Mask flops onto the floor as it continues to grasp its bleeding throat! Blood seeps through the fingers as it screams in distress!

An exhausted Alice drags herself up using her sword as something to lean on. The adrenaline starts kicking in as Roy charges towards her!

"You bastard! I'll make you pay for that!"

She needs to act quickly! There's no time to have any self-doubt in herself! No time to soak in the pain! No time to think! Just act! Anything to avoid getting crushed by him!

She lifts her sword using the last bit of energy her arm has left as Roy closes the gap! Fuelled by such unstoppable malice, Roy recklessly charges through!

"I'll make you pay!"

Roy spreads his arms! Ready to strike! Alice seizes the opportunity of his blind rage and zooms like a fox!

In the blink of an eye! Alice swings and slides between Roy's legs! The massive beast comes to a halt! Blood erupts from his chest as a giant gash appears covering his entire torso! Alice reappears behind him on her knees and with her sword stained with blood!

The situation is becoming less grim, as the battle is slowly turning towards Alice's favor. Leo even starts questioning why there's uncertainty inside his heart, he's been fighting by their side for years, he knows they can do it. But his sweat is saying otherwise.

Footsteps start coming from the hallway, the person quickly arrives and passes by the now obliterated doors that connect the ballroom to the hallway. It's an exhausted Frank the butler, he worked up a sweat by running, but he's here nonetheless.

"Master Leonardo! I've been in the rain for hours! I thought we were supposed to meet by midnight, it's nearly dawn!" Exclaims Frank.

Leo's eyes shift to Frank.

"Sorry for the hold-up, things didn't go as planned," Leo throws Annabelle into his arms.

"Here, take her and run, it's not safe for you to be here Frank," says Leo as he directs his attention onto the fight and reaches for the sword.

Annabelle flails about! Fighting someone much weaker than Leo, but Frank restrain her after getting a punch to the face!

"Settle down Annabelle! You're only damaging yourself if you keep resisting!"

"Let me go!"

Frank books it out of there while Alice is distracted. Leonardo unsheathes his blade, observing the battle from a distance.

"I must admit, I'm extremely impressed with you Alice. I never thought you would go so far that I have to interfere."

Roy swings his massive arms like a lunatic! His rage makes him an easy opponent to predict as Alice evades, and lands another powerful strike on his chest! His body spasms as blood rockets out of his chest like a water fountain! Luckily his tough skin makes it hard for Alice to land a fatal blow, but if this keeps up, she might not need to deliver one after all.

"The fight with Axel must have pushed you to next heights, we were foolish to ignore the experience you would get in your first battle. If she could get as strong as she was just by training alone, then it was a mistake to let her fight Axel and survive. Mask suffered the consequences and now Roy is blinded by his rage to fight her. I know this isn't a very knight-like thing to do, but I worry more about my comrades than keeping this fight clean."

His grip hardens as his posture leans back, ready to strike. His face becomes stone cold, like that of a true warrior, but moments later a smile escapes from his lips.

"Hmph . . I told myself many times in the past that we were gonna fight eventually. I knew this day would come, I trained you harshly for that very same reason. For this specific day, and yet, now that it's arrived. I'm having difficulty stepping forward."

Despite now being mortal foes, Leonard can't bear to hold any resentment towards her. This sense of warmth wraps around his heart upon seeing her. Witnessing her journey and how far she's come, Leo has had nothing but respect for her. He trained her well, that he did. The irony is real since HE was the one who killed her father in the first place.

But regardless of whatever he's feeling, he completely shuts it down. He suppresses them into his heart. Emotions don't have any place on the battlefield. It's one sword against another, nothing else, nothing more. It's a cruel world, but it's the world he lives in nonetheless. He controls his breath before closing his eyes. His entire body stops, down to the beating of his heart and even his mind, as calm as a gentle flow of water.

