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« A subterranean world divided in nine strata. Chaldea's order ends here.
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| (Daybit Sem Void) |
The South American Lostbelt (南米異聞帯, Nanbei Ibuntai?), designated Order Lostbelt No. 7 (ロストベルト No. 7?), is one of the seven Lostbelts appearing on the blankened Earth during the Human Order Revision incident. Originating in an unknown period, its Lost Depth is A++, its King is Kukulkan, and its associated Crypter is Daybit Sem Void.[1][2] It is the seventh of the Lostbelts visited by Chaldea Security Organization in the undertaking of the Grand Order to restore Earth and the Human Order. It is also called the Latin American Lostbelt (中南米異聞帯, Chūnanbei Ibuntai?) by Mash Kyrielight.[3]
The events of Chaldea's visit to this Lostbelt are covered in the seventh chapter of Cosmos in the Lostbelt; Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue: Nahui Mictlan (黃金樹海紀行 ナウイ·ミクトラン, Ōgon jukai kikō Naui Mikutoran?) which later transforms into Sea of Fantasy Trees Travelogue: ORT Xibalba (空想樹海紀行 オルト・シバルバー, Kūsōju kai kikō Oruto Shibarubā?), alternatively The One Who Rules the Planet (惑星を統べるもの, Wakusei o suberu-mono?).
Setting[]
The seventh Lostbelt where Daybit is residing is located somewhere in South America[2] and diverged sometime during the B.C. era.[1] The inner workings of Daybit's Lostbelt are still a secret, but it is close to collapse because its version of humanity is nearly extinct.[2] There is somehow no sign of a Fantasy Tree being detected.[4] It was described by Grigori Rasputin as a belly of the underworld XibalbaWP that is a home to an Ultimate One.[5]
It is called MictlanWP (ミクトラン, Mikutoran?), though the name is recent. Like Agartha, Mictlan is another world within the Hollow Earth, but while Agartha was just a flat horizontal continent, Mictlan is a 1000-kilometers tall cylindrical jungle world with its own gravity, water, and atmosphere. It's divided into nine layers:[6]
- TlalocanWP (トラロカン, Torarokan?), where a precipice serves as the ceiling leading to the surface.[6]
- Tlatlauhqui (トラトラウキ, Toratorauki?), the red underworld border. The endless river where the giant iguana, Xochitónal,[7] lives.[6] The river is so wide that it looks more like an ocean with waterfalls than a river.[7]
- Golden City of Chichén ItzáWP (チチェン・イツァー, Chichen Itsā?), the fertile plains. The city of the deinos. It's where the Dinosaur King reigns under the protection of Kukulkan, the sun god.[6]
- A valley of blades and wind where bones are discarded, the White Border, Itztépetl (イスタウキ, Isutauki?).[6]
- The fifth layer, the blood vessels of the land. The lake of blood and birds, TulaWP (トゥーラ, Tūra?). Contains Mexico CityWP (メヒコシティ, Mehikoshiti?), the city of the Ocelomeh. It's a city of death created by Daybit Sem Void and Tezcatlipoca.[6]
- The galactic dunes, the thundering vacuumous gardens, the Blue Border, Xoxoauhqui (ソソアウワキ, Sosoauwaki?).[6]
- The seventh layer, the melodious Ilhuicatl (イルウィカトル, Iruwikatoru?). MetztitlánWP (メツィティトラン, Metsititoran?), the astronomical observatory.[6]
- A sunless, underground mountain range, the Black Border, Yayauhqui (ヤヤウキ, Yayauki?).[6]
- Land of Fear XibalbaWP (シバルバー, Shibarubā?), at the foot of the Ceiba tree.[6]
All layers are connected by land, so they can just be walked through, but the four border layers are dangerous zones where the dead can attack at any moment. Going lower than seven is particularly dangerous because the fog in the eighth and ninth layers brings death to the living. The fog only clears up once every 360th sunset, and from there it takes five days for it to restart. Some deinos go to the lower layers during these five days, but no one ever succeeded in the underworld pilgrimage. Going from 1 to 3 takes four days, but having to cross two is a harsh obstacle.[6] Since Tezcatlipoca's arrival, the underworld borders have been turned into hellish trial grounds for the dead, but these trial grounds have one interesting arrangement: if you know in your heart that you already overcame the trial, you are completely safe to come and go.[7]
The sun in Mictlan doesn't move from east to west, but moves vertically, deeper into the underground world with each hour.[6]
History[]
In Proper Human History, a meteor arrived 66 million years ago which wiped out the dinosaurs and carried alien microorganisms which would eventually empower burgeoning humans into the Mayan-Aztec gods. In the Lostbelt's history, a tiny change in trajectory caused the meteor to arrive 250 million years sooner, roughly 316 million years ago from the present,[8] and empowered the ancestors species of Deinos, the theropodsWP of Proper Human History, as Humans did not exist yet. Creating Malla, the collective goodwill of dinosaurian kind, the Divine Filaments spread across the supercontinent PangeaWP and bound it together in order to extend its Domain beyond America. However, the same change in orbital trajectory that brought Malla to Earth earlier, also caused ORT to arrive 66 million years before it was supposed to in Proper History,[9] and 234 million years later after fusing Pangea together,[8] Malla would predict the arrival of ORT and create Mictlan and its artificial sun in order to safely store all life on the surface underground.[10]
ORT's arrival forced the ancestor species of the deinos to escape to the underground space created by Malla. Millions of years later, the surface, the supercontinent PangeaWP, is still burning[7] from ORT's impact, as all the energy the planet would have used to heal the surface was instead directed to power the sun of Mictlan by Malla. ORT's impact penetrates the surface and causes the Ultimate One to plummet straight to the bottom layer of Mictlan and "die", going into a slumber to heal itself from the damage of its own arrival.[9] The dinosaurs evolved into the Prime Species in charge of managing the underground world, becoming the Deinos. Malla has some level of control over their birth, making it so the rare plesiosaurWP and pterosaurWP-type deinos always exist, but ensuring the theropod-type is the vast majority.[6] The Deinos survive through photosynthesis from the sunlight of Mictlan's sun but, 60 million years later, the Sun runs out a energy and dies out, forcing the Deinos to go into hibernation. 26 million years earlier, the Proconsuls, the ancestor species of Humans, evolved in Mictlan[9] and 20 million years later, a new country came to the world, founded by Humans who built cities in Mictlan and created the Ka'an Kingdom with Camazotz as their King that flourished for 100,000 years in darkness, relying on the heat and geothermal energy of the Earth for survival.[11][10]
60 million years after it first arrived and at the end of the 100,000 year period of darkness after Mictlan's sun dies out, ORT heals from the damage it sustained and reawakens, and begins to wreak havoc across Mictlan. Unable to be defeated by them, Humanity of the Ka'an Kingdom commits a mass-sacrifice of their species in order to empower Camazotz, which along with every Nature Spirit of Malla investing their power into him[12] strengthen him to where he was completely unkillable. Being unable to die, Camazotz battles ORT and manages to rip out ORT's heart, weakening ORT enough to allow Malla to put ORT to slumber in order to heal itself, tricking it into believing its heart was still intact by keeping it active and continuously send biosignals to ORT, preventing ORT from simply regenerating. Malla would then use the heart as Mictlan's new sun, awakening the deinos and allowing them to occupy Humanity's cities.[11][13][14][10] However, in the present time, Xquic explains the sun is once again about to run out of fuel and die. When Chaldea asks her, she states the sun only has ten more cycles before it becomes extinguished.[9]
6 million years later,[10] and a year ago from the present, a human man known as "Crypter" came to Mictlan, bringing with him the god of war and sacrifice Tezcatlipoca as well as the tribe of the Ocelomeh. When Crypter arrived in Mictlan, the concept of gods was introduced to the world via Tezcatlipoca. With gods now being a thing in deinos culture, the sun came to be seen as something special, and thus deified into Kukulkan. Crypter's arrival also popularized the previously underutilized concept of verbal conversation, as Malla analyzed his language and cognitive standards then tuned itself into an universal translator so that mutual dialogue became possible all throughout Mictlan. This created the concept of stories, which enabled Kukulkan's apotheosis.[6]
The name Mictlan itself is very recent, coming as a result to the arrival and the spread of words and concepts from Aztec mythology. It was coined by Izcalli, the leader of the Ocelomeh.[6]
Alongside the Crypter, Tezcatlipoca brought the border levels to their current hellish form, while the Ocelomeh built a city in the fifth level, established a mafia organization, and started hunting deinos, as their faith tells them to sacrifice powerful hearts to their god and the strongest creatures around in Mictlan are the deinos. Many were killed and many were turned into irrational beasts. Now the deinos are at war against the Ocelomeh.[6] These sacrifices are actually in order to harvest their Magic Circuits in order to heal ORT's wound and allow him to revive.[9]
The A++ Lost Depth of the Lostbelt is due to humanity being "practically extinct". The true humans of this lostbelt had evolved 20 million years in its past while its Prime Species the Deinos were in hibernation. At that time, ORT had repaired itself from all damage and reawakened to wreak havoc across Mictlan. This was made easier as Pangea is the only landmass in this Lostbelt. On the verge of extinction, the humans of the Lostbelt committed mass ritual sacrifice in order to empower their final king, Camazotz to defeat ORT. Thus, Camazotz being a God who was originally human is the last remaining "human" in the Lostbelt and representative for the human history of Mictlan.[11][10] There is no more human society until Tezcatlipoca introduced the Ocelomeh. The only sign left of humanity was the buildings they had built.
Prologue[]
Inside Area 51’s operating room, Kadoc Zemlupus suspects Specimen E (the bizarre-looking corpse) was the Master of every Servant in the Singularity. Mash scans the room. Kadoc decides to check any signs of magical energy or spells still in effect when Ritsuka sees the Priestess of the Alien God appear for a brief moment.[15]
Suddenly, the room starts to disappear. Fortunately, the exit still exists, so Kadoc says they will escape the moment Mash finishes scanning the room. Ritsuka tries to bring Specimen E with them, only for it to disintegrate. Mash finishes her scan, and she escapes the room with Ritsuka and Kadoc.[15]
Exiting into the corridor, Mash detects it will collapse before rest of the Singularity. In light of this emergency, she carries both Ritsuka and Kadoc and activates Ortenaus Slider Mode to escape the Singularity at high speeds.[15]
Now back in the Storm Border, Goredolf Musik congratulates Ritsuka, Mash, and Kadoc on successfully eliminating the Singularity. He informs them the computer room, led by Leonardo da Vinci, is currently analyzing Mash’s data collection as their highest priority. Captain Nemo says the team (Da Vinci, Sion Eltnam Sokaris, Professor, Records Clerk Elron, Spiritron Engineering Mechanic Marcus, and Assistant Octavia) are all working at full steam, so they should expect a report soon.[15]
Nurse confirms, like Kadoc suspected, they will remain on standby until then. The Border is presently on standby over North America. The next phase of the operaton the Seventh Lostbelt will be the amazon rainforest in South America. Nurse calculates that will be 48 hours to rest and recharge. Kadoc thinks it will be a good idea for Ritsuka to get a meal and some rest.[15]
Sion enters the room, agreeing with Kadoc that resting for two days will be good for Ritsuka’s mental wellbeing since willpower is a key factor in Servant summoning. She congratulates Ritsuka on eliminating the Singularity but she wasn’t worried because everything went as she calculated. The moment she says that Kadoc deduces Sion knew all along Sherlock Holmes was an Apostle of the Alien God and that he would lose to James Moriarty.[15]
Sion confesses she came to believe Sherlock was an Apostle due to two reasons. The first was that he synchronized with TRIHERMES in the Sixth Singularity in order to acquire information. A regular Heroic Spirit could never take in that much of information without their Spirit Origin rupturing. The other reason was that he never advanced his theories on the Alien God. Nevertheless he remained an ally of Novum Chaldea, even after he realized his true identity and killed himself to prevent himself from becoming Chaldea's enemy. Sion wonders though why he would volunteerily choose to be an Apostle upon being summoned by the Alien God.[15]
Kadoc asks Sion if she knows what the Alien God’s intentions were for him in contacting Chaldea. Sion answers it was obviously to collaborate with Chaldea——to help clear the Lostbelts. He had followed his purpose as an Apostle up until Traum, where Moriarty was chosen as an Apostle to purge him.[15]
Sion suspects Sherlock was to collaborate up to a certain point. Once he reached that point, he was forced into a dilemma——to choose the Alien God or Chaldea. In plunging himself off the falls, he chose to remain as Chaldea’s Administrative Advisor.[15]
But Nemo questions why he would do that, since him returning to Chaldea alive would be the best way to revolt against the Alien God. Sion agrees it doesn’t make sense, noting self-destruction is out of character for Sherlock. She suspects he had no choice though since he would remain under the Alien God’s servitude for long as he lives.[15]
Da Vinci suddenly interrupts the discussion to inform the crew a virus was hidden in the data on Specimen E. Said virus turns out to be a posthumous video message from Moriarty.[15]
He explains Specimen E is the remains of a creature not native to Earth who spent a century in Area 51 being experimented on. He believes its death throes called its kin, the Alien God. That is as far as his theory goes, but he suspects the TRISMEGISTUS II will be able to reach the answer he couldn’t. He then ends the recording by warning U-Olga Marie plans to fuse with the alien organism slumbering in South America——ORT.[15]
As Ritsuka doesn’t know what ORT is, Kadoc explains it is a horror story in the World of Magecraft. It is an alien said to have landed in South America long before the Common Era and anyone who approaches is killed instantly. No mage has ever entered its territory and left alive.[15]
Nonetheless, a Grand-ranked mage led an expedition accompanied by six Brand-ranked colleagues in the 16th century. Only one mage returned from the expedition. His last words were “The creature must still not be touched. No life on the planet is up to the task as of now. Wait for the next geologic period. We’ll entrust hope to the new evolved life that will come after our extinction." Afterward, he turned into crystal before the onlookers’ eyes. His name was Astea, one of the Clock Tower’s Twelve Lords of his time.[15]
In response to this incident, the Clock Tower’s Headmaster announced the monster would be named ORT and since then ORT’s territory in South America has been revered as a hellhole forbidden to humanity.[15]
Mash remembers Chaldea’s library described ORT as the toughest and most inexplicable creature currently known in the World of Magecraft. It is a giant spider-shaped alien that produces energy via internalized nuclear fusion and crystallizes everything it touches. They can only hope their technology can analyze it by around the year 3000.[15]
Sion says it is imperative they verify U-Olga Marie can fuse with other organisms. Because if she were to merge with ORT, Chaldea will have no chance, for the Holy Sword Construct they built will not faze her. Their operation in Britain will be all for naught.[15]
But for whatever reason, the Alien God has been delayed in reaching ORT. Chaldea therefore hasn’t a moment to lose. They will immediately head for the Seventh Lostbelt to find and stop the Alien God before she can merge with ORT.[15]
To the Land of Death[]
In the infirmary, Ritsuka puts on their new Mystic Code made by Habetrot for Anti-Alien God use according to Nurse.[16]
Meanwhile, Da Vinci is happy to tell Mash there were no complications due to the Assault Shift from Traum. That means full-time operation in South America is a go.[16]
Mash says she feels better than ever. Usage of the Black Barrel aside, the Ortenaus has become easier to handle. Da Vinci remarks Mash’s physical capacity values are higher than they were and, at her current growth rate, it is no pipe dream for her to become a Top Servant. Mash is literally the face of Novum Chaldea.[16]
But Da Vinci tells Mash she is placing further restrictions on the Black Barrel’s usage. Primary usage of it will be bombardment via magical energy compression. But its primary function of measuring and weaponizing of lifespan—Dead Counter—is forbidden. It puts a strain on Mash’s body and Ritsuka’s force of providence. Furthermore, usage of the Barrel will be restricted in urban area, which Da Vinci already told Ritsuka, as it is too destructive. Mash agrees with forbidding Dead Counter since it breaks the laws of the world.[16]
Da Vinci reminds Mash her Spirit Origin pattern is growing in response to her physical growth or rather her mental changes. But the issue is that Mash is becoming a Heroic Spirit while she still lives. She will soon cease to be “Demi-” if she seeks greater power than she already has. There is no reversing growth, so Da Vinci tells Mash if she ever gets a bad feeling about it to remove Ortenaus and return to the Border.[16]
Mash isn't Novum Chaldea's only combatant, so they'll think their way out of any jam together. Rtsuka knows it too. Da Vinci also wants to help Ritsuka and Mash bring Olga Marie back, agreeing U-Olga Marie is the Olga Marie from record. She has no idea how they'll do it, but if they can incapacitate U-Olga Marie, they can start talking.[16]
Later everyone gathers in the control room as the Border is about to pass over Central America. Da Vinci assures their Anti-Alien God trump, the Holy Sword artillery which uses the legitimacy of the Human Order itself as its bullet——Hume-Barrel Rayproof——is ready. While Goredolf would like to be the one to fire it, Jingle Abel Meuniere informs him Marine has already been chosen to be the gunner.[16]
Sion then reports the analysis results of Specimen E. Nothing vital has found, but she discovered the following three key points: the operation room was state-of-the-art; Specimen E is a never-before-seen lifeform, matching none of TRISMEGISTUS II’s data; a large amount of human bloodstains and cells were wiped clean from the room. A more thorough analysis will take time, but since eliminating the South American Lostbelt is their top priority, Sion has discontinued TRISMEGISTUS II’s analysis.[16]
Ritsuka asks her if the bloodstains mean a murder occurred. Mash asks that given it was an operating room, if it can be assumed a mistake occurred during an operation. Sion replies that is half-way possible, but operations normally do not have blood splatter a meter away from the operating table.[16]
Nemo informs everyone they are about to enter the Lostbelt. Professor (from the computer room) says TRISMEGISTUS II recommends summoning four Servants for this mission. Normally they would be summoned after entering the Lostbelt, but Britain has set a precedent. The first unit has already been summoned and is currently heading for the control room. The remaining three will arrive soon.[16]
Nitocris enters the room, being the aforementioned first unit summoned for this mission. She appears to share the memories of the Nitocris Ritsuka and Mash met in the Sixth Singularity as she was summoned from Chaldea’s records. Also, thanks to the tremendous amount of magical energy provided by the Border, her Spirit Origin is in its “ideal state”. Furthermore, she now has Independent Action, meaning she can act without a Master.[16]
Da Vinci assigns Nitocris to escort the expedition team. The team is expected to do a lot of exploring on foot in South America, so they need someone who is adaptable, capable in mass combat, and uses magecraft resistant to fever and defilement. Habetrot materializes from Mash’s shield to greet Nitocris.[16]
Goredolf is pleased three more permanently manifested Servants will be summoned later. He urges they cut down the Fantasy Tree as soon as they find it. A red glow briefly appears from his breast pocket. He remembers, though, there is no Tree signal detected in the South America Lostbelt.[16]
Sion confirms there is no energy signal characteristic of a Tree is in the Lostbelt. But since the Lostbelt still remains, there must be something equivalent to a Tree somewhere. Either it was forcibly withered like Britain’s Tree or concealed like China’s Tree. Either way, stopping U-Olga Marie from fusing with ORT is the higher priority.[16]
Chaldea enters the Lostbelt, but they are shocked when they look at the monitor and see the surface is but a volcanic wasteland. Stranger still, Professor’s scans of the surface shows it is similar to that of Pangea, the supercontinent from the Mesozoic era.[16]
Da Vinci states humans cannot be born in these conditions, adding the life that became the progenitor of humanity first appeared 6 million years ago. But no life can exist in these conditions. She then realizes the only possibility is an extinction event when Fou starts jumping around as if he wants to tell everyone something.[16]
The alarm suddenly goes off. An unidentified object is approaching the Storm Border, warping as it does. Nemo orders the electromagnetic barriers on the Border’s surface to be deployed. Then, spotted by Professor, the unidentified object turns out to be U-Olga Marie.[16]
U-Olga Marie is surprised the Chaldeans came to the Lostbelt by themselves, questioning if they’re stupid. She presumes they came to fell the seventh tree only to be caught up in the moment.[16]
She informs them she chose the Lostbelt to be her homestay and that she can instantly detect any abnormalities. She was going to destroy them with a gravitational sphere, but claiming she killed all seven Grand Servants she decides to give them a fighting chance.[16]
Though shocked by encountering the Alien God so soon, the Chaldeans accept U-Olga Marie’s challenge. Goredolf orders Ritsuka to summon their Servants and command them from the control room. Mash head out to the deck and back up said Servants. The strategy is to tear U-Olga Marie off the deck with a Servant battle and then neutralize her with a direct hit from Rayproof. With all that said, the battle that will decide the fate of Chaldea begins.[16]
U-Olga Marie laughs at the Chaldeans’ feeble attempts to harm her. She then activates her gravity field, “Haste Makes Waste”, launching a gravitational sphere. But to her surprise, Mash hits it back at her with Mold Camelot. forcing her to the tip of the Storm Border’s bow.[16]
The Storm Border finishes its conversion into unsheathed mode, unveiling Rayproof in all its glory. As it circulates magical energy, Professor explains to Ritsuka Rayproof is simlar to the Barrel. While the Barrel measures the lifespan of its target and converts that into the energy of its bullet, Rayproof measures threats to human history and is granted attack power and magical energy from something greater depending on the threat level. That means the Storm Border doesn’t use its own magical energy.[16]
Hume-Barrel Rayproof is fired at U-Olga Marie, only for it to have no adverse effect on her.
Rayproof is fired at U-Olga Mare only for her to transmute the energy and absorb it. Professor wonders if that is an ability of her horns, but Sion says that isn’t the case. She notes to herself that right before they fired, Rayproof’s output was far below expected parameters.[16]
Goredolf points out U-Olga Marie looks disappointed by the outcome as well. He expects she is going to take it out by dropping the same gravity field that destroyed the Wandering Sea. Da Vinci hurriedly tries to ready a second shot when a massive pillar of light suddenly bursts from a huge cavern formation beneath the continent.[16]
Shocked, Goredolf questions if it is a new attack of U-Olga Marie’s. But Sion notes its Human Order Foundation levels show negative, meaning it is native to the Lostbelt. She then reveals it is the Sun based on its pressure, temperature, and density readings.[16]
With U-Olga Marie now facing the pillar, Nemo orders Mash to return inside and remain on standby in the Shadow Border hangar. Mash complies. Nemo tells everyone else except for Goredolf and Sion to head for the hangar as well. He has a Marine go with Ritsuka, Kadoc, and Meuniere so they can contact him through Marine.[16]
U-Olga Marie questions what the pillar is, as there was nothing like it in that subterranean world. The pillar then changes into a humanoid-shaped construct and attacks U-Olga Marie. As she tries to defend herself, U-Olga Marie senses the construct is both sun and plant.[16]
Meanwhile, Ritsuka, Kadoc, Meuniere, and Marie on still heading for the hangar when the construct’s attack on U-Olga Marie cleaves the corridor they are in. Ritsuka and Marine fall.[16]
In the control room, a gravely injured Nemo broadcasts to the evacuees that the ship has been heavily damaged by the enemy attack, leaving navigation now impossible. He is now heading for the open space on the surface for an emergency landing. In addition, all remaining magical energy resources were used for the summoning of the three remaining planned Servants instead of navigation.[16]
Nemo says he will use his remaining power to ensure a successful land and the safety of Chaldea’s staff. He ends his broadcast wishing them all good luck after they touchdown.[16]
Golden Rainforest[]
Ritsuka wanders a fog-filled place, wondering if it is the afterlife. They eventually find a bonfire and are greeted by a man with long, blonde hair and large shades. Ritsuka then looks up to see, to their horror, the Storm Border is on a crash course.[6]
The man looking at the ship as well confesses he enjoys modern weaponry, welcoming how cumbersome, tasteless, and costly they are. He believes tools of war should evolve just as life does. However, the same does not automatically apply to Chaldea, the wielder. He asks if their battles were worthy of the Storm Border.[6]
He hates the battles Chaldea approves of the most. He admits the purpose behind their battle and the vigor that drives look good, but he dislikes how they conduct their battles. A battle without fair casualties on both sides is a sick joke to him, refusing to acknowledge those as proper battles. It is only by pure luck Chaldea made this far without casualties. But luck always evens out as the man points everyone on the Storm Border will die.[6]
Ritsuka, upon hearing that, immediately tries to go to their rescue. But the man tells them they will not make it to the ship since the crew is all still alive. It is currently in freefall from the surface——the Silent Ilhuicatl——but it is worlds apart for Ritsuka since they’re dead.[6]
The man asks Ritsuka if they still wish to reach the Storm Border, even knowing it is pointless. Ritsuka affirms that they do. The man’s impression of Ritsuka worsens, but agrees out of obligation to show them the way in exchange for their weapons. [6]
To his surprise, Ritsuka trades their Command Spells, which can be considered their greatest weapon. The man accepts their resolve and so agrees to thrust them away from a fate of death. But first he gives Ritsuka a skull, Calaveras de azúcar, saying it might come in handy if they hold onto it. He then pushes Ritsuka into a pit that suddenly appeared behind them.[6]
Ritsuka wakes up in a cave with Marine and an unconscious U-Olga Marie. She suddenly bolts awaken, but she has amnesia, having no idea who the Chaldeans are, why she is in the Lostbelt, nor who she is. Yet despite this, as summarized by Ritsuka, she still remembers she is an alien from outer space, her name, her purpose, and that she had previously sustained near fatal injuries in some incident.[6]
U-Olga Marie corrects Ritsuka that she didn’t “arrive” rather, she “transitioned to this plane of existence”. She created her “vessel” in order to operate in this space-time. She asks for the Chaldeans’ names.[6]
Marine introduces himself as Marine No. 4, pleading with U-Olga Marie not to kill him. Ritsuka then gives their name, the mention of which gives U-Olga Marie an inexplicable urge to slug them. Nevertheless, she calls Ritsuka and Marine No. 4 her first friends on Earth and orders them to give her a tour of the planet, hereby appointing them as Interstellar Goodwill Ambassadors.[6]
She can tell from their mental wavelengths they are distressed so as future ruler of the planet, she cannot ignore them in their time of need. She suggests they head out together and goes to look for the exit.[6]
Marine No. 4 fears they will be killed if they do not comply, but to his surprise Ritsuka says they think things will be alright after all.[6]
The trio exit the cave into a jungle. U-Olga Marie gets a sense of déjà vu from the scenery and presumes her memory will return the more she looks at it. She then senses a hostile organism nearby. Ritsuka tries to summon a Servant in response, but nothing happens. They remember their Command Spells are gone.[6]
Jaguar-masked gunmen speaking in an unknown language attack the heroes, firing a shot at Marine No. 4. U-Olga Marie protects him and forces the gunmen to retreat. Ritsuka and especially Marine No. 4 are both in admiration of her strength and protective instincts. The heroes get a move on before more enemies show up.[6]
Serving as lookout, Marine No. 4 goes on ahead of Ritsuka and U-Olga Marie. U-Olga Marie doesn’t understand why he doesn’t hide behind her, believing everything should be left to the strongest. She wonders if Ritsuka is a lookout type as well, noting they immediate hid behind a tree and assessed the situation during the previous battle.[6]
Marine No. 4 comes back and grabs U-Olga Marie’s hand to show her a huge plant he presumes to be edible. U-Olga Marie is surprised his wavelength had switched from red, which means either caution or fear, to blue for dialogue. Ritsuka meanwhile has been yellow for joy or friendship from the start.[6]
Though still unsettled by her, Marine No. 4 has learned U-Olga Marie isn’t that scary. He knows Sion and the others will not approve of it, but right now, he wants to give U-Olga Marie his full support. U-Olga Marie is suspicious Marine No. 4 became a supporter of hers just because she rescued him. Ritsuka recalls how Olga Marie was in Fuyuki.
The heroes are then confronted by feral dinosaurs, but U-Olga Marie’s fear of reptiles leaves her unable to do anything. Fortunately, the Chaldean appears and kills them, calling Ritsuka pitiful for being unable to handle a pack of feral Deinos. He wonders if they are grown arrogant from clearing six Lostbelts.[6]
Ritsuka accuses him of going by the name Romani Archaman. He acknowledges that is he, though he says it is not a true reflection of his identity, but it’s what inside that counts. Ritsuka tells him to stop using it because he doesn’t deserve the name, but the Chaldean doesn’t comply.[6]
He questions why Ritsuka hasn’t summoned any Servants when he realizes their Command Spells are gone. He informs Ritsuka that since they are no longer a Master, they cannot summon any more Servants, and so need a new survival strategy. No longer having any business with them, he starts to leave when Ritsuka asks him where Mash is.[6]
The Chaldean tells them to head south to a horn-shaped mountain. They will find Mash inside a cave there. Like Marine No. 4, she had jumped from the Storm Border in order to save them.[6]
As he leaves, the Chaldean warns Ritsuka he will acknowledge them as his enemy if humanity destroys all seven Lostbelts. Although he doubts they can defeat Daybit Sem Void and ORT. After he leaves, U-Olga Marie asks if he’s even a living being, since she detected no emotional wavelength from him and he didn’t acknowledge her.[6]
The heroes eventually find the cave the Chaldean spoke of, having been attacked by those gunmen several times on the way. Marine No. 4 thinks they are the Lostbelt King’s underlings and so see Chaldea as a threat. Ritsuka isn’t so sure about that.
U-Olga Marie asks who Chaldea is. Ritsuka doesn’t answer and instead focuses on the fact it looks like someone lives in the cave. Nemo No. 4 presumes from its appearance that it is a human living space.[6]
A voice coming from a wall asks if the heroes are the Chaldeans that “Romani” mentioned. He turns off his camouflage, something he does subconsciously so he can be alone when deep in thought, and reveals he is a feathered dinosaur. He introduces himself as Tepeu, a deinos living in seclusion in this cave.[6]
His kind are the Prime Species or huanityof this world and, as a general rule, they do not eat other intelligent beings. They are herbivores, but even that isn’t necessary so long as they have water and sunlight. Tepeu, therefore, assures the heroes that he will not eat them for nourishment.[6]
Habetrot and Mash return from some errand they were doing for Tepeu. Mash is relieved to see Ritsuka safe, overjoyed they were able to find her and Habetrot so soon. She freaks out, though, upon seeing Ritsuka is accompanied by U-Olga Marie, who dislikes Mash calling her Director Olga Marie.[6]
Mash calms down after the situation is explained to her. She and Marine No. 4 stop Habetrot from calling U-Olga Marie the Alien God, knowing they aren’t calling her that anymore now.[6]
Ritsuka wants to hear more from Tepeu. Tepeu, being a hermit, isn’t well informed on current events, but he nevertheless wants to help Ritsuka. He knows Proper Human History is the strongest, most correct history and that his world is called a Lostbelt, an impossible world that should have been pruned. The Chaldean had informed him of all of this.[6]
Tepeu does not consider the Chaldeans invaders who threaten his world, rather friends who came to do what they must. He knows Chaldea came to end his world, but deinos accept worlds always come to an end, so Chaldea is not their enemy.[6]
He accepts he will vanish if his world ends. If his world disappeared because of him, he would resist, but that isn’t their relationship. Rather, he is more concerned for Chaldea because if they die their world will truly disappear. So, as another form of humanity, he supports their cause. He encourages them to be proud of the path they chose and believe in.[6]
U-Olga Marie finds deinos different from the humanity she had imagined. But she asks Tepeu how his kind can have a conversation when their wavelength is completely different from that of Ritsuka and their friends.[6]
Tepeu answers that is thanks to Malla analyzing the language and cognitive standards of a man named Crypter in the past, then acting as a universal translator. Malla is the collective will of this world. The source and guiding principle of everything that comprises this underground world——Mictlan.[6]
Mash explains the Lostbelt is a vast cavity that extends underground within a Hollow Earth. Yet despite the normal gravitational pull, topography is vertical rather than horizontal. It is a cylinder, with its gravity pulling towards the inside surface. Mash questions how gravity has remained unchanged and why there is a sun, water, and a breathable atmosphere.[6]
She continues to say it appears to be a million square kilometers of open space. The distance to the lower levels meanwhile is at least 1,000 km, a geological impossibility since the Earth’s crust is at most 40 km thick.[6]
Tepeu explains Mictlan is the name of this world, divided into nine strata. However, the name Mictlan was only recently coined by Izcalli, the lead Ocelotl.
Mash explains Ocelotl is a Nahuatl word from Central and South America, meaning jaguar. They were elite jaguar warriors of the Aztec empire and their mythology. They are also said to represent the war god Tezcatlipoca or the terrifying Elementals living in the jungle.[6]
U-Olga Marie presumes the gunmen who attacked them were Ocelomeh, given they wore jaguar masks. Tepeu is surprised that the Ocelomeh have made it this far.[6]
He reveals the Ocelomeh appeared along with the Crypter. The moment they did, they started hunting deinos for the honor of combat. They’re currently building a large city in the fifth stratum.[6]
The extinction of deinos seems to be the goal of the Ocelomeh’s leader Izcalli. They have already killed many deinos, who are either capture and beaten to death or deprived of their wits by use of various poisons. Either way, there are few deinos living in the wild like Tepeu. He realizes the Ocelomeh appear to be human.[6]
Marine No. 4 asks what the Ocelomeh are after. Tepeu answers it is resource. They strip deinos of their hides, process their bones, and distribute their hearts like treasure. Malla does not approve of such behavior, but the Ocelomeh are cunning enough to avoid the eyes of its law. Ritsuka and Mash compare their actions to that of a trafficking ring.[6]
They both realize the Storm Border crew is in danger, so they need to get there as soon as possible. The crew’s last contact was four hours ago, though. Sion had said most of the ship’s functions were offline and repairs would take a few days.[6]
Habetrot suspects the Storm Border crash-landed somewhere 300 km south of them. They don’t know how long it will take to trek through the jungle, so there is no time to waste. But Habetrot thinks the jungle will be far less dangerous for her and Mash now that Ritsuka is with them unaware they can’t summon Servants.[6]
Ritsuka confesses they can’t Servants, but right now they need to reach the Storm Border. Tepeu, presuming the “Storm Border” is the “Flying Rock which fell from the Heavenly Barrier, says it fell on the far side of Chichen Itza. They will need to cross through Tlatlauhqui to get there, but since they’re new arrivals, he can’t recommend it. He then gets dressed up, deciding he will be the heroes’ guide through Mictlan.[6]
Leaving Tepeu’s cave, the heroes trek through the jungle for approximately two hours before taking a break from the sweltering heat.[6]
Marine No. 4 and Habetrot go to get water, but Marine No. 4 soon comes back fleeing from feral deinos. Tepeu explains these deinos have lost all their intellect as a result of brain deterioration. They are neither alive nor dead now. They are like the jungle’s malignant tumors who prey on the animals to convert them into energy.[6]
Mash equips the Ortenaus and fights the feral deinos.[6]
Maize field
Later, after many battles, the heroes exit the jungle to a field of large maize, the only food deinos eat for pleasure, according to Tepeu.[6]
Habetrot finds it strange the sun hasn’t set yet, even though it’s been six hours since they left Tepeu’s cave. Mash thinks night may not exist in Mitclan as it is a closed structure that folds inwards and so the sun cannot set. But U-Olga Marie points out the sun is in fact moving slowing south toward the Earth’s depths. She calculates at the sun’s rate of movement it will be nighttime in five hours.[6]
Tepeu agrees to explain Mictlan’s structure, especially since such knowledge will be essential for the Chaldeans since they seek the Storm Border.[6]
Mictlan is divided into nine layers. Right now, the heroes are in the first layer, Tlalocan, where a precipice serves as the ceiling leading to the surface.[6]
The second layer is the first Underworld Border. An endless river where the colossal iguanas dwell, the Red Border, Tlatlauhqui.[6]
The third layer is a great fertile field. The Golden City of Chichén Itzá.[6]
The fourth layer is the second Underworld Border. A valley of blades and wind where bones are discarded, the White Border, Iztauhqui.[6]
The fifth layer is the blood vessels of the land. The lake of blood and birds, Tula.[6]
The sixth layer is the third Underworld Border. The galactic dunes, the thundering vacuumous gardens, the Blue Border, Xoxoauhqui.[6]
The seventh layer is the melodious Ilhuicatl. Metztitlán), the astronomical observatory.[6]
The eighth layer is the fourth Underworld Border. A sunless, underground mountain range, the Black Border, Yayauhqui.[6]
The ninth layer is the Land of Fear Xibalba at the foot of the Ceiba tree.[6]
All of Mictlan’s layers are interconnected and so can be traversed at will. However, the Underworld Borders are dangerous, for they are the layers of trails where the dead roam[6]
Furthermore, going beyond the seventh layer is considered dangerous, even for deinos, because a fog that kills the living covers the eighth and ninth layers. The fog will only clear when the sun takes its 360th intermission, and it only takes five cycles to return. To venture down to the ninth layer during this period of clearing is known as the Underworld Pilgrimage, something no deinos has succeeded in.[6]
But Tepeu says there is no need to head for the ninth layer as he suspects the Storm Border fell to the bottom of the third layer near the entrance of the fourth layer. They can get there in four cycles, but there is a massive hurdle they must overcome first. The war god that Crypter brought with him, Tezcatlipoca, has turned Tlatlauhqui into a demonic realm. Ritsuka and Mash both conclude Tezcatlipoca is the Servant summoned by Daybit.[6]
The heroes set up camp for the night.
Later that night, Ritsuka finishes explaining Proper Human History to Tepeu, amazed by his comprehension. Mash felt the same way when she first met Tepeu, noting how he can talk at length about a topic even if it’s something he had no idea about prior. She believes it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he has a super brain.[6]
Marine No. 4 asks Tepeu if he is living in isolation because he is too smart. Tepeu confesses he is an outcast. He and the other deinos no longer see eye to eye and so he moved to the remote first layer. [6]
Deinos never had a thirst for knowledge to begin with because they needed to supplement their bodies with their intelligent. This is unlike Homo Sapiens whose bodies and intellect both evolved in order to survive. Mictlan has no threats, so there was never a need for the deinos to evolve.[6]
Mash asks Tepeu to tell them more about the deinos, given he is the only one they've had proper contact with. Tepeu agrees to explain deinos ecology and its origins.[6]
Long ago at the origin of Mictlan, the deinos’ ancestors migrated to Mictlan from the surface. Their ancestors were analogous to the dinosaurs of Proper Human History. According to Mash, dinosaurs were divided into several categories: the aquatic Plesiosauria, the avian Pterosauria, and the land roving Theropoda. The majority of deinos are Theropoda.[6]
But Malla has some degree of influence on how deinos spawn, so there are always a few Plesiosauria or avian Pterosauria class deinos. But while Tepeu was ostracized due to issues with his conduct, Plesiosauria and Pterosauria are outcasts from birth.[6]
Deinos are exclusively herbivores. Ingesting meat would result in an inability to decompose toxins, causing pain, loss of intellect, and eventually death. This is one of the causes for feral deinos, the other being they went to berserk after being poisoned by the Ocelomeh.[6]
The Ocelomeh do this because of what they call the “new doctrine”, their creed. Tepeu theorizes the Ocelomeh are humans who appeared in Mictlan out of nowhere and expanded their territory. Their creed is to offer strong hearts as tribute to their god, which inevitably made deinos their targets. They ritualistically tear out their hearts at the city they established at the fifth layer.[6]
Mictlan is at present in the midst of a civil war between two factions. On one side is the deinos whose city of Chichén Itzá is ruled by the Dinosaur King and protected by the sun god Kukulkan. The Ocelomeh are on the other side. Their city is Mexico City, the city of death built by Tezcatlipoca and Daybit. The crash site of the Storm Border is somewhere between these two cities.[6]
Mash finds it strange the deinos would have their own god, recalling Kukulkan is the name of the Mayan god of wind and water in Proper Human History. But the deinos are completely unrelated to the mythologies, so it doesn’t make sense for a god bearing that name to be in Mictlan. Furthermore, Mictlan is the name of the Aztec Underworld.[6]
Tepeu reveals both the name and the concept of a “sun god” were born recently. They were ignorant of such things and barely had verbal exchanges until Daybit arrived. His summoning of Tezcatlipoca, a god from Proper Human History, gave meaning to many things and what the deinos once took for granted became something special. For the first time, their world produced stories.[6]
After Tepeu goes to bed early, the Chaldeans discuss on how to deal with the amnesiac U-Olga Marie who is currently looking at the stars. Mash doesn’t want them to be enemies even if she is the Alien God, noting how she has been friendly to them for the past twelve hours. Ritsuka says they will quiet for now about her being the Alien God.[6]
Marine No. 4 finds that manipulative but agrees. He points out the nuance of U-Olga Marie’s repeated insistence she is ruling the Earth seems less about dominating humanity and more about improving its management. He believes she was putting on a facade when she attacked the Storm Border as the Alien God, while her current self is her natural self.[6]
Habetrot agrees U-Olga Marie will not be their enemy if she can’t remember she is the Alien God. But they shouldn’t keep her in the dark about everything else since real friends don’t do that.[6]
Ritsuka calls U-Olga Marie and tells her about everything. U-Olga Marie commends Ritsuka and Mash for restoring their future even if it was only once. She considers Chaldea noble for ensuring a future for the people without them even realizing it. Fascinated, she decides she will help the Chaldeans save the Earth.[6]
The Priestess, unseen by everyone, watches as U-Olga Marie bonds with the Chaldeans. Grigori Rasputin, who is watching from afar, finds this vexing.[6]
First Underworld: Tlatlauqui[]
The heroes continue on their way on the next day. U-Olga Marie requests Tepeu to explain more about the Underworld Borders.[7]
Tepeu explains the Underworld Borders are anomalous zones within Mictlan, where the magnetic field is so warped that the blessings of Malla cannot register. They were once places where mindless deinos wandered about, but ever since Tezcatlipoca arrived, they became places where the dead are compelled to face trials in order to reach a “complete death”. Without recognizing these trials as having been “surmounted”, the Underworld Borders are nigh impossible to traverse. Tepeu has surmounted as far as the third underworld.[7]
Mash recalls Tepeu mentioned last night that there are colossal iguanas in the first underworld and asks if one happens to be the Xochitónal. She hypothesized this Mictlan and the Mictlan of Proper Human History share the same roots in regard to emphasizing the harmony with nature. Xochitónal is the great iguana that would devour the dead when nearing the enormous Apanohuacalhuia river in the first underworld layer of Iztcuintlan.[7]
U-Olga Marie asks why the deinos live underground and not on the surface. Tepeu answers that is likely because the surface is inhospitable, burnt to ash by a meteorite long, long ago. The deinos escaped underground and bred in the Mictlan created by Malla. Even now, the surface still burns.[7]
Changing the subject, U-Olga Marie asks the Chaldeans what they know about ORT. Mash confesses Chaldea came to the Lostbelt in order to get to ORT before anyone else could. But right now, finding a way back to the Storm Border takes top priority.[7]
U-Olga Marie fully agrees they can’t waste time looking for ORT. She had only asked because it was one of the few terms she could recall. She vaguely recalls she was looking for it, but thinks that doesn’t matter now.[7]
Tlatlauhqui
The heroes soon reach Tlatlauhqui, but it’s so vast that it can’t even be considered a river. Tepeu says it was not this vast when he crossed it. He wonders if the Chaldea’s arrival made changes to the Underworld Borders much like Daybit’s had.[7]
U-Olga Marie senses something climbing up from the base of the waterfall, presuming it is the giant iguana. She and Mash fight it, with Habetrot serving as non-combat support.[7]
The giant iguana is slain. Afterward, the heroes discuss how they will cross the river, as making and using a raft like Tepeu had done will not work when the river is wide as it is.[7]
Ritsuka wishes they could summon a Heroic Spirit to cross the river. Mash thinks Noah, Moses, Sinbad, or Icarus would have a Noble Phantasm that would them across, but unfortunately Ritsuka is unable to summon Servant at present.[7]
But U-Olga Marie realizes it doesn’t matter even if Ritsuka could summon, nor it would matter the summoned Servant could swim, fly, or sail. They need to approach mythologically, so they need a Servant somehow connected to the underworld.[7]
Mash praises U-Olga Marie for her intuition and nearly calls her Chaldea’s director, but stops herself. Upon hearing Chaldea, Kingprotea suddenly rises from the river and declares she will crush everyone. The heroes are all shocked about where she came from.[7]
Protea calms down and apologizes for scaring everyone. She had thought they were the “bad guys” who sunk the Storm Border. She knows Ritsuka is the Master of Chaldea and seems to know them from the past. Ritsuka doesn’t remember her, though, so Protea figures it is their future.[7]
She confirms she is indeed one of the three additional Servants summoned for this mission. However, she woke up in the river with nobody around,and bats shrieking. She was too anxious to move, but hearing everyone’s voices gave her the courage to stand.[7]
U-Olga Marie asks Protea what sort of Heroic Spirit she is, noting the Alter Ego class shouldn’t exist in Proper Human History.
