BlazBlue:Phase Shift 2 Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Scarlet Guardian, the Doll

Part 1

Where might the proof that one is oneself be?

Where might the significance that one is oneself be?

This is the memory of a man who bears the name Hakumen.

The memory when he began the life as himself.

And the memory when he chose the fate to fight——.

——An old castle nestled in eternal night. The residence of an old vampire who had lived a thousand years.

Jin was there, deep in underground.

Although there was nothing but night recurring there, the place had a basement in addition. No light was supposed to flow in; only flame inside the lamps which were furnishing the wall. The light from the lamps flickered, warmly shining on the place eerily.

Between the wavering lights, an old-fashioned wooden door stood still, giving dignified feels. It looked so heavy like it couldn't be moved with the strength of one man. If this weren't the underground, it would be easy to imagine that the castle's scenery awaited beyond the door. Being indoor, it had a rather inappropriate look to it.

While sitting on a wheelchair, Jin looked up at the door.

Back then... he woke up at the presence of the castle's master, Clavis, before fainting again. Apparently a few days had passed since then. Most of the paralyzing injuries on his body had healed poorly. But it was enough to enable him getting up on the bed.

Nonetheless, it was impossible to stand on his own. Wearing an easily removable sleep-wear, his appearance looked unsightly as he was covered in bandages. He was forced to move around in wheelchair still in that appearance.

Valkenhayn had been pushing Jin's wheelchair up to here.

The master of the castle whom Valkenhayn usually accompanied, Clavis, was in front of Jin. The uninjured but old vampire was unable to walk. He moved his own wheelchair with magic.

Standing close next to Clavis was Rachel. When the light from the lamps flickered, its color was reflected on the young profile of the girl. It highlighted her unusual charm.

"All right... We have arrived."

Stopping before the door, Clavis smiled in a way like he had gone weary from the long journey up to here.

The shut door had been subjected to strict seals.

Although it had weathering feels to it, it rather looked like a rock. Clavis held out his worn out hand at the surface of the standing still door.

In response, bluish-white magic circle rose to surface. With a few words, Clavis incited the magic circle to recognize its visitors. After that, a bleak light slowly went around the hand he held out to examine it. Before long, it dissolved and vanished.

After a short pause, the door opened itself without borrowing anyone's hand.

"Ugh..."

For a moment, Jin felt a numbness as if a lightning was running on his skin. It was caused by the door's seal.

The seal wasn't necessarily broken as it was no more than a key faithful to its master.

Despite that, he understood how uncommon the engraved seal when his skin felt the after-effect.

There is something I want to show you.

Having said that, Clavis led Jin here.

What could possibly need a seal as strict as this? The question and remnant of discomfort made Jin frowned completely.

When Clavis moved his wheelchair forward, Rachel followed behind with a step.

Following them, Valkenhayn pushed Jin's wheelchair and started to walk.

There was a layer of darkness inside the door.

Rachel's tiny hand was holding something similar to the lamps that illuminated the castle. But the flickering magical light inside the glass had intensity that didn’t match its size as it shone on the surroundings. Other than darkness, it proceeded to shine continuously on the emerging pathway which stretched straight inside.

They slipped into a strange and mysterious space as though they weren't in a castle. Other than the pathway, everything was completely drowned in black.

As Clavis advanced, the door behind him closed by itself.

When the place was shut, every noise vanished as if absorbed.

Not just the noise. It was also true for the flow of air and time. All kinds of flow were halted as if absorbed.

Obviously, there was an unusual realm here.

Clavis proceeded without hesitation. So did Rachel and Valkenhayn. They must have known where this place was, its purpose, and what was inside.

Being the only clueless one, Jin, not raising any question and could only follow along, felt the situation was somewhat unpleasant.

"By the way, Sir Jin."

Clavis spoke gently as he went ahead.

Looking from Jin's side, the visible old face was mellowed by an affection that didn't suit the dark, shut place.

"How is your memory since then? It seems you have calmed a little."

