KIYO STANDS IN front of a bay window staring absently as the next wave of storm clouds roll in. It's been seven days since the incident in the city of Fuchsia. For the first time since coming to this new world he feels lost.
"Kiyo, are you ready to go?"
"..."
"Hey Kiyo."
"Huh, oh Leo. Did you need something?"
"He asked if you're ready to go."
"Luna, when did you get here?"
"Been here the whole time."
"Sorry. Where is everyone else?"
"Abby is off, who knows where, and Corym is with his mother downstairs with the…" Luna trails off not wanting to say anymore.
"Again Leo, Luna I'm sorry. I haven't been like this since my grandfather passed."
"Funerals have that effect on people. It's a part of life. Were you two close?"
"Yeah Leo we were. He taught me the way of the sword." Again Kiyo gets lost in his thoughts for a bit. "Sorry guys, can you go down ahead of me?"
"Sure. We'll send someone for you when the time comes."
"Thanks, Luna."
Just as Luna and Leo are about to leave, someone knocks on the door. Luna opens it to find Countess Bathory standing there.
"Might I have a moment of your time Kiyomaro?"
"Of course Countess Bathory. How can I help you?"
*
"Archbishop sir Rien has returned. And requests an audience with you."
"Show her in."
"Right away sir. I shall return momentarily with her."
"No need, I'm right here." A voice came from out of nowhere. Rien literally steps out of the man's shadow. Even indoors her hood remains up "You can go now." She tells him caressing his cheek as she walks past and takes a seat across from the archbishop.
"Rien, how many times have I asked you not to use dark magic on my staff?"
She tilts her head to the side mulling over her answer. "One thousand three hundred and sixty five times I think."
"You've kept track?" The archbishop asked, a bit surprised.
"Nope, just fucking with you."
"Um…excuse me, what sorta dark magic did you use on me?" Asked the nervous staff member.
"The kind that makes your dick fall off and your asshole close up."
"I see…well I-I must b-be going now." The man practically trips over himself trying to leave.
"Heh, heh…dumbass. Can you believe that? One touch from me and he loses all reason.
"Judging by his reaction you coated your hands with a fear inducing concoction you created to mess his head."
"Nailed it."
"That makes what, five different ways you can screw with someone's head?"
"Seven actually. It's so much fun messing with someone's brain chemistry a bit. The closer I am to the brain when I touch someone, the faster my concoctions work."
"That's fine and all, but must it be members of my staff?"
"Not at all."
"So why do it?" Asked the archbishop.
"Convenient test subjects." Rien answers.
A sigh escapes the archbishop, as he leans back in his chair. "Give me your report if you would."
"The otherworlders Kiyomaro and Kino are strong. Probably the strongest in the world. When I first started tracking them they were on an escort quest." Rien spends several minutes explaining everything she saw and heard leading up to the incident in Fuchsia.
"Were you able to cover up Captain Brodi's involvement with the goblin nest in the Black Rose Mountains?"
"Yes. I also retrieved several Memory Pearls from not only him, but several more from his suboartanest as well." Rien hands over a small pouch.
"I will review these at a later time." Archbishop Judas places the pouch in his bottom right hand desk drawer. "It's too bad we lost all those goblins. They would have made great pawns for what's to come."
"And what might that be?"
"In due time Rien I'll tell you."
"Fair enough."
"Now about this Menalam spirit-goddess."
"Goddess-spirit."
"Fine, Goddess-spirit Menalam. What do you know?"
Before Rien can answer him, a knock on the door interrupts their talk.
"Pardon my tardiness. I was held up by a representative of His Holiness." Said Bishop Anansi as he let himself in, closed the door, and took a seat next to Rien. "You can catch me up later, but do continue Rien."
"A Goddess-spirit by the name of Menalam took possession of Alice Rose's body, and then helped guide her in healing Kino. Except for the parasites that infected her."
"Why couldn't she help with the parasites?" Asked the Bishop.
"Don't know I bailed when they noticed I was there."
"Who?"
"Asmodeus, and Satan."
"Why were two of The Seven there to begin with?" Asked the archbishop.
"No, not two of The Seven. All members of The Seven were there. Along with Her Majesty." Replied Rien.
