It had been almost three days since the General had appeared before Yuu and his companions.
Yuu had asked Kyorano and the other Captains if they knew anything about why Hono had entrusted him to that family—but his efforts were in vain. The Commanders claimed to know nothing. Or maybe… they were lying.
Shinya had reported everything, in detail, to Kyorano. Their suspicion was clear: the General was preparing for something big. Over the past three days, all of the Kingdom's forces had begun abandoning their posts, converging en masse on Soulis—the capital of Anima, nestled at the foot of the Grey Mount.
Scattered spies across the regions had confirmed the worst: even the Governors were heading toward the Cathedral of Cordis.
Though Arien believed the plan was nothing short of suicidal, the other leaders of Libertas agreed—it was now or never.
The main army would engage the Kingdom's forces head-on, creating a massive diversion. Meanwhile, the leaders and core strike teams would board a Lizard and use the chaos to break through enemy lines. Their goal: reach the Cathedral, and take out the General and the remaining Governors in one decisive blow.
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During these days, Yuu had spent almost all his time alone in his room, poring over Hono's notes on the technique.
Some of the pages had faded with time, and many of the words were nearly impossible to decipher. From what he could gather, the name of the technique was Flame Soul.
Somehow, it revolved around the ability to gather an immense amount of Esper energy—of any type—and convert it into fire energy. Naturally, only a fire Esper could even attempt to learn it.
But it was a double-edged sword.
On the final page, Yuu read aloud a warning left by Hono:
"Gathering Esper energy from types other than your own places extreme stress on the user's body—both physically and mentally. I barely survived using it once. If I were to use it again, my body wouldn't hold together. To you who reads these words—use this technique only if you're truly prepared to risk your life for it."
The release of such densely packed energy would be utterly devastating to any opponent.
Yuu read through the notes again and again, but he couldn't figure out how a fire Esper was supposed to absorb energy from other elements. He couldn't physically train with the technique. He had only one chance.
And he couldn't afford to waste it.
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Those doubts haunted Yuu all the way until the night before their departure.
Libertas, having crossed the region of Astalia with Governor Lionhart's permission, was now heading toward Soulis—in one final, desperate attempt to put an end to the General's reign of cruelty.
Night had fallen when, in the distance, they first saw the lights of the capital.
Aboard the Lizard piloted by Commander Lucas, Yuu gazed out at the full might of the Kingdom's military. Stretching across the plains, an uncountable number of soldiers stood ready—many of them surely Espers. Tank divisions and magical artillery were strategically positioned across the semi-desert terrain.
Even the skies were locked down. Countless Lizards and other aircrafts circled the airspace around Mount Grey, like a swarm of insects guarding their nest. At least a dozen massive Vulture-class motherships formed a near-impenetrable blockade. And hovering in the rear, above the Cathedral itself, was an even larger ship—silent, ominous, and on standby.
In sheer numbers and firepower, they were hopelessly outmatched.
Despite having liberated three regions, the ones that remained were the wealthiest, best-equipped—and still loyal to the Kingdom.
"That's the Victorious, the flagship of the Kingdom's Air Commander," said Kyorano from behind Yuu. "She'll definitely be the one leading their forces. There must be at least a million soldiers out there."
Even Erich, usually full of reckless optimism, fell silent at the sight. "And we're barely a few thousand…" he muttered.
"An Air Commander? I thought we only had to deal with the General and the Governors," Geist said, his voice sharp.
Kyorano shook his head.
"Ryser is always protected by his two loyal bodyguards."
Yuu's mind drifted back to Yuki—the girl who had killed the Governor of Astalia when he was their prisoner.
"Then that Air Commander…" Yuu began.
"Is Aria—Yuki's younger sister. And the second of the General's personal guards," Hitoshi concluded.
"So we'll be up against them as well," said Erich grimly.
"And not just them," added Ralph. "Think back to what happened in Esios. I'm sure today we'll finally get some answers… about what really went down on that mission."
No one spoke.
The idea that there might be a traitor among them was no longer just a possibility. It was starting to feel like a certainty!
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The Libertas forces took position, trying to stay hidden among the mountain passes near the border with Astalia.
It was 11:00 PM when a series of flashing lights lit up the night sky from the Victorious, followed by a massive hologram—projected high above them—bearing the emblem of the Kingdom: two black wings.
