I stood upon the rooftop of the Main Department with my immediate family: Luciel, Fleur, Effie, Rozalin, Flynn, and Scarlet, the seven of us looking upon Floria's Rebirth Bud with varying reactions. Rozalin covered her mouth in horror, taking a step back as she felt the pulsing Rebirth Energy within.
"A-Appa!!" Rozalin screamed, looking over at me with a horrified expression, marching toward me and gripping my gray longcoat, the fury of a daughter flashing in her eyes. "You're telling us Floria's dying?!"
I looked into the eyes of Rozalin then turned my gaze toward the first light, sliding my hands into my pockets and remaining silent with a soft exhale. Rozalin screamed for me to answer, tugging upon my coat and throwing an emotional tantrum.
Luciel closed her eyes and looked down, holding Scarlet tightly in her arms while Flynn placed a comforting hand upon her back. Fleur and Effie glanced at the Rebirth Rose, watching as the first petals began to Bloosom from the bud, releasing even more Rebirth Energy.
"Answer me, Papa!" Rozalin screamed, falling to her knees and wept softly for her botanical aunt. "You said...she would live that we would help her Rebirth! Why...why is this happening..?"
I lowered my head and closed my eyes, my heart aching for Floria but also for the grief Rozalin felt within. "It's a cycle. Floria will live on...but through Legacy. Floria is giving birth to her Successor and because of that, because of the curse Luca caused their ancestors...they will die giving birth.."
"What..?" Rozalin asked with confusion and denial in her tone, looking up at me then stood up quickly on her feet. "Floria's having a baby?! Who...who is the father?"
I looked up at the sky, pointing in the air then pointed back down at me. "I am. The energy I supply with every step, every action, every battle, every sacrifice, every choice I make and will make...goes to Floria while I'm in the Zone. I collected enough energy to plant the seed and now the Flower can bloom.."
Rozalin's head spun around toward Luciel with revelation, as if looking to her mother for confirmation. Luciel nodded with confirmation, as if to tell her that it is written within The Chronicles that New Dark Lords would rise with the New Messiah, the True Messiah.
"To others, it may look as if I had committed adultery against Luciel...however it is not like that. Dark Lords are also partially Monsters which explains their abilities, so it was like a Tamer grooming his Beast to evolve," I explained in terms Rozalin could understand, crouching down below her level and took her hands in mine.
"I will have to do this to all the other Dark Lords... including to your mother, Lilith. All of them are dying...and the only way to save them is through me planting the seed for them to Rebirth. Rozalin, death is not the ending. It is only the true start of our story," I finished, looking up at her with a warm smile.
Rozalin stared down at me, gently squeezing my hand and sniffled softly, her heart broken at the fact that her mother and aunts were all dying. She watched as I reached up to her, using my thumbs to wipe her tears with care.
"Don't worry, Pure Dark Lords have rapid growth so you'll be able to speak with them shortly. Ask them all the things you want, they are still your mother and aunt...just in spirit," I assured with a warm smile, watching Rozalin crack a small smile then chuckled softly.
--------------------
Claudio groaned softly as he sat down in one of the seats of the professor lounge, crossing one leg over the other and took a sip of his iced coffee. "Surprised he hasn't taken down the Libra Department...what could he be planning?"
"The Sagittarius Department still stands as well, both special facilities destroyed though. It's almost as if he somehow knew of my plan. None of you leaked the plan did you?" Leonidas asked, turning to look over at Reid and Shion.
"No sir!" Reid answered quickly, clearing his throat and inhaling sharply. He glanced around the room, noticing a few people were missing from the ground. "Hey, where's Delilah and Reinhart? You don't think they ran off as well right?"
"Even if they did...I have a few allies coming. Nox revealed some important information last night. Floria...is having a child. She is due today, the future Dark Lord of Nature," Claudio revealed, taking his phone out of his pocket and checking his notifications.
Leonidas turned to look at Claudio with slight surprise, a piece of information that could be used to their advantage. "She's giving birth..? That means she's dying...this could be our best moment to strike, while she's in labor."
