Welcome to Chaldea

1999

Moderate rainfall blankets the city of Mifune, relying on the city lights to brighten the clouded night skies. A common fixture for the mystic city, providing it a perfect noire atmosphere for the mysteries that occur behind the eyes of the locals. But besides those, it wasn't really an interesting city, in her opinion. Boring, in fact, according to the one known as Aozaki Aoko. Also known as Miss Blue, or the Magic Gunner. Wielder of the Fifth Magic, and heir to the Aozaki family.

And right now, she was soaked to the bone, standing outside a hospital that she was called to. By her sister.

Her estranged sister, with a feud that could rival the World Wars. She chuckled to herself, the feud between them wouldn't be called a feud anymore by the mundane. But that feud had stopped a few years ago. Their relationship is by no means mended, but they could stand each other's presence if they were to be in the same room with one another. Granted, they haven't been in the same room for years. Something happened to her sister, something that caused her to give up on reaching for the Root. Not even she herself was privy to the exact reason, but word on the vine is that the prodigious Aozaki Touko had mellowed out. As long as they don't call her by that name at least.

"Really though…" Why did Touko call her here? In fact, why was she still here at Mifune? Touko is the type to set up a base, unlike herself who had been on the move around Japan ever since she left the Association, but Touko would still have left by now. She wouldn't coop herself up for too long somewhere. And yet here she was, at a hospital of all places.

Did something happen? Touko sounded winded, in pain from the brief call she had, but wasn't exactly urgent.

Well, no time like the present. She approached the hospital and dried her bright red hair as much as she could, wringing the water out. She scanned her surroundings; a relatively busy hospital, with would-be patients waiting, and other people sheltering. Nothing out of the ordinary for a hospital, so she walked over to the receptionist, lining up behind the queue. She didn't need to wait too long, at most it was probably 10 minutes before she was called over.

"How may I help you, Miss?" the receptionist asked her with a professional smile.

"Hi, I'm here for someone called Aozaki Touko?" Aoko said, with both hands on the counter.

"Ah, you must be the sister, Aozaki Aoko?" she nodded. "Wonderful, she said she was expecting you. Please, room 318, 3rd floor on your right."

She had more questions, but if Aoko was pointed straight to her sister, then she'd guess that Touko could answer them. She gave a quick thanks to the receptionist and made her way up, taking the somewhat crowded elevator. She pressed the button to the floor, and as the door closed, she looked up to the floor signs. 3rd floor. Maternity Ward.

"What?" she half-whispered to herself. Why would Touko be in the Maternity Ward? The answer seems obvious, but it's hard to believe. The both of them had less than stellar experiences when it came to romance, and right now Touko's giving birth? That made no sense. She stood there, in the elevator, just going through the likelihood of such a possibility. So engrossed that she almost missed the floor, hustling out of it when another person inside reminded her of where she was.

"318, to my right…" and off she went, following the succinct directions she received, going down the corridor. 1, 2, on the right. 3, 4 on the left. 5, 6 on the right. And so on, and so forth. She kept walking, eyes scanning the numbers until she finally arrived. 318.

Her hand moved to knock, but she stopped. She was hesitant. They may have stopped their feud, but if it this was exactly as she was thinking, it feels like she was skipping a million steps. The last sort of interaction she had to deal with in regards to her sister was dealing with the random purchases that were made in her name. She sighed. This tiptoeing was not like her. She's been known to bulrush her way through. Looks like she'll be doing the same here, as she gave three steady knocks.

"Come in." came the muffled reply from inside the room. With the affirmation she needed, she turned the door handled and walked inside.

"Oh shit." Aoko let slip when her eyes immediately landed on her sister, cradling a blanketed baby in her arms.

Closing the door behind her, she made her way towards Touko's bed, noticing the exhausted look on the older woman's face. One that also had the softest, most pleasant smile she's ever seen on Touko's face. It was surreal. It was unbelievable. It was…

"Who the hell are you? What did you do to Touko?"

It was too much. There was no way this person could be Touko. Could it?

The bedridden woman looked up, her eyes meeting with Aoko's own. "Took you long enough."

