Chapter 4: Meltdown
With the odd twist of the mysterious young man having to simply be left alone for now, Takeru's run back to the rest of his classmates had him find them still staring off at the towering pillar of ether, which had only seemed to grow more intense in the following minutes.
"What made you run off, Belmont-kun?" Tomo asked, Takeru looking back towards Remorse Way.
"This… feeling I got," he replied. "It's not important right now. Has anything else happened with the reactor?"
"My attempts to contact anyone in Mikawa aren't getting through," said Shirojiro. "It's like you said, everything's gone totally silent."
"So then what's even happening?" Noriki muttered.
"I-I can… hear fighting…" Suzu stated, pointing off towards Mikawa again. "Gods of War… and other sounds… n-not quite sure what. But… it's in that direction."
"Meaning Tres España deployed their troops that way," Neshinbara surmised. "But then what's going on at the reactor for them to send in Gods of War? Going by what Belmont-kun and Mukai-kun said… maybe someone really has set the reactor to go critical."
"Neshinbara might be onto something," Takeru nodded. And once more, he flinched when a scent drifted through the air… the same one he'd sensed in Mikawa.
"Saying he's onto something is barely half of it," the new voice brought all the class to shoot around in sudden shock.
The cloaked figure who had suddenly appeared cast his gaze around the now far more cautious students, bright golden eyes peering out from beneath his hood as he strode forward, not at all paying mind to those who'd placed hands on weapons at his sudden arrival.
"Who the heck are you?" Toori chimed, attempting to lean in front of the mysterious young man as he approached. "Hello~? Mr. Mysterious?"
"Right now, a battle is going on before the Shin-Nagoya castle," spoke the hooded young man, the students exclaiming various responses to the statement. "Though ultimately the outcome of this night was decided before it even began. But I'm curious… are all of you ready? For the path tonight is going to end up setting you on?"
"Mind not being cryptic?" Takeru raised Mikazuki up, letting the flat of the blade come to just under the new arrival's chin. "Kind of rude to just pop in on us and start talking in riddles."
"…" the hooded young man first let out a huff, and Takeru caught those golden eyes, unsettlingly identical to his own he now found, shifting into a glare. The kind one gave to a person they had nothing but contempt for. "You especially. You'd have met with someone else tonight, right?"
"How did you…?!"
"Wait, is that why you ran off?" Toori said, Takeru giving a slight nod. "So then why'd ya brush it off?! You at least asked them if they knew what was going on, did you? Actually, Mr. Mysterious, do you know?!"
"Matsudaira Motonobu plans to detonate the reactor and destroy Mikawa," the young man's statement was blunt and quick, breaking through the tenseness in the air like a sword of his own.
"That's nonsense!" Tomo objected. "Why would the Lord…"
"Tomo… he might be right," Takeru muttered, though he refused to lower his sword. "This might be why Lord Motonobu ordered everyone out of Mikawa. It wasn't fireworks, it was because of this."
"Just give it a bit longer…" said the hooded young man "he should be making his announcement any minute now."
Right on cue, a massive sign-frame window opened before all of those gathered in the school. And off in the distance, numerous glints of light told the students even more were opening.
The face they were greeted with was of Lord Motonobu, dressed in scholarly hat and white coat. In his right hand, he held a microphone while leaving his pinky raised, and he was surrounded by the same golden light that was emanating from the reactor.
And around the man, they could hear the trills of woodwind instruments being played, a brief pan of the sign frame's image showing a host of auto-doll maids scattered around Motonobu as they trilled away on their flutes to set the mood.
As if this was all just some ordinary festival.
"Okay, people of this country! Good evening!" the man gave a chipper greeting like nothing was at all out of the ordinary. "This broadcast is being sent across the entire country over the common network! All you good children need to watch your teacher, who is prepared down to the smallest detail! Don't go changing the channel now!" the man took a breath. "Today, your teacher has come to Mikawa, where the leylines reactors are melting down quite splendidly!"
"Lord Motonobu…" an unknown male voice said. A secondary sign frame opened, showing the face of a blonde-haired young man in a Tres España uniform.
"Hmm? Yes, Tachibana Muneshige-kun? Got something to say?"
"Wait, does he mean that Tachibana?!" Tenzo yelped. "Did he come along with the other Tres España forces?"
"Tes!" came Muneshige's reply to Motonobu. "I wish to ask a question! Why on earth are you trying to obliterate Mikawa and endanger the Far East?"
Quite the coincidence that the man was effectively speaking for everyone's thoughts in that moment. Motonobu for his part listened with a calm smile and hand to his ear as if to better hear.
