In the Bureau Dimensional headquarters, Combat company 9 had gathered most of its assets as Hayate laid out the plan.
"Right, there's a least three hundred of them in there and we can't just take them out one by one. Joan, Medusa and Artoria will move in and create a perimeter. Signum will move in unison with Agito and take out as many of them at once as possible with Storm Falcon. Vita and Rein will be her close guard, just in case an enemy gets through. How many times can you execute the moves in a day?"
"Twice, but with some time between each cast."
Hayate nodded. "It'll have to do, at least until the command room is clear. The front line will also take out a few of them. Let's go. Yuuno, ready the entrance."
"They'll be ready for us. The entrance is probably surrounded." Joan said as she twirled her battle standard.
"Each of us will take a side." Artoria said calmly.
"Entrance activated, go."
The moment they entered a rain of magic projectiles fell upon them. Though they fended them off, it did slow down their momentum.
Artoria roared into action and impaled the first undead soldier in the circle. From behind him, more projectiles were coming. The blond swordswoman fended them of while moving on to the next foe. He parried her first movement but fell to the second. This gave time for the enemy behind her to try and slash away. She dodged and swung up to hit her opponent from bellow. With his demise, the rest began to retreat even as others kept throwing projectiles at Artoria. Her instincts told her to press on with care so she looked back to see the others had entered safely.
Hayate's voice spoke in her mind.
"Please don't get drawn in too deeply."
She sent back the equivalent of a mental nod and continued blocking the projectiles with her sword as she pressed forward.
Medusa and Joan fended of attacks from the flanks, coming in just as intensely as they were from the front.
Signum and Agito prepared their attack.
"You ready?"
"Hell yeah, master! Let's give these bastards a lesson!"
The magical energy began to gather in Laevatein's bow form, slowly materializing into a great, fiery falcon that cried out with fury and energy. Signum and Agito focused to their utmost.
Projectiles were coming in constantly, and even Vita had to block a few.
"Better hurry over there guys." she chirped.
The energy collected and, once the spell was ready Signum shouted for the others to get clear.
"Storm Falcon!"
The fire bird flew in the blink of an eyes and cleaved through the undead soldiers mercilessly, despite the enemy doing their best to evade.
But by the twentieth one, Signum could feel Agito getting exhausted.
"A few more." She encouraged her companion.
"Master, I can't! I'm gonna pass out if this goes on."
"One more and stop it then."
With a great eruption of flame, the war bird dissipated.
"How many of them was that?"
"At least twenty five."
"There are over a hundred of them coming right at you." Hayate spoke with alarm.
Signum grinned with battle lust. "You still up for more?"
"Just barely, master. I need some rest."
"Everyone gather together. The number of our foes does not matter, we must press on." Artoria ordered.
Joan quickly joined her side smiling with confidence.
Behind them stood Medusa.
"Here they come."
Vita cracked her neck. "Let's go, Rein."
The enemy was moving in a very disciplined square that melded to the sides of the environment as they moved, the soldiers on the edges running on the walls and bookcases that flanked the way to the group.
Medusa threw her chain teeth into the group and hooked two foes. She drew back and to the side using them as counterweights for the chains. The more she managed to move, the bigger the momentum.
The enemies began dispersing and this opened them up to attack.
Vita stormed forward with a battle cry of "Deadly Strike!" and started reducing soldier after solider to frozen dust. Right next to her were Artoria and Joan who slew the foes trying to attack Vita's flanks by the handful. Above them, Medusa's chains swung and cut through any opponent trying to get the height or distance advantage.
The enemy didn't relent and kept coming. They all but surrounded the three forwards when Medusa swept a chain through the lot, cutting a dozen through the torso, reducing them to dust. The hesitation allowed Vita a chance to attack again and put out three more soldiers, with Joan and Artoria tearing into the five that gathered on each side of her.
"Everyone, get down!" Medusa shouted.
Signum's voice rang out. "Fire Dragon Flash!"
A wave of fire roared through almost the entire room, covering the whole group of enemies. In a few long, drawn out moments, almost a hundred undead soldiers fell to Signum's attack.
But that was the end of Agito's endurance. She went out of unison with Signum and almost passed out.
"I'm sorry master, I can't go on." She groaned.
"It's alright, rest." A very satisfied Signum spoke calmly.
