New chapter up. Please enjoy~ :D
Chapter E14: The Prophet of Calamity.
I languidly drifted atop Rahab's makeshift ocean.
There was no helping it. The skill to fly in the sky had vanished clean out of my mind.
I could remember doing it easily, but for the life of me couldn't figure out the exact process.
So all I could do now was float around helplessly.
I was lost. I had no idea where I was.
Not to mention that even if I were to possess the exact 11-dimensional coordinates from inside the phase I now called home, reaching there would still prove to be an immense problem.
I had merely survived. That was all.
"…" (Touma)
Anyway, I forcibly cooled my mind enough to ponder.
As my thoughts wandered, I found myself once again fixated on the identity of that mysterious man.
First of all, he could not have been a human. At least, not anymore. Everything about him was simply too otherworldly.
He felt more like a god cloaked in the flesh of a human. Like a semi-sentient force, an aberration of nature cosplaying as a normal and mundane being.
And this was not some mere subjective interpretation on my part.
He was cold and ruthless like a machine, yet, however twisted it might be, his reasoning was undoubtedly that of a human.
He was a devil that would make even a monster's blood run cold, however, at the same time, he spoke of humans from a neutral standpoint. Almost like he understood them on a fundamental level.
This made me conflicted.
If he once had been a human, then as an entity of such immense power, not to mention his peculiar visage, he would have left some sort of trail throghout history.
Like a Hero. Or perhaps a Demon King. Maybe as an Evil God, perhaps...
The point is: history or mythological books would have immortalized him.
He would have undoubtedly left a very wide footprint on the world.
If he was a magician, he would undoubtedly be lauded as the greatest.
I couldn't even imagine a Saint, or even an Archangel, coming close to his enormous prowess.
However, I could not find even a single speck of information about such a person in my database.
I shut down my, at this point, idle thoughts.
I should probably investigate more on this matter before continuing. Maybe St. Maurice's library would be a good place to start.
Anyway, I had to figure out a way to return to my phase.
I suddenly sensed a colossal undercurrent in the water beneath me. The movement caused a wary smile to tug at my lips.
"God of Dragons, you're here, aren't you?" (Touma)
"…Aye." (Rahab)
A booming guffaw answered my query as something hard pressed against my back as it slowly rose out of the water. The sea's black waters gave way to a familiar beryl of scales as a humungous continent rose from its far depths.
I took a breath of relief at the nostalgic touch of solid ground.
Men were not designed to float atop the sea endlessly like jellyfish— the sense of soothing comfort had vacated me after the first hour in water.
"Ahaha… I didn't know what to make of it when you suddenly popped up in my domain." (Rahab)
"Some kind of being teleported me to a pretty strange place up there before tossing me out without a warning." (Touma)
"That is some rotten luck, lad. Although, I suppose it's true everything has a silver lining— you would have completely perished if he threw you in other parts of my chaos." (Rahab)
Indeed, the ancient god spoke the truth. I was sure that I would have dissolved into the Abyss' Oblivion if that weren't the case.
"Say, Rahab, is it possible for you to bring me to back? To my phase?" (Touma)
"Awan's favorite world, ain't it? Aye. I have taken a special liking to that place. Taking you there is possible. But isn't there a much bigger problem than that to worry about, lad?" (Rahab)
"A bigger problem?" (Touma)
"Yes. No world can be opened into from the Abyss. Well, I guess it is possible to wrench it open using my powers, but then there is a distinctive risk." (Rahab)
"A distinct risk, you say?" (Touma)
"That cosmology you call home is a very fragile construct. Almost like a soap bubble. Therefore, if handled improperly, the weight of my existence might accidentally pop it out." (Rahab)
P-Pop it out?!
He might accidentally "pop-out" a multiverse by entering it?
Wow.
I couldn't help but let out a tired sigh.
"But don't be disheartened, lad. Let's cross that bridge when we get there. I'm sure something will work out." (Rahab)
Was he trying to console me? I appreciate the gesture, but…
"Uh. Yeah." (Touma)
I absentmindedly positioned myself atop Rahab's back. I took this time to observe Rahab's dominion.
Although the laws of physics (like those of space, distance, or size) could not be applied properly in the Abyss, Rahab's "oceanic" realm appeared to be roughly similar in size to the Earth's Atlantic Ocean.
