Out of near infinity you've returned to me, welcome back readers, if you're there. Sorry for the long wait, but I wanted to make this final chapter perfect… but oh? There's two releases? That's right people, you're getting both the final chap and the epilogue in one day! I hope they are good enough to make up for the long AF wait. Me and my bro rails put a lot of effort into this chapter and the epilogue. If anything these should have some of our best quality yet… hopefully.

In other news, during the production of the last chap and epi, I ended up catching covid. It's been over for a week, but a lot happens in a month or two. Such as Real life stuff, such as college prep using transitions, and whatnot. Oh but there's one thing I think some of you lovely readers would appreciate hearing about. Me and my main man rails found what character we wanted to use as reference for our dear selkie maid OC's design. After we went through a few diff characters from different franchises. I ended up seeing Toine Hiryute from Danmachi and going, that's it, that's what Muireann looks like. Yeah she has green eyes instead of gray, but that's kinda the only thing about her physical design that's not correct and easy to compensate with imagination. Just switch out the outfit, add a harbor seal hoodie and you pretty much got an accurate depiction of Muireann.

Anyways, without further ado, let's do them reviews!

[Craytherlay-

whwsms:{good to see you again, and yep very much rip Stiyl, that couldn't be pleasant. It's less mule headed and more just arrogance and ignorance and fear of the unknown. And oh yes… you're about to see what this has alll been building up towards.}

Guest:{My dear, dear friend… don't make me spoil, but I think you're going to love what this chapter has in store. And ah, annoying thing about FFN is, is that it doesn't like, give guests any… defining differences. So us writers are unable to know if two people are the same or not.}

D. :{Oh and that was on purpose, it was meant to be disturbing. Im glad you actually realized how fucked up this shit was. Especially with Still being 14 years old, no kid should live like him. He was a dick alright, but yeah, what Index did to him was utterly uncalled for.

Oh, no doubt, sure nothing would be in the grave, as there's literally nothing to put in it. But it'd be a formal grave in memory of him.

Yep, and you're about to see some hopefully epic AF shit.}

Mr?:{The main man is back at it again, glad you could make it.

Oh? OOOOH? I surprised the Mr Question mark? Now that's something to be proud of. Glad it was a nice surprise and not a let down though.

Honestly the idea to kill off Stiyl came from my bro Gero on discord, or allhaillordmegatron on FFN. It ended up becoming a big thing as it'd be the perfect way to end his arc in my story. Me and Rails needed his speech to hit hard, and I think rails achieved that wonderfully. I'm also glad it fit the dynamic Kamachi set up with them in your eyes. Stiyl's confrontation with Index was always going to be tense, but i'm overjoyed it came out as well as it did. Index was gonna have to face what she became one way or another. It was just a matter of the right moment, and this was the right moment. Im even more overjoyed to hear I surpassed expectations.

I hope it surpasses your Expectations again.}

5had0wHand:{Hooo,boy… this is a long review…

Understandable, IrL sucks sometimes and you rarely get to do what you want.

Well I mean they've been built up as the leaders of the city. So of course they believe they're important, and glad you noticed the similarities between them and the Japanese gov in Shin Godzilla. I actually was hoping a similar vibe could be felt from it. And yeah… even in real life, governments seem always eager to fight. But always take forever to actually fucking help anyone.

A contradiction, yet not, because humans are ourselves contradictory creatures. I'm exceedingly happy you got those kinds of vibes from their scene. Cause they are embodying those contradictions when you think about it. They are big names as they run Academy city, but they are small fish in an immense ocean.

Aliester is meant to be a contradiction, so getting those vibes was very important. So the fact that vibe was achieved and even noticed and mentioned, makes me very happy. Because in his situation, he would be amused, terrified and all sorts of contradicting emotions.

I mean, they run a city of science. What did you expect?

Touma's a masochist by this point lets not lie to ourselves. Glad you liked the wholesome artificial angel girl moment. And dude… no way was Fiamma gonna pass up such an opportunity. It was only nature, running its course.

Yeah that was an important difference, where with Othinus no one knew her or the context of her actions. Everyone had the context and knew why Index did what she did, so of course they'd be softer on her. To be fair…it was a very big tent, and hey even Misaka knows a shitty idea when she hears one.

The culmination of his character arc in this story was always gonna build up to this. I may not have known right away, but thinking back this was only the natural path for him. You can thank Rails for this phenomenal speech, yeah the basics was written by me. But Rails took that rough pig iron, and turned it into a jewel encrusted gold ingot. And.. yes I guess Touma really did get a taste of his his own medicine there.

Hey, I mean… he's a mortal, she's a great devourer goddess… so yeah lasting as long as he did is impressive as fuck.

Huh, you're right, their roles were kinda reversed here weren't they? But its great it ended up being so emotional for you.

I mean… there really wasn't much else they could do, and yeah. It is difficult managing… what? 10? 20? Separate characters maybe more. So I decided to go for some Thanos comes to Wakanda vibes for that scene. Where all the character are desperately trying anything to slow Index down but she's just an unstoppable force. XD thats a nice one, thanks me and Rails have been doing our best for this story.

A good choice of waifu}]

[Dragonrails- Sup readers I hope enjoy the final chapter!, let me apologize for the long period of time for the release of this chapter, I really felt this chapter really needed to be as emotional as possible, so I had Cray go back a few times and redo some parts I felt needed to drive the emotions to you the readers, I literally told Cray.

"we'll make them feel feeling! (Laugh evilly) They'll hate us for it but love us for the commitment",

so I hope the long wait was worth it everyone I really enjoyed helping Cray a lot with this story and honestly felt good being in the background to the success of the story, working with someone who actually listens to your ideas and thinks they'll go great with the story is an awesome thing, although my plan against Cray for killing our favorite girl is still the planning stages, either way it was great seeing you readers enjoy the story so along with Cray I thank you as well!

whwsms:{glad you liked the chapter, we were going for short and to the point, as for Stiyl did i go too far or just right?, as for Index i won't spoil it, but I'm hoping it was an appropriate one given the circumstances}

D. :{ the Stiyl took us awhile to get right, Cray had a real insight on what happened to him and how he was gonna go out in the story, i merely gave him that speech right before he was killed, me and Cray really wanted to deliver something emotional for him as a character, and giving his reasons we spent a long time on that scene in particular.}

Mr?:{ Wait wait wait did the Mr? Actually like the speech! I'm honored to have you say that! Cray liked it as well, he to felt like having it really did add some flare to Stiyl's end, But having you compliment it is a great feeling, Me and Cray were hoping the Stiyl scene really showed how far he was willing to go, and especially considering his Age and his dislike for Touma, but I'm glad you liked it}

5had0WHand:{ Yeah won't lie 5had0w, I had completely forgotten about the Board of Directors, till Cray had mentioned them, but I felt like he was on track with how some of the Board members were quick to choose violence.

As for Aliester, I'll admit I have trouble with his character, only because he can sound and express a lot of different things all at once, so it's like trying to see if I juggle several things, at once before something falls on my foot!.

Right good luck in trying to ease his burden ladies, and right Touma has to love burdens hard-core like Mikoto and Gekoto, even as an artificial Daughter, she'll try to help out her dad lol.

Me and Cray spent a long time comparing Othinus and Index's misdeeds and their differences, while yes either one of them given the chance would fight and protect Touma they would ultimately go about it in different ways, while Index's motives are clear to everyone, Othinus wouldn't tell you anything unless your useful or not even care if you did find out, also I had that image of them in a tent or somewhere and have them talking about the situation, but given the amount of characters all in one scene it was tough to come up with some responses.

From the reviews it seems like me and Cray achieved our goal, we really wanted you readers to feel a lot of things with the Stiyl scene, we spent a good amount of time on that scene alone and the rewrites Cray had to do, we also wanted Touma to get a better understanding of Stiyl as well, I personally called it the "I hate your guts down to my very soul, but she matters more than my personal grudge against you" scene, also I like your bit about Stiyl in your review and I felt like it on point, Me and Cray wanted to express his desire to save Index but he knew towards the end he wouldn't see that gentle expression he grew to love, but ultimately saw the opposite.

Also you too!? Thank Othinus! Let me tell you, I thought the very same, I had to imagine this scene as something from a Marvel and DC movie as well as a few Animes I watch, manly Marvel's Endgame and Spider-man No Way Home helped, seeing the amount of characters that were being used towards the end, Me and Cray had take a step back and really decide if we were lacking or if it was enough or possibly add more, we didn't want to describe every little action and add unnecessary details or over completing the entire thing, but I'm glad you brought it up, it was something me and Cray thought over.}]

By the way, the authors notes will be at the end of the epilogue rather than 68 and will be extra long. But! Before you groan, you maaaay wanna read till the very end, I got a surprise for you. And remember, constructive criticism is both encouraged and desired. And with that out of the way, let us close the book on this tale of an infinity.


Chapter 68

Live as a monster, die as a human:

Third Option? I Am Gleipnir

Index's cries echoed across the sargasso, Touma felt his restraints break as Index lost control of her power. He looked up to see tears pouring down Index's face as she had fallen to her knees. The world shook and cracks ran through the air as she was overcome with grief and confliction.

