PHASE 3 - A DEPARTURE TO PUMP ME UP

I have prepared a lot for my field trip to Hell. I packed five T-shirts, two jackets, four pants, seven underwear and a sleeping bag all fitted on my hiking bag. Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo; all check. Helena also gave me food rations that would last me a week.

Erylle said that our expedition to the underworld would likely last for five or more days, so I have to ready myself for everything. But now that I think of it, most people would assume that I’ll just go camping in a nearby forest.

I went to the Kozukata Shrine and held a small meeting to the Gate Guardians present. I explained to the remnants of the Aether Crusade on what I’ll be doing. And most of them are skeptical of the offer Erylle made to me.

“Are you sure that the ‘New Outsider’ can be trusted?” Ayano; the new Head of the Kozukata Shrine Maidens asked me with a doubtful look.

Ayano is now assuming the office of the shrine since the past leader Asumi went missing a month ago. We don’t know her whereabouts, and we don’t have any contact with her. All we know is that she is accompanying his old friend (The Fake Outsider) somewhere around the multiverse.

“I don’t have any option but to trust her.” I made a guilty smile. “She has some proofs to her credibility, but I’ll still watch my own back nonetheless.”

“Isn’t it a little bit reckless?” The white-haired homunculus Key asked in a monotone.

“It is reckless, but I’m not afraid,” I said with a serious glare. “I’m not afraid anymore. I have lost everything, and I have nothing to lose this time.”

“That’s not it.” Mister Frederick Solstice jumped in the conversation. He has this piercing glare at me as if he’s challenging my will.

As you have known, Frederick Solstice is Tiara and Diadem’s father. Unlike the final battle last season, he is now well and fine, maybe better and stronger than a bison. His wounds have been fully healed and now his macho body matches his power as a Gate Guardian. He still dresses like a hobo nonetheless with his dirty brown trench coat and unwashed semi-formal attire inside.

“Tell me… Why are you so eager to save my daughter?” Mister Solstice continued to ask me with a serious expression.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I smirked. “I love Tiara. She loves me… And we both wanted to make love with one another. Savvy?”

Mister Solstice finally gave out a smile. He made a heavy pat on my back as he laughed. “You already convinced me on the first three words of that answer, and that last sentence makes me want to punch you in the jaw. But I know that you know the appropriate course of action. Whatever your decision is, I will support and trust you, just like how you treated my daughter for the past years.”

"Okay, boomer."

"What!?" Mister Solstice curled his eyebrows.

“I mean... Thanks, dad.” I lent out my hand and offered a handshake.

Mister Solstice happily accepted it, but I felt that his grip is a little bit tight. Ouch, ouch! Then, he whispered something under his breath while maintaining a fake threatening smile. “Not so fast.”

“Ahahaha…” I scratched my head as soon as I withdrew from that painful handshake.

Suddenly, there was another objection. And it came from the sister of my deceased friend.

“I’m sorry for being so skeptical, but what if that is another plot to destroy everything again?” Helena asked with full seriousness. “I know what you feel about Tiara, but we can’t risk the existence of everything. Remember that we no longer have anyone to sing the when everything goes wrong.”

That is a difficult question for me. There is no way I can convince everyone that I can trust the New Outsider this time. I’m also quite skeptical of myself. Honestly, I don’t have any answer to Helena’s question.

But thankfully, I was saved from that question.

“Everything will never go wrong.” A familiar feminine voice echoed.

A dimensional rift opens at the center of the room, and it revealed a tall beautiful woman with long blonde hair. Her emerald eyes twinkled as she presented the cross-sigils on both of her eyes. She is wearing a school uniform of some sort, and she’s still equipped with the signature red scarf.

“Y-You…” Helena’s eyes opened wide when she saw the New Outsider. Even her boyfriend who is just beside her; Lironeo Amerigus (Formerly Void Wolf) had his jaws fall off as if they know a lot from that blonde woman.

“It’s been a while, Helena, Lironeo~” Erylle made a charming smile at them. “I see you’re now peacefully lovey-dovey with each other. Last time I saw you two having a date, you guys are wreaking havoc on other universes.”

“Wait, they can see you!?” I exclaimed at Erylle. “And you guys know each other!?”

“Well, kinda~” Erylle made a teehee face as she bit her tongue gently. “It’s a long story.”

“Y-Yeah…” Helena muttered. “Now I have no doubts that she can be trusted.”

Lironeo nodded silently. They really know a lot of things from this woman!

The Outsider’s expression changed from happy-go-lucky rascal to a serious big sister.

“Alaric, it’s time to go,” Erylle said.

I looked around the faces of my remaining friends. They all held cheerful smiles to raise my hopes up.

“Ey leader! Ya going to succeed no matter what!” Drex the spiky-haired gangster cheered.

“Tell me what Hell really looks like.” The emo Benedict said with a shady tone.

I replied a smile at them. I’m just glad that these two supporting characters who had little to none screen time during the previous seasons are still here to cheer me up.

“Bring Tiara back! Failure is not an option!” Kristoff raised his fist. "I need to thank her properly for reviving me!"

“Make sure you can wake Tiara up so that we can revive my baby brother!” Helena said.

“Good luck, Alaric.” Lironeo made a short cheer.

“Please save my daughter. I’ll give you my blessing if you succeed.” Mister Solstice said.

“Bring our adorable Tiara back! And that is an order!” The shrine maiden head Ayano commanded.

“Yeah, I’ll do it!” I slowly pumped my fist and imitated Tiara’s way to raise her confidence. “I have the determination to never give up!”

Erylle shortly withdrew a Heavenly Blade from her heart, and she slashed the thin air. A Gate like no other has appeared, and there are menacing crimson smoke coming from it. I can sense endless evil energy on the place we’re going. We’re venturing to Hell; the place where Eidolons originate.

As I was about to take a step forward, somebody pinched my sleeve. It was Key.

“Alaric… I need you to take this.”

Key presented a pendant that has some kind of steampunk pocket watch, yet it is designed as it came from the future. Its color is silver, and there is some kind of glowing bars that indicates signs that I couldn’t understand. It doesn’t even tell time, but for a pendant, this looks so techy and cool.

“K-Key…” I muttered. “What is this?”

“It’s a safety precaution. You don’t need your feeble mind to know its purpose. Just take it.” Key said in a monotone.

“Fine, fine.” I scratched my scalp. “You don’t need to insult me, you know. I’m not an idiot.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry.” Key maintained her straight tone, but now she is happily smiling. It’s such a rare opportunity to see her facial expressions working. “Take care.”

“Yes. You too.” I patted Key’s head that made her slight blush. “I’ll bring Tiara back, and we’ll have her sing the to extend your lifespan.”

Regarding Key, she only had a month left. Her Gate Guardian Ability makes her a living timebomb. Once she reaches her birthday, she will explode like an atomic bomb. It’s a cursed inevitable fate for her.

“So you remembered.” Key continued to blush.

“Of course. That’s the promise I made to you not so long ago. I told you that I will find a way to save you. And this is the solution.”

“Right. Thank you again.” Key said as she finally let go of my sleeve.

“Let’s go now,” Erylle said as soon as she realized that my dramatic conversation is over.

I turned my back and faced the Gates of Hell.

Now, I can only rely on myself to save Tiara.

Only fate knows what ordeals I’ll be facing next.