To his surprise, Mithos noticed a familiar women in the corner of his eyes 'could it be?' he wondered. Making his way over to her, his suspicions were confirmed 'ah...so it is.' getting closer, he spoke to her "excuse me...Ranathia was it? I see that I'm not the only one getting a little tired of the festivities. Although I can't help but notice this...hostile atmosphere in the air. Would you by any chance know anything about it?"

Alice was left wordless as the noble said nothing and left in a pompous display of magic after shaking her head condescendingly. How? How could nobles can say whatever they want and think it was correct because they're the one that said it, no matter how nonsensical they were? She turned to face the Not-Whizzle apparent twin with an irritated look on her face, intent on berating the noble into dispelling the illusion on her. Another noble appeared and started talking before she had the chance to do so however. The older noble offered an apology on behalf of her younger sister, but Alice didn't hear any sincere tone behind it. "I guess it's something too important to ignore," Alice huffed. "It's not like I'm going anywhere else." A small chuckle came from beside her as Whizzle made an 'after you' gesture towards Miia.

Making his way over to her, his suspicions were confirmed 'ah...so it is.' getting closer, he spoke to her "excuse me...Ranathia was it? I see that I'm not the only one getting a little tired of the festivities. Although I can't help but notice this...hostile atmosphere in the air. Would you by any chance know anything about it?"

Ranathia turned toward Mithos a bit confused why he was following her. She wanted to flip out and yell on the top of her lungs why won't boys leave her alone, but with the current situation as it was and her yelling could spark a confrontation she decided to face him and give a long sigh toward him before answering. "Yes, my name is, Ranathia. I never expected to see you again." She stressed "you" a bit strongly when she spoke toward him in a rather formal tone. Nodding at Mithos she decided she would disclose as much information as she could about what was going on in the area. "Keep your voice down, but a group of terrorists are trying to assassinate all the world leaders during Meira's coronation. They also abducted her under orders of Padraig who looks to become the new ruler. From what I know from my subordinates is that Padraig was planning on selling Meira to them who they were plan on using as a bargaining chip to seize power and use her name to form a new nation. The terrorist group have planted bombs in this room." Ranathia paused as she looked around the room to see several people still enjoying themselves as if nothing ever happened. "It is essential that we keep a low profile and do not alert the guests of what is going on. If the terrorists know that we know they will take hostages and the situation will get much more dangerous."

Miia heard a chuckle behind her which caught her attention then she approached the figure with a very suspicious fiery look in her eyes instead of going ahead. "You! Were you a part of this horrible plot to kill innocent people!? ANSWER ME!!!" Miia said in anger trying to keep her voice toned down enough not to arouse suspicion or cause an uproar amongst the people who were enjoying themselves during the festivities.

A man wearing all black and face was mostly covered cornered Padraig with a gun holding it to his chest. "Mister Padraig, your services are no longer needed. Say hello to your father for me in hell." He grinned as he fired a shot into Padraig's chest fatally wounding him as he fell to the ground in a pool of blood. A group of people came out of hiding with weapons drawn and pointed them at the people in the crowd. Miia and the others were forced to stop what they were doing and give into the demands of the scoundrels for now. People started screaming, but the other terrorists immediately got them to keep quiet threatening to kill them if they didn't shut up.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen I finally have your attention. If you wish to not get hurt do not resist and do exactly as we say." The man said as he pointed toward his men to group up the people separately to keep an eye on them.
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Meira heard the bones snapping from the guard who just barred their path knowing that he certainly was not human any longer. There is no way they could still be walking with such injuries. "We have no choice, but to fight them." She said toward Nathan waiting to see what he was about to do.

Before she could react she noticed Nathan made a hole and managed to get away the guy. She was tired of Nathan carrying where she asked, "Could you please put me down?" Meira requested as she continued to stay in his arms not wanting to struggle so that guy could catch up to them.

Nathan groaned as he set Meria down "please don't tell me this guy is a zombie. I've fought enough of them to last a life time." Nathan gave his knuckles a quick cracking. With his fingers limbered up, he punched his fist together and suddenly everything below his elbows was on fire. "Alright then, let's get started." Since he still wasn't 100% percent sure if the person before him was undead, Nathan decided to hold back on the fire doom. Instead he approached the man at a sedate pace to gauge his reaction.

The pink haired girl was forced back into the Material Plane, but she didn't know how her connection to the alternate dimensions was cut off unless someone really powerful was trying to get the jump on her. She fled from the area noticing a group of sinister individuals trying to approach her with intent to take her captive. "Where are all these people coming from?" She questioned in confusion as she tried desperately to find a place to hide so they could not find her. "I bet that evil cult everyone was talking about is behind this. I cannot let them find me. Using my power in this area would draw too much attention to myself."

Two men approached the castle at which the coronation was to take place. Both had golden blonde hair, despite one appearing to be reaching his late forties. The other was in his twenties. Both wore clothes that seemed to be completely normal.

The younger one spoke up, "I sense him in there. He is pretty unmistakable. I am telling you, something is unnatural about that kid, and I don't mean the normal kind of unnatural. It feels like his skin is.. alive. He also seems to be down for some reason, looks like he tired. I didn't know that was possible for him." The other one responded, "I don't need you to comment about what it looks like to you, that is the scientist jobs. And you dolt, all are skins are alive. It is good you informed me, and more importantly that he is, down and tired. This would a lot difficult if he wasn't. But please keep your comments to yourself. Sometimes I wish I could kill you." To this the younger one just grinned.

The younger seemingly vanished, a lightning bolt taking his place. More accurately, his body seemed to transform into a network or interconnecting beams of energy. With great speed, as though lightning was reversed from the ground, he headed towards Fenrir. He passed seemingly through the wall, before blasting it so he could care out Fenrir, only to realize that there was already a hole there. "I meant to do that." he muttered.

Fenrir had pass out for who knows how long, he couldn't count the seconds. When he woke up he seen a person he would really prefer to forget. "Not you. Just live me alone before I eat you." he snarled. The young man who is made of lightning jumped a bit before calming. "In your state, you're not in a good demanding position. Don't worry, you apparently felt the need to take a beauty sleep before I woke you, I will let you get back to that." he reached down an touched Fenrir neck and overloaded with electrical impulses. From his pocket he pulled out a needle and jabbed into Fenrir and he went right to sleep.

The electrical man arms rapped around Fenrir, and carried him off back to the other man. "Gotta'hm" he muttered, dropping him and changing back to normal on the exterior of the castle.

A young silver haired maiden watched the individuals try to take Fenrir away shaking her head about acting. She could not act since it might start a war, but this person was important to Meira which gave her mind a conflict of interest. She decided to jump down from her present location and meet the men head on. "Hey, you there?" She questioned as she was about to draw her sword before continuing, "What do you think you're doing!"

Another individual was in hiding, but decided not to act yet. He figured that Siia would interfere seeing that she would do anything for Meira even though she never showed a sign of having a special interest in her. "I will remain here and wait to see what goes on. Don't do anyting stupid that gets yourself captured Siia. You are no use to Meira if you cannot be around to help her."
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Meanwhile inside the castle another dark individual completely cloaked in black watches Selest from the shadows. He looks at her shaking his head in disappointed since the girl wasn't as strong as he thought she was or was trying to hide her power from everyone. "I have to know if this girl is right for the task of saving this broken Universe. I must understand this girl's power and analyze it thoroughly while testing her." He said as he watched her from where he was hiding in a room behind a bunch of crates.

"She was too weak to see my spell disable her ability to mask herself from the Material Plane."

Mithos narrowed his eyes "is that so..." To be honest, he wasn't completely sure if she was telling the truth or not, but it didn't seem worth the effort to call her out on it. He knew the importance of learning when to pick your battles. Although he still found her odd hostility towards him amusing. However he suddenly found her story a lot more believable when someone just up and shot a man, only for a large group of armed thugs to come out of who knows where and train their weapons on the people in the room. 'Just perfect" he thought to himself, 'and here I am unarmed.' Without his sword, Mithos was limited in what he could do. As such, his best option was to wait and watch

The older captor walked out in front of the older one, as he did he quietly but loud enough to hear said, "Phi, just keep your mouth shut, I will handle this." to which the younger one replied, "Yes, supreme leader Iota. As you command." obviously drenched in sarcasm. The older one moaned, and continued to speak the person now in front of him, "We are returning Cimmerian property back to Cimmeria. If you want him so badly, you could try buying him, even though this savage is probably cost a million times the amount of worth your life is. I suggest you leave before this becomes an incident. We have to wait here for the transport to arrive."

As the smoke subsides, both Nathan and Meira could see the man chasing them once again, if he could still be called one. Spots of black scales had grown over his skins, the proportion of his legs were wrong being more reminiscent of a beast than a man, and two large protrusions had grown over his shoulders. Standing at his full height, he had also somehow grown taller, towering over Nathan. His mouth opened, but only gibberish moans and growls came out. However, Nathan's approach had seemed to agitate him and he charged towards the boy with a roar. The ground thumps as he raised a blackened claw to the side and swung it against Nathan in an effort to bat him aside and probably broke several bones.

---

Miia's outburst gained a confused irritation from Alice and a hurt expression from Whizzle. He shot an irritated mental message towards the Ancient, 'Really, granny?' However, before any following message could be conveyed, a gunshot interrupted their conversation followed by the screaming and an apparent terrorist attack.

"Oh come on!" Whizzle groaned, a hand planted to her face. "Who's responsible for safety here and how could they let this happen?"

Alice's eyes widened as panic started to set in her as well. She managed to remain still and quiet however, even as her heart starts to race. The same question that Whizzle said out loud was also in her head. How could an assault against the heart of Windgrace's Castle happened and at the coronation of their ruler as well!

---

'Okay then. So not a zombie' Nathan thought to himself as he leaped out of the way of the beast's attack. 'Looks like a raw power type. Not to mention those scales look pretty-' Nathan's brain finally finished processing the existence of the scales on it "no...it couldn't be" he muttered out loud to himself. Charging at it, Nathan set his body on fire as he tackled the creature. "If it really is...then it still looks far to disfigured. They...they couldn't have been experimenting with that...could they?" He asked no one, only paying partial attention to the fight now that he had something on his mind

The beast growled as Nathan drove towards it. The tackle staggered the beast backward before it balanced itself, Nathan was too light and too close to gather the needed momentum to topple the beast. As Nathan had his arms around the beast, he'd notice the beast was growing in size. It was also getting stronger as Nathan had started to being pushed back and down by the beast.

Meira watched as Nathan fought the beast as she tried to come up with a plan to help Nathan deal with the menace. She knew full well that most of her arsenal was out of the question though she did have an idea which she heard her teacher Siianthaliae talk about. The only problem was she had not ever used a Unison before and she had no training in how to use synchronized moves. It was a large gamble, but with the stakes like they were she decided it was one she was willing to take.

She looked over toward Nathan as she had finally come up with the perfect move to deal with the monster. She concentrated her energy at a fixed point then calmly toward Nathan, "Nathan, join with me into a Unison attack. We will combine our two moves to purge this impurity here and now!"

Shoving the beast off to the side, Nathan got back up. "Wait...what?" he questioned Meira. He was a little lost. 'What the hell is a Unison attack? Gah, I don't have time to think about this.' He shook off his confusion and said to Meira "alright. Just tell me what to do" He was going to have to follow her lead, since not only had he never preformed a 'Unison attack' but he was also inexperienced fighting along side other people. Until she made her move, All he could do was keep this...this...thing away from her

The beast was thrown off-balance and slid across the ground a few meters before stopping and recovered. The black scales had covered more of the formerly human body and the growth on its shoulder were larger as well and had a split formed over the top of each. With a snarl, the beast launched itself at Nathan once more, unheeding of whatever plan they're concocting.

Meira just remembered she did not have her sword so her arsenal was limited until she heard a familiar voice that said "here" throwing her the sword which she caught with her hand. She was surprised to see that same girl she saw earlier who was captured alongside her. She knew when she got full glimpse of her that she was "You must be Reala?"

"We can talk later. First we must deal with this beast first." Reala added as she landed on the ground right beside Meira. She moved into a defensive position as she saw Meira about to perform a technique.

Meira positions her hand in the air as a magic circle forms below her feet. Her hand starts to flicker with a darkish spark as she starts to command a black flame in her hand. She shifts the circle over toward Nathan where he will along with Meira be engulfed with a blackish flame aura. "Ready, Nathan?" Meira questioned as she moved her hands into an attack position while putting her sword away for the time being.

Normaly when he used fire, Nathan went for a large area of effect, so that the flames would spread faster. However since this creature didn't look as flammable as his normal foes, he opted for something different. Tuning out the strange girl who had just arrived (battles weren't really a good time to hold conversations), he released his flame all over his body, letting it mingle with the fire that Meira covered him in. Once the two were sufficiently mixed, he began to concentrate them into a single ball between his hand. This didn't take too long as he had a natural affinity for fire.

It was not fast enough as the beast barreled into Nathan as he was trying to form the fireball. The flame covering Nathan was affecting the beast as unprotected flesh came in contact with the empowered flame. Even the beast's new scales wasn't enough to fully withstand it and they cracked under the strain. It still pressed on despite and attempted to maul Nathan with clawed hands. Meira and Reala's presence did not seem to register on the beast yet.

"Oh no you do not!" Reala exclaimed as she charged at the beast with her sword attempting to make a direct hit with her sword in order to ram it so she could give both Meira and Nathan more time to prepare their move. "Take this! Spirit Buster!" She finished as she attempted to not only ram the beast, but with a powerful veil of light around her that would act as a shield when she made contact.

Meira took the time to generate energy into her body and transfer the darkish flame aura around her to Nathan so they could finally deliver their cooperation attack. She let loose an enormous amount of her fiery aura as she sent it at Nathan to empower him with. "Use the Devil's Fire on him, Nathan! I'll transform into a Spirit and let you borrow my power to command it!" Meira exclaimed as her body started to illuminate where her appearance changed. Her body bathed a white leotard with a white skirt and some thigh highs and boots to go along with her new look. Also on her back appeared six wings which were each a different color.

Reala's charge met some success as her sword dug into the beast's left side. She found that she was unable to penetrate any deeper than the tip of the sword even as the force of her charge dislocate the beast from trying to maul Nathan further. Snarling at its new opponent, the beast ignored the blade on its stomach and swiped at Reala.

"No way!" She said in surprise. "I cannot believe it managed to survive that attack. Dammit, my sword is stuck and there's nothing I can do now, but pull back." She said in frustration as she released the handle of the sword as the beast tried to attack her then palm her two hands in front of her and used the excess force of her attack to propel herself backward out of harm's way before signaling to Nathan that his opportunity was now. "This is your one chance, do not let it slip away." Reala reminded him as she safely landed on her feet right beside Meira. Unfortunately the Spirit Sword Celesna was still stuck in the beast and she didn't have time to extract the sword without taking a hit. She knew that she could not let that sword fall into the wrong hands. Melianth had reminded her that the sword could be used as a conductor to control her power with should someone learn how to manipulate properly.

Meira's energy started to emanate brightly as dark flames shrouded her entire a body and a giant black serpent like dragon wrapped itself around her loosely allowing her to use its power. Her eyes looked lifeless and she had no emotion on her face. She pointed at the beast for Nathan letting him know her power was ready for him to command. "Do you desire the power beyond the darkness?" Meira said strangely as she was not acting like herself at all.

Things were quickly getting weirder and weirder. First there was this...thing, then this strange girl appeared, and then Meira suddenly started getting taken over by the weirdness itself. To be honest, Nathan was getting tired of it. "Nope, I'm good" he answered her, as he felt it was the only safe answer to give. Getting back up, he took the strange fire that she had given him, he poured it all into his fire and quickly reformed the fireball he failed to finish before...and then he ate it.

