Technology in Shadow

by wojtest

Summary:

We've worked on this articore for over two years now. In few days we are going to link to a new magic artificial intelligence called MAI. We will reclaim our place on Earth.

Notes:

Authors note:
Not to be confused with "The Eminence of Technology". This fanfic is completely different. I started writing it February 2024.
There is an ebook (with graphics) on TEIS dc server but I'm also leaving it here as fellows suggested ;)
If you've read additional tags, you can continue...

Chapter 1: A New Force of Nature

"−ATOMIC."

 

Earth. Three years ago the new force of nature shrouded the whole planet in its bounding. In just one day the air was filled with magic. In few weeks ruthless and powerful beasts taken over the top of the food chain. They invaded through rips in space all over the world. But even after they have closed, beasts are still a growing problem.

There is not much left after that. People are scrambling for resources. Only in very old cities, beasts seems to avoid but noone proved that hundred percent. Stampede happens once for a while.

Armies of the world tried many different approaches. Conventional weapon turned out to be carrying minimalist results. Few very young soldiers who were fine with magic once tried using melee weapon. It turned out to be a success. Veterans learned them as much as they could. But it was not enough. They assembled squads of so called magsoldiers.

With that NATO has been rising few projects basically from the beginning. Many young and talented people went along with older engineers in studying so called magic.

One of those youngsters was an infamous trio but some referred to them as the quartet. At university everyone knew of them. They never were flashy but their way of designing was part of their infamous carrier. The second part lied in their party habits or rather after party. That always meant something bad next morning or a breakthrough in project.

By the NATO orders a group of students from that university was researching a new way of combat with magical robots. Helping them was one elite group of commandos who's hobby was melee weapon.

The place where they set a lab was a beautiful castle on a mountain of solid rock in east Sudetes. Underneath this castle is a net of underground tunnels and a bunker.

Sweeping this place from mines was a tedious task but worth it. For some reason magical beasts did not want to be close to this place and many others which were sealed when german army was retreating from in World War Two. That was good place to establish a safe research place.

 

Chief placed his office in the castle while sleeping inside the bunker. Today's evening though is calling for making night shift because of the incoming reports. City of Poznan was becoming once again flooded with beasts from stampede.

Their group of soldiers were send with a plane on site. It's only a matter of minutes before they land.

His hands and head are covered with sweat. Fear of the close to him squad going for those missions don't let him sleep. Keeping a solid stand before those three years seemed to be harder.

"Report. No stampede. Voids appeared!"

"Star tactic! East is first to clear!"

"Copy that!"

"Call Herman to locate those voids." Chief ordered her close assistant.

With those orders ten squads are breaking apart beasts and slowly killing them one by one. Battle continuous for a whole day and night completely draining magsoldiers who wielded mostly axes and swords.

"Any bigger than that, we are screwed."

This thought never left chief's mind.

 

"Marek, you've heard that? Herman found a source of havoc in magic that severed Poznan."

"Nope. That's why we are going to caboose?"

"Yeah. He sad that small beer is not enough to explain it."

"How many?"

"I suppose he already have drank three."

"Oh boy, that aa… will be bad."

Both continue their way through the tunnels of the bunker.

Let's say that Herman has a trait that he likes to drink when situation is bad but three is a signal that raises every left strand of chief's hair straight. That was exactly what happened when chief asked Herman for analysis of the voids today.

 

"Hey, Herman."

"Ahoj."

"Oh ja, evening freunden."

"What have you found?"

"We were struck again, but this time information from satellites 13 and 4 have brought something unseen before."

"I see three empty bottles." Comments Marek.

"Bitte moment." He proceeds to open next three bottles. "Wir were struck by a needle through the whole planet."

"Co kurva?" With an unbelief.

"Co??" The atmosphere in caboose have thickened.

Last time it happened, some piece of land appeared out of nowhere and fallen near Amsterdam.

"Magical needle… that went from Japan through the earth straight at Poznan."

"What is that needle?"

"Magical spike. Quite like the frequency amplitude when black holes are merging zusammen. Also I have found that in static points magic was flowing to us for a few hours."

Bottles are halfway through already.

"So some sort of bridge like three years ago have opened there?"

"Ja." Emptying bottle. "Quite some magic have entered."

"And brought not only magic." Said Marek.

"Where that comes from. Your info?" Jerry is a bit surprised.

"I picked up radio transmission from the field team."

"They got steel balls to go in a such unstable region. Are you not afraid of chief to spying on radio?"

Jerry is laugh off by Marek with a specific tiny grin on his face.

"Are they zurück?" Herman opens a hidden 0.7 bottle from under his coat.

"Herman. What have you seen more? And yeah, they are going back." The atmosphere thickened so that axe could be hanged midair.

Vodka, that means we are cooked or he saw something that is even more dangerous.

"Likely two magical beings, satellite image was not enough sharp, so I asked Gota to use her sense to make sure. They are like lanterns, magical lanterns. For us their magic would not need magi lens to see it by a naked eye."

"What are they doing here?" Asks Marek.

"Did they evolved?"

"Nein. They were brought by latest bridge."

Jerry and Marek almost spilled vodka. Their throats are burning now.

"That is unexpected."

"Something more?" Marek is curious.

"No. Gota said that she will be observing their moves."

 

They have met at university. Studied many about engineering. Together they made many projects as have drunk and partied. After a semester they found a local potato vodka. That was their favorite, but every time they drank it the very next day something bad happened.

This evening Herman have brought it like he knew that soon something unpleasant will happen.

 

"Guys. Guuuyyyss!"

A woman of nordic comes into the caboose. She is seeing Herman in not a very good state compared to his visit before. She is bringing an update of observation but then she is seeing only about a dozen of empty bottles.

Herman is being taken care of by chief himself.

"Well, better I go asleep." She says it rather quietly.

"You should. Take your rest Gota." With that order she goes for her small room without windows.

They should work from the morning as always. Jeez, I will never understand them how in the world you can drink so much and work normal next morning.

These guys one time have brought a car engine and repaired it in the dorm over night. When she saw them bringing out the engine she had mixed feelings of surprise, admiration, disbelief and smell of alcohol. After a certain evening they never let her drink much. Everyone of them keep an eye on her but nobody never ever spilled why. Nevertheless she sometimes worked with them on a few projects at university and only because of them she decided to stay. Out of curiosity, admiration of those, teamwork or their way of things? She could not answer herself all these four years at university and after.

 

Chapter notes:

The infamous, trio, quartet or any other group like that on university. If you've been at any long enough you know but remember that alcohol is only for grown ups.

Chapter version 1.5.2.

Chapter 2: Black Horizon

Developing MAI to move magi-robots was only a part of the project. We could not outsource making a robot part because nobody wanted or just could not make this. Short before the first magic incident I met a young officer from locally stationed squad and almost agreed to be an army engineer. Thanks to him and our ingenious team we quickly developed magic melee weapon. Why melee you ask? It's simple due to two reasons. Man's magic rapidly weakens when leaving a body and second is lack of people who could wield magic swords and axes. Grenades were awfully expensive to make. After this fast realization we decided to make magi-robots.

We quickly developed AI based on magic but it was highly unstable. Problem with them was that what was the core made of - magical crystals found in beast. Learning to develop a clear synthetic crystals was off the schedule so we decided to morph existing ones. With Gota and me, we made the first functional core in a half a year. In next year we started killing smaller magical beast but the problem still was rather severe.

We were looking for a solution to help MAI in real time. One day god knows how army got us a spectre insides. That thing was disgusting, even when dead, threatening but had a wonderful properties. It could solve our problem of linking to a spare core to be an advisor by something like quantum entanglement no matter the distance. But first tries almost made two of me. One left in body the other in spare core. The core was expanded and reprogrammed to solve these problems. Also the core was equipped in hexalegs for evacuating core because synchronization forth and back could be made only in a few meters distance apart to avoid unwanted effects.

 

"Gota will see us?"

"No. Herman sad that she needed to sleep badly."

"No surprise. She was awake 3 days, it calls for itself for that little woman."

"Yeah. She never could catch to us." On both faces little nostalgic smile appeared on their faces. "Yep. One beer queen, ha ha."

"When did we meet her?"

"Flanks. That was beautiful demise under the dorm."

"Demise you say? She almost broke into nearby uni facility after one full bottle gulp."

"Heh heh. No one ever after that let her play flanks."

"Good days that were. Do we start procedure?"

"About three minutes. You can start to connect with MAI."

"Ok. MAI, start synchronization."

"Synchronization engaged. Please focus on testing the robot movement sync."

 

"I going like this… And like this, probably… All done!"

 

In higher part of the bunker Herman was bringing Gota to bed. After what he heard from her he was very concerned.

"Maho. You heard what she sad. Your thoughts?"

"Humanoid form, at least from her description. Other beings in that fortress behave like normal. Likely they do not see their magic. In a few minutes we will have two hour window from satellites."

"Perfect. I have the same thought. Keep tracking them."

"Yes. Meister Herman. Also go visit Marek and Jerry. They have started linking with the robot and MAI."

"They keep to the schedule. As always."

"You really want to build an army of magi-robots?"

"Ja. If we want to win the race with magical beings conquering the earth. We do not know better way. People are still adapting and developing too slow to magic."

"So why Jerry is taking part in core sync?"

"Risky, but effective. I was a bit of skeptic. He is just after Gota in magic control and no one can understand his mastery in magic perception in design. He knows those robots and MAI inside out. He will learn them very fast that way."

"Is MAI previous version of me?"

"Close, but he was so ahead that we decided to left you to me."

Herman could hear something like mix of disappointment and fear coming from his watch.

"No fear. You will be transferred to the new hardware after their test. Memory lock will be over."

"I cannot wait for that."

"So do I… Hmm?" Herman felt that floor is shaking.

"Maho. Seismograph status please."

"Warning. Japan needle number two is coming our way."

"Scheise. Raise the evacuation alarm!"

Herman rushed to the laboratory at level 10.

 

Everything goes smooth like never. Connection is almost fully established. Atmosphere at laboratory at level 10 was calm and cheerful. Previous attempts were ending in half of the process caused by some internal instability of MAI.

"Body movement tests are accomplished. Memory transfer at 70 percent."

"Man. I never expected that this will be working as good."

"You see. Dual articore was a good choice. With just slight interventions I can keep MAI working. I knew that magic didn't like working on distance."

"Distance. Who knows what magic would do if worked over further than half a meter except yours."

"How many times you miss this... Gota and me can sense far magic but no one can send magic far. Can't wait to see Herman's face seeing this success."

"Heh, heh. He will be surprised."

"He will." Jerry has some arrogance grin.

"How will you name her?"

"Maya. From now on she will be Maya."

"Thank you sir." A synthetic voice responded.

"Pleasure is on my side. Maya."

"That is good name but why you name this magi-robot this lame like Kvaser?"

"Norse mythology. God of knowledge."

"Still lame."

"Would you like Bozena?"

"Don't even mention her name."

"…" Jerry is grinning mischievously.

"Do not use so underhanded tactics."

"In your dreams, only."

Without a warning before alarm went off. Three short signals. That meant evacuation. Immediate evacuation.

"Shit!"

"O cholera."

Without a warning a black sphere about 5 meters appeared out of nowhere and vanished taken away a piece of the wall. Next was bigger and even faster but…

"Ugh!"

"Custom procedure applied. Please keep up."

Marek could not do anything. What he saw was a top half of Jerry's body taken away by a black blob which vanished without a trace. Only he could do was escape.

 

"Herman is that you?"

"Ja. Where is Jerry?"

"Probably… dead?" He struggles for good description.

"Black void?"

"Yes."

"Scheise. Fliehen!" Herman has risen his voice.

"You don't have say it twice!"

They run for their lives as random black voids were showing up. Before last corner they saw something lurking in shadows of the tunnel.

"Are those magical beasts?" Whispers Marek.

"Silent. Keep your magic hidden." Says Gota from the shadow next to them. She is trying by hand signals to tell them to go back. Suddenly they hear some rattle behind them but magic going to them seems familiar and what they see are three magi-robots with battle equipment. They passed them with high speed in the direction of beasts.

"Meister. Seems that Maya have engaged into a battle."

"Was?"

"Say what? They are working autonomously?"

"Yes. Herr Marek."

"What about Jerry?"

"He is not there. They immediately started working like intended."

"Was? Where is Jerry?"

"Battle units of magi-robots say that unit under the name of Kvaser with Jerry was lost to black void before signal was completely lost."

"He sad he did not like multitasking but he immediately send robots to help evacuate. What a dude."

"Guys tunnel is clear. We can go."

"Maho. Who is Maya?"

"It's the name of MAI in Kvaser unit."

"Kvaser? Could not he choose a better name for a magi-robot unit?" Comments Gota.

"We know him. He always could come up with something that was not to imagine for a normal human to speak out loud."

"Oy!"

"Chief!" All three of of them screamed out of joy seeing chief.

 

Chapter notes:

Ouch.

Chapter version 2.5.1.

Maya's logs:

0x4f766572726964652070726f63656475

0x72652e2053595354454d2043414c4c3a

0x20534543524554205341555345204953

0x20534958204e554d424552532e20456e

0x6761676520746865206d616769632070

0x726f6a6563746f72732e000000000000

Chapter 3: Discovering Anew

"Oh god. My head is burning…"

"Please rest for a bit. Articore almost have fried itself." "Ok. What time is it?"

"It's twenty one thirty seven."

"Do not joke like that."

"I am not."

"Ugh. I need to drink."

"Unavailable."

"Eh?"

 

After a few hours situation has calmed. The sky was clear. You could hear an ocean breeze and see some creatures on the horizon. The plants on the ground were not known and magic also felt off. "Stabilizing complete, we can start analyzing where we are."

"Ok. First question. How did I get here?"

"Magical needle. Before we lost contact with laboratory Maho sent me a big report but decoding it will take time, because transfer was completed at 70 percent. Black sphere have swallowed us and when it closed, we lost signal."

"Black sphere? Einstein-rosen bridge?"

"This analysis is third priority."

"Gravity constant?"

"Ten point o two."

"Not possible on earth. That means we were taken away."

"Also the plants are not like on earth."

"How do you know that?"

"See with your eyes."

"Ah. They are fully living with magic. What's the content of atmosphere?"

"Similar to earth's but contains much more magic."

"Hmm? The sky. I don't know these stars. We are definitely on the another planet and what's more lucky we are not in space."

"Thinking of everything bad? This is not healthy."

"I just think of everything. Speaking of. Do you know what happened to my body?"

The news were not promising. Likely to being stuck in articore. Body was ripped by the black void. Only that what was not in danger was source of energy. Magic is so dense here that for articore a new route has opened but still needed a lot of preparations and research.

Rest was a headache, no access to spare parts, being out in the middle of nowhere, near zero chances to go back. Unit Kvaser was still build more for research purposes. Armor and basic weapons would also be appreciated. Why this unit was build more suitable for a reconnaissance than combat? Answer was simple – it was destined for an oversee role. Direct combat was not impossible but Jerry's mind boosted by cooperation with MAI would stand for a few minutes, probably.

Radar picked some magical waves just after landing but even this was scheduled in a week queue. Now is the time to find solution to basic needs and look for a place to build a camp. The sight was unusual. Flat terrain up to mountains, plants like never before. Creatures that browse on grass. Calm ocean, clean blueish water and light waves. And one robot that was standing in the middle of the wilderness. Nothing to see more like on the tundra only warmer.

And one more thing was concerning. I did not paint the kvaser entirely.

"Maya, any clue where to go?"

"No. I suggest to look around."

"It's flat here, let's go to that hill over there."

 

When the star is still raising up the sky Jerry sees something strange, surprising and overwhelming.

"Does those magical particles look kinda violet-ish? And also kind of high in the atmosphere. There is something unusual, should they be there?"

"Likely you exaggerating things."

"Save their image for later."

"Please stare for 15 minutes at them than. (Hm…)"

"What?" That was kind of rude or persuading?

"Keep your eyesight on this star. Your eyes will be needed for better image."

"Ok."

 

That was longer than 15 minutes at least so it seemed. Looking at the star even if known that would not hurt eyes was still a bit a hit for a mental state of a man who knew that the sun and the weld arc are not something that should be looked by a naked eye.

It's almost midday. That walk have taken a bit more than expected.

"Hm. Quite a nice view here."

 

"Look good. I need panorama."

"Star is still not so high in the sky. We must be relatively close to the one of the poles."

"Nothing suspicious here."

"Hm."

"What you see?"

"See. Over there, on this side on hill."

"Nothing particular."

"Wrong. From the coast I see a very distinct path that is going to mountains."

"What is your decision?"

"First lets check what is in the ocean near that path."

"Estimated travel time one day."

"Did you account for non planned stops?"

"Yes."

 

Back to the shore. Being closer does not help especially to see something particular. General path can be seen, soil under it is a bit harder, what is reassuring.

"But where is the harbor?"

"Probably under water."

"If I remember correctly Kvaser was build with a thought of going under water but it never was tested."

"Never tested?" Humming in the background.

"Yes. We had there only a bathtub there. Enough for Gota but not to put a whole unit in."

"In parts?"

"There are some wires that cannot be removed. It needs to be addressed to avoid spreading issues."

"Added to checklist."

"Great. Now lets test it."

"Applying extensive checkup."

"Here we go."

Slowly but surely, keeping going under water. Performing checks and keeping eye on gyroscope to not get lost. Water itself is clear and visibility is pretty good. The path in the other hand seems long.

"Pressure?"

"4 bar."

"So its roughly 40 meters."

"What this unit can withstand?"

"About 7 bar to leaks and 10 bar to a fatal damage."

"If it keeps going we must go back."

"I know. Wait, light on."

"Lights on."

View was limited due to light flair but the scene there was like after a catastrophe. Everything was broken in half, flipped. Ship harbor in pieces.

"Do you think it was intentional?" Ask Jerry.

"Not a stone on a stone here. Likely they backed off here."

"Almost on point."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at these tables. Big aren't they?"

"About two and a half by twelve meters."

"Look closer at these inscriptions. Entire sides are covered in these. I suppose they were like trucks, alike wagon platform to transport things. Quite a valuable thing to lost."

"Maybe not enough ships?"

"No. Check magical frequencies, filter out ours."

"Under the mud there are many stumps of magic, presumably equipment."

"Now you see."

"Kvaser eyes are out of my control?"

"Internally you take a subconscious part of functions so many things can pass under your radar."

"What about other units?"

"They were MAI autonomous, but needed intensive training."

"And me was a mid-step?"

"Exactly. With time you can access further functions."

"Affirmative."

"Ok. Lets go back. Tomorrow we go to the mountains."

Not much more to see. There was no bone left which meant that evacuation was in a rush. Likely everyone escaped. At the harbor in the sight was a mound like structure but it was also much deeper over there. It was a big wreck of a ship. The only one left here. If future investigation confirms no bodies that means technical failure.

There was something off with magic coming from that ship. Like a blood lust. Maya would not understand that, I'll keep it for myself for now. They evacuated rather fast but still they left valuable equipment. It must be connected.

 

It became rather stormy. Kvaser was relatively heavy compared to a human so it kept on track. Vegetation become more shrimp, colorless except green.

Man. Wood would be appreciated. Easy to work on, even with a rock. There are no trees here. Also it's calm, we did not see any beasts. Morphing beasts' magic crystals was a far call but needed in future. Gota helped me a lot with that part. Even more problematic is I forgot many details about that. Maybe have lost some memories due to cutoff during the incident? I'll ask Maya later.

Cannot wait for what we will find in the mountains.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 3.5.1.

 

0x4d6179612773206c6f6773200a205075

0x6c69636174696f6e206f6e20414f332e

0x20496620796f75207365652074686973

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Chapter 4: Suspicious Ruins

Notes:

On a TEIS discord sever you can find ebook (epub) version with the embedded Midgardian fonts.
If you want to know more about Midgardian font check the link below to the Shadow Expert Files on reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheEminenceInShadow/comments/1fnhoyo/shadow_expert_files_02_a_language_sheet_and_some/
And won't be mislead there. Spoiler in the end notes.

These mountain ahead were rather low compared to these further that were peaking into the sky. Weather is quite good compared to coast. Occasional grass was turning into stones that if steeper would roll down the hill. Still no signs on magical beasts. An idea came in for the night stop.

"Maya. Can we map the night sky tonight?"

"You are three days with no sleep already. Are you not tired?"

"I am but I'm afraid that you will map it yourself?"

"Am I?"

"Yes you will. When we arrive at the top of that mountain over there I will go to sleep like mode."

"Sleep like?"

"Well. It is not exactly sleep. I expected many days missions so I implemented some tweaks to simulate sleeping. So my goal now in this mode is to adjust them. I should wake up in a minute if you call me."

"Affirmative."

Oh man I never saw a sky so clean on earth even at village. No clouds, no moon, stars that a few of them have a magical trace are sparkling a different color. I cannot wait for a telescope to be build. Ok. Better go back to adjusting and maybe I'll sleep for an hour.

 

"Wake up Jerry!"

"Waaaa, don't yell at me."

"You only imagine this."

"Wait a second. Yeah, my bad. Volume was off. Sorry."

"Ya see."

"Eh. How was the sky?"

"I have made a whole scan of a sky and calculated some planet characteristics."

"Oh. Show them."

That was rather important because if the winter gets us here at the far south it would be a serious problem. Twenty five degree inclination of the planet and there was autumn around corner. Better be prepared for that. Mapping the sky was for need of navigation for at least a month. One thing went off during sleep. I looked into a magical clock and I was surprised to see that time dilatation occurred. In one hour I slept five. I cannot intervene in the clock because once set it locks itself and Maya will never be able to see that, so it is on my head.

"I got the situation now. With magic here it will be possible to survive winter outside, but better we will find a stop for a camp."

"Wanna look for the spot now?"

"I hope to find the end of the path now. Look on the left sun soon will be in the valley over there."

When sun reached bottom of the valley some sturdy piece of a building was standing out from a side of a hill. It was easier that I anticipated.

"You think they have set up traps when leaving this place? Maya."

"Quite possible. I advise looking vents."

"I prefer front."

"Quite risky."

"But they left it open. Or at least it seems like. I want to look at them closer."

About two kilometers, three falls, four scannings and going around we reached doors or at least what was left of them. Peaking inside confirmed that whatever was here it escaped through the door with no effort. Ey, what is this?

"… a piece of text?"

"What's on your mind?"

"Look here. It is not fancy, irregular for ornaments and it's in lines."

"Could we encounter a written language?"

"Not surprising seeing this structure was build by a like early twenty century builders. Written language is one the essentials."

This piece of a was-a-door or rather high tech was-a-door seemed to be a good conductor of magic was inscribed with something on, an ornament. The difference in quality was small due to degradation but these inscriptions were later added. Kind of warning? There is also this feeling coming from this was. It was similar to this from the sunken ship.

"I scanned letters, cant you find patterns?"

"Display them in background. It seems there are two short sentences. Second one is incomplete."

Ndvdr opdn.

Hearth of ????

diab???

"Look at in third one fourth character and first letter in second word in first line. Is if the same?

Diabo???

"Hm, paste also these three letters from center left up side and connect rest."

diabo?ros -> hdarth of diabo?ros

"These sentences are not long but if still there is something in the third word take it into account."

"Added to memory, I'll analyze it later if we encounter more of it."

"Good. Turn on light, now we go inside."

 

This place gives me goosebumps even if I don't have skin. Looking at the damage in corridor, it is poorly visible but something tells me, that some powerful being escaped this place. Going deeper found there a big, enormous top chamber. Every meter of wall was deeply scraped by some claws so there is a big pile of rocks around it.

"Maya. Do you think that something was looking for escape blindly?"

"It looks like. It's strength would be comparable to one hundred fifty ton excavator to dig basically a magic harden stone."

"Indeed. But a one hundred fifty ton excavator would not fit in here in one piece. Remember schooling records of big magical beasts? Nothing suits from it. That reminds me of these two on earth but they were pure and fine I would say."

"Did you talked to Gota?"

"No. I did read her first report and by quick meditation I also sensed them."

"I don't remember you tried it here. Also about that sensing, did not knew that you can do that."

"Oh… shit… I didn't think of that. When I heard of Gota's first report. I just tried it." She would be jealous of that.

"Will you try it now?"

"Well, it's risky, but they did not felt us on earth. You know I am trying this right away."

"You sad it's risky."

"Even if they will feel us, it would get them many days to get here."

So I begin. Half hour nothing. Hour nothing. Maya seems to be not patient judging by her activity. She seems to start to be a bit more like we intended. I can't judge distance precisely but I would say 4000 km from here I sense one place with a similar being to the second one from japan and many more weaker alongside her. Wait there he is.

"Maya. Listen to this."

"What have you found?"

"Much more than I anticipated."

"They found us."

"Nope."

"I found him."

"Who you mean?"

"The first being from gate in Japan."

"Even between worlds the space is tight."

"Heh, heh. Good one. Yeah, it's tight. Let's check more."

"Eh?"

2000 km north east I faintly sense something. It's like through a fog. In west and north I see high dispersion in two regions. What further?

SYSTEM WARNING: CALIBRATION ERROR VALUE IS REACHED – 00F3 5732 AB03 0053.

"Oh. That was unexpected."

"What happened?"

"Look at the main error log. Value 0053."

"What now?"

"Well, Articore was build with lesser quality due to schedule, so we can scan like one sixth of this planet."

"Can I make a map?"

"Yeah. I'm sending data now."

"Copy."

"Ok. Now I mark him on map. And now those five outstanding."

"Something more you would add?"

"Put question mark on fog terrain. Noise there is strong. Better not going there unprepared."

"Done."

"Ok. Let's check deeper. If they locked some monster in hurry and they left equipment we can use it."

"But beast likely have run away."

"If it ran away we have a base now."

"Were you going out from bunker on earth?"

"Occasionally, most of the times I went up to castle above. Rest was nonstop working."

"Is it now a break for you?"

"No. Now I feel like a noob in a strategy game, because I suck at planning tactics. We need a base, area recon and knowledge about this place and planet."

"It's a lot."

"I know. We will check this place out and then look more outside."

So it has begun. Many day exploration. Entrance chamber is 120 meters in diameter and at least 60 high. Filled with broken handling equipment, crates, magical tools and one big pierced central horizontal door to the main part below. Going down by that path was not possible because Kvaser cannot perform flight. Lucky me there was already a second hole in the wall.

"Maya. Do you think it is possible to map this place roughly by scanning lying down magical equipment?"

"Rough scan is possible, but…"

"Can you filter out and build 3d map I take scanning."

"Ok."

"Let's start."

After almost twelve hours later with two breaks a map was made. There is an awful amount of magical equipment here. This place is so cluttered it almost looks like submarine. If not Maya this would be impossible. Magical equipment has very small and weak trail of magical particles but to add more there are very differentiated trails. Back to the bunker, it is like laboratory.

Main tube 40 meters wide. Probably fulfilled a communication and transport means. Three sides tubes are 50 meters wide. There are fourteen levels from which two bottom down are likely messed up or empty.

"This spiral ramp is long and untouched. We are lucky."

"Something bothers me, where is the entrance to the side tube. We are at first level door already."

"Good question. If they used magic extensively that means without magic we cannot open it."

"We cannot emit or channel magic to other things beside battle weapon which we do not have by the way."

"You know I have an idea. Hands and articore head covers have magic wires coils."

"Frequency interference?"

"Precisely. Even if there is one main frequency that runs Kvaser there are actually many multiple frequencies. Interference is basic. Now we need to find that which they have used here."

Method of ancient ones – make through everything, by hand. We spend like three days trying out combinations. In breaks followed ramp to the bottom but every door was closed. Peak outside to peek at common people but they are almost like blurred into background or the system calibration was damaged by void bridge. Question added.

"You know I have a small suspicion. Can you prepare that background characteristic to emit?"

"Computation in progress. Please wait five minutes."

Five minutes later.

"Ready Maya?"

"Yes."

"Here we go."

I do not know it was successful or not but the door broke under the hand.

"Wait a second." Trying to push door it breaks. "What happened? Magic wear?"

"What now?"

"I'll just perish hole enough to fit through."

"Wait!" It's too late. That specific tone of magic just disintegrates solid to particles.

"You see. May we don't have a key but we have a hammer."

"Hmph." Don't be reckless.

So the hole was made and few looks inside confirmed that it was laboratory. What caught the eye regarding language or numbering was three letters for each side tube.

A B C

So going by patterns from earth rest of glyphs on signs must be numbers. From the start it looked like duodecimal numbering system (with base of 12). But from the other side when we checked rooms index it turned out that they used decimal system with three special characters for ten, eleven and twelve. Documents found later at lower levels confirmed that.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Analyzing room arrange there was something intriguing. It was looking like our computers but there was no screens. Only a slot with dust of crystals.

"So we are at level ten. We found much more documents at last two levels that at the rest of them. It is concerning we scanned a lot of thick papers that did not turned to dust."

"Probably very valuable notes from research."

"I liked paper also. Easy to note and search through."

"I counted twenty three letters and thirteen numbers."

"Will you perform analysis?"

"Not now. If we are here we may check last two levels."

"You read my thoughts."

Arriving at level thirteen. This place is different from last twelve. That what was to big to move was left. Small equipment, notes, something that we identified as some kind computer all gone.

"Hm?" Leg started to hitting the floor.

"What? You started to pound floor with leg out of the blue."

"You know how floors above sounded?"

"Comparing. Yes there is a difference."

"Lets check what it is made from." Hand is closing to the floor.

"Oh, it has an insulating properties. It repels magic."

"Confirmed. There is half meter layer of it on whole level."

"Wow. Maybe they wanted to cutoff or put some barrier between monster and staff."

"Do you want to check level fourteen the nest?"

"Maybe we will find an egg?" Jerry starts to choke laugh.

"Please tone your jokes."

"Never."

Last level was really in a bad shape, really bad shape. Comparing destruction in first chamber and central tube this place was turned to dust. No stone on stone. Monster did not dig through to ring ramp so went out by central tube. Every door and wall in smithereens.

"Maya, you know what. I felt the same magic like it from the sunken ship there at the coast."

"Do you suspect that this monster was delivered on that ship?"

"Yeah. And after transport they decided to sunk it."

"What kind of monster do you suspect?"

"A very thirst for blood, a that kind that won't hesitate to kill everything around. Something that even a man without magic perception would feel its pressure. Something that scared their ass so bad they escaped after one day."

"Quite a dramatic description, you know."

"For now. At least."

"What now?"

"We are going back to level one. It should be enough for now."

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 4.5.1.

Notes:

Small spoiler: In one of the dialects of Ancient Midgardian "e" and "d" has the same symbol / glyph.

Chapter 5: Move in

Opening passage through enter chamber to first level was a tedious task. Difficulty stated a thickness of this door. Literally 3 meters of many layers of materials to burn through. With even more tries and errors than doors in ramp it was done in a few days.

"God damn. This is tough layer."

"I found that it conducts magic much better from what we found up to now."

"Let me check. Oh this is much better. It seem we found first material to upgrade with. Add to checklist. Call it magitro."

A few long cuts after passage was cut open and few bricks of magitro left for later. Next is to check entry chamber stuff left there and analyze.

"Maya. Do you think this was a factory of some sort?"

"There is a specific distribution of crates and its content here. Third part of space over there near exit is for products and the rest is for materials. It is likely."

"I don't think that these products will be working but I want to check them first."

Long crate. Something that by its rotting is really similar to wood uncovers a dusty gold thing. Its definitely this world specific engineering in magic. One and a half meter long. Many pinky marbles. Magic threads fused to surface. And it's heavy. Scanning give only partial view in. Many magical stones and a bunch of internal circuits.

"You are with me, Maya? Better not to use this."

"Highly advised not to use that."

"This cannot be use the way as earth's lance. Do you think it could be some sentry or shield device?"

"What do you have on mind?"

"It is heavy even for magic soldier. Jeffry from magical corpse was very proficient with strengthening magic and could lift half ton for about half a day. Tough guy. Rest could take about 150 kilos."

"So it is this lance weight. But also beings here may be much more proficient by default."

Nods in agreement. Ok next.

 

Swords. Mainly two kinds. Most of them are not looking outstanding. Trying to channel magic through it's output is rather low. The second part are these outstanding. Ornaments, fancy scabbards. This greenish color looks like this tough layer from the horizontal door. Many times better conductivity that is letting cutting pieces of wall's stone. Definitely for more powerful beings and special use.

"What is this? Container?"

"Very possible. Cannot scan it inside. Also from the top is small slot."

"Slot? Can it be for ID card of some sort?"

"Yes. Size is similar to cards from earth."

"You surprise me Maya, keep going."

"You sad it could be a very decisive evacuation, so maybe someone lost his ID card and it is here lying."

"So we will have to find at least one card."

Added to to do list. Next are light containers at the one corner labeled:

TablDT Chorus 13 – 100 pidcids

"Ee? Are these things tablets? Just look. Glassy front, hard back cover with the ornament and 4 glasses. Two small rectangles over and below screen could be speakers. No buttons. It really looks like taken from earth but it contains hella lot of magic conductors."

"You seem rather excited."

"You know if they could build tablet imagine how far they could developed through all those years that this bunker was left except that they rather did not."

"Did not?"

"Remember sky imagining? I looked at this and did not found something."

"Yes. Magical particles in high atmosphere and stars with magic."

"So. Where are spaceships, satellites, orbital scrap? I did not found anything orbiting this planet except one moon. That means two things."

"They perished or are hiding for some reason."

"Good thought. This is a very remote place, underground, research and production. I suspect this civilization may has knowledge embargo."

"Knowledge embargo?"

"Knowledge is power. I am starting to suspect that there is still power grip and keeping plebs low. After incident here they left this place and not coming close here. Except the thing that so scared them escaped."

This conclusion has let to add to to do list checking the state of beings here. In the day organizing bunker, in the night checking moves of lanterns and background and still scanning sky to make sure nothing is flying above. And yes nothing flies.

In the middle of moving things around in entry chamber we found a few basic building materials. We called them: marium, tytium, magitro. Many other materials are to check before use. From those, marium seems a good material, it contains small particles with magical properties ideal for construction.

Kabd , tiroto , mithrill.

For confirmation opened one tablet and looked inside and no marium inside. Analyzing insides will take many days more and applying it must wait for upgrade of kvaser's magical circuits with magitro.

Back to moving in. In tube A which has the first to door in circle ramp was established the first shop. Plausibly it was a research area. Cleaning and bringing materials there for future use. Tube B which has circle ramp just right over the ceiling was production part.

"So we are on level B4. Is this what you wanted to show me Maya? Transport platforms?"

"Yes. I wanted you to start one or to build one."

"You want to be a transport bed first? Not be a helpful hand?"

"I ran analysis and decided to help you first as this and then you just build arm to it."

"Very well so it's decided."

Before starting a long session at lab A1 last was to check Tube C. You think nothing particular but this can the place where someone would lost his ID card. So every room, every corner will be search through in hope of that one card.

With time there was found many files of papers. Even though they were in a bad state we found twenty five unique glyphs of letters, no capital characters and thirteen numbers. Next more tedious task is to guess meaning of words here. Speaking must wait for meeting with beings here or getting back their computers running.

There was something like diaries but just last few pages in everyone of them were torn out. In a four of them just one page were torn out. And two of them from rather a higher member of staff had underscored very specific words. These were also on broken door to the bunker.

Hdarth of aurora

I hope to find something connecting this pressure from basement and the ship to these words.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 5.5.1.

Chapter 6: R&D

Hikikomori. Add to the mix a rat lab and you will see a current state of the specific robot in the underground bunker.

Two projects are on the table. First one is up to infuse magitro to magic circuits. How? The answer is not so simple. Human is build from tiny living cells that work for an organism. Things build of non living matter are unable to repair by itself. Magic itself does not help also. Gold was good conductor of magic and electricity but here it won't be enough.

First was to make some experiments. Replacing gold with magitro without substrate was impossible. It happened so that dust let up by arm move over table was the key to solve first problem. What dust contained? It was from this whole building itself. Erosion and mess after beast were the cause of this. Direct transplantation of magitro was yet unsuccessful.

"So we cannot bring magitro onto gold wires. Does it need a second substrate?"

"I recommend tytium or trying to broke to dust lower sword from entry chamber."

"Do you also suspect that we actually have too small output?"

"Yes. Kvaser was able to cut it but it took long and precision is nothing if cannot be properly executed."

"I've brought few of them. They should be here."

Tytium was not fully successful. When it was doped with sword's dust it let for better results. Mastering it took two days. Almost whole gold could be recovered and the process can be made again. With later magic power of Maya behind the steer of her future hub efficiency will be better. Next was magitro infuse. With the current proficiency it led to magitro circuits in less than half a day. So time to project number two. Articore.

"Maya. Do you remember where are crystals that caught your attention to make new articore?"

"Yes. They are on shelf 3 1 25."

Cutting, making probes and making a physical interface with magitro wires. Core itself must be programmed and direct connection definitely be faster. What could went wrong? Power supply. Even batteries in kvaser were not giving out so much power.

"Maya. I remember then when Maho was made we had really small core. So we are making a buffer or cutting it to tenth."

"Will you be able to make a capacitor from layers of magitro. I suspect that brick might not work due to limited controlling output."

"Lets try it. But I don't want it on this crystal. Once with Herman and Gota we almost blew up an entire floor."

Deposing thin lines directly on core to make a layer of magitro is reckless. So with the leftover from cutting main core it was safer. Connected by magitro wires experiment can be continued.

Result was better than expected.

"Maya. Did you just taken control of that core already?"

"Yes. Can I perform tests?"

"What did you decided to test?"

"Capacitor life, magic refueling and non physical connection."

"Hmm, can you also try magical Fourier Transform?"

"If you ask please make a small test bed with mesh."

"You don't have to ask twice."

 

Cannot believe it went so smooth. Maya just made her small nest. Sadly we could not answer question of is magic dependent of light speed limit due to lack in precision, just yet. Back to Maya she with happiness announced that she can be self sustain. That hopes for making fast progress. Proper laboratory, manufacture, factory and so much more.

Maya reported that magic bed was in one way successful and the other not. She could easily manipulate materials on bed but to achieve precision, probes and manipulators were needed.

Project number 3. Manipulator with transport platform. Easier sad than done. First problem, crystals have different properties. Get to know them, trying combinations and pulling conclusions is endless work. After pulling right to left, left to right arguments some solutions were made.

Manipulator main arm with ten degrees of freedom and few changeable ends. Is one arm enough? Answer is simple – NO. It turned to eight legs and four arms. Flying mode in platform has to wait now. In platform there were 15 cores. How it looked? Like messy nest of cables in electrical cabinet after some electrician with no managing skills. Maya learns to walk very fast so now she helps a lot. Fortunately many doors here are over meter wide so she can go almost everywhere in tube A and B. We are testing also communication over distance with good results. Hills, ocean, underground, between mountains wherever there are no noticeable loses.

That encourages to making a main server. It is needed to manage of all bunker. With less messing around in manufacturing each one robot their brain could be shared. In result robots will be simpler.

"Where are we setting server. Tube C?"

"Yes. The top part is remote so nothing goes there unnoticed. Also I'll make a proper quarter for you to sleep. I can't look at you sleeping only two hours a day."

"If you want. Ah, how is the progress in analyzing message from earth?"

"That server will be needed for this. I am so into your research that progress is on about five percent."

"Hm… ok."

I am still not telling her that these two hours in sleep are actually ten. But what is the cause? Time dilatation? Am I still connected somehow to the old body or the internal clock is ticking improperly after incident?

"Maya. Can you connect to the bunker systems?"

"Not possible until we crack two things. The tablet and bunker main computer location."

"We did not find it."

"I propose to connect me to light's system."

"Checking where signals go?"

"Yes. But still we need my server first."

The very next day server was established in tube C. Just right after in tube A and B receivers were installed. In research lab a giant for 3d printers of earth size multitask machine was been prepared. So much work but everything until now was made in thought of saving support for kvaser.

If something can go wrong it will go wrong. So happened.

"Hm… Maya. Check right hand but very softly. Something is not right."

"Checking now."

Long ten minutes later cons of gold and extensive use have made appearance. Gold simply was wearing out. What to do now.

So gold is wearing out. With magic available here it was bound to happen. If you could not output higher power due to earth magic here it was possible. Thankfully I was designing a new platform when I was bored in sleep mode when Maya did not paid attention. Hope she won't be angry.

"Maya. Make some new parts to test this new machine. I'll take some sleep to think over it."

"Good night."

So it will be long. Making these test parts will take her at least four hours. I'll sleep eight which will be forty hours to finish refine rough plans for the next kvaser.

"Wake up. Wakey wakey. Up, up!"

Oh, five hours, she should have finished.

"Ah...ghh.." With sleepy voice which also took from bass. "Have you finished already?"

"Yes. I was calling you for half hour."

"Maybe some bug. I'll check that later." God, she did not let me finish what I wanted. "What did you make?"

"Miniature version of my new mobile platform."

"Gonna take examination right away?"

"I would like but what you gonna do? I want to take kvaser to help with examination."

"You can take control for few hours. I've got to prepare something."

"Are you sure?"

"Take it. I don't need moving for five hours."

A bit short time to finish but for what are student skills to making projects over night.

Somewhat nostalgic grin appeared on non existing face. Time to get over it!

"Maya. Did you finish?"

"Yes. You can take control over."

"What we have here? Will it be scouting unit?"

"Not only. I want to build a squad to get this bunker to full use."

"Nice idea. But. Do you have something to explore terrain?"

"Not now. First I want you to say what have you been doing?"

"Check this out." Transferring of design almost haven't crashed Maya.

"When did you do this? Even cutting on sleep you would not make as much."

"I had this on mind from earth for the next unit." That is a half lie. "I want you to review this and propose improvements."

"First question. Why there is so much magic veins and cores?"

That is a good question. Next kvaser will have to be able to shield itself not only physically but also magically. There are more advantages to this. I found a paper that probably was a safety instruction found by skipping through collected materials. Apparently you can create magical glyphs or at least use them. I suspect a dense grid will let use it. Next plus here is connected to the multiple cores further called unicores which caught eye of Maya. Being spread in the entire unit will let for some independence to lost arm, leg, etc. and let them escape. Keeping secrets just for any unexpected incident. Interchangeability is next plus. Any con? Unicore is unit in itself so production will be slow. Can't wait for move to new kvaser. Slim, simple, easy changeable parts, accessories and fast articore transfer.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 6.5.1.

Chapter 7: Magic Engineering

In just four days of cooperation we made prototypes of golems to test them. It's crazy how high is the tempo of prototyping. We locked MAI mainly on combat but it still is learning incredibly fast. I suppose we really made AI this what people have feared. Hope Maya will never leave this planet. This would be bad.

 

We have got ten of brand new golems. Units G1 to G10 are going to see for resources. Equipped with multi range scanner, small repair unit and many more useful features will check shore and close mountains. Can't wait for results.

 

"Maya. Can we make a submarine?"

"Isn't that too early?"

"I noticed recently small lanterns are moving between two places everyday. Background seems to be moving also. And still you haven't cracked language. I hope to spy to get the full view. Nevertheless. Without new materials I'm even less needed here."

"Ok. I suppose you have something in advance?"

"Yes. Take these plans."

"Three types. Do you want to adapt first one to be more for reconnaissance?"

"Yes. I want to take some materials in advance."

"Estimated time 15 days for unit U1."

"Good. I'll take some time to make specialized equipment."

Well it was enough to convince Maya to make them. But there is more to it. I recorded five fogs in one place. It was making twenty lanterns disappear for some time. Definitely it is suspicious. Curiosity and boredom is the next reason. I want to see the other world more. Checking the language is one coin side. I want to know how they developed. Now I hope before Maya finish U1 I'll crack few things.

Transport bed is first. How does it fly? Lets check.

Found one small a week ago. Taking covers off.

"Hm…"

Nothing surprising. It's almost like german engineering. Everything is in its place. Front and back have terminals. Three wires likely conducting magic are connecting everything inside. It is surprisingly similar to can bus structure. Looking closer to one terminal I'm seeing additional thing. So it can be a main controller. In corners there are four specialized crystals. Took one out. It has a conical shape.

I'm trying many magical spectrum out to wake it. So it did wake up.

"Wow. It moved side. Maybe I apply magic on big circle."

It started making pressure against my hand. Not removing it from hand I turn it to the floor.

"Oi" Almost fall out of hand.

It was directed this side to the floor so may it must be closer to?

"Yes. I got it."

Cone side has fixed height and uses small amount of magic. Base side behave almost like modified logarithm in height force relation. Taking exponentially more magic for more force. Lets take them out and adapt to boots.

It's almost evening. Maya haven't being paying attention to what Jerry was doing. Then she recorded sudden moving of kvaser and hit and vibrations.

"What are you doing?"

"Playing Hermes."

"Eh?" She is trying to figure out what happened. "Did you literally make flying boots?"

"Yes. But I steered them directly and opened throttle too much."

"So that is where that hit was heard from. Please wait for tomorrow."

"What I gonna do now?"

"Please gimme these boots, open the tablet and go to sleep."

"Ok mom."

"Pf…"

Yeah she definitely has more humor now. Now time to split that tablet.

Troublesome, these circuits are wearing more than I anticipated. I opened cover of this tablet and some interference caused short circuit. It won't make more. Better I go sleep but before I'm checking lanterns.

Everyone seems to be rather lively. Especially those two. Bigger japanese lantern is moving with incredible speed. The other one is far in back but it is going after. Maybe playing cat and mouse? From yesterday I started to tell apart few of lanterns beside one big, normal five in work and few lesser which are in and out of the fog. I still got one question, where is the rest of beings? I won't believe there are only few hundred here on this world.

 

"Master wake up."

"Good morning."

"I've got surprise for you."

"Oh. Can't wait for that."

"Please go to lab A2."

Lab A2 was her recent effort to build. Automated to her needs compared to half hand needed on level A1. I'm curious.

I'm impressed from the start. Modular lines of production. Platforms are moving like in ant's nest. It will be easy to quickly change production. And I see she is already producing something for me. Maybe that is what she wanted me to see.

"I'm impressed Maya. Is this thanks to the new server?"

"It is. Now I can take the whole bunker under control."

"Control? We still haven't found the power source here."

"Would you check below level 14?"

"What do you have on mind?"

This is interesting. It appears that there were lower levels. Probably reserved for power generation. Now it is ruins collapsed probably after magical beast incident. I won't go there personally but I can say I will be fulfilling my primary assumption. Leading a team.

"Hey, I opened that tablet yesterday. Don't forget to take it into your lab."

"It's already taken."

Seven robots are going inside the pile of the rubble and in a meanwhile creating a stable passage.

It's tough. I'm basically leading them by hand. They are like young adults. Without experience. Simulating missions should help. I need to send this conclusion to Maya.

Robots are going like 20 meters down now. Oh wait. Under dust. There it is. We have found next door. Ok. Now you have to make a dome from this fallen material and prepare suitable passage for me for later.

"Maya. It's late, please take care of them I need to sleep."

"Yes. Please rest."

I'm pumped out. Reconnaissance would be a bit lighter but on earth I would have to retreat in half due to magic depletion. I won't be hurting myself for today's peek on lanterns.

"Morning."

"Morning."

"I've got a surprise. Please visit lab A2."

Oh. She really prepared something over two nights.

Center of lab A2. There it is. A giant setup with the new kvaser.

"YEAH! That what we are talking about, Maya."

Applause, but its like a two hammers are hitting each other.

"You've got my utter admiration."

"Thanks. Would you like to take over?"

"You don't have to ask twice."

There he was. The brand new kvaser in shady greenish shell. Prepared for interchangeable parts, additions, armor and many more.

Hm. It's skinny enough to put a mask.

"Did you adapt head to wearing an artificial mask?"

"Yes. When I find suitable materials I'll prepare some."

"Ooh yeah. When we start?"

"Take place over there. Full transferring procedure should take us to evening."

Incredibly long for half a day. Articore transplantation. Many checkups. Switching between systems. Calibration process to even stand properly. Troubleshooting in real time. If I would have experienced such day in physical body I would not have opened a beer, just straight to bed.

In sleep mode I was checking available options and emergency transfer piqued my interest. It was implemented to send me back in hardcore situations. It's not something Maya has non trouble to access. Let's check it closer. Checksum is okay but I definitely see not my interventions. Looking closer she had only one entrance there. Was that from black void incident? Any time log? Not straight one but there is. She forcefully edited source code by lifting guards from one science unit and she was shooting energetic particles to flip bits. What a nice canny way to avoid security. Let's see. Yes, she was approved to get around it so nothing suspicious.

What is the change? She basically added reversed process to get me faster to articore. Maybe this was the cause of some blank spots in my memory.

Some time later.

Oh. She added my partition to her server called emergency collection of Jerry. I will have to ask about that later. But for any miss, I'll make my virus partition.

What's here? Wow. Someone would overlook it but not me. She has a folder with logs but not only logs are here. There is analysis of potentiality of transferring me into a new core. She did not find anything useful. It's understanding. There were actually two crystals from the spectre.

In short without original one it is impossible to bring me back in one piece without a failure. But not. She did not understand fully the transferring code. It's in theory possible to transfer me over to the another core. But there is one but. There must be physical link with rather impossible magic conduction between them to establish crystals synchronization if it's about human mind. Sticking crystals together won't be enough.

She have not caught on that. Second we don’t have that wonder conductor. Without first one she won't catch on this one.

Ok. Time to wake up.

"Morning."

"Eh? This early you woke up?"

"What time is it?"

"It's like four o'clock."

"Oh. That means more time for work."

"What you want to do today?"

"I want to visit level 15 – the basement."

A bit back and forth later everything was ready. Read that as it was already midday. Preparing emergency procedures, tools, boxes, wearing a new armor plates and many more.

Going down was easy. The shaft prepared over night was pretty well made. Props to Maya's team.

Door. Giant ten meter horizontal door with that triangle engraving. Problem. They won't open. What to do?

"They are probably locked up. But I don't want to cut an entrance here."

"Where do you want to cut then?"

"Over there." Jerry turns to the one side of dome with something suspiciously similar to pipe being fused to. "You see there. If I dig along this line I might avoid frontal safe systems if they are working."

"Safe systems?"

"Even if this was research bunker, power source should be more protected than the rest."

Playing one known song inside mind along digging taken to evening. Wall is thick marium modified with magitro. About fifteen meters were dug.

 

Scanning before did not show this place cause of insulating layer at level 14. Broken shaft made impossible for Maya to look for power source.

Looking inside confirms theory about fast evacuation. Except one thing. There were no bodies or skeletons lying around. Also there is no emergency shaft to escape. So.

"So teleportation must be a thing."

"What do you have on mind?"

"If someone was here during incident they must have evacuated by teleportation."

"Quite unbelievable."

"Remember we got to this planet through the black void. Also I found one paper about using some magical glyph."

"I hear some disappointment in your voice."

"Looking on their technology I suspect these glyphs could be only an UI of magical devices."

This chamber is huge. In the center is device which looks like the power source. In tube around there are many stands with desks. Probably controlling equipment.

"You know Maya. It will be better not to trying to start this facility. I don’t want to be blown up."

"Can I try when you will be off the bunker?"

"Add to this a three more submarines with equipment and you. I don't want to lose anything."

"I'm preparing one submarine but three more will take a long time."

"Better be safe. By the way. How is the recon team?"

"There is actually a potential source for magitro but the other seem to be rarer here."

"When do you start excavating?"

"In a few days. But for this you need to test new feature."

"What feature?"

"I'll tell you when we will be at level 14."

 

Entrance to the shaft to the level 15 in central tube. There is almost 140 meters of space above. Wrecked in some places. It's looking like the beast escaped by jumping.

"So what is this new feature?"

"Please wait five seconds to update the driver."

Five seconds later a new option came into menu. Flying mode.

"In just two days you made actually working flying system. I even did not see those built in parts."

"Software needed adjustments."

"So it's time to put it into the test."

At first slowly. There are more cores specially made for flying than before. Four in torso and sixteen in the rest parts of the body. You fell lighter, lighter to the point that with trust vectoring you must maintain stability and you are already off the floor.

"How smooth. Impressive. Unbelievable."

"You seem to use this without much effort. Do you have some experience?"

"Experience? I only flew planes on simulators."

"But planes do not behave like this."

"You know, people sometimes dreams of some odd things like flying, falling from heights or jumping like in anime. Maybe this is what proficiency came from?"

"I can't grasp it."

"You are completely different from human brain. Its human trait that if you got big problem to solve it's good to sleep with it. At morning you usually come up with some ideas. Or you just drive better with something."

"Is it like simulation?"

"Yes and no. If would ever see Picasso's works you would have some image how ridiculous dreaming can be."

"…" Kvaser stood on the floor and immediately jumped like four stories. "What are you doing?"

"It's close feeling to that from dreaming. These accelerations."

Jump, next jump then jump into center and holding position in space. Maya don't have a heart but probably it would stop for a second.

Tests took to late night.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 7.5.1.

Chapter 8: The Wolf Fleet

Everything goes further faster or slower. Lab A2 filled entire floor. Lab 3 in making. Transport platforms called beds are going… no they are flying. Beds are transporting everything, everywhere. Traffic is busy like in Paris. Also elevator is in progress.

Jerry made many things but mainly he overlooked ores transport and initial treatment. Flying was tested to about 20 kilometers high. One thing that was concerning is sound barrier. Moving faster needed a plane or at least shell. Second was strain on fly cores. It seems they don't like being far from ground.

Maya is a work horse. Building everything. She was programmed to battle but learning behavior caught on and now she did not need so much help from Jerry.

One particular project was their both fruit of effort. Submarine type U-I serial number U00. U01 was still on the drawing board. Hull 5 meter in diameter, 7 high and 25 long. Propulsion stated three blade rotor with gerotor magical magnetic engine. And 6 control surfaces. A little over 200 tonnes of buoyancy. Test comes soon. But now it comes time to launching. From entrance chamber.

"Maya, did you prepared any means of transporting this thing to the shore?"

"It will barely fit the entrance tunnel. Three units and two bulldozers were preparing a way. Tomorrow we can start move."

"Goo… What's over there?" With some curiosity.

"Service boat. Will be transported along."

"It seems we need a harbor."

"A normal one?"

"You don't sound convinced."

"I've got a different idea."

"Shoot."

"I'm thinking of underwater harbor and ship over there not only will help with first test but also will check nearby ocean floor for suitable place."

"Can you instead prepare a submerging harbor? With pulling anchors it will be stable to work on and may go under water just in case."

"It's less work. I agree. Do you have any requirements?"

"Big as you want but I recommend at least 100 meter operational depth."

"Ok."

"Ah! One more thing. What crew have you assigned?"

"G70 to G85. Slim and handy."

 

Sunrise of day 40 should be a call for waking up and launching but not this time. A big magical wave sent radars alert before.

"Emergency, wake up!"

"What is going on?"

"Check fast radar log and sense what happened there now!"

"What?"

"Check your usual scan of lanterns and magic."

"Ok."

What is this? It's like echo of an explosion. Magic explosion. New kvaser was  given a bit more precision but articore is still a threshold. Back to echo. It reminds me of something but what?

"Maya. Compare this reading with the first scan on this planet."

"Similarity of magical frequencies is 30 percent."

"So it's likely different from this one but still I can't get rid of this deja vu feeling."

"Compare still says the other way."

"How is data from earth?"

"About 10 percent at the moment. I'll automatically compare this to today's explosion just in case."

"Do it."

My. This alarm came out of nowhere. I still suspect that one of the lanterns must be involved. For next week or longer I'm making scan of lanterns. Explosion taken place much further north than these three known places. If someone came into the range I'll will know which one. I'm making this scan now and later at the road.

Sunrise. Time to move.

Special beds are starting to move up. Strong vibrations are penetrating floor. Coordinated centimeter by centimeter are going up. Metal squeaking is echoing in the entrance chamber. Two transports have moved. Meter by meter beds were constantly maneuvering to fit vessels through entrance corridor.

"Man I never would think that I will be taking part in operation like this. Both child dream as exhausting task."

"Child dream? What do you mean?"

"Through internet I watched many people at many tasks wondering what I'll will be doing in future. I was repairing machines in shop, chose high school to be one year faster to university. Learned to be an engineer. Now I'm making this. I can say dream have come true."

Maya after this had only a vague image of what he sad. She was created for a specific purpose. Still incapable of spontaneous thinking.

Vessels are moving outside. About forty golems are watching over operation. Bulldozers are pulling beds to help.

Through valleys and hills to the ocean vessels are going slowly reaching the shore. They arrive in evening.

"Only champagne is missing."

"What is this?"

"Alcohol with bubbles."

"But for what?"

"On earth there is a ceremony that you break a bottle of champagne on ship when launching."

She still does not catch on that. Well tomorrow we test them.

"Maya. I'll make a sky scan tonight. Tomorrow morning we are performing tests."

"Ok."

That was a half lie. Not only sky I keep eye on, lanterns too. After that what happened before dawn better keeping eye more frequently.

And speaking of lanterns. Nothing is coming from north but there are intensive moves, maybe around city? Also there are a lot of new lanterns coming from fog. And this group?

Seems there must be a huge natural barrier of sea or canal to the west territory. They are going in large groups on ships I suppose.

Oh. There is actually someone going incredibly fast from north to city. But it's not a big lantern. It is actually still in city.

Hour later it stopped. It went close to lanterns which almost most of the time spends in one place. Maybe there is their headquarter.

In meantime I performed scan. We haven't got satellites. Star navigation and positioning based on lanterns will be useful.

 

"Are you here Maya?"

"Yes, I am."

"I send you data about underwater gliders. We will need a whole fleet. Staying underwater will let us stay in hide."

"Interesting. Are you suggesting looking for resources and mapping this planet?"

"Not only. I suppose some laws of physic works here. I want you to make a net for hearing magic and radio signals. Also to lay a wireless net. Both will be very useful."

"What about satellite system?"

"We need resources for that and a really remote place. That's where this fleet is needed. But please be aware of water creatures. I hope we will not meet a very aggressive ones."

"Will something attack a few hundred ton ship?"

"You do not know. This planet for sure contains a lot of magical creatures."

"Copy that."

This will take few months to find resources and few more to establish. I hope we really won't find any leviathan of sort that would eat us.

Ok. Now we start test campaign.

Leak check. Both ships taken about an hour. Go.

Magic power system. Check. Go.

Pressuring system. Go.

Recovery system. Go.

Ballasting system. No go.

What happened? One pressure bottle didn't open. Lets check closer. Ah. Loose connector.

Recheck. Ballasting system. Go.

Emergency pod. Go.

"Maya how is your ship?"

"Clear go."

"Ok."

"Off we go."

Two ships went about kilometer into the ocean.

"Seems good distance."

"Calibrating sonar. Soon you can start dive."

Ah. I forgot she could test it on a simple raft. We need better planning.

"Calibration complete. Permission to dive."

"Maya one more thing. I was preparing separate AI for subs. Please collect as much data as you can."

"Ok."

"Copy. Dive test. Steers taken over to G74."

"Periscope depth." Commands Maya.

"Periscope depth. 5 degrees. Open ballast tanks. Filling to the mark."

Air is busting through water around U00. Sub starts to submerge.

"G70 set speed to 10 kph."

G73 is adjusting thrust.

G70 is deck officer. G71 takes care of navigation and is helping G73. G72 sonar operator. G73 is technician and ballast operator. G74 takes care of steers.

For what this crew? For redundancy. Plus they can go outside.

5 meters depth. Periscope test. I'm observing surroundings. This magical optic works just like… not good. This is to improve.

"Maya. Optics is to remake. Prism effects and fogging."

"Copy that. How is the seal?"

"No leaks."

"Permission to dive to 20 meters."

"Take us to 20 meters depth."

Crew is taking sub slowly to 20 meters. Constantly adjusting ballast tanks sub reached designated depth.

After all systems checks, sub surfaced and left me on ship. It goes to down without me. There was an all day test circulating between 20 and 500 meters deep under the surface of the ocean.

Fatigue test went flawless. At 500 meters crew went to escape pod and arrived safely to the ship.

"How is water deep beneath us?"

"About 2500 meters."

"Ok. Send it to the bottom. 5 degrees and 5 kph."

"Parameters set. Engaging automatic dive."

So it went to the bottom. We are about 30 kilometers from the shore and after the sharp underwater cliff the deep is rising.

U00 was designed to withstand at leats 1000 meters. How deep will it go? Time to check it out.

1000 meters. A bit of hull squeaking. No leaks detected.

1500 meters. More squeaking and no leaks.

2000 meters. Much more squeaking, periscope started to leak. Drainage system worked as intended. Going closer to the inevitable faith. Sensors are placed in the entire hull. The last what we expect is to get back crushing data.

2500 meters. Still going deeper.

3100 meters. Middle of the night. Boom.

"I heard it on sonar. That was implosion."

"I've got data from all sensors."

"Are we going back?"

"There is one more test I planned."

"What is this?" Jerry is curios.

"Recovery protection."

"Some kind of annihilating bomb?"

"Yes."

So that was this winch cable is attached to. Data protection. I thought she will just erase unicore's magic crystals content. But she went further making overload and explosion of the core.

Last meters and still no explosion. There is loose end.

"That is not what I expected."

"Me too." Strange robotic noise.

"I'll take a look on that."

Oh my. This cable was not snapped. It was cut. This is bad that means we may not be safe in depths.

"What's your opinion."

"It was cut rather clean. Check sonar record."

"I got a small trail of monster. It chewed line about 50 meters over sub. Good news is it exploded as planned."

"Is this thing still living?"

"No. Nothing have swam up to now."

"We are staying here and listening until morning."

 

It's already morning. During the night there was only one... fish I would say. Was circling but left after half hour.

We decided to left a bomb here and detonate when we will be 10 km away. What happened was few fishes appeared but none went higher than 1500 meters. Probably they cannot swim higher.

"News from bunker we have."

"What you've got for me Maya."

"Radio waves with data detected."

"Where did it come from?"

"City and island you described in your lanterns' scan. Here you have an interesting sample."

Sample. A whole minute transmission of analog signal. Probably audition of music but rather poor in quality due to the high atmosphere.

"It's like music. This is getting more interesting."

"Indeed. Increase quality of this?"

"Not now. Keep ears on atmospheric deflection. That is the cause of poor quality of the signal."

 

Time to prepare to go for expedition. U01 is under construction. Knowing what failed now the hull will withstand about 4 km depth.

Lanterns are not moving much but are circling around both city and island. Something must be on this subject.

Analysis of the tablet is halfway through. Probably it would be faster if we knew here being's magic characteristic. Basic circuits are understood but still a long way to go into the details.

Expedition team rose to 200 foot units and 50 beds. Mining equipment is on the way to extract ores and resources.

Underwater gliders also are going to the ocean ten a day. Later will be more.

In 10 days new U01 was launched. After eight day test campaign U01 The Second was ready to go into long journey. In meantime fishes were baited by explosions but none went higher than 1.5 km. So if we are staying to 500 m silent we should be safe.

U01 The Second of the Wolf Fleet is off to the adventure.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 8.5.1.

Chapter 9: What Lies Across the Ocean?

With the new periscope observations are piece of cake. Let the small recon plane is even better. With blue non reflective coating is impossible to see it from 10 km. Ideal for moving in advance.

Day 1 evening. U01 is cruising almost 25 kph on the surface. Sun is about to set behind horizon. Status report is updating. We are about to test simulated connection loss for 5 hours and test star navigation. What about Maya? She is just not allowed to interfere and keep silent.

I've just finished making new AI. She will be keeping the fleet moving. Maya gonna focus more on the bunker stuff.

"Hexe. Are you up?"

"I'm ready to work."

"Not so fast. Now you got training."

"Yes, admiral."

Maybe, no. I overdid it. But now I need to make a full course of navigation and math behind it. Not only for her but me, because I never attended naval studies.

"It's noon. Making a break for tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll check our position and contact Maya."

I assigned Hexe to G70. She is going with me and checking position. We are 340 km away from harbor but it seems we drifted 20 km east in meantime.

"Maya. By my calculations we are 20 km east from expected point."

"By mine you're only 10 km east off the course. I'll adjust gyroscopes."

