Chapter 12: Turning Point...? [1]

"..."

For many reasons, all of the present individuals who could see Tohka right now shivered in fright. Not even Kannazuki who was the most relaxed and carefree on almost situations nor Kotori who was the strict and composed commander was spared from it.

The only exception to that was Reine, who was beside Tohka when she arrived at the main room uttering as if it was just a very normal day.

"Nn...Interesting"

Her words reached everyone's ears which is clear considering how quiet the room had gone to when Tohka arrived. Those words earned complicated reactions from Kotori and the crew.

Interesting? Is this supposed to be a joke?

And they knew the answer to that. It wasn't a joke.

Even Kotori couldn't help but gasp as her lollipop dropped out from her mouth in the process.

However, priorities should be dealt first, quickly shifting their line of focus, the crew looked at the current footage which shows the one and only person who was the cause for this certain mess.

The said person—Rei, visibly flinched before turning on it. His gaze seemingly those of a predator on guard, cold and indifferent.

Those who saw this right after visibly recoiled in surprise.

On the other hand, Tohka even widened her eyes in surprise, never did she expect Rei to look at her like that.

'Why...?'

Tohka thought as she tried to open her mouth to utter some words. Yet, his cold gaze which she never expected to be directed to her.

Deep inside, she couldn't accept it. Why is he looking at her like that? Just...why? At that very moment, she...felt bitter.

It was anguishing.

Tohka blinked as she let out an weak smile, yet, her dark complexion never ceased. Slowly clenching her fists, the atmosphere in the room seemingly turned into the worst possible scenario.

To clear things up though, if somebody asks Rei if he really directed it to Tohka. Then obviously, the answer would be no. It was nothing but a plain misunderstanding. Never would Rei dare look at Tohka like that, unless a situation requires him to do so.

Well, for Rei, he didn't account Tohka being also present in the case. Speaking of probability—or luck, he shouldn't expect the best to come so it is what it is.

Meanwhile to Kotori and co, they all simultaneously thought.

'How did he know that we were watching him!?'

It didn't take less than a second for the camera footage to blacken after it showed showed glitches before showing [CONNECTION LOST]. What happened to it was obvious, it was destroyed.

Some understood the rights of someones own of privacy, what they're exactly doing now was breaching it and Rei's actions would be more or less be somewhat logical. You would be angry knowing someone were to observe each and every action you make, right?

Still, to notice them right on the spot? Just how intuitive this Spirit is? But to take account, they were watching him for only less than a minute, he hadn't reacted back then until Tohka came to the picture.

...

...

'Does some sort of trigger or alarm hits him if Tohka's involved? Hm...that would be something impossible in other cases... however...' Reine's line of thought was cut as she realized that thinking too much further upon the matter would be deemed as unnecessary.

Back to the main point, seeing the turn of events, Kotori gulped. Considering many scenarios that the <Ratatoskr> would encounter when meeting and making Spirits fall in love in conquest of saving them, they already took account of a Spirit turning into a yandere—although unlikely to happen, they still did put some possible scenarios for MARIA also known as the Fraxinus AI, who is responsible for compiling the data options given for Shidou's date with each Spirit.

That's how it should've been, however, the one they had prepared for was only based on mere speculations, facing the real deal right in front of them was an entirely different matter.

How do you handle a yandere?

There are many ways possible—or rather, limited ways to be realistic. Appeasing a Yandere is a considerably hard feat that couldn't be achieved unless certain conditions are met.

But that is for normal yandere, a HUMAN, at least. Then how about Spirits? A yandere Spirit?

...

...

That is what more or less what you would call as a uncharted territory—a place where no such guides or ways, the exceptions for that would be based from the experiences that individual has.

Currently, there are none except Rei, who should handle her by any means for he is the one who sealed her. This was the most logical reason—or excuse that Kotori could think off.

"Where is he right now?" Tohka asked an aura emanating from her body. For the first time, the crew members of <Fraxinus> now saw what a visible Reiryoku looks like with their very own eyes.

A visible purple aura began to exude from her surroundings. Flickering sparks soon followed as Tohka blankly stared at the blackened monitor waiting for someone to answer her.

The whole place trembled, the sheer force of her presence alone was the proof of that.

Another alarm rang specifically in the room. As the monitor shifted it's visuals, it showed the what was happening—a Spacequake was now being slowly formed right to its completion.

"Wait wait! Tohka, calm down!" Kotori exclaimed while thinking. 'This is bad! At this rate, it would be a surprise if she caused a Spacequake right here and now!'

Being hit in point blank range by a Spacequake would result into an immediate death which does not entirely apply Kotori due to her being a Spirit herself and having an impeccable regenerative ability at her disposal.

However, that survivability doesn't involve the other people here—her crew to be exact, right?

Of course, a Spacequake could cancel a Spacequake, that theory was very much proven already. However, that was only possible if the Spacequake was of the same level and magnitude as the other.

And Kotori knows that hers pales against Tohka's. Judging by how limited and different her parameters are when she saw it, taking the option of eliminating the Spacequake with her own was a gamble itself. Yes, a very risky gamble where the odds are stacked against her.

