RE: [IC][WIP][Arc 1] How I Managed to Quit Worrying and Love The Grief Seed
04-15-2019, 01:54 AM (This post was last modified: 04-15-2019, 01:11 PM by Black Aeronaut. Edit Reason: Various fixes )
04-15-2019, 01:54 AM (This post was last modified: 04-15-2019, 01:11 PM by Black Aeronaut. Edit Reason: Various fixes )
I'm about to to destroy you in the feels...
Of course, that wasn’t the end of things. There were many questions raised that needed to be answered. Chiefly among them...
“Okay, what in the name of the Golden Ratio was THAT!?” cried out Washu.
Ben sighed. “Something that I’m gonna need to take some time to explain. Washu-chan, you got something we can use as a briefing room?”
Without a word, Washu went to the nearest wall, tapped out a sequence on keys that only revealed themselves as they were pressed, and suddenly a door slid open in the seamless wall.
“Right this way, everyone,” said the pint-sized super genius.
While they all trudged in, Ben said, “Get comfortable folks. This is gonna take a bit.”
As they all sat down, small tables like school desks appeared in front of them with notepads, pencils, and that person’s favorite beverage at just the right temperature.
Washu didn’t do things by halves.
“Alright,” began Benjamin. “Here’s what we’re dealing with. It’s a civilization that is bent on The Greater Good. To this end, they are sacrificing the lives of countless little girls in order to harvest some kind of magical energy from negative emotions and use it to power their civilization in order to stave off the heat death of the Universe.”
“What do you mean by ‘sacrificing’?” asked Washu.
Ben nodded. “There we get into the Puella Magi System created by this civilization. It started out with just a few girls, many hundreds of years ago by our current perspective. The Incubators, a nigh infinite number of constructs collectively known as ‘Kyubey’ offered to make these girls into Puella Magi. All they had to do was to make a wish.
“Kyubey would grant that wish, and then... I don’t know how to sugar coat this, but it basically turns these girls into Liches.”
“Liches?!” said Peorth in surprise. “As in souls in phylacteries and virtually invulnerable to death!?”
Ben nodded. “Exactly. And all of this without the poor girls realizing it. The Puella Magi receives an object known as a Soul Gem. In addition to housing their soul, it’s a sort of manna reactor, except that it has an intentionally built-in flaw: the damn thing doesn’t have a tail pipe.”
Both Marller and Peorth went pale at that.
“You mean...” said Marller, unable to finish.
Ben nodded grimly. “Nothing is for free. The wish dooms these poor girls into a miserable un-life that will eventually end with their souls becoming irreversibly corrupted. Near as I can figure, Soul Gems work by separating ambient magical energy out into negative and positive energy. The positive energy goes into the spells cast by the Puella Magi, while the negative energy collects in their soul gems.
“The Incubators harvest this energy using grief seeds - what is left of a Witch after it has been killed. A Grief Seed will act as a sponge, soaking up the negative energy upon contact with a soul gem. Once a grief seed is full, they hand it over to the Incubators to be ‘disposed of’.
“Eventually, all Puella Magi wind up discovering the truth about what’s happened to them. When that happens, they end up going one of two ways. Many become overcome with despair - the state at which the negative energy has reached a critical mass inside their soul gem, and it becomes a Grief Seed. At that point the Puella Magi becomes a Witch.
“The other is that they snap in a different way. They become cold, ruthless people who care only about their own continued survival. To that end, they wind up farming Witches.
“You see, a Witch’s familiars can mature and turn into Witches themselves given enough time. They’ll leave their home labyrinth and create ones of their own.
“Witches are bad news in that they will ensnare people who are severely depressed or even having thoughts of suicide. I don’t think I need to state how close to home that hits for a person like me.
“Are there any questions?”
Teletha raised her hand and Ben called on her.
“Is there anything that can be done to save these girls?” she asked. “Anything at all?”
“I don’t know for sure,” said Ben. He then reached into his pocket - a spherical cage with an intricate design that was obviously symbolic of Precia’s grief - the loss of her daughter - with an equally decorative spike running through the y-axis.
“This was Precia’s Grief Seed. Each one has a unique design to it that is very symbolic. Some have theorized that there is an imprint of the person who this once was on the Grief Seed itself. Whether anything can be recovered from that or not...” Ben shrugged helplessly. “Peorth, Washu-chan? I’m going to turn this over to you two. I think that it would be a good idea for this to be a joint research project.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Peorth. “I have faith in Washu-chan’s abilities despite what’s happened. And even as hard-pressed as we are with the Yggdrasil, we can spare someone. We’ll send Belldandy - she’s good with things like this, and it will let her spend the nights with her husband.
“However,” continued Peorth, “I feel that it’s time we discussed you, Benjamin.”
Ben blinked at that. “In regards to...?”
“Your ability to generate an Anti-Magic Field.”
“Is that what was happening?” he asked.
Peorth nodded. “Nanoha? Fate? I would like to see the sensor data from Raising Heart and Bardiche from the fight.”
“Sure!” said Nanoha.
“Right away!” replied Fate.
The two girls came to the front and their devices rose into the air, projecting holographic view screens for Peorth to peruse.
“Very interesting.” She then called up her own terminal to the Yggdrasil system. Washu took interest and came over.
“Mind if I have a look there?” she asked.
“Not at all,” replied Peorth as she adjusted and enlarged the screen so Washu could see as well.
Prominent on the Yggdrasil Terminal was the icon from before - the Grand Valknut.
“Very well then. Washu-chan, are you satisfied.”
“For now,” she said. “I’d like to be able to go over this data in-depth later on, if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll have copies of all the relevant files sent to your email.”
“Thanks!”
Peorth then looked to Benjamin.
“Ben, you were never ordained as an elder in your church, correct? And that you never received your Patriarchal Blessing?”
“What’s that?” asked Nanoha.
“Something very special,” said Benjamin. “It’s not spoken of lightly. A Patriarchal Blessing is something you only ever get once. It’s considered... not prophecy, but revelation. We Latter-Day Saints are very different from other Christian faiths in that we have a very clear and concise idea of who and what we are, where we came from, and where we’re going. There’s nothing vague about it. We believe that we are literally the Children of God - not just us Saints, but humanity as a whole. It’s everyone’s birthright. And like with any birthright, that comes with covenants for the faithful. And a patriarchal blessing is one of those.
“As for exactly what it is... As I said before, it’s revelation more than anything else. It tells a person a little bit about who they were before they came to Earth and passed through what we call The Veil - what clouds our memories of that pre-existence. It will reveal other interesting things, like which of the Tribes of Israel we’re to be adopted into. It also gives an idea of what to expect of themselves and how they can best handle things. Dangers to be avoided and the such. Again, not prophecy - these would be things that would be dangerous to a person specifically. We’re all warned to avoid vices, but some of us are particularly susceptible to some more than others.”
