It was still a long ride to the Owlite Library. Mark still felt the answers Crowe gave him were inadequate so he asked more.

“So who’s this friend?” Mark asked.
“Two friends by the names of Lucy and Blake.” Hunter said.
“Hmm... Blake... I’ve heard that somewhere...” Mark thought loudly but pushed it off his mind.
“They were on patrol and their signals were lost. “ Crowe said.
“Oh... Where do you―” Mark started.
“Hang on...,” Hunter said.
“Lucy was in here last time the signals showed us and Blake was here too but it completely disappeared.” Crowe explained.
“I see...” Mark replied.
“Hey, my turn to ask. Why were you stuck alone in that road?” Crowe asked.
“You never give up, do you? I don’t know. How long was I out anyways?” Mark rolled his eyes.
“Hmm... Three days, I think?” Hunter replied.
“Wait, what?” Mark asked incredulously.
“Hey! Look at that!” Crowe yelled with as much enthusiasm Basil could have selling recipes and all that. She pointed to a battered Crusader Helmet.

“What?” Mark asked.
“That’s... Blake’s HELMET!” Hunter yelled with Crowe.
“I know right? Let’s get it!” Crowe said and ran towards the item.

Hunter followed her and Mark walked to them, not understanding the value of the helmet.

“Damn it... No records or archives...” Hunter cursed.
“Hey! What’s this?” Crowe asked him, as she pointed to a blinking video icon.

Activating the certain protocols to watch it, she clicked it and watched as Blake records the same video she is watching.

< Okay, I’m in the library. >

‘Blake...’ Hunter thought.

< I am currently recording some of the things I have read, like this Ancient Cradle Book. It has all the symbols and stuff about the history of Cradle! >

*bip*bip*bip*

“Hmm?” Crowe asked herself as she looked at the dialogue box.

―[Transmission from: FERON]―

“Is that you, Blake?” a serious voice asked.
“No, it’s Crowe, sir,” Crowe replied.
“Oh. How’s the mission?” Feron asked.
“Fine! I’ll send you a video from Blake and decode all those symbols...” Crowe replied, sending the video.
“Thank you dear girl.” Feron said.
“No problem. End Transmission, Helmet 20K88jI – Log Off.” Crowe said as she removed the helmet.

“Thank God, that’s over,” Crowe lamented.

“Why hello, dear fellows,” an intoned voice said as all three knights turned their heads.

Mark sat in front of Crowe, rested.

Thinking aloud, he said, “Wow... Time travels fast... Who knew I’d be in bed then―”
“I’d be in bed.” Crowe said.

Surprised, Mark was taken aback. “WAAAAH! Crowe!”
“Hey what’s going on in here?” Hunter asked from outside.
“Crowe’s awake!” Mark yelled.
“Great! Uh, do me a favor, Mark? Keep an eye on her. Ellis and I are going to collect firewood.” Hunter yelled back.
“Fine.” Mark replied.

*****

“Was Keith alright?” Hunter asked Ellis.
“Yeah, minor injuries...” Ellis said.
“Why’d you hesitate in fighting him?” Hunter asked.
“Because he’s my brother.” Ellis replied.
“So? Crowe’s my sister. What’s the fault in saving your twin?” Hunter asked.
“I don’t know... It’s just that, since I’m older, I’d have to protect him and all that.” Ellis said.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!” a shriek was heard from afar.
“Let’s go.” Hunter said.

*****

“You awake, Mark?” Crowe asked.
“Yeah... What’s taking those two?” Mark asked, rubbing the palms of his hands together.
“Hey... Mark?” Crowe called.
“Yeah?” Mark replied.
“If you’re cold... we could... uh...” Crowe said.
“Hug? Is that what you’re gonna say?” Mark said and hugged Crowe with open arms.
“Yeah.” Crowe replied and felt warm. Then she pulled back and faced Mark.

“W-what?” Mark darted his eyes to the left.
“Nothing...” Crowe replied. Then she leaned her face toward Mark’s and closed her eyes. Mark closed his and let instinct take place.

For once, they felt alone together. Pulling back again, Crowe stuttered, “I-I’m sorry...”

Mark relieved her and said, “That’s okay... ‘Lovers’ right?”
“W-what?” Crowe asked innocently.
Mark laughed, chortled and gagged a little.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!”

Mark and Crowe were surprised, and Mark automatically called Hunter.

After five seconds, it was answered.

Mark and Hunter had a heated conversation, Crowe did not hear the murmurs and mutters.

Then the call ended with a *beep*.

“What was that about?” Crowe asked.
“They... encountered a snipe,” Mark replied.

*****

“It’s a giant snipe!” Ellis shouted.

Before them stood a snipe with a bleeding beak. A body lay beside it.

“Oh no,” Hunter said, shivering.
“Bro, what are you shaking about? It’s just a snipe,” Ellis said.
“IT ATE A GIRL!” Hunter shouted, unable to keep calm.
“Calm down. All we have to do is stab it, roast it and eat it,” Ellis said coolly.
“Easy for you to say. This gives bad memories...” Hunter said.