His body began crackling with embers of both flames. "Let's get this over with" he said as he charged at the monster. Starting off his attack with a kick to the gut to knock it back, he followed up with a hard hook to the face, along with five more to the chest area. With his opponent dazed, he launched it up into the air with an uppercut. As it began to fall back down to the ground, he unleashed a flury of punches so fast, it looked like he had grown extra arms. The force of his attack was actually propelling the creature upwards. When his assault had finished and it began to fall back down again, he spun his body in place, forcing the flames inside of him into his fist as he drove it into the stomach of the monster. As his fist connected with it, all the fire that he had consumed exploded out of his hand, sending the creature flying.

The beast collided against the castle's wall, unable to hold against the momentum the wall crumbled as the mass sped pass it before stopping against the wall on the opposite side of the hall it ended in. The blackened body sled down the wall down to its rear, a hole in the center of mass where Nathan hit it visible while Reala's sword still stuck to it on a sliver of flesh, smoke and the smell of burnt flesh raising from it. Yet for all the damage it received, the beast was clearly still alive as it twitched in its pitiful attempt to move. Its eyes shot unrestrained hostility towards those who came close yet its body refused to listen to its desire to brutally hurt them.

Meira looked on as she saw the beast still moving despite the massive damage it had taken. Her expression had not changed ever since she transformed. While she still remained in her position behind Nathan, she peered into the beast's eyes trying to make contact with its heart. "I asketh this of you, thou wish to be released from the restraints that confine it to the everlasting misery that it bathes in?" Meira questioned toward the beast in a prophetic riddle tone as she still showed no sign of emotion on her face. Reala even knew something was different about Meira since she never acted like this before. The only people she knew who act like Meira are Lady Siia and her sister Miia. Neither of them were present and she sensed an otherworldly presence inside Meira which didn't feel anything like her.

As Meira continued to look on emotionless thoughts revolved around in her head sending her state of mind into a rapid tailspin. "You know you want it. You know death is what it deserves. You know you're hungry for more. You know you want to devour everything you love. Do not resist your desire to destroy. Annihilate and devour everything around you!" The voice said to her, but Meira while in a struggle with her mind shook her head with a look of disbelief. She wasn't sure what to do. Not even sure if she should even listen to the entity.

While Meira was still in the state of confusion, something took control of her body and started to speak toward her as she had flashbacks of her foster parent's death spiraling around in her mind. "You killed them, Meira. This is what you are. You are an Angel of Destruction hellbent on annihilation. You and I share the same resolve of wanting to devour all of existence. Entrust yourself to me and I shall release you from the misery of your painful memories. You will have to suffer no more."

"Do not listen to that voice, Meira. That voice is of the all-ending entity that only wishes to return everything to the void of nothingness. I know you better than this. You do not wish to hurt others. You'd even be harming innocents. Stop listening to that voice!" Reala pleaded toward Meira hoping that her persuasion might snap Meira back to her senses. Somehow she knew something had taken over her spirit form, but she wasn't sure what. She did sense a very evil and ominous aura from the presence of this being.

Meira continued to struggle to find herself despite hearing Reala's words loud and clear. She still had visions of the nightmares of the girl that looked like her who massacred her foster family. This girl was grinning as she was saturated in blood licking the blood off a blade that looked just like Meleitling. "What if I did really kill them? Am I no different than those who I despise? Am I a hypocrite caught in my own web of misery?" She questioned toward herself inside her mind as she tried to find some answer to give clarity to what was going on.

A voice pierced the area as it spoke directly toward Nathan sounding unconvinced. "Do you actually think you can save her from herself, foolish boy? What makes you think you can stop her? You cannot even control your own power yet you feel emboldened to protect this girl? Don't make me laugh you sorry excuse for existence. Just kill her. It is the only way to prevent the catastrophe that is written in the prophecies. Do that, and you will be a hero. Isn't that what you want? To make a name for yourself? To be someone? Answer me boy!"

Nathan had thought that taking down that strange monster would end the weirdness, he was wrong. When voice from nowhere began to speak to him, he just sighed and took it in stride 'this is going to be my whole day isn't it?' Resigned to this, he answered the voice "clearly you're mistaken; I don't care if I'm a hero or even a somebody. So there's no way I'm going to kill someone who hasn't done anything yet. Also, I find it odd how hard you're trying to convince me to kill her. I'm starting to wonder if you're the one who's going to cause this catastrophe you just mentioned, and that with Meira dead, no one could stop you. So no, I won't kill her."

"So you would doom your own kind for the sake of one girl? How naive could you be? Have you forsaken your own race in hope of helping this nuisance? Have it your way then. But I think you're in over your head if you think you can protect her from her eventual fate. I will do what I must in order to allow our kind to survive. Even if that means sacrificing a girl in order to bring about the greater good. Are you telling me, you'd stand in the way of your own ancestors in order to protect her?" The voice questioned toward Nathan still not showing itself and secluding itself from sight.

"Wow, you really don't have a clue who you're talking to" Nathan was actually a little surprised "I gave up on my own race years ago. Hell, I've been wandering around killing my own race for a few years. I'm also used to being in over my head, it's where I'm at my best oddly enough. Your mind games aren't going to work on me, I've resisted better attempts, so you'd be better off not wasting your breath"

"You'll regret your decision. Turning your own back on your own kind. I will make sure that I stain your very betrayal on that pathetic body of yours. Now that you've made us your enemy, you better think about watching your own back as well. It will be interesting to see if you can protect yourself and this girl at the same-time? But I will warn you, she will devour you eventually. For now, I will let you be. I will seize my opportunity at another time." The voice concluded as it disappeared from sight and not another word was heard from it.

"Nathan, are you sure that was wise?" Reala questioned as she stood by and interpretted the whole conversation.

Nathan shrugged "no clue. But I've done tons of stupid things in the past, and I'm still alive" he answered. "The question is, what are we going to do about her?" He asked while turning to Meira "she's not looking to good. I think she might have gotten hit by some sort of mental attack. I'm clueless when it comes to stuff like that, so I hope you know something about the subject. Otherwise we'll have to find someone else who can help her"

Meira had finally returned to her senses, but her state of mind was damaged by everything she heard and she wasn't sure what to believe anymore. "Am I no different than a monster? Am I really just some Angel of Destruction meant to devour all of existence. I killed..." She paused as tears started to roll down her eyes as the emotion in her body started to come back to life. "I killed them, didn't I? I always tried to make an excuse in the past when I was a child that it was someone else that looked like me, but that was really me, wasn't it? Yet now I am here killing a monster that I am no different from? I have no right to judge when I committed the same sins as this beast. If I give into my desire to destroy, will all the pain go away?" She questioned as she continued to speak softly in a damaged state of mind about what she had done.

Another voice pierced the sky which everyone could hear. This voice was different from all the other's and sounded just like how Meira was talking a moment ago when something inside her was trying to convince her she was corrupted. "Yes, release your pain and let me take over. You will have to suffer no more. I will destroy everything including those you love so you never have to cling to anything again. You will never have to suffer again. Let me make your decisions for you. You can rest in a paradise I will create for you while I do all your bidding for you." It said toward Meira as Reala could only sit there and watch not knowing what to do. She didn't know what words to use to persuade Meira not to listen to such a being. She was hoping Nathan might have the answer. It was the only thing she could hope for at the moment.

Nathan was ready for today to end already. So many crazy things had happened already, and it looked like more were to come. "This isn't good" he mumbled. "Meira, don't let her trick you! If there's anything I've learned in my life, it's to never ever listen to voices that come out of nowhere, EVER! Nothing good can ever come of it. Whoever she is, she's probably lying to you. If you let her win, then everything you're trying to do will be wasted! Don't let that happen! Is that what you really want; to live in an empty world all alone forever!?"

"Alone?" Meira questioned as she wasn't sure what to do. "I..." She muttered for a moment still completely confused. The entity was impressed by how much she was resisting that it decided not to get aggressive. It waited to see how she would react afterward. "I don't know... But I cannot let you take control over me. Not until I know the answer. For now I will reject you and resist you with all my strength." She pleaded as she shook her head refusing the request from the voice.

"Foolish girl, you would listen to the words of a naive mortal who abandoned his own race? What makes you think he won't do the same to you?" The voice questioned toward Meira hoping that it would get a favorable response from her.

"Abandon me? Would you really do that, Nathan?" She said confused not knowing what to with everything still spiraling around her mind in an endless paradox.

"You have to stop listening to her" Nathan said "she'll say whatever she thinks will break you" he warned. "My entire race suffers from a madness that flows through our very blood. I've been fighting it for a long time, but in my life the only other members of my race I've met who weren't family have all given into it, embraced that madness. That's why I've abandoned them, and that's why most of the blood on my hands is from my own kin. As long as you keep fighting whatever it is that's inside of you, I'll be there. After all, I'll need to you take care of me when I finally lose to the madness in my blood"

"Maybe he's right..." Meira questioned as she tried to fight the madness that spiraled out of control in her body. "We are two sides of the same coin meant to help one another." She paused for a moment surprised by how concern Nathan was about her. This concern from her was quite different than the other compassion she felt from him. She felt a slight warmth inside her cold heart that started to sparkle a little.

"So, you would listen to the words of a fool?" The voice questioned toward Meira interpreting that she had not fallen for its words.

"I don't know, but I do know that until I know the truth, I will continue to strive for it. I cannot turn my back just, because I am unsure about the mist that fogs my mind about my past. But he's right, I would be allowing myself to be secluded into the same solitude I tried to get away from. I do not want to be a hypocrite of my own words so my answer is no. I will not let you do what you please."

"What makes you think finding out the answer will make anything easier for you? You mortals are ambitious curious fools who eventually consume themselves in the madness of their own swelling past." A brief paused before its voice concentrated back on Nathan. "So be it, but do not think you have won, boy. Because you have not. One day, she may even devour you. Would you fight her even then?" The voice questioned toward Nathan awaiting a response from him before it parted.

Nathan raised an eyebrow "clearly you didn't hear me; I'm counting on her being the one to kill me when I finally go mad. I'll only fight her if she waits too long to go through with it, and I stop being myself." Nathan sighed "well if that's everything, we really should be getting back to that party. We need to let everyone know that you're alright" he said to Meira

"Wait, what!?" Meira said in surprise when she overheard Nathan talking to the voice about killing him. She couldn't believe Nathan had just said that. What she heard irritated her so much she turned her attention toward Nathan, "I can't believe what you just said." She paused before she continued in a tone which was all too familiar. "Stupid, stupid, stupid..." She said at the end in the same tone she spoke toward Nathan when he said anything that wasn't logical meaning it was pretty careless or idiotic to say. "You haven't changed one bit, Nathan. Still as childish as ever." She added with a brief smile on her face.

Reala began to smile since it was great to see her sister back to herself and in rather higher spirits than she was before. She knew inside she was still struggling to find the answer, but this time she wouldn't turn her back on everything she accomplished while she looked for the answer herself.

Nathan rubbed the back of his head "yeah...well. Anyway, we really need to get back to the party, like now. Who knows what's going on in there now. Your aunt needs to know that you're still alive after all." Just then, he noticed the beast out of the corner of his eyes. "The hell?" He walked over to it and pulled out the sword still stuck in it. "Is...is this thing still alive?" He was answered when he saw a little bit of movement from it. "Well damn, I didn't expect that. Oh well, still got to finish it." Since beating it to death had very limited success, Nathan decided to try something else. Grabbing it's head with both of his hands, he squeezed on it with all of his Dragonite strength.

Reala and Meira were both caught by surprise that the beast was still alive, but gave a sigh of relief once Nathan had finished it. Reala emanated energy into her hand as she made it glow like a roman candle where her sword did the same. She used that energy like a magnet to attract her sword back to her hand which she caught after she removed it from the beast's body. "It would be bad if Celesna were to fall into the hands of malice." Reala remarked as she turned away the monster ready to walk away and see what was going on downstairs.

"That's the legendary Spirit Sword Celesna which is said to be crafted from the hairs of the Goddess known as Aira, isn't Reala?" Meira questioned as she also began to walk away from the seen happy to see the beast was dead. She was also back in her original wardrobe from before.

"Yes." Reala answered her quickly as she wanted to get back to help the situation below which she knew might be quite dire at the moment.

Miia and all the others inside the room also heard the gunshot which caught them by surprise and saw that it scared a lot of people. Even though the people were scared there was a motivational speaker amongst the group who kept them calm during the incident. Miia peered off to her left where she saw Padraig had been shot point blank in the chest by another individual who was hard to see since his face was turned and she could only get a silhouette image.

Before she could do anything she felt a strange vibration in the room though she could not see exactly what emitted that vibration. She looked over toward the others and noticed no one else could feel that vibration and Alice looked a bit spaced out from what was going on. She wondered why that was the case? Before she could get even a word off a voice started to speak to Alice which distracted her since she noticed a slight change in Alice’s facial expressions. “Like me, you are unhappy, are you not, mortal girl?” The voice said as a beautiful snow haired girl appeared in front of Alice. Not intending to get the girl’s attention she was just pondering thoughts to herself, but it was quite unexpected from Alice’s reaction to the voice and the appearance of this snow haired girl with beautiful rainbow like butterfly wings that kept her afloat.

Alice could only stare at the sudden appearance of the white haired woman in front of her and said woman’s words. “Ah, yes? I.. don’t see how I could be happy in this kind of situation?” she replied with a frown. A terrorist attack to the castle was a very serious offense and situation after all.

Stellvia could sense an uneasiness inside Alice. It was nostalgic since it was an uneasiness that she could contribute to. Strange how it felt somewhat similar to some of the pain she felt when humans treated her like an object of power. This also might her quite hesitant since she was dealing with a human after all and she had made it very clear in her past excursions her strong hatred for mortals. She didn’t understand why she should support a group of beings who just wanted to destroy the natural beauty that was laid out for them to enjoy? ‘Such savage creatures, but this girl was very different.’ She felt the same kind of innocence that she thought she felt when she tried to understand human emotions. She narrowed her eyes and then peered at Alice comprehending that she was still unhappy, knowing that she might be able to do something for this girl. A very strange feeling since she had never felt this way for any mortal in her entire life. “This girl can see me and she’s nothing but a mortal? How can a mere human see me? I do not desire any mortal to see me since they are an eyesore, but this one is very different from any others I encountered. Why do I not have a sudden urge to destroy her even though I would never waste my energy on something so petty? Could this girl be one of the legendary Weavers I have been hearing about? Normal people born with the ability to sense supernatural beings?” She questioned as she placed her index finger against her lip and pondered that thought.

Returning her hand to her side after she had pondered the thought she tried to think about why Weavers actually existed. She was curious to find out if it is true and that Weavers were supposed to be the ones who repaired the broken connection between both mortals and immortals. ‘If that were true?’ She questioned in her mind, ‘why aren’t there more and why are those only unfortunate who lack innate abilities chosen for this specific task? Do they like to impose on the weak to give them strength? The system our Spirits use just doesn’t compute to me. I cannot make any sense of it at all.’ As she spoke to herself Alice could hear every word Stellvia had spoke about in her mind though Stellvia did not realize that. “I don’t understand why I feel different about you than I do other mortals? You make me feel so strange inside.” She questioned for a moment as she focused her attention directly back on Alice without the distractions derailing her train of thought, “What are you unhappy about? Is it this situation or what you wear? Perhaps even both?” She questioned though she still was unsure about trusting a mortal.

Alice was disturbed as she started to hear unpleasant thoughts and terms he had no understanding of. What was Legendary Weaver? What Spirit System? Why did she feel disdain over everything? Tears started forming at the corner of her eyes from the thoughts as her surrounding starts to grow hazy. Vaguely, somewhere far off, she heard the same voice asking her questions.

“I? I don’t..like this.. I don’t like the situation, or the clothes…” Alice truthfully said. She had no idea why nor that she did so mentally as opposed to speaking through her mouth. “I don’t know what a Weaver is, I don’t know what’s happening! I don’t like getting dragged to something where I can’t help!”

