» The order of the mortal knights

By Javier Delgado R.

Fan fiction, inspired by "Oh my goddess" by Kōsuke Fujishima.

Dangerous Memories

CHAPTER XLVII

In the HPCI (High-Performance Computing Infrastructure), the large computing center where Galileo's consciousness was housed, there was a rather unusual room for a scientific organization. It was a large security vault with a huge steel door, it had been installed to protect certain materials that could be dangerous in inexperienced or malicious hands.

Dr Kawazu was sitting in front of the vault door, waiting for the scheduled opening time. Next to him there were several technicians, all were in absolute silence. Finally an alarm went off and without saying anything, Dr Kawazu positioned himself in front of a biometric identifier. He recorded his fingerprints, voice, and got an eyeball reading. Then he entered a 15-digit password.

Slowly the great steel door opened and from the hands of one of the technicians he took a metal case. He entered the vault alone and went inside, then with a new password he opened a compartment with specially designed alloy walls.

From the case he took out a small memory unit and placed it next to two others that were inside. Each memory had a label. "Belldandy", "Kamisama", and the new was labeled "Hild". Each contained the encryption keys of a god and now a demon.

Kamisama's key had been deciphered by repairing the Belldandy code and thanks to that they were able to cancel the magic that Kamisama had used. With that code, someone could have had the ability to enter the maximum security levels of heaven... and now there was Hild's code, someone could do the same in Hell. Any god or demon could obtain power beyond the wildest imagination. This is why it was so important to isolate them, yet they may be of use to humanity some day.

Once he closed that container, he opened a larger one. Inside there were several small containers of an extremely dense alloy designed to protect humans. They contained three tears from Hild. They had been discovered after Shugahara had delivered all the ones he had collected to Hild, saving her life. Because these had the power to corrupt the human soul, it was necessary to seal them with the best possible technology. Since Hild had regained most of her power, it had been decided to keep those three copies. They could be useful in the future.

But now, next to them, something new would be deposited, this time a product of humanity. Holding his breath, Professor Kawazu placed two new containers, those containing the crystals with the energy they had extracted from Odin.

Once the great container was closed, he left out a sigh of relief. At that moment he realized that he was drenched in sweat. He knew that there was enough energy in that place to completely destroy the islands of Japan and even produce a nuclear winter in the rest of the world. Now all he wanted to do was get away from there and forget it.

He heard a voice from outside the vault.

-"Dr Kawazu san, are you alright? It seemed you were about to collapse, do you need help? "

-"Thank you" - he replied in a voice still trembling- "everything is fine, I just need a moment to calm down. "- A few seconds later he exclaimed in a happy voice -" Does anyone want to go to a yakitori? Today I invite you! I want to eat and drink to forget all this. In a few days the operation Valkyrie will take place ... and at least for today I don't want to think about what awaits us.

In the Tarikigonhan temple two teenagers chatted animatedly.

Sentaro was no longer a boy, the constant exercise and the things he had experienced along Shugahara and Keiichi already gave him something along a manly presence, the features of a young man began to be seen.

The other teenager had a graceful slender body and a beautiful face that still showed some childish features. But Skuld was no longer a child. She was now on the way to become a beautiful woman. Gods do not age, still their bodies reflect their maturity and Skuld had matured, Sentaro's company was one of the main reasons.

The object of their attention was on the table: The bodies of two advanced robots, still half-assembled.

Skuld would usually have assembled each robot in a matter of hours, without worrying about analyzing the design thoroughly. This time she was doing it slowly, taking Keiichi's advice into account, now she was analyzing each component, each function, each new idea before carrying it out, and putting her love in each design. A few years ago, Dr Kawazu had given her a memory unit with the robot´s software, yet she had not rebuilt them immediately, that was evidence how much she had matured. Sentaro looked at the interior of one of them:

-"I don't understand how it works, but those circuits seem beautiful."

Skuld blinked at the assertion... and proudly smiled.

- "Keiichi told me that a great engineering design has an inner beauty. Now, I think I can understand it. "

Sentaro smiled raptly... and not just because of the engineering design.

- "What changes have you made?"