The snipe wriggled a bit and flapped its wings as crows came out of the thick foliage.

“Let’s do this.” Ellis said, prepping a sword and letting go of the wood. A gleaming Ascended Calibur made its way out of the holder on Ellis’ belt.

“Fine. Just don’t hit― HEY!” Hunter started as Ellis flew right at the snipe. He stabbed it, and the snipe crowwed.

Following the started fight, Hunter shot a few Catalyzer Mines at the snipe. When ten or eleven enveloped the snipe, he told Ellis to keep away.

Ellis did and Hunter shot a normal bullet at the snipe. A green veil enveloped the snipe as the mines expanded and exploded. The snipe shrunk when the veil cleared and Hunter took the body.

“What should we do with the body?” he asked.
“I dunno... But at least we have dinner!” Ellis said.
“I’ll just bury her...” Hunter said, obviously not satisfied about what to do in the gruesome fate of the girl.

Hunter and Ellis returned late at night.

Cooking the snipe and inviting Keith to the camp-out, the night was complete.

“So, how you feeling?” Ellis asked his brother.
“Oh, I’m fine, having stabbed...” Keith sarcastically replied.
“Oh, come on. Choose between rescued or hypnotised by a freak?” Ellis asked.
“...I shouldn’t have let the ether barrier down for that second...” Keith looked away.
“What’s ‘ether’?” Mark asked.
“I’ll explain through out the night... Right now I’m hungry...” Keith replied.

The trip to Haven was full of complaints from Ellis, Keith and Hunter.

But before that, Mark and Crowe had to beg Hunter to allow Nick to come along. Hunter hesitated but he agreed in the end.

As they walked out of the elevator, Feron greeted them.

“Hello, my precious recruits!”

Crowe, Hunter, Ellis and Keith greeted him back but to Feron’s surprise, Mark was innocent.

“And what’s your name?” Feron asked.
“…Mark.” Mark said, shrugging.
“Ah, I see. Hunter, I have something to show you. Why don’t your friends stroll around Haven?” Feron offered.
“Ok, Ellis, Keith, come!” Mark slung his arm over Crowe’s shoulder as he said. The twins followed the couple to the Bazaar.

*****

Ellis and Keith left to buy something on auction. All that’s left was Crowe and Mark.

“So… What do you want to do?” Mark asked.
“Let’s go see Bechamel. Maybe he can accessorize now…” Crowe replied as she followed an excited Nick to a guy who was mending some pins and badges.

As they reached Bechamel, Nick was already licking a Love Puppy on its nose.

“Awwwwww… Nick’s licking the Mini-Monomi!” Crowe said, finding this “cute”.
“Hehe, welcome back Crowe! Who’s your date today? Are ye getting treated?” Bechamel said cheerfully.

Then Crowe blushed.

“Hmm? Why’re you reddening now? You look like a gentle kitten.” Mark said with a smile. His teeth were shining, his blue eyes became bluer, his black hair bent and swayed with the wind.
“I’m not!” Crowe said, reddening more at one look at Mark.

Crowe’s face was reddening, her eyes were gray, her hair was fixed in a simple crimson anime-long haired girl style and her breasts trembled as she shook herself to brush away the blush.

“C’mon Crowe, you don’t have to hide it,” Mark grinned as Bechamel took his hand and gave him a blue tear-shaped pendant to give to Crowe.

“Give this to her,” Bechamel smiled as he whispered.

Mark took hold of Crowe’s shoulder and faced Crowe. Crowe was looking directly at Mark’s eyes, nervous. Mark put the necklace on Crowe and it looked great on Crowe.

Then he looked at his watch.

10:30 AM.

They needed to go back to Hunter.

With a “Thanks, Bech!” the couple walked towards the Arcade.

*****

“Oh GOD!” Hunter exclaimed as he looked at the screen.
“He is―” Feron started to say.

“Hey dudes!” Mark calmly said, “What are ye looking at?”

Immediately, Hunter deleted the file.

“Fib it!” Hunter whispered at Feron.

Mark was in the Royal Jelly’s Palace.

He wore new clothes like the Sunset Duster and Hat. His weapons Silver Six and Black Hawk gained improvised unique variants. All thanks to Clove who gave him money to start the run. She even gave Mark a freaking elevator pass.

“Thanks.” Mark murmured as walked to an Icy Path.

He encountered frosted gelatin, icy polyps and cold lumbers. Despite all the enemies, Mark overcame them in seconds.

The jelly-type monsters were destroyed with Black Hawk bullets filled with dark energies. The lumbers were felled with enormous amounts of Silver Six bullets filled with angels’ souls.

Each bullet took off from the muzzle of the gun at one nanosecond per bullet.

‘An alias, she said.’ Mark thought, ‘How about… Kyrie…’

Kyrie was his new alias. Nick was okay with it, as long as he got to stay within the warmth of Mark’s clothes. Then Mark just shrugged it off. He needs it when he needs the freaking alias.

*****

Crowe picked up her Silent Nightblade and Dark Reprisal. Dark energies enveloped the two, much like what Crowe feels for Hunter and Feron.

A little while ago, she received a message from Mark.

