The Rescue (血酒天牢)

It seems your friend is coming to your rescue.

Don't get too comfortable, Loki.

You don't know if things will go as planned.

It's fine! Soon, I'll be showing you the greatest tragedy.

Hope you're looking forward to it.

Santa's not an easy person to take control of.

True, but how well can he fight against gods?

Gods?

Did you forget already?

The gods that Oz called are still here.

The Norse gods.

Right, the ones that killed your beloved Knights of Round.

Ah, I can't wait to see how the world that your friend brings happiness to will change.

Is this...?

It's you.

You're awake. Do you know where this is?

A place leading to the Divine Gate.

Yes. Although, from the outside, it looks like a tower.

Now, let's go. The Norse gods will find us if we stay here.

Where's everybody else?

Jeez, just when I thought the weird play was over. Now what?

What's going on?

Midori! Aoto! Is anybody here?!

Anybody?!

Crap!

Seriously?!

I wonder where everyone went.

An explosion?! ls someone fighting?!

What?

Midori...

Dammit.

I'm disappointed in you, Akane.

They're just machines, and look at you.

You again, you fake bastard!

Huh? What are you talking about?

I might have been away for a bit, but fake?

Well, watch this then.

One, two...

How's that, Akane?

They're in here.

Yeah, I sense it, too.

There's no mistake!

What was that?

Something is going on.

We need to find them quickly!

Thank goodness, you're okay!

Stay right there! You're another fake, aren't you?!

You won't fool me twice!

What are you talking about?

If you don't cut it out, you're really gonna make me mad!

Midori... I see. I guess you won't get it until we have a real fight.

I won't let you get away if you're fake.

I don't intend on fighting my own son.

Huh? If you're real, then show me proof!

Well, when you were born, you came out bottom first and weren't breathing.

But it was your mom that insisted on a natural birth in this age.

Well, once I smacked your butt, you started crying.

I've never told anyone about that.

I put your mom and you through hard times.

Dad...

Akane, go back.

It's not too late. I'll talk to the Council as well.

H-Hold on! What do you mean the Council?!

Arthur and the Knights of Round were killed by—

I know. I played a part in that as well.

It couldn't be helped. This world changed because of the Divine Gate.

Many lives were stolen because of this Gate, this disaster.

But now, people can't maintain the balance without the Divine Gate anymore.

To understand it, we had to study the Divine Gate.

Those Drivers you use, this subspace we call "zones",

these autonomous Drivers— They're all by-products of the Divine Gate research.

What do you mean, it couldn't be helped?

You'd kill someone because it couldn't be helped?

We can't allow the Gate to be destroyed.

With minimum casualties, a greater number of people were saved.

No need for you to become a victim—

Shut up. Shut up... We're already victims!

Mom always said that my dad was a great man.

Hey, why isn't Dad coming back?

Does he hate us?

You're too little to understand, but your father is fighting for us.

Yes, it's for us.

But what's this?! Screw the greater good if you have to sacrifice someone's life!

I'm not leaving! I'll go to the Gate and change this world!

I reject you with all my strength and heart!

Is that so?! Then give it all you got!

Let's see what a snot-nosed kid's got!

This is getting interesting.

It's as if their intertwined fate is unraveling before the Gate.

But the Norse gods will stand in their way as well.

Yes, I'm sure.

If that's the case, your plan will be spoiled.

You plan to redo everything from scratch by having them open the Divine Gate.

That's right, but not everything is in place yet.

They may be Adapters, but they can't reach the Gate without the key.

Right now, only one holds the key.

The other two need despair to obtain the key.

Despair?

Besides, you've got it all wrong.

My plan is to make you the king of this world.

Such nonsense.

Ginji, you knew that Akane, Aoto, and Midori were alive, didn't you?

Don't get so tense. We're not going to blame you.

This was all Loki's doing, correct?

We no longer trust Loki.

And Oz is useless.

So, what do you want me to do?

I'll be direct. Celestia and Hellistia are both on the move

due to Arthur's selfish actions.

Like it or not, you are an important figure to the Council.

I don't understand. What do you mean?

Don't you know?

You are the only human in the Council that can get to the Divine Gate.

The only one?

It seems your friends were important figures for Celestia and Hellistia.

Hikari and Yukari?!

W-Who are you?

We've come for you, Princess.

Princess?! Me?!

You're from Hellistia, aren't you?

Would you understand if I told you we seek you?

I see. So the me of that day can be found there.

That's quite a roundabout way to go.

I agree. I didn't want to do such a thing either.

It's because of your little trick.

Oh, so you know about it.

Arthur, I put a curse on you to make you mine.

But I'm surprised that you're able to resist me.

You of all people have something that isn't going your way?

I do, Arthur. No, the one in this room is only a part of your heart.

Where in the world did you hide your true heart?

So this is...

I finally found you.

I hope you can entertain me a little.

I really don't have time for that!

What's the big idea?

He's gone?

Dorothy, I just can't take it anymore!

We're going to search for the kids at the Academ—

Dorothy?

I won't let you tarnish my memories anymore!

Your memories?

Elena is my one and only best friend!

You really were thinking of me all this time. Thanks, Midori.

Are you really Elena?

I've told you so from the start!

Can it be? I've always wanted to apologize to you—

You can stop that.

What?

It's been a long time since that day,

and I'm not the same person I was.

I have comrades now, and a place I belong.

Your place?

Yeah, so don't worry about it.

But I've been—

You're the one that said it's heavy.

Besides, I have a new name.

I'm called Dorothy now. Everyone calls me by that name.

I'm not Elena anymore.

No, Elena!

So just forget about what happened that day.

And quit risking yourself. That's all I wanted to tell you.

Oops, sorry! I came here behind Oz's back, so I gotta go back.

Elena...

Found you.

A Norse god?!

Looks like we'll get there without being spotted.

Akane and Midori?

It's fine. Once they know despair, they'll reach it.

What do you mean?

Aoto!

Undine!

I finally found you! Oh.

Huh?

I knew you could see me.

Yes, I always saw you.

Humans are so fragile.

Elena, you're not involved in this, so leave.

Huh?

This is my test! Don't worry, we can talk more later.

Hey, Midori!

Can you keep up with me? I'm pretty confident in my running!

Talking smack?

Fine, I'll play your game!

Is that all you got?!

Shut up!

Akane, don't move!

Huh?

A Norse god?!

Gods from the outlying region, huh? Must be bored.

Will you fall prey to my sword, Laevateinn, first?

Akane, this is how you use machines.

Huh, what?

What are you doing Dad?!

Akane!

You move forward to the path you think is right!

No...

I'll be handling you.

I see, so you'll be dying first.

Don't take us humans lightly!