The order of the Mortal Knights.
By Javier Delgado aka Elnauhual
Fan fiction, inspired by "Oh My Goddess" by Kosuke Fujishima.
Chapter XXVI
Conflicts
Keiichi looked a bit bewildered as the technicians unloaded what looked like a small fridge from the van and took it to the main hall at the temple. The young man knew very well it was not a refrigerator but something much more special.
After a brief discussion, the technicians found a place that seemed appropriate and proceeded to unpack the equipment. At the same time, there was another team working on the data and electrical wiring. Soon from the plastic foam packaging emerged a black metal cabinet with ventilation slots, which did not seem to do justice to what was inside of it.
Dr Izuka Kawazu a specialist in neural nets, smiled at Keiichi´s expression. As a student he would have given anything to have such equipment, especially as it was going to replace the old machine Keiichi had built with spare parts from discarded equipment. The specifications were quite impressive: an 64-core processor, 512 GB of RAM, an array of hard drives for up to 50 TB and the latest generation High performance graphics card, plus some other components of the same quality.
- I hope this will suffice your needs - he said in jest - He knew the young man would have never dreamed to have something similar at home - of course, it is not exactly quiet so we'll leave it here and cable the monitor and everything else to your room. This equipment was going to be installed at the Chiba University Labs, but after the explosion they are being rebuilt so nobody will miss this for a while. We will also installed fiber optic connections to connect the computer directly to the grid.
Keiichi scratched his head. He was trying to assimilate what was happening.
- The grid?. Ah!, I think it has something to do with CERN, doesn't it?
Exactly, the grid is a system that allows the main scientific centers of the world to share computing power and storage capacity so the work they need to be done can be carried out by many machines across the planet.
- I thought that CERN had the fastest computer in the world, why would they need to use other computers?
- They had, but currently the fastest is the K system here in Japan, yet the Illinois Urbana campus in the U.S. is about to overcome them, and after that, the K II under construction also here in Japan will be even faster. It´s a technological war but it´s a good one. Thanks to the grid we can have all that power at our disposal plus thousand of other computers around the world, all able to work together.
Keiichi gasped in awe. - Izuka-san, are you telling me that I will have access to the fastest computer systems in the world?
- Fascinating isn't it!, of course is not so simple because there are priorities, but after talking with Dr. Shugahara I thought we needed to prepare for whatever your friend may need.
- My friend?
- The alien software running in your old machine, I thinks it´s called ADX-654. Dr Shugahara explained to me this could be one of the most complex pieces of software that ever existed, but it not only seems to be damaged but also crippled itself in order to run on your machine. Curiosity is killing me! How can software from another universe run on that old computer? How did it adjust to unknown hardware? Can we understand and fix it?. I have another thousand questions in mind.
Keiichi was overwhelmed by the man's enthusiasm and felt a little embarrassed. He was a fairly good engineer, yet his curiosity was nothing like his, but there was something else that intrigued him.
- It looks as if you were not really surprised by the software's origin, did Skuld said something to you?
- Did she tell me she was a goddess?. No, but in a way it was unnecessary. After I discovered her ability to understand, design and build equipment practically from nothing and with the simplest tools I was ready to accept almost the wildest explanation. I was already calling it magic. After seeing her at work and studying her creations, if she had said she was alien, I would have accepted it. To know she is a being from a civilization so advanced that their technology looks like magic, it's just asking a bit more. Especially after having the opportunity to study her androids.
Keiichi looked surprised at the man, Skuld had hardly tolerated his offers to help her with Bampei and Siegel.
- Skuld was very jealous about them. How is it that she allowed you to study them?
- She was also very proud of them, so she let us keep a copy of their software. - Dr Izuka took a USB memory stick from his pocket. - We have learned a lot from it and it's fascinating.
- You have a copy of their software? Did you know they were destroyed? Skuld has been grieving for them, she almost considered them living things so maybe with that copy she can rebuild them. She will be very happy to know about this.
- I'll do anything to help her. Over the last months I've known that girl, I've learned to appreciate her.
Keiichi smiled at his statement and asked puzzled:
- Kawazu-san, I knew you had been working with Skuld, but I never imagined you had been able to get to so close to her, she is a very difficult girl.
