Run

The waiter returns with replacement drinks and sets them down accordingly albeit, intensely staring as he does. Toji, picking up on additionally stigmatizing vibes, rolls his shoulders with a suspicion-infused glare. The server does his best to avoid the metaphorical emerald daggers but the giant's gaze happens to catch when his interest switches to Elska right before leaving.

Toji postures himself and basks in the audacity given.

"He's going to break his neck by looking at you that hard. He's begging for an ass whooping doll. Would you be upset if I delivered?"

Elska's tipsy giggle follows with a playful arm bump.

"No way! You are not allowed to hit him!"

Naoya snickers with every bit of good intention.

"I've felt your punch, you'll fucking kill the guy!"

The Zenin's deep laughter carries through the patio causing the young parents of the three kids to look over awkwardly and smile. Naoya nods and waves to offer the universal gesture of apology for being too loud but then shares a sigh. His amber eyes trail over to Toji and Elska but instead of immediately speaking, he raises his glass.

"I just want to say that I'm grateful to be here with you two today."

Naoya focuses on his cousin for a moment and gnaws on his cheek as if he's unsure of what to say.

"You know, I've always looked up to you and hoped that I could be as cool when I grew up." 

The giant flexes his brow automatically in a way that reflects his bewilderment. 

"What's gotten into you, kid?"

Naoya laughs under his breath just as a cool breeze cuts through.

"I don't know, Toji! I'm just in a really good place right now! Like...look at us! I know we're...unique...but the fact that you have room in your heart for me with Elska...it just means a lot."

Toji's face experiences a quick wash of gentleness that Naoya is happy to have seen and returns the sentiment without being shy.

"And you my princess…"

Naoya shifts in his seat and sighs to Elska's loving eyes.

"Thank you for teaching me what it means to be truly cared for by a woman. Come what may, I will always be rich in all things as long as you are by my side."

He watches Elska sip her wine with watery eyes as he drinks his Mojito until the opportunity to kiss her arises. After pressing his lips into hers, he hums to the feeling of perfection but is soon admitting a daft discovery.

"It's so peaceful without Gojo around, isn't it?"

Toji agrees with some cackles but is soon leaning back in his seat with a nod.

Elska sips her wine and puts the glass down before wrapping her arms into both of theirs.

"Thank you so much for bringing me out here today, you guys!"

Feeling that it would be impossible to address both of them at the same time, she scoots her chair back to form a focal point.

"You two bring so much happiness into my life, Sati too. Honestly, I can't even imagine what things would be like without all of you..."

The sentiment settles in front of them all as if it were the meal dividing them. Toji clears his throat as if to mask emotion but right as Elska is about to call him out, a high pitch squeal steals their ears.

All three of them lean and twist to find the toddler nearby who's now bouncing in his seat and waving.

"We've made a friend!"

Elska wiggles fingers toward the child but Naoya dedicates himself to goofy faces; all of this prompting thought.

'Could I be a mother? A good one?'

Uncertainty grips her mind but the fast rising apprehension simmers away after her gaze rests on Naoya's example. The idea creeps into her heart as she heavily considers giving the Zenin what he wants.

'He would be a good father…I know he would.'

The toddler is drawn back to eating his dessert with the rest of the family but Naoya's view remains on them while he imagines his own.

"They're reeeeally cute princess! Ughhhh, but they're not helping my baby fever whatsoever!"

Elska smiles to ease his longing but inhales sharply after a stark possibility blares into her brain.

"I could...already be pregnant and not even know it…"

Her words sounded dreadful but only because she wouldn't have the first fucking clue as to who the child would belong to. 

Toji sits forward in his seat.

"Oh shit! Any one of us could be the father!"

Toji feels his sockets stretching as he's not even considered what a quandary that could turn out to be. When he looks over at Naoya though, the Zenin's left eye twitches uncontrollably which forces the giant to defend himself. 

"Boy, I don't know what your deal is but don't make that face. I never pull out."

As soon as the words left his lips, Toji feels Elska's presence magnify.

"Doll, I-I'm sorry. I have no idea why I just said that…"

Relief finds him when he's told not in the doghouse and she basically agrees to pretend it never happened but Naoya has words of his own.

"You dirty old bastard! You're not supposed to…she's a prin-cess!"

When the Zenin studies Elska, he picks up on how uncomfortable she now seems and regrettably assumes his reaction was taken the wrong way. In a trial to save himself, Naoya puffs out his chest, lifts his chin and confidently narrows his eyes.

"Well guess what you old fart? I don't pull out either!!!!"

Elska can be heard humming like she's thinking of a punishment but the Zenin's mind takes to the night of him, Gojo and Elska. Lewd images aside, he recalls something he feels holds utmost importance and darts his eyes to Toji with a devious grin.

"But Gojo does."

Elska buries her face into her hands, trying to not feel repulsed by her own actions.

"Naoya…I'm about to take your drink away again!"

The blonde pulls her hands down in rebuttal though all while slyly bringing his drink back into guard. 

"Baby! Like I said before…we're unique!"

She feels his lips brush against her own and somehow the simple action instantly comforts her.

'I guess we're all degenerates then...'

But the idea is taken loosely as Elska leans back into her seat and looks up to the sky with the perfect revenge. 

"Maybe Choso's the daddy."

She laughs when Naoya gasps with anxiety but is surprised by how Toji instantly sees right through her.

"Baby? Are you messing with me right now?!!!"

Naoya can see that she's laughing but is honestly afraid of that thought after the lack of clarification of what happened between her and the being. He scoots closer and begins poking her for torture.

"Tell me you're just kidding!"

