Chapter Restructured & Expanded: 01-05-23.
CHAPTER XIII
Brūn Blæc (Black Dusk)
IX • CM Sunnandæg of Gastesmōnaþ
(The 9th Day of Ghost Month, Sun's Day, 900)
Past Sunset
Swerving past a volley of arrows, the dragon sweeps down in a frightful display of power. Enshrouded within soot, a piercing shriek bellows from its gullet. A sonic boom forms inside its maw; the squall smashing through powdery blackness then jetting skywards.
The defenders yell out in surprise as a tower is blasted by the fiery monster. Many tumbles to the floor in shock, while others scream in terror.
"W-what is this thing?!" The Captain of the Guard screeches above the quaking of stone. This beast has ploughed a hole straight through the tower by just squawking at it?! Lifting her visor to see properly, she swiftly shoots it back down. H-here it comes!
Natsuki, who had arrived with arrows only seconds prior, is shoved aside by the Captain. "What the he—?!" Natsuki shrieks in accusation, the air slamming from her lungs as her back smashes against stone. Speech cut and her back against the damaged tower, Natsuki stares as rubble crashes before her.
H-has the Captain ju—
"The fire has jumped into the bailey! We need more water down here!" — "Chie? Where's the Commander?!" — "Look out, it's coming back!"
Chaos rains down upon Guadeloupe as the dragon spins within the horizon. Projectiles uselessly bounce off its wings or get totally disintegrated within flames. A mournful cry pierces the heavens as golden flames ripple; the ember feathers transforming into ebony.
Natsuki, who is stuck in place, realises something: Is this a Key? She's surely not right, is sh—Oh, Gods'. "V-Viola?!" She throws the arrows down and twists around breathlessly, searching the anarchic battlements desperately.
She doesn't understand why, but she needs to find Viola.
At that moment, the Captain hurls herself from the tower debris. "Stupid birdbrain!" She shakes her fist towards the dragon, not having noticed the stunned Ánhere beside her. Slightly dented plate armour rattling, she lifts her visor and bellows a scream: "PULL IT DOWN! FIRE THE BALLISTAS! I DON'T CARE HOW! DEEEESTROY IIIIT!"
Spinning around, Haruka directs a finger towards Natsuki. "You! Ánhere, bring the pitch barrels to the ballistas! We're going to blast it out of the sky!"
But she needs—Natsuki stares at the armoured blonde in disbelief before kicking herself out of it. Rushing back to the drop site, she swiftly searches for the pitch barrels. Luckily she quickly recognises one, and heaves it onto its side.
The dragon is overhead but isn't attacking. Why? It almost looks as though it is searching for something—or someone?
Ballista bolts sour the skies, but the fiery demon evades every shot. Ammunition running sparse, desperation quickly grips the Palace. Still the dragon flies overhead: Searching—hunting.
"...W-when a Wælcyrge dies, their Key falls into bloodthirsty rage." Viola is eased upwards by Tomoe from a nearby merlon. "Humanity cannot kill a God."
"Shizuru…? What are you…" Tomoe's question falls on deaf ears as the Arcewælcyrge pushes away from her. What is she… No. "Shizuru!" She isn't seriously going t—"SHIZURU!" Lunging a hand for her, Tomoe's fingers graze through tawny strands.
It is far too late, for Shizuru has already jumped the battlements. Dismayed, Tomoe stares at the spot the Wælcyrge had been moments prior. "S-Shiz…" Lurching for the merlon, she peers down the perilous drop. Amazed, she watches as a monumental lindwurm materialises beneath the Arcewælcyrge. Relief consumed Tomoe's soul as she sighs.
"The Arcewælcyrge's fallen!" — "W-wait… w-what's that?!"
Viola's what…? Natsuki freezes beside the first ballista. Abandoning the pitch barrel, she frantically searches the outer curtain below. W-what's… that…? Lips falling agape, Natsuki's gaze languidly rises with the lindwurm.
The serpent is immense! H-how is it… floating?! Taking a step backwards, Natsuki yelps as she trips over the barrel. "Viola?!" She roars in absolute confusion. The Arcewælcyrge catches wind of her and their gaze leisurely locks. "W-what's that?!" She accuses, unable to fathom the correct term. What even is this thing?! A dragon, a snake?!
"Natsuki." Viola murmurs atop the wingless lindwurm as it hovers close to the battlements. "You must find Tomoe." Reaching for the battlements, she outstretched an arm. Fingertips grazing along the Ánhere's jaw, she says: "Stay by her side… Haruka." Viola turns her attention to the Captain of the Guard who appears just as bewildered. "Order your forces to retreat. Only the Wælcyrgan can put down Kagutsuchi."
Ka-guts-waa? Natsuki's face scrunches up in bafflement as she glances towards the Captain. Leaning stiffly against the battlement merlon, Natsuki shivers as Viola's nails brush along her skin. As quickly as the odd sensation forms, it disperses as the Wælcyrge eases away.
A forlorn cry echoes above the raging forest fire, drawing their attention away.
"Seriously." Haruka grumbles as she crosses her arms. Dancing her fingers against her couter piece in thought, she then grabs a nearby archer. "Sound the bell. We're retreating to the inner bailey!"
"V-Viola." Natsuki makes the motion to speak, but is tugged back by the Captain. "W-wha—get off me." She growls.
"Do you have any idea what's about to happen?"
"No?"
"Shizuru!" Tomoe came rushing up to them, having finally pushed through their forces. "What are you doing?! Surely there's another way!" Hands clutching stone, Tomoe makes a move to reach Viola. Rather, Armitage's fingers hook inside her cuirass' backpiece, halting her. Enraged, the Ánhere twists within Haruka's hold. "Release me!"
"I can't do that." The Captain uncharacteristically confesses softly as the bell rings throughout the Palace.
"Tomoe, this is not goodbye."
"How do you know that?! You're weak, Shizuru!"
The Arcewælcyrge silently acknowledges her as a whisper of something crossed her fatigue-stricken features.
"Kiyohime will kill you!" Panicking as the lindwurm starts edging away, Tomoe struggles within the Captain's hold. "Will you listen to me?! Unhand me already!"
"Tomoe, it's no use, is it?" Natsuki mutters flatly as she tears herself away from Haruka. "...She always gets the last say."
As the Palace forces retreat from the battlements, Viola turns her attention to the skies.
The dragon is circling overhead. Is it awaiting her? Taking a final look towards the Palace, Viola's heart sinks. Maybe this is the end? Will she fail like her predecessors?
It seems mayhaps the case for her gaze transfers to the Sprites Forest. Unto here, an inferno has overtaken the treeline: Ash rolls the skies, blanketing the night horizon into deep grey.
How long do they have until the firestorm engulfs Guadeloupe and the surrounding Province?
Bells reverberate throughout the forested region. Chaos and confusion is undoubtedly sparking as the signal pyres draw closer to the capital. She doesn't have long.
"Kiyohime." The great wingless serpent dips down, allowing her to set her feet down upon the ground. Once standing, Viola directs her Key's attention towards the sky. "The Lord of Inferno has been emancipated. He must be annihilated." The white snake lifted its head towards the dragon, flicking its tongue out. "I will be fine here. I have the Anchor of Manipulation."
