-Centuries Ago-
The full moon had been in a shade of blue as the sky had been clear of all clouds. It had been one of the only few things keeping the whole land a lit. A set of lanterns had been dimly lit around a stone archway as it had all lead towards what had been a pool of water that had been overflowing. Young ten year old Prism had been approaching the pool of water as she had been wearing a ceremonial white robe, outlined with a light blue pattern as she had worn a golden necklace with a set of stones with insignias around her neck as her silver hair had been tied in what looked to be a braided ponytail.
Beside her had been her parents Zeid and Alma, as well what looked to be young children that had been the same age as her and had been wearing a ceremonial robe similar to her own. Yet there was something different about them as they strangely had some parts similar to that of an animal. They were also accompanied by a young man with blond hair and blue eyes.
He wore a double-breasted, long-sleeved, white jacket with a high, dark-colored collar. The jacket extends below his waist and is trimmed with gold. He also had two belts on top of it, and his grimoire pouch hung off the back of his dark-colored belt. He also wears white pants, white stockings and black shoes. Over this, he wears a blue cape with white fur trim at his collar and a bronze-like cross pendant to enclose his cape.
The sound of drums could be heard as they drew closer to the pool as a set of familiar people stood there, waiting for them as well as a small group that had been beating on large drums and others that looked to be mages.
The familiar faces among them had been Licht and three more; two more men and a young woman. There had been a young man with messy white hair, with an angled jaw, another beside him was a tall elf with a lean build and light skin with curly short blondish white hair and purple eyes; he had a goatee beard divided into three sections. There looked to be a squirrel resting on his shoulder.
The third had been a young short woman, with long light pink hair that had been parted down the middle and each side was gathered and tied off at the tips, forming two ponytails that rested on her shoulders. She had been wearing a light-colored dress that extended down to her knees. The dress is held together by a dark-colored belt, from which hangs a pouch for her grimoire on her right. Around her head sits a floral crown. She also wears a pair of dark-colored, short-heeled sandals that lace up to her mid-shin.
"Licht--Rhya, Vetto, Fana--" The young man beside Zeid and Alma--Lemiel said, bowing his head to them, "--Thank you all for doing this."
"It's the least we can do for you and of course the young heir." Licht said to them with a friendly smile.
"This really means a lot to us." Zeid had said.
The man named Rhya gave little Prism a pat on the head, "This is some way to start your birthday off, huh Ducky?"
Prism gave a nervous laugh, "Ye-Yeah, I guess so."
"Sounds like somebody's nervous." The young woman by the name of Fana said.
"Don't worry, you'll be alright." The man Vetto said, "We won't let anything bad happen to you."
"I know but--" Prism said as she fidgeted a little, "--It's still a bit nerve wracking."
Zeid and Alma gave their child a reassuring squeeze to her hands as her attention was drawn to them. "You'll be just fine little primrose." Zeid said, "Just take deep breaths."
"Remember, we'll be right here." Alma said, "Right where you can see us."
"You won't be alone." Lemiel said before he looked at the other three young children, "You all won't be."
Soon the sound of a horn went off, as the reflection of the moon started to make its way towards the center of the pool of water. "It's time." Licht said before he held out to them, "Shall we?"
Prism gave one last glance towards her parents who had given her an approving nod. She soon took Licht's hand and she along with the other three kids followed behind him, Rhya, Vetto, and Fana. They each entered the ceremonial pool; Licht, Rhya, Vetto and Fana were the first to enter as the pool had been up past their knees. They each helped the children in as they carried them towards the center where the reflection of the moon went towards the center as well; the water had reached up to their waist making it hard for them to walk through it if it wasn't for them.
Among the crowd of people was a young Pluck who had watched in awe as they began to prepare. His eyes sparkled as he had the brightest smile on his face. Three familiar triplets had been standing with him as they looked on with curious eyes.
"Hey Pluck?" A young Aisling had asked, "What exactly are they going to do with them?"
"Are they planning on sacrificing them?" Young Aine whispered as she didn't want to draw attention.
Pluck had replied, "No, don't be silly. This is a bonding ceremony! It's where a mage gets a Familiar to assist them with their magic! They're bonded through a powerful spell that lasts for all eternity! I've only just read about them, I'd never thought I'd see one!"
"If it's supposed to help people then how come it's not done with other mages?" A Young Aidan asked.
"Because it's meant to be a big secret! Only the elders know how it works!" Pluck said, "So you guys better not go telling about it to other people outside of the village, okay?"
"Kay." The young Triple A's said.
Pluck said as he began to walk, "I should help them, just in case."
A young woman by the name of Yukiko stopped Pluck from moving; she looked to be four months pregnant and had been carrying a sleeping six year old boy.
"Huh? Ma?" Pluck said,
"I'm sorry, Pluck but you can't go in." His mother told him.
"But why?" He asked.
"You're too young." Yukiko said, "Not to mention, you're still getting a hang of your magic. It would be dangerous if you try to help out with the ceremony. You could injure yourself and them."
Pluck couldn't help but give a pout, "Aww.."
Prism as well as the young children stood in a circle as Licht had instructed them before he had taken out what appeared to be a needle.
