St. Pavlov Foundation
2003
By the time Vertin and Sonetto arrived at the address, they realized that they weren't the only ones there. There were also three other ladies, all of them looking at a television where a boy of about their age seemed to be manipulating the antenna.
-It's ready, X?- Asked one of them.
-It is Madam Z. Too bad we don't have some tape here; I could have used it to improve the sound.
When the young boy finished speaking, the screen lit up, showing what seemed to be a meeting room full of people who did not stop arguing while they looked at another floating screen in the center of the meeting table.
-Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please- Asked another lady, holding a chess piece between her fingers, ending the discussion.
-Madam Lucy, Madam Z, Vice-Principal. It's good to know that you were able to move without any problems. Are the children with you?- One of the people in the meeting room asked, completely ignoring the headmaster's presence.
-In fact, they are.- The last lady answered in a toneless voice that surprised the girls. -They have been here for two point thirty-six minutes.
After saying this, she turned to the girls and, with an emotionless look, asked them.
-I hope you didn't feel uncomfortable being ignored. If it is, I apologize and assure you that it will not happen again.
It was only then that the girls realized that what was in front of them was not a human, but an awakened machine, due to how its entire body was made of metal and its face was not its face, but a mask that seemed to be held up by the metal ring on its forehead.
-Now that we're all here, we can continue- Said the headmaster, trying to call everybody's attention.
-Of course, headmaster- Said the vice-principal before turning to Madam Z -Please start.
-Of course, Vice-Principal.- Said Madam Z before taking an archive from the desk and starting to read it. -Today, October 10th, 2003, a group of mysterious screens suddenly appeared in several crucial locations of the Foundation with no apparent reason. The most prominent ones were the Center of Zeno, the Foundation's main meeting room, Laplace's research room, and two classrooms in the Foundation-affiliated school. After 37 seconds without response, the screen showed a video that apparently shows a group of future events centered on the young Vertin, who is here present, and the young Sonetto.
-In addition to this- The vice principal added as she turned to face the meeting room screen, we have confirmed the presence of the Manus Vindictae in the video, more specifically of the causer of the 1999 incident; Arcana and a mysterious person.
-Any idea where they were?- Asked someone on the other side of the screen.
-I'm afraid we haven't- Said Madam Lucy. It's not so much a matter of where, but when. If what we saw was really the future, then the storm must have happened at least three times, taking into account the physical age the young Vertin and Sonetto appeared to be in the screen.
At that point, Constantine took control of the conversation.
-But we will keep looking, assuming that the Manus Vindicte is not watching. This could also be the opportunity we were waiting for to turn the tables in our favor. But first, there is something we must resolve.
Her gaze turned towards the director, causing him to turn towards Vertín and Sonetto, letting them know that the time for questions had arrived.
-Did any of you two know this would happen?
-No, sir- They said at the same time
He turned towards the vice-principal, who said nothing, and then continued.
-Have you ever heard about the Manus Vindictae? Have you seen or heard anything out of place?
The interrogation continued for some time, making the girls think that it would continue forever.
-That's enough, they are telling the truth- Said Madam Lucy, making everyone visibly relax. -Moving on to the next topic...
Before she could continue, the floating screen started working again, causing them all to stop.
-It seems like we'll have to continue in another moment.- She commented and returned her attention to the floating screen.
When they finally saw what was on it, they were surprised because they could see a woman looking directly at them.
Hall of Aperion.
2003
-It seems that the time has come- Said 6, turning to 77.
This time, no one had any complaints, and 77 activated the machine again. Only this time, instead of showing a video, she saw herself making her freeze.
Just when the tension of thinking about who could be seeing her started to overwhelm her, she heard 6 voice in her head.
-Calm down, take a deep breath, and repeat after me.
???
-For those of you listening to my words, I'm 77, and as many of you must have realized already, we are currently witnessing events that could shape the future. This concerns not only me and mine, but everyone affected by what you call "The Storm." This is why, as a show of good faith and a request for help, we are sending you this message, hoping that we can help each other. With this goal in mind, I must let you all that the device that has appeared in your hands not only communicates with us, but also with others who are watching this with us across different eras. So, please sit down and join us to uncover the future.
-They have made a risky move- Said Constantin as she turned to Madame Z. -By doing this, they are not only showing everyone who is seeing this that they exist, but also implying that what we're seeing is for the benefit of all of us. This will brand us as villains if we try to stop them.- Said Constantine, looking at the screen.
