Everything written here – characters, technology, setting, combat system, and so on – are all under the direct ownership of Emerald Sonata…and the GAEA ALTERIUS.
Any non-original subjects will be tagged with '*' next to it and will be given a proper sourcing.

[Inspired by Kamen Rider Ryuki and Kamen Rider Blade.]

「ハロー・パナシア」
HALLOW PANACEA
{/ Second Return \}

[( 0th Turning of Fate )]

:: AIR ::
{A Bouquet of Dreams}

"Liera~!"

Second Year, Mayji-in-training, Liera Van-Haissen ignored the sing-song voice. She was seated in a red velvet and golden framed chair, before a long mahogany table that stretched on for nearly miles on end. She was in the chambers of the Master Library, within the Grand Academy of Majikka.

The girl was clad in a black cloak, had a dark purple skirt that reached to her knees, a white dress shirt, and had a pair of elegant reading glasses resting across her face. She looked younger than before, possibly as young as 12 or 13 than 19 years old. One last thing to note was the violet-colored armband she clipped around her left sleeve. In the Grand Academy of Majikka, there were three major study groups: Forge, Elementals, and Sealers, each given a color coding of crimson, emerald, and violet respectively. That was correct, Liera in particular was training to become a Sealer Mayji,.

"Liiiiiiii~eraaaaaaa~!"

Liera finally glanced up, a sour look on her face, before something glomped her from behind and spilled red hair all over the place. Without needing to turn, she knew another young girl was cuddling her like a teddy bear – which the receiver loathed.

The newcomer was a fellow student, another Mayji-in-training. Almost a direct polar opposite to the cold Liera, this girl's personality was brimming with unbound energy and gave off the feeling that she was ready to hug anyone if she finds them cute; which Liera hoped it was not the case right now. Her hair was long, literally reaching her hips if standing, and the color of her hair was so red, people swore she was born from a strawberry. This girl was an Elemental, noted the Sealer, as the former's emerald arm-band would not stop flapping into her face.

"…What now, Silli?" Liera flicked off several strands of strawberry-red that covered the pages of her book, only to continue reading without a care.

"Are you free this weekend?"

"Depends."

"O~n?"

"If you're going to set me up with another double date – which exactly is the reason why you bothered to come to the library you seldom visit just to look for me." Liera flipped the page again, "Right?"

A direct hit. The female student, Silli, staggered away, a nervous laughter uttered from her.

"Ah…Y-yes…"

Liera grimaced, "Why me?"

"We-well you're my best friend! How could I let you live a school life without the sweet taste of romance?-!"

"Or is it because your other best friends are preoccupied with something, and the only way that your parents would allow you to go on a date is if it was a double…"

Another dagger to the chest for Silli. The girl anxiously giggled, rapidly sweating for the lack of options she had at hand. Without reason, Silli desperately shook Liera as the cold student struggled to keep her face straight and her eyes on the page.

"Oh please, please, please~, Lili! Help me out here! The guy I met is really cute and I really want to start a nice relationship with him!"

"I'm not Lili…It's Liera. You're the silly one, Silli…"

"HEY!" Several students, as well as high-ranking senior class representatives, shushed her. Silli slapped her mouth shut, toning her muffled voice into a clear whisper, "I thought I told you not to call me like that!"

"Did you now?" Liera replied, uninterested. She sighed and closed her book, soon writing down notes across a pad she brought with her. "Silli, let me be honest for the 1000th time…I hate boys, their guts, and everything about them, got it?"

Silli yanked out a seat with a croak, causing others to shoot glares at her, but she ignored them. The bubbly girl plopped down to frantically tug at the cloak-edge of her cold-hearted friend.

"No you don't! You just haven't found the right one yet!" urged Silli, "You'll see, Liera! One day, you'll definitely find the true love of your life too!"

Liera grimaced as she misspelled a word, thanks to Silli's rambling. She heavily scratched off the words from the pad, while chewing out the following phrase:

"Over – my – dead – body."

"Oh, pleeeeeeaaaa~sssssse! I really want to go out with Rishard!"

"Hmm?" This got Liera's interest and she stopped scribbling, "Rishard Lumon? The Third-Year Forge?" Her hopeless-romantic friend nodded, eyes as round as doll-like saucers. If Liera was any normal guy, she would have find Silli absolutely adorable…Instead, she was a girl and personally found it rather annoying, "You do know that he is going out with more than a handful of 2nd and 3rd year girls, right?"

Silence…then lightning struck Silli's heart with a gasp.

"YOU'RE KIDDING ME! PLEASE~!"

"SSSSHHHHHHHHHH~!"

Silli slapped her mouth shut again, "Liera…it can't be true…"

The Sealer Mayji returned back to her note-taking, "You know I hate beating around the bush, Silli. I'd rather set it aflame than waste my time cutting it with an axe."

