Okay, so this is the interlude chapter. Everything will be from Nozomi's POV (it is framed as her testament, after all).
Testament of the High Priestess
Hi y'all, you can call me Toujou Nozomi! A seventeen year-old currently, and I'm studying in Otonokizaka Academy; it's a quaint little old-fashion school in Tokyo.
I'm born on the 6th June, so I'm Gemini. Blood type's O, but I don't really go with the stereotype. My three sizes are 90-60-82, and you can stop staring. I like yakiniku the most, caramel the least. My hobbies are napping and fortune-telling; I can even read your fortune if you'd like.
Oh yeah, I'm also part of the iDol unit called µ's. Named after the nine goddesses of the arts, we fight these things called the Avatar and end their rampage across Tokyo. And I'm also their superior, under my secret identity as the Superintendent of Phoebus Apollo…
But right now, you may be confused on how things ended up like that and how I really play in throughout. Oh well, I should start from the beginning, many years ago…
Many years ago, I was but a child… no, a goddess. I was taken away from my birth parents by this cult; I was to become their goddess and Oracle. Those guys took care of me, and tended to all my needs.
In particular, an elder was in charge of me, like a guardian. He was always referred to by his surname, Toujou. So he's called Toujou-san most of the time. He was in charge of my well-being and education mostly.
He was the one who taught me the power of the cards. His lessons were always interesting. There was one lesson he laid down his entire deck and told me to choose one and…
"Toujou-san, I choose that card!"
"O Goddess, you do not choose the card." Toujou-san explained, "The cards choose you instead."
"But, but I obviously picked the card!"
"No, the cards are speaking to you, to tell you of yourself, past, present and future." Toujou-san continued, "Therefore, the cards will be delivering to you a message. You do not choose a message; you are given one."
"Understood, Toujou-san."
That was the first of my education, to read the fates of those around me. I was quite proficient with it, and many devotees would ask for their fortunes. I was frequently called out to perform readings for other people, to shed some light on their fate.
I was performing yet another reading for her devotees. This devotee was a middle-aged man, a self-proclaimed manga author. The cards have already spoken and three of them would behold a message for him.
The Fool. Upright.
The Empress. Reverse.
The Hermit. Upright.
"Goddess-sama, what do they mean?" the hapless man asked.
"The Fool represents that you're but a beginner, while The reversed Empress suggests a creative block… you may need some soul searching to figure out how things will work out for your work in the future, which is what The Hermit suggests."
"Yes my Goddess! I shall think it over!" the man obeyed.
He stood up and left the room, and the next devotee awaited her.
Sigh… In the end, the lot of them merely see me as a tool. They called me Goddess, but they used me as a fortune-telling machine. Guess that's how the world really works, use others and be used by others.
But the cards weren't all that Toujou-san taught. He also taught the ways of our cult, the true history of all that happened. There were secrets people had died for; people had been searching for.
"… The Avatars of the Sky Father seek to return to the Ompahlos, womb of the Earth Mother. It's their ritual to cement their union." Toujou-san was lecturing, "They are not the monsters that destroy Man's dominion wantonly, as the media would slander them. They are no more different from the tiger that kills to eat."
"But why do people not understand?"
"People, in general, fear the unknown. What they fear, they will push away the blame if it lessens their involvement." Toujou-san elaborated, "Take the Omphalos for example, it was found by the Americans and brought in to their homeland for their study. After their tampering had triggered April Fool's Rampage, they deemed it too dangerous and discarded it away. This nation would become the sacrifice, so that the rest of the world may not be blighted by the Sky Father's scions. And Tokyo was chosen among all cities, as the dwelling place of the Omphalos and a sacrifice so that the rest of the country may be in peace."
"Why are we so cowardly?"
"It is human nature to fear." Toujou-san answered, "Therefore, we must transcend our base nature and seek more. The Omphalos is the core, where the Coupled Gods may communicate with humanity."
"Yes Toujou-san. That is where the Oracle will commune with the gods."
"Yes my Goddess, where you shall usher in Heaven." Toujou-san said.
Yeah, all this happened 'cause of the Omphalos. It means navel in Ancient Greek; they believed it to be the belly button of the goddess Gaia… which ain't that far off from the truth. Anyway, the place is said to be residence of the original Oracle of Delphi, who divines the will of the gods to kings and heroes alike.
The tampering of the Omphalos by the Americans activated it, awakening the Avatars in the process. They rose from their slumber and sought for the Omphalos too. Unlike humans who are only exploiting it as a weapon, the Avatars are merely the middlemen. They're the middlemen to secure a message from the Sky Father to the Earth Mother.