Once she admits that it's a bad joke, he's satisfied and reassured but relaxes with a threat.

"That deserves a spanking…"

Naoya bites momentarily bites his bottom lip while envisioning the punishment but is distracted by how unbothered his cousin appears.

"Toji, how were you able to be so calm?!"

The giant briefly smirks but ultimately shrugs his shoulders.

"I just know better."

Naoya stutters in his embarrassment but waves the entire gesture away humility. 

"Alright baby, that's two spankings now since my pride is hurt as well!"

He giggles with her as she doesn't seem to protest against the idea but little does she know, he's already planning on how to give them to her tonight.

The waiter exits the building and head towards them again but those creepy dark eyes fixate on Toji.

"Ugh…not again…"

Toji feels the man staring at him and wants to avoid having to directly deal with him but as if knowing this, the waiter cruises over to Toji's side. The giant can only give Elska and Naoya a loathing look as he warns of his tolerance being low but in an effort to get over it, he asks.

"Is there something you need from me, man?"

"I figured I would explain the menu since you're unfamiliar with the language."

Toji's suspicion rises to the unnaturally condescending tone leaking from the waiter and feels like if he doesn't cut the connection, he'll lose his shit.

"I'll take anything chicken."

"Frenzied?"

Toji scowls to the apparent insult, not having heard of that preparation method before and feeling less for hearing it now.

"Just want some fucking chicken."

"Right."

Having expected the waiter to move on with the orders, the giant contemptuously lifts his gaze back up only to feel additionally aggressive when the man remains there, staring. Toji pushes his seat back from the table, fed the fuck up but as he goes to stand he feels the waiter's hand make contact with his shoulder that surges pain back through his arm until Toji's bellowing out that inhuman turned screech.

Naoya, who'd been wrapped up in cute conversation now launches to his feet with horror.

"What the fuck did you do to him?!!! WHO ARE YOU?!!!!!!!!!"

His larger cousin doubles over, screaming in agony.

"T-TOJI!"

But as Naoya reaches out across the table to help, the giant's cries silence and are followed by the complete darkening of his presence. 

"Baby, get up…GET UP NOW!!!!"

Naoya snatches Elska and moves her away from the table while glaring at the waiter who arrogantly stands by the giant. He laughs maniacally with a grandiosity that can only be understood by a shaman.

"THIS IS FOR MASTER KOKORO!"

The waiter lowers his hand back onto Toji's shoulder but almost as soon as it lands the giant seizes it, crushes his wrist and cries out as his wings start to form. Naoya loses his breath.

"Oh fuck…fuck!!!"

Understanding that shit is hitting the fan, Naoya swivels and yells to the other people dining outside.

"GET OUT OF HERE NOW!"

Naoya steps back with Elska tightly in his grasp and worries about everyone around them. All of the people sitting outside have now tuned in and although they are watching in disbelief as the skin of Toji's back stretches to form the bones and feathers...they do not move.

The giant's haunting illuminated eyes open once more after the wings have formed but they direct towards the waiter instantaneously. 

"TOJI DON'T!"

Elska breaks away from Naoya to run to her beloved but before she can reach him, Toji yanks the waiter down by the wrist and proceeds to send energy at the man's torso, hollowing him out completely. The body remains standing for what seems like forever as Elska views the beautiful river through him when he collapses. Chaotic screams erupt across the patio as terrified people try to flee but Elska can only focus on Toji who seems to be falling progressively deeper into this dark energized way.

"TOJI!!"

She cries out to him again but feels Naoya's arms securing her.

The children can be heard squealing in tears at the top of their lungs as their parents struggle to function well enough to gather the kids. Elska helplessly watches the color fade from the mother's face as she cries and tugs on the twisted buckle holding her youngest in the boost seat.

"Why…This is…?! Naoya! We have to...help!"

Tears stream down Elska's face as stupor of surprise engulfs her wholeheartedly but her prince's arms once again find and shield her. A loud whoosh forces wind to hurl past them Elska can't even process that her beloved has taken to the sky.

"Baby!"

She feels Naoya squeezing and shaking her but she's so stunned by her surroundings that she can't even hope to respond. The screams magnify when its understood that the mother can't free her child but as much as she wants to assist, Elska currently can't even force her feet to lift.

The clamor of fear booming around them is too much all together but a split second of reprieve washes them when it abruptly silences. Not even a millisecond later, a warm liquid mist sprays her and Naoya.

In what seemed like slow motion, the entire family and table were crushed into the pavement leaving nothing but a compressed pile of bones and flesh where their beautiful faces used to be. Elska can't move. She can't avert her eyes. She can only watch in absolute horror.

Naoya is also left otherwise trembling and mortified as the chairs can still be made out due to their green color amongst the mounds of human tissue.

"O-Oh my God..."

He calls out to Elska who is back in his arms but she's unresponsive and hysterical.

"BABY COME ON!"

Toji zooms past them but Naoya screams when he watches his cousin shred through a businessman and then turn to one of the middle-aged women to tear her arms off simultaneously. The woman cries her despair but soon falls into shock and bleeds out onto the deck.

"TOJI!!"

Naoya finds himself crying too, shaking while Toji uses his strength to literally rip through the innocent humans.

"Holy fuck…he's going to kill them all!"

Naoya muffles his own sorrows when he dips his face into Elska's hair, uncertain of how to react. He knows he needs to stop his cousin but understanding that this is an attack, he doesn't want to leave Elska alone. He sobs with her.

"Baby… What do I do?!"

