Painted Prison Chronicles

by Sparity Ikari

When Kamijou Touma and Gokusai sisters reunite after a long while, things certainly go crazy for all of them when they found themselves living together through random twists of fate. In their daily life, Touma, Amazora, Kaibi, and Rikuri will learn about each other, with their light, darkness, and pasts revealed. Among the misfortune, comedy, and romance, their bonds blossom anew!

45. Chapter 45

PAINTED PRISON CHRONICLES

CHAPTER 45

LABYRINTH OF ALL FATES

Hello everyone! A lot has happened in a span of a month. Right after publishing my last chapter, I had a challenging moment of sorting out my university affairs, rather stressful, thus the creative process could not simply go on. But finally, here we go again. As this chapter breaches 1 million words of this story, which I still find equally exciting, surreal, and gratifying, I wanted to make this chapter extra special, to make it something unique and monumental in the scale of this story. This particular chapter took a noticeable effort and time, but I am happy, so happy, to finally share it with you. It is a tribute to introspection of Touma's character, of his psyche and relationships, and so many other things, in a very imaginative location. I am an enormous fan of labyrinths, in many stories (Library of Babel and Name of the Rose come to mind for example) and so, labyrinth in my Toaru fanfic was a must at some point. I hope you find it as stimulating and imagination-thrilling as I did, or at least gather some semblance of that sentiment.

On a side note, a bit due to the aforementioned passing of 1 million mark, which was a major milestone for me, and in part due to the relatively close 2nd anniversary of this work's first publishing (7th of September), I wish to say that I am so very pleased that this story seems to stimulate fans interest in niche characters. I adored Gokusai sisters ever since reading Biohacker, and giving them extensive spotlight as a family was my writing ambition, but nothing could prepare me for amount of interest that surged in regards for those characters afterwards. I hope I am not coming off as vain in crediting myself for small part in this ascending interest in Kaibi and her family. Either way, hearing Kaibi and her sisters (emphasis on that, since even if some people were talking about Kaibi before, Rikuri and Amazora were largely unknown) as well as Maidono and Hasako, and hopefully others such as Nephthys, Kongou, Ladylee, and Mugino to give a few examples, makes me really happy. Thank you for that, everyone.

As always, there is more to discuss after this chapter. As I said, I wanted to make it special and vivid, so it is extra long. I had no heart to divide it, since the parts are intrinsically planned to be self-contained with one publishing. Either way, before we get into Q&A, I extend warm thanks and greatest of blessings to each and every one of you who decided to support, comment, and spread the word of this story, making it grow just as much as it did through my writing, and also those who had their objections and criticisms. 1 million word millestone is no doubt my achievement, but it is also thanks to everyone who interacted with this story, so now, I bow my head to you in gratitude.

See you at the bottom. Don't miss it!

Q&A corner:

hoodred511: I am very glad you enjoyed it, that was chapter filled with twists and turns, but I think this one beat it in that regard. So please, I welcome you for a new reading.

ASM769476: YAY! It's been reached! Thank you for your enthusiasm!

Average Stuffy: Yakumaru and Touma interactions were pretty sweet, Vasilisa's backstory took a lot of time to craft, so hearing people like it fills me with nothing but joy. And the confrontation of whether or not Touma wants IB in his life, or if he just needs to have it, appear both in previous chapter and this one, so stay put.

Mr.X: Yes, you are correct. Touma's dragons and his precognition are still within him, no changes there.

Bk: I agree with you there

FingFangFoom100: I am very glad about Vasilisa, the idea of her introduction was weighing on me for some time and I was looking for a good moment to do it, so I am glad it worked out in the end, the journey was indeed very intricate and emotional, it also served as a way to connect people involved in Imagine Breaker (indirectly Terra of the Left as well). Vasilisa will be eventually confronted by Touma and no doubt, new sides of her pain will emerge, even if she has to pay for what she did and what she caused. To what extent Kanzaki and Kamisato will be involved, will be a secret just a little while longer.

Mr4618153: It's a delight to me that you like them. While I limited their appearances due to some people preferring more chronological order, you won't have to wait, let's just say that.

5had0wHand: It's just a super funny and cool coincidence that Alya airs in the same time in which I involved Vasilisa. Although, funnily enough, the story of Eike and Vasilisa could work with premise like "Vasilisa hides her feelings in Russian". My thanks to you for liking both backstories. Nice catch with 'I have no mouth...'. Now that I think about it, it really gives off that vibe. Yes, definitely moment with calm background music, absolutely, you read my mind here. About a pain trip... you have no idea how much. YET

Phantom Dark-Knight: I humbly accept the compliments, I sincerely hope this new chapter will also be entertaining for you.

Without further delay, let's begin!

PART 1: THE WORLD AND THE OTHER

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"I thought of a labyrinth of labyrinths, of one sinuous spreading labyrinth that would encompass the past and the future and in some way involve the stars." - Jorge Luis Borges

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He found himself in a hexagonal room.

The layout of the space, wherever it was located, was always the same.

A hexagonal chamber, with a gentle white glow emanating from the ceiling and the floor, casting enough light for the six walls to be visible and clear, but not enough to blind him.

Six walls were present in vertical alignment, presenting three axes of symmetry across the space. Three of these walls were covered in wall-wide paintings and ornamentations, while the other three had doors embedded in them.

As the human lied in the middle of the room, his thoughts slowly started to gain clarity. Slowly, painfully slowly, his body remembered muscle memory, then his factual knowledge arrived, and finally, his sense of identity settled down, causing him to jolt upward.

Kamijou Touma breathed heavily, checking his body and passing his hands through all of his features

"I am Kamijou Touma... I am Kamijou Touma... I AM Kamijou Touma..."

He repeated this like a mantra for over a minute, before he sighed deeply and whispering

"I made it... I am still here..."

Fighting nausea, he rose to his feet and examined his surroundings.

He now remembered being sent to this place.

"Right... right... let's recap this from the beginning..."

(TIMES PAST, IN DECAYING REALITY AFTER IMAGINE BREAKER'S SCATTERING)

Niang-Niang put a hand on Touma's chest.

"Are you ready?"

"As much as I can be, I guess"

"Good. That's always better than zero" she grinned, attempting to crack a joke" Um... well, I suppose I should probably explain to you what's going to happen. Remember that one time when I split you into multiple parallel version of yourself?"

"Yeah, it was kind of a unique experience"

"Well, this will be pretty similar. You will be sent to a cracks between existence, where reality is especially brittle. Now, keep in mind that this place is not really a... place. What I mean, that's not spatial in the same way as this world."

"Emm... and what does that mean in practice?"

"It means that to cope with being on a plane without a concept of proper space, your mind will compensate and create some sort of navigational system, a pathway if you will. The key thing is, I have no idea what it will look like for you specifically, so you won't get much help from me when it comes to challenges there. But, remember the basics. You might recall how when you and Othinus were frolicking around the various phases, getting you killed over and over again, and then achieving mutual Stockholm Synd... I mean, understanding, time stood still for people on Sagrasso?"

"Yeah?"

"This will be also similar, but not the same. While Othinus crafted phases to mess with you, she rested entire existence by dumping a metaphorical bucket of black paint over it. Here, you will be travelling into place where time is messed up and space is only in your mind, so you moments will pass, yet much faster in comparison to the pace you are used to."

"Hmm... got it. Anything else?"

"To get Imagine Breaker back, you have to relieve the moments of misfortune from beings that have a lifetime intersecting with your own. It can, but doesn't have to, be majority of that lifetime. Or just some of the more unfortunate moments influenced by the scattering"

"Huh? You kind of lost me at 'intersecting lifetimes'"

"Ugh, basically, if someone died before you were alive, their experiences will not be included. But for someone who was born after you, or was born and remained alive after you were born... all is on the table."

"That doesn't seem fair. The 'reliving experiences of those remaining alive even though they were born before me' part. I mean, I couldn't do much if I wasn't born yet"

"Remind me, was anything about your life with Imagine Breaker fair or just?"

"That's a... damn good point, actually."

"Cheer up, now you can actually find your one fated love. And go on a date in an apocalyptic dying reality. Even if you screw up, the world as you know it will end soon anyway, thus there is no way anyone would remember any awkwardness. The ending times are truly the paradise of introverts and the awkward!"

It seemed the quantity of jokes from Niang-Niang rose significantly since they decided that he will undergo the difficult mission. Touma wouldn't be surprised if it was some kind of defense mechanism, but he wasn't quite sure.

Still, now the petite Shijie-Xian donned a serious face.

"Well... I think the most important part is... don't lose yourself. The pain and sorrow coming from others will not be pretty, sure, but the hardest challenge may come from yourself... so try to remember who you are and why you are doing all of this to begin with. After some time, it will not become just a motivation tool, it may be a necessity"

"For what?"

"To put it simply, for staying sane"

"Wow... that sounds so very encouraging"

"I know, right? Well, let's get this party started"

"That's it? No grand gestures or tearful goodbyes?"

"You might have noticed, but this is not my style. Also, I think you have enough tears from a goddess for some time"

There was a truth to that. Nephthys did her best to be astute and calm, but finally ended up breaking into tears, again. By this point, Touma got used to how often Nephthys cried. It was in her nature, and honestly, in some cases, it looked endearingly cute. But here, she wailed so loudly, that Niang-Niang, who couldn't even get the instructions due to the noise, finally lost patience. She grabbed Nephthys by her hips, turned her around, and kicked her on the buttocks with a knee, causing her friend to ascend into the air, and above the nearest buildings with a yelp, like an inversed, human-sized shooting star.

"Give her my regards... once she calms down"

Touma considered telling the girls, who still rested inside, but the dismissed it. He was hoping to do what he needed to do, and return before others even noticed.

"Will do. You know... I really mean it. Don't give up, see this through"

"I always try"

"That's good. For the world, and also, you know..." Niang-Niang's voice got a bit quieter" I just admitted what I find attractive about you and to just lose first human I am interested in ever since... erm, I was a human myself... would be suuuuuper frustrating and awkward. So... do your best. Come back. Settle what needs to be settled and be super cool doing it"

"I'll have you know, suffering is never coo-"

But Niang-Niang already stuck her fist into him, similarly to what Hasako did earlier, and spread her fingers.

And then... darkness...

And... a hexagonal room with three doors.

(BACK IN THE CURRENT MOMENT)

"Ah, right... she also said..." Touma thought back, tapping a finger on the ground" To count. To not lost track of time. Let's see..."

It took him a moment. It scared him how long.

But finally...

"Adding the moments of reliving the experiences, and being in the space in between... I would say 250 years have passed"

He didn't feel the weight of the time while he entered whatever life or moment in time was hidden behind the doors. But here, he felt as if his memory and experienced stretched like jelly.

"But... this is just the beginning, right? It was just a dozen of lives... not even full lives at that"

He stood onto his feet.

He was lucky that he didn't have to relieve entirety of lifetimes of every being on earth, day by day, minute by minute. But even selective jumping across the timelines took a long, long, loooooong time.

He wouldn't be surprised if mere minutes passed in the outside world. But counting the time he was thrown into the lives of others, and spending a bit of time in space in between them... he felt like he was here for ages.

But he knew he couldn't stop.

He had a mission to accomplish. Coming here and solving this problem was his choice in the first place. And just like promised Niang-Niang, he would see it through.

He looked at the room once again. The three walls that were ornamented depicted golden flowers being consumed by eerily green flames.

"Ain't that reassuring" he muttered, walking to the center and examining the doors.

As was mentioned before, the room, like all the others, contained three doors. One of them was behind him, the door he passed to get to this room. It looked like a simple, western-style wooden door. It was extremely unremarkable and bland, with a black handle, brown frame and body. Nothing to really say about it.

But the same couldn't be further from truth in regards to the doors to his left and right, situated diagonally from him, so that the symmetry ran through the spot he currently occupied.

The left door was covered in black with red lillies painted on it, pink and blue, with a delicate handle and frame that appeared to be made of some sort of delicate, partially see-through cristal.

The right door looked as if was carved from obsidian, uniformly black and jagged, glimmering faintly, with a loop of metal as a handle, like a door to the dungeon you would see in movies or video games.

"They couldn't get more contrasting, huh?" he mused, looking at his choices.

He recalled the rules of this place that he learned after first couple of decades. This, alongside the counting and recalling his own life over and over again, was very helpful in keeping him grounded.

Firstly, each door led to events of different life. Mostly human, but also that of animals or even plants.

Secondly, there were no two identical doors, at least that would make logical sense to him, and each of them was assigned to one specific being.

Thirdly, once he passed through any door, he would relieve the experiences from lifetime corresponding to it, and he would have to pass through it, either succeeding or failing in his endeavour.

To add to this third rule, Touma realized that there was a possibility of him failing the trail the lifetimes of others presented. He realized it after passing through the door and experiencing the bombardment of a warzone from perspective of a small girl. Then, through the strangest sense of Deja Vu, he realized he already witnessed the scene, only that the first time, he suddenly collapsed into the blackness and woke up in another room.

He didn't know how the door he fell through to said room opened beneath him, but he knew it had to be the case. No matter into which life he entered, there was always a door in the vision. The door he passed through became locked and he couldn't go back, so he could only focus on going forward.

Perhaps the most unsettling thing about this ordeal was the fact that, apparently, he forgot if he ever experienced the trial that he failed. He only realized that he was undergoing this particular lifetime once he succeeded in... well, Touma didn't actually know what was the criterion of him being able to move forward in this strange place, but he realized that he failed once before only after he was able to get through without falling into the void this time.

He could be failing to move through experiences of one specific being a dozen times and, not remembering it, he would be none the wiser. Yet, he knew that he needed to eventually face all of those lifetimes and actually get through them. Maybe he couldn't even leave until he did so.

And while each door was connected to only one being, the alignment of doors in each room wasn't fixed. The number was always three, but they could switch locations, and the door from a failed trial would appear on his way sooner or later... with him not knowing that he crossed it already.

Making an actual map would be impossible. Also, it meant that keeping track of time could be steadily difficult, with gaps in his memory, and the fact that there was no two identical rooms, just like there weren't two identical doors.

He couldn't turn around. Just like the door wouldn't open until he completed the trial of each lifetime, they couldn't be re-entered after he passed through them. He could only move forward. Luckily, that was exactly what he intended to do.

Touma examined the doors and then shrugged.

"I might as well go with a choice that seems slightly more welcoming"

Not that it would matter in a long run. He was bound to cross the obsidian door too. It was just the question of sooner and later.

He grabbed the handle of the door on the left. Once he passed it, he would temporarily lose his sense of self and feel like a different person.

But he didn't waver. He opened the door, and then stepped through it.

(ELSEWHERE)

The door close behind her as she went outside, the crimson light of the sun fading behind the horizon.

She brushed her dark hair aside, trying to peer through the greyness of dusk.

Once again they came, crouching or walking, closing onto her home. She didn't know why, but they wanted her. They wanted to feed.

They wanted her, even if it meant their death.

But should she allow it?

She spotted faces in the crowd. Those were her friends, her family...

But if she didn't allow it, the curse could spread. So she would kill...

'Run'

Suddenly, her body moved, as if on instinct, as she sprinted to the right, behind her home, and into the woods.

'Yes... maybe if I run away, they will lose interest. Maybe they will be content in just themselves. Maybe I can make sure everybody gets to live...'

But she didn't get far. As she climbed the hill, her miko clothes fluttering on the gentle breeze, trying to lose her supernatural pursuers, she suddenly stepped on the door.

Which opened, causing her to step on empty air and fall.

Her last thought was...

'Who makes the door in the forest floor?'

Before she felt gravity bizarrely shift and...

(AND BACK)

Kamijou Touma stood in the room in front of two doors.

He touched his forehead.

Where those doors always like this?

He wasn't sure. He could have sworn that he saw obsidian door and black door with red lilies on it. But doors in front of him were blue, with specks of gold, and door made of solid steel, resembling the entrance to the prison.

He went through the door... did he fail?

Or was he mistaken?

That was the thing about two doors, two possible paths to take from each room.

One of the doors would actually lead him to the trial of next lifetime. The other would lead him to another room. It could be said that one of the doors was false, and the other true in fulfilling its purpose.

He could go into door that actually led to a next lifetime, complete the task, and emerge into other room with new experiences, being one step closer to accomplishing his goal.

But if he stepped through the false door, he would just end up in another room. And what was additionally confusing, failing a trial would cause him to lose memory of it, so he could think the door was false to begin with, like what was happening now. Losing memory and finding himself in a new room and just walking into it through false door was indistinguishable. There was no way to test it, as he couldn't go back and re-enter the door from previous room. Finally, to add to the frustration, passage that was false one time could appear again, in a different room, with a different configuration of doors, this time absolutely genuine and not fake at all.

He knew. He was aware that the design of this place was meant to mess with his head.

He apparently aged, very slowly, even if he didn't need to eat, sleep, drink, or defecate. Why and how, he had no idea. But physical side wasn't a concern in the slightest. It was mental side that suffered more.

Of course, with many lifetimes he experienced, even if they weren't entire lifespan of decades, he felt unimaginable anguish and torture on his body, so much it went numb more than couple dozen times.

When pain was such that you actually stopped feeling it, it spoke of volumes about its intensity.

But this place was messing with memories and time, as if he didn't have already enough of problems with that in his one, personal life. Not to mention that his resolve to move forward no matter what, while admirable, couldn't be healthy for prolonged time... and he knew that he was going to be here for a whole lot longer.

It honestly felt like Imagine Breaker didn't want to be reclaimed. That had to be it.

Because if it was the alternative...

No, that couldn't be true.

Touma clenched his teeth and came forth to the blue and golden door.

"Whatever it is, I am not afraid. I am going to get out of here, I am going to save Hasako, find Vasilisa, and bring happy ending for everyone I love

(LATER...)

According to his calculations, it was over 50 years later when he stopped.

First was a life of goldfish, who died terrible death at the claws of a cat.

Then, false door, and life of a goat farmer, who got his legs crushed during thunderstorm.

Then, life of a waitress at New York, who suffered a betrayal and caught her husband and best friend in the act.

A dog living near the african desert, starving to death with no one to ever care for him.

False door, short break... then...

A rich lady from France, born in a high class family, being conditioned into obedience to the point of fear.

A boxer left comatose after the accident during a fight, unable to truly express his emotions to anyone.

A president... A beggar... a dancer... a newborn... a snowfox... a frog... a bookseller...

Young middle school girl in love... old man with bruises from wars... a widow mourning his sons... guitarist of a popular band... a singer who considered taking her own life... and even, somehow, a tree struck down by lightning...

Yes, some of those experiences could not be put in words. Some were not perceived in the same way as human experience would be. But each was connected by a tragedy and pain of misfortune, no doubt influenced or magnified by the scattering of Imagine Breaker.

To his surprise, he did notice few familiar events.

The elegant brown door made out of oak... He was one of the Skill-Outs during the uprising. One of the ojou-samas from Tokiwadai, named Kobayashi. The door made of polished glass and steel... A familiar aide to Birdway sisters, known as Mark Space. The door that resembled a bookshelf with a sign of cross on top on the portal... One of the nuns from Agnese's Group, named Agatha.

But still, no one of actual familiarity yet.

At least, not that he could remember. Most likely, he already experienced the trials that lives of his friends and colleagues posed by this point... and he failed. He had vague memories of such failings, but nothing of clarity.

Why would that be? What was the rule, the difference between trials he remembered and those that faded into the void? There had to be something of importance.

After some decades, he stopped.

Though, actually, he didn't know if decades actually passed. In some instances, the experience was just sort of pressed into his brain, and most importantly, his senses. But nevertheless, a lot of time passed in that ever static labyrinth of rooms and doors.

"What should I do? How should I solve this?"

As he sat by the wall, he closed his eyes and after some time, he drifted to sleep.

In that strange psuedo-space, he had no need to physically do so. But right now, he needed to... just not-be, for a moment, to leave that place and think about something else.

But his dreams were far from restful.

'The chaos... the chaos... is coming'

Voice slithered in the dark, around him.

When he opened his eyes, he looked at the bloody red irises of pale white dragon, who looked like female version of the Dragon King.

'One day, I will devour your heart... and this world will decay...'

Touma opened his eyes and looked around wildly.

But the ominous entity known as Dragon Queen was nowhere to be seen.

He was floating in a dark void, surrounded by orbs of light, that soon grew in size to form...

"Wait... what?"

He knew those auras. Without a doubt, those were draconic entities that resided beyond his arm. He was actually rather glad to see them again, even after Imagine Breaker was no longer with him.

He knew he was surrounded by eight familiar dragons.

Except...

"Why do you look so... human?"

Yes, each of the dragons looked like a human, minus of course glowing with lights of different colours and the fact that each of them had draconic slits for the pupils.

"This place changes everything to suit your mental space. It might be affecting our appearances" hissed Dragon of Thunder.

"Are they not to your liking?" said the Emerald dragoness

"Well, I am a bit concerned that you all look like me." Touma looked at eight versions of himself with horns, four eyes, no eyes, and... one of them was a female. A busty human woman that looked like his female counterpart, glowing emerald" It's is a bit... distracting? Disturbing?"

"You being in that labyrinth is messing with our manifestation. Concentrate on our proper forms"

This worked, thank heavens.

"Now that you do not possess the seal that bound us, we are closer to you than ever" said obsidian dragon." Our gifts may not be of much use in Limbo, but at least we may provide some guidance"

"Limbo?"

"Limbus refers to the edge of afterlife." the murmur of the Dragon of Memory vibrated in his mine" Chrisitian Phase molded it into the edge of what they call hell..."

"Oh no, is this another journey through afterlife? But Niang-Niang said-"

"Human, we understood your exasperation" the soothing, enchanting voice of emerald dragoness resounded as she slithered around him, her four eyes watching him keenly" But perhaps it would be best if you let the explanation run its course"

"Oh, r-right, I will listen and then act"

"That would be interesting, given past history of your recklessness..." Dragon of Lightning sighed deeply. Emerald growled at him and he backed away." What? It is the truth"

"I can't argue with that..." Touma said in compromise" So, since you are so old and so experienced, can you give me any clues about travelling through this place? I've been doing it for so long already, and I have long way ahead of me. I still miss something, but what?"

"As we've already perceived, this place was shaped for you alone. Even we, as much a part of you as your own flesh, cannot perceive all the challenges it has coming for you" implored the Crystal Dragon.

"But we sense that you are lost in more ways than one" one eyed Cobra whispered into his ear" You cannot hope to beat an outward prison when your own heart was already closing itself from your destiny"

"What? Are you saying that I really am doing something wrong?"

"Doing something wrong and not doing something right are not equal to each other" Obsidian rumbled beside him" You are correct that there is something hindering proper path through this place"

"Is there anything you can advise me? Anything at all?"

Dragons looked at one another, before Dragon of Memory spoke

"It is in our interest for you not to be lost within the mazes of suffering and not crushed by weight of the world."

"Perhaps... something can be arranged. That place will of course pose a challenge not only through weight of world's sorrow, but also throughout your own soul..." Dragon of Darkness directed his eye-less snout in his direction, black mist slowly flowing from between his jaws.

"My soul? How am I important in this? I do not have Imagine Breaker anymore"

"To accept the power, you must be compatible with it" emerald dragoness said in her melodic voice" Of course you are crucial. If you fail to confront yourself, you will be entrapped in suffering far worse that this posed by the external world. And without you, the world you are fighting for will not be the same"

"Right... well, more ominous news is just morning breakfast for this Kamijou."

"Jokes are fair way to preserve your sanity" Dragon of Lightning snarled at human floating in their midst. A sound of thunder split the empty void" But they will only take you so far. Listen well, welp. If I am not mistaken, what they want to grant you is a map."

"A map? I would love to have one. But... you said earlier that you don't know the layout of this place"

"The map is not of place nor location in physical sense." Dragon of Darkness shook his head" It is a navigation tool originating in ancient time, linking body, mind, and spirit together. It will made possible for you to traverse the trail of your own tears, to reach within yourself when the time comes, and find the key to leaving this place"

He motioned towards the Dragon of Flame. The burning skeleton nodded and suddenly wrapped himself around Touma.

