Reinhard sighed to himself.

His hand lifted from the crimson-black tide's surface, fingers trailing corruption that didn't burn. Droplets fell back into the larger mass, creating ripples that spread outward in perfect circles.

Mimir materialized on his shoulder. The crow's claws dug gently into uniform fabric, golden horns, and his black feathers ruffled slightly as he settled into position.

"Are you ready?" The crow's voice carried across the small space between them.

Reinhard closed his eyes. His consciousness turned inward, examining new capabilities granted through connection with Angra Mainyu. He felt the skills flowing through him like additional limbs present, accessible, waiting for direction.

Scourging Plume.

The ability to release arcs of crimson-black flame that cut off the curses, sins, or corruption from the target or amplified them if he desired.

Sorrow Conversion.

The power to transform negative emotions in an area into raw energy or healing light. Taking accumulated suffering and repurposing it.

And the two physical manifestations, pieces brought into reality through reaching Second Class Beast Master rank. The chains are visible in Angra Mainyu's symbol, while the serpent coiled around everything, both were crimson.

Reinhard clenched his fist before he shifted to his Odin Beast Spirit, which had also further advanced. It had granted him runes that allowed elemental manipulation and the second sword, Hjorleifa with its spatial properties.

And Fenrir, which had unlocked the two paws pointing upward in the symbol. More of Fenrir's physical abilities and powers flowed through him now, further enhancing his strength, speed, and perception.

He glanced at Mimir with a teasing smile playing across his features. "I can feel your anxiety, Mimir~" His tone was light, almost playful, despite the circumstances. "Is this how you were feeling when we were dealing with Fenrir?"

Mimir scoffed before he looked away deliberately, turning his head to examine something in the opposite direction,

"You gaining Angra Mainyu just made you even more annoying."

Reinhard laughed before he then asked with a curious look. "Could you really not sense or notice the flower when we were in the tree as Angra Mainyu?"

Mimir sighed and said. "The issue is there are a lot of Beast Spirits that cover curses, and it wasn't as potent as it is now."

Reinhard blinks before saying. "So there isn't just one Source of Evil?"

"No, but we can talk about this later."

Reinhard nodded before asking. "What is Charles Beast Spirit? Or you weren't able to-"

"I was able to, it's Metatron, the Scribe of Heaven."

Reinhard hums before saying. "Heaven? Is that another realm or place in the past?"

Mimir nodded and said. "You can think of it like that. In fact, Marie Seraphim Beast Spirit is also from that place and related to Metatron."

Reinhard's eyes slightly widened. "Okay, that's a surprise. It's the first time I saw two related-"

Mimir chuckles and says. "Not really, since Janus and Scath Beast Spirit are related as well."

Reinhard paused, and then his lips twitched while Mimir continued. "Anyway, what you need to understand is that Metatron's negation power will make things extremely difficult for you. The tide would be effective against others and would restrain it by a lot. But the current environment pushes that restraint in our favor."

Reinhard furrowed his brows before his eyes widened, and he said. "Is it because each negation costs Charles magic, and then with all the tide around… We can just forcibly waste his magic."

Mimir nodded and said. "Normally, that wouldn't work, but with so much crimson-black flames that no one wants to touch. Charles would be negating a lot of things instead of trying to take the hit."

Reinhard grinned as he stretched his arms while he began expanding the plan Mimir started. He then blinked suddenly, his expression shifted from amusement to surprise as he felt sensation against his cheek.

Soft pressure, warm without burning, carrying affection beyond simple contact. Then he realized it came from his two wings that were nuzzling against his face. Not the massive crimson wings he could manifest for flight, but smaller projections.

Reinhard smiled, and his expression softened further, gaining warmth that suggested acceptance of something new yet familiar. His hand raised, fingers gently touching one wing's edge.

The contact created no resistance, flesh meeting energy.

"Alright." He muttered to wings, to Mimir, to himself. "Let's go deal with Charles."

Mimir nodded and said. "You should also be careful, I sense a foreign power inside of him… I am not sure what exactly it is, but it might be used when you least expect it."

Reinhard nodded while the two wings shifted.

Their form expanded out into the full wings before shifting and altering itself until they transformed completely.

Two fists appeared from crimson-black energy, solid manifestations floating at shoulder height on either side of Reinhard.

Each fist extended thumbs upward simultaneously, creating a gesture of encouragement. Reinhard grinned at this before he began rushing towards the tide in front.

The boundary between solid ground and corrupted flames approached rapidly, and then he jumped.

Reinhard's body rushed through the air, legs tucking slightly before extending as he descended toward the crimson-black surface.

His right foot struck first, the boot making contact with a substance that should have consumed flesh instantly.

A ripple swept outward.

The impact created waves spreading from the contact point, perfect circles expanding across the tide's surface as a stone dropped into still water. The ripples traveled dozens of feet before fading, disturbing patterns of flame that flowed in constant motion.

Reinhard didn't sink.

His weight should have plunged through liquid fire, should have submerged him in billions of curses and sins. But the surface held, and the connection established through the ember, through his choice to help Angra Mainyu become more, granted control over corruption itself.

Reinhard then began running.

His left foot struck the surface, creating another ripple, then his right again, and his left again as his pace accelerated rapidly. Each step sent new ripples racing outward, overlapping previous waves in interference patterns as he continued rushing forward.

The wings flapped once.

The motion was violent and powerful as air compressed beneath the stroke, creating a pressure wave that disturbed the tide's surface behind him. The force launched Reinhard forward as he began rushing on top of the crimson-black tide.

The wings beat again, adding momentum to the existing speed. Each stroke pushed him faster, accelerating, building on acceleration until he was racing through the area in a blur. The Spiritual Armor made it so his clothing and flesh weren't torn from speeds at this level.

Reinhard then began controlling the tide, and it responded to his intent.

Ahead, the surface rose with waves building from nothing, and began rising up. The wall of crimson-black flame positioned itself directly in his path, creating a ramp angled upward at forty-five degrees.

Reinhard didn't slow down as he rushed up the ramp of fire, propelling himself off each step on the ramp. Before he fully reached the top of the incline, he launched himself upwards with all of his might, and it sent him fifteen feet above the tide.

Then, as he soared through the air, his wings flapped violently before he began flying. He soared forward, rushing past any standing trees and looking over to see familiar roots scattered around.

Not only that, but he saw Seekers seated above debris. Surviving Precursor people hugging each other, and Lumanius Knight lying on the ground. And even Phantasm Beasts were lying next to each other while glancing around at the tide.

Reinhard hummed before he perked up when he saw the Old Seeker Base become visible in the distance. Its ruined structure is marked by a silver crow symbol barely visible through decay.

Below, the tide surged.

It flowed beneath his flight path, following his trajectory as if anticipating a landing zone. The surface rippled with motion, suggesting consciousness directing movement rather than random current.

Reinhard began descending as he waved his hand up, and then the tide rose up to meet him.

A tendril of crimson-black flame extended upward, creating a column beneath his descending path. The pillar reached fifteen feet high, timing arrival to intercept his boots exactly, and once it struck the tendril.

The solid surface held despite, and then his knees bent, absorbing impact force before straightening explosively. As Reinhard was rising up, another tendril appeared before lashing out and striking his boots, which further sent him flying.

This continued happening, with the tendril wrapping around his legs before hurling him forward. His body became projectile as he soared through the air with a grin on his face.

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