“…I can’t explain, but I…wanna try…”

“…there’s this image of…you and I…”

“…and it goes dancing by…in the morning and in the night time…”

Adam casually swung his legs over the edge of the main building, staring out at the academy below him.

The alarms warning of a Wailing on campus blared loudly, stirring life out of the sleeping school.

“…there’s all these secrets that…I can’t keep…”

“…like in my heart there’s that…hotel suite…”

“…and you lived there so long…it’s kinda strange, now you’re gone…”

He caught a glimpse of Julia and the rest of Team Valiant separated from across the academy, before grinning and casually floating in the air.

“I’m not sure if I should…show you what I’ve found…has it gone for good…or is it coming back around?”

He noticed Wicker leaving his office, before storming through the main building with determination to find Percy.

“Isn’t it hard to make up your mind…when you’re losing…and your fuse is…”

He proudly turned to you.

“…Fireside?”

———

Run.

That was Julia’s plan right now. Run. Find her team. Or Faller. Or Percy. Or shelter.

She aimlessly sprinted through the academy, attempting to make sense of any of her priorities, tears still streaking down her face. She left her rifle back in Ce…Wicker. In Wicker’s office. She couldn’t go back and grab it, but if she ran into any of the Wailing on campus…

She hurried down to a lower level, trying to get back to the main building entrance. Right before turning a corner, however, she could hear a voice behind her, as her spine shuddered in response.

“Juliaaa? Is that you?”

Julia jumped suddenly, before spinning on the spot and finding Rosalind across the hall from her, tapping her sword to the floor.

“It’s been a hot minute.” Rosalind grinned. “How’s your team doing?”

“W-Why are y-you-“

“Use your brain, fuckwit. I’m here for Jules.” Rosalind replied, before holding out her katana. “You wanna just give her up and make this easy on both of us?”

Julia could feel her body telling her to run, before she forced herself to turn back around and glare Rosalind down.

“…l-like I’d ever do that. Bite me.”

Rosalind sneered, before getting into a more combative stance, only to catch a figure appearing right behind her and jumping out of the way, just as Ferris came charging past her, slashing at Rosalind with her sword, running past and standing proudly in front of Julia.

Ferris held her sword out.

“Back off.”

“F-Ferris?” Julia let out, as Ferris stared back at her.

“Don’t worry, kid. She’s not getting to you.” Ferris assured, just as Rosalind managed to recover.

“…alright then. Guess I should’ve expected back up from a Venator sch…” Rosalind started, before getting a better look at Julia’s defender and smiling. “…well, I’ll be. Drinking buddy.”

“Ferris.” Ferris clarified, as Rosalind got caught in a laughing fit.

“Man…I feel stupid now…” Rosalind admitted, still laughing. “I was drinking with one of the teachers here and I didn’t even realise. You’re the one Wicker complains about a lot.”

“And you’re Rosalind Castello.” Ferris stated, still holding her sword out, as Rosalind smirked.

“Didn’t realise I had a fan.”

“You don’t.” Ferris said, pointing her sword back at Julia. “What’s your beef with her?”

“Very personal. I threatened her neck a little while ago, but she wouldn’t indulge me.” Rosalind replied, walking in a circle as she spoke. “You wouldn’t happen to know where Jules is, would you?”

“Not on campus.” Ferris insisted, slowly approaching Rosalind. “We got the warning you were coming in, so she’s long gone by now. Probably out of the state.”

Rosalind rolled her eyes, as she swung her sword around a bit. “…I thought you hated Venators.”

“Don’t try to win me over.” Ferris declared, before holding out her broadsword proudly. “Feel like trying shit?”

Rosalind found herself grinning, before waving her hand. “Not at the moment.”

And just like that, the floor melted out from under her, as she’d used her Whil as she walked to heat up the floor enough to give in. Ferris tried to jump her before she could disappear to the lower floor, only missing her by a hair, as Rosalind braced for the landing, looked up and flipped Ferris off, before running further into the building.

“Shit.” Ferris let out, standing back up. “Fucking shit ass fuck! Okay…so she’s still a problem…”

“…I-I keep forgetting you can fight…” Julia admitted, before shaking her head and hurrying to Ferris’ side. “I-I’m sorry, I should’ve done more to help catch he-”

“Julia, hey.” Ferris said, meeting her height. “She’s an assassin. I don’t blame you for not wanting to get involved.”

“…right.” Julia said, before remembering her panic. “Wait! There’s Wailing on campus, and I don’t know where m-“

“I saw Team Valiant with the security team. They’re fine.” Rosalind said, as she grabbed Julia’s arm. “We’re getting to Faller. He’s still a sitting duck in his office.”

“H-How much of the broadcast did he hear? Does he know Cecil admitted to it?” Julia pleaded, as Ferris stared out a nearby window.

“I think he has a good idea of that…” Ferris said, before ushering Julia to follow her. “Come on. We’ve got work to do.”

———

The night air was starting to cover the campus, as the evening slowly turned to an uncomfortable, cold and windy climate, enveloping everyone present with a constant sense of unease.

This was only aided by the three Wailing staring down Team Valiant, Team Vanguard and the campus security, having just turned their attention from making quick work of most of the security department building.

The security fanned out in front of Valiant and Vanguard, with several holding out shields like a wall, as Harley had placed herself in front of both teams, locking eyes with the Wailing as they sized up their opponents.

“Jojo, what’s the plan here?” Chops insisted.

“…the moment we can, we book it out of here and let the security handle this.” Joleicia stated. “We grab Julia and Percy and head to the arena.”

“We still don’t know where Percy is.” Harley reiterated, as the security team waited for the opportune moment to act.

“She is with Wicker. She was aware we had discovered his plot and has ratted us to him, sending Wailing to distract as she disappears.” Essex growled, gripping her scythe furiously. “I will see that she regrets this…”

The air stagnated as the security tried to stay still. A few of them started to get visibly nervous, as, even with none of the Wailing being Behemoth’s, their presence was something else entirely.

Before anything could go too far, Dulce burst out of the main building, hurriedly sprinting to the groups, drawing the slight attention of a few of the security, giving the Wailing just enough to act on.

Out of the three, the first to act slithered in front, displaying its multiple coiling heads, each draped with fangs protruding vicious poison from their maws, as it swiped and tried wrapping up several of the security.

As the security focused their attention on it, the other one baring massive horns focused on the now unprotected group behind the security, wielding what looked to be a massive makeshift axe behind its back. It ground its hoof into the ground, before starting to charge fast toward Valiant and Vanguard.

Meanwhile, the lone Gelatinous Wailing continued tearing into the security department, pulling at random bits and pieces, as its form was visibly larger than the other two present, or most Wailing in general. Its body almost looked like it was in conflict, pulling away from itself as it failed to form faces with its enormous mass, while still causing havoc on the building.

Before the Horned Wailing managed to reach the students, Dulce stepped in before anyone else could and grabbed the Wailing’s horns, using her Whil to absorb its momentum and stop it dead in its tracks, before redirecting it back into the Wailing’s own body and launching it back into the forest.

“Keep formation! Make quick work of the fanged one! Whil users, we need that Gelatinous taken care of!” Dulce shouted out, heading to join up with the security team, as the gunners took shots at the Fanged Wailing, only for it to block each shot with its numerous heads, focusing on squeezing the life out of the few guards it had managed to coil.

A few security split off to try and work at the Viscous Wailing, just as the Horned Wailing pulled itself back up, shaking its head, before redirecting its attention back at the teams, trying to find an opportunity in the chaos to escape.

Chops quickly noticed the Wailing and immediately responded by creating a giant ice wall to block its path, giving the others a second to prepare for a fight.

Once it inevitably smashed through, it spotted Sola pointing her cannons directly at its face, as her charged shot blasted out, knocking it back another fair way, only for Joleicia to respond in kind with a sniper shot to its head.

Unfortunately, it managed to shake off both attacks easily, with the bullet not even piercing its hide and only seeming to make it angrier. It swung its axe down in turn, cracking the ground in half and throwing the teams in different directions, before it lifted it back up and took a swing at the security.

Harley, Wess, Saxin and Lenin all got their melee weapons ready, now prepared to whittle down the Wailing as much as it took, as Essex found her anger building, preparing herself for a full-out attack when she had room to manoeuvre and strike, leaving Nathaniel to be the sole observer, watching everything go out of control, finally witnessing an infamous Wailing attack for the first time.

The security guards crying out in pain…

Team Valiant ready to stop the Wailing at whatever cost…

His own team gearing up for a fight they weren’t prepared for…

His breathing got heavy, as he felt his own pupils shrink and heart beating faster, shaking his head in protest.

“…stop i-it…”

In a panic, he fell to his knees.

“…I-I-I don’t want th-this…”

He gripped at his head, before screaming out.

“S-STOP FIGHTING ALREADY!!!!!”

Nathaniel placed his hands on the ground and used his Whil, as it began to shake out of control, throwing everyone present off their balance, save for Saxin. Even the Wailing started stumbling, with the Viscous Wailing’s body vibrating and sputtering around.

