Entering a small tent, Lia came face to face with Rose's parents. Both of them looked beautiful, with thick, red hair and a fluffy tail, yet their pointy ears were lying flat on their heads, giving away their nervousness. When their brown and orange colored eyes fell onto Lia, they stood up, respectfully bowing, glancing at Reyra nervously. She only smiled a little in return, closing the flaps of the tent and standing there, blocking the exit.
"You can speak freely; only we will hear it." She said, making the two shudder, watching Lia, who tried to gather her thoughts.
It was hard to do. Her eyes were fighting back tears as she looked at them before beginning the tale about how they found Rose down there. Still, after starting, it seemed every word was fighting to roll off her tongue, telling their tale without any break, giving her mind a sudden relief that she did not understand.
"Thank you…" The father answered after the tent fell into silence. Both of them stood there, still as water, hiding their trembling hands behind their backs. Lia could feel if he had to add a third word, he would have broken into tears, so he simply closed his mouth, saying no more, averting his eyes.
“Was… it… quick?" The mother asked, her lips bloody as she was biting them until now with her sharp teeth.
"Yes," Lia answered instantly. "She felt nothing."
"..." Only a nod came now as an answer, and to not fall into another depressing silence, Reyra joined the conversation.
"The ones who know about this are only the Six and my daughter's group. Nobody will talk about it, and after this meeting, not even Kaznak will bring it up." She explained, raising a hand, stopping them from thanking her. "How you deal with your issues back home is yours to decide. What we need is that there is no loss of strength to our fighting forces. We will need them…"
"Yes…" They answered, cupping their hands, understanding her clearly.
"Haaah…" Reyra sighed, patting the head of Lia as they watched the parents leave the tent, the husband feebly supporting his wife, yet his steps were just as shaky, and there was nobody there to help him.
"Mom… The Undead is… hiding on Meriath already." Lia whispered, averting her eyes. It was too painful to watch them leave just like that.
"We know." She answered, continuing to hug her daughter. "We just don't know where. We have no choice but to escalate things… Rinzen will have to leave the Academy ahead of time."
"Why?!" She asked, surprised, already used to her presence, wanting to make her stay in the Misfits.
"She is part of the Six. That is why!" Reyra said matter-of-factly, flicking her forehead, "Plus, the Berisons are responsible for sealing away powerful but old mages! They need to be woken up! Many of our ancestors will also come back… but that needs time."
"I… see… how many?" She asked, not arguing about it anymore.
"A lot. I am a bit nervous myself! Although I am strong, I am curious to see how past leaders and key figures of our House will react to follow MY orders!"
"Well, you can beat them down if they are cranky!" Lia joked, trying to sound cheerful.
"True enough!" Reyra smacked her lips, rubbing her daughter's head, making a birdnest out of her hair. "Go! Have a rest, for real, this time! Your eyes are too dark for your age!"
…
….
……
A few days later, the Misfits were back on the floating Island, and it seemed news did not spread back at all as to what happened on their mission. Koa was itching to tell it to everyone, even though she was knocked out at the end, but Lia forbade her to do so. She made everyone swear they won't tell anybody. They would follow suit if the Six decided to stay quiet about it.
"Hauh… okay… okay! I get it!" Koa groaned as they arrived back at their tower. "I won't!" She sulked while Keily, who also lost consciousness as soon as he was hit by the dragon's breath attack, looked at Lia.
"Boss… do you think the Headmaster would allow me to learn from him? How to… shield my mind? My soul?"
"I…" Lia stopped, a bit surprised but finding it logical, and now all the others also looked at her. "Well… I can ask! I guess I will need to make a report to him anyway!"
"It is a good idea." Rinzen added, "I'll ask him about it too, before I leave."
"Some of the students will be disappointed!" Raufon chuckled, "I heard that your lessons about ice magic were really popular!"
"Amongst the boys," Ceiline added.
"Guess why!" Koa giggled and looked surprised as Aurora walked into the tower first, leaving them behind. "What's up with her?"
"Sion," Ceiline said with a slight smile.
"Did they argue or something?" Raufon looked after Aurora, scratching his head.
"No. But I think Aurora is worried because Sion and Simbad are to go on another expedition with Solren right after this one… So he couldn't come with us and rest a little."
"Oh." Everyone looked at the entrance of their tower, unable to hold back their grins.
"Who would have thought!" Koadriana said, stifling a laugh, "Well… it was time; I was worried she had no taste!"
"Let's go!" Lia clapped, "We need to check on the other groups and how they did, and then I will go and talk with the Headmaster!"
…
….
…..