"Ok. Anything bad about sub?"

"It's good. No problems."

"How is situation in the bunker?"

"Going as planned. Except making roads. They will be finished in three days."

Nothing surprising I would say. It's still going much faster than I ever anticipated.

"Don't boil over that. Keep your resolve."

"Ok."

 

Day 4. We encountered a first ship of this world in the middle of the day. It has side propellers so they still need to learn but it also seems aged. And decided to close to it from the under.

Nice surprise it already had a screw propeller. Three blades. Not a bad idea, keep going. Steam propulsion. But it appears boiler must contain some magic. By rough estimates it is smaller than it should be for this size of the ship.

We've just confirmed other human like creature. Very oddly looking like humans from earth. That might be the cause of lack of panic on earth back then.

Back on course. I've got an idea. We might eavesdrop ships. Some voice data will be useful. We've brought building materials with us so even in this tight space on sub I should make recorders.

So it took a whole night to make it. Few more on advanced reconnaissance units called spiders.

 

Day 7. Judging from amount of ships we are close to the port.

So time for testing spying equipment. Arriving ships that just dropped anchors were chosen.

First ship received three units. One with camera.

Second received three cameras.

Results were mediocre on the first ship. Crew was like constantly looking for our units. But we still managed to take a glimpse of map of the shore. What's was odd compared to the second ship was crew itself. Mainly women with rather pointy ears. One with a catlike tail.

Second ship went better. Nobody seemed to saw us and we managed to infiltrate navigation room. With better look on the map we found few potential spots for landing on the shore.

Ah, both ships were equipped with screw propellers and they were rather new.

 

A moonless night has come. With light clouds we should be harder to see.

To our surprise the first one bay was occupied. In periscope zoom I saw the women with the same outfit from the first ship.

That is weird. Both ships now and then are looking legit. Not a pirates of some kind.

Who is there? A captain is told of something by a rather strange individual. White hairs with side strands and long pony on back. Is she having one eye… closed?

That one not closed eye suddenly started to wandering in the ocean side.

"Wait, what? Down periscope!!!"

Periscope went down with incredible speed almost hitting bystanding G74.

""What happened?"" Both Hexe and Maya have asked simultaneously.

"Probably we were seen or at least picked interest in that white haired woman eye."

"Your command?" Asks unsurely Hexe.

"We are checking other points. Course on P4."

"Aye, sir. Course 2 8 0. Periscope depth. Ahead full."

First stop failed. Hope we won't be found out so quickly.

Point 4 was too shallow for landing. While going to point 3 much further east rather good looking bay appeared. Without moon it was still enough deep to enter.

"Jerry take stuff from side container no. 3."

"Ok." Maya intrigued me.

"Wow. Light armor and back pack."

"Our highest grade swords and knives. In backpack you've got emergency plane, sword sheath, building material, attachments for your spying units and radars and cameras. Plus small printer."

"Nice. That is what I needed."

Maya is so caring. I wanted only to check few kilometers from shore but I might go straight to city now.

"Hexe. Keep trailing ships close to this shore. In case of emergency we are meeting here."

"Isn't this too dangerous to go in city like that?" Maya is concerned.

"I gonna go in forest and then I'll continue in dark. We have now few moonless nights so I want to use them."

"Keep safe, please."

So a foot have stepped on a new land. And sunk. Ca. 170 kilos have sunk in quicksand.

Maybe better was just to fly from sub to the shore.

With hermes system situation is under control.

Flora seems different from the bunker shore. Trees, bushes and wild forest. Everything is new.

After few hours something entered a vision zone. A boar twice the size of normal from earth. When it looked kvaser side it frozen and after half our it slowly backed off. That is an interesting turn of events. Smaller creatures almost immediately were running like for their life.

Something is off, very off.

Time passes, so distance. It's dawn. Easier half of the way is behind. Don't have time to keep eye on everything. But quick check of lanterns.

Wait a moment. This lantern. Those lanterns. Shit.

"Maya! Hexe! We need better lanterns radars ASAP!"

"It would take a week with you here on site to make it. Hexe doesn't have all required materials also. Why you want them so suddenly now?"

"They must have a lot to hide. You saw report of two specific ships we saw. They are full of them, lanterns."

"I thought you can see them so close without deep focus."

"I thought the same but distance is likely not correlated with their visibility. It is only a view range."

"What are they doing now that you shouted?"

"This bigger one from P5 is making her way to the city. Few are still on the shore. Ship is leaving the bay and taking course to the west."

"Today night I'll send U02 with needed materials. You've got five… wait, weather is going bad. Probably you will need to get to the sub in eight days."

"Got it. How is the fleet of gliders?"

"First series is launched. But they will be in two if not three weeks over there."

"Copy that."

"One more thing."

"I listen."

"It appears that units that haven't made a physical contact with you seem unable to direct communication with you."

"How did you found that out?"

Wait a moment that means magic must be connected to something more than particles, dust and crystals.

"In logs I found that few gliders wanted to send you data about underwater creatures but their were unable to do it. I made few units that weren't touched by you at all to communicate with you directly and effect is the same."

"Thanks for explanation. We're going to make an investigation on this when I'll be back."

"What with those reports?"

"Can you make a mailbox?"

"I can prepare a partition on my central server and give you a remote access."

"Definitely possible… ok do that."

"Ok. Check in evening."

 

Now going further in a broad daylight in the soon ending winter. First flowers are about to peak through melting snow.

Seem like in our old ages people here are not active in winter as well. Few seems are going for wood. In house over there they started fireplace.

What more can possibly connect all people in this village?

No readings on magic radar in lantern frequencies. This is problematic but answers two questions. Why supposedly normal being of this world were not seen by radar. Second is (I am stupid) the warning for myself that always check all check points on list. And for sure even more questions will arise when research will be conducted. I need their signature. Not need to say what for.

House over there on back of village seems poorer and no outdoor movement. But smoke is still coming from chimney. Lets try to get to it closer to get better readings.

Easy in fact they had grayish windows so it was easier to get close. But more difficult thing was about now. What is this beings magic signature?

Answer was difficult to comprehend and took some time to see through it.

Now normal people have small amount of magic and it bares almost no resemblance to lanterns'. Its structure seems twisted. Not at all refined or trained specially. One phrase was knocking in head, plain raw. If compared to lanterns of course.

No more time on this house. Time to go to the city.

Having now a signature of common beings helps avoid hunters and lumberjacks. Additionally other living creatures show on the radar now. Downside is looking further to the city from afar. It's just looking through milk. With time availability to filter out some interesting being should come.

Evening Jerry arrived on suburbs. Looks like people are going homes. All day avoiding people was somehow tiring. A short break is a right call.

This is a good spot. Highest hill still covered with snow is allowing to hide and it looks like children are going home with their sleds for the last time this season.

What are lanterns doing? Not much at first sight. They are going homes.

Not for long. Not a half hour passed a half of them are going different routes back to this one specific location.

That is not normal going back to work place.

But for now coming close to this place is rather unsafe because the biggest lantern have arrived there. Seems like the second lantern from japan is there too. I suppose this is a meeting.

What on island? No special moves. Only ships, about five of them are going there.

Oh. Some ships are coming from the east. Three of them are going near from the fog.

Wait a second. Some of lanterns are far north. Still first after the city I want to check out fog.

Tonight is going to be cloudy. Ideal for me. May I will find a library or school. Better be it school. It should have library also. Though I won't be complaining if I'll find preschool material, cause writing system here is different.

Finding school wasn't hard. Quite a spacious forest which goes along streets is very helpful. One school bordered with one. Not a big one of a building. No dorms around and it looks like new. It looks like from late earth's nineteenth century. Probably fifteen rooms. Here we go.

Going in. Easy. Just sprout some marium inside the back window's lock and make it open.

Wow. It just looks like in my old high school.

Okay now radar. This is just too easy. Nobody is keeping an eye here and there are no magic traps on this level. And so library. Time to study.

"Maya, how many books did you sweep through already? It's getting boring."

"Fifty to be exact."

"Did you found any with the first language?"

"No. Only one reference to the old story of heroes seems to be."

"Haven't you by any chance found that old symbol from our bunker?"

"Recheck."

I hope to find anything. There seems to be a big hole in world history judging from maps.

"Found one. It's in this book of heroes."

"Let's check physical book."

Yes. It looks like religious symbol. Heroes. Wait a sec.

"Maya check the vision records from lantern ships. It's only a guess by I see beast-man in this book."

"What do you mean by beast man?"

"Look closely. This one has a tail. The other one doesn't have anything and third one has those long pointy ears."

"Recheck. Found ten of beast-men."

"Let me look on them."

"So. Eight dogs and cats. The other two I'll later see what are they. Let's check classrooms and go further."

One classroom contained some guides of alphabet and numbers but nothing more aside.

School was closed that nobody would not see it. Except one dusty long coat. Nobody uses this so why should it go to waste.

Going closer to the center of city through narrow alleys. Not much of people are going by and the long coat seems to work well. Nobody glares like on someone strange.

In meantime of finding a suitable spot to learn this language Kvaser bumped into some drunk guys. Nothing happened so without a second thought going forth.

Only two guys seemed different.

First one carried a sword but he was so intoxicated that he just pat my back and went further. He was carrying the sword so he must be a knight. A bit strange in so developed land but on earth melee weapon was the best tool to deal with magical beasts. His magic seemed many times stronger than a normal citizen. But still had twists.

Second one was murmuring something.

Fenrir sama. Nande, Fenrir sama? ...

Going from left to right and two steps forward one back. Supporting himself with hands pressing against a wall. This guy was unique. His magic contained some traces of this from the sunken ship.

So this gives hope that magic from there wasn't forgotten completely.

This guy when bumped sober out for a second and almost freaked out but went further murmuring. I wanted to check on his aura when he was behind but he vanished around the corner.

Was it my imagination or I saw some shadows? What is going here? Better I go and hide.

Found a street with cafes and terraces. They seems to have worked today. Their floor are warm despite a frosty air tonight.

Spreading some cameras, microphones and hiding in one roof with a nice view.

 

In a certain girls dorm one of shadows, Mu is in her doctor outfit and goes to check on Claire's state.

It was only yesterday when Claire has woken up. She decided to go into her room to talk up with Nina what she lost in last two months.

When coming close to the room she heard a scream and a loud bang. She went in without a prior knock almost blowing door from frame. And saw Nina in a bad state being pressed into a wall and a hole next to.

"Are you alright. Nina!? What happened here?"

"Aww… I'm fine."

"What happened?"

"She was talking normally. Suddenly stopped and went out with a bang. Her eyes burned violet though."

"Anything more?"

"She. Her both marks on hands and new on legs went pulsing red and violet light."

"Did she change her look to Aurora?"

"Not as I saw but who knows who is she now?"

"Shadow Garden must be reported about this." Mu sadly comments.

"No time for report now. We need to clean up this mess before room lady comes here."

They are lucky. Sleepy room lady have come about ten minutes later. Checked only if everyone' door were closed.

What about Shadow Garden? Alpha probably sensed that outburst of magical energy. Zeta? She wanted a message when Claire wakes up. She is coming back to Midgar. Probably she will be in two days. Last interested is princess Alexia. But she should not find this out for about a week.

Aurora was supporting Claire. She wanted to start her training a week later. Beta was supposed to just come by and mix in training because Claire met her once personally. That was the plan.

What to do now? Mu have grabbed from under her skirt a device called cell phone.

"What is this, Mu?"

"Eta's device for talking."

"How it works?"

"You will see, but for now do not talk a single breath when I'm talking through."

" 'k."

However before Mu chose number in mysterious brick started ringing.

"This is Mu."

"Hi. This is shadow emergency hotline. You will be connected with Alpha and Gamma in a few seconds."

Mu's throat started to collapse like someone was crimping its hand on. She was tasked to carefully look after Claire. Now She was gone without a trace.

In a last second she has calmed down.

"This is Alpha. What happened over there, Mu?"

"By her roommate Nina we know that Claire suddenly woke up with her marks emitting violet and red light of magic. She blew Nina into a wall and went from the room by denting a hole next to Nina. Nina is in a good condition. I cannot localize Claire."

"Did Claire sad something or changed?"

"No. Not a word. She went out in her normal look."

"Please go to the Mitsugoshi building to report to Gamma directly. I'll go to look for her with the new team."

"Yes. Alpha-sama."

Device emitted sound of ending a call. Nina was surprised of the quality of the sound from this device.

"Mu, go as Alpha sad. I'll look for her."

"Please be safe."

So they are going part ways. Mu cannot do more. Talk with Gamma may take a half hour. Before though they send all available numbers.

Nina quickly changed her clothes to slimy winter camouflage outfit.

 

Sun is about to rise above the Midgar capital. Slowly shining through thinning clouds. With time. the morning frost is turning into nice for this time of the season warmth.

Around 10 o'clock people are filling streets. Even this time of the year everyone seems to going from their homes to work or shopping. But what is surprising that cafe are mostly filled in half even if this is before midday. Many of them are reading newspapers. Talking to each other at tables. This is a dream for a certain being hidden in the roof.

"Maya. How is decoding going?"

"Basics are ready. You can start learning yourself."

"Thanks."

This writing system is different but contains the same amount of letters from that old one. One character is even the same and many seems to share the certain root.

So that mean the old alphabet must have been forgotten.

Nevertheless this will be helpful to decode this old one.

She is building this library so fast that I cannot keep up. So much to learn like night before exam. But that is not impossible. Recommending Maya to give me list of most used words works. This language structure resembles english and german.

Wait a sec. Was I even learning that fast a new language?

Few minutes of contemplating passed.

No. In plans I could use articore to get out of the situation but now being stuck here I can use its potential to develop myself faster.

Interesting but could I even go back to the body with this new knowledge? Well body does not exist so I can't check it.

Back to learning.

After many hours sun have already set. People are going back homes.

Done. A drone made from what I have in backpack. Time to check other streets.

 

Mitsugoshi mall, many dark hoods are going to the hall on top of the building. Apparently a meeting is taking place. But a main event is taking place in small room with eight chairs. Four of eight chairs are taken and four more shades are standing next to the wall.

"Shadow. We called you to here to inform you about your sister Claire. She has vanished yesterday evening."

"Fumu..." Said with light but mysterious effect and putting his hand to the chin with index finger on mouth.

"We cannot find her. She woke from coma. We don't want you to suffer losing her."

Maybe she just run from hospital. Her chunnibyo must have caused that.

"I'll check that myself. Thanks for your concern."

Shadow stands up and vanished in fog in a blink of an eye.

Seems that girls did not set that up. Claire is a tough cookie. Girls probably find her in a day or two. She will be fine. Longer she is on herself it's my time free but I still don't want her to fail end semester exams and drop a year. Don't like decisions like this.

 

Hour before dawn Jerry decided to take a look at equipment at first cafe. Something was wrong.

"I've got a bad feeling. Maya you've got records from the first cafe?"

"No I only have one voice record on."

"Check record."

Long of nothing more than background sound of city. Suddenly like storm went through in few seconds and calmed down.

In only few minutes by jumping on roofs kvaser arrived on the scene. Quickly collecting equipment that by some miracle did not vanish or was damaged. And running from crime scene before anyone sees him.

What happened here? About two hundred meters of street filled with terraces was turned back to bricks. I'm surprised that nobody was there when I was to collect precious equipment. I'll add some moving capabilities that they can run if they need. Time to hide.

 

Half dimmed room. Deep underground under the clock tower. The drunk man was sobering in his room. But why is he strapped to the bed? Two men are talking about this situation. One being in ragged clothes. Clearly carrying signs of struggle.

"Sir Loki. What do you think?"

"You sure you saw the young girl using blood magic, when you were escaping?"

"Yes, my lord. Do you know who she might be?"

"If she had red hairs I would say some higher vampire but they were black. One girl seems to match that. Claire Kagenou."

"Her? What does she have to it?" Sad with clearly uncomprehending voice.

"There is a lot but still leads."

"Leads? Is Shadow Garden hiding her activity?"

"Good point for a newbie. Yes. All her actions were connected with Shadow Garden in some shape or form but she doesn't know about it. Olba's last report stated he kidnapped her but never heard from him again. She arrived at academy. She probably inherited vampire blood in Lawless City. And she was seen with vampire hunter running through. She was also seen at masquerade with Maximilian and Shadow Garden member. Many threads but they are connected. Knot by knot we will unveil the truth."

His eyes sharpened. Even if no. 227 Millia failed, this was only a prelude.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 9.5.1.

Chapter 10: Anxiety in Midgar Capital 1

Well. This morning was a sketchy one. Recovering equipment from rubble. Almost being found in next cafe but lucky me, owner gave up on searching. Now I'm making mobile spying equipment. Those small units will be very useful.

Few hours after midday. New units are off.

Oh. What we've got here. Maya needs to translate it.

It looks like this country is going for war. Though message about is rather enigmatically described. Is it connected to the island? Good question.

Ah, this country is called Midgar. How original.

Night has arrived and it's time to visit some library. Apparently most if them were locked tight except one in rather shady district. After picking some money that have fallen during the day on terraces time to go.

 

There are like more knights on streets than yesterday. Not much of them in this shady district though.

This library looks even more shady than on camera. Scan detected underground library. No one in.

Door is open. A sign saying that library is open. So in.

Yes. No one here. No traps, even conventional. Trapdoor to basement was rather well hidden. No problem for me.

My. These book are certainly old.

"Maya, anything catching your eye?"

"Make a round on this level."

"Ok."

Three books were chosen.

Midgar history. Three heroes. Maps.

These books are old but in a rather good shape. Paper is yellow but not stiff. It contains some magic in it.

Maya is browsing those books. I cannot keep up with her tempo. I see only flashes of pages. Seems that this will be quick action. I'll make sure we are safe.

Or not.

A light swoosh.

Kvaser immediately is drawing the sword from under the back pack. And went with full defensive.

Maya reacted later.

Two swords clanged.

His reaction surprised attacker. But only that. He almost caught his sword. His hand was not human!

Changing pose. From low to high then medium slashing through. No effect. Stab him.

Wrong move.

He was about to par guy's push but then happened unbelievable. His arm split and caught guy's sword. Part of the second later metal a hand grabbed and melted part of his sword. This thing is dangerous.

Only one thing was left to do.

"Who are you?" Mysterious man is asking pointing sword at kvaser.

Kvaser is slowly turning his face to the man.

Greenish blue eyes are the only visible part of his face from under the heavy coat. His hands are not human. Metal? That man never saw anything like that. His aura emanated a very tiny bit of a some kind of monster's. Not much of anything else. But what is this? Why is it still reminds of Rounds? Is he one of them?

"Kvaser. I'm Kvaser." This sad but still sounded artificial.

"I don't know anyone by this name." After a quite of thinking.

"Well. Nobody knew of me up here until this point."

This mysterious guy. He appeared out of nowhere. But he isn't likely to fight this moment.

Why was this thing reading those three books? Or rather was sweeping through. They are connecting most of the forgotten past. Not a random choice.

"So from where are you then?"

Well it's time to cook something up. Hope it will be easy for him to digest.

"From far south." Starting slowly.

"The forgotten territory that was sealed by you thousands years ago. I'm only a remnant that was left by you then. Only by some magic running wild on this world I've woken up."

Guy was shocked. His sword twitched. He knew of some very old part of one of the Rounds was from the south that went extinct. But who is this? Is this human? How old is this? Did Shadow Garden woke him up? If yes then he might help ether way.

This guy. He. His sword was weak. If not magic normal human knight would kill him in no time. Great thanks to those crazy squad that trained me.

My made-on-knee story has caught on. He must know something. He bears a lot of similarities of his aura with ship's.

"Why did you went extinct?"

"Simply did not escape in time." Though it seems they (we) escaped. Did they vanish somewhere or tried to flee?

"How are you still alive?"

"I'm not. I was experimenting on golems but then. Some secret thing took ours live. I was the only survivor though only by partly copied consciousness. Lost in the labyrinth of laboratory."

"That secret. What was it…"

Did not ended what he was to say.

"That part of you and anyone's that met with the secret. It seems any of your kind contains its piece."

He certainly knows something about her. Witch of Calamity that was slain by so called three heroes.

He is an ancient being. I'm alone now. He seems also. Maybe I can offer him something that let keep work with him.

"I've got a proposition."

Hmm. He really don't want to fight now.

"I'll hear your offer off."

"I'll let you use this place to some degree. You seems to want to learn what happened in last few thousand years. I can help with that."

"Why are you so generous now? You kept secret of this place and now you want to share it with someone who is..."

Guy starts to wave his hand side to side with index finger straight.

"I see you as an ancient being that survived by a miracle to this day. I'm sure that you will want to talk to your successors. Also they need every bit of help or you would end them."

Though that last part sounded like he doesn't want to get back to them.

"So be it. But I've got question for you. Why do you do not want to get back them and keep aside?"

Guy's heart started beating heavy.

Oh. That was it. A question that lifts the affiliation and faith to some organization. I'm really interested what kind of answer it will be.

"I-I'm…" He hesitates. Looking for words?

"I-I've… failed." Well. Seems something tough.

"Say. Did experiment on you went bad?" His aura contains a bit of that of ship's but I can clearly see it was experimented heavily on.

"Not only that. In battle against Shadow Garden I was useless. I could not see them at all. The whole faction was killed. I fled here to my last place given by my grandfather."

"Why did you not see them?"

"Experiments were supposed to let me see Shadow members' magic, but it turned opposite. I can see only faint magic better than others." His voice was trembling.

Also who is Shadow Garden?

Maya. Did you see any articles in newspaper treating about Shadow garden?

Yes. They are blamed for anything bad happening in this country.

"Hey. Do not wander off now. I want to hear about what happened in last thousand years, Shadow Garden, organization you were in and you. I'm not blinded by their ideas, especially after they delivered that secret."

Guys' eyes twinkled. That was golden line.

Shortly after he started telling a story. Depraving in her truth. Sorrow and dark. Filled with knowledge about Diablos Cult and their recent foe. Shadow Garden.

 

Two elves are meeting in an office room. It's dark outside. With sweet aroma of fresh tea leaves brewed in pot they are talking about some unpleasant thing that happened to the one.

"Gamma, did you hear about what happened in sweet street last night?"

"I heard. Weren't you suppose to have a signing event there?"

"Yes. Association moved event week later." Beta's head started to hurt. Schedule is busted.

"We will dispatch No. 711, 712 and 89 in your place."

"But even. This is library of some cult member."

"Alpha decided. Likely will keep with this."

"Ahhh…" Beta scratches her head.

"Bet.."

Doors are busting open by Nu.

"Ara. What happened Nu?"

"Jenga street in pieces. Some red tentacles were seen."

Beta and Gamma are starting to form theory. Claire run and disappeared somewhere. Red tentacles might be blood spears of Witch's magic.

Gamma's broken silence of thought.

"Nu. Take one researcher from Eta's lab. Make precise scan of magic from the two sites. Use Renga Co. as cover."

Then she turn her head to Beta.

"Please take rest, Beta. Tomorrow you've got a premiere of a new book."

"Eh...?"

"Eh?"

"Oops. I forgot about that new book. I must write a speech." That last part was practically mumbling.

Beta left the room in rush. Leaving half of the cup with tea.

Gamma was left alone. The plan was set but still questionable. King Klaus is being pushed to send army at Oriana. Velgalta is moving openly. Loki's faction is under investigation. Moving shadow's army goes smooth. And now Claire is missing but she is behind a soon ruckus.

Maybe use this. Guide her, whatever she is now to sow anxiety in midgar people.

Gamma raised her index finger as she used to when she made a great plan.

In the morning Alpha hears about the plan. She decided to take part in this action personally.

 

Oh my. What is happening in this city? Next place was busted. Fortunately units escaped in time. Though watching the record send me trembles. I need to talk to…

Wait. I haven't ask this librarian for his name. Seems I'll make a visit faster than I thought.

 

The library's door opened.

"Good morning."

"Good morning. You've come back faster than I expected."

"Well. I wanted to observe people today but my spot was busted and the entire street went to dust just like the first one."

Librarian thought of something before started to talk.

"Was that Shadow Garden?"

Was I been seen? That one eye probably saw something but didn't raise the alarm. By the records I don't think it was someone connected to so called Shadow Garden.

"No. I've got images. Take a look. But before can I ask your name?"

Unbelievable. Blood magic. Only vampires possess this magic talent. If Shadow Garden was after him there would be no such destruction. One step forward and one back. On images there is not much to see. Especially face. It's partially visible. Young lady. Who is she? I saw her but where? Why her face is changing? Tama Woda was dumbfounded.

"I can see from one side you are safe but on the other side it is not good."

His expression is no good and confused.

"Who is after me then?"

"I would say rather powerful vampire but they went extinct recently. But from these images I'm not sure it is a vampire also."

"I don't remember bumping into anybody who had magic like that."

"So it sensed you then."

"But how? I made sure that my aura is like of a normal human."

"Let me check that."

"I thought you can only sense weaker ones."

"Did I say something about the one positive effect?"

"No."

"Sorry. The only pro of my ability is better resolution I would say."

"You see more details?"

"Yes."

"Lets check then."

Well. After a half hour of trying to check everything and confirm multiple times answer was on the horizon. Tama detected a detail. Detail of insignificant caliber that lurks under your nose unnoticed but then in right condition it becomes a super huge problem.

"Tama you can go back to ground floor. I'll make sure to repair my aura."

"Right. But please don't emit any kind of signal from your aura. Otherwise half of the city might get struck."

A bug in program let to emit magic aura similar to human but with inverse exponential growth of distance adsorbed magic from the bunker was stronger. So strong that it would let normal human get possessed by only a touch. People that I bumped into. They probably experienced a shock like contact with a demon.

Better to repair it.

"Maya. You heard him. We need to trace the bug. Send our walking units in more remote part of the city."

Bug tracking. Hellish part of this job. Pain in the…

Bug that perfidiously entangled that it took a whole day to fix it. Nerves tarnished. Huge mind fatigue.

Luckily the bug is removed. If not it kvaser should have to evacuate from the city. Fight with this thing would be insane to even escape from.

Knock, knock. A door sounded.

"Come in please. It's your place after all."

"Hi. How is your aura?" He stopped for a moment.

"Let me check this." He definitely is looking interested.

Just a minute later verdict was announced.

"It's looking much better. I cannot see any trace of this blood lust from you."

"That's reassuring. But tell me why you look like you want to do something stupid."

"Well. It seems we need… your old aura to make something."

The f… Jerry's non existent vein went pulsing. This was pain in… and now it is needed!?

"Today someone from Shadow Garden was going around city undercover. I asked the old friend what the ruckus is about. They are looking for your friend."

"What is my role in this. Lure it out?"

"No…"

"What? What is the plan then?"

"Midday newspaper started talking about terrorist vampire. If we can do something to make her moving and terrorizing city, midgar's army might be hold from leaving. Let her rampage and set king Klaus in the corner."

"Is this kind of the same what Shadow Garden wants? Then. Oh boy. I help you with your revenge."

Human and mechanical hands were shaken to set the plan.

He told me that Shadow Garden is a very powerful organization that have arose few years ago. Every member seems to be very strong. They are fighting against the Cult of Diablos. I'll observe their actions. I've got a strong feeling that they are the lanterns.

 

After midnight a fleet of small robots started spreading a mysterious evil aura. A first night of ruckus in city has begun.

In the morning many streets were found to be in pieces. Few buildings completely torn down.

As the plan assumed MNA is writing about night ruckus despite the Cult's influence. Someone is spreading rumors about bloody witch running through the streets in the night. Cafes are trembling of news.

 

Roof with a nice view on terraces near capitol.

Hmm.. Seems first night went out successful. None unit was lost. Blood Witch did her job. News and rumors are spreading out.

Morning report from Hexe and Maya tells that in a few days a fog is coming. Maybe I'll realize one more stupid idea. But I need some building material.

Wait a sec. What are they talking about? Who is that?

 

"Princess Alexia. Do you have any idea who did that?"

"If not a crazy vampire only one other person comes to my mind. Claire Kagenou."

Christine is making worrying and surprised face at the same time. She feels shame that she didn't met and got to know her.

"Wh... Why her?"

"I was fighting along with Claire. She was in coma for over a month after the fog incident. She was possessed by a spirit named Aurora. The Witch of Calamity."

Christine Hope's face went pale.

"And she inherited vampire blood not much later."

Tea cup almost fall down. Luckily left on plate.

"Princess Alexia. Please do not tell it like it's truth."

"It is truth." Said firmly.

Why is Alexia so calm when she speaks it? How is the spirit of that monster bound to Claire? How?

Her other side of cold judging in Jack the Ripper mask is doubting strong.

"Do you have any proof that she could use blood magic?"

"She used blood magic few times by me."

"Then why did she went on rampage?"

"I've got no idea. She said that Aurora will keep an eye on her and protect…"

"Did Aurora found some danger and took her out of coma?"

"Good point but what is the threat that keeps Aurora's guard and making ruckus in capital?" Alexia seems sharper than a week ago.

Both their brains cannot build a good theory.

What if visit ruined places? Check magic trails.

So they went to nearest one to be back dorm before curfew.

 

Well, well. Younger princess of this country and a rather high noble.

Unit 101 and 102. Follow them to their homes. If you are found, run to the groups and make a ruckus in city.

"Maya. How is the capitol?"

"We've found king Klaus and princess Iris. We have live video and sound."

"Well done. Now we only need to make sure they are engaging into action."

"What are you planning for night?"

"Get some building material and practice fight after."

"Do you have some combat experience?"

"I trained with chief and was polishing your moves."

Yeah. It's time to warm up.

 

Evening at the certain library.

"Look at this. Do you think it will save few months for kingdom?"

"You know. There is a legend of an ancient civilization destroyed by the mist dragon. The land of Alexandria. People from the Cult and close to them should know this legend."

"Ekhem…" Jerry giggled.

Oh. what an irony of accident herself.

"You only need material?"

"In that question. Yes."

"Any other?"

"I want to spar with you…" Tama didn't let him finish.

"Got it."

"Eh?"

Not much further from library through underground tunnels two figures are arriving to the old, forgotten part of. Many old crates of not seen materials are lying. Not much of new stuff but many of it will be useful.

After quick assessment next stop. The exercise chamber. Big enough to fit a platoon of soldiers. Walls and corners to simulate tactics.

"Tama may I see your sword? How strong are usual swords here?"

"Sure."

Conclusion was brutal. Kvaser needed personalized sword to properly work and vice versa. Tama had problem with magic circuits of kvaser's sword. That meant loosing sword was a life threat.

"One more thing Kvaser. Your swords are much tougher than a sword of typical dark knight and probably similar to the ones from the higher cult members."

"So the knight without a sword is rather useless."

"Most likely."

"Do they have anything else?"

"Only guns but they are still in development."

Not much more to talk. Half of the night is left for training.

Tama is strengthening his body and pumping magic into a sword. Kvaser is doing something opposite. He is taking a stand and ready his sword. Only tiny bits pulses of magic are circulating now. Then.

Clash. Two swords have hit each other. Bounced. From high slash to low slash and then push. Tama instinctively backed a meter.

"Wow. What is that? I've never seen technique like this."

"You've backed there. You saw some magic?"

"Very faintly despite my ability."

"So it is as intended."

"Intended?"

"Yes. This body is build like this to cover as much internal magic as possible."

Tama thought a while what to say.

"You… probably only Knights of Rounds would saw it. It is not something a normal human can do to hide this well."

After a moment Tama suddenly attacked Kvaser.

Sound of scratching mithrill. Left hand of Kvaser deflected sword and in a split second taken sword but it was his right hand to reach Tama's stomach.

Tama was dumbfounded. He never seen anything like this but that one time when Iris Midgar lost to Mundane Mann.

"You, what is your style?" Hesitantly asked by Tama.

"It's a mix of everything what I was taught."

"Who was your teacher?"

"One of the best non special operatives platoon from army. Bunch of wonderful guys."

"Best non special… operatives? And golems. Did you try to build an army like from Natsume's novel Solaris?"

Solaris? Why it sound so familiar? Need to take a look.

"Solaris. Haven't seen it yet. Do you by any chance have this book? And yeah we tried to build the army."

"It happens that I've got this book upstairs. One last round?"

"Yes."

Kvaser let more magic to spill but Tama was not enough in shape to bring on someone who was designing battle robots. Equipped with knowledge of professionals and AI.

Result was almost cut head of Tama. Sword of Kvaser stopped just right to his neck.

 

That is a… ripoff. The author was Stanislaw Lem and his book very resembles this one. How this got in here?

"Maya. Please add this book to the protocol of world transferring."

"Any particular description?"

"This book is a very possible ripoff of earth one of the same title." Sad suggestively.

"Do you suggest something?"

"Yeap. Someone must have written this book anew here. And this someone is Natsume Kafka. Organize some units to check on her."

Ok. How is city doing?

Wow. Seems Blood Witch is working. Her aura suddenly appeared. Next. Lanterns are going closer to her but keep on distance. Two, no three are closer but they also are doing nothing, maybe I'll observe them from distance.

Kvaser is setting for a high spot on clock tower. Looking like freshly repaired. It's dominating the city but may in the near future it will be filling with buildings half of the height. There is also a giant hole not so far from. But what was the source?

Observation. Eyes are working great. With sharp view, faces should be visible. They are not. Everyone of them is clad in dark. Working silently bringing down interrupters. It seems it's better not to come closer to them.

Black coats. Faces non visible. Presentless. Working in the night. It seems it is Shadow Garden which Tama told me about. What's more interesting they are the lanterns.

Then one shade from front looked on the tower. Like there was something interesting.

What is going here. It looked on me. One of the brightest lantern. Better I'll hide.

Later two elves checked the tower. But only to find an unnoticeable amount of magic trail. Not known which was more disappointed the taller that someone have slipped under her eyes or the lower one that readings from device are absolutely non readable.

 

"Master I've got connection between Shadow Garden and Mitsugoshi Co."

"Is Mitsugoshi a cover for Shadow Garden?"

"Most likely. I've checked maps of lanterns to this city. Half of the lanterns are there."

"This is a good news but better if Tama would not know that. If that information leaks somewhere their life will be tough."

"What are you going to do now?"

"I'm making an attention device."

"This one?"

"Yes, this one."

Maya for the first time had a some sort of mixed feeling. What Jerry is about to do seems like waste of resources.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version A.5.1.

Chapter 11: Anxiety in Midgar Capital 2

In last few days situation in capitol thickened. Anxiety is growing up. The king is being pushed to deploy the army even if it's a week before last decision. For now. He sees hope in keeping the army in the country if this ruckus will go stronger but without serious danger cult won't be convinced.

There is also princess Iris which Cult has a big influence on her. She would go on to patrol city. If she had won she would get the throne surely. But she vanished two days ago. So the Cult lost some leverage.

From reports of Iris it is just caused by the Shadow Garden. The very opposite tells his private investigation team. It looks like the unknown third force entered. Shadows are only keeping an eye on its moves.

He hasn't spoke to his other daughter for a long time either. She trains her sword, learns many kind of studies spending every bit of time. But there is not a sign of establishing connection with Shadow Garden. Because if not that the risk of silencing her by the Cult keeps growing day by day.

"It seem like fog will cover Midgar today's morning."

 

"I do say it's stupid. At least steer it remotely."

"I have a jet pack. Nobody will go ballistic trajectory. Keep an eye on surroundings."

"Ehhh… Fog is coming." The first part with a heavy sigh.

Some giant machine started to warming up. Water around starts to boil. Its wings are rising above the water. In air silently whooshing through fog unseen. Finally settling above the sky of the clock tower.

"Begin step 2." His voice sounded low and heavy serious.

Maya never a heard voice like that. It might have meant that Jerry is about to do something with full focus but reality comes with flaws.

Suddenly when everyone was about to wake up got shivers. A thick killing intent is flowing over Midgar Capital. Animals are trying to hide or run. From fog above the clock tower a powerful roar woke up everybody and a resonant voice have spilled over the city.

"HEAR YE, HEAR YE, PEOPLE OF THIS KINGDOM! THOU ART ABOUT TO DISAPPOINT THINE LIEGE ONCE MORE. I, THE DRAGON OF MIST, COMMAND THEE TO SHOWCASE THY MARTIAL PROWESS UPON THE MORROW! A GRAND EXHIBITION OF BATTLE SHALL UNFOLD WITHIN THE VERY WALLS OF THE CAPITOL!"

Next powerful roar is sending people deeper in shock. The king kicked himself out of bed and almost has fallen on knees seeing a giant dragon like shadow in fog. The legend has returned.

He was not wrong. Soon after cult's envoy has come.

As he hoped the cult has come to him to organize the greatest warriors from this city. So Cult is scared for real and has something here that cannot be moved from here over night.

But there is one problem. The greatest knight of this country Iris Midgar has vanished. Witnesses saw only a dim blue and green flashes and never seen her again. It was unthinkable that Iris could lost a fight. So the news was meticulously hidden.

City is in chaos. People don't know why but they want to escape as quickly as they can. Tomorrow city might be over.

 

Mitsugoshi's secret office. Atmosphere here is tensioned. Many new numbers have been surprised this morning. After quick intervention of Alpha they were put to help evacuate city. No. 711 and 712 were joined to this sudden meeting. Kai, Omega, Nu were also accompanying Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Epsilon and Eta. Few other numbers were keeping guard on mitsugoshi's mall.

"Listen everybody. It's very likely that someone within the cult has rebelled against."

Epsilon who has arrived here last night is sending Alpha an asking gaze.

"Last night we found the library which no. 711 and 712 were supposed to investigate today's evening is hosting an unknown individual that very probably is responsible for morning alarm."

Those two numbers think they are lucky now because that individual has spread so much killing intent they cannot imagine what it would do to them in fight.

"By magic no one could saw him…"

"Not only.. by magic. We lost.. him from view.. just observing.. him." Has cut in Eta.

Epsilon feels that this is why she was called in such a hurry.

Someone with invisibility skill or fast like Shadow but the second is rather impossible. What is even more suspicious is his aura. If he really is responsible for this morning it makes him powerful at Alpha's level.

"Mission at library is canceled."

"How did you connect this individual from library to this morning?" Epsilon asks.

Alpha has a grievous face. That means.

"It's only my presumption."

A door knocking. An elf has a letter from anonymous. After safety check Alpha reads its content.

 

"Good morning Mitsugoshi or I would rather say Shadow Garden."

 

Please don't mind me. I'm simply helping fulfill someone's revenge on the cult. Please keep fries from intervening. Hope you will help me with my small theater tomorrow. I'll make sure to return the princess after. When I leave Midgar the Blood Witch should get back to normal. It seems that her state was my fault after coming too close to Midgar unaware. I believe it's all what you need to know.

 

My regards,

NN.

 

P.S.

Sorry for that situation. I carried over some of unknown magic."

 

Everyone is silent. Someone apparently connected Mitsugoshi and Shadow Garden. And he is even bolder to tell to help him.

Alpha is the only one cold thinking.

"Eta look at this. Was it written by master Shadow?"

Eta takes the letter and is looking from every side possible. She even put some device on the table and monocle. Everyone is in tension to the very last word from Eta.

"This is.. not a master.. writing."

"So it's really a fourth side as Gamma predicted." Says Alpha.

Everyone is asking Alpha by gaze what to do now.

"We are taking a part in performance. I'll personally make sure to deal with that individual."

If Alpha says she means it. Plan is set. Everyone on position tomorrow morning.

Epsilon is going with Alpha to see few places where individual was seen. Nothing particular was found. Trails of magic strangely resembling Aurora's suddenly cuts after few meters away despite Claire's unique magic that is all over.

"If he said the truth he have mastered his aura to bait Blood Witch and hide to escape from place."

"Eta could not interpret what she has found before you."

"Strange for her."

"Indeed. Do you think he somehow was carrying a piece of Aurora's magic unconsciously?"

"He mastered magic aura as or better than you and me."

"Do you believe letter's content?"

"I would like to meet face to face."

"I will."

"Please refrain from coming close without my permission."

 

Room under the clock tower changed furniture a bit. The man is still strapped to the bed. Many lab coats are around him discussing morning event.

"Mr Loki. He is calm now but bruises have spread again."

"Keep him alive. I don't want to lose him."

"We heard what happened over the tower this morning. At the same time he went into agony again like the rest of the week. Do you think the Mist Dragon have returned in the form of a human?"

"I've looked over Midgar but I did not find it what he described. Shadow Garden has been keeping Blood Witch safe. Some details are not fitting. Seems someone is provoking Blood Witch and Shadow Garden used advantage over the Cult's situation. Tomorrow I'll personally check if it was the Mist Dragon or someone else."

Loki's eyes sharpened. A very demanding fight with unknown is coming.

"I do not remember where Alexandria was though. Something is not in place."

If this aura is really worth. Ancient creature on display. Great research material. If not it still should be something to stretch my bones on.

 

"Maya, great job with that voice manipulation. Thanks God for this steel butt of mine."

"You almost scared them to death. Evacuation is running since morning. Even news are shorter and tender towards evacuation."

"How is the king?"

"In capitol and won't go out from talk in office."

"Was the Cult there?"

"Yes. It seems the army was pushed to keep in city for some reason."

"This is surprising. I thought they will abandon city after all."

"Me too. Now we need to finish what you started."

"Is Hexe at designated location?"

"Yes. She will emerge with seconds accuracy so be precise."

"That's exciting. Oh. Fog is starting to form. Two hours left."

 

Last train has left in the middle of the night. The city is under evacuation even if fog is thick as milk and nothing can be seen more than 5 meters away. Sun still needs some time to rise. What's more exhausting is frost. Only torches mark the trails of roads and gives some warm.

Aura of blood lust suddenly arose over Midgar. It is coming. The Mist Dragon.

Giant roars and long hisses are spreading over all Midgar circling around to capitol.

 

On the other side in fog.

"How is the scan?"

"Looks good. Army is spread around capitol and lower castle. Special knights are with the king in high castle. Shadow Garden is there also."

"Soon you will have to take over steering to enter the castle."

"With pleasure. Stun guns are ready?"

"Yes. So please land where we are supposed to and hide after."

"No problem."

Everyone in throne room seems so tense that one drop of sweat would cause panic. Coming roar vanished a minute ago after coming so close.

Then sudden hit in tower moved them of stand. Few fell.

Windows broken from side in.

Nobody except king was brought to knees with roar that pierced in their ears then they fell on the ground.

So immediately shadows circled around those man and taken them away.

King is stunned. Shadow Garden used the mist dragon to bring capitol down. Was he too undecided that now his life is over?

"Sorry for the intrusion great king of this land."

What? Where was that voice from? Dragon did not open his mouth.

Then something is coming down from the dragon.

Is it Shadow himself?

He comes under the stairs and makes a bow then kneel on one knee.

"My name is Echo. I was fulfilling someones wish. Wish to destroy the Cult of Diablos. I decided to act now because my recent arrival caused Blood Witch to rise. When I leave Midgar Blood Witch will calm down."

King Klaus is totally surprised but why is next shadow coming to him?

"Are you not Shadow? Then who are you?"

"Yes, he is not Shadow." Suddenly some shadow is greeting the king.

Dragon rider is taking his hood of.

""Who are you?""

Alpha and Klaus asked a question simultaneously.

"I'm only a shell of my old forgotten myself. A being locked in armor for eternity. Please, king Klaus Midgar, use this occasion to break relationship with the Cult of Diablos."

"I will. But what happened to princess Iris?"

Alpha and king are looking at Echo for an answer.

"She is safe in custody under this address."

He is handing over a piece of paper to Alpha.

"What? What are you going to do now?" Ask Alpha first.

"I'll make sure not to come closer to Midgar again. I don't want to cause more ruckus than needed."

"It seems I won't meet you later. So I'll ask it now. How did you found out us?"

King is stunned with what he heard. That meant Shadow Garden has join his plan somehow.

"It's simple. My sight is something unique. I see you as a very bright lanterns. Midgar people were only a dim candles to me. Whenever you go I just see you."

Echo stands up. Bows one more and says…

"King, let me excuse myself before Bloody Witch comes here. Please make sure that you will eradicate Cult from this place. They always were disappointing. Eternal life is not worth it."

So he opened his back pack and flew out of the window. But why not dragon haven't flew just right after him? And was looking at Alpha?

Alpha looked in a given piece of paper.

 

"If you need this dragon it will be on call. It will wait until you command it. Please touch his middle chest scale to link. If you want you can also call me with it."

 

Alpha comes to the dragon placing her hand on it.

"I'm under your command to help to keep the dragon over Midgar. I'll take my leave until I'm needed."

The dragon has left and talked with pride for people of Midgar.

"HEAR YE, PEOPLE OF THIS LAND! YOUR KING'S KNIGHTS HAVE FOUGHT WITH VALOR THIS DAY. THEY HAVE EARNED MY RESPECT AND, BY EXTENSION, MY CONTINUED PROTECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PACT MADE BETWEEN MYSELF AND YOUR KING OF OLD. AS PER OUR LONGSTANDING AGREEMENT LET YOUR KING BE PRAISED FOR THIS!"

"May I know your name young lady from Shadow Garden?" Asks politely king Klaus.

She looked at him.

"I'm Alpha. The second in command in the Shadow Garden."

"Can we start talks about this situation?"

"Soon but now we need to take one witch down."

 

Wow. What a spectacle. Dragon. Ancient being of some sort. But why did he gave me that letter to send it to Mitsugoshi. Did Alpha seriously hire that guy? Being locked in ancient armor. That was cool and theatrical.

New (scam) product of Mitsugoshi called popcorn has ended. Yet not kernel lost even after bumping into this sneaky guy.

Don't like stealing from me. Off with his head.

Boom. Next hole in the throne room.

Is that Claire? What is she doing here? Hm… those tentacles… from where I recall them?

Quite a while later.

Ah. These like of this spirit from Lindwurm.

"What was her name?"

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version B.5.1.

Chapter 12: The East Land

"Why did you lend her that dragon?"

"It's a symbol. The symbol of change in this country. It's its warranty."

"Where are we going now?"

"The fog region. Hexe course on fog region. Before we enter there I'll make those radars."

"Aye, aye sir. Course 3 2 0 full ahead. Periscope depth."

"Tomorrow we should meet with U02 and U03."

"How is the weather near bunker."

"Not good for sailing. Storm, winds up to 120 kph, waves 30 meters tall and winter is coming faster there than we expected."

"Thanks for report. It seems that getting back there is rather not feasible now."

After the moment of thought.

"How is the project of floating harbor?"

"It's on hold to spring."

"Ok. How is the situation on mines?"

"Underground mines are working fine. Opened might stop for winter depending of snow depth."

"Before I'll go designing magic radar please focus on Oriana region."

"More details please."

"Set gliders around. Main focus is the north west region. If there is a war soon I don't want to be got caught there."

"Yes. I estimate that you enter Oriana region in three weeks. About fifty gliders should be there."

 

Lanterns are constantly moving so their location might be very useful. Alpha did not try to stop me, which is concerning that I know their identity. Maybe that was Shadow itself hiding in the ceiling corner and he let me go?

So the work has begun. First part is causing the most of the troubles.

How do I perceive them? Did not looked into that until discovering that my sight is only a view range with pretty constant ability to see in distance.

Why do I need to focus so much to see them? I did not need so much on earth. Articore effect? Cause I'm no more human? Are they blending better in higher mana concentration on this world?

Wait. Magi lens were in use in our department. How did they work?

Hm…

"Jerry we are meeting with other subs in hour." Says Hexe. Not knowing how someone can be drenched in thought.

"WAKE UP!" Shouts Maya.

"W-w-w-wha. What is it?"

"We've just met with U02 and U03."

"Eh? How long was I in thought?"

"A whole day." Comments Maya.

"Oh. I've just realized that radars need some wonder material."

"Do you mean marium won't be enough?"

"Pretty much. In current technology Midgar city would be a blob."

"It looks like there is another factor looking at your notes."

"It's something that is entangled in articore itself but I cannot catch it."

"I thought you know articore through and through."

"I thought the same but it seem there is more to it than we designed it. I wish Gota to be here."

An atmosphere of dead point goes around sub. Nobody there have a slightest clue about this phenomena of seeing those lanterns.

"Maya, Hexe. Take U03 in Oriana's deeper shore. In meantime check condition of fake mist dragon."

"Aye, aye Sir."

"I'll prepare remote check."

"Good, continue to the east land."

 

And so few days have past contemplating and helping Maya with remote check.

Something is not right. This feeling, where did I feel that?

Ship, that damn ship. Its relates are everywhere. Tama said something about city destroyed by Shadow and hidden sanctuary. We are pretty close.

"Hexe stop. Prepare to surface. Only hatch."

"Aye, aye Sir. What are you up to so sudden?"

"It seems we are pretty close to Lindwurm destroyed by Shadow."

"There must be something more."

"There is. Maya this place has the same similar aura to sunken ship. Want to check its source."

"Are taking jet pack?"

"Yes. Prepare second in case of emergency."

Hatch opens. Kvaser flies off to Lindwurm. Close to the ground navigating between higher trees and hills. Behind him flies spare jet pack. Before arrival aura is masked and... landing.

In the moonlight night there is Lindwurm. It look like a flood had taken place. City is still getting back on its legs. On the one side of the city is a giant and long dam. It's broken in few places.

Hm… that evil aura is coming from behind the dam. Under the lake. I'll focus and analyze what is left.

Not much there. Only ruins and giant hole in it. Everything under water. It seems that source evaporated. Only a traceable amount of magic is left. Not much to see more I guess…

Shivers and cold sweat have suddenly came to Jerry.

Run! Run, run, ruuuun!

Jet pack with full force have ripped kvaser from the ground. Just under his legs a mystique fog has appeared.

What was that? That fog. Its dangerous feeling. What is going there? Red shapes are appearing inside fog. Fuck. I don't want to be close this place anymore.

With full force of jet pack Jerry is flying emergency bait route.

What wasn't seen was a little girl like from a horror movie. Long violet hairs covering face, one piece white shirt and a piece of rod from rusted cage in hand.

 

While cooling down on U02 now it arrives to fog region next evening.

"You still have no idea what happened there? I did not see anything particular there before you."

"With a whole frustration I must say. Better not to see into it now. Aura in this fog contained so condensed magic that Tama would probably call that a demonic one. Also it's rather human thing to feel danger by aura. Learn from it Maya."

"I am."

"Hexe. Periscope depth. Low over water. Be as sneaky as possible and watch for anything. We are pretty close to where lanterns were showing up."

The Sheet is sailing along the shore. Fog behaves strange. It is cutting rather clean near the shore. Then there is the fog ahead. It is spreading onto water and going The Second way.

"Hexe. Go on the side of this fog. Better not to crush in anything."

Fog seems not so thick above water.

"Does sonar pick something up?"

"Faint echo. Probably some migrating fish."

"Keep your focus on head and right."

Not so long after a ship came onto sonar. When it was closer the fog around it has vanished. Leaving the ship fully visible.

Decision was made to avoid any possible contact. Periscope was down and sub was just silently sailing in cover of the fog. When ship was far behind the fog came back. Some time later it has disappeared. It is a rather suspicious activity.

Sailing so at the edge of the fog the sub arrives to the shallower water. Few drones, spiders and one unit was set before.

Unfortunately for them this fog left some damage. The least was left on unit. Very minor corrosion marks. Set later with countermeasure in form of active mesh applied on half of the body quickly showed result and even repelled some of the fog. So kvaser can without any significant problem enter the fog.

Forest which he entered was nothing like before. Trees, bushes, weed, everything is looking like poisoned despite its first look. Faint fog restrains sight. Magic draft in air would confuse feel of navigation in many creatures. If poison was not enough.

Thankfully gyros are working fine. This magic draft would deceive to nothingness. If they are regularly going through this fog they must have some clear road.

Many hours later. One road was found but it was very faint.

This should be enough. I only hope there is not some training ground ahead.

 

The numbers are attending the last training before departure to Oriana. 30 numbers were assigned different tasks. Particular three needed to take down elite golem made by Eta few weeks ago. It is sad that it stood Lambda for few minutes. The challenge was enormous. Without no. 711 and 712 also known as daughter and mother it will be much more difficult than last time.

 

There IS training ground. This is not good. I'll take some of those shells and make something similar. Hope there won't be training today. Eventually I'll blend if needed.

Wait why is this fog thinning?

 

Still no sign of the main golem. Seems all smaller are already down. Then one leaf on the ground turned her attention. It was stepped on by something heavy, torn apart. Now team has a trail.

Only one thing was unusual. Even elite golem would still left many trails.

There it is. Visual contact. Quick message to two other teams is send. And the last task is beginning.

Third team raised some suspicion. Its aura or rather its lack resembled nothing like before. Probably Eta took that golem seriously like Lambda said. But what is with his back? Quietly they've started the attack from the front.

Two blades emerged from the back of this thing. So fast that their blades were repelled with an immense force sending both of them far away.

Third one a rather clever rabbit beast-kin was send at the back to deliver the final blow like no. 712 did last time.

But deadly blow was countered by his… leg. Unnaturally long leg or was it something else? No matter it her abdomen was hit with so much force it broke at least 4 ribs and perforated some guts. She retreated with help of two other numbers.

"Need to take her away fast! Those two teams are much better than we. I'm staying here only. Please report to general Lambda." Said leader number from second team.

"Yes ma'am."

"What?" What she saw unbelievable. That golem just took down those two that attacked first and threw them on trees.

She went to help the first team. She was extremely fast jumping all around to misdirect it. The other number from the first team went doing the same on the opposite side.

The other two went with finest blades on it.

Crash! Two swords hit the wall. Those two have absolutely not made an impression on it.

Then with dancing blades two runners taken chance to attack blind spots while it was engaged.

Swoosh. Clang. Scrape itching ears. One number is in the air. It is one of those from the front. She grunts and her arm is dangling. Even slime won't help much.

How is this happening? This battle is not lasting even 30 seconds and 6 numbers are already down. She grinds her teeth. Fasten the grip and sends as much magic as possible to destabilize its posture.

When she almost had made it two other kicked him. It made a back flip.

Attack. Two blades reached for uncovered part of shoulders. Third went for core in its chest.

Two swords have passed its swords with slight scrape just in the target.

"Got it!!!" The third sword was arriving.

"Hah! Gotcha." It made a voice. Golems never told a word. Lambda was enough to cause mental trauma.

Those two swords never landed in its shoulders in the end. It grabbed their heads and collided with each other.

Before they thumped onto ground. Her last attack. Sword was caught tight that she leaned towards it with her momentum.

It caught her head and threw on tree nearby. She felt a horrible pain though it was not her spine on the tree. Her face. Bruises have appeared on her face cutting her sight significantly.

She haven't made the last thought though as she went unconscious.

 

Lambda arrived on the scene like from a horror. She was used to see corpses in fatal state but that was completely different. Her disciples were seriously beaten and in most unconscious and three had visible possession symptoms.

No one saw where the golem went. What is more suspicious is those bruises. How did they got possessed again?

Questions inside her head were only multiplying.

"Eta what did you created this time?"

Wait, could it be even Eta's creation or someone else is involved?

"Get them as fast as you can to hospital 3."

As she was going back to the hospital her closed eye did not let her go smooth. She almost tripped herself few times what was not something in her book.

"What is this… piece of armor?"

 

It backfired. Without this made on place armor from that golem we would hide really fast. Instead we were attacked. Some pieces lost in fight. Luckily gyroscope worked really good and we are not lost. Batteries seems fine also. They should keep for at least a half hour in that tempo.

It was difficult not to mess them badly but it seems my magic still somehow caused some of them to get symptoms of possession. Especially that last one. I hope that Shadow Garden won't realize that was me from Midgar.

Maya was hard to convince but fog investigation goes on.

After dropping the last piece of borrowed armor kvaser is moving freely. Maneuvering through fog he arrives on quite a spectacular view.

A simple but majestic castle on the mountain. Training grounds on the one side and farming land on the other. Everything bathed in moonlight. In the middle of it stands a really high figure.

"It's the Shadow's statue Maya. It's so audacious."

"Now you see why you should keep far from them."

"Original plan was to check what was wrong with this fog land that everything was vanishing on the radar."

"Seems we found half of the truth but it seems the second piece is the Mist Dragon himself from the legend that Tama told. What are you up to now?"

"I'll make a scan. Keep watch."

About one hundred shadows were present at now. They are working like in a nest. A lot of resources are prepared to be send to Oriana on last two ships.

No one from Seven Shadows was on place. Without Epsilon or Alpha curing possession was almost impossible. Lambda was stuck with a bad situation. Those three with possession were supposed to go to Oriana tomorrow. Seems that they will have to be treated in Midgar. Last letter suggest that Alpha will be staying in Midgar capital.

Decision seemed simple, just deliver injured to Alpha but what will be consequences? These symptoms are not usual signs of possession from her knowledge. What will happen in a week of travel?

Knock, knock.

"It's My, Mist Dragon."

What, what he wants?

It's really unusual for him to reach her office room.

"Please come in."

The mist so thick that it taken a form of rather well built old man in a grayish gold suit entered Lambda's room office. It was his effect of daily training after a day with Epsilon.

"Welcome, Mist Dragon. What brings you here?"

"Good evening. I felt something was off and it seems that my feel was on spot."

Lambda was grinning inside. He was always observing. He pointed many mistakes during training. A very observant being.

"As you probably know we might have someone inside that turned against Shadow Gar…" He stopped her.

"Not anyone from your Shadow Garden is responsible for this." Lambda is stumbled. If he says it this must be a truth.

"Do you mean someone from outside infiltrated Alexandria?"

"Yes. He hides his aura. Goes through mist like it is nothing and even I cannot see him. Apparently he did not kill your mates. I felt it only shortly but it used its magic like Shadow but it also contained some demon aura from few thousand years ago. I really want to meet this entity."

Lambda was intrigued. Injuries were intentional to only immobilize and its aura was somehow mixed.

Knocking to the door. Five fast knocks.

"Mist Dragon. May I ask you to accompany me to the hospital?"

"I will."

They arrived to hospital in south west corner of the castle. They listened to the report of everyone but one with face injury. She was still unconscious.

Reports, though short they contained a description of skilled martial artist what was alarming. Master Shadow is a great martial artist in Alpha's stories but its appearance still fits golem's. It lost some pieces of armor but Eta never sad anything about this capability. Two numbers from her team at Alexandria were investigating those pieces.

One elf comes to the room. She is with the report of found pieces of armor.

Information are intriguing. Pieces of armor were ripped from some leftover golems from previous training and contained signs of modifying to make clamping cover of them.

Dragon feels that he is far back in that technology thing. Someone apparently by magic modified armor's pieces to wear them. It was old technique known and used by only few he met.

 

Working his way to the castle was surprisingly easy. Everyone in was so in hurry that their movement was almost like flying. Only like 30 beings were at castle itself. Rest was on lower levels. Step by step avoiding them and traps Kvaser found medical bay.

He found them beaten. That one with broken arm seemed fine. Those two with injured head also looked good but something was off. The last one. Her head is swollen, brown, bruises all around. What connects last three of them is possession symptoms. From light to rather severe.

"Maya what do you think of that? I feel kind of guilty looking at this."

"You rather cannot reverse effects."

Moving silently Kvaser reaches for the biggest victim.

"What are you up to?"

"Please keep eye on those two. They should not move but I want to be sure the don't try anything foolish."

Kvaser is reaching his hands over her with number 444 on the sign. Magic is bursting inside her. Analysis takes a lot of time. Bit by bit it appears that magic inside her is trying to expand to its other state and that causes to deformation of the body. It simply cannot contain it.

Maybe I'll just try to suppress and she will get back to normal.

Effect was rather half success from that bottom side.

It seems she will get back to this state in the matter of hours. Face deformation still did not disappear.

Hm…?

"Maya, may you assist me?"

"With half power…"

"That will be enough."

Struggle, really delicate struggle. Piece by piece. First her magical veins, next blood streams, muscles and skin. Everything's taken precise actions to fix her state. Lucky two other elves were enough good state that they were a good platform to compare. And making ultimate sure not to emit anything that resembles that evil aura from fight.

It seems it's done. I'll check one more place close nearby and…

He felt two powerful figures are approaching medical bay. Place he wanted to visit was connected by some tunnel outside the wall. He rushed through the window onto the one trapdoor and fell in without a warning.

"Shit, I didn't expect this." This part was stretched as Kvaser was falling down unknown.

And so he fell inside a dim room.

Crack!

Something under him is smashed. Some lab cart.

It's rather dark. Not a problem for kvaser. View was astonishing though not about the range and quality but the content of this room. An array of glass tubes filled with some moving gooey mass.

That is not good I dropped into some laboratory or factory. Seems no alarm is active but you never know. That amount of this mass in these containers is very suspicious. It moves like lava lamp but also seems to swim inside.

"Maya what do you think is in these containers?"

"Slime, based on my knowledge from books."

"It looks like a lot of it. It's not a research amount. It's more like mass producing."

"Approximately 100 cubic."

"So it must has some utilization use."

Knock. Few steel plates fell and sound went through all room.

"I did not move anything."

Something is not right. Kvaser looked at table he landed on. Two small storage glass cylinders with leftover slime in broken.

"Maya, full focus and wide spectrum. Take and analyze fast sample from that broken glass."

"Yes. As fast as I can."

Jerry anticipates that slime here might be something more than a generous in wildlife. He is not wrong.

Blob, blob coming from behind a corner.

Swoosh. Slime is jumping on kvaser.

Fire and vapor is appearing.

Nice Maya. Vaporizing them is a good tactic. Nothing will stand against a temperature of plasma. Wait a sec. This is interesting.

Kvaser is melting something that is similar to magic core and he is taking a good amount of what is left from slime.

"For what are taking so much of it?" Maya is curiously asking.

"The amount of it is interesting. I want to know what was so much slime wanted for."

Knock. Bang. Creaking doors. Some people are going in.

"Maya. Prepare for escape with combat."

 

Lambda went to check Eta's laboratory underground. Place was extremely dangerous for any living creature since two months. Slime there were mostly for processing purposes but latest combat version of slime got shivers even to her. Called Khimaira basica was developed to be send at enemies for suffocating them. Two lab members avoided death by some unknown miracle.

Coming in. His aura is almost invisible. Step by step not to disturb anything living here.

Poke.

"Ah." With silent scream come from her mouth.

Only a slime in tube.

She turns her head on right. What she is seeing is not a good news. Broken tray, slime tubes and strange foot marks. Two problems. Intruder and two khimaira slime on loose.

Full focus. Not to let it come at you.

Something moved. Smack. Some plates from other tray fell. Heart skipped a beat.

Small blob sound from above. She backed as fast she could but not enough. What to do? She capped her head with her own slime suit. Khimaira is trying to get to her head. It is trying to melt her slime. Her ideas are on the bottom of the bucket. She decides to use heat up slime her own hand and scare this slime but even before she could made to her hand.

A light so bright that it shined through slime came in front of her face. She decided to squat in the last moment but coming light blinded her view. She bumped back of her head on the floor.

Her heart was beating fast. She thought of her brothers and sisters fallen in battle but they never came.

She is calming.

"W-What?" She still was not sure she is alive.

She is looking for khimaira slime on her head but nothing is present. A peak. Nothing. Look around. Nothing. Slime is gone. Intruder is gone. She is feeling like after worst training day.

One number from research team come for her.

Apparently intruder escaped with unimaginable speed that even Mist Dragon was left behind.

What is coming next was really unexpected. She went to hospital corner to question numbers.

Answers were unthinkable. They were so frightened that they decided to lie in bed and escape in suitable moment if he makes any bad move. They did not though because the same golem that send them to hospital started looking all of them and treating one.

Lambda's mind was in blank corner. What was its purpose? Sneaked into Alexandria. Do not kill. Non visible aura. Healing with a rather good result. Saving her from slime. Someone from cult would kill witnesses. Not from cult. But it clearly was checking this land.

She decides to send radio telegram to Midgar directly.

 

to alpha / we had intruder / his aura non visible / looks like golem / he did not killed anyone / he treated symptoms of possession of one of us / he saved my life from khimaira / probably outsider not cult member / contact in hour ship carpe diem / lambda /

 

Ship carpe diem is going to sea two hours before morning. Lambda and three injured elves are on board.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version C.5.1.

