Prologue

High above the clouds, the false Air Force One replica made of eldritch grime flew eastward through the night.

Confined within that infernal, yet expertly recreated plane, Irys sat quietly and bided her time. She sat in her comfortable seat in the main cabin a stone's throw away from Kronii Ouro across the aisle. Just like before, Kronii pretended to be the mindless invalid thrall of Clover Gosling, biting the bullet of her bruised ego.

Down the aisle and behind the curtain of what once was Richard Nixon's airborne presidential office, Irys heard the loud and obnoxious Clover Gosling chat with Sparrowhawk, shower her with praises and served her expensive French wine taken from the real Air Force One at Koltsovo Aerodrome. Loud as Clover was, the twisted guardian spirit made an effort to project her voice so that she could be heard in the main cabin too.

Neither of the three ladies said a word, but all three of them shared a telepathic link bound by Irys' magic. Through that link, they collaborated and plotted murder.

A wordless symposium for the demise of General Cecile Sparrowhawk.

" Alright ladies, let's go through this again. " Irys spoke telepathically, taking on the mantle that Colonel Omega often took before a battle, " What are our three priorities for this mission? "

" Save Mumei. " Kronii started, answering telepathically as well, " I can't stand seeing her in the state that she's in . She believed in Sparrowhawk wholeheartedly - so we have to make the General pay. "

" Destroy The Manipulator completely. " Clover chimed in next, speaking with grim intensity, " The Manipulator is an Eldritch Horror - a bona fide Ancient One."

"And finally - we're going to stop Sparrowhawk from unleashing her plan to destroy the three Known Worlds Cover Corp HQ in KW01, my homeworld in KW08 and this world. KW11." Irys concluded, "If we can do it on our own - we will, but we'll buy time for Bae and the others to arrive. Wherever it is that Sparrowhawk is taking us."

Irys, Kronii and Clover all telepathically agreed.

" But I must warn you two. " Clover promptly warned her collaborators, " Taking down an Ancient One is no easy feat. It's not gonna be as easy as putting a bullet between her eyes. I mean, look at me, right? I just used a fraction of The Manipulator's power. "

Irys frowned.

" Why don't I just cast a Caesura time-stop and stab her through the heart. Or chop off her head? " Kronii asked, " I just need to drop this dumb act and stick it to her. Literally. "

" You can try, but that would do you no good. " Clover denied.

" And why not? " Kronii challenged impatiently.

"The Manipulator is an Ancient One through and through. Destroying her physical body here won't do you good when she can draw on her eldritch powers." Clover explained, "If you want to destroy The Manipulator, you have to destroy ALL of her - and do it in one go. Body, mind and eldritch spirit. And we've got to do it right the first time. There won't be a second chance."

" How do you propose we do that? " Irys asked with more patience than Kronii, but not by a lot.

Irys and Kronii waited with anticipation. Then, Clover sighed telepathically.

" Your guess is as good as mine. "

" HUH!? " Irys and Kronii screamed directly into Clover's mind, threatening to activate the magic in the maroon choker.

" Hey, hey, hey - hold on! " Clover pleaded, " If I knew the answer to that I would have done it already! But I do have some theories. "

Clover's desperate flailing managed to silence her two angry collaborators. They begrudgingly let speak -and continue to exist.

Clover told them about how The Manipulator, as Sparrowhawk, was distinct from the Ancient Ones. She explained that The Ancient Ones were an esoteric collective that did not exist in the realm of reality, only wielding as much power as the natives of a Known World would give them - whether through fear, faith, love or hatred. Because of this, they had to act through agents - natives of the Known Worlds - to weaken the barrier of reality until the Ancient Ones are able to manifest themselves and their forces.

" But for an Ancient One, The Manipulator is a curious one. An outlier. " Clover continued, " Not only does she choose to be an individual, she also acts directly within the Known World she plans to destroy. Whereas the agents of the Ancient Ones seek to become more like Ancient Ones, The Manipulator seeks the reverse: to become more human. "

" What's that got to do with anything? " Kronii challenged.

The Warden of time started to tap on the armrest of her seat impatiently. Clover paused and then continued.

"This humanity is her greatest strength, allowing her to do what the Ancient Ones could not. But this is also her greatest weakness." Clover finally gave her theory, "If she is more human than Ancient One now, then she will likely err like a human - make mistakes. Stroke her manufactured ego. Inflate it. Make her think that you are weak and that you're playing by her rules - then she may reveal her vulnerabilities."