Claudio took a sip of his coffee, reading The Chronicles upon his phone and hummed softly as a passage caught his eye. "No, it's actually the worst moment to strike. In the Book of Dark Lords it says, while Dark Lords are giving birth they release immense amounts of Corrupt Rebirth Energy to ward off all who aren't protected by them."
"In other words, the Main Department is a stalling tactic until the child is born and Nox knows that. However, it's strange...why would he tell me that knowing I would run to you all..?" Claudio asked, raising a brow and rolled his neck slowly with a soft groan.
Reid, Shion, and Leonidas took a moment to think about Claudio's inquiry as well, as my moves for the end game didn't make sense to them. After days of pure aggression, I suddenly went back to silence, and that move didn't make sense to them.
"Fine. I'll give you until 10 AM to prepare, recruit anyone you want from the brave who remain here. It shall be my Council, Monsters, and the future Dark Lord of Nature... against what's left of this dying lie,"
I'll give you until 10 AM to prepare...
10 AM...
My words rang in Claudio's ears, his cup of coffee slipping out of his hands as a revelation hit him heavy. He quickly checked his watch, grunting softly as he realized it was a quarter till 9 AM. "Oh shit...we're running out of time. Nox isn't attacking at 10 AM. Floria will Blossom at 10 AM!"
"What?!" Leonidas exclaimed, his head whipping over to the clock on the wall to check the time. "When are you allies arriving? Tell them to pick up the pace! Floria's Rebirth Energy will surround the entire campus!"
Panicking will get you nowhere..~
Ahh, the Prince really has you on your toes now, huh?~
The four men each heard the sweet tone of a royal queen's voice echoing within the room, intense aura of grief drowning the air around them and hardening each of their hearts with lament. Dark energy gathered at the center, materializing into a beautiful woman with an elegant black dress, long and wavy blonde hair, and an ornate headdress.
"Sorry for being late, but I had to watch from the sidelines and I must say, Nox has grown to become quite powerful. Fitting for the true heir of Exzodia's Crown," The woman said, crossing her arms and turned her attention to Leonidas.
"After all, his story closely follows Yesha Eyica's...a man without an earthly father, stained by the world because of a flaw...doubt. And it's the same doubt that keeps His name alive here, you all are losing... because he's making you see the One Truth instead of the truth I told you to give him," The woman finished, remaining eye contact with Leonidas.
Leonidas grunted softly and lowered his gaze before the woman, his hands remaining behind him as he bowed toward her. "My apologies Ms. L'Tenma..."
L'Tenma sighed softly, brushing her hair behind her ear then looked over at the clock on the wall. "There's still time to fix this. Earth doesn't believe that Ascea is still here through August, not yet...we can't allow the students to share what they saw here."
"So what do you suggest? Eden's leading the students into St. Meishi City as we speak, there's no way we're catching them," Claudio said, taking another sip of his iced coffee and glancing back at his phone.
"True, but that means he opened the entrance to the Zone. Reid, Shion, your mission has changed. Go outside the Zone, and kill every student that claims Nox as Ascea. Your mission isn't done until every one of them is found and dead," L'Tenma commanded, turning her sharp, golden gaze toward the two men.
Both men shuddered under her gaze, the two of them bowing to her before taking off with haste. Claudio snickered at their reaction, taking another sip of his coffee before a sharp blade at the end of a black chain pierced his cup, spilling the coffee all over his white clothes.
"You, Mojisola...have gotten a bit sloppy over the months with your missions as well. We only recruited you because of prophecy, but we can always find another Mojisola to take your place," L'Tenma said, her chain vanishing into black energy particles before walking out of the room.
Claudio scoffed at L'Tenma and watched as she walked out of the room, his eyes falling upon her hips as she waltzed away then sucked his teeth. "She's lucky she's an 11/10...geez, her attitude really reminds me of that holier than thou prick..."
Leonidas stared at Claudio for a moment, moving his brow up and down then cleared his throat then leaned back against the table behind him. "You'd better clean up...we have a lot to do in an hour.."
"Yeah, yeah..." Claudio mocked, standing up from the lounge couch and walking off while mumbling to himself and wiping off his clothes.