Benjamin looked to the others as they looked at him with wide-eyed surprise.
“I never imagined you to be so... religious!” said Teletha suddenly.
Ben shrugged. “As I tell others, I was raised as a Latter-Day Saint. I still consider myself to be one... my Elders would probably say that Lucifer has worked especially hard to keep me from serving whatever purpose God had intended for me. I take a more philosophical view. I feel that my purpose is to walk on the outside. To see the perspective of those outside looking in. And to warn my brethren that, sinners or not, they need to soften their attitudes towards certain people. To remind them that at no point did Christ ever advocate to make anyone’s life any more miserable than it may be. That is Lucifer’s work.”
Peorth laid a comforting hand on Ben’s shoulder. “I understand your anger towards them, Benjamin. You feel that they should have done more for you.”
Ben’s head didn’t exactly snap towards Peorth, but it was a measured and decisive movement.
She continued, “And you are right. There was so much more they could have done. But they worried about splitting your family apart. Maybe it would have been for the best. But that was your world, not this one.
“And that is why this has happened.”
Peorth pulled the Terminal window into view again, this time displaying two symbols, each one a grouping of three triangles overlapping each other. Though while one image showed them as being linked like rings in chainmail, the other showed them as physically linked, as though drawn with a calligraphy pen without lifting the nib from the paper.
“What do they mean?” asked Benjamin.
“These are Valknuts. Warriors that had sworn themselves to Odin, to put victory above all else, above all pain, suffering, and heartbreak. But that was only for Midgard Warriors to show this covenant with Odin.
“Odin has his own sign for those He chooses himself.”
Peorth gestured again, and then the Grand Valknut was displayed in all its eye-bending glory. Ben himself wasn’t discomfited by the appearance. He actually found it quite pleasing to his eye; the way it all flowed and fitted together so intricately appealed to his aesthetic sense as well as the engineer inside him.
“This is the Grand Valknut. The sign Odin himself bestows on his chosen. It is in your file in the Yggdrasil computer.”
Ben looked at Peorth in surprise and others in the seating area gasped softly. Not all of them had overheard Peorth and Marller’s conversation as Aeka and Noike had. Nanoha and Fate, too, were taken aback, putting their hands up to cover their mouths. Tenchi and Washu had intense stares, while Sasami wore a look of abject pity.
“Okay then,” said Benjamin with a tense sort of slowness that sent shivers up some people’s spines. “So Odin chose me. What does this mean and why?”
“You know that you are a direct descendant of the legendary viking, Sigurd Snake-In-The-Eye.”
“Yes. This is known to me. My mother traced her own matrilineal heritage all the way back to the old records of the royal families of Europe, which brought this to her attention.”
Peorth nodded. “What’s more is that Sigurd was the grandson, through his mother, Aslaug, the seer wife of Ragnar Lodbrok, of the Valkyrie named Brunhild.
“Benjamin. You have the right to lay claim to the title of Warrior. Though you would likely be called upon to prove that yourself, your claim would have credence to it.”
“And what would Odin have me do?”
“What you have done thus far. Fight for what is good and just. Fight as if you feel no pain, even though you do feel it so acutely. And to never give in, no matter how great the burden.”
“If he wants that of me, then he needs to come down here and convince me of it, and not brand me like some common animal.”
Benjamin’s voice was low and unusually quiet, but the tone was something most of them had never heard him use, least of all Nanoha and Fate. But as terrible as Benjamin had sounded in that moment, the two couldn’t bring themselves to feel fear of him. Instead, his outrage was their own. Nanoha’s hand sought out and found Fate’s without either of them looking, and squeezed each others fingers together tightly as they both felt their hearts blaze in tightly controlled fury.
“You can refuse this calling, Ben,” said Peorth. “Odin is not taking your free agency away from you. Instead, it’s more like he is leaving the door open and the light on for you, inviting you to come into his house, and be one of his trusted men.”
“Then he needs to convince me of that himself.”
“As you wish, Benjamin,” said Peorth. “But know that this sign will still be on your head. And while others may not know of it, those that matter most will see that you have Odin’s favor and may seek you out.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when I need to make an example out of someone,” said Ben tersely. “Is there anything else I should know of?”
“Your ancient viking heritage is not all. There were many Brujas on your matrilineal line. This is very likely why you have this strange ability to disrupt magics.”
Ben nodded. “Like I was doing with the simulacra and Precia.”
Peorth nodded. “Not only that, but you may have been providing us with protection that kept Precia from casting any spells on us. Up until she became a Witch.”
“That was definitely a shit-hits-the-fan moment,” said Ben. “Okay, so what does this mean in the grand scheme of things? Can it be strengthened or trained?”
“Most likely yes to both counts. I’m going to leave that in Washu-chan’s and Belldandy’s capable hands, though. As for what it means, I think that makes you, Mr. Legendary Hero, a much more tactical piece on the playing board.”
“No kidding,” said Marller with a grin. “You were practically steamrolling over those carbon copies, and even though they were weak, they had numbers on their side.”
“And you completely destroyed that advantage,” said Teletha with a smile. She then sighed and said, “If only dealing with AMALGAM back home were so easy.”
“Well, now that that’s out of the way,” said Washu as she turned and gave Ben a pointed look, saying, “let’s get to this thing with the girl in the stasis tank. Do you really think I can do anything for her?”
Ben shrugged. “Maybe? I just wanted us to try. I feel that both Alicia and Fate deserve that much. Especially Fate.”
“But... why?” asked Fate.
“You deserve to have some family,” said Ben. “I can’t think of anything better than Alicia.”
“And I think that’s about it,” said Peorth. “Does anyone have anything to add? Questions, comments, suggestions? Alright then. Let’s break here and see if we can get some sleep.” Peorth then turned to Ben and said, “And you get rid of those clothes, Mister!”
Ben laugh in spite of himself. “Right, right...”
##
Before Ben would go to bed for the morning, he stopped by Nanoha and Fate’s apartment. Fran opened the door for him.
“You’d better come inside,” said the young servant. “Fate is in a bad way.”
“What happened?” he asked as he entered.
“Having to fight all those copies of Alicia... It had an effect on her.”
“Oh no,” said Ben mournfully.
He went to their room and stood just outside the door and listened as Fate poured her heart out to poor Nanoha. He could tell that once again, the girl was out of her depth - it was literally all she could do just to try and comfort the heartbroken girl.
Ben, as usual, knew exactly what to do in this case. Like called to like, after all.
He left, then came back with his guitar and knocked gently at the door frame.
“Yes?” said Nanoha, her voice a bit watery from her lack of success at consoling Fate.
“I think I have a bit of medicine for Fate,” he said as he quietly entered.
