I traveled back towards Steeble Lake after I escaped Radiant City. Thankfully, most of the knights were focused on locating the bombs that they believed were scattered around the city. Because of this, I cut through gaps in their defense and slipped out of the city unnoticed. As I shadow walked in the field, I thought about my next location.

“Hm…”

Jade believed that Yuu Yuu and Janova might be hiding out around there. I wasn't sure where the pathway to the underground part of the sanctuary would be located. I would have to figure out how Steeble Lake looked in the past before the incident. That way I can find out where the underground passageway would be located. I made my way through the forest, following tracks as I found my way back to that dead lake.

"Here it is…."

Knowing the history of Steeble Lake, the atmosphere felt more oppressive. The sadness lingered, knowing so many died at this very place. I had to compare the two worlds to locate the underground area of the sanctuary. So, I closed my eyes and imagined that pocket reality. When I opened them, I started using my skills as a tracker once again to put things in order.

"Here's the lake… and signs of where the bridge used to be…."

I was able to piece together the layout of the present, compared to the past. So, I followed the clues to where the bridge used to be. I made my way to the large section where the sanctuary was supposed to be. It seemed as though it was demolished or removed for some reason at some point in the last 12 years. I… couldn't imagine why that would be if this place was a memorial sight for a tragedy though.

"There's a lot of secrets about Steeble Lake, aren't there?"

As I continued to look around… I could feel a pocket of air flowing out from behind a collection of rocks. When I approached, the hidden passage revealed itself. One would believe it was a patch of dirt and weeds to the naked eye. But to someone who's lived their entire life in a forest… I could clearly see that nothing was constructed by nature like this. To get ready for the inevitable, I brought out my sword as I revealed the secret passageway before me.

"I'm coming, Yuu Yuu…."

I whispered, motivating myself as I descended some grimy steps. They went down for longer than I expected. It seemed to be more of a shelter than a play area, as Jade described it earlier. The walls were made of iron, and as I got further down, the place began to close in. At the foot of the steps was a small door. It looked as though it was made for one person to get into the room one at a time. I assumed this was a defensive design in the layout. If multiple people were infiltrating this area, they would be forced to come in one after another, giving the people inside the advantage.

But it begged the question, why would something like this be built in a sanctuary in the first place?

"Hm..."

I pondered as I touched the doorknob of the room. As soon as I did, that powerful sensation of water splashing on me took over. It was the feeling that I associated with Janova’s pocket reality. Instantly, I was on high alert.

“Damn it!”

I pushed open the door and what stood in front of me was an empty room. I stepped inside and looked around…

“I know this is a pocket reality, Janova!”

I called out to her as looked about the room, trying my best to discover something that felt off. I didn't know what it could be, though. Jade mentioned that this place used to be an area to play in. But nothing in this empty room struck me as that. I could feel that watery sensation, and I knew I was trapped in her world… until I discovered an inconsistency to break out.

“Something in here isn’t right…."

I looked around, but there wasn't anything to observe. The room was empty, small, and all that was there was the exit door behind me. When I turned towards it, there was nothing off about it…

“There’s nothing off about it?”

I stared at it and thought about it closely.

“After 12 years… there’s no sign of damage? There’s nothing corroding… as if this door was built yesterday.”

Suddenly, the place lit up, and I found myself standing in a similar room. However, the walls were full of broken statues of what looked to be a woman with long hair. The room was much larger than it was in the pocket reality. I could see the truth of this underground sanctuary.

“This place… was the worship room for Janova, wasn’t it?”

When I looked deeper into the ample space, there were many relic-like murals on the walls. It felt as though this place had been destroyed. As if someone came through at some point and did their best to destroy any lingering proof that the Steeble Lake 66… worshiped Janova.

“What the?”

I felt a rush of energy aimed my way. With both hands on my blade, I deflected the blast with my sword as chaos energy spread around me. Appearing from deep within the dark place, I saw Janova’s bright eyes. But my heart began to pound harshly as I caught eyes with the pink-haired bunny standing behind her.

