Chapter 7: No Time to Rest

The next morning, I woke up, feeling a little better now. I was rubbing my eyes as I was yawning. Of course, it was all still a little black to my eyes. I touched on my right a little while finding a glass of water that was always there. I touched the table and as I moved it to the left, I felt something, soft and I'm not sure as I'm just half asleep.

"Eeek!"

*DSSHHH!*

OW WHAT THE HELL! I got punched on the face, waking me up instantly. I shook my head and looked at Sakura as she blushed while guarding her chests. I looked at my hand and said.

"W-What just happened?"

"Y-You pervert!"

"W-Wha! No! It was an accident! I only wanted some water!"

"The glass in on the left you idiot!"

I looked to my left and saw a jug of water with five glasses over there. I laughed a little as Sakura looks a little angry. I poured myself some water and drank it all up as fast as I can to calm myself down and said.

"Say, is my brother here yet?"

"No, we didn't receive any news yet…"

"Say, why were you still here? Rika's here too?"

"Yeah. We can't just leave you guys alone right?"

"Oh yeah…"

"Anyway Shiki, I've been wondering, what's the relationship between Dawn Spark and Amaterasu? Amaterasu seemed very worried about him."

"Yeah, come to think of it…"

I looked up at the ceiling that was white, pretty much like cake icing. I closed my eyes and remembered what had happened last night. If I recall properly, I saw Dawn Spark in the images. I opened my eyes and said.

"I don't know, but we'll find out soon enough…"

"Yeah…"

I turned to Sakura and said.

"Sakura, take good care of Amaterasu, we can't let Shirai or Lucifer have it."

"Yeah, I'm already aware of it. I thought the Weapon Master was just a huge hoax, but who knew it was real… Say Shiki, you were going around asking about it right? I didn't care much about it and actually thought you were an idiot asking such ridiculous questions. But ever since I saw those demons and got Amaterasu, I understood what both of you doing."

"Don't worry, we are friends anyway!"

"Friends huh? It's great to hear that…"

"The way I saw the demon treated you, you probably don't have any huh?"

She looked down looking a little down. I laughed and said.

"D-Don't worry about it! I killed it already! Oh wait, you did. But that doesn't matter, we will be together. Let's fight until the end!"

She blushed as she looked at me and said.

"H-Huh- Yeah, let's do it. I don't know what way to thank you, but let's take care of this case first; I need to know what else had happened."

The moment she ended her sentence, a lady knocked the door and said.

"Mr. Shiki, you have a visitor."

"Oh! Come in!"

The one who came in was my brother. His spear was with him. As usual, his spear that has a sharp edge that can pierce anything in its way and the sides have a spike on each side, making sideway swipes much easier to hit the enemy instead of stabbing.

"Shiki, you're okay right?"

"Yeah, my body's all recovered now. Medicine these days sure are advanced than anything else!"

Nowadays, all sorts of illnesses can be cured. Of course, with a price. Planet Shion has a bountiful amount of herbs and plants, each with their own medicinal values. Since there are so many, some researchers said that the amount of herbs and plants here has an endless list of cures, and poisons too.

"Say, where did you last meet Shirai?"

"Er, the day you called. At Octavia's home."

"I see, why didn't you tell me about it?"

"Uh…"

"You think I would say it's ridiculous huh? Knew it, so tell me everything about it. About how you got to this point."

I told him everything that has happened ever since I left Town Hellastas as he listens to me intently and once I was done, he said.

"So… Those weapons you had are now magic weapons huh? That's fast. So, Shirai is aiming for you and this girl here? Say, she's your girlfriend?"

"N-No! She's just a friend!"

"If she's not your girlfriend then what is she? Your boyfriend?"

"Argh! This is getting too cliché already!"

Sakura sighed and said.

"At least he said girlfriend, not lovers!"

"See Shiki? She thinks way better than you. Man, if both of you were lovers… Haha!"

I immediately scolded while blushing.

"H-Hey! We are just friends! FR-IENDS!"

"Okay. So, those are your other two team mates huh?"

Shiro was still sleeping while Rika sleeps on the sofa. I nodded and said.

