Disclaimer: This is a nonprofit fictional story, a FanFiction based on Ken Akamatsu's Negima. I do not own Negima, or most of the other characters included in this work, excepting where it is stated in the author's notes. It is not intended or presented for any commercial profit or personal gain; it is simply a story written for personal fulfillment and presented for public enjoyment, and as an honest homage to the fine story conceived and written by Ken Akamatsu, as well as all the other (innumerable) works that find place herein (and their authors).
Chapter Seven: The Hunted
For any not used to it, it was a most perplexing sight: a man (cursing repeatedly) floating around the room while reclining in an expansive, exquisite chair. His appearance was bizarre, to say the least. His head was adorned with short pink hair and large round glasses, and he was dressed in a black suit with pink-and-white feathers around his collar, and completed his outfit with white gloves and dress shoes.
"I do not believe you'll find it there, Dist, no matter how much you search," Van informed him from the doorway as he tore through Jade's office.
"But it has to be!" Dist replied vehemently. "I've had people search his offices in Grand Chokma! His private residence in Keterburg! Even the secret files of the military don't have it! We can't proceed without it!"
"Then there are two possibilities: either he has destroyed all the records, so that the only ones left are in his head, or he has used magic to seal them away some place we can't find them. In either case, we must find and capture Jade Curtis so that we can extract those secrets from him. It is obviously the only way that we will find that which we seek."
"That's very interesting," a new voice murmured.
The two men turned to the new arrival. "Ah, Miss Elaine…I didn't hear you come in," Van said simply.
"No, I just arrived." The woman stepped inside and looked around. "You know, I was under the impression that we were to attack this vessel simply to secure it as a weapon for the Obsidian Star. I wondered why a single landship was of interest to us, but supposedly there were special missions we needed to complete for the plan in the near future that required this landship. However, it seems that you two had a different objective in leading us to this attack…."
"How dare you!" Dist began. "There is no need for a mere peon to know anything about this matter! We…."
Van silenced him with an upraised hand. "Forgive me, Elaine, for not being completely truthful thus far. Yes, there was another need for this vessel. The research of Jade Curtis is necessary for us to build a perfect human kingdom to rule the world that the Obsidian Star will build."
"Really. Tell me more about this. What research, exactly, required so many deaths here, on both sides?" Elaine stared hard at the two.
Van chuckled. "Do you know the origin of the moniker 'Jade the Necromancer', Miss Elaine? That is the secret of this whole matter…."
"T-to think that we're traveling with Jade the Necromancer…" murmured Mei, her voice tinged with twin sentiments of fear and admiration.
Kiami glanced at her quizzically. "You…know of him, Mei-chan?"
"W-well…yes…he is a famous mage of the magical side. He even contributed to the war twenty years ago, when he was about our age…."
"W-what about that name?" Kazumi asked her. "What is…'The Necromancer'?"
"It is said that he collected corpses from the battlefields he passed," Overcast said cheerfully, startling the girls with his sudden appearance. "Don't worry, he's well aware of all the rumors…it's how he got his name, after all. Necromancers are rare now, but in the old lawless days, during the Dark Ages on Earth, necromancers were common, and were the scourge of the world. A large reason for the growing unions and coalitions of mages was because they were dedicated to stamping out the necromancers and had to band together to do it. To be called 'the Necromancer' in this day and age—part of it is because of that rumor about how he gathered the bodies of the slain, and part of it is just how feared and despised he was because of his power. I hope you understand just how terrible the epithet is, but he's accepted it with surprisingly good grace."
"Hmm…is that so?" Kiami murmured, observing Overcast carefully. "And…why are you sharing this little bit of information with us?"
"Well…I wonder." Overcast glanced over at his leader, who was comparing notes with Tear, Rin, and Rin's spirit Archer, who had been scouting the area for them. "I think perhaps that Jade's past may be part of this. Why did the Obsidian Star attack a landship out in the middle of nowhere? They didn't seem to be after you, nor have any other reason according to those four ladies who attacked us. But Van Grants did not seem surprised to be fighting Jade the Necromancer. On the contrary, he was seemingly expecting it…which is why he called up such a powerful attack force."
"S-so what does that mean?" Kazumi quavered. "What was his purpose?"
"Something that only Colonel Jade Curtis would have access to…something unique to him."
"Y-you mean…the secret of Replication?" Mei burst out. As the stares of all three turned her direction, she reddened and continued, "W-well, Jade the Necromancer is famous for the invention of the art of Replication, of magically creating copies of objects, or even living people—perfect cloning. Of course, there's all sorts of rumors of his attempts at recreating people…it was supposedly the reason for his, er, corpse collecting…."
"You're very well informed, Miss Sakura," Overcast told her cheerfully.
"A-ah, w-well…I-I like learning about famous people…."
"The details of Jade's research, past, and such are his to divulge if he so feels inclined," Overcast continued. "But I believe that this research might, for some reason, be the Obsidian Star's real objective. I'll discuss this matter with him later. But I thought that you should be aware…the Obsidian Star is not, at this time, after you. Although I think your capture would be a bonus…."
They turned as the remaining members joined them. Jade began his businesslike instructions. "Miss Tôsaka's spirit, Archer, has scouted the way ahead…we seem to be clear all the way to St. Binah. We're still on course to arrive this evening. I have an old friend in St. Binah who should be able to help us, but we should be ready for more attacks by the Obsidian Star." He glanced over at Overcast. "Lieutenant, how are you for armaments?"
Overcast drew up his sleeve, showing a few bracelets. "I had plenty stashed at those ruins, so I'll be fully-powered for a good while."
Jade nodded. "The rest of you are ready?" After one more glance around, he declared, "Then let's get moving. I'd rather not wait around to be caught by the enemy here." So saying, he turned on his heel and began his surprisingly swift march. The rest fell in line, following, heading for their uncertain future.
8-8-8
The bird, a bold blue-feathered raptor of large size, circled as it descended and finally lighted upon the outstretched arm of the girl. It shrieked at her, and she turned to Van. "They are nearly to St. Binah. They made it far past us."
"As to be expected. They were well-prepared. You've done well to find them, Arietta. These are more the outskirts of Grandall, but still, once there, they will have the protection and aid of the Grandall military once again." Van considered for a moment. "It would likely be too costly to attack them again if they get reinforcements, but we certainly must stop them…both for our needs and to prevent too much word of this from leaking out. We must find another means."
"Then might I suggest a lure?" Vira-Lorr commented. "If we acquire something they want badly enough, we can drag them out and force them to meet on our terms. At the worst, we might be able to exchange a hostage for the data you want so badly…."
