Descendants of Time (Role-Play Act 5: Revolutionary Moment)

Cinia Pacifica · 2014-12-02T18:25:26-01:00

Update: As of Act 4, many updates to the system was done and it's revamped enough hopefully. You can check the mechanic changes in the List of Profiles doc. Some other docs have more specific information too. If you want to catch up to the story for more recent contents, we've written review posts that goes through the majority of the important story parts of the RP based on each Acts: - Act 1 Review - Act 2 Review - Act 3 Review - Act 4 Review Spoiler: A lost country. A new country. An old country. What is true? What is false? So much has happened. From the sands of time they had arose. When the four representatives of the stars gathered… The wind had brought forth with it steam. Steam that brought with it soot, as well as dirt hated by those wishing to keep up an illusion – their appearances. When the eight representatives of the stars pointed blades… The wind had brought forth with it change. Change that brought with it inventions; elaborate usage of electricity, and fuels – providing more to grasp – so that they may hold onto their delusions. When the twelve representatives of the stars clash… The wind would bring forth with it a miracle. Miracle that would bring with it a gate. Yes, the gate beyond which the infernals live. Or so the prophecy had stated. I wonder if that is worthy of the word †˜miracle.’ Four had already met. As so did the eight. The meeting of the twelve had yet to take place. People have taken this prophecy for granted. O magi – wielders of power beyond the comprehension of mundane – those who suck mana from the realms’ air – are you certain that all the horrors and tragedies are from these Descendants of Time? You people – the magicians sworn to keep the world’s balance in correct order – should you be taking up your armaments against the bearers of the Zodiac? Has conflict truly been the only possible answer? Surely, their meetings had brought forth winds that shook the status quo. Yet I am willing to believe – that all have their reasons. For good, I hope. Instead of taking up blades and staves, take a moment – at least – to put up your hands – for prayers for those who have long passed away, for the mundanes and comrades alike. Don’t they mean anything to you all? Or is the process of generations – and heirs taking up your place – simply a means to extend your ambitions and desires to continue on in the material world? My duty – was never to rally against those descendants, but to be the beacon of peace and stability. I truly wish someone qualified could take my position. However, I too, hold a selfish ambition. I wish to find the answer. The answer to what is true, and what is false. This is the best position to navigate from – for the answer. So what if the Old King had stolen countless hearts of women and left countless hearts of men to cry? So what if the Countess had terrorized masses of people? Or of the matter at which the King of Knights lost his people’s trust? Or of the incident when the voice of the Fortune Teller told of the future that none wanted to know? What of the Thunder Emperor who fought to fend off the colonists to protect his herd? What of the tale of the Heart-Breaker Queen? She now suffers the fate of being locked away in a far, far land. Haven’t we humans done wrong ourselves? Are we to cast a deaf ear to the roars of wars we ourselves fought among each other? Mage’s wars. Civil wars. World wars. I, for one, am rather tired of these. Are we magicians implying that we are allowed to shed blood – so long as we raise our blades against one another? Nay. One should simply look from various directions. Let us look for what lies beyond what was seemingly obvious. Had we all not had our own reasons? The time of steam. The timeless zone. The time of future. And the modern time… Again, what holds the truth? How do we distinguish it – from what is false? If we claim that those from the past eras are but illusions… what of the country – from the modern era that we once knew? Were they real? Had they not disappeared – sunk into the sands of time? Do they even exist anymore? It is truly a mystery – one which I wish to solve. The prophecy spoken by the father of magi claims of the coming calamities to be brought forth by the Descendants, as if paying no care to the many conflicts to come for humans. Would one not see it as mockery? Was it truly a message to the magi, or the Descendants themselves? He who held the power to peer into the future – spoke not a word for the future of man or magicians. The calamities he spoke of were to be brought forth by the warriors of time. Each meeting of a group of them – would bring about great changes. The first would take time away. The second would accelerate time. The third would reverse time. And the fourth would bring about the infernals. Through the gates of hell would darkness come forth. The differences in the described events are rather strange, and do not match up. Magicians may find it credible due to the matching occurrences. I am yet to believe it blindly, however. Far from it. The father of magi cares only for the descendants. He cared not for the mundane. He never did, yet it was addressed to us – as if to use us. It might’ve been a message for the Descendants all along. That is my conclusion on the subject. – Queen Victoria’s Memoire, 1st Entry, 1857, August. ↑Prologue↑ Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my next Role-Play (RP), the Descendants of Time RP. It was originally inspired by my old Time Warrior RP. At first, I had planned for a simple †˜reboot’ RP, but soon I came up with new ideas based around the concept of †˜Time Warriors’ itself. After which, this RP came out as a result. As such, it is not a fanfiction RP, and anyone with little experience in RPing are welcome to join. This RP may start out a little… mysterious yet normal. However, don’t make a mistake – the story is undoubtedly of a dark fantasy genre. †˜Happy’ moments may seem more scarce than it may be. If you’re looking for some of those boring happy-go-lucky high school RP; kindly switch your computer off. I’ve spent quite a lot of time preparing this RP, for at least a month now. Not everything is done, but it’s good enough for this thread to be up, so that prospective players may submit their character profiles. It’d take at least about one or two weeks before this RP officially starts. Players will still be allowed to join after the RP starts. I’d recommend one to join before it starts, regardless. So this time, I’m incorporating Ars Magica 5th edition into the mechanism of my RP. It’s not fully Ars Magica the tabletop RP game, but it is for the most part – simply tweaked and changed to suit the online RPing style more. You do not have to read the book of Ars Magica, as most of the mechanic is explained in the guidelines below. If you’re a beginner, I don’t think you have to delve into the complications. Just knowing the basic will do. Now, a little about the kinds of character available for play: Time Warriors, this time, are based on the Zodiac Signs. There are twelve kinds of Time Warriors known throughout the world as is the number of Zodiac Signs. Each has features representing their Sign, and must work towards concealing their identity, for the mages are eager to find and kill them. Albeit, Time Warriors are immortal, so they are rather hard to kill, as they’re only killable when using their Time Freeze ability. Then we have the mages. Apparent guardians of the world’s balance. Spiritual balance, to be specific. They refer to the magical dealings and undertakings as part of the †˜Magic World’, which is just a way to separate the mundanes from their activities in context. Otherwise, the Magic World consists of Magic Organizations, and other Organizations that hires mages and participates in the activities of said †˜world’. Most mages have forgotten the main purpose for which they took up this responsibility, and simply practice magecraft for other purposes. However, they do wish to hunt down the Time Warriors. They follow the Father of Magi’s prophecy which implies that Time Warriors will bring ruin to the world. Lastly, we have the mundane members of the many societies throughout the world. The mundanes do not know of the Magic World, and it is only an urban legend or rumors to them. Few mundanes often come to learn of the Magic World and the many magicians who’re a part of it. Those planning to play a mundane character – in other words, an ordinary character – should be striving for such an archetype. Finally, you have the option to start from one of three countries – England, Japan, or Russia, and they have their own settings. England is in the 19th century timeline and has a steampunk setting. Japan is in the 23rd century, and is futuristic. Russia has no sense of time at all, but has a steampunk setting too. Other countries outside these three are still living in the 21st century in the modern era. Rules: To join this RP, you must submit your character profile to me through a Private Message (PM). If you're new to RPing, give the old RP Guide a read, if you feel inconvenienced with reading so much, at least check out the Munch section, please. No spamming. Please don’t post any comments, questions, or a profile in this thread. Use PMs instead, or some other place, as RP posts will be made in this thread, after the RP starts. Write in the Third Person Format, because no one likes to be confused. We’ll be writing in a Google Doc in real time, so First Person Format may confuse other participants and readers. Make sure you have some time throughout a day to be able to write. An hour is preferable, but other participants have to be around at least. You don’t necessarily have to be around every single day. Make sure you have Skype because it will be used for communication. Character Creation: Spoiler: Write up your character profile by filling out the necessary details in the character profile sheet and send it to me via PM. If you have questions, or want to submit a draft profile with a PM for my opinions, go right ahead. So, below is technically two profiles, but merged into one due to my laziness. Basically, you must decide what kind of a character you’re going to play. There’s Time Warrior, Mage, and the Mundane, in other words, the Ordinary. Time Warrior slots are limited. Some of them are NPCs, and the rest are †˜new’. Two of the †˜old’ Time Warrior slots are already taken. Not exactly taken, but my friends are gunning for them. Throughout the profile, you’ll notice something that only applies to either Time Warriors or mages. Exclude the parts meant for the type of character you’re not going for. The character profile sheet is as follows: Basic Information: Name: Your character’s name. It’s not limited to names of a country since your character’s nationality may be from anywhere. Alias: If your character has an epithet or a nickname he goes by; it goes here. Age: Your character’s age. Time Warriors may opt to have their original age hidden here. No characters may be younger than 16 years of age. Birthday: The month and day at which your character was born. Gender: State whether your character is male or female. Nationality: Which country your character originates from. Handedness: Is your character right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous? I personally feel that everyone should not go for ambidextrous. Appearance: How your character looks. Provide an image. It may not be a screenshot from an actual anime episode, however. A fan-image that is original is most preferred. You may add any descriptions via text to make distinctions from the image. Character Type: State whether your character is a Time Warrior, Mage, or a Mundane. New or Old: State whether your Time Warrior is one of the newer ones, or the older ones. This only applies to Time Warriors. New Time Warriors have a limit of 300 years while old Time Warriors have no limit, and they must be at least 700 years old. Legends: This applies only to Time Warriors; state your character’s names of legends, achievements, and events of fame (words that defines them). All of them. Remember that you will have to write about them in your character’s background. Affiliation: Which Organization, or Magic Organization your character is affiliated with. Regardless of whether his loyalty is sincere or not. To be a part of any organization, your character must have an appropriate Flaw or Virtue for it. Country: You may pick one of the following: England, Japan, or Russia. Your character will be starting in the country that you state here, when the RP actually starts, so the character may have differing nationality. Personality: How your character acts and whatnot; the quirks of his everyday behavior. You must explain how his mind works, which includes both his demeanor and his inner mind. You must also explain the Personality Flaws that you took for your character here. The actual cause of the chosen Personality Flaws are best described in the background. Background: Your character’s backstory. In other words, his past. Explain how he had lived up to the point where the RP starts. You must include a piece of information about his origin – home, family, bits of his childhood life. You must explain here – how your character got to either England, Japan or Russia (whatever you picked above in †˜Country’), since regardless of his nationality, he must somehow get to the chosen country before the story starts. This is where you may write out why your character has the Virtues, Flaws, and the Abilities (possibly spells, if they may apply) that you chose during this process of character creation. After all, these things shapes your character’s very life. Other than that, you should sum up what your character expects of his life, and what he wants out of it – if he has it all decided, anyway… it may help me to come up with some events later. For the Time Warriors, they’ll have to write about their character’s legends too, and how the actual events differed from the legends told by the textbooks and online webpages. You have most freedom in changing whatever legend you pick for your Time Warrior. Technical Information: Zodiac Sign: This only applies to Time Warriors. State your character’s chosen Zodiac Sign. Not the one from birth, but the one your character is a Time warrior under. Statistics: Your character’s statistics, it measures your character’s general capabilities. You have 35 base Statistical points to spend on the stats listed below: Strength: Your character’s physical prowess. Your character will mostly need this for raw physical damage, or pulling off feats requiring brute strength. Dexterity: How fast your character is physically. Generally, your character would be able to use it to run away from all kinds of dangers with this, as well as outrun others. Endurance: Grants your character 30 HP per point if he is a Time Warrior, otherwise your character gains 20 HP per point. This shows how much stamina and physical tolerance your character has. Mana: It grants 20 MP per level. This is only available to the Mage type characters. Ordinary characters may or may not have it. It measures how much mana your character is able to harness from the appropriate realm to cast magic. Spirit: It grants 20 SP per level. This is only available to Time Warriors, Spirits, and those with only Supernatural Abilities (sometimes Mundanes may have this stat too). It shows how much spiritual energy your character possesses. Intelligence: Your character’s mental capabilities. The five senses all pertain to this, because your character’s brain must process information fast enough for him to react. It also encompassess memory and knowledge. Wisdom: In other words, willpower. Your character’s ability to keep things together instead of going insane and not wetting his pants. This allows your character to resist lies and befuddlement, as well as casting spells. Getting tired lowers it; if this goes down to 0, your character will faint. Charisma: Ability to charm, socialize, approach to simply speak anyone, or catch the attention of the peers with venerating aura of reverence. If it is high, the right people may just come to your character on their own. This is sometimes necessary to talk with certain kinds of people, especially the nobles of England. Luck: Obviously, your character’s luck. When there is no better way to crawl out of a dire situation; luck may be your character’s greatest salvation. However, lady luck is a fickle mistress; it is very unpredictable. The base limit of this stat is 5. If your character is a Time Warrior – you may not use any of your Stat points to boost this stat up. Instead, your character is provided a default Luck stat point (completely free stat points), which you may check in the List of Zodiac Signs below. Flaw: Write up the names of your character’s Flaws that you picked. The points may amount to 10 at maximum. Whether it is free, minor, major, or special should be informed in parenthesis. Virtues: Write up the names of your character’s Virtues that you have purchased with the points you achieved from picking Flaws. Again: whether is it free, minor, major, or special should be informed in parenthesis. Abilities: Write up all the Abilities that you purchased, including their levels just beside the names. Abilities are bought with the base Ability points provided for every characters, which is 35. More may be gained via purchasing Virtues or Flaws, but they may be restricted to particular types of Abilities that you may spend them on – Heaven’s Commandment Virtue, for instance, provides 10 Ability points, 5 of which may only be spent on Time Warrior type Abilities, while the rest may be used freely. If your character specializes in a particular Ability, put “(+1)” beside the original number of level. Keep the Abilities in order. I.e.: General, Academic, Arcane, Martial, Supernatural, Time Warrior. Specializations: Your character may specialize in 3 Abilities. State the specialized Abilities here. Arts: Your character’s Arts – this includes the Techniques and Forms – must be listed here. This only applies to Mage type characters. Certain Techniques are gained from certain Academic Abilities, while certain Forms are learned from the Lore-based Arcane Abilities. Primary Technique: It is the first Technique your character started learning magic with. The first 5 spells that he learns must be under this particular Technique, combined with the primary Form. Primary Form: It is the first Form your character started learning magic with. The first 5 spells that he learns must be under this particular Form, combined with the primary Technique. Other Techniques: Through buying and leveling up certain Academic Abilities, your character may gain access to other Techniques. Other Forms: Through buying and leveling up certain Lore-based Arcane Abilities, your character may gain access to other Abilities. Mage’s Sigil: This only applies to mages. Every mage has their own unique qualities mixed into them. Even if they all use the same spell; there will be a small difference. Someone may cast Aurum spells that blows with wind but leaves a rose scent as an aftermath, another may cast a Terram spell and the earth would be controlled in a very orderly manner. Or a mage casting an Aquam spell could cause the water to glow and turn to ice at one point regardless of her wish. There are many kinds of sigils mages have, and they become more and more apparent as a character gains more Warp Points. Equipments: Information about your equipments must be provided here. Weapon: Depending on the type of weapon your character wields, a base damage is provided. Your character may use a weapon if he has the appropriate Martial Ability to use it. Each Martial Ability is bought for each type of weaponry. Minimum base damage of any weapon is 5. You may purchase the Relic Virtue to have a mythical weapon (usually owned by Time Warriors), but you’d have to talk to me about it before picking a weapon. Otherwise, you may pick the Magical Item Virtue. Attire: Most people don’t really wear armors anyway, they happen to wear enchanted clothing instead. No Ability, Virtue or Flaw in particular is required to have an armor, and the enchanted clothing provides a default 2 Defense value but may break easily from taking damages, while the invisible armors donned by Knights and Dark Knights usually provides 5 Defense value. If you want your character’s attire to be special, pick the Magical Item Virtue (it only lets you pick one item from the list). Treasure Item(s): Usually, crafters and alchemists happen to have these as they make them. Otherwise, you’d need a Virtue that makes your character wealthy to be eligible for having at least one of them. Each social status proving your character’s wealth and power allows 1 Treasure Item. Otherwise, Magical Item Virtue lets you pick one. Confidence Score: Every characters starts with 1 score, but a Virtue, or story events may raise it. Each score raises the point limitation by 3. The limitation may be surpassed temporarily by the effects of a Flaw or a Virtue. Confidence Points: Every character starts with 3 points, but a Virtue, Flaw, or story events may raise them. They may be used to make a dice roll check pass even when they fail. However, they’re lost forever once used, and must be gained anew. There are other ways to gain them, refer to the mechanism section below. Reputation Type: State the type of Reputation and its level your character has. This may only be gained through a Virtue, Flaw, or through story events after the RP starts. Spells: List all the spells your character had learned – this is only for Mage type characters. They must be listed chronologically, but the spells from your character’s primary Art comes first, before the rest. We don’t want things to be out-of-order, especially when we have to look up what spells your character has learned later on. Please put the Technique and Form name combination over the class of spells. I.e.: Write †˜Rego Corpus Spells’ then list off all the spells of Rego Corpus that your character learned. Mages have no real limit to learning spells, but characters are limited by Magical Education and Magic Theory Abilities. List of Zodiac Signs Available: (Update: No more Time Warrior slots available.) Spoiler: This contains all the Zodiac Signs your Time Warrior character may hail from, along with some basic or useful information about them. The full information about the powers will be sent via PM to the player by me. Zodiac Signs that are not taken before the RP starts will be used to make NPCs instead. To be honest, all these Zodiacs except for Aries and Libra are being targeted by my friends already… try taking your pick, anyway. Be careful, though. Once you get the actual full information about the chosen Zodiac Sign; you may not change to another Zodiac Sign. [size=15]Aquarius:[/h] Symbol: The Water Bearer. Color: Blue. Classification: Knight. Element: Water. Physical: Cool and Balanced. Realm Affiliation: Faerie Realm. Ruling Planet: Uranus. Lucky Stone: Amethyst, +2 Luck. Time Ability: Seeing a vision of the target’s past. He must sin after using this power. Vice: Your character’s sin is taking pride in his accomplishments. He is unable to boast, nor is he allowed to make statements that distinguish between †˜positions’ of himself and another. Time Span: January 20 - February 18. [size=15]Aries:[/h] Symbol: The Ram. Color: Red. Classification: Rogue. Element: Fire. Physical: Hot and Active. Realm: Infernal Realm. Ruling Planet: Mars. Lucky Stone: Diamond, +5 Luck. Time Ability: To go to the future. He must sin after using this ability. Vice: Your character’s sin is showing rage and anger through speech and words. He may not raise his voice beyond the ordinary level of speech. Time Span: March 21 - April 19. [size=15]Taurus:[/h] Symbol: The Bull. Color: Brown. Classification: Vanguard. Element: Earth. Physical: Active and Warm. Realm: Infernal Realm. Ruling Planet: Venus. Lucky Stone: Emerald, +4 Luck. Time Ability: Aging. Your character grows older by three years despite being immortal, in an instant. This ability only works if your character sins. Vice: Your character’s sin is hatred. He is disallowed from expressing any form of hate. He is disallowed from speaking words of hatred in any way. Time Span: April 20 - May 20. [size=15]Gemini[/h] Symbol: The Twins. Colors: Sky Blue and Emerald Green. Classification: Summoner. Element: Air. Physical: Cool and Move. Realm: Infernal Realm and Divine Realm. Ruling Planet: Mercury. Lucky Stone: Aquamarine, +3 Luck. Time Ability: Your character constantly see what would happen five seconds into the future. Vice: Your character’s sin is greed. Every time he finds himself fulfilled from self-satisfaction by completing an ambition – he has sinned. This only applies if your character had to step over some other person’s feelings of any kind to accomplish it. Time Span: May 21 - June 20. [size=15]Cancer:[/h] Symbol: The Crab. Color: Silver. Classification: Assassin. Element: Water. Physical: Cool and Passive. Realm: Magical Realm. Ruling Planet: Moon. Lucky Stone: Moonstone, +2. Time Ability: Acceleration of the process of something in an object, say, a cancer, for instance. Your character must sin after using this ability. Vice: Your character’s sin is rest. She must not rest or stop to relax in any case. Even when she has nothing to do, she must find something to occupy herself. Time Span: July 21 - August 22. [size=15]Sagittarius:[/h] Symbol: The Archer. Colors: Purple. Classification: Archer. Element: Earth. Physical: Cooling. Realm: Magical Realm. Ruling: Jupiter. Lucky Stone: Turquoise, +3. Time Ability: Unwind reality – your character is able reverse the time of something. Your character must sin after using this ability. Vice: Your character’s sin is lying. She is not allowed to lie in any way, even about something trivial. She must answer any and all questions truthfully and faithfully. Time Span: November 22 - December 21. [size=15]Capricorn:[/h] Symbol: The Goat. Colors: Black. Classification: Warrior. Element: Wind Physical: Cool and Strong. Realm: Magical Realm. Ruling Planet: Earth. Lucky Stone: Garnet, +2 Luck. Time Ability: Your character may completely stop the time of something. Forever. He must sin after using this ability. Vice: Your character’s sin is food. He must not express his hunger in any way, nor he show his desire to eat. Time Span: December 22 - January 19 Character Features: Spoiler: Flaws, Virtues, and Abilities: The system of Flaws and Virtues provides features to your character that makes him or her unique after you put them all together. When you’re making a character, you should pick Flaws and Virtues, first. A minor Flaw or Virtue is worth one (1) point, while a major Flaw or Virtue is worth three (3) points.. You are limited to 10 points when taking up Flaws. The accumulated points of the Flaws you took for your character grants you the same number of points required to buy Virtues. So if you buy Flaws equivalent to 10 points, you basically gain 10 points to buy Virtues. A Flaw is defined as a kind of issue in your character’s life that is sometimes considered not preferable. However, it is not always exactly †˜bad’. Selfishes is sometimes frowned upon, but it may be endearing for parents. Kindness is often seen as a good trait to have, yet it isn’t always necessarily good for a particular person to always show kindness. You must take the Vice Flaw to play a Time Warrior. Or the Blatant Gift to play a mage A Virtue is defined as something arguably helpful or nice to have, but it can make a person’s life harder. Work, responsibilities, power. They seem nice, but they add a weight to pressure to a person, most of the time. There are times when one may wish that they weren’t particularly skilled in something. You must take the Heaven’s Commandment, and the Mythic Blood to play a Time Warrior. Or take The Gift, or the Gentle Gift, to play a mage. If you wish for your character to be an ordinary, mundane character who is going to delve into the Magic World after the story starts; do not take the Heaven’s Commandment or The Gift (or any of its variations). Instead, take a Virtue or Flaw that justifies your character having supernatural connections. I.e.: Ghost Warder, Guardian Angel, Plagued by Supernatural Entity, etc. Please note that you must pick at least one personality Flaw, and one Social statue Virtue/Flaw during the character creation process for the profile to be legitimate. After you’re done picking Flaws and Virtues – it is time to look towards the Abilities. There are 35 base Ability points provided when creating a character, but several Flaws and Virtues gives extra points, albeit in some cases they may only be spent on particular types of Abilities. You must note that Academic, Arcane, Martial, and some Supernatural Abilities are locked. To unlock them, you must take a particular Flaw or VIrtue. You will come across various Flaws or Virtues allowing you to unlock them during the process of character creation. However, to unlock the few Supernatural Abilities – your character must be a Time Warrior. To buy Abilities, you must spend Ability Points; 1 Ability point per level, up to level 4. For levels 5 or above, you will have to spend 2 Ability points per level. For levels 8 and above, you must spend 3 Ability points per level. Do not forget that certain Flaw, Virtue, or Abilities may have you specify their type in the very names. Here is the list of the Virtues, Flaws, and the Abilities: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZfRWOvsSi4dOYDP-NUt5FjfouSXXDsC9VY1UMtf0-tI/edit# Abilities your character has not learned may still be used unless it is marked with a * mark. The list may go through small changes as time passes. Arts and Spells: Mages practice the Arts to be able to cast spells. An Art consists of Techniques and Forms. Only by combining a Technique and Form, can a mage cast a spell. The first Technique and Form your character learns is his primary Technique and Form, as they are the first he had studied and understood. Hence, your character’s first 5 spells must be from that particular combination of Technique and Form. A Technique arises from studies of different fields. They’re not particularly related to magic, but they do grant one knowledge and wisdom. Techniques are a set of beliefs that tries to connect with a mystical Realm. Theology, for instance, teaches the Techniques of Creo and Rego. Techniques may be gained from certain Academic Abilities. There is no limit to learning Techniques for any characters. A Form is an element. Through the studies of a particular Realm may one delve into its properties to manipulate it. By mastering a Form, one may draw the mana of its affiliated Realm to fuel a spell. The Mana stat only determines how much Mana your character is able to harness before he drains himself out. A Form may be gained from the lore-based Arcane Abilities. Here is the list of Techniques, Forms, and Spells: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rbbnHP_X3AI4dBK80Db-vFq2xMxiffEWw7bwbLtbNWs/edit# The list may go through some changes as time passes – I may add more spells… I may not, too. We’ll see. Equipments: Weapon, attire, and Treasure Items – the set of equipments possibly usable in game terms in this RP. Your character may start with any ordinary weapon and clothing, but they may be enchanted. It is possible to have a Treasure Item from the start – but your character has to be wealthy to be eligible. A weapon is obviously a tool meant to wound and kill a target. For it to contain magic, or be a mythical weapon with special properties – you must buy the Magical Item Virtue, or the Relic Virtue, respectively. Weapons usually provide a base damage, which adds a number of damage into every normal attacks your character makes with that weapon. Ordinary weapons comes with 5 base damage. A Strength roll adds more damage to it. To have an absolutely ordinary weapon, say, a sword – you simply need to have a Single/Great Weapon (Sword) Ability for it. An attire is what provides protection up to an extent to your character. Mostly from the prying eyes, however. Ordinary dresses or attire of any kind comes with 2 Defense value. These attires may break as soon as your character is hurt, however. You must pick the Magical Item Virtue or the Relic Virtue if you wish your attire to have enchantments or special protective properties. Defense rolls allows a character to gain lowered damages. A Treasure Item is an enchanted item that usually comes with various effects. They are crafted by Crafters or Alchemists, and usually has mysterious effects. You may pick one from the list if your character is wealthy in any way. The most dangerous yet commonly seen Treasure Items are ones that possesses vis, usually worn by powerful mages. Vis is raw magic that may power up spells, by the way. You may pick more with Magical Item Virtue. Those under Relic type may not be picked during character creation, unless you use the allowance from the Relic Virtue. Remember that the Relic or Magical Item Virtue may not be picked twice. To dual wield a weapon (I.e.: two identical guns on both hands), your character must have the Martial Ability Single Weapon or the Ranged Weapon Ability at the appropriate level (4 for Single Weapon or, 3 for Ranged Weapon) of that particular type of weapon (I.e.: gun.). To use two different kind of weapons at once (I.e.: sword and wand on both hands), you must pick the Multiple-Weapon Martial Ability. However, you will have to purchase Single Weapon Ability or Ranged Weapon Ability (or Great Weapon/Thrown Weapon Ability) appropriately. So if you wish to have your character fight with a sword and a wand at the same time – you’d need to buy Single Weapon (Sword) at level 1 at least, and Single Weapon (Wand) at level 1, at least. Note how this Ability had to be bought twice, but under different type of weapon. You may justify four weapons if your character is an android or a marionette (after buying appropriate Virtues) by claiming that two weapons are fitted into legs or other parts of the body, while the rest are in both arms. Of course, you’d need to invest quite the number of Ability points for them. Those who wants over four weapons should just shoot themselves. Here is the list of Weapons, Attires, and Treasure Items: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MLNCLQ3geMOHgkFGrlff7E7wTugJNVw7jEJCHz9eSV0/edit If there’s any grammar issues or major game-related issues, don’t hesitate to tell or use the comment function. Protip: Use ctrl + f to find something specific. You may use the Table of Contents add-on to navigate easier, especially for the spell list. I have the Table of Contents set up on most docs.

