Chapter 15
Once and Future Past
Tai moved quietly as he passed along the uppermost spiral of the causeway extending around and through the High Spires, the great meeting hall and council chambers of the High Council on his way to the North Eyrie; seat of Odin's power in the city. Stopping at the north branch he looked away south at the city's library, majestically surrounded by its garden rings, their flowing vines stretching down to the reaches of the Vimir River below, its waters spilling down from the plateau creating canyons farther south. He breathed the air happy to be back, yet was sad he had no one there to share the view with.
Returning to his task he could see from this elevation just how big the northern mountains standing above Fensalir really were. The Vanir mountains from which his grandmother had come. He wondered if his mother had ever - his mother. He stood taking a long last look at the great shield wall to the west, barely able to make out their home from here. "Wait for me Sora," he muttered continuing on.
. . .
"Well if it isn't my errant dance partner," Takumi commented looking up from his knees as he continued polishing the wood planking of the temple.
"Well if you'd carry a phone like any normal person, it'd be a lot easier to save your life," replied his visitor from the trees.
"I would have, but some maniac took me on an extended tour through the Japanese countryside, got me arrested and then threw me down a mountain."
"That's not what happened! Besides you loved it. I would have hung around, but the clientele started to get a bit choppy."
"I assume it was you who directed that spear maiden in my direction? The one who keeps coming out of nowhere?"
"Be careful how you describe your saviors," Idunn replied behind him.
"Augh! Stop doing that!" he cried. "Where's Banpei when you need him. Wait. Does she still have Banpei?" he asked looking around.
"What kept you?" said Mara dropping down from the tree.
"Just doing a little housekeeping for Hild," Idunn said walking over to the pond to wash her hands.
"Anyone I know?" Mara muttered kneeling beside her.
"No one who'll be missed," Idunn replied.
"So nothing at this temple burns your feet?" Takumi asked watching the two of them freely wander around the courtyard.
"You have to stop reading those circulars from the Heavens," Idunn replied.
Above the temple, Lind and Skuld sat in the meadow watching the scene below. "It - was my fault," Lind said finally.
"What are you talking about?" said Skuld.
"You heard her. Bell called her. Do you know why? Because I wasn't there. I was here at the temple, playing with Sora."
"I did hear," Skuld said putting an arm around the Valkyrie. "That's how I know you're what kept Sora alive. C'mon," Skuld said leading her down toward the house. They descended the slope to find Idunn awaiting them in the courtyard. The three stood in awkward silence for a moment in the calm sunlight as Mara and Takumi looked on from the porch.
"Did I miss something?" he asked after a moment.
"Heaven forbid," Idunn replied. "C'mon Mara let's go, before these heroes attempt any more 'justified' acts."
The goddesses stiffened behind them. "And do say hello to my little sister the next time you see her," Idunn added over her shoulder.
"And who might that be?" asked Lind.
"Fulla," Idunn said descending the outer steps.
Of course. I should have known from the eyes, Lind thought.
"Who's that?" asked Skuld.
"It doesn't matter," Lind replied as the winds grew and they were gone.
Skuld motioned for Takumi to follow her. "It's nearly time for you two to be on your way."
He nodded. "What will you do?"
"I think I'll stay here. Maybe go see baby Hayate," she said giving him her jacket.
"What's this for?"
"Take it with you - to remember me by," she said.
"It won't fit."
She smiled looking between the two of them. "You sure?"
"Okay maybe it does fit," he said putting it on slipping his arms around her. "But I don't need any mementos of this place."
"If – if it all works out you can give it to her . . . in your time."
"Is that the way you think of her?" he asked giving her a hug.
"Sort of. It's been a long time. I almost can't remember that girl," she said hugging him back. "Tell her it's a gift from her future self."
At that moment Lind appeared behind them looking less than impressed. "I guess it's time to go," he said putting his head to hers. "You gonna tell me where you and she went?" he asked.
"I'll say goodbye here," she replied.
"I take that as a no."
"Best of luck Takumi," she said walking to the house.
Walking to the gate he turned to give one last look at Tariki Hongan Temple.
. . .
