The Awakening

You guys were probably fanboying and fangirling extensively after the last chapter. Some are even asking WHY the monsters back there are so scared of our newly introduced character. I will explain that in a conversation in a future chapter.

I often lend out some morals in this story, and I am going to give out another one now. So, first off, I will ask you a simple question.

If someone has killed a loved one of yours unknowingly, will you be able to forgive that person?

Tough to answer truthfully, huh? It depends, really. Your first reaction to this will show who you really are. I don't need to expound that. Also, that event will most likely push anyone to the edge.

Here's what you should consider. Sure, a person killed someone you love, but he/she did so unknowingly. Take note of that. Unknowingly. He/she wasn't aware in any way.

Would it be easier to forgive that person? ABSOLUTELY NOT. It will just leave you conflicted. You are torn when it comes to finding a punching bag to let out your sorrow and anger.

But it won't be impossible to forgive that person. He/she was simply misled into doing what was wrong. We have to help them up and settle things right. Even the worst prisoner can be forgiven. This moral is essential for Argus' part of the story, and you can see why I have been hinting his introduction for so many times.

Speaking of which, he is a fallen angel, not a devil or demon. (That statement will be fortified in another chapter.) Sure, he fell into evil, but he was no demon. I have to clarify that statement. Argus is not a demon.

But is he evil in the storyline? You'll have to find out. We are only somewhat halfway around the story.

(In order to fill in a few gaps, Roger was hiding in Grock's tower. He doesn't want to give away that he can control his curse, so he secretly fired concussive shots at the Spitfires. Also, Eudora and Gord were busy applying the energy of the going-to-be Genesys Gem. Finally, Clint and Karrie are now finding recruits in their homelands.)

Anyway, my good/evil moral also applies in religion.

(Guys, if you're racist in any way, go change your ways. Whether or not be in terms of belief, skin color, or race, go change your ways and be better.)

I don't care whether you're straight, homosexual, Christian, Catholic, Islamic, black, white, yellow or anything. Respect and be respected. Words are merely twisted. Your actions are the only truth.

Why is this moral applying to Argus as well? That will also be explained in the next chapter.

Moving on to the insane ruckus that occurred in the last chapter…

(By the way, I absolutely dislike the fact that Moonton gave Valentine Skins for Alucard and Miya. Like, do they even read the background history? The two are nothing alike. Sure, there goes the saying, "Never find the person with the same spoke as you have," but to make them paired up is downright unacceptable for me, no matter how gorgeous the skins are.)

Zhask stood in his place, glaring at the person before him. He was growing irritated, for the black figure knew not fear. And behind him, Alice and Vexana are on the edge, nervous on what will come next.

Chou forgot about struggling and stared at the swordsman. All he could think was, "Dayum! No one has done that to Alice or Vexana, much less Zhask!"

The alien sighed, and said, "Perhaps you don't know me." He held out his hand. "I am Zhask, the Planetary Dominator! I reap worlds, I conquer them! I take away the true essence of life, and no one has stopped me since. You're lucky for your first encounter. Why resist? You should be joining me instead, along with my new allies! C'mon now, shake my hand."

Unfortunately, the mystery man had no sense of humor as well. "I know who you are, Zhask. I don't blame you if you can't recall, but I led the group that entrapped the spirit you planted in this world… the spirit that returned to you."

Zhask laughs, but Akai can hint the nervousness he was rejecting. "And you must be the one that turned against those who took you in? Those you call… your family?" The person had no answer.

"All because of power, that has corrupted you! Look at what it did to you! You are no longer the servant of those wretched Lords up above! You're a servant of evil, and you cannot undo the millions of mass murders you have committed! Millions, which even I cannot outmatch! Why intervene in this untimely hour?!"

"Your statement merely imprints the fact that you do not know what happened to me a few decades ago," the figure said in a calm tone. "If the Devil were to make feuds with his fellow demons, the house is divided against itself, and evil will not stand. And yet, evil exists up to this day. But what makes you think I am so, when I have slain more of their kind?" He slowly tilts his head towards the Reapers and Ravagers with blazing eyes. A Ravager whimpers in terror as he flees back. The others weakly stood their ground.

"He has killed demons as well? That's too insane, dude. This is some top tier power right there," Bruno thought. "And the blade… the meters are off the charts! The readings can't get a limit! And the man, he seems too familiar. I just can't remember who he was!"

"Zhask, stop negotiating!" Vexana cries out. "Believe me, you can't fight him alone!"

Bruno couldn't control the urge to yell due to the hype. "Yeah, you better run! That dude's gonna whoop yo-"

The Reaper slowly scratches its claws at Bruno's face. The Protector yelps, and the black figure immediately points his sword at the monster, and the demon had no choice but to stop.

"These children do not deserve these fates," he began. "I may not be the one to blame for this, but I am here to protect them. It's my moral obligation. If you dare lay your skin on them, you know what will happen to you. And I swear, there will be no prisoners anymore." He draws the blade down, and he tilts his head to Alucard, who was trying to break free. The Demon Hunter glimpsed the hint of humility beyond the flaming wisps. Everyone was shocked, because they knew that the figure had some sort of relation to Alucard's past.

Alice took this as a chance to taunt the person. "It was all your fault to begin with, traitor! Admit it! If you haven't saved him from the caverns, he would've been living a better, happier life!"

"As your worthless minion? You have the bravery to degrade my will, and yet you are too scared to speak my name!" The figure hissed, the aura growing stronger. "I have reclaimed my memories, Alice, and the Dark Lord won't deceive me anymore! I did not cause all these deaths! I may have senselessly wielded the blade, but your master was the architect of my former evil! I may not undo the past, but I can carve the future with my renewed insight. So whatever you do… BACK OFF!"

Six black wings sprouted from the back of the figure, and he began to float in mid-air, his eyes blazing like wildfires. "If you're as strong as you say, then face me! Even I cannot believe that you truly feared a shrapnel of my identity, no matter how small it is, for you bore the scars I dealt with my sword!" The storm grew worse, and the wind was blowing hard like strong gales. The Dawn Shard remained intact, while the heroes covered their eyes. The Ravagers and Reapers clamored, and the Kastiyans began to fear as well.

Alice unfurled her wings and hovered as well. "Silence, you fool! What makes you think we cannot stand up against you after all these millennia?"

"Your arrogance shall be your undoing, and it shall be your downfall."

"Solid burn, returned," Harley thought. "Something is up. We have to coordinate the surprise at the same time." He glances at Lolita, who was thinking the same thing. The heroes glanced at each other and nodded lightly. They patiently waited for the cue to strike.

"We shall see about that… Argus!" Vexana challenges. "Ghouls, attack! Let the Ravagers and Reapers restrain the heroes."

"Argus? It cannot be…" Hayabusa was dumbfounded. "The Blade of Despair… I knew it! Why was his name forgotten throughout time?! After so long, he remains! This… is borderline impossible."

"Argus… That's not possible! How does he still exist? He has killed generations of Demon Hunters!" Victor thought. "Why have him as an ally?!"

Alucard's mind raced as he received the multiple mixed reactions of his fellow friends. Yet, he kept calm, warning everyone about their cue.

The first Ghoul charges at Argus, but the swordsman never flinched. As the Ghoul reaches the dark aura, the corpse disintegrates into ash.

