Chapter 9: Betrayal
Daichi Hideaki felt freezing chills over his skin. Magane Chikujoin, the murderer is standing right in front of him.
The girl's smirk vindicated the worry. "How rude of you to say I'm a bad girl. Didn't anyone taught you some manners?" Each step towards him held a slight sway. Light glinted off the black school uniform, said clothing matching the dark vibe.
A glance around told a bad story. The small hedgerows of trees around the bullet train shielded them from sight. Nobody was around the area. Complete privacy for the three of them.
Daichi turned to Sota. "What's going on here?" The younger boy turned his face away. Could it be?
Chikujoin waved her hands in dismissal. "Now, now there's no need to rush." A smile. "I mean, we're here for a nice good old chat. Isn't that right, Sota?" Every fibre of being screamed. The way this girl talks, casual yet terrifying. How the hell does she do it?
Can he take her on? No, worst place to try such a thing. Perhaps an escape instead?
"Aha, I know that look of yours. You're thinking of running away. You can't think like that to a girl who want to confess you know."
Muscles tensed ready. Wait. Beyond her reality bending abilities, she wasn't physically stronger than a regular person.
Chikujoin leaned forward. "I know a lot about you Daichi Hideaki. You are a very important boy."
No time to listen to her. Force is the answer.
Chikujoin waved a hand between them. "Now now Daichi. You can't go glaring at every girl you see. You'll scare them off huhu." A glint in her eyes froze him in place. "Stay still or she will suffer."
All stopped. She? "Who the hell you're talking about?"
The girl spread her arms up into the sky. "Oh how painful it must be, for the great Daichi does not recognise his schoolmate as a girlfriend. Such a tragedy. If it was romcom though, I'd give it a three instead of two."
Red exploded. Fire coursed along his senses. "What the hell have you done to Shizuka?"
Chikujoin pressed a hand to her mouth. "Oho. Nothing yet. The question is what I could do. You know the possibilities."
The frozen face surfaced. Daichi shoved down the screaming form. How did she know? A shiver down the spine. A glance towards Sota was enough to answer. His fist wanted to smash her good. "What do you want?"
"What do I want? That's something I like to hear." Chikujoin laughed. "So, how does it feel? To be a sidekick for Archer and all that."
Archer. Where was the Counter Guardian?"Nothing. What about him?"
She placed a finger on her lip. "Hmm, how would I say it? I'm a big fan of him?"
Daichi shook his head. Utter bull. That grin of hers was the devil. No way it's the truth. "What is it that you really want from him?"
"Like I said, a chance to meet him. You two get to join me in the date of course."
Daichi turned for ideas. Sota was frozen on his feet. Chikujoin needed to be stopped. Could he knock her out with a surprise attack? Three steps away from that smug face. One hit should do it.
"A date. Can you believe yourself that it'll be a date?"
"Why not? After all, everything-"
Now! Two steps in before a lunge. A fist pulled back as he aimed for the face. Fist felt air before pain erupted along his back. "Is all according to plan." He hadn't even seen her move. Chikujoin tutted from above. "What a bad boy, trying to hit on a girl. Literally. Didn't your parents teach you manners?" Daichi grunted as he tried climbing to his feet. A pair of feet pressed onto his calves. Pain exploded. "No, no, no. Bad Daichi. You don't want to bring up old injuries right?"
Daichi grit his teeth against the bursting fire below. Why wasn't Sota doing anything? He lifted his head to look at the perpetrator. "Sota, why?"
Their eyes met for a glimpse. Sota's were wide and shaking before turned away. "I, I had no choice."
"Oho, you shouldn't say things that way. I mean it's your choice to call our good friend here," Chikujoin said.
The pain spiked as her heel pressed deeper. Daichi clenched his teeth to bear against it. Those feet are like cast iron weights. Unable to fight; unable to escape. There wasn't any option. "What are you going to do to me?"
Chikujoin laughed. "No, no no no. It's not that way. You are going to do something for cute little Magane." She pointed a finger to him. "You see, I'm a big fan of the man in the red cape." A finger was pressed along the spine. "I want you to call him to come here."
"No." Daichi answered.
"Are you really sure of that?" The finger pressed deep against his skin. A jolt tingled. "Don't you feel like you are the little lamb, being hung out as bait for the little red riding hood?"
The weight on his calves released yet the limbs were numb like weights. "Silent treatment now. How boring." Chikujoin pressed her hands onto Sota's shoulders. "If you won't call him, I guess I have to use Sota here."
The traitor leaned back against the railing, his eyes turned away. "Now Sota, you are going to be my messenger." She leaned in towards his ear. "You know that redhead Selesia right? I want you to tell her that Meteora is a traitor. That she is working with the enemy and they're staging a rigged game to kill everyone."
"As if they would believe that." Daichi spat as he leaned onto his elbows.
Sota's voice was a whisper. "What are you trying to do with such lies?"
"It doesn't matter whether it's a lie or truth. I just want you to do that for me." Chikujoin's smug was condemning them.
"I can't do it." Sota said. The boy's hands were shaking.
"Can't or won't do it? Ohoho, I mean it's a mutually beneficial thing for both of us." Chikujoin let Sota go. "It would be very bad if anyone knew about your secret. Hey Daichi, don't you want to hear the secret? Here, let me help you make it more convincing." She pulled out a piece of cloth. The red portions had a metallic sweet smell. Chikujoin sniffed at the cloth before saying. "Mamika found out about the conspiracy and went to see Meteora to learn the truth. But Meteora became very angry after being found out and killed her with a single blow. I mean like Kapow."
Sota's eyes widened. He pressed a hand against his face. "Is that Mamika's…Mamika is dead?"