The others that were outside with them are unable to open the door to the building and escape for some reason but he perceives another of the businessmen trying to make a break for the water. It looks like he's going to make it too but Naoya screams again as he helplessly watches Toji land on him, grinding the man's flesh into the ground before tearing his head from his shoulders. Naoya cannot break his gaze even while his cousin dips down and sharpens his fangs by purposefully dragging the cervical portion of the spine against them.

'T-That's not him! Toji wouldn't!'

Feeling compelled to vomit, the Zenin gags and stumbles while the remaining survivors mentally decompose. The shrieks of all pitches and groans of injury crawl into his ears and leave room for nothing else; there's no escaping the sounds of this moribund choir. 

The giant soon amplifies the terror when he grabs another of the women by the back of the neck, lifts her and then slams her head first into the stucco wall, swiftly ending her life.

"FUUCK!!"

'I have to stop him!'

Unnerved to no end, Naoya soon dons his courage and screams his cousin's name out of sheer desperation to salvage anyone left. 

"TO-JJJIIIIIIII!!!"

And it works.

Naoya's wide watering eyes meet Toji's but it's as if the giant doesn't register who he is. 

"B-baby..."

Naoya jostles Elska against his chest when Toji takes his first step closer.

"BABY!"

Without a change in expression, Fushiguro's pace swiftly corrodes into a sprint and if those raging eyes weren't enough to see, the murderous intent felt says it all.

'SHIT!'

Naoya scoops Elska up and activates his projection technique to evade but his body feels heavy and even as he fledges it to full speed he cannot fathom why Toji appears to be getting closer.

"WHYYY!???"

The weight of dread hindering the Zenin's usual decisiveness brings him to a new low as he surmounts the worse of outcomes. He holds Elska tighter and audibly layers her sorrows with his own.

"Baby, you have to run. I need you to run."

He's not sure if he's going to make it out of this but knows what he's about to try will be worth it as long as she survives. Placing an anchored foot to the ground, Naoya's heart breaks as he lowers his princess down fearing that this will be the last time he'll be able to see her. With tears streaming down his face, he shoves Elska farther away and gathers all of his strength to make sure she understands the message.

"FUCKING RUN, ELSKA!"

She's aware of being placed back on her feet but feels so cold without her prince securing her.

"The children…"

Elska's still gripped in shock. Upon looking around though, she begins noticing the other bodies, some overlapping each other near the door leading inside.

"How...how could this...happen..."

She stands there, dazed and numbed by the evanescent wails of others until the restaurant and all neighboring buildings explode. Just like fireworks, burning debris that used to be whole erupt from the building in a massive blast.

The powerful shockwave sends Elska flying towards the edge of the water and before she even hits the ground, succumbs to a blunt object cracking into her ribs. Moments pass as she lies there incoherently with multiple smaller explosions detonating from the restaurant. 

"YOU WILL SAVE THEM."

Elska opens her eyes and gasps for air.

The smoke chokes her but even as she coughs and heaves, oxygen feels no closer to her brain.

"Na-oy-a..."

Her ears only produce ringing while her limbs collapse any time she adds weight. She continuously tries pushing herself off of the ground but without an equilibrium, she merely buckles back into the deck.

'I have to...save them...'

Her eyes are struggling to focus but when they do, they make out the random severed leg that broke Elska's ribs. She can't hear any clear sounds but she cries for Naoya and shuts her eyes to the fear that him and Toji were caught in the blast.

'No...they can't...'

The very thought of having lost her beloved and prince in one fell swoop cauterizes her soul until her own bloodcurdling screams register, though she can't even recognize her own voice. Only when she can feel her prince nearby do her eyes unfasten.

Naoya was thrown into a table near the edge of the patio and has burns lacing up his body.

"BABY!"

Crawling over to Elska, he strains to see how she's covered in cuts and can tell she's not breathing normally but is alive. Wanting to get away, he tries lifting her up into his arms but they fall backward since he's yet to fully regain senses.

"COME ON BRAIN!"

He sits up, determined to go again but his gaze betrays him when he witnesses the gore and destruction boxing them in.

With his breath hitched, Naoya scans the aftermath of dismemberment as pieces of people lay all around; some floating in the water nearby.

"T-they're all...dead..."

He can't find Toji which only adds to his apprehension and causes Naoya to sob as he struggles to his feet with Elska.

"Baby...please...please stand...we have to ruuuun!"

He can only repeat this under his breath and in broken syllables as he positions her in a way that blocks her eyes. He wants to smile when she finally clings to him but the sensation of exposed muscle instead threatens to render him unconscious. A deafening shriek sounds off behind him but what Naoya finds is hope as Toji's charred feathers show signs of life.

"Thank fucking God…"

Naoya weeps with Elska close but is finally able to stand while he scans the gore for survivors, finding one.

"MA'AM! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"

The Zenin calls out to the lone woman who lost all of her companions but she sits there with one and a half legs and moans indicating that she's rather far gone.

"HANG ON!! HELP IS COMING!"

Her dazed green eyes finally seem to notice him but before Naoya can offer her anymore consolation, the woman is crushed by gravity that leaves a depression into the concrete.

'Getou.'

Naoya's positive now. Toji roars in the near distance and the sound alone spins the Zenin's nerves in a web. He starts shaking Elska again but panics when Toji growls and picks up speed towards them. 

"BABY YOU HAVE TO SNAP OUT OF IT! 

He places Elska back down and winces from his melted skin, whispering through tears.

"I love you Elska, forever."

She heard him. His voice itself guided her out of her own mind and back to the disaster that's before them. She fully comes to when she sees Naoya collide and exchange energy with Toji. She feverishly screams at the two men to stop but is forced to watch them struggle against each other; with Toji having the upper hand as reservation is nonexistent. 

