"Achill..."
Everyone's eyes widened as they watched the figure plummet from the sky. They could not understand why he had suddenly released that incomparably powerful "special" combat form when he had seemed perfectly fine moments earlier...
"Has the time limit run out?" Makarov mused, offering his guess. "So a form powerful enough to defy all common sense really does have limits on its use."
Makarov's reasoning was perfectly reasonable. Indeed, it was hard to imagine any other explanation. Unfortunately, he was wrong.
Unlike the previous occasions when he had seized an opening and emerged without permission, this had been complete Hollowfication, achieved through Achill voluntarily surrendering control of his body! Likewise, unlike those previous occasions when he had refused to retreat after emerging, this time "Achill" had voluntarily relinquished his continued control of the body and returned to the mindscape of his own accord!!
The two of them had originally been destined to oppose each other, with no understanding or harmony between them. Yet now, each had placed what mattered most to him into the other's hands without reservation! Whether it was trust or an unspoken understanding no longer mattered. What mattered was...
Finish off that stinking reptile properly, Achill! I've already helped you once. In exchange for temporarily protecting the people most important to you, now... Before "Achill's" consciousness sank completely into darkness, he thought, please protect my life for once, too!! Protect your own life...
After all, if you die, things will get troublesome for me, too~ Wouldn't you agree, Achill...?
You know, we're one—
A wicked smile tugged at his lips. Before he could finish the thought, the chaos in his eyes vanished completely. That savage, bloodthirsty expression finally sank back into the depths of his soul, replaced by thoughtful clarity in his dark eyes...
"He actually