"Yeah, she died. Never knew someone had so much blood despite being so small. That idiot knight knows about it too. If you think I'm lying then go ask her. Ask her who killed Mamika. I'm sure she's going to be really really pissed." She entered a falsetto. "I mean, it's not like innocent little Magane killed her isn't it?"
"So much lies." Daichi couldn't believe this. Cobwebs of them spun all around that girl. Leaning against the metal railing, every horrid thing was stuck onto her skin and she loved it.
"No, did you kill her? You were the one who killed Mamika. That's why you have the cloth." Sota closed his eyes and shied away from the bloody scrap.
Chikujoin smiled. "No way. Why do you think I would do something like that?"
"Because you are a cruel person that would murder without caring." Daichi said. The bodies were proof.
"Stop lying. Who else would kill people other than you?" Sota picked up on it.
Chikujoin shook her head. "Wait a moment. Don't just assume that someone's a murderer. It's not good for your health."
"I don't need to assume about it. The proof is already there."
"Technically they died from their own means." She waved a hand. "Not that it matters now, what I want is him."
"Archer will never listen to you."
She tilt her head, looking down at him. "I wonder. I'll give him a choice. Sacrifice you or himself. You're his little sidekick after all so you should be thankful that you're valuable."
"He'd rather sacrifice me. Archer knows what's at stake."
"Yes, yes so he does. The Great Guardian of the Counter Force. Protector of Humanity." The smile of hers was feral, a predator on a hunt. "That is the ultimate test so to say. It would be the very thing he despised. Deciding who lives and who dies."
"Once I'm done with you, I'll just give him another choice, another and another. Oh maybe put myself in the mix too with a frilly naked apron. I'm sure he'll love that."
Sota hissed. "Such evil. How can you be someone like that?"
"That's hard to say. I suppose I'm born into the role. Isn't that right considering how I was made?"
Daichi felt a bit of strength returning. "I'm not going to listen to a liar."
"That's right. I am a liar. My mouth speaks only lies. Everything I say are all lies." Her response were filled with such glee. "You know me but that's what you think." She raised a finger. "Ding, ding, question time. To our fellow contestants, am I lying now? What do you think? Do you need any chances?"
What was she playing at? Daichi couldn't understand. That girl is just beyond comprehension. Silence were their answer. Chikujoin continued. "You don't know anything don't you? I said that I am lying but how would you know I am lying about that part? Maybe I was telling the truth? If that was the case, what does a lie of a lie make it be? Would it still be the truth? A lie squared?" Hands spread wide. "Justice, Truth. They don't exist. Those things are made by people so that they can put the blame on something. Just like what you guys are doing."
"That is a lie." Daichi answered.
"Is it? Can you see justice? Can you taste it? Or do you just perceive justice to be the form of retribution you are looking for? Someone's justice is another person's terror. If that's the case, you could even say that we are all liars. Unfortunately my God was someone without the guts to answer me and rather take his own life. Stupid."
Speechless. They had no answer. How did this girl have so much wit? "So Sota, who do you think is the one who killed the Magic Girl? Do you want to guess?"
Sota did not answer, his gaze onto the floor. Chikujoin grabbed his chin and lifted it up. "The reason she died is because of a reaction from meeting someone. A step by step process that turned one thing into another. If you dig into it, you'll uncover the inconvenient truth." She leaned in to Sota's ear. "A certain conversation at a certain place that connected the three of us."
Sota's eyes widened with a gasp. "Altair, its Altair. Mamika was killed by her. Mamika believed me that Altair was trying to do something bad."
"Yes and Mamika paid the price. That answers everything doesn't it?" Sota gasped with wide eyes of terror.
Daichi couldn't understand this. What the hell are they going on about?
"That's right. You did it. Congratulations. Your hit count went up to two." The girl leaned close to Sota's shaking face. "Are you shocked? About killing someone without realising it? That being a murderer isn't such a bad thing?" Sota dropped onto his knees. "You don't need to be depressed. It happens all the time. Be positive, because you like it don't you? You like being a murderer."
"Why? How can you do something like that?" Sota's voice was barely a croak.
Chikujoin jumped and landed on the train. "Because it's fun. Watching do what I set them up to do is really fun. Negative emotions like hate and resentment, I never have those. They are unnecessary. So there are no bad feelings when I'm having fun."
She placed a hand on her chest. "How should I put it? I have a noble heart. Don't worry, Sota. What was her name, Aluminium foil? Oh Altair. I'll lay a land mine for her too and make sure it explodes. That way even the good guys have something to be happy about right?"
Daichi shook his head. Dread grew around his fingers. How are they going to stop this mad girl? Powerless. Helpless against such wit. He had to get out of here. Spread the danger of this crazy girl. Otherwise they'll fall into the same trap.
Her voice came behind his back. "Trying to run away again Daichi? Just like how you tried to run from that day." Cold chills numbed his legs as he turned over his shoulder.
"How the hell did you know that?"
Chikujoin waved a hand as she dropped off the train. "Magane Chikujoin, super spy detective. Nothing comes out of reach because Magane is a hero. To think that someone so bent on saving would be a -"
"Enough of that." Daichi yelled. Never again. "You think that your words are God. That you are a divine being that can do whatever you like. You aren't one and we will prove it."
Her eyes narrowed with a smile. "So Daichi, you want to prove it to me." Daichi felt a chill down the spine. "Then I will offer you a choice. Between Daichi Hideaki and Shizuka Katsumi's life, what would be your choice?"
"I won't make a choice. Our lives are equal."
"Is that so? Then they both have no value." She pulled out a phone. "It's time for some fun."
She even has Shizuka's number? Chikujoin's ability had no limited reach. He reached out for the phone but was kicked back onto the ground. "No, Daichi. You can't be playing against the rules."
Chikujoin pressed the phone against her ear. "I wonder what demon she'd like by her doorstep."