Silli sagged in her seat like a deflated toy, sinking deeper and deeper under the table. A little spirit of herself rose from her gapping mouth. It seemed – scoffed Liera – that the girl had been finally slapped awake…or so one would think.

"Well that's great!" The Sealer jumped when her Elemental friend inflated back to life, beaming with newfound hope. "That means I can make an easier choice between his best friend Vilado or the charming 3rd year class representative, Sir Almonei!"

Liera's pen slipped, messing up her hand writing. With a straight face, she gave a hopeless sigh. Her friend was a Second Year as well, both in the same class. They met each other by…chance, during their First Year: where Liera was touring the library and Silli got lost in it. After that, they were…well, no one could say the best of friends but at least they shared…particular topics; Silli with her fantasy love-life and Liera's research in the Majikka, Malphaea's Soul Energy. They clashed, personality wise, but they were close to being that close. There is one thing that Liera is impressed with her friend: Silli's attitude towards any boys she like would change as fast Liera drawing her sceptre in a fight – and she's the top Mayji in the art of duelling.

"My guess, he's the second guy of your so-called double-date…" muttered Liera, grabbing another book. Silli rapidly nodded, cupping her blushing cheeks.

"Yeah! He's charming, handsome, kind, and just loves little animals!"

"You've already described 12 guys to be charming; 24 to be handsome, including Master Elemental Yurieh; not sure about kind; and I have to hand it to you that you found someone who loves animals to death like you…well almost…" Liera rolled her eyes, "You actually love them…too much…"

Silli rested her head in her hands, staring her wide-kitten stare at Liera. God, she always hated that look. Not daring to even move, Liera tried to keep her eyes on her book.

"But they're so poor and lonely! I had to take care of them! They're just the cutest little things~!"

"Is that why Professor Maytoff keeps referring to your room as a personal petting zoo and you as its zoo-maiden…"

Silli was taken aback. After a moment, she blushed red and nervously rubbed the back of her head. As quick as it changed, the girl leaned forward. This time she had a pair of yearning puppy eyes; ones that Liera despised even more…because they had intentions behind them.

"Sooo…Will you—"

"No."

"But, I didn't—"

"No."

"Oh come on! You with Rishard and me with—"

"Definitely out of the question."

"Plea—"

"I refuse."

"—"

"End – of – story."

Silli fell flat silent…utterly defeated.

"Excuse me?"

Silli beamed and Liera glanced from her book. From out of nowhere, a boy student in a black cloak, dress pants and shirt, approached the two girls. He was a charming young lad, with a well-made physique but had a down-to-earth air about him. His rich hazel-chocolate hair was short and slightly spiky as his deep yellow eyes twinkled. He gave the two girls a light bow.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you…but my name is Lior Jikavai…Um…Are you Miss Van-Haissen?"

"Yes – yes!" rapidly nodded Silli.

"He meant me, Silli…" Liera returned to lock her eyes with the book, brushing the boy off. Not noticing, the boy gracefully sat down next to Liera; much to her chagrin.

"Um…I…I was wondering…Ah…" The boy shyly blushed, his tongue tied. He just kept staring at Liera, but she never even glanced back. Gathering his courage, Lior let it all out, "I was wondering if you knew about the academy ball that's coming in a few days. Uh…w-would you be interested in being my part—"

SLAM!

Silli reared back with fear. Lior went pale as he flinched back in his seat. Liera firmly had her palm tightly pressed against the table's face. It looked like she treated the table…to be the boy himself. With a straight face, but a chilly air around her, she turned a glare at the boy with off-the-bat loathing.

"If you came to ask for help in your studies, or to get advice in how not to tick me off, I would have gladly given you a bit of my respect…" whispered Liera with a deadly tone. Both Lior and Silli were shaking in their seats as well as their boots; enough said. "But since that isn't the case: Get – lost – immediately."

As sudden as Lior had appeared, he vanished. Liera waited for a second, sighed, and returned back to her work. Silli was still shaken and it took more than a minute for her to regain her guts.

"That was…mean, Lili…"

"Whatever, silly Silli."

"HE–hey!"

"Ho'ra, ho'ra…Just as expected from the Violet Rose…"

Liera's pen slipped again with a slight gasp. Silli looked up, her face beaming like a light-bulb with a doll-like blush. As if something foreboding was standing next to her, Liera slowly craned her neck about.

Standing next to her was Second Year – repeating – Naito Shinkansen. Tall and slim, with a gentle air around him, the boy stood with a care-free wave. His long black hair draped over his shoulders, like a black silk curtain, and his eyes twinkling bright blue like the stars. He was clad in the male version of Liera and Silli's uniform, an orange armband clipped to his left arm; a Forge Mayji-in-training.