" So, you don't know what her vulnerabilities are - or how to get her complete self to manifest. " Irys guessed with displeasure, " Is that what you're saying? "

" The Manipulator keeps her cards close to her bountiful chest. " Clover snickered devilishly, " But I am oh so curious to find out. That should be no big deal for an empath like you, oh Telstar Nephilim. "

Irys and Kronii grumbled in unison. They renewed their death threats to Clover - and their thoughts were vividly transmitted on the telepathic link.

" Relax, you dummies. " Clover reassured, " I'll be here to support your mission. Leave the distractions and the covering of your tracks to me. Then, come curtain call - when the whole cast is on stage, we'll strike! " She suddenly paused, " Speaking of which… "

All of a sudden, Clover called out with her real voice into the main cabin.

"Irys! Kronii! The General wishes to speak with you."

Irys and Kronii turned to each other and nodded. The two of them got up from their seats and marched towards the Presidential Office.


Eleven

Akatsuki No Hana


Hundred and Fourth Scene - Revelation

General Sparrowhawk sat cross legged behind the presidential desk flanked by American flags. She reclined the seat as far back as she could, resting her feet on a footstool while reading a bunch of presidential records.

When Irys and Kronii went through the curtain, Sparrowhawk put away the records and smiled at Irys - all while ignoring the presence of Kronii. She waved to Clover like she was a servant and had her help the supposedly diminished Kronii walk to a seat in the corner of the room.

Irys, meanwhile, was offered to sit across the presidential desk by Sparrowhawk.

The General passed a handsome mahogany humidor, a matchbox and an ashtray with the presidential seal towards Irys and asked, "Want a smoke? Have some wine?"

Irys shook her head.

"Suit yourself." Sparrowhawk popped open the humidor and took a cigar for herself.

Irys sat in silence and watched Sparrowhawk go through the motions of the peculiar process with rhythm and care, step by meticulous step. From the way Sparrowhawk snipped the tip of the cigar with a guillotine, to the way she struck a match, ignited the tip while taking a cursory drag.

It was like watching an intricate Japanese tea ceremony - an esoteric art that Eldritch Horrors would have considered a trivial affair, but one that Sparrowhawk poured herself into wholeheartedly - as wholehearted as an Ancient One could, anyways.

Nonetheless, this was a sight that Irys would have appreciated if not for their circumstances. Irys frowned at Sparrowhawk and tested.

"So what? You're the President of the United States now?"

"Going by the line of succession, I could be. If I wasn't, who would be there to stop me?" Sparrowhawk puffed on her cigar, savoring the smokey fruits of her meticulous labor, "Want to guess how many times I've been the President of the United States? What about the Queen of England? Matriarch of Alexandria? Khatun of the Mongolian Hordes? Empress of Japan? It became surprisingly easier to do after I trampled a few Known Worlds." Her red eyes sparkled with malice, "Oh when the skies of their worlds started to fall, they called out my name - the names I made up for those Known Worlds - begging me to save them."

"Did you?" Irys asked.

"What do you think?" Sparrowhawk smirked.

Irys' expression soured. She slammed the desk.

"You monster!" Irys cried.

"Now, now. I simply gave everyone what they desired." Sparrowhawk laid a hand over her chest, "Among the Ancient Ones, I am the most generous to the mortals." Her red eyes glowed bright gold and her irises took the shape of focused crosshairs while she revealed, "I am a Bird of Prey. I take a peek at their deepest darkest desires - and I grant it to them. Some Known Worlds even worshiped me as their Goddess."

"You? Generous!?" Irys scoffed.

"Oh, but I am." Sparrowhawk gestured to Kronii and smiled, "The Warden of Time here wanted nothing more than to protect Mumei Nanashi, so I granted her every opportunity to do so."

"But you always sent them on missions that made it incredibly difficult for Kronii to protect Mumei." Irys countered, "That's why Mumei was with the US Army and Kronii was with the US Air Force. You put the sky between them! That's why your callsign was Spirit-In-The-Sky!" Tears started to form in her eyes, "I felt their pain, you know - their quiet cries for help. I didn't understand them well enough back then… but now I know that you're the cause of their suffering!"

"Oh, you figured that out?" Sparrowhawk acted coyly, "As expected of an empath like you. That's exactly correct. When Lieutenant Ouro became the Warden of Time, they were separated yet again." She turned towards Clover now and snickered, "I've always had the Guardian Spirit of Civilization at my side. Mumei Nanashi was never going to become the Guardian of Civilization under my watch!"