"No, don't do it." The ring tone dialled as he scrambled. "Don't!"
"Hey, could you stop trying to be an ass?" A voice interrupted from the shadows. Yuya Mirokuji appeared with a cigarette in hand. Those eyes filled with distaste.
"Kids, People like her take advantage of everything." Mirokuji tossed the cigarette aside. "They will use you until you're a husk and then toss you aside. These people are the worst kinds."
Chikujoin smiled before wrapping the phone around her chest. "That was so mean. Watch your words boy. Do I look like such a bad person? You hurt me and my virgin heart."
Mirokuji pointed his sword at her. "You're not a person. You're just a laughing piece of skin hanging over a bunch of lies."
"What a cool compliment." Her smile in complete contrast
"Stand back." Mirokuji said with a flying sword strike. Chikujoin jumped back and sprinted away. Mirokuji turned around towards them. "Did she hurt you kids anywhere else?"
Daichi answered. "Yeah, I'll be fine. How did you know we're here?"
The swordsman said. "Thanks to someone probing his nose around, I had a lead. My hunch led here. Regrettably, I was right."
Daichi nodded. "So you've heard everything."
"That's right. We'll talk later." Taking a leap, he pursued the Liar.
That left him and Sota to deal with. Sota turned towards him. His eyes were downcast. "Hideaki…I'm sorry."
Red fire blossomed from his chest. A raging hunger for vengeance. Daichi grabbed Sota by the collar. "How could you do this to us? Siding with the enemy because of your own selfish reasons."
Sota turned away. "I'm sorry. I did it again. I'm-"
"If you want to talk, tell it to my face damn it." Daichi slammed him against the metal railing. "You've put Shizuka in danger. I'm not going to let you get away with that."
"Step back Hideaki." Meteora said. Daichi turned around to see the librarian landing.
When did she get here? Irrelevant. Daichi turned back towards his real enemy and raised a fist. Strong hands grabbed and pulled him back off balance.
Meteora stepped in between them. "I knew there was something wrong. Yet I didn't expect to see this."
"How did you get here?"
"There was something that needed investigation. Mirokuji called me to come here and I obliged since this place was along the way." Meteora turned towards Sota. Her eyes were dim. "Sota, I hoped my words would help you to find your answer in all this. It is unfortunate for this to happen."
"You knew something was wrong but you didn't tell us about it? After all we've been through, that is what you have to say?" Daichi hissed. Magic Circuit flared to life, an engine that pumped power through his nerves. He gave a glance to his hand. Their strength can take her on.
Meteora's glare met his. "This isn't the time for that, Hideaki."
Daichi stepped forward. "Of course it is. Otherwise when would it ever be? When we are dead?" Sota deserved punishment for risking her. There is no excuse.
"Your anger clouds you. Decisions are not black and white. People are forced to do what they need to." Daichi stepped closer. A blue shield formed on her palm. "Don't push this matter. Not for now."
Sota said from behind her. "I know it's a bad thing. I didn't have a choice really." That coward didn't have the right to say that.
Daichi slammed a fist against the shield. The knuckles burned before being pushed back.
Reason cried out towards him. Chikujoin was dangerous and he was just as guilty. White and red tugged, the red threatening to pull everything. "I don't know what to feel. Get out of my sight."
Meteora wrapped an arm around Sota before lifting away. The boy turned around before taking a deep breath. Not a word dared to be spoken until the boy was gone for good. The source of anger removed, the rage faded and he fell to his knees. Useless.
The pain in Sota's heart was difficult to bear. Meteora had brought him away to the train station. Announcements in the station called for calm and order. Feet felt weak on reaching solid ground.
Devastation. He'd done it again. A second time. Someone died because of him. Horrible, murderer. No right to be standing here. The voice in his throat clamped hard with a sob. "I'm so sorry. Meteora."
"You've done nothing wrong, Sota."
Her assurance didn't ease the boiling pressure around his chest. "It's my fault. Everything that led to this is my fault. Why didn't I help her back then?" Iron grips tightened against his cuffs. "I felt she deserved what she got. Shimazaki hadn't changed at all." Everything felt warm and wet. "I wanted Shimazaki to… but it wasn't true."
Sota dropped onto his knees. "I was just frustrated that I didn't measure up to it." He didn't want to remember it. "I made her die."
Meteora rested a hand on his shoulder. "I thought I was being kind by not asking you about it. But I was both foolish and careless. That is my fault to bear."
Sota denied her words. "No, I'm the one who was careless. Not only Shimazaki, not only Hideaki, even Mamika. I've hurt so many people." All because he talked to her that day. She used the knowledge to fight Altair and died. The consequence was on him. Murderer, Traitor, Killer. A bad person to the core.
Meteora went onto her knees, their eyes met. Blue to brown. "Everyone will have their troubles in life. They will make the mistakes they will regret forever until the end. However that doesn't mean that it should be forgotten. If you know you have done something wrong, you can make up for it."
She wrapped her arms around him. Warmth filled his arms. Her voice soft to his ear. "You will feel many pains along your life. The bad memories will come back every now and again. That means that it's important and you must never forget about it. Do not look away even as it hurts. Learn from it and continue to ask yourself what you can do. That answer will be the reason for you to continue living in this world."
Meteora pulled back and stroked a line of tears from his cheek. "The world is undeniably cruel. Surviving it requires choice and resolution. Sota, even if you are in pain and afraid, embrace it and face it. The past is nothing to fear because it is already over."
Embrace it? Facing the past? "Mamika wouldn't like to see you this way either." As much he wanted to deny it, she was right. The Magical Slayer was too optimistic for her own good.
She stood up. "Chikujoin needs to be taken down before she hurt anymore people. Please stay here where it's safe. In the meantime, please I ask for you to think about it." The sage shot into the air and disappeared from sight.
