Foreword:
Why did I make this? Because I was reading God Slaying Blade Works when I watched Izayoi defeating a Water God in the first episode of 'Mondaijitachi ga Isekai Kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?' with just one kick. And then he went to defeat a Demon Lord Class enemy without as much as a sweat. Finally, I decided to make this. But then… I got stuck at the fight scene and then made Infinite Stratos: Rising after playing MGR: Reveangence to find some inspiration and pass some time. I'll try to balance between the two of them. Now then, let's address a few things first:
0. This is something I recently added. Izayoi will gain a lot of powers. That is because overpowered-ness is part of his canon characterization and I will try to keep it. On the other hand, the many powers I gave him actually acts as a restraint to him as he cannot focus on one, has to think of how to use it nicely, his own canonical forcefully and subconsciously holding back, and preference of using them at minimum power and instead use them weakly but creatively.
1. The writing style. For Izayoi I'm aiming for an 'unclear' narration style a la Suzumiya Haruhi. For Godou it'll be a First-Person Version of IS:R's writing style which in turn was based on a Light Novel's. Other characters will be an 'Another View' section just like August's VNs (mostly). The writing style is a self-imposed challenge for me, to always adhere to that format and name the scenes instead of just using scene breaks. And try to search the Battle Musics. Trust me, they're good.
2. Izayoi's Gift. I'm modifying it a bit. In the Opening, I know that the image is just a colorful representation of their Gift, but I'm making it exactly the same as in that Opening. As such, his Gift would be force-field in nature and can also be fired as a projectile (in the OP it looks like he was shooting it like it was Hadouken). Also, I need to show that they had made some progress on figuring out his abilities since this is after he returned from the Little Garden after two years.
3. Canaria. She was the only people to beat Izayoi in his game in the LN and that person who appears in the first episode during Izayoi vs Water God fight. I only have the information from the wiki to work with so rather than aiming for exact correctness, I simply just filled the detail with my own ideas to suit my needs. Her details has been changed from the canons but I already have plans for it so, *shrugs*.
4. I'm trying to combine bits from the anime with the LN. The Divine Space is one of those things. In this story, some gods can make it those most doesn't even bother since they just don't care. Some gods however don't want to be bothered or have other reason to make it. The nature varies from a Fuzetsu-like state, to Anti-Muggle Field, to a Weakening Field, to even one in which the damages can be repaired or is a truly separate dimension.
Alright that's all I have to say. Do please give some feedback but at least be polite with it, okay?
NOTE: Edited to match the formatting of the next chapters. Some words and sentences were rewritten but no change or additions to the plot however. Do forgive me for any other mistakes because this is the first story I have ever written.
Disclaimer: Campione and Mondaijitachi does not belong to me, they… ah screw this, this is the last time I'm doing these disclaimers. Just read I Do Not Own page in tvtropes if you wonder why.
Chapter 00A – Birth of a New Star
~ Skyfall Redux ~
[Location: Sky (Unknown Time)]
... ... ...
... ...
...
Ah, looking at the overlooking view of the scenery while falling. How I miss it... NOT. I swear, if I see that stupid rabbit again, I will make a stew out of her. Really, sending me back after the time limit of the summoning by throwing me out into the sky. Falling. Again. Just like when she summoned me. What a first-class treatment for the hero who saved their community.
And by 'when she summoned me', it was when I was summoned into the Little Garden to help their community that had lost their name, flag, and members to a Demon Lord's challenge. I joined because it seems to be more interesting than my world. And it is. Too bad I couldn't remain there forever.
Come to think about it, the things I and the other summoned 'heroes' did there reminds me of an anime, though our conditions was darker and edgier. That anime also has the heroes coming back to their world but they managed to go to the other world again. If my condition is the same… heh, looks like I'm going to have the first Black Rabbit Stew ever.
Oh, look, it's the ground. Or more like the water.
*BOOOM*
At this moment I have three targets of hatred: Black Rabbit, the water which isn't soft at all (good thing I was prepared for it), and the creator of this world, whether he's a god or whatever, for not making the soft in this world (Little Garden's was quite soft, it's hard not to notice when you fall into it from the sky).
"Again, that stupid rabbit, if the water weren't this deep, I would've got a permanent Game Over there. Moreover, how can the second season start if the protagonist died?" I complained though she can't hear it. Hm, how about sending a large killing intent at her? Maybe she can feel it…
[Location: Little Garden]
Back in the Little Garden felt a shiver down her spine from the huge amount of killing intent she's receiving. She had just send back the 'Problematic Children' back to their original world, so she panicked quite a lot from whoever was sending her killing intent.
And then it hit her. She had just sent them back the same way she brought them: by falling from the sky. Without any protection or barrier (though they are aimed to be dropped into a deep body of water). And she knew they will do if she met any of them ever again.
"*Gulp*, B-black Rabbit hope that if she meets any of those three again they wouldn't be so angry at her…" She said while cowering in fear even though they can't reach her. For now.
[Location: Unknown Dam]
Feh, this is a waste of time. Anyway, where the hell am I?
The scenery, climate, vegetation, and animals, no this isn't Japan. This is Europe. The country's probably… Greece? Or somewhere around it. Why the hell am I here?
...on second thought, I'm sending More Killing Intent to that stupid, ditzy, idiot rabbit.
...
Alright I'm satisfied. Now let's go and explore this place, maybe there's something interesting. Oh, is that a town there? Alright, let's go there.
As I walked there I reminisce what happened the last two years. I was summoned into another world. A world full of fantastical beings. Gods, Demon Lords (Demon Lords), Demons, Monsters, essentially anything legendary can exist there.
That world's name is Little Garden. If there's a word that could describe it, it would be "Paradise", so long as you're strong enough anyway. In there, everyone, in order to live, joins or make a community, some sort of group.
Other than that, there were also Gift Games, simply put it consists of making a game with a reward upon winning and punishment upon losing. Anyone can make Gift Games there with varying degrees of difficulties and rewards. To win you have to use your Gift, your Abilities, to fulfill the objectives without going against the rules.
In that world, I was called to help a community that had lost its name, flag, and members. The community, then called only as a 'No-Name Community', had lost everything thanks to a Demon Lord's challenge.
A Demon Lord's challenge cannot be refused, that was why they had no choice but to fight, no, play in the Demon Lord's game. Those Demon Lords on the other hand were powerful enough to reduce a community's land into a barren dessert as if it was destroyed hundred years ago.
And that's the main reason why I accepted to help them. It was interesting. To fight in many kinds of situations, against many kinds of enemies. I was so bared back before going there I wanted to just rampage around, that place however had so many interesting people and events in it. Too bad I have to return back.
There seems to be a time limit to be able to stay there. Black Rabbit said that it was the world trying to pull the person back to his world since he or she was originally a part of that world. If they went out for too long, it might try to get them back even if it means crushing them.
It's annoying but Black Rabbit also said that after a while, it's possible to come back there, she said it should be after approximately a year. Well, can't be helped I guess. In the meanwhile I'll just try to have fun here.
Oh? Is that a... city? …really? It's silent, way too silent. I'll just have to check it out I guess.
~ Current Condition, Pass Situation ~
[Location: Deserted City of Boetia (12:32)]
I came out of the newspaper stand that I just checked and start to confirm the information I just got. I have been exploring this place for around thirty minutes and there are a few things I noticed:
1. I am currently in Boetia, Greece.
2. It is too hot for Greece even though at this time of the year it shouldn't be too hot yet (Checked a newspaper).
3) The surrounding areas are completely empty, as if the all of the people just vanished (The newspaper stand was empty but it's still quite clean, so it wasn't a ghost town or evacuation).
4) Based on the sky, the time has somehow changed into dawn, when it should be noon (Also checked at the clock in the newspaper stand which is still running and many other places' clocks too).
