Fictions Mentioned:
Episode 10
OP Song:
Adele - Skyfall (Lyric Video)
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Dies irae - Animation OST: Unus Mundus
Multiverse: DC Multiverse
Universe: DC Universe-Prime
Somewhere in Los Angeles, California was a nightclub called "Lux" owned by none other than Lucifer Morningstar.
Yes, that Lucifer Morningstar.
Call him as you will. Satan, Devil, or whatever name you call him in many of the names that are as old as time itself, at least when it came to the DC Multiverse.
His appearance could be described as a 6 foot 3 inches (1.905m) tall, sexy, magnetic, charismatic, devilishly handsome, incredibly charming, dark-haired man with a model-like face and a muscular body. He wears an expensive dark suit with a white collar, button-up downward. Polished shoes in order. His expression however was quite grim as he was sitting nearby the empty table.
Now, the nightclub was empty. Normally, this place would be packed with droves of customers who would want to have a good time as it were. Just your average everyday business, that's all. Even a man like the Devil himself can have to do a living. Although he never really needed the money as it belonged to his wife and daughter who were currently at home, blissfully unaware of what is about to happen in the next few days. Or was it a few weeks? Time is a fleeting thing for beings like him, especially when referring to The Enemy which is sounding the drums of war.
Oh yes...He'd been aware of this for quite some time. Being the second most powerful being in the DC Multiverse, he'd clearly noticed that something was amiss.
"Blimey, no one in the nightclub these days. Must be having trouble in paradise, mate. Or should I say, trouble in the inferno?"
Lucifer twitched, smiling with humor, but there was still the grim tone that grace his features. He looks to the side and saw a British man with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a white button-down shirt, black trousers, a red-colored consciously-loosened necktie, a beige trenchcoat, and black shoes.
"John Constantine," Lucifer said, using the British rendering and pronunciation of the name. "What brings you to my humble abode at this hour?"
The man, John Constantine, had his hands in his pockets, and his expression went from a smile of humor to a frown of seriousness in a 180.
"You know why, Lucy," Constantine said grimly.
"If you're worried about the barrier that I and Michael put into place, it is already taken care of. I've made sure to quadruple-check for any holes in the wall," Lucifer explained, frowning.
"Oh I don't doubt you and your brother's almighty power, quite the contraire," Constantine remarked. "I'm more concerned however that even with the barrier, it may not hold for the strongest among their kind."
"You don't think I know that," Lucifer glanced hesitantly. "I've seen every possible angle it goes. If just even a 1% is available to the enemy, it would be used with full prejudice. The Prime Universe may be spared from further decimation, but I may not be able to say the same for other worlds out there."
"Are you talking about that prophecy? The one that was once told sometime after the War?"
"Universes will live. Universes will die. And the Multiverse will never be the same as the First Sign of the Crimson Mark would make its presence known," Lucifer recited the prophecy. "This predicted invasion would no doubt shake the very foundations of reality itself. Everything that could or would be understood about the Multiverse would go downhill as the barriers weaken. Yes, we will survive, that cannot be denied. However, I fear that even with victory, this is but a momentary setback that is still within the plan of the Crimson Will. The aftereffects would be something that many of us would have to deal with in short order. Speaking of which..." Lucifer looks at Constantine with a raised eyebrow. "...I heard that your sorcerer friend has gone to the universe of one Touma Kamijou ahead of time."
"He's probably there in order to be by the side of that nun," Constantine explained.
"Yes...That nun who is the chosen apprentice of the Sorcerer Supreme," Lucifer said, musing out of interest and concern at the chosen religious girl with silver hair whose name rhymes with the list of forbidden books. "Her potential does spark interest among the higher-ups. And well, as for myself, I would simply be content to watch this girl's growth in her potential with interest."
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Insert Song: Start
Dies irae - Animation OST: AHIH ASHR AHIH
Multiverse: KK 2004 Multiverse
Universe: ACMI Universe-511
Flashback...
Here it was.
The Final Day.
The Day where everything would be revealed and whether Touma Kamijou would be able to recall Misaki Shokuhou forevermore would be decided.
The girl in question—Misaki Shokuhou—though only had that in the back of her mind as she spun around in front of the boy in question—Touma Kamijou—with a grin on her face. Kamijou on the other hand did not match in his expression, his eyes averted to the side, and the faintest of blushes on his cheeks as he looked at the (questionable) middle schooler.
"Y-You never said anything about this…"
"Hmmm…it would have spoiled the surprising ability, don't you think? Oh? Did I get your heart racing with how perfect I look, Kamijou-kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun?"
"N-No! Not at all! This Kamijou-san only has room in his heart for dorm manager onee-san types, so no middle schooler is going to sway him!"
"Is that so? Well, then you should have no problem telling me how I look. Unless of course, you are self-conscious about how I look and thus wavering in what lies within your heart."
"?! Wait. So are you telling me that if I feel anything and don't remark on how you look right now then the dream of a dorm manager is slowly disappearing within my mind!? I-I won't fall for your mind games, Mental Out. Do you want to know how you look? That's not the question you need to ask!"
Shokuhou stopped spinning around and frowned, tilting her head to the side in confusion.
"The question you need to ask is how can I possibly put how stunning you look into words? Use something as basic as the Japanese language to capture your beauty right now…I think that would be an insult to the figure in front of me."
If there was anything Misaki had expected, it was not that. Her face exploded red and her eyes went wide, the girl now turning her head with a massive blush on her face. She covered her mouth, but only to hide the massive smile that was growing on her face. She trembled lightly and tried to stop it by bringing her body closer together but the only thing that accomplished was her realizing just how warm her entire body had gotten, something she could feel within the clothes she was wearing.
Today was the peak of the festival that had been happening within Academy City. Although the extended holiday that had been given to the students of Academy City had allowed them to move around and so as they like, it was today that was the day that the holiday was actually celebrated. The only reason that an extended holiday had been given in the first place was to prepare for the festival, happening on the evening of this very day.
And because it was a special occasion, there had been a relaxation of the strict uniform rules for Tokiwadai students.
A relaxing of the rules that Misaki Shokuhou had used as an excuse to don the yukata she now wore.
