Fictions Mentioned:
Episode 5
OP Song:
Adele - Skyfall (Lyric Video)
Insert Song: Start
The Master of the Mystic End Credits (Audio Only) from Doctor Strange
Mikoto Misaka and Misaki Shokuhou were currently heading towards Fensalir's Nordic Wonders, the well-renown flower shop that is located a few blocks away from School Garden. It was only a few jogs away, passing through a secret short-cut passage that would lead from Tokiwadai to an alleyway and then automatically stop towards the backdoor of the three-story building.
"Well, we're here," Misaka remarked.
They would begin to press the button that would let a doorbell be heard from the inside. And then, the two middle school girls would wait for a few moments. Then a step of footsteps, a bit hurried, was heard by them. The door opened, revealing Othinus, or as they knew her now, Frida Fensalir, wearing a grey stylish apron and sporting a smile on her face.
"Good, you two are here. Come inside, the human's waiting for you," Othinus said with a smile.
Then, the two girls would head inside, with Othinus closing the backdoor. They would eventually head towards another door where a couple of staircases were seen. They would head upwards towards the second floor and head towards the door where Othinus' home proper was located. Othinus would open the door and they would all head inside to find Touma Kamijou who was sitting on the left side of the sofa, sitting right next to someone wearing a nun habit, but it was rather unusual based on the design of the embroidery alone and was seen to be petting Sphynx the calico cat in the head in a gentle manner.
"?"
Misaka and Shokuhou would stop in their tracks for a few moments that seem to last quite long as they took note of the young girl before them who seem to be about 14 or 15 in terms of age. There was something odd, it was like a sort of familiar sensation that one could get when around someone that you felt as if you've met this individual before but could not put a finger as to where or when. It was the sensation that they both had experienced in one way or another ever since encountering Touma Kamijou and staying by his side for long periods of time.
It was like... It was almost like...
"...Déjà vu," both Misaka and Shokuhou muttered softly, eyes widening, looking at the silver-haired nun. Then they look at each other and then back and forth between themselves and the silver-haired girl in a slow glancing manner. The silver-haired girl, while petting Sphynx, started taking notice of the two middle school girls, sporting a curious, bewildered, and sort-of familiar expression.
"...Um, hello there?" Index smiled, despite being a bit bewildered at the two new visitors that she felt a familiar sensation around for some reason.
"...Um, who are you?" Misaka asked, curious.
"Oh! I'm sorry, forgive me for not introducing myself to you both," Index said with an apologetic smile. "My name is Index Librorum Prohibitorum, but since that seems like a mouthful, you two could just call me Index."
"Meow," Sphynx would say with a smile as it continues to be pet in the head by Index.
"Um...hi, um, my name is Misaka Mikoto. How do you do?" Misaka introduced herself with a polite bow of the head, albeit bewildered.
"Shokuhou Misaki, please to meet you," Shokuhou introduced herself with a smile, albeit bewildered.
"But wait...Index Librorum Prohibitorum?" Misaka took note of the term, vaguely recalling something important about it, showing a concerned expression. "When have I heard that term before?"
"Did you seriously forget about the history lessons that we had with Strange-sensei too soon, Misaka-san?"
Shokuhou glances with incredulity toward Misaka. Misaka was about to answer, but Shokuhou beat her to it as she raised her left glove hand.
"No wait, never mind. I'll just explain it all again in simple breviary terms. Index Librorum Prohibitorum could mean two common things. One would supposedly be the name of a list of publications deemed heretical or contrary to morality by the Sacred Congregation of the Index, a former Dicastery of the Roman Curia, which comprises the administrative institutions of the Holy See and the central body through which the affairs of the Roman Catholic Church are conducted. The purpose of the Index's function is mainly about protecting church members from reading theologically, culturally, or politically disruptive books that could bring harm to the faith and morals of Catholics. At least, that is what it officially stands for in many places that we know of. And then there's the second one which was never officially discussed to you and to others as far as I recall, which all relates back to this young girl."
She looks at Index with concern.
"I've read her official file before from the Archive Library. She was given the code designation: Emerald by the Foundation based on the color of her eyes, and from what I've heard, she is being kept a close watch by the Foundation and several other allied organizations and GOIs. From what I've read and from what I've been told, Index Librorum Prohibitorum is the name of a young religious sister of the Anglican Church who had officially lost her memories numerous times, and it all seems to have started at the roughly estimated age of about...ten years old? ...No, possibly even more so than just that. But then..."
