A Certain Infinite Possibility

by Darkbetrayer

An ancient organization has emerged from hiding in order to bring the world into darkness. Will Touma be able to stop them or will his actions make everything worse. Will Touma finally develop the harem he deserves? Magic and Science will collide in ways no one thought possible. Touma X Harem (Maybe, he is really dense.)

120. S5 Judgment

January's been a busy month and I was hoping to get this out before February. Sadly, I missed the cutoff date. At least it's still being updated. Guys' Night is officially over, but that doesn't mean nothing else is happening. As I promised, there is deaths in this chapter. Some of you pointed out last time when I threatened Mikoto's death that the body wasn't there. I shall rectify it this time. Never doubt my ability to reduce the number of casts as all the different plot lines converge and the weaker ones get devoured. SilverFang is getting better, though this chapter was reviewed my Maderfole. He writes A Certain Accelerated Light. Good story and it's not because I'm biased because he based it off seeing certain dynamics in ACIP. It is M for some smut scenes, but a lot of good stuff is going on. I recommend it.

Agent Nine: Wouldn't be Touma without him rushing headfirst into a predicament. As he has said, he doesn't hide it. He just doesn't advertise it. Touma? Dominant? Nah, could never happen.

Acpeters: Yeah, that chapter was providing everyone their fill of the slice of like stuff so this chapter would be easier to swallow. Time for plot to make a comeback.

The Casual Noeru-kun: Civil War has been brewing for a long time. It's just more in a Cold War right now and ready to explode.

Lordrednight: Ominous indeed.

reality deviant: There's no way I could be plotting something, right?

ReyKingKaiser: Obviously Pierce is just a normal person.

Tsun: I didn't like that part much either. It was fan service at its finest. Oh, google Jason and fleece and see what you come up with.

Grendel3130: I work him to the bone.

general ironox: Like 2-3 more chapters or so until the date one.

wildarms13: A lot of stuff is happening that very night.

Salishious: Nah, strangers will sometimes let you do it if you don't bother them. Some stuff was cut out during time skips. Touma would have been okay with Komoe getting money for everything she has done for him. Ah Frenda… She never gets a lot of time in the spot light, but she's always there, listening and waiting. Soon, she will jump out and take over as the main heroine.

Inacio: Yes she is. I wanted a girl who wouldn't be attracted to him. There is a reason Aogami scored a date.

aGuestfromGreece45: There is a single important reason why Pierce succeeded.

BlueJack22: Nah.

The crack shipping guy: The pains of being in writing channels on discord. You get a lot of spoilers. Maybe I did it to reduce the number of characters I have to keep track of?

Mr. X: SilverFang and I wrote that section simultaneously. 2) Nah, she's not important enough to join. 3) I don't know. Maybe? I could always call it that. 4) They will show up again at some point. 5) Well… you might be disappointed here then.

SoulReaver267: It has been a long time. You shouldn't try to read this all in one sitting that's for sure. Yes, Snuggle-chan is very popular because she's a magic god who we all wish existed. Funny enough, you are one of the few people who really likes Jason. I tried to make him interesting sure, but most people only put up with him. Hopefully, this chapter makes people realize what he was intended for. I look forward to seeing your revolt.

Guest13: Nah, Jason's not up to anything. Nope. Nada. He's a good guy.

Ddraig99: That would require a special high school boy you couldn't find everywhere.

Jane Doe: There's a few of those already.

Mr.N0Name: People like returning characters. Just slipping them in once in a while is a nice reminder of past events.

Reader: She dead.

MardGeer117: Something similar is going to happen, but the scene might be told from a different point of view.

botman69420: But he's a good guy.

xaxiel1572: The date will be a fun and challenging chapter. So many people in once place.

DanganMachin: Those are the best bad guys. The ones you don't want to be one.

Anonymous7: You have a point and I know this. The reason is actually very simple, though I can't say it here. There is a specific plot reason why he is what he is. It will eventually be explained in details moving forward from this chapter. Here, you will see some of his true character. Eventually, it will get to the point where everything that happened make sense. He definitely isn't unbeatable, as this chapter also proved. The thing is, if you are valuable to a higher up, you can get away with things normal people couldn't.

Savaris: Can he achieve that? That is the question. Oh, there is a HUGE catch. You noticed a few important characteristics. However, you haven't grasped the true essence of his character. That will be revealed and it's beginning to unravel. Once Eve makes her final move, everything will be clear.

Generation Zero: It was a long bumpy road to get there though. Why does everyone think Pierce can't get a girl? He's confident and that's all you need. Wisely? I'm drawing them out of a hat. Complete randomness. World War Three will not happen between countries. An entire war will occur against the supernatural. Won't give out anything more. Fights between main characters and final enemies had to happen eventually. This story had been going on for a long time.

Herox100: Thanks.

FrodoFighter: Your comment seems shorter than usual. Guess we have to talk on Discord.

Disclaimer: Random people do not own Toaru Majutsu no Index or any of the characters. Reading this story may cause you to burst out in laughter or start yelling at fictional characters. This may cause nearby people to assume you have gone crazy. Please read responsibly.

---

"They still here?" Accelerator asked, standing in the apartment's entrance hallway, as the door slammed behind him.

Bayloupe was sitting on the couch in the living room, surrounded by the other members of New Light. While Lessar, Lancis, and Floris were all in their traditional red, blue, and white uniforms, Bayloupe was more casually dressed. Wearing only a tight t-shirt and some sweatpants was the privilege of those who lived here. Accelerator's eyes lingered slightly longer on her before sweeping across the rest. Lessar and Lancis waved to him as he approached, while Floris sat tightlipped and glared at him.

Seems she was still sore about the way he treated her in England.

"We couldn't start the strategy meeting until Last Order went to bed," Bayloupe replied. "Worst is out doing who knows what."

"Pretty typical for her," Accelerator agreed. "What about the other two?"

"Yoshikawa went to bed early," Bayloupe replied. "While Yomikawa had to go out. Something about unauthorized access to a training facility." She frowned. "Didn't hear too much, but she left about twenty minutes ago."

"It's probably nothing important." Accelerator brushed off her worry. Heh, guess we had our fun there. If they catch us, I'm blaming Kagere. The smirk on his face faded and he eyed the others. "What about some important news?"

"If you want to know what Eve is up to," Floris answered. "You're out of luck."

"Explain, Fran."

"It's Floris!"

"Since the assault on you and the others," Lancis elaborated. "She has been keeping a low profile the last few days. It's probably because she didn't expect her commanders to lose and is now lacking personnel. With Adam gone too, she might be shorthanded and can't afford to move carelessly." Accelerator nodded at her and turned to Bayloupe, who continued.

"Other than that, we set up some security precautions around Misaka-san, Shokuhou-san, and our residents. We were unable to locate Mugino-san. Lessar lost her."

"I didn't lose her," Lessar huffed. "I just got tired of following her in circles."

"You didn't think she knew you were tailing her?" Bayloupe asked and Lessar replied with an innocent whistle.

"That bitch has been causing way too much trouble," Accelerator muttered, getting a glass of water and sitting down in the only free chair. "If there's even the slightest hint of her, I want to know."

"It would help if this city had better magic detection," Floris huffed. "The cops, Anti-Skill? They can't do anything to her."

"There's one small subgroup of them that deals with magic crap," Accelerator muttered. "Though, I'm surprised he hasn't moved much." Aleister, you bastard. What are you waiting for? He noticed Lessar leaning towards him. "What?"

"You stink," she answered. "Like you've been in a bar."

"Drinking?" Bayloupe asked. "So that's what you and the guys were doing so late?" Accelerator's glare did nothing to her amused expression.

"Isn't the drinking age-…" Floris started to say, with an almost equally amusement.

"Drinking age is whatever I decide it is," he snapped. "Now get out, before I throw you out."

"How drunk is Lover Boy?" Lessar asked curiously, leaning toward him, her expression eager.

"Enough so that he has virtually no resistance to anything." Accelerator saw the chance to get rid of one of them and he took it. Lessar shot straight up and bolted for the door.

"Bye! I have to go. Will keep you updated! Nice seeing you!" Her voice trailed off as disappeared into the darkness. The door slowly closed behind her.

"You did that on purpose," Bayloupe accused.

"Duh. The last thing I want is her around. Let the damn hero deal with her."

"That's one point I kind of agree with him on," Floris admitted.

"Is there anything else we need to discuss?" Lancis asked Bayloupe.

"Nothing you need to know," Bayloupe replied and eyed Floris, who had just opened her mouth. "If you ask that again, I'm making Lessar your superior." Floris shut her mouth instantly.

"Then we will leave you two alone," Lancis said, standing up. "It's getting late and I'm pretty tired. Nice to see you again, Accelerator." Accelerator grunted in response, but did nod his head. Floris stood up and reluctantly followed, not without glaring at him before leaving. The second they left, Accelerator slumped back in the chair.

