Searching for a Sign of Life (Core/Open)

[Claire]

There was a tinge of satisfaction when Claire saw the girl’s face go white- recognition, that was good. This would make this so much easier. She knew Core was close before she heard his voice float through her mind- she could see the glowing periphery of his hair.

You need help from her. We can’t waste any more time.

Claire opens her mouth to respond when she hears the footsteps and then Kail’s voice, clear irritation rolling through her. She never should have said hello, she didn’t want to drag another party into this. She stands, tugging the collar around her neck as loose as go, other hand curled tight still around the pommel of the sword.

“Kail, I appreciate your curiosity-” even though appreciate is said through ground teeth “-this is private business and I need to speak with Mysteria alone.” she turned her head a little to see Kail’s hand on his sword- if it came to a fight she was still sure she could defeat him but she really didn’t want it to come to that. She had more important things to do than get into a fight, for once. Her pride wasn’t on the line here, it was Core’s existence.

But then the woman appeared, and Claire’s eyes went wide. She lifted her hand to Core’s face, brushing the back of her fingers to his transparent lips to shush him- she needed to think, and the gesture would look like she was swatting a bug. This was Mysteria? She knew this woman- very briefly, for one night in a tavern. But she was hard pressed to forget a beautiful face, especially in a place where she would later nearly die. But this woman had two arms the last time she saw her and unthinking words slipped from her lips-

“Who hurt you?”

Claire blinks, then swallows hard, stepping forward towards Mysteria and bending her head. Perhaps- perhaps the Crown has hurt her too. “We- we’ve met before, but it was a long time ago. My name is Claire. I sent myself.” she lifts her head, turning her hand on the pommel. “My friend needs your help and you are the only one with the skills to restore him.”

Claire pulls the sword from its sheath, turning the blade to face the front of the pommel to Mysteria. She still holds fast to keep in contact with Core, hoping that seeing the blade alone will be enough to cause recognition on the mage.

“I can’t free him on my own. Please, help me.”

[Deleted]

"Huh a tsundere, I should have seen that coming" said Kail outloud as he watched Stella's actions which had to make the blond chuckle a bit. But got serious though "I was trailing Claire here after running into her. Acting really weird, plus that sword was glowing, as someone who has made magical based arms. It set a few warning bells off in my head" he said to Stella, but when Claire growled slightly on the fact his curiosity was not welcomed. Or that whatever she was going to do with Mysteria was private. He was going to say something until Mysteria herself walked out and the blond had to bow to his mistress. But one thing that did catch his attention was the arm that he made for her, this did alarm him a bit. Since if the arm was not on her, then something bad had happened to her. Since the last time he had seen Mysteria, but then Claire continued to speak and he just observed her actions and what had been said. The blond was not stupid as he already connected the dots together.

Claire wanted to free someone who was posessing the sword and was not sure what was inside the sword. "Claire....your quest for vengence is blinding you, whatever spirit in there could be manipulating you on releasing it. It could be a demon of unimanagable power and strength that could wipe us all out. Forgive me mistress, if I spoke out of turn, but whatever spirit is inside the sword that knows that you can do that kind of spell. Ere to the side of caution" he said now just being a bit overly worried now. Since if whatever spirit in the sword knew that Mysteria could free him from its sealed prison. As the only people that knew that spell was Mysteria and himself. It was a mystery and it did not set well with him at all.

[Mysteria]

Mysteria looked from Claire to Kail waiting patiently for a answer. Meanwhile, back in side the house, Bella finally emerged and stood beside her twin sister at the entrance. Stella’s eyes locked on Kail as he made a comment calling her a name she did not recognize. “What did you call me?” Stella spoke sharply with a growl in her tone, though her expression seemed rather un-amused. Thankfully, Bella was there to calm her sister and nudge her back to pay attention to the current situation at hand. Their eyes now locked on Claire as she seemed to thank the other human with her, yet her tone obviously sounded like she did not want the young master around. Both their brows raised in question at the gesture; though said nothing as their curiosity turned to Mysteria who stood there at the door entrance in silence.. Her gaze finally locking onto Claire as the words ‘who hurt you?’ slipped out.

for a brief moment Mysteria stared at Claire with a puzzled expression; forgetting that she had left the ‘metal arm’ Kail had crafted on her dinning room table within the house. Her gaze momentarily glancing down at her scar that stretched across her arm socket, then back to Claire with a brief grim smile. Then with pressed lips as she lifted her gaze back up to the woman before her.A innocent question and one that she was not afraid to answer; though knew better than to tell the truth.

