Canticle of Broken Things (Persona 3/MGLN S1)

[CloakGear]

Chapter 27: Puppet in Despair

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[4th May | Road to Seaside Park. 5:40 A.M.]

"Senpai, you're finally here." "...Mm."

Yuuno sighed after hearing Makoto's usual answer, shaking his ferret head. The three of them had been waiting.

Nanoha was resting her back on the wall, swinging her feet, with Yuuno sitting on her shoulders, looking at the sky with a determined look on his expression. Arf was on the sidewalls, her injuries healed enough for her to move around effectively.

"...You were waiting for me?"

"Of course," Nanoha nodded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "The Makoto-senpai I know won't stand still when someone is in danger."

Both she and Yuuno expected it. Even everyone at Arthra expected it, with Chrono sighing as he saw the boy appear on the screen.

Makoto joined Nanoha when she disobeyed orders to help Fate. He also did reckless things while he was helping her, like draining the corruption without prompt. For him to stand still when he could help was something she couldn't see him doing.

And that was fine. To deny him from helping was to deny herself as well, in her desire to help Fate. It would be hypocritical for her to deny him such a choice.

"However," Yuuno dropped down from Nanoha's shoulder, before walking towards Makoto. "As we discussed yesterday…"

"I won't fight. I remember," Makoto crouched down, allowing the ferret to climb onto his shoulder. "Unless something unexpected happens and you need help, I'll keep my word. I'll be acting as support."

'Seriously…' Chrono let out an exhausted sigh, his words heard by the quartet. 'Even though I expected this, I'm still annoyed by your actions, Yuuki.'

"...Sorry?"

'You don't sound sorry…hah…' He grumbled, his palm meeting his face. 'Why do I even bother…'

'Now, now, Chrono,' Amy's voice rang with an amused tint. 'With Makoto-kun's unique senses, he might be able to track Fate-chan. And who knows, after what happened during the ocean battle, she can be convinced not to fight!'

Makoto could hear Chrono grumbling again, something about 'hopeful idiots' or something similar. He tilted his head. What's wrong in believing in such a thing?

Both Nanoha and Yuuno just let out an apologetic laugh.

"...I said it before," Arf muttered, looking at the scene strangely. "But you guys are really unique."

He shrugged. That didn't mean it was bad. Everyone's different from each other after all, even if there were similarities.

"Right, now that Senpai is here," Nanoha looked at everyone with a motivated look. "Let's get going, to save Fate-chan!"

The three of them nodded. Makoto, with Yuuno on his shoulder, Arf and Nanoha then ran towards their destination, the Seaside Park, their goal united under the same desire.

"Still…" Yuuno mused, his head tilted in confusion. "Who or what is that monster that Arf spoke about? For it to choose to make a deal…"

"That thing…wasn't human," Arf shivered in her thought, her fur already bristling at the creature's appearance. "It's not something I want to face, especially alone."

"...That terrifying?"

The blue-haired boy's mind immediately recalled his dream, of the woman making a deal with that shadow-like being. It can't be… can it?

His thoughts were then interrupted by a certain Enforcer, his voice completely wary. 'Whoever or whatever that was, it must be a monster beyond imagination.'

A collective shudder ran through them at Chrono's words, even as they ran.

'Let's just hope the truth can be shed after arresting Precia.'

+++

[Seaside Park | 5:55 A.M]

The morning dawn broke across the horizon, brightening the world around them. Only four of them were there at the park, others were likely resting or sleeping during this holiday.

Nanoha was a few steps away from the railings, with Arf beside her. Makoto and Yuuno were a short distance behind her, the former stood straight with his hands in his pockets, feeling the ocean breeze and the chiming of bells travelling through the distances.

"This place should be fine, right?"

Nanoha took a deep breath, before she closed her eyes and concentrated, subtly revealing her magic power so it could be detected.

"Please show yourself…Fate-chan!"

For a moment, there was only silence. What could only be heard was the sound of waves from the ocean. Then the sound of rustling leaves, before a soft blowing wind breezed through their body.

Both Yuuno and Arf looked around, trying to find any signs of Fate. Makoto merely took a deep breath, believing that she would come.

A single moment of silence that seemed to stretch uncomfortably…then—

"Gah!" "Ugh!"

"Senpai!? Yuuno-kun!?"

Nanoha was alarmed. Both of them suddenly let out a shout of pain, Makoto even collapsed to his knees, one hand clawing at his temple as a thin trickle of blood escaped his nose. Before she could even approach them…

[Warning! High level corruption detected!]

…Raising Heart immediately let out a warning.

Yuuno felt a burning sting on his front paw, the one containing his Sigil. The pain wasn't just sudden—it was all-consuming, a massive shock felt in a single instant.

Makoto had it worse.

Screams. Not one, or two. But many in number, all at the same time. It felt like all different horrible sounds were chimerically mixed into the most horrible tune in the world. More spine-chilling than the clashing of metals scratching each other, more horrible than the combined sound of scraping of glass and a chalkboard.

And then they felt it. A familiar feeling of wrongness common to those corrupted, and a strange feeling of despair weighing on their consciousness.

When they turned to look at the source, all of them were surprised.

It was Fate, floating down towards the top of the lamp post, her cloak floating ominously by the winds.

"Fate…?" "Fate-chan…?"

Both Arf and Nanoha called out in worry.

It was definitely an unexpected scenario for all of them. Nanoha immediately wore her Barrier Jacket, Raising Heart in her hands, yet her hands and eyes were shaking.

Makoto was pulled by Yuuno to the side, the latter already in his human form, but both of them could not take their eyes off the blond girl, the screams and burning still felt continuously in their respective selves.

Then Fate opened her eyes.

Everyone gasped, even Amy from Arthra.

Her eyes were not the beautiful red, but a sickly, phosphorescent yellow.

"...Scythe…-BZZZT- …Form…"

Bardiche's words were broken, staticky glitch, even as the yellow blade formed. Makoto realised that its blue jewel's colour was murky and stagnant, as if swallowed completely by the corruption.

"How…?" Yuuno couldn't believe it. So Fate got corrupted by the creature Arf spoke about? And this dread…it reminded him of the Shadow Griffin they fought above the ocean. So the enemy's target back then was really Fate!? But then, why was she here, if they already successfully corrupt her!?

"Fate! Fate!"

"...Arf."

A voice devoid. Of energy, of spirit, of anything. It didn't even sound resigned, but lacking something that makes one voice notably human. A monotone, no different than a soulless machine following its instructed steps.

Arf looked even more worried, seeing how her kindhearted master seemed to have lost her spark, her own melody muted.

"Fate! What happened to you!?"

"..."

She did not answer, merely staring at them with a dull look.

"Fate…!" Arf wanted to move closer, but shook her head. "We should stop…! Trying to collect the Jewel Seeds for that woman! You can't listen to what she says anymore!"

"...Even so…"

Fate replied, pointing her staff at Nanoha, where she sensed the Jewel Seeds, her own Jewel Seeds that she collected floated behind around her glowing in sinister red. Black lines formed on her face, trailing down to her neck. Her eyes weren't even focused on anything.

"I'm still her…'daughter', no matter what…" Is that really so?

He could tell. Her movements were lacking. Merely following the script laid out for her.

"I'll be taking… the rest of the Jewel Seeds… from you."

Without warning, the girl charged forward, scythe ready to swing. Nanoha immediately flew back to the open sea for their battle, and Fate chased after her.

+++

"Kh!" Arf groaned in pain as she tried to forcefully move herself. Of all the times to be useless when her master needed her the most…!

She, Makoto and Yuuno could only watch as the two magical girls were locked in combat. The blue-haired boy was barely standing now. Only Yuuno holding by the side prevented him from falling, but his eyes were still twitching from the cacophony of noise he heard from the Jewel Seed.

They could hear the surprised and frantic screaming from the people of Arthra in their minds, with Lindy ordering them to do a large-scale search in the area for any signs of the enemy. It seems even they did not expect this development, of Fate actually being corrupted.

Then Makoto's eyes widened in realisation.

"..Arf," his voice was low, and he was still holding his head in pain. Still, he needed to know.

"What is it?"

Somehow, everyone suddenly felt a bad feeling encroaching their form.

"Did Fate…give all the Jewel Seeds to her mother?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I'm not sure why she has them now, but she did before I left."

"Even the ones she had during the ocean battle?"

"Yes." She didn't understand why he was asking something obvious. Was it really that important?

"I see." He once again looked at the battle with narrowed eyes, his mind in chaotic turmoil.

'Makoto-kun, what is it?'

Amy's question was answered with silence as he continued to stare at the battle.

"Then…" he took a deep breath. "Why are they corrupted now? All ten of them?"

"Eh…?"

'-! Rechecking!' A furious tempo of typing, before she gasped in horror. 'H-he's right! The Jewel Seeds, even Jewel Seed VIII and Jewel Seed XI that Makoto-kun drained completely before have been corrupted again!?'

The bad feeling in their gut suddenly became a far heavier tune. Arf looked at her master in worry. "Fate…!"

+++

[Above The Sea]

"Fate-chan! Please…!"

But she did not say anything.

They were still in combat, with Nanoha now frantically shooting down the incoming Photon Lancers while Fate systematically dodged her opponent's return fire.

It was wrong.

Despite Fate fighting well, it felt wrong to her. It did not feel like fighting Fate at all.

Her actions were dull and robotic.

Her movements were more of following the motions.

Even her expression was a dead-kind of calmness.

It was like fighting a heartless system, mimicking the motions of a person named Fate Testarossa, yet lacking the song that made it hers.

But even if it was merely copying, it was still Fate. Someone who was strong, so Nanoha had difficulty in fighting her.

What worried her more was the longer the battle, the more it felt like Fate was losing her sense of self. She seemed to be looking at something else, a vision only for her to see.

And so she tried. To call out to her. To try and reach out to her. To appeal to the goodness in the lonely girl's heart.

But it was no use. Fate was too swallowed up by the despair in her mind, the words said in the outside world were merely a noise to be discarded.

[Fate's Mind]

Am I…really worth anything?

A question she repeated ever since her mother told her she was evidence.

Because I wasn't Alicia…Mother did not want me.

She saw it, the cruel, hateful look adorning her mother's face when she asked for a simple praise of what she made for her.