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Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

(BGM: http://puu.sh/nPOFp/ab97046146.mp3)

“You who slumber in the holy mount of Helicon.”

“Y-Your Majesty,” Archangel Uriel spoke hesitantly. “If you release that Commandment now…!”

The form of the Queen started to glow brighter with power, resplendent once more.

Charlotte and Alek pressed their attack against Aramus once more.

Michael unsummoned his blade when Archangel Uriel left him to be beside the Queen. He took time to observe the battlefield, almost losing interest in acquiring a new target when he heard the choir of angels that started singing. An absurd amount of Spiritual Energy gathered around the Queen, making him close his right eye just from the sheer pressure.

Aramus wouldn’t be able to handle two opponents in his current state and as Charlotte closed in, he willingly took her blow to get her within the shorter reach of his gauntlets. He grunted in pain as the blade cut into his side but managed to push her back with a punch to the abdomen.

“Hurry!” Zophiel shouted at the other angels singing. “Open the gates of the Heavens.”

All the angels were in a state of rush and panic as the Queen chanted for her Commandment.

The earth started to shake as it obeyed the whims of the ancient Final Battle Maiden—the Descendant of Leo. The air quivered with Spiritual Energy, whatever greenery that existed in England shuddered and the seas surrounding the country wavered in fear of the Heaven’s Commandment about to be unleashed on the world.

Charlotte pulled herself up. For a Representative who had mastered her abilities, the jab to the abdomen was hardly painful, but the distance it created was displeasing.

Right now, Aramus was solely living thanks to the Commandment of Victoria that graced him with relentless energy. Otherwise, he would have fallen long ago, and Charlotte knew it—which was why it was so difficult to get past the Magister.

Kaitlyn saw the revolutionary take the attack and moved to keep the pressure up. She called on what mana remained and directed a boulder at her. At this point, the Representative knew what Kaitlyn was capable of tossing when in a grave situation. As if having predicted it, Charlotte sliced the boulder in two with one swing, but she didn’t even consider countering Kaitlyn for it and instead started to walk past her.

Kaitlyn hadn’t expected her spell to be so easily dealt with, but it didn’t do much to phase her after everything that had happened tonight.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked. She had seen the lady fight and didn’t doubt her bravado or her skill, but what kind of Enforcer would she be if she just let her walk by?

Kaitlyn gripped her sword in both hands, the handle slick with her blood. She would bleed out if she didn’t get her wounds looked at soon, but that would have to wait a little while longer. She still had a job to do. The Enforcer charged.

Sparks flew as the two swords clashed. Charlotte only turned an eye when Kaitlyn attacked. There was no emotion. Unlike Alek, it was more lifeless, but not exaggerated at all, as if she was but a force of nature rather than a proper being. Their swords broke apart and met again. Each time they struck, vibrations traveled up Kaitlyn’s arms, jarring her wounds. Her opponent kept on walking as she blocked the blows. There was something more important for her to do now.

The Enforcer circled until she blocked the way forward. Her lungs felt like they were on fire.

“Focus on your opponent.”

“You are not much of an opponent anymore. Stand down. I do not want to kill unnecessarily.” Charlotte put away her sword as she spoke.

“I appreciate the offer, but not happening.”

When Kaitlyn swung the sword again, Charlotte did not block it with her sword, but instead caught it with her left bare hand. Putting all her strength in, Kaitlyn felt as though she was against a solid wall. Blood trickled down from Charlotte’s palm yet no expression of pain showed. What broke first was the steel of Kaitlyn’s blade, as it was curved and torn apart with Charlotte’s monstrous strength.

Kaitlyn fell forward but regained her balance and thrust the jagged end of the ruined sword at her stomach.

Charlotte ignored the thrust, and caught Kaitlyn’s head with a firm grip, picking her up and pushing her down to the floor like a ragdoll, making it crack under her skull. She continued to walk again and finally passed by her once more. When Kaitlyn tried to get back up, she noticed that she was caught by snakes, having fallen into Griswold’s spell. She watched as the Representative continued on, slipping further away.

It was so tempting to close her eyes and not bother getting up. She had done her part, hadn’t she? No one would look down on her for giving up at this point. Except she would. Grasping what was left of her sword, she cut at the snakes.

“For victory—hasten forth. Reunite with destiny you shall. Traverse the vast sea of stars—the Heavens—with hoofs vigorous, form gallant, and heart most amaranthine.”

Barely ducking under Alek’s swing, Aramus pushed forward with a straight to his gut. Alek doubled over as the breath was knocked out of him, and his chin promptly snapped upwards, courtesy of an uppercut. Reeling back, Alek found another palm on his chest accompanied by a spinning disc of air that sent him crashing to the ground.

The Prince took several thrusts from Princess Beatrice and was panting, barely able to hold out against his Sister now.

Princess Louise looked up as her mother prepared the one Commandment that even the angels themselves feared. The invisible toiling bells, the harmonious melody of the trumpets, and the songs of the angels all created together a Divine symphony prophesying the coming of the Heaven’s Commandment. The Princess could only frown at what appeared to be an artist’s impression of the Judgement’s Day from Christianity.

“So you would bury your entire Royal residence just to have your way, mother?! What happened to thinking about people and forbidding indiscriminate deaths?! You would kill your own son too?” Louise said, but her words fell on deaf ears.

“The deliverance of the distant song—my prayer—shall be made for guidance.”

Pouncing on the fallen traitor, Aramus proceeded to beat Alek to within an inch of his life, each blow fuelled by all the accumulated anger and frustration. He could feel bones breaking under his fists, and Alek started to look unrecognizable from the beating.

“That is fine, Sister. I shall pass in peace—knowing I fought for reasons I may be proud of, knowing that I fought for the greater good,” Prince Leopold stated.

“You are a fool till the bitter end, Brother,” Beatrice said with a scoff, her voice quivering in fury. She took up her hand towards the Queen, but her Infernal mana could not reach her. “Monster, even with this much power… it would not even touch her.”

“Heh, that’s the Goddess of Britain for you,” Leopold snarled.

“Fulfill the promise of the Father! The tumultuous path of the departed shall thus meet its end!”

The clouds parted—cleansing the sky of Britain. Hence, the broken throne’s hall bathed under the glorious sun’s radiance for the first time. The sun that shone was bright and intense unlike any other in the countries outside England, and everyone felt an unnerving warmth that made them sweat. Except for the Queen, to whom it was a simple heat.

After seeing enough, Claudia swooped in towards Aramus, brandishing her scythe in a single hand, hoping to skewer her former brother figure. The only flesh her scythe found was that of Alek’s as Aramus pushed him into the blade.

Claudia had already come to terms that Alek wasn’t suitable enough to be her first apprentice, despite her best efforts, and scoffed. “I suppose even in the end, you were always in the way,” she said, retracting her blade from the foolish man’s flesh. She whispered coldly in his ear, “You failed me.”

Only tears fell from the eyes of Alek as he heard these words, resigned to his fate.

He jerked in Aramus’ grasp as the weapon slid out, and he took the chance to retreat using the dazed and lucid man as a meat shield. “What, you don’t want your little toy anymore, Claudia?” Aramus taunted tiredly.

“He is already beyond repair. May as well throw him out and get a new one.”

“Arise—my sacred steed—the symbol of hope and life. May the glorious dream of the War Goddess be realised.”

Blood splattered everywhere as Aramus thrust his gauntlet through Alek’s back and out of his chest, his answer to Claudia. Colada clanged to the ground as Alek lost all strength in his limbs, looking at the silver fist protruding from his chest. “I should’ve made this last longer, just so I could enjoy myself, but today is a busy day,” Aramus rasped. He wriggled his arm back through the opening and grasped Alek’s spinal cord, heaving as he ripped it and Alek’s skull away in a shower of crimson. “You never did take care of your playthings,” Aramus said as he kicked the headless corpse at Claudia, picking up Colada after.

Having healed herself, Svetlana was disappointed at herself for not having reacted sooner as she saw Alek get finished off by Aramus. Suppose I should at least do something since he took my target out.

Losing two Relics and his life in the process… Michael realised he had overestimated his ally. It seemed as if his eager and reckless disregard of the plan wasn’t backed up with potential after all. He turned his gaze to the more awe inspiring show of power that was happening in front of him.

His right eye remained closed and hurting, but seeing the Queen summon the sun as if it was a servant to her bidding stained his heart with fear. This was the kind of being he planned to go against. He admired Virgo, Dana, for her power but this was something else entirely. What was going to happen to those who stood in this thing’s way?

“Miss Charlotte...”

From the sun came a much brighter light, descending ever more towards the battlefield, its illuminating brilliance painting the sky pure white—meting out all darkness of the night’s curtains.

The white steed of Victoria—the Pegasus—galloped on the very winds of the sky, gold flames tracing from its hooves as it journeyed down to the ruptured hall.

At that moment, Claudia felt fear and petrification—knowing that the Commandment was aimed at her, and that there was no way she could survive this power.

“It’s always me they’re after…” She sighed, resigned.

Aramus marvelled with tired eyes as he looked upon the Pegasus, limping back towards the Queen at a snail's pace. The effect from Her Majesty’s Commandment upon his body had expired but moments ago. He sincerely hoped that he wouldn’t be caught up in the Commandment’s area of effect.

Charlotte appeared from behind Claudia, kicking Alek’s corpse away from Claudia who was literally dead weight on her now, and held her before jumping out of the way.

“At the far ends of the wish lies your snow-white wings—surpassing all—glimmering with Heaven’s radiance, ever heralding the impending judgement.”

The Queen finished her chant.

The Pegasus finally came down—its glistening wings shone with the lustre of the stars—swathing the searing flames towards its target, the Representative of the Blood Countess. Alek’s headless corpse was the first thing that came across its path. Charlotte and Claudia were burnt by the Divine fires of the mythical creature as they could not gain enough distance in time.

Royal Magica was casted, erecting a barrier around Louise and the rest of her allies to protect themselves, but it cracked at the mere touch of a stray holy flame, its heat seemingly making it melt.

Charlotte’s torso on the left was charred from the flames as Michael swooped in, cloaked with silver light from his spell. Due to Chrono Phantasma’s effects, he felt his skin burning slowly like a never-ending torture as he picked Charlotte up and jumped farther away from the mythical beast.

On the other hand, Claudia had it worse as Leo’s Commandment was intended for her, and no one was able to rescue her. Her other arm melted from the heat, literally; the Lachesis’ Fang was broken in two when the hooves struck against the relic.

Finally, it drew Claudia downwards, crashing all the way below—along with Alek—as it burned a large hole through the floor of Buckingham House. The flames took away most of her lower torso now along with her legs. Alek’s body was what ironically shielded her when she ended up on the foreign steel floor all the way below the Royal residence, surrounded by otherworldly machinations giving away hot steam.

For better or worse, she was still alive, just barely. If not for the semi-immortality of a Representative, she’d surely have died by now.

The Queen also considered regarding the possibility of the phenomena that countered her Spiritual Energy by Princess Louise to have been in effect the whole time. It had deterred Her Majesty from shifting the battlefield to an alternate Realm, and now it may have reduced the power of her Commandments by a significant degree, seeing as she could still feel Claudia’s Spiritual Energy that dwelled in her soul—just barely.

“Forgive me, Countess… I have failed once more…”

The heavenly flames subsided as soon as the Pegasus vanished due to expiration, having fulfilled its promise by ravaging the vampire’s body. With this eye-blinding brilliance now gone—the sun was abruptly missing from its place in the sparsely azure sky.

“That is my answer, Countess—no, Morgan,” the Queen said.

Good thing I didn’t charge in that time… Svetlana thought as she was amazed and terrified by the Commandment.

Having arrived at the Queen Victoria’s side, Aramus felt a smile creep onto his face despite all the exhaustion and pain piled onto him as he watched Claudia get roasted.

Kaitlyn stood frozen in place, looking at the aftermath of the carnage. “What the bloody hell?”

Michael suddenly appeared just in front of the Queen and Aramus, having taken the time as they watched the spectacle of Claudia getting obliterated, and rushed in as soon as he dropped off Charlotte. Since he just activated his Commandment for the first time, and having experienced that much spiritual and magical power setting off, his right eye remained closed and hurting as he swung Caladbolg towards Aramus.

The blade drew a curve and Aramus tried to move out of the way but tired as he was, his knee buckled and he lost his balance. Had to be you, Aramus thought as he watched the blade that would end him fly ever closer.

Michael’s blade sailed downwards as it intended to cut Aramus in two. However, what leaked out of the Magister was a flock of feathers rather than blood.

Aramus saw himself falling back as if the floor had dissolved, unable to stand any longer. Stars shone in every direction. A cold sensation was felt; he felt as though he was going to lose be swallowed into this space. The Queen switched positions with him—he watched as Her Majesty flew by him. When he came to his senses, their places were swapped and he saw Michael being skewered by Gungnir, tracing gold arcs of blinding light.

Michael could only gurgle as blood filled his mouth, his sword fell out of his hands, and it seemed that he couldn’t feel his entire lower body—or had lost it. He struggled to move his hand to reach towards the Queen and his brother. It took the force of all his will just to reach out to them as his hand shook wildly from both pain and the damage it had acquired from just one strike from the Queen.

Suddenly, all that effort was for naught as it fell weakly. All that remained was what resembled a twisted smile on his face as he passed out with eyes wide open.

Aramus experienced the entire scene in a split second, and he was still catching up to speed when Michael fell. His eyes snapped to Queen Victoria when he realised Her Majesty had probably used a Commandment to protect him. Emotions warred in his heart as he looked between the Queen and his brother, but the battle wasn’t over and he had yet to die, no matter how close he had come moments prior.

“I… thank Your Majesty for saving me.”

The wind started to blow, and it felt as though a storm was taking place.

“Sister, stop! It is past the time to play stubborn,” Leopold said, but Louise’s wand was still faced towards the portal in the sky.

There were cracks on said portal of the Void thanks to the Commandment of the Queen, but it was still able to operate. The dark airs looked the same as the black tornado that had shrouded the Buckingham House in darkness in the first place.

“It is far from over, Brother.”

“You cannot win against Mother, not someone as powerful as—”

“Speaking of which, I have a present for you.” Louise gave Beatrice a glance and she shrugged in turn.

“So I suppose that time has come.” Princess Beatrice placed her hand toward Svetlana Astakhov Alicia. The spell Heart Shatter allowed one to pick up a target. This convenient function allowed her to hoist Svetlana with magic and toss the young Duchess at Prince Leopold, who yelped in turn.

“Cheers, Brother. Have the traitor—make merry with her,” Princess Louise said in a cheery tone, pointing her silver wand at Leopold.

“What is this about?!” Svetlana shouted as she was confused at what just had happened to her.

“Lady Alicia—you cannot really be planning to—” Leopold couldn’t find the time to finish speaking as he hurriedly put Svetlana behind him and placed his sword before himself.

“I believe you have no issue with that,” Beatrice told Svetlana as the Infernal mana released her. “Seeing as you are close to useless and conflicted—perfectly disposable.”

“Damn you! Then what did I even kill those people for!”

“Do not worry, Isabelle shall be safe. After all, you are helping us take out our Brother, yes?”

When the Void Banishment spell was unleashed, Prince Leopold had no way to combat such an ancient and unknown spell, as a sphere expanded from the location of Princess Louise. Beatrice removed herself from beside her Sister, and Charlotte quickly picked herself up to take up Michael’s upper remaining body and retreated to the wall.

Griswold was already in the very corner, only spectating the event unfolding before him as his Infernal magics had drained him more than expected.

The plane of the material world collapsed but only temporarily as the black storm intensified. Thus, Leopold, Svetlana, and Kaitlyn—who was just behind the pair—were sucked into the resulting explosion from the mana of the Void Realm.

However, black electricity coursed through this large explosion and it stopped sooner than it should have.

Princess Louise turned, but there was no one. When she turned back and looked up—the Queen’s Gungnir was only placed forward. Leo had blocked the spell with the ancient relic it seemed.

When the dark winds cleared, however, Prince Leopold, Svetlana, and Kaitlyn were all gone, sent into the Void Realm. The portal that Louise conjured earlier was also gone from the dark sky.

Aramus took a few unsteady steps forward so that he was beside Queen Victoria. It seemed that there would be no recourse other than to fight to the death, buy enough time for his liege to get away. Dead on his feet as he was, Aramus doubted that he’d be able to last even a few minutes.

“My… my son…” The Queen fell to her knees in despair as it finally registered in her mind that her Prince Leopold was swallowed by the Void Portal.

“You shall be next, Mother. You may join dear Brother in the netherlands where he belongs,” Princess Louise stated, bursting into laughter.

Aramus was shocked that Louise would be so merciless in her treatment, even going so far as to dispose of Leopold in such a manner. Svetlana came as a surprise since he had thought she was an ally of the rebels, but that might not have been the case now.

Victoria pulled herself up with a frown. With Her Majesty’s angels only singing in praise of the Descendant from above, it was only she herself and Aramus left. She looked down at the lone dress of Violet and the place where her son had been with Kaitlyn.

In less than a moment, Victoria crossed the distance that separated Louise and herself, zipping past the large hole that Her Majesty’s Pegasus had created earlier. Her form was hardly visible to the naked eye. She performed this feat as if it was normal to do so. Gungnir was pointed at the face of the Princess.

Beatrice tried to intervene, but a bright light flashed as the lance burned past her chest and sent her away. Griswold’s snakes attempted to stop her, but they melted before even touching Victoria, the angels’ protection nullifying the spell.

A round of applause echoed across the halls before Victoria could deal the final blow to Princess Louise. A smirk formed on the face of the leader of the rebels.

The Queen laid her eyes upon the two hands continuing to clap as they approached her.

“I have to say, it never ceases to impress me—the pure display of power.”

“…Albert.” As the name of her husband escaped her lips, Victoria wore an expression of disbelief.

Prince Albert casually walked past the broken doors of the throne room that had suffered many deadly forces.

“I must send my thanks to Claudia Virtusio de la Farris later.”

“Albert, why…?”

“With that Commandment out of the way—there is nothing to fear.”

“I asked why!”

“Because you are in the way, Victoria.”

Prince Albert—the Queen’s supposed Prince Consort—stood beside Princess Louise, who took his arm and cradled it, just as a woman in love would to her man.

“Father, I almost thought you would not come.”

“Ahaha, I could not help it. The show was too exciting.”

The two laughed—their tones completely different—and the Queen knew not how to comment to this exchange taking place before her.

“I… I trusted you, Albert,” the Queen stated, her voice quivering—tears forming in her eyes.

“And I must thank you too, Victoria—you blessed my life with such good children.”

The Queen took several steps back, shaking her head.

“No… Is that… how it always was…”

“My dear Louise, please end your game, would you? Your mother looks pitiful—too pitiful to bear.”

“Yes, Father.” Louise released the arm of her father and took a step forward.

Her Highness thus raised her right arm, a deep green aura enveloping it, before shaping into something akin to a thorn—a pointed blade formed at its tip.

Victoria’s Gungnir dematerialised, as she was still in despair. Louise gracefully crossed the distance with several steps—her smile triumphant. Spiritual Energy intensified as the thorn spun like a drill.

“Good night, Mother.”

“So he corrupted you…”

These were the Queen’s last words before Louise plunged the drill into her mother’s stomach. Tears escaped past her pupils as the Goddess of Britain finally fell. Aramus could only watch as his Queen went down into the large hole that her Commandment had created.

“May you rest in peace—in Avalon.” Albert only watched the Queen’s fall in amusement as Louise took his arm again.

The angels started to lose their form as the Queen’s reign had come to an end. The songs faded away soon enough.

“Your Majesty!” Aramus felt his heart lurch in his chest as he saw Queen Victoria get stabbed. He would not let her fall, not before his very eyes. He meant to go after her but lacked the strength, his limbs refusing to go any faster due to his injuries.

“Fa… Father…” A voice echoed in his mind. He could feel a burning sensation from his gut, where he had once contained a massive amount of mana in a ritual a year ago. “You must… go!” The voice was a mixture of a girl’s and that of a dragon’s, and as its message was conveyed, Aramus could feel the power of the Lost Form energising his body as the fluctuation of mana turned to life inside his veins.

Aramus could feel the power coursing through his body, so much to the point it was leaking through his injuries. He grit his teeth and kicked off against the ground, sending rubble flying with the force. His suit fluttered in the wind as he flew, and blood began to spill as wounds grew larger due to the reckless abandon at which Aramus sped towards Victoria.

He dived down into the hole without a second thought, not even bothering to look back at the remaining revolutionaries. The only thought on his mind was to save his Queen, everything else was irrelevant. Aramus kept his limbs close to his body to speed himself up, and as he dove deeper into the depths, he finally saw his Queen at the bottom of the shaft.

Plunging down at breakneck speed, Aramus aimed with an outstretched arm at the earth that was rushing up to meet him. He only had one chance or end up as a red smear at the bottom. Just as he was about to hit the ground, Aramus poured all the energy out through his gauntlet in the shape of a large disc to cushion his fall. The spinning disc slashed and clawed away at the steel floor as he was brought to come to a screeching halt, the force of it rupturing the blood vessels in his arm and body. Aramus cried out, but continued pouring even more energy through his ruined arm until none remained, dropping to the ground in a heap.

Battered and lying in a pool of his own blood, Aramus pulled himself with his one good arm towards Queen Victoria’s motionless body.

“Not yet... You can’t give up yet!” he rasped hoarsely. A trail of blood marked his struggle to reach her.

The Archangels Uriel and Zophiel appeared beside Victoria’s fallen body, albeit their forms were hardly shining as they used to. Their time was short.

The Queen was only breathing heavily as the angels spoke.

“You must… take Her Majesty… away.”

“We will… open the path.”

Uriel and Zophiel’s voices were faint and hard to make out, but Aramus could still catch the meaning.

Aramus nodded his response, not being able to formulate an answer. He was far too lightheaded from blood loss to think properly. Claudia laid somewhere—everywhere across the ground. Little bits of her at least.

(BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFuGWvEISk0)

A portal formed beside the Queen. The visages of the Archangels burst into a shower of bright particles, their Divine powers having reached their limits. Reaching out to Queen Victoria with his good arm, he mentally excused himself for touching her and wrapped it around her body, supporting her back. With his other, he supported her legs and pushed himself to his feet.

Agony spiked through his limbs and they protested the treatment, almost sending both of them crashing down to the ground, but Aramus fought against it even as his world turned white for a moment. He bit his lip till it bled and trudged into the portal.

***

He found himself in yet another grand hall. There was a long carpet and a staircase.

It didn’t take long for Aramus to trip and fall as his knees gave away, the Queen falling out of his arms.

In the Isle of Wight, the Osborne House—another Royal residence—the Queen made an apologetic expression to Aramus.

“You… did not have to… do all this… for me… Mister Linfield,” the Queen said in a raspy whisper.

“And leave my Queen to her fate…? I would… rather die than let that… come to pass,” Aramus wheezed from his position on the ground.

Aramus could feel the fluctuating mana come to a stop.

“My part… is over…” the dragon inside him spoke for one last time.

The Lost Form of Dragon had stopped much earlier than it normally would. Aramus could instinctively feel his other repertoire of spells become available again.

The portal behind them closed at last. There was only the Queen and her subject remaining now.

“If your… loyalty… is true. If your… devotion is true… Aramus, you must fulfill my request.”

“I will… strive to fulfill it, Your Majesty.”

The Queen moved a hand over the gaping hole in her stomach. Aramus’ gaze followed. It was black simply, with no sign of blood whatsoever in the wound. On the edges of the wound was a deep green stain, and it was spreading just as it would with acid.

“Aramus, I command you… to use your strongest spell… and destroy this infection immediately. I may not regenerate… with it devouring my body.”

