Chapter 11: Somewhere Safe

"Agh!"

"Ugh!"

Skai coughed out dust, darkness surrounding her vision. She felt unnaturally warm, and her back hurt from the impact onto what felt like rocks. Belatedly, she realized she was very much naked, and with someone on top of her, the person breathing down her neck. Taking in a deep breath through her nose so as to not choke herself with the dirty air, she spoke, her hands searching in the blackness. "Mikasa?"

She heard a groan and felt the body moving on top of her.

Mikasa fluttered her eyes open, indigo blue eyes full of confusion, feeling like her hands were trapped under someone. She lifted herself a bit with the use of her elbows, now knowing exactly who was under her. "Skai? Are you alright? You're crushing my hands."

Skai sat up, grabbing onto Mikasa's waist so the raven wouldn't fall off of her unceremoniously. Their bodies got closer with the movement, with Mikasa now on her lap with her hands on her shoulders and Skai's hands on her hips. They were quiet for a minute or so, only sound being their breathing as Mikasa registered where they were and Skai trying not to think about the way she was very naked right now.

"Looks like we're in a storage room," Mikasa's voice was soft and yet heavy with tension, her breath brushing Skai's chin, and it surprised the blond how actually close were their faces.

"You kept the largest piece of the stone in a storage room." Skai deadpanned, blinking a few times as her eyes adjusted to the dark. She could see Mikasa's shadow above her perfectly now, the way her muted red three coma eyes darted everywhere.

"Shut up, of course not," Mikasa was murmuring, as if afraid to speak too loudly. Her hands on Skai's shoulders lowered to her forearms. "Oh. I forgot how naked you actually are right now."

'How can you forget a thing like that when I can practically feel your ass on my thighs right now?!'

Skai just hummed in response however, suddenly feeling tired, leaning to rest her forehead on Mikasa's shoulder blade. "You don't happen to see some shorts and a shirt for me here?"

Mikasa's hands rose to thread over her blonde hair, an amused smile dancing on her lips. "You'd be mistaken for a peasant in this era if you wear something like that."

Skai frowned deeply, backing away to lock eyes with Mikasa. "Era? We time traveled?"

Mikasa's smile widened to a mischievous smirk. "Welcome to medieval times, Crow."

"Here."

Clarice placed a plate of pizza slices silently in front of him on top of the bed, caramel eyes swollen from the many tears she had shed that night. "Please eat, Xkali."

Xkaliber refused to look up at her, his dull purple eyes locked on the metal wall facing in front of him. His only response was to hug his knees closer to his chest.

Clarice felt her eyes watering again, feeling so lost and guilty for what was going on with her dear friend. "Xkaliber, please eat. You didn't eat dinner last night at all, you must be at least the tiniest of hungry!"

Xkaliber didn't even twitch.

A sob choked out of Clarice, and she hurriedly got out of the small prison room before her wailing could start. She locked the door made of iron steel behind her, and then proceeded to slide down against it, hiding her face in her hands as she cried.

When she heard the sound of heels hitting the ground getting close to her, she looked up with a glare at the same time Regina stopped.

"I take it he still hasn't eaten?" The Headmaster's face was impassive, nearly impeccable in emotionlessness if it weren't for how tired she looked. It was obvious she had a rough night as well, and Clarice was willing to bet Emma was partially responsible.

The mermaid snarled, quickly standing up and pointing at her with her forefinger. "He's been like this since you cast that spell on him! Release him from it's aftereffects! I can't even see the magic in his eyes!"

Anger flashed in brown calculating eyes. "Miss Bloomington-"

"Enough with that crap! My name is Clarice Poseidon and you shall address me as such!" The goddess inside the brunette came bursting out, and she was ready for confrontation. It surprised Regina, how vigorous and confident the girl has grown. But yet again, she should've seen it coming. She is friends with one of the most rebellious student she knows.

Nonetheless, no one speaks to Regina Mills this way. Be it a goddess or not. "Miss Poseidon," she growled the name as if it were cursed. "Mister Longbottom's condition has nothing to do with the expulsion spell I had engaged on him. He's powerful enough to even brush the spell off himself when I had casted it, if he had wished. No, what he has is much worse than any aftereffect. Depression is something I can never heal."

Hurt crossed Clarice's face. "Depression? I don't understand."

"None of you understand," the raven hissed, rage slipping into her voice and breaking her facade. "Don't you get it, Miss Poseidon? Mister Longbottom now knows exactly what awaits him. A teenage death."

