ORT's Day

The main street is absolutely packed. Even the air feels different today.

It does. Excitement like that is almost trancelike.

For the ocelomeh, these ritual sacrifices must be equal parts sacred rite and high entertainment.

If a deinos wandered in here now, I'm sure they would be torn to pieces.

It's just like humans to look for scapegoats. When they're this worked up, they won't think twice about slaughtering anyone or anything in their way.

Father Kotomine? Are you certain my disguise spell is working correctly?

Not to worry. You are indistinguishable from an ocelotl right now.

You two will be perfectly safe as long as you keep your size in mind and are careful not to bump your head or horns on the buildings.

Understood, Young Miss? Be careful not to scrape the walls like a cat sharpening its claws.

I, uh, haven't? I barely grazed a wall earlier.

Enough talking! The temple's just past this alley, right?

We won't be able to rescue them once the sacrificial ritual starts, so we've gotta get them out as soon as possible!

Nothing to worry about there. The ritual has a very clear process. Right now, the priests are leading a prayer to the sun.

The ocelomeh are all gathered in the main street, and adding their prayers to the priests'.

Once the prayers reach a fever pitch, the sacrifices will be brought to the altar connecting the two temples.

So we still have two hours to go. I know because I've watched them conduct this same ritual before from right here♡

The same ritual? I assume last time their sacrifice was a deinos?

Yes, but so what? Are you suddenly overcome with a need for revenge or something?

No, not especially. I just find the whole thing horrifying.

？！

Yes. I heard the ocelomeh dismember the deinos they capture and use their organs for various purposes.

So I have no aversion to the thought of them using deinos hearts in a ritual. But...

...I cannot understand how they can create such an incredible city, with culture we deinos have never dreamed of...

...and choose to sacrifice fellow humanoids from Proper Human History.

They're killing members of their own species, for no reason other than to advance their own interests.

It's murder, and it's wrong.

I never had much interest in the ocelomeh thus far, but now, for the first time, I find myself filled with shock and dread.

...Though even I don't understand exactly what it is about them that terrifies me so.

...

All right, everyone, get ready. Once we turn that corner, we'll be right next to the temple.

There aren't any ocelomeh around it right now, but there are bound to be a few still patrolling inside.

If they find us, we won't be able to avoid a fight, and if we fight them, the prisoners' odds of survival will drop radically.

So we need to be in and out, quick and quiet as we can. Understood?

Then what are we waiting for? The rescue operation is a go!

？！

Hmm. What if we grab one or two of the guards and drag them into the shadows to pump them for information?

If we show them who we really are, they should know what we're looking for.

Even if we don't understand their words, we should be able to communicate quite easily through...body language.

As in torture? Oh my. That hardly sounds like conduct a man of the cloth would encourage.

Why don't you leave this to me? I'll show you how a true professional covert operative does things.

. .

Eee, thank you sooo much☆ So we just go down these stairs, and it's the third cell on the left, yes?

. , !

And there you have it. We'll find your companions right this way.

How did you do that!?

？！

Oh, I have my ways♡ He may be an ocelotl, but he's a man first and foremost♡

Now, wasn't that a lot better than punching him, shooting him with a rocket launcher, tearing out his entrails...

...or any of the other barbaric methods of "communication" the priest would have us practice?

...

Fujimaru, I can't help but notice Father Kotomine clenching his fists so tightly they are trembling. May I ask why that is?

？！

(I actually just bribed him with bananas and corn, but that can stay a trade secret.)

Aaanyway, this is no time to brag.

The guard also said two of the sacrifices have already been taken to the altars, so there are only two prisoners left down here.

It sounds like they chose the mage and the homunculus, which must be Lord Kadoc and Lady Da Vinci.

So we first need to rescue Sion and Nemo, even if the latter is already on the brink of death.

Then we'll hurry to the altars and rescue the other two. Any objections?

？！

Sion! Nemo! We're here to rescue you! Are you okay!?

...Yeah, more or less. I gave Nemo the only bed.

Right in the nick of time. Nice. Not that you could've gotten here sooner, I guess.

They've already started the ritual up there, right? I can feel the fervor all the way down here.

Hey, I didn't have it half as bad as you did. I mean, falling out of an airship? Think you're in an action movie or something?