Nathaniel closed his eyes and kept using his Whil non-stop, refusing to open them despite the noise, before he felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder and eventually turned up to see Saxin, unaffected due to her own Whil and smiling down at him.

Fortunately, her calmness managed to calm him down somewhat, as he lifted his hands up.

While this should’ve been reassuring, this only meant the three Wailing he had briefly stunned were now staring him down directly, having turned their attention fully toward the originator of the minor earthquake.

As was to be expected, Nathaniel saw the anger in all of their eyes, before booking it for the main building, hurrying through the courtyard, the Horned Wailing following directly behind him in a blind rage. Team Vanguard quickly chased after them, trying to draw the Wailing’s attention away and take shots where they could.

Meanwhile, the Fanged Wailing was ready to keep working at the security team while they shot at the Viscous Wailing, only for an errant laser shot to graze the top of one of its heads, as it spun to face Team Valiant.

Sola lowered her cannons, waiting for it to respond in kind with an attack, only for one of its heads to twitch violently, before its attention was suddenly drawn to the main building as well, looking ready to cause some chaos.

It started slithering toward it, batting at Team Valiant as it passed, as Dulce yelled out to them.

“Dammit! They’re splitting off!”

“Don’t worry, Dulce, we’ve got this one!” Sola insisted, running after it, followed quickly by the others, only for Essex to get held up suddenly, right as a figure passed by one of the windows near the right side of the campus building.

Rosalind.

Essex’s eyes widened, as her attention immediately switched to focusing on her, before sprinting away from the team in pursuit of her.

Wess and Sola kept up their pursuit, as Harley immediately noticed Essex leaving.

“Essex!!! Where are you going?!” Harley yelled out.

“To make her pay!!!” Essex yelled back, refusing to elaborate, as Harley blinked a few times, before shaking her head and returning her attention to the Wailing now making their way to campus.

———

Faller frantically tapped away on his tablet, huddled underneath his desk, just as the Wailing attacking the security department made themselves known in his window.

He made his call, as he held a hand over his head in worry.

“…Faller?! What is it?!”

“What’s the situation down there, Dulce?!”

“Three Wailing, two have split off toward the main building! Teams Valiant and Vanguard are handling them, and Ferris is on her way to grab you!”

Faller nodded. “Alright, now listen! Cecil is Wicker! We’ve be-“

“What?!”

“Just listen! I’ll give you the details later but watch out for him! We don’t know what he’s capable of at the moment, so if you find him, don’t let him go!”

Faller heard her gasp through the call.

“I left Julia with him.”

“You what?!” Faller cried, just as a heavy, rhythmic knock came from his door.

Ferris immediately burst through, as Faller crawled out from under his desk and felt a sudden wash of relief spotting Julia trailing behind her.

“Faller?! What was that?!”

“Ferris arrived. She’s got Julia with her, don’t worry.” Faller replied. “You take care of those Wailing. I’m gonna meet up with everyone at the arena.”

“…okay. Stay safe up there!” Dulce replied, before hanging up, right as Julia ran up to Faller in a hurry, only to catch a pungent smell coming from beside the desk.

She reeled a bit, as Faller noticed.

“Sorry, I threw up a bit earlier.” Faller admitted, breathing heavily. “What happened in there?”

Julia steeled herself before continuing. “…w-we were right, he’s…he’s Wicker, Cecil’s Wicker, he told me and I don’t k-know how much you heard, but it’s true.” Julia managed to get out, just as Faller lay on one knee and rested his hand on her shoulder.

“I caught bits of it, but unfortunately nothing incriminating. It cut out right after he destroyed the bug.” Faller admitted. “But don’t worry. We should have security footage of your talk. As long as he didn’t tamper with the cameras, it sho-“

“Faller.” Ferris interrupted, as Faller forced himself to stop.

“Yes, what?”

“The footage from those cameras is stored at the security department.” Ferris admitted, pointing out the window, as the carnage around the building continued to spiral. “Some of the guards told me about how it works.”

Faller’s eyes widened, as he smashed his hand against his desk.

“Fucking Cecil must’ve…” He let out, before grabbing out his tablet again, as Julia tried to get his attention.

“F-Faller, si-“

“One second!” He yelled, as Dulce picked up the call. “Dulce! Pull the Wailing away from the security department now!”

“Already tryna do that!”

“Cecil’s trying to destroy the security footage of his office! We can’t let him do that!”

“Got it! Let me handle this!”

Faller hung up, before turning to Julia again. “Alright, what is it?”

Julia felt a bit put on the spot. “…I-I-I don’t know where my team is right now. I was h-hoping I could go find them and regroup, to make sure they’re okay…Wicker could…”

Faller noticed her worried expression, before sighing out and noticing Ferris indicating to the door.

“…that’s fine.” Faller assured, patting her shoulder. “Ferris can take care of me from here. You’ve done all you needed to. If you see Wicker, don’t confront him. We don’t know what he’s got up his sleeve. Dulce mentioned your team was down with her, so get them to safet-“

Right as he was about to reach the door, the room started to shake violently, throwing a couple books off shelves and knocking portraits off the wall. Faller held himself over Julia to protect her, until the room started to quiet down, save for an errant voice hurrying past outside.

“…h shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh sh…”

Julia blinked. “Was that Nathaniel?”

“Don’t care. We’re leaving right now.” Ferris insisted, slowly pulling the door open, as she scanned the hallway, only to notice a massive presence rupturing down the other end of the building, tearing through the building with enough force to crumble it on its own.

The Horned Wailing was charging directly toward them, causing as much destruction as it possibly could, bashing its horns against the sides of classrooms and offices and using its magic to increase their strength five times over, as Ferris instinctively pulled Faller and Julia out of their room and down into the closest stairwell.

Unfortunately, the Wailing managed to catch this just at the end of its view, before charging again, now with a new and proper target.

Ferris ushered Faller and Julia down, trying to get them out of sight, while she readied herself by the nearby corner, waiting for it to get into range of her sword. A white glow started to envelop the blade, as she used her Whil to sharpen it tenfold, ready for its arrival.

However, as Julia caught the Wailing approaching, she spotted it starting to turn, readying itself for the corner, and envisioned Ferris failing to hit the mark, before pulling herself out of the stairs and stepping forward, right in the path of the Wailing.

“Wait, stop!!!” Faller called out, trying to grab her, right as she ran past Ferris.

“Julia!!! What the fuck?!” Ferris yelled, right as Julia lifted her arms and directed her Whil toward the Wailing, staring it dead on as it approached.

It took a few seconds to activate, before it started to slow down as it approached, its velocity shrinking with each second, as Ferris realised what she was doing.

“N-Now!” Julia yelled out, struggling to hold onto it, as she clenched her teeth, watching as it stared down at her, rage bleeding from its eyes.

Ferris wasted no time in running up to it and taking swings, dealing as much damage as she could and getting several good slices in, only for Julia’s Whil to start to wane, and for the Wailing to turn toward the human who had managed to pierce its hide.

Julia could feel her body giving out, as Faller could see her about to collapse, right as he left the stairwell to run and catch her, just as the Wailing regained control and swung its axe down toward Ferris.

She just managed to dodge as the floor gave in, while Faller carried Julia away as she recovered, trying to get some distance while Ferris distracted it.

“…s-sorry…” Julia let out, attempting to regain some composure. “…I’ve never slowed down anything that big before…”

“Julia, you might’ve just saved our lives.” Faller assured, only to feel himself getting winded as well. Despite this, he kept pushing himself, running through the ruined halls of the academy and trying to keep a level head while surrounded by so much destruction.

He reached the opposite stairwell, as Julia managed to stand up on her own.

“Get to your team.” Faller insisted, before sharing a look of recognition with Julia. “And please get to safety. If Ferris and I don’t make i-“

“Sir-“

“If Ferris and I are killed, you and Dulce need to let people know about Wicker.” Faller declared, staring her down. “He’s up to something big, and if we don’t intervene, he could take control of the entire Wailing Conflict.”

Julia’s eyes widened, as the true severity of the bigger picture dawned on her, before she made a firm nod back to him.

“…got it. We’ll make sure it gets done.” Julia assured, before heading back down the building, as Faller watched her leave with a subtle hint of pride in his eyes.

“There’s no doubt in my mind…”

“FALLER!!!” Ferris yelled out, running back down the hall in Faller’s direction, with the Wailing lumbering behind her. “ARENA!!! NOW!!!”

Faller nodded back, following as she sprinted down the other hall, leading the Wailing away from the stairwell, as Julia hurried to the lower floors, pulling out her tablet to text the rest of the team.

“D-Don’t worry…I can do this…no pressure…no pressure…you’re okay, there’s n-no pressure…breathe………just breathe…”

———

“Juuules? Where are you, rat?!” Rosalind called out, spinning her sword in her right hand, as she pulled herself through the campus, sculking through the halls. “We’ve got a score to settle!”

Her search through the main building hadn’t yielded any results, as she pivoted to the dorms, expecting her to be cowering away, hidden away by some goody two-shoed little…

“Make this easier on both of us! I wanna pay you back for last time!”