Tai continued through halls of the Eyrie making his way to the South Terrace, known as the Oculus of the Winds - Odin's personal library. As he had anticipated entering the Eyrie had posed little problem as few had wanted to interrogate the grandson of Odin. Walking along the outer rooms with their views of the city he finally found what he was looking for. On the floor below him as he followed a bend in the wall there seemed to be an older room opening to the south. After several more minutes of searching he found his way into the dimly lit cozy room, its south wall an open terrace overlooking the great buildings of the city and the river several hundred feet below. Quickly he began to search the room, its irregular walls holding books pressed in many native tongues, interposed with artifacts both inspiring and terrifying. Yet it was near one of the columns next to an open book that he finally found what he was searching for. He picked up the staff gingerly, looking at the myriad of flickering fibers within its core.
"You're going to want to handle that carefully," instructed the voice behind him as Tai turned raising the staff.
"Should we sit down? Or did you plan to just steal and go?" Odin asked lighting his pipe taking a seat in his chair.
"Of course not. I came to speak to you," he said handing him the staff. "You know about everything that's transpired?"
"Ah well, some of it's come into focus relatively recently," he admitted leaning back. "The question is, what should you and I do about it?" he asked.
"I know you'll help us," Tai replied sitting at his feet.
"Well, that's complicated. I know what she wants, and what some other entities want. But what do you want Takumi?"
"Not me, Sora and myself."
"I see. Then there's something you should know. If the deviation is reset, there is no permutation of that future within my sight in which you and Sora exist."
He nodded. "Did you imagine it would change our answer?"
"Parents hope for the best for their children. I'm not sure -."
"Is it surprising children would wish any less for them?" he said walking to the edge of the terrace taking in the city below, feeling in the gusts of wind the briefest reminder of his mother's embrace all those years ago. "In that future, the one of which you speak, we may not exist. But our mothers will live. Both of them."
Odin stood up peering down at him. "You seem quite sure I will assist you."
"Yes, I told them as much. Even without your sense of justice, without what we know now and without Lady's Hild's request; I knew you would help us. Because of who you are. Because you taught us that true freedom is allowing one to choose. Regardless of your own feelings, I knew you would respect our decision. Because without it, we are not truly free."
Odin put his hand on Tai's shoulder, "I'm glad we had this chance to speak . . . Mr. Morisato," he said raising his staff.
He drew his hand over the cords of the staff. "This is that which you seek," he said drawing out a single thread. "Let it pass from this place, from the halls of the Heavens to the core of Hild's domain. Send it on the winds from here and Hild and I will do the rest."
Then Takumi Morisato bowed before him and took up the thread. Odin watched him disappear over the terrace for the last time, his heart tinged with the emotion born of age, watching the color of sky as the clouds enveloped him. Despite the long years of his life he realized there were times when time itself was too brief. He sat back on his knees now preparing.
Five miles east of Kamogawa Sora saw Tai streak through the sky overhead, appearing at her side outside the seaside residence. He wrapped his arms up in hers. "It's as you suspected," he said drawing the thread to her. "Once it happens, nothing is guaranteed,"
"Did he say anything else?" she asked.
"Only what you expected – I'm not sure this is what your mothers would want."
"Then I suppose it's a good thing they're not here to argue," she replied whisking the fiber away, extending it through the air on this path toward Lind.
"You going to tell them?"
"What do you think?" she said taking his hand. "It would only bring them pain. I'm not going to tell them anything. Because it's our decision to make," she said.
Takumi sat atop the derelict remains of the Yokohama Marine Tower with Lind, watching as her ears came up looking suddenly to the east. "Here it comes," she warned, catching the cable as passed.
"This is the epicenter, you're sure?" he asked.
She looked at him ruefully. "Some things are hard to forget," she replied. "In either case we're close enough to the epicenter here," she said passing the thread northwest toward Skuld at Tariki Hongan Temple.
In the courtyard of the temple Skuld stood ready, mindful of the catchment circles drawn out upon the sand, assisted by her three ninja helpers as the fiber flew down within her grasp. "Now!" she said igniting the circles as the fiber turned, arcing upward over the mountains to the southeast as it passed, straight as an arrow toward the coast over the waters of Sagami bay toward Oshima Island.
Above the remains of melted steel, Idunn and Mara sat waiting, passing the thread directly by them as it came, pressing it onward toward its final destination on Miyakejima.
"Don't look so nervous," Idunn jibed. "You think we've got it tough? She has to talk to him. . . ," she said looking south.
