Blood, Tears and Honor

Ezekiel Hollenfeuer's monstrous and hideous form alongside the fiery presence of Simoun Lombardi. Two of the most feared figures in the Federal Mercenary Corps and Socialist People's Army respectively.

## "BOILING BLOOD, SORROWFUL TEARS, VALIANT HONOR"

### Synopsis

3 days after the events in Hurtgen Forest, the Socialist Confederates besieged the town of Heilbronn in a surprise offensive. The forces of Lieutenant Germany and Simoun Lombardi clash in a decisive battle. Meanwhile, Ezekiel finds himself face-to-face with the First Rank Sentinel.

## Details

### Goal

Push and capture Heilbronn and continue the offensive into Manheim (Socialists), Defend Heilbronn and reflect the offensive to create a counter-offensive into Nuremberg (Federalists)

### Location

Heilbronn Forest (Ezekiel) Outer and Inner Heilbronn (Simoun)

**Blood, Tears and Honor** is the eighth chapter and fourth psychological chapter of **Descendants of Calamity,** it is also the denouement of the second part. It is the second chapter to include three villains simultaneously. In Heilbronn, the Socialist Confederates besiege the town. Lieutenant Germany's forces reinforce the encircled Descendants of Calamity while the German Army pushes toward Nuremberg. Simoun's forces attack the city with stiff resistance as Ezekiel Hollenfeuer faces against the First Rank Sentinel's prowess.

## **Story**

### **Chapter 8:1 - Blood**

#### **Chapter 8:1:1 - The Offensive**

On the morning of the 5th of September, the First Rank Sentinel and the Geokinetic All-Star diplomatically meet in a diner inside of Frankfurt. There is no aggression present between the two as Ezekiel calmly drinks from his glass of milk. Remendado is seen friendly toward him as they act like friends. Yet, both are mutually cautious of each other in this meeting.

**Remendado:** "In your proposal, the Saboteurs of the Mercenary Corps alongside Military Intelligence officers intercepted and obtained information of the upcoming offensive in Heilbronn. You are willing to keep the information private until only 6 hours are available to prepare the defense? Why is that?"

**Ezekiel:** "It is a conditional proposal. If I keep the information private, the Descendants of Calamity will not be able to prepare a resistance as stiff as usual. Your forces will have a slight advantage, but keep in mind you are facing a Special Operations battalion, unlike regular infantry. I believe we should face off as our forces do their work."

**Remendado:** "A one-on-one? So, you are proposing we have a death battle respectively. In that way, our units respectively have less organization due to the absence of their commanders? Do you have intention? Is this impulse?"

**Ezekiel:** "If I die in our death battle, the retreat of your forces shall be effective immediately. By then, the Prussian Spear Battalion would have broken your encirclement. So, you have time to retreat your forces and lose the battle but then you would have killed a skilled opponent. Long term condition - do not involve the Hollenfeuer or Klinge clan in the war until they volunteer to do so again."

**Remendado:** "If I choose to continue our attack and push into Heilbronn, will I suffer consequences? Why should we ignore the Hollenfeuer or Klinge clan if you were to already die?"

**Ezekiel:** "Then you will be encircled by the Prussian Spear. I am certain that you have already encountered Lieutenant Germany in the battle of Wurzburg, you suffered 6,700 casualties while the Prussian Spear only suffered 2,100. If you were to capture Heilbronn, the Prussian Spear will immediately encircle you and cut off your supply line and will immediately be bombed by the Golden Eagles. Unless you want to kill your entire Battalion, you'll have to surrender anyways. My cousins Zacharias and Nikolas are on their way to return to civilian life, I am the last remaining Hollenfeuer living as a Mercenary-Military figure."

**Remendado:** "Well, then that sounds good."

Remendado signs the papers as he shakes the hand of Ezekiel, securing the deal. After they concluded their diplomatic meeting, they began talking to one another as Ezekiel began to talk to Remendado in a friendly way. Remendado observes the mannerisms of Ezekiel, concluding that this decision was impulsive and was not rational but chose to stay silent about the matter.

#### **Chapter 8:1:2 - March into Heilbronn**

On the evening of September 8th, Simoun's forces, the **30th Stormtroopers Battalion** currently prepare for an assault on a village nearby outer Heilbronn. The village is divided into three different sectors. The first sector consists of the village's defenders, which they roughly outnumber. The second sector consists of the residents they intend to transport into Nuremberg for concentration. The third sector consists of the village captain's barrack hold. The company under Simoun settle around the village to position themselves for an offensive attack directly onto the third sector to disorganize the command. Other companies scatter around different parts of Heilbronn to link up with the forces of Remendado, the **5th Shock troop Column** to fully encircle the town.

As the companies and the two battalions link up and have prepared a full assault. But, by now the Descendants of Calamity have been informed of the siege and have begun to trick the battalions into thinking they were a larger force as they got into defensive formations and positions. Yet, the village Simoun wants to attack has not been informed and is fully vulnerable. Both Battalions have agreed to launch the attack at 1850 hours. It is currently 1844, as the squads silently chatter and prepare. The anxiety looms over them at the face of their enemy. Simoun consults the Battalion deputy, Major Sledge.

**Simoun:** "You have five minutes to prepare. I will shoot a fusillade of fiery blasts up into the sky to act as flare signals to begin the attack. I will be absent and unable to command the entire Battalion, as I allocate my focus on the "special" squad. Relieve them of their anxiety and task them to disorganize the defenses. Order a mortar strike on known defensive positions, understood?"

**Sledge:** "The mortar teams are available. Yet some assault forces are underprepared, especially since they are inexperienced. I don't expect an efficient deployment here."

**Simoun:** "That does not matter, advise them to stick to their training. This is their test."

Simoun leaves to find a vantage point to loom from in his personal assault. 4 minutes have passed and the anxiety continues as the mortars prepare to fire. The unexpecting civilians sing during a gathering while the children play all around the streets. The depressed and remorseful soldiers observe the city they are about to ransack. Simoun does not care as he raises his fiery arm into the sky, launching a volley of fireballs as the mortars synchronically fire and rain hell on the town. The attack begins as the Socialist Confederates assault the village and rush toward the barrack hold with stiff resistance. The civilians evacuate as some fall victim to the deadly mortars that rain their wrath upon the village.

The Descendants of Calamity are now fighting the Stormtroopers and Shock troops and they were on the defensive for the first time. They resist significantly, defending most of the 15 barrack holds around the town fiercely as they rain hell upon the attackers. Simoun is unable to enter the fight due to the limitations, he is unable to join until a Kinetic Fighter shows up out of respect for the Geneva Conventions. He examines the area instead for possible plans. The firefight grows louder as the civilians clamor, the children screaming and the elderly faint. More and more men die by the second, more and more soldiers lose their lives.

Ezekiel and Zacharias have now been deployed to respond to the attack alongside Frieda who seeks to debut and win the battle to increase her charisma. Notably, Frieda has been more different and more obsessed with fighting in contrast to her younger self, who tended to care for the weak and wounded. Yet, it is closely related to the sorrow she felt, wanting to avenge Erwin from his death, showing her care for him despite their distance. As the three run into the heart of battle, Ezekiel began to speak up.

**Ezekiel:** "Zacharias, Frieda! 2 Sentinels are present in the area! Intelligence suggests the First and Fourth Ranks are commanding the assault. You both need to locate the Fourth rank, he is among the outer sector! I'll deal with the First rank, and do NOT attempt to interfere with my confrontation."

**Zacharias:** "What? Then who's going to be in charge of the defense command? Who will give out orders to our men?"

**Ezekiel:** "Dude, not like I'd trust you with the command of a thousand soldiers, you'd just get them killed. An Army Colonel is the one taking command, don't worry about it!"

More mortars explode around the village as the ground shakes from the explosion, screaming ensues as structures fall.

**Ezekiel:** "Now go! Go towards the South!"

Ezekiel urgently sprinted away and leapt upward towards the Heilbronn Forest. Zacharias and Frieda rush to their ordered post. The firefight grows louder as the people begin evacuating from the town. Meanwhile, Socialist Confederates invade homes to eliminate Jewish subjects to fulfill their anti-Semitic desires.

#### **Chapter 8:1:3 - Geokinetic All-Star versus the First Rank Sentinel**

Under the moonlit forest of Heilbronn, in the evening of the 8th of September, two formidable forces meet to clash and decide each other's fates in one decisive battle. The sudden gusts of wind echo and dominate the landscape as distant gunfire grows louder. The Sentinel stands in the muddy landscape of the forest, holding his staff of lightning, patiently waiting for his opponent.

Ezekiel Hollenfeuer, the third strongest All-Star deploys himself in the same forest, he meets his opponent head to head, seemingly with no malice at first as he transforms his arms into its usual rocky counterparts, growing the same iron claws he uses. The upcoming battle will be significant, there will be one victor. Two of the strongest figures and warriors of their respective factions will face off to decide the future of the conflict.

**Ezekiel:** "It's genuinely a shame to see you as my enemy. We are on good terms, yet we just have no choice but to fight each other."