She looks toward Othinus with incredulity, wanting to address the strange sense of familiarity that she had been getting at ever since laying eyes on the sister for the very first time in person. She had seen her in pictures before, but it didn't trigger the same level of sensation as it was now. If her suspicions are accurate, then...
"...It can't be."
"Yes," Othinus nodded, confirming Shokuhou's suspicions. "She's a connection point, same as I and you two, the four main connection points, in fact, the rest remaining ever so probable. However, she is quite the special kind shall we say."
"Special? How special are we talking about here?" asked Misaka, putting her right hand to her waist and raising an eyebrow of curiosity towards Index. Index was also listening in, considering that the conversation was specifically referencing her and she couldn't help but be a bit too curious, especially when feeling the same level of déjà vu as everyone else.
"Special enough to the point where she is considered to be the linchpin itself, the one who holds the sacred timeline of our universe in tip-top shape, the guiding north arrow that would allow our universe to keep running without any maintenance delays. Since meeting Kamijou Touma, and with the four stars now gathered together, representing the directions of a compass that would navigate through the rubber string of time...and the future itself is now currently entering into an unknown path."
"An unknown path," Misaka softly uttered out of concern, familiar with the concept of connection points as it had been explained to her more than a month ago.
"You two are already quite aware of this as you've been told just how much our own history is just so much wrong in it that only a few could actually be totally aware of little by little. You both feel it, don't you? The strong gut impulses that are telling you that something about your lives seems to have gone missing and taken unnaturally, like a bunch of pages being ripped off from a book which is our universe. Our original lives, the ones that we would have lived, are no longer there for one to follow. The paths are uncertain and too many new events and individuals have already made their mark. I would only need to bring up one of the more recent events such as the fact that all of the sisters of Misaka Mikoto," Othinus glances at Misaka who was twitching and grimacing at the mere mention of the event. "Are alive and well. And that was one of many things that are totally different from the future that I came forth. Now the future is but a blank slate that is just waiting to be written down."
"...Um," Index softly muttered, curious. "What do you mean by this, um...Ms. Fensalir, correct?"
Othinus would smile, saying. "Just Frida would do, Index. Once I was known as the Magic God Othinus, but now, I am but a humble flower shop owner named Frida Fensalir who has given up more than 99% of her power and is simply content with seeking peace and quiet as my days of war have long since been at an end."
Index would be surprised greatly, for the mere mention of the term 'Magic God' was not lost to her. But there was also the name 'Othinus'. If she recalled her Latin correctly, the term would be a direct reference to the name of the Norse God Odin who was the god of war, wisdom, magic, poetry, and betrayal among other things.
"Wait a minute, Magic God Othinus? But then, perhaps you are..."
"That's right," Othinus nodded with a smile. "Everything relating to the legends and tales of Odin can be traced back to myself as I am the Odin after all."
"...I see," Index softly said, looking at Othinus with curiosity and awe, for an actual Magic God was now standing right before her.
"In any case, since all four of us are gathered together once again, well...from my perspective anyway, and for that very reason, we would need to contact Lord Strange as he should be able to assist Index's main problems, starting with her memory erasure," Othinus looks meaningfully at Index.
But then suddenly...
An orange mystical portal begins to abruptly appear just nearby for Touma Kamijou and the four women to notice.
"No need to call for me, Lady Othinus."
The voice that belonged to a handsome and sophisticated gentleman was heard. His physical appearance would be seen exiting the portal. He appeared to be a man in his mid-thirties, a man with gentlemanly features, with combed well-kept hair with grey sides and a meticulously trimmed goatee, wearing yellow gloves, a blue tunic robe is worn all over the body, and a scarlet red cape connected to his back, along with a mystical artifact that is worn around his neck.
By the time he stepped out of the portal, it would automatically be sealed, leaving the man standing right before them. Everyone except for Index recognized him from anywhere, having met him many times before.
"Strange-sensei!" Misaka exclaimed in surprise. "Wh-What are you doing here?"
Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange—The Sorcerer Supreme—would smile sadly, looking towards Index, indicating the purpose of his coming.
