Where does the time fly? Sorry for the delay, life, video games, and writer's block can do that to a person. Another chapter for the compendium. To make things a bit clearer, while the settings are primarily in the Fate-verse the foundation of the timelines are not. There is one giant hint to what forms the main foundation of these specific timelines. Disclaimer: I don't own the franchises, just Persona video games, and I play FGO. That is all. Without further ado chapter 2.
Chaldea's Shield (Prototype)
"A..g..s
Ai...s...
Aigis! Sister, please wake up!"
A memory of flames. All around her was naught but death and desolation. She could feel the scorching heat bearing down on her. Buildings completely abandoned, crumbling with each tremor. The ground shattered beyond all reason. Crimson skies filled with numerous figures she couldn't make out. Shrill ringing echoed on the edge of her vision. Standing against the backdrop of a burning hellscape, she saw a lone figure stand her ground. Three shadowed entities challenged this lone figure and deep within her heart she knew the mysterious figure was making their last stand.
Even so, though death was certain, this determined survivor would not yield. Her eyes were steeled, her very being an immovable wall between the shadowed figures and Aigis herself. With labrys in hand she watched as this heroine faced her adversaries head on. Blow for blow, the heroine repelled attack after attack with no signs of slowing down. In a whirlwind of tempered titanium, she dealt debilitating injuries to her trio of adversaries. A faint hiss caught her attention, and her eyes instinctively found the source in one of the three shadowed entities: a human-serpent hybrid of some sort judging by the sounds and appearance.
The heroine became weapon-locked with another of the three: a Gigantes, though she was unable to remember which one. Webs tangled up the heroine's legs, rooting her to the spot. As the serpent hybrid moved to deal a grievous blow from behind, Aigis felt fear within her own heart. Time seemed to slow to a crawl and before she processed it she found herself imposing herself between the heroine and serpent hybrid, spear in hand…
Alarm clock blaring, cerulean eyes opened in a cold sweat to the white ceiling of the Chaldea Security Organization. Feeling her artificial heart beating rapidly in her chest, Aigis took a few minutes to calm down and recenter herself. Following that, she got out of bed, dressed, and opened up her dream journal.
Year 2016:
Another day, another nightmare. This time, it was of a burning city where the cries of the dead and the living intermix into a symphony of madness and despair. Shadowed entities (Demons, my soul provides) of various shapes and sizes infest every corner of the place.
Several figures stood out to me: the first one was a teenager of high-school age. For some reason, my heart aches everytime I think of her. Furthermore, a sense of yearning and sadness overcomes me whenever I see her, as if this is the last I will see of her for a long time to come. Skin the same complexion as polished marble, eyes as red as rubies, and a will as unbreakable as diamond; this girl, this stranger who I cannot remember is apparently my sister. She shouted that to me at the start of this. Knowing my name added credence to this belief.
Her choice of attire consisted of a school uniform. Belying her lithe figure, the young woman was able to swing about a massive labrys with the utmost ease. In addition, her movements on the battlefield were akin to watching a professional dancer in motion. Able to dodge lethal strikes and retaliate in the same breath, the image she showed was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Without fear, without hesitation, my sister challenged her three adversaries.
So far the life-and-death battle was deadlocked. The only reason why Sister had not retreated when given the opportunity was simple: I was still unable to move at the current moment in time. So then, how was I able to impose myself between Sister and the hybrid at the end? The answer still eludes me.
Speaking of the reptilian hybrid, whoever she was sent every single alarm within me on high alert. With a ferocity equalling that of the most deadliest beasts, the hybrid never let up on her attacks. If one tactic did not work she would just switch to another, never staying idle for even a moment. Her claws akin to daggers, her tail a massive whip harboring enough force to crumple a car.
