Riviera : The Seven Diviner

Card 2 – Is

Ein thought that having fun with Fia, Lina, Serene and Cierra in this matter of time was wrong, but Ein also thought that they deserved this before he himself drag them once again to great, dangerous adventure of the angels. Ein also doubt his decision in coming to Lina and Fia's house on Lina's birthday, while he actually brought bad news about Asgard, which is now devastated to almost nothing by the angels' corrupted lords.

Fia recognized that Ein had something bothering him, and she felt like asking what the matter is. However, she knew better than that – she knew Ein prefers to bury his burden deep within his warm heart, while Lina and the others were having fun eating the cake and playing hide and seek (even fifteen years old Lina wants to play hide and seek – it's an immortal game of all time). She did not know what is in Ein's mind, but if Ein seemed to concern and failurely tried to hide it, then it must be something bad. He did seems that way when she, you know, dead, before Ursula ressurected her.

Somehow Ein knew that Fia noticed his concern. It was evident actually, his concern. He was always the first to be found in the hide and seek game. It was just after a while that they all began to notice his concern. When they finished eating the cake together, the fun part ends, and the hard part was taking its turn to begin.

"Ein, what's up? You look so worried." Fia asked firstly.

"Umh, I want to say my other intention in visiting you guys." Ein informed.

"And what is it, Ein?" Serene asked impatiently, "We'll always here to help."

"First of all, I thank you for your great help in resealing the accursed – it was unexpected mission, actually. I don't know if this is alright, but I have another mission from Gael, one of the Seven Magi." Ein said.

"The bad guy, yes?" Lina interrupted.

"They are not bad guys, Lina. At least, not all." Ein informed.

"So, you're asking for our help in this mission, right?" Cierra asked.

"Yeah, sort of that. I was sent to Yggdrasil to seek for Hector's Talisman, which corrupted Hector and made him thirsty of power. Gael wanted it to be found and destroyed, before it could corrupt any other being and cause disaster just like the ressurection of Seth-Rah. I.. I found that it's too much to ask, so it's fine if you don't want to help. But it'll be great if you can come and help." Ein said.

"Don't worry, Ein. Lina will help." Lina said suddenly.

"I'll be there if you need help, Ein." Serene convinced.

"I will come, too, Ein. I owe you more than you know." Fia said.

"If everyone's coming then I'll come. I also have to search for important herb in Yggdrasil." Cierra said.

"Thank you.." Ein thanked.

Ein was wrong about the news was bad and would ruin the happiness the girls had in Lina's party. In fact, they were ready to begin new adventure. Fia and Lina seemed to have secret box containing their best weapon they had used to seal the accursed. Serene was always wandering around defeating demons with her best weapon. As for Cierra, she had difficulities in selecting weapons – she own many staff with their own unique energy, and they were all heavy. One of the staff seemed to be fine, but starting from number two, it got heavier and when it reached four, they are to heavy even to be carried for five minutes. Ein kept himself with his wings – actually the replacement of his wings, Einherjar. Fia also brought some potions with her in case someone is badly injured.

They were ready to begin another journey, another great story that would be inherited from generations to generations. However, Fia and Lina needed to have The Elder's permission. Ein, Serene and Cierra waited outside as Fia and Lina debated about their grandfather's doubt in their power and their independence. Serene and Cierra stayed out of the house because they did not have anything with the elder involved. Ein actually wanted to go inside, but Fia told him not said that her grandfather was her and Lina's problem and not Ein's.

Cierra said that she had forgoten something and was about to take it from the Magic Guild, so only Ein and Serene remained. They sat on a bench under a tree. Silence ruled them - they did not have something they really wanted to talk about, but even a simple "how are you" could not get out of both their mouth. But sitting together, they had the same thoughts in the same time – the arc.

Ein was concerned about all, but he was really worried about Serene, being the last arc and was put in danger. Should Serene fall in battle, the arc would be no more. Serene was not concern about her death if she died for Ein, but she also worried about the arc. At least she needed to have a child before she died.

"Serene?" Ein broke the ice.

"Yes?" Serene replied with a question.

"Um.. I don't think you should come and help me in my journey. It's too dangerous." Ein suggested.

"What, you said that I'm too weak to fight?" Serene asked angrily.

"No, I don't mean that way. Sure, you are strong, but we don't know what danger awaits us. It's safer if you stay here." Ein said.

"Even if there are dangers, I'm sure Ein will protect me no matter what. So I can worry less. Right?" Serene said.

"If you said so." Ein said.

Then silence once again took place between them, but now it seemed to made a connection between Ein and Serene. Serene took a glance at Ein, trying to hold his warm hand as a symbol of her dependency to him. Serene lost many thing – almost everything when the arc were wiped out. However, there was one thing that she found after the death of her kind, which she never had before – protection. From when she was born, she was taught to keep an eye on herself, being independent and tough. It never occured to her before that there would be someone there to protect her until his last breath. That someone was Ein.

The Ein she knew was a kindhearted guy, while also a tough and protective, loyal friend. Ein was always the one she took example from – his kindness, his strength, his dignity, she favoured anything from him. It's his presence that prevent her from crying like a baby, which any eighteen-years-old girl would do when she found all her beloved person died one by one. It's Ein who protected her from any harm. It's Ein who she loved the most.

She did not want to seem weak to Ein – that's why she hunted and killed demons after Ein left. She wanted to prepare herself from any danger, of course, but also to be stronger. She hate being weak. If she was stronger, she thought, she would be able to prevent the arc's extinction. Maybe she could be with her family for her entire life. Maybe she would not need to be covered in misery. However, it was all past memories now, and she knew better than to reopen her wound. She aimed herself at what lies ahead.

Fia and Lina came out of the house with such happy smiles, and before any word could be thrown, Ein knew that they were permitted to enter the party. Cierra also came with a rosary – she thought it would indirectly protect her from harm. Either Cierra unexpectedly developed the idea, or Fia had influenced Cierra to do so.

"Onward to Yggdrasil !" Lina joyfully said.

"Umh, did I tell you that we need the accursed remnant to find Hector's Talisman?" Ein asked.

"Huh? So we need to unseal and reseal the again? Fine to me." Lina said.

"Lina, I mean.. I'll explain on the way. Now we need to go to Lacrima castle." Ein said.

They walked into the magic circle, which would lead them to Lacrima castle – the place where the arc used to live. The castle held Serene's memory, good or bad, gleeful or miserable, everything. It's there she watched her kind being slaughtered one by one. It's there she met Ein. It was and would always be her turning point.

Lacrima castle was no more the same as before. There was no more demon – only broken collumn and statues which were consumed by the time. However, Ein sensed something different – something that was even more dangerous than demons. The surroundings did not have any evil aura. Instead, the aura were more, divine. It was someone from Asgard. Someone from the grim angels.