One after the other, the monsters fell in front of him and piled up. Even the monsters themselves, who, out of instinct alone decided to make a retreat or surrender, failed to do so, as Mellistar caught up and gifted them with death. He did not look back and he did not hesitate. So long as he was in his rush, nothing else mattered. Despite initially pausing at the sight of it, he indulged further and further into his frenzy, having almost forgotten what his initial goal was. Throughout it all, Lass witnessed it all, the merciless slaughter, the showing of no mercy, even to the Shadowers that seemed to possess enough smarts to back down and raise their hands. He saw what he knew to be a fraction of what he was able to do, and he knew that Mellistar was way more capable than he was, so that only meant that when was to lose it and go into a frenzy like that, death would follow. One after the other, the monsters were mutilated and slaughtered in ways that you wouldn't even think of doing to a mere defenceless animal. It was the first time that he had to witness, as a mere spectator no less, what his own body was able to do, what his powers were able to inflict in terms of pain. What looked like aeons was but a few moments that ended within the span of an hour, finally having Mellistar calm down as he expelled most of his Obsulyte, giving control back to Lass. He simply stood there, knowing full well what those monsters did and who they represented, but couldn't help but once again be lost in his mind, as he questioned what exactly had just happened.

Lass panted, "Why...why?"

"I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...but I had to. Although, with the sudden excess of power, I may have lost the hang of it.", Mellistar echoed, realizing what he had done.

"It's all useless in the end...I'll never do it.", Lass kneeled after a long battle, "How the hell am I going to control this? The end of all this...", he stuttered.

"This won't end so easily. You need to keep your resolve. Like the midget said. You were born with your power, a talent that many others might have. But you need to harness it, make it grow and earn it. To intoxicate yourself with your powers, learn to at least control them first. Now, let's go back. These are not people, mere monsters among many. The way they're killed is nothing compared to how they did kill.", Mellistar comforted Lass.

Lass got off the ground, "Can you shut the hell up for a second? Realize this, you goddamn idiot. What if these were people? Huh? What will happen if I can't control my abilities when I'm facing actual people?! What?!"

"Please, you always looked like you didn't even care when you disowned these abilities."

"Well, now I do! Do you know why?! Because I'm not alone anymore! Those around me are in imminent danger if this happens. And stop trying to justify killing, dammit! Monsters are monsters, but the way they were butchered was worse than livestock in the goddamn slaughterhouse!"

"If you're going to debate whether you are like them or not, I'll stop you from beating that same old horse as much as it has been in the modern era. You're not. Look at Lilith, as the prime example. She's a cute, sweet and above all innocent creature that was dragged into hell, because of one thing. Injustice. Because this goddamn world, any world, will run off injustice and the back of everyone, even hers, who haven't done nearly as much to deserve anything they got! You of all people should know that!"

"How exactly?!"

"You lost everything you ever had and you gave up all the rest for something you're not even sure of! Back down now and you will have nothing left to return to when all you did was 'follow your heart'. How's that for a blood-unjustified, undeserving ending? Stop whining and look forward. You can only keep moving forward anyway."

"Then...what if me looking for a way to justify all this ends up making it so that others are left in the dust, undone?"

Mellistar was surprised by the calm-toned, melancholic answer, "I...no. That won't happen. Look up when you're walking. Looking down will get your head rolling on the ground. You can win over yourself. You always have won that battle with yourself anyway."

"Ever heard of lost the battle but not the war?", Lass began walking back towards his friends.

"Who hasn't? It's a romantic phrase, is it not?"

"It is. But unlike what it portrays, everyone tends to forget that all wars end with a battle.", he reminisced, knowing full well about the scenario he was talking about, having relived it and experienced it a number of times, whether he wanted to or not.