Irys' frown deepened and she glared at Clover.

In the corner, Kronii shuddered in her seat and gnashed her teeth. Still, she hobbled together her willpower and kept up her act as an invalid.

"And what about Mumei Nanashi?" Irys demanded, "What wish of hers did you twist?"

"Captain Nanashi." Sparrowhawk said her name fondly and puffed her cigar, "Purpose, dear child. Captain Nanashi wanted a purpose - something to live for. I gave her one: a shining, heroic example in Lady Knowledge." She tapped her cigar on the ashtray and shook off the ashes, "Then, when Knowledge was out of the picture, that role model became me. I put her on a path to desire to become a Bird of Prey like me. And - well, she did!"

Sparrowhawk turned to one of the airplane windows and slid it open. Outside, she saw the figure of Apocalypse Bird flying through the dark skies. It's eleven golden eyes also bore crosshair-shaped irises, scanning the crystallized world below diligently.

In its talons, Mumei Nanashi slept in a deep slumber.

"Look at her now. She has found her purpose and manifested it into that mighty beast." Sparrowhawk proclaimed, "See her peaceful face - peace that she hasn't known since before the Korean War."

Irys glanced at Mumei and her heart ached.

"That's not peace - that's her giving up on hope!" Irys countered.

"Accepting the inevitable is a form of peace, oh good Nephilim." Sparrowhawk insisted, "Hope unfulfilled becomes poison in the human heart. Despair, if you will." She turned her eyes towards Irys, "Even you, the symbol of Hope, know much about Despair - your despair that crystallized just about the entire world!"

Beads of sweat formed on Irys' brow. She was shaken to her very core.

"I had been meaning to offer you the same kind of peace that Mumei Nanashi knows, Irys." Sparrowhawk continued, "Had you signed that contract in your Tapestry World - or if you had surrendered to me here, then your sorrows will be washed away. Your suffering and agony would end." She tapped her cigar on the ashtray one last time and smirked, "But you are so hell bent on enduring the suffering to the very end, so I will also grant you this final wish."

"I…" Irys lowered her head, unable to say anything else.

"When the time comes, you and Mumei Nanashi will fulfill your duty as Priestesses of the Ancient Ones." Sparrowhawk continued deviously, watching patiently as ash fell from the tip of her cigar, "Whether you like it or not."

Clover and Kronii wore blank expressions, but the fear in their minds reached Irys through their joint telepathic link. All of them knew that Sparrowhawk still danced circles around them, showing little while keeping her secrets close at hand.

They still had a lot of work to do, and time was running out.

Before they knew it, the false airplane started to descend. The morning sun broke out in the horizon, heralding the dawn. The warm sunlight, however, gave Irys no comfort whatsoever. Still, the sunlight beckoned her to look outside.

In the distance, she spotted the faint outline of Mount Fuji below them. Then, the crystallized Japanese capital sparkled ominously in the sunlight.

"Welcome to Tokyo, Irys." Sparrowhawk spoke, "This will be the last leg of your world tour. Enjoy… or rather, endure your act of defiance while you still can."


Hundred and Fifth Scene - So Near And Yet So Far

The false Air Force One, accompanied by the monstrous figure of Apocalypse Bird, continued its descent and landed at Yokota Air Base in Western Tokyo. Compared to the rest of the metropolis, Yokota Air Base was not as crystallized as its surroundings - almost as if the crystals there were like ice that had been thawed out.

When the plane came to a halt, Japanese soldiers in full combat gear boarded it and swept through the cabins. Sparrowhawk emerged from the presidential office and they saluted her all at once - even the soldiers outside of the airplane.

Kronii, still hunched over like an invalid, craned her head upwards to look at the soldiers' eyes. Just like she expected, they all had blank expressions.

They were grime puppets, just like the soldiers at Koltsovo Aerodrome.

Those false Japanese soldiers escorted her, Sparrowhawk, Clover and Irys out of the plane. When Kronii stepped outside, she and the others were greeted with a small motorcade of limousines, a military escort and the great white serpent Boros towering over them.

Kronii raised her eyes up to the white serpent on her way down the steps. It gave her a small nod of acknowledgement.

Moments later, Apocalypse Bird opened its talons and let the sleeping Mumei Nanashi down onto Boros' soft, albeit scaly back. Boros then lowered himself and gently guided Mumei down into Kronii's arms at the foot of the staircase.