"Yes…that would work." Van stroked at his chin. "If we feign an attack, we could draw out a few, and then take one of those remaining." He turned to the girl at his other side. "Is your friend ready for more work, Arietta?"
Arietta was young, perhaps 13 or 14. Her dull pink hair was long and she wore a black dress. In her arms—arm, currently, as the other still held her blue raptor—was a large stuffed animal, worn and obviously well loved. With a nod she sent the bird flying again and wrapped both arms around her ragged companion. "Of course, Van. Whatever you need, I will do my best to provide it."
8-8-8
"The walled city," Jade explained, perhaps unnecessarily. "St. Binah."
St. Binah was still surrounded by great walls, a defense that normally had long ago been rendered obsolete by advanced gunpowder-driven weaponry; however, the walls of St. Binah had a significant meaning in its continued existence.
"Of course, we can't actually tell you anything about its defensive capabilities," Overcast finished cheerfully.
"Yes…never mind that." Jade pushed at his glasses. "The guards at the gate need an explanation. Please be silent and let me deal with this." They followed obediently behind as he moved forward to meet the lead guardsman at the gate.
"Colonel Jade Curtis, Grandall Special Forces, Third Division," Jade introduced himself to guard in response to the request of identity. "This…rather motley group here, save for my lieutenant, are a group of civilians under my protection. Is Field Marshal McGovern still over this city?"
"Ah…" the nervous lieutenant began. "Well, General McGovern is the military figure in charge. And the Field Marshal is still here…."
"Very well. Take us to both of them. We have top secret information that needs to go to his Majesty as quickly as possible."
Jade's commanding tone set the guards to work instantly, and a guide appeared to lead the makeshift party through the gates and down the streets of St. Binah. They were the subject of a great many stares by the townsfolk, but their attention was taken by further commentary by Jade.
"Field Marshal McGovern is retired, but he was one of the highest-ranked military men in the country for a long time," the colonel explained. "It's fortunate that he's here…or, rather, that we ended up so close to him. He's an old friend of mine…and, if fact, was one of the commanders and confidants of Kalan Lockeheart in the war twenty years ago. He should be quite sympathetic to our plight. His son, Brigadier General McGovern, is another matter, but we shouldn't have any problems."
"What's the matter with the younger McGovern?" Kiami queried.
"Nothing in particular…outside of me. He's always been a little wary and jealous of me because of the young age at which I attained my rank…he sees me as something of a threat to his career, as silly as that is. Still, he is a man of honor and integrity, taking after his father…he won't make things difficult on us simply to spite me."
They were taken to a large building in the center of the city, a large marble-adorned capitol building. Ascending the steps, they passed through great windowed doors and were directed to a back office. Within was a well-dressed old gentleman with massively long white hair and a beard of equal magnificence. At his elbow was a middle-aged man in a military uniform, with sharp features and gray hair tied in a small ponytail. The elderly gentleman glanced up at them and spoke first. "Ah, is that little Jade? My, what an interesting little troop you've come in with. I assume you have an interesting story to tell us…."
Jade pushed at his glasses. "Good to see you again, too, Field Marshal. I apologize for our intrusion, but there are indeed interesting stories behind all this…."
"Forget the Field Marshal, and forget the apologies," the old man said, waving away the words. "I'm retired, and too old to waste time with niceties. Instead, introduce me to your motley crew, and tell me their story."
The former marshal and his son, Brigadier General Glenn McGovern, were introduced, and likewise Jade's party was named for him. Overcast then gave a summary of their situation—sparing few details.
"The Obsidian Star?" the younger McGovern queried sharply. "You're sure of this?"
"I would say it's almost certain," Jade replied in his usual even tone. "Between the power they wielded and the secrets they knew, there is little chance of it being any other. And this certainly isn't the time to doubt—it was the nation's pursuit of Kalan Lockeheart for so long during the last great war, ignoring the evidences of the Obsidian Star, that put our nation in such a terrible state…as you are well aware."
"Yes…" the elder McGovern muttered. "How terrifying, to think that those days may be upon us again…I'm far too old for this now. But I understand the situation. What about you, Glenn?"
"There are conflicting stories," the general replied almost reluctantly. "But all of them seem to point to the interference of something beyond normal threats, and the Obsidian Star would explain a great deal. This is a threat we cannot ignore or take lightly." He considered Jade seriously. "We can keep you here while we send word back to the capital."
"We appreciate the offer," Jade answered evenly. "And we would be more than happy to accept your hospitality for tonight. We must, however, be on the road by tomorrow morning. The enemy's objective seems to involve our little party in some way; they are likely to continue seeking us, and will try to stifle any means to communicate the situation to the capital. If you keep us here, you will likely only put us and your fair city in terrible danger. This band completely overwhelmed the Tartarus, without effort—they would likely hesitate, but only for a moment, to attack this city in order to take us, and they would likely succeed, despite the inevitably high cost."
Glenn stared back dourly, but the older man warned him, "I hate to say it, but Jade's probably right, my boy. Jade's unique situation is far too dangerous to try to handle according to procedure. He's the only one with any intel or insight on the situation, so we should let him do what he feels is best for now."
The younger McGovern sighed and nodded. "You're right…I just can't stand feeling so helpless. Very well…we'll put you up to the night, and prepare provisions for you tomorrow. I'm going to do what I can to send word to his Majesty all the same." He nodded and headed for the door. "Get some rest…if what you've said is true, you'll need all the rest you can get while you can."
"It seems little more needs to be said on that score," Kiami noted.
8-8-8
Tear slid silently into the dark, moonlit room of the library. A small sigh escaped her lips as she attempted to push her various, tangled worried thoughts of the recent events out of her mind. St. Binah's library was famed throughout Grandall, largely because McGovern, a native of the city and its perpetual, ageless patron, was an extremely studious book-lover who strove to accumulate as great a collection as he could…and, due to his generous and open nature, he left the books to the city's library so all could benefit from his habit.
And this large collection of books was just the thing Tear needed right now to distract herself from the turmoil running through her mind. She didn't know what, exactly, she wanted to peruse, but there had to be something here, be it history, mythology, or even self-help, that could keep her active mind subdued. If she could quiet it, perhaps she could find sleep….
She lit a magical light in her hand and began to peruse the shelves. The library was very well organized; she had found a wall of histories, and she began to pick through the various titles before her, proclaiming knowledge of both Arcanus Myrror and earth.
"Hmm…finding sleep a harder prey to catch, Tear-senpai?"
Tear jumped and glanced over at the shadow. A moment later she could have sworn no one was there, but Kiami sat up from the two chairs she was lying on, pulling the book from her face as she moved her own gaze to Tear. "Tsukimori-san…what are you doing here?"
