"What is it, Ms. CouncilWoman?" Agatha asked, confused at Kyouko's terrified expression.
However, Kyouko only remained silent, as she tried to piece together what happened.
Agatha, wishing her interest to be fulfilled, walked towards it and saw an unfamiliar face.
A gentle yet unconscious face lay still on the ground. It was Suzune Rei. Her long orange-and-white hair scatters on the ground. She wore a diamond earring.
Kyouko was petrified, and almost too shocked to even move. She needed to heal Suzune fast, as Agatha's shard pierced through her, and blood was still pooling out.
"What are you planning to do, Ms. CouncilWoman?" Agatha asked in English. This brought Kyouko back to her senses.
She shook her head slightly to clear her thoughts and grabbed a bottle in her back pocket containing a green liquid that could regenerate lost cells and heal a wound. As Kyouko was about to pour the liquid over Suzune's large laceration, she noticed another strange thing.
The wound, which was profusely leaking blood, was now closing on its own.
As if time were reversing itself, her body automatically built up the missing cells and flesh. In just a few seconds, the hole in her stomach healed on its own.
Kyouko, looked at it, confused. Suzune doesn't have such quick self-regeneration. If anything, it's too fast to be human.
She crouched down and checked her healed wound, before checking for a pulse, and it was steady. She tried to shake Suzune awake but to no avail.
Suspecting that something must have done that, she first looked at Agatha, who also saw what happened.
"Did you do that?" Kyouko asked in English,
"I do not have healing capabilities," Agatha replied. Kyouko doubted for a moment, but Agatha's straight, serious face plastered the truth.
Kyouko believed her. She immediately grabbed her phone and began dialing someone. "Warehouse, behind 1st Year Campus."
She stated her location, and what happened, before hanging up.
She looked down at Suzune's unconscious body again. She kneeled down and removed the black cloak covering her body.
Suzune was wearing a Seiei Uniform.
Kyouko was utterly puzzled as to what happened to her. And, how?
There is a misposition in the council; one is called the Sleeping Rose, and the other is called the Phoenix.
There is someone stronger than the president himself.
And behind that mask, is Suzune Rei, the unresponsive sixth seat, and the strongest council member.
The strongest were manipulated and defeated. It's safe to assume that upon encountering the apostles, Suzune was defeated and turned into a puppet like this.
Or maybe, she's an apostle after all. A lack of presence from the past days, and a sudden appearance today.
"Agatha-san," Kyouko turned to Agatha, her tone calm and collected. I, on behalf of the council, thank you. We will take it from here."
Agatha wasn't satisfied with a thank-you. Ever since earlier, she's felt something off about everything in this school. And yet, the council has said nothing. Are they hiding something?
"Ms. CouncilWoman," Agatha steps forward, her expression calm, yet her gaze sharp. She locked her eyes with Kyouko. "What is happening within this school?"
Kyouko was surprised by the unexpected question, but she knew this was something expected. Ever since the attack from the two possessed students, the school's atmosphere turned darker. Accompanied by the attack on the council, witnessed by some 2nd-year students, with a student just in front of the council building even filming what happened, which for obvious reasons was asked to be deleted.
Despite this, no statement from the council was made, raising suspicions about what happened.
What is happening?
Is this another dreaming incident?
What is the council doing?
The goal, of hiding the nature of the dreaming incident to prevent widespread panic has backfired. Students are on the edge.
"We'll see," Kyouko replied, attempting to shrug off Agatha.
"Ms. CouncilWoman, their curiosity could bite you. Things are in chaos."
Kyouko remained silent and serious.
Until, another member of the council, specifically, Stella arrived.
She noticed the tension between Agatha and Kyouko.
"Who are you, and why are you here?" Stella asked, her voice calm.
"Sorry, I do not understand Japanese that much." Agatha apologized, bowing her head in an apologetic gesture.
"Oh, English, I'm sorry I don't speak English too well," Stella replied,
Kyouko quickly explained the situation, and how Agatha stumbled in here.
"I see. Tell her to leave, and thank her." Stella ordered Kyouko, as she walked up to Suzune's unconscious, and began analyzing it.
"Agatha-san, thank you, once again. However, the matter will be handled by the council now." Kyouko said with a bow, attempting to have Agatha once again leave.
In reply, Agatha only smiled, body, and bowed her head. "We hope that we can have some closure about these events," Agatha said, before waving off.
As soon as Agatha left, she quickly went to Stella and observed the procedure being done on Suzune.
A green, light shone above the victim, emanating from a floating stone, slowly analyzing the overall health of the person.
It displayed a neutral result; showing that her body is unnervingly in good condition; with no clear wounds nor injuries, external or internal.