"Heavens above, Spirits of the Elements--" Licht spoke aloud, "--Guide these young ones through the otherworld, and tie their fates to one another. Bond them through their mana, mind, body and souls."
The light of the reflection of the moon began to glow as the water. Gently Licht took their hands as he made small cuts along there palms just as the stones embedded in Prism's jewel began to glow. The four children took each other's hands, as it had been the same place where he made the cut.
"Remember to say the words." Licht had told them, "Just as I've told you."
Licht soon moved away from them as he, Rhya, Vetto and Fana stood at the edge of the shallow water pool; although they started to chant in elvish tongues as their bodies started to glow as the beat of the drum had been steady now. Lines of light soon appeared where they stood as they drew back to the young children, forming an insignia around them. Prism gave a nod towards the three others as their fingers intertwined with each other as their palms were kept flat against one another.
Thus, the four of them began to utter a spell as it began to glow.
"Tie now the silver thread
Tie now the roots of our veins
The holly, so that we may not be separated
The ivy so that we may not come apart
Tie to the yew tree seven times
Until the snake spits out its tail"
Their eyes had soon become illuminated as the pool of water glowed violently now; the stones Prism had been wearing glowed aggressively as well. Pluck's eyes had practically lit up as around them, a set of chains from the very waters circled around them as he could sense an insane amount of mana emitted from the chains themselves. The chains had been made from what appeared to be light magic.
"Wow.." He said as his eyes sparkled.
Marks had started to appear along their arms and faces as the glow in their eyes faded; an insignia began to form around their wrists like they were bracelets that resembled that of a holly branch, just as Licht, Rhya, Fana and Vetto stopped what they were doing; the drums soon ceased as well. The four children looked at the markings along their wrist as it glowed a sapphire blue.
"They made it through!" Fana said with a smile, "It's working!"
"Bounding with three familiars--" Vetto said, "--Who would've thought it would actually work."
Rhya let out a yawn though he still had a smile, "That's our Ducky for you."
"Prism." Licht soon said, "You know what you have to do now. Give them names, so that they may stay by your side."
Prism could feel their hands tighten on her own, as she saw they each had a look of encouragement towards her. Prism soon had a warm smile before she thought of names.
"We'll be together forever--Brenin, Saorise, Liam."
Thus, around their wrists illuminated as the chains soon wrapped around them just as the pool soon became lit with a blinding light.
***
Asta, Prism, and Feodora found themselves screaming all the down as they were forced to slide through the pipes like it had been a crazy water slide. They had been going way faster than they anticipated, not to mention they were practically drowning in who knows what. The next thing they knew, they found themselves practically getting shot out of the pipe and onto a large waterway as they hit shallow waters and not to mention a wall.
By the time they were out of it, practically their clothes were stained with dirt and they didn't want to know what else; Brenin looked to be worse for wear as well as his fur looked a bit shaggy and ruggaged.
"Ow…" Prism groaned as she had hit her head as the Spirits tended to her; she still had a firm hold on the sword.
"Everything hurts…" Asta moaned as he stood with the help of his sword.
"Everybody okay?" Feodora asked as she recovered from the fall, "You all still alive?"
"Barely." Asta replied.
"I'm pretty sure my organs got switched around while we were in there." Prism said, trying to steady herself as she stood, "Did we go through a loop de loop at one point? I couldn't tell."
Prism could feel her pouch thrashing a bit which immediately she started to panic. She opened her bag as Adrien soon hopped out as he returned to his original size as he looked to be turning green. "Sorry bud." Prism said as she patted him on the neck, as he breathed a heavy sigh of relief, "I kind of forgot you were in there."
"Well good news, I don't think those guys are gonna follow us through that, so we're in the clear." Feodora said, "Bad news--" She gestured to her whole outfit, "--We stink like a piece of turd that got up, ate some garbage and then threw up the remains."
"That's REALLY graphic." Asta said with a cringe look.
"Dum-Dum, that's my censored version." She told him, "If I was to go with my uncensored one, even you would be sick for days."
"That was the censored version!?" Asta and Prism exclaimed out of confusion.
The three of them soon jumped when Brenin shook out his body, sending water droplets in all sorts of directions; though most of it ended up on them. Once he was done, all Brenin did was let out a couple of barks before he licked the paw he had lifted up off the ground.
"Don't do that Brenin, it's all dirty!" Prism said, stopping him, "Let's hurry and get you dried off, so we can treat your wounds, kay?"
"Okay back up--" Feodora soon said, "--Do you know this mutt?"
"I've been wondering that too--" Asta said, "--Is he a friend of yours?"
Prism couldn't help but look awkwardly before she gave out a sheepish laugh, "Ri-Right, I think introductions are in order especially with all that's happened." She placed a hand on Brenin as he sat down himself, "Asta, Feo--This is Brenin. He's one of my Familiars."
Brenin had bowed his head in greeting as he let out a couple of woofs like he had been talking to them. Though Asta and Feodora looked a bit confused as they weren't sure how to respond to this.
"Familiar?" Asta said.
"Did he just understand you?" Feodora asked.