And as the ancient god traversed the chaotic Abyss, the oceans and the skies kind-off moved along with him.
Probably, it was better to think of the domain as some sort of aura that Rahab exuded subconsciously.
I was truly humbled when faced with a feat of such enormous magnitude.
"Well then. Why don't you tell me the whole story on the way, Kamijou Touma?" (Rahab)
"Yeah." (Touma)
I told Rahab about everything that had transpired.
How we reached the third temple. How Seth battled Noah. How Noah seemed to have already been hurt by someone. How an inexplicable beam flew our way.
How me and Elaine were brought to that Source World in which apparently only gods were allowed to enter.
And how the mysterious man told me of Elaine Le Fay's destiny as Eve.
I described the man's appearance to the slightest detail, vaguely hoping Rahab might have an idea of who the culprit was.
"An androgynous man with a feminine face? Has a distinct aura of power and inviolability about him? Hmm, I can't say I've ever heard of someone matching that description." (Rahab)
"I see…" (Touma)
"Wait, hold up. I may have something…" (Rahab)
"Oh?!" (Touma)
Rahab's voice sounded confused.
"To tell you the truth, I had this feeling that I've been forgetting one particular mortal for a while now. I am almost certain that I was closely acquainted with him. He even gave me a strange name. I wonder what he used to call me?" (Rahab)
"Forgetting?" (Touma)
A mortal?
Was acquainted with Rahab?
"Aye. But something doesn't quite mesh well with that idea. Almost as if… I was forcefully made to forget about him." (Rahab)
"You think he could have erased himself from the past somehow. Like separate himself from the books and memories of those who have known him?" (Touma)
Rahab gave me a thoughtful aye.
"But the thought itself is preposterous." (Rahab)
"Preposterous? Why so?" (Touma)
"Even a regular cosmology like yours might contain an infinite number of yourselves as possibilities. And in this Abyss, a limitless number of such things exist in all forms and sizes. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to erase your presence from every single history of every single world in every single multiverse across this boundless Abyss? I might not look like much, but still... I am God of the Rift, you know. The power needed to outwit me should be mindbogglingly immense from the perspective of any mortal." (Rahab)
"Yet it is not completely impossible, correct?" (Touma)
"Theoretically, yes." (Rahab)
"There truly is a way to achieve such an absurd feat!" (Touma)
"Indeed. The Qlippothic Abyss is an immaterium of thoughts where fantasy and reality exist in a soup of ancient chaos. The fact that there are no restraining laws is the only law here. As such the [Rule] of the Trees of Life, Knowledge, and Death are mandatory for the volatile and self-contradictive Abyss to exist." (Rahab)
"So, that means…" (Touma)
"If one were to ascend the Sephiroth or descend the Qlippoth far enough, then at one point they will become able to manipulate the Abyss at will." (Rahab)
Ascending the Tree of Life or descending the Tree of Death, huh.
That does sound preposterous.
After all, it is said that a "mortal" cannot ascend the Tree past the fifth sephira of "Tiferet" {Collective Consciousness} as they'd be limited by the sephira of "Din" {Limitations}.
Similarly, one cannot safely descend below the qlippah of "Thagirion" as the pull of "Evil" becomes so strong that it is effectively similar to falling into a spiritual singularity.
So stable spiritual and mental existence was only possible in the seven sephiras/ qlippahs lying between Tiferet and Thagirion.
Not to mention that it is impossible to ascend "physically" beyond or below Malkuth.
Yet, from what Rahab just told me, someone couldn't outwit an ancient god unless they had ascended fairly very high on the Trees of Life or Death.
Ergo, it stood to reason that such a person was no longer a normal mortal being.
Maybe it was truly best to objectively treat the mysterious man as some sort of god or a demigod.
But that being said…
"But Rahab, if that is the case, how is someone, anyone, supposed to deal with a monster like that?" (Touma)
"Hmm. That is actually a good question. The wisest answer would be to avoid him, but I imagine you would want a more definitive answer." (Rahab)
I nodded silently.
"The key, lad, lies in information. If you possess enough information, it shouldn't be difficult to come up with countermeasures." (Rahab)
"But didn't you just say that his existence might be erased all across the Abyss? How will it be possible to procure information on him if this is the case?" (Touma)
"He might have erased everything. But, lad, did you forget that there is one book containing records that no external force in existence can alter?"
