Descendants of Time (Role-Play Act 5: Revolutionary Moment)
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
(OOC: Woo, act 3. Now, 7 more acts to go. GG.)
Act 3: The Rise of the Queen (Part 2)
Over the Pacific Ocean a shrine made out of purely water and crystals existed. Carved with countless formulas of magic. It was a fortress of magic itself; storing boundless mana. A legendary structure of the Magic World created by the ten Archmages.
Here, gathered the Archmages to report regarding the Descendants, or any anomalies they found ever since their last meeting. A meeting that is said to happen once per five years.
Ten Archmages faced each other in a large room that oversaw the ocean, after coming in from pathways of their own from different directions. In the middle of said room was a large magical circle that rotated continuously, and allowed this meeting to be a reality, for the Archmages were attuned to the magic of the structure, so they could make a thought-projection of themselves possible for the meeting; crossing countless miles to be able to participate in the event taking place. However, each of them appeared in shadows, so they would only ever hear the voices of each other and never actually see the face of their fellow Archmages.
“Good day to you all,” Queen Victoria greeted.
“Queen Victoria, it has been long,” a man said, he seemed short but old. “Pray tell, I hear quite a lot of chaos took place in your event.”
“On the Queen’s Meeting?” Another asked. It was Margaret Alicia. “Was everyone alright?”
“It heartens me that I get to meet you, Margaret. To answer the question, however, I must reveal that it was quite the revelation when Japan sent not one, but two Descendants as assassins.”
“...Unbelievable.”
There were some noises of the other mages talking among themselves in disbelief.
“I suppose this confirms it that they have broken the balance,” Alicia stated, shaking her head. “The war may now become one-sided.”
“Unfortunately, it is more than that,” the Queen said in response to the statement. “The ones they sent were Pisces and Gemini. Sagittarius is actually the third Descendant they managed to have as an ally.”
“That is even worse…”
“What about the rest of you?” The old man inquired.
“We had Aries keeping us busy,” a man named Christopher said. “My brother went to the depths of the Infernal Realm to beat up some demons, while I’m holding him off from his crimes for now. We wouldn’t want an army of demons swarming California again.”
“I see that the Guardian Twins of the United States have it tough,” Alicia commented.
“As always,” Christopher said, shrugging. “Nothing we’re not used to by now, M’lady.”
“What about you, Abdullah?”
“As usual, dealing with the terrorists. The vampires are getting more and more vicious these days,” Abdullah responded, smoking something like a hookah. “That said,” he started, “I feel something truly ominous around the direction of the States, or is it just my gut feeling?”
“No, there is indeed an ominous aura afloat there,” Queen Victoria replied, confirming the suspicion. “Virgo had proclaimed her intent to attack the States soon.”
“No wonder. I assume you will to take action?” The old man asked.
“Yes, I intend to send my forces there.”
“Well, good luck. Unfortunately I do not think we can lend a hand, Your Majesty,” Christopher said, giving an apologetic bow. “The Descendant I am already dealing with has my hands full. If my brother, however, comes back in time… maybe I may be of help.”
“I see. I shall appreciate any and all helping hand. Thank you for letting me know,” the Queen said, then she turned to Alicia. “How are things on your end?”
Alicia averted her gaze. Despite the darkness, the Queen could tell. “Sagittarius transferred to the Academy to learn about the Magic World. However, I am not going to kill her over political matters. As a teacher I will protect her from the dangers within the neutral zone that is the Academy.”
“I… see. I wish you luck with the matter,” Victoria tersely replied, a little disheartened that one of her best subject now turned so cold.
The short old man sighed. When Alicia was like this, no one could win any argument, especially with the issue of neutral zone. “Any news on the other Descendants and the issues we gathered from our last meeting?”
William Shakespeare raised a hand. “I believe there is nothing to report. No news of Leo, no news of Scorpio, no news of Aquarius, and the same goes for Capricorn,” he answered with a big smile.
“The latest we learned are thus: Virgo has somehow broken her seal to make an attack on America, Sagittarius is once again active with a newfound host, and in Japan this time, Gemini has finally showed his face after joining Japan too, and Aries continues to do his own activities in America,” said Titania, the daughter of Shakespeare.
“That’s my Titania!” Shakespeare remarked but his daughter ignored it. Even though she appreciated it in reality.
“As for the issues?” The old man once again questioned, a little impatient.
“In regards to that, I have one to report,” the Witch of the Calamity spoke, “There are strange distortions here in Italy, especially around Venice. I suspect faeries playing pranks, or something strange The Society is doing again.”
“Like their project to artificially trigger to bring forth the Gates of Tartarus?” Shakespeare questioned, turning solemn.
“Possibly, we have observed similar changes last time, too,” the Witch replied.
“Titania, my dear,” Shakespeare said, and apparently his daughter gave a nod.
“I shall travel to Italy to help with the investigations,” Titania answered.
“I thank you, Titania.”
In a sanctuary that faced the moon—an ancient structure facing the stars and sun, and the rest of the celestial bodies—the spirits of the Descendants of Time gathered. There lied veritable collection of rare wines and alcohol, banquets with unique food, and all kinds of strange entertainments provided by other, lesser spirits.
A strange place, basically.
“How strange, to think you of all the Celestial Spirits visited today, Virgo,” said Taurus. Across the large and round table that had the cycle of the Zodiac inscribed, Taurus sat in his place. “To think you have returned; it had been a while.”
“You look as rigid as ever,” Virgo replied, a seductive smile decorating her porcelain face.
“You’re not really alone with her here,” another said.
Taurus turned to find Scorpio. “Why… hello there. I suppose I am not, now that I see them…” he said as the twins—the Gemini were busy drinking on the very corner.
“I don’t care about Hynek anymore! ...Rweeeally…. hic.”
“I… I will bound him in… hic… chains and… hic, slap that stupid ass,” speaking vulgar words, the Gemini’s twins were completely †˜wasted’ as one from the modern world would say with alcohol. The black and white spirits—respectively—decided they were going to drink to forget, quite literally, about all the flirting and †˜sleeping’ Hynek does with other women, while making them extremely jealous.
Two mermaids floated in from outside, entering the barrier of the sanctuary, it seemed as though they came past a wall of water. The other set of twins, namely Pisces seemed rather gloomy themselves.
“My, you two seem so melancholic, need big sister to cheer you two up?” Virgo offered, seemingly able to sympathize with whatever kind of pain they were going through.
“Yeah…” they both said, and Virgo immediately flied over to them and started hugging them.
“...So, want to talk about it?” Taurus asked, the first to make a sensible response.
“Our daughter is so misleaded… it hurts to look,” one of the mermaids said, and the other nodded.
“I suppose you have always referred to your host as a daughter… Pray tell, how is she so misguided?” Taurus asked. Surprisingly, Taurus was one of the wisest among the Celestial Spirits. “I believe both of you admitted her future looked bright in the past?”
“Yes, but… every time they do a surgery to have her become a marionette again… she is forced to go through such immense pain,” the other mermaid responded. “For her country, her feelings are ignored by the authority.”
“Then there is naught to free her from her agony, unless she discovers for herself a new path,” Taurus said, his eyes closed. “Her salvation is far.”
“You girls can cry on big sister’s chest. Come on, let it all out!”
And so the mermaids cried, just like that.
“What about you?” Scorpio asked. “How do you fare?”
“Mn… I simply observe the state of the world from the eyes of my host. I feel as if something big is soon to come. Things have been rather tame in my case, regardless. However… I had witnessed one aspect I found interesting… that is—a fragment of your host, Virgo.”
Virgo smiled, it appeared even more bewitching than before. “Oh, whatever you speak of?”
“Hmph. Well, whatever.” Taurus shrugged.
“And there he is…”
An old man eclipsed the sun, and gave away an aura which represented supremacy. The air around the sanctuary changed and one could see angels surrounding the sanctuary outside now.
“Good to see you. It had been some centuries since you visited, Leo,” Scorpio said, smirking. “I hear your host is starting to get rusty. She took some damages fighting mundane creations—pathetic.”
Leo ignored the statement casually and chose not to reply to the matter concerning Victoria taking damage. “Scorpio, thou host seeketh the most trivial of goals, yet opinions of thy own host seemeth rather positive?”
“Her goal is noble if I say so myself,” Scorpio retorted before giving a sinister laugh.
“There, there, all is fair and well. Everyone has opinions. Everyone has their own paths, and they are bound to clash that way. No need to badmouth,” Taurus chipped in, and Scorpio scoffed. “Shall we do it like the good old times?”
“Shall we?” Leo asked, facing Scorpio.
“Fine,” Scorpio said, reluctantly raising his glass of alcohol up.
Leo and Taurus did the same, as they toasted.
“A toast… for us still not causing the world to collapse even now.”
Virgo looked with disappointment at the male spirits as they toasted, and the reason seemed rather insignificant to her. “That is kind of lame,” she commented. “Right?”
“Indeed, for chaos and strife is always an inevitability, especially due to our very existence,” answered Aquarius, who was in something like a makeshift lake behind Virgo. “That said, my Knight shall not forgive murder. I hope you understand.”
“I look forward to meeting your handsome man,” Virgo casually replied, rather looking forward to the meeting.
Act 3: The Rise of the Queen (Part 2)
Spoiler:
Over the Pacific Ocean a shrine made out of purely water and crystals existed. Carved with countless formulas of magic. It was a fortress of magic itself; storing boundless mana. A legendary structure of the Magic World created by the ten Archmages.
Here, gathered the Archmages to report regarding the Descendants, or any anomalies they found ever since their last meeting. A meeting that is said to happen once per five years.
Ten Archmages faced each other in a large room that oversaw the ocean, after coming in from pathways of their own from different directions. In the middle of said room was a large magical circle that rotated continuously, and allowed this meeting to be a reality, for the Archmages were attuned to the magic of the structure, so they could make a thought-projection of themselves possible for the meeting; crossing countless miles to be able to participate in the event taking place. However, each of them appeared in shadows, so they would only ever hear the voices of each other and never actually see the face of their fellow Archmages.
“Good day to you all,” Queen Victoria greeted.
“Queen Victoria, it has been long,” a man said, he seemed short but old. “Pray tell, I hear quite a lot of chaos took place in your event.”
“On the Queen’s Meeting?” Another asked. It was Margaret Alicia. “Was everyone alright?”
“It heartens me that I get to meet you, Margaret. To answer the question, however, I must reveal that it was quite the revelation when Japan sent not one, but two Descendants as assassins.”
“...Unbelievable.”
There were some noises of the other mages talking among themselves in disbelief.
“I suppose this confirms it that they have broken the balance,” Alicia stated, shaking her head. “The war may now become one-sided.”
“Unfortunately, it is more than that,” the Queen said in response to the statement. “The ones they sent were Pisces and Gemini. Sagittarius is actually the third Descendant they managed to have as an ally.”
“That is even worse…”
“What about the rest of you?” The old man inquired.
“We had Aries keeping us busy,” a man named Christopher said. “My brother went to the depths of the Infernal Realm to beat up some demons, while I’m holding him off from his crimes for now. We wouldn’t want an army of demons swarming California again.”
“I see that the Guardian Twins of the United States have it tough,” Alicia commented.
“As always,” Christopher said, shrugging. “Nothing we’re not used to by now, M’lady.”
“What about you, Abdullah?”
“As usual, dealing with the terrorists. The vampires are getting more and more vicious these days,” Abdullah responded, smoking something like a hookah. “That said,” he started, “I feel something truly ominous around the direction of the States, or is it just my gut feeling?”
“No, there is indeed an ominous aura afloat there,” Queen Victoria replied, confirming the suspicion. “Virgo had proclaimed her intent to attack the States soon.”
“No wonder. I assume you will to take action?” The old man asked.
“Yes, I intend to send my forces there.”
“Well, good luck. Unfortunately I do not think we can lend a hand, Your Majesty,” Christopher said, giving an apologetic bow. “The Descendant I am already dealing with has my hands full. If my brother, however, comes back in time… maybe I may be of help.”
“I see. I shall appreciate any and all helping hand. Thank you for letting me know,” the Queen said, then she turned to Alicia. “How are things on your end?”
Alicia averted her gaze. Despite the darkness, the Queen could tell. “Sagittarius transferred to the Academy to learn about the Magic World. However, I am not going to kill her over political matters. As a teacher I will protect her from the dangers within the neutral zone that is the Academy.”
“I… see. I wish you luck with the matter,” Victoria tersely replied, a little disheartened that one of her best subject now turned so cold.
The short old man sighed. When Alicia was like this, no one could win any argument, especially with the issue of neutral zone. “Any news on the other Descendants and the issues we gathered from our last meeting?”
William Shakespeare raised a hand. “I believe there is nothing to report. No news of Leo, no news of Scorpio, no news of Aquarius, and the same goes for Capricorn,” he answered with a big smile.
“The latest we learned are thus: Virgo has somehow broken her seal to make an attack on America, Sagittarius is once again active with a newfound host, and in Japan this time, Gemini has finally showed his face after joining Japan too, and Aries continues to do his own activities in America,” said Titania, the daughter of Shakespeare.
“That’s my Titania!” Shakespeare remarked but his daughter ignored it. Even though she appreciated it in reality.
“As for the issues?” The old man once again questioned, a little impatient.
“In regards to that, I have one to report,” the Witch of the Calamity spoke, “There are strange distortions here in Italy, especially around Venice. I suspect faeries playing pranks, or something strange The Society is doing again.”
“Like their project to artificially trigger to bring forth the Gates of Tartarus?” Shakespeare questioned, turning solemn.
“Possibly, we have observed similar changes last time, too,” the Witch replied.
“Titania, my dear,” Shakespeare said, and apparently his daughter gave a nod.
“I shall travel to Italy to help with the investigations,” Titania answered.
“I thank you, Titania.”
***
In a sanctuary that faced the moon—an ancient structure facing the stars and sun, and the rest of the celestial bodies—the spirits of the Descendants of Time gathered. There lied veritable collection of rare wines and alcohol, banquets with unique food, and all kinds of strange entertainments provided by other, lesser spirits.
A strange place, basically.
“How strange, to think you of all the Celestial Spirits visited today, Virgo,” said Taurus. Across the large and round table that had the cycle of the Zodiac inscribed, Taurus sat in his place. “To think you have returned; it had been a while.”
“You look as rigid as ever,” Virgo replied, a seductive smile decorating her porcelain face.
“You’re not really alone with her here,” another said.
Taurus turned to find Scorpio. “Why… hello there. I suppose I am not, now that I see them…” he said as the twins—the Gemini were busy drinking on the very corner.
“I don’t care about Hynek anymore! ...Rweeeally…. hic.”
“I… I will bound him in… hic… chains and… hic, slap that stupid ass,” speaking vulgar words, the Gemini’s twins were completely †˜wasted’ as one from the modern world would say with alcohol. The black and white spirits—respectively—decided they were going to drink to forget, quite literally, about all the flirting and †˜sleeping’ Hynek does with other women, while making them extremely jealous.
Two mermaids floated in from outside, entering the barrier of the sanctuary, it seemed as though they came past a wall of water. The other set of twins, namely Pisces seemed rather gloomy themselves.
“My, you two seem so melancholic, need big sister to cheer you two up?” Virgo offered, seemingly able to sympathize with whatever kind of pain they were going through.
“Yeah…” they both said, and Virgo immediately flied over to them and started hugging them.
“...So, want to talk about it?” Taurus asked, the first to make a sensible response.
“Our daughter is so misleaded… it hurts to look,” one of the mermaids said, and the other nodded.
“I suppose you have always referred to your host as a daughter… Pray tell, how is she so misguided?” Taurus asked. Surprisingly, Taurus was one of the wisest among the Celestial Spirits. “I believe both of you admitted her future looked bright in the past?”
“Yes, but… every time they do a surgery to have her become a marionette again… she is forced to go through such immense pain,” the other mermaid responded. “For her country, her feelings are ignored by the authority.”
“Then there is naught to free her from her agony, unless she discovers for herself a new path,” Taurus said, his eyes closed. “Her salvation is far.”
“You girls can cry on big sister’s chest. Come on, let it all out!”
And so the mermaids cried, just like that.
“What about you?” Scorpio asked. “How do you fare?”
“Mn… I simply observe the state of the world from the eyes of my host. I feel as if something big is soon to come. Things have been rather tame in my case, regardless. However… I had witnessed one aspect I found interesting… that is—a fragment of your host, Virgo.”
Virgo smiled, it appeared even more bewitching than before. “Oh, whatever you speak of?”
“Hmph. Well, whatever.” Taurus shrugged.
“And there he is…”
An old man eclipsed the sun, and gave away an aura which represented supremacy. The air around the sanctuary changed and one could see angels surrounding the sanctuary outside now.
“Good to see you. It had been some centuries since you visited, Leo,” Scorpio said, smirking. “I hear your host is starting to get rusty. She took some damages fighting mundane creations—pathetic.”
Leo ignored the statement casually and chose not to reply to the matter concerning Victoria taking damage. “Scorpio, thou host seeketh the most trivial of goals, yet opinions of thy own host seemeth rather positive?”
“Her goal is noble if I say so myself,” Scorpio retorted before giving a sinister laugh.
“There, there, all is fair and well. Everyone has opinions. Everyone has their own paths, and they are bound to clash that way. No need to badmouth,” Taurus chipped in, and Scorpio scoffed. “Shall we do it like the good old times?”
“Shall we?” Leo asked, facing Scorpio.
“Fine,” Scorpio said, reluctantly raising his glass of alcohol up.
Leo and Taurus did the same, as they toasted.
“A toast… for us still not causing the world to collapse even now.”
Virgo looked with disappointment at the male spirits as they toasted, and the reason seemed rather insignificant to her. “That is kind of lame,” she commented. “Right?”
“Indeed, for chaos and strife is always an inevitability, especially due to our very existence,” answered Aquarius, who was in something like a makeshift lake behind Virgo. “That said, my Knight shall not forgive murder. I hope you understand.”
“I look forward to meeting your handsome man,” Virgo casually replied, rather looking forward to the meeting.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
Once upon a time existed warriors possessing powers that could manipulate time.
They were said to all walk their paths – for most part – solitarily. This was true, yet untrue. People were, and are, careless. They pick words without prior notice, and spread them – not knowing in full about who they speak of. Truly, the communities of human beings were, for the most part, uninformed about these beings. Even the few magicians – wielders of power beyond comprehension, was as uninformed as most men that inhabited the world.
Their powers – in reality – were beyond compare with practitioners of magecraft. Their powers – in reality – reigned supremacy even over nature itself.
Why? One may soon learn…
This is the tale of the second meeting between four of twelve of the Descendants of Time.
A fallen knight laid over the lap of a mother dressed in black attire. Her copper-brown hair bathed intensely in the rays of the apparent setting sun.
“Farewell, my child,” she uttered to her now-lost son as she gazed at his peaceful face with her emerald green eyes. Her voice gave away a hint of sadness, yet her expression was cold and unfazed, mirroring a cold and icy heart. She looked up, finding the King of Knights opposite to her.
He frowned, the woman who had brought his ruin had just demonstrated a magic he had never before seen. The sword he held in his right hand was stained with the blood of the hundreds of men he had cut down on this day.
“So he’s truly dead then?” The King said, blood trickling down his left arm. A huge gash across his shoulder was indicative of the battle he had just fought, slaying his own kin; had it not been for his regenerative capability the wound might be described as fatal. On the face of this cold King, however, he seemed more perturbed by the mother than his condition.
“Indeed,” the mother replied, getting up, allowing the head of her son rest over the barren – blood soaked – earth.
“The experiment had failed. It seems like it is impossible for a child born from the essence of a Descendant… to be comparable to a genuine Descendant, even if he is born from a Descendant,” she added, revealing her intentions. The woman then looked somewhat sad, as if a little girl’s †˜game’ was put to an end. It truly portrayed her disappointment. “What to do now?” She asked herself.
“Do as you please,” The King said cruelly, “Nothing ever stopped you before,” he practically spat out the words to the woman that stood there, the resentment was palpable.
“My, don’t be like that. A mother has but no choice to be kind to their child,” the woman replied, giving the dead †˜son’ a glance full of pity.
“You and him tried to kill me,” the King said, matter of factly, “What kindness is it when you pit a child against his own father? The only kindness that that child had ever seen was the release I gave him on this battlefield.” The sword had vanished from his hand, but the frown remained firmly on his face.
“That was merely his idea,” the lady answered swiftly, not even sparing a moment to ponder over her words. “I simply… fulfilled his dream. Is that wrong for a mother to do? But, I suppose I agree – perhaps this was for the best for him.”
“What do you mean his dream?” The armour clad man snapped, the word triggering a new wave of anger.
“He told me that he wanted it,” she answered – with a calm tone – to the King, “your throne, your position, and your crown.”
“I hope he’s happy in death now that he’s taken it all from me,” he laughed sardonically, “My reign is over.”
“Perhaps I shall take it over for myself,” the lady stated, as if providing herself with the idea. “It may be less boring that way.”
The King’s expression remained caustic as he gazed upon the woman who brought about the destruction of what he had built over the years, “That would be a crass decision on your part,” he said, “We’ve already seen what people like us can do to a kingdom.”
“Words work like magic,” the woman replied gleefully, “after all, everyone just follows the King, right?” Her words were followed by a chuckle.
“Only if the King is worthy to lead.”
“Indeed,” a voice spoke from behind. It was the apparent Queen. The King’s wife. Otherwise labeled the traitor.
The man standing between the two women smiled slightly, “I didn’t think you would turn up,” he chuckled, “Guinevere.”
“Ah… I suppose I am to still be referred by that.” The beautiful lady named Guinevere smiled. “I apologise, I was a little… too late.”
“So you finally show yourself, oh goody-two-shoes Consort Queen,” the other woman spat her words with a look of distaste. “How did it feel to sleep with Sir Lancelot? I hope you had quite a lot of fun back there.”
“It was actually a plot to lure you out,” the Queen answered. “I could hardly believe that a skit would become a scandal. You sly thing.”
Here stood the injured King of Knights – a man who lost his nation’s trust. With him were two women of differing statuses.
The Queen, Guinevere.
The Enchantress, Morgan.
Of course, these were fake names. Only King Arthur Pendragon didn’t pick up on it.
In reality, the participants of this meeting of the Descendants were: Countess Dracula, a certain Dragon Slayer who was now the King of Knights, and an unknown woman who was apparently acquainted with Morgan.
“Arthur, I have decided – I will take the throne. What is your plan from here on out?”
“I’m going to die,” he said bluntly, “and I’m going to stay dead for a long time.”
“I see,” the Queen simply said, accepting the answer. “If that is the case; suit yourself.” She looked back to the Countess. “I suppose this is it, then? I doubt you can take the throne in your position.”
“You forgot what I can do?”
“Brainwashing your people is the most foolish act one may commit, Countess.”
“You won’t know till you try.”
“Must we always… do this?”
“Yes. Always.”
The Countess smiled. It was such a happy smile. Too full of bliss. Arthur had never seen Morgan like this. A blade materialized before the Countess’ hand. It was long, and had a sharp small blade peeking out of it from the side of its tip.
Guinevere, otherwise known as the Consort Queen drew her arm forth, and with a brilliant light appeared a large golden lance.
Arthur sighed, he was oh-so-very tired. The revelation that the two women who stood before him with weapons like his, were most likely in the same position he was didn’t shock him. Maybe a month ago it might have, perhaps even a few hours ago but not now. He had seen too much today, felt so much betrayal today that nothing either of these two could do would surprise him.
“I’m so getting rid of you today, Final Battle Maiden. I’ve had it with you this century. You’re so meddlesome!” The Countess declared with a curse, apparently her temper was almost at its peak.
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself now.” Guinevere still smiled casually, apparently relaxed.
A wave was released as if it was a breeze in all directions. With it, the world lost its color. The wind stopped. The clouds froze. The earth was as good as dead; devoid of life – as the Countess’ killing intent was made apparent.
The Countess disappeared from the scene into the air with black ephemeral feathers, before appearing before the two’s face. She wore a sadistic-looking grin before the blade went down towards the Queen.
However, the blade went past the Queen. Clearly. There was no doubt about it. It was as if she was an illusion – a ghost.
The Countess was clearly shocked, but she did not hesitate, and sliced at the air containing Guinevere’s imagine for five seconds. The slashes were incredibly fast, so much so that Arthur could hardly follow the traces in his tired state, but as a Descendant – he was recovering.
“Take your time,” the Queen mocked, giving her shoulders a relaxed jerk.
The Countess frowned, and ran past the Queen’s body with an angry look, and targeted King Arthur instead.
A shining blade was summoned forth by Arthur, the King’s blade: Excalibur. Parrying the Countess’ attack with a display of incredible dexterity, he sighed again.
“Haven’t I fought enough today?” He smiled weakly.
“No need to, then. I’ll put you to sleep myself.”
“I’m afraid England still needs me,” Arthur said, “Not now, but she will,” his words carried with them the weight of the man’s determination. He quickly began a barrage of his own attacks, displaying the expert swordsmanship that had got him thus far, not relenting despite his injury. This resulted in the two exchanging a series of strikes. Noises of the blades clashing echoed far and wide, but the only audience to it was the Queen.
The two were locked with their blades bound by their strength and unwavering wills. Spiritual energy flowed in two different directions as they both competed to land a strike. The wind blew up.
However.
It was soon stopped.
What Arthur found himself gazing at were crimson droplets – splattering all over his body, and his sword.
A lance was smeared and covered in glistening scarlet. It spun unrelentingly like a drill as it pierced straight through the Countess’ heart from behind, making her cough out blood.
The Queen successfully launched a sneak attack, and it was brutal and merciless. A wise decision, but she had no sense of chivalry. Rather, she chose to forsake it in exchange for an opportunity.
“...Y.. You wretch, you show your true colors now?”
The lady who was referred to as the Final Battle Maiden showed an expressionless face.
“Cowardly may it be; yet the sense of chivalry I had is not going to save this world, nor this nation,” Guinevere answered with her voice sounding as usual.
The Countess vanished with dark feathers once again, and reformed behind Arthur. “Well, two can play that game,” she said, attempting to hit Arthur from behind.
“Both of you have no honour,” Arthur said disappointedly as he spun away from the Countess’ attack.
“Such a shame,” he said, a blue light emanated from his hands as he said this, the sound of water filling the canyon, Arthur’s wounds healed over and he smiled feeling refreshed.
“For the greater good, it was a necessary sacrifice,” the Queen said in defense again. “To me, it was as good as showing mercy to my enemies. Besides, I would not be alive, had I not let go of such… meddlesome beliefs.”
“Hmph, you’re the most annoying Dragoon to have ever lived. Thank god they’re all dead now,” the Countess spoke derisively.
“...You don’t ever learn some manners, do you?” Queen Guinevere said, her expression unchanging. One could truly never tell what went on in her mind.
Tch, unfazed even now, the Countess cursed internally.
“So, are you going to fight, or sleep?” The Queen asked the King who had apparently cast a power of recovering over himself. The more the merrier – if she could destroy the Countess with the King’s aid, the country would certainly lose a future enemy, after all.
“I would rather sleep, but who knows what havoc you two will wreak without me keeping you in check,” Arthur said, twirling his sword around his hand.
“How rude, I still perform my duties accordingly, even now,” the Queen replied with an apparent frown as she looked displeased face, “I think,” she finished, a little unsure of herself. However, a noise of something soft being churned out resounded almost silently. When the Queen turned, it was too late. Stream of crimson flooded out, and the round object; plucked.
A scream was the next thing that resounded across the battlefield.
Queen Guinevere cupped her left-eye socket—to somehow stop the excessive flow of blood with her feeble-looking hands—which was emptied by the extended blade of the Countess’ Harpe, and it seemed as though she was crying blood from an eye now that she closed one of her eyelid. It was the first time Arthur had heard this calm Queen make such a voice. It might’ve been a first for her, too. The lance fell out of her grip as she kneeled to the ground.
The Countess licked the blood that dripped from the eyeball, before bothering to actually take it into her mouth. It was a disturbing sight to behold when she gulped it with a smile.
“Perks of being careless,” she mocked with a twisted laughter. “Now you’re next,” she pointed the tip of the blade towards Arthur. “I hope you still go easy on the ladies,” with this, the former enchantress of the nation dashed towards the King, and they’d soon be locked into another series of exchanging blows from each other.
Arthur smiled, “You’re no lady,” he said deflecting blows from the woman he knew as Morgan, as the clatter of blade against blade continued, three blue pots appeared from behind Arthur, slowly filling with water.
As the blades were once again pushed back and forth with the blows. The three pots were indeed charging up for something big. The Countess was far too engrossed into the sword dance at hand to pay it any heed.
She held her blade with her right hand, so the other hand was unoccupied. Of course, Arthur wouldn’t know what this meant, until a moment later. The left hand turned into a very large hand, comparably larger than at least three human beings combined, perhaps. It lashed at the King with full force as the Countess used its back to push him away. Excalibur was too small a blade and he did not have the time to attempt to block it, either.
Arthur fell about five meters back, and tumbled over the corpse of a dead knight. Yes, his so-called son who was released from the material world.
Arthur grunted as he felt the impact of his fall, “So you continue to curse me even in death,” he said quietly to the corpse of the son he had loved, “You’re not the only one with tricks up your sleeve Morgan,” he said now loud enough for her to hear, as a great wall of water was brought forth directly at her. This had been what Arthur’s pots had been storing while he exchanged strikes with the Countess.
The great wall of water soon erupted into strong gushing waves – causing a tsunami – washing away the blood, mud, dirt and the corpses of the fallen – overtaking the King’s adversary as well as his apparent ally – the Queen – along with it.
It was a literal show of paying back an opponent at least ten-folds in a true showdown of great powers, albeit Arthur could feel a strain from spending so much spiritual energy – his pots would soon resume collecting the water he allowed them to stockpile.
The water begun to have steam rising from it somewhere around the middle. †˜Middle’ as in somewhere middle in his line of sight.
A figure of darkness could be seen flapping its dark and ferocious-looking wings. The water parted away from her, and she rose to the sky. Not as a woman, but as a large and fearsome dragon instead. With a roar it made the very earth shudder even as it was devoid of live. The discolored sun was blocked and the world looked truly dark and grim. Flames escaped and its breathes and the water were evaporated even further.
“You don’t make it easy, do you?” A fiendish voice asked, the voice of a monster and a woman was mixed. The mouth hardly moved. Telepathy? Perhaps. It didn’t really matter at this point.
The real problem was the fact that the opponent now had flight advantage. Arthur was a King bound to the earth, after all.
“It was never meant to be,” Arthur said, picking himself up off the ground, “You never made anything easy for me.”
“This is the end, King of Knights,” the dragon roared. Somehow, Arthur could tell that it was yet another abnormal laughter that escaped her mouth. The glee was a little too apparent, before the swath of flames came raining down upon Arthur.
His pots shot water to retaliate. Water from different directions rushed to protect him; solidifying into ice. Yet he knew – he couldn’t possibly escape such large flames. Tentatively as a sign of his determination, he fortified his blade before him, regardless, taking on the attack.
With a blast the entire field was devastated as flames razed camelot.
When Arthur opened his eyes, he couldn’t recognize the place, at all. Not because it’d be burning with tall fires, not because it was tortured with a pulverizing force from a dragon, not because it was washed and driven away of its corpses, but because he could simply not recognise the place itself.
Arthur found himself standing in a kind of floor he hadn’t quite felt often. Steel, certainly, he could recognise this feeling. He stood on steel all his life as his boots were crafted with them, but here, the floor was just as metallic. Moving his feet a bit, he could tell some strange carvings that designed the floors.
Darkness surrounded him; Arthur couldn’t see anything at all. It was as if he was blind. He wondered if the bright flames had rendered him blind. Even if it were, it’d be temporary, he believed, as he was immortal.
Soon, his vision begun to stabilise, and he could gather a bit of information about his surroundings from what little his pupils picked up.
Dark walls. Silver pillars. Statues of various monsters he’d dare not dream of. Such a place he had found himself in. However, the truly mysterious element regarding the room were not those decoratives, but the pathway before himself.
That’s right, the Gates – the dark and tall gates stood before him – tall yet slim; it gave a frightening vibe even to the King.
A slit opened with an almost inaudible clank, and a stark redness was visible beyond the passage. It slightly illuminated the room. Only slightly, while at the same time it made everything invisible, yet again. Arthur could feel the door beckoning him. It just so turned out that he was responding to it just as it had wanted.
Click, clack, click, clack.
Arthur took steps – approaching the apparent doors of death. His mind was living, and so was his body. Yet why? Why did it refuse to obey him? Arthur was baffled at the situation at hand. It was as if his body itself had come to life; ignoring his commands.
Click, clack, click, clack.
