Fragile Hearts (Book 1 - Complete)

"Shin caused the hangar to be destroyed, and is probably long gone by now." Ying Explained.

"I'm...Going after him." Mai said suddenly. "It's..." Mai paused.

Rikka spoke up, "There's nothing to explain. We're here for the same reason you want to chase after him."

Mai looked at Rikka for a moment, before looking back at Ying.

"It's something you've decided on your own. It can't be helped."

"I'll be going with you." Alyse said quietly.

Ying looked at the tower, and had a strong urge to meet with the kid she knew when he was a child. "We part here then."

Kalne smiled. "It was fun for awhile."

Mai and Alyse started to walk, but Ying lingered. She presented the sword that Nome gave her to protect. "I doubt I'll be needing this anymore. Pass it on." She placed it on the ground and headed after the two.

Kalne waved as they walked away.

Kyo looked up as he heard Mai mention that she was going to go after Shin. He frowned and sighed sadly; goodbyes were never a very easy thing for him. In the short time that he knew them, Kyo felt that they were his friends, though he wasn't sure about their feeling toward him. He nodded to Mai, Ying, and Alyse.

"Best of luck to you guys." Kyo said, smiling at them.

"We won't forget you." Brianna said, also smiling. Uriel raised one hand and waved goodbye to them, his side turned to them.

The three watched the women as they walked away. Brianna sighed sadly, and Kyo looked away, frowning. It was never easy to see people close to you walk away.

As the three disappeared from view Kalne laughed. "I forgot Mai still had it. Alwell."

Rikka stood up. "Let's go then."

Kalne bent down and made clear in her mind, I'm not going to be your owner, so don't dare link to me. She picked it up and placed it in one of her orbs.

As they were about to head off, Izuna and Kelly appeared.

"We're coming with you." Izuna smiled happily.

"The airship is being repaired we're stuck here anyway." Kelly said not making eye contact with Uriel.

"It's going to be dangerous." Rikka stated.

"Nothing in this world is worth getting without effort." Izuna replied.

Kalne laughed. It had been a long time since she heard words like that. "Alright, if there's no objections, let's go."

Shaking off his brief gloomy mood, Kyo looked up as he saw Kelly and Izuna show up. He took a glance at the airship, and the wreckage in the hangar.

Hm, guess there really IS no going back now. Kyo thought. He spoke aloud. "I'm ready, let's get going."

Uriel glanced uncomfortably for a moment at Kelly before turning his attention to the tower. There was a better time to think about other things; he'd have to turn his attention to the ordeal ahead.

Kalne checked their pulses. "They're alive. Someone has already healed most of their wounds."

Rikka examined the three angels.

Sarene, Jason and Zenos were laying on the ground. They had been beaten, but at least they still had their lives.

Izuna examined Sarene in awe. "Wonderful." She said happily.

"What are you interested in?" Kelly asked her.

"On her back. These are a type of technology I could only dream about. They're sort of makeshift wings."

"They're angels. Pretty useless without wings." Kalne explained.

"Zenos..." Uriel said quietly before rushing over to him. He knelt down and examined his old friend. He muttered quietly to himself as he stood up again. The thought of something being able to defeat these three Angels together made him anxious.

Kyo walked slowly forward, wide eyed as he looked at his former brethren. He was thinking the same thing as Uriel; whatever the three were fighting against was extremely powerful; just looking at the three Angels was enough to convince him of their strength.

Did Nome do this? Kyo wondered.

Brianna looked up as he heard Kalne state how an Angel would be useless with wings. That made her think of a few months ago when she saw Kyo and Uriel have to resort to using their own mana as a flying source. She looked at the Angel with the mechanized wings and shuddered, horrified at the thought of what it would feel like to lose one's wings.

Izuna turned to Kelly. "Direct order. Protect these people while we go inside. You can move them to the airship if you want, but we can't leave them alone here."

Kelly sighed. "Understood Captain."

"Let's go." Rikka said walking up to the big double doors.

The doors opened smoothly. Within was the tower of knowledge, where Nome and Alex were. They didn't know what would be awaiting them.

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The doors closed behind them.

"They aren't locked, we can leave anytime." Izuna said examined the door after it had closed.

