Innocence Seekers: April Light/Chapter 1/Episode 6

This is the sixth episode, "The World Orbs" (世界の小玉), of the first chapter of Innocence Seekers: April Light

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Episode text
Himawari, Aoi and Benio entered the Furusaka Shrine. Inside was Kaori Otohane.

–Kaori: You're all here. Do you know why I called you all here?

–Himawari: Is it something to do with the recent incidents?

–Kaori: It is, but what I am about to tell you will go beyond these incidents. You know about the speculation that the Donsilans are responsible for all of this, right?

–Himawari: Ah, yes. That's what Akari said, anyway.

–Kaori: I've just been made aware of the fact that the Donsilans are, indeed, here to take back the galaxy.

–Aoi: Wait, Otohane, how did you find out?

–Kaori: The mere fact that a powerful intergalactic race is here to conquer the entire galaxy has not only humanity, but countless alien civilisations in a state of distress.

–Benio: Aliens?

–Kaori: Yes, first contact occurred last night. For much of our history, more advanced alien civilisations have been keeping an eye on us. Apparently, they were afraid of our power, as we were one of the few races that could use magic directly. Don't tell anyone else about the aliens though; it's currently classified information, to be given only to those directly responding to these incidents.

–Himawari: So why did these aliens initiate contact?

–Kaori: While they were afraid of us, they were even more afraid of the Donsilans. They believed that we were the only ones who could repel the invasion.

–Himawari: Did you get any more information?

–Kaori: The World Orbs incident only a year ago is somehow linked to all of this.

–Himawari: What do you mean?

–Kaori: Himawari, you know that on each inhabitable world, there are four or five World Orbs, right?

–Himawari: Yes.

–Kaori: That incident involved a being trying to steal one of Earth's World Orbs. While Earth is largely immune to the effects of having its World Orbs removed, I'd hate to think about what would happen if another planet's World Orbs were stolen.

–Aoi: So, how does this link to the current issue?

–Kaori: There's some evidence that the Donsilans are attempting to reclaim the World Orbs. While the Federation of Four Earths has yet to record an attack on the Orbs themselves, the aliens who contacted us mentioned that they had to fight back against the Donsilans over the Orbs.

–Aoi: Do you know where and when they'll strike next?

–Kaori: We do not know at this point in time. It has been only three years since Likkra and Namari unveiled their spaceships, and there is still much of the galaxy we've yet to explore. However, it is likely that the Donsilans will take the World Orbs of uninhabited planets.

–Benio: Wait, if they wanted to destroy us, wouldn't they try to take the World Orbs of our own planets?

–Kaori: It isn't just removing World Orbs which can cause disasters. Simply adding an extra World Orb to a planet can also cause disasters.

Suddenly, Himawari's phone rang. Himawari picked it up and answered it.

–Himawari: Hello? Oh, it's you, Akari. What is it?

Himawari paused for a moment.

–Himawari: Wait, what?!

Everyone looked at Himawari.

–Aoi: Himawari, what's going on?

–Himawari: Okay, I'll tell everyone. Bye.

Himawari put away the phone.

–Himawari: Everyone, there's something really important I need to tell you.

–Kaori: What is it?

–Himawari: Akari has told me that a Donsilan ship has been spotted by the Himiko. At last sighting, it was heading towards Murgin, at a trajectory which will see it slow down enough for it to exit hyperspace right next to the planet.

–Aoi: How much time do we have?

–Himawari: Unfortunately, we do not have enough time. As of now, it'll take three hours for the Himiko to reach the solar system. The Amaterasu is currently undergoing repair, so it cannot set out right now. The Donsilan ship is estimated to reach its destination in three hours.

–Benio: That's not enough time! How long will it take to get to Murgin?

–Himawari: Murgin is at Proxima Centauri, so just over 40 minutes. Unfortunately, that means for at least 40 minutes, the Donsilans are free to do whatever they want there.

–Aoi: What about the Portal Monoliths?

