The group picked themselves up, all grateful for the fresh air ventilating the all but overpowering foul odor permeating the room. Where their enemy had been, now only a smoldering pile of reeking greenish gray ash remained.
"Everyone alright?" Rin coughed.
"Best as we can expect." Vita replied wryly.
Nanoha checked up on Fate. "Are you alright? You were very close to it."
Fate, still retching, simply took Nanoha into her arms. "Yes, thank heavens."
Artoria moved quickly to block a sharp projectile aimed squarely at Nanoha and Fate. "Everyone keep your wits about you! This is not over yet."
On the mainland, a few moments after seeing the second beam of pink energy erupt, Hayate heard the captives begin to groan. Blood seeped from Karen's eyes and ears as she collapsed in a heap. Annabelle followed her, doubling over in a shivering, agonized mess. Quint passed out on her face and Maria's hands suddenly started pouring blood all over herself as if they'd just suffered a thousand cuts.
"What the?! Rein, I need quick scan and emergency healing for all four. Now!"
"Three have organ failure. Multiple, severe fractures, spinal fractures. Even if Shamal were here, the black haired one would be very hard to save. The sniper as well. I'll prioritize the two who have a proper chance."
As Hayate had released the bonds, Maria coughed, blood bubbling up her throat. "Hey bitch, never mind me and Karen. We knew everything. Just make sure our sisters don't die."
"Fuck you, Maria..." Karen somehow managed to growl.
"Stop talking. Save your strength." Hayate said as she knelt beside them.
Karen coughed up more blood. "Hah. You should worry about yourself. The ancestor wouldn't die easily like that. I'll see you bitches in hell."
Joan looked at the ship and spoke with calm certainty. "Hayate, teleport us over to the ship, as soon as you can."
"What?"
Medusa looked at the ship as well. "It is here."
"Rein, give first healing to those who can survive, then summon a medical unit and instruct them to inform the headquarters when communications are back online. After that, we join the others."
"Understood, I'll send you our position. Please hurry."
Hayate, Rein, Joan and Medusa appeared among the group. Artoria was still very much on her guard, defending Nanoha like a protective lioness.
"Worry not, majesty. Our foe does not wish to strike yet." Joan said.
A video communication window appeared above them. A very terrified Lola Grendel spoke as if reciting a script. "Come to the command room. I am fulfilling my servant's wish of bringing your beloved Time Administration Bureau down with this ship. You may stop it of course, by killing these two women who still give meaning to the ship and the pact it was built upon. I shall see you there."
They felt the ship begin to move once again, giant hole and all.
"It's going into dimension space."
Nanoha frowned, her expression one of determination. "Then we have only one choice."
The path to the command room was straight and clear. Not a single opponent in sight. The doors opened as they approached. Joan spoke up before they entered. "Whatever we do, we cannot kill it. Do not try to kill it. it's what it wants."
Inside, Stella was in the middle of a command circle, flanked by a very scared Lola. Both were looking at screens showing the outside of the ship, already submerged in dimension space. In front of the screens, standing as still as a statue was a man. They recognized him as the former aid of general Ludwig.
Lola spoke with terror in her voice. "You may choose to save your precious headquarters by slaying these women or you may watch as this ship destroys the headquarters in detail."
"We choose neither." Nanoha replied without hesitation.
A terrible, barely human voice, dripping with hatred and murderous intent, echoed in their minds. "If you try to move those women away, they will die. If you try breaking their link with the ship, they will die."
"Then we'll break you." Fate snarled.
For a moment, the figure stared at them with menace, eyes changing to an inhuman darkness that somehow still conveyed unending hatred. "Fools! You cannot stop me!"
"Wrong." Nanoha interjected. "Artoria, grab those two and hold them tight!"
Artoria didn't hesitate, despite herself. She grabbed Lola and Stella and braced herself for whatever would follow. Instead there was silence.
The being gazed with unfiltered hate and a strange, disturbing, fascination at Nanoha. Then it spoke again. "No matter. This ship will still destroy your headquarters unless you stop me."