No response came out, as the dorms had been all but abandoned by the student body at this point, letting Rosalind take her time inspecting them.

“Wicker’s given me free reign! Don’t think you’re getting out with only a paper cut!” Rosalind yelled, gripping her sword even tighter, just as she passed a few more of the rooms, before spotting an interesting one in her periphery.

She turned around to spot the dorm room labelled ‘Team Valiant,’ and stopped herself.

Turning her head slightly, she looked to the door handle, before noticing a card reader next to it.

In a swift movement, she jimmied her sword in between the door and the wall, before using her Whil to heat up its tip and slice through the lock, opening the door up to her, as she took a second to step inside.

To her surprise, the room was exactly how she pictured it. Everything a dorm room would be, all layered with hints of Team Valiant throughout, calendars showing all their fun little outings together, a showy sword mounted on the wall, a broken fish tank near one of the beds for whatever reason…

Rosalind hated it.

With every fibre of her being.

It reeked of them and everything they stood for.

Out of frustration, she grabbed her sword and sliced cleanly through the entire fridge, as half of it slid down and collapsed to the floor, spilling the contents out everywhere.

She did the same with their TV, stabbing it the same way she’d done to her own over and over again, before noticing the drapes by the balcony, and quietly walking up to them.

Resting her hand against one of them, she slowly activated her Whil, as the fabric touching her started to glow a subtle orange, before creating a small flame, right as Rosalind dropped it from her hand, letting the fire crawl up the fabric as she sat by and watched.

“Oh, Valiant…”

———

Following in the Horned Wailing’s footsteps, the Fanged Wailing made sweet work of the main building’s interior, running its body into the sides of classrooms, seemingly with no regard to its own wellbeing, even ramming several heads against them.

Team Valiant tried to catch up, as Sola took what opportunities she could to blast it with her cannons, leaving Harley and Wess with catch up.

“Sola, draw it back to us! We can’t do much if it’s not close!” Harley called out, as Sola lined up another shot.

“It’s just wrecking stuff! I can’t get its attention!” Sola said, firing a few more shots, only for one to connect with one of its heads, causing it to rotate around and face the trio head on.

“Nicely done, Sola. Harley and I will keep it at bay, while Essex ca-“ Wess suggested, only to turn around and notice her absence. “Where’s Essex?!”

“Personal shit! She didn’t clarify!” Harley explained, only to spot the Wailing again and brace herself. “Get ready!”

The Fanged Wailing started slithering back toward them, tearing through the halls even more, as Harley ran over to Sola and picked her up, carrying her around a corner, as Wess nimbly dodged out of the way as it crashed through.

Sola kept charging her cannons as she was carried, as the Wailing made itself known to them, letting her get another clean shot at it.

However, it instead moved a few heads to block the one Sola was aiming at, seemingly doing no damage to it, before a few heads swiped down at the duo, nearly catching Sola and letting Harley duck underneath them and get some solid punches into its body.

Before it could retaliate, a sharp stabbing pain rang out from behind it, as it turned to find Wess taking clean slices at its tail, pulling its attention between its opponents.

As they kept getting in hits, the Wailing swung a few of its heads at Wess first, nearly catching her with its multiple fangs, before going back to Harley and throwing a few down onto her, causing her to jump out of way, only for it to take its freed tail and spin it back around, wrapping Harley up and squeezing the life out of her.

“Harley!” Sola let out, charging up her cannons, as Wess took more stabs at the Wailing’s hide, which it either didn’t notice or chose not to focus on, instead focusing on strangling Harley, staring her down as it did so.

Harley struggled as much as she could, trying to pry herself free, only as the Wailing kept its gaze on her, choosing to watch her slowly get killed, right as Sola managed another clean hit into the face focused on Harley, causing it to throw its head back and drop Harley.

The Wailing reeled in pain, too stunned to keep attacking, as Wess quickly went to grab Harley, almost struggling with the weight of her body, before putting her back down while Sola ran over.

“Are you good? Tell me you’re good.” Sola begged, just as Harley pulled herself up, sputtering a little.

“I’ll…be good once I…get a clean hit in.” She insisted, taking a moment to stand back up. “Fucker got me good…”

“I feel like we’ve barely done any damage. This thing is really good at taking hits.” Wess insisted, only for Sola to shake her head while it pulled itself back up.

“That’s not it! I figured out its weakness!” Sola exclaimed. “The other heads are all fakes! Look!”

Only now that Sola was pointing it out, Wess started to realise what she meant. Only one of the heads was particularly detailed, as the others seemed a lot more lifeless in comparison. Their eyes weren’t blinking, and their movements all seemed to tie around protecting the centre one.

“The middle one’s the only real one. The rest are just there to trick us.” Sola clarified.

“…Sola, you’re a beautiful genius.” Wess said, right as the Wailing had regained some composure, ready to start attacking again.

Harley let out a groan, just as Sola went to pull her back up, giving the Wailing the perfect opportunity to swing at them with one of its ‘heads.’

With only Wess defending with Artisan, the trio was thrown to the side, launched into a corner of the hallway, giving the Wailing a perfect shot to strike at them, as its veins started glowing an errant, purple-ish hue in preparation for an attack.

Meanwhile, just on the other side of the hall, Coatsworth hurried down the stairwell, dragging a couple students behind him, before leading them to the building exit.

“Quickly. The main building is no longer safe.” Coatsworth insisted, ushering a few straggler students in the direction of the arena, before nearly stumbling over from the destruction rupturing around him.

He managed to get his footing again, only to notice the ruin surrounding him, even as high as the tenth floor.

“What has been brought about?” He bemoaned to himself, right as he noticed more action out of the corner of his eye, catching one of the Wailing he’d been warned had snuck its way onto campus, and a few students he recognised to be Team Valiant.

His first instinct to run was immediately replaced once he saw the desperate situation they were in, with Wess proudly holding out Belvedere and Artisan in defence of Harley, struggling to get back up again, and Sola, desperately trying to get her back up.

He quickly analysed the situation, hoping to find someway to intervene meaningfully, before noticing the Fanged Wailing’s tail trailing behind it, punctured with several stab wounds.

While its attention was still on the team, Coatsworth hurried over, readying his foot, before jamming his heel into one of the wounds, sending a shot of pain throughout the Wailing’s body.

He proceeded to pick the tail up and try to pull on it, getting the Wailing even more annoyed, right as Team Valiant noticed what he was doing.

“Coatsworth?!” Wess remarked, as he waved his arm while it slowly faced him.

“Leave! While it’s distracted!” He insisted, glaring back at the Wailing, just as Harley forced herself to her feet again.

Before the point could be contested, the Wailing took no hesitation in swinging at him, slashing at his chest with one set of its fangs and digging in deep, throwing him back with the attack it had prepared for the team.

The wounds glowed with a vibrant purple, as Wess felt herself wanting to run out and help him, only for Harley to pull her and Sola away.

“Come on! We need to recuperate! He gave us a window, now we’ll use it!” Harley assured, running alongside them. “We’ll draw it back outside! We can’t do much in these cramped halls!”

Wess and Sola found themselves agreeing, as the Wailing stared down at Coatsworth convulsing on the ground, before spinning around and finding its previous prey making an exit, one it surely wasn’t going to allow.

———

She had locked the door.

She was huddled in the corner.

She had her last container of tranquiliser still on her.

She was hoping to just stick it out.

She couldn’t do that.

Not after the foundation of the building started to shudder.

Percy held her hands above her head, staring around at the office Faller had kept her in when she first arrived. The singular entrance in or out made it easy to defend, but the one-way mirror looking in worried her like no other. Anyone could be on the other side of that, staring directly down at her.

Another shudder rang through the building, shaking the hanging light and glass mirror with each tremor.

She remembered the arena the others had mentioned in case of an emergency. She wanted to avoid it in case Wicker was scoping it out, but at this point, staying here alone would be so much more dangerous.

Despite her instincts telling her otherwise, she closed in on the door, holding her breath as she opened it…

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

…and found no one else on the other side, relieving her for the moment.

She let out a breath, before heading out, keeping one hand on the tranquiliser and the other in front of her. No doubt Wicker would’ve sent a few deadly Wailing, as well as Rosalind, to seek her out.

Maybe I should text the others… Percy thought, before shaking her head. What if Wicker or Rosalind has their tablets? They’ll know I’m still here…

Percy stuck her head around a corner, watching out for anyone else. I’ll find them in person and assure them then. They’re definitely at the arena with everyone else. I can’t risk this opportu-

“Jules?”

Percy froze stiff, paralysed by utter fear, before turning around on the spot to face who she knew was behind her, with a disgustingly concerned face.

She found Cecil standing behind her, having come up from behind while she was caught up in her thoughts.

“There you are. We were so worried.” Cecil assured, resting his hand on his chest. “I came to find you after those Wailing started to attack.”

Cecil let out a sigh. “After I saw you the other day, I could tell you were still worried about what might happen to you.”

Percy glared at him, trying to read his intentions, even as she knew that’s what he wanted her to do.

“I didn’t want to force you to come back, but now that the academy’s no longer safe, I had to ask Faller if he knew where you were. Lucky for us, you were just waiting near his office.”

