Chapter 27
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Chapter 27: Puppet in Despair
[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]
[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]