"Good question!" Motonobu's tone remained casual. "So, let teacher ask you something as well. Isn't it exciting to be under pressure? So, say there was something you had to think very, very hard about, or be wiped from the earth, wouldn't that be the ultimate thrill?"
"What is he getting at?" Takeru muttered.
"But there's something better than that! It takes way more thought than that! And what might that me, Muneshige-kun?"
"I wouldn't know!" One really couldn't fault such a bluntly honest answer, though it did result in some stilted looks from Class 3-Plum.
"I see, so you don't know," Motonobu let out a sigh, his expression bearing disappointment. "Then… you shall die without ever facing your fears."
"What does he mean by that?" Tenzo gasped.
"Keep listening," the hooded figure growled, clearly unamused by the class's continued cutting in.
"Use your head if that bugs on!" continued Motonobu. "That's what it takes to overcome your fears. Honda-kun, do you know the answer?"
"Nope! I'm clueless!" Takeru's eyes widened when Tadakatsu's voice sounded next, the man soon appearing in another sign frame… with what was clearly Kazuno clinging to his neck. As mostly a torso and arms at this point. He's there too?! But then… if Muneshige was with the Tres España… then Honda-jii is in on this plan?! Was it him and the auto-dolls fighting Tres España? Takeru could only clench his free hand as his mind whirled to try and process just what in the Divine States was going on.
"Got it," Motonobu waved a dismissive hand. "As punishment, stand there with an auto-doll hanging from your neck."
"That's not fair!" Tadakatsu's obstinate reply brought confused noises from the class. The mood that was supposed to be happening had long been lost by this point.
"Well, folks, the answer is obvious," Motonobu chuckled into his mic, "There's only one thing scarier than endangering the Far East! That's right! It's the Apocalypse! The end of the world makes for the ultimate entertainment! Right now, you are about to graduate into an apocalyptic world with no future. Thrilling, isn't it? If you wish to avoid the apocalypse, think with all your might to prevent it and look to the future! Use whatever precious little time you have left to think. I shall reward anyone who comes up with a good answer. It may be able to prevent the end of the world."
"He's gotta be talking about…" Takeru muttered.
"The Armaments of Deadly Sin," Motonobu answered as if he'd heard Takeru's very thoughts, the entire class reacting in surprise at that phrase. "To put it simply, whoever possesses the Armaments of Deadly Sin can avert the apocalypse."
"But weren't you the one who gave them to various countries?" Muneshige stated. "Isn't instructing us to gather them up like instructing us to war over the eight pieces?"
"… that's probably exactly what he wants," muttered Neshinbara.
"Eight? You're incorrect – there are nine!" That statement sent waves through the class and no doubt everyone who had to be listening to the man. "About the model for the eight Armaments; Evagrios claimed there are eight temptations, but he also spoke of a ninth evil. The ninth temptation, which is excluded from those eight, is 'jealousy.' All sin is born of jealousy."
"But if it isn't a weapon, then where is it?" Tomo wondered.
"Have you heard the rumor that these weapons were made from humans?" Motonobu's answer had to be to another they weren't hearing. "That's the honest truth. The Armaments of Deadly Sin are made from the emotions of a certain girl. A decade ago, I ran over her and turned her into the Armaments of Deadly Sin."
"A decade ago… that was when…" Takeru's eyes widened as the horrified realization set in, turning to Toori who visibly was coming to the same conclusion as well.
"Last year, I planted the ninth Armament, 'Jealousy', into her soul, gave her an auto-doll's body, and sent her to Musashi. She's Horizon Ariadust, or, the auto-doll P-01s. Her very soul is the Jealousy Armament of Deadly Sin, Oros Phthonos."
And no sooner did Motonobu finishing talking did Toori bolt away.
"Idiot brother!" Kimi shouted, Takeru lowering his blade from the hooded figure and turning.
"I'll go after Toori!" shouted the Loup Garou as he took off. "You guys watch him so he doesn't leave!"
"A bit too late for that," as soon as Takeru reached the bottom of the entrance bridge's stairs, the hooded young man appeared right before him in a flash.
"Out of my damn way!" Takeru growled, raising his blade.
"I'm not stopping you, merely warning you," said the boy. "What's about to happen is a chain of events that can't be averted. The path you're going to be set on will be long and difficult. That man you met earlier… seek him out after tonight. He'll have the answers for what your role is in this narrative, Takeru Belmont. We'll be seeing each other again after this… that much I can assure you."
