Kuroki, a young Japanese man

Hey! Kuroki! Don't wake up!

　You are asleep and suddenly someone wakes you up.
　When I open my eyes, I see the ceiling.
　It's definitely my room in Japan.
　I move my head and look to the side.
　My childhood friend Shirone is looking down at me with an angry expression on her face.

''Ugh, what is it? White? I thought you weren't having a day off today. Let me get some more sleep.

　Silone shook his head as he protested himself.

'No! You're supposed to come with me to the store today, right? Now put it away and get up!

　With that, Syrone points to her lower half of her body.
　When she raises herself up a little and looks at her lower body, she sees her own son, who is wasted and energetic, growing out of the pee-hole in his trunks, as if to say, 'Good morning.

'Whaaat? Don't look at me! Syrone!

　He hurriedly hides his crotch.
　Syrone isn't panicked at all.

''I've seen it so many times already, it's too late now. For that matter, I'll get ready as soon as possible!''

　I wake up grumbling.
　Syrone sometimes comes into his room without permission.
　On the other hand, I've never been in her room.
　Isn't this unfair?
　I think about that, but you won't hear me say it now.
　I decide to get up and get ready.

"By the way, Shirone. Where are you going today?

　I ask Sirone while getting dressed.
　Then Shirone gives me a dumbfounded look.

'What are you talking about, Kuroki? We're going to go swimwear shopping today, aren't we? It's almost summer vacation and you said we should go to the beach, just the two of us.

　He tilted his head at Syrone's words.

'Oh, yeah? Didn't Shirone say she was going to Rage's villa, as I recall?
Who's Rage? I don't know who that is, okay? Or did you forget your appointment with me and make other plans?

　Syrone looks sad.

'I was planning to go to the mountains for training, in case you were wondering. Well, not a solid plan.'

　The summer vacation was going to be spent training swords in the mountains as Shirone was gone.
　And when he returned from his training, he planned to take a part-time job.
　We went to buy swimsuits together, but I had no plans to play with Sirone.
　That's what really happened.

'What's that? That doesn't sound like fun! Better yet, come and play with me, Kroki. Why are you training in the first place? I don't care if it's weak. I don't need to be strong.

　Syrone laughs carefree.
　I almost sigh when I see it.
　At first it happened in reality, but not in the middle.
　Someone who accepts me unconditionally for not doing anything.
　Sirone is not that convenient for me.
　How much do you think you've seen yourself with Shirone?

'Nope. I'll do my training. I even study hard. I won't stop trying to be good-looking, either.

　I shake my head.
　The black flames in my heart won't go away.
　So I answer that.

'Why? It's so hard to try, isn't it? Stop trying so hard.

　Syrone smiles a bewitching, uncharacteristic smile.

'That's not true. It's even harder to not try and stop trying.

　Then I stare at the fake in front of me.
　Perhaps living is a battle, so to stop striving to be strong is tantamount to quitting living.
　The only person who made me realize this is Cyrone.
　There was a time when I resented Sirone.
　But I realized that it was just the opposite.
　You can't match your beautiful and ordinary self to the beauty and mediocrity of Sirone.
　She practiced her sword, but she didn't put in that much effort.
　She'd studied, but she'd never taken it seriously.
　I should have worked harder sooner.
　If I had done that, I wouldn't have had to go through all that pain.
　I regret it.
　But time is not going to turn back. But I don't want to go through that painful period in the future.
　So I won't stop.

'Why do you look so scared already? Ehehe, I'm actually thinking of buying a really nasty swimsuit for Kuroki today. I'll show you how to wear it later!

　Cyrone clings to her arms.
　Awesome swimsuit? I want to see that!!!!
　Thinking about it makes me want to dwell on this dream for a little while longer.
　It's my mind, indeed. I know my weaknesses.

'What are you doing? Kuroki?

　A voice comes from behind me.
　I turn around and see Raina.
　She has a dumbfounded look on her face.
　I guess it's because our minds are connected.
　It appears in my mind without a care in the world.

