[Realm: Álfheimr]

[Location: The Deathless Fortress]

"Damn… still so many." Alexander murmured under his breath, the words slipping out before he even realized. He and Ivan stood poised behind what had once been a structure of some kind—maybe a storeroom, maybe an officer's quarters. It was impossible to tell anymore. The roof had collapsed inward so completely that only a ribcage of large beams remained overhead, and several of the walls were nothing more than broken heaps. Only one battered segment of stone still stood firmly enough to give them cover.

They pressed their backs against that surviving wall segment and leaned forward just enough to peek out. Beyond, Deseruit Beast prowled in scattered clusters, tearing into anything that still stood—stone, metal, even one another if they crossed paths at the wrong moment.

Ivan sucked in a breath. "But did you notice? I think I saw a few of them run off."

Alexander squinted. "Yeah. There's still a lot, but… they've thinned out. Only slightly though." He pulled back beside Ivan again, brushing dust off his forearm as if it mattered. "Still looks like a nightmare."

Ivan hummed, eyes lingering on the talisman he held—Tamamo's talisman, etched with symbols that glowed even in the dim light. "I wonder what could've drawn them away. Maybe the source?"

"Who cares?" Alexander muttered with a shrug. "As long as something is thinning them out, that makes our job easier."

"So," Ivan exhaled, centering himself, "we'll proceed with our 'plan.'"

"Not much of a plan…" Alexander grumbled, eyeing the talisman again. "We activate that thing, attract a horde of Deseruit Beast, and then run like hell. That's the whole thing."

"It's the best we've got," Ivan replied, tone soft but grave. "Worst comes to worst, you can transform."

Alexander grimaced, shoulders tensing. "You know I don't like turning. If I stay in that form too long, I start losing myself." His jaw clenched, breath shaky—not out of fear, but out of frustration at having to acknowledge that particular truth.

Ivan lowered his eyes. "Then… let's hope it doesn't come to that." Even at his own words Ivan still frowned. ("Unfortunately, we have to take risks. My Null Schema is useless against a crowd this large. We don't have a better option. The most I'll be able to do is divert danger if it comes close, by changing the outcome. But that would only work if there's varying outcomes.") His frown deepened. Calling their situation "difficult" felt like a disservice to how grim the reality truly was.

Alexander ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "Fine. If things go bad, I'll turn. I should remember your scent at least—so I won't go after you right away." He paused, expression softening as he looked at the dirt beneath his boots. "And if it happens… try leading me to wherever Dante is. He's strong. Strong enough to handle me when I'm like that. I mean if he can casually through mountain sized stone slabs it should be a breeze for the guy."

Ivan raised his head, concern tightening his features. "Are you sure you're okay with that? With… the possibility?"

Alexander exhaled loudly. "You're the one who suggested it. And we'll be fine. I'm not exactly an optimist, but moping isn't gonna help anyone. We don't have time to panic like a bunch of morons."

Ivan smiled faintly at that, a brief flicker of warmth cutting through the chaos.

"Then le—"

"Quite an interesting plan you've got there."

Both their heads snapped toward the unfamiliar voice so quickly that for a second the world blurred in their vision. Standing a few paces behind them, hands tucked neatly behind his back as if he were on a casual stroll, was a man with unmistakable bright orange hair and a pristine prison uniform.

"Robert?" Ivan breathed, stunned. Alexander simply stared, brow furrowed as if uncertain whether he was seeing correctly.

"Glad you remember my name," Robert said with a light smirk. "I worried I didn't leave enough of an impression after Lady Ella whisked me away."

("Damn it—again… I didn't sense anything.") Alexander scowled, staring the man down. Despite the destruction all around, Robert's uniform was spotless. Not even a tear or speck of dust. It was almost uncanny, as if the man existed just half a step outside of the reality the rest of them were trapped in—like he wasn't in the middle of a fortress overrun by monsters.

Ivan stepped forward a little. "But you shouldn't be walking around in the open like this. Most of the Deseruit Beast here are all feral. They're attacking anything that moves."

"Yes, they're quite worrisome," Robert agreed pleasantly, as if discussing poor weather. "But worry not—dear, wonderful Ella is on the case."