"My recollection has made me weaker, but that will not matter," the fallen angel proclaims. "I wish no conflict, but I shall do what I must."

Ruby simply stared at what was formerly the feral Ghoul that once threatened to rip her flesh. She remained motionless, anticipating the moment to strike. The Little Red Hood sees Hayabusa blink every second, and everyone was watching him. He slowly lowers his back, and suddenly jumps, instantly teleporting to the nearby Reaper and threw his shurikens, feigning his paralysis.

All at once, the heroes broke free from the monsters' grasps, who were momentarily surprised by Hayabusa's escape. After a few seconds, the Ravagers that held them were merely lifeless corpses.

Alice, Vexana and Zhask held together. The alien tightly gripped his spear and cast his first lightning bolt at Argus. The angel suddenly began to sprint, deflecting the projectile to a charging Kastiyan, blowing its head off. The Ravagers and Reapers suddenly amassed and crowded the swordsman, slowing his chase. The antagonists fell back, but didn't retreat.

"We may not have the shard, but it would satisfy me if I kill at least one of these bastards!" Zhask cried out. He summons the Nightmaric Spawn, targeting Argus. The protodrake exhales black fire and burns the summoned unit to a crisp. The other Demon Hunters easily struggled free, dealing a frenzied rampage at the Kastiyans. Fewer casualties were received by the Demon Hunters, but they held their ground, remembering their primary mission.

"Estes cannot conjure the portal without risking the Land of Dawn's internal structures. He cannot go out to deploy it as well. We need to drive the enemies back!" Pique, Victor's 2nd assistant, suggests.

"Men, hold your ground! Slay any demon that comes close! Put your back behind the protodrake if necessary!" Victor shouts. "Our first objective is to recover the Dawn Shard, not fight. Let our heroes do the job."

Argus remained untouchable, mowing down the increasing hordes of Ravagers and Reapers. The monsters were barely able to hit him, and if they did, it didn't seem like the warrior was even caring.

Argus bursts into flames for a few seconds, fending off the monsters in his vicinity. "These are the obstacles you put in my way? Then you have already lost the war!"

"Let me shut you up!" Alice dives straight to Argus with multiple blood orbs, converging at the fallen angel. Argus' aura diminished the projectiles, but the remainder struck him point blank, and yet, Argus was barely fazed. Alice slammed her body into the angel, scratching her elongated claws. Layla shoots the airborne vampire down, hoping to at least annoy her at any point. Vexana releases multiple ghastly grips at any who came close, but they were easily dodged.

Alice suddenly turned her head at the marksman and hissed, jumping straight to her. Chou concentrated his chi on his legs and roundhouse-kicks Alice to the air, following it up with a shadowless barrage of kicks and punches, a move he was able to master after learning it accidentally from the previous sparring matches.

"I can't not hurt you, but this will bite!" Chou yells, speeding his attacks even faster. He lets go, and Argus leaps, slicing the Apocalypse Queen with his meteoric blade. However, Alice balls up, protecting herself with her wings. The blade easily cuts through them, spilling blood everywhere. Unfortunately, Alice's body was intact without a scratch.

"You will pay for that!" Alice charges again, but instantly diverts her path to leap at Harley, who was busy throwing his flaming cards. Hayabusa teleports, pushing Harley off, but he gets caught in the leap. Before Alice could scratch him down, Akai spins, whacking the Queen with his staff. Kagura helps the ninja up, preventing too much physical contact.

"I am aiming for bug face," Hayabusa points at Zhask. "Let's try and not make a volatile burst here. We have to get close without getting in the way of his minions."

"I am going for Ms. Ugly," Bruno calls out. "Let's see if she can catch me with her ghost hands."

"I am helping Minotaur up. Alucard, get Argus," Lolita commands. "Ruby, help Bruno and Kagura. Keep the monsters occupied. We don't know how long this battle will last, but with our unexpected ally, the tables would have immediately turned."

"Nice plan. Let's drive off some bastards," Alucard replies. He runs to Argus, who was still busy decimating the Ghouls and Kastiyans with his blade.

"What are you doing here?" the swordsman asked. "You need to fend for yourself, Aluca Attend to your friends."

Alucard answered, "After all these years, I have met the person who directly interfered during my past for the very first time. I may not know what you truly did, but I'd want to return the favor."

"If you say so, Hunter. I will fend off Alice and Zhask. You take care of the other monsters. Don't use your other arm," Argus warns, glancing at Alucard's demonic hand. "Let time decide."

"What does that mean? Let time decide?!" Before Alucard could speak, Argus pulls out a long chain which launched his left hand, letting it clamp on the flying vampire. The chain locks in place, letting Argus restrain Alice at some point.

Minotaur rises up quickly, shaking off the neutralizing agents from the Reaper's claws. He bellows, fortifying his rage. "Bless my hammer! The fallen angel has come to intervene!"

"What a lovely day." The Demon Hunter expressed with total sarcasm and flips to the demon horde. The greatsword causes a shockwave that knocks down the monsters with a gale. Akai jumps into action, whacking the Ravagers with surprising agility.

"I know, quick for a fatty like me, huh? Ask that later," Akai grins. "Watch out, Ghoul coming at you." Alucard turns around, but the Ghoul came at him in pieces, because Hayabusa took care of it.

"I am feeling too greedy for kills now," the ninja whispers. "Can't beat Argus, though. I have to admit, I am feeling doubts."

"I understand," Alucard comforts. "Let's fight off the uglies before our touching chats. This is getting boring."

The other Demon Hunters huddled around the protodrake, who was clawing at the Reapers coming close to the Dawn Shard. At the same time, it blows its black fire to the arising Nightmaric Spawns that Zhask was deploying. The alien leader also began to launch a line of stationary bugs that often trip the heroes unnoticed. Kagura falls victim, but Harley catches her, letting the female mage teleport in time to save Akai from a Kastiyan. She throws her umbrella at Vexana and her mass of Ghouls and yells, "Shogyo Mugyo!"

Lolita raises her hammer, and the KAIROS-42 hammer grew bright, and an orange conical outline can be clearly seen, forming around the demonic swarm. The demons slowed down and yelped, unable to break free. The Noumenon Energy Core has also slowed down their movements. Layla steps in, charging her cannon. Chou kicks Zhask at the range of the blast zone in time, stunning the Kastiyan to his knees.

"Here comes the… BOOM, BABY!" Lolita cheers as she slams the hammer down, causing a concentrated shockwave within the outline. The mass went airborne, and Layla slowly aims her fully charged weapon and releases the energy at full blast, incinerating the Ghouls and Kastiyans. At the same time, the Umbrella forces the splitting mass to converge once more at the exact moment Layla's cannon fades out. Kagura instantly teleports to the Umbrella and forces back the Ghouls and Kastiyans again, and they were nothing but dust. Vexana and Zhask was able to protect themselves with magical barriers, but the onslaught was too much, and they could barely move. The Demon Hunters threw their Molotov cocktails and shot arrows at the monsters, slightly advancing forward.