 

 

“Yuu Yuu!”

I called out to her.

“Feodora!”

Yuu Yuu screamed my name. Before she could run over, Janova turned to the pink bunny and pointed at her.

“You stay right there Yuu Yuu! Don’t move!”

The goddess of chaos took out the burning spear. It was coated in the chaos element as she flew towards me. She was ready to attack, so I brought darkness into my body, turning my eyes that horrid purple. We both were prepared as we rushed at one another.

“Give her back, Janova!”

We both met in the middle of the room, clashing our weapons together. I enchanted my blade with the water element to cool off Janova's spear. With force, I pushed her back to knock her off balance.

“Tsk!”

Janova lunged the weapon my way as I avoided it. Fire burst from her spear and exploded behind me. Using this to my advantage, I attempted to slice her horizontally, but she vanished, dodging my assault.

"Dang, you Janova!"

The chaos goddess appeared behind me. I felt her presence as I dodged that flaming spear once again. I brought up my foot, full of channeled dark energy, in an attempt to strike her. However, she blocked me with her shield, but I relentlessly continued my attack, trying to break her defense. With multiple slashes and strikes, I wasn't letting down.

"Stop, you two!"

Yuu Yuu screamed, but it was too late. If either of us let our guard down, the other would be at an advantage. As I put all my energy into breaking her shield, Janova skillfully blocked each attack.

“Dang you, Feo!”

I disappeared into the dark, appeared on the side of her, and continued my relentless attack. Spectrum energy sparked as we battled. Finally, I saw an opening as I spun around and grabbed her arm, catching her off guard. I planned to take my blade, pull her towards me and stab Janova through the stomach to end this battle as soon as possible but...

“What the?”

I mumbled as I looked into her ocean blue eyes.

 

 

But because of hesitation, Janova blasted me away using her chaos shield. I flipped momentarily before I regained my stance as I took to my feet. It was strange…

(“Why did that feel… like I was grabbing Yuu Yuu?”)

My enemy vanished, leaving no sign of herself. Yuu Yuu attempted to run into the battlefield, but a wall of chaos prevented her from coming closer.

“Yuuna did nothing wrong!”

Janova cried as she appeared above me. Casting a wind spell, It was amplified with the help of her chaos element as she sent a wave my way. Massive winds sped my way as I vanished into the shadows, avoiding the devastating blast that uprooted the ground below me.

“Stop! Stop it! Both of you!”

Yuu Yuu was crying out as she hit the chaos wall, but I couldn't focus on her. Janova was gone, and I couldn't detect where she'd show up.

"Wait a minute…."

I thought about it. I couldn’t perceive Janova… but I knew when shadows were disturbed, and Janova made a shadow when she appeared. That would be my key to tracking her.

Suddenly, a collection of earth stalagmites started attacking me from below. Janova was waging war against me in her hidden state. Mistakenly, I dodge to the side, leaning into one of her attacks.

"Ngg."

Painfully, the spike went through my shoulder, causing me to stumble and fall to the ground.

“I won’t let you take her!”

Janova cried as she appeared above me with her spear. It was burning with rage as she held it with two hands, attempting to plunge into me.

"Stop, Janova! Stop it!”

Yuu Yuu screamed.

“Shut up, Yuu Yuu!”

I disappeared, avoiding the fatal blow to my stomach. When I appeared, I tossed my blade at Janova. The darkness spectrum was amplified in the dark room, causing the dark energy to blast at her. My sword swirled with a dark spectrum. She wasn’t ready for it as it hit her directly in the back, causing her to bleed. I called my blade back into my hand and rushed at her. Our weapons clashed, heating up the battlefield with our passions and resolve.

“You don’t get it, Feo! This has nothing to do with you! Leave us alone! Just leave us alone!”

The goddess of chaos disappeared, but I was ready for it this time. I closed my eyes and tracked the shadows around. She wasn’t getting away from me that easily.

