Chapter Text
It's been a full day since the Pines twins arrived back home and things have been really tense. Their parents have been really on the fence for no reason. Last night they said that they'd all have a talk in the morning, which has Mabel really worried now.
The weird part was that Dipper was being panicky after that, being way out of it in their room at night. It's like he knew what was going on, but didn't tell her about anything. Not wanting her thoughts to spiral down any further, she tried asking Dipper directly only to pause when something caught both of their attention.
A golden glow suddenly appeared on the nightstand in-between their beds. Hesitant at first, they both went near it revealing it to be an ornate slip of paper. As Dipper picked it up to inspect it closer, the same golden light enveloped them as they finished reading.
Having said their goodbyes, Anne took a look at Sprig, the Plantars, and everyone else from Amphibia one last time. It was rough stay a lot of the time but dangit was she going to miss this place and these lovable frogs. Still, she knew she had to go back to her home on Earth, so she made her way to the portal.
As everyone looked on with teary eyes, a light shone on top of theme and some black and gold paper came floating down toward the crowd. As Hop Pop read its contents out loud, he an a select group of the gathered amphibians slowly glowed yellow as they disappeared. Some of them even saw the surface of the portal shine with the very same yellow light.
It's been a good few hours since Belos was defeated and Luz was exhausted, a sentiment shared by the rest of the Boiling Isles. They were incredibly relieved sure, but they shelved celebration for later once they were all recovered from the experience. While Luz grouped up with the rest of her friends for a while, they agreed to meet up a bit later in the day once they got their bearings and split off. Except for Amity who went with Luz to the Owl House to to help Luz rest up. Safe to say they spent a long cuddling. Yep, despite everything, this was a great day. Eda even got Luz's Mama on the Isles to let her know it was all over and help Luz with support and be with the eventual celebration party. So while they were all huddled up in the wrecked living room of the Owl House and preparing themselves, King bursts into room with Raine in tow, saying some weird invitation slip popped out from nowhere in a burst of light and into his hands. They all huddled up to read it when light surrounded them as they finished.
More magic trouble so soon? Come on!
Madoka's mind was racing in her room. There was so much that happened today! A new transfer student (who she swears she saw in her dream, and was so weird to her earlier...), protecting a cute little animal(cat? rabbit?) from said transfer student, Homura. Then they had an encounter with a witch(?, she'll have to ask Mami more about that tomorrow) and Mami, a MAGICAL GIRL! Magical Girls are real and they protected me and Sayaka! Even Homura was a magical girl! Though she seemed so distant towards us, but I wish we could all just get along...
Could I become a Magical Girl? Madoka Kaname, a girl who doesn't have any special traits, has the potential to be one? The potential to protect people? It... all sounds like a dream come true. And if it was true that Sayaka could be one too, then maybe we could work together! The two us and Mami as a Magical Girl team! Maybe we could even convince Homura to join us too... I want to know why she's was acting like that earlier. She might just have issues, she did just transfer and has the secret of being a magical girl as well. I still feel like she's familiar, and maybe being Magical Girls together could make me talk to her more, help her get used to life her and not make her feel all alone. Gosh, why am I thinking like this...
Hmm, but I don't know what to wish for... And I think Sayaka also said she also doesn't know earlier. Maybe we could think about it tomorrow, today was a lot after all, haha...
Huh? There's something under my pillow…
An invitation?
Subaru Natsuki, after yet another extended period of suffering, was granted a long moment of peace. The Sanctuary took a lot out of him, and everything else around that time, but he really, really didn't want to think about any of that right at this moment. He was on a carriage with Beako, Emilia and the rest of his friends heading to Priestella, and life was sweet at this time. No way he wanted to interrupt his peace remembering what he had to go through to get here.
All the pain, the deaths, the Witches, the Rabb-
Nope, nuh uh, he'll work through it once they get to Priestella. Right now, he was going to relax and enjoy-
"Subaru, what's that light above us?"
Huh, what is Emilia-tan-
Wait, something's floating down towards me. The carriage also stopped, seems like Otto heard all the commotion. Well, if this kills me...
I read it quietly, in case this was anything like RBD. It's a library inviatation? And all of the camps names and signatures have been written down in the blank.
Even Rem's.
Not just that, this message, these listed books-
Oh God, what did all this mean. Why can't I ever get a bre-
But before Subaru could be overwhelmed by crushing dread, he was gone, along with everyone on the carriage.
Dante just rested on a wall in the LCE for a while, letting everything catch up to them. From the raid, to getting back the Boughs, to everything with Ryoshu, Araya and the House of Spiders... All in all, another grueling adventure. Scratch that, this might the most taxing yet, considering not just them but many of the Limbus' departments were hit hard by the recent events. From the state of the LCA Team 3, to Saude's condition...
The entirety of LCE... Marton... Even the LCB was dealt a heavy blow with Gregor's 'unwrapping'. It was to the point that Vergilius, despite being fine now, was taking a recovery rest after getting back to base.