Nanoha frowned. "We can't kill you. Nor would I or any one else here want to. But we can stop you from harming others."
"You can try."
"Hayate, teleport those two to the headquarters infirmary, along with anyone here who think they can't handle this."
Fate moved right next to Nanoha. "Don't even joke about that. We're all staying here."
Nanoha sighed. "You've gone through an awful lot of trouble just for this. Tell us what this is really about."
"I am simply keeping my word to my subordinate." The voice echoed in their minds.
"That's just a pretext." Nanoha stated. "This whole affair, the appearance of undead, Sieg's death, all of it was aimed at me. Why?"
The being didn't reply.
"Fine then. Raising Heart."
"Yes, my master. All systems go."
"Everyone ready?"
All the others nodded.
Nanoha aimed Raising Heart square at the center line of the ship. "All systems ready."
Hayate joined in. "We ready Rein?"
"Yes. All systems go."
The rest of the group circled around Hayate and Nanoha as they prepared to shoot.
The figure did not move. The shadow cast by it expanded to cover the monitors. Then figures took shape within the shadow itself and began breaking off.
"Here it comes." Artoria said sharply as she raised her blade.
The shadows broke loose for everyone present in the room and went on the attack.
"All systems ready, master."
"Target locked, spell ready. Let's go, Hayate.
"Divine Buster!"
"Fire!"
Two great beams of magical energy burst out, combined, then hit the body of the ship, very quickly reducing most of it to dust. Level after level fell into oblivion and what was left of the rear collapsed into dimensional space.
However the front was still intact and moving. No longer a ship, but a great mass of shadow floating forward inexorably towards its goal. Behind and bellow a great gray host, row after endless row. was following apace.
Meanwhile, Artoria and the others fought it out with the fragments of shadows lunging towards Nanoha and Hayate. Shamal, Sakura and Rin were desperately trying to bring up some kind of shield that might hold back the enemy, without success.
"Hayate, Nanoha, we're going to be overwhelmed." Shamal warned.
Nanoha gazed at the host following them, then at the shadows flooding from their enemy. "Hayate, can you teleport us to the headquarters?"
"Yes. I have it on standby."
"Do it."
Inside the Bureau headquarters, there was predictable chaos. The arrival of the group didn't surprise most. An officer greeted them and began giving a report but Nanoha raised a hand to stop him. "Officer, we are very short on time. Can you tell us if any of the Eclipse knights are here besides those sent by us?"
The man nodded. "Of course, the two who survived needed to be sent here. We've stabilized them, but they're in no shape to do much."
"That's fine, take us to the Amsel family member."
On the way, a very urgent Nove met up with them. "We tried getting the kids to safety, but the teleportation brought us to the headquarters."
In a treatment room, almost completely covered by medical equipment, Annabelle Amsel lay almost motionless. "We have the younger sister safe. She is is in a bad condition." The medic stated.
Nanoha gazed at the woman with sadness. "We have to try it. Miss Amsel? Belle?"
Though weak, the reply was immediate. "Don't call me that you bitch."
Nanoha breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank heavens. We need your help."
"What hit you in the fucking head hard enough to think I'd give you any?"
Artoria and Fate wanted to reply but Nanoha, gently cut them off. "Hayate, can you show us the images from the control room?"
"Of course."
A communication window opened and showed the great advancing shadow heading towards the Headquarters, with the gray endless host following. Annabelle stared at it in disbelief. "That's-"
"I understand the burden you carry." Nanoha said in a soft tone. "The responsibility and dedication. And I believe you didn't know about the nature of the ship. The person who tricked your ancestor into creating it, most likely has no respect for you or your family's dedication. He only sees you as a tool."
Annabelle's eyes teared up. "You don't understand. All the ancestor wanted. All we wanted. Is freedom."
Vita stepped forward. "I understand that. We were Belkan knights too. But look at that image and tell me if this has anything to do with freedom."
Belle snorted weakly. "But what can I even do?"
Nanoha extended her hand and smiled kindly. "Come with us."