The Key hovered around her before jettisoning upwards. Dirt and cinders are propelled aside by its hulking frame.
Hooking her fingers around her chained necklace, Viola pulls the Anchor from beneath her cuirass. The kaleidoscopic crystal flickers within emberlight as she pincers it between her thumb and middle digit.
Removing the chain from around her neck, she raises it. The Anchor glows brightly with disturbing power. This is dangerous; she doesn't have the energy, but what choice does she have?
Guiding the Anchor towards her bosom, artificial Ardour fills her soul.
'Now.'
Unsheathing her sabre, Viola adjusts her grip on the crystal. Its tip balances perfectly within her palm before lifting—chain included. "Kiyohime!" Arcing her blade skywards, it phases through the Anchor. Emerald sorcery rockets from it, billowing around her with destructive power.
Skywards, the lindwurm's body curls; shooting like an arrow towards the dragon, its venomous maw opens. Four terrifying fangs are revealed before gorging into fiery flesh.
On land, the Arcewælcyrge staggers in agony as Kiyohime is partially charred. Could Kiyohime withstand a boundless Key? Hand free from her Anchor, she presses its heel to her temple in discomfort. Hell if she knows. A pained sigh releases from her lips.
Kiyohime is constricting around Kagutsuchi's frame. Obsidian fire drenches the lindwurm, frying scales to a crisp; yet still the Key persists. An enraged scream tears from the dragon before masticating the serpent.
Crimson blood spurts violently from the serpent's middle, cascading downwards to the Palace below. Rage submerges Kiyohime into a slaughter. Strangling tremendously, she doesn't cease until a sickening crack sounds.
The dragon squalls in distress as its body shudders from the extreme domination. Tighter the lindwurm cruelly garrots until the mighty Kagutsuchi slips from her grasp. Plunging downwards, he slams into the inferno's canopy.
S-she… Viola meanwhile takes a step backwards. Sabre slipping from her fingertips, the blade uselessly falls to the floor. The jade radiance flickers around her.
H-her energy is dispersing.
Feeling as though she is burning alive internally, her knees slam into mud.
"S-Shizuru!"
Stare pulling up, Viola's attention distractedly wanders towards the Palace. There, by the gatehouse's portcullis, Tomoe is held back by Natsuki. Right... s-he... Heaving back onto unsteady feet, the Arcewælcyrge leans down for her sabre.
A traumatic roar reverberates from the forest above the firestorm. The boundless Key is obviously alive.
Giving a final glance towards her Ánhergas, the Wælcyrge limps towards the forestedge.
There is no way she could access Kagutsuchi from here. Smoke ploughs within her lungs, causing her to heave. Stepping backwards, she shouts into the heavens: "Ki-y-yohime!"
The lindwurm plunges into the inferno, causing charred trees to fall in her wake. But still the fire is spreading. They need to control it before it reaches Guadeloupe.
Summoning her Anchor, the crystal returns to her palm. She has a single chance.
Equipping her Anchor, it clinks against her cuirass as she observes a small opening by the dragon. The Arcewælcyrge takes the initiative.
"W-what is she doing?!" Tomoe yells angrily. Relentlessly she struggles within Natsuki's hold. They are still by the open portcullis. "Let me go!" An army of soldiers bypass them with pails of water and moss. Why did Natsuki fucking care suddenly?! "You're dead if she dies!"
"No shit?" This woman is driving Natsuki insane.
More soldiers passed them, these ones brandishing spades and wheelbarrows. Are they going to fight the fire? Struggling with Tomoe who starts to sink to the floor, Natsuki distractedly looks at her. "Tomoe?"
Armour rattling, the elder Ánhere pushes from her grip. Spinning, she faces Natsuki's side and hooks a knee into her middle. Slamming Natsuki downwards, she abandons the winded woman.
W-wha—heaving for air, Natsuki can only gaspingly watch as Tomoe bolts for the forest. Why does this entire Palace have a death wish?!
Tremendous power stuns Tomoe in place as she halts by the inferno's edge. There, past the treeline she takes witness as Viola stands before Kagutsuchi. From here she could sense the Arcewælcyrge's overflowing strength merging together.
It is unbearable.
Sinking to her knees, the Ánhere's palms clasped to her temples. The spiritual power drills within her mind, splitting reality and illusion in half. H-her Wælcyrge's pinnacle of existence is—"Shizuru!" Tomoe howls through the blaze separating them.
Thenceforth, Arcewælcyrge Viola lifts her blade aloft. An indescribable intensity rips the atmosphere as her sabre plunges downwards. Anchor whirling with Ardour, Viola sinks her blade into Kagutsuchi's skull.
Blood spews from its cranium like a bizarre fountain. Mixing with fire, the Wælcyrge is soaked.
Then—terror.
A faltering scream belonging neither to Kagutsuchi or Kiyohime tears the fiery skies.
Time stands still for Tomoe who doesn't notice Natsuki stumble to her side. They watch as hellfire dominates their Wælcyrge, until… nothing at all.
An otherworldly wind sweeps the Sprites Forest, diminishing the firestorm. Within the forest's edge, Kagutsuchi's desecrated skeleton lies coiled around Viola.
Kiyohime is nowhere to be seen.
"V-Viola…?" Natsuki lumbers on over to the Arcewælcyrge.
Somehow, as if the Gods' themselves had protected her, Viola hasn't been charred. She is, however, incredibly injured.
The gash along Viola's forehead has somehow ruptured open. It is as though it hadn't been sutured at all. Kneeling over her, Natsuki delicately rolls Viola onto her back.
She isn't waking up.
Something is wrong.
Natsuki encloses her palm atop Viola's closed eyes. Wiping the blending blood away, her breath hitches.
N-no. Think straight. If she's dead, surely she herself should cease to be?
Hand sliding downwards, she rests it atop the woman's cuirass. Fingers brushing against the Anchor, a painful and all consuming spark shoots through her limb. Snatching her hand away, a pained sigh releases from her lips. W-what?
"The Arcewælcyrge's this way!"
Somehow, Natsuki knows what is wrong.
She darts her hands to the Wælcyrge's shoulders. Unfastening the cuirass from the shoulders to sides, a dread set in realisation: Beneath the iron, Viola's gambeson is soaked. It is her cauterised wound, isn't it…?
Holding her breath within the tension, Natsuki slowly prises the plate away from her chest. U-ugh… the scent of blood is unbearable!
Sure enough, the mahogany fabric has two large blemishes which quickly grow. Her cauterised wound has reopened, but so has the… her killing blow? "V-Viola." She whispers, shaking the woman's shoulder. "Vio—"
Eased away from the Arcewælcyrge, time froze for the young Ánhere. Wha-t's happening…?
What she doesn't realise is that a soldier is carrying her away.
"Interesting… all of her previous wounds have split open." Helene is slouching over Viola who has been placed onto a surgery table. "It's almost as though she didn't have them treated…" Turning her attention to her visitors, a sigh releases from her lips. "You two better behave yourselves. My colleagues will throw you out faster than you could comprehend."
Natsuki and Tomoe anxiously sit on a nearby bench.
The moment the flames had mysteriously dispersed, they had been lugged to the infirmary.
Everything went so fast that they are still in shock. What has happened? Last they are aware, Viola had executed Kagutsuchi and his fire should've annihilated her. Confusingly, she isn't scorched.