Protea explains she is a Servant formed from the amalgamation of the essences from multiple goddesses and an aspect of her mother’s personality. The goddesses forming her essence are all Earth Mother goddesses. There is also Divine Beast Airavata and something else Protea doesn’t seem to recognize.[7]
Mash recognizes Airavata as being from Indian Mythology and asks Protea if it is the same one created from the churning of the ocean of milk.[7]
Protea confirms and describes how the opposing deities of devas and asuras once worked together to perform a ritual to revive the world after it became a world of death when the gods declined. Said ritual was the churning of the ocean of milk, a great undertaking to change the world’s color from dead to alive. The gods threw everything into the ocean of milk and churned it to produce amrita, the elixir of immortality. In the process, a white elephant called Airavata was born, swimming in the ocean of milk.[7]
Tepeu realizes from a different perspective the legend of Airavata’s birth would be an incident set in the underworld. Thus Protea, through possessing Airavata’s essence, can carry the heroes across the river. Protea agrees to do so, happy to play a major role.[7]
Becoming bigger than before, Protea swims across the river, carrying Ritsuka, Mash, and Tepeu in the palm of her hand while Marine No. 4 is in on her head. U-Olga Marie, meanwhile, floats in the air by establishing a gravitational field on Protea’s shoulders.[7]
Protea is nearly halfway across the river when something slashes her back repeatedly, causing her to bleed profusely. But she refuses to let herself sink, knowing everyone will drown if she does, and takes the heroes to the nearest shore. She sinks afterward, giving one last smile.[7]
A voice admonishes Protea for opening a path when she was meant to be an obstacle. They considered it a betrayal and so call for her death. With maniacal laughter, a strange-looking man dives in before the heroes at high speeds. He introduces himself as Camazotz.[7]
Ritsuka immediately realizes Camazotz was the one who attacked Protea. Camazotz draws his scythe and drinks Protea’s blood from it as he reveals he knows about Chaldea. Mash recognizes he shares the same name as the Mayan bat god. Camazotz claims he is indeed a creature of mythology.[7]
He tells Ritsuka they best remember his name if they intend to undertake the Underworld Pilgrimage like Daybit. He knows the two of them are enemies and looks forward to seeing who will survive in the end.[7]
He confesses he was going to behead Ritsuka and drink their blood, but their look of anger toward him amused him. Wishing to see more of it, he calls forth Xochitónal to attack the heroes using one of Ritsuka’s Command Spells. He disappears, telling Ritsuka choosing between kill or be killed is the trick to surviving in Mictlan.[7]
Kingprotea Xochitónal
The river turns red and Protea raises from it now wearing a black outfit and a green skull mask. She is hostile, likely being controlled.[7]
Habetrot understands Marine No. 4 doesn’t want to fight her, but they have no choice to neutralize her if they want to flee since she will catch them immediately thanks to her size. She tells Ritsuka and Mash to fire the Barrel without the Dead Counter, thinking that will at least scare Protea off. The heroes fight Protea to neutralize her.
Unfortunately for the heroes, Protea is far stronger than they expected, shrugging off two shots from the Barrel. U-Olga Marie doesn’t understand why she is so weak. At her behest, the heroes retreat into the jungle.[7]
Protea chases after them. Tepeu remembers, though, Camazotz called her Xochitónal. If Protea is a guardian of the underworld, then she cannot leave the river to pursue them into the thick of the jungle.[7]
The heroes escape further into the jungle and immediately start discussing how to deal with Protea.[7]
Habetrot laments that their voices didn’t get through to her and how the river has turned sinister looking. U-Olga Marie reveals that is a result of the blood overflowing from the wound on Protea’s back. It hasn’t slowed her down, though, nor showed any signs of stopping. She hasn’t even cried out in distress, making U-Olga Marie wonder if she lacks a sense of pain.[7]
Ritsuka recommends capturing Camazotz and turn Protea back into normal. Unfortunately, U-Olga Marie says he is nowhere nearby.[7]
Tepeu points out crossing the first underworld will be impossible to cross so long as Protea remains an obstacle. They could kill her, but they presently lack the means to neutralize her. However, given she is bleeding out, they can wait for her to expire and disappear. The others are uncomfortable with this suggestion of Tepeu’s, and it particularly upsets Ritsuka and Marine No.4.[7]
Further discussion on the matter is stopped, however, when Rasputin emerges from the foliage. He is surprised to run into the Chaldeans while he was searching for someone. He already knows they are breaking through the first underworld in order to reach the Storm Border and that they had to retreat from the underworld’s guardian.[7]
Given the adversarial relationship between Chaldea and the Apostles, the Chaldeans must assume Rasputin has come to thwart their attempt to cut down the Tree. But Rasputin assures the Chaldeans he has come this time in search of someone. He’d prefer not to resort to hostilities, for he has already found who was looking for.[7]
He is relieved to see U-Olga Marie unharmed and urges her to return with him to their Earth supervision office, the Great Majestic House. U-Olga Marie doesn’t remember him, though. Rasputin laughs it off and tells her he is her attendant. Though she cannot remember, U-Olga Marie can tell by Rasputin’s color (a deep dark blue) that he isn’t lying.[7]
Ritsuka and Mash accuse Rasputin of scheming, but he reminds them the circumstances are surprising to him as well. Personally, he would like U-Olga Marie to remember her position and terminate her current relationship. U-Olga Marie, however, asserts she will stay with the Chaldeans until at least they reach the Storm Border.[7]
Left with no other choice, Rasputin decides will accompany U-Olga Marie then. But he claims he is a powerless priest, and so cannot assist in battle. Ritsuka tries to call him out on his obvious lie, but Rasputin asserts it will be more convenient for the Chaldeans for him to be a mere butler.[7]
Mash whispers to Rituska that U-Olga Marie may deduce the Alien God’s identity if they say Rasputin is an Apostle of the Alien God. In her current state, it is impossible to tell how U-Olga Marie will react if she learns the truth. The only way to keep the current status quo is to invite Rasputin along as her “butler”.[7]
Moving onto strategizing, Rasputin knows the heroes mean to attack Xochitónal and offers his insight on the matter, having experience with exorcisms. He reveals Protea is possessed by an evil spirit; the mask makes it obvious. He can sense a Divine Spirit from the mask and suspects Protea will return to her senses if it is removed, though he cannot guarantee she will return to her original state.[7]
Tepeu realizes Rasputin is saying those who become guardians of the underworld are forbidden from leaving it. He asks if it is a new rule established by the god of Proper Human History.[7]
Rasputin agrees a god is mostly likely responsible. However, that also grants the heroes an opportunity. Proper Human History has been superimposed on the Underworld Border, meaning it is both of the Lostbelt and not of the Lostbelt. Rasputin asks Mash to measure its Human Order Foundation value.[7]
Mash sees it is fluctuating. Rasputin explains they are in both a Compiled Event and a Pruned Event, which means all possible pasts, presents, and futures are acceptable. So long as they have the magical energy, Ritsuka can summon as many Heroic Spirits connected to Chaldea as much as they like here. Even “alternate possiblities” are possible, albeit temporarily.[7]
Tepeu informs Rasputin that Ritsuka has been unable to summon since coming to Mictlan, so his strategy is impossible. Rasputin knows Ritsuka’s Command Spells are gone and now being used by Camazotz. He asks Ritsuka where they lost them.[7]
Ritsuka remembers they were a place covered in fog, and they made a deal to come back. Rasputin understands Ritsuka used their Command Spells as collateral to escape death. Camazotz possesses them now and used them to turn Protea into a Alter.[7]
But more important is the fact that they are in the Underworld Border and not the world of the living. Ritsuka traded their Command Spells to return to life, but so as long as they’re in the underworld, that contract is considered null and void.[7]
Ritsuka tries summoning again and sees it is working. Rasputin reminds them there is a limit to the number they can summon, but it should be fine so long as the Servants they choose are suitable for defeating Xochitónal. Ritsuka laments that will not save Protea.[7]
Rasputin reassures his proposal was to defeat Xochitónal, not Protea. If the others can halt Xochitónal’s movements, then he can move in and excise the evil spirit connected to Protea’s Spirit Origin and attached to the mask.[7]
The heroes return to the river and fight Protea Xochitónal, eventually halting her movements. Mash launches Rasputin up to the mask. He cleanses Xochitónal from Protea with Kyrie Eleison, removing the mask. But the mask is now moving on its own, so the heroes have one last battle before Xochitónal is finally defeated.[7]
After the mask is destroyed, Ritsuka feels they have regained a Command Spell. Rasputin reminds them, though, their qualifications as summoner and the functions of their Command Spells have not returned. Beyond the Underworld Borders, they should be able to summon one or two Servants, though.[7]
Kingprotea Alter finds it unforgivable a human defeated her. But she accepts what happened and reverts to her regular form, warning Ritsuka they will pay when they next meet. Protea has no clear memory of her actions, but she nevertheless thanks Ritsuka for helping her.[7]
At the Golden City[]
With Protea’s help, the heroes finally cross the first Underworld Border. But she cannot go with them because she was made its guardian and so can only function in the Underworld Border. She was summoned by the Storm Border, but she fell into Mictlan before she could contract with Ritsuka and connect the paths of their magical energy. Her magical furnace is large enough she can act on her own, but Camazotz made her a guardian.[17]
Protea could be freed from her guardianship if she is dismissed and re-summoned at the Border. However, she is a Divine Spirit-class Servant, so it is highly unlikely she could be resummoned. Even if she could be, she wouldn’t be the same person the heroes know now.[17]
The heroes make camp for the night.
Later, as they continue to trek through the jungle, the heroes are attacked by a swarm of flesh-eating insects. They drive them away and make camp for the night. Ritsuka and Mash ask U-Olga Marie why she wants to be president.[17]
U-Olga Marie explains the screams of the planet called for her and she came from a hollow planet. Since it is the planet what called her, she isn’t inserted in taking it as her possession, so to that end she will not style herself as a king. She wants to cultivate and guide the prevalent sapient beings on this planet through equal governance and impartial history and create a world where all races and ideologies are accepted. Thus she will be president, one who oversees and represents humanity and celebrates their accomplishment.[17]
However, in her current condition, she cannot recall the actual plan or reason. She tries to remember, but it only causes her pain, prompting Ritsuka to call out to her as director Olga Marie in concern.[17]
U-Olga Marie again asks who this director is, recalling they spoke such nonsense at the palace. But she only remembers she and Ritsuka first met in the caves and doesn’t know what palace she is taking about. Ignoring that, she reiterates she came to right the planet’s wrongs and eradicate its evils. A leader for a foolish humanity and its mighty sovereign.[17]
Ritsuka asks her why she cares so much if humanity is so foolish. U-Olga Marie replies she never said foolishness was necessarily bad, nor is it exclusive to humanity. Sapient beings are all foolish to their core, but it is thanks to perpetuation of mistakes that the cosmos sees renewal.[17]
Later that night, U-Olga Marie feels how weak she currently is and questions what she is.[17]
Plains
The next day, the heroes exit the jungle to a large open plain. But before they can even try to cross to reach the jungle where the Storm Border crash-landed, they are accosted by deinos who think Ritsuka and the Servants are Ocelomeh. These deinos then attack the heroes as the Dinosaur King had decreed to attack anyone attempting to cross the plains, even if they are themselves deinos.[17]
The heroes try fighting back but are soon surrounded and forced to retreat back into the jungle.[17]
Tepeu deduces warrior deinos were stationed at regular intervals and are on guard against Ocelomeh coming up from the lower levels. Since it was the Dinosaur King who decreed it so, he suggests they head for Chichén Itzá and get his permission to pass. Chichén Itzá is the sole collective residence for the deinos, the holy site protecting Mictlan’s sun, and the resting place of Kukulkan, “Doctrine of the Sun”.[17]
Chichén Itzá
Upon arriving in Chichén Itzá, Tepeu explains the deinos built it atop the ruins of a city that once existed long ago while making improvements. The buildings and household essentials are therefore double the size of what humans would build.[17]
To prevent a repeat of what happened at the plains, Rasputin used magecraft to disguise himself, Ritsuka, and Mash as deinos. U-Olga Marie had refused to go and Marine No.4 stayed behind with so she wouldn’t be lonely.[17]
Tepeu reveals deinos are going extinct thanks to the Ocelomeh’s hunts. The Ocelomeh prefer hunting females so they will be no next generation for the deinos. Even if new deinos were born, their chances of survival are despairingly low because Mictlan is about to come to an end soon. He is of course referring to the fact Chaldea is going to fell the Lostbelt’s Tree.[17]
Rasputin asks Tepeu if the stalls out on the streets mean they conduct business and therefore implies the concept of money exists in ther lives.[17]
Tepeu answers they have no such concept. They merely lay out things that are needed on the stalls and they are free to take. The deinos occupying the stalls are there for safety reasons to provide advice to the other deinos since what can or cannot be eaten varies on the individual.[17]
Rasputin concludes deinos completely lack the greed prevalent in human society, but humans are only like because they are limited in what they can accomplish as individuals. Life forms blessed with strong bodies and a calm spirit such as the deinos lack for nothing in survival. But they lack the concept of “competition”. For them, everyone is an equal and a dear friend.[17]
Tepeu confirms there are conflicts between deinos. Also, unlike Proper Human History, there are no racial differences. They do have a ceremonial contest called xoqqer, but even that is a peaceful affair. Xoqqer is when they give thanks to the sun’s radiance and pray for its sojourn.[17]
Rasputin asks Tepeu if the Central American pyramid at the far end of the city is the altar where the king lives. Proper Human History has a similar building, expect there isn’t what appears to be a jade crystal jutting out of the summit of the altar.[17]
Tepeu explains the pyramid is why Chichén Itzá is consecrated ground. It is where the sun begins and ends——the Solar Itinerancy. The sun begins its journey in Chichén Itzá and moves down to the ninth layer before returning to the city. Upon its return, it is enclosed in the altar, bestowing it with vitality and then sending it back on its way.[17]
Rasputin now understands Mictlan’s gravity is oriented toward the surface. The sun itself is a super ancient relic independent of Mictlan’s laws. Tepeu agrees but makes a correction about the “jade” jutting out into the sky. It is actually vegetation, with its shine coming from its resin. The altar is the summit of the Cosmic Tree impaling Mictlan.[17]
Moving onto the subject of getting an audience with the Dinosaur King, Tepeu confesses he was once a priest of Chichén Itzá. He left before the Dinosaur King’s advent, though, so he never met in person. He still has connections, but everyone is free to go where they please in Mictlan.[17]
Altar
At the altar, he asks Vucub, a Pterosauria priest, to arrange an audience with Dinosaur King. Vucub answers that cannot be done since the Dinosaur King is too busy dealing with the Ocelemoh. Faced with the deinos’ extinction, the Dinosaur King chose to barricade the plains and commit to an all out war. Vucub thus proclaims Chichén Itzá has no place for cowards like Tepeu and orders warrior deinos to drive him out.[17]
Driven back to the streets, Tepeu confirms Vucub hates him, even sending assassins after him.[17]
With Tepeu’s connections having turned out to be a bust, the heroes conclude they need to find allies in Chichén Itzá and meet the Dinosaur Kng another way. But as it is not a problem that can be solved overnight, they need a place to stay. Tepeu offers his house, which is on a secluded street so they can freely discuss Proper Human History.[17]
Later that night, joined by U-Olga Marie and Marine No.4, Tepeu escorts the heroes to his house, only to find t regrown with vegetation and overrun with “pests”.[17]
After his housed cleaned, Mash tells Tepeu at his request that the Chichén Itzá of Proper Human History was a city located on the Yucatan peninsula in Central America, built by the Mayan civilization, specifically the Itza people. Kulkulkan was the central religious figure of the city; the same god who eventually came to be worshipped as Quetzalcoatl by the Aztecs. Unfortunately, the Mayans declined as a result of environmental factors and a lack of technological progress.[17]
The Aztecs, meanwhile, fell to the technologically and tactically superior Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his small force. Cortes eventually came to occupy the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztec king of that time, Montezuma II, was killed amidst the chaos, and Cortes and his men destroyed the Aztecs in war.[17]
Marine No.4 recalls an Aztec legend: “After being defeated by the evil god Tezcatlipoca, the good god Quetzalcoatl vanished from the face of Earth. Quetzalcoatl promised to return from the east and bring glory to the Aztecs once more.” The Age of Gods had already given way to the Age of Man, but this legend of Quetzalcoatl was still widespread. It was said he took the form of a man with white skin and a dark beard.[17]
Being a Spaniard, Cortes bore both these traits. Montezuma thought he was Quetzalcoatl’s second coming and invited him to his castle as a guest. Cortes used the legend of Quetzalcoatl to his advantage. He drew the hostile surrounding tribes to the Aztec Empire and conquered Tenochtitlan despite their inferior numbers.[17]
The Aztecs were infamous for capturing people for slave labor and sacrifice, fifty of which were made daily at Tenochtitlan to the gods Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli. Cortes was thus not the sole reason for the Aztec’s downfall but also because of a revolt by the long-suffering rival tribes.[17]
The history of Central America would have been very different if Montezuma had not believed in the legend of Quetzalcoatl and welcomed Cortes as a god. In the end, he was stoned to death by his own people, or the Spaniards so claimed.[17]
Tepeu realizes Mictlan’s current state is the result of Daybit reenacting Cortes’ actions with the Ocelemoh. He notes the other similarities between his world and Proper Human History. He would like to hear more about Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl, but he thinks it is best they head for bed now.[17]
But first Rasputin asks Tepeu if Chichén Itzá, which is more fit for humans than deinos, was built by the Dinosaur King by way of the deinos. Tepeu reveals the Dinosaur King is a recent arrival, so he had nothing to do with Chichén Itzá. Kukulkan was the one who constructed Chichén Itzá in order to govern Mictlan.[17]
Life in Chichén Itzá (I)[]
The heroes all wake up the next morning refreshed, including Marine No. 4. Unlike actual Servants, the Marines cannot go into spirit form to conserve their magical energy as they’re only copies of Nemo, not the Heroic Spirit himself. They cannot rematerialize if they go into the spirit form outside the Storm Border.[18]
It is only thanks to Chaldea’s electric power and TRISMEGISTUS II that Marine No.4 can materialize as an individual. The Storm Border also restores his magical energy, so reducing his magical energy consumption and restoring it a bit with a good night’s sleep was quite helpful. However how hurt he gets, he can tag in another Marine and be restored if he can make it back to the Nautilus. [18]
He does not mention out loud that the number of Marines is down to nineteen, having lost four in Atlantis and one in Britain.[18]
Proceeding with the meeting, U-Olga Marie projects images of Mictlan, showing she has recalled a portion of her powers. They show the altar stairs are the only way to approach the throne, but this route cannot be used while it is guarded by the warrior deinos.[18]
The Dinosaur King also seems to have his own private chambers, yet it seems he is absent. It is well-guarded as well as, possibly in case of an Ocelemoh attack. Either way, contacting the Dinosaur King via normal means will prove difficult, which brings the heroes to the image of what appears to be a sports arena.[18]
Tepeu explains the arena is the ritual grounds for xoqqer, it being the only form of public entertainment for deinos.[18]
U-Olga Marie, having collected all their thoughts last night, says most of the deinos are excited about who will reach the xoqqer championship. The winning team will receive honors from the Dinosaur King and hear proclamations from Kukulkan. U-Olga Marie thus concludes participating is the best way to meet the Dinosaur King.[18]
Tepeu describes the rules of xoqqer, which are the same as soccer.[18]
The heroes’ goal right now is to win the xoqqer championship in order to get an audience with the Dinosaur King and get his permission to cross the plains. To do that, they will first need to get acquainted with the top xoqqer players, persuade them to let them join their team, and win the championship.[18]
With Tepeu saying xoqqer matches are 11 on 11, Rasputin finds it conceivable for teams with such numbers to require “substitutes”, so there is some hope for entering a pre-existing team. The ceremony is tomorrow, which only gives the heroes today to find players.[18]
Rasputin then reveals he refined his Sacraments so that their disguises will only be visible to actual deinos. This way U-Olga Marie can accompany Ritsuka, Mash, and Rasputin.[18]
With that settled, U-Olga Marie declares she and Ritsuka will be competing to win the championship with the team they each come up. They will get an audience with the Dinosaur King no matter who wins, so it is a considerably safer strategy.[18]
Tepeu, noting there are eight teams participating, suggests they split up to find said teams. Rasputin determines t will be Ritsuka and Mash, him and U-Olga Marie, and Tepeu and Marine No.4. Tepeu says they will rendevzous after the sun reaches the fourth layer.[18]
Xoqqer ritual grounds
Ritsuka and Mash head for the arena to look for the team Tepeu introduced them to: Team Death Rolling. Said team consists solely of the self-proclaimed Eleven Deinonychus Brothers (even though there aren’t eleven of them currently). Ritsuka inquires about joining their join.[18]
The brothers smell Tepeu’s scent, whom they call master, off of Ritsuka and Mash and presume he sent them to help. But out of pride they refuse his help even though they suffered 200 losses ever since he left. Nevertheless, they challenge Ritsuka and Mash to a practice match.[18]
While the brothers are impressed by their skills, the heroes are less than impressed by the brothers’ skills to the point Habetrot suggests to Ritsuka they look for another team. But Mash decides they will stick with the brothers given they are the team Teppeu referred them to. She asks the brothers if it is possible for her and Ritsuka to fill in for tomorrow’s xoqqer.[18]
The brothers are glad to have a full roster now and they will no longer have to fear dropping out in the first round. Mash, baffled they are aiming quite low, asks the brothers if they are not a renowned team favored to win. The truth, unfortunately, is they are a frail team who are purely offense because their defenders are bedridden with cacao intoxication.[18]
Mash makes the brothers go through a severe training regimen inspired by her teacher, Leonidas.[18]
After the training session, the seventh brother tells Ritsuka winning the championship is truly the only way to cross the plains since they will not see the Dinosaur King as long as Vucub is around. Vucub has been finding fault with other deinos for some time now, but it worsened ever since the Dinosaur King appeared. Now he commands the warrior deinos and acts like he owns Chichén Itzá.[18]
The brothers have no problem with him so long as they can play xoqqer, but there are deinos who want to leave the city. The seventh brother knows it is a matter of personal preference, though, and that Tepeu is going his own way.[18]
Tepeu was the brothers’ coach when he was in Chichén Itzá. His formations, each tailored to the opponent, won them cycle after cycle, but they went back to being the loser team after he left. Due to their small size, they had to use every petty tactic just to eke out a win. But that ended when Daybit’s arrival brought with him the widespread usage of language, causing a detailed revision of the rules. As a result, the brothers couldn’t do their usual petty tactics anymore. Accidents started to happen and the eleven brothers were down to seven. The cacao intoxication story was just a big lie.[18]
Though he wanted Tepeu to stay in Chichén Itzá like his brothers, the seventh brother stopped them from making him stay because he understood Tepeu preferred solitude. But now he feels he was wrong about Tepeu because [18]
The sixth brother comes up and helps his brother realize Ritsuka doesn’t have their own ball. The seventh brother explains to Ritsuka each xoqqer player must bring their own ball to offer up to the sun. Also, each ball needs to be new. The seventh brother thus urges Ritsuka to gather materials, saying there should be gluey trees growing in the western forest.[18]
Ritsuka and Mash return to Tepeu’s house and inform him and Marine No. 4 they have joined Death Rolling, who are currently in harsh training to take on Chichen A.[18]
Tepeu notes U-Olga Marie and Rasputin haven’t found their team yet. He thinks it will not matter though when his and Marine’s team, Nautilus of South America, are expected to win the championship.[18]
Ritsuka helps Tepeu remember each player is required to have their own ball. He decides to help gather materials and tells Marine to continue coaching. Marine goes off to do just that looking lonesome. Tepeu then leaves with Ritsuka and Mash for the western forest to gather materials, warning they should be wary of dangers like carnivorous insects and Ocelomeh.[18]
The heroes find a good spot in the forest to gather from gluey trees or rather rubber trees. While Tepeu gathers from the best trees, Ritsuka and Mash fend off the Ocelomeh that appeared.[18]
After the Ocelomeh retreat, Ritsuka and Mash initially intend to remain on standby when they hear gunshots go off in the distance. They immediately head off in the direction they came from.[18]
They find a boy with short blonde hair killing Ocelomeh. The boy fires at Ritsuka, but Mash manages to block the bullet. He assumes Ritsuka and Mash are Ocelomeh and is surprised they aren’t wearing masks since their rules say they must. Regardless, he warns them not to loiter dressed as they are or else they’re dead if deinos find them.[18]
He tries to leave, but stops when Mash asks who he is. He refuses to answer and informs the pair he didn’t kill them since they didn’t train their “guns” on him. But he will kill them if they follow after him. He then leaves, saying Mictlan doesn’t have much time left, so the deinos and Ocelomeh should think only about securing their own victory.[18]
Tepeu finds Ritsuka and Mash, having picked the best tree from the lot, when he notices their grim expressions. Ritsuka tells him there was a human boy, but Tepeu calls that preposterous. Regardless, the heroes head back so Tepeu can craft balls for everyone before the ritual.[18]
Later that night, after everyone else has gone to sleep, Ritsuka finds U-Olga Marie on the roof watching the deinos go about their lives. She can see the Storm Border (albeit barely) and informs Ritsuka to their relief that everyone is safe. She then urges them to go to bed.[18]
Ritsuka realizes U-Olga Marie doesn’t sleep. U-Olga Marie confesses “sleep” isn’t one of her functions, and while there are times when functions shut down as emergency safety measure, “dreaming” doesn’t factor into it. Ritsuka pities U-Olga Marie for being unable to dream.[18]
U-Olga Marie is immediately disgusted by the color Ritsuka is showing right now. She loathes they would treat her as if they are similar beings, asserting she is different from everyone else. As long as they are sapient beings, they can reach a mutual understanding, find a common purpose, and even become friends. But U-Olga Marie absolutely refuses to be treated as though they are similar creatures. She is a non-human from outer space and so has nothing in common with all of them.[18]
Ritsuka suggests she try sleeping to see if she truly cannot sleep. U-Olga Marie is baffled that they would ask her to do what she just said is impossible for her. But she decides to try it to prove there is nothing she cannot do.[18]
Striker of Burning Flames[]
U-Olga Marie wakes up, having experienced her first dream ever: killing all seven Grand Servants herself.[19]
Meanwhile, in the house, the others discuss the ceremony. It starts when the sun passes by the fifth layers and consists of seven matches. Looking at the tournament bracket, Habetrot sees Tepeu and Marine’s team are on the opposing bracket. She hopes they can face off against Team Death Rolling in the finals. Tepeu doubts it will happen as his team hastily constructed as a last resort in the event the others couldn’t find a team.[19]
U-Olga Marie then suddenly bursts into the room and boasts about how she killed the Grand Servants in her dream. She gets upset that Ritsuka and Mash do not seem to believe her.[19]
Xoqqer commences
Everyone later gathers in the arena and listens to Vucub’s speech.[19]
The brothers tell Ritsuka, Mash, and Habetrot they are their siblings now and so they will do their best to ensure they get an audience with the Dinosaur King. The leader of Team Ta I Ga, Great Deathclaw, mocks them for thinking such a poor team such as them could win. He leaves, warning his team increased the destructive power of their tackles in exchange for diminishing their ability to hold the ball. Ritsuka and the brothers both agree the first match will be an easy win.[19]
All rounds of the ritual soon finish, with Team Death Rolling and Nautilus of South America having won theirs. But then U-Olga Marie and Rasputin then appear with their own team: Team Scary 11, a rising new team comprised of players from all-star teams U-Olga Marie and Rasputin defeated. U-Olga Marie thus boasts she will be the one to gain an audience with the Dinosaur King and challenges Team Death Rolling.[19]
Team Scary 11 is absolutely demolished to U-Olga Marie’s utter shock. Rasputin suggests joining Ritsuka’s team, even though the formation of Team Scary 11 was his idea in the first place. Nevertheless, U-Olga Marie transfers to Team Death Rolling, especially considering they may need an extra substitute for the finals.[19]
The seventh brother confesses he and his brothers are low on energy. Some are injured and fear they will not be at their best for the finals. Ritsuka offers their help, so the seventh brother asks them to get some grass poultices and bags of ice from the main street. Ritsuka goes off on their own to do just that.[19]
At the main street, Ritsuka overhears someone getting a yellow cucumber for hydration, two peppermint bat repellants, and alumite for a makeshift spacesuit. They speak fluent english, prompting Ritsuka to turn and see it is Daybit.[19]
Daybit sees through Ritsuka’s disguise. He is in Chichén Itzá preparing for a trip, requiring quality goods the one-year-old Mexico City cannot provide. He then gets some hemostatic herbs, two yellow cucumbers, some honey orchids, sturdy vines, peppermint bat repellant, and the remaining alumite and gives it all to Ritsuka and starts to leave.[19]
Ritsuka demands an explanation, but Daybit insists there is no reason for them to talk or kill each other here. He has no time for questions either, wanting every minute to count. Ritsuka asks for his feelings about his fellow Crypters.[19]
Daybit starts with Kadoc, saying he has been doing his best so far. He calls Ophelia’s death a waste, Akuta’s death long overdue, and remarks how Peperoncino died alone, ridiculing his own life. He considers Beryl to be the only winner in all of this and says Kirschtaria’s plan was a failure in and of itself. From the beginning, he knew he would be the one to put an end to Chaldea. He leaves, telling Ritsuka to ask him a different question next time.[19]
Ritsuka returns to the arena with everything they went shopping for and what Daybit gave them. They decide to tell Mash about Daybit when the time is right.[19]
Vucub is about to announce which teams will compete in the finals but falls silent in confusion at the report. Tepeu deduces it is because the report says Nautilus of South America forfeited, making Team Death Rolling the winner by default.[19]
He explains both teams had won, which means they get an audience with the Dinosaur King no matter who wins. It is therefore pointless to continue the ceremony. He is glad it all worked out in the end, expecting Marine to feel the same. Marine leaves the arena, however, under the pretense of thanking his teammates, even though they should still be on the grounds.[19]
U-Olga Marie scolds Tepeu for not letting Marine compete when he was very eager to. Tepeu tries to excuse his actions by saying an individual’s feelings do not matter when fulfilling the goal of the collective. U-Olga Marie refuses to hear it and orders Tepeu to go now and apologize to Marine, all the while thinking about why the latter ran off. Tepeu leaves to do just that.[19]
Ritsuka is glad U-Olga Marie got mad on Marine’s behalf. U-Olga Marie insists she only disliked Tepeu’s answer and that what she said last night still stands.[19]
Tepeu searches for Marine struggling to understand why Marine had left. He eventually finds him in the jungle and while he doesn’t understand the reasoning, he does understand he was wrong. Marine admonishes Tepeu weakly hitting the latter’s chest with both his fists. Tepeu apologizes to Marine yet he cannot understand why he was wrong and asks Marine to tell him.[19]
Marine confesses he wanted to compete alongside Tepeu, especially considering they both trained hard. It saddens him to hear Tepeu say they don’t need to bother since the outcome is the same, feeling it is wrong and no fun. He wanted to see Tepeu during the ceremony like he did during practice. He dislikes Tepeu saying the results are all that matter.[19]
Tepeu realizes Marine wasn’t lamenting his own powerlessness, but his goal-driven nature. He feels a sense of dread knowing that the humans of Proper Human History, a species that focuses primarily on the “self” had built itself a civilization. He knows very little about them, but now he is certain Proper Human History is a civilization that makes mistakes that defy logic and reason.[19]
Vucub reluctantly announces Team Death Rolling is the winner by default and urges them to step forth. Ritsuka and Mash step forth, as the brothers consider them their team captains, and introduce themselves to Vucub.[19]
From behind a veil, the Dinosaur King declares he will grant the winner’s request even though he is disappointed there was no decisive match. He is confused by Ritsuka’s request to allow passage across the plains, seeing that he cannot guarantee their survival if they approach Mexico City. However, even though his vision is obscured by the veil, he realizes Ritsuka and Mash are not deinos and are using Proper Human History magecraft to disguise themselves.[19]
With their secret out, the heroes remove their disguise and Mash equips the Ortenaus. Vucub, thinking they are Ocelomeh, orders Wakchan to kill them. The heroes fight Wakchan to neutralize him.[19]
Wakchan is stronger than the heroes expected, only taking minor damage in combat. Vucub boasts Wakchan is the strongest deinos in Mictlan and gives him his permission to eat the heroes. Wakchan, however, refuses to and confesses he has wanted to retire as a fighter for a long time now. He would rather find a girl to settle down with and have her outlive him.[19]
Vucub refuses to allow it and orders Wakchan to kill the heroes if he wants to remain a warrior. But Wakchan still insists on retiring and proclaims he has already found his soulmate. He then comically tries to propose to U-Olga Marie.[19]
Disgusted, Vucub orders Wakchan be punished alongside the heros. But the Dinosaur King is greatly amused by a deino falling in love with a visitor from far off. He leaves his palanquin, so he doesn’t miss this once in a century moment, revealing himself to be the boy Ritsuka and Mash saw in the jungle yesterday.[19]
He immediately declares there is no need to call in more fighters, for the heroes are not Ocelomeh but humans, the ones who rode the “Flying Rock”. He assures they mean no harm to the deinos. Since he is their king, the deinos all take his word for it and calm down.[19]
The Dinosaur King knows Ritsuka and Mash are from Chaldea and now understands they want permission to cross the plains so they can get to where the “Flying Rock” crashed. He grants them permission, knowing they want to help their friends. He will also ignore the disguises this time.[19]
Vucub thinks the Dinosaur King is being far too generous. He calls the “Flying Rock” an ill omen and so concludes Ritsuka and Mash’s friends must be villains. He insists as Mictlan’s king and protector, the Dinosaur King cannot overlook this.[19]
The Dinosaur King agrees with Vucub that overlooking the Chaldeans would mean the end of Mictlan and killing them now would make things a lot easier. But he then tells Ritsuka to take “that thing” out of their pocket. Ritsuka pulls out the Calaveras de azúcar, confirming the Dinosaur King’ suspicions that they are still undergoing their trials. It irritates him that “he” would waste time like this.[19]
He orders Vucub to stand down, insisting Ritsuka was his guest well before the xoqqer matches. But he challenges Vucub to rebel against him, having no issue with it since he hasn’t been king of the deinos for too long. He also suggests Vucub kill him in his sleep to return Chichén Itzá to the priestship. Vucub replies that would be unthinkable as the Dinosaur King was granted their position by Kukulkan.[19]
With that settled, the Dinosaur King calls an end to festivities and orders Vucub to clean it up. He tells Ritsuka to talk with him in private, willing to listen to them not as the Dinosaur King but the Lostbelt King. He proclaims his name is Tezcatlipoca, the god of war and ruler of Central America in Proper Human History.[19]
Rejoined by Tepeu and Marine, the heroes wait at the shrine for the Dinosaur King. He eventually arrives, apologizing it took him a while to calm the priests down, particularly Vucub. Then, wanting to keep it brief, he asks the Chaldeans why they came to the Lostbelt.[19]
Ritsuka and Mash are hesitant to say anything in front of U-Olga Marie. But then U-Olga Marie out right tells the Dinosaur King that Chaldea came to fell the Tree and find ORT, both of which are in defense of Proper Human History. As for herself, she claims she is just a passing by space alien who decided to help.[19]
The Dinosaur King questions if Chaldea is blackmailing her to help them, but U-Olga Marie asserts she has no weaknesses to exploit. She came to rule the Earth, but that is meaningless if the planet has been wiped clean. As such, she is cooperating with Chaldea. The Dinosaur King accepts her answer since her reason isn’t based on friendship or sympathy.[19]
He then asks Tepeu why someone who retired to the first layer has returned to Chichén Itzá, accompanied by people from Proper Human History. Tepeu answers he has still much to learn. The Dinosaur King concludes Tepeu allied with the Chaldeans as a means of learning more.[19]
Ritsuka asks him if he is actually the Lostbelt King. The Dinosaur King admits he is their proxy. The Lostbelt King pushed him into the position a year ago, telling him to rule Chichén Itzá in their stead if he doesn't want to die. He agreed to do since he had nothing particular he wanted to do. That is why he only cares about protecting Chichén Itzá.[19]
Mash asks him that since he is Tezcatlipoca, if he could help restore Proper Human History. The Dinosaur King refuses to do that, not caring about Proper Human History and finding dinosaurs way cooler. The Lostbelt cannot be erased in any case, so he finds it pointless to fight Chaldea. He tells the heroes to finish their business in the city and leave since they have no reason to remain.[19]
Ritsuka decides it’s best they leave now. The Dinosaur King says he will send word to the fighers on the plains. He will also provide the heroes with a porter to ferry them there, considering the least the xoqqer champions deserve. But he warns them not to expect to find the Storm Border crew to still be alive as it crashed five days ago and the Ocelomeh kill all who enter their territory.[19]
Literary Fragment (I)[]
Storm Border crash site
Four days ago, the Border crew were all perfectly fine thanks to Goredolf ordering everyone to fasten their seatbelts. They also knew Ritsuka and Mash were both safe. However, even though that proved communication was possible in the Lostbelt, the ship would only last for six more minutes, so they will not be able to communicate or deploy defensive barriers. Goredolf granted Kadoc permission to act as Nitocris’s Master in defense of the Storm Border and its crew.[20]
Nemo, meanwhile, had frozen himself as a defensive mechanism. His Spirit Origin was severely damaged, but he will not disappear immediately. He completely synchronized with the Storm Border to keep it from falling apart in mid-air and so prioritized the maintenance of his Spirit Origin. So long as his Spirit Origin remains in his current state, the Storm Border will retain its structure. It was why the emergency landing succeeded.[20]
The principle is the same as sympathetic magecraft in magecraft theory, where those that share the same shape can influence each other. That means Nemo took all the damage the Storm Border sustained upon himself, and it continues to harm him.[20]
His Spirit Origin should have shattered the moment he synchronized with the Storm Border, but he froze himself to prevent that and protect the Border’s structure. He has yet to wake because his consciousness gone and even unconscious he continues to receive damage from the Border. He is still synchronized with the Border so he may regain consciousness if it is repaired. But considering the damage done to his soul, even if the Border is repaired, Nemo’s condition is likely irreversible.[20]
The Border crew were then met by a man with long, blonde hair and large shades. He introduced himself as an arms dealer and expressed interest in purchasing the Border. Meuniere told him it wasn’t for sale and insisted the man leave. In response, the man shot Meuniere in the heart and then the head, deciding to take the Border since it fell into his country. He then called on Izcalli.[20]
Ocelomeh suddenly surrounded the Border crew without the latter noticing. The man then told their leader Izcalli to show him as the king of the Ocelomeh how far he has come this past year. Izcalli gleefully told his warrior to disengage the safety on their guns, wanting to display their valor before the great Tezcatlipoca. Kadoc and Nitocris then fought the Ocelomeh.[20]
Thanks to Nitocris’ necromancy, the Ocelomeh were defeated. Kadoc felt a sudden chill in the air. Izcalli wasn’t affected by the underworld’s call, but Nitocris pointed out his guns cannot affect her either. She thus decided she would batter him with magecraft if his soul cannot be carried.[20]
Izcalli was offened by Nitocris’s boast, declaring human Heroic Spirits have no right to do so in presence. He then proclaimed his name, that he is king of Ocelomeh, and soon to become Tezcatlipoca. Nitocris in turn proclaimed her own name, that she is the queen of Egypt, and incarnation of the sky god, declaring no human king can defeat her.
A voice mocked Nitocris for her boast and wondered if she, an incarnation of a god, would be a match for them, an actual god.[20]
Nitocris was then attacked by Tlaloc, the god of rain. Kadoc sensed Tlaloc was a Servant but was shocked such a high-ranking Divine Spirit became a Servant in full god form. It suddenly began pouring rain. Tlaloc then attacked Nitocris again, telling to her to die, and that she didn't accomplish much as a queen.[20]
Tlaloc easily defeated Nitocris and rather than finish her off, she insulted her by saying that she shouldn’t have expected anything from the “land of the mummy makers”. The man decided he would claim Nitocris’s heart since Tlaloc wasn’t. Tlaloc, however, advised her brother not to come in contact with the blood of other mythologies unnecessarily.[20]
The man accused Tlaloc of reprimanding him, disliking a patron god of a city and a Servant summoned by him would do so. Tlaloc insisted she was merely cautioning him, since unlike her, his body is human, revealing he is Tezcatlipoca.[20]
Tezcatlipoca remembered he became ill from eating the Indian dead and concluded he isn’t an omnivore. He thanked Tlaloc for her advice and proceeded to shoot her, causing the rain to stop.[20]
Izcalli was shocked Tezcatlipoca shot his own sister. Tezcatlipoca reminded him hierarchy is absolute and any who impede a king’s will must be punished without exception, including family. He told him to bear that in mind if he wants to remain a king of men after becoming a god. Izcalli took his god’s advice to heart.[20]
Tezcatlipoca then ordered him to withdraw and to leave Tlaloc behind, saying she can shrug off a bullet. Izcalli asked what is to be done about the Border crew. Tezcatlipoca, remarking engineers are necessary to keep a warship operational, decided to take Kadoc, Da Vinci, Sion, and Nemo prisoner and ordered Izcalli to kill the rest since they weren’t needed. Ocelomeh surrounded the Border crew and a hail of gunfire is then heard.[20]
Guns, Wars, Losses[]
With Wakchan acting as their guide, the heroes hurry across the plains to the forest ahead of the second Underworld Border where the Storm Border. Ritsuka and Mash can only hope that the crew is still alive.[21]
Thinking to herself, U-Olga Marie notes she senses twenty vital signs and sees what is presumably the Storm Border, along with shapes of human color. Ritsuka had told her there are twelve humans in Chaldea, yet the numbers do not match. Then there are the number of corpses.[21]
U-Olga Marie tells Ritsuka and Mash she saw the Storm Border earlier in the jungle. They are close enough she can warp to the Storm Border. She requests to go ahead of them. Mash urges her to do it, but Ritsuka insists they go together. After all, they cannot let Goredolf meet U-Olga Marie without explanation.[21]
The Storm Border crew found dead.
Unfortunately, to Ritsuka and Mash’s horror, they find the Border crew dead. They’re ambushed by the Ocelomeh, but Mash fends off. The Ocelomeh try to keep fighting when Izcalli orders them to stand done because killing the Chaldeans is beyond them. He mocks Ritsuka for letting the trauma of seeing their friends dead cloud their vision, saying their back is open.[21]
The heroes turn around to see more Ocelomeh and that Marine has been taken hostage. Marine apologizes to his friends for getting captured and his hands tied behind his back. Izcalli threatens to kill him like he did the Border crew if he speaks again. He is only using him as a tool by which to torment Ritsuka.
