One More Time: Rebirth

Chapter 113: Long time no see

Tsukiyomi's POV:

Jester released multiple [ice javelins] towards us. I quickly caught them mid-flight and crushed them with my bare hands, while the others evaded. The thickness of the ice javelins were unreal. This was a simple C class spell, but the way he uses it makes it seem like an A-class spell.

I and the others tried to get near but every time we get at least within a meter of him, he uses a powerful [burst wind] to push us back.

I tried casting one spell after another but every single one was blocked with his own spells. This guy has a counter for practically every single spell. 

Jester then used [wind slice] [earth pierce] [ice pierce] [ice javelin] [fireball], all at the same time. He used it the same way Edge uses his fireball skill. He uses them continuously without end. Forget about counter-attacking we couldn't even get near him. How much mana does this guy have, does he have an unlimited amount? 

I wanted to use a full burst spell, but that would make the castle collapse. We might be killing soldiers but not everyone inside the castle is a soldier. I looked at the other girls, Eva, and Serillia, to see if they had a plan, though at the moment they don't seem to have time to look away from Jester. Tanith's anti-magic shield was being pierced so she too was focused on evading. Our eyes met, she then shook her head. She has no ideas either.

As I was thinking about what to do next, Jester started chanting. This was the first time I saw him, actually chant. All of the spells he was using did not stop while he chanted. This might be something big.

While I was readying myself to endure the upcoming attack. Someone got behind Jester and slashed at him. Jester was barely able to block at the last second and was blown away into the wall, creating dust clouds upon impact. I then saw a girl with fox ears, and two foxtails, standing where Jester stood. Her face showed no emotion at the wonderful thing she had done.

"I will be Edge's first wife now." The one speaking was Eri. This girl suddenly appeared out of nowhere as her presence disappeared once we entered the castle. So she was waiting for the right time to strike.

"Kukuku, you're not part of the deal Eri, you cheated and stole ahead already." I couldn't help but chuckle at the ridiculous thing Eri said.

"She is right Eri, you cheated and went straight ahead of us."

"Yeah, how could you confess to Edge, without informing us!" It seems that the scheming princess and the big-boobed idiot agree with me. 

"Good thing Master is extremely dense, so he took your confession of love, and thought of it as an expression of friendship." The lizard chimed in.

"Hmph, the early warbeast gets a husband." Eri then responded with a bad pun. 

...

That's right Last year as we were having our discussion about Edge. Eri went to Edge directly and confessed her love.

Good thing that guy mistook it for an affirmation of friendship. As we were fooling around, I then felt Jester's mana being concentrated. So she wasn't able to finish him with that. I guess it's time for round two.

I was about to get ready when I felt mana draining from me. "What's happening on the other side, Edge!?"

Edge's POV:

I entered the throne room. It was a pretty empty place surrounded by pillars of stone. The only thing present was located at the far back which was the throne, and sitting in it was of course none other than Rain. He had lost his youthful appearance and looked like a man nearing his 40's even though he was supposed to be in his early 20's. He even grew a beard that made him look even older.

He was sitting on his throne looking at me with tired eyes, I walked in front of him. "Do you want me to kneel?" I asked sarcastically, yet Rain took no offense and smiled.

"It's been five years hasn't it Edge?"

"Yeah, it's been some time. So Rain are you willing to stop this nonsense?"

"You call it nonsense... Even after all this time, you do not understand what I'm doing is for everyone. What I'm doing is for the best interest of the human race."

"Really this is for the best? Fear only gives birth to fear, hatred gives birth to hatred. How many have died in this war!? How many of these humans you so claim to protect have died!? Tell me Rain do you think this is for the best!?"

"YES! SACRIFICES ARE MADE TO OPEN A PATH TO THE FUTURE! ALSO, WASN'T IT BY YOUR HANDS THAT MANY FACED THEIR DOOM!" Rain started screaming at me, but after bursting out, he sighed.

