Fictions Mentioned:


Episode 30 - Spending Time With Your Understander


OP Song:

Tomorrow Never Dies · Sheryl Crow


Location:

Multiverse: KK 2004 Multiverse

Universe: ACMI Universe-Prime


Insert Song: Start

Dies irae - Animation OST: AHIH ASHR AHIH


It was quite the dream come true for Othinus.

Or rather, her name now appeared to be known at this time as Frida Fensalir.

She needs to keep up public appearances sake after all. That and she needed to hide her true identity and nature. Once, she was a woman with great power, far more than almost anyone in the world could ever hope to achieve by their own efforts, magician or esper.

For she was known in this world as a Magic God. A being capable of manipulating the laws of reality as if they were merely a canvas to be painted over by their own set of brushes. And said power would draw unwanted attention when applied in practice. She could draw such an example from one Aleister Crowley, the Board Chairman of Academy City, recalling the timeline that she had came forth from which was a time when the Magic Gods of the one true Gremlin were set off from their hidden phase power through a set of specific circumstances that resulted in the Magic Gods comng forth to the domain of mortal men, having loss their hidden phase and had to minimize their power accordingly as merely stepping in would destroy the material world itself. That was the price of ultimate power when obtained by humans in general speaking terms. It has it's benefits as there are it's downsides. A constant that remains mostly the same, no matter what universe.

And that was one of the reasons as to why Othinus decided to minimize herself so to speak, diminishing her strength by more than 1% of her actual nature of about 99%. She's still powerful in her own right. In fact, you might say that she may as well be equal in terms of strength that would give Aleister Crowley a proper challenge. But for one, she'd rather not underestimate the man who brought the Magic Gods to play by his rules. For two, she didn't want anymore attention. Her experiences in being hunted by the entire world in the time that she came from were more than enough of a valuable lesson for her to ponder and move forward from.

And in relation to that particular incident, there was that spiky-haired young man that was right there during that time.

The same, or perhaps different but no less so, spiky-haired young man was now sitting at the rectangular table, eating the well prepared soup that she had heated from the kitchen. And Othinus was simply admiring him with a happy smile, putting both hands to her lower jaw in order to support the weight of her face, with the elbows placed on the surface of the table providing additional support.

"Hmm. This is quite good," Touma Kamijou spoke with a smile, tasting the soup that was given to him through the use of a stainless steel spoon.

"Isn't it? Grandma's Chicken 'n' Dumpling Soup. Yes, I know and have heard the jokes before and I'd rather not have to hear them again from you of all people. In any case, I've learned how to make that soup back during the olden days. When you lived for over a thousand years, and then some, you've learn how to make due for oneself. Of course, I've never needed any food to begin with due to my nature, but that didn't mean that I couldn't enjoy eating like everyone else," Othinus said, sporting a smile.

"I suppose that seems to be the case," Kamijou spoke with a smile of humor. "Grandma."

"Hush. Interestingly enough, I'm curious as to how did you manage to come by to my doorstep so very soon. If I were to take a guess, I suppose that Lord Doctor had finally decided to send you to me personally," Othinus said, sporting a smile.

"...That's part of it, yes," Kamijou confirmed, sporting a concerned expression. "But I also wanted to find out about the memories that I've been having. Some of them were relating back to you apparently."

"The Infinite Hells," Othinus sported a grim, saddened expression. "Yes. That is what you seem to have seen, correct?"

"Yes," Kamijou confirmed, sporting a concerned expression. "I...I suppose that you are aware of that Test that I was subjected too not long ago?"

"Oh I'm perfectly aware. Lord Doctor informed me of such. And believe me, I wasn't pleased or thrilled upon the matter. If it weren't for such circumstances that prevented me from doing so, I would have intervened at that Test personally if I had anything to say about it," Othinus sported a narrowed expression, being quite obvious in her displeasure, with her face leaving her hands that were now crossed to the arms, leaning back at the chair.

"You more or less share the same feeling as everyone else at this point," Kamijou said, sporting a sad smile. "I mean...even Ren-niisan wanted to intervene personally and dismantle the test, but couldn't do anything about it despite his power and authority."

