In the dark gloomy castle, a cargo of precious artifacts had just arrived for the queen to inspect with the professionals. After days of inspection, they still could not understand how the ancient staff belonging to the strongest of the great seven suddenly repaired itself and was filled with so much power! Even for the queen, it was anything she's never seen throughout her life!
Without warning, the staff suddenly lit up!
"This!" One of the inspectors screamed in shock.
"Protect the queen!"
Instinctively, the knights in the room jumped to protect their queen, but the queen was one step ahead of them and attempted to barricade the staff in a barrier of their own.
However, the staff was stronger and it broke her barrier as it floated in mid air.
Seeing this shocked everyone in the room. As they expected, the power of the staff belonging to the strongest of the great seven, was immensely powerful that not even the queen could suppress its power!
However, upon seeing the staff like this, the queen could not help but think of her dear grandson and that girl. Could it be?
.....
In Pomefiore dorm, Yuu was awoken by the sudden prod to his side as Grim called out to him, "H-hey! Hey! Wake up! Yuu, hurry up and wake up! F-fgna! Help..."
Hearing this voice turn pitiful out of the blue Yuu and Epel both got up only for their eyes to widen in surprise.
"Grim?!" Yuu jumped in bewilderment and scooped up the saimese cat in his arms, "What's wrong? Did Ace take your tuna can again?"
"As if!" The cat sniffled, "I was sleeping really well earlier and even dreamt of a huge feast, but, all of a sudden, my chest started hurting a lot and now I can't stop crying! Ugh... Someone make the crying stop! My eyes are about to be squeezed out of tears! I'll be blinded by tomorrow! Fgna!!! Help!"
"Is it a spell or maybe a curse?" One of the students suggested after being woken up from their beauty sleep by Epel and the noise of concern.
They've been together for a while to know that Grim isn't one to cry in pain unless he loses his can of tuna privileges. So, how could such a proud and shameless cat be crying all of a sudden and feel hurt.
"Ah, Grim!"
Suddenly, Grim stumbled onto Yuu's arm as he weeped, "U-ugh... H-help me... Guys... So Dizzy..."
"Is there anyone who can treat a beast, like Grim?" Epel hesitated nervously.
"I heard that Lotus caught a cold the other day, right?" The latter student responded, "Then, we can't call him. Let's try find Rook. Maybe he'll know what to do."
Epel nodded, "Then, Yuu and I will go find the Vice-dorm leader. Vil will definitely check up on your conditions tomorrow. So you should go back to sleep. He won't have to scold all of us tomorrow and I can use Grim's condition as an excuse tomorrow morning."
"All right." The other student readily agreed, "That does seem like the best option. I apologize that we can't do much to help."
"Yeah." The first one nodded, "We'll, at least, let you know if the dorm leader is in a bad mood tomorrow. Hopefully, he won't scold you too harshly."
Who didn't know how strict Vil was to Epel?
Though they envy the attention he has from the dorm leader, it was also clear that he had the strictest training and judgement from him as well. If it was them, they wouldn't have survived, but that's why they admire Epel's determination to go along with it so he won't get beaten in a duel when he's not ready again. Hence, they felt pity for him and was willing to give him some help along the way when they can.
"Thank you, guys!" Epel responded gratefully and escorted Yuu and Grim out of their dorm room.
As they hurried out, Yuu couldn't shake a strong feeling of worry over his chest. Though the crisis was over, he couldn't help but feel that the problem with the fairies do not outweigh that of Lotus whom he swore to care for. He trusts that Malleus and Diasomnia can care for her properly, but what if there's something even they can't help her with? At least, Grim... He must be all right!
.....
Malleus's eyes widen in disbelief as he was soon surrounded by flames the color of blood.
What... what is this?
It wasn't just the flame. The floor melted into a pool of blood that has reached up to his waist and was still raising. He tried to magically get himself out, but it was actually impossible! This...
This was all because of that woman in white? And that fae? What is this?
The sobbing woman had risen to her feet against the strikes of the thunder bolts that seemed to be stronger than his own. This much mana and power...
Could they even be stronger than his grandmother?!
