The sun had set beyond the horizon. The moon had just begun to shine down upon the Demon Realm of Lescatie. The wind whistled through the air above the nation, literally caressing the bodies of those caught outside. While others would sleep soundly in their beds, the Mamono would be enjoying their married lives with their husbands. Wives find gifts to give to their lovers, couples move to the roofs for midnight rendezvous or dancing beneath the ethereal moonlight. Even the single Mamono could be found watching the various happy couples, praying for the day that they found their Special Someone. Yes, for the Mamono nighttime wasn't very different from the daytime. After all, in both cases, they get to spend their wonderful lives with the most wonderful people in their lives.

That was normal for them.

Which was why the silence and empty streets in the capital of Lescatie were such an anomaly. And none in the capital knew it better than the White Lilim Druella.

She was once more in the castle, leaning back in her throne with a dark expression on her face. Kuroferuru sat to her left, cheeks stained with streaks from crying. The Baphomet sniffled and wiped at her face with a conjured handkerchief. To Druella's right was Fransica Lescatie, no longer locked in her usual fugue of happiness. Instead, she was biting her lip, her slime-like body shaking with constrained fear and worry. However, there was one new face joining the three of them at the head of the throne room.

Eva Mystiv. The First of the Dark Strategists, and the premier tactician for the newly formed Dark Ice Flower. Once a human male, Eva had become an Alp through her demonic corruption. Now she looked no different than any other succubi. Her dark lavender hair was cut short, with two curved horns growing out the back of her head. Her two large boobs were barely covered by a white t-shirt, with only one of the buttons keeping it from bursting open. Black leather short-shorts were the only bottoms she wore, with the zipper pulled down to reveal she wasn't wearing any underwear. Outside of that, she wore a long-sleeved black and red coat with matching iron boots and stockings. Her dark spaded tail was thicker than her arms and extended from her waist to the floor. Twin dark wings had sprouted from her hips, laying at rest as she stood just to Druella's left.

Her bright red eyes were focused on the object to her right. It was as tall as a man, but any other features were hidden by a thick white sheet placed over it.

Standing before all four of them was a single Dullhan, her body completely covered by pitch-black armor. She wore no helmet, letting her silver hair fall around her shoulders as she bowed before the White Lilim.

"Layla, please tell us what you have discovered," Druella's tone was calm and soothing, but all in attendance could hear the worry hidden within.

The Dullahan rose to her feet. Her expression was neutral as she spoke, "It has now been six hours since the Incident occurred. The citizens have taken to calling it 'Salvation's End' in reference to the perceived cause of the afternoon's events."

"And that cause?"

"The destruction of the Blade Of Salvation."

Fransica gasped in shock while the Black Goat rose from her throne. Her tail pointed straight up as she shouted, "That's gotta be a lie! Stop lying! No one could destroy a Magic Sword that powerful so easily!"

"Kuroferuru, please," Druella spoke calmly to the leader of the Sabbath. The Black Goat looked at Druella, then fell back into her throne. She crossed her arms and pouted, stifling a sob while dabbing at her eyes. Druella gave her a sympathetic look before turning her attention back to the Dullahan, "But, she does speak some truth. A Magical Weapon on the level of the Sword Of Salvation couldn't be destroyed so easily. Even if it was broken, it would leave behind enough residual Spirit Energy that it could be brought back through a powerful spell. But neither I nor any of our skilled magic users have sensed anything like that."

Druella leaned forward in her throne as her expression became darker, "The only way that could happen is if whoever destroyed the weapon managed to completely eliminate its Spirit Energy as well. If that is the case, then I believe we all know who the culprit behind this is."

"The Hunter," Layla said what everyone was thinking out loud. Eva turned away from the covered object to stare at the Dullahan. Fransica's hands covered her mouth while her tentacles writhed within her body. Kuroferuru sat up in her seat, her paws gripping the arms of her throne tight enough to make them creak. Druella was the only one who looked calm and in control of her emotions. Layla's voice retained her monotone as she explained, "The Lady Lilim's analysis is but one reason we believe the Hunter is the root cause of the Incident. The other is that those who follow the Goddess of Death have outright stated it. We have received reports from many Banshees that the Hunter is directly responsible not just for the destruction of the blade, but also the reason none of those who died have been brought back yet."

"Yet?" Fransica spoke up for the first time, her voice warbling as bit as she spoke, "Then...has Hel truly abandoned the Mamono?"

