Hello readers welcome to more LoCG! Don't got much to say, glad people are enjoying the story though. Anyways, reviews!

Whwsms:{in essence, yes

Actually no, that wasn't the intent, but thanks?

Yomikawa has been through a lot, and her refusal to harm kids while noble could lead to her getting killed. And In this case, very nearly did, in fact nearly got her nommed.

Yep… then again, isn't Index already a black hole? XD}

Mr?:{The main man is back! Im glad you liked her, I mean honestly making her so in-depth was kinda unintentional. It just happened, she ended up tragic and while technically she's probably not dead. She has been locked back up in her home phase… which when you think about it is in Index's stomach... Fitting. But no she won't be showing back up, I don't even plan for her to show back up in any possible sequels I may write. However, the concept around her may show up again.}

Fencer29:{it just felt like one of those weirdly eccentric things he'd do and yeah… weaver would take that literally XD}

5had0wHand:{and it was entirely accidental here, just happened. And yet it is weirdly tragic yet worked so I went with it.

Well, being what she is it's unlikely she's dead… but trapped back in her home phase In ''mommy's belly. So, unlikely to ever happen, but it would be kinda cute to see that.

I mean… he's right

Thank you

Heh, honestly I did that for the meta commentary but it worked in context.

Thanks.}

Remember, constructive Criticism is both encouraged and desired. And with that out of the way, let this tale of an infinity commence once more.

Chapter 61

Prey of the Library

Child-like humming accompanied muffled screams from an abandoned warehouse building in district 10. Sitting on an old desk, Index giggled as she held the foot of the esper she was eating. Blood splattered the walls, floors and surfaces. Including Index's face and hands. Creaking echoed through the building as she swayed side to side, dangling her legs over the edge of the desk.

Lights flickered as she chewed, a bloody hand burst from her lips grasping at the air. Only to be met with Index's hand. The cruel smile on her face broadened as she began pushing the hand back in.

"PLEASE OH GOD PLEASE DON'T!" her prey cried out in desperation. Tears ran down his face as he squirmed around. Blood spraying from his mangled limbs and torn abdomen. "I don't want to end up as someone's shit" his cries became whimpers as he struggled.

But his cries were silenced as Index's front canine tore through his throat. She sucked his hand back into her jaws and swallowed, licking the blood off her lips. "How Rude! Gods don't need the toilet!" she pouted.

After she had eaten Trick, Index had hunted down his friends. Using the late esper's memories she had found this place. He and his friends had often used it as a hideout. There, she discovered Tricks skill out buds doing some… less savory activities.

She had toyed with them for a little, while manipulating the world around them. Once even tricking one of them into walking straight into her jaws. She had enjoyed every moment of it, panicked shouts, desperate struggles. If she needed to eat phases, she might as well have fun doing it.

Annoyingly, while eating Espers was undoubtedly more efficient. As evident by the fact she used no energy in doing so. The espers she had just eaten hadn't filled her nearly as much as trick had. She wondered if it had to do with their level. Trick had been a level 2, and his friends were level 0s.

Popping the bloodied foot into her mouth, Index swallowed it before licking the blood off her fingertips. The clatter of objects falling in the closet caught her attention, and Index smiled.

She had not forgotten the level 1 girl Tricks' friends had been harassing. No, Index knew she had been hiding in there the whole time. She could smell her, in fact Index had purposefully left her alive. She had wanted to fill the girl with terror as she was stuck in there, forced to listen to Index devourer three espers while she hid from sight.

A grin came across Index's face as she licked her lips. "guess I should go test that hypothesis out~" she slid off the desk. Heading to the exit, she opened the door. Just as she heard a sigh of relief from the closet, she turned. "Oh~ right, I could just use you instead," she said. A whimper came from the closet as she slowly made her way towards it.

A hand slammed onto a desk scattering papers everywhere. "I won't accept it! Magic? Impossible," shouted a elderly female voice.

"It's obviously the codename of a rival esper program," a young adult male voice mused.

A middle aged man shook his head. "Occult or not, this Index is certainly powerful, level 5 tier at least." He looked at a photo of the girl in question as he mused.

"She repaired a fallen skyscraper, and created monsters from thin air. I think level 5 may even be an underestimate," a middle aged woman said crossing her arms.

A elderly man looked at her in shock. "You aren't suggesting she's a level 6 are you? That's… impossible!" He looked panicked at the thought.

"A Level 6 was always theoretically possible. And that Othinus supposedly had such potential," the middle aged woman noted "Besides if reports are to be believed she even brought ITEM back from the dead," she sighed.

Silence fell a moment before the final male voice spoke. "Whether or not we believe it is magic. The fact remains that Index is a threat. And now we have enough evidence to convict her," a smile.

"Based on the fact her name is derived from the collection of heretical texts in the Vatican. We can say with certainty that Index Librorum prohibitorum is a spy from the Roman Catholic Church." The man tapped his finger. "They had tried to take us down before. And they lost world war three to us, so they have the history and motivation."

Standing he looked around the room. "Let us make it official then, once we are a consensus we can proceed with the paperwork. All who agree raise your hand." He raised his own hand.

Soon, every hand in the room was raised, not one was at the side of its owner.

"It's unanimous then, we shall fire the solar nuke and remind the world we are not to be trifled with," the man grinned with cold cruelty.

The paperwork would take a bit of time, but once that was over with.

Nothing short of a miracle could stop the launch.

Skipping around Academy city, Index happily hummed to herself. She had finished her 5th esper a bit ago, and now was in search of a level 3 to confirm her hypothesis. If she was correct, then the level of the esper directly correlated to the amount of energy they'd provide her.

Which would mean that higher level espers would provide exponentially more energy than an esper of lower level. Level 0s would provide the least amount, levels 1 and 2 would each provide a little more. It was an exponential increase from there at level 3. Level 4 would provide a noticeable sum, and level 5 would provide the most.

