~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chronicle Eight - the Catcher of Death ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ (Who... am I...?) WHO ARE YOU (What... am I...?) WHAT ARE YOU (...I am...) ...YOU ARE... *********** "...Rain... Harland..." ********** A bitter chill. That was the first thing Rain noticed. And his eyes could barely adjust to his surroundings now. Mostly because he was so sure that this was all just some odd delusion. Whether or not that was true remained to be seen. The young man stood alone in a cold void of darkness. One much colder than any winter and darker than any night. He could barely see anything within three feet of himself (had there been anything there been anything there for him to see). Rain looked upon himself and knew that he was naked. The clothing he had worn was gone. The setting of Green Cloud in flames was gone. The smell of the smoke and the heat of the fire had vanished along with it. Though those were not sights he wanted often to see, Rain could not help but ask; "Where am I?" A spotlight fell from above to a point just twelve metres ahead of him. A younger version of Rain (about ten or eleven) was enveloped in the newly provided light. Child Rain stood in place, his clothes ripped and his eyes haunted with grief, shock, anger and heartbreak. As well as the wafting stink of blood clinging to his dirty clothes. A look of horror passed over Teenage Rain's face when Child Rain looked over at him with that haunted expression. The older one knew, implicitly, what had caused it. But Teenage Rain could not help but ask; "...Who are you?" Child Rain stifled his sobs and answered. "...I'm R-Rain Harland..." "What are you?" The teen asked the child. Child Rain's head drooped. "...I'm... I am... you." Once again the broken, tainted mirror was stared at. The pre-pubescent boy looking into the eyes of the post-pubescent man. Child Rain and Teenage Rain gazed at each other with confusion, sadness, not understanding how or why any of this was happening. They were the two, twin edges of the same coin. These were two opposing yet interconnected faces of Rain Harland. ********** "WHAT AM I?" ********** * Why am I here? Why am I seeing myself like this?! ********** ...rain harland... ********** * That boy is your true face ********** "WHAT AM I?" ********** * That me... is the same as me...? ********** ...Rain Harland... ********** * Correct. ********** "WHAT AM I?" ********** * I don't want to be that boy anymore! I want to be brave! ********** ...RAIN HARLAND... ********** * So why are you still so afraid? ********** "WHAT AM I?" ********** * Afraid? ********** ...rAIN hARLAND... ********** * To face yourself. Your true self. ********** "WHAT AM I?" ********** * I don't want to be that way... anymore ********** ...nIAR dNALRAH... ********** * Yet you are still afraid. ********** "WHAT AM I?" ********** * What do I have to do... to escape it? ********** ...dNALRAH nIAR ... ********** * You must face yourself. ********** "WHO AM I?" ********** * Face myself? ********** ...hARLAND rAIN... ********** * Yes. Face your true self to emancipate your heart. ********** "WHO AM I?" ********** * Then... what will happen? ********** ...HARLAND RAIN... ********** * You shall take your true place, oh Second Star, the Catcher of Death. ********** "WHO AM I?" ********** * My true place? My destiny? ********** ...Harland Rain... ********** * Yes. ********** "WHO AM I?" ********** * What is my destiny? ********** ...harland rain... ********** * To become the destroyer of the world. Thus you must... ********** "...OPEN THE DOOR..." ********** Shortly ahead of Child Rain appeared a door. Another spotlight fell on it when it did. Teenage Rain stared at it just like he had done his counterpart. Something told him to go to it. And open it. Something was calling him from inside it, something cold and yet... important. He could not resist that will. Even though he wanted to. Rain found his feet moving him forward against his immediate will. But eventually he began to accept this turn of events, and stopped resisting it. Teenage Rain walked passed Child Rain casually and stepped before that wooden door connected to nothing. He gripped the doorknob and pulled it open, light and wind pouring out from it like the release of Pandora's Box. Rain squinted and stepped forwards, into that vortex of illumination. And the door closed behind him. Child Rain then vanished. And three more spotlights fell down in his place. Three hooded men known as the Triad of the Inquisition. But their forms were not solid. They were transparent and partially clear, unable to be touched but perfectly able to move and speak, as well as interact. These entities were not the Triad themselves, but more like the spectral 'representations' of the Triad. The Sages of the Modern Era stood around the door like a triangle. Knowing what it was that Rain Harland had just done. And what it was that would become once he stepped out