A disclaimer : I do not own ZnT/Foz .Neither do I own Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
For those asking about the Material, Sorry but they do not fit well with the story I want to count. And I don't know them enough to write them as main characters.
But maybe they will appear as The familiar of another void mage as I still am not sure about which one the Pope get. And now that I think about it they fit perfectly.
The Book of Void
Chapter 2:
Academy of Tristain
Central bedroom of the Tower of Void
...
Comfortably but cautiously Louise sat on her bed, waiting for her familiar to answer. And she didn't wait long.
"What's it that you want to know. Ask, Master, and I shall answer your concern." The strangely feminine serpentine voice answer to her call. The hydra-like snake taking form from the Founder's Book before coiling around her arm. She frowned at the sight but didn't let it disturb her too much.
She had things to learn first, and this was the only way to do it.
There was in fact a lot of questions still in her head, but the matter of the knights still stroke her as the most urgent. Was that … was her familiar really able to summon and bind living people to her service? That was something only Brimir was said to have done. She knew that NachtWal was anything but a simple snake but if she was able to do that...
She had to be sure.
"What are those Knights you mention earlier ? You said they were the protector of the tome and already had a Master , I cannot understand why you would want to summon then" Louise demand to the strange Familiar.
"You're right , I cannot summon the knights that are bound to the Tome, but I can make new ones. They are after all, like me, Sentient magical construct." As the snake answered, Louise's frown deepened, She had heard the remark but its mouth wasn't moving.
"So … They are like golems?" Louise asked.
She had trouble imagining some magical construct being knights. There was Things like moving armor like that of De Gramont , but those weren't more than a spell. And her familiar was , now that she thought about it, more like a spirit.
"Not exactly , But this is the best comparison you can do with what you know. They are more like magically made artificial beings bound to their source."
Louise jumped out of her bed as really hadn't seen that coming. "Aaaa...artificial Human Bbb...beings !? That's preposterous , and that's blasphemy, people shouldn't be created but born, how can you suggest I should do such a thing? " Louise momentary got back to her earlier panic. Things were becoming too strange for her.
"Like I said , they are not Humans, even if they can feel, think of it as very human-like like Sentients golems." NachtWal hastened to correct her. Louise could swear there was a feeling of worry amidst the seemingly ceaseless an emotionless voice. And the snake's heads were moving more and more while still focusing on her.
Understanding that the familiar may misinterpret her panic, Louise closed her eyes and thought back on what it had just said taking long respiration to clear her head.
Having calmed down some minutes later she sat back on the edge of her bed, There was still something bothering her, and it wasn't only in that explanation. But at least her familiar was adamant they were not Human, not in the strict sense at least. That, in itself, a whole other problem but one she could probably figure out when she knew more.
Nonetheless Louise followed up her questioning, looking at what she saw were the eyes of the thing, still unsure if she was to accept this explanation "You just said they're not golems."
"They are and are not. They were made the same as me but from a Human form so think of them as you think of me." Well it looked like she wouldn't get more answers from NachtWal from the direct approach.
She found its stressing for the need of knights out-of-place.
Wasn't it a mass murderer?
Why would it need the knights to help her?
And then Louise found out what it was that was strange with the earlier explanation "How do you know I cannot make a better comparison?"
"I am a part of you now Master, I know what you know, With time and training in my use you will also be able to do it for me."
That creature being part of her was sort of unsettling, But it could be an advantage in controlling it. Whatever that 'training' was , it at just past on the top of her personal list of things to do to not die.
It made her though of the old saying for the familiar"Well , we do say that 'The mage and the familiar is one', but I didn't though it would take it that far" Now that she thought about it, it made some sense.
She laid in her bed, stretching, the mass of information starting to wear her down "But , wait, if you are in me , does it mean you cannot go where I am not?"
"Precisely , It appears that right now I am unable to leave your body apart from being in the Book" It confirmed , rising new concern for Louise.
"What!?" The surprise had her jump straight up and she lost her balance, nearly falling head first on her bedside. Her training then kicked in and she managed to grip hit with her hand and pushed herself back in the bed. She then sat up a second time, more calmly.