Fate sniffled as she looked up and saw Ben with his guitar. She knew from the last few times she heard Ben play, it was always something special, something that connected. And this time, it was clear that he had something that was just for her.
Her sorrow overridden by curiosity for the moment, she dried her eyes as she sat up.
“What are you going to play?” she asked weakly.
“Well,” said Ben as he sat down and checked the tuning of the guitar, “there are times when it’s not enough just to be sad. The hurting just becomes so senseless and cruel. And just crying isn’t enough to get it all out. At times like this, you need to know how to be angry about what has happened to you.”
“Angry?” said Fate.
Ben nodded. “Yes. Angry. Scream. Kick. Hit something. Break things. Make the entire world know that you’re upset. You can’t keep it inside.
“I know that some people express anger differently. This song is a cupful of bitter resentment, sorrow, and rage. It was originally about a man with a drug addiction fighting against himself. However, it also fits for someone who has been abused, like you and me. Once we’re free at last, we’re finally able to look back - to look inside - and contemplate what happened.”
With that, Ben began to pick the chords and notes, filling the air with a sorrowing and haunting melody.
And you
Can bring me to my knees
Again
All the times
That I could beg you please
In vain
All the times
That I felt insecure
For you
And I leave
My burdens at the door
But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
All the times
That I felt like this won't end
It's for you
And I taste
What I could never have
It was from you
All the times
That I've cried my intentions
Full of pride
But I waste
More time than anyone
But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
All the times
That I've cried
All this wasted
It's all inside
And I feel
All this pain
Stuffed it down
It's back again
And I lie
Here in bed
All alone
I can't mend
But I feel
Tomorrow will be okay
But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
Ben set his guitar aside then, because Fate needed to hold him and cry against his chest. As Ben and Nanoha both stroked her back, he told her:
“It’s okay, Fate. You can go ahead and scream. I’m not going to be upset if you do.”
Fate nodded.
And then she howled in anguished rage.
And she screamed horrible curses at her mother in Midchildan.
And she gripped Ben’s shirt and pounded on his chest.
Fate Testarossa finally let go of all of her anger and resentment.
After a long time, she was finally spent, and simply laid in Benjamin’s lap, sniffling as she cried silent tears, the anger having finally abated and leaving her feeling hollow inside.
But somehow, it was a good sort of emptiness. Like as if she had just removed something awful from the room of her soul and the air was finally starting to clear a bit.
“Feel better now?” asked Benjamin gently as he stroked her back and Nanoha gently dabbed at her face with tissues, pausing now and then to give her little kisses.
Fate nodded her head slowly, but it was not a half-hearted gesture. She honestly did feel that, just like in the song, tomorrow would be okay.
“Alright, lemme up and we’ll get you ready for the night.”
From there, Nanoha took Fate to the bath and gently helped her clean up. As they soaked in the tub together, Nanoha held Fate’s back to her chest, cherishing the soft, warm feeling of her loved one against her bare skin. Fate simply let herself go, feeling safe and secure in Nanoha’s arms, knowing that she won’t ever betray her.
After that, Ben had some cool glasses of milk for them and made sure they were comfortable for the night. He kissed them both on the foreheads and went to make sure everything in the apartment was shut off for the night. The cats had food and water. The kitchen was clean. The living room was tidy. And the dining area awaited the next meal.
Benjamin went to his room.
Everything there was in order.
But Ben still felt things were incomplete.
He sighed heavily to himself, got his guitar, sat down in his chair, and started to play.
It was at least an hour until felt like he could get to sleep.
##
That afternoon, Ben woke slowly and reluctantly crawled out of his bed. After getting some food into him and checking on the status of his cats, he then went down to see Washu.
A moment later, Ben knocked politely on the door to Washu’s lab and it popped open invitingly.
“C’mon in, Ben,” came Washu’s voice, drifting through the door. “I think I know what’s bothering you.”
Ben walked in and Washu was there at her workstation, going over the medical scans and data of Alicia Testarossa.
“Hey Washu-chan. Any prognosis yet?” asked Ben.
Washu sighed and shook her head. “I can repair the systemic damage, easy. But even if I did revive her, she’d be a vegetable. Her brain was dead for too long.”
Ben felt himself deflate at that. “Alright then... Can I see her though?”
“Sure, just through that door on your right.”
“Thanks, Washu-chan,” said Ben. “For at least trying, I mean.”
“I would have done it anyways, Ben. You should know that by now.”
Ben scoffed at himself. “Yeah, you would have, wouldn’t have you?”
Washu smiled wanly. “Go on then. Pay your respects.”
Ben smiled back, then went to the door that Washu had indicated.
There in the room was the tank. And inside it was a perfectly beautiful little girl, just like her sister only a few years younger.
The memory of that one scene from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s came to mind. The one where The Book of Darkness had Fate in its clutches. And how it tortured her with what could have only been her very own personal Heaven.
Precia.
Alicia.
And Fate.
Living happily and peacefully together.
And the utterly heartrending farewell Fate gave her sister when she realize that this was not something she could keep.
Ben pounded a fist on the side of the capsule while the tears streamed from his face.
“NO GODDAMMIT!” snarled Benjamin. “This has gone on long enough. No more!” He then stood up and turned around to find Fate looking him in the eyes, uncertain and anxious.
“What I’m about to do,” he said, “I do out of love and compassion. And because all I want is for you to be happy.” He then pulled in a breath and then shouted at the top of his lungs: “LADY HILD! I WANT TO MAKE A WISH!”
And just like that, there was s sudden flare of hot flames and the Daimakaicho appeared - a beautiful, snow-haired, dusky-skinned woman, dressed in red and black and in such a way as to emphasize the sexual appeal of her body in every way possible.
“Very bold of you, Benjamin,” she practically purred. “And a bit overly dramatic, much?” she teased. “You know that you could have simply called on the phone.” Her face then turned serious as she said, “I hope that you hadn’t been expecting preferential treatment. Only Heaven gives out freebies.”
“Lady Hild,” said Ben, bowing his head to the Daimakaicho, “I only want the professional courtesy of you cutting a straight-forward deal with me. No hidden loopholes or quid pro quos.”
“I suppose I can,” she said thoughtfully. “Lord Phantomhive’s reports of your activity have been most satisfactory. And I really would rather not lose someone of your... singular character. So, what is it that you want?” she said as her gaze turned to Alicia’s capsule. She walked around it, trailing a fingertip over its surface in an rather sensuous manner. She then looked up at Ben and smiled. “As though I couldn’t tell.”
“Can it be done?” asked Ben. Fate began to come closer and Ben subtly positioned himself between the girl and Hild. He knew it wouldn't do much, but he felt it was best to not let Fate draw too much attention to herself.
Hild actually became thoughtful. “It could... but given how long she has been dead for - no matter how well preserved her body is - it’s going to be a very difficult task to get her soul to reestablish itself in her body.”
