Tikai and Sonaris were both walking down a street in Lutenia, Tikai back in her normal clothes and Sonaris stuck in street clothes wearing a black t-shirt and black pants to match.

“Still find it odd that you’re on the same side as I am now, Sonaris,” Tikai said to strike some conversation.

“Yes I find that a bit odd myself, I just try not to bring it up to avoid awkward moments of the past,” Sonaris replied in a monotonous voice.

“But you’re still just as uptight as before, just less maniacal,” Tikai pointed out, to which Sonaris chuckled.

“True enough. But for the record I repented with that 1000 years of waiting for you and Airaxen,” Sonaris countered.

“Yeah ok you got me there. We made it through a lot of things throughout this year, well it was about a year to me. It’s funny to think it’s almost done. I just hope things turn out for the best in the end...” Tikai mumbled. Sonaris shrugged and chuckled again.

“Airaxen will do fine. I don’t know all the details to this but I know everything will be back to normal in the end,” Sonaris declared. Tikai nodded and walked off the street and down to the edge of the lake, looking over its vast crystal blue waters. She sat down on the ground, Sonaris raised an eyebrow and walked over.

“Why did you stop here?” He asked.

“I’ve always wanted to take Airaxen out to this lake and make him appreciate the view. Get him to relax or something, I have to wonder if he’s even more uptight then you, Sonaris,” Tikai explained. Sonaris nodded and thought for a moment.

“Where did he and Ethernial go too?” He suddenly remembered. Tikai paused and looked around for a moment then frowned.

“Normally at this point you’d think one of them would just so happen to be coming by...” Tikai stated. Sonaris looked from side to side and shrugged.

“Perhaps for the best. I would suspect one of those two would be running here on fire, seeking help from something,” Sonaris guessed.

“Well, I guess we either relax or prepare for this last confrontation in some highly paranoid way?” Tikai speculated. Sonaris sighed and nodded.

“Yes that sounds right, I’m getting tired of always doing that thou...” Sonaris muttered.

“Ah well, just one more time for good luck Sonaris?” Tikai asked of him, he chuckled again and smirked back at her.

“Alright then. Hm...I think I’m going to find Airaxen, I have one last thing I want to speak to him about...” Sonaris trailed off and then began to walk off heading back to the downtown area.

* * *

Airaxen was laying down on the top of the Main Gate tower watching clouds slowly move across the sky, enjoying a moment of tranquility which he rarely could have.

<Must I have to go back into the battlefield so soon? I would rather just stay here and not have to worry about another battle with Dimitri,> Airaxen reflected. He continued to lay there for a time but the sound of what seemed to be a set of rockets entered his ears. Airaxen sat up then stood up looking around to locate the source of the sound. Sonaris appeared on the opposite end of the tower from Airaxen wearing his full suit of blue armor, his expression solemn and not revealing a hint of friendly intentions.

“Airaxen,” he said coolly. Airaxen turned around and looked at Sonaris, his suit of red armor materializing.

“Sonaris,” Airaxen said just as coolly. Sonaris reached behind himself and pulled his two katana swords out of their sheaths slowly, letting the metal scrap against them emitting a shrill noise. Airaxen folded his arms together and waited for a response.

“We didn’t start this path down fate as allies, or friends for that matter,” Sonaris began. “We started as enemies and fought many battles against each other. However, I never truly hated your existence, I did enjoy the challenge you constantly presented me when we were enemies. And now before it’s all over how about one more duel? Not as friends or allies but once again as enemies on the battlefield,” Sonaris proposed. Airaxen didn’t speak or move after the proposal, Sonaris pointed one of his swords at Airaxen. Then on Airaxen’s right bracer his wrist device formed, the gold edges flipped up and a long silver blade materialized.

“One more time then,” Airaxen agreed, arms unfolding and going into a fighter’s stance. Sonaris leapt forward, a spinning around in his leap and swung both his blades at Airaxen who shoved his wrist blade in the way and leapt over the attack swiping at Sonaris’s head. He barely avoided the attack by kicking back. Airaxen’s wrist blade split apart and fired out at Sonaris who swung his swords down striking both ends of the weapon and knocking them into the ground. Sonaris lunged forward again at Airaxen while his weapon was incapacitated. Airaxen leapt back as Sonaris swung furiously at him, however he stopped as Airaxen fell off the edge of the tower. Sonaris smirked but then noticed the green energy chain that connected Airaxen’s weapon was between his legs, and the rest of the weapon was flying at him from behind to trip him and knocked him down to the ground. Airaxen leapt back onto the top of the tower and reconnected his weapon and stabbed at Sonaris who swung his swords together in front of himself and caught Airaxen’s attack before it could make contact. Sonaris smirked and then spun around on his back, in the process kicking Airaxen’s legs out from under him sending him to the ground. Sonaris kicked back up to his feet and slashed at Airaxen, slashing him vertically and sending Airaxen spinning in midair causing him to land roughly on the ground. Sonaris let one of his swords rest by his side while he put the other on his shoulder pad sideways so as not to cut into his own armor.

“Come on Airaxen, you’re not this bad!” Sonaris teased. Airaxen sighed and got back up to his feet and smirked.

“I’ll just have to take you seriously then,” Airaxen chuckled and swung his wrist blade upwards shooting up into the sky and brought it right back down on Sonaris who caught the blade between his two swords.

“You have to do better then this Airaxen!” Sonaris teased again. Airaxen chuckled and while still in midair spun around sending Sonaris off to the side and brought his sword back quickly, creating a large gash in Sonaris’s chest plate. Sonaris skidded to a stop and stood back up examining the damage and chuckled himself.

