Gemini dashed at him with everything he had. His sword collided with Drexel's spear and a shockwave emitted from the clash.

"Oh, I don't remember you having this much power before," Drexel said.

"There's quite a bit you don't remember. Loyalty being one," Gemini said before breaking off. He started slashing towards Drexel. Drexel dodged several attacks and parried several more. At the last parry, Drexel aimed a kick at Gemini's stomach. Gemini grabbed Drexel's leg, and flung him across the courtyard.

Drexel hit the side of a small building. He grunted on impact. He then landed on his feet.

"Had enough yet?" Gemini asked.

"Nah, just getting warmed up!" Drexel yelled, charging for Gemini once more.

Gemini stepped backed several steps before colliding weapon with weapon again with Drexel. The clashing metal rang in their ears. The villain's grin was a bit much to bear. Ever since he became an Integra, he was one of the few with the most self-control. The land he grew up in, Regulis, is known for its order. Yet, this version of him seemed chaotic in nature.

"Why are you doing this?" Gemini asked, pushing against his spear.

"I love it!" Drexel said before jumping over Gemini, slashing below him. Gemini blocked the attack. Drexel landed behind him and tried slashing his back. Gemini blocked him again.

"That's not a good answer," Gemini stated, turning his head towards him still in blocking position.

Drexel gritted his teeth, jumped back and swept his weapon under Gemini's legs. Gemini tripped and, while in mid-air, Drexel roundhouse kicked him. Gemini blocked, but was blown several feet away.

Gemini then rolled to the ground and jumped back on his feet. "Answer me! Why do all of this!? How do you know about the girl!?"

Drexel huffed. "You wouldn't understand even if I told you. But, short version, I want to rid myself of all that's called "order" in this world. And the girl, well, she's popped up more than once before wreaking havoc. And wasn't it once said that the Tolvian keys will imbue the users with elemental powers? Guess what she has..." He then threw his blade in the air. As the spear flew, it multiplied into 3 separate spears. He then used his hands to guide the spears directly towards Gemini.

The blades came in contact and Gemini ricocheted them all. The blades dispersed and eventually flew back into Drexel's hands. Drexel then twirled the three until they formed a large ninja star. He then hurled back at Gemini. The whirling sound echoed through the area as it grinded towards the guardian.

Gemini frowned. Seconds before the blade touched Gemini, he planted his blade right between Drexel's blades, which stopped the twirling star cold in its tracks. Smoke simmered from the still weapon.

"And this movement of yours will accomplish what? Complete chaos? Ridding Veith of Tolvia's protection by capturing this girl? Using her power against Veith?" Gemini yelled. "What's worth putting innocent people through this madness?"

"That's just the thing," Drexel stated as he commanded his blades back into his hand. "They are to blame as well. They trust in Tolvia and all its magnificent glory. They blindly follow you as Tolvia's main protector. And for what? They don't do what they truly want to do! They can't make decisions for themselves!"

"What are you talking about? They can come and go as they well please! They can do whatever they want-."

"As long as it doesn't offend the tradition, right? Suppose someone wanted to, I don't know, have a dip in Amnesia Sea? They can't. Why? Because you guard that place like the plague and no one can ever erase tragic memories from their minds!"

Gemini grimaced. He considered how the Sea could potentially help regarding those cases, but that wasn't its purpose. "Drexel, you know why we can't let anyone in there. It's strictly for cleansing criminals from their past when they're ready to enter society once more. Tolvia has made that clear in the Creed. Besides, if anyone exposed themselves too long, they'll forget their entire past. Wouldn't that be a problem?"

"And why would it? Maybe someone's situation is so downtrodden it could actually help them! It surely beats committing suicide! Oh, but wait, some people in this very village have done just that!"

What Gemini hated to admit was that he wasn't lying about that. It wasn't an epidemic, but it was still a cause of concern. Several cases were counted within this city alone. Others have occurred in other regions. Gemini shook his head. "Yet, that's their choice. It's not a favorable one; nor, is it one I would ever desire for a Veithan. Nevertheless, it's a personal decision. One I'm trying to fix throughout all of Veith!"

"Well, this is my personal decision!" Drexel ran past Gemini and further into the city.

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Gemini turned around and gave chase. He could only imagine what Drexel would do next. As if the damage alone here was not enough. As Gemini went running, a blast of water erupted beneath him, causing him to fly into one of the nearby homes. He fell to the ground and picked himself back up.

Drexel ran past the pillars of water and aimed straight for the girl. He clearly had plans for her. Gemini got up, dashed after him, and dodged water pillars along the way.

The Integras blocked the way to the girl. They all formed a diamond around her as a transparent force field slowly engulfed them. Each of them were huffing and puffing; but, they kept their tattered arms extended. Their clothes were ripped in numerous places and their legs slightly shook from exhaustion. Nevertheless, they knew they had a job to do protecting a part of Tolvia.

That didn't matter to Drexel. He was still dashing at full speed. He had his spear in hand and rammed towards the first Integra, Patrice. Drexel immediately bounced off the force field.