"Ah, normally I think one says 'the same as you' in these circumstances, but that wouldn't be true," Kiami opined. "I came here to sleep, but you've interrupted that."
"Why are you sleeping here?" Tear demanded crossly, turning her full attention to the younger girl and folding her arms to assume a stern, scolding big sister pose. "Aren't our quarters sufficient? They seemed perfectly fine to me…."
"Ah…this is true," Kiami admitted with a mischievous smile. "But we're not safe enough yet for me to relax like that. Even if we have nothing to fear from the good gentlemen here, we are still being pursued. I wouldn't put it past the Obsidian Star to attack us in our beds. I decided that, if such a thing happened, I, at least, would catch them by surprise. This the last place anyone who knows me would expect to find me.
"But enough about me," she continued as Tear's expression softened. "What about you, Tear-senpai? Obviously, sleep isn't on your mind right now…."
It was a subtle and casual invitation, but Kiami's look was serious. Tear hesitated, then replied, "…What, exactly, are you suggesting, Tsukimori-san?"
Kiami shrugged. "That man, the leader of that group…he was your brother, wasn't he? That's how you identified him at the time. I can't help but believe the reason you can't sleep tonight is connected to his sudden appearance…right?"
Tear considered this, then sighed. "…Yes. I suppose I could do worse than…getting some of that off my chest." She sat in the second chair that Kiami had previously been occupying, and then began her story. "My brother…vanished ten years ago, on assignment. He was a great warrior and mage, a valiant agent of the Magic Council. I lost both of my parents soon after I was born, and so he practically raised me. He was my hero…but after he disappeared, I resolved myself to being my own woman, and taking care of myself. I'd never even entertained fantasies that he was alive…that seemed…disingenuous to him."
"Ten years ago…" Kiami murmured. "I keep hearing that a lot. What happened ten years ago, exactly? Is it just a common mage figure of speech to denote 'a long time ago', or are all these disappearances connected somehow? I can't believe that so many siblings and parents were lost 'ten years ago' simply out of coincidence."
Tear glanced over at her kohai and smiled slightly. "…Yes, they are all connected. There are only two known events from 'ten years ago'. You see, Kalan Lockeheart, while famous as a great hero who saved the world, is not actually as revered as he is made out to be—the common folk love him, but to many of the rulers his interferences and self-righteous vigilantism were nuisances at best. But the Magic Council of Mahora and Caelar and, indeed, all the high Mage Councils of Earth, always saw him as their personal champion, and so even after the…unpleasantness of the aftermath of the war, they looked out for him and his interests. Shortly after the birth of Kain Lockeheart, he vanished without a trace, and so the Archmage Council took his son under their protection. They always held out hope that Kalan Lockeheart would one day reappear.
"And so the first event of ten years ago is, as Kain-sensei probably told you, the destruction of his village. He was the only witness, and he was only a four-year-old boy, but he claimed that his father had saved him. Even if a child that young couldn't be trusted, he had irrefutable proof with his cloak. And so the Council formed a powerful, elite team to follow his last trail into the magical world to see if any trace of him could be found again. All those you've likely heard of disappearing—my brother, Rin's father, Tsukai Kajirô's brother—they were part of that group. They vanished without a trace themselves, and so, despite the fears of what that could entail, no more parties were sent in pursuit of Kalan Lockeheart."
"All those who disappeared at that time…" Kiami murmured, thinking of a pair of her other classmates who had not been mentioned. "Well…I'll leave that alone for now. Anyway, now we've found your brother alive, and on the side of the Obsidian Star. It seems they, unfortunately, might have found the wrong thing?"
Tear hesitated. "Yes. I suppose so…."
"Do you have any idea why your brother would side with the enemy?"
"…Maybe. I was still young when he disappeared, myself, but I remember…he was…very bitter. It wasn't just my parents who were lost…my homeland was destroyed around the time of my birth, as a result and repercussion of the great war that Kalan stopped twenty years ago. Van seemed to believe…it was sacrificed for the sake and safety of the remaining kingdoms, and he seemed to…hate them all for it. Maybe he's after revenge…but otherwise…I don't know what he's after."
"I see. Thank you sharing, Tear-senpai. If…this is too hard on you, perhaps you should retire from us…?"
Tear shook her head emphatically. "No. My duty is to safeguard Kain-sensei and all of you, all of his students…I'm responsible for all of you, especially since I used the spell that scattered you across this world. And if my brother really has thrown away all his morals in order to seek revenge, then I…I have the responsibility to stop him, as his sister."
"If you say so, Tear-senpai. Just don't push yourself beyond the limits of what you can do."
Tear wasn't the only member of their party with sleeping issues that night. Kazumi, perpetually worried since the beginning of this disaster, found her mind once again occupied with fears and concerns. The last battle had been the most intense yet, and despite the arrival of their unexpected saviors, the threat against them was renewed and real. Although discomforted by the military aspect of it, the ride aboard the Tartarus had not been unpleasant, and Kazumi had been able to relax somewhat; now, it seemed that a real threat was once again imminent….
She found her own tonic in walking outside, feeling the wind and seeing the twinkling, alien stars overhead. Kazumi was not a dedicated astronomer or stargazer, yet even she could tell that the stars overhead were alien and they reminded her that she was a stranger in a strange land…
"Better be careful, Ojô-chan. This night is not safe, nor secure."
Kazumi started and looked up as the red-robed spirit Rin called 'Archer' materialized before her. Sharp featured, with his dark skin, stark white hair and bright garments, he certainly stood out despite his lack of presence. Rin had not yet taken the time to 'introduce' her apparent servant, and he had not held much of a conversation with any of them yet either. As she considered him, she could sense….
"Ah…you…Archer-san, is it? You're…not quite a spirit…or a human soul…."
Archer smiled wryly. "I see…that Spirit Jewel you carry allows you to perceive and communicate with spirits. I am a Heroic Spirit, the soul of a human mage-knight that has passed on. From what I have learned from Rin about your little party, you've had some experience with hinigami. In our case, our magic and our intense desires, our work left undone, leads us to be claimed by the Throne of Heroes, a place of spirits and magic. Mages who are trained and skilled can summon us and form a contract with us, making us their heroic companions, allowing us a chance to fulfill our unfinished business. So, we are souls of the departed made semi-physical in your world, like hinigami, but rather than being composed and sustained by reishi, spirit particles, we are actually spirits of magic and mana."
Kazumi relaxed slightly, fascinated by this revelation. "Oh…I see…so, you have some great purpose in…returning to our world? What…is your desire…?"
Archer smiled wryly. "In truth, I don't remember."
Kazumi blinked in surprise. "Eh? Um…what?"
