“Kapikapi!”

“Shut it! I told you not to say that repeatedly!”

The next morning, Garfiel was walking through town with a scowl alongside Mimi.

Laughing brightly, Mimi tugged at her robe’s neckline, which was stained with Garfiel’s tears, snot, and drool—lots of dirty stuff.

The stench reached Garfiel’s nose, and it made him wince.

For Mimi, who had an equally good sense of smell, the scent must have been unbearable, but when Garfiel gently suggested she wash it, she replied,

“Hmm, that’s fine, right? We’ll go back to the inn, change, and since we didn’t come home yesterday, I’ll definitely get scolded by the lady! And by Hetero and Tibby too!”

“…Sorry about that.”

“I don’t mind, though? I was just being nice to Garf, and Garf was just being a sleepyhead!”

In a small voice, Garfiel apologized, and Mimi answered with her usual carefree smile.

Last night had been a reunion with his mother and a true parting.

Garfiel, crushed by the intensity of it all, had cried out while being poorly held by Mimi on a rooftop.

To make matters worse, he ended up crying himself to sleep and woke up with a loud voice that echoed throughout the city, finding himself on Mimi’s lap as morning had fully arrived.

Garfiel was trying hard to maintain his composure, but it was clear to anyone that he was flustered in front of Mimi, who was always calm.

With no excuses to offer, he was caught by the rooftop owner when the night turned to morning, and he went home after being thoroughly scolded.

“Did you feel a bit better?”

“Yeah, a bit. I mean, it’s… you know, that thing.”

“That thing, huh? I see.”

“…Yeah, that thing.”

Having missed his chance to thank her, Garfiel sulked. Mimi didn’t seem to care, and Garfiel felt at a loss for words.

He remembered that last night, Mimi had let slip that she had feelings for him.

Unintentionally, he found himself tracking her movements with his eyes.

He’d thought she was just overly clingy, but he hadn’t expected to be the object of her affections. He had assumed her affection was like that of a pet—adorable in a way, but now it seemed that was not the case.

Moreover, despite saying such things, she seemed completely normal this morning.

He had been active in expressing his feelings towards Ram, yet the moment he was on the receiving end of those feelings, his weaknesses surfaced in a pitiful manner.

“So, what about breakfast? Are you going to see your mom?”

Lost in his thoughts, he was surprised when Mimi suddenly stopped and looked up at him with those words.

“Wait, why do I have to go see her again?”

“Huh? Because Riala is your mom, right? Then, don’t you think it’s good to talk?”

“Does she not really get what that means?”

Mimi seemed to instinctively strike at the most important point, without understanding the nuances. Garfiel debated whether or not to explain his complicated position and that of that family but soon dismissed it as unnecessary. This was a matter of Garfiel’s own heart.

“It’s fine. She… she shouldn’t know that I’m her son.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, really… Ah, I do need to think about whether to tell my sister.”

Frederica was quite intelligent.

She would probably reach the same conclusion sooner or later while wrestling with her feelings.

Still, even if they reached the same conclusion, she had the right to know about their mother’s survival. It was a place of concern whether to put her through the same suffering.

“I’ll have to take my time deciding.”

“That’s tough, huh? I dunno what would happen if my mom doesn’t get it; I just think it’d be nice if we all got along!”

“…Doesn’t your mom get it?”

In response to Mimi’s unexpected words, Garfiel trembled and asked again.

Mimi nodded with an unconcerned attitude and said,

“Yeah, me, Hetero, Tibby, Dad, and Mom don’t get it. See, we’re triplets? Raising us must have been tough, so we were abandoned. And then Dancho picked us up! That’s why Dancho is family! The lady is family too!”

“…I see. So you guys are a big family.”

Garfiel lightly patted Mimi’s head without thinking.

In an instant,

“—Hyah!”

Mimi pulled away from Garfiel’s hand and jumped back.

