Zero's Dog Chapter 17

"Spoken words"-understandable to Halkeginians only

"Spoken words"-not directly understandable to Halkeginians (untranslated Japanese)

"Spoken words"-understandable to Halkeginians and Japanese

Kotaro looked up at the moon and the sneering woman. Kosmo Entelekheia, an organization he'd once been allied with. An organization that cut him loose when he was captured in Kyoto. An organization that clashed with the team Ala Alba, and Ala Rubra before them. "It seems they've been around forever," Kotaro mused aloud, scowling.

Everyone seemed to have taken a place behind the Inugami. "It's them isn't it?" Louise asked softly, prompting everyone to look at her, "They're the ones you spoke of, who threated the world… Mundus Magicus?"

Kotaro remained silent momentarily, "Yes, I'm surprised ya remember, I can't have mentioned it mor'in five times since ya summoned me."

"Well then, what are we waiting for," Guiche exclaimed, donning his Captain's Jacket, "You have trained us for this. Let's go and defeat them before they destroy Albion." There was a chorus of 'yea' from the rest of the corps, minus Julio and Tabitha, and from several of the orphans.

"No," Julio stated flatly, "That is Myoznitnirn, the Mind of God and a void familiar."

"Well," Guiche said, "You and Kotaro are void familiars too. She should be brought down with little difficulty if you two gang up on her."

"Doesn't work like that," Derflinger spoke up, "And yer fergettin' something important, she demanded that the countries surrender all fragments of Brimir's legacy to them. Brimir's legacy had sixteen parts: the rubies of water, wind, earth and fire; four void mages; four void familiars: Gandalfr, Lifdrasil, Myoznitnirn, and Vindalfr; and four treasures: the prayerbook, the music box, the censer, and the roundmirror. They were split equally between Tristain, Albion, Gallia, and Romalia."

"Yes, so how does…"

"Do I hafta spell it out for ya? Myz… Myoz..?"

"Myoznitnirn."

"Yeah, her. She's from Gallia, so we can guess KE has the four Gallian pieces. They are currently searching Albion but no familiar is summoned and the mage is right here," he pointed to Tiffania, who blushed heavily, "So they could get only two more anyway if we were to leave now. Now if we all went to fight, they could get Louise, the water ruby, the founder's prayer book, me, Julio, or Tiffania. Getting Tiffania would also provide 'em with her familiar. So basically they could get NINE of the twelve fragments they don't have. I may have given you guys training but that is an army. We have barely twelve and I can't protect everyone when I'm busy fighting."

"Then…"

"Louise," Kotaro ordered, "Send everyone here, except me, you and Tabitha, back to the Academy, including the orphans. Guiche, Julio, find a way to smuggle Tiffania into Osmond's office and get Colbert too without her ears being noticed and arrange for a new caretaker for the orphans. Protect her as if your balls depended on it."

All the males present reflexively covered their groins at Kotaro's order.

"Now what?" Louise asked irately. They were alone in the forest. She'd handed the water ruby and Founder's Prayerbook to Julio for safekeeping before sending the others away.

"You are going to send me there," he pointed at the image on the moon, "Tabitha will guard you until I return. But if someone other than me comes looking for you, leave immediately without me. Understand?"

Both girls nodded.

"Relocate."

Kotaro disappeared in a flash of light and all was quiet.

Until…

"Well hello there, Charlotte, I never expected you to be here," a young man with white hair and piercing blue eyes called as he stepped into the clearing, "and to think that Gandalfr would leave his master defenseless under your protection." His tone remained flat. "I am Primum, the Averruncus of Earth. Kosmo Entelekeia bids you welcome, Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Valliere."

"Relo…" Louise started before her Code was snatched by the man in an instant, who retreated more than twenty feet away.

The man wagged his finger and Louise looked over to Tabitha for support. The blue-haired girl gazed distantly, more emotions than Louise had ever seen her express swirled behind Tabitha's eyes. The wind user trembled.

Louise prepared to cast void magic, deciding it was her final option.

"Don't bother, girl," Primum advised as he scrutinized the pilfered Code, "I know you are only capable of Explosion. Though you carry a portion of my master's power, you lack the knowledge of how it works. A doll needn't know its purpose." He took a step towards Louise, "

"Adeat. Fabulae Heroibus," Tabitha managed to regain her senses and stood between Louise and the man. She held the colorful bookmark-like artifact within one hand, and the book she was always reading within the other. Slipping the artifact into the pages, she called out, "Ivaldi."

"Oh?" Primum mused as a new figure suddenly opposed him. His attention was mostly drawn to the left hand. It held a familiar single-edged sword and bore blazing runes.

