Episode 02
~ Encounter ~
"So, are we going to visit the old world in which you originally came from, Ave-nii?" innocently asked Vivio, as her beautiful mismatched green and red eyes blinked for several times. "It seems to be the case, Vivio. Since these enemies seem to hide in the old home of mine, unfortunately…" calmly replied Ave before letting a small sigh out afterwards. "Uhm, do you really hate the idea of visiting your former world, Ave-nii?" once again asked Vivio while innocently wondering on why her beloved Ave-nii seems reluctant to visit his own former old homeworld. Ave meanwhile was only smiling towards Vivio, as he answer her second question.
"Well, I already made up my mind to fully embrace my new life and destiny as another Time Diver's candidate, Vivio. Because of that, visiting the world in which my former life originated from might not be a good idea and could instead reminded me of any bad memories that meant to be forgotten after all…" answered Ave, as he also explain any reason that has made him reluctant to visit his old homeworld. "Should Einhalt-san and I help you convince commander Yagami to exclude you from this expedition and investigation, Ave-nii?" responded Vivio while offering her, as well as Einhalt's assistance in return. Ave meanwhile was only smiling back at his beloved imōto-like adoptive niece, Vivio before he politely decline her offer just now.
"Thanks for the offer Vivio. Unfortunately, I also believe that visiting the former old home of mine would be necessary in order to protect our present life. For that very reason alone, I still decided to participate with this expedition and investigation…" replied Ave, as he politely decline Vivio's offer. "Shall Einhalt-san and I accompany you in this expedition, Ave-nii? We could confront this forgotten past life of yours together…" once again responded Vivio while offering her help at the same time. "I wish that would be the case, Vivio. Although, I doubt that Nanoha-san, Fate-san and Hayate-san would allow you together with Einhalt to get involved this time around…" calmly replied Ave before reminding Vivio on how her beloved mothers and aunt would probably feel apprehensive if she together with Einhalt decided to also getting involved in this expedition.
"I just need to convince Nanoha-mama, Fate-mama and commander Yagami then, Ave-nii. Especially with both Einhalt-san and I already getting involved in countless other dangerous missions in the past, everything should also be just the same this time around. Am I right?" insisted Vivio, as she responded back at her beloved Ave-nii's reply. At the same time, she also pointed out that it wasn't actually the first time for her, as well as Einhalt to get involved in such dangerous missions after all. "You're right, Vivio. Still, I don't think it would be a good idea to involve you together with Einhalt in this long expedition. Since you two are just literally returned from an equally long and dangerous adventure not so long ago…" once again replied Ave while calmly reminding Vivio on how she together with Einhalt and others have just returned from a certain dying world not so long ago.
"Einhalt-san and I have already getting used with this kind of life, Ave-nii. So, you don't have to worry about it!" cheerfully reassured Vivio, as she also grinned towards her beloved Ave-nii at the same time. In the meantime, Ave was only smiling back at Vivio before he gave his aforementioned beloved imōto-like adoptive niece's words just now a brief albeit deep thought afterwards. It was also when Ave once again remember some of the past adventures or misadventures that he has been involved together with Vivio and Einhalt. One of these past adventures or misadventures took place in another newly born world, in which Ave has been piloting one of his non-GN Drive-powered mobile suits, CW-RX-80PR Pale Rider instead of GN Drive-powered mobile suit such as Gundam Astraea or Exia.
In this aforementioned past adventure or misadventure, Ave together with Vivio and Einhalt visited a certain newly born world via abandoned Crossgate Paradigm Portal in which located on the third newborn world's Antarctica. Together, Ave, Vivio and Einhalt were then spent more or less a year in this mysterious newly born world before returning back to their own third newborn eternal reality. Despite spending more or less a year in this mysterious newly born world, Ave together with Vivio and Einhalt has somehow returned exactly less than a minute from the time when they entered the said abandoned Crossgate Paradigm Portal itself. Because of that, the three of them realize on how the flow of time between the aforementioned newborn world that they have just visited and their own beloved third newborn world were indeed different after all.
