AN: Forgive me for the late update. With the pandemic, work, and my other stories in place, my schedule has been breached out of its limit, but fear not. A new chapter has arrived and with the stakes now rising, we edge closer to the first, major event for all characters involved.

Haha. I may change the rating of this fic soon, as more mature content will come in the future Especially since we are nearing each of the girl's POVs in the next chapters. Further moving us into places unknown as these mysterious Orimura 'siblings' place their mark on the story.

I hope you enjoy this chapter as the chaos will rise another rank in the next. The 'plan' as it would seem is grander than what Chifuyu has thought.

Hahaha. Leave a review and see you in the next one guys! Enjoy!


IV. Project MOSAICA

Part 2

Alarms were blaring at a loud volume. Fires of the intense kind were everywhere as she ran. The defense systems were destroyed, the hidden traps were all but expended and not to mention the mainframe of the entire compound and building. It was all broken from the inside out. The seemingly impregnable fortress now rooted and laid open to enemy attack.

She was panting hard as she continued to run down the broken halls. Enemies of different kind and their drones swarming the compound as she spoke to herself in words she would never have thought to use in her lifetime. Her hair was already disheveled and her strength all but half as it once was.

Smoke was also everywhere as the fire alarms and the water system was forced on by the many problems the building was tending to. The many problems that it was failing to solve within a hair's length of capability it had left.

She thought of her options as she continued to run. There was little to none left that would greatly change her situation to that of a favorable sense but there was still one option that would make a difference. That is however, if she could effectively make it work.

She looked at the device on her arm to see how her connection fared.

With a frown on her face she continued onwards as the alarms continued to loudly barrage the entire compound with its volume. Her focus was still on point, but her accuracy was now becoming less and less ideal with the many injuries and damage she received from a fight a few minutes earlier.

A fight that she was barely able to come out of alive.

Her abilities were now limited to a full extent as the pursuers and their drones had fired a powerful EMP-based attack on the compound. In reality it would have been impossible to attack her mistress' domain with a mere simple EMP strike, but this was different. Whatever was in that attack, was no simple EMP device, as it was able to penetrate even the most highly defended of electrical systems and software that were supposed to shield them from attacks like that.

She had heard rumors of such a device developed by the Russians a few months back, but not to this extent, and definitely not in this scale as that would mean further research in that field was needed, and there was nowhere in hell that such a device would be developed in that record time…

Unless something was amiss… or this was definitely something else entirely.

Suddenly, her senses caused her to dodge just in time as a small missile was fired at her direction. It soared just above her head as she rolled on the ground, her main armament the miniaturized version of Dr. Shinonono's experimental Proton Collider was formed on her arm as she faced the opposite direction.

The missile behind her exploded on the nearest wall as the sound rattled her ears. Producing a ringing sound as dust blew by her. She steadied her aim as one of the drones crashed on the ground with its weapons raised as she pulled on the trigger.

A salvo of three energy orbs was launched at it as she fired her weapon. The armament then disappeared as she continued to run. The orbs began hitting the frontal armor of the drone as its heavy concussive force caved the metal completely as they expanded on contact. Forcing the embedded orbs to spread out as the drone exploded into a million pieces.

The sound was eerie from that blast but she continued on without question. She had already seen the devastation it can cause when heavier materials and what a much more heavier version of the gun would do to larger targets. The energy particles were that dense that they would bounce and destroy anything it came in contact with before losing its density after a short period of time.

It was still in an experimental stage as the larger version of the weapon was still unstable in parts, but a short burst from a smaller version seemed to be the better route. Hence, the modification given to her by Dr. Shinonono through her IS.

"Still no signal." She muttered to herself as the burning expanse of smoke and dust were starting to envelope the hallways that she was in. Sounds of more explosions and parts of the compound being destroyed were also trailing her from behind as the enemy was not only actively destroying the compound, they were also after her for some reason as they went along with devastation in their wake.

She then tried to override her natural-born cyber abilities installed by the program that created her but they were still disabled. Whatever type of EMP device it was, it effectively killed that part of her arsenal and if it were not for her IS unit, she would have been defenseless entirely.

Even with that said, her IS unit was also down to its last straw. She thought that it was merely drones at first as they swarmed in numbers that were easily taken down by her main armament and melee weapons, but as the herd thinned somewhat, there came two individuals.

Individuals that at first she thought as IS pilots in unsanctioned models with unsanctioned cores.

But seeing them and engaging them in combat was a whole matter entirely…

They were certainly not IS Pilots, nor did they have IS units. They were something entirely new and deadly that even her own combat capability and experience was trumped almost over with little to no area of fighting back. Their weapons superseded her own and even her experimental Proton Collider yielded significant, but inconsequential effect.

They moved in inhuman speeds too.

They were faster, deadlier, and intelligent.

Far, far cunning than any normal human could muster and far, far deadlier than anything that resembled program-birthed beings like her. Their prowess reminded her of a certain person. A person that Dr. Shinonono held great interest in and the only person that was able to beat her without her having a chance of fighting back…

Yes, they all felt like Chifuyu Orimura, and they were enhanced with upgrades that seemed to be grafted to their biological physiology. It was quite daunting and horrifying to know that such abrasive methods existed, but then again her mistress always pushed the limits of where technology lies and this was no different than that. Even her own existence had modifications as well and she had little chance of ultimately fighting back effectively.

Cursing herself for this predicament, she looked at the device on her arm yet again and saw the status of her signal connection. Whilst doing so, she passed into a hallway that was near the mechanized laboratory workshop was as she saw the familiar view of various mechanical devices and technologies in their testing phase.

She quickly headed towards the nearest terminal and opened the access port. Luckily the power source for her mistress' files and other necessities such as projects and the like were separate from the power the compound was using, and for events such as this she was commanded to undergo a complete system wipe. In order to purge all information and schematics out of enemy hands.

With her access code embedded and the eye scanner confirming her identity, she immediately booted up the system purge process to quickly ensure some degree of success on her part. All files were to be removed from the system entirely and the secret location of the failsafe copied data would be buried.

She looked at the device on her arm once again and saw that the signal was still severely low. The EMP device that took the whole compound down was no mere simple EMP disabler, it took down more than what she could discern and it did not bode well as its effects still continue past the initial phase of the enemy's attack. It also meant the possibility of the device still working and still applying that same effect across the radius of the compound.

Another drawback that would surely hurt her chances of surviving or doing anything in general.

There was still one access tunnel and escape hatch near where she was and if the purge was complete, she could escape through that, but she knew very well that the enemy was very thorough. So thorough that she immediately realized how well thought out their plan was and how much time they possibly spent studying the layout of the compound in general.

Her mistress being here would have allowed them to have a better fighting chance, but even then she knew that they would still be pushed to their backs, and she did not want Dr. Shinonono to be harmed in any way as well. But knowing that the enemy anticipated her absence to siege the compound meant that they had more to their plan than she initially suspected.

More so and deeper than what their underlying plot may seem.

She stared back into the access terminal and saw that the purge was at eighty-seven percent and was quickly going into eighty-eight. She had to be patient for a few more seconds befor-

CRASH!

