Forum Thread

"Since my plan is finally being set into motion, I'm going to start her transformation. She will be cleansed and reborn into the darkness."

---

Kendo started to clap slowly.

"Impressive, how edgy of you, with your Light Yagami-talkin' a$$ and your pet kinks."

His smile was mocking.

"Judging from the way these stories usually go I think I'm supposed to say something along the lines of 'no, I won't let you take her,' but my breath is wasted on edgelords such as yourself. 'reborn into the darkness,' really? couldn'ta called it anything else?"

He yawned slightly, putting a hand on his waist, checking his nails.

"Anyways, plans set into motion, testing, reborn into the darkness... you want fries with that order, Mr. Legion? Or perhaps the villain monologue special?"

---

"I'll take the fries, though I'm not much hungry as of currently. Come, Aretstikaphaniela." She faltered, turning to Kendo for any help. She didn't want to go.

---

"And they call me obnoxious." Iteral muttered, doing a few final preparations on her clock while kind of resting on the balcony. Well, it was better than that sappy love stuff from earlier. Pft. Molded into darkness again... well, at least Kendo had a point in his "rant".

---

"What to do, what to do. I wonder if I could call in different versions of me. Hm, should I? But then, I could go deaf. That sounds bad."

He shrugged.

"Not sure what I can do, Aret."

---

"That does sound like quite an idea, but do keep in mind that none of your powers will work around me." He walked closer to Aret, picking her up easily and taking a syringe out of his coat pocket. "I also wouldn't recommend going outside. The ground is covered in a thick smog that will kill you." He held Aret's head still and stabbed the needle into her neck, injecting the fluid.

---

---

---

Setsuna Jun

---

The man eyed him appraisingly. Setsuna hoped he liked what he found quickly- his legs were starting to itch. He wanted capris...

"Private Jun." He took a step closer. "You were the sole survivor of your squad, correct?"

"Yes sir." That's all you could say to super important people like this, even when you had no idea what they were talking about.

"Do you have magic?"

"Yes sir."

"Your file says you doesn't."

"Yes sir."

"We're transferring you into the Blue Squadron. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes sir."

"Excellent, comrade. You are making Legion proud." The man's smile broadened. "You will surely be valuable at protecting the secrets of our nation... with your prior experience."

He glanced at Setsuna's shoes.

Setsuna blinked. Yes. Experience. I have that. I am a good soldier.

"Have a wonderful day." And then the man was walking out. The door closed behind him, and automatically locked.

Just a blink, and then he was crouching down, reaching for the paper he'd shoved under the bed. He took it up and examined it from all angles- well worn, beautiful penmanship, dated. This year. He began to read.

---

---

Isla Greer

---

Isla scowled, tracing her fingers over the magician’s features. So soft, delicate- dishonestly so. Hiding the power which lay behind those gentle brown eyes. The magic which lurked at those pale fingertips.

She hated liars more than anything.

He should’ve stayed in his cell. Where she couldn’t get to him. The palm of her own hand- the only place he was safe from her.

Fool.

A shuffling reminded her of the other occupant of the room. Her eyes darted up and landed on the man- his lurking figure slouched in the dim light of the office. The man before hadn’t even noticed him.

“Master,” he spoke.“Is this boy of importance to you?” He tilted his head to the side- a brief flash of blue eyes, and then the shadow leeched all colour from him once more.

“To me? No. Revenge is reserved for those who have wronged me.” Her hands clenched- she imagined wrapping them around the time-user’s throat, strangling the apologies straight from her. “He is of importance to the kingdom- our kingdom.”

The man shifted uneasily. She took that as the end of that conversation- back to paperwork.

She started stamping the usual tax crap, barely glancing at the requests for council meetings- this wasn’t a democracy. She had no reason to entertain some fools who thought that a little bit of money made them an important part of Snavian society. Money was money- power was power. That was that.

He cleared his throat. She glanced up. “What?” Her voice had a sharp edge.

“Nothing, Master.” He settled back into his original position.