Viktor looked up once the door to his prison room opened. "Mother."

Tinker Bell thinned her lips, looking down at her boy with shackles on his wings, sprawled on the ground with books and scrolls that he had requested scattered all around him. She closed the door behind her, not even bothering to lock it properly. "Son."

Viktor looked back down at his scrolls. "To what I owe this visit for?"

Tinker sucked a breath in through her tightly clenched teeth, her hands in tight, shaking, fists. "Viktor. This is not the way to behave in this situation. Haven't you been disgraceful enough? You will soon be king of every nation of creatures, and this is how you act? Going against what is right?"

The blond scoffed, glancing at the woman from the corner of his eye. "I rarely see you at all, and the first visit you give me this year is to scold me, mother?"

Her face grew red, stomping forward. "You ungrateful child! It's not like you even ask for my presence!"

Viktor's green eyes softened. "Does a son really even have to ask?"

Tinker Bell closed her eyes and shook her head. She dug her hand out of one of her pockets, and kneeled forward to give her son a kiss on his forehead. "Just be careful, my king."

Viktor watched her leave with sorrowful eyes. The moment the door gave it's last click, he looked down at his scroll and smiled at the key his mother had discretely placed for him. 'What matters is that you're here when I most need you, Mom.'

"I don't think we should be doing this, Tamani," Osmil kept nervously glancing around as his roommate unlocked the door. "I know you want to see him, but can't you wait until at least the Headmaster announces his incarceration?"

Tamani scoffed, struggling with performing the last spell. She has been watching Regina and Clarice go inside ad out of this prison all day, and she has memorized the spell, but the last one was always the most difficult to catch. "As if that old hag ever will. She likes keeping too many secrets. And I need my fill now."

Osmil eyed the succubus warily. "I know Xkaliber's sexy and all, but is he worth the trouble? I haven't even seen Mika or Tobi around, not even that new girl, and they're his friends. He must've done something to end up there."

Tamani scowled, giving him a dirty look. "Don't be sour to him just 'cause your dear Viktor has a crush on him, and don't dare even say it's because he's human, cuz you adore Mikasa and she is mortal as well. Besides, wouldn't that mean Viktor has done something as well? And wouldn't you want to at least see your prince?"

The incubus glared right back at the sophomore, feeling slightly affronted by the younger annoying girl. "I just don't understand what do you all even see in him."

She flashed a full blown out predator grin at him. "It's his power. I could feel it miles away, pulsing in my blood with need, need for him. I was just an afternoon with him, without even kissing him, and it drove me insane. The power he posses," she shivered, looking down at the doorknob with yearning while licking her lips and smacking them. "It's maddening. Just being around him sated me enough to have all my abilities enhanced by a thousand times. You saw me in practice today, I was astonising, wasn't I? Just imagine me sucking him dry."

Osmil wrinkled his nose. "I rather not. You spirit incubi are a weird bunch."

Right then, the door clicked open and Tamani cheered silently in victory. She quickly grabbed his hand before the guy could escape. "Stop judging and let's go."

"You have got to be shitting me."

Mikasa outright giggled, clapping her hands together once Skai came into view. "It looks good on you, stop mopping!"

Skai scrunched her nose, looking back to her reflection in the mirror. The white and gray gown dress she had on looked pretty average to her, and she wouldn't have been that bothered by it if it weren't for the stupid corset practically choking her alive. "How can you even handle this? And what about our glasses? I feel as blind as ever."

"Stop your sulking or I'll make you wear heels instead of those boots," Mikasa warned, standing beside her to look into the mirror herself, hooking her arm with Skai's. "We can't use glasses in this era, remember? At least not those. You look weird since I've never seen you with a dress, but nonetheless pretty."

"I don't do pretty," Skai whined lowly, eyeing Mikasa's reflection. The raven looked like she fit right in, with a lilac frilly gown dress that looked just right with the help of the corset. "But you do girly pretty well."

Mikasa smiled almost childishly at Skai through the mirror. "Thank you." She quickly turned around, looking for a brush in the shabby hotel room. "All that needs finishing is our hair and we could head down to the castle."

Skai blinked, still trying to understand the glowing look Mikasa had thrown her from the just barely compliment. She turned around. "Castle?"

Mikasa gave her a sheepish look, running a comb through her hair. "It's the safest place I could think of."

"Yeah, sure, with the king," Skai gave out an exasperated sigh, racking her hand through her hair. "I'm not even sure where we are and you're going to make us interrupt history with a king."

