Volume 13 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 1 – Bonds

–

Part 1

「Kizuna! KIZUNAAAAA!」

Aine crouched beside the collapsed Kizuna and desperately called his name.

Aine's worry and confusion were growing incessantly seeing Kizuna not replying. She lifted up Kizuna's upper body in her arms and embraced him onto her chest.

「Please! Kizuna! Talk to me!」

The body of Kizuna that she lifted up wasn't Kizuna that she knew. There was not even the slightest strength filling that body. It was as though there was no respond from it. It was as though it was just a thing, a puppet.

「Ha, hang on! Kizun! I, I'll help you right away!」

There was no reply even after she called to him desperately.

Even when she shook him, the limp body only shook within the range of the body's joints.

Tears were gathering in Aine's eyes.

「Aa……what should I do……」

Blood was flowing from the gaping wound where Thanatos's sword pierced. She blocked that wound opening using her hands.

If she was unable to see the wound, perhaps it would be gone as though it was never there? Perhaps it would return back to before? Aine's confused mind brought about such impossible thinking.

'If I can at least stop the blood'──she thought. However, the sense of touch at her palm told her that there was no more blood overflowing from the wound.

The body function that circulated blood throughout the whole body was stopping.

The heart was stopping.

Aine was shedding tears while peering onto the face of her beloved person.

Those eyes looked like they were staring at Aine. But they weren't looking at anything.

No strength was filling the body's neck. The head was limply turning sideway.

The tears flowing from Aine's eyes were falling to Kizuna's cheek.

「Kizuna……Kizuna, over here……look at me……」

Aine kept hugging Kizuna's body while lowering down Kizuna's limp body on the floor. She brought her face on his chest. Tears flowed.

The person who caused Kizuna to become like this, Thanatos was right nearby.

There was no coloring in the world that Thanatos created for battle. Stone floor continued on without end. The sky was the s.p.a.ce as though it was drawn with thin ink. But, it was only the blood flowing from Kizuna's wound that had crimson coloring as though to proclaim that it was the real thing.

And then one more thing, there was an existence that possessed color in this monochrome world.

──Machine G.o.d Thanatos.

She was emitting beautiful coloring of white and blue, and also golden radiance.

In her hand, the sword that stole Kizuna's wound was being grasped. The white blade was dyed with fresh blood.

Even when looking at that, emotion of revenge, anger, or resentment wouldn't well up.

Both her mind and heart still hadn't thought until that far.

Right now there were only fierce sadness and a sense of loss that she had never felt before that were ruling over Aine.

Thanatos was staring still at Aine who was clinging on Kizuna's body and shedding tears. There was no emotion in her face. But, there was curiosity in her eyes.

「What meaning is there in your action just now?」

That voice reached Aine's ears, but it was the same like a noise, it didn't sound like words with meaning in her ears.

Thanatos asked the same question one more time, but no answer came back.

「──So you cannot produce an answer. Then let's try asking the other people.」

The wings that were towering behind Thanatos like a gigantic relief s.h.i.+ned brightly. Then, cracks ran through the s.p.a.ce around Aine.

It looked like there were unseen gla.s.ses there that were getting cracked. But, the moment they cracked, the s.p.a.ce was smashed and a contact point with different world was created.

──Entrance.

It was an Entrance that was frightfully small as though it was in the size for a single person.

What appeared from there was a black haired beauty who possessed mature body that was wearing silver Heart Hybrid Gear.

「……Where is, this place──」

Reiri was isolated toward different world. There was no one there other than her, it was just a white s.p.a.ce where there was nothing. She was unable to contact the comrades who rushed in together with her. When she was at a loss, the s.p.a.ce in front of her suddenly cracked.

When she noticed──,

Before her eyes, there was the figure of Thanatos carrying a sword that was dyed with blood.

And then there was the figure of the collapsed Kizuna and Aine who was clinging on that body.

Her body moved faster than her thought.

「Kizuna!」

She shouted like that and approached Thanatos instantly.

With Zecros's sword in her hand, she bisected Thanatos──however, Thanatos wasn't there anymore. She was moving toward a distant spot as though she had teleported.

Reiri didn't pursue and kneeled beside Kizuna. And then, she was speechless seeing the completely changed figure of her little brother and her face turned pale.

「Ki……Kizuna……this is, Aine! What happened!? Is Kizuna alive!?」

Aine's body jerked in respond to that yell.

