The Forgotten Sky
by xlheslydesux
Disclaimer: I don't own Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha or any of its characters.
Chapter 2
TSAB Mid-childa
Surface Division HQ
"Hayate."
"Nanoha. Fate." Hayate said greeting her best friends.
"Sorry, are we late?" Fate asked while walking with Nanoha in tow.
"No, you're just in time. I was just to debrief everyone about our mission." Hayate said while finalizing the reports in front of her screen. "Now that everyone is here let us begin. Rein, if you could."
"Yes." her sergeant major said.
"One hour ago there was an explosion at the North – West side of the outskirts of Mid-childa. It was an old excavation site that has been abandoned for ages. According to the reports there is nothing to be found inside, may it be equipment, resources or even people." said by the small silver-hair device.
"So why did an explosion happen?" Nanoha asked.
"That's the reason why we're been called." Hayate said now facing both of them.
"Normally, the three of us wouldn't be called if something, a scale of this happens but there is a situation." Hayate said scratching her nose.
"What situation?" Fate asked sensing the worry from Hayate's voice.
"In the footages that we have collected from the scene, there was a bright light that enveloped the place before the explosions happened. And at the same time we have detected 9 huge magical signatures coming from the place." Shari answered while putting the footages in the center screen.
"What are these magical signatures? And what do you mean by 9?" Nanoha asked with her serious voice.
"We still don't know. We don't have any record of these magical signatures but..." Shari stopped before continuing, "The magical signatures are similar to a First Class Lost Logia, and actually it might be even more powerful."
"All of it?!" Fate asked shocked from what she had just heard.
"Yes. All of it." Hayate answered.
"But how come the HQ didn't detect them before. If they are that powerful it's impossible that no one noticed it especially when it's just around the corner of Mid-childa." Nanoha said a little annoyed that dangerous things have been neglected in their planet.
"I understand what you feel. Truth to be told, I asked the same question from our higher officer when they called me up but all they told me is that they didn't really detect anything." Hayate said sighing a little. "The ground forces were already deployed but I ordered them not to enter the place and just try to control the fire so it won't escalate. They are no signs of any enemy in the vicinity, Humans or Robots alike. We also can't detect any magical signatures from the place anymore but we can't be sure. I didn't want to disturb the both of you when you're on your vacation but Signum and Vita aren't here right now so I didn't really had a choice. I need someone on your level to investigate what's really happening down there especially when we don't know if it's really dangerous or not. Will you accept this assignment? Captain Takamachi? Enforcer Harlaown?"
Fate and Nanoha looked at each other for a second and said, "Yes, ma'am!"
Inside a Cave
At the Excavation Site
A man wearing a blue robe is walking inside the cave totally unaffected of the blazing fire surrounding him. With a wave of his hand all the fire in his path disappeared as if it weren't there in the first place.
"To think that I wasn't able to maintain the seal, is this what they call getting old? Not that I aged though. I have known that cutting my link with the Princess will make me weaker but not this weak." the man said contemplating.
The man arrived at the center of the cave and found a small shield-like Item floating near the wall. He approached and tried to touch the Item but an anti-field suddenly appeared and blasts him away all the way across the place.
"Ugh! You're still rejecting me, Andvari? You and I are supposed to be one, without your help I won't have the power to collect and seal the other 7 Items that is now scattered in this world. I need you to protect the Princess." the man said while trying to stand up.
The man reached inside his pocket and took out a sword-like Item and a bracelet-like Item with a green gem in the center.
"I think it was just luck that Oroitz hasn't activated yet when I arrived, and I somehow manage to seal it again but…"
As the man once again tries to approach the shield-like Item, he suddenly freezes when he felt heat emanating from the Items in his hands and from the one floating near the wall. It took him seconds before realizing what it meant…
"What the?! They're resonating!.. But this only means one thing. This isn't happening… I haven't done anything yet."
Shock and panic rushed through the veins his body but his face still stayed calmed and collected.