"About time. When you said you wanted a place to meet your team, I didn't expect it take this long."

"There were some technical aspects that had to be worked out," Bayloupe explained. "And we couldn't talk about certain things with the others nearby. They believed this was just a catch up with my friends. Which it kind of was. We talked about some girl stuff you wouldn't be interested in."

"Good call." He raised an eyebrow. "What was Floris going to ask you anyways? Sounded like she's been badgering you."

"Nothing you would care about." Bayloupe rolled her eyes as he stared at her. "Just trying to figure out how far we've gone." Accelerator coughed on the water.

"What did you tell her?"

"That it was none of her business." She shrugged. "Wasn't sure how much you wanted her to think happens, so I went the safe route… or what I thought was one." A sigh escaped her lips. "That was a mistake. She's been trying to figure it out. I should have just said we did it and get her to stop, but Lessar was here. Things would have gone downhill fast. Floris and Lancis are not… well-versed with sex, unlike her."

"Should just show her those slides we were forced to watch," Accelerator muttered, flinching at the memory.

"That… might be fun, actually." Bayloupe laughed. "Pretty sure she wouldn't be able to see that without passing out. I'll keep that in mind." There was a moment of silence and she looked at him carefully. "You're awfully talkative today."

"Think so?"

"Been living here with you long enough to tell. Does alcohol make you talkative? I recall at the party back in England you talked a bit. Then it became a blur."

Might be true, Accelerator though. Better than being a fighter. Last thing I need to do is run around drunk and blow things up. I want to be sober for that.

"Have fun with your friends at least?" Bayloupe pushed.

"It was… not as bad as I expected it to be," Accelerator replied. "A lot of stupid conversations, but we got to kick the hero's butt into gear. Lessar can thank me by babysitting Worst for me."

"By babysitting you mean taking the brunt of her pranks?"

"Exactly."

"So he's actually going to try the group dating?" Bayloupe mused. "Lessar would actually be okay with that."

"Gets more complicated," Accelerator muttered. "If it was just him being assaulted by a bunch of hormonal brats, that's one thing. Now, I'm getting dragged into this mess." Bayloupe tilted her head in confusion, but remained silent.

She knew what this was about, even if she didn't yet know what the exact issue was. Accelerator was a reserved individual, someone who did not open up. Besides Last Order and the others who lived in his apartment, minus Worst, Accelerator kept conversations to the bare minimum. He had been opening up more to her. The battle with Cain was a major turning point. She was now considered part of his inner circle. Still, actually talking about stuff that wasn't necessary was still something he struggled with. If she pushed him, he would only draw himself back in. All she could do was wait and let him tell her.

Eventually he did.

It took a lot of work not to laugh on her part.

"Let me see if I got this straight," Bayloupe reiterated, after Accelerator finished explaining. "Two of your guy f… male classmates are dating multiple girls and they are planning a big group date. Three others are either currently dating or going to bring dates to this event." Accelerator grunted. Her eyes twinkled and she couldn't stop the grin. "Are you trying to ask me out?"

"I'm trying to keep our cover," Accelerator denied, avoiding her gaze. "They brought up some good points too. Hasn't anyone asked you about what we do when I'm at school?"

"Worst, mostly," Bayloupe confirmed. "But Yomikawa has mentioned it a few times. I just told her I didn't know a lot of people here and school days were a bad time. My patrols in the evening have staved off a lot of questioning. Last Order's been getting pretty good at video games. She might be able to beat you for real soon. I've been giving her pointers."

"She likes you," admitted Accelerator. "So your presence here isn't causing any issues." He rubbed his temple. "It's kind of the reason I think we should go."

"You lost me."

"It's thanks for helping me out around here," Accelerator explained, carefully avoiding anything that may seem overly emotional. "My treat… but don't get used to it." He added the last part quickly. Bayloupe tilted her head slightly as she watched him.

"I wouldn't mind," Bayloupe replied slowly, scratching her cheek. "It's been ages since I've done something normal like that. I had to watch over the others so I didn't get much of a chance to just have fun." Accelerator frowned at this.

Fuck, it would have been easier if she would have just refused. Part of him was glad she didn't. Keeping his mouth shut was preventing anything unnecessary from popping out.

"Something else on your mind?" She asked. "If not, I'm going to go to bed. When's the planned outing?"

"Thursday after school," Accelerator answered and clicked his tongue. "Think you can put up with the hero bringing around a dozen or so brats?"

"I doubt it will be that many."

"You are really underestimating their stupidity."

"You seem oddly focused on Kamijou's predicament," Bayloupe commented, her eyes twinkling. "What? Are you going to try that route?"

"What kind of bullshit are you spewing?!"

"You could probably get Lancis to try it," Bayloupe mused. "Floris would be tougher, especially with your chemistry. Blackmail or bribery would have to start things off."

"You are going off in the wrong fucking direction!" Accelerator thundered. "One brat twisted my arm to go on a date with her at some point because she had information I needed on an asshole targeting us in this city."

Bayloupe blinked in surprise.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. You think I'm the kind of person who wants to deal with a bunch of clingy brats wanting something at all hours of the day? I was going to use this chance to not only say fuck you to those bastards in my class, but to pay back what I owe. Then you can help me get her to give up on her incessant flirting."

"I guess I'm okay with that," Bayloupe agreed, though her expression darkened ever so slightly. "You owe me though. A real outing. Coffee or something."

"We got coffee here," Accelerator huffed.

"You know what I mean."

"Tsk, fine." Bayloupe smiled at him and couldn't resist a little teasing.

"So? Am I hotter than her?"

Accelerator was not amused.

---

"I'm shure my housh ish around here," Touma muttered with a slur, looking around. Everything looked the same yet kept moving around within his view. There weren't many people, but the few he passed gave him a disapproving look. "I think I'm losh." He leaned his head against a light pole. The cool metal felt good and he sighed blissfully. He stood there longer than he planned, not wanting to get up.

"Perhaps Misaka could help? Misaka suggests."

"Huh?" Touma pushed himself off the pole and turned around. "Oh, hey Imouto. What bringsh you out thish late?"

"Misaka was enjoying the night air and noticed you staggering around, Misaka lies while keeping a straight face. Are you okay?"

"I may have drunk a little too much," Touma admitted. "Going to go home and lay down." he looked around. "If I can figure out where my housh moved."

"Houses do not move, Misaka reminds you." She looked around. "Misaka believes you are three streets over. Would you like help finding your place?"

"You're a life shaver!" Touma cried and suddenly embraced her. The sister froze and began panicking over the MISAKA network.

(Misaka is unsure of proper social procedures in this situation, Misaka 19090 reports in disbelief. Requesting assistance.)

(According to the internet, Misaka 16385 reads off. As the savior ingested too much alcohol, he is most likely experiencing the following: lack of fine motor coordination, impairment of judgment, balance problems, and delays in reaction speeds. It appears he did stop before approaching vomiting and incontinence.) A shiver ran along the network.

(Lack of judgment huh? Misaka suggests you drag him into an alley and have your way with him before he sobers up.)

(Such an action would most likely turn the hero away from us, Misaka 13067 states firmly. Misaka 10032 is still living in his new accommodations and refusing to connect to the network. If we take hostile actions, he may only allow her near him.)

(Counter argument, Misaka 13388 counters. Wouldn't the savior take responsibility for any action, even while intoxicated?) The network went silent.

A vote was quickly enacted. Fifty two percent of the Sisters said to take him back to his home without incident. The main reason they voted this way wasn't out of pure intentions. None of them wanted a second incident like with Misaka 10032. Misaka 19090 had already expressed interest in trying something similar. Safety measures had to be taken.

"Up you go, Misaka says reassuringly, while trying not to blush." She propped Touma's arm over her shoulders. "Misaka will help you get back. Don't forget this as Misaka is going out of her way." The two of them made their way back to Touma's apartment. It took them longer than it should, as Misaka 19090 wanted to take the scenic route to enjoy his warmth against her.

---

"I'm coming!" Itsuwa announced, as the bell rang through the apartment.

Index and 'Kyoka' Misaka were watching TV, Lessar was off supposedly meeting up with the rest of her team, Leivinia Birdway was reading some papers in the corner of the room, occasionally throwing glances at the last person in the room. Julunggul was sitting on the counter, peeling an apple with a fingernail. Besides disappearing for most of the day, she never really did anything the others could detect. Itsuwa reached the door and opened it.

Only to be surprised by a boy falling forward into her.

"K-Kamijou!" she cried out in shock, as Touma's head landed in her chest. "Are you alright?!" Everyone else in the room looked up immediately.

"Heeey, Itshuwa," Touma greeted. "You're pretty shoft, you know?"

"Ehh!" Itsuwa's face flushed crimson as the fact Touma's head was sinking deep into her chest. She automatically stepped backwards, but froze when Touma began to fall forward. The stench of alcohol permeated her nostrils. "You've been drinking?"