“Your Majesty…” Aramus’ expression wavered as his emotions warred amongst themselves before settling it with a deep sigh, pushing himself up with a burst of Aurum now that his legs refused to work. “I will try to make it as clean as I can, please bear with it until then.”

The Queen gave a weak nod.

A column of air spiralled under Aramus as he hovered over the ground, letting the swirling wind direct his limbs. Power flowed out in thin lines as they coalesced into a fluctuating sphere of energy, pulsating as it charged. Aramus manipulated the energy, adding Vim into the mix for further fine control of the spell. Aramus couldn’t bring himself to unleash the spell in its unrefined state even if Queen Victoria had commanded him to.

“Brace yourself, my liege.”

The words were as much for himself as they were for his Queen. The sphere flashed for a split second before unleashing all its energy in a beam that streaked towards the Queen. Beads of sweat marred his brow as the spell fought against her resistance and when it finally broke through, the spell detonated as it struck her body.

Aramus bit back a sob as his liege disappeared in a ball of light, the force of the spell also pushing him back. He wavered unsteadily in the air on the column of wind. If she died to his hand then…

He watched as the smoke slowly cleared. There was a crater in the floor caused by his new spell. The carpet and the floor was charred black. He found his Queen in the centre of this crater, blood finally leaking out of her wound as the infections were burnt and cleansed away by his spell from the wound.

Letting a breath of relief escape his lips, Aramus descended and offered Her Majesty his assistance. At least with his normal magic back, he would be a bit more useful. “Your Majesty, is the infection completely purged? Would you… require anything else of me?”

“Yes… I no longer feel the venom. I simply wish to… have a long slumber.”

“Will we be safe here? The angels opened a portal to this place but I alone cannot guarantee the safety of this abode.”

“For now…” The Queen’s eyes were already closing as she tersely answered.

“I shall bring you to a suitable bedchamber, excuse me,” Aramus said as he gently picked her up again. The Queen was light in her arms now that he had magic to help and he drifted from room to room, looking for the master bedroom. Even though the hallways were devoid of people, the whole house was pristine as if it had been cleaned just yesterday.

He eventually found the room after some time, and as he opened the door with a gentle gust of wind. Aramus was surprised at how opulent it was. Taking extra care, Aramus lowered Queen Victoria onto the bed. After that, he laid a blanket on top to allow her to get some restful sleep. It bothered him somewhat that she was going to sleep in her current outfit, but it wasn’t his place to do anything about that. Ever.

Browsing through the cupboards that lined the room, Aramus picked out a change of clothing for the Queen that looked comfortable and for home use. He couldn’t really tell with how glamorous everything was compared to his own set of clothing. Folding it neatly, he placed it on a nearby table, obvious enough that it would be seen once she would wake up.

A window was opened as well to let some air in to prevent the room from getting too stuffy. Aramus didn’t want to risk being discovered through use of any magic so this would have been a better option than to be found out by scrying. It was good to have some real air in the room sometime, he knew from his time in the dormitory in the Eastern Magic Academy.

After everything was settled for Queen Victoria, he made his way down to the pantry and rummaged around for anything that was edible. Mostly small tidbits but he found a few tea sets which were set upon with great eagerness. It would do both of them well to have a pot of herbal tea and he brought the drink up to the bedroom on a tray together with the tidbits, setting them on the table with a clatter.

Now that all that was done, Aramus was presented with another problem. Would he rest in the same room as his Queen or find another place? He weighed the options and possible outcomes in the event they would be attacked, and telling himself that it was to keep a closer eye on Queen Victoria, he plopped down on the sofa in the room. Somewhere in his heart, a little voice cheered, he just knew it. Now that everything was done with, exhaustion overcame him and he passed out like a light.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Svetlana and Kaitlyn woke up on a wet surface. The Realm they were in held a blue hue illuminating it, but was otherwise dark and hollow in every direction. There was no wind, and it gave a foreboding feeling of extinction to the two, who ended up here thanks to the spell casted by Princess Louise. Despite their aching wounds, they found out that they were patched up with pieces of clothes.

Kaitlyn cracked her eyes open, expecting to be greeted by the light of midday. Huh. Is it still that early? She closed her eyes. Just a little more sleep wouldn’t hurt. Wait a minute… She jolted awake and sat up.

She immediately regretted it.

The sudden motion made her wounds scream at her. A groan left her lips. She glanced around. The battle was clearly over, but where was she? Kaitlyn tried to rise. Nausea washed over her. A moment later, she collapsed onto her back, breathing hard. That’s when she noticed the body lying next to her. She was the rebel the Princess had thrown at the Prince, and a Duchess no less. Kaitlyn’s hand shot toward her side but all it found was an empty sheath. She hit the ground with a fist.

Think. The Princess did something, some kind of spell. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t pin down what exactly had happened. All she remembered was her vision going dark, and then waking up here.

On the other hand, Svetlana too, slowly began to open her eyes—recalling how the Princesses had tossed her aside.

“Damn those two. I will make them pay for this one day.” Upon being able to see clearly, she noticed one of the mages who was fighting for the Queen was next to her. Svetlana quickly tried to get up and summon her Gram. “Get away from me!”

Kaitlyn didn’t get up. “If I’d wanted you dead, you’d be dead.” A flat-out lie, but she didn’t need to know that. “Take a look around, Duchess. Tell me if it’s the kind of place where we can afford to fight each other.”

Svetlana looked around, she could barely see anything. “What is this place?” Svetlana asked as she put Gram away, the broadsword dematerializing.

“I was hoping you’d be able to tell me. You are a Duchess after all. Doesn’t that make you privy to more information than me?”

“I would not know. I had only become a Duchess a year ago. Most of my studies have been about being a Duchess, nothing about this.”

Kaitlyn eased herself to a sitting a position. She regarded the Duchess. She didn’t appear to be in much better shape. Kaitlyn fully believed in what she had said. She didn’t trust this woman, but they’d have to work together.

“Kaitlyn Mercer. Forgive me if I don’t bow right now.”

“My name is Svetlana Astakhov Alicia, Duchess of Norfolk. Do not worry, under our current circumstances—I am certain that would have been an odd thing to do. By the way, were we the only ones sent here? I recall Prince Leopold being in front of me.”

(GM’s Comment: Odd, huh? I WILL SHOW YOU ODD WITH MY DICK.)

“I can’t say. It’d make sense for His Highness to be around here as well, not to mention someone patched us up. As to where he is now… your guess is as good as mine.”

“I see. Suppose we should wait at least for a while. This place feels even more isolated than Russia and it’s just giving me really bad feelings,” Svetlana said as she could feel a dark feeling coming from all around her.

“Ah, so you two are awake. How do you feel?”

Prince Leopold approached them some moments later. Over his wounds were patches of crystals rather than any article of clothes. The armor of crystals that Kaitlyn remembered seeing him don with magic was gone from his overcoat, which was now somewhat ruined with cuts and tatters thanks to the fight.

She had never thought to see the Lost Form of the Crystal Paladins in action. Didn’t know the Prince was a Crystal Paladin either for that matter. The Enforcer had something she wanted to ask him, but that could wait. “I feel like I got tight as a boiled owl. My side is killing me, and my shoulder feels like it’s on fire. That said, I think I’ll live.”

Svetlana wanted to look away from the Prince as she felt horrible joining Princess Louise’s side. Upon seeing the crystals on the Prince wounds Svetlana wonder if he was really okay. “I am fine, but is Your Royal Highness well?”

“I shall live, certainly. For now these will have to work,” Prince Leopold said, palming one of the crystals on his wounds. The Prince looked down at the two on the watery floor and sighed, something His Highness was taught not to do often. “I am unable uncover what type of a world we have ended up in.”

Kaitlyn got to her feet, wobbled, but managed to stay standing. She had assumed the Prince would know. Their situation was growing bleaker by the second. “Did Your Highness discover anything while we were out?”

“An expanse of nothingness. Quite vast, at that.” The Prince shook his head. “We may have to cross a long distance to come upon anything… assuming there exists something in this Realm.”

“I can take care of our wounds if you two trust me.”

Kaitlyn looked at Prince Leopold. “Do you trust her?”

“My Sister did not, for sure. Which means we may trust her.” The Prince turned to Svetlana. “You did not really wanted to help them, did you?”

“I did not but I had no other choice. I cannot even imagine my Sister ever forgiving me if she finds out what I did for her.”

The Prince grimaced. “Well, if what my Sister mentioned is true—it seems like she is more interested in her than you… I believe she would be safe.”

Kaitlyn tried to put herself in Alicia’s position. She found she didn’t like it one bit.

“I have to get back to my Sister as soon as I can! I cannot let that wretched Princess get her hands on her!”

“All right,” Kaitlyn said. “I believe you. If you were being forced to work for the Princess, then we’ve got no reason to fight.” At least until the Council tells me otherwise. Fat chance of that happening any time soon though.

The Prince only looked up to the black sky just barely illuminated by the blue hue, he couldn’t tell how they’d even make it out of this Realm alive.

“For now, let us get our wounds treated. I shall place my trust in you, Lady Alicia.”

“Then please gather near me, I’ll heal all three of us at once.

Kaitlyn did as commanded and stepped closer to her just as the Prince did.

Svetlana began to gather mana from the Faerie Realm. A blue dome began to surround them and what seemed like water filled it. Soon after, a soothing wave traveled over them, healing the wounds on their bodies. It was as if the wounds themselves were being washed away. “Is it helping?”

“Yes,” Prince Leopold answered absentmindedly, falling into deep thought.

“Really? That is good.”

The soothing effects of the spell washed over Kaitlyn. The pain from her wounds let up, though she winced from the recovery causing the injuries to heal abnormally fast—it got easier to breathe. “Much better.”

“Then I shall continue till we are fully restored,” Svetlana said as she focused to keep the dome up. “By the way, any idea how we can leave this place? I do not believe it is safe to stay here too long. This whole place just gives me a really horrible feeling.”

“I do not know,” the Prince said. “I suppose we must search for an exit, or chance upon one who understands the workings of this Realm.”

“I wonder if there is anyone we can speak to. I imagine our only way is finding an exit but even that might take forever…”

“You cannot sound so negative just yet. You have a Sister to save, do you not?”

“Yes, but it does not help knowing the Princesses want my Sister. She has been through too much for someone her age. It worries me what they might have in mind, seeing they would go against their own mother…”

“You worry overmuch. They are very scheming individuals but I do not think they have the time to deal with a child—now that they are running the whole the British Empire. My sisters likely think that she has potential to be a great magus, and would encourage her to join the Royal Academy when she would come of age… that is; assuming they meet.” At least I hope that is the extent of their exchanges. I know you have shreds of humanity left in you somewhere, Louise…

“If that is the case, I shall do my best to focus on getting out of here. Once we’ve managed that, I think I will do everything I can to leave England with my Sister or at least take her somewhere more safe. I do not think I will feel secure as long as they are in charge now.”

“Assuming they succeed. I can only hope that my mother had not fallen…”

“I am sorry, Your Royal Highness. I never wanted to go against the Queen, but I could not bare the thought of our family losing everything again because of me, especially considering I would not know where we would live.”

“I cannot say that I do not understand the feeling, but for now I suppose the most we may do is focus on the task at hand. If I may ask, however, what exactly was it that my Sister took advantage of to convince you, Lady Alicia?”

“I suppose I should show Your Highness, considering what I did, but I will say it does scare me what Your Highness might think of me,” Svetlana said as she placed her hands up to her head. She began to remove something from the sides of her head even though there seemed to be nothing there. Soon after, a pair of horns appeared on either sides of her head.

“I am no longer human, but a part Infernal part Faerie being. It is what the Princess took advantage of. Probably the worst kind of Infernal being as well.”

“A-Ah… so basically, I am standing before a Devil the Church would condemn. That is quite the surprise.” The Prince sighed yet again. “But I suppose you are quite the kind and caring Devil, Duchess.”

It took effort for Kaitlyn to not reach for her empty sheath again, to set aside years of her parents drilling into her head the evil of Infernal beings.

“I would hope, but there are side-effects of being one. You probably want to get away from me after this, Your Royal Highness,” Svetlana said, wondering now how the Prince even felt about her.

“Get away? Why?”

“I am a Devil, as Your Highness said, one condemned by your country’s Church. I would bring nothing but trouble just because of what I am, would I not?”

“That is true, but as a gentleman who has witnessed the purity of your heart, I cannot leave you be until I am assured that you are safe. Forgive my selfishness, Duchess. Of course, the same extends to you, Miss Mercer.”

“Really? Thank you, Your Highness,” Svetlana said happily as she could feel her heart pound a little faster than usual, and if her tail could be seen it would be moving around in joy.

“We already agreed to trust each other,” Kaitlyn said. “Besides, you don’t look like any Devil I ever heard of.”

“I might have wanted more power, but I did not want to become a Devil completely for my Sister’s sake.”

The Duchess’ reflection made the Enforcer reflect on her own circumstances. All she wanted was to run a store, and yet here she was God know’s where with a half-devil Duchess and a Royal Prince.

Kaitlyn turned to Leopold. “While we’re laying our cards on the table, I have something to ask you, Your Highness.”

“I am listening,” the Prince responded, likewise turning to the Enforcer.

“Back at the Palace, why did you save me? I’m just an Enforcer.”

“Hm?” The Prince tilted his head quizzically. “I see no reason not to save you, Miss Mercer.”

“It’s my job to protect Your Highness, not the other way around. I’m disposable. Your Highness is not.”

“That is not quite true. You are a lady, so you must not judge yourself that way. Every man and women of my country is equally important. I would not be worthy of my title if I could consider you disposable, Enforcer.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful you stepped in. I don’t want to die, but if I did… I can’t say I agree with Your Highness. If that man had killed me, the Council would have just moved on and hired a new Enforcer.”

“No one may argue that the Enforcer would have the amount of experience you have already accumulated, though. Surely, one may move on if a grunt dies, but that does not make you any less important.”

I’m beginning to see now why so many noble women are after him. “No, I guess it doesn’t. I already technically have to do what Your Highness says, but if ever Your Highness has a favor for me personally, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Very well, I shall make note of those words. Albeit, I feel like I would be no proper gentleman if I ask for a favour from a lady.”

Kaitlyn’s eyebrow twitched. “Would it be proper to ignore a lady’s wish?”

“N...N-No,” the Prince said with wide eyes, shaking his head instantly. “I suppose not.”

“I believe that about does it for the healing. If Your Highness still needs more please let me know,” Svetlana said as she took out a mana potion and drank it. “Well then, which direction should we head in?”

“Ah, yes.” The Prince found his composure once more. “In all honesty, I was unable to find anything when I ventured forth to the north… if that was even north. With everything looking so empty, it is rather difficult to navigate.”

“I have a spell that lets me sense ground movement,” Kaitlyn said. “If there’s anyone else in here with us, it could potentially help us find them. However, I don’t know how much good it’ll do in such an open place. The range on the spell isn’t that big.”

“If it helps, it helps. It would be better than nothing for sure.”

“Alright, here goes.” Kaitlyn tried to draw upon her mana, only nothing happened. She tilted her head. “Huh. Or not.”

“Is something the matter?”

“My mana… isn’t working.”

“Really? But mines worked just fine so I would think everyones should be fine,” Svetlana said.

“I thought that it would be fine since your spell was working, Lady Alicia… but I suppose we really have been ported to a particular Realm outside our world,” Prince Leopold stated in deep thought.

Kaitlyn didn’t like what this meant, not one bit. “Do you know any spells that might help us, Duchess?”

“I do not believe so.”

“The spell you were casting upon us, Duchess… which Realms did you draw the mana from?” the Prince enquired.

“It drew upon the Faerie and Magic Realm.”

The Prince looked at Kaitlyn. “Terram is also from the Magic Realm, so theoretically, if we were in the Magic Realm at the moment, that spell for sensing movements on the ground should have worked.”

Kaitlyn held her hand to her chin in thought. “What do you know about your Sister, the Princess? Is there anything at all about her spells that might tell us where we’re at?”

“Not much about the type of spells she was employing unfortunately, but they seemed to be of a certain Lost Form, like my Crystal Paladin Lost form.”

“I wonder if it has to do with the fact that I am not human.”

“Is that supposed to matter?”

“It could, actually,” Kaitlyn said. “Not that I know how, but if you not being human is the only quality you have that we don’t, then it stands to reason that’s what’s letting you still use mana.”

“It would be a peculiar factor but I suppose things like these are out there to be discovered,” the Prince said. “Try casting spells, Duchess. See if you are able to draw upon mana from the Dominion Realm and the Infernal Realm…if you have studied their lores before, of course.”

“I have studied pretty much all the lores so that will not be a problem for me,” Svetlana said as she began to focus gathering mana from the Dominion Realm as she focused a small round, glowing sphere appeared on top of her palm.

“Seems Dominion Realm is working fine for me. Well let us see about Infernal Realm now.” Svetlana then began gathering mana from the Infernal Realm. The illusion of a kitten appeared a top of her palm before it vanished soon afterwards. “Well it seems I can gather mana from there as well.”

The Prince crossed his arms and smiled wryly. “May just be the race then…”

“Good to know for something I guess,” Kaitlyn said. “Doesn’t exactly help us get out of this place though.”

“I believe I can try something but not sure if it would help at all,” Svetlana said as she began to focus to see if she could sense anything around her, but all she could continue sensing was the darkness feeling around her. “Guess that was pointless. Well I think all we can do is just pick a direction…”

“What did you try?”

“This whole place gives me a feeling of an actual darkness. I was hoping to see if could sense something else.”

“Is this the rumoured ability of the Starlight Lost Form to sense evil?” the Prince questioned.

She’s another Lost Form user? Kaitlyn thought. As if I already didn’t feel out of my league.

“I would not know, I am starting to think there are many things Master Aisha forgot to tell me.”

“Well for now,” the Prince took out a ring and handed it to Kaitlyn, “this is a Rook size Vis, you should be able to draw mana from it. I have another one for myself. We will be able to defend ourselves with them.”

Kaitlyn accepted the ring and hesitantly slipped it onto her finger. She tried momentarily to user her mana. The air around her shimmered for a split-second before returning to normal. She sighed in relief. “Thanks. I won’t let it go to waste, Your Highness.” She didn’t know the precise value, but it had to be worth more than a year’s worth of wages from the Council, at least.

Svetlana at the moment felt jealousy that Kaitlyn gotten something from the Prince and was now wishing that her magic wasn’t working. She gave Kaitlyn a piercing glare.

Kaitlyn looked up at Svetlana. “Hmm? Did I do something wrong?”

“It is nothing,” Svetlana simply said as she tried to regain her composure.

“Well, how about trying your spell now, Miss Mercer?” the Prince asked. “Unless you would rather save mana.”

Kaitlyn nodded. “Right. It doesn’t use much mana, so it should be fine.” She tried to use the spell once more. And nothing. “Sorry. I guess Terram spells are no good here.”

“Mnm… I suppose we have no other choice than to pick a direction.” The Prince tapped against the floor with his shoe. “Now that I think of it, it is rather wet here, but not where I had traveled to earlier.”

“That is odd though, I suppose this whole place might be strange,” Svetlana said.

“We may have to pick whether to explore in these wet parts or the dry parts, not that I would know the difference.”

“It might be best to stick with the wet parts. We might find a water source since who knows how long we will be here.”

“Sounds good to me,” Kaitlyn said. “Besides, it’s not as if we have anything to lose going that way at this point.”

“I suppose it shall be the opposite direction. Which would be south. Let us be off.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

The three started their journey down the supposed southern direction. The unknown Realm was as large and empty as it seemed. What the three didn’t know, however, was that fields of water like these were rare in this Realm. The water was only enough to drench their shoes at first, now it was running up to their knees, almost.

Across the way, the floor started to look brighter as well, a mysterious light coming from it as they progressed.

As they continued walking Svetlana began to sense an even greater darkness compared to before which caused her to stop in her tracks. “Please wait, I do not think it will be a great idea to continue. This whole area gives a greater feeling of darkness.”

“This whole area? Was it not giving you the feeling from the entire area to begin with?” the Prince enquired.

“I do not know but it just feels stronger here. I just cannot figure out from what directions, so it feels like it is coming from all around.”

No matter where Kaitlyn looked, there was nothing around them. “You sure about that, Duchess?”

“Yes, I have no reason to lie.”

“I wasn’t suggesting as much, but…” They couldn’t afford to waste time second-guessing themselves. They had water now but no food. They could only last for so long before they dropped from hunger. As if on cue, her stomach grumbled. She missed Elizabeth’s cooking. I hope she’s doing fine. And is staying out of trouble.

“Perhaps we should get away from here. If the Duchess is able to cast Aquam, she is able to create water as well… I assume?” the Prince suggested, looking at Svetlana.

“Yes. I can.”

“Which direction now, then?” the Enforcer asked. “Back the way we came?”

“Or we could try another direction, seeing as there was nothing where we were either,” the Prince replied.

“You wanna pick one at random or should I?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, Miss Mercer.”

“How about… that way then?” She pointed off to her right. “East.” Or was it west? Did it even matter?

“If the feeling of darkness gets weaker, anything is fine with me,” Svetlana said.

“We shall go in that direction, then,” the Prince said.

As the three started to walk away from the watery area, the Prince abruptly turned and drew his sword immediately in alert.

“Huh…? I almost thought there was something behind me.” The Prince put his sword back into his sheathe. “Perhaps I am getting more tired than I had thought.”

A chill ran down Kaitlyn’s spine. “Let’s just get moving.”

“Indeed, nothing good would come from staying here.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

The sky was still dark, and the reminiscent Victorian surroundings beckoned her back to reality as the vampire took some moments to understand where she was. The passing houses reminded her of the time she was escaping from the problems of her life—the night Marco was taking her away from Mary. For a moment, she thought she had really gone back in time, and that Marco was back.

Moving an eye up, however, she found that it was Ansel who was in place of Marco, carrying her—leaping from one place to the other.

“I see you woke up. Feeling terrible, I assume?”

“I have been in better states. I’ll live.”

“This seems to be the worst I have seen so far, though. The Holy Burns from the Commandments of the Queen are all over you.” If not for the gloves on his hands, Ansel’s skin would surely burn about now.

Now that he mentioned it, Claudia felt inclined to check, only to confirm the many burns and bruises—and her lack of arms. Again. The agony from these burns made it hard to think straight.

“I would say that is a terrible stroke of luck or someone really values my life, because I should be dead…”

“Heh, maybe it was luck, or fate. Whatever the case, my expertise will not be enough to fix you up this time.”

Claudia clicked her tongue. She knew she would eventually heal and be good as new, but the lingering pain made her think otherwise in the back of her head.

“That is fine. I suppose there is no use complaining about it.” An afterthought eventually dawned on her, and the woman’s head turned back to Ansel. “What happened to Victoria? Does she still live?”

“She was defeated for sure… we do not know what happened after. She fell into the same pit you fell upon, but I did not find anyone else other than you when I arrived. It may be safe to say that she had retreated.”

“So she does live…” Claudia leaned her head back as a slap to the forehead was no longer possible.

Ansel shortly brought Claudia back to the Ritz Hotel. It would make a very grotesque sight to walk into the hotel’s lobby carrying a woman whose limbs were missing, and was covered with patches of bandages. So Ansel chose to scale the building, going up past the windows and the walls. There was one window open and he entered it, leading right into the Countess’ room.

“You should be fine if you drink Mi’lady’s blood like the time you lost your limb.”

“Right…” Could I even face her after this failure?

“Mistress, I brought you… Mistress?”

On the bed before them, Ansel found the Countess asleep, or at least that’s what it seemed like.

Claudia hummed, even grinned somberly. “I suppose we might have to postpone that drink, then.”

“It might kill you if we postpone it. The Holy Burns are causing a deterioration in you rather than regeneration at the moment.”

“...So we would have to either wake her or…” In the midst of her sentence, a vulgar thought came to Claudia, one she hadn’t had in awhile. She swiftly cast it away.

“Which one shall we go with?”

“I would hate to disturb her… but I’m certain she would wake regardless.” She sighed. “This is my life on the line. I suppose I could drink while she is... sleeping...”

“This is oddly rare. I do not remember the Mistress sleeping at such an hour, though.” Let’s see, last time it happened was with that… Arthur scum…

“I don’t think I have ever seen her get much rest…” Claudia peered closer at her slumbering Mistress, her bandaged cheeks warming up. “This is a rare sight, indeed…”

“Alright, here goes nothing…”

Ansel carried Claudia all the way to the side of the Countess’ bed with very slow and silent steps, leaning for Claudia to get closer to the Countess.

Once she got as close to the point where she could feel the Blood Countess’ breath hit her gently, Claudia bit her lip, relishing how close she was able to get to her proclaimed love. It was strange that she was sleeping, yes, but anything to get close to the Countess made her happy, it seemed.

The daughter bore her fangs, and yearned for her mother’s bare neck. As gently as possible, she drank from the Countess’ flesh, quivering and blushing slightly. It took her some moments to realise that she was far from the Countess, just as soon as she started to drink. To say the least, it felt odd to her.

The wall was almost broken where Ansel was. Confused, Claudia looked back to the bed, the Countess was in her real, Goddess form with her eyes glistening violet with Spiritual Energy—and a face that was the very incarnation of wrath itself. This overwhelming presence of the Descendant of vampires made the two fellow vampires cower in fear, as if a lone wanderer of the forest met a preying tiger.

“You… you dare disturb me in my sleep?” the mother of all vampires howled, her powers starting to corrupt the air of the room.

Claudia was no doubt startled to see this. Her dear mother, enraged? That was nothing she was capable of imagining. Ever. Yet, there she was, looking as if she was ready to rip her throat out.

With all her strength, Claudia dropped into a bow towards to Countess. Albeit, with how her body was she could do so with her head.

“Forgive me, Mother. I did not intend to wake you,” she said outright respectfully.

“Who… are you. Name yourselves, knaves. What do you seek?”