–Kaori: Unfortunately, there are no Portal Monoliths leading to Murgin. In fact, it's been so little time since we discovered the planet that it was only two weeks ago that we laid a waystone there.

–Benio: What about the World Orbs themselves? I know that Earth's World Orbs are located deep within the mantle.

–Himawari: The same applies to Murgin. However, we shouldn't underestimate the capabilities of the Donsilans. For all we know, they could be capable of overturning massive portions of a planet's crust. In fact, that ship the Amaterasu fought wasn't an actual Donsilan ship; it was a hijacked alien ship.

–Aoi: Then... what if we meet an actual Donsilan ship?

–Himawari: We do not know for now. Although, given their capabilities, we should consider ourselves lucky.

–Kaori: From what the aliens told us, actual Donsilan ships are far more powerful than what attacked the Amaterasu. Their ship-to-ship weapons have powers ranging into the teratons.

–Aoi: They're that powerful?

–Kaori: And even their personal spells possess as much as a megaton of power.

–Benio: Then, can we defeat them?

–Kaori: Against a single individual, it is possible. However, the Donsilan magical girl who fought Amelia and Erika three years ago was powerful enough to put them on the defensive. It's unlikely you two will even be able to make a scratch on one of them.

–Himawari: Ah, but there's Wakaba's Inherent Ability.

–Kaori: Ah, yes. Infinity Arrow. With such an ability, you may stand a chance. However, like all active Inherent Abilities, it drains a significant amount of mana.

–Himawari: Anyway, the only thing we can do now is wait.

–Aoi: By the way, where is Mirai?

–Himawari: Ah, she's currently at Inori's house. Did you want to speak to her?

–Aoi: No, I was just wondering. But why did Inori call for her?

–Himawari: I'm not sure myself. I'd ask her if I were you.

Meanwhile, in Sydney:

The group was in a hospital. Uzuki was lying in a bed, while the other girls were sitting on chairs beside the bed.

–Wakaba: So... what now?

–Catherine: Well, the first thing to do is for me to cure Uzuki's condition. However, even if she is cured right now, she will not regain consciousness for at the very least a few hours.

–Wakaba: So that means...

–Catherine: She'll stay here for a few days while she recovers.

–Louise: Catherine, is it possible to hasten the process?

–Catherine: No. Curing mana starvation itself takes several hours, and the recovery period cannot be skipped for any reason.

–Louise: I see. Well, then, it seems we'll be one short for the upcoming battle.

–Catherine: Battle?

–Louise: I heard from Akari. A Donsilan ship is headed for Murgin, and in less than three hours will arrive there. The Himiko is set to reach Earth in around the same time.

–Catherine: Wait, what do they want on Murgin? No one lives there.

–Louise: It's probably a guess, but I think they're after the World Orbs.

–Catherine: The World Orbs?

–Lyra: The World Orbs...

–Louise: Lyra?

–Lyra: The World Orbs... protect them... at all costs...

–Catherine: Lyra, what do you know about this?

–Lyra: Everything... it's all coming into my head. I don't know why, but for some reason all of this knowledge is coming into my head.

–Wakaba: What is it about?

–Lyra: The World Orbs... belonged to the Donsilans. They were created to turn barren worlds into worlds in which we could live. However, some Donsilans want to take back the World Orbs. I don't know why, though.

–Louise: Lyra, tell me. How did you get this knowledge?

–Lyra: I don't know. It all just came into my head.

–Catherine: Wait, you said "some Donsilans". Does that mean that not all of them are against us?

–Lyra: I... I think so.

–Louise: Well, if they did want to eliminate us, they would've gone in all guns blazing. But so far, our few encounters have either been with individuals, or with what appears to be a hijacked alien ship.

–Catherine: I wonder what this means. If not all of them are a part of this, then there's the possibility that some of them may help us.

–Wakaba: Wait, Catherine, there's something I'd like to know about Lyra.

–Catherine: What is it, Wakaba?

–Wakaba: Lyra, isn't an ordinary magical girl, right?

–Catherine: Well, she isn't. Her mana signature is not like any magical girl we've encountered before. But why do you ask?

