EPIC BEYOND BELIEF.

[melonmarketing]

And credit goes to digger314 again for translating the Snake of Festival battle!


Chapter 16 Excerpt A
Volume 16, last chapter (3), latter two-thirds.

It was as if the self that had been scattered across the world could now finally climb toward where the girl was.

(But, I have finally arrived here.)

On this long and little walked road, in this dusk sky red as blood, they met again.

(I really have arrived.)

With the passion he once held and now burned in his heart, he called out,
toward the girl dressed in the Misaki High uniform, on the opposite main tower.
With infinitely sincere feelings, and a full smile, he called out the name he gave her.
“Shana.”

“Yuji.”
Eyes and hair still black, Shana replied to the young man on the tower opposite her.
His appearance had not changed noticeably. His figure, attitude, or attire were all normal.
But underneath this plain appearance, there was an unusually strong presence and anomaly.
Shana had now understood.
This pin-prick feeling was the same as what a “Crimson Denizen” evoked.
She understood, but didn't want to accept.
She didn't want to accept, that the young man in front of her had changed into a different existence.
Even though she didn't want to accept, there was no choice but to fight.
Because just like he was a “Crimson Denizen”, who disrupted the balance of this world, she was a Flame Haze, who was born to slay such beings.
The only thing she could do now, was to watch the other in silence, slightly delaying the start of the battle.
Instead, from her chest -
“Who are you?”
Alastor struck at the core of the situation with a simple query.
Even though the two towers were separated by tens of meters, the presences that transcended humanity could converse easily.
As if to prove this point, Yuji, adding lament into his smile, replied:
“You didn't recognize even me. That's too unfortunate... 'Flame of Heavens'.”
The voice still belonged the young man, but the tone had changed entirely. Not understanding “his” intentions, Alastor answered in shock:
“What did you say?”
Even though the translational unrestricted spell “Words of Conveyed Feelings” was employed in an instant to probe at its meanings, he still could not understand.
The answer was expressed incompletely from the thing that looked like a young man.
“No... it's understandable that you don't know. One who came after me to this world, such as yourself, have probably not directly heard the the sounds made by this world, nor the words spoke by it.”
“What?”
With an indifferent but disturbed feeling rising, he asked:
“That's enough, what are you...”
At this moment--
“Anyway it must be a toy made by the three-eyed hag? - something incorporating 'Silver'!!”
Margery's voice came from the distance.
Marchosias also growled:
“You just don't learn... We'll capture you and have you spill it all.”
Yuji took a look at the Chanter of Elegies, who on the surfaced looked as if she was ready to brawl, but was instead carefully observing him -
“Afraid he's been brain washed, or mind controlled by someone.”
“Immature behavior.”
Then he looked at the the one who appeared just as calm, but hid a boiling rage underneath - Manipulator of Ten Thousand Ribbons, Wilhelmina and Tiamat.
They stood on the river embankments behind him, surrounding him in a triangular formation with Shana in front.
Surrounded in this watertight formation, Yuji laughed bitterly.
“As I thought, did you receive a communique from the liason?”
His face returned to an expression fit for his age, but his voice contained an improbable confidence. Margery launched a preemptive strike.
“Yep, Satou sent it.”
“!”
Even Yuji showed signs of surprise this time. For Margery, this was an attempt to shake his spirit and watch for any signs of brain washing. But instead, he scolded his friend with a heavy voice :
“Liason... really? Why would he take up such a dangerous task? At this time when a great war is approaching, to jump into the flame like this... there's a limit to brashness.”
“That's all because you-”
Margery instead felt anger herself for that young man, and shouted instinctively:
“That's all because you disappeared!”
“!! Is... that so.”
Having roughly understood the situation, he displayed a moment of sadness, but immediately smiled again:
“So Satou decided to walk his own path. Even so, I shouldn't blame him... no, actually I should respect his choice, and be happy for him?...”
Toward the one blessing his friend, from the opposite embankment--
“What conceited speech, de arimasu.”

“Arrogant and rude.”
Wilhelmina and Timat said unconcernedly, but also puzzled inside.
His speech and behavior did not display the “lack of self” one would expect from being mind controlled. Not only that, his actions revealed a strong sense of purpose and will, suggesting at a presence. It was quite unusually and baffling.
This bizarre young man - yes, this Sakai Yuji with a hidden purpose, apologized as if he were still on her side:
“I'm sorry, Miss Carmel.”
He didn't stop at the apology.
“But, to realize what I have to do, this bit of arrogance and spirit are absolutely necessary.”
After hearing his voice, Alastor pressed him again - This time not toward some puppet under control, but toward some presence with its own self.
“You, are you really Sakai Yuji?”
“Yes, I am Sakai Yuji.”
He continued to state with a unusual tone.
“However, that's a common name for this world, I of course have a true name.”
Yuji switched his tone and replied with a smile, not revealing the location of its true form.
“You said... true name?”
Alastor felt a strong displeasure.
A “true name” is the original name in the Crimson Realm. For Alastor, translating the meaning “To incinerate all that exists” into the language of this world, it would be “Flame of Heavens” and represented his identity. The name “Alastor”, was a common name used in this world. Every Denizen had their own naming conventions as well.
Especially for him, who embodied the law of the Crimson Realm, and who was on the scale of “god”, to hear that something created for some purpose having a true name was not something he wanted to accept.
But this supposedly artificial entity Yuji smiled slightly.
“I think you misunderstand.”
Correctly deducing the thoughts of the Crimson Fiend he spent some significant amount of time with, Yuji changed his tone again, and stated:
“I am not the same as the creation known 'Silver'. 'Those Things', are mere fragmented phenomena from the devices that manifest my will in this world... however, the I that is here, has the right to have a true name.”
“What are you saying?”
“It's like this.”
Back facing the suspicious Margery, who obsessed with his true identity--
“Then, you are--”
“What is your identity.”
And facing the suspicions of Wilhelmina, who now recognized the threat and became more alert--
“Watch and you'll understand.”
Yuji looked only at Shana, who fell silent after the first sentence, and replied with a smile:
“This flame.”
In this dusk sky, red like blood but just started to darken-Yuji's shadow burned with an aberrant “silver” color.
“Fuzetsu.”
With those swords, flame filled this entire area and swelled. With brutal pressure and oppressive flame, the ground was inscribed with strange patterns, and the sky above formed a half sphere.
The swelling flame was not silver.
It was a color that everyone knew of as abstract knowledge,
a color that could stain all - Black.

