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Akihiko just groans.
"Take all the credit for all I care. I don't wanna deal with all the publicity."

At that, Akihiko pauses, before coughing.
"Uh...slip of the tongue. Don't worry about it, Aiuchi, I-"

"Yeah. It was Akkun."

Akihiko turns to see Saya, awake, walking unsteadily towards him. He runs to her, supporting her with his large frame, allowing her to use him for support.
"S-Saya! I...she didn't need to-"
"She....she should know it was you. You're always taking on that kind of pain without thinking about yourself, you know? You wonder why I felt like I needed to protect you, that's why."
Saya looks towards Yui.
"Yeah. Akkun fought the football team. Him and Mildred. They tried to jump him after he stopped them from coming after you. I....well, it's part of the reason I'm here, really. I've always felt bad I couldn't do anything about that...."
"...don't thank me, Aiuchi. It was nothing special. Just what needed to be done. And Saya....I'm sorry. I never realised you felt that way, but...."
"....I understand. You and I think the same way, you know?"
She smiles weakly, but brightly.
"It's what the Helper's Club is for, right? Helping people."

Akihiko, meanwhile, has just been quietly holding Saya to himself, hugging her gently, ignoring the rest of the world around him, thinking quietly to himself. He eventually finds it in himself to rest Saya on a nearby bench, staying nearby.

As the discussion ramps up, and Mori speaks, you swear Akihiko would lift an eyebrow if his eyebrows were visible.
"....you know, Sawatari, that's a pretty empty threat when you consider half the people couldn't give less of a damn what those guys think. Myself included. You've fooled about nobody with the villain act, especially with that little speech. Don't think I didn't catch you back there backing Akari up. 'Course, you'll probably take a while to figure out you're better than you think."
He sighs, looking back at Saya. Akihiko clenches his fists, wincing a little as the pain of the damage he'd taken during the fight begins to set in.
"....yeah. I'm staying here. I'm not letting anyone do this to anyone again. If they went this hard after us, they'll be back here to try to come after someone else, and I'm not having that on my conscience. And when I find the bastard that hurt Saya...."
He exhales deeply.
"...I'll bring him to justice, alone if I have to. If you guys, Aiuchi included, want to back out of it, want to leave and never see this again, that's fine. But I know what I want, and if you want to help, all the better. I've been bullied too, and the only way to stop them is to hit back. So I will. And I'll hit them until they back down."

Scathach chuckles.
"My, my, Sawatari. How cute. Getting some acting practice in, are we? And Kasuga....well, at this point, I'd be lying if I didn't expect it. Your reputation's pretty big."
"How the hell do you know who we are, anyway?"
"I can't really tell you, can I? Besides, you'll find out in due time."
Gawain quietly goes over and begins patching up Akihiko.
"...like it or not, you're in this now, all of you. We're sorry you had to be involved. But it is what it is."

Gawain shakes his head at Mildred.
"...thanks for the offer. But stay here."

Scathach waves her arms at him.
"Hermelin needs you more than we do. Besides, if they come back, you and Kasuga should protect people here, no? We'll be close, of course, if you need us, but...well....it seems like Kasuga alone was more than a match."

Then Misa mentions a "dark lord". Gawain's fist clenches and the tone of his voice grows noticeably colder.
"Yes."
"...well, we think so, anyway. We caught a glimpse of them a few nights ago, but....we lost them. As for the vigilantes...I wouldn't worry about them. Akitsuki's got a good reputation. She'll be fine."

As Mildred and Mori advance in the absence of enemies....

Proioxis casts Parmala!
Proioxis loses 4 MP!
Proioxis gains 3 MP for 3 turns!

(Fantomas' Master of Disguise activates!)
(Mori's in Gawain's Shadow!)

Fantomas initiates!
Hit Rate: 93 to hit
Hit: 13, hit!
Loving Moon A takes 14 damage!

Loving Moon A is defeated!

....Misa's burst of lightning is answered with a rock, taken dead on.
"You....you fools! I am strong! I'm strong enough to protect him now!"

(The wind rises behind Misa!)
(Akihiko's Daunt activates!)
(Pixie's Fairy Glamour activates!)

