Destiny 1.1
"Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?" I slurred.
"What?" Taylor gave me a sidelong look of concern.
I straightened up. "Fine! I'm good!" I put on my best smile.
"He's not good." Cu's expression was unimpressed.
"Nope, not at all," Tamamo sighed.
Fou glared at everyone. "I am stuck in this
freaking pet outfit,
none of you get to whine."
Tess rubbed her forehead. "Flat. Please dial Earth-Magic."
"On it!" the rambunctious magus cheered. He immediately began to manipulate the buttons at the keypad to arrange the glyphs on the Worldgate.
Tess looked over at us, and walked over to me. She pressed a USB drive into my hand. "Thanks to a great number of advances between Leona, Rin, and myself," she said, "I've managed to separate a stream of consciousness which I downloaded into here. Once you upload it to a device, I'll be able to connect remotely, and we can see about getting you support from us."
"Oh good, so we aren't just being cut loose into the cosmos. I am thrilled
and relieved." Tamamo put her hands on her hips. "But inquiring minds wish to know: where the heck are we supposed to put it?"
Tess shrugged. "If all else fails, pick a cell phone. It has a SIM card inside that you can replace."
"Or I can make a thing," I pointed out.
"Or, against all odds, Mattias can 'make a thing'," Tess agreed. "It
is one of the things he's good for."
"Oh, I can think of a few more than that," Cu muttered with a slight grin.
I blushed.
"Alright, let's go before Cu starts trying to put the moves on his boyfriend again," Taylor grumbled, hands in the air.
Cu wrapped an arm around my waist as the Worldgate erupted in a cacophony of colors. "Too late," he murmured in my ear.
I put an arm around his shoulder. "Thanks."
He smiled, and we started strolling up the ramp, Taylor and Tamamo close behind us.
"UGH. I demand a transfer on this flight! The couple next to me is getting GROSS and AFFECTIONATE and there is an unforgivable LACK OF SNACKS."
"Shush, Fou." I turned to Tess. "I'll connect as soon as I can, and will keep you posted."
"Oh good, and here I thought I'd avoided my aneurysm for the week," she said dryly.
"Your biology shouldn't permit-"
"
Metaphorical."
Cu chuckled and guided me forward through the portal, Taylor snickering behind us. Tamamo just sighed fondly.
Everything dissolved into color, then snapped into vivid relief as we stepped into Spirit Grave Albion.
"You've arrived."
I looked to the source of the voice, and saw Lorelei Barthomeloi standing, her arms crossed. She frowned slightly, her eyes narrowed.
"Barthomeloi? What happened?" I exchanged a look with Taylor as Cu tightened his grip.
"The Director is… perturbed." She shook her head. "Please come quickly. He's issued messages I never thought he would, and-" she cut herself off. "You have likely seen more of him than the rest of us, but the Director has ever been a monolith of stoicism, logic, and impartiality."
Tamamo hissed through her teeth. "Oh, that sounds bad."
"He is
panicking." Barthomeloi turned on her heel. "Let's not give him more time to try and batten down the hatches in terrifying ways. Last I heard, he was considering contacting the
Wandering Sea."
"Not Atlas?" I asked, following her.
"We've already received access to their copy of the Black Barrel, and they are considering lifting seals on more of their works. As it turns out, the Director had one of their Contracts which forces cooperation." Barthomeloi's heels clicked on the stone floor as she walked.
"...fuck."
She glanced back at me. "Quite. He is frantically searching for Altrouge Brunestud, to no avail. It is as though she has vanished. According to our sources, she lives, but has retreated into hiding. Arcueid and Aozaki have not left Eva's side since you contacted us. Eva attempted to look into the past for Fortuna, and was incapacitated. She is unharmed, but she sleeps and will not wake. Our preliminary results conclude that she will likely remain asleep for a day or so while she mentally recuperates from whatever
did occur."
Fou made a low growl. "Did he say what got his pants in a twist? And everyone else's?"
