A/N: …

EnderSoul1401: Don't worry about it, the main story's almost over. Just one more chapter…

…

A bit of admin. I changed what happened to Koei in his original timeline from "offing himself" to simply "disappearing". It didn't feel right and as long as I'm already publishing things, I might as well make that change. Also a reminder that the epilogue will release tomorrow.

…

Even if my heart cracks, and my dream blurs,

I'll hold closely the scattered pieces of sadness.

The day when tears will become a smile,

I believe in it, forever friend.

Mousou Katharsis

Hclegend presents:

Sociopath With a Spellblade: The Finale

Salvation

Jill nearly dropped her glass in shock. "No way."

I nodded. "Get her a drink. We have a finale to talk about."

Neptune and I rushed down the neon maze, dodging monsters and taking potshots when we could while carrying Uzume's body. We knew the stakes were even higher now that her other half was awake again.

Finally reaching the square room, the goddess of delusion was waiting, Chrome unconscious and wrapped in rope as a familiar ivory pistol was pointed at her skull.

"No sudden movements, nobody has to die." She said simply, using her free hand to point to the body we were carrying. "Put her down nice and easy."

We complied, slowly lowering the body to the hard floor, her head pointing towards the ceiling. "See? Nice and easy when you do as I ask. Now, onto business."

I pulled out Peace and pointed the modified pistol at her. "Let her go." I threatened.

Uzume smiled smugly. "We're really doing this?" She pointed the gun at me now. "I'll admit, shooting her would have been a mistake, but I needed something to bait you three here. Turn around."

"So you can shoot me?" I refused, standing as still as a statue while she shrugged.

"Worth a shot. Speaking of." She threw the pistol at me, nearly clocking me in the face as I picked it up. "Guns are such a brutish tool. I understand why you two resort to them, but I leave the firearms to people like her."

I felt a gun barrel poke me in the back. Turning around, Uni was there, her usual crimson eyes now purple. "Poor Uni. She wasn't ready to fight her own flesh and blood and surrendered without resistance. For someone who's milteristic to her core, she sure does cave when it's her sister she has to fight."

"You won't get away with this." I said, turning back to her, prompting a laugh.

"But I already have. On your knees. I want you to die kneeling to the future goddess of Gamindustri."

Feeling the barrel again I kneeled, feeling the cold metal on the back of my head as Neptune did also. "Much better. Goodbye, Koei Tech. Uni… Do the honors."

Instead of a bullet I felt the gun barrel forcing me to the ground as she opened fire on Uzume instead, calling her to yell in pain as she fell over. Climbing over me, the Candidate offered me a hand up. "Sorry we're late." She said, as the other CPUs and Candidates followed suit.

Understandably I was rather confused. "Da fuck." I said as I dusted myself off.

"You think I'd surrender my Nation to big sis? Just a cover story to get us here safely." She took off her purple contact lenses, revealing that she was in fact, perfectly fine.

"Damn, thought I really was going to bite the dust then… Good work."

Uni looked away, rubbing the back of my head sheepishly. "It wasn't my idea… It was my girlfriend's."

"And it worked perfectly!" Nepgear came running to her now girlfriend and bear hugged her. Noticing that there were people watching them embrace, she blushed before letting go. "I decided to bite the bullet after I took care of Vert… I thought that there might not be much time left for any of us. She said yes and got planning right after that."

There was one person missing from the usual group, I noticed. "I assume Iffy told you what happened…"

Nepgear gave me a hug. "I'm sorry about what went down. She said it's over and not to return to the Basilicom. Not even Neptune could convince her otherwise… That and you did a number on her, it seems. She doesn't remember anything about the fight… Neither do the CPUs."

Then she didn't know the truth. "She did a number on herself. Her ultimate attack backfired on her. Hell, that's the only reason I'm alive!"

Nepgear let go. "I trust your word. Part of why we came out here is because we needed to know the truth. Neptune… The other one I mean told us what happened in the aftermath of the fight, but wasn't there for it."

I gave a look to Neptune. "You were out for a while, to be fair. 3 days in fact."

Jesus. "Iffy's still fuming at me, then?"

"That and healing off her injuries with Compa. And uh… I've never seen Compa so angry."

I gulped. "Let's move on. I don't think that taser shot will last forever."

