Author Notes:
The following concepts that are to be used in this chapter are credited to the following:
1.) ADdude - Author of Twist of Fate and Kami-Chan Disease Def-Con Center among other works.
Fictions Mentioned:
Episode 3
OP Song:
Adele - Skyfall (Lyric Video)
Insert Song: Start
Dies irae - Animation OST: Unus Mundus
Touma Kamijou was in the kitchen, preparing a few of the dishes that he had learned over the years. So he can't really take all the credit.
The Transforming Furikake Gohan.
7 Chicken wings. Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon. Grated ginger, 1 tablespoon. Bonito broth, 700 cc. Sake, mirin, sugar, 1 tablespoon each Light soy sauce, 50 cc. 4 Eggs. Diced spring onion. Sugar, 1 tablespoon. Pinch of salt.
Ingredients are combined to make the dish, cooked, and smell delicious to the senses.
The meal was now prepared in order to be eaten by Index who was called by Kamijou, informing her that the meal was ready. He had found her reading one book that she seem to have found an interest in.
From the cover, it was 'First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong'.
He smiled. That takes him back. He'd recall the time when he and a certain Time Lord had visited upon the moon when he was young. He was in elementary school back then. The first stop was the moon. Then came the universe. And everything started there. His first journey through space as well as time. An unforgettable experience that he would always remember. One of his precious memories of old.
Index, after being called, would place the book back where she found it and head towards the dining table, being greeted at the sight of the rather delicious meal. And naturally, she approved of it as expressed by her simple smile and nothing else. Then she would begin to say grace, praying to the Lord to bless the meal that was presented before her as she started eating to her heart's content, followed by Kamijou who would also eat his own dish. The way that Index had poured her heart forth at the moment of grace was a time when Kamijou could only smile in a genuine manner, thinking about how it was rather cute and heartwarming in a way due to the positive feelings and heartfelt prayer seemingly devoid of any selfishness. A rare type of quality to be surely nurtured.
There was a certain silence throughout the dining table. Only two individuals eat their meals with contentment in their hearts. After eating their dishes, Kamijou would speak first and foremost.
"How's the dish?"
Index smiled, answering in a polite tone. "It's perfect." Simple as that.
"Thank you," Kamijou said, smiling.
"Pardon me, but I suppose that I would need to start with an introduction seeing as I suddenly just barge into your property so soon," Index said with a contrite smile, speaking with a contrite heart.
"No need. I already know who you are. You're Index Librorum Prohibitorum, right?" asked Kamijou.
Index would blink in surprise. "How do you know who I was?"
"A good friend of mine told me about you. She's a florist who owns a shop just a few blocks away. In fact, since you're here, I should probably take you to her since she would know you more than I do," Kamijou said.
"Oh, I see," Index smiled sadly. "Is this friend of yours associated with magic by any chance?"
Because if that were true, then she'd practically give herself out as a target. To one such as Index, she is a literal walking library of forbidden grimoires. If people knew of her nature, they are either associated with magic, being part of magic cabals, or they only hear from her in passing.
From what she could feel right now when she looks straight at this young man who had offered her shelter and a place to stay, there was that familiar feeling of security that was present within her heart. It was recollecting something lost and now was found little by little. She'd known this young man. But she couldn't tell from the tip of her tongue. It was almost like it were a long time ago, in another life. A past life. It was not something like reincarnation, no. It was something else entirely.
"You could say that she is associated with magic, but she isn't part of any magic cabal that you may know of. That and she's practically retired all things considered. Mostly anyway. She's just spending the rest of her days attending and managing her flower shop and trying to make a living as usual. I can definitely attest to myself that she's a good person deep down, so you don't have to worry about her," Kamijou explained. "In any case, what brings you here to my humble abode? I mean, you suddenly lying down on my balcony and I had to pull you out of there and check to see if you got hurt."
"...I...jumped," Index said, her emerald eyes turning sideways in hesitation.
"Jumped?" Kamijou raised an eyebrow of concern. "By jump, did you mean that you just jumped from one building to the next?"
"I suppose so," Index sadly smiled, as if she were resigned to the fact of her life already. "I was trying to get away from something."
"Are you being chased?" Kamijou asked out of concern.
"Yes," Index replied sadly, silently wondering how he guessed correctly. "But if I were to be honest, I've been chased through all my life ever since I could remember...And that amounts to very little, unfortunately."
"Well then," Kamijou stood up from his chair. "All the more reason for me to take you to the old friend that I've been talking about. Her shop isn't that far if you and I could hitch a ride on my board."
"A ride?" Index tilted her head, curious.
It was a windowless room.
There were no doors, no stairs, and no elevators or hallways. This "building"—which served none of the functions of one—was an impenetrable citadel, accessible only by a Level 4's Teleport ability.
The space was too large to be called indoors, and there were no sources of illumination, but the room seemed to be filled with starlike lights. That was because all four walls were covered with innumerable monitors, buttons, and other such things, each blinking on and off. From the thousands of different machines of various sizes came tens of thousands of cords, cables, and tubes, all sprawled across the floor like arteries, gathering in the area at the center of the room.