“What needs to be done?” he asked. At this time, he felt Fate pressing against his side. He took her hands into his and she held his arm tightly against herself.
“We’ll need to create a phylactery for her. And it will need to be specially made so that it will allow her soul to slowly bind itself back into her mortal flesh.”
“I think that can be done.”
“Well I hope you weren’t thinking that was all to it, because there’s more.”
“I guess not. Please continue, Milady.”
“There will need to be an upkeep paid. Someone will need to split their spiritual energy with her. This will serve to keep her body animated while her soul reasserts itself. Think of it as an extended-period jump-start.”
“I’ll provide it.” The tension Fate applied to his armed was suddenly doubled.
Hild smiled. “You do realize that certain traits will begin to rub off on her. She may gain your Asperger’s Syndrome, or even your magic disruption capability.”
“It’s better than the alternative.”
“How very pragmatic of you. I appreciate that in my servants. Now tell me - what do you offer in repayment? You had better make it good - Death does not like being cheated, even if it’s at my behest.”
There was a tense moment as Ben thought that over, and then the bit about death made him think of something.
“What if I worked for you and death as a shinigami for one-hundred years after my death?” Fate's grip on his hand moved from 'tight' to 'white-knuckled'.
“Little boy, if this girl’s plight is all it takes to set you off, then how can I expect you to do regular work as a Shinigami? Surely you never imagined that such work involves ferrying the souls of lost children, do you not?”
“That’s why I won’t be any ordinary shinigami. I will be your personal bounty hunter. The one you call in for a soul that has spited you in avoiding their fate. Your very own Johnny Blaze, minus the whole soul-eating thing as I’m pretty sure you want those souls for Hell.”
“Iiiinnnnnteerresssiiiinnngg~” purred Hild. “And what makes you think that I don’t already have people like this working for me?”
“Nothing. I figured I’d take a shot anyhow.”
Hild chuckled. “I do have a few people working for myself and Death in such a capacity. However, by the time you meet your fate-”
“?!” cried out Fate wordlessly, causing Hild to chuckle.
“Oh, not you, dear child, the other kind of Fate - by the time you mortal life is over, I will probably have need of another one.
“So... Alicia’s soul in a phylactery, your spiritual energy to help sustain her until she no longer needs it, and your servitude in death. Does that sound about right?”
“Her memories,” said Ben suddenly. “Will those be intact as well?”
Hild smiled. “Good catch. For being so sharp, I’ll not only make certain that her memories are restored, but I will also implant some memories from the Book of Darkness incident.”
At Fate’s surprised look, Hild smiled. “Oh, don’t be so shocked, dear child. The memories will actually be your own... only modified to be from her perspective. She will be able to recognize you as her sister right away.”
“But...” said Fate, looking confused. “Aren’t you supposed to be evil? Why would you do something so nice?”
Hild went to Fate and, courageous girl that she was, didn’t flinch as Hild gently, almost lovingly even, tilted her face up to look her in the eyes.
“Because, dear child, I know what family means. My antics with Urd are not simply to throw her and her sisters off-balance. As a mother, I dearly wish that she would acknowledge me.”
“I’m sorry,” said Fate, and she genuinely meant it. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s alright, Fate,” she said as she cupped her cheek softly. “You’re not of this world, and you meant no offense. You simply did not understand, and yet you sought understanding. There is no crime in that. I only ask one thing of you, Fate.”
“Yes?”
“Treasure her always.”
“Forever!” cried out Fate without hesitation.
“Good girl.” She then left Fate, turning back to Ben, and said, “Well, is that satisfactory, Benjamin?”
“Yes, Milady. If I may ask, though, while we make preparations, may I have a copy of the contract? Trust, but verify, you know.”
The Daimakaicho made an amused sound. “Indeed.”
With a flourish and a burst of flames, a scroll appeared in her hand. She was about to pass it to Ben when she held it back, then said,
“Remember, Benjamin. I do not do things like this lightly. You have been highly effective thus far, and that in spite of, or perhaps even because of, your shortcomings. As you asked, this contract is straightforward. And I expect you to make good on this wish.”
“I do not doubt that there’s any issues, Milady. And as I’ve said... I’m doing this out of love.”
“Hmm,” said Hild with a smile. “It is very noble of you...” She then leaned over and whispered seductively in his ear, “But don’t think that I don’t know what you truly want.~”
“I know what my dark side is,” said Ben firmly, but gently. “Unlike some, I acknowledge that it is a part of what I am. I understand why it exists and what caused it to be the way it is. And I do my best to be at peace with myself.”
Hild chuckled. “You know, if more men were like you, I’d probably be out of a job.” She then gave a nasty smile. “Be careful now, Benjamin. They say that one should not come to the attention of their executives... but you have gained mine, and in such a bold manner, too. I will be keeping an eye on you from now on~.”
“Of course, Milady,” replied Ben with a polite bow.
“Hah. Smarmy little charmer.” She suddenly burst into flames and was gone just like that.
Ben then looked to Fate. “Let’s get the-OOF!”
He didn’t get much more than that out because Fate had wrapped her arms around him and squeezed with all of her considerable strength. For a moment, there were only her sobs.
“How could you do this?” she finally managed to say.
“Fate. My dear little love. If it meant that you could live a happy life with your sister and Nanoha, then I would die a thousand times over. Willingly. Knowingly. Even if it meant that I would have never met you and was never a part of your life. So long as each time I get a short moment to look down from heaven, and see your smile. That would make all the suffering in the world worth it.”
He then went down on one knee, taking her head in his hands so he could look her in the eyes and say it so that she would know without any room for doubt this was coming from his heart.
“Family bonds are sacred, Fate. It is what makes us human. Without family, we are nothing.”
Fate hugged him close once more, and whispered in his ear, “Be my family. With Alicia. With Nanoha.”
Ben kept her close. “Even though I’m an old man?”
“Don’t care. You need family. I do too. Please, don’t make me ask again.”
For a long moment, Ben simply held her there like that.
“What does Nanoha think?”
“She wants us both. You make her feel at ease. And she loves that you make me feel stronger. Please?”
Ben sighed. “Every year, every month, every day, you and Nanoha will grow more and more beautiful, and all the more tempting for me. It’s going to be hard for me to wait until we can do this legally.”
“That won’t stop us from loving you.”
“Nor I, you,” he whispered in her ear. “I will be family to you, Fate. From now until forever.”
When Fate and Ben finally parted, Nanoha was there waiting. She first went and hugged Fate tightly, whispering things between each other, words of love and assurance. Once reaffirmed, they let each other go, and then Nanoha went to Ben.
Still down on one knee, Ben received her with open arms, hugging her tightly.
“Raising Heart saw everything,” she whispered. “You brave fool. My precious, courageous fool on his hill.”