As his frustration got the better of him, Takeru swung, only for his intended target to vanish before the blade could strike true. All that was left in the air was a scrap of cloth, Takeru grabbing it as it fluttered down. Turning it over, he found the front to be emblazoned with the crescent moon and flower emblem of P.A. ODA.
"What the… that guy is a P.A. ODA student? Who the hell…?"
"Takeru-dono!" Tenzo landed near Takeru, being followed by Noriki, Ulquiaga, and Neshinbara. "Forgive us, we didn't expect him to move like that."
"Not your guys' fault," Takeru shook his head, his eyes still on the emblem. "But… who the hell was he? He's apparently from P.A. ODA."
"Maybe he was here because of the Armaments?" Neshinbara suggested. "They were made in… no, something about it doesn't feel right. He seemingly knew this was going to happen. And what did he mean by 'your role in this narrative'?"
"Like I'd know," Takeru sighed, shoving the scrap into a pocket. "No time to worry either! Let's catch up with Toori! If it involves Horizon, then he's definitely gonna do something stupid!"
"The Mikawa Guard may already be moving," UIlquiaga noted, Takeru nodding to the half-dragon as they all took off running.
"Then let's be fast about this!" Takeru drew his eyes to the still active sign frame with Motonobu on it as they ran, hoping there'd be some answers as they chased down Toori.
"I saw Horizon today, she was waving at me," said the man. "The rest is up to you. A world war could occur. And the Far East could fall under totalitarian rule. But wouldn't it be great? To see a world war not mentioned in the Testament?"
"I'll just have to stop you!" Muneshige stated.
"Good answer!" Motonobu was clearly thrilled with the determined reply, a wide smile splitting his face. "But that could prove unfortunate, so, vice president, do something about him."
The transmission cut off there. Meaning if a fight was now occurring, it was clearly not to be part of Motonobu's idea of "entertainment" for the people watching him. But the students chasing Toori paid it no mind. Their objective was more person and resultingly, more concerning at the moment.
The fate of Mikawa was in the hands of others, not theirs.
One thing had to be admitted, Toori was quite the fast runner. With the fact they'd been stalled thanks to that P.A. ODA student, it meant those following him had quite the distance to make up for.
Tenzo and Takeru likely could have easily caught up themselves, but they chose instead to make sure they didn't get too ahead of Neshinbara and Noriki, while Ulquiaga glided overhead to keep track of Toori's movements.
"Ah, above us!" Neshinbara shouted, pointing overhead as the shadow of a ship passed them. "That ship's from the Mikawa Guard! They're already moving to find Horizon!"
"Then we need to…" Takeru trailed off as, as if only for matters to become worse, the pillar of golden light suddenly vanished. And with it, so too did the sound of the rumbling earth go as well.
"Did the reactor shut down?" Noriki wondered. "Did that Muneshige guy stop it?"
"… somehow I doubt it," Takeru muttered, a dark tone to his voice. "Let's pick it up! Ulqui! Where's Toori?!"
"Toori's almost at the shopping district!" answered the half-dragon.
"Got it! Neshinbara, Noriki, hope you're ready for a sprint!"
"We can keep up!"
The four on the ground sped up as they hurried, soon catching up to Toori as they entered the shopping district.
As they continued in, Toori maintaining his lead, they could already see it ahead of them.
A trio of Mikawa Guards, before them Masazumi, and near her a girl who's face none of them would fail to recognize. Long, light silver hair and droopy blue eyes. The face of Horizon, even if now ten years older than any of their last memories of her.
"Horizon!" Toori shouted, only to be sent crashing to the ground when a figure leaped onto him.
The boys chasing him were just as quickly stopped, Takeru quickly recognizing their attackers as K.P.A. Italia soldiers. Neshinbara and Noriki were grabbed, while Ulquiaga was knocked to the ground by two at once.
Takeru and Tenzo put their hands to their weapons as two soldiers tried to approach them, the men stalling as another soldier approached, right as another ship came to a stop above them all.
As the last soldier approached, Noriki acted. Sweeping his leg, he knocked the man keeping him in an arm lock off balance, throwing his shoulder up to knock him back… only to be stopped from lunging at the lead soldier by Takeru, who quickly grabbed him by the vest.
"Takeru?!"
"Not the time!" snapped the Loup Garou. "Picking a fight right now isn't going to help us!"
"You'd do best to listen to your friend," warned the soldier, Noriki relenting and lowering his already drawn back fist. "This area is hereby under K.P.A. Italia's jurisdiction by the Testament Union's decree!"
