Lucy Greyrat
I know this man!
He's the Mister who came crashing down from the sky and saved me from that huge bug monster.
I was currently sitting across from him at breakfast.
Lara and Seig were beside him again - just like last night at dinner. They seem to like him, heh - I guess I did too.
I did find it odd how Lara seemed to have a interest in him. It was such a hassle to get her to join us for sword training. So her taking the initiative was a change of pace.
They beat me to the punch again. I wanted to talk to him first. I had so many questions - especially about that day. The day I thought I was going to die.
I couldn't believe I had forgotten about him. But maybe that was natural? I was young back then, and it all happened so fast. I probably thought he died, since I never saw him again.
But I remember what he did.
He wasn't like other heroes. He didn't say "leave the rest to me" or act all cool and invincible.
No - he crouched down to my level and asked if I could help him with somthing.
He relied on me.
. . . . .
That … warmed something inside me. I didn't know what it was back then. But now I do.
It felt like trust.
I remembered I nodded yes.
Lara had just finished her breakfast, placing any of the distasteful stuff on Uncle's plate. He didn't complain - he just smiled and thanked her.
Lara left but what surprised me more was who took her place.
Chris
Even Papa blinked in surprise when she slid into the seat next to Arthur like it was the most natural thing in the world. She's always been glued to Papa's side. To see her gravitate toward someone else…
Wow. Uncle Arthur is something else.
"Hmph."
I glanced to the side. And I was met with Ars.
His cheek was pressed against his palm as he poked at his food with a sour look on his face. He wasn't even trying to hide his mood.
Well I guess not everyone is a fan of Uncle Arthur. But Ars seems really down for some reason.
I followed his gaze and realized the seat next to him was empty.
Ah. Big Sis Aisha had already eaten and gone to prep for the journey.
Now it made sense.
I remember how when I was younger and the memory was still fresh in my mind. I would go on and on about the amazing Mister that fell from the sky. And how we worked together to take down the bad guy's evil scheme.
I would tell this story to Clive whenever he visited. I must've driven him crazy.
I wonder how Clive would react if I told him I reunited with the guy who saved my life. He will probably act like Ars right now, so maybe not.
Sigh ... I suppose boys will be boys I suppose.
"Hey hey Uncle Arthur ... Do you have any cool stories you can tell?" Sieg tugged on Uncle's arm as his other hand brought his food to his mouth.
"Huh? ... Oh I don't know. I haven't done anything that impressive... Hehehe"
He was being interrogated again. I simply listened for any clues.
"Oh come on, Master Alec tells me a bunch of stories. He even told me stories about how Red Mama, Papa, and Ruijerd fought with him. Don't you have any tales like that?"
I leaned forward ... If I'm correct this should be around the time where he was by the house defending us.
"Y-yea ... Didn't you do anything interesting while Papa was out?" I asked.
Let's she what he says.
"Oh ummm ... " Uncle seems to fidget alot.
"Hey hey Uncle ... Can I see what's in your bag?" Chris pipped in. "Pleeeease?"
"Eh? My bag? ... Why?"
Ack! Chris ... Shut up! He can't know that we went snooping behind his back. This girl. She just wants to put on that fox mask again.
My siblings can be pretty selfish sometimes, especially Lilly and Chris.
Well to be honest I am curious about that fox mask as well but priorities first.
"Ummm ... Sure, I guess. Maybe Later."
Arthur somehow brushed them off with that same gentle smile.
"Hmm? Lucy-chan is something wrong?"
Then his eyes met mine.
I held his gaze and leaned forward.
Come on. Please remember. Please see it's me.
"Umm ... Ehehehe ... Nevermind"
But he just looked down at his food.
Does he not remember? I know he asked me to keep everything a secret back then, but still…
Wait - maybe he really doesn't remember me. Maybe I've got the wrong guy after all.
"Em ... That's really cool Seig ... I hope Alec is teaching you well"
But then he chuckled softly at something Sieg said. That kind smile on his face - it was so natural. Like it had always been there. I recognized it.
Yes. This is him. It has to be. I could never forget that safe, warm feeling I got that day.
I want to talk to him. I want to know what happened after he sent me off on my task ... I want to thank him.
Especially since I'll be heading off to the Asuran Royal Academy soon. So I might not get another chance.
I'll never forget what he did for me, for my family. I may have forgotten his face, but not that moment, not his kindess
It happened around the time Papa left for the Beheiril Kingdom with Mister Orsted and their allies to face a terrible threat.