Naito in particular was not like the other students. Technically speaking, he was special. He and his entire family – along with few others – all originated before the cometh of the Dark Kingdom Era; the ancestor of all ancestors in the world of Malphaea; the first human race: the Nin'gen. The world that Liera knew and grew up in was entirely different to that of the Nin'gen's reign. Their culture was said to be purely Oriental, following a code of honor, respect, diligence as well as imploring imperial law. The Ancient Language was the language they spoke then, and the origins of Majikka and its power came from their teachings.

As important as they may sound to be, thought Liera, whatever was left of that culture, life, and rule…were gone. When the Dark Kingdom Era struck, it obliterated three quarters of the world – and everything else that lived in it. Nowadays, the Nin'gens were considered to be endangered – with Naito's family being one of the rare pure-bred families.

Liera also remembered that Naito was a repeater; reasons being were unclear, but there were rumours about having come down with a dire sickness that held him back in the previous year. Now, he was the same level with the young Sealer and Elemental.

Silli was in a dazzled state of daydreaming; possibly even picturing herself in a wedding dress with Naito bound in the frame. Liera just kept looking at the cheery boy from the corner of her eye, her pen twitching a little.

Naito chuckled, "A'ra, Liera-chan. You should be more considerate of other's feelings, even if he was just a shy kid trying to ask you out…"

"Boys are no concern to me. They're nothing but a nuisance for me to deal with…" muttered Liera, but her tone faltered a bit.

Naito shrugged, "Hey I'm a guy too you know. Haaa, Liera…Na'ni mo wa'ka'ra'nai ne~."

Liera grimaced, "With all due respect, Naito, I don't understand the Ancient Language…"

"Su'mi'ma'sen…"

"Naito…"

"Ha-ha-ha. Sorry, sorry." The boy chuckled, "All I said was: 'you just don't get it at all'."

Liera returned to her books and note-taking, "There is nothing I want to get about boys. Just them being here around me ticks me off like no other."

Naito grinned and gave off a chuckle. The boy casually plopped into the seat, which was once occupied by the other boy Lior. To anyone's surprise, he nonchalantly hooked an arm around Liera's shoulder like a good old buddy of his. The Sealer's eyes were wide, but she did not do anything. Trying to ignore everything, she went back to her studies. Silli glimpsed at Naito, then at Liera. With a silent giggle, she secretly rose out of her chair and took her leave. She will figure out her problems some other way.

"So what's new – other than wanting to bug the bloody heck out of me?" asked Liera, never looking up from her reading.

"Oh, not much…except for a pile of tests coming up this week…I guess you can say I'm a bit nervous…" smiled Naito.

"Then you should study…that is why there is a library for us to work in…"

"You know that I hate studying alone…"

"So…what does that have to do with me?

"Mind being my tutor again?"

Liera's pen smoothly stopped. She slowly peeled her eyes away, soon locking with Naito's. "What subject?"

"Uh…" Naito scratched his cheeks, "…Everything…tabu'n…"

"…'Tabu'n'?" wondered Liera.

"Maybe." grinned Naito. Liera lightly laughed under her breath.

"Arithmacy, Elemental Principles, and Bio-larchency is fine…but we'll stay clear away from Neo Gaussian Tech & Science, I haven't taken any classes in them yet…"

"Heh-heh, ariga'tou."

"Hm-hm…That I know means 'thanks'…right?"

"You got it, Liera-chan."

"…Don't call me that."

[******]

WOMP!

"OW!"

Liera sprang up wide awake, her head throbbing a great deal.

The girl was back to her old self, the same graduate Sealer Mayji. She was in the middle of a small room, with a single bed and a simple drawer with a dusty mirror. Light was split like kindling through the cracks of the window-covers, flooding her room with the only illumination she needed.

Ignoring the sting in her head, she gave a wide and loud yawn. She was sitting across the floor, her leg still hanging over across the bed she had slept in. The girl had fallen off, much to her chagrin. Liera picked herself up, letting the blankets limply slip off her body.

She was clad in her only set of pajamas: an over-large t-shirt that doubled as – to a certain extent – a night gown with a short skirt. The collar exposed her entire bare right shoulder, but she did not care. Her hair was a disheveled tangle of purple…things and it was spilt all over her face. With a groggy look, she stared at the dusty mirror…only to recoil.

God, she looked absolutely hideous. Unable to help it, Liera let out a tired sigh.

Slowly, her weary mind began recollecting the original memories of her recent dream.

Back in the academy, huh, she thought. Her home. It was the best place in the world for her. She loved it: the good food, warm bed, all her friends – a handful or so – and most important of all: the sensation of looking forward to learning something new…Providing no boys get in her way to achieve them…

Liera stretched, cracking another big yawn to go with it. She limply dangled her arms, scratching the back of her neck.