Looking to where Uzume was… She had disappeared, as did her so-called "Better Half", leaving Chrome still unconscious. "Who's she?" Nepgear pointed to the silver haired woman.

"A friend. Wake her up, we've lost the element of surprise and I don't know how long Uzume will take to think of a plan to take us all out."

Complying, Uni was already shaking the woman awake as I turned to the rest of the assembled cast. "I assume we all know why we're here and who we're up against."

The collective party nodded as murmurs of agreement came from the crowd. "Blue edgelord named Uzume, was the CPU before me, bad news for everyone?" The CPU Neptune summed up her character for me.

"Yeah." I shrugged. "Now, here's the plan-"

"WOAH. HOLD UP." Neptune stopped me instantly. "Koei Tech doesn't do plans." She pointed an accusing finger at me. "Don't tell me she got to you!"

I gave her a look. "I don't feel bad for what Plutia did for you. Where is she anyway?"

"Keeping an eye on Hyperdimension while the CPUs rest up." Neptune shook her head. "It's been a hell of a three days, Koei. The waves of monsters have been relentless. The only reason why me and Nep Jr. are here are because as Planeptune CPUs, we feel it's our duty to at least be here for moral support."

I gave a nod. "It's the thought that counts anyway…" I put a hand to my chin. "But seriously, anyone got a plan that isn't the Koei standard of "Rush in and break faces" ?''

Muttering from the group brought up nothing. "I have one." We all turned to Chrome, who had woken up. "Get me out of this rope first, though."

Rolling her eyes, the older Neptune took out her penknife again as she cut the ropes holding the silver haired woman hostage. Getting up and dusting herself off, she nodded. "Thanks."

"So, the plan?" I crossed my arms.

"It seems that Uzume wants her "better half" in order to do… Something with it." She shrugged. "She's so insane at this point that I don't know what it could be."

I sigh. "I hope whatever it is doesn't force the fic to M-Rated at the last chapter." I shook my head. "Probably already risking it with those translated song lyrics."

"It's a nice song, though. Suits the mood nicely." Neptune countered. "Also, we're going to need a new name for Big Me over there. It's already confusing enough when you're talking about Uzume."

The bigger Neptune shrugged. "Alttune? Nepalt? BIg Nep?"

"Big Nep." I say, before shaking my head. "We're getting off-topic. Chrome, what do you think?"

The Super Neptunia RPG character put a hand to her chin. "I assume either killing her, or finding some way to put her under control. It's what I'd do if I was the villain… Not that I ever have been."

"Yes yes, continuity joke." I wave my hand in a "go on" gesture. "Any idea on why, though?"

"Oh! Oh! The jersey dress wearing Neptune put her hand up like a student wanting to answer a question. "Histy's noticed a weak link between what she coined "Zero Dimension" and Planeptune. If Uzume could find some way to break that weak link, both dimensions would be linked, just like Hyperdimension and Ultradimension."

"Bad news, then." I didn't quite understand how it worked out like that, but I had a motive. "Well, if she can't escape Heart Dimension yet…"

The walls started to shift, some of the neon blocks disappearing leading to a doorway similar to the Planeptune Basilicom.

"Convenient." I started to head towards it, but a gloved hand stopped me.

"It could be a trap. Remember that Uzume has absolute control over this dimension." Chrome sighed as I pushed her hand away. "Headstrong like always."

"It's the only choice we have." I felt something at the other side of the door as I kicked them open, revealing the Basilicom… But sepia-toned, as if…

"You must be the new Oracle." An unfamiliar voice echoed as Uzume, though impossible to tell which version due to the lack of colour approached Histoire.

"Y-Yes." She stammered. "I didn't think the CPU would come meet me personally on my first day…"

Uzume got down on one knee to look at Histoire face-to-face. "What kind of ruler would I be if I didn't at least meet my new second in command? Come on, let's get you set up with some tea." The two left before the room changed to one of the upstairs bedrooms, Uzume in bed before suddenly shooting up with a yelp.

Histoire came in, distressed by the noise. "What happened?"

Uzume shook her head. "That same dream… The one where I suddenly lose control of my power and hurt Planeptune. Histoire... "

"I've spent the last three days researching it. I've not seen any record of a CPU doing that. You'll be fine." She patted the CPUs' shoulder comfortingly before leaving.