"Meteora…" Sota whispered. Left alone, darkness returned. A shroud around his self. Whispers of loss and despair crept into the mind. Forget about Meteora. Forget about Shimazaki. Run away and end it all. The tracks weren't far. A few steps was all that it needed.
Sota stood from his stupor. Yes, he must let it go. Accept the pain of the past. Move on at least for now. That meant chasing after them. A normal person against superheroes. Sota clenched a fist. I can't do anything. Think carefully Sota. Even If I go, I can't do anything. I'd just get in the way. And let people die by doing nothing? The thought froze. Another loss. A repeat of failure. Can he afford to let it happen a third time? He let go his fists. They were still shaking.
The boy who hated him. As much as he hated to see him, Hideaki was right. There were still heroes in this world. He will never be one but at least someone had to try even if it's wrong. Embrace the fear and face it. Legs like jelly, he took a step forward and entered the train station.
Archer arrived faster than expected. Metal boots clinked onto the ground, the red guardian shook his head with a sigh. "I disappear for a bit and you end up in major trouble."
Daichi tightened an icy grip around a railing. "How are you here so fast?" It wasn't even five minutes since the call.
"I was searching for a knight in the area when you called. So what happened?" Daichi explained what happened with the devil woman. Archer frowned. "Magane Chikujoin. That's a very good play right there."
Of all things to care about, her wit was the concern? "You don't seem surprised by Mamika's death."
"I watched her final moments an hour ago." Clear and straight through the heart.
"Mamika really did kick the bucket." Daichi took a deep breath. The time spent together had been short but she was honest and sweet. Now gone for good. "Couldn't you save her?"
"I was fortunate to even see her from the other side of the city. It wouldn't have mattered."
Daichi bit his lip. "She was supposed to be a good girl." Of all people, why her?
"Get over it. It is a war. People die. That's a fact."
Red flashed, ticking him off. A click of the tongue before the boy said. "Yeah, I get you."
"To think that Magane girl can be so troublesome. She sowed dissent and turned the knight mad. She's going on a rampaging hunt. It wouldn't be long before hell breaks loose."
The flash burned anew. "That monster was there." Daichi closed towards the archer. "You've should have shot her! How could you let her live like that?"
A strong hand pushed him down onto the ground. "Do not let your emotions control you, boy." Daichi tightened his shaking fist. "Shooting an arrow at the speed of sound across the city would've been dangerous to this world nor would it have brought the girl back to life."
"At least you could've done something." Daichi met the grey eyes with all he had.
The archer closed his eyes with a slight shake of the head. He turned around, saying. "As if it was so easy. Enough of the topic, there's more to be done."
Yeah, Archer's right. Pointless to regret about it at the moment. Daichi forced the anger down before turning to another urgent matter. "What are we going to do about Mizushino? He betrayed us."
Archer huffed. "I presume not by choice. That girl's more dangerous than I thought given how she likewise manipulated the knight. You are lucky that you two managed to get away scot-free."
"Yeah. Apparently her motive here is you."
"I see." Archer gazed towards the left, away from the city. "I'm going. Stay here and call for help."
Daichi said. "I'm coming with you. It'd be easier to bring help if I know where you'll go." If the Knight of Ulsterstein was equally twisted by the poisonous words of a trickster, he needed to give a hand.
Archer raised a brow. "Didn't you hate to fly?"
"Not if it means getting left behind." Anything if it meant killing the devil.
Archer offered his hand. "Let's go." Daichi grabbed on before he was suddenly thrown aside. Rolling about with a grunt, he wanted to swear when light flashed from above.
Metal screeched as a pair of black and white struck the bright reflections. One reflection struck the ground. A clear gaze of his face from a sword. A 17th Century Hanger.
"Ah, Shirou Emiya. It has been a while." A feminine voice across the street. Small and dressed in dark clothes. White twin tails contrasted against the black uniform. Daichi knew this girl as Archer spoke her name.
"Altair." Daichi felt his muscle freeze. Standing atop a lighting pole, her beauty was admirable. Yet intimidating with the thorns of a rose. Her unnatural eyes met against his. Feeble instinct was, it knew what to do. Run.
"Come looking to recruit me again? Your magical appearances are getting boring."
Altair smiled. Sinister travelled his arms. Holding back the shivers was hard. "Hardly. Since your cowardice, I have brought someone more amenable to assist my revolution. You can enjoy your introductions with him." A silhouette stepped into the open street.
Dark skinned close to charcoal black. The yellow spirals woven onto the black jacket that covered only arms and shoulder. White hair that contrasted against everything else. Yellow eyes that sought to kill him. The weapon in his arm was familiar. Twin pairs of black and red. Sword and gun melded into one. A man that Daichi had never expected to see. Alter.
Archer stared sharply against the deep killing intent. "Who the hell are you?" Eyes widened. "You can't be serious."
"Greetings Shirou Emiya." The man smiled as he spun the gun around his fingers. "I am the bringer of death. She called for yours and I shall deliver." Fear screamed as a wave of darkness radiated from the dark man. Archer's stares were frightening. These could outright kill him. Every heartbeat was pounding.
Run
Run
RUN!
RUN OR YOU WILL DIE
Cold feet scrambled upright as Archer said. "Get going kid,"
Daichi felt his voice squeak. "Let's get out of here." Fear pulled at the sleeves, trying to drag him away from the fight. Full agreement with it.
"Not possible for me." Archer said as Alter vanished. Steel shrieked harsh against his ears. Blades clashed with thunder claps. Shock wave cracking the ground turning feet into jelly. "Go kid."
Daichi turned and ran. The ground rumbled in rhythm to every clash of steel. Cold stiff feet ached at the broken speed record. Far too slow compared to those monsters. The buildings were all dark. Nobody's around. He dived behind a wooden wall while regaining breath.
