Part 5:
Together, we shall create a future the gods could never foresee!
Chapter 5:
Project AK
"You actually found them?!"
"All that and more, little bro~. So what do you say? Want to be a family again?"
Kana and Hibiki's POVs:
Tokyo
With the Alca-Noise taken care of and S.O.N.G. back in the control of Genjuro and co., Kana and Hibiki look around at the flames caused by Tsubasa's frenzied onslaught, still taken aback by the fact it happened in the first place. "...Well, that's that I guess..." Kana shrugs, noticing Hibiki on her phone worriedly as she walks over to her. "Is everything alright?
"Miku's not picking up her phone." Hibiki replies, fear creeping in her tone. "Why isn't she picking up?!"
"Hey, I'm sure it's fine, Hibiki. Even if something happened to her phone, she still has Ashe with her, so Miku and Elfnein-chan should be fine." Kana says. "If anything, let me try calling Ashe and see if he picks up."
Kana's words did help calm Hibiki a bit as she watched her friend dial up Ashe's phone. However, that bit of ease slowly started to fade from Hibiki as she saw the look on Kana's face shift from collected confidence to confusion. "Odd... He's usually never let the phone go to voicemail the few times I've called him before." Kana says, dialing his number again, only to get the same result. "...M-Maybe they both had some back luck with their phones. That... That doesn't confirm anything bad though."
However, as Kana said this, a light went flying into the air, and it was a light Kana was very aware of who created it. "That's from Ashe! He must be letting us know where they are!" Kana states, regaining her composure. "Well, let's not keep them waiting, yeah?"
Also calmed down by Ashe's signal, Hibiki nods. "Right! Let's grab Tsubasa and meet up with the others."
Arriving where Ashe's signal came from, the Symphogear trio were immediately filled with dread seeing burn marks on the walls leading into an alleyway. Once they ran into the more open part of said alleyway, their worst fears were realized...
The area was torn apart by claw marks and singed debris from what looked to be a struggle. While concerning, the worst of it all was what laid on the ground around the damage: A pool of blood, splatters of which covered a familiar white bag and dark blue jacket. Off to the sides of the blood pool were a shattered purple phone and Ashe's Yato pendant.
Seeing this, Hibiki and Kana fell silent, the latter instinctively walking over to the pendant, picking it up as tears started to fall from her face. "No... Gods no... This can't be real..."
"...ASHE!"
S.O.N.G. HQ
With the crime scene now under investigation, the Wielders were brought back to headquarters while they waited for results from the scene. However, while they waited, the trio present at the battle had different yet very similar feelings about what might've happened to their missing friends, Kana taking it the worst, staring at the scratched pendant that belonged to Ashe.
"You know, given the circumstances, we really should've planned for that Alca-Noise attack to be a diversion." Kirika stated. "I mean, it was way too obvious dess."
"We should've gone against the government's orders..." Shirabe added. "If we did, then maybe we'd-"
"Are you two saying I made a bad call in that situation?" Tsubasa asked, making the Zababa duo nervous.
"N-No, that's not what I'm saying at all!" Kirika replies.
Angry, Tsubasa stood up and slammed her hands on the table. "Then what are you trying to say, Akatsuki?"
"Leave her alone, Tsubasa." Kana says in a low tone, those being the first words she's said to anyone since finding the crime scene. "If anything, I should've gone off and kept them safe, since you clearly had things covered..."
"What was that?" Tsubasa growled.
"Enough, you two!" Kanade interjected. "While I agree things could've been done differently, even if it meant risking punishment, there's nothing we can do but hope our friends are okay."
"Even then, Kana and her have a lot more to be upset about right now, but at least they're doing their best to stay calm." Chris said, pointing to Hibiki when she said 'her'. "Please pull yourself together, Senpai!"
Hearing Chris say this, Kana took a deep breath. "Right. I shouldn't have lashed out like that. Sorry, Tsubasa-san..." Kana says, getting up from her seat. "Please excuse me for a moment."
Watching her leave the room, Serena got up, too. "Pardon me as well." She said.
"Care if I join you, Serena?" Kirika asked.
"By all means, Kirika." Serena answered, the duo leaving the room shortly after.
"What was that about, Tsubasa?" Maria asked, reaching to put her hand on the swordswoman's shoulder. "You're usually not lik-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Tsubasa swatted away Maria's hand, immediately regretting the action. "Sorry. Please excuse me as well..."