-Not only this, but even if we could, we would enter into conflict with any other organization observing this for appropriating crucial information for ourselves. -Added Z.
-It seems that for now we can only wait for them to release something that justifies our intervention, if not to control them as moderators.- Concluded Lucy before turning to the exit of the room. -An interesting premise. I suppose we'll have to postpone the meeting while my department looks for where the signal comes from. Let's go, X.
-We should also investigate our records about organized groups of arcanists with such abilities. There is no way they existed all this time without being noticed. We must have some information about them.- One of the people at the table on the other side of the screen said.
-First Manus Vindicte and now this. I suppose we will continue with this talk at another time. Girls, return to class now. If you notice anything strange, please share it with the teacher in charge.- Z said before turning to the headmaster. -Thank you for your hospitality. Keep up the good work.
-Of course, Madam Z. Our institution always prides itself on meeting the expectations that the Foundation has for us.- The headmaster said this without noticing the look of boredom on Constantine's face and disgust in X's.
Weyehauser Manor
1925
At this point, the two families had already recovered from the shock of what they had seen and were planning their next step.
-It seems that a lot of things are happening around us without our knowledge.- Said Mr. Weyeheauser with a dark grin on his face. -It's time to send someone to investigate the Vistro.
-Some of our contacts in the Foundation should be able to tell us something about this group. -Said Mr. Wilkinson equally seriously. -I guess I'll have to ask for a favor from Ms. Moissan.
-Please do it- Agreed Ms. Weyeheauser with a complicated look on her face -I'm afraid that our family can not afford to interact directly with the arcane world.
-Mother, why not... ?
-No, Durvis, I have forbidden you to use your arcane skills- Interrupted Madam Weyeheauser with a tone of finality.
Hurted and annoyed by her mother's rejection she turned around and left the room with her head down.
Seeing his daughter leave, Mr. Weyeheauser hugged his wife, assuring her that everything would be fine.
-Ms. Weyehaueser, would you mind if my daughter accompanied yours while we continued talking?- Asked Sotheby's father, not wanting her to participate in the next conversation.
-If you don't mind- She agreed
-Oh, oh no problem, come on, Mr. Karson!- Agreed Sotheby, wanting some fresh air.
-Slow down, my lady. A proper lady doesn't run through the halls.
Appledor
1962
-How intriguing! Who could have imagined that something like this could happen?- Muttered Mr. Apple, who was reviewing the notes he had taken.
-That doesn't matter! The most important thing right now is what will happen with our ship. We just bought it, and I highly doubt that time travel includes customer service! Where am I supposed to find someone willing to talk to me about how time travel work?- In that moment, Regulus' gaze fell on the device that was supposed to be connected to the screen of the future.
With the speed and mastery of a "technology lover", Regulus took the phone and opened the chat, making the keyboard appear. This caused a small impression on her, but she didn't dwell on it as she quickly returned her mind. Appreciate the wonders later. Save the ship now.
-My lady, what are you doing?- Apple asked after seeing her with the strange device.
-Not now, Mister Apple. Come on, come on.- At that moment, the screen that had been showing the bar showed in the upper right corner a message.
[Radio Pirate (1962)] Hello, can someone see this? If you do, I would really appreciate it if you could explain to me what is going on with this whole time travel thing.
St. Pavlov Foundation School
2003
After being fired from the direction, Sonetto and Vertin met with the rest of their classmates outside the classroom.
Apparently, both their group and the one studying across the corridor were the only ones with a floating screen, so the teachers decided to move them together to another classroom to continue the class since the floating screen continued distracting them.
Along the way, the other students continued to send them curious and envious glances in equal parts. Although no one dared to approach them, this lasted until a boy with a giant iron ring around his head approached them.
-Hey, you two are the same people who appeared on the floating screen, aren't you? I'm Luke, although everyone calls me The Ring. If you ever need help during your adventures in the outside world, don't hesitate to call me. - Said the boy with an excited face.
This seemed to break the spell that surrounded Vertin and Sonetto, and the rest of the kids started to approach them.
-You can count on me too.
-Me too, me too.
-I guess I can give you a hand.
At that point, Sonetto couldn't hold it in any longer and said.
- Please, we two have never actually gone out of school. It's against the student handbook, so we aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
At that point, almost everyone had walked away, disappointed by what she said, except for The Ring, who, before leaving, also said.
-Well, I guess it can't be helped. Even so, I'd like to hang out with you sometime. You two seem pretty cool.