- "In addition to redundant mechanisms and fault protection in the software, I hope to incorporate part of Galileo's cognitive systems. They will be autonomous and free beings, therefore they must be able to take care of themselves and recover, even if I am not there. You know, I hadn't thought about the responsibility that comes with creating autonomous intelligence. "

- "Is that the reason why they don't exist in heaven or Hell? I remember what happened to Ghadril the first time Galileo became aware. That scared me a lot

- "I think it is something different. No one in heaven appreciated my creations. Everyone hoped that by learning more magic I would forget about them. But now that I think about it, there was also something else. The gods not only despise my machines, deep down I think they seemed to fear them, that's why I liked so much to be here on earth. It gives me chills to think what would have happened if I had created a machine with consciousness in Heaven and everyone would have reacted the same as Ghadriel. "

- "So the gods and perhaps the demons are programmed to fear every machine, especially if it is intelligent and with conscience. If they discover one they are programmed to destroy it along with its creator… but I find it hard to think that no god knows about it. "

- "I think my father knew it. Neither Belldandy, Urd, or I feel that way about inteligent machines. My Father planned to use us, "the Norn" to control the 3 universes. I should have ruled the earth and that is why he gave me this ability, since the earth does not have magic. Possibly that's why he disabled those directives in my sisters too, so I am sure he must be aware of their existence. "

Skuld bowed his head sadly, it hurts that he had been manipulated by her father.

Sentaro reached out and genltyu he hugged her. They stayed like that for a few moments, while the warmth of the hug melted Skuld's sadness… then she withdrew, instead taking him by the hands, she started to smile. There was no need for words to express what they felt. Then Sentaro said, still intrigued:

-"But I don't understand why the need for this fear to an artificial intelligence. Aren't Yggdrasil and Nidhogg also intelligent? "

-"They are immensely powerful supercomputers, but they do not possess intelligence. Only now that I have worked with Galileo I do realize how strange it is. While residing in Yggdrasil memories as the ADX process, he had limited consciousness, which was freed just because his code was corrupted. At the bottom both supercomputers are nothing more than great adding machines, like the human computers of 10 years ago. I think that despite the fact that the computer system that supports Galileo is far below the capacity of these supercomputers, with its intelligence Galileo could overcome them. "

-"So Kenji is right? Is it a kind of trauma caused by some tragedy that occurred when gods and demons got separated? "

-"They're only legends, but they could be true."

-"Those beings, those who murdered the goddess Giörel, could they have something to do with it? Perhaps they attacked the universe of gods and demons using machines and that is why they are so afraid of them. "

Skuld shuddered... remembering some terrible old legends.

-"Urd and Shugahara san believe that they are theJötnar , the sons of Ymir. "

-"I was thinking of searching the library for those names, but I remembered that all those legends were created by Urd..."

Skuld let out a beautiful laugh ... that could already be perceived as feminine.

-"Urd didn't fully invent them, she only took certain creative liberties, but they really are old legends from heaven. The version that I know says that the Jötnar were beautiful beings, almost like gods, and that they came from a world even more wonderful than heaven. But their leader Ægir was not satisfied, he was envious of the gods, and that envy transformed him into a terrible and giant being, then he started a war against gods, after a terrible fight he was expelled back to his Jötunheimr world. I think Shugahara San has found older and more complete versions of those legends. But they scared me, I think that those legends inspire fear in all gods and that's why we try to forget about them. "

Sentaro thought for a moment, and in an uncertain tone commented.

-"Wouldn't that fear be similar to the fear of artificial intelligences? You're very brave. I don't see why those old legends would scare you. "

Skuld was silent, could Sentaro be right? Could it be true that this fear was not natural? She began to feel uneasy ... Sentaro continued speaking, and the young woman realized that his words began to produce chills, as if a very deep fear wanted to come out...

-"If that fear is not natural. It means that someone did not want those legends to be remembered, but then... Why leave those legends? They could have been erased from the memory and records of the gods… I think, it could be that the legends you know could have been sown to hide reality. "

Thinking of the strange sensations she had felt remembering those legends, Skuld began to realize that it was not natural. She thought about everything her sisters had been through to keep her away from everything. Maybe it was time to show them that she could act too. She sighed trying to push the fear away and looked at Sentaro.

-"I think we can find out. My "SK-999 plus memory analyzer" was designed to recover lost memories, it should do the trick. "

Uhh...? Are you sure? You told me that you tried to use that to help Kiichi recover some memories and it failed completely. "

- "But that was the first version!, this is the plus version!. I need you to help me.

From somewhere in her room Skuld produced a helmet that looked like a prop from a 1960s sci fi/horror movie. Sentaro had never been able to understand how she could store so many things there.

