EDIT: Check out my profile page for some character images.
All right folks, here we're reintroduced to our favorite Japanese familiar and his (slightly) hot-tempered wife.
Remember, it's been 2 years since the end of canon and the prologue.
Louise did not whip Saito during the anime. Whipping means Saito would have scars all over his body. If you've seen pictures of what whipping does, then you'll know. This Saito has more backbone. Sure Louise was crazy but she would not casually lob concussive blasts at Saito whenever he did something stupid. Saito on the other hand, was not nearly as perverted, nor as spineless as he was in canon.
EASTER EGGS: The first bit of the previous chapter were taken from the opening episode of "The Borgias". Let's see if anyone can find the easter eggs/movie references in this chapter.
Review Responses:
Ridli Scott: You're slightly on the right track hehehe
Reishin Amara: Many thanks. There are pieces from the old story in this chapter but there is a lot of new material is going into the story moving forward
Appbeza: Yes here is where the chapters start to get a bit longer. The two scientists will be coming back later on but not for a few chapters. You'll see how I expose the Avalonians to Earth and vice versa.
Brinyour Melcarth: Many thanks. I'm glad to see you're enjoying it.
I don't own shit. If I did, I would probably eat sushi the rest of my life.
Des Ornieres Estate, Tristain, Halkeginia
Autumn, (2015)
The sun shone through the window of the master bedroom of the Des Ornieres Estate, casting its brightness on one of the occupants of the room.
Ugh… he thought. Damn you sunlight. Why did I forget to close the curtains? he wondered. He flipped the covers off himself and sat up on the side of the bed and looked outside at the window. The sun was just high enough to peek above the trees.
Giving his back a stretch and hearing a few satisfying cracks, Saito Hiraga de Ornieres stood up and gazed at the forest outside.
If one were to look at Saito as he'd looked two years ago fighting the Ancient Dragon, he'd barely be recognizable anymore.
He'd always been a short skinny kid but a mere few months after permanently relocating to Des Ornieres, he'd begun a growth spurt that had, in his own personal opinion, been long overdue.
His face had become more masculine and his hair had grown longer and wilder. His facial hair had also begun to grow, though he preferred to keep it shaven.
Perhaps the most striking change was his physique. After years of training with swords, his muscles had grown impressively. As had his skill with swords. He could now easily wield a large two-handed sword with one hand. It hadn't always been like that though.
After Derflinger's old body was destroyed, he'd resided in Saito's runes for a while. At least until Bidashal had been able to enchant a blade to be strong enough to accept Derf and helped him transfer Derf's consciousness into the new blade.
As Saito stood up, he looked over to the bed, smiling happily at seeing the other occupant of the bed still fast asleep.
Louise had also changed quite a bit the past few years. She was no longer the short, petite, impatient girl Saito had met all those years ago at the Academy.
Like Saito, Louise had undergone a growth spurt about three months after the Ancient Dragon Crisis. She'd grown taller. And most importantly, at least in her opinion, puberty had finally caught up to her, much to Siesta's dismay. Louise now greatly resembled her sister Cattleya, save for her straighter hair.
Louise's physical appearance wasn't the only thing that had changed. Saito remembered exactly when he'd first noticed the changes in her personality.
During one of their visits to the in-laws in Japan, Saito's father had jokingly commented that there must be something in the water at Des Ornieres seeing as the both of them had grown so quickly, especially Louise. Saito's face had paled at the implications of this comment and he'd nearly instinctively ducked, expecting an explosion to be flung at his father.
However, surprisingly, Louise had simply smiled and laughed it off.
She really has changed he thought looking at her sleep. Of course she'll never admit that. She's too damn proud to admit it. Louise's demeanor had definitely changed the past three years. Rather than exploding at the slightest provocation of any kind, she'd become more tolerant and her attitude had brightened somewhat. Her tsundere tendencies had diminished.
She'd come to realize that Saito loved her no matter what and that she loved him just as much. She'd come to trust him immensely. And she'd realized that Saito was his own person and that she couldn't control every aspect of his life.
