Everything had started to settle down now that Mars had been down for the count. Yukiko had been quick to tend to those that were wounded while Klaus had quickly restrained Mars with the help of his magic. He brushed his fingers as he had been in a metal casing; both of his arms had been binded.
"That should do it." Klaus said as he fixed his glasses.
"Is this actually going to keep him restrained?" Asta asked as he looked to be chewing on a set of leaves.
"Of course it is!" Klaus argued, "My magic is not so weak to be broken by someone who's injured! And we took his grimoire too!"
"Would you stop boasting already?" Arfau said, "Seriously, we just almost died!"
Feodora had been beside Mars as she gave him a pat on the head. "Sorry Mars…" She said softly, "... But you brought this on yourself."
Asta and Yuno soon went over to Feodora as they each gave her a pat on her shoulder. Prism had been able to go over to her as she rubbed her eyes; as they were still itchy from the blood and tears. She found herself using her hands to guide her as she staggered a bit before she sat on the floor with her when she found her hand on her arm.
"... This guy really was your friend wasn't he?" Asta asked.
"... Yep." Feodora replied.
"... Were you…" Prism said before she coughed, "... Were you close?"
"... He was basically the brother I never had. Him--And someone else. That someone else was killed, and we tried to help him escape from that life. He buyed time for me to run when we were separated from my parents." She said, "And up until now, my mom and dad thought they killed him as punishment for not only trying to leave, but for helping me." She soon hugged his grimoire, "If--They had known, maybe, We--I could've saved him." Feodora gave a shaky sigh as her hands shook, "This is what they do to the ones that didn't have people to turn to. They turn their own young into mindless soldiers. The worst part--Even when I thought he was dead… I had hoped that he was at peace, because they would have never turned into this."
Yuno soon kneeled by her side before he gave her a hug which surprised her and the others; Asta and Prism on the other hand, paid no mind. "This wasn't your fault." Yuno told her.
Feodora let out a sigh before she hugged him back; she was soon a bit taken back when she saw Asta had handed her a leaf.
"Medical herb?" He offered as she saw Nero settle herself on Asta's head.
Feodora only laughed softly before she took from him and started to chew on it.
"LOOK OUT A SHARKNADO!"
They jumped at the sound of a familiar voice, but they soon calmed down when they saw Fafanar had been sitting up right as Yukiko who had been tending to him looked especially shocked. "Fafanar!" Mimosa said with relief as most of her wounds looked healed, "You're okay!"
"... Did we win?" Fafanar asked before groaning.
Pluck told him as he slapped himself in the face, "No idiot."
"Pluck! Don't call your comrade an idiot!" Yukiko scolded, making Pluck flinch.
Fafanar had said confused, "uhh if we didn't win...then--"
Noelle soon smacked Pluck on the head, "He's just kidding around. We did win." She soon pointed to Mars, "We have him restrained here."
Pluck pinched her cheeks as he said, "Stupid Silva, Stop making up lies to--"
"How the hell is that a lie?" Karasu asked, causing Pluck to freeze, "We all saw Asta here kicking the guys ass."
Pluck stuttered as he said, "yeah but--"
Yukiko soon pinched his ear causing him to let go of her, "Just for that little profile attempt, you're grounded young man."
Pluck shouted "WHY?! I NEVER DID ANYTHING!"
"You just called me Stupid." Noelle pointed out making Pluck freeze again.
"Sorry bestie but you were profiling." Fafanar said.
"You have to be nicer to your teammates man," Arfau told him. "Even if one of them is a cutie"
Noelle slapped his face before she said "Stay away from me."
"THE SEAMONKEY STOLE MY MONEY!"
Everyone jumped again as they heard a shriek from Arfau; though they each calmed down when they saw Morwyn had been sitting upright. She looked confused as she noticed the expressions on their faces. "... Did we win?" Morwyn asked.
Pluck looked as though he was about to say something though his mother beat him to it, "We did. You don't gotta worry about anything."
"You beated the guy?!" Morwyn exclaimed before she noticed Mars restrained, "Aw man, I wanted to punch his teeth in."
Pluck exclaimed out of confusion, "You serious right?! Is everyone an idiot except me today?!"
At this most of them looked offended as it caused Pluck to flinch as he realized what he just said. "... You're dying tonight." Was all Feodora told him.
"Seriously?!" Pluck shouted.
"You don't have to be rude." Asta said.
Yukiko gave his son a good hard slap as she told him, "That's enough out of you."
"At least everyone's okay now." Mimosa said relieved.
"... Most of us." Noelle said as she looked over to Prism. She had been lightly hitting her eyes as the Spirits did all they could to heal her. "Are you alright, your highness?" Klaus asked.
"I-I think." Prism replied before she coughed again, "My eyes--Really hurt."
"That trick you did before--" Feodora soon said, "--Were you always able to do that?"
Prism shook her head, as she used her scythe to help her to stand, "It just… Sort of came to me I guess."
"Can you see alright?" Yuno asked as he waved his hand in front of her.
"Kind of." She replied as she squinted.
Asta's look changed slightly, "I wish I had gotten here sooner. Then you wouldn't have--"
"No Asta, this was my own fault." Prism said as she soon looked a little upset, "... I… Really am just a dummy girl."
Most looked shocked by this sort of thing, while Yukiko gave Pluck a certain look as Pluck himself looked a little confused.