Stellvia reluctantly listened to everything Alice said even though she tried hard not to. That same feeling was still there and she would have thought it would have disappeared by now, but it hasn’t and only got stronger. ‘Urgh… why do I feel like this? This girl’s questions are making me feel a strange warmth inside? What is this feeling I am having? Curses, I want it to stop but something inside me will not let it cease.’ Sellvia still felt unsure and uneasy about trusting a mortal. She wasn’t entirely sure what the warmth inside herself that she felt. It had been like nothing she had ever felt before from what she remembered. Her past was so fragmented that she did not ever remember having such a feeling. She would try to understand this feeling she was having since maybe the two could help each other understand each other better. “You ask many questions that I do not have the answers to,” Stellvia said, turning her full attention toward Alice with her eyes narrowed once again peering right at her. “A Weaver is a person who can see spiritual influence inside the Material Plane. They can see the Spirits that gather at the two dividing points which separate the Material and Astral Plane from each other. They are also known to be the messengers and mediators between the two planes. By forming contracts, you make a closer relationship between mortals and immortals. Unlike those gifted you’ve been dealt the Wild Card which has infinite possibilities meaning your choices are endless. You could shape the future how you see it fit with such an ability.” She said toward Alice trying to clear the confusion the girl was having about her special trait. Even then, Stellvia was unsure if she could even trust a Weaver. What if they were no different than the mortals who brought harm to her and her companions?

“As for your wardrobe and situation questions, I can help you with those problems.” She paused for a moment then a brief hint of a smile came across her face before she returned to an emotionless facial pose, “perhaps you and I can help each other answer all the questions we want answers to. Also you can help me understand this warmth I’m feeling inside.
As for those questions, I can only show you the path which may answer those questions, remember that. You must walk that road alone if you want the answer.” She paused once again as she loosened up her eyes a bit showing a little less seriousness in her expression, “Let’s start with a wardrobe change and change of location first? Shall we, Alice?”

“Ah? Umm, Y-” Alice started before being interrupted by a hand landing on her head and started ruffling her hair. With an indignant squawk, Alice swept the offending hand aside and faced its owner with a glare.

“Ha, yeah, that’s better,” Whizzle smirked, unaware of Alice’s mental conversation. “Crying won’t help, heck those guys might even be happier if people cried and panic. Just relax and stay put, something should happen soon.”

“I’m not crying,” Alice retorted, she wanted to say more but caught herself. She had no reason to explain herself to the reason she was stuck with the silly dress in the first place. With a huff, she looked back towards Stellvia, “What do you mean change of location?”

“Perhaps you should show that mortal some manners.” Stellvia said to Alice though she did not sound irritated at all from Whizzle’s abrupt interruption. “All right then, how about this?” She questioned as she flicked her fingers changing Alice’s wardrobe where she wore a tunic and some tight martial artist pants females would wear along with kung fu shoes and a leotard underneath. She then moved her body over top of Alice’s and told her to concentrate while she put together a formula which would cast a very powerful form of Psyagonics. She targeted every hostile object in the room meaning the weapons and bombs in the room and placed cubes around them that only Alice and her could see. “Now just say Strong Force Manipulation and I will cast it to dismantle these mortal fools who are hostile with their weapons.” Stellvia reminded Alice as she temporarily allowed Alice to command her power.

While weirded out on seeing how the white haired girl kept going on her own pace despite what’s happening around them, Alice decided to follow the instruction. In a way, the girl reminded her of her brother because of it. Concentrating as she was told, Alice looked in awe as cubes started appearing around the terrorists’ weapons and the bombs they planted, even those she didn’t know were there in the first place. Finally, she muttered “Strong Force Manipulation.”

At the same time, Whizzle saw that someone overwrote the illusion she put on Alice and alarmed after she was unable to find the culprit. Reaching out to Alice, Whizzle then found that the blonde girl was surrounded by a barrier that repulsed her hand.

“It shall be as you command.” Stellvia said as she concentrated her energy then used it to dismantle not only the weapons the terrorists were holding by pulling them apart piece by piece causing a massive atomic separation. This also made the bombs unusable by destroying their atomic matrix. The terrorists were completely confused when their weapons fell to pieces and the mastermind was looking around to see what was going on.

The terrorists being disarmed did not escape Whizzle’s attention, distracted as she was on the barrier surrounding the awestruck Alice. The confusion spread as well from the terrorists to the rest of the guests and everyone started to look around for the mysterious mage who so skillfully disassemble all the weapons at once. Being so close to the source, Whizzle realized who and as if on cue, Alice slumped to the side, falling down if it wasn’t for Whizzle catching her. The human girl was covered in sweat and breathing heavily as if she had just done a long exercise, which was understandable from what she had done. What was not is how Alice done it in the first place and why it didn’t outright kill her from mana exhaustion. Not knowing the answer, Whizzle could only shook her head and silently transferred a small amount of magic to the human to avoid having her condition worsened. “Granny, can you explain what the hell just happened? That was not something a human should be able to do,” Whizzle asked with barely hidden excitement and confusion behind her copied voice.

Miia looked around then felt an emergence inside her heart which was a signal from the deity inside her Xiashakue. She knew that she was trying to tell her something then it just occurred to her, she felt something strange happen when Siia left so suddenly. “Yes, I know who is exactly behind that.” She turned toward Alice knowing that perhaps there was a chance that Stellvia was still in the area. “Stellvia, this was your doing, wasn’t it?” She called out the deity who finally revealed herself to only the group around her.

“Yes, but I never expected my power would be so hard for her to maintain.” She said as she did feel a bit guilty after making Alice pass out after letting her use her power.

“You of all people should know that humans are too weak to fully withstand the power of a deity.” Miia said as she turned her attention toward Alice.

“I suppose I finally realize that…” Stellvia said confused since she didn’t understand the emotions she was feeling inside. For her to feel like this for a mortal made her feel differently.

“Wait, what?” Whizzle blurted out upon seeing Stellvia appearing and vaguely explained herself, Alice cradled on one shoulder. “Can you repeat that? Did you just say a goddess bestowed a degree of power to this girl? Whyyy? That’s unfair!” The Midarian further whined.

Stellvia could only sigh since she had no interest in listening to the whimsical uproars of a butt-hurt mortal where she completely ignored his whining completely. With her face turned she did mutter off her lips, “Tell Alice I’m sorry.” She took a brief pause as her cold stare returned when it peered at Whizzle, “Not that I feel sorry for a powermonger mortal like you.” She added as she turned her attention away from Whizzle and Alice both.

“Well, boo! If you want to tell her you’re sorry, tell her yourself!” Whizzle sulked while seemingly hugged Alice closer in a protective embrace. She was about to add some more sentences before being distracted by the sudden noise of combat.

Miia was shocked to hear those words from a person who loathed mortals so much. She didn’t have any words to say about it as it left her speechless. Meanwhile she turned her attention toward where there was a lot of noise being made over by the throne.

Miia looked over toward the throne to see what looked like Reala fighting with a black demon that was barking at her while she looked like she was timing her attack perfectly. “Look over there!” Miia pointed as her finger pointed directly at the group fighting the demon. “That monster looks gross and disgusting.”

Whizzle glanced at the demon Miia was pointing and describing. “Ew, it does, the castle would need a good scrubbing if they let a toad in like that,” she said as she moved to carry Alice on her back. “Eh, guess I should move away and find another place to watch. Are you coming or are you going to help them?”

Stellvia closed her eyes in disappointment since he was running away from the fight. She had started something and given him an opportunity and he was about to let her sacrifice be in vain. “I cannot say I think too lightly of you running away when your child Alice open a door of opportunity for you. But I guess that does fit your nature now, doesn’t it?” Stellvia said with a hit of a taunt in her voice as she continued to remain where she was.

“Stellvia, I think I overheard Reala saying rudely to that man she did not want anyone else involved.” Miia answered her as she wouldn’t get involved unless she necessarily had to where a giant fist appeared out of her body and conked Whizzle on the head saying in anger, “You stupid good for nothing mortal! How dare you be so cowardly about this situation!” The voice said which was not either Stellvia nor Miia’s voice. Stellvia wondered if that could have been Xiashakue’s voice when it continued on, “Go ahead, run. That’s all you know how to do. Run away from your problems and not face reality. You will never get my interest in that way you eyesore!”

Rubbing a hand to the spot where the hand hit while transforming back into a brown-haired male, Whizzle gave the two goddesses a defiant look, to be exact, towards Stellvia and the hand. “Heh, I’m not that magnanimous, never were, you know that. I choose my fights, and here and now? It’s theirs. They fight, they learn, they grow. What right do I have to rob them of their chance to improve themselves here? What would I gain from it besides?” He looked back at the fight to see how it progressed while starting to take flight. Although it seemed that any reply would be put on hold as he saw one of the fighter put an arrow on what he recognized as a Chaos Rune. While he cannot identify which Chaos Rune it was, that attack was a very shocking action.

---

While Alice was asleep, a beautiful skimpy dressed goddess with silver hair entered her soul space. Sigma was wearing silver bikini metal armor with silver ankle high metal boots. Her wings were retracted inward which were a beautiful silver snow color. She tried not to invade on her privacy, but she did find where Alice consciousness was located. “Do not be startled, Alice. I’ve been watching over you for a very long time and just want to thank you for freeing my daughter from her despair. I know she isn’t completely cured, but at least you brought her outside the shell she was hiding in so that she may help stabilize the Universe.” She paused for a moment so Alice could answer her. Looking up from her seat Alice was surprised to see an unfamiliar figure intruding her home, who’s this indecently clad figure and how did she… Alice blinked as something clicked. Sweeping her sight, Alice confirmed that she was now in her room, but wasn’t she in the capital just a moment earlier? Focusing on the woman, Alice was even more confused with her statement. “Your… daughter? Shell? I’m..sorry, but I don’t understand what you meant.”

“I apologize for my abrupt intrusion. I should have introduced myself first. You mortals know me as Sigma, Goddess of All-Creation and the Champion of the Lower Dimension.” Sigma paused as her expression on her face never changed. Sigma did not show any kind of emotion or human trait even though her words sounded very awkward for someone who was feeling relieved their daughter was back to themselves. “Your Universe which is located in the Lower Dimension has just been given a longer lifespan, but it is still in danger of the inevitable destruction that is prophesized. I exist within your soul space as only a fragment of my own existence and only my voice exists here.” She paused once again knowing that perhaps this girl would be very confused still about what was going on. “Yes, Stellvia is one of my two daughters and three children. I have two others which are misguided and have doubts about mortals, questioning your kind’s worth. It is your goal to open their hearts in bondage and bring them into the light. As a Weaver it is imperative that you not stray from your path which brings radiance to the Spirits who have lost their way.. I know you have many questions, but I cannot give you the answers. You must find those on your own.”

“Uh…” Alice muttered, brows knitted together as she tried to understand what the Goddess was trying to convey through her monotonous message. “I… will?” Alice kept staring at the Goddess in both awe and disbelief, it was hard for her to think clearly. That is, until the Goddess disappeared without any further words.

Ranathia heard Mithos request that they try to cooperate with one another. This was a rather bizarre and very uncomfortable request for Ranathia. She had not worked with very many boys before and those who she did work with she reminded them she had no interest in forming any kind of relationship with them which left a very sour and cold impression from the beautiful silver haired maiden. She let out a deep sigh as she perceived the situation and knew it might be better to work together with Mithos, but it would be only for means to her end and nothing else. She wasn’t about to get friendly with some boy she didn’t even know. “All right Mithos, just this once I will work with you. Do not get any ideas that this means we are friends or that I like you, because I do not.” She reminded Mithos as she agreed to work with him despite her reluctance.

“On the contrary; I find your open hostility rather refreshing.” Mithos replied. “Although I do have to wonder; why do you feel the need to stress that you have no romantic interest in me? I certainly didn’t suggest anything like that. I have to wonder where you got such an idea from. Oh well, I suppose that’s neither here nor there. We do have more important things to do after all.”

When Mithos asked why she had no romantic interest in him it made her blood boil and almost brought to life the fiery essence of inflicting pain on those who make her angry, but she decided she would ignore it since she felt it was some sort of taunt or trick. When she was about to say something a hand reached over and grabbed her hand then spun her around where they pinned her arms behind her back. “How dare you grab me in such a manner? Unhand me you fiend, this is no way to treat me!?” She exclaimed as two other men walked off to both of her shoulders. “Our boss wishes to meet with you. Just come along quietly and no one will get hurt.” The goon reminded Ranathia as they were about to walk away with her.

Mithos walked over to them “well now, that’s hardly any way to treat a lady. Even one with such a...volatile…temper like her’s.” He chastised the goons right before pulling their arms off of her by applying light magic to the palms of his hand to make them too hot. The goons had a hard time holding onto her and resisting the heat at the same time. “Honestly, wouldn’t your mothers be ashamed of you if they saw this? I for one am embarrassed, and I don’t even know any of you.”

“A wise guy, huh?” The goons got a bit irritated from what Mithos did. Ranathia was able to break free of their grasp though she didn’t think that was a very wise decision.

Ranathia peered over toward Mithos, “why did you do that? I never asked for your help and your actions could reflect on others since they could punish them for your carelessness.” She said a bit irritated even though she was happy that she managed to get away those goons. Though she felt a bit uneasy about the fact a boy just rescued her from being kidnapped. She didn’t quite understand why he helped her in the first place. “Why would you help me after I said all those terrible things about you? Do not expect me to thank you for that either because I won’t” She paused for a moment still confused about what Mithos did since it made no sense to her. “I just don’t understand you boys…”

“We have a trouble-maker over here!” One of the goons yelled at the others as they made their way toward Mithos and Ranathia.

“Me a trouble maker? How ridiculous. You and your friends are the ones making trouble here.” Mithos countered. “Grabbing a lady like that. You truly are a bunch of ill mannered ruffians.” He sighed. Then turning to Ranathia, he said “I doubt that would be a problem. Why would they need to use a hostage to make me comply? After all, I’m just a spoiled noble, who has never worked a day in his life. Surely men such as them, who have clearly been in more than their fair share of fights could take me down without even breaking a sweat. Also, I find your confusion about my actions more than a little disturbing; you were very clearly being manhandled in an extremely inappropriate way. So as a gentleman, it was naturally my duty to fix that. What other reason could I have?”

“It’s not like I don’t appreciate what you did for me…” She paused for a moment as her face turned red from embarrassment. “Gah, why did I just say that!? Would you just forget about it before I start saying weird things again!” She yelled at him as she tried to suppress the embarrassing feeling she felt inside herself.

“What is all the commotion over here?” One of the leaders said as they made their way toward the situation. The men explained that someone interfered with them taking a girl to the leader where he backhanded all three of them after learning from another source that they were taking advantage of the woman who he was ordered to take into custody knocking photos of Ranathia out of their pockets which fell to the ground. “Mind explaining me what these are?” The leader said with a serious look burning in his eyes as he was quite irritated by why they had photos of Ranathia on them.

“Where’d you get those!” Ranathia exclaimed as she saw some of them were pictures of her in her lingerie and bikini. She thought it was rather insulting that they thought she was some kind of pleasurable object to please them. “DO NOT LOOK AT THOSE!” She said she tried to cover them up with her feet.

The man grabbed her hand when she tried to strike them down and shook his head at her. “These are my subordinates and I will punish them. You are just a bystander who is under our captivity.” He turned away from her as he continued to hold her hand where she protested for him to let go. “I just received orders to come escort Princess Ranathia to our leader. I’m sure these dopes were eavesdropping and using it as an opportunity to force her into a situation she would find most unpleasant.” He paused for a moment as he signaled toward his men as they grabbed the two men taking them away after he ordered, “Take them away!”

“Let go of my hand!” Ranathia continued to protest as the leader’s grip over it grew stronger. “You over there! Grab that rope over there and tie this girl’s hands behind her back!” He ordered one of his guards as they picked up the rope he pointed at then pulled her hand behind her back and used his other hand to pull her other one as he began circling it around Ranathia’s wrists as they were pulled behind her back. Ranathia was not pleased with her hands being held together with rope that rubbed against her skin though he reminded her, “had you not resisted me I would have not taken the action of restraining you. Once you settle down and we take you to him we will remove your restraints. I suggest you cooperate with us for now. Take her away!”

“What about him?” One of the other men said to him where he answered just to leave Mithos, because he had not been ordered to be taken away to meet with their leader like Ranathia.

