Welcome back readers been in a bit of a writers block luckily I'll probably push past it after today. But that's what backlog is for! So another installment of LoCG is here for you all to enjoy… I hope… you do enjoy it… right? Well let the reviews speak for themselves shall we?

Misaka Phenex:{Welcome Welcome Glad to see someone new here! Phenex, and yes… as tragic as it was… in the name of good writing… I had to kill off my fave gal…. I am sorry.

Dude, that's just a battle royal, Yan harem for Touma is just the end of the world…. Which means universe

And both your 37 and 41 reviews can be given the same answer… you're actually closer to the truth than you'd think… just not quite.}

Whwsms:{Birdway likes to act tough, but lets be honest when it comes to Touma… she really is just a 12yo girl. Stiyl's had it coming for a while we can all admit that. And yeah… Index isn't gonna be letting anyone else punish him but her… by which we all know she means eat. I'm glad you think my portrayal of the world and it's magic system is accurate. To be honest It's really just something that clicked with me rather than something I put much research into. But there are things I did research to make it work. I think we all know it's a when, and not an if that Touma will discover the truth.}

5had0wHand:{what is with people and getting close to what's going on? I won't say any more than that though.

Yep, hard to be a Lesbian in Toaru ain't it?

Kek, honestly while It'd be wholesome… an OC being paired with Touma would piss off the community.

I mean it's really easy to understand, honestly pretty sure I'd be a fairly good magician If I lived in that world.

Yeah you'd think there'd be laws about it XD

Yep! magic and science working as one! GROUP Reunion and so much to do!

Lets accept Birdway probably would do the same in her position she's just jealous index beat her to it XD

You really think he wouldn't somehow get into trouble even then?

I honestly don't think there's any 'big G' in Toaru, humans just tend to make things like 'territory of god' up…. But well at least at some point Othinus had a special place for him in Valhalla.

Bungo-stray Dogs is a good show, wouldn't mind seeing a well written crossoverfic of it and Toaru.

Probs laughing his head off collecting debts from people he bet against over Touma.

Ah… well.. I'll keep quite for now}

Mr?:{The main man has given me another review!? Fantastic! Yep GROUP's back… however don't expect them to be that prominent… I… Really don't trust myself to properly portray Etzali and Awaki. Sorry about the disappointment. Should be fun none of the less thought.

Honestly I've wanted to see something similar happen to Stiyl so I decided to do that. As for why I made Itsuwa surprised, sure she's an ally of Stiyls but she doesn't know him. Kanzaki's an ally of his but if anything it's safe to assume she never saw that side of him. Also… humans are hypocrites Itsuwa wouldn't think her actions around Touma are the same as Stiyl's around Index.

Heh Thanks I hope they feel accurate or close at lest to their canonical counterparts. I want to make sure it seems natural their behaviors. I'm glad you're looking forward to it.}

ArchiveX:{no… I'm not seeing any reviews…. sadly… you might have to lump them in with your next Review. I'm not sure if it's an error or my own stupidity but I'll make sure to check for it this time if I missed it before.}

With that out of the way remember constructive Criticism is both encouraged and desired. Now let this tale of an infinity commence once again!

Chapter 40

Crying child, chains of the wolf

A small car was parked outside the district 7 hospital. While such a thing is normal, for those of the darkness. It was too normal in the way it looked and was positioned, "Tch, finally, they're here" A white haired human spoke from within.

A girl with long reddish pigtails holding a military flashlight wearing a Kirigakoka girl's school uniform like a cape. And a dark skinned boy with black wavy hair, in a suit approached the vehicle.

"Nyah~ so it would seem" A blond spy spoke as he opened the door. "Oh? Etzali not hiding your face anymore?" Tsuchimikado asked as the two entered.

The dark skinned boy sighed "If you must know, both Xochitl and Tochitl insisted." His expression softened slightly "Also, I'd rather Misaka know It was me protecting her instead of someone else." Causing groans to come from everyone else in the car.

Tsuchi rolled his eyes "either way you owe me 1000 yen" he smirked causing the other two occupants to look at him oddly.

Etzali's eyebrow twitched "… I lost? How!?" he looked at Tsuchimikado in disbelief, his face looking like it forgot how to form expressions.

Accelerator sighed "what happened?"

The girl whose name was Misujime Awaki rolled her eyes "Etzali made a bet with Tsuchimikado about what type of girl would make the first move on Kamijou Touma."

