There were only two Demonears who travelled from the Kabun Clan towards the plains.

The paths were quite even, unlike the east or west the two other brothers had taken. The north spoke of silence, and a few more mountains stretched in the distance to become the orange range, nearing Hakh-Nivena and a massive lake separating the Mainland.

Zhen took the lead, quite noticeably, and Morio stared around, spotting a few stray white rocks adorning their short journey, before everything transformed into a rather spacious plateau.

The Ainan however, kept glancing ahead, as if trying to find something ahead of the thick clouds that covered the views. Dear was characteristic of them, and no wind would've been strong enough to speak otherwise.

Closing his eyes, and taking off his glasses, Zhen turned to Morio, breathing out. The Morian blinked a couple of times, meeting the white pupils of his, and a rather stern expression.

"You know, Morio," he muttered. "One of the first things I've noticed about you and your friends back there was the sheer willingness to dethrone every enemy for your sake. You were convinced that we were the wrongdoers. Even words wouldn't stop you."

"Again." Morio scratched his head, glancing away. "I'm sorry for that, but I think Jyuzou's apologies were big enough."

"Don't be sorry. It's just how I'd like to state my reasoning, I guess." Zhen turned to the landscapes again. "My skin is thick enough so I don't need to wear anything warmer for this weather. Likewise, my scars are proof of survival. You reckon someone without both legs can still climb the top of Mount Aria?"

The Morian quickly turned to the mentioned peak, staring at it for a few seconds, before a smile wavered in. "Course! I'd do it."

"Guess I didn't need to doubt myself." Zhen shook his head, chuckling.

Morio raised a brow, as the Ainan paced around for a few seconds, scratching his beard.

"...and say, I don't want to compare, but the scar on your nose reminds me of a good friend. Thirty-odd years ago or so. Even hurt, we still moved through and completed our quest."

"What adventure might you be talking about?" Morio pointed.

"Something I'd rather keep in the dark. Just a simple observation to make things clearer." he smiled, nodding. "You're selfless, Morio. You threw every little bone to make sure you'd get ahead, even if it meant trying the impossible. I've been there because I'm the same. If you had the experience I had, I doubt anyone would've won that battle."

"I tricked you, didn't I?" Morio grinned. "I'd say we're even."

"There comes a time when you won't be able to pull that off again, especially if neither of us know the extent of Bancho's power." Zhen stretched his hands out. "...and the same applies to life. You can't go jumping in blind all the time. You have to learn to see first before you close your eyes."

"Huh?"

Zhen shook his head. "People shape you too. I'm sure you know a lot, judging by the way the other Morian jumped me as if I saw some chimera."

"Oh, aha." Morio chuckled. "It was the courtesy of Miss Koyote from Galliath."

"I've heard from Quanzi. How would you rate her as your teacher, Morio?"

"H-Honestly?" he glanced around, before forming an even bigger beam. "I didn't understand how weak I was until then. If it wasn't for the... ekhem, volcano..."

Zhen titled his head.

"...and her strange ways." Morio continued, opening his eyes. "I'd probably be down in the gutter instead of fighting those stronger demons. Either way, that doesn't mean I'm still strong enough. You proved it otherwise, and I'm happy to be your disciple!"

"I'm no Koyote, Morio." Zhen fixed his shirt, brushing sweat off his forehead. "But I guess I'll try my best."

It was now two grins that painted the plain terrain. The sky was empty, but the sun still managed to shine on the general area where they stood, and the one sunray that intrusively split the area into two seemed a signal.

Morio took Gloria out of its sheath, while Zhen put both brass knuckles on each fist, shaking his hands around.

"You pushed yourself to the absolute limit back then. The first stage of learning how to keep a steady pace is going even further than that. Do you remember what happened when all of your friends were knocked out?"

Morio blinked a couple of times, moving closer. "Not really."

"Go figure. Not everyone out there is meant to harbour fear attacks, but that's either replaced with stronger attacks, or something else. I can't speak too much, since I can't do it. You can, though."