Saito grabbed a shirt and went downstairs for breakfast. Siesta was already in the kitchen along with the other kitchen staff. Having known Saito the longest, she'd been made the head of housing staff for the Des Ornieres Estate. She'd changed a bit as well since the Ancient Dragon Crisis. She'd grown a bit taller but still retained her youthful and Japanese looks.
"Good morning Siesta" greeted Saito, walking into the kitchen.
"Oh! Lord Saito! Good morning. Did you sleep well?" she asked.
"Siesta. For the last time. Please call me Saito. You've known me for three years. I'd think we'd gotten past formalities. Besides, it's just us at Des Ornieres. No uptight nobles around here. And yeah I slept pretty well. How was your night?" he replied.
"I slept well. You really do spoil us Lo… I mean Saito. Would you like some breakfast?"
"Sure. I'll take some eggs and buttered bread for now. Louise might be down in a few minutes so can you make one for her too?."
"Of course, my lord" she replied.
"Siestaaa…. What did I just say about formalities?" he chided.
"Eep! Sorry!" she apologized.
Saito merely smiled. They'd known each other for years and she still could not help addressing him formally since he'd been awarded his lands and nobility.
Leaving the kitchen Saito went back upstairs to see if Louise was awake yet. He found her still fast asleep so he kissed her on her pink head to wake her.
"Mmmmm well that's one way to be woken up in the morning."
"Morning Louise. Sleep well?" he asked.
"Well enough if it weren't for a certain loud mouthed familiar snoring half the night" she replied.
"Sorry I snore! I can't do anything when I'm sleeping!" he remarked, trying to defend himself.
"Hmph. I guess I'll have to forgive you for that. Just this once" she replied smiling. Even after a few years of Louise's changed demeanor, she still liked jokingly reverting to her tsundere tendencies to get a rise out of her husband.
They both went down to the kitchen where Siesta was laying down Saito and Louise's breakfast.
Saito and Louise did things a bit differently from other nobles. Saito was never one for formalities and lavish meals. Their meals were not a massive banquet, their formal dining room with its large table was only used when company was over.
Instead, they ate at a smaller table near the kitchens, making the kitchen staff's jobs much easier.
As breakfast was eaten, small talk regarding the day's plans crossed the table. Mainly, the talk had to do with Saito and Louise's planned visit to the Academy that afternoon.
Things had changed at the academy after the Ancient Dragon Crisis. Nearly a year after the events of that day, Old Osmond had finally passed away at the ripe old age of 88. In his stead, Professor Jean Colbert had been named headmaster.
Colbert's tenure as headmaster had brought about a new era of magical and technological learning. Thanks in no small part to Saito's knowledge and his providing of books from Earth, the academy had become the leading institution in research for the advancement of technology in Halkeginia.
Already, research was being made into combustion engines. Colbert was intent on replicating the incredible engine of the Zero and upgrading the Ostland's engines with combustion engines rather than coal and steam engines.
Knowing how the technological revolution had gone in his world, Saito had told Colbert about the First Industrial Revolution back on Earth, and coached him on what had been done right, and what could have been done better.
The last thing Saito wanted was Tristain becoming a dirty, polluted, industrial country like England had become during the dawn of the Industrial Age.
Thus Saito had become the de-facto expert on any artifacts or technology that made it into Halkeginia through the mysterious means by which technology from Earth appeared in Halkeginia on its own.
Thanks to SWORD, he had some guidance on how to go about bettering life for Halkeginia. In exchange, he had to do a little investigative work himself.
Saito's deal with SWORD had entailed that he provide the group with intelligence and information directly from Alfheim. They'd been debriefed by the organization on their first visit to Japan as newlyweds and had come to an understanding.
Books and texts on magic and Halkeginian history, as well as information would be sent back via Louise's world door for study and analysis. His primary mission, however, was to investigate the source of the anomalies plaguing Earth and how its weapons ended up in Halkeginia.