"NAOYA!"

The scene around her is completely disturbing and the heat from the flaming buildings add to the smell of over-cooked flesh. She starts running towards Naoya and Toji but an unfamiliar voice calls out to her so she turns around to see where it came from.

"Elska Oda!"

Genghis cheers her name out as Getou and the other Titers now manifest into view. Temujin is especially thrilled by the scene and claps his hands together in praise to Toji's handiwork.

"He has greatly surpassed my expectations!"

Joyfully nudging Getou, Genghis is put off by the dread on his pupil's face but once he gets a better look at Oda, he comprehends that Suguru is concerned that she was harmed in the process.

As soon as Elska notices Suguru, she completely snaps.

"YOU FUCKING DID THIS?!"

He metal wings form instinctively but all other reason has been cast aside.

"I am going to fucking tear you APAAAART!"

She's consumed with rage as she thinks about the children, the unsuspecting innocents, Toji and Naoya.

"FUCKING COWARD!"

Elska screams this at him but is almost taken back by how remorseful Getou's expression is.

Lydia was hoping this would happen.

"Freakish, winged bitch."

She quietly mutters her insults while drawing her arm back, aiming her spear.

'I knew she wasn't right for Master Suguru. How can anyone so disgusting be made his match?'

Lydia's breath becomes erratic but she continues to calmly study Elska until Oda blindly charges into their direction.

"Got her."

Something tells Lydia to look to her left and when she does, she notices that Toji seems to be aware of her actions. Fear cripples her judgement and compels her to the quickly hurl the spear at Elska before he can make any move to stop her.

Naoya can be seen switching focus to Elska which worries her but to the worst of her dismay, she hears Getou scream for her to stop but it's too late as the weapon has already left her hands.

"LYDIAAAAAA!!!!!!!!"

"But she's trying to kill you Master Suguru!"

Getou finally looks at her but her heart stops with how his expression is heavy with abhorrence and wrath. Lydia's understanding of the situation continues to crumble when she witnesses Suguru actively engaging multiple points of gravity to stop the spear but he's ultimately unable to. 

Elska was so furious that she didn't even think about how utterly moronic attacking head on would be. The spear is heading straight for her leaving no time to react as she simply failed to notice it because of her rage. Knowing that she's about to be impaled only fuels her more though as she can't let this opportunity go to waste.

Right before what she assumes are possibly her last moments, she briefly closes her eyes and tries to remember all the good she's experienced up until this point. The laughs and love she's received and shared with Satoru, Toji, Naoya and everyone else flood her as she's so desperate to live but is willing to throw it all away for their safety.

'I have to kill him.'

The end never comes but her soul leaves her body along with all of her sensibilities.

Naoya staggers in front of her. He was at least able to use his projection this time but Elska's expression shatters his heart as he follows her eyes down to see the spear's large tip sticking out of his sternum.

"B…Bab…y…"

The world spins around him as he falls; no longer having the ability to remain on his feet. He hears Elska shriek and feels her warmth but he can't focus his eyes or make them stay open.

"Bab…y…" 

It's all he can manage to articulate but knowing he made it in time soothes his mind as blood pours from his smiling mouth.

Toji dashes past them towards the Titers and manages to kill one upon contact. Elska heard the short-lived cries but finds solace in it as she attempts to catch Naoya. They both fall to the ground but she frantically lays him on his side and sobs as she brushes the hair away from his eyes.

'He's...so pale!'

Using her wings, she slices open her wrist and holds Naoya's mouth open to force her blood into him but her arm is shaking so violently that it's causing her essence to get all over his face and neck.

"N-N-NO! NAOYA!"

Elska screams through her tears as she's desperate to save him.

"My prince…please…you can't…"

She heaves in shuddering breaths.

"You can't leave me!"

She attempts to take a deep breath but there's no calming down, he's barely taking the blood even when some lands into his mouth.

"Naoya…please…no…"

She's met with a choice but before she can decide for herself the ancestral guide within barrels through her.

"TURN HIM."

Instantly absolved all of her previous restraint on the matter, she doesn't hesitate.

After repositioning and somewhat side straddling Naoya, she turns around to see all of the Titers, except two, fending Toji off. Getou and a shorter yet older man are both watching her but with different expressions. Suguru appears mystified, probably not understanding because he thinks Naoya is already dead but the other man next to him appears to be brimming with anticipation.

She says nothing to them as she firmly places her left hand over Naoya's heart, becoming submerged with relief as it still beats, albeit faintly but then it stops. She screams his name as if it could stop her world from disintegrating. 

"SAVE HIM!"

When Elska feels the surge of ancient energy course in her veins, she leans down into her prince's neck.

"I love you, Naoya. Please…stay here with me."

She licks the targeted area and pierces him immediately afterwards.

Toji is taken out of his hypnotic ferocity the moment Elska's energy shifts. His eyes come into clear view and show that he's surrounded by five Titers.

"DOLL!!"

He can't see her initially and panics about where he is until his recent actions immobilize his mind. The giant withers forward remorse and hands placed on his head.

'I…killed…I did that?'

Through his own eyes he saw everything but was unable to stop but the devastation that was caused by the explosion rocks him again and his frustration with everything happening reaches its peak. He releases a wave of energy that also happens to send all of the Titer's flying backwards with superficial injuries but they also open his path to finally seeing her.

"DOLL!! ARE YOU O-"

But Toji drops to his knees when he takes in the spear that's lodged through Naoya and strains into a defeated cry that has no sound.

"Not him...no..."

He now understands what Elska is doing and although he's always hated the idea, he's not ready to say goodbye to his younger cousin so he finds himself hoping with every cell he's made from that she's successful.