“I take it back, you’re doing just fine,” Sonaris remarked. He lunged forward once more, jabbing and jousting with the sword in his right hand like an expert fencer. Airaxen glided back, diverting the attacks off to his side with his blade. He kept backing away until he felt the edge of tower on his feet and with the other he pivoted quickly, letting Sonaris continue his forward assault and incidentally causing him to nearly fall off the tower. Airaxen leapt back and swung at Sonaris from behind, another gash forming on the back to his chest plate. Sonaris leapt forward into the air, spun around and rocketed straight at Airaxen, swords crossed over his chest and ready to slash. Airaxen stood his ground positioning his blade down at the ground and waited for his moment to strike. Sonaris swung his swords apart creating an X design in the air, however Airaxen swung his blade vertically up at the same moment Sonaris engaged his attack knocking both his weapons off course and around to the sides. Sonaris however was prepared and dug his swords into the ground and spun upwards using the swords to hold him up, the maneuver striking Airaxen in the face and knocking him back and disorienting him. Sonaris landed back on the ground and pulled his swords out and then leapt forward at his rival. Airaxen, without many options reached back and split apart his blade, shooting it into the tower and leapt off of the structure before Sonaris impaled him. He stopped before he fell off the tower like Airaxen and then leapt into the center of the area ready for Airaxen to try something, his back up against the entrance into the ruins so nothing could sneak up on him. Sonaris waited for a few minutes, nothing happened and he was getting suspicious. Airaxen suddenly came roaring up and behind the entrance into the ruins, Sonaris didn’t care and was ready to attack back anyway. Airaxen dived at Sonaris, his blade posed and ready for a final clash against Sonaris. With a single swing from both attackers it was over and done with, both of them knew that and didn’t bother to move out of their positions on the ground after. Sonaris’s katana swords were out to the sides, but he dropped them to the ground the reason being was his weapons were heavily damaged with the final swing, when they hit the ground they shattered into shards of metal. Airaxen stood up and looked at his wrist blade and the metal blade cracked and fell off digging into the ground. Sonaris, who stood on the top of the ruin entrance leapt off and landed a few meters to the side of Airaxen.

“Just like old times,” Airaxen remarked then sat down against the ruin entrance. Sonaris leaned against the structure as well, neither of them spoke a word for awhile until:

“Well, you do know I probably had something to say too you, it does seem like one of those times after all,” Sonaris suddenly said. Airaxen sighed and nodded his head slowly.

“I’m going to fight a massive battle for the fate of the world, of course everyone has to have their word with me!” Airaxen mocked. Sonaris chuckled and walked forward and to the edge of the tower.

“I believe Ethernial has spoken to you about things profound?” Sonaris asked.

“Yeah he did, so what are you going to talk to me about?” Airaxen pondered with an air of amusement at the attention he was being lavished with.

“I’m not going to say a long-winded speech because I need to replace the katana blades you broke. So, head to the lake,” Sonaris directed to which Airaxen chuckled and stood up, walking over to him.

“I was looking forward to another speech, but alright I’ll head over to the lake,” Airaxen replied and leapt off the tower letting out a hoot as he went plummeting down to Earth. Sonaris smiled to himself and watched Airaxen head off.

<I believe destiny had a grand plan for Airaxen, and even if it didn’t I’m glad to see him finally be human.>

* * *

“So Yasosume...We’re cool now right?” Ethernial asked timidly.

“Oh yeah...We’re cool.” Yasosume replied with a low undertone.

“Well then...Can you get off my head now?” Ethernial pleaded. Yasosume thought for a moment as she stood on Ethernial’s head.

“Maybe in an hour,” she decided, Ethernial however wasn’t too fond of the idea.

“Where’s Airaxen when you really need him?” He muttered into the ground dismally. Yasosume paused and sighed then walked off Ethernial’s head and gave him one last kick in the side. Ethernial groaned and sat up slowly.

“I could’ve done without that last kick you know. Why are you so spiteful to me? Like it’s a given that I wasn’t great that time we met in the bar but come on! Even you can’t have this much spite towards me for no reason. And because I’m being nice I won’t pry into your head with my powers,” Ethernial pointed out to try and be nicer to the fox girl. Yasosume sighed and shook her head then sat down on the ground, head hung low.

“I’m just in a bad mood. Now get lost, causing you bodily harm suddenly lost it’s appeal,” Yasosume mumbled under her breath. Ethernial walked over to her despite knowing it wouldn’t end well and sat next to the agitated girl.

“Now I know you’re going to say it’s none of my business but since it’s causing me bodily harm I consider it my business now. So tell me what’s bothering you! I won’t tell anyone, I swear!” Ethernial assured then braced for some sort of fireball being flung at him, however Yasosume did nothing of the sort and leaned on Ethernial and let out another sigh.

“Just don’t say anything and let me relax, and if you try anything I’ll kill you,” Yasosume warned lowly. Ethernial nodded and sat there with enough self restraint he never knew he had.

“If it interests you Yasosume, I sense Airaxen’s aura coming by here, he’s moving towards the direction of the lake,” Ethernial informed. Yasosume perked up and looked around. Ethernial tapped her on the shoulder and pointed to the right, Airaxen was walking down the sidewalk and humming quietly. Yasosume stood up but before she left she spun around on Ethernial and opened her mouth to shout something at him but he put his hand up and nodded.

“I know, don’t say anything or else you’ll kill me, I heard it already,” Ethernial said and shrugged. “You have to rethink your phrases.” Yasosume mumbled and kicked Ethernial in the shin before she headed off. Ethernial sat back down, not much for walking after Yasosume’s latest attack on him but despite that he was still amused by the entire situation around him.

“Hey Albino!” Yasosume shouted, Airaxen stopped walking and looked over at her and blinked.

“Oh Yasosume, what do you want?” Airaxen asked of her. Yasosume walked over to him and shrugged.

“Nothing in particular, you want to hang out for awhile?” She offered. Airaxen thought for a moment and nodded.

“I’m not in a rush, I was just told to head to the lake but I guess it can wait awhile.”

“I...Don’t like water...” Yasosume stuttered while rubbing her left arm.

“You really should get over that fear of water, how about we try doing that?” Airaxen suggested, to which Yasosume shook her head and backed away fearfully. Airaxen grabbed her arm and began dragging her towards the lake, Yasosume yelling and screaming constantly as he did so.

“LET THE HELL GO OF ME AIRAXEN! I SWEAR I’LL KILL YOU IF YOU DARE BRING ME NEAR THAT LAKE!” She howled.

“Deal with it, or I might just throw you into that lake to see what happens,” Airaxen threatened. Yasosume instantly stopped yelling and struggling and sighed in defeat, she was going near water whether she wanted too or not.

“Can’t we just go to a bar? I’ll let you throw my mug at someone this time!” She pleaded desperately.

