A horde of demons suddenly leap towards Himey, Ace, and Inara. Himey quickly uses his roots to form a protective sphere around the three of them. The demons collide with the thick roots, their claws desperately trying to tear it open but to no avail.

Massive wooden spikes suddenly protrude from the sphere, impaling the unfortunate demons close by. The lifeless bodies slump to the ground as the large spikes retract. The sphere begins to roll forward, shooting out small to medium-sized spikes in all directions, piercing through buildings and demons alike.

"And where do you think you're going?" Father Kayden asks as he punches the rolling sphere with a flame-covered hand, knocking it off course into an already ruined building, collapsing it completely.

Spreading open the damaged sphere. "Are you two okay?" Himey asks as he steps out.

"We're good," Ace replies as he and Inara step out of the now-burning sphere.

A sudden screeching sound, like a blade dragging across the ground, grabs everyone's attention. They turn to see a knight with black markings over his face and white eyes, pulling a greatsword toward them.

"That's Sir Radcliffe," Ace says.

"Used to be," Inara retorts.

"She's right. He's now possessed—nothing but a pawn in that man's game," Himey notes, eyeing Father Kayden behind him, flanked by more minions.

"You say it like it's a bad thing. I'm sure you'll make a good pawn, Supervisor," Father Kayden says, snapping his fingers to form a large ring of fire around them.

"I told you earlier, Supervisor, from the very beginning, this was a bad match-up."

"And I told you—I don't care," Himey replies, forming a seal with his hands.

"Impose. Leaf Hurricane," he utters.

Suddenly a massive gust of wind swirls around them, the leaves sharp enough to cut through Sir Radcliffe's armour and some of the demons as well.

But Sir Radcliffe, his blade now on fire, begins spinning, burning the sharp leaves to ash and heating the air.

"Tsk. Now's your chance to run!" Himey yells to Ace and Inara.

In the blink of an eye, Inara vanishes, leaving behind crackles of electricity. "Good. They're—" Himey pauses, noticing something off with Ace. He's visibly shaking, staring blankly at what, on a different day, would be a dazzling display of fire.

What's wrong with him?

Himey approaches him, noticing his heavy breathing. "Ace, Ace, Ace!" he yells, shaking him, but to no avail. Ace's eyes roll back, and he falls to the ground, convulsing violently, screaming, "Fire, fire!" over and over.

What's going on? A panic attack? A seizure?

Himey, completely taken aback. In his confusion, Radcliffe swings his greatsword, releasing a wide wave of fire that rapidly approaches Himey and the unconscious Ace.

"Tsk. Why now, of all times?" Himey mutters, placing his palm on the ground to quickly create a wall of roots while encasing Ace in a protective dome.

The fire bursts through the wall of roots. "Argh!" he grunts as the impact knocks him back. He rolls, cushioning his fall with vines and grass. "Ace," he murmurs, patting away the fire on his body.

He looks around and sees the dome covering Ace is partly ruined, exposing more than half of his unconscious body.

Good. He's okay, now to quickly—

His relief is short-lived as Radcliffe approaches Ace's body. "No!" he screams, running toward them. He stretches out his arm, commanding a large sum of roots to protect Ace, but a wall of magma incinerates them instantly.

“It just had to be fire, " he mutters, leaping over the wall of magma, only to be met with a kick mid-air to which he blocks.

A nun? he thinks, before grabbing her foot and throwing her away. As he lands, he immediately sprints toward Ace, but he falls face-first to the ground. He looks back to see a chain wrapped around his leg, heating up.

"Argh!" he yells in pain, his face buried in the dirt as the chain reddens from the applied heat.

Gently, a second nun lifts his head by his antlers. "We can't have you missing the best part of the show, Mr. Supervisor," she says, pointing to where Radcliffe stands over Ace's body.

Himey raises his hand in a last-ditch effort to protect Ace, but the nun swiftly pins his hand to the ground with a red-hot dagger. "Ugh!" he hisses in pain. "Please, no," he yells, watching helplessly as Radcliffe readies his greatsword to impale Ace.

Just then, Radcliffe flips his greatsword, holding it horizontally across his body to block a spear of lightning. He grunts as the impact pushes him a great deal backwards, the rumble of thunder shaking the air.

With shaky hands, he tilts his greatsword, deflecting the lightning spear away from himself and into the ground. The lightning fades, revealing a sword with a long blade and handle.