“ I was injured while working on an experiment. “

Mysteria sighed, her tone matching her expression, grim. Though when Claire began introducing herself, Mysteria raised a brow in curiosity. She had met this human before? Perhaps human’s were looking the same as the years passed. She reframed from speaking, waiting to listen to what the woman had to say. Her interest dropping when Claire began to speak of her quest in aiding her friend; a noble thing, but one that had little to do with her. So her attention turned to Kail who began explaining why he was all the way out here. Her brow furrowing as she placed her arm on her hip. “ I see…” Glowing sword? What was he talking about? Mysteria thought to herself, though before she could open her mouth to ask what he meant by glowing sword.

Claire’s next gesture brought her attention back around to her; The woman was becoming more interesting by the minute! Mysteria blinks, When Claire unsheathe her sword, the blade causing her to straighten an gape her mouth a little in awe. Was this what she thought it was? It couldn’t be… Mysteria blinks several more times while inspecting the pommel, hilt, and blade of the golden sword.. “ Where did you-? “ Mysteria paused her eyes tracing over to Kail as he began warning Claire about something within the sword. Possessed? A spirit within the sword? That would explain any glowing light he might have seen. Though who exactly was the one possessing the sword? Now this was something up her ally.

“ Killian, Enough. Thank you for your concern, but if you really are worried about my safety on this matter then shut up and join the twins inside.” Mysteria spoke with a serious tone, the twins quickly following her orders and motioned Kail to walk around Mysteria and follow them inside, meanwhile Mysteria focused her attention back on Claire. “ Before I decide to help you, I must know ‘who’ you are wanting to revive. Every souls has a cost you know…” She spoke sternly, Her own hand reaching out to touch the pommel of the sword. Her eyes widening as she saw the ghostly image of the phantom appear before her.

Mysteria’s eyes widen and her body goes ridged as she stares at the face of the ghost before her who waves at her with a cheerful greeting and smile. Her eyes immediately close, she lets go of the handle and drops her hand back down to her side. She then steps aside to prop the front door open with her back to allow Claire to step past and enter her home.

“ Come inside .”

[Claire]

“...oh.” Claire’s brows were still pinched in silent pity, but she quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

She could hear Kail speaking still and it caused her frown to twitch again. She gave no thought to his theory- while this was about… revenge, in a way, she would have been dead from the ravages of her own mind without Core there. It was odd to think, in those sleepless nights, that he kept her focused and aware of her initial quest. Of what she was sent to Nova to do. “If you’re so curious, I stole him while looking for something that was stolen from me. But he is not an object to be locked away in the depths of the palace.”

Claire kept her hand tight on the pommel as Mysteria approached, in case the woman tried to snatch him from her grasp. Instead she watched her expression change when she extended her hand to touch the sword, fighting satisfaction from creeping into her face. Her eyes turned up to Core’s opaque profile before nodding to Mysteria, walking through the doorway. “Thank you.”

Claire’s worn boots crossed the threshold with a soft padding and she looked up to the rafters of the beautiful house. Beautiful like the mystic, in a way. She blinked, then looked back to Mysteria at the door. “What should I call you? And what can I do to make this… easier, for him?”

[Deleted]

Kail had a deadpan expression as Stella had just proven his point on her being the Tsundere archtype. He was starting to curse his inner geek at this moment. But he did hear Mysteria say that she lost her arm from a experiment which was an unlikely story but he stayed silent.  As it seemed that his opinions had ired his mistress and he flinched slightly "Understood mistress" he said and as he was ushered in by the twins. But heard Claire mentioning about the sword that she stole. An intresting story to say the least, but it was the spirit of the sword that worried him. It was a shame that he could not see the being. The other thing that did surprise him was when Mysteria had grasped the sword and her body went rigid and then laxxed. Whatever it was though gave her enough reason for her to let Claire in. Once inside he wissled at Mysteria's home. It was well furnished and he liked what was inside but something caught his attention though. A grand piano, something that was not of this world or be created at this time. He wanted to look at it and give it a once over, but right now though. Claire was the main thing of immportance on the matter.

None the less he took a place where the twins would be at, until he was directed to sit somewhere. For right now he had to shut up and let his eyes and ears watch. Then rather shooting his mouth off like a bigshot or a hotblooded man. This was a time of observation then action. He had already been scolded by his teacher so he would bide his time a bit before speaking again. Kail did hope his worries were no going on deff ears.

