It is kind of sad how incredibly predictable this series can be, well at this point. However, I guess they needed a good excuse to force Welf and Lillie join up with Hestia. Then again, Mikoto was the surprising one. I could have sworn that it would just be our Trio and Ryu. However, I guess they had to do things this way. I mean they talk about these familias as if they are like... well cults to a degree. You do not just quit a familia it is a big deal if you do so. I guess that makes some sense to force this kind of catastrophic thing. I mean, we know they are going to win. After all, the opening sequence kind of spoils it. However, I guess it is hard to hide that fact when our heroes are clearly our heroes. Though, I think it would have been a more interesting story if Hestia and Bell went on the run. Have Apollo chase them for a while then they have the war game. It would make the increase in Bell's strength a bit more plausible.