He was getting ever closer to his ruin. At this point, he was beginning to accept his fate. Was it not sleep that he desired? His mind reasoned with him, but from the back of his head a different notion struck home – did he wanted that to be his bed? That horror of red which lay beyond this stinking, cursed door?
He looked around with his pupils. Where did the pots go? Where did the sword go? Would anything change the situation? He’d die by his own accord, rather than suicide by the hands of a superior hypnotism he wasn’t aware of. Was this that troublesome Countess’ doing? He cursed her in his mind, for another damn time today.
The sword was still gripped to his right hand. He could feel the hilt heavily, as well as the weight of his armory now, yet he could not pick them up, at all. His hand wouldn’t listen to him all the same, nor could he apply Spiritual energy to it.
Click, clack, click, clack.
The sounds echoed much more clearly. Everything seemed so surreal, even though he was just taking steps towards a simple tall set of doors. Past events of his life flushed out, and he remembered his miseries and regrets, and the few glorious achievements of his life. Sweat ran down at the same time. His instincts called to him. No, it definitely cried out for him. That human instinct of survival that he thought he had long lost as a Descendant – was beckoning for him to take back what it was his own; his body.
His own flesh mercilessly rejected him, regardless, making the coldness of reality more evident than ever.
Disdain. His life was always like this.
Click, clack, click, clack.
So be it – he thought.
If that’s how it is, then that’s that.
He was ready to accept the eventual face. This abnormal reality was true in every part of the world, anyway. Not that he knew what world he was in now.
His hand reached out to it, soon to feel the cold surface of what would bring him a possibly demise moments away.
He faced death with a wry smile. At least, he imagined himself smiling that way. The slit of the door was but inches away, and he could see the horror of the dead, as well as his son grinning at him from behind it.
Click, clack, click, clack.
Even as an immortal being who was accepting this ridiculous situation – a feeling of fear arose in his heart. Perhaps it was due to one of those little feelings leftover in him as a human, but it was there – in the deep recesses of his heart.
However, something inconceivable happened.
He saw light.
Yes, light.
Pure, bright, and white light. Indeed, that which illuminates everything had greeted him. Was it an angel who descended into the depths of hell? A spirit of great prominence visiting to send him off? Or perhaps Aquarius herself for a parting message?
The light approached him. Not from the gates, not from the sides, but from behind him. Fingertips laid themselves over his shoulder, and with unthinkable force it pulled him. He could tell just from how the fingers felt, yet he found it rather hard to believe.
He was forced to turn around, and was then pulled away from the gates of hell – as if he was receiving divine guidance.
“Don’t you dare die instead of sleeping, Arthur!” She shouted, looking straight and deep into his eyes with a determined look. He could see a trickle of tear at the corners of her eyelids, but they were restrained with sheer willpower.
It was indeed who he thought it was. She was burning with white light. Glowing, in fact, and illuminating her surroundings. The Gates revealed carvings of black dragons, and so did the floors.
“You must not sacrifice yourself to the Gates of Tartarus.”
“Is that what this is?” He asked, seemingly not quite all together in his mind. Arthur gestured to the surroundings as he spoke, in a way that made it seem almost normal. “So I’ll die if I continue?” He asked again, “Is that right?”
Guinevere sighed, calming herself as she figured that she was acting out of the ordinary. “That is correct, the last time this happened; Russia was forever changed,” she stated. Indeed, it has lost its sense of time, and that country is now covered in fog that outsiders cannot cross through, save for the mages and the Descendants.
“You may ruin the future of your country.”
“That would be unfortunate,” Arthur smiled.
“Why not enter it, anyway?” A certain woman asked as she stepped in.
It was Morgan. She stood behind the two, apparently coming in somehow in her previous form.
“It may be for the good. That fog that deters entrance of outsiders will forever protect England from invasions, O King of knight.”
“That’s not the England that I want my dear,” Arthur said, “Invasion has never phased this country.”
“Then I’ll toss you into the gates myself.”
The Countess once again begun to change dramatically. Her body transfigured and turned into the very monster they were attacked by. The ear-piercing roars made the steel floor shudder, and the three could hear the gates open with a creak.
Red mist escaped, and what came along with it were pinkish tentacles that gave, well, a very bad vibe to the two. The Countess seemed particularly unfazed, while the Queen seemed to fear them to an extent.
The tentacles moved without a warning, and were fast beyond anyone’s imagination that they seemed to blur. With a tight grip, it caught King Arthur without wasting a moment.
“Hah, serves you right,” the dragon roared.
Arthur tried to utilise his blade, but his arm was caught, and the grip was inhumanly strong. No, he himself was inhuman, too. Even then, he couldn’t move while was he was caught. The tentacles, however, couldn’t seem to catch the Queen no matter how much it went for her, as her mysterious ability that allowed her to be comparable to a ghost was once again active.
This gave her an advantage, of course. Which she intended to use.
With speed and grace, she begun to cut down the tentacles from Arthur.
One by one, in quick succession. They were hard, and strong strands of muscles, but her lance was large and sharp enough to get the job done.
“That’s the last one,” Guinevere said, taking out the tentacle that kept his right arm bound, but just as she pierced it, a bright orange light entered her field of sight.
Indeed, it was as she had feared.
The Countess’ flames were about to burn them both to cinders. Flames from her breathes rushed towards the two intensely.
Arthur pushed Guinevere aside, the legendary blade he wielded was gripped tightly in his hands, glowing the brightest gold it had ever gleamed. “Fool me once,” he said almost laughing, as he met the fire whose embrace he had felt only minutes ago with the warm steel of Excalibur. Gold met Red in an intense second that seemed to last an eternity. The King’s eyes closed slowly as if in a state of meditation. The might of the blade tore through the flame the golden glow filling the room before fading away.
“Wha?!” The dragon was clearly bewildered at the sudden might of the holy sword. Even the face of the dragon changed in a way that even an ordinary human could tell that she was lost for words.
“Don’t get over your head!” She hissed loudly, trying to collect herself back together before she took a breath to release her flames. However, she was a slow learner. Arthur’s wife once again snuck past skillfully.
A sharp golden lance drilled out from the back of the Countess’ head, with an eyeball at the tip of the lance hanging now.
“I suppose we’re now even.”
The dragon groaned in pain, and the tentacles decided to grab it next.
Its wings, head, neck, belly, and legs were caught with a grip that possessed unforeseen strength.
“What! No! Let go of me you mongrels! You pathetic demons of the lowly Rea—” the dragon was soon was pulled so hard and fast that the Countess was gone the next second; swallowed whole beyond the Gates of Tartarus.
Just as Arthur blinked his eyes in surprise, the dark place, or the tall gates were gone; finding himself over a corpse on camelot, as well as the same setting sun that he killed his knights under – now with the time flowing once again.
“I was hoping that it wouldn’t eat her,” Queen Guinevere complained to herself apparently. “Our country is bound to be affected… what was I even fighting for here? Have I failed already… ?”
“You did what you could, no one could have asked for any more,” Arthur consoled, “I didn’t want it to end like that…”
“You are silly. You’re attempting to placate me, one who lied and conducted different operations behind your back?” The Queen asked with a wry smile as she faced the King who lost the trust of his people. It was undoubtedly partially her own fault too, and she definitely felt responsible for all this, including the unexpected scandal.
“You were, Queen, there wasn’t any doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t always know what you were up to,” Arthur said, “I don’t blame you, no one is to blame, people do as they will.”
“My, aren’t you a kind King,” the former Queen said, complimenting the King. Albeit at the same time it could be taken as sarcasm, too.
“Why not go to Avalon from here?” She asked.
“That was the plan,” Arthur admitted, “I think I’ve had enough of the mortal realm for now.”
“Indeed, the Faerie Realm may be a good place for seclusion,” Guinevere replied. “Want a lift?” She offered, as two objects pushed themselves out of her back. They shone strongly under the bright rays of the setting sun – white, angelic wings – that spread out from her.
“It may not look like it, but I am fast.”
“I’ll rely on you one last time then,” Arthur said, smiling wearily.
Guinevere’s – or should one say, the future sole ruler’s – wings flapped; creating strong gusts with it. Features bathed the former battlefield as the two figures now soared high into the sky with the Consort Queen carrying the King, which was rather ironic – making way for Avalon.
She gave one last glance towards Camelot, and saw the hideous dark figure, which almost immediately vanished. She looked back towards the direction she and Arthur headed for. She took down her expression of worry, and rebuilt her smile.
And that was how the tale of a never-known history came to an end.
They were said to all walk their paths – for most part – solitarily. This was true, yet untrue. People were, and are, careless. They pick words without prior notice, and spread them – not knowing in full about who they speak of. Truly, the communities of human beings were, for the most part, uninformed about these beings. Even the few magicians – wielders of power beyond comprehension, was as uninformed as most men that inhabited the world.
Their powers – in reality – were beyond compare with practitioners of magecraft. Their powers – in reality – reigned supremacy even over nature itself.
Why? One may soon learn…
This is the tale of the second meeting between four of twelve of the Descendants of Time.
***
A fallen knight laid over the lap of a mother dressed in black attire. Her copper-brown hair bathed intensely in the rays of the apparent setting sun.
“Farewell, my child,” she uttered to her now-lost son as she gazed at his peaceful face with her emerald green eyes. Her voice gave away a hint of sadness, yet her expression was cold and unfazed, mirroring a cold and icy heart. She looked up, finding the King of Knights opposite to her.
He frowned, the woman who had brought his ruin had just demonstrated a magic he had never before seen. The sword he held in his right hand was stained with the blood of the hundreds of men he had cut down on this day.
“So he’s truly dead then?” The King said, blood trickling down his left arm. A huge gash across his shoulder was indicative of the battle he had just fought, slaying his own kin; had it not been for his regenerative capability the wound might be described as fatal. On the face of this cold King, however, he seemed more perturbed by the mother than his condition.
“Indeed,” the mother replied, getting up, allowing the head of her son rest over the barren – blood soaked – earth.
“The experiment had failed. It seems like it is impossible for a child born from the essence of a Descendant… to be comparable to a genuine Descendant, even if he is born from a Descendant,” she added, revealing her intentions. The woman then looked somewhat sad, as if a little girl’s †˜game’ was put to an end. It truly portrayed her disappointment. “What to do now?” She asked herself.
“Do as you please,” The King said cruelly, “Nothing ever stopped you before,” he practically spat out the words to the woman that stood there, the resentment was palpable.
“My, don’t be like that. A mother has but no choice to be kind to their child,” the woman replied, giving the dead †˜son’ a glance full of pity.
“You and him tried to kill me,” the King said, matter of factly, “What kindness is it when you pit a child against his own father? The only kindness that that child had ever seen was the release I gave him on this battlefield.” The sword had vanished from his hand, but the frown remained firmly on his face.
“That was merely his idea,” the lady answered swiftly, not even sparing a moment to ponder over her words. “I simply… fulfilled his dream. Is that wrong for a mother to do? But, I suppose I agree – perhaps this was for the best for him.”
“What do you mean his dream?” The armour clad man snapped, the word triggering a new wave of anger.
“He told me that he wanted it,” she answered – with a calm tone – to the King, “your throne, your position, and your crown.”
“I hope he’s happy in death now that he’s taken it all from me,” he laughed sardonically, “My reign is over.”
“Perhaps I shall take it over for myself,” the lady stated, as if providing herself with the idea. “It may be less boring that way.”
The King’s expression remained caustic as he gazed upon the woman who brought about the destruction of what he had built over the years, “That would be a crass decision on your part,” he said, “We’ve already seen what people like us can do to a kingdom.”
“Words work like magic,” the woman replied gleefully, “after all, everyone just follows the King, right?” Her words were followed by a chuckle.
“Only if the King is worthy to lead.”
“Indeed,” a voice spoke from behind. It was the apparent Queen. The King’s wife. Otherwise labeled the traitor.
The man standing between the two women smiled slightly, “I didn’t think you would turn up,” he chuckled, “Guinevere.”
“Ah… I suppose I am to still be referred by that.” The beautiful lady named Guinevere smiled. “I apologise, I was a little… too late.”
“So you finally show yourself, oh goody-two-shoes Consort Queen,” the other woman spat her words with a look of distaste. “How did it feel to sleep with Sir Lancelot? I hope you had quite a lot of fun back there.”
“It was actually a plot to lure you out,” the Queen answered. “I could hardly believe that a skit would become a scandal. You sly thing.”
Here stood the injured King of Knights – a man who lost his nation’s trust. With him were two women of differing statuses.
The Queen, Guinevere.
The Enchantress, Morgan.
Of course, these were fake names. Only King Arthur Pendragon didn’t pick up on it.
In reality, the participants of this meeting of the Descendants were: Countess Dracula, a certain Dragon Slayer who was now the King of Knights, and an unknown woman who was apparently acquainted with Morgan.
“Arthur, I have decided – I will take the throne. What is your plan from here on out?”
“I’m going to die,” he said bluntly, “and I’m going to stay dead for a long time.”
“I see,” the Queen simply said, accepting the answer. “If that is the case; suit yourself.” She looked back to the Countess. “I suppose this is it, then? I doubt you can take the throne in your position.”
“You forgot what I can do?”
“Brainwashing your people is the most foolish act one may commit, Countess.”
“You won’t know till you try.”
“Must we always… do this?”
“Yes. Always.”
The Countess smiled. It was such a happy smile. Too full of bliss. Arthur had never seen Morgan like this. A blade materialized before the Countess’ hand. It was long, and had a sharp small blade peeking out of it from the side of its tip.
Guinevere, otherwise known as the Consort Queen drew her arm forth, and with a brilliant light appeared a large golden lance.
Arthur sighed, he was oh-so-very tired. The revelation that the two women who stood before him with weapons like his, were most likely in the same position he was didn’t shock him. Maybe a month ago it might have, perhaps even a few hours ago but not now. He had seen too much today, felt so much betrayal today that nothing either of these two could do would surprise him.
“I’m so getting rid of you today, Final Battle Maiden. I’ve had it with you this century. You’re so meddlesome!” The Countess declared with a curse, apparently her temper was almost at its peak.
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself now.” Guinevere still smiled casually, apparently relaxed.
A wave was released as if it was a breeze in all directions. With it, the world lost its color. The wind stopped. The clouds froze. The earth was as good as dead; devoid of life – as the Countess’ killing intent was made apparent.
The Countess disappeared from the scene into the air with black ephemeral feathers, before appearing before the two’s face. She wore a sadistic-looking grin before the blade went down towards the Queen.
However, the blade went past the Queen. Clearly. There was no doubt about it. It was as if she was an illusion – a ghost.
The Countess was clearly shocked, but she did not hesitate, and sliced at the air containing Guinevere’s imagine for five seconds. The slashes were incredibly fast, so much so that Arthur could hardly follow the traces in his tired state, but as a Descendant – he was recovering.
“Take your time,” the Queen mocked, giving her shoulders a relaxed jerk.
The Countess frowned, and ran past the Queen’s body with an angry look, and targeted King Arthur instead.
A shining blade was summoned forth by Arthur, the King’s blade: Excalibur. Parrying the Countess’ attack with a display of incredible dexterity, he sighed again.
“Haven’t I fought enough today?” He smiled weakly.
“No need to, then. I’ll put you to sleep myself.”
“I’m afraid England still needs me,” Arthur said, “Not now, but she will,” his words carried with them the weight of the man’s determination. He quickly began a barrage of his own attacks, displaying the expert swordsmanship that had got him thus far, not relenting despite his injury. This resulted in the two exchanging a series of strikes. Noises of the blades clashing echoed far and wide, but the only audience to it was the Queen.
The two were locked with their blades bound by their strength and unwavering wills. Spiritual energy flowed in two different directions as they both competed to land a strike. The wind blew up.
However.
It was soon stopped.
What Arthur found himself gazing at were crimson droplets – splattering all over his body, and his sword.
A lance was smeared and covered in glistening scarlet. It spun unrelentingly like a drill as it pierced straight through the Countess’ heart from behind, making her cough out blood.
The Queen successfully launched a sneak attack, and it was brutal and merciless. A wise decision, but she had no sense of chivalry. Rather, she chose to forsake it in exchange for an opportunity.
“...Y.. You wretch, you show your true colors now?”
The lady who was referred to as the Final Battle Maiden showed an expressionless face.
“Cowardly may it be; yet the sense of chivalry I had is not going to save this world, nor this nation,” Guinevere answered with her voice sounding as usual.
The Countess vanished with dark feathers once again, and reformed behind Arthur. “Well, two can play that game,” she said, attempting to hit Arthur from behind.
“Both of you have no honour,” Arthur said disappointedly as he spun away from the Countess’ attack.
“Such a shame,” he said, a blue light emanated from his hands as he said this, the sound of water filling the canyon, Arthur’s wounds healed over and he smiled feeling refreshed.
“For the greater good, it was a necessary sacrifice,” the Queen said in defense again. “To me, it was as good as showing mercy to my enemies. Besides, I would not be alive, had I not let go of such… meddlesome beliefs.”
“Hmph, you’re the most annoying Dragoon to have ever lived. Thank god they’re all dead now,” the Countess spoke derisively.
“...You don’t ever learn some manners, do you?” Queen Guinevere said, her expression unchanging. One could truly never tell what went on in her mind.
Tch, unfazed even now, the Countess cursed internally.
“So, are you going to fight, or sleep?” The Queen asked the King who had apparently cast a power of recovering over himself. The more the merrier – if she could destroy the Countess with the King’s aid, the country would certainly lose a future enemy, after all.
“I would rather sleep, but who knows what havoc you two will wreak without me keeping you in check,” Arthur said, twirling his sword around his hand.
“How rude, I still perform my duties accordingly, even now,” the Queen replied with an apparent frown as she looked displeased face, “I think,” she finished, a little unsure of herself. However, a noise of something soft being churned out resounded almost silently. When the Queen turned, it was too late. Stream of crimson flooded out, and the round object; plucked.
A scream was the next thing that resounded across the battlefield.
Queen Guinevere cupped her left-eye socket—to somehow stop the excessive flow of blood with her feeble-looking hands—which was emptied by the extended blade of the Countess’ Harpe, and it seemed as though she was crying blood from an eye now that she closed one of her eyelid. It was the first time Arthur had heard this calm Queen make such a voice. It might’ve been a first for her, too. The lance fell out of her grip as she kneeled to the ground.
The Countess licked the blood that dripped from the eyeball, before bothering to actually take it into her mouth. It was a disturbing sight to behold when she gulped it with a smile.
“Perks of being careless,” she mocked with a twisted laughter. “Now you’re next,” she pointed the tip of the blade towards Arthur. “I hope you still go easy on the ladies,” with this, the former enchantress of the nation dashed towards the King, and they’d soon be locked into another series of exchanging blows from each other.
Arthur smiled, “You’re no lady,” he said deflecting blows from the woman he knew as Morgan, as the clatter of blade against blade continued, three blue pots appeared from behind Arthur, slowly filling with water.
As the blades were once again pushed back and forth with the blows. The three pots were indeed charging up for something big. The Countess was far too engrossed into the sword dance at hand to pay it any heed.
She held her blade with her right hand, so the other hand was unoccupied. Of course, Arthur wouldn’t know what this meant, until a moment later. The left hand turned into a very large hand, comparably larger than at least three human beings combined, perhaps. It lashed at the King with full force as the Countess used its back to push him away. Excalibur was too small a blade and he did not have the time to attempt to block it, either.
Arthur fell about five meters back, and tumbled over the corpse of a dead knight. Yes, his so-called son who was released from the material world.
Arthur grunted as he felt the impact of his fall, “So you continue to curse me even in death,” he said quietly to the corpse of the son he had loved, “You’re not the only one with tricks up your sleeve Morgan,” he said now loud enough for her to hear, as a great wall of water was brought forth directly at her. This had been what Arthur’s pots had been storing while he exchanged strikes with the Countess.
The great wall of water soon erupted into strong gushing waves – causing a tsunami – washing away the blood, mud, dirt and the corpses of the fallen – overtaking the King’s adversary as well as his apparent ally – the Queen – along with it.
It was a literal show of paying back an opponent at least ten-folds in a true showdown of great powers, albeit Arthur could feel a strain from spending so much spiritual energy – his pots would soon resume collecting the water he allowed them to stockpile.
The water begun to have steam rising from it somewhere around the middle. †˜Middle’ as in somewhere middle in his line of sight.
A figure of darkness could be seen flapping its dark and ferocious-looking wings. The water parted away from her, and she rose to the sky. Not as a woman, but as a large and fearsome dragon instead. With a roar it made the very earth shudder even as it was devoid of live. The discolored sun was blocked and the world looked truly dark and grim. Flames escaped and its breathes and the water were evaporated even further.
“You don’t make it easy, do you?” A fiendish voice asked, the voice of a monster and a woman was mixed. The mouth hardly moved. Telepathy? Perhaps. It didn’t really matter at this point.
The real problem was the fact that the opponent now had flight advantage. Arthur was a King bound to the earth, after all.
“It was never meant to be,” Arthur said, picking himself up off the ground, “You never made anything easy for me.”
“This is the end, King of Knights,” the dragon roared. Somehow, Arthur could tell that it was yet another abnormal laughter that escaped her mouth. The glee was a little too apparent, before the swath of flames came raining down upon Arthur.
His pots shot water to retaliate. Water from different directions rushed to protect him; solidifying into ice. Yet he knew – he couldn’t possibly escape such large flames. Tentatively as a sign of his determination, he fortified his blade before him, regardless, taking on the attack.
With a blast the entire field was devastated as flames razed camelot.
When Arthur opened his eyes, he couldn’t recognize the place, at all. Not because it’d be burning with tall fires, not because it was tortured with a pulverizing force from a dragon, not because it was washed and driven away of its corpses, but because he could simply not recognise the place itself.
Arthur found himself standing in a kind of floor he hadn’t quite felt often. Steel, certainly, he could recognise this feeling. He stood on steel all his life as his boots were crafted with them, but here, the floor was just as metallic. Moving his feet a bit, he could tell some strange carvings that designed the floors.
Darkness surrounded him; Arthur couldn’t see anything at all. It was as if he was blind. He wondered if the bright flames had rendered him blind. Even if it were, it’d be temporary, he believed, as he was immortal.
Soon, his vision begun to stabilise, and he could gather a bit of information about his surroundings from what little his pupils picked up.
Dark walls. Silver pillars. Statues of various monsters he’d dare not dream of. Such a place he had found himself in. However, the truly mysterious element regarding the room were not those decoratives, but the pathway before himself.
That’s right, the Gates – the dark and tall gates stood before him – tall yet slim; it gave a frightening vibe even to the King.
A slit opened with an almost inaudible clank, and a stark redness was visible beyond the passage. It slightly illuminated the room. Only slightly, while at the same time it made everything invisible, yet again. Arthur could feel the door beckoning him. It just so turned out that he was responding to it just as it had wanted.
Click, clack, click, clack.
Arthur took steps – approaching the apparent doors of death. His mind was living, and so was his body. Yet why? Why did it refuse to obey him? Arthur was baffled at the situation at hand. It was as if his body itself had come to life; ignoring his commands.
Click, clack, click, clack.
He was getting ever closer to his ruin. At this point, he was beginning to accept his fate. Was it not sleep that he desired? His mind reasoned with him, but from the back of his head a different notion struck home – did he wanted that to be his bed? That horror of red which lay beyond this stinking, cursed door?
He looked around with his pupils. Where did the pots go? Where did the sword go? Would anything change the situation? He’d die by his own accord, rather than suicide by the hands of a superior hypnotism he wasn’t aware of. Was this that troublesome Countess’ doing? He cursed her in his mind, for another damn time today.
The sword was still gripped to his right hand. He could feel the hilt heavily, as well as the weight of his armory now, yet he could not pick them up, at all. His hand wouldn’t listen to him all the same, nor could he apply Spiritual energy to it.
Click, clack, click, clack.
The sounds echoed much more clearly. Everything seemed so surreal, even though he was just taking steps towards a simple tall set of doors. Past events of his life flushed out, and he remembered his miseries and regrets, and the few glorious achievements of his life. Sweat ran down at the same time. His instincts called to him. No, it definitely cried out for him. That human instinct of survival that he thought he had long lost as a Descendant – was beckoning for him to take back what it was his own; his body.
His own flesh mercilessly rejected him, regardless, making the coldness of reality more evident than ever.
Disdain. His life was always like this.
Click, clack, click, clack.
So be it – he thought.
If that’s how it is, then that’s that.
He was ready to accept the eventual face. This abnormal reality was true in every part of the world, anyway. Not that he knew what world he was in now.
His hand reached out to it, soon to feel the cold surface of what would bring him a possibly demise moments away.
He faced death with a wry smile. At least, he imagined himself smiling that way. The slit of the door was but inches away, and he could see the horror of the dead, as well as his son grinning at him from behind it.
Click, clack, click, clack.
Even as an immortal being who was accepting this ridiculous situation – a feeling of fear arose in his heart. Perhaps it was due to one of those little feelings leftover in him as a human, but it was there – in the deep recesses of his heart.
However, something inconceivable happened.
He saw light.
Yes, light.
Pure, bright, and white light. Indeed, that which illuminates everything had greeted him. Was it an angel who descended into the depths of hell? A spirit of great prominence visiting to send him off? Or perhaps Aquarius herself for a parting message?
The light approached him. Not from the gates, not from the sides, but from behind him. Fingertips laid themselves over his shoulder, and with unthinkable force it pulled him. He could tell just from how the fingers felt, yet he found it rather hard to believe.
He was forced to turn around, and was then pulled away from the gates of hell – as if he was receiving divine guidance.
“Don’t you dare die instead of sleeping, Arthur!” She shouted, looking straight and deep into his eyes with a determined look. He could see a trickle of tear at the corners of her eyelids, but they were restrained with sheer willpower.
It was indeed who he thought it was. She was burning with white light. Glowing, in fact, and illuminating her surroundings. The Gates revealed carvings of black dragons, and so did the floors.
“You must not sacrifice yourself to the Gates of Tartarus.”
“Is that what this is?” He asked, seemingly not quite all together in his mind. Arthur gestured to the surroundings as he spoke, in a way that made it seem almost normal. “So I’ll die if I continue?” He asked again, “Is that right?”
Guinevere sighed, calming herself as she figured that she was acting out of the ordinary. “That is correct, the last time this happened; Russia was forever changed,” she stated. Indeed, it has lost its sense of time, and that country is now covered in fog that outsiders cannot cross through, save for the mages and the Descendants.
“You may ruin the future of your country.”
“That would be unfortunate,” Arthur smiled.
“Why not enter it, anyway?” A certain woman asked as she stepped in.
It was Morgan. She stood behind the two, apparently coming in somehow in her previous form.
“It may be for the good. That fog that deters entrance of outsiders will forever protect England from invasions, O King of knight.”
“That’s not the England that I want my dear,” Arthur said, “Invasion has never phased this country.”
“Then I’ll toss you into the gates myself.”
The Countess once again begun to change dramatically. Her body transfigured and turned into the very monster they were attacked by. The ear-piercing roars made the steel floor shudder, and the three could hear the gates open with a creak.
Red mist escaped, and what came along with it were pinkish tentacles that gave, well, a very bad vibe to the two. The Countess seemed particularly unfazed, while the Queen seemed to fear them to an extent.
The tentacles moved without a warning, and were fast beyond anyone’s imagination that they seemed to blur. With a tight grip, it caught King Arthur without wasting a moment.
“Hah, serves you right,” the dragon roared.
Arthur tried to utilise his blade, but his arm was caught, and the grip was inhumanly strong. No, he himself was inhuman, too. Even then, he couldn’t move while was he was caught. The tentacles, however, couldn’t seem to catch the Queen no matter how much it went for her, as her mysterious ability that allowed her to be comparable to a ghost was once again active.
This gave her an advantage, of course. Which she intended to use.
With speed and grace, she begun to cut down the tentacles from Arthur.
One by one, in quick succession. They were hard, and strong strands of muscles, but her lance was large and sharp enough to get the job done.
“That’s the last one,” Guinevere said, taking out the tentacle that kept his right arm bound, but just as she pierced it, a bright orange light entered her field of sight.
Indeed, it was as she had feared.
The Countess’ flames were about to burn them both to cinders. Flames from her breathes rushed towards the two intensely.
Arthur pushed Guinevere aside, the legendary blade he wielded was gripped tightly in his hands, glowing the brightest gold it had ever gleamed. “Fool me once,” he said almost laughing, as he met the fire whose embrace he had felt only minutes ago with the warm steel of Excalibur. Gold met Red in an intense second that seemed to last an eternity. The King’s eyes closed slowly as if in a state of meditation. The might of the blade tore through the flame the golden glow filling the room before fading away.
“Wha?!” The dragon was clearly bewildered at the sudden might of the holy sword. Even the face of the dragon changed in a way that even an ordinary human could tell that she was lost for words.
“Don’t get over your head!” She hissed loudly, trying to collect herself back together before she took a breath to release her flames. However, she was a slow learner. Arthur’s wife once again snuck past skillfully.
A sharp golden lance drilled out from the back of the Countess’ head, with an eyeball at the tip of the lance hanging now.
“I suppose we’re now even.”
The dragon groaned in pain, and the tentacles decided to grab it next.
Its wings, head, neck, belly, and legs were caught with a grip that possessed unforeseen strength.
“What! No! Let go of me you mongrels! You pathetic demons of the lowly Rea—” the dragon was soon was pulled so hard and fast that the Countess was gone the next second; swallowed whole beyond the Gates of Tartarus.
Just as Arthur blinked his eyes in surprise, the dark place, or the tall gates were gone; finding himself over a corpse on camelot, as well as the same setting sun that he killed his knights under – now with the time flowing once again.
“I was hoping that it wouldn’t eat her,” Queen Guinevere complained to herself apparently. “Our country is bound to be affected… what was I even fighting for here? Have I failed already… ?”
“You did what you could, no one could have asked for any more,” Arthur consoled, “I didn’t want it to end like that…”
“You are silly. You’re attempting to placate me, one who lied and conducted different operations behind your back?” The Queen asked with a wry smile as she faced the King who lost the trust of his people. It was undoubtedly partially her own fault too, and she definitely felt responsible for all this, including the unexpected scandal.
“You were, Queen, there wasn’t any doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t always know what you were up to,” Arthur said, “I don’t blame you, no one is to blame, people do as they will.”
“My, aren’t you a kind King,” the former Queen said, complimenting the King. Albeit at the same time it could be taken as sarcasm, too.
“Why not go to Avalon from here?” She asked.
“That was the plan,” Arthur admitted, “I think I’ve had enough of the mortal realm for now.”
“Indeed, the Faerie Realm may be a good place for seclusion,” Guinevere replied. “Want a lift?” She offered, as two objects pushed themselves out of her back. They shone strongly under the bright rays of the setting sun – white, angelic wings – that spread out from her.
“It may not look like it, but I am fast.”
“I’ll rely on you one last time then,” Arthur said, smiling wearily.
Guinevere’s – or should one say, the future sole ruler’s – wings flapped; creating strong gusts with it. Features bathed the former battlefield as the two figures now soared high into the sky with the Consort Queen carrying the King, which was rather ironic – making way for Avalon.
She gave one last glance towards Camelot, and saw the hideous dark figure, which almost immediately vanished. She looked back towards the direction she and Arthur headed for. She took down her expression of worry, and rebuilt her smile.
And that was how the tale of a never-known history came to an end.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
Aramus entered the large Japanese mansion of the Mikaido meekly. The cushion under him could hardly be felt. It was his first time in such a large Japanese-style structure. Before him laid many bottles of alcohol on the table, cups of tea, and some sweets. It seemed like Mikaido was the strange type of man who’d drink tea and alcohol in the same hour like it was natural.
“So how are things goin’ kiddo?” the old man asked, already holding sake in his hand. Tea was gulped down in a second before Aramus stepped into the room.
Aramus looked like he had swallowed a bitter pill. “It’s complicated. The trip to England was one hell of a ride with what went on. Have you fared well, Mikaido-sama?”
“I hear some nutjob tried to assassinate the Queen. I was almost fearful that we’d lose our most gracious donator,” Mikaido said, heaving a big sigh. “Been faring well here until I heard that the Queen is planning an attack on Virgo. †˜Ya know, knowing things like that makes me liable to send some people to help. Pleasantry and all.”
“Yeah, that didn’t end very well for either side,” Aramus admitted with a nod of his head, the scene where she was gouged still very fresh in his memory. He doubted that he would ever be able to forget. “Well, any and all help is welcome in the fight against Virgo. I seem to be meeting more Descendants than I’d like, all in short order as well.”
“Either lucky, or unlucky, or fateful. Sounds annoying to me, though. Just when you think things are becoming normal again… it gets worse instead.”