of that door. The representation of Aherg gazed forwards at the door. "The boy has entered the door of his memories. This is good. We were not able to intervene in the Gnosis of the Eros or Geist Fahlem, but with this one it is different. He is a true Ashtar. The very existence of him spits in the face of the ancient Novus Deus... but he is truly instrumental in the creation of the new world." "That being said," Stated the representation of Ein, "the Diablos now continues to coalesce with his Qi, even in its adolescent state. Do we all realize what that might mean?" The representation of Karahi nodded. "The boy has gone beyond us already. He will soon be an Ishtar, like Fahlem. He will be one that vastly transcends our own plane of Demi-Gnosis. There is little doubt of it now. Rain Harland is the one worthy enough to be our second Archangel. He is the man who will bring an end to the Sermo Period and usher in the next phase." "He may be the De Anima," Aherg's representation said, "but he is only one node on the game board. Don't forget the other two." Ein's representation shook its head. "Fear not. There is no turning back for the Princess. Her memories and life as Leah Cloud are over. No better Redeemer could have been fashioned for us. Fahlem's work extends to far more than just our Gods of Wrath. And if the Eros is or is not the De Mundo, that needn't trouble us until the new world has taken shape." "That is true," Claimed Karahi's representation, "but we cannot let her die until we know. And it seems that failure of an Archangel, the Thanatos, has set his sights on her. Their powers might not be equal... but the Raum is fully capable of assuming its Arcanum form now. Just as the Oriax is." Aherg's representation chuckled softly. "If she is the De Mundo, then her death will not come now. Besides. If Celaph was correct about anything then it had to be the worthlessness of the Thanatos. Powerful though he is, he is far too caught up in that power to possess sound judgement. Becoming synonymous with the Heart of the Astaroth was merely a stroke of luck. There is no way he could attain Gnosis. And he will not be able to defeat the Eros until he achieves that level. Thus we need not worry. What is truly of concern now is the Elymus Drive and the one who will activate it. And soon he will be ready for that task. It is very ironic. The boy is clearly an embodiment of the Astaroth and the multiplicity of its Seed. Yet he will bring about the Third Redemption" The representation of Aherg looked over to the single door that Rain had entered through. "Hmph. Well, the end justifies the means in this case. So hurry and learn of your true self, oh Catcher of Death. The grand stage of destiny awaits you." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Yumi? Yumi? Hey, come on. Wake up, kid." The Mishima girl moaned irritably in her sleep when she felt someone's strong hand ruffle her by the shoulder. Ever since that event six months ago, she had been sleeping better. Insomnia was no longer a problem for Yumi since the awakening of her Qi. But also it made her crabby when someone woke her now. Fortunately she was aware of herself enough to know that bigger things were already at work for her to consider handling. Yumi's bright blue eyes flapped opened slowly at the sound of the voice of the one trying to awaken her. She knew that voice to be Terry's. The half-German, half-American teen-adult stood next to Yumi's bed with a frown on his face. It was like this practically everyday. But today was a little more important than others. Mostly because of what had happened at Green Cloud yesterday. Yumi yawned impolitely into her fist and eased up the headboard of her bed, looking over to her blonde-haired friend. "...T-Terry? What time is it?" "About half past nine," He stated, "you've been out like a light since we got back from Green Cloud." Yumi's eyes then turned serious when she thought about that. About what happened at that quiet American Village. Out of nowhere, Freeman Ronove had attacked with his Meta Suit, Raum. He destroyed buildings, homes and lives like they were nothing at all. He went so far as to bring directly himself before Yumi, Terry, Rain and the Saffron Family, proclaiming his hatreds and racism towards humanity. And when Yumi refused to fight him in a place that would bring destruction to innocent lives, Freeman took his wrath out on the Saffron Family. He shot them down in cold blood with the Gatlings of his Raum Meta Suit. All of them were killed; Edwina, Kurt, and Bella, before they even had the chance to make it to the Leviathan. Another cold act of brutality that simply defined what Freeman Ronove was. An unstable maniac, drunk on his own power and the destiny given to him by it. Just thinking about Freeman unsettled Yumi's stomach. She knew what he had done to her in Ix Nos Babel. Though the drugs administered to her blood clouded her mind and made her think she was sleeping with Chizu/Chizuru, in actuality