[Mysteria]

Once Claire walked past , Mysteria opened her eyes and closed the door behind her with a gentle tug. Then very causally she latched the lock on the door. She did so silently, before turning around and stepping into the center of her living room away from the door. Her eyes glancing over to Claire who stopped just a few feet away from her to look around at the welcoming area of her home. Her question causing a smirk to form at the corner of her lip. With a gentle stride, Mysteria walked over to her living room table and placed herself in front of a black metal arm that laid atop a white drop cloth. Around the arm several cleaning tools could be seen scattered through out the table along with bloody rags dipped in red stained water.

“ You can call me by the name the mortals have given me, Mysteria. An to make this easier for him? Ah, that is a good question. “ Mysteria paused, reaching down to pick up a clean rag and began cleaning the finger tips on the metal hand. Dried blood rubbing off onto the beige cloth staining it a rich crimson hue. “ Might I ask you how you came across this soul? I ask only because of ‘whom’ you brought before me asking for help…” Mysteria paused looking over at Bella and Stella who stood beside Kail.

Her expression rather serious as she looked at the two twins. “ You two, will you retrieve my ‘tools’ from downstairs… I want to hear what this spirit has to say. “ Mysteria demanded, The twins jumping at the command before both scrambled away disappearing at the back of the house. Meanwhile, Mysteria turned her attention to Kail who now stood alone. A light chuckle escaping.

“ This is the first time you’ve been into my home hasn’t it? Relax, you’ll need your wits about you for what is about to happen. “ Mysteria reassured Kail, giving him a nod before getting up from her seat. Her eyes trailing over to where she could hear Bella and Stella coming in from the back of the house.

“ We found it, sorry for keeping you waiting mistress.” Bella announced carrying in a large sack of items along with a large stone with strange carvings engraved on the surface of the slab of rock.

“ Place it in the center, there.” Mysteria pointed to the center of her living room where Bella sat down the stone and laid out the other items onto the table next to her arm. The items being a large black book, candles, a dagger, and what looked like a sack of some sort of fleshy mass within a burlap sack.

“ So I am to understand that you are asking me to bring back this soul into the world of the living? You are asking me; No, what HE is asking me to do is create a living, breathing body. Which means you have some form of payment to pay for such a request? What do you have to offer for me to bring him back from the dead?” Mysteria asked in a sharp tone, her words almost hissing as she suddenly approached Claire in a rushed manner to jerk the sword out of her hands.

Quickly she moved to place the sword onto the stone, The engraved carvings lighting up a blue hue as the sword’s blade began to glow, a brilliant blue flame bursting forth around the metal. Slowly a transparent, phantom image would appear of Core standing above the sword. His arms crossed and a big grin plastered on his features. “ Well then, I guess you put me on the spot now. The lady’s right, well Claire is right. I need help being free which means I need a body and seeing how you haven’t attacked us yet, I’m assuming you recognize my face then…” Core chuckled, scratching the back of his head as he looked around the room. “ I see…” Mysteria replied, backing away from the sword and the stone to look over to Claire and Kail. Meanwhile Core looked at everyone with a puzzled expression. “ Wait…You’re not holding the sword…Can..Can everyone see me? “ Core asked, some what confused and yet secretly excited. “ Yes…That stone allows them to see you….” Mysteria replied while walking over to the nearest chair to sit down. Crossing her legs as she leaned as she looked at the three in the room.

“ I’m a little shocked to see a adult version of you in this world… How?” Mysteria began to question. “ Fated, brought over here from another world I’m afraid. So what do you say? Gonna help a fella out? “ Core smiled, while looking over at the other two and giving them a thumbs up. “ An I’m not a demon, I’m something else entirely so to speak.” Core smirked at Kail some what amused that he was visible to those in the room.

[Claire]

Claire paused as she heard the door gently lock, hand tightening on the sword. She had beaten a mage before, she could do it again if necessary. Her expression hardens as she watches Mysteria cross the room, eyes not leaving her as she crossed to the table.

“Mysteria?” What mortals called her, eh? She could put up with an ego if that meant getting Core back. “I was sent on a mission from the Mother to find him. I’ve traveled long and far to reach him and I know who he is.”

Her gloved hand still wound tight around the pommel as she watched Mysteria speak to Kail, watched the girls. Anticipation and… fear touched her as the girls brought the stones, watching them with trepidation. For all her searching Claire had no experience in magic. She never had the talent and magic was only woven by the priestesses in her home. This was calling upon powers that she had no experience with, but she had to. For his freedom, she had to.