All of this points to one possible conclusion on my head: This world of mine might not be very boring. Those phenomenon was probably caused by something of magical or supernatural in nature. Still, this situation reminds me of something…
That's right, Canaria said that this kind of situation ever happens then I should run away as fast as possible. She said there's something dangerous around if it ever happens. I treasured the times when she was still alive, she liked to tell me mythology tales with some interesting 'twists' that she said to be the actual truth. I never did know what exactly she did as a job though it's most likely related to mythology and history.
Canaria, she was one of the people who responded to a game I made years ago. I was so bored back then and made a game similar to hide and seek that if everyone failed to find me before the time limit was up, then I would rampage around because this world is just too boring.
She managed to found me just three minutes before the time limit. I was quite happy since that meant that there were a few people who were around my level in this world.
After that game, I made another game with her. If I were too win, then she would forever play with me and make a place for me to have fun, if I lose, then she wanted me to become her son.
The game, the conditions of which I let her decide entirely, was simple really. It pretty much consists of me going around the world and to find out whether Sakamaki Izayoi can feel care, love, and cry for someone else. I've never felt any of those before and I'd say, feeling them would be interesting so I accepted it.
I had traveled the world for two years as a child to find out about it and meeting with Canaria once every month since it was quite interesting to talk to her. In the end however, I lost. I actually managed to feel care, love, and cry for someone. For whom? Canaria.
Just a few month before the time was up, she already fulfilled her end of the bargain 'just in case' she actually lose. She made a place for children like me to gather and live. I was rather suspicious but A-Okay with it.
Then I realized why she made that place. Because she knows that she will die soon and will not see how our game will end. Just a week before the time was up, I visited her and found out that she was dying. She only held out to wait for me to come, to announce that our game will end right when she died.
The next day, she died with a smile on her face. And I let out a drop of tear. I realized that I also care for her and love her as my mother. In the end she had won, with the first two challenge was already fulfilled a long time ago most likely. If she had not make that challenge, I probably won't have a single care about other people now.
Still, I never did found out what was her work. Her like of talking about mythology, and her warning which is a bit supernatural in nature… Was she a magician or something?
The circumstance of her death was a bit suspicious after all, something that I noticed even when I was a kid. Let's see, there was that blonde girl that looks a bit like Asuka in her funeral, maybe if I ever find her I can find out about it.
Not that it really matters since she's dead and I'm already caught in the situation she probably wants to prevent. On that note, I do realize that I become rather reckless since her dead, something which I had realized after challenging Japan's Strongest Martial Artist, said only to be second to the Strongest Martial Artist of the World. For some reason, both were women.
*BOOM**BAM**BANG**BOOM*
Explosions? Since I'm already 'caught' in this situation, I think I should look for it.
~ Not a Boring World ~
[Location: Foot of a Mountain (13:09)]
Well, what do have we here? A big werewolf that uses magic and an army of wolves and skeletons battling against a guy with flames that's shaped like a phoenix around his body? This would be interesting. Still, I think I should observe a bit more first.
"Hmph, is that all you have, flame god? Disappointing."
The werewolf speaks in English then transforms into an old guy with a devilish face. His hair is white while his nose and ears are a bit weird, it's a bit long and pointy. Wonder if he was younger would his ears looks like an elf's?
"You yourself is disappointing. Thirty minutes of fighting me but no hit at all?"
That yakitori guy mocks back at the old guy. He's got a point though, it is kind of pathetic to fight for thirty minutes without a single hit. I squint my eyes to see a bit more of his features: shoulder length blond hair, red eyes, Caucasian skin, and black regal-looking longcoats. Damn, he got style.
"No, I was just focusing on your true nature. You're not a real phoenix, so any Feng-Huang and other phoenix related myths are out."
"Oh? How did you noticed?"
"It's simple, your flame is just too irregular, even more so when I attack you. Thus, it is most likely an artificially made phoenix aura, ergo you are not a real phoenix. Hmp, did you truly think that I, Sasha Dejanstahl Voban, the oldest and most experienced among current Campiones to not realize it? I am three centuries old for a reason, fool."
"I see, I guess it's natural for you to notice that trick."
Let's see what I get from that conversation. The flaming guy is a god, a flame god that use the image of a phoenix as a trick to make other thinks he's a phoenix.
The old guy, Sasha Dejanstahl Voban, is a Campione, whatever it is, which apparently immortal or naturally long living if he's telling the truth. These 'Campiones' also seems to fight mythological creatures, including but not limited to gods.
All right, I've heard enough, it's about time I make my entrance to this party.
"Heh, you guys seems to be having some fun! I'm sure you don't mind—"
I shouted while jumping towards them,
"—If I join on the party, right?!"
and kicked right where they were going to meet in a punch, making a crater while they retreat back.
"…a human? Kranjcar, did you not said that there are no other people in this Divine Space?!"
"Yes, milord! I have confirmed that there are indeed no other people than us in this Divine Space!"
A silver-haired cute girl replied after leaping and bowing in front of Voban. What's a cute girl like her doing serving an old guy like him? What a big waste. You can find many of the sexy type in the internet but I doubt you can find a cute fairy-like girl like her even if you google or browse facebook for days. Exception: 2D girls, but those aren't real. Hrn? Well, what a sneaky god.
"You, human, I know not of how you are able to intrude here, however, you shall remove yourself from my sight lest I kill you and turn you into one of my undead servants."
"Oh? That's very nice of you, wrinkle face," Oh, he twitched! "but rather than worrying about what's on your sight, shouldn't you worry about what's not on your sight?"
He quickly understand what I meant and notices the flame god is flying away. He's just descended into the other side of the mountain, out of our view.
"Kranjcar! Make sure that you deal with this human! I shall go after that coward god!"
He shouted annoyingly before leaping away to chase the escaped god before adding something again still chasing the god.
"And make sure that he will not make any more problem in the future! I care not of how you do it, just make sure he doesn't or I shall turn you both into one of my Dead Servant!"
What an annoying guy. It's not even my fault that the God got away, it's his for taking his eyes off his opponent. Seems like the age factor did kicked in, making the 'highly experienced Campione' forgets such a basic thing.
"Understood, Lord Voban!"
And now, after a while, he disappeared into the distance. Now then, how should I deal with this girl? Just smash her? Disable her fighting ability? Knock her out? Tie her with something?
The girl then spoke, interrupting my train of thought.
"Who are you and how did you get in here?"
"The name's Izayoi, Sakamaki Izayoi. As for how, I fall from the sky into the nearby lake."
"A Japanese? Do you think I would believe that?"
She switched to Japanese after knowing that I am one, probably because of the name. Before, I had been using English since they all have been using it.
"Not at all. But what do I gain from lying to you? Besides, why can't you believe my explanation when there are more 'unbelievable' things going on around here?"
"*sigh* Very well, I shall believe you for now. Now then, I would like you to leave this area and go to-"
"Before that, mind giving me an explanation here? You can say that I don't know the gravity of the situation here."
After a moment and another sigh, she decides to comply. She explains about Heretic Gods, Campione, and the current situation.
First about [Heretic Gods]. Due to the [Myths] humans have passed along from ancient times, [Gods] were born from those [Myths]. [Heretic Gods] however, they rebelled against the core of their [Myths] and materializes on earth.
They appear in places unrelated to their myths and bring great disaster. Simply by being present, the god's influence will cause great detriment to the human world around it. If a sun god appears the earth can become a scorched hell, if a war god appears war can actually happen, or if a death god appears then pestilence can spread, etc., etc.
Moreover due to the 'twisting' of their [Myths] by both humans and fellow [Gods], they can have many aspect that would easily leads to more influence and powers. The thought of killing such creatures are foolish since mortal weapons and spells can't even scratch them.
Second, about Campione. They are the supreme rulers. Since they can kill a celestial being, he can therefore call on the highly divine powers held by the gods. They are lords. Since the power to kill a deity is in their hands, they therefore have the power to dominate the mortals on Earth.
