~Episode 1: キャメロット、魔法の国! Camelot, the Land of Magic!
"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page"
– St. Augustine
The Magic Six were led down the hill with Camelot as they saw a strange looking city before them; it had the looks to almost like that from Aeuropa City on Duniya but at the same time, it felt as if the buildings were alive of its own. Various designs from steam punk to modern and contemporary and futuristic ones decorated the sight before them.
"This place…" said Rin as he watched a group of kids dashing through the fields.
"It's definitely not our home," finished Makoto.
Camelot turned to the six and replied, "Actually it is."
Alex and Haruka gasped while Nagisa asked, "What!?"
"What are you talking about?" asked Rei.
The Mahotsukai smiled and answered, "This is your birth place…your TRUE birth place."
"And what do you mean by that?" asked Alex.
"You'll soon find out," said the Mahotsukai as he threw some Sakura petals from his pockets, "Oh look! They're here!"
By the entrance to the city, Phoenix and Sano turned their heads and saw Camelot accompanied by six men. At first the two were unsure what was going on but upon seeing their faces, they were in a state of shock.
"C-Camelot!?" asked Sano.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked Phoenix.
"Well they're visitors…" began Camelot.
"You do realize that they cannot say here in this place…but I guess now it's too late for that," said Phoenix, "They'll soon be wanting to know the truth and…"
"What are you guys talking about?" asked Makoto, "What did Camelot mean that this is our TRUE birth place!?"
"Oh good riddance Camelot!" snapped Sano, "SEE!? Now look at what you've done!"
"We must bring them to Iwatobi and Sametsuka, only they'll know what to do with these guys," said Phoenix.
"W-what?!" gasped Nagisa.
"Iwatobi? Sametsuka?" asked Rei as he fixed up his glasses.
"My name is Sano…Sano Brachetti," said the second Mahotsukai.
"But that's the name of the Elementary School where Sousuke and I were…!" began Rin.
"Yes," replied Sano, "I named that place…and so did Iwatobi and Sametsuka. And the same with Mayfield."
"My name is Phoenix Lancelot," bowed the third Mahotsukai, "The town of Phoenix in Arizona was named after myself."
"Why is our schools named after you people?" asked Haruka.
"And I thought Iwatobi and Sametsuka were the Gods of the Air and the Sea for the Tabukists of Duniya..." began Rin.
"We are not humans first of all, but we appear on their forms based on how much successful they are to cover our nature," explained Camelot, "And as for those stories of the Air and Sea…they're only just part of a "story"…that we made up."
"Ehhh!?" gasped Makoto.
"S-story?" asked Alex.
Nagisa and Rin were shocked by the last part of the phrase while Rei asked, "What do you mean made up?"
"That's enough for now," said Sano, "Let's just take them in and settle this once and for all."
Phoenix turned to Camelot and replied, "They're already freaking out over the slightest things here."
"Well something has to change that future," shrugged Camelot, "And you know it too!"
"Please follow us," said Phoenix, beckoning them to follow.
Alex turned to Rei with a bit of worry while Makoto said to Haru, "I don't like where this is going."
"Are you okay Nagisa?" asked Rin.
The blonde shook his head and replied, "No. I don't understand anything; are they all Mahotsukai? What do they mean by story?"
"I know that the Mahotsukai here have to have the powers of the fourth dimension," said Alex, "It's like what I said back on Neo Tabuk. But…I didn't think that they would all have it. Not to mention for such a place that even exists..."
"Well, we can only hope to get our answers," replied Rei, holding Alex's hand.
"I…" began Alex, feeling worried.
"I'm sure once we figure out what is going on, perhaps we can use it against our enemy," said Makoto.
~Planet Earth: Suiei Timeline
Back on the continent of Lynwin, the Tachibana twins sat down on the benches with their parents, watching the lake and the background scenery.
"Where's Mako-chan?" asked Ran.
"Is he alright?" asked Ren.
The parents looked at each other briefly with a bit of concern but showing a warm smile to at least hide their fears.
"He'll be back soon," said the mother.
"Just give him his time," agreed the father, "He and the others will make their way back here."
On the Western District of the city, Sei walked with Gou, Momo, Nitori and Sousuke, watching the people rebuilding their lives together. It had been a least a week or so since the fighting and conflict.
"They haven't returned yet," said Seijuurou.
"Or are they back on this…'Duniya'?" asked Momotarou.
"I just wish they were here," sighed Gou, "I would like to know that they're alright."
"I think we'd all know for their safety," agreed Nitori, "You heard what Anastasia said, we have to wait for them."
Sousuke kept silent when Seijuurou added, "In terms of Anastasia, I feel bad for Aki and Alex...Aki already knows...but Alex probably doesn't."
"He still has his real brother though," said Sousuke.
"Perhaps but you saw how close they were, right?!" asked Momotarou, slightly annoyed, "At least that's what Rei told me!"
Sousuke turned to his robotic arm and said, "I think it's going to need a replacement soon."