Kotaro gazed upon the town, his anger growing. The creatures bearing runes on their brows bore a resemblance to gargoyles that he'd seen on cathedrals. Creating a dozen doppelgangers, and summoning as many demons as he had tags for. He had five each of gargoyle-like archers, cyclopean giants with clubs, car-sized tarantulas, and lizard swordsmen.

"Destroy the creatures with runes on their foreheads," he commanded, "And rescue the civilians."

As his soldiers scattered, Kotaro searched for the rabbit and the woman. His search was short as they were at the castle gates, nearly breaking through. With a shundo, he was there too.

"You're too old for dolls, Lady," Kotaro quipped as he slashed the rabbit to pieces. One of the rings on Myoznitnirn's hands shattered.

"Ah, Gandalfr, such a pleasant surprise," Myoznitnirn said nonchalantly as she turned to face him with violet eyes, "You are here to help?"

"Not a chance, I know what line of crap you Kosmo creeps use, and I don't buy it," Kotaro answered, shadow dogs and swords appearing around him.

"A shame," Myoznitnirn stated, her fingers tracing over her jewelry, "I'd hoped you'd join willingly, Gandalfr, but it seems you must first learn just who we are."

"Guardian Number 'IV' Distorted Marionette. Guardian Number 'I' Cyclops Spearman," Myoznitnirn called. One of her rings began to glow as well as a bracelet, and an instant later two figures appeared at her side. One was a man-sized puppet that stood on three pairs of hands, like an insect, with an exaggerated spherical head and an upside-down face. The other was a stocky, humanoid form carrying a spear, moderately armored with only its left eye visible through the oyster-shaped helmet. Both bore a single glowing rune upon its head.

Myoznitnirn fell to one knee, gasping. "This shouldn't be happening. (VI)Rabbit Rags, (IV)Distorted Marionette, (I)Cyclops Spearman, (IX)Almighty Log, Body Eye, Allumage, he tore through all of them. I should have brought (V)Dead Dragon or (II)Lemures" she thought as she glanced at the pieces of shattered metal on the ground, "What even is he? Not human or elf. Bidashal neglected to mention the existence of other races that live on the Halkeginian continent." She narrowed her eyes at Kotaro, who stood in his hybrid form, fur the color of newly fallen snow.

"Give up yet, Old Lady?" the hanyo challenged.

"Not until my master is satisfied," Myoznitnirn retorted. A sudden idea struck her at her own mention of 'master'.

"Fine then," Kotaro sighed as he leapt towards her with an Onmyou tag labeled 'Sleep'. "Capture it is."

"Prism Fragments," Myoznitnirn chanted, feeling the hexagonal shapes grafted onto her limbs peel from her flesh like hundreds of scabs. According to her will, the azure hexagons locked together to form a dome surrounding herself as she reached for the card bestowed upon her by her beloved master. "Adeat," she whispered lovingly.

Kotaro collided with the transparent barrier forcefully, but found himself repelled without even cracking it. Then he noticed the key-shaped scepter she held. "Damn."

"This is your end Gandalfr," Myoznitnirn declared triumphantly, "You will be the first to experience Kosmo Entelekheia's true power. And with all of Halkeginia witnessing your defeat, my master's demands will be met with little resistance." She hefted the Key overhead.

"Rewri—"

She was cut off as a gate appeared in the moat and a blue-grey blur shot out of it towards her. As it reached the barrier that had deflected Kotaro, the bee-hive barrier was wrenched open, granting it entrance.

The blur ceased movement after it seized Myoznitnirn. Kotaro's eyes widened in recognition. "Fate?"

The figure turned its attention away from the woman he held aloft by the throat at Kotaro's question, "I am Primum, Averruncus of Earth, Gandalfr, though 'Fate' has an appealing subtlety. You may refer to me as that. I just met with your childish master."

Kotaro gritted his teeth angrily, his vision briefly losing focus.

"Charlotte was a good choice as a bodyguard," Primum admitted as he gestured to some minor damage to his clothing.

"Charlotte?" Myoznitnirn chocked out, "Impossible, she would never…" but the words stopped when the Averruncus' grip tightened.

"I can assure you that she did, Myoznitnirn. We are going to have a talk about this later." He grabbed the dropped Code. Turning to face Kotaro, Primum called out, "Enjoy your victory, Gandalfr. RELOCATE." Both were gone in a flash of light. The remaining creatures assaulting the town collapsed in the same instant

Primum threw the woman to the floor. Myoznitnirn tumbled briefly. She clutched at her throat, coughing and gasping and heaving and wheezing. When her breath finally returned, she turned her violet eyes toward meet his icy-blue ones.