Saito and Louise had agreed with SWORD's analysis that Void magic was involved in the energy spikes. After many long talks with Colbert on possible hypotheses, they'd agreed that the appearances of Earth weaponry in Halkeginia also had something to do with the Void. Information on that topic was scarce however. The Church kept the many details of the Founder's magic secret and convincing officials in Romalia to allow them access had so far been unsuccessful. Colbert had mentioned a possible lead at their last meeting but he had not divulged much.
In the two years since the Ancient Dragon Crisis, had also taken it upon himself to find and safeguard any dangerous technologies that made it through. Already in his manor and in the vaults of the Academy, he had an arsenal of weapons he'd found that could arm a small village.
Any attempts at stealing said arsenal had been discouraged by the fact that the Earth-born lord's wife had blown up the last person who'd tried to enter the vault below his house. That particular thief had been lucky to hobble away with his remaining leg.
Finishing his breakfast, Saito stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, recalling the reason they were going to the Academy today.
Louise's void magic was failing to connect to Earth. As of the previous 4 months, anything they sent through the portal to Earth was having trouble getting through. The portals could not get a solid lock on one location on Earth, instead wavering and jumping around from place to place. Portals within Halkeginia worked fine however, which puzzled Louise even more.
Nevertheless, Saito and Lousie were hesitant to step through and risk losing an arm or a leg. Thus, travel between the two worlds was, for the moment, prohibited. Saito had hoped the last message he'd sent through the portal had gotten to SWORD somehow.
Portals not working correctly. May be tied to anomalies. Working to find solution.
Being cut off left a bad taste in his mouth, seeing as the secretive organization had done much to help him and now he wasn't holding up his end of the bargain.
The plan for the day was to head to the Academy and see if Colbert had found some answers. Saito smiled at this thought, knowing it meant they'd see Tiffania again.
Tiffania had become somewhat of a celebrity at the Academy for her role in fighting alongside Saito and Louise. After Colbert took over as headmaster, he'd offered her a teaching position to teach about their pointy-eared fellow sapients from the East. She also taught alteration spells, mainly memory, illusion, and healing spells. When she wasn't teaching, she lived at Des Ornieres along with Saito and Louise.
Though some cried heresy at the thought of an elf teaching at The Academy, many saw it as a sign of new times and tolerance and cooperation between the two races.
The Church's official position was still one of condemnation of the "savages" that defiled their Founder's Holy Land. Tiffania's appointment as a professor had drawn sharp criticism from Romalia, which had been staunchly defended by Tristain's more moderate Cardinal Mazarin.
The ride to the Academy was not a long one. Rather than take a carriage, Saito and Louise rode their horses straight there. It gave them an opportunity to ride through their fields. Des Ornieres was primarily wine country, producing some of the finest wines in Tristain. Though no one knew, Saito had snuck a few books on vineyards from Earth and had put the techniques to good use.
Going at a decent canter, they arrived in little more than an hour. As they rode up to the Academy, Saito glanced next the Academy.
There, in a giant makeshift hangar, the Osltand was parked along with the F-2 Saito had been allowed to commandeer. After he'd flown it to the Academy, Colbert had ordered the hangar commissioned, as well as a dirt runway, in order to test his inventions and allow Saito to land his plane with ease. The old Zero was also there, having been magically reverted to its original state by Colbert for further study.
Upon walking through the gates and to the Stables, they came across a familiar face: the head chef, Marteau.
"Our Sword! And Lady Valliere! What a pleasant surprise it is to see the two of you here!" he waved.
"Marteau! It's been too long!" replied Saito, walking over and shaking his hand.
"Chef Marteau" greeted Louise cordially.
"I see Siesta's been keeping the two of you well fed"
"Yes, she has. Sorry we kinda stole her from you" Saito retorted sheepishly.
"Think nothing of it! From what I've seen in her letters to the staff here, she's well off at your estate"
"Well we do our best to make sure our staff are kept happy" added Louise.
"Believe me when I say that is a fact we commoners are eternally grateful for. It seems your philosophy has caught on here as well. When Headmaster Colbert took over, we here were given a nice raise. And it seems that since then, the students here also treat us quite cordially." he replied.