Layla shook her head, "Not completely. According to the Banshees, she is merely taking more time to sort through all the souls. See if any of them wish to be reincarnated. And if so, if they wish to be brought back as Undead."

"So, they're just in limbo then?" Fransica moved to the edge of her seat. At Layla's nod, she sighed in relief, "Thank goodness. That means all those we lost won't be gone forever."

"Not necessarily," everyone turned their attention to the White Lilim. Druella had a hand on her chin, eyes closed in thought, "Prior to this, three representatives of the Goddesses came to me. They explained how the Goddesses would not be providing Mamono with as many blessings as they once did. I made sure to inform everyone else, but the actual results of their decisions didn't manifest themselves. Until now."

"What do you mean, Druella?" Fransica sounded worried again.

Druella didn't answer her. Instead, she opened her eyes and focused on Layla, "I heard that the Manhunt I authorized returned before sundown. How is everyone?"

Layla's tone remained neutral, "The Manhunt was successful. They managed to bring back fifty husbands and twenty new Amazons. However, their losses were severe. Five Amazons were injured, while the Dark Warrior Totha and their Chief Anache were killed. Their new Chief, Ohyia, has confirmed that Ares is no longer protecting them in battle. We can assume the same is true for all Mamono going forward."

The atmosphere became tenser. Everyone was speechless at the implications of the Dullahan's words. If Ares was no longer protecting Mamono, then that meant that they were in danger of actually dying on the battlefield. Druella sighed, "A truly tragic circumstance. We'll have to bolster our ranks with those who know healing magic, and make sure everyone who fights knows first aid. We'll also have to focus more on convincing those who haven't already joined us to do so without conflict. The last thing we need is more death."

Fransica, Eva, and Kuroferuru all nodded in agreement. Then they turned their attention back to Layla, waiting for the Dullahan to continue her report. Layla spoke again, "Taking that into consideration, and assuming Hel is acting in a similar capacity, it is not unreasonable to believe that some of those who have fallen won't be with us again for quite some time. And, in case they do not wish to be reincarnated, ever again. Which would be devastating both domestically and militarily. "

"Please, elaborate Layla," Druella waved her hand for emphasis, "Tell us. How are our people handling the aftermath?"

Layla took a deep breath before she answered, "Poorly. Through the use of divination magics and the testimony of the Undead, we have discovered the total number of those lost as a result of Salvation's End. By our count, the total is...300 Dullahans and 400 Husbands."

Fransica gasped again, tears appearing at the corners of her eyes. The Black Goat shot up from her seat. She covered her ears and stomped away from her throne, heading toward one of the side room doors. As she went she shouted, "I can't listen to this anymore! I'm leaving!"

She opened the side room and walked through before slamming it shut behind her. Druella didn't look bothered by the sudden withdrawal. She instead sighed, "Poor girl. Hopefully, her Onii-Chan can comfort her. Please continue."

"Yes, Lady Lilim. The loss of so many Dullahans is a large hit to our overall combat capabilities. As our most disciplined corp of Mamono, they formed the core of our military operations. In addition, their diligence and innate combat prowess made them prime candidates for the still-forming Dark Ice Flower. Losing so many has left a significant hole in both our army, and has set the Dark Ice Flower training program back by at least a month."

"Yes, yes, I understand that. But what about our people? How are the Mamono who have lost their husbands...handling things?" it was hard for Druella to say that. The very idea that a Mamono would lose her husband? Such a thing was blasphemous. An abomination that should never happen to anyone. Human or Mamono. Yet...here she was. Dealing with that exact thing.

"Put simply? They aren't. A hundred of the husbands lost were married to a Dullahan we lost. But those three hundred that remained were married to other Mamono. Undead and otherwise. Some with children on the way or already born. Losing their husbands has...broken them."

"Half of them are holed up in their homes. They refuse to come out for any reason. Not even to get food or water. If they have children, then they usually dedicate whatever time they have left to caring for them. It's the only way to convince them to leave their homes for any length of time. That, unfortunately, is all we've been able to discover in regards to those types. They keep to themselves and many are unwilling to go near them, as they give off this...aura of despair and anguish that drives others away from them."

"And the other half?" Fransica asks.