Dr Kawazu just laughed at Keiichi´s words.
- I have no doubt she is a difficult girl, but it is only because she knows few people whom share her enthusiasm. She has a natural talent, but has the problems of being self-taught, so thought we could share with her some of our knowledge and thus earn her respect.
- What kind of knowledge?
- Like all self-taught people, she jumps to conclusions too quickly and tends to forget the most basic elements on their designs. She needs some self discipline, but I think that you can also teach her. Do you have an engineering degree?
- Yeah, I just finished my studies, because of a mistake with my language credits I had to stay longer at Nekomi Tech.
- Skuld boasted to us about your designs, you should be good enough to impress her.
- Skuld did that? She had never shown much respect for me.
- She is a very proud young girl and will not say it to you, and also you are her sister´s boy friend, but I think you can guide her, you just need to understand her.
Keiichi was silent a moment. The last thing he had expected was to receive counseling in human relations from an expert in neural nets, so he decided to change the subject.
- What are you going to do after ADX-654 is transferred to the new machine? I am not a specialist in computing, but I think we could extract the functions library from Siegel's software and try to use them as a replacement for the damage functions. If it works it will improve our communication capability. Siegel could talk almost as well as a Human!
The scientist smiled contentedly at Keiichi´s words.
- Excellent, that's exactly what I was thinking. We have already managed to detect the I/O functions, even if we cannot understand then fully, we can treat them as black boxes. Even if it does not work, we can learn. Now I wish much to see it working. Above all, I still cannot understand you can work on that old system you have in your room.
Keiichi laughed trying to hide his embarrassment. With the cost of maintaining the temple plus some extra necessities, he had been unable to build something more powerful, then looked nervously at his watch, the morning had gone faster than expected.
- It's almost time to communicate with Belldandy, Skuld and Urd. I think it will take some time before they finish this so meanwhile, would you like to see how it works? We just need to wait for Dr Shugahara and Sentaro-kun. They also want to communicate.
Are you kidding? You are talking about some kind of interdimensional communication system. I would not miss that opportunity for anything in the world.
An old man walked slowly under the scorching rays of the midday sun. He felt his dry lips with his tongue and hurried towards the center of the ramshackle town square. There next to the old water well was a new water tap. With some difficulty, he bent under it and let out some water. He could not help but feel some guilt when he spilled some water, even if he knew it was no longer critical. He looked at the old well, and remembered when he had to use it, praying that it still had water. He suppressed his guilty feelings and drank enough water, then straightened. He looked around and felt lucky. Despite his 60 years, he remained in good health, retained most of his teeth and could say that famines were things of the past.
With a long sigh he looked around. There were very few people around. He missed the time when the place was full of tourists who come to see the ancient Roman ruins that echoed the old times when that place had been important. Those tourists had been an important source of income for the village, but the unrest of recent years had driven away the tourists and due to the lack of work many young men had left the village. That was the reason why there was a sense of lonesomeness in the village as it was inhabited mostly by women, children and the elderly.
And yet, he knew they had been lucky. For some reason his town had been free of the riots and rebellions that had plagued other villages. It was like someone had protected them. Perhaps the story that one of the young men had become important was true.
Suddenly he heard the noise of engines in the distance and felt restless. The tour buses were now rare and those were modern and very silent. The noise he heard was very different, they were heavy trucks running at full speed. On the horizon of the semi-desert terrain, he was now able to discern a cloud of dust, apparently from vehicles moving at high speed. He didn't like it so he began to shout to alarm the people. Soon, some doors opened revealing frightened faces. Then they heard a noise that brought fear to their hearts. The firing sound of semi-automatic weapons brought by the wind
Hild was on her throne, her face did not show the smile she used as a mask, instead it showed concern. She was almost completely surrounded by data screens dissecting and analyzing each one of the aspects of her world. Many of them showed images of chaos, but at least the orgy of destruction was over. Everywhere groups of demons undertook repair and reconstruction works. Slowly the alarms were becoming silent.