“Face your fears and all that. Sides, when did the mighty pirate Yasosume back down from a challenge?” Airaxen smirked. Yasosume grumbled and with her other hand punched Airaxen in the side of the head. Airaxen growled and kicked her in the side in response. Yasosume growled back and wrenched her arm free from Airaxen and tackled him to the ground. Airaxen put his hands on either side of his head and pushed up and did a handstand causing Yasosume to get off him and then followed through and landed back on his feet. Yasosume snorted and ran at him while his back was turned. Airaxen was once again tackled to the ground and this time Yasosume pinned his arms behind his back.

“HAH! I’m still the best pirate out there and don’t you dare question that!” She shouted.

“Ah shut up,” Airaxen replied.

“Make me!”

“I’m working on that actually.”

“...You’ve been hanging around me way too long Airaxen, you’re becoming a smart-ass like me!”

“I know, and I’m terrified to think I’ll be like you!”

“And what the hell is wrong with being me?!” Yasosume barked, to which Airaxen said nothing and whistled quietly. Yasosume growled and stepped off Airaxen’s back and lifted him off the ground, spun him around and held him by the neck pulling him close to her face.

“Well you’re rash and don’t think over your actions,” Airaxen pointed out, and put his hands up in plain view for her to see.

“...Crap,” Yasosume mumbled and knew what was coming next. Airaxen smirked and grabbed her ears and began to mess with them, angering Yasosume so she would let go of him and swat away his hands. After doing so Airaxen grabbed her by the waist and threw her over his shoulder in a most unceremonious way and kept heading to the lake with Yasosume yelling and screaming once more.

“LET GO OF ME! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU IF YOU DON’T! YOU’RE NOT TAKING ME ANYWHERE NEAR THAT LAKE!”

“I am taking you near that lake now deal with it! You’re going to get over that fear of water and then I’m going to throw you in!” Airaxen declared. Yasosume whimpered quietly and gave up she was going to save her energy for clawing at Airaxen’s face when he wasn’t prepared. Airaxen saw the Starblade once again parked in the waters of Lutenia’s lake and flung Yasosume onto the ship then walked to the back of the ship where the engines were, Yasosume clinging onto one of the vertical wings and twitching. Airaxen’s Marimatsu formed over his back and he took the weapon in his right hand and walked onto the wing closet to the shoreline and dug the blade into the ground and pushed off with his sword sending the ship moving away from the shore slowly. Airaxen walked back to the rear of the ship and looked at Yasosume who’s eyes were squinted shut and trembling slightly. He patted her on the back and then stood at the rear and put his sword against his opposite side and prepared to swing it. Airaxen swung his sword once emitting a wave of energy from the weapon that caused a massive wave of water to shoot back and propel the ship forward at a moderate speed. Airaxen put his weapon away and then sat down looking forward as the Starblade traveled through the crystal clear waters.

“There you go, now that isn’t bad now is it Yasosume?” Airaxen asked. Yasosume didn’t respond and continued to cling to the wing of the ship. Airaxen paused in thought then dipped his hand into the lake and flung some water at Yasosume who yelped and climbed up the wing she was clinging onto. Airaxen leapt up and grabbed Yasosume’s leg and tried to drag her down.

“Come on! Loosen up and try to enjoy this time before that last battle! I might not be back to bug you afterwards!” Airaxen joked. Yasosume paused in thought and then climbed down from the wing and landed in front of Airaxen her expression set in stone and deathly serious.

“Uh...Oops...?” Airaxen offered as an answer.

“You had better come back alive!” She shouted at him, Airaxen blinked and looked at her quizzically not exactly expecting such a response. Yasosume looked away and put a hand to her left arm rubbing it a bit nervously.

“Is something wrong Yasosume...?” Airaxen asked quietly. Yasosume sat down and leaned against the vertical wing of the ship and sighed and shook her head.

“Please...Just don’t say stuff like that,” she mumbled back. Airaxen frowned and sat against the vertical wing on the opposite side.

“Come on you can tell me what’s bothering you. I guess I’m too...cheery for my own good, you’re not that used to it I bet. Sorry,” Airaxen apologized. Yasosume shook her head and tried to say something but stopped and reconsidered. Airaxen noticed it and pointed it out and again Yasosume shook her head.

“It’s best to say something that’s been on your mind now before Chaos comes back with the information I need to find Dimitri. I don’t know what’s going to happen when we fight again...” Airaxen trailed off and shrugged.

“Don’t say that...” Yasosume nearly whispered. Airaxen looked at her and frowned again, he wasn’t too sure why she seemed so upset.

“You’re pretty slow there Airaxen,” Yasosume chuckled quietly, Airaxen simply shrugged and leaned against the ship’s wing.

“Enlighten me then,” Airaxen challenged.

“It’s good to see you in such a good mood. I don’t remember you like this, but I haven’t known you for that long either.”

“Yeah I guess that’s true. I don’t know why I’m so happy, I guess I’m just trying to enjoy myself before it all has to end...” Airaxen sighed and put a hand in the cool waters around him.

“DON’T SAY THAT!” Yasosume shouted, Airaxen frowned and nodded.

“Sorry, keep forgetting.”

“Please...You’re all I have left...”

“Well that’s not true, I think,” Airaxen grumbled to himself feeling a bit more slow then usual.

“Everyone close to me died...My mom, my dad. I hated them but part of me still cared for them because after my little ordeal they were all I had left in the world. I met you and for some reason I could trust you, I even told you about my past. I feel like such a retard right now but I guess I should get over it at least for now,” Yasosume explained quietly, her nerves weren’t doing her so well, after all she never thought she’d be so...mushy. Airaxen nodded.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you can be nice,” Airaxen assured. Yasosume nodded and looked at Airaxen carefully.

“Why did you never kill me in all of those battles we had?” She inquired. Airaxen shrugged and looked away.

“I don’t know, had a feeling we were more alike. I was right thou, weapons created to fight and destroy. But, but, still having a soul. Conflicted job description if you ask me. It’s nice to have found someone that I can talk too about this sort of thing. It’s that or I have a soft spot for girls...” Airaxen answered, smirking at the thought of finding a companion in the most unlikely of people.

“Airaxen...” Yasosume began tensely. “I...Uh...Thanks. You’ve been the best, and even thou it feels like I’m spitting acid out to talk about this...” Yasosume trailed off and wiped her eyes quickly and looked away.