Pixie casts Ziana!
Pixie loses 3 MP!

Pixie initiates!
Hit Rate: 92 to hit
Hit: 55, hit!
Lunarian takes 11 damage!
(Fairy Glamour activates!)
Lunarian loses 10 Hit/Eva for 1 turn!

Lunarian retaliates!
Hit Rate: 70 to hit
Hit: 36, hit!
Pixie takes 14 damage!

Distracted by Pixie, Leviathan slips in and strikes Lunarian with lightning of her own. As Lunarian prepares for a retaliatory blow, her faceplate is suddenly clouded by pinkish-purple sparkles, throwing her aim off as her blast misses.

(Shoji is uncertain....)
(Akihiko's Daunt activates!)
(Kurmunda is active...)

Leviathan casts Ziana!
Leviathan loses 3 MP!

Leviathan initiates!
Hit Rate: 74 to hit
Hit: 4, hit!
Lunarian takes 10 damage!
(Mark of the Beast activates!)
Lunarian is marked!

Lunarian cannot retaliate!

Masaru's own shot, however, is not similarly affected, as Lunarian releases an unholy screech in response.
"I have to....don't stop me from protecting Akihiko. I won't lose!"
Masaru isn't quite able to evade the retaliatory blast, almost knocking him to his feet.

(Masaru's efficiency is practiced!)
(Masaru has a reputation to uphold!)
(Akihiko's Daunt activates!)
(Shoji's Charisma activates!)

Vasusena casts Burst Bullet!
Vasusena loses 2 MP!
Vasusena initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Lunarian takes 8 damage!
Lunarian loses 3 RES for 1 turn!

Lunarian loses a Life Point and a Press Turn!

Lunarian retaliates!
Hit Rate: 70 to hit
Hit: 65, hit!
Vasusena takes 17 damage!

However, Akihiko shakes his head, shaking himself out.
"Saya...I know this hurts. But....you didn't need to protect me then. But I will protect you now. I'm sorry."

Akihiko's foot bursts into flame, as he sprints at Lunarian....no, he sprints at a lamp post next to Lunarian.
"No! No!"

The young man grabs the post, leaping off the ground, spinning around the lamp in one swift, fluid motion, before launching himself off into the air.
"I'm sorry, Saya! But you have to go down! Now!"
Before Lunarian can move out of the way, Akihiko's foot collides into her, the flames exploding around the pair of them.....

(Shoji's Charisma activates!)
(Akihiko's Daunt activates!)
(Akihiko will protect Shoji to the end!)
(Revolution is active!)
(Parmala is active!)

Ibaraki-Douji casts Fiama!
Ibaraki-Douji loses 3 MP!

Ibaraki-Douji initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Critical: 15, crit!
Lunarian takes 59 damage!

Lunarian is defeated!

.....and as the flames dissipate, Akihiko lands on the ground, an untransformed Saya in his arms. As he lands, using himself to cushion the impact, a small, black orb, a single thorn-like point jutting from one side, drops from Saya's unconscious body, clattering across the stones comprising the stone path, before shattering.

"...."
"Saya. Saya! Wake up!"

Behind them, Scathach, Gawain and Cath Palug dash to them, the remaining Onibi having been destroyed
"She's fine. It....takes a lot out of you, to become an Akuma."
"....there were so many...but is Akitsuki okay? Are you all okay?"
"Anyone need treatment? I can fix you. Be quick about it."

From Miyako's left, but not in the same direction as the Empress, she can hear Hiroyuki's voice over the wall.
"Miyako! Thank the gods, you're not buried under the rocks. There's a massive landslide! The road back here is blocked! I don't think the Imperials can get to us, but you're on your own until we can clear this blockage!"

Tomoe breathes a sigh of relief, before heading over to Setsurou and Yusuke as they stand up.
"That was dangerous. The Empress is quite possibly, one of the strongest swordsmen in the land. The Yamauchi school of swordsmanship, like she said, is said to have been passed down by the Gods. I've only seen one man beat her. The Dog, Gamou Goro."

She stares at the earthen wall, the Empress' presence still keenly felt behind it, as if she were staring through it at them.

