Chapter 104: The Red Lullaby

Holy, !

Could this be the source of the calamity?

It's huge...

And it's alive... I'm guessing it's something akin to the core of the mineral lifeforms.

Hmph. Well that makes things simple. All we need to do is crush it.

I'm picking up energy spikes from within the core! Unidentified mineral lifeform detected!

What?!

Eeek!

What the, ?! What's going on?! I demand an explanation immediately!

What was that?!

Did they reach the winged beast in time? Have they discovered the source of our destruction?

Has it really begun? Will the winged beast finally awaken from its eternal slumber?!

That's...the winged beast?!

S-Something's coming!

An imperial Riftbreaker?!

Chronos!

Father!

I'm afraid that isn't the winged beast your legends speak of. It is merely another servant of the Goddess of Time, a being of raw energy much like the Dragon God you fought on Snake Bone Island.

What?!

The Blood Ring is itself an extraterrestrial lifeform. The meteors that rained down on the planet below are little more than fragments of a greater whole. This is its heart, and it is also one of the keys to my plans. I will not allow you to lay your hands on it.

Professor Sebastia!

Enough. If you still insist on defying us I will eliminate you, along with the kindred of the Goddess of Time.

Come back where you belong, Kamlanage. It's time to grow up.

I...I can't! Not yet!

You're excused as well, Velette. The miu's fate is not your concern. Don't throw your life away for nothing.

I'd say what happens to MY relic, which I dug up with MY tools, is MY business. You lot aren't layin' a finger on Guilty Hades.

You never learn...

The same goes for you, Gunce. I brought ya back into this world, so I'm the one who decides when you leave. Yer gonna have to trust me.

Heheh! And when have ya ever let me down, Miss? I'll be with ya every step o' the way!

Glad to hear it! Sorry ya got dragged into this, partner!

No worries, Miss!

Have it your way, simpletons! Let's see how that dusty old Guilty Hades of yours fares against the might of Grand Hades II!

You're doing better than I thought, But do you think you can handle this?

Ngh! Guilty Hades! What's wrong?!

Hmph. That Nullgear is still incomplete. We were never able to make it maintain a stable link with its pilot. You've been covering for that with psychic resonance, but it doesn't change the fact that you're fighting with a dull blade.

Is this the end? Am I just not good enough?

No. You're NOT good enough. Now give us back our property.

You're wrong! It's not over yet! We still haven't finished what we came here to do!

Lady victory is a fickle mistress. The tides of war can always turn!

I always dreamed of smackin' that smug look off yer stupid face one day, Sebastia.

Hmph. Idiots. What makes you think a few foot soldiers can stand up to Grand Hades II when even another Nullgear couldn't defeat it?

Please, Professor Sebastia. Put a stop to this. The Nullgears were never meant to be used like this.

And who are you to say what they were meant for?! You don't know anything!

Guilty Hades?!

We're back online. I should be able to provide some backup.

Thanks! We're counting on you, Kam!

Fine. Have it your way.

I'll show you just how fragile mortal bodies are, Prepare to die!

I'm sorry to break it to you, but you're not going to lay a scratch on this unit. Stop wasting everyone's time and accept your loss. If you get on your knees and beg, maybe I won't kill all of you.

Guilty Hades?!

It's time you simpletons learned what happens to those that defy the Empire.

Grr!

Put a cork in it!

Velette?

I don't mind bettin' on underdogs. Everybody eats a loss every now an' then.

As long as ya can dust yerself off and take another crack at it yer good in my book.

Ya wanna know what a real loser looks like? Someone who sits and does nothing while her mates are down and out!

I've had about enough of your incessant babbling!

Ya ready, Gunce?!

On it, Miss!

That creepy little bear is resonating with Guilty Hades! How?! Now that I think about it, didn't Velette say she discovered that thing during an excavation? Wait! Could she have discovered one of the Hollow God's long-lost terraforming units?! Gunce... Gun.. The Gun Cache?!

Grr... Damn you! Grand Hades will never fall to your pathetic attacks!

Wai, ! Wh-What are you doing?! Stop! Ahhh?!

Grand Hades II system connection lost! Professor Sebastia captured.

What about Guilty Hades?!

Move! ...Move! Please just MOVE!

Hey! Isn't that the goddess's beast?!

Stop this, Chronos!

Stay out of my way, Madoka! That creature must be eliminated if we are to ever break the seal on this world. I will not stand down. Not even for you.

Listen to me, Kamlanage... You were Madoka's hope. She believed in you just like the outer layer's Madoka believed in Eden and Cecile. She entrusted you with the future itself.

......

You have to get up... Please... Stand up, Kamlanage! This is your life, and you can make your own choices. I know you can do it. You're Madoka's son! You're my family!!!

Argh...RAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Guilty Hades?!

Kamlanage?!

It's awakened! That's...the winged beast!!!

What?!

Stop this, Kamlanage. You disappoint me.

RAAAAAAAAAGH!!!

KAMLANAAAGE!!!

Hmm... It seems that the chain of the wheel of time has broken yet again...

Gallery Master!

All we can do is wait until the circle of time reconnects and opens a door to the future once again.

Alright... When the times comes, we'll be ready.

Tread carefully, my boy.