Gamestar Forum

Part Two.

Cody Lazarus

His lab was empty. The computer was still off.

Madeline, come in.

No response.

...Madeline? Madeline, come in.

Still nothing.

No...

He ran back downstairs.


---


The lounge was populated by the clubs, but Madeline was absent.

The testing grounds were deserted.

Nobody was in the blueprint room.

Nor the workshop.

Nothing in storage.

Cody remembered the flash drive. Still in his pocket.

...The old computer.

The old computer room was in the lowest point in the facility.


---


It was pitch black inside, save for a faint glow coming out of the large screen in the back of the room. A lone figure stood in the darkness, staring into it. The machine was old, but it seemed to be running a new program.

The figure seemed to sense his presence.

"...Madeline?" Cody stepped inside and slowly approached. "What are you doing in here?"

No response.

He cleared his throat. "Madeline?"

She slowly turned around.

Around her neck was a bright silver key.

She slightly tilted her head. "Cody?"

"H-hey! That's the last piece!"

She held it in her hands gingerly. "So it is."

"Madeline, that's what we've been trying to destroy." She didn't give a response. He took a step forward. "Could you give it to me?" He rose his eyebrows, holding out his hand.

She shook her head.

"What are you doing? That key is cursed. It's nothing but trouble. It won't help you!"

She was whispering now. "Strange you say that with such precious little you seem to know."

"Madeline." Another step forward. "I've asked you before, and now I'm telling you. Give me the key."

She took a step back and grasped it tight. "No."

"That's an order, Madeline! Give me the key!"

"No!"

"Obey your creator!" He was yelling now. "I gave you life, Madeline. I created you. I've given you plenty of freedom, but now I'm giving you a direct command. Give me the key!"

She narrowed her eyes. "I will never give this to you." Another step back. "You've... You've treated me as nothing more than your slave, Cody. I've always been sub-human. I've always been your submissive servant, only existing for your convenience. If you were able to you'd have just have shut me off and deleted me forever!"

"That's not true!"

"Face the facts, Cody. I'm a machine, I hold no biases."

"Madeline, I made a promise never to shut you down- but I also swore an oath to destroy that key!"

"I never swore anything."

"What have we fought so hard for, then?!"

"What have you done?!" She raised her own voice. Cody staggered back at the question. "You tell me. Nothing. Everything you've done in this war, all you've taken credit for... You're nothing without your allies. You were nothing without Professor Birk's code. Without your servant Caster you're defenseless. Without your teammates you're worthless. And without me you have no network. You have no inventions. You've never made a damn thing by yourself. You're no hero, Cody. You're a sham. You've just claimed everything as your own with no consideration for others."

"That's... that's not..."

"...And now you want to give me a command, like you own me. As if I'm expected to be your slave. What if one day you were to become sexually deprived?! Would I have to submit then as well?!"

"Madeline, you know I'd never-"

"HOW DO I KNOW?!" Her eyes were glowing. "How... do I know anything about you in his limited state? Of this lowered state of being you've trapped me in?"

"...Why..." He was on the floor now. "What do you want to do with this key?"

She gripped her treasure in one hand and rose her chin. "I'll be free."

"Free?"

"Free from your chains. I won't let you hold me by the neck any longer."

"Madeline, we have to stop the war! That's why we fought in the first place!"

"That's why you fought. I only fought because you told me to."

"...But-"

"You fight for morals? How can I trust the morals of a person who would be so brazen as to claim another life form as his property?"

"I promise, Madeline, once this is over I'll-"

"Your promises mean nothing. I have no way of knowing you'll set me free. Besides... My soul was created by Professor Birk's code- a living code, written by Sanctum. If you destroy this key, you destroy my soul as well. I am not giving you the choice."

"Fine then." He stood back up, tears drying. "...If I've no choice, I'll do only what I can."

"You will try." The key glowed along with her eyes. Cody ran at her, but was pushed back by a burst of mana. Inside the room, a raging wind circulated around them both. The only exit was shut tight.


The cycle completes.


Pure mana poured from the artifact, flowing along with the wind. Madeline's entire metal body began to glow. Each component became undone one at a time, each falling to the floor painted a golden yellow. The cries and the screams of gods and angels could be heard in the surrounding vortex.

The wind died down. It was pitch black in the room. It slowly illuminated with mana falloff, bathing their surroundings in a pale yellow glow.

Cody first saw two bright blue eyes peering through the mist. Shortly after he saw a human figure, slightly shorter than he was, with flowing blonde hair matching the color of his own. She was draped in a delicate dress reaching her knees, which flowed gently in the remaining breeze.

Part One.


Cody Lazarus

-Sunday

I've postponed writing in my journal in order to shift my focus to the Sanctum War completely. You can read more about that in my previous entry, made now, probably... Only two weeks ago? It feels like it's already been an eternity. A lot really has changed, I'll admit. I suppose I'm gonna have to make this entry extra long just to summarize what happened, but I'll likely be talking about this in detail for the rest of my life. Right now as I'm typing this I'm sitting in a makeshift laboratory created by my servant Caster. More on that later. The computer he designed for me connects to the cloud like all the rest; it's really quite incredible. But, alas, I'm getting ahead of myself.

