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Lacey is sitting in her seat in the middle of a barren wasteland. Despite drinking her favorite tea, she can't quell the light tremble in her hands. She takes one last sip to savor with her eyes closed as a presence suddenly appears before her. Her entire being is screaming at her to keep her eyes closed, that perhaps the murderous aura before her is merely a trick of her mind. So long as she doesn't see him, then she is not in danger.

However, she knows that death is not that whimsical. Opening her eyes, she finds the Hero standing before her with his sword drawn. That look in his eye is soulless, like an animal about to slaughter its prey, not out of hunger but because it's in its nature. It's chilling how terrifying something so pure can be. No malice or hate, just an objective that needs to be met.

Tossing her cup aside, she stands tall. She's no fool; this is a losing battle for her. The demon queen is the only creature strong enough to meet the Hero as an equal. Like all generals before, she will die here; that much is certain. So why doesn't she give up? Simple. While she may be insignificant, there's a near-impossible chance that whatever damage she can cause to the Hero will lead to Azure's victory.

That is why she and so many generals stood before this unstoppable monster. It may take thousands or millions of lives, but if there's a chance it could work, the choice is obvious.

“Do you actually want to die here?" The Hero asks.

His dead tone is enough to shock Lacey back into a primal reaction. The way he said it, it was as if he could hear her thoughts. Even so, Lacey can't back down yet! Shaking away her terror, she draws her staff.

“No living being wants to die. But I can't run away either!" As the Hero's eyes trail down, Lacey jumps back. “Flare burst!"

The Hero is engulfed by flames; only his visage can be seen through the inferno. However, with a sweep of his sword, the fire dies out as his gaze is locked on Lacey's.

“Even though you can't win?" He asks, taking slow steps toward her.

“I'm not fighting to win! Summon greater flame elemental!"

Slamming the tip of her staff into the floor, a sizable arcane circle appears before a gigantic entity of flame bursts to life. It easily towers over the Hero as he sheaths his sword. Lacey watches the elemental throw a punch at the Hero, but his fist passes through him. Lacey waves her staff in a quick circle around her.

“Shield!"

Just as it appears, the shield shatters as the Hero's fist passes right through. Lacey isn't done yet.

“Greater hold!"

A light barrier holds the Hero in place as the fist of the elemental finally makes contact with the Hero. For a brief moment, Lacey thought she might hurt him, but for the first time since this battle started, she blinked, and when her eyes opened, only the Hero stood there. Her eyes danced around, trying to comprehend what happened.

Where did her elemental go? Why are there no scorch marks anywhere? Did he teleport her? No... wait... She looks down to see the teacup in her left hand. Still full and warm. The only thing she could do was drop the cup once more. Did he reverse time? How is that possible? If he has such power, then he should be unstoppable. Why? Why hasn't he used it to win already?

Not even the demon queen could stop a power that strong! He could heal any injury, undo any mistake. Learn, over and over, until his reality is the only true one. And yet, he hasn't.

“I can't control time if that's what you're thinking." He speaks up. “I cannot go back; not even gods can. However, there are some fascinating theories about time where I'm from. Did you know that when an object moves fast enough, time begins to slow considerably. Isn't that strange?"

Lacey doesn't understand what is happening right now. His soulless look before has faded some as he talks to her.

“What do you mean?"

“At some point, the object can move so fast that for the object, time itself will slow to a crawl. I've killed some generals who could move fast enough to create afterimages, but none could ever come close to the speed of light."

“Speed of light?" Lacey doesn't understand these terms or ideas the Hero is posing.

The Hero laughs. “Sorry, I got carried away there. I can't control time in the way you're thinking. Though in a way, I can." Lacey blinks again, and the Hero hasn't moved but now holds her staff, looking it over. “Beautiful work. Did you make this yourself?"

Lacey glances down to confirm it's not a trick. This is just him moving fast? It was so quick that her mind couldn't even register the abscess of her staff's weight in her hand. But with another blink, the staff had been returned. When Lacey met the Hero's gaze again, she could only laugh. She laughed so much that it made her cry. She didn't understand what the Hero was saying, but this was all going according to plan. She would die here and have done nothing to slow down this monster.

“Well, I suppose it's time to meet my ancestors," Lacey states, closing her eyes and resigning herself to fate. “I now understand how hopeless it is for me to even struggle. So I accept your win, Hero. Now, do what must be done."