Uzume had an unsure look on her face. "I hope so… I became CPU to protect Planeptune, not destroy it." She then laid down and went right back to sleep.

The scene cut to the room where I first found her body, the two staring at the capsule she was frozen in. "Are you sure this is the only way, Uzume?"

She nodded solemnly. "I've hurt Planeptune too much to change fate. It breaks my heart to do this, but they'll kill me out there if I just step down." She sounded weak and unsure. "You remember my instructions?"

"Destroy all evidence of your existence. Yes." Histoire nodded, gaining a sad smile. "I'll miss you Uzume."

Uzume smiled back. "Yeah… But it's for the best that I'm forgotten. Try to keep an eye on the vitals, if something happens, get the CPU who succeeds me to unplug the machine and stab me in the heart. I don't know what kind of damage the delusional energy could do if I were to be released."

Histoire nodded as Uzume got into the tube, before she closed the door and activated the machine. With a woosh, I heard a freezing sound before Histoire left without a word.

The world regained its color as both Uzumes were in the lobby of the Basilicom. I hadn't noticed as I was so engrossed in the story, but the doors behind me had disappeared, leaving me alone with her.

"Now you know why Planeptune has to die." Uzume summed up before getting up, her other half still unconscious. "I loved Histoire. I loved being CPU and protecting my citizens,.. Until they turned on me." She turned around, anger in her crazed eyes. "If they won't love me… I'll teach them fear instead. Then Histoire and I can be happy together, just like the old days."

I approached her, no weapons in my palms… Perhaps I can do this diplomatically. "Uzume… I know what happened to you was awful, but-"

"But what? Everything will be hunky dory if I just give up? You're here to kill me! I know you are!" Her voice started to get hysterical now as she approached me. "I won't give up until Planeptune is in ruins and the CPUs are dead. Neptune is a failure of a goddess and her sister just enables her! Even Uranus failed if she died from a lack of faith! Planeptune has had its chance and it fucking failed. It's time that I took my nation back."

I blinked, putting two and two together. "How… How do you know all of this? You've been in a coma."

"How do I know? I've been forced to watch Planeptune, the nation I LOVED decay ever since I froze myself! No more sitting around, it's time I took action."

She walked back to her other half. "If I can't be Planeptune's saviour… I'll be its destroyer instead. All I need is to be whole again." She grabbed her other half's hand and squeezed, the two slowly glowing before disappearing in a bright light as I felt the world shake.

Oh god. Oh fuck.

Turning back, I saw the doors were open again, The three Neps rushing towards me. "Koei, we have to go." Nepgear said in a panic. "This world's starting to collapse at the seams, what did you do?"

"Uzume took herself and disappeared… Said something about being whole again…"

"Well, the giant crystal thingy in the middle disappeared. For some reason we can't transform either. That and we can't leave Big Nep behind."

Big Neptune shook her head. "Crosty's outta juice, too. Any idea where the exit could be?"

I think. "One." I started to run to the room where Progression was stored, finding the door that lead to Uzume's room open, we ran down the stairs, entering the room where she was contained… Only now the capsule was open, with a glowing doorway inside of it.

"Fuck it, let's GO." I jumped into the capsule, unsure if the Neps followed me or not.

Moments later we were back in Zero Dimension, the familiar ruins greeted me as I looked around for any sign of Uzume. She stood in the middle of a circle, seemingly unaware of us, but she had changed.

Her hair was now purple, with a white shirt. She looked like the better half of Uzume more than the delusional goddess I knew at least. Just with weird hair.

As I approached her, she spoke. "Isn't it beautiful?" Her voice was still tomboyish, but had that calm undertone her evil self had as well. "This is what Planeptune should be like. No citizens to turn on you, the city destroyed, the legacy of failure forgotten." She looked down. "The only thing missing is Histoire."

"You can't do this." I say simply. "You can't destroy Planeptune and kill the CPUs. You'll kill thousands!"

"They deserve it." Uzume retorted without a moment's notice. "The day I lost control of my power was a mistake… I should have killed them all."

"I…" I was lost for words. She was talking about this with absolutely no qualms in her voice.