"No. He has only spoken to Zelretch, Aozaki, and myself. I've been in contact with El-Melloi, and she is keeping an eye on the Association at large while I manage things here." Barthomeloi stopped in front of the large doors to the Director's chamber.
I gently lowered Cu's arm from my waist.
Taylor finally spoke up. "So are we all going in, or just Mattias? Because I don't think the Director would attack him even if he was freaking out, but the rest of us…"
Barthomeloi inclined her head. "Perhaps."
I exhaled. "Alright. Time to go find out what's got him worked up." I knocked once, and the door slid open.
Inside was pitch dark.
"I ain't goin' nowhere," Fou said flatly, digging his claws into my shoulder. "That looks like the start to a horror movie, and you're not going in alone."
"Good plan, bring the escalation fuzz." Taylor nodded in approval.
"Alright. Wish me luck."
I entered, and the door slid shut behind me, shutting out the light. I saw a faint sulfurous gleam at the other end of the room.
"Okay Crowley, what the hell." I frowned, a sphere of light appearing to my side and casting a pale light through the room.
The demonic Director stood in front of a cabinet, his eyes glinting in the low light as he gazed at me. "So you've come," he said heavily. "Would that I could protect you from this."
"Uh…" Fou glanced at me.
"Protect me from what, Crowley?"
He sighed and turned to the cabinet before him. "Things I'm forbidden to disclose. It was bound into my making."
"Mm. I see." I began to walk forward. "So… what's so scary you're petitioning Atlas for the superweapons? Hell, looking for help from Wandering Sea?"
"Contingencies. The only call I truly required answered was, and it was to neither of them. You will understand when they arrive." Crowley shuddered. "Someone comes. He is strong. Stronger than any of us, maybe even all of us. He may do nothing. He may ruin everything. I cannot know."
"Who?" I asked. I finally reached his desk, and stood close to Crowley.
He turned to say something to me, and his eyes widened. He went inhumanly still.
I frowned, waving a hand in front of his face. He didn't react.
"Crowley. Tell me who's coming," I ordered. I stilled, looking to my shoulder.
Fou wasn't breathing. He wasn't moving either.
I gently prodded him, and though the fur gave way, it remained in a way that defied gravity or inertia.
"Yeah, that's kind of spooky the first few times you see it," a voice commented pleasantly. "You get used to it though, so don't worry about it."
A black-gloved hand lifted Fou off of my shoulder and gently placed him on the desk.
Slowly, I turned.
A man in a black cloak stood there, arms dangling by his side. I couldn't see through the shadows of his hood.
"Well. Well, well, well." He sounded pleased. "Look at you. All grown up, saving worlds, and changing lives. I should be proud, I guess. Think I will be, given what little I know." He leaned on the desk. "So, Mattias, right? That's what you go by now." He laughed. "Ahh, it's been so long since I saw you last. I've missed you, kid."
That voice. I'd heard it a few times, but only in a film compiling the events of a game. I knew exactly who this was.
"So, you probably don't know who I-"
"Master of Masters." My voice was hollow, cold.
"Oooor you do. Well, well." He seemed pleased. "I really can't say how happy I am-"
"What did you do to my friends."
"Nothing! Just stopped time. After all, didn't want anything bad to happen to them. You're tough enough to handle being around me, but I've found most people… adverse things happen, whether I want them or not. It's odd, really." There was a smile in his voice. "Now, tell me about yourself. I mean, I know some, but not all of it. Who answered your call? What did you fight in the other world? I knew about Khepri, but not what brought her. C'mon, give me the
details," he begged in an excited tone.
I stared at him.
"Ahh, probably wondering what to call me? Well, you can go with… Agrarian. It's shorter and sweeter than Master of Masters, yeah?" He crossed his arms. "Come on, indulge me a little. We've got all the time in the world." His voice never deviated from that kind, friendly, familiar tone, and he never displayed an ounce of threat.
That might have been what scared me the most.
____________________________________________________________________________
Sora stared out into the darkness. The glass radiated cold beneath his feet, and he shivered. It had a picture, but he hadn't paid attention as he fell.
"...hear...me?"