The group rushed to the control room, Artoria carrying Belle in her arms. "Can you connect us with some kind of speakers?" Nanoha asked and an operator scrambled to do just that.
Annabelle looked at the image on the screen, the darkness getting ever closer to the headquarters with the gray army behind it. For a moment, she caught a glimpse of what she thought to be Karen. Then she spoke. "What the hell are you doing? That's the freedom you wanted? You hear me bitch?!" She snarled. "Is this your freedom?!"
Annabelle almost collapsed from the effort and Nanoha took her place. "Your descendants have carried your wish for their entire lives. They've dedicated their lives to it. They've sacrificed their lives for it. Is serving that person what your ideal truly was?"
A long, heavy, mournful cry echoed in the whole room. Then an answer was given clearly.
"No."
Everyone in the room almost fell over. Annabelle passed out completely, as did the other Bureau members present in the room. Nanoha shook her head and looked at the monitor. For a moment a flash of memories passed through her mind. The vision of a breathtakingly beautiful woman with piercing green eyes and fiery red hair. Realization came over her.
The darkness seemed to stutter, then stop. The gray host vanished. The shadow fell upon itself and then vanished into dimensional space. Nanoha leaned upon Raising Heart and straightened herself up. The image on the monitor began to distort, then suddenly went entirely red. The color dripped down from the monitor onto the floor and took shape. Most in the room were long passed out. A tall, broad shouldered man with sharp, aquiline traits, donning pitch black armor appeared from the blood-red pool.
Nanoha and most of her group were unfazed. "So, this is what it was about in the end."
The figure did not answer but moved slowly towards her.
"My hair reminded you of someone and so you got fixated. You're a lonely and sad old person, clinging desperately to even the most distant of memories. You trick people into joining you, so they can share your suffering." Nanoha stated, frowning.
The being spoke with a moaning, empty voice. "I do not trick anyone. I merely serve them as they wish. Not one have I ever forced into service. I simply give what they deserve."
He kept moving forward and Artoria and Fate moved to get between him and Nanoha. She continued to speak and extended her hand towards him. "No one deserves such punishment. However the person you held dear felt, I'm sure they would not want you to act and suffer like this all on your own."
The figure stopped and looked at Nanoha as a believer would at one who had uttered the greatest possible heresy. For a moment, his expression took on a maddened look of grief but then his eyes shone with burning hate and he roared. "How dare you! Unforgivable!"
"You cannot harm me or anyone under my protection." Artoria said, unflinching.
His voice dripped with hatred as he raised a broken voice. "No, I cannot. But I will try!"
Blood burst from his eyes, nose and mouth and he charged like a madman towards Nanoha, almost ignoring Artoria. The King of Knights intercepted and swung her great sword to cleave the being in twine. It landed, but the two halves kept moving forward, reattaching on the move as blood gushed from everywhere. Artoria turned around and slammed her leg into him from the side, pushing him away from Nanoha. He grabbed onto the floor, scrapping metal and flesh alike as he stopped his sideways movement and went back on the attack.
Meanwhile, Joan moved to sweep away the blood that had gotten near Nanoha. "Everyone make sure you stay clear of the blood! Destroy it if you can!"
With a nod, Signum unleashed an attack that burned away most of the blood.
Medusa moved to strike her foe with the daggers, but as soon as one would sink in, the being would detach whatever body part it snagged, head included, and keep on going.
Hayate was desperately trying to get some kind of read on the enemy with no avail, as it kept moving always towards Nanoha. Fate and Joan were trying to keep her out of reach, despite protests, while Artoria, Medusa and Vita tried somehow to stop it.
Vita managed to catch him with her great war hammer. The foe took hold of Graf Eisen. Looked with pure hateful malice at Vita and then vomited a wave of burning blood all over her. More overwhelmed by the disgusting feeling than hurt, Vita had no choice but to let go. The enemy slammed her against the nearest wall, still heading for Nanoha, as Vita started vomiting uncontrollably.
Medusa attempted to bind the being in a circle of chains but his body melted through the holes in the chains, turning into a bloody, smoldering, clotted liquid.
