Circe, Noah, along with Rex and the Hayashis' were waiting at the designated meeting spot. After finally getting Breach on the phone she had agreed to meet with them to bring the group into her world. They were all nervous and wondering how well Breach was holding up after spending two months in her pocket dimension with Van Kliess.
Circe checked her watch again, tapping her foot impatiently. Noah was on point as he looked around for signs of trouble. Breach had instructed them to meet her just outside the public library, one of her favorite places in the world. Rex was trying to act nonchalant, but it wasn't easy. He was concerned about meeting this new version of his longtime friend. "Are you sure this is where she said to meet her?"
"I'm positive, she said she be here at five of clock, at it's almost five. I'm sure she'll be here. I hope she's okay, on the phone she sounded almost normal."
"Normal normal or Breach normal? Hey, I'm saying she tends to have mood swings that can be unpredictable remember?" Noah pointed out when he got a scathing look from Circe. He was about to apologize when everyone felt the hair on their arms stand on ends. Holiday and Six gripped their weapons tightly as the kids got in a defensive stance.
Rex got ready to form a build just as a red portal opened up. Four arms shot out, wrapping him up in such a tight hug, he fell over on the ground. He felt locks of hair tickle his face as he looked up to see a slightly manic grin on Breach's face. "Hello Rex, I missed you. Wait you're not Shiny Rex, you smell funny! Why do you smell so funny?"
"I'm not the Rex your use to, didn't Circe tell you that on the phone?"
"Best friend Circe said a lot of things, I didn't understand everything," she explained helping him up with one pair and hugging Circe with another. She shook hands with everyone else before taking a seat on a nearby bench. She was a bit timid about being in the real world again after spending so much time in her pocket dimension where everyone was an EVO. "So, what do you need my help for?"
Holiday is the one who spoke up first. "We need to talk with Van Kliess, its urgent. It has to do with getting our Rex back and possibly stopping a threat to the entire world. We need to go to Abysus."
Breach's eyes widened as her entire body stiffened as she heard their request. She looked at the two adults as if they had grown another head. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Van Kliess has been really testy lately. He's still upset about not getting the Meta Nanites. Ruling a nation of EVOs is small consolation to losing on ultimate power."
"To bad for him. He should be grateful about what he has. Has Van Kliess been harming you in anyway?" Six questioned the girl. His powerful observation skills didn't detect any injuries and his wife hidden scanner hadn't gone off. That signaled that the EVO girl wasn't being controlled. Not waiting for an answer to his previous question the ex-mercenary plowed on. "Breach, we understand that it would be dangerous for us in your world, but the circumstances are dire. Only Van Kliess's expertise will help us with our problem. Can you please take us to your world?"
Sighing Breach reluctantly agreed to take them to her pocket dimension. Noah and Circe put on their power suits leaving their cowls down for now. Six tightened his grip on his katanas as his wife readied her sidearm. Rex was the only one who didn't power up as they stepped through the portal. Going through Breach's portal was different then being flung out of a magic mirror. He felt a slight tingle on the back of his neck and his stomach got a bit queasy, but they emerged unscathed inside the courtyard.
Rex's eyes were nearly popping out of his sockets as he was transfixed by everything he saw. "You managed to engulf an entire country, including the sky into your pocket dimension? That's amazing, the largest thing I ever saw you portal was a single town." Breach blushed at the unexpected praise she received pleased by it.
Suddenly the group found themselves surrounded by the guard led by Biowulf and Skalamander. Neither EVO looked particularly happy to see the group. The looks they gave the small contingents hurt Rex deeply considering he was good friends with the Pack back home. He noticed his companions had their hands on their weapons ready to use them if things became ugly.
Biowulf took a sniff before speaking in a harsh voice, "Why are they here Breach? I thought the agreement was we live our lives separate from the outside world and they don't bother us ever again."
"Yeah, are they planning to go back on their word?" Skalamander hissed.
"Calm down you two, they need to talk with Van Kliess is all. They have a serious problem! Use your nose Biowulf, what does it tell you? Besides it's not up to you if our guests get to see our master or not. He's the one who agreed to the meeting remember?" Growling the second in command dismissed most of the guard. The trio then escorted the small group towards the throne room.
