Nys slowly got to her feet dusting off her skirt. She squared her shoulders and peered at Eurytia. Liri turned his attention to Nys wondering what she would say to the queen.
"You must have been very fond of Eone's knight. You've done so much, but you feel nothing at all," Eurytia remained impassive as Nys spoke.
"I know that trust doesn't come easy and with this situation where we've only just met, it must feel impossible. Things can't continue like this. You know this probably better than anyone here. Ren can't continue to stay like this. Humans can't become Voids," Nys turned to Ren.
"You're doing your best to fight off the madness. The constant disarray of voices. Pleading and crying for relief. You could get lost in that abysmal hive. The longer we continue to wait, the firmer that reality becomes. You will become lost and broken like the rest. Ren, isn't that true?" Nys wondered if the young man would help her. She knew he wanted to be freed but she was a stranger to him. Could he trust her?
Ren nodded solemnly, "She is right Eurytia. The longer you wait the weaker I get. Soon I won't even be able to stay this way."
Eurytia faltered and lowered her staff, "How am I to trust you? You are not from the world before. There I know who to trust but you are a stranger. I cannot—"
"Let her try," Ren said walking over to Nys. She realized a little late that he was wearing the school uniform. The red tie was a giveaway that he was indeed a student of the university.
"How are you so sure you can save him?" the silver-haired woman asked just slightly above a whisper.
Nys didn't want to explain but now would be the time if she wanted to change the outcome of the situation.
"A deal was made to save all of the Voids. To free them from the torture and despair I must give up something very valuable. I am not sending them to their death. I want to save them. Ren is not a Void but a human with a Void inside of him. If I clear it away then he should be saved, but the longer we wait who knows what will truly happen to him."
Eurytia glanced at Ren. She still held an apathetic expression but Nys could see she was struggling. She wanted to feel something, but she had nothing inside. "You're truly willing to try this even if it has an unfavorable outcome?"
Ren held his hand up, palm facing Eurytia. His fingertips had begun to blacken, and black cracks traveled down his fingers to his palm, "I am. Their voices have become too erratic for me to control. I'm afraid of what will happen when I finally give in."
"Eurytia you must allow this." Eone pleaded.
The woman finally agreed silently. She stepped to the side and looked toward the cage. She held her hand out and the black and green orb that floated above the sword flew into her hand. She walked over to Nys and held the core out to her.
"You must save him." Eurytia voice was monotone but still held a plead.
Nys held her hands out and Eurytia dropped the core into her hands. Nys figured the woman had been guarding the core the whole entire time. She must have placed it inside the birdcage at some point. Nys felt like the sword and birdcage had always been in the garden for countless years, but the core had been a new arrival.
----
Liri hadn't had much time to inspect his surroundings after he shadow-stepped to Nys' side but now that he looked around, he felt sick. This place was like that place. The paradise where she was waiting. He saw the birdcage and he felt rage at first but then confusion as his eyes fell upon the true Fifth Affliction.
"How?" he said to himself. With everyone's attention on Nys, he didn't have to explain his question.
The blade shouldn't exist in the world they were in now. It should have stayed in the ruins of Illacrimina. Who would bring the weapon here? Who other than three could bring the weapon? The owner was imprisoned, the prince had forgotten about it and the knight was powerless. Liri didn't understand it.
A rush of memories assaulted him, and he couldn't bear standing up. He dropped to his knees holding his head.
It is called Fifth Affliction. I am giving it to you since you have proven your worth and given me your allegiance.
Are you sure I deserve this, your majesty?
You've become my knight. A knight of Illacrimina. You must always protect me. You must become stronger than my enemies, so this broadsword is yours to wield. I am bestowing my greatest weapon upon you. You have proven yourself more than worthy of this weapon.
A queen's weapon is much too much to bear.
And yet you must. Not for my sake alone but for all of us. Though you are not of the hive. You are the one I trust the most. Be strong Eliri—
Liri snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Nys screaming. He moved quickly to her side. She was holding the orb and a blinding light was emitting from her hands. Eurytia was helping her down since she had started to sink to her knees.
Eone stood over Ren who had fainted as soon as the core touched Nys' hands. Liri went closer to Nys, "You must push through the pain or both you and Ren will perish."
Nys barely gave an affirmative as tears streamed down her cheeks, "Liri… I'm scared."
"You asked for this power you must carry through no matter what," Liri didn't bother assuaging her of her fears.
"You're so cruel…" she whispered as her eyes closed.