"Libertas," the General's voice echoed across the battlefield, deep and commanding."At last, the final battle is upon us. I want you all to be motivated this time—so let me tell you exactly what I intend to do. I've gathered the Esper Treasures—ancient, immensely powerful artifacts hidden across Anima by Aegir' former first member. By combining their powers with my own… I will achieve absolute strength. Yuu, I'm speaking to you directly now. Meet me at the top of the Cathedral—or your friend will be the first to taste my new power. You have until midnight."
The hologram vanished, leaving only silence.
Yuu clenched his fists.
"Looks like Ryser's taken quite the interest in you," Kyorano said with a dry laugh. "Good. We don't have time to waste. Let's begin!"
With the roar of a cannon, the battlefield erupted into chaos. Armies clashed in the dead of night, illuminated only by the flashes of magical explosions.
The Kingdom's advantage was overwhelming.
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"You think he's bluffing?" Erich asked.
"I've heard of those seven relics," Kyorano replied, his tone dark. "An old friend told me about them shortly after the fall of Aegir. Each one is deeply connected to the power of us Espers—in fact, I believe our strength itself originates from those stones."
"Hono had scattered them across the regions, intending to use them to enrich the land and push Anima's progress forward. But when he realized how dangerous they were, he sealed them away in hidden chambers so they'd never be found again."
"If Ryser's really using the power of those spheres… then it's not just Anima that's at risk—it's the whole world."
"When Shinya told me what happened in Reeda… our worst fears were confirmed."
"I'm guessing there's no stopping him now that he has all seven," Geist muttered.
"We have to reach him first," Gilbert said firmly.
Arien folded her arms. "And that won't be easy."
"He's most likely beyond the thirteenth floor. A barrier protects the Cathedral—has since the day Hono made us Espers," Gide added. "The only way to reach the top is by ascending all thirteen levels from inside."
"Only one entrance, then," Riko concluded.
"Needless to say, we'll face the remaining Governors along the way," said Ryou.
"And if we get separated—don't go alone," Lucas warned.
Everyone nodded in solemn agreement.
Misuto, as a new member of the Esios team, was now fully set on getting revenge against Kana.
"Hold tight, everyone! Time to break through the blockade," Kyorano said, tucking away his cigar."No matter how this ends… I'm quitting smoking."
The Lizard's bay doors flew open. Mira, Erich, and Lucas launched themselves into the void below. While Mercure piloted the ship through a rain of gunfire, the Esper squads worked to intercept incoming missiles mid-air.
Lucas drew his katana and slashed the air. Blades of wind shot forward, slicing through enemy Lizards—some were damaged, others plummeted in flames.
"Now! Head straight for the Cathedral!" shouted Gide.
Commander Mercure looked almost thrilled as he navigated the battlefield, pulling daring maneuvers through the chaos. In the rear hold, passengers gripped their harnesses, praying they wouldn't die before even reaching the fight.
"Trouble incoming!" Hitoshi shouted. "The Victorious is on the move—it's coming to cut us off!"
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Commander Aria stood on the bridge of the Victorious, calmly coordinating the battle—both on land and in the skies. Her armor was identical to her sister's. That alone was enough to send a message.
It was more than obvious: Libertas didn't have the numbers or equipment to win a direct fight. This attack… it had to be a diversion. And when the enemy Lizard began breaking through the swarm of Kingdom ships, her theory was confirmed.
"Commander," one of the officers on the bridge called out. "The enemy Lizard is being escorted by three air-type Espers. Our attacks aren't making it through."
Aria didn't reply. Her eyes remained fixed on the monitor.
The General had sent that message—addressed to one particular member of Libertas. That boy. The one who had recently caught his interest.
He had invited him to meet at the top of the Cathedral.
Libertas' chances of victory were slim. But Aria had learned one thing in war: never assume! Even the smallest risk… was still a risk.
And if they died before landing, that risk would be eliminated completely.
Between minimal risk and no risk, the better choice was clear.
Besides, the General hadn't given her any order to let them through. She wasn't disobeying. She was doing her duty.
"I'll handle it myself."
Aria stepped out onto the top deck of the Victorious.
The Libertas Lizard was drawing closer, the air-type Espers swirling around it like protective spirits. They'd already broken through the other ships. Only the Victorious stood between them and the Cathedral.
She raised her hands to the sky.
The wind responded.
Currents began to spiral around her, faster and faster, converging into her palms. A swirling sphere of compressed air took shape, growing larger with each passing second.