Van Kliess was in a meeting with some of his staff about issues with food and power when they arrived. A cold smirk appeared on his face as he enjoyed the position he was in. He stood up holding his hands up wide open. The earth slightly trembled as he created a makeshift table and seating. "Hello old friends, I'm so happy to see you again. Would you please take a seat? Refreshments anyone? My chef was just about to serve dinner"
The group took their seats as Van Kliess milked the situation for all it was worth. He was enjoying the fact that they needed his help. He was about to make a rude comment when he noticed the longing look on Rex's face. The expression spoke of love; unnerving him. He held up his hand to stop the food from being served. "Breach relayed some of what was going on, but I admit I could use a clearer explanation. Tell me why you decided that you need your foil so to speak."
"Because Unc… I mean Lord Van Kliess, I'm not the Rex that placed you in this world. I'm from a parallel timeline/reality brought here by magic. There are evil forces at work, ones that would like nothing more than to take advantage of the situation to destroy the world. Circe told me that you have expert knowledge when it comes to understanding time/space relations. She also hinted you have some knowledge about magic. That could help us in dealing with the Ethereal Animal Guild," Rex explained, he was pleading with the man, something the Rex he knew wouldn't do.
"I admit, that I have vast repositories on all subjects, you mentioned, but I'm still wondering why I should be inclined to agree to assist you. After all, I can't return to Earth so what happens there has no effect on me. What's in it for me?"
"Other then the satisfaction of doing the right thing? Nothing," Six replied coldly.
"Then maybe I won't help you. I admit I'm greatly intrigued by what little I know of the situation. The chance to study this version of Rex is very tempting, but I'm not willing to lift a finger to help for a mere snack," Van Kliess said as he studied his golden hand.
The guests were getting angry, itching for their weapons when Rex's right hand rushed out grabbing on tightly to the mechanical hand. His eyes lit up as blue white lines shot through both. Biowulf and Skalamander moved into to aid their leader, only for Holiday to hold them at bay with one shot from her gun paralyzing the duo. After a few seconds the connection was broken and both EVOs looked at each other panting slightly.
"Never… experienced…something like that before. Your…memories…are very…vivid. You have complete trust in me, something of a rarity in the world," Van Kliess chuckled as he sat up straight. Rex didn't say anything just tried to get his breathing under control. "Very well, I'll help you out for now, but I still expect something in return by the time this little venture is through."
"Thank you," Rex whispered.
Across the divide of space and time a single being was working overtime. Mage had confined herself in the temple library going over all the texts they had available on guilds, magical objects, and rituals pertaining to stealing someone's magic. The amount of knowledge of the subjects was staggering and it was taking a lot of patience to sort out what was important and what wasn't.
"With so many conflicting stories it's a wonder that the Councilmembers haven't gone insane yet. How do people like Daegan and Bevin managed to not lose their minds reading all the time," Mage whispered. She felt something like a bubbly giggle in the back of her mind laughing at her misfortune. She rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. Of course Luna found her plight amusing. Why wouldn't the Goddess of the Moon and Stars laugh at her host's displeasure.
There was the gentle swishing of the fabric and the door to the library opened, warm sunlight spilled into the room piercing the darkness. Tawret, who was leaning against a silver cane, with some effort entered the room. "High Priestess, please sit down. Why didn't you tell me you were feeling so fatigued today? My aura abilities must be off if I couldn't sense you've taken a sudden turn for the worst!"
The ancient woman whacked the girl gently with the tip of her cane, a slight rebuke for her loss of control. She was ancient not dying. "Child, I realize you are still young, but please don't lose your head. I simply overdid it today with my gift is all. I was talking with the other Councilmembers via astral projection, and merely used more energy then this old body is capable of at this time. I shall be fine with a little rest and relaxation."
Mage felt her face flush with embarrassment over her obvious misreading of the situation. Of course the High Priestess would need time to recuperate after using her gift for a substantial period of time. She prepared some honey and moon leaf tea handing the cup to the elderly lady. The High Priestess graciously took it sipping the blended potion regaining some color in her cheek.
Mage could feel Luna inside her bursting to speak of what she had learned, but Mage willed a wall between them. Now wasn't the time to start babbling away. "Are the other Councilmembers doing well?"