"Shiro, this guy, he's Shirai's little brother."

"Little, brother? But why?"

"I don't know, but it seems that he wants revenge."

"Hm, based on the chaos and ruckus he had made, of course even the little brother would be mad about it."

"Brother, tell me. If we were to meet Shirai again… Do we stand a chance?"

My brother looks down while looking a little upset. By just looking at his face, probably that means I stand no chance at all.

"Shiki, if you really want to fight him, just promise me you won't die, got it?"

"O-Of course I won't!"

"You better be the man of your word. I just hope it's not the same…"

"Same?"

"N-Nothing. Now, let's get out of here. We have to find out about Shirai and his plans. We have Amaterasu already, so that means he cannot obtain it unless he takes the weapon away from her."

"Got it!"

*BOOOOOOMMM!*

Huh? What was that? The explosion was loud. Shiro and Rika was awake too the moment they heard the sound. I turned to Shiro and nodded. He nodded too as if he understood what I meant. Shirai is probably looking for us again. I got out of my bed and wore my blue armor and took my gun swords while Shiro grabs his black coat and all of us went out of the hospital to find out what had happened. The moment we went out of the hospital, it was disaster.

"W-Who is he?!"

"Ahhh! A demon!"

"R-Run!"

We looked around and my brother asked one of the residents.

"What happened?"

"What are you doing here you idiots? Run for it! There's a demon!"

"Huh? Where is he?"

"Oh, you want a free trip to hell huh? Sure! He's right there! Now I have ta save my ass!"

My brother looked at the direction he pointed and nodded as he said.

"Don't worry; it's not a free trip to us. It's a free trip for him!"

The man earlier scampered off like he just saw a demon, but yeah he did so all of us went to the direction he pointed. All of us made a mad dash as we saw people running in the opposite direction as us. We even saw some hunters running away and some limping too. It seems that this does not look like an easy one to deal with. When we had run far enough, we finally saw him. He killed a man with two swords, two dark and deadly magic swords that was like what the lady had used on me yesterday. Shirai took his swords out and said.

"Well, well, well! What do we have here?"

Shiro and I conjured our weapons the moment we saw him.

"Dawn Spark!"

"Hellcraw!"

Both of us went into our fighting stance. My brother walked in front of both of us and said.

"Wait; let me talk to him first."

"Huh? Who are you? Trying to play hero?"

"Maybe, but no. I just have to ask you one thing, which one of you idiots, you or Lucifer, who created the Weapon Master?"

"Huh? Why do you want to know? Oh, maybe because you know you are going to die, so you need to know at least something, right?!"

"Tch, just answer me you sick son of a devil!"

"Haha! Of course I will! I didn't create it, Lucifer did. You needed that response right?"

My brother took his spear with both hands and said.

"Then a bastard like you is going down too!"

"Brother, we'll help too!"

My brother nodded and said.

"Don't go three at once; we'll go one after one. We might end up hitting each other and die if we attack him when others are interrupting."

"Got it!"

"I'll go first! Followed by this man here, then you, got it?"

"Gotcha!"

I backed off and Shiro takes a fighting stance while waiting for my brother's call. Shiro asked me the moment he charged.

"Shiki, what's his name?"

"Shoji, Shoji Kiratami."

"Shoji huh? Alright. Shoji! Whenever you're ready!"

Shoji aimed for the body since it's a much easier target. Shirai guarded it with the two swords and said.

"Lucky for me, I managed to collect my energy enough for swords! I'm sick with spears anyway!"

"Shut up and fight!"

Shoji backed off as he rotated his spear a few times and went for a full charge with his spear. The moment he stabbed, he immediately called.

"Go!"

Shiro dashed to him as Shoji jumped to his back. He seemed to purposely miss his spear attack to cause a diversion for Shiro to attack. Shirai saw it and dodged Shiro's move. My brother didn't even give an inch and tried to stab him. Shirai jumped and said.

"Oh come on! Is that all you can provide?"

I aimed my gun at his direction and shot a couple of times. He blocked it and said.

"Hey now! I'm evading here!"

He conjured a black spear and sent it towards me. I dodged it as I took aim on him once more. Rika rushed to me and said.

