She had a striking split-color hairstyle; one side was a light silver, and the other side was a deep navy blue. Her eyes were a vibrant red, and her expression composed. Her lips were a soft, muted pink. Her outfit was a stylized, modern-looking garment in shades of blue and black. The collar and details of the top seemed detailed, with gold/bronze accents. The fabric texture was rendered with minute shading. Her face was impassive, like a perfect doll's. While a good head taller than Mikoto, she was rather petite, yet still the familiar flare of his instincts kept him on his toes.
Despite her unique appearance, he was most focused on her eyes, gleaming red like his. ("Barring those Von Auerswald's and spawns of Octavia, the only other people to have red eyes are the Ancestors....") It was odd; in such a colorful world littered with unique individuals, red eyes did not seem prominent. ("That oaf with the mutt, the crazy pink-haired bitch, and goldilocks along with that guy who looked like a Von Auerswald. They all had that in common.")
"It's rude to merely stare, boy," the woman broke the silence first, her tone blank without a hint of emotion to be detected.
"Are you an Ancestor?" Mikoto bluntly asked.
She quirked a brow up at that but answered anyway, "Indeed I am. Ancestor of Pestilence, Aurélie." She admitted with a courtesy that almost seemed mocking, "Will you now attempt to kill me?"
"Depends if you make a bother of yourself."
"No manners, it seems," she admonished with a dull look in her eyes, "The people of this era do not show gratitude. I have saved you, yet you have not thanked me. Why, I wonder?" She tilted her head, a gesture that would no doubt have seemed cute to most given her aloof expression. Mikoto, meanwhile, was focused on only one thing.
"Saved me?" He echoed incredulously, sounding offended. "I didn't need saving. I was perfectly fine."
"No, you would have no doubt died had I not plucked you out of the Abyss," she dryly shot back, his eye twitched in annoyance. The Ancestor seemed to note his annoyance despite his helmet hiding it, "I merely speak the truth, boy."
"And why on earth did I need saving, huh? I was about to nuke that place," he haughtily stated.
"I cannot sense your mana, but that merely means it is rich in quantity. And I know you are Octavia's offspring," Mikoto frowned in annoyance; him being a spawn of Octavia seemed to be the worst-kept secret there was. He sighed as he awaited for her to continue, "Demons they are called, no? They're quite the unique bunch, mutated Fate Walkers in essence. Though the Abyss is not their home alone. Your presence was detected by much greater forces that linger there."
"What are you yammering about?"
"The Abyss has long since existed; demons only came into being with the beginning of the era of man. Do keep that in mind, boy," she suggested aloofly.
"So then why'd you 'save' me?" Mikoto questioned, using the term 'save' very loosely. Even he had his pride, "Is it because I'm pretty?"
"No," she bluntly denied, "I know not what you look like; you wear a helm."
"What? Really?" He remarked sarcastically, causing another tilt of the head from the Ancestor.
"Yes, did you not know a helm is atop your head?" She questioned blankly, "You may be an idiot."
"I was being sarcastic, you Cruella De Vil knockoff."
"I know not who that is."
Mikoto sighed; this conversation, it was like watching paint dry truly. "Whatever. Back to my earlier question, why'd you save me? Mind you, I'm using the term loosely."
"The same reason anyone else would, I imagine," she replied evenly, "You've many people interested, Mikoto Yukio. An offspring of Octavia is difficult to ignore, and with this, you now owe me a debt. Now first, I'd like to look you in the eyes."
Mikoto quirked a brow up at her words; he shrugged. Curiosity was a given when it came to his appearance, with a subtle 'whatever,' his helmet began dissipating into red particles, swiftly revealing his face to the woman.
"There, now don't go falling in lo-oomhpf." His sentence was cut short as she suddenly cupped his chin, causing his cheeks to squish together.
"Larger eyes and a mark beneath your lip. The only differences," the Ancestor noted.
"Stawp thawt," Mikoto glared at Aurélie as she finally released him, rubbing his cheeks, he threw her another annoyed glare for good measure.
"Cute, I suppose. Though I wish you were not such a fool," his eye twitched in annoyance at her blunt insult.
