Chapter 11.

Something stirred within Setsuna as her body laid there on the hard wood floor of Evangeline's cottage. It was the stirring of wakefulness, her mind slowly recovering from a lifetime within the void. Her eyes fluttered open heavily, not seeing much beyond diffuse light. A deep groan escaped from her mouth as she felt a massive headache ravaging her mind. As she propped herself up on one elbow, she moved a hand over her brow, massaging her temples. I haven't felt this bad in a long time, she thought to herself.

Letting her hand fall she looked around the room she was in. In the half-darkness she could see the glass spheres of Evangeline's magic resort. What? Why am I at Evangeline's cottage? I never come here. Not alone at least. Her gaze drifted down to a body lying on the floor a few paces from her. As her eyes adjusted to the sight she recognized the chocolate colored hair. "Konoka!"

She moved swiftly over to the small girl, curled up in a ball on the ground. She turned the girl over to find her sleeping peacefully; shallow, easy breaths making her chest rise and fall rhythmically. Something tickled her brain as she gazed at her sleeping friend. She reached a hand to pull a strand of hair from Konoka's face.

When her hand made contact with the girl's face the events of the last few hours surged back into her brain. Their time in the jungle, getting trapped in the cave, wrestling with the pig, snuggling in the pool, dying by the hand of the Mage of the Beginning. Even her time in the void returned to her, those eons spent teetering between life and death, sanity and madness. She had lost everything, everything she loved, everything she wanted to protect. She couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks as strong emotions overwhelmed her. Her eyes clamped shut, trying to forget the resurfacing pain she had felt in the void. She shook uncontrollably with grief and pain.

Then Setsuna felt arms embrace her around her neck and she opened tear filled eyes to find Konoka smiling weakly up at her, tears welling up in her own eyes. "Welcome home Secchan."

Setsuna blinked through watery eyes and chuckled huskily. "Only you could die and be completely unphased Kono-chan." The girl holding onto her neck smiled but tears rolled down her cheeks as well.

"I missed you so much Secchan."

Setsuna wrapped her arms around the younger girl's body and pulled her up to give her a warm embrace. "I missed you too my love." The two spent a while in each other's arms, tears and emotion flowing freely.

After a long while they broke the embrace and sat there on the cottage's cold wood floor. Neither spoke for a time—words were hard to find after such an experience. Finally, Konoka spoke up, slight confusion playing across her face.

"Secchan, why didn't we die?"

Setsuna was surprised at the question until she stopped to think about it. She's right, why didn't we die? Evangeline always said that what happened in the resort carried back over to the real world. And we did die in there. So why are we here? She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a loud cry from somewhere upstairs.

Evangeline shot bolt upright in her bed.

"SHIT!"

She knew something had bothered her as she had gone to bed, and now she remembered what. The golden-haired girl leapt out from under the bed sheets and bounded down the stairs to the lower level. Shit, shit, shit! I can't have their blood on my hands… Old man Konoe would kill me! She whipped around the banister, nearly slipping on the hard wood floor in her hurry. She leapt to the door that housed the resort and flung it open.

"Konoka! Setsuna! Are you guys all ri—" Evangeline stopped mid-sentence when she saw the girls in question on the floor in front of the crystal balls, Konoka wide eyed in surprise, Setsuna instinctively raising one arms to shield the chocolate-haired girl. The small vampiress let out an exasperated sigh as she leaned against the doorframe. Thank God they're unharmed.

Behind Setsuna, Konoka spoke up."Eva-chan, what's the matter?"

Evangeline looked between the two girls with her usual sharp gaze and raised a hand in a beckoning gesture. "Why don't we have some tea?"

The two girls on the ground looked at each other and shrugged. Setsuna helped Konoka stand, noting that beyond the headache, her body felt no different than any other day. When the girl had stood, Setsuna put an arm around her waist for balance, and comfort. Evangeline watched Setsuna carefully before calling out to her mechanical Ministra over her shoulder. "Chachamaru, would you mind starting tea water for three in the kitchen?"

A faint, "Yes master" came from a room nearby. With a nod Evangeline gestured for the girls to exit the room.

