The more and more he tried to make the final push, the worse and louder the voice got. His hand was simultaneously pushed in by the force of his own and pushed away by the pictures of those who had looked up to him.

"Come on...come on!"

He tried to force it forward again and again but in vain. The blade just refused to go forward. It refused to end his pain and what he thought brought pain on to others. His eyes though watery still refused to shed a single tear as his mouth refused to let out an ever so silent voice. And then, like he used to always do, he channeled the only emotion she could show out to the world. The only thing he was taught and thought himself was worth to be pushed out of him. Anger...

"Just...screw this!", he tossed his sword to the ground, pinning it in the earth itself, "Can't even do that...what's it worth even? Can't take this shit..."

He panted and sighed as he looked at his sword. He knew at that point what he tried to really do. It dawned on him about how everything piled to the boiling point.

Dante let out a long sigh. "Hah...doesn't even matter. I've still got a duty. I...", he kept on thinking about the others. "Everyone...not yet."

As he slowed his breathing and regretted a choice he had even thought of taking he went ahead and picked up his sword. Wiping the dust and dirt off the edge, he saw the one thing he hated, reflected on the shinning silver. Gritting his teeth, he knew nothing could be done, other than placing it back in its sheath. He looked back at his homeland, only for the reflection of the suns rays to fade away. The sky was starting to fill with the dark clouds of rain. Snapping out of his tranced state, he began his descend from the fields down to the city. Not before long, he averted his attention from the path once ahead, when he felt a small spec of dust, coming across his cheek.

He wiped away the dust off his face, "Hmm? What the...", he looked up.

Not before long, he realized that the so thought clouds of rain were but a mere disguise for the dark reality. Smog. He looked back to the Twin Peaks to see legions upon legions of Silverlance forces moving cohesively back towards the city. Behind him, one such soldier swiftly avoided him, retaining his calm as it was custom of his rank.

"Commander. We've been breached from the Grande Porto Marittimo.", the Silverlance perfectly held his composure.

"The harbor? Impossible!"

"I'm afraid so. Enemies are purring in from the base of the Twin Peaks as well since our retreat. It appears to be a correlated attack effort. What is our course of action from here?"

"Seal off entrance to the harbor and get everyone out of there first. Regroup the Silverlances and add 5 legions of 6000 each to the city entrance. How bad is the Grande Porto situation?", Dante regained his composure.

"Dire, sir. At least a hundred thousand in numbers from pure estimation."

"How the hell did a hundred thousand sneak by our radar?!"

"I do not have an answer for that. However, they are rapidly increasing from HQ's report."

Dante stuttered for a moment before giving his answer. "The only way this could've been done is from the Grande Fiume. This can only mean one thing...insider."

"Sir. That is a major accusation."

"You don't say. Blow it. All of it."

"We need authentication from the leader of both the Goldenlances and the king to do so-", the Silverlance soldier was interrupted by Dante.

"As your Commander and for the good of the people of Dirunon, I forcefully command you to blow up the Grande Porto right now! Evacuate everyone and make sure that there's not a single port left. They're already purring in, we might as well slow their ascend to the city. As soon as you blow it, move to regrouping the legions in the city in a circular perimeter. At that point, you'll meet up with the Goldenlance Commander."

The Silverlance soldier seemed to stutter. "Understood."

"What the hell happened?", Dante muttered to himself.

He dashed back at the city, only to see chaos and disarray left and right. People were screaming as Silverlances combined with the forces of the Goldenlances took over them and stood their positions to protect them from the enemy.

"Both Silverlances and Goldenlances at once? Dammit...this ain't good.", he looked around.

His little sister running around with the typical banner of the Remedy Knights in her hands, bumped onto him. Following behind her were a number of innocent people, gushing behind the combined force's lines.

"B-Big bro! What's happening here?!"

"Little sis, I don't have time to explain.", he drew his sword, standing before everyone, "Get back and run to mom. By now she should be helping Frederick and Sisi to safety, so go for it, ok?!"