"That goes for everyone present." Hayate spoke to them all.
"How many are left?" Medusa asked calmly.
"A hundred and some."
"We'll take care of them tomorrow, then?" Artoria asked.
"I doubt it." Signum replied. "They're evacuating the explored areas of the Infinity Library."
Vita snorted. "So they'll wait there until the time's right. Great!"
"We've done our job for now. Pull out." Hayate ordered.
Break
Rin finished her last training exercise as Nanoha had brought the number of drones up to twenty.
"Master should rest." Emerald Flight said as Rin panted, exhausted and covered in scrapes and light bruises.
"Alright, we're done with training for today." Nanoha announced, smiling as always as Sakura looked on with admiration.
"I heard she was diligent but that was impressive." Sakura whispered to Fate, who laughed awkwardly.
"Well, Nanoha has sort of a reputation." She dressed her voice. "But by being harsh she's making sure the trainees are ready for whatever they face in the future."
Sakura nodded. "Of course. But she's also kind of scary in a way."
Fate laughed again. "Yes, she is."
"I wouldn't call her a devil though."
Fate laughed even harder. "Many would disagree!"
Sakura chuckled as Nanoha moved in accompanied by Rin.
"Go hit the showers, then let's go and have dinner."
Once Rin was done, they got the news Hayate had cleared the Infinity Library. At least those parts that had been explored.
"That was fast." Rin commented.
"Too fast." Sakura said glumly.
"The party has already returned. The children are well guarded. If anything comes up, we'll deal with it." Nanoha spoke calmly.
Fate took Sakura's hand and squeezed it gently. "I understand your reaction. I do. But please don't let it consume you."
Sakura looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled. "Thank you. I will remember those words."
Hayate's group joined them a few minutes later. Though they were victorious, most of them looked exhausted. Agito and Rein especially looked like they were about to keel over.
"Good job today everyone. I hope we can get a few days of rest but, just in case, everyone is still on stand by." Hayate spoke cheerfully.
Artoria and Joan moved to flank Nanoha discretely, which she didn't fail to notice.
"Let's go home everyone." Artoria nodded and Joan smiled.
Just as the group was leaving Hayate was contacted by someone.
"Hello. Yes. What?! When?" Her expression became very frustrated. "Some kid just tried to attack Sieg with a knife." she announced, scowling.
Everyone reacted with disbelief and tried to speak at the same time before she rose her hands to silence them all. "Shamal is with her. She's safe."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go." Nanoha said as she whirled around and marched away.
"No, your job is to train Rin and Sakura." Hayate ordered. "I'll take Artoria and Medusa with me. Everyone else, go back and rest."
Fate took Nanoha along. "Come on, let's go. We don't want to leave Vivio just with Nove."
Nanoha scowled, did an about face and was gone in record speed, Joan and Fate in toe.
Break
Shamal was waiting for them at the facility.
"So what happened?" Hayate asked promptly.
"Sieg and company were just out shopping when a child charged at Sieg with a knife pointed at her abdomen. He didn't do any harm, but he was very violent, so much so I had to put him to sleep when they got here." Shamal recounted.
"Show me."
On a bed, with restraints around his arms and legs, was a young boy, probably no older than twelve, with short brown hair and what would've been a young soon to be handsome face. Now it was frozen in an agonized grimace. Artoria and Medusa looked at the boy then at each other.
"I had to put him to sleep so he would calm down, but it's not really working." Shamal said, shaking her head in dismay as the boy began speaking in his sleep.
"Sister! Brother! Everyone! No! Oh God! No!"
Shamal put her hand on his forehead trying to calm him down.
"It's no use." she sighed.
"What's wrong with him?" Hayate asked gravely.
"Genetic memory. It usually doesn't kick in this hard, but he seems to be getting very intense feedback."
"Have his parent been contacted?"
Shamal nodded. "They have, but I doubt it'll help."
"Why?"
Shamal chose her words carefully. "He's seeing people that were dear to his ancestor die again and again. Not only the memories, but also the feelings. It's like he's trapped in a constant loop."
Medusa moved next to the bed. "Do you have his name?"
"Hildred Blair."
Medusa gazed long and hard at the boy then spoke glumly. "If you have anyone who can manipulate memories, it would be best to employ them. Even then, his chances are low. Also, best to keep him away from Sieg and her companions."
