*Eiko*

I stared back at my oldest son as he cried in the darkness of the burned-out forest. What had brought him into that state? Had the loss of his father made him as much of an emotional wreck as me?

What should I do? Give him space or attend to Eita's injuries. I closed my eyes. Perhaps, Eita would know what to do.

I laughed. Setsuko was right, we Seven Hills really did suck as parents.

My eyes widened as I got to the clearing. Azami and Osamu were with Eita. In the elder twin's arms was an unconscious Conrad.

My son held his stomach as he Osamu healed his wounds.

"Mom," Eita said, smiling. He winced as soon as he moved.

"Told you to stay still," His Majesty said, sighing.

"S-sorry."

"Here, allow me," I said, getting closer.

Eita's eyes widened as I knelt next to him. "Mom!"

"Don't talk," I said as a golden aura emerged from my hands. Electricity flowed out of my hands and moved across his abdomen.

"Eiko," Azami said.

I smiled slightly at the prince. "Long time no see."

He furrowed his brow at me as he cradled his youngest son. "Are you alright? You look as if you haven't slept in days."

I hadn't really had the opportunity to do so. Even while in Munil, I didn't sleep well. My concerns wouldn't let me rest. Turned out they weren't unfounded, given what befell my husband.

"I could use some rest, but now isn't the time to do so. Everyone's doing their best to protect that which matters to them. I must do the same, even though I've lost one of those things."

Osamu looked at me, only to quickly turn away. "Eiko, I'm sorry. If I'd been stronger then Eiji wouldn't have-"

"Enough," I said. "Miyu and I told you not to blame yourself." That said, she also had to tell me the same thing back at the Xianian palace.

"So, it's true what Setsuko said. Eiji really is gone," Azami said, looking at his sleeping son.

"Yeah, Dad's gone," Eita said, closing his eyes.

"That's odd, I no longer sense Ifrit," a voice called from deeper in the forest.

Azami gasped at the sight of the black haired man approaching us. Accompanying the man was Suzuki.

"Alabaster, is that you?" Azami asked, stepping forward. "Were you also revived like Conrad?"

Alabaster gasped and stared at the boy. "Conrad? Is that him?"

Azami nodded. "Yes. This is my second born."

"I see." He shook his head. "That doesn't matter right now. I felt Ifrit in this direction; where is he?"

"Ifrit is the boy," I said.

Alabaster gasped and stared at the kid. "He became a cute kid? How?"

"Conrad and Ifrit are two parts of the same soul. Hanketsu in ancient times split himself, creating the Archdemon of Wrath."

"So that legend was true?"

"It appears so," Azami said, hugging his son. "Even though he might harbor Ifrit, this kid still managed to continue forgiving."

Osamu sighed. "If anyone is too good to live in this sinful world, it's him."

Alabaster got closer and poked the boy's cheek. "Incredible." He smiled. "He kinda looks like a rabbit."

Conrad moved and bit his finger, causing Alabaster to yank his hand away.

"What was that? Is Ifrit still in control?"

The sound of grumbling came from the boy. "Carrots..." he mumbled.

"My finger is not a carrot!" Alabaster snapped.

Suzuki snickered. "You're truly Reno and Emon's uncle."

Her uncle blinked. "I'm yours too, you know!"

Azami laughed. "Let's not argue now. This bunny needs some rest and food."

Alabaster blushed. "Oh, right. Sorry about that."

Osamu gasped as several trees collapsed up the mountainside. A black mist headed our way.

"Get away from here!" His Majesty yelled as he ran in front of us. He kicked the ground, raising a giant wall of earth.

"Is Tabiki back?" Eita asked, sitting up as I finished healing him.

I helped him stand and watched as the stones dissolved into goo.

"It's acidic," Alabaster said as he stepped back.

I picked up Eita into my arms and ran in the direction I had come from. Looking over my back, I watched as Osamu raised more stone walls as he retreated.

"Your Majesty, don't stay too far back," I said.

"Don't worry. I can handle this," Osamu said as wind began to gather around his fingertips.

"Wind?" Suzuki asked, eyes wide.

Azami stared at Conrad. "This is the doing of that demon, isn't it? The one who tried to stop us back in the tower."

"It appears so," Osamu said as the gap between us grew wider.

Alabaster stopped and sent a fierce gust of wind, knocking down the burned out trees. Smoke was advancing toward us from that side as well.