The next figure, although shadowed, apparently belonged to the Gigantes. Standing as tall as the surrounding buildings, the Gigantes smelled of the earth, iron, and the overwhelming stench of blood. Skin the color of bronze, muscles as tightly wound as braided steel, the Gigantes had murder in his eyes as he fought my sister. Ferocity equaling that of a 7.0 earthquake, the Gigantes was a Demon on a mission and nothing was going to deter him from it. A snarl seemed permanently fixed on his face. For some strange reason the minute I first laid eyes upon him, something within me boiled in contempt as if I knew him personally. As if I had once again laid eyes upon an old enemy.
The enemy hidden in the shadows is still unknown. One of the few clues as to their identity was the webs strewn about the area. My thoughts lead me towards a Jorōgumo, but I am still not certain. All three Demons appeared very familiar with me, but unfortunately I cannot say the same.
My memory banks are still corrupted from the damage which landed me here at Chaldea, but thanks to the staff I am in better condition than I was before. Four people in particular have been a big help in my emotional and psychological health. Apparently, if not for them I would be in a near permanent state of catatonia. The four: Dr. Romani Archaman, Leonardo Da Vinci, Olga Marie Animusphere, and recently Mash Kyrielight saved me from myself and for that I can never repay them enough. So far I have been adjusting adequately to life here at Chaldea. Chaldea is preparing for a major undertaking, the likes of which have never been seen before and today-
A knock at the door caught Aigis' attention. Putting her dream journal away, she got up to answer the door. A smile appeared on her face once she beheld her visitor. "Miss Olga, how are you today?"
The young woman kept a neutral gaze on her face as she interacted with Aigis. In some ways, Olga Marie Animusphere reminded the battle-android of her former boss and close friend, Kirijo Mitsuru. Both were the heiresses to their family, displayed an air of authority, cared for those under them, and were both seen as having an icy exterior. But, while Mitsuru commanded respect and was well-regarded by many, Olga Marie was the exact opposite: She was only superficially respected by many and not well-liked by many. Aside from Aigis, only Mash, Dr. Roman, Da Vinci, and Lev seemed to respect Olga Marie Animusphere for the hard worker she was.
"I'm doing fine, Aigis. Just a little under pressure considering the current situation," responded the director as the both of them made their way towards the med lab for the battle android's weekly examination.
"Ready for your examination, Aigis?" A fluffy-haired Doctor greeted her with a smile. Beside him stood a beautiful woman dressed in an elaborate dress. Her left arm was encased in some kind of metal gauntlet, and she carried a strange staff sporting a pointy rainbow quartz. A mechanical bird rested on her shoulder.
Dr. Romani Archaman and Leonardo Da Vinci, aside from being crucial members of Chaldea, were also assigned as Aigis' handlers, not that they minded. For as long as she has been here, the two of them have been an anchor for her, keeping her steady and of relatively healthy mind. Though they, along with Mash and Olga tried their best, some wounds were unable to completely heal. And though the four of them were undoubtedly the ones Aigis was closest to in Chaldea (they were among the only ones to know her mechanical nature), even they did not know the full extent of Aigis' past. Whether due to amnesia, trauma, plain stubbornness, or a combination of the above, some things Aigis refused to talk about.
"I'm ready, Dr. Roman. Please proceed."
The examination went as it normally did and Aigis was soon let go. Checking the time and seeing she still had some time before the mission, she decided to take a walk around the facility.
Up ahead, Aegis spotted her sister talking with a brown-haired youth with blue eyes. Wearing the standard Chaldea uniform Mystic Code, Aegis deduced him to be one of the Master candidates, although the quickest way would be to ask him directly.
"Hello there," she greeted as she walked up to them.
Mash wore a smile on her face as she returned the greeting.
"Hello sister, how are you today?"
"Doing fine. Given a clean bill of health from Dr. Roman. And hello to you," Aigis addressed the young man next to Mash.
"Hi there. It is nice to meet you." The teenager gave a bow. "My name is Fujimaru Ritsuka."