A heavy object or individual came bursting in from the floor above her. Concrete, steel and dust flew into the air as the assailant was covered by the smoke as she turned on the specialized augmentations on both her eyes. Allowing her senses to be amplified and adding many logistical and schematic-based advantages for her own.

But the very few seconds as it booted up, the assailant conjured a heavy caliber rifle by their right arm. The gun firing instantly the moment it formed as she raised her secondary energy shield from her IS unit. The blast from the rifle was supercharged the moment it left the barrel and as the bullet hit her shield, the impact was not absorbed and she was pushed back into terminal. Damaging the glass interface as it continued to purge the system at eighty-eight percent.

The assailant then re-absorbed the rifle into their arm as it lunged at her. Their arm forming what seemed to be a wrist blade as she conjured the plasma melee weapon of her IS. Her unit glowed into existence as the unit appeared in all its full (albeit damaged) glory into the room.

She dodged her head just in time as the assailant's wrist blade punched a hole into the access terminal a few inches away from her face. The metal was indented so heavily that half of the assailant's arm was inside the access terminal. The strength behind that punch was no joke and she reacted in kind by landing a kick supplied with her leg thrusters towards the enemy's mid-section.

It did a good job of pushing her enemy away as it gave distance between them.

She looked at the device on her arm with a quick glance and saw that the purge was at ninety.

That meant she had to buy more time. The enemy could be trying to get the data from the servers too and that meant she had to secure it… even if her life was the price.

The assailant looked at her and a gauntlet of sorts formed in quick speeds on their arm, followed by a smash on the ground as the impact ruptured the floor she was standing on. She hovered from the ground fast enough to stay off from the engage but was shocked to see how fast the enemy was as instantly the moment she looked back at the assailant…

The enemy was about to collide to her.

"AGH!" a slew of blood was ejected from her mouth as the enemy slammed her into the wall. The other hardware of her IS unit being slightly damaged internally due to the impact. Which was practically impossible given that IS units were built to withstand high density inertia forces and gravity in sustained, aerodynamic flight in the air. For the enemy to punch through her defenses even with the main shields up to physically endure her and the unit itself meant that the enemy's suit, IS unit, or augmentations on their body was a lot more drastic than perceived.

A hand then grabbed her neck as the enemy formed another short-barreled gun from their free arm and aimed at her head. In panic, she grabbed the nozzle and tried to aim it away from her face as the weapon suddenly discharged.

BOOM!

"Warning, shields at 125% capacity." her HUD said as she felt the power of the blast. The percentage of the purge was now at ninety-six percent.

She placed all her strength to redirect the arm towards another direction once more but the innate force and grip of the enemy was too great and she-

BOOM!

An alarm signal flared in red on her HUD as the shields went down again.

"Warning, shields at 74% capacity."

The grip on her neck tightened as air was now being restricted from her body. Her vision was flaring up as she looked at another meter that was in her HUD. The charge-system indicator of her Proton Collider. She spared a glance at her enemy as the gun was once again pointing at her face as her main armament reformed on her free hand.

It was too late when the assailant noticed it as the barrel was aimed at their head.

With a click of a trigger a violent, energy-rippling light blew into existence between them. The collision of the particles that hit the enemy's head square and true blew them away from each other. The mass of two objects from in between the particles caused the discharge impact to multiply as the assailant flew a few meters away. Their head hitting one of the lamplights in the room above the ceiling as they crashed almost lifelessly on the ground after.

On her end, the shield covering her and the IS unit was visibly charged by the particles as they escaped her main armament. The shock and impact caused her entire body and the unit to ragdoll a few meters away on the ground to which she was stopped by another access terminal on the other side of the room. Her body became weak until then as she tried to get up. Her alarm systems on her HUD now warning her the dangerous level her shields and defenses were at the current moment.

The functionality of the unit was at sixty-seven percent and her shields were now dropped at forty.

Not a good sign, thankfully however the purge was successful and if the enemy was knocked out or even killed in the process, then that meant she could leave and escape through the nearest hatch. However as soon as she tried to stand up, a crack was heard on her body and she felt her left arm going limp. The bones were disjointed and she swore that an injury had manifested near her wrist as her fingers were now flopping freely. Blood now trickling down her body suit and IS unit as it dripped on the floor.

She cursed once more, thinking that she could manage…

Until she saw the once lifeless-body jerk back into consciousness from where it was. Smoke emanated from the enemy, but the particles surrounding its head and where the impact of her weapon hit were quickly reforming and repairing the damage both mechanically, and biologically.

This meant that her odds of surviving had dropped further down the drain.

She gritted her teeth in frustration and fear as she charged her main armament while also powering her plasma melee weapon back to some degree of power. She could try and defend herself as there was no point running, charging her main armament took a decent amount of time before being online again and even then it was a temporary solution because the enemy would not stop… ever until she was either killed or done so in a worse fashion.

The assailant finally stood up and quickly looked at her. The visor of its helmet now fixed from the blast as the particulates on its chest were finishing the charred and burnt remains of the blast prior. Another weapon was about to form on its left arm as she redirected power to her external shield generator to intercept one more hit before failing. Her main shields had dropped down into twenty-seven percent but it was a now or never tactic, lest she die from whatever weapon was being conjured.

She raised her uninjured arm up that was holding the plasma weapon intact as her external shield charged up. The assailant, without wasting a second of time aimed a small glowing weapon that charged up until it eventually fired seconds after.

FWASH!

But there was no explosion, no concussive force, nor anything that hit her external shield. It was just a blinding flash of light until her Odin's Eye alerted her of something about to hit her. But it was too late as an arm grabbed her uninjured limb and pulled her inward. It was then followed by a punch that hit her right center in the face.

The force behind the punch was so strong that an electric shock began to spread across the IS unit's shield. Rendering it a percentage of three percent. The trauma and impact from the punch was also too much that her head became dizzy and her focus dwindled. A bruise was now forming on the side of her face as the assailant grabbed her by the neck once more and slammed her into the ground.

The motion once more shattering the concrete below her as the ground caved slightly. Her inhuman strength was so vastly higher than her own that the shields of her IS unit dissipated completely.

"AGH!" a larger portion of blood blew out from her mouth as another stream of it trickled from her nose. Her ribs definitely took a hit as her chest was now in surges of pain. Her saliva was now mixed with blood as the assailant stood up and grabbed her foot.

Then in a violent turnover… she was thrown into the rest of the access terminals. The impact pushing the machines over as they broke the glass behind towards the next room. She landed under the remains of said access terminals as she now had trouble breathing.

Her breaths were ragged as drool and blood began to drip from her mouth.

Her IS damaged so much that her power levels were now abysmally low. Each hit had an energy draining feature added to them and it progressively absorbed so much of her power within a span of a few hits. Her body was crippled too and her only movable arm was now showing signs of breakage on the bone. She had failed to save herself…

But at the very least she did what was needed and that was to protect as much as what her mistress had. Everything was stored and saved within the system purge and there was no linear way that the enemy could retrieve it. Even if they forced it out of her, they would be in no position to get it.