"First off, it's queen," Mikasa snapped at her, grabbing the blonde's hand to jerk her towards her to comb her hair down. Skai begrudgingly let her. "And the queen is someone I'm sure isn't even mentioned in the history books. Well, human history books anyways. I'm sure you won't mind meeting her." A smirk appeared on the raven's face. "And we're near Asia, slightly closer to Europe."

Skai blinked repeatedly. "Is she a creature?"

"Yes, but it's a secret. She still rules over fear filled humans," Mikasa patted the blonde's head with the comb. "And I'm done with you. Your short hair is helpless no matter how hard I try. Shall we be on our way?"

She sighed, glancing at the raven with curious eyes. "Can I ask you a question first, Mikasa? Why do you seem so…happy? With everything that's happened?"

Mikasa opened her mouth and then closed it as if she thought better, her eyebrows furrowing together while she placed the comb back on the dresser. "It's…ah. It's difficult to explain. It's just this era is one of my favorites. Sorry for my inappropriateness."

Skai placed a hand on her forearm and squeezed it reassuringly. "Hey, it's okay. And what's with the big words anyways?"

The taller girl laughed, giving Skai a funny look. "People in this era speak differently. They do not even use conjugations, so you will have to start talking like this."

"Ugh," Skai rolled her eyes, walking away from the raven to grab their coats. "Let us just get this over with then, shall we?"

"My queen."

A beautiful woman, with long gracious silky blond hair that the end had natural big curls and with a breathtaking green and gold ball gown, gracefully twirled on her heel to face her personal guard and servant, giving her back to the balcony showing her her kingdom. The woman smiled prettily at the other female kneeling before her, stepping forward to take her face gently with her hands and making her look up to lock gazes with glistening green eyes. "Yes, my love?"

The woman, her personal everything, looked straight into her without a hint of fear in vibrant bluish gray eyes. She was gorgeous, with a black gown hugging her shape attractively, making her pale skin outshine like porcelain, and with a long flowing silky dead black hair that covered half of her pleasant face. The queen brushed those daring tendrils aside lovingly.

The raven smiled beautifully, gray eyes dancing. "I believe it is time to greet your people."

The blonde pursed her full lips into a near pout. "Why must you ruin my evening with such nonessential matters?"

The guard chuckled gently, knowing what her queen meant. "Your evening is not ruined, my Lady. I promise if you behave well tonight, you shall have me waiting in these very chambers."

Yearning flashed in spinach colored eyes, running her hand through her servant's black locks. "Do I have your word on this, beautiful?"

The raven grinned mischeviously. "Always."

The queen sighed, closing her eyes to try and control her lust. She straightened, tapping the other woman on her lips with her forefinger. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get me my crown, precious. I cannot wait to bed you yet again tonight."

The personal servant laughed quietly to herself in this, quickly getting on her feet to do what Her Majesty has asked and the queen couldn't help but smile at the sound of her chuckles.

Tobi panted, staring up at the cloudy sky above, sprawled in the middle of a flowery meadow in what seems to be the middle of a forest. For a second, the demigod thought he had failed in going through the portal. But as he breathed in the air in rapid movements, he could smell something different in the atmosphere.

"Um, mister?"

The demon blinked up at the sudden face that appeared in front of him. It was a girl, with nearly liquid honey hazel eyes gazing into his own fiery blue ones as her brown hair cascaded around her face, the tip of a lock gracing his nose. "Yes?"

A frown formed in her petite face at the normalcy he responded with, mildly wondering if the weirdly dressed man was foreign or perhaps insane. "You should not be here. This land is of my grandfather."

By her accent, her attire, and cautious glances, Tobi could tell he was pretty into the past. The question is, how deep? And where was Mikasa and Skai? They couldn't have landed far. He slowly sat up so as to not scare the bemused girl that seemed well into her preteens, tugging onto his beanie tightly, low enough to cover his eyebrows. He could sense strong witchcraft in her, Middle Ages strength. And from the looks she gave him, he knew she sensed his aura as well, besides the obvious tell-tale of his flaming brows. "Forgive me, my lady," he spoke in the same smooth rich accent as her. "I seemed to have been led astray from my path. Would you kindly give me the direction of the closest town, please?"

The witch bit her bottom lip as she watched him fully stand, now entirely aware of how tall the god really was. She stretched her hand to point north. "That way, sire. Just before the gate."

He gave her a curt nod and bow, heading the way she had generously showed him. She observed him leave for a second before speaking up. "Sire, you remind me very much of Knight Ahmed."