Ah.
The Records of Akasha, Nika Kurylenko's book.
Even if the Oracle were to ever forget something, the book, being directly connected to Akasha, would still be essentially omniscient.
If the Oracle could reclaim her book, then she could use it to divine the mysterious man's identity.
And with knowledge of his identity and reliable data to work on, I could devise a strong strategy to defeat him.
Elaine.
To tell the truth, I would have loved nothing more than to rush through my crusades to meet her right away.
But, unfortunately, such a feat was currently impossible for me. I didn't even know how to reach that matrix-like world above.
Still, I knew one thing…
According to that man himself, I would eventually face him again if I continued to crusade "beyond" the Seventh temple.
"…" (Touma)
I clutched my chest. Simply thinking of her was making my heart race with trepidation.
How was she faring now? Was she alright? Was she facing troubles?
So, this was fear…
The fear of losing someone close.
I swore to protect her.
Yet I failed my promise.
This was where I ended up after the third temple.
I would have really blown my head off if that act meant Elaine's safety.
Yet at the same time, I felt depressed at the thought of being unable to see her face anymore.
Kind of ironic, if you ask me.
I never cared about living or dying; I was ready to face death whenever it came upon me. Yet, with Elaine at my side, I gave my everything, struggled to survive.
…Every cell in my body screamed to save her.
"Restrain your heart, lad. It will only make you vulnerable to mental contamination. We're almost there." (Rahab)
I cast my regrets aside at his words.
Instead of brooding, I had more pressing matters to think of.
Like trying to make a way into my "home" phase.
"Hm? Told you. Where there is a will, there is a way. Haha."
Even without Rahab's hearty guffaw, I could spot that there was indeed a rift open leading to my world.
But there was a slight problem.
Beside the open dimensional gap, sitting on a small floating circular metallic disk, was a girl with her legs dangling down.
Almost as if she was waiting patiently for us to arrive.
A girl with long, glossy white hair, and eyes empty of all emotion. With a smile that seemed to be stuck on her face permanently, she resembled a ghost more than a human.
"That's—" (Touma)
I remembered seeing her before.
As I was about to call out to her, she suddenly jumped off her little circular disk.
A clump of unstable energies built around her right hand. I didn't need to see her face to tell she was set on killing me.
I jumped backward. I ran down Rahab's back, trying to take cover behind a leathery protrusion.
The girl meanwhile landed on a much higher ground without a shred of hesitation.
"Aren't you that Conduit?!" (Rahab)
The girl froze.
"Your Excellency Aiwass, I'm honored that you remember this humble self."
Courteously bowing, she replied.
"Aiwass…"
It seemed like the name invoked something nostalgic in the mind of the ancient being.
The girl meanwhile turned towards me.
Giving up on inquiring as to her objective, I readied the Joyeuse for battle.
Despite knowing Rahab (who she called Aiwass), she was most likely related to the mysterious man. Her timing was too perfect.
She was probably an enemy.
[Summon: Gluttony.]
I summoned the giant boar with the swing of my sword.
Meanwhile, the girl's right hand took on a blindingly white glow.
She gestured towards the mouth of the charging beast— the next moment the boar exploded in a gruesome spectacle of blood and gore.
The pieces of the beast turned to dust, descending around the girl who had yet to take a step.
"I am the Prophet Leah. As the spirit of Academy City, I once served as a conduit for Lord Aiwass in the material world. Yet since the body I now possess once belonged to the Beginning Child, it is alright if you were to call me your Mother." (Leah)
Based on the data of a Japanese seer, Mifune Chizuko, the Beginning Child was the very first esper developed in Academy City.
It seemed like this fact was the same in both my old and new worlds.
As such, in a way, the Beginning Child was my ancestor.
And the name— Leah.
I had heard that name before. It briefly came up when Anna explained the concept of phases before to me and Elaine.
Not to mention Anna had warned me specifically about her during our "training" times.
Leah Herzig. To be exact.
"You're the telepath that initiated this whole crusade business!" (Touma)
"Indeed. As the Conduit, it was my role to serve as a psychic beacon for all espers. Clairvoyance and telepathy are simply a part of that package." (Leah)
Leah declared her duty in past tense.