Shortly after they returned from the aforementioned adventure or misadventure, Ave, Vivio and Einhalt were involved in numerous other expeditions across multiple different newly born worlds or eternal realities in which Break The World created. Some if not most of these adventures or misadventures would also require the three of them to spend considerably long period of time before returning back to their own beloved third newly born world. Because of that, Vivio and Einhalt, as far as Ave has been remembering personally, were used to any missions, adventures or misadventures that would require them to participate in any long expedition away from their third newborn world. Despite knowing that, Ave still somehow felt reluctant to accept Vivio's offer and let her together with Einhalt participate in the upcoming mission that would require him to visit his old homeworld. Especially when it could also end up being one of the most complicated as well as outright dangerous missions that Ave himself would personally participated.
"I still firmly believe that you and Einhalt should stay in Midchilda, Vivio. Since our expedition this time around is almost certainly way different in term of its complexity. Not to mention that it also most likely more dangerous than anything that we have encountered so far…" replied Ave while explaining his reluctance to involve Vivio and Einhalt in this mission. "Surely it won't be any more dangerous than our encounter with BETA or Obsidian Round Table's apostles. That's why Einhalt-san and I should definitely be fine, Ave-nii. Especially after we fix most if not all discrepancy that occurred due to hundreds of Holy Grail Wars across countless different multiverses out there…" argued Vivio back, as she was also mentioning on how this mission or expedition should be no more dangerous than everything that they have been fighting up until now.
Ave was about to respond back at his beloved imōto-like adoptive niece, Vivio when he saw Ernesti "Ernie" Echevalier together with his fellow Knight Runner and girlfriend, Adeltrud "Addy" Walter across the road, not far from his and Vivio's current location. Vivio, in which also noticed both Ernesti and Adeltrud decided to greet them. "Ernie-san! Addy-san! It is nice to see you two here! What are you two doing so early in the morning?" cheerfully greeted Vivio while approaching Ernesti and Adeltrud. "Ah! Good morning, Vivio-san! Ave-san! Addy and I are just coming back from Caledfwlch Company's South Midchilda branch. How about you two?" greeted Ernesti back before he decided to ask Ave and Vivio similar question in return.
"Vivio and I are just out for a morning walk, Ernesti. Although we both also about to go back home and continue on with our daily activity afterwards…" answered Ave, as he smiled at both Ernesti and Adeltrud. "Are you two always doing this every morning? I mean walking around the neighbourhood area together…" curiously asked Adeltrud while wondering on whether her new friends, Ave and Vivio are secretly dating. "Usually Ave-nii and Einhalt-san is always accompany me for morning exercise, Addy-san. Although, Einhalt-san is helping Fūka-san with her morning practice and unable to join us today unfortunately…" replied Vivio, as she also cheerfully answer Adeltrud's question just now. "Ah! No wonder that I haven't seen Haru, as you three are usually always seen together, Vivi…" responded Adeltrud back while commenting on Einhalt's absence at the same time.
"By the way Ernesti, how is the plan for technology exchange between Time-Space Administrative Bureau's Technical Division 4 and Kingdom of Fremmevilla's Order of the Silver Phoenix progressing? I truly believe that it would benefit us in a long run…" enquired Ave shortly after listening at Vivio and Adeltrud's friendly conversation just now. "It progressed right according to the schedule, Ave-san! That is why I really am excited to learn more about Technical Division 4's own take on GN Technology, as well as their newest version of Tau Drive in which on par with Celestial Being's current GN Drive!" replied Ernesti back, as he at the same time was certainly excited to learn more about the newest version of Time-Space Administrative Bureau's GN Drive Tau.