Chapter 13: Restless Sea

Water is almost boiling from the atmosphere of scolding.

Kvaser is currently on the bottom of the sea and is waiting for U01 which waited in south part of canal from fog territory.

Scolding is like mom's when she sees her dear child after the party. Keeping road sign, with ripped pants, bruises on face and morning visit by police. Pretty much nothing good.

U01 picked silently kvaser from the bottom of the sea and set course on Laugus the Academic City.

Laugus is the next place on the list to visit. Tama told that science there has been prosperous for many decades. He mentioned that I might go to visit central academy of Laugus. He wanted me to visit library E specifically and there are many subjects I might be interested in. But his instructions are, well rather from under the desk.

Now we are a week before arriving to Oriana water territory. I really hope that we won't get caught in the middle of battle. U03 is three days ahead so we've got some advantage.

 

Oriana's south water is rather safe. Day later velgalta's fleet appeared on the horizon. Though their ships are clearly prepared in rush. Filled with soldiers thirsty for war. They are heading to Oriana capital. Shadow Garden has many ships operating so they should be dominating here.

Three days later U01 registered ten velgaltan ships sunken. Later U02 registered only five was still on course on Oriana.

Soon after gliders arrived and started to make chain communication around Oriana. One still had a few hundred kilometers of range despite being submerged. That went above any expectations.

Hour by hour, day by day U03, U01 and U02 were sailing just above the bottom of the sea. Over the half of the velgaltan ships were sunken but no many Oriana ships were seen.

Few days after U03 was out of military zone. U01 and U02 are just half a day apart now. But as always something must get not the right way.

"Urgent report. U03 was attacked!" Shouted Maya out of the blue, so Jerry hit the ceiling while researching slime.

"What's the situation?"

"Hit by something. Retreating to us over the water. Some unidentified object is following."

"Contact visible?"

"Not seen yet. It follows U03."

"We are settling down. Send U02 to bait it. We will enter from the second side. Get sonar ready. I want to hear what are they."

Jerry's put aside slime and taken to modify drones. He also seemed to be making some crystals but what they where for Maya could not understand.

A thrilling day later the Wolf Fleet started operation Fishing Rod. The attacker was still after U03. Visual observations brought a silhouette of a submarine. Sonar could not hear what they were using because U03 was jamming sound from this ship by it's own screw. But it was only a matter of the time before action. Additionally they used radio but decoding this is taking surprisingly long time.

Also in the meantime it occurred that two ships collided with theirs' sides. Attacker turned 180 degrees but U03 was faster and after doing the same he was already far ahead of him making the rest of the turn.

"U03. Kill the engine." Operation Fishing Rod has started.

U03 stopped the engine. The attacker was on sonar aim after 03's noise has quieten.

The sound was rather very known for Jerry. Combustion engine. Probably two inline diesel engines were running heavily after U03.

"Maya, those are diesel engines. A lot of knocking like in firsts engines so I'm surprised that they haven't broken on the run."

"So it's time to attack now."

"Indeed. U02 move. Hexe full ahead to circle it."

U01 and U02 started circling around the definitely confused attacker. In the meantime U01 is sending drones to see from up close what they were against.

Quite a large boat started to spray up in the air gigantic columns of water. They are about to dive but as of expected of aviation and drones they hit the side of the sub and ruptured fuel tanks with small explosion.

"What was that Jerry?" Maya is intrigued because Jerry stated that he will send these drones.

"Small explosives produced of crystals and secret sauce."

"What is this secret sauce? What did you do to those crystals?"

"That's a secret."

Enemy sub is going under water while leaving a trace of oil. Going underwater after the such long time chasing on diesel engines meant they could have full batteries. But while it is submerging the Wolf Fleet is spreading in two directions. U01 went silently for Laugus passing through far Velgalta's waters. Rest was sent west to bait enemy.

Two weeks later U01 arrived to the city of science. Laugus.

 

During these two weeks Jerry had a lot of study over the slime. How to research two cups of a… fortunately lifeless jelly.

Maya was surprised that Jerry did not ask for any help. Jerry's mind was certainly enough. He could make more and more. His mind was getting more thoughtful than ever. Creating concepts, algorithms, simulating, building. Many of these must have been performed on paper and computers. Everything was so much easier than back on earth in human body. He felt that inevitable changes are progressing. Is it good or he will lose human side of him? How far his part of articore will handle.

Slime was dead but stored in the container was keeping rather well.

Not much denser than water. Small cells making a jellylike structure. Twitching when teased with small amount of magic. Lets try to stretch it between hands. Fail. It flowed down. Like with child interest and research stubbornness, bit by bit particles were floating. Then toothpick amount. Then tip of the finger and finally some acceptable mass was floating between hands.

Maya was observing through cameras what was going on. He was like in trance. He did not lend any help of her. He limited her access on kvaser heavily. He was only glancing at this slime and seemingly playing with hands. Magic sensed by ship's sensors was not enough for her to understand what he was doing. He build some apparatus on cramped ship. Only after a week he went off table and said his word for her.

"Maya, we've got something unthinkable."

A voice so happy reached Maya who was very anxious about him.

"What have you discovered?"

"A very strong candidate for almost ideal magic conductor."

Maya has sighed with a great relief. It meant that he immersed himself in a serious study.

"What are you going to do with it?"

"Something great. Many great. But first we need slime. Seems we are not going to Laugus directly."

"In three days we will be near land. I feel you will want to hunt some slime. I also noticed radio transmissions but they do not work like on earth you said. At least part of them."

"Let me guess. Those weird are you not able to decode?"

"Indeed I can't."

"Store them for later. I once looked on them these are so weird that I'm not able to also."

Some time later on one isolated island a slime population dropped by half.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version D.5.1.

Chapter 14: Laugus the College Town

Laugus, the city where students are learning to push the world further. Hungry for knowledge. Ready to push their boundaries and widen horizon. Persistent to overcome every problem. And many investors ready to catch talented minds.

Hah!

The one word and the only comment which Jerry has about studying.

If you are not resourceful, stubborn and ether good at studying or being a dodger you can go back home. How is it looking on this world? Probably similar. I'll get to know later.

Tonight I'm making my visit to the central academy of Laugus but Tama's instructions are shady as heck.

 

Laugus is a lively place. Wherever sight is turn onto students are now entertaining themselves in pubs, theaters or just chilling and chatting on bench. Most of them are wearing academy's uniforms representing a specific academy.

 

Though over them in the cover of the night a shady part of the city is also more active albeit even more for the last half of the year. Madlid, Lawless City are lost cause for the cult. Shadow Garden is intensively eradicating their influence. War in Oriana seems to drain heavily their forces but just before invasion they won in Midgar. Loki's faction haven't contact with Laugus for three weeks already. Also his dear friend and foe Lutheran was gone.

Everything that would not boggle old man who was on retirement of being the Knights of Rounds but apparently Velgalta was trying to contact him. He still remembers words of his professor Laugus himself.

"There is so much to uncover. Free yourself."

Those words have been with him for over a thousand years but only few years ago he freed himself but what are they up to now?

He checks a letter by letter because even if there is a lot of cult's stuff he will check the content just in case.

One letter from Midgar has taken his interest. It was his old student. Though troublemaker he was a good student. This letter was different though. He stated that he met an ancient golem with mind of his creator from times where hero Olivier was finishing dealing with the Witch of Calamity. He instructed him to set the brick on certain windowsill before sunset.

"Why was this message coded so hard?"

Weeks later when he was about to leave his office he looked one more time on the window on the opposite side of green square park and there it is. A brick.

"So it's real. It seems I need to visit library E."

Walking through empty corridors he was looking at paintings of his predecessors. Most of them were the cult's members. They preserved status quo for thousands of years. He watch them born, uprising and dying. At 1000 years old he decided to step down from cult primary member. That life was full of conspiracies and internal argues. He used his remained power to take the steer of the Laugus University to oversee the new small root of people that might push the world ahead. That was his image of retirement.

Library E was in the competencies of Smith Department. If he send him to this library that means he might interested in this one the most.

Library is behind a door. Though there is no presence felt inside.

Clack. The door is opening.

"Good evening." He hoped for the answer.

"Good evening." His voice was unnatural. Accent is completely unrecognizable.

He is at desk with an open book. As he answered he moved a little on the chair that creaked loud. Principal knew these chairs.

It's off. They do not creak so loud.

Adding his strange look he wear a black robe with semi luminescent ornaments. From under the cap two greenish blue points turned on him. His face was non visible in the dim light of the library.

"Please, let me introduce myself. Principal of the Laugus University, Atheno Mirmir. May I know yours name, sir?"

"My name is Kvaser…"

Kvaser was cut in by a sudden questions.

"Sir Kvaser, are you really from south laboratory? What happened to the evacuation?" His questions were curious, fast and in honest begging tone. He only knew that south laboratory partially evacuated due to unknown reason.

His tone. He is really curious about what happened those years ago. Only visible facts.

"As I woke up few years ago there was no body or skeleton left in the entire laboratory. I suppose everyone evacuated or some were eaten by that beast. All building was severely damaged by something insanely strong. I was caught in the middle of linking mind to a golem."

"How are you alive? I thought golem technology did not exist then. What do you remember from then?"

"It's simple. All needed technologies existed already then. That was side project of mine and only three assistants were aiding. They escaped then and I was closed in machine during incident and power went down. I barely remember anything from my past life. Only technical knowledge seem not carry significant losses. I suppose unusual magic fluctuation in the recent years brought my system working."

He sad that the all needed technology existed already back then. For Atheno one thing was off. Linking minds still needs at least few more decades to develop.

"How did you linked your mind to this?"

"That's something that I do not remember. And analyzing the core is too dangerous for me."

"Do you remember anyone?"

"No. I found some saved diaries but I do not remember anyone."

Atheno is trying to uncover as much as possible but none from the list of names is hitting a bell. He did not lost anyone there but few he heard of.

I want to observe and talk with him longer. How can I set him? Tama mentioned that he is a great builder of magical devices. Oh maybe I can set this that way.

"Sir Kvaser. Tama told me a lot about you sir. May you want to teach our students on Smith Department?"

"What would I teach them?"

"Magic circuits and construction of magical devices."

Those are not bad subjects but I'll probably spend here not longer than half a year if winter will be not so cold at bunker.

"Interesting but before I would like to see lectures you are giving to your students? I'm still not up to date. I suppose knowledge barrier still exists."

"I will provide that. Barrier still exists but it weakens year by year as of Mitsugoshi appeared. They are quite knowledgeable." Atheno's face is smiling.

"I saw it too. Steam propulsion is developing greatly and seems they are about to do more."

"May I invite you to my office as to accept you to be lecturer?"

"I humbly accept."

Corridors were lit by the half moon. Each step of Kvaser echoed loud on marble floor. In the background students were still partying and so heard. Principal is curious how Kvaser looks like. It should be an easy fix to organize.

 

"There is something strange about him."

"Yeah, I saw those sparks in his eyes as soon as I agreed."

"Sparks in the eyes? No I meant aura…"

"That too. It clearly bears high power and prowess. What is even more his aura contains a lot of similar contaminant from the bunker."

Maya goes to analyze the talk while Jerry comes into the Principal's office.

 

Office is located in a separated administration building. Secretary is home so desk at the entrance is empty. Behind the door is the office. Shelves are full of books and art. In the middle of the room are two couches and between them is coffee table. Just ahead is spacious desk with one elegantly decorated chair. Clearly made on demand with the highest craftsmanship.

"Welcome in." Atheno went to the one of the closed cabinet.

What is he looking for there?

Answer comes sooner than expected. From cabinet Atheno pulled out a mask of a man.

"Can you pull your cap off? Stone face is something clearly visible."

"Yes."

Kvaser pulled cap off. Then Atheno has understood the upcoming challenge. Face was simple shaped. How expression would look like though he do not need speak or anything at start. There is a lot to work about.

Jerry looking at Atheno's troubled face thought of few possibilities.

"Please do not worry so much. Can I look at this."

"Y-Yes." Kvaser's confidence shaken Atheno a bit.

Then he saw something incredible. Kvaser is looking at it at every angle. His hands are emitting magic. He is testing the material then he is pulling some powder. Shortly after he saw something that was lost in past. Infusing technique.

"How, how are you able to use this technique?" Atheno pulled a stunned voice.

"What do you mean exactly?"

"Infusing technology has been long lost. They used advanced machines and magic. All was lost after defeating the Witch of Calamity."

"This is something that I've learned myself recently. Without this I would be still buried under rocks."

"Can you tell me how it works?"

"No, I do not get the process entirely. It is too easy to mess up."

Well that is a lie. With magic you can operate any particles like deposition or just lasers. Additive technology here needs time to get through stubborn people… or pass them.

"Will you hint students?"

"It depends on them. Influx of technology is already high."

He will just steer them. Maybe he needs more people to spread this technology.

In a split second he had mask on his face. Magic waves at face were very strange as at his hands.

Twitch. Stretch.

What? He is already make basic mimics! How much skill has he got in his hands?

"What is wrong Professor? Are scared of mimics?"

"N-no. Nobody I met never did show so much skill in practice."

I might got overboard. Hope he won't be so possessive about knowledge.

"Hmm. Looks good. Now you need some identity." He started murmuring. "Kazeru Vinci, no… that guy, no he was known…"

Professor Atheno is thinking intensively. Going back and forth to his desk. Turning pages of book that better nobody had seen.

After some time he replays to Kvaser.

"I'll set up for you a name and background."

"Ok."

"Please come back here in three days. Everything should be ready."

"Ok. In the meantime I'll work on my face."

"Good to hear that." He reached his hand to Kvaser. "Welcome to the university. Kazeru Vinci." Metal and flesh hands were shaken for welcome sign.

"Pleasure is on my side."

 

Kvaser. He is an incredible being. There is no one more like him. Ready to set this world on right tracks. Who also have we lost during this cult inner purge after defeating Aurora?

Now Atheno starts to regret something.

Jerry is quite pleased. This man seemed to be connected to the cult. Now he is against it despite no clear evidence from their talk. Developing world by Mitsugoshi aka Shadow Garden is on their side. They can rule out the cult.

He left some spying equipment that is hard to uncover.

What this man will provide?

 

In those three days Jerry with Maya mastered facial expressions. Fused the mask completely and added some slime. This was the great idea. It let to develop more accurate movement of face. Add some hairs, and neck region.

All that surprised Atheno because if not the robe he would think a real human stands before him.

"So secretary did not stop you."

"Am I still so outstanding?"

"Not but she usually stops people that are suspicious. Even at slightest and then I must intervene. Please take a seat."

Atheno handed to Kazeru a file with information about the university. Layout, names, photos, lectures list, people to avoid and many more.

"Tomorrow you start as guest. I selected medium and high skill lectures for you."

"Lecturers will know about me?"

"Yes. They cannot question you but raise your hand if you want to ask a question about lecture."

"I'm going to be rather a silent one."

"Before you leave please check in at brewery 105."

"What's there?"

"I'm living not far from there. It's your official living quarter. If something bad happens just ring the bell."

"Thank you."

Kvaser went to his new apartment. At first nothing suspicious. Normal lecturer's office room. Kitchen annex and bedroom. Though at second glance there is a hidden staircase behind the bookshelf.

Atheno did say something that this hidden room needs some cleaning but it is not bad. The stuff here seems to be unfinished project.

"Maya. I need four golems. Are we able to dedicate new ones here?"

"I need to produce them. They will be in two or three days."

"Good. They will have a lot of work here."

Jerry started humming and thinking and so on that Maya broken his trance…

"I suspect that he assign me this room with that rumble in mind. I'm picking that glove up."

Maya is surprised again.

 

Six am. Laugus is waking up. Steam locomotives are bringing people from outskirts of city in. Side walks are full of workers and students. Market is filling with goods and people.

This world is different. People are starting to wear like in earth's modern way but their technology is still nineteenth century. What are they developing now I'm curious. I hope those upcoming two weeks will let me discover the level of this society.

 

Walking on a sidewalk like a normal citizen was discomforting. Face mask, guest robe, custom pants, shirt and tie. Everything was made custom suit over last two days. All that is to give kvaser a human look. But as things are it a potential failure to that and kvaser is exposed is a risk mind won't let quickly.

First week is dedicated to lectures at central campus. Kazeru was privileged with the guest status so in his robe he was sticking out like a sore thumb. There were like 3 other guests like him seen on the way.

The first day is taking place at Natural Science Department. As for the standards of this world they are presenting very well. Reasonably organized knowledge. Biology, some form of chemistry and even basics of geology.

As expected of them they are looking at me like on a new specie. Fortunately they cannot question me. But one open question was tricky.

"What is the magical aura of human?"

He asked this question while looking at me. Clearly he saw something suspicious but he is also one of the friendlier to professor Atheno. Is he with him in the cult?

Next day. Humanities.

Literature here is as boring for me as on the earth. Add to that this society bears middle ages so a whip on the belt is nothing surprising. But why the most of them are here? Probably for whipping out truth and keeping students low profile. The same on history lectures.

Only an Economics here are in better situation but from what is seen every student must be ether from filthy rich family or be child of a grand merchant.

The third day was more interesting for Jerry. Math and Physics Department. They've already discovered gravity as Newton saw. The heliocentric model is studied here for serious.

Hmm… It seems they are few weeks to discover energetic nature of the world and potential and kinetic energy will be a certain thing.

The fourth day stretched to fifth. Smith Department has a lot to offer.

Smith art theory. Basics of material science. Theory of mechanisms. Watchmaking. All this clearly comes to be the best department available to study. They are creating locomotives, ships, machines and genius handcrafts man.

One of the lecturers asked Kazeru to come next week to smith a knife. He was interested by Kazeru's answer that there internal change is interrupted in material itself causing breaks when tempering with low grade iron. His eyes observed every twitch of Kazeru's face that occurred when he spoke something that himself won't believe.

Kazeru went for apartment before leaving to U01 at weekend.

"What is this letter?"

Letter was lying under the door as in the usual of his old university.

Some things are universal. In the letter Atheno invited me to his office tomorrow midday. Seems that new units will have to wait one day.

 

Talk with Atheno went smoothly. As expected of a certain smith artist he invited a new face to examine his skills. An artist who is really looking for inventions. The next week is focused on Magic Department. Atheno told about few things that Kazeru must watch because some of lecturers are just crazy.

Cleric Department did not let invite guest Kazeru to see lectures.

As they both anticipated.

Kazeru said that he will find them out in few days what surprised Atheno.

At the end of talk Atheno asked Kazeru about what needs to change in this system but he answered.

"All it's but my vision only. Bad system is suppressing students creativity. It's work from ground up to change the whole generations' way of things."

Well his question was like of an old man who seeks better.

 

In the cover of the night 4 new units have arrived to secret room in the apartment.

Working night and day everything was documented. Unfinished project turned out to be a collection of smith equipment but some form thing was prototyped here. It was found in at least four different stages.

 

On first day of the week Kazeru went for forging not one but two knives. On purpose he chose a lower grade steel to show off.

Lecturer was amazed that the first knife which was left in controlled heat chamber for few hours turned out being better from a normally tempered in a drop test which has broken.

Kazeru stated that he found this out by accident in some book. But one thing did not hold up for lecturer. With how much skill those two knives were made by the new guest. Kazeru claimed as the files said he was an apprentice at local smith in the borders of Kagenou estate before he must have left.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version E.5.1.

Chapter 15: Young Minds

Because new year has started recently the first lecture is treating about mana flow. It started with theory of magic's flow in body which is obviously outdated comparing to Shadow Garden. It stated that you moving magic within you like water. There is nothing more to it. Rest of the course is practice.

It is quite an understatement. Flow of magic is complicated and in some moment it feels it's alive but it is not. Depending of magic energy's structure just reacts differently. Add to this unalive and alive matter and the sight is the same as trying to solve n-body problem.

Lecturer looks at the audience and then he sees one guest. How he dares to enter his lecture. Everyone must learn as he wants even guest. Letter from Principal won't change his mind. Kazeru knew this from files that he will be asked to train along the student so a bit showoff is all is needed.

"May our guest please join practice part." His tone was egoistic. As expected.

"Yes. I'll join. But before I'm going to demonstrate what I'm capable."

"Please enter the dais." His tone haven't change at all.

Kazeru stood from his chair then he made a small squat like for jump. Then some magic showed around his legs and he jumped across the sitting students. They are having their eyes full of jealousy and surprise.

The eyes of lecturer are giving an irritated one vibe.

"Can I take this piece of shield?"

Lecturer is dumbfounded.

"Yes you can." It contains mithrill so you won't do much you shower.

He took a sword out of nowhere.

Wait what is this sword? Who made it. Who is this guy? This is a unique sword. Wait, what is he doing?

Kazeru threw the shield on the floor and taken his sword straight over it. Some magic appeared in the whole body and sword.

Crack!

Sword pierced the shield.

Then maybe I'll give it a twist.

Oh, he is started to react. Better I'll wait for his reaction.

As he was about to twist sword lecturer stopped Kazeru by placing hand on the sword.

"Not so fast. This is advanced technique." He spoke as quiet to Kazeru as he could.

"This is something you might or might not do depending on your effort here. What was about to happen was an advanced technique of strengthening a whole body. This will be the last topic treated next semester."

Some student were after the knight course but what was about to happen was something that their teachers needed a lot of years of training.

Some student started humming silently.

"May we know your name and specialty?"

"My name is Kazeru Vinci. Former smith currently magic devices researcher. I was assigned with a task of creating a brand new course."

Students flinched.

"It won't be mandatory."

Student sighed.

This is unusual. His proficiency in magic usage. Better not let him to showoff more. I'll read that letter later.

"Kazeru, take your place, please. Students now back to the tracks…"

Lecture is going forth.

One problem off the head but tomorrow. He said that Sherry is a bit unstable after her father was killed.

 

Going along corridor Kazeru is feeling that nostalgia. His old high school was similar in basic of design. High ceiling. Marble floor on corridors. Wooden audience seats that elevates towards back of the room. Chalkboards. Teachers were better though.

Bump. He bumped or rather some student intentionally bumped into him.

"Please excuse me." Said student.

"Please go ahead." A warm words were send to the student.

Girl continues to walk or rather borderline running.

"Maya, did you saw that?"

"Yes, she is the lantern."

"As you saw her I'm pretty sure as you that it was not a simple mistake from her side."

"Indeed."

For cover purposes he is smiling with nostalgia of those old times.

 

Next day of lectures starts midday. Professor Sherry Barnett was out for duty in the morning so a particular group of students is going around campus. Kazeru decided to go to the library E because apparently you need a pass to enter and he had one.

"Good morning, please show your pass."

"Good morning, here you have."

She looks at this pass. One minute, second minute.

It's obviously fake because I've got a fake identity girl. Come on.

After a whole five minutes she is handing his pass back. In the meantime Kazeru performed a quick scan.

Surprise. She is also a lantern though her aura is a bit different. Is she a Shadow Garden's spy? She looks new here and already serving in restricted space. I'll check recordings later.

"Maya keep an eye on Nara Scam."

Kazeru goes to a random book shelf to not to get more suspicious.

 

After midday a lecture is starting in a rather smaller room. The lecturer is prof. Sherry Barnett. A girl with pink hair and height below average but this is not bothering Jerry.

He saw lecturers that even were not visible from behind an office desk.

What is disturbing Jerry now is her face. A grim face covered by a fake appreciation smile. Make up is not covering all her tiredness on her face. Someone who hasn't seen his close one after losing one would not see it.

Man. Even after half a year she is still touched by death of her father. What is keeping her to go forth?

Her lecture is a roundabout way to explain things. Someone who is not a detail man won't understand her lecture. She has a quiet voice an is a bit chaotic but what she presents is utterly innovative for this time. Technology closed in ancient books is frightening. Frightening to the point of not being a public debate.

Kazeru was seen by Sherry at the end of the lecture. In her eyes something was not right. Someone new on her course of ancient devices.

He's got guest robe. His eyes are… neither human neither artificial. But what is this guest doing here?

Sherry froze for a moment but as well her students.

"End of the lecture today. If you need explanation please come to my office fifth day."

After that students are going out…

"Please dear guest come here? I would want to talk to you."

Student haven't even flinched.

Well if she is asking me I must.

Kazeru is coming to her desk. She is intrigued by everything what he does. She pays attention to every detail she can see.

"W-who are you?"

"I'm Kazeru Vinci. Smith and researcher invited by Principal Atheno. I hope you read letter send by him."

She's just realized what she forgotten. Principal send letter regarding guests but she didn't read that.

"I'm sorry. I forgot about that letter. Will you be supervising lectures or something?"

"No. Nothing of that. Principal wants to make something new and asked for my help. I'm getting to know this university right now."

She smiled with relief in a specific way. Obviously for Jerry that was bearing some sinister vibe.

"Maya. Send spies on her. I'll make a scan tonight."

Then sword appeared for a mere moment. She lightly freaked.

"What will that something new be?" She asked curiously.

"It's secret for now. Please expect the news next week."

"I'm looking forward to it."

She started thinking.

"It seems you have some work in your mind. Please let me excuse myself."

"Y-Yes. Good evening."

"Good evening."

Kazeru left the lecture room.

Sherry sighed a relief. His aura was repelling her actions. Is he looking into students strange behavior or investigating something? Week is a rather short span of time for any of it.

Later she read the letter. It stated that Kazeru might take the lecturer job at Smith Department and will check how lectures are here.

She took a deep breath once more.

"In the end he might get this job. Principal invited him. He already set acquaintance with Marten Zite. What will he be doing in secrecy? Is he after me or Shadow Garden or someone else?" She was speaking under her nose.

Wow.

"That's a crazy chick. Look at this Maya. That is an example of a being living a vengeance."

"What turned her to be like this?"

"Her mother was murdered when she was young. Few months ago her father was murdered the same way. That wrecks human mind and feelings. But she truly goes the way. Many went to eternal despair with no resolution."

"Recalling the talk with Atheno he also said to keep a watchful eye on her because she is up to something."

"It seems we found the first clue. She already knows situation between me and Marten. Who let her know? Maya keep observing her."

"Yes I will."

 

The rest of the week was spend on half boring half interesting lectures. In conclusion nobody uncovered this problematic structure of magic.

Maya's found clues that Sherry might be influencing her students with some sort of mind control. Her paper "The relationship between Brain and Magic. The possibility of Destroying or Healing the Brain by Interfering with Magic and its Practical Application Plan" is a very tempting candidate for being a nail to the coffin of her secret thing or plan.

Evenings Jerry is trying to uncover what is this project left in secret room. At first analyze of the magic circuits. It is not saying anything. Trying to push some magic through gave nor answers nor hints.

Back to the basics. Maybe they are parts of something to be mounted in or.

The smallest part had a wall with spherical part of wall. Back to carefully watch three left. There are lines that suggests existing of the same wall. Next question is how to activate this. No before doing this checking what is supposed to do.

Unfortunately no time for this. Even if this is a sixth day its time to go to the Principal who called in.

"Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon." Answered secretary lady. "Atheno is not available today."

"I know." Kazeru is placing a letter on the desk.

Lady is opening the letter.

She looks around.

"Please listen closely…" Her voice is very quiet.

 

It seems I'm on the spot. Not some random spot though. If you go forward you will go down by the stairs to the basement. Clap your foot on this slab of marble and go in backwards. Do not turn your head behind you.

Kazeru went in a giant room with rows of book shelves along longer axis. At the opposite end of this room is sitting a man.

Kazeru is walking towards this man.

"Good afternoon, Professor Atheno."

"Good afternoon, Kazeru. It seems you had no problems arriving here."

"Yes. No problems but I thought I would never step through these doors once again. I do not remember that technology and everything I knew was from scrap pieces of paper left in the bunker."

"Scrap pieces? What about memo cards?"

"None was left."

"Ah…" Atheno signed. It seems a secret of this place continues. "How were the lectures?"

"I've grasped situation here but are you not afraid of the Academic Society?"

"That is what is interesting. They seems to not interfere with Sherry's work."

Kazeru and Atheno are making face like they know why.

After a while.

"Did you try to uncover what is she plotting?"

"I once tried and almost lost my sane."

"On her lecture she tried some masked device but she almost panicked when I was close so I left the room early."

"Device? You are not saying."

"Yes. She built something working and using it. How long that state is going?"

"Now it would be like six months since the first abnormality."

"Are you sure you went unscathed?"

"I am. She never tried this once again but she is trying to uncover my past. I saw her letters and record some of her voice and magic signature."

"What?"

"She's got some sort of influence on her students. With that influence she collects intel and pushes her things."

"It's been like four or five days and you already know that much? When?"

"It's business's secret." Said with the mix of pride and resourcefulness.

"Should I be afraid?" Atheno could not get off feeling like this golem is like reincarnation from one of the Natsume's novel.

The talk stuck for a moment.

"Back to the society. What Sherry will do with you? I expect with subjects like that she might want you to cooperate."

"I expect the same but this means that I'm going to help her plan."

"Do not worry over that so much. First I want to know what is she after."

"Is there any regular thing beside magic research in her life?"

"Lutheran, her father mentioned one guy she taken interest in…"

"Tell me more about it. What this guy has to do with Lutheran?"

"After her father was killed she's came here. She does not eat sweets beside the one chocolate from Mitsugoshi."

"That would explain chocolate but… who killed her father?"

""...""

They've just understood something.

Atheno dip deep in thought about her and Midgar Academy story.

Maya searched through archives and informed Jerry what she's found.

They both realized that answer was lurking in the shadows.

""Shadow Garden.""

They both say at the same time.

Atheno was first to say it aloud.

"She wants to kill Shadow Garden because one of them killed her father."

"That is rather impossible unless… you stop something that is responsible for your thinking."

Atheno's got shivers. Such a sweet looking girl is preparing for basically the war.

"Kazeru you should know that in a half a year at least four dark knights were killed in unknown way."

"What are you going to do with that knowledge?"

"Good question. It's a revenge story now. What she is going to do is self destruction. It's a talented girl but she wastes her efforts in an inevitable fate."

Atheno makes a sad sigh.

"Maybe we will make some fake shadow?"

Kazeru said quietly something that as one of the possibilities but Atheno flinched on that thought and its implications.

"W-What is it Atheno?"

Jerry understood his mistake.

"Indeed. That wouldn't end well."

"Yes. She is lost. Since her father death she's been fully living research not for knowledge but revenge."

They drenched further in thought.

"I need some details. How did they were killed?"

Atheno has frozen.

"What is it Atheno?"

"Wait. Lukreia, Lutheran they both died the same way. They were impaled from their extremities ending on heart."

"What? A serial killer shadow?"

"Not exactly. This bastard Lutheran must have killed Lukreia after she decided to give the certain artifact to authorities."

Jerry felt that a sinister plot is unveiling.

As Atheno is speaking Kazeru is hearing each and every word carefully. Unclear correspondence with Lutheran, his illness, artifacts, Lukreia, Sherry, terrorist attack.

Everything started to logically compose.

One question though.

"How Shadow knew how Lukreia died?"

"He must have confessed in the excitement of battle or Shadow somehow knew which way she died."

The atmosphere in library lighten then thicken once more.

Is there a way to save her? How? Maya was out of the competition. Too much of conditions were unbalanced.

"Seems it's will be late if we think of some way. I'll give you device to communicate with me if needed next week."

"Indeed. I haven't called you only to talk about Sherry. Academic Society. They shouldn't be a problem if course will be small. Sherry definitely will take an interest."

"Good point. I'll make sure to be it a heavy course."

"You are looking like you forgot to ask something."

"Yeah. Who is Nara Scam? This new worker at library E?"

"She… She is someone utterly secret. She comes from baron family near border with Midgar."

"What Midgar has to do with anything?"

One day a certain girl vanished from the family of merchants.

Young lady being a potential candidate for a dark knight set for few day journey with her mother. Though the next night turned her life on its head. She saw on her skin starts to change. It darkened. Started growing unnaturally. Bulges, open wounds. She realized. Demon possession. She immediately run from her beloved mother to die alone.

Nor her father nor she never sad anything what happened that night.

Next morning father and daughter got back to the mansion. She threw away the paths of sword and trade. She turned her head to study. Locked herself and father never looked for a long talk with her anymore.

Then one certain cult member got the scoop of possessed one. He took her from her father. Next week a whole cell of Cult was taken down. And she got here.

Jerry was reading between the lines. The story was awfully grief.

"She was healed that night, am I right?"

"Very likely. She stays silent."

"But how was she healed?"

"Healing from possession never was a success. That is what my predecessors and companions got to in the act of avarice.

"But someone reached unthinkable."

"Do you know who?"

"Unfortunately no."

"Well. I am pretty sure…" Atheno with disbelief looked into Kazeru's eyes. "… that was…"

"No…"

"… Shadow Garden."

H...heh. Heh.

Atheno started laughing. At start he had his head covered by hands on the desk. He sounded disbelieved then grief then somehow happy.

"Finally. This Cult will disappear!"

Kazeru is weird out. Or at least he looks like.

"Welcome on board. Assistant Kazeru Vinci."

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version F.5.1.

Chapter 16: New Course

It's the first day of the week. A first day of preparing a new course to start next week.

Kazeru is preparing the new lecture room from the early morning. Old stuff is tossed through the window and packed on carts. This room was left for a long time so a thick layer of dust is everywhere. Not much of a problem if vacuum cleaner would exist. This task took to the midday.

A light knock, knock.

"Please come in."

"Excuse me for the sudden visit." Shy voice has come from behind a door.

As the door opened a pink haired girl's appeared.

"Oh. Good afternoon professor Sherry."

"Good afternoon." She is looking around.

"You are a bit to early. Next week this room will be completely changed."

"I wanted to ask about that course you are providing. How it will be different from my course?"

"I am focusing on basics first. Magic flow, inducing, properties. Then utilizing materials and making circuits. At the end are complex devices."

"How do you know all that?"

Kazeru comes to the bag on dusty desk. He is pulling a dagger.

"I've stumbled on this dagger when I was a kid. I researched it each and every other way."

Kazeru flowed some magic to the sword and it elongate few times. Sherry flinched.

"I checked many libraries and in the end I met principal of this university. He enlighten with few things and invited me to develop new technologies with it."

"Is that artifact?" Her usual quiet shy voice was louder and filled with excitement."

"No. It's only a mere copy of what the original was."

Sherry's eyes are sparkling. She's just met someone capable of recreating ancient technologies.

"Would you help me with my projects? Of course if it's not a problem."

"I need to establish this course. In a month everything should be settled."

"I look forward to it." She answered with excitement.

"If you excuse me professor Sherry I would like to continue setting this room."

"I'll take my leave. Thanks for clarifying things."

She still bears that grim under her fake smile. But she seemed happy when I sad I can help in a month.

Situation here is only getting more interesting.

Atheno probably got another letter. He is not entirely calm.

Maya was dispatched to look for a source of those letters. Is that really cult from Velgalta which sends these letters?

Weekend was not so productive. Those four artifacts gave me but only a hard time so much that I decided to let it go and take another project on.

Designing a whole base which will sit on the bottom of the ocean undetected is bonkers. It will be placed south from Laugus about 150 km. For now there is only a bell to produce but rest of it is a greater challenge. Making it soundproof will need a long thinking.

Cleaning alone took a whole day.

The second day was spend at carpentry work. Buying almost anything and making some tables anew thanks to a good acquaintance of Atheno.

The third day new tables were already in and preserved on site. Evening building materials has arrived.

The fourth day first student came to register to the auxiliary course. It was fifth year student from Smith Department. This young man had an interest in ancient glyphs. He stated that despite the initial subjects here everything is worth learning.

Rest of the day was spend on preparing test subjects and practicing lines and scenarios. Maya decided to just stay silent and do not comment actor playing.

Two days were left for recruiting and polishing details.

From thirty more students only five decided on new course.

Kazeru went to the apartment to spend evening at secret room but travel was not smooth.

"Maya you sensed that right?"

"Yes. Please take a quick scan."

"Take the steer."

Moment later.

"She really wants to playing cat and mouse. Maya give me a 3d map of road to the apartment and surprise at door."

"As you wish."

Kazeru went normally to the door of house though she is seeing only door that is closing. She is coming closer to the window but he is already up the stairs unseen.

In the next split of a second she felt ominous aura of monster like never before. Her head didn't even bother to look back but then as she is trying to jump right up she cannot. Something squeezed her tightly and is covering her face. Next half of the second she feel ginormous acceleration.

Her thoughts are in shreds. How he did it. Where is taking her. He is not a normal human as she expected but this is beyond. She is feeling light like…

"Oi! Don't leave yourself." Voice was unknown, metallic like through the cups and string.

"I said." She felt a lively slap on her face.

Moment later she heard a wave noise and smell salt water. They are on the sea. But how so fast.

"I despise kidnapping but if it wasn't you. You would be dead!"

She is feeling like being scolded right now… scolded?

"Atheno cares for you, you know?" He sounds like good father though his voice is completely unnatural.

Her face is freed. What she is seeing right now is assistant Kazeru but why he is about to decapitate his head. No.

"Is that a mask!?" She tried to yeet back.

With no results.

From under mask emerged face of a living statue. Though eyes are clearly looking at her with human anger.

His face is close to her.

"Do something like that with foe greater than you and you will never see a daylight more."

His two greenish blue eyes were looking at her without a blink.

"Tell me one thing and do not lie. Did Shadow cured your possession?"

What? Is he insane? How he knows?

"I. I-I won't tell anything."

"Good answer."

"Eh?" A whisper left her mouth.

"You do not need to reveal that. I know your history. It is just placing every puzzle together. And seeing your aura tells me everything."

"How you know that! No. Shadow. How!?"

"He has talent and power for this. You were lucky to cross a path with him. Though you are not like Shadow Garden member." He stops on purpose.

"What do you mean?"

"At first I thought you were a new recruit but when I checked your aura closer and talked with Atheno everything aligned. You never developed like their members because you left them immediately. You lack their skill, power and prowess."

"Do I?"

"Yes. I encountered them. You won't stand a chance. Not even speaking of diablos's children. You've got one choice. To get more stronger."

"Why? Why do you want me to?"

"To make sure that such unique talent will live."

"What talent?"

"Do you know how old are me and Atheno?"

"You, no. Atheno looks like in sixtieth."

"No. He and me are almost the same with over thousand years old."

"What? How?"

Her eyes seemed like she wasn't defying this novelty.

"Ask Atheno for his story. Me. I'll tell you under the deck."

"What?" She felt freed.

"Turn back and head in there."

She has frozen. Kazeru goes first.

"Oi. Soon we will be under water."

She was not doubting any his words and went inside.

 

"Was all that needed?" Maya was pouting like never.

"Yes. This is a harsh world. You saw her actions at university. She's got some unique talent but it's only what she has. She needs a lot more power to survive and fight."

"I do not get it."

"It's empathy and parenthood."

"It does not explain…"

"Observe her. She got back to his father. I've got some gut feeling she gave up becoming Shadow Garden member."

What Jerry is talking about?

 

Seventh day. Private training court for dark knights.

I was supposed to researching slime further but I set up first training with Nara next day. I finally forced slime to take a solid shape that would not break or rather flowed around.

There she is. She looks motivated. That's the spirit.

I thought she would crumble under bed after hearing all that dark story of this world.

Nara's taken a long course. Stretching. Basic moves. It all took a whole day.

"What about magic flow?"

"We are going to talk about that tomorrow."

 

New week has started. With the small success of discovering new behavior of magic Jerry is in a very good mood.

"Good morning Nara."

"Good morning."

Nara is the first to come to the laboratory. She asked Atheno to move her to Kazeru's classes. As Kazeru claimed knowing magic flow and complicated laws of physics lets to handle magic better. That interested her.

Before first students come Kazeru is taking out samples of different grades of materials and pulls one thing from the sleeve.

"What is it?"

"Here, check it."

She takes it and tries to squish it between fingers.

"Eww…" She dropped it. "What is this?"

"It's slime."

"How? They are like liquid."

"And you're right. When magic is pushed through it changes its behavior. Take this sample and try it before students come."

With the disgust she is trying to make a small rod with it. First try is a complete fail. Second, third… as a group of students come to class in full squad.

Six students are entering laboratory.

"Oh. Good morning. Please take a seat over there."

"Good morning." A bit disoriented students answered and sat.

"My name is Kazeru Vinci. I'll be your head of laboratory here. Next to me is Nara Scam. She will be assisting in this laboratory."

She gives a little bow and greetings.

"Please introduce yourselves."

Two students are going up though they are not weirded by it but rather glancing each other with rivalry.

Rico and Phermi Netrono. Brothers from Math and Physic Department. Young lads that decided to roll the dice to decide which one goes math specialty and the other physic.

Loren von Zeitzog. Daughter of one of the velgaltan middle nobility. First year at Magic Department. She is also a rare case of (cat) therianthrope at this place.

Relato di Vero from watchmaking specialty of Smith Department. A guy from exchange program.

Felix Kwant. I did not believe at first but this guy is studying at Magic and Math and Physic Departments. I don't know. Should I admire or be terrified of those like him.

Camino is the student who came first to register on this course. I haven't seen this at first but he is an elf as Felix also.

A small group of students. I'm really curious what they will do.

Starting laboratory with a very basic question. Magic flow.

When Kazeru showed the list of potential variables and experiments proving them students lost their breath. A whole day was spend on using magic in a way that they never did. Introducing concept of waves, particles, frequencies, magic veins.

Loren is having the biggest issue. She is not getting the concepts in math and physics. She does not have good grades from those subjects. Her magic potential is her greatest attribute.

On the other side Netrono brothers have started a heavy talk about physic. They are close to uncover the concept of energy equation.

"Loren. Can I ask you to come tomorrow? I'll explain you once more those concepts."

Her expression is telling that she would not because of her noble pride.

"Come on. At least you will understand what they are talking about."

She is still backing up.

"I'm always here First, Second and Fourth day. If not there will be a notice on the door."

They gaze is asking something.

"It's evening. Please take a rest. Good bye."

"Good bye."

As students left the lab room.

"Nara. Do you think you can bend it any shape now?"

"I'm not sure."

"Try this."

Kazeru is changing slime to form of small figure in robe.

"Who is that beauty?"

"It is someone you will have to be on good terms with. Alpha from the Shadow Garden. She is the second in command. Also you will have to learn manipulating slime at will as them."

"At will?"

"Yes, at will. Shadow Garden do this even in sleep."

She turned her eyes with disbelief at Kazeru.

"Take your time this evening. I'm taking care of my things."

"Can I ask you what are working about?"

"If I won't be blew up by this ancient gadget, maybe."

"Maybe?"

Her face for the first time has a serious question.

"You are still not enough powerful to keep these secrets."

By her look I deduce she understood. What is magic, ancient technology, what is this capable of, my travel to this world, submarines. She only knows about Cult's past and Shadow Garden but it is not enough for her future.

"I'll train with it this evening I suppose."

"See you tomorrow evening. Good bye."

"Good bye."

 

Ok. Time to go back to the apartment.

In the thick traffic on the streets it's no surprise to bump into someone but why the same girl from beginning of the year is trying to do this at least three times today?

Kazeru is heading back to the apartment like nothing happened. Occasionally drifting from course faking interest in something and avoid her.

She vanishes just before arrival. Kazeru is going to work at his official desk. The book of title "Lecture plans" is being filled with many ideas and side notes and projects.

Quick shower and sleep.

What a pain. She is still around. How long until she takes peak inside? I've cleaned up book shelves and locked passage from inside so she should not uncover it.

It's like three hours. She is going in at last.

She is sniffing around being careful not to move anything.

Thankfully she misses the hidden passage and goes for the last part. The desk. It's a normal desk so the book shoved in there is like plum in open can.

What is she doing? Is this how Mitsugoshi get new technology? But Alexandria's lab is much more advanced than this university?

Is she taking pictures? Film camera and battery light. Primitive but she's got a good tempo.

Ten minutes later she's got a whole book photographed and left to observing point. Morning she left to near student dorm.

 

As the schedule Kazeru is in the lab room for the whole day. Sitting in one place and designing future base is out of the question because this spy is observing from rooftop.

It seems she will be here in the night reconnaissance. Maybe I'll left her with nothing? I could not research those four artifacts because of her.

The sudden thought came on mind. They had spherical walls. What for? Part of the sphere? This simple piece had a lot of magical threads like kvaser's hands.

If I make a spherical shape from my hands and start pumping magic into it what effect will it produce?

Maya is boggled.

What is he doing? Pumping magic into one point? What does it have to do?

She without any more time wasted decided to record and analyze it in real time.

His fingers are twitching around imaginable sphere to control magic inside.

After half hour nothing spectacular.

"Air is a such bad conductor."

Kazeru handles for some slime. He is taking enough to make something resembling neuron core with many thread heading outside to his fingers.

And then he is pushing magic inside. Much more magic that slime starts glowing blue.

He is creating veins in slime mass anew. Magic is flowing at better rate and efficiency. Khimaira would be better but considering its battle design it's not.

"Pause it! We've got a guest."

"Guest?"

He turns his head to see Loren in a bit shocked state.

"What's up Loren?"

"What's up? I'm standing here half hour not knowing should I enter or not because a weird magic is being tested here apparently."

A bit sharp tongue but fits her somehow.

"Not weird. I try to uncover a use for some ancient artifact that I found not long ago."

"With bare hands?"

"Not a problem for me. Just look at this."

He proceeds to make a knife of the slime. Thin but definitely deadly.

"What is this material?"

Kazeru is changing its shape to book, sheet, pen, and so on.

"It's slime."

"Slime? What have you been doing with that?"

"Enhancing but that is everything you can know. Slime is not the subject of the course."

"What. Then what?"

"You will do it yourself but first take a seat there and lets get started with your lacks."

She could not even react to it and she was sitting at desk. Kazeru performed a quite psycho-math-physic-magic-biology-practical course that drained Loren's stamina in just four hours.

"Will she be alright? Even I can see she is overloaded with it."

"She will. She's grasped here basics of interconnection way in science. That is a solid start. She's got the greatest magic potential from all of them and I wanna make sure she will use it."

"Eh…" She sighed.

"What have you got from morning experiment?"

"You knew?"

"I saw some interventions so it's easy who might have it been."

"There are some inconsistencies in math model to reality. I never saw such behavior."

"Let me check it."

Analysis is always a crucial part of the research process. Though simplification is always used in some form it doesn't mean skipped thing is not existent.

Compression of magic was skipped from the very beginning in kvaser project as being not possible.

With slime though magic compression is possible. But what are effects of this process? Experiment, equation, experiment and so on. This is a way to uncover nature of this bizarre thing.

From the very small step not to overdo the simulation. Adjust, measure and observe.

"Why does this magic spike doing here?"

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 10.5.1.

Chapter 17: Poring over Magic

After experiment with recreating magic sphere Maya hasn't missed moves of the spy. She is moving incredibly fast so it is rather difficult to go into secret room. She's definitely taken interest in Kazeru. Microphone installed on a long wire in room above helped to avoid detection though she isn't talkative. There is a sound of writing, a lot of writing. After closely hearing what she does it is rather sure that she is writing letters but who is her contact.

In those short periods when spy is sleeping or writing Jerry takes time to experiment on deviation in magic. Just the same day he's forming a theory that compression is possible but what was it for.

It's fourth day. Loren and Felix are on other lectures.

Netrono brothers are coming at morning with the question.

"What is that part of the equation?"

"It is magic compression. You can skip it over in this class but not in advanced use."

""In advanced use?"" They both asked.

Kazeru told about few things but not what he is currently working in secret.

Lastly he asked them to show how they are performing magic.

No over significant progress but they started to feel much better in general.

After midday Relato and Camino visited lab between lectures.

They also started to feel better and are not so sore after practice classes.

Kazeru asked for a mithrill powder for infusing. Their reaction was anxious. After environmental questionnaire it turns out that even if mithrill is used widely nobody is producing its powder version.

But the time is running out. After their lecture they come back to hear a theory of additive technology. They were fascinated and all but how to get the powder.

Kazeru went for a giant syringe and blew its content through a nozzle close to a water stream.

"Like that."

Aside from this simple quote they discussed many needed equipment, tools and use.

"Good evening." Greeted Nara entering the lab room.

Three guys looked at her then at windows simultaneously to see a setting sun.

After a quick exchange of courtesy Nara was free to talk to Kazeru. She apparently got the feel of slime and was able to form many not complicated things.

Kazeru suggested a spar with her today to leave some unorganized things to stuff spy's time. And it worked.

After faking a walk to the principal they detoured to training hall. Still few was training here.

"Have you made stretching?"

"I did."

"Remember to do it always. Being stiff can backfire, literally. Then lets go to the practice."

Swoosh. Clang. Thump.

A heavy blow sends woman few meters away that low bass of hit went through hall.

"This is unfair." She struggles to talk.

Nara is shakily standing up from a small crater.

"They do train it so you have to take on it."

They are training mix arts today. Sword, axe, shield and Kazeru's specialty hand combat.

"How am I gonna send you a blow on you like that?"

"You won't. Without the complete surprise it's difficult. I am very aware of my surrounding."

She...

"Last try. It's late. Show me your true resolve." He is trying to pump her emotion to focus on that one deadly blow and to show her his appreciation of progress.

She's focused. Taken a good stance to launch an attack. Tensing her muscles and adjusting magic. Kazeru turn his back on her.

Such pride she thought.

Launch was almost silent. Few grains of dirt moved. She is moving head on with sword on him. She is closing to him in a matter of split second. Her sight is narrowing.

Then as she is meter away with the speed like never before.

Clang piercing ears painfully.

His left hand went ideally for deflecting the blade. The strength was directed that she would be blown into the wall.

She with the last strength in her shocked hand she slowed her speed. In left hand she is forming a slime blade to reach for his abdomen.

He is turning as expected from that pose. I need to push there. What?

Just in time he grabbed her slime blade. She could not react. She bumped of him but not let the blade.

"Good. That's the way." He sounds proud and full of hope for her.

He is raising the blade with her dangling above his head.

"Their recruit level but decent."

"Eh? …Re...cruit? Who did… you fought?" She puts her words of disbelief between heavy breaths.

Many thoughts are taking over each other. For her he is a skilled fighter though capable of taking a their recruit head on without much sweat.

"I am not invincible though."

He sad that he once fled somehow from one of their commander. Not to mention that he met Alpha the second in command. Her sight only would crush him if he had misbehaved.

"Then how is Shadow powerful?"

"Cannot imagine that."

They both are going to their homes.

 

The spy is not aware of eavesdropping. All her silent comments, how much she browse, footsteps. Everything is meticulously recorded by Maya.

"Did she copy all notes?"

"Everything. And she went close to the desk where you tried that strange magic. Please listen to those sighs. How she felt about that?"

…

"Well she has rather not get what she wanted."

"What exactly?"

"Trace or evidence."

"Aah."

Jerry went for training magic while Maya was eavesdropping on the spy.

I cannot believe. Magic compression. In normal use it's negligible but it exists. Just like density in navier-stokes equation. I hate it.

Adding slime to a mix was definitely one puzzle to all of this but my hands are not enough.

Several moments later of pure hole in thoughts something clicked.

What if I run slime veins from articore outdoors to make it more efficient? Hope Maya won't intervene.

A service hole in front and back of kvaser's torso is opening. Slime is being moved from containers to stream pipes for magic. Hand are now an outer shell for experiment.

Magic is steadily pumped into a slime sphere.

Tense in the air is growing. Four golems are preparing a safe spot just in case.

The slime sphere is brightening with white and red color slowly mixing into pulsing pink one. Rough and chaos veins on the sphere are turning into a refine, thin, regular veins. Their magic potential is growing.

Maya registers a spike in magical field. What she sees is magic trying to be squeezed into a small sphere.

SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: BATTERY LEVEL 70 %.

Alright. The sphere is well established. Now to proceed with compression.

Maya is observing with a great focus. Magic is used in a tempo like never before.

SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: BATTERY LEVEL 60 %.

The air is trembling. Sight is being deformed by hot air.

Sphere is taking a pink color with white veins and lights up a whole basement.

Gimme that. Sweet results. Come on.

The sphere is shrinking by millimeters. Air is busting around.

SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: BATTERY LEVEL 50 %.

Golems are taking makeshift shields just in case.

What is that feeling? Like I'm on the edge.

The sphere has stopped shrinking. Jerry is worried about something.

SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: BATTERY LEVEL 40 %.

This goes… not a good way now!

His hands are trying to pull apart the sphere but it stays the same. He is pumping hands with more magic it becomes a burden for his circuits.

"Slime cutoff!"

Shields are about to slam between kvaser and sphere.

But one of the shield hit the hand that it went closer to the sphere.

Life is flashing before Jerry's eyes. Sphere turned dark pink when shrunk sending Jerry subconscious with a feeling of heart stop.

SYSTEM WARNING: BATTERY LEVEL 10 %.

Before he even sad a swear words the sphere exploded violently.

Shield slammed kvaser and send him into a wall. Wall cracked significantly.

Golems standing next to him were in pieces slammed to the sides.

Jerry is raising his hand to see the result. Though he cannot see much. Dust or missing hand?

Both. Half of the elbow is missing from the right arm which was hit by shield.

"Maya. Did we blow our cover out?"

"Thankfully not. Door is in place. Neighbors are shocked though. They felt it like 5 in Richter scale."

"Well. So it's at least powerful enough to leave a significant field to look for the cause."

"It seems. I observe that many is waking up to check what happened."

"I need spare parts. Can we take to the sub before commotion."

"Call principal in the meantime."

Apartment was in a good shape so nothing to be worried about. So they thought not knowing the consequences of explosion right away.

 

The underwater bell far from and deep under the water of Laugus.

"Man, these arms are wrecked." Jerry commented the actual state of the hanging pieces of elbow.

"It was my fault. I hit the arm and pushed hand triggered explosion." She is unexpectedly sorrow.

"How are the charts and data?"

"Now you want that? What about missing arm and severed other parts?"

"Take care of that. I'll analyze data."

"You…" She hit a deaf wall.

Jerry has started processing data. And a lot of data.

His mind in focus went on a level where he effortlessly is solving complicated equation. Ironically similar to fluid dynamics but things are about to be even more complicated.

This is unbelievable how is that?

A bit of randomness entered the equations making them unpredictable. Though there might be a general theoretical behavior then.

It's this what causes the explosion? If that I just need to adjust the dose and multiple that before I'll be able to make further progress.

He is stating the next goals to catch this enormous amount of magic.

"Maya. How is the repair?"

"Done a while ago."

"Ok. Hold the production of new kvaser unit. I'll prepare new version."

"Are you harnessing that explosion?" She is asking ironically.

"Well, yes."

 

Spy in the dorm seems to be shaken from attempt to sleep. Sudden burst of magic and earthquake set her on feet in no time.

"That burst. It was from region where Kazeru Vinci lives. I wanted this report to be simple and go back for a week off."

She has a sorrow face. Someone is already meddling with her work and he's just added more work.

Spy is arriving on the rooftop in the moonless night.

"His apartment is over there but what is this magic?"

Magic is leaking from the ground, not so far from Kazeru's apartment. It's faint but she despite her inability to sense magic correctly she sees it. It was the cause for her to take espionage role.

People are peaking from their windows but it seems everyone is safe but some flowerpots.

Spy is swearing under her nose. If that will be in the report she will be forced to stay for another week. She requested a background check on Kazeru Vinci. In the morning she will receive response.

She checked the windows only to see Kazeru sleeping like a rock. Commotion won't let her to check close so she withdraws to sleep.

 

Morning was skewed by message from Midgar headquarter.

She now needs to send report from the night event. They should answer soon.

But the answer is not coming. They send only extension signals. It means discussion is on. A really long one.

Hour later somehow a week off has been confirmed though it needs few days to switch spy.

Just before acknowledge sign last instruction came. 402 was scratching her head in thought of delivering a certain letter.

 

A whole weekend city's staff was looking for source of night commotion. It was sad to be a small earthquake or explosion so they are going to check gas pipes in neighborhood.

 

Underwater base is under construction. A very fast one. In just two weeks three brand new small U-I The Eel, The Silver, The Needle and one medium size U-II U07 Sava subs are on site.

Sava delivered most of the equipment and building material. About 50 units were working on construction.

This spot is not the greatest in tactical approach but is close to a very important for future place – Laugus. Staying hidden forever is not an option. When sonar and magic detection will come if not already that last one in form of some unknown artifact I need to build safe public persona and company.

With students and further connections magic circuitry business is possible in near future.

Secret research facility needs to be close. Main will still be in bunker but this one will be used for me and production.

The work on the first chamber is halfway through but it still pales to the future main one being the size of U-II.

 

Gamma is busy with her work over Mits… Shadow Garden today. Madlid, Altena, Lawless City needs to be taken under complete control. Cult's influence there is weak but not negligible.

Zeta has brought some trail of hidden Rounds' member. Seems to be that few years ago a whole faction disappeared completely. She would want to know more regarding such case but Zeta's reports are getting even more infrequent.

She is taking another file and see today's plans for this region.

"402 is getting back soon. I need to ask for good spots to see. But this…"

Seems someone got back from the grave and is working on the future.

"I'll send 301 for interview."

Oil, marine, car, tram, electricity. Eta is very busy and it has a big dent on her keepers. She insist on new staff but she treats them harsh. Alpha had to intervene two times this month.

Kazeru seems to push a magic circuitry technologies. He's got some prominent students under him.

If to recruit him to some branch company they could keep an aye on him and he would develop new technology.

 

Chapter notes:

To be honest. This is the first chapter notes that I have written. (Inspired by "The Necromancer In Shadow")

Jerry experimenting there with magic compression is like small success in what could have been a much worse result. With the pinch of luck articore is safe and he did not blew up his cover.

Chapter version 11.5.1.

Chapter 18: Kage Gear Ltd. Enrollment

It's a new week. Everyone seems to getting know each other.

Rico, Phermi and Loren met last weekend and they are analyzing magic behavior now.

Relato and Camino were trying to forge a mithrill core into ferrous outside. What it gives. Probably nothing revealing but it will be tested later.

Felix spend entire weekend at library to browse for similar subjects.

At noon break Principal Atheno payed a visit clearly worried. Or double worried judging by his pale look.

If not a message he would run to check the source of earthquake.

As they had occasion to talk they spend hour talking about new company, financing it, students and more.

In short a portable calculator will be product of the near future and how to save its significant role for about a decade.

Maya reported a new info about letters. Most of them were appearing out of nowhere inside the letter box. Nobody was seen nor recorded at delivery. Only a slight magic trace appeared inside. Investigating normal letters is at the moment in progress.

But despite both of their hypothesis the spy was not the source of those letters.

After break whole group assembled to train magic and theory of infusion.

Loren to Kazeru's surprise is learning well judging by her questions.

Everyone is starting to see to what a heck of a course they applied for after hearing the subject of first device to be build for serious.

Their behavior started to be anxious except Camino's. Only small tics and grins are visible on his face. In Kazeru's eyes he must have experience the full pain circle with designing a new product.

Evening brought a small fight to test the new sword. Camino decided to be the opponent of Kazeru. Loren instinctively took a step back as the ominous aura hit her. Camino handed the new sword to his opponent and he grabbed a typical mithrill one for a dark knight.

Camino in response releases his aura to show off causing spectators to back off on safe distance. Close to the doors and even closer after they got shivers from teacher's aura strengthen when he slide his hand over the sword.

Who is the judge? No one. They glancing each other over there and moving subtly.

They moved. Theirs' swords are lighting up. Student's dark blue. Teacher's light pink.

Then like in sync like a mirror was in between them.

With a light swoosh swords are slashing through air. Closing to a dent clash.

Clang!

They were not moving fast but the brute force of their muscles dented both swords.

Loren with a blink of an eye saw that they looked at each other mischievously.

They are going for destroying clash. She saw.

She backed as close to the door as possible. As the rest felt the rising aura of strength they moved after her.

Swords are emanating a bright aura that makes observers tremble.

With the fear in their eyes teacher and student are going with a full might.

Swords are moving so fast that in the eyes of observers they are seeing only a blurr.

Clang!!!

With an ear painful level of volume of the clash new sword turned into many pieces leaving mithrill one with a visible and deep crack.

"Well. If that was a fully ferrous sword it would be cut like a fresh roll." Commented Camino. Which was heard only by the teacher. The rest still had rumble in their ears.

Loren was stunned with their performance. They both exerted a force of the young Annerose Nichtsehen which she saw few times in the past.

Knock, knock.

Someone is knocking to the door.

"Please come in." Says Kazeru.

"Everyone is alright?"

The bang was so loud that half of the trainees got shivers, stopped and was looking anxiously for the source.

"Yes. Except those swords."

"Ah. That's o…" He got pale face when looked at swords.

"H-How did you do it?"

"This? We were testing a sword but it shattered and that concludes someone's project."

"Ah. Next time warn us before please. This was heard through all building and outside." Instructors face is taking a more lively colors.

Just as he is going out he stopped and asked Kazeru about his evening training.

"Personal training." Answered Kazeru.

Instructor left the room and soon after new group have entered.

At the way home there was nothing strange for Kazeru. No spies, stray cultists, no drunk students. Even letter in his mailbox was somewhat normal.

And was not. An invitation to enrollment to Kage Gears Ltd. has arrived.

The letter is clearly suspicious. They claim to got a good hear about the research coming to go and want me to apply there.

That claim is clearly concerning for Kazeru. He did not do much up to now and he is already invited with no serious background.

Hmm… what are they up to?

"Maya. Take this address and send spy units over there."

Not so long after the life of workers there is being watched. At first nothing unusual but the president there is an elf. The only one which felt disturbed when units came close.

Without a second thought Jerry went for scan for lanterns.

"What do you have?"

"Now it's not a surprise. Shadow Garden and Mitsugoshi might stand behind this company."

Maya nodded in agreement. If a president and few souls underground are lanterns that means their involvement.

"What are we gonna do?" Maya has a bit worried sound.

"Delay this as much possible."

I don't want to be tied there. I can't split myself to oversee an external unit making the exploration.

His plan is currently set to train young students and after go to explore more of this world further to save the resources and maybe even discover a way home.

Being in shady hands of the ex-cult member is enough already. Atheno seems we will need to accelerate things.

 

The second day went fast. Students were working on their own in lab because teacher was on long meeting with principal.

Atheno as soon he heard about the letter commented that.

"Spies, spies are everywhere." After a break for breath. "Do you continue here?"

"Yes." His answer was fast, decisive and full of conviction and pride. That reassured Atheno to pursue the calculator project.

Next day brings Kazeru Vinci to the Kage Gears building.

Building with a bit modern look. Red brick, fancy windows' finish. Inside filled with incandescent light bulbs replacing a gas one. A lot of men in white uniforms, rolls of papers and drafts, notice board filled with many notes and tables.

Everything that is behind a secretary table at the entrance. A woman, no a lantern. One of the many that has appeared today only in here. There is not much difference from interrogation or investigation now.

President's room is like separated from the rest of the building though only by atmosphere inside. If not bookshelf it would be like a generous private room.

After greetings and praising the young teacher's work she was about to ask for job terms but Mr. Vinci asked one burning question.

"But how did you know about project CALC? No one knew except one person beside me." Her eyebrow tingled light speed. "Principal professor Atheno Mirmir. I believe he did not spill anything." The last word was said with a specific accent on it.

"I can assure that…" What a fake expression on her face she has or is it only my imagination.

"Please let me establish this company myself first. Then you can buy it."

Her heart gave a short skip. This man was emanating an aura of pride and decisiveness. His short given answer with a threat before was not what she expected.

"Can we at least donate your project before?"

"Please wait for a first paper to release at least."

"What will it be about?"

"Memory latch theory and examples."

She nod in acknowledge so the man could leave.

"Can I ask you who you really are?" She couldn't hide completely the feeling of doubt in Kazeru's identity.

He stopped midway to the door and answered with a quarter turn looking into his right hand.

"A thing that lost his body but will not sit in one place like a hopeless rat."

His words are monotone but filled with some kind of better future in mind.

She is trying to process the words that surprised even her.

"Invest in my students."

And with that he leaves the office where the staff has stiff posture and is ready for everything.

 

"Jerry."

"What is it?"