With that, Tsubasa quickly left the room, but not without Maria starting to give chase. "I wouldn't do that, Maria." Kanade stated. "While I'm not exactly sure what's goin' on with Tsubasa, I know it's better to just leave her be for now."
Maria was taken aback at how calm Kanade was about this. "But if you're not sure, then why are you not-"
"Like I said, it's better to let her have some space." Kanade interjected, before getting up and following after Tsubasa. "But if it'll make you feel better, I'll keep an eye on her. Just don't try to take her outburst personally, yeah?"
"I won't." Maria answered, letting out a sigh as Kanade left, leaving the remaining four Wielders to process what just happened.
Kana's POV:
S.O.N.G. Training Room
Following the argument with Tsubasa, Kana went to the training room to let out her frustration on the simulated Alca-Noise, but unlike other training sessions, her fighting style became more savage as she continued, her thoughts circling back to Kirika's suggestion in the mess hall. But that wasn't all... When she began to think about it further, her thoughts then turned to her recurring nightmare of Miku killing her, when made Kana hate herself even more, ending in a climax of fury as she unleashed a massive Dragon Shot on the final Alca-Noise, leaving a crater in the simulated environment that put Tsubasa's rampage earlier to shame.
With this, Kana reverts out of her Symphogear, sitting on the floor as the simulator turns back to normal. Seconds later, Serena and Kirika enter the room, looking at Kana with concern. "Hey, you got a minute, Kana?" Serena asked.
"Oh, hey girls." Kana says, her tone a lot less threatening than before. "I'm at a good stopping point, so I'm free for a bit. What's up?"
"Well, we just wanted to check in on you is all." Serena said. "I know you're going through a lot right now, and I just wanted to make sure you're doing okay."
Kana gave the duo a sad smile. "If I'm being honest, I could be doing better..." She says. "Not knowing if Elfnein-chan or Miku are okay is one thing, but Ashe trusted Noble Red, so seeing a scene like that, it makes me furious. I'm genuinely scared at what I might do if I cross paths with any of them, should my fears be right about their fate..."
"You shouldn't make yourself think like that, Kana." Serena stated. "Considering no bodies were found, we can't rule out that they're dead, or if that was even any of their blood."
"But that doesn't excuse the fact that I did nothing to help prevent this whole thing." Kana retorts. "Hibiki said something felt off with the Alca-Noise, and instead of going against the government to make sure they were fine, I was scared into following orders that were clearly made to keep us away!"
"But like Serena said, you can't blame yourself for following orders." Kirika stated. "Plus, once we're able to tell where they are, you'll be able to make up for it with your ability to teleport, which is still pretty awesome if you ask me dess!"
Kana chuckles at Kirika's attempt to cheer her up. "You're right, Kirika-chan. Once we find them, they'll see that they crossed the wrong wielders, but without stooping to their level."
"Exactly!" Kirika nodded.
"We will now have an emergency meeting. All Symphogear Wielders, please report to the command center immediately."
With that announcement, Kana stands up and stretches her legs. "Well, we should probably head to the command center, hopefully for good news..." Kana says. "Thanks for coming to check on me, though. It really means a lot."
"Hey, you were there for me when my memories were not there, so I'll gladly return the favor now, and anytime in the future." Serena replied.
"And that goes double for me, Kana-sama!" Kirika added.
Kana smiles happily at the support from her step-sister and self-appointed retainer. With that, the trio left the training room, ready to hear what Genjuro was going to tell them.
The Wielders' POVs:
S.O.N.G. Command Center
Everyone filed into the command center for the meeting. On the way in, Maria glances over at Kanade, the Gungnir Wielder giving a look back that pretty much asked to talk later, which surprises Maria, but for now, the commander's meeting took priority.
"Now that everyone's here, we'll discuss our next move regarding our missing trio with the information we've uncovered." Genjuro said, looking over to Ogawa.
"Lab results have confirmed that the blood found at the scene did not belong to Miku-san, Elfnein-san, or Ashe-san." Ogawa stated, which made everyone's eyes light up with relief.
"So does that mean they're still alive?" Kana asks.
"Considering we didn't find any bodies, it is safe to assume that this was a kidnapping rather than a murder." Genjuro stated, which made both Hibiki and Kana overjoyed.
"Now all that's left is to find them, then we can rest easy." Serena says.