Seeing her face turn bright red, Garfiel was astonished. Mimi quickly turned her back, rubbing her face, mumbling,

“Something feels off since yesterday. It feels weird when Garf gets too close.”

“W-well, that’s my bad then… Should I just step back?”

“Actually, I don’t want that. I prefer it when it’s not too far away but not too close.”

She walked slightly closer, matching her distance so that it was almost within reach.

Seeing Garfiel’s perplexed expression, Mimi just smiled widely as usual, although her face still seemed a bit flushed.

“Oh, but by the way, we have to eat Soiraries! Let’s have Soiraries!”

“O-oh!”

Suddenly derailing the conversation, Mimi took out a bag of snacks from her pocket.

It was something she had received from Riala when they parted ways last night.

For a fleeting moment, a tingling pain pierced through his chest, but as she placed a sweet inside the palm of her hand, the delightful scent made his nose twitch.

Soiraries were baked pastries made with sweetened dough, usually filled with cream or red bean paste—a kind of treat.

There appeared to be two round and sizable Soiraries in the treats bag. Garfiel and Mimi bit into one each, using it as breakfast.

“Yum! Sweet! Delicious! So tasty!”

“Ah, it is indeed!”

Mimi’s enthusiastic praise matched Garfiel’s delight in the flavor.

Sweet but not overly so, and the soft texture was simply exquisite. It had probably been made fresh. Perhaps this was also one of his mother’s specialties.

If that were the case, then perhaps he could have previously enjoyed it many times.

“Garf?”

“I’m no sissy! Nothing’s wrong! Let’s go!”

Responding to Mimi, who was peeking over at him, Garfiel turned and walked off.

Turning his back on the place where his mother lived, he was on his way to where his comrades were likely waiting. Like Mimi, Garfiel was also staying out without permission.

First, he would have to properly face the consequences—

“Uh… is this okay? Can you hear me? The worthless meat that hears my voice should scream, and the worthless meat that doesn’t should be crushed and die for my sake, you know? Kya ha ha ha!”

“Ah?”

“Oh?”

Just as he braced himself for a leap, the voice suddenly struck Garfiel and Mimi’s eardrums.

They exchanged glances and took a simultaneous look up at the sky.

That voice had sounded to them as if it had fallen from the heavens.

“That ridiculous voice just now is…”

“Is anyone here who died from that? If not, it’s okay if you’re not, but for pretending to ignore me, you guys have some guts, huh? I’m starting to feel quite offended! Kya ha ha ha!”

Ignoring Garfiel’s thoughts, the voice continued to ramble on at a deafening volume.

Looking around, the other people walking in the morning streets also looked taken aback, staring at the sky with the same shocked expression as Garfiel and Mimi.

The overwhelming loud voice felt like a party—except it wasn’t.

What Garfiel could distinguish was that it wasn’t just an exceptionally loud shout coming from a single location; it reverberated throughout the town.

Yet knowing that didn’t mean much. What emerged from it was:

“All you worthless creatures are really just stinking garbage spewing out rotten thoughts and drooling while living, and wouldn’t it be better to just headbutt the river and drown right this instant? Seriously, just die already, like, for real! Kya ha ha ha!”

—The voice’s owner was simply a being of utterly evil and vile spirit.

“What the hell? Who the hell do you think you are…?”

“Garf… this is really disgusting.”

Garfiel, tasting the irritation on his tongue, heard Mimi’s anxious murmurs escape her. Looking at her demeanor, he traced the scar on his forehead and clicked his tongue.

That look didn’t suit her. He didn’t want her to wear such a face.

“Now, now, I’m not the one who has to put up with the dull-witted parasites behind it all, right? It’s time you realized that—”

Flashing behind their minds was the unmistakable cruelty of a threat.

“You got it! Now, don’t you understand?”

The chaotic panic in the city spread outward.

Everyone began to cry out, frantically trying to ascertain what had happened, while the booming voice climbed itself back to sound for sheer wicked glee.