Gleipnir lay but a meter away from Touma and a groan came from Kanzaki a few feet further back.

Now was the moment they had been waiting for. But no one else was close enough to chain Index with Gleipnir and begin the ritual. The pain of learning Stiyl had loved her had broke Index. She had been forced to face the truth of what she had become and was fighting to reject it. But if they did not act now, Index would regather herself and they would never get another chance to seal her.

With no other options, Touma scrambled forward, tears filling his eyes and reached out. Psychedelic fibers wrapped around his right hand as he grabbed Gleipnir. Not even checking if he was holding the right end as he charged at Index. Her head had sunk forward as she began to come to terms with herself. Index cries had faded and her shoulders had relaxed. Just as Touma saw the tendons in her wrist begin to tense, her resolve returning, his own arm pulled back. The shining barbed end of Gleipnir in his grasp.

'Index, if you think I'm gonna sit back and watch as you become an evil god and eat everything I love. If you think you can take my world away from me and get away with it. If you think you can force your selfish desires onto the world without consequences just because you're a goddess. And, if you think that being a goddess means you can hide from the pain by indulging in me.' His arm swung forward screaming through the air at supersonic speeds. 'Then, I'll shatter those twisted self indulgent and prideful illusions of yours and drag you back down to earth!'

Gleipnir pierced Index's back and tore through her chest. Her eyes flew wide as she gasped in shock. She looked down slowly at herself, shaking. Her body was torn open, vibrant purple replacing crimson red. Her divine blood dripped from the golden thread. Those droplets of ichor splashed against the sargasso before sizzling a moment and igniting into an essence burning flame. The chunks of debris it clung to rapidly losing their physical presence.

She slowly turned her head and saw Touma, her expression fell in shock. Tears glittered for a moment as they formed in her eyes and she looked in horror at the one who had attacked her. "Hu… man… Tou…ma" she muttered the sound of her shock and feeling of ultimate betrayal clearly audible. "W…Why?" She whispered, as the tears began to fall. Her hand shook as she grabbed the chain and pulled on it. "Why…Why are you trying so hard to save me…" said Index as she coughed out some blood as her voice got louder. "Were you really not happy with me in that phase we shared? Was it really that bad for you to have that peaceful life you deserve? You could've just sat back and let someone else carry the burden for you! "WHY COULDN'T YOU JUST LET SOMEONE ELSE SAVE ME!?" the tears poured down her face and she snapped angrily. Her teeth, biting down on the thread, but barely causing a scratch.

"I was happy Index… I was very happy," Touma said weakly. "I loved our time together in that phase you made for me, Index. But it was wrong, I didn't earn that happiness Index. So, I couldn't accept it, and…" he looked up at her, tears forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry Index," Touma bit his lip and pushed back the pain glaring into her eyes. "But I already promised Stiyl I'd keep playing the hero for you! And, I can't let you take my world away from me. I'm selfish, and I don't want to see you change."

Index froze for a moment as if she just processed what she was told. "After everything that pathetic mortal did to you Touma. The pain, the suffering and the torture, all because he was jealous of you. Despite all of that you're still going to keep a promise to him?" She raised her head as despite being stabbed, it wasn't that, that hurt her. It was seeing her human putting a stop to her. Seeing his determination and warrior spirit right in front of her made her cry. "Why…..why now?...why do you have to show this side of yourself now!"? She squeezed her eyes shut, her glittering tears splashing against the ground causing vibrant flowers to sprout. "You didn't have to be so… so Touma, Touma! it didn't have to be you of all people, why couldn't you let one of those foolish mortals handle this, it would've been easier that way. You didn't need to be the one to chain me!"

She shouted as she opened her eyes and started right into his eyes. "It's…not…fair why are you the one who always has to suffer, you threw yourself into hell and fought the world for us human. You suffered countless deaths to become our understander. You took this lonely goddess and showed her so much more. You showed her that a normal life was worth protecting, worth having! But seeing you suffer as everyone smiled wasn't worth it, I wanted you to live happily!" Her shoulders sagged and head sank while tears poured out of her eyes. "Why couldn't you just be selfish for once. We've already been forced to watch you die twice already, human! Don't make us lose you a third time. Without you human… the world would be too cold for us. A-and, we can't handle such a cruel world, we can't be alone like that again, Understander!" Her lip quivered as her eyes shook, "I'd... I'd be too afraid to live in such a world." Index said as the two looked at each other for a moment as if time had stopped.

Touma swore he could hear Othinus's voice alongside Index's. He could picture her face alongside Index's as she stared tearfully at him. lifting his right hand, he held her cheek. "Because… he asked me for help Index, and that's all the reason I ever need. And besides, like I said. I don't want to see you change, to be honest I liked you just the way you were before you went all devourer on me" said Touma, smiling kindly as Index's eyes widened at what she was just told.

Index paused and her tearful eyes widened in shock. Her lips quivered as she took in his words. Touma liked the way she was before, despite how badly she treated him.

"I can't let you throw away your life like this Index. I can't let that innocent smile of yours become tainted, I won't let anyone else be your hero Index, because I want to be the one to save you. So, don't deny me my selfishness," shouted Touma as Index's chest throbbed. The dull ache, not caused by the chain piercing her heart. But from the words her human has spoken, only he could give such a perfect answer. The tears in her eyes continued to form as she felt her face heat up.

Touma flashed a confident smile at her and then, using his left hand. He picked up the spiked tip of Gleipnir. "OLLERUS IT'S NOW OR NEVER!" he shouted and threw the spiked driver. The barbed end of Gleipnir wrapped around Index's body and hooked back onto itself restraining her. Awaki forced herself up and lifted her hand, sending the tip of Gleipnir out of sight.

Only a moment passed and the sound of a winch winding was heard. The thin-silk-rope-like chain was pulled taught, and Index was pulled back before she realized what was going on. Another perfect moment ruined, her face contorted in anger. She was dragged across the sargasso, digging her heels into the ground."Let me go mortals! You think you have the power to chain a goddess!, this won't hold me, I'll break this dumb chain and eat you all I swear on my name!"

Passing the edge of a large ring that surrounded the sargasso, the resounding cry of a war horn echoed across the sargasso and Index was pulled into a circle. Saten ran out from behind a broken door holding a large blade and a shoe made of scraps. "Muireann! Catch!" she shouted and threw the two objects.

The selkie leapt from the ground, runes glowing on her body and caught them. "As when the Gjallerhorn sounded, and ragnarok began. We all set sail for the fields of Vígríthr to fight for the fate of all." Slipping the shoe on, she pulled the blade back. "As so the mighty god Odin had fallen to the great wolf's jaws."

She flipped through the air towards Index. "Then came The allfather's mighty son Vitharr, to fight the foaming wolf!" The selkie cried out as she thrust her foot down.

Index roared in anger only for Muireann's foot to catch on her lower teeth. The dark god's jaw slammed into the ground as she struggled against her chains. Muireann bent down and pried her mouth open. "Into the giant's son does he thrust his sword."

Instantly recognizing the myth Index tried to pull back. But instead felt the cold taste of steel as the selkie thrust Vithar's blade through her open mouth and out through her back. Her body shook as she felt her power weakening already. Her control of fate locked away without her consent.

"Full to the heart, his father avenged" Muireann leapt back as Index's jaws tore through the blade. Her violet blood burned the blade's remains. The circle around Index ignited with a golden glow as the first ring of the ritual blazed with the same golden light just beyond Index's reach. Index was pulled back towards a large mock-mountain range. "Hey! Beria! Etzali! You're up!" Muireann shouted as she landed on the ground.

Index's eye shot open crazed and bloodshot she tugged on the chains that wrapped around her. "This won't work fools, I am the devourer of the gods! I refuse to let this happen, I'm going to devour everyone here who stands in my way! Index thrashed as she slammed her hands into the ground. Her nails became claws as they dug into the sargasso. "I'm going to make you regret ever trying this on me. Everyone here will beg for a painless death as I trap your soul in my body, and I kill your loved ones. I'll make you all watch as they scream and beg for mercy, and no one will be spared! Growled Index as her eyes turned a malevolent magenta.

She was dragged past the second ring of the ritual and into the center of the model mountain range. The second circle now surrounded her as she stumbled to her feet and glared up around herself.

Beria the Cailleach dropped down from the artificial mountain sides. "And just as Fenrir fell after devouring Odin, so too did Balor of the evil eye die, slaying Nuada. For, Lugh took his sling and slew Balor with a shot through the eye. " Holding a sling she flicked her wrist, launching a metal ball directly into Index's right eye "He then took his spear to Balor's neck and mounted his head upon a pike." The metal sphere tore through Index's flesh and fell out the other side, violet blood burning it to nothingness.

Etzali was teleported in grimacing in pain, the remains of his legs encased in dark matter. A feathery crown was placed atop his head as he held a spear shaped like a snake. "Just as Huitzilopochtli severed Coyolxauhqui head free from her shoulder to become the moon." He swung the blade at Index's neck and it carved into her flesh. It came out the other end coated in the Devourer's ichor and ignited as her head fused back to her body.