No sound came from the wheelchair's movement. Despite that, the unhesitant voice sounded strange.

Jin gave a glance at his soundless means of moving before opening his mouth.

"…Your information regarding this world contradicts my memories."

"How come?"

The withered and grunting voice urged him to continue.

Jin spoke as he got pulled along.

"In my memories… the Black Beast had been killed in distant past. It was none other than a fact of history. The ones who defeated Black Beast were the Six Heroes… As for who they were..."

Jin frowned again. The memories after this were dim. He should have known more about the existence of Six Heroes itself.

But he couldn't remember.

"Is there anything else you can remember?"

Perhaps Clavis' voice didn't reach directly inside Jin's skull. While having a dull headache, Jin picked up words from his memory like tearing pieces of cloth.

"…Ragna. My… brother…"

Clavis slightly turned his face.

But for Jin, who dropped his sight while prying his memories, the small gesture never entered his eyes.

"And then…"

Inside the hazy memories, there was a face that emerged vividly in Jin's mind. It was awfully nostalgic, and truly warm… but somehow weighted his heart.

"…Tsubaki."

The moment that name was spoken, an intense headache attacked. The pain was like a hot steel had pierced inside his head. Jin grimaced without letting his voice out.

Simultaneously, bursting emotions began to overflow. Most of them were dark thoughts. A drowning sorrow that contained burning hatred.

His powerless hands creaked, making tight fists on their own.

Why. How. Rejection. Helpless feeling. Wrath and fury. The fragments of emotions and words came one by one and burned his brain.

"Please, calm down."

Then, he heard a voice that went straight to his sense of hearing. A soft and modest voice. The voice pulled the hot iron from Jin's skull. It suppressed and eliminated the headache that could make his body trembling.

Jin raised his blank eyes. The pain had withdrawn, but a dizziness had been born from the headache and made his head staggered.

Exhausted, Jin sank his back to the wheelchair. Clavis squinted as if sympathizing with him.

"More time is required to regain all of your memories. ...It is alright, you certainly will remember. Therefore, you should not drain your consciousness searching for memory."

Jin returned the friendly tone of voice with sharp glare. Sweet words were obnoxious to him. The spoken words that somewhat took light of his feeling were also unpleasant.

Realizing he had stopped moving, Clavis slowly moved his wheelchair again.

In the long pathway that were illuminated with the light Rachel had, there were many more of seals applied. The magic circles weren't on doors, but rather floating in air to stand in the way.

While quietly unsealing them one by one, Clavis spoke again.

"You certainly came from the future and has been washed away into this age. ...The manipulated future."

"Manipulated future...?"

While frowning because of the persistently remaining dizziness, Jin asked.

Clavis' thin shoulders dropped along with a sigh.

"It is a pretty old story. Long before the repeating, barren history of the world... Further than when Black Beast materialized. Humanity had come into contact with the Boundary."

Again, Clavis' hand undid a seal.

Coupled with his narrative tone, it looked like the old vampire was also unraveling humanity's history which he had been watching.

When Clavis' wheelchair started to move like it was gliding, Rachel followed after. Valkenhayn advanced, taking along Jin.

"The world gained will due to the hands of man. In accordance to its will, the world has determined the future where humanity should tread. There are some disparities, but with the same procedure, humanity will pursue the same process to be led to the same fate."

"The future... has been determined...?"

"Perhaps it is easier to comprehend when being said that way."

Gently and slowly, Clavis spoke as if seeing a distant scenery. Even if the crimson pair of eyes had deep foresight, they were brimming with swaying emotions rather than simply a serenity.

"...Let me give you an example, young man. You, coming from some future, and arrived into this era was also one of the procedure which has been determined by the world."

"Tsk, DON'T MESS WITH ME!!"

Yelling, Jin hit the wheelchair's handrail with his fist.

"To hell with the world's will! Screw determined procedure! Then Nii-san... Tsubaki... ARE YOU TELLING ME THEY WILL FALL TO THAT FATE!?"