A certain short haired electromaster came to mind at that moment. Index drooled, imagining Misaka trapped in her jaws. She could almost feel the girl desperately firing railguns and lightning spears at her teeth trying to escape. A gurgle came from the devourer's stomach as if to agree.

Exiting an alley, Index paused outside a shop window sighing. As enjoyable as it'd be to devour that girl for the pain she caused Touma. Her human knew Misaka Mikoto, she was part of his little world. Even though she attacked him for no reason, even though she was immature and violently dishonest.

Touma still cared for Misaka Mikoto. So, Index would protect her and the world around her.

Deciding to check on the girl, Index cast her gaze to the sargasso. Nothing could escape the Devourer's knowledge if she so desired.

She grew worried at the sight of bodies strewn across a bloody battlefield. The issue with her new power was that it was so easy to accidentally kill someone. Index was always holding back. If she didn't she'd have destroyed the universe the moment she clashed against Nuada.

So while she was still getting used to her status as a god. Index had to hold back. Treat the world around her like cardboard… no worse. She had to treat the entirety of reality like a cracked and fragile paperthin plane of glass.

She sighed, relieved seeing that no one important had died. Just some random Anti-skill members. Misaka and the others were alive and well, and had begun convening at the center of the sargasso to continue preparing the ritual.

'Good! It'd be a hassle to revive them, and I don't want to need to sort through the underworlds to find their soul,' Index thought to herself. The fact she treated the idea of reviving people as a hassle may have been a sign of how far she had lost her humanity.

It appeared there had been a small hiccup during her summoning and the cosmic horrors had left her control. Index didn't care why, all that mattered was the issue was resolved. The wild hunt, Demon night parade and Knucklavee had all been chosen because their opponents could beat them without losses.

However the cosmic horrors needed a more delicate hand. Yes It was possible for the espers and Antiskill to defeat them with 0 losses. But it was much less likely than the other 3, so Index had put restrictions on them.

Something appeared to have undone her thou shalt not kill command. However, it was a fairly normal spell and could easily be undone by accident with a golden calf spell. Index didn't desire to do any more work than she had to. So she could save all her care and focus for Touma.

Skipping across the remains of a car, Index raised her hand. Contemplating sending another wave of mythical creatures. She would like to delay them a little longer, however she also risked killing them.

And Index had no desire to kill any of them, heck she was even hesitant to kill Fiamma. Despite what she said back then. Index really didn't want to kill anyone but Stiyl. If she did, she could have easily just snapped her fingers and erased them.

The only reason she hadn't done so to Stiyl. Was because she wanted to deal with him personally. She wanted to feel him die as she devoured him, hear him scream and cry, beg for mercy and beat against her teeth.

She had no desire to do that to Kanzaki, Birdway, Ollerus, Silvia or even Fiamma. Even if they had protected Stiyl it was out of kindness not because they agreed with him.

So, Index lowered her hand and shook her head. No, the risk was too high. If she sent another wave, they would die. The exhaustion, injuries and mental strain would be too much for them.

Exiting the next intersection, Index paused outside a bakery window looking at the food inside. She drooled, looking inside at the different confections. Glancing around quickly Index held her hands in front of her and a number of the baked goods were replicated.

A big goofy grin spread on her face as she giggled and bounced along, popping different desserts into her mouth. Being a god had some fun mundane uses. She didn't need to pay for these because she had created them.

"Mhhhh~" she happily munched on a donut, eyes closed as she walked down the road. Turning a corner she looked up, popping a cupcake into her mouth. Chewing a moment, she swallowed.

Her eyes had caught a glimpse of someone familiar on the road ahead. Wandering with a lavender-haired ringlet girl, members of her clique scanned the area. Was the long haired Shokuhou Misaki. Index could never forget that name. Not even if she did not have an eidetic memory, not after Windsor castle.

According to her memories, and supported by Othinus's, Touma was unable to remember Misaki. Whether it was her own actions or some accident in the past did not matter. What mattered was that Touma could not form or retain memories of Shokuhou Misaki.

Which meant, Kamijou Touma did not know Shokuhou Misaki. The moment Index realized that, she had a dark thought.

Touma… wouldn't notice if she disappeared, would he? He couldn't remember her, so he'd never know she was gone. So, he'd be entirely unaffected by her suddenly disappearing, right?

Index began to follow Misaki as she thought about this, carefully hiding herself. Based on the memories she had gathered. Misaki was a powerful mental esper, the most powerful. She could manipulate the human brain in any way she pleased. Add or remove memories, read minds, send messages, est est.

But most importantly, she could use it on Touma; anger began to fill Index at the realization. Her teeth clicked as she made a people clearing field around her target.

Misaki could have saved Touma. Had she been there at the battle against Ainmire. Touma never would have succumbed to his PTSD. Had she been there, Touma never would have died.

But Misaki had abandoned Touma, given up on him just because he couldn't remember her. She left him for dead while using her lack of athleticism as an excuse to stay out of the fight. She had stayed safe here, while Touma fought both Celt and Ainmire, and died as a result. Index's teeth gnashed and her blood boiled as her rage built. No, not just her rage, but her rage amplified by Othinus's.

Not only had Misaki not been there when Touma needed her most. But she had left him right after he had promised her a miracle. The sky flickered as Index cordoned off space trapping her prey with them none the wiser.

Come to think of it, it was Misaki who had sided with the fake at Windsor. Misaki, who turned against the real Touma all because he did not remember her. It had been Misaki who had used her power to reawaken John's pen, and Misaki who had turned England against Touma.

A low growl could be heard as Index's vibrant purple eyes gained slit pupils for a moment. Touma was better off without such a shallow traitorous bitch. She'd boil in the purgatory of Index's stomach for her betrayal.

Index stepped forward, other than the lavender-haired girl. Misaki's clique was gone. They had all been subconsciously driven off by the people clearing field. As much a shame as it was, it appeared that the lavender-haired girl's loyalty to Misaki had put her on the menu.