"Good to know we have an escape route." Rikka replied.

With that the six of them walked forward.

The inside of the tower was vast. Lining the walls were bookshelves, and besides the lobby, the rest of the floors were lined with shelves upon shelves of books.

In the center was a massive pillar which went straight up. Around it was a large opening. If one looked from the bottom up, they wouldn't see the top. On the outside of the opening were three large spiral staircases.

Sitting on the bottom of the closest stair case was a man.

Nome stood up and took a few steps towards them. "I see you made it on time."

For one of the first times in a very long time, Kyo kept his mouth shut when he saw Nome. He wanted to hear Nome explain himself before saying something. He kept his eyes on Nome as he stopped walking and slowly watched him.

This was the first time that Brianna had caught a complete glimpse of the former Angel. She wouldn't have been able to guess that Nome had once been an Angel if Kyo and Uriel hadn't mentioned it before. Following suit, she stayed quiet, and watched the scene play out before her eyes.

Uriel narrowed his eyes behind his mask, and kept his mana ready in case Nome was going to attack them; he knew that the person that had harmed the three Angels before was Nome; Uriel knew completely well the things that he was capable of doing.

Rikka was about to rush forward when Kalne stopped her. Rikka examined a Kalne, briefly before turning her eyes back to Nome.

Izuna was quiet. It wasn't her business after all.

"We're here. Time to hand Alex over." Kalne spoke.

Nome smiled. "Did you really think it'd be that easy? If I was just gonna hand him back, why would I take him in the first place?"

Kalne continued with the game of cat and mouse. "Then what do we do to get Alex back?"

"When either I am dead, or all of you are dead, Alex will be freed."

Izuna flinched at the comment.

Rikka glared at him.

Kalne turned to the others. "Leave this to me. Don't interfere."

"We didn't come along just to spectate Kalne." Kyo finally said, smiling. Oddly enough, he didn't feel very scared by Nome's conditions. He fully intended to free Alex by whatever means necessary, whether it would cost him his life or not.

Uriel's body tensed up, but he kept his guard completely up. He had a bad feeling; he doubted that Nome would simply stand by the stairway and let all of them rush him at once. There had to be something that they weren't seeing.

Brianna immediately began looking around for places where she could set up some traps and glyphs; from what Nome said, it seemed as though he was not going to release Alex without letting any bloodshed. But she took a glance at Uriel and noticed how he seemed very tense. She looked at him questionably and instantly, she felt his thoughts touch hers.

It will not be so simple. Uriel thought, sending his thoughts to both Kyo and Brianna. He will not allow us to reach him so easily. Uriel focused again on the scene before him and prepared himself.

Kalne examined Kyo. "This is something only I can do. You stay out of it." She said out of character. Suddenly her mana exploded, as the magic settled, Kalne stood in her second form. She threw an orb above her and magic exploded again. Then her custom shurikan slammed hard into the ground.

Rikka rarely saw Kalne so seriously. This was the third time, the second being when she had fought Kana. "Kalne's putting all her effort into this fight. She doesn't want to have to look out for anyone else while she uses her power. As much as I hate it, we have to let her do this." Rikka stood in front of Kyo, "So just watch."

"Very well. I accept your one on one duel Kalne." Nome said, grabbing the hilt as one of his phantoms swords appeared.

Kalne thanked Rikka without showing it. Then her placed her hand on her Fuuma Shurikan and pulled it out of the ground. She walked forward a couple of steps.

Kalne took a stance and pulled on the rip cord of her Shurikan. The blades started spinning at a high velocity, creating a whirlwind of air around her.

Nome's phantoms swords appeared around him, and he grabbed a second one. "Let's begin this."

Kalne hurled her shurikan at Nome. The massive blades of it spinning at an extreme velocity.

Nome moved to the side and dodged.

Kalne suddenly appeared a ways behind Nome, and in one smooth motion, caught and threw her shurikan at him again. It didn't lose any velocity.

The shurikan slammed against Nome's phantom sword shield. "Impressive."

Kalne landed on a wall and pushed off towards Nome. She turned upside down and grabbed her shurikan, she twisted it and used her momentum to further attack his shield.

Nome's shield shattered and his phantoms swords flew in every direction. They embedded themselves in in the walls, floor and ceiling. Nome vanished a half second before Kalne' shurikan cut him.