**Remendado:** "So you consider me as your friend, not an opponent?"

**Ezekiel:** "If anything, Remendado: everyone is my friend." He says with a nonchalant tone.

**Remendado:** "It is somewhat dubious, especially when it comes from you. I know your motivations, I know what you live for and why you kill others. I am not hostile, I am just letting you know."

**Ezekiel:** "Of course I am aware of that. I know your motivations too. I honor you as my opponent." he stood ready to clash against him. "Are you ready, Remendado?"

**Remendado:** "You're not okay, aren't you? You are sad. Look at your mannerisms."

Ezekiel's tone and mood suddenly change upon Remendado's statement. It is true that his mannerisms are impulsive and sudden. During the meeting, he impulsively bought milk as a beverage and the sudden friendly environment of choice wasn't entirely Ezekiel's consciousness. Lastly, his current mannerisms such as the sudden battle-ready pose was not entirely his usual self.

**Remendado:** "You're suddenly concerned for my well being. I am aware that you do the same for others as a manipulative tactic. But your mannerisms suggests that this one is genuine. That meeting was not planned ahead of time, and you were suddenly just suicidal about this entire deal? What is up with that pose? This isn't you. You're in pain and I am worried about you. Why do you choose to do this rather than to heal and continue your endeavors?"

Ezekiel was entirely speechless upon Remendado's concern of him. But, instead of compassion he was filled with rage. He felt envious of the care his opponent presented to him, envious that he never always felt that way for his opponent. Shortly, his stare of nonchalance and carelessness transition into that of a stoic wrath. Three eyes grow on the left side of his face, projecting faces on each pupil that represent his three main emotions.

**Ezekiel:** "Why such hospitality? You are a Confederate, I am a Federalist. We are soldiers on different sides."

**Remendado:** "We are enemies, but I see you as a friend. A soldier does not hate a soldier, but rather bestows him with honor."

**Ezekiel:** "No amount of pity will ever fix me."

Both continue to stare at each other as the suspense rises. Sudden vibrations from mortar fire reach them, as Ezekiel uses it to his advantage. He stomps onto the ground to distort the noise and distract Remendado. Using his Geokinesis, he thrusts forward with his fist of rock to attack Remendado head-on. But Remendado quickly butts Ezekiel's face with his staff of lightning before flinging him backward with a strike of thunder.

Due to his masochism, Ezekiel absorbs the damage and pain. As if it was nothing to him, he allocates the damage into his attacks to further increase his power. Remendado was still hesitant to attack Ezekiel head on as he still pitied him, seeing his efforts emotionally driven rather than rational. Ezekiel continues to blindly attack Remendado with futile rushes and sudden thrusts of rocky fists toward him.

Despite the back and fourths, Remendado continues to butt the attacks of Ezekiel and was more defensive rather than offensive. Ezekiel extracts his claws in an attempt to make a breakthrough. He slashes his steel claws against Remendado's staff but was redirected and deflected. Sick of the one-sided fight, Ezekiel confronts Remendado as multiple clamors are heard in the distance, presumably by regular grunt soldiers.

**Ezekiel:** "What's up with this? No effort to fight?"

**Remendado:** "I can't fight someone who's irrational and suicidal."

**Ezekiel:** "This fight is as unrequited as love, no effort to return what's given whatsoever."

**Remendado:** "I did not ask for this fight, Ezekiel. I only feel obligated."

Ezekiel's trauma triggers from that line. He clearly remembers a similar line. A girl he confessed to once had asked him if she ever requested for his love. Furious, he was resentful of that, an emotion he always kept suppressing and hiding. Seeing resentment as weak and vulnerable. Yet, he couldn't control it anymore.

**Ezekiel:** "That's what they all say, Remendado."

Ezekiel then slams the ground to cause a massive vibration and disturbance onto the faults, quaking the land. Remendado falls to his feet as the ground cracks around him. Ezekiel improvises and uses the force to launch himself upward, landing by a nearby Shock Troop Column patrol. Remendado quickly follows Ezekiel as Ezekiel slaughters the innocent soldiers. Decapitating them, mutilating them, tearing them limb from limb as if they were paper. Furious, Remendado charges his lightning as Ezekiel turns to his back to see Remendado prepare an attack.

**Remendado:** "What the fuck are you doing?! That's a literal war crime, you numb nut!"

Remendado rushes forward to attempt to strike through Ezekiel's body, imitating a lightning strike. However, Ezekiel conducts the heat which allows him to summon **Geo-Pyrokinesis,** a volcanic combination between Pyrokinesis and Geokinesis, utilizing fiery or molten rocks.

Remendado improvises as he sends a sharp lightning bolt to attempt to decapitate Ezekiel. However, Ezekiel allocates all of his resistance to his neck. The lack of resistance leads Remendado to launch a powerful kick to Ezekiel's side as he is knocked away, colliding into a large tree. Remendado then stands before Ezekiel, who quickly recovers and stands up as if nothing even happened. By now, Remendado realizes that Ezekiel is undead. Regular troops are now aware of a fight between two of the strongest warriors in the entire war.

**Remendado:** "Ezekiel... only now do I find out that you have thrown your humanity away? What happened to morality, honor, conscience, common good and ethics?"

**Ezekiel:** "My heart has turned into stone, I have suffered enough heartache! That same pain my heart felt turned into my very own strength! The world of hate shows me how much mythical love is!"

**Remendado:** "Snap out of your condescendence. Let us end this fight, and ultimately, the offensive. There is no more point to this, Ezekiel."

**Ezekiel:** "There is a point to it, Remendado. I am strengthening. From this very moment, I care about you, I am hurting you the same way I am hurting myself by doing that. If anything, I want to learn more. I want more strength. I want not to be weak. Therefore, we need to hurt each other even more. Compassion is a lie!"

Ezekiel again smashes the ground, but this time multiple bursts of fire erupt from the cracks as Remendado is engulfed in a volcanic inferno. Due to his human limits, he carefully evacuates the flames as he carefully runs through the hellfire. Ezekiel attempts to locate Remendado as he smashes random sectors of the inferno. Before Remendado escapes the hellfire, Ezekiel quickly tackles him onto the ground, roaring a wrathful cry before punching his face several times as he pins him down. Remendado however summons a burst of lightning which pushes Ezekiel away.

Ezekiel then launches several fiery claws with shrapnel, announcing **Geo-Pyrokinesis: Erupting Lynx** as it flies into the general direction of Remendado. Remendado takes a few scratches but deflects the rest of the claws away, using **Electrokinesis: Divine strike of wrathful shock.** Ezekiel again releases a mighty roar, disrupting the hearing of Remendado before pushing his head down and scratching his face, arm and chest. He notices Remendado tighten his grip on the staff, defending his wielding hand from Ezekiel. Remendado counterattacks with another burst of lightning, launching Ezekiel away supported by a significant kick. By now, Remendado runs out of adrenaline and stamina as he conceals himself in the nearby foliage.

Hiding himself, Remendado hears the battle cries, clamors and mourning of his comrades. The nearby firefight continues. "HELP!", "MEDIC!", "I NEED MY MOTHER!" is all Remendado can hear. Filled with fear, trauma and guilt, Remendado weeps shortly, recalling some of his memories. He was an avid smuggler, to say the least. He lost his older brother, Dancaire in a crossfire he led against Spanish authorities. Yet, he distracts himself from the thought. He owns up to having had caused the deaths of his smuggler companions. He uses that fear and remorse to fuel his "redemption". He sees Ezekiel walking across the fiery forest, he shortly draws his staff and prepares an attack. Ezekiel is caught by surprise and attempts to create a counterattack.

Remendado lands a clean slash on Ezekiel, who was surprised by Remendado's strength. His arm was slashed off as Ezekiel unleashes another mighty roar that distorts Remendado, this time he avoids the follow-up attack of Ezekiel. However, Ezekiel notices a change in Remendado's eyes, as he just unlocked pupils, compared to his usual pure white eyeballs. He is intimidated by that change, but retains his confidence, now masochistically absorbing the pain he felt from the mutilation.

Ezekiel, on a rare occasion, was instilled with immense fear of his opponent. The sudden burst of electricity in his body pleases him, but at the same time aches his heart out of fear. He maintains his persistence and calms down after a while of adapting to the electricity. Remendado again refuses to finish Ezekiel off, a little guilty of killing him knowing that he might still be rehabilitated.

**Remendado:** "I'm dying to ask you. What leads you to massacre those men? You are conscious that it is a war crime. You know that it's wrong. Yet, why?"

**Ezekiel:** "Weakness."

**Remendado:** "What do you imply with weakness? They are just like you, lost souls burgeoning in war."

**Ezekiel:** "Burgeoning, for they fail to adapt to the present. Suffering more in imagination than reality."

Ezekiel has changed drastically. Despite his common empathy for the people who overthink, he completely ignores the factors that lead to it. He is driven by bitterness against the people he deem weak. In reality, he is only saying these in order to make himself appear less vulnerable to sadness. He dislikes the feeling of sadness, as it weakens him. Yet, he accepts it as human emotion truly and only refuses to appear vulnerable.

As the crescent moon wanes over the night, Serene Ziegler determines the presence of a Mercury Retrograde. thus, she is able to impose and pass on her intuition to Ezekiel. Yet, this also contains her emotion of care. Due to Ezekiel's connection with her, this will immensely increase his power, given that care is one of the most potent emotions a human can feel. Thus, it will be allocated to Ezekiel's power and ultimately, his heart. With her growing intuition for Ezekiel's crisis, she performs a ritual.

