The Memories

Liao Ru and Pryniau met up with Shiro and the others and they began to travel to their next destination in Heavenly Bay. They wandered into a small village, a village Liao Ru recognized.

"This is the village..." She started. "Risu was born here."

"Risu?" Orika asked.

Black fog began to form around the area then a powerful source of energy was felt across the entire village. Liao Ru was on guard, but she noticed how calm Shiro and Lustie were.

"Well, well, well! Earth, one of my homeworlds. It would seem that the Human Realm is nearing their final moments." The woman said as she emerged from the fog.

There she was...One of the Titans of the Human Realm, Stella Bushi. Her name has the same effect as the Overlords. Her name is feared across the Human Realm. Anyone with a brain would know how strong Stella was and still currently is.

Liao Ru looked at Stella then felt another source of energy. "There's another."

Another woman emerged from the smoke and wore a purple reaper cloak that shadowed her face. She carried a staff with a skull on top of it. She stopped beside Stella and the fog disappeared.

"All this for theatrics? Your pull up game did not need to come that strong." Yae said.

"If you knew us, you'd know we have to make our appearances very, very flashy." Stella giggled softly.

Shiro smiled and crossed his arms. "Well well, the Nightmare Duo, Stella and...my beloved Zofia."

"It was a one time thing." Zofia said and took off her hood. "My heart belongs to someone else now.."

"Oh you break my heart with such words." Shiro chuckled then felt Lustie pinch him. "Ow! I was just joking!"

"Your days of being a Casanova are over! We have TWO children together! Buckle down, Superstar!" Lustie said and crossed her arms then looked at Stella and Zofia. "Back from Utalia huh?"

"It's was okay." Zofia said and looked at her Crest of Wrathos. "I've learned a lot from my husband. He's actually really strong now. His quest is yet to be over though."

"Husband?" Liao Ru asked. "You're married now? Last time I checked you were a wanderer."

"His name is Ryoma. I had to come to Earth because...Earth is meeting their final days. It was said in the Prophecy, Terminus's Return." Zofia said.

Liao Ru grunted softly and closed her eyes. "I failed to truly eliminate Fallan in Shangqiu...I failed to eliminate Chaos. This time I won't fail! Chaos can not find his Core, but first we need to deal with some old stragglers."

"I'm very much aware, so is there a reason why we are here?" Stella asked and looked at the abandoned village.

"Well down this path is an old kingdom. That's where the Punishing Flame are. I'm sure you know that kingdom well." Liao Ru answered and looked at Stella.

Stella closed her eyes and smiled. "I do. Mom. Dad. Aaron. Tomoka. If I hadn't died...I would be spending my life here. I still know where I used to live! Follow me!"

------

Stella lead the crew to her old home that was worn away since it's been years. "I can't even remember the last time I was here before I died. It was Christmas...Oh I can feel the wave of nostalgia."

Stella hurried in the house excitedly and looked around. She happily rushed around the house, noticing how clean it was on the inside. She knew someone has been taking care of the house.

"Who's there?" A voice asked.

Saito scanned the house and her eye flashed. "One being in this home. This entire village was abandoned so who could it be?"

Yae and Orika looked at each other then heard footsteps walking down the stairs. Shiro and Lustie watched as well. Zofia watched her mother walk forward.

Stella hurried to the stairs and noticed a woman. Her eyes widened and the memories of her past life rushed in her head. "T-Tomoka..?"

Tomoka had long silver hair, golden brown eyes, and scars all over her body. She wore a Knight's armor and carried a broadsword in a scabbard on her hip. She looked at Stella and grunted a bit.

"Tomoka.." Stella said and took a step forward.

"Queen S-Stella.." Tomoka said then her eyes widened. "Risu..!"

Stella panted softly as the memories rushed through her head. She began to tear up and ran toward Tomoka. "Tomoka!" She cried and hugged her.

Tomoka hugged Stella back and gripped her tightly. "Stella...your energy...I can still sense Risu within..! You're back...you're finally...back..!"

Orika watched the scene and smiled then a few tears rolled down her cheek. She wiped her eyes and smiled happily for Stella. Yae smiled and crossed her arms. Saito watched and held her arms.

"After all these years...her sister is still alive.." Shiro said and walked forward. "How..?"

Stella let go of Tomoka. "I can only assume...everyone else is dead..?"

Tomoka shook her head. "Aaron is still alive. He's upstairs scouting for the Punishing Flame members. They've...wiped out our village and killed Mom, Dad, and Yaya."