Cabrao was walking through a flower-filled garden, heading towards a pavilion in the middle of a tiny, artificial island surrounded by sparkling blue water. He was wearing a small, satisfied smile on his face as he approached, walking over, following the little, white, buried rocks, forming a footpath on the verdant, green grass, swaying between the flowerbeds.
"I guess it was a success?" A young, charming voice chuckled as a small girl sat in the pavilion, meditating, floating above the wooden floor. It was the same girl who once watched Solren and Razael fight the Undead and also part of the twelve Supreme Elders, standing at the 11 o'clock position in their meeting.
"Yes, Master Yuya!" Cabrao bowed deeply. "It went… better than expected!"
"Oh?" Yuya opened her green eyes, turning towards him, remaining seated and floating. "Go on!"
"She never made it out of the sub-realm. There were people in there, and they defeated her!"
"Inside the body of a dragon?" Yuya laughed loudly. "Ahahaha! What an idiot! She was a good choice, then!"
"Yes." Cabrao grinned, looking at her, maintaining a slight bow. "The loss of the body of Azurat, without dealing any real damage to the surface… it was a great blow to the camp of Master Loonah."
"That bitch deserves it!" Yuya laughed graciously, remembering how she was acting in their last meeting, standing at the 3 o'clock position. "I always hated her guts; she had eyes for my big brother! Hmph! Golddigger, she is after my brother's soul, I bet!"
"I thought… Supreme Elders consuming each other is forbidden…." Cabrao murmured, knowing full well he himself 'ate' some of his competitors back in the day.
"Accidents happen." Yuya said nonchalantly, "Like this time~! This failure will weaken her camp; good job, Cabrao! If one spot empties out, I will nominate you for the position!"
"It is enough to be able to serve you, My Master!"
"Fufufu! Good, good~! Well… Does your other 'Master' suspect anything?" She looked at him, her green eyes seeing deeper into Cabrao's soul, searching for the answer.
"No. 'Master' Loonah still thinks I am loyal to her. She will surely punish me for this blunder, and I can, in turn, punish some more of her pawns. Maybe even… off some of them~!" Answered, licking his lips hungrily.
"Nyahahaha! This is why I like you! Good, good! Do it! Don't worry; if your soul is injured, come to me; I'll heal you up!"
"Thank you, Master!" He bowed deeply again.
"One more thing before you go!" She shuddered, and a minuscule shard of her soul flew out, taking the same form as her but only 10 centimeters tall. "Take me with you! I want you to find another soul that will be sent down! Plant me into it; I am bored being cooped up in here! I want to take a look for myself how our Meriath is faring!"
"As you wish!" Cabrao said, accepting the little figure of Yuya, which disappeared, swimming into his hand, hiding inside his soul, avoiding any detection.
…
….
……
In a soup of swirling, golden energy, whirling like cotton candy, Erias was facing a man with white hair and green eyes.
"No more running?" The man asked, smirking, happy to finally catch the slippery bastard who had been sabotaging their disciples and a steady stream of fresh souls.
"Who said I was running?"
"You don't need to play the strong man!" The white-haired one sneered, punching out, sending energy forward in the shape of a jade-colored head of a dragon. It was roaring in a soul-shaking manner, flying directly at Erias.
"I am not playing." He answered calmly as all light extinguished around him, plunging the surrounding area into total darkness, yet his body remained glowing in a strange, black yet white hue. Before the attack could reach him, it dimmed and then simply disappeared as if it had never existed in the first place.
"I heard about you." The 'Undead' cracked his knuckles, "Your techniques are weird; I will give you that."
"You must be Che, right?" Erias asked as the darkness flipped, turning into a blinding light, making Che cover his eyes, but even then, his vision was filled with light. "Let me see how the head of the twelve fare in reality!"
"Puny tricks!" He whirled around, crossing his arms as a green shield sprung up, blocking Erias's pitch-black fist, yet it still sent him flying through the clouds of energy.
"Then why are you frowning?" Erias asked, with glee in his voice, once again turning day into night and disappearing from sight. Even Che's green, soul-seeing eyes couldn't pick him up, which confused him greatly. This… never happened before.
"I am thinking about how to kill you."
"Sorry, kiddo… you won't be able to kill me… although… I may be able to finish you off!" Erias answered like a hungry beast.
When Che's vision cleared, focusing his energies, mind, and soul into his eyes, he could see through the unnatural darkness. What he saw was a tsunami of energy coming for him, rumbling forward like the waves of the ocean, yet it was not made out of water.
"Fire?" He asked himself before his gaze steeled, starting to erect his defenses, knowing he could not dodge something at this scale. Watching the burning waves coming for him, he knew it was not ordinary fire… it was burning in bright, golden color yet emitting black light, giving him a strange, dreadful feeling.