"Did you get in contact with the TN?" asked Gou.
"They said it should be here in a few days time," he sighed.
They turned to the evening sun, wondering how much longer they will have to wait for the Magic Six to return from where ever they were at.
Downtown Council Center
Atari stood up from her seat with the other clan girls from the different tribes as they watched Beatrice walking in. They have already set up a council system by the public and themselves in order to maintain peace and order for the Magic Six regardless on their mistakes they have made in the past. While it was a bit shaky at first to work together, they have accomplished the peace for at least a bit of time.
"I understand that she may not like the boys' love," said Annabelle, "But for her to betray us like that, that's almost…if not…unforgivable."
"Now that I know what I've done wrong, I have sworn to not kill an innocent life just because of what they believed in," replied Claudia.
"The same goes for me," agreed Xing, "I cannot even imagine how much lives I have damaged."
"The Av-Matoran have set up a prison cell for her but honestly, we don't know what she's been thinking this whole time," said Denise.
Demitra turned to Johann and asked, "We still haven't heard any word from the Magic Six. But...who were those monsters?"
"They are known as the Chivashi," replied Johann, "I was one myself before Alex killed me. I heard strange voices in my head the whole time and it was horrible."
The others gasped by the response as they all said, "SO that's why you were dead!?"
Beatrice answered to this, "Killing a Chivashi requires the blood of a Chiropteran King. Alex was one of the Chiropteran Kings."
The other girls looked at her as she continued, "The Magic Six explained it to me about their days on Duniya. They were each from a separate society and could not be able to get in contact with each other for about 18 years."
"We sort of knew that already," said Claudia, "But what we don't understand is how their days on that other world is linked to our problems here."
"I saw the truth," replied Beatrice, "Lydia is the mother who gave birth to Alex."
Johann could only watch as the other girls were in shocked by this; the mother of Alex was the same person as Lydia?
"But how does that even connect? Lydia never said…" began Xing before stopping herself with a sigh.
"We were all fools to begin with," said Denise, "I made the bad choice to walk in Abigail's agreement."
"After that earthquake, we have lost every record about the Magic Six and their reign...we had to rely on tales and other made up legends...but then Lydia showed up and toy us to our own battles," replied Demitra.
Before the other girls could argue their two cents in, one of the guards rushed inside the chamber.
"What's the matter?" asked Claudia.
"Has something happened?" asked Xing.
"Three strangers have been spotted on the other side of the lake!" said the guard.
"Eh?! Wh-where are they now?" asked Demitra, "Are they still out there?"
"Most likely, but it's no doubt that they should be brought here," replied the guard.
"Please do that," said Beatrice, "It is time we start to take some action."
Celestial Forest
Beyond the city gates of the Six Bridge Spires lies the massive forest that covers a nice portion of the land. Three people were walking through the forest where they saw the city of Lywnin before them.
"I swear to the heavens!" growled Jadwiga, "That bitch will pay for that!"
Matryona kept silent as Varvara asked, "What is this place? And…that voice from before…was she?"
"Yes, that is your grandmother," said Jadwiga, taking out her radioactive gun, "The very same one who gave birth to your uncle and your father."
"...I still don't understand all this. None of it makes sense," she replied.
"Perhaps we should try that town?" asked Matryona.
"It may be the only way and see," said Jadwiga, "But…"
Varvara's eyes glowed and hissed, "Someone's coming!"
"Let's go!" said Matryona, heading down the shoreline with the others, running across the shoreline.
A group of guards spotted the trio running and chased after them down the shoreline and heading to one of the bridge spires. They were about to get into the bridge when they saw more guards stationed there.
"Shit!" growled Jadwiga.
"Hold you weapons!" shouted one of the Lynwin Bridge Guards, "Who are you?!"
"I could ask you all the same thing!" snapped Jadwiga.
"Look, just hold down your weapons and no one will be hurt!" said the second guard.
Matryona and Varvara turned to see the rest of the guards that chased after them standing right nearby as well.
"We would at least appreciate if you tell us where we are," said Jadwiga.
"This is Lynwin-Mu, the home of the Magic Six," replied a third guard.
Jadwiga and the others gasped and the former asked, "A-are they here?"
"Afraid not," said the first guard, "They disappeared for about a week or so and were not found."
The leader of The Watchers closed her eyes for a moment and wondered what she and the others would do. This was indeed Planet Earth that Rei talked about and more so this was once their homeland too. She had to come up with a plan in order to figure out on how to return to Duniya before Pandora could pull more strings.
"Take us to the person who is in charge here," said Jadwiga, "We have come here for a request of help."
Downtown Camelot Magna, Camelot Universe
The Magic Six followed Sano, Camelot Jr, and Phoenix through town as they saw several of the "Mahotsukai" walking around happily through the city. Some of them were carrying tablets and books or other strange looking things.
Makoto watched a group of kids laughing around and playing with magical circles while Rin saw a bunch of adult looking men and women in scholarly outfits and following someone as if they were on a tour trip of some kind.