A crack nestled in her heart. Her present was ignored. It was her first 'love' (punishment).

Then subsequent memories. Of her mother delivering cruel actions, making her heart feel weak.

Then she saw it, in her mind, her memory of that time.

"You are evidence. Nothing more."

The static she heard grew louder, and the world lost its colour.

Another vision of Precia.

"You're just the doll I created to play my daughter."

Did she ever say this? Or was her mind conjuring what her mother says? One that she fears her actually saying?

It didn't matter. She felt the words were true.

The darkness in the vision was closing in on her, and she pitifully stretched her hand forward.

Once again, her mother, Precia Testarossa appeared in front of her. Slowly walking towards her, her heels echoing even in this darkness.

Her mother didn't pull her out. Merely staring at her with full contempt as she gets swallowed further and further.

"I always hated you, Fate. You pathetic imitation. Why can't you be Alicia?"

[Seaside Park]

"-! Corruption level spiking!" [Warning, corruption level is increasing!]

The words did not register to the trio who watched the battle. They were engulfed with a sudden pain.

For Yuuno, he felt the burning sting from the Sigil magnified to an unprecedented level.

For Arf, she could feel it, the cracking of the connection between her and Fate, and the despair waved in her master's heart.

For Makoto, the dissonant screams grew louder and louder, rattling his bones to the core. He could also feel a cold chill squeezing his heart, and a song that fell down in the bottomless swamp.

"Fate-chan- kya!"

Nanoha was blown away by the sudden smog. Released from the Jewel Seeds floating around her.

They glowed a sinister red, visible to everyone even through the black smoke.

Then they entered, one-by-one. Into the jewel of Bardiche, with the dull colour became even more washed as each Jewel Seed entered its storage.

Nanoha tried to reach Fate. To pass through the smog.

But it was no use. Her hands cannot penetrate it. It was too solid for her to pass through.

Fate's heart was already broken. She could feel it sinking further and further into purgatory.

If…mother only wants Alicia…If I was only a doll…

One Jewel Seed was left. Jewel Seed - XVIII. The Moon Arcana. It did not enter Bardiche, only floating in front of Fate.

Then…if I became the doll Alicia…will she be happy?

The Seed attached itself to Fate's chest. The smog swallowed her whole.

For a single moment, Fate was visible, her face shadowed.

Then her Barrier Jacket shattered. Unravelled into ethereal, blackened ribbons that hum with static.

Her entire body changed. Becoming more of a human-sized puppet.

Her face was now entirely featureless. Save for the porcelain half-mask on the left-half of her head. It cracked like a sad smile, yet no eyes were seen.

Her limbs elongate, joints glowing with sickly yellow light like a marionette's.

Her chest split open like an empty music box, revealing hollow darkness inside.

Her twin-tails are now frayed wires, and a faint, distorted music box melody plays with her every jerky movement.

Bardiche became more wooden. More fake. Cracks visible on its surface.

Everyone looked at the transformed Fate in horror. Both on the ground and at Arthra. Their mind went utterly, terrifyingly blank.

How… do they save her?

[To be Continued]

 

[CloakGear]

Chapter 28: Hopeful Symphonia

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[Seaside Park]

"FAAAAAAAATTTTTEEEEEE!"

Arf's soul-crushing cry broke everyone out of their stupor. Even then, they could only stare at her with pure horror on their faces.

The form was terrifying in appearance. And for the three of them, Makoto, Yuuno and Nanoha, the manifestation of the corrupted form reminded them of their past battles against corrupted victims.

Yet, even compared to them, except for one, the corruption of Fate was on another level, far beyond their past enemies. And the only one that could rival hers was during the early days. The corrupted office worker, the manifestation of a monument of pure despair.

And with the corrupted Jewel Seeds amplified one's suppressed negative emotions…did Fate think of herself as a puppet? Even after everything?

'C-Confirm!' Amy's stuttered voice rang through the battlefield. 'Corrupted Jewel Seed XVIII! The Moon Arcana, representing mystery, intuition, illusion, and the subconscious! The reverse being…the worsening of her paranoia!'

Meaning the corruption amplified what she believed about herself into something far worse. Nanoha tightened her grip on Raising Heart, her mind frantically thinking on how to save Fate from the corruption.

Then the Shadow of Fate…flew.

No, it could not be called flying. It was more akin to a puppet being pulled by strings, barely seen from her limbs.

""ScyTHe…SlasH.""

The declaration didn't come from Bardiche, but from the hollowed chest, a combination of a child's sob and venomous growl. Every time the limbs moved, one could hear the sound of grinding gears and the creaking of wooden joints. And the blade form from the wooden Intelligent Device was murky in colour.

"Kh!"

Despite the movement being more of a marionette's pantomime, Fate's attack was much faster than before, lacking all the unnecessary movements. It was also much heavier, the pressure alone from the swing almost made Nanoha off-balance.

But she dodged it, though barely. Her training to fight against Fate was coming to fruition.

""PHOtON…LanCER.""

Plasma shots of crackling electricity formed around her, but far duller in colour. A lazy wave from the puppet hand, and the shots were fired.

[Divine Shooter!]

Nanoha took a few distances back, pink spheres of light forming in front of her. It was then fired, hitting at the incoming shots with deadly accuracy, causing mutual destruction.

The attacks stopped, and Nanoha was breathing rapidly. The pressure from the battle was heavy, not just from the attacks, but also the oppressive, despair-inducing feeling from the girl. She could feel her sweat trailing down the back of her neck.

Even so, she didn't give up. Her eyes were still burning a song of hope. Nanoha pointed her staff at the opponent—

""...WhY?""

"Eh?"

The puppet form did not attack, merely tilting her head, though the neck angled a bit too much to be comfortable.

""...Why are you stILL fighting?""

Despite the mix of sobs and hiss, Nanoha felt like it was Fate herself asking her.

"Because…!" Nanoha gripped Raising Heart tighter, her voice determined. "Because you're still there! You're alone! I want to save you!"

""...Is that really So?""

The voice was dubious, despite being monotone. The hollow core even released a discordant tune, mirroring her mood.

Still, even though Nanoha never dropped her guard, she still answered. "Yes! It's true, Fate-chan! I really want to help you!"

The tune was silenced, and for a single moment, Nanoha thought her words managed to get through.

Then she said the next words.

""Because I'm BROKEN, RIGHT?""

"-!"

Nanoha flinched as if struck.

Her opponent didn't miss that opening, swinging the scythe at inhuman speed.

She managed to block it in time, with a quick Round Shield from her palm, but—

"Kh!" [Warning! The corruption level is increasing!]

The blow was similar to the feathers from the griffin Shadow. Each hit made her feel a wave of despair and negative emotions gnawing in her mind and heart.

""YOU only want me because I'm broken. If I weren't, WOULD you Even carE?""

"Fate-chan…! That's not…!"

But it was no use. The attacks were getting faster, and heavier. Each block made her heart beating faster, and dodging was almost impossible at close range due to the overwhelming speed. She could only fly further back to give herself space, yet their opponent chased after her.

+++

"Nanoha…!"

It was obvious to everyone. Their friend was losing. She was being overwhelmed on all fronts, and yet it was also noticeable to them that Fate didn't finish her immediately, but slowly cornering her with both attacks and words. They could see the hesitation and fear slowly adorning her face.

'The corruption level in both of them is increasing…!' Amy's anguished voice was heard, her voice filled with frustration and fear. 'If this keeps going any longer…!'

They would be gone. Both of them, due to the darkness breaking them completely.

For once, Makoto felt his heart turn cold.

Gritting his teeth, he slowly pushed himself away from Yuuno to take flight and joined the battle.

"Makoto!"

"...Don't stop me, Yuuno."

His friend held him by the shoulder, his eyes shaking and his voice filled with worry.

He did not shake him off, but gave Yuuno a hard stare.

Both of them knew. Makoto was already reaching his limit. Even if he tried draining the corruption from Fate, seeing how weakened he was, he wouldn't be able to fight well, merely a note to be swatted away.

But then, so what?

His friends were in trouble. The darkness was slowly eradicating them.

How would Alisa-san and Suzuka feel when Nanoha they knew was gone? Her family?

How could he even leave Fate alone? The girl with an incomplete melody seeking warmth?

So what if he breaks? He was broken already. To protect their happiness was enough, no?

"I'm going."

"I know! That's why listen for a second!"

Makoto blinked, realising that his friend wasn't actually stopping him from going ahead. Instead, he sighed in relief when Makoto looked at him in confusion.

"I'm really glad I prepared in advance…" Yuuno muttered, before looking at him directly, his eyes blazing with a determined hope. "Listen okay? I'm just going to repeat this once."

And so Yuuno told him. Of what he did, with Amy's help.

Makoto's eyes widened.

+++

"Kya!"

The blow broke the barrier, and Nanoha was pushed back. She could feel the familiar feeling at that time at the dockyard. The corruption slowly spread to her heart.

Fate did not do anything. Merely hanging her hand down like a puppet without movement, only hanging in the air, but she knew the girl was staring at her, assured of her victory.

The brown-haired girl gritted her teeth, trying to hold on. Not again, she didn't want to lose herself again…!

"Yuuno!"

A boyish shout, not from the girls. Before she realised it, she felt something warm behind her, holding on her shoulder. A familiar sensation, even. Nanoha could feel her heart beating in a dreadful tune.

Sure enough, when she turned to look, it was her senior, already in Unison form, draining the corruption from her. He was teleported by his friend to be able to reach her quickly.

"Senpai!?" Nanoha looked at him in pure surprise and horror. "Why are you here!? You're still not completely fine yet!?"

Even though he drained it completely, Nanoha felt guilty. For him to attempt to do so when he was on his last legs, did he even know what would happen to him!?

"I know," one of his eyes already showed a shade of yellow, and black lines were forming on his face. "But you were in trouble, and I want to help. Both you and Fate."

Stupid! She couldn't help but think, even though she was happy. Makoto-senpai is kind yet stupid! How would everyone feel if he's gone!?

""Help? HELP ME?""

The voice was tinged with slight anger, the wooden Bardiche pointed at the both of them.

""Then…become like me. BReak for Me.""

A large magic circle below the puppet. Fate's but cracked, black lines forming on the surface. A single beam was shot from the tip of the staff, and the duo blocked it with their shields, the corruption slowly encroaching on them.