Filled with vigor, Jin flared up at Clavis and strongly raised the upper part of his body. But the weak and injured body wouldn't let him stood.

Still, Jin violently squirmed his body to shake off something. Valkenhayn's arms forcibly held him to pull him back to his wheelchair.

"Be quiet! Surely you realize that you cannot move! Be aware of your own situation, kid."

"Ugh..."

Once strength left his body, pain and dizziness suddenly came rushing. He was unable to move again, but Jin's shoulders went up and down because of the rapid and disordered breathing while laying his glare on Clavis.

Not minding it, the wheelchair continued forward.

Rachel gave a cold stare at Jin. In contrast, Clavis gave a warm gaze.

"…It seems you have a sorrow."

"I don't know… I can't recall it! But… but…"

Ragna and Tsubaki. A while ago, those names didn't even appear as they had been sinking inside the mist of his memory. When his sub consciousness raised to surface for a moment, a whirl of emotions would follow.

He couldn't remember even a fragment of the specific and what he had gone through with them. Despite that, he felt an awful sorrow, frustration, and agony. The inner corner of his eyes which sight had grown weak were burning hot.

After Clavis returned his head forward, he slowly closed his eyelids before raising them again. As if his age and magnificent articles added the looks, deep consideration could be sensed from the gesture only.

"This world is like a dream seen by god. God has been seeing the same dream many times over. Its story is a repeating cycle of life and death... The dream of fate."

While listening to Clavis' voice, Rachel held the lamp up high. The last stop inside the passage could be seen.

What had been waiting was a wooden door.

The entrance didn't seem majestic as it was actually a simple door, but the strength of the applied seal was even stricter.

"I do not know if you are able to put an end to that dream. Unfortunately, I cannot see through that future..."

Clavis' wheelchair drew closer near the door. His skinny hand fluctuated the invoked magic circle like a ripple. After a few patterns had been drawn on the surface, it gently vanished.

Within the dark room that hadn't been accepting any noise except voices, the creaking and heavy sound from the wooden door resounded eerily.

As if stepping aside, the door opened. Another darkness awaited on the other side. But this time, it was quick to discover that it was a small room.

Valkenhayn brought Jin until the entrance of the room.

In the center of the room, something stood alone as it had been left behind. Something white. A silhouette.

"What is this...?"

Facing the front side of the white frame, Jin inquired.

Clavis didn't come inside, but he stopped his own wheelchair beside the door. As his red eyes gazed inside the room, he sluggishly opened his mouth.

"...It is something humanity had attained by chance when they discovered the Boundary in the past. Do you know of the objects called as Original Unit?"

"Original Unit..."

With a voice that was practically a sigh, Jin murmured.

It was very likely that this wasn't the first time he spoke of those words. He realized that a corner of his memory was trembling. But it was only that far. He couldn't remember.

"To put it as a better explanation for human, perhaps... they are the gods who have been creating the world."

Even without hearing his words, Clavis could guess Jin's thought by his face. Clavis looked troubled as he groaned while talking. Leaning his whole body to the wheelchair, He linked his thin fingers on top of his stomach.

"There are three Original Unit. Master Unit Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi Unit. And this one here is Susano'o Unit. ...Though, it has nothing inside. Just simply a vessel."

Although he said 'simply', even Jin could easily understand how that thing was far from common sense. Clavis' speech was erratic, and yet his extraordinary old voice was appropriate. Rather, importance and truth could be sensed from it.

Even without a word or presence, the standing still object was clad in odd sense of intimidation. It was simply powerful.

"It has made its way through different hands since its discovery. However, I am the one in control now. ...Young man. If you believe it would be necessary, then I will hand it over to you."

Even if it seemed he was telling a fairy-tale with the gentle way of speaking, Jin was bewildered. He looked back to the old vampire.

Clavis calmly looked at Jin. As if picking up the thought in Jin's heart; looking at it while carrying affection.