 

 

“Feodora! Please, stop! Please!”

Yuu Yuu yelled to me.

The timid loner eventually broke through the chaos wall. Yuu Yuu rushed into the battlefield between us. I could also feel Janova flying towards me, so I pushed out my arm and commanded her to stop with my hand.

“Stay right there, Yuu Yuu!”

I warned her to protect her.

As expected, Janova appeared, lunging her spear at me. I avoided it and connected my blade to her body. What should have been a fatal blow was deflected by her chaos shield as my weapon bounced back. She reached out her hand, grabbed me by the neck, and slammed me on the ground.

“Ah!”

The air pushed out of my mouth. I looked into those bright blue eyes, and I felt… hesitation as Janova suddenly let go. Taking this chance, I vanished, appearing a few meters away. Janova had the upper hand as I did before… but something made her stop.

(“That touch… felt too familiar.”)

I shook my head, trying to focus.

It was apparent I was associating Janova's touch with Yuu Yuu's, causing me to hesitate. I... I couldn't allow myself to hesitate any longer. Janova was furious that I broke out of grasp as she turned to the pink bunny.

“Dang it! Yuu Yuu, stay out of this!”

Janova said as she brought her hand out. A mighty wall of chaos sealed Yuu Yuu from the battle. It was a good thing because I didn't need her to get hurt.

"I'm going to save you, no matter what Yuu Yuu!"

I faced off with Janova for the final time.

With Yuu Yuu safe behind the chaos wall, we both prepared for each other's assault. I flipped back as Janova lunged her spear at me. Taking this chance, I melted into the dark shadows and appeared behind her in another attempt to take her down quickly. However, she shielded it. As we struggled, I attempted to appeal to Janova.

“The Radiants will find you soon! You’re running out of time, Janova!”

I said.

“You don’t get it, Feo! It’s not Yuu Yuu’s fault! She doesn’t deserve what’s happening!”

We clashed with our elements as Janova's chaotic energy pushed my darkness blade. The shadows applied my strike, giving me the advantage!

“I know Yuu Yuu is the 66th member of the Steeble Tribe! I know why you both targeted Elizera!”

The chaos goddess clicked her tongue.

"You don't know anything! It's always been only Yuu Yuu and me! We’ve struggled together. But then you showed up, everything began to crumble around us!"

Her chaos powers amplified as she brought out her fire spear in her other hand. It burned with hate.

“Yuu Yuu didn’t do anything! I won’t allow Elizera to harm her again! She doesn’t deserve what’s happening to her!”

 

 

She pushed her spear at me, causing our spells to explode. I fell back, taking the brunt of the fire. It seared my jacket as we stared at one another from a distance.

“If you don’t want Yuu Yuu to be hurt, give her to me, and I'll take her far away from here."

I yelled in an attempt to get through to her. She was trapped and I was the only way Yuu Yuu had a chance to live. However, Janova slashed her spear to the side as she floated slightly off the ground in defiance.

“No! We both made a promise that we’d do this! Even if it cost our lives… we will see this through!”

“Promise?”

She aimed her spear my way and vanished once again. Countless spells of all elements fired at me. Attacks amplified by her chaotic energy. Fire strikes cut through my skin; water slashed my legs from below. It was getting too cluttered, and I had to find a way to control it. Janova could make any element of a level 2. So, I was especially fighting against someone at level 2 across the board.

I felt her shadow dancing around above me. So, I tossed my blade at the darkest corner of the room. It appeared where her shadow was.

“Ah?!”

I struck her, stopping her rain of spectrum spells. She appeared as I called my blade back to me. She floated down, and we faced each other, bloodied and wounded. Janova clenched her spear with a furious look. Yuu Yuu was trapped in the wall on the side of us as we faced off yet again.

“I don’t get it, Janova! You failed at killing Elizera! You have no more options! It’s time to run… so, let me take Yuu Yuu from you if you really want to protect her.”

