BlazBlue:Phase Shift 2 Chapter 1

Chapter 1: White Blade, A Flower

Part 1

In the center of a dim room, a pale white light had been lit. It was a transparent sphere floating in empty space with the size of a human head. Rather than electrons, the borne light was made by a magic with the technique of alchemy etched as a name.

The sphere, which was hanging in the air as if there was invisible pedestal, was surrounded by five figures.

One was a petite girl wearing a full length robe. Beautiful platinum blonde was overflowing from the hood she put on, sparkling like sunlight as it was struck by the bland light.

Standing next to her was an even more petite silhouette. Its body height was about as tall as a human children, but the appearance was like a bipedal cat. The tail on the back was long. The odd thing was that it branched into two.

On to the next one. In contrast, this time it was a middle-aged tall man with grumpy looks. He wore a refined attire with high quality shirt and vest, but they didn't hid the glimpses of his sturdy build underneath.

Standing in line with him was a tall man with height approximately the same with the middle-aged man, but with far thinner figure. Standing with both of his hands inserted into the pockets of his long coat, he wore a low hood that made even his eyes hidden in the shadow.

And then looking like giving them glances when they stared at the sphere, another girl stood. A long hair crossing over her waist, skin white enough to be called transparent. The most standing out was a large triangular hat placed on her head.

Her name was Nine.

The previous thin man was Yuuki Terumi.

The middle-aged man was Valkenhayn R. Hellsing.

The cat with two tails was Jubei.

The platinum blonde girl was Trinity Glassfille.

They gave each of their thoughts to as they were staring at the sphere. Inside it, the shifting of the current world situations were projected alternately.

"...So far, the representatives of many nations that are in catastrophe are currently taking refuge in Ishana. There are preparation to devise a plan for the cooperation of each nations with Ishana as the focus."

In the silent room, Trinity began to talk with her slow, soft voice that was like unfolding ripple on water. Responding to her voice, the images of those catastrophic countries were floating and disappearing in turn.

Frowning with sad expression for a moment toward those spectacles, Trinity pushed up her large round glasses for a bit and continued on.

"However as for the countries with relatively low damage, the nations are being caution to have them participating in their policies that's centered in Ishana. As yet, the dialogue are still going on and has yet to reach conclusion as there are countries that denied participating in the congress. No, if there's still no conclusion, then it's still okay but..."

"So a confrontation is growing between the countries that have representatives in Ishana with those that don't. ...Even though this isn't the situation for quarreling between fellow mankind."

Taking over Trinity's sorrowful words, Valkenhayn spoke in grimace. Looking at him with his large eyes, Jubei's cat mouth snickered.

"There ain't gonna be any fair arguing. They're the lucky chaps. It's just natural."

There was a somewhat discomfort in the clear male voice of the beast, but no one in the room kept it in mind.

Gazing at the shining sphere, Jubei's lower nose bridge wrinkled.

"They ain't gonna understand unless they see with their own eyes. About the terror... of Black Beast."

Black Beast.

Seven years ago... between 2099 to 2100 AD, it appeared. A monster similar to a gigantic mass of shadow.

Together with the appearance of Black Beast, the world was filled with substance called seithr. Guided by seithr, Black Beast's destructive scars were marked all over the world starting with Japan.

Without any means to fight, humanity got driven away. In merely six years after Black Beast appeared, the total population got decreased in half.

But last year, the last day of 2106 AD. At the very same day that marked seven years had passed since Black Beast emerged. The same like when the monster which terrorized the world emerged, it was suddenly gone.

"It has been eight months since the last appearance of that monster. This too much of an inactivity must have dulled the nations' judgment. Among them, the people who say Black Beast is no more are beginning to appear."

Valkenhayn lowly groaned as if to suppress his resentment.

Trinity gently pressed her chest and slightly drew her chin.

"The threat hasn't disappeared yet... Even now the seithr mist is still blowing throughout the world. The remnants of Black Beast are also threatening people..."

"Not gettin' the cooperation of the countries means the cooperation between Ishana and United Nations ain't going well. The investigation for the missing 'Kushinada's Lynchpin' is still going on. But since the UN's planning to do it with their ways, gettin' intelligence is complicated."

Jubei spoke with sighs mixed in while the long tails on his back swayed in alert. At the same time, the floating lengthy image stirred in the sphere.

"...Eight months."

A noise from the five extending shadows was resounded. Sharp, cold voice muttered. A large triangular hat was awfully standing out. It was Nine.

Staring at the sphere floating in air, Nine folded her arms under her voluptuous chest and supported her chin with her fingers as she pondered.