“Would you have me any other way?” Ben whispered back, mild amusement coloring his tone.
“Never in ten-thousand years. Thank you.”
“Always.”
Of course, that wasn’t the end of things. There were many questions raised that needed to be answered. Chiefly among them...
“Okay, what in the name of the Golden Ratio was THAT!?” cried out Washu.
Ben sighed. “Something that I’m gonna need to take some time to explain. Washu-chan, you got something we can use as a briefing room?”
Without a word, Washu went to the nearest wall, tapped out a sequence on keys that only revealed themselves as they were pressed, and suddenly a door slid open in the seamless wall.
“Right this way, everyone,” said the pint-sized super genius.
While they all trudged in, Ben said, “Get comfortable folks. This is gonna take a bit.”
As they all sat down, small tables like school desks appeared in front of them with notepads, pencils, and that person’s favorite beverage at just the right temperature.
Washu didn’t do things by halves.
“Alright,” began Benjamin. “Here’s what we’re dealing with. It’s a civilization that is bent on The Greater Good. To this end, they are sacrificing the lives of countless little girls in order to harvest some kind of magical energy from negative emotions and use it to power their civilization in order to stave off the heat death of the Universe.”
“What do you mean by ‘sacrificing’?” asked Washu.
Ben nodded. “There we get into the Puella Magi System created by this civilization. It started out with just a few girls, many hundreds of years ago by our current perspective. The Incubators, a nigh infinite number of constructs collectively known as ‘Kyubey’ offered to make these girls into Puella Magi. All they had to do was to make a wish.
“Kyubey would grant that wish, and then... I don’t know how to sugar coat this, but it basically turns these girls into Liches.”
“Liches?!” said Peorth in surprise. “As in souls in phylacteries and virtually invulnerable to death!?”
Ben nodded. “Exactly. And all of this without the poor girls realizing it. The Puella Magi receives an object known as a Soul Gem. In addition to housing their soul, it’s a sort of manna reactor, except that it has an intentionally built-in flaw: the damn thing doesn’t have a tail pipe.”
Both Marller and Peorth went pale at that.
“You mean...” said Marller, unable to finish.
Ben nodded grimly. “Nothing is for free. The wish dooms these poor girls into a miserable un-life that will eventually end with their souls becoming irreversibly corrupted. Near as I can figure, Soul Gems work by separating ambient magical energy out into negative and positive energy. The positive energy goes into the spells cast by the Puella Magi, while the negative energy collects in their soul gems.
“The Incubators harvest this energy using grief seeds - what is left of a Witch after it has been killed. A Grief Seed will act as a sponge, soaking up the negative energy upon contact with a soul gem. Once a grief seed is full, they hand it over to the Incubators to be ‘disposed of’.
“Eventually, all Puella Magi wind up discovering the truth about what’s happened to them. When that happens, they end up going one of two ways. Many become overcome with despair - the state at which the negative energy has reached a critical mass inside their soul gem, and it becomes a Grief Seed. At that point the Puella Magi becomes a Witch.
“The other is that they snap in a different way. They become cold, ruthless people who care only about their own continued survival. To that end, they wind up farming Witches.
“You see, a Witch’s familiars can mature and turn into Witches themselves given enough time. They’ll leave their home labyrinth and create ones of their own.
“Witches are bad news in that they will ensnare people who are severely depressed or even having thoughts of suicide. I don’t think I need to state how close to home that hits for a person like me.
“Are there any questions?”
Teletha raised her hand and Ben called on her.
“Is there anything that can be done to save these girls?” she asked. “Anything at all?”
“I don’t know for sure,” said Ben. He then reached into his pocket - a spherical cage with an intricate design that was obviously symbolic of Precia’s grief - the loss of her daughter - with an equally decorative spike running through the y-axis.
“This was Precia’s Grief Seed. Each one has a unique design to it that is very symbolic. Some have theorized that there is an imprint of the person who this once was on the Grief Seed itself. Whether anything can be recovered from that or not...” Ben shrugged helplessly. “Peorth, Washu-chan? I’m going to turn this over to you two. I think that it would be a good idea for this to be a joint research project.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Peorth. “I have faith in Washu-chan’s abilities despite what’s happened. And even as hard-pressed as we are with the Yggdrasil, we can spare someone. We’ll send Belldandy - she’s good with things like this, and it will let her spend the nights with her husband.
“However,” continued Peorth, “I feel that it’s time we discussed you, Benjamin.”
Ben blinked at that. “In regards to...?”
“Your ability to generate an Anti-Magic Field.”
“Is that what was happening?” he asked.
Peorth nodded. “Nanoha? Fate? I would like to see the sensor data from Raising Heart and Bardiche from the fight.”
“Sure!” said Nanoha.
“Right away!” replied Fate.
The two girls came to the front and their devices rose into the air, projecting holographic view screens for Peorth to peruse.
“Very interesting.” She then called up her own terminal to the Yggdrasil system. Washu took interest and came over.
“Mind if I have a look there?” she asked.
“Not at all,” replied Peorth as she adjusted and enlarged the screen so Washu could see as well.
Prominent on the Yggdrasil Terminal was the icon from before - the Grand Valknut.
“Very well then. Washu-chan, are you satisfied.”
“For now,” she said. “I’d like to be able to go over this data in-depth later on, if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll have copies of all the relevant files sent to your email.”
“Thanks!”
Peorth then looked to Benjamin.
“Ben, you were never ordained as an elder in your church, correct? And that you never received your Patriarchal Blessing?”
“What’s that?” asked Nanoha.
“Something very special,” said Benjamin. “It’s not spoken of lightly. A Patriarchal Blessing is something you only ever get once. It’s considered... not prophecy, but revelation. We Latter-Day Saints are very different from other Christian faiths in that we have a very clear and concise idea of who and what we are, where we came from, and where we’re going. There’s nothing vague about it. We believe that we are literally the Children of God - not just us Saints, but humanity as a whole. It’s everyone’s birthright. And like with any birthright, that comes with covenants for the faithful. And a patriarchal blessing is one of those.
“As for exactly what it is... As I said before, it’s revelation more than anything else. It tells a person a little bit about who they were before they came to Earth and passed through what we call The Veil - what clouds our memories of that pre-existence. It will reveal other interesting things, like which of the Tribes of Israel we’re to be adopted into. It also gives an idea of what to expect of themselves and how they can best handle things. Dangers to be avoided and the such. Again, not prophecy - these would be things that would be dangerous to a person specifically. We’re all warned to avoid vices, but some of us are particularly susceptible to some more than others.”
Benjamin looked to the others as they looked at him with wide-eyed surprise.
“I never imagined you to be so... religious!” said Teletha suddenly.