Morio shook his head. "I don't think I understand."

"The reversal of your elemental lightning powers. The demon took over that, sprinkling all over your determination with bits of their magic. Dark magic, as they call it." he reached his hand out. "When humans cast spells as Demonears, their power comes straight from the determined soul and belief in changing something. Likewise, demons possess the same capabilities, no matter how strong or weak."

Morio seemed shocked.

"Although, I'd say their rarity, from a wise man's words, comes from the fact that humans assume full control over their weapon, rather than allowing the two to work hand in hand. You didn't seem to struggle then. You danced with it."

"Like Mr Bancho once said. Finding the balance is the key." Morio glanced at Gloria's blade.

"...and the dark arts are proof that something is dreaming inside that katana that understands the power between you and it."

Morio stared for a while longer. "It was my Mama's weapon. Does that have to do with anything?"

"I don't know. It saved you, so you could keep fighting a battle that, as earlier established, would never end. It was just enough to push you through, and conveniently fast that I could realise you weren't the enemy. It means, Morio, that the demon is working with you and never against you."

"No fear attacks, though," Morio muttered. "It always did seem a little stronger, though."

"You're the only one that can stand a tiny chance against Shi Hon."

Morio furrowed his brows, with a tight smile painting the rest. Zhen moved closer, slowly sticking his fist out.

"The scars you have as proof of your change. Your weapon was there with you, all along. It learned too. You weren't the only one who kept pushing through."

"Yeah!" Morio jumped out of his chair. "I'll be in the back, fighting off demons, while you'll be swinging your sword like crazy!"

Alas, he needed to see it happen.

Pushing the sword forth, Zhen took a step back.

"It's high time to prove it," Morio uttered, and the Ainan smiled, putting on his sunglasses again.

Zhen nodded, right as the two moved at the same time.

Gloria's tip clashed against Zhen's brass knuckle, and Morio ground his teeth, trying to battle against the loud, swooping sound that stormed out from both weapons. Light battled light, strikes bolted out to the top and disappeared nearing Morio's hair.

The two glanced at each other, and Zhen pushed further in, causing Morio to weave back. His legs almost sunk through the ground, resisting the push, but the keyword was there.

Resisting. Although nothing else seemed to happen.

Morio continued itching against the line. With another dose of pressure, he forced both hands against the grip and kept pulling even harder.

In turn, Zhen did the same. The sparks kept appearing more consistently, rapidly and even brighter.

The two sent out an equal force.

When one added, the other responded.

Finally, though, Morio raised his voice, screaming in a joint struggle. Furrowed brows and half-closed eyes were enough proof of the moment, and in turn, Zhen clenched his jaw, raising his fist.

With one final spark, and a weak lightning forming around Gloria, both suddenly let go, falling to the ground.

The Morian breathed heavily, while Zhen took a longer sigh and sat up, taking off his glasses.

"Did I do it?" Morio quickly asked.

"Not this time, no." Zhen shook his head. "Well, no one gets anything first try." he straightened up, crouching near a small bag and taking out a pouch of water, throwing it over to the Morian.

Morio caught it with one hand, before sitting up too, with some pain in his back. "...and here I thought I got used to the pain of the lightning."

"It doesn't hurt you?" Zhen asked, while Morio took a quick sip and sighed.

"Not anymore, but this time it did. Although, I know it's real if it hurts. Give me some time and we'll try again!"

Zhen stretched both hands out, again.

Morio chuckled, grinning.

***

The heat of the battle between Mihua and the other Demonears seemed to have expanded towards the few families watching the situation from a distance. Perhaps the other reason why they moved back was the ever-expanding area of the conflict.

Everyone fought against every single tide that appeared. Mihua appeared everywhere, but then again, Callem kept pointing his finger back and forth, and in turn, made Muddy receive a few hits while kicking away the weapons that lay on the ground.

"Damn it!" one girl screamed out, punching the grass. "I'll have it with ya, Callem!"