Don't worry, when I told you, you just need to press this button. I will do the rest. I will try to remember those memories and if they are false, the device should help me extract the true ones. "

Sentaro looked at her nervously, but he trusted her ... Almost!.

-"If something goes wrong, how do I deactivate it?"

-"Nothing can go wrong ..."

-" But... If it does?... I would feel safer if I knew what to do! "

Skuld conceded and began to think. This device was from its "previous era", so it had no security measures in it. After some thought, she took out a pair of cutting pliers and explained to Sentaro.

-"If something goes wrong, cut these wires, purple, green, blue ... In that exact order."

Sentaro tried to protest... but he could not argue against Skuld, he just repeated.

-"Purple, green and blue. Cut in that order .. Got It!

Skuld sat down and Sentaro helped her to place the strange device on her head. The young girl smiled and the teenager pressed the start button. The device began to buzz and several lights began to blink in a strange way.

After a few minutes Sklud's smile began to fade, it became an expression of fear. At that moment the device started to sound an alarm. Skuld was petrified. Sentaro realized that something was wrong and began to panic ... Remembering what had happened with Gahdriel. He got near the young goddess and hugged her trying to make her react

-"Skuld, are you feeling okay? Do you want me to call Urd?"

The body of the young goddess stiffened and rolled her eyes... at that the young man immediately took the cutting pliers and as fast as he could cut the indicated cables ..

At that moment Skuld fell down. Sentaro felt his heart shrink with fear... He took her in his arms, and shook her trying to wake her, but she seemed to be in a deep coma. He screamed and ran to take her to Dr Shugahara.

Walharen went to the large subterranean place that was the administrative center and Hild's private palace. At the huge entrance, two gigantic hypertrophied demons looked at him without paying attention. Walharen eyed them nervously. While he knew some combat techniques, there was nothing hecould do against a Hild personal guards

-"Excuse me. I want to request an audience. "

One of the demons looked at him with disdain. Then he said with a grunt.

-"Name, rank, sigil, and request."

Walharen timidly replied:

-"Walharen, Nieghodd Administrator and Level I Official I request a private hearing with Our Lady Hild".

At the same time he projected his sigil to confirm his identity.

After looking at him suspiciously because of his request, one of the demons materialized a huge book, quickly checked it´s contents... and then smiled at him with an unexpected friendliness.

-" Sir Walharen! Welcome. We have been instructed by Hild to immediately transfer you to her private conference room if you happen to come".

The guard's change of attitude surprised him ... Before he knew it, the other guard had materialized a litter. He gently lifted him up, despite his protests, and put him on top of the litter, then the two guards carried him with great enthusiasm. Since the loyalty spell had been removed, Hild's palace had become a more joyous place.

They soon reached the conference room and after putting him down, one guard spoke to him.

-" We have notified your presence, but because your visit was not scheduled you will have to wait for our lady Hild to have a moment available. So let me offer you some tea and some cookies..."

Walharen was confused, he still remembered his first visit to that place, where his presence had been forgotten and he had been sitting in a corner for almost three days ...

- "Tha...thank you." Tea will be fine.

With an elegance that seemed impossible for its size, the demon materialized a tea set cart with delicate cups. Using magic to heat the water, he took some containers and with an elegance that would make envy an English butler said:

-" Do you prefer Darjeeling or Earl gray?. Or I could recommend the house mix, we have some of the best imported tea plants from the mortal world and I am a mix expert".

Walharen was confused by those unknown and arcane names… they sounded dangerous

-" Ahhh! The house mix will be fine ..."

A few minutes later, the great guard delicately handed him an elegant cup, which he took nervously. He breathed in the aromatic beverage and his nervousness began to disappear. Because they did not consume food, there was no food culture in the demon world, so this was something unusual for most common demons... but that didn't mean they couldn't appreciate flavors. The delicate scent began to bring back pleasant and heavenly memories... like that of a certain young goddess he had just known...

After a few sips of the delicious drink, the beautiful face of the competent young Valkyrie came to his mind. Her spontaneous attitude, her laughter ... Before he knew it he was daydreaming about her image.

At that moment the back door opened and surprised in his reveries he jumped. With barely a blink of an eye, the accompanying guard caught the delicate cup in midair and gently placed it back on the tea cart.

But the person who just entered was not Hild, but Marler.