His eyes open, as a completely different person. His entire body receives a monstrous boost of energy! The lifting of his feet causes an earthquake as everything gets blown away! His speed shatters the floor beneath him! The chaos makes both Alice and Roy stop, shifting their attention to Leo. With two hands on the handle, Leo lets out a full power downward swing towards Alice!

"May this slash send you to the depths of hell! I, Leonardo! Call upon his lordship to give me the strength to cut my enemies!"

"Ultra slash!"

A blinding light envelopes the room! Followed up with a loud explosion! The shockwaves are so powerful, they erupt into the hallways and catch up to Frank! He falls along with Annabelle, catching her as he falls and fighting off the harsh winds!

The room returns to normal. The heavy rain invades the place as the coldness of the outside consumes the room. Right in front of Leo lies a chasm, huge is an understatement, it's big enough to swallow entire houses and large enough that it completely splits the ballroom entirely in half. It descends freakishly low to the next floor below, covering the room below in piles of rubble.

Boom!

Chunks of stone and brick arise from the abyss! Alice pops out at the very edge of the crack! Catching Leo by surprise!

She managed to survive the attack by charging forward into the danger! Taking only the brunt of the attack as she was struck by the blade closest to the handle, the weakest part of the sword.

She kicks all the surrounding debris towards Leo! He easily slashes away all the bricks with just a sword swing as Alice lands behind him! She throws a jab towards his face, but Leo deflects the attack with his blade. She spins kicks soon after, but Leo ducks and does a horizontal strike! Narrowly avoiding the blow with her neck intact, she makes ground between the two.

"Once again I underestimated the lengths you would go to survive. Even in the face of death, you go against your instincts to run and push forward. That takes some serious guts, the equivalent of charging through a cannon's line of sight as the cannon fires. Granted, that was a rather smart choice, possibly your only choice to survive. But I'll make sure I don't commit the same mistake."

Alice's expression doesn't waver from his words. Her hands tremble slightly, but she remains adamant and determined.

Leonardo is undoubtedly the strongest vanguard out of the three of them, he's the leader for a reason. If Alice could have a choice, she would avoid fighting him all together. No amount of resolution or struggle will get her past Leo, if she fights him, she will surely lose without question. He's a scary opponent to face off, literally fidgeting uncontrollably just by being under his gaze. If only she still had that potion around, Leonardo would have been her second option to use it against.

If the situation couldn't get worse, Roy approaches her from behind. Making Alice keep her guard up from both sides as they slowly close the distance.

"I believe it's time to be taking this fight seriously. We won't be holding back anymore Alice, be prepared to take on the two of us," says Leo as they begin to cycle her.

Alice doesn't budge at each, nor lets them get behind her. This is it, the final struggle. It all comes down to this.

Her . . . . and them.

Just one final push, the last stepping stool until her dream becomes a reality, just out of reach.

.

.

.

SMASH!!! CRACK!!!! SLAM!!

Debris flies everywhere! The floor rumbles! The ceiling collapses as the mighty scream of Axel rivals the storm itself!

Yokubo snaps both of Axel's arms like twigs as he thrashes wildly in his grasp! Yokubo brutally smashes him onto the floor! The ground instantly shatters! Axel writhes in pain as his eyes nearly shoot up into the back of his head! Yokubo launches himself up into the air! He nearly reaches the ceiling before descending back down rapidly! With a loud laugh, he pulverizes Axel with his extreme size and crushes him into the ground!

The ground shakes along with massive cracks forming around Axel! His ribcage breaks into a million pieces! Yokubo leaps into the air once more! And descends with a great slam! Axel's screams echo across the audience room as even more of the floor breaks apart!

Mana: 746/1,921

(All stat boost!)

(All stat boost!)

Yokubo howls sadistically as he jumps and lands on Axel's face! Creating the biggest creator yet as he puts his entire weight onto the tiny object. The reaper's skull instantly fractures, causing his dismembered body to jet out uncontrollably! The warlord grabs Axel by the leg and lifts him. He drags the broken ragdoll and slams it against the ground as hard as he can! He spirals into a burst of endless laughter as he swings Axel all across the room! Into the ground! Onto the stairs! Into the massive pillars! Axel bathes in his bloodbath as he is dragged along the ride!