"A lot of things have changed from back then" added Louise. "My apologies if I was ever rude to you or the staff"
"Oh please. With what the two of you have done for us and the country, no apology is necessary. Feel free to stop by the kitchens later for something fresh!" he smiled. "Unfortunately, I'm needed in the kitchens so I must take my leave"
"No, of course Marteau. We're actually here on business so don't let us keep you. We'll try to stop by later!" replied Saito. Marteau smiled and walked off to the kitchens.
As Saito and Louise started up towards the central tower and headmaster's office, Louise couldn't help but reminisce on her days as a student. Things were so different back then she thought. I was different back then she thought bittersweetly. Looking at Saito, she noticed he seemed to be reminiscing as well.
I guess I didn't treat him very well at first she thought, slightly ashamed at herself. Yet despite all that, the young boy she'd unwittingly pulled into a world not of his own had grown fond of her and even fallen in love with her, despite all that. And she'd done the same.
She grabbed his hand and held it as they walked into the Alviss hall, Saito smiling at this. There were a few students in the hall reading or studying. The couple quickly scurried to the stairs to avoid any admirers. Their status as demi-celebrities after defeating the Ancient Dragon, along with their rather unique appearances made it quite easy to recognize them.
Walking up the stairs, they made it to the Headmaster's office. Knocking, they were let in by the secretary. At the far end of the office sat Jean Colbert, now headmaster of the Academy.
"Ah. Sir Saito and Lady Louise. I'm glad you could make it. I saw you ride in. I hope the ride wasn't too tiring" he greeted.
"Of course not Headmaster. It was a pleasant ride" replied Louise.
"How have things been here?" asked Saito.
"Well the new curricula have officially been implemented. I've been making progress on that combustion engine you showed me... The tricky part is getting the right fuel mixture for the engine. For some reason it simply blows up for me" he added sheepishly. "I can't get it to work quite as well as that Metal Drag... er… aero plane? That we found in Tarbles"
"Don't fret it old man" said Saito smiling. "It took the humans on Earth years to perfect their designs. You gotta remember they also developed coal and steam much more than you have. I'd say here you're trying to run before you learn how to walk"
"Hmm true, but I have been working on improving the steam engines as well, my boy" replied the bald headmaster. "That 'train' idea of yours sounds very interesting. Perhaps one day, we could connect our countries much like Earth has done. But enough about my inventions. You're probably wondering why I've asked you here".
"Oh, you mean you didn't invite us over just because you missed your two favorite troublemakers?" said Louise coyly.
"While it's always a pleasure to catch up, you give yourself far too much credit, Lady Valliere" replied Colbert smirking. "If I recall, I was very much a part of your troublemaking. But that's not why I've asked you here. I've been looking into your situation regarding your World Door. There is also another matter that ties into this, one which requires Professor Westwood".
"Marie Ann" he said, turning to his secretary. "Would you be a dear and go find Professor Westwood and ask her to join us here? Then afterwards, why don't you go get yourself a nice cup of tea? It is quite a lovely day today".
"Of course professor" replied the secretary, excusing herself.
The three made idle chitchat as they waited for their half-elven friend to join them. The door soon opened and through walked Professor Tiffania Westwood.
Tiffania Westwood hadn't changed all that much the past four years. She'd grown slightly taller. However, her face still retained the beauty and youth she'd had when they'd first met.
"Saito! Louise!" she said walking over to them.
"Tiffa! It's been a while!" replied Saito giving her a hug.
"It's good to see you again Tiffania" said Louise, getting a hug from the blonde half-elf as well.
"Yes. We haven't seen each other since spring. How have you two been?"
"Very well. The seeds were planted on schedule and we should have another harvest of fine wine before winter" replied Louise.
"Excellent. Now that we're all here, I hoped we could get down to business" said Colbert.
At this, the mood in the room turned serious.