The Mysteria strode up to her and Claire could see her eyes blazing as she wrenched Core from her hands. She followed immediately, fear ripping through her immediately that he would be alone and trapped again. “Wait- I have- I have money.” Some money, but she had a feeling that’s not what this woman wanted. She swallowed, rephrasing.

“And I have my body. A body for you to use. If you allow me to boast I am an excellent swordswoman. I can owe you a favor. Any favor. I will not object, no matter how you decide to use me. My body for one use however you please in exchange for his.” Hopefully she would only use her to kill or to satisfy some urge, not to sacrifice. The sickening thought bubbles up in her that if she still had her stone, she could trade it for him. Perhaps that was what it was for after all, but it was gone. Now she only had her body to give. At least she was beautiful.

Claire watched as the sword was placed on the stones, lifting her hand to shield her eyes from the glow. Warm relief- it must have been relief, despite her heart thumping like a taut string- sunk into her features as Core faded into view, a small smile touching her lips. “We can see you, Citlali. And hear you. Please make a good impression so the lady here can bring you around. And I’m still here. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

[Deleted]

"I'm more surprised the piano you have in the corner there. A grand piano is not something this era has to the best of my knowlage. Maybe a harpsicord but I am fine overall" said Kail as he made some small talk with Mysteria as it seemed that she broke some ice with him. The blond was curious as he watched the twins scamper off to retreive something of hers. He did see the arm and raised a eyebrow as there had been blood on it. The blond felt sorry for the poor sod that pissed his mistress off. And was going to ask how it performed in combat. At that time he was going to ask the twins came back with several items and place them on the table. Kail's eyes shift over to Claire as he watches her carefully as she said, that she had been sent on a mission by the mother. The blond had to use some deductive reasoning on the matter, the only divine being that could be refered to that. Would have been Ai, and he knew about a year ago Claire was the the champion of Ai. So it could have been her, for all he knew. His green eyes shifted to the items that were on the table including some kind of sack of flesh. This raised his eyebrow a bit "So Mistress, are we doing human transmutation or something" he asked not sure if that form of alchemy exsisted or the fact he was doing another anime refrence.

Kail blinked a few times, when Mysteria rushed at Claire and took the sword. While Claire just broke down slightly, this worried him on the woman's psyche. Offering money or her own body for some kind of service did unsettle him slightly. But then the blond saw the glow of the stones that the sword was sitting on. Kail pushed his glasses up with a finger and the glow of the stones reflected off of them. His eyes gaze to a etheral male that had blue hair that was rather wild looking, very rougeish that would allure any female. But he listened to the conversation a bit until he directed himself to Kail. Which the blond had to give a laugh and sighed "A demon would be appropriate still or snake. In all honesty, what is your angle? You more then likely came from the same reality as Aria, Rivers, and Roxy came from. And apart of some kind of thieves guild....." he said and hated the string theory.

"And before you ask, how I know this rather then something that I pulled out of my ass. One you said that you were fated over. Two, from what your describing and said to my Mistress you came from a future time line. The only few people I know that fit this discription is Aria and her group. Three, to add on the other two points you knew Mysteria in some degree and used your younger self. But quite frankly dude, I don't trust you at all. Although whatever Mysteria does I will go with it" the blond said as he did not trust this guy at all. Plus if he could throw the guy....it would not be that far anyway.

[Mysteria]

Mysteria’s attention quickly turned back to Claire the moment she began to deconstruct before her very eyes. This poor woman was falling apart at the very thought of loosing touch of this enchanted sword.

Mysteria frowned, Her brow raising in amusement as she listened to Claire’s sudden outburst of what she wanted to pay her with. First it was gold, Then it quickly turned into selling her body as payment! Her eyes widen like saucers, The thought a little much however the context could be taken another way. Mysteria stared at Claire with a blank expression, before bursting out into laughter. An amusing offer, but one that wasn’t enough to perform such a spell…Plus, she was still uncertain that the phantom before her was really the former Prince from another world. Her lips pressed as she finally calmed herself to speak.

“ Oh? Ha,ha. That is a offer indeed… Are you sure that is something you deem worthy of my life? Let alone his?“ Mysteria asked, her pupils turing into slits like a serpents as she locked eyes with the maiden. She was going to say something else, but before she could say anything, Kail interrupted her with a laugh. Mysteria and Core looking over to Kail who began speaking expressing his thoughts on his level of trust on Core. Which actually impressed him. At least he had a some what sharp head on his shoulders. With that though, Core stared at Kail with a surprised look on his face.

