...

  Through the forest, where all adventurers fail to reach the destination, another one takes on

  As he sshed through the illusions of the forest, a path revealed itself to them

  It was never a challenge for this individual since light supposedly counters all illusions

  and that light came from no one other than the Light Pilr himself, Hikari

  "..."

  It shouldn't come off as a surprise to them anymore, but the other pilrs were still amazed at their leader's strength

  "Geez, you should have gone to that pce yourself huh?"

  "..."

  Although Hikari stayed silent, Ignis went further

  "I wonder why the top brass of the adventurers decided to act on their own..."

  Ignis said, as he sharply stared at Aeris

  "...What?"

  "Nothing, it was just strange to me. I know that party leader of theirs is a weirdo and full of himself, but he's not the type to do something without anything in return"

  "..."

  As if he hit the nail on the head, Aeris wasn't able to argue back

  "You don't happen to have...anything know about it, right?"

  "She doesn't. I was with her the whole time, the whole thing about them acting on their own was also news to us"

  Casa said to Ignis, stopping Aeris from rebutting

  "So that's really it?"

  "What's there to expin further? We told you what we knew, we reported it to Hikari, and now we're here. Don't you believe me?"

  She said, leaning closer to Ignis

  "I-I get it! I won't press any further!"

  Casa then steps back

  "Still...even if that was an illusion, the enemies sure was stronger than the ordinary ones"

  "Its like we fought crimsoned creature version of themselves"

  "Right?! Although they were no match for us, we would eventually ran out of stamina if that kept on going"

  "Right..."

  Casa looked at Aeris, who was murmuring to herself the whole time

  "What the hell?! That wasn't any ordinary illusion that I've encountered before!"

  "..."

  "She's pretty out of it today huh"

  "Seems like it"

  "Aren't you gonna comfort her or anything?"

  "..."

  "...I see...I'll go to where Magna is for now"

  ...

  "*Sigh*...So she took another gamble that she wasn't even prepared for..."

  As the girls had a conversation of their own, the boys had theirs as well...

  "What's the status, Magna?"

  "I don't feel any irregurities within the area, we're probably out of the illusion by now"

  "Well that's reassuring, we can't even tell the difference which is real and what is not anymore"

  "Props to whoever made it. It even stumped me"

  "It was able to fool Hikari as well...only once though"

  "That reminds me, how were you able to guess that we're already inside the illusion?"

  Ignis and Magna looked over to Hikari, whom they're waiting for the response

  "The Gales. They attack in unison when in groups"

  "Oh! But the ones we fought earlier weren't!"

  "How could've I missed such an obvious detail?"

  "You won't be able to since we're in a battle. Such distractions makes us not notice the small details"

  "I get that part, but how we're you able to break the illusion?"

  "..."

  "...Hikari?"

  As if the cat got his tongue, Hikari hesitated to say the real answer

  "Isn't it obvious? Illusions are part of the dark magic. Light Magic counters all dark magic. Basics of the Basic, Ignis"

  "I know that! But Hikari's sword didn't glow the moment he sshed the illusion!"

  "What? I didn't even noticed that"

  The symbol of their Leader's final strike is his "Light Judgement", said to be the most powerful magic that Hikari has in his arsenal...

  ...yet Ignis knew that wasn't what Hikari did at that time

  "...Infused Magic"

  "Infused...Magic...?"

  "The sword absorbs the Light, thus releasing that light once struck down on the target"

  "Wait, a new magic? You just did a new magic earlier?!"

  "It was necessary to dispel that type of Illusion"

  Ignis and Magna was at a loss for words from what they just heard from Hikari

  "I see...so even Light Judgement of yours can't penetrate through it"

  "But because of that, Hikari now has another more powerful magic than his Light Judgement"

  "Oh right! What do you call it man?"

  "..."

  Another question that Hikari can't give an immediate answer to...

  ...He thought of something as the two waits for his response

  "...Dispel"

  "Eh? Dispel?"

  "That rare spell that certain heroes have..."

  "I've heard of it as well, but others say that those who have it usually are the ones who are much stronger than the other heroes"

  "I've heard that there are different types of dispel. On how other Heroes use them, how they are applied, and such"

  "No wonder that's the name that Hikari thought of, suits with his new magic because of those descriptions!"

  "..."

  "Alright! Now I'm fired up! I will also going to learn a new spell!"