“Kya ha ha ha! Suddenly! This is just too perfect! Now that you’ve all realized your lives are on the verge of extinguishment… I’m utterly astonished by your carefree demeanor! Hey, all of you disgusting ones, kya ha ha!”

“——”

“Oh, right! Before I forget to introduce myself clearly, I’d better say my name! You’re going to want to know who it is that’s explaining reality to you, right? I am… the Archbishop of Sin, instructed in Lust—”

“The Witch Cult…!”

“I am Capella Emerada Lugnica! Kya ha ha ha! Show your respect, adore me, howl and lament, then rot away in misery, you worthless creatures! Kya ha ha ha!”

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Right after the broadcast was heard, Garfiel was confronted with a fork in the road.

Panic had spread across the town, claiming to be of the Witch Cult, but it could still be said that the actions of the citizens of Pristella were coordinated.

While they were tormented by confused emotions, the citizens were adept at seeking refuge, familiar with the guidance given by their city leaders.

Nearby, people directed Garfiel and Mimi toward the nearest shelter. But they rejected the guidance, deciding to move right away.

However, once again, Garfiel faced the weight of choice.

And the outcome of that choice—

“Oh, gorgeous!”

“—!”

When they finally reached the shelter, Garfiel could see Riala running towards them.

His lips curled into a smile upon finding someone familiar in the chaos, but Garfiel suppressed the tightness in his chest.

—This was the consequence of his choice.

At the moment he chose not to use the guide to the nearest shelter, he was suddenly faced with a decision.

To return to where Emilia and Subaru should be or to confirm the safety of the mothers he had decided to part from last night.

Rationally, Garfiel knew he should return to Emilia’s side.

But instinctively, he had moved in this direction because it was closest, thinking he’d check first before heading back—but that was an excuse.

“Mimi, I’m glad you’re okay. That broadcast was concerning.”

“I’m all good! Oh, that Soirarie was delicious, thanks for that!”

“Oh, it was nothing really. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

And regarding Garfiel’s decision, Mimi offered no objections and chose to go along with him.

It was likely that Mimi truly wanted to return to Anastasia and her brothers. For her, Riala and her family were still strangers, and she had no reason to go back.

“—”

As Garfiel’s thoughts filled with self-reproach, confirming Riala’s safety brought him one step closer to concluding this uncertainty. He would return to teach Emilia to come up with strategies and muster their strength.

If the name of the Witch Cult had come up, he would fight to protect Emilia. That was a promise made between men that Garfiel must not overlook.

He couldn’t forget being a man, even if he could no longer maintain the honor of being a tiger.

“I’m glad to see you’re okay. In that case, we’ll…”

“Um… I’m okay. That, um, gorgeous?”

Just as Garfiel turned to leave the shelter, Riala hesitated in her words. When Garfiel knitted his brows at her uncommon attitude, she cautiously continued,

“Have you seen my children…? They went out to play since morning… they’re not here at this shelter.”

“…?!”

In a panic, Garfiel looked around. However, the familiar figures weren’t anywhere in sight. The siblings he sought were nowhere to be found in that space.

“Also, my husband… oh, never mind that.”

“W-What? It would only trouble me if you still hid things from me now. Speak!”

“That broadcast came from the City Hall. My husband went to work there today, so I’m worried something happened to him…”

“——”

The City Hall was a tall building at the center of Pristella.

It was supposedly the place that governed the city’s core functions; indeed, the Archbishop had declared they were within the City Hall during that broadcast.

Gallek should be there.

“Hah… Hah, Hah…”

As Garfiel’s heart raced like he was sprinting, he felt like he might collapse from the weight of the situation.

The invisible siblings and Gallek in that danger zone. Confirming Riala’s safety, he had inadvertently learned of a family crisis.

“Boss, Emilia…”

In an instant, the images of Subaru and Emilia flickered in Garfiel’s mind. Beatrice and Otto flashed before his eyes.