"Amy-san said earlier," Makoto muttered, staring at Fate with a composed look. "If we dally any further, Fate is likely to be gone forever."

Nanoha widened her eyes in panic. She didn't want that! She didn't want that at all!

But…! "What can we do!?"

Their opponent was strong, far stronger than either of them. They could not hope to overwhelm her with their own strength, and it was likely this was the last chance to save Fate.

But could they even save her with their current strength? Was there even any way!?

"There is a way, Nanoha."

Nanoha could feel her heart stopping at that declaration. His voice, despite calm, was confident. As if he truly believed what he said.

Makoto looked at her directly.

"I'll Unison with you, Nanoha."

Nanoha's eyes widened. Unison…with her? Like what he did with Yuuno last time?

"But the last time you practised with Yuuno-kun, you-!"

"I know," he nodded, but his eyes didn't lose any hope. "But rather than losing a friend, I rather gamble the chance to save her from the darkness."

She hesitated. It was the first time they even attempted it, they never even thought about doing so in the past. Can she do it? Can it really be successful during their first, and most important try?

She looked at him again. Despite the lines on his face, the tinge of yellow on one eye…she chose to trust him. Those clear, beautiful eyes, filled with unbreakable hope.

"Okay," She nodded. "What should we do first?"

"Raising Heart." "Eh?"

[Understood. Resonant Unison Program, starting.]

The red jewel of Raising Heart glowed, covering the two of them in a large pink sphere, surprising Nanoha.

Then Makoto held the staff with her, his hands holding onto hers while also gripping the Intelligent Device. She couldn't help but blush at the boldness.

But still, she was surprised her partner actually had such a function.

"Was Raising Heart always able to do this!?"

"No," he shook his head. "Yuuno told me he added this function with Amy-san back at the ship."

""You think I'll LET You?""

The puppet tried to move, to stop them from doing the miracle. She already saw it once, and it turned the tide that she thought was certain defeat. It will not happen again.

If she could.

""-!?""

Before Fate realised it, multiple chains of green and orange tied her limbs, and orange rings of mana held them in place.

"Sorry, Fate!" Arf gave an agonised cry as she stopped her master from moving.

"You won't… interrupt them!"

Yuuno gritted his teeth, his other hand creating an extra spherical barrier covering his friends for an extra layer of protection, while the other tried to hold the chains as much as possible, even as they were straining by their opponent's rough movements.

His mind recalled what happened on that day.

+++

[Arthra Engineering Room | Flashback - 2nd May, Evening]

"...A new program for Raising Heart?" "Yes."

Amy's eyes widened when Yuuno proposed his request.

It was some time after the meeting, and the blond boy approached her when everyone left, requesting her expertise for something, though she didn't expect what he requested at all.

"With the enemies we're facing seem to be getting smarter in tactics," Yuuno crossed his arms, a frown on his face. "It's best if we have a trump card of some sort just in case."

"...So that's why you propose a program for Makoto's unique Unison with another mage?" She remembered that moment. When the entire Arthra crew watched Makoto Unison with Yuuno to save Nanoha. She gave him a confused look. "But, from what I heard, you fail to produce it after doing it once? Are you sure it'll be possible next time?"

"I'm sure. I could guess the conditions for it."

He wasn't lying. Just from their first successful try, Yuuno managed to record correctly all the conditions in his journal while trying to understand Makoto's power.

Physical contact. The exact same strong thought. Similar motives or desires. Makoto in Unison. Close bonds.

These five were what he managed to narrow it down to. Missing even one would fail the Unison.

If he was right, then the main reason for their failure was the lack of one thing: the same strong thought. Most likely, since it was just practice, either he and Makoto were relaxed in their thoughts because it was just training for them, making it impossible.

"I see," a nod of understanding, before she shot him a questioning look. "But still, from what you're proposing, you wish for Nanoha-chan and Makoto-kun to do the Resonant Unison?"

"Yes," he nodded. "Because if my own Unison with Makoto could already overwhelm the corrupted Nanoha…"

It would likely be a far more powerful combination, and it would be a hidden card. That's why it's best to prepare.

To make it easier for them, just in case. And to make sure the corruption won't overwhelm Makoto.

"Alright, I'll help," Amy began preparing the program. "But would Raising Heart be able to take it?"

[It'll be alright.]

Yuuno didn't get a chance to answer. The Intelligent Device resting on the table already answered.

[This is for my master's sake. For the sake of the future they believed in. I am but one to help them pave the tune they choose.]

Both Yuuno and Amy couldn't help but smile at Raising Heart's loyalty.

"Alright!" Amy was burning in desire. "Let's do this!"

+++

[Present Time]

The Device glowed, enveloping them in a gentle warmth.

[Query. What is the purpose?]

""To save Fate/Fate-chan!""

[Second query. Another purpose?]

Both of them looked at each other. Then, a smile graced their face, the duo nodding.

""To protect Nanoha/Makoto-Senpai!""

There was no need for complicated reasons. They wish to save Fate and protect each other. And that was enough.

A single blink from the Jewel. Then a warm tone, with another blinking. It was as if Raising Heart was smiling.

[Understood. All Clear. Resonant Unison, Execute.]

Nanoha could feel it. A melodious warmth wrapping into her entire being. Makoto became light itself, before being absorbed into her. No, into her Linker Core.

Her hair grew longer, the twintails extending in length, while also becoming lighter in colour. A mix of hers and Orpheus.

Her Barrier Jacket became completely white, not from losing colour. But a pure and almost holy white. On her back was a massive lyre, yet it did not feel like it weighed anything.

Raising Heart also transformed, gaining a lyre-shaped crown at the tip, cradling the Red Jewel.

A sound was heard. Of the thrumming of a string. And one eye glowed, leaving a trail of velvet blue.

[Unison Complete.]

Nanoha could hear it now. The scream from the puppet who broke the chains binding her and the Seeds. The one Makoto said he heard many times. Her mind, or rather their minds also felt heavy, straining themselves from the throbbing pain.

Both of them ignored it, focusing on what they wished to do the most.

Saving Fate.

""...! P-Photon LANCER PhalANX SHIFT!""

They could hear the panic in the tone, as a large cracked magic circle formed under her. Thirty eight photon spheres were made, before it was immediately fired at Unison Nanoha.

She did not dodge it, or even prepared a shield to block it. It was taken head on.

"NANOHA!?"

Yuuno shouted in surprise, smoke being made from each shot. Why didn't she try defending herself!?

When the smoke cleared, the answer was readily apparent. Everyone's eyes widened at the result.

Not a single wound, not even a cut. The attack failed to hurt her at all.

'That's incredible…' Lindy's voice echoed, her voice in pure awe. Even Chrono at Arthra had his eyes widened.

'-! The corruption level is steadily decreasing!' Amy reported, the values slowly lowering at a steady beat.

[Divine Shooter.]

Four pink-white spheres were made, accompanied by the sound of a lyre's string being pulled. They moved at a speed incomparable to before, aiming at Fate.

She barely avoided three, dodging in an erratic manner, but one managed to hit her shoulder.

""KyA!?""

A scream of pain, but more from the venomous voice. She was surprised by the change.

That was obvious, since, even back then, Makoto managed to make Yuuno gain the ability of draining. Removing the corruption from Nanoha using Yuuno as the medium.

So if he could do that for Yuuno, it was likely he could do the same for Nanoha and her magic.

And it did.

Both of them could feel it, the despair in Fate's heart from that single blow. They became even more determined in saving her, Unison Nanoha's hands tightening her grip on her staff. The puppet took a step back in fear, afraid of disappearing.

And so the game of chase, of cat and mouse began. Nanoha chased after her, firing a storm of pink shots and beams, closing in with her Flash Move. Shadow Fate moved away in fear, firing and endless streams of Photon Lancers while moving in an erratic pattern, trying to get them as far away from her as possible, and delay their chase. It was useless of course, the attacks were completely ineffective.

+++

[Arthra]

"This is…" Amy narrowed her eyes, looking at the scene. Of Unison Nanoha chasing after Shadow Fate. "Fate-chan is faster overall, but-"

"That form has far greater speed when moving in a straight line." Chrono crossed his arms. "They're cornering her bit by bit, trying to make her create a mistake."

"And that opening," Lindy was clenching her fist. "Should be…"

[Back to Seaside Park]

Another close dodge from Fate, she barely avoided it.

""-!""

But then she was locked in place. By a pink-white Rings of mana. Nanoha's Restrict Lock.

Then a large magic circle appeared below her, shooting out white strings of light and pink chains that tied her even further from moving. Makoto's String Bind and Nanoha's Chain Bind.

At the same time, two large magic circles appeared below Unison Nanoha, layered upon each other. She landed on it, looking at the bound Fate with determination.

"We're definitely saving you, Fate-chan!" She raised her staff skyward. "Gather, Shimmer of Bonds! Let friendship become Light!"

Alisa's ribbon that was tied began glowing and pulsing in power, and white-pink lights began gathering themselves from the circle. Into a large cluster of mana in front of them and the tip of the staff.

'Let Despair,' Makoto muttered inside Nanoha. 'Find Rest.'

A quick twirl from the staff, before Raising Heart was pointed at Fate.

[Resonance detected. Bonds affirmed. The Symphony of Salvation, Starlight Breaker—Ready!]

And the duo declared as one.

'"Starlight Breaker: Symphonia!!!"'

A wave of overwhelming and pure, resonant light—accompanied by a single, perfect chord from a celestial lyre—washed over the form of Shadow Fate.

The mask didn't shatter; it dissolved.

The puppet strings didn't snap; they unravelled.

The corruption was not destroyed; it was soothed and purified.

[Fate's Mind]

She could feel it, a bright warmth purging away the darkness. Stripping her away from its grip.

She looked up, her eyes almost blinded by the shine.

Two hands, Of pure light. Of a boy and a girl. Extending towards her.

Fate hesitated. Afraid of making a connection.

The hands didn't run away. Patiently waiting for her.

She…extended her hands towards them. Towards her salvation. Both of her hands were holding onto them.

They pulled her towards the light.

…So…warm…

+++

Bardiche's wooden form cracked, revealing the pristine device from within, the jewel returning to its original colour.