Her crew members could be deemed as important people to her who she made bonds with during her time as the Commander. She couldn't possibly just leave them to their demise.

Tohka cocked her head to the side as she winced hearing those words.

"...calm down you say? Are you trying to sound funny, I am as calm as you can see?" Tohka spat out sarcastically. "However, I don't have the time to play games with you right now! Rei is... Rei... I need to—!"

As if to erupt in anger, Tohka stomped to the ground making the platform crumble.

Quickly reacting, Kannazuki carried Kotori and Reine away ensuring their safety. He surely is reliable in times of need.

"Commander!" Kannazuki alerted. Things are getting direr and direr as each second passes. A solution needs to be given!

Kotori, who slowly composed herself knew what her vice commander meant, turning to Reine, she quickly inquired.

"I know! Reine, where is he?"

As they landed on a distance, Reine quickly pulled out her tablet hidden on her chest as she quickly began typing.

"West... He is currently in the central park of Tenguu City. If she flies up high, she would probably discern the exact location of Rei," Reine informed after resounding another alarm throughout Tenguu City.

A new visual was also showed on the monitor which was surprisingly unscathed after the tremors. The visual presented on the monitor indicated the exact location of Rei.

The tremor in the room still haven't ceased, however, it has been notably lessened after

Tohka then turned to Reine and next to the monitor with narrowing eyes as she asked for confirmation.

"...Is that true?"

"...Nn," Reine plainly nodded and stared at Tohka as if it was obvious.

Kotori and Kannazuki couldn't help but feel a sense of awe upon how Reine was still calm and composed all this time. The others felt the same respect to Reine, not that she deemed it as an important matter in the first place.

"I see..."

Tohka answered back to Reine as she nodded.

At the next second, raising her hand, a pure ball of energy—reiryoku began forming. At one glance, anyone could see that it was something dangerous, don't approach if you don't want to get obliterated.

Everyone nearby her took considerable distance away trying not to get caught off from the damage and debris it would probably make right after.

It soon turned into a ray of light, blasting upwards leaving the ceiling to have a hole on it. The underground base was 5 floors deep from the surface. As soon as the path was cleared for her, Tohka immediately throttled and flew upwards.

Fortunately, the base didn't collapse which didn't lead to the worst case scenario. However, the damage was still considerably large...and now, the underground base needs to get repaired as well like the <Fraxinus>....

'Aren't the components and materials making this base said to be tough enough to handle the impact of at least one Spacequake?' Kotori pondered in worry noticing how wrong the Ratatoskr's assessment was.

A Spacequake is deemed to be more destructive compared to that stunt that Tohka pulled off. As the name states, it involves the destruction and rupturing of Space itself.

So that kind of attacks surely is behind those of a Spacequake...yet, looking at the results. It seems that they were incorrect.

'I just need to include this to my report...ugh. Paperwork,' Kotori grumbled silently.

"...Ah, and there she goes," Reine uttered cupping her cheek with one of her hands as if looking worried.

"She is...now how should we handle this?"

Kotori's question was repaid with silence. She only took their response lightly, that would be normal as how things progressed.

"Haha, she got some temper but...wouldn't it hurt her to try use the elevator?"

Kannazuki spoke trying to lighten the mood which only earned blank stares towards the people present in the room.

——

Rei was currently sitting with Chaldea's Master and her Kouhai in a bench . The Bench...or whatsoever...

To say, the bench could accommodate at least 4 to 5 people at max. There was still space available making themselves comfortable in the process.

And speaking of accomodations.

"So... you say you want accomodations?"

"Well... considering how you worded it, then yes, we do"

Now some may ask, accomodations for what exactly?

Well, Gudako already explained about Chaldea and their goal to return back. Rei knew it in the first place and already understood where this conversation is going to. And as far as they have gone investigating about the means on how to go back, they have been quite unlucky on that regard.

The only place that the two haven't ventured in this city was the one he put a [Barrier] on, to be specific, the whole perimeter surrounding the Mansion on where it was located at. A barrier—or spatial barrier that conceptually separates those within from the outside world... 'almost' completely.

Yes, almost. Creating such thing took Rei some time for it needs too much concepts, rules, and knowledge to build a separate dimension which has composite rules that have similarities to the outside world itself.

It was only possible since he has the ability to manipulate space and his knowledge that he had acquired so far—include the instinct also upon how he uses his abilities.

It could be called a mini world in a sense. Though not perfect in each and every point, it is magnificent in its own right.

"So as we are saying, can you accommodate us. Just for a day at least, Rei," Gudako said showing a smile as she slightly bowed her head.

Rei doesn't have qualms about accommodating the two into his home for less than a day. He saw no problems with it so why not? Well, no problems for 'him' but that doesn't apply to Tohka does it?

Knowing Tohka's tendencies as of late, Rei couldn't help but blink guessing how he should handle the situation if these three meet each other.

"Guda—"

And just as he was about to tell his answer. He was cut off as the Spacequake alarm rang over through the whole city.