I was just a little girl so I had to stay behind
But they made a mistake ... a miscalculation.
And Uncle Arthur... he found it. And he decided to act up on it and asked me for help.
* * * * *
Lucy Greyrat
Papa had to leave with the Mamas. They had to leave to keep our family safe. That was all that Grandma Lillia told me.
So Papa had to go to take out a bad guy that wanted to hurt us ... That made sense I guess.
I knew that Papa worked for Mister Orsted. I didn't feel his presence like I usually do whenever Papa is off on his job.
So he must of came along with him. It must of been really bad if he had to come as well.
So in their absence, I decided to be a good girl and keep a eye on my siblings.
Everyone was on edge. It must of been really really bad.
Both of my Grandma's couldn't sleep. They were just waiting ... waiting for Papa to return home.
Lara was just staring off into space again. She said that Grandma Zenith was nervous. So she said she will be on the lookout for Papa by the window, facing the direction he left in.
Hmmm to be honest I think she just wanted to laze around. Lara was beginning to be lazy as of late. But I let her be.
Grandma Lilia had finally managed to get Sieg to sleep. I calmed Ars down enough that he was now quietly playing with blocks on the floor.
Leo was currently patroling outside the house for some reason but he hasn't come back inside yet.
Sniff Sniff ... Oh what a nice smell.
Big Sister Norn left to go help Mister Ruijerd. I had to give her a little push as she felt like she should stay because I was on edge too but I convinced her I will be fine ... I'm a big girl.
Big Sister Aisha was working one of her other jobs to keep the bad guys from running away.
Everyone had something to do. Everyone was busy ... Except for us.
Grandma Lillia and Grandma Zenith both
Must of been very tired. When I wasn't looking, they must of drifted to sleep.
"Ahphhht!!"
What was that?
"Bzzt ... Woof"
Oh, it was just Leo. He seemed okay, even if his bark sounded a little odd. Maybe he was tired too.
Sniff sniff
That nice smell again. Where was it coming from?
Lara looked like she was about to nod off too. She rested her head on the window sill and drifted into a nap.
Yawn
I must be getting sleepy too. My eyelids were so heavy…
Yaaawnnn
No - I told Papa and all the Mamas I'd watch the house! I had to stay ... Yaaawnnn ... awake.
I did one more walk through the quiet house.
Lara was asleep by the window, head resting on her arm.
Ars was curled up on the carpet, a small tower of blocks forgotten beside him.
Sieg was still in Grandma Lillia's arms, both of them quietly breathing.
Oh ... Grandma Lillia was sleeping too ... Yawn .... That's not good, I should ...
"L-L-Lucy"
"!?!? ... Is someone at the front door?"
Could it be… Papa? Already? I should go greet him - especially since Grandma Lilia is sleeping.
"Bzzt L-Lucy? Bzzt ... Lucy, quick, come here. Out to the gate. Hurry, I need your help, sweetie ....bzzt"
Her heart leapt. That voice -
"Papa?"
She rushed to the door and flung it open.
"Papa?"
But the yard was empty. Only a pink mist drifted lazily across the grass.
"Huh? Was I hearing things?"
She walked around the yard, mindlessly.
Huh ... Where is Papa? Yaawwwn There is just Leo lazing about. Wasn't he keeping guard around the house. Did he see Papa?
Lucy walked further into the yard, not fully aware of her surroundings.
Everything looks fine ... Where's ... Papa?"
Lucy walked past Leo. Blood matted the dogs fur as his breathing was shallow.
"Why ... Are ... You sleeping?"
She looked down at the puddle of blood.
"Leo ...did you pee in your sleep again"
"Lucy! ... Hurry! Bzzt"
"Ah Papa!" Lucy ran to the gate. "Beat ... Wake up, open the gate! ... Fine!"
Shlnk!!
"Your home! ... Ah"
She stepped forward, just one step -
And so something that was laying in wait finally lunged from the side of the stone wall.
Just one look was all it took to get the young girl out of her trance like state.
A blur of red and black. A mouth full of chittering mandibles. The scent of ratting sweetness. Eyes gleaming ...with hunger.
His pheromones cast illusions like fog and messes with the five senses, but the shock was all it took to get the girl out of her trace like state.
She froze.
What was she going to do. Her, like Leo, fell for the monster's trap.
Ah!! ... What is that? ... Am I g-going to d-die?