"Shiki! Here, have this!"

"Huh?"

She gave me a sphere, a size of a ping pong ball. I looked at it and said.

"What is this?"

"Just in case you were to be hit, this will provide you a shield. But remember, I only created one, so don't get hit on purpose!"

"Okay!"

Although things seemed tense, Rika was still smiling and had that cheerful tone like she always did. No matter what happens, she doesn't seem to look worried or anything at all. It was as if she knew what will happen, but never mind that. I kept it in my pocket and said.

"Shiro!"

"Go Shiki!"

I dashed towards Shirai and tried to hit him with my blades. Since he had two blades as well, both of us clashed our blades and sparks were made. I also had to keep in mind that he can simply let his weapon through mine anytime, so I took precaution on that and only guard when I'm confident the blade will not reach me. Both of our slashes clash endlessly as our speed and consistency did not waver. His light green eyes were intimidating, but I didn't let that take the most out of me. I simply parried all of his attacks and after five minutes, both of us backed off.

"Heh… Heh…"

I was breathing really hard as we didn't give any damage to each other while parrying each other's blades. He laughed and said.

"Breathing easy? Of course not! I'll make sure you feel the pain and suffering of death!"

He jumped at me and I backed off and said.

"Brother!"

He dashed at him and blocked his strike with his spear. The man had a dissatisfied look on his face and said.

"Get outta my face you bitch!"

"Sorry! I'm not a girl!"

Both of them clashed each other's blades as I stayed with Shiro while trying to breathe. Shiro tapped my shoulder and said.

"Let's do it!"

"Yeah!"

My brother swung his spear sending Shirai backwards and said.

"You're up Shiro!"

"Dark Impulse!"

Dark energy shrouded his weapon as I also said.

"Lightning Impulse!"

Lighting energy was charged onto my blade. Both of us called at the same time.

"Assist!"

Both of our weapons energy was transferred to one another like how we did last time. Both of us charged at Shirai with both our weapons fully charged. We slashed and dashed at him as our swings and combos did not hit him. As hard as we try, we know he's not god. No matter what happened, we didn't give him room to move. The moment Shiro's sword wave caught his left arm, he looked down as he seemed hurt. I took the advantage and did a cross slash. The moment when I did, he smiled and said.

"Just kidding!"

He sent multiple spears hidden while he was looking down. I couldn't avoid it and the moment I thought this was it.

*WHIRRRRR*

The shield protected me from all the spears I jumped backwards while panting. Shirai looked really angry and said.

"You lucky bastard! But this time, I killed Lady Luck, so let's see how long you shall-"

He suddenly held his head and said.

"Nngh! Why! Why now!"

I aimed my gun at his head and shot. The shot pierced his head. Just when I thought he was done for, he vanished and Shiro turned around and said.

"Shit!"

Sakura was fighting for her life with her staff against Shirai. Shirai was vertically adding pressure on Sakura. Sakura backed off and said.

"I knew it! I knew something was wrong!"

"H-Huh?"

I said as I looked at her while her staff's orb was shining brightly.

"The Shirai you saw earlier was just an illusion! His real intention was on me! Luckily I managed to find out how to snap all of you out of it!"

"R-Really?"

Even if it was an illusion, that illusion sure was dangerous! I almost thought he was Shirai for real. The real Shirai laughed and said.

"Well, that is all I need, I'll leave all of you a parting gift then!"

Shirai made a black sphere out of nowhere and sent it straight at me. I couldn't react as it was too fast. I know even if I dodged, it will still hit me. I closed my eyes and heard.

"ACK!"

I opened my eyes and saw my brother shielding from the attack.

"Brother!"

"Shiki, run damn it!"

He lands on my chest as there were more spheres coming at me. Shiro blocked them for me and said.

"Go Shiki!"

Sakura made flame barriers and said.

"Shiki! Take your brother away! We'll guard for now!"

"B-But!"

Shiro guarded another sphere and said.

"Just get the hell outta here! Trust me! We'll make it!"

I nodded and said.

"Okay!"

I brought my brother away to safety. I left him on the ground and said.