"I… won't leave!" Zhask utters. "I won't die out… without a fight!" He spawns three Nightmaric Spawns at the same time and aims it at Lolita, but she nullifies the ranged attack with her shield. However, the shield began to deteriorate, and she was forced to deflect it off instead. The laser deflected to Bruno, but he dashed quickly, so the laser hit a Ravager in the process. Zhask aims the laser at Kagura, but Hayabusa pushes her off in time, and touches Alice, causing another massive reaction. Streaks of light marked the ninja's movement, and Argus was able to put down the vampire.

Upon seeing Argus, the alien leader fixates the beam at him. The fallen angel stabs the sword to the ground and gripped it tightly with both hands. The Nightmaric Spawns grew slowly, intensifying the attack. Argus' aura bursts into green flames, and six wings protruded from his back, fully extended.

"You fight alongside your allies, yet you have no honor! I fight alone! Face me, you coward!" Argus taunts.

"I don't have time for you, traitor. However, I won't let a special someone of yours come back in one piece." Zhask launches a lightning bolt at Argus, but it suddenly curves and hits Alucard point blank at the chest, pushing him to the pedestal in mid-air, breaking his left arm. The Demon Hunter groans in pain as the Nightmaric Spawn held their combined laser at him, and the greatsword was out of reach. Chou attempts to knock down the Spawns, but Alice charges at him and claws him down. Chou dashes around and around, but fatigue began to overcome him.

"Alucard, no!" the Kung Fu boy yells, desperately struggling form Alice's frenzy. Vexana's Ghouls minimalized the Demon Hunter clan's area, preventing them from helping Alucard. Harley jumps in but makes a mistake, as Zhask's underground bugs forces him to trip, and a Reaper paralyzes him. Minotaur whacks Vexana off, sending her flying to the crater's edge, but the Ravagers claws at the beast with insane speed.

"Alucard! Use it now!" Argus orders, fighting off Alice, who was in her Drinking state. "It's your only chance!"

Alucard reaches for the greatsword and tries to call it with his mind, but the immense pain from the laser prevented him from doing so. His vision began to blur.

Ruby hooks Alice, but forgot about her Drinking state. Alice slaps Ruby to the ground, setting her unconscious.

The other heroes were pinned down and holding their ground, hopelessly watching Alucard getting blasted by the lasers. Zhask laughs maniacally, celebrating too early just because he pins down the Demon Hunter.

(Yes, you heard me right. The BOI himself celebrated too early.)

As Alucard's sight fades, he gets jarred into a dream.

It was like before, when he held Ruby's hand at the library. He was in a lit room, and inside the room was a baby cradle. A grown man walks into the room with a smile on his face.

"Oh, look who's here!" A young woman, seemingly in her 20s, hugs and kisses the man who recently entered. "He misses you a lot," she says, glancing at the baby.

The man smiles, and he carries the infant and lets it cuddle on his chest. "The little boy misses me? Aww, why? Don't be too gloomy! I will always be here to protect you, no matter what! I won't let you down, my little Lumos."

A sharp pang hits Alucard's head, followed with a soothing feeling in his heart.

"Lumos… lumos is light… It's light! What's this feeling… The pain… I… Light…"

"You are him. You are the one deformed of physique, yet pure of heart," a distant voice calls out in the darkness. "You are him, and he is you. Do what you came here to do. Embrace the past. Change the future! You are my son, and I will always be with you."

"Who are you? Never in my life did I see you! Why did you abandon me when I needed you?!" Alucard yelled, tearing up. "My half-sister… all she knew that your name was Leinster, but you lied! You faked your identity… All I wanted was a peaceful life… Where were you?! Where?!"

"My son… I never left. Never did, never will. I love you, Lumos. You are light. Even use sadness as fuel to light the way. The world needs you. Your sacrifice won't be in vain…"

Suddenly Alucard's eyes opened, and he couldn't feel the beam assault from Zhask. Argus stares at the pinned Demon Hunter, and realizes that Alucard's eyes flowed with a red mist.

"You have done it," Argus whispers, still locked down by Alice's Drinking state, who was still clawing at Chou.

"You… will… not stop… won't you? Just for some damn essence…" Alucard says weakly at Zhask.

"What did you say?" the alien barked.

"If so…"

The greatsword glows blue with bright light, the runes being emphasized. It levitates slowly and spins, and the runes immediately became red. The greatsword stops spinning. Vexana notices this and tries to grab it with her ghostly grip, but the greatsword repels it.

"If so, I… WILL STOP YOU MYSELF!" The weapon swiftly flies at Alucard's right arm, and a loud hum resonates through the field. In a matter of a few milliseconds, without minding the beams, Alucard quickly rose and swiped outward with his sword, casting a large fission wave that overcomes the Nightmaric Spawns' lasers and cuts their bodies down in half. The other Ravagers and Reapers caught in the range were eviscerated, and the heroes in the vicinity had their injuries suddenly healed. Alucard's formerly dislocated arm was back in place. Red smoke rose forth from the blade, and Alucard slowly walks at the shocked alien leader. Argus folds his wings back, feeling relaxed after the onslaught. When he eyes Alucard, he diverts his attention to the other monsters, leaving the Demon Hunter to attend to Zhask.

"What are you doing? Charge!" Alice says, but Chou kicks out of her frenzy and dodges off, rushing to give the Demon Hunter some space to retaliate. The Kastiyans and Ghouls attack the Demon Hunter with their concentrated projectiles.

"I am done with games. I AM DONE WITH IT ALL!" Alucard blocks his body with the sword, and the projectiles were immediately nullified, yet the Kastiyans kept attacking. The Ghouls claws at Alucard, but the immense red aura prevented them from going further, for it was kinetically repelling them. Alucard spins with his sword, slashing down Vexana's puppets and locks at Zhask, raising his blade.

"If you think killing is always better than giving mercy, then let me give you a taste of your own medicine!" Alucard dashes to Zhask's location, but Zhask deflects the attack with his staff. Surprisingly, a part of the staff was chipped off, and Zhask had no choice but to flee.

"Who are you?!" Zhask asks in terror. "You're no human! You're a monster!"

"Says who, imbecile?! WHO? ANSWER ME!" The Demon Hunter kept his assault at Zhask, never minding the other monsters behind him. Zhask hastily climbs up the crater, but Alucard grabs his leg, tripping him. He casts another destructive fission wave that kills more than half of the monsters in his trail, and his allies kept themselves busy by killing off the others.

Vexana intervenes by casting an implosive trap, but Alucard flips upward and changes his focus to the Necromancer. She realized that Alucard's mystic power is rivalling that of her defensive aura, so she falls back. Alice teleports to the Demon Hunter with her Blood Orb, but this was anticipated, which led Alucard to grabbing the Apocalypse Queen by the neck, slamming her to the ground. He proceeds to stomp her face, but she blinks out and focuses her Drinking state at Alucard. The Demon Hunter remains unfazed as he fought the three antagonists AT THE SAME TIME, spinning around and slashing with his sword whenever he can, simultaneously deflecting their attacks and backfiring them.

(If this doesn't make you scream at the top of your lungs with the immense hype, I don't know what will.)

"The boy has grown too strong!" Alice shrieks. "We must retreat!"