His little sister hesitated, "N-No! I'm not leaving you! I can help by healing-"

"If they wanted Dirunon down then big bro will already have his hands full up at the palace to buy time for everyone...please, go!"

She snapped out of it, "Alright...please..."

"I'll be safe. Now go."

As she ran towards the palace, she passed through soldiers and officers alike, trying desperately to reach the end goal.

Dante turned around to face the enemy. "Spread out. Protective barrier against the back lines. 1-1 position and hold until further notice."

Upon finishing his words, the Silverlances all began to take on the commanded formation.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!", Kagh approached them.

"My job. Now back off into formation, officer.", Dante angrily looked at him.

"Your job?! You think that spreading everyone out to get them slaughtered is a good plan?!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You're trying to get us all killed! That's what I'm talking about!"

"You dare go against my orders?", Dante raised his voice.

"Your orders?", Kagh scoffed, "What a load of bullshit. They let a god damn 12 year old run the greatest military force on the planet. Imagine how demented that sounds!", he yelled.

The Silverlances paused for a brief instance, echoing Kagh's words.

"That same 12 year old did not only take away that "precious position" of yours, he's been exposed to what real hell is like.", he turned around to face Kagh.

Kagh scoffed. "You really think one operation would change it all? You're a kid! That's exactly what you Elisias did! You took over everything in the god damn city. The Silverlances by you, the Goldenlances by your brother...hell, you've even planted your little sister in the Remedy Knights, like that would matter, but it's never enough, is it?! You-ghyak!", Kagh was punched by Dante.

"Dare say one more thing about my sister you son of a bitch.", he took on a murderous look.

"Like hell...that's exactly what you do. You take everything by force and when that's not enough, you use more force. But that was to be expected since Frederick is so attached to Elena..."

"Don't you even dare."

"Or should I say...Cecilia. Cecilia Elisia. Elysium class Valkyrie and Omnipotent Blade of the Trail Blazers. That's exactly the reason why she's Fredericks weak spot. That's exactly the reason why you, your brother and your sister are the way you are...titles! All titles! No experience, no nothing!"

The Silverlances looked at Dante, waiting for a resolution to the anxiety.

"I earned my title though nothing but hell. You have no right to decline my achievements and career for the past 4 years!", Dante yelled.

"Except those achievements were all processes and approved by the only person who has the permission to even give such positions in the first place. The king. And coincidentally, the two forms that applied for Silverlance leadership were mine and none others than the son of Cecilia. What a coincidence."

Dante's eyes widened, "You're full of shit..."

"A one operation, privately trained 12 year old that lived to see himself in such position when the minimum age for this is 16. Again...coincidence. You've been grown and brainwashed to believe you are some kind of savior when all you are is a spoiled brat, fed with the silver spoon that drives this entire family!"

"And you're better?! You'd have taken a shit on everything around you had that position landed in your hands! You're only eternally ashamed a 12 year old took that from you!", Dante yelled back.

"Oh, really? Well, let's put that to the test, shall we?", he turned around, "Silverlances, you have two options! The aforementioned given to you by this "Commander" of yours. Or to take on a triangle formation, followed by the nearby bastions. Take on assaulting stances and push them all back! Save both the citizens and the city!"

The Silverlances all pondered for a moment, looking at both Kagh and Dante without saying a word, such was their oath.

"You have no idea what you're doing! If you make such a configuration then-", Dante looked at the Silverlances, "No...way."

The brave soldiers began to ignore Dante's command as they started to shift themselves into the position proposed to them by Kagh, forging a triangular formation to the front and two bastions to the side, preparing for an assault against the enemy instead of laying a defensive position.

"There's your answer, little thief of roles.", Kagh whispered at Dante, "Now without further hesitation. Lances of pure silver that reflects the soul, protectors of Victoria and glorious army of the wide world of Zero. Take back what's ours! Push the enemy back to the harbor and destroy them!"

"Not the harbor, it's set to be blown up!"

"What?!", Kagh yelled at Dante, evilly smiling in the side.