Two people stood within the Calculate Fortress building that's strength easily surpassed that of a nuclear shelter.
The first was Stiyl Magnus, a handsome young man with shoulder-length blond hair that is dyed red and it is styled on either side, considered to be a formidable magician who uses runes and fire magic to good effect. The second was Kaori Kanzaki, a Japanese young woman with long black hair tied up in a ponytail that reaches her hips, with a two-meter-long nodachi covered with a scabbard from one side of her hips.
As of now, they were currently in the presence of someone who was on a cylindrical container that was made of reinforced glass and had red fluid inside it. It was said that this color represented a weak alkaline culture solution.
A process for producing weakly alkaline pure water and a device thereof belong to the production technique of drinking water, which is characterized in that the pure water is produced from raw water, the pure water is delivered into an acidic water tank and a purifier is transmitted into the acidic water tank, then the pure water is delivered out to enter an alkaline water tank or the acidic water tank, water in the two water tanks is respectively and simultaneously electrolyzed by a water electrolysis machine to obtain the weakly alkaline pure drinking water and acidic water for beauty, and when the water delivered out from the water tank has the pH value matching with the electric conductivity gamma value as design required, the water electrolysis machine is stopped and the water inside the water tank is delivered out as finished water. The production device comprises a raw water device, a purifying device, a pure water device, an alkaline water tank, an acidic water tank, electrically operated valves mutually connected in series, a conductivity sensor, a pH sensor, a water pump, and the water electrolysis machine. After operating the invention, pure drinking water with weak alkaline and small clusters or weakly alkaline drinking water which have good taste can be produced as required, and the device can produce acidic water, which is favorable for beauty and cosmetic production, thereby increasing the competitive power for enterprises.
A human wearing a green surgical gown was floating upside down inside the beaker. There were no words to describe him except "human". The silver-haired "human" looked masculine yet feminine, adult yet childlike, and saintly yet sinful. It had given all of its biological functions over to machines, and in doing so, had acquired an estimated lifespan of 1,700 years. The entire body, including the brain, was in a nearly comatose state. Most of its thought processes were assisted by machines.
"Every man and woman who comes here has the same reaction when they observe my state of being…" began the submerged "human". He sounded masculine yet feminine, adult yet childlike, and saintly yet sinful. "…but there really isn't a need for humans to go out of their way to do what machines can." But then, he would add with a narrowed tone. "...or at least, as that was what I would say in the past if it were not for confidential circumstances."
The "human", Aleister Crowley, the school board chairman of the capital city of science known as Academy City, was now expressing a tone that seem to point at something that would be out-of-context for both Stiyl and Kanzaki who couldn't help but notice with a tinge of curiosity, even scientific but would never admit such a term for their liking. But of course, there was also the hint of fear based on the same tone. It was like the old saying that seems to be applied in this case when it comes to the "human".
Underestimate him at your own peril.
"I suppose you two would know as to why I humbly requested to your Archbishop that you two be brought here…" The board chairman of Academy City, the "human" Aleister who was floating upside-down, said with a stern tone, "...for the situation has become complicated."
Sityl and Kanzaki were both looking at each other, frowning. They couldn't have imagined this person before them would complain about something "troublesome."
"...What do you mean by that?" asked Kanzaki.
"I am aware as to why you two are here, for you are currently after the girl who is a part of your church. Her last known location would be at a certain dorm apartment where one of my students would be staying. You'd know him from the news by now. Do the terms "Captain Nippon" or "Illusion Breaker" mean anything to you two?"
"..."
Both Stiyl and Kanzaki have heard of those terms before. They were to describe a young man, a student of this city of science, who seem to carry a certain right hand, a mighty shield, state-of-the-art technology the likes of which most anyone could never even hope to witness or imagine. It was one big bang of general news reports and stories and legends that made Academy City a heavily discussed and sensational topic that would even reach the ears of the magic side from various parts of the world for the past few months up until now. The accomplishments that have been done by this young man, the people that he had protected, and the cases that he solved were the stuff of urban legends.
Both Stiyl and Kanzaki were curious about this boy, and some part of them thought that they need to find out more about him. Even more so when they were informed that this boy was now currently keeping the Walking Library some form of needed company.
"I would highly advise that you two do not engage him in battle. No matter how skilled you think you are, no matter how much magical training you think you have achieved, no matter if you're an ordinary magician or a recognizable saint, you must not do battle with him. For many have fought him and they, in turn, lead to their own downfall as their mere illusions break and shatter like glass."
The warning that Aleister gave sent shivers running down their spine. It wasn't just a warning. It was a promise. One that was made out of a sense of rare honesty and perhaps even a tinge of pride.
"He is to be your valuable ally in the task that you two are about to undergo. In fact, in more ways than you two could ever truly realize."
"Would you be referring to Deep Blood?" Kanzaki asked, curious at the subtle proposal, using honorifics out of respect.
"That and perhaps...far more than just that," Aleister would say.
But there was the way that he said it which bothered them so.
Multiverse: KK 2004 Multiverse
Universe: ACMI Universe-729
ACMI Universe-729.