When the orb grew so large that even she had trouble controlling it— She let it loose. A storm condensed into a single blast, hurling toward the enemy Lizard.
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The Espers were doing everything they could to hold back the vortex of wind—but it was too strong.
Mira and Erich were the first to be blown away, tossed aside like rag dolls. Lucas managed to resist for a few more seconds, but he too was eventually thrown back by the overwhelming force.
"We're all gonna die!" Toru cried out, panic overtaking him.
"Kaito, can you cancel out that sphere?" Gilbert shouted.
Kaito shook his head.
"Even if I neutralize the energy itself, I can't do anything about the wind. We'd still get torn apart!"
"I'll handle it!" Geist unbuckled his harness, yanked the hatch open, and stepped dangerously close to the edge. Just before the impact, he raised his hand.
The winds shifted.
They twisted and spiraled violently, as if they'd lost control. The Lizard was thrown in every direction, spiraling downwards and losing altitude fast.
"Hold on! We're crash-landing!" Mercure's voice came through the intercom—somewhere between a scream and laughter.
Geist's barrier had taken the brunt of the impact. It wasn't enough to stop it entirely—but it was enough to keep them alive.
From the cockpit, Mercure slammed the hatch shut remotely. Geist, however, didn't make it back to his seat in time.
The ship slammed down hard on the peak of Grey Mount, just meters from the entrance to the Cathedral.
"That barrier of yours just saved our skins," Yuu said, pulling himself up.
Geist stood, breathing heavily. "It's easy when I'm only protecting myself… but trying to cover others too? That's where it gets tough."
The three air-type Espers regrouped with the rest of the team, grateful that they had all survived the landing.
"Brilliant flight," Mercure said with a grin. "I'd do it ten more times!"
No one else shared the enthusiasm...
"Heeey!" a girl's voice suddenly rang out behind them.
It was Nya!
"What the—? What are you doing here?!" Ryou shouted.
Of course. She must've snuck onboard while everyone else was distracted.
"It's the final battle! There's no way Nya was gonna miss it!" she said cheerfully, striking a pose.
The Captain sighed, shaking his head. There was no point sending her back now.
"Just… stay out of harm's way."
She nodded eagerly, and together they all turned toward the stairs—
And began their final ascent.
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Aria stood perfectly still, watching as the Libertas Lizard crash-landed near the Cathedral.
"It seems I underestimated you," she murmured.
Just for a split second, she had seen the Esper—the one who had managed to deflect her wind sphere.
She reached for her communicator and spoke calmly to one of the officers on the bridge.
"I'm leaving this skirmish to you. I'm returning to the General's side. The real battle… will take place there."
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No one.
There wasn't a single enemy soldier or Esper in sight. Could it really be that all of the General's forces were still engaged in the battle below?
It could very well be a trap—or perhaps the General himself had ordered the path left clear for their arrival.
Either way, they couldn't afford to waste time. They paused for just a few seconds before the towering Cathedral doors.
It was Kyorano who pushed them open.
What greeted them was the grand entrance hall—an immense space lined with two parallel rows of columns, stretching all the way to thirteen colossal statues. And beyond them, a massive staircase led upward to the higher levels.
"Stop!" Kido's voice rang out suddenly.
Everyone turned toward him.
"I… I can't let you go any further…"
"Kido… What are you saying?" Riko asked, her voice trembling.
"I can't let you pass," he repeated, head lowered. "I've been ordered to eliminate you. Ethereum!"
In a flash, a dozen rifles and cannons locked into place across his back. Others latched onto his arms and legs. A jetpack mounted itself to his shoulders, completing the transformation.
"Kido, no…" Riko whispered, falling to her knees.
"Well, looks like we found our traitor," Geist muttered.
"Are you insane?!" Ralph shouted. "You can't possibly take all of us on by yourself!"
"I don't have a choice," Kido said quietly. He raised the wrist-mounted weapon and opened fire.
The team scattered instantly.
"Captain!" Ralph shouted to Ryou. "Go on ahead! Riko and I will take care of him. One way or another—we'll make him come to his senses."
Ryou nodded once.
Yuu couldn't help but think how hard it must be to see your own comrades—your friends—turned against each other in battle. Or maybe… they had never truly been friends?
He didn't have time to dwell on it.
Midnight was drawing near—and Khala's life was on the line.
"Go! Up the stairs!" Kyorano yelled as Kido fired wildly, weapons blazing from every limb.