"It was the plan to forcefully stop their advance! You'll kill everyone!"

"What do you mean?! Kill everyone?! You traitor! You were going to make the city's glorious harbor fade to smithereens?! Traitor!"

Dante stuttered, realizing what Kaghs plan was, "Shit...", he whispered as he looked at the Silverlances, "Hmph!", he started running behind them.

"Get him!"

The Silverlances, now losing their full faith on Dante, began advancing forward to assault the enemy, while those in the back began hostile movements to catch Dante. He grabbed onto a nearby ladder and bounced off the walls towards the rooftop of a building. He began jumping from rooftop to rooftop, rapidly avoiding arrows and lances thrown his way before he covered enough ground towards the main city plaza. Narrowly avoiding capture, Dante looked behind him to see the advancement of his own men towards the enemy and from his birds eye view, he saw what he feared most. People retreating rapidly towards the castle's safety where the Goldenlances were stationed, accompanied by rows of Enmities and Shadowers following behind the innocent, as they leaked between the newly formed Silverlance lines.

"No time to ponder on traitors now, attack!", Kagh commanded.

The Silverlances then began their slow advancements towards the harbor under their new command.

"God dammit, Kagh! The people! The Remedy Knights can only go so far behind...wait-", he gazed down upon the fleeing squads of the Remedy Knights, "Sister!"

He began dashing his way down the rooftops, hurrying to the position his little sister had brought herself in.

"Come on everyone, hurry!", his little sister desperately tried to push everyone back to safety.

"Sister Knight! My daughter! Please!", a woman cried looking at Dante's little sister.

Looking to the front, a little girl cried as she looked around left and right, running desperately and trying to find a way out of the ongoing barrage of bullets, spears and arrows.

"Stay here! I'll go!", his little sister dashed at the front.

She dashed inside the danger, ignoring every single thing that came in her harms way, locking her eyes specifically on the little girl in front of her. She hugged the girl as she twisted around her, putting her body in front of the fire to cover her up.

"It's ok. You're safe now, I won't let anything happen to you. I'm here to help!", she pat the girls head, calming her down.

Her words echoed in the battlefield, it summoned a hoard of Enmities and Shadowers around her, surrounding her and the girl as they tried to hunt them down.

"Miss Sister Knight!", the girl cried.

"Oh no...", Dante's little sister placed her hand on her sword, "I-I...I don't think I-"

She gazed around at the monsters, afraid to both make a move and for what move the enemy would do next. She tightened her grasp on her sword as if in the next few moments, a slash dividing heaven and earth would be the one to save them from obscurity. But instead, the freezing of the fear for looming doom took over her body.

"N-No...the child...the oath!", she whispered to herself.

"Haarh...", an Enmity lifted a massive blunt object above them.

"No!", she turned around and hugged the child, preparing for the end.

"Ghaak!"

In a flash, divine horizontal rays came from afar, dispersing all of the nearby threats in their way. She slowly lifted her head up, all while looking into the eyes of the little girl, before she gazed around to see her troubles faded away. She wasted no time wondering on the disappearance of her enemies, rather than grab the girl by the hand and quickly lead the way back to her parent.

"Oh my god, thank you so much Sister Knight! Thank you!", the parent hugged the trembling child, running back towards the safety of the plaza.

Dante's little sister sighed, "Ah...glad I could help...always.", she whispered, panting from the rush of adrenaline.

"Little sister!", Dante dropped behind her from the rooftop. "Please tell me you're alright!"

"I'm fine. Something...took the enemies out? Was it god, perhaps?", she said.

"I don't know what it was, but what I do know is that you should go back with everyone. Now!"

"Wait, what are you doing here?", she gazed at Dante, "What about the Silverlances?!"

"Kagh...took them over. They swapped from defense to offense. Hence why we're leaking Enmities and Shadowers behind..."

"What?! How did he-", Dante interrupted her.

"Don't dwell on it now! Here!", he grabbed her hand, "I'll take you back! Then I'll head to Terna but...wait. Where's Sora?!"