He needed to return and lend power to those he needed to protect quickly.

But, at the same time, the images of those siblings and Gallek passed through his mind as well.

“Sorry. I’m really sorry for causing trouble. Gorgeous, just forget about me.”

“…Ah.”

“That was cowardly of me. Don’t worry. The children and my husband know the city’s rules well.”

Riala forced a smile despite the trembling in her hands.

It was clear that she was making an effort, trying hard not to worry Garfiel.

“——”

Silence, silence, silence.

Encoding his words, clenching his teeth, Garfiel thought.

Mimi said nothing, quietly waiting for Garfiel’s response.

She simply held Garfiel’s hand, remaining silent.

“…Don’t worry. I’ll save your children and your husband.”

“—! Gorgeous?”

Surprised at the unexpected words, Riala found herself speechless.

Seeing her nod in affirmation, Garfiel glanced down at Mimi, still holding her hand.

“What happens next is just my whim. You stay back…”

“Teiya!”

“Gah!?”

Just as Garfiel tried to tell her to go back, Mimi sharply stepped on his foot. With pain causing Garfiel to yell out, Mimi puffed out her chest and said,

“Garf said something cool, and there’s no way I’m running away! I’m going with you, I’m gonna stick with you!”

“Ugh… fine. Sorry.”

“Thank you!

“—Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it!”

Mimi grinned brightly. Garfiel felt a wave of relief wash over him.

He turned back to the stunned Riala and said,

“We’ll search for them. So you remain here! Stay put and quietly wait for everything to settle down with the others.”

“But why go so far?”

“——”

Why would he go so far?

As Riala looked into Garfiel’s eyes with curiosity, he smiled at her with a grin.

“Because I’m the Golden Tiger! Gorgeous! Tiger!”

“And Mimi is Gorgeous Mimi!”

They both shouted at the top of their lungs, gathering the surprised gazes from those at the shelter.

In awe, Garfiel and Mimi struck a pose for Riala. Then, they turned to dash out of the shelter quickly.

“Garf, what’s the plan?”

“We’ll follow the scent. I can remember the scent of those two and Gallek!”

The challenge lay in the wide city, and flowing water would complicate the issue.

The circumstances weren’t ideal for clearly tracing the scent. There were too many people around, and while their instincts were good, their noses couldn’t compare to a real dog. Still, their tracking would yield some results.

They planned to return to Riala’s home and follow their senses while searching for the siblings.

Meanwhile, apparently, the evacuation of the city’s citizens was going well, and the city had taken on a ghost town-like appearance. It was surprising not to witness instances of looting, which might be due to the firm power behind the name of the Witch Cult.

“Hm, is this it? I think this scent is what we’re looking for, Garf!”

“…Yeah, that’s right. This scent has a direction to it.”

Mimi identified a scent, and Garfiel picked it up, tracing the direction the siblings had moved. It indeed seemed to lead in the direction from the Third Street residence to the First Street.

Just as Garfiel deduced that, a prediction crossed his mind.

“Got it. Those two set off early this morning to hear the song of the Diva…!”

Yesterday they had said they messed up by leaving late. So today they might’ve decided to set out early, determined not to miss the Diva’s song.

Surely the sister had gone along with him.

“If we go to First Street…!”

If they headed that way, they could also rush to reunite with Subaru and the others.

Feeling unexpectedly favorable about the situation, Garfiel felt his expression brighten a little. —Just then, a scent brushed past his nose.

“——-”

“Is this the scent of their father?”

Both Garfiel and Mimi had realized together.

The scent leading the siblings toward First Street branched off, drawing closer toward the City Hall in the center.

Once again, Garfiel was faced with a choice.

If they continued straight to First Street, they could likely find the siblings. If they arrived in time for the Diva’s song, they were likely to have found their way to the shelter.

But what about the City Hall?