She smiled, at least she had done that. She had fought to the very end to defend Dr. Shinonono's place and since the good doctor was her savior, in some manner of folk, she thought that she had repaid that debt by saving her.

A gunshot was then heard. A gunshot that was aimed at her hand. Blood was thrown into her face as the pain registered, but her voice not capable of conveying her pain anymore as she could only watch and feel the agony wordlessly as the enemy neared her.

To which her Odin's Eye had sensed that another assailant with a familiar yet different signature joined the one that had beaten her to a pulp. Her eyes struggled to keep her conscious state intact as she saw the one who had beaten her open their helmet for her to see their face.

It was a woman, older by their twenties and sported a dark violet color to her hair as she examined her face. Holding it by her hand as the other came into view. The helmet also collapsed as she saw a man with short but messy deep gray hair looking down at the violet-haired woman as she frowned.

Her mannerisms and the way how she moved and talked reminded her greatly of Chifuyu Orimura. Even the man had some features on his face that resembled her and it made her uneasy to question who these two were and what's worse was inwardly she was familiar with the woman's face…

"Is this the same augmentations that Vulcan had seen in the Schwarzer Hase Operation?" the woman had said, more of a command than an inquiry towards her companion.

"It matches the same look, but this one seems different. More complex."

"But this is the one that has the Cyber Capabilities? Because if she's not the target then we can take apart the Bodewig girl in Japan for Circe to acquire. Would be easier and far more interesting than this."

The moment the Bodewig and Schwarzer Hase names were said, she… known as Chloe Chronicle widened her eyes in realization as the two unknown assailants were talking in a manner that corresponded into a bigger plan.

"Yes… according to the database. She matches the descriptions. Even the pictures from those old files we've raided from an operative that worked on the project that created her." the male said.

The woman then nodded.

"Good. What about the data? She administered a system purge. Poor bastard was trying to stall time to get it finished." The woman said as she firmly held Chloe's face.

"I already have that under control." The man ominously said, as fear came into Chloe's eyes. She hoped that the data was successful in being purged, but the tone the man had used implied that-

"Call it in. I'm sure she'll be happy to dissect this little new science project we've found for her. Especially with the capabilities she possesses. Would be useful for tomorrow's operation." The woman grinned as the woman raised her fist and punched her in the face.

The impact strong enough to induce her into an unconscious state.

With a weight of failure growing inside of her chest as Chloe's world went black…

"She's extraordinary. Her eyes alone astound me." A voice from the void said.

"Hmm… you sure? She looks pretty unimpressive to me? She had one gimmick under her belt, and even then it was disabled before she can even use it to her advantage." Another one followed.

"Now, now I don't think that's a fair estimate to latch on. You were deliberately prepared for what was to happen and even then you're all far superior than our little friend here. Though I will say the augmentations to her body are simply something I am very curious and interested in."

"She was the first prototype of the Germans… am I correct in guessing that?"

"Yes, this one is. The very first and the one I'm most interested on given the research and goals they had in creating her compared to the rest of her kind." The tone of the one who said was eccentric, amused and almost… lustful. It reminded her of Dr. Shinonono in a way but compared to her that tone was simply off, and in worse cases it held an unspeakable undertone with it. One that was far from sinister or friendly.

"Am I to assume she is better than the little bitch in Japan?"

"Far better in capability and potential. I could even say her numerous advantages will be a staple feature that I want you all to have once we access it and in time… progress it into something beautiful."

"I see. Then would we leave you to it then." the monotone voice of another replied. It was familiar, like it was the last thing she had heard before blacking out-

"Oh… she's waking up." The eccentric voice said as Chloe's eyes were blurry once she opened them. It would clear in time but what she saw was a bright light right above her and three shapes of individuals looking down at her. One of them having white strands of hair over a mess of black. It was a woman to whom the eccentric voice belonged to. Her face just inches away from her as Chloe could almost gasp in shock.

Because the face the woman had… was so close to how Chifuyu Orimura looked like. It was almost baffling in a sense and ultimately frightening up close. She had seen the imperfect clone that called herself Madoka in the past, but this woman, was by far the closest to how Chifuyu Orimura looked like. She looked older too, matured and while she lacked a well-endowed chest due to the many scars that she had seen on the woman's arm, the resemblance was just far too uncanny and far too close for comfort.

"Hello dearie… I take it you had a nice, long rest." The woman taunted with a wolfish grin as a giggle came out and true enough Chloe saw the two people that were there before she lost consciousness. She tried to use her augmentations to learn where she was or at least find a signal in a subtle fashion, but from the neck down she felt her body was motionless. Stiff… as if something was wrong in the worst way possible.

"Those eyes still bug me. I never thought they would be that cruel to endow her with them. Must have been an uncomfortable experience growing up with such things." The woman with the monotone voice said, to which was the person that had beaten her almost effortlessly with how shockingly strong she was. Her hair was dark violet as she could remember, and try as Chloe could, her head was seemingly familiar with the face this woman had. Like she had seen her before…

Not in person for sure, but through a different means entirely.

"Hush... they certainly didn't have the technology to be the same as you and your siblings Artemis. You were all special after all, this girl and those that came after her were only expendable subjects. To be used as weapons, not to live as human beings. They have no such purposes other than receive orders unlike you and the rest of your family… but I will give credit to where credit is due." The one who closely resembled to Chifuyu said with a smirk. She then showed Chloe a command prompt shown in a tablet she was holding. With a quick press…

Chloe's entire body was brought back to her senses and feelings.

However, much to horror and shock… it came with so much pain and agony that the mere start of it already gave her a painful wretched cry of strain that echoed into the room where she was in. Her breathing became ragged as she could feel every muscle, tendon, and bone in her body in full searing pain as she looked at herself and what they did to her.

"I thought these guys were supposed to be tougher than this. I stand corrected then." the male assailant that was in the room also said as Chloe continued to shriek in pain. She wanted to escape from what felt like metal shackles holding her limbs in place. The actions of her attempt to be free only making the pain worse and worse as tears slowly trickled from her eyes.

"Feels good doesn't it dearie? I'm quite enjoying myself after all." The Chifuyu-looking woman said as she raised a bloody scalpel into the air in front of her. If a normal person would have gone through this, they would have died on the spot due to the immense trauma and pain to their body…

But for some reason she was not going into shock nor was her body forcing her to shut down.

She was just there… handling the pain of an open surgery on her chest and stomach with her organs laid bare to the whole world to see. Blood and other tubes filled with fluids of various kinds were attached to her and her various nerves, muscles, and even organs were held on by cold metal tools as the various attached machines were reading her heart rate, bodily functions, and many more other details as she shrieked in pain. Her heart beating rapidly that a finger from the one the woman called 'Artemis' was touching her beating organ.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUGGGHHHHH" Chloe painfully screamed in the air as her body contracted from the pain. She was being experimented on in the harshest way possible and she hoped that they would just end it right then and there…

But clearly those who were holding her had other intentions.