"I suppose that's true," Mara sighed following her gaze.
Hild waited patiently on Miyakejima, taking hold of the thread as it approached. "The primary area of affect on Terran has now been linked," she said seeming to speak to no one in particular as she completed the symbolic set points for her Circle of Warding with the other hand. "Am I not speaking loud enough? Perhaps your hearing as well as your eyesight is going with age?"
"I hear you . . . Diamakaicho," came the reply.
"Oh is that the way we're going to play it? You'd never guess there was a time when I practically ran the place."
"Practically?" came the reply.
She smiled in spite of herself. Somehow he could always do that to her. Even when she didn't want to.
"Link with the Demon Realm - established," she heard from above her. She drew her breath looking up, looking beyond the skies of Terran, beyond that world to another one; a place she used to call home. Even at this distance she could still see the greenery, the faint colors which existed nowhere else, twinkling spires that . . . She looked away brushing her cheek.
"I'd say the place is not the same without you," Odin said looking over the city, "but then we both know that . . ."
She shrugged. "It had to be done. You find a new tenant yet for Sessrumnir?"
"It – seems to be happy where it is. There don't seem to be a lot of takers anxious to take it on." She felt a draw on the fiber, pulling back to feel the tension. "The grove of plumeria you planted have gone wild and spread, but they're still there."
For a moment it felt like old times. She thought of herself in the old days, down in the stables, coiling rope feeling the tug from above, the two of them passing messages. But that had been a long time ago; and these were not old times. She looked up sadly.
"You could come back you know."
She shook her head. "Even if that was a real offer we both know the others would never accept it. No, for all kinds of reasons there is no ship that can carry me back to that place." She moved her hand drawing up fire as if to indicate the gulf between them. "You know, it hasn't been terribly orderly down here over the last century," she said after a moment, trying to change the subject. "I thought order was your big thing?!"
"It's on the list -," he replied good naturedly. She thought she could feel him smiling.
"I just mean with everything that's happened I'm amazed you didn't come for me yourself. If not for my sake, then for your own."
"I knew you would never forgive me if I got you out, especially if you could do it yourself. As for the Heavens, the demon uprising was never a serious problem here given the Valkyries. As for you and I . . . the real damage had already been done – or so I thought. And so I encouraged Takumi's deal to go forward, knowing the likelihood you could reach him if you were still alive due to his . . . nature; if indeed any of it was even his idea in the first place. When the punishment was served I had him watched, knowing you would draw him to you if you were able. We just needed to wait. Besides you - had lost a daughter. Our daughter. Whatever my thoughts here, whatever I may have felt, I believed you had a right to administer judgement. Which I assume has been done."
"He's alive Odin," she replied feeling his reproach. "Perhaps even now if he is strong enough . . ."
Something in her words made him shudder. "My true error, my true mistake was not seeing the echo of the problem in your realm here. I suppose we, didn't want to."
She fought the desire to say anything obvious, choosing instead to adopt a more magnanimous tone. "The Heavens looking into our affairs? No, you simply didn't want to start a civil war."
"And for it Belldandy . . . I never could have imagined it. But it's not for me to bother you with. Afterwards . . . afterwards, the forces set in motion were beyond even myself, Vili and Ve to control. And so ultimately there was a civil war, another thing I failed to prevent."
She tugged back gently on the braid, "You and I may be the only ones who think in those terms now. Yet even we are not all powerful. So there's no point in holding yourself to such a standard. We can't control everything. How many times have I said it?"
"Many . . . ," he replied.
"Well . . . those uncovered in the Heavens. Have you learned anything more of their nature?"
"An archaic cult worshiping physical manifestation of the unknowable primal force, from which the first ontological structures are composed from which all reality emanates (in their view), realized through a hierarchical series of vaults or treasuries, each populated with members of the first emanated beings or Watchers, who 'guard' the gates of these treasuries. Knowledge of their names and methods allows one to pass through these vaults or emanations on their way to ultimate knowledge. Each treasury is bound by a specific seal, protected by 12 'emanations' who guard its three-fold gate. You know nothing of this?" he asked.
"We've got our own 'cultist' problems here. Why?"
"Knowledge of their names and specifications allow these guardians to be bound and contained. I find it - fortuitous the first thing Lind did upon encountering her was to perform such binding on her. We were unaware of this until recently. Unless of course it was something she knew from earlier in life."