The red silk yukata fit like a glove and the complex blossoms embroidered on the fabric were sewed in using complex orange and yellow colors as well as special material that gave the illusion that the cherry blossoms were spinning when one looked at it from various angles. The overall impression that one would get from Shokuhou as a result as she walked past would be that the cherry blossoms on her yukata would be spinning, only adding to the presence she naturally had.
The obi tied around her waist was a lighter yellow as well, a color that matched her hair perfectly but was lighter than the yellow cherry blossoms of her yukata meaning that the colors did not clash or overlap. The way that the obi was wrapped around her already slim body only gave her more of an impression, pushing up her already large breasts to give them a bit more presence than usual.
Gone were the gloves on her hands and stockings on her legs, only being the red yukata that covered her entire body. The long hair that she had usually kept down was now tied within a bun, kept in place using an accessory that looked very much like a chopstick but had the same pattern as her yukata: meaning that whenever she moved the blossoms put into the side of the chopstick holding her hair moved, giving the impression that her entire body was a piece of natural artwork, holding and allowing the blossoms to bloom.
Naturally, when she had worn it in front of her clique, many had passed out and demanded to know who she was meeting and, if she was free, whether they could join the festival with her. However, a simple click of the button and application of her power had given her all the freedom in the world and allowed her to meet Touma in the early hours of the morning.
Unlike Misaki who had dressed up for the evening festival, Kamijou had not even bothered to do that, wearing casual clothes that met the weather: a blue hoodie and beige pants. The difference between the boy and the girl was obvious but neither cared about the differences in how they looked, what they wore, or how they attracted stares from those around them.
The only thing that they cared about was that they had each other.
"So, why are you dressed like that despite it being so early? You do realize that the festivities and the fireworks show that is happening are basically like the Daihaseisai's night parade? In that, it only has meaning and only happens at night? It's what, 8:30 in the morning? Don't tell me that you're going to be wearing those geta and walking around in them all day?"
Kamijou looked down at the unique footwear Shokuhou was wearing: wooden sandals that were elevated off the ground a small bit. A substitute for high heels in a fashion, the rarity one wore them meant that more often than not, girls found it difficult to wear them for longer periods of time.
Shokuhou thought had an answer for the concern Touma was giving her.
"I'm not going to be walking a lot in them so there's no need to worry."
"What do you mean?" Kamijou asked but it was Shokuhou who turned and walked away, smiling as he caught up to her and walked by her side. She playfully winked at him and grabbed his arm, the boy blushing but still maintaining his gaze at her as she talked.
"The festivities happening later today are, in fact, tonight. But the thing is, Kamijou-san, that the setting up has been going on for a long time. The only thing that needs to be done around this time is collecting the people for the food stalls, setting up the bonfire, and preparing the equipment to be sold: all of that. Right now, if we were to head to the place where the District 7 festival is, we would find most food stalls empty and people around, ready for everyone to arrive later."
Kamijou seemed to understand what she was getting at, putting a hand underneath his chin and speaking to himself.
"Early bird gets the worm…"
"Indeed! Although, in this case, the only 'worm' that one would be getting would be access to some of the stalls. Haven't you always felt that the good prizes at these types of stalls are always gone whenever you arrive? The reason that is the case is that others had the foresight ability to arrive before the festival actually began and got those prizes."
"And that's where we're going? I thought you said you wanted to visit some more places. I'm not really sure what you expect of me, but don't think that you're going to get any prize from this misfortunate Kamijou-san."
"Oh no, I'm not."
The admission to something Kamijou had been saying himself somewhat made him pause and grunt as if he had been struck by something internally. However, before he could complain about it, Shokuhou only smiled and pulled herself closer, resting her head on Kamijou's shoulder and smiling.
"The prize I have been given right now is the only thing I need."
Kamijou said nothing but she could feel his shoulder jump slightly as she leaned against it. It relaxed only a moment after but even then, the small question Misaki could feel within his posture was obvious.
After all, for a girl who did not get out a lot, she sure knew a lot about the festivals and how they worked. Naturally, this was not information she just 'happened' across; if that was the case or something she had learned second-hand, she would have forgotten it almost immediately. No, this was information she had remembered and likely information she had collected herself.
Why she had gotten this information and why she remembered it was obvious questions, but likely out of guilt, Touma said nothing, keeping his gaze forward as he walked slowly to match the pace of the girl by his side.
He probably suspected what it was and a simple question from him would have made Shokuhou confirm or deny what he was thinking.
After all, the only reason she knew about this in the first place was that she had wanted to go to this festival last year with Touma before he had lost his memories of her. Naturally, she had been unable to but it was here and now that she had been able to use that knowledge she had for the purposes of going with the current Touma next to her. Likely thinking it was the case, Touma probably felt some guilt with the issue of his memories about her but not wanting to darken the day as it was just beginning, he said nothing, only walking in silence with the girl by his arm.
Still, the silence and the brooding thoughts were broken by Touma beside her.
"…So, is there anything you want to look at? I imagine that a high-class girl with a lot of friends like you probably has no idea what to do when you're just one on one with someone else."
"There's something to be said about your mocking ability. It's somewhat frustrating that that part of you has not changed whatsoever. But, as I would have you know, there are actually a number of things that I would like to do. All of which, as the gentlewoman I am, I shall pay for!"
"…Where exactly are you keeping your wallet? …Or your remotes, if you're not thinking of paying at all."
"Y-You saw right through me?!"
"I was hoping it wasn't the case but these people at these festivals run businesses you know! Think about the economy in times like these! You know what happens if these businesses lose their physical stores because of a lack of physical shopping? It all goes online and for someone like you who has no understanding of what machinery is! That's basically Armageddon!"
"W-Well, I never! I'll have you know that I have a proper understanding of what machines are and how they work, as well as a basic grasp of the dealings of the internet! I'm not Amish nor do I think that anyone with some lack of technological understanding ability should be able to live here in Academy City."
"Hehe….that's what you'd think wouldn't you…hehehe…"
"And you're the last person I want to hear talking to me about how I'm bad with technology. Oh no…remembering a previous experience with a high school old woman has gotten me in a bad mood. Hehe…oh, I want to see the look on her face if she sees this…hehehe…"
A rather dark aura came over the both of them as they laughed underneath their breath. It was Touma though who snapped out it soon enough, turning to Misaki and frowning all the same.