"Why is that?" Hayate asked.
"Her ancestor killed those people. Artoria, could you stand next to him please."
"Of course."
The boy calmed down visibly as the blonde stood closer to him.
"As I thought." Medusa hummed.
"It isn't just an unhappy coincidence." Artoria said grimly.
Before they could speak anymore, Shamal announced the parents had arrived and wanted privacy.
Outside in the waiting room the group continued the discussion.
"What do we do?" Artoria asked.
Hayate gave a frustrated sigh."We have to respect the parents' wishes, for now. The child is sick so we can't just outright arrest him."She then gave Medusa a look filled with pain. "Is there even a chance?"
Medusa shrugged. "A very small one, depending on the erasure of his memories. But, if the memories are connected to his very being, that will be hard. Even without memories, the grudge can follow."
Artoria looked down in discomfort and frustration. Hayate shook her head.
"We'll have to wait to see what the parents say."
"At least Sieg is safe." Shamal said sadly.
Hayate wasn't convinced. "This is just one kid. There almost certainly are others with genetic memories like that. I have to warn the Nakajima family."
Artoria was seething. "Children, like this." She muttered, her fist clenched tightly.
Hayate put her hand on her arm. "I'm as angry as you are. I was one such child not that long ago. This a very nasty turn."
The parents came out of the room and were in no shape to make any decision in regards to their child, trembling and red eyed. They just wanted their son to get well and as such had him interned at the hospital for the duration of his sickness.
Shamal rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I'll contact Verossa. We need a mental manipulation expert."
The intelligence officer arrived in a surprisingly short amount of time.
"Carim had me watch the situation closely so I could intervene as quickly as possible."
Shamal nodded. "Thank you, please come with us."
Verossa looked over the still very much agonizing child and his expression became darker by the minute.
"I've seen this before. I'll do what I can."
He sat down and put his hand on Hildred's forehead. His own brow furrowed as he went to work.
A quarter of an hour later, he stood up and sighed wearily."I need a break."
Hildred seemed to just be sleeping now, if rather fitfully. Hayate and company followed Verossa.
"So, what have you found out?" Hayate asked.
He drew a pained breath. "The ancestor's entire family died to Sieglinde's ancestor. Maybe it was an accident, or they got in the way, the memories don't show that. They only show a bloodbath with men women and children being torn apart. It's not something anyone should see."
"You eliminated the memories?"
He shook his head. "No. I only suppressed them. The memories themselves are genetic so they're embedded in his very genes. I'd have to take the genes out to eliminate them. I can't do that and, even if we could, it would kill him."
"Will it last?"
Verossa shook his head again. "Not very long. I'd say a year at the absolute most. And repeating the procedure will make it less effective.
"Did you notice any influencing factors?" Medusa asked.
"I have seen this before. And yes, someone is influencing his mind to make things even worse. I have no idea who or what, however."
"Is he still a threat?" Hayate asked grimly.
"No. But best keeping the restraints on, so he sleeps properly."
Hayate sighed, her tone weary. "Alright, we'll leave him be for today and decide tomorrow. The Nakajima family is taking care of Sieg at the moment, so it should be fine. Artoria, go back and make sure Nanoha is safe. Medusa will make sure I am protected."
Artoria nodded. "Very well, take care."
"I'm eager to go home." Medusa said.
Hayate nodded. "Good. Tomorrow we'll speak with Nanoha."
The sun was starting to set and Hayate got ready to dimensional shift herself and Medusa home. Then she saw Artoria trot along casually.
"Artoria."
"Yes?"
"Are you planning on walking home?"
"I will be there quickly."
Hayate started laughing. "God no, let me and Shamal take you home."
Artoria bowed slightly. "My thanks for your generosity."
Once she was back, Artoria presented the news to the Takamachi household, which had also been informed by Hayate at that point.
Fate didn't like the affair at all.
"This gives me a really bad feeling."
"I agree." Nanoha nodded as she held Fate's hand gently.
Artoria's stomach suddenly growled very loudly. This made her blush as Fate and Nanoha burst out in laughter.
"Let me get you something to eat Artoria."
"I think Joan will join her for seconds."
Their laughter redoubled as Artoria pouted indignantly at them.