At that point, they had arrived at the new classroom, so they separated, with Vertin sitting next to Mesmer Jr. and Sonetto next to Matilda, who seemed nervous for some reason.
Just when the teacher was going to start teaching again, the screen reappeared in front of the blackboard, surprising the students and annoying the teacher. It seemed like this one hadn't changed much. The only difference was the question on the right side of the screen.
Weyehaueser Garden
1925
-What a beautiful garden your family has, Miss Weyeheauser!- Said Miss Sotheby with a marvellous look on her face, letting Durvis know that she meant it.
The surroundings of the garden were filled with all sorts of floral arrangements and exotic plants, but it was the inside that captivated her attention. All sorts of top-notch alchemical plants were scattered around.
-I guess- Durvis answered with a sad look. -But I don't really like it. All these plants should be in nature. They would have been able to grow unhindered, extending as far as your eyesight and beyond, very different from how they are doing it being trapped here. No matter how much they struggle to go outside, they will never be able to experience it, trapped in this crystal cage.
-Maybe you are right. Being outside your glass house sounds wonderful. Imagine everything they could see and experience.
This made Durvis turn towards Sotheby, whose head was hidden behind a giant flytrap.
-But the fact that these plants are so big and beautiful just shows the love and effort that their caretaker has put into them. After all, the day will come when the little flowers will grow and be strong enough to leave the greenhouse. And on that day, they will become something wonderful and make their caretakers proud. At least that is what Ms. Moissan says, and she knows many things.- She finished speaking when, suddenly, she turned her head to the right and pointed, exclaiming. -Look at that! It's a baby cornvuncle. Its spines haven't grown yet! Did you know that the biggest ones ever seen were 15 meters tall and had flowers growing all over their heads? At least that's what Mr. Karson told me."
It was just then that Sotheby realized they were alone.
-Mr. Karson, where are you?
Looking at her innocence, Durvis could do nothing but smile softly.
-I think it's time we go back, Ms. Sotheby. Mr. Karson is waiting for us at the entrance of the garden.- Just then, Durvis had a sudden thought. -And please, just call me Durvis.
-Ah, yes. I guess you're right. Call me Sotheby then.- She ended with a wide smile.
Mr. Karson joined them again at the entrance and, as they were walking back, he said to Durvis, who was smiling at Sotheby, who was jumping instead of walking in front of them.
-Are you feeling better now, Ms. Durvis?
-Yes, I am. Thank you for waiting so long.
-Don't worry, I just did what had to be done. My lady has always been like that. There is energy and joy in her that she doesn't hesitate to share with others. -At that point his look turned a little sad. -Unfortunately, she's also a very lonely person. She's bright, but her parents are neglecting her a lot because of how busy they are, never looking at her, only to the achievements she surely will have in the future. And no matter how bright she is, she is still a child.
At that point, he had turned his gaze towards her.
-I can see that you feel alone too, so please listen to this old man's request and take care of her; it seems like you both could use the company.
-I will do it, I promise.
-Mr. Karson, Ms. Durvis, don't stay behind.
-Slow down, my lady, my old back is not what it used to be, and you shouldn't be jumping like that.
Weyehaueser Manor
The moment the young ladies and the butler returned to the mansion, they noticed three things.
One: Their parents had asked for seats for everyone.
Two: There seemed to be a debate going on in the screen.
Three: Their parents were looking at the screen as a hound that had found his prey.
Hall of Aperion
2003
[A Real Lady (2003)] Despite how interesting is all of this Ms. Boaniche I'm afraid we should get back to the matter at hand.
[Oracle (2003)] Of course, Ms. R., I, Matilde Boaniche, will be happy to answer all your questions about the benefits of the internet at another time.
[Spring's Mother (1925)] It would be a pleasure for me to continue at another moment if you don't mind.
[Xtreme Inventor (2003)] All this is giving me a lot of ideas. Let's talk again in the future.
[Chess Queen (2003)] Although the subject of the storm is really very important for everyone, it is a confidential subject for the foundation. So I will have to ask a favor in return from our hosts.
6 closed his eyes after seeing the last message. Although it is true that the Emanation is a transcendental subject that should not be shared with those who have weak minds, the fact that the Chess Queen asks for something in return makes him suspicious.
[Mod: The Predecessor (2003)] We are willing to make concessions depending on the request.
[Chess Queen (2003)] Excellent. If you are in control of the timing of the information release, please start after 5pm. There are classes of kids who are also watching this, and we can't have them skipping class to watch it.
