sheath, spread his arms, and waited. Hermes stared from above. Gros widened his stone eyes in astonishment. In the next instant, confronted by Sora's defenseless form, the gargoyle aborted his charge and flew away from them.
Finn: Wait!
Finn reacted faster than anyone. High above the plaza, to the great surprise of his troops, he shouted at them to halt their attack. His blue eyes were glued to the gargoyle that had stopped its charge. His shock seemed to spread to the people watching from below in the plaza, for the same feeling swept through their hearts.
Hestia, Bell, Rin, Lili, Welf, Mikoto, Haruhime, Ouka, Chigusa, Shakti, and even Eina all felt the same emotion. Sora had neither killed the monster nor allowed Eina to die. Instead, he had chosen a third, exceedingly foolish path. The eyes of the sweat-drenched boy met those of the stunned gargoyle. For an instant, time stopped.
Hermes:...
As for Hermes watching from his perch on the tower, he put his finger to the brim of his hat and pulled it down, as if to hide his wide yellow-orange eyes.
Hermes: Aah, so that's how it will go...He really is a fool.
A queer, incomprehensible silence had descended on the plaza. The emotion in the countless eyes fixed on Sora was shifting from shock to a suspicion that he did have some sort of deep connection with the monsters after all. It was a spark that could light the fire labeling him an "enemy of the people." The instant the crowd awoke from its collective daze, a storm of outraged shouts and chaos would likely erupt.
Hermes: Well then. Asfi, do it.
Hermes would not accept this outcome.
???: Stop this foolishness at once, Hermes.
Hermes: ?!?!
Hermes was surprised by the voice and look back. It was someone he was least expecting. It was none other than the Goddess of Justice Astraea.
Hermes: A-Astraea?!
Astraea: I won't let you sully his name any longer.
(Elsewhere)
In a corner of the plaza where his whisper fell, a shadow lurked. The invisible Asfi withdrew a flying needle inscribed with a spiral, so red it seemed formed from blood. It was a Crizea, a magic item designed by Perseus to stir monsters into an excited, brutal frenzy. During Dungeon expeditions, it carried the risk of increasing their strength, but it also caused them to attack one another. It was not difficult to imagine what it would do in a place like this.
Hermes had prepared for the current situation. He had predicted the boy might act in the same stupid way as he had five days earlier. Following her patron deity's orders, Asfi fixed her green-blue eyes on the gargoyle.
Asfi: I won't ask your forgiveness.
For just an instant, her gaze landed on the boy facing the gargoyle. As if he sensed her presence, he started and glanced back toward the place where the invisible woman stood. She was about to shoot the crimson needle. Urged by instinct, the Sora's feet prepared to run. In that moment, the only figures who moved were Asfi, Sora—and Finn.
Sora: ?!?!
Sora sense something was coming. The pallum's thumb had never throbbed so strongly. It was blaring an alarm that something was approaching. Sora and Finn lifted their head. The next instant—
Ddraig: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
A monster's battle cry shattered the still air. A tremendous roar that shattered all hesitation, all sorrow, and all artifice rang through the air. When that battle cry thundered through the air, every first-tier adventurer in Orario reacted instantly. The golden-haired, golden-eyed swordswoman looked up at the sky over the northwestern sector and started to run.
Aiz: !!!
The Blue Elf princess on the northeastern sector look up to the sky and started running as well.
Asuna: It's time!
The Amazonian twins lifted their weapons and took off running without a backward glance.
Tione: It's here!
Tiona: Let's go!
The swift-footed werewolf dropped what he was doing and sped off.
Bete: Sounds like it's near Finn!
And then there was Sora.
Sora:...
His diamond eyes took in the monster. Destroying, crushing, smashing. In an instant, the red crimson beast had charged past any adventurers unfortunate enough to be standing in his way. He stunned Hermes and Astraea, stole Asfi's moment to intervene, amazed the goddesses, and trampled onto the stage that the god had prepared, crushing it to pieces.
The townsfolk did not even have time to scream. He plunged forward with such speed that the arrows Braver ordered his troops to fire had no effect, and even the spear he threw himself did no more than mar the beast's skin. Forward he charged—toward Sora. The Hero was his sole target.
Sora: ?!
Ddraig: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
The Juggernaut majestic red-crimson form was covered in blood. Before this hair-raising apparition, Sora reverted to pure instinct. He thrust Eina away with all his force, and then, desperate to escape the figure charging toward him and the deadly blow of its claw, he crossed his arms and leaped backward. An explosion of cobblestone fragments flew from the ground where the claw of the Juggernaut's claw made contact, releasing an overwhelming shock wave and wind blast. Sora's body transformed into an arrow cutting through the air, crashing through the buildings behind him with the force of a river overflowing its banks as he was driven from the plaza.
Hestia, Rin and Eina: Sora?!
Hestia, Rin and Eina screamed in unison as the monstrous dragon propelled the boy through the air.
(Timeskip)
Mord: What...what happened?!
Bits of stone rained down on a corner of the dust-filled plaza. As the scene of destruction came into focus, the shouts of dazed adventurers broke the stillness. Screams and roars of anger filled the plaza. In the space of a few seconds, dozens of adventurers had been seriously wounded, and the Lightning Flash had been blown away. The violent assault had happened so quickly no one had caught a good look at the enemy, but nevertheless it threw the crowd into an uproar.
Ouka: Hey, are you okay?
Chigusa: You're not hurt?
Ouka and Chigusa were supporting Eina's back, but all she said in response to their questions was...
Eina: Sora...Sora?!
She had been shoved out of harm's way, but she seemed deaf to their voices as she called Sora's name again and again in a frenzy. Her Guild uniform covered in dust, she looked out at the panorama of walls with gaping holes in them. In another corner of the plaza, Welf and Mikoto looked at each other.
Welf: So that was...
Mikoto: The Red Juggernaut....
They whispered in horror at the Red-Crimson monster that had disappeared in pursuit of Sora. Lili and Haruhime were pale and unmoving, as if they were remembering the terrifying scene. Bell and Rin were horrified when they saw Sora was blown away. Hestia, too, was struck dumb.
Gros: Ddraig...?!
Gros murmured. Even the Xenos were frozen in place by the unexpected turn of events. Hidden by the cloud of dust, Gros stared in the same direction as Eina, at the holes where his kinsman and Sora had disappeared. Finn surveyed the scene from the top of an adjacent building.