The clash and sparks of steel was an echo through the adrenaline. What was he going to do? Think, think, think. Get help. He grabbed a phone and called. The ring for Mirokuji went on. No answer. Not Meteora. Screw Sota. Another number. It picked up on the third ring. "Matsubara, Altair's here. We need help."
Matsubara said. "We're in our own trouble. Alicetaria's fighting Meteora. It looks like she brought everyone else for a Battle Royal. Can you hold on?"
"No way, he's outnumbered."
The voice changed. "Kikuchihara here. I'm sending help to you. Hold on until they get there." An explosion, muffling any words.
Daichi leaned out, seeing red flying into the air. Streaks of red light flew, shot away by a barrage of gunfire. The battle was closing in. Shit.
Meteora dived through the air, feeling the harsh winds to her skin to catch Yuya Mirokuji and Magane Chikujoin. The duo had taken the fight onto the train before leaving Tachikawa station. Fortunate to avoid any casualties and damages. The trail led to a complex undergoing construction. The two were battling on the parking lot on the completed roof.
By the time she arrived, Mirokuji threw a gust of air. Magane remained still with a smile. The gust went past her unharmed. The marks on the ground spoke the answer. The air parted into two before reaching her. Not within normal realm of physics.
Mirokuji was perplexed at the effect. Magane burst into laughter. "Yes, that's it. You look like a cat that's been run over. Oh I just love that look on your face. You're as stupid as you look."
Mirokuji's attack had caused itself to miss. Spectrum of reality had been denied. Meteora landed beside the sword wielder. "Be careful Mirokuji. Her power is to reverse cause and effect by making the person under her spell deny what she asks."
Mirokuji narrowed his eyes. "I see."
Meteora continued to explain. "The laws stick once they have been bent. Attacking Magane with Kuronagimaru won't work anymore. Probably not until Magane dies." He was the team's main firepower. Being disarmed was the worst case scenario and he must avoid it.
"Damn it." Mirokuji replied.
Magane turned towards her. "I hate hearing spoilers. Whenever I see someone giving away the secret behind a magic trick, it spoils the fun." Her eyes intensified into death. "I hate it when people do that."
Mirokuji stepped past the sage. "Girl, your business is with me. Hangaku." A spirit warrior appeared, clad in red armour and armed with a long naginata. Floating in the air, it charged forward and struck with a barrage of attacks.
Magane dodged, twisting her form around. The smile on her face was certain. The villain was incomprehensible in her eyes. Hangaku's attack struck into a metal pole, cutting deep and stuck.
The school girl studied the spirit as Hangaku struggled to free the weapon. "What do you think Nerdy girl? Since the plan I gave Sota fell through, how about making a deal with me?"
"That isn't going to happen," Mirokuji said.
"Shush, you're not the important one doggie." Magane waved a hand. "You get a chance to destroy Altair. It's a bargain I tell you."
The sage was silent. "Are you perhaps scared that you don't want to lose an argument against me? Even you, Meteora the Seeker of a Thousand Miles?"
Meteora said the safest words possible. "Provoking people and taking advantage of their vulnerabilities. It's your same old trick."
Magane waved her hand. "Oh well. Trying to destroy each other would have been fun. I hate forcing things. People should live free or else they won't be happy."
Mirokuji spat as Hangaku freed its weapon. "A hypocrite. That trick bag is so full of herself."
Meteora raised a hand. "Mirokji, do not rush. As long we hold the numerical advantage, we can keep this under control."
Magane jumped onto a metal fence. "Oh, that's right. Meteora. Too bad that you won't be playing with me." Meteora noticed a light in the sky. "It looks like other people want to play with you too. See?"
The yellow star crashed onto the ground. Meteora banished the smoke aside with a spell. Metal armour dismounted from its trusted steed. This is unprecedented.
Alicetaria February raised her spear. "Meteora." The face of hers was stricken and taut. Meteora felt the unsettling chill. "I've been searching for you."
Magane gave a thumbs up. "Nice, Ms. Knight. About time you found us. It's hard entertaining two people at once."
Mirokuji gave a glance to the sage before saying. "Hangaku." The Spirit attacked. Naginata met spear before Alicetaria pushed it away. Hangaku's attacks continued before Mirokuji dived in with a two pronged attack. The knight spun, spear holding naginata in place. The gauntlet struck forward, meeting Kuronagimaru. Meteora felt the force of the blow. What strength even from such distance. Mirokuji was pushed back by sheer strength.
Alicetaria followed up with a fist into the ground. Hangaku was thrown back towards its master. The knight stood up. The fire in her eyes burned. "You don't even know the basics of how to fight."
"You think so?" Mirokuji jest before sending a gust of air. Alicetaria blocked it with the gauntlet before Hangaku struck.
Magane said as Alicetaria stepped back, avoiding the attack. "Want me to help Ms. Knight?"
Alicetaria turned her ire towards the schoolgirl. "I do not need the help of your sullied hands."
The school girl took a seat on the fence. "Wow, you said it right there. No matter if they are but wouldn't you want as much help as you can get even from a cute kitten? Meow."
"You…" Alicetaria was interrupted by Hangaku attacking. The knight dodged the naginata's longer reach. "Gotz von Berlichingen. I summon you with this gauntlet. Donnerschlag des Jeghers." Thunder shot out, striking Hangaku. It sent the Woman Spirit reeling into a metal enclosure that sparked with electricity. Mirokuji narrowed his eyes before darting in to strike.
Magane continued as Alicetaria fended the attacks. "Anyways you have unsettled business with the geeky girl and not the bad boy, right?" Alicetaria remained silent before a swing of her spear sent Mirokuji flying across the pavement.