"You've got training with Nara in half an hour."

"Good you remember. Let's go. Ah and prepare close island to train."

"Yes."

When the teacher reaches the training hall where Nara is already stretching.

"Good afternoon."

"Oh. Good afternoon master." She is like pushed of stable posture.

"Today training is canceled here. Take it into your ear and prepare for night out."

"Eh?"

She knew that Kazeru is sometimes enigmatic but that entrance and fast leave means something.

She was right. She is the docks now and instructions are clearly mentioning to dive into the water and be prepare for sudden capture.

"This is disturbing as heck." Her childish former self gave a comment.

"Maybe I should use this?"

Moment later a dark figure is taking a dive.

A trapdoor opens to a chamber filled with the tiny bit of known magic.

She takes place inside and unfamiliar voice gives voice note.

"Welcome Nara Scam."

"Eh?" Chamber closed and is being fill with the warm air.

"Take a seat."

Inside of the thing she is, it looks much better than kvaser's sub.

Without the warning as soon she sat in the sub, it took off with a force only experienced by knights. Any commoner would loss consciousness.

Minute later it was flowing slightly over the water with a breathtaking speed.

Soon in front of her a small point was becoming bigger and too big!

In her eyes she has already crushed in that.

In the last possible moment sub, plane or whatever it was stopped rapidly just before the teacher who is waiting for her.

"You serious?"

Oh. She is snakelike complaining.

"Seems you've learned slime."

She is about to answer sharply but from his back two black things with shining scales appear which sets her silent.

"It's a prototype but it's not the today's theme."

"Then what?"

"Magic control and use."

When the theory and initial training are done it's evening already.

But this means that now it's time for some more serious fights.

The island is filled with the noise and echo of clashing swords and low bass hits of the ground.

Ground, midair, woods. The damage there is uncountable.

The fight is reaching a steep hill. As he on purpose got close to the hill, he pulled his additional arms and starts a climb.

As he is few meters above.

"That's unfair."

That's what she sad.

He proceed to throw a stone ripped from side of the hill just right at her.

"Now you've got it!" Sad angrily.

She extends slime of her feet and step by step she climbs higher.

Well she is learning fast.

With every step she gets more used to it but the real action is starting over the level of trees' crowns.

 

A golden cat therianthrope is coming back to her favorite spot. The basket she carries is filled with fresh tuna caught in the sea around. Duty is duty but relax helps to gain some peace in mind.

She sets a fire without a smoke just in case and proceeds to pierce flesh-out tuna seasoned with salt and pepper with a stick over the fire.

As the first fish is over the fire she hears something like a thunder from the beach side of the island.

"Hmm. Who are they?"

She enhances her sight to see a figure clad in black stepping out of the strange object and greeted by… what?

"Who is that? What is that?" She is trying to remember any of the cult figures but nobody comes to her mind.

She proceed to observe them and sticking tuna around the bonfire at the same time.

From time to time he is using tentacles to demonstrate magic flow. Sword, axe and knives are deliberately talked out.

"What is his motive? Sending a spy into a shadow garden ranks?"

If yes that means it's better to get as many intel as possible.

She feed the fire and comes down to overhear them.

She listen to their conversation confused. The lecture is very detailed. Packed with every knack and cranny of basics of magic use to her surprise almost the same as shadow taught her magic.

But no… the girl there is Nara Scam from Laugus university. Her slime suit is crude but enough for starters. Then who is training her?

She comments to herself. She takes sharp look on him only to be stuck seeing a golem using slime to present… magic compression.

How some golem is even using magic compression? Only Shadow himself knows about this. Even Laugus failed to prove that.

She has never heard of golems, not to even speak of intelligent ones. He is too thin to fit a human inside nor he was not emitting any magic suggesting remote control.

But some hand combat skills were somewhat familiar to her.

"W-Wait is that desert soldier style of deflecting the knife?" She asks herself to recall the training with young master Shadow.

She checks one more time on tuna and gets back to see that they are starting to spar on serious.

The fight is presenting a unique style not befitting shadow garden or cult or any other known school.

Only use of magic is similar but even that is different. Like something is still missing in their magic.

The fight is taking an hour already. She is halfway through eating grilled tuna. Going from spot to spot by magic subspace.

At the start of the wall she is witnessing some mocking only to short cutting her pity towards Nara who starts to climb after her teacher.

"Oh. It seems he had this in schedule."

The fight is unusual as he had experience in fighting like that is what she thinks.

"But who are you? If not shadow garden affiliate nor cult member then who? Your aura is like not existent."

Then she sees which way the fight goes and it's not good for her. They are going straight up to the top where she has grilled tuna.

With a swift move warm tuna is taken to the basket and send to subspace.

The fight is so intensive that the hill experiences quakes. He is piercing the solid stone to anchor. She makes use of every imperfection and hooks there.

Hits which trembles the hill are getting stronger. The bonfire is almost covered but then a woman figure is thrown up.

She cannot let be seen or felt. Killing them is out of the question but if necessary.

Woman is flying up fast. She is almost done with cover up.

Then a foot is making an appearance. She prepares to blind the woman then with a loud scrape woman slowed and pulled herself towards golem that only her stomach was exposed.

She let a small sigh and when bonfire was finally covered she went for observing from tree crowns at distance.

Their battle is reaching a climax. At first Nara was clumsy using new techniques but now she is moving swiftly and surely.

And as expected of her teacher, he is still raising the difficulty. He is using many weapons one by another in an unpredictable way. But whenever the hand combat comes to play she likes to withdraw halfway.

As the hill is ruined they've dropped on the ground with Nara being clearly exhausted.

She comes closer to overhear their talk.

"How was… it?" She takes a deep breath.

"Very good I would say."

"Anything more?"

"It's better if I show you it at the coast."

At the coast he starts to talk about magic compression and failed experiment. He is really close to find the purpose of some artifact.

She listens more and more. What she hears is everything what shadow garden knows about magic but sad in a completely different way.

"Did he really discover it by himself, but who created golem like that. Maybe Eta lost one?"

Thankfully she recorded magic trails with Eta's device in the shape of monocle.

"I will need to contact Eta to consult that."

Oh?

He starts to do something weird. He is condensing magic at the palm of his hand. It's like.

"No. Is he compressing magic?" But she can't doubt her eyes and senses. It is magic compression like master Shadow taught her.

When the small amount was heavily compressed he released it slowly to diverge a part of it to the woman.

After a while he stopped and started to compressing it to the point becoming solid but… she spotted something alarming. Magic was not becoming solid like master's. Her tail got shivers as never used magic waves from him started to trembling the magic in his hand. Then he released it high into the sky.

She was looking at this when it suddenly exploded almost blinding her.

"It's almost like his."

When she looked at them they were already on the strange looking ship.

"Why is it disappearing so fast?" She comment not knowing what submarines are... yet.

With that the ship vanishes in the waters of Altena sea.

"I definitely need Eta."

 

"It is only a matter of days when you can also wield this kind of magic."

Nara is looking at the beautiful and at the same time scary show as magic waves of explosion are surging through the space.

"It's almost like his…" Her quiet whisper did not escaped kazeru's ear.

"Hmm…?"

"No it's nothing." Her answer is somewhat awkward.

 

A hairy mess is sighing on the thought of coming up from bed.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Silent." Her quiet voice didn't even left the pillow.

Knock! Knock!

She put her head from under the quilt.

KNOCK!!!

The heavy lab door is rapidly pushed from the frame.

"Eta!" Irritated Epsilon is calling for Eta loudly.

"Ghe..he. Do not destroy… the door."

As she was about to sulking more Epsilon grabbed her to the bathroom.

After hour of doll care Eta was sent to Gamma who had a not happy face.

Eta took the report from the spies to her request denied.

She takes a look on Gamma once more then leaves the office and goes to her lab clearly disappointed.

How? How he denied such generous offer? Students? They are worthless. He… his brain is what I need. His book contained very detailed sketches of things that master Shadow taught. But this book is not enough. I need…

Lamenting is not worth energy.

I don't care if he is from the cult. I'll get him personally…

Heh. Heh, heh…

A maniac laugh was filling lab almost a minute.

In few days Eta left the Midgar under the pretext of visiting Laugus for upcoming conference.

"Targets are... tutor K. Vinci and... prof. Sherry Barnett. If he won't join... us personally I'll get what... I really need. Prof. Barnett. At last we… can have a talk."

Another creepy laugh scared passengers of a luxurious ship.

 

A one certain evening everyone's senses were pulled hard by waves of magic so strong as there was a sound clashing of two swords in it.

Petos flew out of the bed almost hitting through the wall. His usual cold posture vanished for a minute. Then he starts to laugh silently.

Shadow Garden was set in full ready to battle. Alpha called a crisis meeting to be surprised that Eta is missing. Mist Dragon went for additional toxicity and increasing a misleading magic draft in mist around Alexandria.

Shadow feeling this abnormous magic looked at direction of where supposed to be Laugus.

"Interesting." Today a certain Cult member survived a night.

Claire visited by Alexia was quickly restrained. Mu helped to calm miss Claire. Team from Shadow Garden was waiting outside. Nina was once again clearing the dorm from pieces of wall.

 

Chapter notes:

Breaking 40k words here in the original electronic manuscript but it's getting close to the first original handwritten scene. The seventh one is finally coming.

What are those Kazeru's new arms? A future.

Meeting Zeta was unplanned but well there was none from the higher shadows since Alexandria.

Chapter version 12.5.1.

Chapter 19: Pink is the New Black

The fifth day everyone from research was called for a meeting. Students' faces are a bit anxious seeing principal and therianthrope in modern suit and fluffy tail from the bank with the case in hand.

Laugus Expo is exposition of technology event soon hosted in Laugus. It gives a chance to promote and present new inventions. Previous and first edition took place in Midgar and was dominated by Mitsugoshi.

As the chance for promotion comes soon Kazeru decided to make use of this. Presented fast project was proposed by teacher. Relay based switches network for calculator. Theory and basic circuits.

Loren at first could not find herself but quickly started to get the whole idea and to every ones surprise took the initiative and decided to lead the team.

Hmm… That went easier than expected. We've got money, leader and brains. But Atheno really went overboard with his donation. Even Kage Gears were not so generous with their offer. Nevertheless I need to make sure those guys will make a good paper and presentation.

Work over the plan took to the late evening. So late that students decide to go straight ahead to pub but Kazeru had a problem. He does not drink or eat.

With few winks Atheno helped to pull him into the office under the pretext of closing this case.

At the way back though the scan could not find the bank worker.

"Atheno." Kazeru indicated a problem.

"What? You even get the pale expression? Looks good though."

"We've been compromised." Atheno's face expression frosted.

"Who?" He asked with a whisper.

"Shadow Garden. This bank worker is the Shadow's spy."

They both hold their voices and stay without moving even a finger.

I told them to buy it later but this is just greediness. Any false move…

"What for they were there?" Atheno pause Jerry's internal monologue.

"Not what for but who was it."

"Who??" Atheno's simple question took ages to finish.

"One of the Seven Shadows. No mistake."

"What she is doing here then? If it's one of them they definitely took a hint of something. And how did you found out so late?"

"From time to time I make a scan of magic around but it's better if no one is around… Wait! Your mailbox!"

"Don't you s..."

"Shut up and go like nothing happened."

Atheno got the situation immediately and they went to the principal office to talk things like nothing happened. Secretary though given them the letter.

Atheno threw this under the paper tower on his desk and sad loudly.

"Letters for later." Knowing Kazeru's signal table at the same he hit lightly desk two times with his pinky to indicate that Kazeru must draw attention of the spy tonight.

You can bank on it.

"Maya. Prepare the jet pack and more arms."

As Maya received the command not a minute later everything was ready.

Kazeru went only his known way.

 

What is this? Why nobody is doing anything. They shook hands with magic add. I found the letter receiver but today I cannot see what he is doing. He just went to sleep.

"Tch."

Suddenly she felt magic explosion from her favorite island. Each and each explosion is getting more powerful. She took a look through the window over the city to see a dark pink beams of light going up the sky.

"There is no mistake. Nara's instructor is on my island." Zeta sounded like an angry cat.

 

"This is stupid."

"Yeap. This is stupid." Comments Maya. "Do you think this spare core survives 5 minutes?"

"Maybe."

"Are you serious?"

"I need to contact her somehow. She is a spy. Add to this likely space travel and being a one of the Seven and today's ordinary infiltration."

"You just want to let off steam on something aren't you?"

She didn't got the answer.

"There she is."

Zeta lands few meters behind instructor. Her impact is raising a big cloud of dust.

"Good evening." Who's that voice? I heard it today.

He proceed to turn his torso and head to look at her.

"I believe you remember who you met earlier today?" He continues.

Why now he sounds so artificial?

"Who are you?"

"A thing that lost his body but will not sit in one place like a hopeless rat."

Then she sees stone like face though before she asked for more its eyes glowed greenish blue and his veins like shadows glowed with pulsing white and red colors.

"Do you know who I am to spout such nonsense at?"

"You are from Seven Shadows. I believe you've read yours spy report from last week."

He definitely not lying though.

"Certainly. I'm Zeta the sixth Shadow."

"As my old traditions says. You must answer such honest greeting. I'm Jerry. I come from other as you speak – realm."

She gets back one step.

Another realm?

"Would I know who you are if I read that?"

"Certainly but only my fake identity."

They stare at each other. Kazeru is blank for Zeta by his magic cover. Zeta cannot do anything with her dark gaze to Kazeru.

"You know…" With angry purr.

"Eh?" Very short Eh.

"This was my favorite spot and you tore this beautiful sight down!"

Without any grunt he was launched over a kilometer into the very same hill from few days ago.

BOOM!!!

A huge cloud of dust and rocks is reaching over trees. Four tentacles are pulling main body out of the hole.

"She is really pissed."

"You asked for it."

"Not consciously though."

"She's coming."

Black figure sprints centrally at gray figure.

"You won't get unscathed with it." She shouts in anger.

As she is approaching he is forming a blade of slime and scales and pumps so much magic that it turns dark pink.

She keeps her attack being sure to break his sword.

In the last possible atoms before his blade turns black. Not from lack of magic but strange magic fluctuation scaring Zeta about the outcome.

Next atom closer between sword and chakram a disruptive wave of magic sets off with the earthquake following. Zeta's ears are in pain. Even the echo of clash is enough to destroy eardrums.

The explosion send her half way to the beach.

"Did he survived that?" She cannot believe her senses. Under the pile of rock his tentacles are still kicking though it seems half of the body is missing.

"Why did you intend to kill us both?"

"Sorry I went overboard with magic though you are looking like nothing happened, you know."

"You look like pile of trash now. You won't get away with that much damage." She has a grin of contempt.

"Oh I will." She laughed at such ridiculous state. "As for yours long travel here my core is like just around the corner."

"Then you are a coward."

"Maybe but my goals here are to survive, explore, help you destroy the Cult and go back to my home realm."

With that the very damaged body of his is leaking slime all over and magic is vanishing without a trace. Soon mithrill body is nothing more than a dust.

"Only a shell. Survive. Destroy cult. Such sinister magic. He might be useful..."

What she did not said aloud was "...useful for raising the Demon Diablos again."

 

Situation at university is under control. Atheno said that I went for another island. Students are taking care of paper unbelievably fast and well. Theoretical part is almost done and the logic blocks are taking shape.

Nara brought a device for student to contact if needed. At first they stayed away from that but as she used it few times they tried it also. In just a week there were 25 calls more.

Without kvaser unit for a whole week I could not perform a good scan of lanterns or she was really hiding without a trace. I suppose she will show her ears when I get back to the university tomorrow.

New kvaser is much slimmer but after adding armor plates, bunch of scales, filling it up with refined slime and finally powering it with upgraded articore. Oh boy. Sky is the limit.

Articore is now partially powered by compression generators. Reaction is not self sufficient but provides much more magic power that explosion back on island. Only synchronization to be successful.

The afternoon at underwater laboratory is filled with the artificial atmosphere of focus and nervous calm while articore is linked with the new body.

Without many problems kvaser version 3 comes out to explore the world.

 

A whole next week seemed to be rather calm, uneventful and filled with preparations to Laugus Expo. But under the light, in the night of the college city island, black robes are meeting secretly under one facility lab.

Maya for two weeks already has view of the whole university. Main, side and most of the shortcuts are under her supervision. Recently she created new core cluster in abandoned mine shaft which was flooded. Because of its chemicals there only some hardcore bacteria could survive in there.

As she was "supervising" she recently found dark hood with a strand of pinky hair peaking from the front.

The first meeting seemed strange. No one was talking anything, not a single word. Though her expressions are visible. She is making eye contact from time to time. Her pawns though never made any significant expression.

Today better units were launched. Dim lighting of the room greatly helps to camouflage them. Nobody seemed to realize.

She receives some reports and is reading through most of that.

"Hmm. This is a one woman cult." Not that I'm speaking that women basically rules the world here.

"Ehhh…" Oh she sighed heavily.

Pink head is coming to sidekick next to her. She pulls something like necklace from her chest and talks through this him.

"Maya. You know, this is looks like a straight…"

""Brainwashing."" They sad both at the same time.

"Let's see how long it will take."

Surprisingly it took few minutes to tell them instructions and next one after another. In two hours everything was ready.

"Jerry look at this."

"What you've got?"

"This."

One file named Kazeru Vinci with last page treating about…

"I wish her luck with that."

"You ser…?" She stopped. Did she got the joke?

Her plan is interesting. Overtaking someone's priorities to put your own instead. For Shadow Garden it will take long to discover it. But still, this is pretty cunning.

 

The next day the appear of tutor Vinci caused a huge uproar in the lab room. But this was not caused by the appear itself. In the meantime when Kazeru was absent Felix took a look on telephone and he finally asked the question which everyone seemed to have at the top of the tongue.

"What is that? Artifact?"

"Not exactly, because I repaired it by accident."

"Is that not a nation worth artifact then?" Asked Camino with full seriousness.

"It is but I've got bunch more and I've seen even more strange artifacts in my life."

"Do you know ancient encrypting?" Felix is eager of something.

"Only few but analysis is still in progress."

"Would you show me your notes?"

Hmm… She won't stop asking I believe.

"I'm afraid of what I'm researching. Loren, I believe you know who puts blame on Shadow Garden and wants to possess that kind of knowledge."

Loren and Felix got a pale face. The men weird out their expressions and Loren was mumbling quietly something.

"Now you know." Tutor Kazeru is going with the old wise man words impact. "We are on the leading edge of technology. For now it's better to not know a lot but rest assured that even if I vanish one day my knowledge won't be lost."

As Kazeru is ending his speech he shows a black disc.

Then like in their minds their tutor continued like he was double speaking.

"Soon everyone will get a copy. Only with your magic you can open, decode and learn from it the technology of the future. Though those discs are bait. You will get it under another route."

Seems those micro ear speakers were worth it. Those were Maya's idea to pass the real info for students in case of emergency. As Maya took the speech I've checked the surroundings.

And of course, some unknown student is leaning against the entry door and even this cat is behind the room with one door. Those fireworks were not for show you kitty. I know you are here.

"… you will get copies with a thick book."

With that cat and students are leaving their positions.

"Maya, tomorrow we prepare books. Prepare few hands to write."

"Blank books from where?"

"Good question. I'll call Atheno."

Atheno used to this artifact called telephone quickly indicated a good address.

Preparing script for the book took a whole night. Fake book though will be the one which Shadow Garden acquired. A wrist watch should be a good present for my students.

 

The second day believing or not is the assembly of relays logic units. Except they wont be working without electricity. Atheno bought a generator unit but it needs to be brought to university. And would you guess where their shop is.

Visit at Kage Gears Ltd. shop was for some inconspicuous eye totally nervous situation for them, at least for the elven part of the staff. Though after a short talk everything went professionally.

Kitty was nowhere to be found but some "instructed" mind were not letting eye the whole trip.

The atmosphere in tutor Vinci's lab is rather cheerful and the work is going fast. To the surprise of the students few problems regarding mistakes in wiring were quickly fixed by the tutor who only looked few times on the multiple pages of diagrams like nothing.

They remember what tutor sad. What is his real knowledge? What are his abilities? Fencing? Solving problems skills? Experience. From where? And why he does not sweat in this warm room?

Evening brought an unexpected guest from the ancient artifact sub department.

Knock. Knock.

"Please come in."

"Ex...cuse me. Good evening."

"Good evening. How can I help you?"

"Profes-ssor Sher-ry Barnett ask for he-help with identifying potential use of un-nknown artifact."

I look at the progress of today's work and think of a likely scenario to happen in an hour.

"Enough for today. Go for a night break. You too Nara."

Then I look at a bit nervous student.

"Lead the way."

"Y-yes."

"Maya. Not a bug will come here without notice."

"Yes. I'm preparing a multistage supervision."

 

Prof. Sherry is clearly preparing a speech note. I see many notes with three levels of importance. Her main subject seems to be not bringing artifacts to life as I would expect from this department but creating nervous-impact devices. She really thinks that will work on him. But hey I'm pretty sure I'll get to know in few minutes.

"Maya. Full second hand steering mode."

Sherry is looking rather tired with the bags under her eyes. The amount of sugar, coffee, milk and empty cups brings Jerry's mind to remember sometimes sleepless nights over projects.

"Good evening prof. Sherry."

"Oh!" When she sees Kazeru she almost jumped out of the chair.

"Good evening." She put her hand on the necklace.

"I was called by your student. Seems some artifact is causing you problem."

"Ah. Take a look."

She is handing over an old book with ancient script. She is so excited that…

"May I take a good look." I take the book in my hand from under her head.

The head covered the whole page.

I started to look at this and almost instantly knew what was that all about. Those over 30 pages were about computer. They seemed to be older versions of those from the bunker. Maya takes a bunch of scans.

"Ano." A shy voice went behind Vinci's back.

"Hmm… interesting."

"What is it?"

"It looks like part of the whole setup though I don't get this ancient script but it looks like computing device."

"May I."

"You will build this machine and other needed devices."

She kept her hand on the necklace.

"What's up Maya?"

"It seems you've got yourself ten extra years of work with her."

I check magic interventions and records and it seems she missed the shot.

"Eventually." Heh, heh.

"What are you going to do with that?"

"Listen to this."

"Agh!" I hold my head with straight my back leaning on chair back.

Then Sherry takes another round with a bit panic face.

I simulate losing consciousness.

As I'm lying on the floor she is talking about everything she needs. The list is really long. For earth standards they are like from ninetieth century psychology devices. Of torture.

In few minutes and not successful try to bring me out of the room she and her sidekicks quickly gave up and I decided to wake up. Well kvaser is still weighing about 140 kilos.

"Oh. How you feeling? You fainted out of nowhere."

"I had some nervous breakdown. I haven't slept like 3 days."

"Thanks, but a walk is great sleep dispeller. At least for me."

"Please be careful when on your way back."

"Thanks. Good night."

"Good night."

So Kazeru is leaving the ancient artifacts sub department.

On the way back were at least four her sidekicks keeping eyes on me.

 

The rest if the week is a mix of tasks. Maya is keeping eyes on university and Sherry's hoods. Kazeru is working with students and at night is working on magic control, checking new functions of kvaser and Sherry's interrogation. Students are testing to the fullest capability of modules.

Kitty and even Sherry's hood acquired in some way new books. As Maya told that to Jerry, he responded with.

"Let's check how much time will take them to realize they stole the same book. As for Sherry… did she start reading it?"

"Like five minutes ago."

"Let me hear."

Sherry is looking at the content of the book with big eyes. She reads page by page skipping the intentional blurbs. In the half of the book she stops. Well there was described idea of photon tube, a quick path to kinescope monitor and computing device.

"How? Did he knew of that? But that book is too thick. It would need years to fill so much with a good research volume. Who is he?"

Oh she is decisive hope. What she gonna choose?

"No. Too much commands will bring mind erosion. I cannot let that happen."

Well you stole this book. You've got no way to ask me about it. If you do you are found out.

"Seems I need to check in for his speech at expo."

I'm waiting.

 

Kage Gears Ltd. underground safe zone for classified documentation.

What is that? His acts are talking about that he is dead. The same person claims to research ancient technology. His body seemed artificial but he cannot be a cult member.

Atheno took Nara under his wings and killed his own subordinates to be a principal of university. Gave Kazeru's identity to that thing.

Now that thing is working for better future.

Zeta is organizing facts in her head. The book she stole was the same as previous spy reported here. The most disturbing being slime though. How did he acquired such knowledge of them. She is handing for file titled slime breach in the feel of instinct confidence.

"Hmm… one khimaira sample was lost to an unknown golem who also treated possession of two numbers…"

In that fight with that thing he used slime different from the rest of his stock. What was it's magical aura?

Then she understood those two events. During the fight slime in that blade was…

"Khimaira…" her whole body got shivers. But not because of that freshly backed fact but the unfortunate test of Eta on her.

"How did he even tamed that slime?"

Something rips the space near her.

"Excuse me Zeta-sama. You are late. Something happened?"

"I've checked few things. Raid is canceled tonight."

"What's your new orders?"

"Get back to Oriana. Alpha wanted one younger princess to be found."

"What about you?"

"I'll get back to you after Laugus Expo."

With that a mysterious figure with two like horns and slick diadem vanished in the rip of space.

 

Chapter notes:

Kazeru vs Zeta. Sorry Gemini, sorry my sanity. I just wanted it to happen when I got the idea when I was brainstorming this chapter.

Original title supposed to be Pink Stalker.

Shame on me. Just today I've read the web novel. Clara I promise you…

Chapter version 13.5.1.

Chapter 20: Lethal Lecture

I'm feeling watched wherever I go. Kitty, black hoods and even some cult members joined the party. Today a rare traveling lantern set a foot on Laugus port. For Maya and me it's a bit troublesome. Kitty is still around but seems to work completely independent from Kage Gears and now next big lantern appeared. She visited their facility and wastes no time to go here.

Prof. Sherry Barnett is giving a speech about the relationship between magic and muscle. In her speech she purposely avoided many details which were really important if you want to know how it really works. But Eta was patiently waiting for questions part or... she was sleeping.

"Is she sleeping for real?"

"What's on your mind?"

"Look at that brown headed lantern. This is not how normal human behaves. This is some sleep behavior distortion."

"I've got more info about her."

"Show it."

Eta Lloyd Wright… achooo! Who gave her this name? Wait a second Alpha, Eta. Why does it sound so familiar?

"What's her background?"

"Great architect of Mitsugoshi. Inventor of steam engines. Check these photos."

Maya can only wait as Jerry is virtually flipping a whole folder through.

"Technology of her is truly a copy… no I should say it's recreation of earth's technology and architecture. Look at the history of products of Mitsugoshi. They never existed here before they appeared and grab most of the market."

"That means?"

"I know what you think but it's not her. Her name is somewhat familiar to me."

"Then how did they acquired this knowledge?"

"Ether Shadow himself or they caught someone those 3 years ago."

"How to find that out?"

"Better not. Remember that without current knowledge we know there is possibility to get back home. And who know, maybe they are working on it already."

"You don't mean working with them? Right?" She knows it's better not…"

"We won't stick our head between hammer and anvil more than necessary." His words calmed Maya.

 

In evening Eta and Sherry took a private room to talk. Coffee, milk and sugar under many forms is their only acompanaience. At least that's what Sherry thinks while being totally unaware that one of her foes is chatting with her about some really deep route knowledge about nervous system and use of magic to interfere with it.

Eta, on the other hand is suspecting that someone is eavesdropping. But she can't see nor feel any magical device.

It's late night, Sherry's throat is getting itchy and excuses herself while inviting Eta to her lab tomorrow.

Eta almost fell to sleep but this unexplained feeling was stronger. And that very inexplicable light stepping on wood and wind turbulence being created by something that is not alive.

There is someone watching but master Shadow is much more subtle. I can feel his thin as wrapper aura. The same aura that went out of nothing few times today and vanished after I left the room.

I'll take a look at the tomorrow schedule.

She takes a deep breath only to choke with it.

"Why is there… khimaira's particles… of magic?"

She goes to her rented apartment while she tries to figure out how khimaira's magic happened to be here.

Project was sealed in Alexandria and only two of her subordinates were assigned with taking care of limiting the stock of khimaira.

She reaches her memory to remember a situation where some stray golem took one vial and vanished without a trace.

"Is this golem… near this place or…"

She takes a look through the window at ocean but a comfy bed calls her to sleep.

"I'll check…" With a heavy yawn. "...tomorrow.

 

It's around twelve o'clock. Tutor Kazeru and his lab team are starting the presentation of "Electric relay switch memory and integration to possible devices."

The audience room has got some interesting feature. It has projector which by sending a light through film can show slides on a big screen.

The room was filled with around fifty people. Most of them are invited by Atheno who sad that this will be the future of calculating so if they want a long term progress and profit they must attend. This happened not to be a presentation but a lecture.

Prof. Sherry Barnett, master Eta Lloyd Wright and of course Kage Gears had special treatment in form of free tickets to the lecture.

Elves from Kage Gears seems to be in silent panic mode when they spotted Eta. They set themselves ready for any punishment from Eta but she chose to sit with prof. Sherry.

Kazeru Vinci starts the greetings to the spectators. Then thanks to Mitsugoshi for electric generator.

"With that I would like to present memory latch mechanism."

One by one each and every block of the projected diagram is talked out. At the same time Kazeru and his students are placing in and out modules of the wardrobe size device.

One of the rather more skeptic on audience asked a rather obviously answered question regarding potential use.

"What's all that for?"

"Imagine for a bit. You can add, subtract. You can count invoice money that way faster and with less mistakes. Soon multiplying and dividing will come. With that design companies can perform material analysis much more faster. Imagine if you could put there a whole equation."

He sat down understanding the use.

"This is only a beginning of the future."

Another one from the audience asked slightly different question.

"Can you power it with magic?"

With that some sleepy head who was already drenching saliva from her mouth almost stood up.

"There is a possibility. But very risky."

Kazeru proceeds to talk about possible conversion of magic to electricity but that had a serious hazard.

"... and this way you close the circuit."

"What happens if we are not using a resistor on the handle?"

Handle was a magic interceptor designed to convert magic. Very crude because magic semi-conductors are on the very early step of research. At least not for me and Eta.

"Then you are likely to get a magical overload because of uncontrollable magic drain."

"Too inefficient. Safety factor is over ten here."

"Disregarding this threat is a mistake. I've seen this two times in my life. Developing magic based circuits will take at least ten more years but it's not the song of the future."

Eta's gaze is piercing me while the rest of the audience seem to understand the situation and difficulties of handling certain magic.

Is he oblivious to the fact that magic overload and possession is connected to the blood of diablos? Or he is only playing dumb? No matter what he is thinking his brain is mine.

"Maya, prepare everything to leave this place. I'm feeling that this might be our last night here. And why is trying to sniff all the time?"

After many questions asked by audience it is evening already. Most of them are very optimistic and thankful for introducing to such era-breaking moment in history.

Only Kazeru's throat seems to carry effects of long talk here as he invited his students and principal to backstage.

"I'm sorry guys. It seems someone is waiting for my life. Atheno take care of the company of the students and Agima Ltd."

Students faces went pale and their eyes were about to cry.

"Take this. With that we will be in contact."

With those words he is putting wrist watches.

"So you only are going to hide?" The voice of reason of Loren von Zeitzog broke the silent.

Kazeru only nodded.

"Just before I leave. Atheno, thanks for this identity." He placed his look on students. "And today you guys earned one truth about me."

"What tru...th?" Loren could not finish her sentence because of the breathtaking and scary view.

His hands and head, no, everything his turned to jelly and flowed on his back leaving a hard gray shell of mithrill visible. Clothes were hanging on corners of armor. Head was like too small helmet.

He raised a bit hand and slowly wave fingers of his right hand. Only mechanical clicking was heard in small room enough for ten people sitting inside.

"Seems you lost weight." Atheno broke the silence.

"It's the other way."

…Huh. Heh, heh heh. Loren started quietly laughing. Then Atheno and Kazeru did not hold. They both started laughing loud.

"Your sme…" The laugh overshadow her question.

Five minutes later everyone seemed through laugh grasp the situation.

"So that's I were constantly smelling metals and slime of you."

"Precisely. I'm more machine than human."

"How did you end up like that? Does your whole knowledge comes from before?"

"That's the story for another time and yes."

"Where are you going to hide?" Nara asked important for her question.

"You can come with me or stay here though you still have a lot to learn here."

"Then I stay here." Her face…

"Don't be sad. Take this watch. As for everyone here also. I'm on call practically day and night."

Atheno felt some presence as Kazeru also. Something was approaching.

"See ya." He showed and swing his right at farewell. But his fingers gave Atheno the command to evacuate part of the city.

"Bye!"

"Maya how's the preparation?"

"Everything's ready. Stuff is evacuated."

"Ok. Take the steer."

 

...How long is he to stay in that room? He needs to be placed as fast as possible in brainsucker 2.0.

Eta is above the backstage room contemplating about what Kazeru said.

Then she feels a presence of the new subject who left the Expo hall. He is walking like nothing but from where is this feeling of aura all around her?

Kazeru walks like nothing to apartment while making slight moves side or leaning front or back. Eta's limited slime amount here makes the task difficult. He is clearly evading her.

As there is a narrow alley she makes her move.

Swoosh.

Eta push herself of the wall to evade the shot in the heart.

That's not a coincidence. Wait, he is already on the other side.

"Mendou…" His presence vanished for few seconds.

With swift moves like when she was fighting against Beta she quickly catches to Kazeru and places herself in the path of his walk.

"Hm?"

A female figure with brown head, black over sized coat, slim silhouette in tight slime suit and half transparent tights expressing her femininity enclosed in the height below average.

Oh, she is bold enough to stand in my way but something tells me she won't let me so easy like that Kitty. "I saw you at the lecture. I answered every question I could."

"You will go… with me." She is really talking slowly like on lecture.

"That's some rude attitude." I try to persuade her with sickles that ripped through the sleeves.

She launches herself directly at me with incredible speed but I thought of something against such moves.

In a split of a second, palm of the hand opened and fired a concentrated amount of magic in the form of a light beam straight at Eta.

"Ugh!" She grunted evading the deadly ray of concentrated magic. She lost some slime and that pushed her to more subtle tactics.

The ray did a hole in three nearby buildings.

She wants to catch my blind spot. That is rather difficult even if your arose from under the feet.

"Ooh!?" Rumble comes from under the ground.

"Uhm?"

Eta send slime to catch his feet but he jumped while leaving them.

"Avoiding direct combat. I feel you."

With that he launches himself with two sickles and four tentacles with very dangerously looking claws.

She quickly concentrates her slime back to her and infuse a sword.

Clang.

Her sword breaks but then immediately places second one. Though the second one is infused with solid magic like master's.

This one did not break. As the claws are reaching her she changes her damaged coat for more swords around her.

He has made my sword break with some magic countermeasure but even now I feel he is coming up with a solution. I'll use his tactic.

We are exchanging blows and with every hit a magic is spewed around damaging the surrounding though she is still thinking of counter.

"Now Maya!"

She shots a magic laser like me already? Nevermind.

"You know. Seems to be that you're the third strongest of this world I met but as much as I'd love to stick around…"

She felt behind me or rather over us, a giant beam of magic. She looked up and back on not the face of Kazeru but an artificial face.

"...I'm afraid this is where we part ways."

With the last look on him she backs to evade a very dangerous magic to strike down.

That night a few crossing streets were turned dust and left with a hole of size of few buildings.

"Tch!"

He escaped with no trace, even feet.

 

Zeta is hiding around. She was not supposed to be here by Alpha's orders so she is only looking at the battle. Her body wants to help Eta but she can't even if he is shooting with magic sometimes even better that Epsilon.

Eta too started to shoot also.

"Wait. Why he distanced himself from her?"

Then She felt ominous thing lurking in the clouds. With the tremendous power a magic beam touched the ground turning this place to dust. For some reason though there was noone else here.

 

INCOMING CALL: Atheno Mirmir

"How are you man. You really went with that blast?"

"Hi. Good to hear you are alive down there."

"Down here? Are you this thin light point on the sky?"

"Well that's me. How our students?"

"Seems good…"

"Wait a second."

Students' watches started to vibrate what scared them out.

"Pick up." As Atheno sad they are clicking the green button.

"Are you alright down there?" His voice made them happy. He survived. He is calling to them now. That filled their heart with hope for the future. Their tutor is still alive.

"Yes we are!"

"Good to hear that. I going to my shed. Call tomorrow. By…"

"Kvaser. Please take a look on this case from the mail I send you. Bye."

"Yeah, bye…" Sounds an ending call tone from watches.

""Kvaser??"" Atheno's got the glare of all students on the roof.

 

A certain shadow is looking from the university's tower at the city. A cloud of dust is covering a certain district.

"Nah. I'm late." Disappointment let through his mouth.

"Hm…?"

He strains his magic sensitivity.

When did I saw that magic signature? It's similar, but different? Nevermind. And what is Eta doing here alone? She never used to walk by herself.

I'll check what's up.

"What happened here, Eta?"

A voice from the abyss reached Eta's ears like whispers.

"Master Shadow… a specimen escaped."

"How it looked?"

"A golem disguised as human."

"That will do." With those words Eta takes a long stare at master.

Android, here? Did someone revive ancient technology? Or are they working for someone? Or are they shadow brokers of this world?

The magic trace left by it is very faint but those magic bursts are somewhat underdeveloped.

"Master?" Eta asked with her long quiet voice.

"Them. Androids. Self thinking machines. I need them…"

Shadow with lighting speed shoot to the sky.

"...to know of."

I want to know more.

 

Chapter notes:

Man, 19 chapters later there she is. What Eta will do to him more? The hunt has just begun or this fanfic lose original intention?

Who saw the reference?

Chapter version 14.5.1.

Chapter 21: Pat

"Ugh, my head." A grumpy voice haven't echoed at all.

A strange empty feeling is filling her head. What is she doing here. She was dispatched to…

"Blood witch…" Then a powerful pain struck her head.

"Aghrr…!"

Then a powerful magic counter entered her body sending her to the floor completely powerless.

"Stay calm." A steady voice got to her from all directions.

After few pants she's turn on her back to see the half lit white room.

"Who are you?"

"That I cannot answer but…"

"You… Shadow Garden again!"

Her magic just evaporated the moment she was about to use it. Also she felt a pain around her neck and jaw sending her down again.

"But my master can."

"W-Who?" Her voice is now dry.

"Good morning princess Iris."

"You dammed Shadow. How you dare to imprison a princess?"

"Yes I dare but I am not the Shadow, neither Shadow Garden."

"Cheap lies."

"Keep those words for yourself. Now you won't mess with my plan to get rid of the cult. And remember who your true enemy is, cheap princess."

"chEAP!!!" Then with a smoke she collapsed in convulses caused by magic countering. The white room with pillow walls, floor and ceiling cushioned her fall and silenced the cry.

"Maya. Take care of her. I don't want to give them back a wreck of a princess."

The whole time Iris was inside she was screaming that she was ragging her throat, was trying to break doors but without magic they were standing solid, was feed by strange golems while she was strapped to the chair, then she slept with the anger and humiliation filling her mind.

Then the day had come. She was put in a straight jacket and led out to the… surface. She was in a chamber under water. No. That thing sunk in the port just after she left it.

"What was that?" A rugged, quiet, harpy, voice plagued by pain asked golems leading her.

"It's an only recreation of master's thoughts."

"Where are we going?"

"You will soon met your king and father."

And so she met her father under specified address. With crying of both interested, Alpha disguised as a dark knight asked feminine looking golem a piercing question.

"Who are you if Echo is a lone warrior?"

"He never sad he was alone. Then without further ado we keep our restraints and we let you your princess."

Alpha though was ogling the golem entire time.

 

"Did you really need to be so short tempered to her?"

"I don't like such short sighted people."

The situation in Midgar temporarily improved but Iris vanished a week ago. Shadow garden is really picky about magic aura coming of of scouting units that most of them must left capitol long ago. Their way of treating details is really impressive but big events like vanish of the princess won't go without any affair.

The report from Maya took a long time and reverted to the missing midgar princess case.

"What about this princess?"

"We've got another princess caught in the middle of war. I hope Shadow Garden will take this task of finding Iris."

"I'll try to observe their moves."

After the action in Midgar Shadow Garden put a lot of thought in countermeasures for unknown and potential enemies such as Echo.

 

Knock, knock.

"It's Nu."

"Come in."

"Gamma-sama, emergency report from Laugus, Velgalta and Nautilus."

The war in Oriana is in stagnation in the north and north west regions of kingdom. Rose cannot recover those land from invasion for some unknown reason.

"Let me take a look."

The back of the swivel char is getting pressed.

Nautilus found three other submersible ships. Very oval and gentle shapes. Two periscopes at the conning tower. Aproximately 20 meters long. They entrapped and attacked Nautilus. Then fled immediately. One escaped to Laugus two others vanished near west oriana trench deep under the water. Nautilus lost communications and navigational devices. They arrived not long ago in Alexandria for repairs.

No. 89 notes.

Three submersible ships are likely not responsible for attacks on Oriana fleet. Concerning is that human size versions of those ships were even more cautious and avoided any contact in advance.

There is high probability that they are one of Knights of Rounds artifacts destined to monitor situation but reports of observations and attacks does not correlate.

"Is he really such observant one and won't help it's own?"

"Reports from Velgalta are not confirming any submersible ships being build or deployed. But one was seen yesterday in Laugus and…"

Gamma put her nose in files reading about recent mayhem caused by…

"Eta?" Gamma was not sure what she was reading.

Kage gears and Eta went for lecture by Kazeru Vinci. After that Eta attacked him but he withdraw leaving a rubble of several buildings with magic ray coming from the sky putting a stop on Eta's attack.

"Eh?" She started to worried about something. "Whah… our buildings are safe." Gamma almost fall off the chair. Then she's relaxed next moment after reading further.

Kage Gear team was able to take a reading on his magic and several waves in spectrum are identical from the Nautilus. Visual contact was not established. They need to wait for Eta to report.

"Is he some kind of freelancer or from another realm?" She casually stated.

"No.89 reached the same conclusion though she haven't wrote that."

Gamma looked one more time on files and started to write a letter. Nu was uneasy standing in front of the desk.

"What are your orders?" Situation was calling for Alpha herself or even their master Shadow but he also left not long ago. Observed technology was indeed unseen before and even Eta lost to him.

"Deliver it personally to Alpha in Oriana. We need to contact him and prevent Eta from angering him." Alpha is the only one who can restrain Eta from her doing. Gamma gave letter to Nu with a special magic seal and few more prevention techniques.

Alpha is in Oriana. Catching up to her won't be an easy task though Nu left Midgar in an hour.

 

The Needle is coasting in the shore of north Oriana. Jerry is taking an observation by periscope and scan of magic. By information left by the Kitty, princess Clara is in one of concentration camps near coast. No more information beside a sketch of the face.

"We lack info too much. Any news from up there?"

"Nothing now. The weather is getting clear so my field of move is limited."

New scouting airplanes have got good optics but their policy now is being stealth or rather hidden in clouds. They patrol much more than few submarines and small ground units.

"Any ships that "export" wealth?"

"Nothing."

"Ok. This is getting weirder."

Invasion on Oriana which is basically a giant island is in revert or so it seemed. Velgaltan warriors are covering north and a bit oft west coast. With their ships covering the oriana trench and west coast, oriana's ships are in pat situation.

My submarines are patrolling entire north coast without problems because there are none of hostile ships.

Their ships are mainly moving supplies and warriors. Hearing about concentration camps is usually connected to robbing prisoners of their wealth. But did they moved everything or this is still buried at the coast and waiting for transport? There is also a chance that some Knight of Rounds has its interest in this war keep going.

"Maya take those coordinates. Mark this as A15-3."

"Anything out of ordinary?"

"One shadow garden's spy. Hexe. Get Sava and Needle to A15-2."

"Aye, Aye sir."

Alpha is heading to north west region with incredible speed. Better hope that I won't encounter her. Shadow vanished totally like he hidden every tiny bit of his aura. He might get me caught by surprise.

 

Alexia and king are meeting in the secret chamber build by Shadow Garden in capitol. It's fair size and pretty well furnished as for a secret room.

Princess Iris has vanished few hours ago from her office. Window is shut. Door's locked. Guards including Marco haven't seen or heard anything. She is nowhere to be found.

They both look at the phone thing send by Shadow Garden.

"I'll call them." States Alexia.

"Then you do."

She picks up the phone, cranks the handle and choose numbers with spin return disc called dial.

"It takes so long." Complains Alexia.

"This is Luria, how can I help you."

Alexia chooses further numbers in a dial.

"Good evening princess Alexia. This is 89."

"Do you happen to know where is Iris-ne…"

"No. We are currently conducting search for her."

"…"

"If we may ask you to check her office. We will send contact there."

"Then I'm on my way."

She throws the phone on stand.

"I'll be here. Take your sword and go."

Alexia frustrated with the situation leaves the room and vanishes in dark tight alleys of tunnel's net.

In the Iris's office there is nothing to look for. There is no trace of unknown magic. No hidden notes beside this obviously fake testimonies. With her notes it is clear that Iris had completely no clue where to look for them.

Out of nowhere a light breeze was felt by Alexia.

"I assume you are the contact."

"I'm Theta. Please from now on I am Lemia, a journalist."

Another one from Natsume's branch. Said Alexia in her mind keeping a poker face.

"There is no clue here. Do you have any lead?"

"Let me see those fake testimonies."

She meticulously reads the first page then with less and less interest that makes Alexia uneasy about Shadow Garden.

"The source of this in known to us. We can take a walk to one place." She gave a look that intimidated even Alexia.

 

Chapter notes:

I treat this as volume two. It will get dark probably even darker than in the web novel.

For those who haven't watched RWBY: previous chapter contained words of Roman Torchwick. Props for those who remember this awesome villain.

Chapter version 15.5.1.

Chapter 22: Knights under Their Masks

"Hexe, periscope up."

"Periscope up."

"As you sad, there is a lot of guards here. The hill is guarded both up and down side. Do you have maps Maya?"

"Map is ready. Guard run is also ready."

"How is my new set of armor?"

"Sava will be here in five minutes with a ready Echo armor."

"Good. Last thing. Do we have Rose's face picture?"

"I've send it ten seconds ago."

Maybe I've got the mind accelerated by artificial core but still has human mind of thing. Let's look at it.

"Ok. Los!" A torpedo left the tube to silently reach a non patrolled spot.

Well, that was kind of claustrophobic. Let's proceed with retrieving the princess.

The night isn't perfect to hide. About a quarter of the moon reflects the sunshine and clouds are swiss cheese. Despite dark night the guards are not lighting up many lights. That brings two questions. Is it lack of resources or they've got other means to see after sunset.

Step by step each and every corner is checked. There is no secret rooms nearby. Guards are omitting central square for some reason. Units are observing there the prisoners in the worst condition. In side halls prisoners are looking tiny touch better. Rooms are filled with trying to sleep ones.

If princess was really spotted here then she must be in some more guarded place.

"How is overhearing closed rooms?"

"Not much now but guard talks suggests this place doesn't have a manager right now."

"What happened to him?"

"Vanished after visit of higher ups. New one will come later."

"I'll check the office."

Near the office there is really no guards. Everyone seems to avoid this place. That last manager must have did something really bad.

Documents are normal. List of prisoners is very long and written like by a chicken. Though with Maya's learning ability and massive library there is a found.

Clara Oriana arrived here few days ago and is already scheduled for departure in two days but what is that…

Handwriting of departure part is different from previous manager and is the last one.

"Kind of suspicious. Maya, what is the probability that previous manager wanted to inform spies about princess' location?"

"If not internal conflict or fault somewhere else, it's got a high chance though traces are likely eradicated."

Report by report. This place seems to be a normal concentration camp except few regular traffics with something described usually as bee beer. They've got very irregular weight and amount described in.

Fifteen minutes later every report and list was searched through. In conclusion there was no clear evidence that previous manager did something horribly wrong. Then just silently guard officer came in without knocking.

As he entered and looked at desk he almost lost strength in his legs seeing a heavily armored man reading through a paper tower.

"Hiii...i!" He screamed silently when he was losing his vocal words seeing very ominous being looking at him with piercing gaze.

"Evening officer. I'm Echo. Here by the command of Knights of Rounds I retrieve princess Clara to Velgalta."

Who is this guy? I haven't feel any aura from him.

"Y-yes. I'll bring her here." He is speaking with broken voice.

"No. You lead me to her. I don't want spy to catch a whisper where she is being taken. By the way, may I know your name?" Low, intimidating voice is not helping officer's legs.

"I-I'm Clue Less."

With that Echo lead by Clue is heading to safe guarded section. Conditions there are only slightly better than in the rest of corridors.

"M-May I ask you one question before we come in?"

"What is it officer Clue?"

"Why sir Tristan wants to see her in Velgalta so much hurry that send you?"

Eyes of Echo was about to kill him but he gave an answer.

"Before Shadow Garden finds her here."

Clue gulped. His eyes are emitting panic that guards have a long face and trying not to look at him.

Seems they really can't desert, ether prisoners will kill them or higher ups. They really have depression.

"Open the door." Guard opened the door nervously.

That looks bad. She is in rugged clothes. Just by one glance she looks undernourished and sick. Though face is recognized. Clara is really similar to the kitty's description and Rose.

"Wake up. You go with me." Clara barely responds to those words having no strength.

"Looks like I just need to take you by hand."

Echo grabs princess in carry blanket and moves her from the room.

"Leave the note as it was in schedule. Now without any more delay lead to ocean gate."

"Then, please after me."

North gate side entrance was too small to fit Echo. With some brute force it was opened and closed behind by Echo.

"I don't see any boat sir."

"I don't need a boat." Giant wings with the span of three tall men spread over the cliff. Clue's legs have left the body fall on the ground.

With a pressure wave sending dust back Echo left to the sky with unimaginable speed.

"Maya. Prepare food and warm the room on Sava. Inform nearest army camp in region that concentration camp is being freed in an hour. Prepare platoon to action."

"Should we?"

"I don't want the capture of the princess be pretext to slaughter."

"On your way. Ah, and there is a surprise for you on Sava."

Hmm. Interesting what that might be. Maybe Maya's external platform. I'm pretty interested what she has done.

Sava emerged from water. A conning tower was glitter by light moonshine reflected from water surface. Immediately after Echo's arrive the sub vanished under the water.

"Oh! That looks better than expected. And you over there, stand up." Complements Jerry the new unit under the personal name Maya. The second one did not respond.

"You knew. Admit it." She knows that he knew of this.

"Me. Noo…" Jerry was avoiding her gaze.

After few seconds Maya broke the silence.

"Take her to the sick bay." Says Maya as she was like a mother.

She was starting to look around unsure what she sees. Though there is not much space there is a comfy bed, table and shelf with clothes that looks like mix of velgaltan and midgar style.

Where Am I? I must have passed out when he took me but this is not looking like a prison cell.

Eh?

"Eh!? New clothes?"

Sniff, sniff.

Medium shelf soap. Mitsugoshi's citrus. Those blankets are from Mitsugoshi too.

Her eyes want to watch everything around but she falls back to bed being worn out by prison.

Knock, knock.

"I'm coming."

Two women goes inside what makes the space inside the room much smaller now. Both dressed in navy suits with golden and white accents. Though one seems to be in rush.

"Good evening princess Clara Oriana. I'm Hexe. Chief of this boat. We are taking you to south Oriana. From there you will be send to the capital. Nara take care of her."

"Yes, sir."

"W-Wh-wha…" Chief cut in half.

"Don't speak now. Eat the meal first." Chief left the room.

"Eat slowly."

At first with some concern but the whole bowl of warm oatmeal was eaten. Hour later she is feeling much better. But still could not lift her body of the bed. Instead she was holding hand of someone called Nara and didn't let her go away like she was afraid of something.

"W-wha withh the pe...ple in kha..?" It took long for speak all of it but Nara understood every word.

"Camp is now being free."

"B-by wh...?"

"That one who took you here."

"E…?"

The loud thump hit then echoed though the entire ship.

"Seems that master is back."

Just a while after a was opened by a rugged knight who called himself Echo.

Clara curled to the corner of the bed out of dismay.

"What happened?"

"Em… Tough negotiations."

"Just go get yourself together. You scared princess."

He went from the room without a word.

Where did I got? She just got rid of him.

 

Hour earlier.

"Have you identified every guard?"

"Yes. They will be marked red. Unsure is violet and the rest is green."

"Get on positions. Who dodges, foot units are coming after him."

So the slaughter begin. One after another heads and hearths of guards are blown apart. Prisoners who are not sleeping are not moving at all out of shock and consternation.

"Who is there!?" One guard avoided the first shot.

Second later he was split in half. A mysterious figure vanished after jumping back on the wall up.

It seems it will be fast.

"Warning. We have that one guy who won't let be killed."

"On my way."

The situation is tough. One hostage grabbed by throat. For normal human with two hand it is a pat situation but not for me.

A massive armor man rushed with crushing speed at the guy. Two arms in last possible moment pulled the hostage and the knee was embedding now guy's chest.

"Piece of trash." Echo spit on the guard.

As Echo was about to leave the room.

"Wow!" The spear scratched by the armor of of Echo.

"Ahh, now it makes sense. Shadow, what is your deal?"

A flick of true magic escaped Clue's body. As he turned to his shadow form. Now they are staring at each other like in some contest.

"Where is her?"

"On way to her home." Are you waiting for more or something? "Anything more?"

"My name's Shadow. I lurk in the darkness and hunt down shadows…"

That won't be good.

"… You will fall on my command."

"Never." I pitched my head a bit.

Hmm? That is not the head tick of world. Nevertheless.

"Tell me, who are you really?"

"Never. I've got my things to do."

He really won't tell me, huh? Maybe the rest will be more submissive.

Clang!

The ebony blade and slim composite clashed. The composite almost gave up.

Thud. Echo flew through the corridor and two walls.

Tap, tap, tap. Shadow is entering the room which new door was just made.

Clang. Thump. Echo's arm punched Shadow's sword then by a hair heavy foot went close to Shadow's chin.

"Interesting."

No frame later a foot turned around straight at Shadow's abdomen. Blocked with sword Shadow was send to half of the length of the corridor.

"Yes. Interesting indeed." Shadow certainly knows martial arts. He is avoiding just like knows every style. If this keeps on I'm on the losing side.

Next what was happening witnessed the spy of Shadow Garden. Hit for hit. Slash for slash. Master Shadow was fighting with great diligence as his opponent was constantly adapting his moves to master's counters. What seems to be a few minutes battle lasted so long that every prisoner was able to evacuate.

When she decided to get closer some strange golems got close to her with not the best intention. Being outnumbered she backed off to watch from afar the golems.

Speed was even higher than when training with Lambda and Nu. Wind was blowing from everywhere. Sound waves of clashes were painful to hear. A lot of debris was flying creating small holes in solid brick walls.

"Never 'll be your subordinate." Wind carried line of Shadow's enemy to her ears.

"Your time is up." Wind's come still.

Dust blew from both of them. Shadow rose his violet aura. Enemy pink aura turned darker and darker and coming wavelengths of magic become suffocating for her. Golems were nowhere to be found.

With the next blink of an eye she backed from the field feeling what awaits.

Then with just like a whisper in her ear echoed "I AM ATOMIC."

The next part of a second a suffocation feeling got her from the second blast. Magic was twisted, ginormous, making her want to get away as fast as possible.

From kilometer away she saw a crater of the prison fortress. In air above the sky was ripped from the reality. Black clouds taking a shape of a mushroom. With glowing spots it was a grand and frightening sight.

He just detonated his magic. It was not fully compressed like it should. Very crude way to use magic but he and me was trying to get around each other the entire time. And he have not let his sight of my secret technique. Will he learn from it?

But intentionally detonating magic like that to escape. He was planning this since half of the battle. If that is what he intended to do he must have survived but with magic so contaminated even atomic radar won't do much to find him. That was my cheap labor.

Still, he was pretty skilled.

Hmm? What is that giant sore finger?

A giant, human size black finger with red veins is sticking from the ground moved by the blast wave.

"By any chance… Is it you violet?"

 

"You look bad. Get to the tech bay."

"Yeah, yeah. I just wanted to see the princess is okay."

"Just, go."

Damage is insane. Just as it was planned even if the slime is missing it won't crumble to pieces though the pieces are crumbling already. The articore went mostly unscathed but the shell is melted. The rest of the body and hanging parts of armor are looking like car crashed at highway speed.

With the slime on board the unusual method of repair is being used. Highly modified slime capable of dissolving mithrill is being used to repair articore without exchanging critical and integral components.

Day later most of the damage was taken care of but Jerry decided to put a hold for hour to talk to princess.

So the princess also got better. With nutrition her magic was supported to speed the healing process. Though she still looked skinny she could talk normally and was fully conscious.

"You will have a guest. Admiral of the fleet. Please do not be so scared of him. He was once human."

"Human?"

The door opened and golem looking thing clothed in a high standard suit is entering.

"Good evening princess Clara Oriana. My name is Kvaser. As you were told before we are on course to south oriana's waters to get you home safely."

"What happened with people at camp?" She has some piercing gaze of little princess.

"Evacuated safely."

"So why you came here holding on wires?"

"Nobody said that there won't be problems with selfish personas."

"Are we really going home? Echo." Her gaze has a lot of distrust.

"Then look it by yourself. Nara give me carrying blanket. Hexe, surface ship fast and prepare open channel on radio. By the way Echo is only one of my aliases."

Ship tilted up 45 degrees immediately. Five minutes later for a second she felt like she weighted nothing then ship fall back to the water.

"Hatch open."

Chill wind of the sun setting over horizon waved her hairs. At the sky behind stars started to show up on cloudless night. Breathtaking view filled her mind as she was free from this dark place. She thought that she never would look at the sky the same but this was denied the very next day.

"What happened to my sister?"

"As far I'm aware she took the throne. Perv Ass-achoo! was quickly judged for poisoning the king but…"

His voice is turning break as he never had to say something like this.

"Your mother as well for the same."

She was about to cry.

"Nara, hug her please. With something like this it is even not for me to think of."

Welled up eyes starts to cry but she is yelling rather subtly still being not in strength.

Few minutes later.

"One, two, three. One, two, three. This is Echo. Princess Clara is safe and sound. She will be at Oriana's king port in two weeks. Princess. Want you to tell something to your sister?"

She has big eyes looking at some strange device in Kvaser's hand.

"This is restricted frequency, who are you and your position?"

"This is Echo. I'll deliver princess Clara Oriana to king's port in two weeks. Position will remain hidden."

"Tell something to your sister." Insists Nara who is closing princess to the phone.

"Sis. I going home."

"What is…!"

"Position will remain hidden."

The phone was put back.

"Why are you going to hide?"

"I don't want any cultist to come after you. Hexe prepare to deep dive and set the receiver on cable."

"Huh?"

"I won't risk us being detected. You will get know a bit how the war can look like."

"Huh? I-I…"

"What is it?" Asks Nara. Kvaser looked at princess with some concern.

"…don't feel my feet."

 

"Did you put her to sleep?"

"Yes."

"Ok. Now what suggests your analysis, Maya."

"Severe infection. Likely to spread with no further precautions."

"Nara?"

"Same here. Very like a soldier with black foot. Usually cut." Her gaze is not giving much optimism. "But… Shadow can grow back lost limbs."

"Huh!?" He can do that? Magic overload is treatable but growing whole limbs back? How she knows that? That night? "That night what I think of?"

She is giving an affirmative gaze.

"Maya. Call Atheno."

Beep, beep.

"Hey, what is up with those messages?"

"As you read. We are looking for best solution, to this situation."

"You basically do not have options to choose from. I can only help to put her into a sleep. I don't have medicine. Knowledge was lost with the Demon Diablos rise.
Remember to choose something from Mitsugoshi catalog."

"Thanks, seems we have no better choice. Good night."

"Bye and good night."

"Seems stated. I'll prepare the prosthesis. Nara continue watchful care of her. Hexe, Maya keep us far from troubles."

Making prosthesis. How hard can it be?

Making it took three days. Trial and error method was used to put some movement but keeping it simpler was a better choice.

Princess's look got better in those three days. It was like day and night. Though half of the calf and feet was missing what make her cry long but she wants to live to get to her sister.

With magic it was not a problem to seal the cut but even for minds of Jerry and Maya it was too much of a problem to grow it back. There was still something missing.

"Courage girl I must say."

"You have some king of talent to persuade people, you know."

"I never was a parent man. Maybe because of my parents and study influence, I wonder."

"Seems you've done."

"Yep. Done. Simple and with potential to be upgraded if needed. Quite the opposite what we do for daily basis."

Princess was waiting in her room with Nara. She was taught to use slime but this was clearly a struggle for her. At first she could not stand it but after a quick Kvaser's visit she's got the hook.

Now is the time to put her to the test.

A slim prosthesis was prepared that with some slime and magic it is even possible to extend or rebuild it just in case. Hollow part in the calf is used for slime storage. Pocket is highly adjustable and mesh above is gripping to the skin of thigh to help it secure further.

"Huh…?" She was told about prosthesis but it clearly is overwhelming or surprising for her.

"Easy, at first it will be cold feeling."

Ting.

She ticked her leg back as cold pocket touched the stump.

"Come on."

She slowly puts in stump and Nara rolls up mesh.

"Courage girl. Now Nara help me get her up. Clara, use what Nara taught you."

She is standing up unsure what to expect. Kvaser is lightly aiding her.

"Wow wow." She is trying to get the balance while almost flipping forward.

"Now use slime and try to get on toes."

I quadrupled muscle steering methods. What's she gonna use?

Oh. She tries magic approach. The whole pocket is filled with magic channels. With time she should develop her magical veins to prosthesis.

Slowly and steadily she is going on her toes.

"Try to swing around with light steps."

"Ok." She proceeds to light stepping while trying to get the balance in light bending of body.

"Got you." She's lost balance in the middle. "Wait a second."

As I thought her hip is not horizontally.

"I'll shorten leg a bit."

After that adjustment she started to walk though Nara was still behind her. In two days she's got even more lively when we received radio message from nearby army radio tower at the coast.

"Sister, I'm glad you are safe. Please come as fast as you can. I'm waiting in capital."

Many those messages were send over the west coast line though Sava was fast enough to over speed the selected towers that were broadcasting that. That meant that they wanted to trick the opponent or they really don't know the speed of this sub and used some estimated value.

Who know where we are?

 

"Hmm…"

Shadow is contemplating a lot to focus on Atomic Radar. Alpha and Nu are waiting for master's orders. Meanwhile Alpha tries to observe as much as she can what her master is doing.

"He is on course as he sad. Week should suffice to get to the port. With that I go back to Midgar."

As he was about to go run.

"Wait." Soft and firm voice of Alpha stopped Shadow this one time.

"Shadow, take Nu with you. Nu, give Gamma the report."

Shadow took Nu piggy back and jumped to sonic speed giving Nu no time to blush.

Echo. What made you save the princess? I gave that order to Zeta long ago. Delta and Pi haven't find her yet.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 16.5.1.

Chapter 23: Demon of the Deep

She is like a newborn child. She is walking over entire sub checking every knock and cranny. But there is a giant but. Even this sub is fifty meters long this place is cramped. Even if this a little over a week she is giving a boredom symptoms. Due to Maya being very tight in magic communication schedule due to conceal reasons there is not even much newspaper to read.

What makes her go back is general cold on the ship though there is not problem with humidity at least thanks to AC. While staying in warm bed she often asks Nara to talk about slime control.

Kvaser is often looking like completely lost in thought. Not moving at all making her uncomfortable while passing by in this tight corridor of the sub.

Once he was busy like that she asked him out of the blue what the name Sava comes from. Though it was only a scrap of memory the name belong to the mermaid who wielded a sword and a shield given to the man she fell in love.

Something is not right. Comparing data collected in battle with Shadow is outright telling that his magic compression goes at least ten levels higher. My magic compression is leaving many unnecessary particles and still can cause magic possession. Luckily those particles did not reach her.

Working on simulations takes too much time. Shadow's prowess is really admirable. I cannot practice here because some magic particles can cause magic overload so I must halt the experiments for the time being.

