Long Shadows Over Mahora
Chapter Two: Unlikely Visitation
Why does he have to drone on so…?, thought Asuna, as Negi continued his lecture.
Not that Asuna was the most attentive student even on her best days, but today she was particularly distracted. Ever since the incident ten days ago, Negi had been acting strangely. Yes, the doctors released him the week after the incident as promised, and Negi seemed to be in good sorts, but there was something off…
The bells rang, signalling the end to the period and—by extension—the end of Friday's classes. The girls clamoured and called to each other, exchanging plans for the weekend while Negi tried, and failed, to remind them about their homework for the weekend.
The class quickly cleared out, leaving only a few stragglers: Asuna, Konoka, Setsuna, and Negi, as well as Makie, Yue, Nodoka, and Haruna. Negi cheerfully placed his books and papers in a briefcase as Asuna approached him. "Hey, twerp."
Negi stopped, one hand in his bag. He recognized the look on Asuna's face: she thought something was amiss, and wouldn't stop questioning him until he confessed.
"I'm fine, Asuna," he said, still cheerful. Asuna's eyes narrowed.
"Why do you think that I'm worried about you, twerp?" she snapped. Negi blinked, weighing his response.
"Um, Asuna-san, the look on your face is—"
"What look?" she barked.
"…That look," Negi replied warily.
"This is not a look! It's my face!" Asuna retorted.
"Well, it's the look on your face…" Negi said, at a loss.
"Hahaha! In yo' face!" Haruna called from her seat.
"Shut up, Haruna!" Asuna yelled at her. "I'm trying to interrogate—er, talk with Negi, and you're not helping!"
"Really, Asuna, I'm quite all right." Negi grasped her wrist gently. "I know you're worried about what happened last week, but I'm doing well and there's no need to be concerned—"
"I'm not worried about you!" Asuna cried, blushing just a little bit. "Just… You know I'll help you if you have any problems—"
"I know you will, Asuna-san" Negi said softly. "You'll always be there for me, so I don't have to worry."
He released her and finished packing his briefcase. He headed for the door, a thoughtful look on his youthful face, making him seem much older than his years. Asuna grimaced.
"That boy thinks he's so much smarter than the rest of us; it's gonna get him in trouble one of these days…" Asuna muttered under her breath. Haruna sniggered, waltzing down to join Asuna.
"Well, Asuna," the mangaka drawled, "You seem pretty interested in Negi's affairs, don'tcha?"
Asuna blushed angrily. "Well, he's my magical partner, not to mention my frickin' roommate, for cryin' out loud! You'd think I give a care what he's doing with himself! And what about you, Haruna?" Asuna poked an accusing finger into Haruna's breastbone. "Don't you care what happens to Negi?"
"Hey, relax, girl!" Haruna yelped, brushing Asuna's hand aside. "Of course I care what happens to the boy wonder. It's just… I wasn't there when he was attacked, so I don't know all the details—"
"Never stopped you from inventing most of them, now, did it?" came a low voice. Everyone turned in surprise to Setsuna, who had made the comment. She was still in her seat, head bent, cradling Yūnagi in her right arm. Konoka blinked.
"Setchan, what's gotten into you?"
Setsuna raised her head an inch. "Hmm? Why do you ask, Ojōsama?"
"Well…" Konoka trailed off, unsure as to what question she wanted to ask. "You just… so rarely get involved in other people's business—"
"You will forgive me, Ojōsama," Setsuna cut in, "if I believe that Negi-sensei's business is also my business. I cannot ignore the turn of events surrounding the attack on Negi-sensei, nor my failure to protect both you and he."
"Oh, Setchan…" Konoka, eyes full of worry, grasped her friend and bodyguard's hand in both of hers. "You didn't fail us! Why do you think that?"
Setsuna rose and brushed Konoka's hands away distractedly, if not brusquely. "Forgive me, Ojōsama. I have business to which I must attend. If you will excuse me, I will see you later this evening."
Bowing formally to her lady, Setsuna picked up her bag in her left hand, sword slung over her right shoulder, and left through the door. Asuna's eyes blinked rapidly in perplexity.
"That was… unusual," murmured Haruna, none to quietly.
"'Fraid I have to agree with you, Paru," Asuna muttered back. "Something is distracting her… What could it be?"
Makie sidled up to Nodoka and Yue. "Setsuna-san is really scary, isn't she?"
Yue sucked on a juice box and smiled slightly. "Only when she's angry. You wouldn't like her like that."
Nodoka nodded vigorously, leaving Makie perplexed. "Does she get angry?" she asked dubiously.
Yue's face became serious. "Makie, just hope you never have to see it."
Makie nodded furiously, only too ready to agree.
Setsuna reached the southern plaza after about ten minutes' walk. The sun, though past its zenith and westering now, had hours of light left to give. Standing in the silent space, she looked around her slowly, taking in the shade cast by the trees. It was lighter now than when they had been attacked. Perhaps she could discover something…
She sneezed slightly. Someone's talking about me, she thought, but I can't let it distract me now. This is too important.