Hurriedly, he crawls over to them, becoming more distressed as the details of Naoya's condition become more apparent. Violet energy travels over the Zenin's body and he jolts like she's shocking his heart but otherwise, Naoya is completely still and pale aside from his burns.

"Please, doll, tell me it's working!"

Toji only hears her moan in response as she drinks but he's puzzled by the tears running down her face. He'd be more concerned with that but her presence darkens immediately and forces him to hold his breath as he worriedly waits to gauge her.

"Doll?"

When Elska finally lifts her head from Naoya's neck, Toji finds himself overcome with a foreign emotion. Her eyes glow a bright purple but the green dashes are clearly visible and for the first time ever, Toji's welcoming this.

In his short lived amazement over her appearance, Toji darts his eyes down to Naoya and notices he's breathing. Bending down, the giant cries his relief and wraps his arms around Naoya's head, frightened that there wouldn't have been any sustaining him in that state.

"Boy don't scare me like that ever again…"

Sniffling, Toji goes to pick Naoya up but Elska stops him and in a lowly voice, gives some advice.

"He's safer on the ground, as are you, my beloved."

Her expression doesn't feign any emotion but Elska emotionally grips the handle of the spear hanging out of her prince's back and snaps it in half. Holding the splintered wood, she sends wild eyes down to her fallen prince but releases a declaration.

"If this fails, I will enslave and destroy this entire world."

"Doll...what do you me-"

But she now rises to her feet and turns around to head in the direction of the Titers.

"My beloved, protect him."

Genghis just fell into a type of infatuation. As the true Elska stalks towards them he finds himself in complete awe over her presence and mannerisms.

"Even covered in blood…"

He sighs and notes how lucky Suguru is and even leans over to his pupil who's preoccupied with by her switch.

"Little one! I think we just witnessed Zenin's rebirth!"

Getou angrily snaps his neck in confusion.

"How the fuck is any of this good, Master Genghis?! HE IS ZENIN! HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE!"

Suguru wears the expression of a man who has been betrayed but Genghis brushes it off and chalks it up to naivety and shock. Seeing that his pupil is currently not mentally up to the task, Genghis smirks and raises his hands high in the air as he takes two steps towards Elska, gesturing that he would like to engage in conversation. In a composed and submissive tone, he attempts establishment.

"Lady Oda, there's something I must do for you..."

Getou finds himself disgusted by how the plan was enacted. When he engaged his gravity to crush the tables he didn't realize there were children present. It reminds him of Kechi all over again which boils his rage but it all becomes directed towards his mentor when he considers Naoya's seemingly planned survival.

"Maybe something is wrong with him...this was not the plan..."

He's unnerved by how satisfied Genghis is over this attack and by how is was brought forth.

Watching Elska approach them with the frayed spear handle, Suguru feels the absolute urge to defend her as he no longer knows what to expect but also gathers that this whole fucked up situation has only fueled her hatred for him.

'She thinks this was my idea…'

Glaring over at Lydia, Getou desires to smash her into the ground beneath them as her actions were severely out of line.

'THAT FUCKING BITCH IS GOING TO GET US ALL KILLED!'

He replays the sound of Elska's despair over Naoya in his mind and comes to the full conclusion that her broken sounds were not as sweet as he once imagined they would be. He doesn't know why but as he's viewing her in her roughed-up state, he realizes that somewhere along the way he stopped hating Elska but it leads him to question if he ever really did to begin with. Suguru's life crisis pauses when his mentor chimes in again.

"Lady Oda, will you allow me to?"

Elska stops out of curiosity; an offering makes no difference to her but she's intrigued by the Titer Man's lack of fear.

"Proceed, Titer."

She becomes more entertained by him when he grabs the red headed girl who threw the spear and brings her back to where he was standing. 

"My name is Temujin Genghis. I currently lead the Titer clan and I am hoping we can be friends. This is Lydia…"

Elska smirks with approval when Genghis jerks her head around by her curly long locks. The sun peers behind clouds to highlight the scene and executes beauty amongst the sanguine tones.

"When she attacked you, Lady Oda, that was of her own accord. I have never carried any intentions of causing you harm for I admire you deeply."

Elska can't help but acknowledge that every word said seems to be truthful although she's still not moved. She approaches as Lydia struggles and attempts explaining her side of the story. Uninterested in the girl's pleas, she sends her glowing red eyes at Genghis who pleasurably shivers into a smile before turning her attention back to the girl.

"YOU."

Elska wenches her fingers into Lydia's cheeks, gripping with an intensity that begs for to feels bones crumble.

"You misjudged your situation and threw that spear into my prince."

Elska notices that the words sting Getou but he seems unphased by the girl being in peril.

'I see.'

Elska releases Lydia's face and sends a hand into her hair, yanking sideways while forming her fangs.

Getou's eyes shoot open when he comprehends that Elska's studying him but her glowing gaze remains until she bites into Lydia's neck, forcing the girl to moan from the sensation. 

He can't break his gaze from Elska as she drinks. He's so perplexed by Lydia's reaction as she continues to whimper and wonders why that would be happening.

'Does Elska's bite...feel good?'

He asks himself this but the question it's answered as he recalls how territorial Naoya was about her feeding. His lips part as the realization hits him and he whispers his surprise.

"The missing piece of the puzzle…"

Elska lifts her head from Lydia's neck and flashes an ominous smirk as if to help sanction his uncertainties. Suguru is feeling like she made a show out of biting Lydia for him alone and is severely confused by the behavior.

'Is she toying with us?'