Now, to start the day as usual.

"Hey, Stallien, get up! I'm thirsty…" muttered Liera, to somewhat to herself in the empty room, "Go get me some water and a basin to wash my face…"

The Sealer remembered that she had stopped into the town of Shikoa, a very quiet and peaceful town – providing their annual festival has not started yet.

It was very late at night when she arrived, after facing a batch of those…those…what were they called again…Right, Narcotics. They were some sort of henchmen to the newest human-like creatures she had recently discovered, all of which took the form of men: Chaos. It was slightly frightening, as they felt like the same cases as Cloves, only Cloves are human-females all the way. Strangest thing of all, Chaos existed to kill the Cloves. Though Liera despised Cloves…she hated senseless bloodshed just as much.

Now she was working with a certain creep who particularly fights them. Speaking of which…Liera narrowed her eyes, already burning with rage. Naiz…Her newest icon of absolute loathing. He was this young boy who appeared before her, interrupted her chances in sealing a Clove, and even fought these Chaos to save one. He was strange, as he makes lots of references to the Dark Kingdom Era…which he somewhat called the Era of Arcadine. Liera shrugged. Either way, if he messed with her, he was going to get it big time.

Worst of all: he was no Mayji yet he could seal Cloves without proper Confinement Majikka. He uses these specialized medals to absorb and seal either Gauss or Clove…a feat never before heard of in the Grand Academy of Majikka. And that was the exact same place where Confinement Majikka was discovered. This boy, Naiz, was called a Duraivyr. The only definition she got from him was some sort of Templar of God…It was both irritating to understand, but she would figure it out sooner or later.

What was even more troubling was the fact that he…that he…cared for Cloves – like human beings! It was just unheard of to the Sealer. The creep was now caring for two Cloves under his wing, an Earth Rhinen and an Air Vampen; both of which he named Violet and Sabelle respectively. For crying out loud, he even named her own Air Dragonfien; 'Azure' or something. What was next? Liera immediately blocked such thought out. She already had enough of him.

The girl then reminded herself of her thirst, her throat feeling dry and dusty.

"Stallien! Didn't you hear me?-! I said: get me some water, now!"

Liera, Naiz, Violet, and Sabelle all arrived into this town during the night. After taking care of the Narcotic creeps, she was deadbeat exhausted. Now after a good night's sleep, she was ready to give Naiz a thrashing for stepping on her foot the other night during the fight.

But something was taking awfully long to do something simple.

"Why that no good, mangy, useless…" Liera stormed for the door of her room.

The Sealer had summoned her Fire Stallien to guard her room during the night. Why? Because the idiot of an innkeeper could not fix the broken locks of the only two rooms available, and Liera had no choice but to live with it – as she was in dire need of sleep back then.

In order to prevent any unwanted creeps – namely Naiz – from unexpectedly sharing the room with her, she set her Stallien to guard the front door. Now, other than that lousy innkeeper, it was the Clove's turn to get an earful from this Sealer.

Liera whipped back the door and went all out, "GET UP YOU LAZY…Huh?-!"

A series of imaginary marks flashed before her eyes, around a certain spot that was empty in the hallway. Liera looked left, right, then left again. The entire hallway was definitely empty. Rage boiled tremendously within Liera's thin body frame.

"Naiz…if this is your doing, I am so going to—"

Creeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaakk…

"Huh?"

Liera looked up ahead, staring at the room directly in front of hers. It was Naiz's, as well as his two Cloves. The door was slightly ajar and lightly swinging back and forth a bit. So…it was him after all. Without thinking, or even bothering to change her clothes, she stormed across the hall. With a nasty snarl, she kicked open the door and send it wailing back on its hinges. Blindly, she charged in.

"Alright, creep! Fork over my Stallien or…or…or…Aaaaaaaa～aaaaahhh…"

The Sealer went stark white. The room was empty…save for something big that lay curled up in the center across the room's floor. It was a silver mound, as big as Liera herself, and it was both shrinking and growing back and forth with a light purr. Liera went rigid as the mound twitched and started to unfurl.

Bladed wings opened up to stretched about the body of a silver lion, revealing pulsing and symmetrical blue veins across its metallic skin. Its head was that of a fierce eagle, eyes blinking open to reveal them as LED-light blue.

The Gauss Griffon, dubbed Edge, yawned its beak to the sense of morning. It stopped halfway, spotting a familiar girl standing like a statue at the doorway.

The two beings stared at each other for a long time, silence growing tensely thick. All Edge did was snorted at her in distaste, its breath lightly kicking up the edge of Liera's overlarge-shirt…and she—

[******]

"Hmm?" Naiz blinked, as if snapping out of his thoughts. He straightened in his seat across a bench and wooden table, steadying his hearing among the mild noise around him.

