--- [Alex’s perspective]

  “… Answer my question. Did he ever lay a finger on you?” – Seth

  “No…” – Alex

  “Then it wasn’t self-defense. Quit it with the half-assed excuses.” – Seth

  “Well, he was still part of your psycho cult, the same cult who were behind the murder of my brother! He was still guilty.” – Alex

  “So you think it’s okay to take the lives of the guilty then?” – Seth

  “In your case, absolutely.” – Alex

  Slowly, my strength is coming back to me.

  Despite that, I don’t try to break free.

  If even my full power wasn’t enough, there’s no way my current power is.

  He’ll just shock me again, leaving me in an even worse state than before.

  I need to wait until I’ve fully recovered, then break free when he least expects it.

  “Well, the Emperor is the guiltiest man of them all. He has committed more heinous crimes than any other person in history. He has destroyed more lives than you could possibly imagine. I agree, the guilty need to be punished. In his case, that punishment needs to come no matter the cost.” – Seth

  “You guys keep telling me that, but I’ve yet to see any proof that he’s this big monster you claim he is. It’s true that there’s a lot of evil in the world, but he’s just one man. He couldn’t possibly be the cause behind it all, neither could he stop it all himself.” – Alex

  “Did you just say ‘the Emperor can’t’? That’s where you’re wrong. The Emperor can do absolutely anything he wants. That’s the privilege of having ultimate power. I assure you, he’s exactly who I’ve said he is.” – Seth

  “Well, I’ll find that out soon. When the battle festival is over, I’ll meet him and decide for myself.” – Alex

  Seth lets out a small chuckle.

  “Yeah, that’s not happening, kiddo. The only way I’d let you meet him is if you were there to take his life.” – Seth

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  This is exactly like what Illian said…

  He said the Emperor was manipulative and that if I ever meet him, I run the risk of becoming his pawn, so he couldn’t let that happen.

  It’s not surprising that Seth’s stance is the same.

  “Alex… You’ve killed one of your best friends. You’ve also admitted that killing can be okay if the person is guilty. Don’t let your hatred of me cloud your judgement; you’re so close to seeing things for how they are. Come with me, and I’ll tell you everything.” – Seth

  “Fuck you.” – Alex

  “…” – Seth

  “Fuck you for implying I’m anything like you. I will never be on your side. Never. You got that?” – Alex

  He lets out a disappointed sigh.

  “Do you know why I came here, Alex?” – Seth

  “To stop me from talking to the Emperor. Probably by killing me.” – Alex

  “No. I’m here because I wanted to give you a second chance. I took no pleasure in killing Leo; he really was my best friend. I don’t want to kill his little brother too… but you’re making that really difficult. If you’d just give me a chance and come with me, I won’t have to hurt you.” – Seth

  “No.” – Alex

  “Are you sure? You know what will happen if you refuse.” – Seth

  “Yes.” – Alex

  “That’s unfortunate. You might have become someone special one day.” – Seth

  He raises his hand in the air, and a lightning bolt starts to form.

  He might be stronger than me, but my specialty can overcome the difference.

  Kuro doesn’t use SDM, in fact, he doesn’t even use Divinity at all.

  He is a pure strength fighter, my worst possible match up.

  Seth is not like that.

  The chances may be slim, but I can beat him.

  No…

  That’s not quite right.

  I must beat him, is more accurate.

  If I tap into that power again, anything is possible.

  Just as I’m about to use it again, the lightning bolt comes crashing down much earlier than I expected.

  I won’t be able to defend in time!

  …

  …

  I’m…

  Alive?

  “Get off him.” – ???

  That voice…

  I can’t turn my head and look, but I’m sure I’ve heard it somewhere before…

  Could it be…?

  Seth lets out another disappointed sigh.

  “Ugh, fine.” – Seth

  Without a question asked, he lets me go.

  I turn around, and just like I thought, it’s really her!

  “How have you been, Alexander?” – Leanne

  “Leanne!” – Alex

  Why is she here?

  Why did Seth listen to her?

  Why did she save me?

  “I’m sure you’ve got a lot of questions… Save it. First, I’ve got to deal with this rebel…!” – Leanne

  He puts his hands in the air, surrendering for real this time…

  “No need to act like that. You know I can’t hurt him as long as you’re here.” – Seth

  Even someone as strong as him cowers in the face of a B-rank hunter…

  “Then leave.” – Leanne

  “I seriously don’t get you Urielites…” – Seth

  Urielites?

  “Leave!” – Leanne

  “Fine! Okay! I’ll leave!” – Seth

  As he walks out the door, he looks back at me…

  It’s like he’s telling me we’re going to meet again one day.

  Bring it on!

  The next time we see each other, I’ll be way stronger than him!

  “That was close… I barely got here in time…” – Leanne

  “Right…” – Alex

  I’ve got so many questions I don’t even know where to begin…

  “How do you know Seth? How did you know I was in danger? How did you know I was here? Why did you save me? What’s a Urielite? Why-” – Alex

  “Okay, okay! I can’t answer a hundred questions at once, so I’ll answer the most important one… I’m a member of The END too…” – Leanne