Kalne landed softly on the ground and looked towards him.

A small cut appeared on Nome's cheek. He smiled. "I didn't even see that kunai." He wiped the blood away. "It seems both of us should stop holding back."

Kalne's face was serious. She dropped her Fuuma Shurikan. She ripped off her sleeves. Swiftly moving her hands, she had a few kunai and small shurikan between her fingers. She threw them at Nome.

Nome flew to the right and behind a bookshelf. As he did Kalne's weapons flew throguh the books and nearly sliced him.

Kalne threw her Fuuma Shurikan.

Just as Nome reached the end of the shelf, it flew through the shelf on his left.

Nome quickly used his phantom sword to send him down and under it.

Pieces of paper were starting to fill the air.

Kalne moved her hands like she was controlling invisible string.

Her kunai and shurikan changed direction and began to fly at Nome again.

Nome landed on the wall and began running. The weapons embedding themselves inches away from the places he had just been.

Kalne pulled the string and a flicker of light came off it.

"I see it now, thin metal wire." Nome laughed a bit.

Kalne ran forward and over a bookshelf. A second later her bigger weapon flew through it.

Nome dodged it barely, and it embedded deep within the wall.

Nome jumped, and Kalne met with him. The kunai in her hand struggled against one of his Phantoms swords.

The two exchanged blows as gravity brought them down.

Once on ground their blades flashed at lightening speed as they continually backed off and attacked.

It seemed to be a stalemate for the moment.

Nome smiled, "We both have more." He said to her. His hand started glowing, and crackled. "Hammer of Thunder." He placed his hand on his sword and a massive waved of lightening shot out.

Kalne dodged to the side, several bookshelves behind her exploded as the attack went straight through them.

Blue fire formed around Kalne. "Foxfire." The flames shot at Nome.

He dodged to the side, but the flames followed him. He moved the the central pillar area and ran up it. The flames resembles the form of a fox and ran up after him. He pushed off and flew down passed the flames.

Kalne was waiting for him, and she and the flames attacked him from both sides at the same time.

Smoke and debris exploded everywhere, making it impossible to see the two.

Rikka and Izuna covered their eyes as the dust flew at them. Izuna coughed a few times. Rikka squinted to try and see what was happening.

Sounds rung out as it was clear the two were still fighting.

Suddenly a big wind blew all the smoke away.

Kalne was falling, suddenly Nome appeared in front of her as she fell. There was a flash.

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Nome's sword had done straight through Kalne's chest. "It's finished."

Rikka's eyes went empty for a moment. "Kalne?" She called out. Sensing that her friend was dying Rikka's mana exploded. Her eyes instantly went silver, and her aura appeared. "I'll kill you!" She said flying at Nome.

Nome pulled his sword out and retreated.

Rikka and Nome began a fight.

Kalne's breathing became labored as she laid there. Her eyes were slowly starting to empty.

As much as Kyo didn't like it, he nodded at Rikka as she stepped in front of him; if Kalne was able to end things now, then he was perfectly fine with it. As the fight began, he barely blinked, his eyes barely being able to keep up with the two's lightning fast duel. The two seemed evenly matched, yet, it seemed from what Nome was saying that the two were still holding back.

That's crazy... Kyo said, squinting as dust flew into his eyes, causing them to water. But in a matter of seconds, he saw Kalne fall, and become impaled by one of Nome's swords.

"Crap!" Kyo said, his eyes widening. Before he could even respond to what happened, he saw Rikka suddenly light up with mana, and charging after Nome.

Uriel, watched as he Rikka disappear from view, his eyes narrowing. So it has begun... He glanced to the side as he saw Kyo and Brianna run toward Kalne. He sighed sadly, and followed them.
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"Damn..." Kyo said, kneeling down, his teeth gritted together. The wound was very severe; he wasn't sure if he could heal something this badly. Reaching behind him, he conjured a feather and poured his mana into it. He let it rock side to side as it made its way to Kalne's wound, and waited for the results. Meanwhile, Brianna also put both of her hands out in front of her, over Kalne's injury and tried to heal the damage.