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When they reached the first floor, they paused for a moment. It was Hono's hall, decorated with his portraits and flames lining the walls.
"I didn't expect them to start dividing us right from the start," Shinya said.
"I hope you've already decided how to split up," Arien addressed the Harthland team.
Shinya nodded. Yuu would stay with Keiji, Toru with Mira, and Shinya would remain with Kaito and Misuto.
They didn't encounter any enemies on the first floor, but on the second floor, they met a young man slightly older than them. He wore purple armor and a horned helmet. Yuu remembered him—he was Lionhart's bodyguard, the one who had poisoned Hitoshi and then fled, abandoning his own Governor.
"So many guests for this party!" he exclaimed. "Some of you already know me, but allow me to introduce myself again—my name is Nomurath, Grand Knight of the Kingdom." He was admiring the portraits of a woman hanging on the wall.
"She was my predecessor. Don't even think about touching her, even if she's just a painting," Arien said, clearly annoyed.
Yuu had already drawn his weapon when Gilbert and Katia stepped forward.
"Leave this one to us. You'll waste precious time if you linger here," said the leader of the Esios team, spitting a cigarette onto the floor.
"Good thing I don't have to deal with the Captains, or I'd be in serious trouble," Nomurath chuckled.
"Your troubles are just beginning," Katia shot back. "Come on, everyone else, move up."
"This was my home, albeit briefly," Arien added. "Try not to wreck it too much."
Nomurath made no move to stop them. Surely the Governors were waiting on the upper floors, ready to intercept them.
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They passed the third and fourth floors without encountering anyone else. Gide's hall on the third floor was decorated with an ice theme, while the fourth floor was adorned with water motifs. Yuu didn't know who the fourth member of the Aegir had been—probably someone who had died many years ago.
On the fifth floor, the lightning hall, whose former occupant Yuu didn't know either, they came face to face with an old acquaintance: Kana, the Princess of Dreams.
"Well, well, look who's here, filthy scum," she greeted them coldly.
"Is the Princess angry because last time we forgot to bow?" Misuto taunted, seeming to provoke her even more than she already was. The General must have surely scolded her for her last failure.
"You'll regret betraying me," she replied. "Tonight will be your last."
"Even if I die, I'll make sure you meet the same fate."
"Just as I thought, she's the one I have to fight," Shinya said.
"Don't do it," Kyorano warned.
"Father, please trust me," she pleaded.
Kyorano glanced at Yuu. The boy's gaze was begging him to let her fight and to trust his daughter.
Kyorano surrendered. "Alright, but promise me that no matter what happens or whatever she says, you will never take off that ring."
"I promise!" she said, smiling at her adoptive father.
Kyorano was the first to rush up the stairs, without looking back.
Kaito stayed with Shinya and Misuto, while the others followed Kyorano.
"You made the right choice," Yuu said to Shinya's father. "Trust her."
He nodded.
They passed the sixth floor, Hitoshi's, without any problems.
When they reached the seventh floor—a grim place that had been Ryser's residence—the group found themselves facing a pale girl, not very tall and incredibly thin.
"She's the Governor of Atlas, Dia, the Perfect Hacker," Arien said.
"At least now we know how she always managed to anticipate us," Gide added.
"If you don't mind, I want to take her on myself," Mira said.
"Are you sure?" Toru asked.
She nodded.
"It doesn't matter how many want to fight me, but I invite all those who don't intend to to please move on," Dia said slowly.
"Be careful," Yuu warned them.
The two nodded and stepped forward.
"Nya!" Ryou suddenly shouted.
The little girl had stayed with Toru and Mira, trapped inside a barrier of flames with the other two.
"Let's go, Ryou," Kyorano said. "Those two will keep her safe."
The young Captain said nothing and ran with them to the upper floors. Yuu saw Ryou cast a last worried glance at little Nya.
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They passed through Lucas' air hall, the ninth floor—the earth hall—and arrived at the tenth, Ryou's. It was an ordinary room, no special elements.
"This was my predecessor's hall," Ryou said. "He was an Esper without an element like us, but he was a very good man. I will miss him forever."
After catching their breath for a few minutes, they resumed their march.
At the threshold of the eleventh floor, Kyorano stopped. "This was my hall," he said. He observed that everything was perfectly in order, just as he had left it.
A person was leaning against a column, waiting. He was a middle-aged man with short black hair, dressed in the Governor's uniform. His gaze was empty. The man slowly approached them.