"Eiichi went in that direction," I said, stepping forward.

"I'm sure that guy's fine," Suzuki said as she eyed our left and right flank. No smoke was coming from either side.

"You don't understand, he was badly injured."

"Brother," Eita said, biting his lip.

"He can heal, no?" Suzuki asked.

"Yes, but he seemed to be feeling down," I said, sighing. Whatever was bothering him could have made him lose track of his surroundings.

Alabaster leaped up and flew ahead. "I sense two people in that direction. One of them has to be your son."

I smiled. Hoped he was right.

"Don't worry. I'll go get him for you." He flew ahead and slashed the smoke with blades of wind.

Suddenly, red sparks lit up the sky.

"That electricity, it's my brother's," Eita said.

A giant fireball rose from our left.

"Seems that side is closed too," Suzuki said, eying the fireball. She raised her hands into the air and halted it in place. The flames danced around in a circle until the sphere turned into a spiral.

The girl grunted as a second fireball struck the spiral. She let out a scream, causing the flames to disperse in various directions.

One landed not too far from us and melted the ground into lava.

His Majesty gasped. "We're being surrounded. The only way to escape is by air!"

"Eiichi's wing broke," Eita said, watching the sparks and flames lit up the sky.

"How can he fight in the air in that condition? Magic?" Suzuki asked as she spread her crimson wings.

"No, it doesn't appear like he is. Based on the electricity arcs, he has to be propelling himself to stay afloat," I said, watching the blood-red sparks.

"I'm going to go help him," Eita said, jumping out of my arms. "He might've done a lot of awful things, but he is still my brother. Plus, I think he regrets what he did."

"No, you're hurt! I'll go instead," I said, staring him down.

Eita sighed. "Alright, but be careful. I-I don't want to lose you too."

I hugged him. "Nor do I you, that's why I must fight. I'll grab your brother and take care of whoever is attacking us."

Osamu narrowed his eyes as he continued to create more stone barriers. "What I don't understand is how the smoke can be coming from two directions. That woman appears to be coming from the west, where Alabaster ran to. While the one launching the fireballs is coming from the south. No one is approaching from the east where the other acidic fog cloud is coming from."

Suzuki jumped back and watched the sky. "I think I have an idea, she could be using a decoy of some kind. A sort of fog machine to give you an idea."

His Highness closed his eyes. "A fog machine? I sense nothing on the ground." His eyes opened. Stepped forward, he waited for his stone wall to finish melted before unleashing the wind he had gathered. The gale blew through the forest, knocking down all of the dead trees. The smoke faded a floating black pipe shattered.

"It's that lady's smoke pipe!" Azami said.

"So, it was a decoy," I said, eyeing the sky. Spreading my golden falcon-like wings, I jumped and flew toward the source of the crimson sparks.

Eiichi gritted his teeth as he blocked a black draconic tail. A blond man smiled as Eii started to lose altitude.

I threw a knife at the man, impaling his purple armor. He let out a piercing scream as electricity covered his body.

"Mom," Eiichi said, glancing at me. I flew straight at him and caught him.

"Seriously, I don't know what's wrong with you boys. Do you wish to follow in the path of your father?"

He eyed the smoke. "Eita! Is he alright?"

"Yeah, Suzuki and Osamu are pushing back against our attackers. Alabaster also went to fight the source of that smoke. Azami, well, he's too focused on his son."

"Damn you!" the blond yelled as he yanked the knife out of his skin.

I narrowed my eyes at him. This one was injured from other fights by the looks of it. His armor showed signs of being hit by a weapon like Alma. What was he thinking, continuing to fight in the state he was.

Holding out a hand, I levitated my kunai out of his grip. "Die, demon! Heavenly, Light!"

My eyes widened as a scaly blue tail wrapped around the young man. My attack didn't even make a single dent on the tail. I traced the tail to its source, a blue-haired woman in a qipao. Her facial features and serpent-like eyes reminded me of the Snake Pillar, Collin.

"I've already lost two sons, I'm not thinking of losing another," the woman said, glaring at me.

"Mom, let me fight," the blond man said from within her tail.

The woman sighed. "No. You're going back to Cianio with me. Vapula can take care of plucking the feathers out of these doves."