For almost a year, Ezekiel and Serene had increasingly been distant. Unfortunate events led them to be distant. All Ezekiel can fully recall is that he was obsessive and possessive of Serene. If anything, he defined it as his care going overboard which led him to be obsessed with her. After a night of epiphany, he slowly distanced himself from Serene overtime. As a result, his mental health deteriorated, especially combined with his brother's recent death.

**Ezekiel:** "The sadness, the resentment, the bitterness, the anger... it is nothing more than an ultimate shortcoming of a human mind and it shall be taken advantage of."

**Ezekiel:** "Those who stay in pain, those who do not learn from it and accept the heartache are ignorant. They are weak, as they stay weak by refusing to accept the reality of pain. Pain is necessary, so is masochism."

**Remendado:** "Why are you obsessed with strength, Ezekiel? Why is it that you refuse to be weak despite the urgency?"

Ezekiel grunts as he begins to regenerate himself, before growing two more eyes, completely giving him six eyes. He ominously responds to Remendado.

#### **Chapter 8:1:4 - Roar of the mighty bear**

Ezekiel's kinetic mark of Pyrokinesis also grew larger, reaching his cheek. This fully summons both his Kinetic Arts. His eyes now project the emotions of Hate, Resentment, Envy, Anger, Pleasure and Depression. His emotions had completely consumed him by this point, and only the slight feeling of Serene's care is keeping him in line.

Ezekiel hastily prepares an attack, to which Remendado prepares to deflect. Yet, in a surprising switch of fighting styles, Ezekiel ravages the area, punching the ground leaping everywhere and disrupting the trees to create shrapnel. This disrupts Remendado who was forced to go on the offensive and unleash a burst of lightning but Ezekiel quickly absorbs it through masochism. Ezekiel continues to confuse Remendado before attempting to tackle him again, but Remendado offensively counters by rushing him through a lightning strike. He impales the neck of Ezekiel, attempting to scare him but Ezekiel instead kicks him away.

Remendado was forced to go on the offensive as Ezekiel slams himself upward into the sky again. He pursues the All-star, mimicking a seamless strike of lightning in the sky, chasing him down but was baited and slammed onto the ground, engulfed in a fiery crater. Ezekiel then slams the ground - again and attempts to incapacitate Remendado through a powerful earthquake, yet Remendado resists.

As Remendado shakily stands up, Ezekiel surprisingly waits for him to gain his footing instead of killing him, which earns the respect of the Sentinel. The tyrannical all-star unleashes his claws again to launch more **Geo-Pyrokinesis: Erupting Lynx** claws toward Remendado. This time, Remendado was severely hit, but he summons more of his electrolytes to persist, which impresses Ezekiel. Remendado then uses the same electrolytes to unleash another rush toward Ezekiel, launching him onto another tree.

Remendado is hastily respiring, clearly out of breath and energy. Yet, his determination, one of his main emotions allow to summon more and more electrolytes in order to cope with his exhaustion. Yet, his kinetic art also uses the same electrolytes which requires strategic allocation. Ezekiel is completely ignorant of his opponent and is playing aggressively. Both are ignorant of each other's tactics as they are focusing on winning rather than strategizing. However, this time Remendado switches his mindset up, realizing the flaws of his warfare.

Ezekiel expectedly rushes back toward Remendado to perform a breakthrough attack, he first slams the ground to create another disruption. Yet, Remendado already expected the attack so he leapt upward to avoid the shockwave. Ezekiel summons volcanic flames from the ground again, surrounding the area with fire and molten rock. Remendado rushes atop a tree, mimicking the movement of lightning again. Ezekiel launches **Geokinesis: Power Rush** and cuts the tree with a volcanic chop, Remendado uses this to his advantage as he uses it as a platform to avoid the fire. Ezekiel was frustrated at his own ignorance and was also slightly running out of enough pleasure from the pain. Remendado uses this to his advantage in order to talk to him again, realizing that Ezekiel has also been holding back his attacks, not wanting to kill Remendado.

**Remendado:** "Ezekiel... I've noticed something... You are an advocate for love. You want love, to feel loved and to be accepted."

Ezekiel was distraught and enraged by that statement as he doesn't respond.

**Remendado:** "You care about me as your enemy, as a friend even. That is why you are not killing me, right?"

Despite the correct statement of Remendado, Ezekiel does not want to feel defeat or admit the righteousness of his opponent.

**Remendado:** "Your problem is... Maybe you do not love yourself."

Ezekiel was triggered by that statement as he begins to violently shake out of resentment and spite.

**Remendado:** "How would others love you if you don't love yourself? Or maybe you are rejecting the love of others? You rejected my offer to talk this out..."

Ezekiel was preparing to attack Remendado.

**Remendado:** *"More importantly, how will **she** love you?"*

Ezekiel lets out a loud roar.

**Ezekiel:** "No man is an island Remendado! I have loved myself for all of my life, otherwise I would have been dead!"

He attempted to chop Remendado, but Remendado avoided the attack as he butts Ezekiel away with his staff.

**Ezekiel:** "REMENDADO!!!!"

Remendado then launches a disruptive attack on Ezekiel, **Electrokinesis: Divine Blindness** as he creates a blinding flash of lightning which whites out Ezekiel's entire view. The All-Star roars out of might in an attempt to passively defend himself from Remendado. However, Remendado summons an electric strike on Ezekiel which fully disrupts him, however Ezekiel recovered from the flashbang as he had six eyes that gave him a sightseeing advantage. But, now Ezekiel has experienced pleasure from the blinding pain...

Naturally, Ezekiel immediately launched a counterattack, he suddenly launches more Erupting Lynx claws toward Remendado as he was charging up a mighty attack. Unable to react, Remendado was critically hit by the claws, but wasn't severely cut. Ezekiel unleashes a mighty roar against Remendado as he body slams him onto a tree, before grabbing his legs and lobbing his body toward another tree. Remendado was beginning to wear down from the attacks he was receiving. He was unable to efficiently calculate, so he summons a relatively powerful attack to launch on Ezekiel, who was running towards him. But, Ezekiel managed to lead Remendado's attack to a misfire as he severs Remendado's right arm. Remendado was shocked from the pain and was unable to feel it, as Ezekiel musters another powerful attack.

As Remendado is slammed into the ground, he suffers a hemorrhagic shock on his arm. Meanwhile, Ezekiel's blood continue to drop on Remendado's open wounds. Coincidentally, Ezekiel's blood reeks that of mustard gas, which begins Remendado's "zombification process" into an undead soldier. Ezekiel lets go of Remendado, thinking he won against him as he recollects every single blow he launched against Remendado. Ezekiel turns around, beginning to walk away, still under the influence of ego and bloodlust.

Yet, Ezekiel was a little agitated by the death of Remendado, who he still saw as a honorable opponent. He weeps, only by a small amount out of empathy that he continues to hide. He is afraid to show his value for his opponent, as he holds back the emotion by hardening his heart even more. Yet, he is mistaken. Remendado by now had circulated enough to retain the life of Remendado. By now, he is temporarily undead.

Remendado shortly regains his full consciousness, as his masks falls to the ground. Ezekiel quickly turns around, enraged by his opponent still being alive, he prepares another attack but is baffled by what he sees. Remendado has 2 more eyes under his natural pair, and its pupils are reminiscent of the sun. Flabbergasted, Ezekiel determines that Remendado is related to the Vengeful Caster, the nemesis of the Dauntless Caster. He begins to charge up another earthquake attack as Remendado's movements quicken, now going on the offensive.

#### **Chapter 8:1:5 - Thunderclap and Flash**

Ezekiel was caught off guard by the proficient attack of Remendado. By now, the tides were equal and both were beginning to initiate a brutal clash. The nearby fireteams evacuate the forest as it falls into the hands of the Sentinel and the All-star. Yet, Ezekiel was completely unaware of Remendado's undead state. He continues underestimating him by holding back his attacks. Not only because of his ego but partially because of his empathy for him. As such, he prefers to clash with him rather than attempt another lethal blow.

However, Remendado does not hold back. He summons more and more of his electrolytes as he continues to parry Ezekiel's scratches. Eventually, he initiates an agile clash, heavily outclassing Ezekiel. However, Ezekiel still absorbs the damage which he allocates into resistance from more and more attacks. Despite his slower nature, Ezekiel still manages to parry some of Remendado's attacks, who was now repeatedly swarming him, gradually overwhelming him. Remendado speeds up his attacks by the second, which is beginning to distort Ezekiel. Yet, Ezekiel continues to bottle up his weakness as he clashes with Remendado.

Due to the immense distortion, despite Ezekiel's enhanced instincts, anger and hate, he couldn't keep up with Remendado's agility. As such, he slowly begins to hallucinate. Every corner of his eyes, he sees Serene. For some reason, he can't get her out of her head. As if he was schizophrenic and addicted. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop imagining her, as he begins to feel his heartbeat, he finally feels adrenaline and oxygen in his body. Distracted, his battle efficiency weakens. He is now fighting an inner battle whilst fighting another one outside consciousness.