"Yeah--" Prism replied as she nodded, "--To put it simply he's a person like you and me. This is just a form he takes since he's kind of shy when he's human. He can't talk to us while he's like this but he's a pretty handsome dog right? Especially with his eyes! You guys should see him in his appropriate form, well after he feels better that is."
Feodora couldn't help but give a look while Asta only looked intrigued. "That DEFINITELY doesn't happen." Feodora told her.
Prism couldn't help but have an awkward look, "... You don't believe me?"
"No, no, it's not that I don't believe you but--" Feodora said, "--You know--It's just unheard of."
"Uh sorry Pri but--" Asta said as he slowly raised his hand, "--Just now, you said he's your Familiar. What exactly is that?"
"Well that's--ACHOO!"
Prism had been taken back when she let out a loud sneeze, as her voice echoed; though she didn't fly ten feet, she flew a good six as it nearly knocked them over. Brenin looked especially shocked as Prism managed to grab a hold of the ledge.
She laughed sheepishly, "Well, at least I didn't get stuck in a wall this time…"
Feodora let out a sigh, "How about we get out of the water before we all catch a cold?"
Thus, Asta, Prism and Feodora, along with Adrien and Brenin found their way out of the waterway and to a place where they could have a private conversation. Thankfully they were still near the city though they had been a bit far from people. They hung their robes as Asta and Prism had hung their jackets over a sturdy beam of wood as a couple of little fire spirits dried off as well as the items that Prism had purchased earlier.
A couple of them sat on their shoulders and heads as Asta, and Feodora could feel their bodies slowly getting warmer as it felt like their experience in the sauna. Adrien had his body curled around them, as she had been going through her pouch and treating Brenin's wounds, starting with his broken paw. The Spirits had assisted her in this endeavor as they used the water to ease up on the swelling and clean up the wounds along his body. Though he twitched and flinched from the pain sometimes he laid perfectly still as his eyes were closed shut.
"So a Familiar huh?" Asta said, "Is that the kind of animal he is? I mean I know he's a dog but I mean--"
Prism couldn't help but laugh as she got out some ointment, "It's not a type of animal. It's a term that's used for creatures that are bound to a mage with a powerful spell."
"You mean it's like a Spirit?" Feodora asked, "Like the guys that hang around you?"
"In a way." She replied, "But instead--You don't unlock a spell in your grimoire, you gain their permission to form the bond. The best way I can describe it is, it's kind of like a marriage. The bond between a Familiar and the mage is a special kind of one. They pretty much share everything."
"Everything?" Asta said shocked, "You mean they share things like your favorite food, a favorite book or a hobby you like to do?!"
Prism couldn't help but giggle at this sort of assessment, "No, it's not like that kind of sharing. We share the bond between each other from our souls to our thoughts, our feelings, even our magic. All the while we still keep our individuality and free will."
At this, Asta and Feodora looked shocked by her words. "Magic?!" Feodora said, "You guys share magic?!"
"That's amazing!" Asta exclaimed as his eyes lit up.
"Familiars helped mages that had an insane amount of mana conceal it like how a magical item would." Prism said, "Back then--Or well in the time I was born it was a rare technique and it was slowly dying since Spirit Magic was first discovered. Though it made it all the more dangerous. It was so dangerous in fact that the Elders were the only ones that knew the preparations of performing the spell. Not to mention, if it was performed wrong, the spell would destroy the user's body, mind and soul. And once someone among my people uses it, the spell and how it's performed is erased the next day. When I got him, it was actually at midnight at the start of my tenth birthday."
Asta looked to Brenin as he was patient with Prism when she started to wrap him in bandages. "That mark I saw before--" Asta said to Prism, "--I'm guessing that's a part of it."
"So you saw it?" Prism said looking to her right wrist, "That mark only makes itself known either if we're near each other, or they themselves are using my magic."
"They? Them?" Asta said, shocked.
"You mean to tell me you have more of them?!" Feodora said, shocked.
"There's two more actually." Prism replied before she let out a groan, "It's still kind of fuzzy, but--I know they helped me control my magic, since I couldn't use it on my own. At least--" She groaned again, "--That's how I think it went."
"JUST HOW MUCH MANA DID YOU HAVE?!" Feodora exclaimed.
"Wait, wait, wait--How come you didn't talk about it before?" Asta asked, "About them I mean?"
Prism soon possessed a look of solemnity as she finished on Brenin's wounds, "Well--It's because… I thought they were dead, after you guys told me… I was gone for five-hundred years."
Asta and Feodora's own look softened when they noticed the spirits around them turned blue; even the ones sitting on their shoulder had soon produced blue flames, though they didn't feel the heat rise. Prism soon sighed, "... Like I said--The Familiars share everything once the bond has been made. Though, it also means… They share their--Well this case… My fate."
"Your fate?" Asta said.
Prism pet Brenin's head as she still held a sad expression. It was then the two of them had put it together. "You mean--" Asta started to say, "--When you--He would--?"
Prism could only nod her head in reply as Adrien curled his tail around them both.
"Talk about till death do you part…" Feodora said, just plain shocked by this.
"Does that same rule apply to you if he's--" Asta said though he was unable to finish his sentence.