"The Princess is nearby. This can't be good. Go back Princess! You can't be here right now."
Outside the Cave
At the Excavation Site
"Huh? That feeling again… What exactly is that?" Nanoha asked herself while looking at the entrance of the Cave.
As she walked towards the cave, the anxiety she felt earlier is getting stronger, heavier and is now evident in her face. They have arrived at the site with a few forwards to assist with the fire. She and Fate has now donned their Barrier Jackets and have managed to put the fire under control and the only thing to do now is to investigate the inside of the excavation site.
"Nanoha, are you really okay?" Fate asked worriedly. "If you're not feeling good you should just stay here outside or better yet, you should go back. I can do the investigation alone."
"What are you saying Fate-chan, we have detected 9 strong magical signatures from this place earlier and we still don't know what they are, if it's still here or not, and if they're dangerous. Are you telling me to let you go in there alone? No Honey, that's not happening!" Nanoha said giving Fate a stern look.
"We are not detecting any magical signatures right now so I think its okay. And even if they are still inside Bardiche and I can handle them, if not we can definitely outrun them. Isn't that right, Bardiche?" Fate said holding Bardiche.
"Yes, sir." Bardiche responded.
Nanoha sighed and held Fate's hand while looking at her. As she stares at Fate's eyes, she can feel her lovers concern overflowing through those red orbs and couldn't help but embrace her.
"I'm really okay Fate-chan. You don't have to worry." Nanoha said.
"Okay." Fate answered dejectedly. She knows that convincing Nanoha to stay won't work but she just have to try. "Let's go inside and finished this quickly. And try not to separate from me, okay?"
"Yes mother." Nanoha said teasing Fate a little.
Fate blushed a little upon hearing it and laughed. They continued to move forward, towards the inside of the excavation site.
"Something's really wrong here. I don't know why but, I feel like something is calling me." Nanoha thought to herself. "No, I can't think like this. I can't worry Fate-chan anymore than she already is."
Fate and Nanoha flew inside the cave carefully observing and analyzing everything in their sight. They couldn't help but notice that it's been 30 minutes and they still can't see the end of the path.
"Fate-chan, something is not right." Nanoha said looking at Fate in front of her.
"I know Nanoha, according to our data this cave shouldn't be this big." Fate said while re-examining their information once again.
"It's like we are trap inside a maze without a way out. Raising Heart do you detect any irregular magic nearby?" Nanoha asked her device.
"No magical energy has been detected. All sensors are operating normal." Raising Heart responded.
"Do you think someone cast a spell before we entered and we just didn't detect it?" Nanoha asked Fate. She adjusted her stance, in a way that she can protect both of them if ever someone / something attack.
"That's possible but, I didn't sense any spell activating when we arrived even before we entered the site and this is definitely not normal." Fate said while closing the screens in front of her. "Let's just proceed cautiously and –"
Before Fate can finished her sentence, a bright light suddenly flash in front of them. It was like a flash bomb thus preventing the 2 mage to do anything but close their eyes. After a few minutes, Fate slowly opened her eyes and saw that she is now flying in the sky above an ocean. Not really knowing what happened she turned to look at Nanoha but… Nanoha isn't with her anymore.
"Nanoha?"
Nanoha's POV
When Nanoha opened her eyes Fate was no longer with her. She tried to contact her through telepathy but it didn't work. She also asked Raising Heart to contact Bardiche and Hayate but the communications are down. She is totally cut off from the outside without knowing what's really happening. Now more than ever, she is certain that someone did deliberately made them lost inside the cave and now has succeeded in separating both of them. She was worried about Fate but she also trust that her fiancée is strong enough to protect herself from whoever / whatever separated them so she decided to move forward to do their mission. After a few minutes, she finally reached the end of the path. As she descends to the ground, she saw a small altar-like table in the center of the cave. It was like an enclosed place, protected and separated from the outside world. Above it, a small shield-like Item was floating in mid-air near the wall. She didn't know why but, she felt something draw her to the object in front of her. She slowly walked towards it and when she's only inches away from touching it, a voice suddenly said…
"I advise you not to touch it, my Princess." said by a voice that sounded like a man.
