[You...] The dragon growled in anger as an unknown force pressured him on the ground. [You think this is enough to contain me!!!]

The monster spread his wing widely with a roar, breaking free of Rena's power. The wind fluttered violently soon after, reaching the skin of the said girl. Her face portrayed a calm and relaxed smile.

“How about this, then?” She said, opening her hand in the direction of the giant lizard.

In contrast to Raven's singularity, however, it wasn't shadow that moved. It was the entire area in itself. Building began to break down and the road cracked open even more as if some kind of force controlled them. Before the long, giant, spherical mass of rubbles floated all around Rena and the monsters, giving off a strange feeling of pressure.

And, with yet another smile, the girl closed her hand in a crushing manner. Instantly, the several dozens of giants rocks closed in on the monster with no time lag. The dragon didn't even have the time to budge as he was immediately engulfed from head to toe. An incredible feat considering the lizard's size.

The result was eye-catching, to say the least. The most voluptuous boulder anyone had ever seen floated above Talia. It wasn't at the center of the city, but, surely, no one would be able to miss it no matter where they are.

“...Not enough, it seems.”

Despite that, Rena's smile finally faltered. Sweat formed on her forehead and her breathe began to hasten. Visibly, using her singularity this much wasn't that good of an idea.

Though, at the very back of the area, Rin couldn't help but smile, recognizing one of her sister's habits. Going all out at the very beginning. That was indeed a good strategy if she could beat the dragon instantly, but, otherwise...

[I said this isn't enough!!] The giant monster roared once again, breaking free out of the spherical prison and destroying it in the passage.

The countless rubble Rena had gathered, flew aimlessly and dangerously toward the grounds. To the weakest one, being hit by one of them would probably leave an injury. And our beloved sister would have none of that.

She will try at least. Using her singularity again, she stopped most of the rubble that was heading towards humans. And by gathering these same rubble, she formed a flying spear made of stone.

“Alright, try this, too.”

This time, with a big swing of her left hand, she made the spear launch the speed with an incredible speed. And much like earlier, it didn't leave any time lag and instantly dug its way on the dragon's wing.

[You little!] Blood came out of the monster's shoulder, which enraged him. Along with obvious killing intent, he lounged toward the little girl.

‘Hard.’ Meanwhile, Rena was in awe at how her attack didn't do much more damage on the lizard. Moreover, no matter how much power she added again, the stone spear barely dug any deeper through the wing.

Plus, to her disadvantage, her exhaustion became even more apparent. The draconic head approached her with an alluring pace, which was further bad news. Opposite to the other in this case, however, she still had the leeway to getaway.

But, that's not what she did. Instead, she breathed out heavily and stood her ground. Her two slender hands wrapped in a greenish blue Aura, she used all her power to stop the dragon dead in its track. For just an instant, though.

An instant that was amply enough for another shadow spear to further dug its way on the lizard's already injured wing. And, no matter how hard it was, it couldn't resist against two of the strongest singularity.

The victimized dragon cried out in pain as another one of his members was ripped apart.

“I don't know who you are, but, good job.”

The little black-haired Rena said in appreciation, turning her head toward the other little black-haired Raven.

Thus, the third round of the battle continued with the human's advantage.

◇

“A total of three Rank I, huh.” One man said with a grim face. “Honestly, can we even win this?”

The man's name was Abel, an important member of the Atlas Family. He had brown colored hair and black eyes that seemed rather normal. His face was well defined enough to be above average, but, compared to certain, he couldn't be called handsome. What's more, a small yet eye-catching scar was present above his nose, which didn't help him too much.

“The Kagane managed to pull through something like this, didn't they? Why can't we?”

Nevertheless, the man didn't seem to lack affection.

One beautiful woman hugged him from behind, pressing two immense bulges on his back. Warmth was transmitted, and the new woman's voice tried its best to comfort Abel.

She was Aurora. Originally, she wasn't a member of the Atlas, but, thanks to the mutual love she had with Abel, she managed to successfully enter the family through marriage. Since then, the man and the woman have had a very happy and fulfilled life.

Sadly, the threat this time didn't permit them to end their story yet.

“The Kagane were known to be the strongest out of the 4 great families,” Abel said, responding to his wife. “And look at how they are, now. We might push through this, indeed, but at what price?”

Aurora smiled weakly at that. “Ark managed to liberate one of their rank 1 to come here. Moreover, Holder's daughter is already here to help us. Although it's unfortunate to not have more backup, you shouldn't lose hope, yet.”

Hearing the words hope, Abel twitched. Most likely, if someone were to be in his place right now, they would have reacted the same. After all, when it came to 'hope', everyone in this world, or at least the four great families, could put a face on it.

In the past, there existed someone who could put everyone at ease with just their presence.

“...If ‘she’ was here, then perhaps...” Abel spoke out quietly, recalling the face of a certain woman.