She set her bag down, shifting Yūnagi's weight so that it dangled at her left side, and reached into a compartment in her bag, rustling about for a moment before drawing out seven long, thin pieces of paper, inked with arcane symbols. They were talismans, for Setsuna was a student of the Gods'-Cry School of swordsmanship, and part of her training was in the Eastern magical art onmyōdō.
As an onmyōji, Setsuna could manipulated her chi and channel it into these ofuda talismans, which she had prepared over the course of the last five days. Often, they were used for warding and protection, and it was in this capacity that Setsuna would employ them now.
She raised her right hand, the seven talismans splayed into a fan. Closing her eyes, she chanted, and as she did, each of the talismans lit up in one colour of the rainbow, flying out to where she called.
God on the left, shield me. God on the right, strengthen me. God in front, guide me. God behind, protect me. God above, watch over me. God below, steady me. Great Buddha, awaken within me.
One by one, the talismans floated to their place, with the final talisman attaching to her chest. Opening her eyes, she looked 'round. She was employing a ring of protection against outside interference; people approaching the plaza would be steered away, their purpose changed to avoid the area. Stronger magical individuals could still approach, but even then, it was unlikely that they would see her, cloaked as she was by her spell. Only the more powerful creatures would be able to get through… She shook her head. Not to worry; she felt no threat here.
The other reason for the ring was to strengthen her own sight. Though skilled and of demon blood, she felt that a little extra help would do no harm. If she could find a clue as to their assailant's identity or motives, she could help Negi-sensei…
Satisfied, she reached into her pocket and drew forth yet another piece of paper. A picture of herself, wings spread and daishō in hand, adorned the pactio card. It was the second sword that she required now: her artefact wakizashi, gifted to her for completing a probationary contract with Negi.
Ironic, she thought briefly, that Negi-sensei's gift—the gift of a sword—should help me discover the reason behind our defeat, when it could not protect us… And as I said: The warrior must also be a scholar. Where martial force fails, knowledge will win out…
Shaking the thought from her mind, she once again closed her eyes and entered into a yogic, trance-like state. Light pooled around her, sunlight and chi. With a whispered "Adeat!", her artefact appeared in her hand. Smaller in size compared to her nodachi Yūnagi, the wakizashi Sica Shishikushiro was the complimentary sword, or shōtō, to her own longsword, or daitō. The Sica was both a weapon and a ceremonial tool, allowing Setsuna to amplify her own Shinmeiryū abilities.
She swung the blade in a lazy arc, clockwise from above her head, bringing Sica back in front of her in a salute. Eight ethereal blades, representing the cardinal points, shimmered into existence before her and flew out to surround her, blades buried up to the guard.
She kissed the blade and stretched her arm before her.
I implore thee: Show me that which is hidden!
The blade shone with inner light. Above her, the sky darkened, and the wind stirred. A blast of inky light erupted from beneath her: a magic circle, but dark purple, and wholly unlike those made by Negi. It was infinitely complex: arcane rune scuttled here and there, refusing to be pinned down by sight. Setsuna, though entranced, recoiled from the sight that burned its way through her eyelids.
Images of destruction and darkness flashed through her mind: flame and ruin, whole planets winking out into nothingness, and a void, stretching to beyond eternity, sucking her in, threatened to collapse her mind, so small next to infinity—
"Setsuna-nee-san!"
Setsuna reeled, eyes snapping open and her breath leaving her in a gasp. She fell back in a heap, her talismans and illusory blades burning out, leaving behind little puffs of smoke and tiny piles of ash. She felt something wiggling beneath her.
"K-Kotarō?" Setsuna gasped. She picked herself up quickly but unsteadily, turning quickly to offer the dog half-demon a hand. Kotarō picked himself up gingerly, rubbing his back. "What are you doing here, Kotarō?" she asked, stunned by the vision that had assailed her and wondering, somewhere in the back of her mind, how he might have broken into her barrier.
"I was lookin' for ya!" Kotarō stated, as though it were obvious. "Somethin's wrong with Negi, an' I thought you might know what."
"Why, has something happened?" Setsuna asked, worried.
"Well, yeah! Somethin' has happened—" Kotarō began.
"What is it?" Setsuna cried, poised as if to take flight any moment.
"Whoa, whoa! Slow down!" Kotarō pleaded. "I mean, it's not that Negi's in a life-or-death situation or anything…"
Setsuna relaxed. "What, then?"
Kotarō frowned. "He's said that he doesn't want to be my rival anymore!"
Setsuna blinked, at a loss to find the meaning behind Kotarō's words. "Um, he doesn't want to be your rival…?"
"Right, right!" Kotarō clenched his fists and began pacing, arms flapping. "We promised that we'd get stronger together! Him an' me! An' I don't know what's got into him! I saw him walkin' outta class, and I challenged him to a fight, like I always do! An' he just smiled like he'd lost all his care, and said, 'Oh, I don't think I can be your rival anymore, Kotarō', AN' JUST KEPT WALKING!"