“Yeah I know. Don’t worry I understand what you mean,” Airaxen affirmed with a nod of his head.

“But I can’t have you can I?” Yasosume muttered, her ears pressing down against her head. Airaxen frowned and looked down at the blue surface of the ship.

“I’m sorry,” Airaxen replied. Yasosume nodded and sighed quietly.

“It’s ok. I was too late I suppose...But I’m glad to know you care about me you stupid Albino...It means a lot to me...” Yasosume confessed with a small smile on her face. Airaxen frowned yet again and stood up, walked over to her and sat down next to the fox girl. Yasosume looked over at Airaxen and smiled then leaned on his shoulder, content for once. She paused for a moment then put her arms around him and hugged him tightly, giving him a kiss on the cheek in the process.

“I don’t suppose we can steal the ship and runaway can we?” Yasosume asked with a smirk. Airaxen laughed quietly and shook his head.

“Yasosume, now that isn’t fair to Tikai!” Airaxen protested with a chuckle.

“Yeah...So what’s your point?” Yasosume asked with a tone of child-like innocence. Airaxen laughed and leaned his head on Yasosume’s and sighed.

“Now what am I going to do with you? Ah well, I guess I’ll have to deal with you for however long I live!” Airaxen declared.

“Yeah I know, don’t you just hate me?”

“Oh yeah, I wish I could throw you into the water right now.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Try me”

“Airaxen!”

“Come on! I’m just messing with you!”

“Oh then so am I!” Yasosume shouted and knocked Airaxen into the lake, laughing at him until she was pulled in as well.

* * *

<I wish I remembered why I came to the lake in the first place...> Airaxen wondered. It was sometime in the evening, the sun had began to set and he spent the last few hours stuck in the lake arguing with Yasosume until she realized she was in the lake at which point she began yelling and screaming and clung onto his head where he sank into the lake and again more yelling and screaming but just muffled this time. Then for the next few minutes Airaxen tried to swim back up to the surface but Yasosume’s flailing arms prevented him from doing that so finally he decided he’d just sink until he landed on something and would wait till Yasosume stopped with her ranting and raving and realize she, like himself didn’t require to breath to live, which was another hour or so. When that finally happened Yasosume realized she couldn’t drown she began to laugh for a period of time and chased after random marine life for another hour. Finally Airaxen got bored of the sight and swam up at which point Yasosume grabbed his leg and they fought for another hour then they got bored of that and finally headed back to the shore. Airaxen shook himself out of the half trance he fell into and looked around at his surroundings, he was near the hotel, it was a few more blocks down the street from where he was but he didn’t feel like heading back just yet. Airaxen thought for a moment of what to do next, it was technically his last night before rushing the Myreison capital, Chaos worked rather quickly in gathering information, by the morning he’d be heading off to another war zone.

<Sometimes I wonder if I should get a better job...> Airaxen mused to himself. He shook his head and found a nearby bench to sit down on to recollect his thoughts on what was going to be done in the day to come.

<A prophecy, a cliched hero, and that overly calculative villain...I feel like I’m in a low-budget film...> Airaxen commented in his head silently.

* * *

Tikai sat in one of the chairs in the hotel room, leaning back in it and her legs up on a table relaxing and enjoying the silence since there was no one else in the room. She had returned from the lake a number of hours ago and did something she hadn’t done in so long; nothing at all. Ever since she had got involved in this fiasco of battles she never could relax, now she had some time to stop worrying about how things would turn out or worrying about what would happen next.

<If only I could’ve spent some time with Airaxen. That would’ve made my day. I guess it’s not that bad of a day considering all things,> Tikai concluded. The quiet clicking and rattling of the door knob being turned caught the girl’s attention, Sonaris entered the room looking slightly worn down.

“You don’t look so good, what happened?” Tikai inquired. Sonaris mumbled something incoherent then flopped down into a chair.

“Somehow Ethernial and Maria convinced me into...How did they describe it again? Oh yes, a night on the town,” Sonaris grumbled back his response and put two fingers to the bridge of his nose and let out an exasperated sigh. Tikai snickered to herself and then collected herself to be more sympathetic, however the amusing thought of what Airaxen’s reaction would be in a similar situation left a grin on her face.

“However I was fortunate enough to have waited for those two to try and outdo the other in something then I snuck away. Hopefully Ethernial won’t realize he could track my aura, I do enjoy being able to relax without any disturbances. Well then, what have you been up too?” Sonaris asked back.

“Not bad, I spent some time at the lake but then I left cause these two idiots kept shouting loudly for so long, I just left and headed back here. I never realized just how much I missed being lazy and not doing a single thing. You guys’ lifestyle is just too stressful for me, unlike you I’m not a machine,” Tikai said. Sonaris shrugged then paused for a moment.

“That’s odd...I swore Airaxen would’ve met up with you sometime. After I had a duel with him he headed off to the lake, strange...” Sonaris pointed out, an eyebrow raised slightly. Tikai shrugged.

“I didn’t see him, a few boaters or something but that was it,” Tikai responded.

“Hm...Strange, normally he isn’t this...absent-minded regarding such affairs...” Sonaris mumbled to himself. Tikai thought for a second and then stood up, grabbing a jacket from off the coat rack.

“I’m going to look around town for him, knowing him he’s probably lost and found himself in some hopeless situation,” she stated, to which Sonaris chuckled and nodded his agreement. Sonaris stood up and yawned before looking around the room and pondering on what he should do now.

<I don’t feel like sleeping, maybe I should get some work done...Wait I don’t have any work to finish...Hm, maybe I’ll get myself some tea to relax with...> Sonaris considered.

* * *

Tikai walked along the streets of Lutenia glancing down every alley for any sign of Airaxen but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. The city was massive in size, it would be virtually impossible to find one person in it. She wondered if it would’ve been better if she thought out the entire idea out more before heading out. Tikai mumbled something about acting like Airaxen and then decided to continue looking, at the least she would get a good walk in before the night was over. She hummed to herself quietly expecting Airaxen to magically appear but that would be too lucky even for her.

<Where could that guy be? Knowing him he probably got lost!>

* * *

Airaxen sneezed suddenly as he drifted through the skies of Lutenia.