And then tears fell while her face kept looking down.

The wordless replye made Reiri's face distorted.

「That's……there is no way……」

At that time, the sound like several ices cracking resounded. Entrances in the number of those sounds appeared.

The members who were sent away to different worlds like Reiri──Himekawa, Yuris.h.i.+a, Sylvia, Gravel, Hyakurath, and also Grace went stiff from great shock.

「Li, lies……Kizuna, kun」

「Thi, this is a joke right? Kizuna is……no way」

「Ca, captain……ple, please open your eyes desu!」

「Lies……I'm not going to believe this! Wake up! Kizuna!!」

「Hi, Hidkun is……something like this……」

「Ni, Nii-sama! Stop with the joke!」

Everyone talked, but Kizuna didn't reply.

Kizuna's eyes that were staying open weren't seeing anything. His thinly opened mouth wasn't producing any word.

Himekawa was muttering deliriously.

「No way……no way, Kizunkun……」

No matter how much she denied it, the cruel reality was sneaking into her heart. Irrepressible emotion and tear were overflowing from everyone.

Thanatos was carefully observing every single one of those expressions.

「There is something that I want to ask from all of you.」

Hearing Thanatos's voice, everyone there once again realized the enemy's existence too late.

Reiri gritted her teeth so hard it made a sound and slowly stood up.

「I also have something to ask……to you b.a.s.t.a.r.d」

She turned the sword she was holding toward Thanatos.

「It was you who stole Kizuna's life wasn't it?」

Reiri asked menacingly with a contorted face that was carved with anger and sadness.

「That's right. That man was tougher than I expected. I called that woman in order to create an opening, as an obstacle in that man's way. Just as planned, that man stopped his movement so I fired Keraunos but……something unexpected occurred. That man used himself as s.h.i.+eld and protected that woman. He was astonis.h.i.+ngly defenseless.」

Sobbing leaked out from Aine's mouth.

「Sorry……I'm sorry……Kizuna……everyone」

Thanatos ignored Aine's pained muttering and continued.

「Therefore, I was able to finish off that man easily. However there is something I don't get. I received no reply even when I asked that woman, so I called all of you here.」

Himekawa yelled while shedding tears.

「Just what are you saying!!」

「What meaning there is in that man's action?」

「Wha……」

Himekawa spontaneously lost her words.

An action of trying to save one's beloved person by putting out one's own body to the front.

Thanatos was asking what was the meaning of that action.

Not just Himekawa, everyone there was unable to understand the meaning of Thanatos's question.

Thanatos spoke to the dumbfounded group.

「That man had higher combat ability. In that case, that man's survival should have higher priority. It will be understandable if he use that woman there as s.h.i.+eld, but why did that man sacrifice himself instead? Furthermore there is no merit obtained from doing that. Incomprehensible.」

Aine opened her eyes wide while listening to those words and her lips trembled. Her body was convulsing from terror and guilt.

「Ne, Nee-sama……」

The worried Grace hugged Aine's body.

「Nee-sama, be strong. There is no way that Nii-sama will die……just this much」

Grace herself understood that her words were just a consolation. But even though she knew that, her big sister would break if she didn't cling to hope right now. Grace felt that instinctually.

However, Aine shook her head.

「No good……his heart has also stopped. Kizuna, is dead……I, killed him.」

「What are you saying Nee-sama! Get a hold of yourself!」

Thanatos was staring with interest at Aine's state.

「Why are you lamenting so much like just because a single specimen stop functioning? Why are you sad? In the first place what is sadness? What kind of meaning that emotion and behavior have? It is for generating what effect?」

Yuris.h.i.+a aimed the muzzle of her Differential Frame toward Thanatos.

「Grace and Hyakurath, please take care of Kizuna and Aine.」

The inside of Yuris.h.i.+a's heart was burning with rage and hatred that she had never felt until now. Until now no matter what kind of battle, there would be her self somewhere that was grasping the situation calmly. Her self that was grasping the battle situation on the whole from higher position, right now she was lacking that.

She wanted to kill the opponent who killed the person she loved. She couldn't hold back that simple desire for revenge, the urge to kill.

Himekawa also readied Gladius, Silvia also prepared Taros's main cannon so it could fire anytime.

Reiri readied her s.h.i.+eld and sword and lowered her stance.

「Let's go!!」

With Reiri's signal as the trigger, Yuris.h.i.+a's Differential Frame and Sylvia's <ruby>main cannon<rt>Ignis</rt></ruby> spouted fire.