Setsuna frowned. That was wholly unlike Negi. As logical and thoughtful as Negi was, Kotarō was the exact opposite. Straightforward and rash, Kotarō made the perfect foil for the boy teacher, and they were great friends. Negi and Kotarō had yet to fight the decisive match that would determine which of them was the best; Kotarō and Negi had both been defeated by Ku:nel Sanders in the Budōkai, before either could face each other in the finals. Despite this, however, both maintained their rivalry, training so that when the time came, they would give it their all and determine the best man.
But now, for Negi to so casually push away their rivalry…
"Kotarō," said Setsuna slowly, "how did you get through my barrier?"
"Eh?" Kotarō looked around, finally noticing the burnt earth around them, and the ashen remains of Setsuna's talismans. "That… that was you? I mean, yeah, I saw ya all trance-like, but I thought you were meditatin'. I didn't see you doing any magic…"
Whatever it was that I saw, for it to be able to burn out my talismans and neutralize my own magic, its magic was many times greater than my own. I must be careful indeed. "Kotarō, where is Negi now?"
"I saw him headin' towards the dorms, but…"
"Very well, we shall follow him." Setsuna looked around. Noticing something on the ground, she stooped to pick it up, then gasped, her fingers twitching in shock. It was her pactio card, Sica having changed back to its paper form involuntarily. The edges were crisped and slightly burnt, as though it had been held close to a candle.
"My card…" she whispered.
"Setsuna-nee-san, isn't that your pactio with Negi?" Kotarō asked, perplexed.
"Yes…" Setsuna whispered absently. How dangerous a foe to do this! she thought. Even if it is only a temporary pactio, for it to suffer such damage… "Kotarō," she said, "change of plans. Find Asuna-san and Konoka-ojōsama, and have them meet me in the east courtyard immediately."
"Fine, but what are you—?" Kotarō began.
"I haven't time to explain," Setsuna cut him off. "Please, find them."
Kotarō didn't respond, but bounded away to find the core members of the Negi-gumi. Setsuna hurried to the east courtyard. This is very bad, she thought. Our foe is so very dangerous, and we don't even know who or what he is…
She stopped beneath the shade of a maple, looking around quickly. There were few people here, as she had hoped; they were all probably headed into town or back at the dorms, which meant that it was unlikely for anyone to come upon her and ruin her plans.
"Setsuna-san!" came a voice. Setsuna turned. Negi bounded up with Kotarō in tow.
"I ran into him first, so I brought him here. Is that okay?" Kotarō asked.
"That's fine, Kotarō," Setsuna replied.
"Kotarō told me that you were looking for me and Asuna-san and Konoka-san," Negi panted. "I can summon them for you."
"I would appreciate that, Negi-sensei," Setsuna replied. Truthfully, she hand hoped to speak to Asuna and Konoka first, but it might be easier to get it all out in the open at once.
"I summon thee: Partner Asuna, Partner Konoka!" Negi spoke the words of command; a pair of flashes, and Asuna and Konoka stood before them.
"Setchan?" Konoka looked puzzled. "We only just got out of class; did something happen?"
"Ojōsama, Asuna-san, I am sorry for calling you here so suddenly," Setsuna bowed in apology. "However, I have only just come from visiting the site of the attack on Negi-sensei, and I saw something that—"
A pulse of dark energy swept across the courtyard. The sky seemed to darken overhead, and the wind whistled, screeching across the pavement. Just as suddenly as it had come, it had passed, leaving them shivering in its wake.
"Yah!" Asuna yelled. "What was that?"
"Powerful dark magic," said Negi, a frown creasing his brow. He raised his hand, and from out of nowhere shot his staff, his father's gift. Gripping the shaft in both hands, he closed his eyes and thrust the staff in front of him. Muttering an incantation, a magic circle—topped by a large cardinal point—appeared beneath him. Swirling lazily at first, it picked up speed, whirling faster and faster until it swung to point behind him.
"That way!" He turned around, pointing south. Kotarō cracked his knuckles, a pleased look on his face.
"Alright! We're gonna crack some heads!" He sounded fiercely happy.
"You are not!" Setsuna shot back. Kotarō rounded on her, a plaintive look on his face and in his voice. "Setsuna-nee-san!" he whined.
"No, Kotarō!" she replied. "Go find Kū Fei, Kaede, and Mana. Whether this is the same foe we faced before or something new, we need help if we are to stand even the barest hope of confronting our enemy. Try to find Takahata-sensei as well, if you have time. GO!"
Kotarō sped off, the look of displeasure giving way to one of determination. The others sprinted southward. They came up to an empty building; it had been closed for the last two months due to renovations, and looked deserted.
"Asuna-san, you and I will take point," Setsuna whispered as they approached. "Negi-sensei, stay back and protect Ojōsama."
Negi tightened the grip on his staff, dropping back a metre to stand next to Konoka. Asuna quietly called "Adeat!" to summon her demon-banishing harisen and advanced with Setsuna, who had flicked her sword clear of the guard. Setsuna's eyes narrowed as she peered through the windows. She could see neither light nor shadows from within, but that meant nothing. There were many magical beings that could cloak their presence, even from an experienced demon-hunter.