Aramus swallowed, resisting the urge to scratch his throat, feeling like it was being constricted by the python known as a collar. “I’ll just chalk it up to being unlucky. Fortunately or unfortunately for me, a sense of normality merely involves three meals. It’s pretty much how I’ve lived up till now.”
“Sounds like something a man who experienced poverty would say,” Mikaido frankly stated, eyeing the brand on his face. “How did my son do in the Meet?”
Aramus fidgeted a little under the gaze, he wasn’t exactly unused to the attention but when those he respected stared at him, he did still feel a sense of shame. “Takeru-senpai did well. He interacted with the other nobles as befitting of his status as Magister and son of the Mikaido house. Unfortunately, we were separated when the debacle began but he seemed to be on top of things when we met again.”
“I imagine he volunteered to do something,” Mikaido guessed. “What about the debate about the rules? Did he participate?”
“I am sure he did. Unlike him, one such as myself is usually not privy to the discussions of nobles. I was also preoccupied with something else during that time,” Aramus explained, pointing to the brand for further emphasis.
“Privy to the discussion of nobles?” Mikaido laughed. “What are you talking about? There may be nobles but the representatives of most of the Magic Organizations fill that hall as far as I know. The Magisters are responsible for debating against the ridiculous rules that are suggested. After all, that Meeting is particularly important to Magisters.”
“Even with my title as a Magister, my word does not carry much weight amongst many others,” Aramus admitted with a shrug, noting that the fabric of his shirt scratched too much when compared to his former choice of attire. “The rules in place are sufficient, I would only raise an opinion if I thought otherwise. I’ve been shot down before for opening my mouth anyway.”
“Isn’t that only among nobles?” Mikaido questioned. “Certainly, you aren’t popular among them from what I’ve heard, but the Magic Organizations are full of people like you. Anyway, I hear Magisters gets to support the rules that may bring good to the people too. You have voting rights as well. I don’t see the problem in just being there.”
“I do so quietly in that case. Ultimately, we are here to serve Her Majesty and the people. My duty to them is first and foremost.”
“A duty of a mage is to vote. Hahaha!” Mikaido said.
“That being said, the rules have been changed quite drastically this year. Mikaido-sama, allow me,” Aramus offered, pouring another round of sake for the elder Mikaido.
Another bottle was finished as Aramus refilled… joining a line with a few other empty ones. “Oh? They changed the set of rules this year?”
“Yes. Supreme Spells are now approved for use against Descendents, though as of now Magisters and those above them would be able to utilize them. There should be an influx in the number of mages seeking a title so that they have the chance to learn any one of them,” Aramus answered, setting the bottle down. “Truthfully a troublesome matter.”
“I see it as counter-productive. It’d encourage many people to step up their game; train and get better and whatnot. I have a feeling Her Majesty foresaw this and allowed it. After all, a war is going on and who knows when a huge battle will take place. Wouldn’t be surprised if they allow Supreme Spells by high-ranking people in wars next.”
“Only time will tell I suppose,” Aramus said. “It always makes one feel better to have some security and in that sense, I would say this is a good move. So long as we Magisters keep to the rules, there will not be any issues. There will always be a few though.”
“Always that few… so, what really happened in the Meet? You know it all, right?” Mikaido said with a smirk.
Aramus mused over it for a moment, pouring what little remained of the tea into a teacup for himself. “†˜All’ would be too strong a word to use, Mikaido-sama.”
“Well, most at least,” Mikaido replied with a chuckle. “I know when I smell delicious secrets. I’ll share tidbits of my own if you care enough, of course. Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius, other teachers in your Academy, or even the possible plans that may be real for the war. Anything you fancy?”
“Nothing in particular that I won’t find out eventually. Sometimes playing the fool has its benefits,” Aramus said with a laugh. “I’m sure you know all too well, Mikaido-sama. So, we can go with what you want to know since you’re the one asking. There are still a few things I am not privy to disclose, please understand.”
“Understood. I was expecting that anyway, heh. I know Alice was there. Gemini was seen too if what I heard about the incident in China is true… so that brings me to the question: how were they exactly dealt with? A Magister proficient in combat may have fought him, so I thought to ask you.”
“You have heard of Duchess Frederica, yes? She is responsible,” Aramus said after a sip of his tea.
“I see So this means you bore witness to the Duchess pummeling— wait, I suspected she was working with Gemini based on her travel patterns… was I wrong? Hmm… that’s strange.”
“You could say that. Just one way of keeping ahead of the pack.”
“Hm, what can you tell me about that big ship which attacked the city at the daybreak after the Meet?”
“I thought it would be easier to find leads here since your country made it, but that doesn’t seem to be the case? I didn’t get too close a look since I was trying to save people in areas which were shot by the cannons,” Aramus said. “I myself am interested as to how they managed such a feat, making a monster like that.”
“Yeah… the thing is, we heard about it first from England and it completely slipped by our radar. We knew that there was something being made after the last Mega-Class Battleship—as they called it—broke down in the past Great Mages’ War due to the fight in the Dominion Realm, but no reports of completion of progress were ever noted. So it was thought by our intelligence that it was probably a hoax.”
“Try and try again. Well, guess you’ll have to tighten the information network if something like that could slip past. It pretty much destroyed half of London before it was taken down,” Aramus said sourly. “We all have to step up our game now…”
“It’s tight enough, but if there’s one thing we can’t get past it’s the Genesis Network…” Mikaido sighed. “Basically it’s a system based on one person, who does all the work alone, and it’s hard to leak information when a group—much less an organization—is not at work.”
“Can’t say I’ve heard of it. Japanese government?” Aramus guessed, perplexed. “How does a single person run a whole network anyway!?”
Mikaido tapped his head. “Well,” he said, “that information costly, and I don’t think you got anythin’ to afford it.”
“Haha, true. Nothing you won’t find out eventually, Mikaido-sama. Will there be anything else?”
“This is purely curiosity, but where the hell did you get that earring? From the luster itself I’d wager it’s real gold.”
Aramus felt a surge of energy upon hearing the question, a look of pride gracing his features as he thumbed the earring. “It was gifted to me by Her Majesty herself for services rendered to the crown that day. I’m not sure if it’s real gold, it could be anything else and I would treasure it all the same.”
“So you did do something big that night—I mean, well, isn’t that nice? Congratulations, Magister.”
“Thank you, Mikaido-sama, but I was only doing my job. This reward far exceeds anything I could have dreamed of from Her Majesty,” Aramus said with a chuckle. “By the way Mikaido-sama, would you happen to know anything about the Hell Fire’s?” He asked with a glint in his eye.
“And your offer for that would be?” Mikaido returned with a question, his eye having a glint too. “I am very curious what kind of information suddenly came to Her Majesty that she suddenly wants to declare war on a Descendant who has been gone for at least a thousand years. What say you? Got the story of that at least?”
“Virgo intends to purge humanity from this Earth. The recent change in rules is to make it easier for us to deal with her when we do engage in combat, strike early before she is ready.”
“And I’m asking how this information was gained?”
“She made it abundantly clear to us. Virgo popped by for a house visit when I was resting, having a spot of tea with Her Majesty when she appeared and gave us the warning. Perhaps she saw it fit to toy with us.”
“I’d kill for that spot of tea with Her Majesty—err, uhm. Okay, I have to admit,” Mikaido said, clearing his throat properly. “That woman… for her to just pop by for a house visit, she sure has the gall for it. I’m surprised her Majesty didn’t fire out magic at her with her vis and didn’t burn down the entire house in the process,” he joked.
“I was moved that she didn’t. Someone like me would have been nothing but a hindrance in that situation. Though I probably wouldn’t mind if my last moments were of a tea party with Her Majesty. Virgo seemed full of herself, make what you wish of that.”
“Hmmm… interesting story, lad,” Mikaido admitted, finishing his alcohol. “Alright, I took the bite so I might as well share my bread with †˜ya. To you, Hell’s Fire probably has a different meaning, but in here they are often the Will †˜o’ Wisp, and boy you don’t wanna meet †˜em. Those balls of doom literally burn anything that touches them without a †˜good’ mind. And by †˜good’ mind we mean one that is so perfectly composed that a fire doesn’t phase ya a single bit. If you’re looking for one here though, give up. Pretty sure they were more or less slayed or sealed by the Hime Mikos of the Shrine some ten years ago.”
Aramus’ expression fell slightly as it was explained more to him. “I have to find them somehow. Shame that they were wiped out but just maybe, there might be a couple left behind.”
“Well, I can’t say I’d know if there were,” the old man replied, not exactly pleased to deliver bad news. “There’s a limit to how much I know, after all, especially since youkai business is a bit boring unless one of those sealed monsters comes out.”
“There’s a limit to everything. Sealed monsters? I can’t say I’m familiar with them since all the exposure I’ve had was to a particular spirit.”
“Well, the Shrine has particularly big shrines set across the country. They’re pretty famous, you can find them with that phone of yours. Basically, some of these demons were so powerful that even the Shrine couldn’t fully kill them with their special force of demon exterminating shamans. So they resorted to sealing these monsters. For a good measure of comparison so you know what I’m talkin’ about… mn, let’s see… right! There was an incident some years ago where Aries bumped headlong into the Meiji Shrine and broke a seal just to fight a †˜worthy’ opponent. It was worthy alright. People died just by being there that day because the demon’s strength wasn’t a joke. So don’t go looking there for some strange fires, son.”
“Your country didn’t try to use them in the war? Control them or something? I wonder if there is even a way to do so, like demons and their contracts,” Aramus said.
“The demons in Japan don’t think so similarly like in the west, kid. They just wanna eat you, get fatter, and sleep. Rinse and repeat. Contracts? What contracts? You can’t reason with them with that… unless you meet Wukong or something.”
“Sounds like a pain to deal with. At least western demons are reasonable, and wasn’t Wukong a Chinese deity or something? How’d he end up here?”
“He didn’t,” Mikaido said, as if it was obvious. “I was just talking about deities known to Asians in general.”
“Excuse the ignorant foreigner,” Aramus said with a laugh. “Alright then, thanks for the information. I’ll keep an eye out for any of those Will †˜o’ wisps.”
“You’re welcome. Stay safe lad. There is never enough safety anywhere.”
“So how are things goin’ kiddo?” the old man asked, already holding sake in his hand. Tea was gulped down in a second before Aramus stepped into the room.
Aramus looked like he had swallowed a bitter pill. “It’s complicated. The trip to England was one hell of a ride with what went on. Have you fared well, Mikaido-sama?”
“I hear some nutjob tried to assassinate the Queen. I was almost fearful that we’d lose our most gracious donator,” Mikaido said, heaving a big sigh. “Been faring well here until I heard that the Queen is planning an attack on Virgo. †˜Ya know, knowing things like that makes me liable to send some people to help. Pleasantry and all.”
“Yeah, that didn’t end very well for either side,” Aramus admitted with a nod of his head, the scene where she was gouged still very fresh in his memory. He doubted that he would ever be able to forget. “Well, any and all help is welcome in the fight against Virgo. I seem to be meeting more Descendants than I’d like, all in short order as well.”
“Either lucky, or unlucky, or fateful. Sounds annoying to me, though. Just when you think things are becoming normal again… it gets worse instead.”
Aramus swallowed, resisting the urge to scratch his throat, feeling like it was being constricted by the python known as a collar. “I’ll just chalk it up to being unlucky. Fortunately or unfortunately for me, a sense of normality merely involves three meals. It’s pretty much how I’ve lived up till now.”
“Sounds like something a man who experienced poverty would say,” Mikaido frankly stated, eyeing the brand on his face. “How did my son do in the Meet?”
Aramus fidgeted a little under the gaze, he wasn’t exactly unused to the attention but when those he respected stared at him, he did still feel a sense of shame. “Takeru-senpai did well. He interacted with the other nobles as befitting of his status as Magister and son of the Mikaido house. Unfortunately, we were separated when the debacle began but he seemed to be on top of things when we met again.”
“I imagine he volunteered to do something,” Mikaido guessed. “What about the debate about the rules? Did he participate?”
“I am sure he did. Unlike him, one such as myself is usually not privy to the discussions of nobles. I was also preoccupied with something else during that time,” Aramus explained, pointing to the brand for further emphasis.
“Privy to the discussion of nobles?” Mikaido laughed. “What are you talking about? There may be nobles but the representatives of most of the Magic Organizations fill that hall as far as I know. The Magisters are responsible for debating against the ridiculous rules that are suggested. After all, that Meeting is particularly important to Magisters.”
“Even with my title as a Magister, my word does not carry much weight amongst many others,” Aramus admitted with a shrug, noting that the fabric of his shirt scratched too much when compared to his former choice of attire. “The rules in place are sufficient, I would only raise an opinion if I thought otherwise. I’ve been shot down before for opening my mouth anyway.”
“Isn’t that only among nobles?” Mikaido questioned. “Certainly, you aren’t popular among them from what I’ve heard, but the Magic Organizations are full of people like you. Anyway, I hear Magisters gets to support the rules that may bring good to the people too. You have voting rights as well. I don’t see the problem in just being there.”
“I do so quietly in that case. Ultimately, we are here to serve Her Majesty and the people. My duty to them is first and foremost.”
“A duty of a mage is to vote. Hahaha!” Mikaido said.
“That being said, the rules have been changed quite drastically this year. Mikaido-sama, allow me,” Aramus offered, pouring another round of sake for the elder Mikaido.
Another bottle was finished as Aramus refilled… joining a line with a few other empty ones. “Oh? They changed the set of rules this year?”
“Yes. Supreme Spells are now approved for use against Descendents, though as of now Magisters and those above them would be able to utilize them. There should be an influx in the number of mages seeking a title so that they have the chance to learn any one of them,” Aramus answered, setting the bottle down. “Truthfully a troublesome matter.”
“I see it as counter-productive. It’d encourage many people to step up their game; train and get better and whatnot. I have a feeling Her Majesty foresaw this and allowed it. After all, a war is going on and who knows when a huge battle will take place. Wouldn’t be surprised if they allow Supreme Spells by high-ranking people in wars next.”
“Only time will tell I suppose,” Aramus said. “It always makes one feel better to have some security and in that sense, I would say this is a good move. So long as we Magisters keep to the rules, there will not be any issues. There will always be a few though.”
“Always that few… so, what really happened in the Meet? You know it all, right?” Mikaido said with a smirk.
Aramus mused over it for a moment, pouring what little remained of the tea into a teacup for himself. “†˜All’ would be too strong a word to use, Mikaido-sama.”
“Well, most at least,” Mikaido replied with a chuckle. “I know when I smell delicious secrets. I’ll share tidbits of my own if you care enough, of course. Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius, other teachers in your Academy, or even the possible plans that may be real for the war. Anything you fancy?”
“Nothing in particular that I won’t find out eventually. Sometimes playing the fool has its benefits,” Aramus said with a laugh. “I’m sure you know all too well, Mikaido-sama. So, we can go with what you want to know since you’re the one asking. There are still a few things I am not privy to disclose, please understand.”
“Understood. I was expecting that anyway, heh. I know Alice was there. Gemini was seen too if what I heard about the incident in China is true… so that brings me to the question: how were they exactly dealt with? A Magister proficient in combat may have fought him, so I thought to ask you.”
“You have heard of Duchess Frederica, yes? She is responsible,” Aramus said after a sip of his tea.
“I see So this means you bore witness to the Duchess pummeling— wait, I suspected she was working with Gemini based on her travel patterns… was I wrong? Hmm… that’s strange.”
“You could say that. Just one way of keeping ahead of the pack.”
“Hm, what can you tell me about that big ship which attacked the city at the daybreak after the Meet?”
“I thought it would be easier to find leads here since your country made it, but that doesn’t seem to be the case? I didn’t get too close a look since I was trying to save people in areas which were shot by the cannons,” Aramus said. “I myself am interested as to how they managed such a feat, making a monster like that.”
“Yeah… the thing is, we heard about it first from England and it completely slipped by our radar. We knew that there was something being made after the last Mega-Class Battleship—as they called it—broke down in the past Great Mages’ War due to the fight in the Dominion Realm, but no reports of completion of progress were ever noted. So it was thought by our intelligence that it was probably a hoax.”
“Try and try again. Well, guess you’ll have to tighten the information network if something like that could slip past. It pretty much destroyed half of London before it was taken down,” Aramus said sourly. “We all have to step up our game now…”
“It’s tight enough, but if there’s one thing we can’t get past it’s the Genesis Network…” Mikaido sighed. “Basically it’s a system based on one person, who does all the work alone, and it’s hard to leak information when a group—much less an organization—is not at work.”
“Can’t say I’ve heard of it. Japanese government?” Aramus guessed, perplexed. “How does a single person run a whole network anyway!?”
Mikaido tapped his head. “Well,” he said, “that information costly, and I don’t think you got anythin’ to afford it.”
“Haha, true. Nothing you won’t find out eventually, Mikaido-sama. Will there be anything else?”
“This is purely curiosity, but where the hell did you get that earring? From the luster itself I’d wager it’s real gold.”
Aramus felt a surge of energy upon hearing the question, a look of pride gracing his features as he thumbed the earring. “It was gifted to me by Her Majesty herself for services rendered to the crown that day. I’m not sure if it’s real gold, it could be anything else and I would treasure it all the same.”
“So you did do something big that night—I mean, well, isn’t that nice? Congratulations, Magister.”
“Thank you, Mikaido-sama, but I was only doing my job. This reward far exceeds anything I could have dreamed of from Her Majesty,” Aramus said with a chuckle. “By the way Mikaido-sama, would you happen to know anything about the Hell Fire’s?” He asked with a glint in his eye.
“And your offer for that would be?” Mikaido returned with a question, his eye having a glint too. “I am very curious what kind of information suddenly came to Her Majesty that she suddenly wants to declare war on a Descendant who has been gone for at least a thousand years. What say you? Got the story of that at least?”
“Virgo intends to purge humanity from this Earth. The recent change in rules is to make it easier for us to deal with her when we do engage in combat, strike early before she is ready.”
“And I’m asking how this information was gained?”
“She made it abundantly clear to us. Virgo popped by for a house visit when I was resting, having a spot of tea with Her Majesty when she appeared and gave us the warning. Perhaps she saw it fit to toy with us.”
“I’d kill for that spot of tea with Her Majesty—err, uhm. Okay, I have to admit,” Mikaido said, clearing his throat properly. “That woman… for her to just pop by for a house visit, she sure has the gall for it. I’m surprised her Majesty didn’t fire out magic at her with her vis and didn’t burn down the entire house in the process,” he joked.
“I was moved that she didn’t. Someone like me would have been nothing but a hindrance in that situation. Though I probably wouldn’t mind if my last moments were of a tea party with Her Majesty. Virgo seemed full of herself, make what you wish of that.”
“Hmmm… interesting story, lad,” Mikaido admitted, finishing his alcohol. “Alright, I took the bite so I might as well share my bread with †˜ya. To you, Hell’s Fire probably has a different meaning, but in here they are often the Will †˜o’ Wisp, and boy you don’t wanna meet †˜em. Those balls of doom literally burn anything that touches them without a †˜good’ mind. And by †˜good’ mind we mean one that is so perfectly composed that a fire doesn’t phase ya a single bit. If you’re looking for one here though, give up. Pretty sure they were more or less slayed or sealed by the Hime Mikos of the Shrine some ten years ago.”
Aramus’ expression fell slightly as it was explained more to him. “I have to find them somehow. Shame that they were wiped out but just maybe, there might be a couple left behind.”
“Well, I can’t say I’d know if there were,” the old man replied, not exactly pleased to deliver bad news. “There’s a limit to how much I know, after all, especially since youkai business is a bit boring unless one of those sealed monsters comes out.”
“There’s a limit to everything. Sealed monsters? I can’t say I’m familiar with them since all the exposure I’ve had was to a particular spirit.”
“Well, the Shrine has particularly big shrines set across the country. They’re pretty famous, you can find them with that phone of yours. Basically, some of these demons were so powerful that even the Shrine couldn’t fully kill them with their special force of demon exterminating shamans. So they resorted to sealing these monsters. For a good measure of comparison so you know what I’m talkin’ about… mn, let’s see… right! There was an incident some years ago where Aries bumped headlong into the Meiji Shrine and broke a seal just to fight a †˜worthy’ opponent. It was worthy alright. People died just by being there that day because the demon’s strength wasn’t a joke. So don’t go looking there for some strange fires, son.”
“Your country didn’t try to use them in the war? Control them or something? I wonder if there is even a way to do so, like demons and their contracts,” Aramus said.
“The demons in Japan don’t think so similarly like in the west, kid. They just wanna eat you, get fatter, and sleep. Rinse and repeat. Contracts? What contracts? You can’t reason with them with that… unless you meet Wukong or something.”
“Sounds like a pain to deal with. At least western demons are reasonable, and wasn’t Wukong a Chinese deity or something? How’d he end up here?”
“He didn’t,” Mikaido said, as if it was obvious. “I was just talking about deities known to Asians in general.”
“Excuse the ignorant foreigner,” Aramus said with a laugh. “Alright then, thanks for the information. I’ll keep an eye out for any of those Will †˜o’ wisps.”
“You’re welcome. Stay safe lad. There is never enough safety anywhere.”
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
Useless… weak…
How could a trained miko… not fend off an assassin?
Trained, she is?
Even with that sword… pathetic.
With a gasp, Tsuruko woke up.
She looked down to herself, noting a drop of sweat from her chin. Palming herself, she found herself soaked with sweat from tension. Tension from the strange dream she had.
She sat up straight, trying to calm her breathing pattern. It had been a while since she dreamt of anything, much less dreams like these. She couldn’t help but call them nightmares. While she thought about it, they were true. It rang in a familiar aural tone—almost ominous—but somehow it stuck at the back of her head, almost reminding her of her inabilities, and she shrilled at the thought. For a moment she questioned the deity inside her speaking out.
Recollecting the events of the past month; almost every aspect of her travel outside Japan was pretty much, in some way, negative, either due to her negligence, or just out of her control. Either way, she knew she had to work even harder than last time, in an effort to at least prove worthy of being a †˜bodyguard.’
She really thought it would be a smooth-flowing and nice experience for her to travel outside Japan, but that was not to be, and however she hoped she would be of service to her attendee, she’d end up witnessing the utter fall of the person she was assigned to protect. Needless to say, she had failed her duty right there and then.
The experience at London was one full of coincidences, too. She never thought she would see her teacher—as well as her classmate—there. Tsuruko also gained another acquaintance- no, a friend, Leon, who took the extra effort to take care of someone like her, a foreigner, in the midst of chaos. She could only pray well to him now, and hoped she would see him again.
Now back to the Eastern Magic Academy, where no birds would chirp in merry singing, unlike London where steam factories would be running early in the day. Here, Tsuruko felt much more at ease. She could wear her miko garb and she could return to her lessons at last. Albeit the lessons would only start tomorrow.
It was morning.
It was quiet.
Yet for her it was disquieted.
Tsuruko’s head pulsed madly. Her brain screamed in a kind of pain never before.
“It seems you are disappointed in the way you are.”
“If you wish to change it… come. I await at Meiji.”
Tsuruko crouched at the pain. This only confirmed her suspicions that it indeed was the deity within her who was calling out.... Susanoo.
She got off her bed, and decided to freshen herself up and wear her usual attire. She’d have to go.
Go and visit the Meiji shrine.
The one who awaited her was not an influential man, an elder, or her father. It was the deity who came to her to stop her curse.
How could a trained miko… not fend off an assassin?
Trained, she is?
Even with that sword… pathetic.
With a gasp, Tsuruko woke up.
She looked down to herself, noting a drop of sweat from her chin. Palming herself, she found herself soaked with sweat from tension. Tension from the strange dream she had.
She sat up straight, trying to calm her breathing pattern. It had been a while since she dreamt of anything, much less dreams like these. She couldn’t help but call them nightmares. While she thought about it, they were true. It rang in a familiar aural tone—almost ominous—but somehow it stuck at the back of her head, almost reminding her of her inabilities, and she shrilled at the thought. For a moment she questioned the deity inside her speaking out.
Recollecting the events of the past month; almost every aspect of her travel outside Japan was pretty much, in some way, negative, either due to her negligence, or just out of her control. Either way, she knew she had to work even harder than last time, in an effort to at least prove worthy of being a †˜bodyguard.’
She really thought it would be a smooth-flowing and nice experience for her to travel outside Japan, but that was not to be, and however she hoped she would be of service to her attendee, she’d end up witnessing the utter fall of the person she was assigned to protect. Needless to say, she had failed her duty right there and then.
The experience at London was one full of coincidences, too. She never thought she would see her teacher—as well as her classmate—there. Tsuruko also gained another acquaintance- no, a friend, Leon, who took the extra effort to take care of someone like her, a foreigner, in the midst of chaos. She could only pray well to him now, and hoped she would see him again.
Now back to the Eastern Magic Academy, where no birds would chirp in merry singing, unlike London where steam factories would be running early in the day. Here, Tsuruko felt much more at ease. She could wear her miko garb and she could return to her lessons at last. Albeit the lessons would only start tomorrow.
It was morning.
It was quiet.
Yet for her it was disquieted.
Tsuruko’s head pulsed madly. Her brain screamed in a kind of pain never before.
“It seems you are disappointed in the way you are.”
“If you wish to change it… come. I await at Meiji.”
Tsuruko crouched at the pain. This only confirmed her suspicions that it indeed was the deity within her who was calling out.... Susanoo.
She got off her bed, and decided to freshen herself up and wear her usual attire. She’d have to go.
Go and visit the Meiji shrine.
The one who awaited her was not an influential man, an elder, or her father. It was the deity who came to her to stop her curse.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
Through the long set of stairs; the great evergreen forest, and the inner precinct, Tsuruko walked the long way to the shrine of Meiji where her guardian deity, Susanoo, supposedly awaited her appearance.
The clouds above the Meiji Shrine were particularly darker today. Thunder roared. Ominous winds could be felt against her garb.
When Tsuruko reached the top where the shrine was located, she could see that the mikos were all running about. In amidst the chaos someone familiar was spotted.
“Tsuruko? Tsuruko! What are you doing here!” Her father called out to her. He made way to his daughter and held her by her shoulders. “I do not know what’s going on, but you should probably leave. There may be a youkai coming.”
Upon hearing that there might be a youkai, Tsuruko fastened her resolve. “Father, I will not go. It is not me who knew to come here… it was the deity in me.”
“...The deity? It spoke?” Her father questioned, appalled.
“This morning when I woke up. He asked me to meet him at the Meiji Shrine.” Tsuruko wanted to hide what the deity said, that she was weak and useless.
“Then… is the weather caused by Susanoo-sama instead?” Her father looked up at the sky. Certainly, he couldn’t sense anything evil, yet he felt nothing else either.
“You would know this, Father.” Tsuruko gulped. “He who controls the Wind controls the weather. It is uncertain that this is due to his anger or fury, but there is no other that could conjure a storm like this.”
“...Make way for the shrine. If it is he who controls storms, then only you may tame his fury and exchange words. Go, daughter.”
Tsuruko nodded. “I will, Father.” She grasped her blade firmly and headed towards the Shrine, outlined by a silhouette, amidst the looming fog of the forest. The extensive humidity of the place made her garments stick to her skin, but Tsuruko took no mind of it, and tied up her hair in a ponytail, as was always when she did her rituals at home.
Upon the entrance of the Meiji Shrine, its name was painted gold on a black wooden board hanging on the top before two steel bolted doors, and on its borders on each side hung another wooden board, and written on it were Japanese calligraphic murals which translated into more or less about self-improvement and gratitude towards family. Looking up above the title board she clapped her hands twice, held them pressed against each other and brought them towards her temple, the outer end facing the door, and the tip of her fingers facing the sky, as a signal to the Sky God to seek permission into the Shrine.
The wind broke apart, and Tsuruko’s hair fell down to her back; she stopped feeling the air strongly against her face. Taking this as the answer, she proceeded into the shrine and faced it with intent and determination.
An orb of black and purple forms and the winds surrounded her, and soon her feet elevated from the floor. Now, she was completely in the air with the sphere encompassing her completely. She could hardly see what laid outside anymore. Albeit she heard the cries of her father for a moment.
Another moment passed.
Then there was silence.
Next, there was a roar of thunder and blowing winds.
With what seemed like a tornado before her, Susanoo manifested. He appeared to be an elderly man, dressed rather informally like a man from many centuries ago. Definitely not looking accustomed to the modern fashion that confused even the shrine maidens. The form she witnessed was ephemeral, yet the power she felt was unlike any other. What she felt was definitely not divinity, however. No, it was neither the power of good nor evil. Bewildered, she wasn’t sure how to accept this feeling.
“I see you have come, Exception.”
Despite standing on air, Tsuruko knelt, her eyes wouldn’t dare to meet the god’s. She wouldn’t dare to do anything silly that would bereave her appearance. “Upon your will, Susanoo-sama.”
“Cease such pointless pleasantries. Up on your feet and meet mine pupils, little girl,” Susanoo said with a raspy voice. “I’m not here to act like some invincible smug show-off,” he huffed. “I’m just a Faerie spirit of Storm, for God’s sake.”
“If you would allow me to, Susanoo-sama,” Tsuruko slowly lifted her head, and stood on two feet, firm on the ground. She glanced upon the old man’s being. Being deeply involved in the roots and branches of Shinto, it was hard for Tsuruko to contain her disbelief at what she saw and heard. Almost with the ever so slight tone of disappointment, she kept her respectful tone up. “....Are you not in your true form, Susanoo-sama?”
“I have no true form—I am a deceased Faerie after all—I am but a mere spirit. However, I am strong,” Susanoo said, giving a smirk, putting down the high and mighty act. “But you lack strength. Tsuruko… your destiny yet remains a mystery, yet I know that there is a deep meaning somewhere… far ahead.”
Tsuruko clenched her fists, almost gritting her teeth. “I know that I’m meant to do more. The only way is to train myself even harder.” Then she almost seemed to release her strength again. “...To save others.”
“A contradiction you may never be released from the grasp of, for every soul you save, you slay someone,” Susanoo stated.
Tsuruko almost seemed to smirk at that statement. “None of which I’ve been able to do.”
“Exactly. Pray tell, do you truly seek to reach greater heights?”
“There is no telling otherwise,” Tsuruko said, seeping with determination.
“Then shall I unseal your curse?”
“...Curse? What has cursed me?” Tsuruko hadn’t the faintest idea of what the curse Susanoo mentioned was. Perhaps her father had been hiding from her a lot of things, but she only knew that she had been †˜blessed’ by the element of wind.
“A blessing or a curse, however one would take it; you were born with a special ability. If I were to say †˜who’ cursed you, I could only say your Creator.”
“This power is the answer to my family and bloodline’s prayer for many centuries. I am not about to let that hope down.”
“I like your resolve.” Susanoo smiled. He then offered his hand, coming face-to-face with Tsuruko. “I shall open the Gates impeding your power, and in addition I shall lend my strength when you are in dire circumstances. What say you?”
“If you would so kindly, Susanoo-sama...” Tsuruko said, not breaking her expression. She extended her hand towards Susanoo.
“But of course that means you’d have to go out of your way for…” Susanoo’s face turned red. “Reasons…”
“Reasons such as…?” Tsuruko questioned, confused. “Ah, if it means praying for you everyday, I don’t mind that.”
“Huh, uh… yeah, that is… yes, yes, I meant exactly that.” How could he tell a young girl that he just wanted to flirt with the female spirits in the shrines? Susanoo still had some sense in him to ignore speaking out his true intentions.
“Then pray I shall.”
Susanoo gave a nod, and grasped her hand. She heard something like the terrifying laughter of a woman—no, several women for a second, and then found herself on the ground before the shrine. Susanoo was no longer visible, and the sphere that he conjured for them to speak within was also gone.
“Tsuruko! Tsuruko!” Her father came running towards her. “Are you alright?!”
Tsuruko sat up, dizzy. “Yes, I am, Father… what about you? I heard a shout just before I entered the Shrine.”
“From who?” he asked. “I’m completely fine, but you don’t seem that well to me.”
“I met with him… he said he would make me stronger.”
“I… I cannot believe it. How does he intend to do this?”
“I’m not so sure myself... but from now on I will have to pray to Susanoo-sama daily, it seems…”
“Huh… I’d imagine having to perform some elaborate rituals. A prayer seems much better in that sense... ” her father said. I can’t tell if this girl is even being serious or not. Ugh.
“Susanoo-sama seemed really off... totally different from what I envisioned him to be.”
“I see. To begin with, we cannot simply expect our ideals to be fulfilled. They are beings with their own personality, after all.”
Tsuruko nodded. “What happened while I was inside? Wasn't there a youkai being mentioned... how long was I out for, anyway...?”