The Dullahan's expression darkens, "They have become...furious. They're easier to track and watch over, and for good reason. Those who follow Ares, Eros, or Hel have been very forthcoming with the fact that the Hunter caused this to happen. They mean to use it as a cautionary tale. To let everyone know not to trifle with her. But for these Mamono? They've given them a target. I've gotten reports of Mamono heading to the training fields, setting up training dummies, and then just...beating on them. Nonstop. For hours on end. Some use a weapon. Some use magic. Most use their bare hands. They just...destroy the dummies. Completely and utterly. Don't even leave any of the straw behind. And when they destroy one, they just go grab another one. When asked what they were doing, they all said the same things. Planning. Preparing. Training. Getting ready to kill the one who took their husbands away."

Druella's eyes widened. She straightened up in her throne, hands going to the armrests as the Dullahan's words sunk in, "Kill? Don't you...don't you mean turn?"

Layla shook her head, "No, I spoke correctly, Lady Lilim. They wish to kill the Hunter."

The Dullahan let her words sink in. Slowly but surely all three women realized what she was saying. Druella's eyes became wide as dinner plates, while her hands gripped her armrests tight enough to make her knuckles turn white. Eva had taken a step forward, expression incredulous as if she couldn't believe what Layla was saying. Fransica had her head in her hands as she repeatedly mumbled, "No, no, no. This...this can't be."

Only when all three had processed her words did Layla continue, "The current circumstances have resulted in the creation of two separate parties within Lescatie. One party believes in the words of those who worship the Goddesses. That the Hunter has proven herself to be a dangerous monster that must be avoided at all costs. They believe that our best bet would be to leave her be, and no longer seek her out. Lest we risk losing even more Mamono or husbands to her rampage. The other party has taken a more radical position. They believe that everything the Hunter has done proves that she is a danger. Not just to Mamono, but to the world at large. They wish to take decisive and drastic action involving her. Either finding some way to turn her into a Mamono...or eliminating her. Permanently.

"Both of these factions are in their infancy, little more than multiple Mamono who happen to share a similar outlook on the current situation. But that does not mean they should be ignored. We believe it would be prudent to keep these two groups in mind before making any sweeping decisions, Lady Lilim. That ends my report," Layla knelt and bowed her head to Druella.

The White Lilim didn't respond. She slowly, carefully, push herself up from her throne without saying a word. Her expression was hidden underneath the shadow of her snow-white hair. Her heels clinked against the floor as she stood, with her tail waving through the air behind her. Once she was standing to her full height, she finally looked up and locked eyes with Layla, "Give me a list of all the Mamono who lost their husbands to this. I'm going to speak to each and every one of them, personally."

"At once, my Lady," the Dullahan bowed her head before walking off to get the list prepared.

"Eva," Druella turned and locked eyes with her, "I want you to get in contact with Wilmarina. Tell her to start scouting the more aggressive Mamono. Offer them a chance to serve in our forces. We need to teach them discipline and remind them of why we do not jump to killing our opposition. Once you're done with that, come back to me. The Huntress is on her way, and I want to be sure we are prepared."

Eva bowed her head to Druella as the White Lilim walked off to follow Layla. She stared after Druella for a few moments, before shaking her head with a sigh, "I guess my Edgar and I will have to postpone our little getaway for a bit. Good day to you, Fransica."

With that Eva began to walk out of the throne room, leaving Fransica to her thoughts. The Queen Roper had lifted her head toward the ceiling as she took in everything she had heard during this meeting. Though her mind wasn't on what this would mean for Lescatie. The White Lilim had taken the nation, a place once said to hold the strongest Order presence in the world and turned it into a Mamono Paradise. If she could do that, then she knew Druella could help get the situation under control. No, her fear concerned something a bit closer to home.

A few days ago, Sasha had told them what God had told her. How the Huntress was on her way to Lescatie, and how she wanted them to 'bring her into the fold'. Everyone knew what she meant by that, and they were all OK with it. Even Mari. They had heard the rumors about the Huntress, and many of them saw similarities between the two. They had built this idea that the Huntress was forcing herself to be someone she didn't want to be. That her true feelings were buried within the sea of expectations and self-loathing those who fight Mamono tend to have.

They figured she'd be easy to bring to their side.

But that was when they thought she was just a normal warrior. A Hero or something similar, who could be corrupted just like anyone else. But if she was able to totally destroy the Blade Of Salvation then...

