Imari, you two take care of the injured.
Got it.
Okay.
Tora and Tatsu, come with--
These guys are different than before.
Miyabi, please be all right...
We lived in a closed-up past
With an ever-distant future and time unmoving
Finding in our battle now what we were searching for
The power to believe in each other, beyond even destiny
We'll get stronger, you and me: a pair to the end
This light reflects a bond even deeper than our wounds
I want to protect you... and so my soul runs out to you now
Just hand it over to me (all of it)--even your pain
We're together (together) that's why (that's why) we can make it our strength
I'll be your shield, and yours alone
My back to yours, I believe in miracles (in meetings)
No one can intrude on that (can't stop it)
Looking down on our limits from far above: Absolute Soul
"#9 Rebels"
Without a doubt, this is Equipment Smith's team.
The units are different than before.
Rebels... the god-destroying corps. It seems they were successful.
Isn't that name just too-too?
Those Level 2 chicks are too freshly hatched to be a match for them!
Luckily, there are no casualties as of yet.
They probably don't want any.
This must be what that older gentleman would consider
a first-round Selection.
How unfortunate to be proud of something so boorish.
Sarah, any reinforcements from the main school?
About that, Miss...
So the main school's under attack from another squad.
They're after the underground research facility.
But this, too, was figured into my calculations. Rito?
My time to shine at last, eh?
It's not every day we have a Selection.
Show them the true extent of your power.
If you say so, Headmistress.
It's been a while--time to go all-out!
Are you okay?
Uh-huh... thanks, Imari.
It's what Duos do.
But if this keeps up...
Any ideas, Tachibana?
Not when they're keeping their distance.
Kokonoe!
Tor!
Sorry I'm late.
They really did a number on us, huh.
Unforgiveable.
How dare you do this to our students?
Just one of the many things I'm dying to ask.
But never mind that. Here goes--and I'm not pulling any punches!
Now that I'm free of that damn limiter for once,
you can bet I'll make the most of it!
C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon! Bring it on!
Tor...
Yeah, she's a lot stronger than she was back then.
This woman's an exception! Go ahead and kill her!
Looks like some of you need to dance another round or two... Very well!
Here's an extra lesson for you.
Stay back if you don't want to get hurt!
Using Blazes, Lesson 3!
When an Exceed goes beyond Level 4,
she can release the power hidden deep within her Blaze...
...like so!
Devour them, Ouroboros!
Now dance like mad--
hand in hand with the moon rabbit!
Hmm? Hey, Irregular!
So you were going easy on us before?
It's a grown-up thing. Complicated.
But listen--did you see that?
Yeah. Was that your Blaze's true power, then?
It sure was.
Where are you going?
Where else?
I'm heading out on a foxhunt.
Tor?
We should go back to the others.
You're right.
Kokonoe--Miyabi's not with you?
A message from the main school!
The squad that attacked them--
Absurd... All of us downed
by a single combatant...
They've driven off the attackers!
Have you got this all in the palm of your hand, Sakuya?
Yes, have you?
We have come for you, Blaze Diabolica.
So both the main corps and the Academy attack were diversions.
A little sideshow to entice the Blaze Diabolica.
I see you've really got your heart set on those Exceeds.
Won't you come with us?
You're quite lacking in manners...
...if you would enter a lady's room without knocking!
You'll have to do better than that.
Miss Bristol, I'm afraid we don't have an invitation for you today.
Miss!
I do wish you wouldn't make me tell you again.
You'll have to do better.
That's an Exception for you.
You've grown even stronger and more beautiful.
But I don't have time to entertain you right now.
Farewell.
What the...
Who's in there?
It should be the headmistress, Bristol,
and then her maidservant.
You handle them. I've got to go look for Miyabi.
Did you get separated on the beach?
That was a while ago... Sorry.
Don't be. It's not your fault.
I will find her.
I'll go with you. You're better off with someone who knows this island.
Thanks.
Over there!
Miss? Miss!
Lilith! Are you all right?
Tor... You see how it is.
She jumped in to protect us...
I made up my mind to keep you safe--you and her both.
Careful there.
Don't worry about me... check on her.
"Her"?
Sakuya. Shamefully enough, I let them take off with her.
Please, protect her... keep Sakuya safe...
You bet. C'mon, Julie.
Ja.
Now even you must admit you have nothing left in your arsenal.
Maybe jumping down was asking too much.
Still, we made it in time.