Tawret placed her teacup down on the table pondering her words. She traced the marks on her neck absentmindedly as she thought back to what her fellow Councilmembers had informed her of. Each of her astral projection talks had both good news and bad news. She didn't know what she should discuss first. At last she decided to get the good news out of the way.
As she delicately began to brush her long silvery hair she informed the goddess incarnate of what she had learned. "The others of our Covenant are doing well, their journeys have been unheeded and they have made contact with many of our sister and brother communities. Reconnecting with others of our kind has enriched all our lives. I didn't think that in my lifetime it would be possible for magic to be out in the open again."
"I know what you mean High Priestess. Luna's return has herald a new era of peace and love. Since the awakening of magic, many evils have been tamed or at least dropped in strength. The governments of the world seem ready to work for universal peace," Mage replied. Still the young lady could tell by Tawret's sobersided manner something was off. "There is bad news as well?"
Tawret inclined her head. Her slightly wrinkled hands picked up the book that Mage had been looking at moments before she had entered. It appeared that two girl had remembered a rule of magic; there are no coincidences in life, only destined moments. The switching of the Rexs was meant to be, but for what reason.
"It seems child you are aware of what my bad news is. I had Finalla and Marella, even Cian asked for help from the others to learn more about the items from the list Rex provided us. Bevin used one of her more extreme divination with smoke. Her vision was unsettling to say the least."
"I can see why, most of the Guilds they met are legal and good. The reason we couldn't find anything on the Ethereal Animals in our world was because we assumed they were a dark guild in their world, but neglected to confirm that. I should have thought of the story of Edoloas sooner, maybe then I would have found what we were searching for sooner," Mage whispered as she flipped the pages of the book.
The story of Edoloas was an ancient one from the time when Luna's people traveled the universe searching for worlds to aid in becoming connected with manna of the universe, thus being able to perform magic. The story went that there once was a world that almost a counterpart version of the Earth. Many of the people, places, and items were the same with minor differences. Upon discovering the nearby "Earthland" planet the people of Edoloas used a device powered by magical gems known as lacuriam to make contact. For many years there was peace as the two worlds shared in each other's bounty.
There was one big difference, Edoloaions couldn't store magic inside their bodies, only in objects. This limited the amount of magic that could be used. Soon there was almost no magic at all in their world. Jealous of the humans' ability to connect with magic inside themselves, several members of Edoloas, including its king, tried to steal the magic from the Earth leaving it to wither and die. But by forcefully taking it to implant inside themselves many of their own people were suffering. Seeing this tragedy the prince of Edoloas joined forces with Luna's people to reverse the process effectively sealing his world off from magic ever again until such time the people of the world learned to share it properly. The prince wrote a book containing the spells and rituals to be used at a proper time then hid it away in the magical dimensions.
The warning of the story was clear. As was the answer to how a world without almost no magic could produce high level mages, who had knowledge on how to restore magic to a world without it. What had most likely been one of the last true legal guilds of Rex Hayashi's world had turned dark thanks to their counterparts.
The book Mage had been reading came to life displaying a crest similar to the Ethereal Animals, only this one had flames eating the four animals. A voice narrated the text on the page.
Of all the Dark Guilds to have been created before the purges, the Hellish Beasts were one of the most dangerous. Upon defeating their enemies during a job they would steal their magic or items to increase their own treasure trove of wealth. The members of this guild were unique as they were able to psychically awaken their connection any counterpart of themselves after performing the Ceremonial Ritual of the Mirrors of Truth, perhaps creating the mirror monster claims. The ultimate goal of the Hellish Beast was to gain unlimited access to the magical dimensions to rule for all time. This goal never came to pass for other mages/magical beings destroyed the items necessary before erasing the guild for good by alerting the purgers to their hidden location. Rumors persist that some of the guild's junior members might have survived the purges and are waiting for the right time to strike.
When Mage opened her mouth to speak it was Luna's voice who was heard. "Since my return, magic has awaken all over the world. The level of power haven't been this high in ages. If the Hellish Beasts found a way to contact their counterparts in Rex Hayashi's world then…"
"Then this switch was no mere accident. Something evil is at foot. Both our worlds could be in serious danger," Tawret finished unhappily.