How does any of this make sense?
"...She's losing a lot of blood. Irina, bring me the needles, thread, scarpel and cloth. We don't have much time left."
As time clicks by overbearingly, the two Ánhergas are worse for wear.
Helene has scarcely noticed it, but Irina has. They aren't well, are they? Is it because of the Arcewælcyrge's spiritual level flatlining?
She looks to the duo who are restless. Irina is yet to get to know Natsuki, but Tomoe? She looks dreadful.
The elder Ánhere is looking elsewhere—she has been this entire time. Tomoe looks as though she suffers from a mysterious ailment. Natsuki too…
"...Those two also need help."
Natsuki meanwhile is lost within her own world. Feeling Tomoe's cuirass suddenly pressing into her side, she flinches. Darting her eyes to the armoured woman, Natsuki stares in confusion. Never has she seen Tomoe like this; she appears so weak.
"Are you alright?" She forces quietly to the elder who struggles to sit back straight. "It's the spiritual energy, isn't it?" Violet-steel locks with her jade gaze, silencing her. S-she… huh?
"I don't know… probably?" Tomoe mumbles as she languidly removes a gauntlet. Throwing the piece aside on their bench, she slid her palm against her face. The protective glove covering her skin did very little to soothe her fried nerves. "I don't understand why it isn't affecting you."
"You misunderstand. It is."
"Not spiritually."
Isn't it? Natsuki is anxious for Viola—she truly is. But she hadn't any idea what spiritual weakness feels like. Has she recently been experiencing it? Honestly she hasn't a clue. "What does it feel like?"
"Like the world is crushing you. There's never any hope when this happens. There's only suffering until it ends."
Hm. Natsuki's gaze sweeps to the Arcewælcyrge who Helene slouches over still. Armour pierces and clothing surround the medical scientist who works away swiftly.
Natsuki's… what? Afraid for Viola? She doesn't understand a thing that has happened! Yet… the Viola that she has witnessed recently is different. How? But… the scent of blood isn't relenting.
Natsuki fears she will never forget the smell.
Lifting her hands in examination, she stares at her blood stained skin. S-she… Panicking, she slides her palms against her trousers. "W-what happens if…" The words slip from her lips before she has the chance to think: "...she doesn't wake up?" Natsuki stares at the prone Arcewælcyrge atop the surgery table.
A suture needle is currently threading Viola's side back together. Even from here, the smell is oppressive. She feels sick just watching, especially when Woods' pulls away from Viola with a blood drenched cloth.
"Ugh…"
Twisting, Natsuki turns her back on Tomoe so she faces horizontally. Clasping her palms to her face, she dips downwards. She could no longer stomach this. Watching Viola destroy something so monstrous, only to be severely wounded was…
What?
What did it mean?!
'Why do I care?!'
After what feels like an insufferable millennium, Helene eases away from Viola. "I've finished stitching up her abdomen. I'm moving onto the breast." She saw fatty tissue peeking from the large incision. "It looks in bad shape… It will be difficult to stitch it up as the scar tissue is so delicate. I may have to sacrifice some of its shape." Reaching for a cloth, Helene gently dabs more blood which oozes from the injury.
"You don't think you'll…" Irina hesitantly looks at Tomoe and Natsuki. "...have to do a mastectomy?"
"The shock will probably kill her if I do that."
They only have so much technology here. The machinery which is active around them is working thanks to years of study. If they did have more available, perhaps she could perform miracles? Closing her eyes briefly, Helene sighs before leaning back over Viola.
Gently, she moves the Arcewælcyrge's Anchor away from her left breast. They couldn't even remove this, else she'd succumb to her nulled Ardour.
Natsuki has no clue what they speak about, and she knows she doesn't want to know.
Glancing over her shoulder, she looks to Tomoe whose side slumps against the wall. Is she conscious? Hesitantly she stretched a hand towards her shoulder. "Tomo—"
"—Don't speak to me."
Breath catching in her throat, Natsuki rolls her fingers to her palm. Letting her arm limp into her lap, her gaze drops to the tiled floor instead.
Viola will be alright, won't she?
Those two are stitching her back together, so surely…?
Something isn't right. But what is that?
Natsuki's leg bobs with apprehension as she looks back at Viola.
"I've found a section I can suture. The blood vessels are also fine."
Nervous emeralds immediately veer from the sight.
Another monumental wait gives way. This time, the surgery is complete.
Lifting her bloody gloves, Helene heaves a breath of relief. "Only time will tell now. Irina, fetch me fresh rags and a basin. We'll clean her up, dress her and wheel her into the ward for recovery."
Natsuki's gaze slowly picks up from the floor. Heaving up onto her feet, she lumbers towards the surgery table. "H-how is sh—"
"—Don't get too close." Irina cautions her, Helene quickly leaving the room. "You were close to the fire yourself. The particles could get into her system and cause more complications."
She has no idea what Irina is talking about. Clenching her teeth behind sealed lips, Natsuki briefly glares. Silently, she observes Viola's body instead. Her once cauterised wound is now stitched. Her breast though… Natsuki looks upon her bare torso in conflict. Stitches run from the top of the breast to the nipple. It looks like Helene has only just managed to save the nipple. The stitches circled its bottom portion.
Her forehead meanwhile, is nicely stitched back up.
Tomoe silently comes to Natsuki's side to observe her as well.
Natsuki is unable to fathom what is going through the elder Ánhere's face. A multitude of expressions fly across Tomoe's face before she wobbles towards the exit.
"I need air." She mutters.
"You should too, Natsuki." Irina motions a hand towards the door after a few more minutes. "Keep an eye on Tomoe, she looks like she's breaking down."
She supposed Irina's right.
Heading for the exit, Natsuki enters the hallway. The door into the infirmary is ajar—no doubt Tomoe hadn't shut it. Through it, she could hear signs of life. Heading towards it, she grasps its handle and peers through the gap.
Numerous soldiers are here, having received treatment or are still awaiting it.
When entering, many of them look her way silently. Feeling on edge, Natsuki bypasses them and climbs the stairs. What is that about? Are they hoping that Viola is miraculously awake?
Now within the servants' wing, Natsuki's gaze jumps across either end of the corridor.
Empty.
If she was Tomoe, where would she hide? She honestly has no clue.
Up on the surface, security is tight. There are Knights and archers patrolling everyplace. Certainly someone's seen Tomoe? "Have you seen the other Ánhere?" She asks a random Knight who shakes his head.
Slipping past him within the tight corridor, she heads towards their quarters.
Arriving by the door, Natsuki hesitantly touches the handle. It isn't locked. Tomoe either wants to be found or is being sloppy. Pushing it open slowly, she carefully peers into the dark room.
There's no one inside, but Viola's bedroom door is open. Shutting the entrance subtly, Natsuki creeps towards this room.
It still amazes her how ascetic Viola's living style is sometimes. Their quarters have the bare minimum whilst other high ranking officials live like Kings. Or rather, is something sinister at play here instead? Natsuki's boot lands upon a floorboard which creaks loudly.
Wincing, Natsuki freezes within Viola's bedroom beside the open balcony entrance. Just feet away, Tomoe hauls herself up from a seat, handaxe lifting. They stare at one another intensely, before Tomoe immediately loses interest.