The remaining enemies scattered around the field, climbing the crater in a panic. The protodrake torches Zhask, knocking him down. Alucard, completely merciless, continued the onslaught until his aura began to dissipate. Seeking a chance to retaliate, Alice goes full offensive. Alucard leaps away and casts the final fission wave. The villains catch the full force of the wave, and Zhask's staff shatters. Vexana and Alice break their bones, and the Apocalypse Queen's wings were tattered. Defeated, they hurried to the edge of the crater, avoiding the projectiles of Bruno and Layla. The heroes began to cheer, but were taken aback to the fact that their injuries have healed already.

"AND STAY OUT!" Alucard threatens, his voice booming across the field. He had a demonic voice, but his emotions were under control. A voice in his consciousness whispered at him.

"You have shown them who you truly are. It's time to pause, and know your origins for now. I am proud of you, my son. I always am. Never forget that."

And suddenly, the Demon Hunter's knees buckled, and he collapsed.

Meanwhile…

(Aw, guess who's disappointed. I had to switch the topic to cover the occurrences, though. Even so, I assumed you were going ballistic as you were reading the last… um… wait, let me check…

2,000 words? Yeah, seems like it. Anyway, my full story document has now amassed 349 pages while writing here, if, following a novel book's format. Also, we're still halfway through the story.

"Wait… so you're saying… that it's just half the complete story?!?!?!"

Yes, and lots more stuff goes on in the next few chapters. I can't promise you anything… only one thing.

Love.

Once more, prepare. Don't worry, I am always here, the incognito narrator, ready to laugh and cry alongside you.)

*No intentional creepy stuff back there. XD

"Will Saber be alright?" Fanny asks, rubbing her scratched arm.

"He'll be fine, Fanny. We've already constructed a specialized set of schematics for his new upgrades, in case his old body is out of commission," Alpha replies. "And besides, Johnson, Beta and I will be on standby alongside him. Though, I can't guarantee you will see him inside our medical bays. The schematics are classified." Suddenly, Alpha feels a light headache, but since this was his first time to experience one, he slowly backs to the nearby wall in the citadel.

"Woah, are you okay? Should I call out someone?" the flyer asks, worried.

"No, no, it's fine, it's just a headache," the cyborg says, standing up easily. "I have a bit of a bad gut feeling. I don't like it, but amidst it is a table turner."

"What do you mean?"

"The other convoy for the 4th shard. A lot of happenings occurred, and I realized something weird. Remember that Estes was busy helping out the naval ships?"

"Yeah. So?"

"The Demon Hunters volunteered to help out the 4th convoy via portal, yet I haven't seen Estes conjure one since. My readings also fortify the fact that the portal was conjured in the place where the shard is."

Fanny's eyes widened. "No one from the convoy could conjure the portal."

"That's true. I am sensing that a new ally has arrived… a powerful one, but he or she has to be a mage."

(FYI, Argus didn't make that portal. Alucard did. More specifically, the greatsword.)

"I hope you're right. Though, I can't help but think that we already have more than enough for the job."

"Me too, then I have to come to the fact that we're outnumbered by 1 soldier to face 10 demons."

"WHAT?!"

"Hey, we're not here to slay all of the demons. Our job is to protect the Genesys Gem for a week before it does its work."

The citadel gates open and Roger, Lancelot and Odette get inside. The hunter puffed a fresh cigar while the lovers were already making out.

"Um, Roger? The smoking booths are at the upper floor balconies," Alpha hints. "And you two, get a room!" He points at the lovers, laughing. They responded by hurrying up the staircase.

"I understand, kiddo. If you need anything, I'll be by the second floor." Roger climbs up the other staircase.

Fanny sighs, shaking her head. "How do these people even have time for love, anyway?"

Alpha tries to hold back his snickers, remembering what he saw earlier in the day. "Multitasking. Anyway, let's have a breath of fresh air, see what the others are doing."

The pair exits the palace and goes to the training grounds. However, no one was sparring, and a few people were there. Alpha accidentally bumps into a small kid. The child smiles and waves at him, and runs back to his mother, who was glaring at the cyborg. Alpha scrunched his eyebrows, and enhanced his hearing.

"What are you doing? I told you to keep up! Don't come near to them!" the woman said, scolding her son.

"They're not bad! Why must we stay away? They're good! They do awesome stuff! He's the robot who goes Pew! Pew! at the creepy uglies with this cute-"

"No matter what, stay away from them! They're dangerous! They shouldn't be here."

The kid makes a sour face and looks away from his mother and whispers to himself. "I sometimes ask myself if you even deserve their protection."

Alpha deactivates his sensors, feeling sad. He pitied the kid, who was so cute and innocent. That kid was fighting for their name, and yet their parents, the adults, were all seeing the bad sides. He sighed, and rushes back to Fanny. Before he does, he eyes Estes, exiting from the harbor.

"Estes, is there anything you need?"

"The 4th shard is secure. I will conjure a portal to pick them up. You may join the Royal Guard if you like," said the Elven King.

"It's alright. I will maintain my patrols with- wait, where's Fanny?"

Freya flies into the chat, landing gently. "She already flew to the walls for daily check-up. Estes, I'll go with you. The others will attend to the naval ships and the former convoy."

"Thank you for the help. I have a bad feeling about the unexpected turn of events there," Estes said heavily. "These past few days, things are rotating back to normal. A few casualties, but none we have to worry too much. But my mind nags to me about something else."

"Something sinister?" Freya asks.

"I've felt it too, guys," Alpha adds. "Guess I'll have to join you as well."

"That settles it. Let's rendezvous with Tigreal near the citadel. Freya, you don't need to join me. Resume your aid to the naval ships. You may return to me if you're done." Freya nods humbly and flies off to the docks.

They walk back, and see the gilded knight with a dozen Royal Navy, clad in their white armor with gold outlines. Alpha remembers that they were often calm, guarding the throne like mannequins. It's the first time he saw them being restless, whispering to each other. Luckily, it's not gossip about the heroes, but rather, something about an ancient evil. Alpha couldn't catch their words, but their tone hinted their worry.

"Shall we go, my lord?" Tigreal asks.

"Before that, where is Natalia?"

"She's in the med bays to patch up an injury of hers. She'll return to the homes later."

Estes answers back, "It's best to know the welfare of our beloved, knight. Let's hurry now. Dread has begun to overcome us."

Estes conjures the portal in front of them, but due to the interference of the magical cloaks around the crater, they couldn't at least see what's on the other side of the portal.

"The magic barriers are deteriorating the visual, but not the transmission," Alpha reminds. "We'll be fine." The group walks to the portal and gets warped to the other side. When Estes gets a clear view, he felt both shock and relief.

The relief part? The shard was secure. The protodrake he predicted was there, guarding it. He was slightly confused, because the beast's scars had already faded. When he looks to the left…

The shock part? The Demon Hunters and the other heroes were clamoring, trying to wake up an unconscious Alucard. Estes takes note of the greatsword which gave off a light yet visible red aura. He looks up and sees a black figure with a green sword, which he recognizes as Argus. As he saw the fallen angel, Estes never grimaced or felt fear. He remained calm without the slightest feeling of dread.

For he knew he would arrive anyway.

Argus descends slowly, his black wings flapping around. "Estes. It has been too long." He genuflects, pointing the sword down to the ground. The Royal Navy immediately revealed their spears and aimed them at the fallen angel. Estes signals them to draw the weapons back, and nods at Argus.