She recalled a certain man. Eight months ago, they met on the day of Black Beast's last appearance and parted with him on the very same day.

The man had spoken. That the Black Beast's activities would be halted for one year.

——One year. During that time, get the strength needed for humanity to battle the Black Beast.

Nine remembered clearly the words she had heard eight months ago, down to his tone of voice. No, those words didn't become clearer as day went by. Day by day... as the period where the disappearance of Black Beast continued, she realized that he was saying the truth.

There were still four months until the pronounced one year ended. If it had passed, it would likely, surely to appear.

"No conventional weapons could be used against Black Beast. Even if in the future some immensely powerful weapons were made, they wouldn't hurt the Black Beast. ...Isn't that so?"

Nine's sharply pointed voice was like she put ice on the stretched string of the room's tension.

Beside the owner of the voice, stood a man. He wore a low hood that hid his expression and hadn't been talking nor opened his mouth until now. He was Yuuki Terumi.

The mouth on his face which was exposed by the sole light plainly answered.

"Yeah, that's right."

"With the exception of magic, hurting that monster requires utilizing seithr."

"Eyyup. ...Also, don't make me explain the same thing over and over. You grown old, bitch?"

He spat out a curse since he was getting tired of it. Then Nine scowled sternly and shot him a death stare.

But she immediately shook off the fury from her gaze and turned to the other direction with her hair fluttered.

"The means to attack Black Beast by utilizing seithr, armagus, is almost complete."

"Armagus... If I remember correctly, it could make normal people who ain't mage to use magic. "

"It's a little different."

Toward Jubei's admiration, Nine slightly slackened her mouth and answered.

"The fundamentals of magic and armagus are different. Magic borrows the spiritual power that's originally present in nature and then put it to use. In regard to armagus, it's invoked by utilizing seithr. If there's no seithr, it can't be used. Since ordinary people can't handle seithr, the grimoire is necessary to make it feasible."

"Grimoire?"

The one who tilted her head slightly as she asked was Trinity. Nine slightly nodded.

"Although I said grimoire, it doesn't mean that's the real form. It changes the gathered seithr in armagus, kind of like a converter. Anyway, it makes it possible for even people outside Ishana to attack Black Beast."

Answering without pause, Nine shifted her gaze for an instant, stealing a glance of the man next to her.

The development of armagus had begun approximately half a year ago. Nine was the one who had fabricated armagus' basis theory, but Terumi was indispensable to complete it in a short time.

Terumi possessed a massive knowledge regarding Black Beast and seithr. It was because of that knowledge that establishing armagus' form was possible.

Again, Nine recalled the words of the man she had met eight months ago. He had also said something else. That she should watch out for Yuuki Terumi.

Nine had heard those words, yet she had taken out Terumi from the deep basement of a certain castle. She also had firmly applied Mind Eater, a magic that made him completely unable to defy its user, controlling over his will.

"But although I said ordinary people can use it, it doesn't really mean that anyone can do it. An aptitude is required in themselves. The manufacturing of grimoire is going well, but there's insufficient number of people who could use it. If it remains as it is, the counter measure for Black Beast would be imperfect. If possible, it should be a powerful measure, rather than being able to exhibit strength without having to be bound with seithr. For example..."

"Like the weapon we use?"

Jubei held out a single sword on his back. The sword that came out of the dark had been given to him by Nine about one month ago.

Of course, it wasn't an ordinary sword. It was a specially made article that had alchemy and magic's techniques included in its making. Instead of clearing away a certain mass of seithr, the sharp blade could cut it up.

The same way as him, Trinity also held out the specialized weapon Nine had put her hands into. The small-sized cane could transform by taking the nature of magic Trinity used in mind.

"Yes. But even then, they're still weak. It shouldn't be like armagus which is only a substitute for magic or those prototypes given to you guys... We require weapons that have more specialized ability in order to defeat the Black Beast."

Nine spoke stubbornly as if burdening herself with a new task.

Toward her, a small laugh interrupted from beside her.

"Weapons... huh."

There was no wondering about the owner of the voice with the ridiculing tone. Nine looked at Terumi with cold eyes.

His slender body was turned at the sphere floating in the room like always, but the glance that had a suggestive indication drifting about was peeking at Nine.

"You okay not telling our dear friends the details? It's looking like you're making the weapons in dark here~ ...You hear me?"

"I don't need you to interrupt the conversation. Be quiet, Terumi."

As she spoke with the tone of voice as if holding him down, Nine hit the floor with her high heel. The rough but somehow graceful noise loudly rang out.