"You never know when to quit, do you?" Tomoe mutters, placing her handaxe down onto the outdoor table. Sitting herself back down, she props an elbow to the armrest. Jaw supported within her hand, she stares up at the Moon.
"You left the door unlocked, you know?" Natsuki heads out onto the balcony. "Where's the key?" The elder Ánhere discards it, throwing it onto the table carelessly. "Has this ever happened before?"
"Be more specific."
Natsuki sighs for perhaps the umpteenth time. "Has a Wælcyrge ever been injured like this? How was she not touched by the flames, yet her old wounds burst open?"
Hadn't Tomoe already told her she knows very little? She stares over her shoulder to her blankly. Much to her chagrin, Natsuki then sits herself down beside her. Ugh, now what?
"You saw it—the green shimmering—what was that?"
"Spiritual energy at its strongest. Leave me alone before I make you."
Eyeing her, Natsuki's mind is set. "Remember to lock the door." She stands up and heads for the exit.
"The Wælcyrge Cranic? I can translate it, but it will take time."
The Royal Scholar's office is piled to the brim by books.
Dark oak bookcases line every available space the walls offer. When there aren't tomes, there are instead materials and tools. Aren't some of these even for alchemy?
Natsuki feels overwhelmed within this room. Somehow it is far grander than the Forest Witch 's library? "Helene said Viola is in a coma." Natsuki tells Shiro whose spectabled gaze turns to her. "Maybe that book knows how to deal with it?"
It is some hours after the battle with Kagutsuchi. Ever since returning to the infirmary, Natsuki's mind has been wild.
She had been the one to suggest looking at the Wælcyrge Cranic. Though, it seems this scholar is the only one within the Palace who is able to translate it.
He wears a cream tailcoat with a white waistcoat beneath. His collar is a total mess with no neckerchief in sight. In fact, the scholar's hair is even unkempt as he takes the book gently.
"It may very well. I've taken numerous looks at the Wælcyrge Cranic before, but only briefly." Turning to its contents—Natsuki is amazed it has one, honestly—Shiro studies it. "Spiritual Maladies, there we go…" Heaving the pages to the correct location, he slowly read a few paragraphs.
Peering over his shoulder, Natsuki's face scrunches up. Is this truly their language? There are so many of those strange letters from before. How can anyone understand this? "You can read this?"
"Quite well, but fluently? Not so much." The scholar chuckles. "Here's something interesting." He points to a particular paragraph. "Prismatic crystals taken afar… from the Heart of… something. The Arcewælcyrgan chosen by Suihōhime fell first… something, something… soul mad beneath the Sun…?"
"Soul mad beneath the Sun?" Natsuki speaks finally. "Suihōhime?"
"I don't know. A metaphor, maybe?" Tracking an index back to the name, he explains: "Suihōhime is the Crystal Princess of Hell. Over the years I've theorised that the Anchors somehow relate to her. These prismatic crystals may very well be Anchors as she is also a Key Goddess of death, afterlife and omens."
Huh? The Spymaster spoke about these Keys before. W-wait. The snake that Viola controlled—that is her Key, isn't it? Lips slipping open, Natsuki stares at the yellowed pages of the tome. "What's Viola's Key?"
"Kiyohime." Shiro heaves the book back to the contents. "Key… Key… Key…" He murmurs in fruitless search before finally finding it. Again he strains to the correct location. A huge archive of information greets them, each Key receiving decades—if not centuries—worth of knowledge. "Kiyohime. Goddess of Wurms, curses and deceit."
Natsuki frowns. Wurms? Deceit? "W-what's… a wurm?" She feels stupid asking such a thing. Not the wiggly earthworms, right?
"A great fearsome serpent that usually has no wings. There are quite a few types." The Royal Scholar explains, reaching behind him for another book titled Mysterious Entities: Monsters and Witchcraft.
"In the east, they tend to have legs. The cold north however; they have monstrous horns littering their body. Unfortunately, we know very little of the southern wurms. Here though, they have smooth scaled bodies with deadly fangs. The type of wurm you saw is of western descent—a lindwurm." Opening the book to the correct page, he offers it to the Ánhere who takes it.
Upon these pages are sketches of these wurms. "So… a Key changes its appearance depending on the Wælcyrge's location?"
"And their ethnicity." Shiro nods.
Lindwurm… Miðgarðsormr… lóng… Ayida-Weddo. Natsuki stares at the names, wondering how the latter three are even pronounced. "But how do these relate to comas?" She raises her head, placing the book down upon the desk. "When that dragon-thing exploded, Viola should've been vaporised."
"Across the world, wurms are historically known to have elemental powers. With this, it can be assumed Kiyohime protected the Arcewælcyrge from Kagutsuchi's fire." Shiro gazes upon the Wælcyrge Cranic once more, searching through Kiyohime's section. "I believe she's currently within a Psychic Coma—or something similar. Witches' fall into Psychic Comas—known as spiritual hibernation—due to releasing too much spiritual energy. During their coma, they slowly regain their spiritual energy from their surroundings."
"So Viola will eventually wake up?"
"I don't think so. Though she is wearing her Anchor—she is, isn't she?" He frowns with concern. When Natsuki nods, he hums. "Hm, well…" He brushes his fingers to his lips in thought. "The problem is, Anchors don't necessarily store the precise spiritual energy a Wælcyrge requires. Rather, they keep the harvested souls contained appropriately so they can't cause complications."
"Complications…?" Natsuki echoes.
"Soul Madness." Lowering his fingertips to his chin, Shiro muses. "We need something to awaken her. Something that will boost her spiritual energy." Drawing his chair from the desk, he eases to his feet. "If you allow it, I would like to examine the Arcewælcyrge."
Machines hum above the light chatter inside the Underground Facility.
As Natsuki passes through with Shiro, she catches sight of Chie. She stands beside the Queen's lady in waiting. What is her name, again?
Either way, she is discussing something with the Knight-Commander whose arm is in a sling. Is she injured? Wait, Natsuki could've sworn she remembered something about her being shouted about during the battle.
Bypassing a bunch of wounded soldiers still awaiting an appointment, Natsuki strides into the infirmary corridor. Standing by the door, she remains there hesitantly before Shiro glances at her questioningly.
"Are you alright?"
It's just technology that's keeping Viola alive.
Natsuki tries to remind herself of this, but it is incredibly hard. Why did it still make her apprehensive? What in the Gods' names causes her to feel this way? Is it truly like how Helene explained it?
As long as there is an understandable connection, she can comprehend technology. But the moment the technology leaps generations, she is clueless.
Lights are straightforward, even if she doesn't understand exactly what electricity is—a sigh released from Natsuki's lips. "Sorry." She speaks gruffly, forcing herself to open the door and head inside.
This section where the operation has taken place is vacant. Luckily, the surgery table has already been scrubbed clean and not a hint of blood is evident. This doesn't help to calm her nerves anywhat, unfortunately.
Teetering on the edge, Natsuki could only follow after Shiro who heads for the recovery ward. Or, maybe it isn't the technology agitating her, but Viola? After all, the seemingly true Viola has shown herself at last.
Though… Natsuki halts inside the corridor, her expression scrunching up. 'Kiyohime. Goddess of Wurms, curses and deceit.' Wait, of deceit? Why didn't this click before?! "Wai—" Too late, for Shiro has already entered the ward.