Finn: Scouts, pursue the target! But do not act until I arrive! Narfi's group, after you encircle them, provide support from the rear only, and call Asuna over here!
Narfi: Yes, sir!
As he fired orders in rapid succession, his troops leaped into action. Come what may, he would kill the monster here and now. The pallum commander had set his mind on it. It was an unpredictable element. Finn's intuition told him as much. Even his formidable brain could not predict its actions; it was, so to speak, a genuine Irregular. It was sure to become a threat in the future, and it must be taken down. Finn was about to take off running when he heard a sound.
Ottar: Stomp!
A figure appeared before him.
Finn: You...
He stopped and looked up at it.
(Elsewhere)
Sora: Ooo...owww...!
As Sora pulled himself up from among the rubble, he moaned at a pain that set his entire body on fire. Right in front of him was a series of stone walls with holes busted through them. It seemed he had traveled quite far from the plaza. He forced his shaky body to stand up in the midst of the moonlit ruins. Just then he heard a loud crash.
Sora: !!
He looked up in surprise at the sound of rubble being crushed underfoot. Through the half-demolished walls, he glimpsed the Red monster that had sent him hurtling into them. Sora gasped at the brawny figure so tall he had to look up to see his head. He wore his full plate armor lightly. There was no mistaking it. This was the 2 other Xenos he'd heard about. The Red Juggernaut. Was he an enemy or a friend? Could he talk to him? Thoughts flew through Sora's head even as he dripped sweat and reflexively took up a defensive position.
Sora:...?
Then he noticed the silence. For something that had unleashed such a terrific roar, the monster was strangely quiet. He had stopped his crashing steps at a slight distance from Sora and was now standing still. As if the wild rampage of a moment earlier had never even occurred, he stared fixedly at Sora. Sora, too, stood rooted to the ground, forgetting to speak.
Sora:...
Ddraig:...
The moonlight illuminated the boy and the dragon. Standing amid the rubble and ruins with his back to the cloudless night sky, the juggernaut looked down on the boy. He was easily more than two meters tall. Sora remained completely still, gazing up at the monster. Time flowed by tranquilly. The moment of peace was entirely unexpected on the battlefield. As Sora stared into those eyes that seemed to draw him in, the monster slowly opened his mouth.
Ddraig: Your name. I want you to tell me your name.
Sora was taken aback by both the human language and the voice that spoke it, which did not in the least match the appearance of the speaker. It was a low voice. The quiet tone brought to mind a warrior. The boy stood in a daze, unable to answer. The monster continued to speak.
Ddraig: A dream.
Sora: Huh?
Ddraig: I've been having the same dream for a long time.
The juggernaut spoke as if he were delivering a soliloquy.
Ddraig: A dream of fighting a single human.
Sora: !!
Ddraig: This human is the strongest and most worthy of opponents. Even as we fight to the death, our blood and flesh flying, we recognize each other as destined rivals.
Sora stared wide-eyed at the Juggernaut. As soon as he heard the word dream, he had recalled his conversation with Lido about the past lives of monsters. And as the Juggernaut talked about his own past life, his form reminded Sora of something else. It was a scene he could never forget.
Sora(mind): The Juggernaut from MonsterPhilia...
Ddraig: There is a being who drives me on, in pursuit of a rematch.
It couldn't be. Even as Sora realized the truth, the Red Juggernaut continued.
Ddraig: I have come here to meet with the being of my dreams.
He had stated his reason for existence. His deepest feeling, the yearning so powerful it had pushed him to be reborn. It was not envy toward the human race or longing for the surface that had brought him here but simply the search for his old opponent.
Ddraig: My name is Ddraig.
It expressed his desire for the crimson flash of light that he saw at the end of his dreams. Even as Sora floundered in disbelief and confusion, at the bottom of his heart, he understood everything.
Ddraig: Tell me your name.
Sora: Sora. My name is Sora Yatagami.
The monster engraved the whispered words into the core of his being. Then he brought his claw aiming towards Sora's chest.
Ddraig: Sora, please. Fight me again. Grant me a rematch.
The monster's will echoed across the moonlit ruins. Sora knew that he should tell the juggernaut to wait, that he was not ready, that he had to return to Gros and the others. But his heart would not let him say those words. He looked at his feet. He looked up at the massive figure. The monster's blood was dripping onto the ground. Countless wounds were etched into his skin. Sora felt he had to grant his request. No—he felt it would be wrong to run away.
Sora:...
Sora apologized silently to everyone and everything. Then he drew his weapon. He raised his two Divine blade, and looked at the red monster. As Ddraig watched the Hero prepare to step into battle, his mouth stretched into a broad smile. And with that joyful and ill-omened smile, he tipped his head toward the night sky and the moon watching over them.
Ddraig: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Sora: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Their roar shook the heavens. The shot signaling the start of the battle had been fired. Their fight has begun. The fight between boy and monster was a battle of speed against strength. The adventurers watching from the periphery squeezed their hands into tight fists, frustrated to be mere spectators to the show. Finn had told them not to get involved under any circumstances. But just standing there with pale faces was a disgrace to Loki Familia. How could they sit back and let the very same boy they'd showered with criticism do all the fighting?
Sora(mind): So fast!! He can also fly!!
The Red Juggernaut flew into the air and sent a massive dragon blast from its mouth aiming towards Sora, and he wrapped his blade in lightning and with a horizontal slash, cut the blast in half. The Juggernaut smiled as if to say Sora had no time for such distractions, then swung his red tail through the air.
Sora: Uaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Sora thrust up his hand to block, but he could not deflect all of the blow's force. As the atmosphere and sparks flew, Sora spun through the air onto the roof of a building. But Ddraig pursued him, and no sooner had he landed than the monster kicked the boy's body.
Sora: Aaaah!
Sora crossed his arms to guard his body. The world shook violently as he absorbed the full force of the blow. He heard the sound of the bone in his forearm cracking, and his eyes rolled back in his head. He flew backward toward the plaza once again.
Sora: Huh? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!
The human bullet inscribed a gentle arc across the sky as it flew toward the plaza with incredible speed. As Sora's form approached, the people in the plaza scattered frantically. He landed headfirst and rolled into a corner of the square, sending up clouds of dust.
Hestia: S-So—?!
Hestia stared wide-eyed at Sora's far-too-swift return, but her scream was cut off midway by the shriek of cobblestones crumbling underfoot as Ddraig descended from the sky.
Sora: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!