Nagisa looked at the buildings around them while Rei was just amazed by everything in general. At one point, Haruka saw what looked like a pool but decided to not bother with it.
"Haru?" asked Makoto.
Haruka ignored him and asked to Camelot, "What do these people do here exactly?"
"We're called Mahotsukai...that's our kind. We just live like how other sapient beings live," said Camelot.
"Iwatobi was in a disguise as Tesseract...at least that's what Anastasia told me. Is this true?" asked Alex, "That he acted on my guardian father?"
Sano turned to him and smiled, "Yes, he made a wish to track down Pandora...in return he disguised himself as a Chiropteran."
"So then, you knew her too…?" asked Makoto.
Phoenix lowered his head and said, "Yes, she was once a part of our team."
The others gasped at the revelation, wondering what did Pandora do to betray them as Rin asked, "What happened between her and you guys, what did she do?"
Camelot remained silent while Sano answered, "It's rather…complicated."
"How so?" asked Rei while Nagisa saw a massive tower before them.
"Ah-ha! Here we are! Welcome my friends, to the Story Tower!" said Camelot.
"Story tower?" asked Rin.
"And what is this kind of place and what does it have to do with us?" asked Nagisa.
"Just follow us and you'll see it all right before you," answered Phoenix.
As they passed through the main halls, the gang saw several chambers with other Mahotsukai watching screens as if they were viewing movies. Each room had a group of Mahotsukai with a book while the screens were unfolding the storyline based on what was in the book.
"Are they watching movies?" asked Makoto.
Alex turned to one of the rooms where he saw a vampire girl in a school uniform trying to slash down a blonde-hair man in revenge but turned into bunch of papers. Haruka saw a princess in deep slumber as her wings transformed into feathers and departed to who knows where.
Rei turned his head to the left and saw a basketball match with the players unleashing strange powers of their owns while Nagisa watched to the right and saw an orange-haired boy trying to reach out to spike down the volleyball.
Makoto gasped in horror as he saw what looked like a gigantic monster tearing apart human flesh and eating it as blood splattered around. Rin saw what looked like a couple (a boy and a girl) fighting side by side in some video game or something.
"What is all of this?" asked Alex.
"They're all stories…" said Camelot.
"Stories?" asked Rei.
"For who?" asked Nagisa.
"All theirs," replied Sano, "Each Mahotsukai that are chosen, they form a group of people and they share ideas. And if they "win" the competition, they get to make the story become a reality as well as creating other realities that go behind that."
"Uh…is that a good thing?" asked Makoto.
"…and what about us?" asked Haruka, "What are we then?"
The Mahotsukai knew that this conversation was about to go boiling if the six find out the truth about themselves but thankfully they arrived at the room while Camelot knocked on the door.
A tall figure opened it and said, "Ah Camelot…Sano...Phoenix, I see you three have…EHHHHHH!?"
"What's the matter Sametsuka…" said Iwatobi as he walked up to see and gasped at the sight before him.
"Well…now we know why we lost track of you guys," said Sametsuka, "The last thing we saw was you going underwater to follow Lynwin and…"
"Hold up. What the HELL are you guys talking about!?" growled Rin, "You know about Lynwin…you know about us?!"
"What do you mean by losing track of us?" asked Rei as he too felt a bit intense by these truths.
"It's very simple," said Phoenix, "You are the Main Cast of this story that we've written!"
"M-Main Cast?" asked Alex.
"Please settle in and we'll do our best to explain ourselves," added Iwatobi.
They all sat down at the table while Sano prepared up some tea while the gang were watching the screen that showed their lives from the past and present. The six were in a sense of confusion, anger, and even a bit of sadness, wondering if their lives were truly nothing to begin with. However, if all of this and the Suiei Gods were all just a story…could any of this be really happening?
The Mahotsukai explained briefly about themselves as well as presenting data sheets and character profiles with themselves on six distinctive personalities and thoughts as well as abilities and powers.
"You're saying that we are nothing more but your imaginations?" asked Rei.
Iwatobi took out a small knife and cut open Alex's arm as the boys were shocked on what was leaking out of him. Instead of blood, it was a gray-fluid filled with binary codes in neon yellow that matched his eyes when glowing.
"EHHHH!?" gasped Makoto.
"What did you do?!" shouted Rei as Nagisa gasped. Seconds later, the arm healed up after Iwatobi tapped on the cut.
"You boys...and those who live on your world...are nothing more but pieces of data," explained Iwatobi, "Data that can be disposed of and reused if the conditions are met. That is why...your Alex has survived his deaths. But that reason there isn't alone."
Rin grunted in a bit of shock while Haruka was feeling a bit sick to his stomach even though normally weird things don't bother him as much. Makoto was already hiding behind Haruka while the others just sat there in a sense of misunderstanding and confusion.
"As Main Cast, none of you are meant to die," said Sametsuka, "At least that's how the script goes…not until your destiny is fulfilled."