"I'll go in first," Setsuna relayed telepathically, "Asuna, cover me and keep between me and Negi. If they get past me, you're the second line of defence."
"I've got your back," Asuna replied. Despite her misgivings about Setsuna's attitude following the last attack, Asuna was relieved that Setsuna was still acting in character.
Setsuna raised her blade to a ready position. "I'll cut through the door first with Zanmaken Ni-no-Tachi, then knock it down with Zanganken. Hopefully, whatever is in there will be unlucky enough to be standing in the way." Hopefully…
She drew a deep breath. "Zanmaken: Ni-no-Tachi!" she yelled, slashing downward.
A flash of light flew through the door and blasted into the room. "Zanganken!" she cried, blasting the door off its hinges with her second strike. She charged, fairly flying though the doorway. "Zanmaken!" A flash, and another blade of energy flew out. It hurtled across the room, blasting into a figure at the other end. When it impacted, the energy simply dispersed, as if it had evaporated.
A bright flash illuminated the figure for just a moment; it was clad in an enormous suit of baroque, steel blue armour.
What? A barrier…?
"Zantetsusen!" she shouted. A spiral flare of ki shot forward, slamming into her opponent and flaring off like lightning in all directions. The figure, caught off guard, stepped back a pace.
Setsuna rushed in to exploit the gap in the figure's defences. She drew her pactio card, which flared with purple light around the edges like St. Elmo's Fire.
"Damnation, what is that?" yelled the figure in a guttural voice.
"Adeat!" cried Setsuna, calling her artefact. A burning purple short-sword appeared in her hand; Setsuna let out a keening wail, like the cry a wounded bird. What is this? she thought madly, Why is my artefact burning? "H-H-Hien Battō K-Kasumi-kiri!"
Setsuna slashed with blazing long- and short-swords at her opponent. Sparks flared where Setsuna's blows hit home; the figure had at last regained its senses, and swung back with wicked clawed gauntlets. A spinning backhand blow from the right sent Setsuna flying, back into Asuna's waiting arms.
"Hey, Setsuna! You shouldn't charge in without—OH-MY-GOD what is that?" Asuna yelled, dropping Setsuna in a heap. The figure had maintained a combat-ready stance even through sending Setsuna flying: her right arm was raised and forward, her left drawn back to her shoulder, both knees ever so slightly bent. She looked ready to charge.
"You could help me up," Setsuna muttered, somewhere between sarcasm and deadpan; it was impossible to tell which. A wisp of smoke curled from her stomach where her opponent had backhanded her. A painful smouldering in her hand revealed that her pactio had once again reverted; more of it was now crisped, some of the gilt flecking off of the edges and tiny pieces of it burnt off to ash. She quickly stowed it in her pocket.
"Humph," came a voice from within the ornate hood covering the figure. Though mechanical and distorted, it sounded as though the owner might be female. "Setsuna. Charging in without the slightest regard for your own safety or anything remotely approaching good battle tactics… What do they teach you in the Shinmeiryū? Though I am lucky you didn't use Shin Raikōken," said the figure, examining her gauntleted hands, "or I might well be sashimi by now."
"Identify yourself!" Setsuna barked back. "Who are you? How do you know of the Shinmeiryū?"
"Who am I?" replied the figure imperiously, haughtily. "You know, Setsuna-kun, where I come from such insolence might well earn you a death sentence. But then again…" the figure's voice softened, "Where I am from… is here."
The figure stepped into a patch of light from the window behind her. Her silvered armour gleamed dully, with delicate silver lines traced in webs. Wax seals trailed parchment streamers, and a small antenna protruded from her backpack. A silver helm with sloped and flared cheek flaps obscured her face, along with a silver hood. On her breast hung a thin, fine chain, with twelve links of purest silver; at the end dangled a badge about a handbreadth wide and just as long, shaped like a stylized "I" with three small bars protruding to either side from the middle and a human skull in the center.
The figure raised her hands to her head; a large silver ring, inset with a ruby covering half the middle finger of her left hand, gleamed as it caught the light. She lifted her hood, retracting her gauntlets as she did so. Beneath was a head with long blonde hair, tied back in a thick braid, and an ageless, regal face, young yet weighty with innumerable years. Sad eyes looked back at them, and the faintest hint of a sad, mocking smile played along the lips.
"You know me, my young friends. Yes, it has been thirty-eight millennia since we were together, and yet I still remember you. I am a Senior Inquisitor in the Ordo Malleus, the Daemonhunters of The Emperor's Inquisition. My name… is Evangeline Athanasia Katherine McDowell."
For the space of five heartbeats, nobody moved or even dared to breathe. Then the scene erupted in chaos, everyone shouting at once.
"EVA?" yelled Asuna. "Evangeline?" shouted Konoka and Setsuna. Negi couldn't believe it. "M-Master?"
Evangeline laughed, amused; most definitely the same imperious, cold laugh they knew so well. "Oh, bōya. It's been sooo long since I've heard you call me that." She sighed, looking—for a moment—much older than her face earlier suggested. Which, amazingly, still appeared far younger than she truly was.