Izcalli gives his name, introducing himself as leader of the Ocelomeh and king of Mexico City. He asks for Ritsuka’s name, wanting to know it before he kills them. He will carve into Mictlan’s history as the last vestige of Proper Human History.
Ritsuka refuses to give their name, which makes Izcalli very happy since he didn’t want to know it. Tezcatlipoca said to show respect to those they kill, but Izcalli will make an exception for those from Proper Human History who came to destroy his world and the deinos who act like they own Mictlan.[21]
He threatens to kill Marine if Ritsuka summons a Servant even briefly. But he will let him go if Ritsuka lets him kill them without summoning anyone. He claims to be a man of his word and he will not force them to choose. It doesn’t matter to him which they choose since they will die either way, with the only difference being the degree of pain.[21]
Ritsuka decides not to summon. Mash fights the Ocelomeh, but she soon reaches her limit. Marine decides he has to do something. U-Olga Marie realizes what he is up to and yells for him to stop. [21]
Marine calls the Ocelomeh for thinking he let them take him hostage. He claims he is the Captain’s alter ego, so it will not hurt if they shot him, and there are plenty more like him. He had fun, but he wasn’t much use, and while it was frustrating, he made a lot of memories. But he has to do his part for his friends. So he tries to give the Ocelomeh the slip, only to be shot dead in the back.[21]
U-Olga Marie remembers back when Marine stayed behind with her she had asked him what Ritsuka meant when they were many alternates of him.[21]
Marine explained he and the rest of the Nemo Series are copies of Nemo created through Thought Partition. There are standalone copies like Professor and Nurse, but Marines like him are a group that divides Nemo’s “sailor” resources among 24 people. They are disposable by design, so they cannot grow or become stronger no matter what. It is why there are 24 Marines as they are their own replacements if one of them dies. They all have the same capabilities, so work gets done no matter who disappears.[21]
There are, of course, differences in personality. When together, they all act like the same individual to avoid conflicts. But they do have their subtle difference, with Marine No.4 admittedly being the biggest crybaby[21]
U-Olga Marie was relieved to hear Marine was a copy, since it meant so long as the original Nemo was alive, he could be revived. Marine agreed it makes for an outstanding survival power so it doesn’t matter if he is weak. Even if he disappears, everyone will still remember him as long as there are other Marines. U-Olga Marie could tell from his color he was lying.
Marine confessed being Ritsuka’s escort is beyond him, wishing he could fight like Captain. U-Olga Marie told him to hide with Tepeu when a fight next breaks out, admitting she likes fighting. Marine thanked U-Olga Marie for always protecting him and said she has his humble support. U-Olga Marie appreciated their gratitude.[21]
She asked him, however, if he was fine trusting someone who only remembers her name. Marine told her it was because she saved him, even though she didn’t know her own name. Despite her anger issues, he likes her for her sense of responsibility. He wished to learn from her and promised to not get in the way.[21]
Izcalli calls Ritsuka’s rage at Marine’s death misplaced, insisting they are still in the wrong. He explains the Ocelomeh do not mourn because death is natural for them as it is for all humans and it is because all life is equal that they can kill. He loathes compassion and finds those of Proper Human History contradictory for showing compassion for even their enemies while still fighting them.[21]
The Ocelomeh offer their sentiments to Tezcatlipoca alone. They can only share in their god’s joy or sorrow and tremble before his wrath. So, no matter how many die, it is for him alone to bear the karma of anger and mourning. That justifies war, according to Izcalli, because otherwise the huamn way of life grows too ugly and sinful.[21]
Mash is disgusted by his so-called justification and readies to attack when the air crackles with multi-colored electricity. U-Olga Marie unleashes her wrath on the Ocelomeh, turning all of them into smoke with thunderbolts, with Izcalli insisting he is still in the right. She mourns for Marine, knowing he lied he would resurrect so long as Nemo is alive.[21]
Rasputin offers his condolences to Ritsuka. Tepeu thinks he should have died since he is the least capable fighter. He does not understand why Izcalli would kill a non-combatant like Marine. Rasputin explains it is because the strength of a deinos is on par with a Servant and it is a sound strategy in war to kill vital logistic units.[21]
Then, to everyone’s confusion, Marines come out the Border’s wreckage along with a very alive Goredolf.[21]
He reveals his own corpse and those of the rest of the crew are actually magecraft-made counterfeit. They were very much close to being gunned down, but with quick wit and good fortune, they were able to barricade themselves in the Border. They withstood daily assaults from the Ocelomeh and thought they would starve to death until they heard the sound of lightning outside. Goredolf thanks Ritsuka and Mash for clearing out the Ocelomeh.[21]
Mash is relieved to know everyone is alive. Ritsuka is relieved as well but wonders what happened to the signs of battle. Koyanskaya reveals that is because she rode through the jungle on her motorcycle and killed the Ocelomeh.[21]
Goredolf recounts how it thanks to Koyanskaya’s timely arrival that the Border Crew were able to barricade themselves inside the ship. He knows she once attacked Finis Chaldea and has been a longtime enemy of Novum Chaldea, and they reached a ceasefire with her after subduing her as a larval Beast in Tunguska. But he will never know why she came to their aid. Koyanskaya insists she is repaying her debt to Chaldea.[21]
Habetrot points out even with Independent Manifestation, it isn’t possible to forge connections in the Lostbelt without a trigger of sorts. She therefore asks Koyanskaya what catalyst she homed in on to manifest as a Servant.[21]
A red glow suddenly emits from Goredolf’s breast pocket. He tries to deny there is anything in his pocket, but Ritsuka deduces it is Koyanskaya’s lipstick. Goredolf confesses he picked it up after he had thrown on the floor when no one was looking. He knows it is foolish, but even if it was a ploy of Koyanskaya, the joy of receiving of it was priceless for him. Koyanskaya says if Goredolf didn’t have her lipstick she would still be sleeping in Tunguska unaware of Chaldea’s predicament.[21]
Goredolf knows he will have to answer for his involvement in the attack on Finis Chaldea in the future. Right now, though, they are in crisis and to proceed he is willing to rely on Koyanskaya. He knows all too well how shifty of Servant she is, but he asks the others to trust her all the same.[21]
On that note, Ritsuka has Rasputin and U-Olga Marie show themselves. Seeing the latter shocks Goredolf so much he faints.[21]
The heroes are now in the Border’s control room. Earlier in the cargo bay, Ritsuka had told Goredolf about U-Olga Marie’s amnesia and they might be able to reconcile if they do not tell her she is the Alien God. But Goredolf told Ritsuka even if she did help them, a friendship with U-Olga Marie is out of the question. He would like to keep her from regaining her memories in the current situation, but they will have to deal with her at some point.[21]
Mash finishes her report of their activities so far to Goredolf. Tepeu is investigating the interior of the Border while Wakchan is resting outside.[21]
Goredolf informs everyone Da Vinci, Sion, Kadoc, and Nemo were all abducted. Currently, there are only nine Chaldea staffers aboard, including himself. Of the Nemo series, there are only 11 Marine left, with Nurse, Baker, Professor, and Engineer bringing that up to 15. Nitocris is currently recovering from her own near-death experience. There is also Koyanskaya. All together, that is a head count of 26.[21]
The crew had been holed up in the stern until now, so they couldn’t reach the bridge or the medical bay. But with the heroes here, they can head there, though they lack the power to use it.[21]
Ritsuka calls out U-Olga Marie for saying there were only twelve people abroad when there were actually more. Mash realizes U-Olga Marie was counting the Nemo Series all as one person. U-Olga Marie confirms that was the case as the Nemo Series all share the same Spirit Origin, so she couldn’t see them as anything but one person. She doesn’t see them that way anymore, though.[21]
She then gets upset Chaldea isn’t how Ritsuka described and at Goredolf’s belligerence toward her. Goredolf yells at her whose fault she thinks it is that the Border is in the state it is now. Though she dislikes Goredolf yelling at her, U-Olga Marie offers to punish whoever it was that brought down the Border. Goredolf is beside himself on how to respond.[21]
Rasputin suggests to U-Olga Marie that she gain Goredolf’s trust with an act of good faith. U-Olga Marie reluctantly agrees and asks what he means by an act of good faith.[21]
On that subject, Rasputin mentions he saw a man in the medical bay in need of treatment. Goredolf asks Rasputin if he can save him. Rasputin replies he cannot be certain without an examination first.[21]
Goredolf confirms one person was hurt, but not badly, so there is no reason for Ritsuka and Mash to worry. He then orders to go to the medical bay immediately, but Rasputin refuses to act without U-Olga Marie’s directive. Reluctantly, Goredolf permits U-Olga Marie to work together with Chaldea and implores her to order Rasputin to save that man. Confused, U-Olga Marie orders Rasputin to go help that man.[21]
Rasputin complies with his lady’s order. Now everyone shall see the power of one of the Divine Spirits inside him: Bahloo of the Moon——the emissary of lightless nights who once offered mankind immortality.[21]
In the medical bay, Rasptuin resuscitates Meuniere. Ritsuka and Mash are so relieved to see Meuniere survive that they both hug him. Meuniere tells them not to feel responsible for what happened, as it would be disheartening for the staff. He reveals the staff made an oath back in the Finis Chaldea to always support Ritsuka and Mash, taking pride in the fact they resolved the Incineration of Humanity.[21]
Nurse tells Meuniere to continue resting until his vitals are normalized. She tells Ritsuka and Mash that Goredolf wants them back in the control room.[21]
There, Goredolf reviews how the crew was attacked by the Ocelomeh led by Izcalli and an arms dealer Izcalli called Tezcatlipoca. It is uncertain, though, if Tezcatlipoca truly is the Aztec god himself. Regardless, it is clear these people are enemies of Proper Human History and kidnapped Kadoc, Da Vinci, Sion, and Nemo. Goredolf orders Ritsuka, Mash, Habetrot, Tepeu, Rasputin, U-Olga Marie, and Koyanskaya to rescue them from Mexico City. Koyanskaya had lectured him on Mictlan, Deinos, and Ocelomeh for a special fee.[21]
Goredolf denies that the crew will be evacuating to Chichén Itzá instead they will remain to repair the Border. He negotiated with Wakchan earlier to guard the Border.[21]
Rasputin asks if Nitocris is yet back in fighting condition. Goredolf answers she wanted to accompany Ritsuka but she could hardly stand so he couldn’t allow her to go. He isn’t worried though, since with Rasputin, Koyanksaya, and U-Olga Marie on their side, Chaldea is stronger than ever.[21]
Koyanskaya asks where Fou is, noticing he isn’t on the Border like she figured he would be. Goredolf doesn’t know, nor does Mash. Koyanskaya suspects Fou doesn’t want to get involved with ORT. She is disappointed because she wanted to acquire some resources from him and figures he ran off the moment he sensed her presence. She will give him a piece of resentment from Tunguska by stomping on him again when she next sees him.[21]
Meanwhile, outside, Professor provides Tepue with medicine and spells that reinforce a Servant’s Spirit Origin. They ask him to have Nemo drink those once he finds him. Tepeu, now understanding how to use magecraft, promises to do all he can save Nemo and heads off.[21]
U-Olga Marie notices Tepeu’s color isn’t a cheerfull and asks him he believes they shouldn’t go to Mexico City. Tepeu responds that he has no objections to the plan, since it is only logical to aid one’s comrades. He is wary about crossing the second Underworld Border, though.[21]
He doesn’t understand why he feels so sad about Marine No.4’s death when the other Marines are the same. He realizes he will never be admonished by that particular Marine ever again.[21]
Ritsuka finds Tepeu and U-Olga Marie. Tepeu tells them he will continue to act as their guide. U-Olga Marie despite having achieved her initial objective of helping Ritsuka and Mash reach the Border, decides she will continue accompanying them.[21]
The Priestess observes U-Olga Marie unbeknownst to everyone.[21]
Second Underworld: Iztauhqui[]
As the heroes near the second Underworld Border, Tepeu describes it as a mountain trail with strong winds and sharp obsidian littered about, so they will cut themselves should they fall. The injuries are relatively minor, but for non-deinos, they may bleed out should they take a long tumble.[22]
U-Olga Marie says that will not be a problem for her since she is always levitating. She will also not to be swept away by the winds because in contrast to her size she actually weighs more than 10 kilotons. She is just constantly manipulating gravity, so it affects her surroundings. Her true mass is how she can generate gravitational spheres. Tepeu concludes U-Olga Marie can act as a windbreak.[22]
Iztauhqui
The heroes arrive at Iztauhqui, but it is way different from Tepeu’s description. The rocks are borderline lethal, practically being blades. Wind speed is 10 m/s with a maximum instantaneous speed of 20 m/s, so the heroes will have difficulty progress and will need to watch out for flying debris. The freezing winds are also cold enough to dull even a Servant’s movements.[22]
Koyanskaya remarks the cold will not be an issue for her thanks to her one of a kind coat.[22]
Tepeu regrets they do not have some chili pepper water and something to tie them together. Chili pepper water is a mixture of honey and herbs found in Chichén Itzá. Aso known as honey orchids, it has a thermogenic effect and is most often used during the colder seasons while the sun is dormant. Tepeu apologizes for neglecting to bring some, since it doesn’t make a habit of taking it.[22]
Ritsuka rummages through their luggage, remembering what Daybit gave them and pulls out honey orchids, vine ropes, and homeostatic herbs for abrasions. Ritsuka, Mash, Tepeu, and Rasputin then all take honey orchids. There were only four, so U-Olga Marie feels left out even though she denies it.[22]
With U-Olga Marie acting as their windbreak, the heroes make it halfway up the summit. Tepeu asks if there is a similar underworld in Proper Human History as well.[22]
Mash responds that this Iztauhqui most likely corresponds to the third layer of Proper Human History’s Mictlan, which bears the same name. In it, the dead trek through a mountain of sharp obsidian while the wind strips them of everything, leaving behind only bone. Tepeu questions how the dead can move if they’re only skeletons.[22]
Rasputin explains the dead who undertake the trials of the underworld will move even if they are but bones. It is through suffering that a soul is made deserving of salvation. It reminds Rasputin of hell from Japanses folklore and he remarks Iztauhqui is like a mountain of needles, a place of never ending punishment for the sole purpose of tormenting sinners.[22]
Camazotz appears in response to Rasputin’s remarks. He notices Marine is no longer with the heroes, which disappoints him since he wanted to drink his blood.[22]
Koyanskaya shows open hostility toward Camazotz. She knows from Mash’s report that he is using Ritsuka’s Command Spells and recommends they kill him quickly, pulling out a sniper rifle. Camazotz, upon seeing the weapon, remembers she transported Daybit out of Mictlan that one time and reveals she was the one sold weapons to the Ocelemoh. Koyanskaya says the purchase came attached with a one month trial period, yet she never expected Tezcatlipoca could duplicate NFF Services’ weapon manufacturing.[22]
The mountains start to shift, so Camazotz decides the time for talking is over. He challenges Ritsuka to summon their Heroic Spirits, wanting to see how it’s done. He will then drink their blood and conquer Proper Human History.[22]
The heroes defeat the ghosts Camazotz summoned, disappointing him that summoning is more difficult than he thought. The mountains shift again, signaling to Camazotz that “she” is here. So he leaves, entrusting the heroes to the Watcher of the Underworld——Beni-enma Alter.[22]
Iztauhqui's landscpe changed
To the heroes’ surprise, the entire mountain range moves, changing the landscape. Beni-enma Alter then flies and demands the heroes pay for their sins. Their first sin was falling into her hell, the second was defying Camzotz. They have much to answer for, but Beni-enma Alter doubts it will end with a pilgrimage through her eight hells.[22]
She has been told Chaldea is a destroyer of lost worlds and thus has taken many lives up to this point. But the weight of sin is created by one’s heart and the sharpness of her sword depends on their consciences. The good shall die easily while the evil shall die miserably. She then attacks the heroes, declaring her verdicts will kill even the dead.[22]
The heroes struggle against Beni-enma Alter, her sword strikes rendering even the mountains. She also even kills U-Olga Marie with a single strike, but U-Olga Marie instantly resurrects. Having measured most of their sins, Beni-enma Alter sentences the heroes to an eon of eons times 100 and flies off. Koyanskaya cries about the way Beni-enma currently is.[22]
Mash believes Beni-enma is one of the four Servants summoned at the Border. U-Olga Marie recommends they ignore her since Iztauhqui is simply a mountain to be crossed so there is no need to go to the summit Beni-enma Alter flew off towards. Everyone (with reluctance from Ritsuka and Koyanskaya) agrees and proceeds with continue crossing the mountain.[22]
One day passes and the heroes have ascended the mountain six times. U-Olga Marie expands her sensory range to discover the underworld is an enclosed space with no way out. Mash finds that goes against the rule that the underworld is a trial through which the dead pass.[22]
Rasputin realizes it is because Beni-enma is the new Watcher of the Underworld, so the rules of the underworld changed accordingly. Iztauhqui is now the hell of Japanese folklore, trapping the heroes until they serve their sentence. U-Olga Marie thinks they can just wait then until Rasputin informs her their sentence is 100 quintillion years, which is pushing even the end of her lifespan.[22]
As they cannot possibly wait that long, the heroes have no choice but to breakout. Rasputin believes the underworld will return to normal if Beni-enma Alter is removed from her position, which means they have to attack her. Though she doesn’t like it, Koyanskaya agrees defeating Beni-enma Alter is their only way forward. Ritsuka points out their chances are still dismal, though.[22]
Rasputin agrees, remarking how Beni-enma Alter’s swordsmanship can slay the dead. Fortunately, Iztauhqui is a Japanese Hell now, so even sinners will return to life when they are killed. It is why U-Olga Marie could resurrect. Servant can die and revive repeatedly, so it is just a matter of how pain they can endure.[22]
But Ritsuka wants Beni-enma back to normal, for she is a Servant of Chaldea. Tepeu believes Rasputin can help Beni-enma like he did Protea. But Rasputin replies Beni-enma has no visible cause to her change like the mask Protea wore, so he is unable to undo her Alter transformation.[22]
Koyanskaya suggests, however, that since Beni-enma Alter is Beni-enma’s adult self, they make her young again. She doesn’t possess any magecraft or a Nobel Phantasm that can restore youth, but the underworld is a converging space of cause and effect, including past and future. That means Ritsuka can summon servants so long as their magical energy holds out.[22]
Ritsuka realizes they can restore Beni-enma back to her old self if they summon a Heroic Spirit from a legend about restoring youth. Mash searches the database, certain they met someone matching those criteria by now.[22]
Unfortunately, she is unable to find a Servant with a Noble Phantasm that restores youth. But then the heroes are suddenly contacted by Fionn mac Cumhaill contacts the heroes from the Throne.[22]
He remarks it is only natural there wouldn’t be many Heroic Spirits with a story of the “restoration of youth” as a Noble Phantasm. He therefore suggests the heroes broaden their scope. Heroic Spirits with Noble Phantasms of rejuvenation are rare, but there are always ones with potions of the same effect. Fionn isn’t one of them, but he is certain the Chaldeans know such a hero, one all too fond of collecting things, and ends contact.[22]
Mash is surprised Fionn contacted them from the other side of the summoning circle and remarks how the underworld is like the transit point for the Throne of Heroes.[22]
Rasputin realizes the afterlife is the final destination for all accumulated human knowledge. He wonders then if Tezcatlipoca has some other intentions for the Underworld Borders.[22]
Gilgamesh then contacts the heroes, already aware they require an elixir of youth. Ritsuka lacks the magical energy to summon him, but it is enough for him to give them the potion. He gives the potion and proceeds to end contact.[22]
Koyanskaya takes charge of the potion and everyone heads for the summit with the plan to wear down Beni-enma Alter and give Koyanskaya an opening to make her drink the potion.[22]
Iztauhqui's summmit
The heroes arrive at the summit. Beni-enma Alter attacks them for refusing to accept their punishment, wielding the mountain range like a sword.[22]
Koyanskaya continuously dodges Beni-enma Alter’s mountain sword strikes. Beni-enma Alter tries trapping her, but Koyanskaya drives along the rocks on her motorcycle and uses them as a ramp. She then falls onto Beni-enma Alter and makes her drink the potion through her mouth.[22]
Beni-enma changes back to her regular child self. She apologizes for her previous behavior and vows to cooperate with Chaldea to protect the Human Order.[22]
Ritsuka thanks her for her hospitality at Enma-tei. Beni-enma is surprised and surmises that since her current self has no memory of their visit, then they will meet in the future. She asks them in which era and to what sort of Enma-tei did they arrive.[22]
Mash tells her they were there for new year’s when she was managing along with Toshi and the other sparrows. They were treated well. Beni-enma is glad to hear that.[22]
Another one of Ritsuka’s Command Spells returns to them. Rasputin considers only logical that the third Watcher of the Underworld would have the last one.[22]
Beni-enma regrets Camazotz making her a Watcher of the Underworld means she cannot leave the Underworld, but thanks to that, she can become an adult whenever she pleases. She permits the heroes to pass on through. But she is certain they will face titanic battle in Iztauhqui. To prepare for that time, she will train with the others.[22]
The Lost Aquatic City[]
Mexico City
The heroes arrive in Mexico City, which is quite bustling. Koyanskaya explains all 100,000 Ocelomeh living in the city are of the warrior class. The non-combatant women and children build villages in the surrounding forest to support the city.[23]
Tezcatlipoca was the one who prepared the city. He bestowed the Ocelomeh with urban civilization and revived Aztec mythology in Mictlan. As such, Mexico City does not follow Kukulkan's Doctrine of the Sun but Tezcatlipoca's Smoking Mirror.[23]
The Ocelomeh cannot match the deinos in strength, but they are more adaptable and fertile. But the greatest reason for their prosperity is their "fighting spirit", something the deinos lack.[23]
Moving onto the subject of the abducted Chaldea staff, Koyanskaya suspects Da Vinci, Sion, Nemo, and Kadoc are all being held separately. Rasputin says his techniques can disguise everyone as Ocelomeh, but they cannot duplicate the language. Not even the translator in the Ortenaus can make sense of it. That leaves the heroes no choice but to search the city on foot. Though if he were Tezcatlipoca, Rasputin would have placed the abducted staff in a cell cut off from the outside.[23]
Ritsuka points to the twin temples in the center of the city as a possibility. Koyanskaya says the altar at the center of the temples is the sacrificial altar, where the hearts are torn out sacrificse while they still live. But she decides to save that subject for another times since it isn'r important right now.[23]
She explains the temples are dedicated to Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli, respectively. Tezcatlipoca resides in the Huitzilopochtli temple, while Izcalli’s throne is in the Tlaloc temple. Rasputin’s disguises will not fool Tezcatlipoca, so it is best to avoid the temples.[23]
Ritsuka asks about Daybit. Koyanskaya says he doesn’t come to Mexico City, preferring to survey the ruins in the sea of trees. He leaves the city concerns and the war between the deinos and the Ocelomeh to Tezcatlipoca.[23]
U-Olga Marie is eager to start searching the city with Ritsuka and Mash. But Rasputin tells her that since they cannot gather information through discussion, they need to manage their personnel effectively. Therefore, in case of an unexpected turn of events, it would be best for U-Olga Marie and Tepeu to wait outside the city.[23]
Tepeu realizes his size is the issue similar to how U-Olga Marie’s horns are too wide. U-Olga Marie says her horns are the smallest she can make them.[23]
She reluctantly agrees to do what Rasputin said, but she expects Ritsuka and Mash to survey the entire city. If they are to fight the Ocelomeh, then they should take this opportunity to learn all about them. She does not want her special secretaries to hide behind ignorance.[23]
While Koyanskaya investigates the backstreets adjacent to the main avenue and Rasputin investigates the temple, Ritsuka and Mash investigate the main avenue. But they do not know the Ocelemoh's language, so they cannot listen to conversations. Also the masks make it difficult to read the Ocelemoh's expressions, but they all seem agitated. Their agitation makes Mash fear for the safety of abducted. She decides the only way to get information is to talk with an Ocelotl.[23]
Suddenly Ritsuka and Mash overhear a woman complain that a vendor will not trade a hair ornament for ten rattlesnakes. She reluctantly accepts it, though, when the vendor informs her the snakes are no longer needed for tomorrow's ceremony. She understands that means all the required blood has been gathered.[23]
Ritsuka and Mash both recognize the woman is speaking in a language from Proper Human History and rush to speak with her. The woman assures the language is not the deinos tongue, but a brand-new language used by Daybit, priest of Tezcatlipoca. It will be taught in schools soon.[23]
She introduces herself as Cuauhtli to Ritsuka and Mash. She assumes they learned the Proper Human History language, much like Izcalli. Ritsuka goes along with her assumption.[23]
Cuauhtli suspects security is being increased for tomorrow's ceremony in response to Chaldea's arrival. She isn't a warrior herself and only came to Mexico City to get that jade hair ornament. Thus she will not be participating in the sacrificial ceremony.[23]
The vendor says he smells honey coming from Ritsuka and requests to trade for it. Cuahtli asks Ritsuka f they have something sweet on them. Ritsuka pulls out the Calaveras de azúcar. The vendor excitedly gestures for them to trade it. Ritsuka trades the Calaveras de azúcar for the jade hair ornament and gives it to Cuauhtli.[23]
In gratitude for the gift, Cuauhtli tells Ritsuka that the abducted Chaldeans were chosen by Tezcatlipoca and Izcalli to be sacrificed to the sun tomorrow because of their special blood. She advises them to prepare well if they want to save their colleagues because it will mean doing battle against 100,000 Ocelomeh. She trusts they can put their wisdom to use, calling them by name, and leaves.[23]
Mash tries following Cuauhtli but loses her in the crowd. Ritsuka decides it is best to return to the campsite. Mash agrees because if what Cuauhtli said is true, they haven't a moment to lose. She and Ritsuka go rendezvous with the others to formulate a plan.[23]
Ritsuka and Mash inform the others of what they learned. U-Olga Marie questions what kind of crime are the Chaldeans to be sacrificed for. But Rasputin informs her the Aztecs consider the offering of hearts sacred, so the sinful wouldn't be subjected to it. Those sacrificed were those who had lost battles, and those who were raised for that purpose. U-Olga Marie considers human sacrifice no different from executing prisoners and is appalled by the Ocelomeh for it.[23]
Tepeu asks why the Ocelomeh perform sacrifices and if it also occurred in Proper Human History. Rasputin agrees to answer his question as it will help to understand Ocelomeh, which will in turn be key to rescuing the abducted Chaldeans. He has a question for Tepeu as well.[23]
He explains myths in the current Latin America are not exclusive to each tribe or civilization. He believes there to be a “memory of creation” that has been passed down through the generations of all who lived in this land---images that the jungle ingrained in its people. Thus even while the tribes quarreled daily, the creation myth remained untwisted by human greed.[23]
Mash notes compared to those of other regions, American mythologies have a more disjointed chronology, along with different names for the same thing and different perception of time. Even documented, they cannot be organized without raising contradictions. This is because they are not accounts of human activity but of lands, phenomena, or things born from a higher perspective.[23]
Rasputin suspects Latin American civilization forbade advancement so humans could not grow stronger than the jungle itself. They did have a great interest in astronomy, however, and its accuracy was the foremost in ancient civilizations. They held great interest and respect for the universe. But they were also fearful because they sensed the American continent's memory of the world being destroyed by an object from outer space.[23]
In Aztec mythology, the world has been destroyed and reborn five times. The Aztec lands... Central America has clear memories of those events, and its people took them as a moral precept. Tepeu realizes the Aztecs learned of these repeat occurrences through astronomy, and human sacrifice was their means to plan ahead.[23]
Rasputin explains the Aztecs believed the world ended every 52 years as foretold by the Solar and Ritual calendars. Said destruction was brought about by the sun losing its radiance and the world being plunged into darkness.[23]
On this night, the Aztecs held a grand ceremony in Tenochtitlan. The populace holed up in their homes, praying for the sun's return while fearing tomorrow wouldn't come. In response to the people's wishes, the priests offered a living heart to the altar. The sun thus gains the vitality to sustain the world for another 52 years, rendering it reborn.[23]
The human sacrifice ceremonies were a wish to grant the world rebirth, though the Aztecs considered doom inevitable. Rasputin believes the rejection of these ceremonies is what led to the Aztecs' destruction on a mythological level.[23]
Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipca's conflict centered around human sacrifices, with Quetzalcoatl being the sole god to oppose the system. Tezcatlipoca strictly protects the land and the teachings of Latin America's native people. Quetzalcoatl meanwhile was a free spirit who breaks stereotypes and believes people's lives should be more stable.[23]
When the Spaniards first came to Tenochtitlan, they were astonished by its beauty but were horrified by the practice of human sacrifices. So to them, Tezcatlipoca was evil for approving these ceremonies, while Quetzalcoatl was good for rejecting them.[23]
Montezuma himself understood his empire would be destroyed by the other tribes if the sacrifices continued. Presumably he hoped to adopt the culture of the Spaniards, and to dos so, he needed to subvert the sacrificial culture at its root. Thus he invited Cortes as if he were Quetzalcoatl returned, thinking it would be easy to manipulate a man ignorant of Aztec land and culture.[23]
Unfortunately for Montezuma, Cortes already learned everything from an indigenous woman named La Malinche, a former noble's daughter sold to a hostile tribe as a slave. As a result, Montezuma was the one deceived by Cortes and the Aztec empire was destroyed by the Spaniards and the other tribes. Those other tribes were destroyed by the Spaniards afterwards. Montezuma's desire to end the sacrificial ceremonies ended his culture.[23]
With all that said, Rasputin asks Tepeu if the sun has ever disappeared from Mictlan. Tepeu answers he didn't witness it personally, but the sun disappeared once long ago as Malla dimmed. The deinos called it the "Night of Terror" for night went on for a very long time.[23]
Rasputin finds that event gives credence to the Ocelomeh's rituals. They wholeheartedly revived the Aztec civilization of Proper Human History, so stopping the sacrificial ceremony will be difficult. Rescuing the abducted Chaldeans would require doing so while everyone's eyes are on the ceremony and escaping afterwards.
Asked by Rasputin for more about the "Night of Terror", Tepeu explains it is only passed down orally among the priests. The only ones who would know more are Kukulkan and the observatory's..... Tepeu cuts himself off there and says the Solar Itinerary on Chichén Itzá's throne may have a more detailed description.[23]
Rasputin returns to the issue at hand---rescuing the abducted Chaldeans before tomorrow's ceremony. The issue, however, is that their prison is in the basement of Tlaloc's temple, and it is heavily guarded. But if the Ocelomeh are following Aztec customs as they seem to be, then most of the warriors will be participating in tomorrow's ceremony.[23]
So just before then is the heroes's best chance to launch a rescue. Koyanskaya can handle the preliminaries tonight, and they can head for the temple at dawn. Koyanskaya swears on the honor of NFF Services she will create a path for them.[23]
Izcalli visits the temple that night, noting it will soon be a year since the ritual began. Tonight is the last time he can look at the aqueduct dividing the city and the clear blue Lunar Path.[23]
Tlaloc visits him, calling him careless for going out alone at night. She asks him if he has forgotten he is king. Izcalli insists he hasn't. The temple is Mexico City's consecrated grounds, a place only gods, kings, and sacrifice are allowed to enter. He assures no miscreants will enter.[23]
He than asks Tlaloc why her form looks human. Tlaloc answers she is only following her brother's style to blend in with civilization and not appear outdated. Izcalli has no issue with her appearance, believing Mictlan should see her embody the blessed rain and the death caused by the flooding rivers.[23]
Tlaloc tells Izcalli that in Proper Human History's Aztec mythology only those were not warriors went to Mictlan after death. The Lostbelt Mictlan is the opposite at least that should be the case for the Ocelomeh.[23]
Izcalli assures the Ocelomeh are all valiant warriors. Their deaths in battle are offerings to Tezcatlipoca. He believes that is where the Aztecs of Proper Human History went wrong. Sacrifices occured dailys, hearts were carved out of non-warriors, and the city was ever dyed with blood.[23]
But Izcalli declares the Ocelomeh are different for they will not shed blood needlessly. They only carve out the organs of the strong, and only the powerful organs will suffice in reviving the god. They will soon reach the number demanded of them with the mage of Chaldea and the artificial human. Their hearts, rarer than those of the deinos, are worthy to serve as the final step toward the resurrection of the true Tezcatlipoca.[23]
Tlaloc says the gathered deinos hearts were sent down to the lowest layer of Mictlan via the Lunar Path. She asks Izcalli if her brother ever told him what kind place the lowest layer is.[23]
Izcalli confirms Tezcatlipoca told him a weapon capable of destroying Proper Human History slumbers there. Tezcatlipoca ascended from the lowest layer to the fifth layer, bestowing weapons upon the Ocelomeh. All so he could return to the lowest layer in a year's time, claim the weapon, and destroy Proper Human History. The Ocelomeh are guided by that will. To exterminate the deinos and dominate Mictlan, they will succeed Proper Human History as the new humanity.[23]
Tlaloc tells Izcalli to ensure tomorrow's ceremony goes smoothly , for the punishment for failure is death. Izcalli swears to her it will be done and that he will destroy Proper Human History. He expects the Chaldeans will come to interrupt the ceremony. He will behead both of them at the altar and offer theirs hearts to Tlaloc and Tezcatlipoca.[23]
Tlaloc questions if Izcalli's deathlessness has made him arrogant, reminding him she picked his charred body out of the river after he was struck bty lightning at the Storm Border. She wants him to repay that debt and so wants him to answer her truthfully if he is underestimating Proper Human History or not.[23]
Izcalli answers he is belittling them, not underestimating them. As a warrior, he cannot comprehend their loss of composure at seeing their companions die nor the contradiction of their intent to kill hostiles yet unprepared for the death of their name. He has never felt such hatred before and considers the humans of Proper Human History too repulsive. Since he was raised to become Tezcatlipoca, he has refused to acknowledge their civilization.[23]
Tlaloc understands Izcalli will not acknowledge Proper Human History, yet remains hateful of them. Izcalli heard her, so Tlaloc tells him to think about what it means. She tries to live, but Izcalli stops her to check if her forehead is fine after Tezcatlipoca. Tlaloc assures him she is fine and leaves, promising to keep his empathy a secret from her brother.[23]
In their cell, Sion discovers communications are being jammed like she expected. She tries to urge Kadoc to action considering the ceremony is tomorrow. But Kadoc insists on conversing his energy for when Ritsuka and Mash come to their rescue, having already confirmed escape is impossible. He is worried about how Da Vinci and Nemo are doing in their cell, but there is nothing he can do about it now. Someone then enters the room, but instead of who Kadoc was expecting, it is Daybit.[23]
Kadoc accuses Daybit of being the one behind the attack on the Border and arming the Ocelomeh. Daybit responds that his Servant was acting independently when he visited the Border. He was attending to another matter elsewhere and only just returned to Mexico City. The results would have been the same even if he was there, though he would have opted to kill everyone instead of taking prisoners.[23]
Sion introduces herself to Daybit. Daybit identifies her as the mediator between the Wandering Sea and Chaldea, the one who proides them with their anti-Alien God weaponry. He promises to kill her when he sees her again.[23]
Kadoc asks Daybit why he isn't going to kill them now, considering he is the only Crypter left. Unlike Kirschartia, he wasn't betrayed the Alien God. He has no reason to spare the Chaldeans nor a defector like Kadoc.[23]
Daybit answer it was Tezcatlipoca who captured them, not him. Kadoc assumes the reason Daybit isn't killing them now is because he is afraid of Tezcatlipoca. Daybit admits Tezcatlipoca is quite the Servant. In a year's time, he established the rules of Proper Human History in Mictlan, summoned the temple, raised the Ocelomeh, built Mexico City, and chose its king. He is the one Chaldea ought to defeat, not Daybit.[23]
Sion presumes all that means Daybit has no interest in the Lostbelt and does not mind if Chaldea purge it. Daybit replies he wouldn't interfere if they did so ten days from now. He doesn't mind either way, but since Kirschtaria saw it through to the end, he will also carry out his Order.[23]
Kadoc tells him Kirschatria died before he could see anything through, betrayed Beryl. Daybit responds he was talking about the determination. Kirschtaria didn't act under the presumption his plan would succeed, but he had the determination to see it through to the end without regrets.[23]
Daybit asks Kadoc why he didn't bring his own Servant since, as a Master he could easily one to escape. Kadoc answers he doesn't have one as defected the Crypters. Chaldea didn't give him permission to summon a Servant, and he isn't about to ask. Daybit corrects he was suggesting using the Sirius Light.
He explains the Sirius Light generates higher amounts of magical energy than a Command Spell. It is a detonator that amplifies the spellcaster's Magic Circuits for an instant. A Crypter will die if they activate their Sirius Light since they wll implode once they do. The Sirius Light is a bomb Marisbury Animusphere prepared to ensure an Order is completed should a Crypter fails in their mission, even if it means destroying the entire region. Chaldea was fortunate Ophelia died before her Sirius Light fully activated.[23]
Kadoc figured that was the case. He knows Beryl was there to forcibly activate the Sirius Light of any Crypter who tried to flee the Singularity out of fear for their life. In doing so, the Singularity's distortion would be resolved. It is why there were seven Crypters because Marisbury never believed they could complete the Human Order Restoration from the start. Daybit confirms that was his plan from the beginning.[23]
He tells Kadoc the Sirius Light can also be used to direct otherwise impossible commands at his Servant. But like he said with Ophelia's case, impolsion will not occur if suicide is committed after using it. He then leaves, leaving Kadoc to decide what to do.[23]
Kadoc knows the information about the Sirius Light coming from Daybit means it holds meaning. He understands Daybit is telling him to think about when and where to use it. Sion promises to keep what they learned a secret.[23]
U-Olga Marie has Ritsuka go through a simulation of hers to help them go to sleep. Ritsuka immediately expresses their displeasure for it afterwards, complaining that the two of them were too flirtatious. Aside from that, they understand the last enemy being a recreation of Tlaloc means that they need to be ready for her tomorrow. But having already experienced it once, U-Olga Marie expects Ritsuka to ready countermeasures against Tlaloc, such as a Servant who can float or withstand strong current, and to win.[23]
Day of ORT[]
Backstreets
The next day, with the Ocelomeh packing the main avenue, the heroes take the back streets to reach Tlaloc's temple. Koyanskaya warns they have two hours before the sacrifices are brought to the altar. She had seen the ceremony done before with deinos.
Tepeu has no interest in exacting vengeance on the Ocelomeh, nor does he have any unpleasant feelings about them using deinos hearts in their ceremonies. However, he cannot comprehend why they would choose to sacrifice fellow humanoids. He calls it outright murder and considers it wrong to murder one's own brethren for selfish reasons. The Ocelomeh never interested him, but now they terrify him, and he cannot understand why.[24]
Temple interior
The heroes enter the temple. Rasputin suggests torturing one of the guards into telling them where the abducted Chaldeans are being held. But Koyanskaya gets the information instead through her feminine wiles as she claims to the others. In truth, though, she just bribed a guard with bananas and maize.[24]
She informs the others that two of the abductees were already taken to the altar during the night while the other two are still n the dungeons. The sacrifices are a mage and a homunculus, likely Kadoc and Da Vinci. The heroes hurry to rescue Sion and Nemo from the dungeons.[24]
But they instead find Kadoc and Nemo, meaning the sacrifices are Sion and Da Vinci. Tepeu uses the spell Professor taught him, Gradation Air Name Origin, to revive Nemo. He is shocked by how much Nemo reminds him of Marine No. 4. Aside from Tepeu, Nemo understands the situation, so the heroes rush to rescue Sion and Da Vinci.[24]
Leaving the dungeons, Kadoc says the plan is for himself, Ritsuka, Mash, U-Olga Marie, Nemo, and Tepeu to attract the attention of the Ocelomeh. Rasputin and Koyanskaya, meanwhile, will rescue Sion and Da Vinci. They will take separate routes to the altar.[24]
Sion Eltnam Atlasia and Leonardo da Vinci ready to be sacrificed.
At the altar, Izcalli announces to the Ocelomeh below that the blood of the deinos has been sent down to Xibalba to awaken the great sun once again. He further declares Proper Human History, though a foreign enemy, is possessed of rare blood, and their sacrifices will serve to set the sun in motion.[24]
Ritsuka, Mash, U-Olga Marie go in. Izcalli was expecting them, and considering they defeated many Ocelomeh, he thinks a battle between them will be suitable finale for the ceremony. He introduces the eldest Ocelomeh, warriors who he claims are on par with a Servant. Together with them, he fights the heroes, vowing as ruler of Mictlan to never be defeated by a conquer again.[24]
Izcalli is bested but refuses to lose against those of Proper Human History and orders the priest to kill Sion and Da Vinci to destroy the heroes' morale. But Koyanskaya takes out the priest, having already safely secured Sion and Da Vinci. With their goal achieved, Kadoc tells Ritsuka to retreat when Tezcatlioca fires a bullet past him.
Kadoc is shocked Tezcatlipoca is here as he didn't sense him, not even his energy. Tezcatlipoca says he was here from the start, calling the city his world. It is similar to the western idea that "God is everywhere".[24]
Ritsuka seems to recognize Tezcatlipoca. Tezcatlipoca senses they gave away the Calaveras de azúcar and decides he will kill them now if they do not want to undergo the trials. Izcalli offers to kill them, but he retreats after Tezcatlipoca reminds him his body isn't meant to perish until the year has passed.[24]
Tezcatlipoca asks U-Olga Marie if she is here for a rematch, surprised to see her alive, and figures calling herself a god wasn't for show. U-Olga Marie painfully remembers the truth, but she ignores it for now. She reveals Tezcatlipoca killed her and urges Ritsuka they fight him together. Tezcatlipoca sics Tlaloc on the heroes in response.
The moment Tlaloc arrives, it immediately starts downpouring. The currents created from the constant rainfall threaten to push the heroes off the temple and to their deaths. Kadoc tells Ritsuka to summon someone who can withstand the currents. Ritsuka calls on Nemo to assist in their battle against Tlaloc.[24]
Tlaloc is beaten back, prompting the rain to stop. Mash is glad they avenged Nitocris. Tlaloc reveals, though, Nitocris wasn't affected by the flooding of the river, but refuses to divulge the actual reason she lost. She then changes her class and changes her Spirit Origin to Huitzilopochtli. She tells the heroes will face this Spirit Origin from now on since it seems they specialize in conflict.[24]
Huitzilopochtli is easily overwhelming the heroes. Tezcatlipoca tells her to rip out the hearts of Ritsuka and Kadoc after she defeats the heroes, as their intended sacrifices already escaped with Rasputin's help. Their hearts may be inferior, but they still belong to humans from Proper Human History.[24]
U-Olga Marie questions what the black smoke shrouding Huitzilopochtli is, as none of her attacks are landing. Huitzilopochtli steps closer toward Ritsuka. That is when a voice declares that while they tried to stay out of the quarrels of Proper Human History, Ritsuka is under their protection, so they will lend them a hand.