The two men sit there in a stunned silence. Digesting this bombshell Rien just dropped on them.
"The Demon Queen was there?" Asked the archbishop, finally coming back to his senses.
"Yes. And before you ask, no I don't know why. But I have two possible theories as to why the queen and The Seven may have been there."
"By all means tell us."
"First look at this map." Said Rien as she spread the map out on the desk. "There are seven magic circles placed throughout the city. As you can see, six of them make a star pattern. And the last one is right here dead center of the other six."
"This setup looks familiar." Said the bishop. "Oh, It's a magic circle for a Dimensional Zone. Created by Michael The Sage."
"You're half right."
"What am I missing archbishop?"
"Michael didn't create the Dimensional Zone. He only perfected it. After seeing it used. Do either of you know the purpose of a Dimensional Zone?"
"To create a space in a separate realm for a variety of things." Answered the bishop.
"Yes. And to create one on this scale would require Asmodeus to channel mana from each of the residents living in the city, along with mana from Her Majesty, and The Seven."
"Why would he?"
"To keep the people of the city safe while the fighting was going on." Said Rien. "Which sets up for my second theory that a massive illusion spell was placed on the entire city of Fuchsia to trick us into thinking we had the upper hand. And to be sure it succeeded he again drew mana from the Demon Queen and The Seven to insure they didn't lack the mana needed." Rien takes a breath and sits back in her chair.
"Now that report makes more sense."
"What report are you referring to Bishop Anansi?"
"The report I received, sir, indicates that despite all the property damage, not a single civilian lost their life."
"So to summarize, all citizens are alive and well because they were in another dimension. The illusion spell was used to trick our people. Only Templars and True Believers died in that attack, and some buildings were destroyed. Seems your theory is correct, Rien good work."
"Thank you Archbishop Judas."
"How many True Believers did we lose?"
"Almost twenty-two hundred sir." Answered Rien.
"Rien, I have a question for you."
"Oh, what's that bishop? Do you need me to make you a little something to help with your little problem below the belt." Rien asked as she wiggled her pinky finger at the bishop.
"No, you insolent whelp. I want to know how you're still alive? Considering The Seven were present. And yet here you sit with nary a scratch."
"Archbishop Judas, I believe we should bring the bishop in on this one."
"Very well. Show him."
Rien removes her hood and shakes her pink hair free. Her pointy ears peak out from under her hair. The shocked look on Bishop Anansi says it all.
"Rien works undercover strictly for me. She poses as an elf anytime she's on assignment for me."
"Poses as an elf? Are you blind she is one."
"Allow me to demonstrate." Rien pulls the hood back up and immediately pulls it back down. But now it's the face of Bishop Anansi staring back. "How do I look?"
"I see. The hood is enchanted, allowing you to take on any look you wish. You even sound like me."
"Yes, that is just some of what it can do."
"There's more?"
"Stop. That's enough prying bishop." Warns the archbishop.
"Yes you're quite right. Now what about these parasites you mentioned. Did you learn anything about them?"
"It's a newly discovered parasite. Even Belphegor was surprised by them."
"I'm sure she'll reach out to S.I for help. Then it's only a matter of time before a book is written about it. Then given to everyone." Said the bishop.
"Rien, unless you have anything else to report you may go. I wish to speak with the bishop in private."
"I have nothing else archbishop. So I shall take my leave."
The archbishop waits a bit after Rien's departure before speaking.
"Bishop Anansi, our next summit meeting to discuss the future of our empire draws near. Once the political matters have concluded l shall lay out our next plan of attack. This course of action will change the world, and our empire forever. I need us all on the same page when that day comes."
"Minister of Military Affairs Lloyd Jackson and Combat General Lu Pinyin are currently running practice drills up north. It'll be at least a month before they return."
"That's fine. I'll make Memory Pearls and deliver them personally."
*
"Sir, it's time to begin. Please follow me." Said the priest of the church.
"I've been dreading this day, and now that it's here I'm somehow at peace with it. Is that normal, or am I really just that messed up in the head?"
"No, not at all. It's actually the last step in the grieving process, and that's acceptance. It can sometimes take awhile for someone to reach this stage after the loss of a family member." The priest explained.
