"Can you hear me, everyone?"
Sora's voice resonated through the battlefield, carried by the communication link connecting her to the scattered teams. A flicker of renewed determination ignited within them-those who had been struggling against the demonic horde found their will reforged by her presence.
"I knew you wouldn't just sit still, Sora-senpai," Botan remarked while unloading a volley of enchanted bullets into the creatures before her.
Sora chuckled softly, her voice brimming with a knowing warmth. "I'd be disappointed if you didn't expect that, Botan-chan. Now, listen closely-I've devised a strategy to turn the tides."
Every member of the force sharpened their focus, their ears attuned to her words.
Utilizing Nodoka's previous tactical assessment, Sora divided their efforts into key formations. Team Noel and Team Ayame were to advance straight toward the Abyssal Portal, cutting off the demons' endless reinforcements and seeking a means to obliterate the vile gateway.
"Meanwhile, Team Botan and Team Kazama will contain the roaming fiends and assist in evacuating civilians," Sora instructed.
"Understood!" they responded in unison, the air thick with resolution.
Sora added one last note-Zeta's expertise as a covert agent might prove invaluable in analyzing the Abyssal Portal's inner workings.
Botan turned to her companions, Iofi and Cecilia. "You heard her! Let's exterminate every last one of these monsters!"
Iofi smiled, reassured that Sora-her adoptive sister-continued to fight in her own way, even from behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Cecilia twirled her spear with unwavering confidence.
"It's about time we show them our true power."
The battle's intensity surged as Botan embraced her Apex Predator form-her claws and fangs, once hidden, now gleamed under the battlefield's bloodstained sky. A predatory aura enveloped her, striking raw terror into the demonic ranks.
Iofi, in turn, channeled the cosmic energy coursing through her being. Her form began to glow like the celestial morning star, the very force of the universe bending to her will. The laws of gravity themselves yielded, allowing her to hover gracefully above the chaos.
Cecilia, the Automaton of Justice, activated her second form-her mechanical body shifting, her battle attire reforming as intricate gears and arcane plating meshed together. In her grasp, a great war lance pulsed with righteous fury.
The three warriors lunged forward, their might shaking the battlefield. Structures crumbled under the sheer force of their assaults, and the demonic hordes fell, unable to withstand their combined devastation.
-
Far from the frontlines, Sora remained in the control center, her eyes fixed on the cascading data displayed on her monitors. She guided her comrades with precision, her mind working tirelessly to ensure victory.
Nodoka, standing nearby, found herself momentarily awestruck.
"Even from behind the frontlines... Sora-san still shines so brilliantly," she murmured.
Then, without warning-
"What the...?" Sora's breath caught.
One by one, the Abyssal Portals began vanishing from the monitor's display. But Zeta and her team hadn't even reached the nearest gate yet.
The room erupted into frantic motion, analysts scrambling to determine the cause. And then-
A transmission cut through their private network, hijacking Roboco's secure channel.
"Kon-yappi~!"
Roboco's eyes widened in recognition. She immediately stepped away from the others, retreating to a quiet corner.
"Towa? What's going on? Where are you?" Roboco whispered urgently.
"Relax, Roboco-senpai. The Abyssal Portals? I sealed them all. But more importantly-" The voice on the other end lowered slightly. "I know Sora-senpai is at headquarters. Tell her to meet me once this is over. We have... things to discuss."
With that, the transmission cut.
Roboco turned, locking eyes with Sora, who had already moved toward her.
"Towa just contacted me," Roboco murmured. "She's the one who sealed the portals."
Sora's expression shifted-understanding, but unreadable.
Towa had always been a peculiar case. A demon who willingly cooperated with HoloCorp, yet never truly earned their trust. Only a select few-Roboco, Sora, and the elite Unit Zero (Suisei, AZKi, and Sakura Miko)-believed in her.
"She also asked to meet you after this."
Sora nodded, processing the weight of those words before returning to her station.
The battle was far from over.
A CITY IN TURMOIL
While the demonic onslaught had yet to consume the entire city, the targeted areas were still locked in battle. HoloCorp's warriors fought fiercely, while the city's police force handled civilian evacuations.
At one evacuation site, a particular figure arrived-Chief of Police Oozora Subaru, a key member of HoloCorp herself.
"Madam Chief, what's really going on here?" one of her officers asked.
"Just a small-scale terrorism act," Subaru replied nonchalantly, striding toward a certain skyscraper.
She gazed up at the towering structure before her-Ravencorp, a company once run by a Demon of Sound.
"Who would've thought a being like her would establish a corporation here of all places?"
Inside, many civilians had taken shelter-including Shiori Novella and the twin exiles, Fuwamoco.
Shiori, once a feared figure, now read stories to children, her aura as ominous as ever despite her gentle tone. Meanwhile, Fuwawa and Mococo animatedly chatted with the young women among the refugees.
Subaru observed them, an unsettling chill creeping up her spine. Criminals like them, abiding by Council's conditions? It was unnatural.
Still, perhaps that was a good thing. A sign they understood how fragile freedom truly was.
"Yo, you three," she greeted, tipping her police cap slightly.
As if on cue, the civilians nearby discreetly stepped back, creating space for Subaru to speak with them privately.