Rin and Sakura tried several times to raise some kind of shield to stop him, while Zafira and Shamal threw magical restraints up. The last time, the being howled with inhuman fury and sent waves of energy that knocked all four of them out painfully.
Artoria fought fiercely and threw the enemy back again and again. Whenever the being would try and concentrate upon her, Medusa would move in from the side and throw the attacks off. But then he would just move bellow, above or to the side and keep going after Nanoha.
Crawling, roaring, dragging, disintegrating, falling apart and falling together again, a vaguely human shaped mass of boiling bloody liquid, determined to get to Nanoha.
Signum tried desperately to open one entrance or another, to evacuate the people who lay passed out in the room, to no avail. She didn't speak a word but her expression grew more and more alarmed.
Looking at the sight and the many Bureau personnel unconscious in the room, Nanoha took a deep breath. "That's enough, it'll just kill everyone here." She turned to the being and stepped forward. "I am here. Come and do your worst."
The humanoid sludge stopped. Nanoha flew away from a protesting Fate and Joan, who tried catching up to her but the foe was right next to her in the next moment. Before he could strike, Nanoha gazed at Fate. "I love you." The sludge stopped and Nanoha continued speaking. "I said nothing but what I felt and knew to be the truth."
Then the enemy reached out to kill.
But as he did, flames engulfed the bloody arms, white hot flames that melted and burned his outstretched limbs. It fell to the floor in a burning, reeking heap, gazing up with hatred at Nanoha. In a howling, agonized, inhuman voice it spoke again.
"I may not be able to touch you now, but your life shall end eventually. The day you close your eyes forever I shall drown all realms you touched in an ocean of blood. I'll erase all memories you and your friends ever existed. All things you held dear will be reduced to ashes. All loved ones who survive you shall suffer without end after you perish. You shall watch helplessly from the other side as all that you've built and protected crumbles and burn. I swear upon my eternity!"
With that, the being exploded into white flames, burning away any and all traces of himself from the room and the headquarters as a whole.
Nanoha, confident it was over, spoke in the silence that followed. "Everyone alright?" Most everyone groaned confirmation. Shamal, barely awake herself, moved to tend to Annabelle who was out cold.
"She's stable, but we need to get her back on a medical bed."
Nanoha nodded. "Artoria, help her. There is no more danger."
"The threat is over." Joan confirmed. "Go your majesty."
Hayate took proper command. "Let's have a headcount, see if anyone is injured or affected in any other way. Shamal, after you get checked out, see if anyone needs help."
The rest of the Bureau personnel began to awaken, drowsy, but unharmed. The threat having vanished, the state of emergency wound down after a triple safety check. The doors opened and medical personal streamed into the room.
"This is going to take a lot of paperwork to finish." Hayate quipped.
Vita, still retching and gagging, gave her a wry look. "It could have gone much worse."
Sakura and Rin, groaning from the shock and still weak on their legs, nodded in agreement. Zafira turned into his wolf form and growled with exhaustion while laying on his side.
Nanoha and Fate went to check up on Vivio and Einhart.
On the way, Fate spoke emphatically. "Don't you ever do that again Nanoha, Don't you ever! What would we ever do without you?!"
Those words lay heavily upon her mind.
The children were fine and quite happy to see them.
"Mama!"
Even Einhart joined her in hugging Nanoha and Fate, who returned the hug happily. And they made sure to hug Artoria and Joan.
"I knew mama would win." Vivio chirped, smiling brightly.
After confirming the children were alright, Nanoha went to visit the surviving Eclipse knights. Stella had been released and was next to Belle all but crying as her sister lay on the bed. Hayate had also joined her.
"Will the Bureau be harsh on them?" Nanoha asked in a whisper.
Hayate smiled. "Only if we insist. But they should go through a rehabilitation program."
Nanoha nodded in satisfaction. "That will be quite fine."
"Will you take us to task?" Stella finally spoke up.
"We'll only bring all of you into proper society."
Stella nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.