On the top floor of the old department store, beside the miniature models surrounded by the pile of toys--
“Is..is that a Fuzetsu?”
Tanaka asked with a trembling voice.
Strange patterns appeared over the delicately arranged model of Misaki city, formed by the surveillance Hougu “Crystal Platform”.
It was a fearful sight no matter the circumstance.
Especially for Tanaka, to whom the mere sight of a Fuzetsu evoked memories of terrifying experiences. Even so--
“Yoshida..san...?”
He still had the strength to consider others. Or was it rather that in order to remain himself, he had to be considerate to the other one here? The Satou to whom he could push off the responsibilities to was not here, but he was.
“I'm...fine.”
Yoshida didn't look fine at all.
(It's no surprise...after all.)
With concern for their friends, he stared at the center of the miniature model - the bright light on the main tower.
Voices of the Flame Haze came from Tanaka's label, which also served as a protective spell that let them move freely within the Fuzetsu. Yoshida almost collapsed when the words “Yuji” spoken by Shana came. But she withstood the impact (at least outwardly) and sit at a corner of the model.
(Originally, she was going to see him, right?)
Was it a good thing, or was it a bad thing, that the label couldn't transmit the voice of the opponent? What did Yuji say? With what intentions did he return? The answers did not come with his own voice. It appeared that even the Flame Haze did not understand - they could tell this much from the conversation. And the Fuzetsu.
(Black flame...hmm?)
That flame without light, it was indistinguishable even if it swelled from below, terrifying to the core, unseen before even to those who weren't Tanaka.
Casting off these uneasy feelings, to solve this crisis, to take back his friend - the young man placed all hope on the three points of light on the miniature model.
(Ane-san, Shana, Miss Carmel, please...)
Even though it was a so-called surveillance Hougu, the “Crystal Platform” in front showed only humans, Torches and unrestricted spells. It could neither sense the Flame Haze nor the Denizens. It was thanks to the labels that Margery gave everyone, that he could see the triangular formation surrounding Yuji in the center.
Tanaka's assigned duty was to report any suspicious unrestricted systems or unrestricted spells he saw in the Crystal Platform. But at this point, there was no unrestricted spell aside from the Fuzetsu.
Tanaka opened his narrow eyes wide and watched attentively for any movements in the dots of light over the main tower.
(What are you doing, Sakai...didn't you say that you wanted to protect this city?)
The reality that a good friend returned as an enemy brought feelings of great resentment and sadness. He felt as if abandoned, and unconsciously wiped his eyes with his sleeves, as if he was about to cry tears that didn't come from this wavering.
(You are strong and powerful, so why did you become a pawn of the Denizens...even when...even when me, weak and embarrassing, survive despite being terrified. So why?)
Inside the miniature model of the Misaki city within the Crystal Platform, having realized his own insignificance and fragility, he felt in contrast the greatness and importance of what he must protect.
(If it was me, what had just happened would have been all I could take.)

He watched Misaki High located in a corner of the city.
That's the terrifying place where he heard Yuji had met Satou.
(I'm not the same as you. This is too big for me.)
He thought about what was important to him.
That would be the girl who said “I like you” to himself, and this big city.
(Why, at this time, that Satou--)
With jealousy he thought of his friend who wasn't present--
(That Satou--)
While tormented by the heavy burden on him, he realized.
(That Satou, has left.. How.. could he leave?)
Only because he felt this pain over his entire being, could he finally discover.
This was no difference between merely witness the tragedy or not. What was the difference between him and his friend?
Was this difference most evident in the fact that his friend could leave this city?
What Satou truly wanted to protect, what he himself wanted to protect, must be different?
The reason Satou chose the path of Outlaw without wavering, was it here?
The reason he felt such jealousy towards Satou, was it also here?
(That Satou...what he wanted to protect, could it--)
He remembered what he and Satou had always said when they were still naive.
“We'll walk alongside Margery Dow.”
Driven by yearning, they practiced and rushed into battle, risking their life just to help her - to them, she was such a charismatic presence.
But the calm displayed by Satou no longer showed the burning emotions that once drove him mad.
(Have I realized this?)
Not only did Satou take the first step and changed his life, but also, another reason came into his heart, a reason different from Tanaka's own. He had somehow realized this. Perhaps that's why I felt so jealous?
Up to now, he had not differentiated between, indeed, did not even recognize the differences between the emotions conveyed by the word “like”. To Tanaka, those feelings for Margery...yes, were completely different from the ones held by the other. Because he yearned so strongly, he didn't think about such differences.
(But, Satou...)
Is he not the “same”?
Now, he finally realized.
(The envy that I feel, is this it?)
Satou Keisaku, as a man, fell in love with the woman that he himself yearned for as a symbol of power.
That's why. And also, that's why he left this city without hesitation and went to Outlaw.
Tanaka Eita felt jealousy toward his friend, who started at the same position as him - Now he finally understood.
(Is that why I can't be content? Bastard!)
Yes, Satou was impressive... but Tanaka felt a rejection toward his friend, that did not arise out of jealousy. He trembled because of the giant baggage on him, because he knew how precious those important things were - He struggled to cheer himself up. At the very least, he wanted to look impressive for once too.
(Ane-san, please capture that Sakai, and show Satou when he returns.)
Tanaka Eita continued to watch the Crystal Platform with an ashen face and a trembling body.
He did not understand the meaning behind the long silence after the Fuzetsu.

“---”
Faced with this impossible existence, Alastor seized.
“Alas..tor...?”
Shana sensed the meaning behind his silence, and pressed him to answer.
However, the voice that would always calmly explain everything to her did not come this time.
Margery and Marcholsias, Wilhelmina and Tiamat, and everyone else were surprised by what appeared before them, and were at a loss.
Staining the dusk sky with black, Yuji floated up briskly.
“This, is my flame.”
As if tugging at an invisible cloak, he raised his right hand forward and to the side. The arm that was strained to its limit was flung to the side.
Suddenly--
The black flame snaked around his arm engulfed his entire body, and disappeared again in an instant.
Remaining in the air was a strangely dressed - unknown character.
“And, 'this' is my true body at the moment.”
He wore thick armor and loose clothing, clad in burgandy.
And behind his head, extended like a long pony tail-was a pitch black dragon tail.
“My proper name...is 'Snake of the Festival' Sakai Yuji.”
Looking over the young man in strange attire, Alastor slowly repeated the stated name.
“--'Snake...of the Festival'?”
He repeated--
“You said 'Snake of the Festival”?! Impossible!”
but could not accept its meanings, and cried out.

On the other hand, Shana still hadn't fully understood this turn of event. Instead she slowly iterated the meaning of that true name, as if to confirm all this.

“...'God of Creation'...”