"What is wrong, Naiz-sama?" Naiz's attention was pried from listening and he turned to look before him. Sitting across was a young girl with long white and sensitive hair and a pale but serene complexion. She was in a long and loose pale blue gown that hung about her shoulders; her pink-clove shaped birthmark open across her left shoulder. She smiled, but was worried for the boy's dazed expression, "Is something the matter? Are you not feeling well?"

Naiz chuckled it off, "N-no, of course not, Sabelle, I'm completely fine. I just thought I heard Liera's scream…Nothing particular."

"Ne-ne, Naiz-kun! Look! Look!" Naiz turned to his left, where a rectangular piece of paper with a perfect sketching drawn on it was thrust into his face. Unfazed, he grinned and took a peek under the paper to see the owner. It was another girl, with silky black hair and a round child-like face. Her eyes glittered gentle amethyst, a lovely and youthful smile wide across her lips. She was clad in a black leather dress without sleeves; her pink-clover birthmark bare across her left shoulder. Her hands were donned by a pair of black leather gloves, both holding onto the drawing in their hands. "Look what I drew! Isn't it pretty?-!"

Naiz gingerly took the drawing from the girl's hand and gave it a good look. He was once again astounded by the girl's talent. It was a life-like sketching of a young man, surrounded by four brides. The five of them stood among something that looked like it was burned down and destroyed, pieces of a broken house, but he felt the joyful atmosphere even from the art itself. The faces of the young man and four brides were slightly blurry. He could only make out their blissful expressions faintly drawn over them.

"Wow, this is amazing Violet," Naiz grinned.

The Rhinen Clove, Violet hopped with joy, "Thank you, Naiz-kun!"

"Who is everyone in here?"

"I don't know," innocently smiled the girl, "It was a dream I had last night. Mmmmm, I think Naiz-kun is the boy inside the drawing!"

Naiz chuckled…only soon to enlighten with a blush, "H-hah? Me?"

"Uu'm-uu'm!" Nodding, Violet leaned in close to point at the image as she continued, "You can pretend that's you! This pretty lady in the pretty dress is me! And the other pretty lady in a just as pretty dress is Sabelle-neechan!"

The Air Vampen jumped in her seat, "Eh? Wh-what?"

Naiz gave a nervous laugh, "Ah-ha-ha…Violet drew a wedding of one groom with four brides. She thinks the groom in the picture is me, and the two of the four brides are you and Violet…K-kind of funny, don't you think?"

Sabelle paused, her cheeks reddening, before lowering her gaze with a timid smile, "A…Actually…I would be greatly honoured to be Naiz-sama's bride…"

Naiz's face went a darker shade of red.

"Uu'm-uu'm! I want to be Naiz-kun's bride too!" giggled Violet and she embraced Naiz with a lovely bear-hug.

The boy's entire head went blood-crimson scarlet. Sabelle could not help a giggle, before she turned to another girl that sat to her right. She was small, but not as small as Violet, and her hair was long and deep black, tied back in a pair of lengthy pigtails. She wore a pink blouse and a pair of tan-colored khaki pants. The girl's posture was curled up in her seat, shrivelled up like a nervous flower.

"Lora-chan, would you like to be Naiz-sama's bride as well?"

The girl named Lora, bearing a pink-clover birthmark across her left shoulder, curiously tilted her head to one side at Sabelle's comment. Steam burst from Naiz's body, his face nearly literally glowing.

Lora was a Fire Stallien Clove, one sealed and serving under her master Liera Van-Haissen. She remembered that she was summoned to guard Liera's door, because the lock was broken. She vigilantly did so, but it was hard to escape sleep's touches. It was in the middle of the night, when she met Naiz, Violet, and Sabelle. They offered their bed for her to rest in, while Naiz would fill in for her watch-duty. He was…so kind. He literally switched spots with Lora, sitting in front of Liera's door to keep an eye out for her. She had a good rest with her Sister Rhinen and Vampen, and now Naiz invited her with the others for breakfast. The boy said not to worry about Liera's door…for he mentioned that a good friend will help to fill-in for guard-duty.

Still, she was a little scared…scared that Liera might become angry knowing the Stallien had abandoned her duties like that. Naiz had comforted her though, saying that he will explain everything and take the blame for it.

This Naiz…was truly a different kind of human altogether. He was gentle, caring, and did not mind at all that she was a Clove. This kind-hearted boy even gave her a name for herself to keep: Lora. It the most precious gift she could ever ask for. Maybe…being his bride…would be her greatest fortune as well. At the very thought, the Stallien hid her pink cheeks behind her folded knees.

"Ah! Mr. Saviour!"

Naiz, Violet, Sabelle, and Lora perked their heads up at a voice. It soon appeared in its physical form: a young girl in a maid's uniform. She had short orangish-blonde hair, with a frilly maid-tiara, innocent brown eyes, and a cute face. The maid had a pleasant and grateful smile as she approached everyone's table.