"Well, Misaka-kun, I didn't come here for a social visit, unfortunately. I actually came for her in particular as far more pressing issues and matters would need to be addressed."
"Eh?" Index softly uttered, looking at the strange gentleman who had appeared so suddenly without warning.
"In any case, hello at last, Lady Index," Dr. Strange puts his right hand to his chest and made a slight gentlemanly bow. "My name is Dr. Stephen Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts and Sorcerer Supreme. And I do believe that we would need to speak of your condition first and foremost as it definitely needs to be addressed. May I?"
Dr. Strange was asking for permission. He was raising his right hand in a gesture of respect, honesty, and professionalism. From what Index could tell, the man is asking for her permission if he were to at least take a look at what's wrong with her, like a professional doctor asking for his patient's permission. Index would analyze the expression of honesty, her mind as sharp as the rest of her five senses. She could feel...something odd and unique within this person. It was like...he was some kind of conduit for mana, not only of mere magic.
This person, Dr. Stephen Strange, was someone who seem to be capable of harnessing it. Index's vellus hair was standing straight as her emerald eyes widened. The power and the aura that she felt for this man were not like anything that she had seen before. It was like everything that is considered to be a source of all forms of life would be swirling around him like mere living birds that flap to their bird nest.
"...Y-Yes, of course," Index said in a respectful manner, instinctively recognizing her superior in terms of magic.
"Thank you," Dr. Strange nodded in thanks, smiling. Then he turns toward Kamijou, with a serious expression. "Touma, you might want to step back for a few meters. I would need for the diagnostic spell to not be disrupted by Imagine Breaker, for I'm about to work through her mind which no doubt has a multitude of mental defenses based on the fact that she has those grimoires on her head."
"Of course, Strange-sensei," Kamijou nodded.
Then suddenly...
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
"?!"
Kamijou and everyone else throughout the room were either sporting surprised or curious expressions due to hearing a beeping sound coming from Kamijou's pockets. Kamijou would grab hold of an advanced cellphone, sleek and retrofuturistic in design, and would see the contact from the screen.
Shiage Hamazura.
"Hamazura?" Kamijou softly muttered, glancing at the girls and Dr. Strange, before eventually pressing a few buttons from the platform, putting it on speaker mode for everyone to hear.
"Boss, where are you right now?!"
Kamijou and everyone else were blinking in surprise. But there was also a hint of concern due to the fact that Hamazura appears to be exclaiming in a voice that was hurried and determined. Sounds of an unnatural roar that had more beast and predator-like in tone, burst-like effects from the cocking of advance rifles, the shout of the soldiers that were being heard from the background, Kamijou guessing in fact that there appeared to be a battle that was happening just as the call is on the line.
"Fensalir's Nordic Wonders, why? Hamazura, what's going on over there?" asked Kamijou, concerned.
"We have a huge problem, boss. Multiple Emotionless have just been randomly sighted throughout the highway connecting District 7 to District 2 and it's chaos down here. Me, my partner, and the boys in the MTFs are gonna need your assistance on this one, pronto."
"Emotionless?! Here?!" Kamijou exclaimed in shock, looking at Shokuhou, Misaka, and Othinus who were sporting grim common expressions on their faces.
"Alright, I'll be right there," Kamijou nodded grimly. Then he ended the call and look toward Dr. Strange. "Strange-sensei, I guess that I'm gonna have to leave Index with you and Othinus for now. I've got a job to do."
"We've got a job to do you mean," Misaka said with a confident smile, with Shokuhou more or less sporting the same expression.
Kamijou nodded.
"Right, well then."
He would begin to grab from his pocket what appeared to be a green armband with white-colored lines and the symbol of a shield placed in the middle. Then he would put this armband on his right elbow, showing his status as a person who works for a student-based disciplinary committee organization that is dedicated to preserving law and order within Academy City and protecting the citizens who lived there. For he is now as of this very moment a member of Judgment. He would turn towards Index who was tilting her head out of concern. He would begin to kneel down towards her in order for his eyes and hers to be at the same level.
"Index, I, Misaka-san, and Shokuhou-san would be leaving for a while. Stay here with Othinus and Strange-sensei, they'll take good care of you."
"A-Alright, Touma," Index nodded, serious but understanding.