He grabs Axel by the head! And slams him into the wall! Pulverizing his entire face as the warlord runs and drags his head along the wall!

Any person placed in Axel's shoes would have broken down by now, both in body and soul, practically begging to die. Only to endure more of this torture without end in sight.

He's reliving the same experience he underwent inside that hellish Maiden. Pain after pain, death after death, those old scars rekindle into fresh wounds as Yokubo ruthlessly obliterates Axel over and over again! And there's absolutely nothing he can do to stop the raging bull from creating carnage!

Yokubo grabs Axel by the arms, and knees him in the chest! The impact makes the Earth rumble as a loud bursting clash spreads across the room! The reaper's eyes shrink as he vomits out blood! The warlord relentlessly continues to sink his knee even further! Bones begin to shatter inside Axel's chest as flesh starts to rip apart from his arms! His heart is getting crushed under the weight of Yokubo's knee as he struggles to breathe! Under the immense agony! Something rips, and Axel falls onto the floor. Nearly unconscious by all the oxygen rushing back into his lungs.

Just as he takes the time to recover, he senses an overwhelming amount of pain onto his right side. His eyesight quickly restores to normal, and in doing so witnesses Yokubo having something that belongs to him. His right arm.

Fresh blood squirts from out of his arm as Yokubo smirks and lifts it towards his face. To the disgust of Axel, Yokubo begins to devour the reaper's arm right in front of him, taking sick pleasure to the disturbance of Axel.

It travels down his throat, and into the warlord's stomach, never to be seen again.

The message being sent across causes Axel's body to be on its edge. Even to someone as ruthless as Axel, he is starting to view Yokubo the same way his victims view him. He feels emotions he never believed were possible stirring inside his quaking heart. He is a nightmare, and he can't wake up from it.

.

.

.

Alice swiftly blocks one of Leo's attacks! Roy approaches her from the rear! She avoids him completely by backflipping over him, but just as she lands gets hit by one of Leo's follow-ups! Leo continues the charge by throwing a series of blows! Alice barely manages to deflect each attack! She prepares to fight back, but gets ambushed by Roy! He throws a wide backhand! Slamming it against her stomach and sending her flying across the room!

She collides with the wall! Knocking the wind out of her as her grip loosens, and she drops her sword, tumbling down in great agony.

Despite the odds, she pulls herself together, and staggers back up!

Her eyes immediately shrink, witnessing Leo standing right before her. Jabbing with his sword directly towards her face!

Unable to deflect or dodge, the sword connects!

Slash! Blood bursts everywhere!

Alice's legs quiver, with the cold sensation of blood coming down them.

The blade sinks even deeper, even more, blood begins to squirt!

Alice's left-hand trembles, spasming.

As the sword pierces through it.

It writhes in pain, tensing and curling the fingers as the edge of the sword bite more into it.

To Leo's surprise, she gave up her already injured arm to survive.

Alice swallows her pain and headbutts Leo! Cutting more of her hand as she runs and retrieves her sword.

The two vanguards are already close behind her. Alice gets backed up into a corner, desperately trying to stay on guard as the two split and charge from opposite sides!

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.

.

Axel receives an uppercut from Yokubo! Knocking him off his feet and getting tackled by the warlord! He gets impaled by his tusks and slams against the wall! Just like a bull, Yokubo grinds his tusks into Axel's stomach! Impaling him even deeper and shredding Axel's gut into a complete mess!

Mana: 407/1,921

Yokubo opens his mouth and sinks his razor-sharp teeth into Axel! He starts devouring Axel like a raging beast and quickly makes his way towards the reaper's intestines!

Axel intertwines his hands and slams them against the warlord's head! Causing Yokubo to step back and providing enough room for Axel to deliver a swift kick to his chest! There's finally some distance between the two, giving Axel some time to recover and retain his sanity.