she was sexually assaulted by the Thanatos. He did it not for sexual gratification (though he probably experienced it) but rather to inseminate Yumi to give birth to a new Novus Deus. But instead Yumi had produced another Vulnus Deus. Yumi's expression hardened. She had to do something about Freeman. He was still out there somewhere, she knew that the Leviathan's Gamma Cannons wouldn't be able to stop the Raum. And Freeman was waiting for her. "What about Rain?" Yumi stated, "That spherical Qi anomaly that surrounded him was the same thing that happened to me in Ix Nos Babel. But will he be okay?" Terry shrugged. "We don't know. After picking up the survivors of that bastard Freeman's attack, we had to leave Green Cloud. Freeman did a runner too, thankfully. But the Chrysalis personnel couldn't get Rain outta that thing. I know it's cruel to leave him behind but... there was nothing we could do. But you said the same thing happened to you, right? What was it like?" "...Weird," Yumi stated, clutching her head as if she had a headache, "I remember seeing all these images and reflections of my past. I remember someone or something whispering things to me. I can't recall all of it, but... what happened wasn't completely without its benefits. Once I escaped that thing I regained all my memories, my skills in Meta Suit piloting went up drastically... and I feel more... aware now. I don't know what it was that happened then, but, it wasn't all bad." Terry nodded. Now he understood the cause of Yumi's change in personality. "I guess that Rain should be okay then. That's good. I wouldn't wanna keep worrying about it in which case. Anyways, enough of that, we've got bigger problems than just Freeman." Yumi scratched the side of her head. "We do?" "Yup. Major Mariette will probably be better off in explaining it all to you, but, you should know from now that... Celaph and Chizu are here." The hacker's eyes widened. "...Celaph and... Chizu? Here?" "Yeah. This is gonna be tough for you, I know, but we were going to meet up with them anyway. You better come up to the bridge so we can talk things through with them." Yumi nodded slowly. It was painful seeing Chizu Yagata the last time. But she had managed to deal with it. Mostly for Terry's sake. If he suspected that she might still care for Chizu, then his feelings would be hurt. Thus she had to do this. The Japanese teen climbed out of her plain white bed and ambled over to her side bathroom in nothing more than her Meta Tokyo Zappers sweatshirt. She walked into the circular podium of her door-less bathroom, removed her sweatshirt and then vocally called out 'shower on'. The voice recognition box on the far wall received that command and a cylinder-shaped formation of glass descended around her naked torso. The warm water came down to her skin a moment later. Steam began to rise. About twenty minutes later the shower was over. Yumi re-dressed herself in her green and silver Chrysalis Lieutenant's uniform. Then she left with Terry beside her. One the way to the bridge, Yumi dropped a few coins in a vending machine and bought a snack bar for breakfast. And before she left she ate it. Discussions with New Protocol tended to be quite elongated, and she didn't want her stomach groaning throughout the entire thing. Once she was finished, Yumi tossed the wrapper in a litter bin and ascended to the bridge of the Leviathan with Terry alongside her. Once they entered they saw just who they expected to see. The four helmsmen and women manning the controls and frontal computers of the ship, with Colonel Cecelia Faye Beatrix handing out her orders. As usual, Major Sophia Mariette was not too far from the colonel. But there were two additions to the group on the bridge that were eliciting mixed reactions. Those two people were Commander William Ank Celaph, leader of New Protocol. As well as his informant, consort and fianc‚e, Chizu Yagata. The crew of Chrysalis did not have short memories. Many of them hated Protocol with a passion in the old days. So they found it hard to have Celaph on their ship without expression that anger. But a special kind of hatred was reserved for Chizu. Her betrayal, the betrayal that caused the deaths of thousands of EDEN citizens months ago, had damaged their faith in her. Beatrix had never liked her in the beginning, but Chizu's actions back then had earned her a new kind of hatred from the colonel of the ship. Terry felt the same way, but for both of them. Sophia and Yumi were the only ones that tried to retain any neutral sentiments in the given situation. Though seeing Chizu again was something that carried its own edge in Yumi's unmistakably fragile heart. Her sky blue eyes ducked away, unwilling to gaze at Chizu again. It was plain to everyone that Yumi still retained feelings for her. Especially to Terry. Celaph nodded to Yumi. "It's been a long time, Miss Mishima." "...Yes. A long time." Chizu seemed to take note of Yumi but said nothing to her. Not even under