23 Desperate Measures

As school returns in my place, I begin to fear.

No, I am not worried about competition. I am worried about not reaching the 1-month deadline I solely implemented.

(I wrote this after ending my first day of school. Oh my God, what have I done? XD)

Also, you may be thinking about why there are only about 6000 words in every chapter.

Let me tell you that it's just for the first half. The second half goes WAY downhill.

There will be a couple of chapters for the 7th, because too many things happen in a way where even I won't be able to absorb it all in my head. The fact that I am running out of ways to fill in the stuff from the corrupted files is even more worrying.

I am basically jam-packed. So, if I did post this update in a late manner, then I am sorry. At least I was able to inform you through this. Believe me, I want this story to end, but I am not lazy enough to simply leave it hanging or without satisfying your indescribable hype.

So, did the previous chapter shock you?

I did land some bombs that probably made you scream in surprise or disgust, like the fact that Kagura is… well… you get the idea.

When I reviewed the files about Alice surviving those blows, even I was taken aback. I mean, sure, she IS the Apocalypse Queen, but what she endured really proved her point.

Then again, our heroes retaliated against her with the so-called 'radioactive incense'. Strangely, Alucard's fiery powers mixed with Eudora's lightning. Add that with the holy effect of Estes' wards, and you get a deadly concoction that nearly killed Alice.

But let me let you in on something. It's true that not even mere magic, like Eudora's or even Gord's, could make the wounds on Alice last. It was luck that Estes was able to contribute just in time. The fact that the Moonlight Codex is not existent anymore (but rather, in the Genesys Gem, serving as the substitute for the other Moonlight Shards), is also astounding.

Alucard's powers are forcing the demonization process to occur once more. Let's see if you can guess what fate will have in store for him.

Last but not least, the 'Story Glitch'.

You should have some sort of theory about what the glitch is or what it conveys, no matter how many plot holes remain uncovered. Remember, everything written here is written for a reason. I wouldn't write something not worth your while from the files.

Expect the rare 10,000-20,000 word count when I post the chapters for the 7th day.

I mean it. I don't care how long I write it, as long as the content is fresh and best-served.

Are you ready to delve once more, dear reader?

Amongst the Angelic Plains, Uranus has drifted around the place, assessing the situation below. He shook his head with frustration.

"Pointless… It's pointless staying here! I can't just sit by and-"

The guardian catches the familiar flapping of wings. He looks across him as an angel lands next to him, clad in gold-bronze armor with an eagle for a helmet. Wait, scratch that. It wasn't his helmet, it was his actual head. Claws adorned the armor's hands and feet, resembling a bird of prey's. The eyes illuminated with blue energy, humming softly. On the figure's right hip was a whip that crackled with lightning sparks.

"Sorry to intrude, my friend," the figure greeted, its pair of fluffy wings folding to his back. "Quite the issue you're having."

"In the nick of time, eh, Kaja? I could no longer stand with the Lords. I have tried to convince them so many times, but they ordered me to stay here. If I disobeyed them or bring anyone else along for it, I'd be excommunicated."

Kaja sighed, leaning on an adjacent pillar. "By the way, if you're asking about the state of the Celestial Palace that you wished to repair, my men have it under control. The operations are faster and more effective than expected."

"I don't mind that place for now. If only I was there helping the heroes!"

"That, I too wish. That's why I didn't consult the Lords in the first place. I know you'll be angry about me doing this, but I spoke to L-"

Uranus' mechanical head turned to Kaja, his eyes glaring. "WHY DID YOU DO IT? I told you-"

"Uranus, please, hear me out just this once."

The guardian exhaled nervously. "Kaja, my comrade, I'm not angry about what you did. I am concerned. You know the state that she is in! She may pick no side, but her duality is being torn apart. The balance is no longer present inside her. She will break if-"

"She is still conscious in both sides," Kaja interrupted. "I understand. I have considered doing this multiple times, and she has given me a task, something worthwhile. I cannot help them directly, but I will surely give them a bit of insight, as requested by our Enlightened One. You may come as well, but we must act quick if we are to remain unnoticed by the Lords."