"Whose script are we even destined to follow?" asked Rei, getting a bit furious, "We made OUR own choices both Earth and on Duniya!"
"Just why are you then trying to control us!? What are you wanting? Our powers?!" asked Nagisa.
"We desire none of that," said Iwatobi, "We want to see if it is possible a world can be made…one whose reality can be of pure happiness."
Alex gasped as he recalled back in Japan when he and Haruka were first together and Rei was not too happy and he did in his power to at least get him happy again. It wasn't until when the two confessed and continued their destined relationship back on Duniya. But little did he know from Suiei Marotta that it IS possible to create a world of pure happiness.
"However, creating that reality is a painful price," explained Sametsuka, "In fact; we are the one of the only group of Mahotsukai that is creating multi-paralleled worlds."
"Multi-parallel?" asked Nagisa.
Sano walked up to the glass/screen and tapped on an icon to allow three planet Earths with special symbols on top; Alpha, Beta, and a Kanji of Suiei.
"There are three Earths," said Sano, tapping on the left-most Earth first, "The one here is Alpha!Earth...where only you five exist...your lives have grown by the "Natural World" where none of you have magic; all of you live out your days normally."
"Five of us?" asked Rin.
"I probably didn't exist on that world," muttered Alex.
"That's correct," said Phoenix, "You on the other hand live on Beta!Earth originally."
Sano swiped the screen to show Beta!Earth (even though it looked the same) with a list of notes at the bottom and pics of Alex and his brother Sergi along with other unknown people.
"However, on Beta!Earth," continued Sano, looking at the other five, "Your lives are only told as a 'story' in that world."
"Wh-what?!" asked Makoto.
"So we are only fiction in that world!?" asked Rei as the others were in shocked.
"Why would you treat us like that!?" growled Rin.
"But wait a second," said Nagisa as he held Rin's hand to keep him calm, "What is the final Earth?"
"That…is where all of you are together," explained Sano, "The Suiei!Earth…that's the story WE wanted to make. That world is the ORIGINAL timeline where you would all have met together and begin your journeys after being tied to our creations…the Suiei Gods."
The six gasped as they recalled from the Suiei Gods that they were made nothing more by the nature of water through the Suiei Temple…but now just hearing this…
"We created that temple and set it for your Gods to come out of…but we designed them here before sending them out there to guide, teach, and protect you," explained Iwatobi.
"Originally you would've been all together without any problems…but that's when Pandora began to meddle with things," said Sano with a sigh.
"Meddle with things?" asked Haruka.
"Pandora wanted to use your lives as a means for her wish to come true...but that wish...cannot be granted. Whether it is a human…a Mahotsukai…an animal…or even a god," answered Sametsuka, "It not only defies the laws of life and death, but also...it breaks the rules of everyone's stories. It's a huge crime to take the lives of someone's story and use it for a Mahotsukai's own, personal benefits."
"What did she wanted to do?" asked Rei.
"Is it what I think it is…" muttered Nagisa.
"Yes, she wished to revive someone…her sister…Morgan Le Fay," said Sano.
"But wait a second then how come with Alex's life…?" asked Makoto.
"Because a life for a life can be exchanged," answered Iwatobi, "But only if two parties can agree to it…and also…one of them, must have the 'fairest blood'. That wish can only occur without exchanging a price."
"Fairest blood?" asked Nagisa.
"By fairest blood it is done…but also by the same blood it can be undone," answered Sano, "But even that is a myth to us even by the Mahotsukai. No one has ever got that special blood that can defy the laws beyond all realities."
"I want to know more of Pandora," said Alex, narrowing his eyes, "What did she do that is hurting everyone's lives?"
"Her sister…Morgan Le Fay, was the closest to her," replied Iwatobi, "The family died many years ago due to a plague while her sister was immune to it for a handful of years after. She died too after Pandora joined our crew to create for our stories."
Flashback: Unknown Time Ago…
Somewhere far North beyond the downtown of Camelot, the small village of Erax Nui existed up on the mountains where groups of families, extended families and friends resided. The people there were very happy and lived in an era of relative peace.
Down by the Great Plains that extended far to the west and the east, a group of sisters were playing around while one of them found a great collection of a snack to feast on. A nice size lake was also a place for them when they would swim or go out fishing together.
Igraine Le Fay watched her daughters playing together as they were all giggling and talking randomly with their youthful cute voices.
"You're so disgusting Pandora!" said Elaine as she watched her crack open the snail shells and eating the contents.
Pandora slurped on them and made a guilty smiling face while Morgause was already feeling a bit sick and hid herself behind Morgan.
"Elaine!" snapped Morgan before talking calmly to Pandora, "Hey can you stop showing off you eating snails? You're grossing out poor Morgause here."
Pandora shrugged and dropped them, saying, "But these guys are really tasty; they're even a rare species and…"
"Not everyone can eat the same food as you do," shrugged Elaine, "I can barely even look at escargot."
"Well it's not my fault that I love to eat Molluscs!" snapped Pandora.