Upon hearing the voice, Nanoha's body automatically snaps to battle mode and pointed Raising Heart to the direction of the voice.
"Who is there?" she asked.
"My name is Vormund. Your faithful servant, my Princess." a man wearing a blue robe said as he appeared from the shadows.
"Vormund? Servant? Princess? I really don't understand what you're saying so let's take this slowly. I am Captain Takamachi, Nanoha of the TSAB, would you mind answering some questions for me?" she said as Raising Heart shows the man Nanoha's Identification Card.
"I will tell you whatever you want to know." Vormund said.
"Are you the one responsible for the explosions that happened here? and Are you the one who separated me from my partner?" She asked while staring at the man.
"No and Yes" Vormund said as he walk towards her.
Nanoha took a step back when the man approached her. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"No, I'm not the one responsible for the explosions. They are caused by the backlash of energy when the Holy Items activated after the seal was released. And Yes, I'm the one who separated you from Fate-sama. It wouldn't be good if other people found out about this place, but you don't have to worry, I just sent her to another place. She is safe." Vormund said stopping just a few inches away from her.
"Fate-sama? You know Fate-chan?" She asked a little surprised.
"I do. I know everyone who is important in your life, my Princess." Vormund said who is now kneeling in front of Nanoha.
Nanoha now really confused of what's happening just stared at the man in front of her. She doesn't feel any hostility coming from the man but every answer he gives her is not really helping her to understand the situation. Moments past and the man is still kneeling in front of her not saying or doing anything.
"Vormund-san right? Can you please stand up and explain to me what is really happening." She said as she reached her right hand to help Vormund stand up.
It's not that she trust people that quickly but something about this man is telling her heart that he is not an enemy she needs to be wary. Vormund smiled at Nanoha's gesture and said.
"You really are kind. Kindness a good thing but sometimes it will also bring you pain, my Princess." Vormund said while he stands up.
"Princess? Why do you keep calling me that? Do you mind explaining to me everything that is happening, and tell me what is that object floating in the air? It's a magical object right? Is it dangerous?" she asked while pointing at the shield-like Item.
"Telling you using words will take a lot of time." Vormund reach into his pocket and got the bracelet-like Item with a green gem in the center and gave it to Nanoha. "Use this Item, this is called Oroitz. It is one of the 10 Holy Items that I'm supposed to protect. It's a powerful source of magical energy, enough to destroy a planet or two."
"What?!" she said as she stares at the small object in her hand.
"You don't have to worry, I have managed to seal it earlier before it activates. Right now it's just a normal object, an accessory as you call it in this era." Vormund said amused at Nanoha's reaction.
"Is that so. What is this Holy Items? And is it okay for you to give it to me?" she asked.
"Every Item has a special function that only its master can use, even if I keep them with me it won't do me any good. Oroitz, when properly activated has the power to show its master information about the people who touches it. It will show you everything you want to know about me, you just have to order it."
"But I'm not its master so how can I order it?" she asked.
As Nanoha held the small Item into her hands, she felt her magical energy flowing wild inside her body. Her skin is starting to feel hot and she is slowly having difficulty in breathing. An unfamiliar feeling is rising inside her chest but it's not fear or anything negative. It's something pleasant, as if she had found something that she had lost for a long time.
"Relax, don't be afraid. Inside your heart, you know what to do. Trust me?" Vormund said gently.
"It's really strange, why do I have this feeling that I can trust this man even though I just meet him. I feel like he would never do anything to hurt me." Nanoha thought to herself. "I still don't understand what's happening but I trust you Vormund-san." as she said this, the Item inside her hands pulsated and words suddenly came to her. Nanoha closed her eyes and quietly spoke the words inside her heart.
"Erwecken."
Right after she uttered the word, the green gem in the Item turned to blue and engulfed her in pink light so big that the whole excavation site was enveloped in it.