Percy found herself slowly backing up, gradually losing wall behind her, as Cecil tried to gently approach.

“I know…it seemed like I was mad. And…I’m sorry for that.” Cecil insisted, reaching out. “Rosalind was talking about you helping some Venators escape, but I knew…not my daughter. She wouldn’t stoop so low.”

Percy felt a strong pang of guilt in her chest, slowing her down somewhat, as Cecil’s expression turned mournful.

“Please, come back dear. You’ve had your fun, but we need you at the Organisation. I…I need you.” Cecil said, tearing up slightly. “I love you so much…”

Percy couldn’t help getting emotional at watching him cry, briefly second-guessing herself, as she almost reached out to take his hand just to comfort him.

“That’s it…we’ll be together again…” He let out. “Away from these Venators…you’ll be safe with me…”

Just as he said that, she felt herself stop, holding her hand in place.

Safe?

She quickly pulled it back, stopping herself from falling for his sympathies, before using the opportunity to gain some of her composure, pull her leg back, and kick him in the chin, causing him to reel in pain.

Before he could retaliate, she stood right over him, before signing aggressively.

[There is nothing safe about you.]

Right after, she sprinted off in the other direction, running desperately down the hall with tears streaming from her eyes, as Wicker pulled himself back up, ready to chase her down.

“JULES!!! YOU GET BACK HERE!!!”

She had to leave.

She had to find the others.

Now.

———

“She must…be there…”

Essex ran down the empty halls, searching wildly with her scythe in hand, for anywhere that Percy or Rosalind might’ve stashed themselves. She knew Percy hadn’t had much time to explore the campus, meaning there were only so many places she could be.

Having checked almost every common area, the only place she could think of left was the team’s dorm room.

Percy said she was here to hide…but Rosalind was heading in this direction… Essex thought to herself. …if she was being truthful…

Essex hurried to the dorm rooms, sprinting as fast as she could to their room, only to notice the door to the dorm was open.

Her instincts flaring up, she slowed herself down as she approached, carefully stepping forward, right as she spotted a red glow emanating from inside.

And once she opened it…

The room…

…was engulfed in flames.

Essex stared in unfiltered shock as the entire dorm was surrounded with fire, consuming everything inside of it, as it glowed with a violent red. The only thing standing out was Rosalind, directly in the middle of the room, reaching onto Julia’s bed, before noticing Essex in the doorway.

“Well, look who’s here.” Rosalind let out, grinning to herself, as she rested a hand on her hip. “Just the woman I wanted to see.”

Essex felt her bile hatred flaring up, right as Rosalind went for Julia’s bed again, before grabbing Maxie in her hands.

“And who’s this cute little fella?” Rosalind asked, holding him out, as Essex’s pupils shrank. “It’s so pwecious. Tell me it’s got a name.”

Essex stayed tight-lipped, just about ready to reach out and take him from her, only for Rosalind to grip both sides of Maxie and tear him apart, ripping him in two.

“Whoops.” Rosalind said, chucking the pieces aside. “Guess it doesn’t matter.”

Essex felt her eye twitch, as the fires around them only got more and more intense.

“It’s just you and me right now…” Rosalind assured, holding her arms out. “Feel like finishing what we started?”

Despite her best intentions and everything in her head telling her to run, one voice rang out clear in Essex’s head, insisting she step forward. Essex found herself growling, as she left the safety of the dorm room exit and stepped further into the room, closing in on Rosalind.

“That’s it…” Rosalind let out, beckoning Essex forward. “You ready t-“

Essex shut her up by swinging her scythe directly at Rosalind’s head, which she just managed to duck, as it embedded into the wall. As Essex tried pulling it out, Rosalind threw her into Julia and Wess’ bunk bed, as her back hit the metal frame, right as Rosalind went to stab her.

Essex quickly grabbed the bedframe and used her Whil to change her other hand to steel, before grabbing the sword mid-air and holding it in place, only for Rosalind to start heating the blade up with her Whil.

Essex managed to pull herself out and get back up, trying to pry her scythe free again, as Rosalind swung at her, slashing a deep wound into her side.

Essex reeled back in pain, before she jumped forward and finally got her scythe out, only for Rosalind to kick her backwards, sending her into the corner of the wall as her scythe fell into the fire, becoming unreachable as the flames got more intense.

“It’s about time I got to fight you for real…” Rosalind stated, leaning down to meet Essex’s eyes. “I always felt like you were holding bac-“

Essex kicked out her legs, as Rosalind’s chin landed against the floor. Reeling for a moment, Rosalind pulled herself back up, only to spot Essex behind her, grabbing the broken fish tank from the side of the bed, before swinging it around and bashing Rosalind in the side of the head, as it shattered to pieces and sent her flying out onto the balcony.

Rosalind flew into the railing, landing against it hard, while watching as her sword slide across the floor, further into the dorm room and next to the fire, as it continued to make itself more and more known. Essex took a second to breathe, having used a lot of strength on the fish tank, as she leaned against one of the few safe bits of the wall and clutched at her wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

Rosalind, out of pure spite, pulled herself back up, noticing the inside of her mouth bleeding, before pulling out a shard of glass embedded in her cheek and throwing it to the side, as her anger slowly built along with the fire, fuelling her rage-induced charge at Essex, pulling herself through the flame-engulfed exit to the balcony.

“Okay, girly…you feel like fighting?” Rosalind panted, before running over to the sword mounted on the wall. “Well, here’s what you wanted!”

Rosalind swung at the winded Essex, just narrowly avoiding her chin, as she adjusted to the weight of a two-handed sword. Essex tried to get her footing again, before she quickly realised she was unarmed, and that the fire was truly starting to get out of control.

In a desperate bid, she jumped for her scythe, reaching into the fire to grab its handle, only for the flames to burn her arm, as she had to pull her hand back out immediately. Rosalind used the chance to take another swing, barely avoiding her head.

Rosalind wasted no time in swinging wildly at her again, throwing all strategy to the side in an effort to overwhelm her opponent, as Essex, still reeling from the pain in her wound, went to block it with her arm, right as…

…right as…

…

…right as Rosalind finally landed a hit…running the sword…

…right through…

…as Essex’s right hand was severed from her body…

…falling off and landing on the ground…

…as Essex sat there in horror, watching as the view of her hand was slowly replaced with Rosalind’s proud smile, gratified by finally getting in a hit.

Rosalind dropped the sword onto the ground, before finding herself laughing a little, as Essex tried and failed to take in what she was seeing.

“…ahahaa…there we fucking go. That’s some real damage there…” Rosalind let out, smiling to herself, all while sweating profusely. “We had enough pussyfooting, don’t you reckon?”

Essex’s breathing got out of control, as flashbacks to every Wailing encounter she’d ever had flew past her vision, still leading back to Rosalind’s proud grin, as she picked up the sword again and raised it.

“Let’s say we finish this!!!” Rosalind cried, now going for Essex’s neck, as in a panic, Essex rolled to the side, just edging the fire where their weapons were held.

As the smoke and heat of the room built, Rosalind could feel her body fighting against her, as she struggled to pull the sword back up, coughing over and over.

Essex held her fresher wound to her chest, trying not to look at the damage Rosalind had caused, as she desperately reached for her scythe again, only to notice the glow coming off of Rosalind’s sword and making a pivot, reaching into the fire despite all the pain.

Rosalind managed to pull the sword back up, getting ready to swing it back down onto Essex, as Essex, in a pure fit of rage, swung Rosalind’s heated up sword toward her.

It took Rosalind a second to even realise Essex had swung at her, due to the exhaustion and the building smoke, before she heard a thud beside her and accidentally dropped the sword behind her.

Except, that the thud wasn’t from the sword…

…it was from what Essex had hit.

“Alright, Essex, way t…” Rosalind started, before looking down and noticing her own sword next to her face, having cleanly sliced through her shoulder, all the way up, severing her entire left arm from her body.

Rosalind could feel her blood boiling, as the very rare emotion of panic ran through her body, staring down at her limb now lying on the ground beside her, all as Essex stared back at her with her bright eyes, clear determination in her action through all the chaos that had unfolded.

“…it…only seemed fair…” Essex managed, holding out the sword as a perfect threat.

Rosalind stumbled back, clutching at the wound, before looking back at Essex.

“Y-You…fucking bitch!!!” Rosalind yelled, staring back at Essex with as much hate as she could muster. “You’re…you’re dead…by my hand, you’re dead…don’t think I won’t pay this back tenfold…and not just you, your fucking team, that bitch Jules, all of you, will burn in he-“

Right as she said that, sparks started to fly from the flame-engulfed TV beside them, before parts of it exploded out, spreading fire across the room even further, as Rosalind fell back to avoid getting burned, separating her and Essex by the now giant wall of fire.

Even as both considered it, neither saw themselves getting out of this if they stayed, as Rosalind saw a way out from the balcony, deciding it was best to retreat for now, but not before grabbing the two-handed sword again.

She went out onto the balcony, looking down at the height from the ground and trying to make a judgement call, just as the fire sparked up again, collapsing part of the roof right above her and sending her over the railing, hitting the ground hard along with her sword.