Celaph's silent ushering. That caught Terry as odd, but, he didn't say or do anything about it. Sophia shifted her glasses. "I'm glad you could join us, Lieutenant Mishima. Since you weren't here before, and since Lieutenant Hennig is so bad at explanations, I'll brief you on the situation. At 12.13, Pacific Time, an unknown Meta Suit descended on the village of Green Cloud and instigated an attack. This much you know. That same suit wrecked over 67% of the village, leaving behind only eleven survivors, excluding Rain Harland. After we retreated from the valley that Green Cloud was built in, the Divine Blade of the Holy Protocol Army entered into the caverns, according to the reports of our spies. By now they will have assumed control over the Sky Cord. Which means our mission is a failure." Yumi bobbed her head. "...I understand, Major." "Holy Protocol has the upper hand," Celaph said, "the North American Sky Cord is the fastest running Sky Cord on the planet. It would take less than fifteen hours for them to leap through the stratosphere on it. I just never expected Freeman Ronove to intercede on this occasion." "Why not?" Beatrix asked. "Because our doctors confirmed that he is mentally unstable. Of course there are a great deal of intravenous drugs that have periodical mental anaesthetizing properties in them. But none we tested were strong enough to control his psychological imbalance. How is it possible that he could pilot a Meta Suit in that condition?" Yumi looked over at him. "The Raum is like my Oriax, isn't it? Our suits run on more than just mental control. Their performance is determined by our Qi." "So what?" Terry barked, "When we face off with Freeman again, I'll kill him myself. But I'm not thinking about that now. What I wanna know is what took these two so frickin' long to make it here." Sophia narrowed her eyes. "Lieutenant!" "It's okay," Chizu declared, "we did get ourselves delayed. You see, since the Holy Empire of Protocol have control over the Divine Blade, New Protocol has spent over 6 billion credits in the training of pilots and the building of mecha for a new Meta Suit force to counter the DB. That force has been dubbed the New Protocol Meta Suit Division, or 'NPMSD' for short. Right now they are stationed in Meta Paris, France, for the coming battle." Beatrix pressed her hand against her hip. "The coming battle?" "Yes," Celaph answered, "it is obvious that we will not be able to stop the Holy Protocolian forces from ascending into space. The only way we can stop them from seizing the Lunar Station now is to face them in space before they ever make it to the base. In which case, Meta Suit conflict is unavoidable." Sophia nodded. "I see. So this NPMSD of yours, were they stationed in France because of the Western European Sky Cord?" Chizu answered that one. "Correct. It's the fastest overall Sky Cord next to the North American one. However if we are to be successful in stopping the Divine Blade then we will need support from your Meta Suit military." "That's understandable," Beatrix affirmed, "and we can provide that. Our Uvalls and Gusions are already online for battle. However none of our Meta Suits, with the slight exception of them have any form of space-flight capabilities. To install the software and upgrade the suits for that would take sometime." "At least a full two days." Sophia added. Celaph crossed his arms. "...We can't wait that long. This might be a problem." "Not necessarily," Chizu commented, "only slight modifications are needed for space flight on Gusion-models. If we left the Uvalls you have in reserve then we could speed up the counter-process." "But wouldn't that limit our overall force?" Sophia supposed. Terry sighed for no reason in particular. "Given the circumstances, I don't think we have too much of a choice. If we waste too much time then the Divine Blade'll take over the Lunar Station. We can't let that happen, right?" "Very well," Beatrix confirmed her input, "we'll begin modifications on the Gusions as soon as this meeting is over. But that does leave one throbbing question. Exactly how are we going to go about this situation?" "That's very much up to you," Celaph said to Beatrix, "in times gone by you were a brilliant tactician, Cecilia. I think that should hold up well today, also. I will not be on the bridge to help command you, anyway." Sophia wriggled her nose with surprise when she heard, for the first time, someone other than herself and Father Bartholomeus refer to Beatrix as 'Cecelia'. But that was not Beatrix's concern at this point. What bothered her was the fact that Celaph would not be commanding this operation alongside her and Sophia. "Celaph?" Chizu sighed, catching Yumi's attention, then said, "The Commander has decided to fight on the battlefield alongside the troops. That was one of the reasons we were delayed in reaching America. Preparations for his Meta Suit, the Orobas, took a bit longer than expected." "So you're fighting?" Beatrix