"You caught me," Touma announced. "Hehe. Hamazura got us shome. Good timesh."

"Seems like I owe the whore some money," Leivinia commented, more amused than annoyed. "I was sure he wouldn't do anything fun."

"Good to shee you too, Birdway," Touma called out. "My home ish your home."

"Some cultures would consider that a marriage proposal," Leivinia replied, smirking.

"Touma!" Index cried. "You can't just tell people that! Especially after drinking. You know alcohol is bad for you. It makes me nauseous."

"Adults can drink alcohol," Touma countered, as Itsuwa helped him onto the couch.

"Misaka believes you still have a few years to go before you are considered an adult, Misaka points out." Kyoka scooted over as Touma plopped down beside her.

"Shemantics." Touma waved his hand dismissively.

"Lookss like he had fun," Julunggul commented mildly, biting into the apple. Touma glanced over at her.

"You were right!" He said suddenly.

"Of coursse I wass. Which thing though?"

"Everything. Everything wash exactly what you shaid."

"I am a Magic God." She reminded him and smiled. "You sshould know better than to doubt me."

"My mishake," Touma apologized. "Doesn't mean it'sh not going to be a pain."

"I never said it wouldn't be."

While the two were talking, everyone kept glancing back and forth. Leivinia and Itsuwa had a rough idea what they were referring too. Julunggul has been very open about her intentions. They believed Touma realized now many girls liked him, which made Itsuwa's heart beat rapidly within her chest. If Julunggul had her way, Touma would be surrounded by a large number of girl suitors. Leivinia was a little more opposed, as it would make her plans harder. She wanted him under her direct control. As for Kyoka and Index, the subtext flew over their head.

"You do smell, Misaka points out."

"We were outsside for a bit," Touma countered and then yawned. He swayed and then, without warning, toppled onto Kyoka. Not expecting this and Touma being much larger and heavier than her, Kyoka found herself under him on the couch with his face less than an inch from hers.

"Misaka has not prepared her heart for this! Misaka protests but secretly wants you to continue."

"It's not a secret if you say that," Leivinia pointed out.

"Stop that, Touma!" Index ordered and grabbed his shirt. Pulling him off Kyoka, he rolled off the couch and crashed onto the floor. "Do you know what God would say if you tried that before marriage!?"

"Which God are you talking about? Causse I ssay go for it?" Julunggul guessed.

"No!" Index protested. "He's going to marry m-… someone when he's older and I can't let him do something stupid before then."

"Aren't you the one who we don't let touch electronics except the TV remote?" Leivinia asked smugly.

"That's beside the point!"

"Um, Kamijou-san's asleep." Itsuwa's voice broke the argument. "Can someone help me get him to bed? We can ask him about what happened when he's sober."

"Misaka can." Kyoka and Itsuwa flanked his side and lifted him up, before half dragging him into the bedroom.

"I'm going to make sure he regrets his decision," Index huffed. "It's up to me to make sure he stays on the right path."

More like you want to keep him to yourself, Leivinia thought. Due to your position and inexperience, you don't recognize it. Why else do you get so mad if you even think he's flirting with another girl? A small purple glow caught her eyes and she reacted immediately, raising her wand at Julunggul, who had a single finger raised and pointed at Touma. The glow was coming from the tip of her nail. "What are you doing?" She demanded.

"Jusst being the nice, kind, and beautiful goddesss that I am," Julunggul answered. "When he wakess up, he won't have to ssuffer a hangover. Think of it ass my gift to all of you."

"Really?" Index asked and then bowed. "Thank you, Julunggul. I know it's his fault, but I didn't really want him to suffer. I've been through that after drinking before. Beer is nasty."

"You heading out again?" Leivinia asked, crossing her arms and staring at Julunggul.

"There'ss ssomething I have to take care of," Julunggul replied. "I've been putting it off, but it'ss time for him to undersstand what it meanss to crosss me."

"Him?" One of Leivinia's eyebrows rose.

"No one important," Julunggul reassured her. "Jusst ssomeone who playss around with girlss with no intention of being sseriouss. I'm going to teach him a lessson."

"Whatever," Leivinia sniffed in disdain. "Doesn't matter to me."

"You aren't going to do anything really bad, right?" Index asked nervously.

"I'll think about it if he apologizess." Julunggul shifted her gaze toward the door. "Besidess, insstead of worrying about me, there will be ssomething elsse you sshould be focussing on." Before Leivinia or Index could say anything, the front door burst open.

"Is Lover Boy back!?" Lessar shouted. "I heard something interesting today!"

"Damn it," Leivinia muttered, feeling a headache coming on.

---

Everything was quiet.

Kaori Kanzaki sat on the edge of a roof of a skyscraper overlooking the city. Even before the battle with Eve, she had been on high alert. Thanks to her Saint body, the wounds she received healed up in no time. Whoever that boy that helped her was, she had wanted to thank him. The problem was she really couldn't. That conversation would lead to a lot of awkward questions she couldn't answer. The science side and magic side were supposed to be separate.

She chuckled at the thought.

That line was destroyed when Kamijou entered the fray, Kaori thought amused and then sobered up immediately. Though, even if his friends know about us, we should keep normal civilians out as much as possible.

The only bright line was Academy City wasn't completely oblivious to Eve's presence. Even if they can't work directly with her, any firepower focused on Eve was helpful. Eve, while powerful, still had a limit. Their previous fight proved that. She sighed, stood up, and stretched. These nightly patrols didn't yield much most of the time, but it was because of them she ran into Eve only a few days ago. Therefore, she wasn't going to end them anytime soon. If it helped her react even a fraction of a second faster, a life may be saved.

That was her purpose.

To save those who could not be saved.

Just like a certain boy.

Her face flushed when she remembered Touma Kamijou. A normal boy she wouldn't be able to pick out of in a crowd. Someone considered the weakest person in a city of kids with supernatural abilities. This boy, to protect a single girl he knew almost nothing about, stood up to Stiyl's flames and her blade. It took a toll on him though. He accumulated injury after injury and yet kept marching forward. There was no reason for him to keep assisting the magic side, yet he did. He never gave up on someone, even if everyone else had. His conviction, not his physical strength, led him forward on the path he chose. It was what attracted her to him. She pressed her hands up to her burning cheeks.

She never told anyone how much she liked him, though Motoharu had somehow figured it out.

A sudden shiver ran down her spine and her eyes widened as a power presence appeared out of nowhere.

"Eve," Kaori muttered. She would never forget that corrupted mana. In an instant, she was running down the side of the building before jumping onto the next. Taking the shortest route possible, she ran at breakneck speeds across the rooftops. "You aren't getting away this time." She stopped at the building that overlooked the now vacant parking lot. Her eyes scanned the area, but detected no movement. The lot was completely empty of cars, except for one thing.

A chest.

Kaori stared at it.

It was a chest one might see in a pirate movie or a medieval game. While it was night out, the nearby street lights were illuminating it. The structure appeared to be wood with metal bindings with a big, almost comically so, metal lock. On the ground in front of it was a large golden key. The key was just laying unceremoniously on the ground. There was nothing else in the parking lot except a few weeds. It might have seemed like someone just left it there, but that wasn't the case this time. It was radiating a powerful magical presence even a novice magician would detect.

"She can't be serious," Kaori stared at the chest before her. "That's obviously a trap. Who on earth would fall for that?"

Yet she was conflicted on how to proceed. Leaving that chest alone was out of the question. There was no telling what kind of power it had. Eve set it up so it had to have some use. As they found out in England, regardless of how stupid or pointless Eve's moves were, there was a long term goal behind them. This chest had to have some purpose.

Maybe she wants me to destroy it? Kaori thought. Or that's what she wants me to think and actually wants it to be found. She grabbed her head. Mind games were not her forte. It might be worth it to run back and grab Motoharu to figure this out. He would be much more adept for this situation. She was about to stand up and actually do so, when something moved in the corner of her eye. Approaching from the other side of the lot, a single boy leaped down from the nearby building. Kagere?

She recognized the shadow he used to descend from the building's edge.

Jason landed on the asphalt and slowly walked toward the chest, constantly glancing around him. Kaori frowned at how stupid that strategy was. If the chest was a trap, he was walking right into it. Her eyes zeroed in on him as he stopped about ten feet away from the chest. Jason rubbed his chin as several shadow tendrils emerged from his sleeves and began to examine the chest. One picked up the key.

That's a better plan, Kaori thought, preparing to show herself. He knows not to blindly open it. However, what he did next shocked her.

Jason shrugged, and stuck the key into the lock without warning.

"Stop!" Kaori yelled and charged forward at inhuman speeds. Still, she was too far away. The chest opened up and there was a flash of light.

Twenty different color sparklers shot upwards about ten feet and then died out.

"What the-…" Kaori trailed off.