Lydia has no idea what that was but as the sensation fades, she's still panting for all that is good. She feels Genghis tug on her hair again but can also feel that he's forming an erection as its pressed against her from his hold. Through her eyelashes she sees Elska glaring into her with superiority but once she follows her glowing gaze, she realizes that her neck is still bleeding.

'What…was that? What the hell is she?'

Lydia wishes she could see Suguru but instead her eyes take to the Zenins in front of her. Her breath extinguishes when Toji's hateful eyes hone into her with a vengeance she could never hope to understand. Fear persuades her into panic which only amplifies when she feels Oda's heavy gaze as well.

Elska wipes her mouth but brings her concentration back on Lydia.

"It's such a shame…all of this natural beauty is wasted on such a stupid woman."

Elska was able to decipher the girl with ease and if she could feel anything, it would be pity for the distressed damsel. Raising the broken spear handle up into the air, she addresses Getou.

"This woman is in love with you and threw the spear to be rid of her biggest obstacle."

She grabs Lydia's face again and smiles maniacally.

"Me."

When she tightens her grip, Elska hears Genghis's heart race and thinks of how strange of a human he is for being so turned on but allows it as her wrath desires the girl.

"Lydia, was it? Your entire life has been pointless but today you gave me my prince. I would thank you if you were worth it…"

Elska now watches the horror blanket Lydia's expression as she brings her arm back.

"…But you're not."

With all cruelty intended, Elska aggressively flails her wings and laughs as the girl flinches and wails with regret.

"Lydia. Since you don't use them well…"

Elska grimly steps aside so Naoya can be in the girl's view as a reminder.

"…I don't see why you should be burdened with these anymore."

Elska quickly jabs the jagged handle into both of Lydia's eyes with precision.

Inhaling the pleasure of her screams as they erupt through the air, Elska peacefully opens her eyes to smile at the leaking vitreous fluid running down Lydia's reddened face from being brutally blinded.

Suguru stumbles back behind his mentor in complete disbelief to what he's witnessing.

Elska notices that but thinks about Naoya again and irritatingly discerns that this punishment simply was not enough.

"It should be two mutilations since my prince still bleeds."

She regrips the handle, narrows her eyes and then violently shoves it downwards into Lydia's throat, penetrating it through the back of her neck. The woman still lives but is clearly distraught by the maiming and struggles to breathe. Elska hisses to gargling breaths but then takes a few steps back to enjoy her pathetic display.

"Stupid woman."

Toji stands up now.

'Master…'

He can't believe what he just saw but is enthralled by the revenge. He knows this isn't his Elska but is reassured that her in this form will be extremely beneficial. He wonders though, why is she fucking with them?

But the reminder of his cousin being mortally wounded pulls his head down with heartache until something amazing happens.

'He stopped bleeding!'

A wide smile highjacks the giants face. Of course he's still pretty concerned about how they'll remove the spear but nothing could keep him from wanting to share this amazing news, that is, until Naoya starts violently seizing.

"DOLL!!"

Toji does his best to hold the Zenin still but his heart breaks all over again when the movements cause retearing of the wound.

"DOLL! HE-"

The giant loses his voice when he's confronted by the smile along her lips.

Discomforted by Elska's ominous presence, Toji remains by Naoya's side and directs his strength to stabilizing him. Tears well in his eyes when Naoya flops uncontrollably but Toji soon hears Elska's voice in his mind.

'Don't fret my beloved, that means it's working…'

His head snaps up in amazement and their eyes lock.

'Did I just imagine that?'

Toji considers that he really may be losing his shit but all skepticism flees when he hears her again.

"No you did not. We are able to communicate like this."

Instantly, the giant is brought back to the day he fed from his cousin and how he swore he could sense and hear Elska's screams even though she wasn't there. It all makes a little more sense to his soul but he wouldn't be able to yet explain any of it. 

Lydia's gargled broken shrieks of terror would typically bother Toji but every single time his little cousin's body retracts and stiffens or jars, he becomes more attuned to their sound.

Without warning though, Naoya settles back into flaccidity which causes Elska to whip her head over with an unsettling amount of surprise on her face. Toji becomes startled again and instinctively cradles Naoya but he hears her in his mind again, soothing his fears.

"His transformation is rather rapid…"

Regaining his hope after being fed this knowledge, Toji unintentionally lets out a grateful sob. He holds his dear cousin and carefully rocks them back and forth, his emotions frayed but once this relief claims it's territory within him, Toji gently rests Naoya back onto the ground.

'Tell me when, doll.'

Toji knew from the moment he saw the green dashes that she was going to hopelessly decimate them. This Elska holds such immense power and was completely ruthless, being the exact and only reason he happy to see her switch.

Genghis is smitten by this version of Elska and is enthusiastic about demonstrating this fact to her. He pushes Lydia to the ground, lodging the handle deeper through her flesh and places a foot on her back.

"Lady Oda, I would be more than pleased if you would accept this act as a token of Master Suguru's and my own affection."

He leans down to grab Lydia's red curls again while she struggles in absolute fear but pins her underneath his left foot. She screams Master Suguru or it at least sounded like that could be it but Genghis takes his right leg from ground and bends his knee, balancing on her spine while pulling back on her head. He sighs breathlessly when Elska grins to the obvious pain Lydia is experiencing and although he would like to relish this moment, he kicks his right leg out. He can feel the trauma to her cervical vertebrae vibrate through her bones the moment she finally silences.

'Godddds it feels so good to finally be able to do that…'

Releasing her hair, Lydia's lifeless body slumps to the ground. Temujin straightens his robes and posture while taking notice to how far the handle was launched out of her mouth as it now lays with blood trail a few feet away.