Accelerator held his hand to his head in exasperation "Never… make a bet with that backstabbing bastard… they are always rigged. Even if you don't think theres any possible way they could be rigged they are always… somehow… rigged"

Etsali shouted in an outburst "How the hell is 'he'll get resurrected by a yandere'. In any way physically possible, let alone capable of being rigged!"

Tushimikado waggled a finger smiling "Nyahh, you severely underestimate the potency of Kami-yan's misfortune."

Misujime Awaki growled in annoyance "Back on topic please?" she shut the door behind her "I thought you were hell bent on getting rid of the darkness." She glared at Accelerator "what the fuck are you thinking calling us in for a 'reunion' huh?"

Etzali sighed and nodded"Indeed, It's quite shocking, and I'm not too pleased. This better have a very, very good reason." he then looked at Accelerator "Considering you're the one who had us called."

Tsuchimikado shut the door "oh, I think you at the very least have a guess." He smirked at Etzali.

Accelerator sighed "I wouldn't have had you called if I didn't believe it necessary." He sat forward and linked his fingers together. "But if we are gonna protect everything we hold dear from the idotic decisions of the board of directors." He smiled "then we need to change the game."

Awaki scoffed, "You're the board chairman, can't you just shoot them down?" she asked.

Tsuchimikado laughed "Ahahah! Why do you think the center of the city hasn't been nuked yet nyah~" he then shook his head "Awaki-san it's not so simple you see nyah, Accel's the board chairman yes, but it's not like the board necessarily listens to him. He has to play their game in order to even delay their decisions." He then became serious "and that was a losing battle against those stubborn idiots"

Awaki sighed "So, what do we need to do?" She asked

Accelerator smugly smiled "like I said, change the game, the board can't make a decision if they have no reason to. So we need to eliminate their reason." Only making Awaki and Etzali more confused.

"How are we going to do that?" Etzali asked.

"Oi,You shitty spy, make it quick" Accelerator ordered the spy.

"Ay ay Board chairman, under normal circumstances, the two of you wouldn't be privy to this information. However the current situation makes it a necessity that you know." The blond spy said.

Thus Tsuchimikado quickly summarized their situation. The ascension of Index, the plan of the board, and the mission to seal the Great Devourer.

"Magic? What the hell! Am I missing something?" Awaki shouted in indignation.

"...I stand corrected, sorry for doubting you, Tsuchimikado" Etzali muttered in shock and horror.

"Don't worry, it's a natural reaction!" Tsuchimiakdo said smugly.

Etzali's eye twitched "How did you predict something so specific?"

Tsuchimikado clicked his tongue "trade secret"

Accelerator smacked the blond spy on the head. "Stay on fucking topic before I decide to send you into the stratusphere" Before shifting in his seat to sit up straight "Our job is to find a location that fits the ritual's requirements and secure it. For that, we need to clarify a few things, Etzali, you're the aztec magician. So you deal with that side of things" Accelerator ordered, causing Etzali to stand in shock.

"How did you know I was an Aztec magician?" he asked suspiciously.

"I told him nyah" Tsuchimikado said, getting a glare from him.

"So, let me get this straight, ignoring the whole... magic part. In essence the board feels threatened by this.. Index and plans to nuke her. But that won't work as she's obtained enough power to… well do things beyond our comprehension. And she's only growing stronger. In order to keep the board from attacking her, thus killing hundreds of espers and civilians. But also make an enemy of this, Index. We need to find an area that can be used to 'seal' her power?" Awaki's face scrunched in concentration "Do you realize how crazy you all sound?"

Accelerator shrugged "I figured you say that, it was my reaction. So," he smiled "Qliphah" and instantly a small bag of trash on the seat next to him shuddered. Before it swirled in a vortex and the Demon made herself known once more.

Awaki stared in disbelief, her jaw dropped. Etzali's eyes widened in shock as he became guarded.

"Yes master?" Qliphah asked Accelerator

"You made a contract with a Demon!?" Etzali was already out of his seat aming a black obsidian knife at Accel's throat.

Accel only narrowed his eyes and Tsuchimikado restrained Etzali. "Nyah, believe me if anything the demon made a contract with him."

Awaki gulped "Alright, I'll admit, not what I was expecting, but couldn't that be done using Academy City technology?" she asked.

Accelerator shrugged "Not to my knowledge, not yet at least."

"You used me just to prove a point didn't you master?" Qliphah said.

"I did, so?" Accelerator responded.

"Aaahhhhhh Master how cold neyhehehehe!" The demon appeared to get excited by the response.

Tsuchimikado grinned "On that note, let's get to work then, GROUP's mission, find and secure the cage of the Devourer."

