Name: Rurika (family name hidden for security purposes)
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Birthday: May 23
Hair: Shoulder-length, straight brown
Eyes: crystal brown
Build: more of Tia's body build, but chest area is a bit... outmatched... a bit
Height: 5' 6"
Weight:
Homeworld: Earth
Magic System: Dei-Type (refer to Ashton's profile)
Magic Color: Yellow
Mage Rank: BB+ to AA+
Personality: She's cool often, often creating a pseudo-Tia like reaction to Nanoha and the rest of MD6. but...
Affiliation: Time-Space Administration Bureau, Mobile Division 6 with the First Exatactical Group, Cross Squadron Under Hayate Yagami, TSABS Silvana. Call Sign "Cross 4".
Device: Ballista (Latin for (cross)bow), the 'Bow of Salient Cause'.
Device Type: Key Device, focused range attack.
Description: I'll provide the image later, but it resembles a bow with instead of two ends, we have four, two on each end. almost looking like the letter 'X' with viewed on the front or back.
Device History: This device is a Key Device, a device that symbolizes a certain power of magic, as well as the medium in which the stability of the multiverse has been locked into during its creation- and supports a powerful spell contract that keeps alive a certain 'Mirror' and keeps her identity separate from a certain Ace. Being as such, anyone who holds one of the nine devices- a one-handed sword, a two-handed sword, a shield, a spear, a gun, a bow, a jewel, a staff and a book; can manipulate part of the laws of magic itself, bending it to his or her will.

Skills:
-Dual Shot: fires two fast shots.
-Multi-Shot: fires a single arrow, but then that arrow multiplies into a wall of arrows, allowing to hit multiple targets up front.
-Destruction Shot: fires a charged arrow that can pierce thru multiple enemies in a line, as well as impacting hard on shields.
-Strike Shot: fires an even more powerful charged arrow that can shatter shields at once, as well as pushing back the target.
-Echo Arrow Storm: fires off what basically looks like a charged form Multi-shot, but then each arrow that hits a target gives rise to four more arrows, and so on, until the energy imparted dissipates. her most powerful AoE attack.
-Merron Enchantments: a set of secret enchantment spells that can improve an arrow's power, speed and accuracy. she usually forges an arrow from one of three seal tattoos that appear on her right shoulder, her right cheek or high up (and i mean really high up) her inner right thigh and uses it, or for combined effect she passes the forged arrow from one seal to another, if more than one appear. And usually when she forges an arrow from her power seal, men look at it with blush- as much as she does display when drawing it.
-[Unknown Skill]: Still unknown as many a keeper had not seen it.

History:
Basically born normal, Ruri had a passion for archery- since her brother was a national champion in the sport. but try as she might, she couldn't aim properly, but due to the patience and some lucky breaks, she managed. In a 'Tripping spree' launched by the people who wanted her out of the club, they managed to sign her up for the national championship circuit with a bet, that if she loses, she'll leave the club. luck was on her side until the finals though, where the person who really wanted her out of the club, was her opponent. Compounding further was the scene she saw- her 'rival' kissing a boy she liked- well common tactic for fraying one's nerves. She somehow managed an even keel with her rival but she was not just losing concentration, but hope as well, as the score began to leave her. During the long lunch break, she simply placed herself far and began to cry under the tree- confused and worried.
But then Rai Nimura- also known as the 'Salient Archer' Rein, appears and sees the girl. he approached her and began a somewhat long conversation, finally ending up in this scene.
Rai: here, have this *presents a clear crystal cross necklace*. this will help you...
Reluctantly, she accepted the stranger's offer and went back, with a little confidence. She began to win back and that angered her rival. then on the final tie breaker shot, her rival managed to trip her without being seen, sending the arrow way up- but amazingly, the arrow changed direction and hits the bulls-eye, splitting the rival's arrow in half- winning the championship. but as Ruri plucked out her arrow, her rival tried to hit her. But somehow, she sensed it and evaded, shocking the clumsy archer herself- even firing not just one, but four retaliatory shots, hitting her rival on the loose parts of her archer kimono, impaling her to the wall- much to her shock as well.
Out of shock, she manages to find Rai and manages to discover that she was a mage, born from midchildan expatriates- on which she manages to expose the very next day. With her family spilling the beans, she became much more interested in her life- especially the part that was hidden from her. She eventually managed to join the bureau, in which she had heard of the 'Nondescript duo' of Subaru and Teana. Due to her special device, she was quickly assigned to the First Exatactical Squadron, or AX as it was called, and met Ashton- who treated her like all the other girls he met- with neutrality. They first meet the aces during an introduction with MD6, when the process of CHOP was being executed under order- since both the AX and MD6 were being slated with a single mission, and that the highest ranking CO must lead the team- which was Kyla, making turning Hayate into a field agent once again- enabling the establishment of the "Cross Squad", with the former Saint Program Alviss Ranae as second in command.