  "Not that I'm imitating you both, but I too would like to try as well"

  The two said, with determination in their eyes, as they followed Hikari from behind

  Hikari throughout the exploration, stayed silent, scanned their surroundings, and took precautionary measures...

  ...until they reached the destination...

  ...

  As the endless maze of the forest finally came to an end, they were met with a pleasant, vibrant scenery

  Glimmering ke, lively patches of grass, fishes happily jumping in and out of the ke, and the soothing distant sound of the water pouring down from the waterfall

  Their guards had lowered down the moment they witness such a rexing environment

  "Beautiful..."

  "Right? That was also what Aeris and I said when we saw this pce before"

  "I never knew there was something like this deep within Myriad Forest"

  "Was this the reason why Aeris wanted to get this pce so badly?"

  Ignis said, as she looked over to Aeris, who averted her gaze to him

  "That waterfall is tempting..."

  "I know what you're thinking right now Magna, but I don't think we have the time for that"

  "Right, self control, I know"

  "..."

  "? Something wrong, Hikari?"

  "...Its odd"

  "Odd? What is?"

  "...Right after we got in here, my body suddenly got lighten"

  "I also felt that too! Its probably because of this pce! Its so rexing just by looking at it"

  "No, Hikari's right. It is odd"

  Aeris said, joining up in their conversation

  "You noticed it then?"

  "Yeah. Normally, anywhere within Myriad Forest would certainly have some level of aura lurking whenever you go. We felt that the whole time earlier"

  "Yet this pce in particur, shows no signs of aura at all"

  "?! Doesn't that mean-"

  Suddenly, a rge boulder was heading towards the Pilrs

  *Crash!*

  ...The pilrs were able to react on time, except for Ignis, who got dragged off by Casa

  "I'd be surprised if you weren't able to dodge that one honestly"

  "...?"

  "Why did you do that?! Now I can't sneak up behind one of them!"

  "Huh? That's a bad way to greet your enemy you know!"

  "Oh shut up you two"

  As they looked to the other side, three figures were standing in front of them

  "?!"

  As the three revealed themselves, the Pilrs felt the heavy aura once again

  "?! A Demicat...and A Lurachnid- Achk!"

  Aeris fell down to her knees at the sudden pressure. Few seconds ter, they were able to get accustomed to it

  "W-What the hell is this aura?!"

  "I can tell they're quite strong...probably on par with those magus"

  "Crap! If you're acknowledging their strength, do we even have a chance?!"

  "Are you hearing yourself right now Ignis?"

  "B-But Casa-"

  "Its three against Five. We have the advantage"

  "This is not a matter of outnumbering them!"

  "..."

  "Hikari! If we're going all out on this one, we gotta use that catalyst man!"

  Yet Hikari didn't show any signs of agreement

  "I'll handle that guy"

  "Huh?! On your own?!"

  "He seems to be the Leader. If I take him down, they'll stop"

  With confidence in his words, Ignis let out a sigh and finally stopped panicking

  "I forgot that you never back down on your word. Alright, we'll take on the other two! Even though he looks just like a normal person, don't underestimate him!"

  "Ironic for you to say that"

  "W-What's that supposed to mean?"

  "Nothing. Don't go underestimating this Lurachnid either"

  "I should be saying that to you, Magna!"

  As the Lurachnid's opponents were Magna and Ignis, the Demicat's opponents were...

  "I've always thought when I would have the chance to fight a Demicat, but I do wonder, why are you and that Lurachnid over there are working together?"

  "..."

  "Is it because of that guy?"

  He points to the individual that's facing Hikari

  "I admit he looks strong, but he's too dull looking...I prefer guys like..."

  She looks over to 'him' in particur

  The Demicat didn't respond, but instead gave a smile that was empty, but had murderous intent. Aeris smirked at the sight

  "Well...looks like this is that chance, huh?"

  "Ya bet! You better not slow me down, Casa"

  "I hope you don't falter this time, Aeris!"

  ...Lastly, it was the two Leaders that faced each other in the battlefield

  With neither of them having the intention to attack yet, they stared at each other in silence...

  ...Until one of them broke the ice

  "Are you one of them?"

  "...?"

  ...

  With no response from the opposing side, Hikari didn't press any further

  "We'll just have to talk during the battle then"

  He says, silently casting a spell as he swiftly closed the distance between him and the opponent, swinging his sword effortlessly

  *Cng!*

  ...Which signalled the start of the battle...

  ...