"Eru has been very excited since he learnt about that. He kept on telling me on how Bureau's Tau Drives is also equipped with topological something blanket that would allow them to operate perpetually like their original counterparts, a, ha, ha, ha…" added Adeltrud before letting a small sheepish laugh out as well. "Actually, Ave-nii is also the same when he talks about robots, Addy-san. Everytime Ave-nii saw new giant robots, his mind always working on overdrive to upgrade each one of them…" acknowledged Vivio, as she was certainly also agree with Adeltrud's remark just now. "Still, I am happy for Eru, as the time when he works on Silhouette Knights is seem to be the happiest time for him in his life after all…" once again replied Adeltrud while simultaneously letting Vivio know on how she always supports Ernesti's passion towards giant robots wholeheartedly.
"That is why Commander Yagami, Eins-san, Einhalt-san and I believe that Ave-nii is very similar to Ernie-san. Since he always seems to be in his happiest mood when upgrading our allies' Personal Troopers, mobile suits and TSFs, Addy-san…" cheerfully responded Vivio back, as she was also sheepishly grinning towards her. "They surely are. By the way, would you two like to grab light breakfast together? Eru and I are actually planning to do so…" invited Adeltrud while replying back at Vivio's cheerful respond just now. "Sure, Addy-san! I believe Ave-nii would also love to grab light breakfast together with you and Ernie-san…" affirmatively responded Vivio before accepting Adeltrud's invitation afterwards. It was also when she together with Adeltrud decided to drag their respective partners, Ave and Ernesti away from one another. Especially when only by doing so that Vivio and Adeltrud could stop Ave and Ernesti from being completely preoccupied with their interesting discussion about anything related to giant robot.
The four of them would then discuss various other topics while enjoying their light breakfast together. Ernesti and Adeltrud in particular have highlighted their excitement for the recent diplomatic relationship in which Kingdom of Fremmevilla together with Time-Space Administrative Bureau and ESUN have decided to formally establish. Since through this diplomatic relationship that Kingdom of Fremmevilla has established together with Time-Space Administrative Bureau and ESUN, Ernesti's Order of the Silver Phoenix could formally work together with Special Duty Section 6, as well as ZEUTH.
Ave and Vivio meanwhile more interested to learn more about the world in which Ernesti and Adeltrud originated from. Especially after their friends, Fie Claussell and Elaine Auclair told them (Ave and Vivio) together with Einhalt some adventures or misadventures that they personally experienced when visiting Kingdom of Fremmevilla not so long ago. Therefore Ave and Vivio were hoping that one day they could visit the world in which Ernesti and Adeltrud came from while simultaneously experiencing any exciting adventures or misadventures that Fie Claussell and Elaine Auclair have been involved.
Shortly after having breakfast together, Ave, Vivio, Ernesti and Adeltrud decided to continue on with their daily activity. Ernesti and Adeltrud returned to Caledfwlch Company's South Midchilda Branch while Vivio left to meet with her best friends, Rio and Corona. Ave meanwhile decided to spend the rest of his free time today to enjoy Midchilda's autumn weather and tranquillity. Despite traversing across the central business district of Cranagan, Midchilda's capital city, Ave for some reason found it to be less busy than usual. Nonetheless, Ave wasn't actually bothered with that, as he decided to continue casually, as well as aimlessly traversing every roads, streets and alleyways within the said central business district of Cranagan itself.
Not long after casually walking around central business district of Cranagan, Ave stopped briefly when he saw a peculiar old bookshop at the end of the said central business district's main commercial zone or shōtengai. He knew exactly on how none such bookshop has ever built at the aforementioned main shōtengai of Cranagan's central business district itself. Nonetheless, on the supposedly empty plot of land across a certain famous restaurant that serve traditional, as well as authentic Lūfen's cuisine, Ave saw this peculiar old bookshop has mysteriously appeared and stood still right in front of it. Because of that, driven by his usual sense of curiosity, Ave decided to have a closer look on the said peculiar old bookshop before entering it.