*** I’ll be at the Ice Queen’s Palace. Just did this so you won’t worry. Come at your leisure. Love, Mark ***

She decided what to do. She had to convince Mark. Of what?

She did not know. All she knew was that she had to help him.

At that moment, he followed Mark’s trail to the Ice Queen’s Palace.

*****

Mark just defeated yet another jelly with his shining Black Hawk.

Gallantly picking up the spoils, he gathered much heat, acquired a few capsules and shivered.

He hadn’t expected this to be much cold. Then he pulled out a Fire Vial. He dropped it and made a fire that expired for 10 minutes.

That ten minutes was enough for Mark. He picked up the pace and went deeper into the Palace, where a dark fate awaits him.

Crowe had never suspected foul play. Even small details, Crowe could notice.

She sat on a bench at the Haven Park, crying.

‘How could Mark die? I mean… Wait a minute… He wouldn’t have died if he ran away, wouldn’t he? He wouldn’t run away if it wasn’t… for… that… stupid file. It has to have a recent date and stuff like that…’ Crowe thought.

With it in mind, immediately, she stood up and headed to Feron’s quarters.

*****

Good thing Feron was out. Crowe had sneaked into his room.

‘Now to find the damn computer…’ Crowe thought.

It wasn’t hard; it was on the table.

Immediately, she turned it on. No password was required.

‘Weird…’ she thought.

Typing in the databank search bar Mark’s name, she pressed enter and two results appeared.

*Reincarnation of the Fallen White Angel ― MARK

*Decoy File ― MARK

She clicked the first one and she found out the true form of Mark.

‘So… Feron is the culprit…’ she thought.

Then she heard the dead bolt of the door creaking. Immediately, she turned the computer off and hid under the bed

In walked Feron and a Trojan knight.

“Good morning, sir Equus.” Feron greeted.
“And to you,” Equus replied, “So, is he eliminated?”
“Yes, sir.” Feron replied.
“And who is this accomplice you mentioned?” Equus asked.
“It’s Tink―” Feron started to say.

Crowe gasped. ‘Tinkinzar?’

“What is it, Feron?” Equus asked.
“…Nothing, sir. AHEM.” Feron replied, “It’s Tinkinzar.”
“TINKINZAR?!” Equus boomed.
“Sir, I highly doubted you would be upset about this.” Feron said.
“Well, guess what, Feron? I AM UPSET!” Equus said.

Equus breathed deeply and said, “Why Feron? Why Tinkinzar?! What did he ask for?!”
“The bodies of Xerxes and the Fallen White Angel’s girlfriend, Crowe.” Feron replied.
“GREAT. JUST GREAT. YOU’VE TRADED THE LIVES OF OUR MOST VALUABLE KNIGHTS?!” Equus boomed again, “WHY?!”

“I-I don’t know, sir. I did it for the mission.” Feron replied.

This angered Crowe. She stood up and said, “Then why me?”

“Well, well, Feron. It seems someone has sneaked in here.” Equus laughed.
“WHY ME?” Crowe asked Feron.
“…I don’t know.” Feron replied.
“Well, maybe you owe me an explanation to THIS!” Crowe shouted.

“You called up Tinkinzar to kill Mark. Then you’ve traded me and Xerxes’ lives to pay the price Tinkinzar sets. GIVE ME THE ANSWER. WHY?” Crowe asked.

“I don’t know.” Feron answered.
“Are you―” Crowe started to say.

“Hold on little girl. I’ll handle this. Feron, you are hereby demoted. You will pay for your actions by doing civil service.” Equus said, “AM I CLEAR?”
“…Yes, sir.” Feron replied.

Equus turned to Crowe as he said, “Excuse him, dear. Now, is there anything, you’d like to ask from me to repay you?”
“Tell me how to get Mark back.”

*****

“Foolish girl. You cannot possibly―” Equus started to say.
“YOU listen to ME, old man,” Crowe said, “YOU are going to tell ME how to get Mark BACK.”
“Okay, okay. You have two of the three necklaces you need. One is in the energy core of the Roarmulus Twins. By now, only thirty-five percent is acquired until Tinkinzar can upgrade his machinery. You must hurry. Then find the Steel Beowulf. Ask him for the resurrection spell.” Equus said.
“Thank you.” Crowe said as she walked away.

“Foolish kids. Always having these dreams…” Equus lamented.

*****

“Hunter, want to go on a Roarmulus Twin run?” Crowe asked.
“Sure.” Hunter agreed.
“I’ll call, Bolt.” Crowe said.

Crowe picked up the earpiece on the table and dialed Bolt’s number.

< Hello? >

“GM Bolt?” Crowe said.
< Yes? Is this Crowe? >
“Yes. Uh… I was gonna ask if you were free for a Roarmulus Twin run… Do you have any work to day?” Crowe asked.
< No, in fact, I’m overjoyed. Yeah, I can join you. >
“Thanks!” Crowe replied and hung up.

“We’re full now.” Crowe said.