"I did not run, boy." Erias's voice echoed from everywhere, "I came here because I chose this place as your burial spot!" He laughed as the wave of fire hit Che, drowning him, looking as if a lone man was facing the wrath of mother nature itself.
…
…..
……
“This is… a lot…” Lucian mumbled, facing Lia, who was sitting before the Headmaster's desk while the setting sun colored his office golden.
"Yeah, you tell me!" She sighed, "I told you because she said I can walk No-Space and defend the information even after death! So you are the same, then!"
"By destroying your soul…"
"Yeah! Ugh…” Lia grumbled, feeling annoyed by just remembering her meeting with Somia. She couldn't help but glance at the bracelet that was back in order once more, but she did not use it since then. Not once.
"You do realize that now you burdened my soul with the same fate?" Lucian chuckled, finally standing up and bringing a bottle over, pouring himself a strong drink.
“But… you are strong… I don't think you will die…." She added, looking at him, a bit worried now.
"Stronger men and women died fighting against the Undead. So I wouldn't put money on it!"
"But!"
"Worry not! I know what to do, and I won't tell." He raised a hand and silenced Lia, "I am glad you trust me so much. You are a good student, Lia Amarin."
"..." Lia had no answer, so she just fiddled with her hair while blushing.
"I will try and see how your friends fare. No promises, tough!"
"Really?!" She looked at him, her eyes twinkling happily.
"Yes. But if they are unfit to learn about No-Space, I won't waste my time or energy on them."
"Okay, that is fair! When can they start?"
"Tomorrow. Bring them along when you are coming to learn."
"Thanks! You are the best Headmaster!" She laughed, hugging him before leaving.
"Not a Silly Fox?" He chuckled, watching his office's door close with a soft smile, ignoring the appearing Somia next to him for a moment. "Angry?"
"Not really. You can protect the information. But I am surprised she talked about it so quickly."
"She could have told the others, yet she didn't." Lucian countered, taking Lia into his protection.
"She tries to make them qualify to learn about it." Somia countered, crossing her arms.
"So what?" Lucian turned towards his window, watching the snow-covered island. "We may all die anyway."
"Not without a fight."
"Yeah…" Lucian raised his glass towards her. "That we agree on."
Entering a small tent, Lia came face to face with Rose's parents. Both of them looked beautiful, with thick, red hair and a fluffy tail, yet their pointy ears were lying flat on their heads, giving away their nervousness. When their brown and orange colored eyes fell onto Lia, they stood up, respectfully bowing, glancing at Reyra nervously. She only smiled a little in return, closing the flaps of the tent and standing there, blocking the exit.
"You can speak freely; only we will hear it." She said, making the two shudder, watching Lia, who tried to gather her thoughts.
It was hard to do. Her eyes were fighting back tears as she looked at them before beginning the tale about how they found Rose down there. Still, after starting, it seemed every word was fighting to roll off her tongue, telling their tale without any break, giving her mind a sudden relief that she did not understand.
"Thank you…" The father answered after the tent fell into silence. Both of them stood there, still as water, hiding their trembling hands behind their backs. Lia could feel if he had to add a third word, he would have broken into tears, so he simply closed his mouth, saying no more, averting his eyes.
“Was… it… quick?" The mother asked, her lips bloody as she was biting them until now with her sharp teeth.
"Yes," Lia answered instantly. "She felt nothing."
"..." Only a nod came now as an answer, and to not fall into another depressing silence, Reyra joined the conversation.
"The ones who know about this are only the Six and my daughter's group. Nobody will talk about it, and after this meeting, not even Kaznak will bring it up." She explained, raising a hand, stopping them from thanking her. "How you deal with your issues back home is yours to decide. What we need is that there is no loss of strength to our fighting forces. We will need them…"
"Yes…" They answered, cupping their hands, understanding her clearly.
"Haaah…" Reyra sighed, patting the head of Lia as they watched the parents leave the tent, the husband feebly supporting his wife, yet his steps were just as shaky, and there was nobody there to help him.
"Mom… The Undead is… hiding on Meriath already." Lia whispered, averting her eyes. It was too painful to watch them leave just like that.
"We know." She answered, continuing to hug her daughter. "We just don't know where. We have no choice but to escalate things… Rinzen will have to leave the Academy ahead of time."
"Why?!" She asked, surprised, already used to her presence, wanting to make her stay in the Misfits.
"She is part of the Six. That is why!" Reyra said matter-of-factly, flicking her forehead, "Plus, the Berisons are responsible for sealing away powerful but old mages! They need to be woken up! Many of our ancestors will also come back… but that needs time."