"Head over to the kitchen and take a seat. I'll join you as soon as I change into something more presentable," she said while motioning to her Victorian era nightwear. As the still somewhat dazed couple left the room the small blonde proceeded to stroll majestically down the hall and ascend the stairs to her room. While she glided up the stairs she thought to herself. I'm really not looking forward to explaining this to them. Ugh. Why does this always happen to me?

Konoka allowed herself to be led by the waist to the kitchen a few rooms away. She was fully capable of walking on her own, but after her own time in the void, she didn't want Setsuna to let her go. The memories of the recent events swirled around in her mind, none clear enough to remember yet, but enough to impart an overarching feeling. She felt more tied to the girl holding her than she ever had before. Something had changed, but she couldn't quite put a finger on what.

As the two girls entered the kitchen, their robotic classmate greeted them in her usual, overly formal way. "Good afternoon Konoe-san, Sakurazaki-san." Without waiting for a response she continued. "Please, be seated. The tea will be ready shortly."

Setsuna gave her a small bow of her head. "Thank you Chachamaru-san." Setsuna's hand moved from Konoka's waist to one of the heavy wooden chairs. She pulled it out from the table and offered it to Konoka who sat gracefully, folding her hands in her lap.

Konoka watched her sworn protector seat herself, expecting her to make eye contact once she was comfortable. Instead, Setsuna kept her eyes on Chachamaru, intently watching the robot girl place tea bags in the empty cups. Slightly irked that her friend was ignoring her, she pouted cutely and lightly clapped Setsuna on the knee. The charcoal-haired girl jumped slightly and raised an eyebrow at her. "Something wrong Kono-chan?"

Konoka decided to tease her a little more—she didn't like being too serious all the time. "I was just thinking that we never got to have any fun today…" She hung her head in mock dejection. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Setsuna's eyes widen. Hehe. Now she's going to stammer a response. Maybe something along the lines of 'you almost died! But of course, we could do anything you want.'

Except that didn't happen. Setsuna instead just nodded, saying "yeah, you're right" flatly. Konoka was fairly surprised, and somewhat confused. She didn't have time to wonder however, as her thoughts were interrupted by Chachamaru setting down the tray with their tea on it. She glanced quickly at the tray, a nice floral design matching the cups and saucers their tea sat in, then back to the girl in the chair next to her. She couldn't figure out what was wrong with Setsuna. Is she sick? Does she feel well? Should I say something to her?

Her thoughts were disrupted again, this time by Evangeline strutting into the room, her scowl marring her otherwise pretty visage. She had changed into a light, old-fashioned dress with small ruffles on the sleeves and too much lace for Konoka's taste. But it's just the sort of thing Eva-chan likes, she thought.

Evangeline moved to the opposite side of the table from Setsuna and her and sat, glaring at the tea for no obvious reason. After picking up her cup and giving it a sniff she called out to her mechanical maidservant, who had moved to another room of the cottage. "What sort of tea did you make us Chachamaru? It smells dreadful!"

A small paused filled the room before the robot girl moved to the doorway and responded. "It's called Genmai Cha. It's traditional green tea steeped with cooked brown rice. I figured it would be something Konoka-san and Setsuna-san would like more than your standard tea, master." She bowed politely and retreated back into the other room. Konoka heard Evangeline mutter under her breath. Something about missing Earl Grey, whoever that was.

With a deep sigh she focused her attention on Konoka, a grave look in her eyes. She then looked at the knight, giving her the same look, then back to the healer. "We need to talk about what—."

She was quickly interrupted by Setsuna who jumped down her throat much quicker than Konoka expected her to. "The golem, the Dark Mage, the void, all of it. Your doing?" The charcoal-haired girl was giving Evangeline an icy, accusatory stare. Setsuna's intensity frightened Konoka, who placed a hand on her arm, hoping the contact would soften her demeanor. A little surprisingly, Setsuna covered Konoka's hand with her own, but the cold glare didn't change. Her worry for her friend increased as Evangeline answered.