"How the hell is that possible?" Asuna screeched, groping for a chair as her brain immediately tried—and failed—to cope with the number of years suggested by the stranger-Evangeline. "How many years is that…?"
"Thirty-eight thousand years…" Setsuna whispered. "It makes one feel… almost inconsequential…"
Evangeline nodded, sadly. "Yes. Sad to say, the 41st Millennium is no different. In fact, I daresay it is worse in terms of feeling inconsequential…"
"Now wait a damn minute!" Asuna snapped. "You… You really expect us to believe that you're… from…"
"…The forty-first millennium? A time so distant as to defy all mortal rational examination? Quite." Eva smiled, without humour.
"That's a bunch of crap!" Asuna snapped. Eva's smile changed, taking on a sinister cast.
"Well, my dear, here are two possible choices. One: I really am Evangeline, as I claim, and thus I would know about you. In fact, I know more about you than you do, having lived well beyond your years. Two: I learnt enough about you to know you and, possibly, deceive you into thinking I am Evangeline. EITHER WAY,"—here Eva slammed her hand on an old desk, gripping the table so hard that the knuckles on her gauntleted hands creaked in protest—"I have no time to play games with you. I have a mission to complete and, with or without you, I will complete it!"
Everyone remained still for a long moment before Asuna averted her gaze, abashed. Konoka took up a seat with Asuna, concern showing in her eyes for her friend. Eva's hands relaxed slightly, easing the tension on her metallic gloves, and Setsuna—who to this point had stayed out of the exchange between Asuna and the Inquisitor—looked Eva fully in the eyes, trying not to wince at the authority that she saw, and felt, within them. Negi merely stood by, amazed the exchange between his erstwhile master and his friends.
"Setsuna-kun! Negi-kun!" came a voice from outside; it was Takahata.
"Oh no!" gasped Setsuna, "Takahata-sensei!"
"Blast… You're too efficient sometimes, Setsuna," muttered Evangeline. She closed her eyes and bowed her head, mouthing something. Her breathing slowed, and a faint haze shimmered around her. Slowly, she faded from view.
Takahata skidded around the corner; Mana—pistols drawn—followed on his heels, with Kotarō right behind her. "Setsuna-kun, Asuna-kun, Konoka-kun, Negi-kun!" he said, "Are you all right?"
"We're fine, sensei," replied Setsuna. She bade Asuna and Konoka remain seated with a wave of her hand. "Whatever it was, it escaped."
"Foolish, to engage on your own…" sighed Takahata, running his hand through his grey hair.
"W-We weren't alone!" protested Negi. "There were four of us—five if you count Kotarō-kun—"
"Negi-kun, that's not what I meant," admonished Takahata gently. "I mean, you should have ascertained your foe's identity before doing anything."
"Takahata-sensei, I am trained for these engagements; I did send for backup, and now you're here," replied Setsuna levelly. "I would humbly suggest that we four stay here and keep lookout for the return of our foe. Meanwhile, the patrols can look for the enemy."
Takahata nodded. "Yes, that would work. Be careful."
Mana flipped her pistols and holstered them. "I'll be getting overtime if your little shenanigans cause me trouble on my patrols, Setsuna," warned the sniper-miko, "and I expect you'll be reporting this, too."
"I'm sure," replied Setsuna levelly.
"C'mon, Inugami," Mana jerked her head, "You and Kū Fei can start making your rounds now."
"But Commander!" pleaded Kotarō, "I'm not starting until five—"
Mana's glare cowed the inu-han'yō into silence. "You and Kū Fei can keep each other company; I'll be on my own circuit. Go find Kū, and report in at seven, when you finish."
Mana turned and trotted away without a backward glance. Kotarō followed, ears low on his head, and Takahata made to leave. He paused, one hand on the doorframe.
"Setsuna-kun?" he said.
"Sir?"
"…Fix the door." He shook his head and walked out.
They all heaved a sigh of relief. Evangeline shimmered back into view.
"Whew…" she breathed, "I'm glad they didn't spot me… That would have caused some trouble."
She rose carefully and strode to the door. Picking it up in her armoured hands, she fixed it into place and muttered an incantation. Splinters of wood flew back into place, as did the hinges. In a moment, it was as good as… before Setsuna had crashed it off its hinges. Which was hardly perfect anyway, considering this was an abandoned building. She extended a single claw and scratched a strange sigil on the door, muttering something. "No eavesdroppers now," she said under her breath.
Satisfied, Evangeline returned to the seat that she had been using. "Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted? Ah, yes, I was establishing my credentials to the doubters."
Asuna winced again. Setsuna turned to Evangeline, thoughtful. "…I believe you are Evangeline, though how it is so… Can you tell us of your mission? What is so dire that you must come from… from…"
"…From beyond the grim dark veil of space and time, for that which must be sought," Evangeline replied. Setsuna stirred at the words, a question creeping into her eyes. Eva smiled again, sadly, yet with a small amount of malicious humour that, paradoxically, wasn't humour at all. "You wrote those words, Setsuna. I recall you wrote that poem after… a certain incident. You were quite depressed," Eva drawled, a smirk coming unbidden to her lips. Catching herself, she forced her face to return to an impassive stare.
