Part 2
Far from the chaos in Arkenfel, Nanami Chiba dashed through the forest on the back of her Fenrir, branches slashing at her skin, pride shattered, and pain ignored. Her breathing was ragged, her eyes locked on the horizon.
She wasn't thinking about redemption, or justice, or the comrades she'd left behind.
There was only one thing on her mind.
Survival.
I have to make it to Varka… I need to tell them what happened here. I'm not dying with the rest. Kazuki… he'll know what to do about that dragon… He'll protect me.
But she wasn't alone.
Gliding among the shadows of the trees was a figure, drifting with wicked grace. Selka, stalking her like a predator.
"My, what a charming young lady…"
"How I'd love to ruin that arrogant little face of yours," she purred sweetly.
"After everything you put Yamato through…"
She brought a finger to her chin, lost in thought, restraining the urge.
"As much as I'd like to hurt you, I mustn't let my emotions interfere… I have to do what's best for him."
Yamato's voice echoed in her mind. His final command before sending her out:
"Their fate is in your hands. I trust your judgment."
"Decisions, decisions…" she whispered with a smirk, snapping her fingers.
A faint purple glimmer marked both Nanami and her creature—though neither noticed.
"We'll meet again soon…"
She stopped her flight and allowed the girl to vanish into the distance, galloping aimlessly.
"I'd rather let her reunite with the other heroes… and bring me something useful."
Her feet touched the earth with the elegance of a celestial dancer. Mist coiled around her as if obeying her will.
"After all… her life already belongs to me."
With another snap, a glass of wine materialized in her hand. She lifted it with graceful ease.
As she gazed into the reflection shimmering on the surface of the wine, her thoughts wandered to her counterpart.
"I wonder… how Lina is doing." She took a sip—elegant, poised, unbothered.
Meanwhile, back in the ruined city of Arkenfel, Yui Kamishiro walked through the empty streets, stepping over rubble, a basket of potions and supplies in her arms.
"Is anyone out there!? I have healing potions! Food! Water! Does anyone need help!?"
But the only answer… was silence.
The streets were deserted. As if the entire city had been erased.
No voices.
No screams.
No bodies.
Not even a trace of life.
Then—footsteps broke the stillness.
"There she is! The mech-girl hero!" A soldier in a dirtied uniform, wielding a sword as oversized as his ego.
Yui spun around. She didn't know him. He wasn't an officer… and he didn't look sane.
He approached slowly, wearing a crooked grin and eyes full of twisted intent.
"Heroine, you are under arrest for high treason. Orders from General Balliard…"
She stepped back, trembling.
She wasn't a fighter.
Her powers weren't built for combat.
Her body, her voice, her soul… were unguarded.
"I-I didn't do anything! I'm just trying to help! Please…!"
But he wasn't listening.
"Though now that I look at you… maybe we could have a little fun first."
His tone was vile. Repulsive.
Yui stumbled backward and collapsed to her knees. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
"No… please, don't hurt me…! Someone… anyone, help…!"
"No one can hear you. No one's coming for you. So stop struggling and…"
The man raised his sword, drooling as he grinned.
And then… A white feather drifted down from the sky.
Then another.
And another.
More and more…
As if the heavens themselves were sending a sign.
The soldier looked up, confused.
"What the hell…?"
A voice echoed above the city—gentle as a prayer, firm as eternal judgment.
"The light of Justice…"
From the sky, surrounded by silvery radiance, a figure descended—her white robes immaculate.
Her hair shimmered like a fallen star.
And her eyes… held the gaze of someone who had forgiven and condemned a thousand times over.
Lina.
Yui looked up through her tears, disbelief frozen on her face.
A savior.
An angel.
"Bit dramatic for an entrance, don't you think?" growled the mercenary, aiming his blade at her.
Lina stared at him as if he wasn't even worth her contempt.
"Justice always comes. Sometimes late… but never absent."
With a wave of her hand, radiant chains burst from glowing magic circles, slithering like sacred serpents around the attacker.
"W-What the hell is this?! What's happening?! Let me go!!"
But it was too late.
Descending from above was a terrifying figure…
A colossal Iron Maiden, solemn and cold, arms wide like a mother… but jaws like divine punishment.
The chains yanked the man toward the open maw of the construct.
"No! Nooo! Why are you doing this?!"
Lina looked down with calm, pitiless grace.
"This is the price of your sins."
The Maiden slammed shut with a thunderous clang.
A rain of blood exploded outward.
And then… silence, as the device slowly vanished from the world.
Still kneeling on the ground, Yui could barely breathe after witnessing it.
Lina stepped forward, calm and serene. She extended a hand and smiled.
"You're safe now. There's nothing to fear."
And for the first time since she'd been summoned to this world… Yui felt like she had truly met her savior.
She bowed her head low, trembling hands pressed together.
"Thank you… thank you for saving me…"
"Don't thank me," Lina replied softly. "I am merely a follower of Celestia."
She turned her gaze briefly toward the fading remnants of the Iron Maiden.
"That man got what he deserved."
"The Maiden judged him guilty… and she never makes mistakes."
Yui carefully took her hand and stood up.
"Even so… I'm truly grateful. Someone like me… I'm too weak. I couldn't have done anything."
Lina gave her a gentle smile—one that held no judgment.
"I see… you're just like they described."
Yui's brow furrowed, puzzled.
"Wait… who told you about me?"
Lina began to slowly circle her, as if analyzing every part of her soul.
"Tell me, Yui… does the name Rei Kanzaki mean anything to you?"
The air stood still.
Yui's eyes widened. Her breathing grew shallow.
That name…
The name she had buried deep inside for so long.
"How… how do you know that name?"
"Let's just say… I know him very well."
Yui took a step closer, her voice trembling.
"Is he alive? Did you save him too?"
Lina let out a soft laugh. Not cruel but tinged with melancholy.
"He's trying… but his wounds run deep. And not all of them are physical."
Yui lowered her gaze, fists trembling.
"I… I was never able to do anything for him. Not even back in high school. I just… looked the other way. I was afraid the same thing would happen to me…"
Tears welled in her eyes again.
"And yet… he was always kind to me…"
Lina gently placed a warm hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to carry the past alone. I don't believe he holds a grudge against you."
Then, she met her eyes with piercing sincerity.
"But tell me, Yui… would you like to help him now? Even if it means going against everyone who hurt him?" She extended her hand.
Yui stared for a moment, uncertain—unsure of what she should do.
But then, with a resolve she'd never had before… she took it.
"Yes… I want to help you. I don't care what anyone else thinks."
Lina nodded, a smile of pure approval lighting up her face.
"Good answer. Join our cause. Help me save Rei. We… will protect you."
"We…?"
"You'll see soon enough. There's nothing you need to worry about," Lina said, tapping her earpiece with a subtle gesture.
"Sera, can you open a portal for us?"
"Oki doki, Lina-chuan~! Portal's ready. Selka's already back at base, and Phase 3 is underway!"
"Thanks, Sera."
Lina smiled as the connection cut off.
"Well then, Yui… it's time to go."
"Will I see Kanzaki?"
"Of course. He's handling other matters at the moment… but I'll explain everything in detail."
The two of them stepped through the portal.
Yui didn't know why… but she wasn't afraid.
Only determined.
Because for the first time, she felt like she could find her purpose.
A purpose that maybe… only the Void could give her.
A true purpose.