Naturally, Aurora knew who his husband was referring to. And sadly, she also knew that person was never going to come. Dead people don't come back to life after all. Surprisingly, however, Aurora let out a chuckle.

“How contradictive of you, dear.” She expressed with amusement. “First you talk bad about them, and now you want their help. I don't think the Kagane would appreciate that you know?”

“Guh!” Abel coughed with a complicated expression. “Right, that girl was a Kagane. Not my fault if I forgot, she just moved around so much.”

Aurora let out another chuckle. More expressive this time, and finally advanced side by side next to her beloved. The two of them were on top of a high building, facing the bright golden sun without flinching.

The woman slowly opened her right hand, waiting for Abel's warmth. Not even a second later, the man entangled his left hand with Aurora's. They didn't need to say anything. No matter what happens, they would be there for the other.

“Oh!” Unfortunately, the good mood was cut off by something Aurora had remembered. “Speaking of which, I think we have a Kagane here, no? Their eldest daughter.”

Abel took a sideglance at his wife, trying to guess who she was referring to. Aurora, however, didn't seem to have finished talking.

“Now that I think about it,” The woman said, closing her eyes to recall Rin's appearance. “Isn't that girl's face extremely similar to ‘hers’?”

Abel immediately remembered with that information. He had already talked to Rin once. Well, it was only for a short greeting, and a few years had already passed since then so he couldn't say they were acquaintances. Still, the black-haired girl's appearance did leave an impression on him.

“Yeah, she does resemble ‘her’ very much,” Abel answered. “But, that's all. Compared to that ‘Hero’, she's utterly useless. She's not even an Elite, you know?”

At that, Aurora slightly snapped. Her grip on the man's hand strengthened instantly, causing Abel to flinch in pain. A bulge appeared on the woman's face as she glared at her husband.

“You really are acting unusual today.” She said, with a strangely menacing smiling face. “I don't remember ever marrying someone who talks bad about people behind their back.”

Without delay, she pinched the man's cheek. Strongly.

“Ouch!” Abel let out a cry of pain in succession. Though, unfortunately for him, they were unheard by the woman. “I give! I give! I'm sorry!!!”

“You better be,” Aurora responded, finally retracting her hand. “Look, I know you're stressed out. I am, too, but, we need to stay calm.”

Abel couldn't reply anymore and remained silent. He rubbed his cheek with his left hand as she looked away from her wife. And yet, throughout, the two didn't separate their hands.

“...I'm sorry, okay. It's just,” The man finally managed to express. “...I don't want to lose you.”

Aurora softened her expression a little. “...Neither do I.” And with a smile, she transmitted her feeling.

“I love you, after all.”

◇

*A little earlier*

“Wait, Celia!” Fate shouted toward a certain high school girl.

The ship they had boarded just arrived inside the port a minute ago, yet, the orange-haired girl was already outside of it. Hasty wasn't even enough to describe her current condition. She was in distress.

“Sorry, Fate!” The girl screamed in return. “I'm in a hurry!”

Celia didn't even bother to look back at the man and instead continued to run straight ahead. Where was she going and why was she in such a state? The answer doesn't even need to be pronounced.

“Please, just... come back.”

In the two and more years Celia had frequented Rin, never once had her friend sounded so desperate. Heck, the number of times she had asked for help could be counted on one hand.

For Rin to be like that, Celia couldn't even begin to imagine the reason. But, whatever it was, it couldn't have been something good. That's why the orange-haired girl was worried. To an insane degree.

‘I knew it!’ Celia thought as she didn't stop running. ‘Something was wrong after all!’

She painfully recalled the day Rin was admitted to the hospital two months ago. She recalled Rin's face when she had finally woken up. Something was amiss at that time. She knew it. She had sensed it.

But, back then, she was much too absorbed by the fact she had become an Elite.

“Wait for me, Rin!!”

Myriad was a port city, so Celia's destination wasn't that far off from her current position. Nevertheless, it still wasn't a distance one could reach by running. Mainly because they would end up completely exhausted before even arriving.

Celia, however, being completely stupid and smart at the same time didn't care about that. Instead, she used a new trick she had learned from Fate. She used Aura.

Instantly, her speed and stamina increased. Her vision blurred like she had just entered a car and the wind caressing her skin increased in pressure. Her short orange hair fluttered greatly in the air along with the sweat she produced.

Yet, Celia didn't seem to be amazed at all.

Two months ago, she was fascinated by the fact she had become an Elite and overlooked Rin. She wouldn't do that same error. If Rin needed her, she would do her utmost to help.

‘After all, we made a promise, didn't we?’

How many times passed after that would be left to the imagination, but, it was a fact Celia was now completely exhausted. Honestly, it was a miracle she could still stand on her two feet.

However, for her, it was well worth it.

In her vision was Rin's immense house. She missed it. Greatly. She could still remember the happy memories she had in that mansion like it was yesterday. But, more than that, she had missed the person that was now looking at her.

“...Rin!”