"I… see… how many?" She asked, not arguing about it anymore.
"A lot. I am a bit nervous myself! Although I am strong, I am curious to see how past leaders and key figures of our House will react to follow MY orders!"
"Well, you can beat them down if they are cranky!" Lia joked, trying to sound cheerful.
"True enough!" Reyra smacked her lips, rubbing her daughter's head, making a birdnest out of her hair. "Go! Have a rest, for real, this time! Your eyes are too dark for your age!"
…
….
……
A few days later, the Misfits were back on the floating Island, and it seemed news did not spread back at all as to what happened on their mission. Koa was itching to tell it to everyone, even though she was knocked out at the end, but Lia forbade her to do so. She made everyone swear they won't tell anybody. They would follow suit if the Six decided to stay quiet about it.
"Hauh… okay… okay! I get it!" Koa groaned as they arrived back at their tower. "I won't!" She sulked while Keily, who also lost consciousness as soon as he was hit by the dragon's breath attack, looked at Lia.
"Boss… do you think the Headmaster would allow me to learn from him? How to… shield my mind? My soul?"
"I…" Lia stopped, a bit surprised but finding it logical, and now all the others also looked at her. "Well… I can ask! I guess I will need to make a report to him anyway!"
"It is a good idea." Rinzen added, "I'll ask him about it too, before I leave."
"Some of the students will be disappointed!" Raufon chuckled, "I heard that your lessons about ice magic were really popular!"
"Amongst the boys," Ceiline added.
"Guess why!" Koa giggled and looked surprised as Aurora walked into the tower first, leaving them behind. "What's up with her?"
"Sion," Ceiline said with a slight smile.
"Did they argue or something?" Raufon looked after Aurora, scratching his head.
"No. But I think Aurora is worried because Sion and Simbad are to go on another expedition with Solren right after this one… So he couldn't come with us and rest a little."
"Oh." Everyone looked at the entrance of their tower, unable to hold back their grins.
"Who would have thought!" Koadriana said, stifling a laugh, "Well… it was time; I was worried she had no taste!"
"Let's go!" Lia clapped, "We need to check on the other groups and how they did, and then I will go and talk with the Headmaster!"
…
….
…..
Cabrao was walking through a flower-filled garden, heading towards a pavilion in the middle of a tiny, artificial island surrounded by sparkling blue water. He was wearing a small, satisfied smile on his face as he approached, walking over, following the little, white, buried rocks, forming a footpath on the verdant, green grass, swaying between the flowerbeds.
"I guess it was a success?" A young, charming voice chuckled as a small girl sat in the pavilion, meditating, floating above the wooden floor. It was the same girl who once watched Solren and Razael fight the Undead and also part of the twelve Supreme Elders, standing at the 11 o'clock position in their meeting.
"Yes, Master Yuya!" Cabrao bowed deeply. "It went… better than expected!"
"Oh?" Yuya opened her green eyes, turning towards him, remaining seated and floating. "Go on!"
"She never made it out of the sub-realm. There were people in there, and they defeated her!"
"Inside the body of a dragon?" Yuya laughed loudly. "Ahahaha! What an idiot! She was a good choice, then!"
"Yes." Cabrao grinned, looking at her, maintaining a slight bow. "The loss of the body of Azurat, without dealing any real damage to the surface… it was a great blow to the camp of Master Loonah."
"That bitch deserves it!" Yuya laughed graciously, remembering how she was acting in their last meeting, standing at the 3 o'clock position. "I always hated her guts; she had eyes for my big brother! Hmph! Golddigger, she is after my brother's soul, I bet!"
"I thought… Supreme Elders consuming each other is forbidden…." Cabrao murmured, knowing full well he himself 'ate' some of his competitors back in the day.
"Accidents happen." Yuya said nonchalantly, "Like this time~! This failure will weaken her camp; good job, Cabrao! If one spot empties out, I will nominate you for the position!"
"It is enough to be able to serve you, My Master!"
"Fufufu! Good, good~! Well… Does your other 'Master' suspect anything?" She looked at him, her green eyes seeing deeper into Cabrao's soul, searching for the answer.
"No. 'Master' Loonah still thinks I am loyal to her. She will surely punish me for this blunder, and I can, in turn, punish some more of her pawns. Maybe even… off some of them~!" Answered, licking his lips hungrily.
"Nyahahaha! This is why I like you! Good, good! Do it! Don't worry; if your soul is injured, come to me; I'll heal you up!"
"Thank you, Master!" He bowed deeply again.