The spot where Thanatos was at was instantly enveloped by flame. Bright red flame was rising up in the world that lost its color. Shockwave, flash, and flame blast struck. Reiri leaped into the flame as though to slash apart all those.

「NUAaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!」

Zecros's sword cut apart the flame and ahead from it there was Thanatos.

Intense light scattered and two swords clashed.

「Thanatos! We were told to not kill you! But that doesn't matter anymore!! Who cares what will happen to the world!! Kill! I'll kill you!」

Thanatos expressionlessly parried the sword, pus.h.i.+ng Reiri back.

「Kuh!」

Just with that Reiri was sent flying behind for several dozen meters. Both her feet were sliding on the floor while sending Thanatos a gaze that was burning with hatred.

「I don't care whether you are a G.o.d or what, I'll kill you no matter what kind of method I'll have to use! I'll erase you until not even a single cell remain behind!!」

There was no emotion at all inside Thanatos's golden pupils. However, her eyes were s.h.i.+ning with curiosity toward the enragement of Reiri and others.

「The change and phenomenon that resulted from death is very interesting. In that case──」

Thanatos's wing opened wide with the sound of moving machinery. It somehow looked like a gigantic watch.

「I want even more detailed data. I'll kill all of you one by one and observe the reaction.」

Thanatos who was muttering matter-of-factly was truly a G.o.d of death.

A G.o.d of death that was emitting divine and beautiful radiance.

「Don't screw around!」

Gravel who was staying quiet until now to endure her sadness drew out her Sword Gatling.

「Give back, GIVE BACK KIZUNAAAA!!」

She pressed the trigger while crying.

And the Sylvia also screamed while launching her bombardment.

「UWAaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!」

Fierce flame blat attacked Thanatos once more.

However,

「Wha……!?」

All the attacks were erased before they landed on Thanatos.

「This is……what the」

Cold sweat trickled down Gravel's cheek.

Thanatos muttered with a disinterested expression.

「I am the ruler of this world. That means I control the all rule in this world.」

A deep crease was carved on Reiri's forehead.

「Don't tell me……you b.a.s.t.a.r.d」

「Right now, all the physical law in this world follow my will. What is used by the weapon of you all is basically light particle from converted magic power. If the rule of motion regarding that particle is changed, the particles will disperse without converging into one spot. However──」

Saying that, Thanatos readied her white sword.

「Physical attack is effective.」

Yuris.h.i.+a glared at Thanatos with eyes that were filled with killing intent.

「If……that's the case」

Yuris.h.i.+a readied her Corruption Armament, Cross Head and made eye contact with Himekawa. In respond, Himekawa readied Neros's Corruption Armament, Gladius in a low position. The three blades started s.h.i.+ning red.

Yuris.h.i.+a also starting to send magic power into Cross Head. Golden radiance was circulating through the huge pile bunker gun and it raised a roaring sound. The temperature around the two was rising and wind was whirling up.

With the simultaneous activation of the two's Corruption Armament, the static electricity that was generated in the surrounding was roaring with unprecedented intensity.

「Let's go, Hayuru!」

「Coming!!」

Yuris.h.i.+a readied Cross Head while Hayuru readied Gladius. The two of them charged toward Thanatos.

However the closer they got to Thanatos, the amount of particles emitted from the tip of Cross Head was decreasing. Like this it wouldn't be any different from a simple huge pile bunker.

And then particles running on the surface of Neros's Gladius were also vanis.h.i.+ng. It was reduced into a simply huge blade.

However the two of them gritted their teeth and rushed toward Thanatos.

They didn't know how effective their attack would be. However, if a physical attack was effective, they could only do it. Even if they got the table turned on them and lost their lives, if they could deal even a single wound on the enemy's body, they would have face to meet Kizuna at the next world.

The two of them clashed against Thanatos while harboring such feeling.

「HAaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!」

「IYAaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!」

Thanatos didn't dodge the attack of the two.

And then Cross Head was driven onto Thanatos's chest while Glaudius struck toward the head.

At that time the two witnessed something unbelievable.

The Corruption Armaments broke.

The instant Cross Head fired out the pile, all the destructive power returned back to Cross Head. The pile snapped, and the firing device along with the magic power particle generator were also smashed up as though there were a brittle porcelain.

And then Gladius also had all of its three blades snapped.