"If you're worried about Iffy, I can cut you a deal. I know she broke your heart like losing Histoire broke mine. You're angry, aren't you? Perhaps you can vent it on Planeptune. Make her come back to you out of fear?" She bargained.

I was disgusted. "No." I said outright. "You're fucking insane."

"Maybe." She didn't disagree at least. "But you have to realize that Planeptune drove me to this. They wanted blood. They wanted me dead. And now everyone will hate me all over again now that they remember me. Good work, Koei. You helped ruin Planeptune."

I thought back to the last time I talked to Histoire. I stood and went through every possible reason Uzume would have to destroy Planeptune. Why she'd go after me and the Planeptune CPUs in particular.

My eyes widened when I realized her true reason. "You're scared. Scared that Histoire will reject you."

She turned to me, rage in her crazed eyes, still the same deluded colour as before she transformed. "Why does that matter?" She started to walk towards me. "What would make you think that?"

I smirked. "Nothing. But the way you're reacting makes me think I'm right."

She tried to punch me in the face as I caught her hand. I was shocked that I was able to stop her attempted attack. "I'm not scared of anyone, or anything! You think I'm doing this out of fear? No, I'm doing this out of hate!"

I let go of her hand. "That's what someone scared of someone they love finding out the truth would say. Face it Uzume, even if you did pull off your plan… She'd never take you back."

She was now positively enraged. "That's it." I could feel the fury in her voice. "You're going to die." She snapped her fingers, as a screen appeared. "Thanks to your stunt of restoring everyone's memories, combined with this dimension being connected to Planeptune, I can now influence the real world. While I'll destroy Planeptune myself… Well, every screen in Planeptune is now broadcasting us."

"Huh, so that's what happened." Jill had served us both a drink and was just cleaning out another glass. "I don't know how that works."

Uzume shook her head. "I've forgotten everything about that day. I couldn't tell you the details if I wanted to, that's how badly I was deluded. But I remember the feelings I felt during that conversation… Koei was right. I was scared. I pulled that stunt out of fear, to try and intimidate him."

I smiled. "Ended up being her downfall. But hey, it saved your life."

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Hi mum!" I waved to nowhere in particular, all of Planeptune now watching our conversation.

Uzume seemed shocked by this. "Why are you being so casual about this? ALL of Planeptune is going to watch you die! Then I'll kill the CPUs! Then I'll start on the citizens! Then the cit-"

"I'm not scared of you." I crossed my arms defiantly. "You're trying to intimidate me by saying these things, but I see right through you." I walk up to her, staring her dead in the face. "Because we both know I have nothing to lose at this point. Without Iffy, I'm nothing. That's what scares me, Uzume. You? You're just a teenager having a tantrum."

She said nothing as I stepped back, pulling Serenity out. "You're too deluded to be reasoned with. But I have faith on my side. Planeptune will be rooting for me." I outstretched my left hand. "Histoire let me borrow this, too. You recognize it? Progression."

Uzume seethed as I continued. "Face it Uzume. Histoire likes me more."

Uzume finally moved, screaming at me as she lunged in rage. As sick as it sounds, I was goading her into a fight. Airbolting to the other side of the arena, I breathed deeply and mentally prepared myself for what could be my final battle.

Koei

Vs.

Uzume Tennoboushi (True Form)

Ready?

FIGHT!

(Uzume Tennoboushi's Theme - VISION - Megadimension Neptunia VII)

Being stood near the edge of the circle that served as our arena, I noticed the bottomless void off of the edge of the circle. Yikes, nearly fell into that.

Stepping back onto the arena, purple flames shot out of the void as they surrounded the entire circle, trapping us inside. "One on one." She said simply. "I might be as insane as you think I am, but I know my successors would try to save you when I win. Just hedging my bets to make sure."

I sigh. "Pretty cocky. But it makes for a nice aesthetic at least!"

Uzume punched the ground as dark purple crystals erupted towards me. Dodging the crystalline spines, I fired a few shots of Peace at her, stunning her as I approached to attack with Serenity.

She expected this, blocking the blade with her gloved hand as she pulled it out of my hand. "Neat sword. Can't believe you ended up with a second one." She tossed it behind her with a "whoops", it thankfully remaining in the arena, but it left me with an angry goddess and no close ranged weapon.