“M-Mistress? It’s us— Claudia and Ansel!” the vampire beside Claudia desperately tried to explain, sweating profusely in fear.

“I do not know who you speak of. I do not know either of these names.”

“Mistress, you do not remember your butler and daughter…?”

Claudia watched, albeit with brimming shock to hear this. She almost thought it was a sick joke made by her Mistress at first, but to reveal her Goddess form so easily like that, especially in front of Ansel, she thought otherwise.

“M-Mother… do you not recognize me? Look into my eyes. You don’t know me? Your daughter Claudia?”

“D…Daughter…?”

The Countess held her temples and growled in pain. Soon, her other hand joined as the headache got worse apparently. The violet symbol of the Scorpio finally vanished from her eyes and she fell back on her bed, losing consciousness once more.

Holding back tears, Claudia watched in silence, making sure her mother was completely asleep before speaking again.

“What… was that? It was like she had no clue who we were.”

“I… I have no idea,” Ansel answered, his usual calm tone lost to him. “This is the first time I have seen it. To be truthful, however, I have dealt with an intruder once when the Mistress was about to sleep, and to say the least; her attitude was very different from the usual Countess we know.”

“Similar to… this? She was practically feral. Does she react this way to intruders primarily?”

“At that time she certainly recognised me, and even asked me to deal with the intruder… while going to bed instead of taking leave.”

“I wonder what was different from then compared to now. More importantly, I wonder what could have caused this to happen.”

“I had been absent for a day due to looking out for you, I cannot say if anything occurred myself. The Mistress should’ve been here all along, though.”

Claudia hummed. “You don’t think that someone could have done this to her, do you? Is that possible to even cause a Descendant to forget her own Representative and comrades?”

“I would hope not. Perhaps this is temporary… perhaps she will be back to being our good old Countess when she wakes up…”

“I hope you are right. I’d hate to find out what would happen otherwise…”

“For now, I am going to take you to your room so that you may rest. Sleep may indeed be the only way to ignore the burning pains of the Holy Burns for now.”

“Sleep?” Claudia appeared sheepish once she said that. She recalled her sleep being deprived in her days with Crimson Rafflesia. The bags under her eyes made in obvious she hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep in ages. “I… haven’t done that in a while.”

They were already in the hallways, with Claudia being lead to her own room.

“You should rest from time to time, even if you are a Representative—energy is vital for an operation.”

“Perhaps that is why I am so easily beaten,” Claudia joked.

“That could just be it.”

Claudia hummed, and made a small, sleep-riddled grin as she buried her face into Ansel, getting comfortable. She was already half-asleep now that she wasn’t doing anything. “Mnm… thank you for your help, Ansel…”

“You’re welcome.”

Ansel opened the door to her room, and in there was not Cosette, but a stranger?

“Is… she perhaps a guest of yours?”

Claudia was woken up by Ansel’s words and made an irritated questioning groan. “A guest? What are you on ab—”

“Good evening.” The supposed guest got up from a sofa, making a most devilish grin, looking down at Claudia who was held by Ansel.

The blonde hair carried a brighter shade than before, but Claudia had once met her. Wracking her head for her memories, she realised that they had once met in the Queen’s Meeting. However, it was hard to match the resemblance. Her black attire was something no Victorian would wear, a black party dress and a black cape made for an odd getup. She could see a rose planted in her hair and the unmistakable fang of a vampire under a lip. Her fashion sense was indeed oddly reminiscent of Rose’s.

She didn’t seem like an intruder at all with her disposition. That didn’t stop Claudia from returning to her cold composure, her brows furrowing heavily. She didn’t act hostile towards her, however. Instead, she gave the guest the benefit of the doubt and humoured her.

“Hello again, Miss. I don’t seem to recall beckoning for you after the Meeting.”

“Oh my. How very cold. Is that supposed to be a way to greet your guest, Sister?”

The vampire’s eyes stretched wide. That certainly caught her off guard.

“Sister? I was an only child…”

“You… you cannot be…” Ansel was almost completely speechless with wide eyes like Claudia.

“That is correct.” The lady gave an elegant curtsy. “I am now a Representative of Scorpio, our Mother, the Blood Countess of Hungary. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sister Claudia, my name is now… Mephisto Elizabeth.”

There was a voice in Claudia’s head, screaming for the heavens above. She remained speechless to the fact that her mother—the Countess—went and appointed another Representative under her wing. A sister.

“Sister…” Claudia said it again, this time in a lighter tone, only to see how it sounded from her own words. “I like that… pleased to make your acquaintance, Sister.”

“Likewise.” She made a sweeter smile, but it was still holding the element of a little devil. “Now, I have taken enough of your time.” Elizabeth motioned a hand towards Claudia’s bed.

Ansel gave a nod and proceeded to Claudia’s bed and placed her on it, pulling up a blanket over her body.

“Do you know why… the Mistress has fallen asleep?” Ansel enquired.

“Mother claimed that she felt tired after the ritual was over.”

“I see…”

“On that note, Sister, we are to live together according to our Mother, I hope you do not mind.”

“Of course not. Make yourself at home,” Claudia insisted.

She was still containing herself with this revelation that she had a sister now. Sort of. That wouldn’t stop her from getting up and hugging her as if they were family anyways—except for the fact that she had no limbs to do that with.

“Thank you. Apparently there is a lack of rooms in the Ritz now. Please bear with me for some time.”

“Usually I would decline at the idea of a roommate, but I suppose if it is my Sister, then the sky’s the limit. Be my guest.”

“I am most glad to know. Now, I shall leave you to to your rest. Good night.”

“Bonne nuit.”

Elizabeth sat down on a sofa as Claudia went to sleep, pouring down blood from a wine bottle to a wine glass, she drank—looking up to the cloudy night sky through the window—her expression replaced with gloom despite the sweet taste of blood.

Farewell, teacher…

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Claudia woke up the next morning, her body burning in pain.

She breathed raggedly, fruitlessly tossing and turning about in order to get at least a glimpse of coolness from the bed.

It feels like I’m on fire. The pain—it won’t stop. My body is screaming at me. My head, my chest, my stomach. I drank the Countess’ blood and yet… my head feels like it is in a vice! I might die… I might die like this! Fuck, somebody end this suffering. Countess, Sister—Marco… help me!

From the corner of her eye, she noticed her servant, Cossette, watching her writhe in absolute suffering. Once she noticed her Mistress’ glance in her direction, the wayward woman averted her gaze immediately.

Useless sow, you watch me in pain?

Claudia’s attention was shifted as she heard a clink closeby. Turning to the other side, she found Elizabeth pouring water into a glass. The sister turned to Claudia with a smile. Now, it was not as devilish as before.

“Good morning, Sister Are you feeling thirsty?”

“Y...Yes…” she spoke weakly.

Elizabeth gently helped Claudia’s head up for her to drink the water comfortably and held the glass for her, for Claudia lacked the hands to do so herself. Finishing the glass off momentary, Claudia quickly hid her face from her sister. To be seen in this state was very embarrassing. “I don’t deserve this…” she said silently.

“That is true.” Elizabeth placed the glass away.

“Then why assist me?” I’m just a failure, but Mother won’t admit that…

“Do I need a reason to?”

“Most people do, yes.”

“I prepared breakfast, by the by. Feeling famished? Or would you prefer a glass of blood instead”

“Blood would be prefered, thank you... I have grown out of the habit of eating.”

“I suppose I shall have my own food,” Elizabeth said with a bright smile. “Miss Cosette, would you be a dear and pass me that bottle?”

“Yes, my Lady,” Cosette said in her usual tone, passing the bottle of blood that had the label of wine.

Elizabeth poured the blood in the wine glass and helped Claudia drink it.

In her usual gluttonous manner, Claudia chugged the crimson down as if she hadn’t been fed in ages. Once she finished that glass as well, a little blood began to run down the side of her mouth. She would’ve wiped it herself but her lack of arms prevented her from doing so.

“Thank you, Sister…”

“You are welcome.” Elizabeth dabbed the stray strand of blood that leaked away from Claudia’s mouth with a handkerchief. “Would you like some more?”

Even though she felt like a medical patient—she was a medical patient, Claudia reluctantly accepted, nodding to her sister. “Yes, please…”

The sister continued to feed the crimson drinks to Claudia. After some time, Cosette walked up to the pair and reported.

“It seems like the Mistress wants the two of you to go meet her.”

“Very well. Could one of you assist me?” Claudia said flatly. There was no need to stress her situation further.

It only took one glance for Elizabeth to realise how Cosette felt toward the request. Before the servant could speak with reluctance, the sister took up Claudia from the bed.

“Very well. I shall take you to our Mother.”

Claudia hummed, and grinned a little to be in her sister’s arms. However uncomfortable, it was nice to have someone she could call family assisting her. A better sibling than Aramus could ever be, she thought.

“Thank you, Elizabeth.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

When Claudia entered the room—while being carried by Elizabeth—there was Ansel, working to conceal the damage to the wall. He gave a nod to Claudia and Elizabeth as they entered. The door was kept open for them, and they found this sight, which was odd, as Ansel was one for research and tactics rather than menial tasks. George was more suited to such labor, but perhaps the fact that he was missing had prompted him to take on such a task.

Meanwhile, the Countess, was smoking with her hookah as usual, holding her trademark smile as she placed her gaze upon her visitors, or her supposed daughters.

“Good day to you, Mother.” Elizabeth was the first to greet with a curtsy—as if to her she was her queen—albeit it was clear to anyone that she was only trying to get used to things.

“Hello, Mother,” Claudia added. The Countess was definitely back to normal compared to last night, which relieved Claudia. “You have need of us?”

“Good morning.” The Countess spoke in her usual tone, and she was indeed back to her normal self. She smiled at the two, eyeing Claudia. “You have need for me, yes?”

“More or less, I suppose. You did summon the both of us…” Claudia appeared confused for a moment. It wasn’t like she left the comfort of her bed to meet the Countess unless it was something important—not that Claudia minded.

“You are the one who sought for my blood, are you not?”

“Pardon her, my Sister is apparently silly at times like these,” Elizabeth said with a chuckle.

“That is true.” The Countess nodded.

Claudia mentally slapped herself, having made a habit of doing that. She had not counted on drinking her mother’s blood again when she requested nourishment. She expected someone else’s, but who was she to complain?

“Forgive me, Mother. I... I’m not feeling so much as myself.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Now, come, dear Elizabeth, bring your Sister to me.”

“Yes, Mother.” Mephisto Elizabeth took the steps to reach the Bloody Countess, handing Claudia to her. It almost felt like the older Representative of vampires was being treated like a baby who knew not how to walk.

The Countess moved aside the article of cloth from her dress to reveal her neck for Claudia.

“Go on. Drink to your heart’s content.”

“Yes…”

Claudia extended her fangs and this time fully dug them into the Countess’ exposed neck. Unlike a human, or that idiot Alek, the Representative did not have to worry about her mother dying from blood loss. She felt like she could only be satisfied with drinking the Countess’ blood all in one go.

Her entire mouth was filled with the Descendant’s crimson, with even more in her throat and stomach. Claudia absently used her tongue to lap up any blood that happened to drip.

Now that her other daughter was seating on the opposite side, the Countess gave Ansel a glance and he soon picked Claudia up from the Descendant. He placed her on a sofa beside her sister and cleaned the Countess’ blood stains with a tissue. He did the same for Claudia momentarily before returning to the wall.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, poured blood for herself from a bottle and was drinking without even thinking about it. New to her urges, her lust for blood was uncontrollable indeed.

“Do you feel better now, my dear?” the Countess asked Claudia.

“Not likely, dear Mother. The Holy Burns of Victoria’s Commandment still linger on my skin. Drinking blood will only numb the pain for the time being.”

“Not quite numb, it is the only form of nourishment that is able to break it, so that your natural regeneration would bring you back to us proper.”

“Think of it as an antidote,” Ansel supplemented.

“I see. How long will it be before my body heals?”

“Who knows?”

“Whatever the case, I do not intend to rest long.”

“Oh you will rest,” Ansel said. “Doctor’s orders. You cannot do much without those limbs, Claudia.”

Claudia sighed. And yet, I am too much of a wretch to deserve such a thing. “Then here’s to hoping I recover quickly…”

Elizabeth got up after finishing a glass of blood.

“Now, if you would please excuse me, Mother.”

With a nod from the Countess and a bow from the noble lady, Elizabeth took leave.

Ansel turned to the Countess some moments after Elizabeth left, only to ascertain that she wouldn’t hear what he was about to say from the hallways.

“May we please know how your second Representative came to you, Mi’lady? This is far too sudden.”

“I suppose it was on a whim when I decided to pick her up some days ago,” the Countess nonchalantly replied.

“We are short on heads, after all,” Claudia said. “To gather more people was a given for Mother. Though… I was not expecting you to get another Representative,” Claudia supplemented.

“It’s fine, isn’t it? She is interesting, and I think you will like her, Claudia.”

“I have noticed that she is the gluttonous type, akin to myself. Is there more to her than that?”

“Representatives of mine are always gluttonous—that is the side-effect of possessing my power.” The Countess shrugged. “However, there is a different type of quality in her that I enjoy. I suppose you will have to wait it out to see for yourself—the blossoming of her inner side.”

“A quality to impress you? I am tempted to guess, but I shall keep that to myself for now,” Claudia said. “Colour me even more interested in her, then. I hope to see this inner side sometime in the future...”

“Let us hope that it does proceed as I plan. The new blood in her is already causing changes in her. She was a more calm and levelheaded individual; humble and pure before this.”

“I wonder, was that what happened to me at some point?”

“Perhaps… You were beautifully grotesque from the start if you ask me. The most it may have done was to bring it to the surface excessively,” the Countess said with a big smile. “Proud and reckless, ready to face the world; naive, but honest.”

Claudia grinned, this time wider than she had done in a while. Her cheeks even grew pink. “There is a small, depraved part of me, yelling in the back of my head to revert back to what I was. I sort of miss it all, to be honest.”

“Isn’t it fine to relax once in awhile? Not like you’re fighting,” Ansel said.

“You aren’t wrong, Ansel. You’re not wrong at all…” Claudia stared at the ceiling and hummed. “I suppose that I could try to loosen up—perhaps around you and the Countess.”

“Yeah… there is a reason I told you this, though…” Ansel laughed nervously as he spoke.

“Hmm? There is?”

“Your Master called. You have a week before your training resumes.”

And just like that, Claudia’s lightened expression scrunched up once again to her usual rigid look.

“I see… so I should have as much fun as I am able, then.”

“It is such a shame, I suppose we should have her meet her new comrades sooner than planned,” the Countess said.

“Indeed,” Ansel responded. “I shall call them whenever she is able to meet them, of course, seeing as she needs her rest at the moment.”

“I see you wasted no time, then,” Claudia said. “I hope to meet them soon enough.”

“Also, Claudia dear, I have heard what I did while I was… out of it. I am truly sorry.”

Claudia shook her head. “No, Mother. I am sorry for disturbing your sleep. It was my fault.”

“It is unfortunate, but my Vice is sleep, and the lack of it sometimes changes me in ways I do not understand myself.”

“While I shouldn’t be the one to talk, it is imperative that you get the required rest, Mother. You are an important part of my life and… I wouldn’t know what I would do without you.” Claudia almost appeared like a mother herself as she chided the Countess. If she had arms, she would’ve put her hands on her hips.

“I know, but it is a Vice…”

“But… what if something worse than a momentary memory loss occurs and we can’t reverse it? What if something happens to you because of this Vice?”

The Countess sighed and shrugged.

“It seems like the Vice is a system only Descendants are privy to,” Ansel said to Claudia. “And mi’lady does not prefer to overindulge it… for reasons she doesn’t want to speak of.” His tone was laced with frustration.

“I see… then forgive me for prying.” Claudia mentally slapped herself again. She wished that she would just stop talking sometimes.

“It’s fine, it’s fin—”

“It’s not fine, mi’lady. You can hide it with your smile but I know… there is some kind of a stress on you for having a Representative. Now it will only go up.”

“...Is that true?” Claudia asked.

“What would a Goddess be if she could not sustain her followers?” the Countess questioned, albeit she made an exaggerated look of frustration just to humour Ansel for once. “Virgo had about seven Representatives, it’s not that big a deal.”

Ansel only sighed and gave up on the matter.

“I will take your word for it then, if you so wish it, Mother. I won’t ask about it again.” Claudia nodded her head, shrugging off Ansel’s words.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Now the floors had no water as they were walking. The had crossed quite the distance and it felt as though a day or so had passed already. There wasn’t any light coming from the floor and it was the usual blue hue of the Realm that only illuminated the way at the moment. Surely, this only meant that the world was much darker for them. They would sometimes take rest but considering the situation they avoided it, despite the foreboding hollowness of the Realm.

“I’ve been thinking,” Kaitlyn said, “we can use the Duchess here like a radar.”

“I am no instrument you know. I am still a person like you.”

“How do you feel now, Duchess?” the Prince asked with an innocent charming smile. It seemed like the slight tension in the air was lost to him now.

“I feel better, the darkness here is much weaker overall. I believe if we continue this way we should be fine. I hope at least,” Svetlana said blushing a bit upon witnessing the Prince’s smile.

Kaitlyn looked from the Prince’s smile to the Duchess’ blushing face. That actually works on people?

The Prince only gave a nod and started traveling once more.

Eventually, so much time had passed that they lost their sense of time altogether. None of them knew how long they had spent in this Realm now.

The floor started to look brighter again before they knew it.

“Are we… back to where we were?” the Prince spoke absentmindedly.

Kaitlyn sure as bloody hell hoped not. Wait a minute… She squinted. Was that what she thought it was? Wordlessly, she pressed on, the Duchess and the Prince forgotten. When she got closer, she was sure of it. There was a sign post sticking out of what served as the ground of the Realm.

“What are you looking at, Miss Mercer?” Svetlana asked, hoping they had not ended up back where they started.

The Prince looked up to the sign post but could only read one of them. “This feels as though someone deliberately made it unreadable.”

“Glad it’s not just me then,” Kaitlyn said. “I thought maybe I was getting rusty. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to read Latin.” There were two directions. The right was completely eligible. “The Bar,” Kaitlyn read aloud, looking at the left one.

“The Bar? Like an actual bar? Either way, I do not feel anything from either direction that sign is pointing at.” Svetlana said.

“Which way, Prince? †˜The Bar,’ or wherever the right leads?”

The Prince crossed his arms, falling into deep thought. “If it really is a bar, we may find someone who may be able to give us information.”

“Finding someone at all would be welcome at this point. Left it is then?”

“I will agree on going left. If it is an actual bar we can rest there as well,” Svetlana said.

“Very well. Let us go then.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

The bar was wooden, located inside a house with about two floors, and it looked as though it was floating in the air due to the transparency of the ground. As they made way for it, the ground didn’t appear to be giving away light here.

The crank of the door was audible, and they could tell from a glance how old it was. The interior was classical, and there were sofas beside the very corner of the wall on the other side. While the bar itself had long stools before it with the bartender cleaning a glass behind it, a staircase was spotted by the trio in the other corner opposite to the sofas that would lead one to the second floor.

Only one customer other than themselves could be seen drinking on a stool. As one would see from behind him; he wore a long brown cloak, which had ominous holes and cuts from overuse. With how much he may have been battered in life, and the many tatters in his apparent attire, they could tell that he had been in this Realm for a long time. Just maybe. Frequent travelers going from one Realm to Realm were something out of a legend in the Magic World.

“I suppose seeing as how the Realm is, they do not get many customers here,” the Prince commented, giving the place a glance.

“That’s the first thing that comes to mind?” Kaitlyn asked, bewildered. “Why is there even a bar here to begin with?”

“I would question that as well, but I think I’d rather find out where exactly are we and how we get out of here,” Svetlana said.

The Prince gave a nod, affirming their priority, and thus walked up to the bartender.

“Excuse me, may I ask where we are, and how we may return to the human world?”

The Prince observed the bartender for some moments, and so did the bartender.

There was no response whatsoever.

“Uh…” His Highness observed the countenance and looked back to the collection of beverages behind the bartender. “Very well, whiskey!” the Prince exclaimed, and the bartender immediately set about preparing it with a nod. Leopold only sighed and shrugged as he sat down.

“Would money from our Realm even be accepted here?” Svetlana said as she could feel herself craving peaches.

“Well?” the Prince showed the bartender some pound notes, and he gave a big smile, along with an †˜OK’ gesture.

“I will have a peach or whatever peach flavor drink you have!”

“Whoa, wait a minute!” Kaitlyn said. “We asked you some questions and we want answers.” She didn’t understand how either of her companions could accept things so readily.

The bartender only smiled at Kaitlyn in response, making several gestures.

“He said he cannot speak. His only way to communicate is through the sign language.”

Kaitlyn coughed into her hand. “Oh, my apologies. If you understand him, can you try asking, Duchess?”

“Excuse me sir, where exactly are we at? We been wondering around for who knows how long in this world with no clue how to get out of here.”

The bartender made signs with his hands again before pointing to his other customer. He then placed a glass of whiskey for the Prince, and for Svetlana, a peach flavoured alcoholic drink.

“He said to ask his other customer, it will be easier to know,” Svetlana said as she then took a sip from her drink followed by drinking the whole glass.

“Um, pardon me sir, but we have some questions we’d like to ask you,” Kaitlyn said to the only other customer. Said other man thus turned to Kaitlyn, showing a strange wooden mask that beared the symbol of a leaf.

“Yes? How may I be of help, Miss?”

Even though he had heard the enquiries made already, he seemed to feign ignorance, and asked regardless.

The Enforcer walked over to him, doing her best to ignore his choice of attire. She held out her hand. “I’m Kaitlyn Mercer. We’d like to know what his place is and how to escape it.”

“I am the Bjornaer Magus,” the stranger introduced himself, but he ignored the pleasantry and didn’t shake his hand with that of Kaitlyn’s. “This is the Void Realm, or alternatively, known as the Astral Realm. I suppose this is your first time here with your companions?”

“Oh, I had believed that the Astral Realm was only a legend in the Magic World…” the Prince uttered, taking a sip from the whiskey. “No wonder it matches none of the descriptions of the other Realms we studied about in the Academy.”

Kaitlyn lowered her hand. “Clearly it’s not just a legend. That said, where does that leave us?”

The cloaked man shrugged. “If you wish to get out of the Realm, all you would really need is to get one to cast the Astral Venture Supreme spell.”

Now that they finally had a solid answer, Kaitlyn felt the fatigue from all the wandering they did catch up to her. She sat down between Bjornaer and the Prince. “I don’t suppose you happen to know the spell, do you?”

“I am, but currently, I am unable to cast the spell. Please accept my apologies,” Bjornaer said, bowing his head.

“I do not know this Supreme spell,” the Prince said. “What about you, Lady Alicia?” the Prince asked Svetlana.

“I...w-wish I knew the spell for you...hic.” Svetlana said, her face was flushed red. She stood up and suddenly hugged the Prince.

“Hm?” The Prince calmly looked down at Svetlana and laughed nervously, as if he had seen such a sight before. “I suppose the Duchess is not used to drinking.”

“I-I drank before and you feel really...hic… nice, Your Royal Highness,” Svetlana said as she began to press her body more against the Prince.

Kaitlyn turned and examined the empty glass. “How strong is this stuff?” she murmured more to herself than anyone else.

“Seems to have champagne and wine in it,” Bjornaer answered, taking a glance at Svetlana’s drink.

Her manners are so flippant… “There, there.” the Prince patted Svetlana. She is just like… why did things turn out this way? Leopold sighed and drank the rest of his whiskey, making a melancholic smile.

Svetlana proceeded to kissing the Prince on the cheek. “Marry me Your Royal Highness! Kyaaah! Hic. How could I have said such an embarrassing thing.”

Kaitlyn grinned. “You two look pretty good together, if you ask me.”

The Prince blushed after the kiss. He wanted his alcohol to make him forget about the two large mounds that were pushed against him, but the reaction of his cheeks were inevitable.

“Ahaha… well… it turns out that none of us here are able to get out of here. We are in quite the trouble.”

“Would I be correct in assuming that other users of the spell will turn up eventually?” Kaitlyn asked.

“The Astral Venturers do meet here often, yes,” Bjornaer answered.

“Sounds like our only option is to wait then. This place have any rooms available for rent?”

“None that I know of. The Space Police has the upper floor all to themselves.”

“The Space Police?” The Prince’s eyes wide with shock. “They are present here?”

“Yes, their headquarters—or I suppose their office—is up there,” Bjornaer answered.

“Let us just use one of their rooms. Hic. So me and his Royal Highness can have some fun,” Svetlana said chuckling.

“Excuse me, but who are the Space Police?” Kaitlyn asked.

“They are the—D-Duchess, I believe you really need a good rest about now…” the Prince was started by the implications that Svetlana was making.

“Ahem.” Bjornaer faced back to the bar, looking away from the Prince and the Duchess. “They are the special police force that mostly oversee issues of spatial nature. The Organization is very small but each of the members are thought to be very powerful. The Space Police is well-known outside countries like England since spatial issues are lacking in them. In the New World, Space Police are thought to be fearsome people because of the numerous cases that comes up there.”

“Then let us sleep together Your Royal Highness. Hic. Or is a devil girl not to your taste?” Svetlana said as she began slowly moving her body with ready eyes.

“N-No, that is not it, but…” the Prince’s voice trailed away.

“Teehee, Y-Your Royal Highness,” Svetlana said as she put her face on his chest. Soon after, her grip around him loosened as she fell asleep.

Is someone like that really a Duchess? Kaitlyn thought. In that moment, it hardly looked like she held the power men and women of her position held. Nor did she look like the frightening monster Infernal beings were said to be, or a distraught woman who feared for her sister. She just looks… adorable.

She burst out laughing. Tears clouded her vision. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so hard, but damn did it feel good.