“What are you talking about? If what you spoke of is true then only Susanoo could create a storm and no youkai. Haha, you say some funny things my child.”
Tsuruko let out a small giggle. “Hahaha... I guess. Somehow, I think I can realise my potential now, Father.”
“Hahaha… t-that’s… great… that said, he didn’t talk about any seal, right?”
“He mentioned about unsealing some sort of †˜curse’...and that was what I wanted to ask you about, Father.”
“Haha… he what?!!” her father almost shouted, holding his head with both hands.
“Don't make me repeat myself…” Tsuruko shook her head. “What is this curse that we've been talking about?”
“I’m afraid I do not have the authority to divulge any details regarding it… ”
Her father right then and there walked away.
“...” Tsuruko wanted, or needed, to know about her curse, but if it was something that even her father wouldn't tell her... “Then who?!” she shouted as he left.
“As if we’re letting you know something so important!” Tsuruko heard from an echo as her father went out of sight.
The clouds above the Meiji Shrine were particularly darker today. Thunder roared. Ominous winds could be felt against her garb.
When Tsuruko reached the top where the shrine was located, she could see that the mikos were all running about. In amidst the chaos someone familiar was spotted.
“Tsuruko? Tsuruko! What are you doing here!” Her father called out to her. He made way to his daughter and held her by her shoulders. “I do not know what’s going on, but you should probably leave. There may be a youkai coming.”
Upon hearing that there might be a youkai, Tsuruko fastened her resolve. “Father, I will not go. It is not me who knew to come here… it was the deity in me.”
“...The deity? It spoke?” Her father questioned, appalled.
“This morning when I woke up. He asked me to meet him at the Meiji Shrine.” Tsuruko wanted to hide what the deity said, that she was weak and useless.
“Then… is the weather caused by Susanoo-sama instead?” Her father looked up at the sky. Certainly, he couldn’t sense anything evil, yet he felt nothing else either.
“You would know this, Father.” Tsuruko gulped. “He who controls the Wind controls the weather. It is uncertain that this is due to his anger or fury, but there is no other that could conjure a storm like this.”
“...Make way for the shrine. If it is he who controls storms, then only you may tame his fury and exchange words. Go, daughter.”
Tsuruko nodded. “I will, Father.” She grasped her blade firmly and headed towards the Shrine, outlined by a silhouette, amidst the looming fog of the forest. The extensive humidity of the place made her garments stick to her skin, but Tsuruko took no mind of it, and tied up her hair in a ponytail, as was always when she did her rituals at home.
Upon the entrance of the Meiji Shrine, its name was painted gold on a black wooden board hanging on the top before two steel bolted doors, and on its borders on each side hung another wooden board, and written on it were Japanese calligraphic murals which translated into more or less about self-improvement and gratitude towards family. Looking up above the title board she clapped her hands twice, held them pressed against each other and brought them towards her temple, the outer end facing the door, and the tip of her fingers facing the sky, as a signal to the Sky God to seek permission into the Shrine.
The wind broke apart, and Tsuruko’s hair fell down to her back; she stopped feeling the air strongly against her face. Taking this as the answer, she proceeded into the shrine and faced it with intent and determination.
An orb of black and purple forms and the winds surrounded her, and soon her feet elevated from the floor. Now, she was completely in the air with the sphere encompassing her completely. She could hardly see what laid outside anymore. Albeit she heard the cries of her father for a moment.
Another moment passed.
Then there was silence.
Next, there was a roar of thunder and blowing winds.
With what seemed like a tornado before her, Susanoo manifested. He appeared to be an elderly man, dressed rather informally like a man from many centuries ago. Definitely not looking accustomed to the modern fashion that confused even the shrine maidens. The form she witnessed was ephemeral, yet the power she felt was unlike any other. What she felt was definitely not divinity, however. No, it was neither the power of good nor evil. Bewildered, she wasn’t sure how to accept this feeling.
“I see you have come, Exception.”
Despite standing on air, Tsuruko knelt, her eyes wouldn’t dare to meet the god’s. She wouldn’t dare to do anything silly that would bereave her appearance. “Upon your will, Susanoo-sama.”
“Cease such pointless pleasantries. Up on your feet and meet mine pupils, little girl,” Susanoo said with a raspy voice. “I’m not here to act like some invincible smug show-off,” he huffed. “I’m just a Faerie spirit of Storm, for God’s sake.”
“If you would allow me to, Susanoo-sama,” Tsuruko slowly lifted her head, and stood on two feet, firm on the ground. She glanced upon the old man’s being. Being deeply involved in the roots and branches of Shinto, it was hard for Tsuruko to contain her disbelief at what she saw and heard. Almost with the ever so slight tone of disappointment, she kept her respectful tone up. “....Are you not in your true form, Susanoo-sama?”
“I have no true form—I am a deceased Faerie after all—I am but a mere spirit. However, I am strong,” Susanoo said, giving a smirk, putting down the high and mighty act. “But you lack strength. Tsuruko… your destiny yet remains a mystery, yet I know that there is a deep meaning somewhere… far ahead.”
Tsuruko clenched her fists, almost gritting her teeth. “I know that I’m meant to do more. The only way is to train myself even harder.” Then she almost seemed to release her strength again. “...To save others.”
“A contradiction you may never be released from the grasp of, for every soul you save, you slay someone,” Susanoo stated.
Tsuruko almost seemed to smirk at that statement. “None of which I’ve been able to do.”
“Exactly. Pray tell, do you truly seek to reach greater heights?”
“There is no telling otherwise,” Tsuruko said, seeping with determination.
“Then shall I unseal your curse?”
“...Curse? What has cursed me?” Tsuruko hadn’t the faintest idea of what the curse Susanoo mentioned was. Perhaps her father had been hiding from her a lot of things, but she only knew that she had been †˜blessed’ by the element of wind.
“A blessing or a curse, however one would take it; you were born with a special ability. If I were to say †˜who’ cursed you, I could only say your Creator.”
“This power is the answer to my family and bloodline’s prayer for many centuries. I am not about to let that hope down.”
“I like your resolve.” Susanoo smiled. He then offered his hand, coming face-to-face with Tsuruko. “I shall open the Gates impeding your power, and in addition I shall lend my strength when you are in dire circumstances. What say you?”
“If you would so kindly, Susanoo-sama...” Tsuruko said, not breaking her expression. She extended her hand towards Susanoo.
“But of course that means you’d have to go out of your way for…” Susanoo’s face turned red. “Reasons…”
“Reasons such as…?” Tsuruko questioned, confused. “Ah, if it means praying for you everyday, I don’t mind that.”
“Huh, uh… yeah, that is… yes, yes, I meant exactly that.” How could he tell a young girl that he just wanted to flirt with the female spirits in the shrines? Susanoo still had some sense in him to ignore speaking out his true intentions.
“Then pray I shall.”
Susanoo gave a nod, and grasped her hand. She heard something like the terrifying laughter of a woman—no, several women for a second, and then found herself on the ground before the shrine. Susanoo was no longer visible, and the sphere that he conjured for them to speak within was also gone.
“Tsuruko! Tsuruko!” Her father came running towards her. “Are you alright?!”
Tsuruko sat up, dizzy. “Yes, I am, Father… what about you? I heard a shout just before I entered the Shrine.”
“From who?” he asked. “I’m completely fine, but you don’t seem that well to me.”
“I met with him… he said he would make me stronger.”
“I… I cannot believe it. How does he intend to do this?”
“I’m not so sure myself... but from now on I will have to pray to Susanoo-sama daily, it seems…”
“Huh… I’d imagine having to perform some elaborate rituals. A prayer seems much better in that sense... ” her father said. I can’t tell if this girl is even being serious or not. Ugh.
“Susanoo-sama seemed really off... totally different from what I envisioned him to be.”
“I see. To begin with, we cannot simply expect our ideals to be fulfilled. They are beings with their own personality, after all.”
Tsuruko nodded. “What happened while I was inside? Wasn't there a youkai being mentioned... how long was I out for, anyway...?”
“What are you talking about? If what you spoke of is true then only Susanoo could create a storm and no youkai. Haha, you say some funny things my child.”
Tsuruko let out a small giggle. “Hahaha... I guess. Somehow, I think I can realise my potential now, Father.”
“Hahaha… t-that’s… great… that said, he didn’t talk about any seal, right?”
“He mentioned about unsealing some sort of †˜curse’...and that was what I wanted to ask you about, Father.”
“Haha… he what?!!” her father almost shouted, holding his head with both hands.
“Don't make me repeat myself…” Tsuruko shook her head. “What is this curse that we've been talking about?”
“I’m afraid I do not have the authority to divulge any details regarding it… ”
Her father right then and there walked away.
“...” Tsuruko wanted, or needed, to know about her curse, but if it was something that even her father wouldn't tell her... “Then who?!” she shouted as he left.
“As if we’re letting you know something so important!” Tsuruko heard from an echo as her father went out of sight.
0
In the mall now, Claudia was out shopping today. Wanting to find all kinds of modern clothes, she was rather overwhelmed at how much mankind had moved forward. From nineteenth century to the twenty-third century, the difference was so great that she didn’t know how to describe it. There were transparent panels across the skies set for levitating cars to fly over, there were force fields just to block rain from wetting several structures, there were tiny bots cleaning dust and litter all across the streets, and the lighting was, in simple words, beautiful.
The cleanliness was probably the most clearest and readily felt aspect to Claudia. This was naturally the case because London was particularly dirty. Smog full with dusty air; dirty water, unclean bodies of the working population, manures on the cobblestone streets; and the list could go on to account for London’s unsanitary nature.
Cosette seemed to have seen the wonders of the country before, and unlike Claudia, she understood the language of the people here.
Rose was also there, but she excused herself, claiming that there was a specific shop she wished to visit.
Going up an escalator was one of the strangest of experiences for Claudia, and she almost tripped from the confusion and made a fool of herself, while Cosette seemed to be pretty much helping Claudia from doing something extremely silly. Reaching the second floor, Claudia was shooting glances everywhere, and at the people too.
“Lady Claudia, where shall we go?” Cosette inquired. “Start from clothing shops or…?”
“That can wait,” Claudia said, running a hand through her blonde mane, revealing a red-eyed scheming smile. “I am actually feeling rather peckish since our arrival… and some of the people here seem filling, are they not?” She tilted her head, cracking the bones in her neck with a satisfied sigh.
Tch, even her body-language is not very ladylike… Cosette resisted the urge to sigh. “As you wish, my Lady.” Cosette gave a terse bow. “How shall we go about it? Surely we cannot simply lash out at people in public?”
“Of course not. We would have to take this matter subtly.” Claudia glanced about the mall, darting her eyes back and forth, eventually spotting the women’s restroom. One that seemed inconspicuous enough, and great for ambushing random people. She smiled, and pointed right for her mark, saying, “There. That will be our hunting spot,” and walked onwards. “Now we just need to find some suitable prey… hopefully the women inside will suffice.”
That is one hell of a modern day hunting spot… Cosette looked with disdain, but accepted her owner’s words. “Very well, let’s get this dealt with.
As the two entered the women’s restroom, there were two ladies inside. One was inspecting her makeup before the mirror, while the other was in the stall, and of course the one they could see that she was definitely a native.
Cosette casually walked behind the woman gazing at the mirror, grabbed her arms swiftly with a hand while covering the mouth with the other hand. She neutralized her in but a moment as she forcefully faced her towards her owner—all prepared to have her blood sucked—who closed the door to the washroom behind them.
Claudia, inspected the woman with eyes that slowly rose wide with admirement. Of course, she had to compare her to her own lovely assistant before determining if she was a perfect specimen for consumption. The woman smirked, gauging at her troubled reaction. “Damn, you never cease to amaze me, Cosette. She’s perfect,” Claudia beamed, almost less elegantly than usual.
She approached her imminent meal, and her already red eyes turned a darker crimson. She nosed at the woman’s neck, running her tongue along it intently, chuckling a little at the woman’s whimpers. Fangs suddenly dug into her flesh, and Claudia drank heartily as blood spilled down her throat.
Struggling a little under Cosette’s grip, the woman squealed in pain, slowly losing the feeling in her limbs as her life force left her body at the hands of the blonde foreigner. She soon went limp, her once milky skin turned pale. Claudia retracted her fangs from the poor woman and sighed in disappointment, realizing she wasn’t enough.
“Wow… that was uhh, fucking disappointing. There’s another woman in here, right?” Claudia asked, picking up another scent with a sniff of her nostrils. A curved smile came across her face as she heard the toilet flush, affirming her speculation.
Hiding beside the stall door, so that the woman would not see her while coming out, Claudia grabbed her and forced her into the ground by her arms and legs momentarily. She skipped her often accustomed-to-style of foreplay and went straight to the bite, extracting the struggling woman’s blood from her person before she could even scream or realize the gravity of the situation.
“This one died rather fast too,” Cosette commented. “I am assuming that you are drinking far too much, and far too fast, when a human body does not have much blood in say, numerical terms. My Lady… shall we hunt outside? We wouldn’t want to be discovered here.”
Claudia rose from the woman and wiped her mouth with her forearm before heaving a sigh. “I suppose you are right… so much for a snack,” she said with a child-like groan, allowing Cosette to lead the way.
A snack isn’t a banquet like you imply… Cosette sighed. “At least allow me to wipe your mouth next time,” she said, putting back her handkerchief. She then opened the door and the two left the washroom section. Moments later after descending through the escalator, there were screams coming from the direction of the restroom and there was soon a bit of a panic.
“Where shall it be next?” Cosette looked around. The two walked across the streets for some time, looking for prey to hunt, and a nice little spot for Claudia to have her meal. They stood over a panel where the floor was moving automatically. The futuristic Japan was so keen to the tiniest details that they even made traveling convenient, and that meant they eliminated the requirement of walking. However, these panels weren’t the best for those who did not prefer leisure walks.
“This is rather slow,” Cosette grabbed Claudia by an arm and the two rushed out of the panel and went on to hunt again. Turning into an alley, there were men giving the two lecherous stares, all snickering maliciously.
“Hey babes, wanna have some fun with us?” one of them asked.
“Would this be acceptable, my Lady?” Cosette inquired. “Five of them may be enough to sate your hunger for now.”
“The idiotic ones always seem to have a lot more blood…” Claudia said, inspecting the men with a disgusted expression. It was always their type to be a lot more hot blooded than usual, and Claudia could tell. She looked one of them in the eye and nearly cringed at how he stared at her. “Disgusting…” She twitched a little and took a step forward, looking back to Cosette with a smile. “Yeah… yeah, they’re exactly what I’m looking for.”
Except your face is too easy to read, my Lady… maybe I should just offer my own blood later. “Understood,” Cosette responded. She looked up at the security camera above, and with her delicate fingers, she sent off a needle which broke the lens of the camera so that Claudia’s crimes would not be recorded. However, it was likely that their faces were seen, so eventually they’d be the prime suspects of the police. Who cares, she thought. Not like it matters.
Cosette then took less than ten seconds beating up four of the men for Claudia so she could leisurely enjoy her so-called snack. One of them was too scared from the scene, and ran away crying for his “mommy.”
Kneeling down at one of the now injured men, Claudia scratched the side of her neck and sighed. “Your offer was tempting… really it was, but I’ll have to respectfully decline,” Claudia finally replied. Pulling the man’s chin upwards, she bore her fangs and dug them into his neck, drinking the crimson, all with a pained grunt from under. Perhaps she wasn’t enjoying this as much as she pretended to be. Maybe it was the person whose blood she sucked.
She continued this for a few moments before finishing completely. She was completely full at that point.
Cosette came back, rubbing her fist with a handkerchief, apparently having taken out the man who ran away earlier.
“Are you still hungry, or shall we resume shopping?”
Claudia rose to her feet, holding back a dry heave and cursed under her breath in her native language. “No—no, I’m fine now. We can go back to the mall. Rose would probably wonder where we’ve gone.”
“Indeed, let us head back then.”
By the time the two returned to the mall’s entrance, it was being closed down, and Rose looked at the two with ire.
“The least you girls could do was allow me to finish,” Rose stated, holding a few bags. “I was hardly done.”
“I apologize in my Lady’s stead. If only I was faster in my conduct and hid the bodies properly…”
“It’s not really your fault, Cosette,” Claudia said. “I was feeling a bit more gluttonous than usual and just… acted. If it means anything, I’m sorry.” Claudia bowed to Rose apologetically, attempting to keep her hair from flying into her face. Cosette bowed along with Claudia.
“Well, I did not mean to be so angry. I shall apologize too, but if you’re sorry then shall we visit another mall, dear?” Rose offered with a quirk of her lips. “I shall introduce you to the most depraved type of undergarments you’d crave to please a man.”
Claudia quirked an eyebrow. “Undergarments? Color me interested.”
Later in the day, Claudia was brought to a lingerie store. The building was huge, and Claudia couldn’t believe people would have such large establishments just for women’s lingerie. Even Cosette, the lone mercenary, was interested for the first time, but a shy side developed and she refused to openly express said interest. While Claudia was fascinated, and Rose seemed to be her usual composed self.
Claudia walked back and forth through the isles, inspecting each article of clothing with interest. She noted a multitude of bras, panties, stockings of different varieties, and of course garters, to her overjoy. The colors ranged from black to white, but that wasn’t to Claudia’s liking. She wanted a color that stood out. “Purple was always my favorite color… would it look nice on my skin, I wonder? Then again, my new attire would not clash well with it.”
She inspected a black lingerie set consisting of a bra, panties, lace stockings, and the garters she wanted so much. Claudia pictured herself with them, wearing a skirt on top. It had actually been a while since she wore a skirt that would show off her thighs. Granted, Britain had some hamfisted rules on attire. It was a wonder how a man—or woman—would find anyone attractive with something that hid so much. The damned dresses.
Regardless, this was exactly what Claudia wanted.
The cleanliness was probably the most clearest and readily felt aspect to Claudia. This was naturally the case because London was particularly dirty. Smog full with dusty air; dirty water, unclean bodies of the working population, manures on the cobblestone streets; and the list could go on to account for London’s unsanitary nature.
Cosette seemed to have seen the wonders of the country before, and unlike Claudia, she understood the language of the people here.
Rose was also there, but she excused herself, claiming that there was a specific shop she wished to visit.
Going up an escalator was one of the strangest of experiences for Claudia, and she almost tripped from the confusion and made a fool of herself, while Cosette seemed to be pretty much helping Claudia from doing something extremely silly. Reaching the second floor, Claudia was shooting glances everywhere, and at the people too.
“Lady Claudia, where shall we go?” Cosette inquired. “Start from clothing shops or…?”
“That can wait,” Claudia said, running a hand through her blonde mane, revealing a red-eyed scheming smile. “I am actually feeling rather peckish since our arrival… and some of the people here seem filling, are they not?” She tilted her head, cracking the bones in her neck with a satisfied sigh.
Tch, even her body-language is not very ladylike… Cosette resisted the urge to sigh. “As you wish, my Lady.” Cosette gave a terse bow. “How shall we go about it? Surely we cannot simply lash out at people in public?”
“Of course not. We would have to take this matter subtly.” Claudia glanced about the mall, darting her eyes back and forth, eventually spotting the women’s restroom. One that seemed inconspicuous enough, and great for ambushing random people. She smiled, and pointed right for her mark, saying, “There. That will be our hunting spot,” and walked onwards. “Now we just need to find some suitable prey… hopefully the women inside will suffice.”
That is one hell of a modern day hunting spot… Cosette looked with disdain, but accepted her owner’s words. “Very well, let’s get this dealt with.
As the two entered the women’s restroom, there were two ladies inside. One was inspecting her makeup before the mirror, while the other was in the stall, and of course the one they could see that she was definitely a native.
Cosette casually walked behind the woman gazing at the mirror, grabbed her arms swiftly with a hand while covering the mouth with the other hand. She neutralized her in but a moment as she forcefully faced her towards her owner—all prepared to have her blood sucked—who closed the door to the washroom behind them.
Claudia, inspected the woman with eyes that slowly rose wide with admirement. Of course, she had to compare her to her own lovely assistant before determining if she was a perfect specimen for consumption. The woman smirked, gauging at her troubled reaction. “Damn, you never cease to amaze me, Cosette. She’s perfect,” Claudia beamed, almost less elegantly than usual.
She approached her imminent meal, and her already red eyes turned a darker crimson. She nosed at the woman’s neck, running her tongue along it intently, chuckling a little at the woman’s whimpers. Fangs suddenly dug into her flesh, and Claudia drank heartily as blood spilled down her throat.
Struggling a little under Cosette’s grip, the woman squealed in pain, slowly losing the feeling in her limbs as her life force left her body at the hands of the blonde foreigner. She soon went limp, her once milky skin turned pale. Claudia retracted her fangs from the poor woman and sighed in disappointment, realizing she wasn’t enough.
“Wow… that was uhh, fucking disappointing. There’s another woman in here, right?” Claudia asked, picking up another scent with a sniff of her nostrils. A curved smile came across her face as she heard the toilet flush, affirming her speculation.
Hiding beside the stall door, so that the woman would not see her while coming out, Claudia grabbed her and forced her into the ground by her arms and legs momentarily. She skipped her often accustomed-to-style of foreplay and went straight to the bite, extracting the struggling woman’s blood from her person before she could even scream or realize the gravity of the situation.
“This one died rather fast too,” Cosette commented. “I am assuming that you are drinking far too much, and far too fast, when a human body does not have much blood in say, numerical terms. My Lady… shall we hunt outside? We wouldn’t want to be discovered here.”
Claudia rose from the woman and wiped her mouth with her forearm before heaving a sigh. “I suppose you are right… so much for a snack,” she said with a child-like groan, allowing Cosette to lead the way.
A snack isn’t a banquet like you imply… Cosette sighed. “At least allow me to wipe your mouth next time,” she said, putting back her handkerchief. She then opened the door and the two left the washroom section. Moments later after descending through the escalator, there were screams coming from the direction of the restroom and there was soon a bit of a panic.
“Where shall it be next?” Cosette looked around. The two walked across the streets for some time, looking for prey to hunt, and a nice little spot for Claudia to have her meal. They stood over a panel where the floor was moving automatically. The futuristic Japan was so keen to the tiniest details that they even made traveling convenient, and that meant they eliminated the requirement of walking. However, these panels weren’t the best for those who did not prefer leisure walks.
“This is rather slow,” Cosette grabbed Claudia by an arm and the two rushed out of the panel and went on to hunt again. Turning into an alley, there were men giving the two lecherous stares, all snickering maliciously.
“Hey babes, wanna have some fun with us?” one of them asked.
“Would this be acceptable, my Lady?” Cosette inquired. “Five of them may be enough to sate your hunger for now.”
“The idiotic ones always seem to have a lot more blood…” Claudia said, inspecting the men with a disgusted expression. It was always their type to be a lot more hot blooded than usual, and Claudia could tell. She looked one of them in the eye and nearly cringed at how he stared at her. “Disgusting…” She twitched a little and took a step forward, looking back to Cosette with a smile. “Yeah… yeah, they’re exactly what I’m looking for.”
Except your face is too easy to read, my Lady… maybe I should just offer my own blood later. “Understood,” Cosette responded. She looked up at the security camera above, and with her delicate fingers, she sent off a needle which broke the lens of the camera so that Claudia’s crimes would not be recorded. However, it was likely that their faces were seen, so eventually they’d be the prime suspects of the police. Who cares, she thought. Not like it matters.
Cosette then took less than ten seconds beating up four of the men for Claudia so she could leisurely enjoy her so-called snack. One of them was too scared from the scene, and ran away crying for his “mommy.”
Kneeling down at one of the now injured men, Claudia scratched the side of her neck and sighed. “Your offer was tempting… really it was, but I’ll have to respectfully decline,” Claudia finally replied. Pulling the man’s chin upwards, she bore her fangs and dug them into his neck, drinking the crimson, all with a pained grunt from under. Perhaps she wasn’t enjoying this as much as she pretended to be. Maybe it was the person whose blood she sucked.
She continued this for a few moments before finishing completely. She was completely full at that point.
Cosette came back, rubbing her fist with a handkerchief, apparently having taken out the man who ran away earlier.
“Are you still hungry, or shall we resume shopping?”
Claudia rose to her feet, holding back a dry heave and cursed under her breath in her native language. “No—no, I’m fine now. We can go back to the mall. Rose would probably wonder where we’ve gone.”
“Indeed, let us head back then.”
By the time the two returned to the mall’s entrance, it was being closed down, and Rose looked at the two with ire.
“The least you girls could do was allow me to finish,” Rose stated, holding a few bags. “I was hardly done.”
“I apologize in my Lady’s stead. If only I was faster in my conduct and hid the bodies properly…”
“It’s not really your fault, Cosette,” Claudia said. “I was feeling a bit more gluttonous than usual and just… acted. If it means anything, I’m sorry.” Claudia bowed to Rose apologetically, attempting to keep her hair from flying into her face. Cosette bowed along with Claudia.
“Well, I did not mean to be so angry. I shall apologize too, but if you’re sorry then shall we visit another mall, dear?” Rose offered with a quirk of her lips. “I shall introduce you to the most depraved type of undergarments you’d crave to please a man.”
Claudia quirked an eyebrow. “Undergarments? Color me interested.”
Later in the day, Claudia was brought to a lingerie store. The building was huge, and Claudia couldn’t believe people would have such large establishments just for women’s lingerie. Even Cosette, the lone mercenary, was interested for the first time, but a shy side developed and she refused to openly express said interest. While Claudia was fascinated, and Rose seemed to be her usual composed self.
Claudia walked back and forth through the isles, inspecting each article of clothing with interest. She noted a multitude of bras, panties, stockings of different varieties, and of course garters, to her overjoy. The colors ranged from black to white, but that wasn’t to Claudia’s liking. She wanted a color that stood out. “Purple was always my favorite color… would it look nice on my skin, I wonder? Then again, my new attire would not clash well with it.”
She inspected a black lingerie set consisting of a bra, panties, lace stockings, and the garters she wanted so much. Claudia pictured herself with them, wearing a skirt on top. It had actually been a while since she wore a skirt that would show off her thighs. Granted, Britain had some hamfisted rules on attire. It was a wonder how a man—or woman—would find anyone attractive with something that hid so much. The damned dresses.
Regardless, this was exactly what Claudia wanted.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
It was the big day for Natsu. She got up early and prepared herself in every way possible. The fact that the Academy did not have a particular uniform allowed her to have one less thing to worry about.
Nervously, she made her way to the main building of the Academy after leaving the dormitory. She kept checking mentally whether she packed up all the materials required or not. She was sure she did.
Meekly made her way to her classroom, 1-B, she was quite the amount of scholars present already. She took a moment to scan the room for a familiar face and spotted Ame. At that moment, Natsu waved at her and called out, “Hey, Ame-chan! Turns out we are in the same class! Isn't that great!?”
Natsu walked over next to Ame, and sat in the seat adjacent to hers. She wasn't sure if this desk was actually someone else's, but Natsu would move if that person ever showed up.
“Wha-? You are already acting familiar by calling me by my first name?” Ame said with a frown, yet she didn’t seem to be completely angry. “Well, good morning. We are indeed in the same class it seems.”
“Aww, but we're friends, right? It should be fine…” Natsu said, frowning sadly for a moment, before perking herself up again. “How lucky, right? It must be fate... As if!” Natsu giggled as she joked around a bit.
Are all the marionettes as lively as her, or is it due to her abnormality for which she is here? Ame sighed. “Right, right. I believe you are indeed lucky—to be so close to a Hime Miko.” she dismissed her remarks and smiled.
“I wonder what the teacher's gonna be like. Do you know who it'll be, Ame-chan?”
“I hear our teacher is someone called Mikaido Takeru-sensei. A Magic Magister who once studied in London and was bestowed the title by the Queen.”
“Mikaido... Takeru…” That name was vaguely familiar to Natsu. “Hm…” She scoured her memories, but couldn't put a finger to the name. “A teacher from London, huh...?” Natsu's tone softened, and she wore a worried expression now, as she stared at the doorway. Was he among the group that attacked me...?
“He is a Japanese, a native I hear, but yes he has different views and is not allied with the government or the Shrine where I come from,” Ame said, lowering her tone. A man not allied with the government or the Shrine could only mean that he was from the anti-government faction. “We’re in a neutral zone so I suppose it doesn’t really matter.”
“I suppose so…” Natsu replied flippantly, glancing back at Ame as she spoke, then gazing back toward the door. “Everything will be alright, right...?” she mumbled under her breath.
The bell chimed after a few minutes, and the door was abruptly opened. Takeru Mikaido walked in and stood behind the desk.
“Good morning,” he said, gracing the class with a smile. The response seemed rather positive and the girls were particularly excited due to his presence. “It has been two months, hasn’t it? I hope most of you haven’t forgotten about your homework?”
The girls immediately responded fervently, claiming that they hadn’t.
It just so turned out that this teacher was popular among the girls.
“He is so… popular? Really?” Ame commented, a little shaken from the revelation.
“Haha… well, suffice it to say we have some new scholars today. So I am not expecting the homework to be completed by everyone.” Takeru then took some moments to collect the results from the sholars, gave Natsu a smile as he passed by her, and finally went back to the desk.
“Do note that this is the second semester of the year,” Takeru said. “So some of you who newly joined our class must study much harder than the rest to go on to the second year. Our Academy is a bit strict so the only way to keep up is through effort. Please remember that.”
“Ah…” Natsu gasped, seeing the teacher's face. Now it came together. This was one of the men who actually managed to get a clean hit on Sagittarius during that battle. Sagittarius turned the tables on him and hit him with an arrow. So, what was he doing here? Natsu simply stared at the man, petrified. It was as though he didn't have a scratch. How could this be...?
“Now, let us beg-”
“Sensei! Is it true that we have a Descendant in this class?”
“Well…”
“It’s true, isn’t it?!”
“I suppose it is,” Takeru admitted. “However, anyone who tries to be smart and attack her will face consequences, so remember that.”
“Tch…”
“Let us begin the lesson then. Open your Magic Theory text book and flip to page 89. The topic of our lesson today will focus around the Second Nature,” Takeru began.
“As you may all know, casting magic requires a mage to combine their Technique and their Form. Together these two aspects become an Art. This Art is employed to cast a spell. However, we humans do not possess mana in our body, so we use an innate ability in us from our Gift to pray to the Realm corresponding to said spell.
“There have been debates about where the mana comes from. The deities or the Realms themselves? To be honest, it is unknown even now. People imagined deities in their mind to gain mana in the past, and because they were successful, they believe that said deities do exist. Nowadays, after people are used to gaining mana in that manner, they are able to harness mana from the Realms even without calling out to a deity. Fascinating, is it not? All one needs is to get used to it, and then it becomes their Second Nature to gain access to the infinite mana of a Realm.
“Of course, this doesn’t change that complicated spells with incantations calling out to a deity still exists today and their popularity remains prevalent.”
Natsu's mind was half-focused on the lecture and half-focused on her surroundings. The Headmistress promised that Natsu would be safe on school grounds, but was this really going to be okay? She found herself looking more often at Takeru instead of the board, and getting jumpy whenever he made any kind of sudden movement. It was making it very difficult to understand the lesson. Natsu scribbled as many notes as she could, but it was more shoddy than usual due to her lack of concentration.
Nervously, she made her way to the main building of the Academy after leaving the dormitory. She kept checking mentally whether she packed up all the materials required or not. She was sure she did.
Meekly made her way to her classroom, 1-B, she was quite the amount of scholars present already. She took a moment to scan the room for a familiar face and spotted Ame. At that moment, Natsu waved at her and called out, “Hey, Ame-chan! Turns out we are in the same class! Isn't that great!?”
Natsu walked over next to Ame, and sat in the seat adjacent to hers. She wasn't sure if this desk was actually someone else's, but Natsu would move if that person ever showed up.
“Wha-? You are already acting familiar by calling me by my first name?” Ame said with a frown, yet she didn’t seem to be completely angry. “Well, good morning. We are indeed in the same class it seems.”
“Aww, but we're friends, right? It should be fine…” Natsu said, frowning sadly for a moment, before perking herself up again. “How lucky, right? It must be fate... As if!” Natsu giggled as she joked around a bit.
Are all the marionettes as lively as her, or is it due to her abnormality for which she is here? Ame sighed. “Right, right. I believe you are indeed lucky—to be so close to a Hime Miko.” she dismissed her remarks and smiled.
“I wonder what the teacher's gonna be like. Do you know who it'll be, Ame-chan?”
“I hear our teacher is someone called Mikaido Takeru-sensei. A Magic Magister who once studied in London and was bestowed the title by the Queen.”
“Mikaido... Takeru…” That name was vaguely familiar to Natsu. “Hm…” She scoured her memories, but couldn't put a finger to the name. “A teacher from London, huh...?” Natsu's tone softened, and she wore a worried expression now, as she stared at the doorway. Was he among the group that attacked me...?