The Seals of Merron:
So far, only Rurika has manifested an ancient magical seal- the Seals of Merron, a set of magical pictograms and symbols that denote an enchantment. Historians and Theologians have traced the seals to a time before the construction of the Sealed/Key Devices- the time called the 'Great Unity' in which the multiverse that exists today was only one unified mass and have also traced it to the Lost Logia set known as the 'Feathers of Sacred Memory'. In people bearing a Seal, the seal usually displays itself when danger is sensed, or in Rurika's situation, when she really needs it. Rurika's situation with the Seals is strange, because she has not just one, but three- each seal professing the enchantments for speed, accuracy and power. And what's even stranger is the locations of the seals, her seal for accuracy is on her right cheek, while her seal for speed is on her right upper arm and the seal of power is displayed in the upper regions of her inner right thigh.

The 'Partner Machine':
It just so happens that Ruri is one of the 2% of rank A and above mages that despite being taught how to fly, they were unable to fly due to natural causes- though she was still ranked BB, her family has a history of non-flight. But destiny had something in store for her. Luckily, Kyla had managed to recover the remains of a unicorn motorbike type machine from one of the many planets AX had visited, during her free time she managed to repair and restore the machine- with some help from Kha, Minerva and her family. Though it was completely restored, the machine was still inoperable. So one day, when the Silvana was undergoing spring cleaning, Ruri was assigned to clean the room where the machine was housed, and it came to life. So, it was given to Ruri.

Model: Monoceros R-7 Series, Serial 007
Name: Skysword
Length: 12 feet
Weight: 1250 lbs
Powerplant:
-Atmospheric/Ground: Altraxia/Deusis Mk. IV Claudia Drive, 50k HP power rating.
-Space/Void: Unknown
Shielding: Basic shielding for kinetic, magic and energy shots.
Additional Equipments:
-XQR-0110110 MRS (Magic Realization System). It's a system that enables the mage rider to perform magic while riding- a big plus especially when it comes to shielding.
-XAV-0154 A.R.I.K.A. (Advanced Reacting Intelligent Kinetic Armament) System. A nanomachine system that enables auto repair, multiple weapon selection and for mages, the allowance of the weapon to be used in combat- certain weapons that is. Named in honor for the donor of the Nanomachines used in the first units.
Capacity: Max of three, rider and two back riders.

[Opening Instrumental]

As with most endings, due to the scenes not changing much, it looks like a lyrics sheet more than anything else. :heh: Going with the OP, I decided to be not very original here as well. :heh: The images are as you see in the video, with the “cut-outs” of the Magic Suits flying about the foreground (The 4 from Saint Church and 5 of the MSX Project). In the background is a slide show of all the Ocs, and a couple of CCs, participating in this grand campaign.

The foreground starts off with a shot from the sea of Yzak Base, and slowly zooms out, then pans up.

Kiri no you na
Like a steady mist

Ame ga furitsuzuiteru mainichi
It keeps raining every day

Itsuka hareru sonna kibou mo nakute
With no hope of it ever clearing

Kanashiku, hohoemu
You smile sadly.

Ochikonderu kimi no senaka o mitetara namida ga koboreta
When I saw you from behind, so depressed, a tear escaped

Genki dashite!
Cheer up!


[CHORUS]

Now the Magic Suits cookie cuts change from standing pose to a more dramatic, in-flight one. In the foreground we now see the Silvana, and even higher up we have the Seraph, the Riviera taking up a small spec behind it.

Kao o agete!
Raise your head!

Ue o muitara,
If you look up,

Chiisana koto wa zenbu kaze ni torasou
All those little things should be swept up in the wind

[YELL]

Sukitooru!
Be open!

Kokoro ni shite
And take this to heart

Tsuyosa to jishin motte
Have strength and self-confidence

Gyuu-to mae o mitsume, arukidasou.
Let’s set out together, looking firmly ahead.

And so we end off with a standing line up of all the OCs on the tarmac of Yzak Base.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...c/yuunobad.jpg

[Let’s do this! Divine Buster!] Sakura sang as she surged power from her jaws at double pace, forcing the black saint to bank and roll as he closed for the kill. Kha angled up and fired; there was a resounding boom of bursting mana that swallowed up the program. Der Kleriker thought he scored it, but just as suddenly, Dio roared out of the blast unscathed.

"What's the matter, Kleriker?" Dio cackled as he spun round and clashed devices into the instant triangle shield. "Converted to Mid-childa post-mortem?"

"Mid-childa you say?" Kha breathed indignantly, then snapped his eyes open with intent.