Ben shrugged. “As I tell others, I was raised as a Latter-Day Saint. I still consider myself to be one... my Elders would probably say that Lucifer has worked especially hard to keep me from serving whatever purpose God had intended for me. I take a more philosophical view. I feel that my purpose is to walk on the outside. To see the perspective of those outside looking in. And to warn my brethren that, sinners or not, they need to soften their attitudes towards certain people. To remind them that at no point did Christ ever advocate to make anyone’s life any more miserable than it may be. That is Lucifer’s work.”
Peorth laid a comforting hand on Ben’s shoulder. “I understand your anger towards them, Benjamin. You feel that they should have done more for you.”
Ben’s head didn’t exactly snap towards Peorth, but it was a measured and decisive movement.
She continued, “And you are right. There was so much more they could have done. But they worried about splitting your family apart. Maybe it would have been for the best. But that was your world, not this one.
“And that is why this has happened.”
Peorth pulled the Terminal window into view again, this time displaying two symbols, each one a grouping of three triangles overlapping each other. Though while one image showed them as being linked like rings in chainmail, the other showed them as physically linked, as though drawn with a calligraphy pen without lifting the nib from the paper.
“What do they mean?” asked Benjamin.
“These are Valknuts. Warriors that had sworn themselves to Odin, to put victory above all else, above all pain, suffering, and heartbreak. But that was only for Midgard Warriors to show this covenant with Odin.
“Odin has his own sign for those He chooses himself.”
Peorth gestured again, and then the Grand Valknut was displayed in all its eye-bending glory. Ben himself wasn’t discomfited by the appearance. He actually found it quite pleasing to his eye; the way it all flowed and fitted together so intricately appealed to his aesthetic sense as well as the engineer inside him.
“This is the Grand Valknut. The sign Odin himself bestows on his chosen. It is in your file in the Yggdrasil computer.”
Ben looked at Peorth in surprise and others in the seating area gasped softly. Not all of them had overheard Peorth and Marller’s conversation as Aeka and Noike had. Nanoha and Fate, too, were taken aback, putting their hands up to cover their mouths. Tenchi and Washu had intense stares, while Sasami wore a look of abject pity.
“Okay then,” said Benjamin with a tense sort of slowness that sent shivers up some people’s spines. “So Odin chose me. What does this mean and why?”
“You know that you are a direct descendant of the legendary viking, Sigurd Snake-In-The-Eye.”
“Yes. This is known to me. My mother traced her own matrilineal heritage all the way back to the old records of the royal families of Europe, which brought this to her attention.”
Peorth nodded. “What’s more is that Sigurd was the grandson, through his mother, Aslaug, the seer wife of Ragnar Lodbrok, of the Valkyrie named Brunhild.
“Benjamin. You have the right to lay claim to the title of Warrior. Though you would likely be called upon to prove that yourself, your claim would have credence to it.”
“And what would Odin have me do?”
“What you have done thus far. Fight for what is good and just. Fight as if you feel no pain, even though you do feel it so acutely. And to never give in, no matter how great the burden.”
“If he wants that of me, then he needs to come down here and convince me of it, and not brand me like some common animal.”
Benjamin’s voice was low and unusually quiet, but the tone was something most of them had never heard him use, least of all Nanoha and Fate. But as terrible as Benjamin had sounded in that moment, the two couldn’t bring themselves to feel fear of him. Instead, his outrage was their own. Nanoha’s hand sought out and found Fate’s without either of them looking, and squeezed each others fingers together tightly as they both felt their hearts blaze in tightly controlled fury.
“You can refuse this calling, Ben,” said Peorth. “Odin is not taking your free agency away from you. Instead, it’s more like he is leaving the door open and the light on for you, inviting you to come into his house, and be one of his trusted men.”
“Then he needs to convince me of that himself.”
“As you wish, Benjamin,” said Peorth. “But know that this sign will still be on your head. And while others may not know of it, those that matter most will see that you have Odin’s favor and may seek you out.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when I need to make an example out of someone,” said Ben tersely. “Is there anything else I should know of?”
“Your ancient viking heritage is not all. There were many Brujas on your matrilineal line. This is very likely why you have this strange ability to disrupt magics.”
Ben nodded. “Like I was doing with the simulacra and Precia.”
Peorth nodded. “Not only that, but you may have been providing us with protection that kept Precia from casting any spells on us. Up until she became a Witch.”
“That was definitely a shit-hits-the-fan moment,” said Ben. “Okay, so what does this mean in the grand scheme of things? Can it be strengthened or trained?”
“Most likely yes to both counts. I’m going to leave that in Washu-chan’s and Belldandy’s capable hands, though. As for what it means, I think that makes you, Mr. Legendary Hero, a much more tactical piece on the playing board.”
“No kidding,” said Marller with a grin. “You were practically steamrolling over those carbon copies, and even though they were weak, they had numbers on their side.”
“And you completely destroyed that advantage,” said Teletha with a smile. She then sighed and said, “If only dealing with AMALGAM back home were so easy.”
“Well, now that that’s out of the way,” said Washu as she turned and gave Ben a pointed look, saying, “let’s get to this thing with the girl in the stasis tank. Do you really think I can do anything for her?”
Ben shrugged. “Maybe? I just wanted us to try. I feel that both Alicia and Fate deserve that much. Especially Fate.”
“But... why?” asked Fate.
“You deserve to have some family,” said Ben. “I can’t think of anything better than Alicia.”
“And I think that’s about it,” said Peorth. “Does anyone have anything to add? Questions, comments, suggestions? Alright then. Let’s break here and see if we can get some sleep.” Peorth then turned to Ben and said, “And you get rid of those clothes, Mister!”
Ben laugh in spite of himself. “Right, right...”
##
Before Ben would go to bed for the morning, he stopped by Nanoha and Fate’s apartment. Fran opened the door for him.
“You’d better come inside,” said the young servant. “Fate is in a bad way.”
“What happened?” he asked as he entered.
“Having to fight all those copies of Alicia... It had an effect on her.”
“Oh no,” said Ben mournfully.
He went to their room and stood just outside the door and listened as Fate poured her heart out to poor Nanoha. He could tell that once again, the girl was out of her depth - it was literally all she could do just to try and comfort the heartbroken girl.
Ben, as usual, knew exactly what to do in this case. Like called to like, after all.
He left, then came back with his guitar and knocked gently at the door frame.
“Yes?” said Nanoha, her voice a bit watery from her lack of success at consoling Fate.
“I think I have a bit of medicine for Fate,” he said as he quietly entered.
Fate sniffled as she looked up and saw Ben with his guitar. She knew from the last few times she heard Ben play, it was always something special, something that connected. And this time, it was clear that he had something that was just for her.
Her sorrow overridden by curiosity for the moment, she dried her eyes as she sat up.
“What are you going to play?” she asked weakly.