Yokubo snickers, noticing the heavy toll he's placing on Axel, the ecstasy he gets from torturing others is unparalleled, he lives for it.

"You're running low on mana Axel. It's easy to tell. You're healing factor isn't as fast as it used to be, it's getting quite sluggish. I wonder how much more I have to break you before your mana runs out."

True to his word, the giant gash on Axel's stomach has trouble healing the injuries. It's not due to his ability failing him, but rather his body trying to use mana more sparingly, preserving it for as long as possible which is causing his healing factor to slow down. Because if you ever use up all your mana, the consequences will come in the form of punishment.

It bothers Axel that Yokubo can read him like a book, he's got Axel by the corner, and he can't do anything to change the tides of this battle.

Yokubo bum rushes Axel! Not even giving the reaper a sliver of rest.

.

.

.

Both Leo and Roy attack from opposite ends! Alice tries her best to block and defend, but the two easily overwhelm her!

Alice staggers back after receiving a punch to the face, she shakes off the dizziness before they come back. They approach from the left and right.

Leo is the first to strike! Alice ducks under the blade! The swordsman continues his movement, using the back of his leg to strike twice! Alice jumps to avoid! But Roy catches her mid-air!

"Hhaaarrrregggghhhh!!!"

Roy slams her into the cement!! Alice's back shoots into an arch by the pain as the bricks surrounding her get pulverized! Roy goes in for a stomp! She spins and narrowly avoids it! Ceasing her moment to strike, Alice retaliates with a sword swing! Leo deflects the blade and gives Alice a mighty kick to the gut! Just like a bullet, Alice gets slammed into the wall with an incredible speed!

With literal tears forming in her eyes, Alice gets out of the wall as the two vanguards close the distance.

There's absolutely no way she can win. They're just way too powerful and their teamwork is impenetrable. If only she still had that potion lying around, then maybe this fight wouldn't be so one-sided. But that's hypothetical, this is reality. There's no point in dwelling about it for too long, she's got to work with what she's got. She and herself alone, no one is going to save her, she's got to fight this battle alone. That's her reality.

Roy and Leo charge from the left and right! They're not planning to end their restless assault.

Deep down, at the very back of her mind. She wants to give up. To let everything go and embrace death. To run away from her fears, her struggle, her pain, and her misery.

Even the fright of the unknown that is death sounds better than living another day in her life. She's tired, tired of constantly climbing the huge mountain, and when she glances up, she still finds herself at the very bottom of the mountain, without a slightest of process.

It's so easy to give up, all she needs to do is drop her sword, and she throws her life away. She can let go of everything, and run away. Perhaps she might finally be able to see her family in heaven or rot in the depths of hell, anything is better than this.

Both Roy and Leo attack at once!

But when faced with death itself, her own body takes action. No, scratch that, SHE takes action. She lifts the one thing that's allowed her to pass death time and time again. As long as she has her sword by her side, there's a chance. At least, that's what she believes in.

Why does she still cling to what's false hope? Why carry on despite the overwhelming odds.

Alice prepares herself and tightens her grip.

Now is not the time to think, she should put her thoughts aside. She should be present, and at the moment, any delay or hesitation will result in her death. There's no time to think, the only thing that should be in her mind is her next moves, and how she'll defeat them. Regardless of how she feels, she needs to shove down her thoughts and fears and fight while she still can!

She sprints right after them without hesitation! Matching their gaze and focused on the battle.

("I don't know whether I even have a chance at winning. Whether or not this battle even means something in the long run. But I do know something, struggle. Keep struggling like a desperate fish out of water. Crawl my way to victory if I have to. Use everything at your disposal, whatever the means, take it, sacrifice your body if you have to! So long as you get a hit in that makes it worth a damn! Fight till you break every bone and spill the last drop of blood!")