"What's the police force doing here, Subaru-senpai?" Shiori asked, her gaze sharp.
"Making sure civilians-like you lot-stay safe. By the way, where are Nerissa and Bijou?"
Shiori smiled. "They're in Nerissa's room."
"Bijou was feeling restless being stuck here," she added. "So she's playing games with Nerissa to pass the time."
Subaru wasn't fully convinced, so she turned to Fuwamoco.
Fuwawa nodded. "It's true."
Mococo chimed in, "I could call Biboo right now, but she'll be mad if we interrupt her gaming."
Though skeptical, Subaru chose not to press further. For now.
As she turned to leave, Shiori exhaled quietly.
"Fuwawa," she whispered. "Call Nerissa. Tell her not to leave the restroom yet."
Fuwawa nodded, dialing the number.
Where are you, Beebs? Shiori thought.
From the moment the demons emerged, she had tried to contact everyone-to gather them at Nerissa's company for safety.
But Bijou never answered.
Neither did Nerissa or the twins, despite repeated attempts.
Shiori felt a weight settle in her chest. If Bijou was out there fighting... if she was captured by HoloCorp...
Then they would all be dragged back before the Council's judgment.
She clenched her fists.
Please be safe, wherever you are, Beebs.
THE JEWEL'S BURDEN
The number of demons Bijou had slain was beyond counting, yet she did not falter. Following Towa's command, she continued to carve through the enemy ranks, fighting alongside Risu to thin their numbers as much as possible.
The rhythmic cracks of Risu's enchanted sniper rifle echoed through the battlefield, seamlessly harmonizing with the swift, deadly arcs of Bijou's blade. Another demon split in half. Another fell with a bullet piercing its skull. Two more collapsed as Bijou's sword danced through their flesh. Again and again, the massacre continued until nothing remained.
Then, Towa's voice resonated through their minds, her telepathic link cutting through the lingering silence.
"All portals have vanished. Meet me at the bridge immediately."
Bijou hesitated. "But what about the other areas?"
"If you want to keep slaughtering demons and run into HoloCorp's teams, be my guest," Towa replied, her tone laced with impatience.
Bijou narrowed her eyes, displeased but unwilling to argue further. Clicking her tongue, she sheathed her blade and climbed into Risu's truck. Meanwhile, Risu remained where she stood, gazing toward the distant southeast.
For a brief moment, she sensed it-a vast cosmic energy pulsing from beyond the horizon. Was it real, or just her imagination? She couldn't tell, but it stirred something deep within her.
Something familiar.
Something that reminded her of an old friend from the stars.
"...Risu-senpai?" Bijou's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Ah, right." Risu shook her head, pushing the feeling aside. "Let's regroup with Towa-sama."
She climbed into the driver's seat, started the engine, and accelerated down the road.
The hunt was over.
For now, peace had been restored.
-
THE CROSSING
Five minutes later, the truck came to a stop near the overpass bridge. Risu and Bijou stepped out, making their way toward Towa, who stood silently at the center. Her gaze was locked on the morning sun, its golden light blending with the flowing river beneath them-a moment of quiet serenity amid the chaos.
Without turning, Towa spoke.
"Tell me, Bijou... Why did you do all of this?"
The wind brushed against her as she finally turned to face the girl before her. Bijou's violet eyes reflected uncertainty, turmoil buried beneath her jewel-like irises.
The question cut deep.
She bit her lower lip, her hands trembling as anxiety twisted in her chest.
She was afraid.
Afraid that Towa and Risu would see her as selfish.
As a traitor.
"...I did it for myself," Bijou admitted at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "As a Gem of Emotion, I can feel the hearts of humans-their joys, their sorrows, their hatred." She clenched her fists. "With the portals open, the flood of negative emotions was unbearable. It hurt me."
Towa listened, her expression unreadable.
"If I kept enduring it, I would have lost control," Bijou continued. "I might have lashed out. I might have hurt innocent people-just like the demons did."
Silence fell between them.
Then, with a heavy breath, Bijou lowered her gaze.
"You can call me a traitor if you want," she murmured. "I chose myself over Advent's freedom. After all-"
She never finished.
Because in that instant, Risu's arms wrapped around her from behind.
A warm embrace. Gentle. Reassuring.
"You didn't betray anyone," Risu said softly. "It may seem selfish... but your so-called selfishness saved countless lives today."
The warmth seeped into Bijou's body, unraveling the tension she had clung to for so long. She could feel Risu's heartbeat, hear the steady rhythm of her breathing.
She couldn't remember the last time she had been held like this.
Tears welled in her eyes, slipping down her cheeks before she could stop them.
"Risu-chan's right," came another voice. "And I'm grateful for what you did today."
Bijou lifted her head, eyes widening as she saw Sora and Roboco standing atop Risu's truck.
Towa exhaled, crossing her arms. "You heard them, Sora-senpai. So... what now?"
Sora met her gaze.
"Let's go somewhere private," she decided. "This isn't the place for serious discussions."
The words had barely left her lips when-
BOOM.
A blast from Roboco's energy cannon struck the left side of the bridge. Dust and debris scattered through the air as the echo of the explosion faded.
All eyes snapped toward her.
"...We were being watched," Roboco stated, lowering her weapon.
Towa frowned.
It seemed their next move would come sooner than expected.