The young girl didn't have time to even shut her eyes as death came for her.
Lara ... Ars ... Seig ... I'm sorry, you big sis failed.
Big Sis Norn ... Grandmas... Big Sis Aisha ... White Mama ... Blue Mama ... Red Mama ...
I'm sorry Pa -
"Meteor!!!-"
CRASH!!!!
"Strike!!!"
Just before those jaws had reached the little girl, something or rather someone slammed down from high above.
Steel tore through the monster's skull in a burst of black and red.
No blood was spilled as a figure landed with crushing force atop the creature, blade embedded to the hilt.
Chronos flailed once, a shriek rising from his segmented throat, before the man twisted the blade and ended it.
A clean kill
Lucy stared, wide-eyed, as the insect corpse collapsed beside her with a thud.
She was star strucked.
He wasn't wearing armor—just normal clothes. No fancy sigil, no shining emblem.
He didn't look like a knight.
But he had fallen from the sky like a comet.
Whoa ... It almost was like a a ... a
"A ... Shooting Star"
The man raised his head at her comment.
"Ahhh ... That's a nice name" The man just suddenly went into his belt and took out a book as he began writing in it.
"Shooting Star ... Strike? Or maybe ... Descent? Hmmm ... still needs some work"
There was an awkward silence as the man was busy scribbling on his notebook.
"Hmmm Hmmm ... ah! Sorry, did I scared you?" He asked gently.
He pulled the blade from the monster and tried to hopped off but -
"Ah!"
He tried to comfort the young girl but at that moment he tripped on the husk and landed face first onto the ground.
". . . . ."
"Umm,Mister ... Are you ok?"
". . . . ."
"Ummm?" At that moment, she wondered if she should go and get Grandma Lillia so that she can patch him up.
"I'm ok! I'm ok ... Hehehe" His face shot up, his forehead was scuffed and his nose was bleeding a bit. But he brushed it off like it was nothing.
"My goodness. How embarrassing and clumsy of me .... Heheheh?"
He got up and dusted off his clothes. After which he continued his causal and gentle tone and walked towards the girl.
When he approached the little girl he stabbed said blade casually into the dirt, and knelt down to meet my eyes.
Well other than that slight hiccup which caused his face to be a bit messy. His face was still ... Kind. Soft, even.
He just mercilessly killed that monster but despite that fact his face and presence was so ...warm. It made me feel ... Safe
Maybe he tripped and fell to ease the girl's tension. She couldn't tell ... It looked like he brushed it off just to make it a bit mysterious so maybe he actually did tripped.
But regardless, I trusted him immediately.
"What's your name, little one?"
"L-L-Lucy ... Lucy Greyrat ..." She stammered, looking away.
I looked at him and then at the standing sword he placed in the dirt. It was giving off a orange glow. It vibrating and was emitting smoke. I never seen any of Red Mama swords do that.
"Lucy" he repeated gently as he gave me a smile.
"That's a nice name you got there"
"Well then," he said, voice warm as he met her eyes. "I'm a friend of your Papa. I'm here to help ..."
He was a friend of Papa! No wonder he was so strong.
I nodded without thinking.
She didn't know why, but after that episode she felt like everything would be ok.
"Hehehe" he gave me a reassuring smile. Which contrasted with his bleeding nose.
* * * * *
Chronos the Bug King had once been nothing more than a mindless insect, one of many creatures roaming the depths of a long-forgotten labyrinth.
But that all changed the day he devoured his first human.
It was like tasting the forbidden fruit from a tale not of this world - sweet, strange, and transformative.
With that first bite came something new: awareness.
The meat was tender, but it wasn't just the flesh he consumed. He gained something deeper. Knowledge. Understanding. A glimmer of thought. And with it, the slow emergence of self.
That day, Chronos awakened.
He soon discovered that he possessed a unique ability—one that let him assimilate fragments of what he consumed. Knowledge, skills, even instincts. And so, he continued to hunt. Every time a human adventurer wandered into his domain, he'd stalk, devour, and grow.
Each meal made him smarter. Stronger. More cunning.
In time, he began to strategize. He avoided the powerful at first, preying on the weak to build his strength in secret. Bit by bit, piece by piece, he climbed the food chain.
He made it his life purpose to continue to devour these humans and seek strength and continue to evolve.
But if he had to pick another reason ... They were delicious.
He continued on like this until eventually he became the new labyrinth boss, eating the old boss, magic crystal and all.