"Mr.…Saviour?" blinked Naiz. Slowly, he began to recollect, "Oh…you're that…that…uh…"

"That's right!" giggled the maid, "It's me, Polly! The Earth Elephen you rescued a few days ago, along with my Sisters!"

"UWAH~!" In a flash, Polly was engulfed in a Rhinen-hug, "Sister Elephen! I missed you sooooo much!"

"Uu…Uh…You're a…Sister Rhinen…right?" breathed Polly.

"Uu'm-uu'm, that's right! Uwah~! You look so pretty in that dress!"

"Sorry, Sister Rhinen but…can you…not squeeze…too hard…"

"Eh?" Violet pulled back, realizing her overuse of strength. She nervously giggled, tapping a knuckle to her head with a playful stick of her tongue, "I'm sorry…"

An epiphany hitting him, Naiz patted a fist into his palm, "Oh right. You're one of the Cloves that were abducted by the Alkkemiysts, and that Chaos, Thor!"

"That…" coughed Polly, but smiled, "is right, Mr. Saviour…"

"Ha-ha. It's Naiz, please don't forget it."

"I don't know how I could express my gratitude for your rescue. Is there anyway I could repay you?-!"

Naiz waved it off, "Not at all. Making sure that you and your Sisters are safe is all the reward I ever wanted."

Polly blushed with a happy giggle, "I…really have to thank you for your help…Mr Sav— I mean, Sir Naiz."

"Ah-ha-ha. Don't mention it."

"Oh so you're the Mysterious Silver-haired Hero Polly's been talking about, eh?"

The voice caught everyone's attention and they turned. They met an adult woman, clad in a sooty dress with a dirty apron and a kerchief wrapped across the top of her head and hair. She had a wide figure, but nonetheless a sturdy appearance that was meant to ward of any rowdy drunkards from the inn. Her cheeks were slightly chubby, but her smile gave her a youthful air. Held aloft by her left hand was a tray full of food.

"Ah, Mistress Millina!" perked up Polly.

The lady, Millina, gave a hearty laugh and – nicely – slapped a big hand across Polly's back, "Didn't I tell you to drop the whole Mistress thing? I'm not like that master-maid-complex of a brother of mine, you know?-! Milli will do just fine lil' Polly!"

"Y-y-yes…Milli."

"Wh-who is there…" wondered Sabelle, hearing the newcomer's voice.

"Nice to meet y'all," replied the lady, "I'm Millina and the owner of this here inn. Just call me Milli. Now I've been hearing from sweet lil' Polly over here that you was the one that saved her blessed soul, right?"

"Aha-ha-ha…You could say that…" grinned Naiz, "Are you Polly's owner?"

"Well, somewhat…" Milli rubbed the back of her head, "She's my lil' brother's Tamed Clove, but she always lends a hand in running the inn with me. Polly's a great help once she knows how to be careful and not trip over her own feet."

Polly blushed, head drooping, "Sorry, Mistress Milli…I'm such a clumsy Clove…"

A slap sent Polly staggering and a hearty chuckle ensued, courtesy of Milli, "Ah there's nothing wrong in being clumsy, girl! Heck, I've made twice as many mistakes as you did when I started to running this place. And quit calling me Mistress!"

Polly winced from the searing sting across her back, but nonetheless was happy for someone to care for her, "I-I will try my best…"

"Oh right, I almost forgot," Milli then skilfully whipped several dishes of food from her thin tray and neatly rested them before Naiz, Violet, Sabelle, and Lora. "You're order! And for Polly's sake, Mysterious Silver-haired Hero, it's on the house!"

Suddenly, the entire inn rose up in an upheaval, causing the boy and all four Cloves to jump. All sorts of disagreements and disproval rained down onto Milli. Instead, she whipped around and…

"WHAT'S WRONG?-! IS MY FOOD THAT NASTY TO BE NOT WORTH PAYING FOR?-!"

The crowd paused. In a flash, they returned to their noisy old selves…sweating in fear along the way. Milli planted her fists to her hips with a huff, "Stinking freeloader-wannabes…" She spun back to Naiz, her expression back to normal, "Now eat up you hear? Come on Polly, rush hour's coming soon and we need to stock up on some grub. Time for a grocery run."

"Yes, Mistr—I mean, Milli!" nodded Polly. Milli left Naiz's and the others' table, but Polly remained. She gave a deep bow towards the boy, startling him, "Thank you so much, Sir Naiz. Please take care of yourself…and my dear Sisters."

Naiz nodded, "Ah. I will."

A broad smile stretched on Polly's face. She left to go after Milli, secretly wiping the tears of hope and relief from her eyes. Rest assured, the Elephen knew her beloved Sisters were in good hands.