"Hmm. Are we going to ruminate on the past or fix it?" she said finally. "Not everything that warps the natural order arises from down here."
Odin looked out at the city he knew, perhaps for the last time. "We know the direction the current path goes. If we alter it, there is no guarantee that things will be -."
"I know . . . I know," she replied. "But I also know who they were, and what they were trying to do. Each generation struggles, trying to build its own city upon a hill. As a parent I wish it to succeed. Perhaps that is selfish, perhaps parenthood itself is, but . . . let us give them another chance," she said.
"I won't pretend I'm without feeling in this, but for myself there's no choice to be made. We know now the natural arc of Terran history was perturbed by unnatural means; both above and below. It must be corrected."
"I hope you remember that. You may have a hard choice to make in the future."
"I've made it before," he replied.
"Then I give my consent -," Hild said initiating the power flow up through her end of the cable.
"I as well," Odin replied as the power poured down over the causeway from the Heavens.
"I guess they reached an accord," Idunn said leaning back, watching as Hild's charge raced toward them, passing overhead on its way to the Tariki Hongan Temple. "Stabilize the field," she said raising her staff. "It only needs to last a minute or so."
Holed up at the Seaside Residence, Sora and Tai watched as a strike like lighting came down from the heavens, rushing by them as it coursed back toward Tokyo Bay. "It's beginning," he said.
"Funny," there are so many things I wanted to say to everyone. So many things I . . .
"I know," he said holding her. "Do you - want to make out?" he asked cheerfully.
"Today I think it's okay," she said leaning in. "Give me a kiss - to last for all eternity," she said hugging him.
The energetic burst came over the mountains striking Tariki Hongan Temple as Skuld's set points held. She watched as it traveled off in the direction of Tokyo with a faraway look in her eyes. "Maybe . . ." she said standing on the rooftop of the temple with the ninjas.
"This is it!" Lind called, her ears perked up atop the tower as the two forces approached. "Hang on!" she shouted as the initial collision slammed before them. But the shockwave was too great and Takumi lost his grip falling backward. As he did he saw Lind, still holding fast, the look in her eyes as he fell. After all without him there would be no one else to remember, at least no outsider who could speak of her true parentage. Then she was lost to him amid the increasing brilliance of the flash. He felt the ground coming up. But then a surprising thing happened, at least to Takumi. He felt hands behind him, holding him, rising him up. It was her, she had let go, swooping in to catch him. "Reach out!" she cried extending her hand, the brilliance now so bright he could make out nothing before him. "Follow my lead!" she said holding on to him. He looked back, taking in the landscape below. "Don't look Takumi!" she accelerating forward, as below him the wave began to flow, changing everything in its path. The last thing he remembered was Lind shouting something just as the shrieking light enveloped them. Then nothing.
Lind felt herself, floating, drifting in the winds. From where she did not know. Then a faint sensation of tugging, and of rustling around her. Tentatively she opened her eyes to see blue sky before her. The turbulence along her arms and legs caused her to look down, seeing now several gulls close to her, desperately trying to pull on her - up? It was only then she realized her disorientation; she was on her back falling through the skies toward the ground. She rolled over aligning herself, trying to get her bearings; the slopes of the hills below approaching fast. What was I . . . ? Takumi! She cast about searching the skies, locating him a hundred years to the south as they fell together toward the ground. Pouring on the speed she caught him as they hit the ground, tumbling over and over dissipating the energy of their approach. Lind got up, shaking off the dirt of their landing as Takumi sat up dazed.
"Well?" he said after a moment.
"The air . . . feels right," Lind replied smiling at him smugly in the cool breeze. "Just before we jumped. The look you gave me. You didn't think I was going to -."
"The thought may have occurred to me - briefly. Why did you? I mean, why leave someone knowing your secret?"
"It no longer holds power over me," she replied getting to her knees. "And unlike you Takumi, I do not simply serve myself."
"Any idea of where we are?" he asked looking around.
"The shockwave pulled us off course. My guess is we're in the foothills above Kanazawa."
"How to you know?"
She pointed due west, toward the unmistakable outline of Mt. Fuji. Then east showing him their current view of Tokyo Bay.