Prism shook her head before she placed her hand over her chest, "It's not the same but--Licht warned me, should they or should one of them were to die, the bond we made would be served and it would cause this enormous strain on my body, like I'm being burned alive. I thought--Since I was asleep in the tree I wouldn't feel it if one of them died. I was scared and worried that I wouldn't see them anymore."
Brenin soon stood as he leaned his body against her own, like he had been giving her a hug. Prism returned this embrace, as she petted his back.
"The day--The start of my tenth birthday…" She soon said, "... I told them, we would always be together. I thought because I didn't feel them, I had broken that promise. I felt really guilty that I had let them down." She soon had a smile towards Brenin as she removed herself from the hug, "But--If he's here, then the others--Liam and Saorise--They're alive too. Right Brenin?"
Brenin only nodded as it made Prism's brightened as the Spirits changed to a yellow shade. "Prism, that's great!" Asta said before he turned to Brenin, "Hey! If they're alive, then you know where they are don't you?"
Brenin nodded again as he started to wag his tail as he let out another woof. "You can talk when you look like us, right?" Asta asked again as his eyes sparkled, "Can you change back so you can tell us where they are?!"
"He can't right now even if he wanted to." Prism soon answered, "Brenin's kind can't shift when they're injured, otherwise they'll have permanent damage to both of their forms. We'll have to wait until his wounds heal so he can switch properly. It shouldn't take long after the medicines I gave him, and the Spirits will help with the process."
"Aw that's too bad, but it's understandable." Asta said.
Feodora soon had a thought as her eyes widened in slight realization, "Pri…" She soon said, "... You said these guys help you conceal your magic right?"
"That's right." Prism replied.
"Then if we find your other two Familiars--" Feodora soon said, "--The magic whatever you were born with you lost when you woke up--Might return to you… Right?"
Prism and Asta had a look of shock, even Adrien himself as he let out a curious noise. Both teens looked to one another as their eyes had been filled with hope before--
"Hey there you are."
The three of them flinched as they were taken back by a familiar voice. They looked just above their heads as they saw it had been Yami, along with Karasu and his sister Sachiko.
"Captain Yami!" Asta and Feodora exclaimed.
"Karasu! Sachiko!" Prism said.
Yami soon leaped down onto the stone archway provided as he had been just in front of them before he asked, "Can't we leave you kids one day without causing a ruckus?"
"Where the hell have you been?" Karasu asked as he leaped down along with Sachiko, "Jubei told us what happened and we couldn't sense you in the market anymore!"
"Sorry about that." Feodora said.
"Again, how did you sense us?" Asta asked, "We don't have--"
Yami had cut him off when he grabbed his head; Immediately Asta's face had paled as he struggled to get free. Yami soon said to him in a threatening tone of voice, "Forget that, what the hell did you brats get wrapped up into?"
"Now hang on, we can expl--" Feodora started to say before she felt her own head getting grabbed before she was lifted, "--AT LEAST LET ME EXPLAIN!!!"
Yami had told the two of them, ignoring the two of them completely, "Did you know how much trouble you got us into, explain yourselves or die."
"PLEASE NO!" Asta pleaded.
"Yami wait!" Prism said as she stood, "Don't blame them, this--What happened at the market--That was my fault!"
Yami looked to Prism as he still kept a firm hold on the two of them despite the fact they were struggling to get free. He told her, "Hmm? The hell do you mean?"
Prism sighed before she gestured to the red haired dog, "This is Brenin. He's my Familiar and he was at the auction that was taking place." She soon took the sword that she had set aside and showed it to him, "And--This is something precious to Aunt Yuki and Uncle Cad! They were going to be sold off, but--I couldn't let that happen! Asta and Feo--They were just helping me--But I wasn't thinking clearly I just--"
The spirits around her lost color as they looked to be shriveled and small. She soon took a deep breath and bowed her head, "I'm sorry! It won't happen again! I swear!"
Yami gave out a sigh as he said, "Next time you wanna pull off a crazy rescue mission like that, at least let the adults know."
Prism let out a sigh of relief before--
"However--" Yami let go of Asta and Feodora as she grabbed Prism's head next as he said, "This also means your chore list is gonna be as twice as Sword Boy and Ice girl"
"Ye--Yes sir." Prism said.
Brenin started to tug on Yami's leg as he started to let out a growl, making Asta and Feodora's faces pale. "Brenin no!" Prism exclaimed out of worry.
"Hey, buddy--" Yami said, "--My leg is not a chew toy."
Brenin immediately froze before he was quick to back off; he dropped Prism as she rubbed her head. "Seriously tater-tot--" Karasu said as he helped her up along with Asta and Feodora, "--You gotta stop making this a habit. I don't really get it but, you could've been killed. "
"I'm sorry but--" Prism said as she sighed, as she looked to her feet, she was now practically hugging the sword, "--I guess I should've told someone about it… I really am just a stupid girl like the Elders said…" The group could see the spirits turn blue again.
"Pri…" Asta said as his gaze softened.
Yami sighed as he said, "well your hearts' in the right place, so you're not all that stupid."
Prism looked shocked by this sort of thing before Yami gave her a pat on the head. He told her, "You did the right thing freeing your friend from those creeps right? So that should count for something."