...They did. The superior mage. Makes sense. Of course Sion's got me beat there.

I may have more magical circuits than her, but she's from a famous Atlas Institute family. I think they call them the Six Sources?

So she's probably got real special organs plebes like us could never even imagine.

？！

Anyway, you don't have to fill me in on what's going on. Of course we're gonna escape, but first, we need to rescue Sion and Da Vinci, too.

Only problem is, Nemo still doesn't look like he can move... He's been like this since the Border crashed.

I don't want to admit it, but he might be

Pardon me. I see, so this is Captain Nemo. Let me give him the medicine Professor gave me.

I believe it went like this, and the spell went like this.

Mythological concepts, elucidated. Humanity essence, analyzed. Comprised Spirit Origin, fortified. Faith history, established.

Boosting Nemo the Heroic Spirit's strongest convictions and superior skills.

Recovery from fatal wounds. Administrating indomitable projection. Gradation Air, Nemo Origin.

Phew. Let's hope that worked...

(H-hey, Fujimaru. Who is this dinosaur!? Is he on our side!?)

(That spell he just cast was crazy precise! He practically summoned a whole Servant all on his own!)

？！

...What just...? ...Never mind. I can't believe I was out so long...

Thank you for waking me up. Who are you? A resident of this Lostbelt?

...

Hello? Do you not understand me? I'm pretty sure you were the one who gave me that medicine...

...O-oh, yes. It's nothing, Captain Nemo. Your resemblance to someone I...lost just took me aback for a moment.

It's so nice to meet you. My name's Tepeu. And yes, I'm a citizen of Mictlānthe South American Lostbelt's equivalent of humankind, in a manner of speaking.

Fujimaru and Mash can tell you more. I'm going to keep watch in the hallway.

...I don't know anything about him, but I understand what's going on.

So let's go as soon as we come up with a rescue plan. I'm including me in that "we," of course.

I'm ready to do whatever it takes to bring Sion and Da Vinci back alive!

You must be Kadoc! You have some really awful bags under your eyes. Did you know? I hope you're taking care of your liver!

Th-that's none of your business. Besides, pretty much every Anti-Beast mage ends up like this.

Anti-Beast magecraft... Magecraft devoted to fighting wild beasts, right?

Wild beasts are much stronger than humans, so I guess it makes sense your eyes would get tired from being constantly on the lookout.

So you're a detail-oriented coward, then! I do like the first part!

(Okay, Fujimaru, what the actual hell? I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't THIS!)

(Rasputin and Koyanskaya would each be shocking enough, but now U-Olga Marie is working with you too!?)

(How the hell did you even get this party together? I know there are usually twists and turns along the way, but come the hell on!)

Don't lump me in with them! I'm barely above average on my best day!

Yeah? How sure are you? Wanna bet on it?

？！

(...Well, whatever. As far as the director's concerned, I've just gotta pretend like I don't know who she is, right?)

(I'll just follow Mash's lead and pretend we met her in this Lostbelt.)

Oh? Having a secret chat, are we? It's nice to see you getting along with him so well, Kadoc.

It's enough to make me feel good about my choice to bring you to the Border, at no small personal risk to myself.

Oh my! So you're the one who rescued Kadoc from certain death in Olympus, Father!?

What a shocking betrayal of your fellow Disciples. And you got along with them so well, too.

I hate to think what Limbo or Muramasa would say if they could see you now...

I think it's time you seriously considered ending your life so you can apologize to them in person.

Spare me the crocodile tears, Koyanskaya. The Lord doesn't forgive lies simply because they are as outwardly pretty as the one who speaks them.

Might I also suggest you practice your little performance in a mirror, to learn to better hide your inner ugliness?

Okay, here's the plan. There're obviously gonna be priests up by the altars, right?

So we'll have Fujimaru, Mash, Nemo, U-Olga Marie...

...and the dinosaurTepeu, crash the ritual for maximum impact.

I can't be of any help in combat, but if you want me to distract the ocelomeh, I think that's a wise choice.

(Never would've taken him for a pacifist... This Lostbelt really is uniquely weird.)

While you guys are fighting, Rasputin and Koyanskaya will rescue Da Vinci and Sion.