"One more thing before you go!" She shuddered, and a minuscule shard of her soul flew out, taking the same form as her but only 10 centimeters tall. "Take me with you! I want you to find another soul that will be sent down! Plant me into it; I am bored being cooped up in here! I want to take a look for myself how our Meriath is faring!"
"As you wish!" Cabrao said, accepting the little figure of Yuya, which disappeared, swimming into his hand, hiding inside his soul, avoiding any detection.
…
….
……
In a soup of swirling, golden energy, whirling like cotton candy, Erias was facing a man with white hair and green eyes.
"No more running?" The man asked, smirking, happy to finally catch the slippery bastard who had been sabotaging their disciples and a steady stream of fresh souls.
"Who said I was running?"
"You don't need to play the strong man!" The white-haired one sneered, punching out, sending energy forward in the shape of a jade-colored head of a dragon. It was roaring in a soul-shaking manner, flying directly at Erias.
"I am not playing." He answered calmly as all light extinguished around him, plunging the surrounding area into total darkness, yet his body remained glowing in a strange, black yet white hue. Before the attack could reach him, it dimmed and then simply disappeared as if it had never existed in the first place.
"I heard about you." The 'Undead' cracked his knuckles, "Your techniques are weird; I will give you that."
"You must be Che, right?" Erias asked as the darkness flipped, turning into a blinding light, making Che cover his eyes, but even then, his vision was filled with light. "Let me see how the head of the twelve fare in reality!"
"Puny tricks!" He whirled around, crossing his arms as a green shield sprung up, blocking Erias's pitch-black fist, yet it still sent him flying through the clouds of energy.
"Then why are you frowning?" Erias asked, with glee in his voice, once again turning day into night and disappearing from sight. Even Che's green, soul-seeing eyes couldn't pick him up, which confused him greatly. This… never happened before.
"I am thinking about how to kill you."
"Sorry, kiddo… you won't be able to kill me… although… I may be able to finish you off!" Erias answered like a hungry beast.
When Che's vision cleared, focusing his energies, mind, and soul into his eyes, he could see through the unnatural darkness. What he saw was a tsunami of energy coming for him, rumbling forward like the waves of the ocean, yet it was not made out of water.
"Fire?" He asked himself before his gaze steeled, starting to erect his defenses, knowing he could not dodge something at this scale. Watching the burning waves coming for him, he knew it was not ordinary fire… it was burning in bright, golden color yet emitting black light, giving him a strange, dreadful feeling.
"I did not run, boy." Erias's voice echoed from everywhere, "I came here because I chose this place as your burial spot!" He laughed as the wave of fire hit Che, drowning him, looking as if a lone man was facing the wrath of mother nature itself.
…
…..
……
“This is… a lot…” Lucian mumbled, facing Lia, who was sitting before the Headmaster's desk while the setting sun colored his office golden.
"Yeah, you tell me!" She sighed, "I told you because she said I can walk No-Space and defend the information even after death! So you are the same, then!"
"By destroying your soul…"
"Yeah! Ugh…” Lia grumbled, feeling annoyed by just remembering her meeting with Somia. She couldn't help but glance at the bracelet that was back in order once more, but she did not use it since then. Not once.
"You do realize that now you burdened my soul with the same fate?" Lucian chuckled, finally standing up and bringing a bottle over, pouring himself a strong drink.
“But… you are strong… I don't think you will die…." She added, looking at him, a bit worried now.
"Stronger men and women died fighting against the Undead. So I wouldn't put money on it!"
"But!"
"Worry not! I know what to do, and I won't tell." He raised a hand and silenced Lia, "I am glad you trust me so much. You are a good student, Lia Amarin."
"..." Lia had no answer, so she just fiddled with her hair while blushing.
"I will try and see how your friends fare. No promises, tough!"
"Really?!" She looked at him, her eyes twinkling happily.
"Yes. But if they are unfit to learn about No-Space, I won't waste my time or energy on them."
"Okay, that is fair! When can they start?"
"Tomorrow. Bring them along when you are coming to learn."
"Thanks! You are the best Headmaster!" She laughed, hugging him before leaving.
"Not a Silly Fox?" He chuckled, watching his office's door close with a soft smile, ignoring the appearing Somia next to him for a moment. "Angry?"
"Not really. You can protect the information. But I am surprised she talked about it so quickly."
"She could have told the others, yet she didn't." Lucian countered, taking Lia into his protection.
"She tries to make them qualify to learn about it." Somia countered, crossing her arms.
"So what?" Lucian turned towards his window, watching the snow-covered island. "We may all die anyway."
"Not without a fight."
"Yeah…" Lucian raised his glass towards her. "That we agree on."