But she was not so easily deterred. “Answer me, soldier. You have a question- speak it. You’re at least capable of that I suppose?”

His face was blank, but she noted his flinch. She’d need to find something to punish him for later.

“I was wondering what position I would hold- within your empire.”

Oh? She felt her lip quirk in a smile. “Empire is a strong word.”

“Is it not what you have proposed? Total domination- that is an empire, I am quite certain.”

“Who said I want to rule the world?” She hummed, leaning back in her chair. She put on a show of examining her nails, but kept her eyes carefully fixed on his face. “Rather a… ambitious goal, wouldn’t you say?”

“Would you describe yourself in any other way?”

Isla laughed, genuinely delighted in another person for the first time in years. She sat up in her chair. He went rigid, hands going behind his back.

“I’ll have to train that out of you,” she remarked.

He blinked, temporarily caught off guard. “Pardon?”

“If you are to become a general, you should have better nerves- battle doesn’t function underneath a coward.”

Carrot.

“Becoming a General?” he questioned.

“If you would rather serve as an ambassador for our terribly naive populace, I can arrange that.”

Stick.

“I- I’d choose the former.”

“Excellent,” Isla smiled. “Your questions are much appreciated, Soldier.”

She lifted up her stamp and leafed through the paper- in a good mood, she allowed a meeting with the “Volkov” family. Something about residence for Legion citizens along the border. Not difficult. She moved onto the next- a bit about education, which she filed for later consideration She intended to have the schooling system redone in a more military style. Combat ability would be important in her world. Sliding the drawer shut, she glanced up and met his eyes. He was staring right at her.

“Permission to speak.”

He shifted in his spot. “How would I prove myself? You… implied I’m not a general yet. Would I require combat experience or-”

She held up a hand to stop him.

“That is an excellent question.” She watched him move to speak again. “No- in fact, I have a mission for you right now. Fulfilling it correctly might earn you a promotion in a matter of days.”

His eyes sharpened. Oh so clever. “What would that be?”

She slid the file over to him.

He read it, carefully, then shut the folder. “I- I understand.”

“You’ll do it?”

“...I will do whatever Snavia requires of me.”

“You are dismissed, soldier.”

He gave a stiff bow and left the room.

Isla finally let the stack of paperwork leave her hands and sighed, leaning back in her chair. The magician’s face stared up at her, sweet smile and delicate hands and lying eyes.

“See what you could’ve had,” she whispered. “If you hadn’t betrayed me?”

One day, that face would be covered in blood.

Her hand brushed over the sword by her hip.

---

Adrik Volkov

---

Adrik felt a phantom shudder run up his spine. He ducked into an alleyway, and pressed himself flush against the wall- several soldiers ran by him, and he released a shuddering breath. That had been close.

He unwrapped the cloak he clutched to his chest and revealed an array of apples.

I never thought I’d be a thief, he thought. But I wasn’t fleeing from Snavian law enforcement then- so maybe past me wasn’t fully informed of potential circumstances.

He picked one up. Bright red- a beauty. It probably had some fancy name he couldn’t be bothered to recognize. He made to shove it in his face, but a rattling interrupted him.

The apple dropped back into the pile of its brethren. He carefully wrapped it back up and crept forward.

“Hello?” he called.

A rat scurried by his foot- he flinched.

“...I know you’re there.”

There was no response. “Be like that, I guess.” He crouched down and took an apple out.

They were delicious- juicy with a satisfying crunch. Adrik savoured the first bite- it was always the best.

“You’re the magician boy Snavia’s after.”

The apple dropped from his hand. In an instant, he was on his feet, taking a defensive stance.

“Relax. I’m Legion.”

That didn’t make Adrik feel much better, but he didn’t run, even as the stranger came into the light. A young man- probably in his twenties, dark hair, bright eyes. A certain jumpiness to his posture that Adrik identified with the people that went door to door trying to peddle plastic wedding rings.

A con artist.

He wondered if he could get away with stabbing the man.