- "Walharen! I'm glad to see you. I see that you have been doing well in your new position, and against my expectations, I am happy to see that you have not abused your influences. "

Walharen swallowed nervously… lately he had been taking CERTAIN liberties beyond his post… His nervousness did not go unnoticed, but fortunately it was misinterpreted.

- "Is something wrong? I know from your reports that you have not been able to eliminate the intruder, but is something else wrong? Enough to ask for an audience with Hild… "

- "I ... I ... I ... nothing bad happens ... but , yes, something happened, I can only communicate it to Hild ... I need to see her... Hild told me not to trust anyone. "

Marler looked at him exasperated ... but she knew that this young demon was completely faithful to Hild and had saved her life once ... She couldn't blame him for following orders.

- "Then you'll have to wait until she is available."

- "NO!" - the demon screamed in anguish. He stepped back realizing his audacity to answer back to Hell's second authority, then he stuttered- "No No No ... just I can't wait, it's an urgent matter."

Marler looked at him in surprise. The young demon was too disturbed .. but it happened that the REAL Hild was on earth. Therefore she took a decision.

- "Understood… I will take you to Hild. But you shouldn't talk more than is essential. "

At the gate of the Tarikigonhan temple, an astonished Keiichi saw an envelope that had just been handed to him. In front of him were two of his old university classmates, who had just given him an invitation to a wedding. Keiichi gaped at them. His schoolmates were unrecognizable. The previously shy Sora Hasegawa was now a young woman brimming with confidence. The previously proud and smug Toshiyuki Aoshima now bore a kind smile as he gazed in love… at his future wife.

After a short chat, he learned that Aoshima had invested in a business that Hasegawa had created and after it´s success they had decided it was time to get married. The young couple happily said goodbye and walked away as they still had other invitations to deliver.

Keiichi was slow to recover from what he had just seen, then ran away screaming - "Urd…! What have you done?"

Keiichi broke into Urd and Kenji's room ... Forgetting completely about Hild's presence!

- "Urd, what does this mean? I thought you had matured and would not try your love potions again. "

Intrigued by Keiichi's agitation, Urd took the envelope he was waving in his hand, her face lit up with a happy smile and passed it to Kenji, happily saying.

-" Check this out! It looks like you've won the bet. "

Keiichi looked at them stunned.

- "Bet?" - with a completely unusual agitation in Keiichi he demanded - "Dr Shugahara Kenji, can you explain what is happening and why have you let Urd use her potions? Those two are going to get married... what will happen when the effect of the potion is over and the two realize they are married?

Dr Shugahara's face changed color to something like a cherry and he began to say shyly ...

- "It was not one of Urd´s Potions"

- "So what did Urd use ...?"

-"Ahh! It wasn't hers… it was my potion. "

Keiichi almost fell on his back ... but Urd held him and said laughing.

-"Keiichi, how much you have changed, you are already a man, a few years ago you would never have dared to question me for something ... You feared me too much and now that doesn't worry you anymore. But you must calm down. Shortly after meeting Kenji I taught him how to make potions and soon he designed his first love potion that we decided to try on that couple. We calculated that it would only be active for a few months and then disappear. That was a few years ago".

-" What? but those two are still getting married. "

- "Because they really love each other, the potion only allowed them to get closer, and both helped each other mature. It seems that Kenji's ideas about love were correct. I recognize that we have a new god of love. "

Urd laughed out loud at Shugahara's embarrassment. Keiichi on his side was speechless at Urd's statements.

-" Then... They aren't going to marry just because of the effect of a potion? "- he scratched his head nervously -" Incredible. I never thought those two could get along. "

At this moment they heard a scream. Moments later they sat down with Skuld in their arms.

- "Professor, you have to examine Skuld, I think there is another directive that is about to be activated."

Marler led Walharen to Hild's private rooms, a place that practically no demon had ever seen.

Upon entering the room he saw Hild sitting on an ornate chair, and turning her back to him, without turning to look at him, she said:

-" Well, tell my fast what you have to say."

"-My lady Hild, I received a communication ..."

Walharen tried to get closer, but Marler stopped him firmly.

- "You can't get close, she's not in the mood today."

The demon looked terrified at Hild and nervously began to explain.

- "We received a request for an unofficial communication from heaven."

Marler interrupted him... Wait, that job must correspond to security... Why did you take it?

Walharen felt passed out... That had been an abuse of authority from his part. But he couldn't lie to Hild, that could be worse.

- "I was... I was bored... and..."

Hild suddenly started laughing… and whispered.

