Klaus, and Mimosa, along with Pluck, his mother Yukiko, Noelle and Therian's Brenin and Saorise waited patiently for the others to return with Liam. Most of them had been getting anxiously like a certain elf as he had been pacing; all the while he kept looking to Prism as she had still been in the bed of flowers, occasionally groaning in agony and mumbling incoherently.
"Hang on sweetie." Yukiko said as she gave Prism's head a pat, "They'll be here soon."
"What in the world is taking them so long?" Noelle asked.
Pluck said worryingly, "What if something happened to them? Or rather Liam kills them all."
"Now Pluck that's unlikely" Yukiko told her son, "Although I am worried what Liam would do to them, Mainly Asta."
"Dorksta may be dumb--" Noelle soon said, "--But I think he's too stubborn to get killed. He said he made a promise to her highness didn't he?" She noticed that all eyes were on her as soon as she turned red. "I-I mean, it's not like I'm concerned about him or anything!"
"Keep telling yourself that." Pluck said with his eyes rolled
"Noelle, that's probably the nicest thing I've heard you say about someone." Mimosa said with a smile, "I'm so glad."
Noelle said to Mimosa with a huff, "What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry--" Pluck soon said, "--How do you two know each other? Why are you so friendly?"
Noelle let out a sigh as she facepalmed herself, "... She's my cousin. Mimosa Vermillion"
Immediately, Pluck's eyes widen as his jaw dropped, "WAIT SO DOES THAT MEAN--"
"Pluck, are you trying to bring up that feud again?" Yuiko added
"YOU'RE BOTH RELATED TO EACH OTHER?!" Pluck yelled as he was trying to process, ignoring his mother "HOW?!"
"She's on my mother's side of the family." Noelle said as her gaze softened slightly at merely the mentioning of it.
"It's nice to meet you, Pluck." Mimosa said with a bow of her head as she was concentrating on the basket, "I have to say it's my first time meeting an Elf. And it's a huge honor to meet a member of the once lost Barbados Family."
Pluck's jaw dropped even further as he shouted while his head steamed, "W-what, how, who," Pluck soon said as his eyes swirled, "But wait...You're less mean and stuck up than this stupid Orc Lover."
"Sweetie, honey bun, pumpkin pie--" Yukiko soon said as she pinched his ear, "--Stop that, you know what that does to your already large brain."
"Mom!" Pluck complained. "It's true! Also don't call me those things! I'm not five anymore!"
Yukiko soon said with a glare as Pluck shrunk, "Pluck, need I remind you about that word?"
Pluck flinched before he said, "sorry."
"Hey! We're back!"
They had been taken back by the sound of a familiar voice; they turned fast and saw Asta, Yuno, Karasu, Fafanar, Morwyn, and Arfau had been there in the corridor. And along with them had been a familiar young man with blue hair, small antlers and wolf ears, which Brenin and Saorise immediately had recognized as they were quick to shift back in almost a blink. "Liam!" Brenin exclaimed with relief.
Liam's ears twitched slightly, "Brenin?" He soon smiled as he quickly ran to the basket, "You son of a dwarf! I didn't know if you made it out!" He and Brenin couldn't help but exchange a hug.
"It's good to see you Brother." Brenin said, relieved, "We have a lot to talk about."
"You're telling me." Liam said with a smirk.
"You--" Yukiko said, shocked and relieved, "--You got him! You actually got him!"
"Alive for that matter.." Pluck said in shock.
"Well Morwyn was about to kill him on the way." Karasu said.
"Like she could, the only thing that'll kill me is that breath of hers." Liam said as he stuck his tongue out
"Star Magic—" Morwyn started to say. "Cracked Fist Vol--"
Soon Morwyn was met with gum in her face as she screamed in muffles, Pluck said in a nonchalant tone. "Please don't, I would rather not be involved in your troubles because of your move."
Liam soon looked over to Prism as he noticed how flushed she looked and how even the Spirits around her had looked weary and concerned. "Oh Prism…" Liam said as his ears on his head were slightly droopy, "... What did you do?"
"Liam--" Saorise soon said as she rested Prism's head on her lap, "--We have to stall for time till she's safe out of the dungeon. We have to--"
"Yeah, I kind of figured we would have to." Liam said as he placed his hand over his chest, "With all this pain she's going through, she's not going to last."
"Then come on in the basket--" Brenin said as he held out his hand, "--And let's not waste any more time."
Liam only nodded before he took Brenin's hand, as he allowed him to pull him in the basket without any hesitation; he sat on his knees as he was at Prism's side. "How does this work exactly?" Asta asked as he approached the woven basket.
"Just watch and see." Brenin said as he got on her opposite side as he adjusted himself slightly before he exchanged a glance towards Saorise and Liam, "Are you two ready?"