Setsuna pressed a hand to her head, ruffling her bangs and appearing not to notice Eva's almost-smirk. "You really are Evangeline… Your voice, the way you say things…" Setsuna straightened. "Please, tell us. Why are you here?"
The Inquisitor sat—the chair creaking under her weight—and pressed her hands together, resting her chin atop steepled fingers. Eyes narrowed, as though remembering something far away, she began:
"In 456.M41—the year forty-thousand, four-hundred and fifty-six—the Sisters of Battle from the Order of Our Martyred Lady arrived on the planet of Fargor Secundus on the orders of the Ecclesiarchy to prosecute against heretical cults."
She paused, noticing the blank looks on the faces of her young audience, and permitted a small, rueful smile to show. "Forgive me. I know you are unfamiliar with the organizations of the Imperium, so I shall explain. Excuse me if I digress, but you must understand whence I come…
"In my time, Earth has become known as Holy Terra, whence Mankind launched the glorious crusades that brought the worlds of the galaxy under its dominion. Our Immortal Saviour, the God-Emperor, rests on the Golden Throne, sustained by its power. He is the Lord of the Imperium and the Master of Mankind, which comprises thousands upon thousands of worlds across the galaxy. There are many organizations within the leviathan that is the Imperium's bureaucracy, though few of them are of import to our situation. Suffice to say 'efficient' is not a word to describe them.
"My organization is called the Inquisition. There are three main branches, known as the Holy Orders, or Ordos: the Ordo Malleus, the Ordo Hereticus, and the Ordo Xenos. The third branch, least important to our discussion, are the Alien Hunters, who fight sinister creatures from distant planets with the aid of the Deathwatch Chapter of Space Marines."
"The second Order is known as the Witch Hunters. They root out the three main causes of internal strife in the Imperium: the witch, the heretic, and the mutant. Their Order Militant—their warriors—are the Sisters of Battle, who are also the military arm of the Imperial Church, the Ecclesiarchy. The Hereticus roots out that which corrupts the citizens of the Imperium and preserving Mankind."
She paused briefly, allowing them a moment to absorb what she had said, before continuing. "My Ordo is called the Malleus."
Negi sat up straighter. "The Hammer," he said. Eva cast him a glance of mild irritation before her features relaxed. She nodded, the faintest hint of a smile playing around her lips, appearing pleased that he had accurately translated the name.
"Yes, quite right. I had forgotten that you spoke Latin, bōya. My Order is the Hammer of Daemons, named after our most powerful fighting tool, the Daemonhammer. I trust that you, at least, can understand the connection, and what it means. We, along with the Grey Knights Chapter of the Space Marines—who so embody our creed that, during their battle-prayers, they intone the mantra 'I am the Hammer of Daemons'—fight the scourge of the Ruinous Powers, the Chaos Gods, and their great servants, the daemons.
"I am a Senior Inquisitor in the Malleus. Such is the power of the Inquisitor that no force is beyond our purview. We may requisition any and all of the troops we require in the execution of our mission."
"Wait a moment!" Setsuna exclaimed, "You said that the Hereticus fights witches? And the Malleus fights daemons? You're a vampire sorceress! How in the world did you ever get to become an Inquisitor? I'm surprised that they didn't go for all three and make you out to be some kind of alien to boot!"
Evangeline laughed, her voice tinkling like fine glass. "Oh, Setsuna! How observant," she commented dryly. "Yes, you know me as the Dark Evangel. I'm surprised my comrades haven't nicknamed me that…" she muttered to herself. "Unfortunately, things are rarely as cut-and-dried as they seem."
I'll remember that, Setsuna thought to herself. Eva quirked an eyebrow and continued.
"The purpose of the Hereticus—and the Malleus, too—is to fight against unsanctioned, or rogue, psykers. We also develop sanctioned psykers: those psychics whose control is deemed great enough to be of service to Mankind. I guess I'm one of those whose powers are under control," she said lightly, though with just a touch of snarkiness.
"Great," Asuna broke in, the sarcasm dripping off of her words, "So they went and gave you more power? What, now you have more smoke-and-mirror tricks?"
Evangeline leaned forward, her face lit by an unholy inner light. "Oh, no, Asuna, it is more akin to hellfire and damnation. Believe me, my dear; you do not want to find out just what I am capable of."
The light in Eva's eyes was unsettling to say the least. Asuna curled into herself, shrinking into her cushion.
"Now," said Eva briskly, continuing her narrative as though she had never been interrupted, "As I said in the beginning, the Sisters of Battle were on the planet of Fargor Secundus, executing the will of the Church. There were rumours of heretical cells causing civil unrest, and the Sisters were there to make inquiries. The leader of the Sisters was Canoness Commander Alyssa, an able Sister if ever there was one.