"...Your body is no longer functioning as it should be. If it still does not matter to you, you are welcome to remain in this castle until the day your life meet its end. But if you need a leg to stand and an arm to wield sword... I believe that vessel is appropriate for you."

Jin stared at Clavis again as he spoke. He was looking for the real motive hidden inside those pair of deep crimson eyes. Still, no matter how doubtful he was, there was nothing but honest warmth.

Clavis took a single deep breath. There was a hint in his sigh that he got a bit weary.

"...There is still time. Do consider about it. You must decide for your own future."

"Even if it follows the plot of god's dream you're talking about...?"

Jin put a small sarcasm in his words.

Clavis was pleasantly smiling. The wrinkles on his face became clearer.

"What a high spirited young man. However, you are right indeed. You have to choose. No matter how much of it is part of the world's wish, the limits to keep on choosing is none other than your own decision."

While speaking, Clavis moved his wheelchair. He made his way beside Jin and then turned his back on him. Valkenhayn who was nearby immediately moved aside.

"Well... It seems I have got a bit weary. Rachel, is it alright to leave the rest to you?"

"Yes. Please take a good rest, dear Father."

As her eyes that had been cold were now bright with faint warmth, Rachel drew her chin for a little.

After leaving a thanks, Clavis gave a gaze at Valkenhayn who was nearby. Receiving that gaze, Valkenhayn went around behind Clavis and gently pushed the wheelchair.

Before he left, Clavis stopped his wheelchair for a moment and spoke to Jin.

"Young man. Please, live true to your own heart."

The old voice thoroughly held deep affection. It was like he wouldn't be here if not for it.

Clavis looked back at Jin and made a worried, strained smile.

"...Once, I have said something similar to someone who was very much like you, but... Oh dear, it seems I am not able to remember who the person was. It appears I am being reduced to a part of the repeating dream, too. It has to be my age."

After he spoke, he leaned against the wheelchair as if sleeping. Clavis borrowed Valkenhayn's strength and left from the seal within deep underground.

Left behind, Rachel turned the lamp on her hand toward Jin.

Left behind, Jin turned his jarring body toward Susano'o Unit.

Rather than worry, the young man's face looked more to being determined. Rachel caused a small stir by letting her bell-like voice out.

"...By accepting and uniting with the Original Unit, you will cease to be human. There won't be a second chance to return."

"What will I be if it isn't human?"

Jin muttered like he was asking himself.

Rachel's charming and lovely eyes slowly winked.

"Who knows. Perhaps you won't become anything. At the very least, you won't be like you are presently."

His current self.

Jin looked at himself who was sitting on a wheelchair.

His powerless self. He was no doubt alive, but his body was impaired that he couldn't do anything by himself. It didn't amount to anything as it couldn't wield a sword to fight.

Where might the proof that one is oneself be?

Where might the significance that one is oneself be?

Jin questioned himself. Those were vague questions, but he arrived at the necessary answer quite easily.

It was natural. It was because Jin already had his resolve long ago.

"I am me. I don't need anything beyond that."

These were no more than two simple options.

Live unable to fight, or live to fight.

Only few choices came to his mind. But either of them were piercing sharp and deep into his heart like a blade of ice. Cold pain was running through his mind.

The black silhouette he saw inside flames. The Black Beast. Both were something that had to be killed.

The man he called as brother. The young girl with the name of a flower. Both were people he had lost repeatedly within the repeating dream.

He must fight.

If the Black Beast was here, then he would follow the wish of his instinct to kill it.

If he wanted to sever the repeating tragedy, then he would follow the protest of his sentimentality to decapitate it.

It felt like he could hear a voice from the standing white silhouette.

——Be the white void. Be the cold steel. Be the just sword. Wield the blade in your hand to reap the sins of this world and cleanse it in the fires of destruction.

The immovable arm moved. Jin ended the life of the name Jin, and chose to tread a new stage.