The glass shuddered, and he stepped back, looking around. The dark flickered a pale blue.
"...heart...here?...wake…"
The sound of water rushed in his ears.
The stained glass vanished, a boundless flat sea taking its place. The darkness was banished by an endless blue sky.
"Oh," Sora gasped. A pale glow suffused his body.
"Oh wow. I thought you might stay in the station of awakening, but your power is way more defined than I thought," a high-pitched voice commented.
Sora looked down, and spotted a gray plush. It was rotund and catlike, soft and friendly-looking.
"Hello, there. My name's Chirithy. Awakenings link to this world of ours, if only in dreams."
A soft voice sang in the distance, and Sora felt his heart slow from its prior racing.
"So… what's your name?" The plush tilted its (his?) head.
"Oh, sorry! My name's Sora." Sora got on one knee to get closer to Chirithy. "So… what did you mean when you said my power was defined? I've been training a lot lately, but…"
"Mm, that's handy, but no. I mean you're predisposed to a certain type of power. Some wield strength to destroy or protect in physical terms. That's not you. Your power lies in magic, which carries a heavy burden."
Sora stilled. "Oh."
"Ah, you know what I mean. Hm. You've been marked by destiny, that's for sure." Chirithy raised Sora's hand in his little paws. "These Command Seals… huh. Hah! Of course
he's marked you." Chirithy's voice was amused.
"Who, exactly? Achilles?"
"Nope. The First Magician. He grants these bonds unconsciously." Chirithy looked up. "You're gonna go on an adventure soon, Sora. You'll lose a lot, but gain a lot. And maybe even regain what you lose. But you have to be brave, and trust in your bonds." Though the plush didn't emote well, Sora could swear it was smiling.
"So…" Sora murmured.
"Normally, you'd fight something from the dark. That's how Awakenings work." Chirithy tilted his head. "But that's not my style."
"So how do I wake up?"
Chirithy giggled. "We send you back."
"We?"
Sora suddenly became aware of a looming shadow, and looked up.
"LAAA-AAAA"
____________________________________________________________________________
"GIANT!" he yelped as he launched up, eyes blinking rapidly. Sora gulped down air as he stared out to sea.
"Uh. You okay, buddy?" Achilles knelt in the sand, hands out to steady Sora - the one person or thing he
could touch.
"Sora…?" Kairi's voice carried concern.
"I. I'm good. Weird dream, but I'm awake." Sora gulped. "Yeah. Awake." He narrowed his eyes. "Hey, uh. Kairi?"
"Mmhm?"
"Does the name 'Chirithy' mean anything to you?"
"...no?" Kairi sounded confused.
Sora sighed, rolling to his feet. "Right. Okay," he said, slapping his face with both hands. "I probably ought to go find supplies for the boat before Riku gets mad."
"Good idea," Riku commented dryly, walking up with a log in his arms. "Enjoy your nap?" he teased.
Sora coughed. "Had a nightmare, so not really," he admitted.
Riku hummed. "That sucks. Well, a little hunting for items might clear your head. We need one more log, cloth for a sail, and rope. I'm pretty sure I saw the last two up in the treehouses, and there's logs on the beach."
"Oh. Thanks, Riku." Sora smiled. "I appreciate the help."
Riku's grin softened. "Anytime." He paused. "If you've got time later, find me on the little island. ...there's some stuff I want to talk about."
"Sure thing!" Sora smiled brilliantly.
Riku nodded and carried the log away towards the rest of the supplies.
Kairi rubbed her forehead.
"Think the little lady's alright?" Achilles asked, leaning his elbow on Sora's head.
"Everything okay, Kairi?"
Kairi smiled tightly. "It's fine. It's good. Just… if Riku gives you any trouble, don't let it get you down, okay? I know he's been acting up lately."
Sora rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sure it'll be okay. Thanks for worrying, though." He smiled.
He wandered off towards the ladder to the closest treehouse, the conversation over. Sora
knew there was a big enough cloth to serve as a sail, and he aimed to get it.
Achilles followed along, humming cheerfully.