"Myoznitnirn," Primum ground out, subtle irritation present in his monotonous voice, "You nearly cost us everything."

"Primum…"

"No, you will call me 'Fate'. When you prove your competence once more, then you may refer to me as 'Primum'. Until then, Sheffield, you are unworthy of the title 'Mind of God'."

"But Pri… Fate, what did I do wrong?"

"Yeeeeeeeessssss, 'Fate', what did Sheffield do wrong?" a third voice joined the conversation.

Myoznitnirn turned to the voice, face bowed to the floor, "I am sorry Master," she nearly sobbed, "The conquest failed. We were unable to obtain anything in Albion. Gandalfr was there."

"The moon reflected as much, yeeeeeeessssss, but I'm more interested in Fate's reasoning. Such a charming moniker, 'a preordained outcome'. To fight such a thing would be folly, yeeeeeesssss."

"Dynamis," Fate addressed the man, "Your familiar nearly used REWRITE on the current Gandalfr. If Kosmo Entelekheia controlled Lifdrasil, then there'd be no issue, but the Lifdrasil runes have yet to appear. Erasing Gandalfr would create more problems than would be solved."

"Then why didn't you capture Gandalfr's master?" Myoznitnirn shrieked at Fate, "You admitted to meeting her! She couldn't have been a match for you, so… why… ISN'T… SHE…HERE?!"

"Dear little Charlotte decided to interfere. She has the most curious artifact."

"Charlotte knows the penalty for treason," Myoznitnirn hissed, "Regardless, you came back empty-handed and…"

"We don't need to worry about gathering the other parts anymore."

"What?"

"I see, yeeeeeeeessssss. Now that we have made a move to collect them, our opponents will do the same to prevent us from holding them. But there's something else, isn't there?"

"I have located the vessel Brimir the traitor sealed our master within," Primum said with a small smirk.

After Myoznitnirn was carried off by the Averruncus, fear stirred within Kotaro and he rushed back to Westwood, dreading what he might find. Tabitha was standing before Louise, ready for combat, based on her stance. Standing before her was a boy Kotaro had never met before. The strange boy was short, by Kotaro's standards, and lanky.

"It's a wonder he can lift that…sword," the hanyo thought, as he realized the sword that the youth was wielding was identical to Derflinger. The boy's left hand shown with brilliance.

Upon recognizing Kotaro, Tabitha visibly relaxed. "Abeat," she called, and the youth became a book in a flash of light

"Kotaro," Louise called in a frightened tone, holding a hand on her right eye, "What's happening? My eyes are seeing different things."

In a sudden shift to worry that he couldn't explain, Kotaro quickly approached Louise. Gently coaxing her hand away, he saw that the normally pink iris had changed to dark crimson. "What does it see?"

Louise closed her left eye, gasping softly before whispering, "Me." She opened her left again for a moment before again closing it, "I see me, from where you're standing Kotaro."

"How?"

"Right eye," Tabitha offered, "Glowing."

"What?" Kotaro drew Derflinger and looked into the mirror-like sheen of the blade. His reflection was the same as always, except for the right eye, in which the pupil and his own crimson iris were each surrounded by a ring of golden light.

"Seems like another Gandalfr ability has awoken," Derflinger said, "Usually it only lets Gandalfr share its master's vision through the left eye and hearing through the left ear, in cases that its master is in peril. I have seen the reverse a couple times, when Gandalfr has great worry or passionate rage."

"And you're telling us only just now, why?" Louise asked irately, her iris returning to its normal shade of pink.

"Didn't I tell ya? I'm old and forget some things. Nothin' to be done about it."

After confirming Louise and Tabitha's wellbeing, Kotaro returned to Londinium to assist Wales Tudor de Albion with anything immediate. He found the king, technically his own liege lord as well, just outside the castle gates. The green haired Fouquet stood to the right and a few paces behind Wales.

"Ah, Kotaro Chevalier de Inugami," Wales called out, "Thank you for defending this town. I am again in your debt for protecting my country. How did you get here so fast though? Even in the fastest ship with favorable conditions, it would take a full day to travel from Tristania to the edge of Albion. A healthy wind dragon could arrive in half the time but still…"

"I was already in the area," Kotaro answered.

"So who was that woman," Fouquet spoke up, "She was the only attacker, yet she nearly won. And it wasn't through subterfuge, but pure force. From experience, one person cannot capture a town this size with anything less than square-class offensive magic. But even a square-class myself, creating as many golems as she would be impossible. Even then, one of her golems destroyed mine at full power. Just who did you want me to defend against?"