If Nine told him to be silent. Terumi would do so. Mind Eater was that kind of a magic. Terumi was silent, but he stood while still making a grin on his mouth.

Drawing her gaze from the face that looked like holding a burst of laughter, Nine sighed in her annoyance.

As if to calm the irritated Nine after watching her, Jubei distorted his face and made a bitter smile. He then shrugged his small shoulders.

"So as of now, there's only one way to effectively attack Black Beast. If the weapons Nine spoke's been completed, we'll be able stand on equal ground with that monster and challenge it."

However, that speech resulted in a new irritation for Nine.

Playing her fingers on the brim of the large triangular hat that was also a symbol of wisdom, Nine pointed her chin toward the space between Jubei and Valkenhayn.

"...And? Where's the only person who has the means to attack Black Beast, Hakumen, go?"

Originally, the empty spot where the harsh words were thrown to supposed to have a sixth person standing together with them.

Part 2

Ishana, an island floating on ocean.

The island was painted in lushly green nature and lovely townscape. It was known as Mage's Guild outside the island.

In the other side of history, the Mage's Guild had constantly influenced the change in the world. The organization existed to protect and enhance alchemy and magic, the techniques that should have been forgotten in ancient times. They didn't belong to any country nor bend to anyone. As present, there was a grand academy established in the center to pass down the continuously inherited ancient wisdom and vast knowledge to the next generation.

In the academy's courtyard, she stood alone.

The raised tall trees were sparkling in bright green from the summer sunlight. Between those trees, the white sunlight filtering through trees fell upon the small stone pavement that was like stitched on the ground.

Although its vicinity was encircled by buildings related to the academy and Mage's Guild, this place didn't have such enclosed feeling at all. Rather than a courtyard within a school, it appeared more like a hidden garden.

Sitting on a deserted bench set under the shade of a tree in at the corner of the garden, Celica A. Mercury were swinging her feet.

The academy uniform in shades of white and black had magician motif on it. The short mantle on her back was fluttering in the wind. Her thick light brown hair that was tied on high position and the treetop of the courtyard were rustling together, making refreshing noises.

"Looks like Onee-chan isn't done yet."

There was a brick building of Mage's Guild at the end of a path close to her. There was a meeting being held inside a council room which had barrier that wouldn't leak any voice or information to outside. Celica's older sister, Nine, was participating in the meeting.

Celica was waiting for the sister and her companions to come out after the meeting ended.

The wind carrying greenery scent was softly blowing through.

"...It feels good."

Celica straightened her posture and lifted her head. The sunshine passed through the trees next to her before shining upon her cheeks and forehead.

Today, like always, Ishana's air was clear without any stagnation.

Seven years ago along with the appearance of Black Beast, seithr had been overflowing throughout the world and polluting the atmosphere. It lessened the wind, weakened the waves, and made the soil barren. The seasons lost their characteristics as the weather got disturbed. The creatures that constantly got exposed by thick seithr would lose their original form and go mad, destroying everything.

However, Ishana wasn't like that. The island that was managed by magic was protected by an invisible barrier. The air, water, and soil were pure, uncontaminated by seithr.

As a matter of fact, there was an incident last year when the barrier had damages, resulting seithr entering the island for one time. But Celica didn't know much about that as the incident occurred immediately after Celica slipped out of the island for an important affair she had to do. When Celica returned to Ishana, the barrier had already been repaired completely.

With the infiltrating seithr purified, Ishana was now thoroughly clean without any glimpse of the incident.

Celica deeply inhaled Ishana's air into her chest.

"I wonder what his face would look like if I brought him to this island."

While narrowing her eyes from the slipping sunlight shining on them, she smiled gently.

What she was picturing beyond the light and greeneries curtains was the face of a friend important to Celica.

...Friend might not be correct. To tell the truth, Celica didn't know what she should regard him as. She didn't have a formal relationship to refer him as an acquaintance, but he wasn't what she would usually call a friend either.

In just a few days, he got awfully close to her. He had helped her. He had supported her. He had protected her.

He was... such an irreplaceable person.

"Fufu, I'm sure he'd be amazed. Ah, but he might have unexpectedly seen a similar place. After all, he knew much about magic even though he's an outsider for this island... He's such a mysterious person."

Without realizing, she actively talked to herself in this place that had no indication of other person.

She met him eight months ago, during the end of last year. He had white hair and a green eye on the left side only. His posture was tall. He was rough around the edges, but very kind.

Since they parted so sudden on top of that he never told much about himself, Celica didn't get to know him well enough. But a lot of strength given by him was always burning inside Celica's chest.