6 blinked in surprise and annoyance with himself for not noticing this sooner.
Behind him, the rest of the hall was equally disappointed by the fact that, in their haste, they ignored the fact that they might be hindering the learning period of the younger generation, completely forgetting the fact that they couldn't have known about it in the first place.
[Mod: The Predecessor (2003)] Of course, we fully regret any trouble we may have caused. Next time, we'll make sure to start at a more affordable time for everyone.
Maybe he's just nervous about all the unknown factors.
St. Pavlov Foundation
In her office, Constantine moved her pawn to protect the king from the enemy bishop's attack, causing it to retreat from where it came.
With that done, she turned her gaze towards Madam Z.
-With this, we should get them to lower their guard. For now, I need the Laplace Research Center to start looking for the origin of these messages. The signal cannot come from nowhere.
-Of course, Vice-Principal, the research team says it could take a while. Apparently, the cell phones that Madam Lucy and Mr. Enigma provided are proving to be much harder to dismantle than expected. Additionally, we have discovered a couple of interesting details about them.
-And those are?- Asked Constantin, interested.
-The devices can only be used by those who have obtained one before. Those who haven't obtained one can't use them. Also, when someone with their own device takes someone else's, it becomes theirs, but the one they left behind passes to belong to the person they took it from. Madame Lucy and investigator Ulrich tested this and created a couple of theories about how it works.
-Mmm.
-Also, we have discovered some suspicious movements in some departments. Some employees have even disappeared.
Constantine slowly turned to face Madam Z and calmly said.
-It seems we have been compromised. Contact our agents; they have orders to carry out a thorough search. Any spy who has managed to infiltrate must be interrogated and dispatched. Let no stone be left unturned.
-As you order.- Replied Madam Z before turning and leaving the office.
Once Constantin was alone again, she fixed her attention on a regular telephone on her desk and, after dialing a specific number, waited until the call was answered.
-Mr. Director, I have something to report.
Hall of Aperion
Although she didn't agree with everything the Inventor said about the Emanation, 77 was able to accept that it was a good summary. So once she was sure that those watching had a general idea of what they were observing, she decided to start over.
[Mod: The Shooting Star (2003)] Very well, one last video, and we can start to see the future at a more stable pace. If anyone needs anything, please go and get it now.
After a short wait, she stood back in front of the screen.
-Let's get started.
The video started showing wads of cash being thrown around without any care. Before anyone could complain about the work it would take to reorganize them, it went on to show the image of the mysterious man whose identity was still unknown to everyone except those who were living in 1925.
-The last 24 hours of their life, how are you going to spend them?
[Newton's Best Friend (1962)] Publishing my research.
[The Chosen One (2003)] Seeing the rain fall in the outside world (not the storm).
[Alchemical Genius (1925)] Take the Great Typhon on an adventure around the world in the auto-island.
[Ace pilot (2003)] Take red-38 and fly along from all Zenos restricted areas (Suck that flying handbook).
Zeno's barraks
-Lylia, don't say that. And get off the roof!
That day, all of Zeno heard Andrew's scream after Lylia used him as a landing strip.
After that, the image went on to show Sonetto and Durvis looking out, before stopping to show Regulus in a hair salon.
-How about, having fun with the pirate.
Appledore
-Of course, that's what we'll do from now on.- Said Mr. Apple, who seemed to be deflating in the air in real time.
-Co-come on Mr. Apple. It doesn't seem so bad, I'm sure everything will be okey.- Regulus said, trying to convince both, Apple and herself.
-In 10 minutes, I ask you to come somewhere safe with me.- At that point, Verting was staring directly at the screen. -The storm is coming; the Manus is changing history.
St. Pavlov Foundation School
Sonetto felt surprised by how much more serious and professional Vertín looked on the screen. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her to become someone like that.
The video went on to show the effects of the storm on both, the environment and the normal people before showing a close-up of the surprised face of Durvis.
Weyeheauser Manor
Seeing what was happening on the screen, Sotheby couldn't help but get scared, grabbing both sides of her dress tightly.
Mr. Karson noticed this and put his hand on her shoulder to support her, before turning his look with disappointment at her parents whose attention was completely captivated by what they were seeing.
On the other hand, Lady Weyeheauser worried after seeing her daughter's image again and wondered where she was.
Returning to the video, it could be heard that many people were complaining at the same time as the storm became more and more violent.