Noelle soon placed her hand on Prism's shoulder, "As soon as we retrieve the treasure and magic items, we'll make sure you're taken care of."
"... Okay." Prism said with a small nod as she rubbed her eyes again.
"Perhaps we should escort you out of the dungeon." Mimosa said, as she helped her to stand, "You don't look so well."
"No." She replied, as she turned to the door, "Not without them."
"Okay, Pri--" Asta said, "--Okay, we'll go and get them." Prism soon noticed the state of his robe and shirt, as his muscles had been practically out of the open. "Asta your robe…" She said with worry.
"Oh… Yeah…" Asta said as he noticed the damage, "It must've gotten messed up from all that fighting."
Prism soon placed her hand on his head, where his wound had been before putting another on his now bare shoulder. Her eyes softened as she had examined his wounds. "Asta, I--" She started to say before she went to remove his own headband from her head, though Asta stopped her.
"You need it more than me." He told her to give her a pat on the head.
"I'm so sorry." She said, "I--"
"No, it's okay." He replied, putting his forehead against her own, "Like I said, I would've been dead if it wasn't for you. So thanks."
Prism only smiled before she shut her eyes and allowed the gesture.
Noelle's face turned red as she nearly let out a shriek, "A-Asta! What are you doing?! SHE'S--I MEAN YOU'RE AND YOU HAVE--"
"Huh?" Asta said as he noticed how she had been acting, "Is something wrong?"
"UH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING!" Noelle exclaimed, "DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CLOTHES PLEASE!"
"What do you expect me to do?!" Asta yelled out of confusion.
"PUT ON SHIRT OR SOMETHING! AREN'T YOU EMBARRASSED?!" Noelle shirked.
"But you're the one that's turning red." He said.
"I--" She started to say before she turned away and crossed her arms, "I'm not turning red!"
"You just did, Noisy Silva.." Pluck said as he cleaned his ears, earning a look from Noelle. "Well I didn't call you stupid this time, didn't I?!"
"While I appreciate the effort, you oughta change that tone." Yukiko told him as he groaned.
"Still, that looks pretty bad." Feodora said, "I mean I should've expected as much since you fought Mars of all people."
"Yeah--" Asta said, "--Magna's gonna have a field day."
"Oh don't worry--" Luck said, "--Vanessa can fix it up for you when we get back."
"To think members of the Black Bulls saved us…" Klaus said as he was astonished.
Morwyn soon said as her face had been red, as she looked over to Asta in particular, "Y-yeah! Th-they're something!"
"Woah, sis, are you sick?!" Fafanar exclaimed.
Arfau said with worry, "Don't worry, we might have some medicine for you!"
Morwyn soon said as he had almost been in a daze, "Ain't Asta just to die for?"
"Huh?" Fafanar and Arfau exclaimed. "Morwyn you never liked-liked anyone before!" Arfau said.
Morwyn told them with a kitten-like smile, "Never underestimate a woman's heart, Arfau."
"Anyway--" Klaus said as he cleared his throat, "--We should hurry inside and complete this mission."
"Hey!" Feodora said, "Don't you have something to say to Asta here?"
"No, why?" Klaus said. Everyone just looked shocked by this sort of reaction; even Asta looked especially offended, even Yukiko. "HEY! I JUST SAVED YOUR LIFE FOUR EYES!"
"FOUR EYES?!" Klaus exclaimed, "HOW DARE YOU PEASANT!"
Pluck soon argued, "WHY ARE YOU GETTING MAD AT HIM?! HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO BE MAD YOU UNGRATEFUL SPOILED ORC LOVER!"
Yukiko had added, "While I'm gonna disregard that curse my son made, you should be grateful that this quote-unquote peasant saved you guys at all!"
"It doesn't matter--" Klaus said, "--It doesn't change the fact that he's a peasant."
"And WHAT is wrong with peasants, Mr Lunette?" Yukiko said, "I'll have you know, I wasn't rolling in money myself and my husband who is a nobleman mind you still settled with me!"
Pluck added with an approving nod, "Exactly! And gave birth to 3 wonder kids , myself included! I guess that makes me a peasant too, right? Yet I fought by your side!"
Klaus growled as he said to Pluck "Mind your tongue, Barbados!" He turned to Yukiko as he asked "Can't you control the mouth of your son?!"
"What can I say? He takes after his father." Yukiko said smugly, "Honest to a fault!"
"And another thing--" Pluck said, "--My Best friend aka the true heir to the throne is from a common family mind you! She was able to live just fine in a peasant village for fourteen years!"
"Thanks Plu-Plu." Prism said with a grateful smile.
Pluck told her with a thumbs up, "Of Course!"
"That's an entirely different matter!" Klaus argued.
"What difference is there?!" Fafnar asked.
"Oh my, things are getting really heated." Mimosa said.
"Yeah--" Yuno said, "--And we're wasting time."
"Yeah there's such a thing called a time and a place you know?" Karasu said as he went towards the door, "You guys can debate and kill each other later."
Pluck turned away as he said, "No use chatting with deaf ears as Auntie Goodwin would say!"
"Well said." Yukiko told him as she followed.
"How exactly does this work?" Mimosa asked.
"Yeah--" Noelle said, "--Didn't you say the Familiars were the only ones that could open the door?"