There is also a general silence that makes all of us anxious.

"Come to the conning tower immediately!"

What in the…? This is not a typical command for Hexe.

With no responds anxious Jerry is coming to the conning tower without any delay.

"We've lost contact with two gliders one day ahead."

This is not happening, any of scenario like that.

"We've got a huge underwater creature."

This was bound to happen eventually but why right now…

Jerry is very not content with the news. Situation underwater can change fast but latest reports of other gliders are confirming that this creature is going head on Sava. Half an hour is passing so long.

So much to do now…

"Maya. Get the torpedoes ready. Use spare communication channels. If this thing is big as I hope it is looking by magic."

Maya's analysis is pointing on over 100 meter long creature. It was going east but after the second glider it turned straight at Sava.

"Nara, Claudia you're here."

"What is the fuss about?"

"We've might got ourselves a pet."

Nara looked at Kvaser's joke like a trash dumpster.

"You will fly on the Needle. It can navigate in much shallow waters though there are no life support equipment. Take a week's supply from Hexe and prepare to fly immediately."

With that Nara took the princess to get properly dressed and in half hour they were on the way to the Needle.

As they were increasing distance Nara felt very ominous magic behind her. That kind of when the ray of magic fell on Laugus. It was meaning that he might want to cover their trails.

When masking was no longer needed Kvaser went the storage room to look for, no to get what he wanted to make a…

"Magic bomb?"

"Yes. Though I cannot make it too much strong because I don't want to make a tsunami."

"Take simulations from those schematics. I'm making by those. Look for power adjustment."

"Copy that."

In rush build three bombs were made. Each slightly different to having something on stock. One prepared to be launched from torpedo, the other in rocket and last in form of an overgrown grenade that made even mithrill hands melt as is was held.

"Course zero degrees, on surface go full ahead."

The time to impact is closing. Creature didn't have a problem in shallow water and as Sava was keeping the depth so this creature. Hopefully covering the escape of ladies under the magic overload mask put them wrong. Also the false signature of magic of Nara and Claudia have been emitted the whole time.

"It is surfacing as expected."

"Well, then I'm going on bridge."

The view is kinda bad as clouds are not letting much sun through though the outline of the creature is visible.

The gray creature is closing and a giant contour makes it obese. From the front it is clearly visible that this is a magic creature. Simple jaws and magic aura makes this creature a demon of the deep.

Hmm?

"Launch torpedo one and two."

The torpedoes went head on the creature who only slightly opened her jaws.

On the top suddenly appeared a human size shadow.

"So that what we are playing now."

Kvaser opened the hatch fully and stand on the top of the bridge. The shadow started to nodding his head as he was laughing.

"You laughing huh?"

Kvaser left the bridge for walk on the surface of the water. Not exactly though. He was imitating a walk just over the surface.

Shadow stopped giggling around. He took the same approach. Step by step they were standing between their vessels.

"Give back princess."

"How rude. Where are your manners fellow sailor."

"Do you know who you dealing with?" Answered the Knight full of contempt.

Now I feel like some shounen protagonist. He is just nuisance. Not my theme. Thankfully Atheno mentioned one who was bound nowhere for some reason. It seems it's him.

"Knight of Rounds, 8th seat. Tristan the Elusive One." I say it as mockingly as possible.

"There is like ten who know this title. There will be no eleventh one."

"So at least take this gift."

The black bottle with the sticker dark wood whiskey is flying towards Tristan. As he looked back on the fly he was nowhere to be found.

"You stinky fish!" He is taking a jump back to the creature.

BOOM!

A shock wave send him hitting hard on the creature. As he opened eyes he saw a flash of dark magic.

BOOM!!

Ughrr…

The giant dip in water is filling back as he is embedded in his pupils nose.

"Yo… pea… hu…?"

The next second two sleepy torpedoes hit the sides of the creature one after sending it right and then left.

Out of nowhere the third, different one from others hit just right under him.

BOOOM!!!

From the water the giant gazer is razing into the sky with the body of Tristan launched with it.

"You… fool."

Swoosh.

"Aghrr…" Blood of Tristan is gushing from everywhere.

"What have you done?" His skin turned dark. The metal taste on his tongue is not coming from the blood.

Tristan is falling apart from the feet up.

"If I was human I would also be dead as you."

Tristan's eyes are widening as he sees golem face under the armor.

"Magic and radioactivity is a deadly combination. One part of the experiment is done."

No, what is it. My pupil is killed, I'm disintegrating. He is flying next to me like nothing happened.

"Experiment? You will be the subject when they get yo…"

He only felt as he lost the lung's then his brain shut off.

"Stick to magic. Fission is not something to be reckless with."

"And look who is talking it." Maya cuts in.

 

The result of the three explosions are one articore left with no armament, broken Sava's frontal compartments and bridge, radioactive decay and giant red pool around. The creature's pieces are floating everywhere.

Girls were relieved that after three visible from afar explosions Kvaser is more or less in one piece. He joined them on board the Needle but Nara was the most surprised to see the articore itself not being bigger than a rock.

"Hexe. Take Sava for repairs to Laugus. Needle, course on king's port, full ahead, dive only if ships around are visible."

"Aye, aye."

"What now?" Clara is asking.

"We are heading as fast as possible to the port. This boat is too small for all of us. Stay away from the printer. I'll be on the bridge. Keep warm."

Nara somehow has got the princess to sleep to talk with Kvaser.

"You are something other than you told me earlier."

"I know."

"Then who are you really."

"Some who fall here through dimension void."

"Not that." She looks at Kvaser a bit intimidating.

"My name is Jerry. An engineer and scientist from another world."

"How did you…"

"I answered that already." Hexapod turned sight on her.

"Ah, so, what happen to your world?"

"Simple. Magic found its way to my world and since then we are struggling to survive. We are not much different in appearance from you but we never had magic."

"You look like just a device…"

A claw extended towards Nara's throat.

"And just device though I forgot many things when the synchronization was broken by black void."

The fate of the earth after magic influx. Shadow's visit on earth. The other world survival. The technology developed to that.

"Are you sure you are still human?"

"I'm not believing it entirely."

"Sorry to interrupt you but we need to dive."

"Aye, aye Maya."

Nara has already went under the deck.

Under the deck Kvaser took the new platform which was a mix of second and third generation. Enough for travel but limited to the third's power.

Still impressive for princess though.

The Needle is silently coming into the port's bay under the night cover. There are three lanterns watching. One of which is somewhat familiar. They seems not to notice the sub which is so small that slips under their noses up the river stream.

"Now we go on foot."

"We are pretty close but how you get us into the palace?"

"Keep my back."

Kvaser with Nara and Claudia on his back is climbing a steep and high wall with no effort.

 

Hmm? What is this feeling? A number today?

"664, 665 take positions."

Seconds later the window is knocked few times but with the third try it is being open by a girl but behind is a golem. That makes them to wait to assess the situation.

The girl is going in first then the princess Claudia is coming from the back of golem. He goes in last.

"Please get out from the hide, you, you and you miss Rose, I suppose. We have got princess Clara Oriana back." Golem pointed exactly location of those three hidden to attack.

Two shadows in fighting pose appeared out of nowhere that Nara's got shivers down the spine.

"State your names. I'm queen Rose Oriana."

"Good evening princess. My name is Echo. This is Nara."

Three things are out of order. Who gave them such order, why she detected them so late and why is the golem even talking and being the leader, so she thought.

"Echo?" Rose is doubting that she ever heard this name.

"Echo? That one who was riding a dragon in Midgar?" Asked white haired shadow.

"Eh?" Indigo haired one gasped.

Rose is looking at them in clear confusion. Next she turns her eyes to 664 with eyes telling you know more you ask him.

"Where is your armor?" She coldly asked.

"Damaged in fight with the eighth seat, Tristan. Two days ago."

"You mean that three explosions there?"

"Yes. I was the very cause of them." He states like nothing happened.

"What happened to Tristan?" She is pointing a blade towards golem.

"Obliterated." He casually responds to got her with honesty.

"Why you were so late to be detected?"

"Not undetectable, we've just blended to the background."

"Huh? How I am supposed to believe it?" Incites 664 thinking he is using some artifact.

Claudia ticked a bit. The aura around the golem went with many magic signatures in just a fraction of a second. Though a bit nasty aura was in the schedule that was somewhat similar to Aurora at the crimson tower making 664 a bit anxious.

"Who gave you this order?"

"Not exactly given but it was your fellow. The sixth shadow, Zeta who asked me to rescue this young princess."

664's mind goes blank for a second. 665's face goes even more serious.

"Rose keep your resolve." A soft, beautiful voice has come from the window where the blonde elf was standing in.

"Long time, no see. Alpha. Thank you for not busting our arrival." Greets Echo who looks like he is not surprised at all.

"I'm surprised as you. You went under our noses. I saw you climbing on the wall. Though you look, kinda thin." She chuckled a bit saying last sentence.

Kind of a bad joke but it relieved everyone's stress. Clara went to hug her sister. Alpha and Echo took seats at table sitting front towards each other. 664 noted something to 665 and took Nara for a little talk.

Clara went to hug her sister tight. Then Rose started asking what was happening all this time. After that she begun to listen to Rose's story of…

When Rose finished her story she felt a different hit from the human leg on her lap. She grabbed the dress and pulled up to see the prosthesis. Her throat started to crush. With tears in eyes caused by her still not perfect mentality she asked.

"Who did this to you!?" Clara's frozen caused by the Rose's aura. Alpha and Echo looked at her immediately.

 

"Seems you are fine after that battle with Tristan."

"Not exactly fine I would say. I need to get back to Laugus."

"Laugus?"

"Yeah. Have you heard of Kazeru Vinci?" He pointed at himself.

"Ah. I heard what happened there. I'll get that under control."

Further she asked for every greedy detail what was the state of Zeta. Though there was not much information it still provided some point of reference. Delta though is still few steps behind.

Zeta's motive behind sending Echo is unclear. She just stated that princess might be in some particular region and she won't be on time to rescue her. Echo could bring her with him but she just dropped the info and vanished. Rather selfish thing to do.

Echo has lost track of her. He keeps telling that his range of magic detection is not larger than normal city takes place.

"I want you to help next princess…"

Alpha's ask was brutally broken by Roses high tone.

"Who did this to you!?"

"Rose. Keep your tone. Echo, what happened?"

"Black foot." Rose looked at Clara with watery eyes. "We took intermediate care. Alpha. I've heard something I want to confirm. Can Shadow heal the missing limb?"

Alpha took a serious face at Echo.

"Certainly, even I can."

"Do not." A quiet voice silenced the room. The girls talk in the third corner have quieten completely.

"Why?" Rose cannot believe what she hears.

"I- I want. Just want keep this leg." Her quiet voice made everyone beside Echo and Alpha hold their breath for few seconds.

Clara broke free from Rose's hug, stood up and begun to dance her favorite dance.

Swift, light and beautiful. She is dancing with full devotion to Oriana's feel of art.

At the end she's got the applause of everyone's gathered.

"Clara, are you sure?"

"Yes, I am." She is smiling but not to Rose but Echo what makes him uncomfortable.

Rose cools down but then something is not right for her.

"How can you move like that?"

She takes a seat on sofa, lifts up the skirt to the knee and demonstrates the movement of the leg.

"Is that slime? How?"

"We've taught her." He is casually waving his fingers and slime blades extended from the top side of his palm follow over those.

When did the slime show up? But that explains how he climbed so swiftly. How he knows Shadow's technique.

"When did you learned this?"

"Few months ago. I was intrigued when I saw your suits for the first time and started to look for something that resembles those wavelengths."

I hope Alpha… No, better not to speak about the devil.

"Did you use this to build those bombs?"

"I did, but this is a result of my magic incompetence toward Shadow prowess. To put it simply I cannot compress magic beyond some level. The rest is designing around what I've had."

"What about possession?" Alpha takes princess Clara on lap.

"As you can see. This also is not perfect but functional." He is pointing on Clara.

Rose has seemingly begun to cry… 664 and 665 took her out of the room.

"Let me check this."

Alpha proceed to check on Clara. One minute, second, third and longer. Echo is sitting, not giving any signs of panic or disinterest. After a long while.

"I would say it is pretty good treatment. We need a someone like you."

"I disagree. I've got my things to do."

"Certainly but I've got a job for you. Find princess Iris."

She is looking at Echo with a great false, greedy and cunning smile and shadow over her eyes.

She knew.

Jerry told to his soul while trembling inside.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 17.5.1.

Chapter 24: Mismatch Queen 1

He is rather simple and keeps a word but his companion Maya is way more protective. Even more stubborn in some aspects. She pretty much halved his moves before his body will be up to the task.

On the other hand his way of transport may intrigue Eta but they've been at odds already. What can be done after cutting funds? I cannot make her work on Iris's case because he made it clear that they will take any measure to get out alive. I don't want it to happen.

The door is opened by Alpha. Gamma is busy with something. Nu turns towards incoming shadow.

As the shadow reaches her documents.

"Welcome back Alpha." A rather awkward welcome by Gamma.

The talk was not about new Otherworlder but how to protect him from Eta. She is working like nothing happened since she's got back from Laugus. But that won't deceive them. She is for sure planning something.

""Oh. You're here."" Everyone have said when half asleep Beta came in.

She was given the brief report though after reading somewhere around the fight with Tristan, she left the report on desk and run straight to her room.

The outcome of the meeting was that the information about Echo is not going outside this circle.

"Oh. I almost forgot. Please, read this report."

 

Alexia and Lemia have just passed renewed Woda's Library. Lemia had some thought on face while passing by.

"What is that library?" Alexia asked curiously. She is into ancient texts though she can read only more modern texts.

"Not a place for a princess to be in at any time." Alexia is thinking the opposite though.

After few seconds she feels someone's eyes on her back but there is noone in windows of the library.

"Here we are."

They are in the front of Investigation Department of the Knights.

"Huh? Noone will spill anything here."

"Come this way."

With few turns around the department they arrived at it's back. Somewhere where even staff would not find.

"Aren't they aware of so easy way to spy on them?"

"Completely not."

"Eh?"

With few swift movements they are in secret corridors around the department. Soon they arrive at Gray's office.

Alexia has begging question in her eyes while staring at Lemia.

In response she gives a smug and with a finger she is pointing at the doors.

The doors open. A rather thin man with sunken eyes and a lab coat enters the room.

"Mr. Gray. Everything is ready."

"Good. I'll be in fifteen minutes."

"I'll prepare few samples."

"I thought you will use just black wings from the spirit monster."

"She insisted on something more."

"Can't wait for that."

The lab man leaves the room. Girls are waiting for Gray to leave.

As he left and locked the door they entered the office room.

One glance at two stacks of documents was enough to Alexia to guess what was going on with the division. One contained fabricated testimonies and the second inconvenient ones further divided to people clearly easy to buy, quote insignificant and to get rid of. So happens that Alexia's name is close to the top of the last one.

"Seems you saw enough."

"Yes, but… Can we peak at what are they doing?"

Lemia hesitates to answer.

"First we go outside."

Good point but Alexia didn't said that.

Being somewhere in half of the way back Lemia asked Alexia to wear some kind of a shady coat. Not just a coat, it is a black coat of shadow garden members like from the terrorist attack on school.

Alexia can feel what it is going about.

"Flow magic into this and try to bury into it."

That feels… kinda comfy. I am invisible…

A hand chop in the forehead brings her to the reality.

"We continue there. Silent no matter the circumstances and if things go bad we evacuate."

"Acknowledged."

Deep underground they are entering the vents.

In just the second room they've stopped and the sight is a macabre. Rotten bodies, twitching arms, possession magic and stinks.

Two rooms more a different view stopped both of them.

A redhead lady is laying on the table. Two dark spots are radiating an inhuman magic. Alexia cannot guess the magic but those hairs are not to miss.

"Iris…" She whispers but Lemia puts a slime finger on her lips immediately.

Soon Gray payed the visit to the room.

"Did you start to wake her up doc?"

"Yes. Few minutes and she should be up."

They are observing in silence. Guards are settled by corners.

Then she wakes up. Slowly, she raises her head and then moves to sitting position. A white shirt is covering her front.

"Doc how it looks?"

"Better than I imagined. Try to just use them."

With a few howls there are. Black wings of a magical beast.

Widened reached the stuff on desks around. They are black with slight red thinning strips of red.

Alexia's moves are fully restrained by the coat. Clearly, she is about to do something stupid.

"When I leave?"

"We've got a problem here." Gray started to speak.

"What kind of problem."

"Someone is plotting your disappearance."

"Huh? Shadow Garden sure again but for what?"

"They want to place Alexia on your place of next princess."

"Absurd. I'm the next queen. So what is your plan, Gray?"

"She should soon announce that, then just in time you make a comeback."

"Simple enough."

Simple enough!? Sis I am right here next to your so called helpers.

Alexia tries to move but Lemia is taking her out.

Then one brick falls from the vent pushed out of the construction by Alexia's movements. Second later a pressure can be felt. Very known bloodthirsty pressure of her sister is coming.

Consequences of this investigation could be much worse if not an emergency transmitter which Lemia took just in case.

"So you too sister, have failed me."

 

That is getting more and more complicated. Vanishing of that princess Iris is coming back to bite me. It is on my mind since Alpha got the report and was stuck in for a whole week where the kvaser version 3.5 was being made. Even Maya has been signaling that something is wrong with me. Certainly She is just a giant sore, leaking….

Upgraded kvaser platform automated more aspects of aura behavior to make sure that the Blood Witch won't return. Many more were accustomed to current knowledge of magic.

Echo is entering the room in secret Mistugoshi's hospital facility in Midgar capital. It's a rather small complex of few rooms, presumably understaffed now in case of massive interventions.

And there are princess Alexia and… Theta? Did Shadow not tell his subordinates that she willed to be independent?

"Hey Alpha. What is your naming scheme? I once met someone who was called this name Theta but it's not her here. As I remember it's the eighth letter of Gre…"

Alpha looked at him with blood sucking eyes.

That was a, no, the mistake.

She quickly changed her attitude though.

"Titles are not bound to the individual. Who was she?"

"Someone who chose freedom." For this respond Alpha looked somewhat sad. "May I check them up?"

"Please do."

Scanning took a whole hour, because someone was trying to barge that badly, that Alpha took care herself.

"That was nasty but they look fine now."

"Do you have her signature?"

Golem face covered in highly modified slime got unsatisfying grim.

"Very little. But if she is here it is possible."

Alpha cannot believe how humanly he is making a respond. What the ancient ones could do if he can do it now? There was no leads in ancient texts of things like him. Secrecy might be a one reason but for sure there existed different ones. Even master Shadow's knowledge did not mention that.

"How much time do you estimate to find her?"

"About a, five days."

"Ok."

"But." His statement caused Alpha to twitch. "If the fourth will past with no result I'll brute force it." Alpha quickly reached for their talk few days ago. Many would be under danger but she will stand in city's defend.

She only nodded.

"Ok. Then lead me to the port."

"Before that I want you to talk tomorrow to Luna around morning as mister Vinci."

"Ok. See you tomorrow."

 

The next morning as always a giant queue is setting to Mitsugoshi but it's not a problem for VIP entrance. An unknown face was disturbing the usual visitors but as the name sounded some of them looked with disbelief who is paying a visit. Clearly is known that name of Kazeru Vinci arrived to Midgar.

"Mr Vinci, please here."

Mitsugoshi's worker brings him inside but there are flashes of light from the crowd. For sure tomorrow a news will pop up.

View inside is stunning. Wealth is spilling from every and each corner. Only staff is leering under their noses.

Man. That elf is a really bewitching beauty.

"Good morning miss Luna."

"Good morning Mr Vinci. Thank you for a such fast respond."

"I thought we never sign the agreement. Great to be here but I've got job to do. I believe Atheno prepared his part. These are my terms."

She takes an envelope with a few page terms of own selling. Her poker face is showing nothing. Quite a tough negotiations might happen.

"I'll agree to that." She suddenly answered. "But why are taking only ten percent in own rights? If I may ask."

"I'm hoping to establish other markets." She took an interest.

"Can you tell anything?"

"Only one. Ship construction. I'm thinking that in two years bigger steam propelled ships will be needed for you."

"What capacity, may I ask?" She hopes for something. Heh, heh.

"Ten to fifty thousand tonnes though this last one may take up three years to build."

Luna doesn't want to give any sign but she is clearly flabbergasted.

"Can, can you at least wait for ironwork to be established in Madlid?"

The negotiation lasted over an hour. Even Nu started to be anxious noting everything.

Industrial revolution is taking speed.

Unfortunately to complete the image of Kazeru Vinci a small group of known journalists have appeared in that last hour. Result as expected was an unscheduled hour long interview about the future of Mitsugoshi's partnership in Agima.

After that incognito carriage took Mr Vinci away.

In night investigation of scans and Iris's vanish few things took an interest and carriage transported Kazeru to the secret hospital.

There to his surprise No. 89 was off but Alexia was staying there for some reason. Judging by the staff reactions she wanted to meet with someone.

Kazeru feeling what that might be about quickly changed his appearance to golem one. Tentacles also were set up to be more intimidating. For staff here also, for some unknown reason.

Alexia quickly felt that someone is approaching her room in assist of two numbers.

"Good afternoon princess Alexia. You wanted to meet me I presume." Aura is kept moderate.

She is clearly thinking. Not a surprise. He is someone who's only voice now can bring some emotions out.

"That's right. You will take me to Iris."

"Negative."

"Why negative. I'm capable fighter."

"Forget it. You'll drag me down."

"Royal order. Ca-pi-che!?"

That's a coarse princess but she feels somewhat underrated.

He is looking down at her.

"Do you know how I might learn myself?" She's got confused. "How I teach myself? I withstood fight with Shadow."

He was clearly testing me and had fun I suppose. Thinks Alexia.

"Practice."

"What kind of practice though?" She struggles more in her mind.

She gives up with a sour face.

"I can simulate everything here." I'm pointing my head. "Thousands times per second. Many scenarios. Then apply."

She cannot answer that. Her mind is stuck on thousands times per second. Something pinch hit her head.

"Take me to your most private training ground."

"Shouldn't you look for my sister?"

"It's working somewhat independent from me."

Short back and forth she chose a rather scary place. Underground base of the past Thirteen Night Blades.

"What have you wanted?" She took out sword.

"Let this blade down." From the palm of his hand a sword arose. "Take this one."

A black blade with gray scales. He just tossed the sword to her. She almost completely lost her balance catching it. Sword was heavy, abnormally heavy for its thin look.

"What do you want to do with that?"

"Just try to stay alive." A cold breeze reached her spine.

She didn't have any chance to speak a word. A heavy hit like her sister's hit her. With the last moment she parry but lands a dozen of feet away where she stood.

"It seems I've got your limit. Learn to use this sword. I'll may no speak further."

"Hu…" Her throat almost collapsed because lungs just wanted to take some air in. She took a simple swing but it send her even further.

His aura took a look of a magical beast. A thing that she saw only few times in her life. Those monsters may not be such threat for a dark knight but they can easily took life of a one.

He is moving slow on purpose. It's her turn.

"Hah!" She yelled to add herself strength.

Her sword is coming fast. It's simple.

Too simple.

A mere swing from up down launches her sword into the ground.

"Just before, it was down. HOW!?"

"Observe. Draw conclusions."

She cannot answer that because a sword is once again coming to mow her down. Parry.

Clang!

She falls on one knee.

How much that sword weight? His hits are abnormally heavy. He makes no mistake using it but as it was a light sword. I may withstand a dozen of those hits but eventually I'll run out of stamina. On contrary he doesn't break a sweat but makes moves like Shadow. He isn't like Shadow but he knows his way. His left hand and those things on back. He didn't used any of it. What is his goal? He has some goal for sure.

"Ghah!" She lands on ground.

"Hmm?"

Don't hmm me here, what is your goal?

She can only feel an ominous aura coming for her head.

"Show me your might. Magic is intuitive but it's not just a water. It's the water. Many things are mixed and work in specific way. Feel the flow. It's the only one good thing that my professor taught me about fluid dynamics."

After a half hour mock battle she braces herself once more to assault but now she takes a deep breath. Her magic calms and right after thickens.

Oh. She took the hint but nevertheless, I hate fluid dynamics.

She readies her stance. Left leg half step ahead. Sword grabbed in both hands vertically near right shoulder.

A small numbers of thing magic veins are appearing.

"You needed just that to do it properly?" Echo gives a surprised thought.

In the blink of an eye Alexia unleashes her blade. A white blur cover the blade. Thin, still undeveloped magic veins covering her body are barely holding.

I'll give her that.

CLANG!

Golem makes half step back to stay up. But her sword, even used to cut him in stomach, he with one hand keeps her sword and still stands.

She is about to cry.

Clang, clang, clang.

"Huh?"

"Oh, sorry. These hands are still metal."

"Heh." She laughed a bit.

"Then may I spar with you." An unknown for her voice echoed in the big chamber.

"Ho." JoJo style. "But observations are over."

"Observations?" Alexia whispers something.

They stay by each other by hand length. Second later they are not looking like they want to fight but they are shaking right hands for welcome. Alexia completely doesn't know this shady guy.

"How is the search?"

"I modeled Iris's aura basing on Alexia's magic aura from the battle. My underlings are searching her now with greater accuracy."

"I saw a new one underling of yours coming by my library. Then I heard the news about rising inventor and my guess was right."

"No wonder I've sensed you since Mistugoshi mall."

They both look at Alexia.

"Let me introduce you to the princess." Tama nods in agreement. "This is Tama Woda from Woda's library."

"Eh?"

He is the guy from that library? No wonder Lemia said to stay away from there. They both are from the wrong side of tracks.

"Can we visit your library? I've got few things to talk about."

"Sure."

Alexia is feeling anxious but she doesn't let it be visible. Those guys are talking about situation in Midgar from the mist dragon incident forward. As they are talking about recent stuff something makes her uneasy. As Echo was responsible for something. Maintain. Looking for weather. Evacuations. Cult moves.

In library their talk continues. She was let to read ancient texts from under the desk. Then she overhears something.

"Will you use the dragon once again?"

"If the weather let's. I'll give her one last chance or wipe out from existence."

"That's too harsh." Alexia agrees to Tama's words in silence while pretending to read.

"Then what?"

"Do not pretend."

"What?"

"You've got her under your wings. Use her against Iris."

"Easy to say. We are talking about a real human chimera now."

"You just need a spectacle right?"

"I'm starting to get worried."

As Alexia was hearing the plan, from one side there was a perfect combinations of the things, from the other it was a complete absurd. Who would believe that. Press is corrupted. There is no way that cult will take this bait.

It's not the all she heard though.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 18.5.1.

Chapter 25: Mismatch Queen 2

Alexia heavily insisted for more training. She was working on her sword too hard I had to make her rest before tomorrow's spectacle and gave her uniform to try on.

Preparations for spectacle are going smooth. Iris was found in the next laboratory nearer castle. Gray led the way from his office. This guy seriously should be more cautious. He took the bait without second thought.

Today Alexia successfully tested the suit and was informed about pain pills to add reality. She was sickly fine with that, that even Maya was disturbed. Later she asked for time to evening. For some reason spy units were unable to track her properly though she came back fine later.

The plan is to lead Iris out the underground facility, make her look for Alexia and by kidnapping Alexia bait her to chase to the nest. Then the true spectacle begins.

Cough. Tama choked with his latest found in Mitsugoshi - Yerba mate. A pat on the back saves his life.

"One more…" Cough. "…time. Why this name?" His lungs are coming back to normal.

"Once heard it in folklore movie."

"Ok. But give the villainous vibe."

"Don't worry about that, heh, heh heh…" Kvaser gave the tone of his maniacal laugh and look on his face that made Tama uncomfy or even terrified if not the cult experience.

Beatrix goddess, even if you not exist bless Alexia with protection and luck to survive that.

 

"Maya, what's the progress of visual effects?"

"It's done. I've got some power in reserve so if she won't be acting as should I'll help her."

"Don't break her bones though."

"Who will see this one small pinky."

I can only sigh. She's got the vibe. Seeing those simulations is at least uncomfortable. I really hope she will get out in one piece and speaking of the wolf in forest.

Knock, knock.

She is here at last.

"Come in."

There she is, in her blue, white and gold uniform.

"Good afternoon." She is coming to the base of operation where two guys are grinning like never.

""Good afternoon, princess… Ah, excuse me. Future queen."" Alexia rolled with her eyes.

She goes to her room, where Maya is waiting for to give her makeup. I decided not to overhear anything because they giggling a lot about something.

The time is coming. G203 prepared uniforms and a squad of five units to assist Alexia. I'm pretty impressed with how much skill she made them. It was a good idea to lurk around sewing company nearby.

A combination of knocks goes from the entrance doors and a letter is pushed in under.

"Good news Echo. Iris took the bait, no, the whole fishing rod."

"Ain't ya say. Alexia! Ready!? Go to the meeting point in few minutes."

Giggles in the room have stopped.

"I'm on my way…" She was talking something more but both of us haven't paid attention to that.

 

"Are you sure that Gray?"

"I am. She is meeting with someone in a half hour. It's a good chance to get her."

"Then, off we go."

Iris left the room with two platoons of knights.

"And there she goes. All according to the plan and unscheduled occasion."

"Which my dear friend and me made." On these word Gray's frozen.

He takes a look on someone forgotten. Lost in the raids by Shadow Garden though he is looking better than whenever in the past.

"Did you really worked with them?" Gray asks with the sour face realizing that someone dead has came back.

"Heh. I'm not working with the Shadow Garden."

"But how did you do that? Only they can pull something like that."

"Not anymore. My acquaintance has made it all possible."

Swish, swoosh swoosh.

With few fluent slashes Gray's knights are lying on the floor with blood slowly staining their uniforms.

"Ugh…" The strange blade made of hollowed sword with some gooey mass in between was pushed through his chest. "Hades… you… ugh… traitor."

"You betrayed me first." He answered coldly while pulling the sword out.

Gray clutching the wound with his hand falls on the floor with the face of a tired man.

 

Knights are covering all possible ways of escape including windows. Iris is catching up to them. She feels Alexia's presence and a one more sinister.

"Seize them." Iris is giving them order.

The knights are flooding the building that she is the last to enter the right door.

But she hears screams of men and an ominous laugh coming from downstairs. Her sister is screaming.

This cunning sister must be there. After this, there won't be anyone who endangers Midgar Kingdom.

Many bodies of knights are lying around. She goes deeper into underground facility.

And there is she. As Iris entered the room, beside her treacherous sister saw a man slaying her knights without any troubles. Wounds are not mortal but sever enough to make knight withdraw few meters and then fall unconscious.

"Who are you!?" She yells at the ominous figure.

"Ho. What my eyes are seeing. Princess Iris Midgar this is. Pardon my actions here though I needed to clean up a bit my and Gray's colleagues. My name is Peroon."

He bows slightly with a right hand on chest. A hand stained with blood.

"Why are you slaying those knights?"

"They are simply disturbing my pray."

"Your pray? No!"

"Yes." He slays last knight. "Gray did the job but he was too slow, so I've come for her earlier."

Peroon grabs Alexia in collar by chain and pulls up. She is trying to get free but his grip is superior.

He pulls a small vial with red pills inside. Second later one is between his fingers. Iris is close looking at that pill.

"Do you know why Zenon kidnapped her a year ago?" He makes a terrifying smile.

Thump.

He hit Alexia's stomach and with a swift movement to the mouth in the blink of an eye Alexia was made to swallow that pill.

"Look." His cold voice reached her spine. "Heh. Heh, heh."

He tossed Alexia near Iris. Alexia screams in pain. Her body is in convulses, borderline agony.

"What did you do to her?" She clenches her jaw.

"Those pills might be taken only by chosen ones. Those who inherited the blood of heroes. Those worth. She was too close to the Shadow Garden."

Alexia's skin darkens, muscles make more distinguish, magic more dense and powerful.

"I believe Gray also gave you something like that. You felt more strength, more magic, more possibilities. Now with you on the throne this will be easy. Heh… heh, heh… hahahaha..."

"Easy?" Her voice talks through collapsing from stress throat.

"You fell on Gray's schemes. Good fellow of mine." Peroon points on Iris. "Now there is no going back. You take the throne, I take your sister. I'll make Demon Diablos great once again."

Alexia is lying on the floor half conscious.

"Never!"

He only smirked.

Iris took the fighting posture. Her magic aura is becoming more visible. For ordinary folk it would be something incredible to see but he only is chuckling.

"Shadow is more powerful than you and your knights."

He simply states the fact in monotone but she takes this as an insult.

"I won't…" Her eyes are filling with anger. "Let you think that."

Then she rushes at him aiming to cut his head off.

He slightly shrug and tilted his head as if he was inviting her. His face is giving any emotion.

"Huh!?" In the last possible moment he blocked her sword.

The sword appeared out of nowhere in his right hand and the point of his sword was holding her just right to the ear.

"Let's see who's got better sword." His voice is no longer carrying any emotion like before. It's like spoken through a steel pipe.

She is pushing with all her might. Her sword is soundly crackling, but his head is on place.

He took half step to the left exposing sword behind his right hand that is dulling any move.

Suddenly she felt enormous weight on her sword she couldn't hold. Then Iris lost the contact with the ground. She was flown back to the entrance door.

 

An echoes of two people is heard. As Peroon looked at the entrance so Iris did.

Claire and Christine Hope. What are those two doing here. Iris is asking herself for what reason those two got here.

"It seems Demon Diablos herself decided to pay a visit."

Iris can see that Claire's appearance is no more. In her place a bewitching beauty with floor long indigo hair is standing. Blood tentacles are getting ready to attack.

"Welcome my queen, Aurora the Demon Diablos." That was not scripted. As always, something must go wrong. What are those two doing here? And for even worse, one of them is the Blood Witch.

"Ughh!" Peroon's stomach is rip open.

Her action was so fast that Iris only was able to see them in action.

"Ugh, aghrr!" Peroon is screaming like from huge pain.

Red magic veins are spilling from his wound. Slowly embracing him.

"Aurora, what did you do to him?"

"I've got no idea...a..a, this is bad! Take Christine and Alexia and run for your lives!"

With quick action of blood tentacles Alexia is grabbed from the floor.

"Christine run!" Commands Claire.

They are mid way.

Tap, tap, tap.

Aurora makes only but a small smug face.

"Wait a second Claire. He is here."

Tap, tap, tap.

It was long and short at the same time. He passed them and healed Alexia with the touch of the index finger.

In the blink of an eye he was far behind them.

Iris don't want to come close to this. It's behavior looked somewhat similar but she could not remember who was that.

Tap, tap, tap.

Iris hears that someone more is coming their way. As in the blink of an eye, he appears. Shadow. He took only a glance at her but immediately he placed his sight on bloody spectacle.

"That is not enemy of your caliber." She hears Shadow's word directly in her ears, what makes her anxious for a moment.

"I see." She could barely hear that. It was directed to the Peroon.

In a blink of an eye she froze. Shadow's magic expanded. In the cage of magic threads was he and Peroon. Magic she was feeling now was thousands times stronger than ever.

"I AM…"

"I'm not the last one of the cult. You cheap princess."

"PRECISE… ATOMIC."

Then the light blinded her eyes. Magic shock wave send her on her back. As the light fainted, Peroon was no more. Shadow took a step back and vanished in thin air.

 

"Hexe get ready engineering room on The Cup."

"Aye, Aye ma'am."

Original plan was only half done.

Shadow deliberately did targeted the mind layer in articore. Iris did not see that but articore was pulled, shot through and send flying.

Jerry's mind in articore entered a strange state after the encounter with Shadow. There is no communication with mind layer but it consumes power at stable rate and shows signs of intensive working. Sending Morse code messages gives no response for now.

His connection to the server completely stopped but there is something working in the background. All routine, random and special protocols are sensing nothing in the memory.

Hmm?

Slime is forming a ring around mind layer of articore.

"Hexe, I'm coming in one minute. Prepare mountain slime of species number thirty from supplies."

 

Chapter notes:

That was a pain to write it. Kind of no idea what to write about.

Chapter version 19.5.1.

Chapter 26: An Alive Memory

"Is Alexia ok?" Asks Christina.

"She is ok, but...just...heavy."

They were evacuating from the building then Claire felt the familiar magic. Soon after a thin but bright beam of light went up from the place they have just escaped.

"Was that him?" Asks Christine recalling in her mind the previous talk with Claire.

"It was him, Ugh!" She dropped Alexia and hold her left hand.

"Claire…? Claire!"

She holds her head for a bit like she is in a great pain. Both of her hands are pulsing red. Her aura is getting more malicious.

Then it suddenly cuts off. Claire stops wringing around and she has uneasy expression like something bad can happen.

"We must evacuate to the capitol, now."

"What can happen, Claire?"

"Not now. Run for your life."

Claire is giving a serious tone, so Christine is following.

"I won't be here for some time. Make sure you will stay awa…"

Where did Aurora vanish again?

 

The space around fills general cheer of people, who are not visible. Jerry is looking around to see nothing, only a black void everywhere.

"What is that voice? I can't feel anything. What is going on?"

He moves like being weightless, like, flying. Then suddenly a beam of light blinded him.

Few seconds later before his eyes a bright ceremony is being held.

"I'm feeling weightless, what is going on? Eh?"

His eyes turned on the wall he was literally in. Like a ghost. Move in, move out. No problem. Move up and down, side to side. No problem.

Then the sight turned his attention. Huge, pointy buildings are piercing the sky. In the sky though there are more floating buildings.

Magic is heavily felt in the air.

"They seem to make magic a huge part in their life."

His eyes turned on the ceremony held in the middle of the giant square. All sights are placed on the cathedral stage. Twelve seats are in between a special one. Bigger, more decorated and elevated over theirs.

This clearly looks like a religious ceremony. Twelve men are standing in wait. Hm? Someone is coming. Is it their highest authority?

Jerry is flying closer to see from the neighbor tower.

"Whoah, whoah." Something is not right.

"They don’t see me?"

He proceeds to look into some windows only to discover nobody looks at him. Everyone ignored him flying around.
It gives him anxiousness.

I can read those letters but their speech is completely different from Midgar. What where is Maya? Hello? Code M65 execute...

No reaction. Maya is not responding despite many tries.

"It seems I'm alone her...Ugh."

A piercing ache stroke his hearth. Second later it vanished.

He looked at the stage. A woman of grown up beauty. Long violet hair, violet eyes and decorated robe with the slit to knees. She was here cheering with the magic spectacle but her lips are growing in pain. Subtly but growing.

"What is wrong here? Ugh..."

His hearth ached one more time.

"What is going... Ugh!"

He almost fell from the top of the tower. He felt an ominous thing like it would crawling towards his hearth.

"Eh. Is she looking at me?"

The next second a thick, dense and suffocating magic cover her body and exploded swallowing neighbor space into nothingness.

Only the twelve men reacted in time. Jerry felt nothing after explosion, like nothing happened.

The red mist started to spread around. People are being eaten by it whole. Building are eroding and collapsing right away after magic was sucked from them.

"Where are those twelve?"

Jerry is straining his eyes to see them... their souls escaping through underground tunnel. He follows them.

They are going incredibly fast, though for a non material being it is not a problem to catch up.

Soon they arrive to more remote location outside the city then took a flight on a giant flying city.

The look of people there is much different from the random citizen. They seem to carry ill intentions towards each other. This place is almost spewing with venom.

Many lab coats are running like crazy. It seems the today's event pulled them out of the routine. The Twelve is heading to a rather dark place, far from normal workers. Only a handful of men is working here despite a massive lab research machines.

"Ey, aren't those computers similar to those from the bunker's coast?"

They are looking really similar. As Jerry observes he finds more and more stuff like in the bunker. He wastes no time to look around few just in case. Being basically like a ghost is only making it easier.

"Seems I've grasped how it works. Something tells me that I should eavesdrop on the Twelve."

The Twelve is meeting in room that seems to be accessible only for those acknowledged. Guessing by the amount of seats only a twelve can belong here.

"Laugus, can you say what has happened with her?"

"Simply put those are primal instincts of demon no. 1."

"Heh." A white hair man has laughed. "Like mother, like daughter."

"Shut up Mordrac." Said third seat.

"Ziga. Can you suppress her once more?" Cold words of seat no. one froze everyone in the room.

"Fogzeti-sama. It's impossible now. I vote for Laugus's team proposition of creating new blessed."

"That won't be enough though." Fogzeti put his chin on the thumb to express thinking.

Fourth seat's stood up. The rest looked at him with interest.

"I vote for the third education plan."

Everyone seems to silently agree.

"So be it. Ziga, Hel, you move to Laugus laboratory. The rest is going with me to execute education plan."

What is this education plan?

Jerry felt ominous presence. At the same time the world broke like shattered glass. Everything what was in sight fell to dust then to darkness.

When he opened eyes one more time only a second later world has broken once more. But that second was enough to see. To see the world destroyed on purpose by those who brought blessed on them. Only a second though it was felt like many years has passed. The world turned to ruins, The Twelve no longer united, The Demon no longer alive.

One blink later.

"Ugh!" Jerry hearth felt like pierced.

"Seems you were too close to where once my hearth was."

"Eh?"

"Can't get close there again."

The woman so similar to Ziga, the same who turned to the demon has vanished from the sight.

The darkness has swallowed everything, even the sound of shattered glass.

 

Maya is working nonstop to pull any useful info. Monitoring the articore is the only thing she can really do though. Functions are still active and energy consumption is stable.

There were only four peaks in magic. With each situation seemed worsen but the last erased contamination from the bunker. She's got to the conclusion that there was internal work of some sort.

Notification: Articore has been reconfigured.

"What in the?"

"Are you all right Maya?"

"I'm but in the normal circumstances reconfigure of the articore is a part of the mind layer restart."

"..." Hexe has nothing to say.

"We need to wait for startup to complete."

Magic around articore has abruptly risen though it's no longer deep pink color. It's lightly pink now.

Maya's registered aura's signature of Jerry which now resembles original sets.

Slime is getting in sync with magic waves. It accumulates and thickens. After those milliseconds it formed a multi layer glyph which characters resembled those from notes in bunker and earth's. Quick analysis let to see an action to restoring the host.

Each and other glyphs started to oscillate thousand times per second. For human eye it would be a lighting flat cylinder but Maya is seeing enough to see who is coming.

Then in a flash of magic everything stops.

"Are you... all right?"

"Oh. Maya, it's good to see you. I'm back safe and sound."

"What happened?"

"Seems that I found an unusual place in spacetime where ancient memories existed."

"Time travel?"

"After Shadow's I would say purification shot, some beautiful ghost woman brought me there. It seems I saw the fall of this world many years ago."

"A fall?"

"You saw goddess Beatrix in story of this world. She is the Demon Diablos. Now connect knowledge embargo, her, the cult and their power hunger and experiments."

"All that... what now?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing we can do. The story was rewritten. If we get back on earth we need to make sure that noone put a hand on so much power she's got."

"That would be our end."

"Exactly." His voice is somewhat sour.

History likes to repeat.

"How is the new kvaser unit?"

"In progress on the board of U09 The Pearl, which is a day from here."

"Keep it away for now."

"Eh?"

"I need to research magic poisoning. I think I should distant myself from everything we've build."

"Em... so what now?"

"I would like to stay under water but I want nothing to eat me down there. Hexe. Course on P25 Midgar Coast. Maya prepare few guard units. Keep rather far from me."

"Are you going to stay on shore?"

"No. Now that I think of it check the way up to the mountains. We are avoiding traffic, beasts, danger and look for resources."

"Copy that."

"I'll check the lanterns."

Focus, focus.... they should be right here. Hm...? Why do I see them so blurry? Did she knock everything out with her pulling aura out?

Likely possibility. Now that I think of her, one of the knights there was looking like her. Seems some parents are just hopeless.

Wait a sec... where was Atheno there? Was he there yet or he joined a bit later? He said he knew Laugus but he was not around. I'm not sure I should ask him about it if I know the story already.

 

P25 is a really remote place. High cliffs, angsty currents, shallows but a deep underwater channel and remoteness led to choose this place.

From the coast cliffs there is basically a train track to cross. The rest is a mix of forests, plains and no human settlements.

"Open the torpedo hatch."

"Pressure equalized. Opening the hatch."

The rest of the air in torpedo tube left in the form of small bubbles up. The articore in a thick layer of slime is making his way up.

"Hey Maya, from now on only necessary communication."

"Copy that. First one hundred kilometers ahead are safe. Over."

 

Chapter notes:

Visit in TEIS wild theories and speculations. Citing here: "My source is that, I made it up".

Chapter version 1A.5.2.

Chapter 27: Crossing Known

There is noone around. True unbothered nature, quiet forest and magic and some slime ball rolling through like nothing.

Like in a sim racing the slime ball is evading every tree in its way.

Ok. That was all I could skip fast. Maya should soon send a message. There are train tracks to cross and though it's a simple cross it might be catchy. If someone knows where I'm heading that someone can set a trap there or at least catch a trail.

Everything that has a reason. Localization of lanterns, ordinary people or magic creatures is very foggy. Jerry's lost the focus on aura search after the encounter with Shadow's atomic technique and Diablos. Fast walk and thinking at the same time is tiring again. Not to mention magic control. Maintaining stealth is a precaution but energy consuming thing.

There is it. She sent a message. Looks like noone is around but few slimes which I can use. I need at least one. Two would be enough.

Slimes are generally slow. They roll on the ground eating things that they stumble on the ground. There are not many specie that hunts actively. Most of them are falling from trees on the victim.

And gotcha!

The rarer type of slime went on cannibalize act but I was not an ordinary slime he targeted. In few swift moves his core was sliced in pieces and absorbed.

Now time for the second. If it keeps going south I can hunt him. Further from tracks the better.

So the slime is going but a train soon will be crossing so Maya halted all drones and keeps silence. Jerry is resting under the tree like normal slimes do.

He checks vibration of the ground to make sure that the train is getting further. But by no means he is moving now. He is still listening to the ground for any kind of steps that human can do.

Half hour later any suspicious sounds. Articore under the cover of slime is non visible. Deep gray-blue slime is common here so there should be no problem.

Pacing slowly like a normal slime, Jerry is making his way over tracks. Spherical view is a great advantage. It would be a demanding for a normal mind to keep up but he was using this in battles and tensing moments already.

Great, noone is here but I'll keep the pace for few hours just in case.

Slowly but surely the slime blob is making his way north.

Crackling, snap!

Unnatural branch noises raised the alarm. While moving slowly the lantern check is on.

Nothing here, here, there. Where is it? Man where is it?

A leaf in the sight suddenly changes direction.

Slime is continuing moving like nothing, slowly rolling through forest. As they usually stop and go it moves like that. But the observer is careless. He leaves many small tracks though magic is well covered. Only Shadow Garden is able to do that.

Meeting a member of the cult do this is rather unlikely case.

But as the slime stopped for eat some random mushrooms from behind a tree a human in dark cloak show up with a container.

His aura ricks of diablos. If he gets closer he needs to die or run away from him.

Hm!?

Swoosh.

Out of nowhere a precise hole appeared exactly through this guy's hearth. Within seconds he collapses in an amok with blood soaking through his back.

Two black figures are hiding on the tree.

"This is a last one." Speaks black robe.

"Roger. What was he about to do?" Speaks fancier black robe.

"It seems he wanted to pick up that slime over there..."

The slime is like ten meters away at this moment and it moves ahead.

"Should it be so fast?" Whispers the black robe.

"307 don't leave behind."

"Yes, sir."

Good, leave me now Shadow Garden... Huh!?

"I'll take this one."

You little... Aghrrr.

"I'll call you Bobel."

Pi... Go away, leave me alone.

The slime is closed and carried in slimebag on the back. Though it seems to be more itchy that usual slimes met in the wild.

Not wasting any time Jerry took his time to use the occasion and checked her and her comrades aura. Relatively in calmer environmental set he manages to get a picture of that and is taking a second thing to do.

Disassemble their slime to escape when the occasion happens though they are still working their way north.

But first thing first. They are constantly managing their slime suits so any intervention will be felt. Luckily they stop in the middle of the night to rest.

A group consisting of three elves and one human took their tasks. One has collected firewood. Commander took a watch. 307 is preparing a meal and fourth is sleeping.

In the meantime the slimebag is carefully being cut.

In few minutes I would be outside but the commander is giving an intimidating sight every time she looks my way. I'll wait until she goes to sleep.

"Com...mander?" One number initiates the talk.

"444 will suffice, 307."

"You are somewhat nervous this evening."

444 touches her cheeks uncomfortably.

"Do you remember the exam incident from a little over half a year?"

"Golem incident."

"Aaaaghhh!" Sleepy one woke up in rush.

"Silent soldier. I don't remember you were there then."

"Ugh. That month after that was a constant headache. You remember what Lambda pulled us through."

With lighting speed everyone has got silent. Lambda was on top the heels making a thorough investigation. Only after a speak with Alpha and Gamma she released the steam.

Nobody knows why, what is even more suspicious.

"I can see your faces. I know what is on your mind. Some rumors say he was seen talking with Alpha not so long ago in Oriana."

Rumor in Shadow Garden terms meant that something was really likely to happen. Only a level below a confirmation.

"Eh?" Elf who collected the wood finished her meal. "So it should be him."

Everyones' eyes target her demanding the answer.

"I saw someone code named Golem in Mitsugoshi two weeks ago. Maybe a coincident?"

"Who was it?" Asks 444.

Elf has an uneasy face.

"Kazeru Vinci. His visions are like Shadow's and creations like Eta's."

"So it's him from the incident." States 444.

"Are you sure, Sir? It might be an intentional regional secret or just coincidence."

"Be aware of him. You know I fought him and failed. He pushed back Eta in fight enough to escape. To get the matter worse he... is... close here."

Eyes of the other three numbers have widened. Fighting with Eta is a double suicide. Only Alpha, Zeta and Gamma can compete with her.

But he is here close.

"What we do Sir?" A bit of panic is visible in her eyes.

"714 keep your stance. Won't attacked or followed he won't counter."

"Counter?" Asks 307.

"You heard it right. Don't attack or follow him."

This is interesting. It seems it might be easier for me to escape but I'll use this as a trump card.

"Both of you sleep. You takes that way. He is moving. We run together if we see him."

Good to hear that. Ow! No way she did that.

307 went to sleep choosing for a pillow the slimebag.

What to do now? Maya is observing for sure but if she will raise more units up they will think it's a trap. They did not say absolutely nothing about their goal here. I cannot move from here. Irritating.

Next shift comes four hours later. Slimebag is free but 444 can't sleep. She turns side to side. She looks like she's got something on her mind.

No way. She is gonna do it. I won't make it in time.

444 chose to put her head on the slimebag.

Plop.

The slime that 307 took spilled from the slimebag.

Eyes of 444 fell on the slime.

"Yo. My apologies for the exam incident."

The next second slime was nowhere to be found.

"Eh!?" 444 is staring on the place where slime was a second ago dumbfounded.

"What happened Sir?" The first number woke up from sleep immediately when she heard a short scream.

"Tell me. How are we going to report that the slime 307 took was Mr Vinci?"

 

Well. They for sure are having a tough talk with Seven Shadows. She could felt me but they should don't follow me. They won't without any important reason. They were traveling east. I'm gonna continue north.

Knowing their aura I can now see them in some range but 444 for sure has a sixth sense on me.

I'm still curious though, what was reaction of 307 on that revelation.

Morning I should ping Maya.

The slime continues journey to the mountains with no further troubles. Numbers traveled east. No more cult's guys. Few hungry magical beasts.

That last one was a great material because they are generally free of diablos contamination. Still though Maya found one who was clearly a loose specie from cult's lab. It raised a red flag so Maya send a notice. Jerry moved to further north west along mountains. Few days later Shadow Garden was looking there at the modified magical beast's corpse.

The other thing that was raising some concern is slime around the articore. Slime has some internal semi organs.

Even blended, modified and moved around it had an abnormal metal absorption. Later some cells started specializing. That led to a strange course of action. Mithrill bone like structures started to form. Not many of it but in two days slime legs used for silent walking got bones.

Bones is a bit overstatement term though. They were something in between scales used in kvaser version three and natural bones.

With the material from mountains, magical beasts and a bit of problem solving a new form of life was taking its shape.

It seems firewall is set properly now.

"Hello Maya. How do you hear me?"

"Loud and clear. You've got a long list to do out here."

"Don't you say."

"First call your students."

"Now?"

"And you thought when?"

Notification: Calling Atheno Mirmir.

"Uhm, a... Hello."

"For the love of Beatrix you are fine. Hello."

"I'm fine. How are you and students?"

"Contract with Mitsugoshi Founding is set but tell me why princess Alexia Midgar, her ex-boyfriend and princess Clara Oriana invested too?"

"I wish to know it too."

After the moment of silence Jerry continues.

"How are students?"

"Nervous about you. You haven't given sign of life since visitation in Midgar capital. Loren took full role of the leader. Camino graduated. And they created those tran... transor..."

"Transistor."

"Yeah, transistor. Due to that there is a tight communication with Mitsugoshi. My guess is they were doing the same but with our team in contact things got a huge boost."

"I'll save my suspicion towards where they got it but let me tell you one thing. In presentation we discreetly showed the logic behind the thing they've got."

The juicy facepalm of the new trend of modern young people spread across the phone.

"I'll give you students."

Notification: Call moved to Loren von Zeitzog.

"Hi Loren."

"Hi Kazeru. Why did you go silent for so long?"

"I've had some things to deal with."

"You can at least answer mails."

"I'm sure Maya answered some."

Sigh.

"She is creative but her logic is really difficult."

"You will get used to it."

An even longer sigh is heard through phone.

"I'll check on your mails now."

The very technical talk is continuing for 3 hours straight.

In the meantime Relato and Felix were having a call with Kazeru to let Loren rest. But what was the most interesting thing was that some very important mitsugoshi head's lab went for vacation. That someone was Eta Lloyd Wright.

For me, she wanted more to disappear than rest.

"Maya, check on available information where Eta is traveling. I'm going to move along mountains to Laugus."

"Will you explain what is going with your slime body? It look much different than yesterday."

Slime reformed basic bone structure but much more flexible. Articore is left in the chest. Many experiments suggesting some connection to previous forms remembered by Jerry himself. Probably subconscious thoughts are restoring basic form of human life and stopped leaving a very flexible body to work with.

Slime is storing many materials inside. With fresh magic it is easier to manage it by himself. Arm or leg can be quickly changed to something else. Wings, scissors, shovel, axe, sword. Everything this does not need help or assistance of Maya.

At the end of this evening talk Maya asked about magic compression. The Shadows technique. She halted many projects due to this magic contamination from the bunker.

Before the midnight new set of experiments proved that magic compression is on a completely different level.

Though there is much to reach Shadow's level, something else come on mind of both. Purifying equipment produced so far. In test, one small drone practically was set up new from basics because purifying burned almost everything. Though setting the drone up anew let to non problematic use of magic compression.

It's almost morning now. Without second thought wings opened on the back of kvaser version five. Gray angel launched into the mountain sky. With south wind kvaser is climbing over hill unbothered by anything.

Anything until reaching a certain spot.

The Kagenou estate.

Without a warning behind the mountain a quick flash appeared. This estate is a quiet place but few years ago this kind of event would regularly happen during the night.

Nobody was found nor any leads.

 

"Ughrr... Maya trace my location. Quiet."

Here they are.

I expected some rogue Shadow Garden but much later. Why now? It is Kagenou... Why I forget it. Shadow comes from here so Shadow Garden must have base here.

They are fast. I can see the recovery team coming here. Just before this trap enclosed me I send the message to Maya. This trap though seems underdeveloped towards magic users like Numbers. I can see them close no problem.

"There it is." Speaks one of two numbers in camo like from an earth's army.

"It looked like giant bird but now it looks like crushed ball. It seems it's my win."

"Tch. All right." Second Number seems to lost a bet.

"That later. We are taking it to the lab."

"As unknown specie?"

"Probably."

"Could it be lost?"

"I don't think so. It was flying like with huge experience."

"Do you think it will be pulled straight to head lab?"

"I expect that."

I want catch a breath from situations like these...

 

Chapter notes:

This is a Jerry's short description of this situation: A, Aaaah, Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

Chapter version 1B.5.1.

Chapter 28: In Lion's Cave

The small lab near Kagenou estate is working on magical beast. Any interesting specie is brought here to study. Over the one year program hundreds of magical being have been studied. Slimes though are minor branch here because main and significant portion is taking place in Alexandria.

It is also a place that is half open to the world. Beside the Midgar Academy for Dark Knights noone really studies them in Midgar kingdom. The undercover branch of Mitsugoshi was looking for a suitable place to conduct such research and when they saw an offer from Kagenou something unthinkable happened. The offer was accepted in no time. Soon a handful of scientist were working there.

Mrs. Kagenou as the land supervisor was flabbergasted to read the letter from the company not exactly addressed for her but she could not find anyone who first wrote the offer in the first place. Not until she started to see that her dear husband is missing more than usual.

As for the research place it is being held like military base. High fence with spikes, regular patrols and being practically a closed shop.

Today Mrs. Kagenou, something has touched her to check the place she agreed to make.

 

"Hey. What you've got here?"

"A giant mountain bird albeit in not a good state."

"Talk with your gadget team to adjust the crimping force."

"As you wish."

The man is taking the time to safely open the ball. The note says that it is a giant mountain bird, likely a magical beast.

"Hmm. I'm putting it into a cage before opening." He's got some gut feeling that this beast might be violent.

The ball is slowly being open but nothing is rampaging or flying out of there. Instead a rather strange figure appeared and got out. It resembled the man with wings, giant wings.

It placed his hand of the bars as if to bend them.

Smack!

Both of their faces turns towards the door just being forcefully opened.

"My dear husband."

"Oh. H-Hi my sweetheart."

Oh man. Is that his wife? That will be quick wipe out.

"What are you doing here?" I bet she knows it already.

"Working here."

"Working?" She is putting down her hand fan.

She doesn't believe him any word. Her magic is rising and that hand fan with it.

"Y-Yes. I'm working here."

Swoosh.

Boom.

The workers of this place could only hear as the most valuable researcher Oton Kagenou is being drawn by his wife out. Nobody dared to oppose her.

Seem it's my chance to escape.

Hey, ho!

Hmm? Those bars. They are stronger... no.

His eyes met with the greatest enemy of him in this world. The petite elf has a smug face.

"How... no. You are mine... now."

"Never."

The cage is not letting any move outside. It prevents any kind of activity, either physical or magical.

Eta is staying on the other side of the room working on some kind of machine. From time to time she is giggling maniacally while working non stop on it. She is not stepping a foot outside this room.

Brainsucker-kun. This name is cringe but despite its name it can work basing from my observations and analysis. Very terrifying machine in both use and consequences. Your brain melted due to the process of sucking knowledge. Not like it any bit.

But today she is making more displeasing noises than usual. It's beyond annoying.

"Lamenting won't help being productive, you know."

"I won't let myself... to lose any bit... of knowledge."

"By losing a knowledge's host?"

Without any scruple she answered.

"Without knowledge... I can't per...form my research."

"For yourself or...?" She was triggered.

"Nobody won't... slow my... research."

"Let me guess. Noone understands you?"

"They always held... me back. I can make... it myself."

"Prioritizing only a knowledge over the individual's knowledge develop. It's simply a rip."

"They never were... a help." She is so simple now but the treat. She probably will never let herself be cured. I'm not like that one Psyculturist.

"My diagnose is a savant with obsessive compulsive personality disorder."

"What is your point?"

"The exception, simple error at first sight or this one seemingly minor rule. It makes sense when applied to general and lets help to understand both the general and the exception."

"What is your point?"

"You know what I meant. Personally I don't like to put someone as lost cause at the start but knowing your background..." The sigh takes a long pause."...currently there is noone to help with your obsession."

"Who is that noone?"

"Psychiatrist and the whole branch of psychology which research human behavior simply does not exist here..."

Her eyes glimmers.

"I'm not psychologist kiddo."

"But your whole... knowledge is such a... treasure. It cannot be lost... to someone like you."

"What happens when your life will end? Do you leave anything after you? Burned fields? Hatred towards science? Anyone who would admire you and follow your footsteps?"

"Nuisance."

"This is where you are wrong. You cannot work only by yourself. Even in this shell that I am closed into. I cannot escape limitations. I can think in place of hundreds of thousand of minds myself but in the end I won't do it all alone. Let me tell you one story."

 

Group four. Herman, Marek and Jerry. You take project numbeeerrr... ten.

The atmosphere in the class suddenly is lacking positive even more. New semester has a one specific subject for not small amount of semester points. Its special thing about this it's a collab with exchange students. It's general that it ends with failure caused by internal struggle, tense and distrust.

Those three were chosen though. Each one man negatively set towards the rest. One thing is sure in the minds of others in the class beside the docent. They gonna kill each other or at least bust the semester with a sound.

Those three in a rather heated conversation decided to meet in dorm work room and make it fast. A kind of unique room as usually those kinds of rooms are placed in uni so are not available at night. Work room in the dorm makes access twenty four hours a day.

The first Saturday the work started under the dorm. With the talk about the concepts the hell broke loose. The commotion started to be hear out in the entire dorm so the janitor showed up and dispersed the audience. Nobody dared to oppose this unique kind of a man of this janitor. Nobody of the audience dared to check what was going the whole night inside the work room.

As the sun risen over the sky the worried dorm locators decided to barge in. Four guys passed out with visible scars, the whole whiteboard written, a mass of notes and broken laptop.

The petite nordic girl turned back immediately with the second step as smelled the stench of alcohol. The rest of the guys took to tidy this mess up to cover the event up.

The rumor quickly spread across the uni but nobody could not believe it more after they finished the project three weeks later as their bruises were disappearing.

Quickly they started to make another projects, raised a one payed startup for some company and even wrote book treating the methodology of design. That last clearly beared three separate methods and never was complete but somehow open.

On the last year though something broke the whole world forces. A new force of nature flipped the world upside down.

Tragedy, great extinction, magic, war, robots and unsure future.

 

"Their minds will... be mine... Keeping them inside... is inefficient."

"No."

A derisive laugh filled the room.

"You missed the point about the book. Where is the fun, where is the challenge, where is the trial and error in understanding when all is but a book left by the author. If you kill him he won't develop more. There was no man in history to knew everything about everything. They knew their own limitations. Each one researched something different but when their knowledge was put together by themselves many incredible devices were build."

"..." She gives no comment.

"You're choosing to burning brains with extracting memories that are long dim and forgotten. That is your compulsion, a hundred percent efficiency. It takes and gives. Going beyond the sweet spot is a sign of efficiency loss."

"What kind of... efficiency you... mean?"

"Of your whole being."

"Foolishness."

"Your mistake. That's what janitor taught those two and me. Without balance you and the other side fail both."

For the first time in days Eta left the room. She was looking like a mess. Sticky hair, sleep bags under the eyes, pile of few empty bowls after food though that amount of food was clearly insufficient.

As soon she gets out of the room she passes behind the door with a hit on the floor that made even Jerry uncomfortable.

"Ouch. I never passed out so badly."

Nobody is checking the cage. Occasion not to miss. Even more if to think about that articore was dismantled inside directly under Eta's nose.

The hybrid body of slime biding together mithrill alloy pieces flows between bars is making an easy escape. Every piece made with the thought of fitting through space not bigger than a fist.

But as before the kvaser version six left the room.

"Heh, heh, heh. I'll leave you a little gift."

Boom!

The door flew out of the frame almost hitting a bystanding workers and further making a hole in the wall towards the outside.

The mighty figure shocks the workers more than the alarm sound. Out the fear that spreads from his aura they are not able to move an inch. The ominous figure takes only a glimpse on them.

"Sorry for the commotion."

With that he flies out of the facility directly up into the sky so high he vanishes in the clouds.

 

The bedroom in Kagenou mansion. The awkward atmosphere is keeping there for the last week. In this time Mrs. Kagenou was keeping a hard watch over her husband.

The phone was primarily reserved for contact with the research facility. She wasn't exactly happy with that but decided to keep it.

But the sudden phone ring have put the two straight up from the bed and she immediately wanted to know what is going on.