"Bye-bye, Polly-neecha~n!" called Violet with a happy wave. She stared back down at the table, covered with hot and delicious food. The girl took only one whiff and she was already head over heels, "Uwa~h! It smells sooooo good! I want to try it!"

"Wait a moment." Violet, Sabelle, and Lora stopped reaching for their food, only for Naiz to reach for them. After a quiet moment of confusion, the boy matched every plate to their rightful owner. After that, he smiled with a, "Okay now." The three girls giggled.

Together they clasped their hands, bowed their heads, and chanted, "I'tta'daki'masu."

Violet instantly dug into her meal: a big bowl of salad filled with tons of fresh scallions. With glee, she munched on it to her heart's delight. Sabelle softly felt her hand across the table to find her food: a plate with lots of cinnamon swirls. With her nose, and Naiz's help, she happily took a bite from a big piece, savouring its lovely taste and scent. Lora stared quietly at hers: a plate of sunny-side-up eggs and sausages. Her eyes were locked with the two yolks, as they stared right back at her.

"Is something wrong, Lora?" The Stallien perked her gaze up to Naiz, who patiently watched her. She curiously stared at her plate, a little worried. She was like a child afraid to try something new. The boy chuckled, "Here, let me help." He rose from his seat and leaned towards the girl. He took up the fork and knife she had at her side and he showed her what he was doing. "You use these to cut a piece and…" He picked up a piece of egg white and held it in the air for Lora's mouth. "Aaah…" Lora blinked, hesitant. Still, she trusted him.

She opened her mouth, allowing Naiz to insert the piece of food, and she clamped it shut. The Stallien took a moment to chew…and soon brightened. Naiz chuckled, automatically handing the fork and knife to Lora. Remember what he had taught her, she followed his example. She went for a bigger piece and ate it. Eventually, Lora was delighted in eating it.

Naiz sat back down, casting his gaze over the three Cloves. Violet giggled with joy as she munched onto her favourite food; Sabelle enjoyed the fresh taste of baked cinnamon swirls, smiling all the while; and Lora was ecstatic in having such a delicious plate of eggs. The boy then gazed down at his food: porridge. A quizzical look crossed over his face as he stared at its content. It was not that it looked hideous; it was not that the others had a better food than he had; but…

"This is…porridge, huh?"

"Eat up, alright?" Naiz's ears picked up a particular voice and he was compelled to turn to it. Behind him was a family of a mother, father, and a 5 year old boy. They were enjoying their breakfast, with the boy having the same sort of porridge Naiz had. He gazed at them with a quiet expression, a particular emotion hidden under his calm face. The mother rubbed the back of her child's head, encouraging him, "Porridge will help to make you big and strong. If you eat well and healthy, you could be as strong as daddy."

Naiz flinched; his hand shook. Violet noticed it. She took a moment to pry herself from her enjoyment, to examine Naiz. The Rhinen saw an…unreadable expression across the boy's face. It was mixed with a sense of fear or longing…It was hard to tell. All she could read from him was the fact that his night-blue eye…lost their familiar and strong-hearted twinkle. Naiz turned around, gazing back down into his porridge again. He now looked like he was not sure if he should eat it or not…or maybe it was something else.

A black-gloved hand touched his and he broke out of his weary stasis. Bewildered, Naiz turned to its owner: Violet. The Clove watched him with silent and worried eyes. She never said a word, nor made any other move. All she did was covering the back of Naiz's hand with hers and gently rubbed it with her thumb. Neither of them said a thing, but wordless thoughts were shared deeply.

Finally, Naiz recovered back to his old and casual self.

"I'm fine, Violet…Thank you." he whispered.

Violet's lips broaden, relieved, "Uu'm, Naiz-kun." Naiz stroke the top of her head, invoking a purr from her as she enjoyed its feeling. Soon, she returned back to her munching.

Naiz turned back to his own breakfast, but stopped. There was something missing, literally. His spoon was gone. It suddenly reappeared before him, a spoonful of porridge held for him.

It was Lora. She held the spoon out to him, a gentle smile on her lips. The Stallien gestured the spoon towards the boy's mouth, the same way he did to her with her sunny-side up eggs. Slowly, the boy let out a grateful chuckle.

"Aaaaaaah~." With that, he opened his mouth to graciously accept Lora's offer.

WHAM!

Lora blinked as her spoon somehow missed Naiz's mouth. Actually, he was no longer in her field of vision. The Clove looked up just a little bit…and the spoon fell from her limp hand. Violet felt something amiss and turned…blanching. Sabelle heard the sudden sound, with it painting a mental image…eyes widening.

"Naiz-sama!"

"Naiz-kun!"