A multitude of scenarios spark within Natsuki's head as she compells herself inside.
Had Viola tricked her all along? N-no! Why couldn't her stupid head just make up its mind?! Standing before Viola's bed, her eyes leap to the machinery suspiciously. There are wires everywhere! Why? Suddenly, she notices they aren't the only occupiers of the room.
Helene's sitting at her desk within the chamber's centre, staring at her oddly. The scientist seemingly reads what is wrong and stands.
"Natsuki, come here for a moment." She summons her with the waft of her fingers.
Given no other logical choice, the Ánhere did so.
Awkwardly standing beside Helene's desk, Natsuki's gaze wanders back to Viola. She is still totally unconscious, but at least she has been dressed. "How's… Viola?" She quietly dares to ask, suddenly feeling fatigued. Shiro comes to a stop beside her.
"Stable." She turns her attention to the Royal Scholar. "Takamura, I assume I know why you're here? To examine the Arcewælcyrge?" Receiving a nod, she slides a roll of parchment towards him. "Read this before starting. Natsuki, follow me."
Being guided towards Viola's bedside, Natsuki is introduced to a plethora of medical equipment.
Every machine here functions to keep her stable? One has a screen with a jolting line that is insistently noisy. Natsuki wishes it'd shut up. This strange, droning device is also connected to Viola; white tubes tucking beneath her ruffled shirt.
"This." Helene gestures to the machine, settling her hand atop it: "Is called a heart monitor. It gives us an endless status to her condition. If her heart is failing, we will be warned beforehand."
How does Viola even have a heart if it had been destroyed before? "I still don't understand how she has one." She sighs, causing the elder woman to quirk a brow. "I don't understand anything."
Viola's Wælcyrge had healed it, but how does one fix something that no longer exists? Just like these machines, she understands null.
"My head's spinning." Suddenly, a chair is dragged over, and Natsuki warily looks at Helene. Wha—oh. The scientist's hand lands onto her shoulder, easing her down onto it.
"I will just say then, that although you don't understand what these do, they're keeping her alive."
Unfortunately it's very common for people to not understand the technology Helene uses. Their use of "witchcraft" inside the Palace is a closely guarded secret. Wind is yet to discover the miracles they have Anchored over the decades.
It is likely they will know nothing for a long time indeed.
"If you have any concerns, feel free to tell me." Heading towards a nearby sink, the scientist pours a glass of water. Returning, she offers it to Natsuki. "For your head." She smiles.
Taking the glass dubiously, Natsuki could only continue to stare at Viola's prone form.
Helene has already returned to her desk, speaking quietly with Shiro.
Today she has witnessed Viola kill a God. Ka… gu… something or other. Not only does technology confuse her, but the supernatural does as well. What has happened today has been absurd, yet… she mutters under her breath.
Here she is, before her Wælcyrge who instead of getting annihilated, has survived. Albeit having her insides almost spill from her body.
Pressing her lips to her glass, Natsuki studies Viola's face. There are even tubes going inside her mouth and nose. Yet… she looks peaceful. It catches Natsuki off guard who continues to stare. This is the first time she has seen Viola look so… so… calm.
"She isn't burned, no." Helene's voice echoes across the ward faintly. "The pressure seems to have caused her old wounds to reopen. Though, I suspect this may have happened because her spiritual energy is super-compressed. Everyone within the vicinity felt it, I can't imagine what she herself has experienced."
"It sounds unwise to immediately reintroduce her to spiritual energy, then. Even if we had the means to do so." Shiro murmurs, brushing his fingers across his lips as he studies the parchment at the table.
Watching the pair out of the corner of her eye, Natsuki sips her water. Super-compressed energy…?
"I have a theory that Kiyohime protected the Arcewælcyrge from the fire."
"Oh?"
"Kiyohime is a Wurm. Across the world, they are known to manipulate the very fabric of weather and the elements. It may very well be the case that with her heightened spiritual energy, Kiyohime was supercharged."
"...and allowed Kiyohime greater control." Helene adds, cupping her jaw in thought. Soon, her eyes lock with the lone Ánhere. "Natsuki." She approaches her again, gesturing for Shiro to follow. "I would like you to fetch the Spymaster and if you're able, Tomoe."
"Tomoe wants nothing to do with me right now." Natsuki reminds her, taking another sip of her water. A plan is clearly forming within Helene's mind.
"Tell her that without her aid, the Arcewælcyrge will never awaken."
That is rather morbid. Natsuki stares at the scientist before finishing the water. "Fine." Pushing the glass into Helene's hold, she eases up onto her feet. It isn't like she has anything better to do, and staring at Viola is just depressive. "But I'm not promising anything about Tomoe."
"Of course." Helene smiles. "We'll be here."
The woman's voice becomes fainter as Natsuki exits the ward.
Ignoring the stares she receives from the soldiers, Natsuki heads straight for the stairs.
She still can't figure out what is going on. Everything is going so fast that Natsuki can't keep pace. Does she honestly want to end up like Tomoe, though? She has been stuck in her head so much she refuses any contact at all.
This uncertainty follows her as she enters the servants' wing.
What is she going to do about Tomoe, anyways? Helene has made it sound so easy; she doubts it will be. Picking her gaze up from the floorboards, her attention moves to a small gathering by the Spymaster's door.
"Yeah, I'm having the uninjured Knights bring it in now." The Captain of the Guard speaks with Mahya. "We're having to build a pulley for it though."
"That is good." The Spymaster nods, her gaze sweeping down the corridor towards Natsuki. "Never in recorded history has anyone managed to study the bones of a Key. I wonder what we shall discover?"
"Hopefully a better way to kill the damned things." Haruka grumbles, her arms crossing. She notices Natsuki as well.
"Helene needs you down in the ward." Natsuki motions to Mahya who nods again.
"Haruka, I must be off. Good luck with the hauling."
"Go without me." Natsuki tells the Spymaster as she brushes past both women. "I need to find Tomoe."
Or rather, drag her.
Slipping past the corner, Natsuki heads directly for the quarters. Once returning, she tries opening the door. Finding it unlocked, she sighs. Tomoe has clearly refused to listen to her. This is going to be a pain, isn't it?
"Tomoe?" She peers into the dark quarters. Slipping inside, her eyes are pulled to a mild glow on the table. The Witch 's communication rune?
She had said t—oh no. Closing the door, she hurries towards it and hesitantly picks it up. How does this thing wo—
"—Hello? Oh, thank goodness!"
Natsuki flinches, almost flinging the thing across the room in shock. The Witch 's voice is inside her head?! "H-how?"
"Natsuki? Is that you?"
"Y-yeah." Natsuki sits herself down, staring at the strange beacon thrumming with light.
"Listen to me, something awful is about to—"
"—It's already happened. We got attacked—by a Key. Viola killed it, but she's in a coma now." A crushing silence soaks the quarters before Yukino's voice invades her head again.
"Which Key was it?
"A dragon." Natsuki's face scrunches up. "Ka...gut…" Ugh, why did these Keys have such silly names?
"Kagutsuchi. It's as I feared… Is Tomoe with you?"