"With you, there is no other choice," he said knowing she was already unconscious.
---
Nys woke up sitting at an unfamiliar desk, but she knew she was in Luxarc still. The black desk was a clue. She stood up slowly and tried to gain her bearings.
"Ren! Hurry up." Cara said grabbing the back of her blazer. Nys was confused until she caught her reflection in the mirror. Black hair and gray eyes, she was in Ren's body.
"Cara don't rush me. I have so much to do and you still want to watch stars with Eurytia." Ren said. Nys figured she must be a guest now since she couldn't move freely anymore.
"Being a Star of Luxarc really doesn't matter. It's not like you have anybody to praise you but me." she poked him in the center of his back making him jump.
"Cara!" he grabbed her hand, "You're such a nuisance."
Cara stuck her tongue out at the teenager. Ren shook his hand and gathered his things.
They headed out of the classroom and to the courtyard. The school cleared out faster than normal which was good for the stargazers. It was still too early to watch stars, so Cara left to get snacks and Ren read a book. Nys noticed that Cara's personality was completely different from the two she knew. She cared about Ren.
"So, you're the first star of Luxarc this year," came a voice Nys was familiar with. It was Hyacinth's sister Ai. The woman looked different, but not physically. It was her demeanor. Her eyes were wide and the look on her face wasn't right.
"You're Ai, Hyacinth's sister. She's told me a lot about you." Ren said smiling.
"You're ruining everything."
"What?"
"You are in her way," Ai said smiling as she held her hand out and a golden light surrounded her hand. Ren lost consciousness before he could even understand what was happening.
Nys woke up in Ren's body surprised that she got knocked out too but then again if it was a memory it made sense. They were in Lueryn Park and Ai had dragged him from the car to the fountain.
"She has to be just like me. That's all that woman wants, but I don't want that. She should be free. I want her to be free but what can I do. She'll never surpass me but you, you'll ruin her."
"Ai…what are you talking about. I would never hurt Hyacinth." Ren didn't understand why the woman was being aggressive, but he was afraid of what she was planning.
"She's in love with you. She's madly in love with you and if mother finds out… she'll only get hurt. She'll only get broken because of you. You who's not worth her attention. You who strive to knock me from my throne!"
Ren knew there was more to this than Hyacinth liking him. He was getting closer and closer to surpassing her record at the university, "You're doing this for yourself."
"No! I would never do that. I-I'm doing this for Hyacinth. You don't even acknowledge her love. How could you deserve her! Then…then you try to take my place. No one can be better than me. No one deserves to be better than me." Ai said grabbing Ren by his collar and dragging him closer to the fountain. He struggled but his hands had been tied.
"I don't want to do this, but I can't lose. I can't lose to anyone. I can't even play simple games with my sister without having to beat her. I can never let anyone win. How sad…right? That woman made me a monster." Ai cried as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Ai please don't do this. You don't have to do this! I won't surpass you. I won't break your records. Please don't do this!"
"I wish I could believe you," Ai said pushing Ren into the fountain. She reached down and held him down, "But the only way to stop the anxiety and fear is this."
Ren struggled wildly but with his hands tied he couldn't get up. His legs were still over the edge of the fountain. He was going to die.
Nys felt panic rise as Ren's struggles lessened. She wasn't sure what would happen to her if Ren died even if everything was just memories.
"Devour him…we must devour him."
"He looks so delicious…so much hate and rage."
"Let him sate us for a little while."
Nys could hear the voices surrounding her as Ren drowned. The second Ren's struggling ceased the Void attacked. It surrounded him pulling him into the fountain and down into the abyss like place within the fountain. Nys wondered what exactly the fountain was. She thought everything would be over but then she heard a voice from the darkness.
This is your last gift to them.
Nys opened her eyes and she was in the garden. She looked down at the core in her hands and finally finished using her sacred palace art. "Last Gift."
The darkness tainting the core slowly faded away until there was nothing but a green core in her hands. It was riddled with cracks from being attacked by the Void. Nys didn't think it would hold up to any more damage.
"Did it work?" She asked.
"He's been purified. The void seems to be saved as well." Liri said with a strange look on his face. He was holding something back like he always did.
Eone came over and held her hand out. "Let me, he is my knight. I should fix the orb before he loses his true self."
Nys gave the woman the orb, confused as to what happened. She thought she had to do more but just seeing Ren's memories seem to be enough. Something was off but Nys couldn't place it.