"I suppose that does narrows it down a bit," he muttered. "So we know where we are. Now we just need to know -"
"There you are!" said the voice coming over the hill behind them. The sun of the late autumn air shimmered as it caught the first of the strands of her hair swaying, cascading along the slope of her neck as she walked, the whiteness of her hair surging into him much as the first time he saw her. He sat there doing nothing; simply blinking stunned. Then her eyes came over the hilltop and he knew, knew it was truly her. He pushed off, throwing everything he had into movement, leaping up rushing to her, rushing to get back to the person he had walked so far to find.
Urd's smile grew nervous seeing the intensity of his rushed approach to her. "Urd!" he cried almost tackling her.
"Well, I'm happy to see you too," she said hugging him back. "Tai you're shaking! What is it?!" she asked holding tighter.
He wiped away his tears. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter anymore now," he said squeezing her.
"Did she do something to you?" she asked. " Did you do something to him?!" she shouted to Lind. "And why are you smiling? Aren't Valkyries genetically incapable of smiling?" she said.
"Times change," Lind replied taking flight.
"What does she mean by that? Seriously are you alright? You seem - really shaken up," she said giving him the once over.
"I just really missed you," he said tiredly.
"You saw me three hours ago," she said squinting.
He smiled back, "It seemed – like a lot longer," he said putting his head down to hers. "I'm sorry Urd."
"What are you sorry about?" she whispered to him.
"For everything. Everything I screwed up," he sobbed.
"What have you screwed up?" she said hugging him.
"I lost sight of - but you still believed, you kept the fragment - and I should have . . ." he rambled.
"What are you talking about?!"
"I just – I just want to tell you, I'm going to do everything better, With you . . .with Sorano . . ."
"Who?" she replied looking at him.
"Sora, our -," but now he slowed, carefully watching her eyes. "We don't have a daughter . . . do we?" he said finally.
"A daughter?! Well I mean - is that something umm, we're thinking about?" she said flustered.
He reached into his pocket slowly pulling out the braid. "We never went to that demon island in the South Pacific did we?"
"How do you know about that?!" she said surprised.
"A guess," he replied sadly. That was why she was . . .
He looked out at the world, but somehow it all seemed different now. He wondered what else had changed.
"I thought about going," Urd assured him, "but Keiichi hadn't fully recovered and Bell, well she was worried about what might happen so . . . We can go next year if it means that much to you."
"Wait a minute. Belldandy is here?"
"Well she's downtown. That's why I came looking for you. We told her we'd help her get ready for the Club party after she finished her Christmas shopping. Remember?"
He looked at the bay as fear now began to grip him. "It's almost Christmas?" he asked.
"Of course. What's wrong?"
He felt dizzy. "What time is it?" he said almost afraid to ask.
"Almost noon. Why?"
It felt as though he had just looked to one side, only to see a huge standing wave. Petrified, just standing there. But now that he has seen it its collapse began. Huge and unstoppable.
"Give me your phone!" he cried.
"Don't you have one?" she asked. "I thought that was the -."
"No I - don't!" he shouted beginning to dial.
"Who are you calling?"
"Hello . . ."
"Belldandy!"
"Oh it's you . . .," he heard the voice say. Behind her he could hear the innocent sound of holiday music in the street.
"Bell listen!" he yelled starting to speak. But then he slowed, hesitating. "Was this the start of it? For us?" he murmured.
"Hello . . . ?" Belldandy continued.
He contemplated a moment more. Then Takumi closed his eyes, shutting off the phone.
"What are you doing?" asked Urd.
He let the phone fall to the ground, crushing it.
"Are you crazy?!" she demanded.
But he appeared not to hear her, continuing to mutter to himself, "Is this what she meant? And do I trust her? Belldandy's close, but she's got a good chance. Keiichi and Skuld are at the temple. If it happens the low-lying hills will likely shield them. The same goes for Urd and I here. Leaving only . . . ," he looked out over the bay once more.
"That's it! I don't know what's wrong but I'm getting you out of here now," said Urd.
He nodded. "No matter what happens now, we don't need to be here." He looked out at the waters. "Was that an act of faith - or selfishness? Even I don't know," he said kneeling down taking her hand. "I only know that you're here now."
"I am here. Whatever's wrong Tai, I'm here . . ."
"I know," he said leaning against her.
"So what's wrong?"
"So very much," he replied.