"It's said that the Empress honed her skills on a quest to break the Curse, seven years ago. Whether or not the rumours are true, I can't say. I saw them off when they left; her, Gamou and Hosokawa. But, when she came back, she had a Gnosis, but no answers to the Curse."
"Wait. Are you telling me she tried to break the Curse?! You mean....she wasn't lying about that?"
"Back then, at least. I don't know the details. The only three who do are the Empress, Hisao and Goro, and....I'm not exactly on good terms with either of them. I wouldn't worry too much about it, anyway. It's been years. Whatever it was they were looking for, they never found it."
"That damn dog could never give us a straight answer...."

"I'm sorry, Sir Nick. This is not personal, I assure you."
The Matagot speaks, as he electrocutes the poor boy; he throws a knife out at the cat in instict, only for the cat to deftly dodge the attack.

(Nick is well-fed!)
(Jack's Dragon Ward activates!)
(Jack's Support activates!)
(Nick is over-cautious...)
(Isabella's Charisma activates!)
(Nick is a bash brother!)

Matagot initiates!
Hit Rate: 39 to hit
Hit: 12, hit!
Nick takes 9 damage!

Nick retaliates!
Hit Rate: 54 to hit
Hit: 88, miss!

Mus'ad gets to working as Mordecai and Astrea shore up the backline.

Mus'ad Forecasts for Astrea and Mordecai!
Astrea and Mordecai can move again!

Mordecai vulns Rika!
Rika regains 10 HP!

Astrea revives Orrel!
Orrel regains 5 HP!

The smell of fresh rain fills the battlefield as Kaya summons the rain, the healing effects of her waters beginning to have an effect.

Kaya calls the rain!
Kaya's Raincaller activates for 3 turns!

Kaya revives Reeve!
Reeve regains 12 HP!

Kaede yelps as Delwyn's attack, coming out of nowhere, smacks her into a nearby tree.

(Delwyn is well-fed!)
(Kaede is well-fed!)
(Delwyn is out of focus...)
(Theodora's Support activates!)
(Kaede failed to protect Alicia...)
(Kaede's Daunt activates!)
(Concentrate Fire is active!)
(Artemis Song is active!)
(Delwyn has 15 Hit!)

Delwyn initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Kaede takes 27 damage!

Kaede is downed!

"Unfortunately, your resistance to our efforts shall end here. The threads of your fate lie at my hands. Truly, the power of the Tenebrous Kingdom is unrivalled."
"W-what are you-!"

A shadowy arrow knocks Nick onto his knees.

(Isabeau is well-fed!)
(Nick is well-fed!)
(Jack's Dragon Ward activates!)
(Jack's Support activates!)
(Nick is over-cautious...)
(Isabella's Charisma activates!)
(Nick is a bash brother!)
(Undone be Isabeau's enemies, the enemies of fate!)

Isabeau initiates!
Hit Rate: 16 to hit
Hit: 10, hit!
(Rend Heaven check: 10, pass!)
Nick takes 23 damage!

Nick is downed!

Ricardo's arrows, meanwhile, bounce off Alicia's thick coat, as he invigorates Reeve and Orrel.

(Ricardo's Team Spirit activates!)
(Ricardo's Magic Arrow activates!)

Ricardo Sings for Orrel and Reeve!
Orrel and Reeve can perform again!
(Artemis Song activates!)
Orrel and Reeve gain +10 Hit for 2 turns!

(Ricardo is well-fed!)
(Alicia is well-fed!)
(Ricardo invites you to dance with the bandito!)
(Ricardo adapts to his circumstances!)
(Alicia's survival instinct kicks in!)
(Kaya has called down the rain!)
(Reeve's Charisma activates!)

Ricardo initiates!
Hit Rate: 68 to hit
Hit: 9, hit!
(Aegis check: 13, pass!)
Alicia takes 4 damage!

Alicia cannot retaliate!

Ricardo strikes again!
Hit Rate: 68 to hit
Hit: 70, miss!

Reeve's retaliation barely manages to down the titanic Andvar, forced to his knees by the flames.

(Reeve is well-fed!)
(Maximus is well-fed!)
(Reeve is energised!)
(Artemis Song is active!)
(Maximus has Alicia's back!)
(Kaya has called down the rain!)
(Reeve flashes over!)
(Albatross is active on Maximus!)
(Reeve shines like a light over the earth!)

