When they first started fighting, Karlia promised to look the other way and ignore Serah if she left her alone. She rejected the offer back then because of her desperation to find Neron—and also because she didn''t trust Karlia''s words.


    Well, things were different now—and on both ounts too.


    "Sure. You look tired, though. You might as well rest here for some time." Karlia shrugged, still watching Serah with somewhat curious eyes.


    Serah was surprised to see her enemy show her mercy, but she was too tired toin or suspect. Besides, she somehow felt she could trust Karlia''s words.


    "Haa…" Serah returned to the ground, exhausted beyond description.


    The heated surroundings instantly cooled down as shended to have a seat. Surprisingly, Karlia also descended from her heights. Both women stared at each other for some time before the Subus finally spoke up.


    "So, you actually went through all that to save your man? You were even willing to die in the process… just for him?"


    "Well, yeah… I mean, he''s Neron."


    "Wow! That''s totally badass. I have even more respect for you now. We''re sort of simr, you know?" Karliaughed.


    "How? You''re the bad guy in a group that wants to destroy the world." Serah rolled her eyes.


    "No, I''m serious. You''re kind of right about the whole thing, but I''m only on this side because I have to be. Just as you were risking your life for your lover, I''m doing the same for mine."


    "A-ah… the one who died?"


    "Yes. I want to bring him back—just as you want to bring Neron back." Karlia sighed, sitting down as well.


    "W-well… I don''t know what to say. You''re still my enemy, but…"


    "It''s fine. I get it."


    Another round of awkward silence enveloped the two of them. They could hardly even look at each other, at this point.


    "So… what will you do now? You know, about Neron?" Karlia finally broke the silence with a question.


    Who would have thought the enemy was so interested in Serah''s actions when it came to finding the man she loved?


    "Oh, that. I don''t need to do anything."


    "Wait… what?!" Karlia''s jaws instantly dropped in shock.


    She had thought Serah was a selfless woman who fought for her lover. After all they had been through, and all the exchanges they had, it was clear how strongly she felt for the man. Yet, her current words were contradicting her past actions.


    "I don''t need to search for him anymore. I know who he''s with, after all."


    "Legris is an enemy. He''s also dangerous. It wouldn''t bode well to underestimate him, you know?"


    "I am well aware of that."


    "Then… don''t you care about Neron?" Karlia narrowed her eyes in disbelief.


    "I do. It''s just… if he''s with Legris, then there''s no need for me to worry. Neron will never lose."


    "Oh? That confident, huh?"


    "Yes. I am. Neron is the strongest!" Serah nodded, her chest swelling with pride.


    "Do you think he can defeat me, though?"


    "Sure, he can! You think he can''t bypass your immortality? I don''t think so!" Serah burst outughing.


    "And how will he do that?"


    "W-well, I''m not sure. And even if I was, why would I tell you? You''re the enemy, after all!" Serah instantly interjected, looking away.


    "Hmm. Fair point. Well, even if he can, though… there''s still one more person to consider." Karlia''s grin widened as she spoke.


    Her face suddenly disyed a dangerous smile, and a wave of pressure enveloped Serah just by looking into her eyes.


    "The First Seat—The Martial de God. Neron would have to face him too."


    "Well, he would still win!"


    "I doubt it. I don''t think he will."


    "H-hey! Whose side are you on? Oh, wait…" Serah retracted her statement, slowly realizing something about it didn''t add up.


    "Haha. You''re an amusing woman. I really like you. Unfortunately, you and your team made a terrible mistake bying here."


    "What do you mean? We have a n!"


    "It doesn''t matter. Trust me. I''m a scientist, and I study the data pretty closely. Based on what I''ve researched, and the evidence I''ve seen… you people won''t be able to win."


    "Heh! We have more Arcanas, though."


    "And what of it? Do you really think we need Arcanas to win? I''ve not used mine at all, even though it''s powerful enough to defeat you if used properly. The First Seat also has his, and he could easily wipe out your team with it if he wanted to." Karlia sighed.


    Her exasperated expression made it clear that she was trying very hard to convey just how hopeless the situation was.


    "I was actually sending you on your way to meet the Martial de God, back when we first met. If you had gone, you would be dead by now. But, I''ve taken quite a liking to you, and I don''t want you to die pointlessly."


    "What… are you saying?"


    "Leave this ce. Honestly, it''s the best option for you. That way, you''ll be able to live on. I doubt you''d be considered so much of a threat if you hand over your Arcana and retreat. You''ll be safe."


    Serah chuckled instantly. As tired as she was, her voice roared and ascended to the heavens. It contained amusement, as well as seriousness.


    "Do you really think I would run?"


    "No. It was worth the try, though."  Karlia sighed, rising to her feet.


    Serah followed suit, and both women stared at each other as they stood a good distance from each other.


    "We might as well end it here." The Subus began to infuse her body with energy.


    "What will you do?" Serah asked, her face showing nervous preparation.


    "Don''t worry. I won''t kill you. I''ll preserve you until everything is set. That way, you won''t get in our way."


    "Tch. You''ll have to kill me first!"


    "I already told you I won—"


    "WHATEVER!"


    A massive surge of energy burst from the two of them, and they prepared for their final confrontation. The power was enough to tower the sky and part the clouds, and the tension was so thick that it caused the earth to rumble.


    The final moment of attack… the sh between the two… was near.


    However—


    >BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!<


    —A sudden interference urred.


    "Serah! I finally found you!" The voice of a boy instantly pierced the air as hended in the middle of the two women.


    His blond hair fluttered with the wind, and his body was shrouded in multicolored energy. As the cloak he wore danced behind his back, so did his eyes the Aether enveloping him.


    The smoke cleared, and the dust settled, revealing the identity of the third party.


    However, the moment it became clear—and all three people suddenly saw each other—the most unexpected urred.


    "Jared! You''re back!" Serah smiled in both shock and relief.


    However, to her surprise, she wasn''t the only one who felt this way. No, perhaps she was the one who felt the least of these emotions.


    "Y-you are… Karlia…?" Jared''s eyes went straight for the dazed Subus opposite him.


    His body was trembling, and his widened eyes wouldn''t stop shaking. It seemed like he was having both the sweetest dream and the worst nightmare.


    He wasn''t the only one, though.


    Opposite him stood Karlia, just as shocked—if not more so.


    Tears streamed down her eyes as her body froze in ce. She would have been mistaken for a statue if not for the wind that swept her dark hair, and the tears that clearly depicted emotion.


    Her lips began to quiver, and her eyes gleamed with something she hadn''t expressed in so long—the bright sign of hope.


    Only one word could emerge from her lips as she gazed upon the boy and he gazed back.


    "L-Lewis…?"


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    Mass Release off 10 chapters iing!!!


    Also, you can purchase the privilege chapters if you can. They''ve been made more affordable, so you can check out what happens 50 chapters ahead.


    Things are reaching the climax.


    Also, doing so supports me as the Author, and it also improves the publicity of this book.


    Thank you all for reading this far. I appreciate the support.!