She reviewed the information and gave some orders to correct urgent problems, then closed her eyes and allowed herself to lean against the back of her throne. She let a sigh of relief escape. Marler had been outstanding as Druhting and had worked efficiently together with her young new allies. She had to admit to herself, that she, the powerful Daimakaicho may have been unable cope with this alone. She uttered a word of power and concentrated on feeling the emotions of the demonkind of her world.
She felt a chill at realizing that almost a quarter of its inhabitants had fallen victims to this insanity and had to be sealed, at this rate, her world would begin to collapse unable to keep itself running. But despite the destruction, she never had felt such approval at her actions as she felt now. After exercising power alone for eons, it was a strange feeling to realize that this approval was actually the work of others.
An alarm called her attention that someone wanted to be transported to the throne room. She recognized the signature and approved.
Marler appeared at the center of the room. The proud look on her face made it almost impossible to recognize the old Marler. But for a brief moment an expression of pain came in, yet it was quickly suppressed. As she approached Hild a deep burn was visible on her leg and it was obvious she was trying to hide a slight limp. Hild smiled. She had witnessed how she had received that wound, yet she had not failed in her duty for a second.
As she approached, Marler gave a quick look at the screens. Hild should have seen everything so a full report was unnecessary; a quick review would suffice. That was fortunate as the pain in her leg was increasing.
- Milady Hild. The situation is still critical, but we managed to contain most of the problems. I've posted guards to protect all the critical spots. We have recruited all able demons to form teams in order to repair the damaged infrastructure, but we will not attempt to repair damaged buildings yet, we do not want to divert resources, especially as we cannot predict when someone will be struck by the madness. Fortunately they are now appearing in small groups that are easier to deal.
Hild nodded in approval and asked
- I see you've organized the armed forces in triplets. Why ?
- The madness can strike at any time, we have no way of knowing who will be attacked. Walharen created an interlocking spell, so if the mind of one of the triplet changes, its detected immediately so that his two companions can overpower him and seal him. Fortunately there hasn't been a case where two soldiers are infected simultaneously.
Hild nodded and said:
- You have done an excellent job. - Marler swallowed but did not dare say anything for fear that emotion would make her voice tremble. Getting so stern a compliment from Hild was something extraordinary. Hild observed her reaction and smiled, then continued - Now go to get healed. You are the best Druhting I have ever had, and I do not want to lose you.
Marler was surprised at her words but could only say.
- Thank you milady. - She bit her lip to endure the pain a bit more, there was something else. - Has Urd managed to find something?
- While she hasn't found a cure, so far she has done more than I expected. Somehow she has managed to convince all the scholars to work together with her and without even threatening anyone. - She added with pride- She is my daughter and I'm sure she will find the solution.
Urd watched as the last demon disappeared. Then, screamed in frustration. She had been struggling to contain herself, and was about to explode. She looked at the wall of her room where there were multiple small burns, raised a hand that began to emit a dangerous glow. Suddenly she heard a friendly voice behind her.
- Little Princess, I would not recommend doing that. You will activate all the alarms in the palace, your power is much bigger than when you were just a little brat.
Urd froze in surprise at the voice that spoke to her with such familiarity, and turned slowly. While it was a somewhat throaty voice, it had an aristocratic touch. She opened her mouth in surprise as she recognized the speaker.
- Bragg!, Is it really you?
- Yes my little princess. I hope you do not mind if I call you that, but I can hardly see you in a different way.
- I had no idea that ... You were a.
She looked embarrassed at the rough figure of the guard that was able to articulate words with surprising tenderness.
- Yes, I was once a normal demon. Being part of the personal guard of the great Daimakaicho is a great honor for us and for our families no matter the cost. That includes the loyalty spell you canceled with that potion . It did not allow us to think of anything other than our duty. And of course the spells that give us strengths, capabilities and powers greater than any common demon.
- I did not expect something like that, if you want to get your old body I could also...
- Then I will cease to be useful and would no longer be able to protect you. But I could suggest that Hild should not find out about the loyalty spell, she may not like the idea that I am more loyal to my little Princess than to her.
Urd was deeply moved, that manly voice was rough yet gentle, and began to wonder how he had been before being transformed. But Bragg interrupted her musings.
- If you want to vent your frustration, I suggest going to the guard training camp, there you will find many ways to vent your anger, you can even use your favorite demon effigies as targets.