"Why do you think we asked them to lock themselves in there?" Yuno pointed out.
"Don't worry, we told them we'd give them a signal for when everything was over." Arfau said, "When we knocked twice, they'll open the door."
Karasu soon held his hand to the door, giving it a knock twice; the sound of the knocks echoed from within the corridor. They awaited for a response or at least the sound of rhythmic knocking like they told them; however they had gotten no response.
"Uh--" Asta said, "--Shouldn't something happen right now?"
"Yeah, it should." Karasu said before he gave the door a knock twice again. They still didn't seem to get a response.
"Somethings wrong…" He soon said, "... They should've answered by now."
"Oh no, are they dead?!" Fafanar exclaimed.
Prism took a deep breath as she closed her eyes and concentrated; the holly branch had appeared on her wrist as it had been in blue, red and gold. She soon opened her eyes, "They're… Still alive, but--" She was soon cut off as she started to cough again, though she nearly collapsed if it wasn't for Asta and Mimosa.
"We can't open the doors without them!" Morwyn said, as she started to knock on the doors, "But we gotta get in there!"
"How are we supposed to open these large ass doors?!" Feodora said, "There isn't exactly a key lying around!"
"There's gotta be something we can do!" Mimosa said.
"Oh no!" Yukiko said with worry.
Pluck soon started to bang on the doors before he shouted at the top of his lungs, "OI! CAN YOU HEAR US?!"
"We need to get inside now!" Klaus said, "Does anyone have any ideas?"
"You're the smart guy Four Eyes!" Asta said.
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Klaus shouted.
"Wow--" Feodora said with a shudder, "--It's scary how you sound a lot like the Stuck Up right now."
Pluck and Klaus immediately shouted, "NEVER COMPARE ME WITH THIS GUY AGAIN!"
"You even sound alike too." Karasu said, making them both growl.
Luck soon went over to the doors as he placed his hand on it; with but a spark he seemed to have understood what they were dealing with. "Hey Asta?" Luck said, "This door appears to be laced with magic, so just cut through it."
"All right!" Asta said with a smile as he let Prism lean against Mimosa as she looked to be struggling to keep her eyes open again.
"There's no way you can open it." Klaus argued.
"Did you not see what transpired a few seconds ago?" Arfau questioned.
Asta soon swung his sword as a fresh opening had been made in the door; just as it collapsed they were taken back by a sudden light. When it cleared they were taken back by such a sight; there had been mountains of coins as far as the eye could see. They could see sets of magical items, crowns and tapestry.
"Bime--" Prism said as she coughed, "--I elena."
"This is awesome!" Asta exclaimed, "It's a mountain of treasure!"
"Brenin! Saorise! Liam!" Prism soon called out, "Where are you?!"
"They gotta be around her somewhere." Feodora said.
"Guys!" Prism soon called out as she got herself away from Mimosa, "Where are you?!"
"Whoa, whoa, Pri!" Asta said as he went to stop her.
Prism seemed to have blindly ahead, though due to the state of her eyes she ended up tripping on a goblet. She would've fallen to the floor if Asta and Noelle hadn't caught her. "Just stay calm, please." Noelle said, "We'll find them."
"You're not gonna accomplish anything by killing yourself, short stack." Feodora told her.
"Addeline!" Pluck soon said to his duck as she had been hanging out in his pouch, "See if you can find them!"
"Quack!" Addeline said with a salute, before she hopped out of the pouch. She quickly ran ahead in the mountain of treasure. They could hear the sounds of the coins being rubbed together; they could even see some of the coins being tossed.
"QUACK, QUACK!" They heard Addeline exclaim as she waved her stick, "QUACK, QUACK!"
"Addeline's found them!" Pluck exclaimed to the group.
Immediately they ran to where Addeline had been. The moment they had gotten there however, they had a look of horror and shock when they saw the three of them had been unconscious. Their arms appeared to be in the same state as Prism's had been, not to mention they could see fresh blood running down their cheeks.
"HOLY COW!" Fafanar exclaimed.
"ARE THEY DEAD?!" Asta exclaimed, as he ran over to them, "NO, WAIT THEY'RE STILL BREATHING BUT THERE'S BLOOD COMING FROM THEIR EYES!"
"They--" Noelle said looking at Prism as she looked to be in tears, "--Have the same injuries as her."
"How is that possible?" Klaus said, "There's no way for them to get those injuries in the first place."
"Did something attack them while they were in here?" Mimosa asked.
Yukiko soon examined the three of them, as she could see the holly branch glowing dimly around their wrists. "Oh that's what I was afraid of--" Yukiko said, before she explained to the group, "--The spell they used to elevate Prism's fever would also affect whatever happens to her. They must've passed out from the agony, poor things."
"What are you saying?" Morwyn asked.
"I'm saying, whatever physical harm that happens to Prism they will succumb to the same injuries, considering the spell they used earlier is still in effect." Yukiko said, "The same applies for the reverse if she used that spell on one of them."
Pluck added, "Translation, what's happening to Pri, happens to them."
"So--They'll be okay?" Morwyn asked.
Pluck and Yukiko only had soften looks on their faces which answered their question,
"This is all my fault…" Prism said as she fell to her knees, "... If I hadn't lost control they wouldn't have to suffer… I am a dummy girl…"
"You shouldn't say stuff like that." Yuno said, kneeling beside her, "Those three knew the risks they were taking. You're important to them just as they are to you."