The loudest screams yet echoed from the plaza. The Red Juggernaut reappearance fueled the terror and chaos of the crowd. As the throng of townsfolk stampeded toward Main Street, children could be heard sobbing within the melee.
Adventurer: Waaaaaaahh!
The adventurers, on the other hand, shouted as they ran. They were desperate enough to do anything. Perhaps the sight of the crying townsfolk moved even their hardened hearts, for they felt impelled to protect the women and children. They forgot their terror and closed in on Ddraig from all directions. But then the monster bellowed again.
Ddraig: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Sora: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
Ddraig's power affected every adventurer uniformly. He brought destruction to all in equal measure, sweeping aside dozens at a time. In the space of a few seconds, countless weapons were crushed to dust, fountains of blood sprayed through the air, and even the strongest of the upper-class adventurers sank to the ground as the monster reduced his attackers' numbers to a mere handful.
Ouka and Chigusa, who had hung back to protect the townsfolk, stood pale and petrified as they watched the scene unfold. Hestia Familia, who were trying to help Gros and the other Xenos escape, as well as Eina and the other Guild employees, were similarly immobilized by fear.
Lai, Fina, and Ruu: !!!
So were the children. Lai, Fina, and Ruu were among the group of orphans who had not yet escaped the plaza. They could not help watching through the gaps in the crowd. The Red monster, was the most ominous and atrocious thing they had ever seen, and the sight of adventurers flying this way and that like leaves in the wind was a scene from their worst nightmares. They did not know if the Red forms spinning through the air were weapons or human arms. This overwhelming monster was completely different from the gargoyle and winged beasts they had been watching just a few minutes earlier.
Lai: Oh, aah—
To Lai, it looked like a windstorm of death. If you touched it, you would die. That was the nature of the thing before his eyes. He had only heard about floor bosses, never seen one, but he imagined that this was what they were like. It was only natural that this most horrendous of monsters terrified the children to their very core. It was inevitable that they could move only their eyes and nothing else.
Ddraig: UOO—
In the space of an instant, the juggernaut trampled the adventurers. Then it turned and looked straight into the children's eyes. Lai felt all hope drain from him. Fina and Ruu knew then that fear had no limits. Time slowed to a hellish crawl as their hearts tightened in their chests and their breath caught in their throats.
Maria: Run, everyone!!
Maria screamed. She had been separated from the children and was standing toward the back of the crowd. But the children did not budge. Caught in the monster's gaze, they could not move so much as a finger. And just like the children, the adventurers in the crowd had lost heart. Not one stepped in between the children and the beast. It took a step toward Lai, Fina, and Ruu as if it was searching for something. But just as the children felt that their hearts would explode from the overwhelming fear—
Sora: Yahhh!
A black-haired adventurer burst through the cloud of dust and rushed the red monster.
Lai, Fina and Ruu: !!
Sora's sudden appearance shook the children free of their frozen daze. His fluttering black hair drew a pure-black arc as he flew at the monster, two divine blade in hand. The juggernaut felt a renewed surge of joy at the sight of his rival.
Sora: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Ddraig: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Lai saw it all. The scene was burned into his memory. Sora was howling as blood flowed from his head and stained his face red. He was different from all the other pale and shaking adventurers. No one else would stand up to the monster, but Sora would. He was the only one willing to engage the windstorm of death in battle head-on.
Lai: Ah—
Sora's expression was completely different from any Lai had seen him make before. He had seen him miserable, smiling bitterly, afraid, and crying. Lai had felt Sora had betrayed him, yet his memories of him were happy. But none of these Soras matched the one before him.
Lai: That's—
Here was the image of a man roaring heroically. Here was the face of a man throwing himself into an adventure. That's—a Hero. The boy stared at Sora. His hands and feet shook. His chest grew hot. Lai didn't know what this feeling was—like he was about to cry. He knew just one thing. Sora Yatagami was neither a traitor nor a coward. He was a Hero.
Lai:......!
Lai opened his mouth and tried to speak. There was something he had wanted to say for a long time. Sora had been drowning in despair, and he wanted to apologize, to tell him something. But he couldn't form the words. He felt as if a string were wrapped around his throat, preventing him from speaking.
Fina and Ruu felt the same way. They stood next to him, tears trickling down their cheeks. Lai willed his mouth to move as tears blurred his vision, too. Just then, he heard a voice.
Mord: Goooooooooooooooo, Lightning Flaaaaaaaaaaaaaaash!!
The deep voice thundered across the plaza.
Lai: !
Mord: Get 'immmmmmmm!! Kill the damn monnnnnnnsterrrrrrrrr!
It was Mord, the rogue adventurer. He and his companions had stayed a safe distance from the battle, but they were watching with beet-red faces, fists clenched tightly. Mord spit, and then shouted his battle cry at the fighting boy. Lai turned his head to look at Mord's, and the string around his neck seemed to fall away. The boy squeezed both hands tight, shut his eyes, and yelled as loud as he could.
Lai: Go get 'im, big brotheeeerrrrrrr!!
Hestia: This is...
As Hestia gazed around the plaza in a daze, she noticed a change begin to occur.
Fina: Big brother!
Ruu: Yeah! You go...!
Mord: Give 'im helllllllllllllllllllllllllll...!
Mord's thundering shouts echoed alongside Fina's and Ruu's earnest cheers. Ganesha Familia was urgently attempting to evacuate everyone from the plaza, but when the panicked townsfolk heard the shouts, they stopped. Everyone realized in astonishment what was happening. A single adventurer was taking on the enormous monster, rushing at him with two divine blade. The adventurer evaded the earth-splitting swing of its tail by a hairbreadth, then leaped at the monster with swords flashing. The townsfolk blanched at the sight. The Guild employees were at a loss for words. The other adventurers clenched their fists. This was a fight. This was a fierce struggle in which human and monster were threatening each other's lives.
Eina: Sora...!
Eina could not stop herself from whispering his name. Everyone watching realized the same thing. There was no calculation in this fight and no ambition. It was pure will. Pure thirst for victory. No one thought now to slander Sora as an "enemy of the people." Criticisms steeped in malice and ridicule shaded with despair lost all meaning in the presence of this battle.
This was true mortal combat. The sight of the adventurer bravely facing down this terrifying monster was worth more than a thousand explanations or excuses. There was not a trace of falsehood in the face of the one roaring at the Red beast.
Human: Go...
Demi-Human: Fight hard!
Elf: Don't give in!