–Wakaba: This is just a theory, but perhaps Lyra is related to the Donsilans in some way.

–Louise: I think so too. Given that they are after Lyra...

–Catherine: Anyway, I better start the procedure.

–Wakaba: How long will it take?

–Catherine: It shouldn't take more than an hour. Louise, can you take Lyra outside while we prepare?

–Louise: Okay. Lyra, come with me.

–Lyra: Okay!

Louise and Lyra left the room.

–Wakaba: Catherine, did you want me for something?

–Catherine: It's perfectly fine for me to cure mana starvation alone. However, you're a healer as well, right?

–Wakaba: Ah, that's right.

–Catherine: I want to show you how this works. Wakaba, I think you're capable of having this ability. So if you can handle all of this, then maybe I can ask to have a device created for you.

–Wakaba: I... I'll try.

–Catherine: Well, then, I'll begin.

Catherine took a small green orb from her pocket, and placed it on Uzuki. Catherine began to cast a spell, and a green magic circle appeared beneath her feet. The orb began to glow.

–Catherine: Wakaba, now you try.

–Wakaba: Ah, okay.

Wakaba began to cast a spell, and a green magic circle appeared.

After an hour:

–Wakaba: Is that it? That was so tiring...

–Catherine: Well, it was the first time you've done something like this. But I could see that you were able to complete all the needed tasks successfully. Wakaba, take a look at the display.

Wakaba glanced at the display.

–Wakaba: Does this mean...

–Catherine: It's a complete success. Not only is she gathering mana normally now, but electrical activity is returning to her brain.

–Wakaba: Then... she'll make a full recovery?

–Catherine: She will. At the moment, she needs to sleep. It'll be a while until she wakes up.

–Wakaba: Ah, okay. Anyway...

Louise entered the room.

–Louise: Catherine, your mother's here. She wants to speak with you about something.

–Catherine: I see. Is it about the Donsilans?

–Louise: I'm not sure. You'll have to ask her.

–Catherine: Well, then, I'll be going.

Catherine left.

–Louise: Wakaba, how is Uzuki?

–Wakaba: She should make a full recovery. In a few days, she should be back to normal.

–Louise: Well, I'm glad. Anyway, while I was waiting outside, a blue orb suddenly appeared out of thin air.

–Wakaba: Wait, how?

–Louise: I'm not sure. Lyra seems to know what it is, though.

–Wakaba: What did she say it was?

–Louise: She said that it was a miniaturised version of a Portal Monolith. Blue indicates an entry point, red an exit point.

–Wakaba: If so, then where does it lead to?

–Louise: At the moment, we don't know. However, Lyra said that we should wait until the Donsilans actually land on Murgin before activating it.

–Wakaba: Then that means...

–Louise: Whoever's helping us will send the exit point to Murgin. Wakaba, I've received some more information from the Himiko, via Himawari. From what I've gathered, the Donsilan ship won't actually exit hyperspace right next to the planet; instead, it's likely that it will exit at 40 astronomical units.

–Wakaba: Then, once they've exited hyperspace, how much time do we actually have?

–Louise: My guess, is around 12 hours.

–Wakaba: Which means...

Louise looked at the clock. It read 8:30.

–Louise: By the time the Donsilan ship leaves hyperspace, it'll be around 10 o'clock here. Which means, they'll arrive at 10 in the evening.

–Wakaba: So we have plenty of time. But, what about Uzuki?

–Louise: I don't think she'll be able to fight in that condition. And even if she's fully fit, Hiyori still has her device.

–Wakaba: Ah, right. Anyway, we should let Uzuki rest for a bit. Let's head outside.

–Louise: Okay.

The two girls headed outside, where Lyra was waiting.

–Lyra: Ah, Wakaba, how is Uzuki?

–Wakaba: She'll be fine. She just needs to rest.

Suddenly, Wakaba's phone rang. She picked it up and answered it.