It was a place they had already confirmed the Witch Cult was well established, and the longer this took, the greater the threat to anyone who should happen to stay behind.

Gallek was inside, climbing risks for danger with each passing moment.

“Garf… what are we doing?”

“——”

Faced with that choice, Garfiel faced the issue of confirming the siblings’ safety and uniting with Subaru and the others. However, this likely meant leaving Gallek to his own devices.

As for how Gallek should be assessed by Garfiel was another question entirely.

Unline Riala, a Lichian with children of her own, there was no clear connection between Garfiel and Gallek.

If blood ties could justify rescuing someone, then Garfiel had no obligation to help Gallek.

But if Gallek were lost, what consequences would it hold for Riala and her family?

They would likely fall into despair, spending days weeping. If Garfiel chose to abandon Gallek in this instant, it was possible that family might come to tears.

“…At the City Hall, the Archbishop will be present.”

“Hmm, he did mention that…”

“It’s clear that the other Control Towers are in peril. But it’s the Archbishop calling the shots. If we can just take him down…”

“Then everyone would be saved! Wonderful! So wonderful!”

Mimi jumped up and down, cheering, Garfiel felt his spirit lifting.

She quickly stopped, though, and said,

“But are you really okay? I feel kind of uneasy.”

“Uneasy?”

“It feels dangerous—like that. I don’t know. Just an uneasy feeling—”

Her words expressed an ungrounded sense of discomfort. Suddenly, Garfiel grew frustrated at Mimi’s hesitance.

Until now, she had always respected Garfiel’s judgments. He had expected her to push him with confidence here as well.

“Cowardly… am I just venting my frustrations, like my own self?”

“Garf, what are you gonna do?”

“Your unease isn’t something to dismiss. Plus, the fact that an Archbishop is incredibly dangerous is something I’ve been warned about to the point my ears might bleed. But…”

Doing nothing simply because of fear would only tarnish the reputation of Emilia’s strongest ally.

Besides which, there’s a need to confront that foe to save this city.

“First, we need to check the City Hall. To see if there are any guards, see if the people inside are okay. Taking the Archbishop down comes after that.”

“Like reconnaissance? Hmm… Sure! Let’s do that!”

Agreeing to Garfiel’s cautious strategy, Mimi reluctantly accepted.

She pulled her favorite stick from her robe, and Garfiel equipped his two shields strapped to his waist.

He covered both arms in silver gauntlets, fully prepared.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay!”

As Garfiel stated his brief plan, Mimi joined in, and the two set their sights toward the City Hall.

According to Subaru, the Witch Cult’s “Sloth” was said to have plenty of subordinates with them. Even if they were not as strong as Garfiel, the seasoned Witch Cultists could pose threats if they grouped accordingly.

On their way there, they tread carefully and apprehensively toward the City Hall, ensuring their guard was up. However,

“…What the hell? Where’s everyone?”

There was not a single sight of the overwhelming number of Witch Cultists; not one guard could be found.

It was impossible to overlook the lack of presence, given the absurdly difficult conditions surrounding this matter. So, what was likely?

“They’ve been careless; is that the case?”

Remembering the voice from earlier, Garfiel felt his anger rising at the arrogance of the Archbishop.

With them having taken control of the Control Towers, they likely thought they’d easily won.

He wanted to shred and crush that overconfidence with his teeth and claws.

“Mmm… mmm.”

Beside him, Mimi kept muttering softly.

Looking anxious, she rubbed the back of her neck repeatedly while sniffing the air.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know! But it feels off! Garf, I have a bad feeling about this!”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Mimi, who grabbed his tunic in fright, then unexpectedly let out a whine.

Garfiel roared out at her, angry with her seemingly cowardly attitude at a time like this.

The Witch Cult showing no signs of guards—they weren’t on guard at all.

He couldn’t just focus on the feelings he sensed.

Back off here would only cause more sorrow for Riala’s family.