Uranus thought deeply. He first thought of the awful consequences, but that was overcome by the thought of service.

"Fine then, I'll go. Let me compose myself."

"No matter how many times my men oppose my beliefs, I know that the old guardian within you is somewhere in there. Thank you, Uranus."

"You owe me," the guardian said, pointing at Kaja.

"Of course. I always do."

Meanwhile…

The heroes are growing worried.

Sure, they haven't received any form of breach or assault in the second night, but that is the problem. It confirmed their theories that something big was going to happen sooner or later. Everyone was still unsure, though. They're living and breathing on the edge of their seats.

But that was about to change.

In the dawn of the third day, the people's tension was about to burst, until…

"Estes! Estes!" Zhao calls out, squirming inside the ranks to catch the king's attention. The Striders and Bastions gave way.

"Something wrong, Zhao?"

"Um, uh… wait, let me-"

"Take a knee, and calm yourself. What's the matter?"

Yun breathed, "We have visitors, Uranus and… um… There's this dude that resembles Argus and such, I just can't remember the name… He introduced himself as the 'Nazar King', but I-"

Estes' eyes widened. "Kaja?"

"Yes! That's the name! Why-"

"Zhao, keep guard with the watch. I'll inform the others regarding the visit. Maintain the rotations and fortify the defenses. With me absent here, the demons will most surely attack."

"Sir, yes sir."

Estes moved out of the army, being replaced by Zhao. He walks through the lines and back into the citadel (a long walk, though), seeing Uranus and Kaja chatting along with Argus, who remained motionless as he guarded the Genesys Gem. The Gem in itself has its shards nearly stuck together. They were centimeters close, but the time isn't enough to form cohesion between them. Small sparks of lightning circulated on the spaces between.

"What brings you here?" Estes asked.

"Estes, we personally requested for your presence. It's a shame that we can't participate, because doing so will put the two of us in perpetual exile," Kaja replies. "However, we have information concerning the upcoming days. We also have another urgent matter to discuss…"

"The Enlightened One," Uranus added with worry. "She… she is torn. Kaja felt it, and I'm beginning to as well."

"We'll settle this in the underground chamber." Estes says. "Argus, your watch rotation is done. Go help the others. Judging from the attacks, the most probable attack today is in the shores."

"50-50 ratio?"

"Make them go 40-60. The constant pressure on both sides will hinder us, and more will pour on the frontlines. I'll let you know if there will be changes."

Argus nods and marches out of the halls and out in the back. Meanwhile, the remaining three leaves the Royal Guard into guarding the artifact, sealing the underground chamber.

The fallen angel walks out and sees the army pour out into the beach in haste, their armors and weapons banging and clanging. The same formation was made, but was optimized and adjusted for fighting in the sand.

"Growing cold," Lapu-Lapu muttered to Argus. "Not a good sign."

"A storm?" Franco asked. His skin began to tingle not from the moisture… but from the stubborn lack of heat.

"Not a storm of rain," Argus concludes. "There's no moisture in the air." He saw a snowflake float down from the corner of his eye. And then, a couple of snowflakes fell as well. The army slightly shivered, but their adaptability made them withstand the sudden cold. The clouds have covered the whole kingdom, but the snow wasn't severe.

"Is Aurora doing this?" Bane asked.

Aurora appeared from behind, maintaining her poise. "I'm not the one to blame for this. I could have halted this event long before, but Gaius itself has altered, defying simple logic. As a guardian of nature, I have no control over this. This not the doing of demons… this is nature itself."

Out of the waves burst forth a small wave of land sharks crawling and speeding their way on the white sands. The Sharpshooters picked them off easily. A few hit the Bastions, but were no match. Argus holds the heroes on standby, waiting for something odd to come out.

And something odd did come out.

One by one, the Kastiyans begun emerging, using their hybridized weapons against the formation. The Bastions' aura slowly degraded due to the effects.

Meanwhile… in the underground chamber…

"When was the last time you made contact with her?" Estes asked, wary of the Ocular Sun's observations. The demons were pouring out evenly on both sides. The appearance of the Kastiyans have made the situation a lot worse than it should.

"Eons have elapsed," Kaja responded. "I was desperate for answers. There is no better consultant."