As Hayate and Nanoha left the room, Hayate received a message. "What? Really? They did? Wow, that's great news."
"What is it?" Nanoha asked.
Hayate grinned. "Our vacation continues tomorrow. And it's been extended."
Nanoha smiled tiredly. "Now that, is great news."
They arrived back at the holiday villa. The damage was minimal and there was no sign that the whole lake area could have been destroyed just a few short hours before. The Bureau and the locals were grateful and quietly assured the group they would get everything they needed for free and that the villa would be available for them anytime they wanted.
In that moment however, all they wanted was a quiet dinner. Hayate and Sakura went to take car of that matter.
"Sakura, I can handle this. You should rest with the others tonight."
Sakura shook her head stubbornly. "I enjoy cooking just as much as you do. Plus I like it even more when we do it together.
Hayate grinned. "Alright then."
Nanoha and Fate made sure Vivio, Einhart and Fabia were feeling fine.
"Make sure you tell us if there's anything wrong. No one will be upset." Fate said gently.
Nanoha nodded in agreement. "We'll only be upset if you don't tell us, because we can't help you unless you ask us."
All three children nodded.
Artoria and Joan were very dignified in waiting for the meal, as always, though the gleam of their eyes revealed their appetite.
Nanoha chuckled and then gazed out at the lake.
"Hayate, Sakura, we're having one more person for dinner. Artoria, Joan, please come with me."
"I'm coming too." Fate said, her expression telling she wouldn't take no for an answer.
Outside, the lake seemed to shimmer, the water still as mirror. Upon the surface, Gloria's figure formed from the shimmering light reflecting on the water.
Artoria spoke with some amount of reverence. "Good evening Gloria. I am pleased to see you again."
Joan was less formal. "Hello grandmother. we're all happy to see you."
Fate relaxed slightly. "Good evening, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Nanoha smiled. "Please, keep us company this evening." She took Gloria's hand and led the tall woman into the dinning room. The fact that Gloria was dressed only in her silk toga as usual didn't faze Nanoha the slightest. She sat Gloria down between herself and Hayate.
Medusa nodded respectfully. "Welcome, elder. I take it this means the incident is properly over."
"Yes." Gloria confirmed with a smile.
Hayate was still busy cooking with Sakura, so the cloud knights had a chance to get a good look at Gloria.
Zafira was looking at her with awe. "I feel like I should probably bow as I would to her majesty Artoria."
"That will most certainly not be needed or liked." Gloria shook her head.
Nanoha sat down, gazing intently at Gloria. "So, about the incident."
"We shall speak when Hayate and Sakura are done." She replied.
Nanoha nodded, smiling. "Then we'll have to wait for dinner to be over."
"By all means."
Hayate and Sakura arrived with the food. "Alright everyone, let's enjoy our dinner and the company of our lovely guest."
Hayate sat down next to Gloria as everyone began eating, quietly chatting as they did.
As she ate, Hayate had a good look at Gloria, robbed as she was in her all but transparent silk toga, eyes shinning with happiness.
"Excuse me, miss Gloria?"
"Let us talk later. Your food is delicious and filled with love, kindness and the joy for your family. Such talk would be better reserved after everyone had time to enjoy it. And please, call me Gloria."
Dinner was finished quite quickly, even in the relaxed atmosphere. Though everyone was smiling, the important question hung in the air.
Hayate was the one to break it. "So, Gloria. Could you explain things?"
Gloria sighed. "A curse is in effect. As long as you live, Nanoha, he shall no longer interfere directly. But once you die of old age, the people and things you love, and all things descended or related to them, will die with you."
Gloria let the words sink in and continued. "You are an extraordinary person, Nanoha. You reached your foe. That is why his curse is so vicious. And he will keep his word. That is your one window of opportunity. The curse will activate once you perish. However, should the realm perish after you, the curse will be voided." She gazed intently at Nanoha. "You understand, don't you?"
"I would have to live forever to prevent the curse from activating." Nanoha said.