A few minutes later, when none were left standing, he had walked a long way through the lush green of the moonlit forest, walking in a straight direction towards the dark. After a while, he started hearing music and loud noises, so he started to follow their direction, before eventually reaching back to the village. The first thing he saw after going around the fenced area to walk through the gates, was tears of happiness from friends and families, as well as laughter and joy from an ongoing celebration that had quickly accumulated in every corner of the village. Walking through the celebrating crowd, he finally found his friends walking around, looking anxiously on all their sides, before eventually making eye contact with each other, their anxiety is replaced with smiles and sighs of relief.

"Oh! There's Lass!", Ikarisa ran up and hugged Lass, "What took you so long?"

"I got a little lost. Besides that, everyone sure looks happy again, eh?"

"You bet we are, big guy! I got all my gear back too! Not to mention the party, there's alcohol for days!", Anya drank from an unbranded bottle.

"Yet through her worry, the bottle is still in her hand.", Lass facepalmed.

Lilith closed in, "Hey-hey you guys! It worked out, didn't it?! Did anyone get hurt during the escape?"

"Nope, we're all a-okay! How about you?", Anya asked.

"I'm perfectly fine, thanks for asking! And of course, thank you all a bunch for helping both me and the village. Especially you, uh...Ikarisa. I wouldn't be here, were it not for you.", Lilith applauded everyone.

"Don't even mention it. I'm just glad you're ok. We have a very long list of things to catch on with as well, but...not now. Both not the time, and I'm sure I'll confuse you way more than answering you anything."

Lilith giggled, "Yeap, I guess so. I'm just happy to see everyone so...well, happy!! Rough two months came to an end!"

"Risa looks fine and everyone looks happy. I think we can count this one as a success.", Lass said, "Did we miss anyone?"

"No, not at all. At least...from the prisoners. Those we mourned already were beyond what we could do, but at the very, very least, let's focus only on the positive side, at least for the night. I know everyone here, and it seems that those who were recently gone are all back safe and sound, before they were considered...gone. I want to thank you, but since it was you who initially started this I don't know what to say anymore.", Yuno shrugged.

Just then, a massive shadow approached them, gaining its forms from the light behind the streets. Weis, as massive and old as a Hyrusa or dragon was, had what seemed happily roam the streets on that uproarious night, gazing with soft eyes around the laughter-filled street sides and establishments.

"If not applauding them for their efforts, as well as those who stood beside them, you should stick with a 'Thank you', Yuno. Of course, it didn't take long before I learned that the One and their brigade, consisting of mighty fine souls themselves, did to save us all. In fact, I can even see it and hear it now, as it's gathered all around us.", Weis happily said.

"Don't worry, it was nothing. We don't need anything from you guys, we're just glad we got everything sorted out. Now we must be heading out to Delpha. We have a whole world of other troubles aside from this little sidetracking. Though, saying I'm not glad we did all this would be a lie. It's a special feeling, you know.", Ikarisa proudly stood up.

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"That I do. As well as a whole other wide range of emotions that can be felt from the same scenario, seen through a different perspective of a different personality. Such I can see from everyone's eyes as we speak. I don't want to make you feel out of your waters, however, but my experience does not allow me to simply bypass those words when I come across children of an era where wrong is built over right, and whose souls I can sense goodness mixed with the confusion of a rather...difficult age of their growth."

"He's talking about hormones most likely.", a half-drunk Anya whispered to herself, "It's always the damn hormonal kids.", she joked around a bit in silence, avoiding an obvious scolding.

"Well, I sure am glad to see you took this more seriously.", Lass patted Ikarisa, "Now then since everything is ok, we should head out. We've got a lot of negotiations to do."

"You mean I do? I wouldn't trust you guys anywhere near any official personnel with basic, level 1 speech. Let me handle the thingy I know how to handle.", Anya flexed her muscles.

"Yes, because you will do so much good by saying whatever perverted thought comes across your mind when you're like this. How the hell did you guys even meet this...thing.", Yuno angrily said.