"And yet, no worse, Kaja," the Elven King backfires. "I know that we must resort to desperate measures, but you didn't have to talk to her."

"If he didn't, then we would've known a lot less about what was really going on," Uranus defended. "The Enlightened One's sides are split. We're evening the odds, but she's having a hard time balancing her aspects." The bronze being's energy glowed with worry. "She's growing weary, Estes. If we don't switch it up, you know what happens. It's even worse than letting An-"

"Don't speak of the Dark Lord's name," Estes warns. "Only she can. It was of luck that we have vanquished his physical form, but the malevolent force resides. Kaja, is there anything she specifically told you?"

The winged ruler paced around the table. "I can fully remember what she told me, 'Light will be vanquished by darkness, and darkness will be vanquished by light. Only through the point of no return where our fates will be sealed. Through this will all be null and whole, resting in the nothingness, in the void remains of the stars.' She said that when she was in full control. I'm having doubts regarding her own sanity."

"But it's true, anyway," Estes sighed. "The only way to finish this is if we end it all, and it's not just the Land of Dawn, nor Gaius…"

Uranus glanced up. "Our dimension?"

"What she meant was… we're the last line of defense. The citizens back here aren't the only ones in danger. It's the other realms as well. We're not the end game… it's the ones from the other side."

ALERT! INCOMING TRANSMISSION!

(The following audio log doesn't suffer from any electronic static, but any mention of the identities of the speakers that can be heard are forcibly omitted. Further investigation confirms the use of certain pen names or codenames to mask the true identities of the people.

The audio log has no date in its records.)

"Let's just take a break after this match, alright?"

"Sure, whatever floats your boat."

(Silence is heard for the next two minutes.)

"Woah, woah, woah, dude, they're going for the Lord."

"Oh, crap. Goddamnit, Johnson is still not respawning! Go faster!"

"C'mon, Argus, use your claw!"

"Okay- EVERYBODY'S HERE!"

"TARGET LESLEY FIR- SHE TOOK AWAY YOUR HEALTH USE YOUR ULTI NOW!"

"I need the support, mate, I need it!"

"Gonna ulti with Yi, stay tight!"

(The phrase 'An ally has slain Lord!' resounded.)

"YES! YES! OH WAIT DUDE! GET THEM NOW, THEY HAVE LOW HP!"

"Crap, my immortality's off! Never mind, I'm getting Lancelo-"

"YOU GOT THAT BI- WAIT AKAI IS STILL-"

(The announcement 'Savage!' caused an uproar.)

"YOOOOOOOOOO SIT DOWN YOU PLEBIANS!"

"Don't celebrate too ear-"

"THEY CONCEDED! YES!"

"OH MY GOD YES GURL! HIGH FIVE!"

"WOOOOOOOOO! Bajeezuz, that was awesome."

"Yeah, but we still have a long way to go before reaching Legend."

"Yeah, unfortunately."

"Hey, um…"

"What, ********?"

"It was really fun playing with you. I should've paired up in matches with you when I had the chance."

"No worries. I'm glad to have a bit less toxicity in the system."

(Silence went on for a few seconds.)

"Hey, um… I think you personally know me by now."

"That you're my male friend with feminine personality? I don't mind, ********."

"W-wait, you don't?"

"Of course not! Why would I? And besides, you're a really good friend. I may not be on to the LGBT stuff and all, but you're a good exception. We need more gals like you, woman!"

"Oh, so now you're sounding feminine!"

"C'mon. Y'know I'm doing this to cheer you up! I'll promise you this. You're awesome, and lit. If anyone tells you otherwise, inform me and I'll make my flaming fists of fury and their doomed groins have a bit of a conversation, yeah?"

(The two laugh it out for a while.)

"Oh wait, I heard from ******** that you're making this story."

"Dude, you don't know how late you are. A quarter of the world is tuning on what I have to offer!"

"WHAT? YOU'RE THAT RENOWNED?!"

"And to make things better, the reviews are being littered with so many good responses! Sure, there's the occasional trolls and hate feeders, but I roast them like sizzling baby back ribs on Friday!"

"Sounds like you've got a lot to work on."