And that seriously injured fae that lay on the ground, was that still the same little girl that accidentally lit up the entire land on fire? Her appearance when she looked over to her sister seem to resemble something or someone, but he just can't remember who!
It was than that a powerful wave of mana pushed him back breaking his barrier as he noticed the woman had caught fire and re emerged in a black brocade with scarlet hair and ruby eyes. Her gentle demeanor vanished from her face as a wicked smile quickly come over her face. She sneered, "Kill them? No..."
She snickered with a piercing gaze exuding dark blot-like energy from her as she giggled in a crazed like trance, "Why reward them with death? I also don't want them to bother Mo Li anymore... Don't worry, Mo Li... Third sister knows you don't want this. Just for once, I'll be selfish for myself and everyone else... Didn't they proclaim themselves to be gods? Then, I'll-"
Suddenly, Malleus could feel a warmth rising from his body as he realized that he was glowing and the pool of the horrid smelling blood parted a barrier around him! What was going on?!
Yet, the unpleasant feeling from earlier has abated over time.
"Third sister..."
Malleus looked up and was left stunned! Before him was a familiar figure he knew all too well from his time in his birth and growth in Briar Valley and Night Raven College. In all her glory, the strongest of the Great Seven, Maleficent, appeared in the sky above him and descended to the Third sister's side much to Malleus's surprise as she even reached out and embraced her sister from behind.
The familiar warmth and voice made Lotus stop in her tracks as she froze with tears still flowing from her crazed red eyes.
"My silly, dear third sister..." The soft voice of the dark fae whispered softly, "We were both at fault... It is not a burden for you to bare alone. Third sister..."
"Mo..." Lotus hesitated fearing that the voice and warmth would vanish as soon as she finished uttering those words and tears flowed down her cheeks.
Seeing the woman calm down, Malleus was bewildered! Could it be...
Maleficent was Mo Li?!
Then, where is this?
Maleficent said that she was from the Moors. However, it has been so many years. Nobody can confirm if that forest still exists. So, could it be that this place is not the Moors? But where is this place? And...
He turned to the woman in green and white with a look of pure confusion.
Just who is this powerful magician she calls Third Sister? Did the thorn fairy really have a sister? Or siblings?
As Lotus's body slowly vanished into a cluster of beautiful crimson blooms, Maleficent appeared before him as the pool of blood disappeared and they found themselves in a dark forest. Maleficent opened her flush red lip having examined Malleus closely, "It's you again, my kin..."
Kin? He is related to the Maleficent?! Is this true?
"Is it not etiquette to greet others before those in front of you?" Maleficent pointed out firmly.
"A-ah. My apologies. My name is Malleus Draconia. Greetings, Thorn Fairy Maleficent." Malleus responded hesitantly. He had seen many things mundane when compared to those in his dorms, but it was a first for him to meet with one of the great seven. Much less the Maleficent. Yet, is he really kin to her? He knows they are both dark faes and dragon faes. However...
"Thorn Fairy..." Maleficent struggled a soft smile on her face, "I'm surprised others still remember me by this title..."
"Was it not well known back in your time?" Malleus looked to her in surprise, "It is recorded and remembered throughout history. Maleficent, also given the title of Thorn Fairy, and the strongest amongst the seven most powerful figures in history."
Hearing this, the dragon fae chuckled, "How amusing! The strongest... Who knew that my mark back then would take such a bright turn? Hehe... But, it's a relief that it has not badly impacted the descendants of my people."
"Did you have a bad reputation in the past?" Malleus looked to her in bewilderment, "Was that what led to your..."
He wanted to say disappearance but he bit back hesitantly in awe at the powerful figure before him.
Maleficent shook her head, "No. You are not wrong that I also bore an ill reputation during my lifetime, but reputation did not put me to the blade. It was... an unfortunate turn of events brought about by myself."
"By yourself?" Malleus looked to her in confusion.
"Child..." Maleficent looked to him with a frown, "I fear that you and I share a similar fate... We are too similar in mind and appearance. So, I will start a magic contract with you."
"A magic contract?" Malleus looked to her in confusion.