The Prince still chuckled nervously now holding the sleeping Svetlana. “I suppose that sofa over there is the only place we may lay the Duchess down upon so that she may sleep in comfort.”

Kaitlyn wiped away the last of the tears. “Would you like me to carry her, Your Highness? Or you can do the honors if you want.”

“I am a man of my words. I cannot call myself a gentleman if I cannot do this much myself.” The Prince stood up from his stool, taking up Svetlana is his arms and holding her like a bride. Walking up to the sofa and dropping her off, he made sure that she was comfortable before coming back to Bjornaer and Kaitlyn.

“You know, I was serious when I said you two look good together.”

The Prince gestured for another glass of alcohol as he sat back down.

“And?”

“Just an observation is all. Although, I imagine someone like her won’t stay available forever.” Unlike me.

“Unfortunately, I have seen so many women speak similar words when they are drunk, and heard the same words you had said from onlookers, that I cannot comprehend who actually looks †˜good’ together with me.” Leopold shrugged, drinking more of the whiskey that the bartender had poured in his glass.

“Fair enough.” Kaitlyn was about to ask for something to eat before she realised she didn’t have any money on her. Her stomach grumbled.

“Is there no food here on sale?”

The bartender shook his head.

“How do they live here…?” the Prince said in disbelief.

“Well, I shall take my leave now.” Bjornaer got up from his seat, giving a small bow with his head at the Prince and Kaitlyn. “Good luck to all three of you.”

“Good luck to you as well,” Kaitlyn said. “You’ve been a big help.”

“I suppose I owe him one,” Leopold said as he watched Bjornaer exit the bar.

“Story of my life.” The Enforcer paused in thought. “That reminds me of a saying my father was fond of.”

“And that is?”

“A man is nothing more than the sum of his debts, to his parents and everyone else who has shaped him over the years.” She recalled the words with surprising clarity.

“I see.” Leopold looked down to his glass. “I apologise for making you speak to the man, by the by. I should have been the one making those enquiries.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m here to serve, after all.”

“I had to keep my words to a minimum, unfortunately. You were aware of who he was, I assume?”

“I got the feeling from his getup—and the fact that he’s even here—that he’s more than just a friendly traveler, but no. I can’t say that I am.”

“The descendant of the notorious Bjornaer family, the family of wizards that went berserk and murdered their peers long ago. Even to this day, members of the Magic World are supposed to kill them on sight.”

Kaitlyn looked at the man they’d just met in a new light. If he knew the spell to enter a mythical Realm, then who knew what else he was capable of? Still, he’d been nothing but courteous to them. “Doesn’t really change the fact that we owe him.”

“I suppose that is true.” Leopold finished the drink in his glass for the second time. “Would you like one too?” He pointed at his glass.

“I’d rather not drink on an empty stomach… you know what? Why not.”

“It shall be my treat. Take a pick.”

“Whiskey would be fine.” She had never tried it before. Now seemed like a good opportunity, what with the Prince offering to pay.

The bartender started to pour the whiskey in a glass for Kaitlyn.

“I suppose we should give the Space Police office a visit after this.”

“Do you think there’s a good chance they’d help us out?” Kaitlyn sipped at her glass and fought back a grimace. The whiskey burned all the way down her throat.

“Not at all good, but better than nothing.”

“You’d think an Organization with †˜police’ in their name would be a little more inclined to lend a hand to people in need.”

“I do not know much about them, but I hope they are as helpful as the word would imply.”

“Hope usually doesn’t pay off in my experience.” Kaitlyn tipped her head back and drained the rest of her glass. It sent her head swooning. “God, this stuff is strong.”

“It is? Perhaps I have simply adjusted to this stuff by now.”

“I think I understand now why you’re used to dealing with drunk women.”

“I shall take that as a compliment, thank you. On a more serious note though, I used to drink quite often with my old Master.”

“I’ve always kept my drinking light, though during my days at the Academy, my friends used to try to get me drunk sometimes. My old mentor though who helped me get into the Academy, the only thing I ever did with him was train, train, and train some more.”

“So, you had a mentor of your own from outside the Academy too?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have gotten in otherwise. There’s no way my parents could have afforded to send me there. They’re just simple merchants after all. I was going to take over the store from them, but, well, fate had different plans for me.”

“Ah, that is true. Without a man finding out your Gift and informing of your scholarship possibilities, you would indeed be taking over the store. My mentor on the other hand, was someone I met in a ball held at the Buckingham House. He was the one who taught me the Lost Form of Crystal Paladin.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask Your Highness about that. I’ve heard that only members of that Organization were taught that Lost Form, but Your Highness don’t strike me as a member.”

“Depends. Some are allowed to learn the Lost Form as members of the elite force comprising of the knights who protect the Crystal Summit, while others are allowed to learn if they are simply chivalrous—that is, if they prove themselves in their trial. It is common to see people pass away trying to overcome the trial, though.”

“And I thought i had it rough with my training.” Kaitlyn twirled her empty glass around with her finger. “Do they let anyone attempt the trial?”

“A credible figure must vouch for the challenger. If anyone could attempt it, all kinds of unworthy people might attempt it and face quite the punishing venture.”

“Who would count as a credible figure?”

“I would be one, for example, or any figure of nobility if it were from England.”

“So would Your Highness do it? Vouch for someone, that is.”

“If you are interested, why not? I would warn you not to take the trial lightly, though.”

“Honestly? The thought of going through the trial terrifies me. All I wanna do is go home, see my family and my friends again and maybe taste a certain someone’s cooking. After what happened though, I’m not so sure how safe home is. The battle may have been at the Palace this time, but who’s to say it will be next time? If my family ever got caught up in this and I didn’t do everything I could to keep them safe, I don’t think I could live with myself.”

“I do not think England would become a battlefield unless the Japanese raid it again… like that time from a year ago. Unless my Sister puts up a search warrant for you, I doubt it will be an issue to go back to your life in London, except you would likely not have your old job anymore.”

“If not the Princess, it could be another threat—like Japan. After that fight with Virgo, things calmed down for a while, and then the revolution happened. There’s no telling what tomorrow will bring, and I have to be prepared. My fight against that man and that woman proved that I’m not.”

“Indeed, there was quite the powerful set of people brought over by my Sister… if you are sure about it then I have no qualms, but do note that you may never be able to turn back anymore, Miss Mercer.”

Kaitlyn smiled, but it was tinged with sadness. “I’m sure, although, this does put me further into Your Highness’ debt.”

“You may pay it back after you finish your training one day.”

“I intend to.”

“Shall we proceed to the upper floor now?”

“After Your Highness.”

The Prince got up, and offered to pull the chair for her. The two soon made way for the staircase after Leopold paid for the drinks they had earlier.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

There was a wooden door when they reached the second floor. Leopold knocked on the door but there was no answer. He tried again, and this time, the door was finally opened after some moments.

The Prince and Kaitlyn found a female teenager in a sailor uniform that was rather bold, modified to make the shoulders bare. Her hair was as blue as the sky, tied up in pigtails. Her aquamarine eyes seemed to possess the same clarity.

“How may I help you, Mister?”

“Hello there, may I speak to the officer of the Space Police in charge here?” The Prince was treating the the girl as a child indeed, but Highness was very respectful to her as he would be to anyone regardless.

“I am the one in charge here!” she replied with a proud tone.

The Prince gave Kaitlyn a glance in confusion. The child was in charge of the office of the Space Police? Leopold was extremely perplexed but it didn’t show in his expression.

“Don’t take this wrong way,” Kaitlyn said, “but how old are you?”

“You don’t ask a lady’s age.” The young girl pouted.

“You little—never mind. We’re in need of some help.”

The Space Police member gave Kaitlyn a stare for a good second before gesturing them to come in.

Despite the unwelcoming tone of the girl, she allowed the two to thus enter and take seats around the table that was parked in the middle of the room. To say the least, the room was not very big. There was a desk on the other side where one would expect the officer, but the seat behind said desk was empty. On the other side of the wall was a large board with writing crammed onto it, detailing various assignments.

The child sat atop the desk casually. “So, what do you need help with?”

“We… well, we ended up here in the Void Realm and we’d like your assistance in getting out,” Kaitlyn said.

“Basically, we need one to cast the Astral Venture Supreme spell to help us get out of this Realm, if that is not too much to ask,” the Prince added.

“And?”

“And?” the Prince tilted his head.

“How did you get into this Realm? You cannot just come to this Realm casually you know, Mister.”

“We were sent to this Realm, rather than coming here out of our own volition, Miss.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Someone cast some kind of spell on us,” Kaitlyn said. “Next thing we knew, we woke up here.”

“The Void Lost Form?”

“So it was that Lost Form after all…” the Prince said, looking down with a frown.

“Alright, I’ll make arrangements for the transfer out of this Realm. I need to get permission for it first, though. In the meantime, you might wanna decide what country you want to go to. The more specific the location you decide upon, the better.”

“Very well.” The Prince bowed his head. “I thank you for your cooperation with our little situation.” He then faced Kaitlyn. “It is a good question, though. I suppose going back to London at this time may not be as beneficial as it may seem.”

“I agree. If the battle didn’t turn out the way we hope it did, you could be leaving this Realm only to jump into your sisters’ hands. There’s the Duchess to consider as well. Perhaps we should wait for her to wake up before we make a decision?”

“I suppose so, yes. We cannot quite make an important decision like this without the Duchess either.”

***

Some number of hours had passed since the Prince and Kaitlyn talked with the apparent person in charge of the Space Police. The Enforcer had wanted to rouse the Duchess immediately and would have if Leopold hadn’t told her to let her rest.

“That’s it, that’s long enough,” Kaitlyn said as she stood from her chair. “She can get more sleep once we’re back.”

“You are not one to be patient, I see,” the Prince commented, seeing her get up. “I suppose we have waited long enough indeed.”

“Anywhere else, maybe I’d have a little more patience, but I want to get out here and find out what’s going on.” She walked over to the couch Svetlana slept on. She placed a hand on her shoulder and started shaking her. “Hey.”

“Just ten more minutes Nancy,” Svetlana said as she tried to continue sleeping.

Kaitlyn started shaking her even harder. “You’ve slept enough, Duchess.”

“The sun is not even out and my head hurts still,” Svetlana said as she turned around the opposite direction.

“There is no sun here.” Kaitlyn pulled her back by her shoulder to face her. It was getting harder to keep the annoyance out of her voice. “If you don’t get up, we’re leaving you behind.”

Svetlana was surprised at what just had happened, her eyes wide awake. “What was that for! I was having such a nice dream too Nan… Oh, Miss Mercer, it is you.”

“I could have woken you up with a boulder. Who’s Nancy anyway?”

“She is my Personal Maid. I suppose I thought I was back home. What happened by the way? Why was I asleep?”

“Perhaps it would be better if the Prince explained that.”

“Did I cause something for you two to put me to sleep?” Svetlana asked with a confused expression.

“Well, Lady Alicia… you had fellen unconscious after drinking an alcoholic beverage,” the Prince explained with a chuckle. “I am not sure how I should greet you when there is no sun, though.”

“I did? Pardon me I must have forgotten to ask for something on the light side. Sadly I am a very light drunk from previous experiences. I am sorry if I caused Your Highness two any trouble,” Svetlana said as she gave a light curtsy.

The timing for that curtsy… “It is fine, no trouble was caused.” According to the Prince, Svetlana hadn’t touched him weird, in any way, apparently.

“Really? That is good,” Svetlana said as she felt relief. “My older sister back in Japan used to tease that I did strange stuff when I got drunk. I guess she was just teasing me after all.”

“Nope, nothing weird at all happened,” Kaitlyn said, grinning.

“Yes, nothing strange at all,” Leopold added, smiling rather nervously.

“Is something the matter? You two are making weird faces. Is there something on me?” Svetlana said as she began inspecting herself.

“No, of course not, Duchess. Anyway,” the Prince attempted to change the subject. “We have an important matter to discuss.”

“Did you find a way for us to get home?”

“Yes.” Leopold gave a nod. “However, we were told that we must think of a location to return to first.”

“Would we not be returning to England? I imagine you would want to go back there, Your Royal Highness.”

“Of course not. It is too dangerous at the moment.”

“I’d like to return as well,” Kaitlyn said, “but it’s not an option. Is there anywhere you’d prefer to go, Duchess?”

“I want to go back to England, but I suppose Princess Louise will know I did not kill Your Royal Highness. It might be best I head to Saudi Arabia first to get stronger even if it is just a little.”

“I was actually thinking of going there myself—to seek an audience with the King,” the Prince stated.

“It’s sounds like we’re going to Saudi Arabia then,” Kaitlyn said. There was nowhere she could think of going.

“I see,” Svetlana said. “How exactly are we getting home by the way? You mentioned the Space Police, but exactly how are they getting us home? Is there a portal somewhere out there?”

“Oh. We were told that a specific Supreme Spell is required to create a portal. We found someone who would be able to,” Leopold answered.

“I see. Then shall we go see them? I believe I want to eat some actual food myself.”

“Don’t remind me,” Kaitlyn said. By now, her stomach felt like a gnawing pit that threatened to consume her.

The Prince offered a hand for Svetlana to get off the sofa. “We should probably not keep her waiting any longer too.”

“Thank you,” Svetlana said as she gladly accepted the Prince hand.

“Are we all set on Saudi Arabia then?” he asked once more just to confirm.

“Yes.”

“Don’t see any reason to stick around here any longer,” Kaitlyn said.

“Very well.” The Prince gave a nod. “Hopefully, we learn the conclusion to the battle we fought in England. Perhaps the news has made it there already.”

***

On the second floor, the Prince and Enforcer came back to the office, now with Svetlana. The Prince knocked on the door and a “come in” was heard. He opened the door, and the Space Police member from their last visit was scribbling on a paper placed on the desk.

“You people reached a decision?” the girl asked.

“Yes,” the Prince answered. “We would like to go to Saudi Arabia, the Royal Palace in Madina, to be specific.”

“To that place of DND, huh…”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.” The girl looked up to them and found their latest companion and gave her chest a glare, but only for a moment. “Your names, please.”

“Leopold George Duncan Albert, styled His Royal Highness the Prince… but I suppose that last bit is unnecessary.”

“Kaitlyn Mercer.”

“Svetlana Astakhov Alicia, Duchess of Norfolk, but I suppose I might no longer be that.”

“Alright, I got the permission. I’ll be leading you all out of this Realm, I guess… seeing as no one else is here. I am called Witness DDS of the Space Police. Nice to meet you all… I guess.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Do all members of the Space Police have such an odd title? the Prince thought.

“Witness DDS?” Kaitlyn asked.

“Hm?” DDS tilted her head.

“Nothing, it’s just that it’s a strange thing to call you.”

“It can’t be nothing if it’s strange.”

“So… where does that title come from?”

DDS ran a finger in the air. A black line traced it before it expanded on both sides. The very fabric of space was ripped apart and the portal formed.

“Anyway, off you go.”

Kaitlyn narrowed eyes at DDS, before the three walked into the portal.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

As soon as the trio appeared before the Royal Palace in Madina, the guards glared down at them. However, they took note of Svetlana, and the gates were opened. The officially recognized Starlight Mage—albeit an apprentice—was apparently known to the guards throughout the palace, and it was no different for the guards stationed before the gates.

Witness DDS seemed to follow them for reasons unknown while keeping her distance, even though she should have no business with them after she had sent them to this country.

“It seems to me that we are under suspicion,” the Prince whispered in a hushed tone.

“We just made an unannounced visit to their palace,” Kaitlyn said distractedly. She couldn’t help but look around at the sites that greeted her. The architecture was completely different from anything she was used to back in England. “I’d be surprised if we weren’t under suspicion.”

“I just hope nothing bad happens. Though why is the little girl following us?”

“That is what I was concerned about, if the Space Police thinks we are bad, that would mean we are in grave danger.”

“Well I was told the guards are great at telling if you are lying so I do not believe we have much to fear, I hope.”

“Have you been here before?” Kaitlyn asked.

“Yes, the Princess is my Master.”

“What? I wish you’d mentioned that earlier.”

“I suppose since Your Royal Highness already knew, I believed I did not have to bring it up again.”

“Ah, yes. I suppose for Miss Mercer, this may be the first time she has left the land of England,” Leopold said.

“Damn right,” Kaitlyn said. She mentally told herself to focus. If the Duchess’ master was the Princess, then they were probably safe on that end. That left Witness DDS. If what Bjornear said about the Space Police was true, she wasn’t to be taken lightly, even if she did look like a little girl. Kaitlyn nodded to her and lowered her voice. “Could the three of us take her on if we have to? If there’s anything you think I should I know, I’m all ears.”

“Well for now… we can only hope that she has her own business,” the Prince replied.

“I guess so.” Kaitlyn didn’t like it, but she didn’t see what else they could do.

“That said, would you be willing to come with me to the Crystal Summit, Miss Mercer?”

“What!?” Svetlana said in surprise. Why does she get to accompany the Prince!

Kaitlyn turned toward the Duchess. “Hmm? Is something wrong?”

“It is nothing…” Svetlana simply said.

“If you’re sure.” To the Prince she said, “I’m guessing that’s where I have to go to take the trial? If so, then yes.”

“Yes, that is partially why I must speak with the King,” the Prince said. “As an Archmage, he may be aware of the situation in our country, and may also aid us in getting to the Crystal Summit.”

“I just realized, do we even know how much time passed while we were in the Void Realm?”

“I have no idea, to be honest.”

“We can find out once we speak with the King,” Svetlana said.

The three were guided inside the palace as a guard recognized Svetlana. Svetlana revealed that the Prince wanted to have an audience with the King, and thus they proceeded.

They had to wait for some hours, however, as the King was busy with other matters. In the meantime, they were provided with some food, to the delight of Kaitlyn.

A man finally came to inform them that the King had given permit, and they followed him out of the waiting lounge.

***

Beyond the gates lay the throne room. One that held exotic designs compared to the one back in Victorian London. The King had two guards beside him, and two guards behind them. Unlike the time Svetlana met with the King, it seemed like he preferred to have guards around now. After the assassination attempts and whatnot, this would make sense.

Leopold gave a graceful bow to the King, as did his companions.

“Prince Leopold, to what do I owe the pleasure… is what I’d want to say. I reckon you are aware of the situation in your country?”

“Not to the fullest extent, unfortunately, Your Custodian. We had been cast away to the Void Realm in our desperate struggle to protect my mother, the Queen.”

“Your mother the Queen has been dethroned, Prince Leopold.” King Abdullah glanced over Svetlana as he spoke. “It is unfortunate, but I do not think you should return to London any time soon. Rest assured, you and your companions shall remain safe here. It is the least I may do to return the favor to your mother.”

“I… I see…” Leopold looked down. “Mother…”

“I am really sorry Your Royal Highness…” Svetlana said.

Kaitlyn remained silent. She seemed so powerful. How on earth did she lose? She hoped His Highness would stay strong.

“Your Custodian, I would like to travel to the Crystal Summit. For now, I must speak with the Archmages regarding the future,” Leopold said.

“Very well. We shall prepare an aircraft for that. Are you sure, though? I would recommend staying low for some time,” the King replied.

“No, time is of the essence. I must go immediately.”

“I understand.” The King finally turned to Svetlana. “Returned for your training, I presume, Duchess of Norfolk?”

“Yes, Your Custodian. I made a great mistake which I intend to fix.”

“A mistake, you say?”

“I should have never had listen to what the Princess said but I just could not bear the thought of our family losing everything again after what my Sister has gone through. Pardon me Your Custodian, would you happen to know if anything about me was said by Princess Louise?”

“We have not heard anything about you so far. I am rather surprised to find you here despite the conflicts in your country. However, we can look into it.”

“If you can please. I am worried something might happen to my Sister, but if it is possible can Your Custodian send some sort of invitation? If for some reason my Sister cannot come, I would like it that at least my Personal Maid can. I would hope I can at least speak with her to find out what is happening with my family. It would also be best though not to mention I am here but that they are being invited for a different reason if Your Custodian would incline.”

“What an elaborate request.” The King laughed, his voice echoing across the hall. “We will see what can be done. There may be some porters of the new order that may intersect such invitations, however.”

“I understand, but I just cannot think of anything else if I want to hear from my sister.”

“Well, would you be continuing training for the Lost Form of Starlight throughout your stay? Or would you make your stay short?”

“I would wish to continue my training. Cutting it short will not help me if I have to fight to secure the safety of my Sister. I must train as much as I can. Considering Princess Louise was able to take down Her Majesty.”

“It is unfortunate, but currently my daughter is not within my domain. If you would accept, I shall volunteer to oversee your training.”

“Would that even be possible?” Svetlana asked, confused.

“I am no user of the Starlight but I do know all that one would need to know.”

“Such honor. I believe you should accept this offer, Duchess,” the Prince said.

“I do not mind as it would be a honor, Your Custodian,” Svetlana said as she curtsied. “I just always believed I could only learn from Princess Aisha.

“You are not quite wrong,” the King replied. “Unfortunately, I may not be able to get you past the most powerful of the spells of the Lost Form. This is likely the only time I may be of help, as you are still a novice in the ways of Starlight.”

“Understood. Thank you, Your Custodian.”

“For now, all of you should get some rest. Tomorrow the transportation preparations will be made, Prince.”

“Ah, about that,” Leopold began. “I am going to be taking Miss Mercer here with me.” He motioned towards Kaitlyn. “Prospective Crystal Paladin.”

“A Crystal Paladin… it would be no problem.”

And so, the three were dismissed and they came out of the throne room and were being guided to their rooms for the time being.

“Does the Princess often have international affairs?” Leopold asked Svetlana. “We do not often see Princesses outside our country taking important tasks up.”

“I do not know everything, but as a Starlight Mage we choose a task and we must see that we are able to fix those mistakes. I cannot do much myself as I am still in training.”

“Choose a task and fix the mistakes?”

“It is a rather long story. Maybe I can explain it to you one day when we are not under such circumstances.”

“Well, Miss Mercer and I will be taking a flight to the Pacific ocean tomorrow. I wish you luck with your training, Duchess.”

“Thank you. I wish you luck as well, please be safe, Your Royal Highness, and I am sorry again. I promise to make this up to you and Your Majesty one day.”

“You will have to tell that to my mother, Lady Alicia… if she is even alive.”

“I am sorry. It seems I am only making you feel bad. That was not my intention.”

“I wish you luck as well, Duchess,” Kaitlyn said. “I hope everything works out with your sister.”

“Thank you, Miss Mercer. Please do not try anything funny either when alone with His Royal Highness,” Svetlana said smiling.

“I’ll do my best to keep him safe for you.” Kaitlyn winked. “Also, if you want, you can call me Kait.”

“Funny? Like a comedy skit?” The Prince blinked, completely confused.

“Please do not worry Your Royal Highness, I merely jest,” Svetlana said as a part of her felt like sighing.

“I see…”

“Then Kait, I will leave His Royal Highness in your care. Please keep him safe. Once things have settled down and things turn for the better, if you do not mind Your Royal Highness, may we dance together again?”

“If there is a ball, it would be my pleasure, Duchess,” Leopold answered.

Svetlana eyes sparkled in joy upon hearing this. “Thank you. I would hope then that day may come again.”

“And may our paths cross again as well, Duchess,” Kaitlyn said.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Michael gained consciousness, his vision hazy. The room was gloomy, only illuminated by the faint light from the cloudy sky. This seemed to be the same guest room upon which he was allowed to stay in. It felt as though he had woken up from a nightmare, the nightmare where he was cut in half. It didn’t take long for him to realise that it was likely real, especially when he tried to pull himself up.

“Thought I was just half-dreaming,” he commented mostly to himself. He wasn’t sure if they got the job done, nor did he feel inclined to find out at the moment. All he knew was the Queen—or possibly former Queen, was absurdly powerful. They managed to mow through up to the throne room and held their own fairly well against her guards. Barring the loss of two Relics and a few mages, that is.

In the end, he had managed to activate his Commandment, and gained knowledge of a few things he didn’t knew he had in his arsenal. Caladbolg’s ability to generate a wave of energy, and more importantly, Flora—or her spirit at least. He made sure to put more thought into it later.

There were webs of thoughts he could go in, but it all came back to him being half the man he was. All those things wouldn’t matter if he couldn’t even take a bloody piss on his own. He prayed him being alive and surprisingly hale meant he could heal these type of wounds. If he was in a safe place, then probably Charlotte had brought him there; at least he hoped she had.

Some time passed, and Michael finally heard someone knocking on his door. The person knocked three times, waited a single second, and then spoke.

“I am coming in.”

The door opened, and Charlotte entered the room. Walking to the bed, she was surprised.

“Oh, you are awake. Good afternoon,” she greeted, sitting down on a chair beside his bed.

“Good afternoon to you too. Are you alright?” Just from eyeing her, she did seemed to be okay, but he felt compelled to ask anyway.

“That should be my query, Mister Michael. Regardless, I am well now, thank you.”

“Well, it seems that I’m half the man I used to be. Will this be alright? What happened at the end?”

“I… I hope so. I am not sure if it is possible to recover at the rate you are going, though. The Holy Burns are akin to poison.”

“Eh. I’ve had worse. I’m more worried about my mobility issue.”

“I suppose feeding you would not be a problem now, at least. Hoho.”

“Eh?” Now it really was starting to sting. “What do you mean?”

“You have no stomach to digest food as far as I see. Jokes aside, if you are ready, we have a meeting to attend.”

“Well, this is as ready as I can be. I don’t suppose that the person we’re going to meet is waiting outside the room?”

“Not quite.”

The left eye of Charlotte BrontÃ« lit up with the colour of navy-blue and a holographic illusion formed, and Michael found Virgo in a blue ephemeral image pop up before him.

“If you told me getting my lower half severed would end up with seeing you two first thing in the morning...” Michael left his comment unfinished as he waved his hand at Dana. “Good morning!”

“Morning, I see you are in quite the mess today, Oppressor.”

“Could be worse, imagine if she picked up my lower half.”