“I accept your loss." The silence stretched on for longer than Lacey was comfortable with as her mind began to wonder if perhaps he'd already killed her, and yet her mind hadn't caught up to it yet. “Till we meet again."

Lacey had readied herself, but with those parting words, the Hero's presence vanished. Opening her eyes, Lacey looks around for a moment. Is this perhaps a game he plays to torment his kill's final moment? But as minutes stretched into an hour, she remained alone. Then, Lacey found her mind drifting back to his last words.

“Till we meet again."

Meet again? What does he mean? Left in that wasteland, Lacey could only stand there and wonder why the Hero didn't take her life.

---

I materialize before Alice, his face a mix of concern and relief upon my arrival. I can tell he longs to embrace me, as it's been a while since we last saw each other, but something holds him back.

“What's going on?" I ask, surveying the area.

I believe this is Alice's home. We seem to be in a bedroom, but what captures my attention is the privacy spell cast over the entire room. Whatever he plans to discuss, it's critical enough to warrant secrecy, perhaps even to conceal my arrival.

“A few nobles are attempting to incite a revolt against the king," he says somberly.

That wouldn't be too much of an issue, but his tone indicates there's more to the story. It's only then that I realize what's missing.

“Where are Ben and Jessy?"

Tears well up in Alice's eyes. “I-I don't know. It all happened so suddenly. They protected me, and I managed to escape. I didn't know what else to do but call for you! What do we do?"

I never expected things to escalate this quickly. I knew it was only a matter of time, but the nobles' recklessness caught me off guard. However, it doesn't faze me. My plans remain unchanged, and the nobles have made their last mistake. I place a reassuring hand on Alice's shoulder and give him a comforting smile.

“Go to the king and tell him everything you know."

“What about you?"

“I'm going to get our friends back."

That puts Alice at ease, and he pulls me into a hug. I let him savor the moment before he steps back, smiling.

“It's been so long, but you haven't changed. I'm glad."

“I wish it were under better circumstances," I admit. “We don't have much time. I'll teleport you to the castle entrance. Are you ready?"

He nods. “See you soon."

“Till then."

After teleporting Alice, I feel my jaw tighten. Well, it's time to get to work. I draw my sword and glance at the ceiling. Closing my eyes, I cast LifeLink. Instantly, I sense a connection to Ben and Jessy. This isn't good; their heart rates are faint. Knowing their location, I waste no time teleporting to them.

Upon arrival, I find myself in a room with several people punching Jessy's heavily bruised face.

“Where is he?!" one of them shouts. “You're going to die for a pathetic hero who can't even do his job!"

Jessy chuckles weakly. “Y-You call this an interrogation?" She lifts her head and spits blood onto the man's face. “Go suck a demon."

The man raises his fist to strike Jessy, but her face is only splattered with blood as it descends. Confused, he looks down to find his entire arm missing. Before he can scream in pain, his head falls off as well. The others in the room are terrified by the unfolding events, but I begin to clap, drawing their attention.

“Seems you've been entertaining my friends. Any last words?"

Overwhelmed by fear, they find themselves paralyzed. Their instincts tell them they're not fast enough to flee or strong enough to fight, so their only option is to freeze and hope the predator before them doesn't notice them. Unfortunately, I'm no mindless beast. My arm doesn't even move, but their view of me shifts before they collapse to the floor.

Their lifeless bodies crumple next to their severed heads; they continue to watch me in stunned disbelief as I approach Jessy and gently lift her face to meet my gaze. A faint smile graced her lips.

“W-When was the last time you saw my face?" she asks.

“When we first met," I replied before producing a cloak from my pocket dimension and draping it over her. “I know how much you dislike the light. Where's Ben?"

She weakly points to a door. “Down the hall, first door on the right."

“Can you follow me?"

Donning the cloak, a small smile is the only thing visible. “I'm in the hero's party; I can at least manage that."

“Stay close."

I stride over to the door and rip it off its hinges. Discarding it, I find two guards on the other side, staring at me in shock. I plant my fist in their faces, and their heads explode as they contact the stone wall.

“You're certainly in a foul mood," Jessy remarks.

“For good reason."

I continue to where Jessy directed me and hear a boisterous laugh behind the door.

“You fools think this is enough to get me to talk?!" Ben guffaws. “These little slashes are just papercuts to me! Though I'm sure your wives are used to such small things!"

I kick the door open without hesitation. It flies off so rapidly that two men are reduced to crimson smears on the wall where the door now rests. Before the other two react, they're sliced in half and collapse to the floor. I stand before Ben, his body covered in countless gashes.