"He's right." Feodora told her, "If it had been the other way around, they know you would've done the same. Because you're you."
Asta soon gave her a pat on the head again. He gave her a smile which seemed to have stopped Prism's tears once more. "Everythings gonna be just fine." He told her, "By the end of this mission, we'll all be back home, and you can show them all the great things you've seen! And maybe someday--You can show them Hage. And we can give them a tour!"
Prism had a thought come over her as she leaned against Asta's shoulder; Yuno and Feodora gave her a hug as she gave a small smile, though her gaze softened slightly as she looked towards Brenin, Liam and Saorise.
"On the brightside--" Yukiko said examining them, "--These injuries aren't as bad as Prism's, but they'll still have to be treated. Cloud Magic: Floating Nimbus." A set of three clouds soon appeared underneath Brenin, Saorise and Liam as they were each lifted up off the ground, "As soon as we get out of the dungeon will get them to Owen. It was required to do so anyway when they were found, or at least Saorise and Liam were gonna have to anyway."
"We still need to collect the treasure." Morwyn said, looking at the mountains of it, "With the amount here, we'll have to make a couple of trips."
"You're right." Klaus said before he turned to the group, "Everyone, just take what you can carry for now."
Everyone nodded their heads as they started to go through the mountains of treasure that had been stacked; they started to take their share
Pluck soon picked up a sword as his eyes practically lit up, "wow! Another one! I'll put this next to Dorado!"
"Isn't that sword a bit big?" Fafanar asked, noting the size of it.
Pluck said as he hugged the blade, "Size doesn't matter when it comes to collecting!"
"That's what--" Feodora began to say only for Pluck to stop her.
"Don't." Pluck said.
"Pluck, don't you have enough swords?" Yukiko asked him as she had been gathering a set of golden bars and placing them on a cloud.
Pluck argued, "Most of them are in my grimoire via my mana, plus it doesn't hurt to get more!"
"That's what I'm saying." Yukiko said, "You already have enough swords in your grimoire. Plus you're holding Dorado on your back."
"You worry too much, ma." Pluck told
She rolled her eyes, "Okay fine you take it back--BUT don't let Jubei steal it."
"Of course!" Pluck said as he placed it on his back before he grabbed another set of gold bars. Asta soon picked up a device that appeared to be a pocket watch but--
"Hey Asta!"
"GAH!" Asta exclaimed as he nearly dropped it, when he saw a holographic version of Luck pop out, "LUCK POPPED OUT!"
"Looks like it's a communication device." Karasu said, giving him a pat on the shoulder, "It's best if you hang to that."
"HEY, THAT'S MEANT TO BE DELIVERED TO THE MAGIC KNIGHT HEADQUARTERS!" Klaus argued.
"It's just a communication device." Karasu told him, "Besides, Asta doesn't have one yet."
Klaus had retorted "That's no excuse!"
"Don't be such a stick in the mud." He told him, "Let the guy live a little, would you?"
Klaus could only huff as he said "I'll never understand commoners.."
Feodora and Yuno had been looking on the farside of the dungeon as they had been digging around the mountain of treasure. Though she seemed to have trouble as she could feel her wounds act up; Yuno had been quick to rush to her side as she nearly collapsed.
"Are you okay?" Yuno asked her as he helped her to stand.
"I'll be fine." Feodora said as she tried to move herself off of him. The moment she took another step she nearly fell over; Yuno had been quick to catch her again. "Here--" Yuno said before turning around, "--Get on my back."
Feodora didn't argue before she slipped on to his back, and locked her arms around his neck. He soon lifted her with ease before adjusting her slightly. "Hang on--" Yuno said before he took a tapestry and wrapped it around his waist and her own, making sure the knot had been good.
"--There, now you won't fall off." He said.
"Clever Know It All." Feodora said with a soft chuckle, "You've always been the smartest guy in the room."
"That's because I did most of the studying."
"Oh don't go rubbing it in."
Yuno could only give a soft laugh before he started to look around again. Feodora just felt herself relax as she rested her chin on his shoulder. "Never did I suspect that we would end up here." Feodora soon said, "I mean--I knew Magic Knights risked their lives and all, but I didn't think it would be this soon. With Saussy, Hage, now this… I don't know, maybe it's just me."
"What were you expecting, lounging about without a care in the world?" Yuno said.
"What are you kidding?" Feodora said with a huff, "Asta would kill me if I was on my lazy ass." She soon tightened her hold slightly on Yuno, "... Though at the very least, I'm thankful to actually be a part of a squad… Despite the fact the people are crazy."
"Your parents would be proud of you for making it this far."
"Before or after I lost it in the Entrance Exams?"
"You know what I mean. Your parents would've been happy to know that you were welcomed with open arms, and that you're following the path you decide for yourself instead of having someone else do it for you."
"Sometimes, I don't think I deserve it…"
"...Then we'll prove you wrong, one way or another."
Feodora looked a bit shocked at this sort of thing before she gave a soft laugh, as she couldn't help but rub his cheek with her own, "You stubborn jackass…"
Yuno soon took notice of a vase as he had been suddenly taken back by a small green light; Even Feodora looked a bit shocked. "What the hell?" She said as it flew around them. Yuno soon set down the vase before he started to follow it.