Even despite the situation, Toori was still fighting as best he could, his free arm reaching out towards Horizon.
"Horizon!" he shouted.
Silently, the auto-doll bearing her face approached.
"Such actions are meaningless," her voice was entirely devoid of emotion, even understanding of Toori's desperation as he reached out to her. She then looked to Masazumi. "I… P-01s… Horizon… cannot save myself from this situation."
Reaching into her sweater's sleeve, the girl withdrew a green covered book, holding it out to Masazumi.
"Shouldn't I follow the advice found in here?"
"Horizon!" Toori shouted. "Horizon, you have to listen to me!"
As Toori reached out again, Takeru caught the lead soldier raising his hand, his fingers primed to snap. The one holding Toori down reached for his weapon. This is bad, if he keeps…
"Shut up, moron!" but Masazumi acted even before Takeru, dashing forward and kicking Toori clean across the head, knocking the Chancellor out in a single hit and sending him skidding across the ground a short way.
"Toori!" Takeru pushed past the man trying to keep him back, kneeling near Toori as the boy passed out, his hand still trying to reach out to Horizon. It's no good right now, Toori… Takeru's eyes turned to Horizon nex. The way Horizon is now… trying to reach for her won't save her.
"Class…" the sudden roar of Motonobu's voice drew the attention of every onlooker. "is in session!"
Takeru lurched at the sudden change in the ambient ether that followed, a sick feeling welling in his gut as he was hit by it.
And as the Loup Garou lurched, the light returned. Now, it was a burning, furious crimson instead of a brilliant gold. It expanded outwards into a dome all too quickly. And just as quickly so too did that burning light vanish.
The air began to howl and the ground shook, people screaming as the winds blew just as furiously as that light, dark clouds sucking inwards towards the epicenter.
The annihilation of Shin Nagoya castle had come.
And the sudden, furious shake of the earth stopped, a final bright light signaling the destruction they had been promised.
What remained now were dark clouds in the sky and pouring rain to suit the self-created storm. The dark clouds were only cut through by the remains of that furious red light.
And all the students of Musashi could do then was watch as Horizon was taken aboard the Mikawa Guard ship. The soldiers detaining them soon cleared out, leaving them to watch as the ships departed.
Toori sat there, covered in dirt and bruised as his eyes barely focused on the image of Horizon above him. Takeru soon stepped over, lifting one of Toori's arms and hefting his friend from the ground, his eyes following Toori's to Horizon. And she was looking back at them.
But… Takeru didn't see any emotion in those eyes. Because she doesn't have them… he thought. Her emotions were taken from her, put into those weapons. Is this what you wanted, Lord Motonobu, Honda-jii? Is this our graduation gift? Being sent headlong into a path that might end in war? The hell kind of gift is that?
That night… Mikawa was completely annihilated.
With Shin Nagoya Castle as the epicenter, the explosion covered a radius of at least half a dozen kilometers. The light from the explosion was visible from as far away as Oshu and Kyushu.
The blast carved a hole in the earth thirteen kilometers across and rose ten kilometers into the sky as the air crashed into itself to create the vortex that tore through the clouds. Wreckage from the city was scattered as far as thirty kilometers away.
And the sudden tearing in the atmosphere created localized storms and downpours in the affected area. The rain that fell from those storms was dirty, thick with the dust the explosion had made but was unable to send too far.
The suburban area and land port had taken some damage, but not enough to be unable to recover.
It didn't take long for the Testament Union to act either.
Pope-Chancellor Innocentius had been in Mikawa at the time, aboard the Eikoumaru that had arrived that same day. Representing the Testament Union, his decision came quickly the following morning.
Horizon Ariadust was recognized as the new leader of Mikawa following Matsudaira Motonobu's death, and their clan was made responsible for Mikawa's destruction. As a consequence, their family would be destroyed, and a new clan made to inherit the name and the Armament of Deadly Sin within Horizon's automaton body would be given to the Testament Union.
But since it was combined with her soul there was only one way to retrieve it and dismantle it: Her suicide through the destruction of the soul housed in her body.
Horizon was officially recognized as Mikawa's heir at 6 AM, and she agreed to take responsibility in her role by committing suicide. To avoid any interference it was scheduled to take place the same day at 6 PM.
We were given twelve hours.
Twelve hours to find a way to save the girl who'd died ten years ago.
Twelve hours to decide what our answer to Motonobu's question would be.
Twelve hours for me to find out who that man I'd encountered was.
Twelve hours to decide our destiny.