Taking in mind the necessary equipment:

Crowe wore her regular Miracle Set, carried a Divine Avenger and Combuster and used a Grey Owlite Shield.
Hunter took up his regular Ash-Tail/Nameless Hat Combo, carried his Virulent Catalyzer and Gigawatt Pulsar and used a Mighty Defender.
Bolt wore a Snarbolax Cap and Coat, carried his Glacius and Acheron whereas as a shield he used a Swiftstrike Buckler.

Now, they were ready to play the hands of the devil Tinkinzar.

*****

“Proceed Plan A.”

Xerxes finally controlled his extra sensory perception.

Crowe got what she wanted.

A mysterious ghost saved Crowe from dying.

All this happened on short notice after they went down to beat the Roarmulus Twins.

They found Crowe in pain at the end of the stairs. Crowe couldn’t move properly at this point and found she had to trust Xerxes to fight for her.

They stepped on the battlefield, the twins showed up and they began to fight. A large screen that said: 50% Download Complete showed the sign of the Swarm Download. Luckily, there was no swarm seed to begin with this time.

As the twins arose, Crowe placed herself near the switches. Maneuvering the switches professionally, they immediately gained access to Phase Two or Three.

Then that’s when the danger came in. The rockets the twins released were much larger and probably much dangerous. As the percentage rose, the twin’s success of evading the missiles increased.

A rocket fell towards Crowe and as Xerxes saw the incoming projectile, he knew he had to take bold action. He concentrated on Crowe as his eyes glowed. Then he shouted, “MOVE POINT!”

Crowe disappeared. She reappeared at the other side of switches. Then she looked at Xerxes as they both nodded. They knew what to do.

Xerxes transported Crowe from time to time at the switches, allowing her time to attack the twins. Using this technique, they gained passage to the fourth phase.

Bolt and Hunter on the other hand, were busy fighting off the drones. Once the chance appeared, they took it immediately to strike at the bloody twins.

Both twins were battered enough, and Xerxes was tired. Using clairvoyance, he immediately knew where to put Crowe for the strike. Crowe slapped the mechanism for the switch and their success was assured.

The missile was going to hit Crowe and the twin, but Xerxes was too tired to teleport her out.

A miracle was what Xerxes needed to save Crowe from death.

*Thunk*

“I’m fine…!” Crowe said.

Looking around, the twins were in the brink of destruction. The twins flamed and exploded to bits.

Then something bright was falling. A bright yellow. Beside it was a dark purple.

“CROWE…!” Xerxes ran to her, keeping his right hand backed up, “Move Point!”

He teleported to the front of Crowe, and touched the dark purple rock.

It changed color, to a pure white. Crowe caught the yellow rock’s lace. She put it on and went excitedly to the elevator.

“This is a Swarm Seed… Did I just… use Illusion Killer on it? Then… not all in this world is mechanical after all…” Xerxes trailed off as the rest continued to the elevator.

“…It’s time.” Crowe said as all of them returned to Haven.

Feeling reborn was great. But feeling death once more was awful.

Mark lost his life for the life of his alter ego’s.

As Crowe and Mark relived their “coupling up”, Phoebe decided it would be best to complete the mission of defeating the Gods’ wrath.

He walked up to Crowe and Mark and said, “Hey.”
“Hey. I’m Mark,” Mark said.
“I’m Phoebe. Listen, we need to defeat the Gods’ wrath as soon as possible,” he said.
“Who are they, and I’d love to beat the [butts] of those― What?” Mark said.

Crowe was transfixed in disbelief, as she had not seen Mark behave like a badass.

“Nothing…” Crowe replied.
“Ok. Let’s go ― Kill those punks,” Mark cupped his mouth when he, too, heard the devils’ voice from his port hole.

“What the…” Crowe started to say.
“I… I’ll go get my load-out…” Phoebe said.
“It’s nothing, Crowe… Don’t worry ― the murder will be clean and smooth,” Mark cupped his mouth again.
“…I won’t say anything,” Crowe said as she led Mark to a gateway leading to a blue castle.

Phoebe caught up to them as they prepared to depart.

“Guys, this is my sister, Phione…” Phoebe said as he introduced a girl his age, behind him.

“Hi…” Phione muttered, and she waved.
“…Hi…” Mark and Crowe greeted back.

“Don’t you think… she won’t survive with out any weapons?” Mark asked.

Phoebe just laughed and replied, “Phione, show him what you can do.”

At the five-second mark Phoebe said that, Phione transformed into a sword, which hilt is covered with claws and an ancient-like handwriting on the blade.

“See?” Phoebe snickered.

*****

“Where the HELL IS CROWE?!” Hunter yelled.

*****

“Mark. Was the place where you came from a place of heavenly delicacies or devious disasters?” Phoebe asked.
“Kind of both. Although Hell is the ― Greatest!” Mark cupped his mouth, “SHUT UP YOU DEVIL!”

“Err….” Crowe muttered.
“I was about to say the worst…” Mark said.

They reached the blue castle. Each wall was covered with flowing water. The gate was covered with a waterfall.

“All we have to do is jump through that waterfall,” Phoebe said, as if it was that simple.

He went first, strapping “Phione” onto his waist, and then sprinting. He jumped, coming through the powerful gushes of water.