Kalne looked at the two angels as they tried to heal her. "It's pointless. He cut my heart. I'll be dead soon, just like I chose." Kalne coughed up some blood.

She was silent for a few seconds, feeling Rikka's energy go against Nome.

"Listen. I chose to put my faith into Rikka. I chose to awaken her power. Don't let her go down the path of darkness, or she'll become like Gilgamesh." Kalne coughed again, and ignored any warnings not to talk. She reached into her shirt and pulled out four different coloured orbs. "The red one is for Rikka. Blue is for Alex. Yellow is for Yuki. And..." Kalne coughed again. "The last one is for my sister."

Kalne placed them in Kyo's hand. Then she smiled like when they had first met. With that Kalne went limp, and her life left her.

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Rikka felt the last spark of Kalne's life vanished. Her aura tripled as she shot at Nome.

Nome backed away, and kept away from her. "Is that all you have?! Can you even avenge your pathetic friend?" Nome was pushing her, trying to force more power from her.

Rikka suddenly grabbed his neck and threw him against the wall.

Nome hit the wall and instantly teleported away.

Rikka slammed into the wall a moment later. She looked around for Nome.

The two dueled while the others were with Kalne.

Nome appeared a kicked Rikka hard.

Rikka flew back and hit the wall beside Kalne's Fuuma Shurikan. Rikka grabbed the handed and ripped it from the wall easily. Her silver eyes glaring at Nome.

Nome landed a fair bit away from her, and spread his arms. "Take your best shot." He said.

Rikka's silver energy engulfed the Shurikan, she reached down and pulled the ripcord.

A whirlwind of silver energy formed. "For Kalne." She whispered to herself. "Silver Providence!" Rikka threw the huge shurikan at Nome.

Nome closed his eyes.

The glowing silver Shurikan hit Nome and formed a giant cage of energy. It flew out the other side and embedded against the ground.

Rikka started walking towards the energy.

The energy started to dissipate.

Large black wings beat slowly. A black haired figure stood unharmed, in his arms was the eighteen year old Nome.

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As soon as Jegudiel's wings formed, everyone that ever knew the angel suddenly remembered his name. The spell that had erased it was now gone.

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Jegudiel looked at Rikka, then he placed Nome on the ground. His gazed went back to her.

Rikka was a bit confused.

"I am Jegudiel. One who tried to destroy this world 10 years ago, and didn't get very far. Rikka, I will still kill Alex if you cannot kill me."

Rikka clenched her teeth and her aura exploded, she was about to attack again.

Suddenly Izuna appeared behind Rikka, slammed her fist hard into one of her nerves.

Rikka's power vanished, and she collapsed. She was knocked out.

Izuna guarded her.

Jegudiel smiled. "When she wakes up tell, her I'll be on one of the highest floors." With that the dark winged angel turned to leave.

"No....that bastard..." Kyo said, his eyes widening, and slowly shaking his head as though this was a dream. He quickly grabbed her wrist; her skin was cold, and her pulse completely still. He cursed under his breath, taking a glance at the four glowing orbs. He wasn't sure what their purpose was, but he was going to fulfill her last wish; no matter what it took. His heart felt oddly heavy; Kalne was his friend after all, regardless of what she may have thought about him.

Brianna looked down at the unmoving Kalne, apalled at what had happened. She wasn't prepared for this, not in the slightest. She tore her eyes away from Kalne's carcass, and held her left arm tightly. This was too much, it happened too quickly.

Uriel looked down, his insides beginning to feel tighter. Death was something that he had grown accustomed to, but that didn't mean he had to like it. He knelt down, took a brief glance at the four orbs, before saying something outloud, even though he knew Kalne wouldn't be able to hear him now.

"I'll fulfill the responsibility you gave me." Uriel said, remembering what Kalne had told him just before they had embarked on the Xeltar. The other two were too stunned to register what he had just said in their minds. Suddenly, Kyo and Uriel felt a warm feeling sweep through their minds. Immediately after the strange sensation, they suddenly remembered something, something that they should have remembered, but didn't, until now.

"Jegudiel..." Kyo and Uriel both said at the same time. Nome's true name had now entered their mind.

The one who's name stands for the Angel of Endearvors... Uriel thought. Pushing away the tight feeling left in his insides, he motioned to the other two.