Kronii caught Mumei jerkily but kept on her invalid act. Sparrowhawk watched the exchange with keen curiosity and smiled.

"You really do have a one track mind, don't you? Even in your state, she's all you think about." Sparrowhawk patted Kronii's shoulder patronizingly, "I'll leave her in your care, Kronii Ouro. I plan to have some more 'pleasant conversation' with Irys after all." She lifted her head up to Boros, "As for your Guardian Spirit…"

"Madam General." Clover intervened, "Please give me permission to send Boros on a scouting mission. Who knows if or when Cover Corp might try to pull something off."

"Permission granted." Sparrowhawk allowed without a second thought, "It's not like Kronii Ouro could refuse your orders."

"Understood." Clover saluted her superior.

Before Sparrowhawk turned around, however, Clover piped up once more.

"Madam General." Clover called her, "And about the Titan of Light. I…"

"One step at a time, Clover Gosling." Sparrowhawk smiled wryly, "One step at a time!"

With that, Sparrowhawk turned around. Clover snorted and helped Kronii bring Mumei into the second limousine. During this time, though, Clover was speaking with Kronii telepathically.

" Boros is in your control, Warden. Do what you have to do. "

" Right. " Kronii answered.

Without turning to Boros, Kronii spoke to him.

" Boros. " She started.

" Yes, Warden. " He answered, " Your orders?"

" Pretend to patrol Japan, but make contact with Baelz Hakos and the others. " Kronii urged, " Tell them where we are and where we're headed. Tell them everything that you can. Then return and report to me everything they tell you. "

" Understood, Warden. " Boros replied.

Kronii heard the great white serpent start to coil up to launch himself skyward.

" Wait. " Kronii stopped him.

Boros paused and turned to her.

" Is there anything else? " Boros asked.

" It's good to hear your voice - even if it's just through telepathy. " Kronii spoke with a small smile on her lips.

" The feeling is mutual, Warden. " Boros answered with the slightest hint of joy in his mental tone, " It is good to serve you and the Eleventh Council once again. "

This time, Boros launched himself skyward and flew West.

With that, Clover closed the limousine door for Kronii and knocked on the handle. That was the signal for the chauffeur to start the engine. Kronii sat the sleeping Mumei down at the back of the limousine but still kept up her act. Once they were settled, Kronii looked across the cabin to the chauffeur with grave distrust.

The chauffeur looked at Kronii through the rear view mirror and spoke with Clover Gosling's voice.

"You can drop the act now, Warden. Sparrowhawk has no eyes or ears here. I made sure of it." The 'chauffeur' relayed Clover's message, "Just pretend that I'm not here."

With that, the chauffeur closed the divider window, leaving Kronii alone with Mumei. Then, the limousine started driving down the runway on its way out of Yokota Air Base.

Kronii took a deep breath and exhaled audibly, letting loose after holding back for hours on end. She roared with frustration and very nearly tore out her own hair. Everything that Sparrowhawk revealed about her and Mumei swirled around her heart like a maelstrom. She knew that she was being played for a fool by Sparrowhawk - but she didn't realize for how long and how deep her manipulation went.

Thinking about it made her feel powerless.

She hated it.

However, her laments were interrupted by the stirring of Mumei Nanashi beside her.

Kronii reined herself in and stopped thrashing about. She sat upright and held her breath, hoping - praying - that Mumei would open her eyes. However, Mumei's slumber persisted. She tried shaking Mumei too, but to no avail.

Completely lost, Kronii slumped into her seat and spoke candidly - saying things that she couldn't say to Mumei when she was still with her.

Things that she should have said long ago.

"Everything that's happened to you is my fault, MeiMei. Ever since Korea." Kronii spoke her mind, "Sparrowhawk did this to us, but I was powerless to stop it. There were so many times that I could have brought you out of this sad path, but I cheered you on. I supported you in all of your endeavors, even if I had my doubts." She lowered her head, "Doubts that turned out to be right."

Mumei's soft breathing filled the cabin, twisting the knife in Kronii's aching heart. Kronii gently ran her hand through Mumei's hair, noting the absence of her favorite R-shaped hairpin.

She gulped and continued her lament.

"I always thought that saying 'yes' to every single one of your whims was what would have made you the happiest. I thought that that was what Lady Janus would have done for Lady Knowledge." Kronii slouched forward, hoping that Mumei would hear her, "You weren't there in the Nephilim's Dream when Sana told us what she knew. Lady Janus actually acted against Lady Knowledge - granting her powers to the Amelia Watson of Irys' world." She turned towards Mumei again and gently held her hand, "I thought that defying your loved one like that was unthinkable. Unforgivable, even! But Lady Janus did it because she loved Lady Knowledge."