"I just updated a few days ago. I reckoned I'd take a break. Being a writer is tiring."

"But you didn't, um, make it yourself."

"That's the catch. I assume she told you?"

"********, we don't know where that came from. We do know the ******** sent the ******** for you to decipher, but the true origin is uncertain! Where did this insane idea sprout from? She couldn't access the ******** within the databank because you personally locked it down with five administrator codes. Five! Is this as serious as it gets?"

"Do you want to know the truth?"

"I don't, but everyone damn sure deserves to, A**t***s. I am your honest friend, but I need to be frank with you on this."

"I know the consequences. Heck, revealing it will most likely cause World War 3. I planned on showing it in the end. I've done the math. No matter how sugar-coated my explanations are, things won't be pretty."

"Do you know the end of the story?"

"Yes. However, only those who stick long enough are permitted to read it."

END OF TRANSMISSION.

The army didn't budge, but the demons and Kastiyans were unrelenting in their constant, vicious charge. The land sharks that were spawning were growing larger by the lapsing time.

Bane shot a projectile from his crab claw, surprisingly knocking back the land sharks charging to his squad. Some of his fellow pirates have went down to the ground to assist. "Where's Castor when I need him? Castor!"

Castor responded, "Juicing up the mates, captain! Gonna get crowded!" He used his sword to slice through the land sharks with ease. His friends were rushing out the back to heal the wounded with Bane's uniquely brewed rum. Castor handed a bottle to Bane.

"Thanks." The pirate chugged it in seconds, gargled, and let the drink loose from his mouth, which became a lethal concoction of acid. The Kastiyans that were hit slowly melted into a heaping mess, their dying clicks and shrieks being their only remnant.

"We're gonna need more help if things go wrong. The others are on standby to rest! The storm is growing stronger!" Yi Sun Shin announced. "Aurora, can you use the Gem to amplify your powers?"

Aurora, who recently sent an icy ball of doom to the arising Kastiyans, nodded at the general, speeding towards the citadel.

(Yes, she can fly. She can use the moisture in the air to- Whatever.)

A loud gurgle resounded in the shores as Zhask arose, sopping wet, but is standing on top of an oversized Dominator, proceeding to blast the Bastions out of the way for clearance. Vexana, who was beside him, just let the dead soldiers arise, forcing them to fight for the dark side.

"We need that back-up! Two of them are here!" Lapu-Lapu called, splitting his greatsword into two blades. He charged in and jumped on a land shark, attempting to push Zhask out of the huge Dominator.

"Did you miss me?" Zhask taunts as he points at Lapu-Lapu with his new staff. The warrior easily blocks it with his blades and slices Zhask's body, which simply regenerated in a near-instantaneous manner. It did, fortunately, knock him off and fall into the shores.

"Lapu, don't come any closer!" Yi warned, shooting an overcharged bow to Vexana. The witch deflected the projectile, but she miscalculated, forcing the arrow through the Dominator's body. Franco had high hopes that the spawn would die, but no.

It simply regenerated, but the process was slower. The pet seemed to be staggered as it regenerated.

"The spawn cannot attack while it is regenerating. Keep it bombarded at all times!" Argus calls out. The growing snowstorm began to ease, letting the army breathe easily without the crashing cold winds.

"Where is Estes, traitor?!" Vexana demanded, blasting a Strider out of the way. "I've come to-"

Argus, being stubborn, slashed her mouth off to check if she had the same regenerative prowess.

She did.

"How disrespectful of you!" she muttered as she sent forth a ghostly grip to Argus, which he cut through with his blade. His swift attacks proceeded to get blocked by Vexana's shields, letting out no opening for a good attack.

Franco caught a Kastiyan with his hook. Seeking to improvise, he swung it around, the chain knocking off the land sharks and Kastiyans for secure kills. He then threw it to Vexana, which caught her off guard.

The fallen angel caught the opening and slid below, cutting her heels. Yelping in pain, Vexana desperately moved, but her feet wouldn't let her. She gets kicked down into the ground. Argus straightforwardly attempts to stab her, but her mystic hands held it back for mere inches.