The hunt had begun.

Misaki bit her lip, walking as she looked down. She had been helping clear out the weird monsters around the city that had appeared alongside her clique. But, no matter what she did, Misaki's thoughts kept straying to her prince.

She knew Kamijou Touma was involved somehow, and she hated it. She hated how useless she was, she hated that she could do nothing for him.

He could not remember her, but that didn't change the fact she loved him. Touma had promised her he'd find a way to remember her. But if he died fighting then that wouldn't matter.

And if he did? Misaki could do nothing to save him, and she hated it. Being the strongest mental esper meant absolutely nothing outside of Academy city. Magicians as they called themselves could just casually shrug off her power. It meant nothing to them, and could do nothing to stop them.

Worst of all, Miskai hated how much of a hypocrite she was. It had been her who shouted at Misaka for standing by while her prince was in trouble. Yet here she was, hiding from battle in the safety of her clique while Misaka dove headfirst into battle.

But, she had no choice, what could she possibly do to help? She had no physical ability, she couldn't lift heavy objects or punch through solid concrete like Junko. She couldn't launch metal at supersonic speeds like Mikoto. She couldn't create spheres of unstable electrons capable of blasting through nearly anything like Mugino. Heck! She couldn't even give Kamijou any information, because he wouldn't remember it.

A heavy sigh exited her lips as she hung her head walking through the streets. Her right hand gir, Junko. Saw the depressed look on her face and tilted her head. "Queen, are you alright? You've had that troubled look on your face since the railgun vanished." She held a worried look as she spoke.

"I... I'm alright Junko, it's fine… just, a regret is all," Misaki reassured her with a shake of the head.

Junko narrowed her eyes. "I know when you're keeping things to yourself queen, and you're doing it now. Please, tell me what is wrong so I can help you." She grasped the level five's hands with a pleading look. "It hurts to see you like this, and I know many would agree." Junko looked into Misaki's eyes as they stopped walking.

Glancing away a moment, shame filling her. Misaki opened her mouth to speak. but was interrupted by a third voice.

"Don't tell me you're regretting leaving Touma to die, are you long hair?" a cold but familiar voice hissed. Misaki and junko whipped around to see Index standing only a few meters away. Her purple eyes gazed coldly at Misaki as she growled.

Fear filled Misaki for reasons she could not fathom. Why was she afraid of Index? The moment their eyes met, Misaki took a step back. Those vibrant purple eyes were those of a killer. Completely at odds with the nun Misaki had seen only hours earlier. A chill ran down her spine as if she was being hunted by a predator.

Junko stood in front of Misaki. Her hand out to protect the esper as she glared at Index. "You know her queen?" she asked. Keeping her guard up in case Index attacked.

However, Misaki wasn't paying attention, her eyes fixed on Index as she spoke. "M…my prince is dead!?" she asked with a fearful whisper, eyes shaking in horror.

Index snarled, sharp wolf-like canines being made visible in her jaws. "Touma was murdered infront of me, and it could have been prevented if you were there Long hair." She slowly approached. Each footstep echoing through the silent streets. only now did Misaki realize she and Junko were alone.

"You could have saved him, with your power, you could have stopped him from dying!" The world slowly began to bend and twist around them, "but because you were a coward and hid here, Touma died Long hair."

The world contorted and bent into a spatially distorted maze. Like an optical illusion, paths and doors connected despite being in opposite areas. The axis of three dimensional space became interchangeable as the meter lost it's value.

In the midst of it all, Index, its master, stood, hatred seeming to boil in her eyes as she stared at Misaki. Junko's hand subconsciously grabbed Misaki's and squeezed. She was scared, no, she was terrified as sweat rolled down her brow. Index had scared them both, but how, why? What about her scared them?

Index snapped her jaws, "you abandoned Touma, so~" a sadistic grin adorned her face as she licked her lips. Habit burning away, Index seemed to age up a bit, gaining a figure similar to a certain one-eyed god. Clad in the garbs of the devourer once more, Index sneered. "I'm going to devour you Misaki Shokuhou~"

Taking a step forward, Index caused the ground to shudder as she approached her prey. Misaki Shokuhou would pay for her betrayal of Kamijou Touma.

The lavender ringlet girl's eyes flared and she kicked off the ground to attack. Index casually blocked her leg with a hand and yawned. The strike normally would have shattered concrete. But to Index, it felt like she had lightly touched her. Flicking her wrist in a casual manner, the ringlet girl was sent flying into a building.

"Junko!" Misaki shrieked in fear as she looked to where the girl had been launched. Sweat rolled from her brow as she glanced from the hole to Index, weighing her options. Gritting her teeth, the esper raised her remote and pointed it at Index and clicked.

Index chuckled darkly and shook her head at the foolish esper's actions. "Long hair, Long hair, did you really think you could control a god's mind?", she smiled smugly tilting her head. "You can barely run 50 meters, what makes you think a bitch in heat like you could possibly do anything to me?" Index sneered. "Where was I again?" A dark giggle was heard. "Oh right! Eating you, long hair~" she sung out, continuing her slow approach.

The level 5's eyes kept darting to where Junko had been launched. Panting in fear as she took a step back, then another as she shook in fear.

The wall of the building burst as Junko leapt forward, grabbing Misaki with both hands and dashing off. Index paused a moment, blinked, and then burst out laughing holding her stomach. She couldn't help it, did those mortals really think they could escape her? There just wouldn't be any fun if she killed Misaki so quickly, Index just wanted to play with her food.

They had fallen into her trap long ago; there was no escape for them in this non-euclidean maze. Giggling, Index casually walked as she held herself. One hand under her chest with the other supporting her chin. She watched as the duo dashed down one alley, only to pop out of one on the opposite side of the road closer to Index.

An entire three blocks surrounding them had been cut off and made into this spatially distorted maze. Even if Junko hadn't originally been a target. She had been unaffected by the people clearing field. Whether it was due to her loyalty or because she was guarding Misaki and not patrolling didn't matter. Index would eat both of them to fuel her continually growing power.