Yeah, looks that way.
Why would you attack us?
For something that has nothing to do with you.
I think it already has plenty to do with us.
If you die here, it won't anymore.
But despite all appearances, I'm a merciful man.
If you dive into the sea within the next five seconds,
I'll overlook your interruption.
I don't even need one second.
We're not about to drop the ball on Lilith's request.
I refuse as well. I can't swim.
What a couple of kidders!
Then shall we get started?
First to eliminate all obstacles.
Let's do this, Julie!
Ja!
Gotcha!
That's some power you've got. Amazing, really, for flesh and blood.
Whoops!
Don't let up!
Ja!
Not quite!
Nice and speedy... but lacks punch.
But you stopped moving!
Okay--now to find the headmistress.
A fine blow indeed.
That should've been a full square hit.
Yes--against my minions, it might've been fatal.
However...
...it doesn't work on me.
That's the new unit developed by Equipment Smith.
Just as you Exceeds have surpassed humanity with the power of Lukifers,
so have we, with units.
As you can see.
Oh, yeah?
My fist, sure--
but what about Julie's sword?
Are we done with the chitchat?
Then I'll make my move.
I didn't know you had this up your sleeve!
Hrungnir! The roar of thunder!
You okay?
No problem... at all...
One more round, all right?
Ja.
Tor!
Breaking through your special move is enough to throw you off?
You've got a long way to go.
And losing your cool just because
your partner is hurt?
You're utterly hopeless.
And that's why...
...you will die!
You move well on that leg of yours.
Because I made up my mind to protect Julie.
Protect?
Don't promise something you can't deliver!
Say it again.
What a lovely voice! Now say it again:
What will you do for her?
T-Tor...
Papa... Papa!
Papaaa!
Juli... e...
Be a good girl and wait there.
I'll send you along to where he's going soon enough.
No... I won't let you...
I'll protect you--I swore I would!
I made that promise...
...to myself!
That speed...
These moves...
What on earth--
Julie!
Julie, stop!
It's okay... that's enough!
Julie!
Julie...
Unreal.
You've been keeping all that power under wraps?
You!
Are you going to pretend that you'll protect her--in that condition?
I'll bounce back as many times as it takes
if it's to keep Julie and my friends safe!
Hearing those words and seeing the shape you're in--
it really, truly makes me sick.
Who could a weakling like you ever hope to protect?!
Please wait a bit longer. We have the Blaze Diabolica in our grasp.
That won't be necessary. We already have what we came for.
But...
We must prepare for our next banquet. Return at once, K.
Understood, sir.
I never did catch your name.
Tor Kokonoe.
Tor Kokonoe...
The next time we meet, I'll kill you for sure.
And that's Rebels chief K talking.
Wait!
K of the Rebels...
Tor and Julie kept their promise!
Yes. We must thank them.
If it was you they were after, why did they leave you be?
Elementary, my dear Lilith: I was not the older gentleman's target.
You don't mean...
It's me. What is it?
An invitation to the Reign Conference--
am I right?
I just meant to look at you, not knowing a thing
Wanting only to give shape to my feelings
We pass each other: I first notice the size of it all
And feel it so deeply it hurts
Together we can overcome, even if lost in countless nights
Someday we'll be strong for real
Alone, our hearts are immature; together, they are one
Trusting in the ties that bind us, we walk on
Papa was the hero of Gimle.
One winter night, Papa went into battle... and lost.
To him.
Papa was kind to the very end.
He patted my head and smiled apologetically...
And then the man who killed my father gave me this scar on my back.
I want strength.
Strength enough to kill that man.
Strength enough to have my revenge.
That's why I came to Koryo Academy.
Is that what makes you an Avenger like me?
Ja. Tor... I--
I still... I still need you to...
Julie...
Thank you for protecting me.
But you're the one who's always protecting me.
Well, of course--I'm your Duo, after all.
Ja. And I'm your Duo, Tor.
I want to keep Julie safe,
so she won't be hurt like this again...
And that's why I want to get stronger.
Will it really make me stronger?
Yes--it has a special tendency to strengthen those
who recognize their weakness.
I guarantee it.
Miss, I'm offering you an opportunity.
A chance to grow stronger from the bottom of your heart.
If I were stronger... Tor would...
I didn't have the slightest idea.
Not about why this Academy was made,
and not about what it was making.
None of it.
"Next time: Reign Conference"
Next time: "Reign Conference."
These are the realities of our world.