Alexander perked up almost instantly. "Wait—she is? Where is she now?" His voice rose with a sudden, almost childish eagerness. Ivan shot him a dry glare that he didn't bother acknowledging.

Robert's expression softened into what could only be described as admiration. "As the most vibrant lady to ever exist, she took it upon herself to save those deserving."

"Deserving?" Ivan repeated quietly, brows knitting.

"You see," Robert continued, "prisoners with lighter sentences, and guards who weren't… well, actual scum." He sighed dramatically, closing his eyes for a moment. "She took time to know the people in this damnable fortress. Every time I think she has reached the peak of her brilliance, she proves me wrong."

"That's… good to hear?" Ivan replied, though uncertainty clung to his voice. Something about the phrasing unsettled him. "Saving those deserving…" The idea gnawed at him. ("Is it really up to someone else to decide who deserves saving?")

The purpose of prisons was supposed to be rehabilitation. Even those who committed severe crimes were still people—capable of change, however unlikely. Some perhaps didn't "deserve" redemption morally… but people changed. That was fact, not idealism.

Shouldn't they at least have the opportunity?

Ivan wasn't sure if he was naïve for believing that. But Robert's phrasing sounded too absolute, too selective. Judgmental, even.

Meanwhile Alexander sighed dreamily. "Damn. Ella really is incredible, huh…?" He blinked rapidly, shaking his head as if trying to snap himself out of a trance. "But then everything's sorted, right? The prisoners and guards she saved—they're safe?"

"Hmm. Not quite," Robert said, bringing them back to the present. "Lady Ella guided those she rescued to a safe place. However, the problem of the remaining Deseruit Beast still stands. She does not want to risk using teleportation magic on so many people at once."

"Then we can help," Ivan said immediately, stepping closer. He lifted the talisman slightly. "We have something that can lure the Deseruit Beast." He stated. ("At least most of the people are safe… still…")

The thought brought him a sliver of relief—one quickly overshadowed by the reality outside these walls.

Robert's smile widened. "Fantastic. I knew you two were dapper individuals the moment I first saw you."

"At least you have a good eye." Alexander said smugly, rubbing his chin.

Ivan didn't even bother rolling his eyes this time.

Robert gestured outward with a tilt of his head. "Right then. I shall lead the way."

Ivan nodded. "We'll need to get outside the inner corridor before activating the talisman. Once we do… we're going to have company."

Alexander clicked his tongue. "More like an entire parade of freakish mouths and claws."

Robert raised a brow. "Sounds very charming. But let us reconvene with Lady Ella first."

They began moving, keeping low as they slipped between ruined hallways and fallen beams.

As they walked, Alexander glanced at Ivan. "You good?"

Ivan blinked. "Yeah. Why?"

"You're thinking a lot harder than usual."

Ivan hesitated before speaking. "…Robert's wording bothered me."

"Which part?" Alexander asked.

"The whole 'saving those deserving' thing." Ivan's voice was quiet but thoughtful. "It feels… wrong somehow. Like deciding who gets another chance and who doesn't."

Alexander shrugged. "Look, not everyone deserves a second chance. Some people are just—"

"I know," Ivan cut in gently. "But we're not the ones who get to decide that. Or—at least—I don't think we should be."

Alexander mumbled, "You're too good for this world, you know that?"

Ivan laughed softly. "I don't think that's true. I just… want things to be fair."

Robert, walking beside them, chuckled. "Fairness is a luxury, I'm afraid. But I do respect your sentiment."

Ivan didn't respond, but Alexander nudged him lightly with his shoulder—a grounding reassurance.

They reached a corridor that opened into the larger courtyard—now nothing more than a ruined area. The wind carried the metallic scent of blood, the dust of crumbled stone, and the guttural snarls of roaming beasts.

"This could be useful," Ivan whispered. "After we meet with Ella, we can activate it here, though there will be no going back."

Alexander took a long breath. "Alright. I'll be ready."

Ivan nodded, gripping the talisman with both hands. "Right." He looked down at it in contemplation. ("Saving only those 'deserving', huh? Maybe I'm just naive, but at the very least, I want to save as many as possible. Alexander would probably call me an idiot if he could hear my thoughts. But who cares? I'll save those I can, for that is all I can do.")

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