____________________________________________________________________________
"Riku better be serious about talking with Sora…" Kairi muttered.
Medea made an unconvinced noise. "We shall see. How go your preparations?"
Kairi sighed. "They're going. If they're after me for…" Kairi frowned. "My heart. If they want that, I need to hide it. Sora's strong, both from his training with Achilles-"
"And his mother," Medea said with a nod. "His nonhuman heritage will serve him well."
He's more human than not, Kairi reminded her silently.
Three-quarters.
That was one of Sora's closest secrets that he had entrusted to Riku, Kairi, and no one else. Something from his mother.
She began to string the shells together again, making the charm for Sora. "If the worst comes to pass…" She shook her head. "Are you sure we can't just talk to his mom? She knows a lot about magic too."
Medea tapped her chin. "We should consider it. Give me a night to think over what we know, and we'll see if it's enough to bring to her. She is, strictly speaking, retired."
Kairi nodded in agreement. "Sounds like a plan."
___________________________________________________________________________
I swallowed. "So, I arrived at the North Pole. I'd just died, again."
Mas- Agrarian. Agrarian tilted his head. "Let's step back. What? You're not supposed to remember your past lives, I thought."
"Well, I died in a world full of metaknowledge. It's how I know who you are," I said. "Something about Unions, Foretellers, a Keyblade War-"
"Nope!"
I froze.
"Did
not happen. A lot of things did, especially after your friends showed up, but there was not a Keyblade war." He gestured. "Continue."
"So, I remembered that. Then I went to something called a Moon Cell."
"Okay, I'm familiar."
"I summoned the same two Servants that I summoned first here. Leonardo Da Vinci-"
"Mona Lisa?"
"Yes."
"Right."
"And Gilgamesh."
Agrarian sucked on his teeth. "Ah. That guy. He give you trouble?"
I shook my head after a moment. "Nothing I couldn't handle. He's… well, we're kind of friends. Are friends. Enkidu's his best, but…"
"Huh."
"Yeah. So Archimedes burned me alive, I shot through multiple worlds trying to escape, and landed in the Final World with Tiamat. She, Scathach, and Merlin saved me, and I put my soul into the body of an Endbringer."
Agrarian leaned forward. "A what now?"
I assumed my nonhuman form. I stood, carved of white marble, with golden claws coming from my hands and feet. Golden vine patterns streaked my body, and the wings that came from the back of my head… I bent one forward, and instead of feathers, it bore leaves. My chest bore an imprint shaped like a grail, but black and dotted with stars.
"...huh."
"I'm an alien superweapon. The deeper you go, the denser I get, until I bend physics to surpass the core of a star and then some. I'm not indestructible, but close."
"Good." Agrarian's voice was firm. "Is Archimedes dead?"
"Yes. Not before he caused a lot of trouble on Earth-Bet, but yes."
He leaned back. "Like?"
"There were other Endbringers, and they attacked in three-month rotations. One could sink islands with water, one could warp minds and bend fate, and one commanded all forms of energy while being a stone giant. They were named Leviathan, Simurgh, and Behemoth. Colloquially? Islandkiller, Hopekiller, and Herokiller."
"...I see."
"They're gone. A band of serial killers got empowered by Archimedes, but they're gone too. Also a mad alien that tried to use Earth as a petri dish for experiments before discarding and destroying the local multiverse. I've, uh, helped stop a lot."
"And Khepri, Beast V-R." Agrarian's tone was mild. "You've been through it, huh?" Was that… sympathy?
I nodded, looking at Fou's still form to remind myself of what was going on.
"Okay. So the genius and the no-longer-tyrant king. Who else? I've met Fortuna and ZZ. Wait… ZZ was the Simurgh? Wow. Impressive." Agrarian nodded. "I also know about Fortuna's phantom. ...impressive."
I coughed. "Right. I'll keep it short. My Lancer-"
"Know him, he's outside. He's pretty close to you, huh?"
"We're involved," I said shortly.
The Master of Masters stared at me from beneath his hood. "Okay. And?"
"Like dating?"