"Stop fighting!" said Morgan, separating Pandora and Elaine, "Everyone has their own tastes, okay?"
The mother walked on over and said, "Oh what am I going to do with you girls?"
Pandora rushed over to hug her while she wasn't tall enough to reach out for her arms so she tugged onto her skirt while Elaine sighed. Igraine rubbed her hand through Pandora's hair smiled, "It'll be your birthday soon. You'll finally get your Mahotsukai License and join up with your sisters."
"I can't wait to show off mines!" smiled Morgause, "I've practiced so much with my talents of persuasion and debating!"
"I definitely want to bring the best for this family!" nodded Elaine, "My intelligence shall uncover the deepest secrets of Camelot and beyond!"
"I would love to heal people!" said Morgan, "And help bring great health to the world."
"I want to become and Author so I can make stories," smiled Pandora, "And create worlds that are beyond this one! Father always says that they get to explore many places beyond!"
Igraine looked at her and answered, "Sweetie, that job is rather tedious. I'm worried you'll end up not remembering with your family like the other Authors."
"I'll prove them wrong! I know there's a way to create a world as well as being able to spend time with your family still!" said Pandora.
"Mother's right though," answered Morgause, "I'm worried you'll forget us."
"I think Pandora would be a great Author!" said Morgan, "She will prove that you can spend time with your family and work at the same time. There is no way that she would forget about us! She loves us as much as we love her!"
Morgan hugged with her sister as Pandora giggled happily while the mother could only make a small smile while keeping her fears to the side.
"It is now time for dinner," said Igraine, "Let us return to the village. We'll have tea and some pies as well as some roasted mackerel and garden salad."
"Yayz! I love mackerel!" smiled Morgan.
The others chuckled as they made their way up the small slope, heading to the main village while Igraine used her power to create water droplets and allowing the garden to grow and flourish with fresh vegetables and grains at the ready.
Gorlois returned home that evening with a smile on his face as he saw his beloved daughters and his wife at the table.
"Welcome home," they all said.
"Father! I'm going to become an Author when I grow up!" smiled Pandora.
"A job for the strongest of the heart I see," he answered, "But won't you miss your family?"
"She's going to prove everyone wrong!" smiled Morgan, "That there will always be time for your family even in the most tedious of jobs!"
"I'll do my very best!" she agreed.
After supper, the daughters went to bed while Igraine and Gorlois sat down outside by the steps, watching over the skies.
"Honey do you think it's really the right choice for her?" asked Igraine.
"I am sure she'll be fine," he answered, "Children these days have already dreamed big. I mean, ever since we took on human forms thanks to the discovery of species, look at how we've managed to live ourselves."
"Probably but I've heard that humans are filled with dreadful curses," she replied, "I read an article about 7 dangerous things that may contaminate a Mahotsukai if they are driven too far."
"And I've heard seven powerful things that are inverse to them," he said.
"Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride," answered Igraine.
"Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility…" he nodded, "Those seven things make the blood the fairest of them all."
"I'm worried that becoming an Author will make her forget…" said Igraine, "She won't remember her purpose."
"Why do you say with doubt?" he asked.
"Because I know the path from here…and just because we are Mahotsukai doesn't mean we are absolute…many things have been going wrong as of late," she hinted, "True I can see the future in dreams but even that power I have is only a fragment of what we will eventually find out."
"What did you see?" he asked.
"…a curse that will consume her, the only way to suppress that is…" she began.
The Next Winter…was the harshest in any living memory…a plague broke out with the intense cold, causing so many of the residents to fall ill. The Le Fay family did all what they could to keep their friends alive. However, one particular morning…
Pandora woke up to hear coughing from the other room and rushed over to see her mother wheezing badly while saw puddles of red blood that trailed to her father, slain up by the corner.
"W-what is this?!" she freaked out, "F-father?!"
"S-st-stay away," moaned Igraine, "Please…"
Pandora grabbed her mother's hand and said, "Mother! What's the matter!? What is this red stuff!?"
Morgan rushed behind her and said, "Stay away from her! She's really sick right now like the neighbors!"
"B-But she can't!" gasped Pandora as Morgan rushed over the cupboard where she kept her herbs inside.
"I'm going to make medicine for her, okay?! Go check up on the others!" she shouted.
Pandora rushed into the other rooms and gasped in shock as she saw two monstrous looking beings standing before her.
"W-what in the name of…!" gasped Pandora as she slammed the door shut while the monsters tried to smash through.
"MORGANNNN!" she screamed.
"W-what's the matter!?" shouted Morgan.
"Morgause…Elaine…th-they're mutated!" she cried out.
"WHAT!?" gasped Morgan.
Pandora used her limited magic to keep the door sealed but knew that the wooden doors will eventually smash down. Morgan could already hear the people screaming outside as other neighbors were beginning to mutate while those who were not affected were fleeing for their lives.
Morgan went back inside in hopes her medication would activate and help mother but gasped when she saw father's body on the ground on the other side of the room, slain.