"She has a nice voice." The woman said as Artemis groaned in response.

"Ah… don't worry dearie, we haven't started with your face soon… I'm just making sure that we missed nothing on this entire body of yours that's worth looking at. We wouldn't know until we've seen all possibilities correct?" the woman continued with a grin as her wails turned to that of asking for help.

Anyone… anything. Just to relieve her of this pain.

She tried calling out. She tried to think of anyone that could save her. Maybe Dr. Shinonono but would she really? Would she come to her aid and-

The pain was suddenly gone again. With a push of a button her drool-filled cries was stopped as her head rested on the cold metallic surface of where she was laid on. Her eyes looking at those that were observing her as her mental processes slowed down…

"I'm certain we can crack the code of her augmentations soon… and by then we can apply it to you and your siblings. Soon enough we can have everything under our control again. Then the second phase will start, that is until your sister Circe does her job soon."

Artemis nodded as she looked at Chloe.

"I'll try to contact her about it. Even then I'm sure everything would work enough as is. Specimen 1's compliance is not needed after all, it's only the Anomaly we need, correct?"

"Yes, though I am more inclined to have Chifuyu on our side once more. I miss her." the eccentric woman said as she pulled out Chloe's liver. A cold line of drool now pooling by the side of her head as she continued to hear their conversations, but she was powerless to do anything.

"I'm sure Circe would be persuasive enough. Enough that is. Until then, we can start the preliminary operations to go into the second phase and if we can muster this girl's augmentations soon along with Dr. Shinonono's data, we can proceed with tomorrow's operation smoothly." Artemis replied.

"Yes, yes the data is being assimilated right Saturn?" the eccentric woman said to the only male occupant in the room. She got her answer in the form of a nod as Chloe's worst fears were realized, as for some reason even with the system purge, they still managed to have Dr. Shinonono's data and schematics.

A horrible lash of guilt and terror bubbled within herself.

Failure overshadowed her as she saw Artemis looking down at her. With the eccentric woman looking as if she had received an update from her comms.

"Artemis… your next job is up in a few hours. Best get to it."

The woman known as Artemis then responded with a hum as her hair that was once dark violet had turned slowly turned into the color of blonde. Her features now more recognizable than ever much to Chloe's shock.

For the person she was seeing now was the pilot of the Silver Gospel.

This 'Artemis' was the American IS Pilot, Natasha Fairs.

END OF PROLOGUE


MINUTES EARLIER

"Do you have anything to do with this?" Chifuyu said with a stern voice over the frightened Madoka that was still on the floor within Ichika's room. The situation had drastically changed after that large explosion, prompting everyone within the room in a state of slight disarray.

"N-No… I swear! I didn't know what their plan was except for what I just told you!" Madoka said in a fearful tone as the woman glared at her. Her fists in balled up with the visible frustration she had on her face. She cursed under her breath as she took out her phone and tried to call Ai that was in the cells. Since the blast was so near the area where the tremor and smoke came from, she would be the best one suited to tell what the situation was.

"Hold on… what plan! Why isn't anyone telling me anything about what's happening?" Ichika said in an outcry as she looked at Madoka and then to Chifuyu who had her back against him as she continued to try and reach Ai on the phone. Tatenashi was staring at the visibly confused Ichika as he tried to muster answers from everyone within the room. Everyone that knew more about his past had their lips shut. A pang of guilt overcame her because she had known a few details about this situation from Chifuyu herself before they barged in to get him and interrogate Madoka. However, this proved to be a double-edged sword on her part as the pain seen in Ichika's eyes for all the lies and secrets kept from him because of Chifuyu's past made her feel terrible for not being strong enough to say anything in response. It would do no good in this situation too as the matter would be far more explained if it came from Chifuyu's own words and Ichika being emotional at this stage where danger was present would force him to make irrational decisions that would spark even more trouble than needed.

It was not that she had zero trust over him, but given that this matter became personal, then an more elated and aggressive response was to be expected from him. Especially with the gravity of the truth behind what they were dealing with. She was given some semblance of details, but that was not enough to totally show how dire things would be should they go south.

Especially now that Dr. Shinonono was said to be present in the school and close to the blast itself.

"Chifuyu! Explain to me damn it! What the hell is happening?" he said with a heightened voice but Chifuyu simply ignored him as her line of contact never made it through. She bit her lip as she turned to Ichika slowly with the desperate look on his face as Chifuyu's face curled to that of a grimace.

An expression full of many meanings that were mostly made up of guilt.

She wanted to say something here and now to try and ease the desperate look in his eyes…

Only for Miss Yamada to receive an encrypted message on her IS unit.

It seemed that communications have gone sour and the only known channel to relay the message from the blast itself was from a secure line the faculty had that can be accessed within the network range of the school.

"Miss Orimura! One of the staff reports that Dr. Shinonono had engaged the subject within the cells. A dozen wounded and a few more in critical status are reported on scene."

Widened eyes were shared within the room as that news came through.

"Chifuyu… at least tell me what's going on!" Ichika insisted as Chifuyu looked at him. Not with the face of a stern leader and battle hardened warrior but that of a similarly worried and slightly scared older sister that was afraid of the consequences of such a truth if it was told to him.

The day had come where he would know of their actual past had arrived.

"Ichika…" Chifuyu slowly began before Maya had been shared another alert.

"Miss Orimura! Miss Shinonono and the rest of the student representatives in my class are on the scene! T-They're reporting that the subject had changed-

Chifuyu flinched quickly as she heard that small word within Maya's outburst.

"Changed what?!" Chifuyu asked as Madoka eventually felt like the trauma was returning back to her. The events of last night became vivid again in an extreme sense as she backed herself into Ichika's bed and held her ears in fear. Tatenashi saw the interaction taking place as she wondered what sort of horror caused a person like Madoka, who had retroactively shown no fear nor remorse in their battles before to reduce her into something like this? Like a cowering child that had learned her place. Even when the last time she saw her, she was more than willing to kill a person if it hindered her own goals.

Now… she was just fragile. Scared even to muster the strength to fight back. A ghastly image of her former, bloodthirsty self.

"I-I don't know they don't understand it either." Maya stressed as Tatenashi's reaction changed to that of curiosity with worry. Everyone in the room knew in some way or form that some countries were developing a successful means to destroy or counter an IS unit, but nothing was ever close in doing so. Yet it this was indeed something else, then that would infer problems, problems that made her slightly understand why the Madoka girl had changed severely.

"An IS unit?" Tatenashi said as in the panic Chifuyu and Maya tried to relay communication back to the place as Ichika became restless to the unanswered questions thrown in the air… until Madoka even in her fearful state, saw how desperate and concerned Ichika was over the truth of his past. In fact, she had seen this earlier when they were both alone together when a topic of her past was put in question. He was kind enough to hold his own questions back over the subject to ease her in with comfort and now that the prospect of the truth had put others in danger, others that Ichika cared about, it made Madoka guilty for not saying anything at all as the scene progressed.

"It's not. It's not an IS Unit." She said out aloud to get their attention as the room became silent.