"El," she whispered his name, body and heart aching to feel his touch again. Her body shivered at the thought of what would happen if that...thing got its hands on him...it made her translucent skin crawl. Her emotional state traversed from her body down into the various tendrils she had set up throughout the castle. This included those whom she had birthed. They all felt their mother's anxiety and fear for the future.

And, they too, learned who the Hunter was. And how she made their mother upset.

----------------------------------------

"Did you really have to spend so much time digging those four graves, Good Hunter?" Matilda asked as she patted their horse's leg. Said horse was currently grazing on the grass below, tail flicking back and forth as it stood in the clearing. Matilda had her eyes focused on the Huntress, who was currently filling in the last of the graves with a shovel she got from The Dream.

Once the dirt was piled high enough, Selina started to pat it down with her shovel. The grave she stood in front of was the latest in the line she had created. Each one was empty, save for large amounts of dirt that Selina had shoveled into them. Each one was marked by crude wooden crosses that had been driven into the ground ahead of them. The light of the moon seemed to shine down upon the Huntress as she stopped hunching over to pat down the dirt. She turned to Matilda, sadness pulling at the corners of her eyes. She reached into a pocket while letting the shovel drop to the earth. With a groan, the Messengers appeared and dragged the shovel back into the Dream. As they did, Selina took out what remained of the Blade Of Salvation.

Little more than a shattered hilt. It had lost all of its luster and flair, leaving nothing save for a particularly ugly-looking paperweight. Or a simple beating stick. She held it up to the moonlight as she spoke, "Matilda, how many did I kill by destroying the Blade Of Salvation?"

Matilda frowned then shook her head, "I do not know, Good Hunter. It was connected to not just those it had already corrupted, but also those who had fallen to its sword before it was corrupted. That number of Mamono is...far too many for even I to guess at."

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"I feel the same," Selina nodded as she let her arm fall. She waved a hand at the four graves, "And this is all I can do for them. I do not know their names. I do not know how they lived their lives. But, through this one action, I have killed them all. And the best I can do is mourn them."

Selina walked until she stood in front of all four graves. She cupped her hands and placed them over her heart while beginning to kneel. Using one knee to keep herself supported, she bowed her head while mumbling a short prayer. One she remembered the Doll would say for her. Such things seem so long ago now.

Matilda, after patting the horse's leg one last time, walked over to the kneeling Huntress. Her tiny feet barely made any sound as she approached, stopping when she was just behind the Huntress' back. She placed a small hand on the Huntress' thigh, smiling softly, "It is alright, Good Hunter. If it helps, I'm certain all of those souls have returned to Hel. And if your conversation with the Goddesses has indeed born fruit, then perhaps they are not destined to come back as Undead. But instead as someone, or something, else."

Selina lifted her head and moved her gaze to Matilda, "You believe so?" Matilda nodded while turning her gaze toward the graves. Selina did the same, closing her eyes again while continuing to mumble her prayer. She wasn't sure if it did anything for the spirits of the dead. But, at the very least, she hoped it gave them some measure of peace. After a few moments, Selina opened her eyes and got to her feet. She turned toward the horse they had rode in on and waved a hand at it, "Should we send her back?"

"I believe so. We will be reaching Corrupted Territory soon. Her being here will be a hindrance," Matilda agreed while walking over to the horse. Selina followed and the two stood by their temporary steed while it crunched away at the grass below. Selina gently removed the saddle and reins from the horse's back, making it shake its head now it was free. She patted it on the neck to get it to move to the side. Once it was facing the direction they had come from, she went to the horse's backside. Then she slapped its flank as hard as she could without hurting it. The horse whinnied in pain and panic, Selina and Matilda stepping away as its hind legs kicked out at the pain. It got up on its hind legs, whinnied, and then galloped off into the night toward Pran.

Selina watched the horse run off until it was out of sight. Then she knelt down while holding her hands out behind her. She jerked her head to the side, glancing at Matilda out of the corner of her eye. Matilda smiled, thanking the Good Hunter while walking over to her. She put her foot in one of the Huntress' outstretched palms and climbed her way up and onto her back. Once she felt Matilda's arms around her collar, the Huntress stood up and turned to walk in the opposite direction of the horse. She stopped at the edge of the clearing to look back at the graves one last time. Then, with a solemn nod, she continued on her way.