They are devils. Since they transcends the boundary of reason and common senses by killing a deity, a being that is impossible to be killed, none can oppose them save for other [Campiones] or [Gods]. Those that aren't might as well be ants before them and they can demand the most ridiculous things from them as long as he does his duty of defeating [Heretic Gods]. Which they would have done anyway since most of them are battle maniac.
Third, the current situation. The eldest and cruelest of the current Campiones, Sasha Dejanstahl Voban, is currently hunting a god of flame formerly thought to be of relation to a phoenix that had appeared somewhere in Italy, around Sardinia. The elder Campione had managed to later track him into Boetia and later confront him here in the foot of Mount Parnassus, in Phocis.
The god seems to not want anything to do with fighting and all he did was evading the battle lusting Campiones attacks, occasionally burning one of his minions that got too close to him until I disturbed them just when they both decided to try to trade punches.
Under normal condition such a thing would guarantees a horrible death for me and a horrible punishment for her blunder, however due to the god using that time to escape he didn't have time to do so.
"However, as I have said, Lord Voban is known as extremely cruel to the pint of titled [Balkan's Devil]. I would like you to immediately leave for both of our sake. If you do not comply, then I shall force you to, I cannot guarantee your health in that case however."
~A knight's Honor (Vs Liliana)~
{Music : Hiroari Shoots a Strange Bird by 雨霧/Amagiri (Cherry Petal Illusionary Music)}
"With force huh… then why don't you try? Show me your best!"
I have been really bored back before I had been summoned to Little Garden.
After all even the strongest martial artist of Japan, Naoe Momoyo, formerly Kawakami Momoyo, was unable to defeat me. She was strong but she said that my ability seems to disrupt her Chi so she can't properly use her Regen skill or something. On that note currently I'm a bit high since I had just beaten Shiroyasha yesterday.
Well, it was a pure physical contest and I had already grown stronger and used it too, but that's not the point. The thing is, I might become a bit 'loose' and slightly lose control of myself here.
"You seems to be strong so don't fall too quickly, I am after all among the strongest in this world and my blood a bit rushed right now!"
I shouted as I jumped and kicked downwards at her but she quickly evaded.
"Chi, don't say that I haven't warned you. My wings. Steel that becomes the form of my phantom blade! Il Maestro, grant me power!"
Ooh, summoning a sword from thin air, neat trick. But that won't be enough!
"No, no, you got it all wrong. It's not that you warned me, it's that I who had warned you! I am not kidding when I said I'm among the strongest!"
I quickly dashed to in front of her. She widened her eyes in surprise but managed to block a quick yet weak left jab I thrown at her. It thrown her away about 6 meters. While she's surprised, I immediately rushed to her left side.
"Say, isn't it a waste? You're not half bad and you seems to be a righteous person too. Why serve such a useless master?"
It puzzled me a bit. I think someone like her would rather choose an honorable master than someone as atrocious as that Voban oldie.
"A knight cannot choose its master!"
"Heh, you got that wrong. A true knight would only serve a worthy master. His honor is more important than anything! He would rather die than serve an unworthy lord, no matter what other reason that may try to force to do such a thing, his honor is still more important!"
Indeed, a knight's life revolves around their honor. Whether in western or eastern with the samurai's bushido, it's still about honor even if the method is different. One thing that is the same is that true knights and samurai would only pledge to a worthy lord which they will then serve in their whole life, should he fall later on, then they would try to correct their master's mistakes even if they would die doing so.
And she was doing the whole knight business wrong by saying that. I just did her a favor and point it out for her. While still fighting, of course.
Her mind should be rather chaotic right now but she still fights back with all her ability. Her skill, it was truly worthy of praise. I've seen many sword masters both in this world and Little Garden. Asuka had gotten quite good at using swords but she still holds no candle to her in terms of pure skill. She can react nicely even while her minds is not exactly on focus right now.
That didn't mean that she wasn't having a hard time though. Parrying is not possible thanks to my strength so she would only block when she have to and avoid the others.
Sidestepping to her right when I launched a left hook, ducking my right jab, blocking my leg sweep but immediately used the knockback to add more distance. Even if she was losing when I was still holding most of my strength – although not as much for my speed – she is fighting back quite nicely. Even more importantly is that while she is losing, she is doing it with absolute grace and beauty.
Both of us knew who would win. And yet she chooses to go down fighting. I guess that talk about knight's honor got into her head huh. Well, that's very good! It's more interesting this way!
I felt a smile, not a simple chesire smile but a slasher smile crept into my face. I amend my statement two years ago, my world is not as boring as I thought. It might be interesting had she had the time to prepare herself but no use crying over spilt milk.
"Kuh… Wings of Artemis, grant me the blessing of the flight!"
Was that another magic? Oh, she used a spell, it seems to be a spell to jump or to fly, probably the later. She use it to make some distance between us. Guess she's making some time to prepare herself. Sure, why not give her? If anything it'll make this fight more interesting.
"This next spell might kill you, I shall ask again, won't you just leave quietly?"
She asked of me. That's a foolish question. The answer was obvious... My answer was a simple snort.
"I see… then, prepare yourself! From the blood of the slain, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back! From the fat of the mighty, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied! Oh, For I wonder if the heroes have fallen in the midst of the battle. Jonathan's Bow, for you are a vessel of the hero, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions! With all speed, dispatch your enemy!"
Hoo, even I can feel the power she's gathering. Her sword then become a bow. Four arrows are shot from it at the same time. It seems to be strong but… "Not happening!" I simply just smash it with my hands. All of the arrows shatters like it was made of glass.
"Impossible! Those arrows, they are strong enough to harm gods! Just what…"
She was at a disbelief at my power, she then keep shooting arrows at me, which I just punch into pieces. As she was starting to regain her focus, I was already running near her. She immediately turned her bow back into sword.
"Just one bored guy looking for some fun."
However, I have been playing for too long. It is time for me to end this.
"Well, that was pretty good but it's about time I finish this."
I finally reached her who was preparing to defend. I then simply just kicked upwards with my left leg to the hand that held her sword with greater strength and speed than before.
Surprised by it, she could only put a shocked face as her sword flew out of her hand, spinning around in the air vertically and finally landing on the ground the sharp point first. It won't be cool if it isn't so I deliberately tried to make it like that.
The same kick also disturbed her balance since she was in the process of doing a heavy strike at me, just little 'poke' on her right leg and she fell. I then put my foot just to the left of her neck.
"So, you still want to continue?"
"…And why should I? I would lose in the end anyway and also I am indebted to you for pointing my mistake."
Wow, now that's new, a person thanking me for ass-kicking them. Are you M or something?
"Of course not! It's just that I really think that I am wrong in simply just going along with my grandfather and be his knight even if it benefits our organization very much."
So she was told by her granddad to do it huh. On that note she's quite cute when panicking.
"W-What are you saying?!"
"…what, shouldn't you be flattered? I am calling you cute."
"Of course I am, but-"
"You can complain later but first, here."
I gave her a hand and help her stand. She then dusted her clothes off. Hm? Oh, she's blushing. Could this be something like 'Liliana First Flag GET!' or something like that? Meh, Whatever.
"While I think that you should try to find a good master to serve, I think you should stand by for a while and search for the correct master before rebelling unless you really have to."
It's all useless if she died doing it after all. Besides, modern knight shouldn't be too uptight. She was about to protest but I interrupted her.
"So, isn't time you show yourself, slimy flame god?"
"Huh?"
She looked confused when I said that and try to follow my gaze and see something unexpected there.
{Music: Lord of Neatherworld (Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne)}
The flame god that I know to have never escaped from here appeared again in the place I'm looking at. He was mostly transparent and undetectable before and even now, but at least he's visible now. So let's see, he can become transparent, use and control fire to the point of able to emulate phoenix wings, and can make clone huh? Troublesome, though admittedly, interesting.