Oh wait, I had fists. She was still turning her head back to me when I grabbed her shirt and started punching her in the face. Several blunt blows later she pushed me away, shaking her head to reorient herself. Perfect.

Sprinting around her, I grabbed Serenity and fired a Frostblast, nailing her in her back and freezing it. The weight of the magic ice unbalanced her as she fell onto her back. Putting my foot on her chest, I pointed Serenity at her face.

"This fight is far from over." She said, before she gained a dark aura. Oh fuck me running. Grabbing my leg, she tossed me to the other side of the arena as I heard a distinct crack in my left hand after landing on it. FUCK.

Getting back up, my head hurting from the throw, I looked at my left hand. It hadn't broken, but it hurt like hell, distracting me long enough for her to follow up with a punch to my face, almost knocking me into the fire. Thankfully I regained my balance, using the momentum to headbutt her in the chest, distinctly feeling her soft breasts as I did so. Slightly perverted and not quite what I planned, but it worked!

My wrist's pain fading, I grabbed Serenity with both hands as I charged up a spell I hadn't used in a while. A Flameblast. Using the time gained from headbutting her, I felt like my arms were going to set on fire as the fire changed from orange to blue.

As Uzume was about to snap out of her trance, I fired, the fireball exploding as it hit her chest again. Breathing a sigh of relief, the smoke cleared as I… FUCK.

She was perfectly fine aside from being slightly singed. In fact, she was looking at me with a bored look. "That's your best?" She taunted. "Some hero."

She then put her arms in a very familiar pose from Street Fighter. "Here's something for ya. HADOKEN!"

Inexplicitly, a purple fireball launched from between her hands, smashing me in the chest as I fell over. Aside from adding to my increasing number of sore spots, it also gave her the time to stand on my chest, her aura still there with a smug grin. "Time to die."

Her left hand set on fire as she pointed towards me, the purple flames starting to grow in size as she charged her attack. "Any last words? Wanna beg for mercy? Maybe reconsider that offer?"

I spat in her face, causing her to stomp on my chest in response. I think I felt something break, but between the sound of charging mana and the flames surrounding us, I didn't hear it. In response I coughed up a little blood, seeing the red liquid launch itself from my mouth.

"Nothing short of a miracle is going to save you. Did you ever worship a CPU? Because it's going to take one of them to stop me… Faith means nothing, Koei. It's power that wins a fight." She taunted again, her attack nearly ready.

Wait… Miracle... CPU… Faith…

Closing my eyes, I prayed. I prayed to Neptune, Noire, Vert and Blanc.. I prayed to the citizens of Planeptune watching… I prayed to the readers…

I heard something. It was quiet, but it was there.

"Do it, Koei."

"Knock 'em dead, Kopey!"

"RIP HER FUCKING HEAD OFF!" Okay, that was less quiet.

"Come on, Koei, make it through. I know you can fight a goddess!"

The CPUs voices answered my prayers. They had faith in me.

"Come on, you're my best customer." Jill's voice echoed.

"Do it for justice!" Nisa cheered.

"I know the British spirit flows within you." The slutty knight urged. "Do it for Hood. Do it for Saber. Do it for Karen Kujo! Do it for every British hero you can think of!"

I felt my strength returning to me as I continued to hear everyone's voices, their prayers…

But one stood out.

"Koei… I know you can do this." IF said. "If you can fight me, you can fight her. Please… Please make it through." She prayed for me despite everything that happened between us… She still cared.

And that is when I Awoke and felt… ABSOLUTE.

(Current Music - ABSOLUTE - Megadimension Neptunia VII)

Kicking Uzume's leg off my chest, I knocked her off balance enough to uppercut her in her smug-ass face as I got back up and dusted myself off.

I must have hit her pretty hard as sh e was now on the ground, more stunned by my sudden turnaround than the actual force of the punch. I looked down at myself and saw my aura, yes but also my heart glowing in my chest. Reaching in, I pulled out a sword.

It was Planeptune Purple and around the same length as Serenity. The blade itself glowed with everyone's prayers and faith and the handle had a single word etched on it.

"Salvation."