“If you don’t like it here, stay back! I’ll rip the neck off the person behind that stupid voice!”

“Garf!”

Breaking away from her grip on his cloak, Garfiel burst from his hiding spot.

Dashing alongside the waterway toward the plaza, he quickly plunged into the sight of the City Hall building that lay ahead.

As the distance tightened and the surroundings remained quiet, it felt as though they were fooling themselves into a trap of sorts.

Nothing attacked. Ten steps closer. Nine steps. Eight. Seven. It was a good idea to climb the wall to raid the topmost room. Six steps. Five…

“Garf—!”

“—?!”

As he was about to leap, Garfiel found himself tumbling towards the side instead of straight ahead.

Immediately after that, he felt a razor-like flash behind him, effortlessly slicing into the cobbled street.

There was no sound accompanying that soft destruction.

The cobblestones had been sliced through at an angle without even realizing it, staying put even as the white smoke wafted along the departed path.

“—”

Had it not been for Mimi’s voice, Garfiel would’ve taken that cut at his neck.

The vibrant thrust should have severed Garfiel’s neck cleanly, laying bare for the world to see—a gory piece of performance art as his head dangled from the skin on his throat.

His skin prickled with dread.

Just as he landed, Garfiel caught a glimpse.

“—”

“—”

Two figures had suddenly materialized before Garfiel on the square.

One was a towering figure so large that Garfiel had to crane his neck just to see. Composed of overwhelming muscles, they cradled a massive sword in each arm and shifted their gaze toward him effortlessly. The other was a slender, feminine figure wielding a long single-edged sword.

Both wore black attire that obscured their faces.

“…What a hell of a greeting, huh?”

Garfiel noticed the cold sweat trickling down his neck as he spoke defiantly, trying not to show his panic.

In response to Garfiel’s words, both shadows remained silent, not uttering a single response.

“Mimi, those two…”

Mimi dashed around Garfiel, approaching his side and whispering.

Garfiel did not shift his gaze from the two; he remained locked onto those figures.

“Ah, they’re strong…”

Mimi’s voice tightened with tension, and Garfiel too felt himself go rigid from apprehension as both figures emanated an overpowering aura of menace.

What made it difficult to determine who had the advantage was the fear radiating from both figures, challenging Garfiel’s instincts.

With an overwhelming sense of pressure, it felt like his throat was closing up.

The figures before him were clearly beings that transcended human bounds.

It took only one glance to surpass the female killer he had previously encountered.

“Those two are it, huh?”

There were no other people around them.

The only ones who had appeared to confront the duo directly were those two right there. Given how Garfiel had yet to notice them moments earlier, it was clear that he would be oblivious to any other hidden figures.

This indicated that those two were indeed the walls he needed to surpass to infiltrate the City Hall.

That realization made Garfiel shiver, sneering at the situation he found himself in.

“Ha, this is interesting…”

“Garf?”

“Let’s push through this hellscape! I’m going to burst right through it!”

Rallying up his spirit just when it risked faltering, he clanged his shields and roared, a spark flew forth, reigniting resolve that almost waned.

But just as Garfiel stood ready to fight, he felt Mimi tug at the hem of his clothes, or else she would have a loud complaint about it.

“No! Garf, that’s a no-go! We can’t take them! They’re way too strong! We can’t win, just the two of us!”

“Damn it! You haven’t taken it back yet!”

Mimi was suddenly whining about the situation, her demeanor becoming increasingly shivering as Garfiel held his anger toward her feeble attitude.

“How dare you say that after all this time we’ve been on the same page!”

Garfiel felt anger at the audacity of magic paired with outright weakness.

“Shut your mouth! I’ll tear this together! The rest of this flesh of mine will never let you go!”

“Garf!”

Reaching out, she wouldn’t let him go with words alone.

Garfiel suddenly pulled back, lunging from the low ground into the heart of the plaza.

The only thing standing in his way were the figures of might, and that becomes just another motivation for Garfiel.