Reaching down to grab the pictures, Mithos quickly blasted them with a bolt of light magic, making them completely unrecognizable. “How sick” he sneared briefly before returning to his poker face. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that. Trying to take a woman hostage like that while keeping her tied up...it makes it look like you’re planning to do something worse to her than your goon squad was.” Pulling out his sword, he quickly sliced at the ropes binding Ranathia before returning his blade to its resting place. “You can’t call someone a bystander when you get them directly involved.”

The leader turned around though wanting to draw for his weapon he didn’t. Instead he ordered his man to grab the person who thought they were going to do the same things his subordinates were going to do where he decided he would take him along as well. “Our leader is not that kind of person and he knows Ranathia personally. If you have any doubts then come along with us. Though he did not order us to bring you along I see no harm in you coming along to act as an intermediary.” He shook his head as he had his men stay close to Ranathia, but this time didn’t order them to tie her up again.

Ranathia stopped resisting when she heard someone who she might know wanted to meet with her. She looked over toward the man then nodded, “All right, I will come along. This time I won’t put up any resistance, but don’t you dare tie me up again!” She demanded as she decided to follow the goons to where there leader was stationed. She looked at Mithos with a look of irritation since he once again helped her when she didn’t ask him to. She was thankful he cut away her binds, but also irritated that he intervened when she thought she could have gotten herself out of her predicament.

“You’ll have to forgive me if I question your motives; your actions haven’t given me much reason to believe you.” Mithos claimed “I guess that I’ll have to come along, since I seem to be the only person here who knows how to treat a lady.” Then, turning to Ranathia, he said “if it really bothers you that much, then next time you should escape on your own. I’m not going to just watch as someone let’s their pride causes them harm.” Ranathia was proving to be shockingly difficult. It was something that he had never experienced before from a woman his own age.

Ranathia and Mithos both were lead to a room the back where the guards told them both to get inside. They both were brought inside the room as the door closed. Ranathia looked over toward an individual who had their back facing them sitting in a chair. “Been a long time, hasn’t it, Rana?” Said a familiar voice which almost made Ranathia break down in tears. She was so glad to see this person as they turned around and revealed themselves to be a man with long blonde hair sitting in a chair. “LUCENT, YOU’RE STILL ALIVE!?”

When she tried to approach Lucent one of his guards barred her path. “Lucent, buy why…” Ranathia answered as she was very confused why Lucent was not letting her near him. The guards told her to take a seat where she did.

“I am not the Lucent you knew ten years ago, Ranathia.” Lucent answered as he shook his head at her keeping his direct eye contact with her as minimal as possible. It seemed he didn’t act like he really knew who she was anymore and treated her more like a stranger than an old acquaintance.

Ranathia was confused by how he was acting which caused her to question his actions, “why are you acting like this, Lucent? You brought me here for what reason?”

Lucent closed his eyes as his cold expression continued to remain on his face. He knew Ranathia, but he had decided to forget about her and move on. She wasn’t important to him anymore and now that he had her there he would get down to business. “The reason I brought you here is a simple one, really.” He said with a lot of mystery surrounding his real intentions and motives.

Peering over toward one of his guards, “Also, why did you bring this person? I never asked you to bring that Angelian?” He questioned as he found it rather strange they would bring that individual.

“I’m here because your men seem mentally incapable of treating a woman with the proper respect. From roughly manhandling, to tieing her up, and even carrying around rather obscene pictures of her. Quite frankly, such things made me worried about just what you wanted her for” Mithos explained. “I can only hope that everyone in this room is capable of self restraint”

“I see…” He said as he took into comprehension everything that Mithos had told him. It bothered him that his men would dare treat any woman like that. He had no feelings for Ranathia anymore, but since she was a ‘woman’ still it did make a bit irritated. He brought his hand up and snapped his fingers pointing it at one of the guards in the room as a small lightning bolt shot at one of his guards sending them straight into a wall.

He looked over toward his other men with a very serious look on his face which was one that caused them all to quiver in fear. “See that this does not happen again. Anyone that does anything unspeakable to any woman will be punished severely or even exterminated. Do not forget my words!” He yelled at his men as they stayed where they were not leaving their positions.

“The reason I summoned you here Ranathia is very simple. My terms are simple and now that you’re involved I think I will use that to my advantage.” He grinned as he snapped his fingers and had his men bring in Princess Phalasia who was restrained with ropes and blindfolded. “You should have stayed out of this chess game I’m playing with Ranathia, Angelian but you wanted to get involved and now I think I will persuade you to do as I ask and help Ranathia with the task I have for her.”

“LUCENT, HOW COULD YOU GO SO LOW AS TO TAKE A HOSTAGE!” Ranathia said in anger as she rose from her chair as he ordered his men to sit her back down.

“You do what you must to preserve humanity. If you must make sacrifices or take extreme measures to achieve that goal then so be it.” He once again grinned knowing that Mithos would fully comply with everyone of his demands.

The idea that someone could take Phalasia hostage was one that he had long since realized. She seemed like the perfect target. However, that also meant that Mithos had prepared for something like this. Normally, making a barrier over someone at a distance was either hard, or extremely obvious...but this wasn’t normal. Not only was Mithos a barrier specialist, but he was also very familiar with Phalasia’s mana. Getting a barrier set up around her and using it to push back the men holding her was easy for him. He then walked over to her and cut off her bindings “it seems that you were misleading me when you led me to believe you had even an ounce of chivalry in you. To have your men handle my cousin so roughly...you’ve just made this personal” Mithos made sure that he was constantly pumping mana into the barrier around Phalasia, so that it didn’t die out on him.

“If you want your Princess back then you can have her back. I already got what I needed from her anyway.” He said holding the gemstone he took from her tiara which he held in his hand as he turned his back toward the group to walk away. Before he did he teleported Phalasia near Mithos and ordered his men to stand down and leave.

“Wait, Lucent! Why are you doing this!?” Ranathia questioned not understanding at all why Lucent would be doing something that went against what he believed in. She knew Lucent better than this, he wasn’t this kind of person unless he had a valid reason for it. “I know you feel obligated to undo the damage your father created for you, but you are not alone. Stop this foolishness and let us help you.” Ranathia pleaded to him revealing his real motive to why he was acting the way he was.

Lucent turned his back toward her and shook his head in disbelief. It was his problem and he had no right getting Ranathia or anyone else mixed up in it. Let alone someone who tested his patience. “I do not need anyone’s help to fix what my father did. It is my problem and I will solve it on my own.” He said stubbornly as he walked away from the group. He had no intention of getting anyone involved in his problems let alone someone who was trying their luck with him.

Phalasia looked at Lucent and was a bit disappointed he was leaving without even giving them an idea of why he was doing what he was plotting. “Lucent, why do you insist on thinking you’re all alone in this world?” She said but her words did not reach Lucent since he just continued to walk away without saying a word and not turning his head around to acknowledge anyone either.

Hurrying to remove her bindings and taking off her blindfold, Mithos was tending to his cousin “are you unharmed Phala!? They didn’t do anything untowards to you did they?” This was all completely unacceptable; this man had mugged and kidnapped his cousin, the princess of his country. In fact, he only returned her when Mithos showed that he could protect her without giving into his demands

Phalasia nodded at Mithos letting him know she was okay, but she couldn’t help feeling some sympathy for Lucent whose father treated him so poorly. And even now, she knew like Ranathia that Lucent felt so obligated to fix his own father’s mistakes on his own. “He lives such a lonely life. I feel sorry for him, because I learned the true nature about that man. His father caused him a lot of pain and grief which he continues to live with today. I know you do not like or trust that man, but try to understand him.” She paused for a moment as she embraced her necklace which still had the gemstone except the strange glowing object inside was gone. “I trust that he will use our portion of the Rune of Absolution for good.”

Ranathia stared at the ground as she didn’t quite understand why Lucent wouldn’t let anyone help him. She had feelings for him, but anytime someone tried to get close to him he pushed them away like they were an obstacle. “Why do you continue to think you must do everything alone, Lucent? I wish you would at least open your heart and lift yourself out of that loneliness or at least let someone help you escape it. It isn’t your fault that the balance is broken. I wish you would stop feeling so sorry for yourself!” She yelled at the end frustrated with Lucent, because he wouldn’t acknowledge her even once.

Shaking her head in disappointment she peered over toward Phalasia asking if she was okay and Phalasia acknowledge her that she was. She was relieved at least part of the situation had been repaired, but that was no reason to lower their guard. If Lucent wasn’t the actual mastermind behind this, then who was?

“If he is truly so lonely, then he only has himself to blame. What do you expect would happen if you push away everyone around you” Mithos said, barely hiding his contempt for the man. “Just because someone close to him betrayed him, it doesn’t excuse his actions...I of all people should know, something you are perfectly aware of Phala. If he’s not careful, then he may end up becoming the very thing he hates. So yes, I believe I understand him well enough, and that is why I dislike and distrust him”

“Good, I’m glad you at least do not hate him enough to kill him. I would forbid such an action.” Phalasia answered toward Mithos as she began to ponder what Lucent and her talked about while she was under his care.

“Phalasia had just remembered that Lucent said something to her when he visited her while she was in captivity. Unlike a lot of the other people who were holding people hostage he was very kind and nice to her. To think that her mother liked such a man a long time ago made her heart skip a beat. Sure he acted all tough outside, but on the inside he was a pretty gentle person who was always considerate of others. “I remember Lucent mentioning he came across my mother in the Romantha Empire. He wouldn’t tell me exactly everything about the encounter other than she is being held in the catacombs and that he possesses something of hers which she gave him during their chance encounter. He also said he stole back our Holy Weapon.”

“I wish you would have said something sooner since now we are too late. He is gone.” Ranathia interrupted her knowing that their chance to ask Lucent what he knew was gone. There was nothing they could do about it now since they wasted a golden opportunity because of Phalasia’s hesitance.

“So he possesses our missing Holy Weapon, but did not turn it over?!” For a brief moment, Mithos’ poker face fell, however he put it back up a second later. “This is unacceptable. After what he has done, he owes us that much at the very least. I am not at all looking forward to tracking him down to reclaim it. Come to think of it...why would he let you know that he has it, but not return it? This reeks of a trap.”

“Wait a minute…” Ranathia questioned as she had a flashback of where Lucent before he walked away handed her something wrapped in a cloth. It felt like some kind of chest though she thought nothing of it. She also felt a strange light being emitted from the chest. “Lucent handed me this before he left. Where he nodded at me before he walked away. He also said in his own words ‘I’m a man of my word. Tell Phalasia I will rescue her mother and give her this.’ Before he walked away not saying a single word afterward. Could this thing in this cloth be…” Ranathia questioned as Phalasia made a ‘huh’ like expression from the shock of her words as Ranathia handed it to Mithos.

Taking it from Ranathia, he unwrapped the cloth to reveal a very familiar book. Letting out a sigh of relief, Mithos said “well, I suppose that takes care of that.” Unwilling to say anything else on the subject, he spoke to Phalasia “well, we have our missing Holy Weapon, and we know the location of your mother now. What shall we do next?”

“I think we should employ Lucent’s help. Let’s look past his actions and since he has shown he is a man of his own word there is no reason to doubt we could use his help.” Phalasia requested though Ranathia wasn’t entirely sure if they could convince Lucent.

Ranathia remembered that Lucent was a very stubborn person who did not like to work with others. How were they going to get him to help them when he preferred to work alone? “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Phalasia. Lucent is a pretty stubborn person and I don’t think we could ever convince him to help us.” Ranathia reminded her as she got up from her seat and brushed herself off.

“I must agree with her” Mithos began “I don’t believe he would be willing to lend us his aid. Nor do I think we would be able to track him down easily. I think our time and energy would be better spent on other things. Unfortunately, his word alone is not enough proof to convince the other nations of the world that the Romathan Empire is currently holding her. I suppose that would greatly limit our potential allies”

“Veles, you’re going to pay for this!” A voice said as it bolted in an essence of light at Veles who was standing at the throne. When the light reached the throne and in a lightning strike hit the floor it revealed itself to be Reala who had a very determined and serious expression on her face.

Ranathia turned her attention away from Mithos and the others only to see a sudden emergence of a certain person to catch her attention. “Reala?” She questioned as she saw her go straight for Veles. She turned her attention away for a second to notice the terrorists had been disarmed and people started pouring out of the room finally able to get out safely. “I wonder who managed such a powerful magic to disable not only their weapons, but also the bombs they planted in this room?” Ranathia whispered quietly to herself as she brought her attention back on Reala.

“Mithos, that man…” Phalasia” paused for a moment as she looked toward Mithos knowing full well who that man was standing in the throne area was.

“Would you care to finish that sentence Phala?” Mithos asked. “I’m afraid I have no idea who that is, or even why I should care at the moment” he added. ‘Just wonderful. Here I was believing that this ordeal was over at last. Silly me, I forgot that things are never so simple. Everything has to be as complicated and drawn out as possible.’

Now outside, Nathan had Meira sit down on the grass as he did so as well. “I’ve found that taking a nap in the grass in sunny, warm weather is one of the best ways to calm your nerves after something traumatic. Hell, it worked surprisingly well for me on the night my parents died. I’m sure it’ll at least stabilize your mood. With that weird voice talking to you, It’s not a good idea to be too wound up, until you learn to just ignore it.”

“Don’t you find it strange how Reala decided to go off on her own? She is my sister after all, but I cannot help, but worry about her?” Meira questioned as she had concern for her sister who just took off without saying a single word to either of them.

“So you think, you have the power to stop me, young Reala? What makes you think you can surpass the power of the Rune of Power I hold in my hand?” He questioned with a grin as he activated the rune only to have his body transform into a dark nasty creature of destruction.

“Aira, execute demivolution!” Reala said where a voice answered her, “ Demivolution… Evolution process in sequence. Demigod mode one processing… Process complete, transformation phase in progress.” The voice paused as a light shot down from the sky transforming the girl completely her. Her dress was replaced by a pink leotard and some chest armor was laid over it with thigh high armor boots and lastly gauntlets on her hand. Her sword transformed into a dragon fang of light which she held in her hand. Lastly a group of hawk like angel wings formed on her back.

Ranathia looked on and was caught in awe when Meira’s own sister could transform so easily into her demi stage without consequence. “How can she enter that stage with such confidence in her eyes?”

“That man is Veles, our uncle.” Phalasia reminded Mithos as she looked on with Ranathia at what was going on and the girl who had just transformed into a spirit.

The voice said to Reala as the light cleared, “Transformation complete!”

“That is Veles? How strange, he looks nothing like I remember. Of course I mean before he transformed into that hideous beast” Mithos commented “To be honest, I had forgotten all about him. It’s been so long since I’ve so much as heard his name. I wonder where he got such a strange item. Oh well. Do you think we should do anything?”

“Wait...she’s your sister?” Nathan blinked in confusion “I thought the only family you had left was your aunt” he confessed, before adding mentally ‘that scary woman.’ Shaking his head, he went on “look, right now you just need to get yourself calm. I don’t think you’re in any condition to go back inside. I think...Reala was it...went in, so she can probably tell everyone that you’re more or less okay.”

Reala listened to the vibrations in the air where she made several glyphs appear which made her press her index finger at the ground. “SPIRIT BREAK!” She yelled with fire in her eyes as she let lose a column of light was about to envelope her target only to have them fly upward to avoid it. Even though it avoided the attack, it left a huge crack in the floor.

Ranathia wasn’t sure if they would get involved in Reala’s fight. She tried to say something only to have her words interrupted by a crack going down the center of the floor. “This is getting intense…” Ranathia said as she sidestepped the crack moving away from it.

“This is our problem too, Mithos. He’s our family and our Uncle. I think we should deal with our own problems too and not let someone else have to shoulder that burden.” Phalasia reminded him as she prepared her staff in a defensive position.