<That’s strange, that never happened to me before...> Airaxen wondered but shrugged it off. He was among the clouds doing nothing more then being pushed around by will of the wind. Airaxen thought to himself for a moment of the events of the day that transpired, and again a strange nagging feeling he had forgotten something important entered his mind.

<Well lets see. I came back to Lutenia after nearly a month. Talked to Ethernial about the future, dueled with Sonaris, talked to him about going to the lake. Then I met Yasosume and we went to the lake and talked about things...personal. Then I was supposed to go talk to Tikai about...Oh that’s what I forgot...> Airaxen realized a bit dumbfounded then found the wind decided to carry him into the wall of a tall office building, smashing into it with a loud thud. He groaned and then shook his head shaking himself out of his paralysis, to find himself falling from the sky and plummeting straight into the ground.

<Oh this can’t end well...>

* * *

Tikai paused in her walking and blinked. A sudden feeling washed over her, the feeling she only got when something bad would happen like Dimitri appearing or a nearby building about to come crumbling down on top of her. She looked around her to make sure no one would come out at her or was following her then she glanced up and sure enough Airaxen was crashing back down to Earth and collided with Tikai who was sent to the pavement as well as him.

“I found you, you stupid-ow my back...” Tikai groaned. Airaxen groaned himself and rolled off Tikai then sat up slowly.

“I sorta regret not catching myself in midair now...” Airaxen mumbled. Tikai looked up at him then laughed.

“So Airaxen, did it hurt?” Tikai half laughed at him. Airaxen looked at her and blinked.

“What?” He replied dumbfounded.

“When you fell from heaven,” Tikai laughed, mocking a very over used pickup line. Airaxen once again blinked at her still confused. He stood back up and lifted Tikai back to her feet and briskly dusted her off.

“Nothing broken?” Airaxen asked, she shook her head and he nodded back a response. Airaxen looked to the side and held his arm nervously.

<Now I’m here and found her...What exactly do I do...?> Airaxen pondered desperately. Tikai was experiencing a similar experience and both were at a loss of words to say.

“You know,” Tikai began. “It was so much easier to talk to each other when we always fought like before!” Airaxen nodded and leaned against the building he rammed into looking at the ground.

“I preferred those times myself. But right now it’s...Not that bad, these conversations we have with each other. Much more...Dramatic,” Airaxen said quietly, his nerves once again starting to get to him.

“Yeah well, who doesn’t like some drama? Makes life more interesting!” Tikai replied. Airaxen shrugged and slid down the wall and sat down on the ground.

“Hey Airaxen, you want too take a walk with me?” Tikai offered. Airaxen agreed but inside he was getting even more nervous.

<Gah! I have to try and relax my nerves or I’ll never be able to tell Tikai....Eh...It’s even hard to do this in my head!> Airaxen grumbled mentally. He got back to his feet and followed her as they wandered around aimlessly, but in silence since both were having some troubles in talking to the other recently. Eventually they found themselves at the top of a hill in the corner of the city on one side was the city and on the other was the forest that bordered it.

“You know it really sucks how we can’t say anything to each other because we’re both too nervous,” Tikai suddenly said, Airaxen nodded his head vigorously trying to relieve some tension. She sighed then looked at the view of the city.

“It’s a nice view...But I have a feeling you have some bad news for me don’t you, Airaxen?” Tikai guessed quietly. Airaxen blinked and for once did understand the things going around him and quickly put his hands up in his defense.

“What do you mean bad news?! I haven’t even said anything!” He started frantically. “I...Well...Uh...It was much easier talking too you before I fell in love with you...” Airaxen mumbled then blinked, thought over what he just said, blinked yet again then slammed his hand into his face because of his idiocy. Tikai perked up and looked at him quizzically, then a thin smirk appeared on her face, she quickly went up to Airaxen still smirking at him.

“What was that I just heard you say?” She pried, Airaxen quickly turned his back on her, trying to keep his face straight and calm even thou he was about to run away as fast and as far as inhumanly possible, but that probably wasn’t the best idea.

“Come on Airaxen I heard you say something!” Tikai teased, popping up in front of him. Airaxen spun around yet again, his face turning red very quickly.

“L-leave me alone Tikai!” He stuttered. Tikai spun him back around and grabbed him by the shoulders to stop him from spinning around again, at least hopefully doing that he was strong enough to simply fling her off to the side.

“Come on you just said you loved me, that was the hard part now get to the rest of that sappy crap!” Tikai nearly ordered. Airaxen looked down at his feet then off to the side.

<Come on! I’ve fought battles against the most feared creatures and men in all of the world and never once was scared! But now I can’t even talk about my personal feelings too Tikai!> Airaxen brooded while at the same time mentally slapping himself in an effort to regain his composure. He took a deep breath and then looked Tikai in the eye then lowered his head and put a hand to the back of his neck nervously.

“Well...I guess I should say a few things that were on my mind...So...Uh, first I guess I should thank you. When we first met as you know, I was more or less stuck on a one track mind, a neurotic really. That and you helped me once or twice in a few fights along the way. I guess I grew attached to you because I knew you would be around to try and cheer me up, and even if I don’t want too admit it I really enjoyed your company. As time went on I guess I just grew fonder and fonder of you. I found you were a knowledgeable person who I could have a good conversation with, someone that would bring out the...Nicer side of me, you’re just as stubborn as I am and always keep me on my toes, you weren’t like some of the other girls I encountered who I swore had their minds erased, I also know you’re a very kind person and finally well...I guess...When it’s all said and done and it comes to the bottom line there’s one thing I’m positive of...” Airaxen looked at Tikai then lowered his glaze again, but she put her hands on his face and made him look her in the eye before he could continue. He paused and had trouble speaking again, his nerves were shot and his brain turned to mush and began leaking out of his ears. Tikai smiled warmly at him and giggled.

“Come on you were doing so well! You can finish that sentence!” She encouraged. Airaxen blushed harder and did whatever he could to try and avoid looking at her but it was rather difficult with his head held in place. Airaxen was left with no choice but to look directly at her and he found that in the moonlight her face was very subtle in appearance but had a strange beauty to it, this once again caused him to blush harder.