"Extend your hand" he said, lowering its skull to 'look' at Touma" I shall be the one to gift it onto you"

As Touma did as he was told, the dragon's red flames condensed and struck the palm of his right hand.

But they didn't burn. He only felt prickling and stinging, as if his hand fell asleep and now blood was flowing back into it.

When the flames receded, he looked at the symbol visible on his skin.

A star with nine points, consisting of irregular, hexagonal figure and an equilateral triangle, circumscribed through an outside circle. Six points of the hexad and three points of triangle amounted for the total of nine points, which glowed like miniature gems, each of its own colour: silver, indigo, golden, purple, light blue, brown, green, red, and white.

"What is this?"

"An Enneagram" The Dragon of Undead Flame replied" a map of one's own soul. It represents the nine aspects of personality, each with its own characteristics, sins, and virtues."

"So... how do I use it?"

"The time has not yet come" Dragon of Darkness said" You need to overcome challenge of other fates first before facing yourself"

"When time to use it comes, you will know it" the Dragon of Undead Flame reassured him" When you'll be ready, summon my flames into your hand and meditate on them. Then I will come to you and explain the starting point. The rest shall be up to you"

"The road ahead of you may be lonely one" Cobra Dragon asserted" but do not give up your drive"

"We are part of you" Emerald Dragoness nuzzled against boy's side" When you'll need us, you will find a way to connect to this place again. We shall not leave you"

"Tis the time of peril. We should stay by your side" Obsidian agreed

"Like he said"

"Agreed"

"Seconded"

"Alright, fine, I suppose..." Dragon of Lightning growled and nudged the boy" Do not screw this up, human. Also, one last piece of advice: find the other two."

"Other two? Who?"

"Isn't it obvious? The ones that came before you, of course"

"What? Who do you even..."

Kamijou Touma awoke, reaching into empty air, in the middle of one of the countless rooms in the labyrinth.

"... mean?"

He lowered his arm and sighed.

"I swear, the golden one is more of a tsundere each time I see them..."

On his right hand was the symbol called enneagram, that was supposedly help him. But how was a drawing supposed to be a map of a place that vast?

The actual map of the Labyrinth would, in truth, be more useful right now.

As he raised to his feet, he eyed the pair of doors. The one with a symbols of swirling clouds and symbol of an elegant fan appeared promising. He touched the handle, shaped like a snake.

"I will figure this out. I swear I will" he said, opening one of the doors and stepping through them

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"Father, I am sure I will make friends today" the small girl with a wide forehead and black hair smiled to her father" I will make sure I will make wonderful impression"

"I know Mitsuko..." the young man, with whom the small girl shared some similarities, smiled gently. Yet there was concern behind that look" But... do not overdo it. I understand that you are eager, but sometimes moderation is best solution.

"I know. I will do my best"

She attended the private academy for the young ladies for months now.

Little Kongou Mitsuko proudly believed that she was a member of one of the greatest families in the world. With that behind her back, she was sure gaining friends would be easy.

"I am giving you privillage of befriending me. We can exchange gifts, play together, or engage in-"

No one was around to listen anymore.

That girl tried, and tried, and tried.

But to no avail.

Days became weeks. Weeks became months. Still she was alone, peerless, with her pride as her only fuel.

Even though the wealthy girl still marched with her head held high, her heart was twisting and aching.

"Please be my friend. I can offer you great things. I will be loyal friend... I promise..." she whispered to herself, wrapping herself in expensive linen sheets. Few tears travelled down her cheeks.

Her mother, who went to kiss her goodnight, paused, sadness for her daughter's troubles.

Mitsuko was only child, one who was awaited with great anticipation and tension, as her parents could not conceive a child for some time. That was why she was pampered and doted on since she was born. She was bound to grow as a lady of unparalleled beauty, skill, and influence.

But as much as Minako wanted for her girl's happiness, she knew some things couldn't be easily bought, if sincerity was desired.

And her daughter had heart of gold, bigger than anything other people could have expected.

Mitsuko would surely be brave, loyal, and loving. Even at such early age, Minako could predict those traits.

Yet she remained unseen.

"Some day... I hope that some day you will find someone to make this loneliness go away..."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I am special enough..."

The girl with long black hair, sporting one white flower ornament, smiled to herself in the mirror.

In the television, new level advancement of some genius from Nagatenjouki was brodcasted. New level 4, they said.

She promised and bragged to her brother that she would be someone incredible once she enrols in the city.

Yet here she was.

Average in all areas of life. With just her personality and day-to-day skills as saving grace.

The fact that she was in the Academy City, the place that was major center of esper development, was not relevant.

She tried every angle. She tried every formula, she really did.

But the spoon in front of her did not bend. It did not break. It did not melt or freeze. It wasn't magnetized, nor was it blown away by the wind. Even though she apparently did have potential for that particular ability.

Honestly, in some way, this was actually worse.

If she could have that power, all the blame was in lack of talent and aptitude.

"I just want to be someone who can be there for others..." she muttered, setting the spoon down" I don't want to be a hero... but if I could make a difference for my friends..."

It wasn't even about her own personal jealousy. Level Upper was behind her, in the past.

Yet, if she could stand by the side of others... Misaka, Uiharu, Shirai... and recently, Kamijou Touma, someone who cherished and supported her, making her heart feel better...

If there were truly magic, if there were really ways to bend reality beyond esper development... she should be pursuing it. She was always told that she had ideas unbecoming of City of Science. Kuroko said it more than billion times to her.

But... even that path was already closed for her. Because she began in wrong place, wrong time.

"That's not fair..." she shook her head and clenched her fist" I put all my effort in the path that I can't advance... and because of taking that path, the other one, which could be easier for me, became unreachable... even though I had zero gain from either one... I just feel so... so..."

"Saten-san! Come on, let's go to school!" voice of Uiharu Kazari called from behind the door.

She exhaled, sniffed, wiping some moisture from the corners of her eyes, and grabbed her school bag.

"Coming!" she yelled, before looking into the mirror and whispering to herself" I am good enough"

Even with drive behind it, she couldn't stop the slight tremble of uncertainty in her voice.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Flashes of lives were going through Kamijou Touma's own self.

He was there to witness them... no, he was living them.

Or so he thought. Because he could not fully remember more than two thirds of it.

He knew something was missing since there was the gaping feeling in his soul.

He kept failing those trials. What could he do to truly reclaim the lost misfortune?

It was affecting everyone, amplifying any preexistent problem.

Touma was not fully aware of it. He only knew glimpses, flashes of those memories. But he was almost certain that he experienced, as Shirai Kuroko being rejected by Misaka Mikoto and then brutally mutilated in fight with Musujime Awaki. Likewise, his leg was torn of as Musujime Awaki. He was being painfully bullied in the skin of Tsukuyomi Komoe. As Orellus, he brought his own destruction through obsessive, hell-bent pursuit of power that could rival Othinus.

Kumokawa Seria, becoming a controlling, paranoid shadow of brilliant young woman she could have been, never meeting Kamijou Touma, and never learning the meaning of love. Her sister, going on a vengeful vendetta for what happened to Kihara Kagun, becoming next Kihara Hunter. Noukan, torn by rejection and strife from both dogs and humans. Agnese Sanctis, watching murder of her parents in front of her very eyes, yet not being found by Orsola, thus turning into life of crime and blood herself.

Those were not the stories he knew. Even more so than before, the tragedy seeped through every crack.

Loneliness. Rejection. Obsession. Heartbreak. Trauma. Pain. Sorrow. Rage. Regret.

And in the meantime, countless stories of other lives, of all professions and ages, from all countries and ways of life, all religions and beliefs, all motivations and problems.

A 1000 years passed in what seemed like an instant. He lost count how many lives he lived through.

But it was alright. It was all fine.

"I am Kamijou Touma, I am still here, I am still me..."

He had to repeat this for his own sake. He wouldn't be able to continue on so relentlessly if it wasn't for that. Because the things that he did, when misfortune became too much to bear...

'No, no...' he reminded himself once more in this infinity of time" This wasn't a doing of the human known as Kamijou Touma. I am me, I only see those events from a first person perspective. Nothing more, nothing less.'

But the nightmares he saw made it that much harder to distinguish between those terrifyingly subtle distinctions in the self-perception

Kakine Teitoku witnessed not only the death of Yuzuriha Ringo, but massacre of his entire group. Aleister remained silent, and so no consolation price was spared, causing the boy to turn away from reality and becoming obsessed with creating ones who perished, in desperate attempt to recreate their souls and feelings.

Similarly, no one stopped the rage of Mugino Shizuri and she slaughtered everyone she held dear, craziness taking hold of her forever as she took the final sorrow and realization on her own body, resulting in destruction similar to this caused in Battle Royale, only this time it was through her own making... through her own hand.

And Accelerator... Accelerator killed every single human who he came in contact with, driven mad by the grief and longing he couldn't even put in words or express, caused by the simple fact that every single act of kindness that could potentially bring any warmth or human connection was repelled away... He killed millions before he stopped to feel anything and roamed the planet, everyone fleeing with terror etched on their faces at mere sight. No one left to love, as everyone who could... has fallen.

Unlimited power was hollow, and 'victory'... empty.

He marched forward. Door after door, room after room, as years marched by in that space beyond the world of the living.

2000 years have passed.

Hamazura, lonely and jaded after Komaba Ritoku's death, waging impossible war against the City and its espers, never meeting or knowing Takitsubo Rikou and others he accepted as ones that mattered.

Sogiita Gunha, failing to save group of people in a freak accident, becoming so detached from the world that he would put more in danger to satisfy his delusions, all while having a smile of a madman on his face.

Thor, trapped in the endless loop of combat, engaging in fight for the sake of fighting, no longer caring about meaning or purpose, not even knowing what he wanted to prove anymore, except for the fact that he needed to fight, to struggle in some form or way, to know that he still alive at all...

He lived through it. He tasted all this blood, pain, and tears.

He travelled through rich towns and wastelands of poverty, under sky shining over the deserts and moon glowing over the fields of ice.

He had countless forms, wore numerous shapes. His mind was the only source of the outline of his identity, in those short breaks, in which he wondered through myriad of rooms, connected by unfathomable number of doors.

It was truly the worst world. The history of the past without Imagine Breaker used by him became distorted, with him and those shielded by Magic Goddesses being the only ones not affected by that distortion.

Their fates became exaggeratingly twisted into chaotic insanity. Each bad event was amplified beyond belief due to collective misfortune rising throughout the roof all across of the world.

Kamijou Touma was born into misfortune. For better or worse, he grew into it and as much as he could, conditioned himself into thinking that such bad luck would be with him forever and always.

But the others were not ready, not now and not in the past, for their fates to take such tragic turns.

'This is my fault... so give me more. Give me more of this misfortune. I will fix this! I will save every single being who needs it. Everyone, lay all your pain on me!'

Sherry Cromwell, crying over the body of her best friend, and killing even more in retaliation, with no one to stop her this time, and .

Orsola Aquinas, still gentle and kind despite change throughout space and time... and yet, tortured and used to translate spells and grimoires for favour of greedy and power hungry, with little sleep or food given.

Lucia, not found on the doorstep of the church, and growing in a violent, poorly managed orphanage, malnourished and miserable, craving a touch of loving hand every single night, but not daring to express it in words or show it on her face. Sister Angelene met similar fate.

He walked forward slowly, as another millenium passed for him. His face was grim and tired, his steps more solemn and serious, eyes lost part of their shine.

'I have to... go on... because I am...'

For a moment, just for 10 seconds or so, he didn't remember his own name. He grabbed his head and then light returned to his irises.

"Kamijou Touma... I am Kamijou Touma. I need to go... I need to fix this. No matter what. I have to do this..."

New Light was never assembled. Lessar, abandoned by her mother and on pushed to extreme by her father, frequented to bars in which she learned rather concerning habits. Floris became a street thief and ended in jail for most of her formative years. Lancis stayed in her wealthy home, acting like a puppet on strings to please her overbearing family. And Bayloupe... survived the car accident that killed her family, but became paralysed, never finding the grimoire that was the spark to New Light's formation.

It was roughly 5000 years since he came to Limbo, when he stopped. He almost collapsed onto his knees, but managed to remain upright.

"I have to... keep moving..."

Why though? He had hard time remembering... what was that?

Someone was waiting for him... someone very important... and he also had something equally important to do here...

Because he was... he was...

Who was he?

'Alone...'

That human stumbled and wobbled, before leaning against the wall of the hexagonal room.

It felt as if his silhouette was going to melt away... as if the room was spinning and he was going to dissolve into nothingness...

"I have to... be strong... I have to keep moving..."

For whom? Who was there? Human didn't even know who he was anymore.

Did he ever truly know?

"I am alone..."

In the vast expanse of silence surrounding him, he spoke his thoughts aloud.

He slowly took next step, reaching for the door.

Yet before he managed to open the door, the entrance moved on its own.

That was impossible. It shouldn't be happening.

The door moving from the other side meant that someone else was opening it. Yet who would be here? There shouldn't be any other people in space crafted for him and by his own mind.

That single moment of hesitation, this bewilderment for something that should not happen at all, caused the human to lose his drive for a moment.

But it was all it took.

Darkness claimed him, as his vision tilted. He fell down.

The only thing he saw was the silhouette with a golden hair on top of her head, running in the attempt to catch him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Why is he doing this?" a female voice spoken out of the dark void" This is just unreasonably stupid"

"Now, now, I think it's at least a little bit commendable. Although this cannot possibly healthy for his mind" male voice countered." I think we should do something for him"

"The only thing I can advise for a fool like him is to knock himself out or end his misery" female groaned" I thought you were impossible but he is category on his own. What those girls see in him?"

"Well, it is a reason for jealousy for many"

"Well, I am just trying to spare him misery. It will end as it always does"

"But even so, doesn't he deserve just a little bit of happiness while it lasts?"

"I thought 'dispelling illusions' was what all Imagine Breaker was about"

"With all the respect, I don't think you are the best example when it comes to preaching about dispelling illusions, after what happened..."

"Whose side you are on?"

"I didn't realize there were any sides to speak of"

He could see them. Or rather, he thought he could.

Two figures, human silhouettes, made of smoke, light, and flame. They flickered and flared, as if they were merely afterimages or mirages. One of them was glowing with crimson light, the other one with sapphire.

"Coping to live with that force is one thing" female continued to speak in a displeased manner" But trying to reclaim it after it was supposedly destroyed is beyond me. Don't you want to know rest?"

"Not now, no way! There is too much going on, and he needs our help"

"Help is for ones who know how to use it, no for reckless fools"

"Don't be so cool. You two are more like... no, we three are more alike... than anyone else in all of creation. We can understand each other. Don't cut yourself, or him, from that"

"Stop making sense! I hate when you make sense! I am not-"

The crimson silhouette turned slightly, before freezing.

She looked as if she was looking straight into his eyes.

The humanoid shape casted in sapphire glow followed suit, and jumped in surprise.

"He is here?" female asked" No, the bond is incomplete... connection is unsatisfactory for full manifestation..."

"Can you hear us? Can you see us?" man inquired" If you do, come to us. Find us. And we will-"

Their voices broke off and became fragmented, until dark void swallowed them. They disappeared as abruptly as they appeared.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He woke up on the lap of someone... strangely familiar. A mature woman, with golden hair and magenta pink eyes looked at him with a mixture of concern and relief.

"Hey there..." a voice spoke from above" That is so strange... but really, I always wanted to do this. The lap pillow thingy. Only... the last time we saw each other, you wouldn't really be interested..."

As if trying to climb extremely steep slope, his sense of self slowly, very slowly started to return.

With great uncertainty, and hesitation

"I am... my name is..."

It was no longer an assertion.

It was an attempt of a question.

The girl giving him a lap pillow looked at him confused, but nevertheless gave him the answer.

"You are Kamijou Touma. Don't you remember?"

He didn't, not until she told him. But as she reveal that name, it finally clicked into place.

And with it, like tidal waves slowly washing the dry shore, details flooded into his brain.

Sometime in the span of few millenias he was here, he actually forgot, with sheer willpower keeping him going.

Among details of his life, he remembered many things. A nun with silver hair. A small fairy that was once magic god. A calico cat. So many people, from two sides of the world, science and magic, friends and foes alike... among them three sisters, who got tangled in living with him so long... long ago...

"Rikuri?"

The woman above him frowned and stuck his tongue at him.

"Boo. Minus points. Can't really blame you, since we are really similar, but I was still thinking that you would see through it and go for a first guess. Since, you know, two of us can really communicate without words if we put some effort into it"

As Touma's memories came back, and he slowly rose up, he took a good look at the young woman, he noticed that indeed something was off. This wasn't Gokusai Rikuri, despite unparalleled similarity that suggested blood bonds beyond any doubt.

The girl's hair was as wavy and free-falling as Rikuri's, but slightly shorter, reaching just slightly beyond her shoulders, instead to the middle of the back. Her face shape was also slightly different, and chest, even if ample and impressive, was a bit smaller in size.

While Rikuri's eyes usually gleamed with seductive allure, the eyes that were right in front of him twinkled with more of a mischievous sparkle, even if it was subdued due to the more serious demeanor and concern on the blond's face.

It seemed so weird and out of place... improbable and borderline insane to consider.

But Kamijou Touma experienced stranger things in his life.

So he didn't hold back and said the realization that came to him

"Amazora? Amazora, is that you?"

The woman gave him a signature 'bright as the sun' smile. Only upon seeing it, he realized how much he actually missed it.

"Ding ding ding, 100 points. I can't believe that you actually-"

Touma embraced Amazora in a tight hug. For now, he didn't care why she looked as if she was in her 20s, or what she was doing here to begin with.

He could not remember the last time seeing another human being brought him such a relief.

"It's been a while, onii-chan" she poked his cheek, before lifting him up into the air." I bet you are a reaaaaly surprised"

He found himself suspended, as if something was placed under his posterior.

"Another thing I always wanted to do but never could since your ability would always negate my hold. Now, I can lift you up with my invisible weight distribution"

"Amazora, when... why... how did you get so..."

"Mature?" the youngest Gokusai wriggled her eyebrows, and put a finger to her lips. Now, she really did make almost perfect impression of Rikuri" So glad you noticed..."

"I was going to say older"

"Ah, that's no fun. Well, wait till you see..."

Amazora marched to one of two doors and opened them.

"Ta-dah!"

In the center of the next room was another young woman, who froze in mid-motion, with her bra in her hand and shorts in the middle of her legs. Touma managed to catch the glimpse of brown and silver, coming from skin and hair, respectively.

No matter how much he tried to divert his attention, he managed to see quite an eyeful.

Motionless like a deer in headlights, her eyes glossed over and lips began to tremble.

Amazora gasped in an exaggerated manner and closed the doors just as shrill scream of embarrassment tore through the air.

"Oops, I thought she was done changing right now. She really wanted to be presentable when you wake up, you know"

"Be quiet! Do not say another word" came to flustered voice from behind the doors.

After a few minutes, the entrance opened once again, and another surprise for Touma in human form appeared.

Also appearing in her 20s, the woman had light brown skin, appearing like polished bronze, was slim in built, long legs, and medium sized chest. She wore stockings and sport shoes, short blue shorts and the dark hoodie on white, slightly frilled shirt.

Her hair was long and silver, arranged into an argent bun, with small cascade flowing on her back and two stands falling down close to ears and sides of her face. On her head were two blue chrysanthemum flower ornaments. Her eyes, bright blue, were visible from behind a small pair of elegant glasses with golden frame.

With that style, she could pass for a young and quirky teacher.

This time, Touma knew who stood before him

"Helcalia?"

"Y-Yes... it's been so long..."

She changed so much. Gone was slightly childish face, replaced with mature, adult one, laced with mixture of concern and embarrassment.

Touma found himself slightly at awe. No, scratch that, majorly at awe. To the point of blushing ever so slightly.

He was aware how good Melzabeth looked, but... beforehand, he had no reason to imagine...

Well, at any case, long live genetics. Not that it was important right now.

"Alright, first of all... what are you doing here?"

"We came for you!" Amazora threw her hands into the air" A rescue mission!"

"Amazora, I came here from my own will to fix the situation caused by Vasilisa. I am not coming back until it's all taken care of. For that matter, I don't know if I can, even if I wanted to"

"Yeah, we know. We are not here to stop you. But Niang-Niang said that you may need some... mental help? Yeah, that's it. To keep you sane and remembering." Amazora explained.

"And it seems that she was right" Helcalia said softly" You were in bad shape. Amazora, you said he forgot who he was? And others too?"

"Yup, seems that we found you just in time. This place is enormous. I don't think even I would be comfortable being alone for long time, if I wasn't sent here together with Calia. Can you believe how strict she is with me? Strict sleeping schedule, even though we didn't need to sleep in this place at all! Mediating? Making records? Trying to map this place?"

"I am only trying to be caring and self-sufficient" Helcalia scoffed, adjusting her glasses" I covered for your weaknesses and you covered mine. It's how we got so far"

"Alright, alright, maybe I was a little impatient. But I was the one who pushed forward through all these years"

"You were a great motivation, although I also had great desire to find him" Helcalia looked back at Touma" Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Can you explain how... you got so... as you put it..." Touma looked at Amazora" mature? Also, you... speak perfect japanese now"

"Well..." Helcalia crossed her legs. For some reason, she was not looking him into the eyes" Apparently, it was only a moment since you were sent here, but times passes faster here compared to the outside world. So it took a while for us to actually start looking for you. It's actually a miracle that we did. You got lucky"

"I suppose so" Touma didn't argue. Instead, he pulled Helcalia into a hug. He heard a squeak of surprise from her" I don't even care, I am really happy to see you. Although..."

Then, he suddenly froze in his tracks. A shiver ran down his spine.

"You didn't just stumble on me right off the bat?"

"Emm..." Amazora fidgeted in place" You are right. We didn't find you right away. As you can probably guess, this is why we look as we do now. We were looking for you..."

She paused and glanced at Helcalia.

"How long?"

Silence... and hesitation.

"Amazora, how long did you search?"

Finally, the beautiful blond opened her lips.

"Ten..."

"...years" Helcalia finished, in a soft and gentle voice.

Touma looked a them for a long, very long while.

"Ten years?" he choked out, as if the death itself grasped him by the throat" Ten years of your life?"

"What about you?" Amazora asked quickly" You look as if you were here for ages. 20 years? Your own looks are hard to miss"

"My what?"

"You didn't even notice how you look? Calia, can you give him a mirror?"

Opening a strange bag Touma never saw before, Helcalia pulled out a mirror and showed it to him.

Suddenly, it all made sense. Why Helcalia wasn't fully facing him and had a rather red face. Why his balance felt slightly off. And why he got some strange sense of foreboding ever since he saw the girls.

His own body changed. He was taller, much more muscular, and to his greatest surprise, had a black beard, not long enough to go much below the jaw but still prominent. In short, he was an adult. His shirt and pants were slightly ripped, showing skin. Wouldn't be a surprise if he looked over 30 years of age.

Aging in this place was slower, but still affected him. He wondered if the effect was reversible, given that the space and time in Limbo weren't ruled by the laws of the rest of the universe.

How could he fail to notice it? It seemed obvious now...

But at the same time, he had trouble maintaining memory of his shape after being thrown into so many flashes of millions of lifetimes, with countless shapes and sizes.

He touched his beard and then his head.

How long has he actually be around here?

If he aged like this, was it really 5 millennia? Maybe it was more and he lost count?

"I didn't realize..."

"How long have you been in here?"

"That's not important right now" he exploded, grabbing Amazora by her shoulders" I was meant to be here! Why? Why did you go here? Why did you follow me? I was going to make it on my own! The whole point was not to bring any more misfortune to anyone else affected by what was always mine. Why, why did you do this to yourselves?"

Amazora and Helcalia were silent for a moment, stunned by ferocity of his outburst, before Amazora took sides of his face between her hands.