The second circle ignited with pale blue light, its light extending out to the second ring. It ignited with a cyan light as the golden light from the first ring and circle met the pale blue of the second circle. Index felt more of her power being sealed away. Her nails returned to normal and she snapped at the ones who'd chain her, her power over time leaving her.

But she was wrenched back again before her jaws could catch Etzali's hand. "I'll tear their soul apart and devour them! I'll trap you in the deepest parts of my bowels and let your souls rot for eternity within me!" Index's canines grew sharper and became fangs, as her movements became sluggish.

Her feet grated against the ground as she passed the third ring, face planting into the third circle. It lay in an artificial basin just at the edge of the model mountain range. A small model feudal shinto castle at the edge of the basin.

"But the moon can be a symbol of endings, and all stories end." Itsuwa leapt down, twisting her spear causing multiple pipe caps to fall away, allowing water to begin filling the basin. "Just as Reyhley sank beneath the waves in the final chapter with the moon high above and the tide rolling in." She struck the tip of her spear into the edge of the circle. Causing the water to envelope Index, the god snapped out trying to bite the girl but she bent back before her jaws could reach her.

Kuroko teleported in on a higher ledge with Celt. A dark matter shell coating her damaged shoulder. "And just like how Kaguya the lunar princess was forced to forget her mortal life and return to her kingdom on the moon." Kuroko placed a feather robe over the Leanan Sidhe's shoulders who gave a passive expression as she leapt from the ledge and landed her foot against Index's head, driving it into the ground.

The circle ignited with a pale yellow glow, the light extending out to the third ring. The pale blue and pale yellow became a pale green before mixing with the cyan of the second ring. Thus becoming a light viridian, each ring combining the powers of those before it.

Gleipnir grew taught again, and Index was pulled back once more. "I refuse for this to happen! I won't become that useless powerless girl, who couldn't have the one she loved the most in this world! Who couldn't stop him from getting hurt and worrying about him. that little girl who had spent nights crying next to him at the hospital wondering if he would wake." Her teeth scraped across the ground as she was dragged past the fourth ring. "I WILL NOT RETURN TO THAT PATHETIC MORTAL STATE!" Index's scream caused the earth to shake as a burst of wind erupted out from her. Her dominion over space being restrained as more power left her.

A set of mandibles grew from her cheekbones inside her mouth. They snapped out trying to grab at something, but missed. She tumbled and rolled as she found herself inside the fourth circle just outside the artificial cave. A makeshift model aztec pyramid to one side of her. And a model old feudal rice farmer's shack to her opposite side.

Index stood and glared up as Yomikawa was seen tipping a large tub towards her. "But, just as the moon sets and the sun rises. For every ending there's a new beginning. Such as when Tezcatlipoca tricked their brother Quetzalcoatl into drinking pulque. Thus making his mortal form drunk enough to sleep with his sister! Leading to the fall of the first sun and the rise of the second sun." The PE teacher spoke from memory and overturned the tub, splashing Index with sake.

Seven more tubs of sake were poured onto Index as Kanzaki stepped out from behind a set of barrels. "And just as the feathered serpent god was felled via alcohol. So too was Yamata no Orochi, the eight headed dragon. When Susanoo tricked him into drinking 8 tubs of sake. One for each head, and carved him up in his sleep to obtain the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi." Index stumbled groggily as Kanzaki kicked forward and struck her from multiple angles using her nodachi. "Thus leading to his redemption when he gifted the blade to his sister Amaterasu"

"And just how the end of the first sun gave way for the second. Surtur burning the world tree at the end of Ragnarok made way for a new world to be born from the ashes." Fiamma appeared behind Index, a dark matter arm replacing his missing one. The holy right formed a flaming blade which he thrusted into the ground in front of Index.

The droplets of Index's ichor form Kanzaki's cuts landed on the circle and ignited. However, that only served to empower the spell. The fourth circle ignited a fiery orange, its flames burning their way to the fourth ring. The light viridian glow of the prior rings mixed with the fiery orange of the forth circle. They became a dark grayish green flame and Index felt her shapeshifting being sealed away. Her divine body being dragged further back to the mortal plane.

"This is Bullshit! I shouldn't be bound by some petty mortal spells, by mortal consequences. I am a goddess and should be treated as one, I should be allowed to indulge in my selfish desires, my human, my Touma! I've worked so hard to get here, I earned and deserved this power, not those other gods who did nothing with it! You can't make me go back to being that useless girl, I won't allow it!" Index cried out, thrashing and tugging with all her might as she was forcefully dragged back.

Being forced to have a single humanoid appearance. She began to develop traits from her divine serpentine body. Her muscles became denser and her internal structure shifted. The phase within her rippled and space distorted inside her. Desperate to keep as much as it could from her divine existence without breaking the mold of a humanoid.

Dragged passed the fifth ring, Index dug her heels into the ground. Slowing herself down drastically as her skin grew tougher. The golden thread trailed into the artificial cave and Index snarled at the heavens.

"However, Endings and beginnings are intertwined. Just as Izanagi and Izunami are," Tatemia said as he landed before Index with a replica jeweled spear. The power of the shinto phase, pouring into it from Index.

Lessar kicked off from over a ledge holding a bent lightning rod. Tsuchimikado across from her with a trident, and Hamazura holding a bident. "Just as Zeus gathered his brothers to end Kronos's reign and start a new era." Lessar threw the 'lightning bolt' into Index's back.

At the same time, Tsuchimikado and Hamazura threw their respective weapons. Blood erupted from Tsuchimikado's body, and tears opened across Hamazura's. "And how the twilight of the gods eventually lead to the light after Ragnarok." The level zero pulled out Excalibur and swung it down through Index's chest.

Lessar pulled a hammer out and struck the back of the lightning bolt driving it through Index's back as the bident and trident pierced her flesh. And Tsuchimikado threw a glittering blade towards her. It twisted in the air and sliced her front before falling to the ground.

This caused Index to stumble back into the artificial cave, utter shock across her face. She actually felt that! It hurt, she was in agony from the pain. Her, Index! The almighty goddess who could devour other gods! These mortals had the gall to cause her pain and still weren't satisfied. "Just as The end of Kronos's reign and the start of Ragnarok marked the beginning of a new world. The end of Izanagi and Izunami's union marked the beginning of the next age." Tatemia swung the jeweled spear round and sliced a rope.

"And like the boulder which was rolled over the entrance of Yomi to seal it away. The gates of Tartarus closed to seal the titan Kronos!" Lessar slammed her steel glove down.

A large boulder rolled down and crashed onto the front of the cave. Tatemiya propped the jeweled spear against the boulder. Then a groaning noise was heard and a set of large doors slammed shut in front of Index. The fifth circle ignited with an eclipse like-glow. Black symbols and writing surrounded by a golden glow. It extended out to the fifth ring, meeting with the dark grayish green fire of the forth ring. A dull lime eclipse flame erupted forth across the fifth ring surrounding the cave.

"How… HOW DARE YOU, how Dare you dumb mortals cause Me, a goddess pain!" Index roared, her teeth grew more reflective. Useless or inefficient organs were replaced by new useful and efficient ones. "How dare you cause me pain and keep my human from me! Even if you seal my power I'm still stronger than you all, Mark my words I'm still going to devour you all! I'll force you to spend an eternity inside me as I digest you! None of you stupid pathetic mortal woman deserve Touma! What have any of you done for him! Nothing, but cause him misfortune and pain. You've never done anything to earn his love , you all sat back as he saved you and let him suffer! Only I can give him what he truly desires! Only I can protect him in a way you all can only dream of! He deserves an almighty goddess like me by his side. Not you petty selfish mortal women who can't even confess to him!" Her fist flashed as she swung it at a wall.

It carved cleanly through the shipwrecks tearing a chunk of splintered wood, plexiglass and metal free. However it was not enough to break a hole to the outside as Index was dragged past the sixth and final ring. She fell down a pit before crashing with a loud thud into the final circle. Sinking slightly into the rotted ground Index pulled herself up only to find she was surrounded.

Fiamma stood behind her with his temporary dark matter arm, the holy right extending from his back. Ollerus stood in front of her, the driver tip of Gleipnir on one hand. The failure stood forward and spoke. "So, just as Gleipnir was used to bind Fenrir it's Gelgja wrapped around Gjöll and driven into the earth by Thviti." He threw the driver tip into the ground and drove it into the rotting soil with a hammer made using a rock and a stick.

A shudder occurred in Index's body as she felt her omniscience leave her. "You dare believe you stupid mortals have the right to take my power from me!? I'm not merely fenrir! I'm a devourer! The devourer of Universes! These chains won't hold me forever! I'll break them, you hear me! Then you'll all beg for my mercy!" She threw herself at Ollerus, her jaws snapping just before him as the chains kept her in place.

"And just as Lucifer was struck down from heaven for challenging God." Fiamma's holy right manifested a flaming sword and plunged through Index's lower jaws and into the ground.

Index cried out, and flung her head up the flaming sword ripped free as she grabbed at her jaw. Her violet ichor splashed against the ground but did not ignite. "Stop! It's useless, why are you still fighting me! Just stop, it's annoying, you're wasting your time. You can't bind a god to flesh! You can't bind a god to earth! I'll always be a goddess! You can't change that!" she swung her hand around but the chain stopped it just before it hit Fiamma's face.