As the two of them entered the forest, Matilda kept her head on a swivel. Tongue sticking out in concentration, she asked Selina, "So, where did Koga get to, again?"

"He said that he went to find his horse, Nobu," the Huntress explained while ducking beneath a particularly low branch.

"Ah. Did he say why?"

"He seemed to be in a hurry, so no. But I doubt he would've left so quickly if it wasn't important."

"Hmm, maybe the two of them become fast friends?"

"Perhaps. I assume you are looking for a trail we can follow?"

Matilda nodded, squinting while she tried to see through the dark forest, "Indeed. We are closer to corrupted territory. Being separated for too long makes one perfect prey for lone Mamono. Koga is in particular danger for obvious reasons. But I'm having trouble finding a trail in this darkness."

"You are having trouble seeing?"

"Yes. Aren't you?"

Selina shook her head, "I can see perfectly fine."

"...Oh. I suppose that makes sense," Matilda went silent for a few moments. Then she spoke, "Would you mind turning on your Lantern?"

"Not at all," Selina reached for the Hand Lantern on her hip. In a few moments, a bright orange light expanded around the Huntress. The inside of the lantern glowed a dull orange as the fire inside raged. Selina stopped walking and held the object up to help Matilda see. The Living Doll thanked her and stood up on Selina's shoulders.

"KOGA!" Matilda shouted, her voice echoing through the trees. She cupped her hands around her mouth to help her voice carry, "If you can hear me, give us a sign! Help us find you! KOGA!? Can you hear me?!"

At first, she received no answer. After a few seconds, she began to consider that they'd need to move deeper into the forest. Then, a loud, agonized scream echoed from the west. Selina spun in that direction, putting her Hand Lantern back on her hip. Without delay, she started to run toward the sound while Matilda dropped lower to hold onto her collar. Selina pushed any branches out of the way, jumped over brambles and bushes, and crushed any fallen sticks underfoot as she ran. As they got closer to the source, they became more aware of a rapid thumping noise. Eventually, Selina hopped over a pair of bushes and found what they were looking for.

Koga was on his hands and knees in front of a large, dark brown tree. He was repeatedly punching the ground with his fists, while his head hung low in frustration and despair. The reason for this was sitting in front of him. Before him was a dappled gray stallion, lying in the grass while its chest rose and fell with his labored breaths. Its saddle bags and their contents were scattered all across the ground, while its legs had curled up toward its chest. But the thing that caught Selina's eye was all too clear even in the darkness of the sun.

The dark purple scars that ran from its legs to its chest.

And how they were rapidly covering its entire body.

"Oh no," Matilda dropped from Selina's back, picking up her skirts as she ran toward the downed horse. Selina made her way over to Koga, stopping just to the warrior's right. She knelt until she was on both her knees, then placed one hand on his back.

Koga's head shot up at the feeling of someone else's hand. His eyes widened then shrunk as he calmed down. His voice sounded hoarse from his screaming, "G-G-Good Hunter."

"Koga. What happened?" Selina spoke plainly, her voice smooth and soothing.

Koga looked back at Nobu while his hands started to shake. He looked at the ground in shame, "I...I was too late. Nobu...pushed himself so hard to keep me from falling. He gave his all because I told him we would be fine. But that...that damn sword it...it...damn it all!"

Koga punched the ground hard enough to make his arm shake. Selina simply nodded, "I see. Then it is only a matter of time before he turns?"

"Yes...unless...Good Hunter!" Koga suddenly rose to his knees. He bowed his head deeply to the Huntress, "Please forgive me for this! But I must ask that you use your power to save him! Nobu has only been with me for a few days, but he has gone above and beyond what is required! I have no doubt that any other steed would've turned tail and run the moment the Blade Of Salvation appeared. But he didn't. So...please!"

Selina remained silent for a few moments. Koga remained silent, his face almost kissing the earth below as he awaited the Huntress' judgment. The only sound was that of Nobu's frantic snorting and neighing. Then Selina spoke, "What if I kill him?"

"Good Hunter?"

"Koga, I am still not fully aware of how this...ability of mine works," Selina lifted her hand palm up for them both to see, "When I accidentally used it on Sentinel, his arm was drained to the point of uselessness. When I used it on Maggie Mercer and Tina, I left them in unconscious states that lasted for days. But I saved them from becoming Mamono in the process. Yet, when I used it on you, I turned you into this. And when I used it on an Order Adherent that tried to kill me, she died from a single punch."