"Niang-Niang was adamant in sending us specifically. I think Kaibi and Rikuri onee-sans will come too, but I am not sure how much time will pass here... or if we will encounter them at all... But we two volunteered anyway. Why, you ask? I told you before: I might not be my sisters, and you might think I don't have, but I love you. I will always fight by your side, be your artillery in need, and your sister forever. That means that when you are in trouble, I follow you. If you are happy, I get happy with you. If you are crying, I will be there to comfort you. I may not be as talented and glamorous as Rikuri nee-san, nor as eloquent and smart as Kaibi nee-san. I am loud, straightforward, and probably too happy-go-lucky for liking of some people. But even if I am naive, I am also relentless. I am loyal. I will never stop fighting for you and will always support you. It might not be what is ideal, but I will always try to make sure it's best of what I can do"

"B-But..."

"As for me..." Helcalia slipped her hand into his, squeezing it reassuringly, as she hugged him from behind" I didn't want to leave things in a half-done manner. I came to Academy City to be closer to you. Looking back, from the moment in which you found me in that locker with Index, I knew I felt safe around you. I trusted you, and believed in you. When everyone was convinced of guilt of my mother, the most important person in my life, you wanted to prove her innocence and return me to my happy life. Only after some time, I realized how grateful I was. How much I admired what you did. That I wanted to still feel the same way I did when I was with you back then. I was scared but also... sure that you will see everything to the end. After some time passed and what happened in Los Angeles became a memory... I realized I had a crush on you. I am more shy in those things than you might realize. I thought this was a silly thing, that it will fade, that I am not suppose to feel this way since we didn't really know each other all that long. But you know my mom. Once she got a whiff of this, she insisted I wouldn't ignore my intuition. I knew I wanted to learn from you, because I admired you, and I was aware that I wanted to make sure you weren't hurt in the future. I thought that if I had more power, if I had any means to put my talents to use... then I could see if those feelings were only due to my desire to not be helpless... or if they were something more. So I wanted to become an esper, and I still think it might be a way of some sort. But now... when I saw you get hurt again, and when I knew I could do something to help, I just... did it. After 10 years of trying to find you, thinking many things through, and learning a whole lot about you from Amazora and the others, I have my determination renewed. I know I we still have to get to know one another more, and that it may not make all that much sense now but... the point is..."

She inhaled deeply and then practically yelled the final part

"I don't need a reason to justify falling in love with someone who gave me back my life and wanted to make sure I am safe! I just... want to keep feeling it. And I would love it for you to feel it too. So we need to make sure you do whatever you need to do"

Kamijou Touma did not say anything, taking it all in.

He wanted to be mad at them. But he couldn't.

'I don't need a reason to fall in love with someone'

If he wasn't so tired and hollowed, he would have smiled as the similar at a phrase he said quite often.

'I don't need a reason to save someone'

"Honestly... I don't deserve it" he finally whispered" Look what my misfortune did. But if it's your choice... I am not going to deny it. You are your own people"

"Good call! And from what we've heard, you are essential in making a great future for everyone"

"I think so... although I can't see how someone with my luck would make that happen... I thought that maybe, just maybe, losing Imagine Breaker was the answer... until I saw the consequences for the rest of the world. Now... I am a unsure what lies ahead of me"

"Then we can discover it together" Amazora said cheerfully" Three heads are better than one"

Touma eyed her in concern.

"How are you able to stay... yourselves? Ten years... that's not something you just do without any effect"

"It was... a really long time. But we had a good motivation. We really, really wanted to find you."

"Do you even hear yourself? You say you would sacrifice a decade of your life... just to save me? Even if that could break you?"

"We just did" Amazora stated matter-of-factly" I may not be right, but for me, everyone is broken by life at some point. The point is not to remain not-broken, it's how you deal with it afterward. How you keep yourself together and whether or not you let experience of being broken make you stronger"

"But... how did you take all of those lives?"

"Lives?" Helcalia tilted her head" What are you talking about? It was a long time, surely, but not that long. Like you noticed, Amazora taught me how to speak and write in japanese. I made sure she slept well and exercised to keep clarity of the mind. To pass time, we exchanged stories, read, drew, learned, kept making maps, sketches... and plans for the day we leave this place with you... for the future. But there is still life ahead of us"

"So... after you opened the doors... nothing happened?"

"What do you mean? A door is a door" Amazora said slowly, as if she was concerned that he was having a fever" We opened one, left one room, and then went to the other"

"You have to see my maps!" Helcalia smiled widely" I am sure that even though I still have yet to find an underlying rule to this place, it has to be finite..."

Touma was too much of a shock... and relief, to hear what she was saying next clearly.

Opened the door... left the room... entered another...

With nothing in between.

That meant...

It meant that for Amazora and Helcalia, this place was just a physical labyrinth. It was large and confusing, but it was fixed, stable, and it was just something to traverse.

'They do not experience lifetimes of others... this explains the difference in the speed of change in appearances. For me, time stands still when I relieve someone else's experiences, and it flows only in the breaks between the doors... in the rooms, like this one. But for them there is no time stop. Their experiences were with no pause in flow of time'

"You asked how we coped? We could ask you the same thing" Helcalia inquired, observing him attentively" You might not want to tell us how much time you actually spent here, but I can tell it was very, very, very long time. Far longer than what we experienced. Maybe there was something that distorted your flow of time compared to our own?"

"Did... did you become a telepath?"

"No, I just had a lot of time to learn various things from the books we took with us. How long was it?"

"Very long. And it will be even longer"

"Longer than human life?"

"Yes. Definitely"

"So... how did you..."

"I've been... through something similar before... well, a bit different too... struck by death experiences time after time... I don't really remember for how long"

They made wide eyes at him. He shook his head.

"I am alright, mostly. But... that time I learned how to go through such experience... and stay more or less in one piece"

Well, only this time, I am realizing how much pain and suffering lies in the world beyond me'

Touma did not fully believe that this was all it was when it came to the girls search for him. Well, he did believe that Amazora could have a drive to search for him for a very long time and that Helcalia, who grew up to have a good head on her shoulders, and had intelligence and sensibility to complement Amazora's brawn and fervent power.

He noticed how two girls... no, now two young woman... were in synch. They knew what the other one needed or even finished each other's sentences at times. Surely, they became best friends, bound by purpose of finding someone they loved... him... being through a lot in the process.

He thought that some time in the future, they will share the full stories. Of their search for him and his experiences behind those doors.

But for now, he was glad to be with them. So very glad.

Two girls had to sense it, because they wordlessly sat by him, and nuzzled into his sides, as they drifted into rest-like state, not enough to be called a dream, but more restorative than being awake.

After a while, Touma came to, with Helcalia's sweet smelling hair tickling his cheek, and Amazora drooling slightly and mumbling to herself in her rest.

They resumed talking. He learned that they were equipped in special bag, enchanted by Nephthys to be much bigger on the inside, and to lose weight of things put inside.

It was incredibly thought through. That was Nephthys for you. Touma made it a point of honour to berate Niang-Niang for sending him in just in his clothes and not giving him anything useful.

Granted, they wouldn't need to eat or drink, so having food rations would be redundant, although Amazora delighted herself with canned oysters. Laughing, Helcalia remarked that it was possible here to get fat over time, to which Amazora blushed deeply, uncharacteristically so, and stopped indulging herself immediately. Touma wondered what was the story there.

Apparently, Amazora didn't change so much. Even though she looked and acted more mature, she was still the same mischievous, sassy, quick-to-action, oyster-loving little sister Touma knew and loved. As Amazora herself said, getting older

They also couldn't get filthy or sweaty, but some spare clothes were nice thing to have. That was why Helcalia and Amazora had clothes that were fit for them after changes in their bodies. As they reached to the bag and thought of his clothes, they found another set for him, with note.

'For Touma, when time comes, although I wonder how stimulating it would be to see him run around without them'

Leave it to someone who wore only bandages and disliked modern clothing to tease about leaving him to run around naked.

It was strange to part with his regular clothes, but he would rather not embarrass Helcalia anymore, given her perpetual blush and inability to look directly at him. Not to mention the fact that Amazora, from time to time, gave him the look, that he saw on Kaibi and Rikuri, despite her best efforts to hide it.

He was flattered, and honestly, a little distracted, but they could not afford losing time.

Touma changed into something a combination of slightly worn long coat on dark T-shirt that matched his eyes, with long yet breathable trousers. It felt a little off, but that aside, he had to admit, it was rather cool combination, especially with his newfound beard and musculature.

"Why do you think our bodies change? It is very slow, and maybe restricted to this place alone, but we grow older"

"I thought about this" Helcalia admitted" It's very weird, considering that we do not need to eat, sleep, and so on. Also, Amazora thought about marking the doors or the walls, and it seems this place resets itself, the rooms returning to their default state"

Well, not that he would know that. He could never return to room he once visited if he passed through the door to the next one.

"I think it might be an act of mercy. A part of my luck, I guess" he said slowly

"What do you mean?" asked Amazora.

"Othinus told me something like that in the past. That lack of change is very difficult to endure mentally. If nothing ever changes, and you are stuck within countless loops of fixed sceneries and events, you are more likely to go insane. So maybe this is something to prevent it. Or maybe... there is a time limit. If I fail to do this, we will eventually die in here."

The air didn't seem conductive for a conversation for a while after that last comment.

"This is not good" Touma muttered, rubbing his head" I still didn't figure out how to get out of here.. or rather to complete my task. I feel like I am missing something... that I am doing something wrong... that I am expected to do it differently"

Helcalia and Amazora looked at each other.

"I don't really know... I can't tell you much... we know you have some sort of mission here. But if you didn't figure it out... maybe try doing something differently from what you've been doing here "

"I think the best way to do it is to share your burden. Not even you can save everyone on your own..."

Touma nodded and walked forward, before his eyes widened.

He turned and put hands on the girls shoulders.

"Wait... what did you say?"

"That we can't tell you much-"

"No, after that!"

"That you should try try doing something differently from what you've been doing here so far..."

"... And that I cannot save everyone on my own. That's..."

Touma's face fell. He felt cold sweat running down his back.

If the solution that appeared in his head was a correct one, then... he didn't like the implications. No, he dreaded them. But...

"You are brilliant" he passed past the grim thoughts, and gave his companions warm hug, to the point of taking their feet off the ground" You might just gave you a solution"

"We did? I mean... it's high time you noticed my brilliance" Amazora said teasingly, tossing her hair aside" It seems I steered you in the right direction?"

"You can say that-"

"Then, given what this place did with me, you won't mind if I collect my fee for assistance in finding the solution?"

"What-"

Amazora took his face and planted strong kiss on his lips.

Kamijou Touma had many thoughts run through his head at that moment.

Of course, this was new and kind of strange. After all, that girl was his honorary, non-blood related sister. While he was vaguely aware of her feelings for him, he would lie if he didn't think Kaibi and Rikuri's advances didn't overshadow the youngest sister.

Additionally, Touma would get in trouble while involving himself with Amazora at her age. So they made a promise to wait with any involvement or romantic pursuit until they are older.

But, since Amazora spent 10 years on this search in the place beyond space, which made her physically and mentally 22 or 23 years old, she seemed to consider the deal safe, for now, and took the occasion.

Also... she was similar to her sister Rikuri, even if she had her unique, unparalleled twist of the onee-san look. Which meant, as strange as it would be and as much as he had the instinct to berate her... the experience was far from unpleasant. In fact... Touma kissed her on brow and cheeks before. But this...

Amazora had that vivid, passionate enthusiasm of a first time kisser. Her sisters were always much more reserved, for various reasons, but gattling gun expert was a go getter, and always invested herself into anything she liked with great enthusiasm and affection. Including jumping up and wrapping her legs on Touma's pack, lifted mid-kiss... and also forgetting that both she and Touma needed to breathe

"Phwah!" she finally broke the kiss, leaving Touma in a mixture of red from sudden stimulation and purple from lack of oxygen.

She beamed at him, wiping her lips.

"Sorry for being so abrupt. It's just... I couldn't resist. I always thought it was unfair, you know? You saved my life in that garage. Even when we were still assassins, I thought you were cooler before Rikuri nee-san, and certainly way before Kaibi nee-san. Yet, because I was smaller, I couldn't do anything about it. They both managed to confess to you and kiss you before me... so there you have it"

"That's... that was..."

"Mmmm..."

Touma turned around and his heart received critical blow.

To Helcalia's credit, she did her best to appear indifferent, trying to look away with crossed arms.

But that small sound she made moment earlier and the fact that she was pouting betrayed her completely.

It was overwhelmingly cute. Fact that the '10 years later' Helcalia had good deal of grace and charm on her own merit, pouting on mature woman in her 20s just hit different for Kamijou Touma.

The teary eyed pout Helcalia made when Touma first found her and the one he was seeing now seemed worlds apart.

Ever so devious, Amazora giggled, putting a hand to her lips. She whispered into Touma's ear.

"You know, being fair, Calia helped you too. She is a shy type and she won't say it, but she totally wants some reward too. Don't keep her waiting"

Touma was not sure what to do. He didn't expect this turn of events in the first place.

But as inobservant as he was when it come to romance, he picked up that girls did not fancy being left out like this. He would rather not have Helcalia sulking for gods know how long, even if she would probably not bring the issue up.

He was all for justice and gender equality, but also believed in just approach to certain things.

So, after steeling himself, he leaned in towards the brown-skinned woman.

"Calia~... look!" Amazora sang, trying to conceal mirth in her voice.

Helcalia turned her head...

SMOOCH!

... which caused her lips to connect, very delicately, with Touma's.

Pale blue irises looked into dark ones, both comicaly widening.

Frozen, the warm and sweet tasting lips remained on Touma's for a few more seconds, before boy jumped back.

"I-I... didn't expect to-"

Helcalia opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, before her entire face turned beet red. The silver haired woman slowly fell to the floor with a resounding thud.

Amazora broke into a fit of laughter, slapping the floor.

"Two thumbs way up!"

"Amazora! Y-You-"

"What? We've been together for ten years, I saw her sketching kissing with you when she thought I wasn't looking. I might be possessive, but she became my best friend. I am not going to abandon a friend just to have my way. Isn't that what you taught me, onii-chan?"

"You always take what I say in your own way"

"Part of my charm. You're welcome"

"Fwaaaaah..." the completely red, swirly-eyed Helcalia contributed from the floor.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Although this distraction was a saving grace, it didn't change the problem.

Touma waited when Amazora and Helcalia (who amusingly shout her heart out at still grinning Amazora after coming to) went to rest. He thought that few days already passed since they met each other. Time passed quicker here, and there was no surefire way to gauge it, but he did notice that they were getting rest in a regular intervals. Something he couldn't afford now.

He walked away to the other side of hexagonal space, and stared at the three doors...

Wait... three doors?

He spun around and sure enough... there was a fourth door, the door they used to get here.

This labyrinth did not allow exceptions. It was always a hexagonal room, with three doors, and three walls with tapestries, completed by light coming from above and below.

After all that time, the distortion of that symmetry felt terribly wrong.

Was that door even here when they entered the room? Touma couldn't be sure, but he was inclining to answer negatively.

Not to mention, there was something peculiar about that door, and that was saying something, considering how many peculiar entrances this place held.

It was taller and wider than regular door. Its frame resembled a starry sky, as if strip of universe was put between two lines of gold. Meanwhile, the main body of the door was split into three parts, as if it was a triptic, each narrowing to the middle, where the handle was located.

First third of the door depicted a strange, distorted world, filled with creatures Touma never saw before, and with elements of landscape all over the place, in the middle, there were eight green branches made out of tangled thorns, that centered into red rose, with petals that looked a lot like flames.

The symbolism reminded Touma of something, but he couldn't quite put a finger of what exactly. He moved on in examining the entrance.

Second third resembled sun and moon over the road leading through a desert, splitting the imaginary into simultaneous day and night, with pale green chains circling around the image. In the middle of that road, there was a chalice of liquid, maybe water, circled by glowing locks of blond hair.

Finally, third part portrayed two human silhouettes, in a patch of light surrounded by swirling darkness. One was laying on the ground, other was shielding it, why raising its fist, as if in defiance or as if it was ready to strike down anything coming from the edges of the shadows.

Or maybe... was it reaching for a speck of golden light on the edge of darkness, barely visible, but undeniably present?

That part was surrounded by the snake-like coils of multiple colours of scaly hide, and completed with head of dragon on top.

Touma slowly stepped closer to the door, and noticed the door handle.

It was a golden hand. Right hand, to be specific.

He was starting to get the idea what awaited there.

Still, something was compelling him strongly to go inside.

Looking at Amazora and Helcalia, Touma sighed, and then slowly took golden right hand into his own.

"I will be right back... I hope, at least..."

The door opened, slowly and with majestic sweep.

Steeling himself for just a second or two, he stepped into the unknown.

PART 2: BETWEEN ME AND THEM

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I called to plagues to smother me with blood, in sand, misfortune was my God" - Arthur Rimbaud

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You made it"

At first, Touma could not see anything.

Slowly, yet steadily, his vision cleared.

When it did, he noticed that he was standing on the hill, with giant oak tree on top of it. Below it were grassy meadows and even further down, a village of red-roofed houses.

Touma looked around and noticed a man sitting in between the thick branches. He looked above 40, had brown hair with traces of silver, was tall and slim, with slight musculature, green eyes complimented with welcoming smile.

"I am so glad that you are here" he jumped down the tree, weapon of chains called flying claws clattering on his back, and then walked to still shocked Touma" I've been telling her, that you will be able to reach us in time, and look at that! You tapped into Imagine Breaker... well, what you reclaimed of it... deep enough to contact us. Huh, you grew a beard? Now we match!"

"Ah...right..." Touma nodded, before asking" And you are?"

"I am Ekkhard Sündelige, Saint, traveler, mercenary, and previous Imagine Breaker host. You can call me Eike. I was hoping to meet your vestige one day, but this is even better! I am very excited to be able to speak with you"

"Previous Imagine Breaker host? You mean..."

Eike raised his hand and tapped his wrist.

"That arrow thing? Yeah, bones of those handsome arm was used. Word of advice, when you actually die, and I mean die for good, order yourself a cremation beforehand. This way something like that will not repeat"

"This is... it's very nice to meet you. It's just... I never expected to..." Touma found himself amazed" I thought that I would never be able to talk like this with you"

"Well, it's your usage of the power that allowed it" Eike laughed" I could never contact any past echoes of Imagine Breaker's past, when I was the host. Also, this whole affair is partially my fault"

"Your fault?"

"Vasilisa was my lover, you see... or with how she was, maybe it was more that I was hers? Anyway..." The German Saint scratched his beard, his face turning solemn" I would never guessed she took my words like this... after my accidental death, which was in all honesty the most screwed up coincidence in that moment of time... I guess she never really allowed her any grief. So I am sorry for what's happening. For what you are experiencing right now, trying to get this power back. So I will do what I can to aid you. I hope I won't be alone"

"That remains to be seen" Another voice, female one, came from behind them" You can hope, but that's between me and him"

Touma should figure this out.

The door imagery was split into three parts.

Eike said Touma reached deep enough to contact 'them'

And earlier on, in the dream-like state, he heard a female voice in addition to Eike's.

Behind them was a young woman in a simple black robe with silver stitches, maybe 25 years old, with hair in the colour of flame, dark red, and pale, crystal blue eyes. She looked beautiful because of her face and feminine attributes, but her body language, gaze, and aura exuded defiance and cautious scepticism.

"Even after watching you all that time" she spoke, narrowing her eyes at Touma" I am still not sure if you are stupidly ignorant... or truly brave"

"Why can't he be both?" Eike remarked" And even if he is, it can all change with time"

The redhead approached Touma.

"Is this..." Touma mused, examining the girl. Then something clicked" Anna?"

The girl looked at him as if he fell on his head

"Excuse me?"

"No, no..." Touma quickly realized his mistake. Of course this wasn't his afterlife companion. This person was younger and looked different in few aspects... most notably the glare" I mistook you for someone I know... friend that..."

"Anna Kingsford, right? Well, you wouldn't be completely off... and yet so wrong at the same time. She is a distant descendant to my family, apparently. As for myself, I am the first human host of Imagine Breaker"

"First one?"

"Yes. I was first, his chained holiness here was second, and you are the third"

Touma looked at Eike.

"Did you know about it?"

He shrugged

"No, not until I died. Apparently, our lovely lady wasn't known enough to go down in history, not enough to warrant Vasilisa's attention anyway. She was always one more interested in those matters. I knew I could block magic with my hand and that was enough. Oh, you also have those... esper powers? There weren't a thing during my time. I watched a lot of things in your life, but would you mind explaining-"

"If you mind" the first host rolled her eyes and resumed" Kamijou Touma, my name is Ataxia Veronique Bonné."

"Ataxia?"

"Yes, yes... it means 'Disorder', it's from Greek... that bastard of a priest had specific naming ideas...

"Can I call you Taxi?"

"No. On so many levels, no"

"Or Nique?"

"No. Just call me Ataxia. Either way, I watched you for a long time and I have to say... you are... without a doubt..."

"Yeah?"

"... a complete and utter moron"

Touma frowned at that.

"What?"

"You heard me" Ataxia crossed her arms, her red hair fluttering on the wind" I can get and admire your tenacity in staying alive. But why are you trying to play a hero?"

"I am not playing a hero" Touma retorted, the words laced with irritation" I never wanted nor needed to be one. I am only wanting to help those who are in front of me, because it's a good thing to be done"

"Is it though?" Ataxia pointed a finger at him, putting her other hand on her hip" All you are doing is preventing the inevitable."

"Which is?"

"Reality. Which is that we all share burden of ill fate. That we all suffer and fall. That sooner or later, the lack of good fortune will catch up to us"

"So I should just accept my life as it is?"

"I don't have to be your enemy, but I am not convinced to be your ally either. Do not seek happy ending that might not be possible."

"What is your problem with this? I do not know you, but I will not back down without a fight"

"There is nothing wrong about caring about yourself, when you have that curse." Ataxia shook her head" We know what it does to a person and you should realize it too"

That made Touma slow down a little.

"Sorry... I know you had to have a really hard time. I am not used to thinking that Imagine Breaker was someone else's... and everything that follows from it..."

"Well, yes, thanks for noticing" the woman took few strands of red hair in her hand" Left-handed, red-haired child, female at that, born in medieval times. I don't see anything going wrong with this setup"

"Is she always like this? This... sarcastic, I mean" Touma mouthed to Eike.

"You saw nothing yet. But yes, sometimes I think she has liquid irony in her veins instead of blood"

"I can hear you, you know" Ataxia grumbled, before examining Touma again" Your insistence at saving others is ridiculous. If you think you can steer everyone in such a direction, you are naïve. It will only lead to your death."

Touma clenched his fist. Something about this conversation was seriously aggravating.

"Now wait a minute, Taxi-san. Like I said, I never wanted to save people just for the sake of saving them. I wanted everyone to be happy and have a good life. Isn't it good to care for the people you yourself care about?"

"Don't call me Taxi! Well, perhaps it would be..." Ataxia quietly remarked" if you would have been rewarded. But in the end, people will turn away. In one form or another, you will end up alone. One who wields Imagine Breaker can do many things, but he... or she... can never have a life you are fighting for"

"So you suggest just laying down and giving up?"

Touma and Ataxia went almost forehead to forehead, before Eike put hands on top of their heads.

"Now, now, children, you are both pretty. Herr Touma, you have to forgive her. But you have to also understand that she speaks from experience."

Ataxia shrugged his hand off Eike's hand, and silently went to look over the city in the distance.

"Can you..." Touma asked, as the they walked close to her, the three of them looking down the hill" Can you show me?"

"Show you what?"

"I assume that this place is our room. For all three... is there only three human hosts?"

"Yes. No more, no less, at least in the present. You might have noticed abundance of trinities here and there around your life "

"Right... three of us. Can you show me your story?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to understand. I do not agree with you, but it's just... I feel so... connected, even considering it. Eike-san... what he said earlier was right. All of us... if anyone could even begin to understand what we've been through, it's the three of us"

Ataxia was silent for a moment. Wind played with her red hair, as she slowly pointed out at the sizeable building at another side of the river. It was the castle, on the cliff over the riverbank.