Ezekiel hallucinates, remembering a day he had with Serene:

One time, Ezekiel had given Serene flowers, one he picked in the fields of Heilbronn. Serene seemed grateful, but Ezekiel was unsure of how she felt, yet he had no romantic intentions. It was purely just a genuine gift. For the rest of the day, Serene did not talk to him. Not even one interaction. Ezekiel was fearful of what he might have done wrong. Was it a mistake? Was it something he did but overlooked? He is unsure, and he was afraid of losing Serene's interest. He was just so scared. But in the end of the day, he grew a resentment for that, a hatred for that manner. Seeing it as ungratefulness and lack of appreciation, he had begrudged that and began to dislike Serene in a way. He saw it as a form of unrequited "love".

Ezekiel then regains his consciousness; he absolutely disliked the hallucination, seeing himself as insane.

Remendado by now was barely conscious, his adrenaline still focused on achieving victory. Meanwhile, Ezekiel launches a devastating attack, his kinetic art now enhanced into **Magmakinesis,** a superior form of Geo-Pyrokinesis, giving Ezekiel advanced control of molten rock and fire. As such, he sends his Moonlit Eruption Dragon head onto the general direction of Remendado. Remendado was critically hit as he conceals his slow regeneration, Ezekiel prepares another devastating attack. Both roar at the top of their lungs. Both are absolutely ready to crush each other, to cause a calamity that will plague the Heilbronn forest.

Remendado creates a large electric encirclement around him, announcing **Electrokinesis: Divine Current - Nocturnal Energy!** Meanwhile, Ezekiel rushes forward, as Molten rock follows him, summoning a devastating beam ahead of him, directly toward Remendado's direction. This calamitous devastation will be left unwitnessed, to be hailed as a legend or tale among the townsfolk.

Ezekiel's neck was about to be decapitated. He feels his heartbeat rising, he is returning to his humanity. Serene's care grew larger and larger by the moment, concerned for the wellbeing of Ezekiel. Because of his returning humanity, Ezekiel's body weakens. He is now unable to resist decapitation, yet he was unable to accept his imminent defeat. Ezekiel was still irritated, because now he is going through stages of grief, denying his soon-to-be-fate. Resisting and resisting, his neck stiffening, the fight gradually reaching its denouement.

#### **Chapter 8:1:6 - Der Untergang - Ezekiel's "Dream"**

*"I want to get **hurt** even more. I want to learn more from it."*

*"I'm still not broken. I **want** to fall down."*

*"I want to fall down even **deeper**."*

*"That way, I know that I have to keep going **up**."*

*"All my hardships aren't **enough**."*

*"That is the case because I **still** hurt others."*

*"Because I am **still** desperate."*

*"Maybe if I learn **more** and more."*

*"If I struggle **more**..."*

*"**Maybe** I'll be a good man again."*

Ezekiel was a man conscious of his actions. Due to his unhealthy philosophy of optimism, he tends to incorrectly relate masochism for positivity. Tending to romanticize that "pain is a process of learning", abusing it and deliberately hurting himself everyday.

*"I want to stop hating."*

*"I want to stop raging."*

*"I want to stop envying."*

*"Those cause my sadness."*

*"Maybe I can't love when I am sad."*

Despite his pleasure and ego-boost gain from negative emotions, he still sees it as weakness. Due to his philosophy against weakness, he wants to eradicate all forms of prejudice and emotions in order to be "the strongest version of himself."

*"Or maybe, I should just be **numb**."*

*"After all, I can't feel if I was."*

*"I won't be so negative anymore."*

*"I won't always be down."*

*"I won't be sad nor hateful."*

*"I'll just be a normal man living a normal life."*

*"But no, I had to feel things."*

Contradictory to his psychological proficiency, he dislikes his emotions. Although he validates others, he can't validate himself. Because he knows that his feelings are uncontrollable. Thus, causing problems for others.

*"But when I am sad, I will be ridiculed for feeling so."*

*"People will see me as weak."*

*"Girls will invalidate me, and alienate me."*

*"My brothers will be demoralized."*

*"My masters will be disappointed."*

*"That's why I keep it all to myself."*

*"I hate being seen as weak."*

Due to the common prejudice onto men's sadness, Ezekiel is scared of admitting his struggles. He is scared of admitting his fears, his feelings and his pain. He is afraid of crying. He is afraid of expressing his sadness. In order to "save his reputation", he kept most of his pain to himself.

*"I'm afraid of being in love again."*

*"Because I will get hurt again."*

*"They will leave me again."*

*"They'll say the same lines, not feeling the same."*

*"No one will tell me that they are proud of me."*

*"No one will wait for me every day."*

*"No one will ever hold me or hold my hand."*

*"That's why I was stuck to you."*

Ezekiel is only weak when it comes to love. Because it is a feeling unable to be hated, he fears it. He fears that he will get hurt because of his hopeless little feelings. He fears he will suffer the same fate every single time. He already has 12 times, and it is natural for him to be held back by it. Due to some conservative ideologies he upheld, he also didn't like the idea of continuously switching interests.

***"But. You didn't feel the same, didn't you?"***

*"It was one-sided."*

*"When we were in crisis, I wanted to fix it."*

*"I fought the desire to end it."*

*"I wanted to try again."*

*"But when I ended our little thing, all you said was:"*

***"Okay."***

*"You didn't try."*

*"That hurts me."*

Ezekiel and Serene were "more than friends yet less than lovers" for two months. Yet, Serene unexpectedly began to invalidate him. He was possessive during that time. He was deeply infatuated with her, to the point of obsession. He just didn't want to lose her. But, it still scared Serene, as such, she stayed away from him. Guilty, Ezekiel distanced himself from her for almost a year and hadn't properly talked to her ever since.

*"But now, I'm okay."*

*"If I can't feel loved, I'll adapt with hate."*

*"I'll see degradations as compliments."*

*"I'll see hitting as cuddling."*

*"I'll see toxicity as healthy."*

*"I'll fall deeper into masochism."*

*"If that's what it takes to live."*

***"My downfall will be my rise."***

*"...but... I already lost."*

As Ezekiel regains his consciousness, he realizes that there isn't anymore hope. He weakens his body, he lets his heart beat. Due to his reflection and acceptance, Ezekiel regained his human state. As Remendado inhales more of his hate, resentment, ego and sadness, the undead state of Ezekiel is inherited by Remendado. After stiff resistance, Remendado manages to go halfway through Ezekiel's neck. But... Ezekiel reflects again...

**Ezekiel Hollenfeuer, the Geokinetic All-Star and heir of the Hollenfeuer hope is now deceased.**

#### **Chapter 8:1:7 - Roar of the wrathful dragon**

After a large devastating explosion in the distance, caused by Remendado and Ezekiel, Simoun took it as a signal to unleash his wrath upon Heilbronn. He attacks the village, as Descendants of Calamity stiffen their resistance. Simoun leapt up into the air, as he unleashes large fiery swaths onto the village. A gigantic inferno quickly spreads, heat engulfs the entire city as the Socialist forces halt their attack and retreat. Multiple civilians were killed, however no one ever detected Simoun, thinking that it was caused by incendiary artillery.

In the hell storm, hundreds of civilians are killed, hundreds of soldiers burn to their deaths as the entire village begins to burn down. Devastatingly, one of the worst atrocities in the entire war would destroy a village. The battle will now remain as one of the worst genocides in human history (in this universe). As the soldiers retreat and civilians flock away, Zacharias enters the battlefield, along with other Hydrokinetic soldiers to quench the hellfire. Multiple bodies were already burnt, the stench akin to charcoal and the roasted human bodies occupy the atmosphere.

Determined, Zacharias searches for the opponent responsible for the atrocity. Multiple screams are still audible, as it aches the heart of Zacharias. Gunshots silence as both forces halt the attack with the stormtroopers retreating to prevent a greater calamity. Lightning and mild earthquakes are still felt. Yet, it is time. The wrathful Simoun emerges from the flames of hell to confront his polar opposite opponent.

**Zacharias:** "That isn't logical."

**Simoun:** "Then what would you do? Now that these people are dead?"

Zacharias comedically stammers, imposing a weak aura.

**Zacharias:** "There's nothing we can do."

**Simoun:** "Then, yield."

Simoun unleashes his **Pyrokinesis: Rampant Fire Sickles,** launching thin slashes of fire akin to his blade onto Zacharias. However, Zacharias counters his attack by summoning a large beam of water to quench the upcoming fire. Zacharias then immediately rushes toward Simoun to fork him with his trident. He was stunned by the boldness of Zacharias, immediately going for the kill, however he decides to deflect Zacharias by kicking his chin, followed up with an elbow strike, knocking him away. Both look at each other before continuing their clash.

**Zacharias:** "Do you believe in unity, Simoun?"

**Simoun:** "If such wasn't a myth, society would have acted in unity."

**Simoun:** "That is because, kindness, a catalyst of unity is scarce among us."

**Simoun:** "Meaning, we will not unite because of it."

As the two clash, they simultaneously utilize their constantly contrasting Kinetic Arts, fire and water. As the village burns, Zacharias comes up with a bright idea. He knocks Simoun away, distant enough to surround himself in water. Promptly, he bursts.