「No way……」

Yuris.h.i.+a and Himekawa's eyes opened wide and shook along with the agitation in their heart.

Thanatos stared in observation at the two of them who were like that and put her strength into the sword she was holding.

「I added a new change in the physical law. The movement energy won't be transmitted to the target, but returned back as it is, and then──」

Thanatos swung her sword.

「I removed the rule just now.」

The chest armor of Cross and Neros was smashed.

「KyaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!」

The body of the two flew in the air and fell over on the floor.

Gravel yelled seeing their figures.

「Now!!」

She was worried about Yuris.h.i.+a and Himekawa. However right now the physical law was returning to normal. They couldn't let go of this timing.

Gravel aimed her Sword Gatling, and then Sylvia aimed her right arm that was containing her Corruption Armament toward Thanatos. No, they should have aimed at her.

「Eh!? Where is she desu!?」

Thanatos's figure vanished in a short time that was shorter than a blink of eye.

The next instant, Sylvia saw Taros's right arm falling.

「──Eh!?」

And then her body tilted as though she was losing the support of her right leg.

Taros's large body fell on the floor. Sylvia saw the figure of Thanatos standing below her within her tilting field of vision.

The severed right leg of Taros exploded.

「KyaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!」

Faster than the spreading of that explosion, Thanatos was standing in front of Gravel.

When she tried to turn Sword Gatling toward the opponent, the gun barrel was already slashed.

「GUaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!」

The gun powder burt and Sword Gatling exploded powerfully inside Gravel's hand.

Thanatos stopped her feet before that flame blast.

Reiri's Zecros was attacking behind her.

──'Got her!'

It was a chance of an instant that she obtained by going as far as forsaking her comrades getting defeated.

If it was at the timing when Thanatos was bisecting Sword Gatling with a sword, her sword would also be effective.

Not letting go of that timing, she swung down an attack with all her might toward Thanatos's back.

「Wha──!?」

The instant Zecros's sword touched the wings on the back, the beautiful white sword was pulverized.

──'She changed the law again!? Just in an instant like this!?'

Thanatos turned around and her sword mowed Reiri's body at the same time.

「GUWAaAAAAH!!」

Reirir's chest armor was smashed and white b.r.e.a.s.t.s peeked out as though they were spilling out. Reiri who collapsed on the floor turned an expression that was filled with hatred toward Thanatos.

「d.a.m.n it……-」

When Reiri stood up, she clenched her fist.

「Still not yet. I'll defeat you here!」

「Pointless. All of you who were created by this me won't be able to defeat me.」

「What?」

Reiri's eyes narrowed sharply.

「Only someone with the same power like me can oppose me. In other words as long as you aren't a machine G.o.d, it's impossible to fight against this me.」

After saying that, Thanatos gazed at Kizuna's collapsed corpse.

「The power of machine G.o.d was dwelling inside that man. Most likely it was the power of that small machine G.o.d. That was why it was possible for him to attack me in this world of mine without getting ruled over. But, that too has ended.」

「Kuh……」

Thanatos stared at Reiri's face that distorted in anguish and talked with a dispa.s.sionate tone.

「It looks like you are an existence that is close to that man. Then, you will do as the one to be killed next.」

Thanatos swung up the sword she was holding.

「How much influence your death will give the others. I will observe it.」

Cold sweat flowed from Reiri's whole body.

──'Am I going to get killed at this kind of place?'

Without getting a single retaliation after his little brother who was more important than anything got murdered.

'G.o.dd.a.m.n it.

Mother,

What is that woman doing in this important time.

Even though she will show her face at time when it's okay for her to not be there.

At this kind of time, someone──,

–

「This isn't like you isn't it, Reiri? Where does the you when you defeated me has gone to I wonder?」

–

A voice suddenly came.

Someone was walking to here in the s.p.a.ce that was like a flowing thin ink.

Reiri was familiar with that voice.

She wasn't wearing the armor that she wore in the past, but a beautiful robe. However, the huge <ruby>G.o.d's lance<rt>Gungnir</rt></ruby> in her hand still looked the same.

「Yo, you……are」

The opponent who she once fought in a deadly battle.

And then right now she became a G.o.ddess who ruled her own world, a former machine G.o.d.

「Odin!?」

Before her left eye was hidden by an unrefined eye patch, but right now it was hidden by a feminine beautiful lace. Odin grinned toward Reiri and then toward Thanatos with her right eye.

However Thanatos was staring back at Odin with her usual expressionless face.