Selina let her hand drop and shook her head. Her voice was solemn as she spoke, "This power of mine...I am not in full control of it. I have no clue what it will do at any given moment. If I were to use it on Nobu, I could either save his life, kill him, or worse. But, knowing that, would you still ask this of me?"

Koga didn't hesitate when he gave his answer, "If the alternative is to see him become a Mamono, then yes. Gladly."

Selina remained silent as she took in Koga's resolve. Koga didn't speak as he awaited the Huntress' answer. The tension between the two grew with each passing second.

Then it was broken by Matilda's words, "That won't be necessary."

The two turned their attention to the Living Doll. Matilda had one hand on Nobu's flank, while she waved for the two of them to join her with the other, "There's another way to save him. And only Koga can do it."

Koga and Selina shared confused glances but still stood to follow Matilda's instructions. As they got closer, Matilda stood up and moved to stand just in front of Nobu's chest. When Koga and Selina reached her she looked up at Koga, "You'll need your sword for this. Be sure to ignite it."

Still confused, Koga pulled his blade out and set the blade alight. The azure flames glowed a bright blue in the darkness of the night. He held his weapon in his right hand, eyes asking Matilda for clarification. The Living Doll nodded then turned back to Nobu. She started to rub her hands over Nobu's chest as she spoke, "Nobu isn't completely gone, yet. The Mamono Mana has propagated throughout his body, but parts of his soul are still intact. They have yet to be fully corrupted."

"How is that possible?" Selina's eyes narrowed as she observed the rapidly expanding purple scars.

"My guesses? Either a strong will or the Blade Of Salvation wasn't able to hit his heart. I put stock in the former, as Mamono corruption starts from the soul and corrupts outward. You were given quite a willful steed, Koga."

"Indeed, but how does this help us save Nobu?" Koga asked, stepping up to touch Matilda's shoulder.

Matilda turned to Koga with a determined expression, "As I said, Mamono Mana starts by corrupting someone's soul. Their mind and body follow soon after. Since the infection starts in the soul, it is, technically speaking, possible to stop the transformation by filling their soul with an opposing type of Mana. Under normal circumstances, this would be a fool's errand. Mamono Mana is too powerful for regular Mana to overcome. The person trying would likely just get themselves corrupted, as the Mamono Mana spreads to them as well."

"What are-wait, are you suggesting that Koga could-"

"-feed enough of his own Spirit Energy into Nobu to prevent the transformation into a Mamono or Demon Beast? Yes, indeed I am," Matilda nodded toward Koga, her gaze firm as she stared the Ochimusha down. Her hands stopped near the center of Nobu's chest, "Here, his heartbeat. If you're going to do it, take your sword and plunge it in here."

"Are you mad?" Koga shouted, disbelief dripping from his voice, "If I do that, I'll kill him!"

"No, you won't. Not if you do what you did when you killed Salvation's host. If you focus your Mana through your sword like you did before, then you'll make a direct connection with Nobu through a 'Heart Scar'," Koga's free hand went to his chest as Matilda said those words. Matilda looked to her left and hissed as she saw that Nobu's neck was completely covered by purple scars. She urgently called to Koga, "We're running out of time. If you don't do something, now, Nobu will be transformed."

"Wh-Why? Why are you telling me to do this?"

"Because you're the only one who can."

"How do you know that?! What about me makes you say that?!"

"The fact that you're a Monster!" Matilda's words made Koga go silent. Selina stepped forward but Matilda's eye glanced her way. She paused as she saw the resolve within the Doll's eyes. Matilda's lips moved, silently asking the Huntress to trust her. Seeing this, Selina stepped back and focused her gaze on Koga...but she did remove one of her gloves just to be safe.

Matilda nodded at the Huntress then turned her eye back to a stunned Koga. She spoke with absolute certainty in her voice, "You may not be a Mamono, Koga. But you are still a Monster. A creature whose capacity to hold Mana is far beyond that of a normal human. On its own, that wouldn't mean much. But it's coupled with the fact that you're a Monster, whose Mana is not the same as a human's. If you were to inject your Mana into Nobu, then it wouldn't be overwritten by the Mamono Mana. It would replace it with your own."

She turned her attention back to Nobu, "That is what would save your steed. That is what would bring him back from the brink. But if it is to work, then you have to trust me. Plunge your blade into Nobu's heart and fill his soul with your Spirit Energy. Quickly now, before it becomes too late."

