The Harel Research Institute was founded in ■■■■ A.D. by the Harel family with the dream of harnessing the magical properties of old world artifacts. Though their original goal was magic, over time, they renounced superstition for evidence and truth, and became a reputable school of science and history. From there, their focus expanded into all kinds of fields of study, and they gained an especially esteemed reputation in the areas of archaeology and bioengineering. This unique combination led to their greatest public achievement, when in ■■■■ A.D. they obtained and successfully cloned the long-lost remains of the ancient King Solomon of Israel.
After that, this and that happened, so I guess since they didn't have the time to spare to grow another clone from infancy, they decided to resort to a different method. Instead of physical remains, they found traces of blessing of protection placed on Cain by God, and used that along with some other relevant materials as the vectors to create a spiritual reconstruction of Cain. Things went really wrong with Cain, so they must have thought they needed a better one, so they used the earth cursed by the blood of Abel, and created Abel. And so on and so forth, with a few other names.
Since the institute doesn't study magic in the public eye, just like they're not a military operation in the public eye, Solomon's cloning was the only public project out of all of them, and the Institute didn't really want the rest of them to know who they themselves were, so instead of calling them "Cain" and "Abel," they gave them the designations "Reaper" and "Shepherd."
[ Abel looks down at the ground as he talks, hands in her tunic. ]
Well, but I still call them Cain and Abel. Don't you think those sound more like proper names?
[ . . . Experiments, then. She frowns, lips pursed. If that's what they originally were, that means that this man, here, too, was somewhat like them though as well.
Created by humans for their own objectives.
Noticing little Challah... that is, Abel... she reaches out to rest a gentle hand upon her arm.]
It isn't just the experiments that I disagree with. Under the surface, the Harel Research Institute is also a war profiteering organization. Prior to Cain taking up my mantle, I was instructed to instigate wars, topple governments, steal weapons and information, conduct assassinations... All in order to manipulate the balance of power in global politics, and the stock market.
That building was where we were made, but it was also their main seat of operations.
Although we've destroyed this building, they had other locations. They're still active, and she knows a lot more about their satellites than I do. Actually, she just knows a lot more about them than I do.
I want to repair the damage they've done... and make amends for what I've done, too. So I need her help.
"She has been in far too much danger already! Now she can finally rest and be cared for! Do you claim to need her more than her family? If you threaten my sister any further, I'll kill you!"
[ the tattoos flare up onto her body again, so she's now a proper copy of the other Challah, looming and wild-eyed ]
she definitely no longer looks like she's looking to have a reasonable conversation, especially not with the speed at which a hand shoots out and tries to grab Kaguya by the head ]
[ She didn't expect her to outright attack, but-- it's a good thing she's able to access her powers here. From the start, her senses were sharper, colors, scents, sounds--
That means everything else should be in place, shouldn't it?
She's there one moment, and the next, she's not. She appears behind Abel, and this time, she has a weapon. Dark butterflies swirl around it as the weapon forms and solidifies. ]
I don't want to fight you Abel. I just want to know where Ao is.
[ Abel doesn't seem to be able to hear her anymore, lunging for her again with inhuman speed.
behind her, where before there was only unmarred skin, a sigil lights up at Solomon's collarbone. ]
Marchosias.
[ the sheepdog bares his teeth with a low growl that rapidly drops further in pitch and ascends in volume. his body ripples and expands, claws and fangs extending, joints popping as his front legs develop nearly human-like elbows, his haunches growing and flexing with even more latent power. his head is now clearly wolflike, and also now big enough to fit half a person's body in his mouth. two enormous, eagle-like wings sprout in an abrupt rush from his back, leaving him more like a dragon than a wolf in terms of sheer immensity. in spite of his size, he's also incredibly swift as he swipes out with a massive paw to
swat Abel away across the field.
Solomon smiles. ]
I already told Abel where she is. You should go with her, before this Abel closes the distance again.
[ When the dog began to transform, she had been almost positive at first that its intent and aim had been to attack Yuuki herself. So when it swats Abel, she's a little shocked for a moment.
She blinks, surprised by Solomon... before she nods. ]
Right.
[ That's when she and the weapon lift up high into the air, dissolving into a mass of butterflies with the intent of seeking out and finding Challah, and alongside her, Ao. ]
[ You're asking someone who barely has more brain cells sob. but. ]
. . . Ao-chan...
[ . . . ]
She told me once that her name is actually Cain. She also mentioned once, just in passing, anyway, that... there had been people who had...done experiments in the past. [ Specifically, she had said they had messed with Challah's mind in a way that could make her sometimes violent. ]
I think what... this man is describing is terrible, but... I think he's being truthful, too. I think... you really are 'Abel'. And that you've... all gone through... quite a lot together.
I only have one memory. I was fighting a monster, and Ao was with me. Is that what we were made to do...? [ she shakes her head, frowning as she tries to line everything up ]
[ It's painful and scary to have no memories. She knows... everyone in Imeeji does, but when you have something confusing or causes only more questions it can become that much more difficult to bear or hold on. ]
Maybe... she was trying to protect you. So worries and frets over you. Probably... she only wants for you to be happy.