"No, seriously. What?"

"Sit down. We have a lot to talk about." Touko said, nodding to the chair near her bed.

Aoko did as she was suggested, her still wet body dripping onto the pink chair. "What happened?" that made you change, Aoko thought. Because the person on that bed, is not the same person she had last spoken to in person.

The older woman, gently rocking the baby in her arms, shrugged. "Nothing so grandstanding. I just gave up on the end goal of all magi, as you no doubt have heard. And from then on, I just started focusing on other things in life. Like some amusing children that I'm making sure don't go down the same path I did."

Oddly specific, but she wasn't going to comment on it. Not yet anyways. "If you're already dealing with children, then what's with this?" she gestured to the baby.

Touko let out a light chuckle. "Because I've stayed for too long. I've made myself get too comfortable. I need to move on. But… there's a yearning that I've never noticed, not until later last year. A yearning that's only grown. So, I did this."

"Who's the father?"

"I don't know. I went to a sperm bank."

"What? A sperm bank? Not even a donor from a magus family?"

"Doesn't really matter to me." Touko answered calmly. "Besides, all that would achieve is make me involved with another family."

Aoko's mouth hang open in disbelief. This, was something she had never expected she would see. This person, absolutely, was not the same person that tried to kill her year all those years ago. "How are you going to raise it?"

"Assuming she has the potential, then I guess as the branch family of the Aozaki. Even if she doesn't, then I'm sure she'll find a way."

"As a magus?" Aoko asked unsurely.

"Who knows? A fundamental aspect of being a magus to actively reach for the Root. And with me as a parent…"

"I see." Aoko moved over closer to the bed, pulling the chair along. The baby looked to be sleeping soundly in her sister's arms, wrapped snugly in the pink blanket. "It looks like you."

"She looks like us. We're sisters, after all." Touko, making sure the baby was comfortable, held her out to Aoko. "Want to hold her?"

Aoko backed into her chair, briefly startled by the unknown territory. "I've never done this before."

"You think I have?" Touko said with a smirk. "Come on, she won't bite."

Aoko looked back to the small baby, and hesitantly took her into her own arms. Light. She was very light. Lighter than a bag of rice. She looked so small. So peaceful. This little thing, came from Touko? She felt movement coming, and immediately noticed the baby stir, eyes slowly opening. Gold, unlike the red of her sister. The baby cooed in her arms, and Aoko couldn't help but smile back.

"What's her name?" Aoko asked, her attention locked onto the baby.

Touko herself smiled at the image before her. "Her name is-"

2017

This is an interesting one. Olga Marie thought to herself, looking over the latest documents in line, thinking over the candidate with more than a veiled interest. There were a lot that ticks off her own list as to the potential of this candidate, especially a volunteer at that. Compatibility as a Master, that remains to be tested, if they decide to bring her aboard. But the sticking point, the thing that actually made her double over the document, was the name. She had to check, if the way it was spelt matched, because Japanese names were convoluted like that, with its different meanings and pronunciations. And it matched. Of course, that didn't really mean anything, but she had to make sure.

The hiss of the door sliding open signaled the arrival of her most trusted confidant. Green coat and top hat, curly hair reaching below his shoulder. Lev Lainur. "You called for me, Olga?"

"Ah, Lev. Thanks for coming on short notice." She said with a gratified smile.

"It seemed rather urgent, so I admit I was rather curious." He replied, sitting himself across her. Leg draped over the other.

"It's not exactly that urgent, but I needed someone with your experience." She told him, the files still in her hand.

"Experience?" he asked back, eyebrow raised in mild curiosity.

She set the papers face down on the table before readdressing him. "Tell me. Touko Aozaki. She was a classmate of yours in the Clock Tower, yes?"

Lev tilted his head in thought. "In the Department of Archeology, yes she was. I consider her a good friend."

"Then…" she flipped the papers up and slid them to his side. "Did she ever have a child?"

His own eyes scrutinized the documents passed onto him, before taking them off of the table. Narrowing onto the picture, and was surprised to see someone that looked like a mirror version of her. She looks like Touko when they were both students, though there were still some noticeable differences. Her hair was done in a side plait, an even brighter orange and eyes of gold, compared to Touko's own reds. Beyond that, the similarities were uncanny. And the name.