"I know you, Vexana. You were tricked into wrongdoing! This… this madness, this isn't the answer! Why can't you see?!"

"Don't you dare let out a breath about me!" Vexana blasted Argus into the sky, the fallen angel regaining control with his wings. Zhask saw Argus and points the Dominator towards him, but Bane and his pirates stabbed the pet multiple times, forcing it to be locked down. Argus charged to the ground once again to make contact with Vexana. The mage shoots multiple grips which Argus simply cut down. They were put in the same situation again as Argus attempts to convince her.

"The Dark Lord used you for leverage… He didn't want to help you… he used you, took away your serenity! I know how it felt! You don't-"

"SHUT UP!" Vexana forced him out again, her form beginning to change. A dark aura began to loom over her as she charged at Argus, which is very unlikely of her. A feral expression masked her face, causing huge fear to the surrounding units, even the land sharks and Kastiyans. Her eyes were coated with black. "NO ONE KNOWS! NOT A SINGLE ONE KNOWS! He was… he was kind to me! He's better than my husband, who knew nothing but his own welfare!"

"That's not you, Vexana. Someone else is talking to me. I can still feel your old self there!" Argus says to her, blocking her claws. He sees the Sharpshooters attempting to attack her, but he holds them off. "NO! LET ME HANDLE THIS!"

"Ironic, traitor! YOU'RE JUST LIKE ALL THE REST, TAINTED WITH GREED!" She shrieked in despair as she got ahold of Argus' neck. She pins him to the sands, trying to choke him. As soon as she found out it didn't work, she proceeded to hack down his body. Argus struggled to get up, feeling the shockingly heavy force pinning him down. A blue arrow pierced Vexana's forehead as Miya helped Argus recover. The fallen angel forced himself on top, trying to grip her head.

"You've forgotten who you are."

Argus attempts to connect with Vexana's mind through his telepathy, and gets sent off to her memories…

Meanwhile…

"No. Way."

"I wouldn't be making this up," Hayabusa added. "I also thought it would be better if Kagura and I shared this information, just in case-"

"JUST IN CASE WHAT?!" Chou exclaimed. "Dude, your girl is in a delicate sitch right now. Why on earth haven't you thought of the-"

"They knew the consequences, Chou," Alpha defended. "It was unfortunate that, even after all that they could do, whatever ensuring method, it still stuck."

"But it's still like, a couple of days old?" Lolita asked. "It wouldn't do much harm, but if she lost the thing, we're totally screwed. Wait, where is she?"

"She rests in my bed, she's alright."

"I can barely process it, oh Lord," Alucard grumbled.

"Okay, okay, hold up just a minute!" Akai said, cutting off the conversation. "You," pointing at Hayabusa, "did it with her without protection. Simple as that." He then looks at Alucard. "And you, who is the dude destined for the prophecy, can barely internalize this?!"

"Well, any announcement concerning pregnancy is surely traumatizing." Ruby whacked Bruno due to his comment.

"Have you discussed this with Rafaela? She could help!"

"She cannot do anything. She heals, not destroys. However…"

"She can slow down the process?" Layla hypothesized. "She can do that, right?"

"She can't do that. She… her powers are intrusive, but not into that extent. She cannot slow it down… She can only do one unique thing to us, and you're not gonna like it."

"What?" Alpha asked.

"Rafaela has the ability to manipulate the curse inside us."

Fanny's eyes widened. "Wait, I thought she eradicated the-"

"She can't. The curse is woven by fate. She can only render it ineffective and effective."

"Hayabusa, don't tell me the two of you are willing to sacrifice yourselves by bringing back your curse!" Zhao pleads. "You're my best bro. I won't let you do that. I've lost Moskov already."

"I won't turn to the dark, Yun. The two of us will be fine. What matters is the artifact. And besides, Alucard is here to finish the job."

"Well, I don't know how to, but I'll manage," the Demon Hunter shrugged. "But seriously, Kagura is preg-"

"Yeah, yeah, we know!"

Back to the shores…

"Hey, honey, how was it?"