Beria was teleported in Besides her, "So too shall we bind the devourer who challenged the heavens," she declared. She brought her staff down and ice began to form shackles on Index's hands, feet and neck.

"I am an all powerful goddess! I can do anything and everything. I could give you all that you desire, if you just let me go!" She cried out as she felt body lock, unable to shapeshift any longer. She looked at each of those in the room with her. "Ollerus! I, I could heal your soul and give you back your ability to use true magic. Fiamma, I could restore your arm, return you to your former glory. Give you the chance to save people again. Beria, I could unite your fractured self, make you whole again. Just… let… me… GO!" Index cried out in anguish.

"We shall lock the doors of the Library and close its chapter in this story called reality." Itsuwa was teleported across from Beria and carved the phrase 'the end' into the ground with her spear.

Index could feel the power of creation leave her as divine rite was sealed away. "Please stop this… I can't go back… I can't go back to that useless stupid girl who couldn't do anything for the one she loved most in this world, when I could do nothing but give him information explain things and pray for his safety. I hated not being with him when the time came, I had to sit back and watch Touma sacrifice his mind and body into battle, you can't make go back….I REFUSE TO BECOME THAT USELESS EVER AGAIN!" Index shouted as she tried to get loose, tears continuing to fall from her eyes.

Etzali was teleported in, beside Beria and Fiamma, "we shall strip her of her hunger and bind her to the earth, so that she may not destroy the very world she once called home." He splashed a vial of fake blood onto the icy shackles and wrote the word 'abstinence' upon the one on her shackle shimmered and gained color becoming golden like the chains which bound her.

Index stumbled, exhaustion overtaking her, the chains now felt heavy. "Give it back, just give it back! It's mine that power is mine! I earned it. It belongs to me, you can't just go and take it after all I've done to earn it!" She threw herself forward and tried to grab at Ezali. "I shouldn't be kept from having what I want! I'm a goddess! You should be worshiping me, giving me tributes!"

"For even as every culture is different and have no true parallels to each other. The human brain desires to make connections. And for every small connection, no matter how tiny, understanding is slowly built." Tatemiya appeared across from Etzali, "And through Understanding, Ragnarok is averted."

She felt her mana being stripped from her, rerouted into the very chains which bind her. The chains became more solid, the gold shackles reflecting the black fire. "Me and the human were made for each other! It all would've been perfect! I would wake up with my head against the human's chest, him holding my body as we slept in our small cottage by the sea. Our children would play at the beach in the mornings as the human cooked us food. He'd unknowingly show off his skills as we sat around the table and ate. We'd travel to distant countries and indulge in their culture as the human would panic adorably, trying to understand what people were saying. Then at night when the kids were in bed, the human and I would then lose ourselves in our lust. He would have this goddess's body all to himself as I fulfill his every desire every night. It would have been a simple life where we could be by ourselves. Just like the human always desired AND YOU ALL RUINED THAT!" Index roared, throwing herself against the chains, her voice shaking.

"Do you have any idea what it's like to wake up in the world with nothing but toxic supernatural knowledge? To have no family, no friends, not even memories? to be chased everyday by people you don't recognize wielding swords and spells? To wander around in a world where no one will even listen to your cries for help let alone lend a hand!?" Her voice was wracked with agony and tears rolled down her face as she continued. "I was scared and alone in a cold cruel world, running away because of this knowledge. I was in darkness with no way out! It felt like a never-ending cycle of hell then by some chance I met him!... Do you know what that was like? To know only loneliness and yet for someone to reach out their hand to save you. Someone who goes out of their way to throw themselves into the flames of hell just to drag you out despite having only just met you! Then just when you think you're out of the dark, to lose them in the same way you've suffered countless times!?" She bit her lip, shaking furiously, her voice hitching. "And yet! despite that, despite losing his memories his very identity. He still decided to help! He still reached out a hand. He dove into hell, again and again countless times trying to save even someone as rotten and cruel as Othinus! Trust me she didn't deserve to have my touma as her understander. He was wasted on her, but! Despite having every right to hate us for his suffering. He went and decided to give us the greatest gift we didn't know we needed... no, we didn't know, we wanted. He came out of it all even more perfect than ever and gave us a normal life, and someone to love!"

She strained against the chains, leaning forward. "My Touma is so perfect he makes even the lord in heaven pale in comparison to him. So perfect I'd gladly tear every fucking star out of the sky and hand them to him as a gift so he didn't have to watch them from afar. I'd get rid of every threat in the world and make him emperor of the earth with me by his side. I would make the greatest castle in history for him to live in. I'd even whisper the secrets of creation to my Touma. Not because he needed it or asked for it, but because I wanted to, I chose to do it!" She glared tearfully as she continued her pain fueled rant. "After everything my Touma has done for you pathetic mortals, he deserves to be revered and praised. How many times has he saved the world when no one else could? How many times does he have to clean up everyone's messes? It pisses me off. How often has he chosen to throw himself into hell to drag someone out. Just because some dumb mortal can't get their shit together! Jesus may have spent three days in hell saving a select few mortals. But my Touma spent nearly an eternity in hell to save a lonely pagan god! And yet he doesn't even get a thank you? Let alone a reward of any kind for the trouble you shitty pathetic mortals caused him. What the fuck kind of people do you think you are, you ungrateful mortal scum! He charges in, fixes all your problems and ends up half dead in the hospital. And you shitbags don't even have the fucking courtesy to so much as say 'thank you' to him?"

Ollerus raised his palm, a pale light slowly emanating from his hand. "And legends are born," he looked down at Index. "So, we shall embrace the devourer for all her flaws."

Fiamma raised his own palm and a stake of light formed. "We shall sympathize with her pain, but condone her actions."

Index's head twisted around as the shackles grew taut. She roared angrily as she snapped her jaws. "I'LL FUCKING EAT YOU ALL! I'll rip each of your stupid limbs off one by one and chew them! I'll shove your bodies into my mouth and grind them to a pulp! Then I'll devour everyone else who helped you! I'll consume their essences and trap you all in my bowels! None of you will be allowed to die! I'll force you to live on inside me as I eat the planet! I'll devour the entire solar system, the galaxy! The very universe! Nothing will keep me from having what I have earned! NOTHING, NOT YOU, NOT THIS STUPID CHAIN, NOT TOUMA NOT EVEN GOD THEMSELVES!" A ripple occurred in the air, but did not spread out, her cries barely causing a distortion in the world.

The circle below Index began to glow a bright violet as all six figures raised their own palms creating six fairy spells.

"And thus we shall finally seal this, Library of Consumed Gods!" Six steaks of light pierced Index's back. Six cultures coming together, six myths coming to a close, six histories developing an understanding.

"GGYYYYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"

Six

Six

Six

The devil's number.

Blinding violet light mixed with dull eclipse lime flames and shadowy black fire coated every inch of the room. Index screamed in agony as she felt her phase being sealed away. The singularity which lay deep inside her body, cut off from the rest of the world. Her eyes flickered between cosmic purple and lilac as she felt herself burning up from within.

The light slowly faded, and Index lay still on the ground. Ollerus fell onto his rear, as Fiamma's dark matter prosthetic crumbled away. Beria collapsed to one knee and Itsuwa leaned heavily onto her spear. Etzali propped himself up against a wall, the dark matter falling away revealing more of his mangled legs and Tatemiya shakily stumbled in place.

"D… did that do it?" Itsuwa asked hesitantly, "I…Is she sealed?"

Ollerus chuckled, "Yes, she is, we didn't miss a single myth. There's no way she can use her magic anymore."

"Thats a-" Fiamma was cut off as all six were lifted into the air by an invisible force and thrown against the walls. A growl exited from Index and she forced herself to stand. Vibrant purple flames erupting out as she tore free of the chains surrounding her body. The golden shackles on her neck, hands and feet, cracking.

"RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The library of consumed gods roared to the shock of those around her. The seals on her power were already failing. Their eyes went wide as they finally realized where they had gone wrong.

One, they had not truly reenacted the binding of fenrir.

But most importantly, and most vitally.

Two, they had only sealed her magic.

They hadn't even thought about her having esper abilities.

All six of them were slammed into the ground and knocked unconscious as Index lifted her head prepared to rip the sargasso to shreds. She raised her hand to burn a hole through the roof when she heard a footstep behind her. Her head whipped around faster than the eye could see as electric lines sparked across her body. Her jaws snapping shut so fast they caused a sonic boom. Blood sprayed against Index's face as she swallowed, and then… her eyes went wide.

"I'm sorry Index, I'm sorry that you felt so useless and afraid, I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that, I don't blame you for feeling that way. But… trust me you don't need that power, it didn't suit you Index" The voice that would normally cause joy to fill her. Instead filled her heart with pain, "you….didn't need to compare yourself to Othinus,"

"Touma!?" she gasped out in horror, blood dripping from her face, "why?" she asked, despite knowing the answer.