Junko leapt back from Index who's jaws snapped forward. Carrying Misaki, she dashed up a wall and over the roof. Only to find herself running out of the intersection behind Index.

Misaki swore, her face covered in sweat, Junko looking around rapidly. "Damn it! What is it with this place's direction ability!?" She ruffled her hair in anger. "None of the directions match, corners don't add up, heck even up and down seem subjective!" the long haired bitch shouted.

Gulping Junko panted as she slowly backed from Index, keeping eye contact with the devourer. "Q-queen, I… I think she's trapped us, who knows what she's capable of," the lavender haired girl gulped fearfully.

Index smiled, and tilted her head, closing her eyes. "of course you're trapped! I've bent the space so thoroughly that the value of the meter itself is subjective." An exceedingly cruel idea formed in Index's mind.

She straightened, her smile growing to a smirk. "There's only one way out," she lied. Planting a seed of false hope into their hearts. "If you manage to get there, space will return to normal."

Toying with that false hope. She made them believe there was an escape. Then once the glitter of hope filled them, she'd crush it and the despair would be all the sweeter. She held up a finger, "hey! Long hair! If you can escape my lovecraftian labyrinth I'll let you go okay?"

The unathletic girl shook in fear, her eyes wavering. She knew Index was lying. But, she was incapable of shaking that false hope off. And Index knew that, she knew Misaki would cling to hope no matter how flimsy. After all, this was the girl that, when a fake Touma revealed he could remember her. Had betrayed the real Touma. Misaki Shokuhou was truly a sucker for false hopes. And would cling to them for a sense of safety.

Shaking herself, Junko stood straight. "Queen… lets do it," Misaki looked up at her with tear filled eyes. The lavender haired esper flashed a smile. "It's our only chance, but it's better than no chance."

Misaki nodded back and took a breath, "alright…" She glared at Index. "We'll play your game you self centered child."

Index only laughed loudly at them. How ironic coming from her. But this was perfect, they took the bait knowing it was a trap. One way out, how laughable, Index wasn't some video game boss. There was no escape unless Index allowed it. "Then~ you better start running~" Index sang. "Otherwise I'm gonna get you, and gobble you down like the big bad wolf!" She crouched as the air became tinged purple.

Junko leapt just before Index vanished. A shockwave was heard and Junko was sent spiraling out of control. Creating a crater on the road curved above them. Index looked up at them below. Junko regained her balance and spun around a lamp post, vanishing.

Index had not exaggerated when she called this place a 'lovecraftian labyrinth'. Junko may have gone around a lamp post, but like Index had said. Space was so warped, that the measurements of three dimensional space held almost no meaning. She giggled as she headed down an alley, after taking a page out of Celt's book. Index had also applied the knowledge she had gained from the books Touma bought her.

A shriek of terror was heard above and to the left of her, and Index looked over. It appeared her prey had just figured out what lovecraftian meant.

The duo stood on what appeared to be a distant fire escape, high up. However, the fire escape wasn't actually far away at all. "Wh-when did you gain all that size ability!?" Misaki shouted from Junko's arms.

Since the measurements of the three axis of three dimensional space didn't matter, even things like size became subjective. So, from Misaki and Junko's perspective. Index was a towering giant. And to Index, they were bite sized treats like a certain palm sized god.

Licking her lips, Index reached over to grab the two. But Junko leapt over her and slid down the wall. Landing on the opposite end of the alley, she dashed around into a box.

That was okay, Index didn't want to end this too quickly. She wanted them to struggle some more, to run themselves ragged. She wanted to see them grow hopeless before she let them see a glimmer of freedom. Besides, she already knew exactly where they had gone. Index had designed every last nook and cranny of this distorted space. So she knew where everything led, how it led there and what it did.

Skipping down another alley, Index grinned seeing Misaki and Junko. The two were standing in front of her exhausted. However, once she caught sight of Index, Junko grabbed Misaki. "Queen, hold tight!" She whispered, before leaping upwards.

Index laughed as they vanished over the roof of a building. Standing where the two had just been she smiled, tilting her head. To the side of her was another alley, but the walls were cardboard. It was the box the two had ran through earlier when they had been 'small'.

Turning Index walked down the alley opposite where the two fled, giggling. They'd be rounding corners that didn't exist, heading down stairs that led to ceilings. They'd end up popping out of pathways that didn't connect and even running across walls that should be floors.

But no matter where they ran, Index would inevitably catch them both. Exiting an alley, Index found herself next to the bakery from earlier. A swear from a box of pastries alerted her to where the duo hid, "shit! she's right there!" Misaki hissed.

Broadly grinning, Index turned to the side and saw the two's faces through a hand hole in the box. They must have run down another one of her spatially distorted pathways and had their meter changed.

Approaching the box, Index spoke in a loud mock-disappointed tone. "Oh well, if Long hair won't fill me up, maybe I can try an eclair or two~" she giggled, licking her lips.

Reaching down to the top, she caused the two girls to panic. Junko grabbed Misaki and launched out of the box. Stumbling slightly, she ended up sending herself and Misaki tumbling between Index's legs and past her.

Quickly regaining her balance. Junko dashed down another alley sweating while holding Misaki. Index shrugged and went down another alley.

Seeing the two skidded to a halt directly in front of her. Index giggled, "Hello there~" She went to grab them, baring her teeth in a smile.

Misaki glanced to the side. "Junko!" she pointed. the lavender girl nodded. Kicking a stray chunk of asphalt at Index. Junko kicked off the ground and down the path Misaki had indicated.

Index exited the alley and found a large foot slamming down on her. She grinned as it failed to crush her and grabbed it. Swinging Junko around and down onto the ground in front of her.

They had chosen a spatially distorted path that increased the meter and tried to kill Index. The god laughed loudly at their pathetic plan, "really? Come on~ I'm the one meant to be crushing you. Did you think I was fragile enough to be crushed underfoot?"