"THIS, IS, VELKA!"

der Kleriker lashed out in an arc through his shield, catching Dio in the stomach with the Divine Rapier and sending him reeling in pain and disbelief. The blessed barrier jacket took the blow the heaviest, but somehow managed to keep it's lord's guts intact.

[Sabel.] Sakura chimed mechanically as she spat out the magazine in a puff of steam. Kha tossed another into place, and the Device locked it in.

"Wha-?" Dio coughed as he corrected his tumble a distance away, flustered, clutching his stomach. "How did you attack while your shield's active?!"

Kha spun his weapon and stopped it at an angle behind him. "My shield was no longer active when I struck. Sabel just took the remaining energy in the shield and wrapped it around Gotteliches Rapier as Sakura passed through, allowing it to seem like it persisted for a fraction of a second longer.”

“You’re just as much a cheater as those infidels." He spat as he swung Tausend Swert out. [Exprozion.]

"Neo-Velka’s a system of great flexibility..." He scoffed and glared back. "You‘re outmoded here, Dio."

“The Ancient Velka system, the will of the God Empress, triumphs all!” The saint roared and charged. "So don't you shit me!"

"Neither system is stronger, only the user..."

[Avenging Zorn!] Sakura yelled as she fired off a couple more cartridges.

"The Neo-Velka magic system was created to bring peace to the eternally separated worlds of Velka and Mid-Childa," Kha raised his spear into attack position once again as Dio closed. "And Tausend Kreuz was to drink the blood of the guilty who oppose it!"

The resulting clash of blades blinded all.

~Sakura Zaki~

I hear the squeal and shouts of life, but I see no one around me. I feel the light that we are bathed in, yet all I see is a world in permanent sunset. I smell the lavender tree in full bloom, but no tree grows in the deserted city. The wind tastes sweet and fresh, but half of me know that it’s because I wished it to be so.

Once again, I call up my dear Sakura’s field of view. My, she’s up early today. A concert? She learned how to sing! Haha… Silly girl, always up to her playful ways. And I can’t help but smile at her antics.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...c/Saber_RS.jpg

But am I really smiling, or is this just the soulless machinations of the ghost that dwells in Tausend Kreuz‘s circuits? How much of me is me? How much is really that sad, confused, fading girl, who cried out for one more chance…

I look everywhere, and the answer is otherwise. Case in point: I wave my hand, and it appears, a strange plate buried in my memories by the engineers of the TSAB:

~~~~~~~~~

Name: Sakura Zaki
Alias: die Hoffnung (the Hope)
Age: Unknown.
Birthday: 1st April.
Magic Rank: SS+
Height: 165cm
Weight: N/A
Hair: Blond
Eyes: Green
Usual wear: Simple clothes
Magic Type: New Velka
Magic color: Pure white.
Caster Class: Knight-sister

~~~~~~~~~

Another wave, and it’s like it was never there.

A reality within realities, only surfacing from my cocoon when I am needed. That is my fate as the Cleric’s sword, as with the many who will be chosen to fulfill this task until the Judgment cometh.

Time does not move here, and I shall thus be forever eternal.

I cannot move forward; I can only sense the present, and not be part of it. I can only go back, back to the beginning, the beginning of all journeys…

~Part XI : ~ Comrades ~

~Saga~

… Is this a dream…or a reality?

The events of last night…getting married to Tiara... If I didn’t know any better, it was so surreal I’d thought it was just a mere dream…an illusion from my heart.

The pains of reality tears people apart… To feel the joy and bliss of love, and yet to fight a painful war that had consumed the lives of many, much lost without meaning or honor.

Here I am…awakening to the scent of blood that reeks a battlefield…

I have come this far… soon. Soon, everything will end.

[Meister…it is almost time.]

Null’s words reached out to me. That’s right… the final assembly and inspection of the forces are about to be done. The final battles that will determine the fate of this nation…after decades and decades of struggle…have finally reached its climax.

“How are you feeling, Null?”

[The Unison System runs at about 37% efficiency… Regulation of alternate systems are doing just fine. There’s no worry of Null breaking down this time in battle after my lonely nights of doing nothing but reconstructing my systematic functions, so there’s no excuse for you to ignore me like that time.]

“Talkative as ever, I see… That’s good. Though it looks like the Unison System is incomplete…we’ll just have to make do without it.”

[…Are you all right, Meister?]

“… I’m fine.”

[Liar….It’s about Tiara, isn’t it? What happened?]

“Null…Whenever I meet Tiara…each time feels more like an illusion. A dream that is so real, it’d disappear once it actually becomes one. The feeling, sometimes it almost feels surreal. It’s like…I’ll never see her again…once this war is over.”

[Meister…]

That’s right… last night, we promised both our future, and another…before we left.