Getou stands in complete disbelief, heaving.

'That's what he meant by Lydia's purpose?!'

He's not particularly upset by her death, aside from the manner, but he finds himself in complete incredulity from listening to how his mentor behaves around this Elska.

'What is he DOING?! SHE'S CLEARLY PISSED.'

He thinks about how spearing Naoya was the wrong route to take now as he can still sense the darkness and hostility still seeping from Elska. Suguru is baffled by how strong her presence is and finally comprehends why Genghis has been so adamant about her cooperation.

'Would I be able to overpower her?'

He's convinced that he isn't capable and wonders how his mentor can seem so calm in this situation.

'Does he want her for himself?'

Suguru doesn't actually believe that but wonders where this strange fascination for her came from. He looks back over to Elska who stands stoically but her creepy smile fades back to that resting sinister expression. He feels like he's supposed to say something when she looks at him but the cold chill that runs down his back compels him to bow to her instead.

"Elska, I-I apologize for hurting you in the past..."

Though these words were feigned out of self-preservation, Getou finds that somewhere inside he actually means it. No response is audibly given so he slowly brings his body back upright and feels his tension skyrocket when she heads his way.

Elska stands before Getou and raises her hand to his face. He flinches which causes her to grin but even better, she can see the look of ruffled uncertainty in Genghis's expression.

"So, Suguru Getou is what matters to you then?"

Temujin stammers with slowly lifting hands. His eyes jerk over to his pupil who he truly does care about but he doesn't know if he will offend Elska by bantering or not. 

"L-Lady Oda, please..."

But Elska quickly snatches Suguru's hair and pulls him down to his knees, enticed by his lack of resistance. He remains studying her but she can see his apprehension and enjoys causing him such muddle. She now grabs both sides of face and lowers hers down to hover over it. Toji's presence can be felt magnetizing out of disagreement but she quickly explains her reasoning.

"I need more energy."

Refocusing on the Titer bent before her, she quietly speaks in her lowly tone to Suguru.

"You know, you would be suitable if you had you own thoughts…"

The sweet kiss she adorns to his cheek compels Suguru to gasp with bewilderment as she thinks to give herself a little more time in this form. She traces her lips up his nose and then across his face, towards his neck.

"I'm going to provide evidence for your suspicions…Titer."

Suguru is immediately stunned as he feels the bliss circulate through him. It takes him a moment to realize that he's moaning without reserve and has even since placed his hands on Elska; holding her as she draws from him. His moans turn into whimpers as he clings to her waist and thigh all while not understanding how this feeling could be possible. He shuts his eyes as he feels his body give and fall to the side but she drops down with him in order to not break their connection.

Titers start rushing towards him aggressively but Genghis's voice rings with full authority.

"Do not interfere!"

What his ears pick up now cause his eyes to roll back but Elska continues to moan into his neck. Her presence surges back up but it lowers a little each time until she swallows. He now finds that the hand not supporting his weight is now wrapped in her hair but he loosens his grip so that can be gentle. To be completely honest, he may not have a full grasp on what is going on but when she's done, she closes his wounds and them, the gate to his hateful heart.

"You need more time but you could be worthy."

Their gazes meet but he's drawn in by those haunting green dashes. Her eyes are colder than the highest mountains and aura reeks of death but there's something about Elska that drives the need to be close, home. Lost in translation of shifting dynamics, Suguru closes his eyes and stretches his neck in an attempt to feel her lips but rather feels a firm grip latch around his throat.

"Be weary of how you approach me in the future…and don't you dare come after my lovers again."

Genghis helps Suguru to his feet, trying to provide the balance for them both after Elska walks back over to Toji. He struggles to steady his swaying pupil and can't believe that she actually fed from him right then and there.

'That went even better than predicted...but she had me worried there for a bit...'

Getou is still heavily breathing with wide eyes that are fixated on Elska.

"I told you, little one, she's incredible…"

Half-expecting some kind of defensive rebuttal, Temujin is over the moon when he sees that Getou's expression is now that of someone who longs for the other.

'Perfect.'

Forgetting his manners, Temujin reshapes with joy and sheepishly calls to Elska.

"Thank you for not hurting him."

Elska is so amused by these two. She has a much better understanding of Getou now that she experienced his taste.

"Delicious."

Toji huffs out of spite and glares at her but she quickly reinforces.

"The hybrid isn't here so that was necessary…"

The giant still doesn't seem to like what she did but with all eyes on them, she now turns to Toji and slowly pulls his head down towards her, giving a soft command.

"Kiss me, my beloved."

Toji's eyes glow and his wings flutter even with the indecision plaguing his features.

When their lips meet, she moans wholeheartedly as she always finds her turned's touch to be completely intoxicating. His hesitancy remains but she's satisfied enough that he obeyed and rewards it with gentility.

A weak signal emits from Naoya, stealing her attention. His status hasn't budged but his energy is already changing. An emotion creeps into her dark heart and it aches as she remembers the actual love she harbors for her prince and Toji both. he whispers to Toji and nips his bottom lip.

"I'm going to tend to you two right now."

Elska knows for a fact that the Titers have more up their sleeve and wishes to draw a curtain on this charade for the sake of her lovers. She attaches her lips to Toji's once more, addicted to the way he feels. After their extended meeting, Elska turns her head to observe the two men's reactions and laughs when they're exactly what she predicted they'd be.

Genghis watches with an endearing envy but Getou's eyes express heartache. She looks over at the other Titers that are grouped together, on edge.

"They will suffice, I suppose."