Across the divide of space and time, the small group had entered Van Kliess's private lab to see his data on space/time and magic. Tensions were running high as the two groups tried to play nice. Many of the residents of Abysus were still a bit resentful for being stuck in this pocket dimension for all eternity while others loved being safe. It was a tightrope that threatened to break at any time.
Breach was doing her best to keep the peace between the groups. While she may have turned on Van Kliess to aid the Gears, she had chosen to stay with him rather then be cured, which spoke volumes. At the moment she was trying to tell some jokes she heard, but it wasn't helping much.
Circe and Noah were eyeing Biowulf and Skalamander who returned the stares. Biowulf's claws kept clenching and unfurling while Skalamander had crystals growing out of his hand. Noah flexed his wrist ready to let loose a cable and Circe mouth was itching to be used.
"Knock it off all of you! I know we're not on friendly terms, but we are guests here. Unless you perceive an actual threat, I expect you to retrain your impulses," Six hissed into their ears. The two Gears relaxed a fraction, but refused to back down completely. That was okay with Six, they were in enemy territory.
Oblivious to the drama unfolding behind them Rex and Holiday had joined Van Kliess at his computer reviewing his data. Rex had placed himself directly in the middle to keep the two adults from attacking one another. The peace between them was tentative, he couldn't risk them attacking one another. All hope of getting to his time/reality would be lost.
"I'm impressed with the amount of research you've collected on this subject. It's well compiled and organized into easy to read documents and charts. Studies on cross time have always been difficult to conduct, so I'm astonished by how much you gathered," Rex said in a respectful tone. He was trying to relax his body to show submission to the EVO, but at the same time show his interest in the subject.
"Why thank you Rex, I'm pleased by your interest. The study of temporal mechanics and the physics and components of space are challenging subjects. It was working as an intern during my grad school days in lab that studied the phenomena. I figured a rudimentary understanding would help me with my dreams of integrating biotech. I actually helped develop and test theories on cross time."
"That's impressive! I know from my wife that there is one main timeline and that cross time are branches of the original timeline, created by either choices or environmental factors. What I didn't realize, but you discovered, is how many of these branches merge as the timelines weaken or collapse. Many of the cross times lines are so similar that a single incident can merge multiple ones together."
Van Kliess nodded and warm smile appearing on his face. He was pleased that Rex understood what he was talking about. "Well theorizing about cross time and finding proof of it was difficult. I had to put my research on hold when I joined the Nanite Project. Besides there wasn't a reason to come back to it until I met the delightful Breach. Her own unique mutation was a golden opportunity to pursue a more in depth understanding of space and time."
Holiday had to agree as she was reviewing previous experiments and videos on Breach. While she didn't agree with treating the poor girl like a test subject she grudgingly admitted that the results were phenomenal. As she watched in slow motion she started to understand how Breach's portals worked.
When Breach opened a portal she literally was ripping open a hole in the surrounding space, molecules, and elements, all of it. By opening this hole she was in a matter of speaking able to tunnel under the fabric of the universe pinging until she found another spot. By ripping a second hole she managed to connect the two by stretching the fabric, made from vertaron particles, then pinning them together. So far her portals only seem to connect to the reality she was in because she could only ping off of quantum particles that resonated the same with her. It appeared that Breach didn't know how to change her quantum signature so she couldn't ping a reality that was just out of phase with the one they were in.
"These experiments help us understand Breach's powers in greater detail. I assume your plans to expand her powers for time travel was to alter her ability to rip and pin vertaron particles, to doing the same thing with chronotron particles correct? Theoretically it could work on creating a portal through time, but it would be unstable since time is constantly in motion. Also her mind would have to be completely stable and focused entirely on where and when she wanted to go otherwise she could have ended up anywhere," Holiday said as she looked up at Breach who was shivering. The girl gave her a pleading look not to say what else could have happened if Van Kliess had failed in altering her powers. She could have lost her corporeal form, even died.
"Enough with the science jargon, have you found what you needed? You're wearing out you're welcome fast," Biowulf snarled.
"Watch your mouth wolfy or might shut it for you," Noah warned.
"Like to see you try human!"
"I'll make sure he doesn't miss!"
