Alpha Crucis knew she was safe from traps, knowing her fight style and variations. However, Delta Crucis has bested her with smaller-edge weapons in training. Sauntering in the room, she approached in front of Delta Crucis, blocking some of the moonlight.

Still reading her book, Delta Crucis told the young Sentinel, “You knew I was still seeing her...”

Alpha Crucis confirmed this by tossing a recent photo of her and the Holy Mother. Looking at the photo, Delta Crucis set it aside while reading her book.

She even read one passage out loud, “‘Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. I mean thousands of little kids, nobody's around - nobody big, except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean, if they're running and they don't look where they're going, I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I do all day. I'd be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd like to be.’”

Alpha Crucis grimaced, “Good book, but neither you nor Maria is Holden Caulfield.” She pointed out.

“Neither is Lycka Benibara. Yet, she is just a figurehead like ‘Maria,’ am I right?.” Delta Crucis said. “I keep wondering why I am still... this. I wonder why I am still alive. Hell, the Heavens should have struck me down along with her. At least then, I could have been happy...”

“We gave you a chance to redeem yourself.” Alpha Crucis said.

“No, Selena.” Delta Crucis rose her to see her scowling face, “you kept me around so you can get to her--”

“Fine, I did. That was all on me...” Alpha Crucis admitted. “But can’t you see the madness that is going on? The unrest? The deceit? The Rage? Only for you to contribute to it.”

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Delta Crucis calmly breathed, “Selena, we have all become God’s mad women...” She looked up at the former college to the anger and disappointment on her face, “every last one of us...”

Alpha Crucis took no chances as she took several steps back and summoned her Disjoncteur de Foi, a Sabre Rapière. She pointed the sword right at Delta Crucis.

While staring at her, Delta Crucis slowly closed her book as a gust of wind circled the room. She knew it was Alpha Crucis building her defenses. The clouds were gradually blocking out the moonlight. Playing to her strengths, Delta Crucis closed her book and set it aside.

As the room became darker and darker, Alpha Crucis stood her ground, “don’t do this...” she pleaded.

And then it was pitch black. The sound of Delta Crucis unsheathing her hidden blade from her forearm danced in Alpha Crucis’ ear.

A few seconds later came to past as the only thing I heard was the wind—

KLANK! SHIINNG! THUD!

Various sounds echoed around. And then a sudden sound of a body hitting the floor hard with a sound of liquids splashing around on the ground.

For a moment, the clouds would shift with the moonlight returning, gradually illuminating the room.

Alpha Crucis was alive, still brandishing her weapon in a defensive position, and didn’t move from her spot. But she wasn’t hit. Delta Crucis didn’t get that far to her as she was beheaded. The blood was seeping from her neck and pouring onto the floor at Alpha Crucis’ feet; she stood in awe of Delta Crucis’ bloodied head in front of her. Disturbing enough, the head was still mumbling as it spoke, and her eyes still looked around while blinking.

“Her head still thinks it’s on her body...” a soft, girly voice said in the darkness.

Still keeping her guard up, Alpha Crucis pointed her sword at the women stilling at the late Delta Crucis’ spot. While the moonlight intensified, it revealed the person responsible. It was a tanuki kemonomimi with shoulder-length brown hair and big red auburn eyes, cleaning the blood off her ninja blade. Her expression was scary, with her cold, dead eyes and faint yet satisfying smile staring back at Alpha Crucis. It was more troublesome that she wore a green Shining Star uniform.

Lowering her weapon, Alpha Crucis began to calm down.

“I see you two have finally met in person...” Lycka’s voices echoed as they both faced the disappointed Aethereal Queen. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Beta Crucis casually got up from the bench and left, leaving Alpha Crucis standing with her former colleague’s blood.