Kamijou nodded with a smile. He would begin to look at Misaka and Shokuhou.
"Let's go!"
And then, Kamijou, Misaka, and Shokuhou would begin to take their leave as they begin to exit the front door, with Shokuhou closing it on her way out, and then beginning to hurry down the stairs, leaving the three people from the second floor behind who were all currently looking at each other.
"Well then," Othinus placed both hands together with a smile. "Since you are here, Lord Strange, I suppose that I should head to the kitchen and prepare some tea. I'll let you and Index get reacquainted if you don't mind."
"Of course, Lady Othinus," Dr. Strange nodded.
Then, Othinus, satisfied, would head towards the kitchen in order to heat up the water from the heater and try to prepare the ingredients for the tea, leaving Dr. Strange and Index all alone.
Dr. Strange would begin to smile. He would first snap his fingers which would materialize a wooden chair that would be seen nearby the front of Index and Sphynx's position, much to the surprise of the nun in white. Dr. Strange would begin to sit down from the chair and would begin to speak in a professional but understanding tone.
"Now then Index, since I'm about to perform what is essentially a neurological examination, I would once again need your full consent and cooperation for this endeavor. You don't have to do anything except by letting me do my work undisturbed since I know that you have been experiencing memory loss throughout your whole life and I want to help with that. Can you do that?"
"Y-Yes, um...Mr. Strange, I can do just that," Index nodded in acceptance.
"Alright then. Let's begin shall we?" Dr. Strange said with a smile.
Insert Song: End
Insert Song: Start
Ikimono gakari - Netsujou no Spectrum (Nanatsu no Taizai op) [Lyrics Video] | Fimy 1101
He would begin to raise his hands, with the thumb and forefinger touching the tip, forming a small circle. Then he would close his hands and a pure spark of orange would appear. Orange magic circles that were turning pink, with strange symbols etched from the circumferential figure, similar to the language of Elder Futhark, the language once used by the Germanic peoples for Northwest Germanic dialects in the Migration Period, would be seen from his fingertips which would amaze Index who was looking at the circles with attentive eyes.
From what she could tell, these types of magic circles were something that she never seem to have ever seen before, no matter how she tried searching for the answer from the 103,000 grimoires located within her head. The technique itself that was being employed, if she could give a comparison, was likened to that of techniques of drawing man that were to be found in the Nordic and Shinto styles, but there was a difference in them. It wasn't just drawing forth mana. It was like...It was like Dr. Strange was drawing out the various forms of energy that would make for the building blocks of the universe, not just mana but also any type of energy that one could draw out from, extending it from their surroundings to whatever phase seems to have been relatively stacked between the current color of reality, using himself as a conduit as he flawlessly manipulates them, like pieces of a complex equation that is calculated to an advance multi-purposed supercomputer, showing the genius and intellect behind the man who is known as the Sorcerer Supreme.
Dr. Strange's eyes would glow from grey to a much paler yellow that was likened to that of a tiger, with his cornea seeming to have sharpened in terms of the sense of sight, and he would begin to draw out the examination, likened to that of carefully laying out the puzzle pieces.
"Per annolessem Vishanti, dirige meum omnis visus. ("By the Ageless Vishanti, guide my all-sight.")"
He softly invokes the name of his scared trio of patrons out of formality and respect, he would circle his elbows as the lines of the circumferential magical circles draw around him, creating a barrier that would encircle Index, Sphynx, and himself as he begins to carefully examine his patient, like a skilled surgeon careful of holding his surgical knives. In this case, the more apt description is that he is likened to an expert trying to find a way to safely defuse a bomb that might go off if one is not too careful. He is careful to avoid any potential traps as he concentrates clearly and precisely.
He narrowed his eyes, he begins to draw deeper, and finds sophisticated barriers in place, mental traps that lay in wait for one to accidentally activate which would send a link to an unnatural mode of operation that would take over the individual body.
He notices...something.
It was a symbol that was located at the roof of Index's mouth, to the back portion of the uvula, making it hidden from anyone's view. It reminded him of the numbers 2 and 4, the former being a little slant and less obvious, but it was far more than just that. For he recognized it as the astronomical symbol of Jupiter, the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the Solar System. This symbol, covered in some kind of bluish flame with red highlighted sides would, he would guess correctly, be the collar, the trigger that is keeping her locked out and limiting her full potential. In a prescribed number of days, estimated to be at almost the completion of the one-year cycle, symptoms of a crippling fever would be shown to appear which would deteriorate the physical body.