“He is a Japanese, a native I hear, but yes he has different views and is not allied with the government or the Shrine where I come from,” Ame said, lowering her tone. A man not allied with the government or the Shrine could only mean that he was from the anti-government faction. “We’re in a neutral zone so I suppose it doesn’t really matter.”
“I suppose so…” Natsu replied flippantly, glancing back at Ame as she spoke, then gazing back toward the door. “Everything will be alright, right...?” she mumbled under her breath.
The bell chimed after a few minutes, and the door was abruptly opened. Takeru Mikaido walked in and stood behind the desk.
“Good morning,” he said, gracing the class with a smile. The response seemed rather positive and the girls were particularly excited due to his presence. “It has been two months, hasn’t it? I hope most of you haven’t forgotten about your homework?”
The girls immediately responded fervently, claiming that they hadn’t.
It just so turned out that this teacher was popular among the girls.
“He is so… popular? Really?” Ame commented, a little shaken from the revelation.
“Haha… well, suffice it to say we have some new scholars today. So I am not expecting the homework to be completed by everyone.” Takeru then took some moments to collect the results from the sholars, gave Natsu a smile as he passed by her, and finally went back to the desk.
“Do note that this is the second semester of the year,” Takeru said. “So some of you who newly joined our class must study much harder than the rest to go on to the second year. Our Academy is a bit strict so the only way to keep up is through effort. Please remember that.”
“Ah…” Natsu gasped, seeing the teacher's face. Now it came together. This was one of the men who actually managed to get a clean hit on Sagittarius during that battle. Sagittarius turned the tables on him and hit him with an arrow. So, what was he doing here? Natsu simply stared at the man, petrified. It was as though he didn't have a scratch. How could this be...?
“Now, let us beg-”
“Sensei! Is it true that we have a Descendant in this class?”
“Well…”
“It’s true, isn’t it?!”
“I suppose it is,” Takeru admitted. “However, anyone who tries to be smart and attack her will face consequences, so remember that.”
“Tch…”
“Let us begin the lesson then. Open your Magic Theory text book and flip to page 89. The topic of our lesson today will focus around the Second Nature,” Takeru began.
“As you may all know, casting magic requires a mage to combine their Technique and their Form. Together these two aspects become an Art. This Art is employed to cast a spell. However, we humans do not possess mana in our body, so we use an innate ability in us from our Gift to pray to the Realm corresponding to said spell.
“There have been debates about where the mana comes from. The deities or the Realms themselves? To be honest, it is unknown even now. People imagined deities in their mind to gain mana in the past, and because they were successful, they believe that said deities do exist. Nowadays, after people are used to gaining mana in that manner, they are able to harness mana from the Realms even without calling out to a deity. Fascinating, is it not? All one needs is to get used to it, and then it becomes their Second Nature to gain access to the infinite mana of a Realm.
“Of course, this doesn’t change that complicated spells with incantations calling out to a deity still exists today and their popularity remains prevalent.”
Natsu's mind was half-focused on the lecture and half-focused on her surroundings. The Headmistress promised that Natsu would be safe on school grounds, but was this really going to be okay? She found herself looking more often at Takeru instead of the board, and getting jumpy whenever he made any kind of sudden movement. It was making it very difficult to understand the lesson. Natsu scribbled as many notes as she could, but it was more shoddy than usual due to her lack of concentration.
0
It had been so long since Claudia traveled with a car that it was a rather unsettling yet a completely new experience. Unlike an old-fashioned car powered with steam technology, this was vastly different and more comfortable.
Rose seemed to have quite a lot of money in her, thus this experience was possible for Claudia to enjoy, as they sailed through the sky with a levitating car that traveled through the transparent bridges set across the skies.
In Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo, there was the hotel they resided in, the Mandarin Oriental. This was actually a few centuries old according to the Countess. Which was exactly why mages were secretly given various advantages here.
Entering one of their rooms, Claudia found the Countess enjoying a lavish dish set on her table.
“Good afternoon, dear. How was the city today?”
Claudia walked up to her employer, donning her new outfit consisting of a black short skirt, white button up shirt, as well as a garter belt and lingerie she bought which appeared ajar from her attire from a single glance. At least she appeared happier to be wearing such a thing instead of a dress. Though with the Countess’ question, she couldn’t help but think back to the first few incidents, realizing that she closed a mall in one fell swoop.
“Eventful, I would say,” she said casually.
“I see,” the Countess responded, examining her countenance. “As long as you’re happy,” she added casually. “It seems that we have some details on our target thanks to Marco… in three days she will appear in public.”
Claudia hummed in acknowledgement. “That’s good to hear. Maybe then I can get some exercise. Japan is a great city, but the automatic floors have made me lethargic as of late.”
“You do know that you are free to not use them and walk beside them, yes?” Rose said as she passed by Claudia and placed down her shopping bags, and presented some of them for the Countess, who in turn hummed pleasantly.
“My Lady was simply uninformed, and I assumed she did not want to pay pointless effort. I shall keep it in mind next time,” Cosette said, giving a bow.
“Well, take a look at this.” The Countess took up the remote control and pressed a button. A television came down sliding from the ceiling and was hanging in the air as it turned on and started displaying a video. Claudia, being the Victorian lady that she was, could hardly believe the existence of videos. Even though she used to watch the television as a child, it had been far too long.
A girl with black, silky, and shiny hair was dancing on stage. Her audience was captivated as she sung and performed her steps in quick succession at the same time. Her performance was seemingly flawless.
She looked cute. She looked delectable. She was charming.
“Sagittarius, I presume? She has a comely face, for one,” Claudia said, dazzled.
“I hear she is a young Descendant, having only recently receiving the blessings of fate,” Catherine stated. “She is going to be an easy one herself.”
“She looks a bit too young to be a Descendant. Her powers should be unstable if she is just becoming one, no doubt,” Claudia theorized.
“I wonder about destability,” the Countess replied. “Well, it should be no trouble as long we don’t meet many trifling mages around her.”
Claudia hummed, putting a hand along her chin. “That means we would have to go about this delicately…”
“As soon as she is on her way to the backstage after her performance then?” Rose questioned.
“Exactly.”
“Brilliant.”
Thus the most important decision was made.
“That said, Claudia dear, I have someone I wish for you to meet. You still wish for a weapon I presume?” The Countess asked.
Claudia beamed. “Yes, more than anything. I’ve felt rather vulnerable without one since my last sword was broken…”
“Come in,” Catherine beckoned.
A lady in white entered the room. An aroma filled the atmosphere, making Claudia realize that she was a human being. The newcomer wore a Victorian dress that made her seem classy and added to her natural beauty. Her blonde hair almost covered her face when she bowed towards the Countess and Claudia.
“Good day to you all, I am Iris Rosenberg. It shall be my pleasure to work with you.”
She introduced herself. There was a maid who stood beside her, but she remained beside Iris wordlessly.
Claudia bowed in reply. “Bonjour, Iris. The pleasure is all mine,” she said. “So, by the Countess’ words, I’m assuming that you craft weapons?”
“Yes.” Iris beamed politely. “I am an alchemist.”
“Interesting…” Claudia said. “So in any case, I have been in need of a weapon—something to suit me—but to no avail. I was wondering if you could craft me a specific type of weapon; a scythe, perhaps?”
“Yes, of course, do you have any particular preference? Say, regarding the materials used, or any kind of a demonic item for adding magical or spiritual effects?”
Claudia hummed again. Any effect she wanted? That sounded most appealing. “May I inquire what kind of materials you would have to craft such a weapon? Only to gauge my options to finalize my decision.”
“Well, all the materials are basically varying metal, however, there are differing metallic materials. I suppose it’d be difficult to make choices if you are unaware of the types of materials available. How heavy would you want your scythe to be?”
“So long as I am able to move quickly, I have no issue with how heavy you make it. Then again, I used a greatsword in the past, so it should not be a problem anyways,” Claudia said.
“How about… platinum?” Iris said, a little hesitant. “It’d be heavy for a mundane so it is unheard of for them, but surely not for you?”
Claudia smiled and made a hand gesture which resembled the letters †˜O’ and †˜K.’ “Perfect. Just perfect.”
“Well, that would be costly, but I do not mind,” the Countess said from behind Claudia.
“As for demonic items for effects,” Rose begun, “She is probably referring to the crude Treasure Items infused with various magic weapons in the Magic World. There have been weapons that can syphon light from people’s pupils, make the weapon literally drink blood to make it stronger, or even have an almost original magical form of poison etched into the blade. If I were you, I’d simply ask the crafter to be creative about it. The choices are far too many if you do not have a specific one in mind.”
Placing a hand over her chin and closing her eyes, Claudia thought for a moment, then she thought for a little while longer, almost to the point where everyone would’ve thought she fell asleep. “Well, the idea of using blood to make it stronger sounds interesting, but…” Claudia went silent in thought once more. “Then again, I have something else in mind. Are you able to make my scythe imbue itself with the shadows of others and make itself use the power of Infernal? I feel like disintegrating others would be an efficient way of killing.”
“Ummm…” Iris was unsure how to answer, feeling nervous. “I believe it is impossible to manipulate the shadow in any way with what’s available so far… I apologize, but it is simply not possible. The power of the Infernals has a wide range of options, but doesn’t hold everything.”
Claudia appeared visibly disappointed. “Ah, jeez…” she said, scratching at the back of her scalp. “Well I suppose the ability for my scythe to drink blood and become stronger would suffice. I guess my previous request was a bit outrageous. Hahaha…”
“I would not recommend it, dear,” Countess said from behind. “It is unsuitable for someone like you who would likely grow hungrier by the day. You’d have to feed the weapon for its maximum output repeatedly, which means you’d have to kill more to feed yourself at the same time. If you overkill all the time you’d be leaving a large trail at your wake you.”
“That is true… then I am stumped,” Claudia said. “Any suggestions?”
“May I craft the scythe in the way I feel is best for you?”
Claudia smiled. “By all means, be my guest.”
“Then, please follow me to this room.” Iris gestured to a room behind her. The maid stepped aside naturally.
Claudia quirked her eyebrow, puzzled at what else she’d want from her.
The two entered the room moments later, and there was only a view of the city and a sofa they could sit on. Iris sat beside Claudia.
“Even if I craft on my recommendation, my opinions will not hold any merit for you as it will be of my own opinion, and I’d have no inspiration to rely on at the same time… Miss Claudia, may I please ask you to tell me about yourself? Hide as less detail as possible.”
Claudia hummed in acknowledgment. “Where to start…?” She said, running a hand through her hair. “Well, for starters, I was born in Paris, France, under a family of Diabolists who kept me isolated from the outside world, so my idea of reality was slightly deterred from normal. Soon after, the Roman Catholic Church found out about my family and we were pursued almost instantly. My mother and father were killed in front of me, and somehow my family name followed me for the remainder of my life.” Claudia paused to clear her throat.
“After that, I was sold into slavery… with men who wanted nothing but to see my downfall. There, I was surrounded by vulgarities, abuse, and witnessed unspeakable acts. Lucky for me, I never experienced it first hand—just the abuse, though,” Claudia added with a crack of her neck. “Eventually, I escaped, and was admitted into a crummy orphanage. Hell, I wasn’t sure which part of my life was harder; the orphanage or slavery. Either way, I’ve been fighting for as long as I can remember. At twelve years old, I busted a kid’s head open with a rock because he called me Princess Harlot, an unclever nickname referring to my mother’s tiara and my unwilling capture.” Claudia chuckled, but had a melancholic look plastered as she had to revisit that.
“I had a few ups and downs, though. I met my older brother figure who taught me right from wrong—I met him again just recently too. What a reunion that was when he saw me with a bloody sword, baring my fangs aimed for the Queen’s throat. But before all of that, I met with a man who took me away from all the fighting and trouble at the orphanage: the Duke. Now that man was the physical definition for a person with a large pole stuck up his ass. With him giving me a place to live and making me his Dark Knight and maid, I would say that I fell in love with him for some time—I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking.”
“And then there was the time where I first met the dear Countess,” Claudia continued, blushing once she mentioned the person in question. “At first I thought I hated her guts, which caused me to use a forbidden spell on her in the midst of a training battle. Fuck, it all sounds hilarious as I’m talking about it now. After being branded a Diabolist once more and having a lot of people vilify me, I met with—dare I say—Miss. Mary. Shelly.” Claudia had to take a breath with the mention of Mary. Her name still got her exhilarated with rage. “Ohohoho, you could never ask for a better woman to desire as a slave. She was another friend, and I used to have lengthy conversation on the topic of books and such. I truly considered this woman to be my friend, too… I think she was on the long list of people I’ve fallen in love with, as well.”
“After being turned into a Vampire by the lovely Countess, I had to hide a lot more things from Mary. I mean—as if I didn’t have enough to hide, you know? So after an operation we pulled—and I mean literally after—Mary approached me, and wouldn’t you believe that the spiteful bitch cut my arm off, saying some bullshit that she was being controlled by her superiors. I offered help, but she declined, and it transpired into that.”
“Wait… Mary, I… I remember Mary,” Iris suddenly interrupted. “And I have seen a man she once met… in that other Realm. We are speaking of the same person, yes? She who has one golden eye, I mean.”
“The one and only,” Claudia replied, holding back a rant. “Other man? Who?”
“My friend at the time found Mary suspicious. Never mind why I was helping him in the first place, but we followed her, and chanced upon a certain especial Realm. There, she met with a man who appeared from a portal of unknown origin. Mary showed him a large serrated black blade that was undoubtedly larger than herself as she pulled it out from her gold eye, and the man inspected it. This man then said that the sword was impressive enough that Mary would have to put some effort to cut it. We couldn’t tell what they were speaking about after that, but he almost killed her by choking her neck, and the last I heard from Mary was… †˜please do not separate my life from Charlotte’. The man was a strange one too. There were stars around his head and a ring behind his back, and we were too feared to make a move. Eventually, he left, and then came a vampire called Marco the Noble Diner… I suppose he is one of your friends.”
“That he is,” Claudia nodded. “But… that sounds peculiar, I should say. Though, separating her life from Charlotte’s. What on Earth could that mean?”
“I wouldn’t know… perhaps this person known as Charlotte is a hostage of some kind.”
“Now that’s something to think about…” Claudia mumbled. “Now, who was this man Mary was talking to?”
“I do not know. I have described him, and that is all I know of him; the man had hazel eyes and black hair if that helps… I suppose he was handsome too.”
Claudia pursed her lips and furrowed her brows as the mental image of said man plopped into her head like a bullet leaving the chamber. Out of impulse she spouted a disappointed, “Oh,” and frowned. “And here I was thinking you were talking of someone who was truly an enigma.”
“He isn’t?” Iris said, but paused sensing a very biased opinion. “Anyway, Miss Claudia, I fear we got struck with a tangent; please continue with your story. I apologize for interrupting earlier.”
“Think nothing of it,” Claudia replied, ignoring her question. She rubbed her forehead to find her place in her story again. “After my departure with Mary, I declared that I would one day make her my slave, and torture her until she loses her mind. A few days later, I met with the Countess’ family and—oh my, should I be telling this part?”
“Up to you, but the more I learn about you the better I can think of a scythe for you,” Iris said, giving her shoulders a jerk. “At the very least I can assure that I am the only one listening to you. This room is sound-proof.”
Claudia sighed, relieved. “Well, I suppose if this would affect the creation of my weapon…” Claudia adjusted herself in the seat, clearing her throat as what she was going to say required some composing. “W-Well, after meeting the Countess’ mother, we went to her room, talked a little and—fuck, Claudia, you’re a woman—she fucked me up with her… dick, okay? That led up to now when we arrived in Japan.”
“Um, I-I see…” Iris barely replied, looking down and feeling rather awkward. She had never heard of girls partaking in such an act. Unlike Claudia who was versed in perverse words thanks to being born in France, Iris had no way of understanding what a “dick” even meant at first, everything changed with her memories returning, however. “I… I did not know a girl would be able to… r… reproduce thanks to a girl too.”
“Ah… uhh, well, not quite reproduce…” Claudia said. “Even though that’s what me and the Countess did practically. What with her… appendage, and all…” She readjusted herself in her seat and coughed into her hand.
“Ahem. Well, go on with the story.”
“I don’t know what else there could possibly be aside from myself being hungry and feeding on a few women and a couple of…” Claudia shuddered, “Gang members with ill intent. After that, we went shopping.”
“I see, thank you very much for telling me about your life, even if it was embarrassing.” And even if it was not quite what I wanted you to tell. Iris then took out a notebook and took a minute to write some things down. “Is it alright if I ask a few more questions?”
“I do not mind at all. Ask away.”
“Do you enjoy the act of killing?”
Claudia’s eyebrows shot upward at the question. That was something even she didn’t know. She was left stammering a little and mumbling “Uhh,” for a moment. “Well… to be completely truthful with you, I tend to become… overjoyed when doing so, so I would say yes, I do.”
“Noted. Considering… your tastes, you are indeed a—pardon the language—lecherous woman?”
For some reason, that coaxed a briefly shocked reaction from Claudia, that she grunted a little from the question. She didn’t want to lie either as it would affect her scythe. But still, the personal questions were kind of embarrassing. “When you put it that way… I mean, others would consider me to be like that…”
“Alright. Then.” Iris placed the pen against her lips as she considered. “What is your favorite animal?”
“A-An animal?” Claudia asked, thinking that was a little out of place compared to the other questions. “Well, I have considered cats to be interesting animals.”
“I see, then… what is your hobby?”
“Reading is always a go-to thing for me. If I’m not doing anything else, I’m reading a book.”
“What about your interests? Anything you want to learn to do in the future?”
“Not that I know of. I was never a person to hold many aspirations. If an opportunity presents itself to me, I will take it and see how things will go from there.”
“I see. What kind of music do you like then?”
“A variety, though I often heard Classical in my days in England. In the modern worlds, I enjoy a collection of mostly Heavy Metal, Rock, Jazz, and I’m picky with Classical.”
“Then, do you play instruments? Do you dance? Or do you prefer to simply listen?”
“I attempt to dance. I’m slowly learning more and more as each day passes, but that’s another thing I could strike down as a hobby.”
“Did you love your family? Do you wish things had stayed the way they were back in France? Or are you happy that your life has turned out this way?”
Claudia snorted. “My family were the ones who got me into this. The one thing being good about this curse of being born into Diabolism is that I got to meet Catherine, Rose, Marco, and even Cosette, no matter how much she hates me. To be fair, even though my mother and father were shitbags and I was brought to resent them, I can’t help but thank them for how far I’ve gotten from this point.”
“I suppose that is indeed cherishable. What do you hate the most?”
“...The Church. The men who tortured me. The kids at that damned orphanage. The list goes further on than that.”
“Please do tell me about your list. You do wish to fight them with the weapon I craft, yes?”
“Absolutely. The Church is the first on my list. I know it sounds impossible for the kids, but for the slavers, they are not exempt. I want to find them one day—the exact men who did it—and make them feel what I did. I want them to have scars to show for it like I do.”
“So you don’t have any other you’d pursue the end of the world to hunt down?”
“Well, those were just personal endeavors,” Claudia replied. “At the moment, I am assisting the Countess with hunting the rest of the Descendants. They have no impact on me personally, but if it means keeping the world just, I don’t mind taking a few lives to do so.”
“That does not answer the question. I want to know you more personally, to know your personality.”
“...In that case, as I said before, Mary is the one to fit that description,” Claudia said.
“Do you really hate Mary that much? I mean, to me she did not seem like a bad person, or is it that you loathe the generally †˜good’ people?”
Claudia shrugged. “I just don’t believe in something as a †˜good person,’ really,” she said simply.
“I note that your thinking edges towards the opposite of good and optimism. Very well. What kind of people do you generally loathe? Like say, from mannerism, words and behavior? Some things you can’t stand in general?”
“People who identify themselves as righteous; being the textbook definition of good. Say, for example, Priests. They think they are completely flawless on the outside, while inside, a good majority of them can be deviants themselves, even worse than the evil they try to destroy. In short, hypocrites.”
“Hmm… what are your preferences on looks of things? Do you like cute things, †˜cool’ things? Flashy? Dark and grim? Simple? What do you find pleasing to the eyes?”
“Well I do like cool things,” Claudia supposed, placing a hand on her chin. “Dark and grim is also appealing to my eyes, as well.”
“Alright, this should be good enough, Miss Claudia. I apologize for taking so long, and making you speak very embarrassing answers. I shall start my work on your weapon as soon as I prepare my equipment.”
Claudia sighed, relieved. “Don’t worry about it. This was an… interesting experience,” she said rising from her seat and stretching. “Don’t make me wait too long now. I won’t be able to… reward you for your efforts.”
“Hm? Reward me? I thought it was the Countess who’d be rewarding?”
“Well, you know everything about me, now. I wonder if I could know a few things about you in the future?” She is kind of cute, too… God, the people the Countess knows...
“Unfortunately, I do not think I can answer much regarding myself,” Iris said, politely declining. “I have amnesia so my memories are rather a mess I’d like to not delve into for now.” Obviously, half of this statement was true but also false.
“Oh, that’s a shame.” Claudia shrugged once more and straightened out her hair with a single hand. “Once again, thank you again for your help. I’m sure my scythe will be to my liking.”
Rose seemed to have quite a lot of money in her, thus this experience was possible for Claudia to enjoy, as they sailed through the sky with a levitating car that traveled through the transparent bridges set across the skies.
In Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo, there was the hotel they resided in, the Mandarin Oriental. This was actually a few centuries old according to the Countess. Which was exactly why mages were secretly given various advantages here.
Entering one of their rooms, Claudia found the Countess enjoying a lavish dish set on her table.
“Good afternoon, dear. How was the city today?”
Claudia walked up to her employer, donning her new outfit consisting of a black short skirt, white button up shirt, as well as a garter belt and lingerie she bought which appeared ajar from her attire from a single glance. At least she appeared happier to be wearing such a thing instead of a dress. Though with the Countess’ question, she couldn’t help but think back to the first few incidents, realizing that she closed a mall in one fell swoop.
“Eventful, I would say,” she said casually.
“I see,” the Countess responded, examining her countenance. “As long as you’re happy,” she added casually. “It seems that we have some details on our target thanks to Marco… in three days she will appear in public.”
Claudia hummed in acknowledgement. “That’s good to hear. Maybe then I can get some exercise. Japan is a great city, but the automatic floors have made me lethargic as of late.”
“You do know that you are free to not use them and walk beside them, yes?” Rose said as she passed by Claudia and placed down her shopping bags, and presented some of them for the Countess, who in turn hummed pleasantly.
“My Lady was simply uninformed, and I assumed she did not want to pay pointless effort. I shall keep it in mind next time,” Cosette said, giving a bow.
“Well, take a look at this.” The Countess took up the remote control and pressed a button. A television came down sliding from the ceiling and was hanging in the air as it turned on and started displaying a video. Claudia, being the Victorian lady that she was, could hardly believe the existence of videos. Even though she used to watch the television as a child, it had been far too long.
A girl with black, silky, and shiny hair was dancing on stage. Her audience was captivated as she sung and performed her steps in quick succession at the same time. Her performance was seemingly flawless.
She looked cute. She looked delectable. She was charming.
“Sagittarius, I presume? She has a comely face, for one,” Claudia said, dazzled.
“I hear she is a young Descendant, having only recently receiving the blessings of fate,” Catherine stated. “She is going to be an easy one herself.”
“She looks a bit too young to be a Descendant. Her powers should be unstable if she is just becoming one, no doubt,” Claudia theorized.
“I wonder about destability,” the Countess replied. “Well, it should be no trouble as long we don’t meet many trifling mages around her.”
Claudia hummed, putting a hand along her chin. “That means we would have to go about this delicately…”
“As soon as she is on her way to the backstage after her performance then?” Rose questioned.
“Exactly.”
“Brilliant.”
Thus the most important decision was made.
“That said, Claudia dear, I have someone I wish for you to meet. You still wish for a weapon I presume?” The Countess asked.
Claudia beamed. “Yes, more than anything. I’ve felt rather vulnerable without one since my last sword was broken…”
“Come in,” Catherine beckoned.
A lady in white entered the room. An aroma filled the atmosphere, making Claudia realize that she was a human being. The newcomer wore a Victorian dress that made her seem classy and added to her natural beauty. Her blonde hair almost covered her face when she bowed towards the Countess and Claudia.
“Good day to you all, I am Iris Rosenberg. It shall be my pleasure to work with you.”
She introduced herself. There was a maid who stood beside her, but she remained beside Iris wordlessly.
Claudia bowed in reply. “Bonjour, Iris. The pleasure is all mine,” she said. “So, by the Countess’ words, I’m assuming that you craft weapons?”
“Yes.” Iris beamed politely. “I am an alchemist.”
“Interesting…” Claudia said. “So in any case, I have been in need of a weapon—something to suit me—but to no avail. I was wondering if you could craft me a specific type of weapon; a scythe, perhaps?”
“Yes, of course, do you have any particular preference? Say, regarding the materials used, or any kind of a demonic item for adding magical or spiritual effects?”
Claudia hummed again. Any effect she wanted? That sounded most appealing. “May I inquire what kind of materials you would have to craft such a weapon? Only to gauge my options to finalize my decision.”
“Well, all the materials are basically varying metal, however, there are differing metallic materials. I suppose it’d be difficult to make choices if you are unaware of the types of materials available. How heavy would you want your scythe to be?”
“So long as I am able to move quickly, I have no issue with how heavy you make it. Then again, I used a greatsword in the past, so it should not be a problem anyways,” Claudia said.
“How about… platinum?” Iris said, a little hesitant. “It’d be heavy for a mundane so it is unheard of for them, but surely not for you?”
Claudia smiled and made a hand gesture which resembled the letters †˜O’ and †˜K.’ “Perfect. Just perfect.”
“Well, that would be costly, but I do not mind,” the Countess said from behind Claudia.
“As for demonic items for effects,” Rose begun, “She is probably referring to the crude Treasure Items infused with various magic weapons in the Magic World. There have been weapons that can syphon light from people’s pupils, make the weapon literally drink blood to make it stronger, or even have an almost original magical form of poison etched into the blade. If I were you, I’d simply ask the crafter to be creative about it. The choices are far too many if you do not have a specific one in mind.”
Placing a hand over her chin and closing her eyes, Claudia thought for a moment, then she thought for a little while longer, almost to the point where everyone would’ve thought she fell asleep. “Well, the idea of using blood to make it stronger sounds interesting, but…” Claudia went silent in thought once more. “Then again, I have something else in mind. Are you able to make my scythe imbue itself with the shadows of others and make itself use the power of Infernal? I feel like disintegrating others would be an efficient way of killing.”
“Ummm…” Iris was unsure how to answer, feeling nervous. “I believe it is impossible to manipulate the shadow in any way with what’s available so far… I apologize, but it is simply not possible. The power of the Infernals has a wide range of options, but doesn’t hold everything.”
Claudia appeared visibly disappointed. “Ah, jeez…” she said, scratching at the back of her scalp. “Well I suppose the ability for my scythe to drink blood and become stronger would suffice. I guess my previous request was a bit outrageous. Hahaha…”
“I would not recommend it, dear,” Countess said from behind. “It is unsuitable for someone like you who would likely grow hungrier by the day. You’d have to feed the weapon for its maximum output repeatedly, which means you’d have to kill more to feed yourself at the same time. If you overkill all the time you’d be leaving a large trail at your wake you.”
“That is true… then I am stumped,” Claudia said. “Any suggestions?”
“May I craft the scythe in the way I feel is best for you?”
Claudia smiled. “By all means, be my guest.”
“Then, please follow me to this room.” Iris gestured to a room behind her. The maid stepped aside naturally.
Claudia quirked her eyebrow, puzzled at what else she’d want from her.
The two entered the room moments later, and there was only a view of the city and a sofa they could sit on. Iris sat beside Claudia.
“Even if I craft on my recommendation, my opinions will not hold any merit for you as it will be of my own opinion, and I’d have no inspiration to rely on at the same time… Miss Claudia, may I please ask you to tell me about yourself? Hide as less detail as possible.”
Claudia hummed in acknowledgment. “Where to start…?” She said, running a hand through her hair. “Well, for starters, I was born in Paris, France, under a family of Diabolists who kept me isolated from the outside world, so my idea of reality was slightly deterred from normal. Soon after, the Roman Catholic Church found out about my family and we were pursued almost instantly. My mother and father were killed in front of me, and somehow my family name followed me for the remainder of my life.” Claudia paused to clear her throat.
“After that, I was sold into slavery… with men who wanted nothing but to see my downfall. There, I was surrounded by vulgarities, abuse, and witnessed unspeakable acts. Lucky for me, I never experienced it first hand—just the abuse, though,” Claudia added with a crack of her neck. “Eventually, I escaped, and was admitted into a crummy orphanage. Hell, I wasn’t sure which part of my life was harder; the orphanage or slavery. Either way, I’ve been fighting for as long as I can remember. At twelve years old, I busted a kid’s head open with a rock because he called me Princess Harlot, an unclever nickname referring to my mother’s tiara and my unwilling capture.” Claudia chuckled, but had a melancholic look plastered as she had to revisit that.
“I had a few ups and downs, though. I met my older brother figure who taught me right from wrong—I met him again just recently too. What a reunion that was when he saw me with a bloody sword, baring my fangs aimed for the Queen’s throat. But before all of that, I met with a man who took me away from all the fighting and trouble at the orphanage: the Duke. Now that man was the physical definition for a person with a large pole stuck up his ass. With him giving me a place to live and making me his Dark Knight and maid, I would say that I fell in love with him for some time—I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking.”
“And then there was the time where I first met the dear Countess,” Claudia continued, blushing once she mentioned the person in question. “At first I thought I hated her guts, which caused me to use a forbidden spell on her in the midst of a training battle. Fuck, it all sounds hilarious as I’m talking about it now. After being branded a Diabolist once more and having a lot of people vilify me, I met with—dare I say—Miss. Mary. Shelly.” Claudia had to take a breath with the mention of Mary. Her name still got her exhilarated with rage. “Ohohoho, you could never ask for a better woman to desire as a slave. She was another friend, and I used to have lengthy conversation on the topic of books and such. I truly considered this woman to be my friend, too… I think she was on the long list of people I’ve fallen in love with, as well.”
“After being turned into a Vampire by the lovely Countess, I had to hide a lot more things from Mary. I mean—as if I didn’t have enough to hide, you know? So after an operation we pulled—and I mean literally after—Mary approached me, and wouldn’t you believe that the spiteful bitch cut my arm off, saying some bullshit that she was being controlled by her superiors. I offered help, but she declined, and it transpired into that.”
“Wait… Mary, I… I remember Mary,” Iris suddenly interrupted. “And I have seen a man she once met… in that other Realm. We are speaking of the same person, yes? She who has one golden eye, I mean.”
“The one and only,” Claudia replied, holding back a rant. “Other man? Who?”
“My friend at the time found Mary suspicious. Never mind why I was helping him in the first place, but we followed her, and chanced upon a certain especial Realm. There, she met with a man who appeared from a portal of unknown origin. Mary showed him a large serrated black blade that was undoubtedly larger than herself as she pulled it out from her gold eye, and the man inspected it. This man then said that the sword was impressive enough that Mary would have to put some effort to cut it. We couldn’t tell what they were speaking about after that, but he almost killed her by choking her neck, and the last I heard from Mary was… †˜please do not separate my life from Charlotte’. The man was a strange one too. There were stars around his head and a ring behind his back, and we were too feared to make a move. Eventually, he left, and then came a vampire called Marco the Noble Diner… I suppose he is one of your friends.”
“That he is,” Claudia nodded. “But… that sounds peculiar, I should say. Though, separating her life from Charlotte’s. What on Earth could that mean?”
“I wouldn’t know… perhaps this person known as Charlotte is a hostage of some kind.”
“Now that’s something to think about…” Claudia mumbled. “Now, who was this man Mary was talking to?”
“I do not know. I have described him, and that is all I know of him; the man had hazel eyes and black hair if that helps… I suppose he was handsome too.”
Claudia pursed her lips and furrowed her brows as the mental image of said man plopped into her head like a bullet leaving the chamber. Out of impulse she spouted a disappointed, “Oh,” and frowned. “And here I was thinking you were talking of someone who was truly an enigma.”
“He isn’t?” Iris said, but paused sensing a very biased opinion. “Anyway, Miss Claudia, I fear we got struck with a tangent; please continue with your story. I apologize for interrupting earlier.”
“Think nothing of it,” Claudia replied, ignoring her question. She rubbed her forehead to find her place in her story again. “After my departure with Mary, I declared that I would one day make her my slave, and torture her until she loses her mind. A few days later, I met with the Countess’ family and—oh my, should I be telling this part?”