"Ah yes, Eien no Setsuna," Othinus sported a smile of amusement. "It's actually quite amusing to think that my understander would actually befriend such a powerful being, even to the point of being considered a brother figure to look up too, if what Lord Doctor told me was anything to go by. But then again, in the future where I'm from, you attracted the attention of the Magic Gods of Gremlin, so it stands as acertain precedent I think that one of those qualities that made you unique would come up again even in this timeline."

"Yeah, speaking of that, I actually have questions about that really," Kamijou said, sporting a concerned expression.

"Yes, I suppose you would. But you do know that you aren't suppose to know about the future, don't you? Even if it were a possible or an alternative one, I'd rather that you do not depend upon such mere fates that have yet to have come to be. It is but a mere distraction at best, especially when it comes to you specifically," Othinus sported a concerned expression.

"Except you came from that future, which even now makes me worry," Kamijou pointed out, sporting a sad smile. "I mean, you literally cried and hugged me the moment I was reciting that one line that I or some alternate future version of me had once said to you. And well...my questions about the future aren't really about me finding out about literally everything that had happened in said future since firstly, it's a very dangerous game to play against time, and I should know that better than anyone. Secondly, it isn't about knowing about the future per say and more on what exactly was our relationship in that future relatively speaking?"

"Ah, I suppose that you of all people would notice that obvious little tidbit," Othinus smiled sadly. "Well...to put it bluntly, we are or were mutual and beneficial understanders of each other. It is a result of the Infinite Hells themselves ironically enough where such bonds were forged, and it was one that even now, I still carried the burden of regrets. Truthfully, I was such a foolish woman at the time, for I had only wished to return to the world where I had originated from, before I was even a Magic God, before such times when there was nothing but the burden of living for centuries, in a time of innocence that even now still eludes me. Such is the price of becoming a Magic God. Immortality and power beyond your wildest dreams, and yet...the price in turn would have everyone that you seemingly care for passed away."

Kamijou sported a concerned expression. "...Have you...ever recalled your former life...before becoming a Magic God?"

"Not really, no," Othinus shakes her head sadly. "Like I said before, it was lost to time. And even then, such life might as well be non-existent in my specific case as I am quite the anomaly that shoudn't have come to be. For I came forth from an incarnation of this world that had followed a certain flow of events that already differed drastically. I could name a few instances, such as the fact that by meeting Lord Doctor when you were still kindergarten, a chain of events unfolded when they weren't suppose to be. People that were suppose to die never died in this timeline. Events that would have or should have taken place in this universe would either be changed outright or replaced with another smaller event. Probabilities abound in a way that is far more unpredictable to the point where the plans of a certain Board Chairman needed to be further updated."

"The Imagine Point," Kamijou said, sporting a sad smile. "I suppose you would know about that as well."

"Yes," Othinus confirmed in amusement. "It caused quite the ruckus among everyone who couldn't help but notice, both in and out of universe. Who would have thought that such an event whose final trigger had managed to affect the wider multiverse as a whole and touched the lives of so many, when originally that was not so."

"And um...," Kamijou sported a hesitant and concerned expression. "What was I like? I mean, how would you describe the 'me' of your timeline?"

"...Hmmm," Othinus mused herself for a bit, reminiscing about the boy who surpassed her expectations. "Well, you were quite the nuisance for me and my allies to deal with back then. In fact, the worthy note of attention that I could draw from your character was during the same Infinite Hells that I subjected you too. You were very stubborn, fully determined, always counteracting my arguments with your sharp common sense. The reason that you kept fighting and fighting was for the sake of everyone's happiness, which would then extend to living among them happily, referring to your 'normal' life. Your the type of person who would sacrifice everything for the sake of one person's smile. Your true value is different from that of a Magic God such as myself who has to determine superiority by the presence or absence of power. And your value shows itself once you accept what you lack and think about what to do without that strength. You continue to inspire and save others in spite of what you lack. You have no weapons on your arsenal except for nothing but yourself and your right hand. That was what made you quite the conundrum for many and for myself in particular. The desire to always forgive one's enemies, absolute loyalty to one's friends, doing what needed to be done to save one significant smile even to the point of sacrificing your own..."