"No. But I think she's close." Standing, Natsuki heads for Viola's bedroom and opens the door. Noticing the balcony entrance isn't open, she pauses.
Has Tomoe left the quarters without locking the door?
Entering the balcony, this is indeed the case. "Or not. I don't know where she is." She peers over the balcony ledge in morbid curiosity. Fortunately, the Ánhere's body isn't found here. "She's been unresponsive since Viola killed Kagutsuchi."
"You must find her, Natsuki. Last night I finished studying her Anchor. She isn't an Ánhere at all."
What...? "W-what do you mean?" Of course Tomoe's an Ánhere! ...Right? Heading for her own bedroom, she looks inside here as well. Not finding the older woman, her patience starts wearing thin. Where in the Gods' names is she?!
"I can't go over these details yet. Please find her and make sure she stays with you. I fear if she's with Viola, she may kill her."
Yukino seriously couldn't be suggesting that Tomoe's not an Ánhere. Not only this, but she may kill her? Why isn't she telling her anything?!
Again, people are hiding things from her.
Glowering, Natsuki exits the quarters and starts aimlessly searching the servants' wing. "I'll er… I'll speak with you when I find her." Pocketing the rune out of sight, Natsuki commences the search.
At the back of her mind, Natsuki realises something: She genuinely wants to save Shizuru Viola.
"Wælcyrge of Three."
Viola jolts awake inside an endless desert of mist.
Her scarlet gaze sweeps across the land, fruitlessly searching for the voice.
Who is that? Where is she?
Sitting up within the sand, her hands sink inside the frozen grains.
The fog eases away, and in all directions, rolling sands stretch on for countless miles.
W-wait, this is—Darting her hands to her torso, Viola inspected herself quickly. She isn't charred nor are there any injuries beneath her cuirass.
She hadn't died, so why is she at the gateway to Wælheall?
Her gaze slowly pulls upwards to the monumental golden gates which have appeared before her.
Skywards a stunning aurora paints the horizon. Shimmering next catches her eye and she pulls her gaze from the spectacular sight.
Is… is her cuirass causing those lights? Her lips gape slightly in realisation, her armour and Anchor glowing prismatically.
Anh had never told her of this. But who's to say a Wælcyrge has ever experienced this in the first place?
Enclosing her palm around her Anchor, she stares as the aurora is manipulated. Then, as quickly as she beholds the experience, it disappeared. The illuminated environment warps as though she is pulled backwards in time.
Decades, if not centuries zoom by until suddenly, she finds herself in an outworldly location.
Stone walls stretch storeys tall with glazeless windows sitting below a vaulted ceiling. Timbered arches decorate the roof; the frames engraved with complex woodwork. This looks like Wind Cathedral, she realises.
Her eyes pull downwards, following the stone tiles until… Viola's eyes widened.
Beneath the nave stands someone who shouldn't exist.
"Shizuru?" Anh approaches her unsurely. Easing down onto her knees before the stunned woman, Anh's expression twitches. "L-look at you…" She murmurs, stroking her cheek gently. "You have come so far without me."
"A-Anh…?" Viola stares at her, tears welling within her eyes.
This can't be possible?! The Guardian had killed her before her very eyes!
A choking gasp releases from her lips as she is pulled into Anh's arms. "A-an-Anh!"
Her Wælcyrge hushes her silently, pressing her lips to Viola's temple. "Shizuru, listen to me." Hooking an index finger beneath her chin, Anh tilts her head so their eyes lock. "You do not have long with me." Her gaze falls between them, causing Viola's eyes to follow.
"N-no…"
The Wælcyrge can only watch Viola sadly.
When she had died, the Guardian had sliced open her gut. Blood and gore oozes from out the gorged injury, smearing her uniform. "You are also dying like I did." She forces Viola's gaze from her mortal wound, keeping their gaze trained.
"Saint Vlas is causing havoc here. You are already beneath his gaze, Shizuru." Settling a palm to Viola's cuirass, she says: "I am unsure what happened to you, but you do not have long either. You must escape this place before your soul is lost forever like mine." Blood creeps from beneath Viola's cuirass, soaking into her lap below.
"D-don't leave me again, p-please!" Viola desperately curls her arms around her dead Wælcyrge.
"I… I have to. I am sorry." Anh snakes her arms around the younger woman in the attempt to comfort her. "I have watched you, you know?" She murmurs into her ear, catching sight of something poking from Viola's trouser pocket.
What is…?
The dead Wælcyrge's heart flutters as she gently tugs it. Taking it, she plants the fabric against the tear of her own shirt. This is from her shirt…! After all these years?
"You have been so strong…" Anh presses the age-bloodied rag against Viola's chestplate, causing her own hand to be enveloped. "I am so proud of you. But it is time… let… g—"
Her eyes instead widen in shock as Viola crashes their lips together. Melting into her, the sorrowful kiss ends as quickly as it starts. "Shizu—"
Viola's environment distorts again.
Now located within a dark forest, she sags into the ground, sobbing.
W-why will this hellish place be so cruel to her?! Her gaze falls to the rag within her hand. Her heart shatters all over again, sundering her very soul. It is far more painful than her injuries. A tidal wave of loss overcoming the Arcewælcyrge.
After a time, she compels herself upwards. Heaving a breath, she forcefully switches her demeanour as though she is utterly fine.
She is not.
Wavering on her feet, she clasps the rag to her mouth. Her body feels heavier than the world itself and her heart cries out.
Lowering her hand, she gazes at her blood stained fingertips. No, she doesn't have long, and she could feel her insides. Her wounds are obvious, even beneath her armour, but they don't necessarily hurt. She just… she needs to get out of here.
But… where is she?
Painstakingly, Viola starts her trek through the forest, the rag not leaving her grip.
Her eyes nervously sweep the area, catching sight of moving shadows. Is this region dangerous?
Lowering her hand, she quickly stuffs the rag away and reaches for her sabre to unsheathe it. Only silence resonates between these trees, putting the Wælcyrge on edge.
Still she can sense eyes.
"Wælcyrge of Three Beings."
That voice from earlier speaks again. A light within the distance illuminates her path. Something feels incredibly wrong, but she is lured towards it like a moth to flame.
Fog envelopes the Arcewælcyrge, making it impossible to avoid the light.
The closer she approaches this shimmering orb, the cloudier her senses become. Darker… foggier until… nothing at all.
The moment Viola passes into the light, her surroundings vanish entirely.
Complete darkness enshrouds her on all sides.
"Arcewælcyrge Viola. To save your soul from oblivion, you must find the great ash tree with a thousand names. Thereupon its roots you shall achieve harmony with your three selves and with that, destroy it."
Viola searches for the voice, but doesn't find its owner. An ash tree? Isn't that the tree she had seen within her vision?
Her three… selves?
What is this voice talking about?
It doesn't return, and instead Viola feels as though she is falling. Her mind is spinning like a raging tempest. Then, a sight beholds her eyes that is otherworldly yet familiar.
Before her is a chapel from millennia ago. Shizuru Viola takes witness as a shadowy figure impales her past-self within the chest. Her heart vaporised, her and the figure collapse into a gorey display of death.
At that very moment, ancient memories plough into the Arcewælcyrge's mind.