The sun finally began to rise, the morning finally kissing hello to the near vacant V.J.I Institution. Outside, Peter, Ava, and Andrew helped the students and staff leave the campus in an orderly fashion, preventing any pushing and shoving within the line.
"Well, I guess this really is the end of it. We didn't really get to see much action other than some delinquents and Squad IV," Peter said, glancing over at Ava with a smile.
"Mmm, must be nice having something to do. My Department was the only one destroyed...this is why the Virgo Department had a strict no fight rule," Ava mumbled tiredly, scratching the back of her head with a sigh and continued to watch everyone leave the campus.
Andrew looked up at Ava, giving her a smile and chuckled lightly. "You'll be able to rest soon, big sis. Just like the Word says in the Book of Origin, on the seventh day the good Lord rested. After tomorrow, this will all be over!"
Ava looked over at Andrew and returned his smile with a soft chuckle as well, nudging his head gently. "Big sis? Hey now, I'm not your sister...yet if only someone would actually propose.."
Peter cleared his throat loudly, hitting his chest with his fist gently and glanced over at Ava with a light blush. "I am...it's just...not the right timing yet."
"Right," Ava chuckled and rolled her eyes, playfully nudging Peter.
Moon-li and Eun-Song sat at a courtyard table together, watching the evacuation as well, seeing everyone was able to escape safely. Moon-li glanced over at the Main Department, tapping her hand against her lap.
"It's so crazy...it's like today we're practically getting a free day to rest. God, after all the craziness we've been through we definitely need a break..." Moon-li mumbled softly, lowering her head with a heavy sigh.
"Right...I'm just glad Mi-sung is able to be outside this craziness. Hopefully she finds herself an actual good boyfriend to grow old with, like with a civil servant..." Eun-Song hummed, glancing over at Moon-li with a smile.
"Like an Attorney? Geez, Myong...did you and your mom switch bodies over night? You think Attorneys are hot now?" Moon-li asked, glancing up at Eun-Song with a raised brow.
"Eh? Of course not, who would think that! Hahaha!" Eun-Song laughed, quickly turning away from Moon-li with a blush and her hands tucked between her lap. "...i just like a bit more normalcy than anything..."
Moon-li chuckled softly at Eun-Song and rolled her eyes at Eun-Song, turning her gaze back to the crowd. "At least you've got good taste in men..~"
I stood atop of the Main Department, watching everyone clearing out of the campus, soon leaving V.J.I vacant and free for pure combat. I turned over to Floria, who's bud had nearly fully bloomed and Blossomed into a full Rebirth Rose.
I summoned Madriax in my hand as I walked toward her, standing next to her rose and leaned against the barricade with my eyes at the morning sky. "So, this is it huh. The last time we get to see the Dark Lord sister of Gaia..?"
For my time here...
Yes, it is but...
Clover will take my spot and carry my legacy..~
You'll take good care of her...
I know...
I chuckled softly at her comment then looked down at my watch, seeing it was nearly time for Clover's reveal. I sat down on the rooftop next to Floria, using Madriax to summon The Chronicles in front of me to open it to the Old Covenant, turning toward the Book of Floria.
"Born in the region of the Virgos in Virgin Fields was Ragnarok's Gift to Mother Gaia, a sister to help protect Earth from the evil spirits that dared to defile humanity. Her mother, Blossom, fitted inside a Rebirth Rose gave heavy labor to Floria, releasing Rebirth Pollen to ward off all evildoers," I began, reading to Floria during the last 30 minutes of her labor.
"Around her, surrounding the defenseless widow, evildoers who claim the name Genesis all coming to claim Blossom's child before she could open her eyes. To her right, a destroyed temple, behind her stood a ruined Secret Laboratory...and to her right, a Workshop burning to the ground," I continued, looking around my surroundings as each word I spoke was true.
For a full 45 minutes, Blossom endured and persevered...
Warding off all threats with her eldest, Gaia...
But soon, the Lord revealed His glory amongst the clouds...
'Do not fear, for the wreckage on your right shall Sprout with protection, its fruits bearing my everlasting Glory!'
'Ye, the Tree of Life shall Bloom in your name by my Will! Stand and sanctify your seedling!'