"Rin is a brilliant mage, a talented prodigy from a powerful family," Archer chuckled. "However, when she made the ritual to summon me, she tied the ritual to the peak hour of her powers—a rare and difficult aspect of a mage's magic to determine, but, when done correctly, one that greatly increases the power of the spell. She intended to use it to summon a great and powerful hero. However, she lost track of the actual time, and did it an hour too early, which caused the ritual to backfire…nothing serious, but my arrival was not very smooth, and, as a result, I seem to have amnesia. I cannot remember my name or anything of my original identity, much less what I truly desired as I died. However, I have a perfect knowledge of all my magic and abilities, and so my combat effectiveness has not been harmed at all. What you have perceived as my name—'Archer'—is more the identity of my 'class', a side effect of this heroic summoning." He glanced out, over the wall of St. Binah and towards the west. "In any case, since I don't sleep, Rin has me scouting in order to search for the enemy, and I had better return to it. You should return to bed, Ojô-chan…I realize you may be troubled by all this, but it's the best thing for you right now."
"I-I will…just a bit longer…and then I'll head in…."
Archer nodded. "As you say. Rest well." And he faded away.
Kazumi stared after the spirit, then shivered as a chill night breeze made a brief announcement. Pulling her warm night robe tighter around her, she nonetheless continued her walk away from the lodgings….
8-8-8
The man in the floating chair gloated as he stared at the fortified city. Behind him loomed a large machine, vaguely humanoid with a large globular body and a pair of arms and legs extending from that torso. "Ho…the great walled city of St. Binah…so self-important…but now we'll see just how great your walls are…."
"Is that so…that would be inconveniencing us. Our ladies, especially, have need of their beauty sleep."
Dist continued the recent fad of being startled at a sudden new arrival. Archer materialized above the madman and his machine. "W-what!? Who are you!? Who dares interrupt the gloating of Dist the Rose!?"
"Dist the Rose? Really?" Archer snickered. "Well, who I am doesn't matter. I am simply the one who will end your threat." Two swords, short and curved, one white and one black, appeared in his hands, and he dropped on top of the pink-haired recliner.
Dist's odd vehicle shot away quickly, and Dist shouted, "Go, Kaiser Dist R! Crush that uncouth miscreant!"
The massive mechanism moved with speed to intercept the spirit, and Archer faded away to avoid the attack. He materialized a safe distance away, observing the opponent. "Well…quite an interesting MagiTech beast you've got there. It can even detect and attack my spirit body, eh?" He raised his swords into a defensive posture. "This certainly won't be boring…."
8-8-8
Kazumi had just turned herself back towards her bed when she saw the flash in the sky above. Even over the wall, she could see the flashes of combat taking place some distance away; instinctively, through her jewel, she could feel the magical power of one of one of the combatants. "Archer-san…."
As she began to wrestle with the idea of heading out to his aid, a presence suddenly appeared behind her. A hand adorned by vicious long claws reached around and poised themselves in front of her face. The voice of Kairen spoke softly to her: "Yoshida Kazumi…if you value your life, do not move or attempt to resist. Your life is in my hands."
Kazumi froze in fright, rigid and pale as she stared at the glinting blades in front of her eyes. Then, further behind her, a clear and strong voice burst out, "Energy Blast!"
Kairen half-turned and extended her left hand, and her purple orb appeared. The energy from the chanted spell began to form, but was immediately sucked into the orb, as it had neutralized so many attacks in Kyoto. Jade, observing this defense for the first time, pushed against his glasses and carefully considered the magical ward. "Hmm…what an interesting defense. Something like that seems quite unfair…."
"Sour grapes, oh illustrious Colonel Curtis?" teased Ryuryu as she appeared in front of Kazumi (but staring past her and her captor to the soldier). "I'm surprised an old man like you is up this late. Don't you need your beauty sleep?"
Jade continued his analysis, and Ryuryu continued simply, "Well, in any case, we're going to be borrowing this one. If you want her back…there's an old, abandoned mansion to the south of St. Binah, in the mountains. Come quickly, and bring all your notes…Mr. Grants would like to discuss your magical science with you, he says."
And then the two violet-haired girls vanished along with their captive. Jade sighed and adjusted the bridge of his glasses as the rest of their party emerged from their quarters. "What's going on?" Rin demanded.
"Well…it seems we have a problem," was Jade's calm reply.
8-8-8
The machine finished falling to pieces from Archer's last cuts with his twin blades, and Dist's chair did a hurried backpedal as the spirit turned his direction. "H-how dare you!" the man screeched, somehow showing unrighteous indignation as he pushed himself forward, leaning in angrily even as his chair was retreating. "How dare you do that to my beloved Kaiser Dist! You'll pay for that!"
"Really?" Archer said with a small smile. He pointed one sword at the scientist. "Well then, make me pay. Can you?"
Dist finally recoiled from this challenge, the anger turning to fear, but a new figure suddenly dropped next to him. Two shots rang out, and Archer retreated himself, fading away and reappearing some distance back a few moments later.
"That's enough, Dist," Legretta informed him. "Your distraction worked perfectly. We accomplished our first objective. Let's go." And the two vanished before Archer could renew his attack.
Archer's swords disappeared and he turned his gaze back towards the city. "Mission accomplished…? I don't like the sound of that. I better go find out what's going on…." And he faded again from sight.
8-8-8
About fifteen minutes later….
"Kazumi-chan was kidnapped?" Kiami asked wearily. "Well, that's nearly the worst thing that could have happened to us…."
"Logically, it would be best to go forward," Jade said crisply. "We have more important objectives than rescuing one lost girl, regardless of her affiliation to us…."
This statement was met with heavy outrage. "What's that!?" Rin demanded first. "You have 'more important objectives', you say!? Not us! Regardless of your 'objectives', we're here to rescue the students of our school! Kazumi-chan's safety is the most important thing for us right now!"
"Well…" Kiami murmured. "I appreciate that sentiment. After what we went through at the Festival, it's surprising to hear that from you…."
"This and that are two different things," Rin answered sharply. "It's really quite simple…we were sent specifically to make sure all of you are safe. Everything else is secondary to that."
"But the colonel is right," Archer replied. "Speaking from a logical standpoint, walking into a trap such as this against such formidable opposition is foolhardy. It should be the last option…."
"Archer!" Rin snapped, aghast.
Overcast sighed and motioned for peace. "The colonel and Archer are just speaking strictly logically," he pleaded. "They aren't suggesting such a course; just stating that most prudent course from the get-go."
"That is the truth," Jade sighed. "I do realize that we can't abandon Miss Yoshida Kazumi. It was simply more wishful thinking than anything…."
"But what are they really after?" Tear demanded of the colonel. "They don't seem to actually be after the Mahora students, they already have the Tartarus…why would they resort to kidnapping Kazumi and using her as bait to lure us in?"