I checked out the simplistic short sword. My wrist no longer hurt as I held the blade in my left hand… In fact I couldn't feel any pain whatsoever. I didn't want to ask questions as Uzume soon recovered once again, her dark aura providing an opposite to my own.

We stood and stared each other down. We knew that this was it. Planeptune's past versus the future saviour of Gamindustri. No words needed to be spoken as the prayers of Planeptune drowned out my hearing anyway.

They faded eventually, but I still felt them support me as I raised Salvation to the sky, a bolt of purple lightning striking it as a familiar buckler and gauntlet fell from the sky… Somehow.

Looking up, Purple Heart had airdropped the Artifacts with a salute before flying back down outside the arena. Thankfully the flames didn't also cover the top.

I lowered my blade as I equipped the other two Artifacts and mentally prepared myself for the true final battle.

"Iffy… This one's for you." I smiled sadly as I put Serenity and Salvation's blades together before separating them once more.

Enough messing about. It was time to end this.

And that was when my theme kicked in. "Uzume… I'm going to win." As the lyrics of the song I queued up on my phone kicked in, I had regained my confidence as I put my phone in my pocket. "Not because I'm more powerful. Not because I have my friends. Not because of the prayers of those who have supported me..."

I stared her dead in the eyes. "Because I'm the fucking protagonist."

Koei Tech

Vs.

Uzume Tennoboushi

THIS IS WHERE TOMORROW BRINGS A NEW GAME!

IT'S TIME TO LEARN THAT PAIN IS GAIN!

READY?

FIGHT!

(Koei Tech's Theme - No Pain No Game)

I charged forward as Uzume did the same, preparing a flame infused punch as I leapt into the air, landing on her shoulders before leaping again, launching a powerful dual blade strike from above, smashing her face with both swords, slamming her into the ground into the ground, cracking the circle as Uzume's body hit the ground.

She groaned, before punching the ground, getting herself back up. "That hurt." She got up and stared at me, death in her amethyst eyes. "I'll end you."

She tried to throw a punch, but I tossed my swords in the air and grabbed her gloved hand. "Cute." I twisted her hand in a similar method to what she did to me when we first met. "My… How the turns have tabled."

She responded by headbutting me, catching me off guard as the blades clattered to the ground. Quickly recovering, I smashed her face with Grace as she was trying to grab a sword, giving me the chance to grab both.

Having the advantage, Uzume attempted to strike me in the face, but tried too soon as I was still getting back up. Shaking my head in disappointment, I slashed at her chest in a cross pattern, knocking her back as I charged my next move.

"That crystal move gave me an idea... " I mutter as both blades started to glow, before I kneeled and stabbed them into the ground, two pillars of ice bursting out of the ground, one purple and one cyan. "I will give my all today! SHARD BARRAGE!"

I used both swords to shatter the ice, causing shards to rather predictably fly everywhere, many of which hitting Uzume herself and the rest dissipate as they hit the flame barrier. Noticing the flames die down for a second, I nodded in understanding as the second verse started.

Having recovered quickly, Uzume opted to counter attack with a roundhouse kick, which I deftly blocked with the blades of Serenity and Salvation, forcing her to fall back or risk losing a leg.

Using my inner power, both blades were enchanted with fire, suiting the colours of each blade as I slammed both into the ground, purple and blue fire erupting from the ground, forcing Uzume away as I approached, the flames not burning me as I approached the goddess, feeling truly badass.

"Time to end this." I stated calmly as the flames died down. While my demeanour was tranquil, a hidden fury burning deeply inside as both blades glowed in the relative darkness of the arena.

As the second chorus ended and the rocking guitar solo began, a blizzard started to form unexpectedly, starting to freeze Uzume as I approached even closer. "Now listen here, Uzume." I start my rant, my tone scarily calm. "You have taken a lot from me. You took my friends. You took my sword. You took Iffy. All to bait me into a fight." The blizzard intensified as Uzume's torso started to freeze over. "Now here we are, with all of Planeptune behind me, you immobile… And I'm about to use my Limit Break." I gave a smug smile as her neck froze, leaving her unable to do anything but stare. "Let me ask you, how do you feel that you're about to lose everything?"

Silence.