I smiled at the words on the page then looked over at Floria's Rose, a few tears rolling down my cheeks as I could feel my heart breaking for her. "I know what's to come...so why does my heart still break?"
Because...
You're still human, and you truly loved me.
Don't worry, I will still be here...in Spirit.
I watched as Floria used one of her vines to wipe away my tears then let out a soft chuckle as I pushed the vine away. I stood up on my feet with Madriax in my hand, taking a deep breath and exhaling softly. "Are you ready to summon Blossom?"
Once I start my true labor...
There's no going back, so I'm ready.
Are you ready? Heroes from the Holy Resistance will show up...
Will you be able to take them all down?
I walked forward and rested the head of my hammer against my shoulder, closing my eyes as the gentle breeze began hitting against my hair. "If that's what it takes to protect my family, I'll take anyone down...they will arrive at 10 AM, so I'll wait until Yuvah says it's time."
Understood...
Spoken like a true Messiah..~
I chuckled softly at her compliment, looking back at Floria and smiled warmly at her. "Thank you, now may the Earth accept your gift to Gaia..~"
----------------------
Claudio walked down the burning Sagittarius Department, dressed in all black only so L'Tenma couldn't ruin his clothes like earlier. Pushing the large black doors open, he walked into a huge meeting room with a circle table at the center.
L'Tenma sat on top of the round table with Leonidas sitting neck to her, looking down at her sharp black and blue nails and filing them. "Have your little allies arrived yet? I haven't gotten any updates on you and I was worried you had run off..."
Claudio sucked his teeth at L'Tenma and looked her up and down with sass, walking over to a seat then pulled the chair out and sat down, closing his coat. "They're here not here yet...I was thinking of a plan and it's a damn good one."
L'Tenma stayed silent for a moment, continuing to file her nails while Leonidas continued his work upon his laptop. She glanced over at Claudio from over her shades, her attention returning to her nails. "I'm listening..."
"Oh, so the plan is we strike after the future Dark Lord of Nature is born. The idiots back in the day got too hasty and struck as soon as Blossom began giving birth because they felt her energy. How about we wait until after 10 AM...and strike when they least expect it," Claudio explained, snapping his fingers and shooting a pink bubble heart at L'Tenma.
L'Tenma summoned a black thorn at her side to pop the heart then sighed softly, setting down her nail filer and took off her shades. "Hmph, one thing I see useful in you is your unnatural intelligence. Everything else about you sickens me...but we'll go with your plan. I want to test something anyway..."
Claudio's lip twitched with annoyance at L'Tenma's comment, scoffing at her and watched as she left the room then puffed his jacket at her...behind her back...after she left the room and out of sight of the windows. "That mother...geez, who exactly does she think she is?"
"Lady L'Tenma, the Leader of Squad X and one of the highest ranking officials of the Holy Resistance. You were right to not taunt her while she was in the vicinity," Leonidas answered quickly, his eyes never leaving the screen.
"Man, shut up, Uncle. Don't you have some history to be erasing or something, you damn lapdog..." Claudio scoffed, spinning his chair around and got on his phone to create new plans for their attack against me.
"Tch...better than being a puppet," Leonidas said, just loud enough for Claudio to hear.
Claudio's War Energy sparked around him, but he exhaled hard to calm down, not daring to allow Leonidas of all people to get under his skin. He continued doing his work in silence, yet his eye twitched the entire time, his Talent nor Luck not giving him the ability to make a snarky comeback.
"You damn Eyicans and your sass..." Claudio scoffed, rolling his eyes and getting up to walk away, oblivious to Leonidas's sly smirk.
L'Tenma made her way to the ruined Virgo Department, tilting her head as she noticed a Sprout glowing at the center of the wreckage. As she neared it, she stopped walking then turned around to come face to face with me.
The two of us stared at each other for a while, the world slowing down just for us to take in the moment. Everything about her seemed so familiar to me and she stared at me as if she knew me on a much deeper level, yet the nostalgic feeling began to hit me with a wave of grief.
"Who are you, and how did you get here?" I asked, looking L'Tenma up and down with suspicion and keeping my distance.