Urd could not help laughing. Bragg seemed to know her too well.
- Thanks, it sounds fun, but I prefer not to walk down the halls at this time, I think I have upset a lot of demons lately.
- There is no need to use the corridors- replied the demon, who raised a hand and cast a spell at the nearby wall. The wall disappeared and behind it appeared a long tunnel that penetrated deep into the rock.
- A passage from my room? And I thought I knew all its secrets.
- There are things that only the guards know. There is a unique system for us, now if want to go to training camp.
Urd sighed, she still had much to learn from her own world.
- Thanks Bragg, I'd like to go, but I have much work ahead, I'd rather have drink.
- Do I serve you some tea?
- No, I would prefer something stronger, we must have Sake somewhere...
Lind had just record and send the message crystals, when she felt an unusual activity in the room. She had hid and encrypted the access to consoles, but even so, a screen was materializing before her. An image began to form, but it was very fuzzy, only a silhouette, she was surprised when she heard a familiar voice
- Lind, Is it you? I can barely see you. There is a lot of interference.
It was Keiichi´s voice!
- Keiichi, How did you reach me here? I protected and encrypted the access myself.
- No matter how I did it. Lind, I'm desperate. I cannot contact Belldandy. Is she OK? What happened to her?
Lind did not answer. She could not speak openly, but she could not lie to this young man whom she considered her friend.
- Belldandy is among the healers. I do not know the reason you cannot contact her, but she has not received any damage.
- But she did not answer me - replied vehemently Keiichi. I saw her image, but she ignored me completely. What is happening?
- I do not know, but she is not in danger. Instead I have something very important to communicate. I still have no proof, but I think the madness is transmitted through the energy provide to us by Yggdrasil.
- How! That would mean Yggdrasil itself is infected. Urd once told us that is impossible.
- I have no evidence yet, but I ordered all the Valkyries to keep using only the bracelets as an energy source, but eventually we will run out of them.
- Do you need more bracelets? How many more?
- As much as your world can provide. If my suspicions are true, we're not just talking about my squad, but of all the inhabitants of our world ...
- All people in heaven? - Keiichi exclaimed in amazement, then scratched his head and shyly remarked - Eh, eight million gods?
- That is a good approximation, but how did you know it - asked Lind intrigued.
- It's just an old tradition of my people that says there are eight million kami in heaven...
-Well, that is exactly the amount we need. Do you think you can get them? The energy of those bracelets' comes from your universe so it´s not contaminated, it may be our salvation.
Keiichi kept thinking. So far the process in the laboratory had been almost like a hand made craft, but his engineering mind soon began to think of how to transform it into an industrial manufacturing process. There should by a similar process in the ceramic industry. After a few seconds he answered:
-We will deliver. We need some time to prepare everything, maybe in a week we can begin to deliver them. There are a lot of people I need to convince first.
-Very well, I will send Chrono for them when they are ready, that's the best way you have to help Belldandy. You should also communicate this to Urd. I think she will need them too.
But Keiichi was not satisfied with that.
- Lind, please, I feel there is something else you are avoiding me,
- Keiichi, please do not ask now and prepare those bracelets. I swore to protect Belldandy even at the cost of my own life and I will. Trust me.
Keiichi felt anguish, Lind´s vehemence was strange, yet he trusted her.
-Lind, I trust you. I will do what you ask. Please protect Belldandy.
Lind heard other voices, but could not understand them, it appeared as if Keiichi was talking to somebody else, eventually he returned to talk to her.
- A few moments ago we talked with Skuld. She was very optimistic about restoring Yggdrasil's full functions now that the central node is no longer under attack, but, maybe is dangerous for her if Yggdrasil really is infected ?.
- We will have to take risks, but I will ask to her to take precautions and wear a bracelet too.
- Then we will do everything possible to get you the bracelets.
Keiichi's voice reflected concern despite Lind´s promise, who for the first time in her life, felt doubts of the outcome of her actions:
-Keiichi, I will contact you in week of earth time. Then we will be able to talk.