"Ohoho, how did you know I am still here? I have the trait of Anonymity and I have made that that second body was completely like myself to the extent of having exact aura signature, so how did you found me?"
"That's easy, most people would only look for the aura to find out if it's real or not, I myself would have been tricked if I did that but I didn't.
I was interested in knowing not how powerful you are but how dangerous you are if I try to take you on. Surprisingly that clone's power level while extremely high, it had a low danger level.
Then I noticed during the battle that this place felt slightly more dangerous than your clone. When I realized that you're here, I could then see you."
The guy looks pleasantly surprised and then laugh heartily, if a bit madly.
"Hm, ahaha, ahahahaHAHAHA! I see, I see! I've never noticed that flaw. Yes, yes, for people with extremely high instinct for danger such as Campione, they might notice it if they don't immediately try checking the aura's signature. Never once have someone tried such a thing thus I never notice it myself!"
"So, do you want to fight or something? I'm quite interested in testing my abilities against a God."
It might be interesting, even if I die doing it. Our cute littlreknight has a different idea however. But even when was about to protest…
"What!? Are you c-" "Very well. I am rather interested myself."
Liliana could only gape her mouth and look at both of us. Both of us were smirking at the prospect of battling each other. On my side, I want to see the power of this world's gods, on his side he's curious about me who managed to find a flaw in his stealth. Oh yeah, we're both enthusiastic about this idea.
"You can't possibly be serious! Are you crazy!? He's a god, he's not something a human can fight!"
"Well, what if I have a way of fighting it then?"
"Oh, interesting. Then we should fight at sunset, at the city of Panopeus. Ask the girl how to get there."
Panopeus? Does he have a connection with it? Wait, Panopeus, flame god, Greek. I see, it was kind of obvious but since everyone thought he appeared at Sardinia they hadn't thought that it might be Greek in origin.
"Heh, well see you later then Prometheus-san."
Snorting, he then became transparent again and leave immediately, although the Divine Space hasn't disappeared yet. Probably because Voban is still chasing his clone.
"So, can you tell me how to get there? And don't waste your breath, you can see that I won't change my mind."
"…You… have you lost your mind? That, that man, is a GOD. You are a HUMAN. There's no way for you to win against him."
Then what about those Campiones?
"They're… they are exceptions…."
"That's not a valid argument there. If they could, then logically speaking, anyone could, right? On that note, I really do have a way of beating him, don't worry about it."
I said that but I know he is beyond my level. Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when the time comes. And hopefully that bridge won't be the same as the one in Mount Osore (read: the Sanzu River). Then again, since it's me, I probably have too much sin and won't be allowed to cross using the bridge.
"You… you're the same as those two… As idiotic as Salvatore Doni, as stubborn as Erica Blandelli, and as crazy as both…"
"Is that so? I'd like to get acquainted with them if I could. So, ready to tell me now?"
"I still think it's idiotic, but I'll tell you." She then take out a phone and show me the entrance to Panopeus and how to get there. Apparently there's a strong magic seal on the stairs which lead to the now-buried-under-the-ground city but it should have disappeared if he really is challenging me.
"Alright, thanks for the tip. This where we split, you still need to find the suitable master and stay alive so you will need to return to him while I need to answer his challenge. You would die if you follow me, whether I win or lose, either because of Voban or from crossfire."
"Even so…"
"I picked this fight and I want to finish it. And to bring a beautiful young maiden such as you into it when it might harm you would leave a bad taste in my mouth." While blushing, she tried to open her mouth again.
She really is the stubborn type. Troublesome, but not exactly unwelcomed. Should I concede to her wish though...?
1. Let her come
2. Do this alone
...
Well, I may be an inconsiderate guy sometimes but even so, I have my limitations and standards.
I won't let her come.
"Also I have a pride as man too you know, isn't fair for me to keep my pride when you keep yours?"
With that kind of argument, she just can't help but concede. More importantly, she doesn't need to get dragged into this just because of my recklessness. Though it may be not much, I still have the decency not to harm or drag innocents to danger just because of my fun.
"*sigh* Fine. Still, I shall ask for another mage organization to check on you there by midnight. Sakamaki-dono, please stay alive so I may repay my debt."
She turn around seemingly preparing to leap or dash. But I stopped her and throw her my headphone.
"Keep it safe will you? Wouldn't want it to get broken again from the fight, it was hard enough repairing it from last time. And you yourself stay safe so I may use the favor."
Nodding, she then leapt into the sky and flied away. Not long after that the Divine Space disappeared and the color went back from orange-ish to normal while the heat is replaced with fresh winds. Taking a deep breath to refresh myself, I then head to the place of my death match with a god.
Heh, this party's keep getting more and more interesting.
~Prelude to Genesis~
[Location: Underground City Panopeus (15:33)]
{Music: Sky of Scarlet Perception (Touhou 10.5 Scarlet Weather Rhapsody)}
The entrance to the City was a cavern. It wasn't that wide unfortunately and it's damp too. It makes me feels lazy. Had it was a bit wider, I would've have fun running through it. Running through a small yet not too cramp space is fun. Back at school I often run through the corridor from time to time. Still, the downward angle of the cavern seems too sharp. Hm, 'the Light at the end of the tunnel' eh?
Coming out from the cavern I saw a wide, Underground City. No, scratch that, a wide, Shining, Underground, Capital. It was wide and there are some 5 story buildings. And all of this city, they are all shining. I definitely does not want to meet the people who had lived in here. They must've been sparkling like those Twilight vampires.
Looking up, I saw that the ceiling is quite far up ahead. Calculating the range between the ceilings to the ground up there seems to be only 150m give or take 25.
The reason it was able to hold its weight is probably either due to magic (When there are magic, the handwave 'a wizard did it' is always plausible unless stated otherwise. Convenient.) or maybe because it was made of some ridiculous material capable of supporting its weight and who-knows-how-many tons of the weight of the things on the surface (despite the illumination from the shining city, the ceiling's pitch black in color).
Oh and there's a fading relief on the ceiling. It seems to be a figure with many wings and heads, two each, maybe more since most of them has faded.
Well, whatever, my purpose here is neither sightseeing nor admiring the city. Nope, it was to kick some flame god's ass. Oh, I know he's still beyond me, even if I had managed to defeat Shiroyasha, but isn't that the challenge
The reason why I didn't fight her the first time around was because I know she's beyond me and I still have other opportunity to do so after gaining more power and experiences. This time? It's a once in a lifetime chance. If I don't challenge him here and now, that Sasha old head would've defeat him before I have the chance to do so.
Five minutes later, I found a coliseum in the middle of the city. It's very similar to the one in Rome, but this one looks stronger and obviously, shinier. Honestly, what's with this city?
All this shiny and glittering are starting to creep me out. If it was from some orb, lamp, or fire then it's fine, but it's the buildings and grounds themselves that is emitting those lights. It reminds me of stars since star emits light instead of reflecting them like most other astronomical objects.
The unnatural coldness of this place aren't helping either. Usually places with a lot of light are hot, but here it's cold like it was winter. Is this really a place connected to a flame god?
Finally reaching the arena, I saw the flame god in the center and once again I must admit, he got some style. Most people would wait their enemy in impatience or in solemn. Him? He's sitting on a cool chair that looks like a king's throne while drinking coffee. And by the smell, it was those damn expensive Luwak Coffees.
"Yo, Prometheus, you got another glass of those coffee?"
"Hm, oh, you're here. Yep sure, here."
He materialized another glass and I take it while rising and eyebrow.
"What? You should be courteous to your guest, especially if you're a god, right?"
Yeah, I agree with him. Seeing his attitude seems like we're of the same wavelength. Too bad we're going to be fighting to the death soon.