–Wakaba: Hello? What is it, sis? Ah, so Hiyori visited you, right? And she told you about Uzuki's device, right? To be honest, I never knew that you created that device for Uzuki. Wait, you're heading here?! Ah, it was Hiyori's idea. Anyway, I'll see you later.

Wakaba put away her phone.

–Wakaba: Louise, Hiyori and my sister will be heading here to return Uzuki's device. They'll arrive in around a few hours.

–Louise: Wait, wasn't Hiyori going to create a new device for Uzuki?

–Wakaba: That'll take a few days, and I recall Hiyori mumbling something about a template she needed. Anyway, what about the others?

–Louise: Ah, Himawari said that she and the others will arrive here at around 9:30 in the evening, local time.

–Wakaba: Well, I better tell them about Uzuki's condition.

Catherine left the hospital building.

–Catherine: Ah, you were waiting for me?

–Louise: Well, we don't exactly have a place to stay, other than your house.

–Wakaba: By the way, Catherine, what did you discuss with your mother?

–Catherine: Most of it was the usual. However, she wanted to speak to me about Lyra.

–Lyra: Me? Is there something about me?

–Catherine: My mother thinks she knows what kind of magical girl Lyra really is.

–Wakaba: And that is...

–Catherine: From what we know about the Donsilans, they were able to create their own telepathic languages, designed to be used by specific groups of people.

–Louise: Wait, what would be the need for additional telepathic languages? We mainly communicate telepathically via the language of magic, so you mean that they communicated with non-mages as well?

–Catherine: Not quite. Non-mages, particularly those born without the ability to use magic, cannot communicate telepathically. These additional languages were probably used for secret communication, either one-way or mutual.

–Wakaba: One-way? Then, the additional knowledge Lyra gained was...

–Catherine: That was telepathy. Specifically, telepathy in a language Lyra can understand, but not use herself.

–Lyra: So, are you saying that... I'm related to the Donsilans?

–Catherine: My mother believes that you are one.

–Lyra: Eh?

–Louise: Well, given that those monsters seem to be after you...

–Catherine: Of course, we won't know until we investigate further.

Catherine noticed her mother walking out of the hospital building.

–Catherine: Ah, it seems my mother has finished whatever she was doing. Let's get into our car, and we'll discuss more at my house later.

–Wakaba: Ah, okay.

The girls followed Catherine's mother until they reached a car in the car park. Everyone went inside, and the car started and began to drive out of the car park.

By the time everyone arrived at Catherine's house, Lyra had fallen asleep. The car stopped outside the house, and everyone exited, except Lyra. Catherine went to the front door and unlocked it.

–Catherine: Louise, Wakaba, can you take Lyra inside for me?

–Wakaba: Okay, we will.

Louise and Wakaba carried Lyra inside.

–Catherine: Mum, are you heading out again?

–Jacinta: Well, I need to head to the airport, to pick up some of the other people coming here today.

–Catherine: But Wakaba's friends aren't going to arrive until the evening.

–Jacinta: I wasn't talking about them.

–Catherine: Then you mean, Hiyori?

–Jacinta: Yes. Anyway, I need to go now.

–Catherine: See you later, Mum.

Jacinta entered her car, and drove off. Catherine entered her house.

–Catherine: Louise, how is Lyra?

–Louise: She's fine.

–Catherine: Actually... how much sleep did all of you get lately?

–Louise: Not that much. I think we got around six or seven hours of sleep on the Amaterasu. Wakaba was the one having the most trouble sleeping; not only was she not used to sleeping on a spaceship, but she was also constantly worrying about Uzuki.

–Catherine: Anyway, where is Wakaba?

–Louise: She went upstairs.

–Catherine: I see. I better check that she's okay.

Catherine headed upstairs. She saw Wakaba standing just outside of a room, staring inside.

–Catherine: Wakaba, what are you doing?

–Wakaba: Ah! You scared me, Catherine! Anyway, what is your sister doing?

–Catherine: I'd just ignore her. Whenever she's busy, she doesn't usually like having visitors around.

–Wakaba: Ah, okay.