"Unfortunately for her, she was, perhaps, over-qualified for the job. The Chaos cult saw her immediately—and rightly—as a threat to their designs. The cult leaders threw off their disguises and rose up to destroy Alyssa's Mission immediately." Eva smiled chillingly. "Pity it didn't work out for them.
"Sensibly—since she had but a few squads of Sisters accompanying her—Alyssa retreated from the capital of Fargor Secundus and sent a coded message back to her Commandery, requesting reinforcements. This call was forwarded to both the Hereticus and Malleus branches in-sector, and they scrambled reinforcements. Quite quickly, I might add, considering the colossal bureaucratic ineptitude of the Imperium at large."
Eva smirked, much to the discomfiture of her audience. "Um, Evangeline-san?" said Setsuna, a bit timidly. "Um, you work for this 'Imperium', yes? For the Inquisition, no less? Should you be saying such things about your own people…?"
Eva tossed her head and laughed. "Ah, Setsuna," she said. "You think that I will be beheaded upon my return to my own time? No one can hear me here, and you don't count. None will live to tell the tale of my subversive opinions… except me."
A deep sadness marred Eva's face as she seemed to realize the meaning behind her words. She rested her head on the back of her right hand, sighed, then continued, her voice still strong despite the weight of duty that appeared to press on her.
"I was one of the Inquisitors dispatched to Fargor Secundus in response to Alyssa's messages. Brother-Captain Osmond of the Grey Knights was in sector on Chapter business, and so made planetfall immediately upon hearing the news. Bless the Grey Knights: ever so eager to combat the Great Enemy…
"However, I knew that this mission needed something more than even the martial prowess of the Astartes. I met secretly with my opposite number from the Hereticus, Lord Inquisitor Decius. He is quite… odd. He appears effete, for a man and an Inquisitor, and his mannerisms are peculiar, but he has a sharp, shrewd mind and, whatever faults he might have, more clever thoughts cross his mind than even I might begin to imagine.
"We sent a joint dispatch, coded with the highest authority between us, to receive three assets. First among these, and one that I am loath to employ to this day, was Exterminatus. Can you imagine what this is?"
Asuna and Setsuna shook their heads, though both were worried by the sinister tone of Evangeline's voice. Negi's face paled visibly, and he shook. "You… You wanted to… exterminate the people on this planet?"
Eva nodded. "Aye, that's what it is. Though I certainly didn't want to use it," she said sharply, causing Negi to wince slightly. "Exterminatus wipes out every living thing on the planet; no exceptions. It's only used in the direst of circumstances. Or so we are led to believe…"
She sighed once more, deeply and with regret. "You must understand," she said quietly, almost pleadingly, "We of the Inquisition know better than anyone what is at stake: the future of humanity. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. If a hundred must fall that a million might live, we will see it done. If a planet must die so that the galaxy is saved, we will do it without a second thought!"
Eva slammed her fist on the table, shattering it to splinters. Her face was frozen, her eyes wide and staring, filled with rage. Her breath came in short gasps. Huffing, she slowly straightened up, flexing her hand. She brushed her hair distractedly, regaining her composure.
"I am sorry," she said. "As I told you, it is a weighty responsibility that we of the Inquisition bear. The fate of our race depends on us, and we walk but a centimetre from damnation…"
Eva paused for a long moment before resuming her tale. "Our other requests… Well, they were still means for dealing death; no less sinister, perhaps, but maybe less callous, I think. We quickly received our second request: a Grey Knights Strike Cruiser. The finest stellar ships of the Space Marines, we needed them to provide orbital bombardment to strike at the ground forces."
Setsuna raised a questioning hand. "Um, Evangeline-san… You said that you were permitted to use 'Exterminatus', and yet you ask for an additional… ship? Is it really a ship? What waters does it sail?"
Eva chuckled. "Yes, it was a ship, though not a traditional one that sails on water. This mighty vessel plies the stars, transporting the Grey Knights to and fro in their never-ending quest to combat Chaos."
Setsuna shook her head. "But did you not say that the Grey Knights made planetfall immediately upon hearing the gist of things? Would they not already have their own ship with them? Is it not the same ship of which you speak?"
Eva nodded. "True. However, the Grey Knights, and indeed most of the Adeptus Astartes, do not use their orbital ships for surface deployment. They make use of Thunderhawk Gunships for sub-orbital deployment, or else Drop Pods. Besides, a certain amount of politics enters play. As Inquisitors, we can commandeer any force we deem necessary in the pursuit of our mission—and a pair of Senior Inquisitors is a formidable concentration of authority—but the Grey Knights are a sovereign Chapter of Space Marines, and will not heel to us simply by our orders alone. Besides, I like to keep the peace," she smirked, "it's my job.
"So, we requested—strongly—the use of the Strike Cruiser Pride of Argovia as our staging post and as a firing platform to deliver orbital bombardments at key locations. While unpredictable, judicious use of orbital strikes can aid ground forces immensely. The Grey Knights are not authorized to execute Exterminatus; the Hereticus would send a ship of their own to deal with that at the proper time.