I gripped my kunai. This woman, she gave off the same vibe as Daisaru. If I were to attack while she's distracted, I probably wouldn't be able to do much. Why was I so weak? Takeshi had his abysmal powers and who know how many transformations. Miyu and Osamu had zen mode. And while having a sickly body, Anis had tricks of her own. What did I have? Only Second and Third Heaven, but that wasn't enough against these monsters.

The woman snickered. "You seem nervous. Relax, I won't dirty myself with the blood of you doves. Only ones I'm after are Reginald's descendants. I must nip them in the bud before they grow too powerful."

"You're after Tetsuya and Serrano?" Eiichi asked, leering at her.

She smirked. "Yes. That said, there is another reason I'm choosing to spare you."

"It's because of Anestarte, isn't it?"

The woman clapped her hands and grinned. "Wow, you're smart!" she said in a mocking tone.

Eiichi gritted his teeth. "I've already told her that I'm done being her puppet!"

She brought a hand to her lips and chuckled. "A puppet can't cut his strings without ceasing to live. That's true for you, and the other puppets among you."

"Puppets among us?" Eiichi asked, eyes wide.

The woman laughed once more. "Yes, such as your king. He might think he's free from Mammon's control, but he's merely dormant. Likewise, the girl you helped doom will be back under her control."

Eiichi began to shake in my arms. "P-Piedad is also alive?"

Mammon showed off a toothy smile. "What, horrified? No matter how much you repent from your sins, you'll always live with them! So, there's no point in seeking redemption when you're doomed to suffer for all eternity now."

Gritting my teeth, I flew down. That woman's attitude and words getting in my nerves. If I didn't get away, I would snap and hurt Eiichi further in the process.

"Don't listen to her, Eii," I whispered. "You're not doomed."

He held me tightly like he did when he was a child. "I'm not?" he asked in a stoic tone.

I pressed his head against my chest plate. "Of course you're not. You're still alive, right? As long as you are, you can continue to make things better."

"Bye! If you survive Vapula, then maybe I will give you a chance to fight me," the woman yelled in a sing-song voice. I glanced up and watched as a crimson gate opened behind the woman and swallowed her and her son.

"A demon with the powers of an abysmal, great," I said, looking back at the ground.

"Gah!" I heard Alabaster yell. He was kicked into Osamu who grabbed him by the shoulders to stop his momentum.

"Alabaster! Your Majesty!" I yelled.

"I'm alright," Osamu said, gritting his teeth.

"Damn it!" Suzuki said as one of the fireballs got past her. Azami jumped back as the spherical conflagration flew toward him.

Alabaster and Osamu raised their hands, blowing the fireball off course and into the air where it exploded. The ground shook and embers rained down on the dead forest. More smoke advanced toward others as a woman in a black body-fitting dress calmly approached them.

"Suzuki!" Eita yelled as he tackled her to the ground. A black-haired young man struck where she had stood with his claws.

"Die!" the young man yelled.

"No you don't!" I yelled, causing lightning to strike him. 

Alabaster ran at him and slammed his hands against the young man's chest, sending him tumbling across the forest.

Osamu eyed the woman and transformed Shiva into its sword form. "Two down, one left to go."

I eyed Eiichi who gripped Carlos. He looked as if he still wanted to fight. I would've preferred he rested, but at least he wasn't looking as down as he was earlier.

"Don't. We have to focus on getting Eita and Conrad someplace safe," I said.

"Keeping... Conrad safe?" he asked as if the idea were a foreign one.

"Yes. I'm not exactly sure what you did to Piedad and him, but you can make it up to them by protecting them."

Eiichi pushed himself out of my arms and flew down.

"Eiichi!"

He landed on his feet next to Azami, Conrad, Suzuki, and his brother. "Fulgur Scutum!" he chanted. A crackling electric barrier manifested around the five of them.

I smiled. Seems my words didn't fall on deaf ears this time.

The energy emanating from Eiichi's shield pushed the smoke away.

Vapula clicked her tongue and summoned a black scepter. "That's a magic spell, so how is it imbued with light mana?"

Taking advantage of the opening, I threw a light-covered kunai at Vapula. The demoness jumped back and cupped her hands together. Thick smoke poured out of her palms, disintegrating everything around her, including the ground. Though, a faint light could be seen radiating out of the acidic fog.

My kunai flew back up to me as the smoke struck Eiichi's barrier.