They were shouting at the boy locked in battle with the fierce monster in the center of the plaza. A single word cascaded into a gigantic wave of voices.
Sora: !!!
In respond to the mortal combat, the wild roar and scream intertwining, the frightening resident shouted until their voice crack. A guild member was at a loss for words, and that turned into cheers of support as adventurers raised their fist above their heads. Everyone raised their voice for the swordman. Everyone quivered as he embark on his adventurer. Everyone saw a Hero.
Sora: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
Their sparks grew even faster and harder, until the Juggernaut managed to grabbed Sora's leg by its tail and Sora was brought into the air shocking him. The Juggernaut then slammed Sora into the ground multiple time without giving him an inch of mercy. Everyone all looked terrified as they saw the Hero was grabbed and was being pummeled to the ground.
Sora: Gah!!
The Juggernaut flew into the air and slammed Sora into the ground and without giving time for Sora to stand, the Juggernaut lash out a massive Dragon Blast directly towards the fallen Hero.
Sora: !!!
It was a direct hit. A huge explosion occurred near the plaza. Everyone had to shield themselves from the blast. The Loki and Freya Familia were all trying their best to shields the civilians. After the explosion cleared. Everyone was horrified when they saw Sora laying on the center of the explosion not moving.
Sora:...
His body was scorched. Multiple injuries could be seen. His shirt was wrecked. They all stood horrified as they saw a Level 7 was easily defeated by the mighty dragon. The mighty roar shook the entire earth itself. All the citizens were looking down in despair. Adventurers were horrified. Until...
Bete: What are you doing you bastard!!
It was Bete as he was standing atop of a building watching the fight.
Bete: Losing so pathetic!! That's not how you should lose!! Because the person who is gonna beat you is me!! So get up already!!
Tiona: Go!! Mr Flash!! Show us your way of life!! Your way of the Hero!!
Tione: If you keep sleeping, we'll take all the glory!!
Next was Tiona and Tione standing near atop another building not to far from Bete.
Aiz: Don't Lose!!
Finn: Show us your power!! Show us why you are known as the Light of Hope that saved us 7 years ago!!
Asuna: Prove it to us, Sora!! Prove it to us, why you are known as the strongest adventurer in the entire world!!
Next was Aiz, Finn, and Asuna. All three of them were cheering for his victory. Slowly but surely, every people there started cheering, rooting for him to stand up.
Sora:...
Slyphid(telepathy): Can you hear that, Sora? Their all rooting for you.
Sora(telepathy): Yeah! Will you please give me your strength like the last time!! I want us the merge again!!
Slyphid(telepathy): Of course. What's mine is yours. My master, Sora Hatake.
As the cheering continue, they all saw Sora slowly but surely stood up. Until he roar with all of his might.
Sora: HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Sora's aura exploded. Light started to shine and raised above into the air from the ground. As if the whole world itself was glowing. People at Orario, no— the world all could see the light. They all felt a sense of deja vu. Yes, it was the same from 7 years ago. The Light of Hope has return.
Bell: Wow...
Bell who was seeing this for the first time couldn't help but look at Sora in awe. Not just him, Hestia, Rin, Welf, Mikoto and Haruhime all looked Sora in awe as well. Even the Juggernaut that was hovering in the air look at Sora in awe.
Ddraig(mind): Incredible...
Hermes: How many years has it been since the Light of Hope shines...
Astraea: 7 years. What a beautiful light as always.
Loki: Phew... What an amazing boy he is.
Freya: To think I could see this light again.
Everyone was stun when they saw the light. Many of them felt the warm and comforting feelings surrounding them. And suddenly.
*WHISTLING*
The sound of a whistling birds started ringing around the world. The light itself was already beautiful enough that it captivated them. Now they all could see the sound of a whistling. The sound has reached every corner of the city of Orario. It was a soul-stirring melody that reached the adventurers, citizen's, monsters. There was no holiness to be found anywhere. And yet that whistling resembled a blessing from the heavens, resounding through the city, repelling the darkness the was enveloping them, and transforming into a sacred rhythm to purify evil.
Astraea: Shine brightly, Sora.
The whistling continue.
*Whistling*
Everyone saw that Sora was now embedded by a pure of white light as the sound of the whistling birds continue to sing. And the Light that was surrounding him slowly but surely started to disappear as his face could now be seen.
His hair was now gray-ish white. His eyes was still blue, but was shining even brighter. His clothes form into a coat the user's body in white energy, which emanates from them reminiscent of flickering flames. White wings could be seen appearing behind his back as Sora reveal another new form.
Hephaestus: No way...
Miach: I don't believe it...
Takemikazuchi: This power... This aura... This feeling.
Hestia: There's no mistaking it.
All the Gods could clearly tell what kind of power Sora was emanating. Aiz, Finn, and Asuna could also tell right away.
Gods: SPIRIT!!!!
Everyone in Orario clearly heard the Gods voice and they all stood there in shock. It was a spirit. The so called being Gods most beloved children. Who exist 1000 years ago before all the high ranking spirit all disappeared from this world. Spirit that resides in Orario were just low ranking spirit. To be able to see a High Ranking spirit who exist 1000 years ago was a mind blowing event for them.
Sora(telepathy): Let's do this Slyphid.
Slyphid(telepathy): Yeah. Lets show that Lizard how strong we truly are!
After powering up, Sora glance his direction towards Asuna. Asking her to do something. Asuna realized it with just an eye contact and nodded her head, until Sora return his gaze back to the Juggernaut that was hovering in the air and slowly, his feet was no longer touching the ground as he was ascending up into the air.
Eina: He's flying!!
Everyone was shocked at what they were seeing. As soon as Sora reached the same height where the Juggernaut is, he smile at the Red monster.
Sora: Sorry to keep you waiting. If we fight here, everyone else would get caught up in the fight. So why don't we move this somewhere else.
With a raised of his hand, a huge tornado appeared from the palm of his hand. Wind much more bigger than a typhoon. Blasted through the Juggernaut and was sent flying out of Orario and Sora went to chased him off in a blink of an eye.
Tiona: That's Aiz's Aerial!!
Aiz:...
As soon as Sora and Ddraig was outside of Orario, Asuna instantly activate her Stacia Wing and started flying. She grabbed Aiz by the shoulder much to the others confused and flew to the top of Babel.
Asuna: I'm sorry Aiz. But I need you to watch this fight.
Aiz:...
Asuna: Moonlight Mirror!!