In the distant past.
After finding a path to this world, countless Crimson Denizens departed with joy toward that “Unreachable Realm”, the promised land that allowed them to realize their desires in all forms.
They did not have an unified goal such as “invasion”. Instead, simple curiosity, unquenchable thirst for knowledge, primitive material desires, and the desire to explore another realm were behind their departure. No matter the ambition, no matter if it was a lowly Denizen that barely survived in the realm, or a powerful Lord, they each entered this world with their own desires.
Among these travelers, there was one who was considered to be the embodiment of the law of the world, one of the pillars of “God” - Snake of the Festival. This was no coincidence. After all he was one with special powers and authority, the decisive powers of creation and determination, the powers that allowed one to advance and explore.
“In other words, it was a natural outcome that they were attracted by the enterprising spirits and the primitive contact that filled this new world. And so they came to this world... because he was the God of Creation.”
Lost in thought, Alastor continued with the heaviest of tones:
“As one who could create new things and set new trends, he arrived on this world with the Three Generals. They satisfied the wishes of many of our brethren, and obtained their obedience.”
Whether it was good or bad is irrelevant. It was his reason of existence as a god to go where there were unclaimed land and unexploited things.”
“But-drowned in his power and authority, he didn't want to leave even the form of the existence of the world untouched. And so he was buried by Flame Haze warriors of the distant past, in the 'Trap of Eternity'”.
Yes. He who spread aliens things in an alien realm, had finally fallen hard.
He fell, and was exiled. That's how it should have been.
“The 'God of Legends' that was exiled by that secret spell...why has it reappeared?”
“That should be the crack between realms, where no Law could be used...”
Margery commented quietly on this act of “God Slaying”.
“Is it because...the leaderless Bal Masque is now beginning to move?”
“Unexpected incident.”
Faced with this unexpected situation, Wilhelmina appeared embarrassingly unprepared.
However, that impossible existence was closing in unnoticed toward the main tower Shana stood on.
“Shana--”
Hearing the person with the appearance of Yuji calling her name, watching the figure she desired but was occupied by a monster closing in, Shana could not help but feel an overpowering need to reject all this. Her legs wanted to move and retreat.
“No!”
She straighted her back and stepped forward instead.
At the same time, the black faded from her eyes and hair, and was instantly replaced with blazing red. Covered with her dark coat, spewing fiery dust, she pulled out her nodachi, Neitono no Shana. The “Flame-haired, Blazing-eyed Hunter” Shana, replied to the enemy with action and words.
“You are not Yuji.”
“Shana.”
Yuji looked at the spirited figure of the girl he yearned for intensely, and swallowed the rigidness and anxiety only he understood. Deeply understanding its meanings, he narrowed his eyes, kept his speed and replied:
“No. I am Sakai Yuji!”

He slowly extended his hand covered in armored gloves, as if to grab the girl in front of him who was struggling to look resolute but had in fact turned rigid.
“Shana--!”
While he was calling out, he sensed someone leaping up and closing in at high speed. Yuji turned sharply in the air. The dragon tail behind his head struck like lightening and connected with Margery's lower abdomen.
At this instant--
“Hmm?!”
The slender womanly body shattered like glass, crystallized into an unrestricted spell and snared the dragon tail. When he realized, the long and thick tail had already been firmly locked in midair.
Yuji tugged at it and lost balance.
“Now!”
Descending at incredible speed, Wilhelmina unleashed a pouring rain of ribbon.
Woosh whoosh whoosh! Countless ribbons pierced Yuji's body, and he fell from in front of Shana.
“Yuji!”
Shana cried. A crash came from some distance below her.
She descended with Wilhelmina along her side, spreading cherry colored fiery dust along the way. Wilhelmina was covered with a fox-like mask and a mane made of silk, extravagantly dressed for battle.
“Keep your words until after the capture, de arimasu.”
“Danger exists!”
Transformed into a mask, Tiamat warned briskly.
“I concur!”
Another voice came from the beast-like flame coat over the main tower. It was the battle form of the Chanter of Elegies.

“It doesn't matter if he's real or a fake, after all he did claim to be the monster known as “Heaven Shattering Earth Swallowing”! We got fooled by him - and didn't even know!!”
Without reservation, the flame beast began throwing great ball of fire toward where Yuji fell, causing a series of large explosions. The vehicles and people frozen by the Fuzetsu were thrown all the way into the city.
However, from the center of that sea of flame--
A shape emerged from the great hole in the bridge. It was a young man covered with black flame. No only were his armor and dragon tail unscratched, even his clothing and skin showed no signs of burns.
Margery clicked her tongue.
“He's no easy opponent after all!”
“Now is no time to say such demoralizing things, my steel fisted Margery Dow. If the little boy we've been searching for turned up by himself, we should teach him a lesson quick and have him apologize to our little girl, what do you say?”
Alastor, having just recovered from doubt, uttered with a heavy voice:
“Yes... that's how it goes, but--”
Bang---the sound of striking steel.
“That's rather inopportune.”
A booming voice was closing.
“I came for Shana only.”
Yuji was now standing over the main tower. Shana couldn't help but be shocked.
Wilhelmina, who was standing beside her, turned visibly rigid as well.
“Huh!?”
Margery over on the other main tower also cried.
“This--”
Their view was covered by a thick layer of silver.
Accompanying Yuji's ascension, countless armor fragments, gears, clockwork, levers etc flowed up from beneath his feet. They mixed together chaotically, forming an expanding torrent. This torrent flowed like a flood, covered the ground like an explosion, and climbed up unrelentingly. After reaching the apex, it contracted and formed a giant spherical cage, surrounding the bridge along with the two main towers.
Two could escape this barrier.
Only these two, holding their hands.
“Shana!”
“Yu...Ji!”
With crimson wings burning on her back, she stared for a few seconds at Yuji with her blazing eyes, who was holding her hand and floating in the air.
“--let me go!!”
She frowned deeply, and pushed his hand away with force.
Yuji was a bit surprised, but immediately displayed a mischievous smile.
“Didn't you want to capture me? 'Flame of Heavens'?”
“Is that really you... 'Snake of the Festival'?”
The existence in front of him, was one that he exiled to the realm of no return with his own hands, when he was still in the Crimson Realm. It was also an existence that was on par with his own powers. The fact that it still exists beyond all expectations had shocked Alastor to the core. Even his voice now sounded uneasy.
“Your current form... what sort of intentions drove you to this prank?”
“This is no prank. This is necessary to us both.”
“Don't speak with the voice of Yuji!!”
Shana pointed the tip of the Neitono no Shana at the throat of the monster who was preparing to answer with the voice of the young man. The tip of the sword did not waver, but looked unusually rigid.
“...”
“...”
The two stared at each other with opposite expressions, one with smile, the other with rage.
After a few seconds, Yuji said nonchalantly.
“Shana, come with me.”
“?!”