"Even so though, where exactly did you hide those remotes of yours? Or your wallet. Actually, don't tell me which one you chose to use; I get the feeling that I'll go from bystander to accomplice to perpetrator knowing my misfortune."
"Well, my remotes are – "
"Did you just completely ignore my wishes!?"
Shokuhou smiled at Kamijou's rather loud outburst. Her eyes sparkled, almost spinning like the illusion that was her eyes as she pressed herself even closer to the spiky-haired boy, pushing her breasts towards him so that his arm was in between them. He blushed, turning his head away rapidly but even then, the blush Misaki caught and grinned, her eyes sparkling even more.
"Feel thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat~?"
"S-Shokuhou-sama, I'm not sure whether you realize what you are doing but – "
"Oh, I know perfectly know what I'm doing."
"D-Do you think that the fragile heart of a high school boy is something you can play around with as you like and as you please?! If you think I the masochist, which I'm not, then are you the sadist with this play you're pulling off!? In fact…wait, what is this? It's…hard?" Kamijou turned towards Shokuhou and looked down at the breasts that were enveloping his arm, the blush deepening before it faded entirely.
Misaki stared in surprise as she watched Touma's eyes go dead, the boy looking into the distance and looking as if he had reached some enlightenment he had never wanted to in his life.
"H…Hahahahahaha. Go figure. I always felt that girls were soft, but they were always hard and cold. I guess that explains it…why you can have 'those' when you're only in middle school."
"H-Huh?" Misaki paled as she realized that the train of thought the boy was on was not one that she was on but finding that whatever it was, how her teasing had led to it frightened her terribly. "W-Wait a minute, Kamijou-san, whatever misunderstanding you're having about my breasts is one that – "
She was stopped as the boy put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head in some fraction of disappointment.
"You know, Shokuhou-kun, it's OK to have a flat chest."
"Wh-what are you talking about!? How is this flat!?"
"But just because you have an envy over it doesn't mean that it justifies mechanical implants, OK? Love your body as you love yourself."
"M-Mechanical…?!" Shokuhou went white in the face, shaking her head rapidly at the misunderstanding that had formed. "What in the world are you talking about? Mechanical implants?! How did you even reach that conclusion? Even though this is the City of Science, there are limits to the amount of ridiculousness that one can reach. Think about it, that would make no one happy. Not to mention the strain it would put on your shoulders!"
"They must be killing you… Poor girl…"
"Don't start wiping your eyes! The hard thing that you felt between my breasts wasn't a mechanical implant! It was my remote! Remote! I put one in between my breasts because there was nowhere else to put it. And my breasts are n-nice and s-soft so there's nothing hard about them!"
"Huh?" Touma, still walking, looked as though he had been struck in the face with a wet fish. "It was a…remote?"
"Yes!"
"Then why didn't you put it in your obi when you tied it!?"
"Do you know how hard it would be to get it out every time I need to use it!?"
"And the alternative you came up with was putting it inside your chest!?"
"It's the ease of access given the slit for the yukata runs right over it! H-Here I'll show you how easy it is to access…" Shokuhou took a step back from Kamijou reaching into the slit of her yukata at her chest, parting it a little to reveal some of the skin. That was all the little men inside Touma could take as he turned his head to the side so fast that he thought he would get whiplash. He thrust his hands in front of him, shaking them and his head as well.
"I-I get it! I believe you! D-Don't go any further than this, Shokuhou-sama!"
"Are you even looking!? Look, it's my remote!"
"I'm sure it is! This is in public! Don't you Level 5s have a filter?! Or are you all idiots?!"
"Y-You still think it's a mechanical implant, don't you?! These are natural!"
"I'm not questioning the validity or the naturalness of your breasts anymore! And I can clearly see the remote in your hand, so this issue is dropped!"
Kamijou, having looked closely now, saw the remote in Misaki's hand, however, just from her expression, it was clear that she was not satisfied.
"Girls are nice and soft so don't think that we're all as cold and hard as that old woman! I'll show it to you! These are not fake; I'm quite proud of them for having grown to this size!"
"What do you mean you'll 'show' me?!"
Shokuhou though, with a blushing face like her own grabbed Kamijou's hand with one of her own. He could feel the trembling of her body through it and although she was trying to make a brave face, from the small tears in her eyes and the red of her cheeks, it was clawer her state of mind. Her heartbeat rapidly within her own chest but as she grabbed Touma's hands with both hands now, it was with slow movements that she brought them closer to her and turned her head away with that same trembling nature.
Kamijou's eyes went wide at that prospect of what Misaki was doing and went just as red-faced, steam coming from both their ears as he tried to pull away while Misaki tried to pull him towards her.
"Wh-What do you think you're doing!?"
"They're not mechanical! I'm telling you that these are entirely natural! T-T-T-T-T-T-Touch them and you'll see. I-I-I-I-I-I-I-It's not like I mind or anything!"
"I mind! I'm not going to touch someone's breasts just because they want to prove to me they're real!"
Of course, Touma Kamijou had never thought he would ever say those words nor did he think he would ever say them again. However, the determination of Misaki to show that she was indeed real and there and the remote between her breasts was the source of the hardness Touma had felt, there was simply no stopping her.
This was the determination that had allowed her to reach Level 5 against the determination of the boy who had spent hundreds of billions of years simply to return to the world he was living in now, fighting over the chance to touch a pair of breasts...
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Noah - Spiritual Domination
Multiverse: KK 2004 Multiverse
Universe: ACMI Universe-Prime
Back to the present time...
"..."
Misaki Shokuhou (511) still hardly could believe what had just happened. In fact, before even that, there was the simple explanation that her...alternate counterpart had decided to give by nothing but the simple press of a remote.
She was in another world.
A ridiculous notion that she had ever heard of if she could think about it.
But the proof became undeniable to her. It was one flicker of a remote and the proof was shown right to her. The summary was given in a way that did not compromise her other self's private thoughts and memories which were simply information about the creatures that had attacked her and the possibility of the Multiverse being opened before her very eyes.
It was quite the overwhelming prospect if one were to be honest about oneself.
Now, she was simply watching the screens unfold as she saw battles that she may equate to some kind of science fiction flick if only because of the more realistic take on it.