The mentioned Eran jumped up at those words. The orc scratched its head, with a frown to accompany his guilt. "Muddy sorry..."

The girl let out a few more annoyed groans, before raising herself up, seeing as the battle moved elsewhere. It was now Mihua soaring through the air towards the two contestants who finally managed to get their hands on their weapons, despite everything.

Seemed as if there might've been more to the weaklings.

Atomu screamed out, sprinting forth with Knrhum's Blade barely in his grip.

"You got the weapon! Why don't you fight back?!" Mihua yelled, spinning with his hammer, before hitting the ground, courtesy of the wall that immediately appeared in front of the Paladian. With one swift move, however, he pierced through, much to Atomu's fear.

Right as he mentioned, the two weapons were supposed to clash, if it wasn't for an icy crystal appearing out of the blue and connecting to another one in front of Mihua.

The Ainasu grinned, before ducking down with the connection and smashing the ground with the hammer.

A massive dirt spike appeared, completely crushing Atomu's defences and leaving Chyuuichi shocked and disgusted, simultaneously. Nearing the top, the spike bent to create a loop, which he used to speed off towards the Mirillian.

Raising his scythe, Chyuuichi created enough ice coating to maim his attack and resist the pressure of all the ground from above.

His focused eyes were glued to the terrified Paladian.

"Come on, Atomu!" Chyuuichi uttered, and the other gasped, while Mihua did his laugh.

Immediately turning and letting go, the sudden change of pressure forced Chyuuichi to crash into his ice. One swing off the hammer allowed Mihua to zoom in on Atomu's position.

Finally, the hammer found itself against Knrhum's Blade, and one slide towards the grip created an implosion inside the dirt, sending the Paladian flying up.

Trying his hardest, the wall barely appeared, immediately crashing down. Chyuuichi spun his scythe, trying to freeze the area nearby, but once again, the spike transformed in his direction, sending him flying.

As for the Paladian, he didn't even seem to resist it. Tumbling down the structures led to him being pinned to the ground by Mihua's shoe, and his smile obstructed the sunlight.

With a gasp, he tried yelling out, and Chyuuichi did the same, reaching his hand out through a halted breath.

The hammer struck against his body.

It should've hurt, and he yelled out accordingly from pure fear. Except for a good few particles of dirty dust, nothing happened.

"Hmm?" Mihua adjusted his glasses. "Oi, Paladian. No fair!"

"H-Huh?" Atomu blinked a couple of times. "HUH?!"

"You're wearing Lithian armour! Bzz!" he shook his head. "Where'd you even get your hands on one?"

"Ah..." Atomu shook his head, sitting up. "Th-the..." he put his hands around his chest. "You'd kill me o-otherwise if it wasn't for it!"

"Not an answer, and rohoho, no." he shook his head. "Maybe it came with that ring on your neck?"

"Ring?" Atomu glanced at his chest. "Got the armour in Axel's church, but the..."

Then, his eyes met it. The necklace wrapped itself around his shoulders, before revealing the circular emblem in the middle.

The Paladian put it on his palm, focusing.

"I woke up with bandages many times." he fixed his chin. "But I think I'd know where a ring comes from." Mihua chuckled, walking away. "Take all that off so we can fight for real this time!"

Atomu stood up, courtesy of Chyuuichi helping him up.

"Do I have to cover for yer old ass all the time now, Atomu?" Chyuuichi asked, but the Paladian didn't respond.

"Did you... see me getting this ring anywhere?" he quickly asked.

"Ring? Ya have a few on yer fingers!" Chyuuichi continued. "Oh, this one." he pointed. "Hmm. Thought it was just some necklace. Pointless and all like yer earring."

"Oi, Chyuuichi." Atomu furrowed his brows. "Family heirloom."

"I can't even repeat that word." he chuckled. "Okay, though. I think I know someone we could ask,"

"Really? Q-Quanzi?"

"I'll tell ya later because Mihua's heading for us again!"

"Ah!"