Misaki kicked a stray car as Junko picked her up and they scrambled off down another road. Index shrugged and skipped down a road behind her. The two exited an alley near her back to normal. They likely realized that a larger size made them easier targets and had chosen a path that would return them to normal.

"Queen!" Junko shouted as Index leapt at them. Misaki curled up and the change of surface area allowed Junko to weave out of the way. Index's jaws snapped shut on empty air as the two ran into a building.

Index smiled and followed them. Did they think her labyrinth didn't also extend to the interior of buildings?

They were just making it harder for themselves

Misaki yelped in fear, curling up as Junko skidded to a halt. They stopped just before a ledge avoiding falling down the immense pit before them.

Looking up, Misaki's eyes bulged, "What the actual hell!? What's with this place's confusion ability!?" she cried out in annoyance.

Despite having entered a building, the area before them could not have fit inside the structure they were in. It was as if every building in the block's stairwells had been shoved into this one space and more.

The pit before them disappeared into darkness, and the ceiling extended beyond the visible eye. It was like a reimagining of MC esher's Stairway piece. Walkways went up and along walls. Stairways would go down and sideways. Doors would be in ceilings and sideways along the wall.

Misaki found her head spinning trying to take in all the contradictory info and shook her head. Clearing her mind, she focused. 'I don't need to try and make sense of it all at once. I just need to take it in over time, figure it out as we go.'

Looking at Junko she saw the girl was staring with her mouth open in confusion. She wasn't able to adapt to such a mind bending landscape as easily as Misaki.

Laughter echoed behind them and Misaki swore. Lifting her remote she clicked. 'Junko! Left!' she thought at her friend.

Snapping out of her stupor, Junko responded, turning to her left and dashing towards a doorway. As long as she only focused on her current perspective she'd be fine.

"Fangs and Claws, the Index has you in- her- jaws~, Floors and walls, you are stepping in- my- halls~" Index sang as she slowly approached behind them, swaying side to side. Like a certain horror flick with a pedophilic dream killer, the song sounded like a children's chant. However, there was an undertone that felt grand and powerful.

Misaki and Junko busted through the door and ran inside. They found themselves in an office-like room. One wall was just a massive window overlooking part of the city they were in. The distorted landscape of the labyrinth was visible even from inside. However the room itself was actually fairly standard with desks and cubicles.

'Junko, the door over there!' Misaki thought, and Junko nodded, responding. The number 5 had created a telepathic link between her and Junko. It was something Misaki generally never did, but this was an emergency. And the two of them trusted each other enough for it to work.

Index poked her head in and looked their way, smiling. "Hey Long hair, I got something you- don'-t have~" she stepped inside just as the two charged through a doorway on the opposite side of the room. "Sho-kuhou, don't you want to kno-ow~" the god teased as her footsteps echoed behind them.

'Queen, ignore her, she's just distracting us.' Junko's brow creased as they charged down a hallway that twisted clockwise. 'Let's focus on escaping her.' she leapt up and spun around. Her feet landed on the 'ceiling' and Shokuhou noticed the door on the other end was now rightside up to them.

Index's chanting echoed behind them. "Something that you wish- you- had~" she sang. Her childish chime taunting Misaki even when she couldn't see her.

Mental out nodded, 'I… I know.' the two exited the door and found themselves back in the chamber from before. 'It's just hard you know.' they were standing on the wall, opposite of their entrance, on a walkway facing to the left of the entrance.

Looking up, Misaki's eyes widened, on the wall to the right and a little above the entrance, was Index. She strode along a walkway which was oriented to the floor upside down. This made it oriented, right of Misaki and Junko.

"I'm the one, he lost his past for. I'm the one, he fought a war for~" Index sang. She slipped through an arch as Junko ran and turned a corner holding Misaki. They popped out on the wall, below the entrance they had entered.

At the same time, Index appeared on a walkway below and opposite the entrance. She was oriented to the ground from the entrance and smiled at them as she traced the railing next to her.

"I'm the one he always returns to. I'm the one who confessed to him~" the god continued. The childlike chanting pierced Misaki's mind as the tone slowly began to shift. Junko kicked open a door to the side of them as Index entered one next to her.

They tumbled into a hotel swiet and a door just beside them opened. 'JUNKO!' Misaki mentally panicked and her friend's eyes widened.

She just barely tumbled away as Index's jaws snapped closed where her head had been. "Hey now, are you jealous of me~" Index giggled. Her eyes sparkled darkly as Junko faced her.

Misaki bit her lip, of course she was Jealous of Index. How couldn't she be?

'Back and up!' Misaki thought to Junko, she was beginning to get a hang of this landscape now. She could match up doors to predict where they'd go, and use that to her advantage. However, the issue was that often multiple of the same type of door will be used in a building.

Junko followed her order and leapt backwards, rotating upside down. She avoided Index's viper strike and landed on a door. It swung open causing them to land on a balcony-like structure in the main chamber. It was directly below the entrance they came in from. Meaning, the door they used to enter the room behind them was on the underside of this balcony.

Index turned down a hall next to her, eyeing them with a smile as she licked her lips. "You're the one, who's lost in the past. You're the one, who stays at home~." She rubbed Misaki's failures into her, causing her heart to grow heavier.

Tears slowly began forming in her eyes, 'what else was I supposed to do?' she thought to herself. 'Left!' Misaki thought of Junko, who responded and she turned and kicked open another door.

They were greeted with the open maw of Index as she held her jaws over the entryway. Junko grabbed the doorframe, stopping them from tumbling down Index's maw. Quickly she pulled them backwards just as Index's jaws snapped shut.

Misaki painted, sweat rolling down her brow as Index gazed at them with a vibrant purple eye. "You are the one, who he'll never return to. You are the one, who won't move on.~" she continued to jeer as the duo turned.