Now with Rosalind out of the picture, Essex could finally drop her sword, before using the opportunity to wrap her remaining hand in her suit jacket and reach into the fire to pull out her scythe.

Just barely making out the entrance to the dorm through the hazy smoke and blood loss, Essex pulled herself across the ground toward it, narrowly avoiding the fire while dragging her scythe along with her, as she navigated her way into the hallway, crawling to a far enough spot from the fire.

She leaned up against the wall, still breathing heavily, as she finally pulled her arm from her suit, staring down and still bearing witness to the complete lack of her hand, now bleeding far worse than it had before.

At the same time, Rosalind had just managed to get back up from the ground, now limping and using the sword as a crutch, as she cleared some distance from the dorm room, watching as the fire completely consumed it in the night sky.

She propped herself up against a tree, collapsing to the ground again, just as her adrenaline high wore off and the pain from her dismemberment rang through her body.

Needing to act fast, Essex pulled her scythe closer to her with her jacket, before taking her severed arm and lining it up with the still burning hot blade of her scythe, right as Rosalind started to use her Whil to heat up her hand, holding it just over her wound.

Both of them pressed down, screaming out in pain, as their bodies fought back against the pain, as Essex could feel her body weakening with each push.

Eventually, they both pulled it away, having cauterised their wounds, as Rosalind kept breathing heavily, feeling some relief from the bleeding, almost ready to pass out…

…only to be pulled out by a new text on her tablet from Wicker.

[Return to the courtyard. I’ll return with Jules.]

Rosalind glanced down at the screen, still breathing heavily, before pulling herself back up, grunting while limping away, now slowly heading in the direction of the courtyard, cursing under her breath the whole time.

Essex, however, stared down at the stabilised wound, ready to take care of the other one in her side, only to feel herself start to pass out due to the exhaustion and severe blood loss, as she collapsed by the side of her scythe, all as Team Valiant’s dorm room fell apart, consumed by the fire and destruction that their rivalry had wrought.

———

It was not a good time for Julia to be getting turned around.

Her panic and anxiety were already wracking through her body, only coupled with the fear of what Wicker had unleashed onto the academy. She’d sent a hurried text to the rest of Team Valiant asking what was happening on their end, but as to be expected, she got no response.

If they’re down there, they must be helping fight off the Wailing… Julia wondered, sprinting down another set of stairs. Okay, don’t panic. Just find them, tell them what happened…don’t panic…

As she was running, Julia slightly tripped on the bottom step of the stairs, hitting the ground suddenly, before shaking her head and pulling herself back up.

“Don’t panic…you’ll be fine, we’ll all be fine…don’t panic…” Julia muttered, leaning up against the nearby wall, before rubbing her face with her hands. “It’s okay…it’s okay…you’re the leader…you’re in control…you have to be in control…”

An explosion ruptured nearby, sending a jolt of panic up Julia’s body, as she noticed her hand shaking, only to grip it tightly with her other one and hurry down the stairs again, before eventually finding the exit to the building leading to the west carpark where she’d heard the explosion.

Julia looked around quickly, before doing another scan right after.

“Where…?” She let out, before finally spotting the Viscous Wailing and the majority of the security taking up the carpark, with the Wailing grabbing several nearby cars in its mouths and hurling them at the security.

It threw another one down fairly close to Julia, exploding on impact, as Julia huddled to the ground, waiting for the noise to deafen.

Once it did, she pulled herself up, before beelining for Dulce, who was ahead of the security in the direction of the academy entrance.

“Hurry it up already!!! The longer we stay here, the more damage it does!!!” Dulce declared, ushering them over, as the Wailing picked up another car. “For the love of…”

Despite being laser-focused on her duties, spotting Julia pulled Dulce out of her trance, as she blinked profusely.

“Julia?!” She let out. “What the hell?! You should be at the aren-“

“Where’s the rest of Valiant? Faller said they were with you!” Julia blurted out, still looking around.

“They split off with the other Wailing! Back to the main building!” Dulce yelled, as the Wailing chucked another car her way.

She grabbed Julia to her, before dodge rolling out of the way, just narrowly avoiding the burning debris from the car’s hull.

Once it was safe, she let Julia go. “Team Vanguard left with them too.”

“O-Okay…” Julia managed, standing back up on shaky feet. “D-Did you see if they came back out?”

Dulce shook her head. “Sorry, kid. We’ve been busy wrangling this thing. None of our weaponry’s good enough, so…”

Dulce indicated to the front of the academy. “We’ll see how it likes a blast out of one of the IF’s, assuming we ever get it there.”

Julia kept nodding, her attention almost entirely on the main building, as Dulce noticed her hand shaking.

“You alright?” Dulce asked, causing Julia to jump. “Once we’re done here, we ca-“

“I’m fine, I’m fine!” Julia insisted, gripping her hand again. “Just…do your job and take care of the Wailing, okay?”

Dulce blinked, before shaking her head. “…alright. There’s a good chance they’re already at the arena.”

If Wicker and the Wailing are still a problem, I guarantee they’re not. Julia noted, turning her attention to the main building again, before deciding to hurry there as fast as possible.

“You don’t need to be a hero! You’re still a student, don’t forget that!” Dulce yelled out, as the Wailing let out a vicious roar, before grabbing a few security in its mass. “And if you see Wicker, don’t engage! We don’t know what else he has up his sleeve!”

Even if I find Valiant and Vanguard, Percy’s still nowhere to be found. Julia wondered, as she glanced around the hallways to her sides. Just keep them safe, that’s all you’ve gotta do…

———

“Where’d he go?! Did any of you see?!”

“He went to one of the higher floors! I think he was hoping the Wailing wouldn’t follow him!”

“Well, it clearly did! It’s nowhere to be found!”

“Hey! Guys, wait up!” Lenin called out, before stopping near the stairwell and pointing to the massive indentures made into its sides.

The rest of Team Vanguard, sans Nathaniel, joined his side.

“Oh…okay, they went up there.” Joleicia admitted, acknowledging the destruction running up its interior. “…what’re the chances he’s run back down?”

“Severely unlikely.” Chops noted, taking a cursory check of the inside. “…yeah, I can hear them still up there.”

“Nathaniel! We’re coming to get you!” Saxin called out, before turning to the others. “Do we have any solid plans for dealing with it?”

“Well, my Whil’s not really gonna come in handy.” Lenin admitted, pointing to the wrecked interior. “And we can’t go wrecking this place anymore than it’s already been.”

In an instant, Joleicia snapped her fingers, before banging her fist into her hand.

“I say we use the building’s height to our advantage!”

Before she could even elaborate, she was running up the stairwell in a sprint, followed quickly by the remaining members of Vanguard, as they made their way up several floors as quickly as they could.

They eventually found the floor housing the most destruction, with visible horn and axe damage across the walls, floor and ceiling. Almost on cue, Nathaniel appeared from around the corner, muttering to himself, before noticing his team and stopping dead in his tracks.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for running off!!!” He insisted, still hopping up and down on his feet. “I-I thought I could lose it, and then I did for a bit, and then it found me agai-“

“Nath, relax. Where is it now?” Joleicia asked, resting a hand on his shoulder, as he shakily pointed behind him.

Almost on another cue, heavy stomping and groaning could be heard charging down the hall, trudging heavily with each step, scraping metal and concrete with each smash of its horns.

Swiftly, Joleicia looked around, before noticing one of the massive windows to the building on the other end of the hall, as she pointed back at Chops.

“Chops, freeze the ground over all the way to the window there.” Joleicia said, spinning back to Saxin and Lenin. “You two wait around those corners and slash at the Wailing’s legs once it comes around.”

Joleicia landed both hands on Nathaniel’s shoulders. “Nath, I need you to help Chops with knocking it over. Can you use your Whil enough to topple it down but not enough to collapse this part of the building?”

Nathaniel held his tongue for a second, before sharing in Joleicia’s confident gaze and saluting. “Sure!”

“Okay! Everyone’s got their roles!” Joleicia declared, as the team split off, with Chops freezing over the floor with a thick sheet of ice.

Joleicia quickly ran to the entrance the Wailing was about to charge out of, her sniper rifle at the ready, as Nathaniel waited beside Saxin, with Lenin opposite of her.

Lenin gave a confident thumbs up, as Saxin pulled Nathaniel to her side.

“It’s very impressive you kept it at bay for so long.” Saxin assured, as Nathaniel tried to hide some embarrassment.

“I-It’s not that impressive…I’m just good at running and getting out of things…”

“Here it comes!” Joleicia warned, as the shaking through the entire building could be felt more and more with each step it took, closing in.

Crashing through in a blind rage, the Wailing burst through the entryway, struggling to slow itself down and colliding with the wall, before effortlessly pulling itself out and furiously looking around for its previous target, only to spot an empty hall and Joleicia, lining up her sights with its forehead.

With a few clicks of the trigger, she rapid fired shot after shot into its head, barely making a dent in its thick hide, but pushing it back, causing it to fall backward and land onto Chops’ ice.