"I see.." Stella said then turned to face the crew. "Everyone, this is my original sister...Tomoka Nakagami."

Tomoka waved at everyone then noticed Shiro. "Shiro Moji?"

"In the flesh." Shiro smiled.

"It's an honor to finally meet you! Your name is well known on Earth and your successor!" Tomoka said.

"Ahh...Ryder King. He's still on Earth doing is own thing with his wives. He won't be partaking in this final war. He's still a Human after all." Shiro said then smiled.

"And I see the Infinity Council." Tomoka said.

"U-Us three aren't actually...you know...a part of the Council, but we are Rulers!" Orika said and wiped her eyes.

"Rulers...Human Realm's Gods and Goddesses. I assume the other four are Infinity Council Members then?" Tomoka asked.

"Me? Nah, I'm just this knucklehead's loving wife. The name's Lustie." Lustie smiled.

"I'm an Infinity Council Member. I am Liao Ru. I am also the Ruler of Inferno." Liao Ru greeted and bowed.

"Nya!~ I am Pryniau! I am also an Infinity Council Member!~" Pryniau purred.

"And I am The Reaper, wielder of the Crests of Wrathos and Conquest, wife of the famous Ryoma Miyazaki. I am Zofia. It is a pleasure to meet someone my mother cares for deeply...but I have a question." Zofia said.

"Ask away." Tomoka said.

"How are you and Aaron still alive?" Zofia asked.

"I am also curious. It's been maybe a few decades. We are nearing the Year 2080. I died in Year 2030. Granted time does work differently in other planets, I am sure you all shouldn't be alive by this time. Plus you look...sexy and young still." Stella said.

Tomoka giggled a bit. "Come upstairs and we can have a conversation about that."

Stella nodded. "Okay."

------

Everyone sat in Stella and Tomoka's old room and Stella watched Aaron stay on the lookout for a bit before sighing and setting his telescope down.

Aaron had short brown hair, brown eyes with his right eye having a scar, and he had a scar going down his chest. He wore a black coat, black pants, and had a sniper and a claymore sitting beside him.

Aaron looked at Stella and crossed his arms then smiled a bit. "Well well, look who matured up."

Stella smiled and blushed a bit. "You don't look too bad yourself. I have to let you know, I am happily married with three children."

"I am too. Tomoka and I are married as well. It's a shame though...our wedding was ruined by those pricks." Aaron said.

"So spill the tea, how are you two the only survivors?" Stella asked.

Aaron leaned against the wall and looked at the ceiling. "A Goddess saved us. She goes by the name of Ataraxia."

Liao Ru looked surprised. "Ataraxia stopped here? But when?"

"Around year 2046?" Aaron answered. "It's hard to say...I just remembering myself on the ground and suddenly a light shined on my back. I hear a voice to tell me to keep fighting."

"The same with me, except I was met with a woman named Passion." Tomoka said.

"Passion?! My sister?! Did she say she was a Love Demon?!" Lustie asked.

Tomoka nodded. "She felt my desire to live. My desire to fight for my home. I was given life and the power to fight against beings like the Punishing Flame but it wasn't enough...that man named Xenerus...he was extremely powerful.."

"Xenerus, nya...I hate that guy! He gets my fur all ruffled up! I wanna scratch his face off!" Pryniau said and projected her claws.

"Who is Xenerus?" Stella asked.

"The Leader of Punishing Flame. Seems like after that war he fled here. It checks out..." Liao Ru said then contacted Nagini.

"Nagini speaking." Nagini answered.

"We're close to finding Xenerus. We have some new allies as well. Shiro and Stella. Shall we take them to the end game with us?" Liao Ru asked.

"Fuck yeah! Two of the strongest beings in the Human Realm? Of course we're recruiting them! Oh yeah! I have a new request. I need you all to find the remaining monsters if you can. Yoshida's been weakened by Qiao Zhi. We need Yoshida in this end game. He's the strongest in his Realm, he'll be better off with us." Nagini said.

"I'll see what we can do." Liao Ru said then hung up.

Everyone heard an explosion outside. Aaron immediately checked his telescope and seemed surprised.

"Punishing Flame!" He called out.

Liao Ru quickly got up and ran out the room. She asked no questions. Pryniau followed her and then Orika, Yae, and Saito followed behind.

The five hurried out the house and noticed figures in red cloaks then summoned their weapons.

Stella appeared beside Liao Ru and cracked her knuckles. "Yeah...let's fuck them up!"

Shiro teleported behind them and took out his mask. "It's time we show them what heroes can do!"