He was right to be concerned. For at that moment five men discreetly masked themselves as they walked an isolate section the deck of the ship making their final they approached the forward cargo hold beyond midships they came across the old woman bent down searching the deck. "Kitty . . .," the old woman called.
"Ma'am you have to leave," demanded one of the group.
"I - lost my kitty," she explained bending down continuing to search paying them no mind.
"Ma'am we need to clear this area!" the man said more forcefully.
"Kitty!" she called louder.
The man at the front looked back for directions. Behind them the leader looked around nodding. Without warning the man in front drew and fired point blank at the back of the old woman's head. Yet to his surprise, and the surprise of his colleagues, the round seemed to stop dead, hanging in midair beside the old woman's head. She raised her index finger waggling it at him.
He rose to fire once more, but with a flick of the old woman's finger the bullet snapped back to its owner grazing his face. Alarmed now everyone drew their weapons. But before they could fire the old woman closed her fist, the weapons growing instantly white hot. Amid howls of pain they dropped uselessly to the deck. A backward sweep of her hand and the door to the hold behind them swung open. "IN!" she commanded in a voice that felt as though it struck the spine. "Not you!" said the woman to the leader as the rest of the pack took refuge inside. Another sweep of her hand and the door closed behind them, her fingers bending as the steel obeyed her command, deforming hatches on both sides of the compartment. "Hello . . . Sirsemion," the old woman said pulling off his mask as she rose. Pulling off her own disguise her voice changed as he now looked her full in the face.
"Lady Hild!"
"Indeed," she said coming close. "I believe – you and I need some private time to chat . . . to discuss things as it were," she said moving her finger on the deck as a sigil appeared, it's light growing until the portal had formed. "Oh don't look so scared," she said seeing his face. "Trust me, it could have been much, much worse . . ."
At that moment the ship suddenly heaved to, listing to one side as cargo shifted and alarm bells began to ring.
"Dammit!" Hild muttered grabbing her captive throwing him down into the portal as she steadied herself.
"That's your big plan?" she cried looking out at apparently open sea. "Rock the ship?! Yes I know, you're probably thinking 'such a disruption will cause them to check things thoroughly . . . ' These things have detonators you know," she said pulling an object out from beneath the tarp in front of her. From the far the side of the ship three wet Valkyries reluctantly rose before her now. Rota and Mist looked at each other pensively behind Lind as she held out her hand. "Call it an education," Hild said throwing her the device.
Hild sat back watching the trio as they rose higher and higher in the light of the sun, doing her best to enjoy the remainder of the day as the ship sailed on, continuing into port with alarms blaring. She closed her eyes trying to think, about the fragments of the past she wished to remember, those she wished to forget, and what it all meant for the here and now. She would let Idunn and her staff deal with their captive over the next few days. For now she just wanted to walk the streets of the city, strolling Tokyo with new eyes, wandering its alleyways looking for a café where she might have lunch with her daughter.
Behind the walls of Tariki Hongan Temple, Takumi waited anxiously with Urd for the other members of the Morisato household to appear; still not quite believing he was there. She watched him sitting up on the roof, staring at the great towers of Tokyo until the skies grew dark. Then hearing something below he saw Belldandy appear from inside the house (realizing he had forgotten about that mode of goddess travel). He scrambled off the roof to meet her, looking her over trying to remember every feature of her face, surprised at how much he had forgotten. "Hello - Mr. Sato," Belldandy replied amid his continued staring. "Is this about the phone call this afternoon? I assure you the line just when dead," she said.
"I know," he said putting his hands to her cheeks.
"Try to ignore it. He's been like that all afternoon," Urd said.
She was about to inquire further when the sound of a motorcycle caused him to bound off toward the alley, dashing down to meet Keiichi and Skuld as they rolled up. "There you are!" he said hugging them both.
"Don't worry we got the stuff you wanted!" Skuld said shaking him off as together she and Keiichi took out the packages.
"No I don't care about that at all!" he said walking in with them. "It's just - so good to be here," he said overjoyed to see them, turning away to walk out into the courtyard once more staring over the city. Amid some mumbling behind him he continued to watch the stars cast down on the lights of the city until, convinced at last the threat had passed; he laid down to go to sleep. After all - it had been quite a long day.