"Is attacking me a part of that package, too?" (Touma)
"No. It is by my own will that I make this decision. Your presence has caused my Lord a fair amount of unease. But unlike him, I plan to curb you before you accumulate too much power. You're a threat to her progress." (Leah)
"And who is this "her" that you speak of?" (Touma)
A faint smile ran along Leah's lips; she had caught the irritation in my voice.
I felt like punching the smirk off her face.
"Oh, but you already know, do you not? The one who used to be your darling Elaine Le Fay." (Leah)
"I'm not going to let you discard her past." (Touma)
"How scary! But in all honesty, wasn't it just Elizabeth Bathory's whimsical invention? Why feel sentimental about it? I think it is best to get rid of that dirty nam—" (Leah)
Unable to contain my anger, I charged at her, but as soon as her right hand took on a blindingly white glow again, I found myself blasted to the very edge.
"I think that little one called this attack a [Railgun]. It is a cute thing, no?"
Leah playfully spoke as she looked at the electric sparks dancing between her fingers.
R-Railgun?
That Level 6?
No, considering this was the new world, she should technically still be a Level 5.
Perhaps that was the reason I was able to tank that blast without much damage.
Either way, it was quite fortunate; I could promptly resume the fight.
Since she was able to emulate the [Railgun] perfectly, I decided to treat her like a Level 5 Electromaster.
However, I did not engage again. I was much more interested in hearing what she had to say; smashing and chopping could always wait.
"You don't actually seem mad. Are you serving that man? That demigod of the future perhaps?" (Touma)
Leah giggled back in return.
"Ufufu~ this is the first time I've heard someone call him a demigod. Indeed, I am one of his chosen ones. He wants to test himself by raising you against him, but to be completely frank, I don't see a point to this exercise at all." (Leah)
Leah raised her right arm, and, with a blast of unstable energy, a glittering weapon appeared in her hand.
If that thing could be called a weapon, that is.
About one meter in length, it looked like a rapier with multiple tips, though it didn't quite feel it right to try and classify that thing as a sword.
But that wasn't the most strange thing about it.
It glowed, as if it was made of light, almost like a thousand molten diamonds had coalesced to form that shape.
"Yet at the same time, I am afraid of you, my son. You're terrifying! Your brand of science fills me with fear! I feel like you might ruin everything we have struggled to build like this. So, I shall put an end to you here and now." (Leah)
She took a step forward.
It seemed like she was a close-quarters combatant. I readied my Joyeuse to intercept.
There was no way she could actually swing that strange needle-sword effectively— I only had to watch out for thrusts.
I barely blinked before a thrust flew my way like a lightning bolt.
I lunged sideways to evade it, swinging my sword at her neck.
The sword-like thing wriggled like a snake and in defiance to the law of conservation of momentum and inertia, bent backward to parry my swing.
But how could she possibly expect me to stop my sword with an edgeless weapon?
I added more power to my push to break out of the sword lock.
But then it hit me: her weapon was neither a rapier, nor estoc, or a stiletto.
I had my sword locked with a lightning rod made out of pure Dark Matter!
A shiver ran down my spine, but before my body could react, she launched it.
[Thunderclap]
[God of Lightening: Indra!]
I just barely shifted my AIM to match a Level 5 Electromaster's.
Human beings had but two choices when pain rose above a certain threshold: lose consciousness, or die from shock.
Unfortunately, as Leah had already noticed it, I was not designed to give in to the pain, no matter its intensity.
The most rigid of frames supporting my bones, an Electromaster's AIM filling my constitution, adrenaline pumping in my veins with [Biokinesis], magical defenses I had newly learned protecting my vitals; the seven beasts I summoned to act as my shield—
I threw every ounce of power I could muster at her, and still…
"Argh… Ghagh…"
Overwhelming pain ravaged me.
As a Level 5 Electromaster, she could easily summon electric bolts with over several million amperes and several billion volts.
That much was expected from her.
Hell, even I myself could summon that amount of power.
What I didn't expect was the 1000x amplification her Dark Matter lightning rod provided her with.
Not even my borderline Level 5 Electromaster's constitution could defend against a sudden invasion of electricity carrying a current north of a billion amperes with a potential difference of over a trillion volts.
My insides were burnt to a crisp. I barely maintained consciousness. I forced all my magic into [Healing] myself.