L'Tenma took a moment to speak, continuing to stare at me as if she had seen a ghost. 'Why do I feel this way looking at him..? Is she remembering at a time like this..?!'
L'Tenma snapped out of her trance and smirked at me, clearing her throat and bowing formally to me. "My apologies, I was just captivated by your energy that I had gotten lost. You have both Iridescent Energy or as known as the Holy Spirit and Rebirth Energy, Ragnarok's Gift. My name is Mary of L'Tenma."
"L'Tenma?" I asked, glancing off into the distance and inhaling sharply with a slight movement of my head. "That's the name of the village my mother was born in. No wonder you seemed so familiar...you must be a close friend."
'For some reason...this body is not allowing me to attack. He doesn't seem to know who this is, so it's good...but why do I not want to attack him..?' L'Tenma asked mentally, her gaze softening the longer she stared at me.
"My apologies, but I am in the middle of Total War so you will have to escape while the entrance is still open. It's my final act of mercy before Judgement is casted. The days here will be shortened after a new Dark Lord is born," I said, giving L'Tenma a smile then bowed toward her.
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to call you Mary since L'Tenma doesn't roll off the tongue well. I'll see you around, Miss Mary," I said, bidding farewell before walking off with a curious hum, feeling as if I still recognized Mary on a deeper level.
'God...he changed my name didn't he..? This damn body is a curse! Merin, I swear I'll kill you for this inconvenience!' Mary screamed mentally, throwing a tiny fit that her test immediately failed in front of her face.
"First, this body falls victim to the cub and now I call out the Most High...Urgh!! How could today get any worse..?" Mary hissed as she stormed off, thinking of new disguises she needed to take.
Claudio snickered in the background behind a tree, lowering his head and covering his mouth with his finger. "How does it feel now..?"
I made it to the ruined Virgo Department and looked at the Sprout at the center then checked my watch, the time growing closer to 10 AM yet there was no movement from Leonidas's side. I sat by the Sprout and kept watch of the area, the time continuing to pass in silence.
Finally, a pillar of floral Rebirth Energy surged to the sky, Floria's Rebirth Rose finally Blossoming and signaling the end of Floria's labor. Behind me, the Tree of Life sprouted to the heavens, its branches spreading out throughout the entire campus, flora and fauna appearing around the area, life energy manifesting around us with calm twinkles of light.
I warped to the Main Department rooftop and hurried over to Floria's Rose, noticing a young child resting within the center of the rose. Clover, the new Dark Lord of Nature, had short golden hair, a rose sigil printed upon her arm, and donned a cute nature green dress. Upon her hair was a rose hairpin, gifted to her by Floria.
I picked Clover up and held her in my arms, smiling down at her and looked over at Floria's Rose, walking toward it and sitting down upon the center of the freshly bloomed bud. "Thank you, Floria...for Clover. I'll be sure to sanctify her, and once I do...Judgement Day is basically over."
Floria's Rebirth Rose fluttered beneath me with gratitude, the large rose using the rest of its energy to gather the Rebirth Pollen from around the campus and equally gifting us the energy. Hair flashed a veridian hue, my butterflies all flashing a divine green hue as well.
〘Day 7 - Begin!〙
〘Event: Protect your Dark Lord!〙
〘Event Description: Nox, you must sanctify Clover at the Tree of Life at all costs. Do whatever it takes to reach the Womb of the Tree and have Clover accept Yuvah's Gift!〙
〘Event Location: Tree of Life - Virgo Department〙
The entire campus was freed from the Corrupt Rebirth Energy, Heroes from sister districts beginning to raid the Dark Lord Zone to strike down Clover. As I predicted the delayed attack from Leonidas, I had each of my allies spread out across the campus, the Total War now truly beginning.
L'Tenma stood on the top of the Libra Department and watched me from the distance with her arms crossed, tilting her head with a light hum. "I wonder why you didn't strike him...you couldn't possibly recognize him after over a decade of being dead.."
She scoffed at herself, styling her new black hair in an elegant style as she made her way back inside to prepare for war. "No matter...this time, I'll be sure to make him lament for you, Mary...or should I just call you, Myra.."