“Up to you, but the more I learn about you the better I can think of a scythe for you,” Iris said, giving her shoulders a jerk. “At the very least I can assure that I am the only one listening to you. This room is sound-proof.”
Claudia sighed, relieved. “Well, I suppose if this would affect the creation of my weapon…” Claudia adjusted herself in the seat, clearing her throat as what she was going to say required some composing. “W-Well, after meeting the Countess’ mother, we went to her room, talked a little and—fuck, Claudia, you’re a woman—she fucked me up with her… dick, okay? That led up to now when we arrived in Japan.”
“Um, I-I see…” Iris barely replied, looking down and feeling rather awkward. She had never heard of girls partaking in such an act. Unlike Claudia who was versed in perverse words thanks to being born in France, Iris had no way of understanding what a “dick” even meant at first, everything changed with her memories returning, however. “I… I did not know a girl would be able to… r… reproduce thanks to a girl too.”
“Ah… uhh, well, not quite reproduce…” Claudia said. “Even though that’s what me and the Countess did practically. What with her… appendage, and all…” She readjusted herself in her seat and coughed into her hand.
“Ahem. Well, go on with the story.”
“I don’t know what else there could possibly be aside from myself being hungry and feeding on a few women and a couple of…” Claudia shuddered, “Gang members with ill intent. After that, we went shopping.”
“I see, thank you very much for telling me about your life, even if it was embarrassing.” And even if it was not quite what I wanted you to tell. Iris then took out a notebook and took a minute to write some things down. “Is it alright if I ask a few more questions?”
“I do not mind at all. Ask away.”
“Do you enjoy the act of killing?”
Claudia’s eyebrows shot upward at the question. That was something even she didn’t know. She was left stammering a little and mumbling “Uhh,” for a moment. “Well… to be completely truthful with you, I tend to become… overjoyed when doing so, so I would say yes, I do.”
“Noted. Considering… your tastes, you are indeed a—pardon the language—lecherous woman?”
For some reason, that coaxed a briefly shocked reaction from Claudia, that she grunted a little from the question. She didn’t want to lie either as it would affect her scythe. But still, the personal questions were kind of embarrassing. “When you put it that way… I mean, others would consider me to be like that…”
“Alright. Then.” Iris placed the pen against her lips as she considered. “What is your favorite animal?”
“A-An animal?” Claudia asked, thinking that was a little out of place compared to the other questions. “Well, I have considered cats to be interesting animals.”
“I see, then… what is your hobby?”
“Reading is always a go-to thing for me. If I’m not doing anything else, I’m reading a book.”
“What about your interests? Anything you want to learn to do in the future?”
“Not that I know of. I was never a person to hold many aspirations. If an opportunity presents itself to me, I will take it and see how things will go from there.”
“I see. What kind of music do you like then?”
“A variety, though I often heard Classical in my days in England. In the modern worlds, I enjoy a collection of mostly Heavy Metal, Rock, Jazz, and I’m picky with Classical.”
“Then, do you play instruments? Do you dance? Or do you prefer to simply listen?”
“I attempt to dance. I’m slowly learning more and more as each day passes, but that’s another thing I could strike down as a hobby.”
“Did you love your family? Do you wish things had stayed the way they were back in France? Or are you happy that your life has turned out this way?”
Claudia snorted. “My family were the ones who got me into this. The one thing being good about this curse of being born into Diabolism is that I got to meet Catherine, Rose, Marco, and even Cosette, no matter how much she hates me. To be fair, even though my mother and father were shitbags and I was brought to resent them, I can’t help but thank them for how far I’ve gotten from this point.”
“I suppose that is indeed cherishable. What do you hate the most?”
“...The Church. The men who tortured me. The kids at that damned orphanage. The list goes further on than that.”
“Please do tell me about your list. You do wish to fight them with the weapon I craft, yes?”
“Absolutely. The Church is the first on my list. I know it sounds impossible for the kids, but for the slavers, they are not exempt. I want to find them one day—the exact men who did it—and make them feel what I did. I want them to have scars to show for it like I do.”
“So you don’t have any other you’d pursue the end of the world to hunt down?”
“Well, those were just personal endeavors,” Claudia replied. “At the moment, I am assisting the Countess with hunting the rest of the Descendants. They have no impact on me personally, but if it means keeping the world just, I don’t mind taking a few lives to do so.”
“That does not answer the question. I want to know you more personally, to know your personality.”
“...In that case, as I said before, Mary is the one to fit that description,” Claudia said.
“Do you really hate Mary that much? I mean, to me she did not seem like a bad person, or is it that you loathe the generally †˜good’ people?”
Claudia shrugged. “I just don’t believe in something as a †˜good person,’ really,” she said simply.
“I note that your thinking edges towards the opposite of good and optimism. Very well. What kind of people do you generally loathe? Like say, from mannerism, words and behavior? Some things you can’t stand in general?”
“People who identify themselves as righteous; being the textbook definition of good. Say, for example, Priests. They think they are completely flawless on the outside, while inside, a good majority of them can be deviants themselves, even worse than the evil they try to destroy. In short, hypocrites.”
“Hmm… what are your preferences on looks of things? Do you like cute things, †˜cool’ things? Flashy? Dark and grim? Simple? What do you find pleasing to the eyes?”
“Well I do like cool things,” Claudia supposed, placing a hand on her chin. “Dark and grim is also appealing to my eyes, as well.”
“Alright, this should be good enough, Miss Claudia. I apologize for taking so long, and making you speak very embarrassing answers. I shall start my work on your weapon as soon as I prepare my equipment.”
Claudia sighed, relieved. “Don’t worry about it. This was an… interesting experience,” she said rising from her seat and stretching. “Don’t make me wait too long now. I won’t be able to… reward you for your efforts.”
“Hm? Reward me? I thought it was the Countess who’d be rewarding?”
“Well, you know everything about me, now. I wonder if I could know a few things about you in the future?” She is kind of cute, too… God, the people the Countess knows...
“Unfortunately, I do not think I can answer much regarding myself,” Iris said, politely declining. “I have amnesia so my memories are rather a mess I’d like to not delve into for now.” Obviously, half of this statement was true but also false.
“Oh, that’s a shame.” Claudia shrugged once more and straightened out her hair with a single hand. “Once again, thank you again for your help. I’m sure my scythe will be to my liking.”
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
Since the semester had started. Svetlana was dressed in the fashion of a teacher. Being short, of course, made her ever more unique and stand out around the scholars, but she didn’t seem to care at all about the prying eyes. Being in the Faerie Lore class was a rather boring part of the work. Scholars wouldn’t come to her till the time of her class, after all. Till then she had nothing to do since the teachers she knew were busy, unlike her.
Eventually the time had come for her to face her students. With the door opening abruptly Svetlana saw about six students enter. Two females and the rest males.
“Good morning,” they greeted.
“Good morning everyone,” Svetlana said joyfully as she then took a look at her students’ faces. “Oh I see a familiar face,” Svetlana said as she looked at one of the two females.
“I will be under your care,” Aozora Linfield said, giving a bow. “Teacher.”
“Too bad that boy isn’t here, he sure would have been surprised,” Svetlana said with a chuckle. “Now then take your seats. Class shall start now,” Svetlana said as she opened a book on her desk.
The students all complied and sat down.
Aozora remarked, “He went to the Dominion Lore class. Something about him wanting to use the Mentem Form.”
“I see. Oh well. Now then, we will be starting out with the basics about the Faerie Realm,” Svetlana began. “The Faerie Realm was initially discovered from certain forests around the world, did you all know that?”
The scholars sitting opposite to her were surprised.
“Really?” Aozora asked, turning to a fellow student who shook his head.
“The forests where Faeries took shelter in were originally known to mundanes as haunted, but some Faeries liked to live outside of the Realm because the weather here can be more calm and stable than the Faerie Realm where it’s very windy all the time. When the magicians begun to investigate, they eventually discovered the pathway to the Realm.”
“So then, how did people cast spells that were connected to the Faerie Realm?”
“They met some deities who were actually Faeries. Since incantations of the spells call out to some deities, right? You’d notice if you didn’t use Latin to cast. People were drawing mana from the Faerie Realm without realizing it.”
“Talk about one hell of a way…”
“And of course, because the Faeries inhabit the water; the forests, and a windy place like the Faerie Realm; the Forms Aquam, Aurum, and Herbam are their main elements. To learn spells of those Forms you’d have to visit me for their respective classes. In the appropriate time, of course. Since you may not have decided which of these Forms you guys want to start with first, let me explain them briefly.
“Aquam manipulates water and generally all kinds of liquid. You also learn to resist water in general, drowning, or even feeling thirsty.
“Aurum allows one to manipulate the air and the weather, including gaseous forms in general. With this, you learn to deal with suffocation or weather phenomena like lightning.
“With Herbam you can control trees, plants, and even the dead ones like linen. You learn to resist herbal poison, wooden weapons and even starvation.”
“Trust me, Lily. This time, I’m pretty sure it’s her—” Michael was speaking aloud in English, as he barged inside the classroom. “Guess not.”
“I had a feeling it wouldn’t be…” Lily said, also in English. “It seems like we’re disturbing the people here.” Then she peered into the classroom and found Svetlana, who was blankly staring at her with disbelief, just like her. “...Mystic Tracer?”
Svetlana stopped what she was doing before running towards Lily and jumping at her, “Lily!” she called out as she hugged her.
“Ah…! You’re are as energetic as usual,” Lily said, speaking in Japanese now.
“Eh, what sorcery is this! You can speak Japanese properly now,” Svetlana said, surprised.
“I had learned the language while I was in England,” Lily explained. “However, I am still far from mastering the kanjis…”
“I see. So, how you been Lily,” Svetlana said as she continued to hug Lily. “It’s been forever since I last saw you.”
“Um, I am fine, and I know it has been a while but… aren’t we interrupting the class?”
Michael was smiling apologetically at the class, unable to interrupt Lily’s conversation nor able to actually talk to them. “You think she’d be able to direct us to the Headmistress, Lily?” he asked her when it seemed like their conversation was finished.
“I shall ask her,” Lily promptly replied in English, she then spoke in Japanese, “Mystic Tracer, after your class, do you think you can guide us to the Headmistress? We’re rather lost in the Academy at the moment.”
Svetlana pouted and then pinched Lily’s cheek. “Didn’t I say back in Russia you could just call me Svetlana?”
“R...Right. Yes, Svetlana… I forgot, my apologies,” Lily answered, a little flustered to have her questions unanswered while Michael snickered.
“Alrighty! Well in the meantime just take a seat in the back of the class. Once I’m done here, I’ll show you to the Headmistress’ office.”
“Oh no, we cannot possibly intrude. My friend and I shall await you outside. Please, continue the lesson. We shall now excuse ourselves,” Lily said. This was one kindness she couldn’t accept as she closed the door before Svetlana could say no.
Eventually the time had come for her to face her students. With the door opening abruptly Svetlana saw about six students enter. Two females and the rest males.
“Good morning,” they greeted.
“Good morning everyone,” Svetlana said joyfully as she then took a look at her students’ faces. “Oh I see a familiar face,” Svetlana said as she looked at one of the two females.
“I will be under your care,” Aozora Linfield said, giving a bow. “Teacher.”
“Too bad that boy isn’t here, he sure would have been surprised,” Svetlana said with a chuckle. “Now then take your seats. Class shall start now,” Svetlana said as she opened a book on her desk.
The students all complied and sat down.
Aozora remarked, “He went to the Dominion Lore class. Something about him wanting to use the Mentem Form.”
“I see. Oh well. Now then, we will be starting out with the basics about the Faerie Realm,” Svetlana began. “The Faerie Realm was initially discovered from certain forests around the world, did you all know that?”
The scholars sitting opposite to her were surprised.
“Really?” Aozora asked, turning to a fellow student who shook his head.
“The forests where Faeries took shelter in were originally known to mundanes as haunted, but some Faeries liked to live outside of the Realm because the weather here can be more calm and stable than the Faerie Realm where it’s very windy all the time. When the magicians begun to investigate, they eventually discovered the pathway to the Realm.”
“So then, how did people cast spells that were connected to the Faerie Realm?”
“They met some deities who were actually Faeries. Since incantations of the spells call out to some deities, right? You’d notice if you didn’t use Latin to cast. People were drawing mana from the Faerie Realm without realizing it.”
“Talk about one hell of a way…”
“And of course, because the Faeries inhabit the water; the forests, and a windy place like the Faerie Realm; the Forms Aquam, Aurum, and Herbam are their main elements. To learn spells of those Forms you’d have to visit me for their respective classes. In the appropriate time, of course. Since you may not have decided which of these Forms you guys want to start with first, let me explain them briefly.
“Aquam manipulates water and generally all kinds of liquid. You also learn to resist water in general, drowning, or even feeling thirsty.
“Aurum allows one to manipulate the air and the weather, including gaseous forms in general. With this, you learn to deal with suffocation or weather phenomena like lightning.
“With Herbam you can control trees, plants, and even the dead ones like linen. You learn to resist herbal poison, wooden weapons and even starvation.”
“Trust me, Lily. This time, I’m pretty sure it’s her—” Michael was speaking aloud in English, as he barged inside the classroom. “Guess not.”
“I had a feeling it wouldn’t be…” Lily said, also in English. “It seems like we’re disturbing the people here.” Then she peered into the classroom and found Svetlana, who was blankly staring at her with disbelief, just like her. “...Mystic Tracer?”
Svetlana stopped what she was doing before running towards Lily and jumping at her, “Lily!” she called out as she hugged her.
“Ah…! You’re are as energetic as usual,” Lily said, speaking in Japanese now.
“Eh, what sorcery is this! You can speak Japanese properly now,” Svetlana said, surprised.
“I had learned the language while I was in England,” Lily explained. “However, I am still far from mastering the kanjis…”
“I see. So, how you been Lily,” Svetlana said as she continued to hug Lily. “It’s been forever since I last saw you.”
“Um, I am fine, and I know it has been a while but… aren’t we interrupting the class?”
Michael was smiling apologetically at the class, unable to interrupt Lily’s conversation nor able to actually talk to them. “You think she’d be able to direct us to the Headmistress, Lily?” he asked her when it seemed like their conversation was finished.
“I shall ask her,” Lily promptly replied in English, she then spoke in Japanese, “Mystic Tracer, after your class, do you think you can guide us to the Headmistress? We’re rather lost in the Academy at the moment.”
Svetlana pouted and then pinched Lily’s cheek. “Didn’t I say back in Russia you could just call me Svetlana?”
“R...Right. Yes, Svetlana… I forgot, my apologies,” Lily answered, a little flustered to have her questions unanswered while Michael snickered.
“Alrighty! Well in the meantime just take a seat in the back of the class. Once I’m done here, I’ll show you to the Headmistress’ office.”
“Oh no, we cannot possibly intrude. My friend and I shall await you outside. Please, continue the lesson. We shall now excuse ourselves,” Lily said. This was one kindness she couldn’t accept as she closed the door before Svetlana could say no.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
The lesson that Svetlana was hosting was over and the three were on their way to the office. It turned out that Michael and Lily entered the wrong building of the campus to begin with. The main building contained the Headmistress’ office, while they entered the building beside it. This made the pair from the Church a little embarrassed.
At least thanks to their misdirection, they found Svetlana who knew her way around the Academy. This was especially true because Svetlana had spent six years studying in the Academy.
“It is a little embarrassing to know that we were headed completely in the wrong direction,” Lily said to Michael in English while Svetlana was leading the way.
“I’m sorry to have disturbed the class like that,” Michael replied. “Surprised they didn’t have the signs in English, too.”
“Considering this is the Eastern Magic Academy, maybe they just assumed everyone would understand Japanese? I even see Chinese, but definitely no English.”
“No wonder one of us needed to speak in Japanese,” Michael said, mostly to himself.
“So Svetlana, how have you been faring? I did not imagine I would find you here as a teacher,” Lily started in Japanese, looking down at the short teacher that was formerly a comrade on a battlefield.
“I’ve been okay. As for being a teacher, I needed a better income and this was the only place I knew that offered it, really,” Svetlana said, appearing to be cheerful.
“I see. You seem much happier now so I suppose it’s fine. The Soviet wouldn’t pay as much as a teaching profession, likely,” Lily replied. “As a Knight, I cannot say that I am concerned about something such as income, so I cannot sympathize, however.”
“Well, maybe one day you’ll understand. Life can be harsh if you can’t find ways to pay for things. Anywho, we are almost there.”
“Find ways to pay for things…? Hm, maybe a piece of bread?” Lily thought out loud.
“Lily, how have you managed to live all this time… or better yet, who in the world has been teaching you!!”
“I… I live by… living?” Lily tilted her head in confusion. “Ah,” she smiled. “I had often been helped by my superior who’s name is Laura. She is also a Faerie like us.”
“I need to speak with them one day about you…” Svetlana said as she gave a sigh.
Lily looked down, gloomy. “Well, at the moment, she is in a coma…”
“I’m really sorry to hear that.”
“It’s alright.”
At least thanks to their misdirection, they found Svetlana who knew her way around the Academy. This was especially true because Svetlana had spent six years studying in the Academy.
“It is a little embarrassing to know that we were headed completely in the wrong direction,” Lily said to Michael in English while Svetlana was leading the way.
“I’m sorry to have disturbed the class like that,” Michael replied. “Surprised they didn’t have the signs in English, too.”
“Considering this is the Eastern Magic Academy, maybe they just assumed everyone would understand Japanese? I even see Chinese, but definitely no English.”
“No wonder one of us needed to speak in Japanese,” Michael said, mostly to himself.
“So Svetlana, how have you been faring? I did not imagine I would find you here as a teacher,” Lily started in Japanese, looking down at the short teacher that was formerly a comrade on a battlefield.
“I’ve been okay. As for being a teacher, I needed a better income and this was the only place I knew that offered it, really,” Svetlana said, appearing to be cheerful.
“I see. You seem much happier now so I suppose it’s fine. The Soviet wouldn’t pay as much as a teaching profession, likely,” Lily replied. “As a Knight, I cannot say that I am concerned about something such as income, so I cannot sympathize, however.”
“Well, maybe one day you’ll understand. Life can be harsh if you can’t find ways to pay for things. Anywho, we are almost there.”
“Find ways to pay for things…? Hm, maybe a piece of bread?” Lily thought out loud.
“Lily, how have you managed to live all this time… or better yet, who in the world has been teaching you!!”
“I… I live by… living?” Lily tilted her head in confusion. “Ah,” she smiled. “I had often been helped by my superior who’s name is Laura. She is also a Faerie like us.”
“I need to speak with them one day about you…” Svetlana said as she gave a sigh.
Lily looked down, gloomy. “Well, at the moment, she is in a coma…”
“I’m really sorry to hear that.”
“It’s alright.”
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
When the three entered the Headmistress’ office, Lumiere greeted them with a smile.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Lumiere said. “I had been expecting the pair from the Church but not you, Svetlana. Thank you for bringing them here. Considering that they are prone to getting lost, can you please wait outside the office for them? They need guidance to the dorms where we’ll have them as guests.”
“I see. Well then, I’ll wait outside.”
“Knight of Lilies and Michael Kallweit, was it? Welcome to the Eastern Magic Academy,” the Headmistress said in fluid English, albeit she sounded more like an American than a British.
“Yes we are, madam.” It was noticeable in his voice that he felt relief when the Headmistress spoke in English. “I believe I have yet to be informed of your name.”
“I am the Headmistress, the name is Lumiere, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the Headmistress answered. “Both of you.”
“Likewise,” Lily responded. “We are thankful that you are willing to shelter us here temporarily.”
“Oh, that’s fine, as long as the donation is given,” Lumiere said with a laugh, clearly pleased from the money gained. “As you may well know we’re not very restrictive of our guests’ activities here, but do be mindful of your interactions with the scholars.”
“Rest assured that we will be causing no disturbances in your domain,” Michael replied. “However, we may need to ask around for information, seeing that Lady Knight and I have never set foot in this country before.”
“That is absolutely acceptable considering your circumstances,” Lumiere stated. “As long as our scholars do not fall into danger by your hands, or are interrupted during their studies. In which case a problem may arise. I hope that is well-kept in mind.”
“Understood. We’re confident that none of your people will be in danger. If I may be so rude, have you got any information regarding BloodLuSt?” Michael decided not to waste anymore time with formalities.
“There is—unfortunately—not much to share, but they do say that some of their members arrived in this country,” Lumiere answered. “But that’s all people know. The news is apparent because some days ago, some were found with their blood sucked out in Tokyo.”
Lily gave Michael a glance and gave a nod. “How many were taken out, exactly?”
“Around five in an alley. Some gangsters likely picked a fight with the wrong kind of foreigners.”
“Where are these people now?” Michael asked.
“Four reported dead, and one in the National Government Hospital,” Lumiere answered. “Bet it was because it’s cheap.”
“It’s as a good lead as any. Thank you once again, Madam Lumi—Headmistress.”
“I am a pretty casual person if you don’t like using titles.” Lumiere shrugged. “Glad to be of help. Ask around and perhaps you people will learn more. There are westerners around here, so you may try your luck with them. I would recommend Margaret Alicia—a famed teacher of ours—who is a very knowledgeable person.”
“We will be seeking her advice, then,” Michael replied. “Now if Lily here has no more questions, we will be taking our leave.”
“I have none for now,” Lily said, shaking her head. “Please excuse us, Headmistress.”
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Lumiere said. “I had been expecting the pair from the Church but not you, Svetlana. Thank you for bringing them here. Considering that they are prone to getting lost, can you please wait outside the office for them? They need guidance to the dorms where we’ll have them as guests.”
“I see. Well then, I’ll wait outside.”
“Knight of Lilies and Michael Kallweit, was it? Welcome to the Eastern Magic Academy,” the Headmistress said in fluid English, albeit she sounded more like an American than a British.
“Yes we are, madam.” It was noticeable in his voice that he felt relief when the Headmistress spoke in English. “I believe I have yet to be informed of your name.”
“I am the Headmistress, the name is Lumiere, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the Headmistress answered. “Both of you.”
“Likewise,” Lily responded. “We are thankful that you are willing to shelter us here temporarily.”
“Oh, that’s fine, as long as the donation is given,” Lumiere said with a laugh, clearly pleased from the money gained. “As you may well know we’re not very restrictive of our guests’ activities here, but do be mindful of your interactions with the scholars.”
“Rest assured that we will be causing no disturbances in your domain,” Michael replied. “However, we may need to ask around for information, seeing that Lady Knight and I have never set foot in this country before.”
“That is absolutely acceptable considering your circumstances,” Lumiere stated. “As long as our scholars do not fall into danger by your hands, or are interrupted during their studies. In which case a problem may arise. I hope that is well-kept in mind.”
“Understood. We’re confident that none of your people will be in danger. If I may be so rude, have you got any information regarding BloodLuSt?” Michael decided not to waste anymore time with formalities.
“There is—unfortunately—not much to share, but they do say that some of their members arrived in this country,” Lumiere answered. “But that’s all people know. The news is apparent because some days ago, some were found with their blood sucked out in Tokyo.”
Lily gave Michael a glance and gave a nod. “How many were taken out, exactly?”
“Around five in an alley. Some gangsters likely picked a fight with the wrong kind of foreigners.”
“Where are these people now?” Michael asked.
“Four reported dead, and one in the National Government Hospital,” Lumiere answered. “Bet it was because it’s cheap.”
“It’s as a good lead as any. Thank you once again, Madam Lumi—Headmistress.”
“I am a pretty casual person if you don’t like using titles.” Lumiere shrugged. “Glad to be of help. Ask around and perhaps you people will learn more. There are westerners around here, so you may try your luck with them. I would recommend Margaret Alicia—a famed teacher of ours—who is a very knowledgeable person.”
“We will be seeking her advice, then,” Michael replied. “Now if Lily here has no more questions, we will be taking our leave.”
“I have none for now,” Lily said, shaking her head. “Please excuse us, Headmistress.”
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
“Weiss?” Lumiere called out as Michael and Lily exited the room.
“Yes, ma’am?” She walked out of the solid mirror in the room.
“I know I should’ve left this over to you earlier, but I’ve been looking into her,” Lumiere said, handing Weiss a paper containing a picture of Natsu Kazehaya—the young Descendant who enrolled as a student scholar. “Her information is so well-guarded by the government that we’ll never know anything about her through the usual approaches.”
“And you want me to find out more about her, ma’am?” Weiss examined the person in the picture. “Anything specific that you want me to find out?”
“Yes and yes. Find out if they have any particular plans about her in the future. Needless to say, you must be cautious. Do not underestimate the technology of the people of Japan.”
“Will do.” She looked at the picture once more. “Any known information about her last known location or where her dorm room is?”
“Right on the paper, but I’m not sure you need to check her room. We have a privacy policy and as a Headmistress, I wouldn’t permit it.”
“I see. In that case, searching the information in some †˜documents’ in her room is a no go.”
“A sixteen year old would likely have no such documents, hence it’s better to not break rules and barge in. Besides, she is a fellow Descendant. I hope you know how to hack through computers in the futuristic city, since it is completely different.”
“That will be troublesome, but manageable. Which reminds me, her face seems familiar. Not as in I know her personally, but I have a feeling that I’ve seen her face several times already.”
“On the television of advertisements you mean? She appears once in awhile. She works as an idol, after all.”
“Yep, this will be one troublesome mission,” Weiss said silently and coughed. “A-Anyway, I should go find her and stalk her from within the walls or ventilation system while avoiding cameras and such. Hell, I guess there will be some sentry drones around the halls but nothing that I can’t manage.”
For once, Lumiere’s palm met her forehead. “I want you to infiltrate the government office, not stalk a young girl, Judgement Sniper.”
“Oh. . . Then why didn’t you say so? I assumed when you gave me the papers with her picture inside that you asked me to stalk her.”
“...” The Headmistress gave a look as if she doubted whether Weiss was acting or not. “Are you sure you had been working for Steel Princess?”
“After all these years, yes. Most of her missions were single target assassinations and information extractions from various sources. Her commands were direct as in †˜Go kill that’ or †˜infiltrate this base and obtain information without killing and getting caught’ and so on,” she said with a straight face.
“I told you to extract information too. What went wrong? I gave you the information available,” Lumiere pointed to the paper at Weiss’ hand. “You’d never find classified documents of a child like her here. There are literally only several places affiliated with her benefactor, and anyone may find the government’s offices.”
“I see. Now that’s much more clear than the previous explanation that you gave me, ma’am. Any details on said †˜benefactors’ and †˜government offices’ locations?”
Professionals need detailed explanations clear for children to understand? “Nope. I’m too laz—busy for that.”
“Alright, that’s all that I need to know. I’ll gather the rest on my own. Thank you ma’am.” Weiss bowed before heading out through the window and on to the roof. First, the Benefactors.
“Yes, ma’am?” She walked out of the solid mirror in the room.
“I know I should’ve left this over to you earlier, but I’ve been looking into her,” Lumiere said, handing Weiss a paper containing a picture of Natsu Kazehaya—the young Descendant who enrolled as a student scholar. “Her information is so well-guarded by the government that we’ll never know anything about her through the usual approaches.”
“And you want me to find out more about her, ma’am?” Weiss examined the person in the picture. “Anything specific that you want me to find out?”
“Yes and yes. Find out if they have any particular plans about her in the future. Needless to say, you must be cautious. Do not underestimate the technology of the people of Japan.”
“Will do.” She looked at the picture once more. “Any known information about her last known location or where her dorm room is?”
“Right on the paper, but I’m not sure you need to check her room. We have a privacy policy and as a Headmistress, I wouldn’t permit it.”
“I see. In that case, searching the information in some †˜documents’ in her room is a no go.”
“A sixteen year old would likely have no such documents, hence it’s better to not break rules and barge in. Besides, she is a fellow Descendant. I hope you know how to hack through computers in the futuristic city, since it is completely different.”
“That will be troublesome, but manageable. Which reminds me, her face seems familiar. Not as in I know her personally, but I have a feeling that I’ve seen her face several times already.”
“On the television of advertisements you mean? She appears once in awhile. She works as an idol, after all.”
“Yep, this will be one troublesome mission,” Weiss said silently and coughed. “A-Anyway, I should go find her and stalk her from within the walls or ventilation system while avoiding cameras and such. Hell, I guess there will be some sentry drones around the halls but nothing that I can’t manage.”
For once, Lumiere’s palm met her forehead. “I want you to infiltrate the government office, not stalk a young girl, Judgement Sniper.”
“Oh. . . Then why didn’t you say so? I assumed when you gave me the papers with her picture inside that you asked me to stalk her.”
“...” The Headmistress gave a look as if she doubted whether Weiss was acting or not. “Are you sure you had been working for Steel Princess?”
“After all these years, yes. Most of her missions were single target assassinations and information extractions from various sources. Her commands were direct as in †˜Go kill that’ or †˜infiltrate this base and obtain information without killing and getting caught’ and so on,” she said with a straight face.
“I told you to extract information too. What went wrong? I gave you the information available,” Lumiere pointed to the paper at Weiss’ hand. “You’d never find classified documents of a child like her here. There are literally only several places affiliated with her benefactor, and anyone may find the government’s offices.”
“I see. Now that’s much more clear than the previous explanation that you gave me, ma’am. Any details on said †˜benefactors’ and †˜government offices’ locations?”
Professionals need detailed explanations clear for children to understand? “Nope. I’m too laz—busy for that.”
“Alright, that’s all that I need to know. I’ll gather the rest on my own. Thank you ma’am.” Weiss bowed before heading out through the window and on to the roof. First, the Benefactors.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
Michael and Lily found themselves before the room they were lent. She opened the room hesitantly, and it seemed rather normal. Two beds, an escritoire, a table, and a veritable amount of books on a shelf for some reason.
“I suppose we have to share this room,” Lily stated with indifference, as if a man and a woman in the same room seemed not like a big deal. She entered with her luggage and ushered Michael to follow. This room was located in the dormitory for teachers, so they were somewhat separated by gender code. However, this room was on the side for males. Lily would have to live with it, and due to her experiences, she was indeed used to it.
“I suppose. I doubt we will have the convenience of getting our own rooms.” Michael felt uneasy about sharing a room with a girl, worried that Lily would be uncomfortable. Seeing her indifference on the matter gave him some sort of relief. “I will try to get the common schedule of the males in the dorm, so that we can prevent any accidents from happening at least.”
“Accidents? Of what kind?” Lily inquired, confused.
“Like in the… You know what? Let me worry about it,” Michael replied. “Well then, do you want to rest for a while, or should we start gathering information?” he asked as he took out a sheathed sword from a box and slid it into his sword belt; he decided to leave his guns in their boxes as of the moment.
“Let us discuss what we know first.” Lily sat down on a bed, claiming it as her own for the rest of their stay. “There was an incident presumably committed by at least one vampire. Then there’s Claudia—our target—who we have to hunt down. I had been wondering but… what do you think Claudia is like, from your experience? I mean about her personality, of course. You have mentioned †˜odd,’ but that is all that I’ve heard.”
“She’s...” Michael trailed off, trying to recall the fight. “She was like a beast; strong and ferocious, yet she seemed to be not in total control of herself. Any other opponent would have finished me off that night, but she…. She was enjoying it. My pain, I mean.”
“...I see, so she is the type who enjoys inflicting pain, and perhaps she rejoices more at the end of said infliction rather than killing. I wonder if she’s the type to get hungry really fast, but then she was not very allured by your blood, I assume?”
“I doubt my blood would be enticing to anyone,” Michael joked. “But if you ask me, I believe she isn’t one who would wonder about the consequences of her actions; if she’s hungry, she’d feed.”
“I see, truly a beast then,” Lily concluded. “I’ll go speak with the survivor of the incident at the hospital,” Lily decided. “Since only I can speak with him, it will have to be enough. You should gather information here at the Academy. You may not be able to speak in Japanese, but according to the Headmistress, there are westerners around here.”
“That would be the most sensible course of action,” Michael agreed. “I will try to see if I can find this Margaret Alicia person. Good luck to you, then.”
“Good luck to you too.”
“I suppose we have to share this room,” Lily stated with indifference, as if a man and a woman in the same room seemed not like a big deal. She entered with her luggage and ushered Michael to follow. This room was located in the dormitory for teachers, so they were somewhat separated by gender code. However, this room was on the side for males. Lily would have to live with it, and due to her experiences, she was indeed used to it.
“I suppose. I doubt we will have the convenience of getting our own rooms.” Michael felt uneasy about sharing a room with a girl, worried that Lily would be uncomfortable. Seeing her indifference on the matter gave him some sort of relief. “I will try to get the common schedule of the males in the dorm, so that we can prevent any accidents from happening at least.”