"DI.. Did I hear that right?" She followed , the acrobatics not making her forget the reasons of it. She stared at it, trying to see if it was serious while knowing she had no mean to found out if it was not
. The snake didn't answer, Just moving its heads in that same movement it had done since the start of their conversation, but somehow Louise knew it had acquiesced
"How do you intend to perform your Duty as my familiar if you cannot leave my body?" It could sort of protect her, yes, but that wasn't the way it was supposed to do it. Searching for reagent and other such important things in her place were out too. Maybe it had an interesting censorial ability as a magical construct. She would see but it wasn't going to be enough.
"That is why the Knights would be necessary,"NachtWal replied, and Louise got the impression it was responding to her starting inner turmoil "They can act as your agent and your guard while I help you control your Power, and act as both a Dev...Wand and a Sword. I can also in case of emergency assume direct control of your body like earlier"
"I... See."Louise was starting to find the idea appealing. She could Justify the Humanoid Familiar by her statute of Void mage if the need arose. And there was also the fact that a more skilled Bodyguard wouldn't hurt. "With the possibility that I am a Void mage now confirmed even more problems will come to find me."
Louise remembered that half the permanent Academy Guard had been hired when her inscription had been confirmed. There was even a whole knights order dedicated to her. "I can already hear his Majesty giving order to up the guard of the Academy." The 'Mousquetaires' commended by Henrietta and her second Agnes were always on the school ground, servicing as a second Guard to the already heavily guarded school.
"You see Master, They are necessary." The serpentine voice concluded.
"Are you sure they will be loyal? They betrayed you last time if I remember your word" Now that the rest concerning the knights was sorted out, sort of , this was the only bit that still made her reluctant to go with it.
She just had to know why it would want to believe in something that had already betrayed it once, even if those weren't strictly the same.
They would, after all, be hers this time. And there was no way she would accept traitor to be her knights
"More Loyal than them doesn't exist in any dimension. They solely exist to serve and protect their master , and in this case it will be you. They betrayed me on the Tome's master order last time."
That explained thing, yes, If they were given orders from their master then ..
"EH? … Weren't you the one who betrayed in this case?" Louise was lost, and her earlier stare had just grown even bigger.
"No, I was the protector of the Book, they were the ones of the Master. We all just did our duty." It explained hastily, reacting to the spleen that was slowly growing at the possibility of it being traitorous
'So there was a difference between the book and its owner,' Louise deduced. Those stories with curses books were current in the novel she read with her sisters. With NachtWal being formerly part of one making sense she didn't stress that issues, concentrating back on the knights .
There was something nagging her about the whole thing from the start but she couldn't really found what.
Her eyes lost on the snake she caught a glimpse of the book behind it, where the cover had been scratched eight years ago. She had finally found it "Aren't you resentful of them?"
That was what was troubling her, she had never pardoned those that had attacked her and Henrietta, and she knew that neither had her friend.
"None in the least it wouldn't make sense, If I was to resent someone , it would be the current holder of the Tome , not her knights." Once more the reply wasn't something Louise expected.
"You really are strange. If someone I worked with for years betrayed me I would resent them." The butler that had betrayed their confidence and lead that woman to them that day had never been found and it was still irking her. To that day their voices were still her nightmare.
"Would you resent the familiar of that same person?"
Louise didn't see that one coming and almost started to laugh, the freshly remembered memories the only thing making her remaining serious 'Does it enjoy throwing comment out of the void?'
She then remembered what it was not and, seriously thought about what her familiar had said, closing the eyes to imagine the scene. In the end most familiar were little more than a pet.
"...No, I don't think so..." Louise twirled her hair around her fingers, a little ashamed that she hadn't thought about it, even after all what NachtWal had said. It did not think of itself or of the knights as human after all.
"I can see your point. You are surprisingly wise for a murderer."
"I am not wise, solely Logic." That answer once more surprised Louise, even if it was less effective as she got used to is strange thought process.
"Now master, do I have the permission to summon the knights?"
" Yes , but... On the reflection I would prefer to do it myself, I will have to learn that magic anyway" The fact that there was another kind of more magic than Brimir or the first-born's was surprising, but she strangely found that fact comforting.
"If that's your wish , it can be done. I believe you already know how to find the spell you're searching." at those words she heard the sound of pages turned by the wind. But there was none in her closed room.