She heard an unintelligible reply and the screen disappeared. Lind breathed slowly, now she could not turn back. She began her concentration exercises for preparation for battle, even if it would be a completely different from every battle she had been in. Now, she stood still, with her eyes closed. Her face was serene, as it had been every time she had faced death. Then opened her eyes, she had an appointment to meet and should be prepared to answer many questions.
At CERN, the director was at his office lost in his thoughts. He had just read the file sent by Dr. Hervieux to what appeared to be a terrorist cell. The file, as all of Hervieux work, was a model of precision. It not only summarized what had happened, but it was almost an open invitation to take over Miss Rosenthal.
He looked out the window and shuddered. He saw great buildings among extensive gardens full with of open spaces, a university like environment and minimal security. CERN could hardly be called a place of high security. Miss Rosenthal was not only in danger there but other people also could be hurt, besides damage to valuable equipment. This was something that he had not foreseen and was beyond his competence.
The untimely phone ringing almost made him jump. He had given instructions not to be disturbed except for an emergency, so that call should be one.
- Hello - he replied anxiously.
- Chief, this is Jean speaking, I have bad news.
- Ah ha!. More bad news!
- I'm afraid so. I was checking the sites Dr Hervieux used to visit, most are pretty boring, but there is a Blog that caught my attention. It´s full of news about his hometown.
- I did not think he still kept in contact with them. What does that have to do with us?
- There has been a rebel attack at the town, several civilians were killed and the town remains under rebel control, but there have been no claims by the rebels on why they attacked such a forgotten place.
- I will have to tell the Dr Hervieux about that, but that's not all, right?
- No, the Keyloger we installed in his computer collected multiple passwords. One of them is for the Blog, so I entered and found a post addressed to him.
- A message?
- The message says: "You cannot leave the group, remember your family, wait for instructions"
The director felt a chill. Dr. Hervieux had confessed many things, but not all. Yet enough to understand what was happening. If he did not help the group to get what they wanted, his family would suffer. A cold sweat came over him. Lives depended on his decisions. Nothing had prepared him for this.
- Please try to find out what kind of messages Dr Hervieux sent to this group. - He nervously breathed before continuing- Then send a message pretending to be Hervieux, requesting instructions. And please do not let anyone know about this. There are lives at risk.
- No boss, no one will know, I will let you know if I receive an answer.
He hung up the phone, then called his secretary.
- Please locate Sergeant Philiphe Valois and ask him to come to my office, it is urgent. Also call Dr Shugahara Kenji. I do not care what time it is in his country, it is very urgent that I talk to him and it must be through a secure circuit.
He hung up the phone, he leaned against the back of his seat and then remembered something. He started looking into the drawers of his desk, he was sure that it should be somewhere between those papers... Finally found a small metallic bottle of liquor, opened it, took a sip and immediately closed it again. He had to dose it, He knew he would need it later.
Professor Dr Srivapati was amused as he watched an absorbed Dr Shugahara as he was leafing through a pile of books he had just bought and had suggestive titles such as "The enigma of the Templars knights", "Illuminati: The Cult That Hijacked the World", " New World Order: The Ancient Plan of Secret Societies" and many similar ones.
Over and over, he emitted grunts of indignation as he found an offensive part, then he used a marker to highlight the section, after that he consulted his computer and then wrote down the results into a database. Srivapati had a hard time trying to avoid bursting into laughter. Absorbed in his work he was so different from the man that tried to represent the epitome of Japanese sobriety. Suddenly Kenji stopped noticing he was observed.
- Sorry, I'm not used to having guests, I'm being rude, is there anything you need?
- No, please I do not want to interrupt you. I could not sleep and noticed you were working, so I came to see if I can help you. Seems you have found the subject very interesting.
Shugahara laughed merrily as he realized what he had been doing.
- I confess I did not expect that Westerners would have so rich imagination, but I wish these writers tried a bit harder to put their bibliographic references right. Still, there are some real elements behind it.
Srivapati rose an eyebrow and remarked with mock surprise.
- Don't tell me you believe in all that crap?
- I did not mean that- replied Shugahara with a big smile - but if you think about it, all these are just modern myths, and often myths are built on facts. There are some events that would involve too many coincidences to be by merely chance.
- So do you think that the Illuminati really exist?