"...Umm," Shokuhou (511) glances towards her Prime Counterpart who was simply observing and doing her job as an operator who was directing all of the Judgment Officers that were on stand-by.
Shokuhou (Prime) noticed her, glancing at her with concern. "Yes?"
Shokuhou (511) didn't know what to say to her. She was hesitant. She was in an entirely new world unlike her very own, dragged against her will by a phenomenon that is dragging many others along from their own worlds. Adding to the fact that she was still reeling in her own loss. For her spiky-haired Prince had lost the mere memory of her once again.
"N-Nothing," she said softly, glancing towards one particular screen that shows the Prime Touma Kamijou alongside two young men and a couple of women in MMORPG-like garments and clothing leading the charge as they decimate every single monstrous being that shouldn't be allowed to see the light of day. She glances toward two other individuals who were also concentrated on their job...
...Actually, she never thought that these two young women and her other self would seemingly get along. There was no in-fighting. There was no bickering. There was just a total concentration of what needed to be done. Yes, Misaki Shokuhou (511) has cooperated with Seria Kumokawa (511) in the past, but those were extenuating circumstances that required that their mental peak and fitness were in full condition. But then, what's even more surprising however was the presence of Ayu Mitsuari (Prime) who was seated alongside this Seria Kumokawa (Prime), and they all appear to get along quite well and not try to kill each other, which in fact was mindboggling as she never would have thought that something like this would happen or even consider such a possibility in her mind. Never would she imagine the kind of world where they would all get along as it feels like an impossible probability that cannot just come to be. It almost made her quite envious and curious at the same time.
A summary of events without the compromisation of the memories of her Prime Counterpart would indicate that there seems to be a divergence in events that she may or may not be familiar with that led to this unpredictable outcome. She could only tell that as of now, these three were good friends and co-workers with an amicable professional relationship.
Shokuhou (Prime) noticed her hesitation immediately. And for some reason, she seems to be looking right at her, both in her physical state as well as her mental state. "...I feel like that there is something that you have yet to reveal to me. Nonetheless, while I respect your privacy on the manner considering that you are me, there's the inkling suspicion that I've been having when something seems to bother you. Let me guess, it has something to do with my Prince, am I wrong?"
"..." Shokuhou (511) could not answer the question. In fact, she'd rather that the conversation be put on hold. Even if she told her counterpart about this, there was nothing to be done. The memory of Touma Kamijou (511) regarding Misaki Shokuhou cannot be returned. It was a Bad End from the start. She could not hold out any hope. She had tried everything. Literally everything that she could get her hands on. But it was of no avail. "I could neither confirm nor deny it," she said cooly.
"I see," Shokuhou (Prime) narrowed her eyes in suspicion, wondering as to what was her other self being bothered so much regarding her Prince, having the suspicion that it may relate to something that she may have knowledge of. After all, when one is a member of Kamijou's Angels, you'd get free access to any useful intel that you could find. Perhaps this needs to be addressed, as preferably as possible. Considering in fact that based on what is happening on the highway and throughout various parts of the city, the anomalous problems are predicted- to escalate. The question now is how to best prepare accordingly.
"It's quite amusing though," Shokuhou (511) looks bewilderingly at Kumokawa who was paying attention to the conversation with a smile. "To think that I and you are working together without even as much as arguing and tearing our hairs out. Just what could have changed this much of a change in our relationship, I wonder?"
"Time blondie," Kumokawa replied unhesitatingly with a smile, both happy and sad which spoke of many memories. "Just time. That's all. That and a lot of things have happened for all of us that recounting them all would be a gigantic pain in my ass."
"I guess the same answer could apply to Mitsuari-san as well, even more surprising I'd say," Shokuhou (511) looks at Mitsuari who was also listening in on the conversation. The former in fact was even more hesitant with her considering that the Ayu Mitsuari of ACMI Universe-511 isn't really this amicable in her relationship with Shokuhou when they first met. Quite the contrary as last time they met, the latter tried to kill the former, and it would have occurred had it not been for fortunate circumstances in her favor culminating in the reappearance of her Prince. She shakes her head at this situation as she turned back to the screen.
She sees a battle happening. But it wasn't just any battle. It was a battle the likes of which one could find in some manner of sci-fi. Advance gunships whose orbital green photonic structure fired across a couple of the abominations that she had run into earlier. On the ground, there was...
"All troops! Pushed forward and don't stop firing!" Kamijou uttered in a determined voice of authority that was inspired, capable of rallying even the hardest of hearts.
"Sir, yes, sir!" many of the clone troopers shouted as they raised their rifles and carbines against the enemy.
Following them was one young man with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a white tunic and brown robes, flashing a blue light-bladed sword that is raised on high. He was raising his hand that telekinetically pushes back the hovering jellyfishes, followed by what appeared to be a man with white hair and red eyes hovering up above the skies as he shoots down the horde of abominations raising their materialized swords and spears that could be hurled. Accompanying the white-haired man were a group of women with powers and abilities of their own, decimating many creatures from the battlefield in haste.
This was bewildering for her. You'd think that she be used to this by now based on her multitude of experiences in battle, not in a physical way as it would be detrimental and unproductive due to her easily becoming tired and weak, but through mental battles and mind games, the aptitude of the intellect that is as sharp as a blade that gracefully conducts the art of manipulation almost worthy of Sun Tzu; almost that is.
Still, when thinking back to how this Kamijou who was battling against the monsters on the highway was acting around her, that dashing way that she was overtly familiarized by now, but there was of course the difference in tone, almost sounding old and weary and determined to see things through even unto the end.
Something about this Touma Kamijou, the young man who carried the shield, felt different from that of her Touma Kamijou (511). He sounds more of an adult while her Prince (511) sounded...younger she supposed, but even then, there was that maturity hot with iron and metal. Aside from his right hand whose sounds of shattering glass were felt across the highway and heard clearly which scatters the horde of atemporal abominations, there was his shield and state-of-the-art technology that accompanies him. But if Shokuhou (511) didn't know any better, there was that underlying sense that this was not all in his bag of tricks.