Prism hadn't left her Familiars' side even when they began to search through the treasure room. She just couldn't seem to let go of the guilt especially as she gazed upon their wounds before looking to her own. The little spirits gathered at her side, including a little light lemur. They soon started to speak to her--the sound of bells came out of their mouths.
"... I know what they said…" She said softly, before she coughed, "... I know they're trying to help me, but… I just can't get them out of my mind… I just got them back… And… They're hurt, literally because of me. Because of that spell."
A little creature in the form of a horse but the size of a figurine soon appeared at her side; it appeared to be made of metal as it's eyes had been crystal black. Using its wings to lift itself, it floated onto her shoulder as it had been the one speaking to her.
"... It's more complicated sweetums…" She said as she scratched the little one, "... They told me… I'm supposed to be the future heir, meaning I would have to take up my dad's mantle… I don't have a problem with it but, I don't know if I can be the Queen they want me to be… I let Asta get hurt… I let them get hurt… And Yami probably knows that I kept this hidden by now…" She sighed, "... I thought… maybe I could be strong like my mom and dad were. Like how Licht was… I mean colds like this shouldn't bother them like this right? But at the end of the day… I'm just a dummy girl… Like Plu-Plu's been saying…"
The little spirits' color changed to that of blue as even they themselves looked as unhappy as she had been. All except the light lemur as he seemed to have looked perked by something as it looked towards where the little green orb had passed over. It went over to it as it had found a small box. It had been of red velvet with what looked to be golden trimmings. The light lemur seemed to have recognized it as it soon lifted it with the help of its own magic before he ran back to her.
He appeared on her shoulder in but a flash before he tugged on her bangs a little as it had gotten her attention. "Wha--What is it…" Prism said with a cough.
He soon gestured towards the box he had set floating just in front of her. Her eyes seemed to have hypnotized at the sight of the box as the little spirits spoke to her once more; almost as though they seemed to know what it had been.
"... It's for me…?" She asked as she rubbed her eyes to help adjust her vision as it became blurry again. The little ones spoke to her as they gestured to the little box. She held her palms open before it dropped into her hands; the moment she felt it hit her palms she suddenly felt something snap in her head. Images seemed to have passed her by, though it seemed to have gone too fast as it only had caused her some pain as she groaned.
"Your highness?"
Prism flinched at the sound of the voice, as she recognized it to belong to Mimosa; she noticed that she had been wrapped in what looked to be red tapestry, or at least that's what she could tell.
"What's wrong?" Mimosa asked with worry, "Are you cold?"
She had soon realized that she had been shivering as she could feel how cold it had gotten, then again it might have just been the cold. Mimosa removed the tapestry from her as she put it around her. "Here you are--" She said with a warm smile, "--That should help you."
"Thank you…" Prism said as she felt the fabric, "...Wow, it feels so smooth… I can't believe something like this was in here."
"Maybe when you feel better you can make an outfit from it?" Mimosa surprised her, "Yuno told me--You like to sew as much as you like to draw."
Prism seemed to have turned even more red at this as even the little spirits looked embarrassed, "I-It's not that much… And--I'm not as good as mom."
"That's not what Yuno told me." She said, "He said your sketches are beautiful. He had never seen anything like it. He was really impressed by your work."
Prism only looked even more embarrassed at this sort of thing as she only put the large shiny sheet over head; Mimosa couldn't help but chuckle at this. "I'd like to see your work someday--If that's alright?" Mimosa said as she removed some of the sheet off of her head, "Maybe you and I can trade ideas?"
Prism only gave a small smile though her eyes had still looked to be saddened. "... Thanks--I'd think I'd like that."
Yuno soon followed the little orb of light as they both noticed what looked to be a golden stand. "A podium?" Feodora said, confused. Yuno went to get a closer look as they could see what looked to be a scroll had sat along it; it looked to be old and battered like it could fall apart at any moment. It seemed to be generating its own wind as the green sphere seemed to have vanished.
Yuno and Feodora only exchanged glances as he soon picked it up and unraveled it's contents; though the characters they could see on the paper weren't ones they recognized.
"What the heck is this?" Feodora said, "I can't make it out. How about you?"
Yuno shook his head, "I've never seen these symbols before. Maybe Prism might know so--"
Before he could finish, the scroll started to glow green as well as his grimoire as it had startled them both. In an instant the symbols suddenly vanished as the scroll became completely blank.
"They're disappearing?!" Feodora exclaimed before she shut her eyes when the light became blinding as it drew the attention of everyone within the room. In just a few moments they found that Yuno was just holding nothing more then an empty paper.
"They're… Really gone?" Yuno asked.
"Yuno!" Klaus said as he and Mimosa approached, "What was that?"
'I'm--Not sure." Yuno replied.
"He just opened up this scroll and there was a light show." Feodora explained, "There were these strange symbols, and it just disappeared."
"Strange… Symbols…?" Prism said, before she stood using her scythe as leverage after putting the box inside her jacket, making sure it wouldn't fall out. She stepped over to it as well as Yukiko and Pluck as they had been drawn to it. Pluck took the scroll from Yuno as he soon looked over the contents as well as the casing.
"Hold on! I recognize this!" Pluck said. "Mom, this is---!"