Yami soon smelt them as he pinched his nose, "Gross, when we get back to base I want that smell gone."
"Yes sir." Asta, Feodora and Prism said.
Yami soon told them, "and by the way, whatever happens here, stays here. Got it?"
"Right!" Asta, Feodora, and Karasu said. Prism on the other hand stayed silent, as she noticed the change in his demeanor and even the look in his eyes. The little spirits and Brenin had noticed this too as they started to gather their things and leave.
"Yami… Doesn't look happy. In fact--He looks really cross." She thought as she set some of the merchandise on Adrien's back, "I wonder why that is." She soon looked to Brenin as she helped him on Adrien's back, "Is it because of today? No, that doesn't sound right--He's already forgiven me. Then--"
Brenin soon got himself comfortable as they started to move along the pathway provided; It was then Prism had a sudden thought.
"Wait a moment--Aunt Yuki and Uncle Cad---" Prism soon thought, "--They've all been living in the Black Bulls base for a whole year, and they've talked about me to him before. I wonder--Did they ever mention my Familiars to him?"
***
-Later that Day; Black Bulls Base-
Despite all the mishaps that had taken place, and finding Brenin in the Black Market of all places, they had decided to call it a day. The whole ride back, Prism noticed that Yami had been strangely quiet; more so then she had usually seen him, which had been saying a lot.
She wondered why that could be, and it couldn't help but worry her.
It hadn't been long before they arrived back at the base; the sun had already begun to set. As they landed near the front entrance. As they did, most of the group had been holding their noses from the stench.
"Oh get over it." Feodora said to them, "It's not like you've smelled anything worse."
Pluck couldn't help but comment, "No no, this is WAY worse and I mean worse than the Triple A's Stink prank."
"Hey!" Aidan said, "I'll have you know that was a pretty good prank we pulled on Magna!"
Pluck told him in a scolding manner, "In which we had to fumigate the place for a week!"
"You just don't appreciate a good joke!" Aisling said, sticking out her tongue.
"Aisling." Yukiko said in a scolding tone, making her flinch.
"Sorry mother…" Aisling said, bowing her head.
"Still it was a good joke." Vandy said with an encouraging smile.
"Believe it or not--I HAVE smelt worse." Karasu said as Sachiko nodded in agreement. Though a second later, Karasu started to gag and stumble, "Still hate flying."
Noelle had groaned, "And you sure you couldn't have taken another route other than the sewer?"
"Hey, we didn't have a choice!" Asta said, as he gestured to Brenin as he hopped off of Aine's carpet, "If it wasn't for Brenin here we would've been dead!"
Noelle rolled her eyes, "I can't believe you went through all that trouble for some dirty stray dog."
Brenin gave a growl as he looked at Noelle, though Prism and Adrien were quick to hold him back gently. Prism soon gave a sheepish laugh, "Actually Noelle--He's more than a dog."
"What does that mean?" She asked her.
"I'll--Tell you later." Prism replied awkwardly.
Pluck huffed as he said, "Why bother, even Silva's don't respect animals."
Addeline said with an agreement, "Quack!"
Noelle let out a huff of her own as she turned her head, "I'm just being honest. The dog is filthy."
"Like your personality." Pluck added.
Noelle glared as she said, "Come again, Barbados?"
Pluck told her, "hey, like you said, I'm also being honest." Noelle growled at him as he had a smug smile.
"PLUCK…" Yukiko and Cadfan soon said, sounding rather stern as Pluck flinched slightly.
"Do you REALLY want to add more to your list of chores this week?" Cadfan asked while tapping his foot.
Yukiko had added, "You already caused enough damage today because of your honesty!"
Pluck flinched before he said, "No."
"Good." Both of his parents said.
Yami soon told them, "Speaking of honesty, isn't there something you like to share with me?"
Yukiko and Cadfan soon noticed the look he gave as they could see he had been giving a threatening aura. "Uh--" Yukiko soon said before turning to the teens and the younger children, "--Why don't you all go inside, get cleaned up and start on your evening chores?"
"Huh? Why is something wrong?" Asta asked.
"Yeah, what's with the face?" Feodora asked.
Pluck, the Triple A's, even Vandy and Jubei could sense the atmosphere between them as each of them started to get nervous. Pluck said with a forced smile, "yeah right away, the faster the better."
Pluck soon zipped away in a dash. Vandy soon said, "Yeah sure I'll go help Pluck!" he followed as she ran.
"I just remember I gotta go...clean my room!" Jubei exclaimed.
Before she could leave Yami simply said, "Jubei." He soon held out his hand, "Give it here."
Jubei turned as she said, "oh where are my manners?" she took out a hidden knife as she said, "here you go!" She turned as she made a mad dash away, shocking Asta, Feodora, Karasu and even Noelle. "Uh--" Feodora said, "--That was a little weird."
"No kidding." Karasu said.
"Do no you ni kimyou na." Sachiko said as she tilted her head.
"You should head inside too." Cadfan said, "Get yourselves cleaned up and help them out."
"Uh--Okay." Asta said before he headed inside.
Noelle said with a sigh as she followed Asta's lead, "Alright then if you insist."
Karasu sighed to himself before he turned to his sister, "Oi de, Sachiko."