The girl's frown grew deeper, and the sword became even more stiff. Without moving, Yuji continued.
“I came to take you with me.”
“You...!”
Alastor finally understood the intentions of the “Snake of the Festival”, and its ruthlessness. He instantly felt a burning rage.
The only one who could stop the God of Creation was Alastor, a god himself, with the authority to judge and condemn. And the only one who could evoke the powers and authority belonging to the God of Heavenly Judge, was the contracted, “Flame-haired, Blazing-eyes Hunter”.
Therefore, he came to capture Shana.
Borrowing, or taking the body of Shana's beloved, was his means.
“I want to live with you together.”
“---hy...”
“?”
Shana said weakly.
“---Why?”
She pointing the tip of the sword at him stiffly. Hearing what she longed to hear, it was beyond the limits of her control.
Passing the limit, she began to crumble.
“Why did you wait until now to say something like that?”
“No. It's only because of now, I could say it.”
Yuji faced the sword trembling in front of his throat, said clearly and slowly.
“Because of now..”
While speaking, he held the sword at its tip, and lifted slowly.
It came from below them--
“!”
A series of powerful vibrations.
Yuji looked below at the prison made of silvery shadow. A part of it was deformed from forces within and began to crack. The two trapped inside seemed to be trying to escape with all their strength.
“Well deserved of their reputations after all. At this rate I'm afraid even containment is - Shana?!”
What was happening now completely exceeded his expectations.
As if falling, Shana descended with great speed.
Shana - “Flame-Haired, Blazing-Eyed Slayer”, chose to run away.
“Is that... so.”
Yuji sighed, and began to descend toward the distant river surface himself.
“Looks like I have to do this after all.”
Even though he had no intention of catching up to her, but if one were to analyze it, the objectives were the same.
Capture her, and take her back.
It was enough to only follow this plan.
The river surface ahead was getting closer.
Now, he could see the spread crimson wings, leaving a trail of flame.
“Wait, Shana!”
Having said that, he extended his hand. This time he didn't just stop there. Dark flame emerged from his hand. It formed a twisting serpent and flew in the direction of the target that was the girl.
Discovering pursuit, Shana couldn't help but be surprised.
“!”
Just as she almost touched the surface, a series of explosions occurred below her feet. Splattering water occluded her sight, forcing her to change direction.
The serpent of fire struck the surface behind her. New steam explosions occurred one after the other.
Within the mist covering the entire area--
“If you get in my way...you'll upset me... Miss Margery.”
Yuji said with a low voice, while keeping his distance from Shana. This was apparently not directed at Shana, but was instead meant for Margery, who was now about to break through the cage.
“Would you please calmly stay in there for a while?”

“Like hell I'm gonna do that!!”
Margery's rough roar echoed within the silvery prison.
Her beast form breathed flame, flashing with anger and mixed with cyan fiery dust. Taking a deep breath, the Chanter of Elegies began to compose a sure-kill unrestricted spell - one of the Improvisational Poems of Slaughter.
“Humpty Dumpty sitting on the wall!”
Margery's voice--
“Humpty Dumpty falling on the floor!”
Marchosias's voice--
“Even with all the King's horses!”
“Even with all the King's courtiers!”
When their voices overlapped, the sound became even more magnificent.
“Humpt Dumpty can't be brought back!”
With that last verse, tens of unrestricted spells spewed from her mouth.
These spells pasted onto the mirror-like interior of the impact armor shaped like an egg. They permeated inside instantly, creating vortexes, and twisted the egg shell. It was as if the shell would burst in the next instant.
Wilhelmina didn't want to be out done.
“Ha-ah!”
Ribbons turned into tens of rigid spears and pierced at various places on the egg shell. Of course, those were no mere spears. Dispelling spells spewed cherry colored fiery dust, interfering with the self-repair functions of the shell.
After a few attacks, the shell began to crack, and they could see the view outside.
However, within this prison--

(Miss Margery--)
Yuji's voice echoed within the cage.
“Yuji!”
(Please listen to me.)
“Chanter of Elegies--”
“I know I know!”
Back to back, the fully armed Wilhelmina and Margery were on full alert. They were ready for attacks or any changes in their situation, but didn't feel any signs of attack from the opponent.
(After I came here, I realized something.)
Only this voice echoed.
Hearing this voice still belonging to the young man, but with the tone of both Yuji and the Snake of the Festival, a frustrated Margery roared again with displeasure:
“Huh! Looks like you learned how to charm women with skill now, Yuji! Want to change to the God of Affectionate Ties?!”
(At this point, I can't do that anymore.)
There was no emotional turmoil in that voice.
(Compared to this, isn't there something you care about more? It's about this “Silver”...)
“!!”
Margery didn't expect the opponent to bring this up. She shook herself and concentrated, so that she wouldn't miss a word.
After hearing Yuji bringing this up suddenly - Shouldn't he be fighting Shana right now?-- Wilhelmina behind her also showed signs of surprise on her face.
(Why did you bring this up now?)
(Cease and desist!!)
“Shut up! Don't let her hear!!”
Her partner's soundless voice, and Marchosias's audible voice cried out at once
With this, Wilhelmina suddenly understood completely.
To bring up “Silver” now wasn't inadvertent, in fact it was because of now, the opponent brought it up deliberately - If that's the case, if he knew that this was what Margery wanted to know the most, what she would even give up escape to hear, if he knew enough to set such a trap, then the opponent was none other than that young man, the Sakai Yuji who intimately knew the strengths and weaknesses of every Flame Haze in this city---!
(No good!..!)
At the risk of being attacked from the back, she pushed Margery.
“Don't listen to him, de arimatsu!”
Of course, understandably, Margery pushed her away.
“Be quiet!”
“Dangerous intelligence!!”
(Fine, let me tell you...first--)
“?!”
“?!”
The Flame Haze, two forms and four presences, went into battle stance.
(Please look around you.)
Actually they didn't need the reminder.
The silvery shell that surrounded them... had now turned into filthy and distorted armor suits.
The armor suits looked at the Flame Haze inside as if through glass. The eyes behind the armor, countless, countless eyes stared at them--
“---------------------!!”
The distorted and fearful scream from Margery echoed through the sky.

