MaiHime and MaiOtome are sunrise property.
The last of the footwork for this story is finally done, after rereading the story line from the beginning I don't think I would change where the info falls since there have been hints along the way. Scientific and medical terminologies give author a headache.
To the lurkers 'Howdy Ya'll." To those supporting this old fool 'Thank you'
Welcome to my playground...beware there are monsters here.
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Chie Hallard's lost group, Transport,
Chie became tired of poring over confusing medical documents with Youko Helene and decided to move the transport since night had fallen. Yukariko sat up in the front cabin with Chie, while Aoi read documents with Youko. The large transport easily traversed the grassy terrain though Chie knew it was going to be Hell to clean out later. Chie had taken down the flag that was flying out in front of the medical research facility because of its resemblance to the Aries National Flag.
"This place is Aries' I know it. I can feel it even if the terrain doesn't look familiar," Chie mumbled mostly to herself not wanting or expecting an answer.
Yukariko just sat in silence thinking of her daughter, Grace, and of Maria Graceburt, the elder Otome, whose blood also coursed her daughter's veins. It had been nearly ten years since Maria's passing and Yukariko hadn't spent a single day without visiting her grave, until they had destroyed the Mausoleum. Yukariko took up the fight to regain everything they had lost because of this.
"Chie…we should stop for a break. You are looking tired and I need the rest as well," Yukariko said looking at Chie Hallard whose glasses could not hide her clear exhaustion.
"I want to put a little more distance between us and that building. Something off about that place and this entire area in general," Chie said as she continued to urge the transport along. There had been shimmers in the road ahead and Chie was hoping for a way back to their time. As the overgrown vegetation turned to clear pavement the transport sped up a little. The stretch of road ahead rose slightly blocking out the view of those shimmers.
Aoi had come to the forward cabin and convinced Chie to stop on the rise for some rest. It had taken little coercion since Yukariko was now already slowing the transport because Chie had been nodding out. Yukariko and Youko sat up awhile longer giving Chie and Aoi some alone time in the rear cabin.
"So have you been able to piece these files together?" Yukariko asked setting down a thermos of tea and two cups.
"Even after all these years, you Otome will never cease to amaze me, wild tea? Aoi and I split the headache into groups after we found the children's files. Ambassador Hallard is remarkably brilliant," Youko said as she inhaled the steam from her cup of tea.
"Yes, she is…Her daughter's were great evidence of that. They were excellent students, especially young Chiyako, such a flirt and a troublemaker," Yukariko said thinking of Grace's blushing face when Yukariko had caught them kissing during their Pearl year.
"The birth files are definitely similar to our files, DNA based reproduction, higher order sequencing, stimulated pregnancy, everything is there. Parthenogenesis in humans was originally thought to be impossible due to the fertilization process and possible mental instability…most considered it unethical and heretical scientific research…cloning, eugenics…" Youko said rambling on causing Yukariko to rub her temples in confusion.
"So you are saying that our daughters are mutations?" Yukariko asked thinking of the twelve Columns and their near perfect health and well-being.
"Parthenogenesis explains why only girls have been born to the Otome. Look I'm tired and rambling over ethical prejudices long since handed down…'Life finds a way' and even with the physical proof evidenced here and in our daughters there are those in the scientific/ethical community who will always consider them freaks. They will always be looking for the purported mental instability. Which brings up the other one-third of these files?" Youko said trying to get away from the discussion at hand.
"The latent something or other besides mental instability you had aforementioned?" Yukariko said wishing they had brought some alcohol.
"Yes that. The research, in those files, is of highly advanced materializing capability, in dormancy, amongst their test populace and the resulting off-spring. These people were looking to recreate long dead women from descendants, hoping for some sort of Revival," Youko said eyes glaring at the wall as she finished her tea.
"A Revival…?" Yukariko asked now far past confused.