"We may mourn her later. We came here for a purpose, and that is to free Alex, whatever it may cost. Kalne willing sacrificed herself so that we may have a chance at defeating Nome. She wouldn't want us to waste our time here..." Uriel said. Kyo didn't respond for a while, but eventually, he slowly looked up, nodding. He stood up, reaching out his hand, he helped Brianna onto her feet before taking one last look at Kalne.

"May you be triumphant, even in the afterlife..." Kyo said sadly before turning around, and walking forward. He remembered for a brief moment that Izuna wasn't with them; she had went after Rikka. He motioned for the two to follow them, and sprinted forward until they reached her. Stopping, Kyo looked at the unconscious Rikka, and looked at Izuna's face.

"Where did he go?" Kyo asked. He was completely sure that Izuna knew the "he" that he was talking about.

Jegudiel turned his head briefly as the three angels ran up to Izuna. He stopped.

Izuna looked at them. "You people sure have weird enemies." She pointed at Nome on the ground, and then at Jegudiel who was near one of the three flights of stairs.

His black wings pulsing.

"Before I knocked her out, she engulfed that man..." She pointed at Nome. "...With silver light. As the light faded, the man with the black wings placed him on the ground. Rikka looked like she was about to lose control, so I knocked her out." Izuna examined as simple as she could. Though her smile had darkened a bit, but it was still there.

"Trust me, you haven't seen anything..." Kyo said to Izuna, chuckling before the expression on his face suddenly changed upon looking at Jegudiel.

"...so it is you..." Kyo said quietly, remembering the events of ten years ago. This was the adversary that he remembered fighting against, not the man that Jegudiel was a moment ago. "Why are you doing this Jegudiel? What are you hoping to accomplish by putting us through all of this? Whatever the reason...a good person had to die because of your desires." Kyo said, narrowing his eyes, an uncharacteristic seriousness in them.

Brianna knelt down next to Rikka, examining her. She didn't look too different, but she doubted Izuna would knock her unconscious for no reason. She kept her ears open, listening to the conversation between Kyo and Jegudiel.

"Kalne had nothing to do with me." Jegudiel replied, turning and facing him. "The problem I'm here to solve is greater then anything you've known." He spread his hands. "I'm merely playing a part, waiting for my exit off this stage." He motioned towards Nome, "This boy held back the evil that consumed me ten years ago, through that girl, I was able to use her power to free the boy from my fate." He was silent a moment. "My desires are gone, Kyo. They died when I was betrayed. I know too much to be left alone, and I'm too dangerous to be left alive. This is my last endeavor. If you want to stop me, come to the highest floors of this place of knowledge." Jegudiel turned, "Until then, think about the memories to just reclaimed. And maybe, you'll see why it turned out this way."

Jegudiel's black wings shot out and began flapping. He suddenly took off into the center area, flying out of site to the upper levels.

Izuna stayed silent, she didn't quite understand the words just exchanged.

"Jegudiel...this isn't some play or game here. This is reality..." Kyo said quietly to himself as he watched him ascend. He narrowed his eyes as Jegudiel finally left his sight. He turned to the others, looking each of them in their eyes.

"I'm going after him. I know what he's capable of, but I also fought him once too and lived." Kyo said anxiously. "There are some answers that I think only he may know, and if someone else gets to him first...well then I'll never find out what really happened."

"You don't plan on going alone do you?" Brianna asked, somewhat sadly.

"I won't force you guys to come, but...it's really your choice." Kyo said, sounding somewhat like Kalne for a moment.

"I know you hate putting me in danger, but I know better now. I'd probably get too scared with you heading out by yourself." Brianna said, looking up and smiling at him. Kyo smirked and nodded, holding her hand gently.

"You won't have to be alone anymore Kyo, it should not happen again." Uriel said, smiling at Kyo from behind his mask. "Wherever you go, I will follow."

"Oh you're only saying that because you don't trust what I'm going to do." Kyo said, scowling.

"So you say." Uriel said, chuckling for the first time in a very long time. Kyo was about to motion for them to follow when he remembered one more person in the room.

"Hey Cap'n, are you coming with us?" Kyo said, looking at Izuna.