In the residential area covered by the dark Fuzetsu, Shana and Yuji were in hot pursuit.
Leaping over the roof tops, over the walls, they descended onto backyards and roads.
“Compared to this, isn't there something you care about more? It's about this 'Silver'...”
While saying that, he agilely leaped away at high speed.
“Fine, let me tell you...first--”
Hearing Yuji's low mumble, Shana and Wilhelmina both sensed the danger.
“Yuji!”
To prevent him from speaking any further, Shana kicked against a corner on the roof, made a rapid turn and unleashed an attack.
Yuji discharged a flame serpent toward the walls on a nearby house, deflecting the attack and continued:
“Please look around you.”
With that said, he landed on the three-story residence, then turned and jumped away. The cleaving attack unleashed by Shana while descending appeared in front of him, but he skillfully avoided it.
Before his back touched the ground, Yuji used the the rush of air from the explosion at his feet to propel himself away, then slapped at the ground with his dragon tail, using the reaction force to send him away. But during all this, he didn't stop his explanation.
“What looks like an armor here isn't really a Crimson Denizen, but rather it is made from the materialized emotional fragments from humans. It is a reflection of the intense emotions from all corners of the world, and all periods of time. It is what people often refer to as the mirror in one's heart...”
Yuji stood on the roof of the condo, awaiting the pursuit from the girl.
“All these countless fragments collects together, and forms the crucial components of my own personality.”
While he was speaking, Shana, with crimson wings descended like a speeding bullet.
Yuji showed a joyous expression, intense like fire, and swung the dragon tail from behind his head, striking at Shana.
“This armor--”
Like an iron chain, the dragon tail slashed across the sky with lightening speed; however Shana was even quicker, zooming downward like an arrow.
Yuji dodged without hesitation, and Shana's kick broke the building wall in half. Amidst the dust, Yuji walked across the roof, and hadn't stopped speaking.
“It is merely a phenomenon that appears beside humans with intense emotions, it acts out the desires and wishes of the one it collects emotions from, and thus copies the form of existence of those emotions. The “I” that is created this way is merely an object.”
As he spoke, a strong kick pushed himself away from the impact of the explosion below.
“?!”
The climbing flame suddenly formed the shape of a giant sword-and contracted in an instant, creating a large explosion.
Assaulted at close range, Yuji was thrown in a straight line like a pebble toward the river. The asphalt road broke apart, and the vehicles on the road were sent flying.
“The one who acts for you, is the object of your hate. The mockery you saw was the true emotions hidden in your heart.”
Even though under attack, Yuji's voice did not pause.
Shana leaped from the center of the explosion and watched carefully with her blazing eyes. Yuji's body was wrapped in layers with the dragon tail, forming a spherical defensive wall. There were no noticeable damage.
“Do you understand now? The 'Silver' that appeared in front of you, in fact--”
Yuji shook his head slightly and retracted the dragon tail. He levitated up and looked at Shana.
Then he nonchalantly continued:
“--merely acted in your place, and did what you wanted to do.”
And with that, he delivered the finishing blow.
After a few seconds of silence--
“Finished”
“Yuji...!”
The smile never faded from Yuji's face, while the anger was now displayed thoroughly on Shana's. With a casual voice, he said again:
“By the way, I've ordered 'Silver' to stop Miss Carmel and the others. Even for her, to take Miss Margery in her current condition, it should probably take a while for them to get here.”
“...”
Shana struggled to contain herself, to swallow the vow that she almost made, but really didn't want to.
Yuji didn't pay attention to these feelings from the girl. The smile on his face was still filled with a burning joy. As if celebrating a long awaited moment, he said indifferently:
“This way, we can finally be alone together.”
“... Yuji ...”
This was the limit.
Sorrow filled Shana. That final vow, that she absolutely did not want to make, now had to be made.
“I... will destroy you.”
“...”
It was Yuji's turn to be silent.
He closed his eyes,and lowered his head. Then looked straight at Shana again.
The joy in his heart didn't seem to diminish, but his expressions became sharper and more intense.
“...yes, I know.”
Staring at the tip of the nodachi, Neitono no Shana pointed at him, he flung his hand with a sudden motion.
At the end of the movement, a single-handed, broad-edged great sword appeared in his hand.
This was the Hougu, “Blutsauger”.
Once belonging to the enemy Crimson Denizen “Sorath”, then through the hands of Margery and Satou, had now passed onto Yuji's hands. This great sword passed many hands to be in Yuji's posessoin. But now, it's tip was pointed towards Shana.
Sorrow and joy, these two expressions looked at each other across the distance.
“---”
“---”
They leaned back ever so slightly, and raced forward.
The distance closed quickly.
“Eh-hah!”
“Yah-ah!”
!!
The two swords clashed directly, giving off the sound of iron shattering. Sparks from the collisions lit up their faces, and the air was mixed with crimson and dark fiery dust. Their bodies flew apart with the impact.
Shana was still hurling off fireballs even in the instant of separation. Yuji zoomed between the openings between buildings, effortlessly evading the attacks.
The buildings that absorbed the shots instead were wiped out with crimson flame.
“Shana, I guess you'll never submit to me then.”
Amid the explosions, a sigh came.
In pursuit, Shana uttered quietly:
“Shut up.”
“Therefore, the only road left between us, is battle.”
The instant he finished, Yuji slapped his dragon tail on the road, and flipped himself backward.
Shana knew well the properties of this great sword Blutsauger now swung toward her. She dodged the sword in a split second, turned around and shouted:
“Shut up!”
“I will fight, through this road, to be by your side--”
“SHUT UP!”
Shana didn't let him finish. Yuji fell silent. Crimson wings flashed aside, she turned around in midair in the instant they came shoulder to shoulder. Moved behind his back, Neitono no Shana slashed forward like lightening.
However--
Yuji turned around at the same instant and struck back. Blutsauger flashed forward from fluttering cloths, in a sure-kill attack precisely aimed at this moment.
When the swords met, the broad-edged great sword rippled with crimson color.
“Ugh, ah!”
Large wounds opened on Shana's hands. Injecting Power of Existence into the sword, and through that injuring the opponent in contact with it, was the power of the Hougu Blutsauger.
Injured despite being alert, she was being too careless, she thought. The way she was distracted, and the way Yuji was talking with the intention to distract, both hurt Shana. But Yuji's merciless attacks did not slow; each strike aimed to hurt.
“eh-ah!”
“ugh!”
Shana turned and dodged, and in the process of turning, used the explosive thrust from her wings to cleave upward with a rapid spiral motion.
Poised to ascent, Yuji met the long range attack with the Blutsaeger.
“ugh!”
But always the dragon tail from behind met the attack in place of the sword. After swinging, the end struck out.
Shana had no choice but to meet this attack, and then used the force and her own wings to increase the distance. Yuji closed in soon after. The two soared in the sky, tracing great spiral trails.
(What an annoying opponent!)
The thought didn't come from the girl, but from the “Flamed-haired, Blazing-eyed Hunter”.
Looks like his wrist power was generally very strong. The weight and speed of every strike were unusually powerful. In terms of sword skills and techniques, Shana had the absolute advantage. But the Blutsaeger in Yuji's hands was a natural enemy to her, who relied almost exclusively on her sword in battle. And there was the defensive abilities of that dragon tail.
(If it was like an ordinary situation--)
It should have been him, who was now pointing the sword at her, to be the one to break the stalemate for her.
(No, I can't think that way!)
Realizing her own weakness, Shana felt a wave of shock and anxiety. After taking up residence in this city, she had almost unawarely accepted fighting alongside him. Shana suddenly injected power into her wings, in an effort to shake off these thoughts of dependence.
The two continued to fly at high speed, dancing within the Fuzetsu covering the city.
(Yuji knows my power.)
The thought that normally brought delight, now became a heavy burden. She moved her wings, using the jet power to turn toward the side, and kept up her speed while turning back instantly. With jetting flame, she turned back and traveled in a direction completely opposite to just seconds ago.
The speed at which Shana was closing in shocked the Yuji in pursuit.
!
Swords crossed for the blink of an eye, and they passed shoulder to shoulder once more.
With the sound of the clash still ringing in their ears, Shana turned again.
“Ah-ha!!”
Another attack was unleashed from the tip of the crimson nodachi. The extreme heat was in a class completely different from normal fireballs. Heavy chunks of flame raced towards the back of the young man. The flame that impacted with the target unleashed great fiery blossoms, accompanied by earth shattering crackles.
“--”
“--”
Now the young man, clad in armor, closed in rapidly with his great sword.
“----”
The spherical barrier that surrounded him was not unfamiliar to Shana.
It was the Hougu tied to his neck, the anti-fire ring “Blue Sky”.
(As expected, Yuji knows my powers well.)
The strikes from the great sword Blutsaeger must be avoided completely if possible.
With only fireballs, even with strike of the crimson nodachi, those attacks were useless with that Hougu.
This was the worst case of counter by opposites. The attack released by the his Hougu was now in front of her--
(How much can it be materialized after all?)
Shana held the nodachi in her left hand, ready to attack, while her right hand closed around her waist.
Yuji displayed some confusion while passing by.
“?!”
“he-ahhhhh!!!”
Concentrating, she swung her right fist.
Flame spewed from the front, forming a giant fist. Then with the motion of the arm, it formed a gigantic arm. This was no simple fire, but a materialized physical strike, and it hit the young man who slashed his sword forth.
“ugh! Ugh ah?!”
Yuji, having dropped his guard because of the protective barrier, was struck by this strike that looked like flame and flew backward from the impact. Body like a burning meteor fell toward the residential areas, knocked over a few condos and finally stopped.
Ready for the next attack, Shana danced slowly in the sky.
But, inexplicably, Yuji leaped up, floated towards the roof of a residence, and stayed there.
“.....?”
That kind of attack could not critically injure him. Could this be a trap? Shana thought, and found the answer right away.
“--!”
The girl couldn't know clearer where the the young man was standing over.
And she of course knew why Yuji would choose such a place.
Uncertain whether it was rage or sadness she was feeling, Shana circled in the sky.
Within the black Fuzetsu, a two-level condo was cast in darkness.
Written clearly on the door were the words, “Sakai”.

