Juno approached the White Crusader, her demeanor calm. With another snap of her fingers, a portal appeared in front of him and from the portal a chair was spat out. Alvin sighed as he approached the container. He meticulously made sure that Forbidden Wrath was securely trapped inside, double checking the bindings to prevent any chance of escape. Despite the energy dampening machine, Vaos possessed the power to easily destroy it. However, he chose to observe how the situation would unfold.
Juno sat on the chair placed in front of the White Crusader, her posture composed as she prepared for conversation. Despite his efforts, the White Crusader struggled against the chains, but to no avail, as they held him firmly in place.
"This brings back memories, doesn't it, White Crusader?" Juno remarked with a smirk, "The days of me extracting every ounce of spirit energy from you."
"You damn rabbit," The White Crusader growled, "Once these Forbidden are dealt with, I'm going to kill you."
"How scary," Juno replied, unfazed by the White Crusader's threat. "But that's what I want to talk about actually." She adjusted her glasses before continuing, "Clearly, this isn't some one-off accident with the Forbidden. It's a sign of something much larger at play. Something big is going to happen at Legis, and very soon it seems."
"I have no words for you, rabbit," the White Crusader retorted as he refused to engage further in the conversation.
Juno sighed, her gaze shifting towards Vaos. "Vaos, you must understand the gravity of our current predicament. If we allow this situation to persist unchecked, we might find ourselves facing a second Void War, a conflict that could have devastating consequences for all."
"Yes, I understand, Juno," Vaos responded with a nod. "That's why my students are on their way towards Legis to stop the threat."
"No offense, Vaos, but they're doing a piss poor job," Juno remarked with a sigh, her frustration evident in her tone. "A good part of Hyacinth is destroyed, and we're left hoping they even arrive at Legis in time. We can't be certain they'll be able to stop them."
"That's why I'll join them, very soon," Vaos said with a resolute tone.
With a furrowed brow, Juno leaned forward, "We have to make sure you arrive in Legis right now," she emphasized. "Remember, the Victorious Ten is now practically a shell of its former self. And don't even get me started on the White Trial, they're tucked away in their retirement home."
"If you're willing to wait, then I'd be glad to be of assistance, but first I need to meet up with one of my students," Vaos replied, his tone reflecting a sense of responsibility towards his role as a mentor.
"Ah, what's with you, Victorious Ten?!" Juno's frustration boiled over as she lashed out, her tone a mix of disappointment and anger. "I thought you were supposed to protect! There's no time for waiting. This situation is only going to worsen if we continue to leave it unchecked!"
"I'd be more than willing to help, once I meet up with my student," Vaos reiterated.
"God damn it..." Juno muttered under her breath. "Very well, here's a communication device. Call me once you meet up with your student."
With a snap of her fingers, a portal materialized in front of Vaos, and from within it, a radio like phone was spat out, landing neatly in his hand.
"Thank you for understanding, Juno," Vaos acknowledged with a nod.
The White Crusader interjected, his tone laced with suspicion. "Rabbit, you don't seem intent on exterminating that Forbidden, do you? No, of course not. Otherwise, why would you bother capturing it? What do you truly intend to do with it?" His words were sharp as he awaited Juno's response.
"Hmph, I guess I should've expected you wouldn't let that pass you. Fine, I suppose I can tell both of you," Juno conceded with a sigh.
"Continue, Rabbit, you don't have the luxury of my patience. Whatever your intentions may be, I expect clarity and transparency." His words were firm, demanding for honesty.
"You see, before my mother disappeared and during my father's passing, she was deeply engrossed in research. At the time, I was still young and unaware of the details of her work. Until now," Juno began her explanation.
"My mother left behind a vast collection of research papers," Juno revealed. "They detail something she referred to as 'the crucible' and 'rift.'"