Fate's POV
"Shari, this is Fate can you hear me?" Fate asked through her telepathic link.
"Yes, we can hear you Fate. How did you… get there?" Shari asked wondering why Fate's magical signature is coming from a place far from the excavation site.
"I would like to know that too, something happened inside the cave and I got separated from Nanoha. Bardiche has already pinpointed our location and I'm on my way back to the excavation site." She said as flew quickly in the sky. "Shari, do you know where Nanoha is?"
"According to Nanoha's magical signature she is still inside the excavation site but she's not responding to any of our calls. We think someone is jamming our connection somehow. Hayate also went out a few minutes ago to assist with the situation." Shari said as she analyzed all the data she's been receiving from the team at the site.
"Hayate did?" she asked surprised.
"Yeah. When we lost contact with the two of you, the Commander decided to- Wha—What is that?" Shari said as she stares at the screen in front of her.
"What's happening?" she asked.
"A huge light is enveloping the excavation site and we are receiving a strong magical signature similar to the ones earlier!" Shari said as she tries to know what's happening and then suddenly she stopped moving. "I don't believe this." Shari said her voice cracking.
"Talk to me Shari." she said a little worried.
"Fate, I think you should see this." Shari sends all the data in front of her to Fate and said, "The magical energy reading is too huge! It's going off our scales! It's going past the SSS class and… and another magical signature is being detected near it… Fate, it's Nanoha's magical signature!"
Her body froze and an excruciating fear sink into her heart and all she can do is shout, "Bardiche, Sonic Form!"
"Sonic Move." Bardiche responded.
Fate rushed ahead without even looking or talking back to Shari. The only thing in her head is the image of her fiancée smiling at back her.
"Nanoha!"
She tried to call out her name but her voice failed her. She wanted to be at Nanoha's side right that instant but she couldn't, and that pains her deeply. She can only hope that her very special person is safe.
Hayate's POV
Outside HQ
As soon as the connection to Fate and Nanoha was lost, Hayate became restless. She felt something wrong and… something else… but before she can comprehend what it is, her body had already acted on its own. A commander shouldn't leave her post during a mission, she knows this well but something's telling her that if she doesn't go, something bad might happen to her best friends. Right after Fate and Nanoha entered the cave, she felt something suspicious is going on. She sensed a weird magical signature coming from the cave but when she asked Shari to scan the site, their equipment couldn't detect anything, even Rein. She has never felt anything like this before and that is what scares her. Hayate called out to her unison device and said
"Rein, unison in!"
"Yes, Meister Hayate." Rein responded.
Nanoha's POV1
Nanoha fell to her knees with tears flowing from her eyes, her body was trembling uncontrollably and her heart feels too heavy with pain and sadness. Her body is now wrapped in wounds resulting from the sudden increase of her magical energy, and her body is having trouble adjusting to it. The information she just saw and learned… everything is just too much and heavy for her to process and understand all at once, making her unable to move from the ground.
"Is everything I saw the truth?" she asked Vormund when she finally found her voice.
"Yes, my Princess." Vormund answered with a gentle voice.
"I can't understand. I can't believe this. How? Why?" she tried to put into words everything she is currently feeling but she can't formulate any long sentences. She feels so lost that she doesn't know what to do.
"It's okay if you don't understand. It's also okay if you don't believe it. But whatever you feel right now or whatever you think, the truth cannot be changed. You don't have to do anything, all I need from you is to be safe that is why I chose to tell you everything now because I can no longer hide it. You don't have to worry, I am here and I will take the weight of your destiny on my shoulders and protect your happiness in behalf of your real parent's even it means risking my life. That is my purpose. That is my role." Vormund said as he puts his right hand on Nanoha's shoulder.
Upon hearing this, Nanoha couldn't help but be sad and mad at the person in front of her. Her mind and heart is in chaos and thinking isn't really one of the things she is capable of doing right now but even so, she has managed to come up with the words she wants to say to this person.