Break
Sieg and Fabia were resting at the Nakajima residence, something they needed after the day's events. Genya had come to wish them good night, together with Subaru.
"Sleep well, you two. You're very good girls."
Fabia was smiling from ear to ear, leaning on Sieg."Thank you."
Sieg petted her head."Let's get to bed now."
Genya smiled at them before gazing at Sieg. "You alright?"
"I'm... fine. Thank you." Sieg answered with a calm nod.
Subaru hugged them both. "Big sis Nove is so seriously missing having you guys stay here."
All three chuckled.
"Now let's go to bed. Me and sis Ginga will sleep with you tonight."
"Haven't you done that since the start?" Sieg raised an eyebrow at her.
"We have, haven't we?" Subaru said merrily.
Ginga shook her head with a smile. "Silly Subaru. Let's go to bed before you embarrass yourself."
"Sis, don't make fun of me." Subaru feigned indignation and the younger girls started laughing.
"Yes, yes." Ginga said as she patted Subaru's head.
"Hey!"
The laughter intensified and Subaru joined in. Ginga eventually quieted them down and got everyone into their beds.
"Good night." Fabia said as she climbed into her bunk.
"Good night!" Sieg responded happily.
It didn't take long for all of them to fall asleep.
Break
At the hospital, the night shift began as the security personnel went in to take up their duty.
They found the afternoon staff curiously unresponsive. When someone moved to check, all five were dead, blood in their mouths, noses and eyes. An autopsy would later also show their hearts exploded.
"Sound the alarm! Check every room!" The Chief of security ordered.
Hildred was gone, parts of the bed connected to the restraints and all. A large hole in the wall indicated where he went through.
"God dammit! This is the 4th floor! Call commander Yagami."
In the following minute, Hayate was woken up by a very urgent call.
"Miss Yagami, this the hospital, you must see this."
The video, sent by a very unnerved technician, started after Hayate's group left Hildred's room. While the sun was still up, Hildred slept, even if fitfully. As the sun set properly he began to stir again. Around 10 PM there wasn't any sound but he was clearly screaming. A dark greenish gray shape began to form clearly above the boy. His eyes opened wide and his mouth froze in a grimace. The shape took form completely at half passed 10. A woman, probably from the Belkan era from her dress. Then the figure tore the restraints to pieces and blew a hole through the wall.
"Why wasn't I told about this earlier?" Hayate demanded as she hastily put on her uniform.
"It killed the security personnel. And the staff on shift on that floor, with a good chunk of the patients."
Hayate cringed. "We were careless." She took a deep breath to calm down. "Make sure the hospital is safe. If you're unsure, evacuate."
Closing the message, she woke up Rein.
"Wake Medusa, get a dimensional transfer ready and send word to Artoria and Fate to come as fast as possible to the Nakajima residence."
Rein, though groggy, nodded and got to work.
Medusa was already up.
"I understand we need to hurry?"
Hayate nodded. "The shift is ready, let's go."
Break
A few minutes before Hayate received the news, Fabia woke up in a panic. Almost falling out of bed, she rushed to the person nearest her.
"Run away!"
"What?" Subaru mumbled, still groggy asked half asleep.
"Run away!"
Subaru blinked at her. Fabia's look told her it wasn't a joke.
"Everyone, get up now! Get word out!"
A horrible human like scream came from outside and all the windows in the home exploded. The figure of a woman cloaked in dark greenish gray, a skull visible beneath the blood lust and rage filled expression charged into the room the next second. Spectral skeletal hands moved in every direction.
Subaru moved as quickly as she ever did. Grabbing Fabia, then Sieg she burst out of the room in the opposite direction. At the same time, Ginga moved to get between her and the specter.
The apparition was having none of it. It grabbed Ginga and slammed her through bunks and beds completely. Then, it took hold of Subaru and dragged her back, even as she threw the children away. It lifted her up through the ceiling then the roof and slammed her into the ground making a sizable crater.
As this happened, Wendi moved to grab the children and kept running as fast as she could, with Dieci and Cinque moving to cover her escape. The specter grabbed both of them and dragged Dieci through the ceiling and walls smashing her against the structure and Cinque sideways through the floor and walls.
Genya, having woken up the moment Subaru cried out, desperately tried to get word out for help. Nothing worked.