"Hold up. If that blood doesn't belong to any of the three, then who's blood is it?" Chris asks. "Like, that is a concerning amount of blood to not just be someone's, and I seriously doubt they would use the blood they need to live."
"We're still investigating that." Ogawa answered.
"For now, we're shifting our focus on recovering our allies." Genjuro added.
"Speaking of them, I have a question." Shirabe says. "Kidnapping Ashe-san and Elfnein-chan makes sense considering Ashe's ties to Noble Red and Elfnein being an Alchemist. But why would they kidnap Miku-san?"
Hearing this question, Ogawa and Genjuro looked at one another. "Perhaps it's time to share our theory as to why Miku-kun was kidnapped, rather than killed..." Genjuro stated.
Ashe and Vanessa's POVs:
Château de Tiffauges Ruins
Moments after firing the final Dragon Shot into the air, Ashe, Millaarc, and the unconscious Miku and Elfnein arrived at the Château de Tiffauges ruins, where they were greeted by Elsa, who took the four of them to Vanessa to properly reunite the quartet of friends.
"Ashe! You have no idea how happy it makes me that you accepted Millaarc's offer!" Vanessa cheers.
"Yeah... I just wish it were under better circumstances than this..." Ashe sighs, recalling the events of said offer...
Flashback:
Tokyo Alleyway
Ashe looks at the flash drive hesitantly as Millaarc continued to grin. "Well? what do you say?"
In response, Ashe looks at the unconscious Miku and Elfnein, and back at Millaarc. "What exactly are you planning with those two?"
"I'm sure you've already heard that Vanessa mentioned that we all want to be normal girls again to your dragon buddy, yeah?" Millaarc asked, getting a nod from Ashe. "Well, that's the truth. However, in order to fulfill that goal, we need the two of them for various means."
"Nothing sacrificial, I hope..." Ashe says, getting defensive.
"I can assure you, we have no plans of sacrificing either of them. Honest." Millaarc quickly replied, holding her hands up. "Look, this is our only shot at having a normal life, where we don't have to fight like freaks, where we don't have to be in excruciating pain without constant blood transfusions, and where we don't have to put innocent lives in danger."
Hearing this, Ashe eases up. "If that was the case, then why didn't you reach out to S.O.N.G.?" He asks. "They can surely find a cure for you without all of this... Guerilla Warfare."
"You see, we would, but unfortunately we can't anymore." Millaarc explained. "Our means of returning to normalcy also happens to be something our benefactor is after, and he's not exactly the biggest fan of S.O.N.G."
Ashe lets out a sigh hearing this explanation. "I get the feeling the more questions I ask, the more questions will come up..."
"And as much as I would love to answer them, I'm on a tight schedule." Millaarc said. "So, final offer, are you in or out?"
"As if I really have a choice..." Ashe mumbles, holding out his hand. "Now what... sis?"
"Sorry, didn't quite catch that last bit." Millaarc teased. "Can you speak up a bit?"
Ashe rolls his eyes at this. "Sure didn't miss this bit you love to do so much... I said I accept, big sis Milly..."
"That's the spirit!" Millaarc cheered. "Now then, we obviously can't have you three disappear with just that little weirdo's blood on the ground."
"What exactly are you proposing we do, then?" Ashe asks.
"You have a shirt on under that thing, right?" Millaarc asked, getting a confused nod in response, only to answer with a devious grin. "Take it off, and start shooting those fireball thingies everywhere. I'll take care of the rest."
"I get why we had to do all of it, but I still think we went a little overboard..." Ashe states.
"Like I said, we couldn't just bail from the scene with only a blood stain to show for it." Millaarc shrugged. "Besides, it's not like you can't just get a new jacket."
"I liked that jacket." Ashe growls.
"Regardless, it's good to have you back." Vanessa says, breaking up the fight before it could escalate. "That being said, I believe you were promised answers. Did Millaarc give you the flash drive?"
As if to answer, Ashe pulls said flash drive out of his pants pocket. "And you're certain that my parents' identities are in this flash drive?" He asks.
"Yes." Vanessa replies, before her smile became a worried frown. "...Are you sure you want to know who they are? Your parents, I mean."
"More than anything." Ashe replies. "Why?"
"Just making sure, is all." Vanessa chuckles nervously with a wave to disregard her question. "Elsa, can you show Ashe to a computer where he can view the flash drive privately?"
"Sure thing, Vanessa." Elsa nodded. "Please follow me, Ashe."