"Still I do understand, what you're saying. So Edge, even after all you have done, I'm still willing to accept you. Come to my side and help me end this war." Rain looked at me his eyes full of expectations.

"End this war? How? By killing all the non-humans?"

"What must be done, has to be done, for the sake of humanity!"

"For the sake of humanity? You fear for the future that has yet to come. I'm surprised you can still move in the present, by worrying too much about the future. I do not want to follow a coward like you."

"I see... So your answer is the same as before." Rain stood up, He took his two meter tall great sword from behind the throne. The next instant he was in front of me about to strike. Yet before he could strike I kicked him in the gut. He flew backward destroying his own throne.

While he flew I finished my chanting. Sing the final requiem [Final Judgment]. A red light came down from above destroying the ceiling and hitting Rain. The night sky could now be seen, a beautiful full moon surrounded by stars was illuminating the area..

I looked at Rain, his wounds were healing, as he stood up. [Auto regeneration] this was what Serillia told me about, Rain's innate skill.

"So Rain who is this person, who told you about my past?"

Rain simply shrugged. "Oh her, truthfully I can't remember, it seems after meeting her, she might have cast something on me, removing a part of my memories. Specifically, details about her... Is that all you wanted to hear? So let us get this over with."

After saying that he was now behind me ready to slash at my back. I placed my sword behind me blocking his slash, I then did a roundhouse kick blowing him backward and hitting the wall.

With his [auto regeneration] he came coming back up, but I blew him away time, and time again. This wasn't a fight it was a one-sided beat down.

I finally reach the stage of those who are said to be the strongest, I was now at the same stage as my past incarnations. This is what I wanted but all I felt was emptiness. This battle was not exciting, it wasn't exciting at all. 

"So Rain, how about giving up now?" Rain looked at me his eyes showed no sign of faltering. So there is no other choice but to kill him.

I pinned his arms and legs using earth pierce. I was standing where the throne once stood, I looked down on Rain.

"Seeing you follow your convictions until the end... I don't really hate guys like you. So in honor of your perseverance, I'll show you one of my greatest technique. Even with your [auto regeneration], you will not survive." Rain didn't say anything as he simply continued to glare at me.

I poured the majority of my mana into my sword, this was my ultimate sword technique from my past life [silver sword]. This was the same move I used to kill the demon lord in my previous life. I swung down my sword, it was just a moment, but I saw Rain smiling at me, as if he was expecting this. His smile overlapped with an image of the former demon lord.

I stopped my attack. What was I doing? How could I repeat the same mistake? Didn't I promise to have a different outcome?

Rain looked at me, shocked. He then started shouting at me. "Why?! Why did you stop?!"

"..."

"Answer me Edge!"

"You looked like you wished to die." Rain looked at me shocked at what I said, he now had teary eyes.

"Why?! I was an evil that you were supposed to destroy!"

"Why did you do this Rain? Tell me the real reason."

"I wanted to save everyone! I just wanted to put all of the true humanity into one place. I needed to act the part. I waited for you Edge, I waited as my hands kept on being stained by blood. I almost broke a couple of times, but I steeled myself, every time, waiting for you to take my life, and destroy all of the true humanity. So when you finally came, after five long years of waiting. I really thought now this was a true hero. I wanted to be released from this cycle which I myself have created."

"You were a great actor, so senpai, let's start anew."

"I can't do that anymore Edge! Kill me now and end it all!"

"YOU FOOL! YOU THINK DEATH WILL BE PUNISHMENT ENOUGH FOR YOU! YOU REALLY ARE A COWARD SENPAI! RUNNING AWAY FROM YOUR SINS WILL NOT SOLVE ANYTHING! I THOUGHT YOU WILL STAND BY YOUR JUSTICE UNTIL THE END!"

Senpai looked into my eyes, he was still crying. "So Edge, will you help me atone?"

As I was about to answer someone spoke interrupting us. The voice felt like it was communicating through our very souls. 

"How boring this wasn't part of the script." Time then stopped as a person of incredible beauty appeared before me.