Over the next few days Takumi scanned the papers for any curious news, news which was not long in coming. For stories soon surfaced, alarming stories regarding authorities investigating mysterious circumstances surrounding the apprehension of a group of men; men in possession of 'dangerous materials'. It appears no on had been hurt - luckily because the group had gotten 'stuck' inside one of the compartments and were 'without critical infrastructure necessary to carry out their plan.' A full investigation is ongoing. He smiled at pictures of them being led away, certain he could make out at least one of the on-shore bystanders. It was then a sound outside altered him to what he'd been waiting for. Walking out on the veranda he found Skuld pacing the courtyard, standing with her arms behind her back.
"Now this is a familiar sight," he said spying her by the tree.
"Is it?"
"Very much so," he replied.
"Are you gonna to be weird today too?" she asked. "Urd says it was because Lind got you goofed up."
"She - no, nevermind. Let's get some food tonight. Anything you want. For everyone. My treat. We'll have a party, just the five of us and I'll explain everything."
She regarded him dubiously.
"Oh and before I forget I want to give you something -," he said removing his jacket.
"You want to give me your jacket?" she said eyeing him.
"Well actually it's your jacket. Or maybe Keiichi's. I'm not really certain of it's providence."
"My jacket? It doesn't fit me," she said.
"Someday it will. Besides you insisted I give it . . . to you," he said puzzled.
"From the future?"
"Well technically for me I suppose its the past," he mused watching her try it on.
"Was I powerful in the future?" she asked trying it on.
"So much so you scared me," he replied honestly.
Though she tried not to look it, she seemed pleased, pulling up the arms as she ran off admiring herself in her new coat. At the top the ridge she folded her arms overlooking the temple, considering in that moment her future self and all she might be. Who would she really become and what would she invent? Was this really from her future self? She dug her hands into her coat pockets but found nothing. Frustrated she leaned back gripping the collar, the arms, the waist. Nothing. She started to take it off but felt something along the upper lining of one of the pockets. A bit more work and she had it free, holding its serrated edges up in the afternoon light. "Dragon scale," she muttered looking at the deep reflective rainbow hidden within the dark armor. Slowly she turned it over her hand, only now seeing the layer-specific etching. Slowly she read the message once then again disbelievingly, her eyes beginning to tear. She ran down the slopes heading for Banpei holding the message tight:
Sentaro. T wave inversion. Brugada syndrome. 60 yrs. You can save -.
Takumi turned his head hearing her go, watching as the flying wing ignited. By the time she returned it was dark and they had all gathered inside. As Takumi had promised Skuld saw all forms of take-out food scattered here and there in the tea room.
"We've only just started," Belldandy said handing her a plate.
"It's fine," she said as several of the diminutive temple residents looked up guiltily having already dug in.
Belldandy looked over her sister once more. "Are you alright?" she asked. "You look upset."
"No, it's okay now," she said tucking in beside her.
"Boy this place is becoming a temple of secrets," Urd said reaching over them for another shrimp. "It's almost like we have interesting lives."
Takumi smiled hugging her warmly.
"And what's up with you?" she said leaning over him for more noodles. "I swear Lind goofed him up. He hasn't been right since. I think they got into Otaki's special herbs. Is that why she was smiling?"
"No. I'm just happy see you all. To see you all here. Together. What you all mean while we . . . while we can all . . ." he shook his head wiping his eyes.
"I told you to stop doing that," said Urd. "At least not until I've finish a little more of this . . ."
"Take all the time you need Indigo."
"Alright I think I'm ready," Urd said leaning back on him. "Just make sure you're a comfortable pillow."
"So you have something to say?" Belldandy said seriously.
He nodded. And with that under the cozy lights of Tariki Hongan temple Takumi Sato began to tell his tale, telling the members of the Morisato household a most curious story . . .
. . .
The clouds of the mountain had descended, ringing the temple in a wreath of mist late into the night as he finished his story.
"And that was why -," Urd asked.
"Yes," Takumi replied.
"Hmm. Interesting. I thought it was good," she said.
"What do you mean you 'thought is was good.' It actually happened!"
"Sure. Except the part that didn't."
"It all happened!"
"So you're saying Skuld - oh sorry, 'Lady Skuld' was in charge of everything?"
"She was the one running Tariki Hongan Temple when I returned yes," Takumi replied defensively.
"That part's completely realistic!" Skuld insisted.
