It took Sky couple of seconds to know who she is talking about, the sulky boy was no one but Luka.
"You were see everthing all this time? how?"
Organizing her forehead hair while seeing her reflection, Nova answered:
"Normally you need a high mastery level to communicate, but its a little differnet in my case"
Seeing her arrogance side comimg back again Sky shaked her head exclaiming:
"Still you didn't answer my question why did you save me? It obvious you don't need a master, like anyone would dare to be after seeing you! Or even if you would, anyone is fine with you isn't it?".
For instant Sky almost swear seeing her eyes shined even more, like a kindle ember.
"Indeed, I'm obligated to this job, I can't just sign my way out. And...I'm sick of waiting for another unworthy holder..."
Nova's eyes shined brighter, and as she crossed her arms to her chest, her black hair wrinkled and waved like snakes, she smirked but also looked angry, the whole library ground started to shake.
"I'm a wild spirit born to unlatch my wrath on my enemies...I lust freedom most of all! Those chain...!!!" Nova emphasized cutting short her story as she calmed down. But she ran the cold through Sky who gulped. Nova turned to her surprisingly changing her tune into softer one.
"So... I want to make a deal with you"
The sudden swiftly change in expression and tune alarming Sky, her eyes narrowed as she nodded due her needs to the sword, she can't just throw it just because it's hunted by a demon, would she? Also she can't afford another one.
Nova wiggled on her chair uncomforably feeling Sky throwing dagger glares at her continously.
"Its simple actually, I want you to find what happened to... someone named Zen, in returen I'll help you and lend my support" Nova said but her expression this time was unreadable.
Supporting her arms on the table with her brows knitted, Sky stated:
"Looks simple, but a request from a demon can never be, it's hard to simply accept your offer"
Nova leaned toward Sky and held her both hands, gently like a mother do she smiled.
"Please help this forgotten ghost or I'll curse you to your doom. Will that make it easier for you? It's your choice anyway, no pressure".
Sky get the shiver and became sweaty, blankly looking at Nova after her frank threat.
Sky withdrew her hands and nervously crossed her arms hardly making a serious face.
"Zen? I need more information if I agreed to help you, yet...how can you help me?"
Glancing at Nova rubbing her hands together reminded her of the shope owner. Sky rolled her eyesto the side remembering the hardships to get this cursed sword.
"I can prevent your core from leaking, but... for couple of minutes only and not permanent, sure you're aware how demonic mana can corrupte soul cores easily, that's why you can't depend on me after those minutes" Nova stated looking at Sky dumfounded face.
"Aha..." That all what Sky could spoke amazed. Nova didn't blame her though she added:
"As for the person named Zen I... I only remmber how he looked like....as a baby... other than that…. I… don't know much" Her confidence gradually fading, as she stuttered. But she maintained her dignity.
Althought she wanted to criticize her lack of information Sky kept slient feeling her tone and expression were full of despair and somehow she sensed regret.
" I'll do what I can but I won't hold any promises, also I won't hold my hopes high" Sky stated.
"That's enough for me"
Nova said with sorrow in her eyes, then she sighed supporting her chin over arm and continued...
"Now let get you back to your friends, shall we?"
Click her fingers again Sky felt very sleepy, holding her head in burr vision state, she mumbled:
"Wait, h…how can we communicate again?"
With corner of her lips stretched, Nova replied:
"Don't worry, I'll contact you again"
Not understand her Sky's vision gone black, with Nova's vague smile engraved to her mind.
[North Camo kingdom, Ryett ruins]
Somewhere in a land with no life and nothing but endless sand extended far as if fused into horizon, the heavier upper fog wasn't this closer before. Although its a lifeless district, a small electronic spider lightly moved through the dunes of desert stopping everyones progress every now and then while scanning the area ahead. Making a noisy sound like chirp.
"peeep pe...peeep"
"Is that so? continous forward" Said the male voice through speakers. The spider understood and hastened forward.
About twenty kiliometers away, Luka sighed heavly looking at his screen that showing dunes and more of dunes from the spider's location. He looked tired and bored and sweating water like sprinkler.
"Any news?" Asked Feng coming out from a big tent, he was still sleepy when he stretched his hands far and wide. Luka shooked his head.
"Unfortunately no, any luck on your side?"
Shooked his head then shuddered, Feng replied:
"Nope, and Sky didn't wake up yet, I'm getting worried, its been almost three days since we stepped this fateful desert".
Feng squatting on the ground lifting some sand, he seemed desperate when commented:
"And what's wrong with this sand? It's all gray, and it's so hot"
"Probably cursed due the fog" Luka answered. Feng dropped the sand immediately and dusted his hands of it.
Even though Luka don't want to admit it, but the situation was a mess from the start. Firstly they where teleported far away form the coordination they gave to the guards at the gate.
Secondly, no traces of the Greens family guards or even the ruins. At least they should've come and look for them the moment they didn't arrive the destined portal, but either than that, its like something happened led everthing to disappear. At last, the signals inside the chips was poor making it completely useless, thus communications are severed.
Luckily, they have a papyrus map, an ancient document Luka borrowed like stole it from the old man just in case, his alert to plan's failures was useful after all. Although its was unclear and hard to read but still enough to avoid getting lost.
After two days of sweating profusely, a from of humidified heat wave stroke them followed with a shiver from the cold as the layers shaded black.
Walking contiously in the dark, in addition to Feng packed unconscious Sky on his back, they kept confronting crazy sand worms lifeforms along the way. Luka cursed the moment he accepted Robert's offer, nothing goes as planned since they arrived, but he was still smiling showing a swearing face, the price just doubled junk maniac!
After another one step over a dune, they finally where sought a ruin, without doubt it was Ryett palace, but it was buried beneath even more sands which made them all furious.
On top of that, they were concerned about Sky since her body was sent flying out of the circle when they teleported. She was already out of couisous, so they told themselves to ask what happened when she wakes up soon. But as they continued wandering forward, no sigh of her waking up till now.
Honstely, Luka thought of just going back to city (B).
But then again Mr Robert words was to gain time for Dante. And to prove himself to rest of the Greens family, which if this was the price to be accepted, then it doesn't worth his care.
All he wanted was to graduate then works at one of the Greens family faculty, peacefully for the rest of his life if possible. However, that old man seemed to have other plans for him for the time being.