"That's wrong! You're definitely wrong! After seeing all the information about you and learning things, I finally understood why I trust you so much even though we just met. When I was born you responded to my heart, you came to me and became my guardian light, that's why even if I'm feeling confused right now, I know that you're mistaken because I will never want you to get hurt for my sake." she grabs Vormund's hand and looked into his eye with a serious expression. "You are part of my soul and if something happens to you a piece of me will never be the same again. That is why I order you to never think like that ever again, do you hear me?"
Vormund was surprised to see and feel Nanoha's determination in her eyes and in her words. "She is definitely my master. I'm so glad she became so strong." He thought to himself.
"As you wish, my Princess!" Vormund answered proudly. "Truth to be told, I have planned to spend my whole life maintaining the seal that I placed on the 10 Holy Items after I collected them years ago. But after I cut our link in order to save your life in the past, I became weaker and the same thing happened to the seal resulting for them to activate once again. I wanted to protect your happiness without you knowing anything about this but… looks like destiny brought you here against my will. I came here today to ask for Andvari's help but..." Vormund sighed as he looked at the small Item hovering near the wall.
"It won't properly activate without me." Nanoha said.
"Unfortunately, yes. The only reason I have manage to seal Oroitz in my current condition is because it hasn't activated just like the others. Sealing them is just a temporary measure, it will only work for a period of time. You are the only one who has the capability of purifying them and putting them to sleep forever." Vormund handed the sword-like Item to Nanoha, "This is Eckhard, one of the 10 Holy Items. It's one of the 3 Items that weren't tainted because it was under the protection of Caliph-sama. The one in your hands as you already know is called Oroitz; it was under the protection of Regina-sama. And last but not the least…
"Andvari" Nanoha said while looking at the Item floating in mid-air.
"Yes." Vormund responded.
Nanoha, who is now able to collect herself and has manage to assess and think properly about her situation stood up and walk towards the shield-like Item. She wore Oroitz on her right wrist and Eckhard on her neck. She closed her eyes and stood there for a few minutes.
"According to the information I got from Vormund, in order to protect everyone I have to find and purify the other Items that have been tainted. But in order to do that I will need to use all of my magical energy, and at my current body's condition, I might not be able to bear all that stress." she thought to herself. She opened her eyes and looked at her body, "Hey Vormund, if my guess is right a seal was also placed on me and when you gave me Oroitz the seal was undone." She said looking at Vormund who is now standing beside her.
"Yes, that is correct. Before I left you on earth I placed a seal on your magical energy to protect you, but unfortunately I was only able to seal 3/4 of your whole potential. I placed a condition on the seal that only when you hold an untainted Holy Item will you be able to use your full power." Vormaid said.
"Now, I understand. Well anyway, I think we should do what we have to do and get out of here as soon as possible. I need you to tell me many things and teach me everything that I need to know before we search for the other Items. I have a feeling that Fate-chan will arrive any minute now and honestly, I don't… no, I can't face her now." she said as she walks towards Andvari.
"You don't have to do this now, my Princess. Your body is still adjusting to the sudden increase of magical energy and it won't be able to keep up if you try to get any Item right now. We can just put a barrier around Andvari and return for it some other time." Vormund said as he tried to stop Nanoha.
"Then why didn't you do that when Fate and I arrived?" Nanoha asked Vormund without looking at him.
Vormund couldn't say anything. Putting a barrier around an Item to hide them can only work if the mage near it is below the AAA rank. A strong mage will easily feel the strong surge of power from the Items when they get near it. Nanoha already knows that now.
"Andvari is a part of me just like you, so I won't need to purify it. I just have to properly activate it and return it to a normal Item with a special function, besides you will need it." she said while reaching for the shield-like Item. "Don't worry too much, I'm quite strong you know."
Vormund sighed as he looks at Nanoha.
"Activating an Item may be different from purifying it but it still uses a huge amount of magical energy and in your body's current state that won't be easy. Are you sure about this, my Princess? Shouldn't you wait and tell Fate-sama everything." Vormund said.