"As you all know" began Colbert, "I have been attempting to research the effects of Void Magic and their relationship to the World Door Spell. Though the Academy's Library contains a trove of information regarding magic, specifics on the Founder's magic are quite limited".
"I have been corresponding with Romalia over the past several months on this matter and they have not been forthcoming either. However, with the recent election of a new pope, I thought I'd try my luck again. And surprisingly, I received a response last week".
Saito's eyebrows shot up. Glancing at Louise, he could see she was thinking the same thing. Please say they'll send us something.
"The letter stated that they would be open to allowing you two to study the materials in the Romalian Archives, under supervision of course. However, they do have some conditions in exchange"
Louise narrowed here eyes. She did not like where this was going.
"The Pope's advisor told me that they'd recently found the Romalian Void Mage, a boy studying at the Romalian Mages Academy, when he summoned his brother. With this, the Four Void Mages are now known, after Queen Charlotte's sister Josette, summoned Julio Chesare last year. Professor Westwood, however, remains without a Familiar. As you know Saito, the runes marking you as Lifdrasir disappeared after you destroyed the Ancient Dragon".
"Yeah, we finally figured out what they actually did, to tell you the truth. We were reading Louise's prayer book wrong" confessed Saito, sheepishly. "The runes didn't actually take my life force. They actually acted as a conduit to draw in magical energy from nature. If I hadn't given Louise all my power, they would have recharged".
"Regardless, the new Pope has summoned the two of you and Miss Westwood to Romalia in a month's time. He has stated he will allow us access to the Romalian Archives then. However, there is one other condition…"
Louise did not like where this was going. The last thing she wanted to be involved with was the Church, especially after the whole Ancient Dragon fiasco.
"The second condition is why I've asked you to join us Miss Westwood. The second condition is that you must resummon your familiar, Lifdrasir"
No one spoke. Louise was not happy. Saito was confused. Tiffania seemed both confused and worried.
The fact that Tiffania had not resummoned a familiar after the Ancient Dragon Crisis was not lost on anyone in the room. However, the thinking at the time had been that since the crisis had passed, there had been no need to summon someone again.
Lady Josette's summoning of Julio Chesare had been unintentional, as no one expected the Gallian Void Magic to emerge so soon after Joseph's death.
"Now you're not expected in Romalia until next month. But the Pope stated he wants all four Void Mages and their Familiars there. I wager even without our request, it would only have been a matter of time before they insisted on you summoning your familiar, Professor" finished Colbert.
Tiffania seemed to be lost in her thoughts.
Saito's thinking was along the same lines
"She should summon the fourth Familiar" came a voice no one expected.
Saito, recognizing the voice immediately, unsheathed his sword.
"Derf?"
"The half-elf should summon her familiar. And soon" began the sentient sword. "There's a storm coming partner. And you're going to need all the help you can get"
Everyone was confused at this.
"The hell you talking about, Derf? I thought the danger was over. We already saved everyone two years ago. What else could there be that needs all four of us? And why the hell are we just hearing about this now?"
"I haven't had this feeling since before the Ancient Dragon came. Something's coming, partner. Something that's going to affect all of Halkeginia. And you all best be prepared when it arrives. That girl is going to need a Familiar".
"That's ridiculous! How can you know something's coming, and NOT know what it is?" shouted Louise.
"As you meatbags say, it's just a gut feeling I have. Irritating woman" mumbled Derflinger. Saito immediately leapt for Louise as the inevitable outburst erupted.
"WHAT WAS THAT? STUPID SWORD! HOW BOUT I MELT YOU DOWN INTO A CHAMBER POT YOU OVERGROWN, INCONSIDERATE KITCHEN KNIFE!" she shouted. Though tamed after three years, Louise's legendary temper was still as very much active.
Colbert and Tiffania watched on in amusement as Saito wrestled his irate wife.
"Derflinger, be nice. You wouldn't want me calling you 'that inconsiderate sword I carry on my back' would you?" chided Saito as he finally calmed Louise down.
"Hey! I'm the Great Derflinger! I've fought countless battles! I'm the all-powerful sword of…" the rest was cut off as Saito merely pushed the sword back into its sheathe.