If Claire’s outburst didn’t make him raise a brow, this certainly did. “ You’re fated right? I vaguely remember seeing you before around Aria or someone.” Core tapped his chin with his finger. “ Though You are right, I am fated from a world that is similar to this one. So similar in fact its rather kinda frightening.” Core chuckled, glancing over to Claire and Mysteria. “ Look, you know who I am. I can see it in your eyes and body language. In my time line, I was betrayed by that bastard of a man who you call king! You know he is not stable and further more I know that in this world….There is a center of Nova. Which means you, have no choice but to help me….” Core spoke sternly, watching closely while Mysteria got up from her chair.

Her eyes wide, with large tears trickling down the sides of her cheeks. It made sense and now… Her eyes trailed over to Kail in a slow manner with a solum gaze. “ Kail… I want to tell you a story. “ Mysteria started, walking over to the supplies that the twins had brought up from the basement.

“ Thirty-one years ago, The king of Nova became obsessed with power. I’m not talking about the king we have now…. But a man named Cain Noru, a great man who was a genius beyond his years. His intelligence was his downfall however. He decided to create a weapon. A weapon that could destroy the very fabric of the universe, including others if he so wished it.”

Mysteria picked up the lumpy bag and carried it over to the stones at the center of the room. Gently placing the bag down on the floor before looking up at Core who stood off to the side. “ It all make sense now why our king’s beloved brother…Never took his first breath in this world. I was forbidden to do anything at the time, however, I suppose I am not forbidden to revive the fated body of our kings brother now.....” Mysteria looked over to Kail and motioned him to come over.

“ How strong is your stomach? “ Mysteria asked, cutting the bag open and dumping out what was inside the bag out onto the floor. A partly tiny crystalized corpse fell out onto the floor. Mysteria looked over at Kail with a brief weak smile, placing a hand on his shoulder. “ Out of all the things you’ve seen in this world. This is far from what mortals are suppose to see. I will need you to focus and be alert above all else. I might need you to pull me out of this if I can’t find my way back.” Mysteria nodded, her hand squeezing a little on his shoulder before releasing to return back to the corpse on the floor.

By now Core was curious and yet horrified at what he was seeing before him.. Was…Was that a infants body?! The Hell Mysteria?! Core thought some what horrified even more when he realized it was his own infant corpse laying out on the floor. Core Looked over at Claire and then back to Mysteria who was now beginning to slightly chant in a hollow whisper.The infant body beginning to glow a faint luminescent pale blue with each soft spoken word that left Mysteria's lips.

" The hell... So I stopped living in this world? How the?! " Core began to panic, not sure what to make of the information he was given when finally Bella stepped forward and began to speak in behave of her mistress. " Fated Prince be calm...Everyone please remain stay calm while the mistress is concentrating. She has accepted your payment and has taken your request. You are a valuable soul Mr. Core Noru, thus your body must be restored to your proper age... Our Mistress is attempting to age the body to match your soul for it to be a proper connection. The spell she stole from Helena....Though I don't know if the  Mistress has properly done the spell before successfully."  Bella explained, approaching Kail and standing beside him and holding onto his coat. A soft smile on her face as she looked up at him and then to the others in the room. The child obviously worried for her master as Mysteria continued to perform the forbidden spell.

The image of core slowly fading within the room as the small body began to grow on the floor, the light from the sword beginning to flicker as the room began to shake. Mysteria's eyes blanked out and became solid white, her pupils no longer visible as she continued to concentrate on the chant and her voice become hollow and louder with each struggle to catch her breath. The body steadily growing and taking proper human shape as her finger tips began to bleed and illuminate with a faint purple aura.

[Claire]

Despite it being the whole purpose of her mission, all this talk of the Fated still made her head spin. What they all spoke of was impossible, still. This task she was asking this woman to do was supposed to be impossible! As Mysteria laughed Claire ground her teeth behind her steely expression, gloved hands curling tighter into fists. “My body is all I have to give. What I would have traded as well was stolen from me by the King. Do not doubt my determination to give you what you want.”

Claire looked to Kail as he voiced his objections- not that she cared. She wasn’t sure exactly what Core’s past really was, if his memories were true, or if he was in the sword so long that the distant past of this world had circled around again in such similarity to now. She turned her head up to Core as he spoke, eyes narrowed up at him. Something felt… wrong about this. About how he spoke. So convincing he sounded, but it couldn’t be true. That sort of magic was impossible. Being trapped for so long… he must be confused.