...

Misaka and Kuroko appeared outside judgement's 177th branch. As they made their way inside they overheard shouting.

"Aren't you going to say something Uiharu!? Muu and Mako are dead! That… bastard…. Killed them both!" The crying voice of Saten shouted out "they weren't even a threat to him… just in his path." It broke down to sobbing as typing was heard on the other side.

"What do you want me to say Saten!? Crying isn't going to fix anything! Besides," Uiharu's shaking voice was heard "we have a more immediate problem to deal with. We're getting reports of… I don't even know, but if it isn't solved. Who knows who else could die Saten-san!"

Opening the door Misaka and Kuroko were met with a crying Saten and a stern focused teary eyed Uiharu. Saten was gripping Uiharu's shoulders, shaking as the flower headband girl typed on a computer.

"Things keep getting weirder and weirder, and because of it Judgement and Anti-skill can't keep up." Uiharu began "World War three, Denmark, the entirety of December! So when the board chairman called us into action. We had no clue that the threat was so.." she bit her lip. "Contact hasn't been re-established with the team." her fingers shook as she typed and responded to calls.

Saten sniffed and nodded "That's why Konori left, to try and find out what happened?"

The sound of Misaka clearing her throat caused both to quickly look in their direction.

"Misaka-san!" Uiharu shouted in shock as her hands froze above the keyboard.

"What happened!?" Saten said with worry and relief on her face.

Misaka laughed sheepishly "I'll get into that but first," she took a breath. "I'm gonna need your help, no we all do." This got an eyebrow raise from Kuroko.

Saten frowned and looked down, Uiharu looked to the side biting her lip. "What can we do?" Saten said as her fists shook "I couldn't even protect my friends from that… that… bastard!" She slammed her fist into the nearby table.

"In the face of that… what can we, a level one who can't even fight and a level 0 who has no power do?" Uiharu blinked tears slowly forming as she grit her teeth. "Well!?" the two glared at Misaka.

Kuroko sighed "they are right Onee-sama, I trust you but, how can they help? Who's this 'we' that you refer to that needs them?"

Misaka took a breath and resolved herself. "Because If there was anyone I'd trust in order to help me fight a myth? and there were no priests in sight?" Misaka smiled at Saten and Uiharu, "I'd go to the person who loves urban culture. And her friend who's skills on the internet are unmatched. After all, aren't myths really just the fossils of urban legends?" Uiharu paused, confused slightly.

However

Saten's eyes slowly widened as her fists shook. "Magic" she said. Misaka's eyes snapped open as she looked to Saten whose teeth were clenched "That explains it… that explains that…. Bastard's powers! He was using magic! That's what this is about isn't it Misaka! Just like World war, three, just like Denmark and those wings, just like december! It-"

Misaka interrupted her gripping Saten's shoulders with a vice-like strength as she stared at her in the eyes. "Why the hell do you know what Magic is Saten-san!" she shouted.

Saten jumped slightly in shock and nervously stuttered as she tried to look Misaka in the eyes. "I-I asked Kamijou-san!" she started but Misaka overpowered her voice.

"You What!? Why would you ask that idiot!? Don't you know he has enough to deal with already! Why wouldn't you come to me!? or ask me!?" Misaka continued but Saten shouted over her

"BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T TELL US ANYTHING!" Saten shouted as loud as she could. Misaka fell silent and Saten continued "when we tried to ask about denmark you pushed us away. So, Uiharu de-pixelate the footage of denmark." Saten shook "we saw Kamijou charging forward to save Othinus. We saw him do it despite those terrible wings of light bearing down on him."

Her voice trembled as if on the verge of breaking "And yet… you never said anything, why? Why wouldn't you tell us that Academy City ordered you to kill him and Othinus!? Uiharu had to hack your phone for us even to find out!" Saten looked at Misaka, tears filling her eyes. Kuroko and Uiharu looking away in ashamed silence.

"We were worried, strike that! We were utterly terrified for you!" Saten shouted out. "You were diving into this unknown world, this dangerous world. The world of Magic, and yet you never confided in us. Not even to get comfort, you didn't even have to tell us what it was. Just tell us you weren't okay, Shirai-san… told us okay? She told us how different you became once you had the … A.A.A. She told us how cold you had become, how… Obsessed."

Misaka's heart froze and she breathed in, then out. "I… Didn't know it was magic, or more accurately. I didn't want to accept it as magic" Saten began to open her mouth but Misaka held her hand up "But you're right, I should have at least said something to you all. I was blinded, obsessed with getting power." She blinked, holding back tears "And because of that I failed to understand and protect the very person I cared most about."