"Ayako Aozaki. Colorful Child. She looks like her. And her specialties…" he continued reading through the file. "They match Touko's. Rune based thaumaturgy, and a puppet maker, though the extent of her skills are still unknown."

"If they were, she would already have been given a Sealing Designation, like Touko." Olga Marie added.

"That's right. Though I'm surprised they didn't just slap one on her on principal alone. Assuming she is Touko's daughter." He said, nodding along in affirmative.

"They probably ignored her. You know how the orient is viewed. Probably dismissing her as just another backwater magus, or at most an imposter."

"That's another thing. How are we certain that this isn't an imposter?" he asked her.

"That possibility did occur to me, which is why I contacted the head of the Department of Creation." Olga Marie replied, brushing her hand through her hair.

"Ah, I see. She's a student of the Department of Creation, and Touko herself also studied under Lord Valualeta." He agreed, leaning back into the chair. "And what did she say?"

"A prodigy like Touko herself, though she has made a conscious effort to not stand out." The Director said. "Has an array of practical skills under her belt beyond just her magecraft. A lot more carefree than Touko, in fact she said that there are hints of Aoko from her as well. So, unless this is someone who had been in proximity of both sisters, then she is most likely not an imposter."

Lev contemplated his thoughts before relaying them back. "Hints of Aoko… Last I heard of them, they wanted to kill each other. But, if they set aside their differences long enough to impart their wisdom onto her, I can see how she would be a prodigy that would rival Touko."

"That's assuming she is in fact her daughter." Olga Marie said, leaning into her arm on the desk.

"Yes. Assuming she is her daughter." Lev responded, placing the files back to her side.

"So, what do you think?" she asked.

"In the context of her having no relationship with the Aozakis, based off of her files, she sounds like an exceptional magus. Her skills would benefit Chaldea greatly even if she has zero compatibility as a Master." He articulated carefully, laying out his opinion on the matter. "And if she actually is Touko's daughter, then it would do well to have a Magus family in our roster. The Aozakis are no Nobles, but they are no civilian. And you said she's a volunteer?"

"Yes, she did." She replied, before giving Lev's words a thorough rewind. "Thanks for your thoughts, Lev."

"Happy to help, Olga." He stood up from the chair, straightening his green suit. "Well, if there's nothing else that's needed of me, I'll be on my way."

"That'll be all, Lev." The taller man nodded, turning around and making his way out of the Director's office. Now once again being left secluded in her office, she picked up the files Lev slid back to her. "Let's see what you're really made of."

It was freezing.

And this wasn't even the coldest that the base had ever experienced, in fact it lay roughly on the warmer temperatures recorded at San Martin Base. It was needed though, a short layover at the Argentine Antarctic base after flying from Ushuaia. Refueling and restocking supplies for their continued flight to the Chaldean HQ. The passengers were also given some time to recuperate before they would be back on their way. It was why she was standing near the window inside the base, overlooking the frozen desert from the comfort of a warmed building. She took a sip of the coffee she was given.

She couldn't help but grimace as she was reminded of the bitter taste now in her mouth, going down her throat as she swallowed the hot beverage. She was never a fan of coffee, unlike her mother. Call her childish, but she preferred a nice glass of warm chocolate milk than this bitter seed. But, it was free and offered to her, so of course she would take it. Especially in this frozen wasteland. She was glad she packed and dressed appropriately, her light pink blouse hidden underneath her thick red trench coat. Her orange hair was done in a side plait.

"Do you know where we're going?" she glanced to her right, seeing a scrawny looking young man hugging himself, standing on the other side of the window to her. He wore a set of thick-rimmed glasses, and messy black hair.

She quirked a brow, mostly at his appearance. "The base was said to be built at around 6000m above sea level. So, chances are we're going to the Vinson Massif."

"Holy shit." The mad said in disbelief, his gaze turning to the land outside. "I just signed up as a techie, didn't expect to be flown out all the way here."

Her eyes trailed down and up the man's form. "You're a civilian."