"Now hold on Pluck--" Yukiko said, "--You and I both know it's very rare and it's nearly impossible for anyone to unlock it, even for humans--" For a moment she turned to the rest of the group, "--No offense. It was probably something left behind by the people that buried their treasure."
Pluck said as he gave it some thought, "that's true. Still whoever left it must be either real stupid or don't have a clue"
"Uh--I'm lost, what are you talking about?" Asta asked.
Prism soon looked at the scroll as the little spirits seemed to have examined it. It was only when they spoke to her, her expression widened slightly before she turned to them. "Yuno, Feo?" She soon asked as she coughed a little, "Did you see anything strange about the scroll, before you picked it up?"
They were a bit taken back by this question. Yuno quickly answered without hesitation, "The scroll--It looked like there was wind generating around it."
At this Prism's eyes brightened with realization as the little spirits seemed excited. "Bime i elena--" Prism said in awe, "--Maybe today isn't a total loss afterall!"
"Why do you look so happy?" Karasu asked.
"Yuno--!" Prism soon said as she placed her hand on his shoulder, "--You actually did it! You actually really did it! You unlocked Spirit Magic!"
At this everyone looked shocked, especially Pluck and Yukiko as their jaws seemingly dropped. "What are you talking about?" Yuno asked.
"That scroll you picked up--!" Prism said before she coughed again, "--It was just one of the gateways to unlock a section in your grimoire! It must've been waiting for thousands of years and--They called you!" She couldn't help but laugh before she did her best to give him a hug being careful of Feodora, "I can't believe one of my friends actually did it!"
"Thanks--I guess." Yuno said, still a little confused.
"I knew it!" Pluck said. "No wonder those symbols looked familiar!"
Yukiko had said with glee, "and of course with that comes a little helper!"
"Wait so--" Asta said, as he pointed to the spirits hovering over Prism and the couple that sat on her shoulders, "--Your saying that Yuno has one of those guys to help him with his magic now?"
"Yeah!" Prism said, "Though it's gonna take some time to make themselves compatible with his own mama but--" She soon started to fan herself, "--I'm sorry this is just so exciting! I never thought I would see someone other then my mom have Spirit Magic!" Prism's expression soon saddened at this sort of thing as her smile fell from her face a little.
"Pri?" Asta said, "Are you okay?"
"... I guess it just sort of hit me." Prism said, "... Since mom's not here, Vidia isn't here either."
"Who's Vidia?" Feodora asked.
"She was my mom's spirit." She replied, "She told me she got her when she was young. She was actually Yuno's age. She told me she just picked up a book that was generating wind one day, and there she was."
Yukiko added, "She was one of the finest spirits we've seen. If it wasn't for her assisting Alma, our people would have perished from the storms made from wild magic long ago."
"Elves can have Spirit Magic too?" Mimosa asked.
"I was under the impression that you had more mana than you know what to do with." Klaus said.
"Well of course! We're blessed by mana afterall." Yukiko said, "But that doesn't mean it's off limits to us. At least those with elemental based magic."
"Honestly I thought you-" Pluck said before he stopped himself. "Nope actually I assumed even YOU never knew that considering how ignorant you are."
Klaus growled as he said "Barbados, the next words that come out of your mouth will be--"
"Try it, metal four eyes." Pluck said as Klaus' eye twitched
Klaus said as he had gotten out his grimoire, "IF YOU INSIST!"
"Hey guys you really shouldn't--" Asta started to say before Nero started to tug on his hair making him cry out, "H-HEY! OW! STOP IT! YOUR GONNA TEAR MY HAIR OFF!"
"Nero?" Prism said with a cough noticing how she had behaved. She soon let go of Asta's hair when he took a swipe at her, though she noticed the way she had been moving.
"Asta?" She said, "I think she's trying to lead you somewhere."
"You think so?" Asta said.
"Well why else would she be moving like that?" Karasu said.
Asta soon supported Prism as he started to follow Nero; Karasu followed close behind as he had been limping slightly as he did. Soon enough they found themselves in what looked to be a knob of some kind in the wall as it had been golden.
"What's this?" Karasu said, "Another part of the treasure room?"
"Nero--" Prism said, "--Is there something in there?"
Nero only tweeted as she kept on gesturing to the knob, like it had been talking to them. "She must know something there." Asta said, "She's acting a bit weird."
"Let's try and get it open." Prism suggested.
Asta and Prism started to work on turning the knob; though as Karasu was about to work on it he felt a sudden chill in the air. "What the hell?" Karasu said as he tensed up, "What is this?"
Feodora soon looked to Mars's grimoire; she didn't notice before but she could see a set of stitchings along the cover. "... It's strange that they did this to his grimoire." She said to Yuno as he started to look around again, "They just decided to stitch it all back after he trashed--" Just then it seemed to have clicked for her as she took a closer look at the cover. She noticed the design along the red color as her hand started to shake.
"What is it now?" Yuno asked, noticing how she had been behaving.
"Wait--" She soon said, "--I know this design--!"
She and Yuno soon jumped as a set of chains appeared along the cover as they broke apart. Luck soon sparked a little as Karasu seemed to have understood what it was he was feeling. Before anyone could react, the grimoire flew out of Feodora's hand, nearly knocking her and Yuno over before they were each taken back by a sudden explosion.
"WHAT IN THE WORLD!?" Yukiko exclaimed.
"EVERYONE RUN!" Luck soon shouted.
