Discarting

"You are mad" Allen glared at Kagome.

"We can't have our secret as Harbingers be known to others, so the most logical will be to take care of the viewers if you wish to continue as Allen. Killing a dear innocent friend would also help you to grow mentally, so it will be like killing two crows with one stone."

"Do you think it's time for jokes?!" Allen furiously shouted.

"Yes, we can easily take care of the situation. It's nothing dangerous to us." Kagome smiled "You must learn that aside from your own life, all the others are nothing, simple ants to watch your splendor. They can always be replaced. Think about that girl, what she is to you?"

"She is an important friend."

"An important friend? Do not make me laugh, please. Would you really risk your life for her? No, she is not important at all. A fake friend used to keep your fake image. Someone completely common that while it could have some utility, it is just that, someone to discard. And what better moment to discard her than now?"

"You must learn to separate the truly important and discard everything else for your own gain. It's not what makes more sense?"

"As you did with your father?" Allen lifted an eyebrow.

Kagome flinched for a mere moment, quickly returning to her calm self "Yes, he was not important so I abandoned him as if nothing in my search for my own objective and power."

"Now you are the one that makes me laugh. I have experienced your memories and feelings, do not try to lie to me. That doubt when you fought against your father, you thought he was like everyone else trying to stop you, control and restrict your talent, but it was like that? You were young at that moment but you still remember his face and tears."

"Don't continue that way, Allen." Kagome warned with a cold gaze.

"He simply wanted the best for you, not wanting you to grow too quickly and throw away your life, for him you were the most important. Wasn't it?" Allen reasoned "That's precisely why you never went against me living to help my sister. Is that your way to amend your wrongdoings?"

"Now, you've done it" Kagome stood up as a katana appeared over her right hand. With an immense speed, only leaving a trail of water, Kagome instantly appeared in front of Allen.

"Kagome Style: Ranbu Kagetsu" Kagome thrust her katana and from it multiple camellia's petals bloomed, expanding and forming a whirlpool of them.

'Shit!' Allen lifted his hands, a sword appearing over them as he tried to defend himself from the attack. He was able to block her sword but not the following attack, the petals cutting all his body, leaving him bloodied.

*Pa!* Allen fell to his knees, his body trembling as he lost all his strength and control of his body.

"Die" Kagome looked down at Allen as she swung her katana, slicing Allen's neck, his head flying over before falling to the ground.

Allen had some difficulties understanding his situation, her speed and technique and how easy it has been. The world turning all over before his point of view changed as he looked at Kagome returning to her seat.

"Have you learned your lesson?"

Allen blinked and the perspective changed as he found himself in the previous position, without any injury in his body, only that sensation of being cut down left.

"Hah" Allen gasped, his face full white as he touched his neck, making sure that no cut was there.

"So what's your decision, uselessly die or kill an "important" friend?" Kagome asked coldly.

Allen took some seconds before calming down and turning to look at Kagome's eyes "You want Fischl dead because it's the most rational option."

"Exactly" Kagome nodded. "Or do you think otherwise?"

"I'm with you, in this situation it seems the best option to defeat the enemy and keep my secret." Allen nodded "However, that's only to keep the secret, because is really the best option to keep this secret? To continue being Allen?"

"Continue" Kagome lifted an eyebrow with interest.

"Over this time together, I learned some things from you. You are moved and stopped by Shame of your past and Pride in your abilities, completely avoiding taking direct action unless necessary while slowly influencing me.

"I'm not sure about the reason but I know your objective. You want me to become stronger over all, seeming to want to be surpassed by myself. If that's the case wouldn't it be better to abandon Allen's daily life and focus on Columbina, living permanently as a Harbinger and facing its challenges? And in that case, it has any meaning that Columbina being Allen is discovered?"

"I suppose that not, but..." Kagome smiled "Are you really throwing away everything that you worked so hard to accomplish? Your happy family life with your sister all for a fake friendship? Do you really keep your lies in such high regard?"

"Yeah, some part of me is completely against it. In the end, I also think that the best would be to kill Fischl, but that's only in the short term. I have the feeling that if I were to accept your deal, it won't simply stop there. In that way, the lie called Allen would change and adapt to you, also dying in its way in the end. This is my own petty rebellion against you, once I surpass you, I'll decide what to do on my own, not having something that I am sure I will regret."

"I see..." Kagome nodded "I understand your reasoning, however, I still won't accept it" Kagome decided "Your decision create a new logical answer, but as I said before killing the girl will make you gain two things, that grow of mentality, on the other hand, your option lacks this aspect."

"That's why I thought of giving you something in exchange" Allen interrupted.

"Do you really think that you have something for me?" Kagome glared.

"As I said before you move for your Pride and past Shame, so my offer is to clean your Shame from the Kamisato Clan and from the Raiden Shogun." Allen stated.

"You can't even win against me and you are thinking to win against Baal?" Kagome laughed "Please, be more rational."

"The battles are all different, I have already made some preparations of Inazuma that only needs to be triggered. While now it may be impossible, it won't be in the near future. That's precisely what I offer, going to Inazuma and overthrowing Baal as its monarch."

"Overthrowing Baal?" Kagome said thoughtfully as her gaze blurred looking at the distance "It really was my objective, to show that I was in the right and was the best..."

"Okay, I accept your decision" Kagome turned over Allen "You are free to use the Delusion, however, your life must be discarded in exchange, you will leave Mondstadt and start moving against Inazuma. Do not even think to return until you win against Baal or become stronger than me."

Allen nodded "We have a deal."

"One last thing. You have a good technique, but if you truly want to surpass me" Kagome swung her sword, causing camellias to bloom all around her "Put some soul in it."

...

Allen opened his eyes seeing the ice spikes charging at him.

'Something happened?' Allen thought as he felt a strange wetness over his lips. 'But it doesn't change anything!' He clenched his Delusion, prepared to stand up unleashing all his might.

*Swiff* However, just before he was, multiple projectiles were shot from his back, creating a black-red stele that pierced every spike, completely destroying them.

Allen turned around in shock and confused by the powerful and precise attack, seeing Fischl standing tall with a broken bow in her hands. Allen's eyes unconsciously went over her left eye. Her eyepatch was no longer there, instead a powerful deep scarlet pupil that resembled a lunar eclipse stood fixed on her enemies.

"Y-you are...?!"