"Long, interesting story, honestly.", Ikarisa nervously chuckled.

"Swiped left on Lass's Binder profile."

"Then, what?", Yuno looked at Lass.

Lass covered his face from embarrassment, "For the love, of, god. I was gone for minutes, how did your stupid ass make it happen like so, so fast."

"Local alcohol is used and imported as a base for special Gardardian and Victorian whiskey. And of course, also sold separately, to support the local community."

"Yes, 'we buy our shit from the haunted death forest'. You know, for a portrayed 'secluded ancient tribe community' and stuff, you guys sure have it down quite well.", Lass said with a sarcastic tone.

"Don't want to ruin the magic of things, so I'll leave that question hanging.", Yuno shrugged again, smirk wide across his face, "Cry about it."

"I'll make you cry in a minute.", Lass fell for the provocation.

"Guys! Shut it! You realize this can't go on forever after we leave, right?", Ikarisa stepped in.

Weis started to chuckle as he watched the group's somewhat mindless and pointless bickering from above. Afterwards, he calmed back down, leaning back to talk with all of them again.

"In the middle of the night? Why leave so soon and in such a hurry? I will have you know that these days, the night outside of protected areas is quite uncanny and unforgiving. It might be from the somewhat slow way of our life, but why not enjoy the celebration around you for a little while? A good journey comes from the travelling, not so much its destination.", Weis insisted.

"I don't know, there's a lot of things that need to do. And if we do fail, given how we are supposed to be an 'official' backup plan, dropping everything to just chill in the back is...I don't know, maybe a little lazy or inconsiderate?", Lass anxiously said.

"The way the elder actually says it, however, is quite tempting, wouldn't you all agree?", Ikarisa stopped for a moment and thought about it.

"Didn't you just say to start moving ahead?", Lass folded his arms.

"I was kidnapped, barely escaped from a death camp and almost tortured to become a monster before doing so. I think relaxing, at least for the night, the way it was just portrayed as...yeah. I can't lie, it may have actually sparked some of that laziness and need for relaxation in me. Haven't you ever had that before?", Ikarisa answered.

"Ok, fair.", Lass acknowledged, "Still, coming out of you..."

"Well, it'd be a shame and rude of us to waste all the efforts they made for the party, just like that! It's for one night only...", Anya gave puppy eyes to Lass.

Lass looked around him, pressured by having everyone's eyes pinned on him, knowing full well that they were waiting for an answer and feeling heavier by the second, as their waiting in silence caused a little bit of fright and a lot of awkwardness within him. After a moment of hesitation, he gave under light-hearted and playful pressure.

"Alright, alright. It's fine, I guess. But one night, ok? Come on you guys, this is still serious, we have an actual important task here."

"Who was the cause of us coming here on a whim?", Ikarisa coughed, looking at Lass.

"My dumb ass. And I have no problem admitting it.", Lass somewhat angrily answered back.

Ikarisa giggled, "It's alright, honestly! I'm just joking with you. In fact, I can't help but agree that this was the best possible sidetracking we could've done, given how it all played out. Think of it this way: Had it not been for our intervention, innocent creatures would've died. Sentient, innocent creatures with lives and families on the line."

"Plus, you got a little more out of it by learning both of new enemies that will surely be up ahead and learned a little more about the powerhouse of a power bundle you're carrying around. Honestly, win-win, no strings attached on either side.", Yuno agreed with Ikarisa.

"Hmm.", Lass nodded in agreement, "Being dumb luck or actual choso-stuff like Weis over here said, can't disagree. Although, it would probably be for the best to try and avoid this in the future. Not the good part, but you know."

"And that's something for you to work on, Lass. Although the fun of it will always be there, and so will I, because someone has to have your back, right?", Ikarisa smiled.

"I'll be joining you too. My job is to be your guardian and on top of that, my role in this place is non-existent anymore...so would be better if I just self-exiled myself in a good way.", Yuno sighed, looking around him with melancholy and sadness in his eyes.