"Yes. And no. The golem is mine. I crafted several monsters to tend to the environment in my stead, all of them harmless. The rest? They were put there against my will, out of necessity. Negi needs extensive training, and a perfect analog for the final fight against Nag—the Mage of the Beginning. It is absolutely crucial. If Negi fails to defeat the evil mage that took control of his father, everything we have accomplished up to this point is meaningless. The magical world will surely collapse. If it does, every object, every person, every speck of matter in it wastes away on the surface of Mars. The inhabitants would be helpless in the face of their own demise. It would be a fate worse than being sent to the Eternal Garden of Cosmo Entelecheia." Konoka couldn't tell if Evangeline was concerned for the people of the magical world or not. Her words seemed caring, but the insensitive look on her face belied her true emotions. She was at one time the most wanted mage in the world, but Konoka had thought her time with the class of 3-A had changed her. Maybe not…she thought.

"However," Evangeline continued, sipping her tea delicately, "how the things got into my resort is not your concern. What is your concern is your interaction with them just now. I can sense something grievous hanging over you both. Tell me, what happened to you?" Evangeline set her teacup down on the matching saucer and stirred the green liquid absently with her spoon, clearly more interested in them than the tea.

Konoka looked at Setsuna who glanced back at her. They both spoke up at once, tripping over each other's words. With an exasperated noise Evangeline put up a hand. "One at a time. Konoka, you go first."

The chocolate-haired girl's mind was spinning, trying to remember all that had happened in the past few hours. She was having a hard time figuring out where to start. Her voice was shaky as she began.

"I… I still don't remember everything, but I'll start where I remember." Evangeline gave her a slight nod of the head. "Secchan and I were running through the jungle and we came to the beach, and then when I was in the water… Something grabbed me, I couldn't see it very well. But it was hurting Secchan, and it wouldn't let me go. Then… then he threatened us and… and I felt a sharp pain in my chest." Setsuna's hand was still over hers and when she got to that part of the story, she gripped Konoka's hand hard. She looked at her protector and felt fresh tears rolling slowly down her cheeks. "I was so scared Secchan! I screamed, and then everything went black." Blinking back her tears Konoka watched her knight mover her hand up to wipe them away. She didn't say anything, but her eyes spoke of sadness and comfort.

Evangeline spoke in unusually reverent tones. "What happened next Konoka?"

"I… I'm not sure. I don't really remember." And that was the simple truth, she really didn't remember. There was just vague senses of memories left from what happened next. "There was darkness. I didn't feel anything. I—I don't think I was awake, but I wasn't dead… Oh, I'm not making any sense…" She shook her head in frustration, angry with herself for failing to understand her own memories. But they seem so alien, how am I supposed to explain it to them? She began to feel more tears welling in her eyes.

Just then, Evangeline spoke up, her voice cold and pointed, "Setsuna, did you experience something similar?"

With the attention diverted from her, Konoka dried her eyes with the back of her hand, then looked at Setsuna, who since her outbreak had said nothing. The warrior's eyes were sharply staring at the table, but Konoka could sense she was looking beyond it. When she did speak, her voice was unwavering, steady and cold to match Evangeline's.

"Yes. I died in your resort just like Konoka-ojousama. Died, then awoke in a place beyond description. A place where nothing was everything. There were images, countless memories of my own life flashing before me, taunting me with their clarity. Lifetimes spent cycling through my life flashing before my eyes. Then at once they were gone and I felt nothing but my own body. Another eternity spent in total darkness." Konoka's eyes widened as she heard her friend describe her experience. Oh Secchan, it sounds so terrible…

Setsuna had begun to shake in her seat. Suddenly her eyes left the table and fixated on Evangeline. "I died over and over, but still my body came back. I grieved again and again for Konoka, and still it did not help. Each death brought only a sliver of relief, then I was brought back to life in that empty hell of a place." Setsuna stood abruptly and slammed her palm on the table, making Konoka jump and let out a small gasp. Her eyes were boring holes into Evangeline. "What happened to me?! Why am I alive?! I want the truth Evangeline! Tell me. Now!" As she finished her shouting, Konoka could see that Setsuna was breathing heavily, still trembling with rage. Her heart longed to embrace her friend, to comfort her, and tell her that she would be okay. She moved to put a hand on Setsuna, but Evangeline's voice stopped her.

"You want to know what happened to you? Very well, but knowing will not change what has already happened. And if I tell you, there is no stopping the chain of events that are to follow. You must be ready to accept the truth and commit yourself to it." This time Evangeline stood, as graceful and powerful as ever. "Are you ready to accept this fate? Or would you rather live on in blissful ignorance? For there is no going back. This is the point of no return!"