Kronii brought Mumei's hand to her forehead and whimpered.

"I should have defied you sooner. I was too weak - too afraid to make mistakes. Too afraid to make you angry. But that was exactly what you needed. You didn't need a yes-man who did everything you told her without question. You needed someone who cared enough to actually do what needed to be done!"

Tears started falling rolling down Kronii's cheeks.

"I couldn't do what needed to be done. Now look at where that hesitation got us."

While Kronii was speaking, Mumei stirred slightly again. She leaned sideways and rested on Kronii's shoulder.

"Kronii…" The owl-girl croaked weakly.

Mumei's strained voice twisted the knife in Kronii's heart yet again.

"Don't say my name so sweetly…" Kronii started to sob, "I don't deserve that. You should hate me!"

And yet, Mumei kept calling Kronii softly - tenderly.

At this point, Kronii couldn't help herself.

She hugged Mumei and held her close.

"I'm here, Mumei. I may not have always been here for you - truly here for you - but I am now." Kronii urged desperately, "So please… please! Tell me what I need to do! Tell me what I have to do for you to wake up!"

Mumei murmured something unintelligible, but repeated Kronii's name a few times more. She even clung onto Kronii, snuggling with her before she fell into another cycle of deep sleep.

"Damn it…" Kronii frowned.

Overcome by her emotions, Kronii held Mumei closer and wept. She felt like she was in Seoul, Korea again - in the confines of that ruined American embassy. Only this time, Mumei was the one comforting her.

Not the other way around.

"Purpose…" Kronii muttered, remembering Sparrowhawk's words, "Was it really a purpose that you're looking for MeiMei?"

While Kronii spilled her heart out to the sleeping Mumei, the limousine cabin suddenly went dark. The morning sunlight that had been flowing in through the windows was blocked by something large.

Kronii dared to look out the window and gasped.

Hovering beside the moving limousine was the fearsome beast Apocalypse Bird. Its eleven eyes looked at Kronii with suspicion, sending chills up the Warden's spine. In that state, though, Kronii's frustrations eclipsed her fears.

She took a deep breath, held Mumei close and screamed at the monster through the window.

"I'm trying to have a conversation with MeiMei, you fucking bird!"

Kronii's eruption drew all eleven of Apocalypse Bird's eyes towards her. They glowed sickly gold and the beast opened its large mouth filled with jagged teeth, frightening Kronii.

They told her that she just fucked up.

For a moment, the beast looked like it was going to devour the limousine whole, but it stopped halfway through. Its eyes turned away and it flapped its great black wings, flying away in haste.

"What the…" Kronii's jaw dropped.

Moments later, the limousine chauffeur opened the divider windows again and spoke with Clover's voice once more.

"Apologies for that. That wasn't me. Apocalypse Bird went and checked on Mumei on its own." The chauffeur relayed Clover's message, "It took me a while to command it to bugger off this time too."

Kronii nursed a small headache. Then, she snapped at the chauffeur.

"Took you a while!? I could have been killed right there and then!"

"I don't know what to tell you, Warden." The chauffeur apologized again on Clover's behalf, "Ever since you severed my ties to The Manipulator, my eldritch powers have been diminishing rapidly. I thought I was imagining it, but Apocalypse Bird's getting unruly."

Kronii frowned and looked up to the eleven-eyed beast.

"So you won't be able to control that damn thing forever." Kronii deduced, "How much longer can you keep him at bay?"

"A few more hours. Optimistically." The chauffeur replied, "We'll have to act soon - before it's too late."

"Time is of the essence." Kronii grumbled, "This one's gonna go down the line, huh?"

The chauffeur nodded, turned his eyes back to the road and closed the divider window. Gripped by the tension of their shrinking window of opportunity, Kronii grew jealous of the sleeping Mumei in her arms.

Kronii hugged Mumei once more and whispered gently in her ear.

"Don't worry Mumei. This time, we'll protect you. I'll protect you." Kronii closed her eyes and swore, "I don't know if I'll succeed, but I'll try."


Hundred and Sixth Scene - Serpentine Summons

Meanwhile, thousands of kilometers to the north-west of Tokyo, a heavily damaged Soviet armored train rumbled down the tracks towards Vladivostok.