Cuahtli suddenly dives and hits Huitzilopochtli, shocking the latter she broke through her brother's smoke. She then takes off her golden jaguar mask and reveals she is Kukulkan--the Lostbelt King.[24]
Huitzilopochtli is incredulous that she is the Kukulkan, especially since Mayan mythology shouldn't exist in Mictlan, but she recognizes her cheerfulness as that of Quetzalcoatl. Tezcatlipoca warns his sister not to let her guard down. Kukulkan expresses her intent to battle Huitzilopochtli.[24]
She brushes off Huitzilopochtli's attacks and sends her flying into the wall with a single punch, knocking her unconscious.[24]
Afterward, Kukulkan informs the heroes she will be going all out against Tezcatlipoca now, so she cannot guarantee the safety of anyone on the altar. Malla ordered her to kill him as Mictlan will perish if that human is left alone. She came to Mexico City to kill him before that happens.[24]
Ritsuka is confused that she would call Tezzcatlipoca human as they thought he was a Servant. Kukulkan reveals his biological composition is that of a human.[24]
Tezcatlipoca reveals he is a Pseudo-Servant who created a human to serve as his vessel since, as a Divine Spirit, he cannot be summoned under normal circumstances. His body was designed to be in tune with the present era, so he can act in the absence of his Master.[24]
At his behest, Daybit orders Tezcatlipoca via Command Spell to wield his Authority, calling him Black Tezcatlipoca. Tezcatlipoca complies, saying he will pay with two of his organs to invoke a solar eclipse. The heroes try to stop him before he activates his Noble Phantasm, but they are too late as everything is engulfed in black smoke.[24]
The heroes see Mictlan collapsing. Nemo tries to deny it as an illusion by Tezcatlipoca as such wide-scale destruction couldn't occur in mere seconds. Tezcatlipoca calls out Nemo for knowing this is real but denying it as an illusion for the sake of the others. Nemo then pushes Ritsuka out of the path of a green beam. He is crystallized and disappears.[24]
Tezcatlipica directs the heroes' attention to the death and destruction below them. Kadoc refuses to believe there is a Noble Phantasm that can cause such wide-scale destruction in mere occurs. But Tezcatlipoca explains his Authority allows him to swap out the present for the near future. The scenery they see now is the reality Mictlan will face in a few days. ORT will destroy Mictlan, make its way to the surface, consume CHALDEAS in Antarctica, and destroy the planet. It is the future set in stone, at least for now.[24]
Daybit confirms ORT will destroy the planet. Ritsuka and Mash call his desire to destroy humanity no different from the Alien God who would erase human history; U-Olga Marie looks horrified upon hearing that. Daybit corrects the Chaldeans that he isn't aligned with Alien God and is acting of his own volition.[24]
He does not deny his actions make him an enemy of humanity, unlike the Alien God. Mash asks what he means by that, but Daybit remains silent. He declares he will fulfill his role as a Crypter and destroy the planet before everything is hollowed out. He then dives off, leaving the heroes to face ORT.[24]
The heroes are no match for ORT, so U-Olga Marie recommends retreating, like Koyanskaya and Rasputin did after securing Sion and Da Vinci. But ORT suddenly starts inexplicably heading toward the Border. Kadoc tells Mash to make an emergency call to the Border for the crew to evacuate. Unfortunately, Mash cannot do that because they are chronologically disconnected from the crew.[24]
Kukulkan carrying the Storm Border.
Kukulkan, upon hearing the Border is important to Ritsuka, immediately goes there to protect it. Once there, she orders Wakchan to get everyone inside. Wakchan does as told, carrying Goredolf into the Border. Afterward, Kuklkan carries the Border to the forest southwest of Chichén Itzá.[24]
Tezcatlipoca’s Noble Phantasm reaches its limit, so everything is returned to as it was before, including Nemo. But the heroes have no time to discuss the possible future they experienced as the Ocelomeh start shooting at them. They agree to rendevouz with everyone else at Chichén Itzá and proceed to climb down the temple using the rope ladder Koyanksya left to start their escape.[24]
Tlaloc asks Tezcatlipoca how his body is, concerned sliding events placed strain on it. She tells him to have Daybit treat him if he is in pain. Tezcatlipoca refuses, as Daybit needs to be in peak condition for the Underworld Pilgrimage.[24]
He asks Tlaloc how she is, considering Kukulkan’s blow shook the whole temple. Tlaloc vows she will defeat Kukulkan, hating her for mimicking Quetzalcoatl. Tezcatlipoca tells her to work hard to fix the temple then since it’s important to Mexico City, even though nothing will remain in the end.[24]
On that subject, Tlaloc asks her brother if what they experienced was the true future. Tezcatlipoca dismisses her concerns by calling the Aztecs a fatalistic nation. Tlaloc undestands her brother’s goal is battle itself, to achieve victory over Proper Human History through the Ocelomeh, but questions if it is necessary to use the city as a battleground or even ORT. She apologizes for her perceived reprimanding, understanding everything is to Tezcatlipoca’s will.[24]
Tezcatlipoca admits he is only on the side of battle itself. Thus he supports the objectives and wishes of everyone, and he will not to try to stop them. The expection is Kukulkan, who like him, considers the lives and things lost in Mictlan trivial.[24]
Right now, he is betting it all on Daybit, certain he will produce the biggest prize for winning. He presumes Tlaloc supports Izcalli, whom he believes he will improve greatly if everything goes well for him. But he tells Tlaloc to just enjoy it and leaves, telling her that unlike her, Quetzalcoatl had the freedom to simply enjoy things.[24]
Tlaloc tells herself embracing new culture is what destroyed them. She is not like Quetzalcoatl. She vows not to fail this time.[24]
Her reason to be and her joy is protecting the city and its people and mourning them. But that will never happen, as her brother will destroy Mexico City along with Izcalli. She fears as it is now, no one can change the future.[24]
In the backstreet, Izcalli hears the Ocelomeh making a racket. He presumes they are voicing discontent at him for failing the ceremony and want to see him gone from Mexico City for losing twice to Chaldea. But he is unconcerned because he will leave the city after he becomes Tezcatlipoca. He wouldn't want to keep living in a city that imitates Proper HUman History anyway.[24]
He vows to build a city where people, gods, and the sun support each other. It will not need sacrifices, not breed the weak, not produce the wealthy, nor fight meaningless battles.[24]
His wounds suddenly ache, and taking off his mask, he remarks they have ached since Chaldea arrived. They may be the enemy, but they may make the elimination of the deinos go more smoothly. The hearts of the Chaldeans would have never sufficed as a sacrifice as they were worth less than that of a single deino. The ceremony was merely to boost the Ocelomheh's morale.[24]
Izcalli is confident the Ocelomeh's discontent will pass, especially once they're given new guns. He tries not to feel sentiment for such a trigger happy people, considering pointless sentimentality unbefit of a king, yet seeing so many dead has made him hesitant. Nevertheless he will destroy it all and make an world.[24]
Camazotz, having learned of Tezcatlipoca's plan to unleash ORT, decides he will protect Proper Human History. It may be currently blank, but there is still value in its existence. Even if nothing further may be recorded on it, Camazotz finds that preferable to destruction.[24]
He believes only himself worthy of being Mictlan's king because Tezcatlipoca only cares about the present and Kukulkan only cares about the future. Nevertheless, even he fears ORT's awakening and doesn't want a repeat of the mistakes six million years ago. Pondering whether to side with Chaldea or wait until both sides are worn out, Camazotz decides to kill Ritsuka and become humanity's last Master himself.[24]
Life in Chichén Itzá (II)[]
Ritsuka and Goredolf meet with the Dinosaur King, Vucub, and Kukulkan at the Solar Itinerancy. Kukulkan knows Chaldea has no intention of harming life in Mictlan for selfish reasons because she heard about them from the beginning. She will inform every deinos that the Chaldeans are not foreign invaders and instruct them to treat them as friends.[25]
The Dinosaur King orders Vucub to announce that the deinos are allowed to talk with the Chaldeans about Proper Human History. They are sociable, unlike the Ocelomeh. But Vucub doesn't trust the Chaldeans, asking if they are the same species as Daybit, who introduced a nefarious culture in Mictlan.[25]
Kukulkan confirms they are and admits parts of their civilization are bad. But she considers it unfair Mexico City gets to have intercultural exchange while Chichén Itzá doesn't. She wants the deinos to take this opportunity to learn about the good and bad of life. She reassures Vucub that the deinos are smart, so their nature will not change now from learning about human values.[25]
Vucub leaves to do what he was ordered, glaring at the Chaldeans as he does.[25]
Goredolf proposes they cooperate to defeat their common enemy, Tezcatlipoca. The Dinosaur King tells him such justification isn't needed since without or not the Ocelomeh, the deinos do not consider Proper Human History to be their enemy. It is good enough for them that Kukulkan called the Chaldeans her friends.[25]
He saw the rough way Kukulkan had carried the Border and figured some of the crew were injured. He offers medical instruments meant to be used on him but can work on any human. If necessary, he will have his priests make more.[25]
Goredolf realizes the Dinosaur King is human and asks him how he is related to Tezcatlipoca, noting both seem to be Tezcatlipoca of Proper Human History. The Dinosaur King answers they are both aspects of Tezcatlipoca independent of each other. Goredolf wonders to himself if the Dinosaur King is a Stray Servant unrelated to the Servant Tezcatlipoca Daybit summoned.[25]
The Dinosaur King agrees to provide the Chaldeans with the resources and manpower needed to repair the Border. Since Tepeu is already with them, he will assign him as their liaison to rally some deinos. The deinos can procure materials.[25]
Goredolf asks what the payment will be, fearing they will demand a sacrifice. Kukulkan and the Dinosaur King both joke about it before Kukulkan tells Goredolf payment is unnecessary. But the Dinosaur King wants the Chaldeans to repair their ship as soon as possible and leave Chichén Itzá, not wanting their battle with Daybit to turn the city into a warzone. Ritsuka and Goredolf head back to the Border, joined by Kukulkan.[25]
The Storm Border going under repairs.
At the Border, which is undergoing repairs, Ritsuka informs Mash and Da Vinci that the Dinosaur King promised to assist with repairs. Da Vinci finds that reassuring but feels there are too many unknowns about Mictlan: the deinos, Kukulkan, Tezcatlipoca, and the Dinosaur King, who is also Tezcatlipoca. The problem is Daybit, his Servant Tezcatlipoca, the Ocelomeh, and ORT which will manifest in Mexico City in the near future. Furthermore, the Storm Borders needs to repaired and...[25]
Rasputin has noticed U-Olga Marie has been keeping her distance from the Chaldeans. He wonders if something has changed her mind, such as remembering who she truly is. U-Olga denies that is happened.[25]
Da Vinci tells Ritsuka and Mash they have to deal with Rasputin and U-Olga Marie. The latter may have amnesia, but she is undoubtedly the Alien God, who has always been their enemy. Thus, as both Technical Advisor and Administrative Advisor in Holmes’ absence, Da Vinci declares they cannot trust Rasputin and U-Olga Marie to be allies despite all the help they have given. Koyanskaya can be trusted, though, because she is already a Chaldean Servant, especially since TRISMEGISTUS II had determined she is on the side of the Human Order.[25]
For the time being, the many of staff, including Meuniere, is recuperating from the motion sickness caused by the violent way the Border was carried. Thanks to that, they still haven’t voted on U-Olga Marie’s situation. Da Vinci will explain their current status to them once they recover. She will respect whatever decision they vote on. Ritsuka, Mash, and Goredolf have no objections.[25]
Tepeu interrupts the discussion and shows he has brought three of the Deinonychus Brothers to procure and transport materials. Da Vinci gets overexcited upon discovering the deinos are dinosaurs and pets the brothers for some time. She eventually calms down, pretending like nothing happened. She introduces herself to Tepu.[25]
In addition to helping procure materials necessary to repair the Border, Tepeu also offers to accommodate the Chaldeans in his house at night. Da Vinci accepts his offer, wanting to learn everything about Mictlan. But since it will probably take several nights to repair the Border, Tepeu recommends they clear the area of predators first. Ritsuka and Mash do just that with help from Kukulkan.[25]
Later that night, at Tepeu’s house, Da Vinci reintroduces herself. Nitocris introduces herself and thanks Wakchan for protecting the Border while she was incapacitated. She vows to repay him for this.Sion introduces herself and reveals Tezcatlipoca used a herb to put her and Da Vinci to sleep. She also wants to hear more of the possible the heroes experienced.[25]
The Nemo series is still on the Border, given its foundation is the Nautilus. Since the Border’s capabilities would decline in his absence, Nemo will stay there for a while to see to it is restored as quickly as possible. The staff will be using their quarters as well, since they’re still intact.[25]
Goredolf stayed on the Border out of fear of the deinos’ large size. He converted the hangar into his personal room since neither his room nor the control room has yet to be repaired. Kadoc stayed because he cannot stand Mictlan’s heat and is using Ritsuka’s room. Koyanksaya also stayed to protect the Border from the Ocelomeh while also using it as a pretense to get back her guns and pretend it never happened.[25]
Ritsuka asks who the “boss” in Mictlan is: The Dinosaur King or Kukulkan. Kukulkan calls the Dinosaur King is the ultimate authority in deinos society while she mainly acts as a mediator. She considers herself an outsider of sorts, whose only purpose is to exist and isn’t responsible for anything like a god of Proper Human History. She agrees somewhat with Da Vinci that she is the deification of Mictlan's order envisioned by the deinos.[25]
As for why she wears Ocelotl clothes, Kukulkan claims it was to blend in with Mexico City. Since they are now back in Chichén Itzá and she never used to wear clothes before, Tepeu and Wakchan both suggest she get naked. Da Vinci encourages her to do it as well. Mash, however, not wanting Ritsuka to see her naked, beseeches Kukulkan to keep her clothes on.[25]
Da Vinci tells everyone they will split into resource procurement and manual labor teams tomorrow. Mash will assist Sion in the electronics room. Ritsuka will join the resource procurement team to get the necessary materials. Ntocris will be their escort in the jungle. Wakchan can’t be their escort in Chichén Itzá, though, since he has important plans. Tepeu offers to be their case just in case. With all that decided, everyone goes to sleep, but Ritsuka notices U-Olga Marie is absent.[25]
Ritsuka dreams about prehistoric Earth.
Ritsuka has a dream about prehistoric Earth. The Lostbelt is revealed to have diverged from Proper Human History 66 million years ago. A slight deviation in trajectory had caused the third mass extinction event and “they” arrived 250 million years sooner. As a result, “they” chose the dinosaurs instead of humanity, who would raise later.[25]
At breakfast, Ritsuka describes their dream. Da Vinci compares it to the lucid dreaming a Master would experience if mentally attuned with a Servant. However, there is no human Heroic Spirit who would have memories of prehistoric Earth. The only one could show Ritsuka such a scenery would be the brain of the planet——the Archetype.[25]
Tepeu praises Proper Human History tableware and wishes to show it to the artisans for mass production. Da Vinci concludes that while all deinos are highly intelligent, Tepeu is the only one brimming with curiosity. As he mentioned to Mash before, Tepeu admits he became a recluse due to his incompatibility with the other deinos. He believes his thought patterns are closer to that of Proper Human History.[25]
The heroes review their schedule for today. Mash will assist Sion in the Border’s electronic room. Habetrot is currently out of commission recharging her magical energy on the Border. Da Vinci will tour Chichén Itzá with Tepeu. Nitocris will escort Ritsuka. Bakery instructed them to gather ingredients for preservable foodstuffs in the forest. Kukulkan offers to be Nitocris and Ritsuka’s guide.[25]
Ritsuka asks U-Olga Marie if she would like to accompany them. But suddenly Wakchan bursts through the wall to show U-Olga Marie the place “the weak Ocelomeh can’t but the mighty deinos can” he told her about yesterday. U-Olga Marie accepts Wakchan’s offers and leaves with him.[25]
The heroes arrive at the Border to find more deinos. Tepeu suspects it is because of the Dinosaur King’s decree allowing the deinos to mingle with Proper Human History. He suggests setting up a site for intercultural exchange after today’s work is done. Both he and Kukulkan want Ritsuka and Mash to do the exchange, wishing to hear tales from Proper Human History and the Lostbelts from those who experienced it. Kukulkan already heard it all before it’s so interesting she wants to hear it again. She decides the xoqqer shrine will be where the exchange shall take place.[25]
With that settled, Nitocris suggests they start hunting for non-poisonous creatures. Kadoc says the Border’s pantry is empty after a few days of being besieged and desperately needs to be restocked with meat, fruits, and vegetables. Kukulkan suggests the area around the ruins of Ka’an as the best place to gather. She, Ritsuka, and Nitocris then head off to hunt and gather food. She warns the other two, though, to be careful with Mictlan’s turkeys.[25]
Later that evening, with today’s work done, the heroes and deinos gather at the xoqqer shrine to do the intercultural exchange. Since Nitocris with them, Mash suggests they talk about ancient Egypt. Nitocris describes the history of ancient Egypt, including her life as pharaoh and how she ended her own life after killing the priests who murdered her brothers.[25]
The deinos find the violence of Proper Human History terrifying but what confuses them is the counting of years. Tepeu concludes deinos and humans perceive time differently. The deinos do not calculate time nor do they record history. Compared to Proper Human History, the deinos haven't changed in 66 million years.[25]
The next day, Professor tells Ritsuka’s team to gather 20 tons of quartz so Sion can construct a new heat shield for the Border using alchemy. Since carrying that much is impossible for a human, Kukulkan offers to carry the load. She doesn’t know where to find said mineral, though.[25]
Sion suggests a similar mineral, obsidian in that case. Ritsuka and Mash both remember Iztauhqui had mountains of obsidian. They and Kukulkan head there immediately.[25]
Beni-enma permits the heroes to take obsidian to repair the Border. However, the wardens refuse to give up the obsidian without a fight. With no other choice, the heroes fight the wardens to both get the obsidian and discipline them like Beni-enma wants.[25]
The wardens blow themselves up upon their defeat, swearing revenge. Afterward, Kukulkan carries off an entire mountain.[25]
Beni-enma notices U-Olga Marie isn’t with Ritsuka and asks if they had a falling out. Ritsuka replies that isn’t the case. Beni-enma is pleased to hear that, but she advises them to clear up any misunderstandings before it’s too late.[25]
That evening, more deinos gather at the xoqqer shrine. Koyanskaya remarks how the deinos hold no negative feelings toward foreign cultures. She also notes more have volunteered to help fix the Border without needing to be recruited. She thinks humans could learn from that, but knows that isn’t universally true. The deinos, while intelligent and understanding, fail to truly comprehend life’s difficulties.[25]
The Dinosaur King arrives, surprised the turnout is bigger than yesterday. He didn’t come for Chaldea’s presentation but to play ball by himself. It frustrates him his sole source of entertainment is being pushed out. Nevertheless, he encourages the Chaldeans to continue speaking of Proper Human History.[25]
That night, Professor finds Rasputin wandering the Border. Rasputin claims he is patrolling for any Ocelomeh stowaways. Professor thanks him for that since Nemo isn’t yet fully recovered, and the Ocelomeh put out practically no magical energy for the sensors to detect.[25]
Rasputin asks if the Border’s electricity is produced only by internal combustion. He had heard the Border’s engines failed when it crash landed and left the crew in the dark. In the event of such an ordeal, he thought the refitting would go more smoothly with an external energy supply line from outside.[25]
Professor reassures Rasputin that the pipeline to the engine from outside is good and connected. If they could summon hundreds of Servants who could provide them with power, they could operate without engines, but that isn’t feasible with the Wandering Sea gone. Professor, however, realizes something and leaves, thanking Rasputin for his consultation.[25]
Kadoc confronts Rasputin, having noticed has been snooping around the Border since yesterday, and asks if he shouldn’t be orbiting the Alien God.[25]
Rasputin warns Kadoc to choose his words carefully. He proclaims the current state was made possible through hard work thanks to Ritsuka and Mash. But he knows Kadoc is far less flexible than them and is slow to change his first impression. Kadoc doesn’t deny and thinks Chaldea needs a good dose of suspicion.[25]
But Rasputin says it is to Ritsuka that he and U-Olga Marie have lent their support, not Chaldea. They will depart from Chaldea the moment U-Olga Marie realizes her position. Rasputin will not manipulate her for that moment, for he claims he has no desire to fight. He only wishes to witness the birth of the one nearing emergence.[25]
But he believes the current situation will only lead U-Olga Marie to suffer and thinks it is time to make a decision. He trusts Kadoc will not interfere. Kadoc agrees it may be best for Ritsuka, Mash, and Olga Marie to split up even if they will hate him for it.[25]
The next day, Engineer does an engine check and concludes an overhaul will take at least 120 hours. Professor notes they still have 120 hours’ worth of power to supply and finds it fortunate they checked the Border’s external power supply line last night. They will inform Da Vinci of their plan, taking six Marines with them.[25]
At Tepeu’s house, Da Vinci informs the others she will be going with them to collect hydroelectric power, which means their destination is the river Tlatlauhqui. Professor came up with the idea after reading Mash’s report. The necessary equipment is being loaded into containers right now. It would normally take 40 hours to transport it all, but they have Kukulkan now.[25]
Ritsuka asks if anyone has seen U-Olga Marie. Tepue recalls she went off somewhere before daybreak but believes she will be back by nightfall. He does not tell the others she went somewhere to calm down after he convinced her not to destroy Mexico City for the Ocelomeh’s transgressions toward her, Chaldea, and the deinos.[25]
Da Vinci asks where Wakchan is, recalling he was with U-Olga Marie two days ago. Tepeu remembers spotting him last night on the main street, looking depressed and muttering to himself that he messed up. Da Vinci figures U-Olga Marie dumped him and wonders where he took her.[25]
At Tlatlauhqui, Protea Alter refuses to let the Chaldeans build a generator. The Chaldeans are shocked to see Protea is her Alter form. She claims her Alter self is her normal self in Mictlan. She only un-Altered herself as a reward for freeing her earlier. To her, all humans are meant to be her slaves.[25]
She then notices all the Marines and asks where the one from back then is. If he is the one asking, she is willing to cooperate. A Marine tells her that particular Marine is gone, but his feelings for her have been transmitted to all of them.[25]
Protea Alter agrees to let the Chaldeans to install a generator and even guard it for them if they can defeat her. But if she wins, she only warns Ritsuka to be ready to endure the unspeakable. Ritsuka agrees to fight her when Kukulkan returns from putting down the containers where Da Vinci wanted them.[25]
Marine declares the battle will be Kukulkan vs Protea Alter. Kukulkan immediately agrees. Protea Alter nervously denies the sight of Kukulkan carrying all the containers by herself was just her imagination.[25]
Protea Alter is defeated, and she realizes Kukulkan is the Lostbelt King. She questions how Ritsuka has someone like that on their side. Kukulkan claims she has been watching over Ritsuka the moment they arrived. She thanks Protea Alter for the fight, but the former would rather not fight Kukulkan again.[25]
Keeping her promise, Protea Alter helps set up the generator, joined by the Marines and deinos. The deinos not only immediately understood what electricity is but also to convert the potential energy of energy into kinetic energy.[25]
The work leaves Protea Alter mentally exhausted. She would like Ritsuka to repay her with a Command Spell, but she can see they have yet to retrieve them all. They can either get it back at the Third Underworld or, as Protea Alter prefers, take it directly from Camzotz. She vows to crush him if he ever comes back, not believing the Xochitónal insider her calling him the most terrifying god in existence.[25]
She notices U-Olga Marie wasn't with Ritsuka today and presumes they split up with her, calling it the right choice since she is Chaldea's enemy. But she offers to give her advice if she insists on following Ritsuka around. Ritsuka is glad to hear Protea Alter is still Protea at heart.[25]
Literary Fragment (II)[]
Ritsuka just finished describing the events of the Atlantic Lostbelt. Da Vinci is thankful to the deinos for helping fix the Border and for still welcoming Chaldea after learning the relationship between Proper Human History and the Lostbelts. Tepeu doesn’t understand why she is thankful for that.[26]
He assures the Chaldeans that the deinos lack the concept of comparison. They have nothing to compare, so “what-ifs” do not matter to them but they are entranced by them. The passionate way the Chaldeans described them truly conveys their stories.[26]
The Dinosaur King orders the deinos to return to their homes once they light the watch fires. He tells Kukulkan to come back with the throne. She has done nothing with the Solar Itinerancy since she started following Chaldea around. Her faults will be exposed if she keeps ignoring the consensus. Kukulkan, therefore, goes with the Dinosaur King, telling the Chaldeans she’ll be sleeping at the temple tonight.[26]
Now all alone, Da Vinci informs Ritsuka and Mash that the Border’s control room and Kadoc’s room have both been repaired. They can now sleep at the Border starting tonight. Ritsuka and Mash both decide to sleep at Tepeu’s house, with Mash thinking they’ll have dinner with U-Olga Marie.[26]
On that subject, Da Vinci informs RItsuka and Mash that she held a vote regarding U-Olga Marie with the staff. Because she helped Chaldea many times, the staff voted not to exclude her. However, over half, including Da Vinci, objected to her boarding the Border.[26]
It would be optimal if they could negotiate peace with her and with her amnesia, the possibility of that happening isn’t zero. However, according to TRISMEGISTUS II, U-Olga Marie’s amnesia is temporary, caused by a malfunction. Once her bodily functions are restored, so too will her memories, and she will return to being an enemy of mankind. Battle is inevitable once that happens.[26]
Currently, Chaldea lacks the firepower to match the Alien God even in her current weakened state. The only thing they can do is repair the Border before that happens and prepare thoroughly. After that, it all comes down to whether they attack first or not.[26]
Mash understands that even if the Border is repaired they are no match for a perfected Alien God. That is why they have no choice but to attack the currently amnesiac U-Olga Marie first. Mash understands the logic behind it but she will tolerate attacking a friend. Ritsuka agrees with her.[26]
Da Vinci is relieved Ritsuka and Mash chose their “feelings” over the “plan”. She believes in the possibility that U-Olga Marie will reciprocate their feelings and remain non-hostile even if she regains her memories. U-Olga Marie also looked like she was having fun, something that surprised Kadoc more than Mash’s personal development. For that reason, Da Vinci would like Ritsuka and Mash to keep treating U-Olga Marie as they have been. A compromise will be made if it ever becomes necessary for her to be on the Border. But starting tomorrow, Chaldea will resume its original mission.[26]
Ritsuka and Mash return to Tepeu’s house by nightfall. Mash asks Tepeu if U-Olga Marie returned. Tepeu answers she is still absent and recalls it seemed like she was heading for the altar when he spotted her on the main street earlier. Ritsuka goes out to find her.[26]
They catch her on the main street. She awkwardly tries to avoid them, but stops when they call out to her. She agrees to return to Tepeu’s house, seeing that she finished inspecting the city’s layout. Whenever the Ocelomeh decide to attack, she will be ready for them even if she has no cause to protect the city.
She asks Ritsuka how the Border’s repairs are progressing. Each day deinos assemble at the Border, learning about Proper Human History technology. She remarks Chaldea is good at forming friendships, which happened with her as well.[26]
Ritsuka tells her Chaldea will resume its original operation tomorrow morning. They lie to her that she is allowed to accompany them.[26]
U-Olga Marie immediately knows it is a lie and pretends like she doesn’t care about the Border anymore. She tells Ritsuka to head back first, saying she will take a longer look at the city. Ritsuka apologizes to her, but U-Olga Marie pretends not to know why they are apologizing. She tells them to repay with a question if they feel they owe her.[26]
Ritsuka cannot think of a question. U-Olga Marie confesses she wouldn’t what to answer even if they asked. She leaves, telling Ritsuka to get to sleep quickly.[26]
It is revealed U-Olga Marie's amnesia was due to reinitializing herself to reduce the burden upon rebooting herself after Tezcatlipoca "killed" her. Presumably, because of that, she gained the freedom of emotion and started to prioritize her own decisions instead of the order bestowed on her. As a result, she ended up preferring acts she believed were "good".[26]
The journey to Chichen Itza with Ritsuka and Mash felt fulfilling to her. Chaldea piqued her interest, and her brain experienced a stimulation when she told them she would cooperate with them. She refused to acknowledge the differences between an alien like herself and Earthlings like Ritsuka. She felt they could get along somehow that way, even though she doesn't know who she is.[26]
After giving her a tour of Chichén Itzá, Wakchan took U-Olga to a cliff for a tranquil view of the city lit up at night. Seeing the scenery, U-Olga Marie distressedly understood she did not belong in this world. So long as she remains her current self, she is a being who would destroy such scenery.[26]
Wakchan thought the source of her distress was her physical appearance, so he tried to cheer her up by praising her inner beauty. U-Olga Marie, acting on emotion, verbally rejected both Wakchan and his race. Wakchan left feeling dejected.[26]
The next night, U-Olga Marie wandered the main street, disgusted with herself for venting her anger at Wakchan. She lacked the courage to apologize to him or join the others in conversation, so she meandered the night.[26]
She does not know what to do. She reset her memories, but it is temporary because she will remember when she sees it. That is why her memories were restored the moment she saw Tezcatlipoca. She understood she is the Alien God, Chaldea’s enemy, but she does not want to be their enemy. Until she sorts out her feelings, she cannot return to Tepeu’s house.[26]
Listening to the deinos, she learned Ritsuka has been telling them stories about Proper Human History and the Lostbelts. She feared the deinos would deduce she is the Alien God behind it all if they kept listening to Ritsuka’s stories. But most of all, she fervently hoped Ritsuka and Mash do not know she is the Alien God because otherwise she wouldn’t have let her accompany them.[26]
She concluded there was nowhere she belonged, not with the deinos or humans. The deinos call the stories about Proper Human History fun but sad, which U-Olga Marie considered a given since neither of them can ever be part of it. She decided to forget she is the Alien God and return to who she was before she remembered. But in her moment of desperation, Ritsuka found her.[26]
Kingdom of Corpses[]
Ritsuka is the first one up the next morning. Tepeu delivers them a message from Rasputin. U-Olga Marie has decided to part ways with Chaldea, so she and Rasputin will leave the Lostbelt tonight. They are already gone.[27]
Tepeu then hands Ritsuka a wooden board Rasputin asked him to give them. It is etched in Japanese, written by U-Olga Marie. She apologizes she cannot help Ritsuka with their mission to save the Earth.[27]
On the Border, Ritsuka reports U-Olga Marie and Rasputin have left. Da Vinci confirms U-Olga Marie’s signal has vanished. They could only track it halfway, but it seemed she was headed for the surface.[27]
Goredolf regrets that she left because it seemed like she liked them, especially Ritsuka and Mash. But she left without a word, and it reminds Goredolf of his experience of always feeling excluded from social circles.[27]
Kadoc suspects Rasputin put U-Olga Marie up to this, though he did urge him to. He can’t say anything after seeing Ritsuka and Mash so depressed. But he feels he had his own expectations too for U-Olga Marie, who looks identical to Olga Marie, to join Chaldea.[27]
Koyanskaya regrets U-Olga Marie’s depature as well because if she stayed they could have analyaze her and figure out why the Alien God manifested in Olga Marie’s form or as a Beast.[27]
Sion considers it good that U-Olga Marie has yet to recover her memories because it gives them the chance to prevent the fusion between her and ORT.[27]
Nemo declares their relationship with U-Olga Marie will return to being adversarial. He does not deny the possibility that she and Rasputin may return, but he advises Ritsuka and Mash to be on high alert should they encounter in the future. That being said, he will not enforce a preemptive strike should U-Olga Marie be willing to negotiate peacefully. He will defer to Rtsuka and Mash’s judgement should that happen.[27]
Moving on to the mission briefing, Da Vinci reiterates their primary objective is to stop the Alien God from fusing with ORT. Their secondary objective is to excise the Lostbelt and capture Daybit. But as Sion states, two factors have necessitated changes to their plans. The Alien God has amnesia and thus has no intention to fuse with ORT, whereas Daybit and Tezcatlipoca seek to use ORT.[27]
The discussion thus turns to the question if the field team saw a future of ORT destroying the Planet at Mexico City. Footage of said scene recorded by the Ortenaus was lost, so Chaldea has no choice but to trust the field team’s testimonies. Ritsuka confirms they saw ORT destroy the Planet.[27]
Goredolf is incredulous that Daybit would seek to destroy the Planet as it runs counter to the Alien God’s objective of dominating the Planet. He asks Koyanskaya, given she once sided with the Crypters, if she knows what Daybt is planning.[27]
Koyanskaya confesses she has no idea. Daybit has ever been an enigma to her and the Apostles. Prior to incarnating as U-Olga Marie on Earth, the Alien God paid attention solely to Kirschtaria. The other Crypters were “insignificant”. However, it seemed as if the Alien God ignored Daybit, or rather, he was never factored into the plan. It is quite possible he was never a Crypter to begin with.[27]
Kadoc realizes that was what Kirschtaria’s records in Olympus were about. He reassures Mash that Daybit was a member of Team A, but unlike the others, he was never indebted to the Alien God. He confesses he, Ophelia, Akuta, and Beryl never heard the term Crypter before they were resuscitated, but it seemed like Daybit did. Previously, he thought it was a blood pact of sorts to rebel against the Human Order, but now he understands it was the Alien God who decreed it to Kirschtaria.[27]
He reveals the Alien God promised to resuscitate them if within the confines of their Coffins, they proved they could resolve the Human Order Incineration. However, none of them could do it; Kadoc couldn’t even make it past the First Singularity. But Kirschtaria personally resolved each of their share of the Human Order Incineration and kept it to himself once they resuscitated.[27]
But Daybit was never mentioned in their resuscitation records. Kadoc thus speculates Daybit resurrected himself by resolving the Human Order Incineration all on his own. The Alien God reproduced Chaldea’s Heroic Spirit summoning within the confines of the Coffins, but Daybit never used it. He resolved the simulated Human Order Incineration all without using a single Servant. Everyone is shocked by Daybit’s feat.[27]
Kadoc adds that Kirschtaria, in his record, said Daybit always thought and acted differently from mankind. Sion and Da Vinci both conclude Daybit is not human. He is not part of the Human Order.[27]
The alarm suddenly goes off. Unknown creatures are running amok and the deinos are in a panic. Ritsuka and Mash with Habetrot head out to counterattack.[27]
They take down two waves of hostiles, the second of which consists of feral deinos. However, unlike previous feral deinos, these scatter into dust upon being slain. Ritsuka and Mash both feel their loss of intellect didn’t occur because of pain or poison.[27]
Sion reveals they were vampires, turned by another vampire sucking their blood. Habetrot determines it was Camzotz given the deinos were panicking about him earlier. Sion recalls Camzotz from Ritsuka’s reports, but she questions if he is actually the Mayan god himself, as he was never depicted as having lordship over the dead.[27]
Tepeu informs Sion and Da Vinci that deinos fear Camzotz more than the night. Whenever Camzotz appears, the deinos hide in their homes. Da Vinci realizes to her disappointment that means the deinos cannot help repair the Border. Mash proposes they kill Camzotz to keep Chichén Itzá safe and get back Ritsuka’s final Command Spell.[27]
Goredolf orders Koyanskaya to go with Ritsuka and Mash to defeat Camazotz. Da Vinci decides to accompany them as well since she knows which direction the ghouls came from. It was from the forest to the northwest, around where Ritsuka and the others gathered food a while back.[27]
Tepeu accompanies the heroes and surmises Camazotz dwells in the ancient ruins of the Ka’an. He calls it a sinister land, and he wants to ensure no danger befalls them this time. Da Vinci asks if something happened at the ruins. Tepeu replies he wasn’t referring to the ruins and suggests they hurry. Mash realizes he was talking about Marine.[27]
Ritsuka asks if the ruins of Ka’an are truly that dangerous of a place. Tepeu explains Ka’an was a kingdom that predates Chichén Itzá. The deinos of old were said to have constructed Chichén Itzá in the image of Ka’an. It is unknown what happened to Ka’an but it may be linked to the Fourth Extinction.[27]
Tepeu hesitates to call it an extinction event since the deinos did survive. He had told Rasputin that, according to Kukulkan, Mictlan’s sun went dormant once before. As a result, the deinos fell into a deep slumber, one that lasted about 100,000 years. When the sun returned, only a tenth of the deinos woke up.[27]
Da Vinci realizes from Tepeu’s description that the deinos can enter self-induced suspended animation. She knows now that deinos are a new mankind created from genetic engineering that doesn’t exist in Proper Human History.[27]
The ruins of Ka'an
The heroes arrive at the ruins of Ka’an. Camazotz appears and confirms he sent his Familars to draw the heroes to the ruins. But he feels insulted Ritsuka would fight him with such a paltry force and assumes they had forgotten the valor they displayed in the underworld.[27]
Ritsuka points out that they are not in the Underworld Border. Camazotz takes that to mean he isn’t to be feared unless he is in the Underworld Border. He threatens to kill Ritsuka for the perceived insult, but he quickly calms down. Ritsuka vexes him, but he likes their nerve and finds that is how a human ought to be. He originally planned to kill and replace them in the fourth underworld, but he attacks them with the undead warriors of Ka’an to correct their mistaken belief that he isn’t a threat outside the borders. [27]
Camazotz’s skeleton Familiars keep replenishing, acting as a wall between him and the heroes. Koyanskaya calls the land ideal for necromancy, considering there are over 100,000 corpses buried. The undead then surround the heroes, leaving them unable to retreat at the moment.[27]
Ritsuka orders to push forward and defeat Camazotz. Tepeu rejects that idea as Camazotz will only escape to the skies if they approach him and the skeletons will close in tighter on Mash. He takes it upon himself to act as a decoy, saying he can hold out so long as the sun is up.[27]
He jumps into a group of skeletons, who hit him to no effect. Da Vinci realizes it is the deinos defensive ability from the reports and compares it to electromagnetic armor. Koyanskaya has her “tigers” launch all the napalm that they have to clear a path for retreat. Ritsuka promises Tepeu they will come back for him.[27]
At the Border, the brothers are in a panic about wanting to rescue Tepeu but are too scared to face Camazotz. Goredolf tells them no one will force them to fight and orders them to send an SOS to Kukulkan. One of the brothers informs him, however, the seventh brother already did that, but Kukulkan is nowhere to be found.
Goredolf quickly panics, thinking they have no one they can send. But then Nitocris volunteers to go, boasting that her necromancy is far superior to Camazotz’s. Impressed by her confidence, Goredolf tells Nitocris to reclaim the face she lost in her defeat against Tlaloc.[27]
Camazotz grabbing Nitocris.