Meira thought a moment about what Nathan had said especially when he questioned if Reala was her sister. She wasn’t sure Reala was going to be okay and wasn’t entirely convinced that was the reason she left. “Yes, she’s my sister who I found out about just recently.” She paused as she looked at the ground worried, “I sure hope you’re right about that…”

“True...but she seems to be heavily invested in this fight, I’m not sure she would take our intrusion very well. However, I can hardly say no to you” Mithos replied as he readied his sword, and created several dozen light arrows around him, all aimed at his uncle.

“You mean you didn’t know before?” Nathan asked, bewildered. “That’s crazy. What are the chances that she would just show up here if you didn’t know that you were related?” Sighing, Nathan next said “Eh, we can think about it later. Right now, you need to relax” he lightly pushed Meira down so that she was lying flat on her back. “And remember; if you hear any strange voices, ignore them”

Reala looked back and noticed that two other people were getting involved, but didn’t have Egis to battle a Ragnanite Demon with. She didn’t have time to bother telling them that fighting it was pointless at their level. “They obviously need some education on demons…” She said as she turned her attention back toward Veles who managed to catch her off guard and strike her from above where he drove his fist into the ground knocking her backwards. “GOT YOU!!!” He grinned as he watched her fly backwards from the force of the attack.

Reala was sent flying into a pillar that was right beside Mithos. She stopped after crashing into it leaving a marking of herself in it as she brought herself back up on her feet after cringing from the pain of the impact. “Is that honestly the best you can do?” She questioned with a grin on her face which had a hint of confidence in it.

“No one ever told me…” Meira paused as she was pushed down by Nathan. Normally she would get mad, but it was like the time when her and Lucent did it when they were children where she laughed a little.

His arrows flew and failed to do any damage. “Well...that was disappointing. I suppose now is as time as any to use this” he said to himself as he pulled out his family’s Holy Weapon. “Perhaps this will manage to scratch you.” Mithos allowed himself a smirk as he felt it’s energy building up.

“WHY YOU LITTLE BRAT! YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR OVERCONFIDENCE!” Demon Veles said he decided to charge at the girl which is exactly what she wanted him to do.

Reala began to grin since he had taken the bait of her taunt which is why exactly she wanted to do since she was going to draw him up close where she had her hands stretched outward gathering enormous amounts of energy into them.

She peered over toward Mithos with one eye since she wasn’t about to be caught off guard again. “This one is an SS Class. A Holy Weapon by itself is not going to defeat it so easily. You must be naive or really stupid… or perhaps even both.” She said to Mithos before she focused all her attention back on the demon charging at her. “You must be a real loser if you can’t even transform.” She paused for a moment shifting into a hmph type of body language. “Even for your age, you should have learned to evolve into a demigod, but you haven’t. You’re so useless so just stay out of the way and let a professional handle it.”

Ranathia looked onward shocked by what Reala just said. She never imagined that Meira’s own little sister could be so self-centered and nasty about her comments. She didn’t know what to say and she was still drained quite a bit earlier from having to block an attack from the assailant they ran into earlier.

“Well that was quite rude of her” Mithos mumbled. “I just got this back, of course I don’t know how to achieve divinity with it yet...or even that I could.” By this point, he was talking more to himself than anyone else. “Although I suppose it’s never too late to learn. This is tied into my families blood...so in theory, I should get some results if I just let it’s energy flow through me. If it turns out to be a bad idea...well, I should be able to tell before it’s too late.” His plan (more of a vague idea, really) set, he began to wash his body in the energy of the Holy Weapon.

“Fine, do whatever you want! Just stay out of my way. My power is hard enough to control without you around. I don’t need some useless paperweight weighing me down.” Reala answered in a snotty tone as she wasn’t very happy about him sticking around. She didn’t really care about the rest of his words since she found them inconsistent and just meaningless babble. “Don’t blame me if you get hurt.”

Deciding to simply ignore her, Mithos continued what he was already doing. As the energy of the Holy Weapon flowed through his body, he could almost feel some outside force guiding it. Soon, it consumed his entire body in a flash of light. When the light faded, Mithos was in a completely new form; While his hair reminded blond, it changed color to a reddish orange once it reached the base of his neck. His hair itself had become unnaturally long, almost looking like a tattered cape from the front. He was also toppless now with 4 arms. Two of them each held an oddly shaped sword, while the other two instead had spears of similar design. All of his skin below his waist was ash black, but his legs were mostly covered by a strange pair of blue greaves that covered everything on his legs, starting from his kneecaps. His male anatomy and nipples were missing. “Well...this isn’t quite what I expected” Mithos’ spoke his first words in his new form. “divinity is far more drafty than I thought.” After taking a few moments to recompose himself, Mithos readied his weapons and charged at the monster before him.

“I think it is time, Aira!” Reala said as she paused and only could hmph at Mithos’ transformation. She knew it was time to go to the next level of power to deal with this threat. She wasn’t about to let anyone defeat her target other than her and she was determined to make sure she was the one who destroyed the demon and extracted its Matrix Core. “Aira, execute Weapon Matrix Demivolution. Ascension system start!” She said as she paused for a moment and then heard a voice speak to her. “Weapon Matrix Demivolution system integration in sequence. Demigod weapon synchronization fusion processing… Mode two process complete. Exceed Demivolution activation linking… Link established. Processing synchronization wavelengths. Wavelengths are in perfect symmetry. Executing ascendance transformation stage.. Transformation phase is now in progress…” The voice paused as Reala’s body began to glow. Features about her body changed. Her sword merged with her deity Aira and turned into two fancy looking blades with weird inscriptions bathed in a strange light. Her wings vanished and they were replaced by metallic like wings which there were six of. Her armor became more bulkier and heavier and changed to gold and blue color. A short slitted in the middle skirt appeared around her waist. Her hair glowed a violent crimson red glow as it turned almost into wild flames that flickered about wildly. “Transformation complete!” The voice added as Reala had reached the second level of Demivolution.

“You might have transformed so easily, but your form is incomplete and lacks sufficient power. You wouldn’t be able to achieve second level unless you established a far better connection with Xaliana. Don’t even try it since I’d be stuck fighting you too since you’d Dark Demivolve.” She said toward Mithos as she was ready with her new form and waiting for the right time to strike the demon. She thought to herself as she maintained her focus on her enemy, ‘Sure he transformed, but he forcefully activated it not knowing the risk. I hope he doesn’t do something stupid like try to force activate second level, because his wavelengths are out of symmetry with both his weapon and deity.

Reala grinned as the monster had just closed within the right distance for her to use her attack. Her hand was still glowing with the energy she conjured for the attack even after she decided to ascend evolve. She moved at sonic speed at her target then placed her hands up against its chest before a wide grin came across her face. “This time both I’ll use both hands. Meet Aurora Destroyer!” Reala yelled sheathing both her blades as an enormous amount of Spirit Force shot through her palms blasting through her target’s body which caused Veles to writhe in pain enveloping him in a giant blinding light.

The blast was so powerful that it ripped a giant trench into the floor and destroyed any obstacle such as a pillar or debris that was in its path. It also blasted the demon backwards, although its form is hidden due to the light was so bright it blinded everyone. Reala hoped it was strong enough to fill the beast with that energy in an attempt to make it explode from being overfilled. They could not see if the beast was dead or alive after such a massive use of force against it. Reala had let loose with a payload of energy and it was a good thing everyone else was out of the room so they didn’t get caught in the aftermath.

When all the dust settled the beast had taken damage, but was still standing which shocked Reala. She couldn’t believe it just survived one of her strongest attacks. “No way! How did it manage to survive such a massive amount of discharge of Spirit Force? This thing is no ordinary Ragnanite Demon and must have something that makes it stronger than others.” She examined the beast further to see a glowing object on it which had a symbol which she recognized, “That’s the Chaos Rune: Power. So that’s how it managed to withstand my attack? Unless I get rid of that rune, this thing is going to continue to tank my attacks. I cannot let that happen since that last attack took quite a bit out of me.”

‘So that’s the source of his powers is it? Looks like an easy enough target.’ Mithos thought to himself. While the monster was still occupied with Reala, Mithos sneaked to the side. Out of sight of everyone, he prepared his attack. Creating a single light arrow, he poured more energy into it then normal. Taking careful aim, he fired the overloaded light arrow at the rune, intent on destroying it, or at least damaging it so much that it was useless.

Reala looked over toward Mithos seeing that he was aiming right at the Chaos Rune which caused her to go on the defensive as her eyes widened in fear knowing that destroying a Chaos Rune was the end since it realized dangerous energy that destroyed everything in its path. She remembered what happened the last time a Chaos Rune was destroyed. “He’s a fool! He’s a fool! If he destroys that rune…” She paused for a moment frozen with fear unable to conjure the energy to use her technique.

“MITHOS DON’T DO IT! DO NOT DESTROY THAT RUNE!” Ranathia exclaimed as she prepared to summon the dangerous power she used earlier to deal with the intruder who invaded Meira’s estate uninvited. Though she knew that her words did not reach him.

Stellvia looked on irritated that she could trust mortals again. Just now there was a stupid mortal who was about to destroy everything. “Just when I thought I could trust mortals again… I was a fool to think they had a shred of goodness inside them…” She said very upset about the fact how reckless Mithos was being.

Phalasia was about to say something only to be interrupted by Miia. Miia had a very serious look in her eyes. A look that gave the impression she was not at all joking about what she was about to do. “This is why foolish mortals should never know about power beyond their comprehension.” Which was probably a surprise to most since it sounded like something Siia would say.

“Have you fools given up?” The demon grinned as it waited to make its next move. The arrow hit the rune dead center where an enormous amount of dangerous energy began to build up. The rune was starting to crack and the radiance became stronger and much more dangerous. If no one stopped the rune from breaking, the energy would explode and annihilate everything. “WHAT!?” The demon said caught by surprise.

With the monster distracted, Mithos was free to make his next move. Rushing at the beast, he sliced the arm the rune was on off. Taking the appendage, he began shoving the rune back into one piece by crushing it under his own magical energy. “You know…” he began, addressing everyone else in the room “this is something that I really should have been told about earlier. How was I supposed to know that damaging this blasted thing would cause it to blow up and kill us all? It looked like a simple weak point to hit, one that could end this fight really quickly.”

“Oi, four arms!” Whizzle called out from where he was floating with his burden. There was a sense of urgency in his voice. “Get over here if you can! I’ll help with that if you’re not so close to the frog!”

Moving over to the stranger, Mithos held out the rune. “I certainly hope you know what you’re doing” Mithos voiced his concern, as he continued to hold the rune together with his magic. With it in a more stable state, the energy washing out from it had been lessened

Dropping to the floor, Whizzle put Alice down and started to channel his magic into knitting the Rune back. It was fortunate that he has a template to base how to repair the damaged Rune. The build up energy was worrying however as he has no mean to disperse them safely. Should he absorb it? No, the sheer amount and density would just meant he’d be the first one to explode.

“Give me the rune. I will lessen the damage with my power. Even if you lessen the damage, the big bang at the end is the worst part of it. At least this way the big bang will do minimal damage.” A very cold and unhappy voice said as it appeared right before Mithos and Whizzle both while everyone else could just stare in awe surprised by who it was.

Ranathia was very surprised to see the person who left them earlier not wanting to lend his aid had come back to help them deal with the out of control rune. She could recognize it was the same person they ran into earlier and was relieved that he came back. “You really came back... “ She said with teary eyes happy to see him again, but she knew this wasn’t the time for happy reunions.

“We cannot prevent this castle from being severely damaged, but at least I can keep the casualties down to a minimum. After this over, I never want to see you again! If I do, I will kill you!” He said toward Mithos very angry about what had just transpired as he had been watching from the shadows of what was going on. “Gael, lend me your power.” He said as he closed his eyes and started speaking to himself as a mysterious power started to awaken inside him. “You there!” He said as he pointed at Whizzle. Help me, keep the rune together with your power until I can absorb most of the energy from it!”

Whizzle just raised an eyebrow towards the latecomer before rolling his eyes as he returned to repairing the broken rune.

“NO, YOU CAN’T, LUCENT! THAT’S TOO MUCH POWER FOR YOUR BODY! IT MIGHT DESTROY YOU!!!” Ranathia protested against Lucent’s actions who just shook his head at her.

“If I do not do this, everyone will die. If I die, at least I won’t have to see that imbecile again.” He remarked as he wasn’t about to be talked out of what he was about to do.

“So after all of this, I’ll never have to see you again? Sounds like a wonderful deal to me” Mithos said as he handed over the rune to Lucent. He didn’t like how he was getting lectured by someone who had just stood back and watched as they fought a monster.

“Mithos… I appreciate all that you’ve done for me and thought maybe you could understand me, but… Just when I thought there was at least one boy who understood me…” Ranathia shook her head in disbelief very disappointed with Mithos carelessness. “I was a fool to ever trust you.” Ranathia added who looked very upset and still keeping her power on standby in case they needed it. Ranathia had started to like Mithos and was becoming slowly attracted to his light when his darkness which was his own recklessness which shaded the light. She didn’t look like she was about to trust him anytime again soon either.

“I wish I could say something, Mithos, but I cannot.” Phalasia even said with eyes that looked like they felt sorry for Mithos. She knew he didn’t know that would happen, but that was no excuse to be reckless.

“You know what, this is your mess. You deal with it! I was going to help and hoped you had at least some decency, but I was a fool to even trust you might have even the slightest bit of common sense.” Lucent said as he slapped his hand away in anger powered down then jumped up in the air onto a railing on the ceiling. “Okay, Prince Perfect let’s see you get yourself out of your own mess. Don’t expect any help from me, because I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt, but not now. It’s your problem so deal with it yourself!”

“Lucent stop this! This is no time to start an argument!” Phalasia called out to him. She wanted him to help them as did everyone else, but he did look like he was going to be cooperative anymore.

“No, he thinks he can get himself out of this mess so let him! If he kills millions of people, because of his arrogance that’s not my problem! Maybe he’ll learn the consequences of his actions when he has the blood of the innocent on his hands!” Lucent yelled from the railing he was standing as he jumped up onto the other floor and disappeared out of sight.

“Lucent why are you acting like this?” Ranathia questioned as she knew it was unusual for Lucent to get so angry. She sensed that he actually did have a shard of respect for Mithos, but due to Mithos arrogance he just lost it.

“Okayy…” Whizzle drawled as he kept on working with the Rune. He had it mostly stitched over but he lacked the ability to fully repair it. What’s left right now is how to deal with the amassed energy. Glancing at Alice, Whizzle noticed that she was suffering under the strain despite his prior protection on her. “Just saying, if we die here, I’m going to haunt you all.”

“If I am going, I’m taking you with me!’ The demon said as it jumped over and latched onto Reala building up energy then exploded. The explosion was so large that it send Reala up in the air and out of the castle until she landed near a house where she fell to the ground unconscious still in her transformed state. A boy who worked at a bakery had seen the shooting star land where he was walking only to discover it was a beautiful pink haired girl who was covered in burnt marks. A sword landed implanted in the ground which laid right beside her.

“NO REALA!” Ranathia said as she was powerless to stop the demon from self-destructing and taking Reala out with it. “Dammit! This all happened because you two act like children!” Ranathia said as she raised her voice burning with anger.
___________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, back on the ground, a young boy named Danny suddenly had an unconscious girl to deal with. He had been out, getting some groceries that Mr. Pucci had asked him to pick up, when he had returned to the bakery to find a strange girl out cold in front of him. “Oh dear! Is...is she alive?” Quickly looking around to see if anyone else was there and finding no one, he rushed inside to put down the groceries before returning out to take her inside as well. Although due to his young age and her weight, he struggled to so much as drag her inside. Once he had managed to get her up on a booth seat, he went back for the sword and put it on the ground next to her.

The girl muttered the words in her sleep, “Celesna…” Strangely she kept on muttering those words. With the group looking around her they were unsure what kind of dream the girl was having. Her wings still remained as they drooped on one part of the bed and laid perfect on the other side.

Since Mr Pucci would be gone for the day, that left Danny all alone, except for this strange girl. since he wasn’t sure if she had eaten lately, he got to work in the kitchen, baking some cinnamon rolls. Once they were finished, Danny took them out of the oven and brought them over to the girl’s booth and sat them down on the table. Taking a quick look at her to make sure she was okay, he quickly went upstairs to his room to grab a few things.

