Rising To Grace Pt. II

Rapunzel sat in her room doing her hair and hummed softly. She heard knocking on her door then put her brush down. She stood up and walked to her door then opened it, noticing Jabril.

"Ahh, Jabril~ What brings you here today after all this time?~" Rapunzel asked.

Jabril walked into Rapunzel's room and hurried to the window of Rapunzel's tower then closed it. She sighed and closed her eyes. "We need to get to Neo Spring City right now. Get Yuki and let's go right now. Claudio and the others are already packing up to go there."

"What's the matter?" Rapunzel asked.

"Suxen's faction is planning to stop Claudio from saving East Spring and West Spring. Elma, Ryan, and Chassie are already heading that direction. I can't look Mihr in the eyes if I let her beloved get harmed...and I'm 100% certain that someone is tracking me because I betrayed Suxen." Jabril said and looked at Rapunzel.

Rapunzel crossed her arms and looked at Jabril then smiled, closing her eyes. "I see...so it is true that you do have a soft spot for him. Well, I have no reason to doubt you, my agent~"

Jabril smiled a bit then peeked out the window to see if anyone was outside. "We need to move fast. The Full Spring Ball is happening in two days. We need to get there before The Anti does.."

"I understand, my agent~" Rapunzel said then walked toward her closet and opened it to pick out what to wear for the ball. "Any other information you need to tell me?"

"Darling: Alice. Have you heard of her?" Jabril asked.

Rapunzel picked out a dress and smiled. "Yes, I have heard of her. The first Darling to be born. Claudio's mother. After all, I was there to witness the birth of Reverence Corps. I was there to watch Luke destroy their lives before my very eyes and was too weak to do anything at the time."

"Darling: Alice is Claudio's mother? She's still alive?!" Jabril asked in shock.

"She is." Rapunzel said then turned to look at Jabril. "Right now she's too weak to do anything which is why Suxen is stalling, unable to use her like he wants to. Why else would he need so many Wonder Shards and Wonder Stars? He wants to restore Alice to her former glory."

"This entire time I thought Darling: Alice was Miss Arabella...Can she even be saved?" Jabril asked.

Rapunzel shrugged. "No one knows. Only certain people knows she's even alive. There's nothing we can do about it for right now. Let's focus on our current task, stopping The Anti from preventing Claudio of doing the mission I assigned him."

Jabril nodded. "Okay.."

__________________________

I stretched as I finally got all our things together on the carrier who was planning to travel to Neo Spring City. I waved, letting the man know everything was set. He rode off on his horse to the destination. I walked back over to Addis and Aria.

"Alright. Everything's been packed and put together. Is everyone else ready?" I asked.

"Princess Cecilia is still getting ready. She's nervous about the ball because she doesn't know how it will go in terms of meeting with her sister for the event." Aria said and held her arms.

"It's understandable, if things go wrong...A war will most definitely start between the two and we will be forced to pick a side and kill the other." Addis said. "Everything is kinda riding on your shoulders. Do you think you can handle it?"

I smiled at Addis then nodded. "Of course. I've gotten this far plus I have Nexus and Lilith on my side. I've found my Guidance so I don't have much to worry about other than showing off my smooth moves on the dance floor."

Aria rolled her eyes and smiled. "Alright smooth guy, calm down..~"

I chuckled softly and nudged Aria. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to dance with you as well."

[Aria's Trust Increased.]

Aria giggled softly and playfully pushed me away. "Yeah yeah yeah, I got it."

I chuckled and noticed Verin and Cecilia walking out of the castle. "Finally, there you two are!"

"Sorry for taking so long! I was getting a pep talk from Verin~ I'm really nervous because if anything goes wrong..." Cecilia said.

"Nothing will go wrong, besides do you see that man right there? He's our ticket from escaping war. Put your faith in him." Verin said and smiled.

I looked at Verin and smiled. "Damn straight."

"I see you've gotten Verin to warm up to you huh?" Addis teased and nudged me with his elbow.

"What can I say? I have my charms~" I said proudly and chuckled.

Verin rolled her eyes and looked over at Detre, Madris, and Astar. "We're all ready to go right?"

"Yes." Madris nodded.

"Okay good, and where's Leo?" Verin asked.

"Dad said he had some business to take care of at Diamond State regarding his company. He won't be making it to the ball, but it's alright. I'm sure once he sees these pictures I'm gonna take he's gonna wish he were there." I said.