Had she accidentally thought about it. 'Interesting.'
But there was still a problem.
"Yes, but you know I cannot read it." Louise reminded NachtWal of her earlier try
"That is why I am here , But you must first unlock me."
"Eh? Aren't you already unlocked?" If it wasn't, how could he be here and talking after all.
"Like I said my power is sealed, You must call for my power or I cannot use it."
"So how were you to call the knights without me?"
"I would have done the unlock via your body. Like I said I am part of you." Those last words irked Louise once more, .
"... whatever...How do I do it?" She didn't want to recall that disturbing fact right now.
"Just repeat those words after me:"I Who carry the book of forgotten knowledge,
I Who carry the book of forgotten knowledge,
Protector of the Darkness, I call your power.
Protector of the Darkness, I call your power.
Time passed endlessly...
Time passed endlessly...
But the Night remained the same.
But the Night remained the same.
NachtWal ,Set up"
NachtWal ,Set up"
When she ended the spell she felt something inside her explode at the same time that her clothes were dissipated, replaced by the snake who engulf her.
For the first time she could feel the source of her power, that thing in her that felt like a constant explosion of black matter.'I should have known it.'
NO it was NOT BLACK , it was the pure absence of any single color, a bursting hole in existence.
She felt that same power fused with the snake and form around her some strange armor. And then, in the blink of an eyes, she was changed and could feel even more her link to NachtWal . If she was a part of her just before , now it was even more so .
Oh and apparently NachtWal was feminine.
And had discovered it recently.
Waiting for further instruction Louise looked at her new "armor", a 'Barrier Jacket' if the memory she was receiving from her link were to be believe. On her forearms were Black, glove-like oval shields that look like what her familiar was before. On the middle of it was a short spear that she could move along her arm.
Louise made the note that she now had the explanation for her being her sword.
Looking in the mirror she saw that her clothes looked a lot like her old uniform, but the skirt, now deep black, reached to her knee and thick serpentine white thread run along all around it.
Her cape had turned the purest white and the same black motif as the skirt could be seen on it on the mirror.
Her shirt was reinforced by the same, 3 horizontal that didn't reach the center letting the place for 2 vertical , The two side sharing the overall bi-chromatic tone with the right the color of her cape and the left that of her skirt.
Her shoes were the same but now metallic, and her stoking felt like the would resist the cut of a regular sword.
But the most striking change was that even her eyes and her hair were in those two colors, albeit toned down to respect the pink that was her natural state and the mark of her mother family.
Finally on her left side was the Book in its black strap.
At last, Louise heard the hissing voice coming from her head. "Now , that you have activated me, and finished to admire your Barrier jacket, Take the book back to the knights summoning spell , I will do the 'assisting' you just have to read the incantation."
Louise complied immediately, taking the book from its strap, and thought once more about the knights. And as before the page turned directly to the right page.
This time she could read the strange language, their meaning being translated in her brain like it had been for the Teleport spell.
Checking once more if the door was closed Louise stand up next to it and started her second summon of the day, hopping it would be less explosive than the first.
…
When the summons ended a pink haired woman opened her eyes but closed them again immediately, the magic filling the air still too bright.
Once she felt it dimming she opened them again to look at the girl bearing herself graciously in front of her. She felt that something was not like it should be. Yet there was no questioning about the fact that the girl in front of her was her new Master. She knew it the same way she knew how to wield a sword, it was engraved in her very being. Still she looked fairly young.
And she had to admit that it worried her.
"Are the two of you my knights?" The girl asked, closing the book that was another proof of her status for them.
"Yes master, we are the..." she trailed off, making a sudden realization. 'Two, shouldn't we be four?' Still on her knee Signum looked to her right and saw that Shamal was there, her head down, waiting orders. But looking to her left and behind her there was no sigh of Vita nor Zafira.
"The what? I didn't hear what you said". Her master asked fixing her with a frown, meaning she hadn't much patience left.
"Sorry Master. We are the 'Cloud Knights', the Master guardian, guardians , that is to say we are yours."Signum finished her sentence before looking around taking in what must be the bed-chamber of her master, still searching for her missing companion.
"I already knew that much from what NachtWal told me, but I'm pleased to see she didn't lie to me. What are your names my knights. Oh , and you two can get up."