“And what would one do with that?”

“Not… entirely sure. In any case, what’s our agenda? I don’t see myself doing anything physical for the time being, but I did manage to use the Commandment with your help. And seeing Miss Charlotte and I are alive, I am going to assume we succeeded.”

“The Queen has been overthrown, so I suppose I shall commend the effort of you two.” Dana made a smile. “You may be proud of your efforts. Princess Louise has sent words of gratitude. The payments should be on their way.”

“That’s good then.” Her smile made him have a smile of his own. “ So our job here is done?”

“Yes. It seems like you both received Holy Burns. I need to provide you both sustenance as well.”

“As Miss Charlotte mentioned earlier, I doubt I have a stomach to digest anything. I’m actually surprised I’m still alive, to be completely honest. My own mind cannot understand the absurdity of my current situation so far. Not to mention that Commandment the Queen used.”

“It will be fine. Unless, you wish to remain how you are for some days and finally die?”

“The sooner I can move, the better. Besides, given the choice of your smile and death, I think there would only be one answer.”

“Caster, bring him over when you are ready.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Charlotte answered. “What about my Mother?”

“Has she found her other Daughter?”

“Not yet… she has to go to Singapore.”

Virgo scratched the back of her head in contemplation. “And I assume that you would join her?”

“If I may, yes.”

“Well, for now… leave her be. I shall release from duty after the agenda is dealt with so that you may join her.”

“Very well.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Weiss found herself having breakfast in the estate of Charlotte BrontÃ«. Their two guests were gone from the house before she even knew it, and it was back to being just the two of them, if they didn’t think of the maid, that is.

“How do you feel, Mother?” Charlotte asked concernedly.

They hadn’t spoken much in the past three days, as Charlotte had been traveling many times without leaving any notes. The maid would prepare food for Weiss in such times based on Charlotte’s instructions.

“I feel fine.” Weiss said with a straight face.

“But you activated your Commandment, I believe?”

“Back then, yes I did. I’m sorry that I was late to help.” Weiss looked down.

“No, that is fine, but um…” Charlotte looked away. “That means you would have to… distract yourself with something again…?”

“Nah, I already took care of it. Made several carvings on my room wall, sorry about that.” Weiss smiled. “Wait, don’t tell me that you wanted me to distract myself by doing it.” Weiss grinned devilishly.

“I-I did not! I was simply worried if you needed to do something like that. Thankfully,” Charlotte began, heaving a sigh, “it seems like you are fine.”

“Oh I don’t know, I might need to distract myself soon. I did used a lot of my Commandment you know, along with some new ones too.”

“Hm? I thought you said you made carvings on the walls?”

“Well, it’s not enough. It did help me stop for a bit but this new ability sometime comes in and out when you least expect it,” Weiss teased.

“Something about your explanation sounds fishy, Mother. New ability…?”

“The side-effect of the new Commandment ability, my dear.”

“You just want to play touchy-feely with me, is that it?”

“Not just me, you want it too, no?”

“I am a proper English lady; of course not.” Charlotte drank her tea calmly. “I am able to see how I got this teasing nature now, though.”

“Pfffttt. That is obviously a lie.” Weiss giggled and nodded. “Indeed, blame your father for awakening my true self, maybe. Also, come over to my room tonight.”

“Hm? Your room? Why?”

“I got some training for you.”

“I do not think I am lacking in combat capabilities, mother.”

“But you do. Especially for night battles.”

“I believe you are implying the bed practices, rather?”

“Tch, you saw right through me.”

“That type of language is rather obvious,” Charlotte replied with a wry smile.

“I’ll attack you in your sleep!”

“Do you have some kind of an odd romantic attachment to me, Mother? I must say it is cute, but I belong to Mary only!”

“Not really, I just think that you lack experience. Plus you are just too adorable so I can’t help but to tease you, my dear.”

Lacking, is it? “I am not quite looking for experience in that regard. I have no intention to gain experience from the help of others, either.”

“Not even your Mother?”

“That is particularly lecherous, Mother. Do you see other mothers teaching their daughter how to be perverted?”

“True, I guess I was that bored.” Weiss sighed and continued, “I might leave soon.”

“Leave?”

“I need to travel to Singapore to find your Sister, remember?”

“You speak as though you plan to go alone, Mother.”

“I know you still have some unfinished business here. So I should go first to have a head start.”

“I do? I had already finished my businesses to be able to be able to accompany you, Mother. Besides, how would you ever travel without a level-headed person to provide aid?” Charlotte said with a teasing tone.

“…Since you said it that way, when can we leave?”

“Whenever you are ready.”

“As soon as we can get the tickets to Singapore then?”

“I should be able to arrange for us to go with a Magic Train if that is acceptable for you.”

“Alrighty then!” Weiss rubbed her hands together. “Let’s eat first.” She smiled happily at her daughter.

Charlotte’s expression eased at her mother’s cheerful exclamation.

“What would you do without me?”

“I don’t know. Probably get lost since I don’t have a map.”

“I would think you would not be able to even leave the country without help,” Charlotte bluntly stated.

“Well, I can’t deny that. Most of the time I just follow instructions from Boss Lady which are clear as day.”

“Basically, you are the type who does not think.” Charlotte giggled.

“I do think! I just prioritize others than myself most of the time.” Weiss pouted.

“Now, now, there is no need to hide your shortcomings, Mother.”

“Hmph!” Weiss crossed her arms and still pouted.

Charlotte chuckled. “That said, we should pick some places to visit. It is sort of like a vacation if you look at it that way.”

“Sure, from what I heard back in the day, it’s a paradise for a vacation. I don’t know what it looks like right now though.”

“Hopefully not a post apocalyptic country now.”

“I hope so.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Kaitlyn and Prince Leopold exited from an aircraft. It was a small aircraft that the King of Saudi Arabia had lent. The floor of the pier they stepped onto was completely made out of crystal.

Moments ago, they witnessed the entire Crystal Summit coming up from the surface of the ocean as they got closer to it.

They soon started to approach the entrance of the temple made out of crystal. There were pillars that were reminiscent of the Greek architecture.

Despite everything Kaitlyn had witnessed over the past day or so, she couldn’t help but gawk at the sight before her. A part of her was also relieved to finally be off the plane. It was her first time riding in one, and she hoped the second time wouldn’t be for a while yet. Her stomach still felt queasy from the flight, but it was much better now that she was on solid ground.

“How was this place even built?” she wondered aloud.

“There is a legend about it,” Leopold said. “Albeit you are only told of it if you become a Crystal Paladin.”

“Why’s that? I don’t see the harm in it if it’s just a legend.”

“Each Lost Form has its own story. It is a bit of a tradition now to only speak of it to the apprentices.”

“Does that mean the Lost Form is somehow tied to the creation of the Summit itself?”

“Yes, it definitely is. The Crystal Summit is made out of the Mystical Crystals themselves.”

“Mystical Crystals?”

“It is what we Crystal Paladins employ to fight, and protect what is important to us.” The Prince looked down. “You are walking on it.”

Kaitlyn followed his gaze. “So they didn’t just use it then because it looks pretty.” I thought I’d learned a lot at the Academy, but there’s still so much out there I don’t know.

“Not quite, albeit the architect had quite the artistic sense. The Mystical Crystals are in a way good for defense, so the temple was made with it. They still employ a barrier around the area, though. No one has managed to get over it without authorization for hundreds of years now.”

“All this protection… what’s it even for?”

“Right now it is for the Archmages… there were other reasons back in the past too, I suppose.”

“Any idea what those other reasons might be?”

“They are part of the lore of Crystal Paladins. What they generally tell the Magic World is that this was a sacred temple of a certain God in the past.”

“Is there any truth to that? This place certainly looks the part.”

“Maybe that’s the truth to it?”

“I suppose so. Can’t think of any reason to doubt it.”

As they walked up to the grand structure that was the temple, Leopold and Kaitlyn found a pair of guards approaching them.

These guards donned crystal armor as knights, and their gallant form was rather intimidating, yet this oppressive feeling was gone as they broke into grins and spoke with the Prince in different languages that she couldn’t follow. One appeared to have dark skin while the other shared a similar bright skin tone like herself, but the facial features made it apparent to Kaitlyn that they came from differing cultures.

After some time, they proceeded inside. Kaitlyn found a glowing azure orb of light that floated above the floor, and there was a staircase that started from beside it. The Prince wordlessly took on the staircase, and she followed. There were various complicated carvings across the walls that she couldn’t make any meanings out of. Despite the fact that the walls were seemingly solid from the outside, they were transparent from here, and she could see the ocean through them.

“For those who learn the Form who aren’t a member of their order, what’s their relationship to them?” Kaitlyn asked, glancing out the walls as they walked.

“If there is a word for it, I would simply call it something the lines of… friendship? There is nothing much of a relationship other than the Crystal Summit’s recognition of your chivalry, and perhaps competency in combat. Regardless, even if you do not work for them, many would want to recruit you after you master the Lost Form.”

“What would joining them entail?” As the Prince mentioned, she doubted the Princess saw her as a threat. However, now that she was in charge, Kaitlyn doubted going back to the Council was a viable option for her. She wouldn’t want to work for her anyway. “I have a feeling I’m out of a job now, considering what’s happened.”

“Well… that is another subject altogether. Crystal Paladins not only have a duty to this Crystal Summit—with its protection and all—but they are oft tasked with chasing after dangerous Rogues of the Magic World. The scale of operation is completely different, as you may have to cross various boundaries of countries to reach your targets. Their only easy case was arresting Aramus Valmark, the Magister you fought with earlier.”

Kaitlyn had forgotten all about the Magister after everything that happened. She hoped he’d made it out alive though after the news they received, the chances of that didn’t seem too high. “We were both students around the same time, and he was an Enforcer same as me for a while. Can’t say our paths ever crossed much though. It’s terrible what happened in America, but from what I heard there wasn’t much he could have done.”

“Yes, it was not truly his fault, it was simply a misunderstanding that lead to it. The Duchess casted the spell in the wrong time and place too.”

“She did? That’s news to me… With regard to the Crystal Paladins, I’m not sure I’d be willing to commit to that right now.” After all, she was here to defend her family and her country. There was the matter of the Prince saving her life as well. “If Your Highness have me, I’d be willing to continue offering my services to, such that they are.”

“Well, the Duchess being there is me being presumptuous—do not tell her that.” The Prince laughed. “The names match, though…. and why would you want to serve me now? It may not be appropriate. I believe it would be much more productive to perhaps go to your family, Miss Mercer. I have not much to offer, seeing that I am in exile now.”

“I wouldn’t dream of telling her, Your Highness. As for serving Your Highness, it’s like Your Highness said. My family’s in no immediate danger. The way I see it, helping to put Your Highness and the Queen back in the rightful spots is the best thing I can do right now.”

The Prince turned to Kaitlyn and stopped. “Miss Mercer, I do appreciate the offer, but as I said, I would only be putting you in more danger…”

Kaitlyn looked him dead in the eyes. “I just agreed to take a trial that could end with me dying. If Your Highness don’t want me around anymore after this, then that’s fine. I understand that, but don’t use danger as the reason.”

“You have seen what my Sisters are capable of, it is not something I would want many to deal with, Miss Mercer. If they could even take down… m… my mother—a Descendant—then I know not what else they are capable of.” The most important and most dangerous detail was of course spoken in a hushed tone. “It is another level beyond what the trial has to offer.”

Kaitlyn thought at first that he had just wanted to get rid of her, but it seemed as if he was actually worried for her safety. She absentmindedly toyed with the Vis rook he’d given her. “I appreciate the concern, Your Highness, I really do, but I’ve already expressed my wishes. It’s Your Highness’ call. I’ll stand by whichever one Your Highness will make.”

The Prince took a moment to think and finally responded, “Very well… it may be rather inappropriate, but we shall make a wager: if you pass the trial, you are free to serve under me, if not, then you will not accompany me any further. Is that acceptable? Do note that there are many opportunities to stop the trial for those who wish to live.”

“I don’t like gambling much, but you’ve got a deal,” she said. She extended her hand. “Shake on it?”

“I do not quite enjoy it either, to be honest.” The Prince and Kaitlyn thus shook their hands on the deal. “But it has it uses.”

“Hmm, I suppose it could, like getting rid of me, perhaps?”

“Or perhaps keeping a lady’s hide safe?”

Kaitlyn smiled. “That too.”

The two started to walk up the staircase once more.

“On another note,” Leopold began. “You are about to meet one of the Archmages. I hope you are mentally prepared for that.”

King Abdullah hadn’t seemed so bad, but there was no telling what the other Archmages were like. “I… hope so too.”

After some minutes, they reached a door and it was opened before the Prince even thought of quirking the door knob himself.

Kaitlyn found an office beyond the door, and there was a desk made of the same crystal she had been seeing all day today. An old man sat behind it. He gave a welcoming smile at the Prince and spared a glance to her a moment later.

“I suspect you have come here for the matter regarding your mother?” the old man asked, and Prince Leopold gave a nod in response.

“Yes, that I did, Elder.”

“And this fair lass here is?”

Apparently, to the Elder, Kaitlyn didn’t seem too old.

“Her name is Kaitlyn Mercer, Elder. On that note, we should speak regarding her business first.”

The Elder eyed the Prince, and then Kaitlyn suspiciously. “Well, go on. I can already guess where it’ll go, though.”

The man sitting before her wasn’t exactly what she had expected. “I wish to take the trial to learn the Lost Form of the Crystal Paladins, Elder,” Kaitlyn said. “And you do me too much honor. I’m not much of a fair lass.”

“I believe one bold enough to take on that trial is quite the fair lass nonetheless.” The Elder shrugged. “We have very few female Paladins since the Church gets most of them…” he said, already feeling like sulking. “Ahem. While I won’t question your motivations, mind I ask if you are ready to face the challenges?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

After her bold proclamation of readiness was made, Kaitlyn was asked to go down the stairs from where she came. She walked down alone as Prince Leopold chose to stay with the Elder. As soon as she arrived before the azure orb of light, a man clad in a black suit walked up to her. The design of the suit was slightly different, and she could tell that it was likely not tailored from England. He was a man likely from the New World.

This man appeared to be as old as the Prince but his facial expression gave away that he was as cold as the crystals surrounding them both. Behind his spectacles were a pair of deep blue eyes staring her down.

“You wanted to take on the trial, I assume?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Follow me.”

The young man walked up to the staircase and moved past it. In the shadows of the staircase was another staircase that appeared to lead down below, and they traversed this path without any exchange of words.

As the walls surrounding this passage were also made with the Mystical Crystals, they appeared to be transparent, and Kaitlyn could see the underwater, and the fishes swimming all around her.

It took her breath away, but she refrained from saying anything out loud. Her guide didn’t seem like the kind of person who would indulge in idle chatter.

They walked down to a small room where Kaitlyn could see many items scattered across the floor, including swords, armor, gauntlets, boots, and whatnot. They appeared to be old, very old. She could see another staircase on the opposite end of the room, but it was full of water, some of it wetting the floor.

“From here on out, you’ll progress alone. Take any of these weapons or protectives you wish,” her guide said, looking down at the wet floor and its scattered armory.

Kaitlyn nodded. “Very well.” She had never used armor before. As tempting as its extra protection was, it would probably slow her down too much. She walked over to a sword about the same size as her old one and tested its weight. “I think this will do. What happens now?”

“You’ll be swimming all the way down to the very core of the Crystal Summit. Your objective will be to gain a shard of the Sacred Crystal. Swimming, of course, won’t be your only obstacle.”

Kaitlyn discarded her old sheath to the floor and slipped the sword into her belt. This just had to involve something I’m not very good at… “And what other obstacles are there?”

“Wouldn’t be much of a trial if I tell you everything, now would it? You will be tested—you, your heart, and your soul. If you think that you cannot stand the difficulty—not in the literal sense, of course—you’re free to try to come back up. And no, we won’t go out of our way to save you if it does look like you’ll die. We’re not like your Prince.”

How does he know about that? He may as well have offered her words of encouragement for all the difference it would have made. Kaitlyn turned to her guide and grinned, her fangs visible. “So can I start now, or what?”

“Go ahead.” The guide was already walking up and away through the stairs the two came down from.

“Didn’t your parents ever teach you it’s rude to walk away when people are talking to you?” she shouted after him. Kaitlyn turned back around and approached the submerged stairs. Her boots entered water when she was on top of it. She peered down inside, but she couldn’t see anything beyond besides more stairs.

Kaitlyn looked at her hand and realized it was shaking. Get a move on, Kait. Now or never. She sucked in as much air as she could and plunged in. The water was much colder than she thought it would be and nearly caused her to open her mouth, but she held it shut and sunk further down, her hair floating above her as she did so.

The light from the room above started to fade and a small wave of panic struck her. This time she opened her mouth and water came pouring in, forcing the air out. Her body coughed and convulsed, but it only made matters worse. She flailed around, searching for the way back up. A single thought passed through her head.

You can use Aquam, remember? Kaitlyn used her mana to clear some of the water away, creating a bubble of air around her head, and she sucked greedily at it. She looked back up. It still wasn’t too late to turn around.

She almost laughed to herself.

“Yeah right.”

She looked back down to continue onward, but after nearly drowning so soon into the trial, it was difficult to get her body moving again. Applying more mana, she propelled herself further down the stairwell. As she moved further down, she passed a transparent wall of magic. She looked back to confirm and saw the wall upon which she could find some ancient carvings. She noted that the water beyond this wall was twice as cold.

Propelling herself down again, she came to a dead end where it appeared that the roof had collapsed and blocked the passage long ago. Light entered from the right where the wall and the roof were missing. She moved to it, finding herself out in the deep blue world. Looking down, it turned out that she’d need to find an entrance into the lower sections of the Crystal Summit. She could see that this tower-like establishment ran so far down that she couldn’t even see its base, however.

I think I liked the sights better when there was a solid wall keeping me from drowning. She didn’t have the slightest idea how long it would take her to find a way back in—if there even was one—and only had a vague idea of how long she could maintain the air bubble. If she didn’t get a move on though, she would surely die. Keeping that thought in mind, she moved forward.

Kaitlyn followed the tower down deeper into the abyss, spiraling around it so as to lower her chances of missing something. She continued on like this for some time. Eventually, she lost track of how long it’d been since she first began her descent and still, nothing.

At one point, she was continuing on as she had been when the strain on her body started taking its toll, and her mana briefly failed on her. Her body drifted for a bit from her momentum. Come on, I can die anywhere else, but not down here, not like this! She applied her mana again and was able to propel herself down again, albeit slower than before.

By now, the temperature of the water didn’t feel quite as bad, though whether her body had just gotten used to it or the nature of her mana was causing the water around her to warm up slightly, she didn’t know. At last, the bottom came into view. Much to her disappointment, there was no entrance even when she reached the apparent base. There was only the seabed and she watched as a big fish slowly passed by her as if mocking her for coming so far.

As Kaitlyn observed the base closely, she finally noted a sliver of darkness, a line of crack that went who knew how far. Upon closer examination, she discovered that it was actually a passage to a new space of ocean water, where there was another seabed much below. The sunlight didn’t reach down here and most of this underwater area was in total darkness. She could see that the tower continued far down, however.

In this darkness, she could see an extremely enormous orb unfold before her vision, slowly as her eyes adjusted further with this newfound lack of light. The tower went down into the very center of this orb.

You’ve gotta be kidding me. How deep does this go? It was like an entirely different world down there. It reminded her of the Void Realm, only now she didn’t have the Prince or the Duchess with her. I hope her training’s going smoother than mine has so far. Suppressing a groan, Kaitlyn dived through the crack, following the tower down to the orb.

Kaitlyn spent a long time diving down to the surface of the orb. When she did, she could see a glowing pattern of a garden full of flowers drawn all across the orb, which simply appeared to be a semi-hemisphere shaped barrier now. This glow was the only light barely illuminating the deep waters.

It was eerily beautiful. She would have spent more time admiring it if she wasn’t in danger of drowning. She pushed in closer, placing her hand against the surface. A ripple was formed and the pattern of the glow changed. Kaitlyn saw herself in the form of the white carvings form on the surface of the orb.

“What do you desire?” the reflection of herself asked, using her very own voice.

“Um… I’m here for a shard of the Sacred Crystal, I guess.”

“That’s what I wanna do in life? I’m disappointed in myself right now.”

Kaitlyn bit back a sharp remark. What did she wanna do with her life? As far back as she could remember, she’d been doing what others told her. Her parents wanted to groom her to inherit the store. Then her old mentor told he she could use mana and should learn how to, and so she did. When she graduated from the Academy, she was offered a job from the Council and took it because her friends encouraged her to, more than anything. She had even purchased her apartment because of one of her friends.

None of that was to say she resented any of them, but at the same time, it always felt as if something was missing from her life. She thought back to the Duchess’ display of affection for the Prince, even if she had been drunk. Maybe a someone, Kaitlyn thought. But she doubted that would ever happen. She closed her eyes and shook her head. When she opened them again, she smiled faintly.

“There’s people I wanna get stronger for, and some heads I wanna bash. Isn’t that enough?”

“Since when did I want to play the goody-two shoes to that extent? Might as well bitch the pot at home, wouldn’t you say?”

The Kaitlyn of the reflection grinned at her.

Kaitlyn saw the reflection break away and the pattern of white lines reforming, coiling, and finally moving away, as a hole formed before her to allow her passage into the orb.

She paused in thought. That was a good question. “As if I came down here to talk to myself.” She propelled herself through the hole into the orb.

The passage behind her immediately closed after she crossed the boundary. On the seabed was a large wreckage as far as she could see. The Crystal Temple was in ruins, but it appeared to be the shell of a former institution that had been abandoned into the deep ocean. Myriads of thin, deep green leaves of sea plants obscured her view, and she couldn’t see what exactly lied inside. Before she could make her way past the broken walls, she turned, feeling an abrupt sense of danger, but there was nothing.

Kaitlyn whirled about where she floated, but she still couldn’t find anything. If there was anything down there with her, it probably wouldn’t be able to sneak up on her if she stayed out in the open. But if the Crystal was down here, it had to be in the ruins of the temple. She had come this far, she wasn’t about to turn back now. Bracing herself, she entered the ruins.

Or so she thought.

Something slapped her on her face and she couldn’t see for a few moments. Kaitlyn turned and before she knew it, she was surrounded by strange creatures amidst the floating plants. Their upper bodies were that of human, and lower torsos were that of fish. Each held tridents, and their expressions in the dark didn’t seemed to be very hospitable toward her either.

Kaitlyn drew her sword out and remained in place, waiting for one of them to strike.

The residents of the ocean brushed past her mercilessly, but Kaitlyn held her own successfully for some time, blocking her impending doom with her blade. Being underwater and not being good at swimming, however, she couldn’t quite retaliate properly as these creatures were the denizens of the ocean, and were thus fast—much faster than herself.

Not good! She turned back to the ruins. She was done for if she didn’t get out of here. One of the creatures struck her, but it was only a glancing blow and the magic placed on her clothes kept her from getting injured. It jarred her enough to lose the bubble of air around her head however. She shut her mouth tight and applied a burst of mana to propel her forward into the ruins. Once she was inside, she spared a glance back, but none of the creatures had followed her. As she proceeded deeper into the blackness, she found herself facing a path not only left and right, but one just ahead of herself as well.

Kaitlyn found herself in a maze.

She threw up another bubble of air and released the breath she’d been holding. She checked once again to make sure she wasn’t being followed and examined the paths before her, but there were no features she could spot that distinguished one from the other.

Cursing, she propelled herself into the middle path, which lead her into a wall. She bumped into it, unable to see in the dark. She could feel a plant-like sensation on it. She felt along the wall, trying to find a crack or something she could slip through. Abruptly, the wall—which was in fact a special kind of plant—opened like a mouth, swallowing Kaitlyn into it, leading her to the other side.

When she opened her eyes, she found a large expanse unfold before her. In the darkness, there was light, and she looked up to a candle glowing upwards.

A candle, underwater? Kaitlyn shrugged. Why not? She swam up toward it. Abruptly, she found herself coming out of the water, and was only now able to relax. She found a round solid structure that appeared to be something like a shrine some distance away and swam up to it, propelling herself to it with magic, and pulled herself out of the water and onto the floor.

The floor she found herself on was blue in color and there were four pillars in the cardinal directions. The apparent sanctuary was surrounded by water. The candle was in fact a mysterious golden crystal hanging from the ceiling.

Was that the Sacred Crystal she’d come searching for? If it was, it was way out of reach. She tried to pull it down to her with her mana, but whatever was keeping it in place held firm. She could try to knock it down with a boulder, but that could go bad for two reasons. One, she had no idea how fragile the Crystal was. Two, she didn’t want to have to dodge the thing when it came crashing back down.

While she was absorbed in her own thoughts, skeletons started to rise from the surface of the water and by the time her reverie was broken; Kaitlyn was surrounded. The attire of the skeletons varied, she could see some dressed as members of the British navies while others wore remnants of broken armor. Few appeared to be pirates. They all held swords, and the souls of the dead cried, echoing across the halls of the temple.

Readying her sword once more, Kaitlyn charged the nearest skeleton. Her blade connected with its skull, shattering it. She turned just in time to see a rusted sword glide past her face, nicking her cheek. She batted it away, chopped the arm off, and dug into its torso. Making sure she had a good grip on the handle, she kicked the body away.

A third skeleton raised its sword above its head and brought it down. She parried it and smashed his head as well, but a fourth skeleton took the opportunity to lash out, cutting through her coat and dress and into her back. She rolled forward into the empty space in front of her, grimacing from the pain of her wound. She wanted to save as much mana as possible for the return trip, but there was no helping it.

Spikes rose out of the ground around her, spreading out in four directions. Any skeletons in their path were skewered. Some appeared to die, but others fought to free themselves. However, it seemed to be for nothing as more skeletons rose from the ground to take their place.