The shots momentum pushed it along, now sliding on its back down the ice, as it saw the giant window it was now quickly approaching and made a desperate attempt to slow down and get back up.

Before it could, Saxin and Lenin aimed for its legs as it passed, digging in deep with their weapons and slowing it down, right as Nathaniel placed his hands on the ground, shaking the hallway interior and throwing the Wailing off even more.

It tried clawing into the walls to grab onto something and hold it in place, but its previous rampage through it meant there was virtually nothing solid enough it could hold, as walls crumbled away at its touch.

With one final shot, Joleicia aimed her sights at the window, before firing and shattering it right as the Wailing approached, now sliding off and falling down most of the main building’s height.

It sailed through the air, clawing at the windows it was passing to find anything to hold onto, only to get no purchase and continue falling…

…falling…

…ever faster…

…falling…

…allllllllll…

…the way…

CRAAASSSHHH!!!!!

With a thunderous crack, it collided with the ground, sending out a shockwave with the sheer mass of its impact.

An enormous crater lay at the base of the main building, the Wailing’s impression having been left there, leaving one last final act of destruction in its wake.

Despite all this, it used the last moments of its strength to pull itself back up, ready to immediately collapse again and stumble to the ground.

In a groggy act of defiance, it forced itself back in the direction of the security department, holding itself up on the main building, passing the massive posters promoting the academy and pulling itself along.

As it rounded the corner and saw the security coming back into sight, it felt itself giving way, feeling no more fight left to give in its body, as it finally gave in and collapsed, stumbling over with a massive thud.

Almost to signify its defeat, the traffic cone stuck on top of one of the nearby trees was lodged loose, before landing squarely onto one of its horns, as it lay motionless, now for good.

“Okay, we took care of that one, but we’re not done yet.” Joleicia insisted, pumping her fist. “The security can handle the other two, so we need to fin…”

During her speech, Joleicia was suddenly distracted by a flashing light coming from outside the opposite window in the hall. She ran over and gave it a closer look, before noticing a helicopter close to their floor, circling overhead the courtyard.

“What the heck?” She let out, trying to get a good look, before Chops stepped in.

“Oh dang, the academy must have splurged on rescue copters to pick up the straggler students.” Chops reasoned. “Reckon we should hitch a ride?”

Joleicia gave the helicopter another glance, before shaking her head. “No, we need to find Team Valiant, especially Julia. She went to confront Cecil, and I’m willing to bet all this destruction’s been a result of that.”

“Should we check the dorms? Julia might’ve returned there to wait this out.” Saxin noted, as Lenin nodded his head.

“She might’ve hoped Percy would come back there too.” Lenin added.

Joleicia nodded in agreement. “Okay, you guys go check the dorms for them. If they’re not there, meet up with security and head to the arena. We’ll do a body count when we’re there and split if they haven’t joined us.”

“A-Aren’t you coming along?” Nathaniel asked, as Joleicia shook her head and peered out the window.

“…I’m gonna go check this out. Something’s telling me that’s not meant for us.” Joleicia insisted, staring back at the helicopter, before facing them again. “Meet back up with you later.”

“Alright. Don’t go doing something stupid, okay?” Saxin said, giving her a quick hug, before they ran off to the stairwell again.

“Hey. Text us if you need us.” Chops reminded her, before splitting as well. “I mean it! Don’t be afraid to pull rank!”

Joleicia gave a subtle thumbs up, before heading in the direction of the other stairwell.

“Is this your doing, Wicker?”

———

Wicker checked his tablet again, expecting a text back from Rosalind, confirming his order, only to get no response.

He grumbled under his breath, as he hurried down the hallways again, closing in on where Percy was hiding herself.

She nervously glanced around the corner, acknowledging he was too close for her to sprint to the stairwell. She grabbed the tranquiliser and readied herself as he started to approach.

“This academy, I swear…labyrinth is hardly strong enough to define it…” Wicker muttered, before just catching a hint of Percy’s clothing from behind the upcoming corner and slowing himself.

Trying to keep her breathing to a minimum and avoid inhaling the tranquiliser, Percy covered her mouth with her shirt and waited until the footsteps quieted down, before jumping out from behind the wall and spraying it into Wicker’s face, only for Wicker to anticipate this and use his Whil to blast a gale of wind out of his palm and dissipate the mist.

Before Percy could respond, Wicker closed his fist around her hand, gripping it tightly, as Percy fought all she could to take it back.

As he stared daggers at her, she managed to free herself, before sprinting off into the opposite direction to try and find another advantage, only for Wicker to use his Whil to blast her with wind and throw her violently into the wall.

Percy collapsed and fell unconscious, hitting the ground hard, as Wicker gradually made his way over and picked her up, chucking her onto his back, before sending a quick text back to Rosalind.

[Package secure. Start pulling out.]

———

“Hey, ugly! Come and get it!”

Harley kept yelling out, drawing the Wailing’s attention further down the academy hallway, as she hurried to the building exit with the others, heading out into the training grounds.

“Is it still following?” Wess asked, as Harley caught her breath.

“Yeah…it’s really mad now.” Harley admitted, as Sola pumped her fists.

“Have we got a plan to beat it?”

Harley scratched her head. “Uhh…no, not really. Essex is usually better at this stuff.” Harley admitted. “I say we keep hitting it until it stops moving.”

“Personally, I think we should drag it into the forest.” Wess suggested, indicating to the close-by woods bordering the training grounds. “We might be able to catch its multiple limbs between the trees and trap it in place.”

“Oh, I love that!” Harley insisted, joining Wess’ gaze and slapping her butt, before running toward them. “You guys get it closer!”

“Honestly, Harley…” Wess groaned, rubbing her backside, as Sola pointed her cannons down the hall.

“Get over here, snakey!” Sola called out, firing a few shots in its direction, as it barrelled down the hall toward them, baring its fangs, ready to make them pay for the damage they’d already down to it.

The duo went to join Harley, as the Wailing burst out of the building, creating a massive hole out of the side, before finding the team heading into the woods and charging after them.

“Get ready, guys…”

The Fanged Wailing slithered its way in, glancing around for them in the borderline pitch black of night. A gentle rustle of wind cast through the foliage, as it scouted across the forest floor, only to noticed one of the tree trunks moving on its own.

Before it could react, the trunk came crashing down, landing directly onto its head and laying into it, as Harley let go of the trunk and pumped her fist.

“Easy does it!” She celebrated, just as one of the ‘heads’ shot out at her immediately, forcing her to fall back to the ground to dodge it.

She crawled back as it started flailing to pull itself back up, throwing the trunk away, just as Wess and Sola danced around it in separate directions, causing it to try reaching out to both of them in anger and jam itself between the massive number of trees.

The trio did their best to twist it around, getting each of its limbs trapped between several trunks, looping in and around each other, before it had pretzeled itself into knots, struggling to pull itself apart.

“Alright guys, now’s our best chance t-“ Harley prefaced, only to suddenly notice a couple of the trees twisting and bending, even snapping at certain points.

Instead of trying to untangle itself, the Wailing simply used its immense strength to choke out the trees it was trapped in, breaking them around its limbs, as they started to fall over and crash around it.

Team Valiant tried backing away, but the sheer number of trees coming down overwhelmed them, right as Sola noticed one coming down directly on top of Harley.

“HARLEY!!!” Sola called out, jumping to push her out of the way, and just managing to catch her before it landed, only for it to land directly on top of Sola’s leg.

Harley took a second to take in everything that had just happened, before noticing Sola’s leg trapped underneath the tree trunk and running over in a panic, putting all her strength into lifting it off of her.

As the Wailing successfully freed itself, even as it’d used most of its strength to do so, Harley used the opportunity to take the trunk off of Sola and chuck it right as the Wailing’s main head, knocking it back down again for the time being.

Her attention immediately went back to Sola, as she tried to get back up, only for a shooting pain to run up her leg.

“Ow, ow ow ow ow…” Sola let out, struggling to stand on it. “Ow…it really hurts…”

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you to the arena, okay? Where’s Wess?” Harley asked, looking around, before spotting Wess about ten metres away, just having missed the barrage of collapsing trees herself and letting out a breath.

In a renewed fury, the Wailing cried out in violent pain, throwing itself back up, before spinning again to face Harley and Sola, its veins glowing as it finally opened up its mouth fully to show its rows of glowing fangs.

Harley instinctively stood in front of Sola, as the Fanged Wailing’s previous attack had now cleared a path for it directly to the duo, letting it charge right at them with fangs bared.

Wess immediately saw what it was going for, with it ready to tear into them, as she readied Belvedere and Artisan and sprinted to intercept, dragging Belvedere across the ground and using one of the trunks as elevation to jump toward it.

As Harley readied her Buster Knuckles, Wess sailed in front of the crazed Wailing, holding out Artisan to block its fangs from connecting with Harley, before catching Belvedere across the Wailing’s neck and digging in deep.

However…

Even with Artisan taking most of the damage, the Wailing’s main fangs still connected with Wess, glowing that same vibrant purple, before running across her face while she attacked. Wess screamed out in pain as she held, determined to take this thing out for good, even as it used its momentum to slash her further.