Signum took the offer and presented herself " I am Signum, the General of the Raging fire ." Her new Master took some time staring at Signum face. At that time she supposed it was just an apraising.
"And you?" Asked her Master after some time, Finally looking for Signum's lone present comrade. Her head was still down and hiding her features.
"Could you get your head up, I can't see your face."
I beg your pardon, Master, I was just feeling something unusual. I am Shamal, The knight of the lake." The blonde answered seriously, obeying to her Master askance with a soft voice.
"As for me, I am Louise Francoise Le Blanc de la Valiere de Tristain , 3rd Princess of Tristain and actual Duchess de la Valiere, Just confirmed Void mage, and since that morning your new Master." The girl seemed to not like some part of her title, and if she still knew how to read people the only part that didn't annoyed she was her own name and the '3rd' part.
'Well seem like this time we have a master who at least know a little about the price of power. It shouldn't get as bad as most of the past times.'
"Now, Signum was it?" She nodded " Well you seemed to be annoyed by something , is there a problem?"
" There should be two more Knights with us . But they don't seem to be here" She turned to Shamal " Can you sense them Shamal?"
"No I can't, and I seem to have a problem on my own." She said with an apologetic tone before they both looked back to their Master .
"Yes, I seem to remember seeing four of you in that vision, I will ask her . But before she can answer that, what is your problem exactly Shamal?"
As her master finished her phrase a new question arose in the knight's mind. Who was that 'her' that could know more about the Book than its Guardians? But first she had to see to the problem of her fellow knight in this room.
She made a sign to Shamal as she saw she hesitated to speak
".. Well.. You see Master... I normally specialize in healing and support but I can't seem to find my rings."
"Your Rings? Are they your foci or do they have of some sort of power?" The petite girl asked, genuine worry on her face.
"They are sort of like my foci but they do have some power by themselves . I do need them to use my power efficiently " Shamal explained , a little distress in her voice as the lost of her old friends.
Now that she could see the blond's neck she found out that something was bothering her too.
"Heh, Shamal, why do you have my Laevatein around your neck?"
"That may be because of me" Signum heard a serpentine voice coming from her master arm. Looking at it Signum saw a strange device that she somehow knew even if she had never seen it before.
That was when Signum understood who was that "Her" her master was referring to earlier.
"Talk device, who are you and what did you do to us." Signum said in the calmest tone she could manage. Something in her knew that the thing was to be feared even if it was an ally.
"I am NachtWal, The defense program of the Book and Master Louise's Familiar and device" The thing answered in that same ringing voice that was making her shiver ever so slightly.
"But you should not be so aggressive to me Knight, we are on the same side, and I could reabsorbs you if things were to become otherwise" Signum saw her master flinch a bit hearing her device word before once more steeling herself.
"Stop menacing my knight NachtWal, must I remind you that you are the one who convince me in calling them. So talk, how is this your fault?"
'Convince?' something was definitely not normal this time Signum noted before listening to the thing explanation.
" It seemed that before coming to this word the shot that nearly destroyed me messed up with the knight program. It may also be why the Crimson Iron Hammer and the Blue Wolf weren't summoned."
"What!? Do you mean there will be only the two of us from now on?" The life of the Cloud Knight was not an easy one and being finally free from it would be good for those two. But she couldn't imagine the hassle it would be to carry out their duty if there was only the two of them. And there was the problem with their device to boot.
"Do not worry. Their program is still present but it seems they are too damaged to be used."
"Can you repair them?" Shamal asked, probably worried about her comrade, Shamal was not the healer of the group for nothing after all. You needed a little empathy to do it.
"I am currently doing it but it will take time, as for your Rings, Knight of the Lake , they are now merged with the program of the Crimson Hammer"
" Pff" She didn't have a lot of humor, she knew it, but the image of the little red knight forced to use Clarwind was just too funny.
Yet , She quickly stoped her laughter when she saw the dark glare the blonde healer was sending her "And I suppose Laevatein is merged with mine" Shamal said a little grim about the fact.
"It seems, yes, and I don't think I can repair that before I get the four Knights. You will have to use it for now, you should train with our Master . She need it too."
Hearing her name Louise eyes seemed to refocus from the lost gaze that she had since they had started to talk about the program. 'Did she not know about those things?'
