Alice’s former companions, resurrected by Kaito’s Heart Tool, Memories... No, given their sheer numbers, they could already be called an army. The sight of them forced the Gods to tighten their guard.
"Now then, since we have the chance, I suppose I should offer a brief explanation," Alice said. "Those brought back by Kaito-san’s Memories possess strength that scales with the power of my heart as the caster... however, they are unable to use the unique abilities they held in life."
Supreme God Chronoa and the God of Life, Life, felt a flicker of relief. They feared the unknown power of these 'Heart Tools' most; the news that the resurrected spirits couldn't use them was a welcome reprieve.
But then, why would Alice bother telling them that? Even as the question surfaced, Alice broke into a wide, meaningful smile.
"But you see... Kaito-san’s Heart Tool and mine share a perfect synergy. Truly... I suspect they were forged specifically to be used together like this!"
The moment she spoke, the motes of light from Hecatoncheir circling her body split apart, flying to stand before each of her allies. As the light merged into them, a chorus of voices rang out across the battlefield.
"Shine! Blade of my heart! Let the flashes gather—align—and ascend into the wings of the aurora that pierces all creation! Here stands the sword of my heart! Soar! Wings of Victory: Nirvana!"
Noel—Alice’s younger sister, who looked strikingly like her—shouted as twin swords of brilliant light manifested in her hands.
"The flame of loyalty dwells within my soul! O noble blaze that shall never be extinguished—scorch the earth, scorch the heavens, and sear the stars! Here stands the blade of my heart! Flare up! Flame Spear: Flamebel!"
In response to the red-haired girl knight, Adel, a massive spear wreathed in crimson flames appeared.
"Transform my heart into a Shura! Prayer alone cannot save—wishing alone cannot protect. For the sake of the fleeting—stain these fists in blood! Here stands the proof of my heart! Open! Scripture of Massacre: Kilmedes!"
Leon, the priest in ritual robes with the inverted cross, grasped a book adorned with ominous carvings.
"Fuhahaha! What a nostalgic gathering. In that case, I shall join the fray as well... Awaken, beast of tyranny that slumbers within my heart! Let black claws rend the earth and black fangs devour the heavens! Thou art the predator, the beast of the end that annihilates heaven and earth! Here stands the fangs of my heart! Manifest! Magic Staff: Apocalypse!"
Iris summoned her own Heart Tool alongside her old friends. Resurrection in an empowered state via Memories, combined with the restoration of their past abilities via Hecatoncheir... the synergy between these two tools was indeed absolute.
As battle erupted once more, Chronoa found herself facing Alice’s best friend and sister—Iris and Noel.
"It’s unfair that Iris is the only one who gets to stay," Noel pouted. "If there was a way to preserve a soul within a Heart Tool, you should have told me."
"Nay, that was a technique completed in the final moments before my death," Iris countered. "There was no other way. Besides, you seem to have mellowed out since dying. Is this truly all right? The one you are fighting to save is his lover, you know?"
"It’s fine! I mean, sure, it’s frustrating. I wanted to be the one to become Onee-chan’s bride... But he is the man who saved my sister after she spent eons suffering alone after we died. If it is him, I can trust her to him... even if it still makes me want to scream!!"
"U-Umu... I retract my previous statement. You are as much of a fool as ever..."
Noel was a severe siscon. In life, she had insisted that her sister was the most wonderful, adorable being in existence, even going as far as to seriously declare she wanted to marry her. Even after death and resurrection, her devotion remained unchanged. However, because she had received a portion of Alice’s memories through the effects of Memories, she felt a debt of gratitude to Kaito. Frustrating as it was, she acknowledged his place by Alice’s side.
"Now then, let us begin, Goddess of Space-Time. The two of us shall be your opponents."
"You challenge me with only two?" Chronoa asked. "I know not the extent of these Heart Tools, but you underestimate me—gh!?"
"Ah, watch yourself... she is fast."
In the space of a single heartbeat, Noel closed the distance and swung her glowing twin blades at Chronoa. Her speed was a literal flash of light, but Chronoa was not one to be outpaced. She immediately stopped time, circling around to throw a punch at Noel’s side.
But the strike slipped right through Noel’s body.
"What—she turned her physical form into light? A power similar to the Authority of the God of Flash!?"
"Haaaaah!"
"Kh, but if that is all you have!"