”Tiara…exactly 7 days from now…let’s meet her once more. This time… there will no more secrets between us. I will tell you everything.”

“The same for me…Sa-Dear. Yes…one week. Then me too…I shall no longer hide anything.”

That’s right…once this is over…I’ll go there again. This time, I’ll tell her everything. About me being the Griffon Knight…everything.

Because I promised her.

And that is why…I must live.

Then, from outside the tent…Isdera pulled away the slight pullings of the curtain door…as he spoke the words.

“General…It is time.”

So…the time has arrived.

“Let’s go…Null.”

[Yes, Meister.]

Walking out from my tent…amidst the large flags and banners that represent our allegiance to Vauxhall… I walk out towards the edges of a small cliff…where I see below me…my comrades, my soldiers, my knights…all assembled underneath.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9240/armycz7.jpg

A grand scale… hugely divided platoons of knights divided into divisions of summoners, sword knights, spear knights, and more…all armed and ready to thrust themselves into this final battle…As their eyes set gaze on me, it came to my realization…

Yes…I also carry the lives of everyone below me.

As I stepped further towards the edge of the cliff, making my sight clear as day to everyone… There was nothing I really need to tell them. They…we’ve understood our duty and roles from the very beginning…but that is why, I must tell them something.

This will be my last address and statement to these people…Some of them will live to remember it, some will not… but at this very moment, I shall speak out my heart, not bound by any rules, or rank.

I will just be myself.

“My comrades…

This civil war has raged long…Hundreds and thousands had died over the decades. It is a long and painful war for all sides, but that long battle…has finally reached this stage.

As you all know…the capital of Opel…the heart of the Night Sky, lies just beyond these plains. It lies just before us.

Many of us have had loved ones who has died because of this war…our comrades, and the ones before us as well…many have died, be it through battle or other reasons.

However…we have persevered, lived on, fought with everything we’ve got…to reach where we’ve come today.

4 years ago… I was no different from the rest of you. I was drafted as a soldier, and rose to what I am right now. Even right now…I may be the General, but it doesn’t make me any less of a soldier than anyone else here.

A leader carries the weight of the lives and suffering of the ones below him. A leader can treat his soldiers as pawns, but a soldier never abandons his comrades.

This war will be painful. Many more lives will be lost in the upcoming struggle, and regardless who is victorious in the end, it will not be a fairytale ending to the winners.

Everyone of you…do not even think of going out there, to die in glory and honor for your king or your country.

Peace and glory means nothing to the dead.

Fight…to live. So long as you all live, there’ll always be a future for you.

Lastly…”

Removing my gauntlets, I kneeled down before the thousands of knights before me.

“ Before everything else…Thank you.

Thank you for entrusting your lives to me, thank you for believing in me and fighting all these way. I cannot thank all of you enough for everything.

I…am truly thankful…to all of you.”

Regaining my posture and composure, I gave one last word of thoughts towards all of them…

“Remember… you are all not just soldiers…you are the Knights of Belka. Carry that pride and honor within your chest…and live!”

"THIS! IS! BELKA!!!"Less of my original canon, and more of an OC thread in-joke. It still somewhat fits...I suppose. Take it for what you want, be it canon or not.

As I finished my words, chants can be listened as everyone of them shouted as loudly as they could, as if to accept and deliver a last show of trust towards me, and their duty.

“BELKA! BELKA! BELKA! BELKA! BELKA! BELKA!”

“An excellent speech, Saga.”

Astra and Isdera came from behind, congratulating me…Well, it was only Astra, really…Isdera’s not the type to give compliments about such things…

“Where’s Wira?”

“He’s stationed near the command post. He’ll be the rear supporter, until we’ve broken through the center, where all of us will then strike the heart of the enemy.”

Good…Everything is set in place…

It is now. Or never.

Raising my arms, I signaled the one motion that creates a wave of rushing stampedes that seek their victory…

“CHARGE!!!!!”

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1442/army2rz5.jpg

Finally…

This is the beginning of the end.

Gate Keeping
忘却の旋律

Name: Seles
Gender: Female
Age: 1 month
Birthday: 5th June
Birthplace: Mid Childa - Central Science & Development Bureau
Seiyuu:Orikasa Fumiko

Height: 167cm
Weight: 62Kg
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Short shoulder length, Blond
Build: Well endowed
Clothing: White sleeveless long shirt with a black tie, black arm coverings from her wrists to her upper arms with white cuffs at the end. Black skirt split at the sides but connected with black strings in a cross pattern. Wears thigh high black stockings and brown leather shoes.