A loud ringing broke the group apart as they held their hands to their ears. Six brought his blades down to his side again, taking a step closer to his soldiers while Van Kliess stretched his gold hand gripping his lieutenant tightly, his fingers digging into his skin. "Manners Biowulf, I understand that you wish to defend me, but your alpha male posturing is causing problems. So please, calm your pilose hide down so we can accomplish our goals. Understood?"
Biowulf forced on his knees, face bowed in submission had to agree. Skalamander was doing a full kowtow to avoid getting in trouble. Six was lecturing Noah and Circe on their behavior. Once the punishment had been dealt with Rex tried to regain control of the situation. "So you've studied magic, why? Most scientists don't even acknowledge the possibility of magic."
Van Kliess placed his human hand on Rex's face stroking it. The familiar action calmed the boy down. "My dear boy, I'm not most people. I learned to never dismiss the possibility that the impossible was impossible. Too much evidence to the contrary shows magic must have been around long ago, real magic not pretend. You were brought to this world because a pathway was formed at the right time and place."
"Caesar and my counterpart's associate believed that by using mechanical means they could replicate the spell. In a way they can open a temporary portal, but the energies are not stable enough nor can conduct the precise manna levels properly. The only way to truly reverse the situation is discovering what energies can act as catalyst for the mirrors. With the right energy level, your spark of manna should be able to create a solid path, but it will take some time to discover what that is. I'm willing to work with you until we succeed. Once we isolate the right timeline we can figure out shift you mass through space via using manna pathway. Sound like a plan?"
Rex nodded and the others grudgingly had to agree. Putting aside their differences for now the next step would be figuring out if Van Kliess could deliver on his promise here in Abysus or would they have to figure a way to return him to Earth to keep his promise? Challenges indeed.
While the team in Abysus was working with Van Kliess to figure out a way to combine magic and science together, the Backups and their guardians had been dispatched to the home of the collector that the guild had attacked. After spending hours in the closet, the man had finally been able to free himself only to find most of his staff stone statues and his priceless collection ransacked.
The Backups were in their EVO forms with their body armor on. They could tell that the man was extremely anxious about their presence, but he wasn't about to anger their guardians, not if he wanted to keep his head.
"Exactly what was taken from your collection?" Cricket asked as she examined the broken hidden panel. Next to her and kneeling on the floor was Five studying the scuff marks on the floor, trying to figure out the movements of the guild members.
"Many rare one of kind priceless artifacts. I spent a nearly a fortune procuring a rare grimoire, two sets of keys rumored to have magical properties, along with some armor and a set of rings. Are you going to get my property back from those brutes?"
"We'll do what we can love, but those brutes as you call them, have plans for them. Shouldn't you be more worried about your staff? There living lawn statues for crying out loud," Five pointed at. She stood up clutching her guitar tightly. She found this collector annoying, but it wouldn't be a good idea to harm him.
The doors to the library opened letting in their associates. They had been checking on the security system and helping get the stoned people into a transport to hope. "Well, what have you got?"
"Oi, that security system is a doozy. It would be a challenge for a lesser being to defeat, but not for someone of our caliber," Trey remarked laughing a bit.
"They managed to circumvent most of the system, then take out the backups. One or more of them must have deactivated the secondary inside system so they be able steal without alerting the authorities. I found deep claw marks and scales in the security center. I'm guessing Faline and Brede were erasing evidence of their activities," Skywwd informed the group, his tentacles were twitching in annoyance at being outsmarted.
"According to the Haven agents they're detecting faint heartbeats underneath the stone shell. So they're alive, but in some kind of hibernation state. Hopefully, the doc can figure a way to help them with killing them," Tuck added, reassuring some of the group.
IV was quiet as he reviewed what they knew. According to their whiny host, his collection was so private, most others in his field didn't know what he had. The items stolen were rare, rumored to have magical properties, and very dangerous. The Guild was not only skilled in breaking and entering along with theft, they were well organized and deadly when pushed to shove. Those humanoid statues were an indication of how determined they were to achieve their objective.
"Was there any connection between the items stolen in this collection and the museums?" IV asked. Five shrugged and there was an air of uncertainty. Just because the items were from different places and ages, wasn't any guarantee they couldn't be used in the same ritual. They needed a break in the case if they were going to figure out exactly what the Guild's next move was.