"I'm a what now?" he asked back.

"A civilian." A voice replied, approaching the two of them. She saw a young woman, probably older than her, with light brown hair and blue eyes; or eye in this sense, as she wore a black eyepatch around her right eye. She wore a collared shirt beneath a black double breasted coat, along with black tights and knee-high boots. The woman eyed the both of them. "Ophelia Phamrsolone."

The woman held her hand out, which the man beside her took. "Uhm, Helix Sinclair."

Ophelia nodded, before facing her. "Ayako Aozaki." She replied with a smirk, shaking her hand. "I've heard about you, Ophs."

"Ophs?" She looked surprised by the name, before shaking her head and responding herself. "Same to you, unlike those that chose to dismiss you."

"Ah, then it seems I wasn't doing that much of a good job." Ayako said, sighing dramatically.

"I'll admit, I'm impressed that you were able to lay low before most of the Clock Tower, considering your prodigious skills." Ophelia said back, folding her arms over her chest. "Considering who your mother is, I guess it's not that much of a surprise."

"And who would my mother be?" Ayako asked, sounding amused.

Ophelia looked somewhat confused at the response she got. "Your mother is Touko Aozaki, isn't she?"

In response, a smile grew on Ayako's face. "Who knows?"

"Uh, excuse me?" both women turned to face the man that was drafted along with them. "What do you mean, by civilian?"

Both magi glanced at one another, some sort of silent conversation exchanged between the two of them, before they turned back to the man again. "I'm sure it'll be explained later, Sinclair." Ayako said, patting the man's shoulder.

"Ayako is right in that regard. Everything will be explained once we reach Chaldea." Ophelia added.

"Okay…?" he looked even more confused, but accepted their answers either way. "You seem like you're packing light." He said observantly to Ophelia.

She nodded. "That's because I've already been at Chaldea for the past three months. I am here to welcome you all, as a member of A Team."

"A Team, huh? That sounds fancy." There was a hint of excitement to Ayako's tone. "As expected, from what I've heard from Spiritual Evocation."

"Speak for yourself. If what I've heard is true, you'd make it to B Team effortlessly." She countered, her hand moving to her hip.

"Well, let's hope my skills are that good." Ayako replied confidently.

"When will we be leaving again?" Helix asked, looking rather annoyed at the two women, lost in their own world.

The eye patched woman gave a quick glance to the young man before she looked down to the watch on her hand. "In 36 minutes. Get yourself situated, make sure you're not in need of emergency facilities later. I'll be checking up on the rest of the candidates. See you both in Chaldea." Ophelia bid them farewell with a curt nod and a hint of a smile, as she turned around and made her way to another separate group of people.

When the slightly older woman was a good few feet away, Ayako herself turned and made her way towards the exit.

"Hey, where're you going?" the man asked, still beside the window.

"A smoke." She replied, placing her now empty cup of coffee on an empty table before making her way outside.

This might have been a bad idea. She thought to herself, as the unsheltered outside reminded her just how painful the frozen southern air could be. She fished out a cigarette from inside her red coat and touched both her eyes with her free hand.

ᚲ

"Kenaz, of the Torch." She whispered as she traced the rune with her thumb. "örn auga." With enhanced eyes, she briefly inspected the outside environment. Nothing much, aside from low quality security cameras. She dispelled the rune and, with her unlit cigarette that she now pointed to the sun, traced another rune.

ᛋ

Sowilo, of the Sun. "Sól." The sharp, vaguely S shape was briefly floating in the air, before sparking up and converged on the cigarette, lighting it up for her. Just as she was about to place the cigarette in her lips, the door opened behind her. She glanced behind her, seeing the civilian she was talking to join her outside, closing the door behind him.

He rubbed his arms in an attempt to warm himself before he addressed her. "Got another cig?"

She shrugged to herself, as she plucked another stick from her coat, handing it to him. As he took the offered cigarette, a loud, horrid coughing spree filled the cold air, startling the man. Ayako was bracing herself with her hands on her knees, the offending item still in her lips.

"You sound like you're not supposed to smoke." He commented with concern.