"Yes." Saorise replied.
"Let's do this." Liam added.
They each soon placed their hands over Prism's heart, Brenin being the first, Saorise placing hers on top of his and Liam placed his over hers. Before their very eyes they saw the holy branch appear again, but this time other then the silver, red, blue and golden branches they appeared to have grown around their arm as it glowed. They could see the same vines appear on Prism's skin; even the Spirits seemed to have glowed an eerie glow which took them all back. Asta had been especially in awe as his eyes practically sparkled.
The three of them soon spoke in unison.
"By the Holly that binds us--We share with thee."
The vines around them soon glowed as they saw it had shifted into a dark and gloomy color as each of them let out a soft groan of agony. In a few short moments the vines soon faded as well the ones on Prism. They saw that Brenin, Saorise and Liam had started to catch their breath.
"Guys?" Asta said before he noticed that their faces had been somewhat red as it made him jump back.
"Their faces--" Yuno said, a bit shocked.
"It… Worked?" Noelle said, stunned.
Klaus said as he fixed his glasses, "So it did."
"Wait but does that mean--" Mimosa soon said in realization.
Just then they heard Prism let out a groan as she started to move; immediately everyone flinched as they saw that she opened her eyes. Though her face still looked flushed, she looked less pale as she only opened them halfway. Everyone couldn't help but look relieved.
"Oh thank Mana." Pluck said.
"She's gonna be okay." Morwyn added.
Prism noticed Liam as she couldn't help but give a tired smile, "... Liam…"
Liam couldn't help but smile back as he gently took her in his arms, giving her a hug, "... I'm here." He couldn't help but nuzzle his face into her neck as Prism returned the hug, "I'm here…"
Brenin and Saorise couldn't help but smile before they too joined in on the hug as Prism couldn't help but let out a tired giggle; the spirits shifted into a bright color as they soon looked happy as she did. Everyone soon had a look of relief, especially Asta as he could feel his chest… Strangely warm.
***
-Somewhere in the Dungeon-
Feodora had no idea where she had been going. She found herself running down the halls and corridors for an hour or so, as she could feel herself had been practically on adrenaline. All she could feel was the rage and the urge to kill Luck for abandoning the job they were given. Seeing as how this had been the first dungeon, he had put herself and the others she cared about in danger.
She remembered how much she wanted to kill him.
And that was all.
Though when the rage seemed to have left her, she found herself in a bit of a pickle, when she realized--
"Welp--I'm lost." Feodora said with a nonchalant look as she had been walking through the hall as she felt the walls, "--Damn it, show's what I get for getting all pissed off like that. Though it's his own damn fault for taking off so suddenly."
Feodora found herself nearly tripping when she hit a rock at the tip of her foot. She couldn't help but click her tongue as she shook her foot as she could feel her toe sting.
"Damn it all--!" Feodora said, before she kicked the stone hard, "--How the hell does stuck up even put up with that bull of a Captain!? Why put a fighting junkie like him in charge of this mission anyway!? Doesn't he realize what's at stake here?!"
Feodora let out a growl before she hit the wall, "DAMN IT ALL! THESE GUYS ARE ALL TOO DAMN CRAZY!! IF I HAD KNOWN HOW CRAZY THEY WOULD BE I WOULD NEVER HAVE JOINED TO BEGIN WITH!!"
Feodora soon had a thought come over her, before she let out a sigh. "But then again--I wouldn't get to repay whoever saved me from those bastards…" She said, "... Plus Pri would be alone, and the Dum-Dum and Know It All would've never forgiven me if I turned down the invite…" She rubbed the back of her head, "... Sides--It would've been easier if I remembered what he looked like at least. Then again--I did technically die back then so it got really hazy after I woke up."
She soon clicked her tongue, "Damn this curse. I gotta find a way to get it under control soon… I've only got six saves left after all."
Suddenly Feodora froze up as she had gotten alert as she could feel something off in the atmosphere. Immediately she allowed her grimoire to float as she readied herself.
"This presence--" She thought, "--It doesn't belong to the Stuck-Up, Karasu or that damn junkie. No, this mana is--"
She soon noticed something pass her by at the corner of her eye. Immediately she acted as the pages flipped, "ICE MAGIC: LION'S ROAR!"
A blue beam formed the moment a Lion's head was made from the very ice she had manifested; the moment she hit the corner of the way as she heard a scream. A mage soon fell on his side as she saw she made an opening in the hall as it had opened a new room in the dungeon.
Feodora soon had a glare as she had a closer inspection on the mage she had hit, when she recognized the insignia.
"...Mage Soldiers…" Feodora said in disgust.
She soon flinched slightly when she found herself surrounded by a set of Mage Soldiers as they looked to be ready to attack her. "Great…" Feodora said as she rolled her eyes, "... You guys are here after all." She didn't so much as flinch when she heard a voice she knew all too well.