Chifuyu narrowed her eyes. Madoka gulped in fear when the gaze was aimed at her.

"What is it then?" the woman asked sternly as Ichika placed a hand on her shoulder. Stopping her from aggravating and making the scene worse because of her method of asking questions earlier.

Ichika, despite his problems with the situation saw the emotion in Madoka's eyes and decide to question her so Chifuyu's wrath would not spring out.

"Madoka? Do you know what's going on?" Ichika suddenly said as they met each other's eyes.

"I-I don't know what's going… and that's the truth! They only told me so much and what they wanted to do with Ichika but that was it! I… I would never lie to you anymore nor even you Chifuyu. I-I have no purpose beyond my own existential crisis over both of your existences… and to know that I was never going to be better nor perfect compared to the two of you has left me… nothing. I'm just nothing. Just a sad nobody trying to prove her own worth when in reality she was just a copy of something better." There were no tears trailing her eyes, but there was conviction and she believed every word that was thrown out of her mouth.

"So please… even if you don't believe me. I am warning you! Don't fight that woman! Don't fight any of them. T-They will kill you all with minimal effort and you would be left to die like I was." She continued as she looked at Ichika, who had the most worry on his face and then it turned to realization when Madoka had assessed how dangerous this enemy was.

Chifuyu who had read the files and testimonies of Ai's report of the incident felt a dark feeling emanate inside of her as she looked at the smoke that was still blowing up. It was almost a minute now after it first happened and things would escalate quickly if nothing was to be done.

"Maya put the whole school on lockdown. Call for the state to issue reinforcements and relay the command for everybody to get to safety. Defend themselves if they have to, I'm authorizing full control over the defenses of the school. Contact the administrator as well about the situation."

"B-But what about those that are in the vicinity of the subject Miss Orimura?"

Chifuyu turned to Tatenashi.

"Sarashiki you'll be accompanying me. As much as I don't want this to escalate into anything worse, my presence would hopefully change our guest's mindset."

"Hold on… Miss Orimura are you going to fight-

Maya was cut off when Chifuyu raised her hand.

"This is between me and her. I want everyone evacuated from that scene immediately otherwise if anything bad happens I'll be able to hold them off as long as I can."

"Are you serious? I already told you… you can't fight them!" Madoka argued.

"And you are not me, Madoka. You said it yourself. You are a copy. I am not. Even if I do in fact fail regardless of how much I'll stop her, it would still buy Ichika and yourself enough time to escape." Chifuyu said with a serious tone as Ichika was shocked.

"Chifuyu! What do you mean escape? Hell, nobody has told me what the hell is happening and now you're saying you're going to sacrifice yourself just to buy us time for me and Madoka to escape?"

"LOOK! We have no time to argue! I promised you answers, I will. But now is not the time to, and if this girl's testimony is indeed legitimate, then I don't want you just go barging in not knowing what would happen like you usually do and just die on the spot! You're too valuable, not just to me but to everyone in this room so stop playing the HERO for once and let me save you… like I always have." Chifuyu insisted as she pointed at Ichika.

"But what would happen if you wou-

"Me dying doesn't matter idiot! You're the one who's important and even if it takes my life I am not going to hand you over to them… not now, nor ever."

The room was quiet as another rumble was felt by everyone.

"I can't just do nothing. You know do that." Ichika stated in a vindictive sense as the emotion on his face was clear. He was not going to let this pass without doing anything. Not in hell would he just stand back. Especially if everyone he loved and cared for was in danger.

His decision was clear and everyone saw it.

And before Chifuyu could stop him, Ichika bawled his fist.

"Wait… what are you- ICHIKA NO!" Tatenashi said in horror as she saw the look on his eyes before a bright flash glowed in the room and the sound of glass shattering on impact.

The sound of engines roared to life as the full spread of the now stronger Byakushiki came into everyone's senses before it vanished in front of their eyes as it flew away.

Ichika had summoned Byakushiki out and went full speed towards the smoke, ready to face danger and this mystery enemy in full force. Chifuyu cursed under her breath. She then looked at Tatenashi who was still reeling in from the shock and subtly commanded her to follow with a nod.

The girl had quickly summoned her IS unit and stole a glance at Madoka before rushing out to catch Ichika. Glass shards and the air from outside entered the room as Madoka feared for Ichika's life.

"He won't make it. He'll only die trying!" She stressed as tears and horror were laced in her face.

"DAMN IT!"

The horrors of last night returning to her in full swing before Chifuyu approached her with a shadow looming over her own form.

Her face angry but it looked like she as holding back against her.

As for what reason, Madoka was unsure.

"Tell me everything about what you've seen from them. Otherwise we all die here and share the same fate as those Phantom Task trash that you allied yourself with."

"I-I already told you th-

"Specifics, everything down to the smallest detail that you could remember because my brother's life is on the line and if we can't save him, I don't know what'll happen to the rest of us." Chifuyu said, almost trying to beg even with her gaunt and intimidating tone…

But she was only worried for Ichika and at that moment, Madoka felt the same.

"A-Alright… I'll tell you b-but please I can't see them again. I don't know what they'll do to me."

"That's out of the question. Because you are coming with me and for Ichika's safety, we need all the help we can get out of this." Chifuyu said as she took the girl's arm…

And dragged her along, much to Madoka's horror.


The smoke had cleared as everyone's eyes went in awe seeing the IS Unit of the only male pilot in the world appearing before the abomination of technology that was out to kill them a few seconds ago.

To some it was relief knowing that Ichika had arrived, especially to the likes of Houki, Rin, Cecilia, Charlotte, Kanzashi, and lastly Laura whom with the revelations said by the abomination, was close to having a full, mental breakdown. The ray of hop Ichika had brought made her feel relief as she was now close to tears. She did not say anything during the horrible few minutes when the abomination went all out on them, but she would have surely tried to kill it even if it meant losing her own life.

Some sense of rationality came back to her in a way as the girls saw their shining knight coming to join them in their fight against the enemy

However, to some much to the likes of Ai who knew what was happening, this was a trap in the making and she did not like the possibilities that would arise should this go sideways. She wanted to scream out for the Orimura brother to leave the battlefield, but the look on his face only conveyed a warrior ready for battle.

A warrior with anger and fury in his eyes.

He would not be swayed to stop, and even when she knew that the possibilities of the abomination beating him was higher than expected, he would still pursue given the nature of how much he cared for the people he knew.

She could only watch in fear, hoping that the clash would not end badly for Ichika Orimura…

Lest it would mean the start for the enemy's plan to succeed.

"Hey if you want to fight someone, fight me instead." Ichika taunted as he aimed his sword at the woman who stood tall even with the interruption. Her presence still that of pure intimidation, like the arrival of the young man was nothing to her entirely.

The blades that were encircling her were standing on guard, and the charred remains of her armor or maybe her own skin were now gone. Vanished as if nothing happened as the small particles that moved to fix it from earlier were re-assimilated into her body mass.

But what made everyone unsettled, even to Ichika was how the woman grinned in delight.