"Rudeness aside," continued Saito, "we'll have to look into that later. I'll be having a nice little chat with my loud-mouthed sword tonight".
"Tiffa? We haven't heard from you about this yet. What do you think you should do?" he asked, turning towards Tiffania.
Tiffania's mind was racing. Should I? For the longest time I wanted someone like Saito, but… That would mean someone might be separated from their home. The Church might force me to. They already dislike me. And the sword's warning…
"I don't know… The last time the sword gave a warning, we were almost eaten by a Dark Dragon… I… I need to think about this. While it would be nice to have a Familiar to help out, the fact that it would be a human…"
"Yeah... I know what you mean" added Saito. "It took me a while to adjust, but in my case it worked out for the better" he said looking at Louise, who sent a small smile back.
"But the person I summon might not be so open. There's no way of knowing until I do…"
Louise, who had stayed silent until this point suddenly spoke.
"You don't have to summon someone unknown…"
Saito and Tiffania's heads snapped towards Louise.
"You don't have to summon someone unknown because… Wait… You didn't think of this?" she asked.
Everyone just looked at each other, confused. Louise smirked mischeviously.
"Yes, if you have an idea, we'd all be very excited to hear it, Louise" said Saito.
"I'm surprised. This is odd. You always seem to know everything; you have this different way of thinking, Saito. Is this how you feel all the time?"
"Louise!" shouted Saito impatiently.
Chuckling, Louise simply smiled and turned to Tiffania.
"You could just summon Saito again!"
Saito looked at her. Then it finally dawned on him.
In Albion! When we first fought Sheffield! Louise! She…
"Louise! You're a genius!" he shouted hugging her.
Colbert and Tiffania looked at the duo confused.
"Umm could you please explain what you're thinking Saito?" he asked.
Separating, Louise began.
"In Albion, Saito lost his runes as a familiar after he… died" she said hesitantly.
"But when he came back and we went looking for Tiffania, we ran into Sheffield. I was running out of options and Saito was nowhere near me. So I performed the familiar summoning spell, focusing on nothing but Saito. And he appeared through the portal! Tiffa, maybe if you do the same, you'll summon him again!"
Saito was beaming. "Tiffa! That means you don't have to worry about separating someone from their family! Er… I mean that's if Louise is fine with me being Tiffa's familiar again" he finished nervously eyeing Louise.
"Well…" she began, taking her old, sassy tone. "It's not my favorite plan, but if it helps Tiffa, then I guess I could allow it" she finished smirking.
Tiffania looked at the two and smiled.
"Hmmm this could work" said Colbert, adding his perspective. "The familiar summoning spell is not very well understood, but what is known is that it seeks out the best candidate for the summoner. If Saito here was already summoned once, it's likely he'll be summoned again".
Tiffania was beaming at this point. This meant she would be able to spend more time with Saito. Having long since dismissed her attraction as a naïve crush, her love for him was as a friend and protector. Someone I'd be happy to mark as my familiar again.
"I'll do it" she said determined.
"I'm here already. We can do it now if you want!" added Saito.
At that moment, his stomach decided to say otherwise.
"Uh, maybe after lunch?"
Being the Day of Void, the students had the day off. As such, the dining room was not too crowded as most students preferred their meals in their own rooms. After a brief lunch, the trio and Colbert proceeded to the Vestri Court for the summoning. Some curious students during tagged along, curious at the unusual spectacle.
Giving Tiffania plenty of room, Colbert spoke.
"Whenever you're ready Professor."
Tiffania felt confident in herself. Steeling herself, she raised her wand in front of her and began her incantation, focusing solely on Saito.
"My name is Tiffania Westwood. Pentagon that governs the five elements. Heed my call and bring forth my familiar". Saito, Saito, Saito, Saito, Saito is my familiar.
Light gathered upon her wand and the usual green oval appeared in front of her.
Saito saw the portal open and moved to enter it.