said curiously, "...I should have expected it." Celaph pulled a smile before his old friend. "Old habits die hard, right? I am still a soldier at heart, after all. I assume it's the same for you from time to time." Beatrix smiled back. "Fine. Then it's settled. I've decided what the pattern of attack shall be. We'll strike the Divine Blade in a pincer movement. The New Protocol Meta Suit Division will launch up the Western European Sky Cord and position themselves in wait for the DB within the next 24 hours. Then the Chrysalis team will follow them and strike from the rear when the Divine Blade engage our first party. It might be cutting close but this strategy can work if we waste no time." "That's acceptable to me." Celaph said. "I agree." Chizu acknowledged. Sophia smiled at her lover. "Sound's good." "Fair enough," Terry said, "I just hope the Englishman over there doesn't slow us down out on the battlefield." Celaph grinned competitively. The only one who said nothing to agree with Beatrix's plan was Yumi, who had remained silent throughout the conversation. Terry, Sophia, and Chizu looked at her. Though she had become more confident and direct since her time in Ix Nos Babel, seeing Chizu again seemed to be having an effect on her. One that neither Terry nor Chizu could ignore. Yumi kept her eyes down, but stole one glance of Chizu when she had the chance. And she came to notice the large diamond ring on Chizu's left wedding ring finger. It had to be an engagement ring from Celaph. That thought in itself stirred up feelings in Yumi that she had sought to put away. And now that they were bubbling up again, she couldn't bare to face them. Yumi excused herself and quickly jogged out of the room via the automatic door. Terry's instinct was to immediately go after her, but he was restrained by Sophia. She grabbed his arm and shook her head for a no. She needed to be alone. Chizu sighed, crossing her arms, ignoring the dirty looks that were begin cast in her direction from Terry. The problems of Yumi Mishima were not resolved. In fact... they were just beginning. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Temple of Tlazolteotl. It was an intimidating structure from a distance or from inside, by anyone's book. But the roof of the temple provided such a brilliant view of the landscape. Of the rolling hills and the rounded demi-mountains. That could be as calming a sight as the temple itself was a threatening one. So it wasn't hard to understand why Princess Ashura often came up to the roof of the temple to think. As she was doing now. The notional leader of the Holy Empire of Protocol stood astride the sandy stone balustrade that framed the 320-metre long roof of the Temple of Tlazolteotl. Her long and intricately designed dress clamoured around her ankles and sandals. They would get scuffed out here. But that was not Ashura's concern right now. Her only thought was for what would take place once her army made its way into space. But she was not the only one who could see that that destiny weighed heavily on her mind. A man stood a short ways behind her. The same man who had addressed Freeman after his check-up in the temple's research labs. And that man was Dr. Geist Fahlem. He had forgone his scientists cloak for more casual wear this time around. A formal grey suit with an ornamental Japanese katana attached to his waist. It was a weapon of destruction, with somewhat of an unknown technological edge to it, but nonetheless her carried it with him when outside of the labs. Fahlem smiled softly at the pensive Ashura from behind, and then walked up beside her. Ashura blinked when she heard footsteps. "...W-who... are you?" "You've forgotten me?" Dr. Fahlem softened his smile, "how cold. Have I changed so much since the old days? Moreover, a princess must not concern herself with the fates of the lower-borne, is that not so?" "That doesn't answer my question," The Princess stated, "Who are you?" Dr. Fahlem looked out into the distance. "I am a man who has had a home in many places. Yet there is only one to which I feel connection. Inside the bosom of man's need to expand and discover. My place is that of science. Apropos... to enhance my own standing in that field... I was forced to betray my friend. As well as the four 'nieces' and 'daughters' that I had come to love." Princess Ashura was still confused. "?" "I am not surprised that you cannot remember me," Geist stated, "I assume that it will be the same for Miss Mishima when we finally meet again. We have all undergone changes. But for now... you can just call me Fahlem. Dr. Geist Fahlem." Ashura observed this man closely. "...It's odd. The way you speak... and the familiarity I feel when I see you... it seems as though we've..." "Met before?" Fahlem answered, "You'd be right in that belief, Princess. But you of all people, needn't think of it. You've grown beyond those times and become an intelligent and beautiful woman. I am so proud of what you've become. All of