A few minutes of silence fell before Uiharu broke it. "Glad you understand Misaka-san" Misaka looked away but Uiharu wasn't done. "Quick question though, Saten.. Misaka" Causing both to look at her. "What the actual fuck do you two mean Magic is real!? You do realize that it sounds like you both broke out of an insane asylum right!?"

Saten, Misaka and Kuroko all stared at Uiharu gaping in shock. The flower headed girl's words were at complete odds with her appearance. So they had never expected her to say such foul words.

"U-U-Uiharu! Language!" Kuroko shouted as she teleported over and grappled the flower girl.

"What Shirai-san I'm right!" Uiharu argued back, causing Kuroko to pause.

"Ah.. well… ahem" Kuroko let her go "she has a point, so you need to explain Onee-sama. What do you mean magic exists? And how does it relate to our current issues?"

Misaka sighed and nodded "Right, I'll explain everything, including who that 'we' is. And what we need your help for".

So Misaka began with the explanation of magic she was given by the fey and magicians. As she proceeded to explain the events that lead to her asking for their help. Uiharu had gone onto her computer and looked a few things up.

After she was done Saten looked at Misaka in shock "You're… kidding, Index!? That nun?"

Kuroko sat down clutching her head "So, that explains why Celt's powers were so..." She took a shaky breath. "I, I'm still having trouble believing this"

Uiharu spoke fear audible in her voice "Her story checks out though, those.. Reports? And the small bits of footage I could get before the camera's were destroyed?" She turned in her seat, "Some of the creatures fit the exact description of beings from norse mythology. And" She pulled up an image on her computer. It looked like an amorphous blob. It had a mass of tendrils, many eyes, and mouths, it looked like. "Misaka, those creatures you encounter before you got here?" Uiharu gave a shaky almost hopeless slime. "Textbook Shoggoth, a creature from H.P. Lovecraft's world." She began laughing unstably. "Ahah...what does the board think it can do against this Index if she can summon creatures straight out of The Cthulhu-mythos?"

"H.P. Lovecraft?" Saten asked nervously.

"But that's impossible!" Kuroko shouted "H.P. Lovecraft is purely fictional, right Onee-sama?" she turned desperately to Misaka who looked away nervously. "Your kidding..."

Uiharu shook her head "It's more accurate to say… was purely fictional. But based on what Misaka told us about phases?" She clutched her head "There was a point in time where multiple groups believed the necronomicon was a real book.. Meaning"

Saten clenched her teeth "A phase was born in which it was."

Uiharu nodded "And Index? From my research? That refers to the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. We might as well be dealing with a cosmic horror from the works of H.P. Lovecraft. No worse we might as well be dealing with Azathoth from that world. And you're saying we can defeat her!?" She turned to Misaka.

Misaka shook her head "Not defeat her, but stop her, she doesn't actually want to hurt us or anyone." She took a breath. "She just wants to protect that idiot and the world around him." Misaka looked at her hands and clenched them. "But she's going about it all wrong so," She looked up with the same fire of determination in her eyes that so many others on this night had. "Help me, help me save that silver sister and that idiot, Kamijou Touma so that we can smile tomorrow!" she declared causing shock to go across the other's faces.

'How can I stand by and wallow in sorrow at my friend's death when Misaka's working to make sure those still alive stay alive?' Saten bit her lip 'How can I… when she's asking for my help, me a lowly level 0.'

'When did I ever have doubts in Misaka-san? Why am I doubting her now when she's reaching out for my help? She believes in me, so why should I turn away just because I feel it's impossible?' Uiharu clenched her fists as she shook.

'I wanted to make Onee-sama happy, so why would I back down when she's asking for my help?' Kuroko held her fist to her chest 'Onee-sama, when did you start calling that ape by his name?'

Saten looked up and stared Misaka in the eyes. "Right then, what can we do Misaka-san?" Uiharu and Kuroko nodded

Misaka smiled slightly "Thank you, now then" she held her chin "What exactly do you guys know of greek mythology?"

...

Muireann dashed through the streets of Academy city, the sky had started to brighten. Anti-skill and Judgement both worked to get students into their homes. Trying and failing to fend off the abominations created by Index.

Pulling out the arms of the Knucklavee, Muireann quickly carved through the creatures and ran off. The runes over her body glowing a pale blue. The runes enhanced her physical aspects drastically. Combined with her innate Selki-nature along with the moisture sapping power of the arms. Muireann was able to reach exceedingly fast speeds.