He froze once he heard his given birth name. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, judging her. "Knight Ahmed?"

She squirmed under his critizing gaze but nodded solemnly. "Yes."

'I don't remember ever time traveling or leaving Hell in this era though.'

"How come?" He turned completely to face her.

She nervously ran a hand through her hair. "Perhaps it is better for you to meet him yourself, traveler?"

Tobi blinked, realizing that the girl had already pieced together where he was from. As in, the future. _'A very powerful witch indeed._' "Where does he reside?"

"The castle, sire."

With a lower bow now, Tobi twirled on his heel and went on his way. 'Why do I feel like I've seen her before?'

She watched him leave, clutching onto the gold locket hanging around her neck with tearful eyes. "Oh, my prince."

"Emma, this is unnecessary."

The blonde kept slamming drawers, yanking out her clothes and stuffing them into the bag on top of the king bed with vigor, ignoring her lover standing by the door, holding tightly onto the doorknob of it.

Exasperated, Regina walked forward to grasp the other woman's wrist. Emma growled at being touched, trying to rip out of her hold but the raven's grip only tightened. "Please, Em…"

The blonde gave up, deciding to just glare into those tortured dark brown eyes of her lover. It nearly made her crumble, she didn't want to cause more problems for her, but Emma was tired, exhausted, of all the secrets. And this time, it was too much. This time, it just went too far. She was honestly scared of where this was going, Regina was tumbling down, and the last thing she wanted was to be dragged into darkness with her. She closed her eyes before tears could surface. "Let go of me."

"You have to understand," Regina actually had the nerve to plead. "I need you now more than ever."

The confession, something so unlike her, nearly made Emma have a heart attack. 'Jesus fucking Christ, this is much worse than I imagined'.

"Some things…are just better without you knowing," the raven murmured as soon as she saw vulnerability in those beautiful eyes of the love of her life. "For your own safety."

Anger flashed on Emma's features, and Regina sighed in agitation when the blonde forced herself out of her grasp and stepped back. "Look, Regina. Whatever the fuck is going on, it's fucking bad. I need to know."

"It ain't bad-"

"For Skai to run away from you, it is!" Emma exploded, shrieking with the frustration and rage and confusion, expressing her emotional outburst with her hands. "This your own niece. She fucking adores you and I don't believe she'd run away from you because of something small, even if it is to go elope with Mikasa! What the fuck did you fucking do?! And for you to imprison Xkaliber and Viktor for Christ's sake! Those kids, I know you care for them! Or was that all just a charade?! Goddammit, even little meek harmless Clarice is outright snarling at you!"

"None of you understand!" Regina screamed right back, at the end of her rope. She took a hold of Emma's shoulders and shook her as if to make her comprehend. "All of this idiocy is fucking maddening!"

"Then make me understand. Talk to me. Please, baby," Emma practically sagged in the infuriated raven's hands, looking at her with a begging gaze. "Please."

Regina closed her eyes, shaking her head and letting her go. "I can't…you'll just have to trust me. I'm sorry."

Emma pressed her lips together and nodded, looking off to the side silently. After a moment, she leaned over the bed to grab her bag. "I'm sorry too."

Regina looked at her walking away helplessly, feeling something itching to break inside. 'How can I even be more broken than I already am?' "Emma-"

"I just need some space, Mills," Emma didn't even turn around to say this as she stood by the door, giving the Headmaster her back. "I'll come back to duty tomorrow."

"Mom?" A head of brown hair popped up as soon as Emma went through the threshold.

She gave her son a tired smile, ruffling his hair. "I'll see you tomorrow kiddo."

Henry watched her leave to then give his other mother a look. "You better fix this."

Regina sighed heavily when he left, looking down at her hands.'What am I even doing?'

"Oh my god, this place is huge," Skai's wide eyes kept darting everywhere, trying to take it all in. Unlike the town, which absolutely reeked, the castle smelled like honey and cinnamon, an oddly comforting combination that left the blonde feeling welcome. The gate had been large, but the ballroom, or whatever it's called (Skai rarely pays attention to history class, much less historic architecture), was even bigger. It practically took her breath away once she caught sight of the buffet set on long rich bronze tables. In front of the whole room, was an empty gold throne set up on a various sets of silver stairs. It was absolutely luxurious. But it was entirely vacant.

The servant that had brought them here bowed. "Forgive the absences, my ladies. You have arrived quite early to the weekly buffet."