"Yeah, too bad indeed. But at least we're going to have fun, right?"
Of course we will. If you're going to do something, then make sure that it's fun. Don't do it if you won't enjoy it. If you don't then you better have good reason to do it. That's the motto of people like us.
"So, what exactly is your reason to battle me? Other than because it's fun and interesting of course."
"It's easy, 'cause I'm really bored. Against those Campiones, if that Sasha old bastard is a standard then there's probably only one or two that I can battle against and win. Against normal people? I can easily defeat them with my Gift."
"Gift?"
"Something like those [Authorities] but I had it since I was a kid. Never really found out what exactly it was or how it works, but it gives me the strength to destroy heaven and earth and also other's gifts. What I know is that it makes me stronger than most people, or any other creatures out there."
"Boredom from being too strong huh? However, unlike the recently defeated Veretheragna, you don't seek defeat. You simply just seek fun and challenges. I see, I see."
He then stood up,
"Well, I guess that's enough talk I guess, now then, have at you!"
He shouted and thrown his cup at me which I evaded by tilting my head. I wonder did he played Akumajou Densetsu or something?
~The Flames of the Great Star (Vs Prometheus)~
{Music: Beauty as a Beast by Sadohara Kaori (Mondaiji-tachi Insert Song)}
Emitting a huge Aura, he declared,
"Thy who choseth to challenge this one, demonstrate thy strength and intellect lest I burn thou with these flames of heaven!"
Before then emitting a very bright and hot flame. So those are the divine flames of the gods, huh, not bad. Not bad at all.
I dashed behind to evade the flames he emitted.
"No, it's you who should show your strength. Not that it matters since in the end, I'm the one that's going to leave a footprint on your face!"
I declared back to him. Flexing my arm, I dashed and put out the flames using my gift.
"Thou shalt not underestimate the power of we, the Gods! For we art those who rules over mankind!"
He replied while covering the ground around him with blue flames and shooting me with barrages of white flames.
"Heh, that sort of thing doesn't matter, since there are none who rules over me!"
Each and every flames he threw, I smashed it with punches powered by my gift.
My gift, even the Laplace Fragment of Little Garden doesn't know what it is. Laplace was a great scientist, even called the Newton of French. He is very pivotal to the advance of statistics. One of his works was about the Laplace's Demon, which in summary says that if something knows everything about the present then it is possible to calculate everything about the past and the future.
If the Laplace in the 'Laplace Fragment' was really related to it, then for it to not know anything means that my gift was truly foreign and alien.
Still, doesn't mean that I didn't know how to use it. It's simple actually, it creates force fields that generates kinetic energy and destroys other gifts or things created by it.
I could control the generated kinetic energy completely, whether I want it to be strong, weak, piercing, smashing, limited spreading, spread through all part of the object, things like that.
The destroying other gift part happens gradually, weakening it with each hit although I can make it so strong it can annihilate gifts in a single strike.
The force field itself could be used as a fireball like projectile or armor, but I mostly only use it on my body, similar to how electricity moves your body, it's easier and feels more natural that way.
I simply use it to destroy these flames, which seems also counts as something created by a gift. Authorities and Gifts are more similar than I thought, I guess.
After punching 5 of those flames – which were damn hot I tell you – I jumped into the air. Those blue flames were definitely hot, there's no way I would approach him from the ground which is covered in it, that was why I jumped high to the air, flipping and punching all the flames he shot at me while getting closer to him.
Once we got close enough, I punched at him while he also punched back. Then, he went away a bit far from me, while spreading more flames to the ground. I put away the flames around me with a sweep of one spin kick, but damn it's still hot. If we keep going by this pattern, the whole arena would either be full of flames or too hot. Then I have to do a rapid attack with no chance for him to move around.
Once again I went into the air, this time with a much quicker diving kick.
It's convenient that I could use my gift to create kinetic energies as a propulsion device. It allows me to move my body faster and in ways that no other people can. With that, many techniques that cannot be done in the real world can be done, like diving kick. If I apply it into my enemies, juggling them in the air aren't anything hard to do at all.
Hm? He didn't evade it? Instead he blocked with his right hand and charged his left hand with fire. He punched me with it, it doesn't hurt me too much but I had to use both hand to block it and also fell into the ground which is covered in the hot blue flames. I immediately extinguish them with a sweeping kick. While it prevents me from getting burned, the heat still stays around me thanks to convection.
"…Interesting. Thy so called 'Gift' couldst weaken mine's Authority."
Oh? So, it can, huh? Now that I look at it, the flames had become slightly less hot and bright. Still, this guy is starting to get on my nerve.
"Oi! Stop shooting and flying around and come here! I can't fly, you know!"
"Ahahahahaha! Surely thou jokes. I art a long-range fighter and one who fight with intellect! Still, for once, I shalt fight closely. Thou art the first person this one hast ever fought this way, do not disappoint."
He then land on the ground, and then he called upon flames that covers his whole body. After a moment of silence, both of us dashed toward the other. We traded punch many times. He seems to be boosting the power of his punches with combustions from the flame.
"ORAORAORAORAORA!"
I kept on punching at him despite the heat of the flames. If I didn't coat my hand with my Unknown Gift, it would've been toasted minutes ago.
Also, I had to use extra effort in using my Unknown Gift since I need to disperse the heat transferred into the air around me. Honestly, this is bad, in a battle of endurance, I would most likely lose. His Authority might be getting weaker and weaker as time goes, but at the rate this is going, I would've ran out of stamina first.
So, I made a gamble. I didn't block his punch this time. Damn, it hurts even with my Unknown dampening the force of the punch. It's like his hand was a pile bunker or something. Well, that made mine's comparable to a pile bunker too since our physical strength was pretty much equal. Physical defense? Not so much.
I could dampen the force of the strikes and to a degree repulse it with my Unknown Gift, he however, can't. That was the purpose of this gamble. To create an opening that I can use to strike with all my might.
When I didn't block back then, I had already been charging both hands with power as much as I can. I won't hold back here, I won't make it a knockback, strike, or spreading attack. No, I'm making it piercing, to have a high pressure and low spreading. I attacked right before the opening was closed.
"HAAAAA!"
*BOOM*
"Guah!"
It connected. But the sound, it wasn't the sound of flesh being pierced, nor did my hand managed to stab into him. No, that punch was somehow blocked, that was why he was thrown back instead of stabbed by my hand. He didn't block it with his hand, no, I was sure of it. It must be some sort of magic, a trick, a barrier of sort.
"Oi, oi, oi! I thought you were going to fight fist-to-fist!? You cheated just now."
"Gaha, *cough**cough*, that was because I thought you were a normal human. But this power, it is comparable to the strength of Hercules. It was a good thing that I took precaution by preparing a light-barrier."
He's back to speaking normally again. Was that old English speak just an act?
"Yep, *cough*, I'm not a conventional god, speaking like that was quite a pain but well, as one of the eldest gods I thought I should have some style. In any case, I shall go seriously now. I won't fly too high but I will use my other Authorities since my current Authorities has been weaken too much to be effective"
Once he said that, a dome made of darkness covers the whole arena while the ground was covered in ice. How the hell did Prometheus, a god of fire, thievery, and tricks able to control darkness and ice? No, it wasn't just darkness, he could control light too since he said he used a 'light-barrier'.
"What the hell? Aren't you Prometheus? Aren't these beyond your authority?"
"Ah, yes, myths of the olds tend to be twisted, thus we might gain new aspects and authority. The clues for the aspect I am using were spread in this city."
He smirked as he said that to me. Spread around here? Wait, that engraving in the ceiling! What was it again? I remember that it had heads and wings but many of it has faded into the darkness of the ceiling. I tried to recall more details from the faded parts. The heads… there were two, no, three. The wings… at least four. Three heads, at least four wings, darkness.
Oh! I understand it now. So that was why this city was shining like a star and is very cold.