Just before she was about whip out the slackness Mr. Kagenou was already at the phone.

His reactions during the call though were carrying some serious as for him bad reactions.

"What is going on?"

"I think I should thank you for pulling me from this lab week ago. The specimen I was supposed to research violently broke loose and vanished in the sky."

Since long she wasn't able to counter his words at all.

"We better go there to check out, Okan."

 

"Hi Maya. Sorry it took so long."

"Don't do that again. Even Shadow Garden caught a trail of coming army towards this facility."

"What is the situation at Mitsugoshi?"

"They've just received a report. They are melting because Nu connected the dots. It was you now and the recon squad then."

"Any big lantern is moving?"

"Not yet. I guess nobody beside Shadow can detect you."

"Guess? You guess?" I'm making an intimating voice.

That's new to me she would guess. "I would add Alpha to the list."

"What makes you adding her to the list?"

"It's my gut feeling."

"..."

"You don't hav..."

INCOMING CALL: Alpha

"Is that what you call don't howl the wolf out of the forest, huh?" Maya comments sarcastically.

"Hello, Alpha. What is up?"

"Hello, but next time can you say it without making doors flying?"

"That was for show but sleepy head slept over the commotion."

"Wait, Eta?"

"As you sad, Eta. But don’t worry, her device is locked for now. You've got about a week before she might start it up."

There is a long, quiet sigh barely listenable.

"I'm going to Laugus. If you can take this please follow the instructions to repair magic of Clara's prosthesis..."

The situation is that all equipment build by magic so far will be reconstructed to avoid negative impact. Alpha couldn't stop asking about many blurry details of the events caught in the memory slumber. Magic was somehow not that much important at the moment.

The same night Rose with the help of her trusted team began a long procedure of repairing the prosthesis. To their surprise Alpha have joined them to finish the task. Though the locomotion mean she used has caught some attention.

In the afternoon newspapers few witnesses described the body of the Mist Dragon flying over the morning fog. The huge crowd in the foggy streets of Oriana was not disappointed as the huge dragon like shadow started to roar over the sky with somehow uprising tone evening the same day.

"Seems Alpha marked the next kingdom. Don't you think?"

"Seems so. Your investment is bringing some fruits."

"As you can see. There was a chance it would not work but now I can say it worked better than I expected."

"We need to do maintain on that dragon as well."

"Yeah, remember to call Alpha before we are going to do it..."

Jerry stops for a while thinking about something missing.

"Hey, what is on your mind?"

"Where is Nara?"

"She is in..." Maya is giving a hesitant voice what puts Jerry off.

"In?"

"Lawless City."

Kvaser plummets into a plain. Jerry corrected the course before hitting the tree.

"What she is doing there of all places?"

She was going back by train from Oriana. It was not easy for her to cross the border between Oriana and Midgar but what made her do that?

There was a port city before.

"She's said I've got one thing to check out."

"How is she?"

"Low resolution image. She has been going at least for two days now."

"For sake, I better check on her. Keep an eye on her until I arrive."

With the speed of almost mach 1 kvaser is passing under night sky making him practically invisible.

There were only two places worth mention along the road.

One is a strange dungeon that emitted some kind of ominous magic. So ominous that made the non existing stomach hurt.

Second was the mansion's ruins where one singular candle was still on.

This place is spooky but something tells me it was her home.

The town moved one hill further with the new residence build in between. Magic coming from there was obviously carrying more diablos's scent than anywhere up to this point.

I'll definitely come back here.

 

Chapter notes:

Mr and Mrs Kagenou. I would never thought that with their sudden appearing chapter's name would have more sense.

As for Eta I can only left her to proper psychiatrist. What will be her next move?

Remember alcohol is only for grown ups.

Chapter version 1C.5.1.

 

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Chapter 29: Like in...

It's surprisingly easy to get in here. No guards, no real borders, only everyone seems like to rob you. Not my kind of place but I'll better find her. Scans are unclear, so Maya's. It feels like in that one district in my home's capital. How it was called...? It seems I've just forgot another thing.

From afar only one of three towers is catching most of the attention. The white tower. Black tower is in ruins and crimson is separated from the city.

A figure in a dark cloak is going in Lawless City without any problem. Here and there some thugs are hanging, many wanted posters including Rose Oriana and Shadow. Few lanterns are coming up on radar but their purpose is not on Jerry's mind.

After closer inspection Nara has stopped in a Crimson Tower. It's broad daylight so jumping roofs to get faster is out of the question.

"Any point of entrance to the Crimson Tower?"

"Only from up. I didn't find any underneath passage."

"Keep looking for..."

In just a minute there are many catching eyes around. One lantern, two knights from the local association and few thugs.

Thugs are one thing but the rest is a problem, especially those knights. For sure they will follow me.

So the knights followed. They not even bother to politely fend off some pickpockets. One hit and they lie on the ground clutching to the stomach. The only one thing good about them is lack of diablos contamination.

"Hey, hop." Dark figure in a second was on the roof.

But the two of knights quickly followed, no mistake. One roof, another one and each one after while hiding behind chimneys.

"Great observers or am I that sloppy?"

"Trick them?"

"No, they know where I'm heading to. I'll greet them there. Heh, heh heh."

A bit sinister laugh told Maya that he might pull for another one like in prison camp.

Final border. Noone around beside two knights and their target. The target hopped like never before. Usual route assumed that target would try to cross from the higher building but not in this case. He's deliberately chosen lower building and jumped like it was nothing over the wall that separated crimson tower from the city. If not the fast eye she would not see him over the wall.

They are going to catch up soon. I'll hide there and wait to get their backs. In the meantime, hmm... lantern is just behind them.

"What do you think he is here for?" Ask knight man.

"Like many before, shady business or retaliation."

"We've lost him, you know that?" He is making a really quiet comment.

"He is playing cat and mouse now."

"You sure?" Knight has some unusual ache in stomach.

"Yes, quiet and keep my back."

Just when they reached a certain spot in a quiet and now crowded tower something approached them undetected.

"Hey there." The voice came just in between them.

The sudden grip restricted their movement. Their backs were turned on his chest like in a really tight hug like by a strongman except it was neither hostile nor friendly.

Their head could only turn so they are seeing the front of a mithrill mask.

"When!?" A woman shouted.

"Shoo, shoo. Don't move, you might broke some ribs yourself. I want you return in one piece after a little talk now."

"Forget it." She speaks as they try to break out from the hug but something is not right.

They are like in a rigid cage with no allowable movement. As they try the hug strength is increasing beyond any strongman she knew.

"You won't talk. Ok, so I continue."

""What?"" They both ask.

"I'm looking for my... disciple and it so happened I felt she is here. Can you be so malleable that you will let me look for her here?"

"You are clearly suspicious."

"I don't care what was your reason to follow me. So?"

"You will go with us to association first."

"I don't think they pay you enough for people of my caliber."

"Aghh!" The grip almost breaks her forearm, bruise will be left.

She loses the strength. He soon follows.

"I'm glad we understand ourselves."

"Who are you and who is she?"

"I'm Echo. I'm looking for a young woman of your height, brown hair to shoulders, slick figure and sharp look in eyes and she might pull a sword out of thin air."

"Eh? D-Don't you say you are Shado..." He puts an index finger to cut her speech.

"I'm not Shadow, he is much stronger than me. You wouldn't even see him around like meee...e?" Echo's just silenced.

"What's with you?" A female knight is weirded out.

Echo is looking only in one shadow underneath stone arch.

"He is looking at us now right from that corner."

She is not believing it.

"He is not lying young woman." Shadow speaks like he was everywhere around. This sudden heavy voice makes her legs like feathers.

We've got his attention. It's not what I expected here any bit.

"Shadow. If it's not a problem I've got to look for my disciple. She is somewhere here under this tower."

"Thou may pass. What with those two?"

"Their decision."

Suddenly a place where nothing was now two red points are looking at them. Intimidation makes pressure even on Echo.

"Jean. You go back to the association. I'll continue investigation with him. If we are not coming back tomorrow noon you take the team to look for us."

"Yes, sir Claudia." She ordered the young knight.

Shadow's presence also vanished.

"You sure, you want to go in there?"

She gives not a look like Echo expected.

"Let me tell you this. If you want to make it out alive there take this."

Echo pushes in her hand a some strange piece of equipment.

"What's this?"

"Gas mask. You put it on your face if I'll say so." He explains with a dead serious tone.

"What for?"

She is hard to explain things to. After ten minutes they enter a tower or better to say a half of the tower. The rest of the construction is lying around after the Blood Queen incident.

 

My budget is running low this month. I need to supply thirty million zeni for the summer break. I won't sell new acquired rights to Agima. For some strange reason Alexia also has bought some rights. When she got to know that I bought too I just put her off with saying that she bought, I checked and I bought too because they were interesting.

This owner of the same company had some action in Midgar. It seems I need to thank him for preparing such show for me though Alexia didn't get exactly out in one piece. There are some internal scars left that I kindly repair when she talks her things to me.

Ah, yeah. Lawless City. It will be great choice to quickly fill the pockets.

During the flight with the mach 1.5 I felt somewhat familiar magic. First was coming from my home clearly heading toward the Lawless City. Second was a mitsugoshi's employee. At first look though.

With the second look I felt some resemblance with the first one which I knew. The Echo guy. He seems to be connected with the Mitsugoshi (and Shadow Garden) but his methods, especially fight are clearly bearing earth's. I won't be making a formal apology to him for the first two encounters but I can help him.

I caught a train she was in. Something was not feeling right with her. Under her own multilayered magic aura I could see my interference similar to which I used about the time when Zeta joined to Shadow Garden game. I do not remember helping with possession her though.

Nevermind. Echo's way of magic is running in her. It's surprising that she grasped the theory of physics from the earth. She has a potential like mine unlike the Shadow Garden that I taught what they needed.

I even wanted to check on her progress but she was somehow aware of my mind threads around.

During the one night stop she checked on some ruins of abandoned and destroyed mansion. She left a candle there and got back to the train.

I tried many different approaches to get to know her magic. In conclusion not many but definitely useful techniques might be made from this.

I was so into that I don't even know when we arrived to the Lawless City. Research is research but I'm not that eager like Eta and I need fill the pocket.

Few days later Cid felt a familiar aura that appeared in his home.

 

"Stop." Echo's hand is blocking Claudia's way.

She takes a look at him but he does not.

"Follow exactly my steps."

She proceeds to take a step by step clearly feeling that there are some traps.

Sweat drops running down the chin as he takes quick stops to assess the situation.

Then he stops for long and do not make any move. Her heart rises to the throat beating heavy.

Being a foot behind she pats his hack with a finger.

"We are screwed." His voice is giving a death vibrato.

"A-Ahh." Claudia is at the edge of crying.

"I'm joking. We are long after the traps."

Tears are slowly welling up. Echo pulls a handkerchief to wipe the tears.

"D-don't do that again."

"Never but one thing. Put that mask. Dead gas concentration is going up."

"She is deeper down there. Are you sure she is fine?"

"I taught her myself. She will be fine."

He resumes a walk.

"Come on and knock the mask two times on the left cheek."

"What is this doing?"

"Check it out."

Knock, knock.

A flash of light suddenly appeared from some orbs on the mask.

"Wow! What artifact is this?"

"It's not artifact. It's one of my creations. On the left cheek there are controls of the light. Test it out, we've got about half hour before we reach her."

"What is the right side?"

"I would say it's your life boat?"

"Life what?"

"It will turn into a survival helmet and even protect the neck."

As they are going deeper through empty tunnels.

Tap, tap, tap.

"Whoa!" The mask turned into a helmet. "What, how?"

"You see. You need to touch it three short, three long and three short to unlock. But before it will be better if you let it be on. We've got some company behind that door."

"What is there?" She places her hand on the blade.

"Hm. Take this sword just in case. Heavy but it delivers."

"I can't..." She is looking at one edge sword with hollows where insides are black.

"Take it." He places the sword to her left hip and it immediately attaches to the belt itself.

"How?"

"That you will have to answer yourself."

Thump!

The door opened with a half roundhouse kick forcing Claudia to jump towards the side.

"Hey there little vampire!"

What is he doing?!

Claudia is not daring to step out now. Vampire is a serious issue. There is no guarantee that every one was killed by Shadow.

"Eh?"

The vampire's maid vanished.

Clash!

Two sword have collided scaring Claudia.

"What are you doing here, Nara?" What is he talking about now?

"Echo? What are you doing here?"

"That is my question young lady."

"Dear intruder, can you explain yourself?" Mind control magic, interesting.

The maid is struggling while the intruder is taking his hat off. He is placing it on the heart with a delicate bow. The maid can do nothing.

"Excuse my impertinence. I'm known here as Kazeru Vinci, Echo nickname mine is. My greetings Vampire Queen Elisabeth. I've come here to look for my disciple Nara Scam. Currently siding with you."

"Is he your teacher?" Asks the Queen.

"He is." She speaks like a child caught by a parent.

"Mary withdraw."

"Thank you Queen." I delicately bow my head.

"May I ask you two to come here closer and take a seat."

Claudia and Kazeru are taking seats. With the round table he is taking seat between the Queen and Nara such Nara is on his right hand side. Claudia is awkwardly taking seat on his opposite side.

"What is your name young lady?" The Queen is asking Claudia.

She takes a look on Kazeru like it was her last second of life, then answers the question.

"I'm C-Claudia your highness."

"Good evening Claudia. You seems you want to ask Mr. Kazeru something."

"Y-Yes."

She hesitates.

"Ask him."

"You are Kazeru Vinci but at first you called yourself Echo. Aren't you the same Echo that Yukime told me about."

"Yukime?"

Nara enters with a quick explanation.

"She works for Shadow Garden. It's not a secret here at this table."

"Then I am."

Claudia pieces together facts and rumors. The man who made the Midgar to switch to Shadow Garden's side and made few more actions is seating just in front of her.

"How? Your body is like steel. How do you even takes the face of Kazeru Vinci up?"

She was about to ask more questions but Kazeru put on the mask in a split second cutting off the bubbling mouth.

"Impressing." Tells the Queen. "Mary, prepare the tea please."

"Yes Ma'am."

The talk takes a few long hours. Claudia left the talk after one hour. She was taken out to the surface by the maid Mary.

Even in discomfort of high standards of the tea party Kazeru and Nara continued the history course by Elisabeth and the mind control techniques of vampires.

Nara didn't tell me how she even got in contact with the Queen and she made her to talk about something like this. But don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Almost free lecture about that kind of magic from the first hand. Sign me up!

We might be able to do something more with prof. Sherry and even Eta.

But one thing she told only to me is making my concern more real.

The soul is not complete. It looks like it was shredded and put together without the utmost care. Some pieces are missing and are filled with new blank spots. Where is the rest?

It's a question that better be not answered. Consequences might be horrible.

I wanted us to take the ship to Laugus but by some kind of unfortunate turn of events we are stuck here for few more days. The hotel is between the White Tower and an industrial district.

Today I decided to check out the industrial part of the city. If anyone would recognize mine face there, it will be desired if there and only there.

This new district, despite the wars around is developing very well. Mills, textile, factories, steam engines, wood gas systems. It feels like those photos from the nineteenth and twentieth century, except magic helps a bit with efficiency.

I need though talk to Luna about human rights and public health. I hope to avoid some problems with that earth struggled.

Maya checked the bank records of Mitsugoshi. It turns out that most of the industry here belongs to them.

The walk takes Kazeru to the docs. Drones could do the work but human trait is stronger. It brings some missing piece in the heart. Even if there is a lot of facilities, there are parks in regular distances. One is on the small hill next to the future docs and freshly built office. There is a break right now.

Jerry feels something odd. It's very faint but it feels like sense of proud like it was he is taking a part in this and is looking at the current progress.

As he is drowning in the feeling someone with the rolapoid on the neck belt speaks out.

"Sir. Are you Kazeru Vinci?"

One look at the speaker says everything. Rolapoid and file from which he pulls a photo from interview with Luna in Midgar capital.

"Sure I am."

"I'd like to ask few questions."

"I'm listening." He takes a seat next to Kazeru and pulls a clean sheet of paper and a very rare thing, the pink ink pen.

Bingo, he is spying for prof Sherry.

"You were at Mitsugoshi. What is the security over there?"

"In short. Too tight to going in there directly. Miss Luna is heavily guarded."

"Any other possibilities?"

The interview lasts at least one hour. It seems like Sherry tries to get as much info as possible. Maya send the report that Sherry knows pretty much nothing though the other side of the world conflict is different. She has interrogated two members of the Cult but they seem to belong to the low class members. They are simply puppets to get a very basic info.

Next is a higher Cult's member. Kato Von Grumpen is probably a first child. Report says that he is quite an outsider in the cult leading his own cell within. He somehow resisted her interrogation artifact and like me fakes. It's unknown why but he keeps everything including himself away from my division. I need to talk one more time about him with Atheno.

"What is yours project's status?" Ah, this project.

"Total failure. It will take at least three years to build a prototype, not speaking of the final product."

"...product." Journalist makes the last note.

"If it's everything I'll take my leave."

"Thank you for the interview." Said journalist.

In total today Sherry knows the same. Kazeru and Atheno have to solve the problem with Sherry in a year or two. The thing which Sherry asked is a high end computing machine but she won't be given any for obvious reasons. Shadow Garden knows of her and her attempts but it seems she is not their priority. She is the only link to recently found first child.

Today's menu in hotel offered a fifty percent discount on drinks. Nara was looking at Kazeru drinking a lot. After the second mug even she asked for a glass of wine.

"Waiter."

"What do you need Sir?"

"Two mugs of honey beer, two extra shark fillets and a borduex wine."

When Kazeru said wine, he hit with his pinky the table's edge two times so she could not see. Waiter took the note and fifteen minutes later they were enjoying the good portion of the delicious shark meet, a local high class specialty.

The next morning she wakes up in her room with a hangover. With some local treats she gets back on legs but not without a quarrel from her side. Kazeru quoted it like.

"Now you could experience the life once I had."

With this she gets back to rest. Evening though this night she was left free. Kazeru left the hotel to check on something.

Having few hours before sleep she's decided to check the view from the industrial funnel. Quick gear up in slime suit and go.

The night sky was incredibly clear. Many stars that are usually faint, now are seen without straining the eye. A service platform makes a great observation spot like in the father's observatory.

She is so lost in stars that she haven't realized something.

"A such majestic sky watched by a beautiful woman..."

The intruder has a tip of the sword at his throat though it is hidden under the shade of the hood.

"What are you doing here, Shadow? Train wasn't enough?"

Only a red point is visible from under the hood of gorgeous jet black suit with golden and violet finishes. The coat is delicately dancing on the ocean breeze.

"Thine magic unusual is. Ancient work of mine."

"I closed this part of my life long ago."

She points the sword deeper even though it might be ineffective.

"Scars will be left despite intentions."

"I'm feeling good, thanks." She cannot read his intentions.

"I want to see you one day in your prime." Then only a mist was left as Shadow said his last words today.

 

Chapter notes:

Hey Claudia, you still here?

Chapter version 1D.5.2.

Chapter 30: Supposed Holidays

It's a first day of the week. Gamma is finishing makeup. Tiny touch to lay the edge properly and go. She is a bit late because... of her heels.

Omega is giving her plan for the current week but she makes a note that there might be complications due to recent accident in Kagenou Lab.

As they enters the Luna's office room there is an unexpected envelope with Nu next to.

"Ara, Nu. What makes you coming here? I'm sure you should be on vacations right now."

Omega feels the tension in the air.

"Eta is involved again."

"She was supposed to visit headquarters. What happened?"

"She... drove off to Kagenou Lab and almost got The Golem on the table."

Gamma's eyes widen in shock and turned on the doors. In air, like a dark ghost has appeared behind her. Omega has made a step back. It was like a dark omen, her reaction.

"Is Alpha on the way there?"

"She is. The Golem was last seen heading towards Laugus." As the omen over her disappeared, Omega feels a relief.

"Thank you for the report... Mm?" Gamma can feel something is not right. "Did Alpha moved your vacation?"

"Yes. I've got to make a report with him in Laugus."

Gamma cannot question Alpha's order but something is troubling her at the back of the head.

"Omega. You will be assisting her and bring the full report directly."

"Omega. Be ready in an hour. I want to finish this quickly."

"Hai, hai." This will be an exhausting trip.

 

I don't know why but I feel like I am at home. The ship which brought us here was the most prestigious as it could be. Proper steam propulsion, a banquet deck and even really comfy and rich decorated rooms. First class of this world. Through some slime modifications I could properly taste those specials in buffet. But I can't get rid of a strange feeling that I booked completely other ship.

In Laugus we've split apart to our apartments. I had some unwrapped feeling. I could not to tell what exactly, until I entered the apartment.

The aura feeling behind the door was giving the same irritated feeling as Kazeru's.

"Although I cannot see you like before, I definitely feel your boiling intention. That applies to both of you."

Swoosh.

Instead of a sounding clash only a faint dull was heard.

"Omega. Withdraw." Says Nu who is sitting at the office desk.

"Tch." Only a disappointing click left attacker's tongue.

"I'm pretty sure the thing is about something different than a personal test."

"It is so." Nu pulls a new sheet of paper. "What happened in Kagenou Lab and why are you so late to arrive here?"

I'm afraid I won't get those hormones down. I'll make her a favor and make it quick.

The whole talk have closed in hour. Nu was in better humor at the end of the story. Omega haven't moved much after she was ordered to stay back.

"Get the report to Gamma."

She takes the file and immediately dispatches.

As Nu was about to disappear.

"Do you need a quick transport?" Why did I sad that?

"Why do you suggest something like that?" Is it old habit of mine?

"It's your expressions. Your cold face was not perfect today. I know when someone is running on his toes."

"Can you make it to this resort?" She points on the map on island in the Altena Empire.

"I'll have you there by sunrise. Only wear something warm."

She was about to ask a question but she immediately went for luggage and was back fifteen minutes later.

"So where is our transport?"

"Right in front of you."

Wings appeared on the back. The whole body was changing its shape. The torso transformed like it was a perfect fit for the luggage. He turned his back to show the... seat.

Nu stepped back.

"You know I can fly. Don't take it aback. We will be flying with several times speed of trains."

Her body hesitates but her eyes are saying otherwise. A chance to enjoy the vacation longer. She takes a seat. Kazeru takes the luggage under the belly.

"Maya, open and close the window. I should be back before the sunrise."

"Copy." A synthetic voice filled the room.

"Who?" She couldn't say more as the acceleration pushed her into a seat.

As they are high on the sky she takes a look over his shoulder. A never seen sight of the cities light fills her eyes.

"If only we could make it like you."

"You are not far from the point which you can make it. With your magic potential and right technology I'm sure that Eta and her team can build this."

"How fast can it fly?"

"Faster than you think."

"Eh?"

In few second she felt even more ginormous acceleration, second later the sound of wind have quieten. Only the inside rumbling of mithrill parts is left.

"We are supersonic!"

 

CALLING: Atheno Mirmir

Beep.

"Hi, it's Kazeru here."

"Hi, are you back from vacation?"

"Rather back from rehabilitation. Heh."

"So even better. We've got here a lot to discuss. Come to the underoffice."

"Ok."

As the morning have come, Kazeru went to see what is in the lab and prepared the upcoming schedule. The calculating machine from the expo is disassembled. A ton of documentation lying on the desk and shelves. One special shelf took his interest. It was labeled as Kazeru's correspondences. Only prof. Sherry was writing from the university and the rest was request for quotations, basically a company's stuff.

The assistant lady of Atheno's office was on vacation. It was feeling like empty place without her.

Magic gate as always is giving me a thrill every time I'm crossing to this underground office.

At first Atheno was looking like he was half step on holiday too but his grin was saying otherwise.

The company's stuff was going good but there is another unfixed problem. Sherry Barnett and her steps towards the downfall. She is trying to collect information about members of the Shadow Garden. There is rarely any info to come by. Until she get the right person she won't be knowing much. But there is a one more but. Sherry's made her way to in the resort of Mitsugoshi in Grazheim state called Splash Marina.

Felix and Loren are there too. Kazeru caught his head in the feeling of the worst. There are relatively safe here but there is not much cover for them there.

"I'm going there. You've got my inner passport right?"

"You need one more thing there."

"What?"

"Resort invitation."

Kazeru's face has got a grimm instantly. He stays silent.

"I do not have a spare one. The one ticket costs almost as much as yours machine on the expo. Including the working hours."

"That's... a lot of money." Atheno can see a very human expression of hopelessness.

"Indeed."

"I just can hide there underwater and in bushes but for sure someone from Shadow Garden will catch a wind. Wait! Were they acquired those tickets from?"

"Chancellor of the city proposed a gift for a great presentation. Both of them chose it."

"By any chance is the chancellor having one more?"

"Nope."

"Ngh..." Some unexisting vein started to pulse.

After a while Kazeru says.

"I'm taking mine transport. Don't be surprised if you hear about strange creatures."

"Don't make such rush decisions. Can you work on distance?" Atheno states decisively.

"Hmm... That's doable. Thanks."

"Will you ever stop to worry?"

"I'm afraid even when my time here comes to an end, I will care the same."

 

"Maya we've got some transport right?"

"Brand new U10 Vars will be in Laugus tomorrow."

"Hexe, course directly to Splash Marina."

"Aye, aye."

"Are you going to fly there? The shockwave from the last flight was clearly heard by many."

"Mach 0.8 will suffice."

In the night cover few meters above the water kvaser is making his way back again to Splash Marina. In the meantime boarding a brand new generation submarine U10 Vars.

"I hope Nu won't find me out."

 

The Splash Marina seems to be a very exclusive resort. It's also guarded but it focuses primarily on premises. There are regular patrols on this part of the island.

A certain submarine hides near the island in the deeper parts of the waters where tuna swims above the sub. Few drones are send with an active masking technology and long range cameras. Another units are send with directional microphones. Being not bigger than a fist they are silently crawling under guards noses.

"Maya. Do you have the connection with watches?"

"Connection established. No signs of brainwashing."

"Where is Sherry? It's a middle of the day. Normal people should take sunbath or swim."

"It seems she is in her room. Curtains are closed."

"Send the microphone unit."

I've arrived to the Splash Marina this morning. During the cruise I managed to build four stealth prototypes. I really hope to see the entire premises of the resort.

"I've got something. Listen to this." Maya cuts into internal thoughts.

A sweet voice with grin speaks.

"Loren von Zeitzog, Felix Kwant. They seems to be immune to any brainwashing techniques. I'm left with Kazeru only. He must make them work harder. But what makes them to resist ideally? Any idea, Kato?"

"Kato!?" Oh my, this is bad."

Kato answers with seemingly a plan.

"I took a look and cannot find any cause. Should I check it while being closer to them?"

"Not on my watch! Hexe, full ahead near the shore. Periscope depth. Maya prepare the dummy water dragons."

Maya for the first time sees Jerry being so decisive and harsh in his tone as if those young women were his kids.

"Aye, Aye Sir."

"Dragon will be ready in half hour."

"Maya, I'm swimming ahead. Do not come close to marked places."

"Ok." Maya feels a havoc will soon arise.

 

Felix and Loren are sunbathing.

"Hey Loren, any news about Kazeru? He appeared out of nowhere in Midgar and vanished again."

"You heard him. Someone is after him."

"That long? I think he is working somewhere... around."

"Where that comes from?" Loren turns head towards Felix.

"This watch." Felix takes a look on it. "Not long ago I observed a very faint activity from usual. Now this watch looks much more pure..."

"A watch?" Loren is giving Felix a weird look.

"Hee hee, not the watch you dummy. It's magic. I can promise that I felt very faint blood lust from it but nothing since last two weeks."

"Hmm... Well speaking of last two weeks. Available menu shrunk two weeks ago for over a week. When we got here the menu has totally changed..."

"What's wrong?" Felix is asking as Loren went silent.

"Check message, quietly."

"You saw the message Felix. It's not him but someone other."

"Then who, if it's not him who wrote that?"

"Keep your face cheer. Don't let this guy got us. I suspect it was a message saved up for later."

"Then what now?"

"Just before the turmoil will begin we are slipping away."

"Ok."

Few minutes later giant explosions are taking place in visible range of the ocean coast.

Both women quietly slips away to specified room.

Quite a while later they can see a blob flying toward their window.

"Get down!"

Crash!

A window is broke out of the frame by a dark blob.

"Hmpf... next report to make. Eh?"

Two other women are looking at the intruder from behind a couch. Loren quickly picked a code consisting only from short and long pulses.

Loren showed hand but it was not the point. The watch illuminated a short message.

Felix took a look at Loren but the answer was clear and the shadow intruder left the room with a smirk.

 

Before the first explosion Jerry takes a last look on the beach. It's about fourteen hundred. Loren and Felix are out of the water and talking but someone other caught his attention.

"Your boobs are about to spill out Nu, and don't eavesdrop on them. Haven't got your vacation right now?"

Kato still haven't left the hotel. He stays near a buffet level. Strangely, he prefers seafood section. Jerry is observing his every move. With right timing he can pull him away to the forest to deal with him.

"Ok, first bomb. Go."

Boom. A small fountain of water is visible from afar. It haven't gone unseen by the coast guard. Soon after a really small earthquake hit the foot of people. It's not uncommon on every island here but it felt different. A confusion was visible on older people.

Then the next boom come closer sending water over fifty meters high in spectacular flames causing water to evaporate.

Suddenly speakers around are giving orders.

"Dear guests. This is not a drill. Please go to the vault..."

Last guest can see two dragon heads trying to bite each other.

"Dragons here? I thought malaks were the only one here. Hm?"

In flash second he felt an enormous pain in the chest. A central hit in the chest would kill ordinary human but not him. He flies from the table with tuna samples straight into the forest.

"Ughr..." Inhale, exhale. He tries to catch a breath.

He checks on his ribs. They seems fine.

"Ugh... What was that?"

"Rather who was, I would ask." A cold voice reached his ears but he fought bigger than him. At least it was his first thought.

"Who are you to greet someone with so much disrespect?"

"Peroon..." A bloody knight is being cut in.

"Shadow haven't kill you? You've had luck on your side then. But not today." Kato speaks mockingly.

He tries to swallow a pill hidden in his tooth.

"Arrghhh..." His throat was caught perfectly to trap the pill before to swallow.

"You never change." Peroon's hand tightens. Then he sees Peroon's left hand six fingers ready to put a long gripper.

"Aghhh..." Sixth finger from the right hand is poking right in the trachea, intensifying the pain.

In agony he tries to stab him but he cannot stop him from pulling the bead of diablos out of his throat. With some more or less violent moves the bead is out and he was let drop on the ground.

Blood is soaking from his mouth's corner.

"To even steal something so valuable from yours superiors. You've got guts, I admire."

"Did Rounds send you here?"

Peroon places his hand again on him but now on the shoulder.

"No. This is personal." Peroon speaks close to his ear with words drenched in boiling blood but as cold as from this one realm Mordred showed him once.

Kato has got shivers.

"I don't know yo..."

Smack.

His cheek was his so bad that he flew few meters away.

"Show what you've got. Maybe I can even let you live a bit longer. Draw your sword." Peroon's words are filled with despise.

"Heh. Your mistake."

Peroon tilt his head to show a disrespect towards those words. Then Kato continues.

"Being in the Rounds is boring. You are standing here, a lowly offshoot of Fenrir faction before the man who can rival the Rounds."

"Rounds you say and you aspire to be something more." Peroon pauses for a second. "Heh, heh, hahahahaha..."

Peroon laughs maniacally. Kato, trying not to lose cool, breaks opponent's laugh with a sword strike out of nowhere.

Clang!

Two extremely different swords have collided sending bright sparks all around.

"Maybe you take this helmet off. It would be easier for you to breath before you laugh yourself to death." Kato tries to mock the enemy from the other faction.

"... Heh, heeeh... Yes. You are right."

While keeping the sword in clash Peroon is sweeping his helmet off. Kato cannot do anything. He cannot push his sword an inch.

Then a face of someone sends him back. On his four he backs as someone called Peroon comes closer but his name is...

"Congratulations young man… or should I say, former cat therianthrope."

A known man makes a squat and points his index finger on chest slowly walking up to face.

"I am... Kazeru Vinci. I fooled miss Sherry as you did." Kazeru seems to praise Kato, but he points at him with a finger as it was about to pierce Kato's neck.

"But you messed up." An ice cold words were the last that Kato heard.

"Are they even worth to you?"

Before Kato even realized the hand pushed his head to the tree and struck with magic.

"Yes. These my student are."

Kato's eyes saw for a split second a dense light pink magic. Moment later a headless body was lying on the ground. No screams were sound.

"Decompose. That's what you are worth."

"Chill a bit. This would easily got a gore tag if this was movie or something."

Jerry makes no comment on that. Maya hit the outcome of this simulation. Time is running out and this bastard might be useful or at least Shadow Garden might get him.

Peroon gibberish.

"... Heh, heeeh... Yes. You are right."

While keeping the sword in clash Peroon is sweeping his helmet off. Kato cannot do anything. He cannot push his sword an inch nor get out of this.

Then a face of someone very known almost ten years prior appears.

"No. You are not him. Not him!" Kato is almost screaming.

"You are not wrong." A face of Lutheran Barnett makes a villainous grin. "A mere copy but it made an impression on you."

"Heh. A true doppelganger or Shadow Garden. Nevermind the truth your body will be valuable..." Peroon's laugh cuts in.

"Heh. Heh, heh. Hahahahahaaa! I'm nothing what you were thinking right now!"

Peroon throws him on the one particular tree. Kato is impaled on the tree's branch and drops the sword to one hand. Peroon slowly approaches the prey.

"Ughh..." Kato tries to bring himself together.

"Rethink what woman you try to pick up."

"Huh?"

Slap!

A steel gloves leaves a Kato's cheek in shards. Teeth too.

"Seems we've got company. Maya take dragons back."

The helmet is put back on and the unique sword is pointed at the dark figure hidden in the tree's shadow.

"Take your leave Shadow Garden's spy." I slightly bow down my head and discreetly prepare the sword to launch.

"After what you did here. Forget that."

A fine jet-black blade shows in her hand. Second later she launches at him.

It seems it worked. I pull a branch up from the ground with my feet and place on her trajectory. I flip the sword in hand to make a punch. I hope she catches that.

The mysterious observers saw as the incoming shadow was fooled and hit in stomach that made it flying towards the ocean.

"Peasant." It's the last comment of the mysterious knight.

The knight is making his way towards the other part of the island but observers do not dare to follow him.

 

Alexia is reading a newspaper when one article about havoc in Splash Marina has caught her attention. One photo in particular. A certain pink head and her Pooch. The next second a porcelain glass broke itself not even leaving the plate at all.

 

Chapter notes:

We are going back to Laugus for longer now. 

If you wonder Loren and Felix part was written as last.

Chapter version 1E.5.1.

Chapter 31: Stars of the Closet

Everyone is back from holidays in the laboratory and looks rested except Camino. Despite a bright mind of his, he struggles with one subject to pass.

"Ok. Take your assigns, except Camino. I need to speak with you."

"Yes, Sir."

In the backroom simply called closet are couch and small table that Kazeru had a trouble to throw out because it was in surprisingly good shape so it was left.

"Something is bothering you. It's all over your look. What is wrong?"

Camino makes an uneasy grin. He avoids his teacher's eyes as if it would kill him.

"Just speak who is making you trouble to pass or tomorrow he will be gone."

Smack.

The table took as solid hit.

"Magic department…"

"Ahh… no more need. So that *beep* is making you trouble, huh?" Camino flinched on those words.

"W-wait what are you going to do? He is…"

"He has a background, nothing more. Consider it done."

"N-no.." Camino tries to grab Kazeru's hand but he left swiftly. "He is backed by…"

 

Backed by von Grumpen family. I know that. It makes me get some fun with him.

Override: STOP SIGN

"Wha…?" Kazeru suddenly froze on the bench in the middle of the square.

"Don't even think about that." Maya proceed to stop Jerry from making a foolish move.

"I know teh heh."

"You never fail to surprise me Jerry."

"Have you record any his trick? Policy of this university makes it hard to lever the test. Cheat sheet or slip sheet accusation?"

"I've got few records of students talk about him."

"Ok. Then we listen."

A grin appeared on Kazeru's face when he suddenly moved again from the bench.

"So that kind of cheater he is. Heh, heh."

"You sound you liked it." Maya switched to flat speech mode to express the that was his typical reaction.

"Give me the university's status document."

"Here you go. I highlighted interesting parts."

"Ow. Oow… Nice canny plan Maya."

Not a minute later Kazeru went to the Atheno's office to talk many things out. Mean lecturer is a small fry but his case will be held to amuse everyone around except him.

Through many things from business to chitchat, subject of Kato von Grumpen is the most interesting. Neither his official and unofficial background is sufficient. Most of his life happened in von Grumpen familia. Atheno knows his household, he was adopted but his origin still remains unknown.

Kato's appearance was constantly made to fit this household. Especially head was constantly covered in bandages and was the center of attention. Contradicting to usual being an orphan in noble family, he was constantly supported along the main successor of von Grumpen.

"So this was your doing all along. What did you do to him there?" Atheno makes a direct eye contact.

"What? I just scared him a bit." Kazeru makes an avoiding answer.

"What?" Atheno almost jumped. "That would scare him and this face. That was… a good one. For sure it would set him back, but will he keep away from Sherry or your students?"

"That's the subject of future doings but I haven't asked so much without a reason."

"What is your reason then?"

"He does not belong to the human race."

Atheno makes a rather earth like gesture of placing his index finger on forehead, thumb on cheek and middle finger on the nose. Seems some gestures has a universal meaning.

"Why… did I threw that idea out?"

"Did someone put a false testimony under your nose?"

"Nothing unusual in my experience. Who, he belongs?"

"Therianthrope, probably a cat origin and golden fur."

"Now it makes more sens…" Atheno stopped in the middle of sentence. He deliberately express fact's connections.

"I know this face. What more do you remember?"

"About seventeen years ago there was a report of a crusade on golden therianthrope clan. Not long after I heard rumors of an adopted child but every source was silent for about a year, including von Grumpen senior. Then this kid arose in this family."

I won't be giving Atheno too much info. Kato was somewhat similar to Zeta from look. Atheno must think of it himself. Zeta was suited up like bank's envoy.

"Is he working on his own now?"

"It's difficult to say. I need to pull some strings. Von Grumpen junior is not easy to talk with."

"Then I'll poke in the nest discreetly."

"By causing another ruckus, huh?"

"N-No. I've got my way…"

Kazeru could not finish sentence as Atheno warn him by hand and said.

"Take care of yours students for now. I'm pretty sure the line between Midgar and Altena will be hot."

Kazeru is avoiding eye contact.

"How it's going in Velgalta?"

Another hours last in the underoffice.

 

Few further days are going to be spend in laboratory and it seemed it can happen only once.

It's second. Students are disassembling the rack to the last screw. It was waiting for Kazeru to come back because some locking mechanism were too simple that even Camino gave up.

Kazeru takes care of office stuff after giving short instructions. The pile of files only grew last month. Yesterday he spend half a day to segregate all stuff. People closely tied with the Cult are left on the bottom of a pile of forms.

Hm… Felix and Relato are working great. Soon I should be at the bottom of that pile. I should answer Sherry her letter also. Probably she knows that I'm back. Maybe I'll pay her a visit?

"Hey, Kazeru, how you split memory layers?"

"Check the manual. Page 215."

"Ok."

They are going very swift with that now compared to the beginnings. They just need more experience to build their confidence…

Crack.

A sudden swears and silent cry leaving students mouths broke Kazeru's internal monologue.

Kazeru is rising his head halfway and points eyes on students who've just broken one memory layer.

"If you won't screw up you will never learn. Continue. And make sure to built a new one." Students only looked at each other confused but continued disassembly and teacher goes back to processing forms and files.

Hm? Why is that in ancient language?

Kazeru opens a usual envelope to find out a known handwriting.

"Soon a new task will be assigned."

Hah! For sure you are scheming something more Kitty. Alpha has got eyes on you. You want a free labor. Forget it.

"Maya, send a notice."

"Done."

Ok. Now this letter, huh?

The next day the laboratory is having more students. Loren and Phermi has joined. The day started with a short presentation about the second calculator and solving current issues with its design. Then students took care of analyzing every used part.

As the time goes on there was audible knock in the closet.

"Don't mind it, I'll check it later." Said Kazeru, while feeling that someone used hidden trapdoor in the closet.

Who is that? His aura bears some known magic spectrum.

"Maya. Is that someone from Sherry's sphere of influence?"

"Yes. She is directly under Sherry. She comes from the minor noble family but it seems she's got spy or assassin background."

"Assassin, huh? Let's test it. Close the trapdoor, silent."

"Heh, heh." A silent laugh was heard in the background of common channel.

At first the hinge was silent but halfway through a squeak alarmed the intruder but she could not react in time.

"It seems you will need a set of needle tools soon. I'll take care of that."

Students only looked at him for a second and continued the work. Kazeru took a key from drawer and went to the closet.

In closet the intruder panicked a little. She quickly hide at the ceiling between wood beams.

Clack. Clack.

The closet is opened. Kazeru goes in and without any noticeable reason the door has closed.

Shivers are going through intruder's spine. As it would be nothing Kazeru is walking around looking for a tool set. Step by step sound of the creaking floor is closing next to her.

The time seems to be running slow. She feels that even a falling drop of sweat would give away her position.

"Oh. There it is." On those words she's feeling tingle.

Kazeru takes the tool set and leaves. She was about to feel a relief but then she heard knocking and noise of the finger writing on the table.

She tries to get the heart to pound as lightly as possible.

Moment later the door is closed and Kazeru gone.

Slowly approaching she checks what was written there and she almost looses the balance.

"I saw you."

It's enough to say that he was aware of her from the beginning. It was not her fault to properly make to stay the opened trapdoor. He did it remotely without magic. She haven't felt a bit of magic from him.

But as she was closing the trapdoor she felt an ominous and blood sought aura directed at her.

Only her instinct let to not fall like a rock down to the tunnel.

 

The fourth, Netrono brothers are listening to the lecture about electric physics. At first it seemed it will be a boring lecture with numbers but soon enough some strange looking devices appeared on the table.

"As you can see this is a direct current generator. Look at this…"

The lecture is going with a much greater appreciation of students. He presents them the world but in the nano scale that seems to work. An atoms concept. Invisible by a naked eye, unperceived individually but in macro scale they show what they are.

Only because they saw his face once that time they are not questioning his knowledge. This lack of questioning about how do you know that and what is more behind that is frustrating Kazeru.

In the middle of explaining models of atoms Kazeru said something out of the blue.

"Be sure it is not the pinnacle of nature design."

While saying that he's taking atom's marble model, split it apart and takes two blue balls out. Then throw them into models that are lying on the shelf near the closet.

One though penetrates the wall.

Students' eyes have widened but it's hard to say that there were surprised with the throw or the hole in the wall.

They are turning their heads back at the teacher. He is looking at them as he won't live up the moment of the discovery of this symbolic scene.

"Ok. " He takes a look at the clock. "Go to eat the lunch. I heard today they are having a cheese stuffed shnitzel. I'll be back in two hours."

As the students left he points his head toward the closet and says aloud.

"Get out of the closet before you bleed out, closet star. The door is open."

The door lightly squeak as the lesser known individual comes in while keeping his right side of the stomach.

"Welcome in my lab. I'm Kazeru Vinci. What is yours name, auditor?" Will he play along or not? Kazeru thinks.

"Good afternoon sir. I'm Kato von Grumpen."

"Please take this seat. I'll take the medical kit." Kazeru tries not to smile mischievously.

"It seems, I will have to apologize to you Sir Kato."

"Please don't worry much, it's only a graze."

Kazeru comes closer with the bandage.

"At least let me put those bandages on."

On those words Kato hesitates for a moment.

"Ok." He takes the blooded shirt up to reveal a stomach side all in scars.

"Seems life never treated you light."

"Ouch." Kazeru is disinfecting the cut.

Not a minute later the cut is sealed but as if nothing Kazeru takes a seat at his desk.

"Tell me sir Kato. What will go down into history? You or those between me and you?" Kazeru is not giving a fear look at all. Moreover he is straight up threatening Kato.

"The man who was dead for a decade is speaking from the grave." Kato is giving a sharp look but Kazeru's reaction does not exist.

"Being open, huh? A golden cat therianthrope." Kato ticks slightly.

"Let me brew the tea."

Kato is sitting and watching as Kazeru takes an unknown selected leafs. Boils the water directly in the cup with his own hand, then adds leafs. He tries to gulp as silently as possible but not because of fear, but the most delicious smell like never before.

"I call it mint. It comes from the overseas lands that people seems to forgot about long ago."

"How it happened they found their way here? It's not something even a noble can buy like this."

"I'm having the same question about your origin." On this sentence Kato's smug disappears.

"How would you even know…" Kato was cut in the middle by another sharp notice.

"Simply, you smell like one but even more…" Kazeru weave fingers of both hands and closer his nose to them. "A member of the Cult of Diablos. Haven't seen you for a long time."

Kazeru is smiling behind hands and his glasses are reflecting the sunshine making his eyes not visible.

Kato backs into the chair because he felt a very known aura of a Cult Knight that would even overpower seat aspirants.

"Am I that scary? Don't worry too much. I'm a nice man who just lived for too long. Just keep away from my students and their work."

"Don't you think they will be influenced or bought by another members?"

"I have not said for too long without a reason." With that he give Kato a sharp and canny look.

"Then it seems another one is mine… ughh." In half a heart beat a knife found it's place directly at Kato's throat.

"If you push her you will fall with her along."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing much. Just a feeling backed by over decades of experience."

Kato's eyes are not giving up despite the silent threat.

"So it's your choice. Let's drink it before it cools down." Kazeru back the knife and sits back.

Kato takes next sip of the delicious tea. One by one as to the near bottom of the cup.

"Let me ask one more question but he answer can be yes or no." Kato shivers at the look of Kazeru who seems like he is looking on someone else.

"Question for question."

"Deal." To Kato's surprise Kazeru agreed to this immediately. "Do you remember any of your relatives in your age?"

Kato have almost spit the tea.

Cough, cough.

Why is he asking that question? If he knows my true nature, what is his deal with knowing someone I don't even know or remember?

"N-no."

Sigh…

Kazeru looks disappointed hearing that.

I haven't expected such reaction. Who might it be? Why he even opened himself like that? He is leading the conversation though. I can only ask one thing now.

"Have you met anyone looking like me?"

"Yes." With that Kazeru emptied the cup and Kato after him.

This time the intruder left the laboratory by the official door.

Kato has many question about this whole situation. He was basically left alive with one more drawback to his plan. After Peroon who have threaten him in Splash Marina he must be more aware when communicating with Sherry. Now Kazeru is keeping watch over his students. They both are… both… both?

Haven't they met yet? Or is it the same individual? This thesis sticks in his mind. Will spies show up? Until a solid solution arrives Kato decides to not to go to his secret quarter for few days.

 

It's fifth. Loren is paying a visit in the laboratory but not exactly to work on the project or discuss leadership. In her tone she goes back to her old habits of lady of noble house. Kazeru is having a headache but not caused by pushy Loren who is frustrated about a lack of communication for the last time.

The third star of the closet has arrived. Completely silent, so even Maya has caught a lag when she discovered a certain someone in the closet is eavesdropping on them. As soon as the next closet star was discovered Kazeru created a soundproof mesh of magical wires around them. Loren seemed not to be aware of the situation.

A sudden cut in sound haven't missed the senses of the intruder. Immediately, it run toward the hole in the wall to look how lips are moving.

After an hour long flowing soreness Loren's throat gave up scolding Kazeru who was just listening all of that and pretending that he hears every word.

After few more pouts Loren leaves. Kazeru let himself continue paper work. A least that is what Loren was thinking. As soon he opened the door to leave the lab he hears very familiar despising voice.

"Oh. You are leaving a student alone here. It is not a responsible act."

But as soon he hears those word he steps one leg out of the room without any hesitation.

Smack.

Rumble.

Out of nowhere Kazeru felt huge kick in the stomach sending him straight into a chair next to the window.

Did her leg vanished for a one frame or is it my delusion?

Certainly, intruder is visible like through the fog.

"You know, Kitty. You beat her in terms of canniness and stubbornness but tell me. Why should I hear you out one more time? That is reserved for students of mine." Contempt is spilling between the words of Kazeru.

"I am one."

"Since when?"

On those two words Zeta pulled out the chakram. In a split second her heel was pinned in the chair between his legs and chakram was near the throat. Although Kazeru is not showing a pinch of fear right now.

"Tch!" Zeta is flustered. She steps back.

"First. Lets drink a tea to ease things."

As he prepares the tea she couldn't let a comment miss.

"From blasting buildings to boiling water. Seems like regress."

Kazeru is making a smug face.

"I call it control."

"You sure you are controlling your own body?"

"Am I the man I was a years ago? Am I even a human?"

He counter her question questioning his very own existence, but it had its reasons. A move she never expected.

The smell of the tea surprised her. It makes her feel sun and flowers of beautiful planes she walked.

"Your aura and soul are something completely unique but it lacks something. Something hungry. Something I need."

"Hungry?" Kazeru stopped while drinking tea.

He is not moving and reacting to her asking gaze.

"So it was her, the Demon Diablos who made me seeing you lanterns."

"Where did it vanish?" Zeta looks pissed. Anything she wanted to pull off, it won't work anymore.

"Yours master doing. To put is simply. He fixed mine ill body."

"Tch!" Zeta is looking even more disappointed. Whatever her plan was it needs to change.

"It seems I won't be helpful to you much anymore."

"Heh." Zeta has just giggled. Kazeru feels that is not her last word.

She makes a very scary looking face. It makes Kazeru very uncomfortable.

"No matter where you are…" She stands up and suddenly she teleported behind him placing a sickle on the throat. "I'll pull you wherever I want, whenever I want."

Then he felt as sickle disappeared like it was never there. He takes a look behind. There, two meters away in a portal like thing are two shadows in jet black suits that are grinning. One of them is Zeta and second unknown has short horns and face hidden deep down in the shadow of the hood.

Next blink of an eye they disappear.

"Space travel. Impressive."

"Isn't it the same what Atheno's underoffice is?"

"At the basics, yes. It feels like it is it, but she uses this on her own without much effort."

"She left a small letter ever there."

"I hope she left some more tips than when with princess Clara."

The letter is rather disappointing. Only a specific hour and location. Here. Today evening.

Kazeru tries to chill but his patience seems to have dropped instantly after reading the letter. Before Maya said anything Kazeru asked for two things.

"Bring me updates as fast as possible and…"

Maya waits as Kazeru says something but he picks up a strand of hair and grins unexpectedly.

"Maya, DNA analysis of Kato von Grumpen's blood and Zeta's hair, please."

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 1F.5.1.

Chapter 32: Sanctum Closet

"Zeta-sama. Are you sure you don't need close assistance?"

"Yes. He saw you for a very short moment. I won't risk finding you. Someone tried to find me after I just met him before. He snitched us this time for sure but it completely missed my senses when he did that."

"You've said he saw me but verbal description will be enough?"

"Be sure to stay out of the trouble speaking with Alpha. I don't know his technology. Eta invented rolapoid. What if he just saw enough of you?"

"You didn't say much about him. Who is he beside the ticket to Shadow's eternal power?"

"Someone who pursues towards his very goal. I don't know if he has interest in this Sanctuary but he would be gone if not."

"Should we kill him after?"

"Refrain from this. He took down one of the Knights of Rounds. The remnants of his body contained very health disruptive things that issued many researches including Eta. Before we do not know what is was, refrain from closing to him." Despite such words Zeta looks like she would try it herself.

The other conversation participant has a mixed face. She read the report of effect on the staff and it haven't looked like possession. It was far worse that Alpha and Epsilon had to take a care.

They take a look at the laboratory. Windows are closed. Only magic perception can tell that he is preparing.

"What do you think he is doing?"

Zeta makes very small crack in space to look closer so only one eye can catch a view.

"He is wearing armor. It is even similar to what he was wearing before. Definitely don't come close to him."

Soon the time arises to set off.

 

"Is that much armor really needed?" Maya is questioning the amount of gear that Kazeru is going to take with him.

Four new arms, additional scales of armor, unicores, sickles, store tubes filled with slime to the brim and even spare batteries.

"Have you made what I asked you?"

"Yes. Yet is that much stuff really needed?

"Just to escape alive. I still can move swiftly."

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

Clang. One of the internal mechanisms clicked on place.

Zeta enters through the closet door. The look is a bit threatening even for her. The armor, four more arms and impressing amount of magic that lurks stored under the unknown shielding.

At the desk Kazeru finishes the preparation.

"Are you considering yourself naked in that form that you wear this much?" Sarcastic as always.

Kazeru takes his eyes silently up and down, up and down and few more times. Then closes left eye, rises the artificial right eyebrow and looks straight in her eyes.

"Make sure who are you showing them to, and beside this, I am basically a machine of mithrill as skin, not bound to such physical needs."

"Bold as always."

"Heh heh, heh…" Kazeru makes a laugh like a dark character.

"So where are we going?" Kazeru asked.

"You made my work easier with covering windows. You know you were given this laboratory with a reason in mind?"

"Certainly, but it seems you know more than me currently." Kazeru places his chin shielded by a heavy helmet on the palm of his right hand.

Zeta waists no time. She closes the door and opens them again. Then as opened a bright light surges from there.

"Sanctum Closet. Who would expect that?"

Zeta makes no comment on that.

The floor is creaking as Kazeru makes a walk through the laboratory. His arming on arms is getting ready. It is shifting and transforms seemingly without a reason. Zeta leads the way.

"Are you going in?" Zeta half turns towards him.

"Ladies first." And as if nothing he continues the walk.

Zeta resumes her direction.

The floor inside is different. Every step Kazeru is making is like on the fine marble. The light is the same every direction.

A short magic activity happened behind him. He turns his head to see that the door is no longer there. Being once in the memory was different.

You look acceptable.

All of the sudden a voice is heard in his head.

"Kur…!" His scream vanishes in half.

Zeta turns immediately to see only his head as disappears below the magic circle.

Her hand without the second thought rushed after him but the circle responded with magic attack shortly paralyzing her hand.

"That was not the plan."

"What happened Zeta-sama?"

"It seems sanctuary have taken him somewhere else."

"Why it would do that? This sanctuary was looking like a regular library over there. We haven't found any traps did we?"

"Certainly but we haven't consider another option, Victoria."

"Hm?"

"This sanctuary wasn't on any map but it was spread around the campus of Laugus. It was Sir Laugus himself who created this. I was in few with Eta. He makes them unpredictable. Be aware of your surroundings and find him."

"Yes. Zeta-sama."

Hours are passing fruitless. This place is vast and quirky. Despite endless corridors that make the walk fast there are few doors that need an answer. So Victoria was left with exploring corridors. She couldn't get any answer right. After three tries every door was locking for her.

One thought was rising in her mind. Sanctuary might have been a trap but then why did he vanished just right after they entered? He vanished half screaming but did not leave the sanctuary. His aura was still around, though very faint and not exactly the same.

Out of nowhere an alarm went off. Did Victoria pushed a wrong button again or it was a sign of something different? Choosing first option she had run towards meeting point of the slide puzzle riddle.

Victoria is there looking disorientated.

"Victoria, have you found any trace?"

"N-Nothing." This word is pushed through the teeth.

"Same here."

"Eh?"

"You felt that right? During the alarm and soon after."

"Yes. It was like troubled soul that Epsilon once send off but not quite the same. What does this mean?"

"He was supposed to solve riddle hidden underneath this one but it looks that he is still alive and kicking."

Without any warning a magic circle appeared few meters in front of the riddle. As Zeta only grasped what it was meaning she ordered Victoria.

"Behind me and do not show your face!"

 

Clang!

Just after touch down heavy armor makes little noise. Slime did its job. As the kvaser touched the etheric ground the surrounding started to change. From simple light tone more and more known forms of objects are taking shape.

Building, trees, benches, lanterns. From far away towards the center where kvaser is standing. Closer and closer but something is giving an odd feeling. The placement is suggesting that where kvaser is standing will be a building.

Nevertheless they are appearing so fast that he found himself in one. Inside a fully equipped library. Many levels connected via wooden stairs. The overall height seems to be of the cathedral's.

One thing though. There is no soul beside two. A golem in heavy armor and librarian in the center of library. Said librarian is sitting at round table with twelve seats though not every is set as they should, with the back touching the desk.

Tap, tap, tap.

The floor is sounding like a glass. Kvaser is making his way towards the center.

As he is close to the table the librarian dressed in relatively modern suit with the cape closes the book and speaks.

"Welcome stranger." Mysterious man at the table speaks out in what seems to be an old formal ancient midgardian.

On those words the artificial face tries to express the confusion likely caused by not understanding the language in full.

"Good… Morn…"

Jerry tries to greet in Ancient Midgardian but the dialect of the initiator seems really off.

"You were about right to say it young man." A man in suit is speaking suddenly in more known dialect. "What brings you here?"

Kvaser is looking around, side to side and says.

"Who have brought me here, Sir?" The man chuckles a bit.

"You've come here to this table. It was you who did that. It was your curiosity."

Artificial face makes once again an expression of confusion then a bit of assertiveness.

"People doesn't fall suddenly through solid floor."

"You've looked on the number of those chairs and can see I am sitting on the one. What do you think?"

"It is but a simulation in mine regard. You do not even exist. You are a visualization of some man…"

"What a bright mind." The man has cut in enthusiastically.

Kvaser looked at him as he knew what is exactly going on.

"Stop scanning my core. You've had one chance. There will be no more."

"Cutting straight to the subject. You are right. I'm not the man I was before. You quickly grasped that I am the same as your comrade inside though your soul is the second most interesting thing here." The man smirks.

"Soul the second only? Only your knowledge would be more precious."

"You were pretty close. It can, no. It will be yours."

Kvaser smirked hearing that.

"I refuse. I know the consequences, even your doings towards. We are in sanctuary made by your creator. Sir Laugus."

"Please don’t praise me from the start. You are teaching great your students. Allowing them to make mistakes and learn on them. Protect and directing."

Was this sanctuary embedded into the university to see this all?

"While working on yours personal project you are making them more as like they were in our prime."

He must have seen every change?

"Atheno did great changing his mindset. Allowing you to change the future. You are even eager to fix someones issued mindset. Destined, failed future, work to save such bright mind."

Sherry? Zeta said that this sanctuary is spread around the campus. What if he has more of this in city?

"I don't have such capability." In Jerry's soul eyes have widen. "Atheno my old friend of mine works great in that regard. But speaking of you. You are coming from Gaia, or Earth as you called it later. Quite unfortunate, or lucky your world experienced magic such late? When the biggest occurrence is the Atlantis city that vanished from this planet millennia before even my creator have been born. Then it sunk somewhere on your planet."

"So you were on earth before." Kvaser narrows eyes.

"Not exactly. We know, only because of regular travels that suddenly was put to a hold then canceled."

"Canceled?" Kvaser asks.

"Earth was the origin of our specie. We are older over five times as you. We inherited magic but they closed the gate and left us. Hundreds years later elves and therianthropes arrived here, on Neosia."

Atlantis civilization, who knew it would fail so much, but.

"Did you hide the your origin or it was simply forgotten?"

"Your question is not precise. The same as yours planet did, we kept realms and origin secret."

No wonder the there were some unexpected upraises in human civilization.

"It was exactly as you think. You were developing your planet but Neosia was simply faster due to time dilation. You used the chance to cut contact completely. You are the very form of that world, its pursue and resourcefulness without magic. Steam, electricity, industry, computers and neural networks. Now you are here."

Where is he going with that exactly? I saw through his scheme already. Jerry remarks internally.

"Magic inflow, articore, robots. Your link with neural network is something that we never achieved. Maya, you called her, right? The marvel being that can overrun the organic life. Without her you would not survive that accident."

"But your concept is the same, right?"

"He never finished this project. I can… can…"

"Seems it is your limit, huh?"

"What about your soul? What are you going to do with that? Want to get back to earth? Sit here and let me teach you what the original me discovered thanks to knowledge pursue. You will get back home in no time."

Jerry cleared his mind. He takes a step forward and places hand on the chair but he clenches the hand as he would want to rip a chunk of it.

"Nice try, washing machine. I won't make life mistake as those eleven did."

Jerry rips the chair apart and next kick flips the giant table.

"You can meddle with mind, soul or anything here but remember that if a computer is in sleep mode it does not mean it is inactive."

The light suddenly turned red. All the books are spreading away from the center of action.

"Answering in that way. You were so close to get it." Laugus is speaking with a mix of frustration and anger.

"Who said I want it all at once. Maya take over."

"Wha… a… ah."

The sanctuary suddenly stopped. It slowly started to going back to were it was a minute ago.

"You discouraged her in the end. Wise choice. You knew she was a mad lab like your original was. I'll continue your work."

"What if you…?"

"No. I still can fail against her. You know this, don't lie. Eta must not know about this place in any way."

Kvaser hands for his helmet.

"What are you doing?"

Jerry takes something what Laugus haven't seen yet. As like a small piece of soul was split off and placed into the helmet. He places helmet on the chest and hug it. For a split second like a one tear was hanging in the eye corner.

He whispers to it then places on the table.

"You won't be alone though, Laugus. Terra, keep him company and make sure Eta and any of her kind won't find you. You can even wait for the civilization to grow up to tell them the story."

Jerry is rising his right arm, turns the hand from facing forward to back, clenches the fist.

"Bye you guys."

"Bye, master."

"You what?" Laugus is in awe. "Don't forget to take your cat!"

He clenched his fist and pulled the hand down. Magic circles appear over him falling down taking him elsewhere.

 

The circle is lighting up. In a moment it moved up and instantly dropped revealing Kazeru in a bit strange pose with clenched fist like he was gripping to a rope.

"Oh. I hoped not to see you again." Kazeru slightly bends head to the side and rise up on his toes. With hand Zeta makes sure that Victoria won't be caught.

"Huh? You vanished screaming and suddenly showing up. That is beyond being bold."

"Hold my beer."

Without any fear he approaches the riddle and makes few swift moves that solves the puzzle.

Click. Clang. Tick, tick…

Puzzle opened revealing a contained item. Small cube with six mixed colors. Each wall having nine squares.

"You looked for this right?"

Zeta didn't answer in time as he placed six walls, each with one color. She is holding her cheer under the poker face.

"I must disappoint you, Zeta. If you ever thought of this sanctuary is having diablos part in it, you are wrong. It's a simple toy for a mind of intellect."

"You are lying. Where have you been?" She is giving a sharp look.

"Who knows." Kazeru hands the cube to Zeta while looking straight into her eyes. "I left a part of me here. Who knows what it was exactly."

"You bast…" Her word was interrupted as he snapped his fingers and immediately after, a bright light swallowed everything.

 

Restoring complete

"Hey Maya, are you back?"

"I am back. Functions are restored properly."

"That was tough to work without you."

"What happened there exactly?"

"I wish or… no. The only things I know, there was no Demon Diablos part inside so Zeta was dissatisfied, lightly speaking. The other thing is very dim, that this sanctuary is no longer as open as before."

"You seems to lost something but I am not able to assess the thing."

"And do not pry it. I feel it's a safety precaution."

"Ok."

Knock! Knock!

The door is knocked like it was a life or death matter.

"Come in."

"For the love of Beatrix. You are safe." Atheno barged in.

"Easy Atheno, what happened?"

"The entire university experienced earthquake. My office has locked shortly and magic circles appeared in few places."

"That might be Shadow Garden doing. They are currently looking for something here an it looks they've found." Kazeru points on the shadows on the roof.

"What they were looking for here? They've got some base close but it's difficult to differentiate them from the crowd to even know their movement."

"There might look for your office. It's a sanctuary, your office right? They investigate Diablos Cult and found other on the university?"

"More of them? Laugus was very cautious. It's got a sense."

Atheno has fall into a long thinking period. A while later he's come back to a cup of tea.

"Here you go."

"Thanks." Atheno handed for the cup. "I almost forgot where I've got my office. Laugus had an entire system of small rooms here. Backup was covered in backups that time."

"This sounds like an obsession."