"M-mother…" gasped Morgan as she dropped the medical tea drink and the glass shattered.
Pandora rushed back to her and gasped at father's dead body as well. Igraine's face was already beginning to twist and mutate into that of a monster's.
"MOTHERRRRR!" screamed Pandora but Morgan grabbed her hand.
"We can't stay here any longer!" said Morgan, trying to hold back her tears, "Let's go! You and I seem to be not affected by the Dark Plague!"
The two grabbed on their cloaks and opened the door to the outside while the two mutated sisters and the mother broke free and escaped to the outside as well, attacking various people in the crowd. Morgan held tight onto Pandora's hand, saying, "Don't let go of my hand, I have used our spell to keep as warm!"
A bunch of the Mahotsukai fled to the East or to the West but Morgan knew that if Pandora was going to become an Author, the only destination was dawn further south. They had to get to the great city of Camelot Magna.
The village of Erax Nui fell into ruins of monsters and the cold temperatures as they fled through the cold night, on a route to the great city of Camelot Magna, home of the brightest Mahotsukai ever in the land.
2 Years Later...The Township of Costra
Pandora skipped her way through the dirt roads, using her magic to repair the bridge with the scraps of metal and tree logs. This bridge collapsed last night and many of the residents here were elderly people who retired from using magic.
The villagers were stunned to see their bridge back up while an elder woman smiled and said, "My, I've never seen such advance magic! I tell you that kids these days are one for sure of an improvement!"
"That's my sister," smiled Morgan as she saw Pandora talking to a group of elders, blushing a little.
"There has been a lot of job opportunities in the great city," replied the elder woman, "Have you gone there yet?"
"No we haven't," said Morgan, "It is our goal though to go there."
"Well take your time, I am sure one day the city will call both for you," smiled the elder woman.
Pandora thanked the people and she skipped her way back while making a flip jump into the air, landing next to Morgan.
"I must say you've really studied hard," said Morgan.
"T-thanks!" blushed Pandora, "I just want the people to be happy…"
"Of course," agreed Morgan, "Well then, let's return for some tea."
By evening, the two were staying at a Safe House that had home to about 13 other people living there. However, Pandora moved to the family hall by herself when Morgan followed her to see what the matter with her was.
"Is something troubling you?" she asked.
Pandora shook her head and answered, "I'm not hungry."
"I know, but we can only afford for this," said Morgan.
Pandora glanced up to see her and said, "But it's not the same as mother's…"
"Your right," she agreed, "But you need to eat, please."
Before the other girl could answer, they both heard a knock on the door. Morgan walked over to open and see and saw two strange cloaked figures before her. The one on the right unveiled his hood and said "Good evening miss."
"Visitor hours are closed for tonight," replied Morgan.
"We're here on official terms," said the figure on the left.
"Oh? May I ask what it is? Should I go fetch our master?" asked Morgan.
"No it's not that," said the being on the left, "We've heard stories of a powerful Mahotsukai here. One that may be even qualified to join us and become an Author."
"I reckon you're talking about my sister," she answered and turned her head to Pandora, "We got some guests here for you."
"Eh?" asked Pandora, a bit confused and slightly shocked.
Morgan led the two visitors inside as they saw her on the couch with her bowl of food on the glass table. Pandora blushed a little as the young men unveiled their hoods, showing off some of their beauties.
"They do look cute," she muttered.
"My name is Iwatobi Takayama. My partner here is Sametsuka Atsushi," said Iwatobi.
"We're Authors in Training from Camelot Magna. However, we haven't found anyone that will complete our group. We only got five members and we are required for a sixth member," explained Sametsuka.
Morgan smiled to Pandora and said, "Didn't you wanted to become an Author too? Oh Pandora, I'm soooo happy for you! You have to join them!"
"S-sister…" breathed Pandora as she hugged her with joy and sadness together as one before continuing, "But what about you? Are you going to be alright without me? I don't want to leave you behind…"
"This is your chance to shine," said Morgan, "Remember that you were the one who told us you will find a way to visit your family and work. I believe in you!"
She nodded and said, "Right, I will."
"May we offer you some tea?" asked Morgan.
"Actually we will return here by dawn, our stay is at an inn down the road," said Iwatobi.
The two smiled and left while the two sisters looked at each other. Pandora was filled with excitement and nervousness at the same time; realizing that she was one step closer to her dream.
"I'll definitely write to you," said Pandora, "I'll be sure!"
"Yes," she nodded, "I'll definitely write back to you as well!"
Present Time: Back in the Mahotsukai's Story Tower
"And with that she became your member?" asked Rin.
"That's right," said Iwatobi, "The very next day we all gathered up and were sent to the campus where we began our training."
Alex turned his head away for a moment and breathed, "How can she even be my mother? She has NO right to call herself that!"
Rei rested his hand on his shoulder while Rin added, "But if she wasn't all that evil though…then how did she changed?"
"Did the two kept up with writing each other?" asked Nagisa.