- No, not at all, but it seems as if someone wants us to believe they are.
- Are you sure? - this time Srivapati´s surprise was real - That sounds like another conspiracy theory.
- I was reviewing the evidence presented in many of these books, I found a lot of errors and false references, so initially I assumed they were simply made by inept people. But in a second reading, found that even if the facts are wrong, these books had a complex cross reference between them that is consistent enough to pass as real. It's as if someone wished to hide the real story behind a wall of literary noise.
- but why should someone do that?.
- Do you know the history of the Byzantine Empire? For almost a thousand years Byzantium was like a dam that protected the nascent European reigns from Middle Eastern powers: Arabian, Turks, Moguls. If it had fallen at that time, possibly Europe today would be Muslim and several times the empire became so weak that the city was besieged and about to fall. During the first siege of Byzantium, a man suddenly appeared with a special formula that was called marine fire or fire of war because it was a liquid that caught fire on contact with water and allowed them to burn the enemy fleet. That mysterious man not only saved the Byzantine empire but all Europe, and yet we know nothing about him. And it´s not the only case. Long time ago, while researching the roots of European myths I realized that there are historic situations where knowledge suddenly appeared that changed the course of history. Most of the time the course of history can be explained by social and economic forces and not due to actions of individuals. But sometimes some men or women have changed the course of events. I know that because Urd once changed the outcome of an important battle with just one potion, yet it seems as if she was not the only one that has done it.
- Are you sure? Is there really such a pattern? Human history is so full of disasters.
- I'm sure there's something, maybe a group that has been trying to interfere with history, but they have not always succeeded. As you say, there have been disasters and I suspect some of them were man made.
- And that group ... Do you think they are behind the myth of the Illuminati? - Srivapati began to feel a sense of wonder, as the time Shugahara had told him about Hild´s tears. If that had been true, this also could be true. Shugahara´s enthusiasm was contagious.
- The real Illuminati only existed for about twenty years. I consider it unbelievable that such a short lived group has managed to create so many myths. I think those myths have been fabricated. And that was done with a purpose.
- Do you have any idea who it might be?. But above all, you told me they introduced new knowledge to humanity. Where did that knowledge come from?
- I do not know who it might be, but do you remember what I told you about the marine fire? I know where that formula came: it´s one of the formulas from Urd´s manuscript!.
Suddenly Shugahara´s cell phone made a sound, it was a text message. The doctor read it and comment intrigued.
- It´s a message from CERN´s director. He is asking for an urgent video conference over a secure circuit.
- Can you do it from here?
- No, here I only have a standard Internet connection. We must use CERNS´s grid. We could go to Chiba university, but maybe it would be better to use the new connection at the Tarikihongan temple. I have the feeling that this is something Keiichi and Ghadril should know. Please also wake up Somasindu, this may concern us all.
Lind materialized out in the middle of a rocky valley, where one of the walls was filled with craters of all sizes. She calmly waited. A few moments later other Valkyries materialized besides her. All of them were proud women of the highest rank. They were the heads of the Valkyrie. Lind greeted them and made a signal to be silent. Then she turned around to face the wall filled with craters and chanted a coded spell. A cave entrance appeared.
The Valkyries looked puzzled at it, but said nothing, at Lind´s signal they entered. Lind was the last one and the entrance disappeared behind her without trace.
Inside, one of them commented.
- Strange place for a secret meeting. Where are we? I detect very powerful magic blockages that protect this place, but this looks like nothing from our world, instead it is similar to Hell.
- Yes, this was Urd´s secret place, here she kept some things she brought from her realm. Please do not touch anything, some of them are still active and can be a nuisance.
Another Valkyrie commented as she looked around.
- I remember we talked about it, for many years we suspect the existence of this place, but could never locate it. why?
Lind replied:
- Urd used to practice her powers in the valley, so she continually set of the alarms, we had to lower the sensitivity of the sensors. That allowed this place to go undetected and that is why I chose this place. That will protect us.
- Protect? - Asked the first Valkyrie - Protect from what?
Lind looked at her companions. They were nominally all equal in rank, but she had seniority and that gave her authority, then made a formal greeting.
- Shall courage and wisdom illuminate the way of the Valkyries.