“Woah, woah.” The stranger backed off. “I recognize that look in your eyes. Violent young man, aren’tcha?”

“Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying.”

The man snickered. “You’re clever! I like that.”

Adrik flushed. He was probably being manipulated, but god- he hadn’t been called anything but names in so long. Praise was bound to fluster him. “Who are you?”

He smirked. “Kubo’s the name, friend. I don’t suppose you mind telling me yours? When beginning a prosperous relationship, it’s usually best to start on equal grounds.”

“Nice to meet you, Kubo- I’m Adrik. I mean, I guess you already knew that, but… I just didn’t think- well I guess- I guess that I just think you could use some clarification?”

“Clarification is always welcome!” Kubo clapped his hands together. “And so are apples. You offering?” He nodded to the bundle in Adrik’s arms.

Adrik hesitated. He wasn’t sure he wanted to part with his only food, just yet.

Kubo sensed his hesitation. “Or I could always tell the vender you ‘purchased them from’ just how much you loved them. And your full legal identity?”

Adrik paled. “Apples! Fine! Take the apples!”

He practically shoved the bundle into Kubo’s arms.

“Much appreciated!” The man accepted the apples and took a new spot on the ground.

Adrik watched Kubo warily- but he just sat quietly against the wall, tearing into apple after apple. Maybe he was just hungry.

Maybe he was just a puppet, like him.

He bit his lip, aware that this was a dangerous line of thought. But he was so starved of human connection, that by now, it seemed like a fair trade-off.

“What’s Legion like?” he blurted out.

The man took his time to answer, now gnawing slowly on one of the last few apples. He was even eating the cores- the visual was fascinating. “Well…” He wiped his hands off on his jeans. “We’re a very sophisticated country. Forms of entertainment take two forms- propaganda and military service.”

Adrik released a surprised laugh. “Really?”

“Personally, I hold a preference for the dreadfully long lectures on our noble leader. Who has so courageously granted himself the name of his own country, narcissist he is."

His jaw dropped, and he sputtered, trying desperately to think of something against Kubo's smug smirk. That was practically blasphemy! What was this man thinking?

"If you hold any interest in seeing some of our propoganda..." Adrik didn't even have a chance to react before Kubo had seized his hand. "Then let me know!"

The man turned on his heel and melted away into the shadow.

Cautiously, Adrik opened up his hand, and revealed the coin clenched within.

His heart seized at the symbols and he quickly slammed his palm to his chest, looking nervously back and forth- but the alley was as dead as it'd been when he entered it.

Adrik shuddered, wishing he had his cloak.

What could that man possibly want from him?

---

Erik looks down at every nice looking rock while walking. While searchimg he observed a tiny white pearl looking rock. Erik picks it up and cleans it with his clothes,it is more shiny after cleaning it. "Woah this one is beautiful". He looks at the tiny rock once more and turns to Chiara ,Yasuo and Odyssey. "Look at this tiny shiny rock. Nature is amazing and beautiful".


◇


"Yeah...it's just a rock ,kid. Drop it somewhere". He continues walking ignoring the kid

---

"That is true,nature is amazing and beautiful. But it can be dangerous if not being careful Or wishing to harm it". He looks at the tiny rock Erik holds it.
Ifrit îs flying around Erik leaving fire embers behind.

---

Chiara follows behind, stepping on the fire that Ifrit leaves behind. "You are so critical of the child... he likes collecting rocks and enjoys nature." She walks a little closer to Erik and puts her hand on his shoulder. "Don't let the candle of passion be smoked out by the wind."

---

Erik looks at the tiny rock in his hand and then looks at Chiara "You are right". He sighs with a visible sadness on his face. "I just wish my family would be here too. But they told me I should go in a adventure. And I love adventure ,so I accepted it. I wonder what are they doing now..". He puts down the rock near other tiny rocks.
"This rock should not be far from its family, in my pocket. Everyone deserves to be happy with the loved ones,even this tiny rock". His eyes are full of tears


◇



"Crititcal? Im just trying to expla-" He looks at Erik crying. "Oh , here the emotional part comes..". He walks to Erik purring

---

Chiara looks up at the treetops, sighing. "Everyone is. But if everyone was with their loved ones... nobody would be there fighting for the right thing." She forms the will-o-wisp again but this time, it simply lands on Erik's head, a soft feeling of warmth emanating from it. "But now, we fight for when this is over, that a lot more people can live life with their loved ones. And I am sure you..." She not only looks at Erik but also Odyssey and Yasuo. "Will return victorious to your families."