"Thought so." Was all I responded as the blizzard died down. "Now…" I almost teleported behind the former goddess with how fast I moved. "GLACIAL!" A swift kick launched Uzume into the air as I followed, Serenity and Salvation giving off a blinding light as I prepared to finish the fight in style. "CLEAVE!" I slammed both blades into Uzume, forcing her to plummet to the ground as I landed with a crack, forgetting that I was human. My power had been expended as I knelt, panting heavily.

Noticing a shadow above me, I quickly dodged an aerial assault from Uzume despite my tiredness, her fist annihilating the ground as the shockwave knocked me back, the song calming down as I was temporarily stunned.

Uzume cracked her fists and cricked her neck, her clothes showing signs of damage, as well as her face having several cuts on it. "I'll admit. I underestimated you." She said, preparing for her next strike. "Planeptune really must be putting their faith in you if you're actually fighting back." Her dark aura became even more powerful as her grin turned maniac. "Too bad they put their faith into a failure."

Seeming to teleport to me, she unleashed a flurry of punches, screaming as she did so. I was unable to block any of them, seeming to come out faster than light as she uppercutted me into the sky. I saw the three Neps gasp in horror as Uzume grabbed my leg, my weapons not having come with me on my trip as she threw me into the ground with a resounding smash.

For the first time sime the fight turned in my favour, I felt pain. A lot of it. Not only that, but the fall snapped my phone in two, stopping the music that had helped me fight in the first place.

(Song End)

Still, that wasn't important… I was in agony. Even more than when Iffy unleashed her ultimate attack. Trying to get up, Uzume had already grabbed me by the shirt, lifting me with a single hand as… Oh fuck.

"Let's see how much damage your faith can do." She held Salvation in her other hand. "Die." She stated with unrestrained fury as she shoved the sword in to my torso before throwing me to the ground with a smirk, seeming proud of handiwork.

Thankfully the blade didn't pierce any vital organs… Probably wanted to watch me die in agony, I figured.

Laying on the ground, I turned my head to my right to see Serenity, still embedded in the ground at least. I tried to reach for it, but it seemed like miles away. Putting my arm down, I sighed in resignation. This was it.

"Ah, there it is." Uzume taunted, not even bothering to move. "The sigh of defeat, knowing that all of Planeptune will watch you die." She laughed. "Who's the cocky one now? Even your precious Iffy will watch your agony as you fade from this world. Should have never fucked with me, Koei. A shame, too. You actually got some good hits in."

I grunted, sick of hearing her smug tone, the thought of poor Iffy sat at the Basilicom, watching me die…

No. I won't let myself die at the last hurdle. This ends here. IF wouldn't put up with this… Why the fuck should I?!

Resolve in my very soul, I grunted as I reached towards my new sword, still impaled in me. With an agonized grunt, I pulled it out, breathing a sigh of relief as I slowly, but surely started to get back up.

"What in the… how the fuck." Uzume got out, mouth agape in utter shock in what was happening before her eyes. "Why are you getting up? You know I can put you back down again without trying." She tried to threaten… But even she didn't believe what she was saying anymore as the flames surrounding the arena started to fade.

"Your delusional energy is finally running out…" I got out, coughing up blood as the newly reddened Salvation was now my crutch, helping me to my feet as I headed to Serenity. "You can't convince yourself you're the hero anymore, huh?"

She clenched her fists in utter contempt. "I… I… I'll kill you! I'll kill you all!" She yelled, trying to threaten me as the flames faded more. "I will destroy you!"

"How?" I ask, slowly feeling my pain fade. I wasn't recovering, but I certainly did feel better. "That move you tried… That took a lot of power… As did maintaining your barrier…"

She pointed at me in rage. "Stop trying to talk your way out of this!" She demanded. "I'm only giving you a chance so I can… I can…" She looked down at her feet, her eyes starting to fade from the dark purple to a lighter shade. "Why…"

"I had faith in you." I smiled. "Seems that combined with the citizens of Planeptune… It countered your Negative Share Energy."

Uzume fell to her knees. "By the Goddesses… What have I done?" Her voice started to break with the realization of what led her down this path. "I've hurt so many people…"

"NepG, can you get the feed off?" I ask the tech wizard. "Uzume and I need to talk… Alone."

Nepgear nodded and pulled out her… Device thing. "With her delusions broken, it should be a cinch… Huh, seems they're already down."