"It is alright," Mikasa spoke before Skai could respond. "We are absolutely famished either way. Does Her Majesty mind if we begin without her?"

"I am sure she would not," he smiled toothily at the raven, flattered with her friendly tone. "This is a buffet for the hungry, my lady."

Mikasa gave him a charming smile. "Thank you kindly good sir. My partner and I shall enjoy it immensely."

At the word 'partner', the man deflated noticeable but still returned a small grin of his own and proceeded to walk away.

"What's up with him? It looked like you killed his hope and dreams right on the spot," Skai raised an eyebrow at the roll of Mikasa's eyes.

"I think it's because I used the word 'partner'," Mikasa said as if obvious, extending her arm for Skai to interlock with, which she did. They walked down the stairs that led them to one of the tables.

"I have a feeling 'partner' in this era means kind of like girlfriend?" Skai curiously looked at the raven from the corner of her eye.

"It's easier to explain than being adopted sisters," Mikasa shrugged, letting go of Skai to take a branch of grapes from the table. She popped one into her mouth thoughtfully, eying the food and quickly changing the topic. "Can you eat anything from here?"

Skai frowned, her nose twitching. "I think I can eat at the meat table."

"Then go, you must be starving."

At the word 'starving', something else came to mind. Skai looked at the happily munching Mikasa worriedly. "How long are we going to be here, Mika?"

The raven's good mood soured almost instantly, giving Skai a frown of her own. "I don't know. Why the question?"

Skai sighed agitatedly as if it were obvious. "I can't live off of meat alone."

"Oh. But that's okay, we'll figure it out. Just go eat," Mikasa waved her off as if her need to drink human blood was nothing to worry about.

Rolling her eyes and praying that the girl knew what she was doing, Skai skipped ahead to the meat table. She took a whole plate of well done steaks and promptly sat down on one of the leather chairs. The corset was uncomfortable enough standing as it is. She glanced at Mikasa, who had sat down herself a few feet away, almost humming in glee. 'What is it about this era that gets her in such a good mood?'

And come to think about it, Skai has failed to feel anxious even once in the nearly 24 hours she was in the past. That was a record, she couldn't even go an hour without mild anxiety. She had a feeling it was the atmosphere, and she wondered why did it effect them so. 'Is it maybe because we don't belong here?'

Having finally sat down after so much drama and news and running around stealing dresses and renting a discreet hotel room that stank more than a fart from her uncle Giovanni's, Skai finally had the time to actually think about what was going on. And at the thought of her uncle, she gasped. 'Holy shit, how can I forget?!' "Mika, my uncle-"

"He's safe," Mikasa murmured, taking a sip from of the wine glasses. "Before my meeting with Regina, I asked a friend for a favor. Let's just say he has the ability to walk through walls."

"Wait, I don't understand," Skai placed the forgotten plate of food back on the table to stare at the raven. Normally, in moments like these, she would get anxious. But she noticed she was eerily calm, and she was starting to freak herself out. "You knew where he was?"

"No. The dead always know where the missing are. I was notified he was safe the moment all of you left our dorm and I returned," Mikasa gave Skai a soft smile. "A thank you would be nice, instead of so many questions."

"I'm not going to say sorry for asking, although I am grateful," Skai returned the gesture with a brighter smile. "There's just so much going on. It's hard to keep track, and I still don't understand so many things. I just…want to know. Not only that…I want to know want runs through your head too."

Mikasa hummed, leaning back on her seat and twirling a skinned kiwi on her hand. She felt the slightest of pang of guilt for dragging Skai in all of this mess. Everything has just been so out of control, and the raven rarely confided on anyone with her matters. But the blonde deserved a friend, someone she could really trust, specially in moments like these. Needless to say, Mikasa needed the same thing. Their friendship had progressed, and the raven had a feeling it would only get stronger from this instant on. "I'll tell you everything I know the moment we're alone, Skai. I promise."

Skai grinned, feeling…happy. "I would appreciate that, Mikasa."

They both smiled at each other briefly, a moment of just staring at the other passed and Mikasa looked off to the side with what Skai could tell was a secretive expression. 'What's that about?'

"Eat, will you?" Mikasa scolded, taking a rough bite off her kiwi.

Skai rolled her eyes, reaching for her plate as, ironically, her stomach grumbled. "Yes, mum."

Suddenly, giggles and laughter could be heard. Aghast and feeling slightly undignified, Mikasa and Skai quickly got on their feet and put back every plate. They glanced at each other before walking together towards the sound of feminine voices, just behind the throne.