Mage Rank: Unknown - Assuming D+
Magic Type: Unknown - Assuming Midchilda
Magic Colour: Unknown
Favored Element: Unknown
Specialty: Unknown
Device: None

Status: Familiar
Beast Type: Unique - Unable to determined
Master: Currently none - Supposed to be Tais Scien

Personality: Very cheerful, curious like a cat. Likes physical contact with people.

Profile:

Seles as a familiar is very unusual which basically sums her up in a nutshell. From her birth to her current state, almost nothing about her is normal. For example, usually when a mage creates a familiar, the mage will select a specific animal as the base and create a familiar from there. Seles however was not created by Tais but by an infamous mage named Urudo who took a bunch of animal parts and some substances and created Seles from the mixture. The mage in question was unable to recreate a being like Seles despite many attempts which was not unexpected.

One interesting part about Seles is her mind. Currently she seems to be mentally 14 years of age which is quite astounding since most familiars at her age tend to have the mentality of young children. However she does act like a child at times so at least some part of her is normal.

Next, her body which does not have any indication of what beast type she is based on. There is absolutely no animal parts on her body except for some cute little fangs and slightly pointed ears. There is currently no indication that she can assume a beast form although this be be due to another reason. Also, despite her petite size, she is almost as strong as Tais who is way stronger than most people.


Other notes:

Seles has not been bonded to Tais but yet she is still surviving. Most familiars would have perished without their Master's linker core suppling energy to them. Speculation so far on how this is possible suggests that she is absorbing magical energy from the surrounding atmosphere. This seems to be the likeliest case as she tends to sleep a lot recently, reducing the amount of energy she uses.

Another point of note is people's reaction to her. Seles is highly unpopular with the females as most of them tend to dislike her at first sight while males have the opposite reaction, liking her at first sight. This is probably due to pheromones as there was evidence that a bottle of highly concentrated pheromones was involved in her creation.

Dance of the Demons – Act V

The blonde Enforcer stood about 10 steps away from me, holding her broken sword in the right hand. The Device was going to regenerate its blade in 5 seconds, but it didn’t matter. The aether threads were swirling around the girl ready to intercept any of her actions. While I keep concentrating my attention on her there’s no chance she can do anything without Aether Insight notifying me beforehand, and as soon as she acts it’ll automatically bring her to her demise. Yet she stood still, looking straight into my eyes.

One.

My left hand was seriously burned when I recklessly, or I should rather say arrogantly, grabbed the girl’s blade, and I could barely move my fingers now. I used more power in this battle than I had ever done before, but despite this it wasn’t finished yet. “You’re wrong – once you used far greater power than this”, - Aether Origin’s voice rang inside my head. Yes, once I used even more power, much more, incomparably more, but … that time didn’t count. I have enough strength to finish this one on my own. If the girl doesn’t act herself, I’ll be the one making the finishing move. I clenched my right fist, ordering the threads to bind her again and pin to the ground.

Two.

A whirlwind of golden lines flashed in the air as the threads became visible and intertwined with each other in an instant. But they didn’t reach their goal, as the Enforcer stepped forward the moment before they achieved the density necessary to stop her. “Crap! Did she see through my move or was I just … not fast enough? Was I wrong being so confident in my strength?” “So, do you think of using that power again? Do you believe you’re able … now …?” – continued the Device. “Nah”, - I replied, - “Besides, if you were going to give it to me, you wouldn’t be asking, right? And moreover …” “… You haven’t used everything we’re capable of yet”, - finished Aether Origin.

Three.

I raised my right hand with Aether Origin attached to it and looked into the sky. It was still covered by storm-clouds but suddenly a lone ray of light slipped through them and struck my eyes.

- Aether Origin: Form of the Sun! – I said loudly.

I felt delight seeing an expression of uncertainty appearing on the girl’s face.

Four.

Golden shield on my hand shrunk in size and formed the base of a multiprong star with seven larger prongs and twelve thinner prongs positioned above them. Small golden ball shone in its center. “Let’s see if you can dodge this, Enforcer Fate Testarossa Harlaown.” I snapped my fingers.

Five.

With a low sound the girl’s Device materialized its new blade, but it appeared to be useless as the sword was already falling to the ground. Fate uttered a short cry of pain and was holding onto her right arm. Bardiche was now lying at her feet.

- You won’t need that, - I said, - Aether Slasher!

My snake-like weapon that hit the girl’s arm the moment before revealed its form for a second and struck at the sword’s blade, throwing it several meters away. It consisted of magic particles just like my aether threads, but its form was sustained by Aether Origin’s offensive form and didn’t require my concentration unless I needed it to perform complicated movements. It was extremely potent against any magical objects, as my Device could make it obtain the density none of my own aether thread creations were able to reach, and its speed also surpassed them by far. It didn’t affect any physical objects, same as all of my other abilities, but it inflicted so-called magical damage to living beings – the damage to their mana, magical circuits, Linker Cores – it could be called differently, yet two things were certain – it was powerful to the point it could kill and it was painful to the point you’d prefer being killed to suffering its attacks continuously.