Gloria nodded. "Yes. It's not a measure I propose lightly but one that will prevent the most suffering." Gloria paused then spoke again. "And I want you to understand the choice I give you. You can accept the curse, live to the end of your human life, then hear in the next one what terrible things befall the place you left behind, powerless to stop any of it. Or you can take my offer, live till the end of this realm and save the ones you love and their descendants from a horrible, agonizing death. But you will be stuck here, until the realm passes away of its own accord, effectively forever. A guardian spirit, if you like. One that cannot pass on until the realm itself passes on. It will be extremely lonely and heartbreaking. Even the most long lived among your companions will likely perish long before you do. You will bury every friend you make and never see them again until the end of your realm. Every loved one, every person close to you. Is this choice clear?"
Nanoha raised her head, her expression one of calm determination. Beneath the table, she held Fate's hand tightly. "I would rather see Fate, Vivio and everyone else here pass away in peace, no matter how much it would break my heart, than see them suffer and be unable to help them. I accept your offer."
Gloria gazed into Nanoha's eyes for a long moment. Then nodded. "Very well." Gloria produced a pure white contract and a quill pen. "Please sign."
Fate was preparing to protest but Nanoha took the quill and signed her name upon the document. Then she turned and kissed Fate lovingly. "I love you Fate, always."
Gazing at them Gloria spoke once again. "You have my respect, Nanoha. It is not a choice to make lightly."
She drew a long breath to let things sink in. Then she turned to Artoria, Joan, Medusa, Rin and Sakura. "I'm afraid there is more bad news. Since the enemy has moved away from this place, he will have renewed focus upon your world. I understand if you're not interested but I highly doubt that is the case. You have a few days, then I will meet you all back here."
Artoria nodded. "If Britain is in peril, I would wish to go today."
"I would not leave France undefended." Joan added.
Rin grimaced empathically. "Oi, how would you expect these two to react differently when you say something like that?"
"I agree with nee-san. It's unbelievable either Miss Artoria or Miss Joan would not want to return." Sakura joined in.
Gloria sighed. "I don't like it anymore than you do but I could not lie to them. And the task will not be an easy one. Still, it would be deeply unfair to lie to any of you. Your friends are in danger as well, children. Anyone you ever knew is in danger."
There was a heavy silence. Hayate broke it."I have two questions. First, is it always like this?"
Gloria smiled bitterly. "Yes."
"Second, does our friend have anything to do with the book of darkness?"
Gloria noded. "Yes. He fulfilled someone's wish. And that's why, among other reasons, you cannot join them, much as I know all of you would want to. I will return in a few days. I suggest you cherish your time together. I will respect whatever decision you make."
Hayate sighed herself, just as sad as Gloria was. "I suspect their decision has been made already."
Nanoha smiled sadly. "I suspect that as well. In fact, I would be angry if our new friends would use us being upset as an excuse not to follow their hearts."
Artoria and Joan looked at Nanoha with surprise. "Your place is defending people. I cannot hold you here while your people are under threat." She told them.
Artoria nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
Rin sighed, then pouted. "Not like I can let these two go alone like that. Would you mind looking over my sister, Hayate?"
Sakura wasn't having it. "No. I'm not letting you go by yourself. I'm going too, silly nee-san."
"I go where Sakura goes, old one." Medusa simply said.
"Then it is settled. I shall not take up more of your precious time. I will return in two days."
Gloria calmly walked out of the mansion and onto the surface of the lake, vanishing as she reached the middle.
With a sigh and a smile, Hayate turned to the others. "Before we do anything else, let's take a group photo. I want all of us to remember our precious time together."
Needless to say, everyone agreed.
Nanoha, Hayate and Fate were at the center, with Vivio Fabia and Einhart in front of them. To Fate's left stood Signum, Joan, Shamal, Nove and Zafira. To Nanoha's right, Vita, Artoria, Rin, Sakura and Medusa. All of them holding their hands, smiling. Like true family.
And thus this part of the story ends dear readers. I am working on the third and final one but it will take some time. In the meanwhile I thank everyone who had the patience to read and enjoy my work.