Part 2

Time passed exactly like an arrow. Only a little time left from the remaining four months of delay.

A large scale of encampment took place about half a month away from the last day of 2107 AD. They were carrying a plan to ambush the Black Beast which would be awake from its one year sleep.

For that reason, a meeting was presently held in the council room in the Mage's Guild of Ishana.

The participants were the war potentials who would play the central part of the strategy. Jubei, Valkenhayn, Trinity, Terumi, Hakumen, and Nine.

They were surrounding a floating orb in the center of the room. The orb had unfolded a map they were staring at with grave look.

"As revealed by the previous data, it was certain that the Black Beast made its appearance from the vicinity of Cauldrons. Before that happened, those Cauldron had been discharging intensive seithr. In short, there's high possibility that Black Beast will appear near the Cauldron which is leaking massive amount of seithr."

Nine, acting as the commander, nimbly waved her finger. Then, a great number of tiny lights appeared on the map functioning as markers.

"We have the specific approximation regarding the location of Cauldrons around the world from Terumi. We've been observing whether there's a change in the influx of seithr among these data. And here they are."

Several green markers were now glowing red. Their numbers roughly amounted close to twenty.

She had already received and understood the information, but Trinity's face grew dark.

"It's everywhere... We have to start deploying the armies quickly. Besides, even if they'd arrived before its appearance, I'm not sure if they can make it stay in one place..."

"There's another nature in Black Beast's appearance. The thing's drawn to life force. It'll sniff out the most abundant and splendid life force and chase it."

Although he looked unmotivated, Terumi spoke while wiping the map with his hand. Around half of the red markers turned blue. The blue lights were concentrated in Eastern Europe.

"Taking that in mind, the monster will appear from the Cauldrons around here. ...Though, they're not locations that can be easily visited anyway."

Having said that, Terumi chuckled like how a human would.

Valkenhayn knitted his brows. Jubei shifted his attention as if to calm Valkenhayn. Like usual, Hakumen didn't move nor talk.

When such scene happened... Celica was watching it intently while sitting on a chair placed alongside the wall of the council room.

She just sat there with nothing to do. Next to her was Nirvana with her long arms dangling.

Celica didn't have any relation to the plan. She was here because Nine kept pressing her demand not to leave her alone at all.

She wasn't being overprotective. Nine was being cautious for Seven and Eight.

Around a month ago, Nine who were being absent from the island had been receiving contacts. Let alone being not involved with Celica, Seven and Eight had even shown their faces to her.

Celica thought they probably had given up, but it seemed Nine was still being suspicious of their action. Nine's excuse must be that because it would be problematic if they make a pass at Celica in this tight time behind her.

Although there was Nirvana, Seven and Eight were Ten Sages. Since she couldn't afford to be negligent, Nine tried to have Celica with her while she was in the island one way or another.

Celica felt grateful that her older sister's was being protective to her. The feeling alone was very valuable.

But in the end, she had been made to attend this meeting where she just aimlessly sitting around unable to do anything. Unnecessary things popped up in her head as the result.

For example, there was overwhelming difference between her and the six people near her. She was usually together with them, but she was being self-conscious that they weren't on the same ground with her.

It didn't come out of boredom nor from doing something useless.

But a bit. Just for a bit.

"......"

Celica raised her face as she felt the silence.

It seemed she had unwarily been leaning to Nirvana's arm. Nirvana, who was standing at her side, looked down at Celica.

"Ah, sorry."

With voice as little as possible so as not to disturb the meeting, Celica straightened her back.

Nirvana's large hand lightly hit her head. Receiving the gesture that was closer to caressing than hitting made Celica's chest warm for a moment.

(Come to think of it, I usually get this feeling before...)

From that person. From Ragna.

Soon, it would be one year since their parting. Thinking about it made her suddenly surprised. It made her missed him so much.

If Ragna were here, she should be able to speak of her current feeling. And then he would say something. No matter what he spoke of, he would say 'idiot' and then laugh.