Returning the bow in kind, Aigis introduced herself. "So did you just arrive?"
A slight tinge of red colored his face. "In a manner of speaking," the teenager replied, remembering the orientation simulation in which the Archer nuked the entire battlefield with what was apparently his Noble Phantasm.
"So you two are sisters," Ritsuka questioned. "I never would have guessed."
"Though we may not share the same blood, I consider Mash to be my sister."
Making their way towards the vending machines, the trio continued to converse. Soon after, the battle android had to temporarily part ways with the two teens to get ready for the upcoming Rayshift.
Upon arrival to the meeting, Aigis greeted Mash, Olga Marie, and the rest of Team A before she stood near her boss and sister as the Master Candidates started flooding into the room. Noticing a certain someone steadily falling asleep from the group, she discreetly whispered her inquiry to Mash as Olga gave (or tried to, in her own special way) a rousing speech meant to inspire the troops for the battles ahead. Looking on as Ritsuka was summarily booted from the room, Aigis made a mental note to visit him afterwards.
As everyone able-bodied Master geared up for the expedition to Singularity F, Aigis froze as she now became aware of a faint beating. If she were Human, there would be no way for her to hear it, but because she was an android, her enhanced senses alerted her to the rhythmic sound. Ignoring the world around her, Aigis walked around homing in on the noise. It didn't take long for her to realize the epicenter of the beeps came from just beneath where Olga Marie was standing. In that moment of clarity Aigis realized to her horror as the beeping suddenly accelerated in frequency that Olga stood upon a bomb.
At the moment, the Director was talking to Mash about something, but for a brief second the scenery changed into a walking inferno, a shadowed figure staring straight back at her. Moving as fast as she could towards the two of them, Aigis picked up the two of them before tossing them as far away as possible. As they flew through the air, a phantom figure appeared, shield in hand. The next, her world erupted into flames and she blacked out.
Waking up to the smell of burning sulfur, Aigis bore witness to the hellscape of her nightmares: A burning city devoid of life and companions. Unwilling to believe that this was real, Aigis could feel her "heart rate" start to spike. Memories of a time long past quickly resurfacing in the forefront of her mind. Memories she would rather not remember. Not because she didn't want to confront her past, but because of what will happen if she does.
"No, no, no…! This is not real. This is not real, I am just having another nightmare. Once I wake up this will have never happened! I just need to WAKE UP! WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UPWAKEUPWAKEUPWAKEUP!
With each passing statement, her hysteria started to grow until she soon began shouting.
"Mash! Olga Marie! Doctor Roman! Da Vinci! Anyone…!"
Scrambling to her feet, Aigis frantically called out hoping for someone to answer. In the empty silence, her voice carried on for blocks. High and low she searched the area she was in, unfortunately she found nobody, she heard nobody. Death and ruin were her only companions. Hoping against hope that someone was still alive in this hellscape, Aigis pressed on, running her processors ragged.
Chattering bones diverted her attention from her own downward spiral. Looking towards the source revealed a group of armed skeletons. Taking notice of her, the skeletons charged with the intent to tear her apart. Aigis' eyes seemed to darken a shade before she retaliated with brutal efficiency. Bones shattered, weapons redirected into decimating the horde, dodges were executed within a hair's breadth, and soon all that remained were dust and bone.
Having vanquished her enemies, Aigis continued scouring the area for any signs of life. Eventually making her way to the forest, Aigis could faintly make out the image of a ruined castle in the distance through gaps in the trees. Her desperation to find her friends nearly blinded her to the danger. As it was, her years-long battle experience allowed her to put up her guard just as something gigantic slammed into her, ejecting her from the forest and back into the city. Smashing through buildings, the combat android arrested her fall by bracing her legs against the next building she crashed into and ricocheting to the ground.