- "What kind of subordinates does Hild have ...! "- abruptly she stopped and with a hand gesture said -" Okay, forget that. Keep going".

- "well, I... I had the resources to verify the call and the people at securityare just a bunch of morons" - Hild let out an amused laugh- "So I used my authotity to take over. All communication channels with Heavens have been closed by them, it was suspicious so asked them for confirmation. I was contacted by a Valkyrie who is in charge of the security department. She is called Chrono. "

Hild let out another exclamation of surprise… but she stopped herself and with a nervosus gesture of her hands indicated to him to continue. Meanwhile Marler was beginning to show signs of nervousness.

- "We spoke, she told me about the situation, officially it was about establishing a communication channel among the healers to exchange information about the madness, but in reality someone of high level was trying to establish unofficial communication with the Hell authorities. His name is Chancellor Myr. "

At that moment Hild got up and cried.

- "It can't be, Chancellor Myr would never do that. Tell me, how does it look to that valkyrie who says her name is Chrono… "

Walharen fell on his back... and said the first thing that occurred to him.

- "She... is very pretty, I think I would like to see her again..."

At that moment Hild jumped and took Walharen by the neck

- "If you dare to do something to Chrono you will not want to stay alive…"

Walharen stuttered and could only say ..

- "No, it would never hurt her... "- Then he realized something-"But ... Who Are You?".

A voice interrupted them.

- "Enough Lind, I think he realized that you are not Hild... and just leave him alone... I don't think someone like him can do anything to your old disciple"

At Marler's gesture, Hild transformed into the form of the ex-Valkyrie Lind.

Seeing her, Walharen ran to hide in a corner.

- "Lind?, the fearsome Valkyrie of legends …! What's going on here? Where is Hild? Have they invaded us? "

- "Quiet!, I know this is going to be hard to believe, but Lind is helping us, she was cast out of heavens and is now part of mortals. Hild went to the mortal world in a secret mission and Lind was forced to take her place. "

Walharen looked at Lind, she had calmed her anger, but still she looked at the young demo with fire in her eyes ... At least she no longer seemed willing to exterminate him. Marler asked Lind.

-" I don't know much about Chancellor Myr, except that he is one of the most influential gods. Do you think it's really him?

Myr was the only one who tried to save Belldandy, it was he who prevented her from being executed and instead exiled to earth. I am in his debt. If he is truly willing to commit treason against Kamisama, something very bad must be happening. I have to contact him.

Marler stared at him.

-" Lind, I'm sorry to force you now, but I need you to decide whose side your allegiances are on. Heaven declared your execution and you were considered to be dead. I know you can't lie to me. Would you betray us for helping Kamisama?"

Lind was taken aback, after all the time she had spent impersonating Lind, it was impossible for her to see demons as her enemies. They weren't really that different from the gods... Maybe just more emotional and disorganized.

- "I no longer recognize Kamisama's authority, my loyalty is to Belldandy and the mortal knights. But I must also tell you that I would never do anything that could harm my former people".

- "Do you trust Myr? Would he be able to betray his people? ".

- "Never! If he is doing this, it must be for our people. I need to talk to him".

- "Then, would you be willing to act as an intermediary between him and Hell?."

- "YES!".

- "Alright. I have decided to trust you."- Then she looked towards the corner, where the frightened demon was trying to hide himself - " Walharen, I think you've gotten again into a vital issue for our universe. I don't know whether to congratulate you or take pity on you, but if you are faithful to Hild, you must follow the orders I will give you. Do you understand?"

There was a timid ...

- "Yes, ma'am".

- "Well, you will have to contact Chrono and arrange a meeting between Lind and Myr. "

- "Yes, ma'am".

Then you must go to the mortal world, to contact the real Hild and inform her of everything.

- "Yes, m…. what? To travel to the mortal world? "

- "Exactly." I have no one else to trust. I know what you are capable of. You understand?"

Walharen was silent for a moment ... and then fear left him. He had an important mission to accomplish. Finally he said decisively.

- "Yes, ma'am!".

Walharen prepared to leave the room... but a voice stopped him. It was Lind.

- "Walharen, I think I have underestimated you. Apparently you are not so incompetent. But if Marler and Hild trust you, I think I will too ... So, be very careful with the way you treat Chrono ... She is a good girl".

He was taken by surprise, but this time he shouted enthusiastically:

- "Yes, ma'am!".

End of chaper XLVII