"Are you insane? Of course I will not agree to marry such a scoundrel!" The first, louder, voice said. Skai frowned at it's familiarity, looking Mikasa's way and raising an eyebrow at the twinkle in her blue eyes.

"Come, stand beside me," Mikasa whispered, taking Skai's hand as they both stood just a foot before the first step of the stairs that led to the throne.

There was a sigh, from a softer voice. "This is the last suitor the council can think of for you, my Queen. What do you plan on doing?"

Now, this voice Skai recognized off the bat. Her jaw fell, facing Mikasa to look at her with wide shocked eyes.

The raven appeared to be just as stunned, all humor gone from her eyes to reveal pure confusion and slight mortification.

"You know what I plan on doing, my love. I shall marry you, not any of those disgusting greedy men. Oh! It looks like we have early guests."

Skai looked away from the bewildered Mikasa to also glance up at the owners of the voices.

Two identical gasps were heard.

There's so many people. So many people, suffering. They're surrounding me, they're draining me.

It's suffocating.

"Xkaliber."

I don't want to be this anymore! I don't want to live like this! What was the point?! What's even the reason for my existence?! Was there even one at all except for just power?! Is that ALL I am?!

"Xkaliber…"

I don't understand! Mother, please don't go! Please don't let them do this to me! I just wanted to save the world! They were all so nice to me. That's all I wanted to do! I didn't mean to destroy them! Please, Father, believe me!

"Xkali? Hun?"

No! Don't hide me here! I don't belong here! I am not human!

"Xkaliber!"

"I'm not human!" Xkaliber sat straight up from his bed with a shout, hand extended in mid-air. He was gasping for breath, his body full of sweat, beyond confused of his latest dreams. 'Where are they coming from? It's my own voice, but it doesn't feel like it was me.'

"Well, even I can tell you that."

The wizard whirled in surprise at the new voice in his prison. "Tamani?"

The brunette smiled coyly, sitting next to him on the bed and caressing his cheek. "Yes, it's me. They let me visit once I told them I was your girlfriend. Weird, right? They let Clarie in but not me," she frowned slightly before shrugging it off and beaming at him. "I only have a few minutes here with you. I've missed you so."

She's lying.

Xkaliber flinched, raising his hand to pull at his own hair in stress. 'Now I'm hearing voices, just great.' "I don't think it was good idea for you to come here."

Tamani smiled sweetly. "But why? I…I really missed you baby." Her hand on his cheek began to pulse, making his gasp. Her smile turned lustful, eyes glowing with electric blue. "More than you could ever know."

"I…" Xkaliber felt oddly dazed, heated, his eyes taking a dark hue. He tried to focus, but the ache in his groin made him uncomfortable, distracting him. "Tamani…"

"Shush, it's okay," the brunette smirked deviously, moving so that she was sitting on his lap and pushing him so he'd be laying down again. She loomed over him, threading her hands through his hair and nuzzling her nose with his. "Gods, you smell so delicious baby. Let me have you."

Xkaliber's eyes fluttered closed the moment her lips locked with his.

Viktor let out a frustrated sigh, slamming the last scroll down and scowling at it. He had just finished reading every book and ancient scroll he could get his hands on all gods, and yet he has been unable to find anything that would help their situation.

'I can't let them just die.'

Mikasa, Xkaliber, Skai….without knowing it, held the balance of the universe together. And Viktor wanted to help them, with at least some knowledge. He had had some feeling Mikasa knew more than she had let on, but she had always been a mysterious secretive person, and her thoughts were and still are hard to decipher. To Viktor's experience, the most lost ones were Skai and Xkaliber. All in all, the three of them were his friends, people he has gotten to know. He promised himself he would try everything in his power to save them.

The fairy glanced back to his wings, stretching them. They were damaged from the hold of the chains, but at least now they had the opportunity to heal, thanks to his mother. Now, all he needed to do was leave this place.

'But then what?'

According to Clarice, Xkaliber was not in a stable condition. Naturally, the wizard was the first one he needed to work with. He knew that whatever Mikasa and Skai were doing, that they were safe at the least.

A click made by the metal door immediately made him flinch, looking up at it with wide eyes. Quickly, Viktor grabbed the worn blanket beside him to hide his freed wings. He glared at the floor, praying that it wasn't a late night visit from the evil witch.

"Viktor…?"

Blinking, the blond rapidly glanced up and gasped in glee. "Osmil?!"