"Right..." Ashe says, but before the duo could leave the room, Ashe turns to face Vanessa one last time. "I may not know what you're planning with Miku-san and Elfnein-chan, but whenever you're done with them, can you please let them go? I know the others are probably worried sick about them."
"Of course, Ashe." Vanessa promises. "I hope you find what you're looking for."
Hearing this, Ashe smiles. "Thanks!"
With that, the Dragon and Wolf Alchemists left the room, leaving the cyborg and vampire alone with two unconscious bodies. "Say, Vanessa? What was that random question for?" Millaarc asked. "Ashe's answers are on that flash drive, yeah?"
"They are, yes." Vanessa replies in a saddened tone. "...I just worry about how he'll react when he gets what he's after... For now, though, let's get everything into place for the next phase of our plan."
"Right!" Millaarc said, gaining a sinister grin as she approached Elfnein. "This is going to be fun!"
Kana and Chris' POVs:
Astral Plane
After Genjuro and Ogawa shared their theory with the Wielders about why Miku was kidnapped, they all went their separate ways while they waited for their next orders. While everyone was understandably shaken up by the theory, Kana's fears were through the roof. However, unlike with Miku and the others' first disappearance, Kana took the time to relax in the hot spring in the Astral Plane, trying to ease her fears. Thankfully, she wasn't alone this time.
"Good grief... Can the world give us a single damn break today?" Chris exclaims. "First Senpai goes nuts out of nowhere, then we're lead to believe Ashe, Miku, and Elfnein were killed, and now, after finding out they weren't, there's now the possibility that Miku could be getting used as a vessel for godlike power like the idiot was months ago!"
"Yeah... It's been a crazy day for sure..." Kana sighs.
Hearing Kana's tone, Chris softly puts a hand on her girlfriend's shoulder. "That nightmare you keep having?" She asks, getting a nod in return. "And lemme guess: It's got something to do with what the Geezer told us?"
"This is the one part of the nightmare that's always played in my head, except for the couple of times where my death changed." Kana states. "If Noble Red manage to accomplish their goal, then we all die... Or at least, I hope that's what my nightmare says about you all."
"I'd ask what you mean by that, but considering the stuff we've had to fight over the last year, I think I'd rather not make myself sick with thoughts of a fate worse than death." Chris says. "That being said, the last two times you had a nightmare that resulted in your death, you overcame it, hell, you came out of it stronger to boot."
"I mean, you're not wrong, even if I haven't been able to access that power I obtained from the second time I staved off death again." Kana replies. "But the statement still stands, this ending hasn't changed in the slightest since the first time I've seen it. Even if I tried to prevent the events from happening, who's to say any changes I made would make that ending not happen? What if this nightmare has only been there to be like 'better get strong enough to not get skewered by your best friend!'?"
"I'm no Socrates, so I can't give good advice on how to defy nightmare prophecies." Chris says bluntly. "However, consider this: Has Ashe ever appeared in this death scenario?"
Kana thought about this question, recalling the events in her nightmares. "The only time he ever showed up was when his voice called out for help in the Château de Tiffauges- Wait... No way..."
"What's up?" Chris asks, watching Kana get up from the hot spring to get dry. "Well, are you gonna tell me, or what?!"
"Oh, sorry." Kana replies, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment. "I think I have an idea as to where Ashe and the others are, but I need to find out before I bring up the idea to Genjuro-san."
"And what am I supposed to do? Wait here and do nothing?!" Chris asks angrily. "I'm coming with you!"
"As much as I would love the backup, I need you to stay here, Chris." Kana says. "If anything, you can help me a lot more here rather than where I'm going, that is, if you're willing to hear out my idea."
Annoyed by her girlfriend's secrecy, she lets out a hesitant sigh. "Fine. What's your plan?"
Ashe's POV:
Château de Tiffauges Ruins
Following Elsa, Ashe is led to the throne room of the ruined Château, where a computer was set up and ready for use. "Everything you need should be ready to go." Elsa stated. "If you need anything, Millaarc and I are going to be in the engine room."
"Thanks, Elsa." Ashe says, melancholily, which made the wolf alchemist worry. "Sorry, I still have mixed feelings about all of this, not to mention how anxious I am to learn the truth about my parents, even when it means my other friends probably think I'm dead..."
"Like you said before, I wish our reunion was under better circumstances, but this is all we can do for now." Elsa said. "Either way, I'll give you some space so you can view the flash drive without any distractions. Feel free to join us after you're done."