"Pain impedes your calculations. You shouldn't underestimate it." (Leah)
It hurt…! It hurt. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt!
I felt as if I had been flayed, every single nerve torn violently ripped out, doused in saltwater, and the remainder of my body pierced by a million little needles.
I threw up my intestines and collapsed in a fetal position. I could do nothing but convulse in pain.
Meanwhile, she calmly regarded my shameful display with that smile of hers.
I have to stand up. Stand up, stand up, stand up! Hurry!
"It hurts, doesn't it? You feel sick, don't you? Oh, if only the torment would end, if only liberation would come sooner. I can give you salvation, boy… that is if you want. Ufufufu~" (Leah)
She gently— as though she was afraid to dirty her sandals— placed her foot on my face and pressed it into the ground.
When I tried to resist, she kicked my temple.
My body nearly broke the hypersonic sound barrier as I crashed into some rocky outcrop on Rahab's back.
Did she just use [Vector Manipulation] to launch me at these outrageous speeds?
My mind was shutting down. Even magically-boosted [Healing] was unable to keep up with my internal deterioration.
Even before she kicked and stomped my face, I was in a bad shape.
I was completely helpless.
If I was the same as a few days ago, I would've probably perished here— given up and embraced the end.
"Khuu…" (Touma)
I spat out the last of my teeth as I clung to the beryl of scales with my one remaining hand.
I just noticed that my arm was ripped off somewhere along the fight.
It was a hopeless situation. In the current state, death would indeed be a salvation for a normal man.
Yet the present me was different.
I might not have discovered a legitimate reason to exist, but I still found something that forcefully compelled me to live.
Pouring the remainder of my energy into my remaining arm, I pulled myself atop.
There was no way on earth I was dying here— I turned my juvenile stubbornness into fuel for my battle engine to drive for my survival instinct.
I could not lose. Not in a place like this—
"I won't give up…!" (Touma)
Gritting my empty gums, I crawled through the scales, leaving a trail of broken bones and viscera behind.
"It doesn't hurt…?" (Leah)
Witnessing my comeback, Leah cocked her head to the side, curious.
It hurt like hell. I'd kill to get this agonizing pain away.
But now wasn't the time to mull over the superficial— pain was something that could be endured.
"I'm not done in yet…" (Touma)
I refused to acknowledge my end.
In return, Leah sighed as she closed her eyes, and lowered her weapon.
"You'd rather choose to defy your own Progenitor rather than pray for liberation?" (Leah)
I thought I saw a mirage of a smile flash across her lips. The Dark Matter sword-thingy vanished as she turned her back to me.
It was the perfect chance to attack. Yet I had the sense of deciding against doing that.
I knew what would happen if I choose to do so.
"In this world, there exists only a single scripture that chronicles my Master's name on its pages." (Leah)
"What?" (Touma)
"The Records of Akasha. It is the very same book your friend, the Oracle, would give her life to recover. Even the dazzling radiance of my Master's light could penetrate the absolute truth contained in that one gospel." (Leah)
"…" (Touma)
"It currently rests in the sixth temple of Heidelberg. With its word in your heart, you shall attain the honor of facing Master one more time. But steel your heart, son. The Oracle is the keeper of all divine secrets; being at her side would mean exposure to the true madness of this world." (Leah)
"…" (Touma)
"Seek sanctuary in Seth and Azura if you nonetheless choose to pursue this path of peril. Those two are the only ones the madness of the [Truth] cannot taint." (Leah)
"…" (Touma)
"And so, it seems the time is nigh for me to take my leave." (Leah)
Leah, as abruptly as she had appeared, leaped atop Rahab's head, and then towards the rift in the sky, disappearing within the confines of its walls.
Only I remained on Rahab's back, lying prone at a complete loss of words.
"Still alive and kicking, lad?" (Rahab)
Rahab's voice pulled me back to reality.
"I think so. But what on earth did she come here for?" (Touma)
"My bet would be to satisfy a whim of hers…" (Rahab)
I couldn't agree more.
But what would have happened if I gave up? Did she actually expect me to resist her, or did she not care either way?
Well, idle thinking wouldn't lead me to the answer.
What mattered the most is that I survived. I'd certainly be dead if not for her odd mercy.