"Feodora? Jeremiah and Ezra's girl?"
She stood as she looked over to a man who looked to be in his late thirties as she raised her hands. He had been a hairy man with medium-length black hair. He also had a mustache and a goatee, which only covered his chin. He had a scar in the shape of a straight line that crossed his upper left chest to his lower right chest. He looked to have a headpiece on his forehead that has three diamond-shaped ornaments, positioned to the right side of his forehead. His whole attire consists of a tunic and trousers. His light-colored tunic is loose and has a large v-shaped collar that showcases his chest. On top of his tunic, he had on a three-way black belt, which is supported by his right shoulder. His trousers were light-colored and two black fabrics protrude from the waist to his tights with diamond-shaped ornaments at the end.
He also wore a coat over his whole attire. The coat is divided into two colors where it has light-colored fabric for his torso and sleeves while the cuffs and the rest of the coat are dark-colored. Both black lapels have three diamond-shaped ornaments on them.
Feodora spat to the side as she gave the man a sneer, "Lotus Whomwalt."
The man named Lotus turned to Feodora as his eyes soon turned to shock, "This is a surprise! I didn't expect to see you here! I thought they killed you!"
Feodora couldn't help but give a snicker, "What? You think a bunch of you amateurs like Mage Soldiers can kill someone who was at the top of their game in assassin training? Granted I hated it, but give me some credit, Old Man."
Lotus gave a chuckle, "There's that cocky attitude I know." He soon looked her over, "Look at you--You have your father's eyes, and not to mention your mother's radiant hair, though I remembered it was a bit longer. Last I saw you, you were just about my daughter's age. Now look at you--You've become a fine young woman."
"Well what can I say?" She told him as she lost her smile, "Kids tend to grow up."
Lotus soon noticed the grimoire that had been at her side, as he saw it bore a clover insignia, "That mark--" He soon scratched underneath his chin, "--So you've been in the Clover Kingdom after all. Where were you exactly?"
"Like I'd tell you that, you damn roach." She told him as she sounded calm yet aggressive.
Though Lotus looked calm he had been taken back by her tone, "Ouch, that's no way to talk to an old friend."
"I wouldn't exactly call you an old friend anymore--" Feodora said as she had gotten her cold look again, "--Not after you and those other guys--Let THEM murder my parents."
Lotus gave a chuckle as he said, "Well sounds to me you're asking for a fight.."
"Ya think?" She told him, "What happened to the guy that was so chummy and liked to gamble with my dad? Who liked to crack jokes to my mom and make her laugh and let me go on those trips with his three precious daughters every summer? All those times meant nothing when you let them kill them and tried to take me?"
"Feodora--" Lotus soon said with a sigh, "--You were still a child then. You know how your Aunts can be. And especially that Grandfather of yours. Your parents were traitors to the kingdom, they had to do something."
Feodora clicked her tongue, "They weren't the traitors. That damn old bastard is the moment he made that deal with those people from the Spades, just so they could hand ME over as a bride AFTER he cursed me!"
Lotus soon told her, "You know as well as I do why that had to be done. It's for the good of the kingdom."
"Yeah well maybe that's the problem--" She said, "--I know the King of ours ain't stupid enough to tell that old bastard to go and make that deal. My folks and grandmother knew that Morris' guy put him up to the idea.."
Lotus yawned as he said, "You really are hellbent that those traitors are innocent, even though you have no proof?"
"I don't need damn proof to beat you guys." Feodora told him, "I'll take you out, all on my terms. And I'll do that--By not letting you touch a single coin, from OUR treasure."
Lotus couldn't help but have a look of slight disappointment as he shook his head, "Seems that time you spent with the people of Clover really changed you." The Mage Soldiers soon materialized weapons as they pressed them close to her neck. "I think your grandfather will be happy to know that you're alive and well." Lotus said, "Don't think you can get out of this one this time. Need I remind you--You're dealing with the best of the soldiers from the Diamond."
"Correction--" Feodora said before she smirked, "--They were the best… Then they trained me."
Feodora soon took them all back when she slammed her fist into the ground while at the same time her necklace glowed a light green glow. The ground seemingly broke apart as ice started to form as it knocked half of them down when ice spears formed from the ground. Feodora immediately jumped high into the air before she kicked another in the face just as he was ready to attack her.
"GET HER!" One of the Mage Soldiers yelled.
A few launched diamond magic attacks at the young teen., though she was quick to get out her grimoire. "Ice Creation Magic--Marionette!"
A set of puma's soon formed as they charged at the two of them; they were both knocked down instantly as they let out a scream of agony when the two puma's bit them. Two of the Mage soldiers tried to get the upper hand by attacking her from behind but--
"Ice Magic--Lynx Blizzard!"
