The clash was just seconds away.

At least, that's what Durandal thought.

However, in an maneuver than occured at the last second, Alex had ceased the flames on his sword as he tossed it up into the air well past both of them as he slid right past, right between Durandal's legs as the kid ran ahead and caught the sword.

"Thanks for the battle Ms. Durandal but I gotta keep going!" Shouted Alex as he ran off in the direction that Fu Hua went.

Durandal and Rita both looked at Alex run off into the distance as the maid looked at her comrade.

"Be honest with me. That stunt the boy pulled was something you could've easily stopped. You changed your mind and let him go, right? I hope you realize that if those two end up dead, then they're both on you." Said Rita.

Durandal simply smiled to herself and sighed.

"Even if that's a possibility, I still have faith in those two." Said the blonde.

Alex continued rushing towards where Fu Hua had ran off, hoping that he hadn't wasted too much time.

On his way there, he saw a familiar person he hadn't seen in a long while carrying two unconscious people with her, away from where he was headed.

"Bronya! Hey!" Said Alex, calling out to the girl.

"S-Subject Alex!" Said the android in shock as the two now stood next to one another.

Alex was about to comment on when Bronya had recovered from her coma, but then he saw the two unconscious people to be Mei and Theresa, both who looked seriously battered and beaten.

"M-Mei and Theresa!? Bronya what the hell happened to them!?" Asked the boy.

"The Bronya, Mei, and Principal Theresa all engaged the Herrscher after she had awoken. As Subject Alex can see, it took a toll on all of us. Even worse is that the Herrscher took Mei's Core." Said Bronya.

"W-Wait what? You mean the Herrscher had two cores now!? Shit this is bad." Said Alex.

"Where has Subject Alex been all this time?" Asked Bronya.

"That's, a long story. I'll explain once everything hopefully just blows over. Where's Fu Hua?" Asked the boy.

"The Class Monitor went to battle the Herrscher. She's just up ahead."

Alex thanked Bronya and immediately began to rush on ahead until Bronya suddenly grabbed his arm.

"W-Wait! What does Subject Alex think he's doing!?" She asked.

"Bronya I gotta go help Fu Hua. I can't just leave her on her own against the Herrscher." He said.

"D-Does Subject Alex not realize what he's getting himself into!? Subject Alex is not a Valkyrie and Subject Alex doesn't have a Stigmata! Alex runs a high risk of succumbing to Honkai Poisoning! Just imagine how everyone, especially how Kiana Idiotka would feel if that happened!? Please, Alex has alre done enough for us over the past half year! He doesn't need to do this!" Shouted Bronya, breaking her normal cool and calm persona, as she showed genuine emotion.

"I know that Bronya. I know very well that this could cost me my life, however we all are doing all we can to save Kiana. You three have already done your part, Fu Hua is doing hers, and now it's my turn to do mine. Even if it means that I'll die, I'll at least know that I went out trying my damndest to save a friend." Responded Alex.

Upon hearing that, Bronya had let a tear fall from her face before gently putting down Mei and Theresa as she hugged Alex tightly.

The boy was a little surprised by this but quickly hugged her back.

"Please promise The Bronya, that Alex and Class Monitor Fu Hua will stay safe." Said Bronya.

"I'm not really good at keeping promises, however, I'll definitely do my absolute best and keeping myself and Fu Hua safe." He said.

Bronya was satisfied with that answer as she broke the hug and picked up Mei and Theresa.

She bid Alex one last farewell before continuing to leave the scene of battle, as Alex turned back around in the direction he was headed towards, as he sighed.

'This is it. No turning back anymore. We're in the endgame now.' He thought to himself.

Alex then continued his route to where Fu Hua and the Herrscher currently was.

The sounds of clashing, grunting, and shouts began to be heard and would only get louder and closer as Alex began to arrive at his destination.

Eventually once he was close enough, two figures began to be noticable in the distance.

One was Fu Hua, somehow levitating in the air, though judging from her posture and how her arms were trying to reach her neck, it was clear that some unseen force had grabbed and lifted her up from there.

The other was the Herrscher, or at least that's what Alex assumed, as she also levitated just slightly above Fu Hua, an arm pointed at the girl and raided above her head.

'T-The Herrscher's choking her out!'

Alex began to pick up his pace, as he drew out his sword and immediately coated it in flames again, now running with a full head of steam towards the Herrscher.

Then, using all the momentum he could, Alex jumped as high into the air as he could.

"Hey! Let her go!" Shouted Alex.

"A-Alex?" Said Fu Hua, who clearly needed air to breathe.

The Herrscher noticed this as she let go off and dropped Fu Hua, as she had one arm block her, causing one of the three spikes behind her to move in front, blocking Alex's attack.

In this moment, Alex looked into the Herrscher's eyes and saw those yellow, cross hair shaped eyes.

The same ones he had saw on Kiana back at St. Freya.

Alex immediately backed off and broke the exchange, as he now saw the Herrscher in all of her glory

It took a moment to fully digest and set in on what Alex was seeing.

'T-That's Kiana. That's, her Herrscher form?' Thought the kid in shock.

"A-Alex why're you here!?" Asked Fu Hua, coughing a bit as she still recovered some air.

"I'm here to help obviously!" He said back at her.

The Herrscher merely signed as Alex quickly turned his attention back to it.

"You humans are truly like maggots. Slay one and then the calvary keeps coming. You know, its rude to disturb another person's business little boy." Said the Herrscher, the voice clearly being Kiana but in an odd tone.

"W-Who the hell are you? What've you done with Kiana?" Calmly asked the boy.

"I see. You have the nerve to not address me properly and instead call out to my vessel. I am the 2nd Herrscher, also known as the Herrscher of the Void. Don't bother trying to reawaken my vessel. No matter what you do, this body now belongs to me." Said Void.

"We won't know that, unless I try." Boldly said Alex, gripping his sword tightly as Void merely sighed.

"So you intend to fight. Just when I thought the maggots would stop coming. Very well then. You've made your choice." Said the Herrscher.

Just then, with a snap of her fingers, numerous portals began to appear behind her

Alex was shocked at this display, as Void merely stared down at him, with a cold look in her eyes.

"May these grounds be stained with your blood."

Chapter 38: Complete