"My subjects are coping up with the new routines. Sorry if I wasn't able to spend time with you today. You see, I have a lot of things to cover this week. I don't know if our son would-"

"Relax, of course he would understand. He knows how difficult it is for you to take care of the whole kingdom. One day, he'll take your place, and he would encourage you to be with us! It's alright."

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!"

Vexana held Argus' wrists and tried to pull his hands out from her temples to break the telepathy. "STOP IT! I SAID, STOP!"

"Vexana, your real self is still in there. Fight back!"

Argus shouted in pain as the Kastiyans began to fire at him. His aura grew to protect himself, his wings covering his body. A dagger pierces an alien's chest. Gossen breaks through the lines as he dashes around, launching his ceremonial blades. He throws them at random locations, often missing the Kastiyans and land sharks, which caught Zhask's attention.

"Provide cover for Argus!" Lesley orders, rapidly flicking the hammer of her sniper rifle in order to land her shots. They were all headshots. Zhask's alien blasts its laser to Lesley's position, but she simply jumps off to another area, shooting down the spawn's eye, rendering it blind. The alien shrieked in pain as it flailed Zhask around.

"Stay still, you pest!" Karrie grunts as she kicks down a land shark. She throws her spinning blades to Zhask, but the Kastiyan was able to create a force field just in time. "A little help!"

"Why didn't you attend the three previous meetings? The kingdom is in a state of urgency! You know the backlash you'd receive!"

"My love, let me-"

"Your love? I know what you've been doing, you sod! You've been visiting someone else! Alice, was it?!"

"Look, it's not-"

"How it looks like?! IT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU DENY THE FACTS, I KNOW THE TRUTH!"

"Vexana, don't struggle with this! You need to remember!"

"DON'T TELL ME HOW I'M SUPPOSED TO FEEL!" the Necromancer screamed as she flings Argus to the shores like a tin can, sending him skidding on the sands. The land sharks and arising Kastiyans attempt to pull Argus down, but the Sharpshooters were keen enough to see the tactic.

Before Argus could even rise, Vexana slams her foot down to his chest. She proceeded to claw him out, Argus' sword being his only protection. Yi Sun Shin went straight to the Necromancer, slashing through her with his glaive.

"Argus, need help!" the general shouts. Argus immediately gets up and divebombs Vexana deep into the sand. He stabs her with his sword, hoping to pin her down for good, but her own body simply phased out, letting her get a perfect retaliation. Before Vexana could do the same, Freya went sky high and bashed her away with her shield.

"You need to stop!"

"Freya, Freya, admit what you feel for that waste of space!" Vexana howled, releasing multiple grips surrounding Freya. "You feel for him, don't you?! Say it!"

"I'd rather let you shut up!" Freya cried out, expelling the ward, making her vulnerable for Vexana's attack. As the mage charged, Argus pushed the Valkyrie out of the way and took the blow, Vexana's arm piercing through his chest. Annoyed, he cut the arm off of her, providing time. Miya let loose a tripwire arrow, causing the dazed Vexana to stumble, along with the Kastiyans. Zhask switched his focus from attacking the army to defending Vexana. He spawned multiple pets, pushing Argus out.

"Don't waste your time, Argus! I won't let you get to-"

He was interrupted by Lapu's sudden kick to his face. Because of this, the Dominators were in a state of dormancy.

Argus rushed in to the Necromancer and reached out to her mind one last time…

"How many more? Tell me!"

"One more… before what is given to you is fulfilled. There's no turning back from this, Your Highness."

"My husband… he deserves punishment for what he's done… to me and my son! He left us alone…"

"He will atone by your hand. And by the time the process is complete, your old self will be stripped away, giving you new physique with a fitting name…

My harbinger of fear… Vexana. Are you ready?"

"Yes… my love."

"Good."

"No…"

"YES!" Vexana, gaining the upper hand, pushed Argus far into the waters. She dove like a bullet, gripping his neck and plummeted down to the surface.

"WAIT! SHE'S SUBDUING HIM!" Franco warns.

"I'm going! Hold the others off, Yi!" Freya volunteers as she dove to race against Vexana.

Bane tried to stop her. "No, Freya, don't!"

"Sir, the cleanup operation is nearly done," an angel reports.