She waved his worry down. "Its fine." She replied with intermittent coughs. "I need to smoke."

"Why? I've never heard of anyone needing to smoke." He said back incredulously.

She contemplated on her answer, thinking of the consequences that would usually befall for someone if they were to do so. But, with a mental shrug, she decided to do so either way. He himself will be joining Chaldea, it didn't really matter whether he becomes a Master or not. By being a member of Chaldea, it meant that one would be witness to such things regularly.

Pushing herself up straight, she took her cigarette and pointed it at him, and began tracing another rune.

ᛋ

Sowilo, of the Sun. "Neisti." The rune, lighting up from her cigarette, floated to his cigarette, lighting it up for him.

All the while, his mouth was agape, at a loss for words while she tried and resumed her cigarette. "Wh- what was… what?"

She was already facing away from him, but the disbelief was clear in his voice. "Don't worry. You'll see more at Chaldea." She told him back with a confident smile on her face.

And that smile was wiped off when she began coughing again.

"Welcome, Candidates Epsilon, to the Chaldea Security Organization."

Two lines of five, both lined up outside the mountain base. The gates were closed after two people exited to greet them, standing next to one another. A white haired woman with pale skin and orange eyes stood where the middle of the two lines would be. She wore a white collared shirtdress under an orange and black coat, along with a red ascot. Her legs were covered with a peach red tights and black high heel stilettos.

The man to her left was a good head taller than she was. Dark curly hair going down past his shoulders, a white collared shirt with a purple necktie. He had on him a thick green overcoat and top hat. He wore what looked like to be puffy pants, held together with knee high black boots.

Ophelia took the spot to the Director's right.

"I am Director Olga Marie Animusphere, the current president of this organization. To my left is Professor Lev Lainur Flauros, and to my right is a member of A Team, Ophelia Phamrsolone." The woman in the middle announced, arms folded behind her back.

Her eyes trailed over the ten candidates that were lined before her. "We are an international, UN-sanctioned operation, a laboratory-observatory with the purpose of observing both the magical and scientific aspects of the world. And we have only one single goal here: To preserve the reign of the Human Order, above all else. Such is why we have recruited both talented scientists and magi for this sole purpose. We have a repurposed oil rig that functions as separate base of operations over at the North Sea, with the purpose of supplying us necessary materials that are otherwise difficult to procure elsewhere."

The Director matched the eyes of a few of the candidates, some flinching beneath her gaze. When Ayako, standing in the middle of the left line, met hers, she smiled back. There was a subtle flinch that she took notice of, seemingly surprised, but otherwise hidden by the rest of the candidates. "You will all be tested for compatibility as a Master. If you are qualified, congratulations, you will join the ranks of our Master Candidates. If you do not, then you will join the rest of our crew. Either here, in our main headquarters, or over at our separate base. Anything more beyond that will be continued after your screening tests."

"Any questions?" she finished off, waiting for anyone to respond.

A young woman standing in front of the line Ayako stood in raised her hand. She flinched when Olga Marie's eyes landed on her. "Wh-what if, we have nothing else to offer, if we fail?"

A few other candidates glanced toward the meek woman, then to the Director. "If you're among the noble families, then you will leave this place to return to where you came from. If you're a civilian, then you won't remember this entire exchange."

She heard gasps from a few people behind her. The man beside her, the one named Helix, had his mouth agape. "Anything else?" the Director asked the group. Relative silence was the answer. "Good. Then we shall begin testing immediately."

The large heavy doors slid open behind her. Her back straightened even more, chin raised as she looked over the candidates once more. "Welcome to Chaldea."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

i remember, seeing the art for the female protag of F/GO(Gudako), and i thought "man, she kinda looks like Touko."

of course, that's a byproduct of Takeuchi's artstyle, but that single line of thought wouldn't go away, and led to the birth of this.

her name, Aozaki Ayako, is written as 蒼崎彩子

彩 = Aya = color

子 = ko = child

i went the extra mile in coming up with her name, considering how much Touko and Aoko's names work into their entire existences.

her origin, as well, is

Growth = 成長 (Seichou)

and you guys will see what kind of person she is.

hope ya'll enjoyed it!