"For some reason I feel that I've seen this shop before somewhere…" muttered Ave alone under his breath, as he vaguely remember visiting this peculiar old bookshop before in the past. Unfortunately however, he was unable to remember anything beyond that. Because of that, Ave decided to investigate this aforementioned peculiar old bookshop by entering it. Since perhaps only by doing so that he could actually remember the time when he visited this peculiar old bookshop before. It was when Ave decided to carefully enter the said peculiar old bookshop and began his investigation.
OP Theme Song: Selfrontier (Performed By: ASCA)
Inside the aforementioned peculiar old bookshop that he just entered, Ave saw multiple old and somewhat slightly dilapidated bookshelves in which have also been left unattended for quite some times. Covered in thin layer of dust, these old and slightly dilapidated bookshelves were full with tens to hundreds hardcover books that also have been equally neglected for quite a while. It was when, driven by his curiosity, Ave decided to approach the nearest old and somewhat slightly dilapidated bookshelf before randomly pick one of the aforementioned hardcover books from it. Once he randomly picked one of the hardcover books from the old and slightly dilapidated bookshelf in front of him, Ave began to gently flip some of its pages and skim through each one of them.
Not long after skimming through the said old book's tattered pages, Ave decided to pick another books and inspect each of their contents as well. From his observation, Ave quickly distinguished this old bookshop's very own specialty in comparison to another bookshops he once visited in the past. This aforementioned old bookshop has seemingly been specialised in traditional magical tomes, as well as scrolls trade. It reminded him to an old second hand bookshop that he together with Sieglinde, Viktoria, Vivio and Einhalt once visited at Diagon Alley, in which happen to exist in one of the post-Break The World's newly born eternal reality out there. Although unlike the Diagon Alley's old second hand bookshop, this one seems to also have forbidden magical tomes in its possession.
Because of that, Ave couldn't help himself from wondering on whether this old bookshop might instead been originated from Byrgenwerth rather than Diagon Alley. Since one of the old book that he just inspected contain information related to the long lost secret arts of "Blood Ministration", in which originated from the accursed land of "Yharnam". At the same time, Ave also recognised other form of traditional magic systems and rituals recorded in some of these old books that he inspected. Nevertheless, most if not all of the information related to traditional form of magic systems and rituals were also originated from "Yharnam", as each one of them closely related to its long lost secret arts of "Blood Ministration" after all.
"We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open…""Fear the old blood. By the gods, fear it…"
Ave gulped as he read vaguely familiar passages from one of the old book's tattered pages. It was passages that he once knew but couldn't actually remember after Amitie and Kyrie Florian rewrote the timeline of these post-Break The World's newly born eternal realities using fractions of Examia energy that Yuri Eberwein's Soul Wings or Spirit Flare has been perpetually creating. Therefore, everytime they rewrote the timeline of post-Break The World's newly born eternal realities, some if not most of the accumulated memories that countless different multiverses have been accumulated were sealed away in the process.
Unfortunately however, none of these sealed memories were completely forgotten. Since in some rare occasions, these sealed memories would resurface, usually by having external factors trigger them. It was when external factor such as reading old passages from the equally old book (journal) in front of him has made Ave vaguely remembering some of his long forgotten memories. Despite these aforementioned memories of his were also happen to be the one that were sealed when Amitie and Kyrie Florian rewrote this third newborn world's timeline.
"The headmaster of Byrgenwerth once said the exact same thing when we confronted him. Other than that, he hasn't revealed anything to us unfortunately…" once again muttered Ave under his breath while remembering the time when he together with Teana and Einhalt confronted the headmaster of Byrgenwerth, Provost Willem after successfully traversing Yharnam's Forbidden Woods. Sadly, other than those cryptic passages, Provost Willem has never disclosed any important information that Ave, Teana and Einhalt sought back then. Instead this unexpected encounter has entangled them deeper into this ancient web of cosmic horror conspiracy in the end.