The brunette gave him a sheepish grin, opening the metal door wider. "Want to get out of here?"

Viktor's lips quirked up happily, standing and downright flying into Osmil's arms. "My god, I've never been so glad to see you!"

Osmil's face went beet red at the close proximity of his crush, but had the strength to laugh softly and hug back. "Thanks?"

Viktor stepped back, eyes glistening so much, the pink in his green orbs seemed to outshine. "Why, I mean, how are you even here?"

The incubus scratched the back of his head. "We've been searching for you guys and-"

"We?" Viktor grabbed Osmil's hand, dragging them both out of the room. The fairy quickly closed the door behind him, glancing from side to side at the long hallway. "Who else is here?"

"Just Tamani, she's with Xkaliber," Osmil was rather dazed, sort of giddy with Viktor's touch.

The future king blinked, frowning at the incubus. His powers were just returning now, thanks to being out of the wretched room. "Where did she go?"

"This is astonishing," the queen spoke with wonder, walking around Skai as if assessing her, nose twitching. Skai eyed the blonde right back, openly confused. They could've been clones, if it weren't for the facts that the queen was taller, with longer more vibrant blond hair and green eyes. "I cannot even smell you."

Skai frowned. "Neither can I."

"What is the meaning of this?" The raven that had been with the queen had now taken out her sword. Skai switched her sight to gaze at the latter. She looked almost exactly like Mikasa, except exceptionally paler and slightly more asian, if that made sense.

Skai looked back to Mikasa, for the first noticing the raven appeared to be aghast upon seeing her near clone. As if snapping out of it at the sight of a sword, Mikasa controlled her domineer to a more calm stature. "Queen Marie?"

'Marie?'

The queen stopped surveying Skai to look directly at Mikasa and then to her alert servant. "Naomi, it is okay."

Naomi still didn't sheath her katana, eyeing Mikasa cautiously before looking back at her queen with doubt. "My queen?"

Queen Marie smiled softly. "Trust me. Go to the guards at the entrance and make it aware to them that I will not be attending tonight's festivities. We have lots to discuss in my one of my quarters. Come to me once done."

Naomi seemed to be distrustful but she bowed Her Majesty's way and sheathed her sword. She gave one last warning glare towards Mikasa and Skai before she walked by them to walk down the stairs, her heels hitting the ground the only sound until they echoed away.

"Come," the queen walked gracefully ahead of them.

Mikasa followed obediently, stopping only when Skai had stayed put, her arms crossed in front of her chest. The raven glanced behind her.

'Who is that?'

Mikasa raised an eyebrow at Skai's developed telepathy. "Your past reincarnation."

"Oh," Skai relaxed. She should've guessed but it was hard to think with such a shock. Mikasa made a motion with her hand for the blonde to follow, and this time, she did so. The queen was ahead of them by now.

'Is this what you meant by safe? The Creation Stone is with her'?

Mikasa nodded.

'So you knew about my past reincarnation but why be so surprised with yours?

Mikasa frowned, shaking her head. "We'll talk later."

Skai sighed. 'I guess not even Mikasa knows everything.'

"This way," the queen opened a door close to the hallway and Mikasa and Skai quickly entered the room. It seemed to be like a small comfortable lounge, with velvety red sofas, a balcony letting fresh breeze sneak into the room, and an unlit fireplace. "Make yourselves at home dears."

Skai looked around, not particularly comfortable with looking at her dobble ganger at the face. She decided to take seat in the sofa closest to the balcony doors, taking Mikasa's wrist so that the other would have no option but to follow.

The queen was staring at them, utterly intrigued by their behavior. When they sat down, the older blonde quickly took a seat in front of them, and smiled friendlily. "When you said to me you would return, I did not know you would bring my future self as well! I thought you did not know me in your world!"

"I did not," Mikasa glanced at Skai, who had still not let go of her wrist and was staring at Marie as if she were an alien. The raven sighed, looking back at the queen. "Until recently."

"Oh dear! Is she as precious to you as my Naomi is?" Sparks seemed to fly out of the queen's green eyes, clapping her hands together in glee.

It was an odd thing for Skai to watch. 'Is this how I look like when I'm cheerful?'

Mikasa, in the other hand, thought of what Marie actually said, her pale cheeks changing just a tinge of color but quickly shook it off. "I was about to ask you of her. When did she appear in your life?"