Hmm… speaking of middlemen, Toujou-san mentioned that we had been employing outsiders to find the location of the Omphalos. Its real location was an absolute secret, even our government contacts knew next to nothing about it. So we got these middlemen to do some preliminary work… detectives and property agents…
And speaking of property agents, one of them came to me for a reading. His surname was Yazawa.
It was another one of my fortune-telling sessions. I looked at the client that sat opposite me, a kindly middle-aged man in a suit that was most likely worn for days. Toujou-san was beside the stranger, guiding him along the procedures.
All I need to do is to do my readings and explain it to him.
"My Goddess, this man is Yazawa-san." Toujou-san introduced, "He is an associate, a righteous of Mankind who is helping out with our quest to usher towards Heaven."
"Please Elder, I am only a humble salary-man fulfilling my part of our agreement." Yazawa-san said.
"Regardless, Yazawa-san wishes to seek your insight to his eldest daughter." Toujou-san continued, "Goddess, will you fulfil the wishes of a righteous man?"
"Of course, Toujou-san."
I agree, needless to say. I shuffled that deck of cards and spread all of them out. The man called Yazawa picked a card; without much hesitation, I flipped it open.
The Sun. Upright.
"Your eldest daughter will be a source of vitality, a warming Sun."
"As expected, I did name her Nico because I want her to always smile." Yazawa-san admitted, "I may want her to smile, but I need to work hard to ensure she can always smile. I can definitely locate this Omphalos for you."
Nico-chi doesn't really know that I go way back with her Papa. He was such a kind man, wishing for his daughter to simply smile and nothing more. Other than the lying to your siblings and occasional grouchiness, she truly lived up to her name… I guess?
I never met Yazawa-san after that. Too many times had happened over the years. But I couldn't forget what he said about his daughter… Yazawa Nico-san. And it's a good thing I remembered that name; it just popped up during my second year in Otonokizaka.
At that time, Eli-chi and I recently took over Student Council duties. She ruled as the President, while I do what I do best – supporting from the sidelines. We were quite a team together, clearing up all the bureaucratic mess like it was nothing. Our predecessors were free to fully focused on entrance exams 'cause of us.
So we were checking out on those suggestions made by the student body, reading all their requests. And then, my hands took a particular note that would guide me in my plans. And that note said:
We need to have an iDol for the school cultural festival! Nico!
Yazawa Nico-nii
"Yazawa… Nico…"
I did my research of Nico-chi after that, stalking her and using my spiritual power to learn more about her. My spiritual power told me she's definitely the eldest daughter of Yazawa-san. Just maybe… I could find Yazawa-san again and he could give me the location to the Omphalos…
And so I went up to Nico-chi's home, in some old apartment in Akihabara. I rang the doorbell, waiting for a reply. And then, Nico-chi showed her face.
"Yes?" the petite girl answered the door, "That uniform… who are you?"
Oh my, she's such a frowner… Her father must be disappointed.
"Well, I'm obviously your schoolmate… and your Student Council Vice-President, if you paid attention to our inauguration. Now, Nico-chi… let me in. I've got some business with your parents."
"What?! Nico has done nothing wrong!" The girl protested, "And what's with Nico-chi? It's Nico-san, for God's sake!"
"Nico, I thought I told you not to yell at guests!" Another voice cried.
An older woman came towards the door. She was practically a more mature version of Nico-chi, so I can presume she's her mother.
"Oh, a schoolmate! Nico, you should be nice to friends." Mrs Yazawa lectured.
"Hi ma'am! I'm actually looking for you I'm part of the Student Council, you see…"
And after letting me in, I began to talk to Mrs Yazawa. Nico-chi, on the other hand, was not available.
"Uh, how should I address you?" she asked.
"Toujou'll do nicely."
"Toujou-san, I know my daughter may not be the best in terms of academics…" Mrs Yazawa began speaking.
"Hold it ma'am! I ain't here on Student Council business. I'm here on behalf of… m-my parents! Yah, they're acquainted with your husband, I think?"
"Toujou? I recalled my husband talking about a certain Toujou-san once." Mrs Yazawa recalled.
"Yup, where's your husband actually? It's about his business; my parents' looking for a house here."
"Uh… he's not available right now…" she said, "I might be able to help you, if you'd like. I am doing his job, after all."
"It's about some old apartments built during the 60s… Those haphazardly made during the post-war construction…"
"I'm sorry, Toujou-san. We no longer sell those flats." Mrs Yazawa flatly rejected the idea.
"Huh? Why? I thought Yazawa-san was looking into it some years back."