In the other world, Rex and his party were about to leave for Providence when, an alarm sounded. The entire castle was flooded in blaring red light and a horn echoed across the land. "What's going on? What's that alarm?" Rex demanded as he created two builds, his BFS and Slam Cannon.
"That is the signal we're under attack! I'm connecting with the mainframe now trying to isolate the location of the attackers," Anya said, her implants connecting with the mainframe. Her mind was flooded with data as her partial mechanical brain sifted through the data. She found the security cameras that were posted in key areas along the border. Focusing her attention on one she brought it up on the main screen. "Here's our attackers."
Rex couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was the same group that attacked him in his world! What were they doing here?! He blinked his eyes, rubbing them, then blinked again. No, a closer look showed it wasn't the same group. Sure they almost looked the same, but there were small differences.
For one thing their clothes were black and silver while their crests was a flame engulfing their four animals. Also the members all had slight differences. Edan, had a scar going across his right eye, Odette's hair was shorter and wilder looking. Faline eyes were green instead of blue and Brede was barefoot with sharp nails. There was another big difference as he watched them take on the response team.
Edan "B" was covered in a plume of smoke, when he emerged he was wearing a form fitting armor with wings and a dozen swords levitating above his head. Pointing a battle-axe at the group he released his hovering arsenal. There was a sharp shink and blood splattered as the swords impaled several members of the response team, though the plant EVOs had done their best to shield them.
Odette "B" did a midair split kick, rolled over someone's shoulder before twisting a human responder's arm behind her back causing it to break. Two hellhound EVOs charged her ready to take her out. Smiling she whipped out a styler pen, writing in the air the word, "CAGE" before flinging it at the attackers. The second the word struck them they found themselves in a steel cage unable to escape. She laughed cruelly before writing more words in the air; TRAP, GAG, PAIN. Each time a word hit a target they experience the word.
Faline "B" had been busy as well. She had been collecting samples from the soil, blood from the fallen EVOs, even different pieces of their skin. When she heard guns drawn on her she didn't panic. From her waist band she pulled out a single black key. "Open the gate of the hunter, Orion!" There was a clicking sound and a shimmering doorway appeared. Out stepped a giant hunter with a sword, bow, and axe strapped to his back.
The responders took a step back as Orion pulled out his bow, lined up an arrow then let it loose. Almost all the police were pinned to the ground bloody and battered. As more EVOs appeared Faline opened the Gate of the Sea Monster having it handle the other EVOs as she continued her private mission.
Brede was creating giant ice sculptures and storms pushing back the forces. He had no qualm upsetting the balance of Abysus. Spying the incoming skimmer containing Van Kliess and the others he hurled an Ice Spear freezing it completely. The team bailed out trying to save themselves.
Van Kliess created a column of Earth to catch him. As he used the moving earth to maneuver him closer the four guild members linked hands. Before he could launch an attack they performed unison raid, successfully combining all their magical power into a single strike. The energy blast left everyone, save Circe and Rex, unconscious. They had combined her magic with his Block Party forming a protective barrier.
"Who are you people and why are you attacking Abysus? I demanded an explanation!" Circe shouted, her mouth already forming.
"Do you have anything to do with the Ethereal Animal Guild? Talk!" Rex demanded creating his Boogie Pack and Smack Hands.
"We don't have to answer to you High Priestess nor your mechanical friend. Suffix to say we've got what we came for and we'll be leaving now. But first a parting gift," Edan B stated. Snapping his fingers one of his swords spun around in arch nearly taking off their heads but shaving a single strand of hair from both. Clutching the prizes tightly he nodded to his guild mates.
Odette wrote the word wind, creating a gusty breeze that send Brede's ice shower all over the country blinding them. Faline summoned another being, it sounded like Andromeda and they vanished from sight. No one was sure what had occurred, or why they had come. One thing was clear. The counterparts had launched a preemptive strike that couldn't end well for the good guys.
At the Hellish Beasts Guild Building, which was hidden in a gully a few miles from Providence base, the members of the guild were happily looking over the spoils of their battle. Procuring samples from Abysus soil and EVOs played a major part in completing phase one of the plan. As soon as they could they would put into action phase two of the plan.