Asuna then chanted a word. Suddenly a huge screen appeared above the people's head as Asuna was showing them the fight that was being shown between Sora and the Juggernaut. Back with Sora and the Juggernaut. After Ddraig was blown outside of Orario, he look back and saw Sora flying towards him and Ddraig flew towards him and the two of them started trading blows in the air causing Blue and Red Streaks of light.
They were fighting in a mountain area where there are no people to get caught up in. It was nothing like they all seen before. The level of fighting. The speed, the strength. All of it was on a different level. Only sparks could be seen everywhere.
After that, they broke the clash and Sora was generating a Lightning Blade in his hand and Ddraig was generating a Dragon blast in its mouth and the two of them rushed towards each other and and clash in mid air causing a huge explosion.
Bell: I've never seen a fight like this.
Rin: This is a whole new level.
Everyone was stunned by the level of fight and Asuna's voice could be heard throughout Orario.
Asuna: In this mode, Sora was able to generate his lightning on a whole new level. He is now got the strength of a Level 9.
Hestia: Level 9?!
Everyone was stunned. No one has ever reached level 9 except the leader of the Hera Familia. Who is long gone. Now there is a new one currently fighting outside of Orario. After the smoke cleared away, Sora's lightning flare up even more and he flew into the sky in blinding speed.
Asuna: There it is everyone. Sora's speed at 100%. His true... Flashing Strike!!
Aiz: The sky is... Breaking...
Suddenly, multiple thunderclap and sonic boom could be seen in the sky all aiming towards the mighty dragon. Everyone was shocked by how much power the Lightning Flash possesses.
Asuna: With this power... Sora can move faster than the speed of light in the sky to create sonic boom... And after falling and rising around the enemy... He starts to accelerate even faster... As the enemy gets crushed by Sora's shockwave, they can't move a muscle.
Just like Asuna said, they all saw the Juggernaut was paralyzed in the center of the shockwave unable to move as it was being hit after hit of thunder and sonic boom.
Asuna: No one can get away... No one can intercept... No one is fast enough. This is why he was known throughout the entire world to be the only level 4 to surpass a level 6. Why he was given the Nickname [Flashing Strike].
It was then the sonic boom end and Sora stop by hovering in the air and look towards the place where the Juggernaut was hit by his True Flashing Strike. But to his surprise, the Juggernaut was still able to stand on its feet.
Ddraig: RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!!
The Juggernaut didn't give up. The juggernaut felt a renewed surge of joy at the sight of his rival true power as his own power flare up even more. After charging up, the two once again clash and they started to ascend higher into the air. They past above the clouds and sparks could be seen falling from the sky landed everywhere. Orario. The mountains. Melen. Rakia, Azbaya. And more so. People all over the world was currently watching the fight.
After that, they broke the clash and jumped back to gain some distance. The Juggernaut sent out a Dragon Shot and Sora sent out an arrow of lightning and he managed to overpower the Dragon's shot and hit Ddraig. Causing an explosion.
Sora(mind): An adventure... I want to have an adventure.
The voices around him sounded distant. Everything but his opponent disappeared from his field of vision. All traces of hesitation and indecision had vanished from his face. He forgot the Xenos, Asuna and Aiz, and the future. He forgot all the things that had been worrying him and focused solely on the fight at hand. He gave himself heart and soul to the smiling opponent before him. He was starving, exactly as his opponent was. Sora realized instinctively that beyond the hunger for victory lay everything connected to his existence. This was a fight to save the Xenos, to achieve the future that Wiene his daughter dreamed of. In other words, a fight for strength.
Slyphid(telepathy): Onward, to adventure once again!!
The people watching screamed. They were all cheering for his victory. A fight that transcends no other. Every time blood spurted from one of the monster's wounds, the townsfolk trembled. Every time Sora was thrown into the air, the adventurers gripped the railings and leaned forward.
Mord: Kill the monsterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! Yeah! Right theeeeeeeeeeere!!
The adventurers had converged again after following Sora and Ddraig. Eina was among the Guild employees who watching was also trembling. With the help of Ouka and Chigusa, she climbed onto the roof of a shop next to the park and was watching Sora.
Ouka: How about right here?
Eina: Yes, this is great, thank you!
Adventurers: Yeah! Get 'im!
As if time were repeating itself, they began yelling angrily, as if to show their adventurers' spirit.
Ryuu: Sora...
Aisha: He really is a monster!
Aisha with a smile. She was standing next to Ryuu as she watch the fight above her. Nearby, Daphne and Cassandra trembled violently as they watched the Hero face the terrifying creature all alone.
Daphne: He really is crazy powerful!
Daphne gasped.
Cassandra: Oh geez...!
Tsubaki: Welf's familia is nothing if not fun,
Tsubaki, squinting through her good eye.
Naza: Sora...Win this fight!
Naza, gripping her silver prosthetic with her left hand. As cheers thundered through the air, the townsfolk, the deities, and everyone else in the city trained their eyes on the Hero and the monster.
Sora(mind): I'm sorry. Thank you. I'm going on ahead.
Sora roared that his roar could be heard throughout the night sky.
Sora: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
With that, Sora generated a massive arrow of lightning so big that it could be seen at the sky even without Asuna's moonlight mirror.
Asuna: He's using the Indra's Arrow!!
Aiz: Do you know that move?
Asuna: Yes, it was the same arrow that allow me and Sora to escape from the One Eyed Black Dragon 15 years ago.
Aiz's eyes widened in shock. The Juggernaut saw this and smirk and started charging its own attack right on its chest and
Sora's voice could be heard at the sky.
Sora: ASUNA!!! CREATE A BARRIER THROUGHOUT ORARIO NOW!!! AND PEOPLE OUTSIDE AND TO THOSE WHO CAN HEAR MY VOICE, BRACE YOURSELF FOR AN EXPLOSION ON A CATASTROPHIC LEVEL!!!!!
With waiting for a moment of reply, Asuna raised her hand into the air and chanted her barrier.
Asuna: AIR STRIKE BARRIER—> SECOND BARRIER—> DRITTE BARRIER!!!!
Suddenly a huge 3 layer of barrier appeared and surround the whole entire Orario. And with the help of Stacia, a huge dome of earth started covering Orario even more and people in Orario, Melen, Rakia, Azbaya, and many more all brace themselves. Holding to what any strong object that might protect them as they all saw Sora and the Juggernaut fires their strongest shot.
Ddraig: LONGINUS SMASHER!!!