Jade was silent for several moments. "Archer, you say that the man whom you fought was called 'Dist'?"
"Yes…that is what he called himself: Dist the Rose."
"'Dist the Rose'," Jade repeated, almost in a snicker. "Well, his presence sheds a little more light on things." He paused again, and finally said, "I, more than the rest of you, am their real objective. Or my knowledge. I…can't say anything more right now. I've been involved in a great deal of magic and MagiTech research since my youth, and some of my secrets are…things I'm not proud of. And Van seems to want to get his hands on it."
"We won't ask more than that," Rin said curtly. "We don't need to know anything about your secrets right now."
Tear nodded. "Agreed. The only thing we need to do is find and rescue Kazumi. The rest of it will sort itself out."
With a final sigh and adjustment of his spectacles, Jade turned to the McGoverns. "And so there you have it, sirs. If you'll excuse us, we have a solemn duty to perform. We'll try to make it back to Grand Chokma after this; if you can, please send word to his Majesty."
"Of course," the younger McGovern replied somewhat gruffly. "We'll do what we can. You just make sure to do what you have to."
There was no more to be said. The group turned and headed out, with the sole purpose of rescuing one of their own.
8-8-8
Van examined the card carefully, holding it up to the light of the just-awakened dawn. "How curious," he intoned. "It changes back to its card form when it is taken from its owner. A natural defense mechanism, I assume…."
"Hey, Van, if you ever want to know more about them, you know who to ask. I could always hook you up with some contracts of your own if you're interested in them…."
Van glanced over as the black rodent-like figure of Alvaris manifested on the table next to him. The table was one of many simple but generous adornments on this otherwise empty flat roof at the top of the great mansion. There were chairs around the table, to one of them was tied the figure of Kazumi. She sat with her head bowed, remaining mostly still, but every once in a while she shivered in fright, showing that she was awake and conscious of her predicament.
"Alvaris," Van said dismissively. "Well, as useful as your talents are, your pressure is unbecoming. If I have need of your skills, I'll call on you…."
"Yeah, sure you will." The magical spirit smirked. "In any case, since you're wondering, it is possible for someone else to use an artifact provided by a contract, but they either have to be related or connected to it in some way, or the owner has to subconsciously and sincerely regard them as a friend and ally. It's a very handy defense mechanism, especially since it relies on the psyche of the owner to enforce the rule. In other words, using my power is the only way to score artifacts for yourself…."
Van snorted and again examined the card. His attention seemed drawn to it. "You really interested in that?" Alvaris pressed, causing even Kazumi to look up, curious.
"As simple as an artifact as this is, it holds great power," Van replied. "However, mostly, I simply find it ironic that the power it grants is very close to the natural power of Aeli Kanna. You must feel honored, Yoshida Kazumi."
"Aeli…Kanna…?"
Van turned to her, one eyebrow raised. "Oh? You do not recognize the name of Queen Aeli Kanna, last ruler of Kanev, better known as the Queen of Calamity? What a surprise. As a companion of Kain Lockeheart, I thought you would know all about her…."
Alvaris snickered. "They haven't told the kid anything, and they've told all his girlies even less. You know as well as anyone that even speaking the queen's name now is practically a crime…and, just for security purposes, the Magic Council around Kain always adhered to that rule."
"Of course. I should have guessed as much." He shook his head and put the card down on the table next to Kazumi. "If we separate this too far from its owner, the contracted spirit will be alerted, correct?" The spirit gave a slight bob of his head, a nod. "I'd rather avoid getting any others involved if I can…it might make things messy."
And, fully turning his attention back to the rodent, he demanded, "In any case, why did you come here, Alvaris? I doubt you wandered into an eminent battle scene just to press your services onto me again."
Alvaris sighed. "It's horrible, you know…we have so many different activities going on that I've been reduced to the role of a messenger spirit. Me! A great and powerful spirit of magic bindings and contracts! Forced into servitude, passing notes like some mere familiar…."
"Get on with it," Van growled, not amused by the little figure's melodrama.
"Most of Kain's little harem has been found. They're scattered across the landscape in ones or twos like this little lady here and her friend. Nagi's been trying to grab the Crystal Princess, but that hasn't been going well…like these ones, they got help from the other side."
"Mahora did well to foresee our actions and send support through before our assault on the gates," Van commented. "Any word on Meia Gisborn and Takamichi Takahata? They are the ones to be concerned about…."
"Not yet. That might be more worrisome. Takamichi, of course, was Kalan's companion, and few other Mahora masters were as well-briefed about everything as Meia. But the three brothers, while fiddling around out east, have acquired the necessary ingredients for the Obsidian Heart, at great personal cost. How goes your quest for your puppet paradise?"
"We shall see. The key is on his way…we just have to persuade him to unlock the vault.…"
"Van…they've arrived."
Van turned as Arietta approached, still holding the massive stuffed animal in her arms. "Hmm. What impeccable timing. Very well…it's time to begin…."
Alvaris chuckled. "And that means it's my turn to vamoose! Have fun!" And he vanished.
Van smiled after the rodent, and then turned to another corner of the roof. "Dist! Stop sulking and prepare yourself! If you want revenge, now is the time to take it."
The massive chair turned around and Dist raised himself from his slump. "Revenge? Ooooohh, yes! But…revenge on the foul traitor Jade, first, or that spirit that destroyed my precious Kaiser Dist? I just don't know…."
"Go and meet them at the entrance with your friends, Arietta," Van informed her, ignoring Dist's further rantings. "Show them just how serious the situation is…."
8-8-8
As they crested the hill, the party paused and observed the mansion before them. "What a creepy-looking place," Kiami said almost with relish. "I think it's giving me the willies."
"It certainly could use some redecorating and refurbishing," Overcast agreed. "Even a bit of good housekeeping would do wonders for it."
The building was run-down and decrepit-looking, and the creepy atmosphere was promoted by its dark colors and great size.
"We better be careful," Jade pointed out cheerfully. "There might be ghosts or poltergeists haunting a mansion like this."
"G-ghosts?" Mei squeaked, gazing wide-eyed at the place.
"D-don't play around. T-there's nothing of sort in there," Tear insisted.
A few gazes went her way. Mei's trepidation was, perhaps, to be expected, but the nervousness creeping into the voice of the steel-nerved Tear was surprising. "W-what?" she demanded as she felt the gazes on her.
"How interesting…" Kiami murmured. "Tear-senpai is…afraid of ghosts?"
"D-don't be ridiculous!" Tear snapped, striding for the door…and minimizing her shaking. "Let's get this over with. We have to rescue Kazumi."