Needless to say, Dante was spread a bit too thin at the current time. Helping the LCE was a much needed break, but they really hoped to be given a more extended one from the company. A month, a year, maybe even longer couldn't hurt. But of course, the 'flow' moves on, and soon enough it'll someone else's turn once more. Maybe Meursault? Dante always gut feelings on whoever is next so it's that's probab-
"M-manager Esquire! Come hither! The company has given us all a notice of import! March along with me posthaste!"
What? What could they want now? Dante really hoped the higher-ups weren't sending us out on a job so soon, but you never know with this company... Regardless, I follow along Don Quixote's lead and meet up with the grouped up Sinners(excluding Gregor...). Surprisingly, even Vergilius, the LCD, Saude and Hohenheim were present with everyone.
"It seems Dante has arrived, so I will now begin to read the given notice" Faust started.
"To all departments of Limbus Company, we would like to inform you all that you have earned an extended break-" A loud, collected sigh of relief came out of the gathering, Dante doing a soft click. "-however, this time will also be used for preparation for a bigger conflict, so be best to not loosen yourselves from the comfort to be provided. With this, the Directors and the entirety of the LCA Department will not join you"
Of course there's a catch, which gets followed by a loud groan from Heathcliff.
"At this moment, an invitation will arrive at any time of this notice's reading-" a bright light shines above the group. "- which will send all other departments of Limbus Company to the Library in the outskirts. Do not panic, and be sure to carefully read all that is written on the invitation slip. Ensure that you are all safe and able to continue work on the reparation of the LCE and any future business to be done. That is all. Signed, Limbus Company Executive Director."
Just then, then invitation slip that manifested from the light landed onto to form Faust held between her hands. They all stood in dumbfounded silence after that, everyone still processing everything. And then...
"What in the bloody hell was any of that-"
"W-w-what did th-that mean?!!-"
"The Library? *sigh*-"
"Hmph~ got my hope's up on that break for nothing. Wait, eh, The Library-"
A loud caocphony of voices erupted from almost everyone in the group in regards to the contents of the notice. Dante couldn't really get much of what it meant, but they had a bad and tired feeling all the same. A little after, Faust got everyone to quiet and turn their attention to the letter to the Library, reading from it after everyone collected themselves.
"Dear Guests: I formally invite you to the library.
A situation has occurred that requires groups from many worlds to gather together in the hopes of overcoming the ordeal that awaits them.
Preparations shall be held in The Library to ensure the best possible outcome, for all parties involved, will be achieved.
As compensations, The Library will provide some groups will be provided comfort in their past experiences by those similar to them.
Others, will be given glimpses of the future that awaits them at the end of this great tribulation.
Brace yourselves, and find the peace and books that you seek.
- Angela, Director of The Library"
...Nobody knew what to say. How could they really, not when the message given by the invite had left such ominous implications. Dante couldn't help but feel a growing terror within their being.
Some big, terrible event is said to happen at some point. Terrible enough to require gathering groups from different worlds to have a shot at beating it. Dante couldn't believe that different worlds even existed(though they did feel some strange familiarity with the concept in their subconscious...), and the same could be said for everyone else.
"In addition to this," Faust continues despite the silence that overtook the group. "The names and signatures of all notable figures both within and affiliated with Limbus Company have been written in the blank that confirms acceptance for the invitation. And, the books listed to us specifically are-"
<...Faust?>
No reply. Dante has no idea what just happened. One moment they were listening intently to Faust's words, and then...
!!!
<WHERE AM I?!!>
Dante begins to look around the area. Shelves are lined on the between at the sides of the large space they stand in. Glowing orbs of light flutter around the air they see. Below they see a wooden floor and lookind behind them they see-
<AAAAAAA!!!>
"AAAHHH!!"
"HOT BELGIAN WAFFLES!"
"HOLY FROG!"
"DEAR TITAN!"
A LIVING FIRE CLOCK/FROG PEOPLE/SOME DOG THING!-
"...Ahem"
!!!
Quickly, everyone turned to look at the figures in front of them. There was a guy who looked like a standard office worker with pale skin, short black hair wearing a simple black suit with a white shirt, a black tie, and black shoes. And the one beside him was a woman with short light-blue hair, yellow eyes, and pale skin. Scanning around the summoned group, they take note of her attire; wearing a dark outfit with a long coat, a white and black cravat, and heels. Her pendant attached to her cravat is an amber color with the orbs on her heels sharing the same highlight color. Lifting the book she was carrying, she read through it before closing it back shut and turning her attention back onto her guests.
"Greetings, dear guests, and welcome to The Library." She began with a cold, calculated calm. "I am Angela, head librarian and director of my namesake. You have all been gathered to— "kill a living book" and prevent the destruction of reality as you all know it."
...
"WHAT?!!"