“Well,” said Ben as he sat down and checked the tuning of the guitar, “there are times when it’s not enough just to be sad. The hurting just becomes so senseless and cruel. And just crying isn’t enough to get it all out. At times like this, you need to know how to be angry about what has happened to you.”
“Angry?” said Fate.
Ben nodded. “Yes. Angry. Scream. Kick. Hit something. Break things. Make the entire world know that you’re upset. You can’t keep it inside.
“I know that some people express anger differently. This song is a cupful of bitter resentment, sorrow, and rage. It was originally about a man with a drug addiction fighting against himself. However, it also fits for someone who has been abused, like you and me. Once we’re free at last, we’re finally able to look back - to look inside - and contemplate what happened.”
With that, Ben began to pick the chords and notes, filling the air with a sorrowing and haunting melody.
And you
Can bring me to my knees
Again
All the times
That I could beg you please
In vain
All the times
That I felt insecure
For you
And I leave
My burdens at the door
But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
All the times
That I felt like this won't end
It's for you
And I taste
What I could never have
It was from you
All the times
That I've cried my intentions
Full of pride
But I waste
More time than anyone
But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
All the times
That I've cried
All this wasted
It's all inside
And I feel
All this pain
Stuffed it down
It's back again
And I lie
Here in bed
All alone
I can't mend
But I feel
Tomorrow will be okay
But I'm on the outside
And I'm looking in
I can see through you
See your true colors
'Cause inside you're ugly
You're ugly like me
I can see through you
See to the real you
Ben set his guitar aside then, because Fate needed to hold him and cry against his chest. As Ben and Nanoha both stroked her back, he told her:
“It’s okay, Fate. You can go ahead and scream. I’m not going to be upset if you do.”
Fate nodded.
And then she howled in anguished rage.
And she screamed horrible curses at her mother in Midchildan.
And she gripped Ben’s shirt and pounded on his chest.
Fate Testarossa finally let go of all of her anger and resentment.
After a long time, she was finally spent, and simply laid in Benjamin’s lap, sniffling as she cried silent tears, the anger having finally abated and leaving her feeling hollow inside.
But somehow, it was a good sort of emptiness. Like as if she had just removed something awful from the room of her soul and the air was finally starting to clear a bit.
“Feel better now?” asked Benjamin gently as he stroked her back and Nanoha gently dabbed at her face with tissues, pausing now and then to give her little kisses.
Fate nodded her head slowly, but it was not a half-hearted gesture. She honestly did feel that, just like in the song, tomorrow would be okay.
“Alright, lemme up and we’ll get you ready for the night.”
From there, Nanoha took Fate to the bath and gently helped her clean up. As they soaked in the tub together, Nanoha held Fate’s back to her chest, cherishing the soft, warm feeling of her loved one against her bare skin. Fate simply let herself go, feeling safe and secure in Nanoha’s arms, knowing that she won’t ever betray her.
After that, Ben had some cool glasses of milk for them and made sure they were comfortable for the night. He kissed them both on the foreheads and went to make sure everything in the apartment was shut off for the night. The cats had food and water. The kitchen was clean. The living room was tidy. And the dining area awaited the next meal.
Benjamin went to his room.
Everything there was in order.
But Ben still felt things were incomplete.
He sighed heavily to himself, got his guitar, sat down in his chair, and started to play.
It was at least an hour until felt like he could get to sleep.
##
That afternoon, Ben woke slowly and reluctantly crawled out of his bed. After getting some food into him and checking on the status of his cats, he then went down to see Washu.
A moment later, Ben knocked politely on the door to Washu’s lab and it popped open invitingly.
“C’mon in, Ben,” came Washu’s voice, drifting through the door. “I think I know what’s bothering you.”
Ben walked in and Washu was there at her workstation, going over the medical scans and data of Alicia Testarossa.
“Hey Washu-chan. Any prognosis yet?” asked Ben.
Washu sighed and shook her head. “I can repair the systemic damage, easy. But even if I did revive her, she’d be a vegetable. Her brain was dead for too long.”
Ben felt himself deflate at that. “Alright then... Can I see her though?”
“Sure, just through that door on your right.”
“Thanks, Washu-chan,” said Ben. “For at least trying, I mean.”
“I would have done it anyways, Ben. You should know that by now.”
Ben scoffed at himself. “Yeah, you would have, wouldn’t have you?”
Washu smiled wanly. “Go on then. Pay your respects.”
Ben smiled back, then went to the door that Washu had indicated.
There in the room was the tank. And inside it was a perfectly beautiful little girl, just like her sister only a few years younger.
The memory of that one scene from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s came to mind. The one where The Book of Darkness had Fate in its clutches. And how it tortured her with what could have only been her very own personal Heaven.
Precia.
Alicia.
And Fate.
Living happily and peacefully together.
And the utterly heartrending farewell Fate gave her sister when she realize that this was not something she could keep.
Ben pounded a fist on the side of the capsule while the tears streamed from his face.
“NO GODDAMMIT!” snarled Benjamin. “This has gone on long enough. No more!” He then stood up and turned around to find Fate looking him in the eyes, uncertain and anxious.
“What I’m about to do,” he said, “I do out of love and compassion. And because all I want is for you to be happy.” He then pulled in a breath and then shouted at the top of his lungs: “LADY HILD! I WANT TO MAKE A WISH!”
And just like that, there was s sudden flare of hot flames and the Daimakaicho appeared - a beautiful, snow-haired, dusky-skinned woman, dressed in red and black and in such a way as to emphasize the sexual appeal of her body in every way possible.
“Very bold of you, Benjamin,” she practically purred. “And a bit overly dramatic, much?” she teased. “You know that you could have simply called on the phone.” Her face then turned serious as she said, “I hope that you hadn’t been expecting preferential treatment. Only Heaven gives out freebies.”
“Lady Hild,” said Ben, bowing his head to the Daimakaicho, “I only want the professional courtesy of you cutting a straight-forward deal with me. No hidden loopholes or quid pro quos.”
“I suppose I can,” she said thoughtfully. “Lord Phantomhive’s reports of your activity have been most satisfactory. And I really would rather not lose someone of your... singular character. So, what is it that you want?” she said as her gaze turned to Alicia’s capsule. She walked around it, trailing a fingertip over its surface in an rather sensuous manner. She then looked up at Ben and smiled. “As though I couldn’t tell.”
“Can it be done?” asked Ben. Fate began to come closer and Ben subtly positioned himself between the girl and Hild. He knew it wouldn't do much, but he felt it was best to not let Fate draw too much attention to herself.
Hild actually became thoughtful. “It could... but given how long she has been dead for - no matter how well preserved her body is - it’s going to be a very difficult task to get her soul to reestablish itself in her body.”
“What needs to be done?” he asked. At this time, he felt Fate pressing against his side. He took her hands into his and she held his arm tightly against herself.