'R-RIGHT!' Misaki thought, heart pounding as she shivered. Junko bit her lip and did as told, doubling back and charging through the door right of the last door they entered.

'Queen, are you alright, what is she going on about? Who is she talking about!?' Junko glanced at Misaki worried. She opened the door this time before entering and the two found themselves heading down a hallway slowly curving upwards.

Misaki clung to her friend's chest as they charged down the hallway. 'Kamijou-san… my prince,' she admitted for the first time to a member of her clique.

Junko's eyes widened and they exited the hall to the main chamber again. This time they were on the left wall, above and a little forward to the entrance. They were oriented upside down facing the entrance as they ran beside a guardrail.

'Your prince? You mean that gentleman whom Misaka brought to Tokiwadai during the element attack?' she frowned. 'I don't distrust your judgment but, I assumed he was some dirty player with how many girls liked him'

They turned to the right and entered a door, now opposite on the right wall, orientated to it but level with the entrance. 'He isn't, he just isn't aware how loved he is,' Misaki sighed. 'Right, and down' she thought before continuing. 'He saved me, and many others, yet treats himself like he's worthless.' Tears fell from Misaki's eyes as she bit her lip, clutching Junko's neck.

Junko closed her eyes for a moment as they slipped down a door and walked down a flight of stairs. 'Oh… that's… horrible, I trust you, and support you queen. So, I'm sorry for your loss,' She thought as she opened the next door.

'Thank you Junko,' Misaki smiled, they had entered a school room from the closet. 'But not everyone seems to agree,' she thought as a door across from them slid open, "Left!"

Index strode in as she sang, the tones had swapped. The childish chanting was the undertone now, and the powerful grandeur was the overtone. It now held the feel of a divine grudge, "Star eyed one, look at what I have done. I am the one, who has saved his soul. I am the one, who protects him now~" she bragged as she approached. Her half open smile haunted Misaki as she casually kicked a desk aside.

It flew towards the duo, and Junko kicked it back, rotating sideways and slipping out a door. Index casually touched the desk and it vanished as she giggled watching them run.

They exited, to what appeared to be a reception area. However, the front entrance didn't lead outside. 'Through there,' Misaki nodded and Junko dashed to it. They returned to the main chamber again. Now far above the entrance, they stood on the wall with the entrance to their left.

A door on the floor opened in front of them. Index grinned, tilting her head. "I am the one, who has healed his mind. I am the one, who has him now~" she sang, leaping through.

'LEFT!' Misaki thought loudly again, Junko ducked left just as Index's foot came down knocking the door they came through off its hinges. She turned on her heel and threw a fist, one which Junko barely avoided.

The girl's words burned in Misaki. She hated it, what right did Index have to kill her. What right did she have to her prince? She was jealous, she was envious. Index had everything she wanted and now she was mocking her for it.

Misaki looked forward, 'the door to the right!' she thought. Junko obeyed and they entered another room, it was a large parlor and they were on the wall.

'I hate these ones,' Junko noted as she ran, Misaki didn't blame her. They were once more the size of mice in comparison to the room. Meaning Index could just swallow them whole and neither liked that idea.

"Blond haired one, look at what you have done. You are the one, who broke his heart. You are the one, who had abandoned him~." As if to drive the point home, Index exited a door just to the side of them in the parlor proper. She smiled and reached out, tearing the platform out from in front of them.

Misaki paled and pulled herself closer to Junko who had sped up. 'J..Junko!?' she asked confused. leaping over the gap, Junko landed on the other side avoiding Index's hand.

Entering another door as Index giggled, licking her lips. Junko gazed concerned at Misaki. 'Queen? Are you alright?' she asked. 'What does she mean?' They slipped through a door into what looked like a foyer.

But Misaki couldn't hold it in anymore. She twisted her head around when Index entered their vision from a door above. Junko kicked to the side avoiding her armored foot as Misaki shouted.

"Yes I abandoned him! yes I broke his heart!" she cried out, her heart screaming in pain. "So what!? WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO!?" Tears rolled down her face. "I did everything… I had no choice… I had to save him even if it cost me my position in his life." Junko leapt as Index's leg went to sweep. "I have no physical ability! I can't fight alongside him, I am useless against magicians, and I'm useless against anything not human!"

Junko glanced to the side even as Index's smile broadened. The girl was enjoying Misaki's angry outburst. As if she took pleasure from her suffering.

Tears fell from Misaki's face as she shouted, "How in the world was I meant to help him when he was fighting literal mythical creatures!?" she demanded, as Junko charged towards a door.

Index sneered, slamming a fist into the wall. The ceiling fell in front of them and Junko rolled past it. "You could have eased the pain of his PTSD," she declared before continuing her song.

Misaki's eyes widened in shock and horror. PTSD, so she wasn't joking. Her prince did have PTSD, and it led to his death. How… How did he have PTSD? Her heart screamed at her, it was obvious, of course he'd have it. Anyone would after they experienced what he has, the pain he's been through.

Junko opened the door, returning to the main chamber once more. This time, opposite down and to the left of the entrance they were on the wall facing downwards. 'Queen? Wh… what was that?' Junko asked Misaki, concerned at her shocked expression.

Misaki bit her lip, 'could… could I really have saved him?' she asked herself.

The door on the wall below and to the right of them opened and Index's head poked out with that unsettling smile. Junko leapt back as Misaki gestured to a door behind them. "You are the one, who shattered his mind. You are the one, who will never have him~" Index sneered as the two slipped into another door.

Blood fell from Misaki's lips, her heart squeezing as they tumbled into the outside.

From a certain point of view, Index was right about Misaki. She left him because he couldn't remember her, breaking his heart. She had abandoned him, checking in only to see if he remembered her. She was the one who shattered his mind, making him unable to remember her to begin with.

Was she really right to want a miracle? Was she just being cruel to that boy forcing expectations onto him?

Did she really deserve Touma?

"In the end, you are just a false queen.~" Index sang her own answer.