- I don’t know how you evaded the aether threads but looks like it doesn’t work with this one, - I looked at the girl and snapped my fingers again.

Aether Slasher flashed once more and struck at the girl’s leg, leaving a wide cut on her Barrier Jacket. The strike caused Fate to fall to her knees and use the hands to avoid hitting the ground. Enduring pain, she struggled to get up.

- I’ll tell you for the last time – you can’t possibly win, so give up on this fight and let me leave.

- I can’t allow that, - she replied, managing to stand up completely.

- Don’t make a step towards me or you’re going to regret it, - I gave my last warning.

- I noticed that you’ve been messing with our activities for a long time already, - she stepped forward, - and now you attacked us and hurt Nanoha, - she made another step, - whatever you have in mind, I’ll make you stop and explain your actions.

- Aren’t you overestimating your capabilities in such state?

- We’ll see about that, - she made two more steps.

Aether Insight wasn’t showing her preparing any spells but I couldn’t let her get any closer.

- I could’ve played with you for a while but I’m not into that kind of things so I’m going to end this quick, - I said as she made her next step.

I had full control over every part of my Aether Slasher, so I could make it hit from a wide variety of directions simultaneously as long as its length allowed me. And that was exactly what I was going to do. I didn’t want to cause any permanent damage, so I decided to avoid targeting the head or the Linker Core, but I needed to make sure that the girl wouldn’t be able to continue the fight. I aimed for the joints and various trigger points of the human body when I pointed my hand towards the Enforcer and released Aether Slasher again.

Fate managed to put up a Barrier in time but it got shattered effortlessly. A weird golden figure representing the instantaneous motion of my weapon concealed the girl for a moment and only her scream of pain let me know that the attack successfully hit the target. I was expecting to see her body fall on the ground but surprisingly she was somehow able to keep standing. Her Barrier Jacket was torn at every place the Aether Slasher struck her and I could only imagine what she felt at that moment. Despite it obviously cost her a lot of effort just to stand on her feet she made another step forward, shortening the distance between us to about four steps. Killing anybody certainly wasn’t a part of my initial plan, but in case I was cornered …

- What’s so important about Captain Takamachi that makes you go this far? – I wasn’t sure why I decided to ask this but the girl stopped all of a sudden.

- Nanoha … saved my life, - Fate had difficulties talking in her condition, - and she is … my precious … friend.

- So you’re ready to throw your life away for her? – I continued.

My words seemed to make her hesitate for a second and I thought I could hear her saying “yes” quietly.

- … But I’m not going to loose my life today, - she said suddenly.

She made a quick move forward I wasn’t expecting from her in such state and appeared just beside my right hand. “An electric discharge at the girl’s left fist”, - reported my Aether Insight. So she was going to punch me with that? I realized that I wasn’t sure I could prevent the punch from connecting using the Aether Slasher and I had no defenses with Aether Origin in the Form of the Sun. I had to act fast. Changing back to the Form of the Moon took almost half a second and I could already see a lightning glow nearing my face. “Aether Negation! Maximize the power at the cost of active radius!” – I rapidly gave mental orders and felt the spell taking effect. A burst of magic particles of great power instantly blew away the magic surrounding Fate’s fist. It didn’t stop at this and the next moment the metallic glove on her left arm broke into pieces and disintegrated, followed by the entire part of the Barrier Jacket covering her arm being torn apart. However I was too late to prevent her from hitting me completely. The punch to my jaw forced me to make several steps back to maintain my balance. My mouth was quickly filling with blood and I spat it out. The girl in front of me was panting for breath, her left arm hanging lifelessly along her body. No wonder – getting any part of the body into the radius of Aether Negation’s effect would feel like it is being ripped into shreds. Most people would faint due to the pain shock right away. The spell wasn’t easy for me to pull off either, being one of the most exhausting in my arsenal. I changed Aether Origin to the Form of the Sun again and pointed it at the Enforcer. I had to end it right now and get away from this world at last. She also extended her right hand towards me. Did she still have the strength to resist? No matter what else she could try she wouldn’t be able to withstand another attack if I hit her first. When I was already going to make my move I was interrupted by the feeling of someone else’s presence. Before I could determine its location the person already ascended from the sky next to Fate. The sword-wielding Knight, Signum – appearing just when I was beginning to think she wasn’t going to show up.

- Step back, Testarossa. I’ll be taking care of him, - She said.

- Signum, but … Nanoha? – protested Fate.

- She’ll be alright, you should be more considered about your own condition.

- I’m … fine.