Othinus' tone would begin to become even sadded with each passing description about the Touma Kamijou that she had known for a very long time.

"...Yes, you were the man who refused to never give up, no matter the odds. Even when the world would turn against you for trying to defend me. You still stick by your belief and stood your ground. You gave me so much hope...But..."

Then suddenly, there were tears. But these tears were not just that of guilt, but bespoke of sorrow and loss tha ran deeper than one person could ever imagine. For was she not the only known survivor of her timeline? Said timeline being an anomaly that no longer was suppose to be.

And yet...she was still here.

The only person who truly remembers what had taken place. The sins that she had committed throughout the world, especially against Touma Kamijou, had finally catched up with her in the worse possible or impossible form imaginable. A conflict unlike any other. And in that time, she was tortured mercilessly, experimented upon, trying to figure out ways to make her tick.

And she was tortured for what amounted to billions upon billions of years. The painful irony was not loss on her.

She once said: "True despair never stays within your expectations, does it?"

Well, that couldn't be more true for how everything had turned out for her. And the same punishment still had repercussions to this day. She in fact being the only resident of this universe so far who had knowledge of what had or no longer occurred in the timeline. Everything had changed. For good or for ill.

"...But...why...?," she looked at Kamijou who was giving her a look that was nothing but sheer empathy, understanding deeply of the pain and sorrow, as he too was subjected to countless millennia of torture in the form of an Endless June. "...Why did I realized it too late...?"

Othinus would stand up from her seat, walking towards Kamijou who was carefully eyeing the Magic God out of a sense of concern. By the time she heads towards Kamijou, she gently placed both of her hands to his cheek, touching them. Kamijou didn't remove it. He was stunned of course, but he was also concerned because of the expression that the Magic God had been carrying.

"...My entire life with you was just gone...All of it...The bonds that we shared, everything that we've been through, the enemies that we have fought time and time again...All of it went for naught...In just one normal day...And since then, I've come to gradually realize that even if the world were to remain, it would never be truly the same. For it was because of the state of the world that my timeline became an aberration so to speak, being the only known survivor to be spared when everyone else falls silent to the screams of their own making. I had to relive more than half a century of my own life before finally catching up to you once more, but alas, I could only do so from afar. And even then, I could not remain for long as I do not want to draw anymore attention to yourself so early. Even more so when the Imagine Point happened that I realized that I could never get my former life back, and would have to remain content of living in this current world, this current reality where things may change course. But even in spite of all of the changes, that specific characteristic that I find endearing within you still remained. The desire to fight for the sake of everyone's smile which is a gift to the world unlike any other. But then..., there of course are a few differences that I find inevitable due to the changes."

"The fact that I've been through an Infinite Hell much earlier than intended is already a change in and of itself," Kamijou grimly concluded. "The reality of which is still present to my mind, never quite letting it go even in spite of the happy memories that I currently have. All the deaths that you have incurred upon my other self, in spite of not having the intention to devalue it as it shouldn't, not by one line, would seem like a grain of sand compared to what I have to experience. For unlike him, I was faced with real choices that would affect actual worlds with actual living beings. If a person dies, he dies. If a person lived, he lives. If a person is saved, he saves. If my other self felt bothered by one single iota of being replaced, I for one was far more concerned of the predicament and challenges that were set in store for me. Some worlds were designed to make me lose. Some worlds would have me force to watch as everyone that I knew died around me. Some worlds where I were to be devoured alive. Some worlds where I had to fight in multiple conflicts. Some worlds where I have to stand against different types of suffering that lay in store upon myself or upon others that would seem completely insignificant in the grand scheme of things..."

Kamijou's eyes went downwards which were noticed by Othinus who could help but pay close attention too.

"...I...I had that much to lose as a result...because..."

"Because of her, isn't it?," Othinus softly muttered, smiling sadly.

Kamijou would begin to look straight at Othinus in the eye, sporting a grave and concerned expression, nodding silently.