Hearing the alarm, the people immediately tried to evacuate to the nearest shelter available in the area.

Mashu who looked around seeing the people quickly evacuate turned to Rei, "Rei-senpai... this..."

"Yeah, as you can guess. It's a Spacequake alarm...which means a Spacequake is coming," Rei answered back turning to the pair. "You should evacuate immediately—or so I would want you to but it seems that you want to help people?"

"Of course, civilians should take priority," Gudako responded showing a smile. "I'll come back after a while to continue our conversation, could we?"

"Aren't you just trying to be a busybody? The civilians as you can see can evacuate themselves without your help," Rei informed which would rather sound offending to most but Gudako paid it no mind as she continued to listen. "You won't change your mind?"

"Of course not, in times like these, shouldn't we lend a hand to those in need right?" Gudako responded as if it's a matter of fact.

"..."

Blankly staring at her, Rei didn't answer and remained silent.

"Rei-senpai?" Mashu tried to call out seeing the sudden silence of Rei while staring at her Senpai.

As if contemplating with his thoughts, he heaved a sigh. Rei then let out a wry expression muttering that it can't be helped.

This was to be expected from the Master of Chaldea.

"Well, go on. I'll wait for you here...or maybe you want to continue where we left off in another place?"

"No... Um, I mean isn't the area not safe due to the Spacequake alarm? Wouldn't it be better to change venues?"

"No, not really," Rei answered nonchalantly while making a silent excuse in his mind. 'Besides, I am somewhat lazy to get up from this bench for some reason...'

"You're not going to help, Rei?"

"No... the people are already accustomed to these events. And again I tell you, helping isn't necessary really, but it depends I guess. People like you exists after all," Rei chuckled as he shook his head in amusement.

"...Is that so? Then, we'll meet you here again after a while then!" Gudako replied with a pout before running away calling out to Mashu alongside her and giving...help to those in need.

Chuckling to himself he sat down to the bench again ignoring the noise from his surroundings. What the pair did was completely unnecessary in a sense, but well, they aren't doing anything wrong right? Why bother?

'Few seconds or minutes... that's how long it should take for the people to evacuate at this moment...' Rei thought as he wondered how many minutes the two would come back here to pick their conversation up.

A few moments later, closing his eyes, Rei thought of having a short nap once in a while, unbeknownst to him, a certain commander from somewhere also thought the same a few minutes prior...only before realizing on how wrong they were.

*BOOOOOOOOMMMM!*

An explosion occured on the main district of the city. However, that explosion was different to those of a Spacequake, it's as if a building was blasted up by explosives or something.

Noticing how odd it was, Rei snapped his eyes open. Other than the explosion—he also felt 'Reiryoku' present on the said explosion. Is this caused by the appearance of the new Spirit?

"Hm? What…?"

Rei's eardrums then perceived a clank sound being transmitted from above.

As though drawn and mesmerized by that noise, Rei lifted his head upwards.

Afterwards, he spotted a young girl with hands crossed and perched still on top of a nearby building.

Her long, enchanting, windswept hair was of the color of the Delphic night.

Her crystalline, diamantine pair of eyes, seemingly dulling in color, which still possessed a dreamlike radiance, was tranquilly staring down at Rei. A jet-black Astral Dress almost resembling darkness itself condensed into matter, twined round her body. If now were to be the evening, her veneer would flawlessly coalesce into the sky.

"Ah..."

Looking back at the girl seeming to exude magnificent rays like that of the Sun before her, Rei was unable to eschew widening his eyes even more.

This girl, he had an impression of her.

'That Astral Dress... Don't tell me..?!'

Rei quickly pondered. That Astral Dress was different from what the girl should have—yet, that Astral Dress was also fundamentally hers in sense.

Showing a faint smile upon finding Rei, the girl landed her foot firmly on the ground as she began to approach him.

"Found you, Rei~... And as I thought, you're with other people.... oh? Did those two leave...?"

Exposing a solemn and stern expression with a smile as cold as ice, the girl uttered so with a morose tone which echoed a death sentence.

Rei who registered her presence in mind couldn't help but call her name out.

"Tohka...?"

His eyes widened as he called the name of the girl who was standing there. Is the Spacequake not the result of another Spirit...but Tohka who was before him?

"...Un, it's none other than your Tohka, Rei~"

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[A/N: Yo, here's the update (and here is Cliff-kun as well :>). And now guys, hear me out, the updates as you can see is getting considerably longer and longer than what it should've been.

Well, not really I guess since 1 chap per week is what I have promised but I am doing 2 chaps per week back then. Either way, the chaps as you guys could see is also longer than usual. My usual 2k-2.5k word quota per chap is now always 2.5k-4k as a compensation for my terrible updates.

Another note btw, to (not?) disappoint you guys, I decided to only post chapters a DAY BEFORE or a DAY AFTER the release of each new episode of the 4th season. I know it's like a 6-7 day interval but yeah.

Spare meh wryyy...*cough*...Caught a cold yesterday but hey, I still managed to slip this chapter out...

And that's all I think. Comment if ya find some errors guys, I'll appreciate it. With that said, ciao~]