"I didn't just lose a family member. I lost a good friend as well."
The priest remains silent. And after some time both men leave the room and make their way through the corridor in silence, not even their footsteps can be heard. After a few minutes they stop at a closed door.
"Please wait here. When I call for a moment of silence, that will be your que to enter."
"Understood."
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠…𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘, 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑡…𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦, 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑡. 𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑢𝑝. 𝑂ℎ 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑜. He steps forward, opens the door and walks through. His eyes sweep the area as he makes his way up to the podium. Halfway there he stops, turns to his right, and bows to the caskets.
In preparation for this day both bodies have been washed to purify the soul and free it of sin. Once cleaned the bodies are then wrapped in silk and then placed in the caskets. Family and friends then sit vigil with the bodies, some sing hymns, others pray, some are silent, and some retell fond memories they have of the deceased until it's time for mass.
Once he's done paying his respects to the deceased he makes his way to the podium. Seated on the left in front are Queen La-Tif, Asmodeus, Belphegor, Beelzebub, Leviathan, Lucifer, Satan, and Mammon. Behind them are the headmasters of each school. Brett, Nemo, Red, Reginald, Sonya, Oz, and Raven. On the right is Prince Jamison Arsenio, Countess Bathory, Nelliel, Reigget and Dougrur Brewriver, Fiora, Corym, Luna, Leo, and Kiyo. Corin, Holly, Silver, and Poppy are there but have chosen to hide their presence.
"As I stand up here looking at all in attendance today I can see my father, the late Emperor Maxwell Arsenio was loved and respected by all of you here today. But not just him, Captain of the Royal Archers Kerym Elyra who gave his life in service to our empire. My father and Kerym worked hard to bridge the gap between humans and elves."
The funeral proceeds for another three hours with speeches given by Queen La-Tif, Prince Jamison Arsenio, Fiora, Corym and a few others.
*
The next day at the demon queen's castle.
"Belphegor, I have a message for you."
"Thank you. Hmm this is most unfortunate."
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, Your Majesty, what perfect timing. Here read this."
"Hmm."
"How shall we handle this?"
"Gather everyone and have them meet in the throne room."
"Right away." With a nod of her head Belphegor departs.
Fifteen minutes later Leo, Luna, Corym, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Lucifer, Satan, Levitation, Mammon, and Belphegor have gathered in the throne room. Abby is still gone, Alice is alive, but still recovering from playing host to a Goddess-spirit, and Kiyo is holed up in one of the rooms in the castle. Otherwise everyone stands present before the Queen.
"Belphegor, you may proceed."
"Of course Your Majesty. For those of you who don't know, I sent a letter to S.I asking for help in studying the parasites I and the Goddess-spirit Menalam removed from Kino's head. Unfortunately the reply I received informs me that S.I is missing. Last seen sailing out of the Nihon Empire on a merchant ship two months ago.
"Any idea what happened?" Asked Luna.
"Unknown at this time."
"So now what do we do?"
"I have spread the word about these new parasites. It will only be a matter of time before they hear about them, and come to us.
Just then the doors to the throne room are thrown open and in walks.
*
𝑀𝑦 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝐾𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑖 𝐾𝑖𝑦𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑜, 𝑜𝑟 𝐾𝑖𝑦𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡. 𝐼'𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑥𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑙𝑑, 𝑜𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑦 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑙. 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠. 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑. 𝐴 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐, 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑠, 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠, 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑘𝑖𝑛, 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑖-ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐼'𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚. 𝐼 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛 𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝑊𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑡 𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑑 𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑛. 𝑀𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑄𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝐴𝑏𝑏𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠. 𝑁𝑜𝑤 𝑑𝑜 𝐼 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒, 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦. 𝑀𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑒𝑠 𝐼 𝑑𝑜. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒...𝑛𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑜 𝑏𝑦 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒…
While lost inside his own head, someone appears before him. It takes him a bit to realize he's not alone.
"Huh…" Kiyo blinks a few times trying to comprehend what he was seeing. "How are you here?"
"Shh, just close your eyes and sleep."
"Mm-kay. Goodnight mother."
"Goodnight son."
TO BE CONTINUED. End of Volume 1.