"("Hmm. One could not just simply remove this symbol without consequence. Perhaps an alternative symbol would be placed for good measure, stealthily cutting the line which would link her with the spell...And of course, the link between the girl and the puppeteer from the other side of the world. But it would not just be that, but rather giving the girl a little headstart so to speak, and the fulfillment of expectation from an aspiring patron of afar as forces from beyond this dimension had already set their sights on her, and she would need to be ready.")"
And thus, a newly crafted symbol would begin to replace the old one. It was almost likened to a surgical operation where a stray bullet is being carefully removed, to the ignorance of the patient—Index—who was simply watching out of curiosity.
The symbol of Jupiter would be receded little by little. The new symbol that would be attached was to be a mixture of the four corners and a globus cruciger, the symbol of the Earth. The invocation of the earth goddesses of various mythologies commences in a concise tone, uttering the respective name and the language and the tone in perfect harmony. The sacred language of Hinduism takes flight at mid-sentence.
"Houtushen, Leimarel Sidabi, Gaia, Terra, Mat Zemlya, Pachamama, Prithvi Mata, Spider Grandmother, Umay, Jörð, Žemyna, Papatūānuku, Māra—मोथेर-गोद्देस्सेस ओफ़् थे ऍर्थ्—हेअर्केन् तो थे ऐद ओफ़् योउर् चिल्द व्हो सीक्स सेचुरे रेफ़ुगे फ़्रोम् उन्देर्नेअथ् योउर् सद। शे वोउल्द् वल्क इन थे पथ अन्द् इन थे स्पिरि। टोङ्गुएस् विलल शे स्पेअक्, सीदस शे मुस्त प्लन्त, द्रेंस शे मुस्त अत्तेन्द। छ्लरिफ़्य् हेर थोउघ्त्स। ईन्फ़ोर्म् हेर अच्त्। अण्ड एवेर्य दय फ़्रोम् दवन उन्तिल् दुष्। ("Houtushen, Leimarel Sidabi, Gaia, Terra, Mat Zemlya, Pachamama, Prithvi Mata, Spider Grandmother, Umay, Jörð, Žemyna, Papatūānuku, Māra—Mother-Goddesses of the Earth—hearken to the aid of your child who seeks secure refuge from underneath your shade. She would walk in the path and in the spirit. Tongues will she speak, seeds she must plant, dreams she must attend. Clarify her thoughts. Inform her acts. And every day from dawn until dusk.")
And then came the final sound, as the raining of mystical blessings from powerful primordial deities of various alien cosmoses came forth in poetic intrigue and integrity. A female voice was heard. This one was not that of the number of the invoked goddesses to which had been invoked. It was a nameless one, a goddess of the Earth whose nature remained elusive and unknown, like the mysterious vast oceans that remained to be unexplored, like the unknown lands that have yet to be discovered by the colonialists, and so would the voice who seems to be the mightiest of them all tend to be heard from the depths of one's heart—Index—whose emerald eyes reflect the good-natured earth were widening at the mere sound of this voice whose presence lies from afar her very own world, perhaps even beyond the mere shape of the phases of the universe itself.
"अण्ड थुस विलल थे चिल्द सेर्वे तो बे, व्होसे पोवेर अन्द् औथोरित्य् ओवेर् अल्ल् इस इन्वेस्तेद उपोन थ। वते। ऍर्थ। Fइर। ऐ। आएथेर। थे च्लस्सिचाल् एलेमेन्त्स् चालल फ़ोर्थ् तो एक्ष्प्लैन् थे नातुरे अन्द् चोम्प्लेक्षित्य् ओफ़् अल्ल् मत्तेर इन तेर्म्स ओफ़् सिम्प्लेर सुब्स्तन्चे। अल्ल् थेसे हवे बीन इन्वेस्तेद उपोन थी तो ऐद इन थे गिफ़्त् ओफ़् ओने'स सेन्से। मोथेर अन्द् सिस्तेर, विर्गिन अन्द् बृदे, आरिसे अन्द् रेच्लिं योउर् बिर्थ्रिघ्। थुस ई—थे ःऍवेन्ल्य् मोथेर—दुबे थी, बेअरेर् ओफ़् थे फ़ोर्बिद्देन् फ़्रुइत्, गोद्देस्स ओफ़् ंअगिच्—सोर्चेरेस्स सुप्रेमे ओफ़् थे ऍर्थ। Primum non nocere. ("And thus will the child serve to be, whose power and authority over all is invested upon thee. Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Aether. The classical elements call forth to explain the nature and complexity of all matter in terms of simpler substances. All these have been invested upon thee to aid in the gift of one's senses. Mother and sister, virgin and bride, arise and reclaim your birthright. Thus I—The Heavenly Mother—dub thee, bearer of the forbidden fruit, Goddess of Magic—Sorceress Supreme of the Earth. First do no harm.")"