Much to their own shock they saw a familiar looking man with an armored crystal titan had stared them down; though his expression remained unchanged he had been glaring towards them.
"No…" Feodora said horrified.
Mars didn't even move as a set of crystals soon appeared at everyone's feet causing everyone to shriek; the crystals even surrounded Brenin, Saorise and Liam so that the clouds wouldn't move.
"No!" Prism exclaimed as she could see that they had been on the verge of being encased. Though it hadn't been long before she noticed that she had been on the verge of being entirely encased. "Prism!" Asta and Karasu exclaimed as they quickly worked to get her out.
"I-Impossible!" Klaus exclaimed in his thoughts, "My restraining magic broke apart!? And in so little time! How could he have revived!?"
Feodora soon noticed a set of flames just behind Mars; her expression turned into that of a sneer as she couldn't help but growl. "N-no, that's--!" Klaus said as he and the others noticed as well.
"Flame recovery magic?!" Yukiko exclaimed, "But--He was using offensive spells before!"
"Okay I knew I was right but--" Pluck said as he had been trying to process it but, "--Only hybrids like Prism can possess two kinds of magic!"
"Wait--" Karasu said, "--That's seriously a thing!?"
"... Is--Is this really the result of the Diamond Kingdom's experiments?!" Klaus said.
"Morris that bastard--" Feodora said, as her eyes shifted to ice blue, while the familiar streak appeared, "--HE USED HER DAMN GRIMOIRE!!" Much to Yuno and everyone's shock, she hopped off his back. Ice appeared in front of her before she landed right in front of Mars.
"RAGING ICE MAGIC--LION'S ROAR!" Feodora shouted as her grimoire glowed purple. The lion heads formed as they fired a set of purple beams towards Mars, though he had been able to block it.
Pluck began to stutter before he could say "I guess I was right?"
"That is NOT helping right now!" Karasu told him in a somewhat aggressive tone making Pluck flinch a little as he tried to move out, "We gotta get out of this!"
"Hang on!" Asta said as his grimoire glowed beside him as he got his sword, "I'll get us out of here!"
"... Her… Grimoire…?" Prism said softly as Feodora fought against Mars as her vision had still been a blur, though she had been looking towards Mars as she noticed the look in his eyes.
Feodora kept on going at Mars hard and fast as she let out a war cry; her ice had formed a set of gauntlets as she started to break apart the ice.
"DIE! DIE! ALL OF YOU JUST GO AND DIE!" Feodora shouted.
"It's useless, Feodora." Mars said, "Just give up."
The next thing she knew a large fist hit her dead center into her body before she was sent flying right into the wall making everyone jump. The dust had cleared as Feodora seemed to have thrown up blood and her wounds had opened up before passing out. "FEODORA!" Asta and Yuno exclaimed.
"Hang on!" Noelle said, as a water bubble started to manifest at the tip of her wand, "I'll put the fires out!"
Mars seemed to have seen it coming as he threw another fist, this time at Noelle; the moment it hit her she coughed up blood.
"NOELLE!" Asta, Pluck, Karasu and Mimosa shouted.
Yukiko managed to get free as she ran to Noelle; she noticed that there had been a graze in her chest; she quickly worked to get the bleeding to stop.
"Noelle!" Prism exclaimed as she ran to her once she had been free. She had been in tears as despite her nearly tripping she managed to bring herself to Noelle's side. "Please no, not you!"
Pluck gripped his sword as he turned to Mars. "You shouldn't have done that!" he began to charge in for an attack, surprising everyone.
"PLUCK WAIT!" Fafnar shouted.
"STOP YOU IDIOT!" Karasu yelled.
Pluck soon took his sword on his mouth before he said "SWORD CREATION MAGIC, OBAN OBA!" he took it out as he let out a battle cry
"Useless." Mars said as before Pluck knew it the crystal fist came towards him. Pluck paled up, he wanted to defend but for some reason he couldn't lift up his blades.
"PLUCK!" Yukiko exclaimed.
He suddenly felt himself getting shoved as Karasu had been in his place; He managed to shield his face though ended up flying towards the wall he seemed to have passed out as he landed on his side. They could see his head and even his bandage arm had been bleeding; it hadn't been long before he had been laying in a pool of his own blood.
"KARASU!" Asta shouted as his look changed. He gripped his sword as he went charging at him, "YOU BASTARD!"
Pluck had been horrified at what just happened. All he could ask was "Why....you didn't have to do that..you're already hurt...why? Why did you--"
"HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO MY FRIENDS!!" Asta shouted as he went to swing
"... I know your abilities now." Mars said to Asta as the pages turned, "If that blade can cut through various magics--" A set of blades soon floated in front of him, "--Then what about magic that's faster than your blade."
With a spin, the blades flew towards Asta as he dashed forward; he did his best to block everyone though he couldn't seem to keep his footing up.
"So fast!"
As he managed to block the last blade though he couldn't stop Mars from charging at him; he found himself flying towards the golden knob as it seemed to have blown up. Prism seemed to have started to mentally panic as she looked at Noelle; she could only think of one thing to do at that moment as she looked at Noelle again.
She looked to her scythe as she could see her hand had been shaking; an image seemed to have passed her by as she felt a familiar feeling.