Koga stared down at Matilda for a few moments. His expression kept shifting from surprise to uncertainty, to anger, then back to surprise. His grip on his sword tightened as he considered the Doll's words. His eyes roamed Nobu's body, a feeling of dread welling up within him as his horse's eyes started to become dim. The edges of his irises were slowly filling with a deep purple color...

Grunting, Koga flipped his sword around so that his blade was pointing behind him. He walked to Matilda's side and got to his knees. Holding his weapon's hilt in both hands, he lifted it until the blazing tip was pointing right where Nobu's heart would be. His hands were shaking as he aimed his blade. Nobu's flesh was quickly being overtaken by the scars, to the point where only the area around his heart remained free of the dark purple color.

"You can do it, Koga. I know you can," Matilda said, trying to sound encouraging.

"And if you are wrong?" Koga's voice was completely neutral.

Matilda didn't hesitate, "Then Nobu dies."

Koga hesitated for one more moment. Briefly, he considered that maybe this wouldn't be worth it. Should he really do this? Risk it all on this apparent ability he had? He didn't even know if Matilda was telling the truth. Wouldn't it be better to allow the Huntress to-

...No.

Nobu was his steed. He was the one that brought them here. It was his fault that this happened. And thus, it was his responsibility to do this.

His shaking stopped.

"...Very well."

With a battle cry, Koga plunged his blade into Nobu. The horse didn't even whinny as the weapon pierced and cauterized the wound upon entry. There was a loud hissing sound as the smell of cooked flesh permeated through the air.

"Now! Focus your Mana through your weapon! Push it into Nobu's body! As much of it as you can!" Matilda shouted, standing up to place her hand on Koga's arm. Koga grunted, his grip on his weapon tightening but Nobu's corruption still progressing. In fact, it started to surge toward Koga's sword and crawl up its hilt. His hands were soon encased by the deep purple color, making him cry out in pain as it tried to get a hold of him.

Matilda didn't take her eyes off Koga, "Remember when you used your Hellfire Stance! Remember how it felt to push your Mana into your weapon. Think of it like one river, flowing into a lake. One source of water fills up another and clears away the impurities, but does not get swept away. Focus on that! Koga!"

"Aaaarrrrrggghhhh!" Koga shouted, his hands and arms catching alight. The flames surged down from his body and into the hilt of his sword. They met with the surging corruption. For a moment, the two forces clashed on Koga's palms. Blue fire flared and burned at the sickening Spirit Energy, while the Mamono Mana consumed parts of the flames. The battle raged for but a second...until the flames surged over the corruption.

Then they moved into Nobu's body.

Blue fire exploded out from around Koga's blade. The heat was so intense that Matilda had to back away lest she be caught in the fire. Selina moved in and pulled Matilda away with her gloved hand, both watching as both Koga and Nobu's bodies were engulfed by azure fire. It started at Koga, but quickly moved to encase both him and his injured steed. The bright flames surged up the tree Nobu was laying against, consuming the large plant in a sea of fire. The Huntress squinted while moving her free up to protect her eyes, "Such intensity. Are you sure this will work? Matilda?"

Matilda didn't answer. She kept her eyes glued to the flames as they continued to burn. The fires seemed to only get brighter and climb higher and higher. Then...

RRROOOARRRR!

The fires began to swirl until they were a veritable tornado of blue flames. They continued to spin in place, the bottom of the tornado getting smaller and smaller as they became weaker and weaker. After two whole minutes, the flames finally died out. Sinking lower and lower into their point of origin.

Koga's sword.

That was sitting on the ground next to an unconscious Ochimusha.

But standing before his master was a reborn Nobu.

His flesh had been melted off, yet that didn't seem to bother the equine. He stood just fine over Koga, his pale white bones aflame with azure fire. A mane of flames ran from the top of his head to the edge of his neck. A saddle of bone sat upon his back, while his tail made from the same blue flames as his mane whipped back and forth behind him. He stamped the ground, his skeletal hooves leaving small scorch marks where they landed. He craned his head downward and licked Koga's cheek.

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"Did you know this would happen, Matilda?" Selina said, looking to her left to face the Doll hanging off her back.

Matilda smiled, "I had a hunch. But I wasn't sure."