“Can’t keep this up forever…” She looked back at the Crystal and down at the remains of the fallen skeletons. She grabbed a sword and shook off the boney limb still attached to it. Hefting it, she threw it up at the Crystal, giving it a push with her mana. It collided, knocking it loose. Kaitlyn punched a skeleton in the face as she ran up and snatched the Crystal out of the air. As soon as she touched it, she learned that the Crystal was very hot. Reflexively, she cried out and let it fall to the floor with a resounding clang.

The light of the Crystal washed over the floor and past the skeletons, extinguishing all of them, but its light was gone as soon as it ran past Kaitlyn and the skeletons. The darkness seemed to envelope the halls once more and all was quiet. Looking around, however, the notion of total darkness was disproved. As her eyes slowly adjusted, she noticed four lights at each end of the cardinal directions.

There was a catch, the lights came from the corners below, so she’d need to go diving once more. She tried to look around for the Crystal, but it was too dark to find it. I hope that wasn’t what I was supposed to find.

Giving up the search, she chose the upper right corner and jumped in, immediately creating an air bubble for her to breath. Like before, she used mana to glide through the water as well, this time down to the source of the light. As she got closer, it was apparent there were more crystals. She felt hopeful once more that she still had a chance to complete the trial. But when she reached out to grab one, it wouldn’t budge. She felt a powerful wave of magic resisting her, and she was pushed back away before a single finger could be laid upon it.

After steadying herself, she pulled her sword out and approached the Crystal again. This time, she stabbed the sword at their base and tried prying one loose, but she didn’t have any more luck than with her bare hands. She gave up and moved on to a Crystal directly across from her. After what happened the first time, she reached out hesitantly to this one. Again, the wave of magic attempted to send her away, but Kaitlyn persisted and managed to lay her hand on it.

“What’s wrong, Kait?”

Kaitlyn looked down. Opposite to her at the table sat her brother, looking at her curiously, his expression mixed with worry. The woman looked around, and there was none of the water, the coldness, or the magical pressure she felt just moments ago, but the house that she had been raised in all those years ago.

“Probably daydreaming again,” her father said from the corner of the room, apparently reading the newspaper.

“Am not,” Kaitlyn pouted, glaring at her father, but he was too absorbed in the paper to notice. She took a step toward her brother and stopped. She had the strangest feeling, like she was supposed to be somewhere else. She looked down at herself and the dress she was wearing. That’s right, she had returned home but was getting ready to head back to the Academy. There wasn’t much else to do, so she sat down at the table with her brother.

“You were not thinking of going to that Academy, right?” her mother walked into the room as she asked.

“How many times have we been over this?” Kaitlyn asked. Felt like they’d talked about last night over dinner, or was that the last time she’d visited? “Of course I am.”

“But you’re supposed to take over the store tomorrow! Surely you can’t do both in the mornings for the days to come?”

Kaitlyn looked up at her for the first time. “I was?”

“Of course. Didn’t we tell you that your brother will be going to the Academy? He is such a bright child!”

“But Mother, I can’t take over, remember? Most of the customers get scared away because of my… my Gift.”

“Gift? What Gift?”

Her brother laughed. “Sister, you have no Gift, remember? I am the one who really did, that stranger told us yesterday that he was mistaken.”

“But the thief,” Kaitlyn began, “you weren’t even born yet. I was the one who…” She thought back to the day that man tried to rob them. Instead of her, it was her brother who stepped in and conjured the spell that saved them. “That’s can’t be right,” she whispered.

“You don’t have to think too hard about this, Sister.” Her brother showed an ominous smile. “All you have to do is inherit the shop.”

“If you can’t even do that, and scare the customers away…” her father added.

“You are useless,” her mother said.

“How can you say that?” Kaitlyn asked. Her voice almost cracked. “Even if it’s true…” She ran through her parents’ words in her head again. “But why would you want me to take over then if I’ll just fail? Don’t you care what happens to this place?”

Suddenly, Kaitlyn found herself falling on her back. Picking herself up immediately, she found Griswold grinning at her with a snake’s fang pointing at her throat. Her eyes darted left and right, and she was in the throne room where a great battle was raging, magic being cast in almost every moment.

“Such a useless waste,” Griswold claimed.

“Useless…” the voice of the Queen was heard from behind.

“Useless… baggage! Disappear from my side!” the Prince said, leaving her side instead of saving her.

The word “useless” kept echoing under the confines of Kaitlyn’s head. She watched as the wraith approached. She didn’t even bother to struggle against the vines that held her in place. They were right, all of them. When had she ever been helpful? Her parents couldn’t even figure out what to do with her, her friends always had to watch out for her. Her eyes watered up with tears. The wraith was standing over her now, raising its sword.

Suddenly, she gripped onto something. Looking to the very right, she found an ephemeral woman who appeared to have come out of the floor, as if a wraith itself, but she handed her a sword. A sword clad in Mystical Crystal, just like the one the Prince had used to save her in that battle.

“Fight it. For your tomorrow. Fight your fears,” the spirit told her.

Kaitlyn blinked at her tears. She could still prove them wrong, it wasn’t too late. Gripping the sword, she sliced through the vines and thrust into the chest of the wraith before it had time to lower its blade. Everything around her vision visibly cracked. Like glass, there was the noise of the spreading cracks, and finally the ear-piercing shattering noise was heard. The entire image fell apart and there was a momentary darkness, before it was enveloped by the light of the Crystal.

The ephemeral figure flew up to her, her form becoming more and more tangible, revealing her lower portion to be that of a fish; she was a mermaid. Her eyes and the hair were as azure as the sky.

“If you fight for yourself, only then may you fight for others.”

With those words, the mermaid’s form dematerialized, and the world around her darkened once more.

Abruptly, when Kaitlyn next opened her eyes, she found herself just before the azure orb of the Crystal Summit that laid far above the surface of the ocean. Her clothes were wet and her body was very cold, but she was alive.

She stared dead ahead, eyes wide open. Her hand was still outstretched from when she attacked the wraith. Her lips trembled, but she didn’t trust herself to speak. Slowly, she lowered her arm. The words of the mermaid refused to leave her.

“Did you get the Sacred Crystal?”

Looking from the corner of her eyes, she found the guide come up to her. He still had the cold and calculating face like the last time she saw him.

Kaitlyn looked down at herself. She was still dripping water. Her back burned from the wound she’d taken earlier. She reached around and touched it, wincing. Her coat, which had seen better days, now had a big gash through it. More importantly however, she didn’t have a crystal on her. So it was all for nothing.

“Looks like I failed,” she said.

She heard sounds of footsteps and found the Prince coming down from the staircase. Leopold looked down at her with surprise. Seeing her all wet and before the glowing orb, he realized that her trial had just ended.

“Miss… Mercer, glad to know you are alive.”

“I failed though,” she repeated. “I didn’t get the Crystal. I guess I’m lucky to be alive though after what happened down there.”

“You sure are modest, Miss Mercer.”

“What is Your Highness talking about? The last thing I remember was…” She recalled everyone telling her how useless she was, including the Prince. It hurt more than she thought it would. But after that, there was that figure who handed her the sword made from crystals. “I don’t understand. What happened with the Crystal?”

The guide knelt down to face her properly and looked her in the eye. He placed a finger on his chest, and tapped it.

Kaitlyn looked down at her chest, and on her skin she could see the same blue shade mixed with it. An oval-shaped crystal was latched with her skin on her chest, just above her cleavage. Running a finger past it, she could tell that it was the real deal; the Crystal. It had merged into her body before she even knew it.

She looked back and forth between the guide and the Prince. “You two have so much explaining to do.”

“In time.” The guide got up from his position. “You should rest up.”

“Congratulations, Miss Mercer,” the Prince added.

At the mention of rest, she suddenly felt so weary. “I seem to remember a certain bet we made,” she said.

The Prince chuckled. “What a coincidence, so do I. It is your win, Miss Mercer.”

Kaitlyn smiled. She’d rub it in his face, but she was simply too tired right now. “If this is what winning feels like, remind me not to gamble with Your Highness in the future.” Rest sounds good right now. If I can even make it to wherever I’m supposed to go.

“That I shall.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Right now, half of Claudia’s limbs were back via the mysterious power of regeneration. Claudia had received quite the boom that Representatives would seldom receive from their master—their Descendant—and was thus feeling much better than before. Albeit, the pain she felt far surpassed that of the time she was Exorcised by Michael Kallweit back in Japan, as the Holy Burns continued to give the Representative a burning sensation throughout her body—on the parts that remained intact despite the tortuous attacks she survived.

Everyday, her slave Cosette would be in charge of the redressing of her bandages. Sometimes, Elizabeth would take over if the maid would find excuses to not do it. Cosette would often go out, after all.

For Claudia, it seemed like the process of regeneration was fastest when she’d sleep. So Ansel’s orders proved to be effective.

Yet despite her inability to travel on her own, Cosette had brought her over to the Countess’ room, where she was supposed to meet the new comrades that the Blood Countess had allowed to join the inner circle.

Among these new faces, Mephisto Elizabeth was—unfortunately—missing. The Sister was caring but mysterious, and often preferred to do things alone, without the company of anyone, at least that was the impression she gave to the other members of BloodLuSt so far.

“Good day to you, Lady Claudia, my name is Thomas Walter Brand, 3rd Viscount of Hampden. You may address me as Constance—as my peers do.”

Constance wore a high-quality, jet black suit, had blonde hair, and a pair of piercing chocolate eyes. He appeared frivolous but carried himself with an air of gentlemanliness. Originally, he wanted to hand Claudia a rose, but seeing as her hand hadn’t recovered, he refrained.

“I am Clarice. Uh, how do you do?”

This woman wore a white dress that she herself seemed uncomfortable in, as if someone had forced her to wear it. Her question made it apparent that she wasn’t sure what to add other than her name in the introduction. Mannerisms were clearly not something she was well-versed in.

“Mary Anne Disraeli, Viscountess of Beaconsfield. They also call me Gracie.”

The noble lady wore a deep blue dress and had long gray hair, almost reminding Claudia of Mary, but she knew that it wasn’t the same person. Gracie held in her facial features a more colder but somehow a fair and gentle complexion.

“I don’t really need to introduce myself to you, right?”

And the last person was someone who almost took made Claudia forget to breathe.

He was there, leaning on the wall in the corner of her sight.

That savage—fearless—smile.

Overflowing confidence and vigour.

A feeling of an unsurmountable force.

That was the type of air he held to himself.

It was Blayze Smith.

Claudia kept her rigid composure intact. She collectively eyed each of the people in the room. She nodded to each of them—even the Descendant in the corner of the room. Her introduction would have been complete with a handshake, but her hands still not quite had come back.

“Constance, Gracie, Clarice—pleased to make your acquaintances,” she said plainly, albeit with a lingering enthusiasm in her voice. She turned her head to the Descendant—Aries and nodded to him all the same. “Blayze, however slightly shocking it is, it is good to see you again, too.”

“Just one question,” Blayze responded, still smiling. “Are you worthy of being my opponent?”

“That can only be determined, not by words,” Claudia responded, giving her best unmoved look. “Why? Do you intend to have a second round with an injured woman?”

“Haven’t been finding many worthy opponents, is all.”

“…That so?”

“Well, whatever the case, I guess we’ll be working together for now. I look forward to seeing you fall marvelously.”

“Not before you fall over your own overconfidence,” Claudia replied, shrugging.

“You sure you ain’t speakin’ of yourself again?”

“Positive.”

“I don’t think a loser has the right to say that, though.”

“I see you haven’t changed at all, my friend.”

“You sure changed a lot, though. Got your old trauma overwritten by a new one?”

“I suppose you could say that. Or casting off my old disposition could be a possibility.”

“Heh. If you say so.”

“May I ask how you are acquainted with… the Descendant of Aries?” Constance enquired.

“We fought once,” Claudia answered. “Mother assigned me and the group to find and exterminate him. Needless to say, I found Blayze first.”

“And I got to beat the shit out of her,” Blayze boasted. Claudia only huffed through her nostrils in response.

“Mother?” Gracie questioned. “How curious. I had heard that you are an orphan? It is fine if you do not wish to answer personal questions, by the by.”

“No, it is fine,” Claudia said. “Indeed, I was orphaned long ago, but upon my change into a Representative, the Countess took me in and named me her daughter…soon enough, it stuck, I suppose?”

“Is it common for Representatives to be taken in as family members?”

“I wouldn’t think as much. Perhaps only the ones made by the Countess—but then again, I am unsure of how the other Descendants handle their rituals.”

“That was part of the reason I asked. I have been very curious about the Descendants.” Gracie looked at Blayze from the corner of her eye. “But I suppose asking any of them would be quite the undertaking.”

“They are rather elusive. Even after living around the Countess for a year, I have yet to understand that much about her.”

“At least you have centuries to figure it all out, possibly.”

Claudia hummed. “I suppose that is true. The life of a Representative can be quite arduous, however. I doubt that I will live long enough to find out about even the world’s many mysteries at this rate,” she half-joked.

“We are here to prevent that from happening,” Constance said.

“That is good to hear.” A minuscule smirk could be seen at the corner of Claudia’s mouth out of appreciation. “Beware that the forces who conspire against us are no laughing matter. The three before you all were fairly skilled before two of them died.”

“We saw some of them back in the Buckingham House.”

“We engaged Miss Amrita and the Director of the Royal Academy, after all,” Gracie added.

“It’ll be easy for us, you worry too much,” Blayze said.

“Mnn. We shall see.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

The next day had come. Svetlana woke up some hours after Prince Leopold and Kaitlyn Mercer had departed for the Crystal Summit, so she couldn’t see them off. It was when an attendant came knocking on Svetlana’s door that she was finally awake. Svetlana opened the door, and a maidservant was found.

She was soon lead to a room deep into the palace. The rooms where it was off-limits for her to traverse into were where she was setting her foot upon. The northern section of the palace was far more lax in activity, despite the unchanging architecture; not many attendants could be seen across the hallways.

There was a door with the emblem of a star and it was opened for her. Svetlana was told to proceed inside.

Here, the walls, the floor, and even the ceiling were all adorned with stars. Each constellation was marked with the stars connected with lines. She could see a globe set across the room.

“Welcome,” King Abdullah said.

The King sat on a sofa in the starry room, holding a book. Behind him was a long wall made out of glass, providing a great view of the city.

“Good morning, Your Custodian,” Svetlana said as she gave a curtsy but was rather ashamed she hadn’t readied herself properly.

“How have you been? Fine, I presume?”

“Could be better honestly. It is odd not having my Personal Maid around. How is Your Custodian doing?”

The King shrugged. “Could be better if my daughter was around.”

“Would you happen to know where she went? Or did she simply leave without a word?”

“No words were left. It is the same as always. Anyway, come take a seat.” He motioned to a sofa opposite to him.

Svetlana noded as she headed to the the sofa.

“Now, I’d like you to speak to me about your training with my daughter, Aisha. What did she teach you throughout the year, Duchess?”

“Currently I have learned the spells Starlight Shroud, Starlight Spheres, Starlight Plasma, Starlight Cannon and Starlight Eclipse. I have also been learning Astrology by her.”

“I see. You have learned all the required dances so far I assume?”

“From what I recall, I have.”

“We shall start with the spell Starlight Eyes this time. This spell will allow you to see the stars even if they’re not visible by the naked eye.”

“That is pretty amazing.”

The King took up a scroll from a table that was parked in-between them.

“This here… is the very scripture that holds the Incantations of War. This is quite the relic in mundane terms.” King Abdullah opened it and showed it to Svetlana. She couldn’t read any of the text in it. “It will be essential for me to teach you, it seems.”

“Yes, I cannot make out a single word on this scripture, sadly. What language is this by the way?”

“The language of ancient Assyria and Babylonia, the Akkadian language.”

“I see. That must have taken years to learn.”

“It was productive in a way, since I learned various other Supreme spells with it. Many of the Supreme spells use ancient languages other than Latin.”

“That is very interesting. I would love to learn but I probably will not have any time soon.”

The King took up a crystal ball from the table. “Before we do any of that, however, you must speak with the Goddess Ishtar once more, so that she may grant you more light of the stars.”

“Understood. If Your Custodian do not mind me asking another favor. Last time, I was out for a few days from what I recall. Does Your Custodian think I might be able to get a new set of clothes for when I wake up? I do not believe it is proper for a lady to be wearing the same clothing for days… It would also help having another maid to serve me in the meantime but that is too much of me to ask already.”

“I shall assign a hand maiden for you while we try to contact your household. If you do not mind the dresses of our country, we can get a change of clothes with ease, Miss Alicia.”

“Thank you, that would be very helpful. Well then I suppose I am ready,” Svetlana said as she went up to the King.

The King handed her the crystal ball. “You know what to do with it, yes?”

“Yes,” Svetlana said as she accepted the orb and began to step away from the King.

She then began to draw Vim mana and put it into the the crystal ball. The familiar mist of magic surrounded her yet again, and it soon made her dizzy as she fell into the state of Twilight, and her body glowed with a blue light.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

(OOC: Mature content warning. No, really. And no, it's just lewdies for plotsies. Sorta.)

The same white expanse was viewed once more. It had been about a year since Svetlana returned to the plane that Ishtar seemingly had control over. This space of white seemed as endless as ever. She couldn’t see her own shadow, but there was light, yet no source of it whatsoever.

Despite the fact that she had seen many odd things before coming down here, the space around her was completely empty, save for a white table and a pair of chairs.

On one of them sat the same woman who had given her the light of the stars before, Goddess Ishtar.

This was the Celestial Spirit who Svetlana had contracted a year ago.

“Good day to you, Goddess Ishtar.”

“Welcome, fair maiden.”

“I have come to accept more light of the stars into my soul.”

“Had you played your role with easing some of the world’s suffering ever since the contract was made?”

Just like the last time they spoke, Ishtar had not looked at Svetlana whatsoever.

“I am sorry, I have not been able to do much to do my training. Currently I was only able to purify my sister’s aunt’s corpse which had been tainted by someone.”

“That will do for now. Have you heard from your Master?”

“No. When I arrived to Saudi Arabia she was not there.”

The Goddess looked into Svetlana’s eyes for the first time.

“In time, she will be… in great danger. If she loses her life, there will be none to continue your training.”

“That cannot be. I do not even know where she is either. Do you know when this will be?”

“I do not know, but it will be soon. The alignment of the stars are shifting, and her threads of fate shift too at their mercy. Your threads, are seemingly not aligned with hers. Fate has separated you both for now.”

“I cannot let that happen. I might be selfish but I still need Master Aisha to save my mother. Do the stars say where will this occur at least?”

“The stars relating to your Master are shrouded in deep grey. Much about them cannot be read.”

“I see… Then I shall do my best to find Master Aisha after I am done with my current training. I must believe in the Prince’s words that my Sister will be safe too.”

“Your stars…” Ishtar closed her eyes as if to catch a glimpse. “They speak to me… you will come upon a great disaster that harms the world…”

“I am starting to think this world truly hates me…”

The colors of the hair of Ishtar shifted as she moved.

“You will have to be prepared to face these ordeals. Come to me… I shall bless you once more.”

Upon hearing this, Svetlana began to recall her last meeting with Ishtar and the incredible feeling she had felt.

“I was wondering, Goddess, will you be doing the same as last time?”

“You have a wish to make?”

“I was hoping we could have sex as you put the light of the stars into my soul. If it is not much to ask,” Svetlana asked with anticipation.

“You wish to sleep with me…? Surely you understand, fair maiden, that you may never forget what I… deliver?”

Despite this question, Ishtar made a smile for the first time, and Svetlana thought that it could likely charm any god, even King Hades, if she needed to.

“That is fine. I already cannot forget last time. I am a Succubus now. How could I pass a chance like this? All I ask is nothing too extreme,” Svetlana said as she licked her lips.

“Define extreme, child. I do not want to break your mind altogether.”

“Well then what would you be doing to me? I might just say what I do not want.”

“How do you think women have sex?”

“I know how they have sex. I have done it plenty of times. I was just not sure if you would pull out an actual penis on me considering you are a Goddess and I think you might have the powers to do something like that.”

The Goddess gave a look of surprise for the first time.

“It is improper for a Goddess to use such a thing, regardless. My seed may do unbelievable things to your soul… if it were ever conjured.”

Svetlana walked up to Goddess Ishtar. “I hope you know I will probably be asking for this again if my training does not end, Goddess.”

“If your training is to continue—we’d meet twice more.”

When Svetlana looked back at the table, it was replaced with a bed covered in pure white sheets before she knew it.

“Then I hope to look forward to those two more time.”

“Come, show me… your fair skin that your attire hides.”

Svetlana gave it no second thought as she began removing her dress followed by her corset and then under garments. “How about you, Goddess? I am eager to take a look at your body. One last thing, can we continue even once you are done passing the light of the stars into my body?”

“That depends upon you… it is I who allows one to come and leave this plane.”

“A little fun would not hurt, after all I’ve been through and it seems there are things to come, I might as well enjoy myself, no?”

The Sumerian Goddess’ articles of clothes started to vanish one by one with a flash of light, as if each of the apparels were akin to relics themselves. Who knew what power each of these divine garments carried. Thus, the circlet was the first to vanish, followed by the white dress that was already giving away most of her skin. The tail-like gold-adorned pieces of white clothes were taken off. The bangles and the the sandals were the last to lose their form. The navy-blue eyes of Ishtar stared deep into Svetlana’s soul now. Despite being completely naked, the Goddess of course felt no shame whatsoever, and instead gave away an air of confidence.

Even to the untrained eyes of Svetlana, her supple lips, translucent skin, and the well-endowed bosom seemed to be draped in sublimely smooth skin, all of which shone faintly against the light that illuminated the realm. Her proportions were—as expected—toned to perfection. No life form she knew on earth—or any of the magical Realms—could hope to match up to this transcendent beauty, and this fact was clear to her even before Ishtar had undressed.

“I believe any man or woman would want to feast their eyes upon your body, Goddess,” Svetlana said as she had begun fingering herself from the anticipation as she watched Ishtar undress herself.

“Any man…”

The Goddess put up her hand and Svetlana was pushed onto the bed by an invisible force. She came atop her in less than a moment, gently tracing a finger from her navel up to her breast’s nipple. The Goddess pinched it as Svetlana would to Nancy, but the difference in sensation was indescribable. Ishtar licked the neck of her priestess, traveling up to her lips as if in a relaxed pace—relishing the taste of her body—before stealing her lips at last.

The divine saliva of the Goddess was passed down via her tongue to Svetlana’s mouth. The tongues of both women met. Intertwining, they were engrossed in an alternating dance. The priestess’ body began to feel warmer and warmer, she felt as though her tongue would soon melt. The saliva glowed but Svetlana could hardly see any of it. The energy welled up in her body—she and her soul started to glow. Combined with the natural heat that sprung up but moments ago—her body became very sensitive.

Undoubtedly, the priestess felt divine pleasure as a result. She began to hope it would never stop.

“Please more.”

She was gasping for breath despite her words as the two paused, the shining liquid bridging their lips.

“What a greedy soul.”

And so Ishtar’s deep kisses resumed, her tongue diving into her mouth with greater passion and fervor, the ritual soon about to reach its peak and end as the radiance of her soul turned greater. Svetlana could feel their most private parts rubbing as a wet noise was produced, the Goddess’ hips gyrated. She only rubbed gently, and moved with the grace expected of a Divine being, but the Duchess couldn’t stop herself from climaxing nonstop. The majesty of the Goddess had completely enveloped her, and conquered her mind.

“More, I need more. This is just too amazing to stop.”

Her lust having completely taken over her, Svetlana placed a hand between their private parts as she began to finger Ishtar while she tried to grope one of Ishtar’s breast with her other hand.

“For now… the blessings are at an end.” The Goddess bit on her nipple the next moment. Svetlana’s moan filling the realm once more. “But I suppose that will not be enough for one such as you.” She laid a hand on her crotch, like the first time she did, and nudged a part of it.

“Of course not. I want to have as much as I can from—”

The fingers gave Svetlana’s luscious clitoris a gentle squeeze, and a stream of her fluids shot out. Her eyes were faced up and tongue out bare from how strongly the sensation was felt. Svetlana’s face was a collective mess with her tears and saliva strewn across the face, mixed with sweat. This pleasure had taken a different leap in comparison to the rest due to the strong climax she experienced, and undoubtedly, it was yet another unforgettable experience. She could no longer move, and nor could she think for some time. However, it was not quite over yet as their private parts rubbed together once more, the Goddess showering her affection upon the priestess.

The pleasure was so strong that she thought she was being driven to the side of complete insanity. The Goddess stole her lips once more. Rather than for a ceremonial purpose, she simply did it out of a form of love, and Svetlana could feel this emotion instinctively. They reached an orgasm. This time, they did so together. For Ishtar, it was likely the only time she could reach a climax in the entire session.

After many hours, Svetlana regained consciousness. Losing consciousness as a soul appeared to be akin to falling asleep. She had no clue how much time had passed since they had finished. She could feel her body yearn for more, but she knew she had to control herself. Looking down from the bed, she saw Ishtar sitting on the side.

“Good day, Goddess Ishtar, that sure was fun and incredible,” Svetlana said as she approached the Goddess from behind. “Would it be okay if I simply hug you, Goddess?”

“That is as good as asking if it is acceptable to love, and I believe the answer to that is rather simple, would you not agree?”

The Goddess showed a cold expression like usual, no sign of affection for her left.

“I suppose I was just not sure if you would mind, Goddess. As you are a Divine being,” Svetlana said as she then happily hugged Ishtar from behind.

“Everyone appreciates a beautiful rose. I understand that much. There is no reason to deny a priestess I have accepted.”

“Then I shall be a little bit more forward next time. Maybe I will even try taking the lead,” Svetlana said, chuckling.

“If you do well as a priestess, I may reward you with even greater pleasure.”

“I shall work even harder then,” Svetlana said, kissing the Goddess’ cheek. “Suppose I should head back now then. I wonder how much time has passed since I came here now. Last time I believe it was a week.”