"I knew you would be here. However, I don't think anyone in the Land of Dawn would be eager to see you, except your sister, Rafaela."

"That is to be expected," Argus says with a sigh. "Don't attend to me. The boy needs much more attention. It has been a few minutes, and he hasn't got up yet. Send your Royal Navy to escort the shard. The protodrake will then follow your stead.

The beast huffs black smoke from its nostrils and lowers its head, bowing at the Elven King.

"No, no, no!" Ruby, who regained consciousness after Alucard's sudden rampage, was panicking as she saw him down and out. She shook his shoulders, but they were of no effect.

Chou suggested, "What if I slap him again? It worked before, right?" Lolita whacks his head lightly with her hammer.

"That's not how it works, dummy!" Akai scolds. "Everytime Alucard goes unconscious, he often has a relapse! He's probably having visions."

"No, he isn't." Estes walks to the group, and everyone bows. "He's truly asleep, and there is no telling when he'd wake up. No matter how hard you try. Don't fear, he shall wake soon. Can you explain what happened earlier?"

Bruno suddenly pushed Harley aside, who was about to raise his hand. "Estes, would it be alright if I told it my way?"

"Sure." Ruby stopped her yelling, and was suddenly intrigued.

"Oh no," Layla says, putting her hand on her face. "Here he goes again…"

Bruno began to start his entertaining narrative.

"Okay, so we all went to find this shard in some boring plain, right? And then, Kagura nearly falls to the edge of this wide as hell crater! We see this bone-chilling buddy of ours here (he points to the protodrake) and it was all like, 'RAWR! I AM THE ONE WHO GUARDS THIS SHARD, AND HE WHO COMES CLOSER SHALL BE ROASTED LIKE BARBECUES!' but we weren't up for that, so Alucard suddenly reads the thing's mind, and he was like, "Someon's coming. Someone dangerous. We have to get the shard now." Gotta admit, I was all like, 'Really, nigga?' but then Alice, Vexana, and Cockroach Man comes into the scene. Yet, they kept arguing, and we flamed their butts with leet words, boy! And then there was this awesome teamwork, me kicking my soccer balls around, while Kagura and Hayabusa randomly touching at times, and they release the violet explosions like fireworks on Independence Day! Akai even squished a poor Ravager! That's so going to-"

"FOCUS!" Victor reminds, impatient. "Just get it over with."

"Jeez, you broke the thunder," Kagura responded. "It was adding up suspense!"

"It's okay, let me continue!" Bruno said.

"Where was I again? Ah, when Akai crushed the Ravager like a pancake! That was too insane, man. But suddenly, Zhask's bugs suddenly began to pop out. That's so unfair, man! Not even big boy Minotaur would be able to hold them off singlehandedly! But then, the most hype thing happened! Holy mozzarella on my pizza tonight, I just saw the most insane entrance I've ever seen, like, DUDE! HOW?! Before Bug Face reaches for the glowsti- I mean, Dawn Shard, the clouds darkened and there's this huge windy storm! Then this sharp longsword suddenly landed to the ground blocking Zhask, and was fully erect! And then, DUDE. THIS BLACK FIGURE SUDDENLY LANDED ON THE GROUND AND EVERYONE WAS AFRAID, MAN! EVERYONE! THOSE KASTIYAN WEAKLINGS WERE WHIMPERING! The dude was like, "Ask for my name from these two limp noodles so that my sword can hear last your words." THAT'S SO LOWKEY SAVAGE DUDE! AND EVEN IF THEY WERE LANDING SOME INSULTS THEY ALWAYS BACKFIRE! AND WHEN HE FOUGHT THE DEMONS SINGLE-HANDEDLY? YOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

The whole group was laughing out loud, though Tigreal simply smiled. "Go on, Bruno."

"Okay, okay, wait, gotta catch my breath. Okay… YOOOOOOOO!!!!!! And then we got the upper hand! We were wrecking the team, until the coward cockroach instantly summons THREE OF HIS MINIONS. THREE! HOW UNFAIR IS THAT?! THEY BEGAN TO GROW AND THEY WERE ALL AIMING THEIR LASERS AT ALUCARD! I THOUGHT WE WERE TOO LATE, THEN SUDDENLY, THE GREATSWORD THAT WAS FAR AWAY FROM HIM BEGAN TO LEVITATE, AND MY BOY WAS LIKE, "If you won't stop… I'LL DO SO MYSELF!" AND THE GREATSWORD FLIES TO HIM AND HE LAUNCHES THIS HUGE RED WAVE AND DECIMATES THE HORDE, YO! AND HE CHARGES OFF BY HIMSELF AND TAKES ON BOTH ALICE, ZHASK, AND VEXANA AT THE SAME TIME AND HE WAS DESTROYING THEIR A-"

"CALM DOWN!" Alpha suddenly shouted. "Beta told me that you're nearly out of breath." The group's laughter increases. Akai nearly trips on a nearby rock.

"AND THEY RAN OFF LIKE THE COWARDS THEY ARE! And I guess you all know the other parts of the story," Bruno heaved at last, and he sits down on the ground, catching his breath. The group cheers at Bruno with a standing ovation. However, Layla was being sarcastic.

"I heard the boy's prayer," Argus says. "You were a bit lucky, per se."

"Why did you return?" Hayabusa asks in a grave tone. "Not that I don't trust you. I can sense no form of deception in your words. We're just having a few rough days."

"If you have listened to Alice, you would have known already."

"Wait, did she say you saved Alucard?" Yinsen barges in. "Saved him from what?"

"If I didn't pull him out of those caverns, he wouldn't be standing in this crater as one of your allies. It will be better to explain everything when he is already conscious," Argus suggests. "The welfare of the shard is our first priority. You have sufficient mages to coalesce the Gem's power. I assure you, I can be trusted."

"That doesn't deny the fact that you've killed thousands from my clan, traitor!" Victor yells in a fit. He runs to punch Argus, but Pique and the others struggled to keep him off. "How many souls are trapped within your sword? Millions?!"

"They've already been freed," the fallen angel explains. "Why do you think I haven't killed you yet?"

Estes adds, "Argus has already regained his memories, but at a great cost. His power has begun to diminish, but he still proves as a formidable foe against the forces of the Dark Lord."

"Oh, don't tell me you've been contacting him for ages, Estes!" the clan leader scoffed. "You wouldn't have been able to arrange all of this by yourself!"

"True. That's why my sister was the communications bridge."

Lolita looks at the fallen angel, shocked. "Now I get it. You cannot come to the Land of Dawn before, but Rafaela can. She's also the only one who can talk to you!"

Argus nods. "Your insight serves you well, Steel Elf. Victor, calm down. Nothing will change the past. I can only make up to all of you in the near future."

"We must hurry now to the Land of Dawn. Escort Alucard safely and bring in the protodrake," Estes orders. "We have a lot of adjustments to accomplish."

Minotaur carried the unconscious Demon Hunter, while the others beckoned the protodrake to join them. As Estes conjures a wide portal, the whole group gets to the other side. Immediately, the protodrake unfurled its wings and started to fly.

"Oh, that's gonna cause a lot of panic…" Harley mutters.

Fanny flies into the scene and lands near them. "Hello, my L- Wait… what on earth is that?" She points high in the sky, where the protodrake was circling around.