There was no moment when she forgot about him. He was an important, precious...

Suddenly, a light was glimmering besides Celica's gaze.

It was probably the sunlight filtering through trees. But when the light blinded Celica's eyes for an instant, her sight got completely engulfed in the next moment.

(Eh...!?)

Her voice of surprise didn't get resounded.

As if the world had been turned inside out in the blink of an eye, Celica's surroundings turned to bright white.

The courtyard's wind and rustling branches were no more. With sound and smell disappeared, it was hard to grasp which direction was up and down. It was even uncertain for gravity to exist. Inside the completely white space, only Celica was there.

No, there was something else. A mirror. When she turned her face around to look at the surroundings, the rectangular mirror had stood there unnoticed, projecting Celica's whole body.

(Where's this? Why is a mirror here...?)

She should have had put the questions to words, but somehow her voice couldn't come out again. It felt like everything had been sucked up and vanished.

The bizarre thing was that she didn't get terrified.

Rather, Celica was drawn by curiosity and took a step to the mirror.

In the other side of the mirror that looked as if it had made a rectangular cut in the room, Celica's amazed figure was reflected. Then she unconsciously tried to touch it.

But just before Celica's raised fingers touched the mirror, suddenly it felt like she was smelling something.

It wasn't something like an aroma that tickled her sense of smell.

For example, it was very similar like the warmth when her precious family surrounded the same table with her, or the calmness when she was being alone absentmindedly at her favorite spot.

A burning feeling in her chest that spontaneously bubbled up when she was being with someone.

Celica knew this feeling. She remembered.

Celica gently caught her breath as if waking up from a dream.

That moment, a gust of wind swept away the mist in the world. Quite naturally, the scenery returned.

The pouring sunlight filtering through trees, branches rustled by wind, the fresh and green smell of midsummer. The feel of the bench placed under the shade of a tree at the courtyard of the academy she commuted to everyday.

But without looking at them, Celica stood up while looking around. After that, she began to run.

She returned to the school building after leaving the academy's courtyard. Then she also left the building to get outside of the academy. As if pulling an invisible thread, Celica hastened her feet without so much as looking at her side.

Her chest throbbed. She herself understood what she was expecting.

After all, this impression was... his.

As though she was being guided by something, she went up the slope beside the academy before going around it to a hill located on the back. She arrived immediately. At least, Celica felt only a few seconds had passed.

There was a little surprise in the corner of her mind that the hill was so close from the school's courtyard. It would usually take much more time.

She ran up to a gentle slope that was covered with lawn.

The hill was slightly elevated; it was possible to overlook Ishana's townscape. White clouds, which were acting as the boundary with the sea, were floating in the distant blue sky.

On the peak, someone stood.

The street, sea, and city. With the scenery of Ishana's calm afternoon at her back, Celica shouted with all her might.

His name.

"————RAGNA!"

The first time she saw him was at the entrance of a deserted village inside a forest.

Sitting down leaning to the trunk of a tree, he had been gravely injured. On top of it, he had lost his memories. At first he remembered nothing else but his own name.

Together with him, Celica travelled to Japan... and encountered Black Beast at the land.

Celica couldn't do anything. She couldn't stop him. That person directly challenged Black Beast, and then disappeared along with it.

He had said the he would return.

He had promised.

So Celica waited. She kept waiting as she wanted to meet him again.

Responding to Celica's voice, the shadow standing on top of the hill turned around slowly.

Strong wind whirled as it blew the lawn, flowing through her. Celica endured the wind with her body slightly pushed by it, holding her disheveled hair while raising her face.

"Ah..."

After she observed the figure once more, Celica involuntarily raised her voice.

The standing figure was a tall man whose silver hair fluttered because of Ishana's clear wind.

However even though his figure resembled a person, it also looked odd.

His body was wrapped in white and black of something that was unclear whether it was clothes, armor, or otherwise skin. The eyeless, earless, and mouthless face was concealed with pure white mask. Red orbs had been embedded around his body. The orbs might be the substitute of his barren face as every single one of them were staring like eyes.

On his back, there was a long sword placed diagonally that probably was as long as his body height.

"Hakumen-san..."

Celica awkwardly called out the strange man again. A slight disappointment seeped in her voice.

Hakumen was Celica's acquaintance. Together with her sister Nine and her close friend Trinity, he was one of the warriors who had gathered in Ishana in order to defeat Black Beast.

The eyeless face and countless red orbs gazed at Celica indifferently.

"...So it is you, Celica A. Mercury."

What was heard from behind the white mask was a low tone of voice that concealed his emotions.