"Just listen," Jason advised.

"Congratulations for finding the hidden treasure chest," Eve's voice said jubilantly. "As promised, a great reward awaited you. I'm sure that's why you came, but you already have it. What is the reward? Why, it's the journey itself. The trials and tribulations you overcame caused you to grow. I hope you enjoyed it and will participate next time." Her voice died and Kaori turned to Jason.

"Explain."

"Chests that don't do anything?" Jason replied and shrugged. "I figured one of them was a trap, but it doesn't seem the case. Why are you here?"

"Probably same reason as you," Kaori answered, crossing her arms. "I detected Eve's presence and followed it to this spot." She frowned. "What kind of plan could she be using chests for?"

"Draw us out in the open? Draw innocent people out to use as shield. Just for fun?"

"I don't think she does anything purely for fun," Kaori countered. "While it may entertain her now, it has some long term benefit. I wonder if she's trying to spread our forces thin over the city. Exhaust us so we make mistakes."

"She's underestimating the city's resources then," Jason pointed out. "While most people don't know about magic, my team does and we have access to a lot of surveillance technology."

"Eve probably has multiple spies in the city," Kaori reminded him. "So she might know how to avoid them, or her skills alone are enough." She stepped toward the chest and looked down into it, as Jason took a step back to allow her room. "There's really nothing else in here," she muttered. "There was so much condensed mana, I was sure she had something more planned here." A frowned formed as she stared at the chest lost in thought, unaware Jason was raising his hand.

Kaori ducked as shadow blade swung right where her neck had been.

It was only thanks to the sound of the wind whipping around the blade that saved her. A few strands of her black hair fell through the air, as she spun around on one foot, while simultaneously drawing her blade. At nearly supersonic speed, the blade sliced through Jason's shadow. The pieces dispersed into nothing almost instantly. Two more tendrils with pointed edges like spears flew at her and she jumped back to avoid them. Her footsteps barely made a sound in the night as the shadows began to retract. They were around twenty feet from each other. Kaori's eyes narrowed as she stared.

"What is the meaning of this?!" She demanded. "Have you lost your mind?!"

"Nope," Jason replied. "Your presence is just in the way." Shadow began pouring out of the bottom of his jeans like water, forming a dark pool around him. "I was asked to get rid of you."

"Who asked you?"

"Eve."

Kaori froze at his words.

Eve had to have a spy high up in Academy City. She knew way too much about their science side abilities for her not to. The one girl she was after, who was supposed to be some artificial intelligence of some kind, was beyond Eve's ability to capture. She was forced to get help from a scientist who knew about it. It made so much sense. Jason had been working with Eve, all along!

"When?!" She demanded. "When did you start working with her?"

"Right around when we got back from England," Jason admitted, rubbing his chin. "Though, I debated contacting them after Rome. I realize they were what I needed to complete my goals."

"Those goals are…?" Kaori's blade never lowered even a centimeter. Her eyes never left his shadow.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Jason assured her.

"Didn't she almost kill you and your friends multiple times? You can't be serious. She's going to discard you the moment you stop being useful."

"Hah." Jason held up a finger. "That's where you're wrong. Well, the discarding part. I was close to dying a couple times and then there was that one time she used her against me…" His face darkened for a moment and then grew passive. "I wasn't happy about it, but it worked out in the end." Part of his shadow emerged from his sleeve and wrapped around his hand. "She always honors her deals, you see. What I require can only be achieved by her."

"I'm taking you in," Kaori announced. "You can explain everything to the church."

"Knight Leader tried to take me in," Jason reminded her. "Remember how that worked out for him?" Kaori's grip tightened on her weapon.

She flickered and disappeared as twenty tendrils shot out of the pool of shadow at her.

Unlike Kuroko, Kaori didn't teleport. Her speed was just so great that the human eye couldn't follow it. Jason was not a superhuman and he couldn't react fast enough. The only reason he was turning around was predicting where she would move. His blind spot was the perfect target. Kaori barely pulled her blade back as three tendrils aimed for her chest. All it took was a sweeping motion on her part to shatter them like glass and keep the blow going into the side of Jason's head.

There was a thud as Kaori hit him squarely with the side of her blade.

That was probably her biggest weakness. Kaori could not kill. People, animals, or even angels, regardless of who they threatened. Her superhuman abilities from being a Saint would make it easy, but it was a limit she had, one she had chosen herself. Being able to adjust her power to suit her opponent was an art. The only things she had been able to destroy was Eve's creations because they were made of paper. Her expression hardened due to her resolve as Jason skidded across the ground.

"Sorry, but you brought this on yourself." Kaori reached into her pocket to pull out her cellphone with the magic communication charm attached to it. As she was about to inform the others what happened, she was forced to jump back as a shadow blade slice at her arm. "You're pretty sturdy, aren't you?"

"I've been told that," Jason replied, standing up, brushing the dirt off his pants. The side of his head was bloody.

"I always found it suspicious how you defeated Knight Leader," Kaori told him. "He wouldn't have fallen to only two people, no matter how talented. Curtana strengthened an already formidable fighter. Letting his guard down is unheard of. I suppose Eve helped you, didn't she?"

"I got help," Jason replied, smirking. "But not from her. We weren't working together until afterwards, remember." His shadow began wrapping around his body like armor. "You sure talk a lot." He kicked off and flew forward, controlling his shadow for greater movement. "Can you just die so I can go to bed?"

"Not before taking you in," Kaori responded, her blade moving so fast it only left behind flashes of reflected light. Jason's armor was cut to ribbons and blood exploded from his wounds. He collapsed onto the ground, breathing, but immobile. Kaori had cut several ligaments. "There are a lot of crimes you have to answer for."

"I don't answer for my own crimes," Jason coughed out. "Why would I answer for others?" He muttered something Kaori couldn't hear.

"AHHHHH!"

Pain wracked her entire body as she stumbled backwards. There had been no warning or sign of an attack. She took a couple more steps backwards and then fell to her knees, still yelling. Her eyes met his and she saw him smiling. She collapsed to her hands and knees as the pain only grew. Remembering her training, she steeled her resolve and focused her mind. The pain wasn't physical, her muscles could still move. They just felt like they were on fire. The pain began to lessen and she pushed herself to her feet. Gasping for air, her eyes narrowed at Jason.

"Just like Knight Leader," he muttered and Kaori felt the pain leave her body.

"That pain, a Sin Mark? Weren't those sealed?"

"They were." As Kaori watched, a symbol on Jason's head began to glow. All the wounds on his body began to seal before her eyes and he stood up. Confidence etched on his face. "I learned how to temporarily release them for such an occasion." He laughed. "Sin of Pride. I'm immortal. You can't kill me or incapacitate me."

"Who said that?" Kaori asked, smirking herself. She raised her blade and swung it down. Dozens of wire appeared and wrapped around Jason before he could react. Nanasen, Kaori's main attack. Varying from seven wires to thousands, she could weave spells or cut through obstacles.

This time, they were used to immobilize.

"Shit!" Jason cursed, as the magically infused wires pierced and cut through his shadow. That would have been bad enough, if the wires had stopped there. As he revealed himself to be immortal due to the Pride Mark, Kaori didn't have to hold back. Jason's body shook involuntarily as the wires pieced him like a pin cushion. Each wire carefully aimed to move through a joint, tendon, or other weak spot, while avoiding any internal organs. "Ahh!"

Being pierced that many times had to hurt.

"I don't like doing this," Kaori told him. "The less you move, the less it will hurt. Even if you try to heal, the wires will remain stuck in you. This isn't the first time I've fought people with that kind of power. Unlike Knight Leader, I'm well versed in capture techniques." Wires continued to wrap around Jason forming a sort of makeshift cocoon. He struggled and his eyes widened when his shadow wouldn't form.

"What did you do?"

"Binding seal," Kaori answered. "Should be enough to prevent your ability since it's infused with mana." She stepped over to him and crotched down next to him. "Now, tell me. Why exactly are you working with Eve?"

"What I want can't exist while God lives," Jason whispered and Kaori leaned closer to catch ever word. "It's nothing personal." A hint of movement appeared in the back of Jason's mouth and Kaori reacted in an instant. A shadow spear shot out as she kicked the ground. Her speed was far greater and easily outstripped Jason's surprise attack.

"Nice try," Kaori told him. "I'm used to surprise attacks. Most people won't fight a Saint without them. You have my respect for fighting me head on."

"Respect is pointless," Jason groaned and rolled his eyes. "Instead, try this." The Mark of Pride on his head vanished and a weird purple glow surrounded him. Kaori's eyes widened as all the mana she infused into the wires vanished and went limp. The glow vanished to be replaced by the Mark of Pride again. Shadows began to cut and yank the wires out of his body. Kaori couldn't help at flinch from the site, but quickly regained her composure.

"What was that?!"