Not that we're going to be naïve enough to completely trust them. I'll keep an eye on them myself.

？！

Then let's split up now. We'll take different routes to the altars.

The more attention you guys draw, the better our chances of success, so make sure you give them hell!

Roar, warriors of Mictlān!

By the blood of the foolish deinos, all content to live without ever changing or accomplishing anything...

...the moon's path has at last regained its rightful color!

We send their blood to Xibalba, so that we may once again summon the great sun!

! !

Long live the sun! Glory to Tezcatlipoca!

And a cruel, painful death to the conquerors!

These foreign invaders from Proper Human History may deny the coming of Mictlān's fifth sun, but their hearts burn with holy flame!

And with the sacrifice of their precious blood, the sun will once more grant our wish!

! !

They're all so worked up! Their cheers are actually shaking the bridge!

？！

Let's go, you two! Be careful not to fall off!

？！

...? , !!!

I thought you would come, man of Proper Human History. Good. This wouldn't be as much fun otherwise.

We have all the hearts we need just now, but your heads still have some value.

You did manage to defeat a few ocelomeh, at least. Your heads will be the perfect finishing touch to this ritual.

These are some of the oldest ocelomeh; they are our most exceptional warriors. Your pathetic Servants are no match for them.

This time, I won't let my guard down. I am the king of the ocelomeh, and the Tezcatlipoca who has lived for one year.

I have sworn on that name to rule all of Mictlān! On my honor, you conquerors will never best me again!

How!? Is this how powerful heroes can truly be!?

That can't be right! No Proper Human History hero could ever be worth anything!

You trust no one! You betray confidence! You ruin even the things you steal out of ignorance!

No. I refuse to accept your world as our future. Priests! Begin the ritual! Now!

Kill the sacrifices before these invaders can rescue them! That will drain their will to fight!

Aww, poor thing. Looks like you were a little slow about letting go of your pride.

We already have Sion and Da Vinci back safely in our custody.

Hear that, Fujimaru!? We did it! Now let's get out of here!

We need to find somewhere safe before all the ocelomeh on the ground make their way up

Agh!

Hey, I actually hit what I was aiming at that time. Not bad for a warning shot, eh?

Why the hurry? You've reached the heart of your enemy's operation. Leaving so soon would be a waste, don't you think?

You're here, so why not try to take out their king, hm?

Tezcatlipoca!? When did you get here!? I didn't sense you at all!

I've been here the whole time. This IS my world.

What is it humans say these days? "God is everywhere"? That's essentially it.

？！

So you let it go, huh? You even gave it away? I really don't understand you.

Well, that's okay. If you refuse to take the trials, then I can kill you here and now.

Tezcatlipoca, our battle isn't over yet. I swore I would kill them mysel

Izcalli. What is your purpose? To kill our enemies? To lead the ocelomeh?

...No, almighty Tezcatlipoca. It's to survive.

This body belongs to you. It must not be destroyed before a year has passed.

That's right. Then you know what you should do now, yes?

...I do. Forgive me for me for being so shortsighted.

Now then, let's start over. Don't worry, the ocelomeh won't come up here.

You came here to erase this Lostbelt, didn't you? Let's settle all that here and now.

The sooner you end this, the easier you can breathe. Leave the more complex thinking to us.

... (What do we do? Run for it? Fight?)

(We may not know what Tezcatlipoca is capable of, but he's still just a Servant.)

(Beating him shouldn't be impossible, and we might not get another chance to fight him while he's on his own.)

(What should we do...? What will you do, Fujimaru!?)

？！

Hm?

Well, well, look who you brought with you! How the hell did you befriend her!?

Long time no see, president girl. Have you come for your revenge?

Huh? What are you talking about? I've never seen you before in mymy

I gotta say, I'm amazed you survived that. Guess you're right to call yourself a god.

A god? Now what're you No, more importantly, youyou

AhAh

？！

II...

No, never mind that now!

I just remembered, that guy killed me! Get him, Fujimaru!

You hear that, Tlāloc?

I can handle the mage from Proper Human History on my own, but that girl's more than I can handle.

Take over for me. You have my permission to soak the altar.

...So, you snuck into the city, defiled the temple, got in Izcalli's way, and challenged Brother.