That was the ritual greeting for starting a war council. Without thinking they took positions as the ritual demanded. Lind began to speak formally.
- Oth, Rota, Alruna, Eir and Herja. In my authority as the head of the supreme council of the sisterhood of the Valkyries. I have requested this meeting to discuss the possible implementation of the Ragna protocol.
A surprised cry emerged from the five Valkyries s they lost they demeanor. Their faces reflected disbelief and fear. Herja was the first to react.
- To remove the current Kami-sama under the charge of treason or madness!. That protocol has never been used. Lind!. You swore allegiance to Belldandy-sama and she even offered to you something no Kami-sama had offered before. Friendship. What kind of treachery is this? I cannot believe you are the one asking for this!
Lind answered unperturbed.
- Let's continue with the formalities of the protocol. Herja, you're the next in seniority. You'll be my judge. I will present my case.
Herja stepped forward and replied:
- Lind. You have invoked this protocol and you know the consequences. We will hear you, if you present compelling proof we will proceed but otherwise, the protocol dictates that you will be demoted under our authority, executed immediately and your name will be erased from all our records, no matter how glorious your actions had been, so the sisterhood of the Valkyrie will stay free from all stain. Are you willing to continue?
- I am willing- Lind replied without blinking, then bowed her head to Herja and declared - And I set you free of any guilt if my actions bring death upon me.
Herja step back and Lind advanced to at the center of the circle formed by her companions. They extended their arms to close the circle. Lind was now considered a potential traitor, so they should create a magic circle to neutralize her magic and leave her powerless before they would hear her testimony. . Lind stayed calm. She had faced death before. Her companions began a chant. This was not only a magical chant, but also a funeral lament in anticipation for her possible death. It was a sad and heartbreaking song, the song for a fallen companion. Lind observed as the magical barrier slowly emerged and felt how her powers began to decrease.
Suddenly a loud and strange laughter was heard. They interrupted the chant and looked at the entry. Herja cried:
- Kamisama!
Belldandy's face was unrecognizable, in her eyes there was no trace of her former sweetness, instead they seemed to glow with a fire of hate, her clothes were constantly moving as if her magic element, the wind, were out of control, then she spoke with a thunderous voice.
- Lind, So this is what you were doing? Conspiring against me? Do you envy me so much? - She looked at the other Valkyries- How do you dare to hear her words?. You owe obedience only to me.
Lind interrupt her.
- They are here at my call. They bear no responsibility for this If I am found guilty, they will execute me.
- Execute you? That sound fun. It is a very good form of discipline. - She let out another laugh, then calmed down and spoke -Lind, I almost fall into your trap. After I arrived with the healers quarter, I began to work with them treating the wounded and the insane. But I noticed my power was diminishing and knew that was what exactly what you wished for: that I lose power!. Then I found the old Kami-sama was also there. He still lives but he will not last long. You know? I realized that if I wished, I could heal him. But I would lose most of my power and then I would not be Kamisama anymore. That would be so sad. It feels great to have all this power. Power to raise our peoples will, power to resurface in all our glory and power to be able to crush our enemies.
The Valkyries heard Belldandy in disbelief. They could not recognize in her the goddess legendary for her kindness. Lind took advantage of their confusion, she casted a powerful spell that managed to break the incomplete magic circle. Another goddess would have been trapped, but she was still the most powerful of the Valkyries. Her companions were cast aside by the force of the spell.
Belldandy smiled delighted at her display of power and raised her hands, as if preparing for a fight. Lind walked slowly to stand in front of her. But she made no gesture of defense or attack, instead looked into Belldandy´s eyes and calmly asked:
- Who are you?
End of chapter XXVI
Notes:
Marine fire or fire of war is the name given by the Byzantines, but it´s better known in west as Greek Fire. Here I took some liberties with history, the siege of Constantinople was before the battle of King Godfred against Charlemagne. (See chapter II)
ADX-654: It´s the Predictive Defense Program adx-654 v2.03.05 software. In case you forgot where it came from, check chapter IX- Core War.
Dr Izuka Kawazu: He was mentioned first in chapter 4- Potions and chemistry and apeared in Chapter VIII Primates and love