"Did you forget already? I thought you had a perfect memory. I told you, I wasn't gonna let you become an irredeemable monster", Touma muttered and smiled sadly as blood sprayed from the stump his right hand had once been. " I don't even care about my right hand. If it means saving you, then it's a small price to pay," he reached out as his body shimmered slightly. "I still care deeply for you Index… and I forgive you… for everything you've done, for and to me. I'm sorry Index… I'm so so sorry, this Kamijou-san is truly a selfish bastard." He spoke in almost a whisper as shapes began to form, extending from his right hand.

"Touma… Touma… No… please you can't do this! Don't take this power from me, human! From us!" she whimpered, feeling that which lay within Imagine Breaker coming forth into the world. A building feeling of dread filled her as she realized Touma wasn't backing down. "Please… don't do this to us, Understander! Without this power! How am I meant to protect you!? I can't bear to sit back on the sideline as you fight anymore Touma! I can't just go back to being that stupid ignorant nun who thought you'd always be alright!..." She began hyperventilating as Touma's smile went unchanged. "I CAN'T JUST SIT BACK AND LET YOU DIE AGAIN TOUUMAAAA!" The feeling of betrayal was overwhelming for her as she looked desperately into his eyes.

But Touma only smiled, "you never did Index," he said quietly before his smile fell. "But… you need to stop playing god and come home with this Kamijou-san," he said and raised his bleeding stump.

The pale dragon king slipped out and lightly bit onto Index's chest. One eyed Cobra, Corpse flame, Angel, Four eyed, one by one all 16 dragons emerged from the stump where Imagine Breaker had been. They coiled around the two, gently placing their jaws onto Index. Her power rapidly was drained and sealed as she felt the tears pour down her face.

Touma pulled Index close with his left hand, donning the form of the dragon of gluttony and abstinence. He grasped the back of her head and guided her face to his chest. Her sobs echoed out as golden shackles formed on her ankles, wrists and neck. She cried, and cried, tears pouring down her face as Touma bit his lip. After what felt like an eternity, but was only a minute or so, her sobs faded. Eyes closed, Index fell asleep, her soft breathing all that could be heard. The dragons faded away, and the serpentine armor around Touma vanished. He sighed, raising his right hand, he placed it on top of her head and ruffled the sleeping nun's hair. A gentle smile on his face as he reached down to lift her.

The Library's doors… had finally closed.


The light emanating from the sargasso slowly faded as the ritual completed. Everyone held their breath as the central circle's light flickered out. Only the sound of waves crashing against the ships was heard as they remained silent.

Eventually, someone spoke, "Did… did it work?" Misaka's voice was quiet. She was clearly nervous as she forced herself to stand. Her body, charred and damaged from the plasma burns.

"M-maybe? I- I mean,we'd know if it failed... r-right?" Muireann responded with a gulp. She could almost see the tension in the air, no one wanted to move from their spot. Worried that Index might do something, "I-Index wouldn't just vanish would she? Sh-she'd rub it in our faces that we failed… right?"

More silence, as no one really knew anymore. Index had changed drastically from the girl any of them knew. So, they really couldn't be sure what she would do had they failed.

Eventually, a grinding noise was heard and the tension was broken as the rock of Yomi was rolled away from the artificial cave. Footsteps echoed across the sargasso and everyone's eyes slowly widened.

Walking out of the cave, his feet shakily making their way forward. Index sleeping in his arms with shackles on her hands, feet and neck, was Kamijou Touma. Ollerus, Fiamma, Beria, Itsuwa, Etzali, and Tatemia followed close behind. No one knew how or when he had gotten into the final chamber. But one thing was absolutely certain to them as that boy held Index in a princess carry.

Touma, somehow, in some way, without any of them knowing.

Had saved the world.

"How did- Never mind, w-we did it!" Misaka shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "We actually did it! We beat Index! WE'VE WON!" She threw her hands into the air before keeling over in pain

Touma stumbled and began falling forward, but two gentle chocolate tone hands caught him. Muireann looked into his eyes, tears pouring down her face as she helped steady him. "Touma-sama! You did it! You actually saved Index! A-ay…" her lip quivered as she found her vision blurred by tears. Her Scottish accent began to bleed through. "Ay dan't know what ta say ya-ya blood big dumb… fooking hero!" she didn't care her foot was in utter agony as it slowly tore itself apart. She didn't care that she was getting dark envious stares from the girls around her. She didn't even care that Touma was giving a confused expression.

She was just happy that they had all survived.

"Okay, you've had enough, seal girl, let me at the idiot!" Misaka limped over and tugged Muireann away. She managed to throw her back a little despite her injuries but Muireann growled.

"Oi! Don't go throwing people ya bloody insensitive arse! Can't ya see he's in no shape ta be dealing with ya?" Muireann flared her hands out and Misaka whipped around.

"What did you just call me?" she demanded, "I know that! I just wanted to ask if he was okay! I'm not a moron!"

Muireann glared, "Ya didn't need ta throw me," she glared. "Besides, from what ay've heard ya always attacking him for no reason."

"That's… not exactly true," Saten laughed nervously from the side. "But you're right she does need to not overreact so often… but so do you." Uiharu beside her nodded rapidly as she and Celt held Kuroko up.

"Onee-sama's stubborn, but she means well, so don't insult her." Kuroko snapped at the selkie. Celt sighed and smiled fondly as she supported the girl.

Muireann looked stunned but nodded, "O-okay… sorry, I didn't mean to, anyways" she turned to Touma who was lowering Index gently to the ground. "Touma-sama ca-" she began but the boy interrupted her.

"Could you all just shut the fuck up and let me relax?" he said coldly. "I don't have time to deal with all of you right now. Especially you Lessar," he whipped around, eyes boring into the wannabe succubus sneaking up behind him. Causing her to freeze, her eyes wide, "This Kamijou-san is just… Tired so I really don't want to have to deal with you harassing me. I've lost my Understander, and the girl who killed her is someone I consider family." He collapsed onto his rear and curled up his head in his knees. "I… just want to be left alone for now…" he said those heartbreaking words.

The way his shoulders slumped and his back sagged made it seem as if merely a single gust of wind could knock him over. His eyes were sunken, dull, the last embers of a dying fire having been extinguished. But, most of all, to everyone present, Kamijou Touma, the hero of world war three and Othinus's understander.

Truly looked tired.

Misaka, Muireann, Saten, Uiharu, Kuroko, all fell silent instantly. Ollerus looked down and to the side, Fiamma passively stared at Touma with sympathy. Etzali grimaced and Beria closed her eyes in silence. Itsuwa looked at him with shaky eyes but backed off.

Birdway, Kanzaki, Shutura or Arisa, Boabahn Sith, Galistic, Agnese, and a few other girls all stopped heading towards him upon hearing his words. They all had varying expressions of hurt, confusion and uncertainty. But they didn't want to upset him more than he already was. The sad irony was, not even Touma's misfortune could make things any worse. The usual whisper of 'such misfortune' was never heard as that's just how bad things had gotten.

The fact he wouldn't say those words hurt everyone watching. It was as if some intangible source of normalcy had been lost. Without those words, Touma was incomplete, a shadow of his former self. Like some vital component to the world had broken. It was an immediate feeling, admittedly unspoken, but it was at that moment that many would have done or given anything. Just to hear him mutter those words as it would mean that everything would be okay. To not hear it was scary as it felt wrong, it felt wrong for that boy to be silent. So they wanted to do something, anything to hear him so much as mutter those infamous words.

A few moments passed and Muireann went to open her mouth. But Misaka beat her to it "Why!? You're in pain right!? Don't you need to talk about it!? Why won't you let us help you!?" she demanded, stepping right in front of Touma as she crossed her arms.

"It doesn't work like that Misaka" Touma said as he sat there. "So, don't, I just need time to myself. This isn't something you can fix," he glared at her a moment. His eyelids sagged as he appeared to have aged by 20 years. The exhaustion of this latest incident clearly taking its toll.

"W-why not!? Misaki shouted tears forming in her eyes, "We were told about you and Othinus's relationship, about how the two of you were understanders, What the hell does that even mean!? How no matter how much we tried or close we got to you that, it would be pointless!" She bit her lip and looked away for a moment. "I…I can't accept this! I just can't and don't understand how! Why? She hurt you in so many ways. How could you even be near her when she killed you… who knows how many times! Don't you lie awake at night wondering if she's really changed!? How can you sleep knowing that the girl who did those things to you is sleeping safely in the same room as you!? You can't tell me her actions didn't leave a mark on you! You have to have some kind of trauma! how does it not act up just by looking at her face!?" Misaka panted, her face red with fury as sweat rolled down her brow. "I mean, look at what she's done! She tried to crush you with a floating fortress. She caused chaos by forcing Mauna Loa to erupt in Hawaii, not to mention the mercenaries she hired. And what about Tokyo, this very Sargasso! Don't you remember the gridlock? The dragon! How afraid people were, the people she used!" Closing her eyes for a moment, Misaka clenched her teeth angrily. "I mean, she is literally Odin, isn't she? The same god who decided to throw their youngest nephew into the ocean, their niece into the underworld. And chained their eldest nephew to a rock, just because they might lead to their death! Othinus was willing to sacrifice thousands, no millions just to achieve whatever twisted goal she had! People like that don't change, they can't, they won't! It doesn't matter how well you understand them, they won't just give up on their goals." She jabbed her finger accusingly at Touma with a shaky hand. "Admit it! she's just been using you idiot, she never actually loved you, you were just a means to an end. She gave you Stockholm syndrome so you would be dependent on her, that's the only reason you're so defensive of her!"