Reala tossed and turned in her sleep as she stopped muttering the words Celesna. Her dream became so unbearable where she finally woke up, but couldn’t bring herself to her feet. She was in a lot of pain and noticed one of her hands covered over a wound on her side which was bleeding. Looking around she was very confused since she had no idea what was going on what happened. “Where…” She mustered the power to get one word off. “Am I?” She questioned as she continued to look around in the room.

With pillows in hand, Danny descended back down to the ground floor, where he saw the strange girl was up. “Oh, you’re awake!” He finished climbing down the stairs. “I didn’t think you’d wake up so soon, so I went and got some pillows for you. Sorry I just left you on a booth, but you were too heavy to carry upstairs. I had to drag you this far. Oh by the way, feel free to help yourself to those rolls. I made them for you. Although I thought they’d get some time to cool down first, so they’ll be pretty hot. Will you still need these?” He asked, holding out the pillows

Although she was very confused with what was going on, she decided since she was in no condition to remedy her condition that she would let him help. She looked over and uncovered her hand which was covered in blood from her side bleeding. “I could use one…” She paused for a moment as she coughed for a moment. “near the side of my ribs. There’s a nasty wound I suffered there. You can also put one under my head.” She paused a moment finding it hard to speak before she continued, “If it is not too much to ask, a blanket would be nice too.”

“Oh!” Danny would have slapped himself if he didn’t have pillows in his hands. “Blankets and the first aid kit. Why didn’t I think to bring those?” Rushing over to give her the pillows, he said “I’ll be right back” before rushing off the gather the other needed items. He came back a little later with a heavy blanket under his arm and a first aid kit in his hands. Putting the blanket to the side, he opened up the first aid kit and took out some disinfectant and bandages. Then he lifted up her shirt a little bit so that he could get to the wound “this might sting a bit, but the pain just means you’re alive” he told her before applying some cloth sprayed with the disinfectant on the wound. When he was satisfied that it was cleaned, he began to bandage up her wound after handing her a wet towel “you can use that to wipe off your hand. It might not be great, but it should do for now”

The pain caused Reala to conjure energy into her hand which she fired out of her hand randomly in the form of a lightning bolt that struck across the room. Luckily it didn’t hurt so bad that she would start freezing things with her mind. “Urgh…” She cringed as she did feel quite a bit of pain from her wound. Too bad her energy was so exhausted that she couldn’t use any form of magic to negate the effect.

Reala looked at him strangely not sure why he was helping someone he didn’t know. She found it rather awkward, because she would never meddle in the affairs of other people. Though she shook her head shaking off that thought then nodded muttering off her lips, “Thanks.” She said as she wiped the blood off her hand with the cloth he provided her.

“You’re welcome. Although I have to ask that you don’t shoot of magic like that inside here again. This is where I work and live after all.” Danny told her. Then he went over to clean up the small mess made by the lightning bolt that Reala launched. “Oh, and you can start on those rolls whenever you want. Don’t worry about saving any for me or being polite. Just take care of your tummy first”

Reala was a bit confused about what he was talking about unless it was her sensitivity to pain that usually resulted in her using magic. She over toward where he was cleaning up the mess she made where she conjured a small ball of light which was strong enough to repair any damage she might have created. She also remembered he said she could eat, but she didn’t have the power right now to lift herself up yet. “Forgive my sensitivity toward pain and use this to repair any damage my random magic might have caused you.” She paused for a moment as she held out her hand which held a transparent golden ball of light. “Also, just curious? Why would you help someone you do not know?”

Danny stared at her for a few seconds in confusion “I...I don’t understand” was his answer “what does not knowing you have to do with anything? Well...I guess it does mean that I have to make a random guess as to what to make for you, but unless you have any kind of food allergy, that shouldn’t make a difference.” Taking the strange light ball from her, he said “thanks for this by the way” before going back over the damaged area and using it to repair it.

The light from the ball transformed into light which shot off in all directions until it lit up what was damaged and in a flash repaired anything that was broken or shattered making it look brand new as if nothing ever happened.

“Hmmm…” She said as she heard Danny ask her if she had any allergies to anything where she shook her head. She did though find it strange that he never asked for her name since that is what most people do when they find someone they don’t know. This boy was an exception which intrigued her interest. “I find it strange you haven’t asked my name or at least introduced yourself yet.”

“Oh!” Danny slapped himself in the face “silly me, I forgot all about that. That’s awfully rude of me.” After taking a quick look to check if everything was alright, he turned back to Reala. “My name is Danny” he told her. It was then that something occurred to him “Oh no! You’re too hurt to feed yourself aren’t you!? Stupid! I should have known” Rushing into the kitchen, he came out with a fork and a knife. “Here, let me feed you” he said before he cut of a piece of one of the rolls and speared it on the fork, holding it out to her.

“Danny, huh?” Reala paused for a moment as she tried to make sense of the distorted thoughts that were spiraling around in her mind. Everything was so cloudy and confusing for her and she was in a lot of pain. “I am Princess Reala Calthustruanua Primavalthera.” She said with a very weak introducing herself since she was not afraid to hide who she was.

“Huh?” She said surprised by the fact he was trying to feed her. Though she didn’t like the fact she was so powerless to take care of herself she muttered, Thank you.”

“A princess? I didn’t see that coming” Danny confessed as he kept feeding her “I never thought I would find a princess face down in the street with a nasty wound on her rib, but well...a lot of things have happened in my life that I never expected, so that’s nothing new.” He rambled more to himself then to her “but what were you even doing out there in the first place?”

“What am I doing here?” Reala said finding that a rather awkward question. She remembered she came with Melianth, but the person they were working under had disappeared. Since she was working for a secret organization she wouldn’t be able to reveal any details. So she decided she would have to come up with cover story that sounded sufficient enough. “I am here to see my older sister. Only to be attacked by a nasty monster that sent me flying and I was unconscious the whole time I was airborne so I don’t exactly know where I’m at.” She said since she couldn’t reveal at all what was going on since she didn’t want to alarm the boy. For someone who helped she did not like lying and since it was a time she was truly a damsel in distress she was grateful.

“Well, I found you outside out cold, and brought you in here.” Danny explained “but I haven’t heard anything about monsters in this city, so that’s pretty worrisome.” he said, despite not looking worried at all. “Although it makes the fact that you got off with just a wound on your ribs even more impressive.”

Reala looked at herself to realize that she was still transformed into her demigod state. Her face turned a bit red when a boy got a close up look at her body which showed quite a bit of skin from what she was wearing. Also her wings still lied drooped on the surface of the booth. “You didn’t see, did you?” She said as she was a bit embarrassed that she had not returned to normal yet.

Danny blinked twice in confusion “see...see what? There’s lots of things to see. You’re going to need to give me a noun before I can answer that.” Was his response ‘is this a girl thing?’ he wondered to himself ‘girls are weird’ was his final conclusion

“Ugh, you idiot… That’s not what I meant! Just look at what I’m wearing…” She paused for a moment before she finished that sentence as she was still embarrassed. “What am I saying!? I let you see what was underneath my armor when I allowed you…” She paused for a moment as she tried to muster up the strength to punish him, but she was too injured to do anything. “You pervert! Do you have no dignity as a male? How dare you look there without asking! And I was stupid enough to let you take advantage of me..” She said as she had enough strength to bring one of her hands across and slap Danny very hard across the face feeling like she had just been violated.

Poor Danny was so confused “but...I was just trying to dress your wound. If you couldn’t muster the energy to even feed yourself, then how could you disinfect and bandage your injury?” He asked as he held the part of his face that had just been attacked. “What does dignity have to do with first aid anyway? And how were you able to slap me like that when you couldn’t even feed yourself?”

“Nevermind!” Reala said irritated that he was being so confusing. She didn’t understand how a boy didn’t understand a girl’s boundaries though his clumsy methods did intrigue her a little. “Just let me sleep!” She answered as she immediately fell fast asleep.

Danny just scratched his head in confusion “um...okay?” Was really all he could say to that ‘girls make no sense at all. Why do they have to be so confusing?’ he thought to himself. As she fell asleep, Danny took the blanket he had brought down and put it over her, tucking her in. With that done, he went around the bakery to lock all the doors before he went up to his own bed to sleep.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Down on the planet of Gaia, a giant symbol appeared in the sky beyond the clouds. A giant circle enclosing the face of a wolf. A second ring glowing with energy appeared around the edge and started to shrink, no focusing, on the center.

As it reached the middle, the ring became nothing more than a dot, like a star in a far off piece of space. And then, it began to grow and a pillar of light descended to the planet, surrounding the rune.

Within a blink of an eye, there was a dot in the sky, and now there was this pillar. The pillar of light faded just slightly slower than it appeared, the rune was then surrounded by some form of barrier, and the energy leaking out of it appeared to be moving else.

Just then, a figure appeared nearby, a Nekrian. He spoke quickly, "I am not here to harm you. If I figure right, if this thing explodes, cities will die. I am not going to let that happen."

Mithos was getting really tired off all of this. He was tired of people acting like he was some evil monster just because he didn’t know that the obvious weak spot was in fact very explosive...so he decided to take matters into his own hands. “Fine, I’ll handle this myself.” And with the rune still in hand, he flew up. Quickly managing to break through the roof, he continued on upwards as he made his way up to the atmosphere. The air had become thin, and it was hard to breathe all the way up there. With a mighty throw, he flung the rune up even further into the air. As it left his hands, the energy from him that was keeping it held together began to fade, and it exploded, hitting only him. Since it had been far enough away when it did blow up, he was only hit by a little bit, but it was enough to knock him out of his new form and send him flying back down to the ground.

“I don’t know whether you mortals are worth saving… Though a girl showed me that maybe not all of you are evil.” Stellvia said as she closed her eyes and enveloped everyone in the room in a protective light which would shield them from the effects of the dangerous energy. This was the first time Stellvia ever did anything nice for mortals who she had a strong hatred for. “Temporal Dispersion!” She finished as she let loose an enormous amount of of her own energy using the power within the Chrono Sphere to neutralize the energy in the room. Sure it didn’t save everyone, but at least this way casualties would remain at a minimum.

Miia was caught in surprise by what was going on. Not only did Stellvia use her power to preserve the very people she hated, but also a mysterious figure appeared who she could not identify let alone know who it was. She didn’t have any words for what was going on as she could only look on in complete surprise.

Ranathia was also caught in complete surprise, but looked in the sky to see Mithos falling. Sure she was angry with Mithos for many things; however, she also owed him a favor which she would repay. Using her magical force to levitate herself she propelled herself into the sky and caught Mithos who was falling in freefall. “I’m only doing this, because I owe you a debt of gratitude. Don’t get any ideas that I have forgiven you for what has happened.”

The rune was thrown toward the ship where it was pulled in. In seconds it exploded releasing a magnitude of energy into open space. The explosion was so intense that the ship literally just disintegrated not leaving a single piece of it to remain. A strange light appeared out of nowhere, another girl with a very sinister looking face. “So the fools do my dirty work for me? Perhaps there is use in you mortals after all. If I let you destroy the runes you will bring about you’re inevitable end!” She laughed as she disappeared right after the rune had disintegrated.

The Nekrian looked towards the sky, and simply seen a flash of light far off in space. A lone tear trailed down his face, but his face remained stoic.

Whizzle glanced around the room and towards the sky with a contemplative look, “Ok, that happened…” Behind him, Alice stirred awake, both from the pain she was feeling and the commotion around her. She was confused for finding herself lying on the floor and staring at the far above ceiling she was unfamiliar with. “Oh, you’re awake, can you move?” Whizzle said when he noticed Alice was awake.

The human girl’s eyes quickly focused onto Whizzle both confusion and question apparent in her gaze, “What happened? Why are you here?” she weakly said. She struggle to sat straight before flopped down on her back, being too tired and exhausted to even do the simple motion.

Once he was on the ground, Mithos got to his feet and brushed himself off. “Well...that could have been a lot worse.” He said more to himself than anyone else “at least on one died” he continued that line of thought. Then turning his attention to Ranathia, he said “you have my thanks, and you can consider us even now. I won’t force you to endure my company any longer.” Walking past Phalasia, he said to her “forgive me, but I need to rest for a bit. I don’t think I can maintain my composure around other people for much longer.” After that, he left in search of somewhere he could lie down.

“Stellvia, tell us about the runes.” Miia turned her attention away from everyone else wanting to know the full story about the runes. She knew everything that she had read in a book, but she remembered that someone told her that the runes were special, but didn’t know why.

Stellvia sighed since this was knowledge she thought was better off left out of the hands of mortals. She wanted to think that, but since the dye had been cast it was time to reveal what was so special about the runes and the impact they have. “I guess I have no choice but to tell you. The Chaos Runes were created when the Universe was being born. A long time ago the two most powerful runes that used to be one Sword and Shield did battle. Sword said it could cut through anything and Shield said it could block everything. The two tested their mettle where they collided exploding into the fragments that shattered from them which are called the Chaos Runes. The Chaos Runes are actually dark matter that make up the physical matrix of the Material Plane and act as pillars that empower the Chrono Sphere.” She paused for a moment because she had an idea that someone was about to interrupt her.

Ranathia was in even more shock when she learned that the runes were an important part of the Material Plane. It was like they were building blocks that made up its form. “Stellvia, are you telling us that the runes represent the important qualities of the cosmos?” Ranathia questioned as she wanted the goddess to answer her question.

“Yes, they represent the qualities of all existence. Power is a very important quality since it not only gives us strength, but also courage and the willpower to overcome adversity. Now that the Rune of Power has been lost, the Chrono Sphere barrier has weakened. This is the reason why I do not trust you mortals. You act on your instinct which is selfish reaction that can result in catastrophic ruin.” Stellvia said toward the group as she still remained in sight. She floated in the air while she examined the area and the devastation that was caused.

“That’s all because…” Miia paused as almost everyone turned their eyes at Mithos. Their stare was one that showed both pity and anger toward his actions.

“Exactly, his mortal drive toward being prideful brought damnation and ruin upon you all.” Stellvia nodded at her after all the others started staring at Mithos.

“Huh, so they’re that important?” Whizzle piped up before raising a hand as if he was in a classroom. “Question, wouldn’t you have something to reform the rune?”

Stellvia turned her attention toward Whizzle who she didn’t really like since she sensed he was too curious for his own good. Though he did ask her a question that was well within her own power to answer. “I’ll never understand mortals like you who are too curious for their own good. I will remind you that I will only answer questions that are the solutions to problems. Do not get any ideas that I will answer your questions on ancient races or ancient magicks. I don’t even know why I’m so driven to helping you mortals and your cause anyway...” She paused for a moment as she said that with sincerity before she shifted her tone back to normal. “Not all runes can be reformed so easily. The Rune of Power was actually one of many True Runes. The True Runes are much more fragile than regular runes so extreme force can damage them. They are a lot more powerful than regular runes.” She paused for a moment again as she contemplated what she was gleaning from the planet’s database which no one else was able to see, but found a lot of unknown materials that had yet to be discovered and then with doubt sighing she continued, “You dare ask me to waste my power while protecting everyone else to form a rune you mortals destroyed? How insulting, you mortals can make a new one yourselves. You brought this upon yourselves due to your curse I like to call curiosity. So you can remedy this problem on your own. I will at least provide assistance, but do not take me for granted!” She paused once again as her voice became a bit more calm where she continued, “I’m not even sure if there are the right materials on this planet to create another Rune of Power.”

“Eh, that’s fair,” Whizzle shrugged.

“As much as I’d like to stand up for Mithos…” Phalasia paused knowing he wasn’t completely to blame, but still it didn’t excuse his reckless behavior. Ranathia shook her head at Phalasia adding, “He’s not worth it, Phalasia. Do not stick up for someone who is always thinking about themselves and not others. If he truly desired to protect you he would have thought more rationally about his actions.” She walked away before Mithos would say something that would just annoy her even more. She wasn’t in the mood to listen to someone who probably felt sorry for themselves.