In an instant the Mage Soldiers found themselves surrounded in a mist made of ice, as some of them were frozen upon contact.
"You little!" he was cured by another Diamond Shard as he said, "EAT THIS!"
Feodora quickly moved out of the way before a fireball she ducked behind a stone wall as the flames became more intense, as soon smoke began to cover the entire area. "You're making this too easy." She thought before she started to move on the screen of smoke just as the Mage Soldiers surrounded them.
"Keep your guard up!" Lotus said to the Mage Soldiers in the smoke, "You're dealing with a member of the Helmet Family after all!"
As one of them got in position, he felt his body being pulled away before he could even scream.
"What the--"
Another was soon taken as they let out a scream.
"The hell?!"
One by one, they were each taken out, as all Lotus could hear was the sound of their cries for help and screams of terror. Lotus had soon been taken back when a set of claws had been at his neck. There he saw familiar piercing ice blue eyes with a streak of white as she looked like she had been ready to kill him.
"... YOu were saying--?" Feodora said, "--Old Man?"
Lotus gulped as he said while he raised his hands, "I sometimes forget you were the top student among the assassins. You even managed to surpass your own aunts in that feat."
"When you get to hell--" Feodora said, "--Tell them, Feodora Helmet was the one that sent you there!"
"Are you really going to kill me?"
"Well letting you go is gonna be too easy. And I can't exactly let you go spilling to that old bastard that I'm alive, now can't I? I don't want him to know that I'm kicking, not just yet anyway."
"Sounds like that assassin part of you never left you. It really is genetic."
"DON'T ever compare me to them. Besides you lost my trust in more ways than one, you son of a bitch."
Feodora soon noticed the expression on his face. Growing up, she knew that he tended to avoid fights depending on the person he was facing. And yet…He had a sickening smile on his face. "Why do you have that look?" Feodora asked him.
"Tell me, Feodora--" Lotus said, "--You've dealt with poison before right?"
"Not a while, why?" She asked him.
"Well I'm surprised at your resistance to it--" He said, "--Because most people would've passed out by now."
At this, she looked confused by this sort of thing before she noticed her vision started to worsen. Her heartbeat started to accelerate before she noticed exactly what had been around her; she saw it had been black smoke.
"You--" Feodora said as she fell to her knees; the ice claws soon broke apart, "--B-Bastard.."
"I'm surprised you didn't notice it." Lotus said, "YOu're usually more perspective on these things. Guess that time in the Clover kingdom made you sloppy on a few things."
Feodora still held her glare as she went to punch Lotus; though it had been sloppy and slow as he simply moved out her way. She ended up hitting the ground as her breathing became labored.
"Damn… It…!" Feodora said as she was trying to stand as she could feel her legs had been like that of jelly.
"I really am sorry to pull a dirty trick like that on you." Lotus told her honestly as she could see out of the corner of her eye some of the Mage Soldiers she had knocked out started to get back up, "But you know what they say, you gotta fight fire with fire."
"... It doesn't matter--If I can't use my magic…" Feodora said, as she got herself to sit up at least, "... If you think I'm gonna let take me--"
"Oh I know you'll run the minute you get on your feet." He said, "With that curse Malik gave you, it'll be impossible for me to catch you even after you get affected by my spell. I gotta admit, Devils really do work wonders. Which is why--" His grimoire soon glowed beside him as the pages turned, "--I apologies for what I'm about to do."
Feodora looked confused by this sort of thing, before she had been taken back when she was lifted up off the ground; she saw that a claws made from the very same smoke.
"What are you--?!" She said before she had gotten cut off when she let out an agonizing scream. The claws made of smoke started to dig into her back as he slowly started to move across her back leaving a set of three gashes as he tore the fabric through her robe and shirt. He soon dropped her to the floor as her vision worsened.
"There." Lotus said, "Now you won't be able to run with those injuries."
"Bastard--!" Feodora said before she was roughly grabbed by the Mage Soldiers.
"Hey I could've taken one of your legs, but I didn't. Despite everything, you're still a citizen of the Diamond Kingdom, not to mention the child of two very dear friends of mine. May their souls Rest In Peace." Lotus said as he took hold of her face. "So, what's next? Your eyes maybe? Morris might make good use of that since you're the first to survive that curse."
Soon they heard the sound of crazed laughter coming their way; Feodora seemed to have recognized it.
"What the--?!" What's with that laugh?" a mage asked
Soon one was met with a teal thunder blow to the chest as the mage soldiers screamed in agony when they were hit hard and fast Feodora was dropped. Feodora had been able to recognize him despite the fact she was getting drowsy while she managed to pick herself up off the floor as best as she could as she noticed a set of armored lighting legs and gauntlets.
"... Luck?"