"Well, you're a pervert, then. Fondling my face like that, che!" Though Lyra did much the same when he showed her his face. Maybe it was an Ancestor thing; he did not quite enjoy his face being grabbed without his permission. Mikoto folded his arms; at least she was not hostile. Still, if Telluris's words were to be believed, then these Ancestors were going to participate in the festival as well. He would have to fight her anyway. "Still, there's a question I want you to answer. The Abyss isn't connected to this world through conventional means. It's basically a separate reality, so how'd you drag me out?"
"That I shall keep to myself..." Before Mikoto could make his annoyance known, she suddenly leaned in much too closely, to his annoyance. Though he noted how more radiant her crimson eyes seemed, how they dilated slightly, "But my analysis is now complete. That soul of yours, hm, I see why Octavia favors you so."
"What?" Mikoto's brows furrowed in confusion, "What's so special about my soul, huh?"
"Oh, it merely confirms something," she stated, a ghost of a smile on her face, "A great death for the Gods' executioner, a great sacrifice from the Blood Starved Knight, and a fate worse than death to the defier of the realm." She spoke as if reciting something.
Her ominous words hung in the air; he did not know who she spoke of and what she meant, but there was a certainty in her tone, as if she were sure the nonsense she was spouting would come to pass. "Exempt from fate and destiny you three may be, but the Divine Principals are absolute, even the Bringer of Death must follow them and even the mightiest of Gods, Vagnir and Octavia."
("Divine Principals, Telluris mentioned them,") the laws all abided by, even Gods. Still, confusion gripped him; he could not make sense of her words. "Death, sacrifice, and a fate worse than death. And three? What the hell are you talking about."
"You're quite special; no doubt it's due to that soul of yours," Aurélie replied evenly. "Fate and destiny, all abide by them no matter how powerful. Few are free from these aspects, only three in this and any era now. You hold quite the unique position, but ironically your fate is all but decided. The Divine Principals cannot be defied, not even by those outside the grasp of fate and destiny."
"Then which of the three am I supposed to be?" Mikoto did not trust a word she said, but of course, curiosity still lingered greatly.
"The executioner, I'd wager."
He frowned at that, "I don't recall ever signing up for the job. Nor do I remember doing any executing for the Gods."
"Hm, from what Aegraxes said, you've already fit quite nicely into your role. You've already killed a Fate Walker, a bane to the Gods and this current era," Aurélie countered. "Or Chaosmaw's as they're known in this era."
("Does she mean the large guy I killed a while back? I remembered he had this green-haired chick with him. She wailed like crazy when I killed him, hm.") Mikoto only pondered on the matter momentarily before turning his attention back to Aurélie. "Nah, I'll live." Mikoto scoffed, ("Still, it's annoying that she won't tell me how she dragged me outta the Abyss. I guess it doesn't matter; once I get Arcane Ascendance, I'll find a way anyway.")
"If that is what you wish to believe," judging from her dull expression, she did not seem to care.
"Well, I'm leaving; see ya." Mikoto covered his face with his gauntleted hand, swiping it over his face; his helmet materialized and covered it in an instance.
"Remember you owe me a debt, boy," Aurélie reminded, "Debts need be repaid lest you suffer the consequences."
"Yeah, yeah." Mikoto waved off, moving past her. He contemplated killing her, but he could not get a proper gauge on her strength. Her mana quantity was decent, and its quality phenomenal, but that was hardly an indicator of strength. So he could but trust his instincts, and they urged him not to pursue battle with this woman. Aurélie made no move to stop him as he walked away; he could not help but think of her words.
("A great death, huh?") There was a sinking feeling in his stomach, a bad premonition. It would be stupid to believe the words of this Ancestor, yet he could not help but feel a sense of unease. ("I'm not dying before I see mom and Hinata again....but still am I way in over my head here? This realm will be in danger soon, and I vowed to save it, but can I really do that....should I?") For the first time, uncertainty plagued him like a sickness. The lingering words of Aurélie fresh in his mind. Maybe it was hubris talking all along, overconfidence in his own strength.
He recalled the former heroes who wielded the former holy blade Sabre. None of them had happy endings despite their sacrifices, their want for a better tomorrow. ("Am I prepared to make some great sacrifice for this world? A world I was forced into? A world that isn't even mine?") Doubt was strong within him; he did not owe it to this realm, but still...he'd do Sabre a disservice. The blade chose him for a reason, ("I can't get cold feet just cause of what that Ancestor said, I'll live, save this world, and go back home.")
His thoughts lacked their usual conviction.