"Kid, I'm older than old. If there's not someone out there I didn't have a passing thought about sleeping with back when I cared about such things, then I'd be surprised. Gender's a quaint little thing for mortals. Love's the only experience that matters for me at this point." His voice was amused, playful. Maybe a little fond.
"Oh...kay," I said slowly.
"Ew. No. No, no, no. You-" Agrarian shuddered. "Look, I can't give you all the details yet, but no. Never, ever, ever. Not you. Are you important to me? Dearly. But not remotely in that way. It'd be like…" He trailed off, looking around. "Like you and that young lady outside. Without the tails."
I winced. "Ew. A hundred 'ew's."
"Precisely," Agrarian agreed with a sharp nod.
I swallowed. "So should I finish or…?"
Agrarian waved a hand. "Go ahead. I'll be good and stop interrupting. I can tell you're getting tired of me anyways."
"I called Medusa as my Rider, Arthur Pendragon as my Saber, the First Hassan-i-Sabbah as my Assassin, Frankenstein and Asterios share Berserker-"
"Cheater!"
"Ahem."
"Sorry."
"Galahad is Shielder, the Counter Guardian EMIYA as Alter-Ego, Quetzalcoatl as Avenger, and Hero as Ruler."
Agrarian reached under his hood and rubbed his chin. "Okay. Don't know the Counter Guardian, but they tend to pull weight. Who is Hero?"
"A local. He's a Tinker, focuses on Wavelengths. It's pretty esoteric. Oh, Tinkers are inventors, kind of."
"Huh. Recent?"
"Merged with a phantom."
Agrarian tilted his head. "Oh? Who?"
"Raziel. He has access to the Se-"
Agrarian grabbed my arms. "
He has the book?" His voice went… deep. Dangerous.
I stared at him, Ideal in my hand. "Let. Go."
He stepped back, gazing at the rapier. "...you made this?" he asked, his demeanor back to the curious probing.
"I did."
The Master of Masters was silent. "I'm sorry. It's… that book is very dangerous in the wrong hands."
"He uses it as a spellbook to supplement his other powers." I didn't put my sword away.
"That's fine. So long as he doesn't dip into its more esoteric powers while over there…" He shook his head. "I truly am sorry. I was unsettled, but I shouldn't have done that."
I exhaled. "Apology accepted."
Why is he being so… nice? And open? This doesn't fit.
"You're going to be starting down a long path," Agrarian said softly. "You depart at dawn. So long as you keep walking, your journey will be a bright one." He looked to me. "You won't make it to stop destiny. The King's men are with him. The child will need you all."
My breath caught in my throat.
"I can arrange things where you come out. He'll need training, you'll find it before him. Then I can guide your passage to Traverse Town. Your powers complement my own."
"Because you make Keyblades?" I asked, furrowing my brow.
Agrarian laughed softly. "That's part of it, I guess. I want… I want to make this right. All of it." He looked to me. "I need you for this, Mattias."
I stared at him. "Why?"
He stepped back from me, and I was overwhelmed by the sense of vulnerability I felt coming from the man who, in another life, would have orchestrated the end of an era.
"What would you do, if you lost the person closest to you? No, threw them away in a fit of misguided rage? Atone? Would you continue?"
He turned on his heel, and a Dark Corridor opened before him, the portal billowing shadows as it lead through the Realm of Darkness - and likely back to the Worlds of Hearts.
"What would you risk to regain even an
echo of that precious bond?"
My mouth opened before I could think.
"Anything. To atone, to… to find something after all that."
The sigh was somehow both fond and relieved.
"I knew you'd understand."
And the Master of Masters left through the Corridor - but as it closed, he turned back to me.
"I left something in the cabinet for you. Use it, or don't. I'd like to keep an eye on you, just in case you need help sent along." He reached up and lowered his hood.
He had brown skin, and short-shorn black hair. His one eye was blue with a catlike pupil, and a strange violet scar crossed the whole of his face in a starlike pattern. An eyepatch covered his other eye.
"Normally I'd say something else, but… it doesn't quite fit here. So…"
The Corridor closed.