The dark sky over the old department store was torn by a throat-tearing scream. It was the first time anyone had heard Margery give off such hysterical sounds.
“Hey! Ane-san! What happened?! Ane-san!!”
Tanaka pressed on with trembling voice and flowing tears.
Margery did not answer, and continued to give off a speechless howl.
Hearing this frenzied sound that came from the bottom of the heart, he froze and couldn't speak.
“Ahh..ahh.....?”
From the attitude of Marchosias, Wilhelmina and Tiamat, he could tell that whatever she was saying, it must have been of something extremely horrifying. Even though they had seen Margery turn to vicious frenzy, this time was different. It was no longer just anger or hate or some other comprehensible emotion that was rising or running out of control.
Instead, it was her hysterical and out of control heart, expressed with piercing sounds.
He couldn't understand if these lamenting sounds were in English or some other language, or if it was just a completely meaningless howl. All these mixed and chaotic cry gave them a bone chilling sense of horror. The horror of some event expressed by all these made his skin crawl.
The fact was that, Margery Dow was falling apart, or rather, had already fallen apart.
“Ane-san. Tell me! What happened?!”
Even though he knew it was pointless to say anything, he couldn't help but shout out.
Another voice different from the terrifying screams of Margery rang:
“She is currently in a very dangerous condition, de arimatsu.”
“The worst situation.”
Wilhelmina's voice contained a trace of worry not found in her normal speech.
As if mad, Satou screamed at the label:
“What happened?! Tell me! What happened?!”
“She heard some information that shook the foundations of her will, de arimatsu.”
“Self-inflicted crisis.”
Her voice that replied sounded calm, but it was an illusion from the battle style of the “Manipulator of Ten Thousand Ribbons.”. They were in the silvery cage, battling an army of “Silver”. Each one had the power of a mere Denizen, but they flooded forth and surrounded the Flame Haze. Whether she dismembered tens or hundreds, the walls grew new arms. It was no solution.
Or rather, if she were by herself, she should have been able to find an opening and break through. But, Yuji designed a shackle to prevent this.
“Please pull yourself together, de arimatsu!”
“Self support!”
That was directed toward the frenzied Margery, surrounded by silky ribbons.
The Flamze Haze that was once full of dignity, now had no air of calm. Hair frayed, tears streaming across her face, no one could tell if words that came out of her were prayers to God or curses upon the devil.
Her crazed and empty eyes distorted with fear from the images that advanced forward. She lost control of her body, letting it thrash about. Of course, she no longer had the will needed to transform into her battle form.
The most evident sign of the crisis was the Hougu Gremoire, the symbol of the contract made by the Flame Haze. Its shape was fading, losing its substance.
“Oh no, the contract is about to expire... Hey! Margery!!”
Usually flippant, Marchosias shouted to his partner with uncharacteristic seriousness and anxiety.
“Do you really want to end it all in a place like this?!”
The Margery that always woke up when he shouted was no longer here. She continued to scream, and the Gremoire continued to fade.
(It's no use. Margery can no longer hear what I say!)
The expanding Power of Existence was now fleeing Margery's body, transforming into fiery dust and flying apart.
Her crazed consciousness, having lost all self-control, no longer understood the direction and limits of thought. The repeated hysterical movements also weakened her existence. At this rate, it would take no more than a few minutes for her to lose all the status as a Flame Haze.
(Marchosias! What is this?! Contract is expiring? What does that mean--)
“My lovely goblet... is giving up the right to hold wine. Or rather she is dying!”
Marchosias didn't wait for Tanaka to finish his question.
(Ho..How can thi...Don't! Ane-san?!!)
Margery could no longer hear Tanaka shouting. She was dreaming about her past.
She had always been relied upon in the past. In response to this trust, she had lived until now.
(---”ooo onee-chan, please help me!”--)
To help those around her, that was the reason she lived for.
I've always been that way since I was little, right?
(--”ooo san, please lend me your power”--)
With help from the girl, the powerless father was able to save the life of the only son.
But a situation that couldn't be solved by such tricks came--
(--”ooo, I beg you. If I can survive, then our family”--)
After letting father escape, she and a few other retainers stood up, and won over peace by opening the city.
But, in the end, the escaping father was killed, and the reinforcements betrayed them--
(--”... san, I want to live, and see that child again”--)
As prisoners, she organized a revolt with other soldiers, and finally escaped.
But, ironically, she fell in the hands of the retainers she rescued herself.
(---”ooo san, we only want to survive, please forgive us.”--)
After escaping successfully, for just a small sum of money, she was sold into a “place”.
However, even in there, other girls who were sold into it said--
(---”ooo onee-chan, I beg you, save me”--)
Always relied on by others, but never the other way, she had no choice but to lend her helping hand. Somewhere along the way, she had built up significant status.
It was said that the one who destroyed that “place”, was herself.
(Did I really want to destroy it so badly...was it really that me who destroyed it...?)
The fact was that she tired of it. Always expected to solve others' problems, this way of living for those scraps of ambition, she was really tired of it.
Now even her vengeance had disappeared.
Because she had broken long ago.
Long ago. Everything.
(--No!!)
Tanaka's voice hammered into her ears.
(Don't shout...do you want to use me again?)
She thought with tired and fading consciousness.
(Don't die! You can't die!)
It was Tanaka's voice again.
(What do you mean I can't......)
Why are you so arrogant even when begging. In the instant before thoughts disappeared--
(That Satou, he hasn't really--_
(!)
Her mind flashed the image of that young man, who said he would gamble everything on her.
(done anything for you yet, ane-san, right?!)
(Miss Margery!!)
This time it was Yoshida.
(I beg you! Please come back!)
(-!?)
(You've already received someone's love long ago!!)
Not to be relied on-ordinarily unimaginable, that sincere emotion that compels one to give all power to herself --- and the exciting feeling of using up that power without guilt --- the warm calmness that accompanied the anxiety of risk taking --- that was how she felt.
“--Mi...ne----?”
A cry came. She couldn't tell who it was, perhaps it came from both of them -
(So, please don't die!!)
With this cry, Margery's consciousness ceased abruptly.

