"We've been overestimating our opponent this whole time!

" Ana declared, gazing at Gratiana who stood beyond their reach.

They were still surrounded by swarms of enemies who remained above them, waiting for the three to make their first move.

"Y-You mean…

" Shamac muttered, slowly piecing his own suspicion and conjecture together.

If Ana was speaking the truth, then she had a valid point. However, it could also be nothing more than a desperate attempt to justify her actions. At the moment, being careless was an error to be avoided.

"Shamac, listen to me… I know you're thinking about it too. Gratiana was my mentor. I've known her for years, and I've always feared and respected her power… But that was then!

" Ana sharply spoke, drawing Shamac's reason to her favor.

"I know her better than any of us… Only I can beat her!

"

Shamac considered her words strictly. Ana was right in her assertion on who had the highest chance against the Grand Apostle they faced.

Not only was she the most powerful of the three, but she also had prior knowledge of their target and had more experience fighting with and alongside her.

Still though…

"It's dangerous, Ana. You don't stand a chance..

" Shamac muttered with a concerned expression.

He knew the big risk she was taking for them, and that she was also aware of the gap between her power and Gratiana's.

"I have to try… Besides, your opponent isn't a piece of cake too

" Ana smiled slightly.

Shamac's pursed lips slowly broke into a smile as he gazed upon Ana's smooth face which strongly depicted her clear skin even when she was exhausted.

"If we do manage to survive this… Then maybe…

" Shamac thought to himself.

But, the more urgent matter called his attention. He had no time for any other thing. Pushing the thought from his mind, he focused more on restrategizing, and in a few moments… He got it!

"Okay, Ana. You have my support. But, I'm not the only one you have to convince…

" Shamac's voice trailed, glancing to Talia's location.

Ana turned her face slowly, looking at Talia expectantly and in dread. Of the three of them, Talia was the one who would despise her plan the most. Not only was Talia highly competitive, but she also wanted to kill Gratiana off herself.

But, for some reason, Talia remained calm and silent, keeping her expressions in check. She didn't utter a single word through Naa's explanation, which made her even more unhinged.

"Talia… What do you say?

" Ana asked warily.

The crimson fairy looked at Ana softly and smiled.

"I understand…

" She muttered.

This answer shocked Shamac and Ana. For Talia to have agreed so easily, especially when the arrowhead of the plan was Ana and not her… It was unexpected.

"I won't pretend to understand everything you have just explained. However, I am well aware of our situation. It would be selfish of me to impose my personal vendetta. Besides, I want to please Hexarion, and if this plan allows us to win, then I have no issues with it

" Talia explained.

This brightened up Ana's face, making her smile widely.

"I won't disappoint your expectations, everyone.

" She spoke assuredly.

Talia nodded with a slight smile also on her face and Shamac did the same. It was good that they had all reached a consensus, however, the real challenge had just begun.

"How do you hope to reach Gratiana in the first place?

" Talia asked.

Ana fell silent. She hadn't considered that yet.

"Well, we haven't really tried to reach her, especially after she showed us what happens when any harm gets too close to her. I'm sure we can easily create a window of opportunity to directly confront her.

" Shamac deduced.

Both girls nodded, impressed by the hybrid's quick grasp of the situation. His succinct analysis made it clear to the other two what they had to do.

"We'll just need to make an opening!

" Ana beamed.

The horde was still floating above them, seeming to be inanimate machines, staying still as they watched the three slaves from their height.

"You bore me… When will you resume your futile struggle? Have I not given you enough time to catch your breaths?

" The Executioner bellowed.

His deep voice echoed through the dark veil that covered them. While his tone was clearly ominous, Shamac, Talia, and Ana readied themselves for battle nonetheless, feeling refreshed by the new plan they had in mind.

"We apologize for the wait. Now then… Let us resume!

" Shamac grinned, taking the middle position, while Ana and Talia took the right and left flank respectively.

Both diving into the air, the women launched themselves at the stationary legion of Riders.

"Goahhhhhhh!!!!

" They made their monstrous noises.

Bringing out her Sacred Grade treasures, Ana swept through the horde of Riders, while Talia used her crimson blasts to devastate any opponent that came near her.