"...It's okay. Thank you, Nirvana."

Both human and doll surely had the same kind of kindness. While thinking about it, Celica gripped the hand of the affectionate guardian. The hand was cold. The hand was big. Currently, the hand felt reliable.

After once again telling that she was fine, Celica turned to the meeting. Then she straightened herself. She had to listen diligently.

It was because her sister and the others were about to begin the discussion for their important fight.

After she previously looked over to Celica, Nine once again manipulated the blue markers and changed five of them to white. They were the spot where the Cauldron's locations were comparatively concentrated.

Immediately, Trinity told the detailed information regarding the spots that had been turned white.

"We could probably get more definitive specification if the proximity were closer. But considering the required time, we can no longer postpone to notify many countries in deploying their armies. Our discussion this time will be to estimate which is the place where Black Beast will appear."

"Are ya gonna deploy the armies in all these points? Even if they gather elsewhere, there's practically a lot of distance between them."

A wrinkle was made on top of Jubei's nose.

"I know," nodded Nine.

"That's why as soon as we confirmed its appearance, we're going to be forced to move large number of units. It's preferable to teleport each of them, but I can't use teleportation magic strong enough to transport troops. Therefore... can I ask of you, Valkenhayn?"

With a sigh, Nine folded her arms below her chest and shifted her focus to the grimacing wolf man.

Valkenhayn deeply frowned.

"Are you requesting for Rachel-sama's assistance?"

"Her teleportation is able to transfer a squad of army. If the scattered parties can be teleported to the place where Black Beast appear..."

"I refuse."

Interrupting Nine's words, a clear bell-like voice shook the place. At the same time, a faint scent of rose bloomed and a small figure appeared near Celica.

It was so sudden that Celica jumped above her chair and grabbed Nirvana's arms. Nirvana quickly put herself on guard.

Her black dress was decorated with frills. Her beautiful golden hair was tied into two parts by the big ribbons. Her eyes were deep crimson and her skin was pale. The vampire who was looking after a castle in endless night, Rachel Alucard.

From the start, her appearance here made Celica's eyes opened wide. Rachel used the teleportation magic that had been brought up as the topic just now.

But Ishana was concealed in secure barrier. Furthermore, the Mage's Guild's council room had also been applied with barrier. Originally, it shouldn't be possible to directly teleport into such place.

"A-Amazing..."

As one would expect from the teleportation that was capable of moving a squad of army like Nine had asserted. A respectful voice unintentionally escaped from Celica's mouth.

Rachel turned her sight at her and pointed her gaze as if sneering.

"Good day. You're so skilled, dislocating your back on top of chair like that."

"Ahaha... It was too surprising. Hello, Rachel-san."

Celica replied while giving a wry smile. Rachel snorted as if in discontent.

"Rachel-sama! Why are you here...!?"

Leaving the circle of people, Valkenhayn came over in panic.

From raising her eyes to the butler who was worried if anything happened, Rachel shifted her gaze and looked at Nine.

"Why, to give advice since all of you were so serious about the amusing joke of borrowing my power in the start of humanity's battle. Discard the absurd idea of involving me, Nine of the Ten Sages."

Rachel spoke with mockery mixed with the kind of astonishment from a child's imprudence.

Trying not to get provoked but still seemingly wanted to say something, Nine scowled in discomfort. Turning to face the childish vampire, Nine pulled her chin and looked down on the girl from tall position.

"This year is about to end, and the Black Beast will come alive at the same time. You should be aware of this, Rachel Alucard. If the damage from that monster spread further, humanity will likely lose the willpower for the following battle. At the very least, this strategy gives us the strength to fight. Considering about it, the first battle would have to bear fruits."

"That's why you're asking for my help? And where is your manner? I'd prefer if you ask of your request while rubbing your head on the ground."

"Hey... I told you to understand the situation, didn't I? Or are you telling me that humanity's life and death are just some game for the daughter of Alucard Family? You have a lot of screws loose."