Afterwards, Simoun rushes toward Zacharias, slicing him with his sickles. Zacharias instinctually begins to block his attacks as he butts Simoun away. In a surprisingly smart manner, Zacharias multitasks, as he sprouts water onto nearby fire. Along with the firefighting hydrokinetic users, he begins to slowly extinguish the town. Considerate enough, Simoun does not summon fire out of pity and empathy. He begins a deliberate chase, leading Zacharias to chase him into outermost part of inner Heilbronn. As they reach the border into the town, the Descendants of Calamity arm themselves in preparation for an expected attack by Simoun, but it never commenced. The fire and water warriors continue to clash, not utilizing their elements.

Shortly after, with the retreat of the Stormtroopers, the Descendants of Calamity initiate a breakout from the siege. Now, the Descendants of Calamity focus on one front against the shock troop column. The southern part of Heilbronn is now lightly defended as they push through the north and northwest. Simoun and Zacharias initiate a tougher clash, now summoning their elements again.

Zacharias initiates attrition warfare, hoping to create an opening or vulnerability through continuous attacks to extinguish the flames of Simoun. As hopeless as it seems, it worked out quite well. The potency and high levels of water outnumber that of fire, which is easily extinguished. Simoun would only gain an advantage of his high temperature outnumbers the universal liquid. As such, he develops a plan to counter the attrition.

**Zacharias:** "How do you like this, huh? You like it when I make you wet like this? Huh? You like it when I come at you?"

As they clash, they exclaim quite a lot. Especially Zacharias, as if he was climaxing constantly. Due to this, his respiration and breathing is irregular, which can cause a form of exhaustion due to the lack of oxygen. Simoun does not want to kill Zacharias, so instead of unleashing his wrath, he wants to exhaust Zacharias as he lets him continue his questionable antics. At the same time, his fires were starting to weaken, but he persists by letting it weaken, and instead focusing more on raw physical abilities to conserve energy.

After a while, Zacharias began to weaken from exhaustion, as he stopped from exclaiming and screaming. Upon Simoun's notice, he begins to outmaneuver Zacharias, taking advantage of his weakness. By this point, Zacharias was unable to summon enough water to quench Simoun's fire. As such, in a manner of maneuver warfare, Simoun increases his fires and begins to vaporize Zacharias.

**Simoun:** "Can you say anything that's not remotely suggestive?"

Zacharias then attempts to lunge toward Simoun who easily dodges and kicks Zacharias' side. Yet, Zacharias was attempting a bait as he positioned himself to butt Simoun away whilst preparing a bombardment of watery grenades. But, Simoun wasn't cocky and decides to summon a small burst of fire to evaporate anymore possibilities of a counterattack form the already weakened Unteroffizier.

**Zacharias:** "Fuck!"

Zacharias was outsmarted, as Simoun prepares an entrapment on Zacharias. While Zacharias attempts another lunge, Simoun stands and spreads his arms out like the letter T. He unleashes fiery bursts from his arms. The fires trail and encircle the body of Zacharias but he attempts to break free by summoning a burst of water to rid himself of the fiery binds. He surprisingly breaks free, using up all his Kinetic Energy. Simoun was baffled by the desperation as he was butted again by the staff of Zacharias as another participant of the battle enters the field.

As Zacharias is entrapped in the red bind, Simoun attempts to flee again at the sight of Frieda. He seems to uphold a fear of her, or a general dislike when it comes to confronting women. Zacharias meanwhile signals Frieda to chase after Simoun as Zacharias attempts to collect enough water to break free from the red bind. Frieda continues to pursue Simoun who attempts to flee south as mortars drop from the sky. Frieda's fireballs chase after Simoun who trips over a human carcass.

As he regains his footing, drawing his sickles, Frieda dashes toward Simoun who began to shake out of fear. Frieda continuously punches and kicks Simoun, who does little to attack. Simoun was visibly uneased by her presence. He was scared and fearful of her. Yet, it was uncertain why as Frieda begins to hold back. Although, Simoun does protect his mask and still attempts to prevent Frieda from unmasking him.

**Simoun:** "You've done enough damage, what more could you do? For all my life I lived in envy and grudge. Nothing I did ever worked to win the hearts of others! It's only my mistakes that arouse attention, and I am sick of it! I'm here to show that the world is cruel, by showing that kindness is a lie."

**Frieda:** "Fucking die, you fucking monster!"

**Frieda:** "No fucking regard for human life at all!"

**Frieda:** "You weak fucking exploiter!"

However, due to Simoun's negligence, Frieda steals his sickles. Simoun was still refusing to fight back as he simply allowed her to steal from him. Zacharias was beginning to break free from the bind. As Frieda slashes Simoun, he doesn't do anything other than maintain a safe distance from her. Simoun resists the slash, shakily grunting and distancing herself from the wrathful Frieda.

**Simoun:** "Stop it! Don't waste your power on me! There's no use!"

**Frieda:** "Then just fucking stand still and die already!"

The sickles break as Frieda throws it at Simoun, who sounds as if he was crying. Now, she was resulting to scratching him, now out of energy. She was conscious at Simoun's reluctance and implied surrender, but still also doesn't want to kill him for some reason. The smoke of the nearby hellfire consumes the town as the firefighters deploy another brigade.

Frieda begins to cry, yet her tears evaporate from the sheer rage she feels from her body. Simoun doesn't oblige and continues to maintain a safe distance, dodging her attacks. He was reluctant to be killed, but was reluctant to fight Frieda back either. Momentarily, Zacharias bursts free from the bubble and summons water grenades, prompting Frieda to set a sickle on fire and slash through the timid Simoun's mask.

### **Chapter 8:2 - Tears**

#### **Chapter 8:2:1 - Revelations**

Simoun was not who he seemed. As his goggles fall and his fiery hair was extinguished, Frieda pauses at her sight upon the side of Simoun. For a year, it was thought that Erwin Hollenfeuer had been killed in the first Heilbronn siege. However, it turns out that he had somehow fled from the battlefield and resorted to joining the Socialist Confederacy. In reality, he accepted the offer of Gomer Rosenberg. Ever since that day, he committed himself to uphold his resentment. As such, he continuously burgeoned in order to be stronger than his brother, Ezekiel. In this way, he will get the recognition he wants.

As Frieda's fire continue to burn around Simoun, the dirt on his face burns and disintegrates. As Frieda was about to knock out Simoun, she pulls her fist and stops herself. After taking a good look at the face of the Sentinel, she recognizes a familiar face. **Simoun Lombardi was Erwin Hollenfeuer all along.** Frieda steps back upon noticing as Erwin was also speechless, now knowing the realization of Frieda. He doesn't do anything however other than project a face of regret, fear and guilt. Frieda was still shocked upon the revelation. As the smoke clears, Zacharias steps in to see the sight for himself. He was still stupid and doesn't recognize Erwin at first as he prepares to lunge toward Erwin again.

However, a retreating Descendant of Calamity was yelling in the background, which caught the attention of everyone. As the burning village was slowly being extinguished, horrible news was about to be delivered.

As Erwin sprints toward the northernmost sector of Heilbronn, Frieda pursues him as Zacharias stays to talk to the retreated soldier.

**Zacharias:** "Why are we retreating? Where's the Colonel that's acting as the commander?"

**Corporal:** "He has been killed, sir! But at the same time a lot of our Captains and Hauptmann had gained an advantage. They completely encircled different shock troops."

**Zacharias:** "Does that mean we've won? How about the Prussian Spear?"

**Corporal:** "You see, that's the thing, Unteroffizier. The shock troops are retreating to attempt a breakthrough and are fighting the Prussian Spear instead. The Descendants of Calamity are retreating due to the lack of a commander. We're requesting for your presence up front!"

**Zacharias:** "Then continue retreating! The Prussian Spear heavily outnumbers the enemy. Nonetheless, we cannot stand more casualties!"

The corporal salutes as he sprints back toward his unit. Meanwhile, Zacharias proceeds to chase down Erwin and Frieda.

Erwin by now had already run past several companies of the Descendants of Calamity. He wasn't identified except for a few people the met him. Erwin continues to avoid Frieda as he still pursues him, eager to attempt to talk to him. By now, they have entered the dark forest of Heilbronn seeing the deforestation as there are a lot of chopped trees, ruined foliage and burnt landscape. Erwin continues to run to try and find his brother still in disbelief about the news. By now, he had reached the main battlefield of Ezekiel and Remendado, before stopping for a bit to catch his breath as the moonlit fog surrounds him. Shortly after, Frieda pauses before him.

**Frieda:** "Erwin...? Why...?"

**Erwin:** "There's... a lot to explain... But, I don't want to be seen by you right now."

After regaining his stamina, Erwin sprints again as Frieda watches him run with depressed eyes. After a while running, as Remendado salutes to the decapitated corpse of Ezekiel, Erwin emerges from the thick foliage of the Heilbronn forest. In absolute disbelief and shock of his sight.

#### **Chapter 8:2:2 - Erwin Hollenfeuer's Past**

As the distant gunfire and battle continue, at the sight of his dead brother, Erwin recalls his past. The Hollenfeuer Family was composed of Erwin, Ezekiel, their younger sister Hannah, their father Otto and their morally ambiguous Mother. It wasn't a stable family. Their mother was usually an arrogant woman. Berating her children for imperfections and playing favorites. Yet, she still chooses to take care for them and accept them as her children.