"The Infinity Council, Rulers, and two of the strongest beings in the Human Realm. Heh...well boys! Let's get ready to strike them down!" Their leader said then took off his cloak.

"Hmph! Dolt Jeager!" Liao Ru said then dark aura surrounded her arms.

Dolt looked at Liao Ru and glared. "Oh I've been waiting YEARS for this! Leave Liao Ru to me! Take them down!"

The Punishing Flame members rushed into battle. Orika transformed into her Ruler Form then dashed toward the first member she saw. The two clashed rapidly then the Punishing Flame members whiffed their attack. Orika summoned an ice sword and sliced off his arms then stomped on the ground, freezing his legs. She rapidly punched his stomach then palmed his back, making ice burst from his back.

Yae ran past Orika then summoned her scythe. She twirled her scythe around then dodged an attack from one of the members then countered with multiple slashes. She then sliced upwards, cutting the member in half.

Saito dodged attacks from two members then countered them both. She summoned two cannons and fired beams of energy from the cannons, hitting the members. A third member appeared behind Saito, but Pryniau tackled the Punishing Flame goon.

The man kicked Pryniau off him then stood up. Pryniau let out a roar and her claws shined red. Her fur stood up and she began breathing heavily. Smoke came from her mouth and she dashed toward the man. The man slashed at her but she swiftly dodged then lunged at him. She hissed loudly as she began to maul the man. Pryniau roared and was picked up by Shiro. She hissed and kept trying to scratch the man.

"Let me at him! Put me down!" Pryniau roared.

"Geez, calm down. Bro is already dead man." Shiro said. He put on his mask and dodged an attack then the Talent Sigil shined on the Mask.

The man looked at Shiro and felt his Godly Presence. He froze in fear and his body shook. Shiro looked at him then set Pryniau down and vanished. The man noticed afterimages rushing around him. Shiro began to rush the man with attacks from all angles then knocked the man to the sky. He teleported above the man and caught him.

"D-Don't drop me! I surrender!" The man yelled.

Shiro looked at the man then dropped him. "Expiration!" He bellowed and fired a black energy beam at the man, striking him and practically deleting his existence.

"Ha! You call that a kill, Mr. Shiro?!" Stella laughed and transformed into her Devil Form. "Let me show you a real kill!"

The man charged at Stella and slashed, but his sword shattered upon contact with her body.

Stella smirked and held her hand in the man's face. "Cata-"

"MOM STOP!" Zofia yelled. "If you use that attack you'll wipe us all out!"

Stella sighed and rolled her eyes then the Crest of Death shined on her hand. She punched the man's head off cleanly. Orika, Yae, and Saito looked at her in shock.

"Man I'm glad all these overpowered people are on our side." Orika said.

"Right..?" Yae said.

Liao Ru and Dolt clashed continuous then Liao Ru parried his next attack and palmed his stomach blowing him away. She rose her arm and created a rock wall. Dolt crashed into the wall and groaned. Liao Ru balled her hand into a fist and the wall closed on Dolt.

Liao Ru walked over to Dolt and transformed into her Ruler Form, but her dark aura surged. "Fear the true power...of Mastered Qijinmak."

Liao Ru released the man then struck his body with her Dark One Inch Finisher. Dolt coughed blood then a rush of dark aura surged across the area then he was launched through multiple buildings.

A burst of aura was seen in the distance and Dolt propelled himself toward Liao Ru. Tomoka appeared in front of Liao Ru and her Crest of Desire shined on her hand then she bellowed and her eyes shined brightly. Aaron took aim and shot Dolt in his head, making him fall.

She slashed at Dolt and struck his head. She bellowed loudly and roared then sliced Dolt in half. Dolt's body fell on the ground. She panted and fell on one knee.

"Mission Complete." Saito said then nodded.

"Woohoo! We did it!" Pryniau celebrated and held up a peace sign. Her tail swayed happily.

Liao Ru nodded and smiled. "We did a great job.."

Zofia smiled and looked at her Crest of Wrathos. "You're being Empowered by the death of others. Soon my powers will all be restored."

Tomoka stood up and smiled at Liao Ru. "Mind if we join you? We want revenge for everyone in this village."

"The more help we get, the better." Liao Ru nodded.

With the village defended, the group decided to take a break from travelling and rest up for the night. Stella, Tomoka, and Aaron stayed in Stella's old home while the others chose the house next door to rest. Their work was far from over, but with new members joining them they were to have an easier time combating the Punishing Flame.