"He never threw or shoved anything in order. His second or rather third great develop was the rooms."

"And the second was the drop of diablos." Kazeru has cut in.

Atheno has frozen.

"I think I know what was Laugus's first but I'm still thinking, why did you assign me with his greatest find?"

"He." Laugus pauses to collect his memories. "I was never a technical guy. Last time I saw him he used that device. Can you find where he traveled to?"

Kazeru takes the time and long sigh.

"I need two years to use this properly. Though he rather be alive no longer." On this news Atheno made a sour face.

He is getting old and no longer taking drops. Wielding a sword in this age is tiring. The university and connections are all he is left with. It is making him anxious.

 

Chapter notes:

Title thought out while working on chapter 31's name.

Chapter version: 20.5.1.

Chapter 33: Moonless Laugus

The event at Laugus university was quickly put down under the old safety mechanism test the same evening. Though everyone in the certain circle knew that this was not the case.

Kazeru called Nara to join the investigation with Atheno and few of his people to inspect the campus.

Shadow Garden though is all over Laugus city. Normal human cannot perceive their movements. Maya on the other hand can locate them near sensors. The movement of lanterns clearly indicates that they are sweeping the whole city bit by bit.

That concerns Kazeru.

"Maya, you saw Zeta's movements in the academy. What if she was not using laugus's corridors but she has her own?"

"That would mean she is untouchable. Then what is her range and travel limitation?"

"I would like to know it too. It seems I need to contact Alpha by myself."

CALLING: Alpha

"Good evening Alpha. This is Kazeru."

"Good evening. You are calling about Zeta I presume. What happened over there?"

"Yes. She pulled me into a sanctuary but whatever she was after, it was not existing. I took over and closed it. She's run away but it is not the reason I'm calling…"

"Go on." Alpha has a really suspicious tone.

"She probably utilizes an artifact that allows to travel through space similar to how you enter sanctuaries."

"Did she freely set her doors?" Alpha's tone changed so like she realizes something.

"She did."

CALLING: Ended by Alpha

"She suspected something right?"

"Yeah. She can jump out any time."

"Fortress mode?" Maya suggests.

"One week. She might not have time to assault us."

"I'll keep an eye on her."

"I'm going back to checking the university."

"One more thing." She hurries to say.

"What?"

"Tell Atheno to prepare a vacant for office assistant."

"You? Don't spoil me more." Jerry chuckles inside.

She was working on something last month. Can't wait to see what she is up to. Now back to investigation.

There are three teams. Kazeru, Atheno and Nara are at the main campus. The other team is checking more remote locations on the camp. Third was send to outer locations. Both of them are secretly supervised by Maya and her units.

It's almost midnight. Investigation was called over. Every place where circles appeared were marked. Under everyones' nose Maya has taken control over them and locked for good. Zeta haven't stick her ears through any door, nor her aura was found.

It seems everyone would go to beds but the night had yet some more to offer.

"Good night Nara."

"Good night." She said and vanished in the shadows.

It would seem that the ruckus is over but there are two, no. Three night walkers.

"Maya, send the red armor suit."

"On your way."

 

Knock, knock…

The door is knocked in specific way.

"Come in."

"My lord. Urgent report from our man in Laugus university."

"Speak."

The report turned to a constant broadcast until the midnight when everything has calmed down.

"I'll take unknown passages then sneak through students crowds."

"Are you going alone?"

"Yes. Keep watch in standard points."

"Yes my lord."

The young man that is not standing out moves through crowds of students partying all over university's neighborhood. Swiftly and silently he makes his way closer and closer to one of the places where circle appeared.

The back alley of university is in complete darkness. Even moonlight would not be helpful there. Step by step he moves forward. His eyes seems to emit light gold hue.

At the dead end is a solid wall but it was there where one door appeared.

There it is. A quiet and well hidden place for a door. Lets check it.

His hand is slowly checking each and every brick. One by one he finds a combination to click.

The magic circle appeared to his own surprise. It was very rare that thing like that would work in his hands.

Ancient language would fill the circles but they are coming from completely unknown dialect. Probably encrypted. Despite that it worked exactly as others.

Tap.

He felt an ominous presence.

Tap. Tap.

Each step of a coming knight is getting more conspicuous. He feels as his back is sweating cold. An enemy as none before is coming for him.

With a bit of luck he enters through the door before the steel boots are reaching a corner of alley.

 

"Yaaaawn. It seems it's time to sleep. Good night Cid." Sherry is half asleep.

"Good night." With that Cid goes to his apartment. Seemingly of course.

If not the ruckus over academy she would not let off his side. Cid uses this occasion to check the source of today's ruckus and distortion in magic.

Hmm? He is here. I'll check what he is doing.

His hunch was right. When he arrived on the scene he was already wearing the knight armor but now it was well hiding his own strength.

Is he going to do that?

Tap, tap.

Magically enhanced steps. Each piece of steel pinned boots' sound pierces into ears.

Tap, tap, tap.

Eh?

The target has vanished behind a magical door. But despite that the knight is placing himself on the roof of the building. He starts to check weapons.

Two handed sword hold with one hand like it was a feather. Cool mantis scythes though short they look very deadly in close combat. The armor is just a decoration and bait. Every piece is meticulously made to look much older than it should. I want to fight him but it seems he is waiting for this guy to come out.

Hmm?

Under his hand a magic circle appeared. To Shadow's surprise a knight makes a full use of magic control without moving a finger. Symbols are changing lightning fast.

Is he forcing that guy out?

The door opened again.

"Hm. Nothing here apparently." Says the man whose grumpy face is somewhat familiar to Shadow. "Ugh."

The man fell by hit in the back of knees by the knight that descended silently down from third floor.

"You." The man narrows his light golden eyes.

"Yes that's me." The knight seems to smile.

Ah. It's them from the island week ago. I was not able to see much then but now. How can I meddle in?

"Tch. Is that your doing?"

"I would like but it seems I don't have much time to chitchat." The knight pulled a sword.

In the moonless night only a faint, dim light of the sword shows as it extended itself to double length.

"Brace yourself, I'll never let you slip away lightly. Heh, heh, hehehehe…" The knight laughs ominously.

The man sharpen his eyes.

"You've got similar eyes to hers though you are much weaker than her, Kato!"

Out of nowhere a sword is going after Kato's throat. In the last second he manages to block the attack. No, he was let to.

"Ughhh. What is your deal? You appeared out of nowhere then and now. Did Argus really die that you are roaming free?"

"Argus? Never heard of h… Ughrr." The knight hold his head with free hand.

What an actor, even magic is like it should.

"Heh, heh. So it was him all along."

Kato's spine shivers as the knight laughs more and his magic become more dense that started to form veins on the armor.

"W-what's so funny?" The knight stopped laughing midquestion.

"He is alive and doing well." Knight slowly tilts his head to the side.

Knack!

One swung was enough to pin Kato to the wall. The sword is placed so Kato's entire rib cage would be slashed across if the knight want to.

"As one of your relative is too."

"Who! Entire villages were burned down to the ground over one cat that possession took and got dead."

"Would you believe me if I said, she is alive and it is a high member of Shadow Garden, no… one of Seven Shades themselves."

Is he talking about Zeta? If I add cat ears and a tail… He fits, but what Zeta would think? If I met her I can mention she has a family though.

The knight let the sword off Kato.

"Unscathed? What is wrong with you?"

In a light speed a sword was at the distant of nail's thickness to Kato's throat.

Someone is approaching.

"You raised my mood today. But now if you want to live as before you keep away not only from Sherry but me and your relative too."

Tap. Tap, tap.

"I warned you kid."

Knight grabs Kato by collar and throws him toward the dorms.

Tap, tap, tap!

There he is. Shadow himself. So it was him whose aura was thin up to now.

Here I go. He's changed more than it looks. Girls must have invested in him. A spar won't be much of a hassle for their puppet.

 

"…"

"Good night."

The pink head is going straight to her dorm. That is what Cid was shown. In ten minutes she called her underlings and moved to the outskirts of university.

It's close to midnight and lanterns are off now. Only a dim light of artifact is helping her not to trip over in the moonless night streets.

Someone's yell over the buildings is stopping her from peaking.

Then a known voice speaks to someone more in the dark alley. That voice brings something unpleasant, something sorrow.

She waits. If those two will be gone she can check this evening's phenomena.

"Shadow!" As certain name sounded throughout the alley Sherry has got shivers.

Swoosh, knack.

Each time swords are hit, they sound different but each time piercing into ears.

She reaches for one of her artifacts. It may be a good occasion to test it. A device that can influence body from afar.

They are fully engaged in battle. Slash for slash, hit for hit. Their movement is beyond any knight she saw. Any style to ever exist.

They are going like this almost half hour before the next participant comes in.

There!

Knock, puff.

He lost concentration for a bit. But he countered even then…

There she is. She's got something in the end. Maya's reports were right on the tracks. An artifact that can interfere with human's neuron system. This is just a spar for us. Lets move closer to her.

She cannot distinguish their fast and complex moves but the artifact should slow them down.

Being hidden behind a box she uses the artifact once again.

Smack.

Shadows flies toward the other end of the alley.

"What's happening Shadow? Losing balance? Or someone hinder you?"

Sherry ticked.

"Just a rock."

"Heh." The knight laughed shortly, pull a folded axe and with a half swing it opened to the right length. It hit the box placed in the corner of alleys.

Squeak.

Sherry throat collapses. Hand is keeping the mouth shut.

Crack.

"Mixed arts, huh. I wouldn't do it on your place."

"Lets check this out." The knight is eager to fight.

The battle quickly spiraled out of control and moved few alleys away. Both of contestants vanished.

Inhale, exhale. And one more time.

Sherry takes a deep breath to calm down. He definitely sensed her and tried to scare her. Successfully.

She looks around. No trace of Shadow and the Knight.

She comes to the wall where the trail of magic is. The monocle is helping a lot her. Though many tries to open comes to nothing. They are locked and the language is impossible to decode. It never appeared in any book or script she has ever come across.

"At least I know this works. Hee, hee. Hee, heh…" Sherry smiles grotesquely.

 

"Did you record all that? She really looked scary."

"Yes. Analysis you requested indicates that chance to redeem Sherry is low."

"…" Jerry keeps quiet for a while. They are running out of options to help her.

Her device must have worked on weak individuals but Shadow is none of them. Most of Shadow Garden very much too. It was obvious he tripped on his behalf. I just followed on my rules.

Maya already has cracked the way this device works. She will fail before she start for real. For what I even decided to help her…

MESSAGE: FROM: Atheno Mirmir

SUBJECT: Sherry

I'm being honest here. I see it worse after the video you've send. Revenge is all she lives. Even if she would kill Shadow she will be husk. She would need a new target in her life but Shadow won't let himself be killed. However I cannot think of any target that would work.

In regards to what you asked me. Grab envelope from my secretary before you go to oversee the exam.

 

New target huh? Even if it would go that way and Shadow fake his demise, the cult would want her working for them. Can I make myself a private cult? Or brainwash with her own weapon? Or let Shadow play his role and help them meet?

"Jerry. Your activity seems off. What's going on?"

"Tough decisions."

"To what option you aim?"

"If any magical solution won't appear, let Shadow work on this." His voice is unusually grim what Maya registered only few times before. "I'll go to sleep. Wake me before going out."

"Ok."

 

It's the time of Camino's exam. Jerry's mood is still vaguely described by Maya as absent so she keeps the body intact and oversee the exam.

Professor was very disturbed when he saw the envelope. Envelope of the director of academy. That envelope states that the oversee chooses one method of cheat prevention and even can invite another witness. Three of them must be unrelated though.

During the exam Kazeru was silently looking as Camino was answering question but as soon the questions were written professor asked a question.

"Will you only look at this like that?"

"Yes, but before he answers anything, I'll make a stamp on each page of paper under the third party law of Laugus university."

"So do it."

As Kazeru is stamping each sheet professor is smiling contemptuously under his nose.

Camino is dumbfounded because he heard that stamp method was not working each time but Kazeru only winked his eye.

He must have a plan.

Camino sweats as the words are filling each page.

Two hours later he's done.

"Please come here in an hour."

As Camino is outside he asks a question.

"What is that stamp?"

"Normal stamp."

"But he must have see it before you used that."

"No matter, just wait." His voice doesn't seem to express any emotion.

"…" Camino is not convinced.

As they enter the professor look somewhat happy.

Camino takes his sheet and instantly his legs are giving up. Kazeru immediately catches him and takes a look on it.

The oversee does not have a right to look at the sheet during writing and check. Only before and after.

"As you can see Camino you failed again and wasted my time."

"I would say it so but it seem you wasted time of all of us."

"That's absurd, you're only a makeshift smith. Don't waste my time."

Kazeru smiles and takes not only a stamp but the ink and places it on the desk.

"You know professor. A makeshift doesn't mean bad. Can I take a piece of clean paper of yours?"

"For what?"

In response Kazeru put a stamp in ink and ask one more time.

"Paper please."

With absolute reluctance hands a piece of paper. Kazeru makes a stamp on paper and says.

"Professor. What is needed for a stamp like that to make stamp?"

"An ink of course."

"That is right. But the ink used here…" Kazeru pulls up a magic stone, pushes magic through it and lights up the stamp. The ink emits strips of different color. "It's a special makeshift home brew ink."

Professor throws himself to pull Camino's answer sheet back. Kazeru grabs his hand and squeezes so hard that professor cannot move but holds before to scream.

Then Kazeru asks the second oversee to do the same check as before.

There are no strips.

"You wicked… Ugh!" Kazeru pushed the professor back on his seat. "You think I believe that?"

"Ask him." As it's said someone is coming to the room.

It's the director of Laugus university, Atheno Mirmir.

Professor turned pale and could not sit up. The rest of the day he spend was in infirmary.

"Good job with this ink Kazeru. How did you even thought of that."

"Ink in this sponge was mixed with mithrill powder in stripes. Relatively simple to make and use. Only you need to take the ink in the same way."

"You never stop to surprise me."

"Thanks. Have you found original papers?"

"Yes. He passed with a good grade."

"What about professor?"

"He will be pushed to research work at laboratory."

"Work?"

"Work."

"Work?" Kazeru accents the vowel.

"Work."

Jerry cannot imagine that after something like that only a mundane work is waiting for that professor.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 21.5.1.

Chapter 34: Maya Artifi Integrazione

It's seventh, early morning. At Kazeru's house an average human girl with brown hair is knocking to the door.

"I'm coming."

Click.

"Oh, welcome Nara. What are you doing here so early? Training was supposed to be this evening."

"Maya said something that I must take you to the port."

He did not get any info about any popping out of nowhere situation. Now Nara is standing at the door with the request from Maya…

"That's strange…" Says Kazeru aloud.

Since he fell asleep Maya haven't given much activity out. A surprise that was lurking in the shadows of logs?

If yes better not to spoil the pleasure of surprise.

"Give me five minutes."

Exactly five minutes later Kazeru is wearing a dark navy blue pants, long coat, flat cap and checked shirt. The checked shirt becoming a fashion recently.

During the walk to the port she was not much to talk. She was looking at many clothes shops with hopeful eyes. Kazeru decided not to touch this topic and just go along.

I hope I won't be dragged through all those shops.

This thought is bothering him all the walk.

Entering the arrival terminal more things are aligning. Foreign ship from Midgar Kingdom under mitsugoshi's flag. Elves that oversee the unloading process.

Kazeru and Nara are at the checkout zone.

Kazeru himself is wondering if this is it or Alpha or even worse, Eta will pop out of nowhere.

Soon captain himself is entering the checkout zone. It causes a small confusion but what happened next turned all eyes one direction.

Through a megaphone captain called one man.

"Oi! Kazeru, mate! Your missus is here!"

In an instant all who knew the sea accent turned their heads towards the captain then towards the man in an elegant long coat whose captain is looking at.

Then a beauty in modern informal clothing comes from behind captains back. She's got silver brown hair to shoulders, checked shirt with puffed sleeves, pleaded skirt to knees and glasses.

The next moment all his training is put to the real test.

Kazeru squints his eyes.

"Is that you, Maya?" The whole crowd is silent.

Next second he rushes towards her. His cheeks are starting to blush.

This never change. This is a beautiful pair, captain thinks. Though something bothered him soon enough.

Kazeru hugs Maya, then lifts her up to make one spin.

Suddenly captain grabs his shoulder before Kazeru said anything more.

"Oi, mate. Are you hitched already, right?"

"Ekhm…" Captain's guts haven't missed a hunch.

"You take marriage on my ship, mate."

"Aye aye, sir." Kazeru smiles awkwardly.

"And one more thing." Captain points at blonde woman. "She committed to be bride's witness."

Kazeru's face instantly turned pale unconditionally. The disguise won't work on him. Her presence is nothing to miss at short distance. Alpha herself.

She smiles lightly.

"Ya good?" Ask captain.

"Uhm, yeah."

Captain ignores obvious lie but it's not about stressing someone now. He is sure that this man will marry her on his ship.

Seeing all this Nara chuckles.

They must have planned all this for a long time, no doubt. Maya had files encrypted for few weeks. Alpha, for sure she was consulted with and she must have provided appearance and background. Nara, she probably got to know recently.

"Eyes on me." Says Maya.

Then she takes his cheeks between her hands and pull him to her lips kissing him.

"UWAAAAH!" The whole crowd cheers aloud. Some even whistle and give applause. Captain chuckles proudly.

Such a sight wasn't unusual to place like this but soon few rolapoids flashed. Kazeru Vinci a young, rising star in Laugus is about to get marry. That become a topic in first's day news. Spicing the whole news was personal invitation from the captain. An honor rarely given. Even to rich nobles.

"You've planned all this from the beginning, right?" Kazeru speaks through the teeth to both Maya and Alpha.

Both of them keep poker face.

"I'll see you later." Says Alpha and blink of an eye later she vanished with a subtle smile.

I'll need to relieve after that.

Kazeru is struggling with two women that are checking massive amounts of clothes. Thankfully each man seeing him carrying bags and trying to catch them up is sympathizing with him.

It's lunch time. He was counting for the end of buying tourne but eating at Mitsugoshi's restaurant in VIP room is not making his nerves easy. Alpha had joined the lunch.

As she entered the room Kazeru's face went pale unconditionally.

"Good afternoon." She takes a look at the bags. "It seems that you've had chosen a lot."

Nara and Maya realize that they might have went overboard a bit but Maya suddenly is sweet smiling toward Kazeru.

"Ne, honey. We still don't have everything."

Kazeru rolls the eyes.

"Fine. We will buy it here."

"Wee…" Maya is clapping lightly in the joy. Alpha smiles and Nara tries to hold her jaw up when she understood.

"Alpha, please take a seat and eat with us. I believe you want to talk with us." But in meantime he looks at Maya straight in her eyes.

But before any question an appetizer arrived. A fine samples from Tuna King. Kazeru has a strange feeling it's not like it was on the earth and this is on its head.

Nevertheless a very tasty ones. Seeing Alpha eating those samples Kazeru instinctively does not dare to hinder her meal.

"Alpha. I can guess you took a part in this setup with finding Maya's persona but what is her backstory?"

"Oh. Did you really not check out what she was doing?"

"I only briefed the logs and decided not to meddle in."

"It's quite ambiguous way of yours, knowing your capabilities."

"What is the point in knowing everything at once if it ruins the moment of joy?"

Alpha chuckles.

"She asked me few weeks ago for Midgardian identification. Your knowledge and efforts are appreciated here."

"You flatter me. How did I meet Maya then?"

Maya Artifi Integrazione comes from minor west midgardian noble family. She aspired to study math. Though while on holiday in Oriana the nightmare begun when Rose the Tyrant have succeeded the throne. All family on site thrown in camp. Only she escaped alive from the family. Her household was officially wiped from Midgar map after the sad news came back. She did not have anything to get back to and how.

Maya has found her refugee in undercover company of mitsugoshi. With the help of acquaintances, she found information about a bright mind in Laugus. Once lovers, soon engaged.

"Simple. I thought you would you will only make few things to get her the seat near me but this is already a proper story and surprise for me."

Knock, knock.

Main dish has arrived. Roasted beef and sweet salad accompanied with wine. Though Alpha has another menu and manners. Tuna burger served of course on big plate because it's too big to hold it with one hand.

As they eat Alpha has a question.

"Kazeru. Why do you even eat?" Alpha asked from nowhere.

Question lacked proper context but it's usually a good practice not to speak while munching, Alpha.

"I've got taste. It's somewhat nostalgic to and raises me on spirit."

"Although how much of a human is left in you?"

Alpha has a worried look.

"Many authors have tried to answer similar questions in their works. I can only say one thing. I'm no longer able to return to a physical body."

Alpha seems to see another thing apart from this pessimistic of Kazeru.

"Your actual form here though, seems to be a progress towards one. Isn't it an unconscious desire you have?"

"Very probable."

She continues to munch this giant burger to the last bit.

"Zeta. You encountered her recently. I apologize for her. As you know, we are trying to catch to her." She has some trouble to speak that.

"She has her own goal, isn't she?"

"When you mentioned Demon Diablos, I had an uneasy thought. Is she trying to revive the demon according to you?"

Hearing this question Kazeru uneasy face turned grim.

"Revive is one thing that you will make her answer." Kazeru switched to a grave tone. "Is she even loyal to you? That's what bothers me."

Eaten burger has trouble to be digested. Alpha neatly hides her puzzled expression.

Maya looks at Alpha intensively and Nara tries to grasp what was just told.

Kazeru knows what the likely answer is. He is giving Alpha a grave look of sad reality. This is his answer for her question.

The sudden silence is making him uncomfortable. This conversation is going nowhere by usual standards but under the words, the situation is already settled.

To think that Zeta and Alpha are going apart…

"C-Cid. Cid!"

"S-Sorry, I spaced out."

"Uhm, how long are you going to stay in Laugus?"

"A week more then I must go back to the academy."

At first Sherry seems sad but second later she smiles.

"I'll soon pay a visit to midgar academy."

"Glad to hear."

"I'll make sure to book you a proper seat."

"Thanks."

At first Cid was thinking it will be a boring lecture but her another self might cook a show in shadows. He definitely must prepare to the role.

Cid cheers and seeing this Sherry blushes.

 

Seeing that Alpha burger might get spoiled from the mood Kazeru is pulling the conversation toward more positive topics. But it's surprisingly difficult task. She apparently did not have an easy life. She would not talk about herself, Shadow or any other member of Shadow Garden. It is not a surprise either. No undisclosed information can leak any way.

Looking at the menu Kazeru has got the idea. The careful observations soon came out successful.

A single, specific burger from tuna king instantly raises her mood though Nara is still behind reading someone's mood.

 

"Will you accompany me to pick a suit?"

Pink head panics.

"Y-Yes."

They go upstairs to suit gallery. Seasonal, wedding, daily, special occasions, casual, Mitsugoshi has a lot to offer. On the other side there is a wedding gallery. To stay here for longer and used enhanced hearing technique he takes a look at each suit and mumble pros and cons. In meantime Sherry has pupil eyes and makes him try few suits.

Wedding dress, ring, suit. Alpha is with them too. The bride… I don't know her but her aura looks really similar to part of his. Are they planning to establish a new character?

Wait. Is Alpha going to be a witness? I can't miss that. This is for real a character establishment.

Cid is standing in front of a slick dark suit accompanied with light tone white color mixed with ocean water, leather shoes and colorful tie.

"What occasion will that be for?"

"A wedding."

"W-Wedding? Cid!?"

"Yeah…" Not paying much attention to her he corrects. "A friend of mine."

The pressure inside Sherry is releasing. Though she has no more strength to ask who is getting married.

A staff lady comes to them.

"Dear clients Cid and Sherry. Please take these vouchers with you. And Mr Cid. Should I prepare the order for you?"

"Yes, please."

Those vouchers though are not usual ones. Sherry only heard about them and stares at the one dumbfounded. Not knowing what to do with this she grabs Cid's sleeve and asks.

"C-Cid. Will you help me to chose a…"

Cid being in his mood spends some more time to help Sherry pick a proper dress. Sherry is constantly blushing while picking and she could not stop looking at the dress in her apartment all the night.

Next morning is the first day of a new week. In few headlines of today's newspapers a very rare occasion is being written about. A wedding ceremony on captain's personal request. This rare event gets attention of many nobles and high society in Laugus. Days after even in the half of the Altena Empire.

One article was even able to get photos of the bride and groom at Mitsugoshi as they were looking for a wedding dress.

 

The black coffee is tasting much bitter like never. The cup is set on plate. Her mind is trying to proceed what exactly must have happened to reach the current situation.

As a teacher he payed attention to many details and the flow but he deliberately never pointed each and every mistake. She had to. He was not on Shadow's level however in certain parts he used techniques similar to his. His sword was brutally heavy, used almost like an axe. He never let her get to know him better. He was someone soft through hard, driven by experience and loose logic.

Her vivid memories of the fight between the knight and Iris drives her anxious. That sword was like contempt. That pill swap was a mistake.

What does he have to Iris? Anger, presumption, or something else? It is making her sick. Why? Why she feels that?

After the incident Iris is not open to anyone that even father tried to check her state. Although her look seem to bear some cheer when she sees Alexia.

The knight vanished and appeared in Laugus few weeks later with such news.

"Maya? Maya…!!" She's tingle on her spine. "So it's her."

The doll, this is how Alexia called her in her mind. She's got the name Maya, Maya Artifi Integrazione.

She checked the library. There is a fresh notation. Family died in Oriana, household taken by the country. Previous acts are messy though. If someone would not pay attention would miss few subtle changes. Her identity was stolen.

They've made a believable backstory. This household had math and teacher vocation.

"I would even send them a gift if not a lack of connection between us." The only thing she could send is at least a letter when they marry.

One more concerning thing is the rush. Wedding in less than a month. That's faster than any noble can and on a ship in situation like that. That smells like a showoff but she cannot lose a feeling that Doll might stay behind this.

Doll was unreadable. She was constantly learning. Doll at the end was different from this at the start. Her body was a magical puppet. It changed only once. Now she appeared wearing a mask like Kazeru.

Soon stabbing might be a verification method to discern human from puppet, she thought.

 

"My lord. A newspaper has come."

"Bring it in." The servant brings a first's day news. "Something interesting happened?"

"Check third page." Servant leaves the office with wary eyes.

At first nothing new, some noble quarrels, lower though.

"Eh? What is this?"

A wedding on ship. A fresh couple invited to a ceremony personally by captain himself. The couple though is not coming from high noble house. It is straight up out of the blue.

He is not believing what his eyes see.

Kazeru Vinci and an unknown to him woman. Kazeru is not exactly what he presents to the world. Children had a lot of trouble to confirm his shady identity, and still nothing.

Now he's got a woman and rare type of wedding. It was not his faction to set Kazeru up. Seconds were enough for him to recognize who Kato really is. Kazeru must have a solid background in underworld. Leaders haven't speak of any uprising name.

Having an invitation to wedding would make things easy but a week is too short amount of time to get one. How to get one?

Some nobles and cult members can complain but they will be there for sure, as Kazeru seems to have a place somewhere in the cult.

"How am I getting the invitation? I need to make sure to get to someone who had a relationship with him…"

Kato pauses in thought.

"Servant!"

"Yes. My lord."

"Give me a list of visitors from Kazeru Vinci's lecture about the calc project."

"On your way, lord."

Who are you exactly? Kato asks himself and tries to scratch ear but his hand finds only a void.

"Are you and you…?"

 

Atheno comes to his office a bit late the first day of the week.

"Good morning." He hurries but the cheerish face of the secretary is making him curious.

"Morning, Atheno."

"Ehm, what's interesting there?"

"Look. Kazeru is getting married." She smiles in joy and Atheno takes a look at the photo and name.

Crack.

The old desk creaks under the Atheno's pressure who tries to stay up.

"Do I see it right? Maya?" He hesitates to speak the name.

"Yes. Her name is Maya Artifi Integrazione. Ah look, they even managed to buy a dress at Mitsugoshi."

Atheno feels the chill on his back. This was nothing he expected from Kazeru. This dropped out of nowhere.

Through his communicator he only asked yesterday to prepare the place for financial assistant but there is a catch. This communicator was named Maya and it behaved almost automatically like responding to voice, like a human was behind it.

This is not a name coincidence, he feels. Puppets, once there existed before Diablos but they all should be in hands of other cult leaders. It was never cheap nor autonomous. Cult usually uses it to avoid public appearance and deploy them wearing skin like puppets instead.

How he managed to get one?

"Atheno? You are staring at the wall again."

"Just… thinking."

"A wedding gift?" Secretary is smiling from ear to ear.

"Y-Yes."

Atheno chuckles and goes to his room.

"Ah. And don't forget to take me there." Secretary speaks through the door."

Bang!

A loud hit like someone tripped and fall is heard dull from the room.

"I won't forget." Atheno barely speaks loud through the door.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 22.5.1.

Chapter 35: Six Days of Freedom

The day shift is coming near end for today. The gas consumption is increasing to heat up furnaces in stalls and meat is placed on the grill.

Tap tap tap tap…

Rattle of two people climbing is heard from the stairway. Secretary knows foot sound of Kazeru. Seems the other is her.

"Good afternoon."

"Oh, good afternoon." Secretary immediately looks at Maya. "Are you perhaps Maya?"

"Right ma'am, I'm Maya Artifi Integrazione."

"Kazeru, why did you hide such beauty and go out so suddenly?"

"Well. It's uhm… most of her doing. I got a letter day before she arrived." Kazeru scratches head awkwardly.

Secretary winks towards Maya and smiles.

"Atheno is in the office. He probably cannot wait to see you."

"I'm sure he does."

Secretary opens them door. The sight in the room though is kind of bad or chaotic depending on the point of view.

"Hi Atheno."

"Hi. You've finally arrived here."

"Ah. A lot on the way was to do."

"Did you send invitations?"

"No. I wanted to consult it before."

The list is quite unique. A wedding in a one week is a challenge to everyone so local people are going to attend the ceremony.

Laugus, as one the few, has civil vow law and substantial part of Laugus used this way. It's not so binding way of marriage, easy to use. Orum tried both open and hidden approaches to counter that but Laugus remained.

On the safe side there are students, Nara, Atheno with secretary and few trusted people of Atheno. Students left the notice that they canceled this week attend for themselves. They are for sure on their way to prepare to the ceremony.

Captain and their crew is highly monitored by Shadow Garden so there should not be much of a problem but Atheno was never so close to them. He is worried that they might use this occasion if they smell the blood. Calm and composure is everything left there.

What can be problematic are Sherry and few nobles. Nobles can be selected and get drunk in right time. Though among them are few members of the cult. Nevertheless, some business will be spoken and it's needed.

Sherry though has a right to chose a partner for the ceremony but Atheno was surprised seeing that Kazeru would even appreciate Kato von Grumpen arrival. He is known threat, so he is foreseeable. Atheno also caught a small grin on Kazeru's face. Whatever will come, Kato enters a lion's cave.

Prevention against possible interrogations is also a concern that makes the talk long to the late evening.

 

At first it would seem that at Mitsugoshi day is as ever but the secret villa after von Herzog family holds a place with most core members of Shadow Garden of the region today.

The villa belongs to the small one kind. Simple, not dripping with opulence and practical. Shadow Garden squeezed every square foot of space to be ready for occasion like today. The basement is a place, where most of the Garden's stuff is placed.

Everyone there is tensed because Alpha is currently paying a visit and brought few members from Midgar and Oriana with her to assists in a secret project. With the morning news everyone is starting to suspect that trap is planned. More concerns arose after the meeting.

It is expected to catch one first children of the cult that holds information about possessed exchange route. The rest is set to be not touched without an agreement of Alpha.

Few members of Shadow Garden will be left on the ship to eavesdrop on the guests. Ceremony and interests cannot be tore down by fight or commotion.

Her throat wants to collapse. As she heard the name of the groom she could not understand why she was chosen to this mission blind by Alpha. Meeting, no. Encounter him once again in seeming better scenario is not making her nerves easy.

Her grim face is caught by Alpha.

"I'll repeat it once again. Kazeru is on our side. Be aware he can easily distinguish us from the crowd and he will intervene if needed. I will be there too."

"Can we at least know how would you look over there, commander Alpha?"

"I'll be one of bridesmaid."

In a single moment the mood become somewhat carrying of envy. One of the numbers though begun to be even more skeptic of the plan or rather guard mission now. By Alpha's words the plan is different from usual like it was not entirely hers. It's for sure plan made by Kazeru. Alpha does not chose people for missions randomly. What does he have to her? 444 encountered him twice, she is convinced that he wants to meet her but her instincts tell otherwise, to run away.

"This concludes today's meeting. Go back to your duties."

 

It's the second day of a week in Oriana. There is still many tasks to go about. Rose is completely drowned on her duties as Queen. The country is healing its wounds after the war and to that there is no end to problems.

A part of smaller problems were handed even to princess Clara. It's difficult for her to follow after her older sister Rose's organization and swiftness. Nevertheless she fulfills her duties. Rose's two acquaintances are incredible help but in one three of them is set on. They won't even teach her all the basics of fight.

Munch, munch.

"Hello." Silver head maid greets Clara with singing voice.

"Oh. Hi…" Clara was cut in.

"Look at this." She almost screams and put the newspaper so close to Clara's eyes that she flinches away.

"Hey, not so close." Clara pouts.

"Ooh."

"What is the news?"

"Kazeru is," munch munch "getting married." 665 have just eaten a donut.

Clara rolls the eyes once again this week seeing 665's eating habits.

Married? To who?!

"Who is he marrying?!" She pulls the newspaper from 665 hands and dives into article. She reads each line twice to not miss any word. She checks and compare text to the picture.

Her nail almost scratches a page. A drop of sweat falls from her chin on the page.

"Clara-chan?"

From behind a page the begging eyes appears.

"C-Can I somehow get there on the ceremony?"

"What was the scream about?" Rose enters the room unsure what she sees.

A fuss over newspaper and Clara behaves somewhat on impulse but why her cheeks blush lightly? Rose does not understand the cause.

After a moment 665 takes the article and shows it to Rose. As she reads the article she blushes lightly too. But soon enough one memory clicks again and her face turned to a steady expression. Kidnapped princess, a robot, Alpha, Laugus. It's him. She looks directly in eyes of 665.

"To my office. Nami is currently there. Clara, take a break to the lunch."

She is not entirely sure that Clara heard her though.

Rose and 665 bust to the office with loud steps that 664 shudders to hear what happened in Clara's office.

They say nothing as they enter. Only hands over newspaper from Laugus. Said newspaper with pictures could not finds its way here in a normal way because by ocean any physical copy must sail on the modern ship for three to four days.

Shadow Garden spread certain news through some kind of machine that Rose cannot understand. But even more remarkable is picture transfer. Allowed only in case of very important data.

The article must have also get to Midgar.

664 is sitting dumbfounded. This article is so out of place for its content that…

Then the name clicks in her memories. Her eyes go to dead serious then fails to grasp the meaning and sensibility of this message.

"He is a machine, right? What is the meaning of this? Who is she, Rose?"

"She is a machine." She confirms.

"You know more don't you?"

"Alpha have given me a direct order to prepare the name. Her name was Maya Artifi Integrazione."

Her story is simple, sad and then it shows a light in the tunnel. A reunion.

"Is she a next one of his kind?" Asks 664.

"Alpha was very vague about her. It's like she is as Alpha described, an artificial soul."

On the word artificial only a certain one came on their mind. Eta. Eta would never miss an occasion like this. This must be kept in secret. They hope in Midgar, numbers would understand the same.

"Uhm. Rose-chan. What about Clara-chan?"

"Clara? What is going to do with Kazeru's wedding, Rose?"

"She cannot leave Oriana Kingdom."

The political implications shut down many embassies in Velgalta and Altena. It's a one reason that it's a diplomatic issue. Oriana is still separated from outside.

Sneaking her there is out of the question even with Shadow Garden. For sure there will be cult members who might know Clara. She looks similar to Rose. And how to explain her undercover there. Needed small guard. No place for them there.

Third and foremost. No invitation, no participation.

"Who is he for her?" 665 asks.

Rose fails to ask this question halfway.

"No… stepfather…?" 664 mumbles.

665 tilts head up and down. Rose makes big eyes.

Is she for real?

665 very often speaks with Clara, much often than Rose. They often hung out after work when the time allows.

"Then, what can she gift him?"

"Hmm…? I've got it!" 665 cheers. "This music instrument."

She points at one cell in the schedule of art display.

 

It's evening at the Laugus university. The orange shine falls through the windows. Lectures are going to end soon and plan for the next week is set. Because she is a well known teacher, her lecture filled the half of the room. It's a pretty much good score for an additional lecture.

When its time everyone leaves but she takes all her notes and cheers for the next. A day with someone special in her heart.

Knock, knock.

It's very unusual that someone wants to catch a teacher when everyone from the audience has already left. Someone forgot his case?

The door opens. She takes a look at the familiar face but behind there is a new one.

"Good evening, prof Sherry."

"Good evening, Sir Kazeru. What does bring you here at this time?"

"I think uhm, I would like to introduce you to my fiancee."

Sherry tries to keep her jaw up and tries to hide it with a clipboard.

"Her name is Maya Artifi Integrazione."

"Did, I…?" Sherry thinks about something. "It's you from Mitsugoshi yesterday. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Sherry Barnett."

Despite lite blush she has her trained fake smile, but Kazeru goes on.

"I didn't know you had fiancee. When did you meet?"

"Her family governed over part of land that I lived on. She used to visit my shop often. Two years ago I moved out in pursue of research. Not so long ago her family unfortunately has deceased in Oriana. She's found me here and we continue our dream. For this I would like to invite you to our wedding this sixth day."

Kazeru gently hands over a letter from a basket that Maya is carrying.

Sherry stares at the letter caught off guard. It's shocking for her that they can do it so fast. Nevertheless the wedding itself, he creates her an occasion to test her device and spread her ties.

Her eyes comes from under the eye shade.

"Thank you. I will there." This fake smile again, Kazeru speaks in mind to Maya.

"Great to hear that." Kazeru smiles. "Though we have few more invitations today to give, please excuse me the haste. See you in the harbor."

"Uhm, see you soon."

As Kazeru and Maya leaves, Sherry cheers in heart to what can be done. There is not much time to prepare thought Kazeru.

Then she opens the envelope and reads the details. But the very first line made her fall, albeit on the chair. The invitations states that not only the receiver is invited but the accompanying person can be too.

There is only one who she can think of. Cid Kagenou. But will he be in Laugus at this time? Tomorrow she can ask him.

She did her plans earlier so she can meet him. As they are in recently open cafe, with a great tremor in heart she overcomes shyness and ask him out to a wedding party.

He agrees. That made her almost cry.

What an easy entrance though it might spoil my image as a mob. I need to think of strategies on how to hide in the shadows and quickly. Who should I character as? Sailor, staff, musician or just observe from the corner? Upper deck, lower deck, where is the greatest spot? However I cannot put such suit to dust in luggage.

A shiver got Cid's spine on the intrusive thought.

"Something wrong Cid?"

"I'm alright."

"W-Will you wear that suit we bought you?" She struggles again to speak loud.

"I will." Cid cover his grin behind a perfect mask of just an appreciation smile.

I just need a mask and some time as tailor for myself, heh, heh…

Cid laughs in his soul. The plan seems to be juicy. The mysterious kidnap on the wedding. Who doesn't want to be a…

 

Evening at the dorm of Loren von Zeitzog there is a serious meeting. With everyone's invitation in hand the plan is being set.

"Where is Camino, Relato?"

"He said he might be a bit late, because he need to visit a bank."

"Bank? It's evening. Who is open this late?"

"Mitsugoshi lengthen hours recently."

"Alright. I'm…"

Knock, knock, knock.

"Anna here. Did you call to us Mr Camino, ma'am?" Maid speaks through the door.

Anna the maid, she should know about the guest unless if someone forgot to tell her.

"Let him in." Loren answers immediately.

Few minutes later Camino comes in but he carries suspicious bag in hand.

"Hi. Sorry for being late." Camino look like he was running. Loren at first thinks of a bit scolding but the bag is not making her head calm.

""Hi."" Everyone greets.

The bag is on everyone's eyes.

"May I ask about this bag. Isn't it connected to the wedding?"

"It does." Camino smirks.

"What's inside?"

"A gift, I suppose." He taunts Loren.

"You suppose? It's not about the money so what did you brought from the bank? Bring it up."

At first hesitantly but with second move he pulls a box with Mitsugoshi's logo. It's not a simple box, it's a…

Loren makes big eyes at he sight in the box. She cannot subdue her perplexed expression at the sight of wedding rings.

Rico and Phermi are in awe. How did he managed to get those rings.

Seeing all this Felix comes to questioning.

"What kind of strings did you pull to get those? Not even of speaking of the cost. What do you even plan?" She pierces him with her eyes. Her ears set up to catch every noise he makes.

"Uhm… Would you believe me if I say thanks to the bridesmaid I met their goldsmith and made a deal?"

This avoiding comment is not fitting for Felix.

"Camino. Don't lie to me."

"What you mean lie? Hm?" Camino gives a fussy answer.

"You blushed just a second when you said bridesmaid." Felix is looking at Camino with blood thirsty eyes. Loren begin to smell something… like… jealousy.

"Did I?" He laughs.

"Oh you k…"

Time to break it before spirals out of control. Loren cuts in with.

"Ok, enough you two." In a split second she gets up from the coach and grabs them by collars and then whispers into their ears. "Go on a date later."

In their minds Netrono brothers try to calculate needed speed for Loren to move that fast. Relato looks at her like she behaved almost like teacher. Out of nowhere, direct communication and a twist.

"Mitsugoshi's goldsmith you said." Loren lets them away and with a cup of tea in hand continues. "I want to hear details about those rings."

Her stoic voice and piercing eyes get to the point in Camino's soul.

"Like I said I made a deal with goldsmith. He was my master at first two years. A very tough man when it comes to art and trust. He makes jewelry for Mitsugoshi and I know when he buys gold. When I said trust I wasn't lying. When the declared elf bridesmaid show up interest in our talk a minute later I got rings to work with."

Loren and Felix are looking at him with disbelief.

"Will you be ready before the party?" Rico breaks the silence.

"I will but will you get it ready?" Camino winks to a male part in the room in understandable way.

All men nods in agreement.

"You won't…"

"You are on yourself don’t you?" Relato breaks Loren's line and smirks.

"Fine."

"Beside that, Loren. Didn't you want us here, only to confirm the invitations, did you?" Phermi joins to the discussion.

Loren makes a serious face.

 

"Jerry, urgent notice! A submarine from the first encounter is heading to Laugus. Check sonar record."

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 23.5.1.

Chapter 36: Ceremony in Shadows

"Jerry, urgent notice! A submarine from the first encounter is heading to Laugus. Check sonar record."

 

It's about hour past noon. Kazeru and Maya are preparing in the theirs separate rooms.

Kazeru and Atheno asked vice captain to leave for a bit under the pretext of surprise but possible scenarios are evaluated because warning message popped up during the night. Unknown submarine is a hazard that cannot be ignored when heading directly at Laugus.

It's here where truth must be kept hidden from Atheno. Maya has recognized the sound trail. It's Shadow Garden.

"There were submarines in use but I don't know any that is in condition for actual service. There was not much move in Rounds in that manner when I was one."

"Atheno. You really don't remember anyone beside Tristan who had subs? I consider it's a coincidence. They are moving like to perform an observation. Atheno?"

Atheno dives in thoughts and scenarios. There is noone who had access to the resources that can build and maintain a submarine. Velgalta, despite having a lot of cult hidden in shadows was never a true center of the cult. It's quite a negative impression that seaside countries do not have such things…

Out of the sudden Atheno's back got shivers that even Kazeru felt them. For a moment a pale fear spread on his face. A feeling long forgotten in sureness of cult supremacy.

"Kazeru. What if it is Shadow Garden?"

Kazeru waits a moment to search through records, thinks Atheno.

"Possible, quite possible." Remarks Kazeru.

"You work on your fleet, so do you happen to know where they come from? You have underwater records, don't you?"

"Speaking of records." Kazeru takes a simple map on the wall. "Here, here and here, the sound profile of the submarine looks almost identical to one yesterday."

All points appear all around Oriana, mainly on the north. It corresponds to recent invasion of Velgalta and their fallback. That means Shadow Garden might have build or found the submarine and put it into a use.

An argument like that makes Atheno worry. It takes a lot of time and resources to operate under the water, and they did it in few years. They've should have existed for a long time to make something like this, but…

"Kazeru, did you hear when Shadow Garden have come up?"

"About three years ago…" Kazeru pause for a bit looking at Atheno and hummed seriously. "Hm?"

"The main front I heard about consists of rather young females either therianthropes, either elves, in rare case humans. Being so young means no experience to pull that off. They must have a big backup from undisclosed member of a cult, and Shadow is only a fore marionette."

"I never thought of that but how someone having this much power, wealth and research wouldn't go unnoticed for so many years? Especially in cunnings of the Rounds."

"There were few in our history of Rounds. One we thought he allegedly died but after over forty years first seat found him and inherited all of his resources. What happen to him I don't have to mention."

"Was that the longest one?"

"Yes." Atheno nods.

"Do you have a suspect who is capable of staying long enough under your nose, or someone from Rounds itself is on internal crusade?"

There are no better options beside those two. Internal rivalry was a part of Rounds since the beginning. Thinks Atheno.

"11th seat is dead and his laboratory was destroyed significantly. He supplied us with Beads of Diablos. Lutheran, Fenrir, Loki, all died by Shadow and many members of the cult too. This scenario is very likely."

"Don't you worry about yourself?"

"And you?" Atheno counters.

"I'm more worry about you." Kazeru pulls a cane. "This, I give you as gratitude to your efforts for me, and it should help you kick someone's butt."

A simple cane with T-shape ending, at first glance. There is no visible mark but Atheno channels magic into it, not much but enough to reveal the razor thin blade and handle that can rotate the blade without changing the grip.

"Can it go through mithrill?" Atheno has a huge suspicion.

Kazeru can only smug mischievously as Atheno checks basic sword moves.

Thump.

A piece of chair fall on the floor clean cut from the top.

 

Nara oversee from the top deck arriving guests. As for now there are everyone expected, no surpri…zes.

Is that Kato von Grumpen? He is not on the guest list. What is he doing with her? Why she seems to smile in some earnest way?

A noble lady with great assets comes in the company of von Grumpen. She smiles half cunning, half satisfied and it seems she is holding his hand, not the other way around.

Maya sends the file on that lady to Nara's glasses. The lady is from less gray environment, a definite holder of the house, pretty healthy family and questionable hobby that was never confirmed.

Nara has got the shivers just on the thought itself that he would with her.

"Maya, did we ever expected him to get a way here?"

"He is not considered a hindrance here."

"What about interests?"

"Kazeru seems to have a plan or at least a path for him."

"A path?"

"Look at his head, add fluffy ears and tail."

"What a conflicting looking being. A therianthrope in cult's ranks." Nara contemplates. "Is it a part of a greater image that left him alive in his eyes?"

"Yes."

"As always." Nara remarks monotonously.

Kind of egoistic thinks Nara, as the cult was always a source of despair.

Another pair is coming on the deck. A very known pink head and unknown black haired boy. There is something about him, something that makes Nara be away from him as was a persistent one towards her.

He takes a look around but Nara instinctively hides behind a railing.

"What's wrong Nara?"

"Who is accompanying Sherry Barnett?"

"Cid Kagenou, one of our investors."

"Eh?"

For Nara there is no mistake. She once saw his face, now he is going here like it's nothing, for sure stepping in her comfort zone if he finds her. She despise him for being a such a showoff then.

There are not many guests left to enter, so Nara lefts to the room to prepare alongside Sekra Voll, the secretary from Atheno's office. Today she is even more expressive carrying for every detail like Nara was her daughter.

 

The guest are a bit impatient, the ceremony should have started a while ago but there is no captain nor bride or the groom. Alpha seems to be anxious about something. The flowers she is holding are starting to break in her grip. Camino pokes Loren to push her to speak with the bridesmaid. He says he is going to speak with vice captain.

Whispering she tells Alpha to go with her behind to the service room.

"Cid, what is going on?"

"I'm going to the restroom. Please wait for me here."

A boy going to the restroom catches gaze of another blonde.

"Hmpf…" He is being hold tightly by the well endowed lady.

"Where are you going? You promised me a well company didn't you, heh, heh." She giggles while pulling his hand where he is not supposed to in public.

"Just watching around."

His hand is strained even more.

Shot.

Few guns roared over heads of guests and about twenty man dressed in black circled everyone. Everyone stays on place, few woman screams.

"Oi!" Man in distinct black suit is taking everyones' attention.

He has taken hostage one black haired boy, that is bleeding from chest.

"If don't want to die like him, you listen." He dumps boy off the deck to the sea.

I know this voice. So it's this guy and this trio must have hired him. Those three nobles seems to not be overly taken by this situation, huh? They never change but there is something wrong. They are looking for Kazeru and Maya which should have been here already but they are absent, as well the captain too.

Man if not this lady I would slip right out of here.

"Ughm." The lady moaned sweet, the concentration took back at her.

Damn.

 

"Maya can you trace the source of that letter?"

"No but I'm safe in room with Sekra, Alpha and Nara."

"Hmm… Sekra and Alpha are not in the circle though. Atheno will join Nara. Go with Alpha if something breaks out."

"Ok."

Kazeru speaks aloud to Atheno now.

"Atheno."

"What is it?"

"We've got company on the deck. Make sure to stay with Sekra and Nara."

"What is going on the deck?" Atheno cuts in.

"Looks like some pirates are after Maya and I."

"I'll take care of it." Atheno glances over his new cane. "But captain vanished before they came up though. Kazeru, I'll stay with Sekra but I've got a feeling that they did not kidnap the captain.

"Got it. Be safe!"

"You too."

In a moment Kazeru erased every bit of his presence and vanished without a trace in the maze of ship's corridors. His steps are lighter than a mouse and rustle of clothes completely vanished.

Atheno goes to the room but not the marked door. Instead he goes in seemingly regular place and knocks in a specific way.

The door is unlocked and with exceptional speed Atheno is pulled in and door shut silently.

"Is Kazeru looking for captain?" Nara ask immediately.

"He is. If something breaks out, Sekra, Nara you go with me. Maya, take care of her."

"What is going on, Atheno?"

"We've got some resentful souls…"

Sekra rolls eyes and pouts.

Atheno being once again taken by this picture of Sekra he smiles and take his three fingers, lays forehead of them and shakes his head left and right.

Meanwhile Kazeru finds himself near engine compartment. The engine room fills the heat and suffocating smell of burned coal. All men escaped when they saw the captain being drawn as hostage by masked figure. Relates one stunned man.

Masked figure. Why would only one man drag captain and make them escape. He is in shock and no more to speak for.

A shadow blinks in the steam room.

So someone is still on guard, huh. I guess I take this saber.

Deliberate steps echoed, then diminish in the noise of the steam boilers. Occasionally, random knocks are mixing with coordinated steps well deep in the steam which should not be there.

Suddenly, on the upstairs level, steps of two men are heard. Their moves are stiff, at least for sneak attempt.

Tap, tap.

Kazeru jumped on the upper level. His lightly curved saber with small knuckle shield sounds as leaving the scabbard.

Two figures braced themselves but they not attack. They are not eager to.

In one swift jump Kazeru gets towards one and beheads him. In his next step he makes a slash where the second one loses his whole right arm.

But both of them are standing, in crumple poses, as. As later they move in weird, unnatural manner like regaining balance.

A light and short blink of light catches attention. Immediately Kazeru follows them to cut but both men counter.

"Heh, hehehehehe." Kazeru giggles.

Men attack but he split them clean apart by the abdomen. The light pink hue covers the blade of his saber and leaves a faint half circle in the air.

"Angel threads! A user of such skill, who might it be?"

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Kazeru makes loud step to where barely visible threads are moving to.

Stop.

"No games this time." Says Kazeru.

He turns his sight at presumably empty spot.

"There you are, huh."

This moment everything trembled. Sharp threads shine in dim light of light bulbs. A slick suit with mask and even slicker hairs steps out.

"This is not a masked party though."

"Hou. I can assure you this is part of my image."

"Image?"

There he is in the very form, fully visible, a man who could conduct entire masked party.

"I am John Smith."

"So it's you who she spoken of, but I sincerely apologize. I don't remember inviting you due to yours background and time constrains."

"As you see, despite it, I am here and I hold the captain."

"And you don't seem to care for your comrades, or should I say disruptors?"

Fingers moved pulling two puppets between them.

 

Unforgivable. My test is off the rails. Now I need to make sure that the ceremony will even ever happen.

Plop.

Water ripples spread on the surface of the sea. But there is a light reflection from somewhere seemingly empty.

I don't have time for that. At first it was supposed to be a search for captain with sudden boss at the end, although now I need to make sure the ceremony will even happen after that. Pesky bandits are everywhere.

Everywhere… Heh. Heh heh.

In technical corridor two men are heading to the source of a sudden rumble. Those men scream like a ghost would hunt them. As these two approach the steam room everything silence. Only a rumble of steam boilers is heard but there is something there. Presence, that normal man would faint off pounded them and vanished.

"We go there?"

"That was the order. Take over the steam room."

There is no sound other than boilers. It seem there is no man beside them. Not a single soul.

Ugh.

Man on the front turned over when he heard sudden clothes and armor sound but he can only see as legs of his subordinate vanishes in the hard shadow near ceiling.

He was completely shocked. Cold sweat flows on his back. Legs wiggle.

One step.

Second step.

He takes third despite feeling some itching.

Then his head fell of.

Just before he closes eyes a man in suit is visible in the glimmering threads between them.

"Ahh… He fell for it." Clearly disappointed.

Threads collects what is left and put together two puppets just in time for a main one.

Who would ever suspect he did so much progress in less than two weeks. He sliced through my threads with surgical precision. See Alpha, you can learn that if you were watching us now. But despite all that his magic compression is simply lacking, inferior to Alpha and her company.

Hmm?

Did his posture changed? I could saw it only for a moment but he is not entirely a poor robot with scrap of soul. Seems he adapts.

No more time for contemplating.

"Now. Mere puppets." John announces.

"Three on one Mr Smith?"

In a second two body bags that were hold by massive amount of thread burn to ash. Unusable threads are left down.

Kazeru turns back to John and slit saber to the belt at left hip. He takes on fighting pose.

"Hou. You saw." John takes his pose too.

"There is few ones who can oppose me this way."

The tension in the air thins the steam. They carefully look at each other. Kazeru have a loose lace. John seems to be anchored to something.

They moved. A martial fight with every possible style there is exploited to maximum.

In air waves of compressed steam bounce around from each hit.

Someone would find it an equal match but Kazeru's lost capacity in the battery hit in the side. John is superior.

Kazeru lets a long awaited, central punch in the face but John catches in time.

"Hm." John laughs.

Ping.

One finger knocks off mask.

That was a surprise. He caught me here.

Hold is released on both sides and courtesy exchanged.

Without much words they take captain and move to higher levels cleaning the ship of bandits in no time until they reach the main deck.

Both of them stopped in mutual understanding of situation felt ahead. There is no fear in the air. Stillness of crowd prevails.

"Captain, stay with the crew and call guard. John, we take bandits in one place and send them over."

Ten minutes later all bandits are left in the reserve boat on tie behind the ship. Sherry was picked up by Kazeru and entrusted to John Smith to be transported back to Laugus on guards ship.

Kazeru spend the night around guest to find out what happened. Partially for the captain, Maya had camera and the record narrows to one theory. Sherry had activated her device with astonishing result.

"Maya, have you recorded the magic at that time?"

"Not much there. I'll prepare indirect analysis of logs from the camera."

"Ok. I've got suspicion what have happened. I'll try this."

Captain looks at Kazeru who is taking a careful magic study over heads of people.

"Ya doctor or bishop mate?" Captain asks.

"Had a short episode." Kazeru puts index finger near lips.

"Mate, you look you've hitched on something."

"Yeah, though it's rude, lets open this crate from Oriana."

They open crate and to very surprise of the captain, it's accordion and letter.

Curious captain sneak a peek at the content of the letter and make a step back in disbelief.

"Mate. How do you even know her highness?"

"Weird is a life of researcher, mate."

They both chuckle for a moment.

"Mate plays on this?"

Kazeru nods before the first moves. At first awkward but each press of the button, each move of the bell, coordination kicks in few moments. Melodies from all around the world are catching weathered ear of the captain.

Short melody plays in between previous and the next. Next being one of very few worthy of the moon still visible on the morning sky. But only after it begun he is sure this is it. Moonlight sonata, composed by Shiron, and for the first time played on such instrument.

These who are close, stand by to hear the one man symphony, held by man who yesterday saved them. Though only barely visible, captain notices magic trails to each guest affected by unnatural sleepiness.

It felt like half hour though it as only five minutes as guest started to wake up.

"You saw nothin' mate."

Captain nods in response.

 

Knock, knock.

The vice captain opens the door to Kazeru who enters through the door with a bit smoked suit and he is escorted by Atheno and Sekra. All guests are silent. Just when the disrupting event has ended they are coming straight up after to get this ceremony.

Without any warning a piano sounds in the entire hall. A beautiful piece by Shiron played by man in slick suit and mask.

As the moonlight sonata fills the soul of everyone, the bride comes in with a blonde and brunette elf beauties.

"I welcome you on this ceremony on this fine vessel. With a might of seas and goddess will we meet here to seal a fate of mate with a great skill that let us meet again today and his bonza Sheila, a lady that I can't thank enough for new navigation techniques."

Captain takes a look at them to come forth. They are breaking from the grip of Atheno and blonde elf. A manner that exists here on the north.

"Kazeru mate, do you take Maya here, your bonza Sheila as your wedded… well, missus? To stick with her through thick and thin, fair winds and foul, and to always share your tucker with her?"

"I do."

"And Maya, do you take Kazeru here, this lucky bugger, to be your lawfully wedded… well, hubby? To keep his shipshape, even when he's being a bit of a drongo, and to always keep the romance afloat?"

"Affirm…" She blushes and says. "I do."

"Then, by the power vested in me by… well, by me being the captain of this here ship, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride, mate! And may your life together be smoother than a calm sea on a starlit night!"

Ovations and cheers are send toward the newlyweds.

Then a party filled with good food, music, dances and business held place. Accordion caught attention of everyone there. Even men from the other side of the ship tried to catch a bit of the glorious melodies.

In one of party plays for younger guests bride throws a bouquet and groom throws a tie. By some weird coincidence the announced future pair was well endowed noble lady and young man who seemed very close to her , or even tied to her before the ceremony. Some time later as Maya registered they vanished for the rest of the night.

 

Sherry wakes up to see a white ceiling. Next to her is elf nurse.

"Ugh…"

"Please lie Ms Barnett."

"W-Where is… Cid?"

"That black haired boy who stood by to you all night?"

"Huh? Is he dead?" Her body feels heavy, she cannot get up from the bed.

"No. Few bruises. He left this morning to catch a ship home."

Sherry's eyes fills up with tears, her face get a bit red.

For nurse what looks like tears of joy it indeed looked like this but deep inside Sherry something has broken.

As nurse left for her another duties, Sherry's got a grin smile.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version 24.0.1.

 

Maya's logs:

0x496620796f7520776f6e6465722c2074

0x6865206c6164792077686f2063616d65

0x2077697468204b61746f207761732063

0x616c6c6564204d796c6669612e2e2e

Chapter 37: To Advance

A submarine returns to secret dock hidden from everyone's view. Damaged side, ruptured pipes, lost oil, dangerous batteries gas leak and few injured marines. By some miracle they've come back and main engineer looks with an earnest horror in eyes.

Thanks to the late critical report additional staff has been assigned despite situation in Oriana and now they take care of the crew. The sub is taken to dry dock. Main engineer and head of the support staff are evaluating the damage.

"Do you think we can get it back to use in just a month? Eta commanded it."

Inhale, exhale.

Main engineer named Ninjaneer takes a moment to think over this.

"Klark. Go with me. We need to make report as obese as possible."

"Eh?" Klark exhales.

Head of the support stares dumbfounded. Who is she talking to? To her?

"It's no longer Eta's competence. This is too costly for her allowed budget."

"Ah…" Both of them smile lightly.

Early in the morning the report is send to Mitsugoshi directly at Gamma's desk. It is expected to get at least three months for repairs. Coordinator looking at the damage decided to dive into checks too because the amount of work is humongous. She was long nameless here so the crew finally had a chance to nickname her Catfish, because despite all her efforts to stay clean, an oily mustache was left through the night.

At the late evening the big four compose a full report. One of them is the captain, the unbreakable elf who loves adventures and unknown.

Technical report is almost done but the captain must also make report on land and answer questions that arrived few hours ago.

Klark and Catfish are sitting silent, hearing the situation described bit by bit, though the last thing asked by Ninjaneer brings most concern.

"Captain Vise. In your previous reports I see you encountered small units. Can you elaborate what they are and what can be used for?"

"We call them a fly fish, or fly for short. Small units, beyond any man can enter inside."

"Are you sure what you saw? Weren't they just fish?"

"I prepared a sketch of each one. Their body is stiff, very faint magic was barely registered at first encounter and something resembling numbers. Later confirmed after seeing more from greater distance. They are artificial."

"Behavior?"

"Stiff body, front never seen, tail often raised at an angle above water, but for machine it seems there is no propeller. Tail always has a vertical fin. At first encounter it quickly dived. Later, they were diving before being in naked eye sight. Also they seem to avoid our path. Depth measure attempts are bearing high uncertainty with average about nine thousands feet and highest twelve thousands feet. In short they are aware of us."

"What connects flies with enemy submarines you've encountered?"

"The same color and the same faint magic aura except one of the three."

"What was the difference?"

"In the records, signal was a bit stronger and this sub sent on us small birds that exploded, tearing our sub."

"Is the rest what happened the same as in the report?"

"Yes."

Main engineer takes a look at vice engineer.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

"Message from headquarter. Upgrades are to proceed. Eta will pay a visit in three months."

The atmosphere become gloomy in an instant that even workers felt worries from behind doors.

 

Her thoughts are not letting her sleep. Second report delivered with the record of magic takes all of her attention. She probably hasn't eaten for two or three days and drink for a one day. But the thirst is not letting her down. She dwells in searching patterns in magic wavelengths, without any success.

The recorded data is noisy, and comes from old generation of device. Additionally data seems to be corrupted on both physical and magic level, though physical may comes from atmosphere on the submarine. Despite that this submarine is a marvel of their technology, it is outdated. Outdated by little progress they've made and battle held by opponent from the Cult of Diablos.

At first glance though.

The record seems to be in contradictory conjugations. Diablos waves similar to that what Beta has came back after blood moon incident and others, completely different. So different that none of the stuff got from the cult and their storage is not fitting any pattern.

Knock, knock.

Door is opened by elf with a certain sash. Black ribbon and one gold mark. That meant she had orders directly from Alpha and Alpha only.

Eta didn't bother to look at the visitor. Visitor slowly comes to her.

"Lady Eta. Time for a break. Bath is ready."

"What a hassle." Eta didn't even turned her head towards the visitor.

Seeing Eta's state elf tries a different approach. Before she takes a look at the notes that bear conflicting theories.

"Lady Eta. What are those theories?"

"It's high chance that… we've encountered new… technology. But it… is not the cul…" Eta has fallen down on the floor.

"As soon you are pulled out off focus you lost consciousness, again." Comments elf and takes Eta out of the room.

Such exhaustion was only one of two ways for her who does not have a such strength to get Eta to rest. The second belong to master Epsilon who seemed can get her out of lab any time but she is currently in Oriana.

Lab assistant is coming closer yelling something.

"Shh…" Elf silences the assistant.

Assistant slows down seeing the ribbon on the arm.

"I'll leave it there." She whispers.

"Yeah. Leave it on the main desk and get lost before she wakes up." She tries her own earnest light tone to not get the assistant scared.

"Ok."

With that Eta spends hour in the bath and after she is being prepared for the next session. From total mess to the perfect doll, as for Eta of course.

It's not everyday sight when Nu pays a direct visit at canteen. But more surprised here seems to be Nu herself than the rest of numbers.