“Accidents? Of what kind?” Lily inquired, confused.
“Like in the… You know what? Let me worry about it,” Michael replied. “Well then, do you want to rest for a while, or should we start gathering information?” he asked as he took out a sheathed sword from a box and slid it into his sword belt; he decided to leave his guns in their boxes as of the moment.
“Let us discuss what we know first.” Lily sat down on a bed, claiming it as her own for the rest of their stay. “There was an incident presumably committed by at least one vampire. Then there’s Claudia—our target—who we have to hunt down. I had been wondering but… what do you think Claudia is like, from your experience? I mean about her personality, of course. You have mentioned †˜odd,’ but that is all that I’ve heard.”
“She’s...” Michael trailed off, trying to recall the fight. “She was like a beast; strong and ferocious, yet she seemed to be not in total control of herself. Any other opponent would have finished me off that night, but she…. She was enjoying it. My pain, I mean.”
“...I see, so she is the type who enjoys inflicting pain, and perhaps she rejoices more at the end of said infliction rather than killing. I wonder if she’s the type to get hungry really fast, but then she was not very allured by your blood, I assume?”
“I doubt my blood would be enticing to anyone,” Michael joked. “But if you ask me, I believe she isn’t one who would wonder about the consequences of her actions; if she’s hungry, she’d feed.”
“I see, truly a beast then,” Lily concluded. “I’ll go speak with the survivor of the incident at the hospital,” Lily decided. “Since only I can speak with him, it will have to be enough. You should gather information here at the Academy. You may not be able to speak in Japanese, but according to the Headmistress, there are westerners around here.”
“That would be the most sensible course of action,” Michael agreed. “I will try to see if I can find this Margaret Alicia person. Good luck to you, then.”
“Good luck to you too.”
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
Finding Margaret Alicia wasn’t easy. She seemed to be one of the most busiest teachers in the school, and considering the conditions Lumiere mentioned, he couldn’t simply waltz in on her lessons and disturb her. For two hours straight, Michael watched her hosting lessons, and eventually she exited the class.
“That’s a face I haven’t seen around here,” Margaret Alicia said, finding Michael towards the windows of the corridor, looking at her. “One of the guests that was allowed to stay here, I presume?
“Yes, I am. I hope I have not caused any disturbance,” Michael said, extending his hand as a greeting. “My name’s Michael Kallweit, but please call me Michael.”
“Well as long as you don’t interrupt the class I wouldn’t think any harm was done, Michael,” Alicia replied, shaking hands with Michael. “How may I help you?”
“I have a few inquiries regarding vampires, BLoodLuSt to be exact. Miss Lumiere suggested that I seek your advice.” Michael spoke in a hushed tone.
“Well, this is likely not the best place for that topic,” Alicia stated, gesturing towards the corridor. Some other scholars were exiting the classroom. “Follow me to the lounge.”
Being led to the lounge of teachers, Michael felt a little out of place with all the luxury and comfort provided. Alicia offered tea as she sank down to a couch opposite to the priest.
“I suppose you are hunting the BLoodLuSt members in Japan now? Or is there a specific target?”
“There is one. But given the choice, we’ll try to take as many as we can. Before they do to Japan what they did back home.”
“I’ll tell you what I know,” Alicia replied. “Back in England when I served Her Royal Majesty the Queen, there were many bouts of attacks made by vampires. They didn’t target randomly, they liked to prey upon nobles; politicians, military members; and sometimes Earls. That was about at least ten years ago, but it may still hold true. The one thing I learned is that they are always very subtle and careful about their conduct. Few of their targets often choose to side with them, thus their Organization grows. In Japan, they have something like a family of vampires somewhere in Tokyo, and that is considered their base in this country.”
“All subtlety went out the window after what happened,” Michael said, referring to the recent attempt on the Queen’s life. “Having said that, do you have an idea on why they would suddenly shifted focus to Japan?”
“There are clues,” Alicia mentioned. “There was a record of a terrorist attack made on a particular condominium where an idol lived… this was many years ago, yet it was interesting, I thought. Terrorists targeting an idol. I checked her identity, and later came to realize that she was Alice—even now a working idol in the industry—who was identified as Pisces in the Great Mages’ War. So I have this theory that perhaps the vampires likes to target people like Alice, or Descendants in general. Either way, this is the only noticeable incident regarding vampires in Japan.”
“Descendants, huh? Aside from this Alice person, are there any other Descendants in Japan, rumoured or otherwise?” Michael asked, his instincts telling him that he took a step in the right direction in asking Margaret Alicia.
“Factually speaking, according to The Times newspapers—and this is something you should know—Sagittarius was confirmed under Japan’s custody, and that wasn’t all. She was attacked in this very country by squads assembled under Her Majesty’s order while this Academy’s western scholars were also asked to lend a helping hand. Long story short, Sagittarius was wounded but the mission failed. Many died however,” Alicia recounted, her face grim at the word of death. “Kazehaya Natsu-san, the very Descendant who I speak of, is enrolled here at the moment. Due to the conditions of neutrality and my responsibilities, however, I am bound to be a guardian figure to her.”
“Wouldn’t it be fair to assume then, that she is a likely target for these vampires?” Michael asked, as he sipped from his cup.
“Well, it is still my personal theory, but I do think it is a possibility. So I am always prepared to face a decisive battle.”
“Would the Academy be prepared in case of a sudden attack from these creatures?”
“With our staff, I am confident that we’d be able to repel them, but… it’d still be dangerous. I may only hope that the Boundary’s barrier which protects this small Realm would deter any possible raids.”
If we’re lucky, we will be able to strike before they do. “Then we can say that this Descendant would be relatively safe here. Does she stay in this Academy too? Of course, I am working on the assumption that she really is the target of BloodLuSt in Japan.” Michael put his cup down before continuing, “That assumption being the only one that could hold water as of the moment.”
“She is indeed living here. The government of Japan also deemed that she’d be safer here. She is in the dormitories, but the condition is that she can leave for work from time to time. We are, however, strict with her take of leave from classes.”
Michael raised his eyebrows when he heard the teacher’s last line. If that was true, one would just need to obtain information about her work schedule beforehand and there would be a good opportunity to attack her without the risk of attacking the whole Academy. “I see. I suppose she comes with the escort of a few mages, too then?”
“That she does,” Alicia said. “Some of our staff members must accompany her.”
“Moving on to another topic, have you heard about the recent attack a few days ago? There were four casualties if I recall correctly. All evidence seems to point towards it being a vampire attack.” Michael made a note in his head to ask permission from the Headmistress to accompany the Descendant a few times.
“Only that? I am certain that there were three other such incidents?” Alicia said, blinking a few times.
Michael choked on his drink. “Three more? There were four attacks already?!”
“Why yes, they were in the news, after all. The others included… let’s see, two women murdered in the mall with most of their blood missing. Someone with his…” she smiled nervously as she hesitated to speak further, “manhood bitten, and he died soon after. Then there was the murder of a politician’s daughter.”
Michael gritted his teeth as he listened. “It seems that they have begun attacking indiscriminately. This might be a distraction in order to shift our focus away from the Descendant.” He felt angry but kept himself in check, knowing that such tactics were not beyond his enemy.
“I do not think that in the slightest, at least in our case,” Alicia stated. She calmly calmly sipped her tea. “If anything, they’d be attempting to divert the attention of the Japanese, not us. However, I believe the reason is more simple; they simply obey their whims of gluttony and thirst for blood, and just go and assault people. The attacks in both the alley and the restroom were careless acts but there probably weren’t many people there, even if they were carried out in day time.”
“If that is so, then I might have an idea on who might’ve been involved.”
“And your prime suspect would be? Well, I suppose it matters to me not. Anything else you’d like make an inquiry on?”
“I am sorry to ask so many things of you and not name her, but rest assured me and my partner will be dealing with this problem. That would be all for now, thank you very much for your cooperation, Miss Alicia,” Michael said, smiling at Margaret Alicia.
“You’re welcome. Good luck with the hunt.”
“That’s a face I haven’t seen around here,” Margaret Alicia said, finding Michael towards the windows of the corridor, looking at her. “One of the guests that was allowed to stay here, I presume?
“Yes, I am. I hope I have not caused any disturbance,” Michael said, extending his hand as a greeting. “My name’s Michael Kallweit, but please call me Michael.”
“Well as long as you don’t interrupt the class I wouldn’t think any harm was done, Michael,” Alicia replied, shaking hands with Michael. “How may I help you?”
“I have a few inquiries regarding vampires, BLoodLuSt to be exact. Miss Lumiere suggested that I seek your advice.” Michael spoke in a hushed tone.
“Well, this is likely not the best place for that topic,” Alicia stated, gesturing towards the corridor. Some other scholars were exiting the classroom. “Follow me to the lounge.”
Being led to the lounge of teachers, Michael felt a little out of place with all the luxury and comfort provided. Alicia offered tea as she sank down to a couch opposite to the priest.
“I suppose you are hunting the BLoodLuSt members in Japan now? Or is there a specific target?”
“There is one. But given the choice, we’ll try to take as many as we can. Before they do to Japan what they did back home.”
“I’ll tell you what I know,” Alicia replied. “Back in England when I served Her Royal Majesty the Queen, there were many bouts of attacks made by vampires. They didn’t target randomly, they liked to prey upon nobles; politicians, military members; and sometimes Earls. That was about at least ten years ago, but it may still hold true. The one thing I learned is that they are always very subtle and careful about their conduct. Few of their targets often choose to side with them, thus their Organization grows. In Japan, they have something like a family of vampires somewhere in Tokyo, and that is considered their base in this country.”
“All subtlety went out the window after what happened,” Michael said, referring to the recent attempt on the Queen’s life. “Having said that, do you have an idea on why they would suddenly shifted focus to Japan?”
“There are clues,” Alicia mentioned. “There was a record of a terrorist attack made on a particular condominium where an idol lived… this was many years ago, yet it was interesting, I thought. Terrorists targeting an idol. I checked her identity, and later came to realize that she was Alice—even now a working idol in the industry—who was identified as Pisces in the Great Mages’ War. So I have this theory that perhaps the vampires likes to target people like Alice, or Descendants in general. Either way, this is the only noticeable incident regarding vampires in Japan.”
“Descendants, huh? Aside from this Alice person, are there any other Descendants in Japan, rumoured or otherwise?” Michael asked, his instincts telling him that he took a step in the right direction in asking Margaret Alicia.
“Factually speaking, according to The Times newspapers—and this is something you should know—Sagittarius was confirmed under Japan’s custody, and that wasn’t all. She was attacked in this very country by squads assembled under Her Majesty’s order while this Academy’s western scholars were also asked to lend a helping hand. Long story short, Sagittarius was wounded but the mission failed. Many died however,” Alicia recounted, her face grim at the word of death. “Kazehaya Natsu-san, the very Descendant who I speak of, is enrolled here at the moment. Due to the conditions of neutrality and my responsibilities, however, I am bound to be a guardian figure to her.”
“Wouldn’t it be fair to assume then, that she is a likely target for these vampires?” Michael asked, as he sipped from his cup.
“Well, it is still my personal theory, but I do think it is a possibility. So I am always prepared to face a decisive battle.”
“Would the Academy be prepared in case of a sudden attack from these creatures?”
“With our staff, I am confident that we’d be able to repel them, but… it’d still be dangerous. I may only hope that the Boundary’s barrier which protects this small Realm would deter any possible raids.”
If we’re lucky, we will be able to strike before they do. “Then we can say that this Descendant would be relatively safe here. Does she stay in this Academy too? Of course, I am working on the assumption that she really is the target of BloodLuSt in Japan.” Michael put his cup down before continuing, “That assumption being the only one that could hold water as of the moment.”
“She is indeed living here. The government of Japan also deemed that she’d be safer here. She is in the dormitories, but the condition is that she can leave for work from time to time. We are, however, strict with her take of leave from classes.”
Michael raised his eyebrows when he heard the teacher’s last line. If that was true, one would just need to obtain information about her work schedule beforehand and there would be a good opportunity to attack her without the risk of attacking the whole Academy. “I see. I suppose she comes with the escort of a few mages, too then?”
“That she does,” Alicia said. “Some of our staff members must accompany her.”
“Moving on to another topic, have you heard about the recent attack a few days ago? There were four casualties if I recall correctly. All evidence seems to point towards it being a vampire attack.” Michael made a note in his head to ask permission from the Headmistress to accompany the Descendant a few times.
“Only that? I am certain that there were three other such incidents?” Alicia said, blinking a few times.
Michael choked on his drink. “Three more? There were four attacks already?!”
“Why yes, they were in the news, after all. The others included… let’s see, two women murdered in the mall with most of their blood missing. Someone with his…” she smiled nervously as she hesitated to speak further, “manhood bitten, and he died soon after. Then there was the murder of a politician’s daughter.”
Michael gritted his teeth as he listened. “It seems that they have begun attacking indiscriminately. This might be a distraction in order to shift our focus away from the Descendant.” He felt angry but kept himself in check, knowing that such tactics were not beyond his enemy.
“I do not think that in the slightest, at least in our case,” Alicia stated. She calmly calmly sipped her tea. “If anything, they’d be attempting to divert the attention of the Japanese, not us. However, I believe the reason is more simple; they simply obey their whims of gluttony and thirst for blood, and just go and assault people. The attacks in both the alley and the restroom were careless acts but there probably weren’t many people there, even if they were carried out in day time.”
“If that is so, then I might have an idea on who might’ve been involved.”
“And your prime suspect would be? Well, I suppose it matters to me not. Anything else you’d like make an inquiry on?”
“I am sorry to ask so many things of you and not name her, but rest assured me and my partner will be dealing with this problem. That would be all for now, thank you very much for your cooperation, Miss Alicia,” Michael said, smiling at Margaret Alicia.
“You’re welcome. Good luck with the hunt.”
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
“Are you Tsuruko, the Exception?”
Tsuruko was about to get some lunch as the recess period began, when a girl wearing similar garb as her abruptly stopped her to ask a question. She was pretty, but somehow looked younger, and seemed to have a very dignified air about her, albeit seemingly haughty as well.
“Yes, I am,” Tsuruko replied with a slight nod, seemingly wanting to match the other girl's aura. “And you are...?”
“So you didn’t know after all?” Ame asked, a little disappointed, but she shrugged it aside. “Ame Matsurika. I enrolled some time ago, but it’s my first day here today, Tsuruko-san. I am your distant cousin, a Hime Miko.”
“So I had cousins, after all,” Tsuruko remarked nonchalantly. “Very well met then. I hope to get to know you better.”
“Likewise.” Ame gave a nod. “These days parents don’t talk about your cousin’s families especially when they are of higher status. Children get jealous apparently.”
“I see... I have been enclosed from the outside world pretty much the whole time before I came here, so there are still a lot of things I do not know yet. Besides, I am usually more conscious about my own capabilities, rather than others'."
“...Outside world, even the whereabouts of Shrine?”
“Ah, I was referring to anywhere that was not in the vicinity of my family shrine, save for a certain island I was trained on,” Tsuruko said as she recalled.
“Huh… you must’ve been particularly sheltered. Are your parents overprotective about your ability as an Exception?”
“Yes, especially my Father. I am my family’s hope, after all.”
“Oh? Hope you say?”
“At least I hope I am!” Tsuruko laughed.
“If you say so.” Ame smiled. “I must join my sister for lunch now. Thank you for your time,” she said, giving a terse yet respectable bow.
“Likewise. It was an honor.” Tsuruko nodded, gesturing a farewell towards Ame.
Tsuruko was about to get some lunch as the recess period began, when a girl wearing similar garb as her abruptly stopped her to ask a question. She was pretty, but somehow looked younger, and seemed to have a very dignified air about her, albeit seemingly haughty as well.
“Yes, I am,” Tsuruko replied with a slight nod, seemingly wanting to match the other girl's aura. “And you are...?”
“So you didn’t know after all?” Ame asked, a little disappointed, but she shrugged it aside. “Ame Matsurika. I enrolled some time ago, but it’s my first day here today, Tsuruko-san. I am your distant cousin, a Hime Miko.”
“So I had cousins, after all,” Tsuruko remarked nonchalantly. “Very well met then. I hope to get to know you better.”
“Likewise.” Ame gave a nod. “These days parents don’t talk about your cousin’s families especially when they are of higher status. Children get jealous apparently.”
“I see... I have been enclosed from the outside world pretty much the whole time before I came here, so there are still a lot of things I do not know yet. Besides, I am usually more conscious about my own capabilities, rather than others'."
“...Outside world, even the whereabouts of Shrine?”
“Ah, I was referring to anywhere that was not in the vicinity of my family shrine, save for a certain island I was trained on,” Tsuruko said as she recalled.
“Huh… you must’ve been particularly sheltered. Are your parents overprotective about your ability as an Exception?”
“Yes, especially my Father. I am my family’s hope, after all.”
“Oh? Hope you say?”
“At least I hope I am!” Tsuruko laughed.
“If you say so.” Ame smiled. “I must join my sister for lunch now. Thank you for your time,” she said, giving a terse yet respectable bow.
“Likewise. It was an honor.” Tsuruko nodded, gesturing a farewell towards Ame.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
Her second time in the cafeteria, Natsu pondered for some time what to order. Her first time visiting the Academy was when it was still on a period of vacation, as Alicia gave her a tour. Now that she was really here, making a choice was a tough decision. Not because she was new here but because she was new to the amount of cuisines available here. She knew some from America but not most. Unlike the rest of Japan that was isolated from the world, this Academy and its cafeteria had access to the western foods—particularly European—exponentially expanding her options. From high quality to medium, but nothing truly cheap or simple. This school was different in every way compared to her previous school.
Eventually, she settled for Japanese food because she’d take too long to think things through.
Aramus was having his lunch as he observed Natsu venturing through her new life at the Academy. Everything was well and all until he felt bloodlust surrounding her. A group of male scholars were approaching her to perhaps invite her to join them, and it would likely not turn out well… for the boys, anyway.
He felt bad about having to single her out from this entire crowd, especially since she was a new student here, but there wasn’t a better way to go about things. Aramus called out to her from his seat, some students sending a few looks his way as to why.
Natsu looked in the direction she was called. It was him: the teacher among the chaos of that day who protected his students from Sagittarius, Aramus. Natsu remembered him very clearly. She thought him to be an honorable man to do something like that. She joined him at the table he was sitting at.
“Um, did you need me for something?” Natsu asked the man. She was momentarily taken aback by the mark on his face. She didn't recognize it from before, but Natsu had a sense that she would be alright around him.
“Just take a seat,” he said, looking disinterestedly at the group of boys who were now glaring at him for stealing their mark away. “I just wanted to talk.”
Natsu glanced over to where Aramus was looking and noticed the group of boys, too. Oh, did he just protect me? Aramus was already proving himself to be a kind man. “Thank you,” Natsu said quietly while taking a seat across from him. “What did you want to talk about?”
“The same set of questions every teacher asks. How are you holding up in school, anything that might be bothering you? Made any friends?” Aramus said with a swirl of his fork. “Wouldn’t want you feeling left out now, that won’t do at all.”
There was clearly more on his mind than that, Natsu thought, but she played along anyways. Those questions were indeed general worries a teacher has for their students. “School’s been fine, other than some angry stares I've gotten from some other students, and I made a friend who is a Hime Miko!” She answered all the questions in one statement.
“Then that is good. Perhaps the angry stares will go away in time. Most of the students here are riled up due to recent events and I can’t say I blame them for it,” Aramus said after a mouthful of food. “Hime Miko huh? Interesting choice. Tsuruko?”
Natsu shook her head. “I don't know who that is. The one I met was named Ame Matsurika. We shared the same ride when we transferred to this school.”
“A new transfer like you. I guess that explains it,” Aramus said with an †˜ah’ motion. “We have a lot more high profile students this semester for some reason, haha.”
Finished with his meal, he shifted the tray slightly and brought out his treasure, the chocolate chip cupcake. It was a simple dessert but to Aramus, it was the world, at least for that moment. The chocolate chips shone like jewels, the frilling wrapper it was in a perfect container for its sweet goodness. He peeled the wrapper off and took a bite, chewing slowly to savor the taste.
Natsu giggled a bit watching Aramus eat. It was kind of amusing seeing the man in this state. “You’re really enjoying that, aren’t you? It looks really good!" she commented, somewhat envious. “Do they serve that here, too?”
“I just bought these off a bakery outside. Sometimes the cafeteria does have dessert, but nothing beats a good old cupcake. Sometimes I bake my own if my schedule permits,” Aramus said with a smile. In that one sentence, the cupcake had disappeared.
“Eh...? Is that so…” Natsu was disappointed for a moment, learning that she actually couldn’t get the cupcake here, but she was nonetheless fascinated with the bakery and Aramus’ ability to cook. “Oh, you can bake? That's really cool! You should let me try your cooking sometime!”
“Maybe, maybe. Embarrassingly, I had to have my lunches greatly altered because someone decided I wasn’t eating well. That isn’t far from the truth though,” Aramus admitted. “Now it’s back to the same routine I had before. Desserts are more my thing though.”
“It’s good to be healthy, but it’s always nice to eat something you like!” Natsu said while nodding her head. She was in a similar state, needing to eat healthy, but given enough freedom to still eat some of what she wanted. She needed to stay in shape to be an idol, after all. “That’s still cool that you can make desserts. It's a great talent!”
“Not that it amounts to much here,” Aramus replied, pointing towards all the food that the cafeteria had available. “The students here are mostly from powerful families or something along those lines. They eat well. The joy of a single cupcake is lost when you can get anything you want with a wave of a hand. I like to keep it simple.”
“Yeah, I noticed. It’s like a world buffet.” Natsu agreed as she turned for a moment to look at the various kinds of food being offered. She looked down on her own food, too. Her Japanese plate was simple in comparison, but it was still quite extravagant for a school lunch. "This is nicer than what I usually eat at home, now that I think about it..." Natsu said, still impressed by the cafeteria in general.
“Indeed it is,” Aramus said, rising from his seat. “It was good speaking to you, but I’m afraid my time is up, I’ll have to return to my duties. Send my regards to the other one as well.” He bid her farewell and made his way out through the throng of students.
“Alright, teacher. It was good talking to you!” Natsu bid Aramus farewell as she finished up her lunch as well and got herself ready for the day ahead.
Eventually, she settled for Japanese food because she’d take too long to think things through.
Aramus was having his lunch as he observed Natsu venturing through her new life at the Academy. Everything was well and all until he felt bloodlust surrounding her. A group of male scholars were approaching her to perhaps invite her to join them, and it would likely not turn out well… for the boys, anyway.
He felt bad about having to single her out from this entire crowd, especially since she was a new student here, but there wasn’t a better way to go about things. Aramus called out to her from his seat, some students sending a few looks his way as to why.
Natsu looked in the direction she was called. It was him: the teacher among the chaos of that day who protected his students from Sagittarius, Aramus. Natsu remembered him very clearly. She thought him to be an honorable man to do something like that. She joined him at the table he was sitting at.
“Um, did you need me for something?” Natsu asked the man. She was momentarily taken aback by the mark on his face. She didn't recognize it from before, but Natsu had a sense that she would be alright around him.
“Just take a seat,” he said, looking disinterestedly at the group of boys who were now glaring at him for stealing their mark away. “I just wanted to talk.”
Natsu glanced over to where Aramus was looking and noticed the group of boys, too. Oh, did he just protect me? Aramus was already proving himself to be a kind man. “Thank you,” Natsu said quietly while taking a seat across from him. “What did you want to talk about?”
“The same set of questions every teacher asks. How are you holding up in school, anything that might be bothering you? Made any friends?” Aramus said with a swirl of his fork. “Wouldn’t want you feeling left out now, that won’t do at all.”
There was clearly more on his mind than that, Natsu thought, but she played along anyways. Those questions were indeed general worries a teacher has for their students. “School’s been fine, other than some angry stares I've gotten from some other students, and I made a friend who is a Hime Miko!” She answered all the questions in one statement.
“Then that is good. Perhaps the angry stares will go away in time. Most of the students here are riled up due to recent events and I can’t say I blame them for it,” Aramus said after a mouthful of food. “Hime Miko huh? Interesting choice. Tsuruko?”
Natsu shook her head. “I don't know who that is. The one I met was named Ame Matsurika. We shared the same ride when we transferred to this school.”
“A new transfer like you. I guess that explains it,” Aramus said with an †˜ah’ motion. “We have a lot more high profile students this semester for some reason, haha.”
Finished with his meal, he shifted the tray slightly and brought out his treasure, the chocolate chip cupcake. It was a simple dessert but to Aramus, it was the world, at least for that moment. The chocolate chips shone like jewels, the frilling wrapper it was in a perfect container for its sweet goodness. He peeled the wrapper off and took a bite, chewing slowly to savor the taste.
Natsu giggled a bit watching Aramus eat. It was kind of amusing seeing the man in this state. “You’re really enjoying that, aren’t you? It looks really good!" she commented, somewhat envious. “Do they serve that here, too?”
“I just bought these off a bakery outside. Sometimes the cafeteria does have dessert, but nothing beats a good old cupcake. Sometimes I bake my own if my schedule permits,” Aramus said with a smile. In that one sentence, the cupcake had disappeared.
“Eh...? Is that so…” Natsu was disappointed for a moment, learning that she actually couldn’t get the cupcake here, but she was nonetheless fascinated with the bakery and Aramus’ ability to cook. “Oh, you can bake? That's really cool! You should let me try your cooking sometime!”
“Maybe, maybe. Embarrassingly, I had to have my lunches greatly altered because someone decided I wasn’t eating well. That isn’t far from the truth though,” Aramus admitted. “Now it’s back to the same routine I had before. Desserts are more my thing though.”
“It’s good to be healthy, but it’s always nice to eat something you like!” Natsu said while nodding her head. She was in a similar state, needing to eat healthy, but given enough freedom to still eat some of what she wanted. She needed to stay in shape to be an idol, after all. “That’s still cool that you can make desserts. It's a great talent!”
“Not that it amounts to much here,” Aramus replied, pointing towards all the food that the cafeteria had available. “The students here are mostly from powerful families or something along those lines. They eat well. The joy of a single cupcake is lost when you can get anything you want with a wave of a hand. I like to keep it simple.”
“Yeah, I noticed. It’s like a world buffet.” Natsu agreed as she turned for a moment to look at the various kinds of food being offered. She looked down on her own food, too. Her Japanese plate was simple in comparison, but it was still quite extravagant for a school lunch. "This is nicer than what I usually eat at home, now that I think about it..." Natsu said, still impressed by the cafeteria in general.
“Indeed it is,” Aramus said, rising from his seat. “It was good speaking to you, but I’m afraid my time is up, I’ll have to return to my duties. Send my regards to the other one as well.” He bid her farewell and made his way out through the throng of students.
“Alright, teacher. It was good talking to you!” Natsu bid Aramus farewell as she finished up her lunch as well and got herself ready for the day ahead.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
The scholars all leisurely enjoyed their food in the lunch period, and the teachers, of course, had a lounge to specifically enjoy this period of time. When Svetlana entered with her lunch in hand, Margaret Alicia and Mathilde were already inside.
“Hey, Sevvy-chan!” Mathilde greeted energetically from her couch. She seemed to be having bread as if it was the time to have breakfast, for some reason, and beside her was a bottle of alcohol as usual.
“Big Sis!” Svetlana said as she ran up to her and sat beside her. “Though Big Sis, haven’t I told you before you need to eat healthier?” Svetlana said as she then stared at what Mathilde was eating and drinking.
“You did?” Mathilde’s voice was muffled as she munched. “This is just fiiiiine.”
“No it’s not, but since I figured this was gonna happen,” Svetlana said, opening a bag before continuing, “here take this.” She then handed Mathilde a bento.
Mathilde gulped. “N-No, I’m fine, thank you! You’re still growing, so you should eat that instead!”
“This is yours, I have another one for myself. So take it.”
“But I don’t want to get fat…”
“Big Sis… You do know what alcohol does to you right? Plus I only make healthy food just the way mama taught me!” Svetlana said with a pout.
“I know!” Mathilde said, pumping out her chest with pride. “That’s why I’ll limit my other food intake, so that I can drink as much as possible! So, Sevvy-chan, I cannot accept that for the sake of my love right here,” she said, drinking greedily from the bottle to sate her apparently parched throat.
“Big Sis…” Svetlana was astounded, her pupils turning listless; she reached a point where she was so disappointed that she was too speechless to actually make a proper comment regarding her enthusiasm at such a strange new habit.
“Hm?” Mathilde tilted her head with an innocent look.
Alicia, on the other hand, laughed as she watched their exchange. “So, Sevvy-chan, how was your first day as a teacher so far?”
“I believe it’s going well so far. No trouble at all,” Svetlana said with a cheerful smile. “Though I think I’ll go destroy some bottles later if this food isn’t gone by the end of lunch,” Svetlana said in a serious tone.
As Mathilde picked up the lunch box with tears at the corner of her eyes after a groan, Alicia said, “I see, that is good to hear. How many scholars did you get for the Faerie Lore class?”
“Well, I only got six, but I think that’s a good number for a beginner like me for now,” Svetlana said happily as she patted Mathilde’s head.
“That does seem rather low this year from the first years,” Alicia commented, “but I suppose it is indeed good for a beginner. How is your own studying coming along?”
“It’s going well. I even managed to learn a new spell myself,” Svetlana said joyfully.
“I see. Congratulations. That said, Mathilde…” Alicia said, solemn, “how is your schedule in three days from now?”
“Hm? The usual. Class, booze, class, booze, booze… uhhh…” Mathilde responded. The usual indeed.
Alicia sighed. “We have an official request to let Kazehaya-san take classes off the Academy…” she stated. “At the school hour. At the school hour, for God’s sake,” she said, repeating her words with frustration. “Even if she is an idol, they do realize that she is a student, right?”
“They do?” Mathilde said, tilting her head. Perhaps she was already drunk.
“Either way, the Headmistress urged that at least two staff members have to accompany her for safety.”
“There’s an idol in this school?” Svetlana said, surprised at hearing the news. “Big Sis, we are cutting back on your booze as long as I’m here!”
“Oh, you did not know? I suppose I should let you know for safety purposes, then,” Alicia begun. “Some days ago Kazehaya Natsu-san transferred. She is a young Descendant of Time who is eager to learn about the Magic World. Unfortunately for her, it won’t be so easy with half the student body recognizing her as an enemy while the rest are either fans or simply the Japanese that don’t quite loathe the Descendants. Since this Boundary Realm is a neutral zone we cannot let students break out into unofficial fights or attempt murder, and I mean it for both the Descendant and the students. Just keep an eye out for trouble, I guess.”
“No we’re not! My booze is my life! Are you saying you’d cut my life-line?!” Mathilde said in defense, hugging her bottle of alcohol.
“I’ve never seen a Descendant before as far as I know, and to think she’s an idol as well,” Svetlana said as she then faced Mathilde. “Big Sis, your drinking is why you can’t find a husband, and too much booze is bad for your body!”
“Hush! I don’t need a man!” Mathilde protested.
“Yes, this is a first for the Academy too,” Alicia said. “We’ve never had a Descendant here before… but our sly Headmistress, as you may know, would accept money to allow the unbelievable to take place.” She smiled wryly.
“I suppose,” Svetlana said as she took a bite from her food. “Big Sis, have you finished the entire bento?”
Mathilde returned an empty bento wordlessly as Alicia spoke again, “What say you, Sevvy-chan? Want to accompany Kazehaya-san to her event? ...Considering Mathilde is going to be drunk I suppose I will have to be the other one to go.”
“I suppose I can, and it can be a little break after all the training I’ve been doing.”
“Excellent, I shall let you know when we depart,” Alicia said, and stood up. “I shall go back. The break is almost over.”
“Alrighty. Oh, and Big Sis, prepare to eat my lunches everyday now,” Svetlana said with a big smile. “Or prepare to have all your bottles disappear,” she said, her said smile turning rather scary.
“Waaah! You bully! I can’t believe you’re treating an elder this way!” Mathilde wailed.
“It’s for your own good,” Svetlana said happily. “You’ll thank me later.”
“Riiiight…” was all Mathilde could say darkly.
“Hey, Sevvy-chan!” Mathilde greeted energetically from her couch. She seemed to be having bread as if it was the time to have breakfast, for some reason, and beside her was a bottle of alcohol as usual.
“Big Sis!” Svetlana said as she ran up to her and sat beside her. “Though Big Sis, haven’t I told you before you need to eat healthier?” Svetlana said as she then stared at what Mathilde was eating and drinking.
“You did?” Mathilde’s voice was muffled as she munched. “This is just fiiiiine.”
“No it’s not, but since I figured this was gonna happen,” Svetlana said, opening a bag before continuing, “here take this.” She then handed Mathilde a bento.