"Naaaaaaaaaaaa~iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzz~zzzzzzzz~…"

Liera was burning with ravaging rage, enough said. Her hair was still in draping tangles across her face, revealing only one of her piercing dawn-amber eye, and her teeth clenched viciously. One thing to note, she had a bare-footed stomp planted firmly across the back of Naiz's head; letting his face personally having a good taste of the porridge without a so-called spoon.

"Brah…Buriua, blu-borbin…" gurgled Naiz, his face stuck in the bowl. Liera dropped her kick, wrenched Naiz's head from out of the bowl, and gripped him by the back of his collar to face him to her. As always, he had a casual – if not a bit nervous – look, as warm porridge slipped off his complexion, "Ah, Liera…good morning…"

"NO NAIZ! IT IS NOT A GOOD MORNING!" The Sealer tossed Naiz back into his seat, diving in again like a lethal eagle and gripping the collar of his fleece jacket. It took her great self-restraint to refrain from tearing his entire body limp from limp. "WHY IS MY CLOVE WITH YOU?-! WHY DID YOU BOTHER TO KIDNAP HER?-! WHY IS SHE EATING BREAKFAST SO CANDIDLY?-! AND WHY IN GOD'S NAME IS A GAUSS GRIFFON, IN YOUR ROOM, WATCHING ME LIKE A DIRTY OLD MAN?-!"

Naiz blinked, "…Did Edge really stare at you like an old man?"

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" Naiz was pinned against the edge of the table, with Liera's head an inch away from his face. "Where – is – that – pesky – good-for-nothing – Clov…" She trailed off when she spotted someone utterly familiar that was shaking in her seat behind Naiz. "Oooooooh…there is going to be an Underrealm to pay…"

Lora bolted in her seat in absolute fear, her body quivering uncontrollably. She pulled at her ears in guilt and shame, instantly bursting into frightened tears.

"L-Lora-chan!" bolted Sabelle, standing, "Please do not cry! Everything is alright! There is nothing to fear!" She clawed at the air for a moment, before she could find Lora's shoulder and rubbed them to calm the Stallien down. It was useless, the tearful girl's floodgates were let loose without mercy.

"Scary-lady, leave Naiz-kun alone!" Violet too rose from her seat, but, "Owowowowowowow~owowowow~ooooow~!"

Liera was on the verge in tearing Violet's face apart by the cheeks, her angry aura rising significantly.

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

"I'm shooooorrr~rrrrrriiiiiii~!" cried the Rhinen.

"Liera, stop it!" To Naiz's surprise Liera did, leaving Violet to rub her reddened cheeks and sniffle to herself, only to glare back at the boy – ready to kill someone. "Lora stayed up all night as long as she could, but even a Clove like her needs sleep. I offered to watch your room while she rested with Violet and Sabelle in mine. When morning came, I just invited her for breakfast. She was worried you'd be angry if no one was guarding your door, so I summoned Edge to help. That is all."

"Who…" Liera puffed a strand of hair from her face, which proved to be useless, "the bloody heck is Lora?"

On instinct, the Stallien raised her hand…only to realize she should not have listened to that instinct in the first place.

The Sealer just scowled, "Great…you named another one of my Cloves…What's next on your stupid agenda, Naiz? Enlighten me, I dare you."

"Um…I don't know?"

"It…was a rhetorical question…"

"…Ah…"

"Stallien!" The Lora straightened, her tears put on hold. Her body shook violently as Liera's eyes were all on her. Sabelle hugged the poor Clove, doing her best to comfort her Sister. Violet too sprung over to hug them as well, only more in fear from Liera's wrath. "We're…leaving…now…" The Sealer then snapped at Naiz, hollering, "AND WE'LL NEVER SEE THIS CREEP EVER AGAIN! YOU HEAAAAA~AAAAAAAR?-!"

Naiz blinked, "…Crystal…"

"Good."

"Uh…Liera…"

"…What – now?"

"Are you…sure you want to leave like this?"

"…What in God's name are you talking—" A thought dawned onto Liera. It asked for her to look down. She did…and her heart stopped beating. The Sealer finally remembered what she was wearing in the first place.

An over-large t-shirt for pyjamas and a dishevelled hair…were not exactly an ideal fashion in front of a crowd like this…or a creep like him.

"…Ah…ah…,…ah…"

Naiz started to unzip his fleece jacket, ready to pass it on to the girl in shock…but, "Here, Liera. Take this or—"

SMACK!

…He received an earth-shaking stomp to face – No, no, a series of them…

"PERVERT! PERVERT! PERVERT! PERVERT~!"

"Naiz-sama!"

"Naiz-kun!"

Lora shook with absolute dread, her tears returning.

つづく

[By: ~Emerald Sonata~]

Un'mei'to ta'ta'kau. Kyuu'sei kou'rin.
{"Battle Fate. Advent Salvation"}