But in reality this monster simply just conquered the said labyrinth.
Yet he remained in the area posing as the boss of this retired labyrinth.
And all the while, he continued his feast.
More humans came. More meals. More knowledge. His personality sharpened into something disturbingly human. His words became clear. His thoughts, organized. His dreams... vivid.
That was when He appeared.
One night, in the quiet of the labyrinth, during a moment of rest, a white figure manifested in his dream.
A man of strange serenity - wrapped in mosaic, a wide grin on his face.
Hitogami
"Hiya!"
Chronos immediately tried to devour this being but couldn't. He tried but he was untouchable.
He offered advice for strength. Chronos chose to obey and did his bitting. Listening to the god he grew stronger and stronger. So of course his trust in this god grew as well.
That was when a flaw to this makeshift personality was shown though not yet know to Chronos. Perhaps it is the same as with regular humans but since the whole world that Chronos knew was his labyrinth. The monster was incredibly naive.
The being gave him strength so of course the monster trusted him.
But Hitogami only saw the monster as a amusing project that he simply used as a tool.
He would show up in his dreams and say 'go here and eat this person' or 'go here and eat this monster, it's skill would be useful to you'
He was the perfect soldier.
Hitogami viewed Chronos as a possible answer to the sacred beast that will accompany the child of prophecy that will defeat him.
He lead him to monsters with pheromone abilities to counter the beast's heighten senses. Monsters known for there deadly appendages to add to strength to his claws and mandibles. And the cherry on top, humans for their knowledge and techniques.
Call it a test run or desperation. Hitogami ordered Chronos to go to Sharia and eat the children of Rudeus Greyrat.
It was the perfect opportunity. Rudeus and Hitogami's mortal enemy Orsted, the dragon god was away dealing with his other Apostle.
It was a simple magician trick. Flash one enemy as a distraction while another goes and fulfills his true objective.
But all that time and effort wasted in a instant.
After all the humans he ate. Chronos gained a sense of regret after all his hard work. To just be taken out like that.
He was no pushover either, in terms to this world's ranking system. He was around the King or Emperor rank.
Tricked and outplayed by another being Hitogami viewed as insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
But Hitogami was frustrated for a second as he came with a backup plan. He wasn't mad at Chronos as he fulfilled his objective and was able to take out the sacred beast.
Now it was time for his secret weapon. One that not even Orsted knew of in all his other loops. But Hitogami desperation caused him to play this card now.
It only made sense. Orsted had gained a wild card in this loop. So now it was time for Hitogami to play his ace card.
The cunning god came with ... Contingencies.
* * * * *
Arthur
How embarrassing ... So much for that cool entrance I made.
On that note, thank goodness I made it on time ... That was too close.
But it looks like it all evened on right now. Lucy-chan seems a bit at ease now.
As my focus was on calming the stunned and trembling Lucy down. I felt the hairs on my neck rise.
Behind me, the corpse of Chronos twitched.
Of course he was dead - my strike had pierced him clean through - but this must of been one of his contingencies. A "you may kill me, but I'm taking you down with me" kind of deal.
The first one to notice was Lucy as her eyes widened and then ....
Smack! .... Crash!!!
Wind suddenly blew past us as Chronos corpse disappeared from Lucy field of view.
My gaze never left Lucy as if she had my full attention.
I simply smiled.
With that powerful gust of wind and a roar, something slammed into the twitching insect's corpse and sent it flying.
It was Nyla.
I noticed Chronos too but I trusted Nyla to have my back. I was too focus on calming Lucy down. There was something I need her to do for me.
She felt the wind when Nyla tackled the dead body of Chronos. She blinked as she followed the rush of wind but her view was met with my hand.
"You don't want to look at that ... It's super gross"
I took a quick glance to see Nyla eating the bug corpse.
Whaaaa ... What made you think I wanted you to eat it girl. If Lucy sees that, she will think we're just a couple of weirdos.
She stared up at me, still shaking, still overwhelmed. The illusion had worn off, but her mind was catching up to the terror she'd narrowly escaped.
"Say do you want to help me?"
"Huh?" She blinked at me, eyes wide. The look on her face said, 'Are you serious?'
"You see, your papa's in a little trouble," I continued. "I want to help him - but I could use some assistance. What do you say?"
She hesitated for just a moment.
Then nodded.
"Good girl. Good girl."