"Calm yourself, Mathilda," Wales said, "I'm sure Kotaro didn't know about that woman when we offered you your job. But I do think he knows something about either her or the Kosmo Entelekheia of which she spoke."

With a sigh, Kotaro admitted, "A little of both. The women was Myz...Myozni…a void familiar," Kotaro finally got out, "Like me," he displayed the Gandalfr runes, "But her powers are more related to magic, I guess. Gallia's, we're sure of it. And KE, I can tell you their grand scheme but the details…not so much."

"And they want?"

"To erase all life on this planet, claiming that they are saving everyone's souls by sending them to the 'eternal garden'," Kotaro replied casually, ignoring the looks of horror, "Yeah, I don't buy their line of crap either."

"Then what does the founder have to do with this?"

"No clue."

Kotaro had spent a couple hours moving rubble and rescuing survivors. There were 41 casualties within Londinium from the assault. After that, he discussed some more about Kosmo Entelikheia with Wales, by which point, Louise had gotten impatient and came to the city herself, with Tabitha.

Mathilda was surprised upon hearing Tiffania, whom happened to be her half-sister, was Albion's void bearer, and had Kotaro swear to protect her in Tristain. Wales insisted on sending the wind ruby and Founder's Musicbox as well to better protect the Founder's legacy.

It was late afternoon when Kotaro, Louise and Tabitha returned to the academy. They entered Osmond's office to find everyone there already. Immediately, they bombarded him with questions. Kotaro's eyes moved directly to the familiar silver jacket.

"Were back, Guiche," Kotaro addressed the jacketed individual, "Where's Tiffania?"

"Hah, pay up," Julio said to…Guiche. The two were off to the side of the room. Grudgingly, Guiche handed over two coins.

Kotaro looked back at the jacketed figure, who fidgeted nervously. The Captain's Jacket covered every exposed portion of the body but the wearer was shorter than Guiche upon closer inspection. "Ah, good disguise."

"Ahem," Osmond cleared his throat, causing silence to fall, "Mr. Kotaro, both Mr. Gramont and Mr. Cesare have explained the situation as best they could. Now would you please explain for me. That woman on the moon specifically spoke of 'Kosmo Entelekheia' which you have mentioned before."

"Okay," Kotaro sighed, looking around, "Where's Colbert?"

"Ah, he left this morning for one of his 'expeditions'," the headmaster answered awkwardly, "He goes out every so often to search for new discoveries, though he rarely succeeds. This time, he said he was going to search for 'Dragon's Ramaint'. Please continue."

So Kotaro told them an abbreviated version of his experience with the conspiracy of Kosmo Entelekheia. When he was done, he set the two Albion treasures on Osmond's desk.

"I suggest that Miss Westwood summons her familiar as soon as possible," Julio said aloud.

"Seconded," Guiche piped up, "The more fighters, the better chance we stand."

"Did you even consider Tiffania's decision?" Katie argued. All eyes turned to the quivering girl wearing Guiche's jacket.

"I…I mean…If," the half-elf stuttered, "If it will cause fewer problems…for everyone…I could perform the ritual tonight…if someone would teach me how."

Before any of the boys could eagerly volunteer, Louise grabbed Tiffania's arm and led her out of the room.

"Now are you sure she should do this?" Kotaro asked Julio for a final time. The Knights of Undine were all standing in the clearing where the familiar summoning ritual took place.

"Of course," the heterochromatic boy replied, "She may not be second year but we need her familiar, Lifdrasil. The enemy has already made their move so we should make ours." The priest glanced at the half-elf in the center, "Go on, we're here to support you."

Tiffania blushed, fidgeting with the wind ruby on her hand, and then raised her wand, "My name is Tiffania Westwood. Pentagon of the Five Elements, seek out through the cosmos and grant me my Familiar." She swung down her wand as she finished. A large green oval appeared before her. Kotaro was tempted to dive into the portal but not knowing from where it took was the thought that held him back. Seconds later, without anything coming through it, the portal vanished.

The audience stood in silence, not wanting to say anything. Tiffania looked prepared to cry when it happened. A boy stumbled backwards out of thin air. He had short black hair and was wearing some kind of blue-and-white coat.

"Sheesh lady, I don't know where he is but that doesn't…" he trailed off as he got a look at his surroundings. "Great, I'm stuck at some cosplay convention. Bet Kotaro'd fit right in here."