She extended a palm in a pointing motion to Setsuna. "Now, what it your answer?" A heavy silence permeated the room. The two girls shouting at each other had Konoka quivering in confusion. Eva's words were spinning in her head, none of them making sense. She turned her head to look at Setsuna. Her gaze was determined, and she spoke without fear.

"There was never any going back."

At that Evangeline smiled wickedly. "Exactly the answer I was looking for. I'll tell you, but not here. Come, we must go." She left the room without as much as a glance backwards.

Konoka looked to Setsuna who was slightly wide-eyed, staring at the door Evangeline had left through. She recovered quickly. "Come on, we'd better go with her." Then her expression softened as she extended her hand towards Konoka. "It wouldn't be wise to anger the Dark Evangel, right Kono-chan?" The warmth in Setsuna's expressions had returned, and that made Konoka happy enough to jump out of her seat. She almost did as she grabbed the girl's hand. Together they walked out of the room and saw Evangeline at the end of the hall, entering the resort room again. Konoka was a little confused, but Setsuna didn't miss a beat, following as if it wasn't strange that they were headed back to the resort. I don't get what's going on, but if Secchan does, then I'll trust her.

The two girls entered the room to the resort and found Evangeline with one hand on the sphere containing the original tower. A white light was encircling her feet. Her free hand was extended to the two girls, a sly grin gracing her face. "You need to hold my hand, unless you want to end up naked again."

Konoka could see Setsuna's blush out of the corner of her eye. The swordswoman gave a loud 'tsk' then grabbed hold of the vampire's hand hard. Evangeline sneered a little, but the smile never left her face. "Now, let's go!"

White light appeared underneath Konoka and Setsuna's feet and a moment later they were gone.

Once they had appeared on the stone platform of the resort Setsuna let go of Evangeline's hand, but kept hold of Konoka's. She wasn't about to let something get Konoka this time. I have to be extra alert, even if Evangeline is here.

As if the small vampiress could read her mind she said, "Don't worry Setsuna. This sphere is always kept free of vermin. Nothing can harm your precious ojousama here." She cocked her head slightly. "Well, except me that is." Setsuna just raised an eyebrow at the girl, calling Evangeline's bluff. Evangeline sniffed and turned to walk down the long bridge to the main tower. "You're no fun at all Setsuna."

The two girls followed Evangeline hand in hand in relative silence. When they reached the covered area that Setsuna remembered Negi taking her and Konoka—as well as a bunch of the other girls in 3A—to before the magical world trip, Evangeline reclined in a padded chair that rather resembled a throne, motioning the two girls to join her on less impressive seats facing hers. Konoka flopped down, obviously enjoying the padding in her overenthusiastic way. Setsuna seated herself slowly but didn't recline. She needed to be alert, regardless of what Evangeline said.

"Nice weather today, no?" Evangeline was staring off into the distance, with one hand raised longingly towards the sky. Setsuna gave no response. Konoka didn't make a sound either. Evangeline let her arm fall with a sigh and placed her hands on the arms of the throne-like chair. She didn't bother to sit up though, Setsuna noticed. As she spoke, her tone changed from listless to serious instantaneously.

"I won't stall any longer. You want the truth? Here it is. Both of you died in the beach resort, that is true. As I said before, even though the real Mage of the Beginning is somewhere else, Negi had me construct a pseudo-homolog that would be like the real thing. In order to defeat the real Mage of the Beginning to free Nagi, Negi must train against what he will face when that time comes. That means, the Mage of the Beginning you faced had all the power the real one has—assuming of course that his power is actually a corrupted version of Nagi's own power... The details aren't important. What is important is what happened after you died." Evangeline shifted in her seat to find a more comfortable position, then continued.

"The blackness, the emptiness, the cold space you both inhabited for a time… it has a name. A name that you both know." At this Evangeline leaned forward, eyes narrowing on Setsuna. "Can you guess it Setsuna? No? The void you both were in was nothing other than Cosmo Entelecheia itself."