"She's with another group of Remedy Knights. She's trying to get everyone from the Shrine back to the palace!"

Dante stuttered. "I-I...dammit! Come on! I'll drop you off to big bro and head back, there's no way I'm leaving any of you behind!"

'What about everyone else here?! I can't leave them behind!"

Dante turned his little sister around and closed in on her face. "I'm not losing you, you got that?! We've got to go now! We're not ready like them, they've got what we don't, so stop trying to be the hero here!"

His little sister's eyes widened as she realized what was truly happening around her. Snapping out of her rush she gave in to her older brother's rush and went along with him. Running through the desperate crowd with his lead she looked left and right to see the once blue sky now turned gray, as red hellfire dropped from above, taking buildings and people with it. Finally reaching the palace entrance, they were glad to finally be able to catch a breather at the sight of the defending Goldenlances.

"Here! Go back to the main hall and meet up with big bro and the king!", Dante dropped his little sister behind the back lines.

"What about you?!"

Dante pulled out his sword. "I can't save you. But I still have a duty. Leadership or not.", he nodded at a Goldenlance soldier.

Her eyes now wetting themselves with sorrow, she realized what was about to happen. "No...no! Don't-!", she tried to push against the soldier's grasp.

"I must...I'm sorry. But this is all I know.", he turned around to face the enemy.

"Big brother! Dante!", she cried as she was taken away.

Showing nothing but bitterness to the creatures ahead, he took on his battle stance in front of the defending Goldenlances.

"First up is you. Next up is Sora and Terna!", he yelled at the monsters.

The monsters growled as they raised their weapons, sharpened body parts and opened their massive mouths filled with rows of terrifying teeth. The started their mad rush against the allied forces.

"I'll kill you all!", Dante stepped forward, placing his blade with his left hand on his right side and preparing for his own massive assault besides the Goldenlances.

Before he could make his move, however, a flash out of nowhere appeared and cut down every single enemy in his line of sight, confusing the assaulting soldiers momentarily and Dante himself was left in awe. Not before long, the source of the flash softly descended in front of him.

Cecilia let out a long sigh, "You're undeserving of facing sins of another, sweetie."

In full armor, the Omnipotent Blade of the Trail Blazers and Valkyrie leader had bestowed upon the struggling her sword, as she once again faced the familiar battlefield.

"That power...mom really is-", Dante whispered as he gazed in awe.

Cecilia turned around to face everyone, "Everyone. As an executive order of the king himself, I now assume full control of the Goldenlance and Silverlance forces. Fret not, for I will use that command to it's fullest extend, to bring us to the road of victory!"

The Goldenlances instinctively bowed before her, for they were left in amazement of her true form, not letting out a single word as their training had taught them.

Dante swiftly snapped out of his awe and looked his mother in the face, "Mom! The Silverlances!"

Cecilia curiously looked at Dante, "Hmm? What about them? I heard about Kagh's doings...and believe me, he's in for it now. Don't worry."

"No, that's not it! Tell them to leave the port now!"

Cecilia's eyes widened, "No..."

A massive explosion was echoed throughout the city, as bits of rain seemed to be taking over the gray skies, laying some cleansing on the engulfing smog throughout the battlefield.

"No!", he looked at the port, kneeling to the ground and punching the earth, briefly shaking the ground itself.

"Kagh...you bastard...", Cecilia gritted her teeth, "Goldenlances. Burst forth! Hurry to the port and see what fire your surviving brothers in arms are under! Widened positions. All innocents are to be pushed to the back lines and into safety. I will take the rest of the backlines enemies myself. Move at once!"

The Goldenlances swiftly slammed their lances down and assumed the commanded positions, no words or flinching. They immediately began their slow and methodical advancement towards the port, leaving behind Cecilia and a crumple Dante in front of the palace.

"Sweetie...please. Before it all, just please, take-", she extended her right arm.

"Back off!", he slapped Cecilia's hand away.

