Let's rewind the clock about half an hour earlier. Sakyo had just left for the evacuation zone, grabbing Garm and dragging him along. Somewhere along the way, Garm regained enough of himself to be able to run on his own. They searched the village for any remaining villagers who could've been left behind. After finding none, they finally reached the evacuation zone where everyone was waiting.
[Rohan] Oh, thank the gods you're safe. What's happening out there?
[Sakyo] It's just as I feared. The people who were after the Manavore sent that wyvern here to retrieve it. My companion is keeping it occupied, but we need to get everyone away from here right away.
[Rohan] I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before. I should've heeded your warnings more seriously.
[Sakyo] Don't apologize, you did everything you could without any proof. Now let us handle the rest. I just contacted someone who can get everyone here far away to safety.
Just as he said, a large gate opened up behind Sakyo. Ren immediately runs our of it and wraps her arms tightly around Sakyo.
[Ren] Thank goodness, I was so worried about you.
[Sakyo] Ren, it's good to see you again, but we have to focus. Everyone, you need to go through this gate. There will be someone on the other side who will show you to safety.
The villagers are hesitant at first, not completely trusting the mysterious portal that lies in front of them. Before anyone can say another word, the old man steps up to the gate.
[Rohan] I trust you boy.
He steps through, waving his hand back once he's on the other side. One by one, others begin to follow. Ren and Sakyo watch as everyone leaves, but her eyes catch Garm still clutching his chest and breathing heavy.
[Ren] Is he ok?
[Sakyo] No, he's not in a good place right now. I think it might be best if he goes back to the misty city too.
[Garm] T-that is not necessary!
[Ren] But what about you, and Naja?! Where is she?
[Sakyo] She's keeping the wyvern busy now, but I need to get back to her fast. I don't know how long she'll be able to hold it off with Lumi.
[Ren] You should get them. I can keep the gate open until you return.
[Sakyo] That's too risky. If the wyvern follows us, it'll mean this entire plan was for nothing. I won't put you or anyone else in danger like that.
[Garm] Master, I will not leave you here.
[Sakyo] This isn't up for negotiation. You're in no condition to fight that thing. I saw the way you looked at it. It's the same one from that day, isn't it?
Garm flinches, holding his trembling arm again.
[Sakyo] Garm, I know what you went through, how much you lost, but I can't watch you be killed. Neither of you.
[Ren] And we can't let you fight it alone. You and Naja need to come home with us-
Her words end suddenly as her lips feel a warmth they'd never experienced before. So many emotions run through her head as she tries to process what's happening right now. It's the "first time" she'd been waiting for at the worst possible moment. She touches her lips the moment he pulls away from the kiss.
[Sakyo] I'm sorry, but I won't be giving you a choice. Garm, take her back.
[Garm] But-
[Sakyo] That's an order.
Garm can't refuse as he feels a small shock from his back. The slave crest. It wasn't as severe as he'd known before, but it was just enough to remind him of the situation. With the tears building in his eyes, Garm picks up Ren over his shoulder and runs towards the gate.
[Ren] No, put me down! Sakyo!
Sakyo can't turn around. He doesn't want to face her. He knows if he does, he'd never be able to leave. Without another word, he runs back to the battle to join Naja against the wyvern.
On the other side of the gate, Garm finally leaps through carrying Ren. Kaya and the villagers are all standing around waiting for the next instructions.
[Kaya] Garm! Are you ok? Wai- Where's Sakyo?
He doesn't say a word, putting Ren down before making a break for the closing gate.
[Kaya] Wha-! Wait! Garm-
Her voice is cut off as the gate closes. He runs as fast as he can. Every step feels heavier as the voices still echo in his head.
"It was your fault."
[Garm] (huff huff) Yes, it was.
"They are dead because of you."
[Garm] They are. (huff)
"You failed them."
[Garm] I did... (huff)... But I will not fail them again.
As he runs, his steps finally feel lighter, the weight of his past finally letting go.
[Garm] (I failed to protect my family before. I cannot do it again. I will not let you die.)
His claws dig into the ground, his pace increasing even more. He doesn't stop running, even as the wyvern comes into full view. The moment he sees Sakyo and Naja, he rushes towards them at full speed. There's no time to pull them away. His wooden leg digs into the ground as he pushes off, leaping towards them. Without being able to grab them, he kicks them out of the way of the wyvern's claws.