"Brother! Brother! Wake up!"

He opened his eyes and slowly.

"D-Damn… Even when I guarded, it still managed to go through it and hit my body…"

"You need to rest!"

"S-Shiki! Listen to me! I know your friends won't last too long. So I want you to do this…"

"Hurry up! I have to get there!"

"When Shirai retreats, call all of the leaders, and contact-"

My brother coughed as he was in pain. I quickly asked.

"Who?"

"Hahn Deathspark!"

"Huh?"

"Just call him damn it! Call him and his friends! I got no time to explain, now go! The leaders know who he is!"

I nodded as I put him on the ground and dashed back to my friends. I know if I am a little late, my friend's lives will be in grave danger! I made the fastest dash possible and couldn't stop running although my legs were begging me to stop. I know if I stop now, the heartbeats of all of them will stop too! I can't! I can't let them die! I am their leader! I'll never let them die! The moment I reached the place. Everyone was still fighting hard, but all I wanted to see was all of them standing, and alive. I aimed my gun at him and said.

"Hey bastard!"

My gun turned into Dawn Spark's gun sword (I wonder how…) and said.

"Eat it!"

I shot the bullet and this time the bullet wasn't a normal one. The bullet was like a shining blue ray. The ray seemed unavoidable. Shirai nearly missed it as it hit his right arm. Shirai looked at me with discontent and said.

"What the!"

"Kiss my ass!"

I said out of nowhere. I didn't realize anything at all. Wait, it's not me who's shooting, it was…

"Shiki, sorry to intrude, but I need to solve matters with him too."

Dawn Spark took over my body! I can only see and feel what he is doing. I could only smile and said.

"I trust you, Dawn Spark!"

"Leave this to me!"

Dawn Spark made me go on a Spirit Trance and in such a short time period, probably half a second, I was right in front of Shirai as both my swords were in the air, as if to perform a cross slash. Shirai saw it in fear and backed off and Dawn Spark didn't waste any time. He moved quickly to the back of him and tried to stab him. Shirai turned quickly and suddenly made an Energy Burst and said.

"Tch! You're lucky this is your day! The next time we meet, you'll be the one who's in the coffin, Dawn Spark!"

"Shirai, I'll never forgive you for killing Arlen, that's why I'm not letting you slip off!"

Dawn Spark shot a bullet at him. When Shirai was vanishing, the bullet managed to catch his right arm as he disappears. Now his right arm was damaged twice, that means the next time we meet him, he shall be weaker. I landed on the ground, feeling a little drained from what had happened. Shiro rushed to me and said.

"H-How did you do that? Your eyes were glowing and- Man, you're full of surprises!"

"I don't know how too…"

"Let's head back to Town Hellastas first, your call leader!"

I remember what my brother had said earlier. I nodded and said.

"Alright, I'll go pick my brother up and let's go home!"

I said as I tried to stand but I couldn't as I was too weak. Shiro supported me as he puts my arm over him and said.

"Hey, you save our ass, so let us do it, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks."

He smiled and said.

"Come on; help me a little will ya? Sakura, come on!"

"W-Why me?"

"Come on just do it! You didn't use much energy right?"

"Y-You do it Rika!"

"But I'm not feeling really good…"

"O-Okay… Fine! Since he's our leader anyway!"

Sakura was supported by me this time as Shiro asked.

"Shiki, where's your brother, I'll pick him up!"

"I'll lead the way!"

I was assisted by Sakura for a while until I managed to walk properly. I lead them all the way I left him and when we were there, Shiro immediately picked him up and said.

"H-Huh?"

"What's wrong, Shiro?"

"H-He's not breathing!"

"W-What!"

I rushed to him and checked. He's right, he's not breathing at all. Does that mean? No! It can't be!

"Hey! Bro! Wake up! Damn it wake up!"

Shiro left him on the ground and said.

"Hey! Get a grip!"

Rika rushed to him and said.

"The sphere must have given him the toxic effect! I'll try!"

She took her guns out and when they merged, it turned into a medical box, how in the- Never mind! I have to let her treat my brother! Rika took out a defibrillator and she used it to regain his consciousness.