Its loud train whistle blew and its diesel engine spewed out thick clouds of smoke that traced a line through the white of the snow of the Russian Far East. However, after every so often, the train and its many cars would get wrapped in a blanket of golden magic before disappearing into thin air.

Then it would reappear dozens of kilometers down the railroad with another flash of golden magic, albeit one with a slightly different hue.

Inside the locomotive car of the armored train, Detective Amelia Watson and the Speaker of Space Sana Tsukumo combined their magical powers and thrust the damaged armored train through the Trans-Siberian Railway at record speed.

Sana clung onto a long chain of ropes that stretched from one end of the armored train to the other and channeled her Space magic through it. Amelia also held onto that network of rope and pressed the button of her golden pocket watch, casting her powerful Caesura timestop. Together, they shortened the trip from Yekaterinburg to Vladivostok from days if not weeks to mere hours.

Baelz Hakos and the one-armed Colonel Omega watched the two ladies repeat the process over and over, leaving both ladies thoroughly impressed.

"I'm gonna take you gals along next time I have to go on the freeway." The Colonel chuckled, "You'd save me a hell of a lot of time."

"Eheheh~ We had to go East in a hurry, so I thought that going through time and space would do the trick!" Sana explained, smiling warmly, "Working together with Ame has been a joy."

"I knew how to move myself and a few people, but Sana here helped me push that to the limit." Ame patted the rope that she and Sana held, "I guess you learn something new everyday!"

Ame and Sana bumped fists and cheered each other on. Bae watched the exchange and smiled.

The two of them are already friends, huh?

Bae heaved a sigh and turned to the locomotive's windows. She longingly watched the sun rising in the East. Her mind quickly drifted back to the Nephilim she promised to rescue.

"We should be arriving at Vladivostok soon." Omega assessed, "We've got a lot of work to do when we get there, so get your rest while you can, Baelz."

Bae snapped out of her thoughts and turned to Omega to ask, "Do you think that Sparrowhawk brought Irys and the others there?"

"I doubt Sparrowhawk brought them there." Omega shook her head, "If it was, then Apocalypse Bird would be nearby. It's hard to miss a gigantic eleven-eyed bird on a day like this."

Bae frowned and leaned against the locomotive car's walls.

"What's so special about Vladivostok anyways?" Bae thought out loud.

"Originally, before Sparrowhawk started making all of her last-minute changes, the itinerary of President Nixon was going to take him to Vladivostok for one last publicity event with Premier Brezhnev." Omega explained with a small smile, "It was going to be quite the spectacle - a joint military parade of the East and the West. I was actually quite proud of what I was able to arrange for the whole shebang." She scoffed and shrugged, "Of course, all that effort went out the window - but we might be able to use something there."

Ame hummed curiously and chimed in.

"So that's what that was about." Ame recalled, "We came to this world with our managers - Enma and Jenma - but they weren't traveling to Yekaterinburg like me, Ina and Gura."

"That's right." Omega confirmed, "I had J-chad tell them to go to Vladivostok and to salvage what they could. After all, we're gonna need all the help we can get."

"No kidding…" Bae grumbled, remembering her brief encounter with Apocalypse Bird in Yekaterinburg.

While she was lost in thought, Bae suddenly felt Mr. Squeaks stirring in her coat pocket.

"What's got you riled up, little guy?" Bae asked.

She picked up the tiny red furball and held him up to her face.

" There's something coming ." Mr. Squeaks spoke telepathically, " It's coming from the East. I'll help you see it. "

Bae frowned and brought out a pair of binoculars. She followed Mr. Squeaks' instructions and searched for the strong, approaching force. After a few moments, Bae's blue eyes shimmered with red magic - and she found what she was looking for.

"A serpent…?" Bae hummed.

"Serpent!?" Amelia gasped. Her cheerful expression suddenly became serious. She let go of the rope and drew her Webley revolver, "Are we about to get attacked?"

"N-no, I don't think so." Bae clarified, "It's Kronii's Guardian Spirit Boros. It's a friendly. At least Mr. Squeaks says he is.."

"Huh…" Ame tilted her head, but she holstered her revolver. Then she nodded her head politely, "Sorry about that. I have a bit of a history with serpents and mass transit."

"Do you, now?" Sana chimed in, excited to hear Ame's story, "Do tell!"

"We can do that later." Bae interrupted. She put away her binoculars and turned to Sana and Ame, "Take us forward one more leap. Then Omega and I will talk with Boros."