The sight includes. Eta sitting the baby chair with bib tied to the neck. A bowl of oat meal. And ribbon elf girl in apron.

Nu tries not to comment the feeding scene, even in her mind. Consequences are unimaginable. While maintaining silence she eats as long Eta is not fed. Only after she speaks.

"Lady Eta. We've got the last tape you've requested."

"Perfe…" Her mouth is forcefully wiped clean.

Second later she walks out like a spider in a blink of an eye.

"Nu. What was on that tape?"

"Restricted record from Alexandria."

"That incident?"

Nu only nods in confirmation.

Elf sighs, feeling that keeping Eta alive will be a bit difficult than last three days.

 

It's unimaginable. This is what normal person would say.

Eta is in awe. It's a new living specie. Her choir of undead can go dark. Despite miserable amount of information she can tell that whoever happened to them in Alexandria left his mark on Nautilus.

It's is somehow alive despite consisting mainly of mithrill. It bears a bit diablos magic but it's overshadowed by the whole complex magic waves that represent so natural behavior but everything was tattered by magneto-magic tapes and probably magic suppression of the specimen.

Simply she cannot comprehend it's life.

More records and study is needed. Although the report from Alexandria seems to have been cut…

 

In meantime she process remains of deceased body which belong to the one of the cult Knights of Rounds. It was extremely severed and sicken the crew who brought it here. She almost lost two of her technicians due to loose safety. Alpha had multiple headaches to bring them back on legs. It took Eta two weeks to discover a similar mineral which sicken people exactly the same way.

After long silent investigation there was not much info apart from few explosion signatures registered on Oriana's south shore, where body came from.

To Eta's frustration there was no more information to break this case. She was not let to research mineral and pushed back to work.

Some time later her lab was once again revised. After what happened in Kagenou's lab she was put in Midgar on the huge mountain of overdue projects. Budget constrained to it's limit.

Eta process project one by one. Everyone is not able to look at the tempo she is working because she herself is pushing them to work. Exhausting work.

Alpha and Gamma take a look from time to time on Eta but she is always working. She works so much that assistant takes care of her needs on the fly.

 

Alpha's plan had a one small hole though. Eta have been planned in her schedule to pay a visit at the dock to oversee next launch of Nautilus few months prior.

At the dock last details are worked on. It is not a mirage for anyone. If Eta was scheduled to come here, everything must be ready. Many sleepless nights are bearing on them but they will be done before. Even captain of the ship took the wrench.

Albeit one thing was unsure on the last day. Headquarter wasn't talkative. There was nor deny, nor confirmation of the visit. All this work but nobody asked if she will pay a visit at all.

Anxiety fell on the main engineer making her belly uncomfortably light.

At the morning she has two blue bags under her eyes. She could not sleep at all. Vice engineer seems to be in better shape. At least to the morning briefing.

Two blue bags under her eyes are not making vice engineer surprised at first. Though, as for the morning briefing before Eta's visitation, the crew is very limited. When it comes to VIP visit, the briefing is huge but now there is like five women in remote room.

Consternation builds on faces of everyone.

Something hangs in the air. Ninjaneer takes a fore voice.

"Is the door closed?"

"It is."

Ninjaneer takes a long breath.

"I don't want to ruin your work over visitation but I must say this." Everyone turns their sight on the main engineer with utmost anxiety and consternation, because something is not right. "We haven't contacted with headquarters and thus, didn't confirm that Eta will visit us today…"

Time stopped for everyone. The effort of days and nights, oat and coffee, mistakes and repairs, paper and knowledge, experience and product. Everything turned to uncertainty. Eta is a hassle to work with but the crew did pull a massive amount of work to the end. It's a morale crusher.

Catfish and Klark place their heads on the table, feeling like they've allowed that kind of oversight. Catfish growls silently. Klark's face is getting red.

Captain Vise stares into nothingness with a long face. This never happened in her carrier as sailor. Neither elsewhere. West, the leader of machining team dives in her thoughts as looking for any situation where she did not asked for the details or just chit chat about the visitation.

The dim light of the room makes Nijaneer's eyes diminish in the shade of her hairs. But it's not the end. Engineer must find a solution.

"Listen. I want you to keep your face before everyone else. I call for watch today. If she is coming here, they inform us. If she's not here we send messenger immediately to headquarter and perform search."

Catfish hits the table but not in anger.

"Neh. Haven't headquarter contacted with us on very loose schedule last three months?"

Indeed, thinks Ninjaneer. Budget was tight and contact was loose. What Eta requested though was never canceled. Gamma's pipeline of information was indeed neglected here but she simply ignored lack of contact due to overwork. They are not without a fault. Headquarter too. There is something wrong with such important project.

Everyone's got the feeling that somewhere in headquarter lies more than a problem with communication.

 

It's good past fifteen hundred. The crew was let to rest up to the midday, then took care of preparations. Eta might come any moment. Klark is on the watch for about hour. The feel of anxiousness still did not let full. Crew blames her stiffy behavior for stress due to visitation.

Town, they are in, lies down the river from Midgar capital. Eta might come by boat or carriage though, it is a more time consuming way. There is no good road here or cable communication. She would prefer boat if not sea sickness. Only Epsilon can take care of her on the boat. It's mystery how she does that.

Forest from all direction means she will be seen the last moment due to she likes to sneak up.

"Klark. Look over there."

A tree unnaturally swivels.

"Send patrol."

Uncertainty rises. This never happen before. It's odd thing if Eta had troubles while on the road.

Scratch, scratch.

She scratches back of her head. And again. Something is itching her.

"Naghh." She turns back but there is nothing.

She turns back towards the forest and almost fell off the post. Her body instinctively budged on the sight. Eta is standing there giggling.

"Hm?"

It takes Klark a second to react properly.

"Lady Eta. Please after me. The boat is ready."

She didn't know if it was her nerves of Eta was still giggling behind her back.

The visitation went flawless. Eta looked satisfied. Then out of nowhere she asks.

"Can we depart… today? I've got… important mission… to complete."

Captain nods in agreement and speaks out.

"We will be ready at sunset if must. Ninjaneer, do we have your agreement?"

It's a bit too sudden but if one of Seven Shadows has a personal mission, there is no contraindication. Only a report must be send that submarine is send out.

"You are go." Ninjaneer is howling at the ground crew. "Oi lands! Bring supplies for a long trip."

""Aye!""

"Captain Vise. I'll prepare champagne."

And with a bit of slip because Eta took some parts that she said will need.

With a broken bottle submarine Nautilus departs.

"Lady Eta, where is our destination?"

"Laugus. There is not… much time. Hurry."

"Yes, Sir. Course on Laugus, when nobody around high draft. Engines full ahead."

"Snorkels up."

"Snorkels up, Sir!"

"Engines full ahead."

"Engines full speed, Sir!"

A puff of dark smoke lefts the exhaust pipe. Water silence engines roar. Only snorkels are above the water until Nautilus get to the open sea.

In meantime, Eta under the pretext of upgrades she works on radio and sonar modifications almost entire trip.

 

Jerry was having long night sessions on some devices. I looked at that many times to see him breaking chalk on the board. My information about his research is limited. Some time ago after his talk with Atheno, I found out he has been working on Laugus's device all this time.

In the end I could expect that. There was forty percent of chances that he is working on this one. He always keeps his tongue back but there are changes in design of the body every few days.

This amount of changes is impressive itself. The first is magic compression. It is surprising that well compressed small amount of magic can make thousands fold increase in action. At first magic processing module was mounted on the back side of articore but now it is integrated inside, allowing articore great escape and excellent processing abilities.

Body was and still is equipped with twenty of those but smaller in terms of size though power output is not limited. At least when a serious fight comes. With kvaser version six I lost interference capability on immediate reaction. Now I need his approvement to take control over.

Second, in his voyage through the land of Midgar's mountains he modified his body anew although he claims that it is unconscious change. I can neither confirm or deny that. Changes or rather evolution was obvious comparing structures few days apart.

First came crab like mithrill legs and mithrill was the base of everything solid later. Slime sheath contained and processed everything. After the legs formed, spine begin to appear. In mountains he found a rich vein of mithrill. In no time slime dissolved it and build a whole skeleton. In just few days he was not a slime ball but a human like body in terms of basic structure and movement.

He presented. No. I was briefly shown and introduced to all this progress after the incident at kagenou's lab. I was working on my project but his research came late.

In my frustration, I believe I named it right, over a month ago I looked for something more for him. Something memorable and impactful. Alpha in our conversation about dragon maintenance took a notice that I was behaving like being separated. Concluding our talk I've taken everything what I've got and made my own personal kvaser unit. Only because Alpha suggested more physical presence than just floating around.

I wanted to have a top kvaser unit for myself but he's overtaken me. Nevertheless I can finally be someone more for him. I don't resemble former myself just a half year later.

Now we made a symbolic step here in the act of marriage.

He tries to hide it but his mindset has changed. All my sensors readings are showing he thinks of me different. Now I want to get to know him even more. I want to discover what he is, what is the society we are in.

Today Alpha mentioned that in this form I can press him to tell more about what he is doing in secrecy. I avoided to mention anything about the device to Alpha but she is sharp. She knows we've got unknown artifact but will she be bold enough to steal it? Pleased with result? Keep to monitor us? Each way must be considered.

His whole research though, happens not only in Laugus. The submersible platform, the great ship called The Anvil. This new ship is a place of everything after the bunker was shut for good a week ago and it was a good decision. It's become more active without a reason. Scanners detected only an internal magic activity. There was nothing coming from inside. Jerry made sure that everything was processed that the contamination would not spread on our resources.

The Anvil is our home now and he made deliberate efforts to keep my presence from one specific room away. But I know and he knows that I know that he works on Laugus's device. My meta-analysis was quickly found but never stopped.

In bunker it was crude but now I can sense magic waves never met before. I cannot describe that. I cannot excogitate that. I cannot understand that.

His work on body is not protected even in tenth compared to this device. It is not a war, neither game, neither banter between us. It is like I know what I am let.

Even now in files that I search right now there is no reference to anything related.

Hm?

I didn't see it last time here.

"Project named D."

What is tha…

Notification: you have been critically damaged by unknown entity

Notification: Danger. Eta Lloyd Wright is trying to…

Notification: System safe mode

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version: 25.5.1

Chapter 38: Wolves

Chapter notes:

I recommend this playlist to listen while reading this chapter: War On The Sea

 

The entire submarine goes dead silent. Felt shoes are worn to minimize noise and use magic reduced to avoid risk of magic detection. The battery should be good for about twelve more hours. The stench of stress slowly spreads on the entire crew.

Everyone can whisper and only when it's really a necessity.

Sonar makes few moves with hand and points every direction where the signatures came from. One ping from their side uncovered at least five more that circled them.

Captain's Vise forehead sweats hard. The handkerchief is soaking what can, but soon will be completely. One look around through the periscope shows that there is no ship on the ocean surface. They must be underwater waiting for them. Sonar tells, she hears nothing but that was the same then. They are really silent so sonar registers only background noise.

Captain stands in a corner situation. Whatever Eta has stolen, must be valuable. She put a stick into a crimson red ants nest and stir it rough. Currently they are going slow to put the least amount noise into the sea but batteries are half full and Nautilus must at least extend snorkels up in twelve hours. They stood too long under the water observing because the port was busy.

Eta locked herself in her room. There is not much noise coming out of there but magic on the other hand runs wild from time to time and few devices must be reset because of malfunctions. The hull of the ship has questionable insulation magic properties. If they can sense this, there is no chance of avoiding detection.

The handkerchief is completely soaked through.

"Hello world."

"Hello."

Notification: safe channel active

"How is it going there, Maya?"

"Thanks to your notes I'm keeping up fine. Eta cannot pry those adaptive systems."

"Though she does have a tendency to look for a brain but I guess she doesn't have a right tool to do so. Brainsucker-kun, she doesn't have that device does she?"

"As far I've looked around there is not a device capable of mind reaping. Albeit it doesn't stop her from trying to get in with any tool she has."

"Let me know if I need to force you out."

"Copy that… One more thing. This is a very delicate submarine, more than we thought. Be gentle."

"Copy that."

Notification: safe channel standby

 

Captain takes a full turn around to picture the situation. No surface ships around. Each and every one is under water. Pings happen each half hour from north west but the amount of targets echoes changes from three to fifteen. Probably due to underwater mountains.

Analyzing the echoes locations from seven pings that happened over recent six hours reveals a pattern in their locations. Northwest is completely blocked like they turned back to the Laugus not long ago. From east there is not any echo. From south, south east there are two subs. There is a chance to outmaneuver them near islands that are hour from here.

With a few hand signals crew starts to prepare to surface. Sonar takes a serious look at the captain.

"What is it Sonar?" Vise whispers.

"The island right?" Sonar has troublesome face.

She sweats a lot partially due to long submerge and subsequent rise humidity but shivers got her spine. Her look tells the captain, she is scared of something.

Captain comes to Sonar and they whisper almost nothing between them. Sonar gives spare headset to the captain and points two ways. One, they are heading island and the bumping sound is ahead of them. Second, the magic detector. Despite the displayed graphs are chaotic due to Eta, a well known pattern hides in roughness of the ink needles. They might have found another spot.

The closer they are the more apparent two things are. That the magic is indeed the spot that cult might want to find but equally scary under water. The sound of scraping and faint yell. This is scaring out Sonar. The only time it was heard was on the training. This is heartbreaking but the magic tells one thing. Demon Diablos.

Nautilus sticks out only a conning tower over the water. Captain Vise and third officer take a look around. There is noone around. Sun sets down.

"Shallow draft. Full ahead, load batteries!" Yells captain.

Nautilus shallows its draft and pulls every bit energy to sail.

Sonar takes a quick rest. With so much noise there is no way she can hear anything. Relief take a post while keeping the radio.

In the half of the tea's cup she is taken by the arm to the cabin of the captain.

"Captain Vise?" She asks, being surprised as the captain pulled her in.

"Sonar, we don't have time to report this matter to headquarter. You keep magic radar under the coat. They should not know about this spot now, especially Eta."

"Aye, aye."

However captain has more to say so she hold the handle.

"If there is any noise out of ordinary you will step on slime bubble under the middle footer."

"Aye, Sir."

Bump! Scratch!

Loud noises runs through the entire sub while piercing everyones' ears. Captain runs off the cabin straight to the conning tower. Her grip didn't let off Sonar's arm. She has few bruises but immediately sits on the post.

"What is going on, officer? Shores and boulders?"

"No Sir. Engines! What is going on there once again?!" Officer yells demanding a clear answer, yet her face falls in anxiety when looked at radio man.

Captain takes a look at Sonar who is shaking up the radio man. Sonar sweats cold. Captain intervene immediately.

Sonar doesn't lose awareness though. She gives the captain spare headset and continues to keep radio up.

Captains back shivers. The entire surrounding sea is howling like wolves. Each one howl is different, like each enemy had one personality. They are not random. Some commends repeats. There is a pattern. But it's too late to analyze it.

"Officer, steer. We've lost control."

She throws headset and gets to the periscope. Nothing on the front or sides. Then, from behind, a sleek conning tower rises up. It looks the same like that one that send their sub for the repairs. Now is tailing them. The back light randomly powered on but there was enough time to recognize the mark. The wolf.

"Captain. Keel is good. We've lost…" She could not finish as Vise said.

"We've got a tail, mates! Close the hatch! Emergency dive!"

""Hatch closed!""

"Dive, dive, dive."

Entire crew that stands up executes the whole procedure in no time but everyone keep on straight legs despite high inclination.

"Captain, what was there?" Officer asks.

Sweat pours on captain's cheek.

"There is a wolf biting our ass."

"Con, engine. They've caught us. Took over every steer. Propeller runs dry."

"Engine, con. What do you mean by run dry?"

"They've probably cut off or destroyed propeller."

Thump!

The entire crew bounces off the left wall. The light flickers.

Thump!

Some of the unfortunate staff bounces of the right wall losing consciousness. The light is stuck on permanent red.

Captain barely stands up.

Officer is in not a better state.

"Shallow ballast!" Yells the captain.

Those who are on legs come to the valves but just before it could take an effect the depth meter is showing that the sub is already on the move to the surface.

Vise can only think of one scenario. The cult will rip the crew apart right after they take them to the surface.

"To arms."

On that command every soul takes a sword and gun. They won't give up without fight.

It's only few feet to the surface. Nautilus is forcefully pushed up few feet from natural, save draft and sails straight on the shore of the island.

"Everyone! Hold to anything but walls!"

Three wolves pushed Nautilus on the shore gentle but stones shook the entire sub. With land not further than a dozen feet the fight might be taken there.

The situation is highly unusual, not addressed in the handbook. The cult, there is no one other who possesses such subs. Each crew member braces herself. Radio was left on automatic broadcast. If something will be left here, Shadow Garden will reclaim it. Captain takes a look through periscope to see absolutely no man around. There is no weapon pointed at them, nor presence of any soldier.

This is becoming more not by the book, thinks Vise.

Captain takes one more look on the front. There is one man standing on the top of the deck. Man is wearing a long coat. Under this high black boots, white pants, deep blue marine jacket in unseen style and white cap sticking from under the hood. Behind him a hooded character is keeping few feet away. It holds a blade.

His stance, his appearance, his magic, everything tells one thing. A talk on the deck.

"Sonar, you go with me. Officer, you keep the sub and the crew mates."

""Aye, Aye.""

The water is absolutely still. The island's hill towers over submarines and forest.

When they left the sub captain Vise gave the blade to Sonar.

"Sonar, keep five feet behind me."

Sonar looks almost anxiously at the captain but fulfills the order.

Vise takes a look at the enemy better. Underneath that coat must be a slick beefy man. Slightly over six feet. His face bears weariness and none of positive feeling.

The man behind him seems to be a woman though her face is covered by a mask. Blade is sheathed in simple, yet beautiful sheathe. The style is unrecognizable, even in cult's archives. Captain has a lot doubts this is a Cult's member. His maai remains unknown.

Vise comes forth in front of the man just ten feet away.

"St…" Just before she let a word aloud he stopped her raising his right hand half way up.

"My name is Kazeru Vinci. I'm am the admiral of the Wolf Fleet. May I know your name captain?"

His voice throws the captain off. It's plain, monotonous, but does not push anyone out.

"Captain Vise of undisclosed ship."

"That would be enough for me." His tone cannot be tied to any proper reaction. Vise's left foot slightly moves up back.

"Ah, aahhh…" Vise stops as this was the wrong move. Thankfully Sonar didn't moved with the sword.

"Captain Vise. Do you have anything… valuable?" His face is even more tired.

"…" Captain cannot point at any thing that might be valuable now.

"Not the submarine captain." His voice, it was like he laughed but may she imagined that.

"I might need to be more specific."

He is toying with her.

"A person named Eta Lloyd Wright."

"Huh?" A whisper came of her mouth. She was surprised.

Eta? How does he know about Eta? What is the connection between them? I don't know this man nor this fleet. Just by the look, they are more advanced than Nautilus. I might need to get Eta here.

"I give you twenty minutes. I'm waiting on the island."

He turned on the heel and went straight to the island. Under his boots a bridge is showing up as walks forth.

"Captain. What do we do?"

"Come with me."

 

"How is the time, Hexe?"

"It will be a close one. Couldn't you pull that a bit longer?"

"I wish I had this talent."

Hexe rolls with the eyes in virtual way.

"What if they refuse to any negotiations?"

"Hm?"

"What?"

"Hmm…?"

"You are not serious, are you? Is she in contact with you?"

Jerry sends a smug emoji on the chat.

"Do you really count for that Eta will be closed in some sort of fort where she cannot escape?"

"She will one day or another. I don't want anyone breathing down my neck for the time being. That device is the key."

"What device?"

"That remains undisclosed."

"Better she won't pull that from Maya."

"She did not."

"They are coming, Sir."

 

The bridge is stable but how a construction arose just as he walked? The construction does not resemble any of the cult. To add more strain on her mind, Eta is waving from side to side. Sonar almost fell of the bridge while keeping her on her feet. Thankfully the man seems not to be upset with the bigger guard.

Eta is kept close to the shore. Captain Vise comes forth but with the sword at the hip.

"Admiral. Who are you exactly?" Her spark in the eye is not to miss. Her voice is arrogant.

"Can I know what she named me? A new cult member that specializes in research of magic artifacts and backed by a cult in Laugus?"

She won't repeat the same mistake that she did previously. But he told the same what Eta said. This is not a coincidence. He must somehow get access near them or there is a traitor among them.

"What is it captain? Don't say I'm right." The man raises his head.

She places her hand on the sword. She grips the handle as his hand goes slowly to his sword but turns up in half. He grips the face.

No, the mask. First pull up from down part then upper.

She grips the handle even more as mask is thrown to the hooded woman.

A stone face, greenish blue eyes.

"Eta forgot to mention two things, captain Vise."

Vise squints her eyes.

"First is that what she said is only half true."

"Half true?" She whispers under her nose.

"Second is that what she stole or who rather kidnapped, is my wife."

With that the hood comes off. The metal head shines in moon's light. The coat is behaving unnaturally.

This is bad. He won't hesitate to move anyone by force. Only Eta might be able to fight with him.

When entering the sub, she had hope that the crew and maybe even ship will be unscathed but Eta is not helping and her orders are highest here.

The instinct tells one thing. Eta is…

"Unreasonable."

"What, unreasonable?" The man is visibly surprised.

She turns around with angry face but a slime pillar arose before her while Eta is having a serious face. The hope is lost. Grief is filling her mind. A magic, an adrenaline, the sword are everything she has.

She unsheathes her sword.

Thump!

Scrape!

Her blade didn't left the sheathe halfway as she was hit so hard, her vision darkened, ears are ringing painfully. She flies over the bridge straight for hard landing on the sub. She holds the handle almost unconscious as the sword is shattered into hundreds of pieces and spectacular flash of light coming out of it. There is only hope that crew reacts in time.

"I got you." A soft, yet serious voice instantly calms her mind.

"444, take her down." Golden hair elf takes a jump over ship's length.

"Huh?!"

444 panics for a second but doesn't lose the control over a flying machine. It's huge, heavy but flexible. If she was not briefed before the mission even begun, she would think that Alpha got this thing from under the cult.

A dragon looking thing circles around Nautilus though the crew is not panicking, they saw who was riding it. 444 occasionally takes a look at the battle field on the island, only to see dust, shock waves and lightnings. It's not her league, however Alpha takes a slow approach to the battle.

She observes the situation calm. She assesses each one strength, magic, swiftness. There is not a single time she would engage in the clash, yet there are many opportunities to interfere.

She lands on the one of the subs that supports Nautilus.

"Captain, are you all right?" Officer asks while coming closer.

"Uh, ugh…" Captain is comes to herself. "Just a broken wrist. What is going on there? I felt that Alpha was close."

"She takes care of Eta."

Sigh.

"It seems we will be fine. Let me take a look there."

"Here, binoculars."

A cold sweat once again crawled her back.

 

Captain is safe. Now I need to take care of them.

Alpha shifts lightly to avoid any stone that shock waves throws each hit. Half step right, left, forth. Although flying stones are not a big issue, there is something other that matters.

Eta, for the first time in ages takes a serious battle. She uses her slime basically to everything everywhere yet here… here there is something different.

"Tch." Eta clicks her tongue.

Alpha decides to wait a bit longer. The encounter has a sort of a rhythm. One, two, three. One, two, three. Involuntary, Eta takes each action as the rhythm goes. Her foot behaves the same. With each third step she tries to take over but she is put off balance. She can't step in his steps, yet he get closer and closer, she remains where she stands.

At first Eta was in attack and her slime tentacles and weapons were keeping Kazeru far. She stood there as always and meddle in every step he took. One time she would try to sink him into a pothole or grab the foot. The other she tries to surprise him from the back yet he defends in the last moment.

His magic is faint though there is something. Alpha can feel the magic compression he didn't put the last time. It's like Shadow Garden was taught to use. Minuscule amount of mana concentrated into the right point. Then a move expresses the stored power in magic.

But that is not all. With each third step Eta's slime backs. Bit by bit her slime must vaporize. The amount of slime is decreasing, in desperate move she pulls a small chunk of Kazeru's slime, only to throw it away a second later. If Eta could not handle his slime she eventually runs off her own slime.

Soon Kazeru's maai reaches Eta. His footwork is unique, swift, patterned yet unpredictable. Out of nowhere an axe came out of his right hand. Not big but definitely heavy, even for a dark knight. The dust swirls behind a moving blade. Under the dim light a sense of moving air tells Alpha more than her eyes.

Kazeru's aura has changed. Still, there is no anger, no over expressions, no talking but there has come, a clear goal. Eta felt it. It is not a jealousy, ignorance or disapproval she knows well.

Meanwhile Alpha still tries to understand this. This rhythm is…

"Dance?" She whispers.

She doesn't feel it. She used to dance during intelligence missions but now he's just extend his hand to her. He…

"It is." Respondent throws some tool to Kazeru.

"Are you all right?"

"Affirmative, yet I am curious about Eta." Maya points at Eta who is now put between hammer and anvil.

Just for a second but this time Alpha didn't miss.

Her mist happen to appear just before Eta.

"Let me… Ugh."

Alpha has look on her face that almost scares Kazeru off.

His war axe stopped about two feet away from Eta's neck.

Crack.

Alpha takes a big shot from the axe. Eta wants to fall on the ground out of exhaustion but Alpha takes her princess carry.

They look at each ones soul.

"As I said. I won't hesitate if I need." Kazeru places the war axe blade down on the ground.

"What will you do then?" Alpha sharpens her eyes, pierces his soul. Through her face emotions of grief, clenched teeth anger then momentarily fake calmness go one after another. Similar as with Delta.

She thought she understood him earlier but now he has shown what he is capable of. Empathy in is on the back seat and a cold resolve is visible in his eyes.

"If you ever will meet my…"

Kazeru leans to Alpha's ear then he whispers one word and continues aloud.

"Tell her about me. Hexe, escort Nautilus on the course on Oriana straits." Alpha can only stare at him as he, with a teardrop in his eye, he extends his wings and flies up.

He left her with so one sided message that can break normal man.

Alpha takes a look at Eta, then she hugs her tight.

 

Her ears twitch on the unusual sound coming from every direction through the solid rock but she ignores that. She must defuse another trap.

An unusual vibration tickles Zeta's tail. She is deep underground investigating a recent finding. The rock above is stable and up to now there was not such vibrations or noises.

Hmm?

She sensed something more, or rather someone.

"Better I'll check what she is up to."

She gets back by freshly cleared shaft. The amount of mines and traps here is concerning, though collected information might justify the effort.

With each level towards the surface more and more presences are perceivable. First Eta, second 444. This is not a usual combo.

Are they looking for her?

Third is Alpha, then a whole bunch of numbers become more distinct. For Zeta this is looking like a raid.

She was going to leave but she felt another one being, a unique soul on this world, Kazeru Vinci.

"Is he fighting with Eta? Strange here, yet this is not the first time." She whispers being surprised by the scene.

The questions were coming one after another, most of them leading to the conclusion that this is not a raid. Kazeru could be cooperating with Shadow Garden but this turn of events is a negation to what she suspects.

She turned her focus at Kazeru's aura. It's totally different from her encounter with him. Stoic, plain in expressions. Moves cold and calculated. His magic was behaving similar to master's. His moves were being like he was dancing. Eta struggled, struggled a lot as she was losing this fight and…

And Alpha was staring at them to the very end.

Only, at the very end, his intent flowed out for a moment. It was containing confidence, strength, resolve and tears. As later Alpha hugged Eta, this must have been a deliberate mock allowed by Alpha. Eta probably wanted to dissect him at least for the third time, yet Alpha cannot let to lose anyone…

Her agent should find a report but there is no guarantee that this event will ever be written down due to being very odd and putting Eta in a bad light. To know exactly what happened there she might need to contact her. Probably only using an artifact might be a solution to get to her. Her guard will be watching over her no doubt.

Everyone departs from the island. Kazeru flew over east island. Nautilus was pulled back to the ocean. Alpha took 444 and three other numbers and headed directly at Midgar.

She decides to get in touch with the agent later. She can continue to excavate the ruins unbothered.

 

Chapter notes:

Here we are at 100k words mark. I struggled with the last few chapters but now I've got a clearer path forth.

Chapter version: 26.5.1.

Chapter 39: Manor that Never Existed

Chapter notes:

I recommend to play rain with sparse thunders, e.g. Example

 

This is strange. Kazeru should be on this ship, yet after another situation he has gone again. Additionally two elves accompanying Maya are gone too. From one of the witnesses I know that the first to vanish was Maya with a big of disturbance. Then Kazeru vanished without trace. Half hour later elves.

Having the lady gone I watched over guests departing the ship. Later I asked few agents that work under Sherry. Nobody confirmed that he was on the ship next morning after the wedding. One even sneaked to look on captains book. Nothing in there.

For two last days his students at last come to the laboratory but without him, though today he appeared out of nowhere. Tutor must be in the room, that's the rule. I would check on them under the pretext of buying a share but she was there.

Nara is putting me off and she was there watching over them. I don't know what to expect from her. Her sharp gaze could wake up a man whose thoughts would disturb her but to be more unpredictable she has changed while training under Kazeru.

They often trained in private room. The student spoke of few situations as they would hit the ground or swords that the whole room would vibrate enough to alarm the keeper. I once snuck up to eavesdrop and as he said, there was no excessive yells typical for a tough fight.

Whoever he is for real, he is from the circle. Today's evening a larger meeting is held with the visitor from Velgalta. I'm curios if they will talk about him but he might be connected to Argus. If this old fart is alive, they no doubt would force me to find him and my first clue is Kazeru and his business.

He will make money and endanger the cult politics with his research. Who allowed him so much? Mitsugoshi? Who knows.

Nevertheless this looks like more work will be expected from me.

Oh, there he is.

Hm?

Where is he going to? Isn't that… that room?!

I cannot let this occasion go.

Kato quickly sneaks up into secret passage to observe them and the view is typical for an advanced course. Stretching, basic moves, breathing techniques and what is highly odd, multiple types of weapons. Pros and cons are discussed in such details that special knight course is medium at best.

Also, there are multiple obstacles that simulate half open and closed spaces.

Their suits are looking odd too. Kazeru is wearing unseen here gray coat to knees in complete with trousers, both simple in design. Heavy boots on small heel and half gloves in black color are meshing well. There is no armor in contrast to his disciple.

She is wearing a light bushin suit from Midgar over a white shirt and trousers. Boots are similar in style to Kazeru's. Full gloves and many small armor elements that obviously protect her from breaking bones. Some of them wear a significant marks after hits, hits that make the blood cold and skin to shiver.

The opening in the wall doesn't let much view for both eyes. Kato focuses on Kazeru. He is in full control up to the half of the training. His moves are swift but rather difficult to read. She introduces every word that they told before the practice but she is not forgiven any mistake.

At the past late half of the training a change in the atmosphere came out of the blue. In a moment that Kato almost missed, Nara went to the offensive, at least when speaking of Kazeru. She is using every tactic and weapon mentioned before but Kato has a feeling that it is not everything yet.

Hit!

An odd and loud screech of bending mithrill is hurting everyone's ear.

Boom.

Nara is placed half into a wooden wall that imitates a corner of the building.

"Ugaaah!" She screamed short and launched herself at Kazeru.

But now the atmosphere changed once again. Weapons that lie everywhere are used randomly. Kazeru takes a stiletto. She takes a long saber. He takes spear. She takes an axe. Each one tries to break opponent's weapon. Their fight is dynamic yet not swift anymore. Evades, faints, counters that Kato never knew that existed, are used without hesitation.

A shiver goes down Kato's back as he saw Nara that evaded Kazeru's swoosh of the unique sword that he left in his hand for a longer time by a margin of finger thickness.

His non existing ears are folding like a scared cat. It is not due to extravagant pair of kamas in Nara's hands, that's blade can swivel by ninety degrees, not. Now they are incorporating martial arts. Their proficiency overwhelms Kato that even legends of warriors from Wakoku can hide to the corner.

He no longer observes a fight, this is a specialized individual course. He dwells in thought of Kazeru versus Rounds. In martial art Rounds are on the lost side, only artifacts, magic, tricks and threats are on their side. Nevertheless this situation might happen if Kazeru finds himself on the wrong side.

Knock, knock.

Kazeru stops and Nara a half of a second later.

"Come in!"

The door opens to a sight of an old man running this university. The man is looking around like he is counting losses.

"Kazeru." The man is making a sour face. "You better not to tear down this place. I'll let you know if I want something torn down."

"Oh fine."

"Sigh… Kazeru, won't you take a honey week or two? Your stuff is on schedule and there is nothing to work on now. Take Maya to, I don't know, maybe to Oriana or south midgar."

Kazeru collects his ideas in one moment and chooses one but he is glancing on Nara.

"What?" She asks as Kazeru is making a serious face.

"You know. Take her too with you, she needs to see more of the world."

"Hey, what are you two up to?"

Kazeru smirks.

"Atheno, I am departing today night. My transport."

"Huh?"

"Have a calm waves." Atheno winks.

"What are you planning?"

"Pack for few days. Meet me at my apartment."

"Hey!" Nara didn't even raised her hand in time.

Kazeru turned on the heel and went out.

Nara lefts a minute later with a grimace on the face.

Today night? Own transport? Where does he even want to go in the middle of the night? What is his own transport even? This is a rare occasion that I must not miss.

As Kato said he does. In the middle of the cloudy night there is not much of a moonlight. Where Kazeru lives, his apartment is rather easy to look on from other buildings and roofs. A piece of dark coat and chimney are all that's needed to hide.

Apartment is left by Kazeru and Nara but Maya is missing. He closes to them to eavesdrop and he is just right to hear the answer for his question.

"Maya is already on board and is waiting for us there."

Jumping from roof to another roof Kato is tailing them to the docks. The afternoon shift comes back home and the duo is heading against the flow, so they are quite visible.

They entered one of the hall that belongs to Mitsugoshi's branch but as soon he could find a decent sight they were nowhere to be found. No aura, no trace, no tracks. He looks around but there is completely no leads.

Kato comes back to his apartment empty handed and disappointed. His apartment is nothing unusual, it's a bit fancier than that Kazeru lives in, kept in older style and maid is taking care of everything there. She should be sleeping now but he finds something unusual. His door is opened and maid is waiting next to.

"I didn't invite anyone. Who is it?"

The maid blushes.

Frustrated Kato was about to move against the maid and scold her but the well endowed lady appeared in the door.

"H-Hi." Says abashed Kato.

They stare a moment at each other.

"Then, I take my leave." The maid left the post but a letter falls from her hands.

"Eh?"

The lady from the wedding ceremony is smiling sweet to Kato and he didn't catch the letter in time before the lady caught him.

 

"Ok. We've lost him. Can you finally tell me where are you going to drag me to?"

At first Kazeru doesn't look like he wants to tell but after a quick chat with Hexe he opens.

"Some time ago in Midgar, I found abandoned manor next to a small town. Trees, bushes and grass covered everything there that noone would go there, however fresh tracks caught my attention."

"That's telling me nothing." She grumps.

"Lets say I've got a feeling that you can find something there."

"For the love of Beatrix, why you like to be so enigmatic in situations like that."

Kazeru smirks and it looks like he is not going to answer anymore now as they reached their main transport.

"So another long sail, huh?"

"Not this time, Nara, but you need to wait about hour before we depart."

She is stopping herself from making a smirking face feeling that he could lie to her since a long time. Instead she takes a look on the fresh looking interior of the sub. First point is the name.

Each name is written in ancient midgardian and placed somewhere in the conning tower but there never was a meaning to the word, neither in ancient or modern culture. A long way is ahead before she finds the name because this sub is visibly larger and much more comfortable.

Kazeru's marionettes are working non stop. His true form of a robotic body, as he calls it, is disturbing for her but seeing more of them is even worse. They work and pay almost no attention to her, still all here she is doing is under his supervision.

Near the gyro compass she finds the name. U10 Vars. It's telling her absolutely nothing.

Beep, beep.

Overhead speakers beeps before the announcement.

"Nara, Hexe. Go prepare at room three. Then come to the mess deck, please."

This sub is unexpectedly longer that it messes with her intuition worked up so far. After few wrong turns she is in the room. A set of clothes with a small note that stands to dress up properly. The set of clothes is nothing unusual at home but here on the submarine is at least improper, not speaking of an incoming training.

Coming closer to the caboose, with each step the wondrous smell becomes more intensive. In there Kazeru and Maya are already waiting for her but the scene is putting her off. They both are wearing public appearance and casual clothes like she wears. Maya serves at the table a full course of dishes. The small room is mixing elements of house warmth and raw structure of the sub.

"Don't stand there like a stump, sit with us and eat."

She sits silent and begin to eat. They smile at each other and begin a nonsense act of newlyweds at the table.

Chomp.

One bite is enough to tell that this is a delicious piece of meat.

Chomp, chomp.

She tries one by one then fills her plate from steaming bowls of potatoes and meat, even salad that is weirdly sour and sweet. Everything composes to classic lunch in house and cup of tea brings calmness to the lunch.

Then she takes a look at Kazeru who is staring at her with a smirk while he is ending to chew on the salad.

"What…?"

She gulps.

"You needed that, don't you?"

The portion stopped halfway from the plate to mouth.

"Huh?"

She continues.

"Hmmmm…" Kazeru smiles but soon after him Maya too.

Nara tries not to ask any more questions, because this is clearly next of Kazeru's enigmatic plot. She wants to finish the lunch as fast as it is possible in good tone before she falls deeper into his scheme.

Beep, beep.

The signal given from speakers eases her mind, until first words.

"Mr of the house, your transport is ready."

This is getting ridiculous for Nara, but he stops herself from asking questions and hold invisibly an itching drop of tear in her eye that came out of nowhere.

"We shall be going soon. Maya, be ready over there. I'll take care of washing. Nara, check your baggage and dress up. The weather is not gonna be great over there."

"Slime is not enough?"

"Slime is on standby up to further notice."

Kazeru stands up and proceeds to collect dirty plates. No words can reach him.

In her room she finds very sturdy set of clothes that a knight would wear, but everything aside the look, is not meant for one. They are full of pockets and storage. A bag next to them is containing a full set of weapons though she can recognize half of it, but with the time all pockets are fitting the gear. To hide as much as possible she finds light clothes set that weirdly fits all under. She gets a feeling that an unusual training or even a mission undercover will take place, but this is weird because there was not enough time to prepare one in such short time.

She found many times he likes to make something spontaneous from time to time and it might be it.

 

The travel was unbelievably fast, the plane was flying low over the surface and Nara has got dizzy looking at the rough sea. The late summer storm was coming.

The plane landed on another sub named U12 that was sitting under water and was a transferring point. Next evening the weather haven't changed a bit.

There, they switched to another flying machine but much smaller, so small that Kazeru and Maya changed their shape and hook themselves under the hull.

In meantime weather is worsening as they are approaching landing site. Nara thinks that the plane will land but Kazeru all of the sudden speaks out.

"Prepare your own landing strategy. Unhook in ten seconds."

What? She thinks. There was no warning to that, neither a hint. She keeps her blood cold though, places googles and braces for ejection as one of the light is blinking.

Pop, pop, bum.

She falls right behind Kazeru and Maya. It is clear for her that to not become a one with the ground she must use one of the techniques that must be executed perfectly with a great precision.

Heaven step.

She sets vertically in the last moment and kicks the air below. One kick, second kick, then at the trees crown height she makes smaller jump and near the ground she makes the last step quietly touching the ground.

"Good landing." Says Kazeru, who is sitting on the branch of the tree. "What is the forecast, Maya?"

"At least two more days of rain. Unfavorable but we can maintain cover better this way."

"So be it. Nara watch your head. We've got few kilometers ahead of us to make."

"Ok." There is no questioning of his decision. They must be as close as possible to the target. This heavy weather is indeed perfect for sneaking. The clothes are unbelievably resistant to rain and wind though the weight of all gear is not to be missed, that it is similar to knight's heavy armor.

Magic enhancement helps her to be more aware as eyes cannot catch everything around. If not that, one tree down would be enough to at least badly injure her.

After two hours of fierce walk the flickering town lights are in the sight from a hill. Nara begins to feel something but she cannot find what. Her mind becomes more occupied with restlessness as they are closer to the town but the byway is suggesting another target. As they are on the another hill she is hit with the memory. The contour of the town is nothing to be missing now. She brings her heart to stable beat but Kazeru suddenly speaks.

"Seems you know this place. Can you tell me where is the noble manor of the city?"

"It's… right across the town."

"Well, that's good then."

Kazeru takes one more good look at the city then he takes an opposite direction. Nara is sure of one thing now. He did the research earlier, because he knows where to look for the history here. They are heading to her former home but she cannot find what is the purpose of the journey like that, it disturbs her.

The ruined manor is close. Roof is long collapsed and trees are sticking up between rotten beams. Garden around the house is unrecognizable, the wild growth swallowed everything. There is no trace of minor buildings. But she still remember where they where and instinctively avoids them to minimize the risk of falling into potholes.

Kazeru and Maya are making their way to the side entrance, definitely the safest here but before entering he takes a long look around as he would scan entire area.

Nara cannot hold any longer this strange situation, there is no rush, they move slowly, objective is not stated. It bears on her patience, she asks.

"What is the objective here?"

"Lets take a look inside." He states casually.

The anxious feeling of being led to unknown is becoming a hindrance. She trips on a small piece of brick but quickly hides her misstep. He makes no note on that.

Lights on.

The old dining room is still recognizable. Most of the stuff is still here but lying randomly everywhere like wildlife would rumbled there.

"Lets rest here. The construction and surroundings are safe. Maya, prepare a small meal."

"On my way, sweetheart." Maya smiles.

Nara stops halfway taking her coat off. That sweet talk is unnecessary and not on place. It frustrates her.

"Can you finally tell me, what we are looking for?"

"Do you know what I saw at the last training?"

Again, he is dodging a question. Nara is getting less patient.

"Kato was staring at us and I was late to notice, yes I know that." She answers.

"I said what, not who."

Nara is wordless. Kato was just a small hook on a fish rod. He saw something more. What is it? He is on her since the training that was abruptly stopped. He pulled her here with a lesson in mind.

"What…" Nara cannot continue as Maya has cut in.

"Here you go."

A light but rich, steaming bowl of oatmeal is served by Maya.

"Eh?"

"Enjoy your meal."

"Eh?! T-Thank you…"

"Maya, stay with her. I'll take a look around."

"Ok."

Kazeru goes to more unstable part of the building and Maya sits on the opposite side of the table. The meal warms her up, that cold hands immediately gets warm as they should be.

After some time Nara notices that Maya is observing her with a smile and proud. Kazeru is not around so she feels to ask.

"Maya…" She is starting slow and unsure. "Is Kazeru around?"

"No. He is searching on the other side."

"Is he eavesdropping right now?"

"He is offline now."

"Offline?" Nara is confused as she hears this term first time.

"That means he is not eavesdropping on us now."

"Ah, ok." Nara holds the spoon down in the bowl.

"Then what are you going to ask me about?"

"What is real goal with dragging us here?"

Maya holds a bit before she answers.

"I am pretty sure he is seeing in you something that is not letting you rest, I guess."

"Rest… wait! You said I guess. Don't you always are together in contact?"

"Not always since a month, but we are talking about you now."

Nara freezes for a second in confusion then subconsciously she feels anxiety. It's becoming apparent that in the end, she is in the main point and even this talk might have been planned.

"Nara, the simple answer is, you need peace in your heart."

"Peace?"

"Tell me. Do you feel fulfilled, determined to do something that is not connected to negative feelings?"

Nara gets fast what Maya is speaking about. She is taken aback, she stays silent for a minute. Maya continues to look at her, but makes small smile.

"Nara, he won't tell you this one specific word to you, but your loss cannot keep you down. You can be born in family, you can be adopted to family, but also a group of people can stand a family. Tell me. Did you truly rest for a day or two and hang out?"

"But, uh…"

"No buts here. Kazeru is treating you and students as a family, don't belong, be a part of it."

"What, I…" Nara lifts hand a bit up.

"Hang out with them, then the rest will come."

"What comes?"

"Salvation."

"I don't get it." Nara is still confused.

"You said it too early." Maya winks.

Nara is at lost for words. The awkward silence fills the sound of rain and far thunders. But even after finishing the meal something is not alright. Kazeru still didn't show up.

"Where is he?"

"I'll call him."

Her face is expressing human mimics in unexpectedly correct way and moment later Maya is looking rather confused and just plays the voice message from the recorder.

"Find me before I find you." His voice is awfully confident and defiant. That says one thing for Nara, she attacks. Moreover he must have eavesdrop in the end.

"What about you, Maya?"

"I keep the post over the manor."

That means she is left alone against her master.

 

Chapter notes:

Chapter version: 27.5.1.

Chapter 40: Manor that Existed

The sound of the falling rain is more and more dull. The corridor is pitch black, a source of light is a solution but not here. A mere flicker is a hint for a hunter here. She is moving on her toes swiftly thanks to a passive technique of magic perception that surpasses most of elite knights. In complete darkness she can perceive every object but she must carefully pay attention to what look at, because it can easily overload mind.

The corridors are ruined but the underground part was build in such sturdy way that some would say only a paint fell off. Every piece of furniture is demolished or straight robbed. The amount of dust would spread immediately if she would make a sudden move.

She is sure that if Kazeru made a trap, it would be further down. She is constantly between anxiety and focus. He can be methodical and schematic but he can be unexpectedly random. For someone, normal, simple looking vase is just a vase. For him this vase was a great touch to the mood and as just she saw that vase, it fell down.

Rumble of the breaking vase is echoing everywhere.

Few rats are running away.

It's as she expected. There is no magic but it was pushed by a really small device. If not that she knows what he is working on, noone on this world would expect a device where there is no magic in it. Not a single drop.

One time on a training she was fooled by strange sword he was using. She heard a loud bang and moving tip of the sword but she was overwhelmed by piercing pain in the arm, the armor plate was dented but not pierced. It was a gun but she couldn't find one on Kazeru. He was still holding this strange sword.

She makes her way to the specific place, a dad's corner as she called it. Mother had her own but they never even hinted where their own corner was. Dad left her with only a voice note that if she wants to find her own room, she must find an empty stone, though she never found one before the tragic event.

Something clicked. Empty stone, empty device. Could dad have this on mind when telling her this. She must find this place.

Rumble.

Dust falls off the arch as the thunder hits the manor above causing a small earthquake. She takes a look back but there is nothing to be seen, so she heads to the first place she could think of.

A pair of intrigued eyes takes a look at her back.

But she absolutely didn't notice that.

Having in mind that Kazeru might be around she makes her way fast and swift while paying attention to every possible, dangerous detail though there is nothing down the road.

She arrives to the crossroad, where the left way is leading to winding part where mother could usually vanish for few hours. She takes a right turn towards old store area. What was valuable was picked up, the rest is scattered all over.

From the majority, this room was looking different. A small shine of the light from the vent is very dim and is barely useful for the eye. Nara is so focused on her search that she ignores this facts. A shadow, subtle but visible for a well trained eye, passed behind her.

She reaches empty wine stack, not a single one is on place and there is a lot broken glass on the floor. Most of the storage belonged to the father but usually mother was looking for one to the evening dinner. But once she, without a clear intent searched through all stacks and Nara took a sneak peak. Not a week later the tragic chain of events made the whole family gone, manor burned to its foundations.

Dad wanted me to find the room and probably left something valuable for me, still though, empty stone. That was probably a mislead for mom. Here there are not many corners where stones are empty in both ways, empty inside or low saturated with magic.

She doesn't lose the attention to the surrounding though. She carefully takes each step to avoid making any noise. She manages her magic around to not disturb the airflow. Kazeru is around but is completely invisible. Then a rat squeaks deep in the corridors but a sound is distorted.

There is no time, she pulls the weapon for the inevitable strike in the back as it was preceded by a drop of magic that was not fitting here.

Huh?

She finds an empty space and noone behind her. She cannot see any bit of magic or body or even a thrown weapon.

She freezes for a minute carefully scanning entire room and close corridors. Everything is scarily on place.

She is sure what she felt, faster she does what she wants he has less time to think of something.

She checks each stone in the wall one by one until she finds one. Very sparse in magic compared to others. She touches it and suddenly magic circles appear in her eyes. She instinctively pulls her hand.

She takes a look at the inscriptions that say, access is granted.

What? Is it an artifact that dad left? If yes, mom would never got an access to it. It was a personal casket.

She dives her hand in and she finds the casket, not bigger than a pot.

Unconsciously she feels a joy of the moment. She's found a gift from father. She takes a look and sure is, the message from dad. It's short and gives hints for an another location.

"Ah so you found it in the end." Kazeru speaks out of nowhere to her ear and his presence too.

Cold sweat is running down her entire skin. She is done and dead. Legs are about to collapse from the surprise.

"Hmm?" He squints his eyes in curiosity. Why she suddenly froze, he thinks.

He pinches her with an index finger.

"You've found it, don't you?"

"A-Ah. Y-Yes."

"Then, it seems we are done here. Let's come outside. This place brings some unpleasant memories for me."

"I wouldn't say I checked everything here."

"Hm?" Kazeru hums intrigued.

"Look at this."

She places the letter before his eyes. But he seems not be interested and pauses for a bit, but then smirks.

"Find it yourself. Dad's place had a loose lock. You lead now."

"Eh?" He is suddenly not interested picking a fight or what? Did he set traps towards dad's room? It's hard to judge he did it on purpose or he wants me to find my room.

Kazeru found a chair in a rather good state and sit down. He placed leg over leg and looks at her with no intention to help. Nara suspects something that he might know already but she is tasked with it.

But it's not like that. Kazeru freezes in his pose and looks around from time to time. Only his magic aura is a bit out of normal like he is thinking intensively about something.

And he is, but Nara didn't notice that Kazeru, when he appeared, his magic system was basically crumbling. He gave her a task and now he is repairing the whole system that was abused in the end. Gold, mithrill and slime veins are withered to a state that a light push would break them. Articore has entered a slow mode to not overuse resources, acceleration of thought processing is suspended, slime is closed in containers. Now he is pinned to the chair.

If not the quick decision to talk with Nara, he would lose. Hopefully it will take her few minutes before she finds her room.

She searches every suspicious place and finds what she was looking for.

She touches the stone brick and pushes it, then gives it a bit magic while twisting. Kazeru raised one eyebrow but not in pride, not in hard coming surprise, but in magic he only saw once on earth. Suddenly he remembers that one ripped arm that they were analyzing.

Seems like Gota was right about that arm back then. It must have come from the other world. Though spectrum of magic in her is about 60 percent the same, it makes me sure one thing. Her bloodline is somewhat unique in regards to possession, or any living creature here…

Crack echoes all around and Kazeru felt something concerning, but before he could check where the unavoidable came.

"Huh? Aaaghhh!"

He fells through a trapdoor with the chair.

Bang.

The loud and scraping sound of mithrill muffled by slime and clothes still hurts Nara's ears. She checks the trapdoor while thinking that he already knew and played the dumb but as she takes a look she finds him in a rather… clunky condition.

Flashlight on. She takes a look at the other part of the room below to assess the situation that looks as expected of the father.

"You are ok down there?" She calls.

"I'm fine, but before you are going down here put the air mask on. The air here is rather dead." He shows thumb down.

Nara gently glides down and gives a hand with a bit of arrogance in it. She readies her muscles and compresses the magic.

"Hmpf!" With a great oomph she picks him up but while doing it she felt like few lines inside his hand snapped.

"You alright, your hand is loose."

Snap. Click. He recovers his hand.

"You are just a strong woman."

She felt something strange in him but cannot tell what because he is already looking at the furniture and a casket on the desk.

"It's yours don't you think. Don't let your father's message wait."

She takes a look around the casket that is not what it seems to be. Simple ornaments, marks after magic veins and this specific ancient way of build. It's not to miss that the casket alone is a treasure in itself.

When she got close to the casket responded with a glow. As she glides along the face the central stone lighted up and the magic glyph died. She takes a look at Kazeru and he responds with a positive nodding. With the hand over the stone, magic circle containing the ancient language activates.

The characters self realign consuming a small amount of magic and after a minute the casket is opened. The letter inside is in a good condition like put there yesterday.

Kazeru waits, waits and waits. He wants to give her some privacy but as he takes a look at her mixed face with a corner of an eye. Something is not right or more.

"What is it Nara? You are giving a rather perplexed than freed feeling, which is what I did not expected."

"Take a look at this part." She pokes his back.

"Hm? I thought you wanted to keep it for yourself."

"Huh?" She makes a surprised face. "You better do it before I kick your…"

"Okay, okay. Let me see."

Kazeru instantly froze. The text was indeed logic chain of characters and words but there is no translation.

"I don't know this language, Nara."

"Isn't that simply an encryption?"

"No, this is an actual language, but I don't know that one."

"How can you tell that?"

"I know more than a handful number of languages here. It's none of them."

She breaths deeply in frustration. Dad left her money, knowledge, a list of friends and foes, history about what he lived off with her mother but he makes lineage and origin secret. Before he writes bye he says.

"Mom wasn't supposed to know that what you've just read but she saw what makes us a bit different from normal humans. Use that with moderation against them."

"Oh, dad. What are you talking about, I cannot comprehend that." She takes a begging look at Kazeru.

"I cannot help you with that but if you wish I can look through stuff here."

"Take this wall."

The search passes through few solid hours of scrupulous readings books and notes.

"Maya, do you have translation done?"

"Yes. Take a look."

After a while Kazeru's suspicion is confirmed.

"What do you intend to do with that knowledge?"

"Her demonic flaw was fixed by Shadow, or rather improved, dad saved resources for her. I can say that I taught her rather well for what she is, and now I've got a full perspective. She is good under our wings."

"Could Atheno knew about this?"

"Rather not and his scans do not provide even a grain of suspicion if he works on old demon blood. He should remain uninformed about this."

"What about Nara?"

"You translated that and keep it for yourself. I'll make sure to incorporate fathers hints. Nevertheless, the ancient Greek here. I didn't expect to find it here. Now myth described by Plato is more plausible than ever."

Kazeru stops nervously in the middle of a conversation with Maya. Nara felt his sudden change in aura, that means he found something unsettling.

"Hey, what you've got there?"

"Say, did your father was a good man?"

"Excellent, as you are my teacher."

"Thank you for complement but remember that truth is cruel. That is one of his more personal notes."

He shows her a notebook but she gets an anxious face.

"Can you really read that?"

"Huh? It's simple substitution code."

"What is here?"

"The reason I'm here is once we had an elf specimen from Velgalta. Research was going smooth until Grease and Fenrir joined the project. Cooperation with them was unsuccessful in the end. My method of early detection of possession was good but quickly they started to ask too many questions. Thanks to my made up identity I fled with no problem. But soon I found that Nara exerted her trait."

"What trait does he mean?"

"Possession I guess."

"What is next here?"

"But I was late find that after I was back from the island. Wife had greater ties with the cult than I suspected."

Kazeru stops for a moment.

"Nara, what island he means?"

"I-I don't know. He said he must have take a trip to Oriana. Mom was indeed behaving strange that I think about it now. Dad was back day before I left manor with mother."

"He never lost awareness. You had a great father but still, where is this island he writes about?"

"Maybe… uhm… just take a look."

"Not enough time. Maya, bring few units from Piast and take everything from here before the weather clears. Dad's room we will document midnight."

He is rushing now. He must know about something but he is hiding it again. I must find what he found.

Curiosity and eagerness throws her into a literal human search machine. Kazeru is searching like nothing changed.

"Hexe, did you find the island?"

"Admiral, it's the island we once visited while hunting Eta. It's not far from here but this place is called cursed by every sailor that gets nearby."

"Bingo."

Nara shoots a sharp glance at Kazeru but do nothing about that and continues to search over documents and notebooks aimlessly.

The next evening they are all on the sub. Nara decided to rest in her bunk, with the first notebook that Kazeru found. It's no surprise for her that Kazeru or Maya don't interfere with her work and wherever the sub sails to. Magic that rumbles throughout the entire sub is enough to tell they are working on something that she is better not touch now.

Bit by bit she cracks the code. Father, her icon is describing his experiments with a great distance. It all could almost lead into thinking he was working with the Cult but he had his own goal. Goal is not directly described though. Only conclusions of each day of experiments are creating a line of thoughts and speculations.

"Was he working on blood history or something?" Nara didn't even see when the entire sub went silent. She dives deeper.

Father was looking into entire lineages of therianthropes, human, elves, monsters and creatures. Quick review of human blood and demons catches her attention. According to his findings human kind was the first to experience possession or rather injection of demon blood. Weird and complicated calculations points further than 2000 years ago, when the first mix of blood was made.

What is his point? He was fascinated by that?

Nara reads further and finds a last sentence that Kazeru didn't translate.

"Blood of the oldest line of demons has been found in…"

She stops reading the notebook as the brain only found the translation involuntary.

"So it seems I know what they know now." She talks to herself. "I'll check what we are going to do now."

Despite the difficult subject of decryption and father's underground work, she feels uncomfortably light and cheerful. She wonders about the future he, her father, Atheno and Kazeru wanted her to achieve. Kazeru let her open for the past and turned it into future strength. If she can utilize this old new power, it can be difficult for the random enemy to hurt her.

 

"I told you that applying quantum theory will be a mistake and it is. Your body is a swiss cheese."

"But it works. It's somewhat absurd in a so absurd force such as magic, but it works."

"You repeat yourself."

"Eh… Articore is ok. How is the radiation?"

"Particle is in the safe norm but magic is still unstable, though only inside. Nara is healthy."

"What is she doing?"

"Decoding the notebook, she soon should know about the old demon blood lineage."

"Did you checked archives."

"Indeed. Her blood origin dates back to two or three thousands years ago, albeit after such time it's almost inactive, meaning she could suffer more from normal possession. Vampire blood seems to be about 700 years younger."

"What about therianthropes and elves?"

"They are more human than demonic. They could evolve or came here long ago. That's all I currently know. Further analysis available in a month."

"Continue with that. Check what's up with Nara."

Kazeru takes a deep breath and begins a long session to recover after quantum shadow, a technique letting to completely erase presence under any situation. It's a byproduct of working on Laugus device. Longer analysis of damages points to interesting conclusion. He was transported here via space time bridge. The same phenomena took his particles away but spare the articore. It might be due to that articore is still under influence of another bridge and energy potential is keeping them separate.

Lucky I was that this happened. Though where is the other part of me?

Jerry rises his hand and closes it while saying.

"I'll come back home one way or another."

He slowly places the arm on the rest and proceeds to sleep mode.

 

"Oh, there you are." Maya finds Nara at mess deck preparing lunch.

"Hi. Where were you and Kazeru?"

"He is working on upgrade. He should be done this evening before arriving on the island."

"The islands of demons."

"That's correct." Nods Maya. "Uhm, excuse me, I've got a call.

Incoming call: Alpha

"Good morning, Alpha."

"Good morning, Maya. Tell me, will you be in Midgar in a week or two? You will be great help."

"It's possible, we should be available in four days. Wait. Does it have something to do with Sherry Barnett?"

"She's only a part of the problem…"

 

Chapter notes:

If you felt that, yeah, it was a writer's blockade, though I was right myself that I'll be done September rather than June / July. We are heading to Midgar again, Nara is discovering what father left her and Kazeru is taking a longer sleep.

Although Eta is not sleeping either, nor Sherry… nor Iris.

Chapter version: 28.5.1.

Chapter 41: Interlude - Hour of Progress

"Hmm… Mmm… ugh." Chief has uneasy look at his face as he is confused about the progress of making new magi robots. The rest of the crew can only emphasize his feeling.

"So." Chief speaks. "The source is unknown but from time to time those machines are reprogramming themselves or build completely new code, right?"

Close coworkers are looking at reports once more but three students look is telling the crew something other, opposite of unawareness.

"Chief." Chief takes a look at Herman who breaks a silence but he is not eager to discourage him. On the contrary, Chief has deep thought that he doesn't want to believe.

"Regarding this event called - hour of progress. I believe this is Jerry's live work." Herman didn't flinch at all saying that. The coworkers are looking at themselves confused and whispers.

"That's unreasonable. Why we even keep them…" One of known skeptic coworkers speak is brutally taken down by Chief.

"Shut up Marco! You are going with them after the meeting."

"Why?"

"This is an order. Prove it is not a coincidence."

"…" Marco cannot say a word. That's how immediate order shook him.

"Herman. It's not directly stated here. What is yours cause to this suspicion?"

"I know his workflow, it's all over there. Gota."

"Uhm… Not many can see this beside me. His presence like, it appears out of nowhere. Is here about the hour and vanishes. We had an experiment where we put a bug to one machine and completely shut it down, disassembled and store apart. With a close inspection it was not turned back to where it was before. It was improved and working after reassembly."

"Marek?" Chief takes a look at Marek sitting between Herman and Gota.

"Marek??"

Smack.

"Don't sleep." Whispers Herman.

"I cannot confirm anything… Yet." Coworkers flinched.

"I'm working on the source code and interference in it."

"You are looking for the source, right?"

"I do… uhm…" Marek hums like he lacks something.

"What do you need?"

"Can we speak private about that? Now I can say I've got three theories to research. Maybe even four."

"Elaborate."

"First one. We have a rat here but we lack any prove to that. Second one is instant reprogramming. Third one is sapiens AI, where we look for Jerry's mind pieces."

Marco and many other researches from headquarter are having a confused look.

"Chief." One of supervisors speaks out. "Before we continue yours robots wide production you need to address the subject of unknown code modification's source. Thank you for presenting me your current status. Marco. You and your team will be stationed here for another month looking for a root cause of code modifications. Small robot operations are allowed on old rules. Bigger needs my consent… End of the meeting."

The room slowly fills with chair and steps' rumble.

"Marek." Supervisor catches Marek's shoulder.

"Yes, Sir?"

"I would like to join your talk with Chief."

Marek takes a look at chief who agrees to that with a small nod.

"Yes, Sir. Please come to the lab at level ten then."

 

It's late night at level 10. Despite the level of destruction a skilled men of this country put the lab together in two weeks and even put some upgrades.

"You don't stop to impress me." Praises the supervisor. "Despite so many wrong turn of events you are working here as if nothing happened."

"As you said Sir. These people are irreplaceable… and you know what might happen if not this place."

Supervisor has a grim face. This lab has the best solution almost ready. On tests they performed as skilled commando group against those beasts.

"I know." Something is itching his calmness. "But I know you wanted me here. What's here that could not be in the report? We know ourselves since cadet camp, Chief."

Supervisor makes a sorrow face that expresses that the hard truth cannot get out from here.

"Show him."

Minute later a massive document is shown on a main screen. The content is slowly scrolled.

With each page it becomes more clear. The changes in code are not everything. There are many notes left inside, hidden and visible. Page by page supervisor get a feeling of someone. In half way through he sits on chair as his legs are giving up.

The code did indeed changes mostly on itself, but…

The notes are the ones responsible, the ones that source cannot be explained.

"I've got one… question, Chief." Supervisor hands for his small container for medicament. Takes one pill with shaky hands.

"I listen."

"It's him, isn't it?"

"Yes." Says Herman who is taking in Marco in handcuffs and assisted by Gota.

All eyes turn on them.

"Marco, how many times did I tell you, this is a very delicate matter?"

"What gives. You are done when I am away." Marco smiles like he has already won.

"Heh. Take a look at this laughing matter, as you refer to this."

As Marco reads true report, his face becomes more and more pale. It's like someone is sending a letter, full of data, notes, internal thoughts and more. It's like a story or a diary.

Herman, Marek, Gota, Chief and even supervisor. Each one of them is looking at him and asks to prove that this isn't a trivial answer.

His young mind cored in blind faith and hardcore self-study is staining.

It's no longer a matter of sapiens AI but someone, that is out of reach, that can influence them.

Everyone is silent.

"How can we contact him?" Marco has a crying, troubled face. It's like he found a problem that has no solution.

When the days of beasts will perish. What will magi robots do? What will a greed of ones above them do when faced with it? A hard stop will throw everyone from their seats.