Mark gestured to Crowe to come with him on his turn. Taking a length of rope from his inventory, he tied a loop around Crowe and him.

“Ready?” Mark asked.
“…Y-yeah…” Crowe replied, nodding.

Mark sprinted, synchronizing with Crowe’s speed. At the edge, they jumped. They went through the gushing waters easily.

*****

Mark and Crowe caught up with Phoebe, who was waiting for them in the center of an arena-like field.

“Took you guys long enough,” Phoebe said.
“Now listen here you bast―” Mark started to say, but then he cupped his mouth.

‘Just as I suspected... He is afflicted with the spirits of Hell… And imbued the saints of Heaven…’ Phoebe thought.

He was snapped out of his reverie when they were ambushed by the monsters around them. Surrounding them were unusual monsters.

Most of them were jellies, lichens and ice lumbers.

Standing firmly, Mark held up his two guns, Silver Six and Black Hawk, and shot six bullets each per second. And at great aim, too. The Silver Six bullets found way towards the Lumbers, which decapitated them in over thirty seconds.

The Black Hawk bullets, full of dark energies, struck the Jellies and Lichens. At six bullets per second, the monsters were expunged in a matter of seconds.

Phoebe took care of the remaining Lumbers with Phione. He struck swiftly, making huge notches on the lumbers’ bodies. Seconds after, they were defeated.

Crowe danced with her Faust, executing heavy, but fast moves. She destroyed the Jellies and Lichens in a few minutes, following Phoebe and Mark’s times.

Mark panted, tired. “…Damn… Don’t… Feel… Gooooooooooooo…” Mark was cut off himself, because at that moment, light blinded the entire field.

When it dimmed, Crowe’s mouth was agape, as well as Phoebe’s. In front of them was a fainted Mark, and the other, a healthy Mark.

“Ngnhg…” the fainted Mark groaned.

The healthy Mark was silent. But he was grinning, showing his canines, sharp and shining. On his head was a pair of horns protruding from his scalp. A tail wagged from his back. Two wings, white and black, were present. When he opened his eyes, they were pitch black, with little light reflecting from the cornea.

“…I am Lucifer. The first prince of Hell,” he said.

*****

Crowe and Phoebe were silent. Not wanting to rile the prince of Hell, they forbade conversations.

Lucifer was carrying the fainted Mark. Walking down the stairs, they arrived into narrow hall.

Lucifer disappeared. Phoebe assumed he arrived immediately at the end of the hall. But Crowe did not know what to do without Mark. Losing him once was a painful memory. Losing him again was damnation.

They reached the end of the hall. Lucifer wasn’t there.

“Where could’ve…” Phoebe trailed off.
“I been?” Lucifer’s voice echoed.
“Yeah…” Phoebe said.
“I gave the boy some blood. He had blood loss…” Lucifer said.
“I-it’s true… He did…” Mark’s voice supported Lucifer’s statement.

“Mark!” Crowe yelled.
“Yeah, baby?” Mark laughed, “…Thanks, Lucifer…”

Lucifer was silent as he headed to the stairs.

“…How are you feeling?” Phoebe asked.
“…Better…” Mark replied.
“Good… Then… Lucifer was the guy who spoke all those rotten things?” Crowe asked.
“Probably,” Mark said.
“Why you?” Crowe asked, as the three walked towards the stairs.

“Because you’re the Fallen White Angel…” Phoebe said.
“What?” Mark asked.

Crowe was familiar with the name. She read it on Feron’s files. She was about to be sold…

Shaking the thought from her head, they went down following Lucifer, to the final stage of battle, The Storm.

*****

Lucifer stood against the icy wall.

“…Why did I ever get stuck with this snot nosed brat?” he muttered.

Mark, Crowe and Phoebe reached The Storm and the team pulled up at the center, where dusts of ice collected itself in the center. The ice shattered, revealing a man with dark blue hair, sky blue eyes, blue-green jacket, shirt and pants. His boots were dark blue, and in his hand was a golden trident with a cool blue Lapis Lazuli.

“I am Azure,” he said.
“We know that, you dolt,” Lucifer said.
“You anger me. Prepare to die, foolish child. Even the Fallen White Angel would not be able to stop me,” Azure retorted.

He stood in a stance fit for stave-users. A stance better to maneuver the trident.

The team got ready. Mark and Lucifer pulled out their guns. Phoebe and Crowe reached for their swords.

“You will not win…” Azure muttered.

“We’ll see…” Mark said.

Azure’s first attack was a barrage of icicles ejected towards the group. Mark and Lucifer destroyed the projectiles with solid steel bullets. Following was Phoebe and Crowe’s slash, which paralyzed Azure in the arm for a while.

They took the chance to spam Azure with everything, be it vials, bullets or slashes. The spasm left Azure’s body. As counter, Azure deflected some remaining bullets. Azure’s second attack was a normal attack combo.

Azure struck here and there, leaving himself open to back stabbing. They paralyzed Azure again until the twist came.

Azure disappeared.

Mark looked around, seeing Azure behind Lucifer. Azure began to strike, slashing Lucifer in the back.