Yuji and Shana stood over the roof of the Sakai residence.
Stood on the two ends of the roof, they kept a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
People who had to be well protected were now in this house, motion frozen.
The two had performed countless morning and evening training here.
Full of memories, full of warmth, it was their home.
But now, their swords were pointed at each other.
Finally, holding Nietodo no Shana, Shana spoke first.
“Yuji, what about Chigusa?”
“I have already successfully departed.”
Slightly waving Blutsaeger, Yuji's face displayed a sliver of loneliness when he answered.
“You are not a puppet right now? You are really acting with your own will?”
“Yes. Of this you can be sure.”
Yuji nodded his head again.
His answer made clear the cruel reality that Sakai Yuji was not someone to be saved, but an enemy to be slayed. And like so, he threw this bundle of endless pain onto the Flame Haze girl.
He of course knew what she thought, in fact, because it was him, he knew better than anyone else. He replied this way to show exactly how he felt. He stared at her with attention, and slowly opened his mouth:
“Shana, can you protect everyone you like?”
“Eh?!”
This sudden question provoked a cry of confusion from Shana.
Yuji began his endless speech as “Sakai Yuji”:
“What if father who is traveling around the world were to be attacked by Crimson Denizens? What if mother were to travel and were also attacked? And in the not so distance future, our classmates who leave the city, all the people we know, can you send Flame Haze after every one of them?”
“That...”
Being able to answer only “no”, she didn't want to say anything because it felt too heartless. If it was a year ago, she would have been able to answer right away. But now, she couldn't even do that.
“This world is too big, it's not something you can protect by yourself... no matter who it is, they can all encounter a Crimson Denizen attack. It's as if their lives belonged to others, and could be taken back at any time. But, even within this city, just in this place that I've spent merely over ten years, there are already so many people that I must protect.”
Yuji's tone burned with a sliver of hatred towards the world. But the joyful expression remained on his face. Two overlapped voices declared an oath from the bottom of their hearts.
“I will change the 'Truth of this World' with my own hands, to eliminate all unreasonable possibilities. This is all for the protection of those who I cherish, all those who I cherish.”
Black flame erupted from his mouth. A black that could stain all, the black flame that belonged solely to the God of Creation.
“Then, our brethren trapped by karma - 'Crimson Denizens'. I will let them maintain something as well. I will create a set of theories, so that they can become actual identities. This is the original meaning of my existence.”
After the God of Creation casually spewed out this pile of ludicrous rhetoric, the God of Atonement expressed an warning in the form of a question.
“You... want to do that again? This, even for you, is probably beyond your capabilities.”
“Exactly for this reason, I, and my subjects have prepared for thousands of years.”
Finished speaking, the God of Creation closed his eyes. When he reopened them, his appearance had returned to that of the young man
“Shana, even you, a tool of hunting, are among them.”
“......”
“Unable to even battle, one day you will be weary beyond your limits, fall, disappear...that's the fate of a Flame Haze. … I will change for you the fate that has been assigned you.”
The young man as “Sakai Yuji”, made this promise. “I, will protect you.”

“!”
Alastor couldn't help but fall silent at the young man in front of him. He had heard the wish from the young man before, and the accompanying rhetoric that ended with laughter. Now, however, that wish bore fruit in a most terrible way.
Yuji injected the raging power in his body into the Blutsaeger, and swung it.
“So, I won't let anyone stand in my way. I hope you can stand by my side, and witness the birth of a new world.”
“...Yuji...”
Shana felt herself waver and struggled to stand, but with the sense of purpose and pride in her heart, she fought to stand firm, and raised Nietono no Shana. Then, as a slayer, thoughts such as “Unrestricted spells that are too simple can be easily evaded”, “The distance is too close for materializing flame”, “And the preparation itself could be a fatal weakness” lingered in her mind.
Yuji knew from the beginning that she would choose this course of action.
That's why, he could swallow the pain in his heart, and battle with her.
Otherwise, he would loose the right to stand with her.
“Shana, I've always dreamed of the day I could fight alongside you.”
On the great sword that was held tightly, crimson ripples boiled.
“Just as you wished - I have become very, very, very strong - so, now --”
Slightly crouched, focused on the sword, he prepared to attack.
“So that I can fight alongside you, so that I can protect you, I will now begin my own battle.”
Shana's blazing eyes flickered. Contained within, there was the happiness from hearing these words, and also the sadness from understanding their meaning. Because right now, she can only continue on the path that she chose, and battle bearing her own fate.
A few seconds seemed like forever.
The moment Yuji crouched in preparation for an attack--
“?!”
In his visoin was neither a strike nor flame.
It was the nodachi, Nietono no Shana,
That was thrown with the speed of a bullet.
He blocked it quickly and leap into the air, but did not see Shana's figure.
“!”
Yuji didn't just rely on feelings, and employed all his attention to observe and think--
What would Shana do under this situation?
He who had been fighting alongside her until now, should be able to predict that instinctively.
If it were the true body of the Snake of the Festival, or another powerful Crimson Lord, I should be able to see a weakness. But now, faced with this young man, Sakai Yuji, the only exception, this kind of advantage isn't of use.
(----above!!)
Holding the raised Nietono no Shana tightly, rapidly descending with crimson wings, she cut downward.
Having blocked it with the Blutsaeger, Yuji flung his dragon tail and hit the roof, using the reaction force to swing the sword.
Up down, down up. Strikes interlaced.
Yuji stood and swung the sword up, and Shana slashed her sword downward--