“Sorry I took so long," I say as he continues to chuckle.

“No worries! These are merely flesh wounds!"

His unyielding spirit brings a smile to my face. He's always been like this. I motion for Jessy to come over. Once they're both near, I cast 'Party Heal,' and most of their injuries vanish. With his strength restored, Ben breaks his shackles with his bare hands and looks at me, grinning.

“What's next?" he inquires.

“Not even going to take a moment to rest?"

“Rest?! I wouldn't dream of it! We have plenty to do." He peers past me. “Where's Alice?"

“Updating the King on what's happened. For now, we're on the hunt. Anyone who isn't a noble dies. Are you two okay with that?"

“We knew what we were signing up for when this ceasefire was made," Jessy asserts, drawing her wand.

“I have one issue with this," Ben says, somber.

“What is it?"

He glances down at his hands. “They took my sword."

I can't help but laugh. It feels like ages since I've been with my party. While I've made some friends in the Demon Realm, being reunited with the three of them is comforting in its own way. They join in the laughter for a moment before it dies down. Shaking my head, I summon a ghostly greatsword of pure magic.

“Will this suffice?" I present the weapon to him.

He takes it with a grateful nod. “It'll do for the time being."

“Excellent. Let's get to work."

With Jessy and Ben at my side, we stride confidently into the dungeon, our determination unwavering as we prepare to set our plan back on course.

---

“Have you grown taller?" Princess inquires in a playful tone as Azure reluctantly sits on her lap.

“...Perhaps."

This level of embarrassment for Azure is different from what she's been subject to by the Hero; it's genuine and pure. She can't believe that Princess is still this strong despite her age. Try as Azure might to break free, Princess is holding her absolutely still. Princess nuzzles Azure's cheek.

“No need to pout, young lady. It's been too long since I've gotten to hold you." Princess chuckles. “But then again, you were just a little pup all those years ago." Princess can feel Azure clench her jaw. Her past is still a weight on her heart. Releasing Azure slightly, she turns her so they can face one another. “How have things been for you? Are you eating well?"

The sincere worry in Princess' eyes is almost too much for Azure. Even so, there's a small part of her that's glad. Despite so many years passing, Princess hasn't changed one bit.

“Three meals a day," Azure confirms. “As for how things have been... Well," Azure thinks over her words. “This ceasefire has been an interesting turn of events."

Princess smiles at Azure, leaning in close to whisper into her ear. “Alex told me everything."

When Princess pulls back, she can see Azure's shock as she hastily casts a privacy spell.

“Excuse me?"

“Alex told me his plan. How he wants this war to end. That you two are the only ones who can make it possible."

Azure snorts. “I'm surprised he told you. He was so adamant about it being a secret between us."

“Our relationship is complicated," Princess admits.

“Relationship?" Azure tilts her head.

Princess nods. “There is no doubt, Azure. He's our best friend."

“...Wait, wait, wait..." Azure looks befuddled. “The creature who took you in before the ascension? That best friend?"

“Indeed. His scent is one I've known long ago from my mother." Princess rests a hand on Azure's cheek. “That is not all, Sweetie. I stand before you today because of Alex. He gave me a blessing, an eternal life, of which I will grow younger as the days pass."

Is that why Princess looks as young as she does? Because the Hero did something? It's the only thing that makes sense, given that Azure knew Princess was at death's door. Seeing her in such a state was too much for Azure, so she made excuses to never visit. Still, the idea of living forever is not something Azure would wish on anyone.

“That's no blessing, Princess. The Hero has cursed you," Azure retorts, looking away.

But her vision is brought back to Princess, her smile still present.

“Knowing I can be with you forever is no curse, Sweetheart." Princess' smile slips. “I've known for a long time that you blame me for keeping you alive. Perhaps you're right, and it would've been better to let you rest with Opal, but the fact you even drew breath was a miracle. Your mother made me promise to protect you, and now I can keep her promise for eternity if I have to." Princess drops her arms, looking away from Azure as her eyes glisten. “But you're no child, and you can take care of yourself. I'll always see you as my pup, even if you hate me."

Azure's jaw clenches as she holds back her emotions. She can't let herself be lost again. It's why her mother died; it's why she doesn't have a home anymore. Even so, this swell in her heart is too much to bear. Princess is about to move away but is surprised when Azure clutches to her. Like a scared child, she just holds Princess with her head buried in her chest.