I think you just set a new record for sins committed in a single day.

So will you pay for your sins by leaping off the altar to your deaths, or by having me wash you away? I'll give you a moment to choose.

Dammit, looks like we don't have a choice but to fight now!

Summon a Servant, Fujimaru! You've got a strategy for her, right!?

R-really!? I'm not sure what your plan is, but I trust your decision, Master!

？！

Hm? I've never fought you before... But, I guess it doesn't matter. You're about to die anyway.

Don't worry. I'll knock you out first so you don't suffer too much.

Yes, Master! We've avenged Nitocris!

Nitocris...? Oh, you mean that girl who thought far too much of herself.

I think you might be mistaken. The river floods didn't faze her at all.

I'm afraid there's another reason entirely for her loss, not that I'm obliged to share anything with you.

Huh!? Her Servant class is changing! No, wait, it's not just her class! That's

Huh!? Her Servant class is changing! No, wait, it's not just her class! That's

That's right. Tlāloc is taking a breather. You'd prefer Huītzilōpōchtli, the god of war, over Tlāloc, the blessing of rain, anyway, right?

I'll be using this Spirit Origin now. Besides, it seems like you people can handle yourselves in a fight.

Khh!

？！

My, how the tables have turned. I feel a little better now that I've gotten you back.

Symmetry is a beautiful thing in every age, don't you think?

What the hell!? How can she be that durable AND quick!? Are we sure she's not some kind of machine!?

Mash, Fujimaru, get out of here! We can't take her in a straight fight and

Don't you talk about my sister behind her back. Oh, wait. I guess you were saying it right in front of her, huh?

Does that make it slander then? Libel? An indictment? Eh, either way, nobody insults my sister and gets away with it.

Looks like this mage is the next in line after you're done with those two, Hummingbird.

Hmm... The sacrifices have already made themselves scarce. That priest is pretty quick on his feet.

But luckily, we have two more hearts right here. Maybe not of the same quality, but they still belong to Proper Human History humans.

We'll have to make do with those today. Besides, Izcalli would be sad if we didn't complete the ritual.

...Yes. Izcalli did a great job. I'm happy to cover for his failures.

You arrogant little...! You think you're hot stuff now just 'cause you've got the upper hand!? Dammit, what IS that black smoke!? Why can't our attacks hit her!?

Isn't there anything you can do, Fujimaru!? The way things are going, everyone besides me is going to end up dead!

？！

Well, this just won't do.

I've been trying to stay out of these battles between fellow visitors from Proper Human History...

...but since I've been keeping an eye on that boy there, I think I'll help him out a bit!

Hup!

You pierced Brother's smoke!? Who are you!? Another Proper Human History Servant!?

Hm? Oh, right. I never did introduce myself, did I?

Hello, people of Proper Human History. I'm Kukulcan, god of wind, water, and the sun!

I'm basically Mictlān's creator. Or as you might put it, the king of the South American Lostbelt, yes!

Wha

？！

Kukulcan... As in the Mayan Kukulcan?

There shouldn't be any Mayan Divine Spirits here in Mictlān... Then again, this warm breeze does remind me of Quetzalcoa

In front of you, Hummingbird! Don't drop your guard!

Huh!?

Okay then, how about we let our bodies do the talking for a bit!?

Ghhh... Nghhh...

Sorry, sorry! Not trying to break you. Just sleep for a little bit, 'kay?

...Thanks for the help you gave me back at the shop. No need to tell me who you are. I'll get right to the point.

Can you Chaldeans still fight?

If you can, get behind me. If not, please head down to the ground.

You see, I need to give that bastard with the sunglasses the ass-kicking he so richly deserves.

I won't be holding back, so I can't really guarantee your safety if you stay up here.

By "bastard in the sunglasses," do you mean Tezcatlipoca?

If you're the king of this Lostbelt, why would you oppose him?

That's what you're surprised about?

Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca were always rivals in Proper Human History, right?

Who am I to break with tradition?

Hehehe. I can't wait to smash his stupid face in for mythologically valid reasons, yes♡

Of course, the real reason is that this is what Malla wants.

If I don't obliterate that human now, he'll end up destroying all of Mictlān.