To cover her slip up for mistaking him for another person, Celica scratched her face and laughed.

"I'm sorry for being so sudden. Umm... I thought you're one of my friend."

After slightly bowed, Celica soon took several steps toward Hakumen.

Hakumen just looked at her from the edge of his vision. Then just like until Celica addressed him, Hakumen turned around toward the townscape.

Celica stood next to him.

"Are you observing Ishana?"

From on top of the hill, one could look onto Ishana with ease.

Basked in the gentle light of the noon, the green and blue roofs, and also white walls shone brightly. There were people living in the island going back and forth on the gentle stone-paved pathway. A thin forest surrounded it as if protecting against the outside world. Furthermore, the forest was also encircled by vast sea.

Looking at Ishana from here truly made it looked just like a painting.

The scent of grass riding the fresh wind came around. While tucking her disheveled hair onto her ear that was previously caused by the sudden gust, Celica gazed at the city as she smiled.

"This place is nice, isn't it? I came here from time to time. Though sometimes I'd get surprised by the sudden strong wind."

Hakumen didn't give any answer and remained silent.

There was a weighty feeling about the suffocating silence, but Celica didn't pay it any heed even for a bit.

They didn't have many conversations, but Hakumen was always like this. Basically, he would just respond unnecessary talk with silence. He would only speak if it was about Black Beast.

Celica raised her chin and looked up at Hakumen. He was fairly taller compared to Celica. Looking at him for a long time would make her neck sore.

The white mask must have noticed Celica's gaze, but he didn't turned his face around. He faced Ishana in silence as though he was a decoration.

"But... it's strange."

The lawn rustled by wind urged Celica to continue her muttering.

"Why did I mistake Hakumen-san for him? Your appearance and atmosphere are completely different."

But there was something similar. Even while wondering, she thought about that, too.

She would have a bit trouble in answering if she were asked what that was. The voice, demeanor, and gesture were different. The resemblance was more obscure, an awfully perceptive part.

If she really should put it to words... it was his scent, possibly his warmth.

If she really said that, even Hakumen might laugh at her thinking whether she was a dog or something. Celica had never witnessed him laughing. Surely no one else ever had.

Immediately imagining it, he surely would look too clumsy. Celica spontaneously giggled at that thought.

As if responding to her voice, Hakumen made a slight motion as he turned his neck. The white mask was looking at Celica.

"——Ragna."

The muffled voice resounded in low tone.

Celica stared in wonder.

He repeated the wrong name Celica had mistaken him for just a while ago. He had only spoke, and yet it sounded like there was a hidden emotion that didn't suit the expressionless swordsman from the name he muttered.

Fixing the angle of his head toward Celica, Hakumen asked strongly.

"You have definitely said the name before. Did you mean Ragna the Bloodedge?"

"Bloodedge...? Nope. I only know him as Ragna."

"Nevertheless... You did meet a man called Ragna, didn't you?"

"Yup, I met him. I don't know if he's the same person Hakumen-san think, but he's tall and had white hair. It seems he could only see with his left eye, but the eye color was clear green."

Mixed with the gentle wind that flowed, she could hear that Hakumen had his breath taken away slightly.

Celica reflexively opened her eyes wide. It was the first time for her to see Hakumen being astonished.

"Perhaps Hakumen-san is Ragna's acquaintance?"

Inquiring about it, Celica searched for Hakumen's reaction as she deeply examined his white mask.

But without saying anything, Hakumen averted his face from her. He once again faced the city while remained silent. Seeing his face from the side, it seemed he refused to give an answer.

Celica had a slight wry smile. This behavior was also just like the usual.

But since he didn't leave, perhaps it meant that there was no problem for her to continue talking. Since he didn't confirm nor plan to reply, Celica continued on her own.

"By the way, I came here since I felt that Ragna's here. Since I can't sense people's power like Onee-chan can, I wonder what's actually happening... I suddenly felt a warmth feeling that Ragna had."

Celica gently put her hands on her chest. The feeling she sensed back on the courtyard was still lingering there. With just that much, faint happiness soaked in her whole body. It made Celica spontaneously smiled broadly.

"Since Ragna always kept his face up at all times, doesn't that mean he's the people who always looking forward? No matter how strong the wind is pushing, his feet stayed firm and wouldn't move even for a step. That's my image of him. That's why just thinking that I'm next to him made me feel like being protected."

After cutting her word at that point, Celica shortly laughed. With her ponytail drew an arc, she looked up at Hakumen.