“Ranathia, where are you going?” Phalasia questioned as she didn’t know what to say in Mithos defense. There were just no words she could use that would ease everyone’s minds.

“I’m sorry, I can’t stand looking at your cousin right now. I know he’s going to say something like ‘I didn’t see you do anything! Don’t just blame me because it’s not my fault!’ which is useless conjecture that will just annoy me. I’m not interested in listening to mindless rambling.” Ranathia finished as she walked away from the others disappearing out of sight.

“I’m sorry no one else stuck around to at least thank you, sir.” Miia said toward the Nekrian who had appeared to help the group. “They all are grateful for what you did, but after what has happened today I don’t think anyone is in a thankful mood.”

“I dunno granny, it looks like seeing the explosion is his own reward judging from his expression there,” Whizzle interrupted.

The Nekrian turned towards the man, “I would choose your words more carefully around me. I have shot people for less reasons.” he said.

“Oh?” Whizzle raised an eyebrow. “I’m wrong? You sure fit the bucket for it though. Anyway your help is appreciated, things would have gone worse than that otherwise. I think, I’m not the precog here.”

The Nekrain sighed, “I won’t even presume to argue with you, I will just continue to observe the situation. It is the only thing that I can do for the moment. You have already managed to nearly destroy the universe, obviously someone must do damage control.”

“How noble of you,” Whizzle smirked. He then noticed that someone was trying to draw his attention by pulling at his pants. Looking down, he saw Alice who had crawled despite her exhaustion. “Oh geeze, what are doing trying to move around?”

Whizzle crouched down to listen what Alice was trying to say, “You haven’t… answered ...question,” she drawled. Even so, her desire to know the answer of why he was there was obvious in her eyes.

Scratching his head, Whizzle looked at the girl, “I think that would be something for later, you should rest now.” Hand touching her forehead, Whizzle cast out a spell to make Alice fell
asleep.

The stranger who appeared from nowhere just scuffed, “Don’t confuse self-preservation with charity.”

“Self-preservation, you say?” Stellvia paused as she found that an interesting choice of words. “Self-preservation is what bends your mortal will toward being selfish. It is such a selfish trait about you mortals which you use to judge everything else with. You decide the fate of nature yet you think you are above it dictating whether it lives or dies all for your self-preservation. I asketh of thou this, what gives you the authority to decide the verdict of other living things? You deceive yourselves into thinking that you’re gods when you’re not.” Stellvia answered as she didn’t really care what his response to what she just said was. In her heart, no mortal could ever be trusted.

“You!” She turned her attention immediately away from the unknown visitor turning it directly on Whizzle. “What do you think you’re doing there!?” She questioned toward Whizzle as a more fierce and deadly look overshadowed her face.

The goddess’ question was loud enough that it interrupted his casting. With a sigh, Whizzle instead ruffled Alice’s hair, much to the girl’s weak protest. “Preserving the last of her normal life,” Whizzle simply said without turning. “Though your disagreement is apparent.”

Alice stared at her adopted brother with disbelief. What did he meant with normal? What was he hiding? Just what did he know? “Tell me…” she insisted.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Whizzle looked towards the rest of the people remaining in the room, silently asking them to be the one who did it because he didn’t want to. “...No takers?”

“Listen to me, Alice and listen well.” Stellvia said though she wasn’t very pleased with Whizzle hiding things from the girl. She needed to know the truth and gravity of the situation. “The True Rune of Power has been destroyed and a pillar that maintains the Material Plane has been destroyed. The True Runes act as a medium to maintain The Dividing Line which prevents all three planes from assimilating each other. They represent qualities within the physical matrix of the Material Plane.”

Alice frowned still, that didn’t answer her question on why Whizzle was there! Only that something important happened while using words she knew is important but not why! “But… he’s just a mage…” she spoke, trying to rationalizing a reason.

Mia looked over toward Stellvia since she had a great idea. She knew this idea might interest the deity into helping their cause. “Lady Stellvia.” She paused for a moment only to have Stellvia interrupt her and tell her that calling her Stellvia was fine. “I have a proposition for you.”

“A proposition, huh? That’s a first from you mortals. Usually you’re only thinking of yourselves. I will hear you out.” She answered Miia as she turned her full undivided attention to her.

“If we help you understand mortals better would you be willing to help us understand spirits better? I think we could both help each other and this means we would be doing you a favor too and not just imposing all our problems on you.” Miia suggested toward Stellvia hoping that the powerful spirit would agree to the offer.

“Let me get this right? You are asking that we help each other?” She paused for a moment as she put her down onto her hand to think it over. “Do you honestly think I would be so easily persuaded that you mortals wouldn’t be greedy? I am not convinced that you mortals will help
me. How am I not sure that you will deceive me like you do others just to get what you want and preserve you pathetic kind?” Stellvia said with doubt in her mind. She wasn’t really willing to place her faith in mortals. Not after what they did to her in the past. “That uncivil one there.” She paused as she directed her attention toward Whizzle pointing her finger right at him. “Suggested that it was fair to use my power for your selfish ambition of self-preservation. Why should I take your word for your part of the agreement when I know how devious you mortals can be by stabbing those who you use for your own selfish purpose in the back. I am not a pawn for your foolish games!”

“Oh wow, self-absorbed much?” said uncivil one spoke up. “I said ‘that’s fair’ for ‘we caused this therefore we should fix it ourselves.’ But it looks like you didn’t hear it that way, maybe next you won’t even allow us to fix the Rune because you can’t trust us with the knowledge on how to make one? Yet you’re willing to throw an innocent, and a weak one at that, in the midst of it all,” He said, gesturing towards Alice. “Then again, you’re a goddess, you have all the reasons for being selfish.”

Hearing Miia’s suggestion and Stellvia’s retort, Alice remembered that she promised to help… even if she can’t seem to remember who she promised it to. That… that’s more important than her no good brother, she could always pester him for explanation later. She gave her brother’s leg a tug and Whizzle looked down to meet her gaze. Sighing, he crouched down to put Alice’s arm over his shoulders before picking her up, leaning her weight against one shoulder. “Right, so this stupid one here doesn’t seem to care and is willing to jump in anyway,” Whizzle grumbled.

Stellvia chose not to answer Whizzle’s remark about her being selfish. She wasn’t about to listen to a fool who destroyed the natural balance of nature and the natural surroundings above them for their own selfish personal gain. As much as the goddess wanted to say something, she decided to remain silent until she faded away into disappearance.

“I suppose, I better go look for my sister.” Miia said as she turned toward one of the doors in the coronation room and ran out it in an attempt to look for her sister.
___________________________________________________________________________

“Nathan? Can you feel that?! I feel like something bad is happening inside!” Meira said toward Nathan as she stood up from the grass as she felt the enormous amount of energy being released by the rune which was distorting the environment around her. “What is going on?”

“No idea” Nathan replied. “I really hope it isn’t one of the bombs that guy who had you captured left behind. No one would tell me anything about them, so I’m honestly not sure what happened to them. Then again...I’m not sure he could get ahold of something with this much power and sneak it in the castle”

Meira was alarmed when she saw something get sent flying from the castle skyward. It looked like a person, but she wasn’t sure who it was. “Did you see that just now?” Meira questioned toward Nathan since she wanted to know if he saw that person she saw get blown away.

“Yeah...not sure what that was just now though” Nathan answered. “I’m starting to get worried. I thought everything was already over...looks like I was wrong. Just my luck” Nathan sighed. “Do you think we should go check it out, or would you rather wait and see what else happens?”

Meira saw Ranathia walk outside the castle and she had a very foul look on her face. Meira was curious to why Ranathia looked so upset yet also worried at the sametime. “Hey Ranathia, what’s with the face?” She questioned as she tried to get Ranathia’s attention.

“Oh.” Ranathia mumbled as Meira managed to catch her attention. She walked over toward Meira and Nathan only to say something bizarre to the two of them. “So you two are out here alone?” Saying in a tone which gave the impression they were lovers as she threw the Lovers tarot card at them that she took out of her pocket.

“WWWWWHHHHHHAAAAATTTTTT!!!!!???? It’s nothing like that!” Meira said in surprise as her face turned bright red. “Do not make such weird judgment!”

Nathan rolled his eyes at their antics ‘girls.’ Picking up the card that Ranathia had thrown at them, he asked “so...is there a reason why you were just carrying this around in your pocket or something?” Nathan didn’t bother to question Ranathia about what was going on inside because he both realized that whatever it was, it was over, and he doubted that she would answer him, or even acknowledge him.

“NATHAN!” Meira yelled at him as she stood up clenching her fist. What Ranathia said just aroused the thought that he was taking advantage of her weak mental state. She jumped backward then prepared for his punishment!. “WIND DRAGON BLAST!” She said in fury still embarrassed as she brought her palm forward hard which blasted a massive gust of wind that took the form of green energy shaping into the head of a dragon that she sent at Nathan. She was sure the blast would send him flying into a wall which would relieve her of her current embarrassment.

Meira’s choice of spell was really a poor one, since it stirred instincts inside of Nathan that had been asleep for a long time. All at once, his arms changed, becoming scaly and thicker, while a set of wings shot out of his back, ripping his shirt and causing it to fall off. Crossing his arms in front of him, he took Meira’s spell head on, and used his racial strength to push it away, impacting into the ground. A second later, his mind caught up with his body, and he realized what he had just done, what they had just seen. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” he screamed “Don’t look at me!” Unwilling to see the looks on their faces, he covered his face with his hands “Don’t look at me! I’m...I’m a monster!!!” With that said, Nathan took flight towards the only place he felt any kind of security; his home.

“Huh?” Meira looked on confused not understanding at all what had happened. She had never seen Nathan in that form before, but Ranathia didn’t look at all surprised.

“I knew this might happen…” Ranathia sighed as she engulfed her hand with a very dark form of energy then conjured up what Meira had just used then combined it with another attribute to form a more powerful attack. “ICE GUST DRAGON!” Ranathia sighed as she shot the blast of wind and ice combination that took the form of two dragons intertwined at Nathan to freeze him into a block of ice so that she could revert his transformation using a forbidden magic that she hadn’t used in years. “Don’t fight it, Nathan. I’m a lot stronger than you are and even though I used up a lot of my power earlier from that intruder I still have enough to bring you down!” She said as she made sure the blast would hit Nathan dead center where she prepared the other spell with her other hand. With him frozen in a block of ice she would use her telekinesis to bring him back to solid ground.

“...So you knew…” Nathan lamented. It was really disappointing to him, since he thought he had been doing such a good job of hiding his heritage from everyone else. The idea that he had been fooled into thinking that was really disheartening. “Fine...just make it quick. I’d appreciate it if you just cut my head off really quickly. I doubt I’d feel that”

Ranathia froze Nathan in a solid block of ice from head to toe so he could not get away. She then placed her index finger toward the block of ice as a very strange glyph with ancient writings on it appeared below her feet. She then converted the rest of the dark energy on her arm into energy which was used to incase Nathan in a six sided glyph cube. Closing her eyes and muttering words of the Ancients she then said at the end of her incantation, “Power Seal!” The cube transformed into a glyph that wrap itself around Nathan’s body, but then disappeared as it turned him back to normal where it vanished. “For your own good, I’ve sealed the power inside you. Don’t worry, the Power Seal comes with a trigger and when the right time comes the seal will undo itself.”

“Ranathia, what was that?” Meira questioned as she just saw what she thought was a dragon appear then disappear after she used her magic. She then continued with another question which she first directed at Ranathia, “what kind of magic did you just use now? I’ve never seen a spell like that one?” She said still in complete confusion over what is going on.

“Are you okay, Nathan?” She said as Nathan was still on his knees in his usual humanoid form after Ranathia reversed his transformation.

Nathan was in shock. He hadn’t known that his Dragonite forms could be sealed away. He was also stunned that Ranathia only did that. He couldn’t understand why, so he wracked his brain for an answer, and he didn’t like what came to him ‘a collar. She just leashed me like I’m some kind of animal! For my own good she says, hah! I bet this seal comes with something else to keep me from acting out, like maybe something that can electrocute me when she wants.’ Turning his attention to Meira, he answered her “no...no I’m not okay. I haven’t been okay for half my life, but now I’m even less okay now than I normally am.”

Ranathia walked over then slapped him very hard across the face. She was tired of him whining and making excuses and the fact she had to provide the energy to maintain his seal made her think even less of him when she saw him as being selfish. “Stop whining! Do you think I want this!? God, you’re really stupid. In order for me to maintain the seal I have to provide my own energy to stabilize it. But you didn’t know that, did you?” She said before she walked away in disgust.

“Ranathia, what do you mean?” Meira questioned because if that is what she thought she meant then that means Ranathia’s life would be in danger if Nathan pushed himself too hard. She remembered someone talking about the spell that Ranathia used and how dangerous it could be on the user.

Wow, what a bitch. She seals away his powers, and when he complains about it, she slaps him and calls him stupid. ‘Just great, I can’t believe I’m at the mercy of someone like that.’ Nathan snorted ‘if she really didn’t want this, then why the hell is she doing it!?’ Nathan was never really fond of her before, but now he outright hated her. “I’m going home, I’m afraid that if I see your aunt again today, I won’t be able to control my temper.” He told Meira, before he began to walk away, back to his home. Meira didn’t say a word as Nathan and Ranathia both walked away. Even if she wanted to say something, she didn’t know where to begin. Maybe she should leave them alone to cool down for awhile.

It was obvious to everyone that the goddess faded in a less than pleasant state of mind. Whizzle rolled his eyes and he felt Alice weakly kicking his shin, the girl seem to be just as unhappy as she was confused. “Would you stop? That’s getting annoying,” he said.

“No, you..dumb jerk,” Alice wheezed. The comment prompted a sigh, although that was all as Whizzle felt a tingle on his nape.

“Hey, do you mind taking care of her?” He said to the Nekrian. “Got something to do.”

“No you’re not…” Alice shot as she weakly put her hands around Whizzle, which the Midarian simply unhook for every attempt. “Don’t ignore me.”

The Nekrian glared at the two, as if looking at something that wasn’t there, deeply analyzing this nothing. He started to say, “No, I am not.” then paused, as his glare intensified. “If you insist. I can make sure no harm comes to her, skinwalker.”

“Skinwalker? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” came the smooth reply. Even so, Whizzle didn’t make any move of handing Alice to the Nekrian’s care.

“You are able to lie through your teeth as much as you wish, however I have a much more reliable source for information.” the Nekrian simply grinned. “And perhaps it would be easier if we had names for each other, you may call me Andrew.”

Alice turned her attention to Andrew, as a stranger she had just met, she has no reason to believe what he had said, but when two different people claimed that her brother is a shapeshifter, or at least a shapeshifter with the same name… maybe she should give them a benefit of doubt and ask for details?

“What makes you sure he’s one?” she muttered to the Nekrian. Whizzle audibly clicked his tongue and stiffened, as if he was deciding on what to do.

Andrew had a sly smile come after his face, “I know many things. How I know these things is my secret. And apparently I accidentally spilled the beans on this man’s secrets. I presumed you two was close, I guess this time I was incorrect.” He then paused, then spoke very matter-of-factly, “It would explain why you are so quick to abandon her.”

“That’s not an answer…” Alice glared at the Nekrian. Anger started to bubble up inside her. How dare this stranger say that! Her brother might be gone for weeks on end, and annoying at times, or pervert with his attempts on some spells, but he also did more than those!

Whizzle let out a sigh, “Geeze, what a crap day… goddesses plans are a pain in the ass…”

Andrew just smirked, “I guess my power isn’t even all that secretive, but it is also something I don’t go around telling people easily.” he pushed away his shirt and moved his neck so it was more visible to reveal a marking, two beads, one black with white dot, and the other was white with a black dot. “You want to know how I know, find out what that symbol means. It is harder task than it may originally appear.”

“I couldn’t care less about that, ” Whizzle shrugged while Alice glared at the Nekrian still, unamused at his vague challenge. “But since you spilled the beans, you’re helping me sweep it up. Or lick it off the floor if that’s how you roll.”