"
Do the right thing."
My light flickered, and Fou and Crowley began to move again.
I quickly reverted to my human form.
Crowley glanced at me, eyes wide.
"Uh. Cabinet?" I said timidly.
"The
fuck just happened!?" Fou yowled.
____________________________________________________________________________
Sora exhaled as he dropped the last piece into place, Riku lashing it expertly to the raft.
"You're really good at this," he commented with a smile. "I'm no good at knots."
Riku chuckled. "They take a little patience, that's all." He secured the rope, cinching it down and tying it off. He stood up. "So… you have time?"
Sora perked up. "Right, sure. You wanted to talk to me?"
Riku rubbed the back of his neck. "Kairi might have told me that you held back on me because you were scared to hurt me."
"Well, yeah. Pankration is a mix of boxing, grappling, and free-form fighting that's all about going for weak spots, breaking guard, and taking your opponent apart. I have to dial it back to spar with anyone." Sora blinked. "It's really violent."
"And…
you use it." Riku's eyebrows rose. "Where did you even learn it?"
Sora hesitated. "I don't know if you'd believe me."
Riku crossed his arms. "You have magic. I've seen you freeze water, burn sand to glass, and call wind. Try me."
Sora coughed awkwardly.
"Well, he has a point. If nothing else, say I'm a ghost," Achilles offered.
"A ghost from far away decided he took a liking to me and wanted to teach me how he fought," Sora said after a moment. "I'm trying to learn how to manifest him, because he's tied to me and he's nice, but I don't have the right kind of power."
Riku stared. "A ghost."
Sora nodded.
Riku slowly exhaled. "Okay. That makes… a frightening amount of sense." He rubbed his face. "Can anyone else see him?"
"Not without the 'kind' of power he needs to manifest. He's like… a spirit? The memories of a hero from a long time ago. He can manifest, but needs 'mana'. And I have it, it's just locked away. So… it's a work in progress." Sora shrugged helplessly. "Kairi has one too, and she can manifest her some. But my friend, his name's Achilles, he's a warrior while hers is a mage."
Riku stared at Sora a little more. "So, like your mom?"
"Ehh… no? She's different. I think they're from a different world than Mom." Sora shrugged. "I didn't know how to explain, so I didn't tell you earlier."
Riku looked away. "You think we'll find a way to help them when we get off the islands?"
"Maybe? It makes sense," Sora agreed. "...are we good? I don't like fighting you. For real, I mean. Sparring's fun, even if I lose sometimes - because we're learning and having fun together." Sora's voice was earnest.
Riku's gaze softened. "...yeah. We're good." He clapped Sora on the shoulder. "Alright. I'll do whatever it takes to get us off the island to help your new friend."
Sora smiled brightly. "Okay! I'm counting on you, Riku."
Riku's smile stretched his face oddly. "You can count on me."
____________________________________________________________________________
As Sora wandered off, Riku's smile fell.
...was he being replaced? No. The way he talked about him, this ghost was older than Riku when he died. His place in his friends' lives was the same. It was fine.
Once he was ready…
Once the door opened…
They'd all go on an adventure together. They'd sail the stars, meet new people, get strong, and have fun together. He'd keep Sora and Kairi to himself, and maybe share them with these new mentors of theirs.
Once the door opened… they'd be free from this tiny prison of an island.
____________________________________________________________________________
"Mom, I'm home!" Sora called.
"Welcome home, love," his mother said, brushing her mint green hair back from her face. She smiled warmly, her blue eyes shining.
Sora took after his father, a local islander - his skin and hair came from him, as did his smile. His eyes and build came from his mother, making him shorter and slighter than Riku and other boys.
His father had been lost in a fishing accident when he was very small, before Kairi came. Sora still missed him, and was grateful for the pictures his mother kept.
"Um, can we work on magic after dinner? I want to make sure the spells I put on the boat hold."
His mother pursed her lips. "Are you sure you don't want me to make you one? I'd feel better if I could put location charms on it. And you'll keep to the closer worlds, right?"