"There is a founding myth of twelve young women given power to shape and create a new world order. To become birth mother with a highly advanced male life-form not of this world, survival of the fittest at its worst. These girls would have to battle one another for the role, in something called the Carnival; a cursed destiny to create a new world order of stability and prosperity. From what we've seen in those files they failed…" Youko said wondering just how true that statement was considering the Black Valley and her people the Aswad.
"Are you certain of that failure?" Yukariko asked thinking of the Otome and their given powers through the nanomachines technology.
"Look outside the transport and you will find that answer yourself, though maybe they weren't complete failures given that the Otome have certain retained elements of those powers," Youko answered thinking along the same lines now as Yukariko.
"I think they found too many answers to too many questions," Yukariko said thinking of the diseases that had been created and the Otome neutralizing bombs used in stronger countries during the war.
"After everything I've read here and in the Old Earth files I would agree. The greatest downfall to our curiosity is the fact that in finding a way to evolve and combat disease and the like, we also find greater and more horrific ways to destroy ourselves," Youko replied to Yukariko's too true statement.
"I know it seems foolish, but would you care to take a walk?" Yukariko asked thinking of the shimmering skyline they had seen earlier.
"As long as we are armed sure, there aren't many things left in life that would scare me. What makes you want to do so all of a sudden anyway?" Youko asked as they rearmed themselves before heading outside.
"Chie was heading for that rise for a reason. I would like to see what lies beyond it," Yukariko said peering out into the darkness to the rise ahead and the light that cast a dim flickering shadow.
"Why not take the transport instead? I know you seem to be revitalized thanks to your tea, but wouldn't the vehicle be a more prudent means of security?" Youko asked as Yukariko deemed it safe to move forward on foot.
"The transport would attract too much attention due to its size. We have a better chance of safety as we are, sticking to the shadows," Yukariko answered as she continued to scan the area using her hearing where vision would fail.
At the very top of the rise, the road disappeared completely somehow destroyed. Yukariko motioned for a crouching posture as they approached the top and some debris capable of hiding their presence. As they looked over the ridge, both women saw the remnants of a strange battlefield littered with creatures and people.
There were numerous fires and odd arches of light possibly electrical in nature. From the looks there were no signs of life and Yukariko motioned towards what seemed to be military vehicles scattered at the edges. The markings bore resemblance to too many of Earl's larger countries, the most predominate in the wreckage were those that bore some semblance to Zipang and Aries.
"Those vehicles bear the markings of the flag Chie took from its post earlier," Yukariko said as the stench of the battlefield finally hit her nose.
"Oh that's rather unpleasant…" Youko said as it assaulted her as well.
"Oh dear…Youko, run," Yukariko said as she righted herself watching the arching light bear down on their position, tearing up the ground as it traveled.
Youko knew not to question when an Otome said something like this. As they ran for the transport the arching light got ahead of them and in an instant Youko watched as Yukariko was struck and suddenly gone completely.
"Dammit…" Youko cursed as she fought off the tears of losing another friend and realized she could not return to the transport herself.
Suddenly there was a flash of green light and ahead in the road between her and the transport was a Shrine. The green light, emanating from the Shrine, begged Youko's curiosity and she headed into the green light. Inside the Shrine, Youko was amazed at how the light left no shadow. Youko noticed the twelve forms within the center ring of the room just as she was overwhelmed by the light and knocked unconscious. The light spread forth and bathed the transport as well.
Chie and Aoi had only just fallen asleep as the green glow bathed everything surrounding it with immense power. The light peaked and as it dispersed everything in the glowing sphere was gone completely, including the Shrine and the transport.
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Fuka Gakuen, Haruka's group,
Mikoto had led them to this school by scent. When asked by Sarah what scent she was following Mikoto gave no reply. Haruka tried to hit her, but was stopped by Mai and Sarah who had to struggle with her, until Mikoto told them to stop. Haruka was ready to strike as Mikoto turned and smiled at them all diffusing Haruka with an innocent look and gesture.