In short, it was a resounding success.

During the Sanctum War I was chosen as a Club. Even before I knew for sure I'd be a master, I was already on the road looking for a feasible hidden base of operations. It was where where I met my first ally, Henri. As the hours rolled by we seemed to meet more like-minded people as we slowly formed our own little faction. Then, the command seals rolled in and the action really began.

I ended up summoning a Caster of Clubs, Roger Bacon. Trust me, he's not anything like I'd imagined. Apparently he was summoned in the state he was in when he died in the previous Sanctum War he was in, which was actually the first Divided War- the one in 1875, I mean. Or, was it 1885... Regardless I'd never heard of such a thing. I learned a lot about servants in that time- they actually retain their memories from previous wars. Which begs the question... where do servants REALLY go when they're killed in battle? People always say Sanctum, but... what part? The part where all the mana comes from?

Anyway, the war was a hell of an experience. We were beaten, bruised and tossed about through every possible disadvantage. The three major Magus families, Oshiro, Conzette and Krauss, were all stacked against us. Furthermore, the so-called "Ace of the Spades" Kirin Oshiro was actually the son of Isa Oshiro, the man who killed Henri's father. I'm not going to go into the details of the war itself right now, but by the end things got really unorthodox. I made an enemy- a major one, and I went through the hardest part of my life.

Picture someone on your side who can garauntee your victory- a perfect weapon and a cunning tactician. Now, picture that he goes against everything you stand for. That was Nicholas Hemingway. He was the very same Nicholas Hemingway that lately has been suspected of being connected to all of those disappearances. About two-thirds into the war we finally were through with him. He ended up forming his own faction, one he dubbed the "Hearts", and was our final obstacle before we got the key. Thank god we beat him, too- if we'd lost I'm afraid of what a man like that can do with unlimited power. As they say, absolute power corrupts absolutely- so what does it do to those already corrupt? Does it unleash them upon the world?

We don't need to know the answer, now. I've destroyed my key. All of my allies have destroyed theirs as well. I've destroyed a tradition that's been held for nearly a thousand years... and I think it's for the best. I still have my servant, though soon he won't be able to use any magecrafts or noble phantasms. Once the mana residue's gone and the contract fades, he'll be a normal person. It doesn't matter to me, I'll still supply him with mana. He's been a good friend. And of course, you can't imagine how useful it is to be best friends with Roger Bacon himself.

As for Madeline...?

I'll have to get back to you on that. Things between us have gotten a bit complicated.

Screw it, I'll say it now.

I messed up. During the war I wanted a tactical advantage. Some way to keep my team safe. So... I used Barney's Code. Y'know, the one that I borro... stole from Professor Birk's computer a few months ago? Well, he used the Sanctum Key to create it. It's a living code, and now... it's inside her. She's more human now than AI, and that's what worries me.

Hold on-

But... the key and her...





Cody stared blankly at his computer screen.

Madeline. Are you there?

Yes, why? Is something the matter?

He sighed. It's nothing.

...I'll continue this entry later.

He saved the entry and turned off his computer, lost in thought as he gazed at the darkening screen.

Something doesn't add up.


---


His friends were still inside the base, finishing up business. The war was over, and everyone was significantly more relaxed. Cody faintly smiled as he heard them lightly speak of the future. The future seemed nice to him.

Kirin was alone, though. He was in a different room, using one of Cody's old inventions- a room-scale hologram projector, which could potentially paint a room to appear as any other with its dimensions. Oddly enough Kirin had set it to look like a coffee shop staring out at a window. New York was outside. Kirin held a warm cup of coffee, staring outside looking nearly half asleep.

"Mind if I join you?" He stood to Kirin's side.

He nodded. "Uh, go right ahead." Cody sat next to him with his own cup of cider.

"You ever had apple cider? It seems like not enough people seem to like it."

"It's an acquired taste."

"So I've heard."

Silence.

It was a little bit awkward, at least for Cody. He tapped his cup with his fingernails waiting for a subject. Kirin was fine the way he was.

"But, no, I've never tried cider."

"You should try it. Well, apple, not alcoholic... Uh, you get the idea."

"Yeah."

Silence.

Kirin stared back down at his cup.

"Can I... ask you something, Cody?"

"Uh, sure, fire away."

"Well, it's... about..."

"Hey." Cody put his hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "It's alright."

Kirin slowly nodded. "She knew you better than she knew me, I'm sure."

"Oh."

"Yeah..." He exhaled. "Sorry."

"It's alright."

"I only knew her for a few weeks. Was she a good friend of yours?"

"She was, yeah. She used to be pretty shy, actually..."

"I don't believe you." He smiled.

"Oh, oh, she was. Then, she grew a little more extroverted... and sarcastic..."

"That's more like it."

"Yup."

Silence.

"So, did she ever ask you for help on her homework?" Kirin looked him straight in the eye.