And then came down the blessing, the investment of one whose eyes of emerald beauty would be showered with foresight and wisdom. It was like something within her would be unlocked in a slow, stealthy, and sure way. The doors would open, and yet there was not a single sound that would alert the guard. The passing of forbidden knowledge would seem to overflow in a natural sense and manner.
She has not yet stepped into the realm of God. Far from such a lofty thought of choice. Rather, it would seem that she would be free from the shackling bonds that held her off from her fullest potential, and would now be rewarded with the blessing to start fresh and anew. The start of a journey that would let her try to climb the mountain's footsteps.
She has been designated to be a Sorceress Supreme, a practitioner who would be trained in the mystic or magic arts of various parallels and alternatives and otherworldy manner of state of being who has greater skills than all others or commands a greater portion of the personal, ambient, and extradimensional magical energies than any other organism on a given world or dimension.
She has been designated as the protector and guardian of a certain world, and this certain world stretches throughout not just at Universe-Prime where she had lived and walked and trotted upon, but in other planes, other realities, other existences, and other interpretations that seem to call forth certain events of a familiar and unfamiliar nature.
The winds run fair as the hem of Index's white habit embroidery would slowly blow, the expression that she would have was like a child in awe as she would feel something from within her. The calico cat from her lap would make a sound of meowing as it begins to stand up and hop toward the side of the sofa in order for Index to stand up undeterred.
Dr. Strange would automatically disperse the artificially enforced barrier by a gesture of his elbows and hand signs, sporting a satisfied smile on his face, nodding as he stands up from the now dematerializing seat and walks backward, allowing Index some amount of needed space.
Index stands up. She feels...odd. She felt a warmth that she seems to have lacked for a long time and has now regained it once more. Twice had she felt bound to forces and powers beyond her control. Now...she felt free. She could feel the wellsprings of mana from her spiritual senses that were heightened to a degree that is well suited to her level of power but still requires more practice. She raises her hands as if to inspect them. And then...
"...?!"
She would allow her elbows to flow by instinct, raising them both upwards and downwards as her fingertips begin to spark emerald magic circles that held the language of Koine Greek. Amazement, excitement, wonder, curiosity. She felt as if the Earth itself may be at her mere fingertips, almost as if it were like the starting point of her journey towards the untapped potential that was brewing from a pure heart such as her. And her emerald eyes close, as if deep in thought.
"I have no magic power, so I can't use it..."
That was the phrase that was once uttered from another life. The phrase that held such meaning and sadness was kept from within without anyone taking notice. And now...
"...But now I do."
The Nun In White—Index Librorum Prohibitorum—Sorceress Supreme of ACMI Earth-Prime has now declared with the voice that held its breath and took in the flowing power and strength as her emerald eyes would show a sign of flickering lights that would reflect a mirror deep into the soul of a woman freed from a misfortunate lot of her chains. And so, the sparks of the emerald magic circles fade as the young woman who seems more adult than a child would clench her fists in determination.
...And somewhere from the background, a certain retired Magic God, while having prepared the tea, would smile as she would bear witness to her old friend regaining a sense of freedom and the investment of authority. And she would utter a poem of old, the final phrase that came forth from The Oath of Truce—Tryggthamol.
"Be ye now happy and at peace. Witnesses be we who about you stand."
Two spiritual items had shattered from the other side of the world.
Two spiritual items; one in their intricate design.