---

Overwhelmed by the situation he starts to cry and looks at Chiara,Yasuo and Odyssey smiling with tears in his eyes "You guys are the best. And im happy I found you". Erik wipes off his tears with his hands. "But..now,you three are my family".

◇


Odyssey looks at Chiara and nods. "Well,I think you are right ma'am". He looks at the boy crying and sighs "A family?? More like a team I say. But whatever...we could say family for now".

---

Chiara held it back for a second. She was going to worship the Saint Deity again, about how they are all a big family under her protection but... with Erik's emotional outburst, all she did is smile. She even gave a nod at Odyssey for not commenting on it that badly. "We're glad to be of assistance, my child."

-----

The paper itself was quite very plain, simple old paper from any notebook. Though the calligraphy and words written on it tell another story, with how extravagant the font and kerning was... one could still smell the ink despite the age. The upper most line seems to be a date but, when Setsuna crumbled the page under him, it became too crumpled to make out. The rest was in relatively good shape.

𝒜𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝓊𝓃 𝓈𝑒𝓉𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓉'𝓈 𝓌𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝑔𝒶𝓏𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝑔𝑜𝑒𝓈 𝒷𝓎 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒹𝑒𝑒𝒹𝓈 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓁𝑜𝓎𝒶𝓁 𝒻𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝓈. 𝒜𝓁𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽... 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓃𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝑔𝑜 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹.

𝒮𝑒𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒥𝓊𝓃. 𝒜 𝒸𝒽𝒾𝓁𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑔𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓅𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝓊𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓂𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝓌𝒶𝓇, 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒾𝓃𝒸𝒶𝓅𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓊𝓂𝒶 𝒷𝓊𝓉... 𝐼 𝓈𝒶𝓌 𝒾𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝓎𝑒𝓈. 𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝐼 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝒹 𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝓎 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒, 𝒾𝓃𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝒹𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝓂𝓎𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻, 𝐼 𝓈𝒶𝓌 𝒾𝓉. 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑜𝓃𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒... 𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉. 𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃, 𝒽𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝑔𝓊𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒹.

𝑀𝓎 𝒮𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓉, 𝓅𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑒, 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓁𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝒶𝓈𝓈𝓊𝓂𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓃𝑒, 𝓈𝓅𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓃𝑔 𝓈𝑜𝓊𝓁, 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝓇𝑜𝓃𝑔. 𝐻𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝒶 𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒'𝓈 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈, 𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒷𝑒 𝓅𝓊𝓃𝒾𝓈𝒽𝑒𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂.

𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒾𝓉. 𝒮𝓅𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒮𝑒𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒾𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓌𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒽. 𝐼𝒻 𝒾𝓉 𝓂𝓊𝓈𝓉... 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓇𝑒𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉.


-----

Something was... happening in the halls of the castle. Something strange... and unexpected. A weird... apparition suddenly started roaming the halls, it spoke but had no sound, it walked but had no footsteps, it went through walls with no trace. It did make occasional sounds, that of clocks ticking or gears turning, but that was about it. It passed the lab, it passed Isla's office, it... seemed to act like it was sneaking around. Her "giggle" lacked the actual laughter, but it did have distorted light sounds fine-tuned clunking.

---

---

---

Isla Greer

---

Isla stormed through the halls, seeing nothing, her cape billowing in the breeze caused by her wake. The place was pressing in on her, she realised grimly. Almost as if trying to hurt her- strangle the air from her lungs.

She stopped by a door and lifted her hand in a signal to stop. Her guards shuffled behind her.

"Stay back," she ordered. "I'm heading in there myself."

The giggling rang in her ears- the voice of someone she figured she'd never see again...