"What was that? Who did that?" the two nuns ask in panicked voices.

"Inara?" Himey says as she appears, picking up her sword.

"You're supposed to kiss Sleeping Beauty, not stab her," she quips at Radcliffe while throwing small balls of lightning to the ground. They explode, forming a wall of electricity that blocks his path.

"Behind you!" Himey yells as a nun attempts to stab Inara. But she reacts, turning and parrying the dagger away. The nun staggers, allowing Inara to shoot a bolt of lightning as her follow-up.

Sidestepping, the nun smirks. "You missed, Inara."

"You weren't my target," Inara replies as the lightning bolt breaks the chain holding Himey down.

Himey rolls away, tossing seeds to the ground. They sprout into vines, reaching out to grab the two nuns.

Now's my chance.

"Shit, what are you doing, Morgana? Get it together!" the nun yells while cutting down the vines with her red-hot daggers.

"I know, Rebecca. She just caught us off guard," Morgana hisses, spinning her red-hot chains, burning the approaching vines.

Meanwhile, Himey rushes over to where Ace lies, meeting Inara, who is carrying him over her shoulder, her sword strapped over her back. "Thank you for the assist," Himey says.

"Please, don't mention it," Inara replies with closed eyes and heavy breaths.

Does she fight with her eyes closed?

"The spear, the wall, and that speed you used to run away and come back—they're taking their toll on you, aren't they?" Himey asks.

"I'm fine. I'll just drop him off somewhere, and I'll join you," she says, though her breathing remains labored.

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"No, you're getting tired. Use the stamina you have left to get him and yourself to the safe point," he orders.

Inara looks at him, a bit taken aback. "Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for your help—"

"But we'd only be holding you back," Inara interrupts. "You don't need to explain. This situation kind of proves that."

"Thank you for understanding," Himey says as he watches her walk away. "And Inara," he calls out.

"Yes, sir?"

"You didn't leave the first time. Why?"

"I did leave—just far enough to come back if something happened," she replies.

Folding his arms, he asks, "What happened to not playing hero?"

A brief silence fills the air before she responds, "He wasn't going to go to the safe point anyway, so I was just going to follow behind him."

"I see. So make sure this time you both make it there," he pleads.

She replies. "Yes, sir," before vanishing with the sound of thunder, leaving behind sparks of lightning where she stood.

"Aww, she's gone. I wanted to have a go at her," Rebecca sulks.

Putting on his gloves, Himey says, "You'll have to survive me first."

Rebecca and Morgana share a glance before bursting into laughter. "We're your natural enemy. You won't last long with those little vines," Rebecca taunts.

Heavy footsteps approach from behind her.

"So, he finally got past the wall. Let's see just how strong he is," Himey thinks.

"Oh, and Radcliffe is here now. It's three on one, supervisor," Morgana sneers.

Himey replies. "Sadly, you still haven't evened the odds."

"En-nym. Jumping Jack," he announces, his gloves turn red as he takes his stance. "From now on, all I'll need are my hands."

"Get him, Radcliffe," Rebecca orders.

Radcliffe rushes Himey with blistering speed, swinging his greatsword across him. Himey blocks with his hands, the sword barely cutting into his gloves.

It's a bit heavy, he comments, as the momentum of the swing pushes him through the ground. Radcliffe wastes no time, going in for a downward slash.

To everyone's surprise, the greatsword stops on Himey's shoulder, barely making a cut into his skin. The impact creates a crater around him as Radcliffe groans in frustration, trying to force the sword deeper.

"That's as far as you'll go," Himey says, gripping Radcliffe's greatsword and using it to pull him in close.

With a swift motion, Himey delivers a devastating punch to Radcliffe's midsection, shattering his armour. The force of the blow lifts Radcliffe off his feet, causing him to cough up blood before Himey follows up with a finishing strike to the head, sending him flying and tumbling across the ground.

“Your turn," Himey says, yanking the greatsword out of his shoulder.

"Too late!" Morgana yells as red-hot chains wrap around the greatsword and Himey. Without hesitation, he takes the initiative, wrapping his arm around the chains and pulling Morgana toward him.

"You're not burning?" She stammers.

"Good eye," he replies before headbutting her to the ground and impaling her with the greatsword.

In the blink of an eye, he shatters the chains and turns to block a stab attempt from Rebecca with his palm.