“We’ll need to create a phylactery for her. And it will need to be specially made so that it will allow her soul to slowly bind itself back into her mortal flesh.”
“I think that can be done.”
“Well I hope you weren’t thinking that was all to it, because there’s more.”
“I guess not. Please continue, Milady.”
“There will need to be an upkeep paid. Someone will need to split their spiritual energy with her. This will serve to keep her body animated while her soul reasserts itself. Think of it as an extended-period jump-start.”
“I’ll provide it.” The tension Fate applied to his armed was suddenly doubled.
Hild smiled. “You do realize that certain traits will begin to rub off on her. She may gain your Asperger’s Syndrome, or even your magic disruption capability.”
“It’s better than the alternative.”
“How very pragmatic of you. I appreciate that in my servants. Now tell me - what do you offer in repayment? You had better make it good - Death does not like being cheated, even if it’s at my behest.”
There was a tense moment as Ben thought that over, and then the bit about death made him think of something.
“What if I worked for you and death as a shinigami for one-hundred years after my death?” Fate's grip on his hand moved from 'tight' to 'white-knuckled'.
“Little boy, if this girl’s plight is all it takes to set you off, then how can I expect you to do regular work as a Shinigami? Surely you never imagined that such work involves ferrying the souls of lost children, do you not?”
“That’s why I won’t be any ordinary shinigami. I will be your personal bounty hunter. The one you call in for a soul that has spited you in avoiding their fate. Your very own Johnny Blaze, minus the whole soul-eating thing as I’m pretty sure you want those souls for Hell.”
“Iiiinnnnnteerresssiiiinnngg~” purred Hild. “And what makes you think that I don’t already have people like this working for me?”
“Nothing. I figured I’d take a shot anyhow.”
Hild chuckled. “I do have a few people working for myself and Death in such a capacity. However, by the time you meet your fate-”
“?!” cried out Fate wordlessly, causing Hild to chuckle.
“Oh, not you, dear child, the other kind of Fate - by the time you mortal life is over, I will probably have need of another one.
“So... Alicia’s soul in a phylactery, your spiritual energy to help sustain her until she no longer needs it, and your servitude in death. Does that sound about right?”
“Her memories,” said Ben suddenly. “Will those be intact as well?”
Hild smiled. “Good catch. For being so sharp, I’ll not only make certain that her memories are restored, but I will also implant some memories from the Book of Darkness incident.”
At Fate’s surprised look, Hild smiled. “Oh, don’t be so shocked, dear child. The memories will actually be your own... only modified to be from her perspective. She will be able to recognize you as her sister right away.”
“But...” said Fate, looking confused. “Aren’t you supposed to be evil? Why would you do something so nice?”
Hild went to Fate and, courageous girl that she was, didn’t flinch as Hild gently, almost lovingly even, tilted her face up to look her in the eyes.
“Because, dear child, I know what family means. My antics with Urd are not simply to throw her and her sisters off-balance. As a mother, I dearly wish that she would acknowledge me.”
“I’m sorry,” said Fate, and she genuinely meant it. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s alright, Fate,” she said as she cupped her cheek softly. “You’re not of this world, and you meant no offense. You simply did not understand, and yet you sought understanding. There is no crime in that. I only ask one thing of you, Fate.”
“Yes?”
“Treasure her always.”
“Forever!” cried out Fate without hesitation.
“Good girl.” She then left Fate, turning back to Ben, and said, “Well, is that satisfactory, Benjamin?”
“Yes, Milady. If I may ask, though, while we make preparations, may I have a copy of the contract? Trust, but verify, you know.”
The Daimakaicho made an amused sound. “Indeed.”
With a flourish and a burst of flames, a scroll appeared in her hand. She was about to pass it to Ben when she held it back, then said,
“Remember, Benjamin. I do not do things like this lightly. You have been highly effective thus far, and that in spite of, or perhaps even because of, your shortcomings. As you asked, this contract is straightforward. And I expect you to make good on this wish.”
“I do not doubt that there’s any issues, Milady. And as I’ve said... I’m doing this out of love.”
“Hmm,” said Hild with a smile. “It is very noble of you...” She then leaned over and whispered seductively in his ear, “But don’t think that I don’t know what you truly want.~”
“I know what my dark side is,” said Ben firmly, but gently. “Unlike some, I acknowledge that it is a part of what I am. I understand why it exists and what caused it to be the way it is. And I do my best to be at peace with myself.”
Hild chuckled. “You know, if more men were like you, I’d probably be out of a job.” She then gave a nasty smile. “Be careful now, Benjamin. They say that one should not come to the attention of their executives... but you have gained mine, and in such a bold manner, too. I will be keeping an eye on you from now on~.”
“Of course, Milady,” replied Ben with a polite bow.
“Hah. Smarmy little charmer.” She suddenly burst into flames and was gone just like that.
Ben then looked to Fate. “Let’s get the-OOF!”
He didn’t get much more than that out because Fate had wrapped her arms around him and squeezed with all of her considerable strength. For a moment, there were only her sobs.
“How could you do this?” she finally managed to say.
“Fate. My dear little love. If it meant that you could live a happy life with your sister and Nanoha, then I would die a thousand times over. Willingly. Knowingly. Even if it meant that I would have never met you and was never a part of your life. So long as each time I get a short moment to look down from heaven, and see your smile. That would make all the suffering in the world worth it.”
He then went down on one knee, taking her head in his hands so he could look her in the eyes and say it so that she would know without any room for doubt this was coming from his heart.
“Family bonds are sacred, Fate. It is what makes us human. Without family, we are nothing.”
Fate hugged him close once more, and whispered in his ear, “Be my family. With Alicia. With Nanoha.”
Ben kept her close. “Even though I’m an old man?”
“Don’t care. You need family. I do too. Please, don’t make me ask again.”
For a long moment, Ben simply held her there like that.
“What does Nanoha think?”
“She wants us both. You make her feel at ease. And she loves that you make me feel stronger. Please?”
Ben sighed. “Every year, every month, every day, you and Nanoha will grow more and more beautiful, and all the more tempting for me. It’s going to be hard for me to wait until we can do this legally.”
“That won’t stop us from loving you.”
“Nor I, you,” he whispered in her ear. “I will be family to you, Fate. From now until forever.”
When Fate and Ben finally parted, Nanoha was there waiting. She first went and hugged Fate tightly, whispering things between each other, words of love and assurance. Once reaffirmed, they let each other go, and then Nanoha went to Ben.
Still down on one knee, Ben received her with open arms, hugging her tightly.
“Raising Heart saw everything,” she whispered. “You brave fool. My precious, courageous fool on his hill.”
“Would you have me any other way?” Ben whispered back, mild amusement coloring his tone.
“Never in ten-thousand years. Thank you.”
“Always.”