Ave in which has just recently became Exia's Gundam Meister remembered very well on how challenging the whole situation was back then. Together with Teana and Einhalt, he tried to solve the mystery behind a mysterious curse that plague Yharnam, as well as the sudden appearance of vast underground structures beneath the third newborn world's surface. Despite they could still thankfully solve these mysteries and lift Yharnam's curse once and for all, Ave, Teana and Einhalt were once again realize that the very source of these mysteries as well as the aforementioned Yharnam's curse still sadly manage to survive. Since none of them would be ceased to exist completely, as long as evil in which originated mostly from humanity's own weak hearts persist.
"Well, it is what it is. Since I just need to keep on fighting as another Time Diver's candidate, as well as Time-Space Administrative Bureau's Executive Officer and Gundam Meister…" muttered Ave before returning every single old books that he took back to their designated places. Shortly after returning the last old book that he took back to its place, Ave noticed someone else's present nearby. Slowly Ave turned his head towards the said mysterious presence and found himself came face to face with a certain peculiar yet familiar young woman that he "perhaps" encounter in the past. This mysterious young woman was then only mischievously smiled before she decided to greet Ave with her deep, mature and seducing voice.
"Oh my, we meet again young one. I never thought that you could find your way back here after that twisted fateful outcome…" greeted this mysterious young woman, as she was surprised to see Ave here in this equally mysterious old and dilapidated bookshop. "Have we met before, miss?" calmly and politely asked Ave while trying to remember her. Unfortunately, Ave was unable to remember any past encounter that he had with this mysterious young woman in front of him. Despite not being able to recall any past encounter that he had with this aforementioned mysterious young woman in front of him, Ave could somehow still sense her dangerous, as well as evil nature.
"Oh my, you are unable to remember our first encounter aren't you, young one. Certainly it surprised me not when I realize on how much these newly born multiverses' timelines have been rewritten for countless times in the past, as such processes affect your ability to remember our past encounter together with any sense of existential belonging after all…" mischievously replied the said mysterious young woman in front of him before mentioning that the timeline of these post-Break The World's newly born multiverses in which constantly rewritten almost definitely has anything to do with his inability to remember any of their past encounter. Ave in the meantime was trying to digest every information that he heard from this mysterious young woman in front of him so far while simultaneously anticipate her next move. Since he knew that this aforementioned mysterious woman in front of him was almost certainly planning something bad that would endanger these post-Break The World's newly born eternal realities after all.
"Surely you are not here just to tell me that. What's your objective?" responded Ave while questioning the said mysterious young woman's own objective at the same time. "Oh my, getting impatient aren't you? Don't worry, you will soon find out about it, fu, fu, fu, fu…" playfully replied the mysterious young woman in front of him, as Ave began to wonder if he could actually force her to properly answer his question. In the end however, Ave was against the idea of forcing this mysterious young woman in front of her to properly answer his enquiry just now. Instead he decided to repeat his question albeit with flat, cold and emotionless voice tone.
"What is your objective?" once again asked Ave while staring at the said mysterious young woman in front of him with icy cold stare of his. "Oh my, aren't you persistent one? Well, Onēsan should probably reward you with something…" playfully and mischievously responded the mysterious young woman in front of Ave before she decided to answer his question as well, afterwards. "My objective is to see your progress in this ceaseless struggle, little one. Especially when this ceaseless struggle would certainly lead to past memories in which you are always hope to completely forget…" continued the said mysterious young woman, as she was answering Ave's question just now. It was also almost immediately after hearing the aforementioned young woman's answer that Ave could vaguely remember her true accursed identity in the end.
"Nyarlathotep, the will and messenger of the Outer Gods. Never in my wildest dream that we would meet again after Florian Sisters rewrote these newly born eternal realities' timeline just recently..." greeted Ave once again with his flat, cold and emotionless voice tone. "I'm glad that you are still remember it, little one. Alas, the faithful friend of yours, the Will of the Book of Darkness is nowhere to be seen…" replied the mysterious young woman that has also happen to be identified as Nyarlathotep, as she deliberately mentioning Reinforce Eins' name to provoke Ave while simultaneously reminding him of their first encounter in great detail. Despite her attempt to do so however, Nyarlathotep has failed to incite negative reaction or respond from Ave, as he decided to respond at her provocation. It was when Ave once again gave his respond back at Nyarlathotep's provocation using his flat, cold and emotionless voice tone.