Magane stepped in between knight and swordsman. "I'll take care of him. Why don't you and the geeky girl get together with your girly sides while trying to kill each other?"
Alicetaria did not answer but turned around to face Meteora. It was too late. They're caught out of position. Mirokuji moved forward to intercept. Magane stepped forward before disappearing behind Alicetaria's lunging form.
Meteora flew up, the spear missing her by margins too close. Such speed. Standing steady in the air, she said. "There is no need to fight Alicetaria."
"Oh Sage, there is a very great need. Anything otherwise is disrespectful."
The woman's glare was filled with red. Meteora decided there was no choice. Book of Thousand Miles in hand, she summoned.
"In the name of the principle of Ars Magnas, just as the spirits create structure from Topos which presides over all creation."
ATM missile launchers from the JSDF appeared from her call. "The spirits shall refine steel to become the form I desire." Six of them in hand fired their volley of missiles.
"That will not work on me." The spear swung, smashing each projectile into exploding pieces. How can she absorb such attacks? The weapon remained unscathed from explosive forces.
Alicetaria raised her gauntlet. "Gotz von Berlichingen. Answer my gauntlet's summon. Knights of Dawn, reveal yourself here." A pulse of red light. Portals formed in a semicircle around her. A summoning spell. The summoned appear, rows of horsemen in shining armour. Enough to almost surround the sage. Such numbers.
They aimed in synchrony. Spears glowed in red. A bad omen. She moved as red lights shot forward in a twist of webs. Must build the distance. Too close and reacting in time is impossible. What would be the best strategy against them?
All the missiles were exhausted. Meteora pulled the weapons out of the Vault. Minimi Machine Guns fired rapid burst of bullets. They did nothing against the knights firing lasers. They turned towards the host, firing a cloud of metal. Alicetaria held her ground. The gauntlet absorbed the shots before she stabbed the ground. Another barrage of light was shot.
Meteora darted across the sky. Completely outmatched. "Face me in a fair battle." She saw a glimpse of metal before pain struck. A moment of vertigo before slamming hard into metal. A gasp of pain, blood in her lips.
From the ground, the knight was gigantic. Alicetaria approached with slow steps. "I shall not let you die yet." The intent of murder was a tidal wave. "You shall pay for the death of my friend, Mamika." She had to get up. Everything hurt. Arms shivered against the strain. A grunt and she felt everything collapse.
Meteora bit her lip as the facts were clear. There is no chance.
"I can't let you pass." Standing between both women was a young boy.
Yuya Miirokuji wanted to add annoying brat to Magane Chikujoin's list of traits. First by making an uproar within the nearby station and on the train. Meantime, Yuya had to restrain himself then from going overboard with his abilities lest he hurt a random passer-by.
Now in a quiet parking lot, he was eager to bash that girl's skull in any way. Red spears of light darted around the area. Yuya dodged backwards, avoiding the worst of the barrage. That stupid knight was unrestrained in friendly fire. What an ass.
Yuya swung his sword as Hangaku dived from above. "You better pray to whichever dark gods you pray for mercy because I'm sending you right to him."
"Oh, how evil of you. Bad boy antagonist you are." Magane twisted in between his attacks, leaping back and maintaining distance. Won't that feisty girl stop moving for god darn once?
He heard a cry from the Sage. Metchin is unsuited against such a brutish woman. Yuya must hurry.
"I cannot let you pass."
He noticed Sota stepping between them. "That fool." Did he expect to stop that hulking woman of metal and muscle? He moved towards the kid when the voice behind him said. "Hey bad boy, don't look away." That girl was irritating. "Since you're chasing me, you have to make it more romantic."
A glance along the edge of his sight showed Magane swaying her hips. "Hey, try catching me."
"I'll settle things with you later fox girl." His reply. Barring any use of monsters, the girl was powerless to fight against him. All that dodging nonsense was annoying. Time better spent helping Metchin before she kicks the bucket. Hangaku can handle this pest.
"Oh by the way. I noticed one thing about your doll. Do you want to know what it is?" Yuya froze. Everything compelled him to turn around. "I know a lot of trivia. I was made that way after all. Hangaku, the name you said belongs to a female general. You always have a girl at your side who you can depend on for anything."
Magane wrapped her arms around her chest. "What a fulfilling life. You make me so jealous."
You would dare. "Me and Hangaku, we're not like that. She's a curse." Yuya answered. Ever since he acquired her from that fortune teller, it was a nightmare. Nights were filled with dreams of war. Murder, destruction and hate. He grew accustomed to them. As much as he hated it, Hangaku is a part of him.
Magane smiled. "A curse. Scary, scary. That doesn't sound peaceful. I wonder what kind of curse it can be. Forever bound to love each other together?"
"You…" The desire to rip her apart was growing stronger. He ought to deal with her incessant insults. Sota can buy the time he needs to finish her off.
"I see. Are you saying I should read the original story to find out?" She nodded in delight. "But those kind of curses, did you know that you can get rid of them?" Magane thinks she can remove it? A curse that even the fabled Oracle couldn't remove? That is hilarious.
She's so full of herself. Thinking she can do anything even if it's impossible. "You are really full of lies aren't you?" His words flew like barbs. "You think with that ability of yours you can do anything. It shows how much of trash you actually are."
"What should I do?" The devil's grin grew wider. "I might not look like it but actually I get along with ghosts and monsters really well. I've thought about it. What if, what if, I could get rid of that? Why don't you give Hangaku to me? You don't make good use of her anyway."
Give Hangaku to her. Just like that? That's her way of getting rid of this curse? Absurd. "Give her to you? What a joke!" Pause. Magane's eyes were gleaming. Metchin did say she denies reality.
Magane said with a smile. "A lie about a lie. It turns inside out on itself and…"
That meant, shit. Hangaku lunged forward.
A snap of fingers. "Becomes the truth." It struck.