"He's passed away." Mrs Yazawa grimly revealed, "He passed away while inspecting one of those old apartments. The roofing fell on him… and he didn't make it…"
"I see… I'm sorry. I guess I'll take my leave… and bring the bad news to my folks…"
Ah, and Yazawa-san became another sacrifice in this mad pursuit for the Omphalos. I guess I can pity Nico-chi and her family, but that'd be pitying all of humanity for losing their loved ones.
I too lost everything I once treasured… Oh that fateful day, I'd never forget. The day the cult was destroyed.
Toujou-san was hugging onto me, as he ran across the hallways of our temple. Though I didn't see his face, the cold sweat and thumping heartbeat made it clear something was wrong.
He brought me to this small room, and hid me in this closet. Dropping me there, he looked at me one last time and there were last words involved too.
"Goddess, we have now become the sacrifice to preserve the government's illusion." He said, "Whatever happens, be safe."
He closed the closet… and that was the last I saw of Toujou-san.
Then, they found me… the government.
Light confronted me once more, but it was not Toujou-san who greeted me. Two men, clad in black armour and vest, stood there. They had guns in their hands, aiming at me.
"Stand down. It's only a girl." One of them said.
"You think it's one of those kids those sickos abuse?" The other man asked.
"Anyway, we got to take her in. Maybe find her parents if possible."
Those guys meant well, now that I think about it. But no one ever claimed me; the government took me in in the end. And I was involved in one of their projects.
And that project's name is called Project Hand of Apollo. Telling y'all won't be much fun, so 'lemme show y'all what it's all about.
I woke up in a hospital bed, surrounded by a nurse and doctor. They saw me awake, and they smiled. The doctor placed a toy car on the table at the foot of the bed.
"Good morning again, Toujou-san." The doctor said, "As usual, we would like you to move this little toy across the table."
"Uh…"
"Just think about the wheels turning, and nothing else." The doctor instructed.
"…" I tried my hardest to envision that image, yet it only turned slightly and slowly.
"Cut her off the morphine. Let the pain consume her." The doctor told his nurse.
Suddenly, the numbness ended and there was just pain. Raw pain, it was biting me as though piranhas torn my very flesh.
I screamed… and the toy card reversed and smashed into the wall. After seeing the scene, the doctor and nurse grabbed onto me and injected something into me. The world faded from my eyes after that…
The government did not save me, for the record. It only used me as a tool, as had my cult. I was apparently the only one who survived Project Hand of Apollo, so I was a valuable asset.
They kept me around for a long time, while I honed my abilities… even 'getting' an iDol that can play to my specific strengths.
I looked at the massive iDol that stood before me. The humanoid structure was bound in thick violet exoskeleton that was likened to tank armour. Its head had massive demon horns curling upward.
I shook my head to the left… and the iDol followed my motion. It was perfect.
But it needed a name…
I would later call in Polyhymnia, named after the Muse. It is fitting, since I am seeking the Omphalos where Apollo's Oracle dwelled and the Muses are Apollo's chief attendants too.
But wait; speaking of Muse, I was the one who came up with the name for our little group here.
iDol groups, in general, are named after gods too. In contrast to the "fallen" gods that wound up being the names of the Avatars, the gods who benefited human culture would logically have their names christened as humanity's vanguards. As the nine goddess of human culture they're perfect for the job, don't you think so?
It took me a while to find out who could stand beside and fight beside me. After all, even with Project: Hand of Apollo, a single iDol could not secure winning streaks against scores of Avatars. I have to get them churning by the dozens, so that I can gauge the Omphalos properly.
Yeah, that's how µ's came into the picture. You could say I'm the goddess who brought them together… for the most part. I didn't really bring in the second-years; they volunteered.
Nozomi was in another scheduled meeting with Captain Minami. Preparing her headset and voice modulator, she was set to engage with Minami once again.
"Good evening, Superintendent-sama." Captain Minami greeted.
"Same to you, Captain-kun. What tidings do you bear?"
"Three new pilots for that new unit we've planned, alongside Toujou-san and Ayase-san," she said.
"Who are they?"
"Kousaka Honoka, Minami Kotori and Sonoda Umi," Captain Minami said.
"I see your daughter's offered herself to the cause."
"Yeah… I expected that to happen when Kousaka-san barged in my office…" Captain Minami begrudgingly admitted.
"You know the implications. They have signed themselves to be sown onto Fate itself."
But for the record, I did trick Eli-chi to be an iDol pilot. She was really into saving the school, even though no one else truly cared or tried fleeing to Osaka.
I also intervened to make sure Nico-chi and the first-years were in; you guys knew how I did it more or less.