Rin followed after her friend with a sigh, and Mei nervously hurried after the two of them. Jade pushed at his glasses again. "How interesting. This trip could have opportunities for fun, no?"
"Ah, perhaps under different circumstances," Overcast said. "For now, sir, I think our business is a little urgent…."
"Yes, yes…we better follow them…."
They paused at the large double doors that served as the entrance to the mansion. "Shall we knock?" Kiami asked as the group surveyed it.
"Lieutenant, please knock," Jade instructed. Overcast nodded, raised his hand, and snapped his fingers. A blast of wind came flying by them and slammed into the doors, throwing them banging open.
Rin and Tear started from the display while Mei just shrieked. "That was a little extreme, wasn't it?" Rin demanded angrily.
"So they know we're here," Jade replied nonchalantly. "Of course, I doubt that was a secret. Let's go in, shall we?"
They entered the dark interior. As they prepared magic to light up the room, it suddenly lit on its own, from lamps along the wall and chandeliers high above. It was a great entrance chamber, over twenty feet to its ceiling, with doors off to the left and right, and staircases along each wall leading up to other doors on the same side. The back of the chamber was already up several feet, raised by a slight set of steps in front of it, and standing in the middle of it was a girl in a black dress with salmon-colored hair, holding a large, ragged stuffed animal.
They fell silent and observed her carefully. "I see…are you the doorkeeper, young miss?" Jade asked of Arietta.
"You won't get past here," Arietta said softly. She raised her toy up in both hands. "Get them!"
A large blue hawk-like bird and a large feline burst from the shadows and came hurtling towards the group, scattering them. Arietta, still with her toy raised, began to chant, and a blast of magic accompanied the attacks of her creatures.
"We can't waste time here," Jade insisted. "We can't play the games they've set up, or we'll be playing right into their hands."
"P-please," Mei said softly, then put a hand to the ground. An explosion of light and mist obscured the party. The eyes of their opponents were blinded, and when the dazzle faded, the mist remained for several seconds more; the bird and cat hovered and paced around the mist while Arietta eyed it warily, waiting for the break.
Finally the mist cleared, and only Mei remained behind. She brandished her broom. ('I-I've never had to fight on my own before…but…I was chosen for this mission, too…I have to pull my own weight….')
"I am your opponent!" she insisted aloud. "Come!"
8-8-8
Jade pelted through the halls alongside Rin and Tear. "We've been separated from the others. How many stayed behind?"
Archer materialized alongside the trio. "Only Mei-chan stayed behind. The other two went another direction. Do we try to go back for any of them?"
"Mei can take care of herself," Tear insisted levelly. "She's young, but she has great talents. That's the reason she was chosen for this mission."
"Overcast as well," Jade commented. "He and Miss Tsukimori are both exceptional. All we can do is find and rescue Miss Yoshida, and then try to meet up again. Splitting up is dangerous, but taking too much time and allowing them to set traps for us is equally dangerous. We'll have to trust each other to handle ourselves."
Soon after this statement, a blast of lightning tore through the hall in front of them. They all dodged aside nimbly as Ryuryu appeared behind her spell strike.
"You do not seem very fond of our hospitality," Ryuryu commented pleasantly. "Why don't you slow down a little? I'm sure we have lots to talk about…."
"By all means, talk away," Jade commented, pushing at his glasses as he rose. "Telling us where Yoshida-san is would be an excellent start."
"I'm afraid that we can't quite share that information yet…right, Kairen?"
Ryuryu's sister walked into view behind the group, flexing her claws on both hands. She watched the group silently.
Archer chuckled. "'Trust each other to handle ourselves', is it?" he said. He kicked open a door behind him. "Why don't you three continue on? I'll entertain these ladies…."
Jade smirked. "Well, feel free." With a gesture to beckon Rin and Tear, he slipped through the door, and the pair quickly followed.
Ryuryu and Kairen rushed in to try and stop the three, but suddenly the world around them shattered. It broke to pieces, peeling away to reveal a new world of white and black sand and dark, sullen skies of blood. Gears turned in the air around them and swords dotted the landscape.
"A…reality marble!?" Ryuryu cried in shock, glancing around them. "Such incredible magical power…who are earth are you!?"
"I'm sorry I cannot be a proper host and introduce myself properly," Archer evenly, taking a pair of swords from the ground. "Nonetheless I welcome you…to the Unlimited Bladeworks." Readying his new weapons, he charged towards his foes….
8-8-8
"Just us two? What a shame," Kiami commented as she and Overcast made their own way through the mansion's many corridors and tried to make their way up. "Still, under other circumstances, a date might be pleasant…."
"Perhaps we'll have to keep that in mind," Overcast agreed. "For now, why don't we find your friend and see if we can escape with our skins?"
"Sounds good to me. This place doesn't seem to have much of a basement, so I figure they must be keeping her somewhere else, like the roof. So, we definitely need to go up."
"Really? What's your basis for that belief? Women's intuition?"
"Of course. And this badge." Kiami held up the White Wing pin. "It's telling me she's up there…unless for some reason the goons took it off her and left it lying around. I doubt they'd notice something this innocent and simple."
"What is that exactly?"
"Our group's signature. After Alyssa gave us these badges, I figured that there was something more to them all, so I pestered our resident scientist, Caria, until she spilled. Sure enough, she made them…and she told me all about how they work. You can use them to locate all the other badges. It would have been useful if they'd explained this to us before we left, of course…."
"Well, I suppose that will make things easier." They stopped at the top of the stairs they'd been climbing and examined the door before them. Overcast reached for the handle. "Well, let's see what's behind this one, shall we?"
They moved into the chamber beyond…and stared in wonder. It was some kind of laboratory, with a pair of strange capsule-like apparatuses in the depressed center of the chamber, and a computer of some sort along the north wall. Kiami whistled. "Well…this doesn't look like anything normal…what kind of rich folks were these?"
Overcast went down into the depression and examined the capsules. "These…I hope this isn't what I think it is…."
A laugh suddenly sounded overhead. They glance up as Dist's elaborate chair floated into view. "That's right! Well, actually we've redecorated this place. The old equipment that this place was originally built for were thrown out, and we put in some of our own devices…ones that we can use once Jade finally gives over his secrets…."
"Doctor Saphir Gneiss," Overcast replied. "So it is you. What are you planning? Are you really still obsessed with that old failed technology? It's useless to continue any further…."
"Failed!?" Dist spat, his face contorted in rage. "Useless!? What do know about it, worm!? It is not useless! Once we finally wring the missing data out of that cowardly traitor Jade, we will have all we need to complete the art of Replication. And then, she can be reborn…."