She turned her eyes back to Mysteria, feeling a chill run up her spine as she began to spin her story. Her visions and the seers from home spoke of danger, but nothing like this. How did no one know of a weapon like this? It couldn’t exist. It had to be a fabrication. An exaggeration. Her eyes followed the lumpy bag as it was placed on the floor, listening and bracing herself as the bag was slit open.

She supposed the sight of deformed infants would make her flinch, but the shock of it only elicited a sharp gasp as she took a step back as the body began to glow. She’d seen enough horrors that this was only another, but it would be over soon. At least the child was clearly dead. Her eyes flickered up to Core’s, seeing the horror there as he looked back to her. She nodded to him, her expression steely bathed in the pale glowing light. “It’ll be all right, Core. I told you I would get your body back. Don’t be afraid.” despite her words, concern broke her stony expression as he began to fade. “Trust me. I’ll see you soon.”

Claire stood solidly still as she watched the threads of magic and the room shook, trying to fight back anxiety and pure instinctual fear at the pure wire of power and magic that was filling the room and making it shake. Her eyes lifted from the growing form to Mysteria’s white eyes and bleeding fingers, then back down to the morphing body on the floor. It was working- something was working.

[Deleted]

"Damn skippy I am fated, lets just say I am no longer in company with her. Since she's working with the nobles and Noku......" said Kail as he then stayed silent as things got more intresting as Core went in on something and it raised his eyebrow. What alarmed him was he was a Noru but the brother to Noku from another timeline. Then something called the Center of Nova came to his ears. This did not settle well with him and then Mysteria started to tell him a story. About what seemed the father of Noku and this Core fellow. Then he heard the thing about the Center of Nova being a weapon that could destory reality. He would have laughed at such a rediculess thing as being a cliche jrpg plot device. But this was reality where this shit was real. The blond had to sigh a bit and then heard and saw Mysteria for him to come over. Then asking him if his constitution was strong. "Mysteria....I survived a zombie hoard. That alone would have made anyone want to empty them selves and wish they worn there brown pants" he said. Then Mysteria cut open the bag and what popped out had spooked the living shit out of him. Not enough for a brown note or puke his guts out, but it was enough. "........Jebus.......I hope this thing does not get a uroboros mark on it. Meh one more thing is not going to hurt. I'm more then likely already screwed by the gods. Whats one more thing to add to the list" he said and then goes silent.

As Kail was about to focus the Knife of Destiny started to feel warm. Was this a warning sign that something was going to happen. It had been a long time since it had done something. As he watches Mysteria chant he looks over at Core and gives him a glare. But Bella started to speak and made him shut up as the man was freaking out. He then watches her hold on to his coat and he gave a small pat to her head to assure her that things would be alright. The blond then starts to keep a close eye on Mysteria as she was casting the spell. "Once this is all set and done. I want some answers" he said in a low tone. As this was insane and had so many questions. For right now though he would have to focus on the woman that was beside him. Just what current did he get swept into.

[Mysteria]

While Mysteria continued to chant, her voice sounding harsh and hollow with each gasped word that left her lips. The twins watching in silence for a few moments while the scene before them took place. Claire reiterating her promise to a dead prince and the light of the phantom fading from sight.

Bella looked on in silence. Her attention slowly turning over to Kail the moment he started addressing Mysteria about surviving a zombie hoard, along with watching his reaction towards the child that was now beginning to glow a bright vibrant blue hue and growing at an alarming rate. The blood dripping from Mysteria’s finger tips pooled on the floor; the red liquid moving on its own accord and branched out to form a circle around the child’s body and herself. Red Sparks jumped from the floor, connecting where the blood made contact and surrounded the two. The sparks causing a popping sound each time it left the ground and surged around the two.

Stella’s expression harden with concern, however Bella remain calm and collected with a gentle smile. “ Master Killian, What is a ouroboros? “ Bella asked some what confused of the term. The young master always saying such strange things that didn’t make any sense. Her gaze lifted to the young lad. The dolls eyes staring up at Killian while he approached Mysteria and took place where he was suppose to stand.

“ The Mistress will try and answer what she can when she can…” Bella spoke in a somber tone while looking down at the dagger at Kail’s side. The dagger at Kail’s side seemed to be pulsing and luke warm to the touch, even the runic symbols were lightly illuminating a faint green hue.