The mention of Kotaro sent the eyes of everyone present, except the summoned, to the Inugami. By their expressions, they hadn't understood what Kotaro heard clear as day. He looked back at the summoned boy before the realization hit him.

"Saito?"

The boy jerked his neck in Kotaro's direction. Shook, then irritation appeared on his face, "So here's where you were, roomie. Do you have any idea of what you've put me through by disappearing? Like yesterday, a busty woman name Naba came looking for you, but I can't remember anything past her entering our room. And today, a different lady came looking for you…"

"Wait, was she still there when you… umph," the hanyo felt a blow to the back of his head. At the idea of what Chizuru had done to his roommate, he'd shuddered, unconsciously reducing the hardness of his flesh. He turned around and saw no one. Everyone else was staring silently at him. "Yep, she's here."

"Sir Kotaro," Katie squeaked, "What's happening?"

"Yes," Guiche agreed, "You just disappeared and reappeared within a blink."

"I'll make it short," Kotaro said, "Tiffania summoned my roommate, Saito. Somehow another friend, who is no doubt very irritated with me, got pulled here too."

"Girlfriend?" The question came from nearly everyone. Kotaro was hit again, this time from the left. He caught a glance of red hair and the theatre mask before she broke contact.

"Hey Saito, you see a green oval floating in the air before you got sent here?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I'll explain later," the hanyo pulled a tag of paper from inside his coat. Using shundo to cross the distance instantly, he slapped the tag in the middle of his roommate's forehead. "For now, sleep."

Saito's eyes drooped instantly and before he could even retort, he was unconscious on the ground.

"Natsumi? Natsumi? Please come out. I'm sorry, okay? I've been waiting for a chance to come home but it's not come yet."

Then she appeared. Or more accurately, allowed herself to be observed. She was just as Kotaro remembered, hair of the magenta sunset cut short around her head, freckles dotting her face, noticeably shorter than himself, but not by much. She was glowing, literally. In her hands, she held her artifact. She was wearing a light pink tank top with spaghetti straps sporting a design of camellias. Her blue jean capris ended in zigzagging hems shortly above her ankles. Heeled sandals, pink in color, graced her feet. Her expression was unreadable but obviously less angry than before. She was standing in front of him.

"Is it really you, Kotaro?" she asked softly.

"Could I be anyone else?"

She embraced him tightly for a moment before remembering their surroundings. Both turned to the side where the rest of the knights stood mostly dumbfounded. Seeing the looks being cast their way Kotaro pointed at Natsumi with his thumb.

"Spoken for," he stated, "So back off, guys."

"Smart thinkin', partner," Derflinger popped up from his scabbard, "Lay claim early or else you'll be dealin' with a lot of suitors in the long term. Remember how…" Kotaro cut the sword off by re-sheathing it.

"What was that," Natsumi asked accusingly.

"Nothing, just a sword that won't shut up when it needs to."

It was then Kirche found her voice, "Why didn't you say that you prefer older women?"

Kotaro pinched the bridge of his nose, "Oh this is going to be difficult."

Author's notes

Hoorah, Lifdrasil has been summoned, I bet that only a few guessed Saito Hiraga. Plus, the powers of Lifdrasil were hinted at as well.

The poll about whether Natsumi Murakami should make an appearance within this story was closed mid-August with 14 to 1 results in favor. Admittedly, the poll didn't affect my decision because I planned for Natsumi's arrival when the poll was set up in January. Adjuctor Solaris (Natsumi's artifact)was the main reason.

Everything Myoznitnirn used in this battle, save Code of the Lifemaker, were from "MӒR", or "Mӓrchen Awakens Romance" by Nobuyuki Anzai. It's a nice series, with magical artifacts called 'Ӓrm'(pronounced air-um) that take the forms of rings, pendants, bracelets, etc. Since Myoznitnirn can control magical magical artifacts in the same manner Gandalfr controls weapons and Vindalfr controls animals, Ӓrm seemed the perfect thing to give her.

Magic Mirror ring was what was used to project the images on the moon. The other Ӓrm mentioned all belonged to Phantom, except Body Eye which was Peta's Guardian Ӓrm. Of Phantom's Ӓrm, only (II) Lemures, (V)Dead Dragon, and Allumage (plus Phantom Glass and Soul Infinitia, not appeared yet) were actually given names. The other eight guardians (I, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X) were called only by number and his hexagonal barrier wasn't called at all. Body Eye can be seen in Chapter 143, the others can be seen within chapters 144-149 of volume 14. But a spoiler warning, MӒR is 15 volumes long with 161 chapters, so those chapters are spoiler heavy for those reading them.

Thanks for reading. Please review.