Sora: INDRA'S ARROW!!!
Sora's arrow of lightning and Ddraig's mighty dragon blast all flew into each other and they clashed in the sky over Orario. The force was so great, it created a massive explosion that shook the entire world and created a massive cyclone with red and blue lightning sparking through it and everyone was completely and utterly shocked when they saw it.
If it wasn't for Asuna's barrier, Orario itself could be wipe from existence. The shockwaves all hit, Melen, Rakia, Azbaya, and many more as they all could see the huge explosion everywhere. And somewhere, near the town of Olympia, a certain perverted God could also see the huge explosion.
Zeus: Oh my God, Sora...
Somewhere in the world, someone spoke. The innumerable stories playing out on that mortal plane belonged to the children, but still, the deities lurked in the background. That was certainly true. It was none other than Sora's grandma, Hera.
Hera: That idiot boy! What does he think he's doing using a move like that?
Back at Orario, the barrier that Asuna had created has shattered completely. They were all completely tense when they saw the massive cyclone and suddenly, two figures started to fall and descend from the sky.
Hestia: That's...
Everyone saw Sora and the Juggernaut falling and the both of them crashed into the ground right in front of Babel not moving.
Everyone:...
No one was able to speak nor even uttering a single word. Until they all saw both Sora and the Juggernaut weakly stood up all injured. With Sora no longer in his spirit form and he's face, hair look completely different. He has grey asymmetrical hair that's longer on the right side of his face, a sharp face, strong and serious blue diamond eyes, he oozes a calm and collected air around him, sometimes feeling dangerous but also somehow gives a feeling of warmth and security.
Aiz: Big Bro...
Aiz mutter quietly as she and Asuna descended from the top of Babel and landed right near the fight along with everyone else. Aiz was seeing her Big Brother's true appearance. The face she knew all those years ago. And Bell who saw this as well had a strange feeling in his heart as if he knew him as well.
Bell: Eh... For some reason, he looks familiar.
Sora:...
Ddraig:...
It was the final match. The roars of the boy and the beast filled the air. No trace of elegance could be found in their duet—only the battle cries of two beings hungry for victory. They were about ten meters separated them. As if he had been waiting impatiently for this moment, Sora brought his hand—and the Divine Blade in it—crashing onto the cobblestones. With his arm planted firmly down as he charged up a Lightning Blade in his left hand.
A buzz of anticipation swept through the crowd of watching adventurers. The Juggernaut seemed to be preparing himself to use his most deadly weapon —his massive Dragon Blast. Sora stared at the massive dragon inlined against the limestone tower. His face was facing directly towards the tower entry and the Juggernauts back was directly in front of Babel.
Sora:...
Ddraig:...
Everyone:...
The image of the Dragon Blast burned into the Hero's eyes. The converging blue sparks of light pierced the monster's gaze. Their eyes met. Both brimmed with a will to fight that erased all boundaries. A single second stretched on forever. Their limbs cried out, their hearts hungered, their warrior's resolve burned fiercely. Sora's blue eyes met the monster eyes of Ddraig. And then—
Sora: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Ddraig: UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Sora rushed at the Dragon as the mighty monster let out his Dragon Shot.
Eina: Don't lose!
For the first time, Eina prayed not that the fight would end—but that Sora would win. The Hero turned his bodies into powerful bullets that shattered the cobblestones as he shot forward. The Juggernaut shot a massive blast as if it was finishing with its final attack. The townsfolk, the deities, and the adventurers gasped at the thunderous roars.
In an instant, the mad rush reduced the space between the two forms to nothing. Sora had charged to its maximum.
Sora: I WON'T LOSE THIS BATTLE!!!!
He swung his left hand forwards and block the incoming attack with his lightning blade and as soon as the space between them reaches zero, aiming for his opponent's red face, Sora unleashed a ferocious punch of white light.
Sora: Your done...
Ddraig: I'm looking forwards for another rematch...
Sora: Yeah, me as well.
One instant. His punch has connected. He had won. His Hero's Attack has won. Another explosion occurred. Complete silence fell over Orario. A clash had caused an explosion that blinds everything... The sound of blades, claws clashing has stopped... Everyone was wondering who won the fight... The smokes is slowly fading... The conquer standing there on his own... Until they saw...
Asuna: Its Sora.
Mord: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Everyone: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Cheers erupted. The Hero has won. The Hero stood standing still. The Monsters were no more. Long gone.
Aiz: Big Bro!
Tiona: He won!
Tione: We have a new mightiest!
Asuna: Shout out, everyone! Praise the winner! PRAISE YOUR ONE AND ONLY HERO!!!!
Everyone: SORA!! SORA!! SORA!! SORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
The strongest adventurer in the world. People all over the world saw the fight thanks to Asuna's moonlight mirror. They all saw the return of the Hero and Light of Hope. As cheers continue to erupt, inside Babel, Ddraig who had been punch inside there slowly stood up and he slowly walk back towards the dungeon.
Ddraig: I'll win next time. Be prepared, Sora Yatagami.
Above ground cheers continue to be hear. Until all of them stop when they saw Sora lift his arm and pointed towards the dungeon and everyone looked at him confused, but Asuna knew what he was doing.
Sora: Next time... Next, it's your turn...
Sora sent out a message and everyone started cheering once more. That short massage from Sora... On the surface, it appeared to be a warning to the next monsters or any other evil being. The unbroken figure of The Light of Hope. But, in Bell's eyes, and some other eyes, such as Asuna, Astraea, it sounded as the complete opposite.
Bell: Sora...
Asuna: So that's what you truly meant, Sora...
Astraea: A message for the Next Generation Heroes...
This was Sora's heroic story. His Heroic scene. His own Hero path. As tears started streaming down Bell's face.
Hestia: Bell... Is something wrong...?
Bell: No... Everything is fine.
Sora: Become stronger.
Sora had given him a reason to grow.
Bell: I promise you. One day, I'll create a place where we can live together. And I'll become an even greater Hero than you. To make that happen, from now on, I have to do more—
He'd said all those things. He'd promised. He'd been right. From now on, he had to do more—he had to be more. More, much more. If he was going to keep his promise to Wiene, he had to become much, much stronger. And so another goal was set. Bell had found something to aim for other than his idol. Everything he needed now was connected.
Bell: So that I reach the level of my idol. So that I'm sure no one I care about is ever again killed. So I win next time. I will become stronger. I will become much stronger. So that I never lament my powerlessness again.