"Come on!"

Rika tried a few times as I looked at him.

"B-Brother…"

"Come on Shoji! Get up! Get up damn it!"

Rika relentlessly tried to regain consciousness from him, but…

"It's no use… Sorry Shiki…"

"W-What…"

I said as tears flowed down my cheeks. My heart felt like someone had just pulled it down to my legs. I punched the ground and said.

"Damn it… DAMN IT!"

"Shoji you bastard! Are you going to leave him here? You promised him you're going to protect him! Where did that promise go, huh?"

Shoji's dream

The hell happened? I could've sworn I was lying on the ground. Tch, that sphere was poison, who knew… But how did I end up in this void? Argh what the hell! Can someone tell me where am I?

"Hello there…"

The woman said as she has a purple robe. I looked around and said.

"Excuse me, mind telling me where am I?"

"You are in the time void, time outside freezes, and you are here."

"Huh?"

She moves her hand around an orb in front of her. I asked her.

"Who are you?"

Pictures were formed form it. Huh? That's me on the ground, dead. Shiki, including everyone. They are crying, for me?

"How tragic to leave him behind…"

"Damn! I need to get there! I don't want to be dead yet! I still have to protect him!"

"To how far the will to fight for him?"

"Even if my life…"

"Your life was risked for him right?"

"Tch…"

"So tell me, Shoji Kiratami, are you satisfied?"

"N-No!"

"But you saved him, aren't you supposed to be happy?"

"Saved him? I only made him sad! How does that make me happy? Captain Arlen will be disappointed too…"

"Hmhm, but what if you had a second chance?"

"A second chance?"

"A second chance, to change everything."

"Huh?"

"How does this sound, since you know the consequences, why not change the future?"

"Wait, what are you talking about?"

"Will you accept the second chance? Do you want his fate to become fiction?"

"I'll take it! This time, I'll live! For him!"

"Very well. But remember, if you made the same mistake, death awaits you. Now, I'll be watching you…

Huh? What is this?

"Well, that is all I need, I'll leave all of you a parting gift then!"

This is! I immediately ran at him and stabbed him as fast as I could. He dodged it and said.

"What are you-?"

"Shut up! I'm taking you out!"

"Damn you brat!"

I stabbed at him a couple of times, leaving him unable to attack Shiki. I know, I can't protect, but I know if I can attack, I can defend at the same time! He dodged everything, but by looking at his face, I can tell he's pretty angry. He screamed in anger and said.

"You bastard! Eat it! Just for you!"

He sent a black sphere at me. I dodged it and said.

"No thank you!"

I dashed at him and instead of stabbing, I casted a flame with my left hand. It had been some time I had not used magic, but I'll try. I aimed the fire ball and threw it at him. He dodged it and said.

"Just die! DIE DIE DIE DIE!"

He sent a few black spears at me and I know this is the right time!

"Berserker!"

The moment I said it, the spear I had was engulfed in flames, creating a huge spear around three meters, one meter was just for the tip. It was a technique for spearman, an advanced one. If you can't use it properly, it's useless. I've used this skill during the wars, so I know how to handle with this weapon. I entered a Spirit Trance and tried to stab him. He dodged every stab I made although they were already considered really fast. He looks at me as if he was planning something. I stabbed straight at him as he dodges it. He created a sphere and said.

"Haha! Got you!"

Shit! I forgot! This spear can cover distances, but it will also leave a wide opening if it misses. Damn it, was it the same? Will I really die again? But this was my last chance! Argh!

Back to Shiki

I can't stand here watching damn it! I can't let anyone die! Nobody is dying today! I raised my gun and shot at Shirai's direction. Shirai backed off and turned to me as he failed to kill my brother.

"Gah! Damn you!"

"Shoji Kiratami, should I say, captain of the seventh squad. Well done, now I'll take care of it!"

"D-Dawn spark!"

Huh? I'm moving and talking on my own? Wait, Dawn Spark is taking over my body? But how?

"Dawn Spark, how did you?"

"For some reason I just managed to use your body. Trust me on this; I'll settle the scores with him!"

"Okay!"