The recently destroyed girls' dorm, the remnants of the church and then as if only first seeing the structure, the Crystal Shrine were all in Mikoto's sweeping gesture. Mikoto mumbled something about familiar scents and the doorway. Mikoto started walking towards the Crystal Shrine just as Haruka said, "Twenty-plus years and she still doesn't make sense."
Mai and Sarah looked at one another and stifled their laughter at Haruka's comment.
Just before entering the Crystal Shrine, Mikoto stopped and looked around at Mai. Mikoto looked hurt and confused as she clutched her chest, "Mai…gone."
Mai went to Mikoto's side and saw tears making their way down her cheeks, "What do you mean by gone, Mikoto?"
Mikoto, still clutching her chest, lay her palm flat over her heart and lifted her other to Mai's heart and then lay it on Mai's stomach. Mai, at first, didn't understand the gesture until she truly looked into Mikoto's eyes. Mai felt her own tears fall hard as she realized that Mikoto had sensed the passing of one or both of their daughters. Mai's legs gave way and she hit her knees in front of Mikoto, grabbing her close in painful grief.
Sarah had covered her own tears by walking with Haruka towards the Crystal Shrine's entrance. It wasn't hard to understand now what Mikoto meant, being parents also. Haruka stopped inside the Crystal Shrine's entrance and allowed her tears to flow strong and free. Sarah stepped towards Haruka, to comfort Haruka and maybe herself, but Haruka waived her off.
Mikoto came into the Crystal Shrine carrying Mai, still choked with grief and took a seat against the Shrine's wall. Mai was in Mikoto's lap, head buried in Mikoto's neck screaming her grief. Haruka, bent on one knee, was pounding the floor in front of her, shattering the surface and the bones in her hand. Sarah was about to say something as she felt every nerve ending on her body start to tingle, as did Haruka. Mai let loose a powerful agonizing scream of grief as the Crystal Shrine was engulfed in bright, blinding green light and then the light was gone along with the four occupants of the Crystal Shrine.
Below the Crystal Shrine in the Obsidian Palace, the Obsidian Lord laughed as the pain of the Hime's in the world above echoed throughout his being. He had also felt the surge of power though this was not unexpected during the Carnival. Had anyone looked to the Crystal Hime above they would have noticed a brief flicker of movement in the ancient Hime. To the Obsidian Lord all was well and his plans were undeniably perfect, his victory he thought was assured.
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There were three days left until opening night and the Grand Theater in Florence was buzzing with activity. Costume re-fitting, stage rehearsals, prop, lighting and sound checks, theater maintenance and cleaning were all working into a cacophony of disruptive chaos. For Chisa this meant all was well as she watched Michie work, from backstage, with the lead actress reassuring everyone that if necessary she could fill the lead spot.
Chisa handed a note to a stand hand meant for Michie (Tomoe) once break was called. The stage hand took Chisa's place as she headed down to her dressing room. As Chisa headed through the wine cellar she smiled wickedly, a laugh so vile playing from her lips as she stopped before the wrack that had been earmarked for the opening night celebration during intermission and after the ending, while awaiting review posting.
Chisa grabbed a bottle and held it to the light, "Beautiful liquid death."
Upon entering her dressing room, Chisa sat in front of the vanity and turned on the lights. Her image was reflected in the three mirrors along with the package awaiting Michie. Even monsters shine beautifully Chisa thought as she pulled the large blade from her sleeve and kissed its smooth surface. The blade looked exactly like the prop she was to use in the play only this was no spring-release blade this was the real thing.
As break was called, the stage hand passed off Chisa's note to Tomoe and quickly left to attend to the leading actress. Tomoe surveyed the note quickly and crumbled it as she headed for Chisa's dressing room. There was panic in her eyes and her heart was racing like she'd just fought a dance battle. This was not something she expected at all; it had never occurred to Tomoe that such a thing was possible.
My Otome Lover, My Beautiful Deadly Valkyrie
Tomoe Marguerite
Come to me