"Morgan wrote a couple of letters to her and she exchanged with replies…but just over a year after she was recruited…her sister died," said Sano, "Her last hope for family was gone…and she turned that loss into anger as a weapon against us."
"If only I have known…perhaps I would've done something different…" said Alex, "However…I refuse to reconsider my wish."
"And what happened after?" asked Makoto, "Did she try to do anything to you guys?"
"She one day set off a few things," said Sametsuka, "Originally…we were going to have her quarantined from her powers and strip of her rights…"
"This is where I would take the blame," sighed Sano.
"Why's that?" asked Haruka.
"To prevent her from going outrage…I decided to put her in a Temporal Line," answered the Mahotsukai, "A dimension where she would remain trapped in an endless circle forever."
"Temporal Line…?" muttered Makoto.
"Wait a second…" gasped Rin.
The others were in a bit of a shock as they realized where this was going.
"You mean that…?!" began Nagisa.
"Yes…the very same time loop that you five were trapped in," replied Iwatobi, "It was beyond our control when we tried to send her away but as Sano preformed the dimension, data from our works were pulled into the portal that took her away…including you guys. So in order to keep Pandora trapped in, we created an entity who was known to be the timekeeper of that world but he ended up going corrupted on his own account..."
"Arogean..." muttered Haruka, realizing the truth.
"Th-that bastard!?" gasped Rin.
"But what does he have to do with this?" asked Rei.
"His job was to take a group of beings, including Tulisea, Daichi, and Kouta and they would help you find your way back without allowing Pandora to escape. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep him nor the others in proper control and they turned out malevolent and developed the Dark Code along with other side effects," said Iwatobi.
"Side effects?" asked Nagisa.
"There was the Deception-MIA and the Swim-Cadet X," answered Phoenix, "Two organizations that just were created as a result of 'corrupted matter'. Daichi led the latter while his son in disguise of that man's cousin took over the former."
"Corrupted Matter?" asked Makoto.
"Are they part of this problem then?" asked Rei.
"There were other side effects as well...including monsters eating people...and you Makoto swapped roles of your swim team with Haruka," said Sano, "But that part was fixed when you were put to the correct timeline."
"When the Suiei Gods were made by us, they took a part of their souls into your hearts, turning your human state into a demigod state," added Sametsuka, "Nagisa, that is how you came to the conclusion that you wished to become a human."
"But why give us magic in the first place?" asked Rin, "You had the power to do anything!"
"We wanted the Suiei Gods to fulfill means to bring about your survival along with the 'others' we mentioned and not allowing her to escape," said Iwatobi, "If we broke into the Time Loop, it would be highly likely…almost certain that she would have escaped and tried to take revenge against us."
Rei turned to Nagisa with a worried expression as the blonde was already horrified by what he and the others were hearing…was all of this…?
"If only I never wished for that," he muttered, "None of this would've happened! It's all my fault!"
"None of this is yours to blame," replied Iwatobi, "Besides…you were already suffering long enough."
"All of this lies on our shoulders…so we will take the blame and pay the price," added Sametsuka.
"But wait a sec though," said Rin, "What about the Shadow Mafia? Were they a part of this Corruption?"
It was an awkward silence at first before Sano finally answered, "Corrupted yes...but they were a part of Alex's life. In comparison to the Beta!Timeline, those people remained human...but in the Suiei!Timeline, the Shadow Mafia was created as a side effect from the Time Loop's destruction."
"I must ask you guys a few questions," said Alex, "I want to know how I came into their lives in the first place. Was it because you knew who I really was or was I too…a creation of your own thoughts like them?"
Before Iwatobi could answer, another Mahotsukai stepped into the room with its face almost like that of a wildcat but donned in robes of green and white with golden eyes.
"By fairest blood…you possess a heart far different," said Mayfield, "But you are not alone with that blood."
"About time you showed up!" snapped Sano, "Where were you?"
"What are you talking about…whose blood?" asked Rei.
"I am sure you remember how people wanted to use your blood that tied to your Suiei gods, right?" asked Iwatobi, "The Dark Code, Daichi's Lab, Kouta…even the Shadow Mafia at one point. Part of that is reasoned through the Suiei Gods. Another part of your power is tied/drawn through your blood in the veins that is energized through your heart necklaces."
Alex's eyes blinked as he recalled something long ago as he remembered a powerful payment he performed.
"Back when we ruled Lynwin, I had nightmares of Rasputin and Sergi. Rasputin tried to drink the blood from my brother and after the first nightmare that happened, Momotarou snuck in to give him an antidote," he said.
"W-what?!" gasped Makoto while Rin was a bit shocked to this.
"You knew Rasputin back on Lynwin?" asked Rei.
"I wasn't so sure…but…when I had the same dream again on our trip in Italy, I asked witch boy to take my blood and give it to my brother...to ensure that he would stay a human," he revealed.
Rei walked over to hug him with sadness as Alex concluded, "With that price…that's how I became a Chiropteran. My body was vulnerable while we traveled in space…making me a part of Pandora's son since I had no power in me until I gained that of a Chiropteran's.