"Got it. Well let's not waste a second more. We've gotta make it to Neo Spring City in two days. Let's head out." Verin said.

We all set out in two different carriages then rode off to Neo Spring City. Neo Spring City sounded familiar to me, but I couldn't remember what was the importance of this specific city. All I knew was it was connected to both Woodcrest and Ace Lane. I thought nothing more of it and just enjoyed the ride.

We reached a fork in the road which was similar to the split paths in Spring Forest. We split up to open the gates and draw down the bridges that prevented us from moving forward.

I got out of the carriage then paused. I felt that someone had been watching us the entire time. "I know you're there. You can't hide from me..."

Addis and Aria got out as well. They heard rustling and noticed someone in a black cloak walking out out of the bushes. The person in the black cloak looked at me.

"It's been a while...Brother." The voice said then Honey appeared beside the person.

I turned around then noticed Ryan behind me. I smirked and Dearie stood on guard beside me. "Ryan...Well it seems that you all wish to stop us from going to the ball and having some fun with the Princesses and their retainers."

"Only you. The rest are free to go for now." Ryan said.

'His energy feels so much stronger and darker...I can tell he's been training and is under Luke's influence. A demonic presence against Claudio's angelic energy...' Addis thought to himself.

Elma watched from a distance with Chassie and grunted softly. "Claudio doesn't even look bothered...Has he really beaten the Phantom that father placed on him?"

"Impossible...Claudio merely suppressed The Phantom. Chassie suspects that Claudio found his Willpower again." Chassie said as she hid in the bushes.

Elma continued to watch and watched me closely. "Is it bad that I want him to win..? We can't keep doing this...if we fail again we can't return. Our likelihood relies on Ryan winning this fight..."

"Addis, Aria. Go on without me. I'll find my way to the city after I get done with Ryan." I said then the markings on my arm shined.

Addis nodded and went to draw down the bridge. "Be careful..."

"Yeah...I don't want to lose you, not after we've finally seen you smile again." Aria said.

I smiled and looked at Aria. "Don't worry...With Nexus and Lilith on my side, I will find a way."

'Nexus..? He has a connection to Nexus and Lilith? Father has been trying for so long to gain their blessings and Claudio finds a way to talk to them..? He's bluffing...' Ryan thought to himself.

Addis and Aria left then Dearie hacked into the bridge's system to close the bridge. Ryan and I were left to ourselves.

"Tell me something, Brother...How do you have a connection with Nexus and Lilith? We've been trying for so long to hear them and here you are, saying you have a connection.." Ryan said.

I closed my eyes and put my hair in a ponytail. "Prayer, but also...I am the Angel of Nexus. I thought you knew that already...but I guess there are things that even Luke fails to explain to you..."

Ryan grunted as he felt my energy. "You've grown stronger...How..?"

I smirked and got into my stance. "That is a secret I won't reveal...but just know...I am the only System Wielder other than Addis...who actually has connections with the Darlings I come across. Plus I know I'm never alone. Now prepare yourself...Brother. I'll make sure you never come back...We finish things here!"

Ryan smirked and his demon markings appeared on his arm. "Well...good luck. I made sure to come prepared this time. As I am now, you have no hope of beating me."

Ryan watched me closely then looked at my feet. I chuckled softly and closed my eyes then dashed toward Ryan. He stood his ground and blocked my first attack then grunted as he dodged a few more of my strikes. I went for a chop at his neck, but he blocked it then groaned as an invisible force struck his stomach.

'A delayed attack..? How is he moving this fast..?!' Ryan thought to himself.

I knocked Ryan away then ran after him. I went for a spinning kick, but he managed to evade my strike then went for an attack of his own. We clashed then pushed each other away. We dodged and blocked each other's attacks until he landed a high reaching kick to my chin, knocking me upwards. He palmed my stomach, causing a slight shockwave to launch me away.

I recovered then hurled two Light Blasts his direction. Ryan watched the Light Blasts fly past him and smirked.

"Work on your accuracy, Brother!" Ryan laughed then dashed toward me.

I chuckled then snapped my fingers, causing the Light Blasts to split into multiple tiny orbs of energy and take shape of spikes. "Thanks for the tip!"