"Will do." Ashe replies, waving Elsa off as she left. Now that he was alone, Ashe just looked hesitantly between the computer and the flash drive. Going between the two for a minute, he finally shook off his fears and walks towards the computer. "There's no going back, Ashe, so let's just get this over with..."
With one final moment of hesitation, Ashe inserted the flash drive into the computer. Immediately, a folder opened, containing several more folders. At first, Ashe wasn't sure if these were all for him, but then he saw a file labeled...
PROJECT AK
"'AK'... I think I remember hearing Saint-Germain-san and some of the other alchemists in the Illuminati refer to me like that. Is this why they did that?" Ashe thought aloud, clicking on the file. "Only one way to find out."
Upon opening the file, Ashe saw a couple documents, but he also saw several videos which featured Saint-Germain on the thumbnails, each numbered chronologically while having a range of similar to vastly different expressions. Worried for the latter half of the expressions, Ashe knew it was best to just view the videos in order, if only to see what his master was saying.
PROJECT_AK_LOG_#0
The video started with Saint-Germain turning on a camera, looking a little irritated, but still composed.
This is Saint-Germain of the Bavarian Illuminati. As of the start of this recording, Controlling Director Adam Weishaupt has put me in charge of his newest project: Project AK, which judging by the contents of said project, must stand for Alchemist Kamui. Granted, this is going off of the use of Kana Kamui's blood as recovered from F.I.S.'s helicopter on the subject I am being put in charge of.
PAUSE
Hearing that, Ashe was understandably taken aback. "Wait... My draconic powers are the same as Kana's because they're actually hers?!" Ashe gasps, but quickly comes back to reality. "I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, especially considering Millaarc and Elsa specifically underwent similar tests for their forms. But if the three of us have that in common, then why did I never need the blood the others need? Maybe Saint-Germain-san will talk about it."
RESUME
Vague naming scheme aside, since the Controlling Director couldn't be bothered to keep an eye personally on this project, or allow Cagliostro and Prelati to interact with myself or the subject, I'm making these recordings both as a means to personally keep a log of my thoughts throughout this project, and to vent any frustrations that may come with it.
As for this recording specifically? Both to serve as an explanation for future logs should someone else take over and to let out my thoughts going into this project, before I meet the subject, AK.
Initial thoughts going into this: I'm still annoyed that the Controlling Director decided to throw me onto this project, given how close we are to achieving divine power after centuries of waiting. At least the others are able to still continue our work in the meantime. Let's just hope Adam's experiment is worth the effort.
Saint-Germain signing out.
END OF RECORDING
Once the first recording ended, Ashe let out a sigh. "Well, Saint-Germain-san did seem uninterested at first, so I shouldn't be surprised that she would've been annoyed at becoming my master. That aside, at least now I know why Kana and I are alike." He says, scrolling over to the next recording and pressing play.
PROJECT_AK_LOG_#1
Saint-Germain's Log.
It's been one week since I've taken over Project AK and met up with AK...
Saint-Germain hesitated after saying Ashe's codename, before eventually nodding her head.
For the sake of these logs, and to not treat this child like an Autoscorer, I shall refer to them by the name I've given them, Ashe, in future logs. Unfortunately, I cannot do the same in the documentation, but that's besides the point.
Ashe smiles warmly hearing Saint-Germain say his name.
Back on topic, Ashe has proven that the experimentation done to him prior to my involvement has neither hindered him in any physical or mental ways, or has it caused him any need for blood transfusions like other experiments. If anything, it would seem Kana Kamui's DNA has improved several aspects of Ashe both physically and mentally, in ways that would only be possible by gaining a perfect body similar to myself, Cagliostro, and Prelati.
With this in mind, I decided to start off Ashe on the basics of alchemy, rather than pursue the abilities possibly granted to him through Kana Kamui's DNA, if only to try and convince the Controlling Director to have him join the three of us in our inevitable battles with the Symphogear Wielders of S.O.N.G.
Much to my surprise, this decision proved to be the best I could've chosen to make. I'm not sure if his affinity came from Kana, or if he was just this gifted to begin with, but Ashe's talent is still one that should be pursued further, while the opportunity presents itself.
Saint-Germain signing out for now.
END OF RECORDING
"I mean, I know alchemy's not the easiest subject to learn, Saint-Germain made sure to reiterate as such, but why did she say it like I didn't have my own share of troubles learning?" Ashe thought, before eventually shrugging it off. "Probably shouldn't worry about it too much. Next tape."