Whatever the case, the fact that she was immediately recognized felt more joy for her than anything. It was relieving. Yes, it wasn't her Prince specifically, but she could not deny that she felt unadulterated joy when she first heard the sound of her very first name uttered in recognition but never forgotten. It was bittersweet as she knew that this wasn't her Touma Kamijou (511), so the feeling was one that was not really unwelcome and more on the fact that she may want to cry were it not for keeping cool appearances. But she knew that her counterpart and the other two young women who were operating on the comms had noticed her dilemma. She wouldn't put it past that for them if they were as similar as herself just like her Seria Kumokawa (511) and Ayu Mitsuari (511).
Still, she was concerned based on the general information she had been just provided for. Apparently, it is reported throughout the official comm channels of...the SCP Foundation, she supposed, that she wasn't the only one getting whisked away from her reality. There were others as well from various parts of Academy City and the numbers themselves have been staggering. Many have been identified as being acquainted with her counterpart or her Prince's counterpart or these two women on the comm channel. And then there were people like her who shouldn't even be here. Something was telling her based on all of these that there may yet be worse things in store on the horizon. Call her a pessimist, but she would answer that she is just being realistic in terms of the information that she had just been given. But she felt that this phenomenon, not isolated within itself, is felt in ripples. What those ripples are were something that Shokuhou (511) may feel as unnatural in a way. The way she ended up here was of course unnatural, but as for but a brief moment, she walked from in-between her world to this world and felt...something off.
She can't explain it. She didn't know why. But...
Something was there. No, not something. It was that of a multitude of drums that resound within her own soul, ironic as it were due to being a member of the Science Side, but was nevertheless acknowledged and researched by said side. From in-between, she felt the oddity that she had been ripped out of her own story, in an imperfect comparison kind of way. A temporal paradox even. She was never even supposed to be here and yet here she is.
What was it?
And why was this concerning her so as it shudders her very soul?
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E.S. Posthumus - Harappa
Darkness.
One may tell of the howling void.
There is a realm untold; darkened beyond all imagining. Its unnatural crimson fire is ever none unquenchable, a twisted prefigurement of the Sacred Flame of Anor. None were White. All were Red, stained in Crimson.
There is the Realm of the Darkness Above and Beneath.
A realm below. A realm that is devoid totally of all goodness. Everything that is good is cast aside. Call it what it truly is in the face of such darkness.
EVIL.
There was the sound of nothing except the drums resounding from the bowels of the terrifying archdemons whose corruptible and terrible voices screech like bats and howl like lions in search of prey. Damned unfortunate souls were wailing and gnashing in their teeth, uttering curses against The One and against everyone else. A continuous hail of fire and ice provides the mixture of the background that lies ahead. Twisted dimensions form pattern after pattern like the intricate set of notes found when playing the piano, all in all, they were the disharmony of the souls of the damned and the vast legions of archedemonic entities that join in a chorus of lamentation and woe.
Eldritch gods exist within this plain. Old gods that claimed absolute dominion over the vast armies of conceptual thought that produce an infinitude. Darkened shadows beyond all description. How can one describe them? Eldritch horrors that form a twisted Court.
Nine circles one could find. Nine circles came forth in the epitome of grave and mortal sins that are to be punished for eternity. Nine circles which represent a stack of multiverses formed out of the thought of darkness and gloom, one upon another. Smoke rises from all directions. It was not a type of smoke that one could understand. It was a cloud of smoke that threatens to consume everything and turn all things into the dark and into crimson colors.
And yet, this could not even begin to comprehend the scale of which these realms may stack upon each other. There are far more to describe. It is endless just as much as there are religions that were born on Earth and in the stars. Countless upon countless religions. And they all spoke of a hell.
The Random exists and dwells here. It is its prized instrument. One of many. But it is one of the most well-known.
In this hellish plane, there on the deepest part within the Ninth Circle of Treachery, there was a dark cloaked figure bathed in crimson robes, with gold armored hands and feet and a few parts of the body of nothing except shade. He is seated on a throne that has the words "Traitor" written in an unknown language that is too terrible to be uttered.
This place was Judecca, the deepest circle containing Traitors to their Lords.
What was this nefarious being awaiting?
What does he want to hear?
Why is he silent just as much as this twisted realm is known for immobility and silence?
He appeared to be waiting. A few moments later, he gets up from his throne of iniquity and kneels. He felt something afar. Even when chained, there was that presence that he would recognize from anywhere.
"Are the preparations commencing as scheduled?"
Whispers that came from nowhere. Even when chained to a realm cut off from everything for the safety of all creation, there was that voice that was unmistakable as ever. Regal and demanding as a Lord.
"Yes, my Lord," the figure said respectfully. "The preparations are going just as in accordance with your word. Already, your armies march and await your command."
"And this is but one part of the plan. Whether or not there is such a fleeting notion of victory is but little consequence."
Who was that voice that inspires dread upon this insignificant traitor?
It was the Fallen One. Eyes of red, sharp as ever, see all. None escapes its sight. Chained he may be, but that did not mean that his activity is halted.
"And what of your servant? What of his report?"
"I fear that things may not be so simple, my Lord," the figure said in a contrite manner. "Our enemies are already making their move. Too much is blocking our clear path for the capture of your Bride."
"It matters not. Soon, she shall be mine and will submit to me and to my master first and foremost. It is enough for your servant to be there to provide for the official report. Creation will bow before us even if it were to be made with the pact of blood. Death will come to all."
"And what of the Lord of Time?" the figure asked respectfully. "Surely we must take him into account, my Lord."
"I've already taken that into account. My greatest adversary, ever lower in stature but as sharp as his intellect and as admirable as his will. He will not stop me. Neither him nor Lady Michael. And neither would the Ten Children of Time. They will kneel before me and my master...Or they will die."
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Dies irae - Animation OST: Unus Mundus
Touma Kamijou was silent. His circular shield with him.
He looks throughout the vast horizon. The smoke is seen rising into the atmosphere. Clone troopers were inspecting the area for any sign of the Emotionless threat. The battle was over for now as the breach was sealed up and the dimensional wound cauterized.
But why does he feel that this is but one prelude to a storm brewing on the horizon?
"While I'm a little glad at the fact that it's over, there's still this other problem that we have yet to deal with," Kamijou couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"You mean...the fact that other people from other worlds are getting sent here against their will?" Kakeru Kamisato said, grimacing.