“You’re funny to watch Airaxen, you’re so nervous and your face is nearly all red!” Tikai laughed, which didn’t do much good to his composure or his nerves. She smiled warmly at him again and let go of his face finally.

“Since you probably won’t be able to say much to me for awhile, I think I’ll say a few things then,” Tikai said quietly. “Ever since we met up I never had a chance to stop moving around, with you it’s constantly running around to here and there and all that. An adventure everywhere we go and I can’t count the times I could’ve got myself killed! But I didn’t really care, I just enjoyed being there with you, fighting with you and just hanging out really. See, I was fairly popular back from where we came from and such, had a number of guys trying to go out with me probably just cause of something stupid like appearances. However you were different because I guess you were just too oblivious to me to pay any attention to how I look or anything. Instead you took note of who I was instead, which again is sorta funny cause it was a result of you being so dense! So after I got over you being such a jerk and you started to get nicer around me I started to take note of your qualities and stuff. You’re handsome, not a pervert like some people I know, very kind and sweet, and you’re noble, brave and you stand up against what you don’t think is right. Sides, with you there’s never a dull moment since someone is always trying to kill us! Well then, this is about where you chickened out, isn’t it?” Tikai said to herself which caught his attention instantly.

“Chickened out?! What do you mean by that?!” He shouted back at her. Tikai turned around and put her hands behind her back innocently.

“Oh nothing...” She responded slyly. Airaxen narrowed his eyes and spun her back around.

“Come on tell me! I know you meant something with that!”

“Airaxen.”

“What?”

“I love you.”

“Uh...”

“I thought you’d do that,” Tikai snickered and leaned in towards him slowly. Airaxen tensed up again but he tried his best to keep his calm. He decided he wouldn’t have a better time then this so he swallowed his pride and...

“I love you too,” Airaxen said back in nearly a whisper. Tikai smiled at him and moved closer to him putting her hands on his chest. Airaxen tensed up more since he never had any experience with women before and now he had to learn in less then 30 seconds. He decided it was best to try and stop thinking about things so hard and let himself try and do what felt natural. Tikai moved in closer and was just centimeters away from his face, Airaxen had trouble staying still and not moving. He was about to say something to try and change the direction of the situation but before he could Tikai had already put her lips to his and kissed him. Airaxen’s eyes went wide and he was just stunned, however part of him didn’t mind and enjoyed the sensation. She eventually moved away from him and smiled.

“You don’t know how long I wanted to do that,” she said quietly. Airaxen chuckled weakly, his nerves couldn’t handle everything he experienced just then yet.

“Looks like you’re still as uptight like when we first met, but it’s kinda cute.”

“Ugh, that word shouldn’t be used to describe me. And don’t mock me just because I froze up like that! It was the first time-mph!” Tikai cut Airaxen’s explanations short with another kiss that caught him totally off guard and caused the same result as last time. Tikai moved away from him and smirked, a look of triumph on her face.

“You’re too tense! I know what you need!” She exclaimed. Airaxen looked at her hesitantly and despite his better judgment...

“What do I need according to you?” Asked anyway. Tikai grabbed his arm in hers and smiled at him, but this time a much more sinister smile then the previous times.

“You need to go to a bar and get yourself drunk! Need to let that human side of you out and have some fun! Sides now I’m curious to see how you would be when drunk! You’re so uptight most of the time there has to be part of you that needs to cut loose!” Tikai declared and began to drag an unwilling Airaxen back into the city. Despite Airaxen very loudly making his preference in the matter known he secretly was enjoying every second of it.

* * *

Tikai knocked on the hotel room door, unable to open it since...

“...WHAT DID YOU DO TO AIRAXEN!?” Yasosume roared since she opened the door first. Airaxen was leaning on Tikai, groaning weakly and his head hanging down low. Yasosume grabbed Airaxen from Tikai and shook him roughly.

“What did she do too you?!” She shouted. All of the noise caught Sonaris’s attention and he walked over.

“Well...Airaxen is a weird drinker you see. I got him to go to a bar and he decided to try everything they sold. And well...It doesn’t take that much to get him drunk, and even less to get him to pass out...” Tikai explained with a weak smile. Sonaris blinked and thought for a moment.

“Sometimes I really have to wonder how Airaxen or I can do some of these ‘human’ things despite a lack of blood or need to breath for example. Rather strange if you think about it long enough,” Sonaris said with a comprehending air to his tone. Yasosume smacked him upside the head and told him to pay attention and stop changing the subject.

“Airaxen should be fine! Besides his body will break down all of the alcohol and convert it into energy for his body to use. He’ll be back to normal in a few more hours,” Sonaris stated then took Airaxen from Tikai and threw him onto a bed which merited another hit upside the head from Yasosume.

“Will you stop that?!” Sonaris shouted at her. Yasosume whistled innocently and folded her arms together.

“What possibly could you mean?” She said innocently. Sonaris let out a frustrated grumble and retired back into a chair. Tikai also sat down in a chair then looked around the room, Maria and Ethernial were also back in the room, however they each were passed out, Maria on the bed and Ethernial just left on the floor in the corner where no one would stumble over him.

“I sometimes wonder why we’re so mean too Ethernial, then I remember how much of a pervert he can be...” Tikai muttered. Sonaris shrugged.

“I was too lazy to find Ethernial some space because he didn’t seem to mind the last time this happened that he was left on the floor,” Sonaris replied simply while reading over an article in a magazine.

“So it’s about...4 AM and none of us are asleep except for those 3...Why is that?” Tikai suddenly inquired. Yasosume, who was sitting in another chair in the room shrugged and whipped her tail at a lamp and smashed it too pieces.

“It’s because we’re all nervous of what’s going to happen tomorrow. Chaos informed me he’d be back in the early morning with all of the information we need to get to the Myreison capital, that means this is our last night before we all have to go off to fight against the biggest bad guy out there. We’re all nervous and just incase this is our last night alive we’re trying to enjoy it,” Yasosume muttered coldly.

“Come on, you don’t seriously think that we all won’t make it back alive do you?” Tikai asked a tad brought down by Yasosume’s solemn speech.

“Right or wrong it is what’s on all of our minds,” Sonaris suddenly cut in. Tikai paused in thought then realized what they both said was right.