Touma's eyes whipped up, he glared directly into Misaka's, a deep flame in those dark eyes. "Don't you ever talk about Othinus like that," he warned her with a low growl. His expression relaxed as he turned back. "Do you think I didn't worry about that? I was terrified that my feelings and hers were not genuine. So, I fucking did some research, and what I found told me they were without a doubt genuine Misaka. I didn't ever fucking forgive what Othinus did, I just looked past it and asked her to be tried fairly. That alone was enough to tell me I wasn't just suffering from Stockholm syndrome." He glared at his fists furiously, "I don't expect you to understand why, it's not something you can understand. It's none of your business and it never will be. The reasons for our relationship stays between us. None of you should ever touch the memories we share. And you can't even say you're sorry," he hissed out.

Misaka gaped for a moment before shaking her head and glaring. "What do you mean apologize idiot? Are you hit in the head? What have I ever done to you that requires I apologize more than that terrorist? In fact you should be grateful to me, you realize how much I've done for you? I held back those black ops guys in September while you and the silver sister ran off to save Hyouka! During October when you called to break into a subway I told you how to do it. I followed you to Russia in order to save your ass from that falling fortress." Tears were flowing down her face as she desperately tried to change Touma's mind. "Then when you went to Hawaii, I was the one who came with you, not that silver sister! With that Thor guy when you needed help to save Fräulein Kreutune. I was the one who held back that Bruinhild woman while you distracted Birdway! And in Denmark I was the one who punched some sense back into you when you spoke about the perfect world." By this point Misaka was hiccuping, her face pulled into an unsteady smile. "I-I helped you with high priest, I saved your life during the elements and when you climbed the windowless building. In England, I was the one who saved you from falling off the carriage when you fought that Mather's guy. It was my AAA that allowed Aliester to save your life after Coronzon nearly killed you. It was me who fought by your side when you confronted her. At Windsor, I was the one who saved you from Shokuhou by knocking you out the window. Christmas, I was the one who went after Anna to buy you time to recover! All of that was me! me! why can't you see that idiot!" Misaka cried out gasping for breath as she shook there. "You should be praising me for what I've done for you, not shouting at me because I can't accept that you were close friends with a murderer!"

"Careful Misaka-san," Touma growled out quietly, "you're beginning to sound like that Ainmire bastard." The railgun froze in place as Touma's eyes slowly rose angrily and he glared at her. "You think that just because you've helped me out here and there that you're entitled to know every detail of my life? I didn't ask for your help, and I rarely wanted it. You didn't help me in Russia, you ran into a battlefield without considering the consequences, and no understanding of the situation. Hawaii? You treated it like a vacation and were barely fucking around me when I had to deal with the brunt of all GREMLIN's main forces. Ichinanharasai? if it wasn't for Cendrillon, you would have just fucking fried me like you always do. Denmark? Yeah, you may have been one of the few to actually fucking talk to me. But you didn't even fucking solve my dillema, just talking out of your ass without the slightest understanding of what I went though. You only listened because you pitied me, not because you actually grasped the situation. All you did was shove nonsensical words down my throat till I just let you win. I didn't need your fucking pity I needed someone who could actually tell me why my decision was wrong. And I'm honestly shocked that you're weak ass fucking argument worked on me. Those six billion people were swallowed up, People who didn't smile didn't belong? How do you know that? Were you there? Did you see their smiles? How genuine they were, how happy they were? There's no set definition of happiness? I'm not right 100% of the time? It was twisted underneath it all? There's no such thing as a perfect world? I already fucking knew that. You took 10 thousand lives, are you still pretending like that's your fault? Don't mock me Misaka, you don't fucking understand the weight of taking a life. I shouldn't envy what I turned my back on? There's no reason to fall off a cliff bound by meaningless ideologies? I don't have to bear the burden of you or 6 billion people's lives? Don't even pretend to fucking grasp the weight of what I was going through. You weren't the one who knowingly let that entire world of 6 billion smiles die for his selfish desires. That world was real, every smile was real, those people were living and breathing people. And I chose to confront Othinus knowing they would die as collateral of our fight. Those lives, that world, and every other world like it died because I chose to be selfish. That blood is on my hands Misaka, all you fucking did was let someone map your DNA. You had no control over what happened after that." Touma looked at his shaking fist with disgust snarling.

Everyone stood in stunned silence as he continued,"High Priest? you got upset when I wanted to call experts. Just because they happened to be girls, your ideas nearly got the city destroyed. I had a phone, all I needed to do to get you to have judgment begin filling in the holes he made was call. The elements? you kidnapped me and refused to let me check on my friends. And then because of your ignorance you fell for Yuittus's bait. The windowless building? you didn't fucking help me, all you did was blow a hole in a wall that I couldn't see. Coronzon? you were just firing blindly, and Aliester could have done any number of things to remove my arm so he could heal me. Winsodor? you didn't save me from Shokuhou. You kept me from stopping that imposter, put me in an even more dangerous situation and then started attacking Index. Christmas? all you did was nearly get yourself killed, I'll give you some of those. But most of them you've just taken out of their context and ignored the consequences." He took a breath and threw his arm to the side. "Fuck that Misaka-san! You have way more to apologize for than Othinus because she actually fucking tried to make it up to me! Every day, every moment after Denmark! She saved my life multiple times when you were sitting around complaining about me not talking to you or trying to call someone for help cause they just so happened to be a girl! Othinus actually tried to do something where you just act like you're innocent despite your violent actions towards this poor Kamijou-san. You forced yourself into my life, took part in battles you had no purpose being in. You charge into conflict without even trying to understand the situation and then you and everyone else suffers as a result. Anna's the perfect example of that! You didn't even slow her down, you just gave me something extra to worry about. All because you decided to charge headlong into battle without understanding what you were dealing with."

Touma growled, his eyes shadowed, "we'll… I have had enough of your bullshit Misaka-san! You don't get to fucking act like Othinus is an irredeemable monster when you don't even try to change. You're a level five? You're the third ranked? You're the most powerful electromaster? Who the fuck gives a shit Misaka? if Index a literal goddess can't escape consequences then you certainly as hell won't." Touma was at his feet snarling as he shook in anger. "I appreciate you as a friend Misaka-san… but that is it, whatever feelings you hold? their yours alone. So, don't fucking act like cause I just happened to help you few times that we're somehow destined. I barely know anything about you, and I am comfortable as staying merely close friends with you. And you know next to nothing about me, yet act like I'm some type of unstoppable hero or trophy. Othinus doesn't treat me like some kind of goal or object. She actually sees me for who I am inside! A pathetic, helpless high school boy afraid of the dark! And she accepted the ugly disgusting selfishness inside despite the fact it went against whatever preconceptions she had about me! And you're not even the only one who needs to fucking own up" He whipped around and pointed, "Kanzaki! This applies to you too! How many times have you and Necessarius just launched me off to some random part of the world to deal with their mess? You and Styil left Index with me and didn't even fucking pay for her living expenses. You forced this Kamijou-san to sacrifice his own funds to feed her gluttonous appetite and leave him in constant endless poverty! And did you apologize when I called you out on it? Othinus Hell, you did! You barely even acknowledged it!" He turned again and looked at Agnese, "And what about You Agnese-san? Did you ever fucking apologize to me or Orsola for the shit you did to us? No! You didn't you just stayed silent because we forgave you." He turned again looking at Elizard, "You're just as bad as Necessarius your majesty! I literally helped save your country and stopped a coup d'etat by destroying the Curtana. And then went out of my way to save Carissa despite all the fucking pain she had caused. And what! It only took me deciding to save Othinus for you to suddenly turn on me and try to have me killed!? What the fuck!? I don't ask for much Elizard! I just want a smile and not even a thanks! But you could at the very least have called to say sorry for you know, sending 4 saint monsters at me and Othinus! And at best, check in from time to time to make sure I'm okay! I think we're at least close enough to be friends, or so I hope!" He then whipped around looking at Ollerus. "And you! While I'd never change a line of what happened with me and Othinus. You could at least have the fucking Othinus damn decency to be there when the actual fighting happens rather than pop in last minute to save the day like some kind of shitty superhero!" He then turned and jabbed a finger at Lessar. "And You! Ooohhh the things this Kamijou-san could say to you Lessar-san. For one, WHERE WAS THE OTHINUS DAMN APOLOGY? Again people how fucking hard is it to fucking say two Othinus damn words!? You can't just expect everyone to just accept you after you try to kill them! And then… Then Theres everything you did in fucking Russia! I don't care if you actually have a thing for me. Or if you're just that fucking horny! Oooor! If you really were only interested in making me work for New Light. Have some fucking tact! And keep your Othinus damned hands to your fucking self!" He turned to Birdway, "And you… Birdway, in this entire incident… where the sides of magic and science came together to help stop Index. Why the fuck, did the leader of the larger cabal refuse to bring her entire force to help deal with Index? Antiskill members died… no were literally eaten alive! Butchered and slaughtered by hordes of monsters summoned by Index! Don't you think all of that could have been avoided had even one of you near saint level monsters been there to help? At all!?" He then turned and pointed at Mugino, "And you, miss Meltdowner! What the fuck are you even doing here?" he shouted, stunning her. "You literally have no reason to be here and yet had the fucking gall to go insulting me just because I didn't meet your overblown expectations. What the fuck did you think I was? Some knight in shining armor? This Kamijou-san is just a random highschool boy who wishes he was normal. Of course he's not gonna look like some kind of burly action movie hero! I'm glad you helped out, but please, keep your fucking insensitive thoughts to your othinus damn self!"