“My trigger finger is itching. Just keep it up, and give me a reason to shoot you, that is if you even know what a gun is, backwater hillbilly.” he said condescendingly.

“You mean those things your sort used to cover up their inadequacy, uncultured dog?” Whizzle amusedly remarked. He felt another weak kick on his shin and glanced towards a slightly blushing Alice glaring at him. “What? It’s not like that’s wrong.”

Andrew’s demeanor changed, he lowered his head, turned his back, and slowly began to walk off. “I was inadequate.”

“Huh, that’s new,” Whizzle mused, his head tilting to a side. He had seen some people getting offended, and some that laughed it off. But this was the first time he met someone that quietly accept it. “Oh well, let’s go home and I’ll tell you what you shouldn’t know.”

“Eh? Really?” Alice said, sounding more energetic than she was a moment.

“Yeah, sure, at this rate the next one would be an actual pain in the ass,” Whizzle grumbled as he started to carry Alice to the exit. “I’ll tell you what you need to know… and maybe some other things.”

A girl who looked just like Meira was being lead toward a room by a group of soldiers. The WW Division of the Cimmeria Empire requested the use of Project Eve which is a girl with pink hair. This girl wears black shorts and a white blouse along with white tennis shoes. To complete her look are a pair of blue thigh highs. Her eyes are as blue as the sky like Meira and her hair as pink as an ume blossom during a fresh ripe season. They lead her into a room where her guest who wanted to meet her was waiting. One of the soldiers from the Project Rebirth Division removed her restraints as requested by the person who summoned her. "Are you sure you want to leave her power unchained? This girl is an exact replica of her original, sir?" The soldier questioned as he sent away his guards who unrestrained the girl.

“The best restraints are the ones no can see. If she tries to use her magic, it will simply cause an explosion.” the older man said condescendingly to everyone involved. “Guards, you are dismissed.”

“Very well. She’s no ordinary girl, that’s for sure and quite a handful. If you think you can handle her without taming her then she’s your problem now.” The guards said as they left the room leaving the pinkette behind with this man.

The old man smirked as the two guards left the room. As they left, the room, it appeared to change. What seemingly was a regular room faded away into a silver chrome room that was a perfect cube, strangely enough it also seemed to lack a door. At the same time, the old to middle aged man seemed to fade away and his place, a being of pure magical energy that resemble the silhouette of a man with no facial features other than two sapphires where his eyes should be. “I believe you to be worthy of seeing my true form unlike those bureaucrats. Now, I have summoned you to ask a simple favor.” the being said.

“Hmm…” The girl pondered as she placed her finger at her lip. She kept it there several minutes as she curled it where the part that curled touched the bottom of her lip. She thought to herself as she tried to talk to the presence inside her. He’s using pure energy though in an incomplete form.

A voice inside her said toward her be careful with who you trust, my vessel. For some mortals can deceive you into thinking they’re helping you when they’re only using you as a stepping stone. Though I may be weak due to my current rebirth, I still am very self-aware and have retained my wisdom. You were not the one originally destined to become my successor, but with circumstances falling into place like they are and everything going as according to the prophecy, you are the Providence Breaker. The voice said as it suddenly went silent. The voice didn’t appear to introduce itself yet, but the girl knew from her connection with her other selves who she exactly was.

Turning her attention toward the man as she left her deep thought she looked at him as he said he had a use for her. She remembered what the voice told her warning her of becoming to trusting or taking things for granted. She decided to answer him before he suspected that she might be plotting something with her sudden silence. “As much as I hate doing as what others ask of me, I will do what you request under two conditions. Those are my terms.” She paused as she would wait for a response from the man before she continued with what she requested.

“Allow me to make something clear. You are honestly just a tool for me to use. There are other tools I could use, but you happen to be convenient. You do what I ask effectively, and I don’t care what else you do so long as it does not interfere with me. Though trust me, I can compensate you things far more valuable than gold. If you do what I request, and you don’t bother me, I couldn’t care if you escaped Cimmeria.”the figure said.

“I was already told by my self-aware state that you were just using me as a bargaining chip. As long as I am a bargaining chip you will not let me escape, I know that much.” The girl said as she had already heard from her vessel what he was about to say. She predicted him right down to the letter. “I don’t care if you use me as long as I get something in return. First I want to see Anayame and second I want a meeting arranged with my original. Agree to those terms and I’ll allow you to manipulate my mind as how you see fit for your sick twisted game.” She said as she started to contemplate on some way to escape with Anayame when they reunited the two. She also knew that should she refuse this person might use her love for Anayame against her as leverage which she would never forgive herself for. She continued with reluctance even though she hated the idea of being used like a doll, “Even if I refused, you would use persuasion of leverage to sway my mind.”

“But though out of curiosity, why me?” She asked out of curiosity. She didn’t quite know what they had planned for her, but she had been through worse if this was the best they had to test her wits with.

“So many questions all at once.” the being remarked. “Perhaps it best to explain why I need you. You see, one of dogs ran away and we recently had reacquired him. We just need to convince him that he belongs in Cimmeria. He has taken a fondness to what you call your original, and I believe someone who bares her face could very easily convince him the moon was made of cheese. Also, with Fenrir here, there would be a good chance your original would come to Cimmeria to look for him. They had only known each other for approximately a week, but they seem quite close, and those Windgracians seem to be lead around by their hearts but not their brains. And seeing your “sister” would be very easy to rearrange. I could see about both of you staying in a quiet nice room while you are taming my pet, and until we arrange your little meeting you want so badly. In case you're wondering, the reason I am so easy to indulge your little request is quite frankly, I would think it would be very interesting.” he said, despite having no facial features other than crystal eyes, he managed to still be quite smug about everything.

“I understand now, the reason you don’t pursue the original is because you know she’ll come right to you. Like a moth attracted to a flame?” The girl asked since she knew that was probably one reason that he had to his advantage. Why capture prey that is drawn to the scent? It would be a waste of time and much more fun to let them be caught in your web.

“Fine, I will do what you ask.” She paused for a moment as she clenched her teeth with fire in her eyes. She didn’t like going against the wishes of her original since it may even reflect badly on her, but she couldn’t abandon Anayame’s well-being either. “Until my bargaining use has expired you won’t let me leave anyway. For now, I would just like to go to my room. All this talk has gotten exhausting and I just want to lay down.” The girl said as she walked over toward his soldiers allowing them to take her away at his command. She wouldn’t put up any form of resistance or try to escape for now.

“You know what you must do. You are dismissed. Fenrir should arrive shortly, but I have some plans for him before it is time for you.” the being stated as the previous facade of him being a normal man in a normal room reappeared.

“...” As no words could come out of the girl’s mouth. She didn’t know what to say, but being forced to commence the manipulation process immediately didn’t sit well with her mind. She wanted some time to relax and think of her strategy, but she wasn’t allotted that luxury.

The room was cold, dark and damp. Fenrir had no idea how long he had been in the perfect cube room with no doors. The room had already been absolutely covered by claw marks but nothing he seemed to do actually seemed to get him closer to escape. Not only that, but for some reason, his ragnanok form just didn’t seem to work and he couldn’t seem to use magic. He had no idea how long he had been in this room. Sometimes a flap would seem to open from the wall itself and they would give him some food and drink, but it wasn’t anything to write home about but he had much worse before.

The girl left off a very deep sigh as she decided to go to right to work. She would just have to leave the strategy phase to the voice that spoke to her. She walked into Fenrir’s room then something in her mind triggered. She didn’t quite understand what it was, but she couldn’t let that psyche her out. If she wanted her freedom and a chance to give Anayame a better life than this she would just have to bear the shame she would have to go through. “Hello Fenrir, remember who I am?” The girl said as she tried to restrain any memories that would trigger her to go against what she agreed to. She didn’t like being forced to deceive someone even if it was for pretend, but there was a lot on the table for her to gain if she did.

Her self-aware self opened a frequency inside Fenrir’s mind, “This girl doesn’t know what she’s talking about so when she tries to deceive just play along with it, okay? We want to please both audiences so please endure. I cannot tell you who I am just yet, but I can tell you that I am not your enemy. Existence refers to me as Mother, but you may call me anything you like.” The voice said as it began to fall silent.

Fenrir head was sunk into the rest of his body, but as soon as he heard the voice, it jumped up and he nearly shouted, “Meira!.” but then paused and heard the voice inside his head, and began to mutter, “You lie. Meira would never try to deceive me. The true Mother Moon would never fill my heads with slander.”

“Do you honestly think I came here to rescue you? You were a pawn for me to gain power nothing more. Just like all pawns they are no longer needed and thus was the case with you. Now that I’ve seized my rightful opportunity, I have no longer any interest in you!” The girl said as she made a straight-face even though Meira’s emotions inside her were telling her not to. She had to resist Meira’s feelings even if it meant saying something she was going to regret later.

After the girl finished her piece the voice contacted Fenrir once again, “From what I have collected from around this area is that they are trying to break you for some kind of experiment. They are using my vessel who is not Meira, but has a direct connection to Meira’s conscious to persuade you that Meira has betrayed you. I’ll leave it up to you decide whether my words are legitimate or not.” The voice again fell silent once again. She could only give Fenrir as much as he needed to know without altering his fate. He had to choose the road he was going travel himself.

Fenrir just buried his head between his legs again and just screamed, “You liar.”, he wasn’t sure he was addressing but he felt it was the only appropriate response to madness going around him.

The girl started to talk to her voice, because she had felt its presence. She knew it was trying to help her, but it was doing more harm than it was doing actual good. “Just stop, okay? If I don’t do this then I won’t be able to save Anayame and that’s what I want to do right now!”

“What you’re doing is selfish. You said you want to help your original, right? How are you assisting when you are being an imposter trying to destroy her relationship with Fenrir? You are all my children and I will not allow you to destroy your own worth. Not even for your own selfish reasons.” The voice said toward the girl as it fell silent once again.

"What do you mean by liar?" The girl said as she again tried to resist the urge of Meira’s feelings. Her connection toward the girl was very strong and it was difficult to suppress her feelings for Fenrir. She was urging her not to do what she was doing even if it was for the greater good.

He didn’t even raise his head, he just shouted again though it was slightly muffled by his rags and legs, “I don’t know!. Just leave me alone.” he stated in a very defeated tone.

“Fenrir, please listen to me. The Cimmeria Empire is using Taru for horrible things. I beg of you to save her. She is not Meira even though she is a perfect clone of her. She is known as Project Eve and my own vessel which I have been reincarnated into. I can only do so much. I need you to help me. In return I will help you escape. I know you are confused and I only want to help you, because you’re connected to my other vessels who are a part of me. Even though she’s not that old for one of my children she is very special. I will tell you more about my vessels at another time.” The voice concluded as it fell silent and probably was the final time it was going to contact Fenrir until he was given time to sort out everything in his mind.

“I’m done for now. I wish to return to my room since I did what you ask…” Taru said after she turned around and looked at the ground in disappointment. She knew what the voice was telling her was true. Perhaps she was just being used, but she might be a fool to think he would ever let her go. As long as he could use her as a tool for his own amusement. I made a complete fool out of myself and just because I wanted to save Anayame not thinking about Meira’s feelings at all. I feel so terrible since what I did was just horrible… I bet he’s laughing right now at this circus act and I look like the clown… She thought inside her mind as she just walked away slowly unhappy about what had just happened.

Fenrir just muttered to himself, “Nice try, but this isn’t the first time you tried to use voices in my head to trick me. That voice just be all apart of their plan. But who am I even kidding, I don’t even have a plan.” he said, as he just laid down and went to sleep as the door closed behind Meira and vanished into the wall.

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A month has passed since the terrorist attack on Windgrace. Over that course of time the country had been slowly recovering while staying outside the war that Rudoria and Guardia were waging on one another. The previous Queen of Windgrace's whereabouts were still unknown as she had just disappeared without a trace and the mysterious woman who duped everyone into believing she was the Queen of Windgrace had suddenly disappeared too. The castle, itself, was still in disrepair where the hired construction workers were slowly making progress on rebuilding the inner part which had been severely damaged in the explosion. Reala and the other mysterious girl had not been found.

Over those last couple weeks, Meira had finally become the Queen even though she still liked to slack on her duties acting almost like a child when it came to attending her classes. Mithos who had been cleared of all charges against him had been put in charge of making sure Meira attended her classes while he helped with restoring the damaged relations between the Kingdom of Eden and the Kingdom of Windgrace. He also helped with the restoration process. No one knows what Stellvia is doing. Whizzle is up to his old trickery, annoying people and gleaning knowledge about magic. Alice continues to attend her school where she has befriended Princess Meira who is now a queen. As for Nathan, he was appointed as Meira's royal guard to act as her sword and shield in battle. The mysterious man named Andrew had pretty much been doing his own thing. Fenrir who Meira agreed to help had gone missing where his whereabouts were unknown. Siia and Miia both returned to their duties of making sure Windgrace stayed a strong nation. As for myself, I decided to let Nathan become Meira's royal guard while I studied more about the runes and their purpose while working in collaboration with the powerful spirit Stellvia. And as far as for the coronation, it had been postponed until the castle was completely restored.

"Curse that Princess!" One of Meira's hand maiden's said as she had suddenly run off again ditching her responsibilities. "This is unlike any nobility who shouldn't be slacking off and being selfish neglecting their responsibilities." She said as she checked Meira's bedroom only to find again Meira had left early to avoid the hand maidens from forcing her to go to her classes. "MITHOS! The Princess has ran off again!" She said in a frustrated voice since she knew she might get yelled out by the Archduke later on should he find out that she again let the princess slip passed them.

Mithos groaned "again? What is wrong with that girl" he grumbled. "She's acting like she never wanted her position in the first place." Putting down the book he had been reading, he got up and went looking for her. For Mithos, the previous month had been really good for him, even though he was avoiding interacting with others as much as he could without neglecting his duties. After what had happened here before, he wasn't in any hurry to return home. Even after he was done here, he wasn't going to be spending nearly as much time in Eden as he had before. But that didn't change the fact that Windgrace's new queen was a complete flake 'It will take nothing short of divine intervention to keep this nation aloft, never-mind her securing an heir.' As he passed by the door to the library, he felt a familiar presence. "I know you are in there. Please don't make this any harder on either of us" he said to Meira from the other side of the door.

"Oh no!" Meira said as she was caught by complete surprise. She didn't want to go to her classes since she found them extremely boring. Who cares about learning the proper way of ruling a nation? Why did she need to learn all that anyway? Meira contemplated in her mind as she didn't want to reveal herself, but decided to open the door walking out of her hiding place. "I don't want to go to classes. All that nobility talk is so boring and who cares how governments work anyway?" Meira whined as she knew she had been busted yet again for trying to ditch her classes.

Mithos facepalmed "considering the fact that you are now in charge of a nation, I would hope that you did care about how a government was run." There was a part of Mithos that just couldn't believe that she really asked that question. "As I recall; you did very much choose to become the sovereign of this nation. So unlike others who were forced into their position because of their birth, you really have no grounds for complaints, because, as already established, you chose this life" he then thought to himself 'I pity the poor idiot she manages to rope into being her king.'

"Yes and isn't a time you thought about finding yourself a husband, young lady? There is no time like the present and boys love their girls that are fresh as the spring season weather." The hand maiden said as she had finally caught up with the two.

Meira looked at the hand maiden and shook her head. She didn't need a husband and certainly wasn't interested in looking for some boy in her school to choose. There weren't really any that appeal toward her interest. Besides, she could take care of her self without the help of some male companion. "I don't want a husband and I'm not going to look for any boy in my school, because none of them interest me in the slightest."

She then paused for a moment as she shifted her position looking at Mithos as she nodded in disappointment, "All right, I'll go to class. Man this really sucks..." Meira remarked as she followed her hand maiden into her room so they could go get her changed into her school outfit. Which consisted of the typical Japanese school girl look with a very short skirt which many called the Zettai Ryouiki look. The look consisted of a white school shirt along with a blue skirt and white schools shoes that were overneath her black thigh highs.