“I don't hate you." That is all Azure can say.

Wrapping her arms around Azure, Princess nuzzles Azure's head.

“I love you, Azure."

While Princess couldn't see it, she held Azure tight as her clothes became damp. She's a lost pup, but Alex has given Princess the power to be here, and she will make the most of it.

---

Lilith is back in her training room as she develops a new plan to improve herself.

“Perhaps I should try and cast something?" Lilith thinks. “Is that possible? Perhaps not a projectile, like Lacey but..."

Lilith tousles the fur on her head in annoyance. As much as she'd like to lose herself in her plans, her mind is elsewhere. It seems whenever the Hero is near, he has this effect on her that she can't explain. There's no place safer nor deadly than when she's with him. That much was clear from their sparring session; once again, she was given a glimpse into how genuine he was.

Honestly, it was the most fun she's ever had. Knowing she could go all out against someone so powerful, and yet he wouldn't strike her down. To see her progress herself and have the Hero acknowledge it... Even now, that pressure in her chest won't go away. She rests her head in her hands. She doesn't know what to do anymore.

He's the enemy, and yet he is not. The joy she could feel from him in their exchange was too pure for him to notice. He held back despite how devastating his strikes could be because he cared. He didn't want to hurt Lilith; he wants her to grow. She doesn't understand. Why does he want this? Why does he allow himself to be so grievously injured?

When she severed his arm, she was overwhelmed with many emotions. Pride to have actually reached him in a way she couldn't before. Excitement that she was improving. But that all gave way to something she didn't expect, and that was a wave of pain. It was only for a brief moment, but the pain that coursed through her was almost crippling. It was then she realized all that pain was coming from the Hero.

It wasn't the injury that hurt; it was something deeper. Something she could only catch a glimpse of when she struck him but was buried too far for her to see. It only proves that Lilith still doesn't understand the Hero or his motives... But what truly frightens her is that she's losing her will to care. It was subtle initially, but her heart aches at the idea of keeping him as an enemy.

He's done horrible things; they all have... So, why can't they be friends? Lilith shakes her head. Such a silly thought... Friends with the Hero? They're bound by fate to fight to the death. She sighs, trying to get her mind back on track, but her ears twitch at something that lands behind her.

“You've been absent." Lilith turns to look at Bane. “So, how's the investigation on the hero turning out?"

“Disturbing, to say the least," Bane answers.

“Disturbing because there's nothing to be afraid of?" Lilith states, knowing how Bane must feel.

He walks over and stands in front of Lilith, his arms crossed.

“It doesn't make sense. There are no secret messages or plots to poison our water or manipulate the generals. Even his being here doesn't add up. Keeping an eye on Azure so she keeps her part of the deal? Whether she did or not doesn't require him to be here." He takes a seat on a large dumbbell. “It doesn't stop there. There is no bloodlust when he's with us. In some cases, like Shadow, he genuinely cares about him. Undoubtedly, he has a goal; I just don't know what it is!"

Lilith knows Bane has always been a jumpy fellow. She's heard about how rough it is for the weasels out on the edges. Little water and food. It's no wonder assassination is normal where he lives and that trusting anyone is akin to suicide. The fact Lilith's clan could even join with the canine was the only reason she was spared from most of the hardships the other clans suffer.

So while his attitude isn't great, she does sympathize with him.

“Why not talk to him?" Lilith offers. “I can assure you that he means no harm for the time being."

“What would be the point?" He sighs. “We both know what will happen eventually. Perhaps in a few months or maybe years. In the end, he will kill us. That I do not doubt."

“I know, Bane." He's right... However, a part of her doesn't want this to be their fate. While just telling Bane to try and make friends with the Hero is unlikely, perhaps she could spin this in a beneficial way? “But... What if we could turn him to our side by talking to him and appealing to this possibly fleeting good nature?"

“Turn him?"

Lilith nods. “If we're going to die either way, wouldn't you want to at least try anything if it meant we could change fate?"

Bane looks surprised for a moment before scratching his chin in thought.

“I suppose, however slim, if it were possible." Bane stands up, still heaving with thought. “I'll need to think on this."

“Stay safe, Bane."

He nods to Lilith as he leaps into a shadow and disappears from her gym. Lilith looks down at her hand before making a fist... However unlikely, she wonders if the Hero would consider her a friend? She shakes that thought away. For the time being, she'll work on getting stronger. While she may never face him as an equal, she wants to get close before trying something so drastic.