Joined by Nitocris, the heroes return to the ruins. Nitocris counters Camazotz’s undead with her own spirits of the dead, allowing the skeletons to be destroyed. Enraged and confused, Camazotz grabs Nitocris and demands to know what she did, while threatening to cut her in half with his scythe if Ritsuka tries to save her.[27]
He asks Nitocris if she truly memorized the names of all the spirits she rules. Nitocris affirms she has because they were her subjects and she is only a Heroic Spirit because she carries their pain with her. Camazotz furiously flies into the sky. He states that this is the worst day of his life and he has met the most repulsive, vile of women. He retreats to Yayauhqui to calm down.[27]
Nitocris and Ritsuka are confused by the abrupt way Camazotz left, but they count it as a win nonetheless. Tepeu congratulates Nitocris for being the first ever to defeat Camazotz. He is certain festivities will be held to celebrate her when they return to Chichén Itzá.[27]
The deinos celebrate Nitocris’ victory over Camazotz at the shrine that evening. Their cheers are loud enough for even the Chaldeans in the Border to hear. Da Vinci states Chaldea’s popularity skyrocketed thanks to what happened today. They can focus on repairing the Border tomorrow, but first they need to return to the topic of Daybit’s intentions of using ORT to destroy the Planet.[27]
Sion recommends prioritizing stopping Daybit over finding ORT and felling the Tree, especially since a Tree has yet to even be seen. Ritsuka and Mash haven't seen one yet, but Mash suspects they might be able to predict the Tree’s location if they can understand Mictlan’s structure.[27]
Goredolf speculates it is at Mictlan’s ninth layer and thinks it will be easy to reach once the Border is repaired. But Nemo recommends they first thwart Tezcatlipoca and Daybit before they wake ORT, since they do not know how long repairs will take. Goredolf questions if thwarting Daybit and Tezcatlipoca’s plans will make a difference, though, since it seems the future is set.[27]
Sion states at present they cannot change the future where “ORT awakens”, but if they change things to where “ORT doesn’t wake”, then the future from then onwards can go either way. Da Vinci concurs, which is why information is needed: Who Daybit is, his means to wake ORT, what ORT is, and where in Mictlan ORT is. Without those facts, they cannot formulate a plan.[27]
Unfortunately, neither the Dinosaur King nor the deinos know what happens outside Chichén Itzá. Infiltrating Mexico City and asking Daybit directly also isn’t an option. Goredolf wishes there was someone who knew what Daybit was doing when he first arrived in the Lostbelt, how someone against the Human Order could summon Tezcatlipoca, and where ORT and the Tree are.[27]
Kukulkan suddenly walks in and reveals there is a deino in Metztitlán who could check the records of Daybit’s actions. The Chaldeans are all shocked to see her. She confesses she came to get Ritsuka and Mash since the deinos wanted more stories about Chaldea. But the discussion earlier was so fascinating to her that she ended up eavesdropping.[27]
She confirms, like Sion suspected, that she and this deino are similar, at least in the circumstances of their birth. If Kukulkan is the new sun, then this deino is the new Earth, but the latter never leaves her place of birth. Metztitlán is an observatory located on the seventh layer, the final destination humans can reach on foot. Xquic, Archetype: Earth, has dwelled there since Mictlan’s foundation.[27]
Goredolf orders Ritsuka, Mash, Habetrot, Da Vinci, and Nitocris to hasten to the seventh layer. He requests Kukulkan to accompany them since Da Vinci is only going for data analysis purposes. Kukulkan agrees.[27]
Nemo says he and Sion will focus on repairing the Border. Koyanskaya will be their bodyguard.[27]
Kadoc decides to stay on the Border and check the Clock Tower documents for any info on Daybit. Goredolf decides to do the same, though he laments Clock Tower data is so protected they will have to unravel one document at a time. Sion says she will help with that in between repair jobs.[27]
Goredolf announces they will depart for the operation at sunrise. Until then, Ritsuka and Mash are free to enjoy Chichén Itzá’s nightlife. Da Vinci proposes they stop by the shrine and help out Nitocris. They can also tell the deinos more stories about the Lostbelts they have been pestering for.[27]
At the shrine, Ritsuka tells the deinos about the Chinese Lostbelt. The deinos find that while the society Qin Shi Huang created was perfect, it was that same “perfection” that caused the species to stagnate and therefore decline. Da Vinci suspects it was because Shi Huang was the perfect human in both mind and body, thus had no need to compare himself to others. He pursued the evolution of the species, but unfortunately no one could match him, and so he became the only “human”.[27]
The deinos consider it meaningless to avoid extinction, nor do they care about the evolution or prosperity of their species. They live for something greater than themselves. They envy neither the Lostbelts nor Proper Human History because they know Mictlan is perfect. But one deinos wonders if their Lostbelt is meaningful as the others were.[27]
Tepeu finds Wakchan and informs him Chaldea will be departing for the seventh layer tomorrow. He thinks he will be helpful as their porter. Wakchan hesitates because of U-Olga Marie, but Tepeu informs him U-Olga has permanently parted ways with Chaldea.[27]
He has surmised she is the Alien God behind the Bleaching of the Earth. However, he is unsure if she is the cause as some parts of the story didn’t fit. Nevertheless, everyone got the chance to interact and go on an adventure with U-Olga Marie. Tepeu calls their time with her a dream and a mistake.[27]
Meanwhile, at the Solar Itinerancy, Vucub is fuming that the shrine is being used to praise outsiders. He believes intercultural exchange to be a corrupting influence that has made everyone except himself complacent to the threat Mexico City represents. They do not understand the fear he feels as the last of his kind. He believes they must kill the Ocelomeh and think themselves as the rulers of Mictlan they ought to be.[27]
He expresses disdain toward Kukulkan for doing nothing about the Ocelomeh, making a human their king, and returning from her reconnaissance of Mexico City wearing Ocelotl garments. He blames it all on Proper Human History, believing Kukulkan has been on its side ever since she took on the concept of “god”. It doesn’t matter to him if what he says is blasphemy, for he sees himself superior to all deinos just because he is a pterosaur. He hates both the Dinosaur King and Kukulkan and thinks the deinos civilization was worthless to begin with if Daybit’s arrival is all it took to change it. [27]
Calming down, he decides he will accept Izcalli’s request for a second secret meeting. Izcalli wants the sun. Vucub will allow him to have Chichén Itzá if that is what it takes to save their crumbling sun.[27]
Third Underworld: Xoxoauhqui[]
The next morning, Tepeu joins the Chaldeans on their expedition to the seventh layer as their guide.[28]
Considering Camazotz lives in the eighth layer, the brothers request Nitocris keep Ritsuka and Mash safe if he shows up since she is the only one who can deal with him. Nitocris boasts Camazotz is no match and promises to return to the city once Chaldea finishes its business at Metztitlán. Afterward, they will host the Nitocris Commemoration Cup the brothers mentioned last night. The brothers are excited about an extra xoqqer ritual.[28]
Truthfully, though, Nitocris’ victory over Camazotz was merely a matter of compatibility. She cannot hope to defeat Tlaloc as she is now.[28]
Kukulkan arrives late because she lost track of time shopping for a particular item that wasn’t even available. She now understands that adventures require making preparations in advance. Tepeu assures her he has already prepared everything. After all, he guided RItsuka and Mash all the way here from the first layer.[28]
It gladdens Kukulkan to see Tepu boasting about his achievements, as it means he has become more assertive. Ritsuka notes Tepeu tends to flick his glasses up. Mash believes Tepeu is so modest he doesn’t realize his own habit himself. Tepeu says his glasses aren’t meant to express his intent, though. He designed them so he wouldn’t have to see what must not be seen.[28]
The heroes then depart for the seventh layer, which will take them two days if they head straight there.[28]
They are attacked by flamethrower-wielding Ocelomeh upon entering the fifth layer. The latter seems almost intent on burning the rainforest down. But most surprising is that the heroes can understand bits and pieces of the Ocelomeh’s language. Tepeu is shocked by their adaptability, even without the blessings of Malla. The heroes proceed to defeat the Ocelomeh.[28]
Later that night, the heroes make camp at a maize field. They will be entering the sixth layer---the Third Underworld--- tomorrow. It will be his first time experiencing the galactic dunes, so Tepeu recommends they get plenty of nourishment tonight and prepare to cross the dunes tomorrow. To that end, he applies the soy sauce he got from Baker to the maize he picked and grills it to make roasted maize.[28]
Though she was doubtful at first, Kukulkan immediately becomes addicted to roasted maize, eating enough for ten people. Tepeu drags her away so the Chaldeans can talk without interruption.[28]
Nitocris finds it odd considering she is the god of the Lostbelt for Kukulkan to not take a deinos form. Da Vinci concurs as gods are typically a blend of “characteristics we lack” and “those similar to us in appearance”. So to explain why that isn’t the case for Kukulkan, Da Vinci will first explain the origin of the American continent in relation to the World of Magecraft and the origin of the Lostbelt.[28]
First off, as its name suggests, Mictlan has more pronounced Central American characteristics than South American. It is probably because the Lostbelt’s foundation is based on the mythologies of the region from Proper Human History. It would therefore be more correct to call the Lostbelt the Latin American Lostbelt. But considering the ground coordinates were South America, it would be best to keep calling it the South American Lostbelt.[28]
The myths of the American continent all identify closely with nature while simultaneously leaning toward a stellar point. There are even murals and artifacts depicting “rockets aimed at the sky”. A theory commonly accepted among mages for this is that alien life was present at the dawn of Mayan civilization. However, said life was not what one would expect.[28]
66 million years ago, at the time of the fifth mass extinction, a massive meteorite crashed into the Yucatan Peninsula, incinerating the Earth’s surface and rendering dinosaurs extinct. The collision created a vast underground network which would be known as the underworld of Xibalba for Mayans and later Mictlan for the Aztecs. This was not just the result of oral tradition and cultural records, but a primordial fear etched into their genes as speculated by mages.[28]
The meteorite brought with it fungi capable of transmitting information. They parasitized Earth’s vegetation, assisted in the development of new species, and were revered as “incarnations of nature” after the dawn of mankind. They were the origin of the Mesoamerican gods, appearing as nature itself, other times using an animal or human as their host.[28]
But “they" are more like plant roots than fungi, acting only on neural tissue. Appearance otherwise they would be more like threads. “They” were adept at transmitting but too simple to generate intelligence on their own. Thus “they” took other organisms as their hosts and developed their species. “They” cultivated the world while their roots circulated underground until they found mankind, the Prime Species.[28]
By the end of the Age of Gods their lifespan was nearing its end and they realized they’d never return to space, so they entrusted their hopes to the Mayan-Aztec civilization. A mythological system with faith in the “rebirths of species”, which accepted the five mass extinction events as part of Earth’s memory and sought to overcome extinction.[28]
Tepeu, who overheard the conversation and discloses Kukulkan is now asleep, concludes the Lostbelt diverged from Proper History when “they” chose dinosaurs instead of mankind 66 million years ago. Mash realizes that would make the South American Lostbelt the oldest one and has a greater length of time developing as mankind compared to Proper Human History.[28]
Da Vinci still feels there are too many uncertainties, though, such as why Kukulkan isn’t in deinos form and why “they”, the Divine Filaments, chose dinosaurs instead of humanity. It is strange because dinosaurs went extinct with the fifth mass extinction, so like in Proper Human History, “they” would have chosen mammals.[28]
While it isn’t unclear as to why the Divine Filaments chose the deinos, Tepeu asks what grounds were there to assume his kind were chosen. In answer, Da Vinci reveals the deinos couldn’t have developed all their traits in Earth’s environment. The energy spent on intelligence and thought cannot be met with plant-eating alone, which means the deinos are acquiring it through additional means. Mash realizes it is photosynthesis, which Da Vinci confirms is thanks to the Divine Filament evolving the deinos to essentially be plant-animal hybrids.[28]
Da Vinci praises the deinos as being far superior to humanoid mankind and being the apex species for 66 million years. She calls them perfected intelligent life, each one strong enough to not need to compete for resources necessary for survival. The deinos are an example of Kirschtaria’s ideal of a “mankind without conflict”. Mash is glad to know what Kirschtaria sought to achieve wasn’t just a fantasy after and is certain his ideal was worth striving for.[28]
Nonetheless Da Vinci points out that while the meteorite was the genesis for the Lostbelt it is still unknown how it developed this world structure. Only the observatory will have the answer but first the heroes must cross the Third Underworld.[28]
Ritsuka wakes up in the middle of the night. Kukulkan is up as well, having taken over Habetrot’s turn at watch so she could admire the night sky. But Mictlan’s night sky only appears to look like space as the “stars” are just phosphorescence from Malla mimicking the cosmos. Only the sun could remotely be considered a celestial body, though it is ultimately an imitation.[28]
Kukulkan is surprised Ritsuka sussed out she was only pretending to be asleep earlier. She confesses she did it because she didn’t want to get involved in the earlier conversation. Her position means she would have to answer truthfully if consulted.[28]
Rtsuka asks her if she is hiding something. Kukulkan merely grins but points out Ritsuka could have corrected Da Vinci earlier, yet kept quiet. She knows the dream they had in Chichén Itzá was a dream of Malla, of the Divine Filaments rooted in Mictlan. She doesn’t know why Ritsuka is sympathized with Malla, but she doesn’t consider it bad. Still, she worries this will result in a certain someone’s thoughtless misdeed becoming exposed.[28]
To her relief, though, Ritsuka tells her they cannot remember every detail of the dream. Kukulkan claims she cannot remember her dreams upon waking either. She tells Ritsuka to pretend like their conversation was a dream they will forget upon waking and awkwardly returns to night watch duty. Ritsuka goes back to sleep.[28]
Xoxoauhqui
As the heroes head for the Third Underworld the next day, Tepeu describes it as Mictlan’s only desert possessed of a fresh breeze, many oases, and an eternal starry night. The only flaw is the lack of sunlight means deinos cannot linger there for long. But when the heroes reach it, it is instead filled with piercing dust clouds, boiling heat, and some gravity disturbance is making all the oases float in the sky. [28]
Tepeu thinks they can reach them with Nitocris’s help, assuming she can fly because she is the incarnation of a sky god. Kukulkan recommends against flying because not only are the winds fierce but the sky turns into a zero gravity vacuum past 400 meters. Nitocris agrees and suggests they just keep walking straight ahead.[28]
But Habetrot thinks they should head back since RItsuka will not long in the heat. Mash agrees and suggests they retreat back to the forest and rehydrate. However, the forest cannot be seen, so Mash wonders if the dust is obscuring their view. Da Vinci sends out Tifone to check. She tells everyone to huddle together and hold on to each other so they do not get separated.[28]
Tifone soon returns but unfortunately it couldn’t leave the desert. Just when the heroes left the forest to enter the Third Underworld, they suddenly found themselves stranded in the desert. Nevertheless, Ritsuka wants to continue, but Mash and Da Vinci are both against it due to the risk of dehydration. Kukulkan wishes they had yellow cucumbers to keep Ritsuka’s body temperature regulated.[28]
Rtsuka remembers Daybit and pulls out two yellow cucumbers. One for themselves, the other for Tepeu. They then eat their respective cucumbers and immediately feel a cooling effect. Kukulkan says now they will not need water for a whole day. She praises Ritsuka for being prepared. Ritsuka tries to correct when Mash alerts everyone to a heat source beneath them.[28]
Nitocris immediately declares she will be the vanguard and tells the others to reserve their stamina in the rear. She trusts Ritsuka to spot summon Heroic Spirits when the time is ripe. Ritsuka tries to summon only for it to stop halfway through, leaving Nitocris to slay the sandworms on her own.[28]
Ritsuka apologizes to a frustrated Nitocris that their summoning failed halfway through. Nitocris accuses them of being incompetent, but Mash confirms their summoning did indeed fail halfway. It seems it was cancelled by something specific to this Underworld Border. Nitocris apologizes to Ritsuka for scolding them.[28]
Da Vinci wonders what the logic is behind forbidding Heroic Spirit summoning when she and the others notice Habetrot staring with her mouth agape. Habetrot points to the feet of a nearby enormous creature moving amidst the sandstorm. Nitocris hides everyone beneath Medjed’s divine cloth.[28]
While waiting for the creature to leave, Da Vinci deduces that this underworld, Xoxoauhqui, corresponds to Pancuetlacaloyan, the fifth level of Mictlan in Aztec mythology. It is the desert of the underworld with eight oases along the way and wind so strong it casts people aloft. Tepeu therefore deduces in order to break through the altered Xoxoauhqui they must pass through the eight oases.[28]
The issue, however, is reaching the floating oases as the fierce winds and zero gravity make flying to them inadvisable. As such, Nitocris recommends marching on ahead and looking for another way. She then ends up as the group’s guide through the desert.[28]
Nitocris slays sandworm after sandworm as she guides the others until she collapses from exhaustion. But so long as they cannot depend on Ritsuka’s summonings she must fight. She laments she was the first Servant to be summoned for the purpose of destroying the Lostbelt, yet she couldn’t protect the Border, lost to Tlaloc, and couldn’t participate in the Mexico City rescue operation. She feels at this rate there will be no meaning in her being chosen.[28]
Habetrot tells Nitocris it isn’t her fault, but the pillar of light that felled the Border. If that didn’t happen, then Protea and Beni-enma would have been able to fight alongside them. Tepeu never heard how the Border fell so he asks how the pillar of light did it. Kukulkan looks rather nervous.[28]
Da Vinci bemoans they will have to deal with that pillar of light in addition to Daybit, Tezcatlipoca, the Alien God, and ORT. Kukulkan (still looking nervous) reckons the giant will not appear anymore if it didn’t emerge again after Chaldea’s only encounter with it on the surface. Ritsuka and Mash both realize something about Kukulkan.[28]
But the conversation is interrupted by the approach of the giant creature and sandworms. Nitocris says Medjed’s blessings are ineffective against the sandworms because they detect prey through vibrations. Da Vinci concludes then they will need to kill the sandworms before the giant reaches their location. She tells Ritsuka and Tepeu to stay back with Nitocris. She, Mash, Kukulkan will kill the sandworms then everyone will hide under Nitocris’ cloth.[28]
Nitocris laments she is too exhausted to even fight sandworms. She feels she will only end up as a liability to the others, but Kukulkan encourages to fight. She boasts they will take down the giant along with the sandworms.[28]
To the heroes’ surprise, the sandstorm abates the moment they slew the giant, which was just a leg. Kukulkan wonders then if the giant was just a mirage of the sandstorm, but Nitocris replies it was definitely physical. She asks Ritsuka and Mash if they have “that leg” before. Ritsuka answers they have not.[28]
Kukulkan notices someone collapsed nearby---a human wearing something fluffy and sparkling on the verge of death from dehydration. Mash gives him water from Ritsuka’s canteen with their permission. The mysterious young man is grateful and asks for everyone’s names.[28]
After getting their names, the man asks the heroes where they are going. Da Vinci refuses to answer that until after he tells them his name and why he was collapsed on the ground. The man refuses to give his name, but he can explain why he was on the ground.
He was charged with cultivating this underworld. One morning he awoke to a “selfish goddess” commanding him to: “Turn this desert into an Edin full of flowers and sheep.” Though he disliked the order, he nevertheless complied with it. He filled the desert with flowers and substituted sheep with sandworms. It is thanks to his nourishment they grew to be so big and strong.[28]
But Camazotz soon came and turned the “capricious goddess” into a “scary goddess”. he attacked him and drove him off, much to his irritation. She then drained all the magical energy out of the earth, returning it to a desert and proceeded to create the “Heaven’s Thunder Temple” to rule the underworld from within a storm. Said temple is the source of the zero gravity and the sandstorms. The sandstorm earlier stopped because the heroes crushed the temple.[28]
Mash asks the man if he is a follower of this goddess, considering he must have great knowledge and magical energy to turn the desert into a flower garden. The man denies he is a follower. He asks the heroes what group they are with and why they travel.[28]
Though hesitant to answer because of her distrust of him,, Da Vinci tells the man they are with Chaldea. She presumes he is a Heroic Spirit from Proper Human History, so he should know why they are in the Lostbelt. They are currently on their way to the seventh layer, which is why they are heading toward an oasis.[28]
The man, however, says nobody can leave the underworld. He thinks it is fate that their paths crossed, so he cannot let them die in vain. He implore them to follow.[28]
Ritsuka asks him what he meant by “nobody can leave”. But the man responds that isn’t important right now rather it is his own safety and by extension those who can ensure. Furthermore, the destruction of the temple clearly indicates there are intruders.[28]
He recommends they take shelter in the cave he secretly hollowed out. He turns around to show the heroes the way. Ritsuka sees a familiar face on the golden sheepskin he wears and concludes he is Dumuzid. Ereshkigal or Ninkigal, as she calls herself, then suddenly appears to punish the heroes for destroying the temple.[28]
Ninkigal claims she has no recollection of the Chaldeans. She will treat all guests in her underworld as her slaves equally. Their lives will be spared if they obey, but disobedience will be met with annihilation.[28]
Mash concludes Ereshkigal was the last of the four Servants summoned on the Border. Da Vinci suspects they can defuse the situation with words if they confirm if Ereshkigal remembers RItsuka and if she knows Chaldea summoned her. Ritsuka waves at Ninkigal like a friend would.[28]
Ninkigal very briefly loses her composure in the face of Ritsuka’s friendliness, but she immediately regains it and reiterates her claim she does not remember them. She declares ashe will not give anyone any special treatment. Mash is happy to see Ereshkigal is the same as usual, much to Ninkigal’s irritation.[28]
Dumuzid reassures everyone that Ninkigal is simply just Ereshkigal Alter. She may be using her old to match her new evil self but she is still bound by a Command Spell to “be the ideal mistress of the underworld”. Habetrot wonders if that means Camazotz turned Ereshkigal into a watcher like the previous two. She realizes though without Rasputin they cannot unalterize her.[28]
Ninkigal reveals Camazotz told her to “be who you want to be”, so she is her ideal self---the invincible goddess who envies neither heaven nor Ishtar, knows not defeat and rules the underworld without mistake. She willingly turned herself into an Alter.[28]
When she fell into Mictlan, she saw the state of it and became convinced being a watcher was her mission. As one who witnessed the end of the Age of Gods from the Sumerian underworld, she can sense apocalyptic omens in Mictlan. It convinced her that being cruel and exploitative are the makings of a true goddess, which is why she turned Xoxoauhqui into a world where she alone is revered as the supreme deity and is off limits to other Divine Spirits and Heroic Spirits.[28]
Dumuzid indicates Ereshkigal’s rivalry with Ishtar has reached the point that their thought processes now match. Ritsuka concludes that a dissenting voice is required then. Kukulkan is hesitant to interfere given she is an outsider but wants to reconfirm Ereshkigal's corruption by evil was Camazotz’s fault. Dumuzid reconfirms and suggests teaching Ninkigal violence only begets violence. Ninkigal dismisses Kukulkan as a false goddess because she has nothing to protect nor any devotees and fights the heroes.[28]
One by one the heroes are blown away by Ninkigal’s Boundary Gorge, the Heaven’s Thunder Temple--Gugulanna’s legs summoned at the efficient cost of one Gugulanna. Dumuzid concludes they will be walled off by legs in no time, so he flies off in his typical sheep form. Frustrated Dumuzid escaped, Ninkigal imprisons Ritsuka and Kukulkan in a wall of legs.[28]
Oasis
Nitocris, Tepeu, Mash, Da Vinci, and Habetrot wake up in an oasis imprisoned in Ninkigal’s spear cages. Ninkigal tells them they will do manual labor until her magical energy stock is maxed. She claims it is only to work them to the bone, like the slaves who built the Egyptian pyramids. Nitocris gets defensive and insists slaves were treated fairly and compensated for their work. Ninkigal asks how long she intends to play devil’s advocate regarding her own past.[28]
She noticed in their battle that Nitocris has yet to realize the true purpose of her summoning. She claims as a fellow netherworld queen Nitocris should be able to exercise Authority equal to herself in an Underworld Border, yet chooses not to. This is a battle with the Human Order at stake, so Nitocris should protect the future rather than herself. Nitocris realizes Ninkigal is accusing her of prioritizing herself because she hasn’t turned Alter. Ninkigal calls Alter merely a consequence and says what is done is what is important.[28]
Putting all that aside, she asks Mash where Ritsuka is, presuming they are hiding behind her shield. But Mash happily reveals they aren’t here and assumes they escaped the earlier battle. Ninkigal is absolutely dumbfounded on how Ritsuka escaped the temple.[28]
Ritsuka and Kukulkan are in Dumuzid’s hideout, having escaped the temple. Ritsuka is worried about the others. Kukulkan couldn’t confirm their safety either, but she reassures that while Ninkigal was hostile, she had no intention of killing them. So even if Ninkigal captured the others, they would be held prisoner and forced to labor.[28]
Nevertheless, Kukulkan regrets she couldn’t do more, but there is a lot holding her back. Ritsuka had noticed she has been holding herself back, specifically she has been hiding her Noble Phantasm. Kukulkan denies she is and insists she has only been acting as she pleases.[28]
Ritsuka points out curiosity drew her in, but she has kept herself walled off. It was obvious to them, so they want her to open up. Kukulkan isn’t sure if they should trust her though because she is the god of this Lostbelt and they are the humans of Proper Human History. She even points out the possibility her friendliness is only a ploy so she can kill them. But Ritsuka doesn’t believe that and thinks she is the same god as Quetzalcoatl who they know.[28]
Kukulkan is overjoyed to hear that and so decides to show her true power and save everyone. But she asks Ritsuka to perform a mana transfer with her so she can unveil her trump card with a bang. Ritsuka glady does so.[28]
Dumuzid then shows himself, having witnessed the whole conversation. He is worried about the others and recommends rescuing them posthaste. If Kukulkan can defeat Ereshkigal, she will cease to be her undefeated ideal self. Her oath to herself…the Command Spell will be nullified and she will presumably turn back to normal.[28]
Later Dumuzid drops off Ritsuka above the oasis where the others are being kept prisoner. As they freefall, Ritsuka assures the concerned Kukulkan that they’ll be fine and tells her to handle Ereshkigal. As a show of respect toward a goddess of Proper Human History, Kukulkan declares she shall fight in her usual manner, changing her outfit into what she claims is a hi-spec spacesuit.[28]
Ritsuka lands safely with a roll and challenges Ninkigal. Ninkigal questions what a mage who can’t even summon Servants can do when she blocks a charging Kukulkan. She realizes Ritsuka is betting it all on Kukulkan and accepts the challenge out of respect for their valor. She calls forth the Boundary Gorge and fights Kukulkan.[28]
Kukulkan easily destroys Gugalanna with her Noble Phantasm and defeats Ninkigal thereby earning Ritsuka back their final Command Spell. But the Chaldeans also realize Kukulkan’s Noble Phantasm was what wrecked the Border. Tepeu apologizes to them on behalf of all deinos for the trouble their god thoughtlessly caused them. He proposes Kukulkan spend a century in the ninth layer as atonement.[28]
In response to Tepeu’s comment, Kukulkan confesses she thought it was a good idea at the time. She guards Mictlan, so she sought to eliminate Chaldea while they were still on the surface since they came to prune the Lostbelt. She thought they couldn’t be reasoned with like Daybit, but now she understands Chaldea means no harm. Nevertheless, she attacked them, so she leaves the decision of whether to treat her enemy or not to them.[28]
Da Vinci admits she already speculated Kukulkan was the giant that attacked the Border during the Mexico City incident, which is why she is staying neutral regarding. As such, she will have to defer to Goredolf on this matter.[28]
She doesn’t say it to the others that the truth is that they can’t defeat Kukulkan in their current state. If Kukulkan is willing to be their ally, they have no other choice but to ignore her other faults.[28]
Ereshkigal Alter reveals the rules she placed on Xoxoauhqui based on the premise she is the mightiest goddesses disappeared the instant she lost to Kukulkan. It is also why she is no longer called Ninkigal.[28]
Mash notices Ereshkigal is still an Alter even though Ritsuka has their Command Spell back. She fears this means Ereshkigal has been irreversibly Altered. Ereshkigal Alter reassures Mash, however, that she accepted her Alterfication of her own volition all so she could strengthen her Spirit Origin and be of better use to Chaldea. She wouldn’t have turned herself into an Alter if she didn’t think it was necessary. She presumes Chaldea is ignorant of what is coming, so she will remain here in case similar to the previous watchers.[28]
End Times Observatory Metztitlán[]
On the seventh layer, Da Vinci reports to Goredolf what happened in the Third Underworld. Kukulkana reconfirms she was the one who sank the Border, for which she apologizes as a spur-of-the-moment decision. Goredolf orders Ritsuka and Mash to watch Kukulkan and distance themselves if she starts to act suspiciously. He then reports repairs are going smoothingly and ends the call expecting good news next time.[29]
After Goredolf ends the call, Tepeu asks Nitocris to watch their surroundings while he sets their camp tonight. Nitocris looks distracted, but she insists nothing is wrong. She then unleashes some spirits to get rid of any nearby threats. Unfortunately, her spirits draw the attention of feral deinos, forcing the heroes to drive them off.[29]
The battle proved Ritsuka can now summon outside the Underworld Borders, although they can’t use the actual Command Spells themselves. Da Vinci surmises Ritsuka’s Master is still not fully restored. She recalls their report of the first layer said they made a deal with an unfamiliar person in an unknown place and returned to life. She suspects they will remain in their current state for long as they are in Mictlan.[29]
Alternatively, Ritsuka can subdue the person they made a deal with. Kukulkan presumes that is Camazotz since he had Ritsuka’s Command Spells, but Rtsuka doubts he is. Tepeu deduces Camazotz purchased the Command Spells from whomever Ritsuka made a deal with.[29]
Given the numerous feral deinos, Nitocris asks if they have a nest on the seventh layer. Tepeu answers they do not the harsh environment is just comfortable to them unlike how it is for the Ocelomeh and regular deinos. There is also the fact Camazotz resides in the eighth layer, which along with the ninth layer, is permeated by both poisonous gases and cosmic rays. Da Vinci realizes that is why the drone sent from the Border malfunctioned and shut down once it reached the eighth layer. It also all but confirms to her that the Tree is at the bottom.[29]
Metztitlán exterior
The next morning, the heroes reach Metztitlán. Da Vinci is amazed it is a biome replicating the Cenozoic era of Proper Human History. Kukulkan reveals Malla has no power here and it is where those dispatched from the Inner Sea of the Planet--Elementals--are born. As such it is closer to the environment of Proper Human History.Da Vinci explains however only one special type of Elemental can ever be born in the Inner Sea of the Planet. That is the “Brain of the Planet”, inheritor of all Earth’s memories, the Archetype.[29]
Nitocris heard the Archetype was created in the likeness of the current Prime Species. But even though this is a Lostbelt, it is still a “what-if” of Proper Human History. Nitocris, therefore, questions if the Archetype shouldn’t be in human form. Kukulkan says Tepeu would be more informed on that matter, given he was a researcher at Metztitlán.[29]
Tepeu admits he had noticed Xquic was different from all other deinos. He surmises the Archetype of Mictlan is different from the one in Proper Human History due to Mictlan being already similar to the Inner Sea of the Planet, enclosed and unchanging. Xquic never leave Metztitlán. The others will see what he means once they met her.[29]
Metztitlán interior
Inside the observatory, Tepeu greets Xquic and tells her he brought guests from Proper Human History who wish to ask her things. So he asks her to show herself, pointing out she isn’t very well hidden with the Proper Human History idiom: “Burying your head in the sand. Your tail is visible, you know.” Xquic accuses Tepeu of teasing her, calling him “big brother”. She then rises out of the lake and greets everyone.[29]
Da Vinci is delighted to see Xquic is a diplodocus, which was said to have been the largest of the herbivorous dinosaurs, though Xquic seems to be bigger. Xquic is pleased to hear Da Vinci’s voice sounds just like she thought it would. She can see everything up to the second layer but cannot hear sounds, so she doesn’t know the Chaldeans’ names. She requests for them to tell her.[29]
After Xquic learns the Chaldeans’ names, Mash asks what her relation to Tepeu is since she called him “big brother” earlier. Xquic tries to describe it, but Tepeu cuts off and insists they are purely acquaintances. Her calling him “big brother” was something she decided by herself. Besides, she is 6 million years old while he is 1000 years old at best.[29]
Xquic admits she calls him “big brother” because of his “high and mighty” attitude. He is the only deino who visits her, but he always berates her for being lazy. Tepeu demands they stop wasting time and for Xquic to finally fulfill her role as the observatory’s eyes.[29]
He compares her mentality to that of a 1-year-old despite all the years that have passed. But he admits it is a given since, as the planet’s sense of touch, her mind cannot mature any further. He supposes to her all other life seems older. He then requests Xquic to reveal Daybit’s actions in the past year.[29]
Xquic recalls when Daybit first arrived in the Lostbelt a year ago, he visited the observatory before anywhere else. He demanded she give him a five-minute summary of the truth about Mictlan and its history, as he had no time to waste. She knew he was from Proper Human History, but she had no reason to refuse him, so she told him what he wanted. Nitocris asks Xquic if she knew about Proper Human History and Lostbelts before Daybit arrived. She also asks why she agreed to Daybit’s request since those from Proper Human History are supposed to be seen as invaders.[29]
Xquic explains as the Archetype she understands Mictlan is not the environment Earth is supposed to be. She also foresaw that after being given knowledge by her, Daybit would organize the Ocelomeh and start hunting the deinos. It is tragic, but not enough for her to refuse his request. The deinos treat everyone equally regardless of who they are.[29]
Tepeu sees what Xquic just said left an impression on Mash. He then demands Xquic tell them about Daybit’s past actions and his intentions. Xquic and Da Vinci both notice Tepeu seems to be acting strangely impatient. He insists nothing is wrong, though, and leaves Da Vinci to ask Xquic while he prepares the Popol ritual.[29]
Da Vinci gives Xquic her surmisation that the Lostbelt diverged when the Divinie Filaments attached to the meteor that brought about the fifth mass extinction chose dinosaurs as their hosts. Xquic corrects her though that in the Lostbelt’s history, the meteor arrived 300 million years ago. The Divine Filaments, Malla, had also prevented Pangea’s continental division by binding with a network of plant roots. Da Vinci realizes the dinosaurs would have remained the apex species in that case, thus preventing the mammals from evolving further.[29]
Mash asks if the fourth and fifth mass extinction event never occurred in the Lostbelt’s history. Xquic reveals there was only a fourth mass extinction similar to Proper Human History’s fifth mass extinction.[29]
66 million years ago, a meteor again collided with the planet, incinerating the surface and putting the dinosaurs at risk of extinction. But Malla foresaw the meteor collision and created an underground refuse using the planet' energy ordinarily meant to restore the surface. That is what Mictlan is and why the surface remains desolate to this day.[29]
That “meteor” was ORT brought to Earth 66 million years earlier than it was supposed to thanks to the same small change in trajectory, embedding deep into Mictlan. Da Vinci theorizes ORT died on collision because otherwise the deinos would have never flourished. Xquic corrects her, however, that Mictlan was already destroyed once by ORT. Da Vinci demands to know how the deinos survived then.[29]
Xquic commends Da Vinci for being mostly correct in her theory. ORT did indeed die, but death isn’t the same for it. It reactivated 60 million years later, just around the time the deinos’ philosophy of life became realized. This was the Lostbelt’s fourth mass extinction. Xquic was born around this time, thus she cooperated with the life of Mictlan and defeated ORT.[29]
Da Vinci realizes what Ritsuka saw back at Mexico City corresponds to the fifth mass extinction event. Mash surmises the Lostbelt’s history for Nitocris at the latter’s request. Xquic adds two important details to Mash’s summary: the artificial sun formed when Mictlan was created and the proconsuls were born in Mictlan 20 million years ago.[29]
Though Da Vinci assumes Xquic also told Daybit about ORT, Xquic corrects her that she did not. She tried to tell him, but he merely replied that he already elaborated as much. Instead, he asked her if the sun had ever gone out. Ritsuka and Da Vinci both realize if that were true it would explain why the Ocelomeh’s faith is so fervent. Da Vinci recalls Tepeu said something similar when he said the sun went dormant. She asks Xquic what she told Daybit.[29]
Xquic had told Daybit the truth that when ORT reactivated 6 million years ago the sun went out and the human civilization, the Kingdom of Ka’an, was destroyed. Da Vinci is shocked to learn that there was another non-deinos civilization aside from Mexico City. Ka’an was why Xquic added the part about proconsuls to Mash’s summary earlier.[29]
Ka’an was a human kingdom which had flourished for 10,000 years in Mictlan. They were technologically advanced, building airships not unlike the Storm Border even in their closing years. It was thanks to those they could oppose ORT. The Ka’an warriors also modified themselves to be unkillable and fought to the last soldier.[29]
They were successful in forcing ORT down into the bottom layer and returning Mictlan’s light. However, the Ka’an kingdom was lost as a result. The ruined city they left behind was repurposed as Chichén Itzá. No deinos besides Tepeu know the story of Ka’an, as he had uncovered it by his lonesome.[29]
There was one last survivor, however, the one who defeated ORT six billion years ago: the King of the Ka’an. After undergoing extensive body modifications, he was rendered immortal and succumbed to madness. He is Camazotz, the mad king who continuously searches for his long lost subjects.[29]
Before she can show everyone Daybit’s past deeds, Xquic needs to prepare so she requests the heroes wait outside. Tepeu requests they neutralize the mindless deinos out there. The smell of the maguey pulque he’ll be using for the ritual will attract them to the observatory.[29]
After driving away the mindless deinos, the heroes take a break. Nitocris went back into the observatory to ask Xquic something. Mash asks if the relationship between Xquic and Tepeu is something akin to a married couple or lovers.[29]
Kukulkan responds that Xquic and Tepeu have only remained friends this entire time. She continues to explain that Xquic isn’t actually a deinos, only in the shape of one. She is not meant to become the partner of or live together with mankind. Her role is to monitor Mictlan from beginning to end, so matter what, she cannot ever leave Metztitlán.[29]
Tepeu was frustrated by all this in the past and tried to find a way to free Xquic. But he never succeeded and so he secluded himself in the first layer. Kukulkan couldn’t even begin to theorize why before, but now she has a human form, she thinks she can understand. Tepeu couldn’t forgive himself for being “content” despite being unable to save Xquic. To punish himself for his own helplessness, he began researching the “Concept of Death” at the far end of the world where no one can interact with him.[29]
Mash asks Kukulkan if she looked as she does now, even back when she was born. Given the mankind of Mictlan are the deinos, it would be reasonable for her, their god, to take their form.[29]
Kukulkan explains her current form was recent. Before she was a “wind” only the deinos could perceive. But a year ago Proper Human History was introduced in Mictlan and they became aware of the concept of gods. The word “Kukulkan” indicated one such god and at that moment, Kukulkan took her current form. The concept of god is something only born among intelligent humanoid mankind, so Kukulkan sought to learn from such a form.[29]
She manifested in Chichén Itzá naked. She had no sense or feeling back so she spoke to the priests naked. But it didn’t take long for her to realize she was doing something outrageous. When she did, she learned what was considered normal in Proper Human History and so she immediately stole the clothes of the deino in front of her. Incidentally, that deino was Tepeu who already secluded himself in the first layer, but he was well attuned to hearing her back when she was “wind”.[29]
Later, she discovered the boy Tezcatlipoca, close to Chichén Itzá, astride a deino, playing king and servant with it. She made him become the king of Chichén Itzá for her. Meanwhile, she went and spent time in Mexico City to experience the forefront of culture.[29]
Mash now understands Kukulkan isn't so much the “god of the deinos” rather she was born from the creators of Mictlan, Malla, as their representative. She is essentially Archetype: Mictlan if one counts meteors as celestial bodies. Kukulkan says that is why she gets along well with Xquic. She suggests calling Xquic Archetype:Meta-Earth. She and her are kindred as neither of them couldn’t become the real one.[29]
Meanwhile, in the observatory, Nitocris asks Xquic how Camazotz turned Chaldea’s Servants into Watchers of the Underworld. She considers him incapable of creating Alters through Command Spells alone, so she assumes he has some kind of secret ritual. As Xquic observes everything in Mictlan, Nitocris asks her to tell her how a Servant can become a Watcher. Nitocris’ resolve tells Xquic that she imagines such a thing will prove necessary, so she agrees to tell her what she saw transpire.[29]
Now back in the observatory, Ritsuka notices it is now smoky and they’re feeling dizzy. Xquic apologizes for the delay, but with preparations complete, the Popul ritual can now begin.[29]
She affirms she can see everything from the second to eighth layer, yet Daybit proved to be the exception. From the point of view of someone in an observatory, the space Daybit occupied was always dark without light. It was as if he was an immaterial hollow. Da Vinci compares it to the mega-sized structures in space called supervoids. They look normal when viewed up close, but from afar, they appear as nothing more than darkness.[29]
As an observer, Xquic cannot see what Daybit is doing. The only ones capable of knowing his past actions are Daybit himself and the time of Mictlan. Therefore, Xquic wants the heroes to look at this time. Through the incense, the Popol ritual will commence, linking the heroes’ consciousness to Mictlan’s. Xquic will set the time to be one year ago in Metztitlán. The heroes then undergo the ritual to experience firsthand the actions Daybit took during this one-year period.[29]
After learning what he did from Xquic, Daybit went to the Fourth Underworld and fought Camazotz. By expending a single Command Spell, he fought the king to a standstill. Camazotz told him he earned the right to enter Calakmul, but first he demanded Daybit tell him of his world’s mythologies. He wished to know whether or not he existed in his world as well.[29]
On the ninth layer, Daybit saw ORT was still dead like he suspected, but from a lack of fuel and nothing else. He deduced it would be reactive if he could seal its wound using a great enough quantity of quality Magic Circuits. However, due to the cosmic rays, he would need to return a year from now, so he will need to prepare until then. He then summoned Tezcatlipoca through the power of the land, requiring someone who was above good and evil and saw conflict as virtuous.[29]
In the jungle, Blue Tezcatlipoca chastised Black Tezcatlipoca for wanting to heed Daybit’s summoning that he created a body for him to possess. He decided if Black Tezcatlipoca would support Daybit, he would support the “other guys”.[29]
In the newly constructed Mexico City, Tezcatlipoca has rallied the Ocelomeh, ready to slaughter the deinos. Tezcatlipoca. also constructed an underwater channel to send the deinos hearts down to ORT’s wound, which will take a year to heal. In addition, he has the final candidate whom he intends to turn into himself by the end of the year. Daybit reminded him that only someone with a resolute will and sturdy ideology can become a command for ORT. The upcoming year is all for the sake of destroying the planet and cleansing it of mankind.[29]
The vision ends. Da Vinci reviews what they all just saw. Tepeu explains the poisonous gases that permeate the eighth and ninth layers clear up for a few days once every year. Daybit accomplished his first Underworld Pilgrimage during this time, which is approaching again. If his second pilgrimage is not stopped, the planet is doomed.[29]
Mash questions why would Daybit want to destroy the planet, calling it tantamount to suicide. Nitocris concludes stopping Daybit is now their top priority and asks Kukulkan and Xquic when the toxic gases will clear. Kukulkan, however, was supposedly too preoccupied with her thoughts to answer. Xquic answers that there is no precise way of telling, only that it is “in a few days”.[29]
Nitocris takes solace in the fact Daybit only has one Command Spell left and she suspects he will use his last one to revive ORT. Daybit cannot be allowed to reach the bottom layer, so Nitocris proposes they rally the deinos together by explaining the situation. With them, they can storm Mexico City and capture Daybit, thereby preventing ORT’s revival.[29]
But Xquic tells the Chaldeans that the end of the world isn’t their responsibility, so she implores them to relax. The deinos do not engage in conflict, nor do they resist. They only obey. It is thanks to that they have been able to spend their lives in peace for the last six billion years. The world ending is simply nature running its course and nothing to be sad about. All life is equal and death is impartial, so whatever happens and to whomever it happens, there is no need for sadness. The desire to protect is not enough of a reason to go to battle. It is not the way of life and therefore is wrong.[29]
Xquic immediately realizes her attempt to make the Chaldeans feel better backfired, for which she apologizes. But what she said is still true because even if Daybit doesn’t awaken ORT, Mictlan’s end is still nigh. She is surprised Tepeu never told the Chaldeans and reveals Mictlan’s sun will soon reach its limit. Once ten more cycles have passed, the sun will explode, rendering all life in Mictlan extinct. Mictlan is a world whose destruction has long since been predetermined and all deinos know it.[29]
Literary Fragment (III)[]
At night in the jungle, Vucub secretly meets with Izcalli, who is accompanied by a few Ocelomeh. Izcalli orders his warriors to stand down since Vucub came alone as promised. He and Vucub shall now have a discussion between kings, but seeing the latter’s reaction, he questions if he lacks the resolve to be one.[30]
Vucub declares he is a king, the one worthy of ruling over the deinos. He cannot trust Kukulkan nor the Dinosaur King. He believes the deinos to be the ideal mankind created by Malla while the Ocelomeh are subhumans unblessed by Malla. Under ordinary circumstances, he wouldn’t speak to them, but he will knowingly resort to it if Izcalli’s goal is to extend Mictlan’s lifespan. If Izcalli truly claims he can save the sun, then Vucub will give him the Solar Itinerancy, Chichén Itzá, and the Border.[30]
Izcalli proclaims Mictlan has no need for two capitals. He will leave a few deinos alive, but Chichén Itzá will be razed to the ground. It was built by the Kingdom of Ka’an so they could survive in Mictlan. Izcalli feels it is wrong for the deinos who possess everything yet require nothing to use it.[30]
Vucub agrees, saying he will issue false orders to the warriors at the great plains. He will leave the rest to Izcalli. He asks him how they can carry the Border, though. Izcalli answers they do not need it as it will be turned to scrap where it lies. With Proper Human History as their enemy, Tlaloc is bound to appear. Izcalli is disappointed Ritsuka is absent as he was looking forward to shattering their hopes before their very eyes.[30]
Meanwhile, it is revealed Rasputin and U-Olga Marie have been staying at Tepeu’s heritage. From here, they can easily escape Mictlan and the Lostbelt all together in case the former is destroyed. They need to ensure the future of ORT destroying the planet goes unrealized. However, Rasputin states the task of stopping ORT shall be left to himself and “him”. Afterward, U-Olga Marie can fuse with ORT. Rasputin advises her to remain in the hermitage and recover while watching over everything from on high.[30]
U-Olga Marie insists she intended to do all that from the start. Her memories are still incomplete, but she has grasped what she is. The only ones in the Lostbelt who can oppose her are Kukulkan, ORT, and Camazotz, who is a ⯀⯀⯀⯀⯀ born in this Lostbelt. Rasputin recommends leaving him to Chaldea.[30]
She didn’t notice it before, but U-Olga Marie now notices Tepeu’s hermitage feels similiar to the Underworld Borders. She asks what he researched here.[30]
Answering, Rasputin describes the different types of Mystic Eyes to her. The most extraordinary among them are the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, which allow the possessor to perceive the death in all things. Tepeu is the one who possesses them in this Lostbelt, though the power of his Mystic Eyes are very faint. U-Olga Marie concludes that for a member of a pacifist species such eyes will only bring him misery.[30]
Suddenly she detects an army of Ocelomeh moving into the third layer and suspects they intend to assault Chichén Itzá. Rasputin deduces Tezcatlipoca took advantage of Kukulkan’s momentary absence to attack the city.[30]
He tells U-Olga Marie that while the hospitality she received at Chichén Itzá has left her indebted to them that only applies to her amnesic self. The battle between the Ocelomeh and the deinos has nothing to do with them. Rasputin thus implores U-Olga Marie for the sake of the pending Human Order Compilation to not make any rash decisions.[30]
Flower War[]
The heroes return to the fifth layer. Tepeu apologizes to the Chaldeans for intentionally withholding information about the sun from them. He did it not only because it had nothing to do with Proper Human History mankind but also because he didn’t want them to view the deinos’ way of life with such a preconception.[31]
Da Vinci tells Tepeu he has nothing to apologize for and is certain his consideration for their feelings helped lessen their anxiety. It makes her feel outmatched by the deinos, impressed by their extraordinary intelligence and morality. She considers them the only type of humanity who doesn’t start a riot in an environment where the sun is about to explode.[31]
Habetrot doesn’t like that, as she feels if you have reached the point where you cannot be saved, there should be at least one last thing you want to do.[31]
Da Vinci recommends they return to Chichén Itzá and request aid from the Dinosaur King. They can either capture Daybit while he is still in Mexico City or set a trap when he crosses Xoxoauhqui on his Underworld Pilgrimage. Either way, they will need the deinos’ support. Mash agrees, thinking they’ll reunite with U-Olga Marie if they return to Chichén Itzá . But that is just wishful thinking on her part, as everyone knows U-Olga Marie isn’t coming back.[31]
Kadoc then suddenly calls the heroes, inquiring if they are unharmed. Mash answers they are unharmed and are currently on their way to Chichén Itzá. Kadoc warns them that Chichén Itzá is currently under siege by the Ocelotl Army, which bypassed the warriors on the great plains somehow. He urges the expedition team to return to the Border at once as the crew defend it on their own. Goredolf is overheard desperately trying to organize the Marines. Kadoc ends the call, saying they can hold out for a day and implores the heroes to return before then.[31]
In Chichén Itzá, the deinos and Ocelomeh are killing one another. Izcalli is annoyed that it takes thirty men just to kill one deinos. He didn’t expect they would endure casualties with cutting-edge equipment. Regardless, they have gained control of the entrance, so Izcalli orders 4th through 8th squadrons to subjugate the city’s south and 9th through 17th squadrons to repel the warriors returning from the plains. He commands them to slaughter every deinos they see and bring their hearts to Tezcatlipoca. He declares it is all for the sake of their sun and turning Mexico City into an eternal capital. The Ocelomeh head out as ordered.[31]
Tezcatlipoca is impressed by Izcalli and feels it wasn’t necessary for him to come. But Izcalli tells him his divine presence on the battlefield raises the morale of their warriors and everything they feel is in dedication to him. They will slaughter everyone in the city without mercy. This is their final battle to exterminate the deinos--the second flower war, Xochiyaoyotl.[31]
Amused, Tezcatlipoca asks Izcalli if he heard that from Tlaloc or if it popped into his head without him understanding the fate that it has bestowed upon him. Izcalli is confused, but Tezcatlipoca tells him to worry about it, just something he is personally looking forward to. He then tells him to fulfill his duties. Meanwhile, he will kill the deinos on the main street as payment for all the Ocelomeh who died in vain here and show what a real Ocelotl is made of.[31]
Chichén Itzá besieged
With her sniper, Koyanskaya kills Ocelomeh who were just about to kill a deino. The deinos allowed her to continue conducting her business and NFF Services does not so readily abandon its loyal customers. She tells the deino to escape while they can. In the meantime, she will handle all the Ocelomeh on the main street. She would also like the deino to find any other unharmed deinos and to help them escape as well. The deino agrees to what Koyanksaya and leaves grateful to her.[31]
Koyanksaya finds it tragic that the deinos never lose composure even when their friends are killed before them and yet are still grateful to be saved. The Ocelomeh would never stand a chance if the deinos actually fought, but the deinos do not consider all this violence to be of concern.[31]
More Ocelomeh appear. Koyanskaya states this is a battle for survival. She will not say which side is “good”, but she cannot back both. She then proceeds to fight and kill the Ocelomeh.[31]
To her surprise, the Ocelomeh had made modifications to her tank, remarking that their technological advancements shouldn’t be underestimated. Nevertheless, it is still within expected parameters. The enemy numbers 20 platoons, which Koyanskaya can handle 40% of by herself.[31]
Hearing Koyanksaya is refusing to support both sides, Tezcatlipoca questions if she is quitting the “business”. He calls NFF Services warmongers who supply weapons, dealers of death just like him. He therefore tells Koyanskaya to give up helping others as it will only lead her to a tragic death. Showing himself equipped in full black Ocelotl gear, he fights Koyanskaya.[31]
Meanwhile, Wakchan kills the Ocelomeh. He has feared them for some time but not because they massacre the deinos or how their weapons gradually become stronger or how their total numbers keep increasing. Rather he was afraid of being hated, of being misunderstood, and the thought that the Ocelomeh might have something the deinos lack. He continues killing the Ocelomeh disgusted with himself and apparently he is the only deino like this.[31]
Long ago in the past Malla had apparently decided differing species cannot understand one another and the deinos are the only Prime Species in Mictlan. But the voices of Malla can no longer be heard and it is unknown if the priests can hear them anymore. The deinos never felt unhappy but Wakchan wonders if that is only because they never knew what unhappiness was.[31]
Wakchan hurries to the shrine, which he was heading for already. Deinos close to death always take shelter there. Non-warrior deinos have no interest in battle whatsoever, so they will not fight back even if a Ocelotl attacks them, even if their bodies strike back reflexively when attacked. Ocelomeh die easily that way, but a dying deino lives enough to be attacked incessantly before they die with “why?” being their only thought. Wakchan refuses to let that happen.[31]
He runs, killing any Ocelomeh in his way. But seeing the shrine surrounded by Ocelomeh he fears it is too late for the people inside. Fortunately, U-Olga Marie arrives and removes the Ocelomeh. She tells the deinos to escape to the forest and flies off. Wakchan arrives just in time to see her leave.[31]
The heroes reach Chichén Itzá and decide they split up. Nitocris and Da Vinci to the Border Ritsuka, Mash, Kukulkan to the shrine. Da Vinci permits the deployment of the Black Barrel if the situation calls for it and if it is judged that it will not cause civilian casualties. Mash equips the Ortenaus and rushes into the city with Ritsuka and Kukulkan.[31]
Ritsuka’s team neutralizes the Ocelomeh on the main street. They get ready to head for the shrine when a bloody and beaten Koyanskya is thrown in their direction, crashing into a building. The one who threw her Tezcatlipoca now understands RItsuka prioritizes other lives over their ship. As such, he will take what they consider more important, believing those who clamor for life should pay with their life.[31]
Tlaloc is attacking the Border. Inside, Professor and Sion are manufacturing a torpedo coated in Quetzalcoatl’s Authority reproduced using Chaldea’s Spirit Origins. Quetzalcoatl once killed tlaloc in Aztec myth, so the torpedo will definitely pierce her Spirit Core. But they will need to create an opening for them to use it, so Nemo requests Kadoc’s advice on luring Tlaloc to the starboard bow.[31]
Kadoc, after checking the topedoe’s trajectory, requests the hangar hatch to be opened quietly. He will go out and provoke Tlaloc. Goredolf warns Tlaloc’s lightning whip will turn him to ash and suggests Kadoc provoking her from inside. Kadoc doubts a god like Tlaloc would listen to a human, though. He has a bunch of anti-lightning charms, so he may survive one or two hits. Still, he would need a Servant capable of holding out against Tlaloc regardless and requests Nemo’s help.[31]
Nemo agrees, stating that as long as he is in the Border’s vicinity, he will not have the same difficulties he had in Mexico City. He tells Goredofl to command the torpedo fire and Meuniere to man the trigger. He and Kadoc then get ready to go out and hold out until the others arrive when they’re contacted by Da Vinci.[31]
She and Nitocris currently have eyes on both the Border and Tlaloc from cover. Goredolf assures Da Vinci they already have a plan to neutralize Tlaloc, but they need more Servants for it to work. He therefore calls on Da Vinci and Nitocris to keep Kadoc and Nemo safe when they sortie from the Border by attacking Tlaloc. The plan is to force Tlaloc into effective weapons range.[31]
Nitocris gets Tlaloc’s attention by calling her whip vulgar. She has deduced that she is a Proper Human History Heroic Spirit yet she opposes Chaldea in spite of being tasked with defending the Human Order. She admonishes her for bringing shame to good names of Proper Human History Heroic Spirits by allowing the massacre of the peaceful deinos to ensue. But she assumes Tlaloc is only following Tezcatlipoca against her will and so tries to propose they join forces against him, seeing no reason for her to protect Mictlan.[31]
With a crack of thunder, Tlaloc interrupts Nitocris, appalled that the woman who drowned her treacherous vassals would speak of the Human Order. She learned about Nitocris’ legend from Daybit and calls her a coward for killing herself because she couldn’t bear the sin of murdering the priests who murdered her brothers. But she believes they are the same as they would rather indulge in their own interests than the Human Order.[31]
She proclaims “that city” continues to thrive even as a fantasy in the Lostbelt. She considers the Ocelomeh barbarians, but as long as they live in her city, they are people and she believes it is only proper for a god to shed blood for their people. That is why she will destroy Chaldea along with the Border for trying to erase the Lostbelt. Tezcatlipoca told her not to destroy it in case he needed it, but she is disregarding that order and surges her magical energy. Da Vinci and Nitocris fight her with the intention of holding out until the Border’s preparations are complete. Nitocris is perplexed, though, by what Tlaloc said about gods shedding blood for their people.