I turned and began sketching a layout into the dirt with my finger. A crude map of two battlefields: one here in Sharia, and one far away, where Rudeus and the others were fighting, in the Beheiril Kingdom.
"Ok ... here is the plan ok" She looked down at the crued drawing that was suppose to be a map.
"The bad guys got the jump on us, they were able to take out how we can get in touch with your papa. The leader had some guy destroy the place where your Papa works and now the teleportation circles are disconnected"
As I finished the layout I began to use some earth magic similar to Rudy's figurines. Of course I'm not an expert like Rudy at making figures but I was confident enough to make little doll/chess like pieces with some of the characteristics of everyone.
Rudy with his signature hairstyle and staff.
Slyphie with her hair and elf ears.
Roxy with her hat and staff
Eris with her coat and sword.
I also added Ruijerd with his jewel and Trident.
I even included Orsted as well but I made him poorly as his face was distorted.
"You Papa is here right now in the Beheiril Kingdom. He is with your mamas right now fighting some powerful people"
I then made a chess piece similar to Sylphie but smaller, showing that it represents Lucy. And then one of me and then of Chronos the bug king.
"It appears to me the mastermind here had some extra forces, ready to attack your home while your Papa is away. It looks like their plan was to draw your Papa out, take out his way of returning home and then attack this place"
Where I drew Rudy's house is where I placed Lucy's piece and then Chronos's piece. I also made some other pieces, which is to symbolize the other children
"Luckily I was able to intercept the bad guy's play in time"
But then, like a chess game I took my piece and knocked down the piece of Chronos.
"So now it's time for a counterattack" I said like I was playing so game, trying to ease the girl like 'we haven't lost yet'
"I have two things I need you to do for me, Lucy-chan. First ..."
I pulled out a flute. This was not any ordinary flute, it was a flute that allowed access to chaos breaker, Perugius flying fortress.
"I need you to give this to Aisha, she should be at the Mercenary HQ"
If I recall ... I believe Rudy has her organizing the mercenaries to block off the roads to and from the Beheiril Kingdom. If the communication tablets are out too then that means she is in the dark as well.
Lucy took the flute in her small hands, brows furrowed.
"Why can't you do it, Mister?"
"Ack, well…" I rubbed the back of my neck. "Aisha is... a little mad at me right now. If I give it to her, she won't take it."
But the real reason was more complicated.
I was a demon. Not a typical one, but a demon nonetheless. And Perugius, Lord of Chaos Breaker, hated demons.
If I approached Chaos Breaker, I would immediately be kicked out, if not killed.
I fidget nervously like some child. If someone where to be watching the exchange then they wouldn't be sure which one was the child and which one was the adult.
"Also," I added, lowering my voice with a wink, "I think it would be best if you didn't tell anyone you saw me. Let's keep this our little secret, okay?"
Lucy gave a slow, thoughtful nod.
"Good," I smiled, creating little pieces for Aisha and some of the Mercenaries. I placed them gently on the map.
"Great" I look towards Leo, the sacred beast that I heard from Rudy that Orsted hyped up for some reason.
Sigh ... I guess that what he gets for making assumptions
I stood up from crouching and made my way to the beast. From my belt I pulled out a flat ornament with a magic circle enscribed in it and attached it to my sword.
Angel Sword - Yellow
My sword glowed yellow and emitted somewhat angel like wings. I pointed said sword at Leo and it began to heal the beast.
"I was hoping to save this for later, just in case, but oh well ... Your safety comes first"
After the sword stop glowing and the wings faded. Leo slowly got up as he shook the excess blood on his fur.
"Woof ... Woof"
He jumped on me as he began to lick me. Almost saying 'Thank you, thank you ... I was really careless there'.
"Leo I need you to take Lucy here to where Aisha is ... Can you do that?"
Leo was hesitant as he looked at the Greyrat house. Not sure if he should leave his post.
"Don't worry let me handle that"
"Woof"
"Good boy" I hosted Lucy from her arms and placed her on top of Leo. With the added height, I was now looking up at her.
"What I'm I suppose to tell Big Sister Aisha when I give her the flute"
"She is a smart girl ... She can figure it out"
"And the second thing mister?"
"Hmm, oh yes ... Now, once you finish that errand, return home. When you get home I need you to stack packing and gather your siblings to leave. This is just a precaution on my part but it never hurts to be safe"
Lucy accepted that task solemnly.
"What are you gonna do,Mister?"