Alice charges in without holding back! The ferocity in her eyes matches her fighting spirit! Without hesitation, Alice closes in on Roy! Roy throws a powerful punch as Leonardo gets into position for Alice's inevitable jump!

Their plan is almost full proof, but Alice is going to take a gamble to catch them by surprise.

"May his grace bless me with divine power," Alice mumbles under her breath.

She holds her breath and braces for impact. Roy's punch finds his mark and lands directly in to Alice's face! The impact almost breaks her jaw and neck as the force travels down her body! She meets death square in the eyes as all of her bones nearly shatter! A loud boom echoed across the room as her feet break the floor! A whole new world of pain surges within Alice, to say she did not tank a direct cannon fire would be an understatement.

Her eyes burst open as she grips her sword even tighter! Catching Roy completely by surprise.

"Divine Blade!"

Alice pours her everything into this one attack! Striking his waist while his defenses are down!

"Nnooo Roy!!"

Leo screams as Alice's sword connects! The very blade bursts through Roy's flesh! Blood erupts and Roy crashes onto the floor by the impact! He's now on death's door. A glimpse of hope radiates in Alice's eyes, finally being able to see the cracks of the clouds from the mountain's peak.

"Annabelle!!" Alice screams for her sister!

On the opposite end of the corridor, two pointy ears perk up. Annabelle wakes up by her sister's voice. Thorns prickle her heart by the desperation in her sister's yell, tears begin to swell in her eyes as she clutches the potion in her hand even tighter and gathers up the energy to lift herself!

"Alice!" Her voice travels back into her sister's ears.

With a quick adrenaline rush, Alice dashes out of the battlefield! Now is her chance to rescue Annabelle!

"Shit!" Leo in the heat of the movement tried to aid Roy but didn't realize Alice would use this opportunity to escape the fight. Now she has the perfect chance to grab Annabelle and escape, even if Leo runs after her, she's far enough that he can't catch her.

Alice seizes the opportunity! It's either now or never!

"Anna!"

She nearly gets out of the ballroom!

"Haaaaaahhhhh!!" From out of the blue, someone tackles Alice!

"Hehe, got chu," says Mask.

"Rrrrrooooooaaaaaaaaarrrrrrr!!" Roy staggers back and charges towards the two!

Alice's heart skips a beat by the incoming raging bull and stabs Mask dead center in hopes of getting free!

The sword comes through the other side! Mask's eyes go pale, but his grip never falters!

"Roy noo!!" Leo screams!

"Haaarrrrggghhhhh!!!"

Roy clashes with both Alice and Mask! Dragging them along the ride as he continues to charge!

"Alice!" Annabelle shrieks in terror!

Roy slams into the wall! Breaking through the castle into the void below! Alice desperately tries to escape their grasp! But she also falls along with them! Into the dark abyss.

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.

.

"Aaaaaaarrrrrggggggghhhhhhh!!"

Crack!

Axel's spine snaps in two by Yokubo's knee! He flops onto the floor with a sick face and breathing heavily, his hands are quaking as sweat drips off his chin. Yokubo lifts Axel by the horn onto his feet, before punching him in the gut! This soon follows with a flurry of punches! Each one is more powerful than the one!

(All stat boost!)

(All stat boost!)

The warlord beats the shit out of the reaper; before leaving him into a bloody pulp. He grabs the corpse by the head and throws it into a pillar.

Slam!

Axel breaks his shoulder and shatters the pillar by the impact! From amidst his agony, he summons multiple shadow hands to attack Yokubo! But the warlord walks through them, like gentle wind gracing his skin.

Mana: 0/1,921

The shadow hands instantly disappear as a humongous burden gets placed on Axel. Fatigue that he's never experienced before since becoming the reaper. The pain on his shoulder doesn't fade away, the blood continues to spill. It appears that Axel's healing factor has just run out.

Yokubo chuckles.

"Hehehe . . . Looks like you're mortal now, that's too bad Axel."

Yokubo smirks, his grin reaching from ear to ear. Before rushing at Axel with full force!"