I did a lot of things to get up to my place since I entered Phoebus Apollo to sort out their projects and all. I was supposed to be a backup pilot, but I caught the eyes of the higher-ups…
I prepared my best dress and checked myself at the mirror. Not a single blemish was sighted. A shame the dress was so nice, yet so needless…
I smiled and inspected my purse for the essential items.
Cards, check.
The doorbell rang, and I quickly answered it. A stoutly gentleman awaited me; that was my predecessor, the former Superintendent.
"Toujou-san, you look lovely in that dress." He said.
"Same to you, Superintendent-sama."
Please don't misunderstand; it's not what you think. What actually happened is…
I looked at my audience, a crowd of politicians and friends of the Superintendent. All were eager for my services, and lined up accordingly.
Smiling from behind my veil, I announced the beginning of my services.
"Gentlemen, let your fortunes be told! The cards shall reveal your success!"
Told y'all it's PG. My spiritual power was a perfect trap for these elderly men, waning of glory and ambitions. This ultimately gave me access to places of power.
Power that I could exploit, that I could triumph over.
I looked over her laptop, and the various documents displayed. I was also on call, speaking to an important individual.
"You got the info? With these, you can bring down all the corruption in the government and lift you to promotion."
The government murdered the only ones closest to me, so I smashed their ambition and glory. It caused quite a controversy to the Diet and Cabinet; you guys know the news about that. That was all me; I started the National Diet corruption crisis.
And using all the information that was whispered to my ears and kept in my head, I was pretty much the only one who could carry Phoebus Apollo. Hence, I rose as the next Superintendent and hid in the shadows since then.
I only came out, when the cards showed me µ's. And I was Toujou Nozomi in everyone's eyes, and Superintendent-sama from the shadows.
I didn't really do much as an iDol pilot; mine is of a gimmick thanks to Project: Hand of Apollo. My behind-the-scenes work as Superintendent-sama is where I pull my weight about.
Setting up the voice modulator and headset, I prepared to make a call to a minion from the French embassy.
"Access code: Muse."
"It is acknowledged. What is your command?" the voice said.
"I need you to cancel a student placing and visa to France. That student's name is Minami Kotori."
Sometime after, I was in yet another meeting with Captain Minami. She was telling me about Umi-chan's proposal, which I already knew… so it was a boring session…
"…And so that's it for Sonoda-san's suggestion. What's your take on this?" She ended her speech.
"I do understand Sonoda-san's intentions, but they are fundamentally a group of equals and comrades-at-arms. All must mutually trust one another; that is how we can overcome the gods' wrath."
Sigh, thinking 'bout it now, I did help out those girls every now and then. Those girls felt so different. They treated me so kindly, not like the cult or the government agents…
No, not just me. They treated Eli-chi very well too, as does Eli-chi. All of us look out for one another, as though we are family.
What is family anyway? I know not my birth parents. Toujou-san's a father figure to me, but he always drew a line. The government's only using me as a tool. But those girls…
No lines were drawn at all. With the exception of Eli-chi and maybe Nico-chi, we know one another for less than a year and such bonds had grown. No one was left behind.
"Please!" Honoka pleaded again, "We are all iDol pilots and we have to fight on together!"
"But we have to work with Nico-sempai! We are, after all, a team and we will work together." Honoka said, "It doesn't matter if one of us fall behind; we will just carry one another forward."
"Rin-chan, look here!" Honoka once said that, "You are a strong energetic catlike girl and no one can say otherwise about that!
"Correct!" Honoka once said, "And besides, you have us! Not just Honoka and Kotori-chan, there's also Rin-chan and Maki-chan and Eli-chan and Umi-chan and Nozomi-chan and Nico-chan. All of us will be there to support one another! None of us will ever be left behind!"
"So you really intend to nominate Honoka-chan to succeed in you… Eli-chi…"
Honoka-chan is honestly a Fool, but she would trek to unchartered waters without thought or concern. All she desires is the other side of the rainbow. And she is correct; we are family.
And because of that, I fear for what is to happen. To win a war, there must be a sacrifice. The sacrifice shall become the vessel of all our prayers… But everything's a circle really; there is never an end. Therefore, I sincerely believe…
Wait! Hold it! I'm not gonna spoil anything for y'all! I'm Toujou Nozomi for God's sake! You can't fool me.
Anyway, I should be getting to nominate my own guy to take over me. Then, Eli-chi and I can have some time together…
So that's that. Now I will need to get to the final battle and the epilogue. Strangely, I got the epilogue all mapped out in my head and nothing on the final battle.