They're all cowering to her but remain in a defensive stance except for one of the men who has beautiful grey eyes but they're trained on to Lydia's body. She smirks and kisses Toji again but this time places her right hand flat against her chest and holds it there as her red lightning surrounds them. While experiencing Toji's tongue, she extends her arm in the direction of the huddled Titers, bends her fingers and unleashes it. The red light travels so fast that three of the four Titers are unable to evade it, their bodies torn through by the energy while being crystalized at the same time.

Genghis gasps with perplexity as he seemed to think things were going his way.

Blood pumps out of Elska's wings into a pattern of symbols that surrounds her and Toji and then the markings glow. The giant's eyes respond with the technique and also widen as he remembers that same blood design around her in the park.

'I take life from death, my beloved.'

He can only nod with widening eyes.

What's left of the Titers bodies breaks down into a red powder, swirls into a vortex in the air and then travels gracefully over to Toji and Elska. The Titer dust merges into their wounds and fuses with the exposed tissue, healing them both; she waves her hand to direct the remnants towards Naoya. As the glass shards push out of her body, she watches Toji's burns become nonexistent and hums with gratification.

Naoya's presence increases as he's rapidly healed; his burns disappearing and color returning as well. His wavelengths tell her he's still in pain, even when unconscious but she knows it due to his body now rejecting the spear.

"That should do it."

She nudges her beloved to show him the Zenin's recovery listens to him exhale relief.

"He's taking to the change extremely well."

Elska relays it to Toji confidently but has to hide her bafflement of the rate in which the DNA synthesis is working. Her being in true form was surely going to speed up the process but he shouldn't have such an intense aura already. She runs her hand down Toji's chest while still studying Naoya, contemplating on his perfection.

"He is going to be strong...just like you."

Genghis retracts his smile as soon as he realizes his fellow clansmen are no more and that things are not going as planned.

'WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT?!'

He turns to Getou who's mirroring his fear but doesn't know how handle this right away. Not once in any of the futures he seen has this happen; he's aware of the possibility of alteration but this goes far beyond anything he prepared for.

"Something's wrong."

Genghis swallows his pride.

"We won't be able to take her."

Sain appears by them as he was the one Titer that escaped her lightning and Genghis nearly cries being overjoyed that he at least survived.

Getou is astonished by what she just did to their clansman but this fleeting awe melts into intuition. 

"Master Genghis...we need to run."

He's still figuring out his new emotions but doesn't mistake for a second that Elska won't kill them too. He thinks of all of the times her importance has been reiterated to him and it finally makes sense. Suguru fails to see how he would be able to control her though and also now understands why Genghis has been pushing him to face his feelings about her.

Now he has.

The convergence of puzzle pieces lock together to form the bigger picture but he fears that he's even further away from their goal of her affections as they've royally pissed her off with their actions. His mentor doesn't seem as eager to flee but Suguru's had about enough of his twisted games. He grabs Genghis and squeezes his mentor's arms.

"WE NEED TO RUN!"

Temujin understands Getou's visceral reaction but he can't fail this hard so he turns to Sain.

"I have the most daunting task for you but if you can achieve it, the rewards will be endless…"

He passes the hunter a syringe filled with sedative. This will shift all of their plans but Genghis knows there's really not another choice left at this point. He may even be foolish for attempting this.

"You want to get Sain killed too?!!"

Genghis hastily brings stern eyes to Getou and whispers.

"We need leverage first."

Elska watches the third Titer disappear into thin air and becomes aggravated by their inability to take her seriously but her collected demeanor fades momentarily when she senses him behind them, near Naoya.

She bears her fangs and roars as she launches herself towards the man while he bends down over her prince. She salivates at the idea of ripping his throat out but before she can reach him, he disappears again. She ends up having to use her wings to slow her speed so she can lean over Naoya to make sure he's not been harmed further.

The emotions that usually flow through her begin to resurface as she becomes weary for his safety; searching his body and noticing the spear has almost worked its way out.

"My prince..."

An enormous sigh leaves her when she confirms that he's fine and feels the love for him melt away at her ability to maintain her form.

She creates distance in order to wield the side needed.

'There's still more to do first.'

While gathering herself back up though, Genghis's voice reaches her.

"We will be in contact!"

She growls to their disrespectful natures but quickly snaps her head when she hears Toji struggling.

Getou lights up with purpose when he sees what Sain is attempting.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Before Elska knows it, she's racing against time trying to reach her beloved that has fallen limp in the third Titer's hold with a needle sticking out of his arm. She howls in anguish when her finger tips grasp at nothing, revealing the stark fact that she was too late.

They took Toji with them.

She doesn't even breathe as her failure boils through. Looking up to the sky she cries out the demonic like sound while her energy releases a tremoring wave that further devastates the structures that remain around her. When the second wave travels into the restaurant, it fans in oxygen and further feeds the flames but she can't help but think the heat has nothing on rage inside of her.

She continues to send out wave after wave until the building begins to crumble but she remembers that she still has Naoya who is defenseless.

"My beloved…"

Elska whimpers under her breath as her presence begins to fade. She knows that her time in this state is up. She walks over to where Naoya lays and drops to her knees beside him. Tears fall from her face as she takes his hand.

"What do I do?!"

Feeling hopeless and exhausted, she collapses next to him and curls up near his chest while his unconscious body pretends.

"I lost Toji…"

After a few minutes of sobbing into Naoya she feels her awareness fading and clings to him desperately. A few seconds later though, she hears her name being screamed following by her body being lifted off of the ground and against someone's warmth. The last thing she sees before completely passing out is Satoru's teary eyes.

 "Love...LOOOVEEE!"

But his voice is distant as her limbs relax, not having any strength left.