"I told Haru about this as well, forcing it to keep a secret."
"So you knew this all along?!" asked Makoto, shocked.
"Not 100% but enough to know he was doing this to save his brother," said Haruka, "I didn't predict that he would end up as a Chiropteran."
"But Haru-chan, we could've done something to help him!" replied Nagisa.
"It was part of the price," said Alex, "That I couldn't tell you guys about this."
Rei decided to switch topics and answered, "So then…what are we going to do from here?"
Alex closed his eyes for a moment, trying to grasp about this world. He and the others were in a world where they were told that this was their "birth place", where stories are made, maintained and in control of these Mahotsukai. Eventually this was going to bother them because of the fact that they were all doing this as part of the script and not their own free will.
He opened his eyes and answered, "There's something I need to find here."
"Huh?" asked Nagisa.
"What do you need to find?" asked Rei.
"Killing a Mahotsukai is nearly impossible," said Alex, "But if we can find some answers here in this world…we might be able to learn something."
"But why is it nearly impossible?" asked Rin.
Alex turned to Iwatobi and said, "You told me…while you were Tesseract, that Mahotsukai are practically impossible to kill because of their near-god-like powers. As Suiei Gods, we are only a fragment of your magic and we are no where near as powerful as you."
"Well if that's true, we'll have to make that happen, right?" asked Rin.
"Rin-chan?" asked Nagisa.
"Look at these beings...they have appeared to be the ones who puppet us on our journey!" he answered, getting a bit pissed, "Look, you can just write us winning the battle, right?"
The Mahotsukai looked at each other for a moment before Iwatobi answered, "Our role into your lives is this; we created your concepts, your basic interactions, and your powers. Anything beyond that was your own role."
"W-what does that suppose to mean!?" replied Rin.
"Well I did give you shark teeth," said Sametsuka as he displayed his own shark teeth while Rin's face just froze in confusion and WTF.
"So you were not controlling our journey?" asked Makoto.
"What we really have done was to create the three Earths, the time loop, and your Suiei Gods," said Mayfield, "Any actions beyond that were either because of 'our mistakes' or decisions that you've made on your own."
"Just like what the gods said," muttered Rin, recalling back on the journey in Italy, "Despite being manipulated initially…"
He turned to look at Rei but the megane lowered his head for a moment after trying to not remember the horror that day.
"My second question," said Alex, "Is in regards to the Compendium."
The others looked at him as the boy asked, "Did you guys make it too?"
"After the Time Loop was created and broken, I have been guilty of my actions. So I decided to make a duplicate of our works and hand it over…but I simplified it and adapted to your language," explained Sano, "Back on Lynwin, you placed a few drops of your blood in order to reunite together when you were relocated on Duniya."
"How is this other version different than the original? Is there more information?" asked Rei.
"The original one has powers that none of you can even fathom," said Mayfield, "When a story is written, the action is performed."
"Can we see the original?" asked Nagisa.
"Too dangerous for a human to even go near it; that book has what you call in your world…it has 'emotions'," said Sano.
"And what do you mean?" replied the blonde.
"Each book written by the Mahotsukai here, they are living because they ARE the universe. Making a lesser, copy version of it will keep the text from running wild. Our library here is a collection of universes," explained Sametsuka.
"Can we see this library?" asked Makoto.
"As dangerous as it is for mere humans," replied Iwatobi, "I think it would probably be beneficial if what you are seeking has answers in there."
"Then let's go," said Rei, "We got a big boss to defeat."
The others nodded while Rin looked at Nagisa briefly for a moment. The team got up and followed the Mahotsukai out of the room while Rin turned to Naigsa and said, "Are you okay?"
"I…I'm not sure, and you?" asked the blonde.
"I really don't trust them," said Rin, "I got a bad feeling for this."
"I guess it is rather…complicated," agreed Nagisa, "But at least this is getting somewhere."
They rushed out the room to follow the group, heading to the hallway that led to a series of stairs that mapped out like a massive fan-shape pattern. At the center of the massive hall was a platform that looked like an elevator but it was not enclosed.
"Go on," said Sametsuka, "It's the path to the library."
The group got on with the Mahotsukai as Sano and Mayfield chanted a few foreign words, casuing the platform to soar high and fast as the scene around them turned into a galactic scenery, stunning the team as they watched around.
Finally, it all stopped as the scene transformed into a massive library of books all over the shelves, tables and other pedestals.
"Welcome…to the Library of Universes," said Iwatobi.
~Episode 1 END~
~Episode 2 PV~
Rei: So many books here…it's like…
Nagisa: Well it's a heaven for bookworms!
Haruka: Are you looking at your stuff again?
Alex: Ah, this story here…I know it very well.
Makoto: Just what are we going to get out of this?
Nagisa: You guys! Something's going on with one of the books!
Makoto: EEEH!?
Haruka: Next time, Free! The Libarary of Universes! One book…will change lives…