A heavy impact sounded off right in front of her, sending debris flying. Out of the dust and smoke revealed an Ashen-gray behemoth wielding an axe-blade in his right hand. Clad in an armored breechcloth, furred manacles on the arms and legs, and some sort of lion head strapped on his chest, he made for an intimidating figure.
In an instant the behemoth attacked her in a frenzy. Narrowly avoiding the wild slashes, Aigis couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity from her assailant as if she were staring at a distorted mirror. Familiar yet different. Her idle pondering was rudely brought to an end when Mr. Berserker (who else) initiated an attack which defied logic. Unleashing ninety-nine strikes within a single breath, Aigis was battered into the ground. Facedown in the asphalt, Aigis was only able to stare the angry Berserker in the eye as he got ready for the hundredth and final strike of his Nine Works technique.
"So this is how my life ends, at the hands of a maddened warrior of old." The golden weapon of death rose up in the air. "Far away from home and family. Alone and broken. How depressing."
"So quick to give up and accept death."
A headache started to make itself known.
Is this really how you want to be remembered, as a quitter? Where is the fearless warrior who stared down Death, the stalwart companion to her cherished ones, the unbreakable guardian of Humanity's future?
The headache ramped up in intensity.
Is this truly where your conviction ends? You made a promise did you not? To live your life without regrets, and safeguard the world until he returns. Can you live with yourself, knowing you have broken your most important oath? Will you allow your apathy and fear guide your life, or will you stare the truth dead in the face and walk forward? What fate do you walk towards?
Hands digging into the ground, Aigis' azure eyes darkened ever so slightly as she mustered enough strength to stare her would-be-executioner down.
The axe-blade rushed down with the fury of an earthquake only to halt dead in its tracks at the manifestation of a large ornate shield. Gale-force winds rushed by blowing away all in its path while giant cracks spread out in a spider web fashion behind Aigis. A sonic boom erupted from the collision between blade and shield. A cloud of dust was thrown around the vicinity. Just as quickly, the dust cloud was violently dispersed by a figure appearing in a pillar of azure light. Getting to her feet the gynoid spotted the shield before turning her gaze towards the wielder. Towering over her, the giant humanoid wore a Greek helmet atop her head and carried a spear in her right hand.
I am thou, Thou art I
From thy heart I awaken
From thy Sea of Souls I have come
All who would challenge us beware
For Pallas Athena has descended on thy battlefield
And you have just made your last mistake
For a moment, the crazed behemoth appeared stunned, as if what was before it was an impossibility. The moment passed before Berserker let loose an even angrier roar and the barrage resumed with even more intensity. Every strike carried the force to annihilate a skyscraper, but through it all the shield held. Though the ground around and behind Pallas Athena cracked and shattered for meters around, not a single scratch adorned the Aegis.
The instant the barrage faltered, the counter-attack began. Berserker was sent flying through building after building via a shield bash. Quickly getting back on his feet, Berserker charged Aigis, evading Athena to land a harsh punch to the gynoid's head. Her speeding body forming a trench in the street preceded Athena dispersing into motes of light. Aigis swiftly rolled out of the way of Berserker's follow up before scrambling onto her feet. A descending axe-blade came rushing to greet her. Backpedaling to dodge, Aigis ended up entering a crazy dance of death with the maddened Berserker. On occasion, she managed to instinctively manifest the spectral shield of Athena.
Up and down the area, both juggernauts refused to yield for even an instant; One due to his madness and instinct, the other, her very survival depended on it. One an unrelenting force of destruction, the other an unshakeable bulwark. Their very battle resounded throughout the ruined city as shattering thunder. Each clash, a declaration of defiance towards their adversary.
Whatever happened, Aigis could not afford to lose here. She still had hope her friends were alive somewhere in this city, and given the single-minded focus Berserker was giving her, she could not reunite with them without bringing the crazed warrior upon them. Eyes hardening, she spoke two words which would end this battle in one fell swoop: "Orgia Mode!"