She was so happy with the intrusion that her smile was unwavering, and to some people disturbing. Her hair waved behind her as the air and dust of Ichika's arrival settled. His grip on his sword slightly tightening as he looked at the mystery woman that had not said a word in the span of a few seconds. The air around them becoming tense until the woman raised her right arm.

"ICHIKA! Stay back! She has a way to bypass the IS shields!" Charlotte shouted as the girls were ready to step in should needed. Even with their depleted IS shields, they were ready to fight this with what was left of their arsenal, even if it meant they would be wounded in the process.

Ichika at that moment tensed, hearing that knowledge first-hand as he saw the deflated Tabane in Houki's arms. A slight ounce of fear came over him, for this was the first time he had seen the eccentric doctor and sister of Houki in this state. Something bad had truly happened here and he knew not to take this threat lightly, or he would pay the price.

A second IS unit landed right behind Ichika. Tatenashi in her full-battle stance had gripped on to her spear tightly as she saw the mystery woman with her right hand paused into the air. Ichika then saw that most of the girls that were still in commission began to surround the woman with their weapons raised. Houki had stood by holding her sister and the others behind her to safeguard them as the woman looked around. The abomination in the eyes of Laura, Rin, Cecilia, Kanzashi and Charlotte was becoming more and more of a threat with the show she just made earlier.

But for some odd reason, no form of fear nor concern was on the woman's face as her eyes studied the threats around her in full view.

"Ichika, Ms. Orimura warned you not to engage." Tatenashi said towards him.

"I'm not sitting this one out. You know that." Ichika stressed, his words making Tatenashi feel guilt with how they forced him down earlier. But the blue-haired teen managed to get her composure back, assuring herself that this matter should be solved for later, as a bigger threat was in front of them.

"Stay right where you are!" Cecilia said as her drones surrounded her. In all honesty, the ten bladed objects surrounding their enemy gave her a feeling that the concept was derived from her own IS unit, but even then with the publicity and knowledge surrounding her and her IS, the specifications and other technology within her IS unit were still under hard, top-secret protection by her own government and if the design of those objects were taken from her own, then something was truly amiss here.

"You're not going past us!" Charlotte shouted as she aimed her armaments towards their opponent. One grisly thought did invade her mind, and that was how effortless the means to where she shut down their individual Shields in such record time with just one attack spoke how dangerous the enemy was. So much so that the attack had made her worried for what was to come next, and what capabilities the abomination had.

Kanzashi had stood in the rear, allowing her missile pods to lock on to the target, but she had also found that a scrambler of some sorts existed within two meters of the target. It was a surprise for her as modern-day IS systems were built with onboard anti-scramblers for their armaments that would allow precision and smart-weapon designs to completely erase the enemy without as much as a fight to begin with. This one as it seemed, possessed a high-grade program or maybe a shield that did not allow even the strongest of what her own IS software can do to penetrate it. In worry, she relayed the missiles on manual and since the target was not moving, she simply looked on to where her HUD was faced.

Rin clutched the handle of her Scimitar and her other armaments on standby. It was truly risky continuing the battle at this state, having no shields of any kind and vulnerable to enemy attacks with how the IS units were generally designed to be minimal in physical armor parts and there were too many gaps to compensate even with her combat ability. This was truly bad on the onset, but she would not dare for Ichika to be alone in this exchange.

Laura, who was barely holding on to stop herself from attacking the enemy recklessly was aware of how the woman had moved. Her utter confidence was no joke, and even though she was surrounded she still felt concern and primarily fear. A confident enemy with that much firepower at the very start of the battle was of no laughing matter. The fact that everyone lost their shields just at the start made her worried for what was to come and if the woman's words were true then their chances of victory were slim. It was not that she had no trust towards her current comrades, but the Schwarzer Hase were more than enough to beat most IS Pilot candidates as a unit. Even representatives for that matter, and for them to peri-

She shook her head. No she would not think that. They were not dead… they were no easily killed or dispatched by such an easy and inhumane way. She refused to believe it.

"YIELD! With our numbers you cannot hope to win! You may have depleted our shields, but we still overwhelm you just with numbers and firepower alone." She shouted as Ichika noticed how on edge she was.

Houki who was holding Tabane was still on guard as she watched her comrades ready themselves. She would come in should the enemy go against her sister once more or the unarmed personnel behind her. However even with her worry for Ichika, her sister's state of mind that was reduced to silence forced her to remain where she was. She had a responsibility to do at that situation and she was willing to go with it unless things would go haywire.

"Come on Ichika… you and the others can do this." She told herself.

Until a frustrated Ai ran towards the enemy before Houki could react.

"NO! YOU DAMN IDIOTS! SCRAM! RUN AWAY! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH!"

The girls looked at the agent's direction as the woman continued to stand in place as Ichika locked eyes with her.

"ORIMURA! You're the one they want! Get out of here! We can't let her take you!" Ai shouted.

But Ichika did not react nor did anything of that sort. He simply moved both his hands to grasp on the handle of his sword as the woman continued to grin.

"Is that true? Is it me you want? Huh?" he taunted with a slightly raised voice. Hoping to get something out of the woman's lips. Her confidence forcing Ichika to angrily look at her. "If you want me, then you'll have to make sure I'm down on the dirt unconscious because I am never going to let that happen, nor let you hurt everyone while I still stand." He said as everyone felt the tension rise once more. The inevitability of battle filling their hearts with the uncertainty that was present.

"…"

Until the woman simply giggled in place.

Not one of a sinister sense.

Nor even that of a villainous kind.

It was a simple… regular giggle that felt as if nothing was in stone. Like nothing bad was occurring. Like this was a simple conversation that nowhere near as close to a standoff. It was baffling to all of them, as there was no hint of anything sinister with the way she laughed.

Almost as if the deadly, horrible woman she once was evaporated instantly.

"Wow… I can't believe I was able to meet you. Much less, the very, first day." The woman said as she grinned at Ichika. Everyone went silent as the woman stretched her arms upward. Everyone tensed as they thought the woman was about to attack, only for them to see the bladed objects hovering around her returning to her mass and reintegrating until her body had reshaped to the civilian look she had earlier.

Her silver hair and dark violet blouse now visible for everyone to see. The ruby-crystal endowed bracelet blinking in color on her arm before returning to normal. She smiled in a relaxed, comforted state towards Ichika and moved her arms sideward in an inviting motion…

"W-What are you doing?" Ichika stated.

"Oh? You don't want to give your older sister a hug?" the woman said.

The mundane statement made everyone look in question. Like this was simply too bizarre for everyone just to drop. Even Ichika blinked. Shocked and surprised with the change of tone.

"O-Older s-sister?" he muttered as he looked at everyone, who was not surprised at all. At that very moment he felt lonely. Being the only person that was clueless with what was happening.

"Come on now, don't be shy. A hug is the first step…" the woman then narrowed her eyes. "If you wish to know who and what you really are… little brother."

"I'm not your little brother. Chifuyu is my only family." Ichika stressed his sword still ready in case something would happen. The woman on the other hand, crossed her arms into her chest like a pout and frowned.