"I retain every right not to indulge you with any discussion related to Reinforce's personal life. Since she always is a dear friend of mine and not just a mere object for your own selfish indulgence…" responded Ave while giving Nyarlathotep a threatening stare this time around. Instead of backing off however, Nyarlathotep only smiled mischievously and evilly before she replied back at Ave's respond just now. "I'm not interested to poke on your dearest magical tome's private life, silly boy. Especially when watching you ceaselessly struggle to confront this supposedly forgotten past life of yours is a lot more interesting after all…" replied Nyarlathotep, as she was smiling evilly towards Ave while doing so.
"Feel free to do so. However, I'm not going to let you find amusement over this, the will and messenger of the Outer Gods…" challenged Ave calmly while responding back at Nyarlathotep's reply. In return, Nyarlathotep was only smiling mischievously before she decided to accept the challenge in which the said young Time Diver's candidate, Ave has issued just now. "I look forward to see that, silly boy. Don't disappoint me…" responded Nyarlathotep, as she flicked her right hand's thumb and index finger shortly afterwards. Almost instantly, a blinding light accompanied by profound dark aura began to envelop her, as well as Ave, forcing the said young Time Diver's candidate to briefly close both of his eyes.
The only next thing that Ave saw when he slowly open both of his eyes was a familiar quiet late afternoon scenery of a certain commercial zone or shōtengai in which located in Cranagan's central business district. In front of him was an empty plot of land that always located there, across a certain famous restaurant in which specializing in traditional Lūfen's cuisine. The aforementioned peculiar old bookshop that he just entered was nowhere to be found, as Ave started to wonder on whether he has been dreaming or hallucinating just now. Nevertheless, everything that he saw, touched and experienced inside the said peculiar old bookshop was undoubtedly real. Especially when he could for some reason feel extremely certain about his unexpected vivid encounter with the will and messenger of the Outer Gods, Nyarlathotep herself.
Ave was about to leave, as a familiar gentle voice greeted him from behind. "Is that you, Ave-kun? What are you doing here?" greeted the said familiar gentle voice, as Ave quickly recognised its owner. Because of that he decided to turn back, face the owner of the aforementioned familiar gentle voice and greeted her back. "Hi, Shamal-sensei. It certainly is fancy to meet you here. I was just visiting this shōtengai to grab some late lunch myself. How about you? Do you want to join me?" greeted Ave back while simultaneously smiling towards Shamal as well, in return.
"I was doing some errand for Hayate-chan before sensing dimensional boundary distortion nearby. That is when I saw you standing right in front of the place in which the said dimensional boundary distortion has previously been detected and now has completely disappeared, Ave-kun. Anyway, I would love to accompany you, as we can talk about in the meantime…" replied Shamal, as she decided to accept Ave's invitation while answering his enquiry just now. "Thanks, Shamal-sensei! I also am looking forward to hear more about this dimensional boundary distortion from you…" affirmatively responded Ave before he together with Shamal decided to have a late lunch at the aforementioned famous restaurant across the road that specialised in traditional Lūfen's cuisine.
While having a late lunch together, Ave and Shamal decided to exchange information on what each one of them have just experienced a moment ago. It was also during this exchange of information Ave learnt about small fissure of temporal dimensional rift or dimensional boundary distortion that occurred on the exact same spot in which a certain peculiar old bookshop previously located. In return, Shamal learnt about the said peculiar old bookshop's existence, as well as his unexpected encounter with the mysterious will and messenger of the Outer Gods, Nyarlathotep herself. Although unbeknownst to both Ave and Shamal, this unexpected situation that they have just face also closely related to multiple other dimensional boundary distortion-related incidents in which recently took place across the entire post-Break The World's newly born multiverses.
To Be Continued…
ED Theme Song: Impulse (Performed By: Ayano Mashiro)