“Humph, we’re the ones who bulldoze through this trash!”

“Have you lost your mind?”

With the tension gripping the air, the two figures assessed them without so much as flinching.

“Prepare yourselves! We’ll see just how strong those muscles really are!”

In a last burst of resolve, Garfiel dashed forward, confronting one of the two.

One slender figure froze; they began a whirl of their blades into the air, smirking with mockery at what they thought would be an easy fight.

“—!”

“Garf!”

Garfiel lunged at the unexpectedly coordinated attack, and misery awaited him—a scythe’s rush met him head-on.

Red-mist around his arms consumed them close, holding them taut against his sides.

With shifting reflexes, time seemed to slow as life fleetingly spiraled around them.

Garfiel’s form gathered power in those moments before the rush saw a deafening crash which banished him from all salvation—only memories returned without mercy.

“Hey! Quit the joking around!”

In rage, Garfiel screamed, retreating through his regal stance against those armed legs, slashing out against what was undeniably a stadium of power.

The curse of destiny weighed down upon them like chains, but he broke free, readying himself for the swing as the blade reared back towards his face.

“Out of the way, you!”

The rebound pushed him back to get his own footing, Garfiel turned to the right, delivering a sharp kick that caught one of the figures off-guard, and with no time to react, garbled commands echoed behind him.

“—Shall we, then? This dance awaits!”

The might of shadows perfectly encapsulated under a banner of torment, Garfiel’s howl cut through the chorus of horrors that scratched up against him.

He pressed on, determined, bludgeoning through the shrieks of distractions forcing them aside, there was nothing more than a beating line between him and reprisal.

“Just try and make it out alive!”

There was fire in his breath. Garfiel had advanced unto the two trailblazers, silencing all puppets strung and drawn.

Those figures awaited him, poised down as they lunged forward, blades bared.

The helpless scenes unfolded into fruition, shadows whispering sweet death to the echoes seeking closure.

“Finish this!”

“Ugh!”

Both took the brunt of elemental blows, spun into bold motions leading into experience. They broke his rhythm every two counts, fierce and equally matched against what collided with his form.

The moment came surging onward, every ounce of pressure rained down onto Garfiel’s body so he staggered outward.

“Ha!”

“I won’t fall! Not ever! I’m no fool!”

Come what may, the inevitable clash seized the battlefield in a squall of chaotic dance.

“Where is this leading to?”

“—Garf!”

Mimi caught a beat, knowing—

While he projected himself ahead, her resolve shattered rings of sound bent ever to the rapture of life.

Determined, unwavering, Garfiel struck deep with claws of spirit. Scenic and crushing down the walls before him, he pounded through everything to break beyond this measure.

“Garf!”

“An end to this!”

With all forces colliding in melody and color, possibilities poured from the resonance, descending sights in swirling jets along the prop bazaar of shadows across glimmers of eternity.

“Never again will you rise against me!”

Stumbling yet catching stride, Garfiel heaved back instantly in all desperation— with a storm of mists across fierce shadows.

“Why do you scheme?! Why do you stand before me!”

Together, in those final moments, Garfiel and Mimi lapsed in a beautiful dance, intertwining notes calling from kin.

Until the day dawned once more.

— And the curtains finally began to draw.

Shadows grew thick in certainty.

Yet, not all had disappeared as spirits craved for their impending.

Silence. Silence. Silence.

Aft noise fell ruptured, a gradual calm set about, leaving only the sign his heart made of—

Never would it falter again.

Tide across the darkness grew hollow—a voice echoed past him in infinite chains.

No chains could hold him back forever.

“—Rise once more, Garfiel.”

“Forth I come, with my gaze steady and strong!”

In dazzling tones, they met swiftly, prepared for eternity ahead.

Complete revival.

He would seize all.

The rhythm of endless lives emerging, undaunted—this moment of emergence,

Crashing ever forward, shining bright.

—