"Ah… I see, Chifuyu hasn't told you about me. About us. Who we are, what we are, and why we exist." She then giggled as she then took a step to the right. The action putting everyone on edge.

"Don't you move you stupid-

Cecilia was stopped when the sand-like particles on the human-like skin of the woman in her appearance now turned into a small box-shaped object.

"A bomb?" Rin said in fear.

"Ichika my sister and a lot of wounded are near! We have to evacuate them." Houki said as Ichika realized that whatever could happen would certainly leave a lot of collateral damage should-

"Oh for the love of-… you are all actually far stupid than I realized. Not anything needs to be a threat… or a bomb as you plebs have thought it to be." The woman said.

Most of whom were present simply looked at each other after that statement. Ichika did not move his eyes away from her as the woman snickered.

"H-How can we be sure that it isn't a bluff?" Ai said as she clutched her side. Pain emanating from the aftermath of the explosion from earlier.

"Why would I set off a bomb in front of my brother? He is my family for God's sake. He's my flesh and blood. Killing him, would do me no favor. Besides, even if I did set off a bomb, the explosion would still leave a mark on this area. No one in the stretch of a mile would survive. Sure, I do believe my brother here is capable of saving himself, but for the rest of you? Nah…" the woman said as a heavy semblance of weight was seemingly dropped on them all.

"Don't be so sure of yourself!" Charlotte said.

"Oh… don't be so optimistic Ms. Dunois. I've studied most of the IS pilots and those attending this academy to such a degree of detail that I even know the truth about you and your… father's affair." She taunted as Charlotte's expression darkened in fear.

"H-How?"

The woman then looked at Cecilia.

"Or the fact that it was your maid that made all of the ruckus months ago with the Excalibur Incident. Mind you, your home countries are still being blamed for such a disaster after it was given to the news. What would the world think… if the maid of one of England's highly cherished IS pilots was revealed to be the sister of the Excalibur's core? Heh, the media coverage on that would be lovely. Rumors would spark and I'm quite sure it won't end there."

Cecilia paled as the woman grinned.

"See… I know so much about all of you! So you can definitely take my word that this… is not a bomb. More so in fact, it is a gift. A gift to my little brother! Who had now met one of her older sisters!"

"Even so. We wouldn't trust your word for it. You attacked us head on and openly said that you would kill us right on the spot. How are we so sure that you wouldn't do it in a different means? Even if your target is now right in front of your eyes." Ai said with a serious expression as she looked at the woman. The woman frowned that her words were not trusted, even Ichika looked unmoved, she simply gave off a simple shrug and looked at those who were present.

"Clearly none of you had heard what I said earlier. Even you, agent. I thought your deduction and investigation skills were up to par to easily discern the words I have said during our many interviews you and Chifuyu recorded in my stay here. Do you wish for me to refresh you on that subject? Or do you really want to settle this with tooth and fang that would end similarly to what happened with that little Phantom Task base?" the woman taunted as Ichika and the others tensed.

"Hey! Leave them out of this. I've heard you wanted to find me. So if you have any problem with the rest of them, go to me first. Otherwise I'll take you on right here and now." Ichika said as he raised his sword. The woman smiling at the action.

"Oh my days… you really are different. You sound so heroic. Pure. Just as I would expect for the one person that Chifuyu had taken away from us. You must be desperate… aren't you? To know the truth?" The woman said as she took a step closer, her civilian-looking form making everyone uneasy at it was only a disguise. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

Her boldness and the way how she carried herself was unsettling in a way.

"So what? Even so… you're an enemy. You attacked and endangered people in this school. My friends, my fellow teachers, and good people doing their jobs. If you're asking me to just ignore all of that in favor of me knowing the truth about my past… my family, then you are dead wrong lady. Dead wrong to think I'm foolish enough to be ensnared by your words." Ichika said with fervor in his voice, in a way it gave hope to Tatenashi in the rest. If they were to go in together, then it would mean a better chance of victory than none.

Ichika had hoped that in a way his words would have put his point through.

Though a slight look of disappointment was all there was on the woman's face. Disappointment that felt as if she was looking down at everyone present. She radiated such an aura of fear that even those with higher pride or ego was simply sweating in nervousness.

"Wow." The woman suddenly said. "Impressive. If you and I had a different means of meeting each other… or if our fates were turned. I would have been filled with such vigor of awe and admiration with how selfless your words are. Funny, I used to think the same way back then… I think we all did, even Chifuyu… but I guess she did raise you." The woman lamented as she tilted her head in acceptance.

"Let me ask you this first… Ichika, that was the name given to you correct?" the woman asked.

Ichika never bothered to answer.

"Have you ever questioned your life as it is now? The many… things that lingered at the back of your head? The many mysteries that caused you to do such wonderful and amazing acts? The brazen feats that only you can muster in your time as an IS pilot." Her words instantly grabbed on to Ichika as he subtly recalled all of the times that brought Ichika's existence in question.

For a moment her stumbled. The passing glance of the woman outshining all others within that situation as she continued down to the rabbit hole of unanswered questions.

Those who were briefed by Ai earlier on now looked at Ichika in fear. The partial, unfinished truths given to them by the agent was enough to rattle their senses but now that they had someone… or at least someone with credible knowledge (even if it some of it was still up for debate) to tell them the whole truth, they knew that the young man would more or less be in a state of duress. Especially since this woman, even if someone had doubt held one critical detail in her hands…

She knew Chifuyu far too well and had the grace of probably being one of the many 'siblings' that this, organization supposedly had. The ones who were behind Project MOSAICA.

"Ichika…" Tatenashi muttered underneath her breath.

"Think about the time you were critically endured, to the point where some people deemed you far too gone to even continue in life, only for you to be fully healed hours later. Combat ready… as if no injury of any kind transpired. Like instead of being healed you were seemingly repaired."

Ichika suddenly felt chills on his skin. The Silver Gospel Incident.

"Or the fact that never once in your life were you ever got infected by illnesses. A simple flu, a cough, nor even something as potent as a virus. Hmm, how many pandemics or epidemics have progressed ever since you were a child? Three? Four? Maybe five? Yet you were never close to being totally ill, nor were you hospitalized for undergoing… sickness."

Her words dawned on him with each question thrown. He was now unsure how to move nor to respond as those things, as trivial as he first though them to be, were now thrown in the air. Becoming part of the biggest mystery which was his life.

"Heh… have you all sensed where this is going? Or has Chifuyu's half-truths still ring under your thick skulls?" the woman taunted as she put her focus back on Ichika. "But maybe the largest question that remains is why indeed you are capable of piloting an IS when the majority of the male population cannot? Your piloting capabilities from your first assessment were abnormal to someone who has no knowledge, skill, nor awareness of piloting in the first place. One could say, you were a natural, or something in that league. Especially with how fast you learn, a fact that none of any existing candidate pilot in your academy is capable of." The woman proclaimed as she pointed her finger at him. The small box-like object in her hands. "Don't you dare deny it little brother. You know it deep inside your head, in fact… all of you do! Every single one of you has noticed how different and alien you are to the rest of them. None of you questioned it in the outset because he was Chifuyu's brother."