Mark shot bullets towards Azure, stunning him. Lucifer took the trident and stabbed Azure… At least he thought it was Azure.

“Uhhh…” a faint sound came from Azure. Azure’s morphology changed into Crowe’s.

“Crowe!” Mark and Lucifer yelled.

Azure laughed behind them.

Mark got angry, catching Crowe and threw her at the air. He focused energy on her, controlling her fall. It controlled the wound’s bleeding as well.

“Mark…” Lucifer muttered. He began to dissipate into light.
“Lucifer… I won’t fail you.” Mark said.

Light blinded the field. It dimmed and Mark was there. A halo on his head. Two white pair of wings. A determined look.

Phoebe was amazed.

“I AM THE FALLEN WHITE ANGEL. LUCIFER OR NOT, I WILL DEFEAT YOU,” Mark yelled.
“Show me,” Azure challenged.

Phoebe quickly transformed into his Steel Beowulf Form, a form he hasn’t used in one year. He took out Phione and disappeared, reappearing at the back of Azure, stabbing him. Mark took out his brandished guns, Argent Peacemaker and Sentenza that evolved through Mark’s faith.

“In the name of justice…” Mark said, “I will release you from the chains of evil.”

Mark shot every bullet in a nano-second, giving Mark the advantage of defeating him in a flash. He won. Phoebe ran to Mark.

Mark knelt down with Crowe in his hands.

“You did a great job…” Crowe said.
“Of course… Anything for my sweet potato.” Mark said.

Phoebe gave Mark some gauze and cotton to bandage Crowe’s bleeding wound.

Second’s after, they proceeded to leave the palace.

*****

“They forgot the essence…” a rough, synchronized voice said.

(Sound Effects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqx8tAdID9w)

Mark sat in front of a locked gate.

“How the hell did I get here?” he asked himself.

*****

Crowe knocked on Mark’s door. When no answer was heard, she opened the door and was displeased.

“MARK’S GONE!” she cried.
“Whoa, what happened?!” Hunter ran to Crowe’s location and asked.
“MARK’S GONE!” she cried more.

Then she noticed a piece of paper on Mark’s desk.

She took it and read it:
“Love starts with a hug, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. ~Mark”

“We’ve got to get him! Good thing I recorded his heat signature…” Crowe said. She dragged Hunter to Phoebe’s place and invited him. Feeling forced, Crowe decided to invite Xerxes as well.

*****

“Where is he?...” Crowe started to get hopeless as she ran through dirt and mud at the entrance to the Earthen Cavern.

The guys sighed loudly. “Why did I let myself get into this…” Xerxes said.
“Because you asked Crowe to let you come,” Hunter replied.

At last, they reached inside the Cavern.

They went deeper, which meant more traps.

Crowe ran through the halls, not caring at all whether she’d be hit by traps or such.

A stalactite broke off from the ceiling and went straight down at Crowe.

Crowe dodge-rolled to the sidelines to evade the projectile. When Xerxes was going to take the hit, he took out a shiny Avenger and destroyed the stalactite.

For every projectile Crowe evaded, Xerxes destroyed.

They reached an arena zone, where the two knights swiftly passed through. Phoebe and Hunter took care of the monsters.

“DON’T WORRY!!!” Hunter piped.

Crowe and Xerxes ran down the stairs to go deeper. They reached a narrow hall full of rocks. When Xerxes used Clairvoyance, he intercepted “things” about the hall.

“It’s not an ordinary hallway. It’s a maze. Not only that, there are locks and swit―” Xerxes said, until he was cut-off by a brightly shining mirror.

“Easy. The switches get hit by the light. They activate, unlocking the switch,” Crowe said.
“But there’s a final lock on a door…” Xerxes said.

“Let’s go. We’ll solve it anyways,” Crowe said.

*****

“DAMN, THESE MONSTERS ARE TOUGH!” Hunter said.
“Well what do you expect from solid rock?” Phoebe said, stabbing a gremlin of rock.

*****

Crowe and Xerxes took turns and turns until they reached the final door.

Crowe began to read the inscription on the door:
“Only love can break the illusion”

“What does that mean?” Xerxes asked.
“I don’t know,” Crowe replied.
“So much for ‘we’ll solve it anyways’,” Xerxes lamented.
“HEY― I DON’T KNOW WHAT I DON’T KNOW!” Crowe yelled.

Then a voice from behind the door yelled back, “CROWE?! IS THAT YOU?! GET ME OUT OF THIS! I CAN’T BREAK THE ILLUSION―”

“Mark!” Crowe cried.
“Prepare to die, Mortals…” the voice said.

“Crowe! He said he can’t break the illusion. You think I don’t know that? I am an ESP! So is he! The Fallen White Angel can’t break it, especially when he’s hypnotized!” Xerxes shouted.
“But you don’t understand! I need to free him!” Crowe replied.
“I do understand!” Xerxes said.
“If you do, then break that illu―” Crowe was cut-off.

Xerxes kissed her… again.

When he pulled back, he calmly said, “Crowe. Stop. I know how you feel. But even if I master every ESP Skill there can be, none of them would be able to break it.”