Her sabre clatters to the floor as she crumples against stone tiles. Holding her skull within her hands, a portion of her bygone amnesia fades. Towards her a terrible and isolated life is revealed. Recollecting the HiME Carnival, it pours inside her brain. Decade old questions are answered, disbelief and turmoil ensuing the Wælcyrge who can't comprehend them.
Harbinger… psychopath... murderer… unfeeling monster…
Fujino Shizuru.
A woman who could not lust, who still desperately yearns for her unacquainted love: A libidoless monster with the most corrupt yet loving heart.
"N-Natsuki?"
The realisation hits Viola like an asteroid ravaging life. Whilom she adores the delinquent who seldom unveils her inner desire. Tired eyes stare at the floor as Viola's fingertips claw tile.
She had k-illed her l-ove…?
Thenceforth the rumours have always been true. She had murdered Natsuki—her Ánhere—in cold blood; as Anh had her?
N-no. No...no, no!
This is a cruel nightmare!
A choking sigh releases from Viola's bloodied lips, hair falling past her shoulders to envelope her. Yet she has witnessed the legendary aurorae and Wælheall's gateway.
I-t… is not… Heaving to her feet, the Arcewælcyrge lumbers towards the two corpses.
Their blood trickles down the chapel steps, soaking Viola's boots as she approaches. Standing before her past-self, she apprehensively stares down into cold, drying eyes.
A gaping hole is gorged within Fujino's left breast. Bits of rib are stuck within flesh, her heart completely splayed open and fried inside.
Anh had… healed that? Raising a palm, she rests it upon her cuirass.
"S-Shizuru?!"
A cry tears from behind her. Spiralling around, Viola watches as her past-self cuts Natsuki down mercilessly. With a swipe of her naginata, blood, guts and gore swerves across the chapel violently.
Toppled to her knees, Natsuki gasps for air as she starts drowning in her own blood. Then, she succumbs to the agony before Fujino's feet.
"...Natsuki?" Fujino whispers, indecisively reaching a hand towards her.
"To unlock the route to Grimmsyll, your three selves must face their worst nightmares. Only then shall you escape my domain and become whole."
"Is this a cruel joke?!" She screams up into the chapel rafters.
Not receiving an answer, Viola whirls around and discovers Fujino focusing on her solely.
Starting to feel increasingly lightheaded from the blood loss, she clasps a hand to her scalp. S-she doesn't have the mental capacity for this anymore!
Her Anchor clinks against her cuirass as her legs waver beneath her.
Though Fujino is alive before her, those eyes are soulless.
They enrapture Viola into a brief morbid trance until she realises what is happening. She leaps back, evading Fujino's blade by a hair. This couldn't be happening?!
Fujino merely stalks forward, raising her Element above her head. Swiping downwards, the blade hovers millimetres from the tiles before Fujino shuffles back into a readied stance.
This weapon reminds Viola of the spontoon, a spear similar to a halberd. The naginata's pole in total is around 5'5ft and the blade 1'5ft. How is she going to bypass this?
Grounding herself, she lunges for her sabre still resting uselessly against the floor. This whole time, she is keenly aware of the crimson blade following her. Once stilling, it is already beside her left shoulder. Quickly blocking and pushing it away with her sabre, Viola stepped back.
She is already at a complete disadvantage, her past-self thrusting the end towards her legs. This continues uselessly for several minutes, and Viola starts understanding her grave situation.
This weapon—whatever it is—has no openings. Even when the Wælcyrge aims for Fujino's forearm, it is fruitless. She can't complete an arc else she'll get stabbed.
Then, Viola realises what that voice meant.
Fujino—essentially herself—is her worst nightmare. However… her gaze momentarily locks upon Natsuki's corpse. Fujino's most precious person is Natsuki, this at least means she can't summon Kiyohime.
But neither can she.
Her spiritual energy is spent. Unless she rams the Element aside, has an opening or lobs off Fujino's hands, she's stuck. Luckily, Viola knows how to use spears, so it's the hands or finding an opening.
The two women circle around the chapel, never removing their stares.
Fujino's right shoulder faces towards Viola; her naginata being kept horizontal within her hold. Her expression is totally neutral, not a hint of weakness displayed. Not even her cold, dead eyes gives Viola respite who hovers her sabre downwards.
Twisting her free arm out the way behind her, Viola's knuckles brush to her hip. She has a single chance.
Feigning a strike, the Arcewælcyrge draws back before the naginata thrusts against her cuirass. Arching her sabre beneath Fujino's blade, the Element shoots upwards.
'Now I have you.'
Swerving behind her, she slashes her sword deeply into flesh. A gut-wrenching scream pierces the chapel as her blade cuts into Fujino's forearm. Nerves are ripped and muscle is shredded, making Fujino's grip almost useless.
Not stopping here, Viola then wraps her arm around Fujino's throat from behind. About to plunge her sabre into the woman's back, a headbutt dazes her.
Adrenaline propels Fujino. With a final bout of strength, she swings her naginata downwards around herself. Viola jumpeds above the blade, finally triggering Fujino's anger. Blood flows down her arm, but she can't care less, pivoting the Element again but upwards.
Ceasing, Fujino remains stiff for a brief moment. Her dead gaze drifting downwards to the blade piercing through her chest.
As her past-self slams against the tiled floor, a violent spurt of blood erupts from the wound. Viola freezes, heaving for breath as she stares at the dead woman.
"How was I so foolish?"
Her face twitches in strain before her knees buckle. Sabre skidding across the ground, a choking gasp releases from Viola's throat. U-ugh, her chest… it f-eels like her heart has been go-rged out… H-had impaling Fujino through the h-eart…?
Her lips tremble in realisation as she hisses in pain: All at once, agony tears through her, clouding her awareness and ruining all common sense. That and oh… her head…
"Fujino's soul has been cleansed, and for you, respite for a time."
"Shizuru." Arms snake around her from behind, pulling her backwards into Anh's chest. "You have two left." Anh's violet gaze hovers above Viola's shoulder and towards Fujino. "You have done well."
Resting her hand against Viola's cuirass, she drifts her palm lower. Covering a bloodstained hip, says: "Your Earl counterpart is next. Do you think you can take her?"
"N-ot really…" Viola mumbles distantly, her head pulling down. Even with the supposed rest, she doubts she could defeat another.
She is so lethargic that she is unaware Anh is even speaking with her—nevermind that she's back. "Do… don't think I c-an—"
"Can what?"
Is this the end?
"Hm." Her Wælcyrge hums with amusement, encircling her fingers around her Anchor. Raising it, Anh tilts the prismatic crystal level with Viola's gaze. "What if I offer you some of my spiritual energy? It won't affect me as I'm stuck here anyway." She doesn't wait for her reply, guiding it towards her own bosom. "...This won't take a moment."
What's happening…?
Feeling her strength gradually begin to return, she distractedly looks around. W-wait, A-Anh has been her-e?! A supernatural push eases her onto her feet and makes her stagger forward. Barely catching herself, a new environment materialises which she also recognises. "Ga-rder...obe?"
The ruins are renewed before her very eyes.
Speechless, she can only take witness as overgrown steps transform into flawless ardent. There, atop the oval motte stands the Guardian's entrance. It is no longer crumbled, a-nd—"Natsuki?!"
Her Earl counterpart… flies? ...towards her.
"Benevolence is your second self's great virtue. Do not follow her guidance."