Having done all she could, Wess could barely hold the strength to land safely, as her body tumbled to the ground and rolled off to the side, Belvedere and Artisan having landed beside her…

…the Wailing, on the other hand, could now only just feel the deep gash that Wess had managed to carve into its neck with her attack, cleanly slicing it open, giving Harley the perfect opportunity to wind up her Buster Knuckle, activating the jet boosters, before throwing a punch hard enough that the Wailing’s head was sent flying back, snapping at the neck, and causing it to collapse to the ground in a huddle, its remaining heads falling to the ground limp with its defeat.

It felt like an eternity until Harley was comfortable enough to get back up, fully acknowledging the Wailing’s demise with her final, devastating hit.

She turned back around to make sure Sola was still okay, before realising Wess still hadn’t gotten up and running over to her, as Sola slowly limped over with her one good leg.

“Wess?! Wess, get up!!!” Harley insisted, trying to shake her up, as Sola pulled her away.

“Don’t shake her! She might be in shock!” Sola insisted, hobbling over to Wess’ other side, before noticing some movement. “Wess?”

Wess’ eyes were visibly darting around, except…well, one of them was, as she grabbed at the other side of the face that the Wailing had struck and started hyperventilating.

“Wess? It’s okay, just breath with me.” Sola assured, miming simple breathing patterns to Wess, as Wess tried to work through her shock and focus on Sola, copying what she was doing.

She did her best to stand up, still pawing at her face, as Harley tentatively wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t worry. You got the Wailing real good.” Harley said. “You’re gonna be okay, Wess. We’ll find Julia and Essex and we’ll get out of here…”

Harley used her other arm to wrap around Sola, holding her up to ease the pain on her leg.

“Harle-“

“I can carry you, it’s fine…you two got hurt saving me, it’s only fair I do this.” Harley insisted, just as her vision was drawn to the skyline of the main campus, with the bizarre presence of a helicopter landing down.

It wasn’t anywhere near the academy’s helicopter platforms, and it didn’t look like one of the academy’s own. From where she could see, it looked to be landing near the academy courtyard.

“What the…” Harley let out, just as Sola caught it as well.

“A helicopter?” Sola let out, turning to her. “Who’s it for?”

“…something feels weird about that.” Harley admitted, as she started carrying Wess and Sola toward it. “If we’re lucky, Julia and Essex might’ve had the same idea…”

———

“They couldn’t be that far. Julia was talking with Cecil, and Essex ran off to somewhere.” Saxin bemoaned, hurrying down the halls with the other members of Vanguard in tow. “Oh Whilit, I hope they’re alright…”

“Come on. Even if they’re not here, Percy might’ve come back to their room.” Lenin assured, comforting Saxin, only to notice Nathaniel ahead of them, nervously staring into the dorm hallway, emanating a glowing red. “Nath? What’s going on?”

“U-Uhhh…” He let out, shakily pointing to Team Valiant’s room. “I-I think the W-Wailing reached here already…”

He hurriedly stepped aside, revealing the roaring fire consuming Team Valiant’s room, starting to spread out into the hallway, as the trio stared slack-jawed at the destruction in front of them, before Chops rushed forward.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this!” She insisted, using her Whil to freeze the fire and keep it back, dulling it down slightly. “How the hell did they get here already? I thought we handled the-“

“ESSEX!!!” Saxin cried, running out of Lenin’s arms, as the others now noticed her huddled over further into the hall, a pool of blood forming around her hunched over form. “Essex?! Please be okay...can you hear me?!”

No response, as Lenin quickly noticed the wound on her side, nearly causing Nathaniel to throw up. Lenin crouched down and took his cape off, before tearing it and wrapping up the wound to slow the bleeding.

He turned back to Chops. “Chops! We need you over here!”

“Kinda busy!!!” Chops yelled back, trying her best to make some headway into the burning room. “Bring her over!!!”

Saxin and Lenin carefully picked her up, as her arm fell away from her jacket, revealing her missing hand, causing Saxin to audibly gasp and nearly drop her by accident.

Fortunately, Nathaniel went to quickly hold Essex up before she could drop, as Saxin regained her composure and grabbed her again.

“I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry. She…” Saxin let out, before grabbing Lenin’s shoulder. “…s-she’s lost her hand.”

Lenin looked back and finally noticed the injury, as he forced himself to steel his nerves and keeping walking her to Chops, as Nathaniel gave Saxin a reassuring pat on the back.

Freezing as much of the room as she could, while still fighting through the overwhelming heat inside, Chops turned and used a free hand to chill Essex’s wound, slowing down the bleeding somewhat, before going back to trying to save the dorm.

“I’m…I’m gonna be here a while…” Chops let out, feeling the exhaustion get to her, as she froze over another fire sprouting up. “…take her to get help…the arena…”

“Got it. We’ll come back once she’s safe. Just hold on.” Lenin assured, as Chops gave a brief thumbs up, before continuing her work.

The trio quickly pivoted in the direction of the arena, carefully carrying Essex back into the main building, making sure not to disturb her wounds any further. Saxin was visibly torn up, as she constantly watched over Essex as they walked, scanning for any signs of life, all while Lenin felt himself taking charge, leading them through the halls.

“D-Don’t worry, guys.” Nathaniel assured, readjusting as he helped carry Essex. “…w-we’re here to save people. That’s what we’re good at.”

Saxin and Lenin shared a small gaze, just as they felt a slight bit of movement coming from Essex.

“Essex?!” Saxin exclaimed, as her eye opened up. “Oh, dear! We were so worried!”

They propped her up by a windowsill nearby, just as Saxin went in for a hug, before pulling herself away to let Essex get up properly.

“…where…” Essex managed, before groggily staring up at Team Vanguard. “…Rosalind…”

“Rosalind?” Lenin let out, leaning in.

“She’s here?!” Saxin gasped, before Essex went to inspect her arm again. “Was that…?”

“…her doing.” Essex replied, just as she tried to stand up. “Team…Valiant. Whe-“

“Whoa, hold on.” Lenin said, helping hold her up. “You’re still injured. We need to get y-“

“Julia…went to confront Wicker…” Essex admitted, standing back up again, despite the pain. “And I refuse…to stand by…”

She tried walking again, as her wound gave in, causing her to keel over, as Saxin went to help her.

“We can find them.” Saxin assured, wrapping an arm around her. “Joleicia went to the courtyard. We’ll meet up with her and find them together.”

“B-But we’re getting you help right after.” Nathaniel insisted, holding up her other side. “Leaving a cut that big i-is…oh geez, I looked at it again…”

“Alright, let’s make tracks.” Lenin declared, reaching to his waist and equipping his claws. “If we come across Rosalind, leave her to me. That goes for all of you.”

“Martyrs aren’t attractive, dear.” Saxin said.

“I mean it. We keep her safe.” Lenin stated, pointing back at Essex. “You focus on her.”

With that, they started heading off to the courtyard, as Essex did her best to carry herself, even as she could feel how weak her body was.

Looking down, she noticed her wound accidentally bleeding onto Saxin’s dress, before gazing up at her.

“…sorry…”

Saxin kept looking forward, before shaking her head. “It’s alright, dear. We wouldn’t do this if you weren’t worth it.”

———

“LINE IT UP!!! WE’VE ONLY GOT A FEW SHOTS!!!”

Dulce kept yelling out commands, as the few security members with Whils did their best to hold the Viscous Wailing in place, just in front of one of the IF cannons at the front of the academy.

The railgun started building light in its main compartment, glowing fervently against the dark of night, as the Wailing fought against the guards as best it could, thrashing about and changing shape madly to keep up with their movements. Every time one of their Whils touched it, it reeled back, trying to form around it to compensate.

Just as they got a good grip on it, it threw everyone back, almost pulling itself apart in anger and crying out in pain. It tore up the academy entrance, now trampling around, picking up what it could to throw around.

The security stayed out of its way, as too few of their numbers remained to do much to slow it down, and none of them wanted to get caught in the way of the IF.

Dulce, meanwhile, could see that if it kept thrashing and pulling itself around, the IF wouldn’t hit it at all.

“Shit…” Dulce muttered, preparing to run, before sprinting toward the Viscous Wailing. It quickly noticed and charged at her, picking up a car from the driveway and chucking it at her, as she dodged to the side, still running.

The Wailing reached down, snapping at her with each of its heads, which she narrowing avoided one by one, getting as close as she could to its body, even as it threw itself here and there.

“You got this, Dulce!” One of the security yelled, as a few others cheered her on.

“Just a few seconds!” Another yelled, as the IF focused in.

Dulce just managed to reach its main body, before pressing her hand to it and using her Whil to slow its momentum, holding it in place as the IF built up more light.

As the cannon slowly came to life, the Wailing finally realised it was there and stared down the barrel of it, connecting with the light for a brief moment. Dulce ducked down, falling to the ground, right before the shot fired out, ringing through the dead of night with one solid, vibrant beam, tearing through the Wailing’s entire being in an instant and rupturing its body.

