A dark place.

I found myself in an extremely dark place when I opened my eyes.

'W-what is going on…?!'

My memories of Legris, Ciel, and everything that had happened instantly returned to me and I swiftly made to observe my surroundings in response to the dread that enveloped my body.

'H-huh?!'

Something instantly didn't feel right.

Not only could I not use Spellcraft, but my surroundings felt different—like it wasn't suited for me? No, I couldn't quite explain this.

It was completely weird!

>SWOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHHH!!!<

I heard a sound suddenly rush towards me and I also felt strong bloodlust emanate from the person.

'W-what the—?!'

I was barely able to strengthen myself and escape their assault—as I lost control of any Mana that leaked out of my body.

The strange sensations that invaded my body still made me completely dazed by what was going on.

"Whoever you are, show yourself." I took a defensive stance, making sure to properly respond in case another attack came.

"I mean you no harm."

For a moment, silence enveloped the room.

And then…

"No harm? You must be kidding!" A familiar voice echoed in my ears, causing my eyes to bulge in shock.

The dark veils were lifted and light suddenly permeated the air. The vast hall I was in became revealed and the face of my assaulter was shown.

It was none other than the woman I had been searching for all this time.

"K-Karlia?!"

The smile on my face couldn't be described and I heaved a sigh of relief.

"I've been searching for you for so long. Ever since you were taken by the—" I stopped myself when I noticed the blood-lusted gaze she gave me.

'Why is she looking at me like that?'

The glare on her face was so extreme that it felt like she wanted me dead. It seemed like it took all of her self-control to stand still and watch me in both caution and sheer hatred.

'What is… going on? Why is Karlia—'

"Don't be so foolish to engage yet, Karlia." Another familiar voice emerged across from me and a swordsman garbed in a kimono drew nearer.

He had dark auburn hair and a blade in his hand. He looked much younger than I remembered too, but this man was firmly burned in my memory.

It was the Martial Blade God!

'He's also looking at me the same way as Karlia… this pure hate!' Even when he had been alive, the Martial Blade God had wanted to kill me.

However, it hadn't been like this.

"Damn… how do you think he found our base?" Another familiar voice surged forth.

"Magic. Duh." Yet another.

"I wasn't expecting this." And another.

As each of the approaching individuals exposed themselves to the light, my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in shock.

Beruel stepped forth. And then there was Vaizer. I also spotted Stefan Netherlore beside an older fellow whom I recognized as Reed Sterling.

'No… no… what is this? What's going on here?!'

A man with golden hair, who had to be Kido—if I wasn't mistaken—also appeared.

They all surrounded me, eyes filled with indignation and their postures represented pure animosity.

'Damn… the Nether Cult? How in the world did this happen?'

As I tried to contemplate my current problem and what solution I could employ, I heard the most familiar voice echo into the air.

"Halt!"

The voice resonated within me and it seemed it did the same to everyone around me.

They instantly stopped, stepping back while glaring daggers at me. Somehow, it felt like Karlia's glare was the most intense.

Perhaps it simply hurt more.

"I've told you guys already. Stop being rash…"

The speaker stepped into the light, revealing himself as he stood right in front of me.

His dark hair complimented his pure black eyes. He had a stoic expression on his face and a dignifying dark apparel accompanied him as he halted while gazing at me.

This man… he was…

'N-Neron?!'

"When confronting an enemy, always be cautious." He drew a blade, and his eyes narrowed at me.

My thoughts were a mess, but I understood my situation enough to tell me how completely screwed I was.

I barely had any Magic to use and my senses were constantly disturbed. Everything was a mess and I just had to be surrounded by the strongest guys I had ever known to exist.

Things couldn't get any worse.

"Neron is right." A melodious voice rang forth and at her word, the people around me swiftly turned in her direction.

I could see a different look—one of adoration—wash over them as they looked at her.

Her pure white form and her pale skin made her look absolutely enthralling. Her clear eyes and her cute smile reminded me of the disaster that nearly plunged my world to ruin.

No, she didn't just remind me of that… she was THAT!

Ciel herself!

"We should all be cautious in the presence of an enemy." She spoke softly, her gaze on me as she smiled.

Ciel? Smiling at me?

No, that wasn't the only strange thing about all of this. She was also… very young.

About ten or twelve years old. She had Ana's height, so I could only estimate that much. It puzzled me greatly.

As Ciel took steps forward, I felt myself growing fearful.

Not only did these extremely powerful people desire to kill me, but now the most dangerous lady in the world was with them.

Neron was a member of this Nether Cult organization and it seemed like they all saw me as their enemy.

"I-I'm Jared Leonard. I was formerly Lewis Griffith. I hope we can talk. I mean no har—"

"Shut up, you monster!" Karlia yelled, pure fury raging in her eyes.

The others also seemed more infuriated when I said this, but Neron's expression remained unchanged. Out of everyone here, he seemed the calmest.

"Oh, we know who you are." Ciel smiled, drawing even nearer.

"Jared. Lewis. It's all the same when it comes to reincarnation." Her whispers seemed to contain more meaning than I could decipher.

There was nothing I could do but powerlessly watch as these extremely powerful entities closed in on me.

Neron. The Martial Blade God. Karlia. Kido. Stefan. Reed. Vaizer. And now… Ciel.

I didn't need anyone to interpret how messed up my situation was.

'Is this the end?!'

*

*

*

[End Of The Fifth Arc]

It's been an epic journey, hasn't it? Well, brace yourself for even more!

You can all support me with your Power Stones, Golden Tickets, Comments, Reviews, or anything. It's been my pleasure writing for you all, and I hope you all enjoy this work.

[Sixth Arc: The Lost Worlds, will resume shortly]

Cheers!

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