Ryan noticed my smirk then looked back and noticed a barrage of Light Spikes flying toward him. He grunted and formed a dark energy barrier around himself, blocking the Light Spikes. 'He has full control over his new abilities..?! Since when?!'

Elma watched in awe and bit her nail. "This isn't the same Claudio we fought against at Woodcrest Park... Something is so different about him..."

"He's smarter and much more responsive...He has been training and accumulated much battle experience. Chassie now understands why Suxen finds Claudio a threat amongst threats.." Chassie said as she watched.

I got into my battle stance then watched Ryan. "What's the matter..? Can't keep up? I haven't even powered up yet.."

Ryan growled as he glared at me then wiped the sweat from his forehead. 'He's so much different...That Marking on his left arm isn't even shining. What is that..?'

Ryan smirked and chuckled. "You've gotten way stronger, Brother. I am quite impressed. You did catch me off guard, but don't forget I'm still a System Wielder! Honey go!"

I allowed Honey to scan me. "Go ahead, copy my abilities. It won't save you because you have a clear time limit..."

Ryan copied my abilities then changed them to match his demonic abilities. "Dark Blast, Dark Lance, and Time Manipulation. Quite the arsenal you have, but I see I couldn't copy your fourth ability..."

"That's because my fourth ability is incomplete, there's nothing for you to copy." I said.

"What..?" Ryan said with a bit of shock.

I crouched down with both hands on the ground then got into a four point starting position. "We are relative to one another now...so this battle should be interesting..."

"He's getting serious now...I can tell.." Elma said.

Ryan got into his stance then smirked. "I can tell you've learned a lot from Leo, but that won't work against me as my father taught me everything I know..."

"My dad taught me everything I know as well, and Leo's teachings are much better than whatever Luke could ever offer!" I said then dashed toward Ryan.

"Let us dance, Brother!" Ryan laughed then dashed toward me.

We clashed then knocked each other back. I rushed forward and went for a roundhouse kick, but Ryan slowed down time to dodge my attack. He groaned as an invisible force struck him once again. Time resumed and he noticed I was missing.

I appeared in front of Ryan and went for a powerful strike, but he managed to block my strike. He grunted heavily as he was knocked away. He watched as I ran toward him and we ran through the forest.

"Try to keep up!" I taunted and chuckled.

Ryan smirked and chased after me. "I will!"

Elma and Chassie grunted as they felt the high winds blow once we rushed past them. They watched us in awe and followed us.

"Come on!" Elma said as she spread her wings and flew after us.

Chassie shapeshifted into a small dragon and flew after us. "They are moving so fast and only in their base forms! Is this really the true power of System Wielders?!"

"Yeah, but Claudio still has the noticable edge over Ryan! I wonder how though...What is his secret..?" Elma answered.

Ryan appeared in front of me and went for a spinning kick, but I leaped over him and rolled forward. I turned around and fired Light Blasts at him from my fingertips. Ryan formed a large Dark Blast then hurled it, causing it to collide with my Light Blasts then an explosion happened.

I looked up and noticed Ryan above me, coming down with a Dark Lance in hand. I dodged his strike and summoned a Holy Lance. We rushed toward each other and clashed with one another rapidly.

"Try this on for size!" Ryan bellowed then struck my stomach with a powerful blow.

I groaned then grunted as he knocked me away with a swung of his lance. He launched his lance toward me, landing a direct blow then the lance exploded. Ryan noticed a bright light shine and grunted as my Angelic Energy surged powerfully around my body. I flew upwards from the smoke and looked down at Ryan.

I looked at my hands then closed my eyes, feeling Mihr's presence within me. I smirked and opened my eyes. "Let's do this..."

Ryan smirked as he looked up at me then manifested his demon wings. "Brother...This new power you've gotten! This battle excites me in ways you wouldn't understand! Finally I have a worthy rival!"

I looked down at Ryan and chuckled softly. "I'm glad you feel that way, but only one of us is walking out of this alive!"

We propelled ourselves toward each other then clashed once again. We threw out a flurry of attacks at each other, evading and landing an attack on each other once every other attack.

My heart began racing faster and faster as I fought against Ryan. I saw Luke in Ryan and he saw Leo within me. The battle was exciting...My blood kept rushing around my body with each attack I threw out. I felt Dearie boosting my power every second and Honey kept scanning me to copy each of my boosts.