Preparations are soon complete, and with Tlaloc now in range, Kadoc gives Goredolf the signal. Goredolf orders Meuniere to fire the torpedo. Tlaloc takes a direct hit and is blown away into the forest. Nemo and Da Vinci assume she is defeated, but Marine informs them she is unharmed and coming back. She also has several overlapping Spirit Origins.[31]
Tlaloc is back and not only is she unharmed, but her magical energy output is increasing. Kadoc is shocked that even an Anti-Divine Spirit Warhead was ineffective against her. But Nitocris has realized Tlaloc is not a Divine Spirit at all and tells her gods do not cause bloodshed for the sake of man. Tlaloc is something which in some cases exceeds Divine Spirits.[31]
Nitocris understands the Border will be destroyed if nothing is done, but there isn’t enough time to oppose Tlaloc. However, there is another option. As one of the four Servants chosen by TRISMEGISTUS II, each of whom is affiliated with the underworld, she can make her underworld a reality in Mictlan if she chooses to become a Watcher using the ritual Xquic taught her. If she becomes an Alter, she might be able to change the situation.[31]
Camazotz attacks Tlaloc.
She tells Da Vinc, Nemo, and Kadoc to evacuate the Border, ready to sacrifice herself to hold Tlaloc off. But then suddenly a muddy figure flies in from the forest, grabs Tlaloc high into the sky, slams her back down, and chops her into pieces. Nitocris knows it is Camazotz and asks if his saving them is one of his mean-spirited pranks.[31]
Camazotz denies he was trying to save them rather it was to prevent Tlaloc from revealing her true form. If that were to happen, everyone would have become sacrifices for her to decorate her altars with. Camazotz thinks that would have been a dull outcome and would rather prefer they dedicate their deaths to him. He declares the Underworld Pilgrimage will soon begin, which means the way to the eighth layer will open. He leaves, inviting the Chaldeans to the eighth layer.[31]
Meanwhile, in Chichén Itzá, Ritsuka and Mash both see Tezcatlipoca’s Spirit Origin is different from when they encountered him in Mexico City. Mash remembers in Aztec creation myth there are four Tezcatlipocas, one for each cardinal direction: red, blue, black, and white. As the one they meet in Mexico City was Black Tezcatlipoca, the God of Darkness representing night, battle, and a previous sun, she surmises the one before them is Red Tezcatlipoca, the Maize God of Death and Rebirth.[31]
Tezcatlipoca confirms he is and reveals he changes into the other Tezcatlipocas when it is called for but never white, as that is Quetzalcoatl. He swears to kill her himself, irritated that people speak as if they’re the same being. Speaking of Quetzalcoatl, Habetrot informs Ritsuka and Mash that Kukulkan left suddenly.[31]
It does not surprise Tezcatlipoca that Kukulkan had left. The battle is between two different Mictlan tribes, so she cannot get involved. She only intervened in Mexico City because the battle was between outsiders. She also joined the underworld expedition to keep outsiders safe. It is a matter of pride for Malla if their guests are harmed.[31]
Tezcatlipoca insists Kukulkan is far more cold-blooded, cruel, and inhuman than he is. He calls her a system meant only to oversee Mictlan’s fate until the end and bless those who remain afterward. He has no enemies because he is the god of all who strive to survive, but Kukulkan will ultimately become Proper Human History’s enemy. Ritsuka remembers back in Dumuzid’s hideout that Kukulkan suggested she was only pretending to be friendly. Regardless, Tezcatlipoca thinks humans are free to think what they want.[31]
However, with the calavera no longer in possession, he has lost all interest in letting Ritsuka live. He declares the trial over and prepares to kill Ritsuka, increasing the magical energy in his right leg. Mash recommends Ritsuka summon the strongest forces they can. The two then engage Tezcatlipoca in battle.[31]
Fortunately, U-Olga Marie arrives to help. Tezcatlipoca realizes U-Olga Marie regained her memories and is disgusted she would help the survivors of Proper Human History she had bleached. U-Olga Marie insists she still has amnesia, but Tezcatlipoca knows she should have remembered everything once she saw him back in Mexico City. It infuriates him that she would deny the truth even now and that Ritsuka and Mash would keep it from her. U-Olga Marie is devastated that the two knew she was the Alien God from the start and flies off.[31]
Tezcatlipoca tells Ritsuka and Mash it is possible to build mutual trust with an amnesiac enemy if you hide the truth from them. But that is only for as long as it takes before the facade collapses and the greatest the trust the more painful the collapse. If nothing was built up, there would be nothing to see crumble. Civilizations are the same way because the more they prosper the worse the aftermath is.[31]
A siren suddenly sounds off from the altar and day becomes night. Tezcatlipoca takes the fact the sun has changed course to mean Izcalli killed the Dinosaur King. He declares Xochiyaoyotl is at an end, so now only ORT’s awakening remains. He looks forward to seeing whether Chaldea or Daybit will arrive there first, then leaves. Mash asks RItsuka if they have done something very regrettable.[31]
Earlier, Izcalli with an entourage of Ocelomeh killed his way up to the altar to the Dinosaur King. Not aware who he was speaking to, Izcalli demanded the Dinosaur King take him to the Dinosaur King, promising to spare him if he did. But the Dinosaur King laughed at him for not knowing who he was and revealed he was Tezcatlipoca---Blue Tezcatlipoca. He is the same god as Tezcatlipoca, who made Izcalli from maize.[31]
While Izcalli was shocked and confused, the Ocelomeh prostrated themselves before the Dinosaur King. Finding him pathetic, the Dinosaur King wondered if he should call Izcalli by his birth name, which only Izcalli and Tezcatlipoca know. Izcalli refused to believe the king was Tezcatlipoca and that he would take the side of the deinos. But the Dinosaur King told him Tezcatlipoca is impartial and gives everyone an equal chance to kill each other.[31]
On the topic of a “one-year Tezcatlipoca”, the Dinosaur King recalled in Aztec civilization the people and the king would make offerings to Tezcatlipoca by choosing a boy for him to incarnate into. Over the year, Tezcatlipoca’s chosen vessel is forced to become the strongest, most beautiful person there is while simultaneously being offered better food and pleasures than even the king. If the vessel manages a single year, they will be considered Tezcatlipoca made manifest.[31]
Izcalli confirmed that is the case and that killing the king of the deinos is the final step in that process. Once that is accomplished, he will become equal to Tezcatlipoca. But Izcalli was hesitant to kill the Dinosaur King because the latter is a god. The Dinosaur King called it a test of Tezcatlipoca's to see if Izcalli was ready to become his vessel and offered no resistance.[31]
To justify himself, Izcalli asked the Dinosaur King if he was a Proper Human History god or a Lostbelt god. If the former the Dinosaur King is the enemy and will die, but if the latter, he is an ally and will live. Izcalli presumed the Dinosaur King was a Proper Human History because he allied with Chaldea. But to his devastation, the Dinosaur King revealed he was a Lostbelt god while Tezcatlipoca was a Proper Human History god. If Tezcatlipoca wasn’t, he wouldn’t have brought guns or built Mexico City. He never had any intention of protecting the Lostbelt. Izcalli opens fire on the Dinosaur King, killing him in a fit of rage.[31]
With the Dinosaur King dead, Izcalli ordered his warriors to blow the siren of victory for the others to withdraw once they collected the Solar Itinerancy. The moment the siren sounded, the Ocelomeh began to withdraw back to Mexico City. With the seizure of the Solar Itinerancy, the sun’s stoppage point moved from Chichén Itzá to Mexico City. Even after 20 hours, the sun’s light does not reach Chichén Itzá and so night continues.[31]
The Ocelomeh’s victory was nevertheless a pyrrhic one. Of the 2000 Ocelomeh who participated in the battle, only 16 survived to withdraw. In addition, it was discovered while burying their bodies that the Ocelomeh are apemen. Though born in Mictlan, Malla never protected them. They are Mictlan’s newest and weakest species. The circumstances of their birth combined with their paltry capabilities meant deinos could only view them as inferior. It is believed Tezcatlipoca granted them knowledge, weapons, and jaguar masks, educating them to become the new humanity.[31]
Sixty-two deinos survived, including Vucub. He confessed he let the Ocelomeh into the city and that he considers Kukulkan, the Dinosaur King, and all other deinos are unworthy to lead. Only the Ocelomeh were willing to fight to extend Mictlan’s lifespan and save it from being pruned. Vucub denied he did anything wrong and he was imprisoned in chains for his crimes. Yet despite his treachery, none of the deinos resent Vucub, believing he had his reasons. They only regret that they do not understand how pterosaurs or Ocelomeh think.[31]
Despite their intelligence, the deinos haven’t developed at all in over 66 million years. They were always exempt from the principle intelligent beings achieve progress beyond adaptive evolution. Their great capacity for empathy made them unable to discover “extraordinary”. They had no need for anything beyond blissfully living their lives in the ideal environment Malla created for, but that will soon to an end.[31]
Malla never created their paradise above ground because they always intended to die out together with the demise of the sun. Their will was to end Mictlan without anyone ever knowing. No matter how complete its civilization may have been, this Lostbelt could never become a threat to humanity. Gran Cavallo can only hope their recording of how Mictlan’s end plays out will suffice as the only parting gift Chaldea can offer.[31]
Outside the city proper, Kukulkan replays what Malla told her back in Metztitlán. An anomaly was detected in deinos thought patterns. The Fantasy Tree in the ninth layer has resumed activity and due to the regrowth of bark the leakage of cosmic rays has decreased. Protection of the Tree is now of the highest priority and all entry to the ninth layer is forbidden.[31]
Kukulkan concludes Malla is ordering her to kill the Chaldeans without exception. Malla never deviates from their decisions, so she hoped she misheard. Nevertheless she decides to kill the Chaldeans quickly, insisting she has always been a heartless god.[31]
Epilogue[]
In the Border’s control room, everyone is at a loss for words about what happened in Chichén Itzá. But Nemo reminds everyone they’re still in the middle of an operation, so they do not have time to mourn. Goresolf agrees they will mourn afterwards and summarizes the results of the battle.[32]
Koyanskaya is currently in the sickbay recuperating from her defeat by Tezcatlipoca. She said she has her own magical energy supply, so she doesn’t need a Master. She claimed she is unbeatable if the conditions are right. Goredolf thinks she is delusional and hopes no mage in Chaldea is reckless enough to provide magical energy to such a dangerous Servant.[32]
Chaldea has lost track of the Deinonychus Brothers, who went to repel the Ocelomeh surrounding the Border. When they left, the seventh brother left a message for Ritsuka and Mash: “Don’t worry, we’ll turn it around during overtime!”[32]
U-Olga Marie has regained her memories as the Alien God and left Chichén Itzá, so Goredolf doubts any further cooperation with her. At the moment, Chaldea’s enemies in the Lostbelt are Daybit and Tezcatlipoca, but their greatest enemy is still the Alien God. Goredolf wants Ritsuk and Mash to be mindful of this fact.[32]
Ritsuka and Mash believe U-Olga Marie is still the Olga Marie, though. Mash tries suggesting talking to her but Goredolf cuts her off, rejecting the very notion U-Olga Marie is the former director. She, as the Alien God, possesses a stellar-grade Spirit Origin, making her extremely dangerous. Goredolf therefore wants RItsuka and Mash to be logical about this. The same goes for Kadoc whom Goredolf wants to keep an eye on Ritsuka and Mash.[32]
Da Vinci agrees with Goredolf that U-Olga Marie will have to be dealt with. But she identifies Kukulkan as a problem, feeling she will become an enemy, like Tezcatlipoca said. Chaldea so far hasn’t shown any hostility toward Mictlan, but that is about to change as they have to down the Fantasy Tree. There is also Daybit trying to awaken ORT to destroy the world. Both parties are a danger to Mictlan, meaning from Kukulkan’s perspective, anything not native to Mictlan is an enemy. That is why she attacked the Storm Border.[32]
Ritsuka had reached an accord with the deinos, so Kukulkan was Chaldea’s ally. But it is no longer necessary for Chaldea to protect the deinos so Malla’s next consensus will be that Chaldea must be eliminated. Da Vinci wonders to herself though if Kukulkan is truly acting in accordance with Malla’s will or if she has deviated from it.[32]
Goredolf concludes Kukulkan shall be considered their enemy then. He says the command staff can formulate a strategy based on the currently available information. He grants Ritsuka, Mash, and Kadoc a two-hour break, reminding them they will reconvene afterward.[32]
Ritsuka, Mash, and Kadoc leave the Border. Ritsuka decides they and Mash are going to check on how the deinos are faring and if they find anyone they know. Wakchan then walks up. Mash is relieved to see him safe and sound. She asks him if he knows what happened to the brothers or to Tepeu.[32]
Wakchan answers he didn’t see the brothers, but Tepeu said he was going home. There are more deinos in the shrine, so it’s possible the brothers are there as well. RItsuka and Mash immediately head there. Kadoc tries to go after them, thinking they are going to disrupt the deinos’ mourning. But Wakchan stops him, wanting to know what happened between U-Olga Marie and Chaldea. Kadoc agrees to tell him about her as repayment for him protecting the Border.[32]
Ritsuka and Mash arrive at the shrine but are unable to find the brothers. Every deinos in town seems to be at the shrine, so Mash assumes they are having a conference. But spotting the Chaldeans, the deinos assume they have come to speak about Proper Human History. None of them are the least bit upset about what happened to their city.[32]
Mash asks the deinos what they plan to do now, lamenting the fact Mictlan will be exploded when the sun explodes and Chichén Itzá was destroyed because of Proper Human History’s knowledge. She thinks they would be justified in blaming Proper Human History for the destruction of their city.[32]
The deinos know RItsuka and Mash feel guilty about what happened. They were delighted when the Chaldeans had asked them if they harbored any hostility against Proper Human History because it showed they never forget the state of affairs in a Lostbelt even while fighting them. It would have been easier to discard such painful memories and it is thanks to that stories exist in Proper Human History. The deinos are too carefree to record their history.[32]
Mash realizes Tepeu wasn’t special at all in his comprehension. The deinos confirm they all have the same level of intelligence. Tepeu is different from them because his physical makeup affects his perception of things.[32]
The deinos then depart for the forest, seeing no reason to stay in Chichén Itzá with both the Solar Itinerancy and the Dinosaur King gone. They wish the Chaldeans the best and remind them that their extinction is inevitable.[32]
Once full of life, Chichén Itzá is now empty. Mash remarks how the deinos worried about them instead of lamenting their own fate. She thinks it’s wonderful they aren’t resentful or selfish, yet it makes her feel sad. Ritsuka believes that even if the deinos’ extinction is inevitable, something can still be done. The Chaldeans then leave, watched by the Priestess.[32]
With everyone gathered in the control room, Goredolf starts the briefing for the Lostbelt’s final mission. He asks Professor and SIon on the status of the Border’s repairs. Sion and Professor both give their reports on how repairs are progressing, stating it will be another ten hours until the Border is battle ready. Nemo adds they need an engine restart to generate spiritron torpedoes and charge the main battery.[32]
Da Vinci reports the toxic gases filling the eighth layer are decreasing rapidly. According to TRISMEGISTUS II, the eighth and ninth layers will return to normal atmospheric composition in about ten hours. However, the Border isn’t ready to move and if they fly without barriers Kukulkan will cleave the ship. But Goredolf fears Daybit will reach the bottom and awaken ORT before the Border is ready. Therefore, the field team will be sent out in advance, like always.[32]
Goreolf tells RItsuka, Mash, Nitocris, Koyanskaya, and Da Vinci they have two options. First is to trap Daybit on the sixth to eighth layers and neutralize him. Second is to reach the bottom before Daybit does and find and destroy the Tree. TRISMEGISTUS II calculates both these plans have a 50% chance of success. Goredolf asks Ritsuka which plan sounds better.[32]
Ritsuka gives their choice, but Kadoc says they can do both simultaneously. They will split into two groups to attack Daybit and perform the Underworld Pilgrimage. Even if they cannot defeat Daybit, they can still slow him down. Meanwhile, the underworld team can use that time to reach the bottom, cut down the Tree, and excise the Lostbelt. Kadoc decides he will attack Daybit with the Shadow Border and Koyanskya. They will need the best driver and confront Daybit at Xoxoauhqui. Goredolf volunteers to be the driver. Everyone else will undergo the Underworld Pilgrimage.[32]
Nemo agrees with Kadoc’s plan, admitting the original plan was to send out the Shadow Border. The advance team will use it to travel to Xoxoauhqui. There, the pilgrimage team will disembark and head for the bottom. The Daybit assault team will remain in Xoxoauhqui, lay traps, and operate out of the Shadow Border.[32]
However, it is too dangerous for the pilgrimage team to travel on foot, so the cooperation of the deinos is needed. The deinos have abandoned Chichén Itzá, but some may have stayed behind. Nemo will send some Marines to search the city for porters.[32]
On the matter of Tepeu, while he was a well-intentioned collaborator, the battle between Daybit and Chaldea is a Proper Human History matter. Nemo therefore thinks it would be cruel to involve him, but he leaves the decision to Ritsuka. Ritsuka decides they will at least talk to him. Nemo and Da Vinci suspect though that Tepue will jump at the chance to help.[32]
In Mexico City, Izcalli watches the Ocelomeh who returned with him reunite with their families. He assumes the mates of those who did not return consider him as an incompetent king. He notices an Ocelotl, who was groomed as a royal guard for six months, and assumes he is resentful because he wasn’t taken into battle due to his young age.[32]
Izcalli admits to himself he has never known familial love or bonds. From birth he knew he was created in Mictlan in the human form of Proper Human History and raised to become king of the Ocelomeh. He has no friends or family, only base impulses. Tezcatlipoca told him to forget these impulses as a human becomes a god by possessing a soul without hesitation in it.[32]
With his one-year trial as Tezcaltipoca cleared, Izcalli can now finally remove his mask and abandon his childhood name. It is the moment he has wanted when he is granted the power to strike back against everything. Yet his thoughts have become muddled.[32]
At the altar, Tezcatlipoca commends Izcalli for killing the other him, noting only Tezcatlipoca can kill Tezcatlipoca. He admits he never told him that the Dinosaur King was also Tezcatlipoca, but he had faith Izcalli would best him. He proclaims gods are impartial, reminding Izcalli that he must destroy absolutely everything.[32]
Moving on, Tezcatlipoca hopes Izcalli is ready to go to the ninth layer, Chiconahualoyan. They are going to the real holy city on the Lake of the Moon, Aztlan, where it all began, where Izcalli was born. Tezcatlipoca confirms to Izcalli he wasn’t born in Mexico City and clarifies he wouldn't have been able to summon him if it wasn’t for Aztlan.[32]
He asks Izcalli if he would like to bring along the Ocelomeh he trained personally. Izcalli refuses, wanting them to relish in their victory. Tezcatlipoca agrees, remarking you should enjoy what you can even if it will be gone. He and Izcalli then go to join Daybit outside.[32]
Meanwhile, in the forest, U-Olga Marie decides she will not let either Daybit or Chaldea have ORT, refusing to give up what is hers to humans. She has concluded Earthlings are evil and so has no issue with their elimination. She will go to the deepest level while Rasputin will remain behind and watch Chaldea. If she fuses with ORT, there is no doubt the Chaldeans will flee for their ship. She trusts Rasuptin knows what to do when they do.[32]
Rasputin replies he has already made preparations. Chaldea’s lives will end when the Storm Border leaves Mictlan.[32]
Tepeu agrees to be Chaldea’s guide for the Underworld Pilgrimage at Ritsuka’s request. RItsuka goes to wait outside while Tepeu gets ready.[32]
Kukulkan appears and identifies them as an unusual problem from Mictlan’s perspective. She asks them how they would feel if she killed them right now. Ritsuka answers that it would be rather anticlimactic. Their dispassionate response disappoints Kukulkan as she was devising and rehearsing all sorts of lines on her way to Chichén Itzá.
Ritsuka asks her why she didn’t protect Chichén Itzá. Kukulkan reminds RItsuka though that the entire time they traveled together she never once protected the deinos. She even claims to have enjoyed watching from the sky when Camazotz appeared and when the battle for Chichén Itzá happened.[32]
She finds it doesn’t matter how many die when the sun is going to explode anyway. Extinction comes to all, so getting upset over it is meaningless. After all, even though the deinos and Ocelomeh will die off, humanoid mankind will still be born into the world. No matter how it ends, life always finds and Proper Human History is proof. Kukulkan therefore recommends Chaldea leave, seeing no reason for them to die off with Mictlan. Ritsuka informs her, however, they are going to the bottom layer.[32]
Upon hearing this, Kukulkan declares she is her Mictlan’s arbitrator. It is her duty to ensure either the deinos or Ocelomeh go extinct and to choose how that will happen. For that reason, the Lostbelt must survive, so both Daybit and Chaldea are her enemies. She tells RItsuka they will meet again in Calakmul and it is there they will part ways. She then flies off with great speed.[32]
Fourth Underworld: Yayauhqui[]
Riding on Wakchan and Tepeu, the underworld team is nearly at the eighth layer, the Fourth Underworld Border. Everything Tepeu knows about the fourth underworld, Yayauhqui, is what is passed down orally among the priests of Chichén Itzá. At first glance, it looks like a steep mountain range, but it is actually hollow with massive cavern inside. It is also Camazotz’s lair.[11]
Wakchan worries about fighting Camazotz and wishes they had Kukulkan with them. But Tepeu reminds him Kukulkan does not fight those native to Mictlan and furthermore, Chaldea is currently one of her targets. If they come across, she will kill everyone. Wakchan remembers Kukulkan is quite ruthless when it comes to eliminating threats to Mictlan’s peace. But he is fine with fighting Kukulkan if it ever comes to that, considering there is no rule against disobeying a god. He thinks both she and Chaldea are both righteous in wanting to protect their respective worlds, so he will help whichever side he can.[11]
Sion calls in and agrees they need to be cautious of Kukulkan, but also for the unaccounted for U-Olga Marie. There is a high possibility that, together with Rasputin, she has started making moves to acquire ORT. Nitocris concludes Kukulkan and the Alien God are their final obstacle then. Da Vinci agrees, though at the moment their biggest concerns are the Kadoc Assault Squad’s results and Yayauhqui. She trusts Sion to continue supporting Kadoc’s team.[11]
Ereshkigal Alter had told Kadoc’s team she cannot help them directly for various reasons. First, they have yet to overcome Xoxoauhqui. Under normal circumstances she wouldn’t let them act so freely, but she is allowing them out of consideration for Ritsuka and the others. Second, Daybit already overcame Xoxoauhqui so she cannot meddle with him. Third, she needs to find Dumuzid. However, she will immediately report the route Daybit when he arrives to provide Kaodc’s team with the possible chances of a successful ambush.[11]
An hour later, Ereshkigal Alter sends over a projection of Daybit’s route. Seeing he is moving fairly fast, Goredolf decides he will ram Daybit at the junction point. But Kadoc recommends changing the junction point to the middle of the desert. There, he and Koyanskya will plant all the beast traps and explosives they have. Goredolf agrees with the plan and starts driving to the new junction point.[11]
Koyanskaya asks Kadoc if he found anything useful in his investigations. Kadoc replies he found a document which may explain Daybit’s past. The information wasn’t really worthwhile though to the point it wasn’t relevant to their theories. That is why he never spoke about it during the mission briefing. But now he thinks is good opportunity to provide a quick summary of how Daybit became the “Enfant Terrible of the Clock Tower”.[11]
Daybit was a student of the Department of Lore led by Headmaster Brishisan, but every department studies the lore of different mythologies as common knowledge. For the Association, what is truly treated as “lore” are existences which transcend common knowledge. Lore likely studied substances not from Earth---Out-of-Place artifacts. All of them are threats to humanity and it is the purpose of Lore to discover, study, and quarantine them. That is why Brishisan is the Lord of Lore, because no ordinary mage born in the common era could ever hope to control it.[11]
Lore is the select few under the Headmaster’s direct command and those assigned to it must devote their lifetimes to decoding extraterrestrial threats. It is not easy to quit, so Goredolf assumes the Animuspheres scouted Daybit personally. Kadoc corrects him, though, that the Animuspheres had nothing to do with it. It is possible Marisbury sent him an invitation, but Daybit left Lore on his own and entered Astromancy to join Chaldea.[11]
Bizarrely, there is no trace of him in the Clock Tower’s records before his eight years in Lore. All that is known is that he was a genius who suddenly appeared at the Clock Tower at the age of 10. Kadoc, therefore, stopped looking into Daybit’s past and instead started looking through Lore’s documents. With Sion’s help, he was able to read a file called Document: Five minutes.[11]
On July 2004, all magecraft spells in London were frozen. Everyone noticed the disturbance, but everything returned to normal quickly. The mages at the time never reported it, so it was never made official and no one was ever charged for the affair.[11]
At the same time, in the preparation room of one of Lore’s instructors, an Angelic Artifact was exposed. The exposure only lasted 0.2 seconds in real time and it is likely the origin of why all spells in the Clock Tower froze. The instructor disappeared, his name not only erased from Lore’s records but from everyone’s minds as well save possibly Brishisan. Only his 10-year-old son at the time survived, though his whereabouts afterward were unknown. But a few months later, a prodigy with no history suddenly appeared at Lore on Brishisan’s recommendation. Kadoc conjectures that this boy was Daybit.[11]
Goredolf terrifiedly recalls some theorize Angelic Artifacts vaporize the brain and turn them into a signal receiver for the beings who dropped the artifacts on Earth. Koyanskaya now understands what Kirschtaria meant when he said Daybit always thought and acted differently from mankind. Goredolf wonders then if Daybit was a pawn of the Alien God all along.[11]
The team arrives at the attack point. Kadoc has Goredolf turn off the Shadow’s engines and have it enter camouflage mode to blend in with the sand dunes. He and Koyanskaya then head out to plant a massive minefield.[11]
Driving a jeep, Daybit, Tezcatlipoca, and Izcalli arrive in Xoxoauhqui unexpectedly beset by a sandstorm. Izcalli asks Tezcatlipoca where Tlaloc went as he didn’t see her when they left Mexico City. Tezcatlipoca assumes she lost given she has returned to his side. He originally summoned her to construct Mexico City, so she has more than fulfilled her role. Tlaloc was the one who actually built Mexico City, not him, since she was more suitable, given the terrain. Mexico City is the modern name for the Aztec capital built on Metztliapan, the Lake of the Moon. Izcalli has a brief spell of dizziness upon hearing this.[11]
Daybit Sem Void expertly driving through the Kadoc Assault Squad's minefield.
The jeep hits a landmine. Daybit uses the driving skills he learned from movies to escape the minefield, but there is a Divine Spirit-class Servant ahead. Koyanskaya emerges from the sandstorm in her final Ascension, having lied in wait for them. Thanks to Kadoc and Goredolf’s magical energy, she has become the Goddess of Weaponry Ikusautsuwa-no-Oomikami. Tezcatlipoca is unsure if he can defeat her, so Daybit tells him to go on ahead with Izcalli.[11]
The moment Tezcatlipoca leaves with Izcalli, Daybit tries ramming his jeep into Koyanksya in a suicide attack. It fails, though, thanks to Koyanskaya destroying the jeep with Daybit escaping at the last moment. She is incredulous he would try to fight while his Servant escapes, considering it the opposite of what a normal person would do.[11]
Daybit remarks Kadoc has taken drastic measures by making a temporary contract with Koyanskaya, a Beast candidate. He further comments that mankind never takes the easy way out, no matter how dangerous, fully aware of the consequences it may bring. A mysterious shadow then emerges from him.[11]
Earlier after Daybit drove out of the minefield, Goredolf wanted to chase after him. Kadoc told him to be patient, admitting he wasn’t expecting the minefield to stop Daybit. He reminded him Koyanskaya is their main firepower, supplied with both their magical energy and that of the Shadow’s equipment. They will only become collateral damage if they get in her way.[11]
Kadoc and Goredolf then witnessed Tezcatlipoca and Izcalli’s escape and Daybit’s failed attempt to ram Koyanskaya. Goredolf thinks they won, so he orders Daybit to be captured, followed by Tezcatlipoca. Kadoc thinks with his beast-tracking spells at Koyanskaya’s rear, they will be able to track Tezcatlipoca. However, Goredolf notices strange fluctuations in the Human Order Foundation value. He realizes something and tells Kadoc to reinforce himself when the Shadow is suddenly hit and everything goes dark.[11]
Yayauhqui
The underworld team arrives at Yayauhqui. Due to the sheer cliffs, the heroes form a single-file line so as not to fall to their deaths as they make their way to the summit. Habetrot is at the front while Wakchan is at the back.[11]
Tepeu asks Da Vinci what Yayauhqui corresponds to in Proper Human History Mictlan. Da Vinci suspects it is the seventh level, Teyollocualoyan. In it, the dead who lose their footing on the path forward have their hearts devoured by a mountain-sized jaguar. Since Yayauhqui is Camazotz’s lair, the similarity between the two underworlds is therefore a confrontation with a monster. Mash concludes fighting against a monster is the requirement to reach the end of Yayauhqui. Ritsuka confirms they can summon in this underworld.[11]
Mash asks Ritsuka if they made any prior preparation for this underworld like they did for the previous underworlds. Ritsuka shows they only have peppermint bat repellant and transparent raincoats.[11]
Da Vinci notices the raincoats are made of alumite, a material used for spacesuits. She wonders why they have them when she remembers the eighth and ninth layers were swarming in cosmic rays until just recently. She tells them to put on the raincoat immediately. This level of radiation is harmless to Servants and deinos but is very harmful for humans. Mash puts the raincoat on RItsuka in 0.7 seconds. Tepeu also points out the repellant is why the ravenous bats living in the cave aren’t attacking.[11]
The heroes continue, intent on reaching the bottom layer before Daybit. But Camazotz, who was secretly behind Wakchan, attacks them with the undead warriors of Ka’an.[11]
After his Familiars are destroyed, Camazotz offers to teach the heroes a shortcut on the condition they give him Nitocris. Ritsuka obviously refuses, so Camazotz decides to kill them, then take Nitocris. But then Ritsuka asks if it is true he defeated ORT. Camazotz takes their question as a challenge against him and a slight toward the Ka’an. He rants about how he held nothing back as he slew ORT, which consumed the Cosmic Tree Ceiba, threw it into the lava, and tore its bizarre entrails with his own claws. He declares he will give RItsuka a demonstration if they do not believe him and begins to transform. Da Vinci detects there are over 100 million murky Spirit Origins inside of him.[11]
Camazotz confesses he felt a kinship with RItsuka. He once related to their feelings as humanity’s last Master but he has forgotten them as they are not needed for mankind’s final warrior. But he admonishes as the weakling who could save his world other than by sacrificing every last one of his subjects. Mash detects his Spirit Origin is Beast to her disbelief. Camazotz finishes his transformation, now a monstrous bat creature, and battles the heroes.[11]
The heroes become surrounded by a massive swarm of bats that absorb light through their skin. Habetrot fires the Black Barrel at an extremely low output to scare them all away. The heroes see Camazotz is gone along with Nitocris, having been abducted by the former.[11]
Nitocris recalls the day she drowned the priests for manipulating her brothers as their puppet pharaohs and murdering them. She did not regret taking her revenge, restoring the prestige of the pharaohs, and then taking her own life. As a pharaoh, she had the right and authority to journey to paradise. But she denied herself such an afterlife, forever seeing herself as a sinner despite how righteous and justified her revenge was.[11]
The summit of Yayauhqui and Camazotz's lair.
She finds herself in Camazotz’s lair, the summit of Yayauhqui . Camazotz admits he impulsively abducted her to turn her into the fourth Watcher. But he had forgotten he used the Command Spells up, so capturing her was pointless.[11]
He asks her why she killed herself after completing her revenge and why she denied herself paradise. He deduces it was because she saw herself as the most sinful of all. It amuses him that she lived her life as an avenger, yet renounced herself once she achieved her revenge to prove she was a sinner to be judged. He calls her an obstinate fool for denying herself godhood and martyring herself for her beliefs.[11]
Nitcoris asks Camazotz why he isn’t bothered by Mictlan’s impending destruction. Camazotz reveals he is completely immortal thanks to his Authority of “Imperishability” so he will continue to exist even if the sun is gone or the planet is destroyed. If he forgets the past, nothing will remain of it, and the present will continue on without any pain, sorrow, or trace of himself. Nitocris understands Camazotz’s immortality was enabled by him forgetting everything without granting himself a single thing.[11]
Camazotz tells Nitocris not to become an Alter, not wanting to look upon a her who is not her. He then makes a bet with her whether or not her companions will come to her rescue. If they flee Mictlan, she will become his, but if they challenge him, he will let her become the Queen of the Underworld. Nitocris declares she is the winner then, pointing to her arriving companions.[11]
The heroes battle Camazotz, but Nitocris knows they cannot defeat him while his curse remains in effect. She acknowledges Camazotz was correct that the reason she killed herself and denied herself paradise was because she regarded herself as a sinner for using underhanded tactics to achieve her revenge. In atonement, she took her own life protecting her heart instead of her chance at the afterlife.[11]
She recalls Xquic had told her the Alters are those who have denounced the core of their Spirit Origin. Protea abandoned the love and adoration she held for humanity and became a cruel and heartless goddess. Beni-enma abandoned her vow to remain a children’s tale and became an adult. Ereshkigal abandoned her dream of making the underworld a land of beauty and became a ruthless goddess. Xquic told Nitocris only she could know it is what she must renounce. However, the circumstances of her legend are not compatible, so unlike the other Servants she must pay a far steeper price.[11]
Nitocris offers her heart to Anubis to judge her soul.
Now understanding what is she must do, Nitocris starts to rip out her own heart. Camazotz begs her to stop. Nitocris realizes the reason Camazotz saved her was because he had forced himself to forget everything so that he would never be driven to suicide. He had imposed upon himself the punishment of undying perpetuity all in order to safeguard his lost human history. Camazotz that those are his feelings, saying all that matters he remains and his body is that for which the people of Ka’an offered themselves. Nitocris then rips out her heart and offers it to Anubis to judge her soul. She declares she is now the avatar of vengeance who administers divine punishment, becoming Nitocris Alter.[11]
Nitocris Alter claims Yayauhqui as hers by covenant through winning Camazotz’s bet. As such, she decrees those who are in this underworld are forbidden from forgetting anything. She declares Camazotz has fled from punishment for 6 million years, and so she shall grant him atonement in death.[11]
With her power, Camazotz is brought to the brink of death. The heroes move to finish him off when Nitocris Alter runs out of magical energy and turns back into Nitocris. Unconscious, she falls from the sky and toward the bottom of the ravine. But then Camazotz takes her into his arms and descends, looking as if he is protecting her. The heroes follow after them.[11]
Camazotz recounts at the precipice of extinction his subjects threw themselves into the crucible at the bottom of which he lay. He was completely indifferent to the deaths of others and himself, yet he worried about Ntocris. Still, he concludes that remembering is good because even if it isn’t forever, remembering what was lost is what it means to live on after one’s passing. He then hits the bottom of the ravine, killing himself.[11]
The heroes arrive to see Nitocris safe and Camazotz gone. Tepeu congratulates the Chaldeans on slaying the greatest threat in Mictlan. Da Vinci considers it a miracle they defeated Camazotz on their own, which was only possible thanks to Nitocris’ help. She deduces though that unlike the other three, her Alter form is more limited. Nitocris confirms becoming Anubis’ avatar is something she could never endure outside the underworld.[11]
Ritsuka regrets that Nitocris had to pay such a heavy price but refuses to say anything so as not to undermine her resolve. They instead just thank her.[11]
Meanwhile, with Chichén Itzá abandoned, Vucub escapes his cell. He criticizes the deinos for ignoring the threat Chaldea and Daybit are to their world despite understanding it. On account of their own might, they will never have the will to live nor sense of danger. Vucub concludes an intellect without comparison can never progress and only he, as the last of his kind, can understand this dread.[11]
But considering it pointless to criticize his fellow deinos now, he leaves for Mexico City to accept the position of priest Izcalli prepared for him. He will use the Ocelomeh to ensure he at the very least survives.[11]
Aquatic Capital (Aztlán/Calakmul)[]
the exterior of Calakmul and the remains of the Fantasy Tree.
