Intermission
F.A.T.E. & Shin Kamikaze
"A Heart Sealed Away"
"It's been some time, Shin."
"..."
He had known she would be coming for him from the start.
Where others would have succumbed to despair, would have turned and fled from the absolute manifestation of God that had long ago decided it wanted his head, when F.A.T.E comes face to face with Shin Kamikaze, it is because he has tracked her down to put a stop to her rampage, his pose and spirit far more calm and collected than they had been in their last meeting all those centuries ago. It is surprising, because the body she is using is that of Letecia Liveradeus, she had expected more of an angry response from her fellow God than what he was showing to her now, but she takes it in stride, noting without expression that he has grown more mature since their last meeting.
"I see that your kingdom has finally begun to take shape," continuing to speak in spite of his silence, the dark-haired woman shows no signs of being angered by his silent show of rebellion, "I do not understand what joy you get from communing with mortals... But a Kingdom in the sky... Yes, it is certainly nice to get some fresh air in the outside world."
"..."
Tone conversational, and her spirit filled with absolutely no malice towards him, Shin nevertheless keeps his guard up even as his mind works out hundreds of possible scenarios in the span of a heartbeat. While the "Sealed God" had been overwhelmingly powerful centuries ago, the difference between the F.A.T.E of back then, and the F.A.T.E of right now was staggering. Not only was her magical energy at a level of "infinity" beyond even his own, her existence itself distorted the flow of fate, and keeping his own grip on that flow of absolute power was far harder than it had ever been in his entire existence as God.
And if that wasn't enough...
The woman's presence alone had been enough to wipe out the consciousnesses of most of the Celestia's population, and while they were certainly still alive, it was likely so only because of the "barrier of fate" that existed over the school, and was naturally amplified by the sheer amount of the Divine that resided in this place.
But if F.A.T.E were to start directly assaulting them herself, such a barrier would not be nearly enough to protect them from the magic of the "Ultimate Incarnation of God."
The only thing that could do that would be his own personal intervention.
As one who should know that, it doesn't make much sense that she has yet to attack him. Capable of telling each and every soul apart at a glance, and being one of the incarnations of "God" that had sealed her away in the first place, it should be clear to them both that he is her enemy, yet...
"...I see, it's as I thought."
"...?"
Speaking again after an eternity of silence, the true guardian of this Celestia finds himself listening to her words in spite of himself, curious as to why she was acting as strangely as she was and:
"Shin Kamikaze, become my ally."
"What?!"
Voice tinged with a mix of anger and disbelief, the God that had resolved not to speak with his destructive counterpart instead shouts out of impulse, the hot-blooded nature that she had known still existed somewhere slowly bubbling to the surface.
"What kind of sick joke-"
"You rejected my offer last time, but you are the only other "God" I will acknowledge... So I am offering it to you again..." Speaking slowly, seriously, as if to impress the importance of her words upon him, the girl's eyes remain shut, "Become mine. Stand alongside me faithfully, and we can start everything over from the beginning. Worlds of absolute peace, worlds without chance for conflict, life that does not wish to harm those that share its gift. You wish for peace, but it is impossible with those that exist now. Join me, help me destroy the sinners, and you can truly craft your kingdom of peace."
"...Go back to sleep."
In response to his cold shoulder, her head turns slightly to the side.
"Hm? Is becoming a true Creator not enough for you? Then how about this..."
A feeling like ice shoots down his spine.
"Shin...? Where are you? It's dark... The world is so cold..."
Mimicking the voice of someone from long ago, the woman smiles as the other God goes pale.
"Ah, so you do remember? You promised to show Letecia the world's warmth didn't you? You have already betrayed that promise once, but she is here, with me. Will you abandon your friend again-"
"...oh?"
It is so ruthless, filled with such a sudden rage, that it even catches the Strongest God by surprise. Having spotted an opening in her stance, and willing to be as ruthless as he must to protect the lives that have been entrusted to him, the guardian of Ecclesia attacks at a speed far exceeding that of light, a sword of pure white crystal descending with a weight so heavy that were it any other opponent, it would shatter their Fate Awakening Crystal through sheer physical force alone and end their life even if the attack itself only grazed them.
Powered only by willpower and lacking any other concept of it's own, it is a ridiculous strike befitting that of "God," but in spite of the speed and weight that denied existence, the one masquerading as Letecia simply manipulates her own existence to flicker out of its path. It is not truly necessary, as the "Ultimate Incarnation," she was confident in the strength of her "Omnipotence," but acknowledging him as God, and thus respecting his ability to do the "impossible," she chooses not to be fooled by appearances, and moves to avoid it anyway.
"And there it is, the anger, the frustration bubbling beneath the surface."
Speaking calmly, chillingly so, the woman extends her hand as Shin turns to face her once more, expression set in stone, and body surging now with killing intent as they both tap into the primordial force that was "Fate."
"In spite of it all, my vessel still desires to be near you. It is a foolish emotion that led to her defeat in the first place, but I will grant this whim for her sake."
"I will punish you until your soul accepts it. You are making strange decisions. But that is alright, I will crush you again and again until you understand-!"
Intermission Out