"Long story," Ruby answered. "Talk later."

A few hundred Royal Guards were also in the scene to escort the shard to the other mages. Layla, exhausted, sat down the steps of the citadel entrance, resting her cannon.

"He'll be alright, Layla," Chou says to her. "What can't our fellow Demon Hunter do? And besides, everybody is here!"

"Not everybody," Harley barges. "I have an idea."

Meanwhile…

"Trouble always comes around, Alpha."

Saber, Alpha and Johnson were in their personal medical room, applying Saber's new schematics. The cyborg was stuck in repair, so his internal frame was his only physical form. His A.I., however, was injected to the cyborg's databases and computer screens.

"I know, Saber. But, have you thought of how to preserve all this messy history?"

"Not yet," the A.I. responded. "However… I do have one risky plan. With my new schematics, it could work."

"Don't go overboard," Johnson warns. "You said so yourself. Yet, you risked your life for Fanny."

"I am not letting one of my fellow companions die out that easily. I can be brought back to life. She can't. As soon as she touches the water, the serpents will devour her in an instant."

"But still, you're our family. We can't risk losing you again," Alpha answers sadly. "Not like before…"

"Never dwell in the past, Alpha," Johnson says, fiddling with his wrench. "You can't change it anymore."

"Beta would already be happy when she sees you fulfilling her promise," Saber says enthusiastically. "I assure you."

"But… it's impossible. To have such a peaceful life. I can't keep that promise."

"Be glad you're trying, to say the least. At least she knows what you're doing for her. She's considerate, my friend. Unlike most girls, she sees your effort, even if she's not here with us."

Alpha smiled weakly at Saber's statement. "Always the same swordsmaster, huh?"

The trio chuckles, and Alpha and Johnson resumes forging Saber's new body. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Alpha answers by slowly opening the door.

Alucard's friends were all there. However, Harley joined them. They were all looking away from the inside.

Alpha closes the door behind them. "What can I do for you?"

"Harley has some weird idea," Bruno answers.

"Okay, I have a relative of mine that we could bring in this place. She could be of some help to us," Harley starts. "I'd need somebody to set the correct timeline, and there's no proper person except you guys."

"Harley, the Dark Lord has locked down all the time frames. We're all stuck here," Lolita adds. "What makes you think we could bring in this person of interest?"

"The Genesys Gem has been undergoing the third phase of its formation. In the third phase, interdimensional travel will be enhanced, but with the Dark Lord's restraints, we cannot specify the exact trajectory. What we'd have to do is to jump from world to world to get there, and back here."

"I can help you," Alpha says. "But we'd have to apply another piece of schematics on Saber before I could. To speed up the process, I'd have to recruit Bruno and Lolita."

"Consider it done," Chou replies. "They knew you'd say that."

"Wait," Layla interrupts. "Harley, who's this person you're talking about?"

"Oh, it's my big sister. And she's an awesome sniper."

Meanwhile…

Minotaur, Hayabusa, Kagura and Akai was done prepping Alucard in the med bay for observation. Ruby was in charge for checking him, while the former will inform the others of Estes' arrival. They've made it to the docks, where the others were helping out. Eudora and Gord have also got a breath of fresh air, helping the crewmen lift precious cargo with their kinetic grips.

"Guys, roll call!" Akai yells. "Come here!" He beckons the other heroes to converge, leaving the crewmen to pull off the small bit of cargo by themselves. They thanked the heroes before they left.

"Balmond, Hilda, Cyclops, Nana, Miya, Zhao, Freya, Gatot, Grock, Hylos, Bane, Sun, Lapu… Yeah, they're all here," Hayabusa counted. "Okay, how do we begin?"

"Grock wants to know cause of commotion," the stone titan requests. "Something bad?"

"Well, Estes wants to meet you all for a bit of… uhm… an introduction of sort," Kagura replies.

"Introduction?" Balmond asks, puzzled. "Whose?"

"You may not like him, but I am not one to give out details," Akai sniffs out. "I assure you, he's on our side."

"What have we to fear, when he is an ally?" Yi Sun Shin questions. "If he was a former nemesis of ours, it's only right that we give him refuge for the weeks to come."

"I agree," Karrie barges.

"So do I," Miya says. "You really won't spill out the name, would you?"

"Estes believes that it would be better if you meet him personally. I trust that you would accept him," Minotaur huffs. "In my opinion, he'll be able to get along with you."

Cyclops brings out his hourglass and peers into the near future. All he could see was… riots. Riots and complaints everywhere… and a black horned figure with a green longsword. He immediately cancelled the vision, but many knew that he saw something.

"Heya, what did you see?" Nana asked innocently.

"Um… uh, nothing! Just the same things… that's all," Cyclops pretended to feel fine, and the others purposely took that excuse to avoid pressuring the mage.

"May we go now?" Eudora asks. "Let's break the tension."

Yeah, the tension will just get worse… Hayabusa thought to himself. I trust that Argus won't make much of a commotion.

The heroes walk out of the docks and into the front of the citadel. While so, the nearby people who saw them mostly gave off dirty looks at them, and some of the kids stayed away. Those who did get near them often asked for a high five or a hug, but their parents whisked them away before they got too close.

"They're having doubts," Franco mutters to Bane. "I have a bad feeling about all this."

"I worry much more about Aurora," the Pirate Lord replies. "After what that boy did… she hasn't fully recovered. I hope she considers joining us, even with a little back-up. My crew is fine, however."

Lapu-Lapu barges in the conversation, his twin blades hung low. "This place is enchanting! My men should've ventured to the seas long ago."

"It's not too late for progress," Gatotkaca replies cheerfully. "If we succeed, our goals can be attended to. I will go back to my realm after this, but the memories shall last, my brothers."

Rafaela couldn't easily hold in the dread she felt. Her heart was growing heavy.

"I know who it is," Freya told her. "But it's alright. I have faith."

"So, who is it?" Zhao asks. "C'mon, you can just say it to us personally."

"Best you see him yourself, Yun. There's no other way." Rafaela said nothing more.

As they reached the front, Estes, along with Tigreal and a few of the Royal Guard, were waiting for them.

"Estes, what's going on?" Miya asks, bowing. "Everybody has grown nervous."

"Everyone, I know that this is untimely, but I've requested your presence for the time being. We have a new ally, but due to the lack of information presented a while ago, you're not familiarized with him. I pray that you, at some point, would accept him," Estes began.

"Wait, where is he?" Karina questions the Elven King, looking around. "I don't see him." Rafaela looks up. Argus was high up in the clouds, waiting, but she could see him easily, even in the late afternoon sky.

Estes looks at the heavens, and called out, "You may come down, my friend."

The fallen angel descends without any form of dramatic entrance. As the heroes saw him, they weren't able to recognize him at first, though they did felt that Argus was familiar.

As he lands on both feet, Nana asked, "Who are you, mi-"

"No, Nana!" Cyclops warned, gripping her wrist. "He's dangerous!" The mage shivered in fright.

"Wait, who's this?" Irithel asked, but Leo the smilodon was growling at Argus.

"My name was long forgotten due to your beliefs that by saying it will cause a path of destruction upon your homes. Let my voice be your enlightenment," Argus started.

The heroes gasped and immediately pulled out their weapons, all aiming at him. They felt fear and hatred (and a bit of confusion as well).