On the top floor of the department store, over the Crystal Platform, the figures of a pair of anxious young man and a girl could be seen.
They were Yoshida Kazumi and Takana Eita.
Margery's frenzy turned into silence, and Wilhelmina was about to break free.
But, events didn't turn out for the better.
Not only that.
“Ta...Takana-kun. You..you should escape!”
“Yoshida-san, you should too...”
Their catastrophe had already begun to arrive.
The shape that was probably locked in battle with Shana, who should have been that young man, was now flying at them in a straight line. It was too late to do anything. It was all about to end.
Seeing the closing figure, Yoshida subconsciously grabbed at the cross at her chest, and thought...
(Will this be of use?)
(Is there still any point in using this now?)
This Hougu was given to her by Pheles when she assaulted the city.
If she used this now, it would summon the powerful Crimson Lord into this world. Phele's whereabouts and motives remained mysteries, but when it came to the Mystes who was the vessle of the Hougu “Reiji Maigo” that contained her love, she must have been willing to help unconditionally.
However the situation in front of her had two problems.
The first one was, this Hougu had to be activated with the user's Power of Existence. In other words, if she were to use this, she would no longer have the power to stay in this world and die as a result.
Secondly, the “Reiji Maigo” Mystes no longer stood on her side, but instead stood on the side of the Crimson Denizens. If Pheles really came, what would she do?
While she was at a loss of what to do, something suddenly surfaced in her mind.
This wasn't just anyone else. This was Sakai Yuji.
The Yoshida at this moment was still having pleasant dreams.
He will fix everything. Right?
There is no need to summon Pheles. Everything will end just like that.
(Sakai-kun is coming...)
The girl who began to have sweet dreams just because of that fact, received the response she deserved.
Suddenly--
The concrete wall shattered as if exploded.
“uh-Ah?!”
Tanaka was flung aside and fell on the mountain of toys.
“Ahh?!”
Yoshida collapsed on the floor.
“Ah?... I hope you two are not injured?”
The familiar voice of the young man spoke, with the casual tone of encountering them on the streets or school.
Compared to himself, the two found that voice more shocking. They froze.
Then, finally, they recognized the oddity in the figure in front of them.
“Sa...sa...sakai?”
“...!!”
His figure and appearance had not changed, except for the dragon tail behind his head, and the burgandy armor and clothing on him. What was more terrifying was the fact that he was holding the bloodied Flame Haze girl, now unconscious and near death.
“Satou said he was going out. I didn't think anyone was still here.”
His tone remained the same as before, but had an unnerving quality to it. It was unclear how self-conscious the young man was, the eyes looking at the two showed no sign of unease. He didn't look particularly worried at the bloodied girl in his arm either.
The two didn't see the battle with their own eyes. Even though the labels allowed them to know the tragedy that occurred, the voice of Yuji and his casual attitude somehow diluted the reality of it all.
“Before now... where did you go...?”
In the stead of the trembling girl beside him, Tanaka asked this senseless question as if to a friend. And, before the reply came, he asked again, staring at the girl in his arms:
“Sa...Sakai, you saved...saved Shana, Right?”
The familiar face, with a familiar attitude, now appeared in the center of this abnormal event. This alone, and only this allowed a sliver of salvation in his heart.
Perhaps recognizing what his friend was thinking, he said casually:
“I've traveled to a distant place for a while. Don't worry about Shana. I'm taking her back with me.”
But the place they are going back to is not the Sakai residence - this much the both knew very well. They also felt the unknown world expanding unendingly behind the young man. The bottomless black opened its giant maw.
A voice came from the depth of the darkness.
“I came here for this.”
Yuji moved the hand carrying Shana, extending a finger and pointed.
What he pointed at was the city model Margery often stood beside observing.
“This?”
While Tanaka was still expressing shock, the model began to sway. As if to shake away its own binding of toys, the toys suddenly floated up. Each component levitated, surrounded Tanaka and Yoshida, and began to break down.
“Wha..t?!”
“Ah?!”
Amidst the chaos, a white light shone out, and an object leaped and flied toward Yuji's hands. After floating in the air for a moment, it fell on Shana's body, whose eyes remained closed.
It was a circular bronze mirror the size of two palms.
Fallen with the pile of toys, Tanaka knew this was the true form of the Hougu “Crystal Platform”. Seeing the hougu that they had been using up to now, the hougu that the Flame Haze had replied upon being taken, he cried instinctively.
“Sakai! That's--!”
“What's the problem? This was originally mine anyway.”
Yuji replied indifferently. Then turned and walked away as if having completed his tasks.
Toward the figure of the young man who walked out without hesitation, Yoshida called out with a tiny voice:
“Ahh...wait...!”
Yuji didn't turn around, only stopped in midair.
“Sakai-kun...”
She could tell the answer from his attitude, but couldn't help but to confirm it. But what kind of blow would be the answer that was sure to follow? This thought made her fear the truth a little.
“Ah, that...”
Actually, there should have been a lot to say. The letter from Shana had been her hope, that he is still alive. She had been waiting, until now, that she could finally see him. Her heart was bursting with the things she wanted to say.
But, now, the most important of them all was--
“...take, back? You want to take Shana...?”
In the end, that's all she asked.
Are you okay? What's going on? What happened? Why did you do this... compared to these, compared to any other question she thought was important, the one she asked was the most important of them all.
Yuji replied.
“Yes.”
Without turning around, that's all he said.
“!!”
This was enough for Yoshida.
The girl lost all strength, crumpled onto the floor and couldn't even sit. With a remaining shred of hope, she squeezed out:
“...why...that letter...?”
If you chose Shana from the beginning, why write a letter to me?
Her mind set on maintaining a shred of hope, asked the question and wanted an ambiguous answer.
But, the one who stood in front of her now, was such a rigid, distant and unfathomably cold presence.
Yuji looked over his shoulders at her slightly.
“Because I promised.”
The infinitely tender voice was just like himself from before all this.
“Eh?”
“I promised. I wouldn't leave without saying anything. Whatever the result is, I would tell you.”
“......!”
“Things that would hurt, I can't say them. But I can't just disappear without saying anything. So whatever I can tell you, I would say. That's how I thought, and so I wrote those letters.”
It was honesty that he displayed. There was no mistake.
But to Yoshida, this honesty brought only bottomless despair.
This time, Yoshida hang her head low and sit on the ground.
Destroyed and unrepairable toys lay in a pile around her.
Having chosen the road she thought was right - this happened again.
“Sakai-kun...sakai...kun...”
Sitting on the ground, she called his name as if pleading, but he didn't give her the answer she wanted.
In response to her was only a polite voice, completely different from what she wanted.
“If you can go back, you should go back. Everything hasn't changed yet... but compared to here, going back will be better.”
Lament. Anger, regret, joy, cheer, grandiose. It was a voice mixed with many emotions.
But, none was what Yoshida looked for.
Even as he disappeared, Yoshida still hadn't found her hope.

With the third season confirmed for fall, this will look SO FUCK WIN if it's all animated properly.