Luck had his smile as he said, "oh hey you actually made it--" he soon stopped when he noticed Feodora battered and bleeding from her back to her toes. She might've imagined it, but she saw despite his smile, the look in his eyes looked to have a bit of anger.
Luck soon said as he turned to Lotus, "Hey, you did this to her, right? Does that mean your stronger then her?"
Lotus let out a sigh, "Well this isn't good. Nothing good comes from raising hurdles too high. Enthusiastic young power… That's terrifying really. You managed to take them out in a single blow."
Luck gave a laugh, "Well they are just subordinates. But if you're there boss then there's no problem."
"Are those--" Feodora said, noticing his legs, "--Made of lighting?"
"I see so that's how you managed to move so fast." Lotus said, "Not only that, but it's practical. You seem pretty powerful. You're making use of your youth like Feo here. You've got me shaking in my boots."
"Hey!" Luck said, "What kind of magic do you fight with?"
"You seem rather enthusiastic." Lotus said, "So Feo here is helping you get the treasure chamber aren't you?"
"Come on!" Luck said as his hands sparked, "Let's fight!"
"ARE YOU FOR RE--?!" Feodora started to shout before she groaned, "--Ow, it hurts to yell."
"Good grief--" Lotus said before he did something Luck didn't expect. He started to make a break for it. "--Actually, I'm pretty sure we don't have to fight! Let's just compete nonviolently! Yeah great idea bye!"
"YOU SAY THAT AFTER YOU BASICALLY OPENED UP MY BACK?!" Feodora shouted aggressively before groaning from the pain again.
"NOPE!" Luck yelled before he made his move. He leaped high into the air before Feodora could even blink as he went to kick Lotus. However--
"You sure are fast." Lotus said before he emitted smoke from his hand as it took LUck back.
Though Feodora could see that he had emerged from the smoke as he landed on the ceiling. "He dodged me?" He thought, before he noticed the smoke, "What is this? Smoke?"
Feodora's eyes widened in realization, "HEY!" She shouted to Luck as it made him flinch, "DON'T BREATHE IN THE SMOKE! IT'LL--"
Feodora suddenly found her mouth muffled by the very smoke Lotus had used; his own grimoire had been at his side as the smoke cleared.
"Sorry Feodora, but I can't have you spilling the beans." Lotus said as Feodora tried to get the binding off of her mouth, "Though--" He soon looked to Luck, "--I can see why the citizens of the Clover Kingdom would be mad. I mean, we've been trying to invade here and there, hiring the Helmet Family to take out the Captains. I apologize for all the trouble the Diamond Kingdom's been causing you. But you see, our kingdom's running out of resources, so we have it rough too. If we want to survive, we don't have much of a choice."
"Yeah right." Feodora thought as she gave a sneer towards him.
"Now don't look at me like that--" Lotus said to Feodora, "--You know how hard living can be. Especially when you have three daughters--"
"IS THAT SO?!" Luck yelled as he flew towards Lotus. He charged at him, throwing another kick as this time he narrowly dodged the attack as he had been able to graze his cheek. Feodora was able to shield her eyes from the debris though when she opened, she saw that Luck's foot had been in front of her face; she could feel the intensity in the atmosphere alone, like a knife had driven right through her heart.
"This feeling--" Feodora thought as she thought back to when she faced Jack, "--It's almost like back then. How long has he had this?!"
Luck soon chuckled as his whole body sparked, "I don't care as long as I get to fight strong people!"
Lotus let out a chuckle, "Looks like I caught the eye of some real trouble. This old man might cry."
Feodora watched as the two started to battle it out, as all these sudden thoughts rushed to her head. Though it hadn't been long before she noticed an exit out of the room. In that moment she could only think of one thing as she struggled to get on her feet.
"Injury or not--" She thought as she started to move while she staggered as her wounds had worsened; her eyes shifted to the familiar ice blue shade before the streak of white returned; she seemed to have gotten the muffle off by only pulling on it, "--I'm not letting him die by their hands! Not again!"
***
After everything had calmed down the two parties began to travel further in the dungeon; Though Prism had ended up staying in the basket of flowers with Brenin, Saorise and Liam. They had been able to make a compromise for it as with Pluck's help he had been dragging the basket so they wouldn't have to worry about it as much. Though Pluck hadn't been all too happy with the situation.
"Pluck, don't complain." Yukiko told him, "At least now you'll get the exercise you need."
"I have every right to be!" Pluck shouted. "Why not the stupid Silva! I'm more fit than her and her big roadblocks!"
Noelle turned red as she shouted "EXCUSE YOU?!"
"Because you're gonna end up mother henning Prism if I let someone else drag the basket." Yukiko said as she looked over her shoulder seeing Prism had been talking to Brenin, Liam and Saorise, "And the last thing she needs right now is to be overwhelmed by you, not to mention you're gonna punish her and she DEFINITELY doesn't need that."