"The woman who had lived through the same amount of hell that was more or less allowed herself to become your new understander. And...the same woman that you had announced to the whole crowd as your understander during your birthday," Othinus sadly muttered softly, with her eye casting downwards. Kamijou in turn was sporting a slightly widened expression. "Furude Rika. That was the name of the woman that you inevitably chose, both now and...forever."

Kamijou, being silent for a few moments, would begin to sigh heavily, nodding silently, saying. "Yeah. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it."

Othinus could only smile, trembling in sadness. "As I should have expected to be quite frank. In fact, that woman had already surpass me by a whole margin based on one crucial factor. The fact that she never hurt you in any way, shape or form. Unlike what I have done."

"...I am sorry," Kamijou apologized, truly meaning every word. For even if it were just another life that he could or might have lived, the fact that there was the distinct possibility that was presented in the form of the only survivor of one's timeline would speak for itself.

"Oh you silly human," Othinus shakes her head, smiling sadly. "You have never needed to apologized for anything, least of all to me. You've made your decision and you sticked by it. As a goddess and your undersrtander, I could not help but give my full blessing in spite of the heartache that results from such. Nay, I should say, pouring forth from within my own heart. But I must confess that it doesn't stop me from being a little jealous."

"(Sigh). Honestly, you aren't the first nor the last person who ever said that since...well...," Kamijou sported a hesitant expression.

"Ah, I see. So even in this current timeline, you have still accumulated a bunch of women into your life that would further add or even exceed the numbers of the timeline that I had came forth from. How truly unfortunate indeed," Othinus sported an amused expression, tears still running down her cheeks.

"Ah, so even in the timeline you're from, I guess that didn't change much," Kamijou grimaced in embarassment.

"And now that I thought about it, there is one particular trait that seem to separate you and the Kamijou Touma that I know," Othinus smiled, as if under an epiphany. "The fact that I recall Kamijou Touma being someone who seem to act dense if only because he refuses to acknowledge the bewildering thought that any form of romantic relationship that one would truly have with him would not last too long based on the misfortunes of life, and many other factors that I cannot say for now."

"I suppose...that it might as well be one of my flaws that I would have had...if I continued the original path that would have been set out from me from the start," Kamijou sported a concerned expression. "As a matter of fact, I could honestly sympathize with such a reason that is not that unfounded."

"Hmm. Yes, that one trait that would either be the annoyance of some women and the blessing for others, if only the other women have been given further opportunities to grab your full attention," Othinus sported an amused expression, tears still running down her cheeks.

"I seem to notice that part from other people that I know that experienced pretty much the same thing," Kamijou said, sporting a look of sympathy that was directed towards everyone that he knew who has or ever had to deal with one or more women in their lives.

"Hmmm. Well then," Othinus wiped the tears from her eyes while softly laughing, letting go of Kamijou's cheeks. "I believe that you should finish that meal of yours, human. You don't want it to grow cold now, would you?"

"Of course not," Kamijou smiled, turning back towards his meal in order to enjoy it once again.


After the admittedly delicious meal, Touma Kamijou was simply talking with Othinus in a casual manner, slowly but surely reforging the bond that was broken when time itself became broken.

Othinus was showing him around the place, seeing the regular furniture from each room. Kamijou would make a comment about how the design and layout of Othinus' Residence was actually simple and straightforward, with a hint and atmosphere of a Swedish Row House. Books about plants and other related topics were stacked in perfect order across the shelves. A specific library seem to be located at what appeared to be the secret basement which was where books of magic and other related topics that should not be seen by the public eye could be found.

"A magic library," Kamijou mused to himself as he walked down the stairs. "Didn't figure you for a book worm, Othinus."

"Hmm," Othinus giggled. "Honestly, this library isn't worth much salt compared to...well, the actual walking library of grimoires that I was well aquainted with in my future."

"Walking library?," Kamijou sported a concerned expression. "Should I know something about this or..."

"No," Othinus sadly shakes her head. "No you can't. Not yet. You haven't met her yet, so I can't really say other than it is a young woman who would open the doors of your possibility that would seem to allow you to circle back to the bonds once long forgotten. And yes, I can speak in riddles as much as I will in order not for you to immediately guess and for you to figure out for oneself."