"So what do I get. I don't seem to have Vita's hammer around my wrist. Must I conclude I have no device?"Signum asked dreading the almost obvious answer.
"I fear s-so," The device reply was even more serpentine than usual "And Not only that But it seemed you got the 'Guardian Beast' Tag out of it"
"Guardian Beast? What is That" Louise asked trying to know what she likely could understand.
"They are animals who have been uplifted to become their master's shield and sword.
In the Cloud Knight That is normally Zafira the "Blue Wolf"."Shamal explained while playing with the little sword-necklace
"So like a Familiar" Louise said, clearly happy to at least understand something
"Yes, but the difference with the familiars you are used to here is that they can take a Human appearance to help you better." The Device added, adding new questions to the puzzle that was forming in her head. But those could likely be answered with a little of investigating of the world they were at this time.
For now she had a more pressing one.
"If I am a Guardian beast , What animal am I? I don't feel like a wolf."
"... A Falcon." The answer was the one she almost knew was coming .
'Oh well'
"Why am I not surprised by that? I should have known . It gives me a link to Laevatein at least" She had to see the good points or she would break something "I'll still need to find a sword though."
"I must go to the Castle this Void day, You should find what you seek there." Her master said , waving her hand at her.
More importantly, Shamal, What does she mean?" Louise inquired, now seated on her bed . She had to admit that the discussion was dragging.
"Oh , you can sit on the chair next to my desk her"
"Thank Master, but how did you know?" Shamal queried
The pinkette smirked "Easy, you were glancing at them each time you could."
"You should control yourself more Shamal, this is unbecoming of a Belkan Knight" she admonished her subordinate, earning her a faint laugh from their master
"Hehe. I Was talking of you both"
"... Excuse us Master" Signum apologized sheepishly, blushing slightly from the embarrassment.
She and Shamal both took their seats before the pink haired girl started again
"So ...Why the Falcon?" She said with a smile.
'It's strange, I don't remember a Master that really seemed to want to know us. Even if this talk is one that is strategically useful by the fact she will know our strength a little more , it seems it is not the only thing she seek.'
"Because her strongest spell using Laevatein is named "SturmFalkun" Which mean.."There was a dramatic pause
" Storm's Falcon , Well I see now" The girl was still smiling at them with that same grace she had since the start. "They are things that always sticks to you after all."
...
And so they continued to talk. Signum and Shamal got to know better their new word by the explanation they got from their Master.
They both were surprised to learn the rather big proportion of mage compared to what they were used and the fact that, apart from their Master, each of them were Element user of a lone magical system. No wonder she seemed so eager to learn theirs.
Even so Louise insisted that they shouldn't worry because she had a leeway. By their own experiences with churches it couldn't be a good sign in the long run . But maybe they would get the time to get ready before that leeway caused a war.
For Louise , past the shock of powerful non-elemental magics , the real puzzlement came from their abbreviated explanation of Devices and other such magitech. It was at that point that they understood what NachtWal meant by their master needing training. The girl was smart but they would need a heavy shuddle if she had to show something to the King by the weekend.
They also were solaced to learn from the strange device that the Book had somehow already been filled, meaning that they won't have to go on the hunt, and would get more time to train with their new power.
The Master of the Book always get into conflict, and Signum being a General, she knew that it would come earlier than they wished.
Before they came to the Issue of their armors, the presence that had been in front of the door since almost the start of their conversation finally loosed patience and knocked on the door.
"Louise, it is time to go to dinner now. Whatever you have been at with your Familiar, you will have to put in on hold for the moment." The young woman said, her voice muffled by the thickness of the door.
Louise moved her hand before answering, probably undoing a spell. "... Do I Really have to? You know what I think of them, and what they think of me." Louise did not seem to want to get up.
"Yes you have. If the Daughter of the King doesn't show herself Today of all days, you know bad rumors will start again." The girl lectured. "Even more with the way you got out of the ceremony before anyone could really see what you invoked."
Signum didn't know for the second thing not being here at the time, But the girl was right about the first. She addressed her concern to Louise " You should go Master, You shouldn't antagonize your peer and subject."