"You bet Nobu's life as a normal horse on a hunch?" Selina questioned, the skeletal reins in her hands shaking as their owner whinnied. Well, it wasn't so much a whinny. More like a short, cackling roar that accompanied a chorus of bones clacking together.

Matilda frowned and held her hand out, "In a sense. Though, I'd say it all paid off. Right, Nobu?"

The now skeletal horse roared again, the clacking of its hooves muffled by the grass below. Its mane of flames created a light that illuminated their path through the forest. Matilda met Selina's gaze with a self-assured smile on her face. But one look at Selina's unamused expression made her smile falter. Her eyes searched for something else to look at and landed on the third passenger atop their new horse. She pointed at the horse's flank, "Well, I bet Koga would agree with me."

Selina looked over her shoulder to see the unconscious Ochimusha riding with them. He had been thrown over Nobu's flank with his stomach resting on the equine's body. He was completely limp, his eyes closed and flames having puttered out. Selina had taken the liberty of putting his sword back in its sheathe, then tying it to Nobu's flank so it wouldn't get lost. The Undead Warrior groaned again but otherwise remained silent.

Selina hummed before turning her gaze back to the forest path in front of them, "We shall see. Still, I do not advise placing so much at risk on nothing more than a hunch."

"Isn't that what we're doing though? Risking a possible war on your hunch that Druella will listen to us and stand down?" Matilda smiled cheekily at the Huntress.

Selina turned her head away to avoid eye contact, "E-Either way, what exactly happened to Nobu? And how did you know it was going to work?"

Smile still on her face, Matilda tapped a finger against her chin, "Since Nobu isn't human nor a monster, his transformation could go one of two ways depending on his will. If his will was weaker, then the corruption would've latched onto the loyalty he felt towards Koga and twisted it. His mental state would be altered to believe that his loyalty comes from a place of love and that he, truthfully, wants to be with Koga as a wife. Regardless of the fact that a horse couldn't understand the concept of 'being in love with its rider' at all, he would've been made to think that by the corruption."

Nobu growled and shook his mane. Matilda ignored him and continued, "But, since his will was strong enough, it was more likely to turn him into a Demon Beast. Which wouldn't have been as bad. Demon Beasts aren't Mamono and can be tamed by regular people. If Nobu had become a normal Demon Beast, he would still be loyal to Koga and wish to travel with him."

"The issue being that he would spread corruption wherever he went," Selina stated as a matter of fact.

"Correct. Which is why I asked Koga to do what he did. By filling Nobu's soul with a large amount of his own Mana, Mana that was neither as weak as human Mana nor as corrupting as Mamono Mana, the hope was that he would 'hijack' the Demon Beast transformation. And, thankfully, it worked! Nobu is, essentially, a new type of Demon Beast! One that doesn't spread corruption wherever it goes!"

"I see. But why did it work like that? Is there something special about Koga's Mana?"

"In a sense," Matilda placed a hand on her chin, brow furrowing as she began to think, "I'm not entirely sure how to explain it. But I have this theory of mine...I think the fact that Koga is just a normal monster might actually give him an advantage over Mamono Mana in some cases. It's not as powerful as your ability, Good Hunter. But it's strong enough to overcome corruption in great enough quantities. And I think it has to do with him being a monster. Not a Mamono. A monster."

Matilda crossed her arms, "But I don't have anything concrete right now. Just theories. And one situation where my theories happened to be correct. I'll need more time to think about and experiment with this train of thought."

Selina's eyebrows rose, "You've...thought deeply about this. I didn't expect you to be so inquisitive, Matilda."

Matilda giggled, "Well, someone has to be the brains of this little party of ours. Might as well be me."

Selina frowned beneath her bandana. She reached up and started to pull at Matilda's ear, "Don't get too full of yourself now, Matilda. Overconfidence is the first step on the road to failure."

"Ah, ah, ah! OK! OK! I'm sorry! Please don't pull! It'll come off," Matilda shouted as the three trekked deeper into Mamono territory.

Unbeknownst to them, they were not the only ones awake this late into the night.

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"Castor? Did you see that?"

"The large pillar of blue fire that briefly appeared in the sky?"

"Yes, that one."

"Indeed I did. I also noticed that it happened to be on the way toward Pran."

"Should we investigate?"

"Do you even need to ask? Someone may be in trouble. We'll leave post-"

"Honey..."

"-I mean after we camp for the night."