Touma took a deep breath and continued, "Why is it I'm always cleaning up after your disasters? Queen of the Adriatic, Avagonia, British Halloween World War Three, Hawaii, Baggage City! GREMLIN Fucking Coronzon! R&C Occultus! Every time, Every, Othinus damn time, why is it, it's always down to this Kamijou-san to fix everything for you? Even this, why the fuck was not the entire magic side involved? Where was the Dawn Colored sunlight!? Where was Necessarius? Where were the Roman Catholic's entire forces? Where the fuck was Annihilatus? This was your problem, so why the fuck did Academy city have to send Antiskill and level fives!?" His head sank as he growled, "It's fucking pathetic, pathetic that you all rely on a high school boy who happens to have a special right hand to solve your problems." He glared up at them with fury, "So, next time… try to actually fucking deal with the problem yourselves first before you come crying to this fucking highschool boy."

Silence fell for a long moment, Index had called them out on it before. But Touma had just driven it home, they really had taken him for granted. They were probably lucky that all Touma was doing was scolding them. Had he been someone else, he likely would have turned on them all and begun tearing them apart.

Misaka looked down as she bit her lip, "why… why can't you let us help you?" she muttered under her breath. "It's not fair that you can help us but not the other way around." Her voice was weak as she failed to come up with a response.

Galistic crossed her arms, "Didn't ya hear him, he just said it wasn't going to be that simple, ya expected him to give ya answers, right away because ya demanded it? What are ya? His clingy Ex or something? Mac-Kamijou just told ya that he needed some time, not 30 seconds after everything was over to start acting like a whiny bitch, because ya can't accept facts especially after a rant like that!" She whistled and shook her head, "Everyone here lacks the context of their relationship, there's nothingwe can do for him ya turd brain simp."

"Indeed dear sister," Baobhan Sith nodded slowly, "even we can tell this is not something we can help with. I'd think someone as familiar with him as you would know when to back the fuck down Misaka. So, how about you kindly fuck off and let him be?" The sudden swear came from the Celtic vampire-succubus as a snarl. As fey who punished the unfaithful, her and her sisters took matters of the heart more seriously than most. So behavior that disregarded the feelings of loss like Misaka's offended them.

"He didn't just lose a close friend or lover, Misaka." Said Celt, looking down as she stood next to Kuroko. "Othinus was a big part of him just as he was for her, to suddenly lose that you can not… No, you will not understand what that means till you yourself have experienced a loss like that, just as Mac-Kamijou is Index's rock. He was also Othinus' anchor to our world, as some people in my country would say, Othinus was not only his muse but also his all or nothing partner, everyone wants that. Someone who knows your deepest darkest dirtiest secrets, and yet chooses to stick by you regardless, someone like that is irreplaceable and that's what Othinus was for him. You don't just move on from that, and he will take years to heal, if he ever does heal. I know I've never healed from losing my loves even now I haven't just moved on, so respectfully Misaka love, shut your fucking mouth." Celt gave a strained smile, cheek twitching as she tilted her head with her eyes closed.

Kuroko had the look of shock at the usage of foul language from the refined fey. Having been around her even for a little bit Kuroko knew that Celt was a fairly easy going and ever flirtatious girl. The fact she was getting this worked up at Misaka despite Kuroko being present. It showed just how important this topic was to the fey muse.

"I… I… but… BUT WHY!?" Misaka cried out desperately denying what lay before her. It baffled her, it confused her, she couldn't accept it, she didn't want to accept it. Her heart throbbed and screamed at her not to accept it. If she accepted it, she'd be forced to face the truth that she couldn't help Touma. "Why!? Why won't he let us help him if he lost a part of himself!? Isn't that exactly the time you rely on your friends or family?" She threw her hands out with a look of desperation. "Isn't closing yourself off from the world and sulking the exact opposite of what you're meant to do!?" Misaka was shaking sightly, as if she hoped that someone would tell her she was right. "Because, this is something he needs to push through alone," Hamazura said as Takitsubo helped him along. "I may not quite get why he was so close to Othinus. But I know this… if Takitsubo was killed by someone I considered family. I know I'd need some time to sort through my feelings after dealing with them." His eyes were shadowed and cold, "This isn't something any of us can help with."

"Listen to Hamazura railgun," Mugino looked away with a shockingly sympathetic look. "We can't do anything for the bastard, only that goddess can,"She gestured to Index with her head. "She's the one who wronged him, and she's family to him. So, it's up to her to make it up to him," She looked Misaka dead in the eyes. "Trust me, as a bitch who's murdered countless lives. The families of those people will only have closure if they confront the one who did it."

Muireann listened and closed her mouth, she saw Misaka doing the same. She too had wanted to help Touma, so she was about to ask Touma to let her. But hearing Mugino, she had to back down. She looked at the boy in silence, up to this point, she had always seen this handsome hero. An underdog who would always overcome the odds and save the day despite his lack of power. Her coat thief, the boy who stole her from the sea and took her heart. But now... the image in her mind shattered like glass revealing the pathetic selfish and fragile highschool boy within. Her eyes shook as her heart screamed at her to deny the truth before her. But she couldn't, something in her couldn't deny it, because she knew that would be wrong. 'Mother... father... what the bloody hell am I meant to do?' tears filled her eyes. She could almost hear her mother's soft teasing voice and her father's gruff but comforting tone. Of course Touma wasn't perfect, it was her fault for thinking that. She shouldn't expect perfection when falling in love, and that was fine. Because Touma didn't need to be perfect, just as long as he made her happy. And that would be good enough, she could feel her parents embracing her, encouraging her to reach out and accept this ugly side of her coat thief.

If she truly loved Touma, she had to accept all of him, just as Othinus had. Even this pathetic vulnerable side, he had said it himself. Kamijou Touma, was merely human, she felt her heart throb. 'Isn't there anything I can do for you, my coat thief?' she asked herself. 'They say there's nothing any of us can do, but is that really true? I may not be able to understand his pain, or give him closure. But… surely there's something I can do for him,' her heart squeezed as her eyes stayed locked on the boy.

She couldn't bear to watch him suffer like this, her heart screamed for her to say something. But she knew that wouldn't do anything but make things worse. She knew that there was no way he'd just open up to her. Touma wasn't gonna share what burdened him because it wasn't something others could help with. But she had to do something, if just to help him power through the pain.

Carefully, and gently, without a word, she sat down beside him. She knew it was selfish, but, as long as Touma didn't tell her to back off. There was one thing she felt she could do, for him. She carefully wrapped her arms around him and gently hugged the shaking boy. She didn't understand what he was going through. She didn't know what kind of connection he and Othinus shared. She didn't even know what he had been through up till this point. But, she knew one thing, and that one thing was all she needed.

Touma was in pain, and words weren't going to help him. He didn't need flowery words of sympathy, he didn't need tearful cries of regret. He didn't need whispers of pity, and he didn't need anguished confessions of sorrow.

What he needed was someone who would listen to him. Someone who would be there when he needed them. Someone who wouldn't question what he asked of them and would just do it for him. Someone who would provide a shoulder for him to cry on and not judge him for it. Muireann knew she wasn't the best for that, and she may not even be second or third best. But, as selfish as her actions were, as deplorable as it could be to take advantage of his vulnerability. Muireann believed that she could be that person, so she'd let her actions speak for her.

Touma hiccupped, his breathing hitched as he began to lean into her. Tears filling his eyes as he began to bawl, Muireann kept her expression neutral. Gently holding him and letting him cry into her. He was her coat thief, and she was there for him, to serve him. When she had carved the binding runes onto her chest, she had made a simple promise to herself.

No matter what happened, or what she had to do. She would ensure Touma's well being both mental, physical and spiritual. And, she would serve him as if he held her coat.

Lest she suffer the pain of freezing for eternity, such was the cost of love.

And even now she believed it was worth it.

Touma buried his head into her chest as he cried and Muireann gently laid her hand on his head. Gently stroking his hair as he gripped her outfit. Tears poured down Touma's face as they threatened to fall from her own. She held her pain in as to let Touma express his. His cries rose into a roar of anguish as he pulled his head back and looked into the sky. Muireann didn't resist, letting him pull away, the tears on his face poured down and splashed onto the ground as he slowly went limp. The roar faded back to a cry, and that cry became a whimper, before he hung his head.