"Rahab, do you think I would've perished if she didn't stop the fight short?" (Touma)
"Well… most likely, yes." (Rahab)
That was indeed correct.
If what she said was correct, then she was no longer a "mere" Prophet, but rather the consciousness of Academy City itself.
Not to mention that she was possessing the Beginning Child's body.
She called all espers her children, and from what she just demonstrated, she could use all their powers on a higher level than them.
I wished I was stronger.
No, I had to become stronger.
Strong enough to topple beings comparable to things like her.
I have to grow strong enough to topple over all impossible odds, and shape the world in impossible, selfish ways.
To overcome the tyranny of fate, such was my role in this reality.
"We're here. But isn't it a good thing that she opened this rift for you?" (Rahab)
"Yeah." (Touma)
That was a silver lining. I didn't know what I would have done if that wasn't the case.
I would have really had no option but to be trapped here for all eternity, helplessly.
Rahab swam close to the wound in the sky. It was time.
"Say Rahab, is finding your own purpose the only way to grow truly strong in this world?" (Touma)
"It is indeed." (Rahab)
"Then—" (Touma)
I felt I was only a step away. I already had an idea, now all I had to do was to find a phrase and engrave it deeply into my soul before announcing it to the world at large.
My regeneration was almost complete.
So, I jumped towards the open fissure from Rahab's back.
Leah had discarded her circular metal disk near the mouth of the rift. So, I was able to stand atop it.
Turning back, I looked at the colossal dragon god.
"Thank you for your help!" (Touma)
I gave him a deep bow of gratitude.
"Think nothing of it. It's not like I have much else to do around here. Safe travels, lad." (Rahab)
With that, the ancient being plunged head-first to the depths of his ocean.
Was he planning to spend an eternity wandering the Abyss all alone?
Well, to each his own.
Now I had to think about returning to St. Maurice as soon as possible.
Those were my thoughts as I passed through the rift and arrived in my world.
Author Notes and Guest Review response:
Mr. X: Thanks a lot for the review as always ^^
1. The corrections are made. Thanks for letting me know my errors as usual. It is really helpful since I beta the story myself :D
2. Yeapp. In fact, she is similar to Touma on several levels. For starters, both of them were reared by Academy City to become Lord(s) of the SYSTEM.
3. Um. Nope. That one is an Ancient Goddess, and her's and one another entity's (from Kamachi's another canon work) story will play a pivotal role in Book 3. Aleister wishes to make Elaine the Goddess of the Future and create a new SYSTEM through her. As for the other "her" that he mentions, she is someone else. But I'll let you know that she has already made her appearance in the story a few times. Anymore is big spoilers to the endgame of Book 3 xD
Haha. This was quite a fun chapter for me to write. I hope you enjoyed it as well. And once again, thanks a lot for the review jaja :))
Next chapter, I am a bit I have two ideas regarding it.
One is taking a short diversion to Academy City.
If that were to the case, then the story will drag on by a couple of chapters, because Academy City is going through a major crisis as aftermath of what Aleister and Leah did.
Thus, if I were to use Leah's rift to send Touma to Academy City, he will be entangled in that mess for god-knows how many chapters.
This adventure, however, will not affect the main story a lot. Just something I planned to expand in Author Notes and Extras and stuff.
The second is: skipping the AC adventure completely, and make the rift lead to Vilnius Temple.
This will make Touma head to St. Maurice right away which is also being affected at the same time.
The dilemma is in choice: to skip or not to skip. If we were not to skip, then expect atleast 5 chapters of content before we get back on track. The story will take longer to complete.
Also this choice won't affect the endings, so... guys, please lemme know what you think of it.
:D
As for the story, man, a lot of characters are walking all over Touma. Well, let him discover his magic name, and they'll know who the true boss is lol. Selfish pricks!
Leah has a very prominent role in Book 3, but she has some in this book, too.
As always, thanks for reading. Please lemme know any typos or grammatical errors that might have missed me due to writer bias.
Also, if you want to know more about the expanded lore and settings of this story, um like the sephiras between Tiferet and Thagirion etc etc… Please check out the "Extras" story.
That is where all that "flavorful" information not revealed in this story is "dumped," so you might learn a fair amount of background lore of this fanfic from there.
Anyway, toodles~
See you next week. Also, please don't forget to lem'me know what you want me to do with the little choice ^^
~VG outto~