Through his words and the look in his eyes Lilith then slowly approached Yuno, taking him to the side away from all the others and grabbing both his hands with hers, looking at him in the eyes. Despite being surprised by the rushed behavior of Lilith, Yuno followed her without much hesitation, waiting to hear what she had to say.

"You know, you don't really have to feel this way about everyone."

"Look...Lili. It's complicated. Yes, they're happy, they may have forgiven me but I sure as hell haven't. Just because Lass stepped forward and told them to shut up and suck it up, it doesn't really change much. They were still after me, yes I majorly screwed up and deserved scolding for it, but even before so, you know you and I had everyone eyeing us. The mistake was the excuse, and you know damn well that no kids movie style ending, where they accept and love me because 'I saved them' will fix any of this. How long until this mood washes off, and we're back to the same old 'overcharged with Obsulyte Yuno who will kill us all'? I can't really call this a home, when all my memories are stuck in one corner of the entire place, and are mostly centred around...well, you. Not that I could interact much with everyone else with the way they made me feel. I know I may sound a little bit weak and somewhat annoying by ranting like this, but honestly, if I don't get this out of my chest at least to you, then I don't know to who I will."

"And believe me, that honors me too, but listen. Whether you stick here or travel, at least know you're wanted where you go. Of course, never by all, but that's always the case. You always focus on how others think of you, and it's eating you up."

"Can't do much else when I'm also the centre of focus. And it's not like you're not doing much of the same, Lili. I remember when you first wondered here, and since the goddess just said about how you were her guardian, I'd imagine where you came from now. You were always head down low and flying by without a word."

"Until I met you. Because then someone who gradually became important to me started to think about me in ways that others didn't. And I only focused on that instead. You want me to say it, it's fine by me if it wasn't obvious enough.", Lilith softly blushed, "I love you. Not because of some random reason, but because you make me feel good about myself, giving me a reason to believe in myself in ways I never did before. Granted, getting the bravery to say these words might still be from the rush of the moment, but it doesn't really make them any less true."

Yuno softly blushed back, "Obviously enough, then, I love you too. And I'm pretty sure the fact we got stuck with each other might have played a reason, but...yeah. It's definitely for more and in more ways than one. It's still sudden, however."

Lilith giggled, "It had to be. Like your decision, although I'm sure you had it planned out way before this moment. But upon hearing those words, I just had to do something. Also, I know how you react when you feel that way. I also know you might be discouraged to ask for help or even come back if it becomes an absolute necessity here, so...I guess I wanted to give you a little bit of an extra reason to do so."

"You'll be glad to hear that it worked, then. But you didn't need to worry anyway. I still would've come back to check up on you. I'm always worried, and plus, you can't say that worry isn't justified anymore, given what happened a few hours ago. And about that love thing. We really had it coming but...I wanna say something a little bit weird. I know it'll sound a bit weird, but can we maybe...postpone love? Whichever way you look at it, I will have to go with Lass, his life is mine and mine is his, on top of him needing training to not accidentally blow himself up with using his powers and take me with him for the ride."

"Not at all, and I understand. I would follow you but...no. The world out there is much worse than when I left. So you know I'll be sticking around here. We will keep in touch though, right? I still have my phone at your place, so I'll take care of it and hang around there."

"Are you sure you don't want to come along? Especially since you just found the person you're supposedly the Guardian of. Or I guess reconnected with."

"Ikarisa will be...fine. I can see her memories and everything, somewhat foggy but okay. She's extremely trustworthy, you know. I wouldn't put her fighting abilities past her, especially with her secret weapon too."

"Your judgement is more than enough for me. After all, you were the one who put logic into my head, to begin with, so your word has strength behind it."

"I just hope you can keep that logic going forward, and improve on it. I'll be waiting.", she gently smiled.

"Always.", Yuno smiled back.