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[X] Command Sign, 「Master's Voice」

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Sakuya can't possibly defeat the guardian on her own. Even with her unique combat abilities, the creature is simply too powerful. Without her time manipulation powers, she doesn't stand a chance. Her injuries are getting more serious as the battle continues. Despite blood flowing freely from her wounds, she keeps on fighting, without even a pause to bind them or rest. She must be pushing on using sheer willpower alone; if this continues, she is surely going to collapse. Against these odds, there is only one possible outcome.

Sakuya is going to die.

Grey forces himself to stand, supporting his body with a hand against the wall. He tries to cry out at the chief maid, but she doesn't seem to hear him. She is acting as if she is in some kind of deep trance. His desperate shouting doesn't reach her. Sakuya can only see and hear her monstrous opponent.

Sakuya is going to die.

He checks his pockets quickly, to see if there is anything he can use to help. Unfortunately, all he has are a few blank spell cards (he doesn't know how to use them), his now empty Mauser C96 (he can reload it, but the weapon is useless against the guardian), and the work gloves he found in the tower (also useless). The ground rumbles violently once more as the clockwork guardian tries to crush Sakuya with its weight. She barely dodges the blow.

Sakuya is going to die.

No! This can't be happening! This isn't supposed to happen! Sakuya is his friend. There is so much they haven't done together. There is so much he has to apologize for. There are so many things he has to tell her. This is...

"Sakuya!" cries Grey. He uses the last of his strength, praying that he can reach her.

For a moment, Sakuya turns to him. Her fiery red eyes slowly return to their normal color as she recognizes him. But this is a mistake - his cry distracts her for a split-second. The guardian attacks during the opening, throwing her across the room. She lands hard against a wall on the other side with a sickening, meaty thud.

Sakuya doesn't get up.

Grey feels himself shuddering uncontrollably. He knows he can't fight this monster. He knows he can't think of a way to escape. He knows he can't even stand up for much longer. But, as if in response to his desperation, his body is moving on its own, walking towards the creature.

"You fucking mongrel servant!" he cries loudly. "I'll kill you!"

The clockwork guardian pauses, as if amused by his gesture.

"Wait... your... turn..." it croaks mechanically. Slowly, it turns back to Sakuya to finish her off.

Grey feels himself burning. He feels like he is going to lose control of himself, but at the same time, find himself. But that doesn't matter now. Somehow, he knows exactly what to say. He pulls out a single blank spell card from his coat.

"Command Sign, 「Master's Voice」," returns Grey calmly.

Suddenly, everything is clear. This battle is finished.

"Face your Master, guardian of the fourth chamber," he says sternly.

The spider stops in its tracks. It shudders violently, as if trying to struggle against itself, before turning to face Grey.

"Master...?" it croaks slowly.

"You have done your duty well," Grey says. "I have one final task for you."

"Orders..." replies the guardian.

"Execute Procedure 22," he says with a grim smile.

The clockwork guardian raises two of its long, mechanical legs high into the air. It pauses for a single moment as it raises them above its head. Its faces Grey, looking at him almost remorsefully.

"Command... Confirmation...?" it asks.

"Isaac," says Grey with finality.

The creature crashes its two monstrous limbs straight into its head, effectively impaling itself with its own mechanical legs. Thousands of gears and springs fly off across the room with the impact. For a moment, the creature shakes violently, until finally, every part of it stops moving. The whole room rumbles as the creature crashes into the ground lifelessly.

"Now broken, guardian of the fourth chamber, you are of no use to me," he says. The guardian could have been useful if it wasn't already compromised. He has no use for useless servants. Such things don't even have the right to live.

Suddenly, his body is filled with excruciating pain. Grey crumples down on the ground, coughing blood on the ground. This is his limit. But this is just fine. He is finished now.

Everything fades to black.