Fate floated in the air for a single moment before gravity came due. But before she could descend, Unison Nanoha caught her quickly yet gently.

'The corruption level…is lowered now,' Amy breathed out, awed by what happened. 'It's safe.'

"Fate! Fate!"

Arf cried out, rushing towards her master who was held by Unison Nanoha in a bridal carry. The latter gently delivered her to Arf, who cried tears of relief, hugging the calm, unconscious form of her master.

Unison Nanoha was smiling in relief, and took a distance to give them space, landing on the ground.

Then it broke. Unison Nanoha separated into Nanoha and Makoto, both of them on their knees, but conscious.

"Nanoha! Makoto!"

Both of them were at their limits, their heads throbbing and aching. Nanoha even had her hand burned by a sigil that Yuuno was familiar with. The same one on his hand.

He tried to ease their pain, healing their mental wounds as much as possible.

Then Makoto turned to look at them, one eye, covered by his hair, completely yellow.

"...Who…are you…?"

It was still his voice, though with a strange echo. But it was pure confusion.

Both of them had their hearts dropped. He lost his memories on both of them.

"...Right," Nanoha was determined. She promised to herself, didn't she? "I'll help you remember, Makoto-senpai."

He tilted his head in confusion.

For a single moment, the world was at peace. Arf cried happily and silently while hugging Fate, while the trio took a deep breath.

Then the alarm at Arthra flared.

'Dimensional Interference!?' Amy couldn't believe what was detected. "A wide-area magical attack from another dimension is heading straight for them and us!'

Before anyone could react, Amy quickly declared. 'Ah, six seconds before impact!'

They could feel the attack coming, the power strong and overwhelming. It was targeted at Fate.

"-!"

Makoto didn't think. He just acted. It wasn't about saving someone, but to move despite the fear, despite the pain.

His body cannot move, but another could.

"THANATOS!"

Death came. The cape of coffins behind it floating sinisterly. Everyone looked at it in terror, but before they realised it, it moved towards Arf and Fate.

The familiar had her eyes widened, and hugged Fate as if to protect her from the incoming blow.

Thunder struck, at both Arthra and the park.

Screams erupted at the ship, but Amy reacted quickly, immediately typing at a rapid beat. "Bingo! Got a lock on the coordinates of the attacker!"

"Good job, Amy!" Lindy looked at the screen. "How are the others!?"

[Seaside Park]

There was no pain. Arf cautiously opened her eyes, surprised by the lack of pain. Her eyes widened at the sight.

The skeletal monster, the creature that brought her terror from appearance alone…was crackling with purple electricity, its arms opened wide, covering both of them. It took the attack head on.

"You…"

It did not say anything. Merely stared.

It then nodded, before looking at the still form of his other self.

"…"

No words were exchanged, but there wasn't any need to.

Thanatos floated above Makoto, its form disappearing into shards of blue glass, before being absorbed by the latter, returning to his Sea of Souls.

A small beat, then Makoto fainted on the railings, but was held by Nanoha and Yuuno before he fell down into the sea.

"SENPAI! "MAKOTO!"

+++

[Arthra]

"Seriously…!"

Chrono grumbled out, but he couldn't help but appreciate what happened.

"You're reckless. You blur the line between courage and self-destruction. …But maybe disaster isn't all you bring."

Lindy quickly ordered a few people before asking the people at the Engineering section.

"How's the damage? Can it be repaired?"

"Extensive, captain," the mechanic replied from the screen. "But we should be able to finish before midnight on Earth's time."

"Good, please do so."

Lindy took a deep breath, angered by the fact the children were targeted. Especially because it was aiming directly at Fate, the enemy's ally.

Still, she was glad they managed to rescue her on time, even doing the impossible. She couldn't help but quip to herself.

"They're children… but perhaps only children could still believe enough to fight despair this way."

---

[End of Arc 5: Garden of Sorrow | To be Continued]

 

[CloakGear]

Interlude 5: A Familiar's Gratitude

---

[Arthra Patient Room | Arf's POV]

"Gr…!"

"Calm down, Arf-san."

Despite the assurance of the brown-haired girl, Arf still had the urge to bite the doctors, who left after giving the unconscious Fate a check-up.

Perhaps because of her desire to make sure her master would not be harmed by adults again, but every time she saw those white long scientist coats, it reminded her of that woman. The one Fate called her 'mother'.

The only reason she only remotely trusted them was because that girl, Nanoha, that ferret, Yuuno, and that boy, Makoto, were also there. After their encounters, she could believe in their goodness.

It was only after she could not hear any more steps from the adults that she closed in on her master, checking her body for any visible injuries or tampering done.

She could feel the trio she trusted staring at her, but she didn't care.

After all, Fate was the one who saved her life.

+++

[Two Years Ago]

She had a few recollections of her past. From what she was told later by Linith, their teacher, a familiar not having memories was normal. It was not revival, merely creation of an artificial soul and continuing it by magic. There was a chance some aspects of it will be remembered, but it was low.

And she did recall a few things.

A heavy downpour. Her lone body alone without companions.

Then…something warm. A kind hand. A gentle touch.

When she first came to, she saw an older woman, Linith, and the girl that would be her master. She approached the latter, rubbing her head affectionately at her legs. Somehow, she knew, in her heart, that this girl was the one who saved her.

"U-um, w-what should I do?"

"You should try holding her."

She was held. Hugged. Cuddled.

In response, she licked her saviour's face. She giggled in response.

It was the first meeting between Fate and her.

+++

[Present Time]

Since then, they were almost inseparable.

Playing together. Reading together. Bathing together.

She, Arf, grew quite quickly, learning alongside Fate, being taught by Linith.

At first, she was childish. Clumsy. But she learned quickly. Understand many things. Even forming a real contract after the temporary contract of saving her life. She did misunderstand Fate when she read things about familiars, but it was quickly resolved.

She even grew bigger than even Linith, growing into the size of an adult and being taller. Her fist was also stronger, even being praised by Linith for her strength and tactical knowledge.

But…that was all.

After Linith was gone, that witch became harsher, angrier. Hurting Fate for the smallest of things, even after her master dutifully followed her orders, in gathering some items for her.

She asked many times. To leave Precia. To not be hurt anymore.

But Fate…stayed. Denied her request. Saying that her mother was only a bit tired and frustrated.

Arf could see it. How her master's eyes were losing its lustre from before. How her body was getting more wounds.

She was frustrated. She failed to protect her. Both her heart and body. What kind of familiar, no, what kind of friend was she to fail such a thing?

Her strength and skill cannot protect Fate when she was hurting the most. All she could do was protect her from the enemies during her task, to lower her burden.

Arf sighed before looking up, recalling the moment she attacked Precia.

Her mind then remembered that creature, and her body involuntarily shivered, drawing worried looks from Nanoha and Yuuno. She assured them with a single shake of her head.

That thing…was terrifying. Despite the body outline being seemingly human, perhaps similar to Fate when she was young, she knew it was not. Not even close.

Whatever it was, she could feel it. Full of anger and resentment, and even a touch of jealousy.

She's not even sure if that thing was even a creature. Less like a living thing, and more of a curse given form. It was something she wished to never meet alone in any capacity.

Her thoughts were then interrupted by the sound of the door opening with a hydraulic sound. When she turned, she could see him, the familiar-looking blue-haired boy. The one who protected Fate, now chatting with Nanoha and Yuuno.

He was strange. Perhaps even stranger than the girl who introduced herself to Fate the first time they met, even when it was obvious they were enemies at that time.

Despite being strong, he never once tried harming Fate. Not even binding or stopping her master from obtaining the Jewel Seeds, like that time when the TSAB first interrupted their battle.

In fact, he even gave her the Jewel Seed that formerly felt wrong, even taking away the darkness from it. Somehow, he, and by extension Nanoha and Yuuno, never saw Fate as an enemy, the latter two only stopping Fate from hurting the blue-haired boy.

Arf felt a bit conflicted, a discordant echo in her heart.

On one hand, she felt like her role as Fate's guardian, her protector from pain, was now losing its worth. For herself and Fate, being forced to rely on strangers, people she didn't really know.

And yet, she was glad.

Because Fate now had friends. People other than herself or Linith that truly cared for her master's well being.

She won't admit it, out loud at least. But every time Fate encountered Makoto and Nanoha, especially the former, Arf felt like Fate's world was now a bit brighter than before, losing all the gloom and sad melody that coloured her world ever since Linith was gone from their lives.

"...Thank you, Makoto, Nanoha, for saving Fate."

"Um?" It seemed Nanoha heard her mutter. She turned to look at Arf, tilting her head in confusion. "Did you say something, Arf-san?"

"No," she shook her head. "It's nothing."

Once again, she looked at the calm face of the unconscious Fate, a rare peaceful, sleeping look on her face.

Linith… Even if you're not here anymore, please don't worry. Arf smiled, a truly gentle smile, as she stroked Fate's hair. Fate…has people caring for her.

 

[CloakGear]

Chapter 29: The Calm and The Storm

---

[Dimensional Ship Arthra, Patient Room | 4th May, 11:10 P.M.]

Hurried steps. Determined faces.

A majority of the adult crew members were in such a state, clothed in Barrier Jackets and holding standardised Storage Devices, soldiers preparing for duty.

They were getting ready to enter the enemy's lair, and the one who attacked them: Precia Testarossa. The magical lightning strike was powerful, but it was also easily recognisable in the database. Very few mages could shoot out such a level of power that easily, after all, not to mention one with an attribute.

Nanoha saw them pass by the room, her hands writing her journal, with Alisa's ribbon acting as a bookmark. She recorded the memories of the battle as much as she could. And recalling what Makoto did, she somehow managed to understand him and his abilities a bit more.

"He didn't fight the darkness," she wrote those words while saying it out loud, as if trying to burn them in her heart. A wistful smile on her face. "He carried it. And somehow…that made him shine."

At the current moment, Nanoha was in the room with Yuuno, an unconscious Fate, Arf, and Makoto—who had woken an hour after fainting, though one eye remained yellow. According to the doctor, the change was likely permanent.

Her heart was saddened by the news. Not just his memories, but his own appearance was becoming lost. Would he lose even more if he continued?

Nanoha shook her head. No, she shouldn't think so negatively.

That's why, for the last couple of hours, she and Yuuno helped the boy in remembering everything he had forgotten, starting from reintroducing themselves to him.