"Die!" she screams, only to witness in shock as her red-hot dagger shatters upon impact with Himey's hand. Fear, shock, and bewilderment are etched across her face as Himey seizes her arm and drives his palm through her chest.

"That's your job," he whispers, gently lowering her body to the ground.

"Now all that’s left is—"

"A round of applause for you, Supervisor," Father Kayden interrupts, clapping. "What's your name, by the way?"

"Himey.”

"Well, Himey, you've certainly put on a show worth remembering. But all great things must come to an end," he says, snapping his fingers. A wave of fire envelops Morgana and Radcliff, bringing them back to their feet behind him.

He’s healed them,

"What an annoying person you are, "he says,

Pointing to Rebecca’s body. "You forgot someone,"

"Sadly, I can't save that one," Father Kayden replies.

So, I should have gone for the kill then

"Now, you two," Father Kayden commands, "go handle those kids, and don't disappoint me again."

"Yes, Your Majesty," they reply in unison before swiftly departing.

"You could have gone yourself," Himey suggests. "Could have made things easier."

Father Kayden chuckles. "And enter a race against time with you? You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Himey?” He asks, taking a few steps forward.

“Given my current circumstances, I'm sure if I leave, you'll destroy my device before I can even find those kids."

"I thought you were one to gamble, Your Highness."

"No. And you? Are all Supervisors like you, so willing to die for strangers they've just met?" Father Kayden questions.

"Those strangers are the future, and it's our job to nurture and protect that future," Himey replies.

"Meh, too cliché. Don’t you have a family? What about them? Or have you also been brainwashed by your royals and government into that so-called 'dying for the greater good'?" He asks

Honey replies. "Those things have very little influence on my beliefs. I believe in creating a future of individuals with strong values—individuals strong enough to stand out within the confines of this world."

"And if those values are bad? What then?" He asks

"Then they aren’t values. Values advance life; they don’t harm or obstruct it."

"Hmm. I’ve never heard that one before. And would you sacrifice yourself if your values called for it, Himey?"

"Without a second thought.”

Father Kayden sighs deeply. "Self-sacrifice, huh? The ultimate act of heroism. It all just looks like suffering to me. Well, heroes like you make the world more interesting."

"I can hardly call myself a hero, but make no mistake, Your Highness: self-sacrifice is not heroism. If a hero benefits the world while he suffers, then the world has either failed him, or he’s nothing but a coward, afraid to face his own desires."

"So where do you stand in this world, Himey?" Father Kayden asks.

"Although my values and choices have benefited others, I am not miserable. I’m not suffering. I’ve lived this long with my only regret being that I couldn’t do more.”

Father Kayden laughs a little. "At least you’re not like the others I’ve killed—either acting only on their own selfish interests or losing their resolve because of cowardice."

What a cruel creature.

"You might not believe a word I say, but I really do feel bad for having to kill you."

"I might survive. You never know," honey quips.

Father Kayden chuckles. "Well, it’s just you and me now. Let’s test the depths of your resolve, shall we?”

The battle begins with Himey throwing two jabs at Father Kayden's head. Father Kayden weaves around them, then blocks a kick aimed at his head.

Wasting no time, Himey lowers his foot and delivers a swift kick to Kayden's body and calf in quick succession, causing him to stagger. Himey tackles him to the ground, unloading a barrage of punches to his face.

Father Kayden breathes fire on Himey, disorienting him before kicking him off. Himey quickly pats away the flames, revealing burn marks on his upper body.

So much for reinforcing my body with ketsu. His fire is on a different level compared to those amateurs,

Himey thinks as Father Kayden rushes in with a punch. Himey parries the punch away, but then has to block a kick aimed at his groin with both palms. Himey raises an eyebrow.

Father Kayden grins. "Just wanted to confirm something," he says while going for an overhead kick. Himey blocks it, grabs Kayden's leg, and slams him into the ground.

"Big mistake," Father Kayden says as he wraps his legs around Himey’s neck and grabs his head.

"I messed up," Himey mutters as Kayden sets him ablaze.

Himey screams in agony, but he refuses to let go, holding on to Kayden’s midsection. "I exchange it all—my commandments and myself," Himey yells, releasing a beam of light into the air.

"Impose Forest Embrace!" he cries, summoning a massive tree with wooden spikes that burst from the ground. With unwavering determination, he charges toward the tree.