- Is that really so? – She glanced at Fate, - Anyway, this man’s technique … it seemed somehow familiar to me. I would like to confirm.

Fate nodded. Signum stepped towards me and I moved back preserving the distance between us. I wondered what she could mean saying that she was familiar with my technique. Could she possibly meet me before? Or was it somebody else who possessed the same ability? Or was she referring to … Aether Origin? Consumed by my thoughts I almost missed the moment she swung her sword at me.

- Laevatein! Schlangenform!

Her sword changed into its whip-like form I had already seen during the fight against Drones and rushed at me, aiming for my head. Powerful magic allowed the Knight to precisely control its movements and also tremendously increased its speed and impact power. The weapon could be quite effective in most of the cases, but did she honestly think this attack would hurt me? I waved my right hand upwards and a dozen of aether threads intercepted the blade, using its own magic to redirect its movements. More and more threads kept appearing on its path, changing the directions so frequently that the Knight couldn’t keep up with them. At last the threads caught the blade firmly and forced it to fly back directly at its owner. She stood calmly at her place.

- I see, - She said when the blade almost reached her and parried the hit with the scabbard.

The sword reverted to its original form. Signum pointed it to ground and stood silently. Was she giving up on attacking me? Suddenly I felt strange. No, there was nothing wrong with me. It was the Knight. I couldn’t feel the usual fluctuations of magic particles around her anymore. Not even around her Device or the Barrier Jacket. She lowered her usage of magic to the point she was nothing more than an armored human with a regular sword. What was she trying to achieve by doing that? I realized it the moment I saw her sword rushing at me again. There was no command word this time and no magic enhancing the sword’s speed and power – and I couldn’t predict the time or direction of the attack. The blade wasn’t controlled by the Knight’s sheer will, it was a conventional chain-blade from all sides of view – and none of my aether threads could influence its path. I was barely able to shield myself with Aether Origin, making the blade bounce off of it and cut my right shoulder. Signum quickly retracted her weapon and got ready for another attack. Fortunately the cut wasn’t deep and I could still move my hand almost freely. It was the first time when an opponent didn’t just discover how my abilities worked but found a way to effectively counter them. Nevertheless, being unable to counter her moves didn’t mean I had nothing to attack with myself.

- Rolling Sun!

I launched the star-shaped part of Aether Origin straight at the Knight. She made a step back and parried it with her sword, bouncing my projectile to the left. “That won’t be so easy”, - I smirked, making the star change its path in mid-air and attack the Knight from the back. She turned and parried again. I resumed attacking, increasing the speed of the projectile after each hit. Signum kept parrying. From the left - get faster, from above - more speed, from the right – keep speeding up. Soon I couldn’t keep track of my own Device anymore, simply ordering it to constantly increase speed and change attack direction after each clash. The Knight somehow managed to defend without using any magic yet, but she couldn’t possibly keep up with me forever. I just needed to increase the speed a bit more.

- Seems like you owe me one, Master, - Aether Origin talked before I could understand what happened.

The star-shaped projectile floated in the air several centimeters away from my throat. I realized that the Knight tricked me and I took the bait. Making me speed up my own weapon until I couldn’t follow its movements myself and then bouncing it off the way it headed straight at me. If Aether Origin wasn’t a sentient Device capable of self-controlling all of its movements I would’ve probably been dead now. Nevertheless I had no time to think about this mistake as Signum already saw that her attack didn’t bring the desired result and charged at me herself. That really pissed me off. Was I losing to someone who didn’t even use any magic against me? I’ll pierce her Linker Core with a single strike and I don’t care about the consequences! I waved my right hand, sending the Aether Slasher to intercept the Knight. The golden whip shined in the air, but instead of going right through her chest it only barely grazed Signum’s shoulder. “If you’re going to keep making those gestures when you attack, at least try not to show where you’re aiming, Master”, - commented Aether Origin. “Damn you!” I attacked again, but this time I could just slightly cut Signum’s left side. “Your eyes too, Master.” “Fine! Now it won’t miss!” I made a wide sweep that couldn’t be avoided by any kind of maneuvers. The Knight leapt. Was she able to somehow read my movements again or she was betting on her luck with this jump? My weapon passed below her and I had no more time for another try. I used Aether Origin as a shield again. I embraced the impact as the sword landed exactly at the golden ball at the center of my Device.