Bella turned her gaze from Kail back to her Mistress. By now Mysteria and the body on the floor were shrouded by a ever brighter blue light that began to fill the entire room. A humming sound could now be heard emanating from the light. The more the light grew the more the room became over casted with white. The air becoming thin and cold, even the windows within the house becoming fogged and then web with frost around the edges of the glass.

“ It’s almost time…” Stella called out over the humming sound of the spell at Kail, her gaze turning to Claire for a brief moment. “ You might want to take a step back. “ Stella warned, while the humming sound began to pulse. The final words of the spell leaving Mysteria’s lips and the sparks, light, and humming suddenly stopped. Even the house stopped shaking and the lights in the room turned back to normal in a moments time.

The body that was once a child in front of Mysteria; Now was a full grown adult that looked eerily identical to the King of Nova, Noku.. Once the light faded, the color of the hair became more pronounced; A Deep lush ocean blue color that webbed out on the floor around his bare form, far different from Noku’s silver locks. The body on the floor looked no longer lifeless and stella was first to rush over to cover the bare man with a blanket.

The bare toned flesh now a vibrant tan in color. The man looking just like the phantom that faded from existence just moments before. Mysteria still sat hunched over in a meditated state with her eyes closed and blood trickling down her forehead and the edges of her eyes.

“ The soul will need time some time to fully take hold and harmonize with its new body. “ Stella spoke, looking up at Claire whom she was now standing besides . “ Ready Kail… You need to bring the Mistress back like she said. You know how to do that right?” Stella spoke to Kail, unsure if he knew how to do so or not.

[Claire]

Claire watches, enraptured, at the sight of the tangling threads of blood and lights, shifting back at the order to. This magic was… incomprehensible. But she had no time to question it. Or desire, for that matter. Kail’s desire for questions was not reflected in her- she was getting exactly what she came here for. She brings her hand up over her eyes to shield them from the light, not daring to close her eyes. She had to witness this. She had to.

Her eyes widen as the light fades and the shaking of the house calms, eyes fixated on the figure on the ground in front of her. It worked? The man splayed on the ground was eerily familiar in a way that sent a primal pang of what felt like fear through her in his familiarity. The dark hair, the skin that was tan for Novians she supposed, but still looked pale to her, and his face-

But despite the similarity, in that moment, she couldn’t see that man’s face in Core’s at all.

She was moving before she could register the motion, kneeling to the ground, Stella’s words ringing in her ears. Claire caught the man fully in her arms, gathering the man up so he could sit up. He was here- real, solid in her arms. There was warmth there that she could feel, a burning heat she could feel as she secured the blanket around him. He was here and breathing. The Mother had sent her across the world and aligned the stars to this moment- to the moment where she could grant this spirit new life.

Core. Citlali.

Claire could feel something catch in her throat as she smiled, almost a sob, and her eyes stung. Heat swelled in her chest- an emotion she thought she wouldn’t feel again flooding through her at the sight of him living and breathing. A strange and familiar fire surged through her, her heart caught alight like a torch, burning her inside and out. It must have been victory. It had to be. It couldn’t be anything else. She was triumphant now- she was on the right path, she knew that with certainty. Without thought or planning her hand pushed into his dark hair, her fingers slipping through the tangled strands.

“I know your face.” she laughs then pulls him down in blind enthusiasm, burning from victory, pressing her lips against his. The kiss lasts a fraction of a second and it’s over before she completely registers what she’s done, the blinding triumphant smile still on her face.

There would be time later for questions, to wonder what her purpose was now that she had done with the Mother sent her to do, but for now, she had done it. Her mission, that had taken years to complete. He was here now. Here and, in a burning thought that she can’t stifle in her victory, hers. She embraced him, laughter she couldn’t stop spilling from her lips, leaving her shoulders shaking.

“Welcome back to the world of the living, Core.”

[Deleted]

"That will be a question for another time Bella " said Kail and then watches the black arts being used to bring this person back. He calms down and then heard her speak again that Mysteria would answer his questions later. Which was understandable and gave her a nod of his head to Bella and then got focused again. His eyes watched as blood came from Mysteria and then to the crystalized baby. Not only that but the crimson sparks. And watched as it grew and grew slowly and its apperance changing and growing older and looking more alive. He tapped his glasses and turned them dark to see while this very bright blue light was blasting around them. As well as the chilling cold, it seemed that Mysteria was making the life and energy around them die. Just to bring this man back to life. The loud humming of the spell was starting to cause some minor miscomfort but kept focus on the matter at hand. "Damn this is human transmution....well call me the Full Metal Alchemist" he said under his breath. Then it was close to the end on this spell and got ready, he saw that the man had ocean blue hair and tanned skin. He was covered by Stella and was caught by Claire, and seeing that this was done. The blond moved into action.