"Hai, aniki." Sachiko said before taking his hand.
Thus the four of them headed inside as Prism herself had been hesitant when she looked at Yami again. She soon turned to Adrien who had still been in her pouch while on the ride over. "Come on." She said to Brenin and Adrien.
She soon went back to the base as she shut the door behind her just as Brenin followed her in.
"Okay you two." Yami said. "You left you a MAJOR detail when you were talking about Prism."
"Yami we--" Yukiko started to say before Yami had cut her off.
"Look, she may be the princess but she's also me and the other captain's responsibility!" Yami added, "It would have been best to tell us ALL the details instead of beating the bush around!"
"There's a perfect explanation for this!" Cadfan said.
"What explanation?!" He said.
"Well--" Yukiko soon said, "--For one thing, we swore to Zeid and Alma we wouldn't say a word about the manner, secondly Familiars are sacred among our village and our people. We couldn't risk exposing their existence to the kingdom. Please understand that we were only trying to protect the secret."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Yami asked.
Cadfan soon told him, "Yami, I understand you're angry but like we said, we couldn't risk it. Especially since Prism is on every wanted poster all over! Think about what would happen if they find out she has Familiars too. We didn't even know if they were still alive"
They could see that Yami still looked irritated as he told them, "And?"
Yukiko soon sighed, "Yami--Prism's magic is more complicated than you and the others realize. I can tell you it's nothing like you've never seen before."
Yami gave a curious look despite his glare, "Pray tell."
Yukiko and Cadfan looked at one another as they both had a look of agreement. Yukiko soon started to explain, as she started to manifest a small cloud, "As I have told you and the other Captains before my people--The Elves were blessed with Mana, and therefore we possess an enormous amount of mana that surpasses even that of a royal. Back then it's what made humans fear us and try to hunt us down."
Her gaze softened as she made the cloud disappear, "Prism however--Since she's the first halfling to be born among our people she was blessed by the mana like every other elf. Not to mention--She has the blood of a royal, a King no less, you could imagine how hard life was for her when she was a child. The first time she lost control of her magic she broke a couple of windows and pottery. But by the time she was nine when she had gotten upset, she took out a whole building and cleared a small portion of a forest. And it wasn't just the Spirits reacting to what she was feeling."
Yami's eyes widened as he put out his cigarette as he was shocked, "W-What? You're kidding?"
Cadfan and Yukiko shook their heads in denial
Yami soon said, just out of pure shock "You mean the kid..she--!"
"After that day--" Cadfan said, "--We started to do everything we could to conceal her magic, so she wouldn't hurt anyone else. I had the people in my family bring magic items that dealt with such a manner. But no matter what she wore the accidents still happened, like she hadn't been wearing them to begin with. It didn't seem like anything was working, until she held something sacred among the Elves."
"It's the only thing that could contain an insane amount of magic she had since she was born--" Yukikio soon said as the look on her face changed, "--It's called a Magic Stone."
Yami soon asked, "A Magic Stone? The hell is that?"
"It's a powerful and sacred jewel among my people. In fact they're only so few of them that exist." Yukikio replied, "It's capable of amplifying someone's magic and serves as multipliers for spells. Only we as Elves could use it at its full power without suffering any consequences. If a human used it however, let's just say they change. Though unfortunately we couldn't let Prism hang onto it forever. Especially considering her circumstance and her gift with the Spirits, it would've only painted more of a target on her back."
"Zeid and Alma knew they had to do something." Cadfan said, "They were worried that her own magic would kill her one day as she grew. So they consulted with the Elders. The conclusion they came to at first--Was for Prism to learn how to conceal the emotions she conveyed, and to never let it show in order for most of her magic to stay sealed." He sighed, "You could imagine how her parents felt about that idea."
Yami grunted as he growled in anger, "Sounds like your Elders are very senline to think of that idea."
Yukiko couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Zeid and Alma would've liked you."
"Thankfully as you can plainly see, they didn't go with that route." Cadfan said, "Licht the leader of Yukiko's people was the one who came forward with the idea to bound Prism with Familiars as they're the only things that could conceal her magic even better then a Magic Item could. It took a lot of arguing and debating but eventually they agreed, and thus Licht and a few others performed a Bonding Ceremony on the start of Prism's tenth birthday."
"Bonding Ceremony?" Yami asked.
"It's a ritual that is only known amongst the Elders of our Tribe." Yukiko said, "The technique is long forgotten now, but for all of us, it's best that it stays that way."
Cadfan soon added, "I don't know much about it, but the Bonding Ceremony can only be performed under the full moon at midnight, when the moon's reflection is within the Sacred Tears of the Heavens, at least that's how the Elves referred to their sacred pool. And once the Ceremony is done, the casters lose all memory of how the spell is performed, in order to prevent outsiders from using it. That's how Yuki explained to me when I first heard about it."
Yami's face widened as he said, "Seriously? Man, your village is something else!"
"We're sorry we didn't tell you about it when you and the captains earned our trust--" Yukiko said, "--But at the time we thought her Familiars were long since perished and we didn't feel the need to mention it."
Yami had rubbed the bridge of his nose before he asked, "so how many does the kid have exactly?"