She was in search of an boulder to place in front of the entrance of 'Yomi'. She had yet to find anything good enough. They were either too small, or fell apart before she could lift them.

"Damn it!" Muireann swore skidding to a halt in an Alleyway. She was exhausted, but there wasn't time to rest. "Why? I can't find anything that'll work." She shook slightly "I won't be able to save Touma!" She slammed her fist into the side of a building. Cracks spread from the impact and shook the area slightly.

"Then, why don't you kill youself?" A child's voice said.

Before Muireann knew it she found her own father's blade aimed at her throat. Her eyes closed expecting it to pierce her throat, but.

'Don't you dare do anything that will get you killed!'

Her hands suddenly stopped moving, freezing pain coursing through them.

"Huh? It's… not working?" the child's voice said, a girl's voice. "I said kill yourself Muireann!"

Muireann opened her eyes and looked towards the voice. Standing not 3 meters from her was a very familiar young girl. "Meab," Muireann said.

"Why won't you obey me Selkie! I said.. Kill yourself! You attacked papa Ainmire! And he's dead now! So kill yourself, kill yourself, kill yourself!" Meab Euan shouted, stamping her feet.

Myths of the maiden had allowed her to control the fey. But those same myths had turned against her. For the reason maidens often were able to capture and control fey relied on one thing.

Innocence

However once she could no longer be perceived as Innocent by a fey. Her magic lost all control over the fey. This wouldn't have been an issue if she had managed to get Muireann to kill herself. But one external factor had ruined it for her.

The runes Ehwaz, Naudhiz, Thurisaz and Isaz that lay above Muireann's heart. The binding pact that she had made to Kamijou Touma. Had that not been in place, Muireann would have plunged her father's Gram replica into her throat and died.

Muireann lowered her blade and turned to the girl. Meab Euan.. no that's just the name she took. Meab Anlon, daughter of the corrupted hero of the fey. Stumbled back in fear and fell onto her rear. Backing up into the wall of the alleyway. "Y..You're supposed to obey me! You.. all the fey are supposed to listen to me i'm a maiden your my fey pets!" She was close to tears as she ranted like her father.

At that moment, Muirann didn't feel hatred towards the girl. She didn't feel compassion, she didn't feel angry or sad. She didn't even feel annoyed, no what she felt was much, much cruler.

She felt Pity

She felt pity for this spoiled child whose father was no more mature than her.

She felt pity for this little girl who had never worked for anything in her life.

She felt pity for this little girl who's own supposed father had never taken the time to raise her properly. Too focused on his hate and self pity that he deserved more. That he even willingly used her in his plot for revenge.

She felt pity for this child who, despite the fact Muireann had not been the one to kill her father. Chose to target her because she was the easier prey.

She didn't target Muireann because she had killed Ainmire

She didn't target Muireann because she had even harmed Ainmire.

She targeted Muireann because she was a convenient outlet for her anger. The real culprit was too strong and she knew that.

She was too afraid to attack Index as she would not even get close to her.

She was too stubborn to let go so she pushed the anger on the next best thing.

Muireann

Muireann sighed at the girl, and sheathed her father's sword. "I feel sorry for you, you know, '' Muireann began. Stating the words she knew would hurt the most.

She didn't care Meab was a child, she had tried to get in her way of saving Touma. All because of her short sighted ego fueled by her failure of a hero-father. She didn't care if by saying these, that Meab would be able to grow and break past her father's failures.

She just wanted her to stay out of her way.

"Go to an orphanage outside this city, at least there you'll be better off than with that failure of a man you called a father." Muireann stated, in hindsight she realized that this probably made her a bad mother. But if she was with Touma, she was sure she'd learn.

Trembling and shaking Meab got up and ran off towards the battlefield her father lay, crying.

Muireann sighed and looked to the sky. Clouds seemed to be rolling in, She could feel it. The Arms of the Knuckelavee would be useless during the rain. "I'd be a horrible mother, eh mum? I can't even save the one who I wish to give my coat to." She took a breath, a long shaking breath. "I.. I can't lose him, but we don't have time. I can't charge off to Mt. Fuji to find a boulder." A tear began to roll down her face, "And It's not like I can just make a-" she paused and her eyes widened in realization. "Wait…. I totally can, I can totally just make a boulder. I'm such an Idiot! Idol theory dictates that it just needs the symbolic or physical similarity." She looked at the ground below her and smiled

"And what's a boulder really but just a very big rock?"