Ame and Sana nodded and prepared to send the armored train forward through time and space once more. Bae and Omega, on the other hand, crossed the gangway to one of the anti-aircraft cars and climbed up to the artillery deck. While they did, they clung onto the handrails while the entire armored train leapt through space and time once more.

When Ame's and Sana's magic wore off, Bae saw the figure of Boros approach the armored train. Bae nodded to Boros, showing him Mr. Squeaks and the wisps of red magic that the little rat was emanating. Omega, on the other hand, couldn't see Boros but still sat down on a ruined anti-aircraft gun and stayed put.

Boros nodded to Bae and to Mr. Squeaks and flew alongside the armored train, matching their respectable speed. Then the serpent spoke in serpentine hisses that Bae couldn't hope to understand. Mr. Squeaks, on the other hand, had his furry ears pointed up as he listened intently.

After a while, Mr. Squeaks turned to Bae and translated for her.

"What did they say?" Omega asked, trying hard not to mind how Bae seemed to be talking to two imaginary friends.

Bae cleared her throat and recounted to Omega everything that Boros reported to them - from the things that Clover, Kronii and Irys told him to convey and the Guardian Spirit's own observations. Omega closed her eyes and processed the information while she heard them. Bae, on the other hand, felt her rat-ears drooping and her lips twisting into a frown.

"Damn that Sparrowhawk…" Bae added, cursing the general, "She's gonna get what she deserves."

"She will, Baelz Hakos. We know where they are now and what we're up against - and knowing is half the battle." Omega reassured, patting Bae's shoulder with her one arm, "With the materiel we've got stored in Vladivostok, we definitely will. Irys and the others will just have to hang on until we can get there."

"Yeah…" Bae heaved a sigh, "But will that materiel really make a difference?"

"Oh, it will." Omega insisted. She pointed towards Vladivostok in the distance and urged, "Take a look for yourself if you don't believe me."

Bae did as she was told and pointed her binoculars towards Vladivostok. Then she gasped.

"That's…!" Bae started, but she couldn't quite put it into words.

"Those are our tickets to victory." Omega beamed proudly, "We're gonna hit Sparrowhawk with everything we've got!"


Epilogue

Back in Japan, the limousine convoy of Irys and her companions arrived at their destination: Tokyo Tower.

Irys looked out the window of her limousine towards the iconic landmark with awe, but also with fear. Just like with Yokota Air Base, the tall Eiffel Tower-like broadcasting tower was pristine and crystal-free compared to the heavily crystallized buildings of the Tokyo Metropolis. Tokyo Tower and its surrounding areas looked like an oasis of normalcy amidst a sea of red Nephilium crystal - if it weren't for the presence of the grotesque Apocalypse Bird perched on the tower itself.

Irys knew that this wasn't a mere coincidence.

Before Irys could comment, the doors of her limousine were opened and the false Japanese soldiers ordered her to disembark. She scoffed at them but followed their instructions. Kronii helped Mumei get off from the second limousine while Clover and Sparrowhawk left the third.

Sparrowhawk approached Irys with a wide smile painted on her lips.

"Another broadcasting station." Irys glared at Sparrowhawk.

"Not just any broadcasting station! This, dear Nephilim, is where destiny will be made." Sparrowhawk spoke with grandiose overtures, "Tokyo Tower will carry your despairing voice, just like the Telstar and Sputnik satellites did."

"And crystallize an already crystallized world?" Irys tested stubbornly.

"Ah." Sparrowhawk hummed with amusement and replied, "Not quite, my dear. After all, I've been quietly upgrading this place with the equipment that I salvaged from Omega Alpha's office." She gestured to Irys, "Walk with me. I shall share my grand schemes with you, just like you wish."

Just like I wish?

Irys gulped, wondering what Sparrowhawk was going on about. The General glanced at her and wore a cryptic smile. Then, one of the false Japanese soldiers shoved her with his rifle. That forced Irys to grumble and comply.

She walked together with Sparrowhawk, flanked by the false soldiers while the General spoke.

Before you arrived in this Known World, Irys, it was already dying. My plan to destroy it was already well underway. Ever since the Second World War, I planted the seeds of my plan, nurtured their roots and pruned them meticulously - and I did so right under the Tenth Council's noses!

When my seeds blossomed, Horrors would start to appear wherever I wished.

They did in the Summer of 1969.

I chose the Vietnamese DMZ as the gravestone of the world. Horrors, the likes that eventually overwhelm any conventional army, would appear there en masse and cause a panic in the East and the West. The armies of the two blocs would come to fight it, but it would devolve into a border incident and spiral out of control - spreading throughout the world.