The group was enjoying a feast of rare cheeses, desiccant breads, and superb wine selections. They had earned it after all their hard work. They had spent the past six months preparing for the next phase in their plan. When Luna returned to the world merging with Mage as her host, it had unleashed a plentiful of manna all over the globe transforming the world. Magic users no longer had to hide their powers as they were slowly being accepted once more into main stream society. The different magical groups were being called into action once more.
The difficulty with magic once again being known is that it was much easier for it to be traced and policed by goody good groups. The Councilmembers of Haven had created a special task force for managing magical affairs causing a bit of strife for the dark magic users. If you wanted to remain undetected it was best not to draw attention to yourself by doing something big. Of course there were exceptions to every rule.
"Did you see the expression on that loser Van Kliess's face when we blasted him? I hope he was suffering greatly as he tried to free himself from the dirtball he ended up as ha ha," Faline "B" chuckled as she flipped her hair behind her head before reclining once more.
"I was more amused by the attempts of the so call High Priestess to prevent us from escaping. The girl has the power of the stars inside her and all she can do is put on a pathetic light show," Odette "B" replied smirking at the memory.
"Enough, we can celebrate our victory later. The alignment of the cosmos is just right. Mercury is in the fifth house and retrograde to Earth. As for Pluto it's ascending while Neptune is in the negative. Contact must be made while the energies can be collected," Edan "B" commanded. The guild mates nodded their heads.
Brede used his ice make to form a magic mirror as Odette used her styler to write words to absorb the cosmic energies. Faline used one of her keys to summon a celestial creature, this time a bear, so that Edan could use one of his swords stab the beast. It let loose a roar as its silvery red blood dripped on the mirror surface before it returned to its world.
The mirror flickered and pulsated. The smooth surface began to waver and soon the image of their counterparts appeared in the frame. Judging by their expressions they had also accomplished their half of phase one.
"You know, I'll never get use to seeing my double in the mirror. Even after everything that's happened, your group finding us and awakening our magic cores, giving us the totems to learn how to control our powers, and now working towards our goal, it's still strange," Brede "A" remarked off hand.
"Ah, but noble goal it is. Your group seeks to return magic to your time/reality and we wish to open the gateways to the magical dimensions, eventually gaining the power to enter other realities different from our core timeline. Together the eight of us will bring forth a new era of magic and life," Brede "B" reminded him.
"Have you completed phase one of the plan in your world?" Odette "B" asked. She helped up a small bag containing the spoils and several vials of potions they had created. "We've collected everything you'll need to purify the ritual site as well as offerings." She stroked the mirror slicing a small hole which she shoved the bag through.
Her counterpart quickly returned the favor as she managed to widen the hole long enough to send a small chest through. "As requested, the items you need to strengthen your power and perform the ritual on your side. We've kept our version of the Grimoire and the Regulus rings. You were right about their power to harmonize our cores unifying us into a single fighting force capable of performing unison raid attacks. Following your advice we stole items that could be used to prevent the completion of our ritual. Too bad the Golden Keys can only be used in the reality they're found in, but hopefully the silver ones will help."
"These will do nicely for the time being. Don't forget, we're on a time table. We need to start Phase Two, securing and purifying ritual sites. Until that is done we can't focus on preparing ourselves let alone Phase Three of the plan. Have you managed to get the Seelie Rulers Mirrors yet?" Faline "B" demanded anxiously. Her counterpart shook her head. The cat like girl snarled scratching deep marks in the icy surface. "Those Mirror are essential to the ritual. You need to get them back."
"Don't fret, we have a plan on getting them back. The scientists and the little Gears won't be able to stop us. The only one who might prove a challenge would be the boy who was sent through. His aura is weak, but he does command a spark of earth," Faline responded.
"The boy is nothing, just as his counterpart is nothing. They may both have special gifts, but when faced with our power they'll wither under out boots. Stick with the plan and contact us again when you're ready for phase three clear?" Edan "B" asked in authoritative voice. His counterpart dipped his head letting him know they would speak to them once everything was in place. The conversation ended as the ice mirror shattered. A celebration would be taking place for both guilds as they worked towards their ultimate goal of reality domination of the magical world.