you have matured." "Matured?" "Yes. Fate is a cruel thing, on occasion. But it can also give birth to many wonderful things. Like you and Miss Mishima. Which is why it troubles me to see such a horrid frown on that exquisite visage of yours. Such a frown suits you not, Princess." Princess Ashura tilted her head down. "You know... what the Triad of the Inquisition intends in this mission, do you not?" Fahlem's expression became serious. "Yes." "...If the Divine Blade... reaches Meshezabel and someone achieves the activation of the Elymus Drive, then..." "...It is a heavy weight on your heart, I see," Fahlem stated, "knowing what it is that the Triad of the Inquisition will allow. But the scriptures of the Sepher Yetzirah are clear to us. The forth world, Anthropos, must come into being. It is not a matter of choice anymore. Although Yumi Mishima unintentionally prevented this event for taking place six months ago... she could only prolong the third world, Sermo; not protect it. This is destiny. Grim as it maybe... this would happen with or without the ushering of the Triad." Ashura sighed. "...I just can't accept that. There must be another way." "I assure you, there isn't. The Catcher of Death will be born. And he will do the tyrannical work of fate. It is a terrible destiny for one so young to shoulder. But with death there comes resurrection. You of all people, should know that. And from that point on... it will be your role to guide us all." Ashura watched Fahlem. "What are you saying?" "You know of the Sepher Yetzirah, one of the eighty-six located Tablets of Destiny. There is a concept on that tablet that pertains to three chosen people. It is called The Legend of the Three Stars. The star of birth is De Mundo (on the world). The star of death is De Anima (on the soul) and finally, the star of rebirth, De Caelo (on the heavens). It is those three Stars that shall be the light in the cosmos. The torch in the darkness. The chains that bind shall be broken. The evil incarnate that plagues us will be torn asunder. And thus God's absolution will descend." "What are you... talking about? I don't understand." Ashura stated. "I know," Fahlem put forth, "but you will. One day. It's a strange fate for us. Those of us who are synonymous with the Heart of the Astaroth. It all seems to be a cosmic, parable-like joke." That comment, Ashura understood. "...Are you saying that...?" "Yes, Princess. You and I are both Ashtars," Fahlem resumed his smile, "but your road is noticeably more noteworthy and significant than my own. But that is to be expected from one who is De Caelo. You are the Third Star, Ashura. The Star of Resurrection. Once the current work of the Catcher of Death is completed... your role in this, will begin to take shape. Then you can truly forsake the name 'Leah Cloud'." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ When Yumi was stressed out she often found herself staring at the Oriax. In the six months since she had escaped Meta Tokyo, she had grown attached to it. After what happened at Ix Nos Babel, it became important to her. As a form of protection, and also as a friend. Terry had often told her that he felt the same about his Bishamon, but that was different. The Bishamon M-2 was purely metallic. Oriax was not only metal and plastic. It was fashioned with DNA from the 40th Vulnus Deus. The Vulnus Deus that Yumi herself originated from. Thus she felt a deep connection to the suit. In some ways you could call it her relative. Of course, if that were the case, then that would also apply to Freeman, and the thought of that just sickened Yumi. No, to her, the Oriax was more than just the Oriax. And with the exceptions of Terry and Sophia, Yumi considered the suit to be her only true friend. It might have sounded odd, but, it was easy to love a machine with a 'soul'. Yumi stood at the lower surface of the Leviathan's Meta Suit hanger. Her arms were at her sides and her neck cranked back so she could get a good look at the Oriax from down there. All around her were the sounds of metal clanging against metal, oil being poured into fuel tanks, workers and technicians muttering to themselves about what work needed to be done on certain suits. A new addition to the Meta Suit hanger was the constant work being put into the Gusions by New Protocolian engineers. When Beatrix had said that modification of space-flight capabilities would commence as soon as the meeting was over, she hadn't been kidding. The workers from Celaph's rebel Protocolian group were already installing the space-flight software into the great number of Gusions on board. All things considered though, they had to be quick about all this. The Divine Blade was already on the move. If they made it to the Lunar Station and claimed the AM-Cannon then it was all over. Yumi and the Oriax had been quite successful in stopping the AM-Cannon from destroying Meta Cities six months ago, but there was no way she could keep that up indefinitely. While Yumi stared at her Meta Suit from below, a slow-moving Terry Hennig advanced on her from the right. The blonde man stepped up astride Yumi with a careful smile. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and followed her gaze, staring at the Oriax. Terry was not oblivious to the tear tracks trailing down Yumi's cheeks. "You okay?" "...No." "...I'm sorry, Yumi," The Hennig boy said, "I shouldn't have let this happen. I should have just found a way to keep you out of this. But I swear to God, I didn't want to hurt you by seeing Chizu again." Yumi bobbed her head. "I know. You'd never do that to me." "Of course not," He affirmed, "I just wish I could do something to make you feel a little better about all this." "There isn't anything you can do. But I do appreciate that you'd want to. I know that I said that I could handle seeing Chizu again after everything that happened. And I truly believed that I could. But seeing her in mind... is different from seeing her in the flesh. All those feelings just came rushing back like a flood in an instant... all those times I remember being with her... watching her eat, watching her speak, watching her move, watching her laugh and complain. Back then... all I had to go on was my feelings. And it all came back to me. I know how pathetic is it. I hate that I still have these feelings. After all, she betrayed me in the worst possible way. But seeing her like that... it just reminded me that I'm not... over her. I still love her. And I can't help hating myself because I know that I shouldn't. For so many reasons than one." "...I'm so sorry, Yumi." It was all Terry that could say. "You don't have to apologize, Terry," She replied, "If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you. I ruined the talks with Celaph when I ran out the way I did. I know that Colonel Beatrix will chew me out for it, but..." Terry crossed his arms. "...She understands. Nobody wants to pressure you into anything, Yumi. I wouldn't allow that. You've been through so much crap in your life in anyone's books. I don't want someone adding to it." Yumi looked down from the Oriax and presented Terry a diminutive smile. "You're such a sweet guy, Terry." "...Y-yeah, well," The normally headstrong male started blushing, "...You're my friend, right? Friends have to look out for each other. Through the good times and through the bad." The Japanese girl nodded. "Yes. And if we see each other again, I'll repay the favour." Suddenly the bright, bashful smile on Terry's face melted away into a frown. "What do you mean by that?" Yumi turned her glance back to the Oriax and walked forward. She walked up to the left leg of that towering titan and pressed her palm into its cold and polished white metal. It was her vessel, her true friend. The one thing that Yumi would be with until the end of her life. "Sometimes... when I'm inside the cockpit of the Oriax... I can feel a voice speaking to me. It's a warm voice. One of protection and forgiveness. I think that it's the voice of the Oriax." "The voice of the Oriax?" Terry repeated. "Uh huh. These days I can hear it even when I'm outside the cockpit. And I hear it now. The suit is telling me... that I have to confront my other half. I have to settle things with him." Terry blinked. "Your other half? You mean Freeman, right?" "Yeah," Yumi closed her eyes, "...In a way... I feel like... I understand him. He's very confused and unstable... but he's searching for his destiny. And I want to believe that I know what it is. Our confrontation. I know... it has to happen. I can't run from it." "Yumi, you don't owe that guy anything! Are you forgetting what he did to you?! Are you forgetting that he killed Edwina and her family?! Are you forgetting that he damn near wiped out Green Cloud?!" The hacker shook her head. "No. I haven't forgotten. I'm not making excuses for him, nor am I doing this in a bid to help him. This isn't about the pursuit of a vendetta or sating myself with revenge. This is my destiny. I can feel it. And I know deep in your heart that you feel it too." "It sounds to me like you're just looking for an excuse to die." Terry uttered. "I don't plan on dying," Yumi's sky blue eyes opened again, "but you know that I have to do this. I care about this ship and its crew. I'll miss it. But I can't stay here any longer than I already have." "You're gonna go." "I have to." Terry looked away. "...Why?" "I'm causing you pain by staying here. We both know it. At least this way it works out best for both of us. You have to concentrate on stopping the Divine Blade up in space. I have to finish things with Freeman. We both have roles to play... I just don't think they run on the same path anymore." Terry sighed. This was not what he wanted to hear. Yumi was Yumi. His friend, his fellow pilot, and most of all the girl he cared for. He didn't want to let her go. But at the same time... Terry knew that he had no choice in the matter. Yumi Mishima was clearly important to the fate of