"Jamming, of course!" She snarled. "I have to get out of here before the house collapses and get help somehow."
He jumped out through the broken win and started running. A piece of wall hit him with tremendous power in the back and he fell on the ground lifeless.
Wendi managed to leave the house but the apparition caught her and smashed her with fury into the remaining walls and then into the ground.
Knowing there was no escape, Fabia summoned her device and minions to take her adult form.
"Run, Sieg! It's you it's after. Run!"
As she shouted, the specter smashed her from the side sending her flying meters away onto the ground, device and minions smashed to pieces, adult form and consciousness lost.
Sieg, knowing her foe was out for blood, went into Black Jeremiah mode and charged at the apparition without hesitation.
The specter raised its arms to catch her the two clashed. Sieg blew away the ground around them, throwing terrible attacks against her foe. But it could not touch the specter, whose hands caught her and left her dangling in the air, helpless. Grinning with hateful triumph, it stared into Sieg's eyes and spoke with a hideous inhuman voice.
"Before the strong arms of the Jeremiah, all lives have no value."
Sieg, out of her black mode swallowed fearfully.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
The specter howled with pure hatred and tore the girl limb from limb, then huddled on her torso to pummel it it.
"You bastard!"
Subaru charged without hesitation at her enemy, device now activated and powered, even as her body trembled with injuries.
"You'll pay!"
"We'll never forgive you!"
Ginga had joined in and behind her Wendi stumbled to get back into the fight.
"Divine Buster!"
Subaru roared out her attack, but the foe blocked it with its arms. It spoke again with its hideous human like voice.
"Never forgive!"
The eyes were no longer burning with rage. Now the cold smoldering hatred and envy for the living resided within them.
The attack negated it grabbed Subaru's hand and Crushed her device, along with the hand holding it. It would've continued to rip off the arm had Ginga not attacked. Her blow was blocked but from the side, Fabia, barely able to speak, launched her own strike.
"Dark Flame!"
Not enough to injure, bit enough to sting, the fire blast, weak as it was, had the gift to annoy the specter. It smashed Subaru, Ginga and Wendi away back into the ruins of their former home and went for Fabia.
A nail attached to a chain shot towards it and the specter stopped to face its new enemy.
Medusa clicked her tongue with frustration.
"I have to hit the core, otherwise it won't work." She muttered to herself. "Hayate! Get the survivors to safety!"
Hayate, moving quickly saw very well they were in no shape to be moved. With a look of furious desperation she gazed at Medusa
The specter roared with fury and threw its grips to slay Medusa. But it could never catch her from a dead angle and every attack was repulsed with strong confident strikes from the nails and the hands that held them. When Medusa tried a longer ranged attack, the enemy had no trouble blocking it. The two squared against one another, Medusa staying between the specter and the areas where she knew survivors were.
Satisfied with its victory and convinced remaining futher would be useless, the apparition began to retreat.
"You're not getting away! Lightning Bind!"
Fate dived in with a vengeance. Electric magic captured the Specter's many hands and sent lighting coursing through it. It roared as it felt the damage being done.
Bardiche was already in zanber form. Medusa saw her intention and cried out.
"Aim for its head!"
Fate charged in to plant her great magical blade, thunder coursing through it, right through the specter's head. The foe broke her bind though and caught her blade with its hands. It moved to strike back but Artoria jumped in to intercept.
In agony, the apparition howled as it renewed its attack, certain of its defeat but unwilling to go down easily. Artoria cut off one grip after the other and Fate readied herself once more.
"Jet Zamber!"
This time the attack went through and cut the specter; figure in full. The apparition let out one last ghastly scream before beginning to fade into a cloud of greenish gray dust.
As it vanished, the body of a boy reappeared and fell onto the ground, almost completely desiccated. Close to him, an old, small and tarnished ring fell to the ground as well.
"Shamal, come here quickly. Bring as many medical personnel as you can." Hayate called, her voice betraying her grief, but also her determination.
Fate looked at the results of the fight with undisguised horror. What had been Sieg laid in pieces and Genya's body was strewn on the ground not far way. She moved to start helping and Artoria joined her.
"I shall tend to the dead." The King of knights said.
Fate nodded, barely acknowledging her as she moved to tend to Fabia.
The girl was barely conscious and looked at her with a mixture of pain, terror and desperate determination.