"I'm afraid that Overcast is right," Jade interrupted, suddenly appearing from a room on the opposite of the chamber. "That old technology is useless. Your dream can never come true, Saphir."
Dist rounded on the man. "Shut up! You've just given up! You just don't care about Professor Nebillim anymore! But I won't fail where you did! Now just hand over all the data on Replication that you have! I know you have it with you! You will help me finish my quest!"
Jade sighed and adjusted his glasses. "I could almost feel sorry for you, you poor deluded animal. There is nothing I have to give you…but I'll give you more mercy than you deserve, and put you down."
He manifested his spear, and the others, on cue, readied themselves. Dist growled in rage again. "Go, Kaiser Dist DX! Smash them all!"
A massive, roundish machine, similar to the one Archer had fought the night before, smashed through the floor and settled on the south side of the room. The primary difference between the original and this one was the four arms, equipped with cannon barrels, that emerged at ninety-degree angles from the body.
As it began to point its cannons at its various enemies, Jade sighed and pointed a hand at the machine. "Arise, o violent waters, to rout mine enemies. Blessed Drops!" An explosion of watery bubbles burst out of the ground underneath the machine, bathing it with the magical, elemental essence of water. It began to quiver and shake as it shorted, lightning arcing along its form.
"You still haven't learned, have you, oh Dist the Runny?" Jade taunted, turning back to the stunned and twitching man. "Your machines are always so vulnerable to water. Toys like that won't be much of a threat to us…."
Dist broke and screamed. "Oh….y-y-you will pay for his, mark my words!" So saying, his chair did an about-face, and he charged through a door in the opposite wall.
"After him!" Jade insisted, and all five began to move.
Less than a minute later they were charging up a stair and emerged to light on the top of the roof. There were gathered Elaine, Vira-Lorr, Legretta…and Van, with Dist cowering behind their leader. And, behind them all, tied to her chair, was Kazumi.
"Minna!" the captive girl cried in delight and relief.
The two groups surveyed each other carefully. Then Van, chuckling, drew his sword and strode forward. "Well, it seems you've arrived. And you've proven more troublesome than I really expected. However, you're still disadvantaged. If you will just give me what I want, I'll return this insignificant girl to you and let you depart in peace. If not, you'll have to fall by my blade."
"Is that so? Well, first, why don't you tell me just what it is that you want?" Jade replied evenly. "I can't be a mind-reader, after all…."
"Please, don't be coy. By now it should be obvious. All I require is the information of the founder of the art of Replication. Just share a little knowledge with us, and we'll let you go…not a bad deal, now, is it?"
"Replication, you say…and just what do you intend to do with that knowledge?" Jade dropped his sarcastic tone and fixed a far more serious gaze on Van. "I don't think you really understand what you're asking about. That cockroach behind you is deluded beyond help, of course, but your sensibilities must be clearer…there was a very strong reason why I forbid any more research into that art and buried all traces of it. Just what do you hope to create with it?"
Van chuckled again. "Very well. I shall tell you. This world will soon belong to the Obsidian Star…and it will be transformed into something glorious, something of power, that they may use it for their own purposes. But humans and other mortal creatures will have their importance place in this world. And in order to properly guide those humans, a strong hand will be needed, a strong kingdom…and there is only one kingdom worthy of that. The old kingdom of Kanev, the kingdom of magic's true royalty, must be resurrected."
Jade stiffened. The look on his face was blank, verging on fear. "What? What are you talking about? You can't possibly be suggesting…."
"That's right…the lost kingdom itself, including all of its people, will be brought back. Obviously your own failures make you believe that it can't be done, but I have access to something you never had…the power of the Obsidian Star and all their magic. You have seen firsthand the extent of their power. With the magic they can provide, something of this scale is hardly impossible. But they do not have the techniques…only you possess the perfect knowledge. Only you, who first fashioned the theory of Replication when you were but a child, have the skills necessary to make this a reality."
"You can't be serious!" Tear interjected, stepping forward. "Brother, listen to reason! That past you're obsessed with…it's gone! It can't come back! Would you really sacrifice this world for that empty dream!?"
"Sacrifice this world?" Van repeated, disgust oozing out of his voice. "Why should that concern me? After Kanev was sacrificed so easily for the sake of the world? It is simply poetic justice. Land, people, and even its beloved queen, who was forced to make the sacrifice for the sake of the entire world, who was martyred by the very people she saved. You talk as if this world is worth saving, Tear…but it isn't. Don't waste any part of yourself for the sake of this twisted world gone astray. You belong here, with us…."
Tear shook her head and raised her staff. "Never. If Queen Aeli Kanna believed that this world was worth saving, even if it would cost her life…than it certainly is worth protecting. Wake up, Van! If you would only open your eyes, you would see that there is still plenty here and on Earth that is worth saving. We can't rely on a promise of paradise when it means the sacrifice of so much!"
Van sighed and raised his sword. "It seems we are at an impasse. If you will not see the light, I have no choice but to use force. I'll try to make this as painless as possible." He suddenly dashed forward….
Overcast moved to intercept him. He blocked the sword with his hand, magical power streaming off of him. Van stared at him. "Interesting tricks, boy. How much of that do you have on you?"
"Enough," Overcast replied as Van shoved him back. Kiami and Rin jumped in to fill the gap. Kiami struck with a pair of kunai, occupying his sword, while Rin removed a handful of jewels from her pocket and began to chant in German. Kiami withdrew to allow Rin to throw her missiles, and they all exploded in fire.
As Van emerged with only minor burns from the flame, Jade and Tear were ready with their spells.
"Prism Sword!"
"Divine Lance!"
The two weapons of light fell upon Van, but he met them with his blade and magical energy strained against them. Finally he threw them both off and smiled. "Not bad…but now it's my turn.
"Such lamentation! I'll destroy you! Imperial Slaughter!"
Beams of light suddenly exploded around the five, and he began to half-fade as he moved with instant speed through the group. More blades of light accompanied his travels, and, paralyzed the five felt as if they were being pierced from all sides.
Finally the technique finished, and the five were thrown backwards to the edge of the roof. They were all kneeling or crouching, panting from the shock of the attack. "Goodness…he's strong," Overcast noted. "Well, do we have any more ideas?"
Van held his sword low and extended a hand. "Come, then, if you will. That can't be all you have…."
Jade stood and pushed at his glasses. "So…is this the real power of the Obsidian Star, then? It certainly will take more than a half-hearted effort to pass this…." Suddenly he glanced up into the sky. "And…what is that…?"
All eyes on the roof turned heavenward as a flying ship, quite round with a thin long tail and two wings dropped out of the skies to suddenly hover mere meters from the roof. A moment later Akari, Rei, and Delryn alighted just in front of Kazumi.