“All we can do now is rest up and prepare for tomorrow. If we’re lucky you’ll be right and we all make it out of this alive and in one piece,” Sonaris said and then put away his magazine and left the room to practice a bit more of his swordplay. Yasosume sighed to herself and then shook her head.

“I can only hope you’re right this time you stupid girl,” Yasosume hissed. Tikai blinked not sure whether or not to take it as a compliment or an insult.

* * *

The hours rolled by and the sun began to rise upon the horizon, day was breaking and it was almost time. By now Ethernial had woken up, mostly because Yasosume got bored and kicked him to make him wake up, Maria was off getting something for her hangover and Airaxen was still quite unconscious. Yasosume left to find Chaos, she was getting anxious and needed to fight soon, Sonaris took Maria out to a local pharmacy since even thou she slept off most of the alcohol there was a fair amount left and the aftereffects definitely could still be felt. Ethernial also left since he himself needed a pick-me-up and dragged himself off to find something that could help. Tikai was about to leave to get something to eat and probably coffee for later but then she paused and shot a glance at the still unconscious Airaxen and thought for a moment.

<It’s too tempting not too...I’ll probably never hear the end of this but oh well...> Tikai determined and walked over to the bed, climbed in and threw a blanket over both of them then snickered.

<I think I’ve been hanging around Yasosume to much if I’m doing things like this...> She moved up close to Airaxen and paused to decide what to do next. Tikai then put her arm around his neck and smacked him in the face roughly to wake him up so she didn’t have to wait for a long time to pull off her prank on the albino. Airaxen instantly let out a “OW!” and groaned, his eyes opening slowly, Tikai closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep but couldn’t get rid of the smirk on her face.

“My head hurts...Argh what did I do last night?!” He grumbled then noticed Tikai’s arm around his neck and blinked.

“What the...?” He began but Tikai letting out a fake yawn caught his attention and he looked behind himself at Tikai who was much too close for his preference. Airaxen leapt out of the bed and pressed up against a wall, the shock of what he awoke too shook off his hangover from the previous night.

“Oh good morning lover,” Tikai said with a fake sleepy voice, Airaxen ceased up instantly and began to twitch severely not entirely sure if he wanted to continue the conversation, but did so anyways.

“What do you mean by that?! I mean...W-what exactly happened last night? I don’t remember...” Airaxen stuttered.

“Well...” Tikai began trying her best to hide the smirk on her face and act innocent. “You had some drinks...” She started painfully slow, causing Airaxen to be even more anxious.

“And then...You suddenly whisked me away...” Tikai continued with a finger to her chin and head tilted slightly upwards. Airaxen’s twitching started to grow more severe as the color left his face.

“You...Don’t mean that...” Airaxen began but stopped when Tikai started to laugh uncontrollably, causing all of his anxiety to wash away and be replaced by anger.

“WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING AT A TIME LIKE THIS?!” He shouted, Tikai ignored him and continued to laugh.

“Come on! Are you that dense?! Everyone was in the room for the whole night until about 10 minutes ago when they left and if we did come in here to do anything Yasosume would’ve probably intervened violently! That and you’re still wearing the exact same clothes as last night!”

“...You mean to tell me...”

“All this was just some prank I pulled on you!”

“...I HATE YOU!” Airaxen roared at her loud enough to rattle the entire hotel to its foundations. Tikai just continued to laugh at his misfortune as he had to restrain himself from striking her, she was technically his girlfriend.

“Oh come on! Now that all that romance crap is off our minds I had to do something to entertain myself!” Tikai replied calmly now that she regained her composure. Airaxen growled and tried his best to calm himself; it wasn’t working. Tikai got off the bed and jumped onto Airaxen’s back, Airaxen just grumbled something under his breath and ignored her.

“Come on, you know just as well as I do you like this! I missed being able to piss you off! I had to spend all of the time trying to get on your good side so now that’s done...”

“Please don’t say you’re going to pull another prank on me!”

“Nah! I was going to say good luck, keep yourself alive and if you don’t I’m going to find your spirit and drag it back into your body, got it?!” Tikai shouted in his ear. Airaxen grumbled something at first the nodded.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be perfectly fine,” Airaxen responded casually, however he wasn’t too sure of that in reality. Tikai got off Airaxen’s back and then took a seat on one of the beds and let out a sigh.

“Hard to think its almost all over...It’s like being inside of a story that someone writes and right now you can only just hope whoever is writing writes a happy ending.”

“Agreed.” Suddenly the door to the hotel room opened and all of the remaining members of the crew walked back in, except Ethernial he was still dazed and had to be partially dragged in; among them was Chaos carrying a set of blueprints under one arm.

“Well then nice to see everyone is all nice and drunk before we go out to take on an empire of evil!” Chaos mocked sarcastically. Sonaris shrugged in return.

“As you might know being unorthodox seems to work,” he replied. Chaos chuckled and shrugged, then got everyone to gather around a coffee table so he could start telling what he learned in the previous day.

“Well then after I called in all these favors of mine I was able to get my hands on some more artillery to use but most importantly, I was able to locate the Myreison capital and learn a way to get in. Thanks to one of my favors my ship’s signal was put into their database so I can fly in without being shot down by the automated cannon turrets. When we get past that it’s going to be pitch dark from there on in because of their night cloak generator and such. Be warned, we’re going up against an entire race of fierce warriors. However what worries me is that there’s been a lack of any sightings from Myreisons recently. I mean before Airaxen showed up they were crawling all over the place, now I’ve never actually seen another one in months! It’s like they all suddenly...vanished. None the less that’s all of the background info, this is my plan,” Chaos started, pointing at Tikai. “I want you to let me borrow your ship, I’m going to go down with all of you but not that far the second I see the internal defenses I’m going to hold them off and let the rest of you go. The robotic servants will go about helping me in that and then try and look for any of the people the Myreisons captured over the years.” Tikai frowned to think that she wouldn’t be able to pilot her precious ship but agreed, it was a noble cause and considering the situation it was best to just agree.

“Right then, I want all of you to rush in then, Dimitri’s private castle is in the center of the city but he’s personally built himself an elite guard to protect himself with, not to mention Omega is there and ready to take out anything,” Chaos explained as he pointed to the structure in the middle of the blueprints.

“How many mechas did Dimitri create for his elite guard?” Ethernial asked. Chaos shrugged.