*"I don't hate you, Ezekiel."*

*"Maybe I was just envious."*

*"Our father gave you more attention."*

*"Our mother preferred you over me."*

*"I felt like nothing."*

Erwin was actually born in order to determine if there will be a more suitable heir to the Hollenfeuer Reign other than Ezekiel. Yet, it was proven that due to Ezekiel's passion for multiple things, he will retain the inheritance and Erwin will be the second choice. To any child, this is demoralizing due to the toxic trait of preference and favoritism.

*"Naturally, I explored things."*

*"Maybe I'll find something you're not good in."*

*"And then best you in that field."*

*"But you kept being good in everything."*

*"From writing, drawing, drumming and speaking."*

*"How can someone be that good?"*

*"Why am I only good at singing?"*

For all his life, Erwin dedicated himself to find things that he can be good in, in order to outshine Ezekiel. Nonetheless, he was still emasculated by his older brother. Ezekiel was conscious of Erwin's envy yet still chose to see him as someone to appreciate and cherish. Erwin was also conscious of Ezekiel's morality and desire to be a good person.

*"For all your childhood, you were a good man."*

*"You helped me and other people."*

*"Regardless of who and what they felt."*

*"You always wanted to be the best version of yourself."*

*"You wanted the best for everyone too."*

*"That is something I couldn't envy, but admire."*

*"Your hospitality was astonishing."*

*"You put others before you, it was honorable."*

Erwin had seen Ezekiel's prime. In their adolescence, Ezekiel was a disciple and advocate for societal unity. He truly was in love with the concept of uniting as one society for everlasting improvement. As such, he acted as a good Samaritan, always helping others despite the choice not to. He truly wanted the best for everyone and never failed to admit his weaknesses and faults in order to draw a solution.

*"Yet, Ezekiel. You were tormented."*

*"As if karma didn't even exist."*

*"Despite your advocacy, our mother resented you."*

*"Despite your desire for good, our mother thought of you as bad."*

*"She was always mean to you."*

*"She berated you for the smallest reasons."*

*"As if she hated you."*

*"Our father couldn't do anything about it because of his absence."*

For most of their childhood, despite the favoritism, Ezekiel was still treated as a thing to be perfected. Rather than being treated like the innocent and helpless child he was, he was instead treated as a thing to be honed to perfection. Their mother was an emotionally abusive perfectionist. She believed that Ezekiel had to be perfect. In that way, he will never struggle. And in that way, he will not repeat the same mistakes she did. Ezekiel had loathed her mother for that, but Erwin didn't.

"Now because of that..."

"You wanted to find romance."

"A person who will love you..."

"The same way you love them."

"But that was fucking rare."

"No one could match you."

"Because everyone was selfish."

"And all they wanted was a tall..."

"White, thin and lean thug."

"It's either that or they were lesbians."

"It's astonishing."

Erwin had supported and admired all of Ezekiel's philosophies. Despite a few disagreements, he saw him as a figure to follow and succeed. That is another trait he truly envied, his persistence. Whenever Erwin admired someone, he was too scared to make a move. Unlike Ezekiel who was dauntless when it came to expressing his feelings. But at the same time, Ezekiel's struggle also imposed fear inside of Erwin.

Erwin remembers a group conversation he had with Zacharias, Ezekiel and Nikolas during one night. It was their first time getting philosophical. As they share drinks, they begin to talk about a more serious topic.

**Zacharias:** "How's that "November girl" pursuit going?" He says as he sits down on the table as the crowd play cards.

**Ezekiel:** "Oh yeah, no no. We aren't talking about that."

**Erwin:** "What happened this time, man?"

**Ezekiel:** "That bastard Isaac has been allocating all of his attention on girls again. "November girl" happens to be one of them."

**Zacharias:** "So? What if one motherfucker's pimping?"

**Ezekiel:** "Let's just say he snitched on me and told the girl. Might as well switch."

**Erwin:** "What the fuck, man?"

**Ezekiel:** "Yeah he can have fun taking pictures of his body and hoping a girl just sucks his infertile little cock."

**Nikolas:** "Didn't the guy promise us that he'd change?"

**Ezekiel:** "As if he'd change, man. He always says to give him a chance, yet he never acts based on that chance."

**Erwin:** "So it's basically wasted, yeah. I was positive he was going to change one day. He just had too much ego."

**Ezekiel:** "Well women play a big role on his life, he's such a fucking man whore, it pisses me off."

**Erwin:** "And then he tells us that he's working on himself? Hah. Shame."

**Zacharias:** "By this point, Erwin had been gaining more than he has."

**Ezekiel:** "Dude, the guy even touched Serene's legs in front of me and flirted with her, guy got slapped."

**Erwin:** "He also keeps pinning pictures of himself in the bulletin board. He thinks a girl's going to get his attention."

**Ezekiel:** "Well, it works sometimes. They just get turned off because of how childish he is."

**Nikolas:** "But wait, Zeke. Didn't you say he snitched on you to "November girl"? What now?"

**Ezekiel:** "Well, Nikolas. You might not understand but. I gotta deal with it, you know. I'm a man. I shouldn't burden others with my feelings just because I'm hurt. There are a lot more important things in the world besides November Girl. If I truly want to change myself for the better of others then I'll start with moving on. That way, I won't be sulking 'cuz of one girl with short hair and glasses. It was my fault too, I was deceived by her looks."

**Nikolas:** "People say looks can be deceiving. She looks like a coconut." Nikolas says as he unintentionally plays a royal flush.

**Zacharias:** "WHAT?! NO FUCKING WAY! A ROYAL FLUSH?"

**Erwin:** "Oh shit!"

**Zacharias:** "I HAD A PLAN, GOD DAMN IT!"

Zacharias stood up and grabbed Nikolas, slamming him into the table and ever since then, the night was one of the most memorable ones.

In an attempt to outshine Ezekiel, Erwin had started a band called the Hietlenfords. It was a rock band, a new musical genre that appealed to the younger generation and the topics of their songs would usually criticize the government of the Hollenfeuers. Erwin was infamous for his songs, but he still remained a waning and controversial figure in the public. By now, he was 16 years old and most of his money was donated to charity as he had enough to live for himself. This action was influenced by Ezekiel's solidarity.

However, by September 21, 1933, Martial Law was imposed by Otto Hollenfeuer in response to the communist and socialist insurgencies by Adolf Hitler and Omphious Erronzein. Within a few weeks, multiple extrajudicial killings were already imposed. Abuses of power and corruption by different military officials swept the area. By then, the entire country was silent. As if it was a dictatorship by now, the Federal "Republic" of Germany was beginning to shatter its democracy.

To respond to the issue, the Hietlenfords attempted to create an album in retaliation to the law. Upon its publishing, the musicians were caught by the authorities and Erwin was sent back home and berated by his mother. The band was forced to close and disband. The guitarist of the band was arrested upon the revelation of his family's rebellious origin. Erwin was now resentful of his father. Yet, Ezekiel did not condemn but support the presence of Martial Law. This led to an extreme resentful duality between the brothers.

By February 1936, a revolution against the Hollenfeuers ensued. Millions, if not, most of the German population had stood up to revolt against martial law and oust the Hollenfeuers. By the 25th, the palace of the Hollenfeuers were invaded by revolutionaries. By then, they had fled. But their younger sister Hannah was left behind.

***In a brutal act of retaliation, lust and pleasure, the revolutionaries mercilessly molested and murdered the young girl. Each male revolutionary had a turn, one by one.*** Her body was burnt alive and it was never found. This depressed Ezekiel and Erwin. The trauma Ezekiel had gained served as his turning point and his sanity began to fall. During their exile in Luxembourg, they have trained their Kinetic Arts with their grandfather Kristoff Hollenfeuer. Ezekiel still proved to be even better than Erwin in the field of fighting. This was because of the sheer Hate and Rage Ezekiel manifested since the incident. Erwin recalls one incident where he told his grandfather that he wanted Ezekiel to die.

*"Ever since that day, I kept my sentiments to myself."*

*"I never wanted to admit that I didn't hate you."*

*"Because then, maybe you'd be less careful of me."*

*"I didn't hate you."*

*"I didn't want you to die."*

*"I wanted to make our family proud."*

*"I just wanted to make **you** proud."*

As Erwin regains his consciousness, Frieda and Zacharias speechlessly stand behind him. He slowly approached the dead body of Ezekiel. He cradled the headless corpse of his brother. He was sorrowful. He was remorseful. He was hurt. He was self-loathing. He was in denial. He had lost one of his only remaining family members that he fully trusts.

The wrathful dragon cries in sheer agony and sorrow. The pain was more painful than his love interest attempting to kill him. His brother was no longer with him. One of the only people he had left had practically died in the arms of his false comrade. The man exclaims in expression of his unimaginable grief and heartache. The nearby retreating soldiers are able to hear the audible cries of Erwin as his comrades watch him grieve the death of his beloved brother.