"Try this on for size!" I bellowed and formed a large Light Blast then shaped it into a large bird.

Ryan grunted and watched the large bird flying toward him at high speeds. He used his Dark Barrier to block the attack then groaned as he was getting pushed down. He bellowed then flew through the bird and laughed.

"Nice trick but now I have something, FOR YOU!" Ryan yelled and stopped time completely.

He formed a massive Dark Blast then hurled it toward me. The Dark Blast flew toward me at high speeds and I began to break out of the time stop.

'Nexus! Hear me now! Give me your strength! We don't have much of a connection, but today we're building one! I am your Angel! I am your Seraph! I am YOU! I know my purpose...so please! Answer me!'

"This is it, Claudio! You're finished!" Ryan laughed.

I kept exerting more energy then broke out of the time stop and let out a loud bellow. My aura collided with the Dark Blast and began to purify it, changing it into a Light Blast.

"What?!" Ryan said in disbelief.

I dispersed the Light Blast and looked serious. My hair and wings slowly became silver then my markings shined brightly. My halo formed above my head and shined silver.

Elma, Chassie, and Ryan looked at me with awe on their faces. Even Dearie and Honey stared at me with awe.

I opened my eyes and stared at the sky. I achieved it...my Angelic Form. His voice became clear to me. "I can hear you finally..."

"Claudio. You are something. Demanding my attention...but the difference is you've earned it. Your path of pain is yet to be over. You are my vessel...meaning you are me and I am you. The Savior has finally awakened..." Nexus said to me.

I chuckled and closed my eyes, slowly descending to the ground. "Will I still be able to use the Angels power..?"

"As the future Ruler of Seraph City, Savior of Mankind, you are able to use the power of the Angels you connect with. Be warned as you still have limits that need to be broken before you become a True Savior like I have..." Nexus answered.

I took a deep breath then exhaled. "That is all I need to know..."

Ryan heard his earpiece beeping then pressed it.

"You need to retreat, as he is now you can't win nor can you copy him. Honey can only copy those she's equal in power with. Rendezvous with me and Lotus." Xali said through his earpiece.

Ryan looked at me, noticing I was staring at the sky. He took this time to try and escape, but sensed I appeared behind him. His eyes widened then he groaned as I struck his back with a powerful palm strike. A shockwave formed then he was blown away through multiple trees.

I summoned a Light Blast then it shined silver. "True Light Blast..."

"Let him go for now, but take that System away...but don't destroy her. She is needed as she is Dearie's other half. You need her. If you take her, you will save Elma." Nexus said.

I made the Light Blast disappear then flew toward Ryan at high speeds then appeared in front of him. He grunted then noticed I had grabbed Honey. I began to purify Honey and she groaned loudly.

"Honey!" Ryan yelled.

He struck my face to try and free Honey, but his attack did nothing to me. He had no choice but to watch Honey's halo slowly turn into energy particles then enter Dearie's body.

"With Honey's power, Dearie has no use for the other Systems as they are programmed after the Sacred Verses and Alice's abilities." Nexus said.

Honey slowly turned into energy particles and entered Dearie's body, allowing Dearie to reach her true power. Dearie closed her eyes and completely synced with her new OS.

"Dearie will now be disconnected from Reverence Corps and Lilith will have her synced...with the Trinity System of Seraph City." Nexus said.

Ryan took a step back and watched me in horror. He was completely stunned, not knowing what to do. Honey was all he currently had and now he has nothing.

"Leave while Nexus is making me show mercy..." I demanded.

Ryan grunted and flew off at high speeds. 'He'll pay for that..! He'll pay! Honey...I will avenge you...I promise that...'

Elma watched me in awe then grunted softly as she felt her chains breaking. She knew she no longer belonged to Ryan and felt grateful for it.

"He won...That power..." Chassie said then grunted as she noticed me revert to my normal form and pass out from exhaustion.

"Claudio!" Elma said then flew toward me and landed beside me. She dropped to her knees and held me up. "Claudio...thank you..."

Chassie watched Elma and grunted softly not knowing what to do now because she hasn't been freed yet, but Elma was her best friend and wherever Elma went, she went. She decided to come down toward us and stay to be with Elma.

"There's no turning back anymore..." Elma said. "We can't return and I don't want to...Chassie, we need to get Claudio to that ball before Xali makes it."

"Chassie's on it!" Chassie said.