"Hold on, help is coming."
Artoria moved to gather together Sieg's remains with care and attention. The specter hadn't paid attention to the limbs, though they were badly twisted. Her torso was worse off. The face had been pummeled badly. Artoria covered it with the girl's hair and put her remains in as dignified a pose as possible. Finishing, she spoke sadly. "Rest, child."
She did the same for Genya, clearing the rubble off of him and setting him on his back. "Be at peace."
Shamal had arrived the a large team of medics. She went for Subaru first.
Barely holding on to consciousness, Subaru was trying to put a strong face. But as it was already starting to swell it didn't work.
"Don't speak, you're badly hurt. Take it easy."
"Dieci, Cinque, rubble." Ginga, only in a slightly better shape than her sister did manage to speak.
"We'll get them out." Hayate nodded.
She scanned the rubble as the other medics surrounded the badly injured Cyborgs.
"Artoria, Medusa, get the rubble off those places with care. The two underneath are very badly injured as well."
With both caution and urgency, the two lifted up several blocks of rubble to uncover he two cyborgs. They were too badly injured to move, so Artoria and Medusa had to clear away the rubble around them completely. They made a heartbreaking sight, covered in blood and with their limbs twisted badly.
Not that anyone was in any kind of good shape. Shamal had to frantically tend to each of them just to stabilize them enough so they could be moved. She then had to put them into artificial sleep so the pain wouldn't worsen their condition.
Worst of all, was Fabia. With no cybernetic parts to hold strong she had over two dozen broken bones, a lot of which were simply shattered. Shamal doubted she would make it.
Hayate's hands were shaking with anger and grief but she never wavered, making sure everything was ready for the injured members being brought in.
"Get me Verossa. And inform Nove that she should be at the hospital. Artoria, please return home and make sure all is well."
"I have to be the one that brings this kind of news. And Artoria can keep you safer right now." Fate objected, with Artoria nodding in agreement. Hayate sighed.
"Fine."
"You need to pace yourself." Fate continued.
Hayate growled. "I can rest after Verossa gets here."
"Don't worry. I'll make sure after the report is done she goes home and rests." Medusa said softly.
Fate nodded and got ready to leave. "Thank you."
A few minutes later, as Fabia was being carefully moved onto a medical transport, Verossa appeared. He also saw the bodies of Sieg and Genya, along with what remained of Hildred. His expression was blank. Verossa picked up the ring left behind after the enemy's demise. He went to speak with Hayate.
"What do you need of me?"
"What can you report?"
"The specter was one of the women in Hildred's memory. I saw the recording at the hospital. She killed a bunch of people there as well." he drew a breath and his shoulders sagged. "If this ring is what I think it is, the woman was on her way to either an engagement festival or a wedding. I need more information to be sure. But I can say for certain she's carried this grudge for quite a while. I... need to talk to the family." Hayate nodded her head through his explanation. "Now, I need you to go and rest, best as you can. I'll handle the rest of this. This is my fault, for the most part."
Artoria and Medusa came up to flank her. "Come, Hayate, let's go home." Medusa cajoled her.
"But Artoria doesn't even live with us."
"Rein will send her to Nanoha once we get you there. Come on."
As Hayate left, Verossa looked at the bodies of Sieg, Genya and Hildred and bowed his head.
"Forgive me..."
Once they were back at the Yagami Household, Artoria and Medusa brought Hayate inside. She was silent but very much aware. "Thank you. I'm alright now, I just... need a rest."
"Don't force yourself. Go grieve and then sleep with me tonight." Signum said solemnly. Hayate nodded and headed for the bathroom.
Artoria and Signum looked at each other for a moment, their expressions unchanged and unmoved, but their eyes holding a silent conversation. An understanding only those who'd seen such sights could possess.
"I hoped those times were over."
Artoria nodded. "Some things, you just can't escape."
"Don't blame yourself. We were played."
"I should have seen it coming."
"No. Thinking like this helps no one. I'll have Rein transport you home."
"Thank you."
"Don't berate yourselves. It's neither one's fault. "Medusa said calmly. Both of them growled but said nothing more.
Hayate climbed into her bed and found Vita waiting for her. "You're not sleeping alone tonight." Hayate just smiled and hugged Vita, crying silently as sleep overcame her finally.