Drexel gritted his teeth. "How can you all guard this child? You barely know her!"

"Why would you even have to question us guarding a child? Have you become so jaded that even young children mean nothing to you?"

Drexel huffed. "As long as I can remember, trust was artificial. So fake, it could be broken at a moment's notice. So, what makes you think just because someone has the 'appearance' of a small child that I would trust her?" Drexel took several steps back and braced himself. "Move aside. I will only say this once."

Patrice frowned as a bead of sweat trickled down her face. "Do your worst."

Drexel grinned as he started to twirl his spear. He twirled it so fast that a whirlwind formed above him. He then aimed it at the Integras and, respectively, the little girl.

The Integras stomped the ground, trying to keep traction. Weis winced as he slid across the ground. The others did the same. It may only be a matter of time before they would lose footing.

Gemini then jumped up from behind with his blade and impaled Drexel in the back.

Gemini closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. "I'm sorry old friend. If I let you continue like this you'll never stop."

Gemini then opened his eyes to see him no longer there. Just then he saw quite the sight in front of him. All four Integras had a single blade protruding from their chest. Each tip coated in blood inches ahead of them. He knew what happened. It's a teleportation skill that takes a tremendous amount of energy to perform. Drexel chose now as a last-ditch effort to kill his own brethren. Pain gripped Gemini by the chest, tearing at his soul.

"Noooo!" Gemini yelled. Each Integra collapsed as the blades retreated from them, leaving the child stunned. She stood and started prodding the lifeless bodies that laid on the ground. She pushed Patrice. She jumped over Weis and started pushing his arms. Nothing happened.

"Mister, mister! Are you okay?" The little girl stated. "Mister!"

Drexel stood up behind her and looked across at Gemini with a wide grin on his face.

Gemini got up and dashed towards them. "Don't you dare!"

Drexel grabbed the little girl with one arm around her waist. She gasped as she looked at Drexel. Then, she looked at Gemini as he came towards them. He was within reach. Just a little further!

"Farewell." Drexel then illuminated with bright white light as the girl did the same. Gemini growled. Did Drexel even have enough energy left for one more teleportation jump? Meaning he held back specifically to make a move on the girl. Nevertheless, Gemini sprinted as fast as his legs would allow.

"Help me!" the girl yelled and reached out. Gemini reached out and grabbed the girl's hand only for it to disintegrate in his hand. Both Drexel and the girl were gone.

~

The night shadowed Veith once more, yet the true darkness laid deep within Aingeil Wing.

"Why?! Why?! Why!?" Gemini cried throwing all his stars away from him. He was within Aingeil's Wing. He ran his hand through his hair and fell to his knees. His eyes were dry from the many tears he had shed to for his closest allies. Each friend wiped without any remorse on the killer's part. Worse yet, the killer used to be one of them. He used to be trusted, relied upon and a real hero when needed. During Drexel's years as a true Integra, there must have been signs of such behavior, right? There was never a time that he relished in bloodshed or threatened any of them. He began to wonder if the land he came from was to blame. The land that thrived on structure. Maybe since Drexel came from structure into a position of even more of the same, he craved freedom from it all.

Gemini rubbed his eyes and just sat there in his own void and in his own thoughts. The stars and galaxies among him didn't matter. Should they matter? Yes, yes they do. They represented the lands the Integras were supposed to protect. But, in order to really save the lands now, the main threat needed to be handled. He needed some help to stop Drexel.

One other Integra came to his mind but Gemini shook his head. Trex was already dealing with her specific assignment and the threats there. He could ask her to help but...he couldn't bear it. Not now at least. He needed to clear his head.

Maybe a change of scenery could clear his head. Maybe a trip back to Earth could do him some good. Since no one would really see him if he went there, maybe it could relieve him of the current pain if but for a little while.

~

He walked through the Kindrala once more. It was returning to its normal fare as many of the remaining vendors were packing up. The streets had a few pedestrians trying to get the last of what food was being offered since the vendors normally disliked carrying much food back to their homeland. But the commotion was of no concern. He just wanted to get to the portal that was at the end of town. Specifically, he wanted the original portal he used when he first discovered Earth.

As he walked through the town, he did notice some people as the ones he envisioned from Earth. The connection between the two realms was definitely real. Several local tradesmen in Veith were actually children he passed by on Earth. He spotted a couple riding a luxurious horse-drawn carriage that he remembered were poor and downtrodden beggars on Earth. Whatever the reasoning, the connection could possibly be useful knowledge in the future. He only wished his own Integras could experience these connections firsthand.

He came to the portal and let out a deep breath. "Well, this is it," Gemini said to himself as he stepped closer to the portal. He turned around once more to see the crowd of people. He loved Veith and all its inhabitants. They deserved peace. They deserved comfort. They deserved to live free of all this tragedy that was forming. The Nocturns won't stop attacking the lands, and in response, he wouldn't rest until they all met their end. He sighed and then went through the portal. But for now, a new perspective awaited him. Earth awaited him.