It was a universe that managed to be born from or has diverged from the normal scheduled pattern. Official records from the higher point of view had indicated that certain events that happened that were likened to that of ACMI Universe-Prime Pre-Imagine Point Timeline and were mostly out-of-order in terms of the narrative.
Somewhere in a certain park on this world's Academy City, there was a tall, thin-faced man with a tousled mop of silver-grey hair and intense eyes framed by unruly, expressive eyebrows, wearing a navy blue Crombie coat with crimson lining and a midnight blue cardigan, an ivory shirt with a pointing collar, indigo trousers, and black brogue boots. There was two gold ring on his left-hand ring finger. One was a normal gold band. The other was a greenish amber setting that rested atop the first band.
He was seated at a bench park. He seemed to be waiting for something for the past hour or so. Or perhaps...someone.
"Blimey! That was a wild ride!"
He turned to his right, hearing the familiar voice. He spotted what appeared to be a man with brown hair and grayish-blue eyes that seem tired and weary, reminding him of his own. He was wearing an old brown coat over a simple yet fashionable modern suit that seemed beat up or worn out a little. He wore a Victorian-style vest under his suit jacket with a pocket watch sticking out of the pocket, reminding him of his eighth self. Around his neck were a pair of aviator goggles, and he was using a belt that was reminiscent of an old western-style and oddly reminded him of his wife. There was the familiar accent that seem to be a mixture of English, Scottish, and Welsh mixed with the spoken clear, fluent, and precise Japanese tongue.
The Time Traveler.
Known by many names throughout the history of this universe. More commonly known by his alias "Moses Norton". The first name was significant enough in that it was made up by this universe's Kuroko Shirai.
"Bout time you showed up. And you're only late for what amounted to 10800000000000 nanoseconds I believe," he would say.
The man would take notice of him, shocked to find him just casually sitting over at the bench.
"...Doctor? What are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing. Just stopping by and anticipating your next calculated arrival in the time stream. Being a time traveler that can travel in style does have its perks," the Doctor smiled.
"Well excuse me, not all of us have a space-time machine that can travel in time and the multiverse with ease," Moses retorted, dusting some of the dirt off of his clothing.
"If I were to take an educated guess as to where and when you were last from, it would have to be right in the middle of the Civil War, somewhere in the Battle of Cowpens I believe."
"And as usual, you had it all figured out," Moses said in exasperation, walking a few steps before finally sitting down next to the Doctor. "So, what brings you here to my neck of the multiverse, doc? I'd figure that you didn't wait for me for the past three hours only for a social call."
The Doctor sighed heavily, his face turning grim which was noticed by Moses. "...No. Unfortunately, I didn't come by to visit just for the sake of catching up. Something's coming, Moses. And you and I both know what it is."
Moses would begin to sport an expression that was grim, perturbed at what his old friend was trying to say. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Yes. It's almost time. The deep breath before the plunge. The crimson shadow from the east is preparing for war on a scale whose aftermath may perhaps threaten the balance between the barriers and the worlds in-between."
Moses gulped at the grim news. It wasn't often for Moses to be afraid of something due to his power that may as well make him as immortal as they come. But when it concerns this kind of topic that would make even gods tremble and talk about with a duty of care, Moses would definitely pay very close attention as this threat may perhaps spell the end of all life and death in the Multiverse. Not as of now, but seeing as how the anticipated invasion would perhaps be a precursor to something more, it would make a Time Traveler such as he is most concerned considering that his universe and every universe that has ever been related to an individual by the name of Touma Kamijou, whether of ACMI Universe-Prime or of his native reality of ACMI Universe-729 or many other variants are in danger of being threatened towards total annihilation.
"I can only hope that whatever it is you're planning, Doc, it better be enough to turn the tide. I'd rather like for my universe to keep running as it is without being destroyed since well, you know, I and many others that I know pretty much live in it. There's also the important part that without my universe, my time travel powers would be caput for good. Traveling to other universes for me is a no-go since my powers don't work fast enough there and my healing would be a lot slower. And theoretically, if I stay in another universe for too long, I might die."
"Oh, You'd probably not worry too much about your universe, or any designated universe number really. Except for the prime reality. That would be the place where it and a few other worlds from different multiverses would be connected inadvertently if my hunch is anything to go by," the Doctor reassured.
"Hmm. And how about the Kamijou Touma of Earth-Prime, do you think that he's ready to face something like this?" Moses asked out of concern.
"He's been training for this moment for a very long time, Moses. He is ready, even if he doesn't believe himself to be," the Doctor said in a subtle proud and trusting tone.
Insert Song: End
ED Song:
Terminator Salvation - Break The Silence (Soundtrack)
Incarnation(s)/Regeneration(s) of the Doctor:
The Twelfth Doctor - A: Peter Capaldi
Main Companion Protagonists:
Touma Kamijou - VA: Atsushi Abe
Main Heroine Characters:
Index Librorum Prohibitorum - VA: Yuka Iguchi
New Characters:
Aleister Crowley - VA: Toshihiko Seki
Sityl Magnus - VA: Kishō Taniyama
Kaori Kanzaki - VA: Shizuka Itō
Characters From Other Fanfiction:
Moses Norton (Twist of Fate By: ADdude)