Marie grew somber as she leaned back, tapping her cheek with her forefinger. "Well…things are not going well here. There was a battle off the shores of Asia, I had to go undercover and fight. That was when I saw her. She was out cold, under a pile of dead bodies, and everyone assumed she was dead until her eyes snapped open. She was a skillful fighter, that much I knew the moment I arrived at the scene. She had most of my men at the floor, but she was too tired and once she saw me in my wolf form, instead of fearing me, she went to me for safety and fell asleep on my fur. This was two weeks after you left, my dear. She looked so much like you, I chose to keep her in my staff as a guard."

"She looks like she is more than a guard, Your Majesty," Mikasa's eyes narrowed when Marie let out a happy laugh.

"Wait, so you are a werewolf as well?" Skai asked in curiosity and she opened her mouth to continue her line of thought when suddenly Mikasa's wrist twisted from her grasp, and gripped her hand so tightly it made her yelp. The shorter blonde glared at the raven, but she ignored her glower.

The queen raised an eyebrow at this, looking from one to another. "Yes, well, that is what I am. The civilians do not know this, however. They would be scared out of their minds because they do not understand. Human minds are feeble little things."

"And yet, you are messing around with a human yourself, my queen," Mikasa looked angry as she spat those words out, and again, Skai felt lost. 'What the hell is going on?'

"Naomi…is an exception," Marie smiled sweetly and as if on cue, the door opened to reveal the subject of their talk. "Oh, my love."

'Love? Holy shit, past Mikasa and me are together!' Skai looked at the raven beside her wide eyed and Mikasa had to resist the urge to roll her eyes.

Naomi closed the door behind her gracefully, before she walked to her queen and bent on her knees beside Marie with her legs and feet tucked under her (a position Mikasa knew was very traditional in her own Japanese home). The blonde's smile widened at this, running her hands through her lover's black hair. "Did everything go well?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Naomi's smile was shy and sweet, a look completely foreign to Skai, who couldn't stop but stare at them.

"You treat her like a pet," Mikasa snarled before she could think it through and the venom in it surprised even Skai. She looked at the raven beside her with a frown.

Naomi was glaring but the queen looked amused, out of all things. "Oh my dear Mikasa, she's nothing to me but that."

The coldness from those words shocked Skai to the core. In her life, she never was so careless and harsh, specially with Naomi being right next to her. And that's when she knew, that this woman may look like her, may look a lot more happier than her, but they were definately not the same, and Marie was surely not happy. Skai knew herself enough to know she wasn't. But how unhappy must this version of herself be, so that in the presence of a lover she clearly cared for, acted like she didn't. One glance at the raven on her knees told Skai that it was not the first time these words were uttered, and it made the younger blonde angry for some reason.

Mikasa looked disturbed and disgusted if anything. "You can lie all you want to your council, my queen, but you cannot lie to me."

Naomi reacted to that though, her black head bobbing up to stare at Mikasa with wide gray eyes but the younger raven paid no attention to her. Skai wondered how she knew this, did Mikasa have an intimate relationship with this Marie, for her to know her so well? Or did the raven just know her, Skai, that well that she even knew the thoughts of past versions of Skai?

Marie's amusement vanished, and she looked more annoyed than anything but did not stop petting her guard's hair. "Why are you here, time traveler?"

Mikasa looked at her straight in the eyes. "To collect what I have given you to protect."

The queen's eyes sparkled again, with an excited smile crossing her features. "It is time?"

"Yes."

They stared at each other a while longer.

"I would not be needing you to repay me," Marie spoke softly, as if it were a secret, her emarald eyes glancing to Skai briefly. "I understand. It will be here by morning."

Mikasa scrunched her nose but nodded anyways.

Skai frowned 'What was that about?'

"My love," Marie purred to Naomi, who looked up at her with devotion in her eyes and awaiting orders. "Can you please lead these two to a chamber? They must rest."

Naomi nodded, gracefully getting on her feet, and they all stood up as well. When the older raven went to open the door, Marie stepped forward so that Mikasa and her were eye to eye, her hand rising to cup the younger raven's chin.

Skai's frown deepened and even Naomi standing by the door looked affronted by their proximity.

Mikasa looked unsurprised but wary as Marie leaned down to give the raven a soft kiss on her cheek and whispered something into her ear that Naomi certainly wouldn't be able to hear, but Skai, with her ability, could.

"You should stop lying to yourself as well, beautiful."

A/N: Sorry for the long wait, again. I hope you like this chapter, it's quite long. Please review and stuff!

Lots of good will,

~CreaturesAcademyStudents