The heroes arrive at the ninth layer and see a giant temple with the dead remains of the Tree above it. The Tree has been desiccated similar to the British Lostbelt’s, yet Mictlan still exists as a Lostbelt. Da Vinci explains In Britain’s case, Morgan made it into a Lost World to circumvent the requirement of a Fantasy Tree. But Mictlan is different because, according to Xquic this world has always existed as a Lostbelt until the year 2017. Ritsuka deduces that this means the Tree exists somewhere in a different form. Da Vinci replies they can clarify by going to the Tree’s base, but she recommends reporting to the Border first.[10]
Mash calls the Storm Border. Sion answers and sees from the underworld team’s ID signals that they are in the ninth layer, though the video feed is full of static. She warns Ritsuka not to tear the raincoat protecting them from cosmic radiation there. Da Vinci reassures her that the sheets woven by the deinos are superior and sturdier to theirs.
She then asks her how many hours it will be until the Storm Border is operational again. Sion describes the repairs they completed in the past 14 hours and suspects it will be another four hours until the Storm Border is ready.[10]
Ritsuka asks her about Kadoc’s team. Sion answers they lost contact with them four hours ago. But the Shadow’s signal is still functioning, so it can be assumed Kadoc’s team is in a situation preventing them from making contact. Daybit and Tezcatlipoca could either be on the heroes’ way or already passed them by during the four hours it took them to overcome the fourth underworld.[10]
Sion recommends either waiting for Kadoc’s team or going on without them. Ritsuka decides they will rendezvous with them. Da Vinci concurs and tells Sion to inform Kadoc’s team the rendezvous point will be inside the temple at the base of the Tree. Sion agrees and ends the call, saying they’ll make preparations to take flight on their end.[10]
The interior of Calakmul
The heroes are suddenly ambushed by Fantasy Tree seeds. Instead of fighting, the heroes flee straight into the temple, which the Seeds do not enter and is hotter than the rest of Mictlan. Da Vinci deduces it was built by the Ka’an, meaning it was once an environment humans could inhabit.[10]
Tepeu knows from oral tradition it is called Calakmul. He deduces this is where the humanoid mankind of Mictlan originated and then migrated to the upper layers where they prosper as the Kingdom of Ka’an. But they did not leave because of the heat, rather it was thanks to geothermal energy Ka’an prospered, according to the first of the temple’s murals. Tepeu wants to read the rest of the murals, believing reading them in the correct order will lead to the temple’s innermost region.[10]
He deciphers the word Chiconahualoyan written in the Ka’an language. Mash recognizes that is the name of the final layer depicted in Aztec mythology, a world of tranquility and revival subsumed in deep fog. It is on this layer that the souls of the dead who completed their journey from the first layer are cleansed of their suffering.
Nitocris recalls the vision they saw at Metztitlán showed ORT’s carcass wasn’t in a building. She concludes that there is a lower layer then and believes that is Chiconahualoyan. RItsuka asks Tepeu to guide them. Tepeu agrees, believing it will be his final task.[10]
Murals depicting the true history of the Lostbelt.
The murals depict the Lostbelt’s history like Xquic described. However, the murals show ORT reactivated after the sun went dark, meaning it wasn’t the cause. Tepeu deduces the sun had reached the end of its lifespan after six million years. As a result, the deinos went dormant for 100,000 years and it was during that period that the Kingdom of Ka’an thrived. The Ka’an lived in darkness from the onset, and so they developed as a civilization that relied on geothermal energy.[10]
Nitocris realizes in a sunless world, only the Ka’an could fight to protect Mictlan. Tepeu concurs and states it was thanks to humanoid mankind ORT was stopped and the sun returned. The deinos woke up to the destroyed Kingdom of Ka’an and started using the remnants of a civilization they had never seen without ever questioning it. Wakchan now understands why the deinos all feared Camazotz and calls it inexcusable what they did. Tepeu says the Kingdom of Ka’an can be considered the only myth in Mictlan.[10]
Now at the end, Tepeu surmises Chiconahualoyan lies beyond the final mural, which he deciphers. The Chaldeans interpret it to mean ORT fused with the Tree, which explains the Tree’s desiccated state. Da Vinci therefore changes their objective to destroy ORT.[10]
Descending further, the heroes see a pyramid-shaped temple in a lake of lava. Mash and Da Vinci realise that, as Malla's reach only extends to the nine layers, that this place is actually below the ninth layer and is the Earth's original geological layer, the Mantle, though Da Vinci notes it is not as solid as it should be due to what's under the temple. According to SHEBA’s observations, the temple leads further underground to the end of Mictlan… the roots of the Fantasy Tree. Wakchan notices there are footholds along the wall for descending. But Habetrot points out they are obviously meant for humans, so someone of Wakchan’s size will only lose their footing. Tepeu believes he himself can make it, though, being more lightweight and able to glide if needed. Leaving Wakchan behind, the heroes descend to the temple. Nitocris is worried by the sound of water she just heard.[10]
Reaching the temple, the heroes see Tezcatlipoca and Izcalli ahead. Izcalli requests Tezcatlipoca’s permission to eliminate them. Tezcatlipoca allows it but decides it will have to wait as Tlaloc comes crashing down. She is covered in Camazotz’s claw marks and her insides are damaged from him having drank her blood. Tezcatlipoca is certain her wounds heal quickly, though, considering they are where she was summoned. In Proper Human History, it is called Aztlán, the place of origin.[10]
Tezcatlipoca tells Tlaloc to reveal her true self, adding she has always been stronger when fighting for humans. Tlaloc gets angry at him for hinting at her true nature in front of Izcalli. Tezcatlipoca tells her to kill the heroes while he takes Izcalli to the coffin. He and Izcalli leave.[10]
Tlaloc reminds the heroes they never once defeated her and it was only through sheer happenstance they escaped death. It doesn’t matter to her if they are from Lostbelt History or Proper Human History, invaders with the intent to destroy shall all be punished with divine retribution.[10]
Da Vinci senses Tlaloc’s affinity with Aztlán has made her stronger than ever. Her Spirit Origin is saturated in defensive concepts, making her superior to Camazotz in terms of defense. For that reason, Da Vinci recommends they avoid fighting Tlaloc and finding another way. But Nitocris knows Tlaloc will never allow that and decides she will fight her herself, talking as if it will be the last thing she will do.[10]
Tlaloc mocks Nitocris for twice failing to protect the Storm Border, but Nitocris calls her out for wanting to destroy it out of sheer jealousy. She further accosts her for pretending to be a Divine Spirit and demands she reveal her true self. Tlaloc continues to insist she is a god, though, so Nitocris transforms into her Alter form, negating Tlaloc’s attack. Nitocris Alter reveals Tlaloc’s True Name is Tenochtitlan, the Aztec captial summoned as a Servant, and demands she show her true form. Tenochtitlan reveals her true form and fights Nitocris Alter.[10]
Tenochtitlan loses and closes her eyes, ready for Nitocris Alter to finish her off, but Nitocris Alter spares her and reverts back to normal Nitocris. She then begins to disappear. Ritsuka can tell it isn’t an unsummoning. Because she killed herself back in Yayauhqui and became an Alter outside one of the underworlds, the “current” Nitocris must be erased, but she has no regrets. She tells Ritsuka that this is the end of Chaldea’s Nitocris.[10]
Tenochtitlan asks Nitocris what was worth sacrificing herself for, still confused why she spared her. Nitocris confesses she felt a kinship between them. She has always regretted that she acted too late to protect her brothers and Tenochtitlan’s reluctant way of fighting reminded her of herself before she lost her brothers. She tells Tenochtitlan to know when and whom she should fight, reminding her she promised to shed blood for her people. Nitocris then disapperars, certain Tenochtitlan harbors regrets as well.[10]
Mash sadly confirms Nitocris’ Spirit Origin is gone and surmises the original stored at the Border is also gone. The bridge leading to the temple, which had sustained damage to the previous battle, then collapses.[10]
World Tree[]
The hole leading to ORT's heart and the remains of Fantasy Tree Quasar.
At the very bottom of Mictlan, Tezcatlipoca and Izcalli stand before the hole leading to ORT’s heart and the remains of Fantasy Tree Quasar. Tezcatlipoca explains to Izcalli 66 million years ago ORT was thrown down here by Camazotz then forced into dormancy by Malla. Yet, right before its dormancy, it consumed Quasar and inherited its functions. Quasar died, but thanks to ORT, Mictlan continued to operate as a Lostbelt. It is the one case where ORT’s imperishability worked in anyone’s favor.[13]
Izcalli is confused how ORT can be imperishable, yet it was killed. Tezcatlipoca explains ORT differs from other living organisms in that it lacks a biological “death”. Even if it dies, so long as its shape remains, it will eventually reactivate automatically. It will also restore any destroyed organ, each one unimportant to ORT, as every one of its cells possesses every one of its functions. The only reason it remains inactive is because Malla tricked it.[13]
ORT will reactivate with or without help, but Daybit had the idea to give it a certain order so it will not leave the planet. That is where Izcalli comes in and why he was made in a one-year Tezcatlipoca. Izcalli understands he was made to be a sacrifice and prepares to fulfill his purpose when the massive arm of Tenochtitlan falls through the ceiling. He is in utter disbelief upon seeing she had protected the Chaldeans in the fall.[13]
Tezcatlipoca has no particular issue with Tenochtitlan with protecting the Chaldea if it is beneficial. But he sees no benefit and so demands Tenochtitlan give him a good reason for her actions. She says nothing, so Tezcatlipoca decides to kill.[13]
Izcalli begs him to reconsider, believing as the Ocelomeh’s god, “Tlaloc” would never intentionally protect the Chaldeans. Tezcatlipoca tells him, however, that “Tlaloc” only protected herself and was never their god. She is a Proper Human History Heroic Spirit so she could never side with the Lostbelt. Izcalli struggles to deny his god’s words. Tezcatlipoca also adds the fact “Tlaloc” had been lying about her True Name, something Izcalli had already suspected.[13]
Moving on, Tezcatlipoca decides to fight the Chaldeans. But Izcalli insists it is his responsibility and his duty as a king to kill any invaders. Tezcatlipoca allows it and steps back. Izcalli fights the Chaldeans, eager for his last chance to kill them.[13]
Izcalli is beaten back. Tezcatlipoca finds Izcalli’s morale is lacking and asks if “Tlaloc”’s defection was that much of a shock to him. Izcalli insists his loss was simply a difference in ability, indirectly acknowledging Ritsuka as a warrior. Tezcatlipoca comments the outcome was obvious, since humans can never match up to Servants. Even so, he considers the attempt worth it.[13]
He then releases his smoke, preventing the Chaldeans from getting any closer to Izcalli, and tells him to fulfill his duty. The deinos hearts collected over the past year have restored ORT’s organs, but it still needs Izcalli’s sacrifice. All he has to do is plunge himself into the hole leading to ORT’s heart.[13]
Izcalli, however, refuses to revive ORT, realizing now it cannot be allowed to happen, and implores Tezcatlpoca to reconsider. He has no issue with destroying Proper Human History, but he doesn’t believe it is necessary to destroy the planet. He knows Tezcatlipoca’s divine character is destruction and rebirth, and therefore believes destruction and rebirth will be fulfilled when the age of the Ocelomeh follows after Proper Human History is gone.[10]
Tezcatlipoca, revealing Izcalli is Montezuma, confesses he had doubts about the end of the Aztecs and if starting anew was the correct decision. So he gave Montezuma a second chance, wanting to see what choices a betrayed soul like him would make. Even if it is only his soul, he commends Montezuma for overcoming his trials over the past year.[13]
He decides not to protest Izcalli’s decision and abandon him as an offering to ORT. If the sacrifice himself lacks the will to destroy the world, then that future will not be realized. Izcalli is relieved by Tezcatlipoca’s decision, but his relief is short-lived when Tezcatlipoca kills him with a bullet between the eyes.[13]
Stepping forward, Tezcatlipoca decides to make Ritsuka the sacrifice given they erased six Lostbelts. Ritsuka asks him why he killed Izcalli. Tezcatlipoca answers he no longer had need for him and reveals he created Izcalli from his right lung. He has a human body right now, so he needs to use his own organs if he wants to utilize his Authority. But he implies Izcalli was only meant to last a year, revealing Izcalli would have died in a few hours. He then dons his jaguar warrior outfit and fights the heroes.[13]
Due to his smoke, the heroes are struggling against Tezcatlipoca. Da Vinci realizes his smoke is an Authority of Probability Manipulation. It not only prevents the heroes from hitting him, but Tezcatlipoca could change the result of “being defeated” to “not being defeated”. For as long as the smoke remains, this battle is an endless struggle. But with the addition of countless enemy reinforcements, the heroes are already exhausted.[13]
Fortunately, though, U-Olga Marie arrives with Rasputin and disperses Tezcatlipoca’s smoke with her lightning. She descends and accepts Ritsuka’s apology for not telling her. She trusts Ritsuka understands why it is she is helping them. Ritsuka answers it is because they are friends. U-Olga Marie smiles at their answer. She, Ritsuka, and Mash then fight Tezcatlipoca together.[13]
Tezcatlipoca is defeated and starts to disappear, thereby thwarting the plan to revive ORT. Rasputin reminds U-Olga Marie that helping the Chaldeans would only be to her detriment. Now a half-year of hard work while they were hidden in the Lostbelt has been rendered naught. U-Olga Marie gets upset, but quickly claims she intended it from the start.[13]
Da Vinci confirms the ritual to revive ORT has failed without Izcalli or Tezcatlipoca to serve as sacrifices. It was a mesoamerican ritual and so required offering the still-living heart of a person.[13]
Tezcatlipoca affirms ORT cannot be revived with a soul full of doubt or a damaged heart. Even if it was revived that way, no orders could be given to ORT and it would only consume the planet half-heartedly before leaving. Tezcatlipoca refuses to sacrifice himself without getting results, so he accepts his defeat. His plan has failed, so now it is up to Daybit’s. He disappears, telling Daybit they will meet again in the paradise for the dead.[13]
Daybit appears and starts walking toward ORT’s “coffin” to revive the Ultimate One by himself. Mash asks him why he would want to destroy the planet, saying no one from Proper Human History should have a reason to destroy the planet. Daybit replies there is, and it is why he infiltrated Chaldea. He then asks Ritsuka if he seems like someone from Proper Human History or even an Earthling. Ritsuka’s answer is uninteresting to him, as he had heard many times before. But stating he only has a minute left of today, Daybit decides he will “cut up” RItsuka’s team like he did with Kadoc's and summons mysterious shadows.[13]
Da Vinci mistakes them for Servants, even though Daybit shouldn’t be able to summon any. U-Olga Marie corrects her, revealing they are lifeforms not from this cosmic sector. She calls Daybit the terminal of the dark stars. They are aliens from a place more than 14 billion light years away that flew to the outermost reaches of the cosmos when the universe was born. But U-Olga Marie questions why Daybit is connected to a past radio source 14 billion light years away whose light cannot even reach Earth.[13]
Daybit commends her for deducing the truth about the darks stars. But he knows she, Olga Marie, was always intelligent and the fact she ran Chaldea at such a young age is proof of her talents. She couldn’t believe that about herself, however, creating a friction between her and her surroundings. Lev Lainur’s psychological manipulation had also made her dependent on him, creating a barrier between her and everyone else.[13]
Goetia’s machinations were perfect up to that point. However, if it wasn’t for Lev Lainur’s feelings toward Olga Marie, then it would have been impossible for humanity to turn the tables. Goetia had not only incinerated the Human Order but also birthed the defenders of the Human Order.[13]
U-Olga Marie is annoyed yet again that someone speaks to her like they know her. But she ignores that to focus on stopping Daybit with Ritsuka and Mash. Ritsuka remembers Camazotz called Daybit a mirror image; The more numerous the enemy, the more shadows he calls forth.[13]
As the heroes continue fighting the dark stars, Daybit slowly walks toward ORT’s coffin and recalls the events that led to his decision.[13]
His father was not a mage, but a researcher who excelled in the research of the Semitic people. The results of his research had put on par with the most prestigious mage.[13]
At the end of all his fieldwork, he had discovered what seemed like a normal wooden halo. But when he tried to look through to the other side, he only saw nothingness. The wooden halo was an Angelic Artifact. He knew without being a mage that the halo shouldn’t exist on Earth. He was granted a lab and became an observer of the Angelic Artifact. But no matter what he tried, he couldn’t analyze it and it never changed.[13]
Twenty years later, Daybit was born and when he turned ten, his father took him to his lab. Daybit’s father wasn’t being negligent though, as he already deemed the halo harmless. It was then light overflowed from the artifact for 0.2 seconds. Once it abated, Daybit’s father was gone. Both his name and background vanished from people’s memories——from all records in the world. It was as if he never existed and all that remained of him was the burnt-in shadow of a person on the floor.[10]
Daybit saw the shadow and understood his father was now dead, but he also saw his own shadow, meaning he, too, had vanished. He deduced he was transported via a method in science fiction in which a person disassembled and reassembled on an atomic level—the process of which kills the person it teleports and creates an exact copy of them. He understood the shadow was the real him, while his current self was a completely different being.[13]
Exams determined he was physically the same as before and he had retained his memories and personality, but Daybit knew he was “different”. He felt he wasn’t part of the world and felt alien from his fellow humans. Lore regarded him as “not of Earth”, and he no longer had a human perspective, but he still considered his body to be human, even if his mind was not. Though he no longer viewed himself as completely human, his DNA was entirely human, and he concluded that he should obey Human Order.[10]
Years later, he discovered his memory had been altered so it can only record a total of five minutes per day. His birth name is unknown, as Daybit Sem Void is a name given to him after the incident involving the Angelic Artifact. “Daybit” is derived from him only remembering “a bit of each day”, and “Sem Void” is derived from the “artifact of emptiness passed down among the Semites.[13]
Daybit late lent himself to Chaldea upon learning that Marisbury needed a way of observing the universe in a way that human technology was incapable of doing, though Marisbury told him he only needed a view of the observable universe. Marisbury said it was for securing the Human Order, to which Daybit asked for the specifics on how. The director divulged information about his objectives which he requested Daybit keep secret from his teammates. Team A was to hide from the Counter Force, the Mage’s Association, and the other staff of Chaldea, to be concealers, Crypters. Upon learning this, Daybit, who approaches everything from a cosmic perspective, concluded he need to destroy Chaldea even if it meant destroying the planet as well.[13]
Daybit shows he had U-Olga Marie's heart implanted into his chest.
The heroes finally destroy last of the dark stars but Daybit is now in front of the coffin. U-Olga Marie blasts him with her lightning only for him to absorb it. Daybit reveals he has the Alien God’s heart in his chest.[13]
U-Olga Marie remembers back after Kukulkan’s attack, Tezcatlipoca snuck up behind her and tore out her still beating heart. Daybit wanted her heart to transplant into himself. U-Olga Marie now understands why she is weaker.[13]
Daybit explains Tezcatlipoca’s speciality is to rip out hearts while they’re still beating. U-Olga Marie could regenerate her heart, but by keeping it in an active state and have it send biosignals to her, Daybit made it seem as if she still had her heart. The ruse should have only lasted two days, but strangely enough, Daybit was able to keep it all this time. He realizes now it is because U-Olga Marie wanted to stay in her weakened state so she could continue being with Ritsuka and Mash.[13]
He then answers Mash’s question from before that his objective is to maintain balance, deeming it to be best for humanity. If all seven Lostbelts are excised, it would mean the completion of his Securing of the Human Order. If that were to happen, Earthlings will be known as the most terrible intelligent life in the universe. Before that happens, Daybit will destroy the planet, for that is the only way he can destroy Chaldea. The only way he can destroy the true originator of the Human Order Revision: the Alien World known as CHALDEAS.[13]
Mash reminds Daybit that CHALDEAS is a miniature model of Earth, not an alien world. Daybit counters, however, no matter how perfect a recreation it is, the original Earth still remains, making CHALDEAS another planet. He also reveals the Alien God is a god born within CHALDEAS and that the Bleaching of the Earth was a plan concocted by Chaldea——Animusphere Grand Order. Team A were pawns assembled for that purpose.[13]
Ritsuka points out though that CHALDEAS had already been destroyed. Daybit corrects them it was protected, revealing Anastasia was chosen for the raid on Chaldea to preserve CHALDEAS in ice. The original Da Vinci might have been able to realize the truth during the raid. Even if destroying CHALDEAS was beyond her, she could have still caused a malfunction to create a delay in the plan.[13]
Chaldea still had the remaining option to rayshift into CHALDEAS at that time. But CHALDEAS accounted for that, which is why it was made to appear as if it ceased functioning by covering it in ice. As a result, the remnants of Chaldea gave up on CHALDEAS and fled in the Shadow Border, thereby distancing themselves from the true culprit. But fleeing was the right choice because if they had stayed, they would have died. All of their action have been correct so far, at least insofar as answers to an exam prepared by Marisbury.[13]
Daybit reassures Chaldea is not necessarily the evil that needs defeating. They should feel proud they saved humanity from the Human Order Incineration. Chaldea may be the cause, but not they are not the culprits. They were the greatest staff humanity could have had up till 2017. Neither Daybit nor Kirschtaria could ever deny it, which is why Daybit encourages the Chaldeans to head for Antartica if they stop ORT. That is where their journey ends, where they will part with the Grand Order.[13]
Daybit falls into ORT's coffin.
With all that said, Daybit declares his agreement with Kirschtaria fulfilled. They didn’t make one per se, but they had the same idea. If either of them were the last one standing, then when they’re trying to defeat Chaldea, they would present their enemy with the truth. Daybit then casually falls into the ORT’s coffin.[13]
Although shocked by what they all learned, Da Vinci recommends they all escape and do what Daybit had suggested. The heroes prepare to escape When ORT starts to revive. Its tendrils capture U-Olga Marie, seeing her as part of itself after absorbing her heart. She will be disassembled and absorbed if nothing is done. But the tendrils are giving off lethal amounts of cosmic radiation, even to a Servant. Tepeu considers it hopeless when Wakchan suddenly comes charging in.[13]
He chews through the tendrils, freeing U-Olga Marie, but he absorbed lethal amounts of radiation in the process. Not understanding that he is dying, Wakchan confesses to U-Olga Marie he stuck with Ritsuka because he thought he could meet her again. He admires her like he did the other night and dies, glad that he met her.[13]
Wakchan’s sacrifice leaves U-Olga Marie confused as she thought Earthlings were all evil. They dissected her for decades and, even though she kept screaming she was human, they just ignored her. She just doesn’t understand why now she is being treated so kindly.[13]
Rasputin jumps down. He informs U-Olga Marie that because ORT absorbed her heart, if she were to fuse with it, it would be the one in control, while she would become the subsystems. He reminds she and Chaldea were always enemies and recommends they return to her homeland, the planet in the South Pole.[13]
Ritsuka refuses to believe they are enemies and tries to step closer to U-Olga Marie. But she tells them not to get near her with that pathetic human body of theirs. She agrees with Rasputin, noting ORT has absorbed not just her heart but 30% of her body as well. She needs time to restore, but she does not intend to stay and watch the Earthlings die. With Rasputin accompanying her, she floats back up toward the surface.[13]
ＯＲＴ[]
Ritsuka wants to at least bring Wakchan with them. Tepeu, however, tells them and Mash they cannot as Wakchan saturated with radiation and they lack the means to transport him, so he must be left behind. The heroes head for the surface, leaving Wakchan and Tenochtitlan behind. Ritsuka gives one last look to Wakchan and thanks him for helping U-Olga Marie.[33]
ORT
The heroes try to make their escape when ORT suddenly burst out in front of them, cutting off their way back to the ninth layer. ORT proceeds to trap the heroes further with its metallic threads. Fortunately, Kukulkan arrives and cuts through the threads. She calls herself an idiot for stopping to have tea with Kadoc’s team.[33]
Kukulkan had saved Kadoc’s team, destroying the dark stars Koyanskaya lost to and towing the Shadow Border away without damaging it. As thanks, Goredolf offered her tea inside the Border. Kukulkan was hesitant to accept considering herself Chaldea’s enemy.[33]
Kadoc told her that is only in terms of goals. Ritsuka’s report had said that while she is the Lostbelt King and wants to protect Mictlan, it doesn’t mean she hates her enemies. Kadoc agrees and thanks Kukulkan for her help. He also thanks her on Koyanskaya’s behalf.[33]
Kukulkan apologized that she had no way of stopping Daybit, revealing his heartbeat is inaudible to Malla. Tracking and stopping him would be up to Ritsuka. But she would still need to stop them from cutting the Tree down afterward, so she offered to take Kadoc and Goredolf to the ninth layer.[33]
Goredolf and Kadoc declined her offer, insisting they will repair the Border and catch up to Ritsuka’s team on their own. Kukulkan tried to warn them what will happen if she catches up to Ritsuka, but Kadoc dismissed it as bluster. They can worry about Mictlan’s fate after ORT is stopped. Kukulkan agreed and accepted Goredolf’s previous offering of tea.[33]
Back to the present, with Kukulkan’s help, the heroes seemingly defeat ORT. Kukulkan is trembling, however, having discovered the truth about herself. Tepeu admits he guessed the truth about her based on the Underworld Pilgrimage, though he lacked proof. He tries to voice findings, but Kukulkan immediately flies away.[33]
Light suddenly starts gathering into ORT’s “chest”. Da Vinci urges everyone to hurry to partition, having realized ORT is reactivating for the first time. ORT then unleashes an intense burst of energy.[33]
Meanwhile, on the Storm Border, the crew detects ORT’s Spirit Origin has increased from Satelite-class to Stellar-class. They also detect Mictlan’s Texture is being overwritten from the lowest layer up. Every tree in Mictlan is turning into a Fantasy Tree.[33]
Sion confirms it is a sign of ORT’s reawakening. She calls this ORT different from the one from Proper Human History. It has adapted to the “what-if” history of the Lostbelt, so it is inferior to its counterpart in both output and destructive instincts. But it consumed the Tree and, through the course of its evolution, changed its Reality Marble to one that transforms Earth’s vegetation into Fantasy Trees, creating an environment more suited to itself. Sion, therefore, declares the Lostbelt is no longer the Golden Sea of Trees and it to be the greatest, most terrible Lostbelt. A galactic hell created in the depths of the Earth—— Sea of Fantasy Trees, ORT Xibalba.[33]
ORT reactivated.
The heroes escape to the ninth layer, leaving Calakmul, and see there are Fantasy Trees all over Mictlan. ORT emerges. Its Spirit Origin is greater than last time and its size has increased to 100 meters, like the Mexico City report said.[33]
Seeds come crashing down, stronger than the ones the heroes encountered before. Fortunately, the Shadow Border arrives, knocking away all the seeds. The heroes get in at Kaodc’s urging, who informs them seeds are swarming in from every corner of the jungle.[33]
Kadoc tells the heroes that Koyanskaya returned to Chichén Itzá. The heroes inform him and Goredolf what transpired at the bottom of Mictlan. Goredolf is left completely shocked that Chaldea was behind the Bleaching of the Earth.[33]
Da Vinci states ORT’s Bounded Field has turned all vegetation in Mictlan into Fantasy Trees. She doubts it will end with ORT’s defeat alone and deems it now effectively impossible to conquer the Lostbelt.[33]
Mash asks since ORT is the source of the Fantasy Tree if they will stop functioning if it is defeated. Da Vinci considers it unlikely and starts to think about what will happen if even one Tree is left alone. She stops herself and states attacking ORT’s main body is currently more important.[33]
ORT will head straight for Antartica after leaving Mictlan. Once there, it will destroy the Chaldea base, including CHALDEAS. CHALDEAS is an exact copy of the plant, so destroying it would require something capable of destroying the Earth itself. Such an impact would shatter 40% of the Earth’s surface and wipe out everything, Proper Human History and Lostbelts alike. So no matter what CHALDEAS is, the Chaldeans must protect it now, and that means they have to destroy ORT.[33]
Goredolf, however, deems it impossible to destroy ORT and orders Da Vinci to devise a plan that avoids doing the former. Da Vinci tells him they have no choice but to defeat ORT if they want to survive. The Storm Border isn’t a spaceship, so even if they did evacuate, they would eventually die off. But Da Vinci reassures Goredolf that Chaldea never goes into unwinnable battles and calls Sion.[33]
Sion declares they will engage in a large-scale summoning operation using the fact the Underworld Borders allow Proper Human History Heroic Spirits and Ritsuka’s connection with many Heroic Spirits. The Storm Border will hold position over Chichén Itzá and devote three Triton Engines to summoning ceremonies. All 119 of Chaldea’s Servants will be summoned. Rodolfo approves and orders to commence with the operation.[33]
After Goredolf gives his approval, Sion explains the plan is to chase after ORT and engage it in combat. They have 20 hours until ORT crosses Mictlan according to TRISMEGISTUS II. Ritsuka will start summoning upon arriving at the Underworld Border, while the Storm Border relays all magical energy to the Shadow Border. They will create a frontline of summonable Servants to combat ORT.[33]
Sion admits when she asked TRISMEGISTUS II for the probability of success, all it said was “yes”. She reminds everyone that the time limit is 20 hours. If they fail to defeat ORT in that timeframe, it will become impossible to observe the secret behind CHALDEAS, the true meaning of the Earth’s bleaching, and even humanity’s future.[33]
The computer room has named the operation “Decisive Battle in the Sea of Fantasy Trees”. Sion says the Storm Border will now enter combat status. She tells the Chaldeans good luck and to use everything they learned up to now.[33]
Sea of Fantasy Trees Decisive Battle[]
Staying 700 meters behind, the heroes pursue ORT. On Goredolf’s orders, Ritsuka summons and sends out a less demanding Servant to do recon on ORT.[14]
The Servant is unfortunately crystallized and consumed by ORT. Information on their Spirit Origin has been stolen and their link to the Throne has also been severed. That means all the crystallized Servants can no longer return to the Throne. Worse, ORT has used the Servants as terminals to reach the Throne in the higher dimension with its threads and damage the main information recorded on the Throne itself. Servants defeated by ORT are impossible to summon again.[14]
But information cannot be digested, so ORT is likely storing the Servants internally as useful information. If ORT is defeated, all the Servant's information will return safely to the Throne. Ritsuka continues to summon Servants to fight ORT and gather information on it.[14]
While continuing to chase after and fight ORT, Seeds fly onto the Border. Goredolf orders Ritsuka to take a rest and Mash to knock the Seeds off. Mash heads out.[14]
Kadoc is surprised the Seeds have reached this level, considering they are near Yayauhqui, far from the ninth layer. But he remembers the Trees are already all over Mictlan, which means their seeds are being scattered all over Mictlan. Nowhere in Mictlan is safe anymore, regardless of where ORT might be. The Seeds will kill every organism in Mictlan.[14]
Calling from the Storm Border, Meuniere reports Seeds are appearing in great numbers on every layer from the eighth to the first. Nemo reports the Storm Border is under attack from the Seeds, but they have already taken off, so the attacks have decreased. They have also calculated ORT’s route, so Nemo sends the data over.[14]
ORT is heading for Mexico City. The heroes already knew it would go to Mexico City based on the future Tezcatlipoca showed them, yet they never understood why. On that subject, Nemo informs the heroes that ORT is in an incomplete state, as it is missing its main power source——its heart. It is currently moving by substituting its heart with its other parts, all of which have independent power sources. Kadoc speculates ORT would have destroyed Mictlan in an instant if it had its heart.[14]
Tepeu realizes ORT is going after the sun, which was moved to Mexico City, because the sun is its heart. He explains Malla used all of their energy to create the first sun, causing to naturalize to Earth and cease to be extraterrestrial life. Malla therefore had no choice but to procure an alternative power source. They removed ORT’s heart after Camazotz defeated it and made it into the new sun.[14]
ORT’s circumstances are similar to what happened with U-Olga Marie and Daybit. Its heart isn’t in its body, but the heart is still active elsewhere. As a result, there was never a command for ORT to restore its destroyed heart because it was still intact as Mictlan’s second sun.[14]
Tepeu deduces ORT is heading to Mexico City to take back its heart and return to a complete state. Goredolf concludes they only have until the sixth layer instead of the surface to defeat ORT. They must defeat it at all costs before it takes back its heart.[14] Meanwhile, Tenochtitlan had escaped from the collapsing Chiconahualóyan to outside Calakmul. She originally intended to let herself be swallowed by Earth’s mantle after Chaldea headed for the surface. But seeing Izcalli’s corpse filled with an unidentified rage and she forced herself back into action. That rage burnt out, though, once she left Calakmul.[14]
Lying next to Izcalli at the temple entrance, she concludes it doesn’t matter where she dies or what she does now that the end is nigh. She wonders if Izcalli thinks the same, calling him replica of the king who made her fall to ruin. She knows it wasn’t out of malice or incompetence, rather he was just a foolish and unqualified king.[14]
For no particular reason, Tenochtitlan touches the scar on Izcalli’s forehead. Those chosen to be a one-year Tezcatlipoca cannot have a single defect on their bodies. But Izcalli’s scar was there since his creation and no matter what, it wouldn’t heal, almost as if it was inflicted on his soul.[14]
Tenochtitlan remembers when Izcalli first began his development as a one-year Tezcatlipoca. Izcalli was required to have vengefulness great enough to override ORT’s instincts. Tenochtitlan agreed with her brother’s choice to use Montezuma’s soul. She was certain he would reject Proper Human History, considering everyone betrayed him and his own people stoned him to death. She had thought Izcalli’s unhealing scar was proof his (Montezuma)’s hatred was eternal.[14]
Izcalli, however, expressed his concerns about the future of Mexico City Tezcatlipoca had shown. He felt no attachment to the city and felt alienated from the Ocelomeh since he isn’t one himself, but he never hated either of them. It was the Ocelomeh, not him, who actually loved the city and made it prosper. He presumed he would be banished at some point, given he isn’t an Ocelotl. Nevertheless, he vowed to create the ideal city afterward and not fail this time.[14]
He understood he would be sacrificed at the end of the year. But having become their king, he came to care for the Ocelomeh, wanting to oversee their fate till the end and protect their culture. His scar ceased to hurt when he thought of such things.[14]
Nevertheless, he knew it was a dream that will never be fulfilled. The purpose of his creation is the destruction of Proper Human History. All other feelings outside of that are of no importance. Izcalli begged “Tlaloc” to grant her blessings to his resolve, so that no matter the cost, he can put his soul’s rage above all.[14]
Tenochtitlan recalls how Tezcatlipoca killed Izcalli for refusing to revive ORT because he didn’t want to destroy the planet. She criticizes him for again failing to put “above all else” and doing whatever he wanted despite all his rage.[14]
She recalls what Nitocris said to her in her final moments and gets up. Screaming, “humans are just so stupid!” she starts running.[14]
Meanwhile, the deinos have returned Chichén Itzá, having grown attached to the city. Seeing the sky change, they discuss how “these trees” appeared and how these never before seen creatures are killing everything. They conclude extinction has come at last, curious to what the next form of life will be. But they do hope the Chaldeans can avoid extinction.[14]
The Chaldeans take a rest, having been in battle for four hours straights.[14]
Tepeu finds the Trees everywhere quite different from the one on the ninth layer. He understands a Tree serves to anchor a Lostbelt, and each Tree has a galaxy within. But he wonders how they serve as anchors because despite the fact ORT (who became the Tree) had ceased activity. Mictlan still persisted. Furthermore, the energy of the galaxies isn’t being used, making Tepeu curious to what their purpose is.[14]
Goredolf informs everyone ORT has reached the seventh layer so the final battle must take place on the sixth layer. He tells Tepeu they will have no time to help the other deinos, judging it will be impossible for them to stop at Metztitlán. Ritsuka and Kadoc both see Metztitlán is in ORT’s path.[14]
Tepeu appreciates Goredolf’s sentiment, but Xquic can never leaver her dome, something ha and she accepted long ago. He had failed to free her like he had wished to, so her death couldn’t be more fitting punishment for him.[14]
In Metztitlán, Xquic is informed by Kukulkan of her incoming death and accepts it. Kukulkan considers her decision correct, especially since she can never live outside her dome. She proclaims as Mictlan’s arbiter she will ascertain her final moments. She also informs her Malla ordered her to eliminate Chaldea if they try to destroy ORT since it was the Tree back when they visited.[14]
Xquic criticizes Kukulkan for her “arbiter” act when it is just the two of them. She thinks Kukulkan should act more freely, like her Quetzalcoatl from Proper Human History, whom Malla modelled her after. But she knows the two of them are ultimately “what-ifs” who ultimately failed to become like the real thing. Kukulkan responds by proclaiming she is the Lostbelt’s creator god, so she has a responsibility she must see through. [14]
Saying her farewells, Xquic tells Malla through Kukulkan that they still regret evacuating the dinosaur underground. For millions of years, they wondered if they should have done the same as was in Proper Human History. But Xquc reassures Malla that she and the deinos were more than happy in Mictlan. Even if they are an extraterrestrial life, they are still their mother, so they have the right to mourn their children.[14]
ORT nears, so Xquic implores to Kukulkan to fly away. She bids Kukulkan farewell, saying she and Tepeu were her only friends and that their lives were more dramatic and love-filled than any other humanity.[14]
The moment Kukulkan leaves ORT plows through Metztitlán, destroying it and killing Xquic.[14]
The heroes arrive at Xoxoauhqui ahead of ORT. Ereshkigal Alter calls upon Dumuzid, who returns the magical energy of the Third Underworld to Ereshkigal Alter. Dumuzid did not let Ereshkigal Alter’s flowers die like she had previously thought. He made them look dead, then stored and converted them into magical energy in preparation for ORT.[14]
Ereshkigal Alter creates what she claims is an anti-ORT barrier comprised of thousands of tightly packed Gugalanna legs. Unfortunately ORT easily breaks through it. Ereshkigal Alter claims she was just caught by surprise and decides to go on the offensive.[14]
She proclaims to Ritsuka they can summon without limitation with her and the Storm Border’s support. She then places legs throughout the underworld and increases the sixth layer’s spatial density to impede ORT’s advance. Meanwhile, she will slow ORT down with her red lightning and grant RItsuka’s Servants with the Blessings of the Underworld. Ritsuka’s Servants proceed to battle ORT.[14]
Meanwhile, the Storm Border crew has eliminated most of the Seeds swarming the ship and Chichén Itzá. However, they depleted their spiritron torpedo stock. This concerns Nemo, as he never expected the Trees to produce so many Seeds. He fears at this rate they will be unable to use the main cannon and provide firing support to the Third Underworld.[14]
A Marine delivers him a message from Professor and Sion. They want to start charging the main gun once the Seed attack is over. But since that will take four hours using just engine #4, they want to know more than one engine can be spared.
Nemo tells Meuniere to send a message to the Shadow Border. For the next four hours, the Storm Border will not be providing any magical energy. They will trust Ereshkigal Alter to provide the all necessary magical energy for sustaining the Servant Spirit Origins.[14]
Ereshkigal Alter is already at her limit, though. She is using so much magical energy that her Spirit Origin is unraveling from her fingertips. Dumuzid tells her any further burden would be a violation of International Divine Spirit Law and suggests retreating to Kur. Ereshkigal Alter, however, refuses to leave as long as Ritsuka has the will to fight.[14]
ORT is seemingly defeated, its body crumbling. The Chaldeans are surprised but nevertheless want to celebrate their victory with Ereshkigal Alter.
Meanwhile, Dumuzid asks Ereshkigal Alter to give him any messages she wishes to convey to the Chaldeans. Ereshkigal Alter declines, saying she has enough strength to do it herself. She is confident Chaldean can settle things with Kukulkan through dialogue when she notices something and asks Dumuzid if he did as well.[14]
Dumuzid replies that is why he asked her to give him a message to him for the Chaldeans. He commends Ereshkigal Alter for fighting as the underworld itself, saying she could have even fought the vanguard of a civilization-reaping planet. Green light shines from ORT’s saucer. But Dumuzid states ORT eats planets and believes nothing native to Earth can defeat it.[14]
The Shadow Border’s alarm suddenly goes off. Ritsuka, worried about Ereshkigal Alter, tries to leave when the Border is hit by something that distorts everyone’s vision. Fortunately, they are protected by Dumuzid, who implores them to escape before they’re killed, adding he will not last much longer. Ritsuka asks him where Ereshkigal is. Dumuzid tells them to look at their monitor.[14]
ORT’s true body is revealed to have been its saucer-like back component generating its own solar storm--a Galactic Supercell. Its spider-like body meanwhile was nothing more than waste material.[14]
Ritsuka demands to know where Ereshkigal is. Dumuzid reveals she has been already evaporated by ORT’s space storm and gifts Ritsuka a flower. It is the last remains of Ereshkigal and so long as they have that flower, they will have her blessing.[14]
Starting to disappear, Dumuzid reassures Ritsuka that Ereshkigal went out triumphantly. He wishes the Chaldeans good luck in the real battle to come and advises that they chase ORT from at least two kilometers away. He finally disappears, hoping Ritsuka will visit Kur again someday.[14]
The One Who Rules the Planet[]
ORT resumes course to Mexico City with the heroes pursuing from a safe distance.[34]
In Mexico City, the Ocelomeh have successfully fended off the Seeds when they see ORT approaching. They understand they will die if they stay and that their only resort is to evacuate. But even knowing that, none of them chose a future where they abandon their city.[34]
Ignoring Vucub, the Ocelomeh arm themselves and head off to fight ORT, all except for one. Vucub, confounded by their actions, questions if they are only protecting the city because Izcalli ordered them to. But speaking for the first time, the young Ocelotl who stayed behind corrects Vucub that they fight for neither their king or their god, but for Mictlan.[34]
He tries to break the altar, wanting the sun to return to Chichén Itzá. Vucub tells him the altar is just a decoration and that the sun is drawn to the stone they stole from Chichén Itzá. The young Ocelotl shows him the stone. Vucub demands the stone, so he may return it to where it belongs.[34]
The young Ocelotl gives Vucub the stone, relieved he may now join the fight. He also gives him Calaveras de azúcar and goes off to join the fight against ORT when Vucub stops him, wanting to know his name. The young Ocelotl tells him it is Cuauhtémoc then goes off to fight ORT. Vucub takes off toward Chichén Itzá.[34]
Seeing ORT very much near Mexico City, the Chaldeans fear they are too late. But then they see the sun is moving, following after the Solar Itinerancy, which is moving toward Chichén Itzá. Tepeu senses Vucub is carrying the Solar Itinerancy. Unfortunately, carrying the Solar Itinerancy is slowing Vucub down and in one minute’s time, he will be swallowed up by ORT’s storm.[34]
ORT arrives at the edge of the city. The Ocelomeh retreat into the city but continue their resistance. Suddenly, extreme amounts of magical energy are detected throughout all of Mexico City. The reading is that of a Divine Spirit-level Spirit Origin.[34]
Tenochtitlan stops ORT with her Noble Phantasm.
In response to the Ocelomeh’s fervent desire to protect their home in the face of extinction, Tenochtitlan activates her Noble Phantasm, a giant robot that is the city itself. She stops ORT in its tracks, allowing Vucub to get away. The heroes follow after him, intent on having their final battle against ORT at the Second Underworld.[34]
ORT’s nonstop spinning destroys the arms of Tenochtitlan’s robot, the damage reflecting back to her. She laments her inability to protect anything, whether it is past or the Lostbelt. All the time she spent in Mictlan has only served to remind her of that.[34]
But just when she is about to collapse ungracefully, the Ocelomeh start shooting at ORT once more. The sight of them protecting what she failed to protect in the past, protecting her, invigorates her. She reconstructs her robot’s arms and continues to hold off ORT.[34]
Tenochtitlan free of regret.