This would have been impossible, considering that Agatha fought her, to the extent where she even got stabbed through.
"That Agatha girl fought Suzune, right?" Stella asked, her voice serious and confused.
"Yes, Stella-Senpai."
"And you said, that there is some inhuman regeneration going on?"
"Yes."
"Let's question Agatha after we deal with this."
"Noted on that."
"Okay." Stella stood up and retracted her green device. "Let's take her to the council office."
Kyouko promptly carried her and they immediately went to the council building, where the others were waiting.
She laid her on the sofa, and the others circled them, curious and shocked as to what happened.
"I didn't expect to see Suzune-san in this state," Ryujin remarked in horror, his face serious and eyes frowned.
"This raises the level of what we should expect from the enemy. They easily took down the strongest of the whole council." The vice president uttered.
The tension in the atmosphere grew sharp as they tried to comprehend what happened.
"Just when Matsubara-san left, things started happening," Stella remarked.
Kiku left early in the morning, as another "dreaming incident" started on the other side of the city. However, she left several police guards, invisible and hiding all around the campus.
"I thought she left us with guards from her station? Where are they?" Ryujin asked.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, "Ryujin, go back to the warehouse." Ordered Stella, her voice commanding and serious.
Seeing Stella's seriousness made him nervous,
"Something tells me that I missed something," Stella added.
Without asking questions, Ryujin hastily ran out of the room.
"What is that about, Stella?" Yukime stepped forward beside her.
"I can no longer detect the magic energy of the guards."
Their eyes widened in shock, letting out a momentary gasp.
"Kyouko, you told me that Agatha detected the energy of Suzune in the warehouse, right?"
"Y-Yes."
"Then, I know where the guards are..."
"Y-You mean...?"
...
Ryujin quickly went towards the warehouse. From its facade, nothing seems to be out of the ordinary.
And even as he entered, it was nothing short of terrifying.
Though dim shadows covered the corners, there was no sign of the guards being there.
The pieces of equipment are still dusted and placed firmly.
He carefully walked, each footstep he took echoing, filling the deafening silence within.
He checked each and every corner of the room and found... Nothing.
Was this all just paranoia experienced by Stella?
He took out his phone and called Stella.
"Stell-Senpai, there's nothing in here."
Stella's eyes widened in shock. Was she wrong?
But it couldn't have been it.
Because all grounds were covered by the council. If there were any more suspicious activities, it would have been caught.
Moreover, the only unused warehouse is the warehouse where Suzune was caught.
Then, that must be the only likely place.
"Check for invisibility spells," Stella suggested,
"How do I even do that?" Ryujin asked,
"Any magic that could penetrate an invisible magic shield. Shoot your water on suspected areas."
"T-That's vague... Sure."
He looked around the warehouse for possible places, and he saw a potential one.
Ryujin took a deep breath and with his palms, released a thin, beam of water, towards a suspected area; the area above the equipment.
And, unexpectedly, a shattered, wall of glass appeared out of nowhere.
The sound of the magic glass breaking echoed throughout the room, as small shards of glass exploded all throughout.
Ryujin instinctively took a step back and summoned a water wall that stopped everything in its tracks.
Once the chaos ceased, he retracted his magic and was shocked at what he saw.
On the ground, stacked up, and lying unconscious were the guards that Kiku deployed.
There was no pool of blood surrounding them, nor clear injuries on their bodies. It was like they were ambushed, and knocked down, before being brought here.
"T-The guards are-" Before Ryujin could complete his report, the shadows of the warehouse seemed to move.
And just seconds later, the unconscious guards slowly stood up like zombies, swaying from left to right, all emanating a purplish aura.
It was the same as the first incident that the first-year students saw.
"Bring backup, all the guards are possessed!"
Even though that is what Stella deduced, her expression still darkened. Without hesitations, she turned to the other council members, her tone sharp and commanding.
"Get over there, immediately! Grabbed healing vials from the box on the table!"
They immediately affirmed, grabbing the vials and making their way towards the warehouse. The guards on their own, are at least near as strong as Kyouko. And fighting more than 15 needs more people.
However, Stella can't leave Suzune. She's still unconscious, and right now if anything were to happen, she's the only one with "life healing" capabilities.
Like in Yasuna's case, Suzune's body is deprived of magic energy.
Is this the same case as Yasuna? But if so, why would she attack? And if she attacked really, I'm suspicious of the fact that there were no signs of fire everywhere, does this mean that she wasn't fully manipulated? Or, were her magic abilities taken away?
So many possibilities enter Stella's mind. However, she was unable to conclude anything.
As she pondered, she hovered her right hand over Suzune's chest, before it emitted a bright, greenish light. Through this, she aims to transfer enough magic energy to wake her up.