Reeve initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Maximus takes 24 damage!

Maximus is downed!
Reeve gains 2 stacks of Brilliance!

Orrel takes advantage of the distraction to throw Joel off, too.

(Orrel is well-fed!)
(Joel is well-fed!)
(Orrel has +10 Crit!)
(Orrel's feathers have been ruffled...)
(Orrel struggles under the burden of expectations!)
(Orrel is energised!)
(Reeve's Charisma activates!)
(Delwyn's Flash Lattice activates!)
(It isn't a game for Joel anymore...)

Orrel initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Joel takes 7 damage!

Joel cannot retaliate!

Orrel strikes twice!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Joel takes 7 damage!
(Stormbinder activates!)
Arnett's Imago and Ricardo gain +5 Eva!
Orrel gains +10 Crit!

Joel is downed!

~~Enemy Phase~~
On the left side of the battlefield, Isabella's Arte awakens more vines and thorns, the invigorated plants nipping and biting at Class 3-F, and the pollen healing people's wounds.

Isabella's Overgrowth activates!
Rika takes 8 damage!
Mus'ad takes 8 damage!

As Delwyn pushes Kaede down, she is too distracted to notice Alicia scurrying up to her.
"Thisisnotasafepositionandalsothisisnotpersonalsopleaseforgiveme!"
A blast of energy throws Delwyn half way across the battlefield, smacking her into a tree, as Alicia picks up Kaede.

Alicia activates her Arte: Repulsion!
Delwyn is knocked back!
Delwyn takes 22 damage!

Delwyn is downed!

Alicia revives Kaede!
Kaede regains 5 HP!

Meanwhile, Andreas, Theodora and Felix ride in, Delwyn no longer barring their path. Andreas takes the time to pick Joel back up, too.

Andreas activates his Arte: Restoration!
Andreas revives Joel!
Joel regains 14 HP!
Andreas loses 5 HP!

Theodora stands before Orrel.
"We meet again, Orrel. Shall we test your skills?"

Theodora activates her Arte: Telekinesis!
Theodora is protected for 3 turns!

(Theodora achieves the excellence of strength!)
(Theodora's Telekinesis is active!)
(Orrel's feathers are ruffled...)
(Orrle struggles under the burden of expectations!)
(Orrel is energised!)
(Artemis Song is active!)
(Concentrate Fire is active!)
(Andreas' Support activates!)

Theodora initiates!
Hit Rate: 89 to hit
Hit: 33, hit!
Orrel takes 23 damage!

Orrel is downed!

As Orrel keels over, Theodora seems almost....disappointed?

Felix and Arnett's paint construct clash.

Felix activates Counter-Arc!
Felix will counter any attacks towards him next Phase!

(The Nightingale dashes!)
(Theodora's Telekinesis is active!)

Felix initiates!
Hit Rate: 63 to hit
Hit: 15, hit!
Arnett takes 10 damage!

Arnett's Imago retaliates!
Hit Rate: 73 to hit
Hit: 30, hit!
Felix takes 10 damage!

Jack, avenging his brother, finds that the Matagot is....a little tougher than expected.

(Jack isn't taking this seriously....)
(Jack rushes impetuously!)
(Jack has +3 DR!)

Jack initiates!
Hit Rate: 81 to hit
Hit: 91, miss!

Matagot retaliates!
Hit Rate: 45 to hit
Hit: 6, hit!
Critical: 1, crit!
Jack takes 45 damage!

Jack is downed!

He slumps next to his brother, groaning, the painful electric shock he got still stinging.

Vines, meanwhile, slip around Rika's feet, hanging her upside down and shaking her, as Isabella's plants continue to overwhelm the field.

Isabella activates her Arte: Overgrowth!
Rika takes 8 damage!
Mordecai takes 8 damage!
Matagot takes 8 damage!

Rika is downed!

---

(Kaya's wish was left unanswered...)
Kaya has called down the rain!
Reeve regains 10 HP!
Arnett regains 10 HP!

(Astrea has Renewal!)
Astrea regains 6 HP!

XP: 38/100