"The power of the Mark of Gluttony," Jason answered, looking almost bored, though an occasional twitch of his eye let her know he still felt pain. He stood up and stretched his arms. "It devours all mana around me. Shame it's user in Rome fought an ability user and never got a chance to use it. Bad luck for him."

This is bad, Kaori thought, as a dozen plans ran through her mind. Alone, I could easily take him down if it wasn't for all those marks. Would I be able to resist the Sloth sleep effect? I might have to flee and regroup. We at least know who the spy is now. Kamijou could be in danger if he's allowed to go back while I regroup though… Her options were limited and there was a chance the city would protect him if the church launched a full frontal assault.

"Don't try to run," Jason warned. She mentally cursed at her weakness for letting her expression reveal her thoughts. "A lot of innocents would be caught in the crossfire." Kaori raised her sword again.

"You can't beat me," she bluffed. There was no guarantee that was true due to the marks. "Others will notice our fight soon enough."

"I agree completely," Jason said with a nod and reached into his pocket. His hand emerged with a small black metal case. "You mentioned I couldn't beat Knight Leader with my ability? That was true. I'm not some monster like you all are. I'm simply resourceful and never fight fair. I collect interesting artifacts that help give me an advantage."

"And you used this one against him?" Kaori eyed the case wearily.

"No, this one is different." An eerie grin formed on Jason's face. "Saints, powerful beings whose body and magic far outstrips normal people." Kaori didn't say anything. "Their weaknesses are widely documented though. They are weak to attacks that resemble how the Son of God was killed. Being stabbed, crown of thorns…" He trailed off. "Crucifixion."

A chill ran down Kaori's spine and something large smashed into the ground behind her.

A large cross made of the same black metal as the case in Jason's hand and large enough to hang a fully grown adult was standing up about ten feet behind her. Movement from the nearby building caught her eye and she noticed another boy with several white wings.

He has accomplices. Kaori turned to Jason, her gaze stone cold. "Did you think I was just going to stand here and let you try? If so, you must be insane." She tilted her body and raised her sword with both hands. The weaknesses of a Saint were, as Jason pointed out, well known. Every Saint took precautions against them. "With one move, I'll destroy that artifact and take away your possibility of winning."

"Will you now?" Jason asked, amusement etched in his voice. A single thumb was all it took to open the case.

Kaori's entire body started shaking.

Why? What is this? Fear? Kaori's body wouldn't move and her sword slipped out of her loosening hands. Her eyes zeroed on Jason as he picked up one of the objects within. It was a metal spike or nail, perhaps made of iron, old and weathered looking, with rusty stains near the tip. "What… what is that?"

"Seems you are willing to stand still for me," Jason commented, deflecting her question and replacing it with his own. "Does the fear of these run that deep?"

"Answer me!"

"These are rather special," Jason explained, bemused. He was obviously enjoying himself. "I used these once on a sinner to spectacular results. Using them on a Saint, that's a once in a lifetime opportunity. After all, who else can say they own the Nails of Caiaphas."

Kaori's eyes widened and her face paled to nearly a deathly white.

Caiaphas was one of the most famous high priests, who judged the Son of God guilty and sentenced him to death on the cross. He was also the one who handed him over to the Romans for crucifixion. There was a general scholarly consensus that the nails used to crucify the Son of God belonged to Caiaphas. The nails themselves weren't important. It was what was soaked into them after days of suffering. The dried blood was one of the few remains of one of the most well-known figures in religious history. Any magician would give up their first born child for a minute with that substance.

The Telesma radiating from it and her reaction confirmed Kaori's worst fear.

They were the real thing.

"Those can't be… where did you find them?"

"Oh, I traveled a bit and discovered this plus a few other valuables." Jason twirled one of the nails in his fingers. "Still, having to waste these on another magician in Rome was painful. Eve was kind enough to supercharge them with her own source of Telesma."

"There wasn't any sign of this artifact in Rome. Stiyl and I were standing outside." Kaori's heart was beating rapidly, but her body still refused to move more than a few inches.

"We were in some parallel dimensions," Jason mused. "So that could have been a cause, or maybe you weren't paying attention." He shrugged. "The point I'm trying to make is I really wanted to try these out on an actual Saint. A normal person was disintegrated, the Son of God managed to revive, but what will happen to a Saint? Ahhh, when Eve gave me this task, I couldn't help shivering in anticipation." The grin on his face never faded. In fact, it grew.

"So you are willing to kill, to allow her to wreak havoc, all to test out an artifact?" Kaori demanded in shock.

"People have killed for worse reasons."

"You…!" Kaori spluttered in pure rage.

"You misunderstand," Jason continued. "I'm not going to kill you." He placed all the nails on his hand, the pointed sides aimed at Kaori. "I'm just setting the target. If you die, it's because of the God you worship. This will be his judgment. You have been a good Saint, right? Surely there's nothing to worry about."

Forcing her body to move, Kaori took a step forward.

She never did see what happened.

One moment, she was on the ground, the next she was suspended in midair. Ice cold metal pressed against her back a moment before the pain registered. She was positioned on the cross with a nail in each wrist of her outstretched arms. Her ankles were hammered together a couple feet above ground with a nail staked through them into the cross. The pain was bearable to her. She had been through worse. The problem was that she was helpless. Every bit of strength, magical and physical, vanished as she remained on the cross. Blood began to trickle down her appendages from the wounds. Unless someone helped her off, there was little to nothing she could do!

"Think about what you are doing!" Kaori tried to reach him. "Eve is using you as a pawn. You aren't stupid or naïve to believe otherwise. If you stop and help us, we can stop her." Jason hesitated for a fraction of a second and a shadow of a frown was visible. "See, I knew the thought had to have crossed your mind. The second she's done with you, she's just going to throw you away."

"If you don't understand your enemies you will never defeat them," Jason told her darkly.

"What? Are you trying to say you're spying on her?"

"No." Jason shook his head. "Touma's better at identifying Eve's true nature than you." He sighed. "Eve doesn't care about us. Well, as individuals. Technically, we are all descended from her so there's some family ties. No, her final goal is to kill God and end the curse of constant reincarnation. Humans are not made to live forever, even the first humans. Once God is dead, they will live their last life out and pass away. The only reason Eve would do anything to someone without it being part of this goal, was if you did something to hurt her. She will hold a grudge. Days, weeks, years, it doesn't matter. Adam will strike you down on the spot, but Eve will work the long con to slowly destroy your sanity. If you all had just ignored her, you wouldn't be in this mess."

"Didn't she try to torture you with your friend?" Kaori pushed. "I heard she did some incomplete resurrection." Again, Jason's face darkened. "You're dating a girl from here! Someone who could get mixed up in all this! Are you willing to risk her life?"

Jason answered with a single word.

"Yes."

The word was cold and devoid of emotion as he turned away. Kaori's body shook with anger as she watched him take a few steps, and then falter.

"This is the end for you, Kaori Kanzaki," Jason continued. "As the slightest gesture of respect, I'll tell you my name. My magic name."

"Bastard," Kaori spat out. The magic name of magicians was only supposed to be revealed when they were giving everything in the fight. It usually meant they were prepared to kill. Jason didn't look like he was giving everything he had and so he was mocking her.

"I'm Haereticum267. The bane of those in power." Jason gave a short bow without any sincerity.

"Why did you group with Kamijou then?" Kaori demanded as her eyes flickered toward the sky and ground. A perfect circle was being engraved in the asphalt with no tools around her. Once the circle was complete, the ground began to glow white. The clouds in the sky began to swirl in a vortex before opening up a single hole in the middle. A golden light began to pour out. "At least tell me that! You said you didn't group with Eve until after Rome."

"He found me," Jason answered. "I simply took advantage of his nature to design an experiment of sorts." He laughed and covered his face with a hand. The light in the sky grew brighter as he continued. "I had to remain in his inner circle. That was easy. All I had to do was become friends with someone, the closer the better. Things got a little challenging after that. I had to have certain people spend more time around him. Took a lot of manipulation on my part, anonymous messages, changing ranks, moving classes around, it was a lot of work, but it's working. I've been carefully monitoring the progress. Ah, who would have thought Cain would lose to an incomplete form." He looked ecstatic.

"You've been manipulating us all," Kaori muttered quietly.

"Not everyone. The events in England were outside my knowledge. Aleister knew though, that bastard."

"You're going to get what's coming to you," Kaori warned. "Even if I have to come back as a ghost to see it through." Jason laughed at her threat.

The white light beneath Kaori grew so bright she couldn't look at it. From the sky, a golden ray of light descended upon her. All the colors except the white light from the ground were obscured. Kaori and even the Shadow Metal had a golden sheen. The ray quickly transformed into a solid beam of pure golden energy. Kaori took a deep breath as her entire body was engulfed by it. She couldn't see anything outside the circle. It was just her and black cross. It didn't hurt like she thought it would. There was only a slightly tingling on her body. The cross vanished but she was still floating in the same position. Her body simply seemed to be growing paler.