Sora: Now, cry. Cry now so you can start running again tomorrow.
Bell covered his eyes with his arm and, the wretched sobs began.
(Timeskip)
Two days has passed since the incident on Daedalus Streets. Bell was told by Fels that a Black Minotaur named Asterius had challenged him to a one on one fight in floor 9 in Asterius victory and much to Bell's disappointment. Phosphorescence faintly illuminated the darkness. In a large room also lit by magic-stone lamps, Fels faced the monsters.
Lido: We're so sorry about all this, Fels. We really put you through so much...
Fels: Don't say that, Lido. I knew I was taking on a big job when I got involved. To tell the truth, I was reluctant to do it at first.
Lido: Damn it, Fels, thank you.
The lizardman stretched out his powerful monster's hand, and Fels shook it with gloved bones. The other Xenos standing around them joined in with words and mews and grunts of thanks. They were in one of the Dungeon's Hidden Villages of the Xenos. Several days had passed since that long day of battle in the Labyrinth District, and during that time, Lido and the others had returned safely to this village where their remaining brethren were waiting.
Lido: Even you made it back, Gros...You really do have the devil's own luck, it seems.
Gros: Yes, I did fail to die.
Rei: You shouldn't say that!
Wiene: I sure am glad, Gros!
Fels watched with deep respect as the monsters chatted among themselves. After the battle, Lido, Wiene, Gros, and the others had managed to meet up once again. It was Hestia, Bell, Lili, and their familia members who had brought the winged monsters to Knossos, and for that they were infinitely grateful. But Hestia Familia insisted that it was all thanks to the fact that Freya Familia had set its sights on immobilizing Loki Familia.
Everything had originated in the epic battle between the Hero and the Juggernaut. If even one thing had gone wrong, the scene before Fels now would not have existed. Not if Sora and Hestia Familia hadn't been there for them.
Lido: Thank you for healing us all with your magic. You've done so much for us. By the way, I have a really old magic potion that belonged to an adventurer, if you want it....
Fels: That's all right. I'm only bones, so I can't drink it...But Lido, what about them?
Along with healing the other Xenos, Fels had tended the near-fatal battle wounds of the Juggernaut and they had preserved on ice. Afterward Ddraig had thanked Fels briefly, but that was all.
Lido: They'd returned to the Deep Zone...to train again.
Fels: I see.
Lido: Ddraig said he had to become stronger, for another rematch.
Fels's black robes shook as Lido talked about the minotaur warrior who had found his dream. The mage was thinking of Bell and Sora, who seemed to be the favored child of fate in both good and bad ways. They truly were a hapless creature.
Fels: Well then, Lido. I'm off. Ouranos is waiting with more work.
Lido: I understand...Fels!
Fels: ??
Lido: When you return to the surface, please tell Sora-chi...
Fels:...
Lido: No, it's nothing. I want to tell him myself. After all, I did promise.
Lido said, a wrinkly smile forming on his lizard's face.
Fels: Yes, that would be better.
Wiene: Fels!
Fels: What is it, Wiene?
Wiene: See you soon! Next time, I hope Papa is with us, too!
Fels: Yes, see you.
Fels replied, with a pang of regret at being unable to smile back at the group of Xenos gathered to say good-bye. Though the inability to smile at the world that Bell, Sora and Hestia Familia had saved was frustrating, however, the distress was tempered with just a hint of thankfulness that a skeleton's eyes could not shed tears, either.
(Timeskip)
Far away from the Dungeon, the chaos on the surface continued for a time. The cleanup work in Daedalus Street was a prime example. Slum though it was, repair work was carried out with the utmost urgency so that the evacuees could return home. There were endless tasks to accomplish, from setting up temporary tent facilities to dispatching adventurers and Guild staff to calming the residents. The one bright spot was that the townsfolk were greatly comforted by Loki Familia's assistance with the efforts. The Guild chief Royman, however, was rumored to be drowning under the ever- growing mountain of problems, starting with the ongoing reconstruction of the Pleasure Quarter.
Meanwhile, false information was spreading about the fate of the monsters who had appeared on the surface. People said that while Sora Yatagami had been battling the violent red Juggernaut, Loki Familia had exterminated the others. In fact, the rumors were started on the orders of Ouranos, who knew the whole story. Even Royman did not know all the details about this secret agreement to spread misinformation. Surprisingly, however, Loki Familia—whose pride had been wounded during the incident—did not oppose the scheme.
Various faction members and first-tier adventurers had their own opinions about it, but they accepted the Guild's negotiations and announcements. Fake drop items, supposedly from monsters with bounties on their heads, were displayed in front of Guild Headquarters, drawing bitter tears from the other adventurers. The deities pretended to grieve deeply, and the townsfolk were relieved. As for the boy who was at the center of all this—
Hermes: It's not as if everything is back to normal, but I do feel Sora has salvaged his reputation among the children.
Ouranos: Is that so?
Hermes was sitting before Ouranos giving a report on the recent events. Once again, Hermes was carving chunks of wood as he sat on the altar illuminated by four torches.
Hermes: That fight seems to have had an enormous impact.
Hermes shrugged as he mentioned the Hero's adventure, which of course was very familiar to him. At the very least, no one was disparaging Sora anymore. The young children would probably even look up to their hero. The other adventurers most likely regarded him with awe and respect and had finally accepted him as one of them.
That was how intense the battle with the Juggernaut had been. Ddraig had no ulterior motives. He knew nothing of Sora's reputation. All he sought was a rematch. The end result of his actions, however, was that the adventurers and townsfolk had witnessed with their own eyes his iron-strong will to fight and kill. It was, without question, the real thing. Hermes set the finished carving of Ddraig on the chessboard next to the Hero.
Hermes: I was outwitted this time. I was taken in. If Freya was the one who had me in the palm of her hand, then she probably feels satisfied, but...
Hermes glanced at the carved Juggernaut and smiled with irritation. Then he stood, brushed his hands together, and turned toward Ouranos on his throne.
Hermes: Well, my report is done. Did you have any questions?
Ouranos: Can I count on your help next time?
Hermes: If you can promise me that Bell and Sora won't get wrapped up with the Xenos again, then I will continue to help you for the time being. Now that the existence of Knossos has become public, there's no use in us quarreling. But let me ask you—do you feel okay about everything?
Ouranos: With Zeus and Hera gone, the military forces at my command are limited. I don't have much choice.