W-here is she? Viola glances around before realising the Robed Meister clutching her shoulders. Gazing into identical crimson eyes, it clicks: She's Natsuki?! "P-please…!" This carnation of herself begs, as she quickly grasps her wrist—pulling a firearm from her grip. "I-I ca-... I can't lose you!" Viola—Natsuki?—is pulled into her arms and the pistol is thrown aside.
Completely and utterly confused, Viola's hands hovered behind her past-self's back. What does the voice expect her to do? It seems her previous carnation has already saved Na-...herself? Ugh, her head is spinning… "I-I… am not going anywhere." She says, wondering whether she should try to mimic Natsuki.
Who's to say this Natsuki is like hers though?
"L-let us head to the infirmary before another Orphan attacks."
Orphan? Such as those monsters from Fujino's lifetime?
She can't remember that previous life, yet the facts bizarrely form when she needs them. "Vi—Shizuru." She stopped herself, feeling absolutely ridiculous that this is indeed occurring. "I think I may have forgotten… what is happening?"
"Natsuki?" The Robed Meister halts, staring at her apprehensively. Pressing an armoured palm to her cheek, her expression visibly strains. "Please…speak louder. I cannot hear you."
What has happened to her past-self here? Is she partially deaf? "Sorry, I… What exactly is happening?" Thankfully, Viola could read her past-self well. She is confused—and very nervous. "I think an Orphan did something."
"We must find Helene immediately." The Robed Meister scoops her up abruptly in bridal style. Viola has no choice but to wrap her arms around her past-self's shoulders.
"I am worried, Natsuki. You are not yourself at all."
"I do not feel myself." Viola confesses more for herself than for the sake of imitating. She fearfully looks down to Garderobe below. S-he… she hates this. Anxiously she clutches herself, looking anywhere but the ground.
After what feels like aeons, her feet settle onto solid land.
Anxiously she looks around before noticing she recognises this building especially. Isn't this the building that has been occupied by Slaves days ago? It is also another entrance to the Guardian, correct?
Entering, Viola can't quite believe her eyes. The corridor is flawless; there is no longer a gaping hole! The electricity works too—bypassing a room full of children, a chill runs down Viola's spine.
At its front sits a woman whose eyes lock with hers.
Their interaction was brief, but the ominous sensation does not relent.
Like herself, that woman doesn't belong here.
H-ow did she… raising a hand to her chest, she remembers this is Natsuki. She thought her Anchor might've allowed her to sense that, but… "W-wait…" She mumbles, pressing that palm to her skin-grafted cheek.
"You're running out of time…!"
She darts her attention back to the room. That voice belongs to that brunette woman—who is no longer there? Should Viola seriously be listening to this woman—or whatever she is?
Though, "cleansing Fujino" has apparently cleared some of the fogginess.
"Don't fail like I did." Anh has appeared behind her Robed carnation who isn't aware of her. "I didn't purify my past-selves. This is why I died." Phasing through the Meister, Anh offered her hand out to Viola. "I can guide you to where you need to go."
Staring at the palm, Viola's attention slowly rises. "You… are not Anh."
"Of course I am." Anh smiles, taking a step closer as their surroundings stand still. "Who else would I be?"
"Anh rarely contracted her speech." Moments ago too, hadn't "Anh" held her like a lover? The bareful presence from that room has moved here as well.
"Sanada..." Viola hisses, the name venom on her tongue. "Do not think that you can deceive me when my memories are returning. How dare you impersonate my Wælcyrge!" Her voice seethes with anger and at that moment, the illusion surrounding them shatters like glass.
Rebounding back to the chapel, Viola's eyes quickly mark her sabre.
Sanada Yukariko now stands before her. The nun is speechless for a brief moment until flinging herself backwards. "Oh, Wælcyrge Viola! Never seek to corrupt the person whom you love, it can go further than you think!" Materialising her bow, she notches an arrow.
"Spoke the one who has done all of this?!" Viola spits, leaping for her sabre and pushing forward to confront Yukariko. Before a shimmering arrow can be fired, the Wælcyrge furiously cuts into the bow.
This phoney nun dares challenge her?! After all she's done to her and others?! About to carve a hole into Yukariko's skull however, the crazed woman disappears.
Whirling around, Viola tears her gaze across the chapel. Laughter emits across the rafters before she returns behind Viola.
Impaling an arrow into Viola's shoulder, muscle is fried, creating the aroma of burning fat. The outraged Arcewælcyrge spins around before Yukariko has the chance to adapt. The woman's blade arcs upwards, slashing across her cheek messily.
Stumbling backwards, she smears a palm across her bloodied cheek. "G-good! You've improved so well!"
"Silence!" Charging forward, the mad nun again disappears, simmering the Wælcyrge's anger. She's doing this on purpose, isn't she? This way, Sanada could exhaust and easily kill her.
"Your path as a Wælcyrge is unorthodox!" Sister Sanada appears beneath the bloodsoaked nave that no longer graces corpses. "Saint Vlas! Purify the vice which is this venal child!"
Like millennia ago, a grand glaze window forms behind her. Emblazoned upon its glass is an ardent horse within a glorifying crown of light. "To you I shalt despair for I failed to purge you beneath His eyes! Again, you have wrought your own dea—"
Having strode up to the nun, Viola simply thrusts her blade into her stomach. "—You are but a novice." She recites the crazed woman's words from long ago. "Begone, forever." Twisting her bloody blade, a sickening crunch emits until she heaves the Sister from off it.
Sanada crumbles to the floor heavily—she is dead.
Straining for breath, Viola glares down at her before her own body finally yielded. Tumbling backwards, Viola's environment fades to black once more.
Viola stares up into the darkness, her mind completely in turmoil.
Is she dying?
She doesn't know, and furthermore: H-had she... truly met Anh, or has Sanada imitated her the whole time?
What's… Her psyche is an utter mess... Nor is she sure whether "cleansing Fujino" has been a blessing or a curse.
Now that she doesn't fear for her life, memories are spilling out of control. S-she had slaughtered her most precious person and she had to witness it again…!
O-oh Gods', what has she done…?
Her borrowed spiritual energy dissolves, leaving the Arcewælcyrge to her doom.
A/N: I, er… this chapter is pretty wild. I knew it would be, but I ended up going with the flow and this happened. The next chapter will probably be insane too. Don't worry, Cyne Wælcyrge isn't concluding, it's just reaching a large hurdle.
I wasn't actually planning for Viola to meet her previous carnations at all. The Fujino vs Viola scene was especially difficult. This is because spears almost always defeat swords. Since this is Viola though, I had her win with the pretence Kiyohime couldn't be summoned. If she had been present, Fujino may have won. If both Kiyohimes are activated too… Well, we want Viola alive, of course.
This is the precise reason why I didn't have Lēoht-Viola vs the other Viola either. Lēoht-Viola would've been smashed into atoms.
Yukariko's return wasn't planned originally either. There was someone else I had in mind for the illusion scenes, but Yukariko fit better.
Viola's crazed mind will be explored later, there's a lot to sift through.
Series Context
Shiro is from Mai-Otome: Sifr and Unmei no Keitoujou (For some reason, his name changed from Kyoji Takamura to Shiro). Here I've named him Takamura Shiro.