Dawn Spark aimed the gun at Shirai and said.

"Hope you're ready!"

"Keh! You think you scare me you-"

That moment Dawn Spark pulled the trigger and shot a blue ray of light. Shirai's arm was hit. He screamed and said.

"Could you let me finish you-"

Dawn Spark shot once more on the right arm. Shirai enraged and said.

"Damn you bastards! You got lucky this time!"

He vanished as soon as he received the second shot. My brother went down to his knees and said.

"Whew…"

"Are you okay? Seventh squad captain?"

"No, I'm no longer a captain; I'm just an ordinary hunter now, and a brother to the head captain's son."

Dawn Spark released the control over my body, enabling me to move on my free will again. I instantly fell on my brother as I felt really tired. My brother laughed as he carried me and said.

"Ever since I took care of you, my life had a meaning. Thank you, Shiki."

"I'm soooo tiredddd…."

I said as I yawned. He sighed and said.

"Alright guys! Let's head back. We'll have to discuss about our next move."

Everyone nodded in agreement. My brother grabbed my arms and said.

"Hey, try and stand up. I know you're not used to Spirit Takeovers, but try and stand up will ya?"

"Okay… What's a Spirit Takeover?"

"Basically it means allowing the spirit to use your body to fight. Basically this is the first step for Spirit Tag."

"Spirit Tag?"

"Ah never mind, you'll have to get used to Spirit Takeovers first before you reach that level!"

"Oh right…"

All of us went back to Town Hellastas Hunter's Guild. All of us were pretty much like dried apples. All of us went to our rooms, but my brother purposely came to my room. He said he had something important to tell me.

The moment I went back to my room, I immediately jumped to my bed and said.

"Awwwwww yeah…. That really hit the spot!"

"Alright listen Shiki, since Shirai retreated, it'll take some time for him to rejuvenate. I know one thing, even if we did damage, it's futile as he recovers quickly, so we'll have to get backup now."

"Backup, but from where?"

"The leaders around town could be our best help, but I thought of another alternative."

"Alternative?"

"Hahn Deathspark, captain of the twenty sixth's squad, also known as the Vanguard Squad."

"Vanguard, Squad?"

"That means they battle in the front lines. He was a good friend of mine. Although in the wars, he was pretty young back then. Even when enemies used guns, the squad managed to uphold their name. I'd say they are a strong force. Also, the captain has a grudge against Shirai too."

"Grudge?"

"Yeah, he has his own story, but never mind that. If we can convince him to join us, it will be a great deal."

"Hm, but where is he?"

"If I remember right, Octavia should at least have his number. Octavia used to be under him anyway."

"S-She was? Hell, I thought Octavia was dangerous enough!"

"Trust me; this guy is definitely someone that is not a cup of tea."

By just hearing that, I could already imagine how strong this force could be. So if Octavia was part of it, does that mean the rest of the members are as strong as her? Holy scrap, I don't think challenging them is a good idea!

"So, shall we give her a call?"

"G-Give her a call? You have her number?"

"Uh yeah, I wonder how… Ah! Carla added it as a bonus!"

"Who is she?"

"Oh, uh… She's the leader of Town Westaria."

"Wow, did you get our leader's number then?"

"Eh… I think I'll ask Sylvia for it…"

"Man, you sure know how to be a magnet to girls~~~"

"S-Shut up!"

I selected Octavia as I gave a call. The moment she picked it up, she was actually sleeping. She rubbed her eyes and yawned and said.

"S-Shiki? Wait, how did you get my number?"

"Eh, Carla gave it to-"

"Carla? Ouh that stupid orange haired squirrel! Why are you calling me at a time like this?!"

I checked the time, and it was eleven. Uh, this is starting to sound more like a date… Still, I am NOT a girl magnet!

"I-It's about the Vanguard Squad, or something, right?"

"V-Vanguard Squad? What's wrong?"

"You see, we just encountered Shirai again, my brother suggested we request help from the squad."

"H-Huh? You mean?"

"Yeah, call your captain; uh what's his name again? Ah yeah, Hahn Deathspark, right?"

She immediately blushed and said.

"C-Call him?"