Laplace Investogation Center
Still looking at the screen, Lucy suddenly reported.
-According to the style of dress of the ladies and what the gentlemen said before, I have found a match in my records. It seems the storm has taken us back to the beginning of the Great Depression.
Dr. Hoffmann, who was at her side, could not help but clench his fists in horror.
-So many lives lost.
-We can only hope that the screen will show us something that helps us speed up our research.- Said Enigma as he watched the screen with resignation and grief.
Once the sequence ended, the screen changed to show the bartender snorting about how that era was, before a new voice was heard.
-The storm is about to fall, who cares whether the shelter is the eve, or the rubble.
Chicago
1925
In the slums of Chicago, a family of twelve sisters and their parents turned to look from the floating television on the wall to the youngest member of their family.
-This is what you've been doing all this time?- Schneider's mother asked her as she squeezed her hands around a cross she had been holding since they began watching the visualization. She had been praying for her family's future until she was hoarse.
-Mama I...
-You don't have to explain anything to us.- Her father interrupted as he looked at his daughter with disappointment, not at her but at himself. -When you first came home with that wad full of bills and promised that the family would never feel hunger again, we should have realized what it meant. But instead, we decided to just stand by in our ignorance while you got your hands dirty.
At that point, Schneider's mother had begun to sob, causing her daughters to come over and comfort her.
-All of us have sinned. So none of us has the right to judge you for what you did.- At that point, he was already towering over his daughter, so young, but already carrying the weight of her family, and hugged her. -So we will talk about this once this opportunity given by the Lord ends, and we will decide our course.
At that point, Schneider had also started to cry, expelling the feelings she had been holding since the first time she took a life. For the first occasion in a long time, she felt like everything would be okay.
Although the moment passed quickly, the entire family began to stare daggers at the screen when the image changed and showed Marian, the middle sister, dying in what appeared to be a basement.
-Does anyone know what bar the man was in at first?- Asked the oldest sister of all, Aurora, while holding the middle one in her arms.
Before anyone else could say anything, Schneider answered.
-It's the Vistro, they hired me once.- Said Schneider with a deadly look. -A lot of important people go there. They don't like to interact with street rats like us.
-Calm down, everyone- Said Schneider's mother, forgetting about the screen for once and looking at her daughters. -The group we saw before seemed to be dangerous. We are not going in until we know it's safe.
-But mama...
-Schneider, until I can trust that you will be careful, you are not allowed to go back to that demon place.
Schneider gritted her teeth and looked at the screen again.
-I know that look. Are you sure of this?- The father asked.
-The Don kept his word and owes us a favor for what we did when we left him.
-If we return we will expose our daughters to the danger, especially Schneider.
-I know.- The mother said while looking back at the cross in her hands.
While several groups turned their gaze towards the Vistro in 1925, the rest continued with the visualization.
The screen then showed Vertin, who was standing unharmed in the center of the storm, and then an unknown location where Regulus was talking with her.
Then it showed a Foundation meeting with Constantin at the head and Vertin unconscious in a somnambulism machine.
There is something I want to find for myself: the truth.
Hall of Aperion
-Mmm, it seems that our protagonist is in search of her own answers.- Said 210 with an interested look- Maybe we should invite her to the island. Speed up the process.
-It's too soon to decide that.- Concluded 888.
The video went on to show the conflict that was developing in the older Sonetto's mind and how Vertín questioned her way of thinking.
St. Pavlov Foundation School
Sonetto clenched her fists after hearing this, annoyed by the way Vertín acted and decided to talk to her later. It bothered her that she wouldn't stop messing with her and what she believed.
Finally, the cinematic ended with Constantine saying her part, and the chessboard before it showed the words that named the story: "Reverse 1999."
Or so everyone believed before it truly ended with Schneider's words and an image of the group in the rain.
Hall of Aperion
The hall was silent this time, waiting for what would happen next before the screen started showing 77 again.
Who, prepared this time, looked directly in front of her and said.
-It's time. If anyone needs a moment before we start, say it now.- No one said anything, and the chat was silent.
-Very well, let's start.
Hello world, I'm back. Although I would have liked to release this chapter yesterday, coinciding with Durvis' birthday, I found myself caught in a mortal battle against my worst enemy, maths.
I almost died, but I remembered that I had to get this chapter out, so I came back to life so I could send it in today, and as the saying goes, "The best time to do something was yesterday. So, get off your lazy ass and send it in today."
I don't understand why sound like that. Well, that's all from me. See you next time.