"Damn it, Estes!" Zhao shouts. "Why put him here?!"

"Should've told us when you had the chance, you nitwits!" Balmond scolded Hayabusa. "You think we'd accept his presence?! Impossible!"

"Calm down," Estes says, signaling with his hands. "If he wanted it, all of us would be gone by now."

"Of course he wants it! Why wouldn't he?!" Karrie exclaims, her lightwheels spinning very fast. "He killed hundreds of my best soldiers. It shall not go unpunished!"

"He may have killed my brethren as well, but he has already changed," Hylos intervenes with his centaurs. "Please understand! Argus is no longer an enemy, and never will be starting today!"

"Tell that to my fallen brethren, centaur," Franco spat. "He wouldn't have been like this if Freya hadn't beaten him. Right, Valkyrie?"

She stood still, but she didn't wield any weapon. Freya calmly walked between Argus and the others.

"What in the world are you doing?! Don't tell me you're standing up for that monster!" Gord reacts. "He may not have hunted down my brothers, but I know he is not to be trusted!"

"Franco said so himself," Freya replies. "If I hadn't fought Argus, we wouldn't be here anymore. But I didn't beat him."

Argus slightly lowers his head. As he makes a step closer, the nervous group stepped backward. "What she says is true. All of you know me. I never back down without a fight. Franco, why do you think I immediately fled the snowy plains in pain?"

"You never feel pain," Sun said. He was all by himself, which meant that there was no clone of his. "Unless…"

"Unless what?" Gatotkaca asks. "If he has an Achilles Heel…"

"The sword was meant to be neutral… A test of the Lords of Order to see who was worthy enough to wield it. Anyone who wasn't, and yet, foolishly tries to wield it shall burn," Argus said, looking at his longsword. "The Dark Lord may have been vanquished, but fragments of his soul remained. A fragment was imbued within the sword, corrupting it."

"Don't lie to us, demon," Miya threatens.

"What makes you think I do, archer? I'd have killed you already. Has any of you remembered? As my lust for power grew, I stumbled upon the sword and I held its unmatched power… at the cost of all of my memories."

"No way! No one told us that!" Zhao exclaims. "What… How?!"

"I may have been considered evil, but I never cared about the foes that stood in my way. Humans, Elfs, Orcs, Centaurs, Wastelanders and yes, Demons. I have travelled everywhere and I have killed them without any thought. However, the Dark Lord, in his split state, cannot corrupt the one thing that prevented me from going to his side: my heart. My white body may have turned to black, but golden ichor still runs through me. All that I needed was someone to trigger its heartbeat once more, for I solely relied on the essence of the blade."

"Someone to trigger the heartbeat? So you had some sort of Achilles Heel," Karina says. "What happened next?"

"I had grown arrogant, for I always triumph after every battle. I went back here, and I aimed to slay everyone in Nost Gal, but in the middle of the fight, a Valkyrie challenged me without fear in her heart." Argus looks at Freya, who had a bit of a gloomy look. It dawned on everybody.

"Freya?" Hilda asked, astonished. "You…"

"It was pure chance," she suddenly replies. "My desperation to stop him, I didn't see that I have stabbed him there. He… he clutched his chest and his ichor was spilling out. I had my chance to kill him, but I knew what happened to him."

"After the event, I promised not to kill anymore, and I have learned about everything. Rafaela has also visited me every once in a while, but the guilt remained," the fallen angel continued, looking at his sibling, who was growing shy. "But my chance to redeem myself was visible when I stumbled upon the demonic caverns."

Estes nods, and lets Argus proceed with his story.

"I have detected immense activity in one of the caverns, so I went in to see it for myself. I saw those demons feasting on their prey. They were human, and they've already been dead before they could eat them. I knew that the demons have grown discreet. In the corner of my eye, a man escaped the lair, panicking. I thought that there was something else below. As I went in deeper, I came across a demonizing chamber, and the only one there was little kid, bleeding out and unconscious. He was chained and bore multiple scratch marks, and the demonization process has begun on his right arm."

"Don't you dare tell me that he was Alucard!" Tigreal yells, pulling out his sword. "The Demon Hunters saved him!"

"Tigreal, there's only one way to halt the demonization."

"And it's through an angel's ichor," Estes said.

"Believe me, I have thought of euthanizing him then and there out of pity, but the mark of the Fall was imprinted on his forehead! He's the primary hero of the prophecy, we all know that! The Demon Hunters wouldn't even think of going in the caverns even with absolute preparation!" Argus grew frustrated.

"Oi! Don't belittle our capabilities, murderer!" Victor called out, a few of his ranking officers behind him. "If you dare do that again, I swear I'll send you off myself!"

Yi Sun Shin spat at Argus' feet. "Do it, old man. I hate seeing this monster in front of me!"

A concussive bullet is fired at Argus from the balconies above, but the swordsman blocks it. A wolf sped up to the scene and charges at Argus, attempting to slash him.

"I have no time for the likes of you!" said the werewolf, who was Roger. "Get out of here while you still can!"

The other heroes began to follow up as well, but Freya, Estes, Tigreal, Rafaela and Hylos was in between them, trying to lower their commotion. However, Argus had enough.

"Alucard was alone!" Argus shouts, growing angry. "Admit it! You Demon Hunters before were as arrogant as I was! You only made alliances when your clan was in peril. You claimed to have burned the cavern to the ground, but I did it! The bodies you've buried? They were the members of the cult! The man who escaped… he is Alucard's father! Only females are allowed in that cult! That only means one thing: the Dark Lord acted earlier! He wished to end the fight early, but if it wasn't for me, all of us wouldn't be here! If it wasn't for me, Alucard wouldn't have gained his powers, and we wouldn't have been able to drive off Alice and her henchmen!!! IF IT WEREN'T FOR MY SACRIFICES, NONE OF US WOULD BE ARGUING THEN AND NOW!!! I GAVE ALUCARD HIS GREATSWORD, NOT YOU! I BESTOWED HIM HIS POWERS! I AM THE ONE WHO GAVE HIM A SECOND LIFE, SO DON'T YOU DARE THINK THAT YOU KNOW MY TRUE INTENTIONS, BECAUSE YOU DON'T!!!" He bursts into green flames, his six wings unfurled. His aura left scorch marks on the ground, and his longsword was lit aflame with tongues of fire. He slowly floats into the group and intensifies their sudden fear. Argus raises his blade, then stops, jarring himself back to calmness. His aura dissipated, but a soothing glow radiated from him. He wasn't burning anymore, but warm heat was felt around him. He exhales, and a tear from his eyes dropped to the steps.

Rafaela was dumbfounded. "Argus… are you…"

"I have done too much, yet all of you couldn't see the bigger picture," he began, his voice breaking. "I understand that it wasn't easy for all of you, but it was the same for me as well. I have grown weaker than before, but I am trying so much to redeem myself. If you were in my state, you'd understand, but you aren't. I'm sorry for everything." He begins to fly away, shattered, but Hayabusa stopped him with one final question.

"Who was Alucard's father?"

Argus stops in his tracks and looks at the ninja. His final words were imprinted in the minds of everyone, and even Estes and Hylos were surprised. "None other… than Master Machinist Dublin Rooney."