"Tell the other squads who have finished to return to the heavens. Our job is almost over," Argus commands. He and two other officers were collecting battle spoils from the war. The aftermath led them to fix the battlefield.

"Argus, look."

The angel looks to where his second-in-command points. He sees a large, single-edged longsword with a silver blade, coated with gray energy.

"The weapon looks neutral, but powerful. What shall we do?"

Argus ponders over the situation. "We'll confiscate the item and bring it to the Lords for further analysis. Meanwhile, we maintain discretion. We haven't witnessed such a sword before. The energy could be felt, even from here."

"I have an awful feeling about this, sir. Aren't you concerned that this could be a trap?"

"I know. That's why we have to inspect it." The three walked over the landscape littered with demon carcasses. They were able to get close to the sword.

"It doesn't seem to be hostile," Argus concludes. He lays a hand on the handle. "Let me-"

And then…

"TOO LATE!" a voice said, resounding in his head.

"Sir, are you all right? Sir? SIR!"

"I may have lost the war, but I will have gained a new ally… a worthy adversary against these puny mortals!"

"The two of you… help! I can't…"

The two fellow officers struggled to keep Argus' hands off the grips, but it was useless. The seraphim struggled to fight both the conscience in his head and his sudden urge to wield the blade.

"You thought you could outplay me, Argus… but you're mistaken. You will be my servant, so give in to power!"

"YOU WON'T! YOU… WON'T TURN ME… INTO ONE OF YOUR PETS!"

Argus yelled in rage as his transformation begun, the whole area rendering barren and dry due to the aura. Through the passing seconds, his memory began to wipe itself off, and the two officers beside him slowly disintegrated to ash. His wings, fully extended, slowly shed and grew black feathers. His helmet cast off its winged horns and changed it into a devil's. His whole armor swapped, his eagle-faced shoulderguard turned into a skull. The sword shed its camouflage, turning into a green weapon of uncontrollable power and temptation.

"YOU WON'T!"

A few angels descended in the vicinity, wielding their traditional battle armor.

"You! Identify yourself!" the chief officer instructed. "Who are-"

Argus looked at the squadron, wielding his new weapon. The eye slits on his helmet seethed with green fire.

"It's Argus! What on-"

Without warning, Argus blazed through and slashed the chief officer in half, ignoring the enhanced armor he was wearing. The angel's soul was absorbed by the blade, and Argus felt the sudden rush of newly acquired strength.

"No… Argus defected!"

He looked at his own reflection through the sheen of the blade…

"Power… I need more…" He looked at the wary soldiers, his very brethren.

"I NEED MORE!"

"STOP!" Argus commands as he shakes himself off the memory. He was now submerged 50 meters below, Freya swimming down to him whilst being followed by land sharks.

"How did you resist?!"

"I accepted my sins, though they were not mine to begin with. Cackle all you want, but I've changed!" Argus slashed through the water, causing an insane wave that pushes Vexana to the deep abyss of the ocean. The said force wave generated an ongoing tsunami above the surface which was estimated to wipe the beach only.

Argus looked behind him, noticing that Freya was about to run out of breath. He shot himself up and caught Freya with his free arm, slicing through the submerged land sharks and Kastiyans. A huge ice boulder (casted by Aurora) suddenly sank, causing the duo to arise quicker than anticipated. By the time they arrived, the beach was a sopping mess.

"Are you alright, Freya?"

"Alright? You should ask yourself that! Why are you that foolish to get to her alone?!"

"Um, I hate to interrupt…" Gossen said. "Look at the waters…"

The heroes, along with the army, regrouped, witnessing a drastic change with the beach. The water slowly turned black like oil, and it spread across the overlooking ocean. Franco knelt down and picked up a gasping fish from the beach that died quickly.

"The water…"

"It's corrupted," Aurora gasped, also noticing the lack of snowfall. "We can last without the ocean, and it's most likely that we won't fight here again… But the ships!" She pointed to the naval ships of Yi Sun Shin, which began to corrode due to the water.

"A shame," Bane said. "Argus, this is not your fault. At least we tried to convert Vexana… but she's gone. We can't change her now."

Yet, the aftermath was in favor of the Dark Lord's.