"If knowing it will be a warning to you... fine, I will I was born there, in the castle... as a daughter of a lower ranked noble..."

The world parted, as if mist was unravelling and then connecting together, to show a stately woman with brown hair and dress that looked like something you would see in a history books, being presented two infant girls. One of them had her brown hair, just like older woman, while other one had beginnings of red hair, and bright blue eyes.

"I present to you Marie and Veronique, your ladyship. Your daughters" the servant bowed, holding the girls high.

"I was born a twin, but looked nothing like my sister. I had a red hair, and blue eyes, unprecedented in the region of my birth. My father was furious, since I didn't look like neither of my parents, and thought that my mother cheated on him with some of the guests visiting the castle. Meanwhile, my mother, an overzealous, devout believer... considered me a devil's omen. So to placate my father, silence the rumours, and dispel her own worries, she took me to the river some months after my birth, to the feet of the castle."

Scene shifted, showing a hooded figure holding a bundle over the waters of the river at moonless night.

At first, she tried to drown me. But fearing the punishment for murder on her soul, she took a page from Bible, and put me in a basket, before letting me float down the river"

Touma watched the basket with coldness in his stomach.

Then, image of nun pulling out the baby near the shore of a river.

"I survived, somehow, although fell very ill, after travelling far down the river. A priest from a nearby church heard my cries and took me in, in a moment of pity"

"So... it had a bit of luck, in it?" Touma tried to say weakly" You didn't die. With Imagine Breaker, that in itself is an achievement"

Ataxia sighed sadly and shook her head.

"Sometimes, this curse leaves us alive only because staying alive can sometimes be more painful than just drifting into nothing. It's more misfortunate that way. And that's exactly how it was for me"

Another memory shift, with older Ataxia, maybe 5 or 6 years old, walking slowly, with her head lowered, carefully watched by the nuns.

"I was taken in, but just like my mother, people around my birthplace were rather superstitious. No one in the female led church he took me to liked me. The priest who found me was a scholar, and gave me a name Ataxia, from a greek word for 'disorder'. You can probably guess why."

Eike nodded. It looked as if he already heard this story, but appear equally invested and touched.

"Accidents, injuries, coincidences, everything went against me. Everything bad in the church was always because of me, and nuns distaste for me grew, my appearance aside. I was a bad luck magnet. They tolerated me because the priest who found me was a good benefactor to the church, but they took every opportunity to make my life more miserable. Back then, I thought that I was just clumsy and had to try harder to be better. But then... first turning point happened"

Scene shifted yet again, with a small reheaded girl reaching for something that looked like a skull, high above the altar.

No, Touma realized, it didn't only look like a bone. It was, indeed, a human skull.

"My church had a reliquary. Among one of the most treasured possession's was a skull that was supposedly miraculous and blessed everyone with good fortune. I... I was only a child, I didn't know about our shared... condition. I had a particularly bad accident, and got yelled at. I thought that if I touched it and prayed, I would stop getting in trouble all the time. I just wanted to touch it for a moment and then leave."

Small girl stretched her body, reaching for the skull.

"Except..." Ataxia winced slightly" one touch is enough... when a truly miraculous object encounters this right hand"

The small fingers of the girl's right hand brushed against a surface of the skull.

The familiar sound of shattering glass resounded throughout the closed space. Touma's own hand twitched, as if in response.

The cracks spread throughout the bone and it shattered into hundred small pieces. This startled little Ataxia and caused her to fall backwards.

"This brought others inside. As you may expect, they did not believe me. It didn't help that I didn't understand what happened. That night I was severely... corporally... punished. After that, I knew I wasn't welcome there. So I... ran away."

The image of a seven year old girl running throughout the dark forest, slipping and sliding, wiping the tears from her eyes...

"I didn't get far... I was found and captured after exiting the forest by human traffickers. They kept children of low born and peasant to be sold as servants or such"

"Out of frying pain, into the fire" Eike clicked his tongue awkwardly.

"I am so sorry..." Touma whispered, mortified.

Image shifted into the vision of the girl sitting in a small room, with tiny window.

As the doors opened, girl was bound and pushed outside.

"For nearly eight months, I was kept locked between auctions, fed just enough to not look completely unfit. No one wanted to buy me, but ultimately... someone volunteered. By that point, I was so hungry and numb that I cared less who took me in"

Another change...

A girl, older, possibly 10 years of age, singing and

"I was sold to a performer. He made me a jester... he was a cruel man, but at the very least he provided for me with food, so for some time... for nearly 3 years... I was existing there... travelling, singing, and being laughingstock. Dressed in colourful rags, entertaining everyone... for so long I endured and endured... but after some time... I noticed how happy of themselves spectators in the towns appeared to be... how the wealthy appeared to be in disregard... how smiles seemed laced with cruelty... and laughter became like sharp glass. I was actually surprised that even if my heart was so numb, I actually felt something. Yes, I felt something, oh yes I did. It festered and festered, it tangled and spread, until one day... second turning point arrived...

With new change of scene, Touma had to think for a moment to understand what he saw...

Before he understood that this scene was showed from a first person perspective.

A laughing crowd, pointing fingers at the girl at the stage, a girl, whose perspective they saw: Ataxia.

Touma felt something. Something dreadfully familiar.

A pulse in his arm. As if something wanted to get out.

But it wasn't as usual. Once again, it was like an echo... or a resonance.

Meanwhile, in the vision, fruits began to be thrown. A sizeable portion hit the target. And as Ataxia's vision blurred, and laughter echoed in her ears like a diabolical cackle...

She slowly, very slowly, as if in trance, raised her arms, as if she tried to strangle the entire crowd.

Vision switched to the outside perspective, with 10 year old Ataxia standing with arms spread, and eyes so intense that Touma felt it even hundreds of years away from those events.

In the next moment, something broke. Both in the young girl, and in her body.

Her right arm exploded.

As crowd was splashed with blood, it didn't register what was happening yet.

And then, Touma didn't know what he saw.

The entire world twisted and folded. Sun darkened, moon risen in the middle of the day, sky became a caleidoscopic, multicoloured blur, earth parted and rose above, as if gravity was suddenly turned off, houses melded together and disassembled, turning into checkered patterned butterflies and bubbles. Lightning stroke from the ground, upwards, and the clouds turned into river of shimmering gold, in which fish with scales resembling sky of the night bathed, swimming through the air.

And in the midst of it all, one girl lifted into the air with arms spread on instinct, her hair resembling a flame, and missing limb replaced with something like a multicoloured mist.

But then, it ended. The world was back to what it resembled a minute pior.

Except that the crowd was on the ground. Dozens of men and women fallen, with their eyes opened, including the man who was a ringleader and Ataxia's 'benefactor'.

All except for one woman.

As frightened Ataxia attempted to flee, she grabbed her by the arm, while examining one of the fallen men.

"You are interesting" she said, looking at the girl" Did you distort the world? Or was it something else? They appear to be breathing, but they are not... here."

"P-Please... I don't know what happened... leave me alone..."

As she pushed the woman away with right hand, a sound of shattering glass was heard.

The older woman's face displayed absolute shock.

"My protective enchantment is gone" she whispered, astonished" You are a mystery after mystery. You say you don't know what you did? What if I... helped you to control it? To harness this power, whatever is its nature?"

"W-Why... would you do that?"

"Because magicians help each other" the women said" And I think I just found an apprentice"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Touma looked at Ataxia.

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"That thing you did with... with the world? Everything became so strange."

"Oh, that... well..." Ataxia allowed herself a tired smile" Let's say... you are not only one with gifts that Imagine Breaker conceals..."

'Like my connections with dragons?' Touma thought in amazement' Now that's something even more unbelievable to add to the list of crazy things happening...'

"That women was my adoptive mother." the female host explained" she took me in, trained me in magic... history of magic, since I couldn't use any with this hand... herbology, arts, literary forms, everything I needed... together we realized that my right hand can dispel magic. And that the force that broke free that day was some kind of primordial chaos..."

"Primordial chaos?"

"I can speak to that" Eike interjected" You see, when creation came to be, during times of Pure World, every single element was mixed and intertwined. Every single thing spread out and was in constant flux. The laws of the world were just forming and so, each action produced something absolutely unpredictable."

"I don't know how essence of that ancient world found me or why it bonded with me" Ataxia muttered, looking at the sky" What I learned is that this force is the loneliest in existence. It forcibly separates human soul from objective world, forces it into its own perceived, random and chaotic reality. It can truly separate any human being from the world and turn me unperceivable by senses... which also means I could not interact with anything either. It traps others in the world of their own illusion, exaggerated to highest degree. It can but does not have to knock them out, but it always isolates human soul in their own world, a shard of reality distorted by chaos... like the one you saw from my perspective. We had a word for it. Solipsis Hallow... or, Self-Veneration of The I"

Touma knew that there was a lot more to Ataxia's mystery power of the primordial disorder. He recalled the symbol on part of the door that corresponded to the first vessel. Rose of flames, with thorns intertwined into eight arms. Now he remembered what it was: a star of chaos.

He didn't know much about his dragons, and he was aware of them for some time now. But he knew that this other ability was not trivial.

No, in fact, it was terrific and mighty force. As Ataxia talked more about, he realized that this force was basically a weaponization of schizophrenia. It forcibly unified what was divided, and removed all the limitations, resulting in unspeakable disorder... in the state the ancients apparently called αταξία.

Talk about self-fulfilling prophecy of a name.

It was...

"What do you think?" the girl asked, looking at him carefully

"I think it's... a little unsettling and terrifying. I mean, it splits the world in your head into your own reality and prohibits you from interacting with anyone else? That's scary. But also... it was strangely beautiful. Chaos fills the world the awe-inspiring sights"

"That's not so surprising really" Eike, at some point, unwrapped his flying claws and was playing with a weapon, chains glittering in a pale light of a vision" Chaos alters natural forms into shapes they would never take, challenges imagination. It breaks restraint, and creates highest form of freedom. Taxi here can unfold reality's hold on a person's soul and set it free"

"You are calling me Taxi too now? You two are worth each other!"

"Aww, you are worth us too, and you know it"

"There is something that was bothering me for a while" Touma pondered" You tell me about things you can't possibly remember. I mean, no one remembers their own birth? And you... Eike-san, was it... you are aware of espers and such... how?"

"Oh, that's easy" Eike waved his hand" Imagine Breaker forms a collective, dormant consciousness. You can learn and adapt to many things beyond what you know when you were still breathing, extend your knowledge by watching and being witness. Including our own pasts and Imagine Breaker's future, that we witnessed through your eyes"

"Alright... and do you..." Touma motioned to Eike's right arm.

The older host laughed and shook his head

"Nothing in my arm, no extra special power. I suppose that just being a Saint born with killer of all illusions was more than enough for one person"

"Doesn't your dormant power contradict Imagine Breaker?" Touma addressed Ataxia" I mean, our right hands should destroy all illusions and revert the world into original, purely physical state right? But with all the distortion and separation you cause-"

"It might seem like it" Ataxia admitted" When I learned of a force born in modern times, which you call World Rejecter, I was surprised that I wasn't in fact, host of that power. Even if it didn't exist in my time, why didn't it manifest with me as its first user? I seemed predisposed. But after I pondered on it, I realized that there was a crucial difference"

"Which is?"

"My power doesn't reject the world as a whole. It only rejects the notion of restriction and universality. It individualizes and frees every rule and every individual soul, and by doing so, redefines every sense and meaning. You say that it creates illusions. But in my opinion, it also shatters one of the most potent illusions of all"

Seeing that Touma waited for her to elaborate, she sighed and finished.

"Control. Control over choice, over will, over life, and other aspects of existence. We may have some semblance of volition, but once small change in the world, and it all comes down."

"I don't think I follow"

"What is the bravest thing someone can do with their life to make it worthwhile?" Eike asked.

Touma thought for a moment, before giving his reply.

"Having the conviction in follow your dreams and courage to not be discouraged out of it?"

"Predictable, but understandable answer" Ataxia patted Touma's shoulder, her face serious and grim, as if she thought of things far more distant than he realized" But I think what requires greatest bravery is not renouncing one's life not when some meaning is showed by another, but when it is showed that life does not have a hidden meaning or sense at all. That we all just struggle do make one, even if it's arbitrary. This is a reminder of both Imagine Breaker and my power of chaos"

Touma recalled what Kamijou No Touma told him and Gokusai sisters during his escape, among others, of what he found out about Imagine Breaker's nature.

'The answer to meaning of reality is reality itself. So in the end, there is no fixed meaning. Just world, and what meaning we struggle to give it'

"Ataxia-senpai..."

"Why do insist of torturing me with those ways of addressing me..."

"What is the ending of your story?"

"Well, if you must now, I was taken in, trained to become a witch, became a healer and a doctor... well, as much as I could in such times... travelled through the country... and then I didn't anymore"

"But-..."

"Just now this. Regardless of whether someone is a hero or a villain, when they burn, they burn in the same painful way"

It felt as if block of ice dropped to Touma's stomach, as he watched his senior in misfortune scratch her skin, as if it gave sensation he couldn't perceive... a phanthom pain on her entire body.

His gaze hardened.

"I will show it to you, both of you, if you give me yours. Give me your experiences"

"Didn't you hear what I just said? I don't-"

"I don't think it's a bad idea" Eike mused out loud.

He waved his hand and their shared space shifted into oasis in the middle of the desert. It was twilight and stars appeared on a sky that was a mixture of indigo and purple.

He sat down and reached his arms towards his predecessor and successor.

"If we focus enough, we can do it. This is his mind, Fräulein Taxi. Wir sind sein Erbe, er sollte unsere Gefühle kennen und verstehen."

"Fine..." Ataxia conceded, and dropped down" Come on, third."

Touma looked at her extended hand.

"You want us to hold my hand? Why?"

Ataxia's eyes looked as if they were trying to disintegrate him on a spot.

"Obviously because I fell deeply in love the moment I saw that I have such a charming successor"

"Oh, really? In that case, I am flatt-"

"OF COURSE NOT, YOU IDIOT! I am like your... I don't know... your spiritual guide? And a part of you too! That would be weird"

"Like some twisted version of self-love" Eike admitted" Although, while we are on the subject, I feel like I can assume more fatherly role in this dynamic. You two are like a squabbling siblings, you know"

"WE ARE NOT!" Both spiky haired boy and redheaded girl shouted.

Ataxia put her hands together.

"We talked about this. I was born almost half of millenium earlier than you and been in the collective consciousness the longest. You are not my dad"

"But I died the eldest from our three... well, I don't have much of a competition seeing that one of us is still alive, but the point still stands" Eike protested" I have most experience in adulthood, even if I died nearing 50. I always wanted to be a father... although I guess my luck didn't allow it. Don't mention it, neither of you would look like my children anyway~... Vasilisa always said that they would have her hair..."

Seeing his saddened face, Ataxia sighed and grasped Touma's hand.

"We are getting side-tracked. We are going to show you our feelings and experiences, so you can fully understand instead of just listening. Sit down... and focus on our touch"

Touma sat down and did as he was told.

And then...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Image of a kid eating flesh of things that would be revolting to many, in extreme hunger...

Image of a girl being beaten by nuns without any explanation, called devil's spawn...

A young man is put in chains and sent to gallows for suspected affair with mayor's daughter...

Girl is wiping tomato's from her hair and face... the juice mixing with her tears...

Man trying to reach for another in the middle of a storm, throwing his weapons of chains, but one who he tries to rescue slips away, followed by inhuman scream of pain and misery...

Girl training with a woman with a kind smile... then watching her being dragged away, not resisting to protect her and having her life spared... She is forced to watch by the guards, to give her warning, as the kind witch disappear beneath the cold waters of the river, smiling till the end despite the unfairness of the trial...

A ragged and dirty man trying to find another droplet of beer in the ceramic mug... before smashing it in front of the gravestone with surname Sündelige inscribed on it... kneeling in front of it and crying so much, that his eyes started to hurt and burn...

...Young woman with dark red hair travelling alone through roads of countryside, using her right hand to dispel curses and thwart supernatural forces... gaining fame and recognition for the first time in her life...

...Trying his best to find anything to cling onto... befriending a small girl from the suburbs after saving her from the fire... the gratitude of young mother, a widow running a bakery... few months of romance cut short by jealous admirer barging in on them and sinking a knife into her heart...

...Being ordered to save the child of a wealthy lady married to a lord of nearby lands, she complies out of desire, for the first time in her life, to genuinely help someone. Due to her treatment in the presence of the wealthy, she dyes her hair black to not draw attention to herself, and goes forth to see her patient...

Rage fills the man who lost everyone before, who keeps having family, friends, and now love collected from him by death and misfortune. He is attacked, but the Saint, with glimpse of image of God in his body, is stronger. Blinded by fury, he uses his weapon of chains to restrain the opponent, and punches the jealous murderer's face... he intends to only discombobulate... but not realizing how much his fury fuelled his strength... the punch causes something, round and easily mistaken for a ball or orb, to sail through the air and the window... while the rest collapses in front of shocked man...

... She succeeds in curing the child, and the joy on the castle is great. The lady, brown haired woman with great benevolence and literary prowess for her era, accepted her as a part of her court. The lady searches for her sister, who apparently got left to die by their mother, who confessed it in the diary right before death, no doubt from the fear of infernal blaze. The lady feels intense longing to fix injustice and find her. The witch reluctantly accepts and they travel together...

... He is cast out of town, everybody fearing to approach him, after mortifying decapitation incident. His pleas fall on death ears. The young girl, his adoptive daughter for last months, looks at him with such terror that he stops in mid-motion while he reaches for her... not having any more strength, he flees... after a while, he wounds up in the army, in what will become finishing act of the War of Italian Independence, on the side of Austrian Empire... despite barrage of bullets and stings of bayonets, he is still faster, and stronger... despite wounds he incurred, his chains take away weapons of the enemy, and disarm them... never to kill...

... Their search fruitless, the lady and the witch retire to the castle. Their journey brings them closer together, and the lady proudly declares the witch her confidant. The witch says that she has to depart, but promises to come if the lady ever needs her... in the meanwhile, the lord of the land, lady's husband, is charmed by strength of character and mysterious allure of the witch. Trying to keep her close, he offers her riches and life-long protection, if she made herself his mistress. The witch, proud and independent refuses and laughs him off. The Lord, not accustomed to being refused, plans revenge...

... He encounters magic on the battlefield. With his right hand, he easily crushes the enchantments and spells threw his way, the enemy's magicians clueless how to stop that man, who throws himself into danger as if there was no tomorrow, just to prove to himself that he is still alive... yet, he stops, pointing his weapon above the young man caught in the middle of the warzone. The man is a scholar, he claims, who came here to plan strategy for combat. But the war sickens me, he says. What about you, he ponders, despite his fear? The Saint trembles, and finally lays his weapons down... The young Italian is called Girolamo and he sneaks the now resigned man past the warzone through the series of ingenious ideas, past the Apenines, and further, to Rome...

... on one day, lady is particularly excited. She summons the witch to meet at the outskirts of the town, despite bad weather. As she appears there, her right hand shatters a concealment, revealing three men, belonging to Holy Inquisition, with swords and wands at the ready. They insist she follows them, but she knows better. The argument turns into a fight, they try to bind her, but with the aid of her right hand, she shatters the ropes of light. Upon which the lady arrived, a message in her hand. Witnessing the witch in distress, she cries loudly in alarm and tries to intervene. Without asking, she throws herself in front of sword being swung...

...He doesn't have a place to go and wants to begin anew. He is offered to travel together with his new companion, and reach Moscow, where he meets one he would fall in love with... together they travel, make love, and reach understanding beyond restrictions of language, religion, and convenience... until he reaches final stop of his journey... when his struggle between good and evil will culminate in his demise and determine who he really was...

... Struck with a blade, lady falls. Everyone is in shock, ever the one who brought down the weapon. Witch screams, and her arm explodes, multicolour mist of formless power swirling out. She orders everyone to leave, as she must treat the wounded. When they refuse, she unleashes her power, trying to scare them. She partially succeeds, when she separates two souls in their own personal layers of chaotic reality. Her arm grows back, as she pants in exhaustion. Then she notices the last assailant, standing over the lady, who is reaching for her, begging for help. In desperation, the witch strains, lifting the sword, charges forward. Holding the sword in her dominant left hand and supporting it with her right, she hears the sound of shattering and knows that something is wrong. But she cannot stop the sword, already in motion, as it is thrust forward. And as illusion falls apart around her, witch's bright blue eyes widen in horror, as she looks into lady's own gaze, as the sword impales her through her chest... the last remaining magician smiles vengefully from the ground, illusion he cast doing his job, before breathing his last breath. Witch cries for help, and tries to do something, cursing the inability to actually cast spells thanks to her right hand. But the lady points at the letter, and quietly asks to read it. It is a record of birth, that proves birth of sisters of Marie and Veronique Bonné. With her moist from blood, Marie reaches to witch's hair and wipes it on her hair, slowly revealing red colour. It matches, she says with a weak smile, a description that I managed to finally get from the servants of my old castle upon our father's recent death. It's you... you've been here all along... we were so silly, weren't we... but here we are at last...'. The witch, Veronique Bonné, known as Ataxia, urges her to stop speaking. But the lady, and her sister, shakes her head. 'If this is the last time I see you, I must say it. It might be so strange, and foolish even, to say it after all that time. But I have to: I am sorry that you were alone, and I am going to leave you now. But please, remember that I love you'. Her sister shakes her but the sad smile doesn't change, and neither does the empty gaze. And that's how they find her, cradling her sister in her arms with eyes closed, too hurt to even cry...

... On that fateful day, they both show up to the diplomatic meeting. He didn't see her for months, ever since they failed to have a child together. But he wants to make up for it. When the delegates from Germany were late and royal family of Russia moved to the other room, they danced, alone and focused on each other only. Only when the maids came inside to insist that they leave, since it was unbecoming to use royal dining room without the hosts, something happened. Perhaps it was because of his heightened senses, or some form of intuition, he sensed calamity that was to come before anyone had any idea. In motion faster than anything he ever did, he threw his weapon, flying claws wrapping around both maids and his surprised lover. She understood that something was off, but he was already acting. Swinging the chains around, he sent them flying through the door of the dining room, and dozens of meters on the polished corridor, tumbling and sliding away. The woman he loves quickly gets up, her golden hair glimmering, as she sees him standing in the middle of the dining hall, in the stream of evening light. He mouths 'Thank you. It was a life worth living... because of you'. With his smile, everything turns into light and explosion so powerful that it reverberates through the city roars forth, fire consuming everything...

...She is accused of murder. Even without sword laying near her, no one would believe her defence. After all, she is all that is mistrusted and hated by those god fearing zealots. Many people try to help, but all are silenced, in more or less sophisticated fashion. And when the lord of the land, her brother-in-law, also shocked and genuinely grieving from this turn of events, is asked if he gives a pardon, he shakes his head, still out spite for her earlier rejection. The jury says that the execution should be fitting for a witch. She is silent when she is marched to the outskirts and led to the bonefire. She ascends there, almost with princess like dignity. She could have try to escape, but she was resigned and accepted retribution for her action, however accidental it was. This time, no illusion, but only herself was shattered. So she accepted it, but not without a final bow. She stood tall as flames began to rise, and clenched her teeth once flames began to burn. But, in the last act of defiance, she rose her head and cursed the lord that brought upon the true tragedy. Burn with me, she said. And then the lord screamed, trying to extinguish flames that weren't really there. In that moment, he ceased to exist to anyone except her. He ran away, consumed by flames that exist only in reality of his own making, his own chaos. The witch's... no, the eyes of Ataxia... didn't leave him until he tumbled outside. And then, with a final exhale, she lets the flames consume her...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Touma opened his eyes. They were red from tears leaking from under the He had trouble breathing.

Next to him, Ataxia wiped a tear away. She didn't cry before, but now...

Eike was sitting with his face hidden in his arms.

Before Ataxia could speak, Touma wrapped his arms around her.

"I am so sorry..." he whispered" that you went through this. You too, Eike-san"

"What are you doing, you idiot..." Ataxia choked out, but didn't push him away.