At that point, it became a matter of stoking the flames - playing the East against the West and vice versa. It would have been simple too! Especially after I corrupted Lady Knowledge, adopted Clover Gosling and sent the Tenth Council to chase their own shadows in KW08.

Warhawks like me would have spurred Washington on, urging Nixon to press the big red button. I had some strings that I could pull in the Kremlin too. The two most powerful men in the world would follow my advice and baptize the world in nuclear flame in the name of peace.

But then, your arrival put a wrench in my plans. Omega Alpha, then a Major, got to you first and used you to defuse the situation - going so far as to get the Americans and the North Vietnamese to cooperate. Quietly, of course.

Because of you, the Eleventh Council was raised under Baelz Hakos - instead of under a loyal puppet like Mumei Nanashi that I originally planned. Your songs thawed the Cold War. Your existence threw my plans into disarray - turned it into a game of cat and mouse.

Unfortunately for you, I learn.

I can adapt.

Learning from humans - from mortals - was not beneath me, unlike the other Ancient Ones.

I was able to factor in the stunts that you, Colonel Omega and the unrestrained Eleventh Council into the equation. Even the intervention of the Cover Corporation couldn't turn the tides for you. That's because I saw you, Irys, and everything that you have inspired in others, were legitimate threats to me. I saw you as a worthy opponent, so I finally decided to take you seriously.

It became my mission to crush you completely. Ancient Ones don't care about saving face.

But I do.

And I'm going to see it through today.

Beads of sweat formed on Irys' brow while Sparrowhawk prattled on while they walked. After a short while, Sparrowhawk stopped in her tracks at the foot of Tokyo Tower, prompting Irys to do the same.

All of a sudden, the false Japanese soldiers pointed their rifles at her.

"W-what!?" Irys gasped.

Her eyes wandered to the limousines and she saw that the soldiers were also pointing their guns at Kronii and Clover. The two of them kept on wearing the delicate masks that they crafted, but those masks were cracked and were starting to slip from their faces.

"I am not a fool, Irys." Sparrowhawk suddenly revealed, speaking casually, "Did you really think that I wouldn't sense it when you severed Clover Gosling's bond to the Ancient Ones?" She turned to Kronii next and smirked, "Did you think that I didn't see where you sent Boros, oh Warden of Time? Awfully far for a patrol, isn't it?"

When Sparrowhawk said this, Kronii and Clover dropped their masks for good. Kronii set down Mumei on the ground and summoned her twin blades with a flash of blue light. Clover, on the other hand, conjured up a glob of black grime and crafted it into an M16 rifle.

"Gloves are off, huh?" Clover hissed at her former boss, cocking her grime rifle.

"You've outlived your usefulness to me long ago, Clover Gosling." Sparrowhawk scoffed, "Knowing you, I'm surprised that you didn't try to have me killed in Air Force One."

"Because I knew that that wouldn't have finished you off." Clover growled, "I'm still a Guardian Spirit. I know how you Ancient Ones work."

"That's a shame. I truly enjoyed your company, Clover Gosling." Sparrowhawk sighed, "Still, I don't need your sugar coated praises any longer. Not where we're going."

Irys, Kronii and Clover watched Sparrowhawk nervously, wondering what twisted schemes she had in store.

"This is my answer to all of the interference that you've done, Irys." Sparrowhawk declared emphatically, "Just as one Otherworlder threw my perfectly crafted plans into disarray, another Otherworlder will restore order. Allow me to offer you a battle that you cannot possibly hope to win!"

All of a sudden, the ground beneath Irys' feet shook violently. Irys stumbled forward and nearly lost her balance. Further behind them, Kronii and Clover Gosling also scrambled to stay on their feet.

Irys and her collaborators turned towards the epicenter of the tremors and found yet another fearsome presence.

Standing there before them was a crystalline titan that stood at about a tenth of the height of Tokyo Tower. Intense magic emanated from the creature's body, sending shockwaves that resonated with the myriad of crystal outcrops in Tokyo. Then, in its hands, it wielded a large blue, cross-shaped sword that channeled its tempestuous magic.

Trapped within that living crystalline prison, Irys' two-colored eyes could see what looked like a giant space worm. It slithered and writhed, but was unable to break free from the titan.

Irys' heart trembled with fear and she whimpered.

"That's… Yatagarasu."

To Be Continued