"Oh, what am I saying? I'm the only one who think about it. I actually got protected once, too. I wonder if the Ragna Hakumen-san know is someone different."

If possible, she wanted to hear about what Hakumen thought of Ragna.

However, she didn't sense anything from Hakumen besides his slight breathing. He was absolutely still as if a sculpture erected on top of the hill. On the contrary, his long silver hair, which was moderately waving as it was washed away by the wind, looked unnatural.

"Hakumen-san?"

She called him again to test. But the response was still obstinate silence.

Celica suddenly noticed. Hakumen was no longer looking at the city.

His face was facing the direction of the beautiful scenery, but his chin was sluggishly retracted. His appearance was that of people who sank into deep, deep thought.

Part 3

The noise of the wind and the voice of Celica who was speaking just right beside him didn't reach Hakumen.

His hearing only picked up one name that had been mentioned several times. It made a ripple on the water surface of his thought.

Ragna.

Ragna the Bloodedge.

It was a name that couldn't be forgotten even if he tried to. A name that had been etched on the basis of his memory.

If he had the face of a human and eyes at the appropriate place, Hakumen would have frowned.

(Why... Why was Nii-san here? In this age...?)

The man he had once called a brother. Ragna the Bloodedge.

At that time, he was definitely supposed to have been gone.

——It was the time when Hakumen was not Hakumen. Perhaps his last consecutive memory.

The last memory of the time when he was once named Jin.

The recollection began with scorching red.

Whirling flames, surging heat. Although he was showered by the scattering spray of lava, they oddly weren't hot.

In a place deep underground where an artificial volcano named Cauldron was created, he——Jin threw himself into the said Cauldron. For the sake of saving a person who had fallen before.

"NII-SAN!"

With his beautiful golden hair disheveled, with his jade eyes burned in flames, his splitting voice shouted. Pushing his way through the heat, he extended his arm.

There were particular silhouettes ahead of the direction he sought before. The body of a large man and the body of a small woman. The two of them were lying on top of another as if they were embracing each other. They were connected into one as a huge sword pierced them like a stake driven in. Similar to a gliding bird, they went into freefall.

Jin wanted to stop the man. But his voice was swallowed by roaring wind and his desperate arm couldn't reach him.

The woman at the direction where his hand were stretched to was smiling. The woman had snatched the man Jin called as brother.

It wasn't a range where she could see him, yet her red eyes were glaring and looking up at Jin. Her face turned hideous while letting out a shrill laugh. The deafening voice even echoed inside his skull.

Shut up. Stop laughing.

Jin cried while being engulfed in roaring sounds and flames. Hatred and murderous thought gushed out from the bottom of his stomach.

"I will never... ever forgive you! NEVER!"

The fall that appeared to last forever suddenly transformed.

The figures that were sturdy until then melted and blended into one. The man and woman who were united by a sword lost their features and transformed into a mass of black object. Gradually swelling larger, it expanded and swallowed the surroundings. Inside the darkness, bright red eyes that were shining sinisterly could be seen.

As soon as he saw it, a needle of ice penetrated Jin's spine.

At the same time, countless denial words rushing inside his mind.

Inexcusable.

It mustn't be allowed to exist. It mustn't be deemed to exist.

The denials were the impulse of his instinct. In the accumulation of them, his will and ego were crushed without remain.

In the end, the mass that contained his brother and the hated woman tried to take the shape of something...

Jin, together with the black mass, fell down into the blazing flames.

Lured by the cold wind, he opened his eyes. There was no flames nor heat... What appeared before his eyes was the stretched, emotionless sky full of stars.

The figure of his brother was nowhere to be seen.

The same for the red-eyes woman, and the black mass he had surely seen.

But there stood a girl beside him. A girl that resembled the moon.

"Mr. Hero. How would you like to become a real hero?"

Jin didn't know how to answer the enigmatic question. He couldn't recall the precise words.

But when the girl expressed a bewitching smile that didn't seem girlish at all, she put on a choking scent of rose and took away Jin from the place.

Teleportation——.

The moment he felt it, Jin lost consciousness once more.

When he regained consciousness again, Jin was lying in the bed of a strange room.

In front of his vision was dull colored ceilings, harmonized by a chandelier that seemingly had flower and ivy motif.

The room was spacious. It was furnished with moderately luxurious but good quality furniture. The faint scent must be roses. As the bedding was also considerably first-rate, it bore the illusion that one would sink there if they laid their body there.

The air fluctuated suddenly.

Along with the sound of door opening, someone came in. There was only one footstep. Slipping next, a quiet wind and rose fragrance entered the room.

"It seems you have awakened."