Setsuna heard Konoka gasp. She could hardly believe it herself. That can't be right… Cosmo Entelecheia is supposed to be a wonderful garden of tranquility and peace, isn't it? A smirk played across Evangeline's face.

"I know what you're thinking Setsuna. And you're right, Cosmo Entelecheia shouldn't have been like that. Usually it manifests itself as an Eden of perfection where the dearly departed live on through the ages. However, it can change, as it did with you two."

At this Konoka broke out stammering, the confusion evident on her face. "Eva-chan? I don't really get it. Manifests itself? Changing? Isn't Cosmo Entelecheia just a place created by Fate and the Mage of the Beginning?" Setsuna was surprised at how quick Konoka was to question what she was told. Her usual innocent acquiescence had been diminished somehow. Setsuna looked back at Evangeline.

"Ah, very astute observation Konoka. Yes, the realm was created by the Mage of the Beginning with the Great Grand Master Key. But just because he created it, does not mean that he can control it. The simple truth is that Cosmo Entelecheia is alive! Alive through the power of the Great Grand Master Key. From the moment of its creation, it has molded and changed, unaffected by anything any mage does. I doubt even the Great Grand Master Key—the source of its initial magical power—could control it now. Here's the key though, Cosmo Entelecheia changes according to the needs of the individual entering it at the time of their death. For some, the greatest need is indeed a tranquil, endless existence of peace. For others, it is a training ground, or a penitentiary, or even… an empty, dream-filled void." At this, Evangeline's eyes rested on Setsuna's face with a look of supreme self-satisfaction, as if she knew exactly what Setsuna had gone through in Cosmo Entelecheia. Well, she's certainly not wrong with that guess. Simply knowing what the void was wasn't enough for Setsuna however.

"But why Evangeline? Why send us to the void? Why make me live through those memories over and over again? Why did I die over and over again? What purpose could that possibly serve?" Her tone most likely came off over-agitated but she needed answers. Evangeline looked past her, seeing something beyond either of the two girls facing her. When she spoke, her voice sounded far off.

"Distilling. That's what the process is called. Those who go to the void are in need of soul purification. Not in the way that you might think. It is not a purification to erase wickedness, but rather to concentrate the emotions most important to the person upon his death. Cosmo Entelecheia knows when a soul comes to it in need of distilling and works on it until the very essence of who that person is is forever altered. The soul and mind become new, re-invigorated, and forever changed. Then the soul is released back into the body where it is given another chance at life. That is the true power of Cosmo Entelecheia, and that is what truly happened to you both."

Setsuna was stunned. Her throat felt dry and she was having a hard time breathing. Thoughts were twisting and whirling in her head. So we did die? And our souls were distilled? And then brought back to life? Is that even possible? What does it all mean? Evangeline spoke up again.

"I'll tell you one more thing. I cannot tell you what was distilled, only that it has been. You both must figure that out for yourselves. Are you ready for that challenge? To find out the new you?" Evangeline had raised an eyebrow in question.

Setsuna responded quickly. "Like we have a choice." Her thoughts were consumed with trying to find the answers to her questions buried in what Evangeline had said. While she was thinking, she heard Konoka speak up.

"Eva-chan, can I ask you something?" Evangeline nodded slightly for her to continue. "How… how do you know all of this?"

Setsuna looked at Konoka. She had never thought to ask that. Evangeline sure seemed to know a lot about it. The girl in question stood from her chair and walked to the balcony of the tower overlooking the water. As she leaned against the railing a soft breeze stirred and blew her blonde hair about beautifully. After a long moment she turned her head to look at them over her shoulder.

"Because I was distilled."

End Chapter 11.

Author's Note: And that ladies and gentlemen, is chapter 11! I hope you liked it! I'm sorry to those of you who were bored by this chapter. I felt like I needed to explain what had been going on. If you're still confused, there is a little more explanation coming in the next chapter, don't worry. However, there will be more of a return to the romantic theme in not too long, so for those of you who only read Barriers for Setsuna's constant blushing: please stay tuned.

Thank you for your continued support! As always, please contact me through review or PM if you're interested in talking. I make an effort to respond to all of my mail, so if you take the time to talk to me, I'll return the favor! Thank you as always, and in the words of Glyph, "Have a pleasant day."

-Grimbt