"..." he let out a sigh, "thank you," Touma said quietly, his eyes met hers a moment. He wiped his eyes and looked up at her. "Really… Muireann-san… thank you," his shoulders relaxed as he smiled sadly at her.

Muireann didn't speak, merely lowering her head slightly as she gave a gentle smile. Touma wasn't some unstoppable hero, he wasn't some unbeatable force of justice. At the end of the day, he was just a highschool boy and he needed to cry from time to time.

A long silence continued for those few precious seconds until. "Holy… shit, she just pulled the onee-san card on loverboy!" Lessar muttered in disbelief. "No no no no! She's gonna pull ahead of me! Loveboy has a thing for Onee-sans! Damn it! That was meant to be me! Now how am I meant to win him over?"

Glares were sent her way as someone cleared their throat.

"Um… aren't we all forgetting something nyah?" Tsuchimikado said with a nervous expression. "Like… something really… really important?" he asked with his cheek twitching.

Yomikawa paled and swore, "Shit… he's right… we were so caught up in our victory that. We forgot about the Board of Directors!"


A bottle of sake was opened in a room with a screen covering one wall. "With the launch of the Solar nuke, no one will dare to challenge our supremacy. So, I wanted to take this moment for us to celebrate," a male voice spoke in that room. Reaching down, they took a couple of drinking glasses, placing them on the table before them. "None of this would have been possible without each of us. And because of that, I believe a toast is in order."

He poured the sake into one glass, then moved to another, before repeating the process. "To Aleister who made all of this possible," he filled a final glass before placing the bottle down and lifted the glass. "When that bastard abandoned this city, he didn't give the role of chairman to any of us. That arrogant, foolish manchild handed the keys to a child." He turned and pointed to the elderly man, "To Shiokishi, after your encounter with GROUP you vanished into the shadows. But, you never left, once you saw the opportunity you wrangled back control of Academy city's military might and gave us access to this lovely base of operations." He gestured around the room before turning to the elderly woman. "To Einmono Negai, whose influence allowed for us to clear the names of those of us with more spotty backgrounds so they could be re-elected to the board. Without her help, this may not have been nearly as smooth sailing as it has been." He nodded to the woman who controlled Tokiwadai before turning to the young adult male. "To Valart Signal, without you we would never have had the resources to build the solar nuke to begin with." He turned to the middle aged man, "to, Rizou Nakimoto. After Negai cleared your name you immediately used your old connections to get access to the young Miss Tessuou, a revolutionary among the old DA members. Her ideas were exactly what we needed to take back control of the darkside. An essential part of controlling the city itself, I suspect you had an old vendetta with Accelerator." He nodded to the man before finally turning to the middle aged woman. "To our newest member, Sorakai Hikou, you managed to wrangle control of the district 23 airfields allowing for our solar nuke to even be launched!" He then gestured to himself, "And finally, to myself! Shinjitsu Osekai, you elected me because of my wit and understanding to be your leader. You found me struggling for strength in the central district and saw potential, then you raised me up to be alongside you all. And for that I am very thankful, for all of us, cheers!" He raised his glass before tipping it back and drinking.

The cups were placed down and the first to speak was Sorakai. "And you have done very well as our leader, truly you lived up to your name." A smirk as chuckles rippled throughout the room, "really it was you who managed to keep Accelerator from kicking any of us out."

"That is true," Nakimoto stated, "had you not convinced him otherwise. I'm sure he'd have kicked me off the moment he saw me." A chuckle, "that child doesn't understand how important my work was."

Valart rolled his eyes, "If it wasn't for me starting back up the damn Taboo project that aleister foolishly shut down. We wouldn't have been able to do all of this so discreetly. The Imaginary numbers district is a goldmine of resources ripe for the taking."

"No one is discounting your contribution Valart, Shinjitsu specifically reminded us of that." Einmono scolded, "just as he reminded you that without my influence Nakimoto and Shiokishi wouldn't even be with us now."

Shiokishi chuckled slowly, "of course, our spotty backgrounds made it a bit difficult for us to… openly be reelected to the board. But it was ultimately Shinjitsu who allowed us to overcome the greatest obstacle in our path. That damn child chairman Accelerator," he crossed his arms.

"Ah, only a few seconds remain my friends. Let us be silent to watch the final countdown together." Shinjitsu turned to the screen and smiled, each of the other members of the true board of directors nodded following suit.

10 seconds remained.

Laying on the ground somewhere in the world. Accelerator remained unconscious as a shadow fell over his body. A delicate hand reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone. A smile formed on a face as the phone was unlocked and an app was pressed.

5 seconds remaining, 6 fools stood around grinning stupidly as they stared at a screen counting down to their victory. Each one of them, utterly ignorant to the broader world, each one of them trapped in their own little worlds.

The warmonger, still cowering in his suit of armor.

The hag, still seeking eternal youth.

The miner, still exploiting the world's resources.

The businessman, still hiding in his train dreaming of revenge.

The dreamer, still reaching for the stars.

And finally

The false king, still believing in his supremacy.

That delicate hand scrolled through a list of project names and clicked one. Quickly typing in a passcode unlocking an information screen on a weapon. The finger tapped an icon on one corner of the screen opening a control panel with a countdown.

3 seconds, each of those fools believed they had won. All dreaming of the freedom they would gain after this day. No restrictions, allowed to do whatever they pleased with the city they would own. Eyes remained locked on the screen in anticipation, someone gulped nervously, but no one knew who.

The delicate hand scrolled down to see a red icon and the figure grinned.

2 seconds

A single finger reached out to the icon.

1 second

And pressed

0 seconds

Suddenly, the screen went dark and the 6 fools froze in place.

"What happened? Did we launch?" Nakimoto shouted, confused. He looked under the control panel looking around as if trying to find some kind of switch or sabotage device.

Shiokishi growled clenching his fist, "no you fool! Someone canceled the launch!" He shook in anger looking around frantically for whoever ruined their moment.

"But how!? No one could do that! Not even that brat of a chairman!" Einmono said with a look of disbelief. "We went through all that effort and signed our names to make sure he couldn't do that!" She held her head in rage as she felt her arms shaking.

Valart glared around, "Well someone did! We can't deny the facts. So who was it?" he demanded, suspecting his fellow board members. He didn't stand up to Accelerator during handcuffs just to let someone ruin everything at the last moment.

"You think it was one of us!? None of us have that kind of power or influence! That was the point! Not even we could cancel the launch like that! It had to be a backdoor channel of some kind. Accessible only from some specific device or location or… phone" Sorakai trailed off. Her eyes widened as she realized what had happened.

Shinjitsu clenched his fists, shaking in fury. "Aleister…" he muttered before throwing his head back and roaring. "AAAAALLLLEIIIISTEEEEEEEER!"


"Well, that was a very close call, don't you agree Coronzon?" A young androgynous human said, silver hair, green eyes a feminine yet masculine frame. They looked back at a glaring demon with blond hair and blue eyes wearing a beige habit. Around them lay the corpses of multiple mythical beasts. "Honestly, I'm shocked they didn't check to see if I had any backdoors into the city. Really that was a foolish oversight of the highest degree."

Coronzon growled irritated, "if it wasn't for that stupid contract you forced me to make. I'd kill you right this instant! You little piece of fucking shit," she hissed.

Aleister grinned lewdly, "fucking? Well I don't mind if you wa-"

"Thats not what I meant you little!" Coronzon gripped her head, stomping her foot. "No way… in the abyss amd I ever gonna fuck that… abomination of a body! Both male and female!? You disgust me in the worst ways!"

"A bit rude, I just decided, why go for either when I can have the best of both worlds?" Aliester declared frowning at their chest, "gonna have to work on the chest though. What's the point of being both sexes if you remain flat?"

"Just kill me noooowwww!" Coronzon groaned and sagged. Sighing she glanced at Accelerator's unconscious form, "So… what now?" she asked her contractor.

Aliester lifted Accelerator over their shoulder, "well, after Index's little stunt. The world's gotten a lot more dangerous, the phases are spilling over each other. So first, I'd like to ensure the chairman of Academy city is safe in the nearest town or whatever. After that, I think we should head to Mesopotamia. Curious how the oldest city on earth was affected by what happened."

Coronzon chuckled, crossing her arms, "I don't doubt it. This was the library of forbidden books we're talking about. Only she could pull off such a feat so easily," she looked out into the distance.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say you were proud of her." Aleister said smugly and began to walk off. Coronzon's eyes widened and she snapped angrily at Aliester.

"What!? no! I am the great demon Coronzon of the abyss! I am symbolized by the number 333 and represent dispersion! I would never be proud of something that denies entropy like that!"

Aliester rolled their eyes smirking, "yeah yeah, keep telling yourself that. Maybe you'll actually manage to wish us out of existence."

"You're mocking me!"

"Yes I am!"

"I'll… I'll kill you someday you piece of hip thrusting, monkey… shit!"

"Don't tempt me~"

The greatest magician and wickedest man in the world continued to tease the great demon as they walked off into the distance. But now that the stained glass that was the world had been cracked. There was no telling what would happen next as the earth continued to turn. So in a world where gods were childish, and where even the worst of people could gain ultimate power.

Who do you even pray to?

(1): the largest active volcano in Hawaii.