"I see. You were not just Prometheus! As time passes the unknown hero, the ultimate martyr of the old who brought flames, light, and freedom was twisted by the Christians into the tales of Satan and Lucifer!
Just like Prometheus, he challenged God. Some said that he did it for the sake of freedom, others said because of pride, what is the same is that he was then defeated, fallen, and chained into a place until the time comes for him to be freed!
Your myth has been twisted from the heroic god into the fallen devil!"
"AHAHAHA! Very good, very good! I see that you have some brains, but I wonder, would knowing my aspects help you at all?"
As he said that a 'star' lit in the sky, it then shot itself into me though I punch it. It wasn't just light or something, it was a freeze bomb coated by a light-barrier. This will be hard.
"I will give you ten second to prepare yourself."
He added as numerous stars lit in the darkness of the sky. I immediately unfroze my hands with my Gift.
"This is the first barrage, try not to get yourself killed too quickly."
*SHOOT**SWISH**BOOM**BANG**BOOM**SWOOSH*
Dammit! This is like playing a Bullet Hell Game without any way of shooting! And he also have many types of shots too. Freeze bomb, icicles, ice stones, combustions, flames, pure darkness, and pure light. I tried to evade most of them and punch the others, but some of them were quite unnoticeable. The frozen ground doesn't help either.
I evade to the left, away from a dark shot. I do not want to find out the effect of that shot. I then punched another shot which was a freeze shot and immediately unfreeze myself. I wasn't fast enough however as an icicle came to me, forcing me to punch it with still frozen hand. The force and the fact that I haven't properly unfreeze it shredded my left hand.
Viewing my surroundings, I saw that most of the shots were aimed around me. That was why, I jumped.
Many missed me and some were re-aimed to shoot upward into me. I used the ice stones and icicles to move around and evade the other shots and then I dropped into the ground, passing a flame shot which slowed me down enough to miss the combustion shot below it but still fast enough not to get shot by the light shot. It seems that I made through the first barrage.
"Oho. Very good indeed. To think that you actually managed to get pass the first barrage. But how will you fight now? Your left arm is wounded quite badly."
"What are you talking about? This is the perfect handicap for this fight!"
"Hoh. You really like to talk big. You will not win unless you use your full strength, hum-."
*FWOOSH*
My attack missed. Chi, what an annoying guy.
"Talking isn't a free action, you know."
Thought I could use it as an opening to attack. This guy seems to be at least as smart as me, combined with the fact that he has more experience than me and a long-range specialist, he's among the worst possible enemy I could have fight.
But…
Isn't that the fun?
{Music: Flames Within These Black Feathers by Merami (palette)}
It's exactly because he's not a weak enemy that I want to battle him. This world, I thought it was boring. But if there are a lot of strong people like him, than I have to revise my opinion. This world is FUN!
*SWOOSH**BAM*
"Gahg-"
In my ecstasy, I jumped toward him in a speed higher than I ever used before. I managed to hit him this way. But instead of punching him or using my Gift to seal or destroy his Authority, I chose to have fun.
*CRUSH**CRACK**CRACK*CRACK*
"AHAHAHAHA, AHAHA, AHAHAHAHAHA!"
I laugh madly as I drag him across the floor. I use my wounded left hand to drag him across the floor. The pain doesn't even register in my mind 'cause I am having so much fun right now. This is it. This is what I look for, something that surpassed me. The people that I fought in Little Garden might have been strong, some were hard to defeat, but this guy, I don't have a single chance against him.
Against Shiroyasha I still have a chance no matter how small, this guy however, against this guy the condition's stacked too much against me that I can't even see victory at all.
For someone who had always won, someone who was born winner like me, this is the ultimate delight. To find something beyond you, better than you, impossible to conquer, and then ACTUALLY BEAT IT. THAT is the ultimate fun for people like me.
*THROW**BAM*
"*cough**cough*, have you went mad or anything?"
"No—"
I smiled the widest slasher smile I've ever worn.
"—Not at all. I am just, having fun!"
I jumped towards him but he already called another barrage of projectiles against me. HAHAHAHA! That doesn't matter I'll just have to crush them all with my hands, if not, with my feet, honestly even my head would the job just fine. I will not let anything stand between me and my fun.
*BANG**CRASH**BOOM**SHATTER*
"…Are you really human?"
He asked me that question. I've been asked that question so many times now. Honestly, as of now, I'm not so sure whether I am still human or not.
"Don't—"
I said as I ducked below the barrage, then punched to the left.
"—even know, myself!"
Jumping using an icicle, I then dive kicked into an explosion shot.
"Taxonomically still human, though."
Still, by now I already have so many wounds I should've already fallen. Guess madness has it perks, huh? He immediately add some distance between us after seeing me like this.
"…Oi."
"What?"
"Aren't you bored too? I can see that you're always thinking and making plans to win since physically you're not as strong as many other gods. Don't you ever want to just go wild without thinking about anything? Other gods and Campione might be stronger than you, but against me, we're evenly matched if we both go wild. So, how about it?"
"…hm, ha, ahaha, AHAHAHAHA! That is indeed a very good idea. I see, we're the same, huh? Just a trickster who wanted some fun. Since you want it so much…"
Both light and darkness gathers around him, forming six black and white wings. Then, he turns into a blue skinned giant with six wings. So he's going to use all of his power, huh. Alright, you're on, Prometheus.
"Let us…"
"Have some…"
""FUN!""
Both of us then jumped towards each other, punching. Both of us punched, none of us dodged. I dampened his punch with my Gift while he's strong enough to endure my punch. Both of our punch are strong enough to kill normal people. Good thing that neither of us were 'normal' nor exactly 'people'.
"Gah!""Ugh…"
After backing away a bit and spitting the blood in our mouth, we once again move forward to punch the enemy. This time we didn't back away. That would be a complete waste of time. Instead, we simply just keep barraging punch towards each other, sometimes we add some kicks and head-butts too when we want it.
It isn't just normal attacks though. I used my Gift more than I usually does, it's at the point where it's hurting me even with my euphoria suppressing most of the pain. He on the other hand, combines all of his Authorities into his hands to power his punches. We're doing this while making a twisted smile on our faces.
This god… despite all of his legends its twists, his core was of fire and trickster. A passionate and burning fire that turns everything into ashes. A mischievous god who likes to play tricks just for fun and do some pranks because of boredom. Just like me. Me who was at the top of the world until recently. Me who search for anything fun to alleviate my boredom of sitting at the top. Both of us, we're the same.
*BAM**BOOM**BANG**BLAM*
We're just punching each other but the sounds make it seems that this is a war. This might be battles between gods or Campiones sounds like. It's interesting but honestly, I don't think I can keep up with the stronger gods and Campiones.
As of now, most of my bones have been broken. My attacks are getting weaker and weaker as time passes by. He too is getting exhausted and his attacks has been getting weaker and weaker. Most likely thanks to my Gift slowly destroying his Authority. And then, he shattered.
*CRACK**CRACK**SHATTER*
"Huff, huff…"
He returned into his normal form, huffing and exhausted. But not defeated.
*PUNCH**PUNCH*
I don't care about him being tired and weakened so I just went ahead to attack him. On the other hand, he's not as tired as I thought and tried to catch me off guard with his wounded form. That's why we both punched each other in a cross-counter. Instead of backing away, we grabbed each other's clothes and continue pounding our faces. After one strong punch we both back away.
"Huff, huff…" "Hah… hah…"
"You're… damn strong, human… no… what was your… name again? Ah yes... Sakamaki Izayoi."
"You're not… half *cough**cough* bad yourself, Prometheus."
"No… Prometheus is not my real name…"
"Then… what is?"
"I… am nameless *cough*. I came from before the concept of name existed…"
"…The fire worship."