"We will," Sora promised, walking up and hugging his mother. "And if you're that worried, I'll take some charms you make and put them in the sail. That way if we get in real trouble, you can come help us."
She sighed. "That should do. Thank you for indulging me, Sora." She smiled. "Now, I made baked snapper for dinner. Go wash up, alright dear?"
"Sure Mom," he replied with a smile, walking towards the bathroom.
The woman flicked her fingers, drying the pan she'd used and cleaned with a brief burst of heated air. She frowned slightly. Something had been off for the past few days, and she couldn't put her finger on it.
...maybe it was time she took a trip to the door. Just to make sure all was well.
She'd managed to bring one world back from the brink, and didn't fancy a second time around. She still kept in touch with her dear friends - Locke and Celes had snuck in not even a few months ago for a quick visit for Sora's birthday. He loved his surrogate aunt and uncle dearly. Maybe she should…
No. She was leaping at shadows. Her magic returning after Haruhiko had passed had been a shock, but she would be strong for her son. If she could do this on her own, she would.
So she would check the door, and
then make her choices.
Sora didn't need to worry; he had an adventure to prepare for. And one thing she'd learned was that Sora responded best to being given freedom and the choice to come to her. He'd never let her down before.
And so
Tina Branford made the plates for dinner, and counted her blessings.
____________________________________________________________________________
Cu gently stroked my hand as I sat in the chair Crowley had provided.
"So. This guy stopped time for everyone but you and him, intimated he had some uncontrollable power that you were immune to, and grilled you on… everything?" Taylor asked. She was frowning.
"Kind of? He was happy to see me, I think. He's the Master of Masters, I can't really say what goes through his head." I closed my hand around Cu's. My free hand held onto the No Name Keyblade - the Gazing Eye.
"So… is that an actual eye?" Tamamo grimaced. "I hope not…"
"There's copies of it, but I think this is the original eye, yes." I frowned at it.
"Gross." Taylor stuck her tongue out.
Crowley folded his hands. "So he came and went. The more militant responses aren't required. Good, good." He sighed.
Barthomeloi had left us to him, citing the need to contact Atlas to stand down.
"So… now what?" I asked.
"Now…" Crowley checked a timepiece on his desk. "Now, we head out to the Spirit Grave, and wait."
"Wait for what?" I asked as he got up and began to walk.
Cu glanced at me. "Let's see."
Fou jumped on my shoulder. "Can't believe I got nabbed by that spell…" he grumbled.
I dismissed Gazing Eye, shivering at the bond I felt to it. Then I used my free hand to stroke his fur.
Cu held onto my hand as we walked, and I kept petting Fou, who leaned into my nails.
Taylor looked around with a bored eye, a crystalline butterfly alighting on her shoulder.
Tamamo held her finger between her chin and lower lip in thought, eyes lidded.
Eventually, we came to a large open room.
"And now we wait," Crowley said coolly. He turned to me. "I'm glad you're well."
I blinked.
"Not all who have had a brush with that man can say the same." Crowley reached into a pocket, and pulled out a watch on a chain. "She said she would be-"
There was an engine's roar, and Taylor snapped to attention, eyes gleaming.
I flinched as a massive black… tank… drove out of thin air. It rolled past us, and came to a screeching halt as we faced the middle of it. A ramp descended from the side, and there was a solid THWACK against the door as it opened.
A slender leg clad with a sandal remained raised, then lowered. With several sharp clacks, the owner of the limb emerged.
Clad in cut-off shorts, a bright orange hawaiian shirt, and sunglasses; carrying a surfboard under one arm, the orange-haired woman emerged. To her side was a woman with lilac hair that covered one eye, wearing a white one-piece with a short, frilled skirt.
She flipped the sunglasses up, revealing light orange eyes that glimmered in rage.
"OI!" roared Ritsuka Fujimaru, Mash tugging her arm and trying to shush her. "WHERE THE HELL IS MY JOANIE!?"
"Oh dear," Tamamo murmured, Taylor staring in shock.
I could only nod dumbly in agreement as Cu bellowed in laughter.