"Shit!" Father Kayden curses, increasing the output of his flames as Himey impales him on the spiked tree. Kayden grunts in pain as Himey, unrelenting, breaks off one of his own antlers and drives it into Kayden’s body.

"And with this seal—"

"Are you for real?" Kayden interrupts, his tone surprised as he looks at the burning Himey, who digs his fingers deeper into Kayden's flesh. Himey’s gloves turn a shade of orange from the heat.

"Yes," Himey yells, "this should be enough to hold him here. This should be enough."

"You're one sly bastard, Himey," Father Kayden grunts, grabbing Himey's arms and burning them off. Himey screams in pain as Kayden takes the opportunity to push him away, creating distance between them.

Himey, now on all fours, completes the cauterization of his arms with his still-burning body. Steam rises from his head as the fire evaporates the foam at his mouth. His face is half-gone, some parts revealing only his skull.

"So this is how far you’ll go," Father Kayden says.

Like a rabid dog, Himey leaps towards Father Kayden, sharp-ended roots erupting from the ground to pierce him. Father Kayden incinerates the roots before Himey pounces on him, taking him to the ground.

"Finally behaving like the animal you are, eh, Himey?" Kayden taunts, holding off Himey, who responds only with visceral growls and aggressive attempts to bite.

Placing his foot under Himey, Father Kayden kicks him off, but Himey wastes no time and, like a mad dog, leaps back at him. He evades the attack, and Himey, now standing on his feet, throws a punch with his burning, handless arms.

Father Kayden parries the blow, and they exchange a flurry of strikes and blocks before Himey finally lands a solid punch.

Father Kayden spins from the impact, using the momentum to deliver a kick to Himey’s face, sending him flying.

As Himey tumbles across the ground, Father Kayden breaks a spike off the spiked tree.

This should be sharp enough, he muses, watching as Himey, now on all fours, sways left and right with his jaw loosely hanging from his face.

"God Almighty, you look disgusting," Father Kayden comments as Himey struggles to stand, noticing that one of his legs has fallen off. Yet, he still rises on one foot with his burning corpse, of a body.

"God, you’re stubborn," Kayden says, appearing behind Himey. As Himey spins to attack, Kayden taunts, "Too slow," before stabbing the spike through the back of Himey's head, grabbing his remaining antler, and severing his head with a hand covered in a blaze akin to a blowtorch.

“Tsk,” Father Kayden hisses as he effortlessly dodges a futile attack from the headless, burning body.

He steps on it, pushing it to the ground before incinerating the entire corpse to a crisp. As he watches the flames consume the remains, he sighs deeply.

Shortly after, Father Kayden arrives back at the ruined church. He sits on a pile of rubble, stabbing the earth with the wooden spike impaling Himey’s head.

"You gave up all three of your commandments just to seal me to that massive tree. Why?" he muses aloud, almost as if expecting an answer.

He moves Himey’s jaw with his fingers, mocking a reply in the deceased voice. "So you wouldn’t go after the kids.”

"But I'm sure you doubted the seal would hold me long enough for anything meaningful to happen," he says.

A short moment passes and father Kayden's face brightens. “Oh I see,” he says, as he continues, speaking to the head as though it were still alive.

"And in that doubt, you sacrificed your sanity by devouring your Nexus weapon."

"Yes, just to gain enough strength to weaken you as much as I could," he answers himself in Himey’s voice

"A form of self-cannibalism," Father Kayden remarks, a hint of respect in his voice.

"Consuming another life just to hold onto your ideals. What a fanatic," he says.

“But,” Father Kayden continues, now back in his own voice, “we’ll see if those two—the future you tried so hard to protect—can handle the madness brewing.”

He pauses, reflecting on his own words, before he speaks again in Himey’s voice. “From my short time watching them, I’m sure they won’t disappoint,” he says as if reassuring himself.

Father Kayden chuckles, the sound echoing in the desolate ruins. "Sure."

He allows himself a moment of thought.

Even though the odds were slim, I'm actually curious to see if those two can find the narrow road to victory in this case, just like they did then, he muses.

"Nice talking to you, Himey. Rest in peace," Father Kayden says, his voice carrying a rare hint of solemnity as he closes the dead man’s eye.

“Always a pleasure your Highness,” he jests in Himey’s voice.