If the blood red eyes were sneering and looking down on her, then she would give down contempt from the shade of her purple hat. If their mutual incompatibility were to be drawn in a picture, it would become intertwining force of opposition.

But Rachel, who was raising her eyes at Nine, immediately dropped her gaze powerlessly.

Celica noticed something when looking at her face from the side. Rachel usually put up a cold look. But for moment, she saw her making a sorrowful face.

"...Even if you're asking it while standing on your hands, I will not lend my hand in this battle. No, perhaps you won't understand unless I tell you directly that I cannot help."

"Rachel-sama..."

Other than Valkenhayn who let out a worried voice, perhaps no one in this place could guess the reason why Rachel made a cloudy expression.

Celica, who was standing straight after leaving from her chair, couldn't understand why she had that look. Bewildered, she could only blink.

To press her further, Nine instantly frowned hard. When she did that, Rachel continued in scornful voice.

"I am not able to intervene with humanity's decision. So please win this fight all by yourselves."

The manner of speaking made Rachel seemed to have been continuously watching over a hundred of years of history... Yes, it was like the vampire who had spent no less than a thousand years, Clavis Alucard, was talking to them with his transcendental presence.

In addition to that, Celica had briefly seen sorrow and gloom on her face.

When a heavy footstep could be heard, everybody turned their faces to the noise.

Hakumen, who had been silent like he had no concern with everything, turned toward Rachel.

"...I did not expect any assistance from the likes of you since the beginning."

"Sir Hakumen. I will not forgive any mockery toward Rachel-sama. Even if it comes from you."

Nine's previous words had already made Valkenhayn's face looked grim. It was now full of resentment like smoldering flames.

Jubei stepped forward in front of him, trying to keep the quarrel from developing further.

Rachel wearily took a breath. Then with the manner of walking that resembled waltz, she turned to Celica.

"I cannot give my support. However, I can give you advice. The Black Beast will certainly appear before her. Perhaps it is not an advice... but a prediction."

Her red eyes seized Celica as they winked frantically.

Nine snapped and looked at Celica.

Even Trinity, Jubei, and Valkenhayn. Terumi and Hakumen were the only exception.

While blankly looking back at the staring deep crimson eyes, Celica pointed at herself being unable to comprehend why.

"W-Why me?"

Again, a sad look passed over in Rachel's red eyes. Her tiny lips gently told her.

Those words blew through Celica's chest with the force of sudden gust.

"...His soul is sleeping within Black Beast."

Who did she mean by 'his'?

Celica was probably reminded of someone's face in that moment.

With their own circumstances, everyone understood who he was.

Part 3

That night.

Celica took a shower after finishing the dinner with her sister at home. Like she usually did when the day was over, Celica changed into sleepwear and went upstairs into her room.

She was sitting on top of the bed which was positioned beside the window. Instead of cushion, she held a pillow with knees. The hair that was usually tied was now unraveled.

Nirvana was sitting on top of a sofa beside the bed. The sofa was something Celica prepared to become Nirvana's fixed position when she was in the room. Nowadays, she was completely attached to it.

No light was put on in the room as she was going to sleep. However, she didn't feel like sleeping at all. It had been going on since a while ago.

She knew well the reason. It never left her mind. The words she heard from today's noon within the council room of Mage's Guild.

——His soul is sleeping within Black Beast.

Rachel was the head of the Alucard Family who had been watching over everything in the world. Celica somehow knew that her words held some truth in it. When she had the chance to meet the previous head Clavis Alucard, she could see a faint sadness in his eyes when he was speaking gently. She thought that Rachel had a really similar look back in the meeting.

If that's true. In the case that it was true.

Rachel's words gradually expanded the remains of fire within Celica. The remains immediately flickered bright red, releasing heat, and burned her chest.

As if she couldn't bear the growing heat, Celica tossed the pillow and got off the bed.

She ran up barefoot to a closet placed on a corner of the room.