The footstep and noise of wheels stopped beside Jin. After a short pause, a hoarse voice asked gently.

Barely feeling it, Jin slightly moved his neck. He could only look around by moving his gaze.

There was a figure of old man beside the bed. A wrinkled face that had long white beard, and lengthy grey hair in addition.

The old man was severely thin and worn out. His neck and arms looked like dead branches while his cheeks were the moss. Even then, the old man was wrapped in noble atmosphere that was breathtaking.

If he were to stand up against him, he might took a step back involuntarily. Even though it would be simple to restrain the aged body of its strength as it felt miraculous for him to hold out his hand, just as obvious from his appearance.

The old man was sitting on a wheelchair. The sound of wheels Jin's ears picked up earlier must have been this.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Clavis Alucard. This man is my butler, Valkenhayn R. Hellsing."

A voice that shook the air gently, like a ripple on the surface of water.

With the red eyes accumulated wisdom and dignity in exchange for the old age, Clavis hinted and gave a gaze behind. He introduced the abstinent man with sturdy figure.

After that, this time he proceed to reach out his hand to a tiny silhouette accompanying next to him.

"This child is Rachel Alucard. ...She was the one who brought you to this castle."

Clavis put his hand on the shoulder of a girl. It was the bewitching girl who had smiled before Jin lost consciousness, with the descending starry sky and annoyingly dazzling moon as the scenery.

But something was different. Jin thought so intuitively.

It could be the appearance, the age, or even her very existence. He was certain that she was supposed to be the girl from that time, but he had a feeling that something was fundamentally different.

Jin gathered a little strength and knitted his brows.

It wasn't just the girl. This place was anomalous. The existing persons, the drifting air... even the flow of time.

"Where am I...?"

Placing his jarring arms to each side of his body, Jin tried to get up. However, even though his arms should be there, they slipped as he couldn't put power into them like they were hollow pipes.

It wasn't just his arms. It was like his whole body had been replaced with wooden doll. He even had to wring his whole strength just to mutter his voice.

Toward the appalled Jin, the gentle voice made a speech again.

"You ought not to do anything excessive. Let alone getting up, even your body cannot move as you please. It is quite amazing just to wake up in this short period of time."

"Short period of time?"

"It should be seven days for human time... When you were carried into this castle, you were gravely injured. The external wounds were treated by Valkenhayn, but you have been gone into comatose state by the reaction."

After speaking that much, Clavis smiled and looked at Jin with the eyes like he was admiring a kitten as he was struggling to get up.

"Do not force yourself. Try not to wake up."

He lectured Jin once again.

For a moment, a glint of clear irritation went by on Jin. But looking at Clavis' peaceful gaze made his body lost its strength. Jin sank into his bed as if giving up. The fatigue and dizziness following after gave him the impression that it would be futile even if he struggled.

After being certain of it, Clavis answered Jin's first question.

"This place is my castle. It does not belong anywhere in the world. It is also connected to every dark night of the world... A place that exist but also nonexistent. Similar to the other side of the moon."

The words he spoke were too obscure even for a fairy tale. But it mysteriously sounded logical for human understanding.

At the very least, Jin grasped a vague understanding of it. While taking a deep breath, he spoke the next question.

"...Why am I here?"

"Well, then. I do not know the details as well. But young man, it appears that you have crossed the Boundary. The remaining damages in your flesh are all the result of crossing over it."

"Boundary..."

Just what is the Boundary? It seemed to be a word he should have known, but Jin didn't understand much about it for some reason. No, it was incorrect. He knew about the 'information' regarding the meaning of the Boundary. How could he knew about it? Where did he obtained that knowledge?

In the first place, just who himself was? Clavis said that he arrived here after passing through the Boundary. But where was he and what was he doing before then? ...He didn't know.

His mind was blurry. He wanted to put his hand on his forehead, but the hand wouldn't move.

He heard a sympathetic sigh from Clavis.

"Is your memories in chaos? Perhaps that is also because you have been heavily affected by the Boundary. There is enormous information drifting in the Boundary. When your spirit connected with it, your individual memories as well as feeling were swept away by the excessive knowledge. To put it simply, you cannot recall about yourself well enough."

With the noise of clothes rustling, Clavis lightly put the hands that had been placed on the wheelchair's railing onto his knees.

Looking away from the sluggish gesture, Jin turned his gaze toward the ceiling. The light of the enkindled chandelier was awfully distant. It made it felt lifeless.

Clavis' voice that seemed drowsy continued.