Eone held out her free hand and a golden key appeared in her hand. Turning her inner wrist up, Nys saw the keyhole. It was just like Hyacinth, which made her glance at Eurytia wrist since she was still holding on to her. Her keyhole was there as well. Why was hers the only one that was different?
Eone unlocked her power and was enveloped in a soft green light that revealed her noble armor. It was reminiscent of Nys' noble armor, but it was pastel green and white. Her hair had even taken on the same green hue.
"Anima," Liri said acknowledging the queen before him. "Are you like Argenti."
The woman shook her head, "I was asleep at one time but being near Eurytia and Ren brought me back. Eurytia has always known who I was, so she stayed close to me."
The silver queen let go of Nys, so she could get to her feet. Nys stood up feeling very confused and tired. She stumbled but caught her balance before she fell. Something was wrong. She couldn't explain it, but she felt like she lost something A piece of her was missing.
"Nys?"
She looked at Liri and his eyes widened at her expression, "I did the right thing… right?"
The doll's expression softened, "Yes you did."
Nys felt no relief, only building anxiety. She grasped the hem of her skirt and tried to ignore the oddness she felt.
"Anima, Argenti," Liri called both women and they turned to him. "Nys is unwell, she needs to rest. Let us meet again soon so that we can talk."
"That will be fine," Eurytia said tending to Ren.
Liri agreed and went to Nys. He jumped on to her shoulder touching her face as he did. Teleporting them all the way back to Nys' home was not something he wanted to try but did so for Nys' sake. She was reaping the consequence of her action.
The woman collapsed to the floor as soon as they reached their destination. "Something wrong. It's missing. I don't know what it is, but it's gone. I'm missing something but I don't know what it is."
"It is the payment for saving them," Liri explained to the panicking woman.
Nys felt like she was going crazy. She felt like she had a hole in her chest, but there was nothing missing. She pressed her face against the hardwood floor trying to find relief from the anxiety.
"It will only get worse," Liri said stroking her hair gently. "It shouldn't be to this extent but saving Ren probably required more of you than you were ready to give.
"It's indescribable. This feeling can't be put into words." Nys said shaking as she closed her eyes. Her tears dripped off her face on to the floor.
"It will only continue," Liri warned her again, "For now, you should focus on getting used to this ominous feeling."
"What about Hyacinth? She won't be able to accept Cara joining us. That's what we are talking about when we meet again, right?"
"Then make her accept it. It's the only way you'll be able to fight the true enemy of this world." Liri stopped patting her head and she looked up at the doll.
"It's not just the Voids?" Nys asked.
"No, it's not. There is a reason I am gathering you and the other queens together. You don't have to worry over it right now, but it is something you should keep in mind. Rest for now and we'll figure out the rest later." The doll said sitting down beside the woman.
Nys sighed inwardly. She didn't even know if she should tell Liri about Ai. The woman had killed Ren, and something was terribly wrong with her. She should be worried about how Hyacinth would take the news about her sister murdering her crush.
Then she had realized she never figured out why Cara hated Ai. Did the woman already know the truth? She also wondered how she should even approach the subject of Cara join them with Hyacinth. She felt like she was betraying her but then Eone wasn't anything like Cara. Would that make it better? Then there was the voice of the woman in the reflection from the sacred palace. Then there was the fact that she knew without a shadow of a doubt Liri still was hiding something from her. Before she fell into that dream-like state, she saw the doll's reaction to the blade in the birdcage. Nys sighed deeply, things were getting complicated.
-----
Pick 3 characters to talk with. Write-In what questions or subjects she should talk about.
[] Moira
[] Hyacinth
[] Ren
[] Eurytia
[] Eone
[] Nem
[] Liri
[] Cara
[] The Reflection
Large amounts of time will past during the next update. What should Nys focus on? Pick 3.
[] Purifying Voids (Leveling for those under 25)
[] Making friends (AP)
-Pick 4 Characters
[] Training (SC and Palace Arts)
Pick 4 characters that are in the party. (Liri is included)
[] Learning the History of Elemenica (Lore)
[] The Illustrious Kingdom Illarcrimina
[] The Lightbringer Kingdom of Vahnaine
Current Circumstances
-Nys has leveled up and learned a Sacred Palace Art.
-Eone has joined the party. Her stats and palace are open.
-Eurytia has joined the party. Her stats and palace are open.
-Eurytia and Eone have gained 25 AP
Profiles have been updated. Voting Ends Monday.