"It looks like fun!" Akari declared, readying herself. "Someone want to let me join in!?"
Kiami smiled. "Akari…and I thought I was the one for grand entrances."
"Friends of yours?" Overcast murmured.
"Two out of three," Kiami continued. "And the third seems friendly enough."
"These are now under our protection," Rei said softly, indicating the entire group with a generous sweep. "I suggest you relent and flee, unless you wish to be harmed."
On cue, she, Akari, and Delryn all released their energy, creating a surge of demonstrated power. A moment later, Archer appeared next to Rin, with Mei hanging under one arm. "Hmm…well, it would seem…that things are getting interesting here…."
"Mei!" Rin cried, moving to the pair. "Archer, is she…?"
"Just drained, mostly," the spirit replied with a smile, not taking his eyes off of Van Grants. "She made a fine showing for herself. She's in better shape than her opponent, or the girl's two pets."
"Things have certainly become interesting, don't you think?" Jade announced, his eyes swiveling between Van and the ship above. "I'm afraid that I won't be able to give you anything. What do you have to say about that now?"
As Van considered the new battle odds, Jade continued, "And to help you make your decision….
"O admonishing melody, arise in the name of the Necromancer! Mystic Cage!"
An enormous explosion of light enveloped Van and his allies. Jade's compatriots fell back away from it, and Akari, Rei, and Delryn recognized the power instinctively and grabbed Kazumi and hit the dirt.
And then they noticed the bottom of the ship dropping out and forming a platform to the north of the roof. Jade and the rest didn't hesitate for a moment or wait for Van and the rest to recover. They hurried onto it, some of them carrying others, and the instant all were aboard it shot back up to reconnect with the ship. Then the ship turned and sped back off into the sky away.
Van finally rose and stared after it. The rest did the same. Elaine glanced back as Kairen and Ryuryu, looking rather the worse for wear, finally arrived on the roof. She smiled and gazed after them. "They hardly seem like the same naïve children we encountered at the Gateport. They might become some truly terrible foes in the future…."
"With some of the allies they've gathered, they already have," Van replied evenly. "Well…we shall meet again…."
Nanami and Ami glanced from the controls towards the group as they all arrived up on the bridge. "Well…what a merry gathering this is. Tear-senpai…good to see you made it. Rin-senpai, Mei-chan…how good of you to join us…and these…?"
They introduced themselves, and all those around reciprocated. Tear glanced around in the midst of all these introductions. "This ship…" she murmured. "It's…unusual…where did you get it?"
"Let's just say it's thanks to Kain-sensei," Nanami replied easily. "Hearing that you're all right will cheer him up, I think. Well, I guess I better pass on what's happened…."
The El-Hazard sailed on through the sky, now laden with passengers, preparing for the next destination….
F I N
Author's Note: Character Introduction: Archer, Dist, and Arietta
A chapter a little longer than I wanted, that I could have dragged longer by showing or adding some more fights between all of these. A rather big problem with these more snap-shottish side chapters…with so many characters I've got, not wanting to dwell too much on them makes it so difficult to have everything without it growing too big….
Ah, well. It's a problem I've long since embraced, and so I'm running with it. The party is gathering, so everything is coming together. This will be all of this group for a while…one more group to go in this Act…
Archer was introduced the last chapter with this group, but so minorly, with so many other characters introduced and getting involved in the dialogue, he fell by the wayside. Here he gets to shine and show some of his cool tricks. Archer is Rin's Servant in Fate/Stay Night, and so I decided to give her family the tendency to summon magic spirits so that he could appear. I adopted their history from the Fate/Stay universe, keeping most of the facts straight but putting it in context with the spiritual side of the universe (given from Bleach) and having it be a mage ability non-dependant on the Holy Grail. Archer is, originally, the future spirit hero self of the protagonist, Shiro Emiya, with amnesia for all the reasons given in the text. He's an interesting hero, with some jaded sentiments but a smattering of his old heroic ideals still lingering in his soul. His identity in this universe…perhaps we will see eventually, heh hehe. For now, he is merely Rin's spirit, a master swordsman and, yes, archer. He will be a good mostly on the sideline companion for the group.
B ehold the fruity Dist! This guy is one of the funniest villains I've seen in video games…half tragic and half loony. I decided that I had to have Van's motives at least somewhat similar to his plan in the original—using Fomicry (Replication, as I've called it here) to recreate his destroyed homeland—and that meant bringing back Jade's secrets after all, and that meant bringing in Dist. No tragedy doing that. Dist is a hilarious villain with an unfortunate accident of pink hair and this constant reclining image. He and Jade grew up in Keterburg under the tutelage of Professor Nebillim, a former master mage of the military, since retired, who died saving them from an experiment of Jade's gone awry. Jade then compounded the mistake by trying to use Replication, his art of magically copying objects, to recreate her in order to 'resurrect' her. This went even more terribly wrong, and the out-of-control clone went totally berserk and had to be destroyed. Dist, however, never gave up the quest to resurrect the professor, and fell away to the dark side in his attempts to bring it about. Jade always saw him as an annoying tag-along before, and now has wiped his hands of him. Dist's machines were the bosses you fought in TotA, and they were usually much more dangerous than I demonstrated here…but I didn't want to clog up this already long chapter with a comedy relief character's minions, so I just toasted them.
A nd Arietta is another one of the six 'God-Generals', the lieutenants of Van, from TotA. In the original, she was a child from Van's land's sister island, which was destroyed along with Hod, and was rescued as a baby and raised by ligers (the catlike race I mentioned here) before she was found by Van and turned over to Fon Master Ion (the original). Because of this, she must be around 16, but she seems to be closer to her rival, Anise's age (13), and so I've given her this lesser age in mine. I was going to perhaps touch her history but didn't really get time—in this version, she is similarly raised by monsters up to the point that Van found her, because her land was destroyed by a conquering army (probably Dalkia's). Being raised by monsters has given her the ability to communicate with them, and so she is always accompanied by a liger and a war raptor of some sort (the blue one described). I created her to be a scout and she was actually supposed to kidnap Kazumi, but I ended up giving that job to Ryuryu and Kairen so they'd have a part. Still, she made a nice opponent for shy little Mei to battle (off-camera, but oh well). I may perhaps go more into her past later, but…with all these villains, she likely won't stand out too much.
Jade will probably sometime have to explain his past to his associates here, about Professor Nebillim and his attempts to bring her back, and how his efforts to research Replication gave him the name 'The Necromancer'. I kind of left it out for now, but that's okay…Jade should be a significant enough presence even in the future to have opportunity to report it.
Well, that's enough for this group. Now it's time for Hikaru's group to finish up, and then we're done with Act 10! Onward!