"Yeah but still, she kept her sickness from us..,what;s worse..She told the stupid Silva firs rather than her best friend who knew her longer."
Yukiko told him, "Because of how you'll react and Remember what I said about insulting Noelle."
Pluck gave a huff as he turned his head away, before he said with a pout, "yeah yeah."
Asta and Yuno soon approached the basket as they could see some of the little spirits had been sitting on her head and appeared to be glowing. "Hey--" Asta said, "--You doing okay?"
"You know, I had a dream of laying in a bed of clouds once." Prism said as she laughed before coughing, "Waking up in a bed of flowers is a close second."
Asta couldn't help but smile, "Do you feel any better?"
"Everything still hurts, though not as much thanks to Mimosa's spell and what they did." Prism said with a tired smile, "When I'm better I'll think of a gift for you all."
"And you're sure you don't need one of us to take you out of the dungeon?" Yuno asked, "I could contact Captain William and--"
Prism only shook her head, "It'll only worry him, not to mention there's a good chance Yami will hear too. Besides, I already accepted the mission, so--No matter what, I have to see this through."
Liam let out a small chuckle as after letting out a cough of his own, "You're still the same old Prism I remember. Not to mention you're starting to sound like Zeid."
"Thanks Liam." Prism said, "It's so good to talk to you again."
Liam gave her a pat on the head as he ruffled it a little, "Same to you--Shortcake. Still gonna kill you for coming out here though."
Prism only laughed sheepishly at this sort of thing as Liam himself gave her a look. "Prism and Brenin were just telling us about these other Captains." Saorise said, "Is it true--This Yami person is from across the sea, like Karasu is?"
"Yea-Yeah." Asta replied, "At least I think so."
Saorise said in awe, " Bime i elena…"
Liam soon let out a sigh as his ears dropped slightly while he looked saddened, "... I still can't believe five centuries passed us by. There's no way anyone else from the village is even still alive."
"Yeah… You're right." Brenin said as his gaze softened, "It still bothers me. Even though I've been out here longer then you."
"It's been difficult to adjust in a world that's unlike our own--Even after six months, plus others, I've had a hard time and I spent the most of it out here not knowing if you three, and at the time, Plu-plu and his family were alive--" Prism said, before she gave a comforting smile, "--But what matters is, we managed to find each other, and we're together now. I was able to keep my promise to you three after all."
Brenin, Liam and Saorise looked confused before they each gave their smiles to her. "What are you talking about?" Saorise asked, "You didn't break it."
"But--" Prism soon said, "--I disappeared in that storm. And I don't even remember why I was there."
Liam only shook his head, "Stupid--That doesn't mean anything, not to us."
"Did you already forget?" Brenin asked, "As long as we have our bond, that promise you made to us--We'll never be broken. No matter what happens to us."
Prism couldn't help but be brought to tears while Asta and Yuno couldn't help but fawn at this sort of thing. "Hey--!" Asta soon said to them, "--You know as long as you have us, you guys will be just fine! We can show you the ropes!"
"We look forward to it!" Saorise said with a smile.
Liam couldn't help but growl as he had a thought come over him, "Do we seriously have to share with humans?" He said, with a sneer, "The last thing I want is to smell like them."
"WHAT?!" Asta exclaimed.
"Come again?" Yuno asked.
"But you loved our village." Prism pointed out as she coughed.
"That was different, it was OUR home." He replied, "And I trusted those humans, including your family and Barbados despite how annoying one of them is."
"I heard that, hairball." Pluck said with a leer.
"GO DIE PEST!" Liam shouted before he let out a raspy cough, "Damn it all…"
"Thanks but no thanks." Pluck said with a look.
"You'll like them, Liam, trust me." Prism replied, "Especially this one guy named Magna. I know you'll get along with him."
"Yeah--" Liam said, "--I'll believe that when all of hell freezes over."
"If you don't trust humans, you'll hate the Silvas." Pluck said under his breath.
"PLUCK!" Yukiko yelled before she pinched his ear causing him to shriek, "DON'T MAKE ME GROUND YOU!"
Pluck yelled, "Sorry sorry! Geez!"
"I don't trust any human in general, not just that family you have a feud over." Liam said, "And the last thing I want is to stink like them."
Asta soon yelled at Liam, "Hey! I don't stink!"
"Trust me--" Liam said, "--You guys have a very distinct smell."
"EXCUSE YOU!" Asta yelled as he raised his fist.
"Are you sure he'll be okay?" Yuno asked Prism.
"He's a really nice guy." Prism said before she coughed again, as she soon rubbed her eyes, "He just--Needs some help warming up."