The hum from the music box he repaired, she tried to sing it as close to the unbroken tune as possible.

Some pictures she brought with her. Of her and her friends and family, and all the activities that had been done. Some which were sneakily snapped by Farin and Noel. She showed it to him, pointing at the people in the pictures and saying their names.

Even her own journal, all the incidents, both good and bad, that they have experienced. She let him read it, patiently explaining their journey to him with a gentle tune.

Makoto…tilted his head. It was not because he was uncertain. But somehow, they felt familiar to him. Not just her, but what she had shown him, and what she told him. Not his mind, but his body. They remembered their melody.

And then…clarity.

"Sorry, Nanoha, Yuuno."

He bowed low. His voice, hoarse as it may be, was completely familiar to them. The calm, detached yet friendly tone.

"Sorry for making you two worry."

He lifted his head, and looked at them. Not as strangers, but as someone he personally knew. Makoto scratched his cheek, giving an apologetic smile.

"And…thanks."

"No, Senpai," Nanoha shook her head, her tears shedding uncontrollably, yet her smile was charmingly beautiful. "Thank you."

For helping her all this time with Yuuno. For saving her. For making the miracle possible.

There were so many things she wished to say, but in the end, she could only sum it up as thanks.

Yuuno, who was beside her, gave a nod of agreement, but then gave the blue-haired boy a worried look. "Makoto, do you remember…everything?"

"... I'm not sure," he admitted, shaking his head. "Perhaps I did forget a few things, but…"

It would be hard for someone who lost their memories to recall what they had forgotten after all.

Still, it's a start.

After that, a few things happened.

One, all twenty-one Jewel Seeds that were found and collected were now successfully given away to TSAB for safekeeping, even the ones held by Bardiche. The Device easily complied with the request when Makoto asked.

They were stored successfully in the ship's containment area… except for the lone corrupted one that Chrono obtained before. From what Nanoha heard, they wished to use the sample to continue their research on the corruption, and hopefully find a way to purify it completely, mainly for Makoto's sake.

The other was the corruption level inside the blue-haired boy.

+++

[Arthra Medical Section | Flashback - 4th May, 07:30 P.M.]

It happened while Makoto was getting a check-up, with the group checking on the results on the screen in front of them.

"...No way."

Everyone was shocked by the estimated value shown, their eyes widened in pure disbelief.

94%. But it was rising and falling at the same time, like two different waves trying to surpass the other with their different rhythm.

It was an extremely high value, when compared to his previous 80% last check-up. But it was also unexpectedly low, if one remembered that he had drained the corruption from Fate. And hers was, at that time, a truly dreadful amount.

The scientists thought that perhaps Nanoha had a trace of corruption inside of her from Makoto's absorption. A logical assumption since, despite ignoring to focus on saving Fate, she did feel what Makoto felt at that time.

But just like when Yuuno was scanned, there was a nary trace of corruption inside of her, with the values even detected were concluded that they were more likely leftover scars more than anything.

"That's impossible," Nanoha heard a scientist mutter. "The corruption value on the field at that time exceeded the safety threshold for him to drain it completely. If the math is correct, then the boy would have already reached beyond his limits before that girl was saved."

"...Can it be?" Amy did another scan, but this time categorising them like she did before. And the results made her narrow her eyes in contemplation. "This is…"

"What is it, Amy?" Chrono looked at his childhood friend, his face serious. "Did you find something?"

She did not answer with words, but instead did a few quick types.

Immediately afterwards, multiple white lines were made on the black corruption, separating them into different categories connecting them to their specific sources.

The largest one was 88%, covering almost all of Makoto's corruption.

"That's…!" Yuuno, Lindy and the scientists were once again floored by the revelations. Nanoha had her hands covering her mouth in horror.

"...A sharp increase compared to before," Chrono narrowed his eyes at the result. "Amy, is this the same one as before?"

"Yes, it is," Amy confirmed. "Especially since we managed to record the signature when Makoto-kun summoned it and compare it to the previous case. The one he called 'Thanatos'."

"But then…" another scientist, Suzuki, rubbed his head in confusion. "Even though I'm glad, why is his corruption value lower than expected?"

Everyone was deep in their thoughts, trying to understand the phenomena. Were they missing something?

"Ah."

Everyone turned to the source of the voice: Yuuno. He seemed to have realised something, even hitting his fist on his open palm.

"Yuuno-kun?"

A pair of glasses was formed on his head, and he pushed it upwards. "I see…It's that obvious..." He was muttering to himself, but his voice was tinged with confidence.

"Obvious?" Lindy looked at him, a look of puzzlement on her face, mirrored by the majority of the people here. "What do you mean, Yuuno-kun?"

He looked around. Everyone was looking at him, trying to understand what the archaeologist had discovered.

"Right," he walked forward with a confident stride, before explaining. "As we establish, the creature, Thanatos, was a guardian of sorts for Makoto's mind, acting as a filter."

The group nodded.

"However," he pushed his glasses again. "We never established how much it actually filters the corruption."

"...How much?" Chrono was bewildered. He didn't understand what the ferret boy was talking about.

Then his eyes widened in surprise and understanding. "Are you saying… that the creature has been draining all of the excess corruption?"

"Exactly as I said," Yuuno nodded. "In fact, it's the only thing that makes sense, and the reason why Makoto survived until now."

"But then…" Amy tilted her head, a look of puzzlement on her face. "Why did it do that, when it could just destroy the corruption like shown before?"

"Because it's dangerous to Makoto's mind."

For the first time, everyone was flabbergasted by the answer.

"Do you remember the leftover traces inside Makoto? The one we thought were coming from the victims or remnants of the Jewel Seeds?" The blond mage reminded them. "I believe they were also part of the original corruption, only dyed in the corruption's colour. Mix and blend."

"I see…!" Amy nearly jumped in surprise at the revelation. "Those are scrapped remnants! Leftovers from the corruption Thanatos personally destroyed!"

"Yes," Yuuno now had a sombre look. "However, because the corruption itself is mixed inside, it's likely a part of Makoto's mind were also among them, other than the whatever else was inside."

"And to destroy that corruption inside Senpai means…!"

"...To literally destroy part of his mind."

+++

[Present Time]

No one spoke for a moment at the revelation. Nanoha herself was too shocked to even say anything.

In their mind, the worst possibility surfaced. What would happen if that creature reached its limit? What will happen to all the corruption inside of it?

…They didn't even want to imagine the answer.

Lindy immediately ordered Amy to file a request from the main office to obtain the materials for the draining device, making it a priority request. At the same time, she also orders every one of her crew members to prepare for the assault at the base.

They complied with synchronised salute before dispersing. Though even if they could obtain the sources for the draining device quickly, the earliest they could get it would be after twelve hours, at minimum.

Still, it's best if they do so. The Arthra crew were growing fond of Makoto, Nanoha and Yuuno, and they didn't want him to disappear, especially because the boy was a naturally kind-hearted person.

Speaking of which, Nanoha and the others were requested by Lindy to take a break from this battle. Even if they wished to help, they just had one major battle earlier, so even if they were physically fine, their mentality still needed a rest.

And more importantly, it's the TSAB's responsibility to capture criminals, and not let kids perform such a burden.

Nanoha wanted to protest, but in all honesty, they were right. It has been a long day, and she was mentally exhausted after everything today.

That was why, currently, all the civilian collaborators were staying in the room where the unconscious Fate was. Doing their own thing while waiting for the girl to wake up.

+++

[Fate's POV]

She had a strange dream.

It was something completely unclear, merely a fuzzy static and noise. All she saw was a blur, the image seen purely an endless grey. But, it didn't feel bad.

"I won't ALLOW it."

A voice, heavily distorted, rough and broken. A voice she should recognise but not at the same time.

It was a warm and kind voice.

"I won't allow my 'sister' to be corrupted because of THIS."

A simple silence…then-

"...I'm sorry."

Something snapped. Fate felt herself missing a part of herself.

"This is for the best. To make sure you remain pure." A sorrowful confession. "This is goodbye, 'little sister'."

She felt herself disappearing, even though she wanted to extend her hands towards whoever that was.

"Goodbye, mama. I hope…you and 'her' will live happily."

[Guest Room]

A small groan, and the bedsheets shuffled a bit. Both Nanoha and Arf were surprised, holding their breath.

Fate's eyes fluttered open, her red eyes visible even in the corner.

"Fate!"

"Fate-chan!"

The girls approached the girl, their eyes shedding tears, and their voice showing only pure relief. Yuuno was smiling from a distance, as he watched the girls almost fuss around the girl, but he knew they were that happy.

While everyone else was glad, Makoto alone blinked, looking at the yellow-haired girl, before looking down. He then mutters her name, "Fate," again and again, as if trying to test the name from his tongue.

He then nodded. Yes, that was her name.

+++

[11:30 P.M.]

"Excuse me."

The door slowly hissed open. In front of the door entrance was Lindy, giving a sweeping look at the room with a gentle smile, seeing Makoto, Nanoha, Yuuno and Arf near the bed before her eyes fell onto the person on the bed. Fate Testarossa, sitting up straight and holding onto the compact form of Bardiche. Arf scooted closer to her master, partially covering her from view.

The captain could only give a strained yet understanding smile on the familiar's actions. Even though she trusted the kids, she still didn't trust the TSAB, yet, huh? …Well, that's fine.

When the unconscious Fate was sent to the Arthra for check-up, Arf was extremely defensive, almost snapping at the doctors or scientist when they wanted to scan Fate for check-up. It was only the assurance of Nanoha and Yuuno that she relented, but she did not drop the glare that promised vengeance if anything happened to the girl.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with the girl, Makoto's draining already took all of her corruption into himself, as usual.

For the girl, while there were some that wished to handcuff her and even took her Device away, but Lindy, and the vast majority denied those requests. The girl was a victim right now, and it would be wrong to treat her as a hazard or something dangerous after everything that happened.

That was why, other than the doctors doing a check-up, there were no adults around or nearby. Lindy feared that the girl, after waking up, would be uncomfortable with all the attention.

"Now then," Lindy gave a nod, before showing the best motherly smile she could muster. She didn't react, but seeing the fear and unease in her eyes made Lindy wonder how the girl was usually treated. "Fate-san, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

No answer, but Nanoha scooted closer to her, gently holding her arm. Everyone in the room gave her a look of worry.