A rumbling sound was heard at the second-mark Xerxes said “it”. The door opened. Mark was standing there, holding up his gun, an Argent Peacemaker.

“Mark…” Crowe cried.

Mark didn’t reply. Instead, a grin covered his face. An evil grin. Then he shot a bullet at Crowe. A fast bullet that Xerxes couldn’t perceive.

“Ugh!” Crowe gagged blood.

Then they heard laughing.

A girl appeared behind Mark and said, “Why, hello there. I am Terra, your annihilator.”
“W-what… did you do to him?” Crowe weakly asked.
“Simple. I hypnotized him,” Terra chuckled.

“B-but… Why?” Crowe groaned.
“To destroy you mortals,” Terra said, “Enough chit-chat. Die. Kill them.”

“Yes, my queen…” Mark said and he shot bullets at Crowe and Xerxes.

At that moment, time stopped. Crowe lost hope. Xerxes didn’t know what to do. At that second, something deflected the bullets.

“What?!” Terra yelled.
“Azure…” Crowe said.

The same blue haired, blue eyed, blue clothed, a trident wielding man appeared before them.

“YOU. XERXES, IS IT?” Azure asked.
“Y-yes…” Xerxes replied.
“Deal with the Fallen White Angel. I’ll deal with Terra,” Azure ordered.

Xerxes position himself in line with Mark. Azure stabbed the ground with his trident.

Suddenly, the ground became muddy for Mark and Terra. Xerxes took the opportunity to arm-lock Mark and disable him.

Terra was a bit angry. “What have you done?!”
“Justice.” Azure said.
“YOU CALL THIS JUSTICE?! THOSE MORTALS AFFECTED YOUR MIND! WHAT THEY DID TO YOU IS―” Terra said.
“JUSTICE,” Azure continued. He dashed to Terra, raised his hand and a trident of water appeared.

As he began to stab Terra, a thought came to mind.

“You are defeated, Terra,” Azure said.

Turning to Crowe, “Give this to him.”

He threw a couple of orbs of the colors blue and yellow.

“O-ok…” Crowe said. She kept the orbs and Azure disappeared with Terra.

“Mark’s ok, Crowe.” Xerxes said.
“Goodness…” Crowe rejoiced.

As the team regrouped together with Phoebe and Hunter(they were tired with the fighting), they told the story of how the Adventures of Princess Monomi ended.

They were complete. Together, they were unstoppable. Together, nothing can beat them. Redundant?

(Sound Effects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1bt1-VkcN4)

After finally getting out of the hospital, Mark was happy as a random guy who found a penny on the sidewalk.

Mark put the ribbon Crowe gave him in his pocket.

Crowe went away to do paperwork for her guild. Mark strolled through town to pass the time.

*****

―[8 PM]―

Mark walked through the streets to get back to Hunter’s apartment.

Feeling the cold breeze caress his skin, Mark wore took off the sash and put on a flak jacket he got from Crowe.

Shivering, he powered through the cold wind. In the horizon, Mark could see a person running towards him. Not caring at all, he let the guy run to him. It was Phoebe.

“Mark!” Phoebe said, panting.
“Yeah?” Mark asked.
“The last two… gods… are here…” Phoebe replied.
“Really? Who’re they?” Mark asked.
“Zephyr… and Crimson…” Phoebe replied, hacking up.
“They strong?” Mark asked.
“Yeah…” Phoebe said.

“Good you have figured it out, gods,” a synchronized male voice echoed.
“Let’s show ourselves, Zephyr,” a synchronized female voice said.

Mark turned around and saw an orb of swirling fire in front of him. As the orb dissipated, two individuals stepped out. A girl and a boy. The girl had crimson red hair, a maroon vest, a regular shirt and jeans with a sword in hand. The boy had white hair, a black vest, a green muscle shirt and gray jeans with a pair of daggers, one in each hand.

“I AM ZEPHYR,” the boy said.
“AND I AM CRIMSON,” the girl said.
“We are here to defeat you. We haven’t time to wait. Fighting us now will slow down you. Fight us now,” Zephyr said.

“But I don’t… On second thought… I do.” Phoebe said. He focused energy on his body. Steel stakes appeared on each hand. Armor plating of blue covered most of his body. A tank or engine was carried and his helmet had a horn.

“I’m ready…” Phoebe said.
“Ah… the Steel Beowulf. I will be your enemy.” Crimson said.

Mark tried to focus his energy on his body but he can’t. Then he took out his prized guns, the Argent Peacemaker and Sentenza. Faith in God and Satan brought him these…

Zephyr lunged for a spin at Mark. A slash here, a slash there… Mark had evaded all of those. Zephyr performed a backhand from the last of his slashes. Mark had failed to dodge that. It had left a cut on his left arm, disabling the use of the Sentenza.

Crimson on the other hand, had a hard time. Crimson drove her flames everywhere. Phoebe stabbed the steel stakes into her pressure points. At the end of Phoebe’s streak, he punched Crimson, making her faint. Suddenly, Phoebe fainted too.

“W-what did you do to Phoebe?!” Mark asked.
“Simple. I stabbed him at the moment he was distracted. I have great speed you know. Crimson was just an asset to my plan…” Zephyr boasted.