**Remendado:** "Erwin, there was nothing we can do." An effortless attempt to console the grieving soldier.

**Remendado:** "We have to retreat, our men need us. We're about to be surrounded."

In a sheer rage, Erwin responds to his pleas by bursting into flames. The ground beneath him lightly quakes as his screams begin to be reminiscent of rage rather than sorrow. Remendado nervously steps back as Erwin shakily and eerily regains his footing, before unleashing a mighty roar reminiscent to that of his brother's. On the bridge of his nose, two marks colored green, indicating Geokinesis suddenly appear.

Erwin unleashes a mighty devastating attack, erupting fiery molten rock beneath Remendado, launching him beyond the perimeter. Remendado screams as he is launched into no man's land as Erwin roars the last of his rage before breaking down in tears yet again. Frieda slowly and delicately approaches the crying Erwin as he hugs him in an attempt to comfort. Erwin returns the hug, turning it into a mutual cuddle of comfort. For the first time, Erwin had hugged a woman in his entire life. Frieda gently caresses Erwin and consoles him like a mother hushing her child. It is also a new experience for Erwin.

### **Chapter 8:3 - Honor**

#### **Chapter 8:3:1 - Ezekiel Hollenfeuer's Past**

*"In short, I was born as a heir."*

*"I was made to succeed my father."*

*"To some account, I was an accident too."*

*"Because my father forgot to wear a condom."*

*"As such, my mom treated me like one."*

*"I was invalidated."*

*"I was raised to be perfect."*

*"But I rebelled against it."*

*"I treated others unlike the way my mom treated me."*

*"I was an advocate for solidarity."*

*"I wanted all my actions to be moral."*

*"If I can't be loved, then I shall love."*

*"But I have limits too."*

*"One day, I felt lonely."*

*"I felt unloved and felt like an object."*

*"I ventured into romance."*

*"I have been rejected 12 times."*

*"Notably, it was Musia."*

*"She was one of the best people I've ever met."*

*"But she wasn't exactly straight."*

*"This wasn't a rejection, but November girl."*

*"She ignored my advances and admiration."*

*"Maybe that was reasonable. But it still hurt."*

*"She never wrote back to me. It was completely one-sided."*

*"All of my feelings weren't returned."*

*"So I stayed away from that and continued my solidarity."*

*"But, the good I gave wasn't returned to me."*

*"The very people I've helped raped my sister."*

*"A girl I loved didn't love me back despite our reciprocation."*

*"Then,"*

*"They took everything from my family."*

*"Just because a man with a silly moustache said we were bad."*

*"I couldn't take it anymore."*

*"Maybe love was a myth."*

*"Maybe kindness was a lie in this cruel world."*

*"I dedicated my life into being stronger."*

*"I wanted to collect the debts."*

*"Kindness was weakness."*

*"Morality was a hinderance."*

*"Love was a vulnerability."*

*"I worked and worked for strength."*

*"Hate is a motivation."*

*"Resentment is an obstacle."*

*"Anger is a strength."*

*"Masochism is optimism."*

*"I have been stronger ever since."*

*"Ever since I awakened my charisma..."*

*"I have been on top."*

*"I started the war, why?"*

*"Because I was hateful."*

*"Because I wanted vengeance."*

*"Because **I was wrong."***

Ezekiel seemed to have turned from a bad man with no remorse to a man who wants to redeem himself but it was too late. In the end, he knew his mistakes. He knew that he was wrong and admitted it. Yet it was too late and Ezekiel loathes himself for it.

*"I killed multitudes."*

*"I manipulated millions."*

*"I hated others."*

*"I broke hearts."*

*"I mutilated people."*

*"All because I was obsessed."*

*"I was obsessed with vengeance."*

*"I was obsessed with maintaining myself."*

*"I didn't want to fall."*

*"I didn't want to lose."*

*"Nobody loved me."*

*"So I completely loved myself."*

*"My power is who I am."*

*"But I was still wrong."*

***"I didn't want strength. I wanted love."***

*"But I was too blind."*

*"In reality, I was just doing it for her."*

*"Serene Ziegler."*

*"I don't love her."*

*"I don't want to love her."*

*"I don't want to hurt her."*

*"I don't want to bother her with my feelings."*

*"I hated her, if anything."*

*"But I didn't want to lose her."*

*"She was a part of me in some way."*

*"She was always mean to me."*

*"She was the meanest girl I've ever met."*

*"She reminded me of my mom."*

*"But she also made me feel things."*

*"Things I've never felt before."*

*"It isn't love."*

*"I don't know what it is."*

*"But I hate it."*

*"It makes me obsessed."*

*"It makes me scared."*

*"And I have never been this fearful of girls."*

*"Until I kept talking to her."*

*"I thought that she hindered my progress."*

*"So I kept staying away from her."*

*"But somehow, my heart tells me to stay."*

*"So I did."*

*"And I was hurt even more."*

*"But I enjoyed that pain."*

*"I enjoyed crying over her."*

*"It felt nice, my heart was feeling..."*

*"Hard. It stiffened up into a rock."*

*"I loved that feeling."*

*"it was so pleasing."*

Despite the utter unhealthy state of Ezekiel in his friendship with Serene, he still was willing to tank all of it just to stay with her. At the end of the day, he somehow caught way too much attachment for her. And as such, it turned into jealousy, the fear of losing her to someone else. Enough dominoes fell into one another, eventually leading to extreme infatuation over her.

*"To some extent, I didn't want to lose you."*

*"I disliked seeing others infatuate over you."*

*"I am not losing the same way again."*

*"I heavily resented your admirers."*

*"I killed your admirers."*

*"I was too scared to lose you."*

*"I abandoned my morality to keep you."*

*"I didn't want to be jealous anymore."*

*"It took a toll on my health."*

*"That wretched feeling of jealousy and envy."*

*"But I ended up scaring you away."*

*"You talked more to others instead of me."*

*"You gave others more attention instead of me."*

*"It was like the past repeating all over again."*

*"No matter how much I try,"*

*"I keep falling..."*

*"Despite my continuous struggle upward."*

*"For 26 years it was always this way."*

*"I always tried to forget about you."*

*"I was so tired of crushing on others to move on from you."*

For all his life, he realized that **ZERO**, the true first interest of Ezekiel otherwise known as Serene had been the one he had grown attached to. He isn't certain or fully rational whether or not it was an admiration or a romantic interest. But nonetheless, he stuck with his word that he is never interested in her romantically. But rather wants to retain his relationship with her as close friends. However, he couldn't act that way due to his continuously growing attachment and exploration of new experiences.

*"No one was wanting to help me."*

*"I helped most of the people."*

*"Even if it meant staying away..."*

*"If I didn't know how to help them."*

*"I helped forge 3 different relationships."*

*"And I get nothing in return."*

*"I know life isn't fair."*

*"But if God existed, he sent his strongest soldier on a suicidal mission."*

Ezekiel was fully resentful of his state. He hated and begrudged the feeling of being alone, watching others have happy boyfriends and girlfriends while he is left in the corner. He hated it. He felt like he deserved at least something platonic. But no, he was just born to be alone. Left to do things for others with nothing in return.

*"I remember a fond memory."*

"Two of the sweetest people..."

*"My ninth grade classmates..."*

*"The two were there for me at my lowest..."*

*"They ended up together."*

*"It made me happy."*

*"Despite being their third wheel, I loved it."*

*"Because the both of them showed true chemistry."*

*"Utmost care for one another."*

*"And they were my very close friends."*

*"I'm exponentially happy for them."*

*"Happy that they got the happiness I never got."*

*"As seeing others happy infects me with the same happiness."*

*"Until the day they had to distance themselves from me,"*

*"Ever since then, I felt alone."*

*"I was happy, but it was still taken away."*

*"Haven't I gone through enough pain?"*

*"Although maybe I might've not done enough."*

*"Logically, I deserved everything from the start."*

Ezekiel stops recalling his past, awakening in the purgatory.

#### **Chapter 8:3:2 - The Purgatory**

Ezekiel finds himself in a dark void. He is still in his monstrous form, roaming around the darkness in absolute silence. This time, he absolutely feels like nothing. Despite the usual fear, sadness and negativity he feels from absolute solitude, he is unable to feel that. At this exact second, exact minute, exact hour, he feels at home. He is facing his biggest fears: failure, solitude and hopelessness. As he continues roaming around, he looked to his side upon a gleam of light hit his sight. Upon looking, he sees a crying young child as he approaches to console him.

**Ezekiel:** "What's wrong? Do you need help?"

As the child looked up to him, Ezekiel somehow sensed something wrong.

**Ezekiel:** "You are so young, yet you already seem so wise..."

**Ezekiel:** "You seem pure, but potent."

**Ezekiel:** "You look happy, but you feel depressed."

**Ezekiel:** "You look so clean, but something feels dirty."

**Ezekiel:** "What is wrong, child? I am here. You can tell me anything. I will help you."

**Child:** "I feel... lonely. I have done everything to make others happy. Just so that I do not pass down the same resentment I am given. I am so lonely despite accompanying others. Why is it that everything I do isn't returned? Yet, there is this one girl. She's my best friend. She has always been with me from the start. But because of my short term rage, I ended up throwing paper at her face. I knew that she hid the pain. I knew I was wrong, I was just mad. That was my first time doing it too. I just don't know what to say."