Eike also wiped his tears, and wrapped both of them in the hug.

"We saw it too..." he said lowly" Your soul, Kamijou Touma"

"I saw..." Ataxia whispered, her face barely able to contain her emotions" Beauty... divinity... determination... sorrow... loss... heartbreak... hatred even... and so, so, so much death... you were so alone... even if we knew beforehand, feeling it is... not the same"

"But there was also hope... and love. Determination... and kindness. Even in violence, there was hope for change. Always. And this is why I believe that you are going to win"

"Win?"

"A future" Ataxia exhaled deeply before speaking again" As impossible as it may sound, you, even when you call yourself unremarkable, perfectly embody humanity in its weakest and strongest suits."

Eike began to draw in the air. Soon, the circle of light appeared, with silhouette of a woman with wide spread arms, palms up.

"In the beginning, there was chaos, Primordial Universe. The world was in unity, and everything was in everything. Every rule was in flux, and possibilities were limitless."

Then, he drew a line through the circle. One half became dark, while the other stayed bright. The silhouette of a man with his arms crossed, encircled by loop of chains appeared next to the woman.

"Then the world became a duality, Supreme Ultimate. Light and darkness, good and evil, started to separate everything there is in a distinct, sharp contrasts, as the rules that bound creation started to settle. And now..."

The two halves melded together, mixing up until familiar symbol of Yin and Yang appeared, alongside with silhouette of a man with his fist ready to deliver a blow.

"... there is trinity of good and evil and the limitless chaos, brought to their infinite potential... in you."

"So what does it mean?"

"In you, Imagine Breaker may find its ultimate purpose... because what you will reach for is beyond good and evil"

"Beyond good and evil? What do you think is it then? What is my destiny?" Touma asked in bewilderment.

"I think the only way to find out is living it up to find out" Eike said reassuringly" Now, I assume you know the key to travelling through the Labyrinth already"

Touma winced. He almost forgot about that.

"Yes... I had that strange feeling that I failed some of the trials... some of the experiences I saw... and now I know what to do"

"Hmm?"

"I have to... leave them unaltered. When I experienced tragedies of others, I got some degree of independence. But what I need to do is leave them be. Let them play out, and experience them, just as they happened. Am I right?"

"Yes. Yes, that is correct"

He couldn't spare Himegami Aisa fate of killing her village after they turned into vampires.

He couldn't save Frenda Seivelun's life. Nor rescue parents of Agenese Sanctis. He was not able to bring back Sherry Cromwell's best friend, Ellis.

He couldn't rescue and secure the lives of thousands of clones and aid Misaka Mikoto's heart.

He couldn't spare the torment and heartache that befallen Shokuhou Misaki and Mitsuari Ayu

He couldn't save Index from suffering years prior to meeting him.

He couldn't save them and so many others. All of the death, loss, loneliness, insecurity, tragedy, regret, and strife... had to be experienced exactly as it happened.

And he couldn't do anything to save them. He could not grant them a share of happy ending he wanted to give everyone.

No matter how hard he tried, those who died would never come back. And those who grieved could not have their tragedies taken away or averted.

''Does it really pain your heart so much?"

"Yes"

"We can grant you the opportunity to re-live everything correctly... but do you realize what you are going to sign up for?"

"Yes, I do"

"Why?"

"I just want... to be happy. And I want others to be happy too. Even if you are right, and there is not much sense in this world at all, a little bit of satisfaction and peace is all I want. I want my life to have value for me. And for that value I need..."

"Love" Eike finished, with understanding smile.

Ataxia shut her eyes and shook her head.

"Idiots, both of you"

"That's a day-to-day description"

"Imagine Breaker does not do happy endings."

"I am taking that risk"

"You can die. Even if that future happens, your own ending... your fate and demise..."

"I will worry about it when it comes to be. I can't change the past, and I don't know what will happen in the future, so the best I can do is to make sure my story has worthwhile middle part. And that's exactly what I am going to do. Three time's charm, right?"

"We... failed. We made mistakes. In the end, our lives ended in tragedy. What makes you... so certain?" Ataxia could not hide a small trembling in her voice.

Touma shrugged and smiled tiredly, though his eyes conveyed a bit of snarky humour.

"I have to do it. My heart and mind is set. I cannot be here for long if Amazora and Helcalia age normally. I have to do it faster, even if it may break me. And besides... three time's a charm, right?"

He exhaled, inhaled, and then spoke

"I am ready. Give me all of it. All of pain and suffering of these world, all the experiences distorted by loss of Imagine Breaker... I shall take it on me"

Ataxia didn't say anything for a while. She then turned away.

"Do as you wish"

"This may sound ridiculous, coming from us..." Eike showed Touma thumbs up" But good luck. You are going to need it"

Then, he closed his eyes. Touma was sure Ataxia did the same.

For a moment, nothing happened.

And then it began.

The wave of lives and experiences hit Touma with enormous force.

Loud, painful, intense, emotional, heartbreaking, lonely, scary, and so much more.

As if time sped up, lifetimes passed through him, all the pain reflected in his body, all experiences felt in his soul, from every betrayal, murder, heartbreak, injury, every bad thing ever experienced.

He grabbed his head...

Lives of his friends, loved ones, and even enemies were there. He felt them as his own, each and every one of them.

So much excruciating pain... unimaginable amount of loss and sorrow... anger, envy, sadness, fear... from every being in existence... flowing through his very core...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHH!"

He screamed and screamed, trashing in place, until his vocal chords tired out.

Eons passed in his mind, bombarding him with all of what he had to live through, as he curled on the floor. He wanted to just lie down, but the pain would make his body shot up from time to time, as if he was a spring let loose. He felt that he might die at any moment

But as much as death would be an easy way out, he managed to focus on enduring. And enduring. And enduring. And enduring. And enduring some more. Pushing forward, for everyone. Even if he couldn't scream and cry anymore after millions of lives passed, he kept on clenching his teeth and braving through the suffering.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Some time passed outside, and indefinitely more inside.

Kamijou Touma was straight up, on his knees.

His eyes were hollow of light. He didn't blink. Nothing in him indicated any life or movement.

Redness was dripping from his mouth, nose, and eyes.

"It is done..." Eike finally said" He travelled through pain and misfortune of all beings within his lifetime, affected by Imagine Breaker's loss."

"Our curse is almost back within him then" Ataxia declared, before looking unsurely at her spiky haired successor" But is he... did he... make it?"

"I believe in him..." Eike said confidently, with fatherly level of affection" After all, just like you embody primordial chaos and I the opposition of good and evil, he is the symbol of multiplicity of creation, especially humanity, with all of its vices and virtues. If there is anything that he is, he is a survivour and a hero. Our ceiling is his floor. I just feel that he's fate does not choose him to die just yet"

"Don't we all bypass fate?"

"All the more reasons to believe"

"He died once already" Ataxia rubbed her eyes." Hmph! J'essaie de lui épargner de la souffrance et de veiller sur lui. Mais la mort est peut-être le seul remède à l'idiotie."

"And came back from the dead" Eike gently yet firmly put his arm around Ataxia, pressing young redheaded witch to his chest." It would do you some good if you admitted that you are being harsh with him because you care about him and you don't want him to suffer"

"I couldn't care less about reality. But he bears our curse. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemies. I wish that he has what I couldn't have"

Ataxia then went silent, except for a small, barely audible whimper.

"You keep calling it a curse" Eike remarked" But let's not forget that as cursed as it made our life, this power serves other purpose. One that this boy embodies perfectly"

Kamijou Touma's index finger twitched... very, very slightly...

"No matter how much things become distorted... harmony will always return. Come on, rise up! Rette alle und erhebe deine Faust in der Zukunft, von der du geträumt hast! "

His heart began to beat again, unsurely at first, as if it couldn't remember proper rhythm, and then stronger, as life returned to the boy.

Only then, he collapsed on his back.

He lied there, for a while

"I..." he tried to speak.

"Welcome back" Eike crouched down" Good to see that you are still with us"

"I..." Touma tried to speak" I... have seen..."

"You've seen... and felt... much. Too much. But you will be fine. Because you have others waiting for you." Eike looked Ataxia" It's time for goodbyes, for now. Don't want to say something to him?"

"I am... p-p-proud of you" Ataxia mumbled, not looking at Touma" Go on, be a hero, or whatever. You are... very good at it."

"Apologies. She really hates goodbyes." Eike nudged his senior, who huffed indignantly" But she is really rooting on you and wants you to be happy"

"Don't put words in my mouth!"

"Also while you at it, she is a huge fan of Aradia, I mean, massive enthusiast, since she was a witch when she was alive and the woman you know, calling herself Aradia, is a proxy for a witch goddess. Maybe you can get an autograph or- ow, ow, ow! Alright, stop stepping on my foot!"

Holding furious and embarrassed Ataxia, whose face became the same colour as her hair, at arms length, Eike snapped his fingers with the other hand.

"I added a little gift for you, so you will be less alone for now. See you around"

And then, world around Kamijou Touma vanished.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Before he knew it, he was in the room he left Amazora and Helcalia in.

He was on the floor, which was rather peculiar. He noticed both Amazora and Helcalia running to him.

"Hey, onii-chan! Are you alright?"

"What happened? We saw you walk through that door, and then you fell out after few seconds!"

Sure enough, the special door to Imagine Breaker Sanctuary was gone.

Touma tried to speak. After few attempts, he managed to do so.

"It's a long story. I am..."

He wanted to say 'fine'. But even if he wanted to reassure the girls, this would be a lie too big.

Was he ready to continue his quest? Yes. Was he ready to keep them safe? Yes.

But was he fine?

He was alive...

Yet that was all for now.

"Also, where did you find my sisters?" Amazora exclaimed in excitement" Even if they were sent here behind us, I thought it would take super long time before we find them. And you just went to the next room? This is nuts!"

Touma's eyes widened as he felt that there was a weight on him. Twisting slightly, he noticed familiar bleached blond hair.

'No' Touma thought' This is not coincidence. This is the gift. Eike somehow brought them here, to us'

There wasn't need for much time, when Rikuri shot up from the ground. Kaibi followed soon.

"W-What happened? We were just... this is a different room!" Rikuri looked around widely, pointing her index fingers to doors in front of him.

Kaibi rubbed her eyes, also speaking out

"I swear, this place is so strange. I thought I was getting accustomed, but falling through the floor was uncalled for. What kind of-"

She paused, noticing Amazora, Helcalia, and Touma.

"Onee-chan..." she poked Rikuri" You might want to see this"

"What? Is there any-" Rikuri turned around and her jaw dropped.

Helcalia helped Touma up.

"Are you okay?" she asked in concern" You look quite pale"

Touma made 'don't worry about it' face and addressed the newly arrived Gokusai sisters

"Kaibi, Rikuri. I am so glad to see you safe. You came for me too?"

Kaibi opened her mouth, pointing at the man in front of her.

"T-Touma, is that you?!" Rikuri shouted next to her.

"W-What? Why? How?" It was rare to see Kaibi in the state of such shock. Her cheeks exploded in red, and her hand didn't seem to know if it should go to her hair, dress, or face" When did you get so... so..."

Her eyes flickered pink, as if she unconsciously attempted to close their emotional distance. Touma saw it a few times when Measure Heart was in especially romantic mood. It was similar to Misaka Mikoto scattering sparks when she was irritated or nervous.

Touma walked forth, slightly wobbling, and embraced two sisters.

"I missed you" he admitted" Very much. You look as lovely as the day we left"

"Oh you flatterer" Rikuri cooed, gently brushing her cheek and lips against Touma's cheek, before reaching the beard and crying out in surprise" Ow! Hmm, look at you, how very... becoming. The beard is a curious touch too. My, my, you make this onee-san weak. I can completely understand while you made Kaibi-chan swoon"

"I-I am not swooning!" Kaibi finally snapped to reality" I was just caught off guard... and surprised..."

Rikuri raised an eyebrow and pointed at her eyes.

Kaibi blushed, quickly deactivating Measure Heart.

"Alright, maybe I a little... swoon-ish..." she admitted" But that's not important. What happened to you? And... why do you look so pale from up close? Are you unwell?"

Two sisters instantly switched to high alert. Touma wiped cold sweat from his forehead.

"I've been better. I have been through... an intense experience. Don't worry, I will survive. Don't you want to say hello to Amazora?"

Only now the sisters took notice of their younger sibling. Stepping away from Touma, Rikuri approached Amazora.

"Either our precious roommate got himself some new girl who looks like me... or... Amazora, is that really you?"

"Yup. You didn't change one bit, onee-san"

"Well, you sure did. You are so beautiful." Rikuri showed a pearly white smile, as two mature looking sisters eyed each other" You look just like me. Your legs and hair... it's so touching. Predictions of GAGARS were so accurate! Let's be fabulous together"

"I don't know about fabulous" Amazora laughed, flashing her own cheeky grin" I am still adventurous, weapon-loving gal. I might rip that dress if it restrains my movement"

"Don't you dare! As your older sister, I forbid you"

"Actually..." Amazora said smugly, as if she was waiting to say it for ages" Since I've been here with Calia..."

"Now that you mention it, are you little Helcalia-chan? You look positively gorgeous!"

"...for ten years..."

"TEN YEARS?!" Rikuri shouted with disbelief" That's..."

"... and you've been here for..."

"A year, approximately..." Kaibi muttered in shock" Amazora, how are you so..."

Then she waved her hand

"... well, with your personality, surviving and keeping your sanity is not so unbelievable after all"

"My point is, that since I've been here for 10 years, and you've been for a year... I am now 23... Rikuri is 20... and you are... oh my..." Amazora mimicked Rikuri's onee-san tone perfectly, raising an eyebrow at Kaibi" 17... I think that this means...hmm... that I am the older sister now"

"Oh? Well, I don't know how to feel about it..." Rikuri pondered on it, before shrugging" Well, as long as I can be onee-san figure to Touma, I can work around it"

Yet Kaibi was having none of that.

"You can't be an older sister!"

"Oh, is someone salty?"

"NO! It's just that you are unfit! I refuse this! There is more to being an older sibling than age!"

"Like what?"

"Maturity for one thing!

"What? I can't hear you from this high up. Since, you know, you are the shortest now!"

"Arrrgh!" Kaibi almost stomped her foot on the ground, but stopped, realizing that it would probably not help her argument about maturity" Niang-Niang said that this mental space. Any physical effects will be reverted upon exiting it. So just you wait when... mwhhh?!"

Amazora grabbed her by the cheeks and stretched them.

"Heh heh heh, I will still have my memories. And for now, I will still have..."

"Touma! Say something to her! You are on my side, right?"

But as Kaibi turned, Touma did not respond.

In fact, he didn't seem like he heard her at all.

"Onii-chan?" Amazora also paused, sensing that something was wrong.

Touma slowly fell to the side.

"Somebody catch him!" Rikuri started to run, but she was never the fastest among them.

Fortunately, Helcalia managed to grab Touma just before he hit the floor. She still struggled with his weight, but with Rikuri's help, they managed to get him to lie down.

"What's wrong with him?" Kaibi asked in alarm.

"I don't really know. He looked bad already after stepping out that door" Helcalia admitted."Whatever happened, it took a toll on him"

"He seems to have a fever. High one at that" Kaibi remarked, checking Touma's brow.

"I am no doctor, but I can prepare something for him with what I took with me" Rikuri started rummaging through the bag she dropped on the ground upon falling out of the door.

"What can we do now?" Amazora asked, as they all gathered around the fallen Touma.

"Nothing, except to help him stabilize, and pray that he will pull through" Kaibi took Touma's hand into her own" We will make sure he doesn't have to struggle all alone"

All the girls nodded firmly, as they observed the boy with worry, love, and concern.

PART 3: THE SACRED 'I'

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"He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe" - Marcus Aurelius

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Kamijou Touma was floating in the void of space.

He looked around himself, noticing numerous stars around him, and blue-green planet below his feet.

Despite the fact that he was naked, and reverted to his teenage body, nothing bothered him. His body didn't explode, or freeze, and he was able to breathe.

This was his mind space. In the void of stars, above planets and in true solitude, he was truly alone with himself.

Kamijou Touma liked stars. He was never much of a professional stargazer, but there was something nice about the idea that each speck of light could be only an echo of already perished celestial body, while darkness in between could actually be brilliant, beautiful spheres, which light didn't yet reach him.

It resonated with his idea of salvation. Sometimes, someone who was considered lost cause could hold light yet unseen, and while someone could be taken away on a whim by misfortune, it was all the more reason to appreciate the present that he had with that person.

Why was he here, one could ask?

For some reason, he knew exactly what he needed to do and how he was going to do it.

The time has come. For him to complete the Imagine Breaker with final piece, the hardest one of all:

Himself.

He crossed his legs and put his left fist against flat and open surface of his right hand, placing both in front of his torso, on the level of solar plexus.

'Meditate on your own body, soul, and mind. Then I will come and guide you' Dragon Of Flame said to him before.

As he concentrated, his right arm flickered and exploded in flames.

Space around him also caught fire, crimson flames that didn't burn matter, but instead consumed life itself, and purified souls of those who needed them cleansed.

"So you've reached it" the dragon made from fire and bones said, circling around the moon and streatching across the vast space of cosmos. Earth looked like a marble close to his claws.

"Yes. Guide me, tell me how to use this" Touma raised his right hand.

The symbol of enneagram became pronounced, dark lines clashing with Touma's own skin.

Dragon circled around Touma, and shrunk down, so now it was staring at him from an eye level.

He roared and lines of fire stretched across the sky, forming the figure Touma was already familiar with: A combination of circle, equilateral traingle, and strangely shape six pointed figure, known as haxade.

"The Enneagram is ancient tool for self-knowledge and self-betterment. It was influenced by multiple phases and has depths far beyond many give it credit for. In modern times, it devolved into mere characteristics of personality, but while it differentiates parts of character, its true nature is that of a map, to traverse through nine aspects of human soul, that can grow into nine different personalities, depending on one's own circumstances in early life. Those nine aspects have virtues, vices, and traps that can hinder or ease someone's progress to enlightenment."

"What are those aspects?" Touma asked the dragon, looking at the mystical map, and examining pathways between nine points.

"Nine aspects of the soul have many names, depending on the place and time, on phase and religion. Depending on those circumstances, various aspects were treated as more or less desirable than the others. But the truth is that all nine are equal and stem from ideals of spirit: Perfection, Devotion, Efficiency, Authenticity, Wisdom, Security, Freedom, Justice, and Peace"

Alongside those terms, one by one, glowing orbs, akin to multicoloured stars, appeared on the figure stretched on the heavens. In order, they were silver, indigo, orange, purple, blue, brown, green, red, and golden. They gently floated down, and began to circle around Touma, as if he was a planet with its own gravitational pull, and the gem-like orbs were his ring system.

"Individually, those aspects showcase parts of life and domains of existence, with their abilities and woes. If brought together within one being, it will make it complete and whole. This is the key you need."

"Making myself whole is the key to this Labyrinth?"

"The Labyrinth you travelled is your own self, with connections you. But because it's based on your own self, to find the edge, you must find the center"

"How do you find center in a place that big?"

"You are the center, human." The dragon rumbled" That place, the labyrinth of all fates, stretches to almost infinite lengths. This is why its limits are nowhere, and its center can be everywhere. Specifically, everywhere you are. It is your soul after all"

"Right. I got it... I think. So, I have to... bring those nine aspects together within me. How do I do that?"

"The Enneagram is a symbol that is not without topological significance. A circle, symbol of unity and wholeness. A triangle, godly Law of Three, the divine manifestation, present in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in Buddha, Dukha, and Sangha, in Sefirah: Kether, Binah, and Hokmah, in Heaven, Earth, and Man. And the hexad, the connection and pathway in rhytm of 1-4-2-8-5-7, the Law of Seven. As Law of Three maintains existence within the whole, Law of Seven causes everything to change. And in a moment, you will follow this change. See this pathway? Each human, each being, has a starting point on the journey through this map. And each aspect has two pathways, one leading towards integration of one's soul, the other leading away, towards devolving deconstruction of the spirit, if it falls prey to spiritual decay. Human, you must begin your journey from a point corresponding to you, and follow the path of integration."

The glowing figure descended from heavens and positioned itself behind Touma. The glowing orbs of nine colours floated upwards, positioning themselves on the nine points of the mystical map.

"How will I know?"

"Meditate of what makes you yourself. Think of things without which Kamijou Touma would cease to be himself"

Touma closed his eyes and relaxed his mind, reflecting on his life, actions, adventures, and motivations.

And then, second gem, in colour of indigo, second on the circle, counting clockwise from its top, shone brighter.

"The aspect of Devotion. Possessed by those willing to help others, and having compassion to aid everyone around them. Not much of a surprise... now, go! Face trials of each aspect and reclaim your own self. Let's hope you prevail"

The flames around Touma changed colour and boy found himself falling through the mist, to the echo of a voice.

"Second aspect deals with Salvation and Devotion. Those touched by it are willing to go great lengths to help others... often in denial of their own needs."

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Suddenly Touma sat next to Kanzaki Kaori.

They were on a passenger plane, high in the sky.

Touma knew that they weren't in a real plane. The world around the two was tinged into dark blue hue. But still, he needed to reflect and face what this challenge had in store. It seemed Kanzaki was the key.

To his surprise, the Saint was crying. Touma could not remember when was the last time he saw Kanzaki openly cry. She was always so collected and steady, a true and beautiful yamato nadeshiko.

"Kanzaki?" he asked gently" What's going on?"

She jumped slightly

"H-Hey..." she muttered, wiping her tears away" what are you doing in my dream?"

Touma was surprised. Was this a dream? Did he interact with real Kanzaki Kaori?

"I am... well, that's complicated... you see..."

He told her what happened since Vasilisa caused Hasako to scatter Imagine Breaker, and what he's been through since.

Kanzaki was very silent, before taking in a shaky breath.

"How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Save everyone. I... I admired you for so long because of it. You embody my magic name so much better than me..."

"That's not true... Kanzaki, you are amazing."

"You even discarded your luck... you became unlucky again just to save others?"

She was not shaking. The plane around them shook.

"If I was given the choice to become normal in regards to my luck... to have people notice how much I try and try... I want to help so many people, save so many lives... but I fail. Am I enough? Will I ever be?"

This is a nightmare, Touma realized.

Didn't Kanzaki once survive plane crash as the only survivour, due to her blessed luck and Saint characteristics?

As he thought that, he noticed that the body of a girl flickered between that of a mature teen and small girl.

Did it haunt her so much? What could he learn from this? From both of their lives?

'I always want to save someone from harm. I always want to put someone before myself'

But... was it always like this?

No, not always. He didn't always have heroic intentions.

Maybe there was a time when he did heroic things to satisfy his own needs.

After all, he had Imagine Breaker from birth. Aside from his parents, no one would befriend him or look his way.

'If I will be helpful, I will be loved. If I stop helping, what will be left but my misfortune?'

At which point the innocent child within him abandoned his own will and started to think that?

Both he and Kanzaki Kaori struggled to find worth in their own merits if they didn't help others. Both didn't think much of themselves when they threw themselves into saving others.

But even with all their intentions, there was underlying fear.

Fear of not being worthy of love. Because of misfortune that made his own life a living hell. Or divine blessing, that took away worth of achievements of others, making Kanzaki's own life a lonely road.

As he thought back, it became clearer and clearer.

"Kanzaki..."

She sniffed slightly, looking at him.

"Yes?"

"I understand now. What you once said about luck and salvation. When I thought about losing all my misfortune, I thought I would be happy. But instead, everybody around me were miserable. I felt so lonely. If you felt like that for years... I want to say... I really understand you now. And I will make sure that we remember to support each other in that feeling."

"Touma..." the boy shivered from the use of his name. It only showed how vulnerable Kanzaki felt in this nightmare, as the plane started to plummet down. She flickered to her child form and looked at him with big eyes" I can't. I can't save everyone! I am not strong enough"

"Then don't be" Boy said quietly, wrapping his arms around her" I want to have a better world to live in as much as you do. But not for a price of our own lives. We can only do so much."

"Don't you... feel like you could save everyone if you stopped being human?"