？！

Huh? Did I get that wrong? The structure of his body is the same as yours, so...

Well yeah, of course. You can't summon Tezcatlipoca as is.

I'm a Pseudo-Servant who created my own human vessel to possess.

My soul is a Divine Spirit, but my body's all human. So I don't need a Master's power to live as a human here and now.

Summoning a Divine Spirit isn't easy, you know.

So I used a few tricks to make sure Daybit's summoning worked out.

And of course, I designed this body to be ideal for a Tezcatlipoca suited to this day and age.

My body may be human, but I'm very much the real Tezcatlipoca. You can trust me on that.

(So he's like the avatars the machine gods of Olympus used? But, even so...)

If his body's only human, then there's no way he can fight against a Servant! And Huītzilōpōchtli's unconscious after being knocked all the way back to the temple!

Now's our chance, Fujimaru! Let's get him!

I don't know what this Tezcatlipoca's after, but I do know that he has his eye on the Storm Border!

Either way, he's a Divine Spirit, and he's dangerous as hell! If we can defeat him now, we absolutely should!

Oh, did you guys want to handle this?

I see. That's kind of a shame, but okay, I can let you guys take him if you want!

...Ugh, I swear. Is that all you've taken away from Proper Human History as a Lostbelt god?

I thought you'd at least be better than the original Kukulcan, but I guess you winged gods are all the same; you never give things the proper weight.

Huh? I don't weigh enough? Actually, I weigh quite a bit, but that's sweet of you to say.

I was talking about that birdbrain head of yours! Go ahead, Daybit! Do it!

By my Command Spell, human body or not, I order you to use your Authority, Black Tezcatlipoca!

Of course I will. I don't mind giving up a couple of organs to summon a solar eclipse.

A golden age where a single species flourishes forever? Talk about a nightmare.

Life fades. Worlds die. Planets burn.

I will show you what true extinction looks like. It's time to make way for a new guard, magnificent warriors!

？！

Oh no, you don't!

Oh no, you don't!

...Huh?

What...what's happening?

...

？！

...It's just an illusion! He couldn't possibly have caused this much destruction in just a few seconds!

This is your doing, right, Tezcatlipoca!? Stop wasting our time with these cheap tricks!

...It's just an illusion! He couldn't possibly have caused this much destruction in just a few seconds!

This is your doing, right, Tezcatlipoca!? Stop wasting our time with these cheap tricks!

Oh, for...

"This is no illusion. I recognize this smell. It's the smell of all-out war."

Isn't that what you were just thinking? What a shame, Nemo. You're the only one present with any experience in modern war.

You knew right away that this was no illusion, but you still insisted it was, just to help the uninitiated all around you.

You really are a fine captain. Killing you will be a shame.

？！

This is no time to worry about anyone else. Look around. This is reality.

？！

Everyone's...d-dead...?

But...how? They were so full of spirit just a few moments ago...

This can't be happening! I don't care what kind of Noble Phantasm you have! You couldn't possibly cause so much destruction in an eyeblink.

It's not as much of a stretch as you'd think. I just swapped the present with the near future.

Black Tezcatlipoca is an omnipotent god with control over all things. But that's not to say he has the Authority to create anything and everything.

It's the Authority to freely pull in things that could potentially happen within a set of rules.

If something can happen in the future, I can change the order of events so that it happens now.

What you're seeing now is what Mictlān will look like in a few days.

You're all from the twenty-first century, right? You must have played a video game or two.

Consider this a free trial of extinction. You'll face it eventually, but you may as well enjoy it early.

So, this is...the future? It's what Mictlān will look like...in a few days?

That's right. The ocelomeh will all die. The deinos will go extinct. And the world will keep on turning as though nothing happened.

Nothing out of the ordinary about any of it. Isn't that right, Kukulcan?

To gods like us, a reset like this is a piece of cake.

...

That said, I'm getting sick and tired of the same damn thing. I feel like a hearty dinner for once.

Luckily, I now have a chance to do that. And it would be a waste to enjoy it just for myself.

So I'm giving all of you a taste as well.

See, it turns out this Crypter, Daybit, is an even better cook than the Foreign God expected.

First, all of you will die.

Mictlān will, of course, disappear.