Opening it, what appeared were the outer coat and dress of the academy's uniform and several of Celica's clothes which were hanging up.

Within the deepest part of the closet, there was a clearly different outfit hanging.

A bright red long coat.

The coat was too long for Celica to wear. As evident from the design and shoulder width, it was a men's wear.

And hidden in a more invisible place, there was a single sword that had thick and bulky blade as its trait. It was leaning on the closet's partition.

When Celica stretched her arms and dragged out the sword from the closet, she fell sitting on the spot. The sword was heavy.

Unable to wield it at all, Celica raised her knees to hold it up in her arms and placed the broad body of the sword on her palms.

The sword was cleanly polished without any stain on it. It was the same for the red coat. Before, it was dirty and torn in some parts. But every day, she mended it bit by bit until it was completely restored.

The sword and coat were left in charge to Celica by her important friend.

"Ragna..."

Unconsciously, her lips moved and uttered his name.

If Rachel was telling the truth. If his soul was indeed sleeping within the Black Beast.

She might be able to meet him again.

She could meet him again, and then... have a conversation if possible.

She couldn't stop once she thought about it. Celica had that nature since she was little. The recklessness had made her did things without thinking of the consequences. It must have given her sister Nine troubles.

She surely would give her more problems this time.

She knew. In truth, she didn't want to give Nine anymore trouble nor worry. However.

"Ragna."

Calling the name again with her voice made her chest slightly warm and grew with expectations.

Embracing the bulky sword, Celica's soft lips began to open. She might be able to meet him. Just thinking about it gave her feeling like she could do anything.

If the owner of the sword heard Celica's current feeling, he would be frowning. She definitely would get scolded and told not to do anything dangerous.

After all, Nine was like that. Putting Celica's safety first, she had even prepared Nirvana for her.

But it was no good. Her chest was throbbing. She could only feel the hasty feeling of happiness.

Because none of the options that were born from the possibility Rachel showed were inconvenient for Celica. Rather, it was like a magic which granted hope like she could do anything.

"...I've decided."

After she let out her voice, Celica looked over to the sofa while still hugging the sword.

Nirvana was sitting on the sofa with straight posture. Her unblinking eyes were staring at Celica.

Celica faced Nirvana and spoke. And when she spoke of the words, the determination within her took a shape.

"Tomorrow, I'll spoke to Onee-chan. When Black Beast revived, I might be able to lure it."

She might get angry. At worst, she might cry. But Celica didn't think she should give up.

"If I can lure the Black Beast, I think Onee-chan's strategy will get a lot smoother. If there's anything I can do, and if it can save someone, then I will do anything. I'll give it my all."

She wanted to be her sister's, everyone's strength.

Above all, she might be able to meet Ragna.

As her chest gently throbbed, Celica tightly hugged Ragna's sword once again.

She remembered the time when she had the same kind of feeling. The warmth from his kindness.

——That night, Celica saw a dream.

A dream where she was standing alone in a white room.

There was nothing when she looked around. Not even someone's shadow.

Where might this place be?

She was letting her voice out as she thought so, but even her breathing noise was inaudible like it was absorbed by the white surface.

She took a step forward.

The room was so white it rendered her unable to grasp whether the concept of ground existed or not. However, her feet unexpectedly felt the certain sensation when she took a step.

Then, a mirror appeared before her unnoticed.

Celica's whole body was completely reflected. Furthermore, it was not reflecting anything unnecessary. As if the rectangle, full-length mirror was prepared exclusively for her.

How could there be a mirror here? She held a curiosity even though it was rather suspicious.

As she had seen the same kind of dream before, she vaguely felt a déjà vu.

She wondered if the mirror really existed here.

Wanting to touch it, Celica stretched out her hand.

In the other side of the rectangular mirror, Celica's image also stretched her hand.

When the fingers of the real and false image were about to touch each other, Celica was driven out of the bright white room like a fish diving into the sea.

The dream ended there.

When she awakened, Celica couldn't even remember a fragment of the dream.

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