“Not exactly sure, about 5 or so I believe. Each one stronger then the last I bet.”

“What worries me...” Tikai interrupted. “Is why there haven’t been any sightings of Myreisons since we all arrived in this timeline. From what I heard I’d expect this world to be a living hell, why is it so...Peaceful?” Airaxen frowned in thought, he had a feeling it probably was something to do with another one of Dimitri’s plans.

“Well then, I’m going to guess you guys did more then get drunk last night to prepare, so my ship is outside and ready to go, I’ll give you all a moment to do whatever and I expect all of you out in 10 minutes!” Chaos ordered, Yasosume responded with a “yes sir!” dripping with sarcasm. Chaos rolled his eyes and walked out of the room while humming a tone under his breath.

“I think we’ve said enough good-byes to last a lifetime, lets just get ready to get going this time,” Yasosume said a bit annoyed. Airaxen laughed quietly and formed his armor.

“Right then, lets all come back alive and go to some bar afterwards!” Ethernial cheered, everyone else agreed to it and began to move out to the battle of their lives.

* * *

30 minutes later all of the crew were aboard the bridge of Chaos’s ship and flying towards the Myreison capital in the northeastern corner of the planet. Airaxen however kept to his old habits and stood outside on the top of the craft, defying the howling winds that threatened to throw him off the ship and stood his ground.

<Finally...After so long I can...Repent. I can finally repent for all of my sins and transgressions. I fought for so long, before I learned of my past I fought for reasons beyond me, it gave me a feeling of satisfaction, I assumed it was just because I simply wanted to do the right thing. However I believe that on some level I always knew of my past and the horrible things I’ve done, I murdered so many...And part of me still relishes the feeling of destruction and the death it brought with it. I realize after I found the logs in Dimitri’s old lab that I fight to redeem myself for what I have done. I’ll destroy Dimitri and the weight of all my sins will be lifted...I hope,> Airaxen thought to himself, face blank and fists clenched tightly. He sighed quietly then leapt back down into the ship heading to the bridge where he was going to watch the Myreison capital approach in another hour or so. Airaxen entered the bridge and looked at everyone and they all glanced over at him as well. He walked over to Tikai who was wearing her armor, nervously rubbing her gauntlets.

“Nerves shot?” Airaxen inquired causing her to jump up slightly. Tikai looked over at Airaxen and then down at the floor.

“Yeah I guess you could say that...I’m just scared of you...well dying out there...I mean come on I’ve had a thing for you for the last half year or so and now that you know about it and I know you feel the same way it just would suck if you didn’t come back after all this...” Tikai trailed off slightly, rubbing her gauntlets again. Airaxen thought for a moment and despite being in the presence of everyone else he put his arms around her and hugged her. Ethernial took note of the sight and let out a whistle that caused Airaxen to blush a fair amount and then let go of Tikai who was also blushing.

“Ethernial, you are really...distracting...” Airaxen mumbled at him. Ethernial smiled broadly in return, then took note of Yasosume who was having a twitching seizure if that was even possible. Sonaris restrained her from doing anything rash by pinning her arms to the side.

“That was very touching yes, but please reframe from such things around Yasosume, I think she’s trying to gnaw her arm off to break free and kill one of you,” Sonaris said while shooting a glance at Tikai to warn her, in return she elbowed Airaxen in the stomach for enraging the fox girl. But none the less she still appreciated the act and decided to apologize later on when Yasosume wasn’t around. Other then that little incident the remainder of the trip to the Myreison capital was peaceful, it was a pleasant change from the tense and nervous atmosphere but it still lingered none the less. The light entering the bridge of the ship suddenly began to decrease, everyone looked out the ship’s windows and saw that they were entering an area of the sky that wouldn’t allow any light to pass through.

“I guess we’re close to the capital...” Chaos suddenly said to break the silence in the room. A murmur of mumbling from everyone was all that responded. Everyone was starting to become nervous now that they fully realized just what was happening, it was almost like being a daze and then violently woken from it to find yourself in front of a bus about to smash into you. Airaxen formed his wrist weapon on his right bracer, but didn’t create the blade to go with it and instead looked at it for awhile.

<This is strange...For some reason I want more then anything to go in and fight, not for the sake of the world or beating Dimitri but just to fight mindlessly. Hmph, it would seem that my other half is acting up again...> Airaxen mused. He then looked at his left bracer, on it was the weapon Tikai had made for him, now that he thought about it probably she did it to get his affections, he didn’t know about that but he did appreciate her efforts in making him such a creation. Airaxen smirked at the thought, Tikai really did do whatever it took to get his attention, and now that he thought about it he never noticed.

<Maybe I really am dense as some of the others say...> He wondered to himself, but then shook off the thought. Soon the Myreison capital or what was assumed to be it appeared on the horizon, it was just a large black dot but it was probably their final destination.

“So...” Ethernial began. “Who here suddenly feels they might have left something on back in Lutenia?” He mumbled. Yasosume whapped him upside the head and then frowned. As Ethernial tended to yet another injury he received from the fox girl she went over to Airaxen. He looked over to the side at her and blinked. Yasosume smiled in return then punched Airaxen in the side of the head.

“IF I STILL HAD MY MIKURI SHIMOIR I COULD KICK SOME MAJOR ASS! I still can’t believe you destroyed it!” She shouted. Airaxen grumbled back and got to his feet.

“You came at me with that thing intent to kill me!” He retorted. “And after I saved you from Cerberus!” Airaxen shouted back at her louder then before.

“...Um...I...Err...Hm...” Yasosume couldn’t think of anything to say in return so instead she turned around, then raised her tail and slapped him with it before she walked off. Ethernial went over and helped Airaxen back up and shrugged.

“After awhile you get used to her doing that sort of thing too you,” Ethernial reassured, to which Airaxen groaned back a response. Sonaris also tended to the other lady in the room by holding her down with one hand and covering her mouth with his other to save everyone’s ears from the impending swears and death threats.

“Airaxen, please try and deal with your romantic entanglements so they don’t end up killing each other!” Sonaris said dryly. Airaxen nodded weakly in return, wondering if things would always be like this after they returned to Lutenia. However a voice in the back of his head spoke up:

“How can you be so sure about that?”

“I just am.”