IN THE END.

INA (chapter 1)

The bomb was coming, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. But that didn't mean they wouldn't try. Because if everyone was gonna die, might as well go out with a bang.

You see, Ninomae Ina'nis was a priestess, but not in the traditional sense. For one, she had tentacles that could sprout from her back. For two, she preached the old eldritch ways. So it wasn't entirely unlike any other day when she was called into action.

I guess that year at Hololive made me a little too comfy, she thought, remembering the office and it's couches, snacks scattered around the room as Ame lay back in her chair talking nonchalantly to the virtual crowd— actually, maybe it wouldn't do so much good to think of her when we're all gonna die anyways.

Ina remembered the tip that came a week ago— from an unidentified source, a woman's voice. She was probably using a burner phone. Yes, it was suspicious, but they'd comfirmed it with their own scouts. Ina figured that if it weren't for that tip, they'd all be dead from the blast alone. Hololive was an entertainment company at heart, but they hosted a wide range of powerful people— from animal kami to fantasy-esque elves and paladins— who, at heart, were all protectors. This was a responsibility that they couldn't dodge.

"Hey," said Amelia, startling Ina from her thoughts. Ina jumped.

"Oh jeez, you scared me!" said Ina, laughing.

"Oh, sorry," said Amelia, "I guess the end of the world will do that to you."

Amelia Watson was wearing a smart-looking white button-up blouse that accented her petite frame and a simple pair of jeans. She hid a gilded brass chain that hung from her neck underneath her blouse, which to anyone else would seem like an unimportant necklace but Ina knew held her time-travelling watch. She knew that Amelia valued the watch from her Uncle Sherlock as much as she valued her life.

"It's not necessarily the end of the world," said Ina. "People aren't just gonna die from the nuclear fallout. And if we can stop it, then no one will have to die."

"Uh, even if we do stop it, there still might be damage," said Amelia.

"You always have such a negative outlook on things."

"Sorry. Time-traveler habits."

The door in front of them opened, and Mori Calliope popped hear head into the room, pink hair and night-black cloak flowing gracefully behind her. She was wearing the Reaper's Crown— the heirloom given to every Reaper and their apprentice— but the veil had been omitted. As it was, she sure as hell looked like a reaper. Well, except that she was blushing.

"Hey," Calli said awkwardly.

Amelia suddenly gasped, and all the heads in the room turned to her. "Is that... a hickey on your neck?" Amelia breathed.

Calli flushed and brought her hand up to her neck. "O-oh," she stuttered, her hand coming off the doorway that she was leaning on. "Uh, m-maybe?"

"Oh, don't bother hiding it. We all know how lovey-dovey you two can get," said Ina smugly. "It's the end of the world— may as well get it on."

At that moment, Takanashi Kiara strode confidently into the room. "Lovey-dovey what now?" she said. Her loping orange locks with their ends dyed turquoise bounced about. She was still blushing a bit and looked a little bit hot. She smiled somewhat lewdly and made a show of kissing Calli on the cheek. Calli blushed even harder, if that was possible.

"Wow," said Ina. "Talk about owning it." Kiara only laughed.

"W-where's Gura?" said Calli, in a feeble attempt to change the subject.

Amelia walked over to her. "Hey, it's ok," she said, moving to pat her on the back. "We all go through these changes. If that means you're horny, so be it."

Ina gave her a chuckle. "Oh, give her a break," she said. "I think we gang up on her too much. And anyways, I'd like to know where Gura is as well."

"She's probably late," said Kiara. "Held up in some Atlantian business, probably. I expect that running a kingdom is hard."

The rest of the group hummed their consensus. "Well," said Amelia, "While we're waiting for her, let's talk strategy."

"Wait," said Ina. "You hear that?"

On the very edge of her hearing, Ina heard a thumping that sounded much like shoes on a floor gradually getting louder. "Ah," said Kiara.

Suddenly, the door slammed open. "I'M LATE," yelled Gawr Gura, panting. She doubled over, hands on her knees, huffing and puffing. Her compact frame was blanketed by a baggy blue long-sleeve and track pants. She was wearing a cap with a polka-trident-and-diamond pattern plastered on one of the stitch-bound sections. Her trident floated behind her, utilizing the Atlantian magic that flowed in her blood.

"That, you are," said Calli, putting her hands on her hips. Of course she's mad, thought Ina. Death would make it a point to be punctual.

"Well, earlier than the last time you came from Atlantis," said Amelia, arms crossed. Gura had been up on the surface for a year as what basically amounted to a transfer student, but she'd been called away on a small business trip back to Atlantis for a couple weeks, and she was only returning now. The first time they'd all met in that cute little cafe on the street corner near Kiara's place, Gura had been a full twenty-six-and-a-half minutes late— Ina remembered Amelia's comment. She's always been good with time, thought Ina. Always punctual. Not hard to fathom with her being a time-traveler, I suppose.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" said Amelia. "Let's get down to business."

Of course, in what was practically typical fashion, it was no sooner than they had planted themselves on the couches that Gura looked out the window.

"Um, guys?" said Gura, standing up again. "What is that? And why is it flying towards us?" Her face was contorted in surprise and worry.

Kiara stood and looked out the window. Ina could practically feel her eyes widening from across the room. She stared for a second. Then:

"EVERYONE GET DOWN!"

Ina did not remember the blast.