"Yep," Kamijou simply said, subtly concerned at the ordeal. "Speaking of which, I better pick up Misaki and head back to Fensalir's Nordic Wonders for now. Think that you and Hajime-san can handle this by yourselves?"
"Of course," Kamisato smiled.
"Don't forget about me now, will you?" Mikoto Misaka walks toward them with a smile, speaking in a jokingly light-hearted manner.
"Of course not," Kamijou smiled. Then he turned serious. "So then, have you heard about the other Shokuhou Misaki that I managed to rescue a while ago?"
"Yeah, I've heard," Misaka said, her face turning serious as she raised her right hand to her waist. "If an alternate Shokuhou is getting sent here, I wonder if other alternate people that we knew are paying a visit not by their own choice."
"That is something that I'd probably report to Strange-sensei being that he's already here," Kamijou said. He begins to walk a few meters towards Misaka and taps her on the shoulder. "Hang on tight."
And just like that, they vanish into thin air, leaving Kakeru Kamisato alone on the road.
"(Sigh). Always on the move," Kamisato muttered softly.
A second of teleportation later, they ended up near the command base where both Misaki Shokuhous, Seria Kumokawa, Ayu Mitsuari, and a couple of personnel were located.
"Hey everyone," Kamijou smiled as he waved his hand.
"Smooth entrance of you, my Prince," Shokuhou (Prime) smiled. "I believe that we are about to head back towards Fensalir's Nordic Wonders perhaps?"
"Yep," Kamijou confirmed.
Misaka in the meantime was looking at Shokuhou (511) out of curiosity, the latter of course doing the same thing. She was walking a few steps towards the latter in order to get a good look at her. "Huh, the resemblance is so uncanny it's scary," Misaka said with a grimacing smile as she looks back and forth between the latter and Shokuhou (Prime).
"Ara, why do I expect that would be something that comes out of your mouth, Misaka-san?" Shokuhou (511) flash her confident ojou-sama smile, but it is accompanied as well with a hidden mixture of feelings.
"Yep, your Shokuhou alright," Misaka muttered softly in a tone of hesitation, awkward at having to deal with this Shokuhou, getting a feeling that this Shokuhou seems to not like her for some reason just as much as her Shokuhou. If she didn't know any better, similar circumstances may have occurred for such a relationship to have taken place. She isn't blind or naive by any means. She tried to raise a metaphorical olive branch, saying. "Look, let's get things right out of the bag here so that this could not be a major pain in our butts, I know that you don't really like me that much and I can tell from your face."
"Oh is that so obvious of me? Thank you for the clear observation then," Shokuhou (511) smiled, but there was the mysterious tone of suspicion that Misaka couldn't help but notice.
"But just so you know, I'm not your Misaka Mikoto. I'm just me. So whatever beef it is you have with alternate me, I think that it would be good for the both of us if I can just at least stay out of that issue if it were possible, plus we may as well figure out how you can get home as you shouldn't stay here any more than needed," Misaka suggested with a grimacing smile.
"...Get home..." Shokuhou (511) muttered softly, hesitant at the prospect of returning home, if only because of the fact that she was recently feeling miserable for a few days as a result of her memory being forgotten once more. "...Right...Well then, of course, it is a reasonable request. Very well, you don't have to worry about me antagonizing you, Misaka-san. I have enough common sense to know that you are a different person to my Misaka Mikoto so you can rest assured."
"(Sigh). Good, glad that we can understand each other in a civilized manner," Misaka sighed out of relief, thanking the heavens that she was dealing with a more reasonable Shokuhou.
"In any case," Kamijou spoke next, raising his wristwatch. "Shokuhou-san, both of you, you better come with me and Misaka-san. We're going back to Fensalir's Nordic Wonders so that I can check up on someone who is no doubt waiting."
"?" Shokuhou (511) tilted her head in confusion, never hearing of the name before. "Fensalir's Nordic Wonders?"
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Dies irae - Animation OST: Amantes amantes
It was awkward for Angelicus Communis Universalis and for Miyoko Kamijou.
Why?
For the simple fact that it appeared that in the universe that they were currently occupying, they appeared to be in the presence of their alternate father's childhood friends from another universe. They all come from the late-80s, time being different in fact when it came to the prospect of other universes, which wasn't really that much of a surprise considering the situation between the two daughters of Touma Kamijou.
"So you two are basically Touma-chan's kids?" Mion Sonozaki, the specified official leader of the Club, only looks closer with curiosity at the two young women who were seated on the sofa.
"Y-Yes, Sonozaki-san," Miyoko answered with a simple smile.
"No, no, call me Mion, no need to be too formal, you two are Touma-chan's daughters after all, semantics aside," Mion reassured with a kind smile, waving her left hand as if not to worry about formalities.
"Yeah, I never thought that we can get to meet his actual daughters from other worlds," Keiichi Maebara said with a smile. "Then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised."
"That's not all though," Shion Shinozaki said with a smile, putting a hand to her chin. "They represent two worlds where Touma-san ended up with other women aside from Rika-chan if I'm not mistaken."
Ah yes, the one topic that would make the situation itself feels totally awkward for the two Kamijou women. The fact that their father married another woman that they have no knowledge or even a hint of an idea. For Angela, this wasn't that much of a big deal or a surprise at this point seeing as she comes from a reality where her father married and knock-up with many women and had tons of children. For Miyoko however, she was quite conflicted, to say the least.
Yes, she is aware that the Touma Kamijou of this world and the Touma Kamijou of her world are not really the same person. They both lived completely different lives and made different choices. Of course, she couldn't hold that against the Touma Kamijou of this reality. But even so, to hear that her father was married to someone else aside from her mother was not quite a pleasant experience to hear and even think about. Maybe she was just being the traditional good girl when she is thinking this.
Nevertheless, despite the awkwardness, she could tell that these childhood friends of her alternative father who were all gathered in the living room were quite nice and accommodating people given their situation. Were they in fact used to this type of scenario by now? And if so, what adventures and misadventures did they all had with her alternative father.