Kamijou could only smile, shaking his head. "Of course I wouldn't really hold that against you. No spoilers after all."

"However, I can tell you this," Othinus said, sporting a solemn, melancholic, and reminiscent expression. "Perhaps in the current reality that you may know, she may be different in terms of behavior and demeanor. But in the world that I came forth from and remember, she was a religious nun from one of the largest Christian denominations of your world, known for her role as the Library of Forbidden Books. When I knew her for most of the time, she acts like a simple child, and yet seem to carry rare hints of maturity. Do take care as to when you were to encounter her one day, human, for I can tell you that danger would come for her in simple and complicated ways."

"...I see," Kamijou said, simply leaving it at that while making a mental note to meditate and ponder what Othinus had said to him.

And after looking through the library, Othinus in turn would show Kamijou her beautiful garden that was at the third floor. The roof on top was made of solar control glass that allowed for moderate sunlight to come through and shine upon the plants.

Each plant was significant enough, especially the flowers that reside in them, blooming from the shining rays of the sunlight.

There were many types of flowers. One example would be those that were to be found in the country of Denmark such as Common Yellow Azalea (Rhododendron Luteum), Agrostocrinum Scabrum, Lady Orchid, Conostylis Aculeate, Grevillea Pulchella, Tassle Flower, Red Helleborine and Danish Orchids.

"Color me curious but...how exactly did you take up the job of being a florist? I don't know why, but for some reason, I feel like such a hobby seem practically unthinkable for you to take even if you were to retire as a Magic God," Kamijou asked, sporting a curious expression, with gut feelings seemingly telling him in mere whispers that seem unexplainable.

"...Well, you would be correct. I used to pay no mind to such trivial things. Back then, I was far too arrogant for my own liking. Too caught up in my goal to the point where I almost cared for nothing. That is until I met you. And for that, I feel thankful that there was a window of hope that had been granted to me the moment you would stretch out your hand and shatter the preconceived illusions of the world. Actually, I would have you to thank for my new hobby. Even more so when..."

Othinus would suddenly stop speaking, her voice seemingly becoming silent which made Kamijou sport a concerned expression.

"...When the War happened. It's because of this that I would begin to truly learn to appreciate the value of even the little things of life that humanity tends to take for granted," she would say, holding onto a flower from one of the vases. "It hurt. It truly hurt to find that everything you were to see, nothing remained of the beauty except for an eternity of conflict, the foul stench of death that not even the halls of Valhalla would contain, the deceased arising again and again, the innocent trees becoming twisted t o the point of unrecognizability, such things that made me see as to what kind of person I had been, confronting my own darkness in the shape of this very War."

Othinus turned towards Kamijou with a sad smile.

"...I...I know that this were to be the first time that we were to meet, but...I...I just can't help but tell you how I miss you so..."

"Othinus...," Kamijou softly muttered out of concern.

That's right. Othinus had came forth from a non-existent timeline. A timeline that was the original history of this universe. At least, before the changes that rippled through the heart of this universe had made both fate and destiny steer through an entirely new direction. Even more so when the Imagine Point came about. The script changes and another blank slate replaces it.

"Well then," Othinus would replace the sad smile with a happy one that was accompanied by a chirpy tone. "I suppose that I should get back to work for now. You can look at the flowers as much as you like, human. If you were to need me, I'll be in my shop. I have to earn a living somehow, right?"

"Of course," Kamijou nodded in understanding.

And then, Kamijou would see Othinus walking to the door which would lead to the stairs downwards. Then, Kamijou would begin to put his hands to his pockets, inspecting all of the flowers that he would see and find for himself.

One ordinary day. An impossible day that had the fortune of meeting someone who knew of him instead of the mere bouts of misfortune.


Insert Song: End


ED Song:

Betcha Never from Cherie (2004)


Main Comapnion Protagonists:

Touma Kamijou - VA: Atsushi Abe

New Characters:

Othinus - VA: Asami Seto