"Oh? It seems you're more motivated now. I wonder what absurd new strategy you lot have come up with. A futile attempt indeed

" The devilish rider chuckled in amusement.

Suddenly, from beneath the wave of hell-horses and riders, dark shadows burst forth.

"Uoooooohhhh

" Shamac growled as he released a massive amount of darkness from within him.

This caused the attention of the riders to shift to him, sensing the Hybrid as the major threat among the three enemies to be eliminated.

His shadows formed large tentacles and with sharp edges, drawing many riders and squashing them at once. The dark octopus construct Shamac made tore through the waves of horses that enveloped him, trying to extinguish him.

"Ana, Now!

" Shamax yelled.

Without hesitating for a moment, Ana launched her board which she used to fly and headed straight for Gratiana who stood alone.

"Oh?

" Gratiana grinned in surprise as she watched Ana approach her at a phenomenal speed.

"To think you would come to me yourself… Saves me the trouble…

"

In a moment, Ana reached Gratiana's location, quickly launching several blades at her.

As the golden swords spun, flying to their target, Gratiana immediately brought out a shield to defend herself.

>Clang! Ching! Skraaaaa!<

Screeching sounds of battering metals came forth as sparks flew. All of Ana's treasures were deflected by the white structure Gratiana erected to protect herself.

"Weak

" Gratiana grinned.

However…

>Crack<

The firm shield suddenly split, cracking, as it broke apart immediately.

"W-What?!

" Gratiana let out in surprise.

Before her very eyes, the white structure crumbled.

Ana smiled as she leaped from her board and landed on the ground, a short distance from Gratiana.

"Guess it wasn't as weak as you thought,

" She said.

Gratiana's confident expression of enjoyment immediately changed, depicting anger. Her frown deepened as she glared at Ana.

"You fool, you dare to-

" Gratiana barked in rage.

"Yeah, Yeah! I didn't come here to talk! There's no time anyway… Why don't we get this over with!

" Ana smiled, drawing a white blade from within her Realm.

Annoyed by her previous disciple's daring act of disrespect, cutting her short of words as she still spoke, Gratiana gritted her teeth in displeasure.

"The nerve of this brat!

" She thought to herself.

"I won't demean myself to fight you as an equal. You are not worthy to cross blades with me. Die, wench!

" Gratiana declared, creating a massive white light behind her.

With her arms folded she stared at Ana condescendingly, wishing to see her suffer.

A wide range of rods suddenly appeared, each glowing majestically as they remained suspended above Gratiana. The rods were sharpened, numerous as well, brimming with white energy.

"These are holy stakes… You should recognize them well, cur.

" Gratiana grinned.

Of course, Ana knew what they were. One of the highest objects exclusively owned by the Apostles. They possess pure divine power and are considered indestructible.

"They banish evil from the surface wherever they are summoned… Or so the saying goes.

" Ana smiled.

However, she wasn't scared of these petty toys.

Her master had gifted her with more powerful items.

"I just need to find the right opening,

" Ana thought to herself.

She still had her trump card, but she was also certain Gratiana did too.

"Whoever can use theirs first will win this!

" Ana thought to herself.

"Be destroyed, you ugly creature!

" Gratiana said, releasing the needle-like rods which spread across the room.

>Spreeeeeeeee<

As they lunged at her, Ana used her shields to defend herself, deflecting the rods. However, they kept attacking. The deflected rods flew to her once again to attack. Since they were indestructible, they kept coming at her.

"Hahahaha, how foolish. As soon as those shields wear out, you'll be impaled by the stakes of righteousness. Rejoice, mongrel, you'll have a taste of divine retribution by the very objects of purity

" Gratiana declared in pleasure.

"Urgh, was I once like that?

" Ana gagged in disgust.

She couldn't believe she used to sound like such a crazy and delusional character. Besides, she knew the Apostles weren't as pure as Gratiana painted them to be. According to the 'truth' her new God showed her, the Apostles were the cause of her misfortune as a child.

They were merely tools the gods would dispose of at any given time. It even disgusted Ana whenever she used her Grace, given to her by Hades, since she knew it was merely a false power.

But, for her master, she would do anything… Even resort to such an inferior medium.

"Gratiana… Unlike your gods, mine actually gives me something useful… And that's what will make me the ultimate winner in this fight!

" Ana thought to herself.