The terrain in use is one that is very empty, aside from small mountains and cliffsides. There isn’t much one could do to hide. The only way to move unseen is in between unstable paths along the cliffside.
“Keep moving! The faster we get to their flag the lower of chances Lion will have to fight them!” Alise said as she leads them through the cliffside.
“Alise, this route may be the shortest but it’s very Crack!” a piece of the path broke off falling down into the flowing river. “Fragile, if we move too fast,” Kaguya said, watching her step.
“Lyra, can you go on ahead of us to scout?”
“Of course! I’ll be done in a—“
“Well, well, seems you were reckless in coming towards us on such a dangerous path.”
The Familia looked up to find Mata and several Familia members.
“Mata!!” shouted Alise.
“Sorry, but this is where you—“
Before she could finish her sentence, Alise drew her rapier and ran up the side of the cliff as she chanted.
“(Arga
Arvana
Arvelia)!!!”
Her legs, arms, and weapon are covered in fire as her speed was exceeding her level, catching Mata off guard and slashing at her, barely cutting her left shoulder.
“Everyone go now!!” shouted Alise.
Kaguya quickly moved along with Lyra on her back and once they got to a stable footing, Lyra went off to find the flag while Kaguya ensured her Familia can get past the fragile path quickly, taking down member after member.
“Huff! Huff! Are you sure you wanna be spending time with me?” Mata said. “Turn is already making a straight path toward your flag!”
“Shut up!” Alise moved in but was halted by her whip attacks. “Tch!”
“Did you ever think how we were able to find you? It was rather easy since a certain Familia are very skilled in information gathering!”
“Is that so!” from behind Kaguya had fought her way through to get to Mata.
Shing!
Cut!
The sneak attack was enough for Mata to falter.
“Haaaaaa!!!!!!!!!”
Taking advantage, Alise quickly took her down, but it cost her Familia time, which they don’t have to spare.
“Come on! Let’s hurry!” said Kaguya.
“Right!” Alise followed Kaguya as she down a magic potion. “We need to hurry before—“
Boom!!!!!
“Dammit, that’s where Lion is!!” shouted Kaguya.
Back at the flag, Ryuu was breathing heavily.
“Huff! Huff! Huff!” she grips her sword tightly.
“Hmmm… It’s a fairly strong magic taking down many of the 3rd class and hurting some of the 2nd class adventures… but it seems this is where you fail again Gale.” Turn said.
“No! I will stop you here!” Ryuu picks herself up.
“Fine… try as you might.” Turn made a hand motion and several of the Familia went after Ryuu.
“Haaaaa!!!”
Ryuu fought as best as she can but there were many who were on the same level as her and even above her. The only reason she can hold her own was because of the amount of training she put into her swordsmanship, fending and parrying attacks, and counter-attacking.
Turn simply stood by and watched as Ryuu was barely scraping by when he got bored.
“… Keep her busy. I’m going to go get the flag.”
“Sure thing Captain.”
“Noooo!!!” Ryuu shouted as she went for Turn, but the other members attacked her. “Dammit!!”
Back at Babel, Alecto was laughing.
“Hahahahahahahaahahahah!!!!!!!!!!! Look how much your children are suffering! I actually feel bad about how easy this has become!!”
“…” Astraea was looking directly at the feed.
As Turn neared the flag, a smile grew on Astraea’s face.
“What’s the smile, Astraea? Have you lost your mind from losing so badly!?”
“No… I’m smiling because justice has finally come.”
“…Eh?”
Every god in attendance was confused by what she said, but as she looked at the Divine Mirror showing the area around the flag, they see Turn approaching and—
Bam!
"Huh!?"
—He hits his face with something invisible.
“What the??”
Was the thought of everyone watching. He had walked into something that could not be seen.
“Astraea!!” Alecto shouted. “Did you use Divine Barrier on your flag!!” she shouted in anger.
“Of course not! My child set it up!” she said with a big smile.
“Y-your child?? None of them have barrier magic!”
“No… but.”
As Turn touched what is in front of him, his hand slips through, and the barrier dissolves.
Many who were watching saw as it slowly faded, leaving the flag on top of a stone throne. On it was one who they saw countless times in the city, the bard known as Sora, leisurely playing his guitar, and singing.
“♪ Everything in this world,
Leads to soul enlightenment,
There is nothing wasted about our lives,
The snow falling in Spring,
Moon hangs during the day,
One with self and time♪
♪ So what, let's get to the bottom line,
If so, what do you fight for?
You're denying your thirst,
Now it's time.
to feast~~~~♪!!!!!!!!”
Cirrus notices the cool breeze and turns to see them all staring at him. He gets up, putting his guitar to the side.
Ryuu was beaten and bloody looks to find the bard who she found unable to understand but enjoyed and respected his musical skills just leisurely sitting on a stone throne.
“Y-you?” Ryuu said.
“Bard… did you join their Familia to help them?” Turn said, approaching Cirrus. “If so, what could a level one even do?”
Many people watching shook their heads in painful acknowledgment except for people who had known it was Cirrus.
“Well, I figured I can come and give them a hand! After all, you lot ruined my performance at the Goddess Festival.”
“So it's petty revenge for ruining a gig?” he was now standing before Cirrus. He was considerably taller than Cirrus.
“Partiality, but I came for reparations.” Cirrus looked forward, not even looking up at him.
“Is that so?” Turn was now looking down on Cirrus as Cirrus himself was looking forward. “Well, tell you what, I’ll give you a free hit in as a… apology.”
Hermes could see the smile forming on Sora’s face and the delight in Astraea’s when proper justice was served.
“No, it couldn’t be…” he looked back at the Divine Mirror as Sora pulled back his arm and struck Turn in his chest.
BAAAAAM!!!!
A thunderclap was all that was heard as Turn was sent flying back into the nearby cliff sides.
Crash!!!
Cirrus then begins to slowly walk down the throne as he has his hands on his sunglasses.
“Allow me to formally introduce myself to you, all of Orario. I am the Masked Prince, Cirrus Zephyr.” He removes his glasses, and the scar vanishes, he combs back his hair with his fingers and he removes his shirt showing his back having the Astraea Familia’s emblem on it. “Child of the Star-Maiden, Astraea, the Goddess of Justice.” His magic circle appeared behind him. “And I came to FEAST!!”
Fear quickly ran through those before him and to those watching him. Their blood ran cold as he slowly walks down the stairs with a big grin on his face.
The Masked Prince has finally taken off his mask and walked into the light, showing the world Cirrus Zephyr and his face that he longed kept hidden.
The face that no longer resembled his mother, one he could say was his own.