PROJECT_AK_LOG_#2
Saint-Germain's Log.
It's been three weeks since I've taken over Project AK.
Ashe has been improving exponentially with Alchemy, including when using the Faust Robe created from the Yato remnants. Needless to say, I am very impressed with his growth.
Saint-Germain smiled while saying this, but that smile quickly faded as she continued, which confuses Ashe.
If anything, while I am impressed, it's a little concerning how much growth he's made in such little time. Perhaps I'm just paranoid, but something about his growth feels almost unnatural. For now, I'll just leave this growth as a byproduct of Kana Kamui's DNA giving him this potential, but I'll keep a close eye on things, should my concerns grow greater.
*Sigh*
I should probably say something besides my concerns for this recording. As for Ashe himself, his kindness, determination, and overall confidence in these past couple weeks has been nice to be around. It almost makes me afraid to have him be around Cagliostro and Prelati, namely the former.
Saint-Germain let out a little chuckle saying that last part.
If anything, while she may try to corrupt him, Ashe may end up being a better influence on Cagliostro instead. We'll surely see sooner or later.
For now, this is Saint-Germain signing out.
END OF RECORDING
"My growth was concerning to Saint-Germain-san? But why did she never tell me?" Ashe asks himself. "Maybe so I wouldn't worry about it, too? I don't know... Gods, I wish I could've joined Saint-Germain-san and the others, if only to get some more time with them."
Saying this, Ashe scrolled over to the next recording, which is where the thumbnails started to become worrying for the dragon alchemist.
PROJECT_AK_LOG_#3
Saint-Germain looked troubled as she started the recording and sat down.
Saint-Germain's Log.
Good news and bad news.
Good news: Ashe's growth has continued at a remarkable rate, putting him nearly up to the same level as various high-ranking alchemists within the Illuminati.
Bad news: This growth is concerning by every means of the word.
"Again with the concern..." Ashe sighs.
Don't get me wrong, it's great that he's improving as fast as he has been, but not a single alchemist in history has made this kind of growth from their start over the course of five weeks.
To put it in perspective: He's at a level that shouldn't be obtainable until, at minimum, six years of studying alchemy to accomplish, even if such results could prove strenuous on the user's body...
I know Kana Kamui is capable of magic that falls under a similar vein to Alchemy, but I don't think I can satisfy myself in saying his growth is thanks to her blood anymore.
So, to finally lay my worries to rest, I have discreetly taken a blood sample from Ashe with some assistance from Prelati.
Saying this, Saint-Germain held up a vial containing the blood in question.
All things considered, it would seem that she was able to take the sample without getting caught.
PAUSED
"Are you telling me that the doctor that came in to do blood work was not a real doctor?!" Ashe gasps, shaking his left arm irritably. "Wouldn't have killed Prelati to be a bit gentler than she was? At least it would've made my check-ups with Lilith-san easier to handle..."
RESUMED
Now that I have this in my possession, between Ashe's lessons, I plan to uncover what could be the cause of his insane growth.
And who knows? Perhaps the Controlling Director's theory about Kana Kamui may actually hold some merit. Regardless, all will be revealed in due time.
For now, this is Saint-Germain, signing off.
END OF RECORDING
"So from this recording, I've learned two things: One, my fear of needles is thanks to Saint-Germain-san and Prelati covertly taking a blood sample from me for Gods knows what. and Two. I'm apparently some child prodigy that even makes my Master fear for her life." Ashe says, as he prepares to start the next recording. "Sure hope this one explains why she threw me in with Noble Red, instead of staying by her side..."
PROJECT_AK_LOG_#4
*CRASH* *SLAM* *CLAP*
THAT HEARTLESS SON OF A BITCH!
PAUSED
Almost immediately, Ashe was overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of Saint-Germain's fury on her lab equipment. With this as the opener, he hesitantly resumed the video.
RESUMED
How can he just pull such a problematic stunt when we're at the peak of our greatest goal? One we've been working on for CENTURIES!
Frustrated, Saint-Germain sat on the floor, and sighed.
I know we're trying to achieve divine power, using it for the means of freeing humanity from the Curse of Balal, but this is too far! And the worst part about all this? Confronting him on the matter will only cause more problems.
As she said this, she noticed the camera on the floor, and almost instinctively ran over to turn it off.