"You better get some sleep." Asta soon suggested, as he gave her a pat on the head, "We'll be at the treasure room soon."
"But you might need me." She said.
Asta gave her a reassuring smile, "Don't worry--I'll be sure to wake you up, alright?"
"Promise?" She asked before she held her pinkie to him. Asta gave a nod before he intertwined his pinkie with hers, "Promise."
"Now get some sleep." Yuno said.
Prism only nodded before she let out a yawn; she soon laid back in the bed of flowers as she shut her eyes. "You'll keep her warm for us?" Yuno asked them.
"Of course." Brenin replied with a nod.
"Don't tell me what to do, human." Liam said.
"You just keep us safe." Saorise said.
"Of course!" Asta said with a smile, "After all--That was our other promise to Pri!"
With that, Brenin, Saorise, and Liam shifted into that of their other forms. Liam's antlers had grown a bit more longer and resembled that of branches as he looked to be twice as big as Brenin; his fur had been the same as his hair, though his eyes sat in a black pit as his eyes looked to have shined the brightest. They each settled themselves around Prism as they too drifted off into sleep.
"Finally they're asleep." Noelle said, relieved before she noticed the look on Prism's face. "So-So cute." She soon said as her face turned a little red.
Morwyn had said with a kitten-like smile, "Awwww! She looks just like a baby!"
Arfau had said, "how adorable!"
Pluck choked on his spit as he said, "Damn it...so cute.."
"Even when she's asleep, everyone can't help but fawn over her." Mimosa said with a giggle.
Klaus said as he fixed his glasses, "well, it is cute."
"Hey--" Karasu said, "--They said the treasure room was around here right?"
"It should be." Mimosa replied as she looked at what appeared to be a map that had been illuminated from another flower, "We should be getting close to it now. The marks they left here have been really helpful."
"Good." Karasu said, "The sooner we get the treasure the better."
Klaus soon gave Karasu a look, "typical thief, thinking about stealing it for yourself."
Pluck rolled his eyes as he said, "of course, he's commenting as usual, damn four-eyes."
Klaus looked to Pluck as he shouted "WATCH YOUR TONGUE, BARBADOS!"
"As a matter of fact, I'm not." Karasu said, as Klaus looked a bit surprised, "I'm doing this because the Cap ordered us to get the treasure as well as bring the tater-tots familiars back home."
Klaus said to him as he fixed his glasses, "so you intend to steal from the Barbados family or rather--the princess?"
"Whoa Klaus!" Fafanar said, "That's not a nice thing to say!"
"That's going too far!" Morwyn added.
"Typical royal." Pluck said. "Looking down on people just like a certain someone."
Karasu soon gave Klaus a look, "You really think I'd take the treasure for myself?"
"Is it not right?" Klaus asked.
Karasu shook his head, as he had a look of disappointment, "I've been in this country long enough to see that you royals are all the same. You just assume the same thing about a person, because our life was different then yours. You're no different then the people back in my own country." Karasu soon got up close and personal to Klaus as it made him jump by the look he had given, "For your information--I didn't become a thief because I wanted to. I became one--So WE could stay alive. I didn't take what I wanted from people, I only took what I needed just so we could live to see another day.."
Klaus was shocked as he couldn't believe what he heard as Karasu merely gave a sneer. "Whether you believe it or not--" Karasu soon told him, "--I've put my thieving days behind me, after the Cap gave me and my sister a place where we could stay. Though granted he didn't exactly give me a choice on the matter, even if he did, any place was better then being out in the slums of your precious capital."
At the moment Klaus was speechless, he couldn't find a retort to Karasu's statement as he was astonished.
"Okay. That's enough hazing from you, four-eyes." Pluck said. "Maybe we should focus on the task at hand instead of judging others like a certain someone so quit being stuck up.."
Klaus flinched as he shot, "BARBADOS!"
"I'm right, am i?" Pluck asked.
Yukiko soon said as she gave him a glare, "Pluck Barbados--"
Pluck immediately paled as he said, "y-yeah?!"
Yukiko cracked her knuckles as she said, "That's enough, you've insulted your teammates already."
"I-It's not my fault Four-eyes is a stuck up, Feodora i have no comment other than she's Feodora, Luck is a battle maniac MUCH MORE than Liam and the stupid silva is such a bi--"
Before Pluck could finish, Yukiko smacked him hard on the head making nearly everyone jump as he quite literally crashed into the ground. Yukiko shouted, "ENOUGH! YOU'RE BEING RUDE! APOLOGIZE NOW!"
Pluck said as he groaned and twitched, "Ye-Yes ma-ma'am…"
Klaus fixed his glasses as he said "I sometimes forget how scary Mrs. Barbados can be."
Arfau added, "Y-yeah, more than Morwyn."
Morwyn said as she shook, "Y-yep."