"I guess, but what about these two?" Izuna indicated Rikka and Nome. "He's our enemy, and we can't just leave Rikka here."

Nome stirred, pain shot through his head. "Ow." He said slowly getting up. He was dizzy, and confused. He slowly realized he was alone, the other him was gone. "What happened?" He asked aloud. Nome looked up and saw the five of them. He pieced together what happened. "I see." His hand still was on his head.

"Alright, I know you can hold your own but...be careful." Kyo said to Izuna, about to turn when suddenly, the boy nearby awoke.

"That kid..." Kyo said quietly, noticing the boy that Jegudiel had forced himself out of. He slowly watched the boy, feeling a strong sense of deja vu, and then suddenly, he remembered a small fragment of something. That boy was there during Jegudiel and Kyo's battle ten years ago.

"He won't cause us any trouble..." Kyo said to the group. He turned to the boy. "Hey kid, are you alright?"

"I combined with an angel for 8 years. Holding back his darkness. Then suddenly ripped from existence to reform a moment later. Truth be told, it hurts very much." Nome said, shaking his head. He tapped his face. "I was forced to age by 8 years, then stay that age for 8 years. I'm 18 as of two days ago. So I'm not technically a kid anymore."

Izuna laughed at his words. To her they were much closer to her train of thought then the others.

Nome sat down against the nearest object. "Don't worry. I'm not here to fight. In fact I let Jegudiel complete control in that last battle, I merely witnessed it from his view." His mind slowly became clear. "That's better." He thought for a moment. "Interesting side affect." He breathed for a moment. "Anyway, I'm neutral, I haven't taken any sides.

Rikka coughed and woke up. Her vision was blurred. "Your really deadly, you know that?" She said to Izuna.

"Wasn't trying to kill you." Izuna said smiling at her. "The man you fought has gone to one of the highest floors. He's waiting for you."

Rikka sat up and saw Nome. She sensed it wasn't the same person as Kalne's killer. Rikka got to her feet. "Let's go then." She started towards the stairs.

"I see...my bad then." Kyo said to the boy. He thought about asking him what happened when he had to combine with Jegudiel, but he realized that the boy was probably having trouble remembering things too. Thinking of Jegudiel suddenly caused Kyo to remember that he was waiting at the top of the tower.

"Jeg's still up there. Let's not keep him waiting too long." Kyo said, grinning. He started walking after Rikka.

Uriel was still very curious about the boy, but he held back his curiousity. They came here for Jegudiel, and they weren't going to leave without accomplishing their objectives. Uriel motioned to Brianna, who's gaze was transfixed on Nome, and the two walked off after Kyo and Rikka.

Near the eighth floor the staircase they had climbed came to an end. Forcing them to go on the fifth floor and around to another staircase.

After awhile they got to the next staircase.

"This place is built weirdly." Izuna commented.

As they walked towards the staircase, an ominous feeling went in the air. A figure stepped out from behind the bookcase next to the stair entrance. She had a black skirt and white shirt. A gold cross hung around her neck. She had long purple hair and black bat-like wings. She also had unique ears. She stared blankly at them.

Rikka took stance.

Rebbecca shook her head. Then pointed at Kyo. "My job is to not let him pass. The rest of you can if you want."

Rikka glanced at Kyo, to see what he would do.

Kyo stopped when he saw the purple haired girl step out, and indicated that she wasn't to let him past. He scowled at her, but at the same time, analyzed her appearance. From what he could tell, she seemed to be partially a Demon, but he was unsure what else she could be. After a moment of thinking, he slid one foot back, his claymore appearing in a flash of light, and entered a fighting stance.

"If you won't let me past, then I'll have to make sure you don't have a say in the matter." Kyo said, gripping his claymore tightly. Uriel began to focus his energy to call Longinus, but Kyo shook his head.

"You guys get going, I'm the only one she wants." Kyo said, smiling reassuringly at the group. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, and took a deep breath before his mana energy began to slowly pulse through the air.

The others nodded and ran pass the purple haired girl.

Rebbie held out her hand, and a black mist appeared. It started to condense until it formed a sword. She grabbed the hilt. "If that's the way you must be."

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The others started climbing the stairs again.

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Rebbie didn't take stance. Instead she stood there, waiting for Kyo.