"Three girls? You mean those Kru-keri-something? They picked on you again? Maybe we should report this incident to the administration. Or I could always drop by and give them a piece of my mind...
Aokigahara felt a surge of anger when he learned that Mikuru was being bullied to make her do their assignments. He felt a hand on his shoulder and saw it was Ciel.
"You can't get involved with cases like these. If things backfire on you, your scholarship grant may very well go out the window. I'll deal with it. If you want, I can issue a complain right now."
Ciel presented herself, knowing that she does have enough sway and confidence to issue a formal complaint on Mikuru's behalf. Setsuna then moved closer to Mikuru.
"Don't worry, there are a lot of us and only three of them right? I'm sure everyone here is willing to give you a hand."
She turned to the two Misatos, Alto, the couple at the seats and Ciel.
"Right?"
Ayano helped Misaki up and accompanied Tsubaki out of the scene. She dropped them off at a bench and was about to head back when she noticed that Misaki had a hard time breathing. Hurriedly, she took out her phone and called for an ambulance.
"Hello? Yes, I need help here on the Seaside Mall, Heavenrend immediately. We have two injured people here, please hurry!"
Ayano put the phone down and looked at the green-haired girl.
"Is there anything else I can do?"
After three hours...
"Ah! Finally we're here. Hey! Could you tow these parts to Axion for analysis? Those are automaton parts manufactured by TSL. We ran into them back at Order territory."
Iruga gave instructions to some workers stationed at the landing bay. Axion was Izumo's main manufacturing division. They produce a lot of hardware and electronics for the whole faction. This includes gadgets, appliances, vehicles, weapons, mechas and automatons. It was the place where Iruga received the beam weapons he uses. A worker then approached Basileus as he landed.
"Sir, you are scheduled for parts fitting in one hour. Please proceed to Axion's manufacturing plant C."
Meanwhile...
Chloe had retreated back to her hotel and freshened up. She opened a small box after changing her clothes, containing a wolf emblazoned on a crescent moon. She remembered the talk she had with Schwarze's Chairman. He was convincing her to return to Schwarze and take up arms again for a possible upcoming battle.
"Here."
The Chairman handed Chloe her insignia, counting on her loyalty to the cause.
"X-chevals wear those..."
"I thought it's best that I don't inset you into the regular military chain of command. This additional authority will prove handy in the battlefield. Go on, you've earned it. If necessary, I want you to use that extra power to execute your own decisions."
Now, as she stared at that badge of honor again, she finally decided that her time as a standstill must end now. She pinned the badge on the collar of her coat and took out another object from the box: A key, and a map displaying some coordinates.
Upon arriving there, she was led into an underground hangar. The lights consecutively flicked open, revealing a new Variable Mecha stored beneath. Chloe breathed deeply as she boarded her new machine.
"Something has taken root, and began to grow. I don't know whether it's good or bad. However, in order to find my own answers, I have to go out there and see for my own eyes. Time moves forward for everyone, and so I have to keep on living even if fighting is all I can do for the moment."
"You are cleared for launch. XCVL-03 Phenex Breaker go ahead."
A voice giving her the green light sounded throughout the radio of the large machine. Chloe took one last backward glance and headed out.
"Phenex Breaker, Chloe S. Victoria. Launch!"
With that, the mech's eyes activated, it's thrusters blazing more as its pilot hit the command for it to start flying. It emerged from the hangar in a hazy light and headed for its first assignment.
Aoi was struggling with the red-haired mercenary at the outskirts of the last Heavenrend station. They were engaged in brutal combat. Despite being a Spirit, Aoi was on the losing side. The mercenary only had one huge knife but he was more than enough for a match against her, managing to land several slashes all over her body.
"I got you this time!"
Allan yelled as he swung his knife towards Aoi's chest. Aoi managed to dodge in time but the blow had grazed her right shoulder, making it hard for her to coordinate her dominant right hand. She can't feel the pain, but there's no denying the effects wounds have on her body. She retaliated by forcing a few stabs which Allan just warded off with his own. No matter how you look at it, the more experienced mercenary had the upper hand.
"Well, how's that shoulder, Monster-san?"
Allan leapt forward and attempted to stab Aoi as she lay struggling to maintain her footing. She managed to notice and blocked his blade with her own.
"Tch! How are you moving with this injury?"
Allan sent a kick into her stomach instead, sending her reeling back. He ran toward her, with the intent to strike at her heart this time.
"I can't lose here yet. Not yet!"
Aoi's intent to survive grew stronger. Despite the fact that she can't die under normal circumstances, something inside her won't accept losing to someone like him. It was like-- that time when she was still alive. Like when she fought that old samurai. Determined, she let Allan's blade pass as she slid down, letting the blade take a few strands of her hair. She remembered a scene from her past.
She was face to face with a Samurai wearing a dragon-shaped mask. His armor only had a few measly scratches as he stood defiantly in front of her. On the other hand, Aoi left arm was bleeding, staining her black garb as she clutched the hilt of both her swords. The samurai gave a last shout and charged at her at full speed, his Daitou raised high over Aoi's form. She clutched the swords to her chest and gave one last push amidst the falling rain.
Not wanting it to end like that, she headbutted Allan, sending him back. Before he could recover, she swung her blade at his right arm, forcing him to drop the knife he was holding earlier. She pushed him back by swinging her knives at him until he was almost at the edge of the station. Their trains were elevated above the ground and a fall could mean the end of Allan. Luckily, as Aoi swung her knife, a tuck carrying hay slowed down. Allan took this opportunity and jumped off, the hay cushioning him as he fell. Just as Aoi had realized what he's done, the truck sped off, leaving her at the station.
"I was able to manage...this time..."
She collapsed on the cold pavement, her entire body tired from the fight.
