And we stand strong, for them to have hope. To keep moving forward. To know that among the clouds and debris, there is still hope. We will keep fighting, gladly putting our lives on the line, just like the fallen ones did. We fight to protect, always have been and always will. That's what it takes to be a leader, a soldier. That's our reason, so what is yours?"

Nova thought long and hard. What reason did she have to put her mind on the line for the few strangers that she'd just met? The more time she used to ponder about the reason, the slimmer the chances to defeat the Corrupted and Poisoned Pond. The Trio had already done their best to gain the upper hand but now they were starting to lose ground within the battle.

"Poison Of The Ivy. Power Of The Sword. I gather thee, Twin-Tail Ivy Blade!" called out Old Man Pond, turning one of Z's Kunais into a long sword, encased with putrid green smoke. The hilt was made out of the Poisoned Pond's pets' tails, curling, and twisting its owner's hands.

"That's some nasty weapon you've got there, Poisoned Pond," commented Baldwin, blocking the oncoming slash from the enemy.

"Humans were the ones who took your family away, yet you'd still side with them. Enlighten me," asked Old Man Pond. Gillian appeared from behind, a.s.suming to kick the Commander in the neck. Old Man Pond wasn't pleased as he ducked away from such a childish attack.

"Not like you, Gillian, to resort to such cheap tricks. So tell me, the Mighty Trio. Why is that you continue to protect humans? What is your reason for opposing your own kind to save a species that had murdered millions of your own?" Old Man Pond dashed towards Baldwin, successfully breaking the Angry Man's arm as he held it up for defense.

"Tell me!" bellowed the enraged Commander. In a fit of rage, he gripped Baldwin's broken arm and tossed the Dark Mage away. As Baldwin slammed against with unG.o.dly force, his entire body convulsed. Baldwin wiped away the blood that had spewed out from his mouth and continued his a.s.sault towards the Commander. He let out a chuckle.

"Why do you need to know the reason behind everything?" asked Baldwin, smiling through the blood-stained lips.

"At least I can remotely understand why you are all insane," replied Old Man Pond.

"The b.u.t.terfly of Hope. The Symbol of Protection. The Power of the Mages. The Bond of Family. The Elements of the Great Five. The Cry of the Lark. The Barriers of the Heavens. The Wall of Strength. Heaven's G.o.d will test, so let this spell manifest! Tuar Ceatha ábhair!" yelled the Headmaster, hands clamped together. As he plummeted his hands onto the ground, cracks appeared as the entire began to shake. However, the spell's destruction only applied to the enemies minds. Baldwin and Z were utterly confused yet gave a small smile. With the terrain warped and vibrating, the two continue to a.s.sault the weakened opponents. The only problem was that Gillian had to remain at the same spot for the spell to work. This meant he was open to attacks. The Corrupt Creature took notice and aimed straight at the vulnerable target.

"The Creation of the Cold. The Smallest of Particles. Freezing Dust!" Snow Cap conjured the ma.s.sive spell just in time, surrounding the Corrupted thing before it could attack.

Meanwhile, Nova was still fighting the memories that she had mustered up in her spell. There was only a barrier left. She needed to know the actual reason why the Arks were known to help others in the days to come. Why it was made. Sure, the voice had explained to her, but it wasn't the answer. It was the answer to Nova's own question but not the reason why they, the Founders, continue to push forward. The barrier needed a straightforward answer as to why the Founders continuously protected humans. She laughed as the answer struck her right in the face. As Baldwin got another punch to the face, he smiled.

"You don't have to have a reason to save others. You save them because you want to. No shenanigans, no complex answers. You save and protect them because of your own free will, not because of some high and mighty reason."