“It may have been longer… I shall send you out now. I wish you well in your training.”

“Thank you. I hope to be back to accept more of the light once I make certain Master is safe.”

As soon as she said those words, her vision blanked out. Svetlana was thus ported out of the plane where Ishtar existed.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Unlike her previous abode, Kaitlyn’s supposed apartment where she was residing in was particularly different. As her eyelids parted, her vision fell upon walls made out of the Mystical Crystal of the Crystal Temple. Even if it was supposed to be an apartment, there was only one room other than her bedroom where no furniture was provided; it was empty, save for a carpet. There was no kitchen either, and she’d usually need to go to the cafeteria to eat. She could see her room illuminated by the sunlight, as the walls were transparent from the inside. It felt rather odd to sleep in such a room.

Suffice it to say, the Crystal Summit was vastly different than anyone’s imaginations. Perhaps strange to an extent too.

The doors could hardly be noticed in the walls, and one would have to place a hand for them to open. Outsiders may never tell apart a door from the regular crystal wall.

Despite a full night’s rest, Kaitlyn still felt sluggish from her activities of diving that had resulted from the trial.

So it wasn’t just a dream, then, she thought as she took in the apartment. It was her first time examining it. Before, she had been too exhausted to do anything other than crawl into the bed. Sitting up, she looked down at that patch crystal imbedded in her chest. She touched it and felt along the edges where it met skin. What exactly had happened to her? Her guide had told her she was supposed to retrieve a Mystical Crystal, but she had no memory of getting one.

She stood up and stretched.

Well, there was no way to actually take it out of that place underwater.

A voice echoed into Kaitlyn’s mind in response to her own thoughts. She was instantly reminded of the time she met the mermaid at the end of her trial.

Can… someone hear me? she thought.

A little too clear for comfort.

As if I like this any more than you do! Who are you? Kaitlyn surveyed the room once more, but it was just her.

You forgot? How cold. I am a part of you now.

I remember you from the trial, but that doesn’t really tell me much.

Shall we start with the introductions, perhaps? I am Euphrosyne.

Kaitlyn Mercer. I’m a former Enforcer of the Royal Council. Hey, can you only read my thoughts, or do you have access to my memories as well?

A pleasure to meet you, young knight. I can hear your thoughts usually. Memories are not something I can delve into in every case, but it is possible to access them.

Kaitlyn wasn’t sure if talking to someone with her mind counted as a meeting, but she figured that particular detail didn’t matter so much. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. You know, I had assumed you were part of the hallucination of the trial. Assuming I’m not just losing it, I owe you my thanks. I’m not so sure I’d have gotten through the trial without your help. About the memory thing, does it only work one way, or can I access yours as well?

You need not thank me… My memories? Unless you are a Goddess like me, I doubt you can. I could show you, though.

Well that hardly seems fair.

When was anything fair?

Kaitlyn sat back down on the bed. Good point. If you don’t mind though, I’d appreciate it if you don’t go poking around without asking me first.

I know almost everything about you by now. I had taken the liberty to view them when I was testing you.

Kaitlyn then heard the apparent Goddess chuckle, and sighed. She hoped the Goddess hadn’t lingered too long on some of her more embarrassing moments. Do all Goddesses have no respect for privacy?

Not for mortals. Besides, we are to be together for the rest of your life. You will have to accept it, as have all the other Crystal Paladins.

You said earlier you’re a part of me now. What does that mean? She thought back to the conversation she had at the bar with the Prince. He’d said there’d be no turning back. Was this what he meant?

No Crystal Paladin fights with their own power alone. Each must possess a Sacred Crystal that are hosts of the Sea Goddesses. It means that you have become a Crystal Paladin. You have much to learn, though.

Guess I can’t say I wasn’t warned. This is going to take a while to get used to though. She looked down at the Crystal in her chest again. What’ll my family think if they see what’s happened to me?

Who knows? It may be best not to show it to the mundanes, lest you wish to create a spectacle.

Kaitlyn hadn’t been expecting the response. It would be a while yet before she got used to this new situation. Believe me, I don’t intend to show anyone this. I suppose I’ll have to make sure to wear clothing that keeps it covered from now on.

You could feign it for jewelry. It may bring to you a handsome man.

Perhaps, although I doubt a piece of jewelry will be of much help. It could only do so much to distract people from who I am. I think if there was anyone out there interested in me, I would have found them already.

Adornments may take you far, child. Someone may have shown interest, but in the end it may become a matter of your… I suppose your attitude?

Kaitlyn laughed aloud. So I’m getting advice on how to catch men from a Goddess now? No offense, but if you’ve lived inside a crystal your whole life, how do you know so much on the subject?

Who said I lived inside a crystal all my life? Like your kind, I lived a life and I found my love long ago.

My apologies—I just assumed… How did you end up in the crystal, then?

It was… a sacrifice.

Kaitlyn tensed up. What? By who? The Crystal Paladins?

Mn… not quite. One day you will learn. I imagine the lore will be told to you as your training progresses.

I’m sorry if I was being insensitive. Um… speaking of training, any idea when that might start?

It is fine. If you leave your abode, perchance something may happen?

Guess I should go find someone and see what happens next, huh? She walked up to the door and placed her hand the way her guide had shown her to open it. The crystals parted momentarily, and a passage opened before her, revealing a hallway.

As Kaitlyn proceeded, the spirit of the Goddess spoke once more.

Do you remember my words from the trial?

It took Kaitlyn a moment to remember. Her mind was still somewhat groggy. Worry about myself first, then others. Or something like that.

You will do fine if you remember these words.

Thanks, I’ll keep them in mind.

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

As Kaitlyn traversed through the hallway that was made out of Mystical Crystals everywhere she could see, she found the cafeteria. The natural light of the sun made it past the magically transparent walls of the Crystal Temple and lit up the surroundings.

She could see many tables and chairs parked on the crystal floor. A few faces she knew not were having their breakfast. On the very left of her vision was the same man who acted as her guide yesterday, and he was seemingly the clerk handing out food today.

“Oh, you’re up,” the person said most nonchalantly at the sight of Kaitlyn. A few looked at her with a strange glare, noting the cuts in her dress.

“Hey,” Kaitlyn said. It was slightly reassuring to see a familiar face, even if it was the guide. However, all previous questions she had went away at the smell of food. “I’ll take some of whatever you’re serving.”

“Just some sandwiches, then?” The guide put up a plate with two sandwiches, apparently not proud of them. “I’m on breakfast duty so… you’ll have to bear with these.”

Kaitlyn accepted the plate. “I’m not much of a cook either, but why would they give you breakfast duty if all you can make is sandwiches?”

“The rules. Everyone gets to have a terrible day like this. That does mean that your day may come soon.”

“But I wasn’t going to join the Paladins, not yet anyway.”

“You’re staying here, and that’s all that matters. Unless you don’t want to train to become a Paladin.”

Kaitlyn shrugged. “I’ve had worse than breakfast duty. Speaking of training, when can I begin?”

“As soon as I’m done with this duty, we’ll go and decide on who gets to train you. Unfortunately, that means you’re waiting for an hour.”

An hour wasn’t much in the scheme of things, but Kaitlyn was eager to get started. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Yeah, like eating and waiting?”

“Would it kill you to show some manners?”

“Oh, definitely.”

“Well then, I’ll be right over there enjoying my breakfast while you toil away. And next time, I know not offer any assistance.”

“Good, that’s what one should do.”

Euphrosyne’s words echoed in Kaitlyn’s mind. Surely there’s a way to go about it without being a rude arse. She turned and took a seat at an empty table. She took a bite from one of the sandwiches. It tasted bland compared to the food at King Abdullah’s palace and Elizabeth’s cooking, but she wasn’t sure she could have done much better herself.

Half-way into the sandwiches, Kaitlyn found a familiar figure walk into the cafeteria. It appeared as though she was the one he was looking for, and thus strolled up to her.

“May I join you?” Prince Leopold asked.

“Of course, Your Highness, feel free.” Her mood lightened up a bit at his appearance.

The Prince sat down opposite to the ex-Enforcer. When he faced her now, however, the few cuts were painfully visible and he immediately averted his gaze.

“I assume no change of clothes were provided, Miss Mercer?”

Kaitlyn tilted her head. “Hmm? I just woke up myself not that long ago so I haven’t really had time to ask around, but I don’t really see the problem for now with…” She trailed off as she realized just how much of her skin was showing, and that the person sitting before her was a Prince. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so comfortable. “That is to say, um, a change of clothes would be much welcome.”

“Unfortunately, the only change of clothes here are uniforms of the Crystal Paladins. If you are comfortable wearing them, then I believe we may get one for you.”

“I would be grateful.” Her mind worked as she tried to come up with something to draw attention away from her exposed flesh. “Any more news about what’s going on back home?”

The Prince looked down, a look of despair on his face at the mention of their home country.

“My mother’s throne was indeed usurped. The only saving grace is that she is considered missing at the moment. There are search warrants for her labeling her as a traitor at the moment—a traitor to the country and the Magic World. The bounty is quite large.”

“If she’s alive, then I’m sure she’s doing fine considering… who she is. Is there any word about us and the Duchess? If Your Highness is presumed dead, that could be an advantage.”

“We are presumed dead for now it appears. I believe something interrupted my Sister’s spell that allowed us to survive that its effects. I do not know what, though.”

“Do you think it’s possible she could have botched it?”

“It is a possibility. Albeit, for my perfectionist Sister to botch a spellcasting that was in progress for quite a while in the battlefield… it is rather unlikely.”

“If someone interfered, then that means it was probably either Valmark or the Queen.” She took another bite from the sandwich. “What’s the plan for now?”

“Finding my mother before my Sister or her cronies do.”

“Sounds simple enough, but I wouldn’t count on everything going right. I know said I’d serve Your Highness, but depending on when Your Highness leaves, I might not be able to join. I may have passed the trial, but my training’s yet to begin.”

“That is obvious, and I would not stop you from getting to learn at least some new tricks. I shall be collecting the news and look for my mother via various means. Till the time I hear something from a trustworthy source, I do not plan to go too far to find my mother.”

Kaitlyn felt relieved that she wasn’t going to get left behind. “Just what happened during the trial? How did I end up with this?” She tapped the crystal in her chest.

The Prince made sure not to look at her chest.

“Ah, that trial tests you in many ways mentally after you reach deep into the ruins. I was just as confused as you were when I undertook the trial in the past. Each of the Sacred Crystals at the very bottom are attached in their places very well. Too well, in fact. The only way to attain them is to overcome whatever it puts into your mind. In my case, however, the Nymph Goddess took interest in me—or so she revealed later—and helped me cut down my own fears.”

Kaitlyn remembered the blade she’d stabbed into the wraith. “That’s how it went for me, literally.” She was intrigued about what fears the Prince could possibly have. Even in the face of his mother’s exile, he seemed to be taking it fairly well. “What kind of fears would Your Highness have?” She realized how personal the question was and added, “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Ahaha… it was nothing worth knowing, really—just my fears related to The Society, and the dangers that could come with being a Prince. I was not a very confident Prince at all. I still have a long way to go even now.”

“I can understand that, the confidence part at least. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be up to a task, or if I’ll let someone down. I guess I’ve still got a long way to go as well.”

“Shall we be off if you are done here? I may take over for your guide for the time being if you want.”

“That’d be much appreciated.”

“Good, I wouldn’t have to keep taking care of her for the day,” Kaitlyn’s supposed guide said, somehow overhearing this agreement.

“Very well then, Mister Mark, I shall guide Miss Mercer for now.”

The Prince offered Kaitlyn a hand as he made his proclamation. Due to being a kind person, Leopold did not comment regarding his rudeness despite speaking that way in front of a Prince like him. At the back of his head, he realized his position as a Prince in exile and told himself that it would be normal for people to not show him any respect now.

As much as Kaitlyn didn’t like to admit it, what the guide said was true. He had basically been assigned to take care of her all day but then again, it was what he’d been ordered to do, wasn’t it?

“I didn’t want you as a guide anyway. I’m sure the Prince here is much more capable.” She accepted his hand and rose, turning her back on the Paladin.

The ex-guide seemed to shrug nonchalantly, while the other Paladins simply watched. To them, this was something that had happened time and time again.

“You did not need to put it that way, Miss Mercer,” Leopold said after they left the cafeteria and entered the hallway.

Kaitlyn clenched her fist. “He’s lucky I didn’t throw a boulder at his face.”

“Now that would be rude.” The Prince laughed.

“Ain’t rude if you’ve got it coming to you.”

The pair soon entered a different room where many lockers were found. There was a Paladin going over various pieces of armor. The Prince and the man spoke for some moments in a different language before he ushered to Kaitlyn and they exited the room. It seemed like the foreign person was too busy to even say hello to her.

“I asked my friend back there to prepare your uniform. I hope you do not find it rude how he figured out your… body’s size and proportions from a glance.”

“Why would I find that rude? It sounds like a useful skill to have.”

“Ah… according to him, some women do not like it when he measures them that way.”

“It’s not like he didn’t have a reason to look at me. What language was that, by the way?”

“French. I had the opportunity to go to France before attending the Royal Academy, so it was the perfect opportunity to learn the language there.”

“I’ve never been out of the country before now. Can’t say it’s been the most enjoyable of experiences.”

“I suppose it differs based on why one leaves their country. I was only accompanying my mother, so it was more or less a vacation.”

Kaitlyn’s parents had never made enough money for them to go on vacation. “Sounds like it was nice.”

“We actually faced several assassination attempts,” the Prince added with a smile.

“On second thought, spending a quiet day at home doesn’t sound so bad.”

“You should be more adventurous. It is more fun that way. Unlike me, you would never have enough responsibilities to hold you at home for extended periods of time.”

“My idea of fun isn’t fighting off assassins, although it was satisfying whenever I finished a job for the Council.”

“Haha! Well, I would not make a habit out of battling assassins, but I am more of the type of person who would rather get used to the possibility of danger and venture out to see what I had not before.”

Kaitlyn smiled. “Not what I expected of a Prince, though I guess I shouldn’t be surprised after the way Your Highness handled himself in the battle at the palace, or the fact that Your Highness knew a Lost Form. I’ve always wondered what a more peaceful life would be like.” Her smile faded. “But the only thing I ever really got good at was beating up bullies.”

“Was there anything strange about the way I handled myself back at the palace?”

“Your Highness knew his way around a fight. I always imagined someone of Your Highness’ standing would be more… sheltered.”

“Ah… all of my siblings and I have had our fair share of battle experiences, which is rather unusual for members of our standing indeed, especially in the Magic World. However, it really helped us grow.”

“I don’t doubt it. It takes a lot of discipline to get good at fighting.”

“You should assume in the event you face someone like my Sister, though… each of the Royal members of our country are closer to the Archmages then one may believe.”

“It’s not a stretch of the imagination after what your sister did to us, but thanks for the warning.”

“Haha… that said, your next step is to have a Master who would teach you the Lost Form.”

“Is it not like the Academy where they have someone whose job is to train people?”

“Not quite. When it comes to the Lost Form, anyone who has mastered it is fit to be a teacher.”

Kaitlyn crossed her arms. “Well, you’re already acting as my guide…”

“If you are fine with a slower-than-usual training then I would be happy to teach you, Miss Mercer.”

“I’m going with you anyway once we find out more about the Queen. This way, we can continue on the road.”

“If you say so. There was one other potential Paladin who could instruct you, and has more time, but if you truly find me acceptable, we can start very soon.”

“I think Your Highness will do fine.”

“Very well… and just so you know, I will not make it easy just because you are a lady.”

Kaitlyn grinned. “I wouldn’t expect Your Highness to.”

Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer

8 years ago

Kaitlyn and the Prince exited the Crystal Temple.

She faced the expanse that included the vivid azure sky and its reflection that was the Pacific Ocean all around them.

The Prince walked up to the left wordlessly, only making a motion with his hand to follow along. For a moment it seemed as though he was going to walk straight into the water. As he strode up to the edge of the crystal floor, Kaitlyn could see chunks of Mystical Crystals coming up to make the path from the aquatic body.

The pair walked for some moments before they could see a large field come up from the water. It was going to be a field on which Kaitlyn would be trained to fight as a Crystal Paladin. When she looked back, it seemed that the path she had traversed for some time was a bridge leading up to this circular practice field for the Paladins. Due to the water covering up everything, no outsiders would think that such a place even existed.

As they reached the center of the newfound arena, Kaitlyn could see a helicopter descend from the sky and land in the furthest corner of her vision—the spot where she came from just a day ago herself.

“Well now, we are here, for better or worse.” The Prince looked around, putting up his hands and motioning around the once battlefield.

Kaitlyn could see various blades and pieces of armor on the floor—seemingly stuck against the crystal floor—along with a few protrusions of Mystical Crystals that could perhaps serve as seats if she ever felt tired. There were signs of dry blood that had not been washed away completely by the ocean water for some reason.

“What happens now?” Kaitlyn asked.

“Take up your sword.”

As Leopold spoke, he brandished his sword from its sheathe that was strapped across his hip. It was immediately clad in crystal, a sight she had once witnessed back in Buckingham House.

Kaitlyn picked up one of the blades lying around. “How do I do that?”

“You shall learn eventually, Miss Mercer.” Leopold entered a stance as a swordsman, pointing his blade toward her. “Right now, we duel.”

“That’s it? I was expecting something a little more… special.”

Do not let him—

Before the Goddess could finish providing her warning, Prince Leopold’s blade struck at Kaitlyn’s. The movement was almost missed and if not for years of training, she’d have surely been cut down right there and then.

Whoa! He’s not playing around, is he? Kaitlyn thought. She went in for an attack to try to gain an advantage, but the Prince blocked it with ease.

Just so you know, this is no spar—it is a death match. When he breaks the Sacred Crystal, we both pass away.

You’ve gotta be kidding me! On second thought, I think I’d prefer a plain old duel!

That child is impatient! He likely thinks bringing you to the brink of death is the fastest way to learn to wield my powers.

As soon as the Goddess finished speaking in her mind, Kaitlyn’s blade snapped in two as the crystal clad sword of Leopold passed by, the sharp air it produced laying a cut. A thin strand of blood leaked from her cheek.

Kaitlyn jumped back, gritting her teeth against the pain. She snatched another sword up from the ground and charged, only for the Prince to sidestep her.

Wouldn’t happen to have any advice, would you? Kaitlyn thought.

In order for you to tap upon my powers, we must be of the same mindset, and thus reach a level of interconnection… of sorts. Probably. All it means is that you have to focus on the gem you have.

Kaitlyn tried to do as Euphrosyne said and focus. She could have sworn she felt something, but nothing happened. Her sword didn’t change as the Prince’s had.

She deflected a blow from the prince and brought her sword down, meaning to cut into his shoulder. Their blades clashed, sending sparks flying. Their swords quivered as they fought for control, neither of them willing to give in. She searched the Prince’s face and found only a pair of cold eyes staring back at her.

In those cold pair of eyes Kaitlyn could undoubtedly feel bloodlust—Leopold was serious. It was no joke, and he was completely composed about it.

Her line of thought was broken when he abruptly kicked. Despite being a gentleman usually, he treated her differently now. Before Kaitlyn could recover from the brutal hit to her gut, he tossed some of the stray blades at her nonchalantly, yet the precision was as scary as pinpoint, her own sword just barely saving her life, however old and rusty it was.

Before she was completely back to her game and entered her stance, Leopold made a swift thrust—the tip of his sword pressing against her Sacred Crystal. An outburst of power took place in that instant, and the two were sent away from each other.

Kaitlyn palmed her chest, and most importantly, her newly acquired jewel. Something was wrong, and she frowned—not in doubt but in pain. Her expression contorted further. As she screamed up to the heavens, so did her spirit dwelling in her soul. An intense pain was felt in her head and it felt as though it was spread to the rest of her body.

She fell down on her knees, breathing rapidly. Her heart was beating faster than ever and she could seldom find her vision going dark.

Eyes front, Kait!

Immediately, she put her guard up with her blade in front, resulting in a loud clang. Sparks flew up once more as the Prince and the ex-Enforcer pressed back at each other in order to gain the upper hand. She found herself in a desperate situation, where she could hardly feel the energy she had earlier; she was now very weak and frail. She could feel her bones shaking under her skin, and it would be any moment from now when Leopold would end her once and for all.

Kaitlyn tried once more to focus on the Crystal, but the powers of the Lost Form continued to remain dormant. I’m open to any suggestions!

Remember my words… who do you fight for? This is the survival of the fittest, child!

The voice of the Goddess sounded strained and tired ever since the Prince’s feat of making contact with her gem, and now Kaitlyn could feel her blade cracking.

With a desperate surge of strength, she forced the Prince back and rolled clear. She threw the ruined sword at him only for it to be deflected. She took up yet another sword. I’m fighting for myself, so I can punch his pretty teeth in!

She formed a boulder and launched it at the Prince, but he dodged it effortlessly.

***

Hours had passed and they fought, and the duo had gained many viewers now. At first it was only the guards casting their glances at the two, now it was a dozen Paladins cheering for the Prince from afar.

That said, Kaitlyn’s situation had not improved in any way, but she managed to hold herself fairly well considering her situation. She gained back her composure for some time but it was waning once more, despite the fact that Leopold hadn’t managed to nail another strike at her crystal-adorned chest. As the time passed, however, she could mysteriously tell that her connection to her spirit was improving somehow. The more her resolve was strengthened the greater the rush of energy was.

An opening appeared in the Prince’s defense and Kaitlyn pounced on the opportunity. Rusted steel bit flesh. The blade dripped blood as she retracted it. She allowed herself a small smile, but she didn’t let her guard down. She doubted the Prince’s would be letting his guard down again anytime soon. They circled each other wearily. Kaitlyn struck, but the Prince overturned her blow.

Thus began Leopold’s attacks in great rush and speed. She was pushed back mercilessly, their blades clanging faster than before. Her slashes were sharp yet the Prince’s were perhaps a few times more fast and responsive to her moves. Either he was vigilant after she landed her only blow so far, or it was a stroke of luck that allowed her to make it past his peerless guard.

His sword was shrouded by not only the Mystical Crystal but also greater magic now as she could see a blue wind swirling with it. It shined, and her instincts warned her, telling her to run away. In fear, she stepped backwards, and a tiny crystal protrusion struck with her feet and she fell on her back. A wave of blinding light was sent as the Prince swept his blade at the air, a destructive wave coming down to her.

Naturally, the explosion was followed by a storm of debris comprised mostly of the crystal rocks showering down for but a short moment. Kaitlyn couldn’t be bothered with the gaping cut on her chest. Her Sacred Crystal had cracked on its very edge, and the pain was indescribable.

Her vision went white. Even as her surroundings began to come back into focus, all she could think of was the pain relentlessly hammering at her skull, as if it was trying to break a hole to escape. She tried to open her mouth to scream and realized it was already open. It sounded as if people were talking, but her ears rang too much to make out the words.

The Goddess shouted at her many times, but what brought her sanity back was not the sound, but pain. Leopold’s sword was buried deep into her stomach even as she was done. She couldn’t tell if he had forgone his chivalry, but she knew that he was out to truly kill her as the Goddess had claimed. She coughed, blood came past her lips. She could see the moon behind the Prince. It was already night—all dark and quiet. The onlookers were only watching with still eyes.

Euphrosyne… It took effort even to think out the name. Still here. Though for how much longer, she couldn’t say.

Summoning Vim mana, the air above her cracked with a blinding flash of light. Curses rang out from the spectators, but she ignored them. Biting back the pain, she climbed to her feet, sword in hand, and rushed the Prince. Now may be her only chance. Their blades clashed once more. Even disoriented, the Prince was no pushover. Kaitlyn didn’t let it deter her.

She fought with every last bit of strength she had. Not a single blow managed to connect, but she was driving him back.

In the dark was his sword glowing with the crystals magically. Now the same crystals started to form all across his long, fluttering jet black overcoat, layering it with an azure light that would make it even harder for her to fight him. She now noticed the break of dawn and the light coming from behind the back of the Prince.

It only now dawned upon Kaitlyn just how much time had elapsed since the start of their supposed death match. A whole day had passed by as she fought tooth and nail for her very life, and it only felt like a second ago when she noted the moon in the dead of the night when the only noises were of the wind, the waves, and their blades. She heard the calls of the birds as if she was being encouraged to fight, the light brightening, reinforcing this feeling.

Now, it was not only his blade glittering under its shadow, but hers too. Subconsciously, she had managed to activate her Lost Form.

Make an oath… an oath to your heart. Kaitlyn Mercer—you are a Crystal Paladin.

Her blade shined, an intense energy wrapped it and the flow of power not only lied in her sword but her body too, all coming from her jewel that was etched onto her chest—it too shone brightly, not losing in terms of radiance to the sun.

As the spiritual energy filled her being, the Goddess continued.

Would you fight for not only yourself—but for the right, and for the sake of cleaving all that are wrong and evil?

Their blades met again. I would.

Trust in your talents you shall, then. Go forth, my Paladin—strike down this avatar of evil that your Prince pretends to be, and prove to him that you are worthy of bearing the title of a Crystal Paladin.

Forgotten were her wounds. Forgotten was the crippling pain from hours ago. The Prince lashed out, an invitation to continue their deadly dance and the former Enforcer accepted it, matching him step for step with the grace lent to her by the Goddess.

Kaitlyn blocked, feinted right. The Prince jumped back, her blade slicing the air where he’d been a second before. She closed the distance and parried his next strike. The Prince froze with his sword above his head. The tip of Kaitlyn’s blade dug into his neck.

She panted as the warm light of dawn bathed them. “I win.”

The Prince finally cracked a smile and put down his blade, the crystals peeling themselves off it and his attire.

“That you do.”

Kaitlyn lowered her own blade. She let It fell from her hands and clatter to the crystal floor. We did it. But before she could make another move, she collapsed, the crystals on her vanishing as well.

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