The admiral let out an internal sigh. She didn't want to break the news to her so straightforwardly, but she deserved to know.

"First, I apologise. But we're going to capture your mother, Precia Testarossa."

Fate clenched the blanket covering her, hard, gritting her teeth. It seems that she expected it.

"Her signature was confirmed when she launched the attack on Arthra and you. That, plus the fact she was making you collect the Jewel Seeds… That's enough for her to receive a warrant for an arrest."

Once again, Fate did not say anything, and looked down, the shadows covering her face. But her entire body was shaking, though it didn't seem to be because of rage.

Still, it would be unbearable for her to be here, seeing the capturing of her mother. So that's why, at the very least-

"I see. Mother attacked me…"

The voice was resigned acceptance, a song full of heartache. It was the sound of one who was at the end of her rope.

"So I really am just 'evidence', something to be thrown away..."

…What?

"Fate!" Arf hugged her hard, her master's head on her chest. "You're not whatever that woman is saying about you! You're…!"

Lindy could feel her heart stopping dead cold, and another feeling lanced through her veins, red-hot flames. Yuuno and Nanoha seemed to flinch a bit when they looked at her face.

It took her for a moment to realise that, yes, she was angry. Lindy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

"Fate-san," she went down on her knees, before asking her calmly, her hands shaking as she gripped her knee a bit tightly. "Can you…tell me what she said?"

"..."

"Fate…" "Fate-chan…"

She did not say anything, merely looking down. It seems that whatever Precia said to her was painful enough for her to not say anything.

Yet, for Lindy, that silence was an answer by itself.

"...I see, thank you, Fate-san. You can continue your rest." Lindy slowly stood up, and gave the most amicable smile to the group, before leaving the room.

No one was fooled though. It was obvious to them that, just from the dreadful feeling emitting from the older woman, she was seriously nearing her breaking point already.

"Lindy-san…seemed to know something." Nanoha was worried. She never saw Lindy look so angry ever since she's helping the TSAB. And from how she's reacting, it's related to Fate…?

She then noticed Yuuno sighing. Not of surprise, but of understanding. "Yuuno-kun, do you know something?"

He jolted in surprise, before giving her a pained look, confirming her suspicion. She felt slightly hurt that he didn't tell her, but the fact he gave her that pained look meant that, "Is it…that bad?"

"It's…not something that can be spoken out openly," he gave a quick glance at Fate. "Especially since earlier, at…well…"

Nanoha understood. He was worried about Fate, especially since whatever it was would make what Fate says what her mother thought of her as valid. It might hurt her enough to make the girl's tune silent forever.

"..." Said girl was still looking down, before hearing some footsteps closing in on her. She lifted her head to see him, the familiar peaceful warmth.

Makoto.

He did not say anything, nor offer any words. But strangely enough, she felt a small spark of courage in her heart.

And so, despite everything. She chose to ask, to know the truth. A leap of faith from the small song of bravery.

"Can you…tell me?"

Yuuno blinked, surprised that she wished to know. "...Are you sure…?"

Honestly, she's not really sure if she wishes to know the truth. But, if she wanted to at least understand her mother…then, she needed to know.

Fate nodded.

"...Alright."

And so Yuuno told everyone in the room. About the possibility that Fate's a clone. Project F.A.T.E. And Precia's dead daughter.

Arf reacted as expected, snarling and growling at Precia, her mind already thinking of delivering a painful lesson to the woman for hurting Fate for such a reason.

Fate gave a sad smile, before looking down again, her body completely shaking.

Nanoha hugged her tight. She was shocked by the revelations, but Fate's state of mind was more important than that. She didn't understand why that Precia woman would do such a thing, only to declare Fate that. Why did she say something like that, if she was going to let Fate gather the Jewel Seeds for her?

Makoto…was deep in thoughts. While he did understand what Yuuno had revealed to them about Fate's possible origins, what he was thinking was something else entirely. About his dream.

If what was said was true, then the woman he's been becoming or seen in the past, was Precia, consumed by an obsession and grief. And that would mean the dream itself was actually a past vision, or a memory that occurred in the past. That would mean—

'Sorry to interrupt.'

Chrono's words broke that train of thought. Everyone turned to look at the floating screen in front of them.

'The repairs on the ship are done now, and we're moving towards Precia's lair. Takamachi, Scrya, Yuuki, what do you want to do?'

Before anyone could answer, Fate interrupted them, lifting her hand.

"Excuse me…can I join?"

"Fate-chan?" "Fate?"

Chrono narrowed his eyes, looking at the girl, while everyone else looked at her in surprise. He could see that the girl seemed to be determined, despite the sadness in her eyes.

Even so, she was related to the current target, and emotions might make her do something drastic. 'Denied, you-'

"Please," Fate bowed down. "I want to talk to her…even if it's one last time…"

Even after what happened to her, even after everything that was discovered…Fate did not hate her mother. She was the only family left, other than Arf.

At the same time, she understood that no matter what happens, her mother's actions had already caught the attention of TSAB and would be arrested, to be judged for her crimes. So, at the very least, she wanted to talk to her, even if it's one last time, baring her feelings out now that she understood her mother a bit. Even if they could not reconcile…

Chrono suddenly turned to the side, looking at someone beyond their view. Lindy, they assumed. After a few seconds, he sighed, before looking at Fate. '…Alright, but you're not allowed to enter the residence. Only watching from the bridge.'

"-! Thank you!"

"Fate, you…" Arf shook her head. Despite how Fate usually was, she knew that, when she decided on something, she could be quite stubborn and wouldn't change her tune that easily. So instead, she'll do what she has to do, follow what her adorable master chose, and protect her as much as possible.

With that, everyone in the room left, their new destination, the bridge of Arthra.

+++

[Tsukimura Residence | 11:45 P.M.]

"...It's storming outside."

Suzuka could hear the heavy rain drops beyond the windows as she sat in the living room.

She couldn't sleep, waiting for Makoto and the others to come home, her heart beating an unsteady song throughout the night.

Every few moments, she looked at the phone, waiting for an answer, before her hands approached it and typed a certain number. But before she could press it, her hands shook. Then she stopped, erased the number, and put it away.

It was a repeated cycle, a never-ending nervousness.

Her parents were not at home, apparently meeting with a friend of theirs. She didn't ask much, too nervous about Makoto to even think about anything else. She even had her favourite cup, the one Makoto always repaired for her on the table near her.

Then…her phone vibrated.

Suzuka immediately opened her phone to check on it. It was from Alisa, messaging her worry about their friends. The purple-haired heiress' shoulders deflated when she realised it was not from Makoto, but she still replied to her friend.

"Makoto-kun…"

She unconsciously muttered, tapping the cup with a forlorn glance, before looking at the world outside, the full moon covered by the stormy clouds.

Somehow, her heart was feeling a strange nervousness echoing throughout her body, as if something horrible was going to happen.

[Arthra Hallway| At the Same Time]

Makoto slowly observed everyone from the corner of his eyes.

VII.

IX.

XVIII.

XI.

Nanoha, Yuuno, Fate, Arf.

He saw the numbers above each of them respectively.

It seemed to be only from one eye though, he assumed it was from his changed eye.

But these numbers…it reminded him of the ones from the Jewel Seed, same design and all. If so, were these… their Arcana? Since their nature seemed to represent their respective, it seemed to be the case.

He didn't know people could have Arcana. Quite interesting.

"Senpai?"

Ah, Nanoha was looking at him with worry. Even the others stopped to look at him in worry.

He shook his head. "No, it's nothing. Just thinking about something."

He didn't lie. Just being able to see Arcana would not change anything. It's just something he had to live with, and that's okay.

Nanoha didn't seem to believe him though, seeing that she's now looking at him with a half-lidded stare. He just shrugged. What else could he say? It was the truth after all.

In the end, Nanoha just sighed before walking ahead. Everyone followed her.

[Arthra Bridge | 11:48 P.M.]

The steady sounds of footsteps were heard from the corridor. Both Lindy and Chrono turned to see Nanoha, Makoto, Yuuno, Fate and Arf entering the bridge. The older woman gave them a gentle smile.

"Hello again, everyone," She looked at the yellow-haired girl, maternal worry evident in her eyes. "Fate-san, are you sure you want to watch? If you wish to take a rest at the room, then-"

"No," Fate looked at her in the eyes, unflinching and determined. Despite the shaking of her eyes and hands. "I…want to. So please."

…Really, all the kids she had met since going to Earth were incredible people, though that's sad in its own way.

"Alright," she nodded, before returning to her seat. "I won't say anything else."

She couldn't deny her determination as much as she couldn't deny all the others.

Lindy could hear a whisper of thanks, but chose not to see. Because right now, with the ship fixed and moving, she, or rather everyone looking at the screen, could see it.

A large rocky lair. Quite gloomy and depressing looking. Really similar to a villain's lair that one usually sees in a show. Could someone actually be living here with a house of such appearance? It felt more like a fortress to defend against enemy attacks.

That's why, just in case. "Fate-san, Arf. Is this Precia's residence?"

"...Yes. Mother called it the Garden of Time."

Garden of Time? That's an interesting name, in contrast with how it looks.

Now then, it was time.

"Amy."

"Yes!" Amy did a quick type. "Coordinates calculated! Sending them over right away!"

Lindy stood up, her hands thrusting forward. "Armed Enforcers, start mobilising at the transport point! Your mission is to take Precia Testarossa into custody!"

A chorus of "Yes, ma'am!" was heard, before a large number of TSAB soldiers teleported to the specified location.

The raid had begun.

+++

[Arthra | 11:53 P.M.]

…Quiet. Far too quiet.

Lindy narrowed her eyes, watching her subordinates walking around unopposed.

It was strange. Despite them invading, there was no response in any of the rooms. They were large, yes, and the corridor was long, but other than the fact the area being dark, there were no enemies to be seen. Not even the shadow-like things that Arf said she saw, and just from her reaction, she was very likely telling the truth.

Despite that, even when her men were being careful, slowly approaching and clearing the empty rooms, there were no enemies detected.

"...Still as gloomy as ever, huh."

Arf's muttering made the older woman's eyes narrowed even further. So this was the usual? Was Precia or whatever behind her uncaring of the fact that they were here? Or were they caught by surprise?