Sota gasped for air as he saw the outskirts of battle. Kikuchihara had been informed and were on the way with help. Now he had to figure out how to stop the fight.
The parking lot was wrecked. Mirokuji was nowhere to be found. Where was Meteora? A green blur flew past to smash into a metal cabinet. Collapsing in a grunt of pain. Blood trickled down her lips. A whisper in his lips. "Meteora." To the left, the knight was approaching. The glare in her eyes told her intent.
Sota sprinted and stepped in between them. "I can't let you pass." What was he thinking? Yet it felt right.
"Get away." Meteora gasped. Heavy footsteps clinked before stopping. A moment of surprise in her eyes before hardening to the cold gaze. A killer.
The Knight resumed her approach. Sota stood his ground. "Sorry Meteora. I can't run away. Not anymore." He addressed the blonde before him. "Alicetaria…. you were fighting against Unterwelt. I know who you are."
Alicetaria stopped. "I am sure you do. Now move aside."
"I won't. I don't understand why you are trying so hard to be the bad guy. You're a knight and the knights of Ulsterstein were the most chivalrous group of all."
"Chivalry is nothing when people die upholding it." She raised her arms. "After all, my world is entertainment for your people." That smile of hers the first he ever saw. A broken one. "Was it fun? Watching my people get tortured and killed?"
"It's not fun at all." Sota screamed. Of all people, why did she had to say that? "Watching the people in your town die, made me sad. When the village of Magratz was attacked by armies of Unterwelt, I was hoping you'd be in time. That you'd save them all."
A cold voice of steel. "Why would you care? You were just someone watching from the outside. It was just a story to the people of this world like you. You all had nothing at stake."
Anger blossomed. "If you are going to say it was 'just a story' then do you mean that everything I've seen is just a story? That your life is a fictional lie?" Sota answered. "I felt your joy. The pain, the sorrow, your broken heart. It doesn't matter when it's real or not. The emotions I felt from your world are true."
"Many people know about your fight. They watch and support you in painful silence. Seeing you risk your life, fighting for the things that are important to you. It brings hope to everyone living here." Sota pressed a hand against his chest. "Alicetaria, we know what you stand for and what you're fighting for. We watch you continue fighting because we look up to your virtue."
He bit a lip. "Some of us aren't that honourable or good as you. We hope someday we can become like you. Someone who can continue to face challenges beyond us."
"You speak too highly of me. I am not the person you believe me to be." Alicetaria said. She raised a fist and clenched it. "The important things always slip through my fingers. I've tried to be a knight. I risked my life and fought until now to save my world. However, my world is a lie, created on purpose for entertainment."
She let go. "I tried to save Mamika but in the end I couldn't prevent her death." Alicetaria's eyes betrayed her emotions. "Ridiculous. A knight? I am nothing more than a scarecrow in a fictional world. How am I supposed to save the world?"
She raised her spear. "However, even if I am a scarecrow, I am still a knight. So, step aside boy."
"I will not." Sota stood firm.
"It is not my intention to involve you in this fight. Step aside." Alicetaria repeated.
"I am not moving. The Alicetaria I know would do the same thing. That is why I am doing this too." Sins need to be atoned. Mistakes to correct. Forgiveness to be achieved.
"You leave me with no choice."
"Sota, step down." Sota felt a hand on his shoulder. Meteora stepped past him. "Alicetaria and I must talk until we reach an understanding."
Satisfied, Alicetaria said. "Do you repent your actions now?"
"Alicetaria, I do not understand why you have such hatred. I will speak honestly. No matter what happens, I have not hurt Mamika and never will."
Alicetaria's yell was filled with poison. "Even now, you still try to deceive me with your sophistry. Mamika was determined to propose reconciliation with you. Negotiations failed and she departed to the afterlife right before me."
"No, that's one of Magane's lies. She is dangerous and cannot be trusted." Meteora answered.
"Silence." The spear was shaking. "Silence…please." Was it despair he is seeing? "I have lost everything I believed in. My world and my ally. I do not know where the truth is anymore."
Meteora closed her eyes. "I am sorry for your loss. That however doesn't mean that the truth isn't there. You just have to find it."
Alicetaria's gaze returned to its hard form. "I may be an empty shell. However if I may still be granted a knight's honour, then in the name of my honour I must have revenge for my fallen friend." The spear was raised. "That is the only purpose I have left. You are now my purpose."
The attack was fast, a glimmer of a swing. Sota felt a hand push him aside. Metal met flesh. Meteora was thrown across the pavement. Horror crawled up his legs. "Meteora." Feet climbed and re-joined her. A whisper behind him.
"Why?" Red thunder struck.
Selesia Upitiria landed onto the ground. The concrete cracked upon her entrance. A hope that she made it in time.
"Selesia." She heard Sota speak behind her. A glance behind to see Meteora wounded on the ground. No clear injuries but sure to be out of the fight.
She drew her sword. The one responsible in front of her. Too late to prevent injury. Just in time to dispense some justice of her own. "Look what you did." A step forward and a swing. Sword met lance. "A little weak magician is the only one you could defeat? I thought you were a knight."
The said woman did not answer. Selesia pressed harder. "Come on, coward." Every skill she threw was barely defended. "You were so proud the day earlier. Now you look pathetic."
"Shut up." Alicetaria said.
"That's right. The righteous one that hurt the innocent and weak. That isn't what you really are. You disappoint me."
"Silence." The fire was returning. "You have never seen the levels of destruction within." Her offence began to slow.
"Don't you dare assume I haven't faced the same pains you did. I lost friends and family against the Avalon Brigade. Yet I'm here doing the right thing. How far have you fallen?" Their weapons met in deadlock.