"Yes… you might as well call me Egni, Paewr, Ignis, Pyr, Agni, Belenus, Svarog, heck… even Hestia, Vesta, Vulcan, and Hephaestus. Much of me, of the fire, has been separated or added, stolen and returned. But in the end… I am the Flame that is elder than even the concept of Hell. The flame that burns everything, the flame of light that is always pure and purifying."
"A nameless god… a nameless Flame…"
"Yes. But it seems that I will face my death here."
He stood straightly now.
"In all my battles I have always been able to create victory or at least a draw. But this fight, though I would most likely die here… it seems to be the most fun. Now then Izayoi…"
He spoke that name with a soft tone… like addressing an old friend…
"It is time to finish this."
Yes. The time has come. Will this be the end of everything? Or will this be the prelude into an Epic? The moment of truth is upon us.
He gathers flames in his hands. He doesn't even use his other Authorities anymore, no, this flame isn't even an Authority. It is all of his essence, the essence of the worshiped Fire. Then… I too have to use all of my power… my life. I gather all of my remaining power with all my will into my hand. The force field which is usually colorless now has a blue color and looks like a flame. Flame versus flame. How, fitting.
None of us knows who will emerge victorious, or if any of us will win at all. At first it seems impossible to defeat him. Then after we both went wild without thinking anything at all, I managed to weaken him greatly while I gained a mortal wound but still able to fight.
The fight definitely did not gone as anyone would have thought. As such, the end result is truly Unknown at this point. The flames within these hands are the ones that will decide the outcome.
""HAAAAAAAH!""
"SAKAMAKI IZAYOI!"
"PROMETHEUS!"
Our fists met. The world become white and silent. And then, an unearthly explosion came.
*SHIIING**KAABOOOOOOMM*
The world become black and we fell.
"Did—Gahag! Did I win…?"
"No… It is… a mutual defeat… nay, a mutual victory… for us both."
"I… see…"
I then fell unconscious… no, I most likely died. But before I am fully dead, I heard him saying something to me.
"Sakamaki Izayoi… you have my approval. Take this flame… this light… this darkness… everything! And go forth, pave your own road… but… you shall not be alone… I shall accompany you in this journey… Let us be revived together… BY THE CURSE OF MY SISTER!"
I then lost my consciousness, my life, my everything. But… I felt not a single fear, only peace. My wish has been realized… the ultimate fun… has been gained… I have won…
~Birth of a New Star~
[Location: Boundary of Life and Immortality]
{Music: The Gensokyo That Floats in Outer Space (Trojan Green Asteroid)}
Just when I was feeling a huge amount of pain and prepared for death, the pain vanished and replaced by a… calming and serene feeling. Like there is nothing to worry about. I also felt something soft below my head… softer than any pillow I've ever used.
After a while, I opened my eyes. To my surprise, there is a woman with violet hair tied in a twin-tail hairstyle in front of me with a soft expression on her face. She reminds of the Pandora trapped within the Black Library from Dantalian no Shoka for some reason.
"…Who are you? …And shouldn't I be dead already?"
"I'm the all-giving woman, Pandora, also a true goddess unlike those Heretic Gods! As for why you're not dead, that's because you're being revived as one of my children, a god-slayer! That's why, you must call me Mama, alright?"
…Oh, well she IS Pandora. So that's why. Not as cute as the Dantalian version though. Should I humor her? Sure, why not?
"Sure, Mama."
"Of course you w- wait, did you really call me Mama?!"
"Yep. What, shouldn't I?"
"No, no, *hic*"
Did she cried?
"It's just that none of my children has ever called me Mama *sob*."
She really cried. Well, it makes sense that no one would call a person you just met as Mama.
"Ah… Epimetheus, finally we have a good child among who would call me Mama~." Now she's just being too dramatic.
"Oi little sister, shouldn't you start explaining the situation to him?" I hear another voice and saw… Prometheus.
"Brother-in-law, you don't understand at all, after more than two millennia, someone finally call me Mama now. Ah~ I can now die happily."
I sweat drop at that. Too over-dramatic.
"When you are practically a shinigami."
"No, I'm not! I am just a goddess who happens to reside in the Netherworld!"
…Wow, what a lovely close-knit family
"Are you blind?"
Situation-wise? Yes, considering that the people who were supposed to explain the situation to me were busy in some sort of ex-lover quarrel.
"Gah, don't remind me of that!" Wait, I was right? So Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Pandora were in a love triangle before Epimetheus won? "He cheated. At that time I was under Zeus' punishment."
"Whatever. So, I'm in the underworld now?"
"Ah, not quite. I would say that this place is the Boundary Between Life and Death, although we gods like to call it the Boundary of Life and Immoratality. Think of it as an 'almost-dead' realm or the Sanzu River, Styx River, Acheron River, etc., etc."
Pandora-mama explained to me. Hm, Acheron River-like realm, huh.
"Hee, Acheron River? So, for the ferry ride's cost… do you accept credit card or is it cash only?"
"Eh?"
"Puh- Ahahahaha! You found out that you're in the Netherworld and that's what you say? Now that's new!"
Pandora-mama was caught off guard by that question while Prometheus simply laughed since he know why I asked that question. You see, in an ancient tradition in Greece, people would put coins in the mouth of a deceased. This is to pay the obol, the cost/bribe, to get Charon to ferry you safely through the Acheron River. If myths were real, I do wonder if he would accept credit cards.
Anyway, I need some answer here.
"Heh, yes, yes, whatever you say. Now mind explaining the situation to me? Pandora-mama?"
"Ah, yes! Of course my dear child. You see, a long time ago-"
"Long story short, you killed me, you got my power and revived as a superhuman called [Campione]. Lame name if you ask me."
Agreed and nice explanation, I can piece the other parts myself now. Seems like since I killed him, I am going to be revived as that Campione Liliana had explained. Currently I am in some sort of Purgatory or Limbo of the sort, waiting to be revived.
"Hey, I was just going to explain it!"
"Your version would be too long. I shortened it and he should be able to piece the rest together. Am I right?"
Yep, understood most of this right now.
"Aaah, sheesh! Oh god,"
No, wait, aren't you're a god yourself?
"Why must my nicest child get along with my good for nothing brother-in-law?"
Don't ask me. Wait, she's not. She's asking 'god' whichever this goddess' 'god' is. And to call me a nice child… that's new. I think I should stop this stupid stand-up comedy, though.
"Err, Mama, can you please explain things more clearly to me, please? Without unnecessary details if you can."
I just called her Mama and divert the topic back to what I wanted to know. It wouldn't hurt to know more about the situation.
"Ah, certainly, dear child~. Ahem, well, you see I put a curse on Gods so that when they are killed by human, that human would become a god-slayer and gain the Authority the god commanded. The requirement is to beat that god in a fair fight, as you certainly did. However there is something different with the ritual this time. That would be explained by this problematic brother-in-law since he was the one responsible."
She ended with a sulking face. Different? Prometheus then step forward.
"Well, you see, the reason why I emerged from my myth was because I detected a catastrophe happening in the near future. After I retrieved the grimoire that holds one of my Authority in Sardinia and erasing the holders' memories, I then simply searched for a Campione to entrust my power to fight the oncoming catastrophe.
I was found by that Sasha Campione and then met you. After you have defeated me, I modified the Campione Revival Ritual a little bit. I am after all, one of the people who created the Campione Ritual along with this little sister and that brother of mine. I know the system like the back of my hand."
"That's nice of you to explain the backstory of your appearance and your knowledge of the Campione system, but mind telling me what did you modify?"
"Three things."
Of course, the rule of three.
"First I give you ALL of my power, including attributes, knowledge, and magic. Second your mastery of the Authority I give will start higher than average, allowing you to learn how to use their full potential, use more than one of them, and combine them quickly. Third, and personally the best, you see, the Campione Revival Ritual reforge your soul,"
For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this. That does not sounds good…
"After all, you will have a new body, your soul would reject it since it is not the same one in its memories, reason why all Campione must visit the Netherworld at least once. What I modify in this process is, that I make it so that in the reforging process it would also bind my soul into your soul."