Then, this whole planet will come to an end.

That...thing you see over there is a monster which has yet to awaken in Proper Human History.

A world-eater that's only been able to stay alive here in this perfected Lostbelt.

It's going to devastate this subterranean world, crawl up to the surface, make its way to the Antarctic, and smash your hopes and dreams.

There will not even be a trace of Chaldea left. It'll go on to consume the entire world.

It'll then expand its nest outward, dealing a death blow to this entire celestial body. No cycle of rebirth. Nothing.

That is the future. And right now, it's guaranteed to happen.

That's right. ORT is going to end this planet.

？！

I always thought you were a little nuts, but I had no idea you were this far gone, Daybit.

So all three of you are still alive. What an odd quirk of fate that we're all here together at the moment the world ends, even if it is more of a preview.

...Is this really what you want, Daybit?

Kirschtaria rebelled against the Foreign God's machinations; he tried to use his Tree of Emptiness to evolve all of humankind.

But you...you're trying to eradicate us completely. That's

？！

One thing.

I never said I was here for the Foreign God. This was my choice.

You think I don't know that!? Anyone who knows you could've figured that out!

But so what!?

Are you saying you're not our enemy just because you're not on the Foreign God's side!?

No, I'm very much an enemy of humanity, unlike the Foreign God.

"Unlike"...? What do you mean? You think the Foreign God isn't a threat to humanity?

...

I'm going to see my Crypter duties through. I'm going to destroy this planet before everything goes hollow.

Dammit, he's fallen down below! Ugh, what an infuriating way to get the last word in!

Huh!? Sheba's detecting a threat of the highest order! Enemyno, a fatal force of destiny is headed this way!

...It's already so close... There's no way we can escape...

It's here! ORT is here!

...

Ghh...!

Get a hold of yourself, Fujimaru! Where's that usual calm, cool judgment!? We can't beat this thing in a fight!

Tezcatlipoca's long gone, and Daybit fell down below before the battle even began!

Koyanskaya and my butler helped the two captives escape, so there's no reason for us to still be here!

？！

It's not just you, Fujimaru. This is too much for anyone.

But you helped me snap out of it! Thanks, Olga Marie! I guess you aren't just angry all the time!

Huh? Why can't humans ever remember someone's name? Or is it just trendy to leave out initials right now?

ORT is leaving México City! But, that direction leads to

The Storm Border!?

Oh crap, it's headed right for the Border! I guess it thinks it looks appetizing!?

Mash, contact the Border crew now! Even if they can't respond, they should still be able to receive transmissions!

You've gotta tell them to abandon the Border and run for their lives!

I'm not getting through on the emergency line! There are gaps in the space-time continuum! They're interfering!

Tch...must be because the future and present are swapped! We're in the future here, but the Border's in the present!

They won't be able to see what's going on until ORT is right on top of them!

？！

Hm? So is that thing you're talking about important?

？！

I see! Then we'd better keep it safe, hadn't we!?

So this is the flying boulder! Awesome!

Hmm. It looks like a fusion of foreign machine civilization technology and Proper Human History engineering.

Oh, you there! Would you tell the crew to go inside and fasten their seat belts?

I can't believe I'm saying this, but thanks to Koyanskaya's surprise reappearance, I think I'm actually getting used to strange beautiful women showing up out of nowhere.

So, with that out of the way, let me ask you: What the hell are you talking about!?

Huh? Is that you, Lady Kukulcan? 'Sup. Is something wrong? You look kind of panicked.

Oh yeah, something's definitely wrong. I'm going to (whisper, whisper), so could you help everyone get inside the Border?

Damn. Seriously? Okay, well, I wouldn't put that past you, Lady Kukulcan! Right, I'm on it!

I'm glad he was so quick to act. Yup, there's nothing better than a species you can count on!

Okay, let's do this! Hang on tight, everyone!

？！

Senpai... The Storm Border is, um, hopping through the jungle like an enormous rabbit...

Whoa... Kukulcan is carrying the whole damn Border by herself...

Hey, I could do that too if I was at full strength!

She's carrying the Border toward the jungle southwest of Chichén Itzá... Oh, she just put it down.

？！

It seems so. The future and present are back in their original positions.