"Our third request…" Eva murmured, and smiled that chilling smile again. She does that way too much, thought Asuna. She seems even more evil than our Eva. "Well," Eva continued, "our third request was a bit of a… hahaha! I was going to say, 'a long shot'… Hahahah!" Eva laid her hand across her stomach, laughing quite loudly. Bemused, Negi, Asuna, Konoka, and Setsuna looked at each other, wondering what Eva was (going on) about.
"I'm sorry, my friends," she panted, "I just realized the irony of what I was saying, but it's black humour at best. We agreed that this mission would require… subtlety. And so our third request was… an assassin."
"An assassin?" Konoka whispered, her lilting Kansai accent hushed with trepidation. Setsuna jumped; she had forgotten that Konoka had accompanied them. Setsuna turned to her mistress. Konoka was pale; she nibbled a fingernail on her right hand while her left tugged anxiously at her hair. She might have presented the picture of a coy young woman, were it not for her eyes, downcast and contracted in fear.
"Aye, and one of the coldest dealers of death: a sniper," said Eva. All traces of humour were gone. "Decius and I weren't going to hold our breath waiting for an Assassin Operative. They are among the most secretive of all organizations, the Assassin Temples, maybe even more so than the Inquisition. Anyway, we received a coded message some time later after our first brief planetfall that our assassin had taken up residence on Fargor Secundus. He used an intermediary to inform us that, should we discover any targets of opportunity, he would strike with all due speed and precision to eliminate it."
Eva's mouth again quirked into a tiny smirk. "What that meant was, he was giving us the tacit approval to give him his targets." The smirk widened. "I liked that particular operative. Yulmet was his alias; it means 'Stalker' in the Eldar tongue. Certainly, he has earned the wrath of Ulthwé; he has struck down enough of their own irreplaceable kind to make him Public Enemy Number One in their eyes…
"Anyway, I have digressed yet again. Most assassins work on the express orders of their masters, the High Lords of Terra. Few will allow themselves to be ordered by anyone other than their direct handlers, but I suppose that this one didn't mind being given a certain amount of direction, which was good for us…" She trailed off, then muttered, "Usually, if we want one, it doesn't matter a damn to Terra, and then when we're not looking, they come in and put a bullet in someone's head or stick a needle in someone's neck—"
Eva stopped abruptly. She stood, coming gracefully to her feet, her armour and weapons apparently not an encumbrance. "I think perhaps I will stop here for the moment. I have spoken much, yet I have said little, save that relating to the workings of the Imperium and the Inquisition." She eyed them shrewdly. "I daresay that you won't go trumpeting this information to the masses, yes?" They all nodded.
"Good. Bōya, I find that I am hungry. Perhaps you will see fit to find me something to eat, as an honoured guest? And a change of scenery might be in order. We have stayed here overlong, and I think that I wish to remain hidden. You can find us somewhere private, I hope?"
Negi scrambled to his feet. Setsuna rose more slowly, proffering her hand to Konoka. The Ojō took Setsuna's hand absently as she came to her feet, and would not look Setsuna in the eye.
"Um…" Asuna, having subsided under Evangeline's leaden gaze early on, spoke for the first time in what seemed like hours. "I don't know if it's the best place for us, but what about our dorm-room? We're always gathering in there anyway, so we wouldn't be all that suspicious, but for Eva-san—Eva-sama…"
Evangeline nodded. "A sound choice. We can ward the room against interference from any outsiders." She peered at Negi. "I trust you have warded the room, bōya?"
Negi flushed. "Ah, well, yes, but only the basics…"
Eva gave a tiny sigh. "Well, I suppose it's to be expected. I'm used to a greater degree of protection in my own time, not to mention that I have higher standards…" She stopped and looked 'round at Asuna again, her face becoming half-amused, half-grimace. "As for food, I trust, dear, that you aren't going to cook? After all, it would not do to kill your Eva-sama. I remember the one time I tried a meal you made; I don't want a repeat…"
Asuna flushed even deeper than Negi. Setsuna raised a hand to Asuna, forestalling the latter's rejoinder. "We'll order something from the cafeteria. I will go with Asuna to collect it, and in the meantime, Negi and Konoka can go to organize the room. Ojōsama?"
"Hmm?" Konoka blinked rapidly, looking 'round at her protectoress. "Ah, yes, Setchan. Go with Asuna. I'll make sure the room's tidy, and put on tea…" She trailed off distractedly, still chewing on her fingernail. Setsuna stepped lightly towards her, drawing the finger away from her lips.
"Are you alright, Ojōsama?" Setsuna asked her quietly. Konoka drew her hand away slightly, her cheeks growing pinkish, her eyes trembly.
"Yes, Setchan. I'm okay." She dropped her hand.
Setsuna bowed. "As you say, Ojōsama. Come, Asuna; we will go."
Asuna and Konoka made their way out of the door, followed by Konoka, with Setsuna pulling up the rear. Setsuna paused in the doorway, half-turning to look back, but Evangeline had vanished. She blinked in perplexity. She disappeared…
Called by Asuna, who told her to get a move on, Setsuna shook her head and exited, leaving the empty classroom in darkness once again.
Chapter Two: End