"Crossing the Boundary is very dangerous. It is a wonder for an ordinary man to even have his flesh remained. Even if it remained, one would lose himself as his will became engulfed by the Boundary. ...It appears that you possess a very strong spirit."

Strong spirit. That word was oddly amusing. Jin spat it out by taking a breath.

If he truly possessed that thing, then —— wouldn't be ——.

(...Who... What was it?)

The floating thought dispersed at once before it formed a shape inside his mind. He couldn't grasp it. It was just he felt that he had lost something... Something that absolutely mustn't be lost.

His head was heavy. He spontaneously closed his eyelids. When his vision was shut in the dark, a spectacle was resurrected as if it had been waiting patiently.

Red flames, burning air, falling figures... and then red eyes.

For the present Jin, it was the last and only clear memories.

"Black... I saw a black mass. Where is that thing?"

That's right, a black mass. At the same time as he remembered, the emotions he had when he witnessed it were overflowing like they gushed out.

That being shouldn't be allowed to exist.

Jin's spine was shivering as his memories, along with thought got swept away. Even his ego got engulfed by the impulse. It wasn't because of terror. If he put it into words then it would be murderous intent.

"That being is the Black Beast... It materialized from the Boundary. A being that is ruining the world."

Clavis' voice gently wrapped up the burning negative feelings.

"It seems to have appeared in this world one month prior. After singlehandedly forced a small island country into catastrophe, it presently rampages around the world searching for further destruction."

"It must..."

Slipping from his thought, Jin's mouth moved on its own and spoke. The words didn't completely turn into voice; it didn't even reach Jin's ears himself. But as for the meaning of the enveloping emotions, it was too obvious not only to Jin, but also Clavis.

It must be killed.

Jin clenched his teeth. His molars were grating and made a noise. The inner corner of his eyes were burning.

It was terribly confusing. Merely yielding to that confusion made the desire to immediately rush out from this place rampaging inside his body.

He himself didn't have any kind of intention, but he felt bad as if his body was taking control and doing as it pleased.

As his head ached, Jin grimaced severely.

Gazing at his situation quietly, Clavis spoke to tell him something.

"Young man. This is still the time for you to recuperate. If you take a rest for a little bit more, you will be able to get up. Perhaps some of your memories will also return. If the time has come, if you still have the will to stand up... there is place I intend to show you."

"What...?"

"Until then, please take rest to your heart's content. The reason is because your destiny has not yet concluded."

After he said that, Clavis casted his gaze to the abstinent Valkenhayn on his back as if urging him.

Still with gloomy expression, Valkenyhayn handled the wheelchair with delicate manner that didn't suit his body build and left behind the room along with Clavis.

The girl who was following them next, Rachel, silently halted her feet in front of the door for a moment. With the ribbon on her long golden hair swinging, she looked back at Jin.

The big red eyes of a doll were staring at Jin.

But without saying anything, the girl's eyes remained gleaming with cold color. Then a wind blew unexpectedly and gone in a flash with the girl vanished to the hallway.

The closed door was peacefully silent.

Jin glared at the solid wood from on top of his bed.

I couldn't——.

The broken thought came in contact with the broken memories, revealing a mutter of regret.

Your destiny has not yet concluded.

The lingering words of Clavis echoed deep within his chest. While feeling annoyed by it, Jin fell asleep before long as if fainted.

"...n. Hakumen-san!"

What had pulled up Hakumen from sinking endlessly in the lake of thought might be because of the voice of the girl who seemed to repeatedly calling him while lightly hitting his arm, or the chimes of a bell telling the time was 3 o'clock that vanished as it got absorbed in the other side of the sky.

While his five senses were regaining the proper timeline and the proper scenery, Hakumen turned his face toward the worried girl just next to him who was looking up at him.

As he had slightly moved, Celica took a breath in her relief and smiled.

"Thank god. I thought something was wrong since you were completely still."

After she said that, she noticed that she was still touching his arm. Then Celica retracted her hand to her back while making a mischievous face.

Not minding it, Hakumen turned his neck around. What the white mask was seeing was the Mage's Guild that was located at the center of Ishana's townscape.

"...It seems to have ended."

Lowly murmuring, he turned on his heels with the long silver hair on his head fluttering. Each time he stepped forward, the lushly lawn made a noise.

Before he went too far, Celica immediately chased after him.

"Wha, wait up. You're going to Onee-chan's place, right? I'll go with you!"

Hakumen didn't give a reply, but he slightly dropped his large walking steps. Taking a step behind him, Celica jogged to catch up with the walking manner of small animals.

As if urging both of their shadows to leave from the hill, a strong gust of wind blew through.

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