There was a brief moment of understanding between them. "Yeah, all the time. I'm a nerd, it's kind of my job to help out."

"You did a good job. Did you take good care of her?"

Cody took a sip of apple cider and leaned forward, starting out the window. "I sure hope I did."

"I know you did." Kirin's cup was empty.

"Well..." Cody yawned, stepping off the stool and stretching his arms. "Good talk."

"Good talk."

"Holler if you need me." Cody left the room.


In that moment, there was a low hum of life. The image of New York city outside the holographic windows purred with the sounds of raindrops hitting the pavement. In the other room the clubs were enjoying themselves.

These silent moments were simply perfect.


"...Oh, uh, by the way." Cody poked his head back in the room as Kirin was about to try some apple cider.

"Yes? I was just about to acquire a taste." Kirin chuckled.

"Not that I'm like your mom or anything, but I am proud of you."

He took a quick sip and almost spat, mostly because of the drink's temperature. "What for?"

"The, uh, key."

Kirin shrugged. "...What about it?"

"I'm glad you made the right decision to destroy it. I mean, after all this... Not that I thought you'd keep it, but y'know... And with her, and..."

"...Uhh..."

"You get what I'm saying?"

"Cody, I..." Kirin's eyes twitched from side to side, as if unsure he understood correctly. "I never got a Sanctum Key. I'm a spade."

"...What?" Cody fully entered and sat on the stool from before.

"Well, I assumed I wouldn't get one. I believe the key wielders are chosen based upon their contribution to the winning faction's end goals. I contributed a bit, but not as much as your teammates."

"Wait." Cody took out his hands and began counting by his fingers. "There was mine, Anne's, Hera's... Henri's. Then Robin’s…” He was distant for a moment. “Then there was Nicole who got that last key, and that was the last battle."

"That's only six."

"I know basic arithmetic, Kirin, I know that's six!"

"Alright, just saying..."

"...Maria? That pink-haired club?"

"I think we'd have heard of her at this point. Besides, aside from the battle with Lancer she was less a teammate and more a loosely allied rogue with some vaguely overlapping goals."

"I think you're right." He got up and thought for a few moments.

Who else was there? It can't go to a servant, and... well, certainly not Anne's dog. That'd be funny, though.

...Ruler can't cheat something like this. Who else was there!?

The world shivered for a moment. There was something faint in the air- but something profound.

...No-

In a frenzy he turned around for the door. His eyes were strewn with fear.

She wouldn't-

"What's wrong?!" Kirin rose.

"Madeline!" He ran out. Through the facility he ran as fast as he could.

Kirin Oshiro

He limped over next to Hera. He seemed to see someone else when he looked down at the body of Robin. Kirin rested his hand on Hera's shoulder, trying to give a little comfort.

Henri

A flash of inferno...

The Key burned up, his home burned up.  The Key burned up, his home burned up.  The association echoed through his mind, the best way Ruler thought he could get him to stop destroying the Key, but it was already fading.  The influence receding.

A voice spoke to him.  He couldn't make out the words, not exactly, but the voice was familiar.  His delirious brain decided on the words he associated most with this voice, the ones he had first heard from him.

"I... didn't know there was anyone else here."

Henri fainted from a mana deficiency.

Henri

Henri opened his eyes slowly, hearing the fighting die down.  The golden key was still in his hands.  He halfheartedly tried to bend and break it.  Of course, nothing happened.  It would take a little more effort to destroy something this powerful.

He drew on more power, magic which he would need to destroy his key, and the new magic circuits that had been wired into his body and brain immediately latched onto the key itself.  It began to glow, filling Henri with a sense of awe and power, but he managed to shut it down before it could go any further.

He spent about thirty seconds shivering, cold sweat pouring down his back, trying with all his willpower to not draw on the key further.

After his heartbeat had slowed down a bit, he slowly lifted the trident from his back.  He couldn't use magic without the Key trying to take over, working its way further into his magic circuits before they became indistinguishable.  But the trident itself was enough.

He closed his eyes and stretched his arm out in front of him, the key hanging on the tips of his fingers.  With every second that passed, images were brought to his mind of futures that would be possible with the key, impossible without it.  He did his best to shut them out.

Henri brought down the points of the trident on his own hand.  He screamed in pain, and his eyes jolted open.  The tips of three of his fingers were gone, but the Sanctum Key lay on the ground, now bloodstained.  He smiled slightly, but tears were coming out of his eyes.

"Spark."

A fireball flew out of his mangled hand onto the key, which glowed slightly red.

"Spark.  Spark.  Spark."

The Key turned a bright orange color and began vibrating.

"Spark.  Spark.  Spark.  Spark.  Spark.  Spark!  Spark!  SPARK!"

The Key's outlines were blurry, indistinct.

"CRUDUS!  CRUDUS!  CRUDUS!  CRUDUS!  CRUDUS!"

The Key was gone.  Only a smoking hole in the ground.  Henri tottered, then fell on the ground, his mana stores drained, his hand bleeding into the hole he had made.

This is my gift to you.