*BANG*

“Shut up…” Mark said, looking up. Zephyr was gone. Mark looked around. He saw something sparkling on the ground. His pendant.

Crowe. He came for Crowe.

*****

Mark ran to Crowe’s guildhall. He opened the door.

“CROWE!” Mark shouted.
“Hello, Fallen White Angel…” Zephyr said as he grinned.

Zephyr held Crowe as hostage. He kept a knife near her throat.

“Don’t do it!” Mark yelled.
“Oh, I won’t… But if you do not...” Zephyr trailed off and then was cut off by Crowe kicking him in the shin.

“AAARGG!” Zephyr cried, “You’ll pay for this!”

Zephyr took the knife and dashed to Crowe.

“NO!” Mark yelled as he took the shield lying around and shielded both him and Crowe.

Zephyr was caught off guard with this and to that, he got stunned.

Mark focused his energy into everything he has. A red veil enveloped him. A bright flash emerged and blinded the room.

The light cleared and Mark had transformed. Into the Fallen White Angel’s true form.

He had ten guns in the arsenal, wings on, a halo, and armor plating of red all over him. His eyes had glowed red.

In hand was a large bazooka like gun. He pointed it towards Zephyr and―

WWWWWWWWWWWWWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHKKKKKKKKKK!!!

Zephyr was gone. All was left of him was two essences, red and green.

Crowe shivered behind Mark.

“It’s ok…” Mark said as he reverted back to human-like form.

Crowe lifted her face up and kissed him.

“Everything will be alright…” Mark continued, panting.

“Who dares enter my lair?!” the king of ashes asks.

“L-look Vanaduke, I don’t want any trouble. Just let me pass,” Mark pleaded, “I come in peace… I just want to go to the Core…”
“Hmm… I see a passion in you… Is it true?... Or is it fake?” Vanaduke said. His flames turned dark purple.

Mark got angry all of a sudden. He planted his feet firmly on the ground.

“Answer me, trespasser,” Vanaduke growled, “TELL ME.”
“You want an answer?” Mark said, “I’ll give you one.”

He took his Argent Peacemaker. He reloaded. “I’ll only tell you this once.”

He shot a bullet into Vanaduke’s stomach, making Vanaduke gag.

At every word Mark said, a bullet ejected from the gun’s shining muzzle.

“My feelings for Crowe aren’t fake.”

Six holes into Vanaduke’s body.

“Each moment with her, I cherished.”

Six bullets drilled through Vanaduke’s arm.

“QUIET!” Vanaduke shouted, “I HAVE NO TIME FOR YOUR CHILDISH―”
“SHUT UP! You asked for an answer. I’m talking!” Mark yelled.

“My death caused her much pain…”

Six bullets breaking the mace.

“I won’t let her experience that…”

Six holes into Vanaduke’s hands.

“Not again, never again, not ever.”

Six into each leg.

“AAAARRRG!” Vanaduke yelled in pain.
“I will win this. For her,” Mark said as another magazine set of bullets pierced Vanaduke’s head.

“For love… and for her Justice…”

The last sentence counted as one glowing bullet. The eagle of justice destroyed Vanaduke’s body and left the head.

“I won.” Mark claimed.

*****

Crowe is shocked.

Vanaduke’s remains. Here.

“M-mark…” Crowe muttered.
“Fear not dear girl.” Vanaduke said.
“What?” Crowe asked.
“The boy you seek, he went down, cherish the moments you have spent with him… for he loves you… and no one else… He fought for you…” Vanaduke said until he expired.

“I do…” Crowe muttered.

Sitting on the prairie were Mark and Crowe enjoying a wonderful afternoon.

Mark slung his arm over Crowe’s shoulder and said, “Crowe… Damn it… I don’t know how to say this…”
“Take your time,” Crowe said.
“No… It has to be now…” Mark pleaded.
“Ok. What do you have to say?” Crowe asked, “You like me? You love me?”
“Ye- wait… How did you know?” Mark asked.
“A certain talking monster told me,” Crowe replied.

Mark did a face palm. “THAT STUPID VANADUKE!”

“Aw c’mon… It’s cute,” Crowe giggled.
“Me? CUTE? CUTE?” Mark asked.

“Mark, you can’t hide your feelings forever…” Crowe said.

Mark turned his face the other way.

“Look at me.” Crowe said.

*SLAP*

“WHAT WAS THAT FOR?” Mark asked.
“You weren't looking.” Crowe simply said.
“I was gonna!” Mark retorted.
“Fine. Look at me.” Crowe told him.
“What?” Mark asked.
“Mark, I love you. You can’t hide your “secret” anymore. You love me, I love you. Even if Hunter’s superior stupidity will make us laugh, it won’t be a cover up for your secret.” Crowe said.

“I know…” Mark said.
“Oh, Mark.” Crowe said.
“What?” Mark asked.

Crowe held Mark’s face. “I love you.”
Mark held Crowe’s face. “I love you too.”

They kiss, as the beautiful sun had set, the breezes had cooled, and the world has been saved from evil…