the world. Standing in her way now would be selfish. And that was another thing he had been taught not to covet. The young man pulled the weakest smile of his life, un-crossed his arms, and tossed his ponytail over his shoulder. "...If this is what you want then... I'll back you up on it. Go do what you have to." Yumi turned around and walked up to Terry with a sad smile of her own. "Thanks." "...Yumi... before you go... I have to tell you that..." The white-haired teen placed a finger on his lips. "...Stop. Don't say it. It just makes things harder for both of us. I just want you to know that... had I never met Chizu... had I never been born with this power... had the circumstances been different in all ways possible, then... who knows. Maybe I could have felt the same." Terry's head lulled. "...I gotcha." "...I don't deserve someone like you, Terry," Yumi said, pressing her soft hand into his cheek, "but I know there's someone out there who does. Goodbye." Yumi Mishima then backed away from the Half-American, half-German pilot. And she stepped up to the tall metal ladder that led up to the platform from which she could enter the Oriax. Terry watched the younger girl climb up the steel bars of that ladder, until she reached the top of the platform. He quickly yelled, "Will I ever see you again?!" "Maybe," Yumi offered, once she came to the stomach of the Meta Suit the gateway into its dimensional cockpit opened up. She stepped inside and moved through that gate, shifting herself through time and space into the watery, spherical cockpit of the Oriax. Once she settled down on the seat, her hands went to the controls of her suit. And the image on screen showed her Terry, standing silently before the feet of the Oriax, "...if such is the will of fate." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Once again the Triad of the Inquisition conversed in the large hall of darkness. The cold air bitter with the lingering words that pertained to mankind's fate. The three wise men stood together, in their normal, true selves, surrounding that circular window that acted as a means of observing what went on with regards to their affairs. The current image on that window which was fixed into the floor, was that of the Raum Meta Suit. It was standing cross-armed in a huge, expansive field of snow. It was probably Antarctica that Freeman had flown it to. And the Triad were more than aware of what he had planned. But they also had other... issues. Aherg stared at the sight of the Raum. "...He truly is worthless. He disobeyed orders and left his post. If he had more in the way of intelligence then he would know that he does our will, regardless of his insubordination." "This is good," Karahi suggested, "now the ambiguous fate of the Eros can be delayed at our leisure. Their battle will cause the second evolution. The Oriax will become the Demiurge a full 8732 years ahead of schedule, but, it will guarantee a second Divine Hibernation. That will preserve her for the new era." "And Princess Ashura is secure. The defences of the Temple of Tlazolteotl have been mounted to their entirety. With the genetic modifications induced on her by Fahlem, she will preserve herself whether she undergoes Divine Hibernation now or later." Ein said. "Excellent," Aherg looked up from the window, "then there is one last act to be fulfilled before we can prepare for the next stage. The Third Redemption, that which is the Last Massacre, must finally take place. Thus the executioner and his axe are at hand to perform the deed..." A cool, vivid chuckle rang out over the normally quiet hall of darkness. All three members of the Triad of the Inquisition turned to face the one who had produced that chuckle. Standing behind them was Rain. But in a very different form. His body had grown in age. From eighteen to twenty-two in development. His silvery hair had turned a darker shade. And his body was decked out in an all new form of dress. The torso of the youth was wrapped in a dark blue uniform that was added to by plates of steel armour, over his wrists, shins, chest and the lower half of his face. A long black cape flowed down from his back and spilled to the ground in its length. And his eyes, newly tinted with the colour of blood red, looked on his masters with a furious glare of servitude, bloodlust, and composure, all in one. This was not the same Rain Harland that Edwina Saffron had fallen in love with. This man had changed beyond recognition. He had become a whole new person. The Second of the Three Stars, 'De Anima'. Aherg, Ein and Karahi stared at him from their positions around their window, though it was Ein who addressed him. "...So you've full control over your current Gnosis, eh? A true Ishtar has been born. Finally." "What is my name?" Asked the new warrior. Karahi spread his arms out. "Thy name shall be Deathcatcher..." "What is my mission?" "To destroy," Aherg began sternly, "all the world."
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