"That would be me." Histoire's voice echoed through the world. "I saw that fight and have been working tirelessly with Anonydeath to track down the source. Turns out her mind was linked to the Internep all this time, allowing her to broadcast her mind to all of Planeptune's servers. I don't know why, but she was always a fan of the early Internep…"

"Makes no sense. But I'll take it." I smiled. "Now then, can you get the other three out of here, and start to work on getting us two out?"

"Indeed I can!" Histoire beamed. "Good luck Koei… And Uzume."

The former goddess didn't even lift her head. "I know." She admitted in defeat. "Just make it quick."

Silence. "What? I was going to say that I always believed in you… Part of why I kept that room was because I always knew this would happen." Histoire sighed. "I'm sorry Uzume. I should have done as you asked as soon as I found out."

"Love makes you do crazy things." I smile. "It's like Faith for CPUs, but more personal. It can empower, it can destroy... " I looked up to the sky. "It can even bring you from the brink. I'm not surprised that all this came down to two people in love, separated by a tragedy nobody could have stopped."

I heard a clapping noise. I turned to the source and it was the CPU of Planeptune herself. "Well said, Koei. I knew you could day we met, on the outskirts of Planeptune, I knew you would do great things. You're might not have wanted to be the protagonist, but you've grown into a great one. Nobody wakes up thinking they want to be one, but when fate comes a knockin', you gotta answer the door before they break in."

I stare at her. "That started well, at least."

Neptune gave me a thumbs up. "RIght, we're gonna go now. Beam us up, Histy!"

With a flash of light, the three were gone, leaving me and…

Uzume hadn't moved. She was still on her knees, still thinking. I knew I shouldn't have done anything and waited for her to be ready, but sometimes you have to make the first move.

I put a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay." I say simply, compassion in my voice. "I can wait a few hours if I have to."

She shook her head. "No, this has gone on for long enough." She started to walk to the edge of the arena, looking down at the abyss. "What I've done…" She sat down on the edge as I breathed a sigh of relief.

"As a famous band named after food once said… I'd do anything for love." I start the talk.

"I went too far." Is all she said in return. "Why would I do what I did?I could have just…"

"Don't bother with "What ifs". You can't change the past." I shook my head as I remembered my own chequered past… From before all this. "But you can reflect on it to change the future."

Uzume didn't look at me. "For a hero, you definitely sound like you've done your fair share of evil."

I bit my lip. "I wouldn't call it evil, but we're all the hero of our own story. Sometimes all we need to change is a different perspective on things." I told a half-truth. I'd never done anything on Uzume's scale, hell I hadn't even been arrested until the incident in Lowee. But this was about her.

"In that case…" Uzume finally turned to face me. "What do you think?"

I leaned back as I thought. And thought. And thought. I was completely willing to forgive her, but everyone else…

Fuck it. I'd vouch for her if I had to. "I think everyone deserves a second chance. It's the philosophy I've lived by so far and look where it got me!"

A ghost of a smile appeared on the former villain's face. "I suppose you have a point." Her face fell again. "But… everyone saw what I did. While you can forgive me all you want... " She looked at her gloved hands. "I'm a CPU with no followers. I'd be lynched on the streets after trying to kill everyone."

I pull her into a hug. "I'll vouch for you."

Silence reigned in the nigh-empty dimension for a few awkward seconds before Uzume hugged me back. "If it means being able to see Histoire again… I'll do anything."

Letting go, I noticed that she was smiling again. I think she had finally accepted who she truly was.

She wasn't the tomboyish amnesiac CPU.

She wasn't the delusion-fueled former goddess.

She was Uzume goddamn Tennoboushi. And she's going to show the world that her fate wasn't meant for her.

"The road to redemption is a long one, Uzume." I got up, happy that she was on board with me. "But I'll walk it with you."

Uzume got up herself, dusting herself off. "After what you've done for me, I'll happily walk it with you."

Hopping out of the arena, Uzume happily followed as we walked down the ruins of Planeptune, it slowly shifting to the bustling metropolis that I knew and loved.

The home I had fought tooth and nail for.

As we approached the Basilicom, significantly shorter than what I remembered, I opened the door, letting Uzume through as I followed.

Salvation lies within our broken hearts, after all.

End of Part One.