"Please, protecting the temple with all her human relations? We all know that part is completely unrealistic. I mean can you imagine her doing IT?"
"Shut up Urd!" shouted Skuld.
"I think she would make a great mom," interjected Keiichi.
"And Belldandy was a criminal?" Urd continued.
"Well I mean - we didn't think she was," he said looking at her.
"Bell?"
"I could kind of believe that," Belldandy acknowledged.
"See? She said 'kind of'. It means she doesn't believe you."
"I don't care if you believe it or not," he replied.
"Oh and nice of you to put your name in there," Urd continued.
"That's what they named him!" he insisted.
"Which brings us to the most unrealistic part," Urd said ignoring him. "Me getting killed. Nobody could get me."
"Probably just got her by playing to her ego," muttered Skuld.
"What was that? Though Hild did contact me this week and does seem anxious to meet me for lunch," Urd wondered. "Perhaps I'd better bring more protection just in case – maybe Skuld since she's such a deadly –."
"In the future she is!" cried Takumi. "Okay now I've told you everything – everything except the part where you got fat."
"What?! Did I?" demanded Urd.
Takumi smiled as Skuld started laughing.
"No seriously did I? Did I Tai?!" she said following him into the other room as he went to bed.
. . .
The next morning Takumi rolled over, only to find Urd staring at him under the covers. "Did I?" she whispered.
"Yeah - when you were pregnant," he smiled back at her.
"Did we really have a kid?" she said suddenly sincere.
He nodded rolling in the covers. "She was beautiful. Just like you."
"Tai, was she - ?"
"She had your hair," he replied.
"And . . . was I -?"
"You were a good mother, yeah," he said putting his arms around her.
"I – I know it's just a story but, how . . ." she said, asking the first of many additional questions that morning.
Above them on the shelf sat a single stone, that which Takumi had discovered in his pocket upon his return, carved in Sora's hand.
Over in the Morisato bed a similar conversation was going on, as Belldandy stuck her head out beside Keiichi. "But what do you think Keiichi?" she continued. "Do you think that . . ."
"I don't know, he seems to believe it. At some level it could make sense. I suppose it's real for him," Keiichi shrugged.
Belldandy bit her lip, touching her fingers together gingerly. "Still, it was nice to hear about . . ."
"What?"
"Baby," Belldandy replied finally. "He said we -."
"Well we can't be sure of anything," he reminded her.
But Bell was already well into her imagination, "I'll bet he had a little head of hair like yours," she said. "What do you think his eyes were like?"
"I'm sure Takumi has an answer for you," he replied.
"I think I probably carried him like this -," she said snuggling against him.
. . .
"I trust you received my gift," Hild said overlooking Tokyo Bay from atop the Yokohama landmark tower.
"Rest assured we were waiting," Idunn replied approaching behind her. "Looking over your triumph?" she asked.
"Ah, it would have been too much work to rebuild it," she muttered as they both smiled.
"Not to mention a fair amount of our business comes from this city," Idunn added. "No, I think we should put a little statue of you up somewhere. . ."
"I'm immune to your teasing. Besides he had a plan - his paid pigeons dove under the ship."
"You're kidding? Well he always was kind of minimalist. But as to the rest - how did it go?"
"I seem to be missing a granddaughter."
"I see." They stood side by side for a moment, together in silence. "It was a tough call. Foreveryone. Perhaps . . ."
"Perhaps nothing. We know what they really want. But they won't win. Not in the end."
I'm sorry Hild. But for Urd, it gives you more time."
"Yes, and for that I'm thankful. They stood together looking to the East. "Remember how this was in the old days?" Hild said finally. "Nothing but trees . . ."
"And mosquitoes," Idunn reminded her. "You know our current detainee isn't our only problem."
"No indeed. We know now just how serious the problem is. And to extinguish it, well . . . But don't worry. It's a new world now, and everything is going to be different," she replied.
"You're planning something big?" Idunn asked.
"Massive," Hild muttered.
A dozen miles away, Skuld and Sentaro continued to run free along the Tama river floodplain. Skuld ran her hands over the river grass, knowing now that something new was growing. But then that's what it is to be young - and carefree. The years that followed would be good, at the temple, and for Nekomi Tech crew. The calm would not last forever of course, but that is a story, for another time. . .
END
The OMGTerran Arc completes in Book IV:
Oh My Goddess: WILL