Cecilia gazed at Dante once again, this time with nothing but sorrow and sadness inside her, but much to the circumstances she was used to, she refused to show any emotion like she always did.

"Look what I did! Look! They're dead! Kagh took them over and led them to the place I commanded was tactically destroyed! He was right...all I ever did was try to fail and act like I succeeded! He was right...all of them were right! I should have never done any of this! I should have never been born!", he got up and ran away from Cecilia.

Cecilia could only gaze at Dante as ran to build distance, not from the battlefield, but from her. She was left alone in the middle of the battlefield, with only one thing at her hand. A beautiful looking amulet that she took from their home. Before she could give it to him, the one thing that he had so far received as the only meaningful present to him...he ran away. Her dwelling came to an abrupt end as a massive monster raised itself from behind her, challenging the height of that of the city gates raised itself from behind her. Spikes made out of Obsulyte ran along it's entire body as it's massive deadly claws reflected the faint sense of death on it's surrounding targets. Cecilia simply stood there. Still looking down in the artifact in her hand. No moves. No sounds. The monster raised it's massive claw, preparing to strike her down. She didn't flinch, neither make a move again.

"Grhoah!"

The monsters roar echoed in the horizon as it descended it's claw. But before it could even reach the middle of it's motion, there it happened again. Divine rays of light descended from in front of it, piercing its chest and stomach, forcing a louder groan from it, as it turned it's assaulting move into a strong grasp on it's stomach, kneeling from the pain. It's face now mere centimeters away from Cecilia, she still kept on looking on the amulet, as she slowly raised her left hand and pressed it against the monsters face.

"I promise you. You and every single one of your friends will get a share of the most lucrative real estate in hell. And I will make sure that by downfall, you are all there to stare at each other. Disappear."

A massive spike rose from the ground, piercing the monster from it's chin, all the way out of the top of it's head, before a massive blast of energy from Cecilia's hand destroyed every last bit of the monster's body in an instant. In what remained after her attack, only bits of bone marrow and burned Obsulyte infused skin stuck to her hand's gauntlet. She turned around to face the castle gates, shaking off the remains of the monster and putting the amulet away, looking forward.

"Took you long enough. Thought you upped and ran like some others.", Cecilia said.

"Captain, please. I couldn't do such a thing, you know that!", Viola giggled as she dropped down from the top of the gates, approaching Cecilia, "Besides. This bow and arrow are to be used for cleansing evil, no? These guys look pretty evil to me!"

Cecilia smugged, "They're evil alright. And I will make sure they're nothing by the time this is over."

Viola sighed, "Captain. Let's not let rage drive you again. Take a breath and calm yourself down. Please..."

Cecilia listened to Viola's word of advice and took a long breath. "Right...we can't ponder much longer."

"Yeap. What's the plan?!", Viola excitedly said.

"I'll take every single piece of shit that penetrated the Silverlance barrier due to Kagh's impudent command on myself."

Viola sighed, "Captain...the rage."

"Oh, this isn't rage. This is the plan. And in my eyes, the most important task will be left up to you."

"Oh, really?", Viola looked at Cecilia with all her faith.

"Chase after Dante. Please...keep him safe. You and I both know what he means to me and this world. So Viola-", she was interrupted.

"Don't worry Cecilia. On my word as a Valkyrie. Nothing will happen to him. The other two are inside with Frederick and Sisi. They're assisting on the escape route for the king and the princess. So no worries there."

"Understood. Let's do this...once again.", Cecilia flicked her left arm down, summoning the Wing Of Aether.

Viola giggled, "No reason to tell you to stay safe. Must extend that wish to the enemy for them to have a chance! But in all seriousness. Be careful Captain. This looks like...that day."

"And we will stop it, this time. Right here, before that era begins again. Full speed ahead!"

Cecilia dashed forward, aiming to take care of the flooding monsters in the back lines, as Viola took off after Dante. They both knew very well what the end results of that day could hint towards. And both of them were about to do whatever was necessary in their powers to tip the scales towards the world's favor...