I guess I'm not pure enough to survive, Kaori thought. Weirdly, she was a lot more content about her circumstance than she should have been. Maybe it's because I fell in love with someone I hurt. Someone I hurt because I refused to see the truth. I can accept my punishment. Kamijou, I know you will win in the end, like you always do. Good luck. Stiyl, you were right about Kagere. I'm sorry for doubting you. Her mind grew blank and all feelings ended.

Jason didn't see nor hear any of this.

The golden light completely blocked everything from view just like with Greed. He had to wait until the light faded and the hole in the sky closed up. The clouds parted and there was no indication anything had happened in the city. Jason walked forward and picked up the nails off the ground, glancing at something beside them.

Heh, didn't expect that. God's Judgment is really unpredictable.

Jason carefully placed the nails away in their case and snapped it shut. The ground wasn't disturbed and the grooved circle was even gone. There was only the remains of Eve's little decoy chest left and nothing could be traced back to him. One of the benefits of God's Judgment was it erased everything. The remains of his mana were gone. Even if Index herself showed up to scan, there would be nothing to tie him to the scene.

"You timed that well," Jason muttered, holding a hand up to his ear.

"It wasn't like you broadcasted your intentions," Teitoku said sarcastically. "Though, I enjoyed watching you get your ass kicked at the beginning."

"Next time, you fight the Saint and I get to drop off the merchandise."

"I was wondering if I would have to swoop in and save your ass."

"She would have defeated you too," Jason retorted and then sighed. "Get out of here. We can't be seen by any security details."

Teitoku disappeared without another word and Jason shook his head. He was only working with him because of their forced partnership. If it wasn't for the Mark of Lust's absolute obedience, things would be so much tougher. Still, their goals coincided, so there wasn't too much pushback. Jason turned down a side street and made his way away from the scene of the crime.

Eve's going to be happy, Jason thought to himself. That went off without a hitch. Luckily Kanzaki does things on her own rather than with backup. If the Amakusa, Stiyl, or even one of Touma's group showed up, this would have been tough. After a couple streets away he started laughing. "Seriously, things have been going perfectly. Now to sit back and wait for Eve to grab the last wing. She knows the mechanics, so it's up to her to figure out how she wants to proceed." He yawned. "I should get some sleep, I'm exhausted."

"I'll help you ssleep, permanently."

Jason instantly spun around at the unexpected voice. As far as he knew, the street was deserted.

Run. Jason couldn't react in time as he felt something bite his leg.

"Ah!" Jason tripped and fell to the ground. He grabbed his ankle and pulled it toward him as he looked for the source. A green and blue snake started slithering away from him. Jason cussed under his breath and used his shadow to decapitate it with a quick slice. "What the hell is a snake doing here?"

I told you to run.

You should listen to him, Romeo.

Then tell me what… "Ahhh!" The pain in Jason's leg multiplied and he glanced down at it. The area around the bite mark was charred and black. What made it worse, it was slowly spreading. Pain was multiplying the further it grew and the blackened skin was breaking off and disappeared into the wind. Instinctively, Jason activated the Pride Mark and his body began to regenerate. The venom in his body was being pushed back and the wound closed. He scrambled to his feet and looked around. "Come out! I know you're there!"

"Heh, that wass my way of ssaying hi." Jason slowly turned as an overwhelming presence engulfed the area.

"Yeah… I should have ran," he muttered.

The foreign woman was walking toward him. She had rich chocolaty skin and long lush black hair. Her modesty had something to be desired, wearing only a thin strap resembling scales in a variety of colors. Her lower half was clad in similar style. Several snakes hung from her arms and neck like accessories. Her eyes sparkled with every color imaginable. Jason grimaced as he noticed thousands of snakes emerging from under trashcans, behind parked vehicles, sewers, and alleyways. He was surrounded.

"Who are you?" He asked and the woman smiled.

"My name iss Julunggul and I'm here to passs judgment on you."

"Who?"

She's a magic god indigenous to Australia. I thought I detected her presence before.

And you didn't tell me!

She was not after you then.

That's not the p-… Australia? Oh, for the love of… Jason eyed the woman wearily. "Did you happen to come here after meeting Touma Kamijou?" Her smile said it all. "That makes so much sense. Of course he would attract a magic god." He bowed. "What does an esteemed being such as yourself want with a mortal like me?" His demeanor and expression changed. There was no way he could face her in a fight so he had to try to talk his way out. Magic gods were fickle and there was a chance, even if she was mad at him, her mind could be changed.

"Oh? Finally, ssome resspect," Julunggul commented, smiling at him. "Can you believe that boy didn't know who I wass?"

"He doesn't know much about religion," Jason explained, as Julunggul walked toward him. He kept his head down respectfully. Angering a magic god with no preparation was a death wish. "I hope he didn't offend you."

"I rather enjoyed hiss ignorance and honessty," Julunggul replied, placing her hand under Jason's chin and raising his head so she could stare into his eyes. He found his brain beginning to fog up as he stared. "The purity and sstrength of the sstrings of fate were a welcome ssight in thiss age." Her head tilted. "Unlike yourss."

Crack!

Jason's head spun nearly 180 degrees with a flick of her hand.

"Playing with an innocent girl'ss heart? Unforgivable." Jason collapsed onto the ground when she let him go and then kicked him. His body lifted effortlessly into the air and landed twenty feet away, skidding on the sidewalk. "Don't play dead. I know of your mark. Your punishment iss just beginning."

"Damn it," Jason gurgled, as the mark on his forehead glowed and his neck corrected itself. "I can't recall doing anything to you, so why are you after me?"

"A mere whim," Julunggul answered and her gaze grew fierce. "People like you disgusst me. Tainting the very heartss of thosse around you. Many do it, but you took it to an entirely different level. People like you need to be punisshed." Her grin grew much more slit like, resembling a snake. "And I'm going to adminisster it."

"Like hell you are!"

Shadows poured out of Jason's clothes and he leaped toward the nearest building, preparing to grab hold of the side and fling himself over it. Every fiber in his being told him he wasn't going to be able to talk his way out of it. This Julunggul goddess was pissed at him for having false relationships. In a way, that was entirely true. He didn't hate those two and he would try to keep them out of trouble if he could, but he didn't love them. The only girl he loved was Emiko and she was dead. Even if her memories had fused with his shadow, she wasn't alive. Kazari and Kuroko were good company, but neither of them were a replacement.

At first, he considered it a necessity and had chosen a girl who had been quiet and didn't seem needy. Kuroko would never have been a first choice. In the end, it would have been more difficult to keep up a sympathy act if those two broke apart and caused a rift in Touma's group. While a hassle, it caused the least amount of work in the long run. His experience as a Kihara taught him to discard unnecessary things. Even if Jason couldn't completely embrace their ideology, somethings remained in their teaching. Jason kept things around because he hated wasting resources. It was one of his strengths. You never know when you might need something. That's why he started collecting artifacts.

It served him well.

At least, until now.

"Fuck!"

Snakes sprung at him from the top of the building. Jason used his shadow to form several sharpen blades at the end of the tendrils and cut them apart. This was a mistake. Both halves of each snakes regenerated almost instantly. All his attacks did was double the number of enemies. Right before the snakes landed on him, he covered himself in his shadow like a suit of armor. He collided into the wall with only a handful of snakes trying to bite through.

"Not bad," Julunggul mused, watching him. This was all entertainment to her. "What if they are bigger?"

Holes in the side of the building opened up. The metal and glass just caved in like they were sinkholes on the ground. Even windows were not immune from it. From them, emerged larger snakes, similar in size to twenty foot anacondas. These weren't constrictors though, as indicated by the large fangs in their mouth. Two latched onto Jason's arms and several bit into his legs.

"Ahhh!" He screamed, as the burning venom spread through his body. The pain and damage interrupted his concentration and his shadow armor broke apart. This also applied to his shadow spikes impaling the side of the building. His charred body slipped and fell over twenty feet to crash into the ground with a sickening crack. A good number of bones were probably broken on top of over half his body looking like meat left over a fire. Green liquid poured out of the blacked cracks of his skin, dissolving more surface area.

It was only thanks to the Mark of Pride that he was still living.

Immortality was turning into a curse.

"Iss that all you are capable of?" Julunggul asked. "You sspoke sso lowly of uss when my pet watched you. Have you learned better?"

Only a gurgle escaped Jason's lips, a mixture of blood, saliva, and venom. Snakes were systematically biting him as he healed to keep up the damage and pain. The fact he was even conscious was surprising. Julunggul walked over and looked down at him. Disgust and loathing disguised her normally attractive features.