ORT changes course and leaves. Tenochtitlan hears the Ocelomeh happily celebrating their victory. Half of the city is destroyed, only a few Ocelomeh remain, and Mictlan will end before long. Yet despite all that, Tenochtitlan is glad she was able to protect their world. She only ever fought reluctantly, but the sight of the Ocelemeh celebrating made it worth it. She says goodbye to her city, her people, and even Nitocris and disappears satisfied that her regret is now gone.[34]
The heroes arrive in Iztauhqu, ahead of ORT. Protea Alter has come from Tlatlauqui to serve as a crucial part of Professor's strategy alongside Beni-enma. They both have extreme misgivings about the plan, however, with Protea Alter even threatening to go back to her underworld and fight ORT there. Thankfully, they agree to help when the Shadow Border arrives at the summit and Ritsuka praises them both.[34]
Professor tells the Shadow Border crew to stand by at the summit. As soon as ORT reaches Iztauhqu, Beni-enma and Protea Alter will intercept. Their target will be the supercell-generating organs identified by TRISMEGISTUS II.[34]
Beni-enma turns into her Alter self while she and Protea Alter are waiting for ORT to arrive. She tells Protea Alter to grab ORT and stop its rotation, then she herself will bisect its organs. ORT is immortal, so she will grant it the Concept of Death per the technique the First Hassan taught her, which she can only use in her underworld. The plan will go into action the moment Ritsuka’s Servants bring ORT to a stop.[34]
The battle with Ritsuka’s Servants leaves ORT open. Protea Alter takes this chance to deploy the Ocean of Milk, making ORT more vulnerable, and grabs hold of the alien invader. Beni-enma Alter then strikes ORT with her sword, bisecting its organs and granting it the Concept of Death.[34]
Meanwhile, at the summit, Mash confirms the cessation of the Galactica Supercell. It will not affect ORT’s progress, but it will give the heroes an edge. They will now head to the third layer and damage ORT as much as they can. According to TRISMEGISTUS II, if they can destroy up to 60% of ORT’s outer shell, a blast from the Storm Border’s main cannon at point-blank range should finish it off.[34]
Da Vinci reassures Ritsuka that Protea Alter and Beni-enma are fine and that they are breaking off here so ORT doesn’t crystallize them. She also confirms to Tepeu that the Storm Border’s main battery is ready. Thanks to Ereshkigal, the crew was able to run two engines in parallel to charge it. Goredolf announces they will head for Chichén Itzá the moment they reach the “ORT can now be destroyed” limit, indicated by TRISMEGISTUS II.[34]
Protea Alter and Beni-enma meanwhile disappear, having expended themselves.[34]
The heroes are now on the great plains. Mash reports that the sun has been returned to Chichén Itzá, but its output is decreasing. As it stands, it will be night one hour from now. Tepeu deduces Vucub used the altar and the Solar Itinerancy to lower the sun’s output to make it harder for ORT to see it.[34]
Kadoc reports 98% of all native life in Mictlan has been confirmed dead and with no targets left to attack, 97% of the Seeds have self-terminated. At present, the only beings left alive are those of Chaldea, a few deinos, ORT, and Kukulkan.[34]
Da Vinci reports the Storm Border has entered the firing sequence of its main cannon. When ORT leaves the great plains and enters the jungle, the heroes will return to the Storm Border and bring an end to this battle.[34]
Tepeu expresses his doubts that Kukulkan will try to wipe out Chaldea. He also confesses he hoped she would join Chaldea as a friend when he is interrupted by the sound of marching deinos.[34]
Earlier in Chichén Itzá, the Dinosaur King was revealed to still be alive. It took him a while to regenerate, though, since Izcalli shot him everywhere except for his head. He convinced the deinos to go out fighting rather than wait for their extinction. The deinos proceeded to modify the firearms purchased from Koyanskaya. As they did, the Dinosaur King chose Vucub to be his co-commander to lead the deinos into battle.
The heroes watch as the heavily armed deinos head toward the fourth layer, intent on fighting ORT. Sion contacts the heroes with a message from the Dinosaur King saying that deinos do not need help and Chaldea should focus on its own tasks. She requests they link up with the Storm Border, mentioning the firing sequence of its main cannon is nearly finished. ORT will be in attack range of Chichén Itzá when they arrive at the Storm Border. Sion ends the call, stating the success of the operation is dependent on their ability to return in time.[34]
Goredolf struggles to understand why the wise and gentle deinos, whom he considers the ideal humanity, have chosen to fight.[34]
Tepeu decides to join his fellow deinos in fighting ORT. He requests a weapon, something simple, like a knife. He knows this a battle that should be avoided at all costs, but if he ignores this newly born principle of his kind, he will cease to be a deino. Da Vinci gives him a submachine gun and Tepeu exits the Shadow Border.[34]
Mash immediately goes after him and begs him not to go. She knows she has no right to stop him, but she cannot agree with what he and the other deinos are doing. She cannot fathom why they, who never took to conflict, never hated, and never discriminated, would choose now to die on the battlefield. Chaldea has seen many different worlds, but not one person in them deserved to die. Mash thinks the deinos were particularly wonderful, so she must ask why they are heading out to die in a hopeless and meaningless battle.[34]
Tepeu is surprised that someone as peaceful as Mash could be so angry. He confirms the deinos treated everyone equally and as a result, there was never any conflict. But he was not the same as he did discriminate for the one he loved.[34]
He reminds Mash she was elated when Xquic described the “ideal people”, yet she also noticed a contradiction. In order for everyone to be truly equal, nobody should grieve anyone’s death. Mash admits everything Xquic said was true, and that she felt touched when she said “everyone was precious”. But the thought of treating the death of someone dear to her as equal to the death of a stranger made her feel uneasy.[34]
Tepeu tells her that is how their species differ and that differences mean life is not all the same. He tells it is alright for her to feel sadder about the misfortune of someone closer to her than a stranger. Humans prospered because they sought to connect with that which would make them shine. A “world of equals” would only become the same as the Lostbelt. A world where the “special” are neither acknowledged nor noticed and it is impossible to save a single friend.[34]
Mash realizes the person Tepeu couldn’t save was Xquic. Tepeu confesses his fervent desire to save her caused much tension between them. He gave up frustrated by his inability to change anything and chose to forget it all and live as a hermit. He had accepted he would live out his life alone until he became friends with the heroes. While he started off as their guide it was they who guided him to a whole new world.[34]
He had fun so he implores Mash not to see her world and her own actions as something bad, and be burdened by it. He reminds her that every deinos is rooting for Chaldea and none of them either envy or resent them.[34]
It saddens him though that in all their 66 million years of existence, the deinos never built nothing. That nature is in and of itself not the correct answer for sapient beings. Humans are incapable of making the correct choice, and even if they chose the best choice possible given the circumstances, they will realize afterward there was a better option. The deinos never understood this, nor ever needed to.[34]
But now finally the deinos are able to make the wrong choice. After 66 million years, they have finally become the same kind of humanity as Proper Human History. Mash thinks they are not something the deinos should strive towards. Tepeu suggests they combine their strengths, then.[34]
Not wanting to spend anymore of her time, he tells Mash he left a message behind with Ritsuka at Chichén Itzá. He thanks her for everything. Mash bids him farewell and thanks him for being their guide.[34]
The deinos fighting ORT
The deinos fight ORT dying in the process. One particular deino streaked across the sky, killing one of ORT’s lives, before having his limbs torn off in return and plummeting to the ground. ORT passes over the great plains, leaving the dying deinos behind. The deinos had accepted their impending deaths, yet they stared at the sun with a vague look of longing.[34]
Like she has always done, Kukulkan takes no action to save the deinos and only silently watches over their end. The Dinosaur King confirms her suspicions that he convinced the deinos to go out fighting, calling it Tezcatlipoca’s duty. He is uncertain if battle will satisfy the deinos after 66 million years of monotony, though. He disappears, hoping he and Kukulkan will have a real fight if they ever meet again.[34]
The heroes return to the Storm Border. Nemo informs them that thanks to their efforts, it is now possible to defeat ORT. Rayproof will soon be ready to fire. Until then, everyone must stay in the control room.[34]
Sion explains Rayproof has an effective range and, according to TRISMEGISTUS II‘s calculations, unless ORT is within a 10km range of the Storm Border, a decisive hit cannot be inflicted. ORT will regenerate as long as a few of its cells remain, so it needs to be disintegrated with a single instantaneous attack.[34]
Da Vinci worries about what they will do if ORT can attack from a range greater than 10km. Sion’s silence on the matter only exacerbates Goredolf’s fears they will be defenseless if ORT launches a preemptive attack. Nemo tells him the Storm Border cannot perform any sharp maneuvers once Rayproof is deployed. They can only hope the ship’s protections can withstand ORT. Goredolf reluctantly accepts that nothing else can be done and orders everyone to their seats.[34]
ORT arrives at Chichén Itzá and closes 10 km in a matter of seconds. It then attacks the Storm Border with its metal tentacles, which can stretch as far as 20 km. Nemo protects the Border by setting the electromagnetic barriers to maximum output. The tentacles are only getting stronger, however. Even so, Nemo orders they hold for another five seconds to give their allies time to shoot down the tentacles. He relays QP to Type 79 Tamamo Tank, telling it to lift up and commence combat.[34]
In response to receiving her payment, Koyanksya reveals herself along with her tank---the Type 79 Iz Tula Seven Drive Mk. Mictlan. She then calls upon the Deinonychus Brothers, who had secretly built the tank in the jungle on her orders. Ritsuka and Mash are both extremely relieved to know the brothers are still alive. The brothers intercept ORT’s tentacles with Koyanskaya’s tank.[34]
Rayproof is fired the moment ORT enters into effective range. Unfortunately, ORT redirects the blast with a solar storm even though its exogenous organs were destroyed. Professor reports this storm is stronger than the previous thanks to ORT recreating its organs with a whole new concept. Additionally, in the aftermath, it expelled all aged and unneeded cells, recreating its spider-shaped corneum.[34]
Ritsuka fears this means they will have to redo everything over again. Nemo asserts, however, that ORT had only distorted Rayproof’s trajectory. He tells Sion to calculate a trajectory that will directly hit even though the storm and orders Engineer to quickly get a second shot ready. Engineer tells him that is impossible, as even pushing it will take at least 2 minutes.[34]
ORT approaches with its storm still active, threatening to tear the Border apart. But just when all seems doomed, Rasputin suddenly appears in the control room. He tells the Chaldeans they are only one step away from victory and so offers a proposal.[34]
Time stops, though the Tachyon Jail---one of seven Super Authorities of the Alien God---will not hold for long according to Rasputin. Sion understands time isn’t actually stopped, but rather they are moving faster than time itself. Rasuptin clarifies it was the Alien God who named the Authority, not him.[34]
From outside, an annoyed U-Olga Marie reminds Rasputin that she didn’t send him into the Border for chitchat and demands he get to the point. Ritsuka and Mash are both happy she came back. U-Olga Marie reiterates she has no intention of watching the Earthlings die in the Lostbelt. The humanity of Proper Human History will only receive their due punishment in Proper Human History, even if it is on a bleached world.[34]
Rasputin explains U-Olga Marie has decreed to fight together with Chaldea out of refusal to let the fact ORT is currently using her heart go resolved. He and she will maintain the Tachyon Jail as well as provide electric power for the Rayproof’s second shot. In exchange, Chaldea will destroy ORT and provide U-Olga Marie and Rasputin with the rights to use the Rayproof.[34]
But ORT’s regeneration outpaces all conventional means of destroying it. Therefore, attacking ORT in ordinary space-time is inefficient. Within the accelerated space-time of the Tachyon Jail, however, it is possible to destroy ORT now it is so close to breaking apart.[34]
As for supplying the Rayproof with electric power, Rasputin confesses he covertly modified Storm Border’s charging systems. In theory, it should act like a pipeline to send magical energy from outside directly to the engine. It is nothing more than an insurance policy, though.[34]
Rasputin explains Chaldea will destroy ORT and once it has ceased activity, U-Olga Marie will deactivate the Tachyon Jail. Afterward, she will use all of her magical energy for the Rayproof and, in an instant, erase ORT once and for all. This, of course, means Ritsuka will have to go on the deck and engage in a Servant battle. Ritsuka agrees and Mash agrees to go with them. With his proposal accepted, Rasputin is teleported off the Border.[34]
Goredolf warns Ritsuka and Mash ORT’s solar storm still remains even within the Tachyon Jail. As such, he wants them to make this final battle brief and to return quickly.[34]
Da Vinci declares all of TRISMEGISTUS II’s calculations will be rerouted towards the summoning system. With that, they should be able to emulate some of the Servants whose Recorded Boundary were destroyed. The final battle between Chaldea and ORT begins.[34]
ORT is defeated. RItsuka and Mash try to head back inside, but U-Olga Marie insists they stay and behold the heroics of the one who will rule the planet. She instantly charges the Rayproof with her magical energy.[34]
She tells Ritsuka they will not have another chance if they have something to say. Ritsuka focuses on the task at hand. U-Olga Marie claims she is only here to fulfill her vow, anyway.[34]
Presuming Ritsuka still doesn’t know why she is going so far to help them, U-Olga Marie recounts how they didn’t kill Protea nor Beni-enma and confesses she helped them because they never ostracize their enemies for being monsters. She finds their way of doing things tiring, but tells them to cherish it all the same.[34]
Feeling it’s now or never, she asks the question she was always afraid to ask: “Was she Chaldea’s director?” With slight hesitation, Ritsuka tells her she was an awkward yet excellent director. U-Olga Marie smiles, commenting that sounds like a good dream. She only wishes she had done better.[34]
Rayproof destroys ORT
She fires the Rayproof, disintegrating ORT. Mash congratulates her, but the latter is nowhere to be seen. She demands the control room to scan their surroundings, desperately hoping U-Olga Marie is still alive. Da Vinci sadly informs her that U-Olga Marie’s Spirit Origin was destroyed when she fired the Rayproof. Without her heart, this was the natural outcome.[34]
Ritsuka remembers U-Olga Marie had told them they will not have another chance if they have something to say. Mash mourns how they finally met Olga Marie again and became her friend, only to lose to her again. Ritsuka feels the same, but comments U-Olga Marie saved the Earth like she promised.[34]
With the battle concluded, RItsuka and Mash prepare to head back inside to rest and celebrate when all the sudden a Servant summoning spell activates. TRISMEGISTUS II warns a summarisation of 300 million years of Lost History is being used in the formulation of a virtual Heroic Spirit. One Radiance Thing (ORT), Grand Foreigner, is being summoned.
A vaguely humanoid version of ORT materializes. Mash realizes to her horror that right before it was destroyed, ORT had learned Chaldea’s summoning formula. It formulated a virtual history and then summoned itself once it had been designated as a Heroic Spirit.[34]
ORT strikes the Storm Border with a solar storm. Its impact does not compare to the Supercell, but up so close, the Storm Border can neither dodge nor defend against it. Goredolf orders an immediate retreat, declaring nobody will fight ORT any further. He believes Tezcatlipoca’s future was right, and that it is humanly impossible to defeat ORT.[34]
A Marine unfortunately reports the Border's engines depleted. Nemo orders all Marines to the turrets, hoping spiritron torpedoes will be effective against this Servant ORT. Sion urges Ritsuka and Mash to hurry and get in, saying ORT will make contact in ten seconds.[34]
Kukulkan protects the Storm Border from ORT's solar storm.
Mash grabs Ritsuka to carry them inside when ORT unleashes another solar storm. But before it can even hit, Kukulkan flies in at mach speed without breaking the sound barrier and protects the Border. She is wearing a feathered cape and headdress. She declares to ORT that in the name of the Sun God Kukulkan that she will annihilate them.[34]
A flashback reveals Kukulkan had spoken with the dying Tepeu, who was relieved he never had Xquic experience the pain of dying in battle. Kukulkan decided to commit his thoughts to memory and declared that her role ends as well. The last Ocelotl died moments ago and the deinos who scattered into the jungle have entered their final slumber. Tepeu and those left are the plains are the last ones.[34]
Kukulkan stated she too would cease activity after she sees the last of the deinos’ moments. She continued ORT will head to the surface and shatter the planet. Malla will then wait for new life to spring on the broken surface, thus repeating the cycle of extinction. Considering he was the last deino, Kukulkan offered to accommodate any of Tepeu's last requests.[34]
Tepeu tried to laugh, only to vomit up blood as he was missing a lung, which Kukulkan immediately worried over. He observed Kukulkan had become expressive, unlike how she had no reaction to the future at Mexico City or when Chichén Itzá was attacked. He thought she couldn’t feel sorrow, but now understood she hadn’t learned how to express her emotions yet or which expression was appropriate. But now she can express it naturally. Like Xquic before, Tepeu told Kukulkan that it was okay to grieve.[34]
Kukulkan thought it would be unforgivable for her, who did nothing to save the deinos, to grieve over their deaths. Tepeu told her to set herself free and do whatever she wished. He knew she wanted to go help Chaldea, but was held back by her feelings of guilt. He insisted if she was going to sleep either way, then she should do so after she has unloaded her guilt.[34]
For his final request, Tepeu asked Kukulkan to give them one final dream…to see her in a form so dazzling it would make them doubt their very eyes. That would grant them who left not a single thing behind their one and only legend.[34]
Kukulkan confessed that even after witnessing the Heroic Spirits of Proper Human History, she couldn’t bring herself to aid them. Her beloved will always be the deinos, who treasured her and called her friend despite being a false sun. So she proclaimed if it would serve as a form of salvation (changing her form to sport a feathered cape and headdress) then she would gladly become a Lost God. She then flew off to her own (ORT’s) heart.[34]
The deinos watched as Kukulkan streaked across the sky. Even on the verge of death, they cried out in joy. They reflected upon the joys of life and could finally feel regret as they embraced death. The future of Proper Human History was a lost history to them, yet now they felt as if it was their own.[34]
Back to the present, Kukulkan explains ORT used the traces of its own corneum as a catalyst to summon a Servant of itself. Its only purpose is to prolong the Lostbelt. It's not even alive anymore. But Mictlan must take responsibility for everything spawned from it. So even if it means her world will disappear, Kukulkan fights together with Chaldea to destroy ORT once and for all.[34]
ORT (Starcell)
ORT is destroyed, only for it to remanifest in a Starcell form. Ritsuka truly fears ORT is impossible to destroy, but Kukulkan assures them Chaldea has already bested ORT. The only reason ORT cannot be annihilated is because its body still remains in the sun. Kukulkan says she will take care of it, proclaiming this is where her real duty comes in.[34]
Holding the sun aloft, Kukulkan tells ORT as invaders from the void the two of them were co-existent. By consuming the Tree, ORT had extended its lifespan and by using ORT’s heart, Malla kept Mictlan alive. Kukulkan understands destroying ORT means destroying the Lostbelt. Nevertheless, she cannot allow the future shown by Tezcatlipoca’s vision to be forced onto Proper Human History.[34]
She conveys the consensus of Malla: Mictlan ends here. They have acknowledged while the past 66 million years were good, there was another way. They have acknowledged they halted the progress of the species who live on this planet.[34]
Kukulkan detonates the sun, destroying ORT and incinerating the Sea of Fantasy Trees.
Kukulkan tells ORT that the sun is its heart from which she was born, thus they are one and the same. She activates her Interstellar Voyage Engine and detonates the sun, declaring none but ORT can defeat ORT. The blast destroys not only ORT but incinerates every Fantasy Tree in the Lostbelt as well.[34]
For the last ten seconds of his life, Tepeu gazes up on the cosmos in the now sunless Mictlan. He thinks on how in time 66 million years of deinos history will be forgotten forever. But even if it is without a happy ending, even if it is a fantasy, something once created will never disappear, forever etched into the universe. Tepeu dies smiling, thinking anything that takes place will never be meaningless.[34]
At Chichén Itzá, Koyanskaya, who is being unsummoned, is surprised Kukulkan would end her own Lostbelt. She questions how she is supposed to uphold her dignity when faced with an answer as exemplary as Kukulkan’s.[34]
One of the brothers asks her if she would lose her dignity because she wasn’t much help. Koyanksya insists she was of great help but adds NFF Services is never meant to take a central role. Its purpose is to assist the lives of others in secret, allowing them to reach success. She did just so, saying her profits improve the longer her customers survive. She expects Chaldea to provide her with more entertainment.[34]
She asks the brothers what they intend to do, considering Mictlan will disappear very soon. A brother answers that they will play xoqqer since they are in Chichén Itzá. There are only four of them left though, so it will have to be a 2v2 match. They live for xoqqer and will play it until the world comes to an end.[34]
Koyanskaya admires that attitude, saying to chase after one’s happiness without it being forced upon you is what it means to be alive. She disappears after seeing the brothers off.[34]
Kukulkan claims she didn’t end Mictlan for Proper Human History. She insists she is simply a free-spirited alien, and she hasn’t come to terms with humanity. Ritsuka and Mash point out, however, she had only ever been their ally. Kukulkan is a bit disappointed they never fought. She admits, however, she couldn’t bear to attack Ritsuka after she heard from Kadoc what they thought of her. She wishes she could keep them with her, but she accepts as god of the Lostbelt she can neither keep them nor go with them.[34]
With her duty fulfilled, she wants to watch over Mictlan until it disappears for good. That being said, she made her debut as a real god, so she wonders if it might be possible for her to be summoned as a Servant once Chaldea leaves the Lostbelt. She believes that is how the system of Proper Human History works, trusting humanity will eventually reach its final destination. Ritsuka promises to at least try their best to make it so.
Before she leaves, Kukulkan conveys the consensus of the now deceased Malla. They are rooting for Chaldea not because they saw Mictlan off in its final moments but because rooting for the relayer, who is still running, comes naturally to all life. Kukulkan then leaves, praying the Chaldeans will experience as much happiness as possible on their travels.[34]
Mictlan grows darker and with the sun gone, Mictlan’s gravity is beginning to change direction. The Storm Border is now ascending toward the surface. Ritsuka suddenly loses consciousness.[34]
Fifth Sun[]
Ritsuka finds themselves back in the world of fog---Mictlampa, the realm of rest and stillness, the paradise of Tezcatlipoca. They soon find a campfire where Daybit has just finished telling Tezcatlipoca how Chaldea stopped ORT. He asserts liars, whether they are a god or not, ought to be punished and threatens to go west to retrieve Quetzalcoatl.[35]
Tezcatlipoca begs him not to, not wanting to deal with the pain of Quetzalcoatl’s Macana. But he insists he wasn’t lying as ORT did destroy Mictlan. He admits he did embellish what would happen afterward, though. He then notices Ritsuka, whom Daybit has been waiting for.[35]
Daybit insists he wasn’t exactly waiting for them, thinking there was only a 50/50% chance they would come. But Tezcatlipoca knew Ritsuka would come for sure as they need to take back the “weapon” they pawned off to him if they want to be a Master from here on out.[35]
Ritsuka states they will take their Master rights back with them to their world. Daybit is perplexed that Ritsuka never got their Master rights back, even though he could summon. Tezcatlipoca clarifies Ritsuka could only summon within the Underworld Borders utilizing their Command Spells and the bonds they had forged. But he confesses while Ritsuka did take their Command Spells from Camazotz, he never gave the Master rights away and in fact had them since he bought them. Daybit concludes that means Ritsuka wasn’t in perfect fighting form and thinking on it now he did find them lacking for the one who saved the world.[35]
He decides they will fight then. They are in Mictlampa, which exists on the boundary of life and death, so the debt RItsuka incurred to return to life has no sway. They can fight in perfect form as a Master. The winner will return to life and have their payment returned. For Ritsuka, that would be their Command Spells. For Daybit, that would be returning to life and going back to when he summoned Tezcatlipoca a year ago and ensuring his plan succeeds.[35]
Ritsuka asks Daybit why he would go to such lengths to destroy the Earth. Daybit finds that a strange question and asserts he and Ritsuka are one and the same. They do what they do not out of responsibility but out of self-satisfaction.[35]
Tezcatlipoca declares the winner of this battle shall be banished from his realm. This is the last rite of passage in Aztec mythology, so he encourages both combatants to give it their all, saying he will not mock the loser if they do. But he refuses to acknowledge those who flee, refuse to kill, and/or doubt their cause as warriors. He can sense Ritsuka’s hatred of death is excessive, but since they have survived this long on those convictions, he must acknowledge them.[35]
He changes his form to one befitting an Aztec god, deciding to treat Ritsuka like a warrior. He welcomes all warriors, both winners and losers, asserting those who die in battle deserve to be rewarded equally. As such, his is the realm of the defeated, welcoming those who died fighting, destined to be forgotten by all. He acknowledges their feats and so grants them the peace and rest that they are worthy of.[35]
He wonders whether Ritsuka will win or lose, proclaiming this is the battle to end Mictlan. Thus, if Ritsuka wins, the Seventh Lostbelt will be gone for good and Mictlan’s story ends together with the sun of dawn---Nahui OllinWP, the Fifth SunWP. Tezcatlipoca demands Ritsuka show him their resolve, saying it is time to choose between life and death on their own terms.[35]
Daybit states regardless of Ritsuka’s choice whether they can obtain it or not is a different story, declaring he will put them down. He asserts Chaldea’s excessive abuse of the Human Order will not be good enough against the Alien God. He calls Marisbury an enemy of the universe and states if only he can see that, then he will destroy the planet to ensure humanity’s defamation never happens.[35]
While Ritsuka would save the world, Daybit would save the universe. Even if they both seek to save humanity, so as long as their methods differ, they will have confront to each other. Daybit therefore challenges Ritsuka to battle not as a Crypter but as a Master. He wants to see how the battle he simulated in the Coffin so many times will turn out.[35]
Daybit and Tezcatlipoca lose the ensuing battle, though the former expected Ritsuka would win if they fought as Masters. Nonetheless, Daybit accepts the outcome and prepares to leave.[35]
Ritsuka stops him and asks if ORT was really the only way he could fight the Alien God. Daybit answers it was as he was unable to forge bonds like Ritsuka can. He knew it was too late once he understood the truth of CHALDEAS after joining Team A, revealing the complete CHALDEAS is a planet unto itself, so nobody can destroy it. He tried to threaten Marisbury into stopping his plan, but the director killed himself, choosing to protect the Securing of the Human Order over his own life.[35]
At that moment, he had no choice but to go along with Marisbury’s plan because if he wanted to destroy CHALDEAS he couldn’t do it as an outsider. He predicted only those who remained in Chaldea would have the chance to destroy CHALDEAS, meaning those of Novum Chaldea. He had never expected a new Chaldea would fight against the old Chaldea and leaves, finding Novum Chaldea to be a good name.[35]
Ritsuka tries to go after him, but Tezcatlipoca stops them, accusing them of trying to rob the loser of his right to leave. He reassures them though Daybit’s stay in Mictlampa is only temporary and he will return once he’s rested this time on the winning side. Ritsuka notices him starting to disappear and in a panic reminds him they haven’t gotten their Master rights back yet. Tezcatlipoca returns to his modern form to give Ritsuka back their Master rights, finding it appropriate since he bought them in this form.[35]
After returning their Master rights, Tezcatlipoca tells Ritsuka that it was a shame that they had been enemies, but asserts that it was better that they were, since because Tezcatlipoca isn't someone for patience, he would have shot Ritsuka in the head the moment they turned away from him had they been allies. He reassures Ritsuka though that there is never a battle where everything is destroyed. They may have ended Mictlan but they didn’t destroy it. They should know from what they know of Aztec Mythology’s cycle of extinction that something always returns to life afterward. Something that remains even after countries and civilizations are destroyed and that is time.[35]
Tezcatlipoca states while humans believe themselves to be passengers through time it is actually the opposite. He tells Ritsuka to remember everything, not just humans, observe and record time and so long as they remain, their world is indestructible. Even if things disappears, even if the planet loses its purpose, time will always move toward the future. Everything fades to white.[35]
To Antarctica[]
Ritsuka wakes up in the medical bay to a relieved Mash. She informs them they were both taken to the medical day after collapsing on the deck. Nurse assures neither of them have any abnormalities nor cellular damage caused by cosmic radiation. They can return to their rooms with peace of mind, where their belongings and Mystic Codes first, but first Goredolf has asked for them. Ritsuka and Mash head for the control room after thanking Nurse for the treatment.[36]
Upon seeing Ritsuka and Mash enter, Goredolf is visibly relieved to see they are well. He, of course, tries to pretend he was the only one he wasn’t worried about their welfare. Da Vinci, Sion, Kadoc, Habetrot, and even Fou all take turns however to prove he was the only one who lacked faith in their recovery.[36]
Goredolf confesses he had his reservations on whether Ritsuka and Mash would be too traumatized from U-Olga Marie’s death to return to active duty. But he is surprised Ritsuka is the same as always, calling them remarkably tough. Mash corrects him, though, it is only because everyone is the same that she and Ritsuka can keep moving forward like they do.[36]
Moving on, Goredolf declares the Lostbelt successfully pruned. However, now knowing CHALDEAS is the Alien World, the Storm Border will set course for the Chaldea Base in the Antartic to verify the truth. There they might learn the purpose of the Fantasy Trees, the purpose of bleaching the Earth, and Marisbury’s true intent in having CHALDEAS created. Whatever the facts might be, the future of Proper Human History depends on Novum Chaldea and they shall bring light to Chaldea’s mysteries.[36]
Everyone cheers at Goredolf’s speech, making feel proud of himself as commander. But he is surprised no one seems exhausted from their all-out battle with ORT because he certainly is. He recommends that they all take a break.[36]
Later, alone in the control room, Nemo is visited by Ritsuka, whom Nemo thought would be on their way to the cafeteria where Mash and the others are waiting. Ritsuka gives Nemo the xoqqer ball Tepeu had crafted for Marine No. 4. Tepeu gave it to them back when he agreed to be Chaldea’s guide for the Underworld Pilgrimage. He gave it to RItsuka to give to Nemo on his behalf as proof of friendship.[36]
Nemo briefly crumbles before calming down and accepting Tepeu’s gift. He tells RItsuka to go to the cafeteria, promising to join them as soon as he finishes his rounds.[36]
After Ritsuka leaves, Nemo promises he will never forget the friendship “he” shared with Tepeu even if the latter's world and gift must disappear with the Lostbelt.[36]
On the bleached Earth, Rasputin and the Chaldean meet. Rasputin asks him how he feels about Chaldea now that they have fulfilled his requirements to become his enemy. The Chaldean admits he never thought those who bear the name of Chaldea could see CHALDEAS as their enemy. However, Novum Chaldea is not the Chaldea he knows, but rather a brand-new Human Order Security Organization meant to demolish Marisbury’’s Grand Order.[36]
Rasputin reveals CHALDEAS’ plan was only ever to have Chaldea excise all the Lostbelts. He never thought a rival organization would form after the fact, though, so he must go seek further instructions from CHALDEAS.[36]
The Chaldean asks Rasputin if he is going to try to recover U-Olga Marie. Even if her Spirit Origin did shatter, there should be enough pieces left to restore her albeit a defective soulless shell of her former self. Rasputin replies it wouldn’t be his task. He would personally prefer letting U-Olga Marie rest, but he suspects the only other remaining Apostle, the Count, would put her to cruel use.[36]
This confirms the Chaldean’s suspicions that there were seven Apostles of the Alien World. Three to monitor the Crypter: the Priest, the Atlas-slayer, and the Malignant Incarnation. Three to monitor Chaldea: the Detective, the Professor, and the Count. Lastly, their leader, the God, though U-Olga Mare never realized she herself was a Servant.[36]
Rasputin says there was no need for U-Olga Marie to know, saying she was nothing more than an unpredicted god born on the Alien World. He proclaims her dying heroically without ever knowing the truth must have served as some form of salvation. The Chaldean calls it brazen for Rasputin to say so when he was the one who induced her to do so.[36]
With two Apostles left, Rasputin included, the Chaldean asks Rasputin if he can stop Chaldea. Rasputin asserts he could as he wouldn’t let them go so easily otherwise. But it is not his place to stop them for they are their own stumbling block. If they cannot reckon with what they've accumulated so far, they will surely be put to judgment by Human Order itself.[36]
Participants[]
Servants
| Designation | Identity | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Rider | HabetrotWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Caster/Avenger | NitocrisWP | Ritsuka Fujimaru |
| Saber | Beni-enmaWP (Alter) | |
| Alter Ego | Kingprotea (Alter) | |
| Pretender | TenochtitlanWP | |
| Foreigner (Living Hero) | KukulkanWP | |
| Unknown Class | Blue TezcatlipocaWP | |
| Assassin | Koyanskaya of Light | |
| Assassin | Hassan-i-SabbahWP (First) | |
| Rider | Captain NemoWP | |
| Lancer | Fionn mac CumhaillWP | |
| Caster | GilgameshWP | |
| Alter Ego | Grigori RasputinWP | Alien God |
| Grand Assassin | TezcatlipocaWP | Daybit Sem Void |
| Grand Foreigner | ORT Xibalba | ORT |
| Lancer | EreshkigalWP (Alter) |
Non-Servants
| Designation | Identity | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Crypter | Daybit Sem Void | Alien God |
| Ultimate One | ORT | |
| Beast | U-Olga Marie | |
| Deino | Tepeu | |
| Deino | Vucub | |
| Human | Izcalli/Moctezuma IIWP | Ocelomeh |
| Divine Beast | GugalannaWP | |
| Divine Spirit | DumuzidWP | |
| Beast | CamazotzWP | |
| Archetype | Xquic | |
| Deino | Wakchan |
Development[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbeltlt: 黄金樹海紀行 PV
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - SIN: Land of Unified Knowledge - Intro
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 13: Third Underworld Xoxoauhqui
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Atlantis: Ancient Ocean of the Dreadnought Gods - Prologue
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Olympus: Interstellar Mountain City - Section 27: The Journey Continues
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 6.30 6.31 6.32 6.33 6.34 6.35 6.36 6.37 6.38 6.39 6.40 6.41 6.42 6.43 6.44 6.45 6.46 6.47 6.48 6.49 6.50 6.51 6.52 6.53 6.54 6.55 6.56 6.57 6.58 6.59 6.60 6.61 6.62 6.63 6.64 6.65 6.66 6.67 6.68 6.69 6.70 6.71 6.72 6.73 6.74 6.75 6.76 6.77 6.78 6.79 6.80 6.81 6.82 6.83 6.84 6.85 6.86 6.87 6.88 6.89 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 2: Golden Rainforest
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 7.33 7.34 7.35 7.36 7.37 7.38 7.39 7.40 7.41 7.42 7.43 7.44 7.45 7.46 7.47 7.48 7.49 7.50 7.51 7.52 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 3: Tlatlauhqui, the first underworld border
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 13: Xoxoauhqui, the Third Underworld Border
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 14: Metztitlán, the Doomsday Observatory
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.22 10.23 10.24 10.25 10.26 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 18: Aquatic Capital (Aztlán/Calakmul)
- ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 11.14 11.15 11.16 11.17 11.18 11.19 11.20 11.21 11.22 11.23 11.24 11.25 11.26 11.27 11.28 11.29 11.30 11.31 11.32 11.33 11.34 11.35 11.36 11.37 11.38 11.39 11.40 11.41 11.42 11.43 11.44 Fate/Grand Order - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 17: Yayauhqui, the Fourth Underworld Border
- ↑ Famitsu - Fate/Grand Order 8th Anniversary interview with Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi translated by ComunCoutinho at Reddit
- ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 13.15 13.16 13.17 13.18 13.19 13.20 13.21 13.22 13.23 13.24 13.25 13.26 13.27 13.28 13.29 13.30 13.31 13.32 13.33 13.34 13.35 13.36 13.37 13.38 13.39 13.40 13.41 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 19: World Tree
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 14.16 14.17 14.18 14.19 14.20 14.21 14.22 14.23 14.24 14.25 14.26 14.27 14.28 14.29 14.30 14.31 14.32 14.33 14.34 14.35 14.36 14.37 14.38 14.39 14.40 14.41 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 21: Sea of Fantasy Trees Decisive Battle
- ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 15.11 15.12 15.13 15.14 15.15 15.16 15.17 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Prologue
- ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 16.11 16.12 16.13 16.14 16.15 16.16 16.17 16.18 16.19 16.20 16.21 16.22 16.23 16.24 16.25 16.26 16.27 16.28 16.29 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 1: To the Land of Death
- ↑ 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 17.15 17.16 17.17 17.18 17.19 17.20 17.21 17.22 17.23 17.24 17.25 17.26 17.27 17.28 17.29 17.30 17.31 17.32 17.33 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 4: At the Golden City
- ↑ 18.00 18.01 18.02 18.03 18.04 18.05 18.06 18.07 18.08 18.09 18.10 18.11 18.12 18.13 18.14 18.15 18.16 18.17 18.18 18.19 18.20 18.21 18.22 18.23 18.24 18.25 18.26 18.27 18.28 18.29 18.30 18.31 18.32 18.33 18.34 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 5: Life in Chichén Itzá (I)
- ↑ 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 19.11 19.12 19.13 19.14 19.15 19.16 19.17 19.18 19.19 19.20 19.21 19.22 19.23 19.24 19.25 19.26 19.27 19.28 19.29 19.30 19.31 19.32 19.33 19.34 19.35 19.36 19.37 19.38 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 6: Striker of Burning Flames
- ↑ 20.00 20.01 20.02 20.03 20.04 20.05 20.06 20.07 20.08 20.09 20.10 20.11 20.12 20.13 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Literary Fragment (I)
- ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 21.12 21.13 21.14 21.15 21.16 21.17 21.18 21.19 21.20 21.21 21.22 21.23 21.24 21.25 21.26 21.27 21.28 21.29 21.30 21.31 21.32 21.33 21.34 21.35 21.36 21.37 21.38 21.39 21.40 21.41 21.42 21.43 21.44 21.45 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 7: Guns, Wars, Losses
- ↑ 22.00 22.01 22.02 22.03 22.04 22.05 22.06 22.07 22.08 22.09 22.10 22.11 22.12 22.13 22.14 22.15 22.16 22.17 22.18 22.19 22.20 22.21 22.22 22.23 22.24 22.25 22.26 22.27 22.28 22.29 22.30 22.31 22.32 22.33 22.34 22.35 22.36 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 8: Second Underworld Iztauhqui
- ↑ 23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 23.10 23.11 23.12 23.13 23.14 23.15 23.16 23.17 23.18 23.19 23.20 23.21 23.22 23.23 23.24 23.25 23.26 23.27 23.28 23.29 23.30 23.31 23.32 23.33 23.34 23.35 23.36 23.37 23.38 23.39 23.40 23.41 23.42 23.43 23.44 23.45 23.46 23.47 23.48 23.49 23.50 23.51 23.52 23.53 23.54 23.55 23.56 23.57 23.58 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 9: The Lost Aquatic City
- ↑ 24.00 24.01 24.02 24.03 24.04 24.05 24.06 24.07 24.08 24.09 24.10 24.11 24.12 24.13 24.14 24.15 24.16 24.17 24.18 24.19 24.20 24.21 24.22 24.23 24.24 24.25 24.26 24.27 24.28 24.29 24.30 24.31 24.32 24.33 24.34 24.35 24.36 24.37 24.38 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 10: Day of ORT
- ↑ 25.00 25.01 25.02 25.03 25.04 25.05 25.06 25.07 25.08 25.09 25.10 25.11 25.12 25.13 25.14 25.15 25.16 25.17 25.18 25.19 25.20 25.21 25.22 25.23 25.24 25.25 25.26 25.27 25.28 25.29 25.30 25.31 25.32 25.33 25.34 25.35 25.36 25.37 25.38 25.39 25.40 25.41 25.42 25.43 25.44 25.45 25.46 25.47 25.48 25.49 25.50 25.51 25.52 25.53 25.54 25.55 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 11: Life in Chichén Itzá (II)
- ↑ 26.00 26.01 26.02 26.03 26.04 26.05 26.06 26.07 26.08 26.09 26.10 26.11 26.12 26.13 26.14 26.15 26.16 26.17 26.18 26.19 26.20 26.21 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Literary Fragment (II)
- ↑ 27.00 27.01 27.02 27.03 27.04 27.05 27.06 27.07 27.08 27.09 27.10 27.11 27.12 27.13 27.14 27.15 27.16 27.17 27.18 27.19 27.20 27.21 27.22 27.23 27.24 27.25 27.26 27.27 27.28 27.29 27.30 27.31 27.32 27.33 27.34 27.35 27.36 27.37 27.38 27.39 27.40 27.41 27.42 27.43 27.44 27.45 27.46 27.47 27.48 27.49 27.50 27.51 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 12: Kingdom of Corpses
- ↑ 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 28.13 28.14 28.15 28.16 28.17 28.18 28.19 28.20 28.21 28.22 28.23 28.24 28.25 28.26 28.27 28.28 28.29 28.30 28.31 28.32 28.33 28.34 28.35 28.36 28.37 28.38 28.39 28.40 28.41 28.42 28.43 28.44 28.45 28.46 28.47 28.48 28.49 28.50 28.51 28.52 28.53 28.54 28.55 28.56 28.57 28.58 28.59 28.60 28.61 28.62 28.63 28.64 28.65 28.66 28.67 28.68 28.69 28.70 28.71 28.72 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 13: Third Underworld: Xoxoauhqui
- ↑ 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 29.11 29.12 29.13 29.14 29.15 29.16 29.17 29.18 29.19 29.20 29.21 29.22 29.23 29.24 29.25 29.26 29.27 29.28 29.29 29.30 29.31 29.32 29.33 29.34 29.35 29.36 29.37 29.38 29.39 29.40 29.41 29.42 29.43 29.44 29.45 29.46 29.47 29.48 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 14: End Times Observatory Metztitlán
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 30.6 30.7 30.8 30.9 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Literary Fragment (III)
- ↑ 31.00 31.01 31.02 31.03 31.04 31.05 31.06 31.07 31.08 31.09 31.10 31.11 31.12 31.13 31.14 31.15 31.16 31.17 31.18 31.19 31.20 31.21 31.22 31.23 31.24 31.25 31.26 31.27 31.28 31.29 31.30 31.31 31.32 31.33 31.34 31.35 31.36 31.37 31.38 31.39 31.40 31.41 31.42 31.43 31.44 31.45 31.46 31.47 31.48 31.49 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 15: Flower War
- ↑ 32.00 32.01 32.02 32.03 32.04 32.05 32.06 32.07 32.08 32.09 32.10 32.11 32.12 32.13 32.14 32.15 32.16 32.17 32.18 32.19 32.20 32.21 32.22 32.23 32.24 32.25 32.26 32.27 32.28 32.29 32.30 32.31 32.32 32.33 32.34 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 16: Epilogue
- ↑ 33.00 33.01 33.02 33.03 33.04 33.05 33.06 33.07 33.08 33.09 33.10 33.11 33.12 33.13 33.14 33.15 33.16 33.17 33.18 33.19 33.20 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 20: ORT
- ↑ 34.00 34.01 34.02 34.03 34.04 34.05 34.06 34.07 34.08 34.09 34.10 34.11 34.12 34.13 34.14 34.15 34.16 34.17 34.18 34.19 34.20 34.21 34.22 34.23 34.24 34.25 34.26 34.27 34.28 34.29 34.30 34.31 34.32 34.33 34.34 34.35 34.36 34.37 34.38 34.39 34.40 34.41 34.42 34.43 34.44 34.45 34.46 34.47 34.48 34.49 34.50 34.51 34.52 34.53 34.54 34.55 34.56 34.57 34.58 34.59 34.60 34.61 34.62 34.63 34.64 34.65 34.66 34.67 34.68 34.69 34.70 34.71 34.72 34.73 34.74 34.75 34.76 34.77 34.78 34.79 34.80 34.81 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 22: The One Who Rules the Planet
- ↑ 35.00 35.01 35.02 35.03 35.04 35.05 35.06 35.07 35.08 35.09 35.10 35.11 35.12 35.13 35.14 35.15 35.16 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 23: Fifth Sun
- ↑ 36.00 36.01 36.02 36.03 36.04 36.05 36.06 36.07 36.08 36.09 36.10 36.11 36.12 36.13 Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Nahui Mictlan: Golden Sea of Trees Travelogue - Section 24: To Antarctica