Misaki wasn't sure, but Index could be right.

Index laughed as she followed after the duo. This was too fun, they kept trying to trick Index, hide from her or even run from her. Utterly unaware of how pointless their struggles were.

They genuinely believed they could escape. Which meant it was time for Index to finish her plate.

Exiting the building she took a few turns. Index licked her lips, seeing the two running on the road below her. She had taken a path that increased her meter, making them small relative to her. Striding forward Index could only chuckle, amused as Junko sped up trying to outpace her.

Junko passed the back of the bakery, and Index 'untangled' space. Space reverted to its normal state and hope began to shine in the duo's eyes. The lie Index had planted into their hearts taking root. It blossomed into a poisonous tree of false hope, but just as Junko was about to exit the alley.

Index grinned

Gesturing, Index caused space to contort, pulling Junko and Misaki back towards her. She grabbed the back of Junko's head as terror filled their eyes. Swinging Junko around into the wall, Index's foot slammed into her chest.

Pinned, unable to move, Junko's eyes could only widen in fear as Misaki was wrenched from her grip. Index caught the esper with one hand as Junko paled, "Queen!" she shouted.

Throwing Misaki upwards, Index distorted her space and the long haired girl fell into her palm. Gripping the honey colored girl, Index licked her lips, mouth watering in anticipation. "Sorry~ guess I won! So, that means I get to eat you!" she teased, with a tilt of her head. Her cute demeanor, at complete odds with her behavior.

Index's heart beat rapidly as she saw the hope instantly die in both girl's eyes. Despair filled them as tears welled in Misaki's eyes. Junko desperately struggled, punching, kicking and screaming as she tried to break free.

Index ignored it, focusing on the girl she held in her grip.

Misaki had said she loved Touma, yet she wasn't by his side when he needed her. She'd only show up when convenient for herself, and then cause trouble. Only helping if it was beneficial to her, she wasn't there during GREMLIN. She wasn't there during Denmark, she wasn't there against High Priest and Kamisato.

She only showed up with Coronzon, and then stole Touma's severed arm! Even against Anna she just got in the way, never even thinking to understand what she was dealing with.

And she wasn't there against the fey, she just showed up once at that diner. But never was around when Touma and the others were fighting.

She used her un-athletic body as an excuse to avoid helping him. And Touma had died as a result, when she could have easily saved him.

She said she loved Touma, but when a fake had posed as Touma, she sided with it just because it had memories of her. She cast aside the real Touma because he wasn't the Touma 'she' knew.

So, Index came to a conclusion. Misaki didn't love Touma. She loved the Ideal Touma, her Ideal Touma. She obsessively clung to some idealized version of Touma. Her Touma, who remembered her, desperately desired a miracle that would make him remember her.

She seemed to feel entitled to Touma, treating him like they were destined lovers. Thinking that the only thing stopping her from being with him was that he didn't remember her. She didn't care that he was his own person and didn't need to love her. She just saw him as a knight in shining armor, and thought she was the fairy tale princess. That was why she called him her 'prince' it must have been.

According to Othinus's memories, when Touma had landed in front of her on the AAA, she had been fully prepared to violate him. Defiling the sacred act of union between lovers. She saw Touma as an object owing her his affection, like Ainmire did the fey.

Even the short haired Misaka who too seemed to feel entitled to Touma. Had never attempted or been prepared to attempt. To force herself onto her Touma, her human.

Lifting Misaki up to her face, Index sneered at her small, struggling form. Her pathetic cries causing pleasure to build in Index's chest. "Goodbye bitch in heat!" Index mocked, "my stomach will take very good care of you." She raised Misaki over her head and opened her mouth, dangling Misaki over it.

Junko screamed in desperation, electricity crackling around her as she swung her fist. But her attack didn't even cause Index to react, "no… no… QUEEEEEN!" she cried, clawing at Index's foot.

Face red with tears as she struggled, Misaki looked down and froze. Index saw the fear in her eyes as she trembled. Heart beating rapidly and saliva filling her mouth, Index felt heat fill her body. The pleasure of Misaki's hopelessness filling her very being.

But just as she went to drop the girl down her throat. Misaki spoke weakly. "K-kamijou san… please… s-save me," she whimpered, closing her eyes.

Index paused, her hand frozen mid motion, why?

Why couldn't she finish off this damn bitch in heat?!

Touma could not remember Misaki, so he'd be unable to miss her. She didn't exist in his mind, so he'd never realized someone he knew had vanished.

So, why couldn't Index finish the job and just eat the damned bitch? It's not like Touma would ever fall for her, especially after losing Othinus. So, it'd be a mercy to spare her the pain of never being with him.

Index felt herself shaking, slowly closing her mouth, she lowered Misaki. Spitting the saliva from her mouth, Index looked at Misaki as she held her in both hands. She tilted her head at the trembling girl as she thought.

Back at Josephs, when Misaki had shown up, Index recalled the hurt in Touma's eyes. He had been in so much pain realizing he was unable to remember Misaki, but more importantly.

"If you think that you'll need to forever be forgotten, and that you'll never get that miracle that you've been waiting for."

Touma's promise echoed in her head as she felt her heart clench. Index grew cold, her mouth dried out and she bit her lip.

"I'll shatter that Illusion for you"

A certain phone appeared in Index's mind, and she now knew why she couldn't do it.

Even if Touma couldn't remember Misaki, he'd know he'd have lost something. And Index couldn't bear the look on his face when he realized he'd be unable to fulfill that promise.

Touma may not be able to remember her, but Misaki was undoubtedly part of Touma's world. Despite all her crimes, despite the pain she caused him, despite her unjust desire for a miracle. Misaki was someone Touma cared for, even back in Winsdor castle Touma had come to the sound of her whistle.

Index had promised to protect Touma's world, so that's what she would do. Even if she hated Misaki, even if Touma was better off without her. Index would protect her, so that Touma's world would not shatter.