Her empty hand clenched its fist. She put her head down as her body began to shake. With force, she looked at me, causing her extremely long hair to bounce.

“Why do you keep thinking about her?!”

Through the rage, something struck me as off. Janova’s eyes were softer as we gazed at one another… It made my heart rate speed up as I watched her.

But then, a memory went through my head. When Yuu Yuu and I both played tag together… those eyes Janova had… reminded me of that time for some reason.

“Tsk.”

I shook my head. I was losing focus as I brought my blade behind me.

"Because I love her and want to keep her safe, Janova. The Radiants are closing in, and it's just a matter of when they piece together who Yuu Yuu is! When they do, they’ll be right here to kill you two!”

Like a spoiled child, she stomped on the ground, enraged.

“Don’t you think I know that, Feo?! But we can’t just run! We’ve made a promise that Elizera will die before we do! That's all we live for!"

Yuu Yuu pounded on the chaos wall, but I couldn't hear her screams.

“Why?! Is it because she failed to save everyone at Steeble Lake?! Is that why you two are bombing the Radiant City?!”

Janova clenched her fist and looked to the side. Her subtle gestures… reminded me of Yuu Yuu’s, which worried me. My stomach was getting warm… just watching Janova.

"Save everyone? Are you fucking serious?! You don't understand anything about Yuu Yuu and me! There's no way I'd ever give her up! Yuu Yuu is mine, and we'll finish what we started, even if that means I have to kill you, Feo!"

Suddenly I felt the water sensation splash over me. Janova put me within a reality, attempting to get the upper hand.

“No, you don't, Janova!”

I brought my blade back and pushed forward, dancing in the shadows as I sped towards her faster than I ever had before. I jumped in the air, planning to use one of my strongest destructive crafts. Chaos energy channeled in my sword. This was going to be the fatal blow if I connected it with Janova. Shadow spots in the underground area began to burst with a dark spectrum, making my strike all the more powerful. As I flew towards her, I raised my blade above my head. Suddenly, the environment changed to the beautiful Steeble Lake.

 

 

“That’s not right!”

I pointed out, crashing the world I was in briefly. Janova was in my sights as the world around me changed yet again.

“This!”

I broke the inconsistency, bringing myself back to reality. Still, at full force, I was closing in on the goddess of chaos. I could see her eyes widen as she attempted, again and again, to trap me within false worlds to protect herself.

 

 

But my determination was set in this reality. Even if I had to kill her and force Yuu Yuu to come with me, I wasn’t backing down.

“I will protect her, Janova! Even if I have to kill you!”

The last defense was a massive shield she raised in front of me. But that wouldn't stop me. With a slash of my destructive craft, I felt the shield crack as my blade pierced through. The world around us bled darkness. I met eyes with the chaos goddess… my enemy, and the person keeping the woman I love from me.

“Ah…F-Feo?”

 

 

Janova's tone of voice caused me to hesitate as I looked into those beautiful bright blue eyes. 

Her expression… reminded me of Yuu Yuu. Janova was scared as this strike was going to be fatal.

“Janova?”

I whispered as the shield broke. The power of my craft engulfed the area around her.  Janova's eyes… the tone of her voice… it all pieced together in an instant as I recalled moments that caused my heart to speed up.

 

---

 

She turned around and tilted her head.

“Tag…”

 

 

All the small moments that… I saw Janova instead of Yuu Yuu.

 

---

 

We silently continued showering. Tenderly, the bunny spoke again.

“Yuu Yuu thinks you… have a nice body!”

 

 

Like a wave of emotions, all the moments that felt sweet and tender were flowing through me.

The realization struck me at its core…

 

---

 

“You better… I miss you already.”

She was obviously teasing, and it felt... great hearing her like this. Phones are... amazing.

“Goodnight, Yuu Yuu.”

"Goodnight, F-Feo.”

“Feo?”

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

It was too late as my destructive craft was in motion.

The fear in Janova's eyes caused my heart to break as my shadow craft released upon her.