"Eiichi! Eita!" I screamed.

Beams of light tore through the fog. My oldest leaped forward and thrust his jousting lance forward, pushing back all of the miasma.

Eiichi huffed as he wobbled. He must've taken too much damage from that dragon demon's son.

"Eiichi!" I yelled, warping next to him. I warped my knives at the demoness and stabbed her.

"Space mana?" she yelled, stumbling back.

I grinned. "Had forgotten that you're not an abysmal up until now. Prepare to face the true power of Eiko Kuroichi!" Holding a hand out, I distorted the space around her. "Begone, demon!"

Vapula clenched her teeth as she dropped to her knees. The ground beneath her contracted at the force of gravity being extruded upon her surroundings.

"D-damn it!" Vapula yelled. A dark aura covered her arms, legs and feet as two pairs of bat-like wings appeared from her back.

"Second Hell," Azami said as he hugged his son.

Vapula smirked at him. "I'm not going back empty handed!"

A golden aura covered me. "You're not the only one who can power up!" I clenched my hand, increasing the pressure of gravity on her body.

His Majesty, who had been gathering energy into his fist, stepped forward. "Hold her down a bit more, Eiko," he said as the mana density on his hand continued to increase.

"O-of course," I said with a slight smile.

The demoness let out a primordial roar as her mist melted the around around her. "I won't die! I won't be defeated by a bunch of hurt doves!"

"Put a sock in it!" My kunai dropped down on her wings, pinning her to the ground.

"Way to go, Mom!" Eita yelled, jumping up and down. Why couldn't he stay still and rest?

"Curse you!" Vapula yelled. Her scream pushed me back.

"So this is the famous demonic wail," Azami said as he turned his back to Vapula. "But she's mistaken if she thinks I'll let her have Conrad!"

"We need to get him out of here," Alabaster said.

"Yes, we do," a female voice called out.

Osamu and I gasped as a black-haired woman with purple eyes approached us. She had an uncanny resemblance to Anis, except she was curvier than our fellow knight.

"Aventine," Alabaster said, walking toward her.

"How can you be here?" Osamu asked, glaring at her. "Serrano should be resting right now."

Aventine sighed. "Even in his sleep, he continues to do his best to retrieve his brother. He sent me here with what little mana he could gather in his sleep."

"He can do that?" Suzuki asked, befuddled.

Eiichi smirked. "Those cousins are full of tricks, aren't they?"

Eita nodded.

Azami smiled. "My boy sure is amazing."

Aventine stared at him. "Doubt he would like being referred to that by you."

He lowered his head. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"Well, that's why I'm here. To make sure you can be together again."

"Well, you came rather late. We have this handled," Osamu said as he raised his fist.

Vapula's wails intensified, pushing us back.

"Make her stop!" Eita yelled, covering his ears.

"You're all dead!" Vapula yelled. Black tendrils reminiscent of ropes emerged from the ground.

I snapped my fingers, teleporting Azami, Conrad, Eiichi, Suzuki, and Eita away.

"Suzuki!" Alabaster yelled as his razor wind slashed the black rope-like appendages.

Aventine held her hand out and blasted the regrowing tendrils away, leaving behind a giant crater.

"Don't worry. I sent your niece and the others back to the village. She will be needed in case there's trouble there too."

Vapula stopped wailing and fell into a portal as the ground opened underneath her.

"She teleported? But why now and not earlier?" I asked.

"My guess is she didn't have as much energy left. Or maybe one of her allies recalled her. That woman's objective required her to get Conrad and take him back to Cianio. With him now gone, she's lost the ability to do so without having to move a great distance," Aventine said, sighing.

"Wait, there's still one more demon. The one we sent flying earlier," Alabaster said.

"He's bound to retreat too. Either way, I'll be going now. Don't wish for Serra to waste more of his dwindling mana reserves," Aventine said before vanishing herself.

Osamu sighed as he dispersed the energy. "At least we got both Piedad and Conrad out of this fight. You should've teleported him away a long time ago, Eiko."

I dropped to my knees. Vapula wasn't the only one running low on energy.

"You okay?" Alabaster asked, kneeling.

I patted his hand. "Y-yeah. I should be, after a nap."

He held me in his arms and moved my hair away from my face. "Sleep well, Eiko."

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed the chapter ^^. Thoughts? Theories? Predictions?**