'Have you come to call me? Raina?
Yeah? Kuroki? Well, I've always thought it would be okay, but you're not going to just disappear, are you?

　He shook his head at the words.

'No way. We can't allow that to happen.'

　Cyrone brings his left hand, which he's not clinging to, to his mouth.
　I can't see the ring, but I can feel it.
　Behind the ring, Kuna is there.
　I cannot disappear without her.
　The black flame in the heart will not be extinguished as long as there is a touch of this ring.
　I look at Syrohne's face on the other side of Raina.
　The Silone in front of me doesn't say anything.
　Her eyes are vacant. She won't be smiling gently anymore.
　The Syrone in front of me is a convenient illusion that I created based on the memories inside me.
　He was shown a dream when he jumped into Eclipse's mind.
　Eclipse is a power taker.
　He tried to take the power of his mind.
　But that won't stop his heart from burning.

In that case, go back. I'll dress you up so you can see for yourself.
'What? Really?!

　Seriously? I look back at him.
　But Raina is no longer there.

'This is going to have to come back soon.'

　The Goddess of Victory doesn't seem to let me lose easily.
　Besides, I can feel the heat from the ring.
　How can I be embarrassed to lose like this!
　It burns the black flames in my mind.
　The landscape around me melts into darkness as the silone in front of me distorts.
　The heavy darkness is eating away at me.
　But I don't want to disappear.
　I sharpen my mind.
　Zarxys doesn't have complete control over Eclipse.

'I can't lose! Now it's our turn to go on the offensive! Eclipse!

　Have a strong heart.
　Spreading the black flames, he discovers the spider's thread in the Eclipse.
　Wielding the black blood magic sword, he breaks the thread.
　Now Zarxis's control is gone.
　All that's left is to follow Eclipse.
　He spreads his black flames and fills Eclipse's darkness with his own.
　I can hear Eclipse's roar.
　I feel my body being swept away by the black torrent.
　When I open my real eyes, I find myself in the sky above the desert.
　Eclipse flies around me.
　When I close my eyes, I feel connected to Eclipse.
　I'm pretty tired. But it seems to have worked.
　A lot of eyes are on me.
　I look at Raina and Tona and the others, the wall is still alive and well.
　I look at Raina and she has a tired look on her face.
　It's not surprising, since she has used her shield and even used a mental infiltration (mind dive).
　Although she's tired, her beauty is still intact, so she's a big deal.
　I look at Tona and see her normally expressionless face smiling happily with Nell.
　After confirming that the girls are safe, they land on the sand between the Gypsies and the Queen of Snakes.
　Totoona looks at Deirdre and Zarxis and the others.
　Zarxis looks at us with an expression of disbelief.

'Nonsense! You say you took the Eclipse away from this Zarxys!

　Zarxys' screams of hate.
　Zarxis didn't have complete control over Eclipse, and he was a better match for him.
　That's why he was able to take it away.

'You're a very scary man inside, Dark Knight! How dare you wrestle control of the Eclipse from Zarxis! It's too good for that feckless Modes! I'm going to ask you again! Be one of these Deirdre's!

　The Snake Queen recruits again.
　But I can't do that.
　It reminds me of the inside of a pyramid.
　Deirdre tried to get rid of her failed subordinates with impunity.
　Modes wouldn't do that.
　Maybe he just hasn't been able to trust and punish, but I don't dislike that laxity.
　Even if it made me unqualified as a superior, I would have preferred Modes to be one of them.
　So I can't be her companion.

'I am sorry. The Snake Queen. I cannot be one of you. Even if you are a coward, His Majesty the Demon King is a better fit for me.

　I bowed my head and declined the invitation.

I see. Are you a coward? Too bad: ......

　The Snake Queen shakes her head sadly.

'O Queen of Snakes! I got the Eclipse myself! It's a reversal of fortune here! Can't you just pull it off?!