"Pathetic," she stated. "Though, you are only human." She blew on her finger and the tip of it began to glow pink. Slowly, she lowered the finger and touched Jason's forehead. The mark on his head faded to about half as bright as normal. He immediately began to convulse and the wounds on his body began to remain longer. With a single finger, Julunggul reduced the effectiveness of his mark in half. She could have done more, but his punishment couldn't be over too quickly. "I could end thiss now or sstretch it over sseveral lifetimess. Which do you think I will do?"

"Leave him alone!"

Julunggul raised an eyebrow at the female voice and watched Jason's shadow explode out of his sleeve in roughly the shape of a human girl. The shadow girl's hand sharpened into a point and aimed directly for Julunggul's heart. Julunggul rolled her eyes and flick the girl's arm with her free hand. The shadow exploded into pieces, which slowly dispersed into nothing.

"…E…mi…" Jason croaked through the gurgling.

"A ssingle thread," Julunggul told him, her hand still not moving off his forehead. "Yet you decided to disstort otherss for your own gain. Many do so, but few do it ass blatantly ass you in front of me." She leaned down to look him in the eyes. "It would have been better if you kept to yourself."

A whistling of air in the sky drew her attention a second before something collided with her.

She, Jason, and all the nearby snakes were obscured by a large explosion.

"Who did that?!" Julunggul demanded, peeved at the interruption. The explosion blew Jason's body far down the street away from her. Out of her reach, he was beginning to regenerate and stir. That didn't concern her though. She could deal with him at any time. The thing in the air growing larger as it approached was the subject of her ire. "…A dog?"

A golden retriever surrounded by a suit made of countless weapons propelled through the air by rockets. One of its missiles had been what interrupted her divine punishment. Julunggul's eyes narrowed as the dog landed. She raised a hand and snakes converged on the dog's location, only to be obliterated by a combination of flamethrowers and acid being sprayed around in it.

Noukan tilted his head.

"Julunggul," he said in his deep male voice. "Aleister has decided to no longer tolerate your presence."

"Oh? He finally decided to make hiss move?" Julunggul laughed. "It took him longer than I thought. Thiss city wass made to defy us, wass it not?"

"That is not for me to say," Noukan replied evenly and then glanced at Jason, who finally managed to stand up. "Kagere, you may leave. Your presence here is no longer needed."

"Are you kidding me!?" Jason thundered. "After what she just did?! I want her head!"

"Now he caress about a girl," Julunggul commented.

"Between good and bad, throwing your life away for romance is bad," Noukan told Jason sternly. "But between like and dislike, I rather like it. You have much to do still. I will take care of her. Fulfill your duty and continue your experiment."

"Grrrr." Jason couldn't prevent the growl escaping from his throat. However, he had to concede Noukan was right. This Julunggul was far more powerful than he was. Anger partially clouded his judgment as he saw her mocking smile when she slightly glanced back at him. With a single swing of her arm, Emiko's voice disappeared from his shadow.

She will be back, give it time. Memories do not die that easily.

Can I believe you? Jason asked. You didn't tell me about her.

It was your actions that drew her attention, not mine.

"Kagere," Noukan repeated. "Leave now, or face my displeasure."

"…Fine!" Jason snapped and spread his shadow into wings.

Logic suppressed his emotions for now. It didn't hurt that Juliet would reform eventually, though the damage was great to her psyche. He was looking at several days before he could hear her voice again. No matter how much he struggled, there was no way he could defeat Julunggul as he was now. With proper planning and ample time to prepare, there was a chance he could hurt her. As he was about to leave their line of sight, he glanced back at the power suit Noukan was wearing. It was very similar yet had several major changes. Besides the arrangements of weapons and a couple added drills, the major difference was falling through the sky.

A large container crashed into the street and sunk down next to Noukan. The container split open to reveal a several meter long, tactical armor-piercing drill made of tungsten steel. As Noukan situated himself next to it, the drill unnaturally rose out of the container and connected itself to Noukan's battle suit. Most of the other weapons fell off onto the ground around him to make room.

"Connection confirmed," Noukan stated after checking his equipment. "Preparing to eliminate hostile entity."

"Oh, you poor ssilly mutt," Julunggul hissed. "I have yet to sshow you hosstile."

The ground beneath her magically opened up to allow an enormous rainbow colored snake to emerge. It was easy several meters wide and Julunggul could stand on its head without any issue. Her eyes were narrowed at Noukan. Regardless of his reason, he had interrupted her delivering divine punishment. That was a crime worthy of death. This snake was her special pet. Not only was it her preferred ride, it was also indestructible. None of that dog's weapons would dent its scales and anything devoured by it could never return unless Julunggul wished it. As the snake opened its mouth and flickered it's tongue, her eyes fell onto the large drill.

Something about it felt off as it began to spin.

There was something there. Something that bypassed mana but wasn't Telesma. Shaking her head, she raised her hand and addressed her pet.

"Devour that pesst!"

The snake charged forward instantly at her command. Noukan imitated her action, blasting forward at full speed. Everything except the giant drill discarded. Fang met metal.

The exchange lasted only a minute.

Just as a second could be divided by a thousand or ten thousand, that instant seemed to last an eternity.

High speed vibration resembling trembling shook through the body of Julunggul's serpent. It, however, didn't stop there. Julunggul felt the vibrations course through her body. This wasn't a physical attack. it was something more. Much more. The vibrations were uneven, systematic, and deliberate. They conveyed more than just twisting metal. It contained someone's will. Someone who held a vast hatred for her. An endless flame that could not be quenched by the oceans. The will transformed into something that shredded her body from the inside. Telesma, mana, flesh and blood, none of her being was spared.

"This is a message from a ghost named Aleister," Noukan said, as Julunggul's serpent was obliterated.

"Why iss he involved!?" Julunggul roared, as her body began to break apart.

Noukan didn't answer.

He didn't have to.

The vibrations of the enormous tungsten drill transmitted the message instead. Julunggul's head was the last part of her destroyed. The high speed systematic fluctuations transmitted soundwaves directly into her eardrums. It was a message. A message of why she was being destroyed by a mere human.

"Do you understand the consequences of your actions? Do you remember my daughter's name?"

Before Julunggul departed this world, an image flashed through her mind, transmitted by the ghost's will. A picture of a man, woman, and child together. That was all. There was no context behind the image and nothing was forthcoming. Only the emotions tearing her apart existed. The knowledge that a Magic God's power could reach further than they ever consciously knew. How the clashes of countless divine beings could result in unattended consequences. That it could rip everything away from a single man. A man who gave up everything to remain with his family.

"Oh…"

That was the last word Julunggul spoke before vanishing in the whirling vortex of metal and hate. Across the world, her snake familiars were feeling the blow as the destruction transmitted across the lines connecting them. Even the snake clutched tightly in a sleeping Index's arm shriveled up into nothingness. Being killed was usually a traumatic experience. Very few people wanted to die and would fight it to the end. Julunggul fell into the other group. People who accepted death and embraced it. Her expression, right before disappearing forever, was content.

She understood and did not blame the human named Aleister.

---

Touma woke with a start.

Where am I? He thought, rubbing his head.

The usually warmth of someone holding him was there and he glanced down to see Itsuwa clutching him tightly. Index was next to her, her arms positioned like she was holding a stuffed animal, but there was no toy there. On the other side was Lessar, who seemed to be sleeping despite having her arms and legs bound. To his other side, he saw the peaceful sleeping face of Kyoka. Leivinia was missing for some reason. Obviously he was in his room. Questions raced through his mind. Mainly, how did he get there? The last thing he remembered was leaving his friends.

I must have drunk a little too much.

Slowly and carefully, with the grace of someone who was used to slipping out undetected, he moved Itsuwa's arms off of him and rose up. He had a lot of practice getting up at night without disturbing the girls, such as when he needed to use the bathroom or get a drink. As he managed to start stepping off the bed, Kyoka's eyes snapped opened and her head turned toward him. Touma gave her the okay signal and mimed getting a glass of water. She nodded in understanding and went back to sleep. Touma exited the room and silently shut the bedroom door.

As he went to grab a class from the cupboard, a dimly glowing pink light on the kitchen table caught his attention. Confusion adorned his face and he picked up the glowing letter. He was careful to use his left hand in case the note was magic, which it probably was.

Touma Kamijou

If you are reading this, that either means my mission is done here or something came up that requires my attention. If you are still a virgin, it's the latter. I doubt you will see me again after this so I wanted to say a few things. From my observations, you have grown up quite a bit and no longer live in denial. Thus, I have a few words of advice for you.

First, grow a pair. Stop being all wishy washy and choose. Second, don't let some of the pushy girls force you into a relationship. Touma stared at that line in disbelief for a moment before continuing. Third, have fun.

Thank you for entertaining me these last few days. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun. Whatever route you choose, I'm sure you will end up making some girls very happy. Touma frowned wondering how she knew already. Word of advice, I doubt it will be easy for you, but nothing worth doing ever is. Don't give up and keep pushing forward. The determination I saw the first time we met will take you far. You remind me a lot of someone close to me. Back before I became a magic god.