I guess the shift doesn't last forever. The Authority must have an inbuilt time limit.

Ah... Thank goodness you're okay, Nemo.

...Is it because we're back in the present now?

Does that mean you'll disappear again if that future we just saw comes true?

No. That phenomenon was just a preview of a future where a giant unidentified being, ORT, shows up.

That's the only part that's certain.

Even if that future arrived here in ten days' time, I would still be unaffected on that tenth day.

Gotcha. I figured as much, but just wanted to be sure.

By the way, do you know how I figured that out, Fujimaru?

？！

Oh gosh! You're right!

All the ocelomeh gathered on the street are pointing at us and arming themselves!

They're definitely about to

From their perspective, we just picked a fight with Izcalli AND Tezcatlipoca.

This temple might be holy ground for them, but they look angry enough to ignore that and come after us.

And the ocelomeh don't take prisoners. If they catch us, they'll tear us limb from limb and gouge out our hearts!

Let's get out of here, and fast. We're even farther from the Storm Border now.

？！

Understood, Master. The rope ladder Koyanskaya left for us is right over there.

...Director? Is something wrong?

No. I was just savoring our victory... You're heading back to the ship, right? I won't stop you.

(...I had to put aside my reservations about her since it was an emergency, but she was nothing but helpful.)

(It seems like she's trustworthy in a fight. Maybe even as an allyNo. It's too soon to say.)

Understood. Mash, you lead the way, followed by Master Fujimaru.

Kadoc will go next and I'll bring up the rear.

Madam President, since it looks like you don't need to use the ladder, would you give us some aerial cover?

Of course! I was planning to do that, anyway! Good decision, Captain! I like your style!

(...The city is back to normal. Not one of its citizens was lost.)

(...But that's only for the present. In the future Tezcatlipoca showed us, everything was)

Ahhh, that was fun!

Sure, the ritual was ruined, but hey, sometimes your customers just make off with the goods.

Maybe a bit of a loss for us, but I feel better than ever. I love the twists and turns this kind of stuff takes.

Um, Brother...

What is it? Is that...are you trying to look sad? I can never read your expressions.

If you have something to say, speak up. We're siblings.

...How are you feeling? I know that swapping phenomena takes a lot out of you.

If you're in any pain, I can command the Crypter to heal you.

Don't bother. No more penalties for him. I want him to undergo his underworld pilgrimage in the best possible condition.

What about you? You okay after Kukulcan hit you so hard the entire temple shattered?

I'll handle her next time. No... Next time, I'll get rid of her for good.

I hate Quetzalcoatl, and the way that woman reminds me of her just...infuriates me.

I see. Then you'd better work on repairing your temple. It's one of México City's most famous landmarks, after all.

Sure, it'll all be gone soon, but leaving it broken will be bad for the ocelomeh's morale.

...About that.

Brother, is that future we just saw true? Is there no way to change it?

Is ourI mean, their city doomed to be destroyed again?

Yeah, it is. What about it? That's the whole point of this city.

The Aztecs were all about destruction. When a warrior dies, they're gone for good. No need to try changing fate.

'Course, that's more casualties than I counted on. I didn't expect all hundred thousand ocelomeh to die meaningless deaths.

Even Izcalli can't get it through his head that you don't square up against an enemy you can't beat...

...or that you should retreat somewhere you can at least keep an eye on them if you can't win. Guns make people reckless.

Ugh, I swear. I thought I taught them not to be mindless berserkers, but they're still no more than dumb apes.

That, um...may be true, Brother, but...your goal is purely to wage war.

To declare the ocelomeh's war on Proper Human History, and win.

So...did we really need to turn this city into a battlefield? Or, um, even use that monster at all?

Tlāloc.

...No, I'm not telling you what you should do. Everything is as you command, Tezcatlipoca.

Good. I'm not on anyone's side. My focus is on war, period.

Daybit's objective. Chaldea's objective. The ocelomeh's wish. The deinos' wish.

I support them all. I won't interfere with any of them.

Kukulcan's an exception, but she essentially holds the same position I do.

It doesn't matter to either of us who dies or who's lost here in Mictlān.

Still, I am betting big on Daybit right now. If he succeeds in his objective, it's gonna be huge, bigger than anything.