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The Harel Research Institute was founded in ■■■■ A.D. by the Harel family with the dream of harnessing the magical properties of old world artifacts. Though their original goal was magic, over time, they renounced superstition for evidence and truth, and became a reputable school of science and history. From there, their focus expanded into all kinds of fields of study, and they gained an especially esteemed reputation in the areas of archaeology and bioengineering. This unique combination led to their greatest public achievement, when in ■■■■ A.D. they obtained and successfully cloned the long-lost remains of the ancient King Solomon of Israel.
After that, this and that happened, so I guess since they didn't have the time to spare to grow another clone from infancy, they decided to resort to a different method. Instead of physical remains, they found traces of blessing of protection placed on Cain by God, and used that along with some other relevant materials as the vectors to create a spiritual reconstruction of Cain. Things went really wrong with Cain, so they must have thought they needed a better one, so they used the earth cursed by the blood of Abel, and created Abel. And so on and so forth, with a few other names.
Since the institute doesn't study magic in the public eye, just like they're not a military operation in the public eye, Solomon's cloning was the only public project out of all of them, and the Institute didn't really want the rest of them to know who they themselves were, so instead of calling them "Cain" and "Abel," they gave them the designations "Reaper" and "Shepherd."
[ Abel looks down at the ground as he talks, hands in her tunic. ]
Well, but I still call them Cain and Abel. Don't you think those sound more like proper names?
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Created by humans for their own objectives.
Noticing little Challah... that is, Abel... she reaches out to rest a gentle hand upon her arm.]
. . . You said things went wrong?
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Did that building...the destroyed skyscraper, have to do with escaping these people?
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That building was where we were made, but it was also their main seat of operations.
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[ It's a cruel. So in this world... all of that has been destroyed? Is that what makes it 'ideal'...? ]
Ao-chan... Cain-san, that is... she's here, isn't she?
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Although we've destroyed this building, they had other locations. They're still active, and she knows a lot more about their satellites than I do. Actually, she just knows a lot more about them than I do.
I want to repair the damage they've done... and make amends for what I've done, too. So I need her help.
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Perhaps when we find a way out of Imeeji, Ao-chan will be able to help you. But right now... we need her. Back home, in the real world.
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[ Abel cuts in ]
"Is 'Ao-chan' Cain? Are you saying that you mean to take my sister away?"
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[ As...cruel as that might sound. ]
Challah needs her. And Taisho needs her too. This place...this world is only an idealized version of what she desires. It isn't real, however.
If she stays here, she will be in danger.
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[ the tattoos flare up onto her body again, so she's now a proper copy of the other Challah, looming and wild-eyed ]
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[ She's certainly on guard right now. But she tries to not outwardly show it. Voice calm, she shakes her head. ]
Abel-san. If you love your sister, then you have to let her go. She can't stay trapped inside her own mind.
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and turn an ice cold blue.
she definitely no longer looks like she's looking to have a reasonable conversation, especially not with the speed at which a hand shoots out and tries to grab Kaguya by the head ]
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That means everything else should be in place, shouldn't it?
She's there one moment, and the next, she's not. She appears behind Abel, and this time, she has a weapon. Dark butterflies swirl around it as the weapon forms and solidifies. ]
I don't want to fight you Abel. I just want to know where Ao is.
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behind her, where before there was only unmarred skin, a sigil lights up at Solomon's collarbone. ]
Marchosias.
[ the sheepdog bares his teeth with a low growl that rapidly drops further in pitch and ascends in volume. his body ripples and expands, claws and fangs extending, joints popping as his front legs develop nearly human-like elbows, his haunches growing and flexing with even more latent power. his head is now clearly wolflike, and also now big enough to fit half a person's body in his mouth. two enormous, eagle-like wings sprout in an abrupt rush from his back, leaving him more like a dragon than a wolf in terms of sheer immensity. in spite of his size, he's also incredibly swift as he swipes out with a massive paw to
swat Abel away across the field.
Solomon smiles. ]
I already told Abel where she is. You should go with her, before this Abel closes the distance again.
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She blinks, surprised by Solomon... before she nods. ]
Right.
[ That's when she and the weapon lift up high into the air, dissolving into a mass of butterflies with the intent of seeking out and finding Challah, and alongside her, Ao. ]
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it's about "Abel" so is this about her
this can't be about her right ]
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Pause just a moment. ]
. . . Challah? [ Is she okay. =( ]
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"Abel"... is that really my name? Is she really me? Kaguya? [ clearly kaguya Knows More ]
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. . . Ao-chan...
[ . . . ]
She told me once that her name is actually Cain. She also mentioned once, just in passing, anyway, that... there had been people who had...done experiments in the past. [ Specifically, she had said they had messed with Challah's mind in a way that could make her sometimes violent. ]
I think what... this man is describing is terrible, but... I think he's being truthful, too. I think... you really are 'Abel'. And that you've... all gone through... quite a lot together.
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I only have one memory. I was fighting a monster, and Ao was with me. Is that what we were made to do...? [ she shakes her head, frowning as she tries to line everything up ]
Ao... never told me about any of this.
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[ It's painful and scary to have no memories. She knows... everyone in Imeeji does, but when you have something confusing or causes only more questions it can become that much more difficult to bear or hold on. ]
Maybe... she was trying to protect you. So worries and frets over you. Probably... she only wants for you to be happy.