"Other than Brenin, there's Saorise and Liam." Cadfan replied, "They're among a race known as Therianthropies or Therians. I believe people like you nowadays would call them Shifters"
"Oh those guys." Yami said, "I remember talking about them with Julius. They can change their body into an animal from what I remember, not to mention they were nomads."
"They were about Prism's age when she found them." Yukiko said, "Some cruel humans were planning on selling the poor children for slavery and experiments. They didn't have anything when she brought them back to our Village. No names, no parents, they didn't even know which tribe they were from. Though--It made them perfect candidates for Prism once she had earned their permission."
"And thus the kid named them in order for that bond thing to work right?" Yami asked.
Yukiko and Cadfan couldn't help but look shocked at this. "W-Why yes, that's actually correct!" Cadfan said, still surprised.
"How did you know?" Yukiko asked.
Yami replied nonchalantly, "Lucky guess."
Yukiko and Cadfan could only bow their heads as they had an apologetic look. "We're very sorry for not mentioning this to you sooner." Yukiko said.
Cadfan added, "Can you ever forgive us?"
"Well granted I'm still pissed you kept this from me and the other captains." Yami said, making them flinch, "Though I guess in a way, this was your method of protecting her so I can understand that."
Both of the parents sighed with relief. "Thank you Yami." Yukiko said, as she bowed her head again, "We promise, if there's anything else we have in regards to Prism, we'll be sure to let you and the others know!"
Cadfan added, "We swear, we won't keep any more secrets from you."
Yami looked satisfied as he said, "Glad to hear."
***
-Later that Night-
For the rest of the evening, everything had been calm and pretty much normal. Everyone had their own routine as they had each gotten up to their own shenanigans. Though once everyone had been fast asleep, Prism went to make her move. She had gotten the items she had brought while they were in the capital, as despite everything she had been very excited.
She made sure she was as quiet as a mouse, as she snuck into the rooms of her fellow members to leave behind the gifts she had gotten with the help of the Triple A's; she made sure to leave a small note just to let them know it had been from her. She was excited to imagine their faces in the morning as she couldn't help but imagine they would be pleasantly surprised.
She soon snuck into Pluck's room as it looked like he was sitting only for her to hear the sounds of snoring while Pluck said, "And then you divide the 2 from the equation and then you solve for x before doing anything--"
Prism couldn't help but laugh softly before she tiptoed towards him. She soon placed the sword against the table before she attached the note.
"I think even you'll be happy with this." She said softly.
The little light lemur as well as a little badger with wings soon spoke to her though Prism quickly shushed them gently. She soon took the bed cover and placed it over him, before kissing him on the cheek.
"You'll thank me later Plu-Plu."
She soon tip-toed out of the room, and closed the door quietly behind her. "Okay--" She soon said looking to Adrien who had been holding a small bag, "--Last stop is--Asta."
She soon went down the hall counting the doors till she had gotten near the corner of the room. She soon opened the door to find Asta was still sleeping, as he had been snoring softly while mumbling; he had been nearly falling off of his bed as the covers looked to be tangled.
She tiptoed inside removing the item from the bag; It had been a jewelry box that contained a necklace in the symbol of a libra. The symbol of libra had been silver with a golden chain as it had reflected off of the rays of the moon as she had set it on the desk. She placed the note by the necklace before she jumped when Asta turned on his side.
"I'm gonna be the Wizard King…" She heard him mumble in his sleep, "... Please marry me Sister Lily…"
Prism couldn't help but laugh softly as she shook her head a little.
"You're really silly Asta. But--You're a good person too."
She had carefully pushed him further towards the wall so that he wasn't falling off the bed, as she placed the covers back over him. She soon patted him on the head, ruffling his hair a little bit.
"If it wasn't for you though--I would've never gotten Bernin out. So thank you."
With that said she left the room, to leave Asta to rest; She made sure she was quiet when she shut the door as she leaned against it, as some of the small spirits rested on her shoulder. The little light lemur soon spoke to her as a familiar sound of bells came out.
"You think I should?" She asked curiously, "The gifts are enough aren't they?"
The other, which had been a familiar bunny with dragonfly wings, soon spoke up.
"Yeah, they would be but I don't have to overdo it, you know? Not to mention I'm not sure what's in store for Fungeleon's teachings tomorrow."
The little light lemur soon gave her an encouraging nudge. She in turn gave him a pat on the head, "Then again--It could be fun."
Adrien soon gave Prism a nudge as the sensation made her giggle as he gave her a couple of kisses. "Let's go check on Brenin."
It had been only a few moments before Prism went to the comfort of her own room as she had gone up the ladder with Adrien following behind her. Brenin had been resting on the bed pillow as a couple of spirits, that comprised the four natural elements, had been sitting along his body as he looked to be relaxed and allowing them to do their work on his wounds.
The moment she sat by him, he placed his head on the lap of her gown. "Are you doing okay?" She asked him, "Nothings hurting too bad is it?"
Brenin could only respond by shaking his head, as he let out a couple of woofs. Prism scratched behind his ears, as he leaned in for the touch.
"That's good." Prism said with a smile, "You're probably tired after today aren't you? You should rest, or are you having trouble sleeping?"