Mathilde gulped. “N-No, I’m fine, thank you! You’re still growing, so you should eat that instead!”
“This is yours, I have another one for myself. So take it.”
“But I don’t want to get fat…”
“Big Sis… You do know what alcohol does to you right? Plus I only make healthy food just the way mama taught me!” Svetlana said with a pout.
“I know!” Mathilde said, pumping out her chest with pride. “That’s why I’ll limit my other food intake, so that I can drink as much as possible! So, Sevvy-chan, I cannot accept that for the sake of my love right here,” she said, drinking greedily from the bottle to sate her apparently parched throat.
“Big Sis…” Svetlana was astounded, her pupils turning listless; she reached a point where she was so disappointed that she was too speechless to actually make a proper comment regarding her enthusiasm at such a strange new habit.
“Hm?” Mathilde tilted her head with an innocent look.
Alicia, on the other hand, laughed as she watched their exchange. “So, Sevvy-chan, how was your first day as a teacher so far?”
“I believe it’s going well so far. No trouble at all,” Svetlana said with a cheerful smile. “Though I think I’ll go destroy some bottles later if this food isn’t gone by the end of lunch,” Svetlana said in a serious tone.
As Mathilde picked up the lunch box with tears at the corner of her eyes after a groan, Alicia said, “I see, that is good to hear. How many scholars did you get for the Faerie Lore class?”
“Well, I only got six, but I think that’s a good number for a beginner like me for now,” Svetlana said happily as she patted Mathilde’s head.
“That does seem rather low this year from the first years,” Alicia commented, “but I suppose it is indeed good for a beginner. How is your own studying coming along?”
“It’s going well. I even managed to learn a new spell myself,” Svetlana said joyfully.
“I see. Congratulations. That said, Mathilde…” Alicia said, solemn, “how is your schedule in three days from now?”
“Hm? The usual. Class, booze, class, booze, booze… uhhh…” Mathilde responded. The usual indeed.
Alicia sighed. “We have an official request to let Kazehaya-san take classes off the Academy…” she stated. “At the school hour. At the school hour, for God’s sake,” she said, repeating her words with frustration. “Even if she is an idol, they do realize that she is a student, right?”
“They do?” Mathilde said, tilting her head. Perhaps she was already drunk.
“Either way, the Headmistress urged that at least two staff members have to accompany her for safety.”
“There’s an idol in this school?” Svetlana said, surprised at hearing the news. “Big Sis, we are cutting back on your booze as long as I’m here!”
“Oh, you did not know? I suppose I should let you know for safety purposes, then,” Alicia begun. “Some days ago Kazehaya Natsu-san transferred. She is a young Descendant of Time who is eager to learn about the Magic World. Unfortunately for her, it won’t be so easy with half the student body recognizing her as an enemy while the rest are either fans or simply the Japanese that don’t quite loathe the Descendants. Since this Boundary Realm is a neutral zone we cannot let students break out into unofficial fights or attempt murder, and I mean it for both the Descendant and the students. Just keep an eye out for trouble, I guess.”
“No we’re not! My booze is my life! Are you saying you’d cut my life-line?!” Mathilde said in defense, hugging her bottle of alcohol.
“I’ve never seen a Descendant before as far as I know, and to think she’s an idol as well,” Svetlana said as she then faced Mathilde. “Big Sis, your drinking is why you can’t find a husband, and too much booze is bad for your body!”
“Hush! I don’t need a man!” Mathilde protested.
“Yes, this is a first for the Academy too,” Alicia said. “We’ve never had a Descendant here before… but our sly Headmistress, as you may know, would accept money to allow the unbelievable to take place.” She smiled wryly.
“I suppose,” Svetlana said as she took a bite from her food. “Big Sis, have you finished the entire bento?”
Mathilde returned an empty bento wordlessly as Alicia spoke again, “What say you, Sevvy-chan? Want to accompany Kazehaya-san to her event? ...Considering Mathilde is going to be drunk I suppose I will have to be the other one to go.”
“I suppose I can, and it can be a little break after all the training I’ve been doing.”
“Excellent, I shall let you know when we depart,” Alicia said, and stood up. “I shall go back. The break is almost over.”
“Alrighty. Oh, and Big Sis, prepare to eat my lunches everyday now,” Svetlana said with a big smile. “Or prepare to have all your bottles disappear,” she said, her said smile turning rather scary.
“Waaah! You bully! I can’t believe you’re treating an elder this way!” Mathilde wailed.
“It’s for your own good,” Svetlana said happily. “You’ll thank me later.”
“Riiiight…” was all Mathilde could say darkly.
0
The next day, the Countess beckoned Claudia to her room through the phone. Cosette hastily dressed up her lady before they strode their way to the room of the Mistress.
Inside, only the Countess was there, and the maid of the alchemist.
“Oh, good morning, dear, we did not think you’d here get this fast,” the Countess said. “I had you called in advance so you could take more time to prepare.”
“Oh, great. Here I was thinking I was late, or something,” Claudia said, throwing herself back into a yawn.
Cosette sighed. “If only I realized…” she mumbled to herself.
“Well, I bring good tidings, dear. Your scythe is already completed. To think it only took the young alchemist an entire day. She is truly a prodigy.”
That was almost enough to wake Claudia up. She did appear excited, apart from her lethargic state of unrest. “Oh man, that’s wonderful, I…” Claudia yawned again. “I can’t wait to see it. Is the scythe here, now?”
“Waiting in the same room you spoke to Iris with. She awaits you,” the Countess answered, and ushered the maid, who in turn opened the door for Claudia to pass through.
Meanwhile the Countess and the maid known as Nikita sighed at the same time as she left. “Let’s not talk about how much of an effort the cooling and heating of the weapon was.”
“Indeed, Mistress. Who’d have thought crafting a weapon would be that much of a pain in the arse?”
“That’s the reason why we had to get Iris to the task. Only she is fast enough with alchemy… and to be able to infuse that fang into it…”
Meanwhile, Claudia sat on the couch beside Iris who barely woke up and rubbed her tired eyes as the door behind them were closed. Cosette, however, entered behind Claudia.
“Hey there, Iris... I hear the scythe is ready. Is it to my expectations?”
“Yes… yes, it is indeed ready,” Iris said, pointing to the table beside them. There was a large item covered in white cloth, which the alchemist pulled away to reveal a scythe.
And with that, Claudia had finally woken up. “Holy…” She stopped herself, as her voice was caught in the back of her throat in amazement. This was the weapon based on her life? What a hateful weapon it was, indeed. Claudia could swear that her pupils had just turned into hearts themselves, because the look she gave was so much filled with joy.
(GM Comment: Basically, something like this, not that the character in the picture is Claudia or anything, but yeah. Linking just in case anyone cares.)
“I named it the Lachesis’ Fang,” Iris revealed, smiling, proud of her creation, yet on the inside she was sad that her hands gave birth to an abomination. “Lachesis was known to be she who measured the thread spun by Clotho’s spindle… you seem to be someone who will doubtless change the destiny of many and perhaps †˜apportion’ as they say. Thus my inspiration.”
Claudia smirked. “I like it. I like it a lot.” She eyed the weapon up and down, admiring its size and color. Oh, did this fit Claudia in more ways than one. “The name does seem appropriate for someone such as myself, too. But, I’m more interested in what abilities it holds.”
“Upon inflicting damage to anyone directly, they should be temporarily enslaved by your will,” Iris answered. “The Mistress supplied a relic—a real fang of Lachesis; something she had in her possession for who knows how long—for this weapon, so it is no longer a mere magic weapon but a relic scythe. I had designed it so that it is sharp, but you may augment the output even further by pouring your spiritual energy into it, and of course we had this crafted with platinum as we had previously agreed.”
“Ohohohoho, fuck yes,” Claudia said, shuddering under her voice. With careful hands, she grabbed the scythe and practically drooled from the feeling of steel touching her palms. To Hell with that old sword. Mary could have that. This was a real weapon. “And it’s just my size… magnificent! I will think of you each time I swing this, as thanks for your hard work, Iris.”
“Y...You needn’t do that, simply use it to your liking, Miss Claudia,” Iris replied.
Claudia chuckled. “Have it your way. But know that there is enough of Lady Claudia’s love to go around.”
“Err…”
“Lady Claudia,” Cosette began. “Why not test your new weapon against me?”
“Hmm? Now don’t say stupid things, I couldn’t do that. Just give me some lowlife in the street.”
“Are you implying I am unworthy to combat you?” Cosette responded as she drew her blade.
Claudia furrowed her brows with irritation. “Now, see, I said nothing of the sort. You never thought once that perhaps I care about you? Maybe even too much to swing a scythe at you? Really, Cosette.”
“I am not a baby who cannot defend myself,” Cosette argued. “I can fight, if anything.”
Rubbing the center of her forehead, Claudia sighed. “Well,” she began. The moment her hand touched her scythe, she impulsively twirled it about her body like a baton in a flashy, stylish motion. The weapon halted as Claudia held it over her shoulders, looking to Cosette with an apologetic expression. “Alright then. If that’s how you want it.”
“Good,” Cosette said, smiling. It was one of the first times she did so.
Claudia quirked a surprised eyebrow. “Wow, a smile from the thought of battle? Why does that sound familiar?” she asked herself.
“We should move to the rooftop since we wouldn’t want to make a ruin of the Mistress’ rooms.”
“After you, Love.”
Inside, only the Countess was there, and the maid of the alchemist.
“Oh, good morning, dear, we did not think you’d here get this fast,” the Countess said. “I had you called in advance so you could take more time to prepare.”
“Oh, great. Here I was thinking I was late, or something,” Claudia said, throwing herself back into a yawn.
Cosette sighed. “If only I realized…” she mumbled to herself.
“Well, I bring good tidings, dear. Your scythe is already completed. To think it only took the young alchemist an entire day. She is truly a prodigy.”
That was almost enough to wake Claudia up. She did appear excited, apart from her lethargic state of unrest. “Oh man, that’s wonderful, I…” Claudia yawned again. “I can’t wait to see it. Is the scythe here, now?”
“Waiting in the same room you spoke to Iris with. She awaits you,” the Countess answered, and ushered the maid, who in turn opened the door for Claudia to pass through.
Meanwhile the Countess and the maid known as Nikita sighed at the same time as she left. “Let’s not talk about how much of an effort the cooling and heating of the weapon was.”
“Indeed, Mistress. Who’d have thought crafting a weapon would be that much of a pain in the arse?”
“That’s the reason why we had to get Iris to the task. Only she is fast enough with alchemy… and to be able to infuse that fang into it…”
Meanwhile, Claudia sat on the couch beside Iris who barely woke up and rubbed her tired eyes as the door behind them were closed. Cosette, however, entered behind Claudia.
“Hey there, Iris... I hear the scythe is ready. Is it to my expectations?”
“Yes… yes, it is indeed ready,” Iris said, pointing to the table beside them. There was a large item covered in white cloth, which the alchemist pulled away to reveal a scythe.
And with that, Claudia had finally woken up. “Holy…” She stopped herself, as her voice was caught in the back of her throat in amazement. This was the weapon based on her life? What a hateful weapon it was, indeed. Claudia could swear that her pupils had just turned into hearts themselves, because the look she gave was so much filled with joy.
(GM Comment: Basically, something like this, not that the character in the picture is Claudia or anything, but yeah. Linking just in case anyone cares.)
“I named it the Lachesis’ Fang,” Iris revealed, smiling, proud of her creation, yet on the inside she was sad that her hands gave birth to an abomination. “Lachesis was known to be she who measured the thread spun by Clotho’s spindle… you seem to be someone who will doubtless change the destiny of many and perhaps †˜apportion’ as they say. Thus my inspiration.”
Claudia smirked. “I like it. I like it a lot.” She eyed the weapon up and down, admiring its size and color. Oh, did this fit Claudia in more ways than one. “The name does seem appropriate for someone such as myself, too. But, I’m more interested in what abilities it holds.”
“Upon inflicting damage to anyone directly, they should be temporarily enslaved by your will,” Iris answered. “The Mistress supplied a relic—a real fang of Lachesis; something she had in her possession for who knows how long—for this weapon, so it is no longer a mere magic weapon but a relic scythe. I had designed it so that it is sharp, but you may augment the output even further by pouring your spiritual energy into it, and of course we had this crafted with platinum as we had previously agreed.”
“Ohohohoho, fuck yes,” Claudia said, shuddering under her voice. With careful hands, she grabbed the scythe and practically drooled from the feeling of steel touching her palms. To Hell with that old sword. Mary could have that. This was a real weapon. “And it’s just my size… magnificent! I will think of you each time I swing this, as thanks for your hard work, Iris.”
“Y...You needn’t do that, simply use it to your liking, Miss Claudia,” Iris replied.
Claudia chuckled. “Have it your way. But know that there is enough of Lady Claudia’s love to go around.”
“Err…”
“Lady Claudia,” Cosette began. “Why not test your new weapon against me?”
“Hmm? Now don’t say stupid things, I couldn’t do that. Just give me some lowlife in the street.”
“Are you implying I am unworthy to combat you?” Cosette responded as she drew her blade.
Claudia furrowed her brows with irritation. “Now, see, I said nothing of the sort. You never thought once that perhaps I care about you? Maybe even too much to swing a scythe at you? Really, Cosette.”
“I am not a baby who cannot defend myself,” Cosette argued. “I can fight, if anything.”
Rubbing the center of her forehead, Claudia sighed. “Well,” she began. The moment her hand touched her scythe, she impulsively twirled it about her body like a baton in a flashy, stylish motion. The weapon halted as Claudia held it over her shoulders, looking to Cosette with an apologetic expression. “Alright then. If that’s how you want it.”
“Good,” Cosette said, smiling. It was one of the first times she did so.
Claudia quirked a surprised eyebrow. “Wow, a smile from the thought of battle? Why does that sound familiar?” she asked herself.
“We should move to the rooftop since we wouldn’t want to make a ruin of the Mistress’ rooms.”
“After you, Love.”
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
On the rooftop, surrounded by their comrades and the alchemist who crafted the scythe itself, Claudia and Cosette broke out in an intense battle to test the new relic weapon.
Claudia dashed forward, brandishing her scythe and colliding with Cosette’s sword with an audible clang. The weapon seemed heavier than any sword she used. It would have to take some getting used to in the future. She jumped backwards and landed at her previous spot to avoid being hit by Cosette, all with a nonchalant hum.
Using her speed a few times more, Claudia attempted several blitzes against Cosette; swinging her scythe at her multiple times, but she was eventually pushed back as the woman after she put up her sword and blocking the blows.
“This isn’t progress, Lady Claudia,” Cosette taunted. I knew it. She got cocky but that doesn’t mean she knows how to use it.
With a loud and resounding noise, the bodies of steel colliding once more, both wanted to prove their strength evermore. Cosette took off and used the scythe as a stepping stone before swinging her blade horizontally. Unfortunately, it was evaded. The two’s weapons soon struck each other for some time as sparks flew in every direction resulting from the friction. Eventually, Claudia felt her blood rush up from her slave’s words, beginning to display her true worth. Thus, her opponent was thrown to the railing behind her with pure force. Even if it was a result of a clash of weapons, this showed the difference is strength between a Representative and a pseudo vampire.
Cosette, however, used her boots to push against said railing and used the momentum to propel herself back at her lady.
The Representative could feel her shoes friction violently against the floor as her adversary pushed against her with brute force, and used her free hand to launch a pulsing wave of watery projectiles. Her magic resistence didn’t work in time and she felt a brushing aquatic impact before Cosette performed a roundhouse kick.
Cosette felt fear for a moment when all her efforts were in vain, and Claudia was hardly out of energy or hurt, for that matter. Her mouth was agape seeing her come down at her from the sky. With the weight of her lady’s body and her newly-crafted scythe both pushed down on her, Cosette was on the losing-end, crushed down to the floor.
Ruthlessly, Claudia attacked again as soon as she picked herself up afterwards. Not having the strength to block with her sword, she merely fortified herself with her vambraces, one of which shattered to her surprise from the strength that Claudia applied. A prickling pain was felt as Cosette cringed and blood trickled down.
Cosette’s eye color changed to purple, and she stopped moving, only looking at Claudia listlessly.
“She is under your control for now, Lady Claudia,” Iris explained, who noticed the scythe’s effect activating upon making a clear strike at the opponent.
Claudia looked on, captivated by the effects of her new weapon with widened eyes. There were a few things revolving around her head, one of them being what she would make Cosette do while she was under her bidding. “Now that, is one nifty ability,” Claudia said, propping her scythe against the ground and leaning on it. “So, my dear, what shall we do with you?”
“You should be feeling a mental connection with her,” Iris stated informatively, “It should be possible to command her with your thoughts. Why not test it?”
A curved, depraved smile graced Claudia’s features, the same one she’d get for when she get a rather wicked idea. She didn’t even hesitate once after getting the idea. Well, love. Why not come here and give Lady Claudia a kiss? she thought.
Cosette pulled herself up, and walked towards Claudia against her will. The walking almost made her look like a zombie from a cinema considered old-fashioned in Japan. She hesitatingly wrapped her hands around her lady’s neck and gave a fake smile. Claudia could see that her slave was resisting with a strong will with her body fidgeting.
Cosette, regardless of her will, French kissed Claudia all the way momentarily. Something that was even beyond Claudia’s expectations. Perhaps somewhere in Claudia’s mind she demanded a French kiss, or perhaps Cosette knew how to kiss like this in general.
Whatever the case, Claudia couldn’t resist such a fierce tongue and they partook in this act publicly before the members of BLoodLuSt, Iris, and her maid.
Ohh… I’m going to love this scythe, Claudia thought.
The light of enchantment from Cosette’s eyes ceased subsequently.
This faded much faster than anticipated, Iris concluded. So the deeper the wound is—the stronger the manipulation would be…
In the servant’s eyes were tears welling up, both from humiliation and the depraved order.
For this to be done in public.
Public.
Her head entered a state of turmoil.
She was trying so hard to accept the new conditions of her life ever since the Countess bought her for Claudia. She did whatever she could for her, despite not liking her; she tried to please her, and tried to make things convenient for her. She even took some of her free time to learn how to act like an ideal maid.
She even beared with the act of rape that Claudia committed upon her shortly after she was introduced to her so-called Lady. Who was she doing all this for? This person? Really? Was she to be toyed like this forever…?
“Tu es le pire!” Cosette shouted, tightly slapping Claudia—so hard that she couldn’t keep her face still towards the girl—before she ran away.
Claudia, completely bewildered from the sudden outshout from Cosette, only stood there, at a loss for words. “Uhh,” she droned, rubbing her cheek which was red from the slap. “That’s… new? More importantly, I’m… the worst?”
“Claudia dear,” the Countess said, sighing after she walked over to her. “That was a blatant zero out of ten for you. You probably crushed her heart with this, and she has been working so hard to get used to you. She had been trying to be more trustworthy to you as well.”
“Really? Huh… I feel weird. Not good-weird. I feel horrible, actually. God, is this what guilt feels like?” Claudia asked, instantly feeling bad for doing something like that. If it was enough to phase Cosette, she really must have done bad. The part that got to Claudia more was that this feeling was completely alien to her. “Ah, damn it. I guess I should apologize then…”
“Either way… it is up to you how you wish to deal with her, but an apology does seem to be in order.”
Letting out a huff, Claudia twirled her scythe into her hands, propping it along her shoulder. She was having too much fun with that scythe. “I guess that was… ngh… wrong. One moment, then. I’ll return after speaking to her… uhh, don’t wait up. Just in case.”
“We’re going to get some drinks, silly. No way are we staying in this scorching heat any longer. Go do what you must,” the Countess said, chuckling as she walked away.
Claudia dashed forward, brandishing her scythe and colliding with Cosette’s sword with an audible clang. The weapon seemed heavier than any sword she used. It would have to take some getting used to in the future. She jumped backwards and landed at her previous spot to avoid being hit by Cosette, all with a nonchalant hum.
Using her speed a few times more, Claudia attempted several blitzes against Cosette; swinging her scythe at her multiple times, but she was eventually pushed back as the woman after she put up her sword and blocking the blows.
“This isn’t progress, Lady Claudia,” Cosette taunted. I knew it. She got cocky but that doesn’t mean she knows how to use it.
With a loud and resounding noise, the bodies of steel colliding once more, both wanted to prove their strength evermore. Cosette took off and used the scythe as a stepping stone before swinging her blade horizontally. Unfortunately, it was evaded. The two’s weapons soon struck each other for some time as sparks flew in every direction resulting from the friction. Eventually, Claudia felt her blood rush up from her slave’s words, beginning to display her true worth. Thus, her opponent was thrown to the railing behind her with pure force. Even if it was a result of a clash of weapons, this showed the difference is strength between a Representative and a pseudo vampire.
Cosette, however, used her boots to push against said railing and used the momentum to propel herself back at her lady.
The Representative could feel her shoes friction violently against the floor as her adversary pushed against her with brute force, and used her free hand to launch a pulsing wave of watery projectiles. Her magic resistence didn’t work in time and she felt a brushing aquatic impact before Cosette performed a roundhouse kick.
Cosette felt fear for a moment when all her efforts were in vain, and Claudia was hardly out of energy or hurt, for that matter. Her mouth was agape seeing her come down at her from the sky. With the weight of her lady’s body and her newly-crafted scythe both pushed down on her, Cosette was on the losing-end, crushed down to the floor.
Ruthlessly, Claudia attacked again as soon as she picked herself up afterwards. Not having the strength to block with her sword, she merely fortified herself with her vambraces, one of which shattered to her surprise from the strength that Claudia applied. A prickling pain was felt as Cosette cringed and blood trickled down.
Cosette’s eye color changed to purple, and she stopped moving, only looking at Claudia listlessly.
“She is under your control for now, Lady Claudia,” Iris explained, who noticed the scythe’s effect activating upon making a clear strike at the opponent.
Claudia looked on, captivated by the effects of her new weapon with widened eyes. There were a few things revolving around her head, one of them being what she would make Cosette do while she was under her bidding. “Now that, is one nifty ability,” Claudia said, propping her scythe against the ground and leaning on it. “So, my dear, what shall we do with you?”
“You should be feeling a mental connection with her,” Iris stated informatively, “It should be possible to command her with your thoughts. Why not test it?”
A curved, depraved smile graced Claudia’s features, the same one she’d get for when she get a rather wicked idea. She didn’t even hesitate once after getting the idea. Well, love. Why not come here and give Lady Claudia a kiss? she thought.
Cosette pulled herself up, and walked towards Claudia against her will. The walking almost made her look like a zombie from a cinema considered old-fashioned in Japan. She hesitatingly wrapped her hands around her lady’s neck and gave a fake smile. Claudia could see that her slave was resisting with a strong will with her body fidgeting.
Cosette, regardless of her will, French kissed Claudia all the way momentarily. Something that was even beyond Claudia’s expectations. Perhaps somewhere in Claudia’s mind she demanded a French kiss, or perhaps Cosette knew how to kiss like this in general.
Whatever the case, Claudia couldn’t resist such a fierce tongue and they partook in this act publicly before the members of BLoodLuSt, Iris, and her maid.
Ohh… I’m going to love this scythe, Claudia thought.
The light of enchantment from Cosette’s eyes ceased subsequently.
This faded much faster than anticipated, Iris concluded. So the deeper the wound is—the stronger the manipulation would be…
In the servant’s eyes were tears welling up, both from humiliation and the depraved order.
For this to be done in public.
Public.
Her head entered a state of turmoil.
She was trying so hard to accept the new conditions of her life ever since the Countess bought her for Claudia. She did whatever she could for her, despite not liking her; she tried to please her, and tried to make things convenient for her. She even took some of her free time to learn how to act like an ideal maid.
She even beared with the act of rape that Claudia committed upon her shortly after she was introduced to her so-called Lady. Who was she doing all this for? This person? Really? Was she to be toyed like this forever…?
“Tu es le pire!” Cosette shouted, tightly slapping Claudia—so hard that she couldn’t keep her face still towards the girl—before she ran away.
Claudia, completely bewildered from the sudden outshout from Cosette, only stood there, at a loss for words. “Uhh,” she droned, rubbing her cheek which was red from the slap. “That’s… new? More importantly, I’m… the worst?”
“Claudia dear,” the Countess said, sighing after she walked over to her. “That was a blatant zero out of ten for you. You probably crushed her heart with this, and she has been working so hard to get used to you. She had been trying to be more trustworthy to you as well.”
“Really? Huh… I feel weird. Not good-weird. I feel horrible, actually. God, is this what guilt feels like?” Claudia asked, instantly feeling bad for doing something like that. If it was enough to phase Cosette, she really must have done bad. The part that got to Claudia more was that this feeling was completely alien to her. “Ah, damn it. I guess I should apologize then…”
“Either way… it is up to you how you wish to deal with her, but an apology does seem to be in order.”
Letting out a huff, Claudia twirled her scythe into her hands, propping it along her shoulder. She was having too much fun with that scythe. “I guess that was… ngh… wrong. One moment, then. I’ll return after speaking to her… uhh, don’t wait up. Just in case.”
“We’re going to get some drinks, silly. No way are we staying in this scorching heat any longer. Go do what you must,” the Countess said, chuckling as she walked away.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
When Claudia returned to her room, she found Cosette in the corner on the floor against the wall, her head placed upon her knees. She could hear her sobs.
As she approached, her scythe still in her hand, however. She was starting to change her mind.
“Why? There is no need to treat her nicely.” A voice rang across Claudia’s head.
“She is just a slave. A slave! Hurt her more. Amuse yourself more,” the bloodthirsty scythe spoke to her.
“The hell?” Claudia started, holding her scythe with a raised guard. “An intruder? Someone who has enough gall to tell me how to treat those who serve me? That’s strike two. Show yourself or I’ll count refusal to follow an order as strike three.”
“I’m right here, you cheeky bitch. Right in your grip,” the scythe spoke, drawing Claudia’s attention to her right hand.
“You sure feel like you’re on cloud nine for someone who loved staring at me. Hahaha!”
Furrowing her brows once more in annoyance, Claudia stared at her scythe with ire. “Oh… you talk. Now that’s disappointing. Yeeeaaah, I like my weapons, I don’t know—not running their mouth while I’m ripping someone’s innards out.”
“Well, I have manners, like every good weapon. I enjoy feeling the wave of the soul and the blood flickering out of the wound. Granted I was born recently, but this was engraved into me… who knows how. A kind of pleasure, so to say. Why would I speak to a numbskull at such a moment?”
“Numbskull…? You fucking…” Claudia tightened her grip around her scythe and grit her teeth at the insults. Sighing, Claudia dropped it. “I don’t have time to bicker with you. I have someone to apologize to.” She moved on, towards Cosette.
“Says the cheeky bitch who bickered with me anyway. Pfft, hahaha!”
Claudia groaned, ignoring the scythe’s words. How does one even argue with a scythe anyway? Approaching Cosette, Claudia stammered for a moment, looking apologetic and stricken with guilt. She didn’t even know how to begin.
†˜Hey, I’m sorry for kissing you’ isn’t really a good apology at all, Claudia thought.
She sat down next to Cosette along the wall, setting down her scythe and making sure it wouldn’t talk again. “Cosette, err… I just… I don’t know what… Look, this is hard for me. What could I say for something like that?”
“...I don’t know,” Cosette said, unmoving, her voice sounding muffled.
“W-Well… I’ll begin with… I’m s-sorry. Uhh, I don’t know what came over me and— okay, let me start fresh. By the by, even as your master, I shouldn’t have abused my authority to do such a thing to you. I realize I was wrong, and Gods damn it, I feel horrible for the first time in my life.”
“Whatever, I don’t care anymore. Do whatever you want.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. I don’t want this type of relationship with you, Cosette. Despite the things I’ve done, I meant it when I said that I cared about you before the fight.”
“...Hmph, you always… always sweet talk after you do your worst.”
Well, that hurts. Plus, that’s hardly even my worst, Claudia thought. “What do you think I should do, then? Could you please—how you say—throw me a bone? That was no sweet talk before.”
“Go fucking kill yourself then.”
Claudia cringed from that, feeling rather disheartened from those words. Was that truly how she felt? “How about this; I give you the opportunity to get a free hit on me. With a weapon or not, I don’t care. No holds barred. No questions asked.”
“That isn’t… going to solve anything. Leave me be.”
Wordlessly, Claudia bit her lip and looked down into the ground she sat on. With a sudden lapse of adrenaline and courage, she leaned over and reached out to Cosette, embracing her into a tight hug. “I will not. I will never leave you be…” Claudia said into Cosette’s ear. She felt the girl’s body convulsing as she held her, and when she finally pulled her head out, Cosette lifted her face from her thighs.
A face full of tears was seen.
It was something Claudia had never seen before.
“...Why? I did… so much to please you… and yet you… decide to punish me in the public like this. It’s not fair… being sold to a person like this.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry. It was unjust of me to do such a thing, and I’m a fool. A lecherous, perverted, fucking fool. The things you do for me are acceptable. I’m pleased, Cosette. I’m pleased.”
As she approached, her scythe still in her hand, however. She was starting to change her mind.
“Why? There is no need to treat her nicely.” A voice rang across Claudia’s head.
“She is just a slave. A slave! Hurt her more. Amuse yourself more,” the bloodthirsty scythe spoke to her.
“The hell?” Claudia started, holding her scythe with a raised guard. “An intruder? Someone who has enough gall to tell me how to treat those who serve me? That’s strike two. Show yourself or I’ll count refusal to follow an order as strike three.”
“I’m right here, you cheeky bitch. Right in your grip,” the scythe spoke, drawing Claudia’s attention to her right hand.
“You sure feel like you’re on cloud nine for someone who loved staring at me. Hahaha!”
Furrowing her brows once more in annoyance, Claudia stared at her scythe with ire. “Oh… you talk. Now that’s disappointing. Yeeeaaah, I like my weapons, I don’t know—not running their mouth while I’m ripping someone’s innards out.”
“Well, I have manners, like every good weapon. I enjoy feeling the wave of the soul and the blood flickering out of the wound. Granted I was born recently, but this was engraved into me… who knows how. A kind of pleasure, so to say. Why would I speak to a numbskull at such a moment?”
“Numbskull…? You fucking…” Claudia tightened her grip around her scythe and grit her teeth at the insults. Sighing, Claudia dropped it. “I don’t have time to bicker with you. I have someone to apologize to.” She moved on, towards Cosette.
“Says the cheeky bitch who bickered with me anyway. Pfft, hahaha!”
Claudia groaned, ignoring the scythe’s words. How does one even argue with a scythe anyway? Approaching Cosette, Claudia stammered for a moment, looking apologetic and stricken with guilt. She didn’t even know how to begin.
†˜Hey, I’m sorry for kissing you’ isn’t really a good apology at all, Claudia thought.
She sat down next to Cosette along the wall, setting down her scythe and making sure it wouldn’t talk again. “Cosette, err… I just… I don’t know what… Look, this is hard for me. What could I say for something like that?”
“...I don’t know,” Cosette said, unmoving, her voice sounding muffled.
“W-Well… I’ll begin with… I’m s-sorry. Uhh, I don’t know what came over me and— okay, let me start fresh. By the by, even as your master, I shouldn’t have abused my authority to do such a thing to you. I realize I was wrong, and Gods damn it, I feel horrible for the first time in my life.”
“Whatever, I don’t care anymore. Do whatever you want.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. I don’t want this type of relationship with you, Cosette. Despite the things I’ve done, I meant it when I said that I cared about you before the fight.”
“...Hmph, you always… always sweet talk after you do your worst.”
Well, that hurts. Plus, that’s hardly even my worst, Claudia thought. “What do you think I should do, then? Could you please—how you say—throw me a bone? That was no sweet talk before.”
“Go fucking kill yourself then.”
Claudia cringed from that, feeling rather disheartened from those words. Was that truly how she felt? “How about this; I give you the opportunity to get a free hit on me. With a weapon or not, I don’t care. No holds barred. No questions asked.”
“That isn’t… going to solve anything. Leave me be.”
Wordlessly, Claudia bit her lip and looked down into the ground she sat on. With a sudden lapse of adrenaline and courage, she leaned over and reached out to Cosette, embracing her into a tight hug. “I will not. I will never leave you be…” Claudia said into Cosette’s ear. She felt the girl’s body convulsing as she held her, and when she finally pulled her head out, Cosette lifted her face from her thighs.
A face full of tears was seen.
It was something Claudia had never seen before.
“...Why? I did… so much to please you… and yet you… decide to punish me in the public like this. It’s not fair… being sold to a person like this.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry. It was unjust of me to do such a thing, and I’m a fool. A lecherous, perverted, fucking fool. The things you do for me are acceptable. I’m pleased, Cosette. I’m pleased.”