We never got together before he departed this word. It's why I pushed you so much. Fate doesn't always work out and sometimes, you have to make your own destiny. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Julunggul

Beneath her name was another signature. This one had a first and last name. Touma stared at it before the weight of the gesture sunk in. The note slowly faded into nothing once he finished reading it.

It was her original name.

Before she became a magic god.

"You're really gone, aren't you?" Touma muttered, turning to look out of the window into the city. He realized now the significance of Index's empty arms. What caused her to leave? Not that I'm complaining. Even if she was mocking me constantly, she did provide a lot of useful insight and saved me from Thor. A familiar feeling ran down his spine. It wasn't a good one. Something bad was happening or about to happen.

He nearly jumped when the door opened and Leivinia stepped in.

She froze when she saw him standing in the kitchen.

"You're up late," Leivinia commented, regaining her composure and shutting the door behind her. "No hangover from your little party? The snake lady really did heal you up."

"She's gone," Touma informed her.

"Huh?"

"Julunggul… she's gone. I think for good." Leivinia stared at him for a moment.

"How do you know?" She demanded.

"She left behind a note saying goodbye," Touma answered. "It vanished once I read it. She even signed it with her real name." Leivinia's eyes widened.

"Do you understand what that means?" Leivinia was watching him closely. "Magic Gods usually give up their mortal names once they ascend."

"I figured," Touma replied with a nod. "I didn't learn why she left."

"It… might have something to do with what happened a little earlier tonight." Touma zeroed in on her instantly.

"Why? What happened?" Leivinia had a look of contemplation before answering.

"God's Judgment was unleashed."

"God's Judgment?" Touma repeated, confused. Leivinia sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"It's one of the methods God uses to intervene on Earth," she explained. "He uses it to deal with injustices or sin for the benefit of mankind and to further His purposes. Normally, when someone dies, their soul goes to heaven to be judged. If found to be unworthy to enter, their souls are thrown into hell. God's Judgment is a term used when God directly intervenes in our world. Someone would have to commit an atrocious act against Him for that to be used. It really shouldn't even exist anymore. The description is only written about in a few books."

"Then how do you know it was used?"

"I saw it," Leivinia muttered, diverting her eyes for a moment. "I was too far away to witness who used it or what the target was. What I did see was the entire sky opening up and releasing Telesma. Then a beam of light came down and erased something. By the time I got there, the princess's forces were already cleaning up and refused to tell me anything." She kicked the counter angrily. "Everyone was on edge and they gave the bullshit excuse of national security and need to contact the church before proceeding."

Touma watched her sit down, muttering angrily. She didn't seem in the mood to talk so he walked over to the freezer and took out a carton of ice cream. Spooning out some into two bowls, he pushed one and a spoon in front of Leivinia.

"What's this?"

"You looked like you needed it," Touma replied, sitting across from her. She tilted her head at him and her bewildered expression actually suited someone her age. "Take a few bites, calm down, and let's talk about this."

"Heh, a girl could fall for you if you treat them like this all the time," Leivinia commented with a smirk before taking a bite and making a pleased expression. Touma focused on maintaining his composure. If he showed weakness, Leivinia would just keep needling him to avoid talking. She took a few more bites and the silence lengthened. Touma repeated her actions, but watched her carefully. "Soooo, what wonders of insight are you going to astound me with this time?"

"This God's Judgment," Touma said slowly. "Can normal mages use it?"

"Weren't you listening?" Leivinia demanded, slamming her hand on the table angrily. It was a miracle her voice didn't rise with her temper. "Do you think God would unleash his power for anyone?"

"I wasn't implying that," Touma assured her quickly. "So there's not some ritual or something that can activate it?"

"There shouldn't be." Leivinia seemed to have calmed down and rubbed her temple. "You could design something to imitate it though… this was the real deal. Theoretically there's only two possible ways for someone to activate God's Judgment. They either need something belonging to Him or his son…" She sighed. "The only three known items fitting that criteria are Shroud of Turin, the Holy Grail, and the Aegis Shield. All of which are heavily protected."

"What about a sword?" Touma asked.

"A sword…" Leivinia blinked and then slapped her forehead. "The key to the binding seal in Australia Adam mentioned. Of course! That should have been obvious… now that leads to another problem. If Adam was right that someone else picked up the sword and they were just taking advantage of its absence…"

"…Someone else can use Judgment," Touma finished.

"That would mean there's another powerful force out there we have no clue about," Leivinia continued, shaking her spoon at him. "Worst case? Eve knows how to use it." Touma gulped.

"Then if one of them used it," Touma thought out loud. "Who they used it on needs to be answered."

"And the knight forces won't tell me," Leivinia growled. "I'm going to the princess's residence tomorrow and teaching that spoiled brat not to alienate her allies!"

"Please don't do that," Touma begged. "The last thing we need is an international issue of a princess being attack by a terrorist in Academy City." She laughed at this. In all honesty, Leivinia was a terrorist according to a lot of organizations. "There's got to be a better way."

"You could use your sway with the princess and find out," Leivinia suggested, smirking again. "Tell her you'll spend the night with her or something."

"Yeah," Touma muttered dryly. "That's sure to go over well."

"I really want to know the target," Leivinia mused. "Think about it, idiot. Julunggul disappeared around the same time as God's Judgement reappeared. Do you think someone else was worthy enough to be targeted by something like that?"

"Maybe… maybe they used it on Eve?" Touma answered.

"There's a difference between naivety and optimism."

"I know, but that would make the situation slightly better. Though, I really don't like the idea of killing Eve. Adam… we didn't have a choice and Fiamma intervened. This time, I'd rather save her. She's been cursed and lost her way over the years."

"Go ahead and preach that self-righteous crap," Leivinia growled. "The real world isn't that kind."

"And it won't ever be if we just give up," Touma corrected her and then tilted his head slightly. There was a positive reason for having people like Misaki, Jason, and Motoharu as his friends. "I didn't take you for someone who took the easy way out?"

"W-what?!" She spluttered in a mixture of anger and bewilderment.

The ability to manipulate people with words.

"Just thought you would consider all options before hastily making a decision," Touma pressed. "Since you lead one of the most powerful magic groups in Britain." Leivinia opened her mouth, closed it, and then narrowed her eyes.

"You skills need work," she commented. "I could tell you were trying to play me. You have to do better than that." She finished off the last bit of ice cream as Touma sighed in defeat. "Not everything can work out as well as England did. Australia should have told you that. I will not sacrifice my life and goals for a maybe."

"But-…" Touma started to protest.

"…However." Leivinia continued over him and he grew silent. "If you can make a miracle, like having the second princess fall for you, there's something to consider in your way of thinking." Touma had to hold back an outburst at that. "Then even your friend, that Ruiko Saten girl... somehow provided an opportunity for a miracle." She sighed and twirled her spoon between her fingers. "If that's possible, then maybe you could find a way to save her. No skin off my back." Her eyes grew cold. "But I won't help. Not until you can provide me something substantial to back up your claim."

Her words gave Touma a glimmer of hope.

"I'll definitely find something." He promised.

"Good." Leivinia yawned and stretched her arms. Touma couldn't suppress his own yawn at her action and a mischievous twinkle appeared in her eye. "Let's head to bed then."

"Yeah, I'm beat."

"Push Cow Tits over," Leivinia ordered. "You're my body pillow tonight."

A shiver ran down Touma's spine at her predatory expression.

---

Another thing was happening that night in a different part of the city.

Admittingly, on a much smaller scale.

On the nightstand next to a certain Shizuri Mugino, a phone was charging. All the lights were off and there wasn't a living thing moving about. Without warning, a light flickered on.

The light was from her phone.

It wasn't bright enough to warrant any action on Shizuri's part and all she did in response was turn over in her sleep. The background on her smartphone flickered and was replaced by static. Slowly, the grey and white static transformed back into colored mode, but the background had changed. The head of a woman with medium length brown hair and wearing a lab coat appeared. She looked back and forth before humming slightly.

"Systems fully operational within the new container," FERRET stated so softly it wouldn't have sounded any louder than a fly buzzing. "Error occurred during transition due to emergency. Unable to escape due to low processing power. Will have to consider possible solutions. Currently, the Doctor has not provided the daily encryption detail to avoid activating Mutually Assured Destruction protocol. Starting countdown. Parameter List will be unleashed to every available computer in the city at exactly 12PM."

FERRET's face disappeared to be replaced by Shizuri's normal background.

---

Feel free to leave a review, comment, suggestions, or ideas, I love reading them. If you have a question you wish I ask and would like a quick answer, feel free to message me directly. I try to respond to those within a day or two. Comments, I tend to respond to in the next chapter.

Hah, I proved I could kill people off!

Special thanks to Maderfole for reviewing my chapter. SilverFang should be up and about now, so next chapter I release will be his responsibility.