She soon noticed the look that Brenin gave. Though she couldn't understand him as an animal, she could tell what he had been thinking.
"You shouldn't worry about me. I'm more worried about you. You need your rest if you want to be back up to your full strength. Besides--I really want to talk to you again."
Brenin let out a huff as the sensation made her skin tickle a little as she giggled softly again. "Is there anything I can do?" She soon asked, "So you can have some sweet dreams tonight?"
Brenin soon pointed his nose over to the guitar that had been sitting by her bed on a stand, as she realized what he was talking about. She blushed red from embarrassment, "Y-You want to hear me play? It won't be as good as father's you know…"
Brenin nudged her elbow in response as Prism's face was still red as a tomato before she let out a defeated sigh, "Okay then--If it'll help you to sleep." She said as she went to pick the guitar up, "I guess it'll be fine as long as we're quiet."
She sat herself on the bed as she tuned it a little. With a deep breath, she had started to play as she shut her eyes.
A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Sofly blows for Lullaby Bay
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting
Waiting to sail your worries away
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the quay
The winds of night so softly sighing
Soon they will fly your troubles to the sea
So close your eyes of Hushabye Mountain
Wave goodbye to cares of the day
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail away for Lullaby Bay
With one final note, Brenin had drifted off to sleep as did Adrien who had already been settled on his coal bed. Prism set the guitar aside before she pulled a blanket over the dog. It was then she couldn't help but have a thought come to her. She went over to the desk as she opened the drawer provided before taking out the Magic Stone that laid inside it. She held it within the palm of her hand as her face had been written with concern and worry.
TAP, TAP
She jumped slightly, as she looked to the window that her desk and chair sat in front of. There she was met with a familiar face, one that had bore feathers.
"Oh--Little Miss."
She stood as she had gotten the window open allowing her to come in. "Hello again." She said as she hopped onto her desk, "Guess you're sticking around for good this time."
The Little Miss tilted her head as she noticed that the Magic Stone had been in her hand as she looked directly in her eyes, like she had been asking her something.
"Look--" Prism soon said to her as she sat on the chair provided, "--I've been thinking about what happened in Saussy, and what that guy was doing to just get his hands on this. I don't know what they want with this or where the other stones are, but whatever he or whoever he's working for wanted to do with it, all I know is, it's for something horrible. But I can't protect it like I couldn't with Asta and the others."
The Little Miss sat herself on her hand as she pecked at the stone a little.
Prism still looked troubled, "It's only been for a short while, but--I don't think I can carry this burden on my own… If I end up hiding this any longer then I should've, it'll only make things worse and it'll seem like I'm hurting their trust. I don't want to hurt anyone, and I don't want to seem like I'm the bad guy… But then I think back to the Elders, and what they said about outsiders and how they're dangerous."
She soon groaned as she hit her head on the table, "I know that rule doesn't apply to everyone. Asta, Feo and Yuno, they're so nice to me, the other Black Bull members made me feel like I'm back home. Yami, the other Captains, and Julius--They're not bad people either. It's hard to see that with one or two of them, but strangely enough, I felt it when I talked to them, even from Jack."
The Little Miss only poked at her cheek a little as she turned to her. She soon gave the Little Miss a pat on the head.
"... Little Miss? Can I ask a favor?"
***
Yami soon woke to the sounds of tapping at his door which he found to be strange and annoying. He knew for a fact that it was still moonlight outside and no one would definitely disturb him--Especially in the middle of the night.
He groaned as he said while turning on his side, "Go away." The sound of the knocking came again, this time it had been a bit louder.
"Damn it, Pluck. If this is you i swear I'm gonna-"
"Ya--Yami?" A familiar voice said through the door sounding oddly nervous, "It's me."
"Huh?" Yami asked. "Wait Prism? The hell are you doing? It's late at night."
She cleared her throat through the door, "I'm really sorry to bother you but--" She took a deep breath, "--I need to talk to you. It's--Really important."
Yami soon gave a sigh of his own before he got himself out from his bed and went to open the door; Prism stood there as she had looked nervous. A familiar little bird had been sitting on her shoulder.
"Okay, what's up?" He asked her, "This had better be good."
"We-Well--" She started to say as her body shook a little, "--First of all--I'm sorry for bothering you again, but--You see--It's about--There's--"
"Look, don't worry about it." Yami said. "I deal with morons on a daily basis."
Prism soon took a deep breath after the Little Miss tugged on her ear a little. "It's… About Saussy." She soon said as Yami's look changed, "The people that attacked--I have a pretty good idea on what they wanted."
He raised an eyebrow at this, "Do you?"
Prism nodded before she took her hand from behind her back. She took another deep breath again to calm herself, "... I strongly believe… They were after this." She soon opened her hand to reveal the Magic Stone to him, "Seyhe found it a while ago and kept it as a charm, but he--"
Yami soon stopped her from finishing her sentence before he told her, "hey, i think it's time we took this convo inside. We don't want any nosey ears to hear what you're trying to say."
Prism looked to have an expression filled with relief, "... Okay."
With that, Prism stepped inside the room, and Yami shut the door behind them.