"Don't forget me," Iris interjected. "Devour her, Violent Beast! Apocalypse!"
Against Noel, who moved at the speed of light in her particle form, Chronoa attempted to counter with her control over time. However, Iris’s support forced her to reconsider. Chronoa couldn't afford a direct hit from a magical bombardment amplified hundreds of times over, forcing her into a desperate dodge. Noel immediately followed up, driving Chronoa into a corner with seamless coordination.
Elsewhere, Adel and Leon stood before the God of Life, Life.
"Good grief, a monster so great she makes a Seven Star Magic Beast look like a house cat... it seems my luck hasn't improved even after death. I certainly lack the firepower to finish this alone... How much do we need?"
"Let's see," Leon replied, facing Life. "Against an opponent of this caliber... we'll need a million at minimum. No matter; with our current abilities, it won't take long. I'll leave the stalling to you."
"Understood. I'll do my best—within reason."
As they spoke, Life manifested a massive army of cavalry to test their strength. But the ten thousand riders she created were annihilated in a single, simultaneous instant.
"W-What happened...?"
"It wasn't a trick," Leon said. "My Kilmedes simply allows me to attack every enemy in my sight at once."
"……A troublesome ability, indeed."
"No, no, you misunderstand. I’m only here to play for time... Though, you’re seriously fast, Adel. You’ve reached that level already?"
Life grew wary of Leon’s multi-target ability, but her eyes widened in shock when she looked at Adel. The girl knight was spinning her spear overhead at a blurring speed; with every rotation, the flames and magic power wreathed around the weapon swelled exponentially.
"Adel’s Heart Tool increases in power every time it is swung," Leon explained. "Before long, she’ll have the firepower to turn even you into ash."
"Kh!?"
"Oops... I told you I was just stalling. I won't let you interfere until she’s ready."
With Leon handling the crowds and Adel building infinite power, Life felt the situation slipping away. A single bead of sweat rolled down her forehead.
While her companions suppressed the Gods, Alice kept her eyes closed in deep concentration.
(Ah, jeez! I knew it would be tough, but this thing is an unruly horse! If I lose control for a second, I’ll wipe out the entire area along with everyone in it... I need a few more minutes.)
Alice held a single glowing sphere in her hands, struggling to tame the raw power within. That power would be the decisive blow. In a matter of minutes, once Alice mastered it, the battle would reach its conclusion.
Extra: Heart Tool 2
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Nirvana The Heart Tool of Alice’s sister, Noel. A pair of glowing twin swords that allow the user to turn their body into light. This enables Noel to fight at light speed and grants near-complete invulnerability. In life, it had a very short duration, but this has been overcome by the empowerment from Memories. "Now, Noel. You must not use Trasam." "Roger! Trasam!"
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Flamebel The Heart Tool of the knight Adel, who considers Alice her master. A great spear wreathed in fire. Every time it is swung, its firepower and speed increase, meaning the user grows infinitely stronger as the battle continues.
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Kilmedes The Heart Tool of the mass-murderer priest, Leon. A book that allows the user to attack all enemies in their field of vision simultaneously. It is specialized for one-versus-many combat. However, it requires one hand to be in constant contact with the book to function.
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Apocalypse The Heart Tool of Alice’s best friend, Iris. A massive staff that amplifies infused magic power hundreds of times over. Its simplicity makes its destructive force overwhelming. With Alice’s current magic reserves, it can produce enough power to vaporize even empowered Gods.
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Apocalypse Ultimate War-Form: Dual Fang The ultimate form awakened by the bond between Iris and Alice during their past battle with a Seven Star Magic Beast. It requires both Iris and Alice to grip the staff together. The deeper their bond, the more powerful the effect, surpassing the base staff’s amplification. It can also be used for combos with Alice’s Hecatoncheir to imbue Apocalypse with other Heart Tool abilities.
???: "Aren't Alice-chan’s companions just overwhelming?" Serious-senpai: "Every single one of them is a cheat! Any one of those abilities would be enough for a main character... Heart Tools are seriously unfair!" ???: "Well, they're only this strong because they've been buffed by Memories and had their skills restored by Hecatoncheir. This is the power of Alice-chan and Kaito-san’s love! The fact that their Heart Tools match so well means their hearts are a perfect fit! Truly, they are the best couple!" Serious-senpai: "Shut uuuuuup!"