"Yeah, he used to be your leader, right?"

"B-But it's late at night! He wouldn't pick up!"

"Just give it a shot! We can't waste time! Shirai is probably on the move by now! Oh yeah, you're fine at Town Hellastas right? At the Hunter's Guild. Can you bring him here?"

"O-Okay!"

She offs her phone, strangely at an incredible speed. I laughed and said.

"Oh yeah… Carla, she actually, uh, asked something!"

"Asked, something?"

"Yeah! She said if she could…"

"She could?"

"Be friends with you?"

"Friends? Huh? Why?"

"U-Urk… Um, because she wants to get, uh… Closer to you?"

"H-Huh?!"

He was blushing and said.

"H-Hey Shiki, what are you trying to get at?"

"She's single-"

"She likes me?"

"Uh, maybe, but she said whenever you are free you can call her!"

"Oh, damn that's pretty rare! I don't usually hear that! Really!"

"Well why not give a call?"

"I guess it won't hurt. Just give me her number, I'll call her later."

"Okay!"

I sent the number to his phone as he goes back home. I kicked my feet up and landed on the bed and said.

"Shirai… I swear, this time, I'll get you!"

Shoji's room

Carla, the gunslinger? Is that really her full name? It's late at night, but probably this is the only time I'll be free. I'll give it a go then. I dialed her number and waited for a while. Miraculously, when I thought she won't pick up, she actually did.

"Huh? What's wrong random stranger? I'm busy so make it fast!"

She seemed to be arranging some stuff. She's in a cowboy costume too, that's Westarian style anyway. I laughed and said.

"Oh is that so? Sorry to interrupt, this is the only time I'm free!"

The moment she turned to me, she was shocked and said.

"Y-You're Shiki's brother!"

"Uh, yeah? If you're busy, then maybe-"

"It's okay! I'm fine!"

She immediately off all of her ongoing work and said.

"Ahaha… Never knew you'd call me at a time like this! I-Is this the only time you're reaaally free?"

"Yeah, hunting takes most of my day since S class missions are not a walk in a park."

"Yeah, I understand!"

"Say, what's your age anyway?"

"T-Twenty five!"

"Oh, that means you're younger than me, probably you're not in the wars then."

"Not in the wars? Don't look down on me! I was in the wars! In the angel's side!"

"Really? I was a captain, but I don't remember seeing you there."

"Y-You're a captain?"

"Uh, captain of the seventh squad?"

"H-Huh?! Probably because I work at the Research Centre! Ahahah!"

Although it seemed that she had outbursts, she seemed alright. I don't think there's anything I can criticize about, except for being a little loud.

"Research Centre huh? Yeah, that really contributed a little to our forces."

"Of course we did! I introduced the Gatling photon missile launcher!"

"Y-You were the one?"

"Heck yeah! I'm the one who made the big guns!"

"Really? Man, I suck real bad with guns. I only use spears but at least your weapons helped the war."

"O-Of course it did! Guns are totally easy, so how can you not know how to use it?"

"Ahaha… Well, I guess we'll talk some other time so-"

"When can we meet?"

"H-Huh?"

"Oh uh, I mean, can we… Go on a date?"

She seemed a little nervous. I smiled and said.

"Okay then. I'm not sure when, but let me get the problem about the Weapon Master solved first."

"W-Weapon Master? You're finding it too?"

"Uh no, I'm just helping Shiki-"

"I'm coming too!"

Wow… I was just about to ask her to help…

"Great, we'll meet tomorrow at, uh, Town Hellastas sounds good? You know, the Hunter's Guild?"

"A-Anywhere! I'll see ya then! Bye!"

She offs her phone and I sighed in relief. Thank god she accepted!

At Octavia's room

C-Call him? But I… O-Okay! Octavia, it's just a phone call! You're just going to ask about the Vanguard squad, and about Shirai. Calm down and take this easily! I wanted to select his name, but I was shivering. What if he scolded me the moment I called him? I shook my head. It's urgent! I must call! I selected his name and I was nervous. Damn it calm down Octavia! He's probably-

"Hello?"

He's wearing his earphones as usual. He takes one out as he replied.