"What."
"The result is that I will also reside in your new body which naturally I also modified to be able to hold me within it."
"WHAT?! You did what without asking me?!"
"I become some sort of alternate personality in your body. Honestly, if I didn't did it, it might've take me… between half to one millennium to be able to reappear. That's just how crazy that Gift of yours is, so it's your fault. I know that you wouldn't mind if I had just asked since we're very similar, but I don't have time to ask you. You've already passed out by then."
"…Chi. Fine, but I want some compensation."
"Of course, I'll help you with all my experience. Even though I said I transferred all of my power, that doesn't include experience, wisdom, and memories. I'm sure there will be times when it will be useful, especially when you would most likely hold back from spamming your Ultimate Attacks."
"Fine… ugh, I'm getting sleepy."
"The revival process should be almost done, then. Unlike other people, you have the ability to remember what happened in here since I am now fused with you.
That's… nice… don't want to forget anything… I found out here… Too sleepy...
"Well then, Sakamaki Izayoi, with this you are now my Eight Child, a Campione, a Rakshasa Raja, a Devil King, a God-Slayer. You are one who will bear the body and power of the righteous Flame known as Prometheus. Congratulations, and good luck."
"Thanks… Later, Mother…"
It was a sincere gratitude, something rare from me. She actually reminds me of Canaria, whom I never had the chance to call as my Mother. I then finally fell asleep.
"It's time for me to go as well. *sigh* You know, you could've told him."
"No, it is not the time yet. I want to just tell him but now is not the time. Maybe if we meet again here or if I ever venture out of this place again. Either way, it will take a while."
"Well, it's your choice. See you later, sister-in-law."
"Yes, brother-in-law, stay safe and don't be reckless."
"Hah! You know me, there's no way I would do that."
…
"I am sorry Izayoi-chan, next time we meet, I promise I would tell you the truth."
To be continued…
Afterword:
And there we go. Finally done.
So, were you able to figure out about Prometheus being Lucifer and Satan before The Reveal? There's a reason why I used Lucifer's theme (Lord of Netherworld) when he re-appeared. On that subject, try reading about Prometheus, then Lucifer/Satan and then switch your PoV of him into becoming a protagonist. I noticed the similarity after playing Nocturne (try reading his Megami Tensei profile) and remembering his name's meaning: Light Bringer. The god who brought fire, the angel who brought light, the devil who brought freedom. Interesting, right?
Now, let's address a few more things:
Voban not noticing Prometheus. Prometheus has an Anonymous trait (I'll explain it more clearly in the chapter after the next) which works similarly to Koumeiji Koishi's stealth ability. To notice him you must actively search him with your five senses. Izayoi got lucky since he noticed something is amiss with the situation and managed to locate him during his fight
Godou won't be appearing until the Perseus Arc. In exchange, he would quickly become more badass and not so slow-witted anymore after that. Ah, yes, I am already breaking a lot of canon and will break even more of them. Most events will at least be modified.
The excuse of Izayoi having to get back was based from Muv-Luv. In there, it's said that Takeru's original world is constantly trying to bring him back to his original world but his presence on the other world is anchored by the memories he shares with his friends there. The pull still exists but to be able to actually bring him back, someone must send him back by making everyone temporarily forget about him. In the case of this story however, the pulls are much more aggressive. After reaching certain limits, it would forcibly pull the person back to where they belong, even if that means killing them.
That's all I think. Oh yeah, I'm making the Foreword for a few answering and explaining while the Afterword is for comments and spoilery explanation.
Extra: Parameters
I am using a different Parameter system from the Fate series. I feel that the one in Fate series only concerns about the Parameters relevant to the Grail War and does not contain other Parameters that is important outside of the Grail War. The 'stats' parameters are all taken from the Wikipedia article Attribute (role-playing games) with minor modification. The 'Personal Skills' and 'Class Skills' are combined into one category, 'Perks' (Yes, I like Fallout) since some of them aren't exactly 'skills' or 'abilities' or 'techniques', so I'm just lumping them into one category.
I am also scaling the ranking into that of the standard in Campione-verse instead of compared to Fate characters or simply how many times it is from normal people (What measure is 'Normal' anyway? Is Chuck Norris 'Normal'?). Also for the magical ones like abilities or spells, it is graded not statistically but based on 'the Power of the Concept Used' which was how Fate/Prototype's Parameter system would've been. For the Campione-verse, in general it's something like this (for the physical/magical ones anyway):
E: Peak Non-Magical Human
D: Mages and Witches in General
C: Minor Divinity
B: Major Divinity
A: Full Divinity
EX: Off the Chart
It's nothing absolute, just a general comparison as even some Gods might have amazingly low parameter, just the standard. In term of speed for example, Speed of Lightning is A+++ which is in average around 87,000 miles per second. Above that would be EX. In terms of Strength, Godou's Bull would be B++ while Melqart's Herculean Strength would be A+. Here's pre-Campione Izayoi for example.
Name: Sakamaki Izayoi
Class: Human (?)
Stats:
Strength: B+ (Even before becoming a Campione, he is strong enough to match blows with some gods)
Constitution: C (Strong enough to endure the strength of most gods)
Dexterity: C (Fast and agile enough to keep up with Black Rabbit who is very fast)
Magic: - (He has no magical ability at all)
Intelligence: B (Has a lot of knowledge and has a high ability to process them)
Charisma: C (Despite his bad attitude, there aren't that much people who hate him and there are quite some people who would follow his instructions)
Wisdom: C++ (Despite his tendency to cause problem, he can be very wise sometimes)
Willpower: D-B+ (If he wants to do something, then it is high, if he doesn't then it is low)
Perception: B+ (His perceptions are very sharp, able to notice even the smallest thing)
Luck: A (A born winner)
Perks:
Eye of the Mind (False): B++ (Able to know the danger level of an enemy/place/situation immediately.)
Magic Resistance: A++ (Only applies when he punches the spell)
Battle Continuation: B+++ (Heightened when excited)
Librarian of Stored Knowledge: B (Has a really good memory bordering perfect memorization. Fitting for one who claims to know a lot of trivia.)
Presence Detection: C (Can detect most magically-concealed people)
Expert of Many Specializations: D+ (Gained from his travels. Includes many survival skills, combat skills, and intelligence skills.)
Nature of a Rebellious Spirit: D (He's rebellious, but he was much more carefree than he is rebellious. As such, his Charisma can affect the ones he wants, but someone of the other side won't be eager to try to get him)
Victorious One: C (A skill gained by those who were born winner or has gained triumph over the hardest foes and obstacles. It lessens the possibility of defeat and heightens the possibility of victory. At his level he will always have a chance to win so long as he is fighting in his best condition.)
Abilities:
- Personal:
/'Code: Unknown': (Rank Unknown)
A mysterious ability that grants him the strength to match the heavens and destroy people's gifts/ability. A passive ability that is always active. It seems to work by creating force fields or a tactile telekinesis around him that generates/repulses a high amount of kinetic energy that also nullifies magic and destroys other abilities.
Works two fold with the field manipulating the energies and also reinforcing his body to handle the stress of such energies. Can be used as a Projectile but is weak when used so. Can also summon a light sword that can slash through anything.
/Convert to Magic Skirt – True Art Requires Imagination: (E)
The prize he asked for winning against Shiroyasha. Basically he can turns anyone's skirt into a skirt 'that is always almost see-able'. Long skirts will become short but the panties inside cannot be seen no matter how hard a person tries to see it. When no subtleties are left, then there is only vulgarity of panties behind. That is why, a true art requires you to imagine and venture into the unknown.
First Published: April 1st, 2013
Last Edited: June 17th, 2013