Ezekiel suddenly recognizes the environment. It seemed all too familiar. What he said was different from what he could recall, though. The child disappears mysteriously as another gleam of light appears to his left, as he looks toward the light. Now, he recognizes the child, looking at him. However, it seems as if this peculiar scenario was restarting. As such, he restarted and said "supposed lines" that he just remembered.

As the younger Ezekiel vanishes, Ezekiel was left alone to recalculate his decision and whether or not he's actually fine with this immense solitude. As he hugs the last of the smoke the boy left, he opens his eyes. Now, the two eyes that appeared in his left had suddenly closed and disappeared. He is left with the same appearance that he had before the climax with Remendado. A soft footstep is heard behind Ezekiel, as he quickly looks behind him.

#### **Chapter 8:3:3 - Auf Weidersehen**

**Serene:** "Pan..."

Out of fear, rage and resentment, Ezekiel quickly stands up defensively, violently shaking out of fear.

**Ezekiel:** "No... Stay away from me..."

**Ezekiel:** "Don't come near me...!"

**Ezekiel:** "I don't what us to hurt each other!"

**Ezekiel:** "Not anymore, Serene, I've had it!"

Ezekiel runs away from Serene, before momentarily falling and tripping.

**Serene:** "No, wait."

Ezekiel gets up on his feet, shaking and this time, out of rage rather than fear.

**Ezekiel:** "I cared about you."

**Serene:** "I know, Pan. I know."

**Serene:** "I'm sorry."

She nonchalantly apologizes, yet her face was transparent of remorse.

**Serene:** "I made you go through all of that."

**Ezekiel:** "I'm tired of repeating that it isn't your fault."

**Ezekiel:** "I'm tired of always adapting to you."

**Serene:** "I'm sorry."

**Serene:** "I just wasn't used to it."

**Serene:** "I wasn't used to that type of treatment."

**Ezekiel:** "I did everything for you too."

**Ezekiel:** "I cared about you."

**Ezekiel:** "I know I rushed. I know I fucked up."

**Ezekiel:** "I know I did way too much. I'm sorry too."

**Ezekiel:** "But it was also the way I felt about you."

**Ezekiel:** "I know we can't be as close as we used to."

**Ezekiel:** "But still, I care about you, so much."

Ezekiel begins to violently scratch his neck out as a coping mechanism, deeply puncturing his skin as his scratches sharpen.

**Serene:** "Stop hiding it, Ezekiel."

**Serene:** "You're hiding something..."

**Serene:** "It's hurting you."

**Serene:** "Do you hate me? I'm sorry."

Ezekiel grits his teeth, tightening his breath as he clenches his fists before vigorously scratching himself even more.

**Ezekiel:** "STOP IT!"

**Ezekiel:** "YOU HURT ME A LOT, OKAY?"

**Ezekiel:** "I WATCHED YOU HAVE FUN WITH OTHERS!"

**Ezekiel:** "I FELT LIKE A SECOND OPTION, I KNOW!"

**Ezekiel:** "WE TREATED EACH OTHER BADLY!"

**Ezekiel:** "I KNOW, I KNOW, BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE!"

**Ezekiel:** "IT'S MY FUCKING FAULT, OKAY?!"

**Ezekiel:** "STOP FUCKING APOLOGIZING! IT'S ANNOYING!"

**Ezekiel:** "I FUCKED UP! I WAS UNABLE TO ADAPT TO YOU!"

**Ezekiel:** "I WAS WEAK, OKAY?"

**Ezekiel:** "I WAS CONSTANTLY ENRAGED AND JEALOUS..."

**Ezekiel:** "OVER THINGS I SHOULDN'T HAVE!"

**Ezekiel:** "I'M SORRY FOR MAKING YOU UNCOMFORTABLE."

**Ezekiel:** "THESE GIFTS WERE IMPULSIVE, I KNOW."

**Ezekiel:** "I KNOW IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT BUT,"

**Ezekiel:** "I PROMISE, WE'RE ONLY BEST FRIENDS!"

**Ezekiel:** "I DON'T WANT ANYTHING ROMANTIC!"

**Ezekiel:** "STOP THINKING OF IT THAT WAY, OKAY?!"

**Ezekiel:** "I DON'T WANT ANYTHING MORE THAN BEST FRIENDS!"

Ezekiel begins to exclaim and scream in rage as one of his eyes cry, as the other three remain blankly staring.

**Serene:** "Then why is it that you treat me like a girlfriend?"

**Serene:** "I was getting hurt... too... by your obsession..."

Ezekiel was weeping, as he begins to tear his body apart. Limb from limb, he begins breaking himself as he roars in agony and sorrow. He wasn't able to properly express what he was feeling. Other than the fact that he absolutely hated himself by now.

**Ezekiel:** "BECAUSE ***I FUCKING CARE ABOUT YOU!!!***"

**Ezekiel:** "I CARE ABOUT YOU, EVEN IF YOU HURT ME!"

**Ezekiel:** "EVEN IF YOU MAKE ME ENVY OTHERS DELIBERATELY!"

**Ezekiel:** "I KNEW YOU ARE STILL A GOOD PERSON!"

**Ezekiel:** "I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO BE HURT ANYMORE!"

**Ezekiel:** "I WANTED TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER!"

**Ezekiel:** "BECAUSE **YOU MADE ME HAPPY!**"

**Ezekiel:** "I WANTED TO BE DIFFERENT!"

**Serene:** "But look at you... you're pouring your anger..."

**Serene:** "On me... like the others..."

Ezekiel lets out a mighty roar of sorrow. For the last time before his body regenerates as he breathes.

**Ezekiel:** "Because... I... I'm mad at myself."

**Ezekiel:** "I know. I fucked up. I was just like the others."

**Ezekiel:** "I'm mad at the people who treat you incorrectly."

**Ezekiel:** "And one of them was me. If anything, I was the worst."

**Serene:** "Ezekiel."

**Ezekiel:** "Don't call me that."

**Ezekiel:** "But I want you to know, before I go:"

**Ezekiel:** "I really really care about you."

**Ezekiel:** "I cry, and still cry a lot for you."

**Ezekiel:** "You make me really happy."

**Ezekiel:** "You are the torch to the dark cave that is my heart."

**Ezekiel:** "You're there for me whenever I need someone."

**Ezekiel:** "Even if you're into the same-sex."

**Ezekiel:** "Even if I'm not myself,"

**Ezekiel:** "Even if I'm always so resentful."

**Ezekiel:** "Even if I am mad at you constantly."

**Ezekiel: *"I really, really, really care about you. My numb heart says so."***

**Ezekiel:** "We were so close. But I fucked up. We'll never be like that again."

**Serene:** "Pan."

**Serene:** "It's okay."

**Serene:** "It's all okay now, right?"

**Serene:** "You'll be fine... soon."

**Ezekiel:** "No, I'm scared. I regret committing suicide like this... I don't wanna go yet."

**Serene:** "You're a scared child hiding behind that monster that you call Panzer, Zeke..."

**Serene:** "You weren't you ever since that incident..."

Ezekiel falls to his knees, sobbing silently as Serene approaches him.

**Serene:** "I'm running out of time, Pan."

**Ezekiel:** "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for fucking up."

**Ezekiel:** "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything."

**Ezekiel:** "I really care about you."

**Ezekiel:** "I promise I don't hate you."

**Ezekiel:** "I'm sorry for being so dry."

**Ezekiel:** "I'm sorry."

Serene hushes Ezekiel as he holds his jaw, looking into the sobbing Ezekiel's eyes. By now, his eyes returned to normal and all his wounds were healed and he was clean.

**Serene:** "Shut up. Hush."

**Serene:** "It's okay."

**Serene: *"It's time now. I will never forget you. Ever. I promise. You've done enough."***

The purgatory was now encircled in flames as Ezekiel silently cries, as Serene initiates a hug to cradle the crying beast returning into a human being. He softly sobs, hiding his face in her arms. As the hellfire slowly consumes Ezekiel in the purgatory.

Ezekiel burns away in Serene's arms, as she fades away from the purgatory.

Meanwhile, the battle in Heilbronn ends in Federalist victory, the Prussian Spear captured the remaining shock troops and the siege ends. Meanwhile the stormtroopers were able to retreat safely as Heilbronn wasn't even supremely damaged apart from the village. As the men of the Prussian Spear celebrate the total victory of their comrades, Lieutenant Germany receives heartbreaking words from his Major, informing him of the death of Ezekiel. He recalls his memories with his former student.

The second siege of Heilbronn is over, the third battle of Heilbronn concludes. Despite the victory, the Descendants of Calamity had lost their leader. Yet, the truth of Ezekiel is yet to be revealed.

### **Chapter 9:0 - Preview, the Second Sentinel Meeting**

4 weeks after the events in, a mysterious statue shakes in the Doomspire of the Sentinels. The Sentinels, other than the Rank 4 is present as Remendado is still heavily injured. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler, stands patiently anticipating something from the statue. The bells ring and the second sentinel meeting has begun. The high-ranking generals stand at attention to prepare for the Fuhrer's briefing. The tension increases as multitudes of Regiments are in formation outside the castle. A new phase of the battle begins.