Ogami had already disappeared into the forest depths, following his own trail in desperate search of Sora.
That left Artoria and Rin by themselves looking around the area. From between the trees, a large, amphibian-like monster emerged with purple skin.
"I won't let you get in the way of the birth of our king!" it roared.
"The Megid..." Rin narrowed her eyes and reached for her belt. "Artoria, get ready!"
Artoria tilted her head, inspecting the creature. "A lizard?"
The Hanzaki Megid reeled back, insulted. "How DARE you! I'm not a lizard!"
"You look like a lizard, therefore you are one." Artoria stepped forward, snapping her Seiken Swordriver onto her waist.
"We can save Sora if we take this guy down!"
"I concur with that assessment," Rin replied, equipping her own Swordriver.
Both girls pulled out their Wonder Ride Books.
Brave Dragon!
Lion Senki!
In one smooth motion, they inserted the books into their drivers.
Artoria gripped Kaenken Rekka.
Unsheathe the Flame!
Rin pulled free Suiseiken Nagare.
Unsheathe the Current!
"Henshin!" they shouted in unison.
Brave Dragon!
Lion Senki!
Flames burst into the shape of a red 'X' across Artoria's visor as a dragon roared behind her. Water spiraled around Rin, a lion of surging currents leaping through her transformation.
Rekka: One Volume.
Nagare: One Volume.
Now fully armored in their Rider forms, the two charged the Hanzaki Megid.
The Hanzaki Megid pulled out a blade and clashed with them, parrying Artoria's heated strike before ducking under Rin's water-enhanced swing. He slashed outward, forcing the Riders to separate.
"Why do you fight so hard for these worthless humans?" the Hanzaki hissed.
"Because people like you threaten innocent lives," Rin snapped.
"Because I promised a kid I'd bring him home!" Artoria shouted, flames burning from her blade as she locked blades with the Megid again.
Back at the Northern Base, Kay stood near the central console, arms folded, eyes narrowed in quiet thought.
"She shouldn't remember what happened ten years ago," he finally said aloud.
Sophia's heels clicked lightly against the staircase as she descended behind him. "You must be concerned about Saber," she said gently.
Kay nodded. "When I think about what happened back then... everything we lost. Maybe it's better she doesn't know. I-" He exhaled deeply, his voice trembling faintly. "I was responsible for that. It's a sin I have to carry."
"Don't shoulder all the guilt alone," Sophia said softly, stepping beside him. "Even if the Swordsman of Darkness who betrayed us is your-"
{Back in the book World}
Rin and Artoria were struggling to land a single effective blow against the Hanzaki Megid. The creature cackled, slimy skin glistening with mucus that made every sword stroke slip off like water on glass.
"He's so slimy!" Artoria groaned in disgust, wiping mucus from Rekka and her gloved hands.
The Hanzaki Megid took advantage of the distraction, slamming a strike into Artoria's chest and sending her flying into a patch of moss.
Rin moved in with her own attack, slicing horizontally with Nagare, but it simply slid off the creature's gooey armor.
"Our swords... they're sliding off!?" Rin gasped, only to be struck across the chest and thrown next to Artoria.
The Hanzaki Megid laughed, its voice squelching and wet. "You can't cut what you can't grip! Now... just roll over and become part of our king's rebirth!"
The slimy brute raised its sword and lunged forward.
Artoria and Rin struck at its legs in tandem-but again, their blades slipped, sending both of them tumbling.
"Ugh-owww..." Artoria winced, rubbing the back of her helmeted head.
The Megid brought its blade down hard, and the two girls rolled out of the way, barely avoiding the blow as it smashed the ground and sprayed sludge.
Another wild swing sent both Riders tumbling into the nearby creek, splashing into the shallow water with a hiss of steam where Artoria's flames touched the surface.
"Just try and slice me if you can!" the Megid cackled, waving its mucus-drenched weapon.
Artoria stood, soaked but undeterred. "You asked for it, lizard..." she growled, pulling out a new Wonder Ride Book glowing with green light.
Peter Fantasista!
A story of hopes and dreams unfolds from the heart of a boy who never grows up...
She opened the book with a flick, then closed it with a snap and slid it into the left slot of her Seiken Swordriver, keeping Brave Dragon in the right.
She drew Rekka from the driver, and both Wonder Ride Books snapped open with a radiant glow.
Suddenly, Artoria appeared in a grand library surrounded by swirling flames. The red dragon of Brave Dragon and a glowing green fairy from Peter Fantasista circled her with energy and light.
When two books synthesize, the sacred sword is infused with power!
Her armor shifted-green fae-like plating formed on her left side, and her arm.
Wonder Rider!
Dragon!
Peter Fan!
Her new form stood proudly-Dragon Peter Saber-a fusion of fire and fantasy.
The blade equipped with two attributes shall be honed!