"H-Hahn! Oh, I never knew you'd pick up!"

"Of course I would! I'm a freaking night linger! I'll stay up all night if I want to!"

"A-Anyway! I called you because there's something wrong recently…"

"Huh?"

"It's about Shirai…"

"What the- Tell me, where the heck is he!"

He takes out the other while looking a little angry.

"C-Calm down!"

"Hurry up! Tell me!"

"H-He's retreated for now. So my friend told me to meet up at Town Hellastas, at the Hunter's Guild."

"Damn, just hate that guy!"

"I understand how you feel, but at least calm down."

"Yeah, I know… Damn, just when I thought he's gone!"

"We may have defeated him once, but remember, we didn't kill him right?"

"Yeah, since he chickened away from us."

"So, are all of our members still out there?"

"I don't know… I only remember we were in a group. But now, I don't remember how many that is still around…"

"Are you even serious? Aren't you obsessed with that stupid robot along with Huang?"

"H-Hey! It's Vocaloid! Vo-ca-loid! Get the difference!"

"It's still a robot!"

"Come on! Vocaloids are awesome!"

"You're just listening to a robot!"

"Argh, whatever! It's still a song!"

"Geez, you get all worked up when I mention about it!"

"It's been nine years! I've been supporting her ever since she was created!"

"You really are a machine lover!"

"Hey! I like girls too! Real girls!"

"Oh, tell me who?"

"Uh, just someone kay?"

"Who's that someone?"

"Argh just shut up! A girl from school, happy?"

"Then tell me her name!"

"Why do you want to know all of this all of a sudden?"

I accidently jumped to something unrelated. Oh no…

"N-Never mind! I'm feeling a little tried, so meet at Town Hellastas, Hunter's Guild, got it?"

"Okay~~~ Fine. But remember, I'm only there because I'm there to find where is Shirai and kick his damn ass!"

"Yeah bye…"

I off my phone and wondered.

"D-Did he really like another girl?"

Back at Shiki

I immediately slept as I was so tired. It was a long day anyway.

I knew this dream would come. It's like a natural phenomenon to me already. I wonder, what's the message this time?

"Are you getting close to piecing the puzzle pieces together?"

"Yeah, all we have to do is kill Shirai and Lucifer, right?"

"Hmhm, that is correct, but there is one thing you must do. Do it for yourself."

"Huh?"

Angels of great justice,
Destinies for people ahead,
An angel of prejudice,
Deceiving people ahead.

The name of the man,
Lucifer.

Selfishness, greed, pride,
Cherished like a god,
Traits that he abide,
Traits that curse god,

Acts that cause confusion,
Acts that cause delusion,
All for his own satisfaction,
But no end to satisfaction.

"I-I don't get it at all, what's this poem about?"

"Hmhm, you don't understand? It's a riddle in a poem, you'll have to dig deeper if you want to know what's in it. Now, let's take a peak shall we?"

She waves her hand around the orb, showing five pictures. Shiro, Sakura, Rika, my brother and Dawn Spark. She nodded and said.

"Hmhm, I'm really amazed. So many bonds that were forged, none of them showed the slightest distrust. Even your own spirit has finally trusted you, thus paving a way for new powers."

"New powers? Oh, that means!"

"You experienced something you never went through before right? The Spirit Takeover, fun isn't it?"

"It does look like fun, but I thought my power only rises when people trust me."

"That's where you got it wrong."

"H-Huh? Then what's right? Enough riddles! My head's going to blow!"

"Hmhm, you said you'll protect your friends, therefore you are needing their trusts, and also indirectly trusting them. As that happens, Dawn Spark's power shall increase. If possible, it might par with anyone in the world."

"H-Huh? Wow…"

"But I must warn you."

"What is it?"

"Forging bonds, that may sound easy. But if you were to display acts that distrust people, your power will go down as well."

"Yikes! I better be careful!"

"Just remember this. Think twice before you talk, think thrice before you act. I'll see you next time."

I blacked out like I always did. What's that poem she gave anyway? Never mind, I'll have to find out what shall happen tomorrow. Who are the people in the Vanguard Squad?