"Lady Mysteria the soul has come back, awaken your job is done. Listen to my voice and come back to living your world is not done yet. Come back to this one and use my voice as a beacon in the night" he said and kept speaking and kept going until Mysteria came back to the land of the living. As he spoke though, what did he want to do with Core and Claire. He again did not know what to do with them or what was going on. He hoped that if Mysteria came back she could answer his questions or give him a better guiding light. He hoped that she would be coming back as his voice was starting to break and was getting slightly tired.

[Mysteria]

It was dark and cold; The only thing Mysteria could comprehend within her trance state. She knew she was trapped between the world of the living and Yursoul, a place that is a veil between the Glade of Hero’s and life itself. Here her soul stood within the darkness; The realm of the dead, Helena’s domain, wandering the vast blackness alone. How long had she been in here? Minutes, Hours, Days? It seemed like years walking within this place of solitude, desperately searching for a way out of this hellish place. At least she saved the soul...Right? Mysteria thought to herself, forcing herself to smile within the situation she was in. She was beginning to lose the will to walk any further; Maybe she had walked too far to hear Killian or find her way back….

Defeat began to set in; causing her legs to tremble and feel heavy before finally dropping to the ground. Even though she couldn’t see any part of her body, she could feel the soil against her skin or what she believed to be soil. Her hands clasping the ‘soil’ arounds her fingers as she whispered a tiny prayer to Fate while she sat there trying not to fall victim to despair.

----

Meanwhile, back in Mysteria’s house. The legendary sword that once held Core’s soul had turned. The shiny metal now a dull and rusted color; Brittle to the touch. Which one didn’t have to do. It started crumbling and breaking off into pieces onto the floor all on its own. The fated legendary sword no longer, its rusted remains piled on the floor.. By now Stella was attending to the mess on the floor, picking up the sword pieces and placing them on the table next to the arm.

“ You are welcome to rest here with your friend until he wakes up...There is a bedroom upstairs available for you to use.” Stella spoke out to Claire with her back turned to her still. “ I can help you carry him if assistance is needed. Though we can not leave the house without the mistress's permission. So my help is a limited range...” Stella continued to speak, making her way over to her twin sister that stood beside Kail.

By now Kail began to speak; His words simple, but hopefully it would be enough to guide their mistress back to the realm of the living. The dagger at Kail’s hip now hot to the touch. The runic symbols glowing along the blade with each word spoken from Kai, until finally the whole dagger was illuminated with a strange teal-green light.

At this point, the more Kail would speak he could notice something appear around Mysteria’s body. Which held her physical body in place. If Kail were to look closer at these strange ribbons closer; He could see that they were coming out of her chest.

‘ Keep calling…Cut the ribbons. Cut the ribbon...’ A voice whispered to Kail, while a warm sensation began to fill the young lad and make him feel stronger …

----


“ Still afraid of the dark I see.”

A familiar voice spoke out from within the darkness which Mysteria’s soul was trapped; One that brought chills up her spine. The owner of that voice keeping out of sight by using the advantage of the darkness. Her fear rising when she felt something breath against the back of her neck. She would have screamed, but her fear only lasted a few seconds. She had turned around just in time to see the veil opening up. At last freedom and only a few feet away; Mysteria could see light of her home and hear Kail’s voice on the other side.

“ Thank you my Divine, You found me, Fate… I was beginning to think you had forsaken me.” Mysteria sighed in relief now that she could hear kail’s voice . However, her relief was only short lived.

“ Oh is that what you thought?” Fate spoke out, his tone sounding un amused. This baffled and confused her. Had he not come to save her? “ W-What do you…” Mysteria began to ask, though her question was cut short. “ What I mean, my dear sweet Melania...You are no longer worthy of my grace; Get the picture? If anything; think of this as my last act of grace towards your constant failings….” Fate spoke harshly. “ I wished it didn’t have to come to this, but you have outlived your usefulness to me… I hope you understand, my pet.” Fate spoke with a heavy sigh.

Mysteria frowned, her teeth bared like a wild animal as she spoke. “ ….. I see.” She hissed, stumbling within the darkness as she began to push herself forward once again. This time having fate’s cackling laughter as her torment and kail’s voice as her guiding point.