"If she dies--Nozel would never forgive himself. I wouldn't either if I did nothing…" She looked at her grimoire as she brushed her fingers along the cover, "I don't care what happens to me… Just please… Let me use this gift to save my friend. "
She took a deep breath as she shut her eyes; her grimoire floated beside her as it had glowed red. "Prism?" Yukiko said, "Prism, what are you doing?!"
Prism didn't answer as she gripped the scythe tighter, before she read aloud the incantation as her eye changed to white.
Darkness to light
Torn to mend
Clock reverse
To what once was lost
The gems glowed before the veins along her arm flashed a set of rainbow colors before a flame that size of a torch appeared in her hand which had shocked Yukiko.
"What in the world?!" She exclaimed.
Prism didn't have time to explain as she placed her hand on her chest; The white flames left her hand as they quickly started to mend Noelles wound. Though the blood had still been there the wound was sealed, leaving behind only a scar. "The wound closed up?!" Yukiko said shocked, "Prism is this your new--"
Prism let out a groan as she could feel her eyes practically burning; it drew everyone's attention in the room, even Mars as he saw what had happened. Her vision only seemed to have worsened, as blood started to drip down her cheeks.
"Your highness!" Mimosa exclaimed as she rushed to her side.
Pluck shouted as he did the same, "Prism no!"
"Your highness please!" Klaus soon begged as Mars turned towards her, "You have to get out of here!"
"Prism!" Luck exclaimed.
"... Why?" Mars said to her, "Why did you save her?"
Prism let out a groan as she turned to where his voice had been, "... It's because… Noelle is my friend… I couldn't just let her die! Wouldn't you do the same--" She soon started to cough as what looked to be gunk from her stomach came out of her mouth, "--For comrades?"
"... There is no room for the weak." Mars said, "Only the strong will survive in this world. The strong will survive, and the weak will die."
"NO!" Prism shouted as it made everyone in the room jump, "It doesn't have to be that way! It should NEVER be that way! I know you don't believe that!"
"You don't know a thing about me." He said as he stepped towards her, Pluck, Mimosa, Yukiko and Noelle.
"I know I don't!" She said as she coughed, "But Feo does! She said she was your friend a long time ago! And she knows the kind of person you were before! And---You…Looked like you're in pain. You don't like to do this sort of thing do you?"
"Prism…" Yukiko said, shocked.
"Is she seriously trying to talk to this guy?!" Morwyn said, "After what he just did?!"
"It's pointless." Mars told her, "I know my place, and you should know yours. The strong WILL survive and the weak WILL die."
"But is it what YOU want?" Prism asked him.
Mars seemed to have stopped in his tracks from this statement as he too could feel a migraine come in his head. "... Doing things for others and doing things for yourself, they're two different things." Prism told him, "If you choose to do it for yourself then you'll benefit the people around you and you'll be happy with the results. But if you do it for others then… You're trapped and you have nowhere to go. You only do what people tell you--Like you're their puppet. So--I'm asking you right now, not as an enemy but as a person… Is this what YOU want?"
Mars started to hyperventilate a little as the images came again. He seemed to have shaken it off, as he started to step forward again, though this time he looked to have hesitation.
"The strong--" He groaned as he did, "--Will survive. And the weak--Will perish."
"Prism--" Yukiko soon said as she readied herself, "--Listen you have to run."
Pluck added as he got his sword, trying his best to stop himself from shaking, "y-yeah! H-He'll kill you!"
"No--" Prism said, "--I don't want to leave."
"But he's after you." Mimosa said, "You need to go."
"No--!" She protested, "--I don't care if the Diamond Kingdom's our enemy… I still want to help them."
Pluck soon told her, "YOU DUMMY GIRL! WHY DO YOU WANT TO HELP THE ENEMY?! YOU KNOW WHAT HE AND HIS PEOPLE DID TO ASTA, NOELLE, KARASU AND EVEN FEODORA1 DO YOU THINK HE'S THE TYPE TO LISTEN TO REASON?!"
Prism seemed to have flinched at this term as she could feel her tears start to form. Though she still held her head high as she looked towards Mars. "I know--But--" Prism soon said as Pluck had been taken back when he heard her voice crack, "--Dad told me once, that a greater strength… Comes from forgiving. They did something to him and I can tell he hates this… I just need to get through to him. I just--I wish I knew who he was before he changed."
Yukiko, Mimosa and Pluck looked shocked at this; though before one of them could say anything, her grimoire started to glow which made them all jump.
Pluck said startled, "what the--?! What's her Grimore--?!"
The grimoire soon turned to a new page before words had started to form from within as it flew in front of her. Her eyes changed to white before the words became clear as her vision seemed to have gotten better. She soon spoke aloud the words as she stood.
"Lost to found
River flow
Turn the key---"
They saw the scythe had suddenly glowed a white glow as even her blade became a lit. Mars went in to attack, but much to everyone's shock she vanished in a blink.
"Where did she--?!" Klaus started to say before he let out a gasp.
Prism had suddenly behind her as her scythe became illuminated with white flames as she had been ready to attack. It was then she finished the incantation.
"--Reveal to me"
Mars went to block scythe though as she swung the blade, it seemed to have become transparent much to his own shock The last thing Prism saw as the world became surrounded with familiar white flames while everything slowed down, as she seemed to have snapped out of her trance was Mars head severed from his body.
"... Huh…?"