When the dust clears, he's already standing tall again.
[Garm] I will not let you take my family again!
He digs his claws into the ground, ready to face the beast that had haunted his memories for the past eight years. The wyvern stares right back at him, licking its teeth as it remembers the snack that gave it its scar so long ago.
Sakyo carries Naja away from the battle, just far enough that she'll be out of danger before joining Garm's side.
[Sakyo] I see you found a loophole in my order.
[Garm] You merely left too much room for interpretation.
[Sakyo] I take it this means you're feeling better.
[Garm] Not completely, but I was never going to let you fight this monster on your own.
[Sakyo] Any plans for it?
[Garm] Hit it hard, and do not let it hit you.
[Sakyo] Let's do it.
They rush to the wyvern's sides, not letting it follow both of them at once. As if on instinct, the wyvern's eyes follow Garm. It claws at him the same way it did the last time they'd fought, but he's ready for it this time. He doesn't pull back to dodge. Garm rushes ahead of where its claws hit the ground.
[Garm] You will find I am not so easy to hit twice.
[Sakyo] (Looks like he's getting better at wisecracks. And I see Naja's poisons are still doing their job.)
The wyvern keeps attacking, but none of them land. He's already seen everything. Every claw that crushed his brothers. Every bite of its maw that ripped apart his sisters. Every breath of fire that burned their bodies. It's been playing on loop in his mind every day since then. Its movements are now second nature to him.
[Garm] You are not nearly as formidable as I remember. Have you gotten weaker, or has my strength surpassed your own now?
His movements are swift, precise, and powerful. When the wyvern slashes at him, he grabs its claw, absorbing the material before driving his claws into its leg. It cries out in pain, finally bleeding more than it can control. Even as it tries biting down on him, he doesn't flinch. He knows its attack won't land. He won't let it.
Sakyo comes from behind, bashing Uramasa's dull side against the wyvern's head. The sheer force of the blunt attack knocks it off balance as he absorbs more of the miasma from it.
[Sakyo] (I can't get it all at once. I need to absorb the miasma in bursts, but what about when I'm done? This thing won't stop its rampage.)
He knew it wouldn't stop. Even without the miasma, the wyvern could still burn the village to the ground before drawing its last breath. If he let the fight drag on for much longer, the entire village could be reduced to ash. It had to end now. Then, he heard a familiar voice echoing in his mind.
[Akuma] (Well well well~. It seems you're in need of my assistance.)
[Sakyo] Ugh, and here I was hoping you were gone.
[Akuma] (You know you'll never be rid of me~. I'm a part of you.)
[Sakyo] I don't need your help.
[Akuma] (But you know it already. That withered fossil only has enough of your aura to use its pulse one, maybe two more times. You'll never win without my power.)
[Uramasa] (As if I'd need your power, you broken fragment. You're not even whole yet.)
[Akuma] (Says the fossil that's only a piece of the others. Don't act like you were meant to exist.)
[Sakyo] Ugh, you two fight like siblings... But Akuma's right. Even after absorbing my aura for the past few days, we weren't able to land a finishing blow on the wyvern.
[Uramasa] (Tsk Fine, but do not expect me to work together with this fragment.)
[Akuma] (Right back at you, fossil.)
[Sakyo] That's enough, both of you. Now listen up, cause I have an idea.
[Garm] Master, who are you talking to?
[Sakyo] Nevermind, just focus up. I might have a way to finish this thing. Gather as much speed as possible, then kick me.
[Garm] What?!
[Sakyo] Don't ask, just trust me.
Though he doesn't understand why, Garm begins running around the wyvern as fast as he can. It follows his movements, starting to wobble as it gets dizzier. In a desperate attempt to stop him, the wyvern blasts its fire breath all around it. Garm continues to run, but the surrounding area becomes too hot for his leg to take much more. It catches fire, even moving at such a high speed.
[Garm] Master, I am hit!
[Sakyo] That's enough! Kick me as hard as you can!
He doesn't waste a second making a beeline directly for Sakyo. With his legs last step, Garm jumps towards Sakyo and kicks with all of his strength. At the same time, Sakyo leaps up, meeting Garm's kick with his own. The transfer of momentum causes Sakyo to explode forward in a sudden burst of speed. Even Garm is knocked back from the force, removing his prosthetic before the fire burns him.
[Sakyo] {Auratic Pulse}!