Initially, there were two of them, one for the heads of the British Royal Family and one for the head of the Anglican Church. A metal dial padlock; cylindrical or column-like. Its dials or rings are colored in white or silver, flanked by two bases of gold.
Now they were shattered.
Somewhere within Buckingham Palace, the Queen of England would be surprised at the suddenly shattered device, concerned about what this would mean.
And from somewhere deep within St. George's Cathedral, there was nothing but silence. But this silence was not an ordinary one, for a displeased and incense Archbishop would be seen from the altar whose eyes were narrowed as if drilling holes into something...or someone.
No longer was there a laugh of haughtiness from within.
Now...there was nothing except silence. The plan...ruined.
But it seems that she even expected this somehow. She was not in the least bit surprised. But nevertheless, it does not stop one such as her from feeling this way.
And yet...even she could somehow tell...that this was but the beginning of an unknown road...
The question remains...
Will the world survive tomorrow?
Does one know about the problem of the Multiverse?
Well, the problem is based on the meaning behind the concept of interpretation.
Why is that so?
Well, interpretation, as it is known, if one were to describe the noun, is the action of explaining the meaning of something. In plural form, it means an explanation or way of explaining. Another meaning would be a stylistic representation of a creative work or dramatic role, a rendition so to speak.
When it comes to the intricate tapestry, the complex design of the local multiverse seems to have similar common elements that tell the story of an individual by the name of Touma Kamijou. It seems simple enough, meeting or encountering a young 14 to 15-year-old nun who was a keeper of dangerous grimoires, having adventures that involved each encounter that seem to subtly influence the local and world powers into action, the negation of supernatural effects that are not of the pure world, and so forth.
And yet...some elements are so subtle that the differences could be made in terms of a tidal wave. Interpretations vary as to the life of familiar characters that may have been written down through the archives of history.
From somewhere in Academy City...
"...?!"
There were two young women who would suddenly end up in a random alleyway, separate from each other. An unnatural distortion seems to have occurred without the knowledge of most individuals. Rifts that pulled out two of these women from their own respective dimensions that were as alien and separate from one another as there are differences in terms of the stars. Two dimensions which had led to different interpretations of the story.
One was from the Magic Side, whose sole duty as a religious sister forever defines her. She seems to carry the appearance of Index Librorum Prohibitorum down to the last detail, even her emerald eyes could not be further from the Nun In White, except for a few differences such as her raven hair and her ample bust. There's the sticking fact that she seems taller than Index by more than a few meters, almost at the same level of height as Touma Kamijou. She wears the same golden embroidery and modified white habit.
Her name is Angelicus Communis Universalis. Angela for short.
Like her mother, she was a keeper of grimoires.
The other was from the Science Side, the seemingly average middle schooler who seem to wear the winter uniform of Tokiwadai, one that was out of place for the current season that was covered in snow. There was a resemblance to Mikoto Misaka, especially considering her brown hazelnut eyes, but there were notable differences. There was once again the fact that her hair is raven in color, and her chest proportions seem to resemble Misaki Shokuhou. Adding to the fact that she seems to be taller than your average middle schooler, almost at the same level of height as Touma Kamijou.
Her name is Miyoko Kamijou.
Like her mother, she was a Level 5 esper.
"...Wh-Who are you?"
And both of these young women who came from different alternative futures disconnected from each other would utter in bewilderment as they look at each other, both of them who were now sitting on the ground, disheveled and confused as to how they both ended up where they were. They were two daughters from one father or variants of him you might say.
For in a multiverse of infinite possibilities, just as a visual novel contains routes, so do the routes lead to different interpretative meanings and endings.
And the two women were ripped straight out of their own stories.
Insert Song: End
ED Song:
Terminator Salvation - Break The Silence (Soundtrack)
12 Core Members:
Dr. Stephen Strange - A: Benedict Cumberbatch
Main Companion Protagonists:
Touma Kamijou - VA: Atsushi Abe
Main Heroine Characters:
Index Librorum Prohibitorum - VA: Yuka Iguchi
Othinus - VA: Asami Seto
Mikoto Misaka - VA: Rina Satō
Misaki Shokuhou - VA: Azumi Asakura
New Characters:
Agent Shiage Hamazura - VA: Satoshi Hino
Angelicus Communis Universalis/Angela
Miyoko Kamijou