"I am not a god. I probably try to transcend who I am right now. But if I lose my humanity, I will lose the reason to save them. Because only because I am so weak, I remember that I have to be kind. I don't want to lose this, ever. I will be true to myself, even if I am going to pay for it"

" But I can't give-"

"No! You won't give up. Neither will I. You already done enough. You saved one person that you needed to save"

"W-Who?"

"Me. Because you saved me, by making me realize to save my own self. We need to focus on ourselves to save others too. I will be there to remind you to take care, just as I hope that you will do the same for me. We can make this life beautiful. My misfortune to your fortune. What do you say?"

The plane broke apart and two of them fell freely through the clouds, illuminated by sunlight.

In between blinks of his eyes, Kanzaki became her usual self, and graced him with a soft, grateful smile.

"Thank you." she said. This time, tears streaming flowing down her eyes were ones of happiness" You saved me a long time ago. And for such a long time, I wanted to say..."

Touma shook his head.

"I am not really here. Whatever we need to say to each other, we can do after we meet again"

Kanzaki nodded, somewhat meekly.

As Touma fell through the clouds, he felt that he was alone again.

Or so he thought.

"So you accepted it" came a voice from behind him "That there are ones you cannot save"

Touma chuckled and turned to see Ladylee Tangleroad, standing amongst the indigo mist.

"I thought I will caught a glimpse of you here. But as for your question, I did not change my mind"

"I have my reasons for doing what I am doing"

"So do I"

"You realize that you cannot save those who actively oppose it? Or perhaps you think you can always find a solution?"

Touma thought about it and almost immediately shook his head.

He encountered people who thought they knew better, that they had the answers to save everyone regardless of who they were. Fiamma of the Right was such example, but on occasions, even someone as close to him as Misaka Mikoto fell prey to such simplifications.

"No. Now I know I can't save everyone. Sometimes, I just don't know how to do it. Forcing salvation on others, throwing a fit if someone didn't obey... it would be just pride, unwillingness to acknowledge the problem while saving others to satisfy myself"

"So... why do you still want to go through with me? Why do you want to save me?" Ladylee questioned.

"Because... even if I won't be able to change your mind, and you bet I'll try... I want you to be happy. As simple as that. I wish for you to remain satisfied with however much your life remains... and even if we do understand each other when it comes to death and endurance... wouldn't it be interesting to see if can understand one another when it comes to life, too"

"Well..." Ladylee laughed quietly, a shadow of mirth in the sound" If you are as kind as you are foolishly naive, it will be hard saying no to that"

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"Aspect of Devotion acknowledges you, as you rejected Pride and learned virtue of Humility."

The line of fire travelled between second and fourth point of the Enneagram. The violet gem shone brightly. Flames surrounding meditating Touma changed colour from indigo to purple.

"The fourth aspect, Authenticity, brings forth individuality and emotional empathy, while also posing challenge for connecting with others and escaping melancholy of existence."

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He was standing over the edge of the lake. The sun was setting and the sky was purple, with beautiful blanket of stars and milky way spread over the sky.

"It looks nice, doesn't it?" Mitsuari Ayu remarked from his left.

He looked at her and smiled.

"Yes. It really does"

"I like to come here" she remarked, slowly lowering her gaze" But it's hard to look on the water"

"Are you afraid?"

"I won't ever forget the feeling of drowning, so yes, a little. But do you think... something changed in me since then?"

"Of course it did" he said, also looking at the dark water" You grew so much and even made peace with Misaki."

"I always wanted to be accepted for being myself, not as her shadow. I wanted to find out who the real Mitsuari Ayu is" the burgundy hair telepath said wistfully, while looking at the moon" Did you find the answer yourself?"

Touma also found himself starting at beautiful moon, adorned with star-speckled heavens.

Who was Kamijou Touma?

There was no easy question to that answer, even omitting the fact that he lost his memories.

He was a normal high school boy, who was thrown in into world he didn't always understand. He was a hero, out of personal willingness, not out of need or obligation. He was someone who amassed group of multitude of people, yet remained lonely in a way almost no one could help him with. Almost.

Loneliness was always a part of him, in a more or less pronounced way. He was bound with misfortune at the most profound of levels. Always cautious of ill fate befalling him, he distanced himself from others, avoided full commitment. Only recently he got hope that things would go slightly better for him.

"I am not sure" he answered" I don't know if I will ever find out. Maybe I will discover it when tracing back the trail of my hopes and tears at my deathbed. And I am okay with that"

"Aren't you envious? Of lives other have?" Ayu asked. She touched the Ground Geo lake with one finger, causing a single ripple to spread in a harmonious wave." You can never have the life they have"

Kamijou Touma was silent for a long moment under the starlit sky. The sun hid behind the horizon. Then he confessed something he knew for some time already, but couldn't, dared not, put it in words.

"Yes. I envied them. As much as I could, as truthfully as I wanted to protect others, I hated being unlucky. I didn't realize that I had the option to get rid of my misfortune. When I lost it, there was a moment... when I was satisfied. Because when I looked at others, who told me I had an easy life, as someone ordinary or weak... I wished they knew. I wished they learned. And I... didn't want to suffer. Is it a sin? To want happiness for oneself? I didn't want misfortune. I realized this during my conversation with Ataxia and Eike. The reason why I had trouble in the labyrinth is because I didn't want to admit it... that I was afraid and hesitant of getting Imagine Breaker back"

"So... why are you getting it back?"

Touma shut his eyes, breathing shakily.

"I couldn't abandon them. I can't make myself stop caring. I don't want a world filled with suffering in exchange for my happiness. If I have to get stronger, wiser, or to anything to survive, I will do it. But... I want to stay myself. Kamijou Touma knows what it's like to know loneliness and pain. I wouldn't wish this on anyone if I can help it."

"Because you want to be kind" a voice said in front of them.

Touma looked up to see Hasako, standing on the patch of ice floating on the lake.

"Hasako! Where-"

"I don't know where am I... but you reached my mind. Thank you. My nightmares are over again, thanks to you."

Her image flickered slightly, as she smiled gently.

"Don't think you have to do it alone"

"Huh?"

"I mean trying to be yourself. In some ways, you will always be alone. But in many others, we can help you. You gave so much from yourself that being who you truly are, whoever that person turns out to be, is the least you could ask of us"

"Hasako... this will never stop. The problems, the strife... the pain... I won't fully be myself without them, will I?"

Hasako's delicate face showed compassion as she shook her head.

"No"

Touma lowered his head, finding it hard to breathe.

But Mitsuari Ayu touched his hand, and Beginning Child lifted his chin, so he looked into her and starry sky again.

"But aside from pain and sorrow, there is beauty and kindness in this world. In moonlight, sunlight, forests, seas, mountains, but also in human embraces, hope for 'see you laters' and simple fact that you continue breathing. There is beauty in so many things wonderful and fleeting." Hasako softly spoke out.

"If there will come the time when darkness will be the price of light, we will make sure that you stay true to yourself." Ayu assured him.

"So say it" Hasako carried on" Something you should have said long ago. Something without which you cannot have true balance. There is no need for envy nor spite once you realize it. Something that me and Mitsuari-sama felt because of you and through you, and what you never have a chance to properly express..."

Kamijou Touma felt his cheeks getting wet.

Instinctively, he knew what he wanted to say.

And finally...

"I am so glad that I am still alive" he said, emotions distorting his voice.

There was a big difference between feeling glad that he didn't die and affirming the gratitude and joy from his continued existence. He felt the former multiple times, but never had time to truly appreciate the fact that he still remained himself, in his own life. He even died at one point, so saying it truly spoek volumes.

"Yes, we are too"

"When it's all over, we will go to arcade. We will drink those smoothies that always give you brain freeze. And we will continue binging all the shows you missed in your long sleep"

Recently, they got together to explore popculture that Hasako had completely no knowledge about. She found some anime genres interesting, and displayed interest in reading and watching American superheroes. Vaguely remembering only Superman, she was amazed how many characters appeared in span of decades of her sleep

"What's her name?" Hasako asked as they were watching yet another series, pointing towards a woman on the screen.

"I think it was Storm... yeah, her name was Storm" Touma answered" You like her?"

"Yes... her powers are somewhat similar to mine... I think we could relate to one another"

Going back to present, Touma clenched his fist and slammed it against his own chest.

"I am going to find you. I swear I will save you"

"I never doubted you in my life, I know you will. I love you. Be safe!"

Touma once again fell through fog and haze.

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"You found Aspect of Devotion within you, as you dismissed Envy and learned virtue of Equanimity."

The line of fire travelled between fourth and first point of the Enneagram. The silver gem shone brightly. Meanwhile, flames changed colour from purple to silver.

"The first aspect, Perfection, aspires to gain results and maximize everything to its fullest potential. But it often comes comes at great price of furstration and spite towards everything that doesn't reach highest of peaks."

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Touma found himself standing near one of the dark alleys in Academy City.

In silver tinged world, he noticed a familiar green light. He ran toward it.

How great was his shock when he saw Mugino firing her ability at people.

"Shizuri! What are you doing?!"

Another body was sliced in half, but people in the alley didn't seem to flee.

Or maybe this was just how efficient the disintegrating beams were.

Feeling his anger rise, he grabbed Mugino's arm.

"What is going-"

But then he saw her face.

She was crying and her face was tense with pain.

Then he saw something else.

One of the bodies had Mugino's face.

And another. And the third one. And the one next to it.

"What the-"

Okay, that was strange by all means.

"I must purge it. I must work harder. I must do it right-"

"Shizuri, stop. You are hurting yourself. Literally!"

That seemed to snap her out of her trance a little.

"But I can't... I can't stop... I feel so..."

When she grabbed him, he felt it.

The wave of rage and anguish, so overwhelming that it momentarily made it hard to breathe.

"I must do better. Because if I don't, I will repeat it all over"

The dozens of bodies glitched... and became ones of Frenda Seivelun

"And over"

...then they turned into ones of Touma...

"And over..."

...Hamazura...

"And over..."

... Kinuhata...

"Shizuri! That won't happen. If you ever go back onto this way, I promised I will stop-"

"BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE TO DO THAT!" Meltdowner screamed" I wish to solve my own damn problems. I wish you would see that I do this on my own. Because if I don't... the whole reason I pushed others so hard, that I caused ITEM to fall apart... was that I failed to see my own self is breaking and pushed it onto my teammates, blaming them, hunting them down... killing them. If I can make myself even better, then maybe I won't have to be afraid of..."

"But don't you see? This will yield the opposite result. Why do you want to be perfect?"

"I don't want to be hurt... and I want to feel like have a mission, a purpose. Like my damn life means something in a bigger picture"

Maybe because it was the girl's deep psyche, but the quiet comment, so filled with sensitivity, caught Touma off-guard.

It was so strange to see that proud girl, who could vaporize matter with nonchalance using her ability, admitting such vulnerabilities. Then again, the 'hurt' in question wasn't of the physical kind.

"Perfection will never come to you. And I didn't become close to you because I wanted a perfect Mugino Shizuri. You have to accept that you have flaws, or else you will kill yourself from the inside."

"But it sucks! And I am so angry because of it!"

"It does! But so does living your life in perpetual yearning for things we can't achieve. I can't be a lucky man. I can't have enough money in my allowance to feed Index to her satisfaction. I can't do many things, hell, I can't even get enough attendance records and I still frequent to remedy classes. But I wouldn't push myself to be a prodigy if that stood in a way of what I truly value. To hell with being a star pupil if someone is in danger. Being late and earning a title of a slacker because of saving a life is no brainer for me!"

"I want to be better for others too! If everyone did what was required of them, myself included, there wouldn't be problems to speak of"

"Maybe. But putting others in the equation is dangerous. If you connect your sense of security with external law, you start to punish ones making mistakes because it threatens your own security. Soon, you are so angry that you don't remember what caused it and you burn everything around you. You can't decide what 'righteousness' truly is in the lives of others."

Mugino screamed and threw a punch.

Touma didn't even flinch. But the cyborg fist connected with a wall, not him.

"Have you... felt it too? That all-consuming anger..."

"Yes" Touma admitted" Yes, I did."

He thought back to both of his confrontations with Kamijou No Touma and sheer fury and hatred he felt for him. He also recalled how he unleashed Dragon King against CRC, without regard of the fact that it was a lethal force that betrayed his ideals. It was something he deeply regretted later on.

"And how did you manage to deal with that?"

"Honestly? It's still there. But I changed my perspective after some experiences later on. And I learned something that I felt all the way back in my normal, level 0 life"

"Which is?"

"The only way to be truly fulfilled" Touma said, brushing off the blood from Mugino's cheek" is to find peace with what you have at the moment. It doesn't mean you stop growing. Just that you don't hate yourself. And first step to stop hating yourself is learning to forgive and learn from yourself, too"

Mugino's face contorted, as if several emotions fought within her for a long time, before she sighed and hugged him.

"I admit it..." she said tiredly" You sound quite cool when you make sense. In the most annoying way possible"

"I love this honey-sweet compliments of yours, Shizuri"

"Hmm, don't push it"

The world, and Shizuri, dissolved into a silver mist.

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"You transcended Aspect of Perfection within you, as you conquered Wrath and embraced virtue of Serenity."

The line of fire travelled between first and seventh point of the Enneagram. The green gem shone brightly. Accordingly, the hue of flames turned emerald.

"The seventh aspect, the aspect of Freedom, revolves around the indomitable potential of human idealism and desire to explore, to see, and experience. With the countless paths, it brings, however, fear of pain and deprivation.

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"Come on, come on, come on!"

He was running together with Saten Ruiko through the festive streets during a free day in Academy City, filled with teenagers and teachers. Aside from the green tinged sky, one could assume it was a normal day.

"Where are we going?"

"I planned entire day of fun for us! We can go for some candy apples, then go to a Ferris wheel ride, then win some ... I don't know yet but I know I know it can be something awesome!"

She pushed forward, but Touma stood his ground.

The brunette looked at him in confusion.

"What happened?"

"That's my question. You are worried by something, aren't you?"

Saten paused, shifitng the weight on her feet.

"Really? I don't really know-"

"Your smile doesn't reach your eyes. Please, if you have something to share, tell me"

She sighed, as crowd of people went around them, as if they were not existent at all, and they sat on the bench .

"I was thinking... teachers ask me what do I want to pursue in school. They have programs tailored for esper ability development. But I don't want to invest my time in ability that may not be potent. I didn't make progress in such a long time. Maybe... maybe I am not an esper material after all."

Seeing his face, she quickly amended

"But have no fear! Your cheerful gal Saten-san has it all covered. I wanted to try all the wonders and experiences this City has to offer. I went to try digital painting, kendama competition, baseball, robotic fighting, paintball, VR tournament, swimming, tennis, karaoke contest... and there were so many things to do that I lost track of time"

"So... you didn't like them? That's why you are upset?"

"No. It's the other way around, I loved them all! But... even if I am good at them, are all of them what I am really good at? Is there something I am meant to do, something that will really make me happy? Uiharu thinks that I am overthinking it, but I don't want to be jack-of-all-trades forever! I want to know that there is something truly special out there for me. What do you think?"

Touma thought for a moment, and then answered.

"I think that nothing is stopping you from doing many things. Actually, the fact that you are so out and about is one of the things that make you special. But all the jumping from one thing to another is just hiding from a real problem. You keep yourself occupied by exploration and you put a smile on your face to not break under the pressure of problem you put on yourself"

"How do you know?"

'Because I saw and felt your experiences, in addition to majority of creation'

Touma didn't say it. It was only partially true. He didn't have clear memories, only intuitions and emotions from different people that shared pain upon him.

Instead, he said:

"Because I did it too"

It was true. Even if it wasn't intentional, he ran to new danger, to new world threat, just after the previous one. It was due to misfortunate circumstances beyond his control, but it also conviniently kept him occupied enough to not break under the stress and pressure of already accumulated events.

"I didn't think about it all that much..." Saten said, putting her fingers together" But you are probably right. I want to see and feel all I can feel. I am... restless and hungry, hungry and thirsty for new adventures. Because I love living in this city and I love being able to feel happy with my friends. But... deep down I feel like I don't want to settle down with who I am. An ordinary girl in extraordinary city. I already messed up many times: Level Upper, with Frenda-san... even in trying to be an esper to begin with. What if I am stuck with something I really hate? Something that won't be useful?"

Touma gently stopped her there.

"I get what you are afraid of, I really do. I am not sure what I am supposed to do around here, trust me. But I think that being as you are is absolutely the best. Regardless of what you may like or what you choose to do, you go forward with your believes. This is amazing!"

"Really? But I am just smiling and trying to tell myself to keep going, even if I don't know where I am going. I am trying to see this life as fun to make it less scary. Yet I am still so unimportant"

"Believe me, someone who can see best in life and pushes forward for and with those she loves is treasure that is rare and more valuable than most people realize. A power to level the city can't heal a heart, but you can. I am happy to have someone like you around me, because in no world I can imagine in which you are unimportant. At least... that's how I see it"

She beamed at him, the pure and warm smile that looked as if it was capable of parting clouds covering the sky with its mere presence.

"Thank you, so much. You really know how to make me happy"

After a moment, Saten gave him a big kiss on a cheek, and cheerfully skipped away. Perhaps the fact that it was a dream of sorts made her bolder.

As Touma watched her go with satisfaction, he heard a voice in the crowd

"Is this the freedom you chose?"

Touma rose up and looked at Kamisato Kakeru, who stood amongst the crowd, looking at him with scepticism in his eyes.

Two boys eyed each other, as crowd parted and moved around them.

"Why do you ask questions to which you already know the answers?"

"I see" Kamisato sighed, and smirked at Touma" You know that this is hypocritical?"

"Call it as you might, I don't care. I choose to follow my heart and principles. My freedom is not a freedom from anything, is a freedom towards. Not defined by the world. My freedom is my own to have"

"You are such a headache. What happened with Imagine Breaker sent a hell lot of feedback through me"

"Ain't that a tragedy. We can surely reminisce about it when we meet again"

"You bet. Ugh, as if I don't have any more important matters to attend to..."

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"The path is cleared through Aspect of Freedom, as you repelled Gluttony of experience and took to heart virtue of Sobriety."

The line of fire travelled between seventh and fifth point of the Enneagram. The blue gem shone, lighting up. Flames were now light blue.

"The fifth aspect, the aspect of Wisdom, concentrates on investigation, observation, and classification of all means of information about existence. But too much influence of mind can led astray, into isolation and lack of true connection.

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'Why do you desire understanding?'

"Because I am lost. I don't know where to go anymore" says Othinus, alone in the dark void" I need anchor for life to have any meaning"

'Why do you feel like you don't have a connection?'

"I want to make someone happy. Someone who already suffered so much. I want to cry tears of joy" Says Nephthys, casting a glance towards a small fairy and a spiky haired boy.

'Why do you feel like you can fight for someone?'

"There is someone out there who made a difference for me. I cannot just let this be" says Niang-Niang, affirming her newfound conviction.

'Why do you wish to have all the knowledge in existence?'

"To find a way to connect with others" says deranged scientist Veritas, who lost her identity as a punishment for her crime.

'How do you find faith that things will be alright?'

"Touma is always Touma. No matter what, he will find the way" says the silver-haired nun, smiling in the dining room, waiting for her plate to be full of food once again.

Those and other questions swirled around Touma as he fell (or maybe rose) through sapphire cascades. He listened and thought to himself:

What is the thing I want to reclaim in my mind? Is there anything that I am greedy for when it comes to my knowledge?

His memories? He was interested in what he lost, that was certain. But seeing that he had no way of taking his old life back, maybe there was no point in learning it. Wouldn't it only bring him pain? He already had new identity and with big ammount of effort, he got himself rid of the imposter syndrome.

Maybe knowledge on how to defeat the enemies? Some surefire way of salvation?

He somehow doubted that. He rarely fought with pure intention of defeating someone. It was usually means to the end of saving another person. And even if he could know methods of saving others, would that mean he would even be interested in saving others at all?

Did he save others to increase his knowledge of how to save some more? Or did he used whatever knowledge he could muster to find a solution to save the day, often struggling, yet making it through and leading others to happy ending at the end of the day?

Even his precognition, a skill her developed in countless fights, was a form of unintentional mental greed for connection with his opponents and a mean to ensure his own survival.

But it still wasn't what he was looking for.

How about... a solution for a future problems? A safety of others? No, better, the correct pathway towards the most ideal of futures?

If there was a way to acquire all that knowledge...

Temptation was real. Touma's mind shifted and a yearning, which was vocal and strong, appeared there, only for a moment...

But finally, he dismissed it.

Even if he had all grimoires that Index possessed, he would be unsure if he could use them if they could create better future.

Changing future according to previously dictated plan of action felt like a work of a divine being. And Kamijou was everything, but a god.

Surely, right now, he worked and fought towards the brighter, happier future. But there was still a dosage of ambiguity. Also, he wasn't doing it alone.

The future was in constant state of flux. Many elements were moving, shifting, and changing. Not only because of him, but through countless others.

The moral?

"I can only find the answers I am looking for by being with others, on stage, at the center of the action. I will not be pulling the strings, I find the answer for the future I am looking for by living my life towards it, with others, but not because of them only"

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"You mastered the Aspect of Wisdom, as you repelled Avarice and greed of knowledge, accepteing the virtue of Detachment."

The line of fire travelled between fifth and eighth point of the Enneagram. The red gem flared up. Flames roared and blazed like crimson snakes.

"The eighth aspect, the aspect of Justice, is the focal point of power, leadership, and retribution within human personality. Within its vast intensity hides the true motivation: the desire to remain unharmed and in control of their own self"

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Touma walked through the graveyard stretching to the horizon.

The gravestones were very simple and, quite oddly, they had only numbers on them.

#9999, #10001, #10002...

He walked for a while, until he saw a lonely figure sitting just past the last grave, with a number #10031

Accelerator didn't move, only shifting his eyes slightly as Touma sat next to him

"Hero"

"Accelerator"

"I don't think even with all you've done and what we've been through together warrants that you barge into my dreams. I have enough shit when I'm awake to deal with you here."

"Accelerator, I can't leave without anything. I have to talk with you"

"Should I say it more politely?" the white haired boy said mockingly" May I suggest with great respect that you fuck off?"

"Quite a hopeless looking dream."

Accelerator sighed.

"It's a reminder. A regular dream, to keep myself on track of what's important"

"It looks like it's devoid of hope"

"And what of this situation would be hopeful" Accelerator scoffed" I can't involve brat in this, even subconsciously. She suffered enough"

"But what about you?"

"Me? ME?!" he stood up, his red eyes glaring at Touma" Are you seriously asking about my needs on the graveyard filled solely with those I killed?"

"Yes. Yes, I do"

"Why the hell... oh, right, of course you would. You are a damn hero after all."

"Accelerator, as your friend, I want to ask you something"

"I never recall volunteering to be your friend"

"Well, I claimed you as one anyway. You can fight me about it if you want. But for now, just answer me something"

Accelerator rubbed his temples with his fingers, and then muttered

"What?"

"Why did you kill the clones? You said it was to be the strongest. But why did you want to be the strongest in the first place?"

"You should know that part now and not bother me with your questions. I did it so would have such power that no one would challenge my anymore"

"So that no one could hurt you anymore?"

"Yes, so no one would..." Accelerator paused" What?! Did you even hear yourself"

"Are you afraid of being pushed around and controlled by others?"

"I can literally end the world by tapping my foot on the ground! My power can repel almost anything away from me. That's..."

"... a power you got because you were afraid of being controlled or violated. The ability that put you in control of anything that has a direction and magnitude screams: I want to be in charge of my fate"

"Isn't this what every competent human being should want?"

"At the cost of genuine connections? Emotions don't have physical vectors. You don't like what you can't control. Look..."

Touma attempted to touch Accelerator, extending his arm... and then his arm was repelled backwards. It didn't break, but a wave of pain shot through it.

"Hmm, so that's how it supposed to feel like"

That was first time he voluntarily experienced the reflection barrier

Accelerator looked momentarily shocked.

"My reflection? I didn't put this up!"