"Me? ... Oh"
I stood and looked out toward the horizon, where I could already feel a pressure in the air - a heavy, suffocating presence creeping closer.
"I'm going to handle the other bad guy. The one coming for us, right now." I playfully pounded my fist to my chest in pride.
"All by yourself?" she asked, clearly worried. "But Papa needed a lot of people to fight the other bad guys."
I gave a half-hearted chuckle.
Children can be very observate, unbeknownst to the adults around them.
Heck I knew from experience as I was in the same boat when I was the youngest in 'Dead End' just watching, Rudy and the others as they made the decisions.
There were times when I was against some of the decisions Rudy would make. Like when we first started off as adventures and he planned to swap quest with a higher party he caught stealing pets.
But I was the youngest so all I could have said was that I was against it and he just brushed me off.
But now I'm a adult so now I can cover for Rudy's mistakes. Hence why I am here now.
But anyway, Lucy figured out that the people that her Papa and mamas were fighting with are very strong and dangerous.
Of course that's a given that this enemy that's approaching us is no joke either. I was able to get the jump of that bug but can I really beat this guy.
....
No its not about whether I can do it or not. If I don't do something this little girl and her siblings will be killed. I can't let that happen, if anyone deserves a happy ending it should be Rudy.
Beside, now that I think about it. I'm not alone right now.
"What are you talking about?" I said, tapping her forehead lightly. "I've got plenty of help."
Her head tilted. "Huh?"
"I've got you, Lucy-chan. My little scheme can't succeed without your help"
She blinked in surprise.
"We're a team!" I declared proudly. "Team... uhh... Shadow Counter? No wait - Team Midnight Counterattack? Hmmm..."
That's right, if anything all I have to do is stall for time while she goes and help Aisha re-connect the teleportation circles. And if worst comes to worst ... I will retreat and take the children somewhere safe.
Miss Zenith and Miss Lillia should be safe as they are not Hitogami actual targets. I'll tell them to escape and then inform Rudy, if he survives, that I have his kids, safe and sound.
But anyway that's not important right now ... What's important is ... What can be a good name?
She watched in awe. Her lips curled up in a smile, amused despite herself.
". . . . . Ha ha ha" Lucy couldn't help but chuckle. Not from the lame naming conventions but how I viewed this makeshift group as some veteran team.
"Woof" it seemed that Leo was happy with this arrangement.
Someone depended on her. And that was good enough for her to put her all in this. This is her fight as well now and she is determined to win.
Perhaps this was what got her so on edge when her Papa left. That she wasn't included in the fight to protect her family. But now she was. All thanks to this man who came crashing down out of nowhere.
"Lucy-chan"
"Hmmm?"
I raised my hands for a team clap. She reached out from atop Leo's back and met me halfway.
Clap! Clap!
"Lucy-chan," I said, meeting her eyes. "I'm counting on you."
Her smile turned soft. Confident.
"Mister?" she asked one last time as Leo padded toward the edge of the property.
"Hm?"
"Is the bad guy that's coming... is he strong?"
"I'm not sure" I answered honestly. "But if I know the mastermind behind all this, then yea ...he should be pretty strong"
She hesitated. Then spoke quietly.
"Mister, c-can you promise you'll be okay?"
"Ah!?!" I was taken aback. I gave a slight chuckle at the young girl.
She really was her father's daughter.
I leaned on my sword, thinking. After considering my options, I then gave her a smile.
"I promise ... I will win and make it back safely, Lucy"
I gave her a crisp salute - like I was accepting a mission. Protect her siblings, beat the bad guy, and make it back alive.
Lucy's worried expression softened into a gentle, hopeful smile as Leo carried her away.
Only once they were gone did I let my shoulders relax.
I looked out toward the road, feeling the oppressive presence drawing closer.
He wasn't even trying to hide his presence. Whoever this was… he wanted me to know he was coming.
Hmmm ... Maybe I should do some preparations for my fight.
"…Right," I muttered to myself. "I promised and all…"
I tightened the strap on my sword.
"That's gonna be a tough order, Lucy-chan."
No ... That's loser talk
I've failed before - but not this time.
Whatever Hitogami throws at me, I'll overcome it. For Rudy. For Lucy. For everything I've done wrong.
I stepped to the center of the road right outside the Greyrat estate.
"Right ... Now I wait"
I sat down on the ground, planted my sword on my shoulder, and waited.
But sadly this epic is for another time perhaps.