As his hand made contact with the oval, it hit something solid. Saito, curious, pushed again. The oval pulsed and threw him back towards Louise.
"Agh! Ufff…." he cried out. Picking himself up, he looked at Tiffa, who showed concern on her face.
She wasn't the only one. Colbert and Louise seemed to be thinking the same thing.
If I'm not the familiar, then this could be a problem.
"Saito, Saito, Saito" they could hear Tiffa chanting.
Saito tried again, only to be thrown back harder, bowling into Colbert.
"It's not me. I'm not the target" he said dejectedly, dusting himself.
Tiffa looked at him nervously as she held her wand up. She thought about cancelling the spell but the oval chose at that moment to react. It flared suddenly, and Tiffania felt her magic draining fast. She tried to cancel the spell but she could not stop the flow of magic.
"Cancel the spell, Tiffa!" yelled Saito, hearing Tiffania straining.
"I can't!" she replied, furiously willing her arm to drop the wand. She felt herself growing weak.
Saito rushed up to force her to drop her wand but as he made contact with Tiffania, the oval reacted once more.
It contracted suddenly and then shot up at great speed towards a great altitude.
It kept climbing past the top of the Academy Tower. All the way until it reached a great height.
A great white flash suddenly appeared. Its brightness was overwhelming.
And just as suddenly as the orb had exploded, the blinding brightness died down. As everyone stared, Saito's gaze fell back to Tiffania who was panting heavily. Saito saw her wobbling and moved to catch her as she fainted, her eyes rolling to the back of her head.
Everyone else who had been watching rushed to Tiffania. Colbert began diagnostic spells on her, quickly deducing she was suffering from magical exhaustion.
"She'll be fine, she just needs rest" he assured the group. Any further conversation was halted by the presence of an unusual noise.
Looking up, Saito saw a metal glint quickly speeding away from where the orb had just been.
The others gathered in the field saw it too as it sped away. Looking closely, it looked like a giant dragon that seemed to be made of metal.
To Saito's eyes, however, the sight sent a chill down his spine.
No way he thought.
It can't be. Please not that…
The sound it made all but confirmed it. A sound made by a very specific piece of technology from his homeworld.
The sound of an airliner in the sky.
Everyone was baffled as to what that was and where it was going as the object quickly climbed back into the sky and headed away from the Academy. Saito however knew exactly what it was. However unlikely, he knew. And he paled at the repercussions of what had just happened.
Tiffania's presumed familiar had been on board an airplane.
And she'd summoned the whole damn thing to Halkeginia.
SWORD HQ, Brussells, Belgium
Moments before
Alarm bells blared throughout the bunker where SWORD was headquartered.
"What have we got?" demanded Reynolds.
"Energy spike over the Pacific! 1100 Rels and climbing like a rocket!"
A few tense moments passed as the sensor room staff watched the readout climbing.
"Confirmed! It's going to be a breach! Now at 3300 Rels!"
People shouted off readings and useless data. Reynolds rubbed at the headache that was sure to come.
"Guys, I need order. Get me an exact location and get the Australian Division on the horn" barked Reynolds.
Having done this before dozens of times, the control room was moving even before Reynolds had finished his sentence.
He studied the main display in front of him, showing the map and approximate location of the anomaly. This one was among the most powerful ever recorded.
The screen then began beeping suddenly.
"Breach is collapsing. Energy levels falling back within normal parameters".
Reynolds studied the map carefully. Something did not feel right. This had only happened before once where an unusually powerful spike was recorded only to vanish moments later.
When Hiraga first disappeared.
Wonder what the kid's up to he thought, thinking back to when contact with Hiraga had been lost 4 months prior.
And the cryptic message that had popped into the usual briefing room, sheared in half with the edges burnt:
Portals not working. May be tied to-
Looking back at the screen at the latest Aural Anomaly to be registered, he glanced at the unusually high Rel readings.
"Something, sure the hell ain't right" he said out loud.
Read and review! Trust me, every review helps... They help push me to keep going even after a 9-6 workday. Plus, some give me some good ideas to add in.