"This is your innermost core. Of course you are still shielded in your dreams"

"What is your point?"

"My point is that if you shouldn't deny your own lust"

"Lust? My desire is on a level of a rock. Hormonal imabalnce, remember?"

"I don't think he is talking about that kind of lust"

Touma did not expect Lessar to appear with arms around his neck. And neither did his companion.

"What the everloving fuck?!" Accelerator looked around widely" Where did she come from?"

"That's probably because of my dear Lover Boy here" Lessar laughed, caressing side of Touma's head" I bet I am the first thing he thinks of when he thinks of lust"

"N-No..." Touma denied, weakly" Well... I am in a middle of journey of self-rediscovery... and maybe thinking of her accidentally brought her here..."

"But he was right. There is more to lust than just lust for desire for flesh" Touma jumped slightly when Lessar's slim hand pinched him just above his bottom" There is lust for power... or for connection. Any desire in excess can turn into lust"

"Trust her, she would know about that"

"OI!"

"So you think I wanted to be the strongest because I was scared of those connections?"

"Pretty much"

"What you would know about that?"

"Not much, I admit. But I do know what it feels like when you feel like you have nothing left to lose and all is clouded by your desire to make things right"

"Vengeance" Accelerator said quietly.

"Vengeance" Touma confirmed.

He rarely felt vengeful, but not never. And he was familiar with those who would take such actions.

Mitsuari Ayu once told him of things Maidono Hoshimi had in her mind, a nightmares of a possible scenario in which himself and Hasako died. The poor telepath was shaking with fright from the vision she witnessed.

Maidono believed herself to be defective in some regards, and found her equilibrium because of her love for him and deepest friendship of a lifetime with Hasako.

They took great care to ensure her that she was loved and that she was not worse sort because of the disability in her fingers. Touma was not lying. He truly did think Maidono was alluring and had a potential to truly charm hearts with her prowess in costume changes. Hasako admired the fact that she cared about herself and treated her body like a work of art to be perfected. The way Maidono oiled her torso before doing push-ups and squats was indication how much attention she gave to her belly and legs, arguably most captivating characteristics of her look. On occasion, she remarked that she did equally for her satisfaction and Touma's pleasure, as she and Hasako were always welcome to see her work out.

Additionally, Touma gave Maidono courage to perfect her ability to unimaginable lengths and desire to serve him in a way that warmed her heart instead of numbing it. Hasako gifted her unconditional, gentle, and kind friendship, always attentive to her needs and being her moral anchor in times in which her more hot-tempered friend was going astray. They bonded over their passionate affection for Touma, even collaborating on creating an entire island as thank you gift for everything he did for them.

If that was to be taken away...

Earth parting alongside mountain ranges, buildings dozens of stories high being tossed kilometers in blind grief, earth and sky trembling alike, and the sea was no better... colossal waves crashing and destroying the shores alongside still rumbling earth, the very island torn apart, and disappearing under the ocean.

There was no true telling what espers of such enormous power as Maidono could do without any inhibition. In her case, no one spoke of it out loud, but the truth was the if pushed to absolute extreme by grief, or vengeance, she probably could unleash level 10 tremor. Even if short and concentrated, such grief-fuelled quake would obliterate absolutely everything in a very wide radius, causing continuous, towering tsunami waves, partitions in the very structure of a tectonic plate, and permanent changes in topography of Japan.

"Don't die" Ayu said to him that day" For all of us. Some people would not take it lying down"

"Retribution is not an answer. But restoration is" Touma said to Accelerator" Instead of getting back on others, try to help those who suffered"

"Hmph. What the hell I think I am doing?" Accelerator groaned, and shouted" Can't a guy have a self-tormenting nightmare at peace?"

"Not with me around"

"Figures. Well, go do your thing. I will think of what I say... for a moment of my precious time as a bloody Chairman"

As he walked away through the graveyard, Lessar said to Touma

"Do you have to go?"

"Yeah. I am on a mission, and others need me back. Why do you ask?"

"Well... since this is a dream... or vision, or whatever... we could do... this and that..." she traced her finger down his shirt" Without any problem whatsoever"

"No, Lessar, sorry, I don't have time now. Give my regards to Bayloupe and the others"

"That wasn't a no!" he heard her teasing, sing-song voice, as the scenery dispersed into crimson mist

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"You mastered the Aspect of Justice, as you repelled Lust, accepting the virtue of Innocence."

The line of fire jumped between eighth and ninth point of the Enneagram. The golden gem lit up in a soft glow. With a gentle sound, flames became of golden colour.

"The ninth aspect, the aspect of Peace, tends to reassurance, acceptance, and harmony between people and situations. However, in their pursuit of peace and harmony, the might become unaware of the real problems of the world around them"

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Touma ascended through golden clouds, finding himself standing in the middle of a gothic cathedral. The air appeared to be tinged slightly with golden hue, except for the stained glassed windows and a young woman standing next to him.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Orsola Aquinas remarked softly.

"Yes" Touma said, before realizing he was looking at the nun.

Blushing, he turned to the window and, after clearing his throat, repeated himself.

Orsola smiled to him and led him to the wooden bench, in front of the altar.

"Something is concerning you" she observed" Would you mind sharing your burdens with me?"

"Those windows..." Touma pointed around himself.

They depicted Komaba Ritoku, Frenda Seivelun, Yumiya Rakko, Misaka 10031, and few others, who Touma didn't even understand, to his sorrow.

"Those are the people that I failed to save"

"Yes" Orsola lowered her head" I am afraid so"

This wasn't part of Orsola's dream. His presence caused it.

"I feel guilty... I am going to pursue my happiness... but they are not going to obtain any..."

"Yes. Lord, give peace to their souls"

"Orsola, am I... worthy of such happiness?"

"I am not one to judge what sins you commited and how many times your virtues shone. But... I pray for your happiness each and every day"

"You do?"

"You fought for peace each and every time we stood side by side. You ran forward while I was afraid. You pursued harmony in time I only saw discord. Your desire for peace and prosperity alone makes you worthy of world's love and admiration"

"I... want to feel loved. Am I selfish for desiring it?"

"No, I don't think so" Orsola smiled softly" I do not think so at all"

"But... whoever will share this love with me will be put at risk"

"Lord said to love each other, in fortune and misfortune. Those who will give you love will understand the need to share your pain"

"Orsola, the peace will never remain stable. My presence... my hand... it will always cause misfortune around me. The longer I will remain around, the more it will happen. I will bring it into the future I wish to create. But... I need to go there. I wish to love those who are close to me. I wish to find someone I can make happy. I am... scared of wanting that. I am... I am terrified, Orsola"

He thought of others who displayed his love and devotion for him. Shokuhou Misaki, who waited for him for years, or all the girls who already confessed their feelings for him.

Orsola scooted closer and gently put Touma's head on her shoulder, as they looked at the Christ on the cross, illuminated by the rays of the golden light flooding the altar through the window.

"I understand you" the nun admitted" Sometimes, I don't feel hope for peace either. I used to run into my own head and fantasy because I couldn't bear this world hurting. But ever since I met you, I felt more at peace. Because you, without promise of heaven or obligation to earthly law, see Holy Spirit in the eyes of other person."

"Which means?"

"It means that they see goodness in them, and try to bring them upon the fields of peace and serenity. You have hope for them, faith in your own action, and love for the world that comes when everyone can strive for their dreams with smiles on their faces."

Her golden hair seemed to glow in the light, as she embraced Touma, his head falling on her chest.

"While I was tormented by miss Agnese, I was afraid. But not only for myself, but for the fact that she was my enemy. I felt deep sadness. Yet meeting you changed me. Even if I cannot use fists or fight in a way others do, I help in my own way. With you, I realized that I have no enemies. Those are just people who you didn't manage to reach just yet"

After a moment of sitting in silence, the nun asked him

"It is said that people regret more things they didn't do that ones that they did."

"Yes. I... regret not saving them. I regret and mourn all the mistakes I will make in the future" Touma confessed" But I can't let that stop me. I have to work hard to make sure that it will not happen again"

"You already did so much though. You need to rest"

"You are alright. One day I will. But not now."

"You will still save others, without hesitation?"

"Always"

"You feel pain and sorrow in your heart because of it"

"Often"

"Then, shouldn't you stop"

"Never"

"Well, in that case, God is someone who can always listen to you in need..."

"I prefer to pray to my own spirit as a human being, but thank you for-"

"... but should he not listen, I will always be here to soothe you pain and sorrow, should you need me."

Touma watched in amazement and shock, as everything dissolved once again into golden smoke and clouds.

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"You opened the heart to the Aspect of Peace, as you dismissed Sloth, welcoming the virtue of Love."

The line of fire travelled between ninth and third point of the Enneagram. The orange gem glimmered with new shine. Slowly, flames around the hue of fresh citrins.

"The third aspect, the aspect of Efficiency, minds the success, image, adaptation, and excellence. However, in their pursuit of glamour, they often hide behind the masks they craft, losing their true selves"

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This time, Touma found himself surrounded by mirrors, all of them tinged slightly orange.

In the center was a very familiar girl.

Gokusai Kaibi was searching through the trunk on the floor.

"This is too frivolous... maybe this one will do"

Then, the girl grabbed sides of her face... and then...

Took it off.

She simply took off her face, putting it down and putting the one she had in her hand in its place. The mask connected with the tissue, becoming her new face.

"What..."

That mask didn't look any different than Kaibi's normal face.

But to his surprise, the girl's demeanour changed completely.

She twirled around and struck a cute pose

"Hmm hmm! Touma, please spoil me some more!"

Although it looked incredibly cute to Touma, it was apparently not good for Kaibi. She stomped her foot in a childish fashion.

"No! Too childish!"

With next mask, Kaibi appeared stern and cool. Her stare, while haughty and strangely attractive, was also devoid of any compassion

"Too cruel"

Next mask, and next change. This Kaibi allowed her clothes to fall down with lustful look, before she blinked and waved her hand

"T-Too... too much!"

With next, Kaibi was laughing loudly as if she was super ticklish. With next, she was crying so loudly that her eyes turned red. With next, she lashed at the box and kicked it in fury. With the following, she jumped and looked left and right, as if in fright.

"No! No! No! No! All wrong!"

As she fell to her knees, Touma slowly approached her.

"Kaibi?"

She whipped around.

"W-What are you doing here?"

"Passing by. Don't worry about me, by the way. I am fine, and I am doing... a bit complicated to explain, I will try later on"

"It's good to hear... it seems I am so worried about you that I dream about you"

"You can say that... what's with the masks?"

"T-That... there is nothing..."

"Kaibi... I thought we moved past the tsundering..."

"D-Don't call it that! W-Well... to be honest..."

She sighed and sat down, Touma following her.

"Whenever I am worried about you like this, I also start thinking about the future. I am serious about this, I really do want to have a future with you. I... I have never been in love before, not genuinely. For so long, I had those masks..." she pointed at the metaphorical masks of her face, which were put on in a very literal way in her dream" I had so many roles that Measure Heart allowed me to assume. For whatever reason, in whatever scenario. But now, after all is said and done, after I put out my true heart of hearts and confessed to you... I don't want to be fake anymore"

"I remember that part clearly. We fought about this before, remember? I want real Gokusai Kaibi, whatever she has inside"

"Hard to forget something like that. And yes, I remember what you said. On one hand, I want to be the best version of myself... but not for something I can gain, not anymore, but for something I can give you. I want to be someone who can help you. You need a lot of support, and I am fine with that. But I want to be genuine with you. It's just... I still don't know who genuine Gokusai Kaibi is. I am a manipulator? A lover? An assassin? A sweetheart? A romantic? A fighter? A women? A girl trying desperately to keep everyone together? Everything and more? I don't know, and it terrifies me"

"Why"

Kaibi looked at him, and once again pulled on her face.

This time, there was a real face underneath, not just a place to put a new mask onto.

Kaibi had tears in her eyes and expression so vulnerable, that Touma instinctively took her hands and intertwined them with his.

"Don't... leave me..." she pleaded silently. There was no whining or theatrical overdramatism in this display. Just pure, raw power of unfiltered emotions" My father died before my eyes, and for many years, I didn't feel like I was fulfilling my mother's wishes. It took all my might for my family not to fall apart. I know that it isn't rational, but I am scared that... if something happens in the future, we will drift apart too"

Touma felt touched by how much emotions she placed in their bond. He spoke, putting much strength in his words.

"Gokusai Kaibi, I can't speak certainly of the future. And I don't know how we will change in it. I mean, we were pains in each other's asses, and now look at us. But what I can assure you of is that I will never, ever leave you or let you down of my own free will. You and your family are incredibly important to me... and I am honoured to be a part of it"

Kaibi sniffed, wiping the tears away.

"The feeling is mutual. I will gladly part of your family, of your world, if you have me"

"For some time, this is a fact to me. You don't have to ask."

Slowly, they closed the distance, lips brushing against each other in a calm comforting manner.

They backed away for air. It was only for a moment before they reached for one another again, planning to made this kiss more passionate this time around.

However, in the middle of this close, up Kaibi's nose twitched a little.

"I think I am going to-" she began to say in shaky voice.

Only thanks to his quick reflexes Touma moved away and avoided the sneeze in his face.

"Achoo!" Kaibi sneezed again and shook her head. The moment was unfortunately ruined" Excuse me, really. That was..."

"Bad luck?" Touma smiled with nostalgia" I can't believe I am saying this, but... it's a bit of a relief to see I am almost done claiming Imagine Breaker. Or are you allergic to genuine feelings?"

"Why do I love you so much, I wonder?" she laughed, as the world faded away in orange light." You are such a moron sometimes, you know that?"

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"In the anteroom of the completion of your journey, you advanced through the Aspect of Efficiency, as you stripped away the Deceit, claiming for your own virtue of Truthfullness"

Finally, the last line of fire lit up, travelling between third and sixth point of the Enneagram. The last gem, in colour of fresh wood, glowed. As flames turned into brown hue, the Dragon of Flame spoke

"The final aspect on your journey, the aspect of Security, centers around the fear of the unknown, the need for the sanctuary, the safety of one's trusting place, the responsibility and support. But beware of the suspicion that pushes away from trust and certainty of what can be the place to call home"

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This time, Touma was on a hill, overlooking Academy City.

It wasn't Academy City he knew. It was more advanced, more widespread, and the walls were gone. It seemed like the City was thriving, peace and prosperity filling it to the brim.

"So you are here too"

"Yes. I remembered that time will come when we will all come to help you"

"We?"

"Well, yeah. We all came for you... or rather, I used my dream manipulation together with my mother's magic to reach you and bring here everyone from us"

He wasn't surprised when he saw his future daughter Sena behind him.

But what he didn't expect was the company she brought.

Daughter of Nephthys spread her arms, floating a little above the ground.

Dozens of teens and children looked at him.

His children, from many lifetimes that were to unite in distant future and become the foundation of Future Phase.

There was a tall and muscular Ryodou, slim, silver-haired Aoife, and rock-styled Kenjou. There were two sets of twins, black haired boy and girl named Miya and Tomoya, and two almost identical blonds, Elizabeth and Mary. On the sides of floating Sena stood Takami and Shimitsu, flanked on their own sides by Kanari and Kaizumi. Mizumi and Sei were standing on the sidelines, being more of shy types. Red haired Angelo climbed the tree, and was looking on him together with Shizuka. Tannia, Rhain and Etain, children of remaining three of New Light, helped some their younger siblings, like Densetsu, Shen-Lung, or Serina, to see clearly. Seika and Parvati stood together, observing him with touched expressions. Touma noticed pale Hayato sitting on the nearby rock, accompanied with Haruto, and the blinfolded Hyouka supported by royal siblings, Leo and Kira, standing next to yawning and messy boy named Chousuke, that had Hanatsuyu Youen's eyes. He saw a teen on a motorcycle that resembled Konori's, and few others, all looking at him with curiosity and wonder.

"Wow~"

Touma jumped when he noticed a beautiful girl with black hair and golden eyes invading his personal space.

"Mom wasn't kidding. You really were an absolute cutie" she purred, batting her eyes.

She was Misaki's daughter, Kiseki. He remembered her, not that forgetting her would be difficult, not with those eyes. The golden laced irises looked like petals of flower, beautifully symmetrical.

Hearts, Stars, and Flowers. This bloodline couldn't catch a break with unique eyes.

Touma suddenly felt dizzy and stumbled backwards.

"Kiseki, back off. That's our dad, remember?" son of Kumokawa Seria, Kaizumi, reprimanded the brunette.

"I know, I know... I was only teasing"

Touma steadied himself and looked at the gathered.

"Everyone came here for me?"

"Yes, of course we did. We may have our differences, and we may even be mad at you... older you... at times, but when the push comes to shove, we stand together. That's how Kamijou family is."

"We came here to do for you what you did for us all those years."Takami spoke" You supported us, challenged us to grow, and taught us so much. You've told us, and our mothers confirmed, that this is a challenge in which your own heart matters more than anything"

Touma closed his eyes, and allowed himself to drop to his knees.

"For many of you, it's the first time you see me... this me" he finally said" I don't know how to be a father yet. But if I am being honest, I am scared. I know it may be bad to admit it in front of your own children, but... I don't know what kind of future someone like me can bring. I am afraid that I will bring danger to all of you... and there is no guarantee that I will be able to see all of you till the end. Imagine Breaker hosts don't do happy endings. One day, my bad luck may catch up to me for last time"

"Dad... we know this. We were aware of this from very early age" Aoife assured him" That's what it means to be a Kamijou"

"Of course we would rather not worry" Shizuka admitted" But the price is worth it, for us and our mothers too"

"If it wasn't for you, this world wouldn't come to be" Kenjou smiled to her father in a way that reminded him strongly of her mother, Kanzaki" None of us, not a single of those gathered here, would exist at all without your life leading to our births. So when you say that it would be better and safer if you didn't pursue your own happiness, that's just not true. You made an enormous difference, for us"

Hyouka slowly made way to him, reaching for place in which she heard his voice. She touched his face, before smiling

"Oh... it's this turn of events..."

"What?"

"Nothing... dad, there will be times in which you will suffer... and I don't know which of your futures that I read will come to be... but you don't have to be brave alone."

"Yeah" Tsubasa, son of Maidono Hoshimi, clenched his fist and raised it high" We are a team, and when we are together, nothing in this world can stop us"

"It's thanks to you we grew up together in this family. Otherwise, we would have never met. We are far from perfect, and there are lot of struggles to overcome, but we are happy... because of you, dad" Seika gently assure him

"Don't you see?" Shimitsu spread his arms" You started off as the loneliest, and most hated, but you come to have the biggest, closest, most amazing family in existence"

Sena snapped her fingers, and visions of birthday parties and celebrations filled the space around them.

"You celebrated your own birthdays in solitude and holding back tears, trying to be strong. So even if it cost you a lot of time and money, with help of our mothers, you made sure every single one of us was remembered, cared for, and felt that he or she mattered." remarked Miya.

It was strange to see his way of showing concern on the glamorous face so reminiscent of Kongou Mitsuko.

"Dad..." Kenjou said, walking forth and putting a hand on his shoulder" You see? It's just like Sena and Shimitsu said to you before. This world needs you to be a part of it."

"But me being there will bring misfortune to it"

"Future Phase is not the world mom once showed you" Tenma, adopted son of Othinus, spoke up" The future you create is not perfect world. Is the world that is only as perfect as you alone can make it"

"But... is it enough?" Touma asked, looking at all them with hope" Am I enough?"

"I can't speak for the entire world..." said Takami" But you, and the world you created, are certainly enough for us"

"Indeed. You created world filled with peace and safety, and brought us all together" Kiseki said sweetly"

"Like it was already mentioned..." the stern Kaizumi motioned around at the crowd" We may have differences, but we are exceptionally close"

"And if someone has a problem with that, they will answer to me"

"Kira, your mother is showing"

"Good, let her show! She would totally kick asses of everyone who has a problem with us!"

"So... you don't hate me for bringing misfortune around you?" Touma continued his inquiry.

After a moment of silence, his children started laughing, leaving him perplexed.

"W-What? What did I say?"

"Are you suggesting we aren't unlucky?" Sena said, wiping a tear from her eyes" Trust us, I don't know if it's due to being our children or not, but we all have our deal of struggles that go beyond you. And without you many of us would be lost. I often struggle with adapting to customs beyond life with my mother. You were great help to me"

"I often get in trouble while I fight. It's never my intention, it's just Sei-chan tends to get in trouble often, I defend her... and those guys are still coming back..." Ryodou confessed

The dreamscape shimmered, showcasing four teens charging at the muscular teen from all directions.

One of the assailants threw a punch at the chest of Ryodou. But he could very well be punching iron wall. Meanwhile, Fukiyose's son punched him back with such force that the attackers feet left the ground and he was sent flying onto the others.

"Overwhelm him! He's just one guy!"

But they never had a chance.

"I need to deliver the lunch of my little sister" Ryodou said calmly" So clear the way"

He swung his arm, and an oblique shockwave boomed forth, sending all the attackers slamming into the walls.

Ryodou gently picked the lunch and smiled warmly.

"Good, the message from ketchup is still undisturbed"

"Wow..."

"He's incredible, isn't he? He's called Unbreakable around the City. Apparently, he has power of your punch and aunt Seiri's in one. Talk about a super strong parents!"

"I have the super regenerative ability, but I have to be on high alert not to lose too much blood or else I will die" Parvati, daughter of Sotzy Exica, added." But thanks to you, we always try to acquire it somehow, even though it is so rare"

"Don't even start on the number of times my mother embarrassed me" Tannia, daughter of Lessar, put a hand over her face" She once came to a school in bikini only because she wanted to make it to a presentation about parents work. Also, when you and her are together, I can make a literal remix from all the sounds she makes, keeping me awake alongside you!"

"I had my sight taken from me" Hyouka pointed out." But you never stopped to care or try to cure me"

"You stopped me when I almost killed my classmates." Hayate, son of Awatsuki Maaya, admitted quietly" I never had friends and were constantly sick. I was so fed up with all of it, that I wanted to use my power to spread sickness, to make others feel like I did back at my lowest point. Thank you for helping me find my way"

"And you stood by my side when my ability first manifested and I vaporized half of a floor of my school during a fight, causing damage and injuries." Shimitsu, daughter of Mugino, nodded slightly as she reminisced" I still have many people avoid me because my strong force manipulation creates radiation. But you always wanted me to be happy and trained me with mom"

"I had absolutely no interactions with guys" Angelo, son of Agnese, mused from the branch he was sitting on" You know, head of women only religious sect. This was super awkward. So thanks for always sneak me out of monastery to be with my brothers"

"Mom always thought I played my cards in wrong places" Haruto, son of Kaibi, smirked, playing with three cards between his fingers" Sometimes, even change of risk in someone's eyes can only save you so much. Those problems keep finding me, so thanks for having my back"

"I have the ability of intoxication induction. I might... use it sometimes, unconsciously, while I am nervous" Kiseki blushed slightly" I might have also... cried a bit onto your shoulder when I accidentally made someone knock themselves out into plate of pasta."

"That was a good one" Kanari, daughter of Mitsuari Ayu, commented" Thanks for always supporting me in being an idol. And not being mad at me when I mess up. Mom can be a bit overprotective, leading an anti-suici "

"Thank you for having patience to sort out my family situation" Seika, daughter of both Arisa and Shutaura, rubbed her head sheepishly" With all my mothers and their different values, trust me, I appreciate some stability from your side"

"I thank you for always finding time for us, even when you are tired" Miya smiled apologetically, with her twin brother nodding" I know mother can be over the top at times, but it's just how she loves you"

"I had a dream of being a racer. And you convinced mom to give my motorbike a green light after we trained together" Wataru, son of Konori Mii, grinned widely to him and gave thumbs up" Thanks a bunch!"

"And those are just some examples of our gratitude" Chinatsu, the charming daughter of Gokusai Rikuri, said with a smile" And if that's not enough to put you at ease-"

"DIANA ATTACK!"

Kamijou Shishi, daughter of Itsuwa, jumped forward and then something, or rather someone, else, found himself on his face.