"I've done everything for my Kingdom. I've sacrificed everything so that I could save at least one life. All that was for naught. Even here I am useless. I couldn't protect a friend." Selesia was thrown back, her feet skidding across the ground. "At least, I must at least accomplish vengeance. Gotz von Berlichingen, hear my gauntlet's call."
Thunder gathered in her weapon before shot as a bullet. Selesia spun her sword and stabbed into the ground. Pushing Magic through the blade rose the debris to absorb the strike. "I will bring an end to you."
"I will not die until her vengeance is complete." Alicetaria raised her spear.
"So be it Alicetaria!" Selesia darted in with a stab.
"Selesia!" The knight met the stab with her lance.
Both women screamed as they put everything on the line. Selesia counted on her sword's shorter reach to bring victory. Everything that went wrong, she will make things right. The tips of the blades touched as she saw… roses?
Pain exploded. The blade of her sword was missing. How did she? A familiar voice spoke. "Your destruction is beautiful." Altair's. Up above with a smile. "Holopsicon, Third Movement of the Cosmos. Representation Exposition."
Swords, countless copies of them flew towards him. Emiya dived and darted across the rooftop. Leaping up and down the landscape, firing arrows to deflect the worst of them. Alter spun. Emiya parried with the bow, avoiding injury. The force slammed him down towards the ground.
Emiya landed, black arrow in place, bow drawn taut. "Hrunting." The Hound of the Red Plains flew and sought its prey. Alter deflected it aside before landing onto the ground. Kanshou and Bakuya met their twins. The black arrow dived from above. Alter twisted a gun, firing it and striking the arrow off its vector. The arrow struck into the ground before snapped in half by a boot.
That distraction served enough for Emiya to strike again from above. Twin pairs met. Sparks clashed as they brawled for strength. The struggle was even. Emiya said. "How on earth were you born?"
"Every reality has its alternate. There is light and dark. Yin and Yang, is it not?" Alter hummed.
"How philosophical of you. I'm surprised you have much of a head." Emiya smirked.
"One has to think more when the alternate has no brain."
"Touche." A barrage of swords dove from above. They separated, stirring dust from broken concrete. Emiya kept Alter in eyesight as he glanced at the source. Altair floated in the air. That gallant smile of hers was annoying. As though she earned the place of an Overlord.
Emiya leapt back onto the building. He needed to build range. Can't afford to let Alter pin him down and Altair to gut him afterwards. The soft droning of air whisked into the wind. Halfway across the city, a pair of helicopters gunships were flying on the way. They wouldn't help. Not against an opponent like this.
Another wave of swords. Kanshou and Bakuya answered, deflecting the incoming barrage just enough to avoid injury. Alter leapt with a crushing blow from above. Twin pairs met in sparks. Emiya kicked Alter back and tossed both blades. A new pair formed as Alter defended. A twist of the heel, Emiya parried Altair's fresh arrivals.
Altair noticed the approaching helicopters and smiled. "I have another group of guests to accommodate. I'm sure he'll carry on with you just fine. Enjoy your long chat." She vanished, leaving the battle. The odds are turned. A chance for victory.
Alter leapt into the air, guns blazing. Emiya dodged aside and leapt off the roof bow in hand. They traded fire as they fell. Bodies twisting, narrow misses that would have killed thousand others.
Both landed on their feet. Emiya dived between pillar blocks. Bullets chipped away before his own arrows softened the rate of fire.
The worst possibility arrived. "Archer. Help is on the way. You just have to hold on."
Idiot. Why the hell did he come back just to say that? The boy was fifty metres behind standing in the open. "Stupid kid. I told you to get back."
I am the bone of my sword
That aria. The worst is coming. Emiya summoned twin blades and sent them flying. Catch him before it was unleashed.
So as I pray…
Alter leapt and spun mid-air. Two bullets deflected swords for a brief moment. Emiya had no time to project another pair. Landing on his feet, Alter aimed the gun.
Unlimited Lost Works
Emiya wasn't the target. Stupid kid was unaware. Reinforcement. Shooting forward arm stretched. The gun fired. In a second, familiar pain entered the arm. A bullet he could handle -
Pain burst free. Tearing through the arm before it grew root. Metal, swords. Growing from within. Emiya clenched teeth and felt blood in his tongue. Forcing prana through the corrupted constructs, they shattered. The left arm was a bloody mess. The level of distortion from the swords. It didn't make sense. Swords that he once knew, corrupted in dark malice. Grunts of pain was the best he can hold it back.
Stupid boy stood still as he witnessed the damnation. Emiya yelled through the pain. "Don't just stay there you idiot. Get the hell out of here." The boy turned and ran. The Counter Guardian could see the smirk on his alternate self.
The bleeding was bad but he would live. If he survived the battle. One good arm left, it would be difficult. He can't protect the boy. The corruption within those swords began to subside, Magic circuits locking down the tainted portions. Would this Alter be able to use his Marble Reality? Corrupt it into his control?
The situation was familiar. Holy Grail War. A mansion, fighting with one arm against the strongest of the Greek Mythology. Heracles of Godhand with twelve lives. Against such odds, Alter was a better choice. Kanshou projected into his grip.
Bring it.
Author's Notes:
Thank you for reading Beyond worlds. Thank you for your encouragements.
Another day, another chapter. Here we are moving forward. I'm sure some people have wondered and mentioned so. Canon or divergence? I don't have an actual answer because it's something I don't have full control. Sure in retrospect I would be considered the almighty in this story and I spent 2 weeks on deciding it. It'll be odd but I digress. I won't spoil anything further on this. Just that some may like what I (or not I) will be doing, some may not.
Some people raised concern about power levels and etc. I understand but unfortunate that Archer was the one selected through. How he manages this will be up to him.
Appreciate the reviews and support. Hope to hear more from you all in improving this.
Regards
MarksmanKNG