I suddenly saw unfamiliar scenery around me. A great city was razed to the ground and I was floating above it. More precisely, it wasn’t me but some other person, and I was just looking through his eyes. Five long golden arrowhead-shaped objects were circling around his head. Was he using … Aether Origin? The picture changed and I saw a sword-wielding Knight charging at that other “me”. Her clothes were different but it was certainly Signum. “I” didn’t make any movements but the Knight’s body was rapidly dissipating into the golden dust carried away by the wind. Before she was completely gone the picture changed again. A mage of great power stood before “me”, covered by a glowing Protection Sphere so I could barely see his silhouette. The landscape around us was almost completely changed as the result of an enormous magical battle. “I” extended my hand towards the mage and he conjured a multitude of magical shields between us in response, but all his protection was blown away in an instant like it was nothing. I tried to catch sight of the mage’s true appearance but the picture was gone too fast.

I saw Signum again. But now I was back to reality. She stood in front of me, looking confused but ready to fend off any attack. I looked at Aether Origin. The golden ball was cracked and beginning to crumble. The whole combat form was slowly falling apart.

- What is the meaning of this? – I didn’t care I was speaking aloud.

- Sorry, Master, - replied the Device, - I remembered. Against this Knight … I won’t fight anymore.

- What kind of joke is it? Are you going to abandon me in the middle of a battle? Don’t you even care what happens next? – I felt a fit of impotent anger.

The Device didn’t answer, reverting completely to its sealed form, the only difference being the empty hole instead of the golden ball at its center. I turned my eyes to the Knight again.

- I saw it too, - She said, - I don’t recall having such memories, but this familiar feeling … after all … there was something.

- More importantly, what are we going to do about the situation we’re in now? – I went straight to the point.

- I suggest you surrender peacefully, - she replied right away.

- Do you think I’m that helpless without the cowardly Device?

- I don’t – it’s for you to decide.

The situation wasn’t actually looking good for me, but to be defeated here like this – I couldn’t allow it to happen. The Knight still wasn’t using her own magic, probably considering me able to control it without the aid of my Device too, and she was right about that. I on the other hand hadn’t used anything from my arsenal of Mid-Childian spells yet. The only problem was the distance, but I had to take some risks.

- Ivory Bind!

I attacked without warning, trying to finish the fight quickly by binding my opponent from the start. However Signum wasn’t caught off-guard and managed to avoid the bind with a sudden movement, coming dangerously close to me at the same time. She slashed with her sword and I blocked it by summoning a Round Shield in front of me. I made an Ivory Dagger appear in my right hand and tried to stab her with it, but she evaded and made me step back, blocking her sword again. She realized that I’d have more chances if she gave me enough time for my spells, so this time she continued attacking me without making a shortest pause. I could do nothing but block every blow she threw at me using both the Round Shields and the Dagger in my hand. Despite all my efforts she was certainly having an upper hand in this struggle. I had to create an opening for a counterattack. After another series of blows I managed to fake blocking her sword with a Shield and bounced it up using my Dagger instead. Now I had the necessary opening to fire a quick spell at her. But just as my magical circle began lightening up under my feet Signum suddenly kicked me in the stomach, sending me flying towards the ground.

Despite the acute pain I smiled. The Knight realized her mistake and jumped after me but she was too late. The spell was complete and dozens of Ivory Blades were filling the space between us. I was lying on my back and Signum was directly above me with her sword aiming at my heart when I ordered the Blades to strike her. It was a checkmate. She couldn’t evade in mid-air. She had no time to conjure a Shield. She wouldn’t even reach me with her attack after being pierced by my Blades. I won.

A yellow Shield materialized on the path of my Blades the moment they started moving. One by one they all got stuck in it and couldn’t proceed further. Time seemed to slow down for me as I glanced at the place where I started the fight against Signum. Testarossa! I took no notice of her since that time and now she appeared to be still able to use her magic. “If it goes on like this, I will die,” – flashed inside my mind. Hell no! It’s not over yet! The girl’s almost fainting maintaining the Shield and I can still use the aether threads. I started to hastily assemble the threads, wrapping them around the Ivory Blades. My whole body ached, protesting against the usage of Flow Manipulation simultaneously with the Mid-Childian magic. Disregarding the pain I continued my work. No matter what, I’ll make my Blades come through. Aether thread spirals were burrowing into the shield, weakening its grip on the Blades despite Fate’s desperate efforts to hold it. I can make it! Probably not more than a second passed since the appearance of the Shield, but it seemed an eternity to me. Just a moment later the first Blade got completely free and rushed towards its target, piercing Signum’s right shoulder. I rejoiced seeing more of them following the first one, but then I felt sudden pain caused by a foreign object entering my body. I saw that Signum stretched her arm, running her sword right through me. I didn’t realize she was already so close. I was quickly losing consciousness and most of my Ivory Blades dissipated before they could reach the Knight, only several of them being able to cause moderate damage. Was it my end?

- Fool, do you seriously think I will allow you to die here? – I had never heard the voice before but it was strangely familiar ... Aether Origin?

The last thing I saw was a bright golden flash of light in front of my eyes.