The Source of the Corruption

With the disappearance of Alicia, the empty space swirls as the black fog of corruption gathers, forming into a floating orb. It's surface jet black emits a strange violet glow, wisp of corruption spilling out of it like smoke, as if it was tainting the very air around it.

"Reiji!" Seeing the source of the corruption, Nraltia and Souma dashes forward, concerned about him. 

"Stayback!" He roars, blasting the ground between them with a Howling Storm, causing them to stop in their place.

"But-" The Luporine protest, panic creeping into her voice.

Smiling at his friends, "Sorry, but this is my burden to bear... It always has been."

Stepping forward Reiji grabs the source of the corruption with both hands. 

Sensing the living being, the black smoke lashes out from the orb. Its smokey tendrils penetrating into Reiji.

Fighting against the invading force, Reiji attempts to compress it using his Ki. With his unyielding spirit as the guide, his black and white ki charges forward madly resisting the corruption.

Gritting his teeth at first, he desperately struggles as the numbing sensation slowly turns into pain.

At first, it felt like ants were crawling all over him, then it changed into feeling like pin pricks piercing all over his body, from both outside and inside. His voice escalated with the pain, turning from silently grinding his teeth to a low growl in his throat.

The pain escalated quickly, turning from pinpricks into an invisible flame, burning him from with in, causing him to roar in pain. His vision blurred, as his senses seemed to disappear, leaving nothing but himself and the source of the corruption, battling against each other.

The corruption continued pouring out from the source like, an endless nightmare, refusing to give in, seeking a new host to take over.

Small wounds begin forming all over, as he begins bleeding, his body rupturing from the clash within. Bloody tears seeping down his face.

Suddenly out of nowhere, the pain decreased, his senses began returning, as the current of the black tide within him lessened, along with the pain. Opening his eyes, Reiji looks around him shocked to see Souma standing besides him, his hand also on the source of the corruption infront of him.

"Wha-"

Souma doesn't say anything, instead pointing his chin behind Reiji. Turning around, he sees Nraltia slowly approaching, her intentions clearly written on her face.

"Tia, don't-" His words are cut short, as she places a finger on his lips, silencing him.

"We're the Crimson Crow aren't we? How could you expect us to leave you alone with this burden?" 

Gently pecking his cheek, Nraltia places her hands onto the orb, her left hand placed on top of his.

The tendrils of smoke, split from each other, penetrating into the hands and arms of the two new bodies that dare step into it's proximity, further lessening the burden on Reiji, as it is split amongst the Crimson Crows.

The three members of the Crimson Crow desperately struggle, trying to repress the corruption invading their bodies, using their Ki and Mana.

Walking over, the  Blade of Light approach the three, stopping silently before them her hand resting on the hilt of the sacred sword at her waist. Gathering divinity in her free hand, she too plunges it into the source of corruption. 

"Big sis Lilia." Souma says, looking at her.

Smiling in response, "I have to do my part as your big sister right?"

Lastly, Alexander the Reagent of Light steps forward, thrusting his hand into the source of corruption as divine mana wraps around his body. 

"Got to take responsibility for my actions right?" He asks Reiji, a guilty smile plastered on his face.

"Heh. That's right." Reiji smirks in response, able to communicate clearly now that the corruption was being divided between the five of them, but the pain was still slowly escalating.

"Got any bright ideas Alexander?" He ask with a face full of sweat. 

"I-I think I do. Not exactly an idea, but a gamble. I've been studying that seal for so long, I think I can re cast it with alterations. But it's extremely risky-" Alexander's voice cuts out, interrupted by Reiji.

"Do it. We don't have a better options. Whatever it is, we'll have to risk it."

"... You would trust me? After everything that's happened?"

Looking at his friends by his side, they nod accepting his decision without hesitation.

"Yeah, we do." Reiji replies resolutely.

Beginning to chant, Alexander quickly voices the words of the incantation, using the same voice as he did below the sanctum. Golden mana particles swirled around him, gathering into a magic circle beneath his feet. Spreading out slowly from Alexander, the circle expands covering the others, forming an elaborate ritual spell.

As the ritual progressed, rings of golden mana form around each of them individually, like multi layered halos. The golden light growed, brighter and brighter, until it eventually blinded even the rising Sun in the distance.

Uttering the final words, the ritual circle flashes brightly, blinding all of them. The Source of the Corruption cracks into five equal pieces, the halos of light come together, forming a intricate prison around the five parts before being absorbed into each of them. 

Seizing the opportunity, all five of them immediately forced the remaining corruption inside them back into the Source inside the seal.

"Phew. Looks like it worked." Alexander breathed a sigh of relief, his hand planted over his chest where the seal was.

"What was that?" Reiji and the others asked.

"I altered the seal, so that it would seperate the source between all of us. I wasn't sure it would work, but I guess we got lucky." Alexander continued, "Now that the Source of Corruption is no more, looks like Vermundr's curse is finally over."

"So what are you planning to do next?" Reiji asks.

"I will announce to the people of the Empire and the continent the truth behind this matter, how the Saintess had been corrupted, and I the Reagent of Light will submit myself to the Empire for my actions." Alexander bows low, ready to repent and pay with his life.

"No. You won't tarnish Alicia's name like that." Reiji steps in, grabbing his robes. "Tell them, that Vermundr transformed into the Saintess to escape the seal, and that the Holy Order and us adventurers of Tristan worked together, under the guidance of Alicia the Saintess to stop Vermundr's return."

"Don't run away from your sins, Alexander. Live and make amends, spend your whole life making up for the wrongs you have done. That's what Alicia would have wanted." Reiji finishes, tossing Alexander to the ground.

Silently nodding, Alexander commits those words to his heart, as Captain Ophelia helps him stand back up. 

"I-We will. I swear to you, we will. I'll make sure of it." Ophelia responds resolutely, a fire burning within her eyes.