Making her way towards the mountain, Aigis kept alert of her surroundings in case of an ambush. The high-rises made for excellent sniping positions. Just as she got to the foot of the mountain, her instincts blared at her. Evading the speeding projectile, Aigis landed on a nearby car aiming towards the assailant.
"That was disappointing. I was hoping for that to take your head. Then again, there's more to you than meets the eye, Automaton." Yanking her weapon from the ground, the hooded woman effortlessly spun her scythe about her before pointing it straight at Aigis. "After all, you managed to kill Heracles, Berserker though he may have been." Looking upon her, the hooded woman revised her statement slightly. "Then again, you do look like you're on Death's Door already."
Heavily damaged, exposed wires at her joints, tattered uniform, and oil leaking from her head, Aigis glared holes into her current foe.
"Are we going to stand here all day or are we going to fight," Aigis irritably replied. She didn't have time for this fight. She needed to regroup with her comrades. She would not lose anymore people!
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Hooded Lady raised a hand to her chin. "You know something, something about you just ticks me off. I don't know what it is, but–"
A staccato of gunfire cut her off as she used her scythe to deflect numerous bullets away from her before blocking a kick which sent her flying dozens of meters away. Shoving away the debris that had fallen on her, Lancer prepared to curse her opponent out and bore witness to an incomprehensible sight. Ethereal green light surrounded the gynoid, restoring all her injuries within seconds until there remained no evidence of combat, save for her tattered clothing exposing her mechanical nature. Capitalizing on Lancer's stupefied state (for who else could she be but a Lancer) Aigis grabbed a nearby car before easily throwing it towards Lancer.
Instinctively slicing it in two, Medusa was met with the sight of the abnormality bearing down on her with an axe kick. Blocking it with her scythe turned out to be a poor decision when she found herself forced to one knee in a gigantic crater. Leaving no room to counterattack, Aigis flipped away from Lancer before immediately initiating a no holds barred assault. Dancing around her opponent, Aigis systematically tore down her defenses piece by piece.
Truth be told, if this battle had occurred during Aigis' year at Iwatodai, then she would have been in for a hard-fought-battle… and would have possibly even lost. Lancer's skill with her scythe was truly admirable, but unfortunately for her, it would not save her. Aigis boasted a lifetime's worth of battle experience against all manner of foes; What was one more for the pile. Breaking past Lancer's guard, Aigis unleashed a charged, point-blank God's Hand to her midsection. Before Medusa could process what had happened, she found herself rocketing outside of the city limits.
Returning to her primary objective, Aigis eventually reached her destination at Mt. Enzou and quickly found evidence of a skirmish. Close by was an entrance to an underground cavern where she faintly heard the sound of people before a giant shockwave shook the area.
By the time Aigis reached the end of the tunnel, whatever conflict had reached its conclusion and Mash, Ritsuka, and Olga Marie were all safe. Before Aigis could catch their attention, the sound of clapping echoed all throughout the cavern. Bearing witness to Lev Lainur Flauros' reappearance and admission, Aigis bolted towards the other three.
Swiftly grabbing onto Olga Marie's outstretched arm, Aigis dug her feet into the ground as the pull of gravity grew stronger.
"Not Today!" Activating Orgia Mode once more, Aigis was temporarily able to break through the gravity to retreat back to Mash and Fujimaru with Olga Marie safely in hand.
Gently but firmly moving the Director towards the back, Aigis and Mash took defensive positions in front, silently daring Lev to try anything. The cold steely look in Aigis' eyes, and the determined lavender gaze in Mash's hinting at what their response would be if he did try anything.
"Well, well, well, somebody seems to have grown a spine. How utterly nauseating," Lev spat in derision. "So be it. I'll end you right here!" An increase in power accompanied the declaration.
Upcoming chapters included: Justice thy name is Katsuya, Fate Apocrypha: Strange Journey, Carpe Diem Tempus Fugit Memento Mori, Homurahara Hotsuins