"I am the Governor of Elbion, my name is Goro," he introduced himself. "The General gave me the title 'Armored Scythe'; although I don't understand why he gave us Governors these nicknames, I'd say it perfectly suits my ability."
"Step aside, old man, we don't have time to waste on you," Geist said.
Goro didn't even glance at him. "The General ordered me to hold back the Libertas leaders. The small fry don't interest me; you may proceed. The others will deal with you," the Governor said, keeping his gaze fixed on the Captains.
Yuu recognized him. He was the same man who had watched over the ruins of Kana's castle and disappeared in an instant.
"It seems there's no other way," Hitoshi concluded. "You go ahead and save Khala, then try to stall until we return. Ryser is not an opponent for you."
Yuu looked again at the Governor of Elbion, then at the Captains. Kyorano, Arien, Hitoshi, Lucas, Mercure, Ryou, and Gide—they were the legendary Espers of the Aegir who had led Anima. They were among the strongest Espers alive. Surely the Governor was powerful, Yuu had realized that at first sight, but together, the Captains could defeat him.
"Alright, let's go," Yuu finally said, passing Goro alongside Keiji, Geist, and Erich. The Governor remained unmoved, letting them pass.
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They passed through Mercure's hall without trouble and arrived at the thirteenth floor, the hall of steel.
"How many Governors are left?" Erich asked.
"I am the last one," a female voice replied.
Before them stood a young woman blocking access to the final flight of stairs. She looked about thirty years old, wearing heavy white armor adorned with the Governor's insignia. Her hair was tied into twin ponytails.
"I am Senrika Hina, Governor of Era. The General awarded me the title of Mystic Bomb," she introduced herself. "If you want to reach the top of the Cathedral, you'll have to get through me first!"
Geist spat on the ground. "As if I wanted to fight a woman. Move aside, I want the General."
The girl drew her sword and pointed it at him. "How dare you, insolent one? You will regret your words. In the name of the General, I condemn you to death!"
The staircase leading to the terrace atop the Cathedral was behind her, but impossible to reach.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the stairs and a girl approached them. Yuu recognized her: it was Yuki, the General's bodyguard.
"Looks like you've arrived, Libertas," she greeted them. She wore the same armor as last time, holding the same spear with an icy tip. The air in the room grew colder.
"What are you doing here, Yuki? I can handle this on my own," protested Hina.
"Orders from the General," the other replied.
While the two spoke, Geist turned to Yuu and Keiji. "It'll be me and Erich against these two. You go up to save your friend," he whispered.
"Are you sure?" Keiji asked. "Remember, one scratch from that spear will freeze you—and kill you."
"Don't worry, leave the rest to us. You move on; Khala's time is running out," Erich said. "Vitalis!"
A white light enveloped the two girls from the Kingdom as Erich reappeared with his angelic wings, bombarding them with feathers. Hina and Yuki immediately stopped talking and separated to avoid the attack.
"Now!" Geist shouted.
Keiji and Yuu ran through the rain of feathers until they reached the stairs—but something was chasing them. They kept climbing relentlessly. Yuki's icy attack shattered against the steps below.
"We made it. Now let's move," Keiji said.
Yuu nodded and climbed the last flight of stairs.
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The sky was black. There were no clouds, but not a single star could be seen. On the enormous terrace of the Cathedral stood several columns, each holding torches that pointed into the darkness. In the sky, the moon was covered by a luminous circle formed by the seven glowing relics suspended in the air. Finally, Yuu could see the seven relics up close. They were indeed seven precious stones: a Diamond, an Amethyst, an Emerald, an Agate, a Ruby, a Lapis Lazuli, and an Opal.
There wasn't a soul around, and it was just minutes before midnight.
"Khala, where are you?"
"Oh, I see you made it after all," said a familiar voice from behind them. Yuu saw the girl who had introduced herself as Sora, but whose real name was Ryser. Khala was nearby, chained to a column and unconscious.
Near the General stood a girl wearing the same armor as Yuki. She seemed a few years younger than her sister.
"Aria, take the blondie out of the way," the General ordered the girl.
She raised her hand, and immediately Keiji found himself floating in the air.
"Keiji!" Yuu shouted, as his friend struggled in vain to free himself from the invisible hold. In an instant, Keiji was thrown against a column, then fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Step aside now. I want to talk to him alone."