A grim smile played on her lips. Reward truly would come to those who wait. "You're dismissed." And she pushed open the door without a moment of hesitation.

---

---

Setsuna Jun

---

Setsuna traced his finger along the words- but as soon as he came to his own name, he stopped and reread the beginning. His name again. Setsuna Jun. She had such pretty handwriting. What did she say about him? He wanted to know so desperately, whether she thought of him whether she forgave him-

But he couldn't look at it.

His heart was pounding in his ears. Chiara, he realized. This is Chiara's. I don't have a right to read it. Not now. Not when-

He glanced at the note on the floor. The message she left for him.

The letter was cold in his hands. How long ago had she written this? What had she written, that he couldn't bring himself to read?

What supernatural force had rendered language obsolete, in face of emotion and pitiful regrets?

Setsuna Jun betrayed you. He carefully, as gently as he could, folded it. He doesn't deserve your friendship, or your secrets. He will preserve them.

The paper went into his sock, where he knew it'd be safe. Shakily, he breathed out, and pushed himself up to his feet.

I need to report to my new squadron. Blue Squadron.

Maybe there... maybe fighting for Legion...

In heroism, he would find whatever pieces he'd lost when he pushed her.

Then he could finally apologize- to the living and the dead.

I will defeat Macedon for you, Chiara, he promised internally. And then I will find you, and we'll have our happy ending.

Setsuna left the room. It wasn't until much later that he would find out he left her note behind- cold and dead on the floor.

---

The apparition did not even react to Isla, though she did look back and hid behind a wall. That wall being Isla's, however, so she was about as sneaky as a carriage. Nevertheless, she ran past a corner and laughed a little again, that ringing being the only "voice" she really had.

---

It was like Chiara tried to call out to Setsuna. Outside, while no notes or anything, her traces were there. The food on the table, the pieces of bread she had shared with everyone the past night, even slight footsteps more wet than others... from that night. Chiara left. But her spirit dwelled on for a bit.

---

---

---

Isla Greer

---

Isla stared into the empty room. The fire crackled in the corner, the rug was thick and woolly beneath her feet- picture perfect. The cackling resounded in her skull.

In an instant, she'd whipped around and thrust her sword in the direction of the laughter.

---

The apparition had been gone by the time Isla reacted. Though, it looked like it dodged the attack instead, it just giggling in it's unique and "silent" way, checking both hallways at the t-shaped intersection and then walking off. But not before doing the same thing that the time witch did back then: Check her clocks and look quite bored.

---

"Good, you're here." Selene and Willow waited by the empty chair that Legion normally sat in, motioning for the other captains to take a seat. "Legion will be here shortly with the Saint Deity. Please wait just a moment."

"In the meantime, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

---

---

---

Isla Greer

---

Isla's vision went red. She slashed her sword towards her, but already knew she'd miss. An afterimage! This fool's messed with the timeline!

She spun around; trying again and again, just to hit her- but it never connected.

"Your Highness-"

Her sword was at his throat. Blood beaded at the tip- it'd just pierced his skin.

The man trembled, too scared to move, or even speak, for fear of the blade going through. Deciding to take pity on him, Isla retracted her weapon. "Speak, or hold your silence. I don't have room for cowards in my armies."

"It's just that- the meeting is to begin soon. Sir Legion will undoubtedly be waiting-" He flinched as she sheathed her sword.

Right. Legion. Her eyes narrowed. "You can live. In exchange, I want you on spywork. Find out if there's been an attack here."

If there hasn't been, she thought. I'll lead one against Legion myself. Try and work with my enemies, see how long you last.

The man's mouth opened and shut, stupidly, like a fish. She turned on her heel and was almost at the end of the hall when she stopped.

"Don't fail me."

She took a final right, and arrived at the meeting room. She stormed inside, slamming the door behind her, and took her place at the side of the table.

Bunch of cowards.

She took a moment to observe the room. Rectangular, plain- the table was the same. No round one here- they all knew who was boss. A vase sat in the centre. There were no windows.

No escape.

---