One of the childhood friends, Hanyu Furude, was looking at her closely. Her and Angela. And there was a sense of understanding that she can feel from within. It almost felt like she understood in a motherly-type of way. She hadn't felt something like this since last meeting her own mother before coming to this reality. Hanyu smiled as she walked forward and looks at her and Angela.
"Touma's children," she spoke softly. Then she giggled. "My, my, I'd never thought that I get to see the day."
Both Angela and Miyoko look at each other, not knowing what to make of this, but felt as if they could trust this person who felt motherly and more mature, surprisingly enough that she stood out to them above the rest of the childhood friends.
"Hanyu-san, right?" Miyoko asked with a smile.
"That's me, au, au," Hanyu chirped her iconic verbal tic that had never changed even after all of these years.
"Um...right...well..." Miyoko didn't know what to say. It was like any word that she could come up with seemed to fall silent. "This may seem weird but um..what was...what was my fat-" Miyoko stopped herself from continuing, trying to correct herself, knowing that she was talking about a very different person despite having the same name and the same face. "What was Kamijou Touma like according to you?"
Why did she ask this question? Perhaps she was curious. In fact, she felt something odd the moment Hanyu was looking at her and Angela. It felt too motherly. Too understanding. Too kind. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they were his children from different worlds if it makes any form of sense in this situation. Nevertheless, she was curious about what her alternative father had turned out which made this woman's eyes sparkle a bit, and even now, it grew brighter than ever.
"Kamijou Touma was a good man," Hanyu said with a smile of confidence, putting her right hand on the shoulder of the raven-haired daughter of the Railgun.
That was all. It was a summary of practically everything there is to know. No need for any explanations as to the very tone that was set in the solemnity and the sobriety of the complex issue surrounding the man who had fought gods, monsters, and demons while trying to protect everything and give second chances to even the most heinous and most despicable, always willing to forgive and move forward, and having suffered through countless unadulterated trials that had lasted thousands and thousands and thousands of years. It was his trials and he passed them all, his mind and his will would be ironed from the inside out, becoming stronger, more powerful.
"I see," Miyoko softly said, taking note of the answer, and glancing from the left to the right, seeing all of the grateful solemn smiles from most of the Hinamizawa Gaming Club members, each speaking of a single history behind the man that she'd call father in another world. There was also the solemn smile that is accompanied by meaningful sobriety that came forth from Dr. Strange, Sota Mizushino, and Othinus who were just listening in from the kitchen.
"Meow."
Even Sphynx responded softly as he was being petted by Index Librorum Prohibitorum who was at the center of Miyoko and Angela, listening to the conversation silently and taking in the words and savoring it as if to meditate and ponder them.
But then suddenly, there was a simple knock on the front door.
Everyone turns towards the door. Othinus smiled as she knew who was there and in some part of her, she was amused as she knew that a surprise would await the visitors.
"It would appear that we have more visitors," she said, walking towards the front door. She opens it and lo and behold, there was Touma Kamijou, along with Mikoto Misaka and Misaki Shokuhou with him. But there was a surprised expression on her face when she saw another Misaki Shokuhou, only she was wearing the winter uniform of Tokiwadai Middle School. She looks at Kamijou. "Something tells me that something happened while you and the girls were busy."
"You got it in one," Kamijou said with a simple smile as he steps forward, just enough for Angela and Miyoko to notice him as their eyes slightly widened.
"Touma-kun!" Rena Ryugu sprints fast toward Kamijou and hugs the latter.
"Oh...nice to see you again, Rena-san," Kamijou said with a smile. Then he looks at his other childhood friends of Hinamizawa and the other people throughout the room, especially noticing Sota who was smiling.
"Sota-san? Why are you here?" Kamijou asked his best friend who came forth from another reality entirely.
"Long story, Touma-san, but..." Sota glances at the two young women who were staring directly at Kamijou.
Touma Kamijou takes notice of the two young women who were seated alongside Index. They had black hair, the same color as his. One of them was wearing an outfit similar to Index. In fact, the young girl looks almost like a spitting image of Index. The same can be said in a way for the other girl who was almost the spitting image of Mikoto Misaka.
Misaka and both Shokuhous blink their eyes as if to check that what they were seeing was really there.
"What the..." Misaka softly muttered, confused.
"...Mama?" Miyoko softly muttered in shock, an uncontrollable reaction occurred based on her very own expression.
"Eh? Mama? Me?" Misaka pointed at herself as if double-taking in what she had just heard.
The reactions from both sides were just one of utter bewilderment, not knowing what to make of this situation. But there was a difference between the two specific individuals. And one of them was Angela...
"...!"
She slowly stands up, her emerald eyes widening as if there were a mixture of feelings playing and worming around within her heart. She may be one of the mature of Touma Kamijou's children, but of course, even she could not help but have her feelings soar through her heart as she sees what may as well be considered the closest person to her actual deceased father.
"..."
Touma Kamijou in turn looks closely at Angela and checks on her entire physical appearance and demeanor. Her hands appeared to be trembling. Her eyes were perhaps on the verge of crying but were subtle enough for most people not to take any notice of it except for him and some individuals who were watching silently, some more than others like Dr. Strange, Sota, and Othinus who understood why there was this type of reaction from the raven-haired nun.
There was just...
Silence...
Two people from two different worlds meet. A father. A daughter. The father only stared at the daughter who he could tell was suffering from a very deep and secretive pain that she'd rather like to keep to herself, reminding him of himself in a sheer twisted irony.
Touma Kamijou was a man who did not want to make known and boast of his sufferings. It wasn't out of a sense of shame nor was it a sense of humility, even though this latter trait is what distinguishes him from most variants of Touma Kamijou in the Multiverse. It was the fact that at the end of the day, there were other people who suffered far more than he did and what he had merely experienced was but a fraction of such sufferings.
The Last Great Time War is one such conflict that bespoke of unnecessary and grim sufferings whose scars still remained. And of course, one could never forget those who had fought in it, especially those who stuck around from the very beginning up to the very end.
Feelings within the Force called out to him. His sixth senses were heightened further as if there was a ringing alarm alerting him to something. It was the feeling of loss. It was the feeling of despair. Out of everyone who was in this building, he'd noticed this signature that came from Angela. It came from a soul that had lost so much and tried so hard to get it back. He just met this woman who was almost the spitting image of Index. And yet, there was a sense of familiarity that made Touma Kamijou stop his tracks and looked closely at the young raven-haired woman who was almost as tall as he was.