–Catherine: Anyway, there's a spare bed in the guest bedroom. If you want to use it, by all means, go ahead.

–Wakaba: Ah, thanks, but that's okay.

–Catherine: Wakaba... how much sleep did you get last night?

–Wakaba: Umm... actually, I couldn't sleep much last night. All I could think of was Uzuki.

–Catherine: Not only that, you exerted yourself significantly back at the hospital. You really need to rest now; if you falter on Murgin, then...

–Wakaba: I understand.

–Catherine: Now go and get some rest. Maybe after a while, you'll feel better. Remember, we need you to help us, so it wouldn't do to have you feeling tired.

–Wakaba: Okay.

Wakaba entered one of the rooms. Catherine entered her sister's room.

–Catherine: Chelsea, just what are you doing right now? Have you had breakfast yet?

–Chelsea: Catherine, you know I'm busy right now. And yes, I have had breakfast. Right now I'm trying to figure out how we can achieve a satisfactory result at Murgin.

–Catherine: So that's why you're running the space combat sim. You know, it won't just be the Himiko fighting.

–Chelsea: I know, I know. But with Uzuki's condition right now, we're severely constrained. I mean, she's the only magical girl with that kind of Inherent Ability.

–Catherine: Anyway, it'll be a while until they actually arrive at Murgin. Do you know the capabilities of this Donsilan ship?

–Chelsea: Not exactly, but we're assuming that it's another hijacked alien ship.

–Catherine: Anyway...

Suddenly there was the noise of something rolling on the floor.

–Catherine: Chelsea, what was that?

–Chelsea: I don't know. Can you check it out?

–Catherine: Okay.

Catherine left the room, only to find another orb rolling along the floor. This time, though, it was red.

End of Episode 6

Next episode preview
–Aoi: Everyone, another battle is coming up. Is everyone prepared for it?

–Benio: We all know what's at stake here. So of course we're prepared!

–Wakaba: But what about Uzuki? She still hasn't woken up yet.

–Benio: Ah, Uzuki. Well, we still have time, so hopefully she wakes up before the battle.

–Aoi: However, what do you two make of the idea that only some of the Donsilans are responsible?

–Benio: Breakaway faction?

–Wakaba: Criminals?

–Aoi: I was thinking of something along the lines of a revolt.

–Wakaba: Next time on Innocence Seekers: April Light, Episode 7: "Murgin". Be sure not to miss it!

–Aoi: Wakaba, Benio, we should get going now.

–Wakaba: Ah, right.

Bonus scene
Inside a hospital room, Uzuki had been sleeping alone. She woke up, only to find no one else inside.

–Uzuki: Umm, where am I? Where is everyone?

Uzuki noticed her device left on the nearby table, along with a note. The note read:

"Uzuki, here is your device back. It was damaged when you activated your Inherent Ability, and from our analysis, we have decided that you need a new device, one which can use your Inherent Ability effectively. So once you have fully recovered from your condition, please head back to Tokyo, where Sumire will give you your new device once it is ready.
 * –Hiyori Kigawa and Aoba Harumi"

–Uzuki: Hiyorin... thank you.

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Commentary
The concept of telepathic languages is mentioned in this episode. In many speculative fiction stories it is often taken for granted that telepathy can act as a universal translator, as it is thoughts which are transmitted. However, some authors have made the point that since everyone thinks differently, any individuals of a civilisation without the ability to use telepathy will each have their own telepathic language. For Innocence Seekers, I've taken note of this issue, and stipulated that telepathy is limited to mages, as well as stating that mages communicate via the language of magic.

The language of magic is mentioned in this episode. In the Innocence Seekers multiverse, there is only one language of magic, for reasons which I won't go into detail because of spoilers (although I can say that it is related to the setting's mythology). As there is only one language of magic, mages can use it as a universal language, even between different species. In terms of the language itself, I won't speculate on what the language actually is, although the grammar bears significant resemblance to Lojban, and by necessity, the language can be used as a programming language (since spells are, well, programs; note that Lojban can also be used as a programming language).