Her mind is conflicted, as she ponders on what to do.
Is this what the enemy planned? Everything is moving too fast. I thought this was just the beginning of everything, and yet, we were already left behind.
Thoughts continuously ran around her head. However, something eliminated those thoughts. She sensed an approaching figure on the way to the council room.
And it was not something she recognized.
She heightened her senses and raised her guard.
And, it arrived at the door. It slowly opened the door, letting the dim light from outside. This revealed a black-cloaked figure, with a white mask, standing in the doorway.
Stella stopped what she was doing, and faced front towards the cloaked figure.
"The get-up. You're an apostle, aren't you?" Stella asked, her voice sharp and threatening.
However, it didn't respond. It simply moved toward the side of the room.
"If you don't speak, then-"
Then what? The figure suddenly interrupted in a sharp, female voice. And this voice, Stella recognized almost immediately.
"Y-You're...?" Stella mumbled. She tries to retain her composure, however, her shaking lips betray her.
Oh, you recognize me almost immediately. That skips the introduction.
"Was this the plan of the apostles all along?"
Do you expect your enemy to answer? It taunted. But, sure. I like you, so I'll answer. I'll tell you everything you need to know, Stella.
It slowly raised its hand, onto its mask. Slowly, yet surely, it removed its mask, revealing its true face.
It's been a while, Stella. When did we last talk?
She greeted Stella. Her face shows pity and concern, yet at the same time, it feels, emotionless and cold. Her aura was ominous and intense. Her reddish-white eyes were glowing and almost ruthless. Her hair was crimson, and wavy, cascading around her pale face, sitting atop the black hood behind her neck.
On her head, was a spiked crown, resembling the thorns of a rose. Her presence alone commands fear.
"I never expected it to be you, Akane," Stella remarked, her face hiding her shock. Her chest feels tightened as she looks at the familiar person in front of her.
"Me too, I never expected this outcome," Akari replied her voice remaining void and plain.
"Why are you doing this?" Stella asked. Not just out of pure curiosity, but rather, she knows that she needs to find an opening for her to neutralize this apostle, and she needs to buy time, to find that opportunity.
"I'll tell you something, Stella. This world is about the survival of the fittest. Power measures your value and your worth. Right now, you are beneath me."
"..."
"I simply am doing this, because I hate this world. It's unfair and unjust. It's all about power, and power, and... ultimately, power." Akane spoke plainly, and straight, however, each of her words carried weight and heaviness.
"This is simply, an act of revenge. And at the same time, it is an act of compassion. I'll let them dwell, forevermore, in an endless dream, where no pain and suffering are. They'll become, a sleeping catastrophe, and that is their only purpose."
Each word Stella hears sends shivers down her spine. She knows that she needs to find an opening for her to neutralize this apostle.
"And it all starts, in this school."
"Are you planning to harm the students?" Stella asked calmly, yet her voice was sharp.
"Oh, them. They're just a part of the bigger picture. It all starts with you, council members."
"So, we're the primary targets after all."
"Yes, indeed. Suzune was the first to fall victim, and frankly, I don't like the idea of you transferring magic energy to her."
"Oh? Is that so?" Stella asked, her voice a little mocking.
"The dreaming incident is only starting. Why did you continue the classes, despite knowing there was danger lurking by? Was it because you thought, that you won't be able to catch us, or we won't show up? After this incident, can you still do something?" Akane taunted, her voice gradually becoming more mocking after each word. "Without "her" (The Magician Of The Infinite Skyfall, Matsubara Kiku), this school is done for."
Stella was unable to reply. The apostles know exactly what the council plans.
"And, isn't it weird, that I'm telling you everything?" Akane asked. Just then, she snapped her fingers, and rose thorns instantly emerged from the ground, and held Stella tightly.
Each thorn penetrates deep into her flesh.
Stella clenched her teeth as she endured a hellish pain. Akane's rose thorns were so fast that even Stella couldn't react. If she moves even just an inch, the thorns go deeper into her body.
"The mind of the council was dumb. At times of peril, you don't know what to do. Suzune was just bait, just like those guards. And like I expected, you sent all of the council members there, leaving you vulnerable here. Isn't it the definition of dumbness?" Akane taunted, as she feasted her eyes with Stella's desperateness.
The thorns were topped with sleeping poison, that forces the person to fall asleep.
"Fall, and fall, into a deep sleep, where even your screams, are silent."
Not long after, Stella's sleepiness reigned over her, and like a lifeless vessel, her body went limp.
"This marks, the beginning, of the ending we've wanted so badly. Two, out of Eight pawns, are now off the board."