"I know..." She laconically replied " It's just that most of them don't take me seriously , thinking I am still here only because my father is the King ...or that I was sent here because he is ashamed that I have so little magic and doesn't want me at the Castle." She said, finally getting up.
"But you know it is wrong Master" Shamal said in her comforting tone " And we are one more proof of this."
"Yes , but a proof that could come with the problem of being declared a Heretic if I don't play my cards right. I know they won't be a problem with the headmaster but..." Louise paused.
Hand on the doorknob she looked in hers and Shamal "We will still need to take care, Shamal I would like for you to stay hidden for now "
"Understood" Shamal complied, turning back in her knightly mode before disappearing in a little distortion.
"How did she..." Louise remained some time looking lost, worrying Signum a little . When she emerged surprised and irritation was written on her face.
"Okay... That and the telepathy thing should have been the first thing you talked me about"
"Are you coming, or do have I to drag you out like usual?" the person on the other side of the door said amusement perceptible in her voice even among the lost of patience.
"I Just have one more thing to do and I come, there is no need for you to 'drag ' me" the pinkette answered , red coming to her face for another reason.
'Do I have to deduce Shamal explained you about barriers and Telepathy?' Signum asked, verifying at the same time that the telepathy was there
'No, it was NachtWal that explained about telepathy. But like I said it will be useful for putting our story together.' Louise answered.
'We wouldn't want anything bad happening too quickly right? And thank to telepathy, You can call your Knights if you are in need of them without being able to talk.' NachtWal summarized.
'Yeah... Well. Signum you said that you became a Falcon right? '
Signum couldn't see why her master asked that be she still answered 'Yes, why would you need to know? '
'Because I want you to come with me as a Falcon to the diner and pose as my familiar. She said she isn't able to quit my body for now and nobody but professor Colbert really got to see what I summoned so...'
'Understood master , you don't need to explain anymore. And I AM your summon too, it wouldn't even be a lie' She tried to change herself in her Falcon form, remembering what Zafira had told her when she had asked him what it felt like.
At that time she didn't think that she would need the explanation one day, but after some seconds founding her shape she transformed into a large Pink-Red Falcon.
"..."
Her master was staring at her 'torso'
'What is it master? Do I have something strange on my torso?'
' Nothing of the sort. It's just that you more right that you thought. You have my familiar's brands on the torso. The same that NachtWal had' She replied thoughtfully
'It must be because your program is a part of me, meaning that you are too' The program gave a tentative explanation.
"I'll take that explanation for now. Come with me Signum." Her Master called her before opening the door.
"Here I am Henrietta, we can go now" The young purple haired woman turned around , revealing a relieved face. The woman had, like her master, trace of at least a rudimental martial training and even while looking harmless was ready if someone were to attack.
'Not too bad , could use more training but she at least is ready for basic sneak attempt' Signum remarked to herself
"Hi. But first, how did your Snake became a Bird, and second, what is it with your uniform" The just named Henrietta posed.
Louise paid almost no mind and start walking, to the Diner room Signum supposed.
"One, it's part of my familiar's Power, "
" And For Two Oops " She said giggling, changing back in her normal set of clothes
"... I will take the first for now, it makes for a good official explanation" Her master companion looked her with smug eyes while following them.
"And for the second... You absolutely have to explain me how you did that" Henrietta said , and Signum could swear the girl had stars in the eyes.
"Hai I will,... Later. For now we must go to the Alviss Hall before everybody ends its lunch, you were the one that wanted me to show up remember?"
" Hai" the purple head said happy taking her place behind her Princess.
And so the two girls and the Falcon continued their road. Yet, there remained a Question in Signum head.
"How is it that we didn't know about NachtWal if it's a part of the Book?"
"Because, my Knight , I normally only appear when you have failed" The unsaid was still answered, and with it other mystery came to Signum mind.
Note: Thank go to "These Heroes We Shall Remember"aka Sas- for the Beta.
Note from Sas: any hold ups will most likely my fault... I have a bad case of Shikamaru block, a combination of writers block and laziness...
Please Review since I need to know what's right and what's wrong if I want to get better. And if I get better you get better stories
If any of you wish , I am still in need of a Beta for the next Chapter sisnce I had to recorect this one myself . And don't hesitate to give me your thought hand Idea
Fragment of Ring.