「Why are you here, Odin?」

Reiri and others also had the same question.

Aine also lifted her face and stared at the back of the opponent who she once fought in a deadly battle.

「……Odin」

Odin suddenly formed a soft smile.

「I came to fulfill my promise.」

「…….Promise?」

Thanatos turned her left hand toward Odin. At the same time, red light ran through that hand.

The red light that erased every substance, Keraunos swallowed Odin.

「Odin!!」

Reiri spontaneously yelled.

She gripped her sword and moved to help but──her legs stopped.

「──Gungnir.」

Keraunos dispersed as though to dodge the spear that Odin thrust out. The red light stopped when Thanatos lowered her hand.

「So your spear is in good condition……」

Odin lifted the spear in her hand in reply.

「I'm not machine G.o.d anymore but, even the current me can do this much.」

「……Stop it, Odin. You who aren't a machine G.o.d anymore aren't my match. The current you and also your world are nothing more than fragile existences that are sitting on the palm of my hand.」

「No Thanatos. No matter how much you try to control all of the rules, I won't let you do as you please until even my world.」

Thanatos's emotionless eye narrowed slightly.

「So your promise is to oppose this me. Just who is the one you made the promise with?」

Odin smiled lightly, then she kept staring at Thanatos and talked toward no one.

「So, how is it? Kizuna's condition.」

Hearing that question, Reiri and Aine and also everyone else were bewildered.

However, someone's voice answered Odin's question.

「I'm examining it now.」

At that time, a pyramid of light emerged to surround Kizuna.

「Thi, this is……?」

Aine was looking around in wonder at the veil of light surrounding herself and Kizuna.

Unnoticed there was an unfamiliar woman standing beside her.

「Eh……yo, you, are?」

That woman had dark brown skin and her body was wearing extravagant gold ornament. She was beautiful like the queen of ancient Egypt. Her figure was filled to the brim with majesty and motherhood.

Yuris.h.i.+a stared at that figure and muttered inchoherently.

「O, Osiris……?」

Osiris smiled sweetly at Yuris.h.i.+a, then she kneeled beside Kizuna's head.

「Aine-san. I will borrow Kizunsan for a bit.」

「Eh……」

Even though this was the first time Aine me this woman who was called Osiris, she mysteriously felt a sense of relief from her. Aine naturally let go of Kizuna's body and handed him to Osiris.

Osiris put Kizuna's head on her lap and gently wrapped Kizuna's head with both her hands.

Osiris stared at Kizuna's eyes that weren't reflecting anything and said.

「……Kizuna's soul is still lost.」

Odin was grinning hearing that answer.

「In that case I'll leave the soul to you. I'll take care of the body.」

Odin easily lowered down the spear that she directed toward Thanatos. And then she turned her back toward her and kneeled beside Kizuna.

Aine's eyes opened wide hearing the exchange between the two G.o.ddesses. Her eyes were lit with surprise and light of hope.

「You can……you can, revive Kizuna!?」

Osiris caressed Kizuna's face affectionately.

「I cannot make a definite promise. But, we too are formerly G.o.d who governed over death.」

Osiris closed Kizuna's eyes and muttered with a voice that was radiating determination.

「……I won't be able to call myself the G.o.d of death if I cannot even save one person I'm indebted to.」

Odin put her hand on Kizuna's wound. Her palm s.h.i.+ned with bluish white light.

「As for the restoration of the body……it looks like I'll manage somehow.」

Aine faced Odin and anxiously asked her.

「He, hey, by body restoration you mean……his state, is like this you know? Is it really……」

Odin stared at Aine and smiled rea.s.suringly.

「I once boasted an unlimited regeneration ability you remember? Trust me. Just regenerating human's flesh is not a problem for me. But……it will be nothing more than just a container. What's essential is──」

Odin sent her gaze toward Osiris.

「I am the queen of <ruby>the metropolis of the dead<rt>Necropolis</rt></ruby>. I swear I'll return back Kizuna's soul without fail.」

Osiris looked down to peer into Kizuna's face. Blue light ran on Osiris's skin and it flowed into Kizuna's body through her palm.

Thanato who was observing that situation tilted her head slightly.

「What is your intention by exposing such defenseless state? It's as though you two are telling me to erase you all──」

Thanatos took a step forward with one hand holding a sword and the other hand focusing the light of Keraunos.

「HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!」

A bright red sword grazed the tip of her nose.