She didn't like it, when an operation was going far too smoothly for her liking.

She prepared some guards to protect the Jewel Seeds in the containment room, just in case the opponent tried to sneak in, but the enemy's side having no reactions was strange by itself.

"All hands have successfully entered the throne room! They have located the target!"

Landy's announcement made everyone tense, and everyone saw the soldiers entering, pointing their staff at their target, Precia Testarossa.

"Mother…" Fate clenched her fist above her heart.

[Throne Room | 11:59 P.M.]

The soldiers were tense, even as they pointed their staff at the older woman.

She looked bored, and watched them with obvious disinterest, her hand holding her cheek. Yet her lips were smirking, her way of sitting similar to an empress, as if surprised that such weak rabbles dared to challenge her.

A large screen floated in front of the soldiers, showing Lindy and the others at the bridge.

'Precia Testarossa,' Lindy announced, looking at the woman with a hard stare. 'You have violated the laws of the Time-Space Administrative Bureau. You will be arrested for attacking the Bureau's warship.'

Precia only smirked further, amused at the declaration. Her eyes wandered, casually remembering the past—that 'monster' patting Linith with yellow eyes, behaviour unchanged.

She then saw Fate, and smiled.

"At last," she announced. "You came with the others."

[Arthra Bridge]

""...Eh?""

Lindy and Chrono muttered out in surprise. Everyone else was too stunned by the declaration. But before they could react…

[12:00 A.M.]

The clock struck twelve. At the same time, the moon on Earth was red, a full lunar eclipse.

"GAARGH!?"

"SENPAI!?" "MAKOTO!?" "-!" "HUH!?"

Makoto fell down on his knees, his hands holding his head in pain. The others surrounded him, calling out his name in concern. Both Nanoha and Yuuno ignored the sudden burning pain felt from the back of their hand, too worried about the boy.

It was painful. He could feel something rampaging inside of him, threatening to burst forward. He could barely hear any words being said, only a painful ringing voice that suddenly came to his mind, and never seemed to end.

And then…

"AH. There THey aRe."

A distorted cold voice was heard at the bridge. At the throne room. A sound that was too spine-chilling. Arf's fur immediately bristled, for she recognised it.

"I-it's here!"

-BWEEP-BWEEP-

The ship alarm rang loudly, before multiple screams were heard on the ship.

"Status!" Lindy shouted. "What's going on!?"

"C-Captain!" A terrified voice was heard from one screen suddenly appearing, though it was a voice-only screen. They could also hear the screaming of other people from the background. "W-we need backup! There's-GWAH!"

Amy's fingers moved at a rapid beat, to view the location from her own screen. She gasped, seeing the scene. "S-Shadows! A large number of shadows are invading the ship and stealing the Jewel Seeds on the ship, corrupting all the officers in their way!"

"What!?"

Indeed, it was as Amy reported. From a new screen, they could see them. Black blobs with arms sticking out, and a mask where their head is supposed to be, moving with frightening precision, hitting and knocking out any soldiers with their numbers and large hands, while systematically taking the Jewel Seeds.

Another scream was heard, this time from the soldiers in the throne room. Precia defeated them with her sheer might, lightning arced around her hands.

Oh no! "Amy, teleport them back!"

"R-right!"

Even as she said so, the shadows that stole the Jewel Seeds, all twenty-one of them were already gone from the ship, moving between the dimensions to where Precia was, and arriving in front of her.

They were moving in a strange position, as if they were kneeling, offering the Lost Logia as if they were offering a sacrifice.

Makoto could hear it from the Jewel Seeds. The cacophony of screams, overlapping lullabies—each broken in tone. Even then, he managed to look at the screen, even as the others were worried for his condition.

And he was surprised.

Not from the Arcana number floating above their forms.

But where the Shadows came from. Somehow, he knew.

"That's…" They're from Uminari?

Then suddenly…

A large door melted to existence.

It was the only fitting word to the phenomena.

The Jewel Seeds let out an ominous glow. The screams grew louder.

The door slowly swung open, the groaning sound echoing throughout the void.

Revealing shards of golden desert landscape, overlapping with broken city ruins, cycling in between, while echoing many voices, mix from all ages and genders.

Precia stared at the scenery shown… before laughing. In mad joy.

"Hahaha…HAHAHAHAHA! IT WAS TELLING THE TRUTH! THAT MEANS AL-HAZARD IS REALLY BEYOND HERE! AHAHAHAHA!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

The nightmare had begun.

[To be Continued]

 

[CloakGear]

Chapter 30: The Queen of Echoes

---

[Arthra Bridge]

'HAHAHAHAHA!'

Lindy gritted her teeth in annoyance, looking at the laughing form of Precia Testarossa.

She should have realised it earlier. When those Shadows suddenly appeared in the ocean to ambush the kids, it meant they could appear on the ship itself too. Did their enemies know they would be powerless even if they learned that?

But then, how did they know Arthra's location in this dimensional gap?

"Senpai, senpai!" "A-are you alright!?"

She glanced at the blue-haired boy. Makoto… could barely stand, needing Yuuno holding him just to stay upright, while the two young girls were checking up on him. Her eyes widened in sudden realisation.

The fact that Makoto reacted like that just before the sudden attack, and the voice confirming the location….

Did they use the corruption inside the ship, inside him, as a lighthouse for the shadows!?

'Still,' Precia declared on the screen, walking to the path behind the throne room, a far-too wide smile on her face. 'I was a bit hesitant to attack when I first heard its request to attack the ship…But seeing the results…I cannot complain.'

"The attack on the ship was a deliberate choice…?" Chrono clenched his fist in angered understanding. "I see…! So that's why!?"

"Chrono?" Amy was surprised. She never saw him truly annoyed before.

"It didn't matter if Fate Testarossa won or lost, did it!?" he glared at the older woman on the screen. "The goal was always to gather the Jewel Seeds in one location! So you can take it easily!"

"Eh!?" Amy looked at him in horror. "Then, the attack at that time was…!"

"It's to make us come here immediately," he growled, his tune in chaos. "Because she gave us a reason to!"

He could imagine it already. If the corrupted Fate had won and obtained the Jewel Seeds from Nanoha, the ship would be attacked to force it to be repaired, subsequently allowing the Seeds to be stolen easily under the shadows.

And if Precia didn't attack them, there was a chance that the Jewel Seeds would be transferred first before the TSAB resumed searching for the base. And it was far more dangerous to obtain them when it was in Mid-Childa, along with far more soldiers to fight against.

The enemy's immediate action was truly the perfect moment, Chrono couldn't help but admit.

"But, Chrono-kun," Nanoha questioned, even as she never left her gaze on Makoto. "If that's the case, why now!? Why didn't they try stealing them immediately after the attack on Fate-chan and the Arthra!?"

It was a logical question. If they truly wished to obtain it easily, then the moment after the attack was the best possible chance for it, when everyone was still disoriented.

"...I'm not sure," he admitted easily, but he was still staring at the screen, where Precia entered a room full of pods filled with green liquids. "It could be they needed to decrease the number of soldiers on the ship, or perhaps time."

It didn't matter the reason. The enemy's trap had sprung, and they got what they wanted.

The alarm never stopped ringing. Allex checked the reason.

"D-Dimensional disturbance detected, growing well beyond our limits! All twenty one Jewel Seeds have been activated!"

Lindy immediately ordered them. "Turn on our impact defence, the Distortion Shield!"

'Alicia…'

The people on the bridge could see it. Despite the shaking, Precia was touching on a single pod wrapped in veins, containing a person inside.

An appearance similar to Fate, only younger, and lifeless.

"That's…Alicia…"

Fate clenched her hand above her heart. They really looked similar, which was obvious, since she was based on her appearance.

Precia snapped her fingers, and the vines unwrapped itself from the pod. It then floated, following behind the older woman, who had a mad, yet relieved grin on her face.

'Alicia…we will reclaim everything. All that we lost.'

"The lost capital, Al-Hazard ... The land said to be where forbidden technology is sealed… Garden of Time…"

Yuuno clenched his fist, realising what the woman's goal was, from the name of the lair and Project F.A.T.E's purpose.

"Do you believe that land has something that could revive her!? To go back to the past and recover your lost time!?"

Everything she did, all the damage that will be done due to her goal, was for that one reason? Even attacking Fate and treating her as evidence, despite the girl honestly helping her?

Arf, Chrono and Lindy gripped their knuckles, hard. The latter even more so.

She could understand a bit. Losing a family member, one you cared about could drive someone mad.

But even so, did she think that, by going there, they could start all over? Recovering her lost past? All the sins she chose to do in the past to reach such a goal, even hurting people, would be erased, because it was a new beginning?

"No matter what kind of magic you can use…" Chrono declared. "You can never bring back the past!"

But Precia wasn't listening. She was too much in ecstasy to even care what others said about her.

+++

[Throne Room]

"Now then, I guess this is goodbye."

Precia gave a smug look at the screen in front of her, being pleased by the achievement of her goal, a short distance away from the gate.

She looked at the world behind the door. The golden landscape, broken city ruins and a few other things cycling in between.

It was a far-cry from the so-called glorious lost capital that she imagined, but she expected that much. It had been centuries, or perhaps even longer since it disappeared to who-knows-where. Buildings were likely crumbled from lack of maintenance, or perhaps destroyed because of the disaster that caused it.

However, she was sure of it, after seeing one of the images of the cycle. A glimpse of technology not yet destroyed.

If she went there, there would be something that could help her reach her goal. The Entity did not even lie about the Jewel Seeds able to reach Al-Hazard. She would get her daughter back.

Ah, yes, speaking of which…

Precia looked at a specific person on the screen. The monster masquerading as her 'daughter', wearing her face like it belonged to her.

The one she named after the Project she was made from.

"Fate."

Said person jolted at the sudden call, before looking at Precia with curiosity and a little fear. Precia was offended by such an act. A monster acting like a human?

"You are evidence. A doll created to play daughter," she smiled, malicious and hateful. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Fate was shivering, clutching onto the boy for support, while the other girl was hugging her arm in worry.

"Since this will be the last time we'll meet, I'll say this," Precia stared at her. "Ever since I created you, I always-"

-Clap-Clap-

Everyone stopped.