And after only a moment, he understood...
And with a sense of understanding, he breathes in and out, his expression turning gentle as he slowly walks forward. He sees Angela hesitate, seeing her make a few steps back, and raised her clenched hands to her chest as if in prayer. But he stops her. First, he stopped himself from walking. Next, he only raised his right hand in a gesture. But this gesture was a special type of gesture. It was subtle but effective enough that it actually made Angela stop of her own accord. Finally, there was the gentle smile that was displayed by Touma Kamijou.
He was smiling gently at the nun who was looking at him.
And there was just silence. There was no one making a sound. Everyone looked in curiosity and in empathy at what is now taking place. In this scene, special and sacred as it was, there were only two that were present.
Touma Kamijou and Angela.
The former was trying to reassure the latter. And it was slowly succeeding little by little.
Don't worry, I understand.
That was the meaning behind the gesture and the smile that Kamijou was employing right now in order to keep the nun calm and direct her attention towards him.
Kamijou knew that he needed to handle this one very delicately. He understood this situation not just by looking at her emotional spectrum through the Force, there were also other important factors like the subtle expressions, the way the body moves, and the eyes that were conveying a sense of the mixture of feelings and emotions that just wouldn't like to be shown to everyone and kept only to herself in order not to be a burden to anyone. Why does that remind him of himself? And it was quite obvious as to who this person that is currently standing and looking right at him.
Angela calms down somewhat. She was drawn by the gestures that her...father makes... When was the last time she ever sees this smile from her father? Most of the time, never. After all, her father was always busy and walking alone, heading from one place to another and never truly stopping until the very moment of his passing that marked the world's damnation at the hands of a rogue new Magic God.
Her mouth trembles. Her nerves near her eyes twitched. Her hands were shaking.
This was not her father. Of course, he isn't. Wasn't the topic of the Multiverse already discussed in detail such a short time ago? But why? Why was she still drawn to this version of her father who seems...different and yet still the same?
It's like if you take a certain character from a story and turn him into a mixture of flavors. The same person that you thought one time may not be the same person the next time you see him. It's like a fact of life wherein ten-year-old me is not the same as twenty-year-old me. In those dark eyes with shades of black, there was a gentle reassurance that could almost be found in a parent, that much Angela took notice. Why? Who was this person?
Of course, she knew that he was Touma Kamijou. The question is...just who is Touma Kamijou now? Who is the Touma Kamijou that is standing there specifically?
Little by little, Angela steps forward. She was almost like a little girl again as she remembers and flashes back to an incident from long ago. Once, she was walking down the hallowed halls of St. George's Cathedral. She recalls the silver hair of her mother drawing down upon her, holding her by the right hand. And then...
"...!"
...The one who was holding her left hand was what appeared to be a man in his late twenties or early thirties.
Who was this man?
Good question. Most people would know of him by now in her world. He was known by many names and titles. He was known to be there and save as many people as possible. And even in impossible cases. His battle was never-ending. He wanders from place to place, never trying to stick around as he considered himself a burden and a misfortune that he'd rather not influence upon other people.
Wasn't that a twist of irony?
He always considered himself a misfortune even when others told him that it is not true whatsoever. He was quite the stubborn and irritating man. And yet, he was someone that many women and children had loved more than anything. And Angela loved her father more than anything.
One step. And another. And another. And another.
A few steps later until she finally reaches Touma Kamijou, standing a few meters apart from each other. And there was still silence as neither of them nor were the audience speaking. It felt like a sacred and solemn moment where words were no longer needed. Actions appeared to speak louder and get the point across.
Emerald eyes staring directly at those dark eyes that were speaking something to her. A mystery spanning through unknown events that she does not know of. And yet, Angela could only recall back at the words that Hanyu had imparted to her.
"Kamijou Touma was a good man."
Little by little, the past and the present appear to crash down and merge into one single memory, Angela slowly laid her head on Touma Kamijou's shoulder. And she cried. Not all at once. It was soft and unheard, but can be heard clearly enough by those who are listening. And everyone was listening and they could not help but worry, especially Index who had been quiet from the side and was watching this meaningful exchange unfold.
"...Heh...Heeehhh...Ahhh..."
Her tears slowly manifest as it drops to the floor. These tears were something that was sacred and are worth to be treasured due to being such a universal language that most people can understand well enough without the need for a translator. And as for Kamijou, he only slowly brought the nun to his embrace, placing his hands on her back and gently patting it.
The father let the daughter cry.
Normally, he would not allow for such things. But not all tears were evil. Sometimes, there were tears that needed to be shed. This was one of those times.
When one feels sorrow at the absence of good things, it shows that one is human. Loss, even if temporary, is something one needs to start dealing with at a young age, so one may know not to be surprised when it comes.
Touma Kamijou knew and valued the significance of tears. He knew many people from countless lifetimes that had such tears. He knew that he himself used to shed tears like this. And so, he understands such value to be found in them. That tears were not a sign of weakness. Rather, they are the acknowledgment of one's own strength to acknowledge such weakness and turn its value into pure gold. In a way, tears are a form of prayer when the mouth can no longer speak.
Misaki Shokuhou of ACMI Universe-511 was only watching in silence, curious and in awe as she watches this version of her Prince do something that was quite rare. It was a touch of gentleness and maturity and understanding that she had never even seen in her Prince. It made her quite curious indeed. And yet...
"Oh..."
It made even her shed a tear a little before managing to quickly cover herself up with her glove hand. But it was noticed by Shokuhou (Prime) who glanced towards her. Then she became suspicious, wondering just what her alternate counterpart could be hiding. And probably, she may know the answer already.
Insert Song: End
ED Song:
Terminator Salvation - Break The Silence (Soundtrack)
12 Core Members:
Dr. Stephen Strange - A: Benedict Cumberbatch
John Constantine - A: Matt Ryan
Main Companion Protagonists:
Touma Kamijou - VA: Atsushi Abe
Sota Mizushino/Kamen Rider Decade - VA: Daiki Yamashita
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:
Lucifer Morningstar - A: Tom Ellis
Touma Kamijou (511) - VA: Atsushi Abe