Because of that, Index could not eat Misaki, no, she would not eat her.

But that didn't mean she wouldn't make her pay for her sins against Touma.

Growling, Index tossed Misaki to the side, "You should be grateful you're important to Touma," Index began. She glared at Misaki who had returned to normal, the shaking girl gazed fearfully at Index. "I don't like you, long haired bitch in heat," Index hissed. "But Touma would hate to lose someone, even if he can't remember them," she stepped back from Misaki.

The Mental Out sighed in relief, tears rolling down her face as she looked up. But the sadistic grin on Index's face caused her to pale, "b-b- but?" she asked hesitantly.

Index giggled darkly, sneering "But, you still need to be punished for your crimes against my human Touma," she turned to Junko who was pinned under her foot. Misaki paled and Junko's eyes went wide as she struggled even more violently. Biting, clawing, kicking and punching as fear filled her.

But she couldn't move Index a single centimeter, let alone push her off.

"So~ I'm going to eat her, and you'll be forced to watch, unable to do anything," Index reached down a sinister purple glow coiling around her hand. "So that you know how I felt when Touma lay dying in my arms with a bloody hole in his chest!"

Misaki screamed in anger, hate filling her eyes as she threw herself at Index. But the girl was so pathetic that Index didn't need to even pay attention to her. She desperately grabbed and wrestled at Index, unable to stop her as Index's hand grabbed Junko.

"Don't you touch her with those filthy hands you depraved, false nun!" she roared, clawing at Index's face.

Index paid her no mind even as the girl bit at her cheek trying to draw blood. "You have no right to demand things from a god," she lifted the Junko up. "Besides, like I said, you need to pay for the pain and suffering you've given Touma," she lifted Junko to her face. "So, would you mind filling my tummy up?" Index smiled, tilting her head.

Misaki screamed in fury as she grabbed at Index's hand, trying to pull it off of her friend. But was thrown to the wall unable to move as Index turned to her holding Junko.

Junko glared at Index in defiance, swinging her head back, headbutting Index's face. But the great Devourer only grabbed Junko, jaws opening to welcome another soul into the library.

Junko used her hands to try and keep Index's jaws off her head and turned to Misaki. "Q-queen! Please! While she's busy with me… run," a sad smile graced her face as Index's jaws enveloped her. Index could feel her try to use her power to injure Index from within. Unable to as her AIM was drained from her while Index consumed it.

"Ho….HOZAKEEEEEEEEE!" Misaki cried out in terror calling Junko's name out as she struggled. "G… gi…Give her back to me you dumb nun, GIVE ME BACK MY BEST FRIEND!"

Index eyed Misaki amused as she enjoyed the struggling esper in her jaws. The long haired bitch glared at Index as she rolled Junko around her tongue. Trying to pry Index's jaws open to save her friend. How pointless, Misaki's efforts would be useless, even if she used enough strength to split the planet in two.

Giggling sadistically, Index bit through junko's hand. Screams reverberated through Index's body and Misaki paled. Blood leaked through her lips and Index licked it off grinning. Misaki went limp, tears pouring down her face as she realized she couldn't stop Index.

Slowly tilting her head back, she swallowed, heart beating rapidly. As Junko continued to struggle, squirming down her throat in an attempt to escape. Index turned to Misaki, cold eyes glaring into the esper.

"You betrayed Touma," Index began, "you use your lack of athletic ability as an excuse to avoid physical labor." She glared at Misaki, Junko's memories flowing into her. "You're perfectly willing to charge into battle with your cliche, even throw yourself aside for them. But you were a coward when it came to Touma, you acted like a helpless damsel to catch his attention. Never putting in more than the bare minimum of effort."

Grabbing Misaki by the neck, Index pressed her against the wall with her elbow."And when that didn't work, you betrayed Touma back at Windsor castle for that fake. Just because it could remember you," Index brought her face right up to Misaki's and snarled.

"The truth is this, you don't love Touma, you love the 'Touma' who protects you. You don't see him as a person, you see him as your fairy tale prince," cold purple eyes pierced Misaki's soul. "For that, I hate you, you're just a lying bitch in heat who can't let go."

Index dropped Misaki, gasping for breath, Misaki gazed at Index with hate-filled eyes. "I…I'm going to t-" she began hissing, but Index cut her off.

"If you so much as hint at what happened to anyone I'll eat another of your clique," Index promised. "So, stay quiet, and I'll leave you alone for the rest of your life," she gazed coldly at the level five.

Misaki fell silent staring at Index, jaw agape mid sentence. What she saw before her was no longer the gentle nun she had seen with her prince. No, from the way she spoke and held herself, this was something between Index and Othinus.

She'd speak in a cold and refined manner, but it held an underlying playfulness. She'd refer to herself as a god, and Touma as 'her human'. But she'd also use the childish nicknames of Long-hair, and refer to Touma by his first name.

If Misaki had pointed that out, she may not have survived. But she was too terrified to move, let alone speak.

Index's demeanor changed, she smiled happily, "Good!" She stood up. "Touma cares about you so I can't let you die, you can go long hair just don't tell anyone~." The giggling armored devourer turned and walked off, leaving Misaki in the alley.

People walked by the alley as Misaki stared off to where Index had vanished. Her clique would likely be looking for her, but the level five wasn't thinking about that.

She just felt cold, her closest friend was gone and her killer was untouchable.

Falling to her knees, Misaki curled up.

And cried.

Aaaand that was dark wasn't it? Index is going off the deepens pretty quickly. Now that were at the bottom of the chapter. I wanted to say, wasn't expecting Weaver to end up being as popular as she was in last chapter. So, if you'd like an Omake with her Touma and Index I'd be perfectly willing to make one.

Anyways, this chapter was another interesting one to right. Index's chant, was inspired by of course the Freddy chant from Nightmare on Elm Street. But it also was in my head combined with motifs from DMDokuro's Universal Collapse from the calamity mod.

Anyways, see you next week!