The people on the bridge. Precia. Even the shadows offering the Jewel Seeds.

By the sound of clapping, echoing everywhere. A sound unsuited to the current situation.

Then suddenly…

A small hand shot out from the gate.

They were stunned. They did not expect it at all.

A person then walked out from the gate. With their eyes closed. Humming a tune.

A person similar to the one inside the floating pod and the living Fate.

No, not just similar, a perfect image of each other.

Precia could not believe it.

"A-Alicia…?"

"Ma…ma…?"

The woman immediately moved towards the girl, touching everything.

The touch felt warm. The skin was real.

It wasn't an image, nor an illusion.

It was truly, truly her daughter.

"Alicia…Alicia!!"

She hugged her, letting out all the grief in her heart.

[Arthra Bridge]

For the first time in a while, everyone in the ship was speechless at the scene, their minds could not comprehend the impossible situation.

"...Eh? That's Alicia-chan…?" Nanoha looked at the girl the cruel woman was hugging affectionately, before looking at the floating body still on the pod, her mind dizzy by the revelations. "Then that's not Alicia-chan…? Her clone body…?"

"Is that…her soul…?" Yuuno muttered out. Even he did not expect this development. Not to mention Arf, Lindy, Chrono and Amy. There were no appropriate words to express how shocked to the core they truly were.

For two people though, they were focusing on something else.

""That hum…"" Both Makoto and Fate were surprised.

They recognised it.

For Fate, it was the hum she sometimes sang, an incomplete song. She felt like the one 'Alicia' is singing was the other half of the music sheet.

For Makoto, it was the same hum he heard in his dreams. The sound he always heard from the music box, and the young girl.

So was that person really Alicia…?

[Throne Room]

"Alicia…Alicia…"

Precia didn't expect it. That her daughter would actually be here. She couldn't imagine the Entity saying she would get back her daughter would actually mean it literally.

Did it protect her after all this time?

She was glad. She was truly, truly glad! To even take the deal!

"Ma…ma…"

A sound so weak, so soft. So her. She hugged her mother.

"Y-yes? My daughter?"

She vowed. That she would go to Al-Hazard to repair her broken body, and fulfil all what her daughter wished, no matter what. Even if she couldn't, she would at least make sure to spend as much time with her as possible, unlike before. They would restart everything aga-

"Mama… Thank you…" a quiet whisper, before Alicia opened her eyes, showing the phosphorescent yellow eyes. A familiar, distorted voice. "...for being so gullible."

"...Eh?"

A blow from her stomach. A magic shot out from 'Alicia's' palm. Sending the older woman towards the pod, cracking the glass before she slides down.

"AFter ALL," 'Alicia' smiled, a far-too wide smile. An echoing voice mixed with far too many people to count. "I never Once SAId SENding you there uninjured."

Below 'Alicia', a large magic circle was seen. Yellow, similar to Fate. But completely cracked, far more than her. A glass window barely held even when shattered to the limit.

Everyone was too stunned to process the sudden scene. Even Precia.

The Shadows offering the Jewel Seeds wiggled, before going towards the girl, moving into a stormy spiral that gets closer and fusing with her like a blender, entering the centre of the vortex. And during this moment, they could hear it.

Voices. Of old. Of young. Saying many different things.

Wanting to go home. Too pressured by work. Singing a lullaby. Wailing in grief.

Then it stopped, the shadows gone, leaving the girl behind standing alone. Or so it seemed.

A half-broken mask slowly formed on her face, covering from the side.

Then she grew larger, the body longer, her legs similar to a tall puppet, her twin-tails now having a black end on the tip.

The face was blank, only the mask always showing expressions of rage, then crying, then sadness, before cycling endlessly—like the flickering emotions that made her, but never happiness.

A crown-like object was on her head, a strange, illogical shape, like the drawing of a child.

Then finally, her puppet strings extended endlessly, into the gate, and immediately afterwards, it turned black, red energy moving from the gate to the monster.

If Makoto were to describe it, it was similar to Fate's corruption, or perhaps a mirrored image of it.

"I AM A SHADOW, the TRUE sELF."

"How…" Precia saw red. "DARE YOU!"

Her hands glowed purple, readying to fire the strongest spell in her hand. Lightning crackles, as the blow would send her over her limit, but she didn't care about that.

"You lied to me!" she roared. "You're not Alicia! You never did try to hold that deal, did you!?"

"...Lie?" The voice was Alicia, and she faltered by the questioning tune and the familiar head tilt. "I NEVER LIED THough?"

"...What?"

"Of course I LOOK like ALICIa, mama," a tone so happy, so kind, so wrong. "After ALL…"

"I am Alicia Testarossa, your daughter!" The monster then clarified. "Or was. Before becoming THIS."

Her spell faltered. Precia whispered in pure disbelief. "...Alicia?"

The puppet monster approached her. Somehow, she knew that it was telling the truth. And it was angry at her.

One arm grew larger, darker. The voice heard was her daughter, melodious and pure, yet full of resentment, a sound she never heard before.

"You know, mama? I always hated you."

"For leaving me alone. For focusing on your job. For breaking your promise."

"That's why…" the voice became distorted, a legion of many. The hum echoed shifted, becoming mocking. "ThiS IS GooDBYE."

The arm swung, hitting the ground between Precia and the pod.

It cracked, shattering into pieces. Sending them below the imaginary space, where another gate was seen. Showing the same as the gate sealed by the door.

And then they were gone, sucked to Al-Hazard.

On the bridge of the Arthra, silence reigned. The monstrous form of what was once Alicia Testarossa stood before them.

For a moment, no one could speak, could breathe, could even process the horror of what they had just witnessed.

+++

[Arthra]

"-!"

A strong magic was felt at the bridge. When Makoto and Nanoha turned to look, it was from Fate.

She was already donned in her signature Barrier Jacket, Bardiche in her hands, held in a vice-like grip.

"Fate!? What are you-!?"

She didn't seem to register the blue-haired boy's words, but below her, a glowing yellow magic circle was seen.

A single blink, and she was gone.

"FATE!"

When they turned to look, Fate was outside, already teleporting at the entrance of the Garden of Time. Arf immediately joined after her, teleporting in a rush.

"T-this is…!" Landy muttered in shock. "Multiple signals appearing from the Garden of Time!"

"Enemies!? Now!?"

From the shadows, something was sent out. Multiple armours, so human-sized, some large. Wielding many mediaeval weapons. And in some areas, Shadows came out. The blobs, the knights, the ravens… Many were seen, as far as the eyes could see.

"...Huh?" Makoto could hear Amy muttering to herself. "Why is that gate echoing a frequency similar to Thanatos and Orpheus's lyre…? Why is it discordant…?"

"Kh, damnit!" Chrono's words interrupted his focus. "Takamachi, Scrya, Yuuki! Come with me! She shouldn't go there alone!"

The trio nodded, joining him in teleporting towards the targeted location.

"Good luck, all of you!" Lindy took a deep breath. She also needed to prepare herself, to stabilise the dimension distortion, before a collapse occurs. "Everyone, help them as much as you can!"

"""Understood!"""

+++

[Garden of Time, Entrance]

When the four of them arrived, Fate and Arf were already far away, barely seen by them.

"Fate-chan, wait!"

But she couldn't hear it. Too consumed by her rage.

They then tried chasing after her, but were stopped. By the army of Puppet Soldiers, their forms blackened in a few spots, corrupted yet stood in their way. Strangely enough, even though there were also enemies around the duo who were ahead, they weren't stopped.

Both Fate and Arf just zoomed past them, as if the soldiers and shadows were giving them a way to reach their destinations.

"Get out…" Chrono pointed S2U at the nearest enemy. "Of our Way!"

And so they fought. Destroying the puppet soldiers as they advance forward.

But they did not get far, and were held back. The numbers seemed endless.

Even when Yuuno continued to chain them down, Nanoha destroyed a large number with her sheer power.

Even when Chrono destroyed their cores with his precise shots, or cutting them down with the Stinger Snipe acting as a bladed whip.

Even when Makoto delivered a powerful impact with his lyre and flames.

More Puppet Soldiers seemed to grow from the ground, and even some Shadows were appearing en masse.

"Ha…Ha…"

Chrono groaned, wiping out the sweat from his head. The four of them were surrounded, their backs facing against each other.

They were getting tired, their movements halted by their enemies. No matter how many enemies they destroyed, the numbers kept coming. Worse, he could hear the sounds of battle far away, the familiar crackling of lightning from a certain yellow-haired mage.

"Not yet…" Nanoha muttered, her eyes never giving up the song called hope. She pointed Raising Heart at the closest enemy. "I'm not done yet!"

Chrono could appreciate her enthusiasm. But it was also a fact that they couldn't move ahead at the current situation. They needed to immediately clear as many enemies as possible, while preserving as much energy and stamina as they could for the battle against that monster. At the same time, they need to hold the enemies here from joining in…!

"FIRE!"

Multiple beam shots were fired, of myriad colours.

The four of them turned to the source. Chrono's eyes widened in shock.

"You guys…!?"

It was the TSAB soldiers who were teleported back after Precia knocked them out, shooting and destroying enemies near the quartet. They could see some black lines on their faces and hastily tied bandages on their wounds.

The majority of them were already clenching their teeth in obvious pain, as they arrived to support the quartet.

The world around them was then glittered with colours and explosions.

But the enemies were large in number. Even with the combined might, they couldn't hold them off.

"Go!" One of them, the female officer Kia, suddenly shouted. "We'll hold the line! Go save that girl!"

Without pause, the other soldiers immediately concentrated their fire on a single spot, creating a path for them.

Makoto hesitated. Even from his point of view, they were outnumbered. And the corruption in the air was thick, everyone could feel it in their skin. He could sense the storm building inside. If these soldiers stayed here with those corruption and injuries on them…!

Nanoha grabbed his hand. When he turned to look, she shook her head. A sad yet determined look. She understood the importance of their newly given task, even if she hated to leave them.

Yuuno gave a nod. Chrono saluted to these brave soldiers for making a path for them.

She pulled him, leaving the soldiers behind.

"...Thank you."

Makoto could only mutter a word of thanks.

The four of them then rushed towards where Fate was, fighting against Shadow Alicia. Leaving the sounds of explosions and shouts of their comrades behind.

[To be Continued]