It only took another second for it to completely dissipate, collapsing to the ground in a massive puddle that slowly drifted to the academy moat, still creating the occasional form like a belated death-rattle, pulling itself apart, then briefly back together again, before becoming nothing quickly after.

Dulce finally let out a held breath, before stretching out her back.

“…honest show of hands, who thought that wouldn’t work?”

Around half of the security put their hands up, as Dulce nodded in agreement and cracked her knuckles.

“Yep, same here. Alright, first priority is the status of the other two Wailing. Two groups of five inspect the east and north of the academy and report back.” Dulce declared, as a few of the guards quickly did so. “Your first priority is evacuating any students that’ve yet to leave!”

Dulce pointed her fingers to the skyline. “I also want to know about that helicopter we saw. It had no business being that close to campus, let alone hovering around the courtyard. Does anyone know if that’s one of ours?”

The rest of the security shook their heads, as Dulce bit her lip and stared back at the two IF’s.

“…keep the other one on standby.” Dulce declared. “I don’t have a great feeling about this…”

———

Julia.

She still fervently searched for the others, running back and forth through the main building.

No Wailing in sight.

No teammates.

Nothing.

Just the hum of the destruction that had plagued the academy all that night.

Billowing smoke from the dorms.

Destroyed hallways and stairwells.

And something out the window.

Someone.

She finally saw her.

Percy.

Being taken by Wicker to a helicopter.

In the middle of the courtyard.

Only a few floors down.

Only a few…

Wicker made his way into the courtyard, emerging out of the main campus building, and lifting his gaze to spot his helicopter sitting right in the middle, its blades spinning and drumming up dust from the ground around it.

Just as he approached, the window to the pilot’s seat opened up, before Salaire popped his head through, waving his arm.

“Hey, come on already!!! We’re sitting ducks here!!! Drop her in and let’s go!!!”

Still carrying Percy on his back, Wicker dragged himself over to the back, feeling her weight starting to give in, before approaching the helicopter and noticing Rosalind sitting inside, waiting patiently.

“And where were you?” Wicker asked, setting Percy down.

“…why the fuck should that matter?” Rosalind groaned, glaring at Wicker and sneering. “Mission accomplished, right?”

Wicker held his tongue, before grabbing his coat from the back and heading to the front to join Salaire.

As Rosalind started to get as comfortable as she could manage, hoping to nod off on the way back to EHM, a bit of stirring came from Percy’s direction.

She lifted her head and noticed Percy lifting hers, as she groggily scanned around her, before spotting Rosalind, who simply smiled back at her.

“Welcome back, Jules.”

Percy’s pupils shrank, as she immediately bolted off the helicopter, right as Rosalind went to grab her and nearly fell due to the lack of her arm holding her up.

Percy’s head still stung from earlier, slowing her down a little, only for Wicker to notice her as he was entering and starting to seethe again.

Before she could get any further, Wicker used his Whil to flatten her against the ground with a gale of wind, shaking the helicopter and holding her perfectly in place, as he grabbed her wrist violently and started dragging her across the ground back to the helicopter.

“You…are not going anywhere!!!” Wicker yelled out, pulling her even harder. “I am sick of this little defiant streak of yours!!! Understood?!?!”

Only making a bad situation worse, this was around the time Julia managed to reach the ground floor, heading out to the courtyard too, before catching everything Wicker was doing.

“YOU…do NOT get special treatment anymore!!! You have lost that right!!!” Wicker declared, before pulling Percy up by her wrist, tears streaming down her face as she tried to pull herself free. “Is that understood?!?!”

Percy wasn’t even taking in what he was saying, as she was starting to lose feeling in her hand.

“How DARE you act out like this!!! Say goodbye to those café trips you loved so much!!!” Wicker insisted, throwing her into the back of the helicopter, as Rosalind took her new sword and held it to Percy’s throat. “You will EARN back that privilege!!! ONE…YEAR…AT A TIME. One for each week you spent in this vile academy, hiding in plain sight!!!”

Before Percy could try anything again, Wicker stood up inside of the helicopter, towering over her in the confined space.

“Is that…understood, Jules?”

Percy’s fear entirely gripped her, only letting out the tiniest nod, as Wicker gave it a second to rest, before stepping back down and heading back to the front.

After the day he’d had, he was ready to head back to something comfortable and get some work done, outside of all the distractions here at the academy, as he felt his breath catch slightly from the evening chill.

As he continued, however, he felt his breath catching even more, failing to even draw, as he gasped for air.

A feeling of discomfort turned to a feeling of concern due to this unforeseen circumstance.

But it was all too clear what was happening.

Julia.

Having witnessed everything that’d transpired.

The fear throughout the academy.

The disgusting treatment of Percy.

The attempts made on her team’s lives.

This night.

This night, she had her hand stretched out.

Pointing directly at Wicker, as vitriol scowled her face.

An unbridled hatred for this person who’d been lying to everyone for so long.

Her hand outstretched.

Taking control.

After everything he’d put them through, it was all Julia could do to raise her hand toward him, gradually using her Whil in order to slow the beating of his heart to virtually nothing.

Wicker grasped at his chest, desperately clawing at the pain permeating the inside of him, before locking eyes with Julia, staring as she breathed out heavily, her hand resembling a claw, her eyes glowing in the dead of night, still shaking from the fear that’d yet to go away.

“Wicker?” Rosalind let out, taking a moment, before jumping out of the back of the helicopter to pick him up, only to feel the presence of someone behind her, as Harley punched her square in the jaw and threw her back across the ground, looking inside with Sola beside her, before finding Percy and offering her a hand.

Julia kept her gaze on Wicker, not letting up for a second, as she could feel her hand straining from the intensity of her action, and feeling no remorse f-

“Julia?”

She could hear Wess’ voice, but it hardly distracted her, not until Wess stood in front of her and rested her hands on Julia’s cheeks.

“Julia, hey, it’s alright. You don’t need to worry, okay? We’re here.” Wess assured, as Julia’s gaze was still locked to Wicker. “Julia, please stop.”

She refused to listen, tears leaking from her eyes, as Wicker continued to writhe, only for Harley and Sola to join Wess, Harley grabbing Julia’s arms and Sola grabbing Julia in a hug.

“You don’t have to do this. You can’t.” Harley insisted, as Julia fought back.

“It’s not you…” Sola cried, trying to pull her arm down as well.

Julia could feel Percy’s hand resting on her arm, calming her down somewhat, only to feel Essex’s too, as she finally looked directly at the others.

“Please, Julia…you can never go back from this…” Essex weakly said.

Julia could feel her breathing slowing, as she finally saw the slash across Wess’ face, blood dripping down from her closed eye, before she eventually lowered her tight hand, feeling herself shrink back and truly take in what had just happened.

She looked around at the others, as they slowly went in for a hug, embracing her and letting her know they were okay. Julia’s tears kept flowing, as she suddenly started to shake again, before gradually hugging the rest of them back, resting her head against theirs for balance.

“It’s alright…we’ll get through this…” Wess insisted, crying alongside her. “L-Like we always do…”

The team held each other like that for as long as they could manage, only being taken out once the sound of the helicopter started to pick up again.

The team turned around, as they saw Rosalind using all the strength remaining in her one arm to pull Wicker back onto the helicopter as it began to take off. Wicker was seemingly still conscious, regaining some level of assuredness to at least stand back up and try to play off what Julia had done to him.

Julia only just noticed Saxin, Lenin and Nathaniel off to the side, having seemingly accompanied Essex here, before noticing the rest of her team ready to stop him from getting away.

Before anyone had enough time to retaliate, however, a gunshot rang out loud and clear across the courtyard, echoing across the campus and heading straight toward Wicker.

As the helicopter kept taking off, the bullet flew straight into Wicker’s back, as he cried out in pain before collapsing inside, out of sight from anyone on the ground, leaving only the panicked and furious glare from Rosalind to stick with everyone present.

Having picked up on what direction the bullet had been fired, Julia’s attention drifted to her other side, before spotting Joleicia perched up on a nearby step, her sniper rifle’s barrel still smoking as she stared down her sights in the direction of Wicker.

Before Julia could say anything, Joleicia took her eye away from the scope and turned to Julia, before breathing out and giving a proud and rigid thumbs up to her.

Julia didn’t really know how to take that, before finding Dulce was right behind them all, gripping her tablet.

“FIRE!!!”

Julia jumped at her yelling, before the sound of one of the IF’s firing in the distance was heard, right as a beam of light passed by the helicopter, clipping its rotor and causing it to smoke up a bit, though not stopping it fully, as it swiftly headed back toward Detu City under the cover of night.

“Yeah, and fuck you too!” Dulce yelled out, flipping off the helicopter as it flew away, before resting her hands on her hips. “Lying bastard…”

As the noise of everything was starting to die down with Wicker once again disappearing, and curious murmuring permeated the lips of everyone present, the only one silent was Julia, as she stared blankly into the night sky, glancing up at the stars, feeling their distance from her more than ever.

As her energy left her body, she started to fall unconscious, collapsing to the ground, before the last thing she heard was her team crying out her name in an effort to catch her.

“JUlia…”