END OF RECORDING
Ashe was speechless, seeing his master freak out like that was unlike anything he'd seen from her before. "What did she see to react like that?" Ashe asks himself, before Saint-Germain's words from the prior recording came to mind. "Wait, what was the Controlling Director after with me? Did it work?"
As the questions piled up in his mind, Ashe hovered over the next recording, equally curious and scared by what he'll learn.
PROJECT_AK_LOG_#5
Judging by Saint-Germain's composure, this recording was taken moments after the previous one, especially with her adjusting the camera a few times before stepping back.
*Ahem*
Saint-Germain's Log.
It has now been seven weeks since I've taken over Project AK... And I have just uncovered something... Unbelievable...
"Unbelievable?" Ashe asks.
Over the past month, I have been concerned by Ashe's unnatural growth in the field of Alchemy, first assuming it was the result of Kana Kamui's blood given to him prior to my involvement. However, I have learned that her blood was not the only blood given to him.
"What do you mean by that, Master?" Ashe asks the recording of Saint-Germain.
Perhaps I should rephrase this: Ashe, the subject of Project AK, unlike other test subjects, was not retrieved via questionable means like past projects...
"Ashe was created by Adam Weishaupt."
PAUSED
Those words hit Ashe like a truck. "I... I was... Created? What does she mean by that?!" Ashe's head was now spinning by Saint-Germain's reveal, but he couldn't stop himself from starting it back up.
RESUME
The blood test results came back. Originally, I expected to see Kana Kamui's name and what would be his biological parents appear in the family ancestry test. Had this been the answer, it would prove the existence of divine power within his bloodstream, explaining his growth.
However, alongside Kana Kamui's name, several high-ranking Alchemists within the Bavarian Illuminati were also found within the test results, including Prelati, Cagliostro, and myself.
PAUSED
*Retch*
Hearing what he just had, Ashe immediately stopped the video, turned pale, and threw up from the shock, multiple times.
"I'm... I'm... What am I...?"
"...she... As... Ashe!"
Ashe's vision was blurry from the shock, but he eventually heard someone calling his name. When he managed to raise his head up, he saw a blur of gray, but after a while, he was able to make out the person's face.
"K-Kana...?" Ashe asks.
"Ye... e Ashe..." Kana said, Ashe still recovering as she talked. "...ad you're... I hope yo... t happened?"
"I'm... I'm a freak... I'm a freak!" Ashe cries. "I regret ever wanting to learn the truth!"
"What are you talking about?" Kana asked, before seeing the monitor with Saint-Germain's face on it. "Saint-Germain-san?"
"I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry..." Ashe mumbles as his consciousness starts to fade, Kana's words returning to inaudible mumbles as he passes out.
"I'm sorry..."
A/N: And with that, we end the chapter!
Just to clear up any possible confusion, Ashe is not dead. He's just in serious shock from what he learned. That aside, the full extent of Project AK has finally been revealed!
Originally, I was gonna have him be Adam combining his genetics with Kana's via the blood sample Dr. Ver took, but then I thought about it more (aside from the obvious oversight of Adam's biology) and I asked myself, considering how he planned to use the divine power when Tiki had it, much less if he were to be the one to wield it, would he still use the Illuminati?
With this in mind, I got the idea to instead have Ashe be a genetic culmination of the members Adam deemed perfect contributors for his gene pool alongside Kana's blood, given how he predicted Kana having divine power to an extent and wished to manifest it another way, knowing regardless he wouldn't care what repercussions would come from it failing.
Why did I choose this change? Well, for starters, I felt like the reveal that he had Kana's blood in his veins wouldn't be a massive life-changing revelation to him given the powers both himself and Kana possess. However, the reveal that someone who treated him like a son around the end of their tutelage would actually be one of his parents without either knowing at first would come as a much larger surprise. Additionally, having this change for Ashe gave me better potential for his character and events involving him for future side-stories and what-ifs after Superb Song of the Fate-Defying Valkyrie is completed.
As for everyone else, rest assured, the next chapter will start out with the events that take place in-between Genjuro and Ogawa telling the others about Miku's potential as a godly vessel to Kana finding Ashe seconds before passing out from the others' perspectives, so you won't be missing anything that got changed with certain events in the time between.
But with that out of the way, I thank you all again for reading this chapter! Stay tuned to my socials for Updates, Memes, and other content. But for now, I shall see you all in the next one!