Are you backing Izcalli? He's got potential.

Either way, just enjoy yourself, Tlāloc.

You're no match for Quetzalcoatl because you're not free-spirited enough to enjoy entertainment for what it is.

Free-spirited enough to accept entertainment... The hot winds of Central America... Interest in new cultures...

That's exactly what led us to ruin before. But not this time... This time, I won't fail.

Protecting this city and its people is my cause. It's why I exist. It's what makes me happy.

It's my penance for the warriors who love this city, and long considered it their pride and joy.

...But it won't last. Brother means to destroy it.

And Izcalli...he has been Tezcatlipoca for a year now.

Nobody can change what's going to happen. At least, if things continue as they have been...

...Tch. What are you ocelomeh so worked up about?

...Never mind. I get the idea. You're upset at me for letting the ritual fail.

I've lost to the conquerors from Proper Human History twice now. I'm a pathetic excuse for a king.

"Get out of here. Out. Leave México City."

"We have no need for an incompetent king."

Fine. Once I've become Tezcatlipoca, I'll gladly leave this city.

Damn inept warriors. Who'd want to live in a city that just copies Proper Human History's civilization, anyway?

I'm going to make an entirely new kind of city. A city where humans, gods, and the sun all support one another.

I'm going to make an underworld that doesn't need sacrifices, that doesn't produce weaklings or wealthy men, where meaningless wars are never fought.

The kind of underworld paradise where Tezcatlipoca himself lives.

...My wound is aching. It has been ever since Chaldea showed up.

Conquerors from Proper Human History. Those humans who came to Mictlān to excise it.

They may be our enemies, but they can also be useful. A third party will make it easy to eradicate the deinos.

...There's no big problem here. No, not at all.

I may not have the hearts from the sacrifices, but what does that matter? They still can't compare to a single deinos heart.

It was all just a show to raise morale among the ocelomeh anyway.

They'll forget all about their disappointment once we give them new guns.

... ...Dammit!

Why do you care about a bunch of trigger-happy idiots, Izcalli?

A king has no need for worthless emotions. He need only act in service of his god. And yet...

Dammit. Why am I letting that sight get to me?

I'm the ocelotl Tezcatlipoca himself chose.

I WILL destroy everything to create a new world. As a king, I could ask for no greater glory...

So he's planning to use ORT to eradicate everything. Now I get it. Now it makes sense.

I see what you're doing, Tezcatlipoca. You're absolutely merciless!

True, a blank slate doesn't go far enough. Neither does bleaching. You can't call it real extinction as long as there's so much as a foundation left to build on!

So you're going to shred the very scroll on which Proper Human History is written, even if you must destroy all Mictlān to do it!

That's hilarious! Truly hilarious!

I take this as your confession that you don't have what it takes to save the world, even if you cared to!

Well, not me. I WANT to protect Proper Human History. A scroll's still a scroll, even if it's completely blank.

Even if no one's there to read it, or even if nothing's been recorded on it, I like that it's still there.

That's right. It doesn't matter what the scroll says. I'm not so foolish as to read it or think about it.

Tezcatlipoca, fool of a god, only concerned with the now. Kukulcan, so very cold, only looking to the future.

Neither could ever be Mictlān's king. Neither is suited to tell the tale of Proper Human History.

But I coexist with humans, since I use them for sustenance. That makes me the best choice to be king of the Mictlān underworld.

...Still. With ORT on the table, even the mighty Camazotz can't help but shrink back in fear.

Are they really going to repeat the mistakes of six million years ago? Ignorance only excuses so much.

Maybe it's that neither the Crypter nor Tezcatlipoca have ever experienced how truly bizarre that creature is.

So, what are you going to do, Camazotz? Should you help Chaldea, or let them fight it out and take the spoils for yourself?

...I know. Why don't I start by saying hello?

Yes, yes, that's the ticket! In fact, now that I think of it, I still haven't gotten his name!

I've already tasted Chaldea's Heroic Spirit summoning. To thank them, I'll show them my Dead Spirit summoning in return!

Time to put away my scythe and break out my staff! That'll still be plenty scary!

Just you wait, Chaldean priest! Once I kill you, I'LL be the last Master of humanity!