Chapter Fifty-Two

Time's Up

"Damn magic, damn mages, and damn that brat!" swore Chisame, furiously pacing around in the cold night air. Across the river she could see Mahora, several fires raging and periodic explosions. Most of the students were clustered in groups around her, with the teachers patrolling to make sure no one got any ideas. Rumors were beginning to fly, ranging from gas leaks to terrorist attacks. Of course, she knew better. Those damn mages had stirred up a hornet's nest and are now paying the price.

Another violent explosion blossomed in the campus, just as she felt a hand seize her arm. She turned, only to find herself confronted by Professor Gandolfini. She stammered slightly as he guided her away from the crowded students, towards a huddle of teachers. She managed to remain silent, despite her misgivings. Those tripled once she saw the teachers, each one a mage. She could immediately tell from the fact they had been the Heroes so to speak of the Mahorafest game.

"Ah, Miss Hasegawa. Good of you to join us," said Professor Akasashi with a smile.

She gulped before replying. "Something wrong sir?"

"Actually, we were wondering if you could help us," said Negi with a cheery smile. Chisame wrestled furiously with the urge to hit him.

Instead, she simply asked through gritted teeth, "How can I help Professor?"

The adults shared a look before replying. "It's about that hacker…"


"Fight on my puppets! Show me the theater of war!" cried out Muse joyously, weaving his arms around himself like a crazed dancer, twirling and leaping around. Down below him, Kotaro danced about jerkily, flowing in between the tranquilizer bullets Mana was blasting about as she continued to keep a distance between herself and the possessed boy, yet it was of no use. The lycanthrope was simply too agile for her to hit, and too fast for her to keep away from forever.

Muse couldn't help it laugh as he watched the caper. Whenever the gunslinger took aim at him, he simply attacked with his toy. It was perfect. She seemed to refuse to just kill the boy. Curious. Then again, he supposed he could kind of understand that. He continued his brooding as the fight continued on below. Kotaro finally reached the gunner, and threw a powerful punch. The girl sidestepped, the wall behind her cracking under the impact. She swung her pistols around, intent on knocking the youth out, yet he leapt away. His face still a bland mask of shock, he kicked out as he ducked beneath the butts of the twin pistols. His foot connected and threw the shrine maiden backwards, smacking her against a wall. She struggled to remain standing as Kotaro paced towards her, like a stalking wolf. Muse smiled as he drove another punch into her gut, seeing the girl's eyes widen in pain as she cried out before her eyes rolled back into her head as consciousness fled her. That would teach them for ruining his guitar!

"Muse."

"Yes," he replied automatically, turning around, only to see a razor sharp star strike him across the face, hurling his mask off and tearing open his cheek. He fell backwards, frozen in shock as the star tipped staff darted again, severing his wires. Down below, Kotaro flopped forwards, out cold, onto an equally unconscious Mana.

"Damn, you just don't die do you?" snarled Muse, glaring daggers at his assailant. Chaplain's horned helm stared back.

"Never leave a show unfinished you told me. And my part in this is far from over."

"Your part in this was over years ago old man!"

"No. It is just beginning," replied the armored warrior, twirling his staff before resting the tip on Muse's jugular. The boy sneered as he batted it away and stood up, feeling his wires reconnecting as Lucius worked his magic. "Twenty years I waited. All this was foretold, and I was chosen. Chosen to be the herald of greatness."

"What are you talking about?" snorted Muse with a smirk, waving his arms to check nothing was broken. "Sounds like a bad movie this."

Chaplain's expression was unreadable behind his helmet, but he slowly brought his staff around and pointed it at Muse. "Say what you want, but it is not the fate of the Corsairs to kill Clockwork. That task is left for another."

"Oh, who?" grinned the artist. "Some other lame guy from the organization? In case you don't know, we've pretty much come out on top every time we met someone like that."

Chaplain chuckled slightly, still aiming his staff at the boy's heart. "No, no one like that. Clockwork's antics have attracted far greater attention. Or should I say, the organization's dabbling has attracted that attention."

The artist just laughed as he hurled his wires at Chaplain, seeing them twirl around the staff and arm wielding it. The older man did not even flinch, but continued talking. "It is no use Muse. Clockwork will be reprimanded by the proper authorities. Your part in this tale is over."

"Like hell it is!" was his reply, as the wires constricted. Chaplain sighed as he saw Muse's face contort in shock as the wires failed to slice through the armor enclosing him. The older man jerked his arm back, yanking the boy towards him. A single gasp of pain escaped him as he was impaled on the macabre staff.

"Your part in this IS over. Now it is time for the final player to take to the stage. Fate's Talon. Her enforcer. And I am his herald," was all Muse heard before darkness claimed him, just as it had claimed Maiden.


"Die traitor!" roared Seeker, plunging down on Clockwork like an avenging angel.

The blonde boy sighed. "I don't have time for your games Seeker," he said simply, casually flicking the cyber-dragon away. The metallic monster flew backwards, skipped along the ground three times and crashed through a supporting wall. With a suitable finality, the building collapsed in on him. Clockwork paused and glanced back at the destruction he had caused. He smiled slightly as he saw the mechanical tear its way to the surface, screeching in rage. Seeker had matured well. It was almost nice seeing him again, but he had more important things to do. He continued on his way, whistling some song to himself.

"Don't you dare walk away from me!" roared the monster behind him, charging forwards. Clockwork sighed as he turned around as calmly watched the creature close the gap between them. Seeker leapt into the air once more and reared back, prepared to eviscerate the first Corsair. The boy just shook his head sadly as he took a step to his right, not even flinching as the hacker crushed the ground where he had been a moment before. A silver gauntlet struck out of the resultant dust cloud, ready to rip off Clockwork's head. The youth caught it gently in his, and promptly crushed it with a flex of his fingers.

There was a wheeze of escaping gas as the hydraulics within the metallic hand were destroyed. No other sound escaped the larger Corsair as he swung his taloned foot at Clockworks midsection. Releasing the mangled gauntlet, the blonde youth leaned back, smirking as he watched the talons brush past his face. He straightened up again once the claw had passed, and reached put, pressing his hand to the side of Seeker's helm. Clockwork smiled as he sent a pulse of magic through, blasting consciousness from his twin brother.

The metallic creature crumpled and crashed onto the ground, back up systems already flaring into life to awaken him in four minutes and fifty eight seconds. More than enough time. Especially as his first victim was now within striking distance.


Darkness bended and shifted. The inky blackness of the night swelled and broke like an ocean. In the brewing storm, a single crack permeated the air. Air was sucked into the cold void, denied this world for eternity. With a single hush, the rift closed, and all was as it was. Except one thing. A single figure, alone, carefully gazing about himself with a bored expression on his face. The newest Talon of Fate. Sighing in boredom, he put his hands in his pockets and began to walk to the place of confrontation. The World Tree. Every now and then he glanced to the left and right, noting scenes of devastation and nodding to himself, as if he was ticking off a mental checklist. Not that he needed to, but this was still new to him, and he didn't want to screw up his new job, though he knew he wouldn't. Omniscience could be very confusing to one who hadn't quite grasped it yet. The figure closed his eyes and continued on his way, his foreknowledge already showing him the scene ahead. This was the youngest of Fate's Talons, the operative of Mahora. This was Darkside.