Karasu soon stopped in his tracks as they saw he was about to draw his sword; most of them had been taken back by it. "What's wrong?" Mimosa asked.
Karasu didn't answer as he only shushed her as he turned over to an entryway that had been nearby. "Someones coming…" Karasu said.
"Eh?!" Asta said.
"Is it someone from the Diamond?" Noelle said as she had gotten her grimoire out.
"They're coming!" Karasu said.
Each of them had gotten on guard as they readied to attack whoever was going to come through the door. Though in an instant, Asta nearly dropped his sword as Yuno had a look of horror when they saw who it had been.
"FEO!" Asta and Yuno both shouted when they saw that she had been stained with her color.
Feodora had a small smile on her face, despite her eyes being that of a familiar ice blue and a streak of white. "... I finally found you… And the Know it all is here too…? How typical…"
The moment Feodora collapsed to her knees, Asta and Yuno immediately rushed over to her side as they caught her before she could fall onto the floor.
"What happened to her?!" Noelle said horrified, "She's covered in her own blood!"
Pluck was shocked as covered his mouth, "W-Who did this to her?!"
"Hey--!" Karasu said, turning to Mimosa, "--Can you help her?"
"Yes but--" Mimosa said as she turned over to Prism. At this Karasu seemed to get the idea as he clicked his tongue, "Damn it! Does anyone else know any healing spells?!"
Morwyn soon said as she raised her hand, "Leave it to me!"
Feodora let out a groan as she soon noticed Prism asleep in a basket of flowers. "So you ended up finding out huh…?" Feodora said, "... Don't hate her too much… Okay? In my defense… I was opposed to the idea…"
"Like we would be upset about that now!" Yuno said.
"Feo, what happened?!" Asta said, "Who did this to you?!"
"... Someone… Who was a friend my folks knew… Back in the Diamond Kingdom…" Feodora said as her eyes reverted as her streak vanished, "... He did this so that… I wouldn't move, but… I managed to slip away while he was… Dealing with him… I showed him… Like something like this… Could stop me from moving… Feel a little dizzy though…"
"Do you mean Luck?" Noelle asked her as she went over to her, "You've seen him?! Where is he?!"
Feodora soon pointed behind her, "He's… Back in there… But… He won't last with his magic… He is known as… Hell Lotus… For a reason...." She soon noticed the looks that Asta and Yuno had. "Hey…" Feodora said, as she tried to smile, "... Why do you guys… Have such a weird look…?"
Just like that, Feodora had gone limp in Asta and Yuno's arms. "Feo!" Asta and Yuno exclaimed.
"Keep her still." Morwyn said as she got her hands ready with a deep breath, "Star Magic, Healing Pressure points!"
In a flash, Morwyn pinned her fingers to Feodora's back much to their surprise at a fast pace.
"So fast!" Asta exclaimed.
"W-Wow." Noelle said, shocked.
"As always Morwyn's Magic is impressive." Mimosa commented
"This won't be much but she won't die of blood loss at least." Morwyn said, "It'll hold out till we get out of here."
"Thanks Morwyn." Yuno said with a sigh.
"So people from the Diamond Kingdom are really here?" Noelle said.
"Just our damn luck." Karasu said, "I was hoping we wouldn't see them here."
Pluck had said somewhat fearfully, "why them out of all people."
YUkiko soon said, "Wait--Did she say Hell's Lotus?"
"Yeah." Yuno replied, "Why?"
"Damn it this is bad--!" Yukiko said, "--Without Yami to deal with that guy, he won't last! We have to get over there to back Luck up!"
"But what about Prism?!" Pluck said, "We can't just leave her unprotected!"
"He's right. At least one of us should stay to keep her safe." Karasu said, "I'll stay with her."
Pluck looked a bit shocked, "Oh wait, I was actually going to suggest that I--"
"Yuno--" Asta soon said as the look in his eyes changed, "--Would you look after them for me?"
Yuno nodded as he picked Feodora up, "Don't worry, I will"
With that, Asta soon dashed down the corridor following the trail of blood. "Hey Dorksta!" Noelle called out before she ran after him, "What in the world is he doing?!"
"Pluck let's go!" Yukiko said as she took his hand.
Pluck had said, trying to process, "y-yeah, but I think I--!"
"Take care of them Karasu!" Yukiko called out as she dragged her son behind her.
Pluck shouted as he flailed his arms, "EH?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
With that most of the Black Bulls ventured down the very same corridor that Feodora had come through leaving the Golden Dawn behind. Yuno soon let out a sigh of relief as he looked over to where Prism had laid; Nero had been at her side as she rested in the bed of flowers just at her side.
"Thank goodness--" He thought, "--That you fell asleep at the right time. I know how upset you would've gotten, if you saw Feo the way she was now."