　I call out to the Serpent Queen.
　Aside from Elyos and Gypsiel, I have no reason to fight the Snake Queen myself.

''Hahahahaha! The tables are turned! Don't make me laugh! The Dark Knight! That's how you're gonna win! Hey, it's Zarxys!

　Suddenly, the Snake Queen starts laughing.

'That's right, Dark Knight! This Zarxys power isn't just for Eclipse! I will show you the essence of the power of death!

　As he says this, Zarxys's form changes.
　The lower half of his vestments tears off and six spider-like legs come out from inside.
　The spider's legs were sharp and looked like a large sickle.

'Come on, sing! Wailing souls! Give the Dark Knight his death!

　When Zarxys' vestments were completely torn off, the countless faces that rose up all over his body cried out in anguish.

''Have you taken in the souls of those you have sucked out?!

　I exclaim.

'Yes! The Dark Knight! I will eat your soul! They'll bring back the Eclipse!

　Zarxys's form ceases to be completely human. Pale, hairless skin, the upper half of a bat and the lower half of a spider.
　A huge mouth in what used to be his belly.
　Twelve red eyes stare at us in the face.

''Hahaha! Zarxys! If you're serious about this, then I'm going to be serious about Deirdre here! Come out now, Spirit Cup of Chaos!

　As the Snake Queen says this, a single large cup appears in front of her.
　You can feel a very unpleasant feeling from inside the cup.
　The things in that cup must not be allowed to overflow. I have that feeling.
　The evil gods become noisy.
　Some of the evil gods start screaming in fear.
　It's like they know what the Snake Queen is up to.
　It's the same in the Gypseal camp, where Raina, Totona and the others are making a lot of noise.
　It makes me break out in a cold sweat.
　It's probably going to be hard to win even with Eclipse.
　We need to do our best too.
　However, when the full power of the dragon is unleashed, we can't control it.
　I have to admit, for goodness sake, I may have to ask Raina to help me again.
　That includes the lower half of my body situation after it's over.
　So I don't want to use it if I can.

'Wait! Diadna!

　A voice comes from overhead.
　I look up and there's a huge golden sphinx flying around.
　You are surprised to see its face.
　For the face was the lion queen, Sekmetra.
　She has gone from looking almost human to looking almost like a lion.
　Maybe this is her true form.

''Hou Sekmetra?! I didn't expect you to come out of it.

　The Snake Queen looks surprised.

'I just got a report that you're moving! They're on their way here as fast as they can! I won't let my lovely nephew and daughter die!

　Sekmetra, in winged man-faced lion form, howled.

'I see! But you, who was once called the goddess of slaughter, are now no better than a coward who has been boned by an Elios man! I don't think this Deirdre will lose!

　The Queen of the Snakes was quick to retort.

How about that? Deirdre? I don't know why the dark knight is helping you, but he and his concubines, along with the power of the goddess of Elyos, will not allow you to go unchallenged. Do you think it would be wise to back off?

　Diadna ponders Sekmetra's suggestion.

'Surely not. 'Very well, I'll take it from here. Men! Retreat!

　The Snake Queen cries out.

'O Deirdre! What the hell are you doing?!

　Predictably, Zarxys protests.

'Pull back now, Zarxis! We've waited a thousand years! The opportunity will come!

　Zarxis looks frustrated at Deirdona's words.

'd*mn! All right! It's Deirdre! The Dark Knight! Next time I'll make sure to knock you to your death!

　Zarxis drops back and moves out of range.
　The evil gods, led by the Serpent Queen, move back.
　It looks like it didn't have to be a fight.
　But still, I'm tired.
　It seems I don't have the qualities of a spirit user. It's not like a sword.
　When I look up at the sky, I see the dark spirit Eclipse and the light spirit Bennu, whose strength has weakened, flying around.
　It seemed to be an appropriate sight for Gypsir and Apophis, the border between light and darkness in this land.