Meanwh-

HOLD UP HOLD UP IT'S THE FBI!

XD JK

Right now, you're probably like, "WAIT, WHAT IN GOD'S NAME WAS THAT?! ROONEY IS ALUCARD'S FATHER?!?! HOW?! YOU BETTER EXPLAIN THIS NOW, ARCTURUS!"

Or probably, "Wait, who on earth is Rooney again?"

Or probably, "I CANNOT GET OUT OF MY HEAD THAT INSANE ACTION PACKED SCENES OMFG ALUCARD JUST STRAIGHT UP STOMPED ALICE WHAT THE S-"

I dunno. Ask the files.

"Tell us the truth! What's with the files?! Are you making this stuff up? Answer us!"

Gotta be strict with this one, guys. I can't tell. They're really… valuable. A hacker tried to steal it last chapter, and he paid the price. I will explain everything in due time. Just read.

"Are you intentionally doing this to keep us hooked in reading your fanfic?" *INSTA-UNFOLLOW

No.

Who do you think I am, really? Someone crazy, or someone with some awesome idea who could only interpret it through a story?

All I can say is, you have no idea how this world is crazier than you thought it would be.

Arcturus420, making a fanfic concerning one of *** (gender unspecified) favorite games. Someone who makes it merely for fun… someone who believed that doing so would be worthless. Remains anonymous and never releases any personal info unless required.

Making a story… not just for the sake of fun, but for the sake of the ML Fandom.

I will finish this story, one way or another. You won't be disappointed.

These files have worth, and everything shall be clear in the end!

*(End of Recording, Audio Log #151)

(*) This will serve as your first hint. Never forget it. What matters isn't the audio log. What matters is the reason for it being here.

Use the Review Section for theory placement.

Back to the story.

Ruby, unaware of what occurred, stayed put in the private med bays, waiting for Alucard to wake up. Natalia was also there, though she was conscious. The assassin didn't think of disrupting Ruby's peace, but after noticing her familiar expression, she had the urge to say something.

"You love him, do you?"

Ruby immediately turns her head to Natalia. "What?"

"I'd know that kind of face anywhere. It's alright to admit. I keep secrets."

Ruby smiled faintly. "Thanks."

"It's the least I can do. You may not see me around as much (get it? XD), but if there's someone you can count on, it's me."

Ruby remembered hearing the rumors about Natalia from the residents of the Land of Dawn. Through impulse, she asked, "Were the rumors true?"

Natalia's expression didn't change. "What rumors?"

"That you were an outcast?"

The assassin lowered her face, sitting on the edge of her bed. "Only our dearest friends know, but yes, I was. Though, I've gotten used to all the hearsay. People really have a knack for fooling themselves."

"The arguments around are growing bad," Ruby continued, examining her scythe. "Gossip is bad, but they're using some awfully true facts. I just don't want to be misled, that's all."

Natalia stood up and wore her white cloak. She walked to Ruby and sat down. "I was an orphan, discarded by my own parents. My family was the Church of Assassins. Though the group doesn't exist anymore, their works remained prominent… imprinted in the minds of the wary. I was their best combatant, though, I was boastful. I have grown careless. I failed one assassination mission, but my colleague paid the price. If it wasn't for Tigreal's help, we wouldn't be here talking right now."

Ruby nods. "You owe a lot to him."

"I wasn't exiled by the Church of Assassins. I did so myself," Natalia added. "They were brutal and strict. Coming back will most likely be suicide. Ever since, I stuck with Estes and his soldiers. They were the ones who truly regarded me as part of the group… my family. We always had each other's backs. The only thing I could give them is my service."

"At least I get to know all you guys better," Ruby sighed. "People really need to wake up."

"Our past no longer defines who we are. It's what we do," the assassin finalized. "I heard about Argus. I don't care if he killed millions before. What's the significance of it now? People shouldn't complain anymore. They have to cast all of their differences aside, because if they don't, we've already lost the war. Look at you, the girl with the scythe. I don't care about the fact that you lost your family. I care about what you did to avenge them, and what you did for the families ravaged by wolves. I don't see you as a former psychopath, or an orphan. To me, you're a hero, like everyone else, and that's what people need to know."

(Reading this in the files left me dumbfounded.)

Ruby looked at the sleeping Demon Hunter. "Does he see me as so?"

Natalia shrugged. "If he does, it's a proper reason to feel what you feel."

"How do you even know all of this? The first time I saw you, I regarded you as creepy. Now you started lecturing me like an old man atop a lofty hill."

The assassin laughed. "You can never teach what you never know. You can never know if you never experience it."

"Tigreal, huh?"

"Yep."

Ruby had a mischievous look in her eyes. "I knew it! Did you alre-"

"DON'T… go overboard," Natalia grumbles, her eyes widening. "Just… don't. I have to remind you that you're barely legal for that stuff."

"Okay, just joking." Ruby looks at Alucard, and saw that his hands started to twitch. "Alucard? You're awake?!"

"What's wrong?"

"He's waking up!"

Natalia rushes to the other side of the bed. "Take it easy. He might be in pain."

Alucard slowly opened his eyes, his head hurting. He groans and tries to get up, but Natalia pushes him down.

"You need rest, Alucard. I'll call Estes for you." Natalia walks, and Ruby could see the bandage wrapped around the assassin's wrist. She exits the med bay. The Demon Hunter looks around and sees Ruby, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"H-Hey… are you alright?" he asked.

Ruby's expression changed drastically. "ALRIGHT? ALRIGHT?! You get blasted by three of Zhask's little pets, and that greatsword of yours flew to your arm and you took on Alice, Ms. Ugly, and Bug Face at the same time! You drove them away and you suddenly passed out! We tried to wake you up but it's no use! Now that you're awake, the first thing you say to me is, 'Are you alright?' NO, I AM NOT, ALUCARD! I'M NOT! ARE YOU THAT SELFLESS?!"

"Wait, wait, I… let me explain!" he stammered, holding his hands up. "I'm sorry, alright? I thought… I thought you were…"

Ruby stomped the floor and forcefully yanked Alucard's face to hers. She felt so mad, but she started to cry, tears streaming down her cheeks. Alucard kissed her slowly and hugged her. She buried her face on his shoulder.

"Just… don't do that again!" she commanded with frustration. "I don't… I don't want to lose anyone anymore… I'm done with that…"

"Don't worry. After all this, we'll be alright. I promise."

"Never make promises you can't keep."

"But… those are the best ones."

The door suddenly opens, and Argus and Estes went in the med bay.

"Ah, so you're awake!" Estes began, casting his runes. "You are fine, Alucard. You sustained no injury. Though, I'd recommend you stay there for a while. You took a huge toll back at the crater."

Ruby eyes the fallen angel. "Hey, what're you doing here?"

"I'm here to speak to him," Argus replies, nudging his head to the Demon Hunter. "You may stay if you wish."

"Sure, thanks."

Alucard couldn't take his eyes off of Argus. "You… don't really look familiar to me," he said, with a voice hinting that he wasn't sure. "But if you did save me, thanks."

"He has a lot to explain to you," Estes said. "As for your unfamiliarity, it's because he wiped your memories. But now, he shall show you everything. And I mean, everything."

"Even about my father?"

"Yes. Shall we begin?"