Ouranos replied in a businesslike manner. He was playing the role of a pillar of stability and public peace.
Hermes: I understand Hestia, Bell and Sora may well dislike me after all that's happened. For now, I'll keep my head down and act in good faith.
Ouranos:...
Hermes: All the same, this hasn't changed my plans.
He intended to keep acting in the interest of his hero. He donned his traveling cap, which he had been holding between his hands. The look in his yellow-orange eyes seemed to be telling Ouranos that they may well butt heads again in the future.
Hermes: Please excuse me. If I stay any longer, I fear I will provoke your antipathy once again.
With that, Hermes exited the Chamber of Prayers and climbed the stairs to the surface. A short time later, a sound issued from the hidden door to the other, secret passage leading to the chamber. Fels emerged from the shadows.
Fels: I'm back, Ouranos...Was someone here?
The mage said, looking at the chessboard set before the altar.
Ouranos: Hermes came by.
Although Fels had no face to show emotion, the sullen pause that followed was revealing enough. After a moment, the black hood trembled as if Fels was sighing.
Fels: I accompanied the Xenos safely back to their village. No lives were lost during the disturbance on the surface.
Ouranos: Is that so?
Fels looked up into the god's eyes, as blue as the sky.
Ouranos: Of course, we were not able to demonstrate the value of the Xenos's existence. The problems between them and the surface dwellers have in no way been resolved. The road remains long and rough.
Fels: With the recent events, their dream may have become even less realistic.
Ouranos: But there were definite benefits as well.
Fels nodded at the words of the aged god.
Fels: God Hermes seems unlikely to accept the Xenos...but I choose the same path as him, Ouranos.
Many different emotions flickered in the voice echoing through the chamber. The immortal fool, flesh and skin long since gone, spoke to the flickering flames of the torches.
Fels: I, too, will bet everything on the boy.
(Elsewhere)
Welf: "Lightning Flash Miraculous Victory! The Return of The Light of Hope!" I can't stand these fickle people!
Welf gazed down at the unfurled scrolls and sighed as if he'd had all he could take.
Mikoto: Isn't it a good thing, Sir Welf? The misconceptions about Sir Sora have been fixed now.
Haruhime: And people around town aren't giving us the cold shoulder anymore. You seem to feel like you owe them something...but that will fade with time.
Haruhime added in an attempt to comfort her companion, who was reading the headlines of the news bulletins circulating in the city. Now that Hestia Familia had accomplished what needed to be done, free from the tension of the past few days, they were relaxing together in the living room of their home.
Rin: The adventurers who were watching Sora and me have completely disappeared since everything ended, too.
Rin said, gazing out the window of the large room.
Hestia: Yes, and I was sure that everything of value would be gone when we came back...but we weren't robbed after all.
Hestia replied from the sofa. After delivering the last of the Xenos to Knossos, when all their work was truly done, they had returned home expecting to find the doors and windows destroyed—but that was not the case. Someone did seem to have broken in and searched the place, but there was no sign of rough behavior. Nor was any of their important property damaged or missing. It was as if some exceedingly strong familia had been keeping an eye on things.
Lili: So now things are back to normal...
Mikoto:...except they aren't.
Mikoto finished Lili's sentence. Their eyes scanned the living room slowly for the shadow of the dragon girl. Even Lili could not hide her longing for the girl who was missing from the warm family circle. After a moment, everyone in the living room looked at Bell and Haruhime.
Hestia: Are you okay, Bell, Haruhime?
Haruhime: Yes. We'll meet again.
Bell: We promised each other.
Mikoto watched the renart girl hug her pinkie quietly to her chest. Everything was over and their worries were gone, but their hope remained. A very modest sense of fulfillment descended on the little familia.
Rin: But there's still Sora to think about...
Rin's voice echoed across the living room, where the boy was nowhere to be found. Haruhime and Mikoto looked at each other, and Bell turned to Hestia.
Bell: Goddess. Is Sora...?
Hestia: Yes.
Hestia looked away from Bell and stared up at the ceiling, narrowing her pale-blue eyes.
Hestia: Today, too....
Astraea: By the way, thank you for letting us stay here, Hestia.
Hestia: No problem. A friend of Sora is a friend of ours.
Astraea, Lemia, and Muller all have joined to live at the HearthFire Mansion until the return back to Azbaya in a couple of months.
(Elsewhere)
The wind was blowing. A morning wind from the blue eastern sky. Sora felt the cool breeze rush over him as he stood on the high city wall. He was looking out quietly on the center of the city and the huge limestone tower. Eventually, the sunrise lit up the clear sky. It glinted off golden hair. A girl had come wrapping her arm around his back laying her face on his back.
Sora: Aiz...
Aiz: Big Bro...
Sora: Why are you here?
Aiz: I'm not sure...I guess I thought if I came, I might find you.
Sora: I see...
Aiz: Yeah.
Sora:...
Aiz:...
Sora: What will you do from here on out?
Aiz: I don't know. I'm still so lost.
Sora: Bell has decided to move forward. He's hesitation has been erased completely.
Aiz: I see...
Sora: And he ask if you wanted to teach him to fight again?
Aiz: Even though all that happened?
Sora: Yes.
Aiz: He doesn't play fair.
Sora: Tell me about it.
Aiz:...
Sora:...
Aiz:...All right.
Sora:...Really?
Aiz: Yes...You and I have the same eyes. The ones I always see in the mirror.
Sora:...
Aiz: Yes...but they're different...They're not strange like mine. They're more beautiful.
Sora: Ha-ha.
Aiz: Why are you laughing?
Sora: Sorry. But he wanted to become stronger.
Aiz: Really?
Sora: Yes. Don't you?
Aiz: I do.
Sora: Then let's get stronger together.
Aiz: Yes.
Sora gently hold Aiz's hand who was wrapping her arm around his body. He repeated his vow to the sunrise, then turned his back on the golden eyes. And so the two siblings starts running once again.
A/N: And there you go. The finale of Season 3. I know that a lot was reveal, and there are some part that was confusing like Finn propose to Lili. Sora and Ottar fought for the second time. The reason why Sora already been to Knossos. A lot was mentioned but no explanation. Well, all will be reveal in Oratoria and Ova. And I'm sure you all realized that there are some scene that were not there during the anime, because I was following the Light Novel. That's why each chapter was so ridiculously long. Reaching 12k words each. Believe it or not, this was the longest, almost reaching 14k. And as always, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading this book and have a nice day