"No! I don't want her to know… I don't have the strength right now to tell Fate-chan something that will hurt her. For now… there is no other way of doing things but to do this myself. Telling the others about the truth will just put them in danger. I have to do this and I don't know if I can keep my resolve if I saw Fate-chan, Vivio and the others get hurt because of me. I have made up my mind, I won't let anyone sacrifice anything for me anymore. I will not involve anyone to my problems and I definitely won't let them get hurt. You we're the same right? When you decided to keep everything from me." Nanoha said giving Vormund a faint yet sad smile. "I will protect everyone that I hold dear, and one day… after everything is done, I will definitely return to their side!."
Nanoha clasped Andvari in her hands and another huge blinding light radiated from the Item and enveloped the excavation site.
When the light subsided, Vormund appeared carrying an unconscious Nanoha in his arms. She is holding Andvari in her left palm, wounds on her body and with tears on her face. A magic circle appeared beneath Vormund and he cast a silent spell.
"I will erase all evidence that can point to the real story of what happened in this place. I will respect and grant the wish of my Master. I swear to protect her, to guide her and to free her from this fate, and one day I will return her to the side of the people who loves her." as Vormund said this, he and Nanoha disappeared slowly into the shadows and the inside of the cave was yet again engulfed in flames.
"Fate-chan..."
Nanoha called Fate's name over and over in her sleep with tears flowing from her eyes. She doesn't want to leave the people important to her life but she knows that staying with them now may endanger their life. She doesn't want them to get hurt because of her. It's painful but she decided to leave and prepare herself for the things that may come, so she would have the ability to protect not just herself but also her loved ones.
Outside the Cave
At the Excavation Site
(At the same time of Nanoha's POV1)
"Hayate! What's happening? Where's Nanoha?" Fate asked as she run towards Hayate in front of the cave.
"I don't know, when I arrived a barrier was already cast inside the cave and I can't break through. I think it's also the reason why we can't contact Nanoha. Shari just called in and told me that Nanoha is indeed still inside the barrier. We have to get to her to know what's happening." Hayate said worry evident in her voice.
"Hayate step back! Bardiche, Zanber Form!" as Fate said this Hayate jumped away from Fate.
"Zanber Form." Bardiche responded and changed into a huge sword.
"Sprite Zanber!"
Fate sliced through the barrier but it didn't have any effect. She tried again and again but nothing happened. She is getting desperate by the second. She and Hayate tried every spell they know alternately but to no avail, the barrier is too strong. Hayate manage to stopped and calmed Fate down but she too is running out of ideas. Suddenly a huge blinding light once again enveloped the excavation site and as soon as it disappeared, explosions can be heard inside the cave making the place crumble to the ground. Hayate ordered every personnel on the field to get away and did the same with Fate but her best friend won't listen, she won't even budge away from the entrance of the cave. Fate is now more desperately trying to break through it. Hayate understands what Fate is feeling because she also feels the same way and she doesn't want to leave Nanoha too, but as a commander the safety of her unit is also a priority.
"I'm sorry, Fate!" as Hayate said this she cast 5 binding spell and drag Fate away from the site.
"Let me go Hayate! Nanoha! Nanoha's still inside! I need to save her! Nanoha! Nanoha! Nanohaaa!" Fate shouted as she tried to break free from Hayate's binds but her being in a frantic state didn't make it possible. "Nanoha…"
Fate couldn't do anything but say Nanoha's name as tears continued to flow from her eyes. She watched the flames eat the whole place and she felt a tremendous pain inside her heart tearing both her mind and body...
A/N: In this chapter many questions were answered but at the same time many questions surfaced too... I plan on giving an explanation to every detail of this story in the next chapter and I will try not to leave any important matter unanswered… I'm nearing the part I'm dreading about ever since I decided to make this FanFic, and that is the FIGHT SCENES! If you guys have some ideas on how I can make it good, I'll be happy to hear them... Feel free to leave some comments or suggestions. Thank you... :)