"From my understanding," Juno clarified, her tone thoughtful as she shared her interpretation of her mother's research, " 'the rift' serves as a boundary between different universes or inaccessible realms within our own. It acts as a barrier, preventing the intermingling of worlds." She continued, "And 'the crucible,' on the other hand, seems to be like a key or a gateway to this rift. It serves as a means of accessing and traversing between these realms."
"If I were to assume, Dorothy, traversed this rift and is now lost in another universe." The White Crusader speculated.
"That's probable," Juno acknowledged, "but my mother isn't so incompetent as to traverse this rift without conducting thorough tests and preparations."
"Juno, do you have any information on the whereabouts of this crucible?" Vaos asked.
"That's correct," Juno confirmed, nodding in agreement with Vaos's question. "The gateway to the rift is located in the winterlands, which are quite distant from here. That's why I need to make thorough preparations beforehand."
"Everything falls into place," the White Crusader remarked as he pieced together Juno's intentions. "You intend on making that Forbidden your little puppet, using it to map out this rift."
"That's correct," Juno retorted, "unless, of course, you'd prefer to volunteer as my test subject."
"More importantly," Vaos interjected, "why don't we focus on moving forward, Juno? As you said, time is a luxury we can't afford to waste."
"Hmph, well said, Vaos. Very well, just remember to call me once you're ready to be teleported to Legis." Juno rose from her seat as she prepared to depart.
As Juno began to walk towards the container, it began to shake violently. Dents began to form from the inside, each impact echoing with intensity. Alvin quickly checked the small screen of the container, his eyes scanning the display for any signs of malfunction. To his surprise, everything appeared to be in order; the energy dampeners and cryogenic prison were functioning as intended. Yet, despite these safeguards, Forbidden Wrath was unleashing a rampage from within the confines of the container.
Soon after, the container was torn open, and Forbidden Wrath emerged, stepping out. "This presence... the legendary rabbit warrior...?" Forbidden Wrath's voice rumbled as he fixed his gaze on Juno.
"You see, I am not just any mere presence," Juno began, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with Forbidden Wrath. "I am the daughter of the Chaos Witch and the legendary rabbit warrior you once feared. My father's legacy runs through my veins, and his strength courses within me." Her voice resonated with a quiet intensity, "So, I ask you," she continued, her tone full of confidence, "are you truly willing to test your strength against someone of such lineage?"
Forbidden Wrath took a step back as Juno's words echoed in his mind. "Know this," he growled, "I have my eye on you from now on." With a sudden surge of dark energy, Forbidden Wrath used spatial retreat, vanishing from sight.
"Ugh, I thought I was going to die from cringe," Juno sighed. "But at least that bluff worked."
"But there goes my test subject," Juno her tone filled with disappointment as Forbidden Wrath disappeared into the void. "I'll have to find a new one now. Unless Bard captured one, which I doubt," she added, clearly skeptical.
"I wish you luck in your endeavors, of course. Do be careful," Vaos said. "However, more importantly, could I ask for a request from you?"
"Hmm, what is it, Vaos?" Juno asked as she turned her attention to him.
"Juno, could you teleport us to Silene Tomentosa? It would really help us out and speed things up," Vaos requested.
"Sure, that's easy enough," Juno replied with a nod. "Let me input the coordinates, and there, whenever you're ready. You and The White Crusader will be teleported to Silene Tomentosa."
"Teleport us now, I can't stand the sight of you, rabbit." The White Crusader demanded.
"You really should watch your mouth, White Crusader," Juno retorted as she locked her gaze with the armored figure before her. "Perhaps another lesson in humility would serve you well," she said.
"Get out of my sight," she concluded, and with snap of her fingers. A portal materialized before them, ready to transport them away to their destination. The chains released from the White Crusader and they were to step through it. They stepped through the portal, as they vanished from her presence, Juno's expression remained stoic.
Upon being teleported to Silene Tomentosa, The White Crusader and Vaos found themselves standing amidst of the town, as Vaos began the next phase of his journey. His focus shifted to the task at hand: reaching the White Trial sanctuary.