When Touma pried the baby off, he saw a laughing girl with bright golden hair and dark eyes, trying to climb on his head.

"Ba-boo!" the girl laughed, reaching and stretching his cheek.

"I saw you before..." Touma looked for assistance" This is awkward, since I named her, probably, but... a little help?"

"You didn't actually, her mother did. This is Meridiana Aradia Kamijou, daughter of auntie Bologona. We just call her Diana" Kiseki remarked with glee" Isn't she such a cutie pie?! Yes, she is! Oh, and by the way, you have regards from auntie Helcalia. We are super eager to meet our new sibling... when he or she is born that is."

"Shishi nee-san" the boy with silver hair in peculiar clothing pushed through the crowd" Give me back Diana. I am supposed to be looking after her. My mom said it was my turn"

"Relax, Valp. I just wanted to make dad smile. And it worked. Right, dad?"

"Well, yeah. But... she needs changing. Just my luck, back to its bad state, even if it's a dream"

"Ugh, you are right. Say bye bye to dad, Diana"

"Ba-Bah!"

"E-ekhm!" Kenjou took the lead again" Well, the point is, we know that you aren't perfect. We saw it many times. You don't often do things in a perfect way. But we still wouldn't trade you for anyone else. We want to have a future with our dad, with you, not with anyone else"

"With our dad who is compassionate to stand for those who are unable to save themselves, and make sacrifices for them"

Around Touma memories of the time he saved Index, and parted with his memories.

"Who is badass enough to keep coming back after being beaten down"

Images of his first fight with Accelerator flashed around Touma, with broken and bruised boy delivering a final blow.

"Who always wants to fight for better future even if it causes him pain"

World being destroyed by Othinus... and his more recent suffering through pain of all living beings...

"Who has will so strong that even in death he will remain standing tall and strong..."

Image of him standing upright even though his brain shut down, after devastating battle with Alice...

"Who is kind and caring, and who can turn armies around with a mention of his name...

Scene that Touma was not yet familiar flashed before him.

A warzone filled with tanks and soldiers, with weapons raised at each other. And amongst all of it, one adult man walking through the space in between.

"No bullets shall fly while I am here!"

He stepped forward, and one of the tanks actually backed away, as if people inside were scared of the unarmed man in front of them who stared into the camera without fear.

Kamijou Touma draw a line on the sand and raised his hands.

"I am here to mediate peace negotiations. No more bloodshed! Sit down and talk! I will make it as through and just as it needs to be! So, lay down your weapons!"

He was just one man. It would sound ridiculous...

if it was any other man, that is.

Slowly one, by one, weapons were put on the ground and disarmed.

Touma, in the present, watched it in awe.

"I... I don't know what to say" he admitted to his children.

"Go. Save the world. Be a hero and a father, some day, sometime" Kenjou instructed.

"And dad..."Sena chimed in" Please, remember this: we are ready to love you. Just please, give us, and others, opportunity to be loved."

She floated to him and put a hand on his spiky head.

"So now, for the good beginning, I don't care if it sounds cheesy, or corny, or whatever. Because in this moment you need us, I am saying what you told us many times: I love you"

"I love you, dad" Kenjou also extended her hand and touched his shoulder

"I love you" Aoife joined

"We love you too" Miya and Tomoya said in unison

"Love to you, dad" Haruto saluted with a smile.

"Dad, know that I love you" Ryodou put a fist on his heart

"I love you to the end of the universe!" Shishi spread her arms" and more!"

"Even though I can't picture you, I love everything I can perceive and know about you" Hyouka commented with a smile

"I have immense affection for you, father" Kaizumi said with nostalgic face.

"Dad, I love you and thank you so much" Shimitsu bowed her head slightly.

"I... wouldn't be the same without you" Hayate whispered to himself

"I love you for you trying your best" Takami assured Touma.

"We love you too" Liz and Mary said with hints of embarrassment, looking away.

And so, they were followed by each and every child of Kamijou Touma. Leo, Kira, Kanari, Kiseki, Valpurgis, Tannia, Rhain, Etain, Shen-Lung, Chinatsu, Densetsu, Junya, Tenma, Sei, Chousuke, Shizuka, Seika, Serina, and Tsubasa all said the words of love and encouragement.

Before world faded away, Kamijou Touma raised his head high.

His face was wet from tears and he smiled brightly.

"Thank you, everyone... thank you so much. I will see you around"

"Yes. Do what you always do, dad. Save the day... and win!"

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"With final aspect of Security, you braced through Anxiety and assumed value of Courage"

The whole Enneagram lit up and bent around Touma, the flames spreading over his entire body and shining brightly with all colours of the spectrum.

"Those who travel across this sacred path and clear its obstacles will acquire wholeness and answers to question of their own selves. Guard this might, human. For in the future, this harmony can come to your aid in moments most unusual"

Kamijou Touma emerged from the flames.

A pathway of light spread through the heavens, the doorway opening in the very space.

He took few steps, before finding himself in front of the portal.

He felt uncertainty. But in the next moment, he felt himself going forth.

Two hands pushed his back. One belonged to a tall man with brown hair with silver streak, and the other to a witch with dark-red hair and crystal blue eyes.

As Touma passed through the doorway, they both smiled. Then, as if they were ghosts or mirages, they flickered and disappeared.

(MEANWHILE)

Kamijou Toma woke up, slowly opening his eyes.

When he fell unconscious, he felt terrible, as if he was dying. But now...

He felt as if he was born anew. An amazing deal of strength filled his body.

"Touma" Helcalia was first to notice that he was awake, and helped him get up" Are you feeling alright?"

The sisters also came from the other corner of the hexagonal room. They probably left him in peace for a moment to tend to their own matters.

"Touma! How are you? Does anything hurt?" Rikuri inquired, inspecting his body with great scrutiny.

"I am okay. I can go on. In fact, I feel... at peace."

"At peace? That's a strange sensation for someone who had super high fever for 3 days and nights"

"Are you really sure you can travel?" even Amazora, always eager to be on a move, hesitated.

"Yes. In fact... I know how to exit this place now."

"Seriously? What happened to you when you were unconscious?"

"Complicated. But..."

Touma motioned to the door on the right and they lit up slightly.

"The Labyrinth shouldn't cause trouble anymore."

Soon, they were getting ready to go.

As Rikuri, Amazora, and Helcalia gathered what little possessions they had in this place beyond all places, Touma felt Kaibi touch him gently on the arm

"Are you really okay?"

Touma was silent for a moment, before shaking her head.

"No. What I experienced, what I felt and saw in this place... this will leave a mark on. I can't just dismiss it. I am... going to need help afterwards"

His body could go on. His devotion was strong, his mind cleared. But his psyche suffered greatly. It would take time for it fully recover, even if it was reinforced and guided by mystical map.

Kaibi put her hand in his.

"You know that I am always here if you need me. We all are"

"Yes, I know" he smiled, reincorporating the squeeze she gave him" That's why I am glad that we are going to do this together"

As the rest of the girls came forth, ready to go, Touma closed in to the door and opened it.

"It's time to confront Vasilisa, recover Hasako... and made peace with everything. Let's go back home"

(TO BE CONTINUED)

So here we are, after one doozy of a chapter. What a ride! Now, there are few interesting things to add information on, and few appendices to attach, before we part ways for some time (just for heads up, I might take 1 to 2 weeks break from writing. Gives me time to recover and also to gather ideas and preserve quality. But we shall see how it will be)

Labyrinth of All Fates was a place that I planned for a long time. It is, as a reader might realize, Touma's innermost self, and connections he has with others. On the important side note, while I speak of labyrinth, the space Touma and others found themselves in is technically, in a very precise way of speaking, a maze, as it is not unicursal (has multiple branching paths instead of one clear path and there is no clear center in a physical sense). Yet, I decided to write of a Labyrinth because in a more colloquial manner, it denotes both maze and mathematically understood Labyrinth.

The Labyrinth has nigh-infinite number of hexagonal rooms, with three walls with hanging tapestries, and three walls containing doors, with tapestries and doors differing in design in each room. No two rooms are identical, and (for Touma) there was no way to regress to a room once visited. One door led to a room previously visited, one was a fake that led to different room, and one literally put Touma in someone else's shoes. As we learned, the key was to let someone live their misfortune without altering. Should Touma follow that rule, he would clear that lifetime. Should he not, he would forget the details of his experience there, having only vague feelings about it, and the door from a failed trial could appear in a different room, with a different configuration of doors. The Labyrinth (again, for Touma, in contrast to Helcalia and Amazora) was fluid place, changing and shifting, in which time passed differently in various places.

The passage of time in the Labyrinth was faster than in the outside world, and as such minutes in the outside world could be centuries in the Labyrinth. For Touma, time flowed when he was in the rooms of the labyrinth, but stood still when he was living and experiencing lives of other people. Thanks to this, he was able to visiting countless lifetimes and live through countless misfortunes for thousands of years, only aging between 15 to 20 years. Amazora and Helcalia came to a labyrinth as well, yet it was just a physical structure for them, so this rule did not apply and while in the Labyrinth, they aged regularly.

Speaking of Helcalia and Amazora, while I do not to make the effects permanent, I couldn't resist the opportunity to have adult Amazora and Helcalia, who are roughly the same age, interact with Touma, Kaibi, and Rikuri. Amazora is often outshined by her sisters, who are more mature than her and can allow themselves more with Touma, so this was one of my planned ways to give her some justice. And even if the effects of that mature growth are reversed physically, Amazora and Helcalia have 10 years of experience that will not just vanish, and it may make them more mature (and thus, have more potential for good writing moments!) without really losing what made them stand out as characters in first place. That is especially true for Amazora.

Coming to our first appendix, let's talk a little about our two Imagine Breaker hosts. We already met Eike Sündelige, and now we have the one who came before him, Veronique "Ataxia" Bonné. At the beginning I thought of having many Imagine Breaker hosts, a la My Hero Academia, but then I realized less is more in this regard, and so I decided three is best and optimal number. As Ataxia points out, there is abundance of important trinities going around. With three people, we have a classic thesis, antithesis, and synthesis triad. I thought of Ataxia as being an opposite of Touma, self-preservation and protectiveness of self vs. heroism and unconditional altruism for others. She is partially inspired by Anna Kingsford (though her hair is meant to be darker red, and her eyes are different hue of blue), who is her distant descendant (she is Kingsford's great-great-great-great-great-great... many times great-grandaunt). She is disillusioned and jaded through her life experiences, while still retaining some compassion, while Eike's very character is about contrast within him. While crafting their backstories, I let go of restrains. Some things seem exaggerated, but to me, that's how Imagine Breaker works, as some things Touma goes through are ridiculously over the top and ridiculously accidental, but just shows how crappy a fortune those three have.

As a matter of fact, I am quite pleased that all three have ominous, egde-ish sounding names:

Ataxia (Veronique Bonné) translates into "Disorder within True Image of Goodness"

Ekkhard Sündelige translates into "Blade of Sinful Holiness"

And as we know, Kamijou Touma can be interpreted as "One Who Purifies Gods and Slays Demons"

The chain CHAOS GOOD/EVIL MULTIPLICITY OF CREATION/BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL, corresponding accordingly to Ataxia, Eike, and Touma, is taken from Taoistic cosmology (Wuji, Taiji (Yin and Yang), and later creation).

Ataxia (born Veronique Bonné) - first human host of Imagine Breaker, born in Provance, mid 14th Century, to a lower class noble family. Due to fear of her superstitious mother and dismay of her father, she is abandoned and drifts down the river. Surviving, she is found and named by a priest and lives in a church till her 7th birthday, being treated like a problem child and taunted because of her appearance. Upon accidental destruction of holy skull with Imagine Breaker, and receiving heavy punishment, she flees, and is captured by human traffickers. After 8 months, she is sold to an entertainer, who forces her to be ridiculed. One day, she uses her innate power to severe connection with reality to entire crowd, except for a witch, who takes interest in her and lets her become her pupil. After living together for 5 years, Ataxia's foster mother is ambushed and sentenced to death. She renounced Ataxia to save her life, yet the girl was still forced to watch as her foster mother was unfairly executed in the river. After couple of years of travelling alone and serving as a doctor, she is summoned to a castle and manages to save a daughter of a lady, who recently wed a lord of that land, unaware that lady in question is her sister. Per the lady's request, they travel in search for the missing sister, unaware of each other's identities. Afterwards, the lord makes advances on Ataxia, trying to keep her close, but she refuses him. He orchestrates the ambush of the servants of Inquisition to capture her. Due to deception from the enemy, Ataxia accidentally kills the lady, who wanted to surprise her with the news of rediscovered blood bonds between them. Despite her sister forgiving her, Ataxia has no will to resist capture and judgement. While she enacts one final act of vengeance upon the lord from her place of death, she is ultimately burned at stake, and becomes part of Imagine Breaker's dormant consciousness.

Ekkhard Sündelige - Second host of Imagine Breaker, a Saint, born in the territory of today's Austria, 19th Century. His relatively peaceful, although accident prone life, comes to a sudden end when his family dies in a road accident, of which only he survives due to his nature as Saint. Moving to his grandmother, he lives there shortly, and her death forces him to roam the world. After the period of extreme hunger, he attempts to save the merchant from another traffic accident. The mysterious woman cares for him, trains him, and gifts him signature weapon of chains: flying claws. After the two part ways, Eike is seduced and has an affair with a daughter of a mayor from a seaside town. Discovered in the act, he is sentenced to gallows. On the ship he befriends a fellow crew member and they plan on escaping together. Unfortunately, his companion dies during a storm, with Eike unable to save him without perishing himself. After the ship crashes, he travels from months, wandering through distant lands. After returning home, he partakes in small jobs, during which he saves a small girl, a daughter of a widow running a local bakery. Their encounters, initially from gratitude, and later from friendship, develop into a romance. The love is cut short after few months after the woman is murdered by a jealous man right before Eike's eyes. Unable to control his rage, and unaware of his strength at that moment, he accidentally decapitates the murderer by punching him. He is cast out of town, hurt and heartbroken. He fights in Wars of Italian Independence, becoming a menace on the battlefield, unstoppable by both magical and physical means. By chance, he runs into a civilian, a historian and strategist called Girolamo, who persuades him to cast aside solider life. They travel to Rome. Out of companionship, Eike accompanies Girolamo on various diplomatic affairs, during which he meets Vasilisa the Beautiful. After starting off as bickering, annoying pair of friends, the two eventually fall in love and consummate a deep romance during many adventures with Girolamo or on their own. Unfortunately, due to their inability to conceive a child, they part way for a while, before reuniting at the diplomatic meeting in Winter Palace in Sankt Petersburg. Instinctively protecting Vasilisa and others present before himself, Eike dies from being in a heart of a powerful explosion that was supposed to claim lives of Royal Family. His remains are later used to create an holy treasure of Blythe Road, an arrow, in which Imagine Breaker manifests again.

The other thing I like to mention is a usage of Enneagram. I have some experience with this system. While some consider it a pseudoscience (and from a point of view of systematical, empirical knowledge it may be so), it is in fact the spiritual map of great history, with many intricate details that seemed perfect for a magic side of Toaru universe, and as a great tool for Touma's journey of self discovery. There are nine types: The Pefectionist, The Helper, The Achiever, The Individualist, The Observer, The Loyalist, The Enthusiast, The Challenger, and The Peacemaker. Each of them has slightly different journey in Enneagram's cycle. I took the liberty of diagnosing Touma as Type 2. I have great fondness for The Individualist, being one myself. Which of the 9 tests of this spiritual journey you enjoyed the most?

As the final bit of trivia, here is part 1 of concise recap of Touma's children, this time focusing on their abilities and similarities from their parents.

Kamijou Hyouka

Mother: Index

Abilities: While blindsighted, she can actually sense movement and perceives obstacles in unconscious manner. She has excellent memory and can navigate enormous library that contains every single book in existence. Thanks to their aid, Hyouka is able to analyze futures of things and people before they occur.

Similarities: She has her mother's silver hair and appetite, though she is much more mature and calm, retaining Touma's sensibility

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Kamijou Kenjou

Mother: Kanzaki Kaori

Abilities: She has a great voice and is gifted instrumentalist. With her mastery of swordsmanship, she is easily the most agile of all Kamijou siblings.

Similarities: Kenjou has hair styled similarly to Touma, while many of her mannierisms when embarrassed or concerned stem from Kanzaki.

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Kamijou Ryodou

Mother: Fukiyose Seiri

Abilities: He has tremendous physical strength and durability. Additionally, he possesses the esper ability to create and control various types of shockwaves.

Similarities: He has Fukiyose's signature eyebrows and forehead, while his love for peace and down to earth sensibility comes from his father. His physical attributes are combination of prowess from both of his parents.

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Aoife Gealach Kamijou

Mother: Bayloupe

Abilities: Has incredible speed and reflexes, on top excellent sense of equilibrium, allowing her to run at most surfaces and change directions without losing momentum. She is the fastest out of all her siblings.

Similarities: Bayloupe has her mother's hair and eyes. She has some of her father's mannierisms, lack using certain catchphrases or getting annoyed when people care about position more than person itself

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Kamijou Kiseki

Mother: Shokuhou Misaki

Abilities: She possesses intoxication ability, that allows her to incapacitate anyone who is in her vicinity through pheromones or kissing. Additionally, she is incredibly skiled in reading social cues, taking care of others, and various intellectual games, such as chess.

Similarities: She has Touma's hair, and eyes (with petal like pattern) from her mother. Her figure and some mannierisms are also similar to Misaki's.

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Kamijou Takami

Mother: Misaka Mikoto

Abilities: He is a student of magical arts, training to be a Magic God. He possess vast elemental powers, the extent of which is yet to be revealed.

Similarities: He inherited Mikoto's hair and eyes, is said to be very similar to Misaka Tabigake in his youth. But in addition, he also possesses Touma's facial expressions and love for homemade food.

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Kamijou Shimitsu

Mother: Mugino Shizuri

Abilities: Arguably the most powerful of her siblings in terms of raw esper power, Shimitsu is able to alter and control strong force interactions, which in practice allows her to destabilize almost any material structure and vaporize it in an explosion producing great heat and light, on top of radiation, which she usually absorbs into herself, possessing immunity to it. Additionally, she is a talented actress.

Similarities: She has her mother's hair, only slightly darker, and Touma's eyes. She is much more mellow and reasonable than her mother, but also more aggressive than her father, situating herself somewhere in between their attitudes

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Asenath "Sena" Kamijou

Mother: Nephthys

Abilities: Various forms of magic, most prominently dream manipulation, including dream sharing, dream altering, nightmare induction, shared dream creation, and more.

Similarities: Sena is a spitting image of her mother, down to heterochromic eyes, with her skin being lighter due to Touma's influence. Personality wise, she is compared to her paternal granfather, Kamijou Touya, with their shared hobby of collecting items, and likeness for at times inappropriate accessories

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Kamijou Kanari

Mother: Mitsuari Ayu

Abilities: She has the ability to hijack the optic capabilities and vision of anyone or anything she looks at, including doing so for multiple targets at once. Doing so greatly enhances her visual prowess and grants her compound vision, allowing perception from 360 degrees. She is very empathetic and is a good listener, although not particularly great at keeping secrets.

Similarities: She has Touma's eyes and Mitsuari Ayu's puffy hair, one tone darker.

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Parvati Kamijou

Mother: Sotzy Exica

Abilities: She has great regenerative capabilities, allowing her to repair and mend her own tissue almost instantaneously. This ability is a Gemstone power linked to a combination of her AIM field with a blood of extremely rare type. This blood can also heal others if the injury is fresh enough. Due to extreme rarity of her blood, Parvati is highly susceptible to death and endangered when she looses too much of it, which renders her unable to heal herself and potentially threatens her life.

Similarities: Parvati deeply idiolizes her father and has a similar drive to be a hero. She often moves and executes her attacks in a similar way to younger Touma, despite being more physically similar to her mother.

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Kamijou Haruto

Mother: Gokusai Kaibi

Abilities: He has an esper ability that allows him to manipulate perception of risk within other person's mind, which in turn enables him to easily persuade or dissuade others into doing what he wants, if the other party is hesitating due to the possible danger of the endeavour. He is also a skilled card player and a very charismatic personality.

Similarities: He inherited Kaibi's face shape and Touma's eyes, while also having Gokusai families original (non-dyed) dark brown hair.

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Kamijou Tsubasa

Mother: Maidono Hoshimi

Abilities: While preferring to keep a low profile and wants to focus on his dream of becoming a pilot, Tsubasa's ability is on par with that of his older sister Shimtsu. Being able to negate potential energy in his vicinity, he is capable of creating wide array of effects, from robbing things from the motion or rest, through breaking down chemical bonds, to temporarily negating effects of electromagnetism and gravity.

Similarities: He has Touma's hair, although tone lighter from his mother's influence, and Maidono's eyes

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Kamijou Hayate

Mother: Awatsuki Maaya

Abilities: Hayate is able to cultivate and spread specific species of bacteria within himself, which are kept within and attracted to him through use of his AIM field. Those bacteria pose no threat to him, but will infect and deeply debilitate anyone that they come in contact with outside of Hayate, who is the only known antibiotic for this particular species. Hayate usually uses glows when interacting with others to keep accidents from happening.

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Kamijou Shizuka

Mother: Kankyougami Hasako

Abilities: Shizuka has a psychometric esper ability that allows her to attach 'emotional concepts' and 'meanings' into objects or physical areas, causing people to be affected by the abstract concepts while in contact with the designated object or area.

Similarities: She has smooth brown hair, which branches similar to her mother's ponytail. She is often remarked to share great similarity with her maternal grandmother, Kamijou Shiina.

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Mary Kamijou

Mother: Leivinia Birdway

Abilities: Mary is an exceptionally gifted magical prodigy, who incorporated the usage of philosophical ideologies into spells instead of religious beliefs, creating new branches of magic at age of 10. This talent clashes with her older twin Elizabeth, who sought to become an esper through hard work, and a tactician without usage of supernatural ability.

Similarities: While both twins of Leivinia Birdway are similar to her mother in looks, Mary is greatly in personality to her father, while retaining her mother talent for spellwork and magic. Many compare her to her aunt Patricia.

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Elizabeth "Liz" Kamijou

Mother: Leivinia Birdway

Abilities: In contrast to her younger twin, Elizabeth sought to become an esper like her father, and just like him, remains without supernatural ability. However, she is a genius in her own right, displaying incredible tactical and analytical skills, above most of her siblings.

Similarities: While both twins of Leivinia Birdway are similar to her mother in looks, Liz has a venegful tenacity of Leivinia, while also having hidden emotional empathy of Touma.

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Kamijou Kaizumi

Mother: Kumokawa Seria

Abilities: Aside from incredible intelligence and deductive skills, Kaizumi has the ability to shift the center of gravity within masses of matter in his vicinity, which he can use to balance or overbalance objects or people in ways that defy regular laws of equilibrium.

Similarities: He has Touma's hair and Kumokawa's eyes, as well as beauty marks in a similar place to his mother.

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Kamijou Miya

Mother: Kongou Mitsuko

Abilities: A beautiful heiress of Kongou Airlines, she is one of the most well versed from her siblings when it comes to business, economy, politics and diplomacy. Miya is also considered excellent cook, model, beautician, and singer, on top of being excellent horse rider and fencer.

Similarities: Spitting image of her mother, Miya is close to both her parents, has a big heart and tendency to involve herself of others to help them.

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Kamijou Tomoya

Mother: Kongou Mitsuko

Abilities: He inherited his mother's wind manipulation ability, although his is much more wide ranged. With manipulation of pressure, he can achieve limited weather manipulate.

Similarities: Usually compared with Touma due to his occasional recklessness, he enjoys his identity as member of the wealthy, and is very generously sharing it with friends and family.

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Kamijou Chinatsu

Mother: Gokusai Rikuri

Abilities: Chinatsu possesses an esper ability that allows her to manipulate viscosity of liquids, which she can utilize to create traps of various characteristics, depending on the properties of liquid she uses.

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More trivia in the next chapter!

That's it for now. Till next time. You are awesome, see you later!