No one said a single thing, not even Ai who was clutching her injured arm. Tabane was silent as well, along with Houki who with the other girls were definitely aware of the many mysteries surrounding Ichika and their supposed family line that was now in question.

"Second Shift… Third Shift. I don't give a damn about those things. The mere fact that your recorded speed in the Excalibur Incident is far, far above than anything recorded in history speaks volumes of who and what you are. Hell, I could even say that if your IS core could speak or tell you details of what you are, then you may have known the truth earlier than me monologuing to all of you here in a sorry state of pity."

Ichika slightly shook where he was standing. The worried faces of everyone present evident.

"STOP! I don't want to hear anymore lies! I wanted the truth and I don't trust your words even for a second unless you give me a reason to." Ichika reaffirmed to gather his bearings.

The woman then softly smiled.

"Dear brother… has it not occurred to you that you… are special. Phantom Task kidnapped you a long time ago because they thought they could unlock the secrets to how Chifuyu was made. To create many more like her to ensue chaos by their own margin. Frankly, they have always been fools as Chifuyu Orimura while created to be the best of us, was in no account close to who and what you really are."

Ichika's mind raced to defend itself from the truth. Everything that Chifuyu had told him was now in a dire situation of breaking as he never believed to be something other than a normal… human being. It made him quake in his position as he looked at the woman straight in the eye with a callous but vulnerable disposition.

"SHUT UP! None of your words are real! Why should I believe you of all people in the first place!?" he shouted, priming for battle as Byakushiki's sword glowed brightly. The engines on his IS powering up.

"Because none of the things I've been telling you is a lie." The woman bluntly replied.

"You've always been told that you and Chifuyu ran away because of a familial problem in the past. That… is true in some degree. For she really did run away from her family. She really did forsake those who made her… to save you. To take you away from the life that you were going to have. To forsake you of the potential you were always deemed to have."

"SHUT UP!" he screamed out again. The engines on his IS sparking to life as he charged.

"ICHIKA!" the girls screamed as the woman never moved in her place.

Suddenly a shockwave of energy blew into existence as Ichika's blade was parried by the woman by her bare hand. Her fingers holding on the energy-based weapon without strain, though her hand was smoking and burning to some degree. However, she was not fazed by it in any way. The power behind his swing and the momentum charged by his action was not potent enough nor strong enough. For his mind was fractured, and his vulnerability making him falter in strength.

"You have to face the facts little brother. You and Chifuyu… every single one of us were made from the same flock. The only difference is, our creators were far too late to see your potential, to see that you were the breakthrough that they aspired. The breakthrough that Chifuyu herself was not in all her perfection and grace." The woman then softly traced her free hand on Ichika's left cheek. The action made him flinch but he never moved to react. She simply smiled softly and took his hand. Placing the box-like object in his hands.

"You have struggled so much to know who you are… I know your pain. Your suffering on that subject, but heed my words and the truth placed here and you will be freed from it." the woman said towards the box in his hands as Ichika angrily pushed himself back as she merely let him go.

He then threw the box towards the ground and paid no heed to it.

"You're not going to trick me! None of your attempts will!" he desperately cried out as the woman frowned. "I won't believe your words… because I know it all a lie." He stressed.

"It's not a lie." A new voice said. Everyone's eyes then turned towards Chifuyu Orimura who had arrived on the scene with Maya and Madoka who was in the rear.

"C-Chifuyu?" Ichika said in surprise at her words. Chifuyu then took the small box-like object on the ground and rubbed way the dirt and silt. Her facial features were that of defeat as the woman and everyone else who were there watched in silence.

"She sent you… correct?" Chifuyu asked the woman, of which was replied to with a nod.

"Yes… as a messenger. To both of you… and to prove that my words are truthful, I will let this matter with Dr. Shinonono slide. I will not engage in any more violent acts in my stay here. For I will never be successful with my mission unless I convince both of you, especially him, to heed the call home." The woman then looks at all girls that tried to attack her earlier.

Inducing a smug grin knowing that they would not hastily attack her lest they lose their lives.

"Chifuyu! You can't seriously th-

"On what terms will your compliance be?" Chifuyu asked the mystery woman instead of facing Ichika, much to her guilt.

"Until the first phase ends in its entirety. Until then I will be non-hostile."

Chifuyu and Ai looked at each other and had a mutual nod to the action.

"CHIFUYU! TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!" Ichika angrily remarked as his voice rattled everyone present. Chifuyu looked at his brother and looked at the small box-shaped object. A button on its center.

"Ichika… I promised you answers and as painful as it is to say that these are the answers you're looking for; you still need to be aware of it. Especially now… now that past has caught on to us both."

"Why not show him dear sister?" the woman said as Ichika's shock and surprise was pertinent. Defeat coming into his senses as everything clicked in place. The doubt and defenses he put up to make sure his mind was still sane from all the 'truths' were now fumbling in disrepair.

He had not asked for this. In fact, even with the many questions posed from his life that made him want to know the truth, he never truly wanted it. The life he lived beyond it was more special to him. The experiences, the pain, the setbacks, everything was better when his life was still… normal.

All the friends he had amassed.

All the faces he had met in Japan and in the world.

All the experiences he felt, both good and bad, resonating deep within inside him.

And the people he cared about…

Every, single one of them was better and more important to him than the actual truth of his existence. Chifuyu, Houki, Rin, Cecilia, Charlotte, Laura, Tatenashi, Kanzashi, Miss Yamada, Honne, Dan and many more were the reason he was thankful with his life despite those questions…

And hearing some of it now made him feel impartial.

Void, especially with the implication that he was never totally human.

Something created for a different purpose.

He then turned to Chifuyu and saw her press the button on the box-shaped object.

A hologram bloomed to life in Chifuyu's hands and there appeared a face.

A face that was close to Chifuyu's own. Only older and slightly different.

Everyone's surprise was evident, except for Chifuyu who merely scowled.

Then a voice then spoke.

"Ah, we meet again. Specimen 1, or should I call you Chifuyu Orimura?"

Chifuyu did not respond back as the hologram watched those who were in the scene one by one. Her glance moving towards Ichika with large interest.

"Oh my… how you've grown after all these years is simply astounding. I do hope that your sister, Circe here, has been kind to you."A giggle was cast as Ichika's glare deepened.

"Why the long face? Aren't you glad to finally meet your… creator? Or will you settle for mother?"

TO BE CONTINUED…


NEXT CHAPTER: "Forthcoming Signals" - Ichika Orimura is now in dire straits. With the truth now full to his eyes he tries to go alone for the time being. With the globe now in a rapid race to quell attacks from all fronts it is up to Chifuyu and those who know the truth to decide what action to take next. For the relationships, bonds, and friendships made throughout the course of Ichika's stay in the academy are now placed in jeopardy as the looming threat will now make its first… major move. A move that will crumble Ichika's world as he knows it and everything he cares about will be laid asunder.